Big stats, human stories change attitudes about global issues ITHACA, N.Y. - New research from Cornell University sheds light on the types of statistical and narrative evidence that are most effective at persuading people to pay attention to global issues. Study co-authors Adam Levine, associate professor of government, and Yanna Krupnikov of Stony Brook University wanted to understand what makes people care about social and economic problems they may not necessarily face in their daily lives, and whether that concern is a function of how the problems are described. The team looked at several types of evidence showing that a problem exists. For example, statistics can describe the magnitude of the problem or they can be phrased in percentage terms - such as the percentage of people facing a problem. They designed a series of studies to test which type of evidence increased people's engagement, either by making a donation, paying attention to an email or stating a concern. The research was conducted in collaboration with a nonprofit in Ithaca, New York, that strives to increase access to affordable health care, including funding for a free clinic. In the studies, likely new donors received solicitations by mail, members of the organization received a solicitation email, and study participants unaffiliated with the organization took a survey gauging their interest in access to affordable health care. The messaging used in solicitations included combinations of high percentages, low percentages, case studies and raw numbers to describe the magnitude of the uninsured who can't afford health care. For example, the potential donors received either a standard letter, one saying 57 percent of uninsured people couldn't afford the care they need, or one describing how a real uninsured person benefited from the nonprofit's services. Across the board, the percentage-based evidence and human interest evidence tended to drive engagement, but talking about the overall magnitude of the problem didn't. "When you talk about the millions of children who are starving, or the millions of refugees who are seeking out a better life, it fails to have this emotional connection that tends to then motivate people to pay more attention and to become engaged," Levine said. The study offers a model of what a meaningful collaboration between researchers and practitioners can look like. "Pull at people's emotional heartstrings," Levine said. "You can do it with certain forms of statistical evidence. You can do it with sympathetic case studies. And that will move behavior and move attitudes." ### For more information, see this Cornell Chronicle story. Cornell University has dedicated television and audio studios available for media interviews supporting full HD, ISDN and web-based platforms. This story has been published on: 2019-03-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Africa: Inroads made in police promotions, pay progressions The South African Police Service (SAPS) has made major inroads in its drive to promote thousands of officers, Police Minister Bheki Cele has announced. The announcement came amid threats of industrial action in the SAPS over skewed promotions. Addressing media at the Gauteng SAPS provincial headquarters, Cele said the issue of promotions -- which is backlogged by 69 219 personnel since the 2011/12 financial year -- is being addressed. During the briefing, union representatives said they would assure the public that the planned strike would not go ahead on Monday. The reps reiterated that officers are aware that they are not allowed to strike, as they offer an essential service. Cele said it is important to put the sensitive subject of promotions into proper context and understanding. During his Budget Vote speech in May last year, Cele presented to the National Assembly a reference point to the policy direction on SAPS promotions. During the address, there were backlogs in the grade progressions of employees between levels 5 and 7. Moving from this particular understanding, we can all agree that the ultimate intended purpose of addressing the long overdue promotions of eight years is aimed at improving the morale and well-being of our members, with the ultimate goal of impacting effectively and efficiently on service delivery, he said. During the current financial year, 3 500 entry level trainees and 600 Public Service Act officers were enlisted. During this period, Cele said, there were 32 000 promotions and grade progressions. Meanwhile, 940 Special Task Force, TRT and the National Intervention Unit members will be re-graded during this financial year. Cele said the police cannot allow the recent developments to kill the morale in the service. Police management will embark on a process of a vigorous internal communication to take all members on board in understanding the promotion process and the phases thereof, he said. Growing the service Next Monday, Cele will meet the countrys 1 147 police station commanders, as well as provincial and national management to address and unpack this matter at length and to further engage on other issues of national importance. It is also imperative to note that out of the set target of 3 500 entry level trainees, as announced in the Budget Vote, SAPS exceeded the target and enlisted a total of 5 000 entry level trainees out of a number of 517 000 applicants, the Minister said. In relation to the recruitment of entry level trainees, Cele said he is concerned by some objections regarding the legitimacy of the SAPS recruitment process from those who have not met the criteria after undergoing a rigorous selection process. The National Commissioner and myself are processing this matter in detail internally and will pronounce on a way forward in due course, he said. The promotion process, Cele said, would cost R2 billion. Due to financial implications, the process has been broken down in a three-year cycle for completion, in an effort to address the remaining backlog of 45 000 members that are due to be promoted. Having full appreciation of the figures outlined above, it is quite clear that the policy directive on these matters is very progressive and needs to be supported and applauded. As the SAPS, we have responded positively to the Thuma Mina call and delivered beyond the set target of promoting 32 053 members in a period of one financial year. This has never happened before in the history of this organisation. However, Cele conceded that the implementation process by police management has gaps and needs to be improved with speed in addressing some of the genuine concerns raised. The national police management is expected to visit all provinces to further unpack the process of promotions at cluster and district level and further unpack the entire Employer Value Proposition that is aimed at addressing all human resource matters. Cele urged members of SAPS to take the police leadership into confidence with regards to promotions. This matter of promotions will be further addressed with the speed it deserves to benefit the entire SAPS family and amicably with all parties involved, including labour unions, he said. The Minister also urged police officers to keep to the oath of office, which binds them to give full recognition to the needs of the SAPS and to cooperate with the community and government. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-03-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. San Francisco-based Populus , a startup whose software platform gives cities data to plan for shared mobility services like scooters and bikes, has raised $3.1 million to grow its team to keep pace with demand.Regina Clewlow, CEO and co-founder of Populus, said the seed funding round began in January and closed on Monday, bringing its total funding to $3.85 million. Lead investors were Precursor Ventures and Relay Ventures, with additional backing from Castor Ventures and others.Without specifying exactly how many clients Populus has, Clewlow toldthe company serves cities from coast to coast, adding roughly a city a week.We are going to be expanding the team, because we are seeing significant growth in demand for our platform and are going to be scaling it to more cities around the world, she said. Most of the demand is in the United States, but wherever scooters launch, there tend to be new regulatory regimes that are put in place by cities. Wherever you see cities, you typically see a need for mobility management.Launched in April 2018, Populus platform collects vehicle and trip data from shared mobility operators, such as scooters, bikes and cars, and shares it with city planners who can identify new bike and scooter parking areas and dedicated lanes. Populus also bills itself as the only data platform that gets real-time data from shared cars to help cities with curbside management and pricing.In a few short months, we have already seen that when cities have access to shared mobility data through our platform, they are able to make decisions that are sometimes politically challenging, such as carving off street space for bikes and scooters to safely operate, Clewlow said in a statement. We are also seeing that many public agencies are beginning to consider new pricing models for streets, sidewalks and curbs that can help reduce traffic and shift our cities towards more energy efficient transportation systems.Populus counts governments in the metropolitan areas of Washington, D.C., the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles as clients, as well as mobility companies who use the platform to share their data with cities.Over the past decade we have seen an explosion of shared mobility services, said Charles Hudson, a managing partner of Precursor Ventures and new Populus board member, in a statement. In order to fulfill their promises of delivering safer, equitable and efficient streets, shared mobility operators will require platform partners like Populus to facilitate their continued growth. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 13:57 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81e09b6 1 Business Bank-of-China,evaluation,Batang-Toru-hydropower-project,protest,environment Free Bank of China has said it will evaluate its funding commitment to the Batang Toru hydropower plant project in North Sumatra amid environmental concerns. Bank of China will evaluate the project very carefully and make prudent decisions by duly considering the promotion of green finance, fulfilment of social responsibility as well as the adherence to commercial principles, the bank said in a statement posted on its website. We attach great importance to corporate social responsibility in our global operations and ensure that our business activities abide by local laws and regulations. We are committed to supporting environmental protection globally and upholding the principles of green finance. Environmentalists have expressed their appreciation to the response and decision made by the Medan State Administrative Court (PTUN Medan) over a lawsuit submitted by the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi). We hope the project will be stopped, starting from the funding as well as the planning by state-owned electricity company PLN, said Orangutan Information Center (OIC) director Panut Hadisiwoyo in a statement on Thursday. Meanwhile, Mighty Earth CEO Glenn Hurowitz said the bank had responded positively to the effort to save the orangutan habitat. It is good news. [] We really hope they evaluate the project and not belittle the risk that we and experts have noted, Hurowitx added. The protested US$1.6 million project will be developed by PT North Sumatera Hydro Energy (NSHE) in cooperation with Chinas Sinohydro. Among the environmental groups that protested the project were the OIC, Center of Orangutan Protection (COP) and Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program (SOCP) (bbn). Boeings $600 billion-plus order book for its 737 Max began shaking after several big customers threatened to reconsider their purchases in the wake of the Ethiopian Airlines crash, the second deadly accident involving the plane since October. VietJet Aviation, which doubled its order to about $25 billion only last month, said it will decide on its future plans once the cause of the tragedy has been found. Kenya Airways is reviewing proposals to buy the Max and could switch to Airbus SEs rival A320. Russias Utair Aviation is seeking guarantees before taking delivery of the first of 30 planes. Thats as Indonesias Lion Air firms up moves to drop a $22 billion order for the 737 in favor of the Airbus jet, according to a person with knowledge of the plan. Separately, a $5.9 billion order from a unit of Saudi Arabian Airlines hangs in the balance. Boeing 737 Max 8 Lion Air (Courtesy of Lion Air/-) The 737, which first entered service in the late 1960s, is the aviation industrys best-selling model and Boeings top earner. The re-engineered Max version has racked up more than 5,000 orders worth in excess of $600 billion, including planes that have already been delivered. Boeing, whose shares have lost 11 percent of their value this week, faces escalating financial risk after two disasters involving its newest narrow-body jet in the past five months. The stock inched up 0.5 percent on Wednesday in New York after seeing its biggest two-day drop in almost a decade. The deadly crash in Ethiopia comes just about five months after the Oct. 29 crash of another Boeing 737 Max plane, operated by Indonesias Lion Air. The relationship between the carrier and Boeing soured after the manufacturer pointed to maintenance issues and human error at Lion as the underlying cause, even though the planes pilots had been battling a computerized system that took control following a sensor malfunction. A man carries a piece of debris on his head at the crash site of a Nairobi-bound Ethiopian Airlines flight near Bishoftu, a town some 60 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 10, 2019. A Nairobi-bound Ethiopian Airlines Boeing crashed minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa on March 10, killing all eight crew and 149 passengers on board, including tourists, business travellers, and (Agence France Presse/Michael TEWELDE ) Sundays loss of an Ethiopian Airlines 737, in which 157 people died, bore similarities to the Asian tragedy, stoking concern that a feature meant to make the upgraded Max safer than earlier planes has actually made it harder to fly. Boeing is in crisis as most of the world grounded the plane. On Wednesday, US regulators joined the global chorus by grounding the plane, citing evidence showing the Ethiopian Airlines flight may have experienced the same problem as the plane that went down five months ago off Indonesia. With extensive grounding of the 737 Max, near term news could get worse for Boeing before it improves, Cai von Rumohr, an analyst with Cowen & Co., said in a note. However, he added, because the company is readying an update to its flight-control software, we dont see meaningful long term risk. Indeed, the only real rival to Boeing is European planemaker Airbus, whose production line for the A320neo is full well into the next decade. Alaska Air Group Inc. said Wednesday it would take delivery of its first Max aircraft. VietJet, Flyadeal VietJet is monitoring the situation and will reach a decision on whether to go ahead with its purchase following official conclusions from global regulators and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, it said in a statement Wednesday. Utair told RIA Novosti that its waiting for results of the Ethiopian crash probe before proceeding with the first delivery on an order for 30 737 Max jets. The company is seeking assurances from Boeing, it said. In this file photo taken on March 14, 2018, US President Donald Trump speaks with Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg (2L) during a tour of the Boeing Company in St. Louis, Missouri. Trump spoke with Muilenburg on March 12, 2019, about the crash of a 737 MAX 8 aircraft that killed 157 people, an industry source told AFP. The telephone call took place after Trump sent a tweet earlier in the day that said: (AFP/Mandel Ngan) Flyadeal, a unit of Saudi Arabian Airlines, said in December it would switch from Airbus and purchase up to 50 737 Max jets, subject to final terms being reached. The company says its waiting on the results of the investigation. Were closely monitoring the situation and are in constant contact with Boeing, the company said in an email. There are no conclusions to be drawn at this time. Lion Air was already looking at scrapping its Boeing deal after Octobers crash, which killed 189, and the latest disaster has made co-founder Rusdi Kirana more determined to cancel the contract, according to the person familiar with the situation, who asked not to be named as the plans are private. Kenya Airways will consider switching to Airbus or could opt to take more an the older version of the 737 Boeing jet, which doesnt feature the suspect system, Chairman Michael Joseph said in an email, without ruling out sticking with the Max. The company revived plans to expand its network last year with a proposal to buy as many as 10 of the planes worth about $1.2 billion. Some 32 of those killed in the Ethiopian crash, which occurred six minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa, were Kenyan citizens, the most for any single country. We will carefully follow the developments around the 737 Max, Kenya Airways Joseph said. No decision has been taken yet. Sub-Saharan Africas third largest carrier is almost 50 percent state-owned after a reorganization in 2017. Kenya Airways has about 40 aircraft including eight 787 wide-bodies and the same number of an older version of the 737, the 800. The Dreamliner fleet will likely expand to add long-haul services, Joseph said, requiring more smaller planes to feed them with customers. Those might include turboprops and Airbus A220 or Embraer SA E2 regional jets, as well as 737-sized models. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 13:20 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81df71c 1 National child-marriage,child-abuse,child-protection,religious-court,Religious-Affairs-Ministry,Supreme-Court,1974-Marriage-Law,KUA,KPAI,Women-Empowerment-and-Child-Protection Free When her parents brought her home from school, 14-year-old Dewi, not her real name, had the surprise of her life. An adult man, who was later revealed as a widower with children, had been waiting behind the doors of her house for one purpose: to marry her. I was devastated at the time. I still wanted to go to school and see my friends. But my parents said that the [marriage] could help the family's economy. So, I couldnt say no, she said. As she was still underage, her parents and soon-to-be husband doctored the necessary documents by changing her date of birth with the help of local brokers. But her husband soon become violent, going into rages and throwing furniture whenever he became upset. He also neglected to support her financially. They divorced after six months of marriage. Now 40, Dewi is among the thousands of women in Indonesia who was forced into child marriage. According to an Indonesia Statistics (BPS) report in 2015, one in every four married women aged 20 to 24 were married before they were 18. Compelled by her harrowing experience, Dewi and two other victims of child marriage filed a lawsuit nearly three decades after Dewis divorce. They challenged the 1974 law on marriage, which she said was discriminative toward women. The marriageable age limit for men is 19 and 16 for girls, contradicting a 2014 law on child protection that defined children as "younger than 18 years old". Ultimately, the Constitutional Court (MK) granted Dewis demands in December by ordering lawmakers to revise the age limit within the next three years. Government officials assured in a discussion on child marriage on Monday that the matter would be addressed soon but provided no further details on a plan. The Constitutional Court ruling has pushed Amran Suadi, head of the Supreme Courts religious affairs chamber, to formulate a clearer regulation for religious court judges to provide exemptions for marriages involving children. Critics have criticized it as a loophole for child marriage. Judges will also be taught the psychology behind child development [] so that they can make better rulings when providing exemptions, Amran said. A 2019 study conducted by the Australia Indonesia Partnership for Justice (AIPJ2) revealed that religious courts have approved an average of 12,000 exemptions every year. Furthermore, the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) revealed that only 5 percent of child marriages were given court exemptions, suggesting that the remaining 95 percent were carried out with falsified documents, such as in Dewis experience. The Religious Affairs Ministrys director for family affairs and the Religious Affairs Office (KUA), Anwar, conceded that some KUAs allowed child marriages with only a letter from the subdistrict head which flouts the 1974 law that requires an exemption letter from courts for underage marriages. To prevent such practices, his team created an online administrative system integrated with electronic IDs (e-KTP) in November, which could help officials identify underage brides and grooms. However, the system and age limit will not completely prevent child marriages, said Anwar, who suggested a marriageable age limit of 21 for the 1975 law revision. Joint advocacy [from various ministries] is needed. For instance, the Education and Culture ministry can enforce its 12-year compulsory education to [prevent] child marriages. Likewise, Woro Sri Hastuti Sulistyaningrum of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) highlights the need for ministries to consider cultural and economic conflicts that incite child marriages. A 2018 BPS report further confirms the claim as women in the poorest category has the highest percentage of underage marriage, nearly three times more than wealthier groups. Similarly, provinces in Kalimantan and Sulawesi have consistently been the most prevalent in the last 10 years, which Woro blamed on their deep-rooted culture in embracing early marriage. The MKs ruling is a great step toward child marriage prevention, Woro said. But the task now requires teamwork [from each ministry] to execute it. We simply cannot work alone. In the meantime, child marriage victim Dewi expressed hope that the revision would be finished prior to the three years promised by officials because of the uncertainties revolving around it. I dont want to see my friends drop out of school because of child marriage. I just want all Indonesian women to obtain [an education] and become smart, Dewi said. (mai) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 11:49 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81da0cc 1 City drug-abuse,drug-dealer,smuggling,verdict,prison Free The Bekasi District Court in West Java has sentenced on Wednesday two men involved in an international drug ring to life imprisonment, instead of the death sentence prosecutors had demanded. Andang Anggara, 27, and Sonny Sasmita, 41, were found responsible for orchestrating the smuggling of 600,000 ecstasy pills from the Netherlands through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at the end of November 2017. Musa Arif, the head judge of the judicial panel, sentenced the two men to "life in prison and Rp 1 billion [US$70,015] in fines, or six [additional] months in prison, kompas.com reported. Andang and Sonny were found guilty of violating Article 114(2) of Law No. 35/2009 on narcotics. The 600,000 ecstasy pills passed undetected through airport customs and were transported to Bekasi by another suspect, Waluyo. Waluyo was arrested when the police raided a house in the Villa Mutiara Gading 2 residential complex in Tambun Utara, Bekasi, where the smuggled drugs were stored. The police also arrested another suspect, Andang's younger brother Dadang, during the raid. The subsequent investigation found that Andang and Sonny had arranged the smuggling operation while serving separate sentences, respectively at Surakarta Penitentiary in Central Java and Gunung Sindur Penitentiary in Bogor, West Java. However, the prosecutor still hasn't decided whether to challenge the verdict or not. Just think about it for some days, Musa said. Meanwhile, another defendant in the same case, Michael Assa, the middleman in the drug operation, was sentenced to 18 years in prison and Rp 1 billion in fines substitutable with another six months in prison. (ami) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 14:57 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81e71d6 1 City LRT,Depok,connectivity Free Depok in West Java is planning to build its own light rail transit (LRT) system connecting Cibubur and Pondok Cina in a bid to improve connectivity in the area. Depok Transportation Agency head Dadang Wihana said that according to current plans, which are based on the Greater Jakarta Transportation Master Plan (RITJ) issued through a 2018 presidential regulation, the railway would be completed by 2022. A feasibility study has been carried out by the Greater Jakarta Transportation Body (BPTJ), he said as quoted by kompas.com. The project is estimated to cost Rp 600 billion (US$42 million). The budget has been proposed to the city administration, provincial administration, the Transportation Ministry and parties from the private sector [] The biggest proportion will come from private [companies], Dadang said. The LRT connecting Cawang in East Jakarta to Cibubur will have a trial run between March and April. (fac) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ganug Nugroho Adi (The Jakarta Post) Klaten Thu, March 14, 2019 16:16 1001 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81ec550 1 National abortion,LINE,Klaten,Central-Java,crime Free The Klaten Police arrested five people last Friday for allegedly running an online abortion clinic in Ceper, Klaten, Central Java. The suspects were identified as Agung Nugroho and his wife, Anisa Puspitasari, as well as Ariyanti, a local midwife. Agung and Anis allegedly offered abortion services on a LINE messaging app under the handle Nindira. The police also arrested Dian Arisa and Yoga Janu, a couple who allegedly used the clinics service. According to Klaten Police chief Sr. Comr. Aries Andhi, his team stumbled on the abortion clinic after Anisa reported to police that her mobile phone was missing. After conducting an investigation, the police discovered that it was allegedly stolen by Dian. After we found out who stole the phone, we checked the data and discovered a conversation relating to the services offered by the abortion clinic, Aries said on Friday. Agung and Anisa confessed to the police that they had been operating the online abortion clinic for the last three years. Throughout its years of operation, the couple had allegedly seen 200 patients, most of whom were three months pregnant or less. We only gave abortion drugs like cytotec to patients when they were still in their first trimester, Agung told the police. He also explained that not every abortion needed medical assistance. I asked for Ariyantis help if their gestation period was more than three months. The drugs were allegedly sold for Rp 3 million (US$209.48) per tablet. If patients wanted to use a midwife service to abort their fetuses, Agung allegedly charged them Rp 10 million. Patients who needed medical assistance allegedly received treatment in the midwifes house in Kujon village, Ceper, Klaten. For a fetus that was less than two months old, Agung claimed he injected patients with triclofem, a drug which is used to treat abnormal uterine bleeding, aside from giving them cytotec. After six hours, the fetus would be aborted. Ariyanti claimed that she was only involved in three operations. They paid me Rp 3 million for each operation. I regret my action, she told the police. Meanwhile, the head of the Klaten police crime department, Comr. Didik Sulaiman, revealed that the online abortion clinic had not only used by people from Java, but also by people in Sulawesi and Kalimantan. We will search the Nindira office in Yogyakarta, including Ariyantis clinic in Klaten, Didik said. (dpk) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 08:25 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81d3159 4 Business new-ministries,Jokowi,indef,CORE-Center-Reform-Economics,comments Free President Joko Jokowi Widodo has telegraphed his intension to create new ministries covering exports and investment in response to poor performances in the two sectors, but economists consider this to be a bad idea. Instead, they called on the government to maximize the performance of existing institutions. Creating new ministries is not a guaranty to resolve export and investment problems, said Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) economist Bhima Yudhistira in Jakarta on Tuesday as quoted by kontan.co.id. On investment, Bhima said the government needed to maximize the performance of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), which has long been involved in the sector but lacks support from other ministries. The investment frequently relates to the Environment and Forestry Ministry, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry and regional governments, he said, adding that the challenge was how to encourage these ministries to closely coordinate with and support the BKPM. The creation of new ministries would certainly burden the state budget because the Trade Ministry, for example, needed at least a Rp 3.5 trillion (US$245.48 million) annual budget to operate, he said. Similarly, Center of Reform on Economics (Core) director Mohammad Faisal said the poor performance in investment and exports was caused by a lack of synergy between relevant government institutions. This had resulted in the lack of competitiveness of Indonesian agriculture and mining commodities as well as manufacturing sector products, he said, adding that if competitiveness was really the issue, creating new ministers was not the solution. What we need is to improve efficiency in both upstream and downstream businesses. They need to be supported by a proper policy, Faisal added. Last year, exports grew by 6.65 percent year-on-year to $180.06 billion, while imports grew by 20.15 percent to $188.6 billion. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14 2019 Rapper Iwa K not only spits out rhymes and lyrics but he can also cook. Iwa said, as quoted by Kompas.com, that he learned how to cook when he was still a university student back in 1989. I lived alone in Bandung [West Java] during my college years so I liked to cook with my friends, the 48-year-old rapper said. 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 Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Jon Afrizal (The Jakarta Post) Jambi Thu, March 14 2019 The last time Usman and other residents of Semerantihan village in Sumay district, Tebo regency, Jambi, had a good nights sleep without worrying that a herd of Sumatran elephants would roam into their residential area was four years ago. Semerantihan village is located within the 508,000-hectare Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem that stretches from Riau to Jambi. The ecosystem is considered to be the last sanctuary for several endangered species, including the Sumatran orangutan, tiger and elephant. Every night, villagers go on patrol around the village to drive away the elephants and prevent them from entering their local plantation. Usman said a herd consisting of at least 30 elephants regularly circled the village. 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 Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 15:28 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81ea3a7 1 Business Indonesia,halal-destination,target,2019 Free As the most populous Muslim-majority nation, the country is aiming for the top spot on the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), as part of an effort to achieve the foreign tourist arrival target of 20 million this year. Were aiming for halal tourism to see growth of 42 percent this year, said Tourism Minister Arief Yahya in a statement on Wednesday. With a target of 42 percent growth, Indonesia is expected to welcome 5 million foreign tourists this year from 3.5 million in 2018 and 1.95 million in 2017. To reach the target, the ministry aims to make sure the countrys designated halal tourist destinations are Muslim-friendly. Head of the ministrys halal tourism development, Anang Sutono, said the country had great potential to see an increase in the arrival of Muslim tourists. In 2017, with the arrival of 1.95 million Muslim tourists, 15 percent growth from the previous year, we managed to obtain foreign exchange of Rp 27 trillion [US$1.43 billion], Anang said as quoted by kontan.co.id. The GMTI projected the number of Muslim tourists to reach 158 million in 2026. Previously, the Indonesia Muslim Travel Index (IMTI) 2019 decided 10 major halal tourist destinations -- Aceh, Riau and Riau Islands, West Sumatra, Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, Lombok and South Sulawesi. (bbn) (TNS) Indiana's St. Joseph County Council unanimously decided Tuesday to budget $3 million for new voting machines across the countys 146 polling locations.The decision to budget the money came after the county election board, which administers elections, told the council that software updates are no longer available for the current M100 machines, which are more than 15 years old and have been increasingly plagued by maintenance issues.The county board of commissioners is expected to consider approving a contract this spring for the machines with the countys election vendor, Chicago-based RBM Consulting. The vendor is a dealer for California-based Unisyn Voting Solutions, which manufactures the voting equipment.To cover most of the equipment cost, officials plan to tap the countys local income tax fund, which had a balance of $8.2 million at the end of 2018. The purchase plan also calls for using $264,000 in leftover federal grant money earmarked for election equipment, along with $236,000 that was budgeted for the maintenance of old machines but will no longer be needed for that.The council OKd the $3 million as part of a bill that included several financial items. Before the vote, there was no discussion about the machines among council members. Several of them had already indicated their support last month at a committee meeting.County Clerk Rita Glenn, a member of the election board, said she was ecstatic about the councils decision.Were going to make sure the process for voting is seamless, so that there are no questions from the public when we process votes, she said.The plan calls for buying touch screen voting tablets for 678 voting booths countywide, eliminating the need for printed ballots that required people to use the pen-and-paper voting method.Using the new technology, voters would print ballots with their selections. Those ballots would be fed into optical scan readers to tabulate them. The plan is to buy scan readers for each of the countys 146 polling locations.Some voters will already be familiar with the machines. That is because 15 touch screen tablets were used by walk-in absentee voters for the general election last fall. Bought for $175,000 with leftover federal grant money, the tablets and related equipment were used at the County-City Building in South Bend and County Services Building in Mishawaka.In other business on Tuesday, the council approved the following matters: In a 6-2 vote, the council decided to override a veto by the county Board of Commissioners and approved a request by the county voter registration office to hire two full-time and two part-time deputy clerks to keep up with election work. Raises totaling a combined $47,000 were approved for five employees from the office of Penn Township Mike Castellon, but his request to hire two employees was denied. And in a separate proposal, raises totaling a combined $225,000 were approved for 25 employees from the office of County Assessor Rosemary Mandrici, along with $400,000 for a new assessment software system. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14 2019 The Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR) on Tuesday called for the National Police chief to investigate police officers in Wamena, Papua, for arbitrarily shaming alleged sex workers. The rights group also urged the Home Ministry to assess Jayawijaya Regent Jhon Richard Banua, who had condoned the violation of human rights. Police arrested 11 women on suspicion of prostitution on Monday in Wamena. It was reported that the police then dunked the women, along with their alleged pimp, into a large muddy pond on the premises of the regents office in front of a crowd. We also arrested several students during the sting operation. They had not had sex yet, said Jayawijaya Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Tonny Ananda Swadaya as quoted by local news portal ceposonline.com. 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 Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin A. Muh. Ibnu Aqil (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 17:59 1001 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81f3a30 1 City fruit,East-Jakarta,reserves,anies-baswedan Free Jakartas endemic duku condet (lanzones) trees finally bore fruit at the Condet Fruit Reserve in Balekambang, Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, which was celebrated by locals and Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan. Anies and several other city officials celebrated the harvest on a visit to the 3.3-hectare plot, which had been repurposed to preserve Jakartas endemic fruit -- duku condet and salak condet (dragon fruit) -- among others. Alhamdulillah [thank God] we have just harvested duku condet. This is something unique in Jakarta, which is full of buildings, Anies told reporters on Thursday. He said his administration and local residents worked hard to preserve Jakartas endemic fruit such as duku and salak, which is currently only produced in small numbers, at the reserve. Anies added that it also served as an agritourism site, which residents could visit, interact and learn about nature. He asked the Jakarta Food Security, Marine and Agriculture Agency to protect Jakartas remaining farmlands. The agencys head, Darjamurni, said the land had been purchased by the administration in 2007 to preserve Jakartas endemic fruit. He added that the Environment and Forestry Ministry had issued a certificate, which declared that salak condet was endemic to Jakarta and part of its heritage. Duku condet is currently in the process of receiving certification from the ministry as well so that it too can be preserved, Darjamurni said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 13:10 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81de448 1 City Muara-Baru,fish-market,inauguration,Jokowi Free President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on Wednesday inaugurated the Muara Baru Modern Fish Market (PIM Muara Baru) in Penjaringan, North Jakarta, saying that it had changed public perceptions of fish markets. "I am happy that we were able to reverse the perspective. We used to think of fish markets as dirty, muddy, smelly and uncomfortable," he said at the event. He said the three-story structure now resembled a modern shopping center, and that the Muara Baru fish market was intended to be "a pilot project" for developing modern fish markets in other provinces. Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti, State-Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Sumarno and Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan also attended the inauguration. The new fish market provides 896 booths for fresh fish sellers, 155 booths for dried fish sellers, and eight kiosks in the food court. PIM Muara Baru has been open since Feb. 16 and accommodates hundreds of fish sellers who were relocated from the old market next to it. At the groundbreaking ceremony in February 2018, Minister Susi expressed her hope that the new Muara Baru market would be a tourist attraction like the renowned Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. Tsukiji fish market, she said, was beautifully organized and attracted millions of visitors every year. (sau) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Medan Thu, March 14, 2019 08:40 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81d374f 1 Politics Jokowi,Sibolga,SibolgaPort,JAD,terrorism,Aman-Abdurrahman,National-Police,#2019PresidentialElection,#2019GeneralElections Free The National Police have confirmed that President Joko Jokowi Widodo will not cancel a scheduled work visit to North Sumatra on Friday, even after this weeks terror arrest and raid in Sibolga, where he is expected to inaugurate the newly expanded Sibolga Port on Sunday. National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo said the port city had been secured. President Jokowi will still visit as the situation is already under our control, Dedi told reporters in Medan, North Sumatra, on Wednesday. North Sumatra Police chief Insp. Gen. Agus Adrianto denied speculation that the arrest and raid were related to the Presidents scheduled visit. [It has] nothing to do with that. The incident was actually related to the arrest of a suspected terrorist in Lampung, he said. Early on Wednesday, the wife and child of suspected terrorist Husein aka Abu Hamzah blew themselves up in the familys residence in Sibolga following Huseins arrest. The explosion occurred while the police were negotiating with the wife, encouraging her, along with the child, to surrender to the police. Abu Hamzah is suspected of being affiliated with outlawed homegrown pro-Islamic State (IS) terror group Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD). He was arrested after the National Police's Densus 88 counterterrorism squad received information from a JAD-linked terror suspect identified only as Ro in Lampung last weekend. Another suspect was also arrested after Ro. During a terror raid at Huseins house on Tuesday, a police officer was injured after an explosive device went off. JAD was declared a forbidden organization by the government last year. The leader of the organization, Aman Abdurrahman, was sentenced to death last year for his role in inciting others to commit terror attacks in the country. JAD was allegedly responsible for multiple deadly bombings in East Java and the killing of six police officers at the Mobile Brigade headquarters (Mako Brimob) in Depok, West Java, last year. The police are gathering forensic evidence in the suspects residence. (das) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Vela Andapita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 11:17 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81d8acb 1 City environment,green-building,energy-saving,jakarta,GBCI,Schneider-Indonesia Free While there is growing awareness about preserving the environment, not much has been done to educate the public about energy-saving buildings. From their construction to operation, buildings across the globe have consumed 40 percent of the energy countries produce and 12 percent of clean water. Adding to that, buildings contribute 25 percent of global waste production and 35 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, according to global energy management company Schneider Electric. Green Building Council Indonesia (GBCI) chairman Iwan Prijanto said on Tuesday that the lack of awareness has hampered green building projects in Jakarta and nationwide. GBCI members comprise almost all developers in Indonesia. There have also been regulations that make green building mandatory. But if theres no demand from the market, it will go nowhere, Iwan said. The government, through the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry, as well as the Jakarta administration, have issued Ministerial Regulation No. 2/2015 and Gubernatorial Regulation No. 38/2012, respectively, to reduce the environmental impacts of the construction sector. The Jakarta gubernatorial decree stipulates that developers must comply with green requirements with energy and water efficient buildings or fail to receive a construction permit. These requirements also exist in other cities, such as Bandung in West Java, Medan in South Sumatra and Denpasar in Bali. The Public Works and Housing Ministry has turned one of the buildings in its office complex in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, into an example. The building has been certified by the GBCI and declared as the first government building to apply a green concept. The certification was based on the GBCIs green building standards, called Greenship. The next major challenge comes from existing buildings that do not comply with green regulations. In Jakarta, more than 90 percent of all buildings were built before the green building decrees were issued. According to Schneider Electric Indonesias segment manager for health care and real estate, Ferry Kurniawan, the least they could do is to revamp some parts of the building to meet a number of green requirements. It might not be done all at once. They could at first, for example, change their light bulbs or replace their air conditioning system with an eco-friendlier one, he said. It would be so much easier, Ferry added, if the developer had implemented a green concept from the designing of the buildings blueprints. In planning a building, developers could apply both green and smart design concepts, which includes internet connection to connect the building and all devices installed within it to a cloud or big data. In Schneider, we have products and services that comply to a smart building concept, using the Internet of Things, big data and analytics, Ferry said. Ferry claimed that smart buildings would not only be more energy efficient but also more comfortable. They could also save money by paying less for electricity each month. Inhabitants, meanwhile, could enjoy better lighting and air circulation. Both initiatives could also better control energy use, he added. It requires all parties to support the green or smart building movement; the government, developers, customers and also banks, Iwan said. By banks, Iwan meant all banking policies under Financial Services Authority (OJK) Regulation No. 51/POJK.03/2017 on sustainable finance. The regulation is aimed at enhancing financing to projects that promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, green building, green tourism and sustainable fishery and agriculture. After all, sustainability is also survivability. Its about whether or not we and our children could survive amid all these environmental changes, Iwan added. In July, Surabaya will host the 2019 Indonesia Smart Building Smart City Week. The event, which is the third of its kind, will include seminars and exhibitions for all things related to smart buildings, starting from products, technology to services for building systems and automation that supports energy efficiency. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ati Nurbaiti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 11:52 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81dafed 2 Politics 2019-legislative-election,gender-equality,#2019GeneralElections,women-legislative-candidates,women-candidates Free A little over a month is left for the presidential and legislative election campaigns, with women candidates facing even harder challenges than those in the 2014 elections, candidates, lawmakers and women activists say. Those challenges range from a highly divisive presidential candidates contestation to the fact that thousands of candidates will be faceless. Unlike in 2014, ballot sheets for over 192 million eligible voters will not contain the faces of legislative candidates, including almost 3,000 women. Only candidates for the Regional Representative Council (DPD) will have their pictures on the ballot sheets for the first simultaneous elections on April 17. Despite a historic 45 percent, or 3,194, of nearly 8,000 legislative candidates being women, researchers at the Association for Elections and Democracy (Perludem) said the increasing technicalities of the worlds most complex elections face a larger risk of invalid votes, which could further reduce votes for women. Last years simultaneous local elections resulted in over 3 million invalid votes, Titi Anggraini of Perludem said. She was among participants of Mondays discussion involving dozens of candidates for the national, provincial, regental and municipal legislative bodies apart from those for the DPD, organized by the Indonesian Womens Parliamentary Caucus (KPPI) at the House of Representatives and women activists. Political parties jumping ship have added to the challenges of all candidates, particularly women negotiating a patriarchal society and especially those with few links to the political elite. Researchers say almost 40 percent of women candidates are those related to figures in the local and national levels of political parties and administrations. Legislative elections should be separated again from the presidential elections, said Rita Yusrita Basit of the Golkar Party who is running for the Jakarta legislative council. Further, affirmative action policies for women representatives have become stagnant, said researchers from the University of Indonesia (UI) and Perludem. Thanks to heavy pressure from activists working with lawmakers and the National Commission for Violence against Women, affirmative action policies in the election laws and regulations have progressed incrementally -- from token acknowledgement of 30 percent of women legislative candidates ahead of the first 2004 post-New Order elections, to the disqualification of political parties in any electoral district where they failed to field 30 percent of women among their candidates for the 2014 legislative elections. No progress has been seen since then towards a quota of elected representatives. Even to meet political parties minimum mandatory quota of 30 percent women candidates for each electoral district, we will likely see even more familial relations among the political elite, said Sri Budi Eko Wardhani of the Political Studies Laboratory of UIs Faculty of Social and Political Sciences. Incumbent lawmaker Sherisada Manaf of the Democrat Party questioned whether women were still mere objects for political parties to meet their minimum requirements. Having been required to pay various amounts such as paying witnesses at voting stations, training and campaigns, she said there was no guarantee that the parties would place women in the coveted seats. Sri said political parties could pay for a lot for surveys but few shelled out funding for the training of their own candidates. Titi said as Indonesias democracy became increasingly considered mature, international donors have pulled out to the point that for the 2019 elections there has hardly been support for the training of women candidates. Regulations were needed to ensure funding for the training of female cadres for political parties, which already received state funding based on their portion of votes, Titi added. Another Perludem researcher, Heroik Pratama, said political parties still played on voters convictions that candidates numbered 1 and 2 would likely secure contested seats, while the numbering of candidates theoretically had no impact in the current proportional open election system. As a result, candidates vie among themselves within their respective parties to gain the top numbers, with women candidates saying they had little hope of winning if they were not related to national or local elites. In response to idealism voiced by candidates, incumbent R. Saraswati Djojohadikusumo of the Gerindra Party said future women lawmakers must be prepared to be replaced by their political parties if they were considered to violate the partys rules. Whether resulting policies would be gender sensitive hardly depended on individual lawmakers as voting was rare, she said, but on the factions of political parties. Fear of the political partys authority to revoke lawmakers explained representatives who stop being vocal once their term started, said Sara. Activists said regardless of the struggle for more women representatives, political parties continued to prioritize men who were seen as politicians more suited for the pursuit of power. Male politicians also eagerly aspired for House seats mainly for status and life-long pensions, Yudi Irlang Kusumaningsih of the Maju Perempuan Indonesia (Onward Indonesian Women) group said. The legal absence of a spending limit for campaigns increasingly hampered women candidates, Sara added, echoing researchers who cite a lack of access to resources as one factor inhibiting women politicians. In sharing experiences on how to deal with various challenges some candidates said they relied on friends and family. From the new Berkarya Party, which split from Golkar, another candidate said yet another challenge was overcoming the tendency of middle-class women who refrained from discussing politics. How would we get enough qualified women candidates when they say its taboo to talk about it? Wartini said. Many policies affected women the most, such as the price of basic goods, she added. Yuniyanti Chuzaifah of the women rights body reminded the women candidates to leave a meaningful legacy such as pushing for the sexual violence bill when elected. However, researcher Sri said the highly divisive presidential election campaign had led to the virtual drowning of such urgent issues. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 23:49 1001 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81fb92a 1 Business cabbage,exports,agriculture,North-Sumatra,Mount-Sinabung,commodity Free North Sumatra has suffered a sharp decline in its cabbage exports over the past two years, but is trying to revive exports of the produce with assistance from the Agriculture Ministry and the provincial administration. Ali Jamil, the head of the ministrys Agriculture Quarantine Agency (Barantan), recently said the agency had been providing technical assistance to farmers since early this year to meet the tightened export requirements of destination countries. He said the province's cabbage exports had declined sharply over the last two years because the frequent eruptions of Mount Sinabung had affected the produce's quality. At the same time, major importers like Japan, South Korea and Singapore had tightened their requirements for imported agricultural products. North Sumatra also exports cabbage to Taiwan and Malaysia. The ministry recorded a steady increase in the provinces cabbage exports from 11,747 tons in 2012, worth Rp 35 billion (US$2.45 million) to 32,680 tons in 2016, worth Rp 98 billion. However, cabbage exports then plunged to 18,459 tons (Rp 55 billion) in 2017 and to 15,228 tons (Rp 46 billion) in 2018. North Sumatra shipped 50.2 tons of cabbage in February to Malaysia through Medan's Belawan Port. The province also exported 19 other products with a total value of Rp 272 billion, including 13,620 tons of crude palm oil, 789 tons of coffee beans, 208 tons of pine sap, 125 tons of cinnamon and 1.5 tons of areca nuts. Jamil said Barantan had applied pest management and conducted "in-line inspections" from planting to post-harvest processing of cabbage, including transporting. "We expect these activities to help improve the quality of North Sumatra's cabbage and in turn, will help revive its exports," he said. North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi said that his administration was considering plans to build cold storage facilities to maintain the quality of the province's commodities. Because North Sumatras Karo regency was a major producer of several commodities, Edy said he had suggested Karo Regent Terkelin Brahmanan to aid farmers in improving productivity and exports, such as by establishing cooperatives. "This way, farmers will not suffer from declines in commodity prices during harvests due to the manipulation of middlemen or traders, he said. Hopefully, this will also improve North Sumatra's commodity exports, including cabbage, carrots and potatoes." Despite the decline in cabbage exports, North Sumatra saw a 7.3 percent year-on-year (yoy) growth in its agricultural commodity exports from $654 million in 2017 to $702 million in 2018, according to Statistics Indonesia (BPS). However, the province saw a 5.7 percent decline in industrial exports from $8.08 billion in 2017 to $8.57 billion in 2018, which caused an overall 4.77 percent decline in its exports from $9.22 billion in 2017 to $8.78 billion in 2018. (ars) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Stefanno Reinard Sulaiman (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 23:51 1001 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81fba7a 1 Business pertamina,oil-and-gas,refinery,Cilacap,cilacap-refinery,Prince-Salman,Aramco,saudi-aramco,saudi-prince Free A plan to revitalize Pertaminas refinery in Cilacap, Central Java, is still full of uncertainty as the state-owned energy holding company has not sealed a partnership deal with Saudi Arabian oil giant Saudi Aramco. Before getting to the final talk for a deal in June, the two companies have to settle a discussion regarding the valuation of the refinery, known as enterprise value (EV). Pertamina director of refinery and petrochemical megaprojects Ignatius Tallulembang said talks on the valuation of the refinery would be concluded by the end of March. Once we [settle] the valuation [EV], which is carried out by a third party, we will report to our partner. And if the agreement with Aramco cant be completed by June, we will terminate it and look for other options, he said. The valuation work is now being done by a global consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). If no deal is reached, Ignatius said, Pertamina could either find a new partner or upgrade the refinery by itself. One thing is for sure, the project will still go on, either with us doing it alone or with another partner. If we continue [with Aramco], the next steps are the engineering phase and setting up the joint company, he said. Previously, Aramco pledged to invest US$6 billion in the revitalization of the Cilacap refinery. However, the company has set several conditions for the investment, including incentives from the government such as tax holidays and the handover of assets to its subsidiary in Indonesia. A preliminary agreement, known as heads of agreement (HoA), between the two firms was signed in November 2015. The revitalization is expected to increase the production capacity to 400,000 barrels per day of fuel meeting the Euro V standard. However, one big problem concerns a difference in valuation of the facility between Pertamina and Aramco, which has seen the project progress at snails pace in the past four years. In an official document of the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry dated Feb. 14, Pertamina stated that the EV of the Cilacap refinery was US$5.66 billion, while Aramco values it at $2.8 billion. The difference in valuation prompted Pertamina to hire PwC to reassess the refinery. [The Cilacap refinery project] needs a boost from Saudi Crown Prince [Mohammed bin Salman] to approve Pertaminas valuation or the new valuation to be submitted by PwC, reads one of the statements in the document. Cilacap is only one of Pertaminas six refinery projects -- four for upgrades of existing refineries and two for new ones -- completion of which is now targeted for date late 2026. That date marks the second delay from the initial deadline of completing all projects in 2021. The upgraded and new refineries reflect Pertaminas effort to double its refining capacity to 2 million barrels of oil per day (bopd) by 2025 from only 1 million bopd at present. The existing refineries are located in: Cilacap, Central Java; Balongan, West Java; Dumai, Riau and Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. Meanwhile, the two new refineries are the Tuban and Bontang facilities in East Java and East Kalimantan, respectively. The total investment for these projects is expected to reach US$45 billion or Rp 600 trillion. That marks a steep increase from only Rp 210 trillion in the initial plan. When asked about progress on the other refineries, Ignatius said the company was in the stage of looking for a partner for the Balikpapan refinery and had set a September deadline to achieve this. Hopefully we will already have the partner for the Balikpapan refinery in September. Right now, there are a lot of potential partners, such as [Russian oil firm] Rosneft and [Azerbaijans] Socar, he said, adding that there were a total of nine potential partners. Rosneft is already a partner for Pertamina on the Tuban refinery project, which will cost around $16 billion. Meanwhile, regarding the Tuban refinery, Ignatius said the land procurement issue had been settled following approval from the president. The refinery projects have been criticized over delays and cancellations due to uncertainty in policies and a lack of funding, says global think tank BMI Research, a unit of the Fitch group. Indonesia's regulatory and bureaucratic landscape remains among the most complex in the region. We believe it will continue to stand in the way of meaningful projects in the coming years, BMI Research said in a 2018 report. Commenting on the slow progress of Pertaminas refinery projects, Golkar lawmaker Ridwan Hisjam said the delay also delayed benefits for the small-business economy near the sites. The damage [of the projects slow progress] is born by the local people. They are waiting for the social and economic impacts of the projects. Unfortunately, they still havent get those, he said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 10:44 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81d75b0 4 Business tax-amnesty,repatriated-fund,report,Hestu-Yoga-Saksama Free The Finance Ministry's directorate general of taxation is reminding taxpayers who participated in the government's tax amnesty in 2016 and 2017 that they are required to report any wealth they had repatriated to Indonesia. Directorate general of taxation spokesman Hestu Yoga Saksama said in Jakarta on Wednesday that all tax amnesty participants were required to report the location or investment of their repatriated wealth. The directorate general required repatriated wealth reports to be submitted each year over three years. The deadline for submitting the reports was the same date as the deadline for the individual tax return (SPT). The report for the first year was submitted in 2017. The year two report was submitted in 2018, and the year three report is to be submitted in 2019, Hestu said as quoted by kontan.co.id. He said wealth reports could be submitted through the tax office's website (djponline.pajak.go.id). They could also be delivered in person or by courier to the appropriate tax office. Hestu said that 80,000 tax amnesty participants had reported their repatriated wealth by Wednesday, while 530,000 out of the total 922,000 tax amnesty participants or 57.5 percent of all participants were still required to submit repatriated wealth reports. The other tax amnesty participants fell under the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) category, which were required to declare their overseas wealth but were not required to repatriate their wealth. The [wealth report] requirement does not apply to SME tax amnesty participants under the 0.5 percent tax rate on declared [overseas] wealth of up to Rp 10 billion, of those under the 2 percent tax rate on wealth of more than Rp 10 billion, Hestu said. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 17:48 1001 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81f2238 4 Business tax-revenue,big-taxpayers,sustainability,state-revenue,Sri-Mulyani-Indrawati Free Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has heaped praise on 30 taxpayers -- both individuals and corporations -- whose total contribution to tax revenue amounted to Rp 418.73 trillion (US$29.33 million) or 31.8 percent of the total tax revenue last year, which was recorded at Rp 1.32 quadrillion. However, Center for Indonesia Taxation Analysis (CITA) executive director Yustinus Prastowo said relying on a small number of taxpayers as a source of tax revenue was like putting a large number of eggs in one basket. If the business performance of the big taxpayers is down, it will seriously affect state revenues. So it is a sustainable issue, Yustinus said in Jakarta on Wednesday as quoted by kontan.co.id. The composition of tax money that was centered on small number of people also indicated the wide disparity of wealth distribution because nearly 32 percent of tax revenue only came from 30 taxpayers, he added. It meant that the Directorate General of Taxation needed to explore other tax avenues, Yustinus said, adding that the integration of taxpayers data that involved a third party was expected to help the tax office reach more taxpayers. If a tax office only considers statistical figures, it will only focus on monitoring big taxpayers, he added, saying the approach should be changed by focusing on less obedient taxpayers. A similar statement was made by PT Kideco Jaya president director Agung Kurnia Ariawan who said the tax potential in Indonesia was still untapped. I suggest that the Finance Ministry improve the competency of tax personnel to net more taxpayers. (bbn) (TNS) West Virginia Public Broadcasting has taken a giant step toward a major technology upgrade and assuring that its three public television stations wont go off the air with a major appropriation approved by the state Legislature.Its a gift that will carry West Virginia Public Broadcasting into the future, Educational Broadcasting Authority executive director Chuck Roberts said Tuesday of the $7.36 million appropriation from surplus state Lottery funds (Senate Bill 681).The Legislature approved the supplemental appropriation on the last day of the 60-day regular session on Saturday, and the funding bill is awaiting the governors signature.Thats a major chunk of the $9.5 million WVPB needs to complete Federal Communications Commission-ordered frequency changes for the states three public television channels under the FCCs spectrum repacking mandate, and to upgrade the transmitters to the next generation of high-definition digital broadcasting.Thats enough money to get us going with the deadlines the way they are, Roberts said.In order to free up more broadcast spectrum to keep up with fast-growing demand for wireless broadband, the FCC has ordered more than 1,000 television stations nationwide change their channel assignments. Stations that fail to comply by designated deadlines will no longer be allowed to broadcast.For Public Broadcasting, that means a deadline at the end of this year to move WNPB-TV, in Morgantown, from channel 33 to 34, and the end of 2020 to move WVPB-TV Charleston from channel 34 to 20, and to move WSWP-TV Grandview/Beckley from channel 10 to 8.Since the transmitters have to be changed out, EBA officials decided it makes sense to also upgrade to the next generation of high-definition broadcast technology, ATSC 3.0, at the same time.Besides superior video and audio, the technology provides capacity for more video and audio subchannels, and the ability to transmit telecasts to devices with wireless internet receivers, including computers and cellphones.A key benefit of ATSC, Roberts said, will be the ability to set up a statewide emergency services network that not only would improve the ability to alert residents of pending emergency situations, but would improve communications among first responders and law enforcement, allowing the National Guard, Homeland Security, and county emergency services providers to share communications subchannels.We felt like, since we have to be on the transmitters to change the channels, we ought to take the opportunity to upgrade the technology, he said.Roberts said the $7.36 million appropriation matches the portion of the project costs that eventually will be reimbursed by the FCC.He said that since completion of the upgrades will stretch into the 2020-21 budget year, the hope is that the Legislature will appropriate the remaining $2.14 million to cover total costs next session.In our meetings with the Governors Office, they had talked about breaking that up over two years, he said of the appropriations. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 19:17 1001 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81f5d75 1 City transjakarta,stabbing,passenger,East-Jakarta Free A Transjakarta bus commuter was stabbed at a bus stop in Cawang, East Jakarta, on Thursday. The suspect, identified as Sudirman, 52, allegedly stabbed the victim in his left thigh at 11.20 a.m. East Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Ady Wibowo claimed the suspect and the victim were sitting side by side at the BKN bus stop when the suspect suddenly stabbed the 29-year-old victim. The victim sat cross legged beside the suspect, who suddenly stabbed the victims left thigh with a badik [traditional knife] that he had brought from home, Ady said on Thursday, kompas.com reported. Witnessing the stabbing, other commuters scrambled and panicked. The suspect was held at the scene by a Transjakarta security team and he was handed over to Kramatjati Police for investigation, Ady said. (ami) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta/Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 12:08 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81dd12b 1 National sexual-abuse,sexual-abuse-on-campus,#KitaAgni,Gadjah-Mada-University,UGM,Undip,Diponegoro-University,Semarang,Yogyakarta,#NamaBaikKampus,#CampusReputation Free A well-publicized case of sexual abuse in Gadjah Mada University often referred to as Agnis case, in reference to the survivors pseudonym, has opened a public discussion on how safe the countrys higher education establishments are. The Jakarta Post has collaborated with media organizations Tirto.id and VICE Indonesia to uncover stories behind such reports. Calling the collaboration #NamaBaikKampus (#CampusReputation), we look into survivors stories and how the university authorities responded when they received sexual abuse reports. The Posts team members working on the stories are Bambang Muryanto in Yogyakarta, Gemma Holliani Cahya, Sita Dewi and Evi Mariani in Jakarta. After huge public pressure and several reports of sexual harassment and abuse in Gadjah Mada University (UGM), the university finally set up a special team to formulate a policy to prevent and handle sexual violence on campus. The head of the team, a senior scholar on public policy, Muhadjir Darwin, said it had finished the first draft and it was being examined by a string of gender experts from various universities. Were also meeting with students to finalize the draft, he said in a recent interview for the #NamaBaikKampus collaboration. He admitted that such a move should have been made a long time ago but when the draft is finished and passed as a university regulation, he said it would be the first of its kind in the country. Indeed, it took UGM a long time to arrive at this point. However, other universities are no better. 'Not a gross violation' In Semarang, Central Java, a lecturer, Kodir (not his real name), against whom allegations of harassment were made, continued teaching and later allegedly harassed three other students. The dean of the School of Humanities in Diponegoro University (Undip) in Semarang at that time only reprimanded Kodir, following a report against him by two students in 2016. An official at the School of Humanities who requested anonymity confirmed that in 2016 two students reported that Kodir had harassed them. One of them, Dias (not her real name), said Kodir had groped her and tried to kiss her while she was waiting for the dean at the program study office. The official told Tirto.id that he reported the case to the dean, at that time Redyanto Noor. He said the dean had merely reprimanded the lecturer. Dias told #NamaBaikKampus that the deans office did not see it as a gross violation. Redyanto declined to comment when Tirto.id contacted him, nor did Kodir reply to Tirto.id's request for an interview. Later this year, another student, Gia (not her real name), suffered a similar experience. Kodir allegedly groped her, pinched her cheek and hugged her waist in a lecturers room when no one was around. Two other victims told the same story although they refused to give details for fear of being identified. They are still studying at Undip at present and did not make any official complaints to the school authorities. Nurhayati, the new dean of the school, told Tirto.id that she had not known about the allegations against Kodir. She claimed not to have received any reports on the matter so could not comment, but she assured that if the dean's office had received a report, she would launch an investigation and follow the required procedures. Another chance to harass women? Giving such a lecturer a second chance may only put more women in harms way as the School of Social and Political Sciences (Fisipol) of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) learned the hard way. After receiving a string of reports from students, the International Relations Department at Fisipol stripped a high-profile lecturer, EH, of his teaching jobs in 2016, as uncovered by The Jakarta Posts investigative report in June 2016. He was no longer permitted to have close contact with students in the department. However, at that time EH was also a thesis consultation professor outside the department, including at the Political Science and Government Department. In a recent interview with VICE Indonesia, the ministrys Director General of Learning and Student Affairs Ismunandar explained that universities in Indonesia are autonomous entities and such sexual abuse cases should be handled by each individual institution. (JP/Budhi Button) A staff member at Fisipol who requested anonymity, Rika (not her real name), told the Post that EH was given a second chance by the Political Science Department. The reasons cited, she said, were technical, such as difficulties in finding a replacement and the need for EH to meet his deadlines in academic projects or a continuation of thesis consultation with some graduate and post-graduate students. His second chance ended when a fresh report of sexual harassment arose. A staff member at the department filed a complaint, saying EH was sexually harassing her. Amalinda Savirani, the head of Political Science Department, stated in a clarification letter on March 15 that her department was committed to fostering a learning environment that was free from any forms of violence. Since November 2018, EH has had no contact with the school's doctoral students. "We have taken this matter seriously and consider the case involving EH in our department closed," Amalinda said in the letter. Rika said some people who defended EH always considered EHs welfare. They always think about the perpetrators fate. Have they ever thought about the survivors lives? Rika said. But she praised the faculty, saying that it had processed the report according to proper procedures. The dean of Fisipol, Erwan Agus Purwanto, declined to comment when the Post tried to interview him on March 5. Dismissal with honor The new head of the International Relations Department, Nur Rachmat Yuliantoro confirmed that a fresh case had arisen, although he said EH denied any wrongdoing. However, the faculty decided to ask EH to resign. A month later, on Nov. 26, 2018, EH submitted his resignation, more than two years after the first official reports from students were filed and at the height of another sexual abuse case in UGM, known publicly as the Agnis case. Rachmat told the Post that the faculty had received EHs resignation and forwarded his status to the hands of the rectorate. Gadjah Mada University (UGM) students write names on a large piece of fabric to pressure university leaders to take action on sexual violence as part of a movement initiated by a group called #kitaagni (We Are Agni). Agni is the pseudonym of a student who was allegedly assaulted by a fellow student during a community service assignment in Maluku last year. (The Jakarta Post/Bambang Muryanto) UGMs rectorate public relations officer, Iva Ariani, said the rectorate was processing EHs status in accordance with Government Regulation No. 53/2010 on civil servants. The heaviest possible punishment will be involuntary dismissal with honors, she said on Wednesday through text message. The regulation stipulates that a civil servant can receive disciplinary punishment for several types of violations, including preventing people from receiving a service. It has three degrees of punishment, from light to heavy, and the heaviest punishment stated in Article 7 Clause 4e is "dismissal without honors". The heaviest possible punishment for EH is stipulated in Article 7 Clause 4d. In spite of his status at Fisipol, however, EH is still around. He occasionally uses his room at the International Relations Department. A person who requested anonymity told the Post she had run into EH on Feb. 25 this year on the Fisipol campus. Rachmat confirmed that he still saw lights on in EHs room on, but he said he had never run into him personally since EH had submitted his resignation. Hes probably waiting around for the decision about his UGM staff status, Rachmat said. Ministry reluctant to step in Both lecturers, Kodir of Undip and EH of UGM are still on the Research, Technology and Higher Education Ministrys database as active lecturers. In a recent interview with VICE Indonesia, the ministrys Director General of Learning and Student Affairs Ismunandar explained that universities in Indonesia are autonomous entities and such sexual abuse cases should be handled by each individual institution. We expect the universities to handle the cases on their own. But if in some cases they need us [to help], we can help, Ismunandar said. He cited an example in which Indonesia had so far let each university deal with plagiarism cases. The ministry, however, felt the need to draft a regulation to tackle plagiarism at the national level and it is formulating one right now. There is still no plan to draft a national regulation for sexual abuse cases in educational institutions. Editor's note: This article has been updated to include statements made in the Political Science Department's clarification letter, which we received on March 15. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Sibolga, North Sumatra Fri, March 15 2019 The North Sumatra Police have arrested a woman identified only as R in Tanjung Balai over her alleged involvement in Sibolga explosions that occurred over the past two days, killing one woman and one infant. The police said there was a plan for the woman to be a suicide bomber following the explosions in Sibolga, a port city that President Joko Jokowi Widodo is scheduled to visit on Sunday to inaugurate the newly expanded Sibolga Port. North Sumatra Police chief Insp. Gen. Agus Adrianto said the 22-year-old woman was arrested in Datuk Bandar district in Tanjung Balai, around 255 kilometers from Sibolga. 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 Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Yogyakarta Fri, March 15 2019 Aiming high: The Indonesian Foreign Ministrys director general for American and European affairs, Muhammad Anshor (sixth left), poses with Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Khvtisiashvili (sixth right) and members of the Georgian delegation at the 6th Indonesia-Georgia bilateral consultation forum held in Yogyakarta from March 11 to 12. (Courtesy of kemlu.go.id) Georgia, a dynamic country in the South Caucasus, and Indonesia agreed to enhance their economic relations during their 6th Bilateral Consultation meeting in Yogyakarta recently. Indonesia is aiming to improve its exports to Georgia. Indonesias current trade with Georgia, based on the Trade Ministrys 2018 data, is around US$52 million. 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 Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Asia News Network) Jakarta/Manila/Bangkok Thu, March 14, 2019 14:25 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81e5c84 2 SE Asia #Elections,#Indonesia,#Thailand,#Philippines,#youngsters,#young-voters,#first-time-voters,elections,Indonesia,Thailand,Philippines,voters,young-voters Free In early 2019, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines will go to polls in elections that will either continue the populist/authoritarian dynamics that has gripped the region, and the world, over the past few years or begin to halt it. All three countries have reached a critical crossroad with poll choices that could influence the destiny of the country for decades to come. While the specific stakes might differ for each country, all will be determined by the turnout and choices of its young voters. More than half of the population of Southeast Asia is under the age of 30. Progressivism, issues-based rhetoric appeals more to this new demographic than traditional voting lines, age-old political fiefdoms or conservative issues. This reality is having an affect on the platforms of the regions politicians and the way they campaign. Indonesia In Indonesia, conservative, faith-based politics will be a central issue in elections. The largest Muslim country in the world, both President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and his main challenger Prabowo Subianto have made appeals to conservative Islamic elements within the country in their campaigning. Both candidates will have to work hard to woo young people whose politics are less faith based and more grounded in current issues that concern Indonesians including the economy and the future. According to locally-conducted research, these young voters are a particularly tricky demographic segment to engage. Golput, short for golongan putih, a colloquial Indonesian term that encompasses protest votes, vote abstention and ballot spoiling, has taken over social media feeds in recent weeks with Indonesians publicly lamenting their dissatisfaction with the major presidential candidates and announcing plans to sit this election out. In response, the General Elections Commission (KPU), concerned that a low turnout might delegitimize the election, has launched a campaign to encourage voters to participate in the democratic process. The KPU has listed 187.1 million eligible voters on the final voter list - with 185.08 million domestic voters and 2.04 million voters living overseas. The 17-35 age groups amount to 79 million individuals (42 percent) of total registered voters. The young people who spoke about the upcoming elections with The Jakarta Post expressed excitement and curiosity about their countrys political process. One young voter, Hannalia Valentine, 19, said she will be casting her ballot for the very first time on April 17. As this will be my first election experience, I want to see the formation of voting booths, and once Im in one, what do I do next? Ive seen how the counting is done but because this is my first time participating, she said. And she plans to be a fully informed voter. I want to learn about the process from the beginning till inauguration, Valentine added. Another young person, Daril Widhi Wicaksana, 21, expressed particular hope that whoever the country elects as president will take on some of Indonesias tougher social problems, including minority rights, an issue that has become one of the hot-button topics in the final months of the contest, with Jokowis record thus far getting extra attention from voters and pundits. I hope [whoever is elected] can improve the various problematic sectors in this country and solve social issues such as discrimination against minority communities in Indonesia, said Daril, when asked about his hopes for the country moving forward. Gregorius Nikolaus, a 21-year-old resident of Jakarta, has a different, though no less important hope. My hope for this country is to things improve in various areas, dont just focus on Java, there should be even distribution, if possible, he said, another point where the incumbent presidents record may face voter scrutiny in the polling booth. While Jokowi has made poverty alleviation a major concern of his administration, analysts have pointed out that inequality has risen under his leadership due, perhaps, to a Java-centric approach to development. Philippines On May 13, voters in the Philippines will take to the polls to elect a wide variety of nationwide and local offices including senators, members of the house of representatives, governors, and more. While President Rodrigo Duterte is not up for re-election this cycle, his agenda and his record are nonetheless topics of debate among the candidates and the public, and he stands to emerge a winner overall if the opposition loses its grip on the Senate. And, the young people in the Philippines seem to have been paying attention. More than one-third of the voters in the Philippines are in the 18 to 35 bracket, according to the countrys Commission on Elections, or Comelec, with some 1.5 million Filipino youth eligible to vote for the very first time in this years polls. Officials and organizations are encouraging high youth participation in the upcoming elections. The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, a non-partisan, non-profit affiliated with the Catholic Church is working to encourage young voters to begin evaluating candidates. Young voters have been turned off from political activity in the past. A report from the Philippine Daily Inquirer in early 2018 showed that youth who might otherwise consider participating in political lifeeither by running for office themselves, or by votingwere becoming disillusioned by corruption and nepotism. Corruption is a real concern for many young voters. In a conversation with The Daily Inquirer, one voter, Gene Secillano, 21, said that his main hope for the country centers around the eradication of graft. Of course, what we really want for the country is to be orderly, peaceful and prosperous. The Philippines is not poor. Filipinos only suffer from poverty because of the corrupt politicians in the government, Secillano said. Another young voter, Kenneth Tagayuna, 23, was even more explicit about where he feels some of the blame for unchecked corruption lies. What I hope for those who are running in the election is that they prioritize education for the poor and eradicate corruption, Tagayuna said, before adding that corruption hasnt been enough of a priority for Duterte. Our president right now focuses more on eliminating drugs, he said. Indeed, while President Duterte said he would only campaign on behalf of candidates whose records were free of corruption, he has not stuck to that promise. The President has endorsed Jinggoy Estrada, for example, in his comeback bid for senator. Estrada is currently on trial for 11 counts of graft in which he allegedly pocketed USD 3.5 million of his pork barrel allocations when he was a previously a senator. While the issues of the day and the policy platforms of the candidates are a major concern for these young voters. They are also focused on the logistics of the electionsnamely, whether the contest will be free and fair. I hope for a clean and smooth elections because there has been controversy about cheating in the past, Gabriel Moreno, 20, told The Inquirer, adding, I hope that anyone who wins was really the one which the public really voted for. Supporters of a Phue Thai Party candidate campaign on motorbike in Thailands southern province of Narathiwat on Thursday, ahead of the general election in March. (AFP/Madaree Tohlala) Thailand Perhaps the country presenting the starkest difference in choices, Thailand will be holding its first elections since a military coup in May 2014. At stake is the countrys democratic future with military-backed parties on the ballot and poised to re-elect the current military despot, Prayuth Chan-ocha. With an all military-appointed senate also joining in to vote for the next prime minister, elected MPs will need to have a strong mandate to avoid further military rule. The countrys young voters have been persecuted by the military with the progressive party, known as the Future Forward Party, at threat of dissolution for criticizing the military government. Students who have defied a military ban on political gatherings have also been arrested, jailed and persecuted for standing up for their rights. If the political parties are to defy the veneer of democracy disguising a military takeover, young people will need to mobilize and make their voices heard. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 18:35 1001 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81f4faf 4 News Wi-Fi,Yogyakarta,hotspots,Internet,accessibility,information-communication-technology Free The Yogyakarta Information and Communications Agency has said the public are now able to access free Wi-Fi in 100 spots throughout the city. Free hotspots are available in all government offices, community health centers and public spaces, agency head Ig. Trihastono said on Tuesday as quoted by tempo.co. To access the service, the public is required to login through their Jogja Smart Service (JSS) accounts. Those without JSS accounts need to register first, Trihastono said. The government plans to add more spots in the city, including 45 spots in various villages. Read also: Yogyakarta named ASEAN City of Culture Currently, seven villages are already equipped with Wi-Fi hotspots, namely Gedongkiwo, Mantrijeron, Tegalmulyo, Giwangan, Baciro, Pandeyan and Golo, he added. Trihastono said that with the service, the public could optimize their right to access information and their economic potential. We hope that with the service, not only can the public look for information and references, they can also utilize the internet to boost their economic activities, he said. The Wi-Fi service is also expected to support public services. In the near future, the government will utilize digital public services to provide cheaper and faster assistance, he said. (wng) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Apriadi Gunawan (The Jakarta Post) Parapat, North Sumatra Thu, March 14, 2019 12:31 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81dd4a6 1 News Lake-Toba,tourism,travel Free Boatman Andreas Siregar sat under a tree, looking right and then left, hoping to spot some tourists willing to charter his boat for a cruise on Lake Toba in Parapat, Simalungun regency, North Sumatra. Andreas, the 20-year-old skipper of the KM Toba Cruise 11 vessel, is upset that he has not seen any potential customers for three days. He told The Jakarta Post that Lake Toba tourism had been quiet following the capsizing of the KM Sinar Bangun in June last year, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people. Due to the declining number of tourists coming, many boatmen have become construction workers and farmers. Andreas himself has tried his luck as a construction worker because there are no tourists looking to charter boats. I had to work as a construction worker since tourism activities in the Lake Toba area became quiet. Only a few tourists have taken boat rides from Parapat to Tomok since the incident last year, Andreas told the Post in Parapat on Tuesday. He added that before the unfortunate incident, many Indonesian and foreign tourists came to visit Lake Toba. The busiest time used to start on a Wednesday and ended on a Sunday. The tourists used to take boat rides to cross Lake Toba from Parapat to Tomok, Samosir Island. But now, Lake Toba is very quiet even on national holidays and weekends. The boats were chartered for prices ranging from Rp 600,000 (US$42.07) to Rp 800,000 for one-way trips, or passengers could buy individual tickets for Rp 25,000 per person. Hudson Manurung, a tourist boat agent, said the incident involving the KM Sinar Bangun had a huge impact on the decline of tourism in the Lake Toba area. He added that it had been the quietest in his 20-year stint as a tourist boat agent. Read also: Pelindo III to welcome 153 cruise ship arrivals in 2019 Lake Toba Authority Board president director Arie Prasetyo said the declining number of tourists to Lake Toba was not because of the KM Sinar Bangun incident. We are optimistic that tourism to Lake Toba will spike again. If it is quiet now, the cause is not last years sunken boat, but only because it is now low season, Arie told the Post. He added that the government was making more of an effort now to attract more tourists to Lake Toba by improving services and infrastructure. The Tourism Ministry is targeting 1 million tourist visits to Lake Toba this year, but the North Sumatra administration is more pessimistic. North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi said it was a challenge to attract 1 million visitors to Lake Toba this year, due to transportation issues and local residents readiness. He felt that it was more realistic to expect 500,000 foreign visitors by 2023, adding that this was a number that could be revised depending on what the future holds for the destination. (mut) 2 hours ago Where'd Your Money Go in 2021? Now's a Great Time to Figure it Out How the heck is it already the end of 2021? Kind of like going on autopilot on your drive home from the grocery store, you may be looking back right now and wondering how you got here. Do you have some financial regrets from this year? Maybe you bought a motorcycle that now just sits in the garage. Read Article Success in First Five Counties (TNS) The Fresno County, Calif., Board of Supervisors on Tuesday adopted the election system laid out by the California Voters Choice Act . The county will move from a precinct model to voting centers for the March 2020 presidential primary election.The vote was 3-1 with Supervisor Brian Pacheco opposed. The board expressed some consternation over the choice, which Chairman Nathan Magsig said was being pushed on the county by the state of California.The move will mean every registered voter in Fresno County will receive a mail-in ballot. The county will no longer operate 268 voting precincts, instead opting to open 50 voting centers 10 of which will be open 10 days prior to election day, and 40 of which will be open three days early. Also, there will be secure drop boxes placed throughout the county for mail-in ballots.Voters can get their personalized ballot at any voting center. Each voting center will have same-day registration.Also, the county will upgrade its voting equipment, which was necessary regardless of choosing the VCA system or keeping the current precinct model.Fresno County Clerk Brandi Orth recommended the switch. Her office held five community meetings throughout the county to gather feedback, most of which supported the change to the VCA model.Orth also contacted the five counties that made the switch in 2018: Madera, Sacramento, San Mateo, Nevada and Napa. Each county election office reported that the experience was positive, and each has stuck with the new system.Madera County saw increased voter turnout, quicker results turnaround and far fewer provisional ballots, which take a lot more time to verify.Orth noted that more and more Fresno residents are voting by mail. During the March special election, 86 percent of votes were by mail. In the November general election, about 65 percent were by mail. Orth said she was confident this trend will continue.Cost was a primary issue for either the VCA system or sticking to the precinct model. The countys voting equipment is about 20 years old, and the California Secretary of States office issued new requirements in February that the county could not have met without an upgrade.Under VCA, the immediate technology upgrades will cost about $1.7 million. There are state and federal grants available to cover this cost, and the county had already selected a vendor through a competitive bidding process. The ongoing cost per election will be about $431,000 per election: $131,000 for operational costs, $50,000 for voter outreach and $250,000 for two direct voter contacts (postcards) per election.It would have been about $3.3 million to upgrade the voting equipment for 268 precincts, but the cost per election would have been about the same as in previous years.California Secretary of State Alex Padilla released a statement praising Fresno Countys decision.In 2020, voters in Fresno will now enjoy more options for when, where and how they cast their ballots, thanks to the Voters Choice Act., Padilla said. I thank the leadership in Fresno County for embracing these pro-voter reforms.Public comment on the issue during the supervisors meeting was fairly split.Among those who opposed the VCA model was Fresno County Republican Party Chair Fred Vanderhoof, who said the new system will be vulnerable to cyberattacks. He stressed that accuracy was more important than efficiency in an election.Samuel Molina, the California state director of advocacy group Mi Familia Vota, was in favor of the change. He said other counties saw slight increases in Latino and Asian-American voter turnout under the VCA model.After the vote, Fresno County Democratic Party Chair Michael Evans expressed some concern over the new model, specifically over the secrecy in counting and verifying mail-in ballots. But overall, he said, the additional voting days should help more voters participate in the process.Orth and her staff will now be under the gun to buy and test new equipment and complete the considerable outreach and voter education requirements by February, when the first voting centers will open for the March 3 primary (TNS) A far-reaching bill to change how Georgias 7 million registered voters cast their ballots is on the verge of clearing the Georgia General Assembly after the state Senate voted Wednesday for a new touchscreen-and-paper voting system, despite objections that it wouldnt be any more secure from election tampering than whats currently in use.The Senates 35-21 party-line vote sets up the $150 million election overhaul bill for final passage within days. The legislation is now ready for a final vote in the state House, which already passed a previous version of the bill. It would then head to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature.During a three-hour debate, Republican senators endorsed the incoming voting technology, which uses computer printers to make paper ballots for voters to review before inserting them into scanning machines. The states current electronic voting machines dont produce a paper ballot.Democrats tried to stop the legislation, House Bill 316 , calling it an expensive switch to a new voting method that will be just as vulnerable to hacking and computer errors as the states current 17-year-old direct-recording electronic voting machines. They want paper ballots bubbled in by pen, saying they would create a voting record thats less susceptible to meddling.The partisan divide over how to best safeguard democracy in Georgia comes after Novembers heated race for governor. Democrat Stacey Abrams, who opposes electronic voting, alleged that widespread problems with voting machines caused inaccurate counts, while Kemp said the states voting system conclusively showed he won.Members of both political parties agreed on one thing: Georgia should switch to a voting system that includes a paper ballot to check electronic vote counts. Georgia is one of just four states that relies entirely on electronic voting machines without a verifiable paper trail, along with Delaware, Louisiana and South Carolina.Republican state Sen. William Ligon said the new voting machines, called ballot-marking devices, will be familiar to voters while providing a way to verify the accuracy of elections by checking electronic results against paper ballots. The new voting system would be put into place statewide in time for the the 2020 presidential primary election.Touchscreen ballot markers leave absolutely no room for doubt of voters intent since voters make a clear choice with a touch of a button, said Ligon, who represents the Brunswick area. This is a secure system.Georgia would become the first state in the country to rely entirely on ballot-marking devices for every voter on Election Day. Some jurisdictions in 24 states use similar voting systems, often to assist voters with disabilities.Democrats said the switch to ballot-marking devices is a costly waste of taxpayer money that will benefit well-connected voting companies at the expense of voters. They repeatedly pointed out that Kemp hired a lobbyist for voting company ES&S, former state Rep. Chuck Harper, as his deputy chief of staff.And they said it was suspicious that voting companies estimates for the cost of ballot-marking devices, roughly $150 million to $200 million plus annual fees and additional equipment costs, didnt come to light from the Secretary of States Office until Tuesday. When Kemp was secretary of state last year, his office refused to release the companies pricing information.Georgia Public Broadcasting first reported the voting companies estimates of their products costs.We still need the people of Georgia to believe in the process, and right now they are unconvinced, said state Sen. Elena Parent , a Democrat from Atlanta. Its risky to forge ahead to a place where there are dozens of unanswered questions.A key disagreement was over whether paper ballots printed by a machine or paper ballots filled out by hand are more trustworthy.Republican Senate Rules Chairman Jeff Mullis said he fears paper ballots completed with a pen could be used to manipulate election results. He suspected fraud occurred during his campaign for office in 1998, when initial results showed he had won by 23 votes but an additional 151 paper ballots appeared during a recount, handing the election to his opponent.Paper ballots are a way to fraud an election. I for one will not stand for that, said Mullis , who represents the Chickamauga area. The ballot process should be the most secure place in our voting structure in America.But Democratic Sen. Ed Harbison said technology-based voting systems are inherently flawed because they could be hacked.The most secure system is to return to the future, and that is hand-marked paper ballots read by an optical scanner, said Harbison , who represents the Columbus area. This puts nothing between the voter and the ballots.Several voters demonstrated against the legislation outside the Georgia Capitol, carrying moneybags and signs saying the new voting system blows up GA budget. They said voting by hand would be less expensive.Theyre also concerned that along with the printed text of voters choices, paper ballots would include computer-readable bar codes that humans cant authenticate.We dont know who is going to take over if we have insecure voting, said Liz Throop of DeKalb County. We dont want to cede power to the best hackers.The legislation goes far beyond voting machines, calling for many other broad changes in Georgia elections.Election results would be audited starting with the November 2020 presidential election. Inactive voters registrations couldnt be canceled for at least eight years. Polling places couldnt be changed in the 60 days before a general or primary election.If the legislation becomes law, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger will solicit competitive bids from voting system companies and then test ballot-marking devices during municipal elections in November. AUSTIN, TEXAS Technology companies, while financially powerful and influential in the way society progresses, do not, of course, operate in a vacuum.In fact, given their size and influence on local companies, whether they intend to or not, large tech companies have significant social impact. Earlier this week at South by Southwest, a panel consisting of participants from varied backgrounds discussed tech and social impact, touching on everything from the way their decisions influence communities to how they can be more inclusive in the years to come.The panel was dubbed The Future of Tech and Social Impact, and it was part of a days worth of programming called "The Future Of ___," in which the various participants filled in that blank. It was held in downtown Austin at the offices of the tech education and entrepreneurship entity Galvanize, with the panelists seated in front of a wide window that gave the audience a view of Austins viscerally modern downtown, in which the vast majority of major buildings are less than two decades old.Perhaps the most notable line of conversation had to do with Amazon and the recent saga in which the company invited communities across the country to apply to be the home for its second headquarters, before accepting the New York City borough of Queens and then ultimately pulling out in the wake of community backlash.Panelist Lindsay Clinton, a senior vice president with the New York City Economic Development Corporation, said that her colleagues worked in tandem with Empire State Development, a group that operates at the state level. Clinton said New York City had been working to attract a major tech company since the economic recession in 2008, hoping to diversity the major pillars of its economy past just finances and real estate.Ultimately, the community reaction to the social impact a second headquarters may have had is what undid bringing Amazon to Queens.We saw it as a really big opportunity to diversify our tech workforce, Clinton said. In many ways, it was a lost opportunity, and I do think Amazon could have done a lot more in terms of the process, in terms of engaging the community. The challenge was that it was a completely secretive process.Clinton said that shes found it fascinating that the vast majority of conversations during the interactive weekend of SXSW seemed focused on how to best sell more stuff to more people, with nary a mention of making sure these companies are rooted in ethics, morality or purpose.But there are a number of other campaigns, programs and initiatives in New York City, Clinton said, designed to foster tech presence there with a healthy social impact. These include growing the cybersecurity ecosystem to encourage related companies to start up there. To do that, stakeholders are working with universities to train the workforce in cybersecurity, teaching them not just to code but how to be advocates for themselves and what they do.There was a sense of agreement at the panel that better skills training could ensure that the social impact of tech in communities was not lost jobs, but rather an increase in jobs for folks who already live in a given area.Nate Robinson, the assistant vice president of the University of Texas at El Paso and formerly an engineer with Motorola and NASA, said that in his capacity, hes involved with local K-12 education programs that focus on teaching storytelling, on helping kids to sell themselves as they fight to remain adaptable.Ashley Phillips, the managing director for the co-working entity Impact Hub Austin, stressed the importance of communication, noting that young people needed to grow up envisioning careers in technology.People know what it looks like to be a nurse, she said, ... but kids dont play data engineer. We dont know how to play that, we dont know how to dream it. Redundancy right out of the box is what the Valley Emergency Communication Center (VECC) for Pima County, Ariz., hopes it sees in a pilot project that will test a cloud-native CAD system in its support of eight fire districts in Tucson.The VECC routes information via a CAD system that can track units, correlate information and determine response, depending on the type of emergency. Officials are hoping that a cloud-based system will add to that a three-pronged approach to redundancy and protection against being hacked.Because its cloud based, its going to add in a level of sophistication that we havent enjoyed in the past, said Carl Fortner, VECC communications manager. By going to the cloud, we wont have to maintain all of those virtual servers we have.The pilot is scheduled for two months, beginning May 1, during which there will be extensive testing to ensure the RapidDeploy Nimbus CAD meets VECCs needs. Fortner said that if at the end of the pilot it is determined that 95 percent of VECCs needs are met, it will go to production to be finished.VECC will be on its normal Cox Communication cable line during the pilot, but then shift to an AT&T and CenturyLink solution for more reliability for the data exchange to and from the cloud.The Cox Communication piece will become a backup to the AT&T connection, which will provide a FirstNet platform and position VECC for the future in supporting first responders Mobile Data Terminals and perhaps, 911, Fortner said.In the future, theyre going to basically tell you this is show much [funding] you have coming to your PSAP and whether you spend that money on company A or company B is up to you as long as they can meet standards, he said. Thats kind of how we are future-proofing what were doing.The mission of RapidDeploy is to reduce response times and improve situational awareness for first responders. Part of being able to do that is to ensure that the system is secure, and data is secure, said RapidDeploy CEO Steve Raucher.What we see as crucial to the success of public safety is it gives you redundancy right out of the box, Raucher said. You look at the baseline of hosting capability and just from an exhaustive point of view, how are you going to guarantee that your data is secure and always available.Being a Web-based solution means being able to deliver myriad features and functions quickly with much more agility compared to a legacy software rollout.With another customer, we released 176 features in a six-month window, Raucher said. Thats an extraordinary number. Theres a whole life cycle of things that has to happen if youre not living in a cloud-based environment, which we are. It allows for a huge amount of flexibility.Much of the existing environment of public safety technology is still analog, consisting of a series of cables in a back room.A cool part of our infrastructure design is a patented IoT box, which sits in the back room and consumes all these legacy feeds by serial cables and pushes them into the cloud, Raucher said. RapidDeploy just won a statewide contract with California with a similar infrastructure from which it will deploy analytics and tactical 911 mapping.The California projects include the IoT device that provides every PSAP with a Web-based mapping tool called Radius. It will provide 911 centers with caller locations from both legacy 911 and a map alongside the actual device calling.The beauty of the cloud-based solutions is a game-changer for these centers, which can see the accuracy and have statistics to show the accuracy of the location, Raucher said. California suspends death penalty LOS ANGELES: State governor Gavin Newsom imposed a moratorium on carrying out the death penalty in California on Wednesday (Mar 13), granting a reprieve to 737 condemned inmates the largest death row population in the United States. crimedeathpolitics By AFP Thursday 14 March 2019, 09:31AM California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference at which he announced a moratorium on Californias death penalty. Photo: AFP Newsom, a Democrat who took office in January, has been a staunch opponent of the death penalty, last carried out in California in 2006. The death penalty has been an abject failure. It discriminates based on the colour of your skin or how much money you make, he told a news conference. Its ineffective, irreversible, and immoral. It goes against the very values that we stand for which is why California is putting a stop to this failed system. Newsom said that as he spoke, the execution chamber at Californias San Quentin State Prison was being dismantled and stressed that his order does not mean that any inmates already on death row would be released. Those people are not going to be let out by this act, they will be held to account, he said. We dont want to join Saudi Arabia... North Korea. We dont want to be part of what is happening in Iran, in Iraq, China, Somalia, Pakistan and Egypt. Those are the countries those last five that join the US in executing more of their citizens than any other nations on Planet Earth. He said he hoped California and the United States as a whole would ultimately end the death penalty for good. Three out of four nations in the world do better, they have abolished the death penalty, he said. Its time for California to join those ranks. Newsom, who appeared emotional during the news conference, said he had met relatives of victims in recent days and acknowledged they were divided on the issue. I met someone yesterday who said this is about eradicating evil, and you have a responsibility to eradicate evil by executing those on death row, he said. I met a mother who said... you have no right to take another life in the name of my daughter who was murdered. A quarter of all those on death row in the United States are in California, according to the governors office. Twenty-five people on Californias death row have exhausted all of their appeals. Among the most notorious inmates is Lonnie David Franklin Jr, also known as the Grim Sleeper, who was sentenced to death for 10 murders between 1985 and 2007. Also on death row is Scott Peterson who murdered his pregnant wife Laci Peterson and their unborn child in 2002. He was sentenced to death by lethal injection in 2005. Human Rights Watch said that with the governors decision, California continues a trend in the United States away from putting people to death. The state joins Colorado, Oregon, and Pennsylvania, which have similar bans, and 20 states that have abolished the death penalty, it said. Governor Newsom has demonstrated great courage and leadership in ending the cruel, costly, and unfair practice of executing prisoners, said Alison Parker, US managing director at Human Rights Watch. Californians should be proud their state has taken a stand to end state-sanctioned killing and uphold the human rights of all people. The American Civil Liberties Union also welcomed the decision saying it was a watershed moment in the fight for racial equity and equal justice for all. Every Drop Counts - Sustainable Songkran Start From: Thursday 28 March 2019, 10:00AM to Thursday 28 March 2019, 12:00PM Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat. Sun. An emergency working group on sustainable Songkran celebrations during a water crisis. UWC Thailand, The Phuket News and Thanyapura Health & Sport Resort invite you to join us in discussing how to sustainably celebrate Songkran 2019 amid the province's water shortages, while still honouring Thai traditions and culture. We need your ideas, and we need your help sharing them across the island. 10AM-12PM at The View, Thanyapura Health & Sport Resort. RSVP@UWCTHAILAND.AC.TH You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close 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. Man's body found after firefighters respond to Wednesday call Fire department personnel found a dead body after after responding to a possible structure fire. The call was at 8:29 a.m. Wednesday to a duplex. (TNS) Washington state lawmakers failed to vote Wednesday on a bill that would allow Seattle to use traffic cameras to enforce bus-only lanes and crosswalks, missing a key deadline and killing the bill.The proposal, HB 1793 , would have authorized cities with populations of more than 500,000 people to use automated cameras like those used in some school zones to ticket drivers who violate rules against driving in a bus-only lane or blocking a crosswalk.The bill was a priority of transportation and disability-rights advocates, and both King County Metro and the city of Seattle testified in support. Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, D-Burien, sponsored the bill.Im disappointed that not enough House members recognize the need to keep transit moving downtown, said Fitzgibbon, whose district also includes West Seattle, in a text message Wednesday. Seattle is an economic engine for the whole state, and gridlock downtown hurts my constituents the most but harms the whole state too.Under the bill, the cameras could also have been used to issue tickets for blocking locations restricted for entry and exit of emergency-response vehicles and the boarding of public-transportation vehicles, including ferries. Drivers would have received a warning on the first violation within a five-year period.Supporters said using cameras would improve the flow of transit and discourage the dangerous practice of blocking crosswalks that can be crucial for pedestrians and people with disabilities to cross the road safely. Without cameras, ticketing people violating bus-only lane restrictions can further clog those lanes by requiring officers to pull people over on already congested streets.But the bill met opposition in the Legislature, including from the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington.The ACLU of Washington is broadly skeptical of increased surveillance and was worried about how the bill would pair with another bill dealing with traffic cameras. The second bill would have allowed law-enforcement agencies to, with a warrant, use photos from traffic cameras and toll systems for criminal investigations. (Use of photos from traffic cameras is currently limited to the applicable traffic rules and tolls.)If we want cameras on every corner to try to catch people committing crimes, lets have that conversation, said Shankar Narayan, director of the Technology and Liberty Project at the ACLU of Washington. Lawmakers should not be working to remove restrictions on the cameras while trying to have a lot more of them at the same time, Narayan said.That bill passed a House committee but also did not receive a full House vote by the Wednesday deadline.Fitzgibbon said he also faced opposition from some fellow Democrats, whom he declined to name, either because they generally opposed traffic cameras or they worried about racial or income disproportionalities in enforcement. Fitzgibbon argued cameras were less likely to result in disproportionate enforcement than human officers.Members of the disability-rights group Rooted in Rights, which lobbied for the bill, were disappointed, said program director Anna Zivarts.Our streets need to be accessible for all users and we cant allow inconsiderate and illegal behavior by some drivers to put our communities at risk, Zivarts said in an email. A video by Rooted in Rights shows two people using wheelchairs attempt to navigate a mess of cars blocking intersections in Seattle, sometimes having to travel through traffic to get around vehicles and onto sidewalks. The video has been seen more than 1 million times on social media, Zivarts said. By Karen C. Buck, Esq. Executive Director, SeniorLAW Center SeniorLAW Center seeks justice for older people by using the power of the law, educating the community and advocating on local, state and national levels. We are unique: while we proudly collaborate with partners across the state and country, we are the only non-profit organization in Pennsylvania dedicated to protecting the legal rights of older people and one of the few in the country. Much of our work is intergenerational, including grandparents and others raising children at risk. We serve over 5,000 older people each year. All of our services are free. With 5 offices in Southeastern Pennsylvania and a statewide SeniorLAW HelpLine open to any Pennsylvanian 60 or older, SeniorLAW Centers services are often a lifeline for older people in need, fighting abuse, homelessness, exploitation and poverty. What types of justice issues are older people facing and how does it affect their lives? The issues are diverse and have profound impact on safety, security, health, families and can even mean the difference between life and death. Elder Abuse Elder abuse and financial exploitation are legal and health crises in our country and in our Commonwealth. It is estimated that at least 1 in 10 older Americans is abused, physically, emotionally, or financially. At least 5 million older people are abused each year, but vast underreporting results in many seniors suffering in silence: only 1 in 14 to 1 in 44 cases is reported. Financial exploitation costs older people and their families at least $2.9 billion annually. Domestic and family violence knows no age limits. Many older people, both women and men, face violence in their own homes by intimate partners, adult children or grandchildren, or other family members or caregivers. Victims are 300% more likely to die prematurely. Elder abuse is deadly, devastating and unacceptable. SeniorLAW Center is proud to be a leader in both preventing and responding to elder abuse. Our Project S.A.F.E. (Stop Abuse and Financial Exploitation), launch in 1996, is one of our most important and expanding programs. Our growing staff in the 5-county region, with offices in Bristol (Bucks), Media (Delaware), Norristown (Montgomery), and, this month, West Chester (Chester), provides specialized legal, educational and advocacy services for older victims and their legal needs. We fight zealously against elder abuse in all its forms. Kinship Care Grandparents are raising grandchildren when parents cannot, in unprecedented numbers in light of a host of family problems, recently exacerbated by the opioid crisis. Nationally, over 6 million children live with a relative caregiver, 66% of whom are grandparents. In Pennsylvania, over 80,000 grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren. Most kinship caregivers are older relatives: grandparents, great-grandparents, great-aunts and uncles and other matriarchs and patriarchs of the family. The number of kinship care families has increased by more than 50% since the 1990s. SeniorLAW Center provides direct legal and support services to families in crisis by helping and advocating for grandparents raising grandchildren and other minor relative children who have lost their birth parents or been abandoned, abused or neglected. We launched this innovative program in 1993, and was one of the first in the country to provide specialized legal and support services to intergenerational families and kinship caregivers, those who step in at times of crisis to raise young children when their lives and homes are torn apart. Instead of placing children in traditional foster care in the homes of third parties in a system that is struggling, grandparents and other older kin step in to raise relative children and serve an extraordinary role in their lives. Kinship care promotes healthy living and improves family health, stability and overall well-being of these intergenerational families. Children have been found to thrive in kinship care, demonstrating greater success in school, in emotional wellness, and in resiliency. We help intergenerational families thrive, in safe, habitable homes, addressing their many needs in innovative and holistic ways through our network of partners in child advocacy, education, housing, health care, financial assistance and social and human services. Housing is a critical legal issue facing older people today and has enormous impact on every other aspect of life, as it does for all of us. For seniors, without a safe, habitable home, there is no ability to age in place, access home and community-based health and support services, avoid institutionalization, and remain in community, near relatives, known neighbors, resources, comfort. Whether a homeowner facing mortgage foreclosure, problems with a reverse mortgage or real estate taxes, home repair contractor fraud, deed issues, including title which has not been transferred for generations, or utility issues, or a tenant facing eviction, unsafe conditions, or illegal lock-out, housing legal issues can be complex and require navigation of a legal system which can be daunting. And the consequences, including losing ones home, are severe. SeniorLAW Center provides legal advice, information and services in all of these areas. Guardianship Approximately 1.3 million adults are under the care of guardians family members or professionals who control approximately $50 billion of their assets. Guardianship is a legal proceeding through which the fundamental rights and decisionmaking of vulnerable people are given to another, with the goal of protecting those rights. While most guardians are caring family members of professionals with good intentions, guardianship in the wrong hands leads to abuse and exploitation which devastates lives already vulnerable. Those facing guardianship have no right to an attorney; historically, the courts have provided limited oversight of the actions of guardians. SeniorLAW Center advocates for critical improvements in the guardianship system. I had the privilege of testifying at the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Agings November 2018 hearing in Washington: Ensuring Trust: Strengthening State Efforts to Overhaul the Guardianship Process and Protect Older Americans. https://www.c-span.org/video/?455102-1/legal-guardianship-elderly, on the role of legal services, the need for a right to counsel, alternatives to guardianship, the need for more data and oversight, and other specific ways to better avoid devastating abuse, neglect and exploitation of those under guardianship. Pennsylvania has taken steps to make improvements to the guardianship system through the efforts of the PA Supreme Courts Advisory Council on Elder Justice and the Administrative Office of PA Courts, including the new Guardianship Tracking System which will make Pennsylvania the gold standard in the country for collecting, monitoring and sharing guardianship data and, it is hoped, improving oversight and reducing harm. On March 16, 2019, SeniorLAW Center will celebrate its work in all of these areas, and more, at its 41st anniversary gala, honoring four individuals and organizations as champions of elder justice: U.S. Senator Bob Casey, a leading voice on national aging issues as Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging and a stalwart advocate for older Pennsylvanians and access to justice; Honorable Sheila Woods-Skipper, judge of the First Judicial District and founder of Pennsylvanias first Elder Justice Resource Center; Attorney and former SeniorLAW Center Board Chair Gay Parks-Rainville, Esq.; and the law firm of Duane Morris LLP, pro bono partners who work closely with SeniorLAW Center to represent and advocate for older veterans, homeowners, and individuals. For more information about SeniorLAW Centers programs and services, our 2019 gala, which provides much-needed support for our work, volunteer or giving opportunities, visit www.seniorlawcenter.org. Join us in seeking justice for older Pennsylvanians. NORRISTOWN A judge sent a Philadelphia woman to state prison on charges she assaulted a Whitpain police officer, and endangered several other officers, while trying to flee in her vehicle during a theft investigation. Sophia L. Shaw, 44, of the 5400 block of Whitby Avenue, was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to 7-years and 9-months to 151/2 years in the State Correctional Institution at Muncy in connection with the 4:20 p.m. June 2, 2017, incident outside the Home Goods store on Skippack Pike in the Blue Bell section of Whitpain. The sentence was imposed by Judge Steven C. Tolliver. Shaw will receive credit for the time shes been in jail since June 2017. During a trial last August, a jury convicted Shaw of charges of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, theft by deception, disorderly conduct and recklessly endangering another person. She made a series of selfish decisions. This is not some accident. She knew exactly what she was doing that day, consequences be damned, said county Assistant District Attorney Matthew Brittenburg, who argued for a lengthy prison term against Shaw. Defense lawyer Frank Flick, who represented Shaw during the sentencing hearing, argued for leniency on behalf of Shaw, maintaining she did not intend to harm the officers. I dont believe this was an intentional act. I believe it was a reckless act, said Flick, claiming that at the time of the incident Shaw was under the influence of alcohol and drugs. It doesnt justify it, but it explains her mental state at the time. Brittenburg said one of three officers injured during the incident suffered a serious back injury and has faced surgeries and physical therapy. Its pretty much disrupted my life, the officer testified, adding he has been unable to work since he sustained the back injury. Everythings pretty uncertain for me know. I dont know what my futures going to look like. After hearing the officers testimony, Shaw apologized. Im so sorry. My intention was not to hurt you or any other officers. I wish I could take it back. I didnt mean to hurt anyone. It was not intentional, Shaw claimed. An investigation began when Whitpain police responded to the Home Goods store in the 1300 block of Skippack Pike for a report of a retail theft in progress during which the suspect was not cooperating with store loss prevention officials. Store officials observed Shaw enter the store at 3:41 p.m. with a cart full of merchandise, which she returned without a receipt and was given a gift card for $699.49, according to the arrest affidavit filed by Whitpain Police Officer Stephen Nickel. Store security then observed Shaw proceed to fill the cart again with Home Goods merchandise and then attempt to deceive a cashier by trying to return the items totaling $498 that she never purchased, according to the criminal complaint. At that point, a store security officer approached Shaw and asked her to accompany him to his office to discuss the returns. Shaw refused to comply and exited the store, Nickel alleged, adding store officials then contacted police. When police arrived Shaw tried to flee, Brittenburg alleged at trial. When police arrived on the parking lot Shaw ran to her vehicle, a Chrysler minivan, and refused police commands to exit the vehicle, according to the criminal complaint. Officers tried to grab Shaws arms as the struggled to put her vehicle in drive and leave the shopping center, police alleged. Shaw refused to exit the vehicle when the minivan lunged forward as the tires were screeching and she then slammed on the brakes, Nickel alleged, adding police eventually were able to pull Shaw out of the vehicle and take her into custody. Two officers sustained minor injuries during the struggle and were treated at the scene by ambulance personnel for abrasions. A third officer who attempted to remove Shaw from her vehicle suffered a back injury when he was thrown backward when Shaw was attempting to flee the scene in a reckless manner with no care for the safety of persons in her path, Nickel alleged. During the trial, Shaw was represented by defense lawyer James Lyons, who conceded to the theft, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest charges. However, Lyons challenged the aggravated assault charge, arguing Shaws conduct did not rise to the recklessness required under the law to support that charge. Lyons didnt dispute that an officer was injured. However, he argued Shaw had no intent to harm officers and suggested the incident was accidental. Americans like to argue about politics but on one issue, almost everyone agrees. More than 90 percent of Americans support universal background checks for firearm purchases, including 83 percent of gun owners. Republicans, Democrats, it doesnt matter: we recognize that owning a firearm is a serious responsibility. As Abraham Lincoln said, With public sentiment, nothing can fail and last month, the House passed historic legislation requiring universal background checks. We also voted to close the Charleston loophole. Right now, federal law permits gun sales to proceed if the purchasers background check hasnt cleared in three days a nonsensical policy that allowed Dylann Roof to acquire a gun and murder nine South Carolina churchgoers in 2015. (The bill also included an amendment that I cosponsored to study the connection between firearms and domestic violence.) Given the logic and public support behind universal background checks, what explains the remaining opposition? In my conversations with Republican colleagues in Congress, this is what I hear: We should just enforce existing laws Federal law prohibits certain people from buying guns convicted felons and domestic abusers, for example. The problem is that background check requirements only apply to firearm sales that take place at licensed gun dealers. Right now, a prohibited purchaser can buy a firearm at a gun show, online, or even in a parking lot from a stranger, and no background check is required. In fact, it happens millions of times each year even though we know that at least one in nine online purchases would fail a background check. Criminals dont buy guns legally The evidence says otherwise. In 2016, the Pennsylvania Instant Checks System (PICS) prevented more than 13,000 prohibited purchasers from buying or transferring a firearm. Over the last 25 years, weve stopped more than 3 million such purchases nationwide. Background checks threaten gun-owners Second Amendment rights Not so. Over 90% of background checks are completed within minutes, and that wont change. Were not interested in making life difficult for sportsmen were interested in ensuring that prohibited purchasers cant acquire deadly force. Our current background check system was created in 1994, before the internet opened up a huge, unregulated market for gun sales. Requiring universal background checks isnt a radical new policy its simply ensures that the law applies equally to all gun sales. Heres why this matters. Last month, I met a young woman from Chicago. She described growing up with a best friend who doubted whether hed make it to 18. On his eighteenth birthday, he was shot and killed. The week before that, I attended a gun safety event at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park. The event was arranged by synagogue youth, and Parkland survivor Samara Barrack was the guest speaker. In an affluent suburb, these students are all too aware of the dangers posed by gun violence and they are organizing for change. Gun violence isnt urban or suburban. It isnt rich, poor, black, white, or anything else. Its an American problem, and it touches us all. In 2017, 40,000 Americans were killed by firearms including more than half to suicide and 100,000 more were wounded in the crossfire. Today, as you read this, 342 Americans will be shot or killed. Experts tell us that background checks are one of the simplest, most effective ways to curb gun violence and state-by-state evidence proves it. Our Senate colleagues face a choice. They can take the path of inaction and hope that Americas gun violence problem magically resolves itself. Or they can stand up for students and communities and vote to save lives. U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean is a Democrat who represents Pennsylvanias 4th Congressional District, which includes parts of Montgomery and Berks counties. OTTAWA - Canada still hasnt seen the evidence China used to block canola shipments from one of Canadas largest grain producers, International Trade Minister Jim Carr said Wednesday in an interview. A Chinese government spokesman has said Beijings move this month to suspend canola imports from Richardson International Ltd. came after hazardous organisms were detected in the companys product. Carr said Canada is pushing to solve the economically important matter but it needs China to provide proof to back up the claims. We continue to ask Chinese officials for any evidence that this canola has any problems that can be proven with any scientific base or any scientific evidence and so far weve heard nothing, he said in a phone interview from Saskatoon, where he was talking to business leaders about making the most of opportunities created by Canadas major trade deals. Its a concern because we are a major exporter of canola to the world and we produce the finest canola in the world. Its a very important part of our trade mix and we want to get to the bottom of it and we want to get to the bottom of it fast. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley issued a statement last week demanding that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau fight for canola farmers and all related jobs. We are calling on Ottawa to stop its navel-gazing about its internal controversies and fight back, she said. Notley added the issue could cost Alberta farmers hundreds of millions of dollars and lead to a loss of up to 3,000 jobs. Chinas decision to reject shipments of one of Canadas key exports comes with the two countries in a diplomatic dispute that erupted after the December arrest of Huawei senior executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver at the behest of the United States. On March 1, Canadas Justice Department gave the go-ahead for the extradition case against Meng, which marked the formal start of the high-profile process that has thrust Canada into a highly uncomfortable position between the two superpowers. In the days following Mengs arrest, China arrested Canadian citizens Michael Kovrig, a Canadian diplomat on leave, and Michael Spavor, an entrepreneur, on allegations of engaging in activities that have endangered Chinese national security. The men remain in Chinese custody and their arrests have been interpreted as attempts by Beijing to pressure Canada into releasing Meng. China also sentenced another Canadian, Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, to death in a sudden retrial of his drug-smuggling case. Asked whether theres a link between the Meng case and the canola impasse, Carr said the government has no evidence of one. Were treating it as a science issue, which is why were pressing Chinese officials to show us the science. Carr said the federal government has been contacting Chinese officials in Beijing and at the countrys embassy in Ottawa to find out why the blocked canola is considered to be anything less than the very high (quality) canola that we know we are shipping abroad. On the status of formal Canada-China trade talks in general, Carr described it as a difficult period in a very long relationship that, for example, saw Richardson sign its first deal in China in 1910. Its difficult because of the detention of Canadian citizens and we have been very clear about the importance of resolving that issue, he said. There are always conversations between officials, but I would say that its not an active period of those kinds of discussions. Carr said he looked forward to talking about Canadas recently ratified trade agreements in Saskatchewan, which he noted is the province with the most diversified export markets. He said 44 per cent of Saskatchewans exports last year were shipped to countries other than the United States the most of any province. LONDONBritain needs tough new rules to help counter the dominance of big tech giants like Facebook, Google and Amazon, a review of competition in the digital market concludes. Wednesdays 150-page report adds to an intensifying worldwide debate over the need for stricter regulation of Silicon Valley technology giants amid concern about their influence on the broader economy and their control of data. In the U.S., Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren last week proposed breaking up the biggest U.S. tech companies, slamming them for having too much market and political power. The British report was released the same day that Swedish music-streaming service Spotify said it filed an antitrust complaint against Apple, accusing it of stifling competition through its control over the iPhones operating system and app store. Spotifys beef with Apple centres on a 30 per cent tax that it and other digital services have to pay to use Apples in-app payment system, making Spotify subscriptions more expensive than Apple Music. The British governments review was led by Harvard University professor Jason Furman, who was a chief economic adviser to former U.S. President Barack Obama. The report found that global tech giants dont face enough competition and said that existing rules are outdated and need to be beefed up. The digital sector has created substantial benefits but these have come at the cost of increasing dominance of a few companies, which is limiting competition and consumer choice and innovation, Furman said. Some say this is inevitable or even desirable. I think the U.K. can do better. Britains House of Lords recently called for a new digital regulatory authority to provide overall oversight. EU authorities also have faced down big tech companies. EU competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager has slapped whopping fines on Google and ordered Apple to pay back billions in back taxes. EU, German and Austrian authorities are looking separately into Amazons marketplace platform over complaints of unfair practices. Britains financial secretary, Philip Hammond, said the government would respond later this year to the reports recommendations, any of which must be approved by Britains Parliament to take effect. Recommendations include setting up a new digital markets unit tasked with giving people more control over their data by using open standards. That would let people move or share their personal information if they switch to a new digital service. The reports authors said by making it easier for people to switch, data mobility would result in new digital services while creating new business opportunities to manage the data. The report also recommended: getting big companies to share key data sets with startups, while safeguarding personal information. The report said data sharing can help foster innovation and new business ideas. The panel cited as an example Ubers release of data to help improve infrastructure and planning decisions. drawing up a code of conduct to lay out acceptable behaviour for tech companies in their relationships with users. The report said clarifying unfair conduct would allow disputes to be resolved more easily. rewriting rules so authorities can better stop digital mergers likely to damage future competition, innovation and consumer choice. This should include letting Britains competition regulator take into account the scale and likelihood of any harm in merger cases as well as requiring digital companies with strategic market status to inform the authority of all intended acquisitions. Hammond said he asked Britains competition authority to act on another recommendation: carrying out a study of the countrys digital ad market, which is dominated by Facebook and Google. According to the report, publishers complain that because the digital advertising supply chain is opaque, its hard for them to get a fair return on ads that go with their content. Read more about: Bruce Flatt put Wall Streets biggest private equity players on notice that the Canadian juggernaut was coming for them three years ago. The head of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. told Bloomberg Television then that his firm pushing into private equity should be mentioned in the same breath as Blackstone Group LP, Carlyle Group LP and KKR & Co. It was an unusually brash statement from the understated Winnipeg native. Hes more than backed it up. On Wednesday, Brookfield Asset Management agreed to buy a majority stake in Oaktree Capital, a move that will create a $475 billion (U.S.) alternative-investing behemoth. Thats more assets under management than any of the other blue-chip buyout firms reported at year-end. The transaction caps a flurry of deal-making across Flatts investing empire of four publicly traded companies focused on real estate, infrastructure, renewable energy and private equity. I dont think Brookfield has grown quickly, said Mark Rothschild, an analyst in Toronto with Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. Theyve been growing quite a bit. But this has been going on for decades. Brookfield Business Partners LP, the firms private equity arm, agreed to buy Johnson Controls International PLCs car battery business for $13.2 billion in November, beating suitors including Apollo Global Management LLC. In January, it struck a deal worth $3.2 billion for Healthscope Ltd., winning a 10-month takeover battle for the hospital operator. Forest City Brookfield also struck two jumbo real estate deals last year. Brookfield Asset Management paid about $6.8 billion for Forest City Real Estate Trust Inc. Real estate affiliate Brookfield Property Partners LP bought the rest of GGP Inc. that it didnt already own for about $15 billion. The firm has been stockpiling dry powder. It just raised $15 billion for its largest real estate fund to date and is seeking $9 billion for its fifth private equity pool, or more than double what it raised for its predecessor fund. Brookfields seeming knack for flying under the radar may spring from the understated way of doing business that comes from the top. Flatt became chief executive officer of Brookfield in 2002, when it was still called Brascan Corp., which had been established to manage the fortune of Canadas wealthy Bronfman family. Counter-Cyclical Bets An accountant by training, Flatts demeanour is low-key. He takes lunches with new hires in Brookfields Toronto boardroom. He has built the firm by making counter-cyclical investments in sectors and geographies where capital is scarce and assets are cheap. Last years GGP deal is a bet against the so-called retail apocalypse. Brookfield has also been bullishly seeking infrastructure deals in Brazil, following a political scandal that has upended the economy. That included partnering with investors in 2016 to buy a Brazilian natural gas business from Petroleo Brasileiro SA Brookfield is a shrewd investor that will walk away from a deal before overpaying, according to Rothschild, the Canaccord analyst. They are looked at as a very sophisticated, strong company that is going to buy assets when companies need to sell, he said. In many cases, their transactions are a little more complicated. CALGARY - An oil and gas industry representative says Canada is falling behind the U.S. and other nations in developing its rich Arctic natural resources because of a five-year moratorium on offshore drilling in the North put in place in 2016. But Northern Affairs minister Dominic LeBlanc defends the ban as a necessary device to ensure the resource is developed in a way that is environmentally sensitive, allows Indigenous input and is based on science. The debate touched off in 2016 when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and then-U.S. president Barack Obama announced offshore Arctic development restrictions is being revisited at the Arctic Oil & Gas Symposium in Calgary. Paul Barnes, Atlantic Canada and Arctic director for the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, says recent moves by the U.S. under President Donald Trump to reopen the Alaskan Arctic to drilling illustrate Canadas lost opportunities. He says the ban on development creates uncertainty in the market and means Canada isnt able to compete for investment dollars for Arctic drilling or related research, despite ongoing Arctic development by nations such as Norway and Russia. But LeBlanc says Ottawa is using its time to consult with northern people, governments and industry and come up with a science-based report to inform its review of the moratorium in 2021. Done properly, oil and gas development can bring growth and prosperity to a region that in some cases may have been overlooked for a long time, said LeBlanc. However, the development ... must be done properly with the full support of scientific data and research. I used to work for a very smart man who would always say, The solution is not the solution, because the problem is not the problem. He was continually frustrated by his management team addressing symptoms, but never assessing the root cause of their performance issues. Ive since stolen the mantra as my own and use it for everything from improvement teams I facilitate to information technology projects Ive managed. And lately, Ive been using it with IT a lot.Technology is great for so much. Advancements in mobility alone have been worth the price of admission, but add to it the speed in which we can find information, the ability to mine a plethora of data, and the still-evolving benefits of artificial intelligence, and you could argue we are living in a golden age of technology. I love the world we live in, but I do have one small issue: As a solution to our biggest problems, technology is not the solution because technology is not the problem.Weve been investing billions of dollars into our IT infrastructure and in new systems, and only finding pockets of radical results. As a whole, after years of planning, bidding, implementing and introducing all of this new technology, we find ourselves left wanting more. Even as early as 2010 the signs were on the wall that technology, while great, was not going to yield radical results. That year, Gartner, the IT research firm, presented a report that suggested a 15 percent bump in efficiency was the average that could be expected after all the payroll, procurement and payment-like processes had been automated.To increase our chances of getting more than 15 percent efficiency for the millions of dollars were investing, weve built better project management, better contracts and better business supports. While all smart moves, Id argue its not that government didnt know how to lead large projects, or how to monitor complex contract agreements, or garner financial and leadership support that caused our disappointment. These things help us run phenomenal projects, but they dont help us get phenomenal results.The biggest problem facing government today is capacity. Most of our agencies are facing a true capacity crisis with much more work coming in than we have people and resources to cope with. In human services alone, we have seen 40 percent more people on benefits with 20 percent less resources to serve them. In child welfare, workers need 20 hours to do a quality safety assessment, and they are getting three to five new assessments every week. We simply cannot keep up. Whether its too many kids at risk, too many permit requests, too many programs to administer or too many work orders, everyone seems to be living under the pressure of too much work and not enough resources.Yet were living like were in a technology crisis, as if we are struggling because our systems keep shutting down, or that we keep losing data so we cannot manage workflow, or that the computers have begun to think on their own and a Terminator-like Skynet revolt is imminent. We keep on investing like technology is our problem, and technology alone will relieve the pressure. It was supposed to be the way of the future, and we all expected an easier row to hoe when the machines could help with the heavy lifting. As it turns out, heavy lifting wasnt the problem either.Truth is, we dont know the solution, because we really havent studied the problem.Ironically, studying capacity is one of the easiest things to do: how many came in today vs. how many went out. If you regularly have more coming in than out, you have a capacity problem. The more in than out, the larger the problem. You probably also have a lot of late work (theres a system that will track work to deadlines and let employees know when they need to focus on work thats about to be late), you likely have backlogged work (theres a system that can track this), and you might have large lines and full waiting rooms (theres software to set client appointments, too).All of these problems are symptoms, and all of these systems just manage those symptoms better than we can without the technology. Here lies the rub: Without the technology wed be much, much worse, but how do we get much, much better?Imagine you had this issue in a car factory, where the solutions practically jump out at you: Either get more people to work more shifts, or find a faster way to make cars with the people you have. Unfortunately, our budgets can rarely support more people, and our leaders havent been very keen on increasing the size of government recently. So that only leaves one solution. We need to build capacity with what we have. Do more with the same.Easier said than done for most of us, particularly those of us in IT, who are routinely handed gunked-up business processes and asked to automate them in an attempt to alleviate the pressure. But heres what Ive learned about building capacity in the last 25 years that rarely gets shared. Technology automates the work, but the work is rarely the problem. The work is the work, and if the 80s movie Gung Ho taught us anything, its that mush is not a successful improvement strategy.Truth is, our capacity problems lie in the way our work is structured. Our gunk is caused by years of CYA, resulting in unnecessary handoffs between units, bottlenecks, batches, backlog and bureaucracy. Technology never caused any of these, so it cant be expected to fix them. What is robbing us of capacity is all the stuff that isnt the work, and until we attack that, our technology is like putting a fresh coat of paint on a condemned house.Ribbons of shame for anyone who turns to IT as our first solution, because capacity is our real problem. Americas NATO allies are risking another bust-up with U.S. President Donald Trump after spending figures released Thursday showed little movement toward a more equitable sharing of the costs of collective defence. Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands are nowhere near meeting a pledge to spend at least 2 per cent of their economic output on their militaries, according to North Atlantic Treaty Organization estimates for 2018. Germany, a frequent target of Trumps criticism, spent 1.23 per cent of GDP on defence last year, while Canadas outlay dropped to 1.23 per cent from 1.41 per cent. Just seven NATO members met the alliances guideline on defence spending, while Spain, Belgium and Luxembourg spent less than half of the target. Washington accounts for some 70 per cent of NATOs military expenditures prompting Trump to accuse Europe on several occasions of taking advantage of the U.S. Wealthy, wealthy countries that were protecting are all under notice, Trump said in a speech at the Pentagon on Jan. 17. We cannot be the fools for others. The alliance sought to put a positive spin on the numbers, with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg pointing out that spending cuts of previous years have now been reversed. Germany has made it clear that it will increase defence budgets by 80 per cent by 2024, Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels, while praising Berlins contribution to allied missions. Cost Plus 50 The U.S. administration is drawing up demands that Germany, Japan and eventually all of its allies pay the full cost for American soldiers deployed on their soil, with 50 per cent on top for the privilege of hosting them, according to officials briefed on the matter. In some cases, nations could be asked to pay five to six times as much as they do now under the Cost Plus 50 formula. The presidents team sees the move as a way to prod NATO partners into accelerating increases in defence spending. While Trump claims his pressure has led to billions of dollars more in allied defence spending, hes chafed at what he sees as the slow pace of progress. Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels on Thursday that the reported Cost Plus 50 plan hasnt been discussed at NATO. While he refused to comment on the substance, he noted that the U.S presence in Europe is also important for American security. Its about protecting Europe, but its also about projecting power beyond Europe, he said. Read more about: Crude closed higher for a fourth straight day in New York ahead of a weekend meeting where the worlds top exporters will discuss whether to extend supply cuts. U.S. benchmark oil climbed 0.6 per cent on Thursday, settling at a four-month high. Ahead of a meeting in Azerbaijan, the OPEC secretariat urged producers to continue efforts to prevent a surplus this year. Ministers from the coalitions two central players, Russia and Saudi Arabia, will hold a one-on-one meeting as well as the former nation struggles to keep up its end of a pledge to tighten the market. The cuts highlight just how serious the Kingdom is in terms of getting supplies down and tidying this market up to get prices up, which they desperately need, said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital LLC, a New York hedge fund focused on energy. While U.S. prices advanced, global benchmark crude closed 0.5 per cent lower for the day. Word that a meeting to resolve the U.S.-China trade spat was unlikely before April reiterated the fragile economic picture and helped push the dollar higher, undercutting commodities priced in the greenback. OPEC also issued a slightly bearish demand forecast for 2019, while Libya continued to restore production at its main oilfield, said Michael Lynch, president of Strategic Energy and Economic Research in Winchester, Massachusetts. Crudes nearly 30 per cent rise this year has been supported by bullish developments on the supply side, as OPEC and its allies cut production and as American sanctions tighten output from Iran and Venezuela. Yet, U.S. shale production remains at record-high levels, putting a cap on optimism. Supply risks are at the front of the mind as Venezuelas crisis deepens and Iran sanctions exemptions end soon, said Norbert Ruecker, head of macro and commodity research at Julius Baer Group Ltd. in Zurich. WTI for April delivery rose 35 cents to $58.61 a barrel at the close of trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent for May settlement slipped 32 cents to $67.23 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The global benchmark crude traded at a $8.32 premium to WTI for the same month. In OPECs monthly report, its Vienna-based secretariat encouraged producers to continue the strategy to reduce output. While oil demand is expected to grow at a moderate pace in 2019, it is still well below the strong growth expected in the non-OPEC supply forecast for this year, it said. This highlights the continued shared responsibility of all participating producing countries to avoid a relapse of the imbalance and continue to support oil-market stability in 2019. After the review meeting on March 17 and 18, ministers from the so-called OPEC+ alliance will gather in Vienna next month, and again in June, to decide on output policy for the second half of the year. Read more about: Toyota said Thursday it is eyeing Canada as a location to produce a new model, but wouldnt divulge any details. News of the possible new production came on the same day the Japanese automaker announced that it is investing an additional $750 million (U.S.) at five U.S. plants, including the production of two hybrid vehicles for the first time at its Kentucky facility. A spokesperson for Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada said while the U.S. investment does not change plans for its facilities north of the border, the company is considering production of a new model in Canada. Toyota Canada corporate communications manager Michael Bouliane said the company will make an announcement once we have made a decision. Toyotas moves follow GMs recent annoucement that it was idling its Oshawa plant and four U.S. facilities amid declining demand for compact sedans. Toyota Canada last May said it would upgrade two Ontario assembly plants in order to build the next generation of the RAV4 crossover vehicles. Toyotas recent $1.4-billion investment in Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, including supporting funds from the provincial and federal governments, is helping us meetgrowth in demand, and our plan has not changed, Bouliane wrote in an email. (We) will continue to be the largest producer of RAV4 vehicles for North American markets. He added that Toyota Canada is using full capacity to produce the RAV4 gasoline and hybrid models in Canada, calling the RAV4 the bestselling non-pick-up truck in North America. The $1.4-billion investment announced in 2018 retained 8,000 jobs that would have been lost when production of the Corolla was moved to Alabama. Toyota originally said its plan was to make Corollas at a plant in Mexico, but chose Alabama instead after reassessing the market. Toyota later announced that it would replace Corolla production in Cambridge with expanded production of the RAV4 sport utility vehicle, which also is assembled in the companys plant in Woodstock. U.S. President Donald Trump had criticized Toyota and other automakers for taking auto production and jobs to Mexico, saying vehicles for the U.S. market should be built by U.S. workers. Toyota denied that Trumps views influenced the decision to build Corollas in Alabama. Trump, however, welcomed the announcement in a tweet: Toyota & Mazda to build a new $1.6B plant here in the U.S.A. and create 4K new American jobs. A great investment in American manufacturing! The U.S. investment, meanwhile, marks yet another expansion of the Japanese automakers U.S. presence, bringing to nearly $13 billion the amount it will spend by 2021. The latest investments are at facilities in Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee and West Virginia. Those same facilities were part of a 2017 announcement by Toyota for a $374-million investment to support production of its first American-made hybrid powertrain. Toyota Motor North America CEO Jim Lentz said the latest investments represent even more examples of our long-term commitment to build where we sell. By boosting our U.S. manufacturing footprint, we can better serve our customers and dealers and position our manufacturing plants for future success with more domestic capacity. Toyotas Georgetown, Kentucky, facility will get a $238 million infusion to produce hybrid versions of Lexus ES 300 sedans starting in May and the RAV4 SUV starting in January 2020, the company announced. It also includes $288 million to increase annual engine capacity at Toyotas Huntsville, Alabama, facility. The plant will add 450 jobs to accommodate new four-cylinder and V6 engine production lines. Last year Toyota and Mazda announced plans to build a $1.6 billion joint-venture plant in Huntsville that will eventually employ about 4,000 people. Toyota also is spending $62 million on equipment to boost production of Toyota and Lexus cylinder heads at its Bodine Aluminum facility in Troy, Missouri, as part of its cost-saving New Global Architecture production strategy to share common parts and components among different vehicles. A $50 million expansion and equipment upgrade at a Bodine plant in Jackson, Tennessee, will add 13 jobs and produce engine blocks while doubling the capacity of hybrid transaxle cases and housings. And Toyota will add 123 jobs and spent $111 million to expand its plant and purchase equipment in Buffalo, West Virginia, to double the capacity of hybrid transaxles. Previously, Toyota also announced a $600 million investment at its Princeton, Indiana, plant to increase the capacity of its Highlander SUV and to incorporate the new production strategy, and $170 million to launch the 2020 Corolla on a new production line in Blue Springs, Mississippi. CALGARYClio Smeeton, co-director of the Cochrane Ecological Institute, a wildlife rescue group west of Calgary, has big plans for the rolls of donated chain link fence stacked on her partially wooded property. As soon as the snow melts, she plans to turn it into a massive enclosure spanning at least five acres. Big enough to one day contain an orphaned grizzly bear, she hopes. Rescuing and releasing orphan grizzlies a threatened species in the province isnt allowed in Alberta. Right now, abandoned or orphaned grizzly cubs are euthanized by government wildlife workers. But in building her new enclosure, Smeeton hopes to reopen the issue, arguing that there is public demand for it. If we built a top-of-the-line orphaned grizzly bear enclosure, it might be hard for the AEP (Alberta Environment and Parks) to justify killing a listed (threatened) species rather than rescuing, rearing, and releasing it, Smeeton said. Well need to raise the funds to buy more materials, and well need many willing hands, but ... if you build it, they (grizzly cubs) will come. Its not the first time Smeeton and her husband, Ken Weagle, who run the 52-year-old conservation facility, have pushed boundaries in the hopes that policies will change. Read more: Alberta to release rehab bear cubs this fall, experts say its complete rubbish Last year, the 140-acre wildlife reserve was the first in Alberta to rescue and begin rehabilitation of two orphaned black bear cubs after a nearly 10-year provincial ban was lifted. Somewhere on their vast property, those two snoozing black bears await their return to the wild, set for June, when theyll be scooped up by AEP and placed back into their natural environment to start their new and hopefully successful lives. But there were hurdles for the institute to get over from the outset of the black bears rescue, and afterwards, too, when it came to negotiating their release date, which the province initially mandated to be last fall during bear hunt season. Now Smeeton is readying to push again for policy change for the rescue of orphaned grizzly cubs a particularly contentious topic. Theres only one wildlife group in Canada that currently has a permit to rehabilitate and release the animals Northern Lights Wildlife Society in British Columbia. Smeeton said that the public should be consulted on whether grizzly cubs are rehabilitated. She pointed to a petition from last year, circulated by Lisa Dahlseide, a longtime volunteer at the facility, that called for the province to allow black bear cubs to be rescued, and garnered more than 37,000 signatures. (Its) indicative that ordinary Albertans care about the mismanagement of wildlife orphans, she said. However, Olav Rokne, a communications adviser for the province, said when it comes to rescuing wildlife, grizzlies and black bears are apples and oranges. He says the rehabilitation of grizzly bear cubs is not something the province is even considering at this time. The Government of Alberta works with a variety of wildlife organizations that provide rehabilitation services. At present, no rehabilitation organization in Alberta has expertise, adequate facilities, or the resources to care for grizzly bears, which are approximately twice the size of black bears, more aggressive and dangerous, Rokne said in a emailed statement. The risk to public safety associated with grizzly bears is far greater than that of black bears ... our wildlife rehabilitation system (is held) to high standards, particularly with regards to public safety and to the humane treatment of animals. Decisions are made in the best interests of the public and of wildlife. Mark Boyce, a professor of biological sciences at the University of Alberta and a grizzly bear researcher for over 30 years, sides with the province. Its a total waste of money, effort, time. Its misleading, said Boyce, who also holds a chair in fisheries and wildlife with the Alberta Conservation Association, a delegated administrative organization that works with the province. We have detailed studies documenting that the bears learn to forage from their mother. And if they dont have their mother to learn from, theyre not going to be efficient or effective at finding prey. Instead of rescuing the orphaned cubs, Boyce suggested efforts and resources go to improving the bears habitats in the wild. Any habituation of the bears that you might have by raising them in pens or whatever even if youre careful to try to minimize contact with humans makes them much more likely to get themselves in trouble. In general, rehabilitated grizzly bears dont make it. So, why put the bears through all of that, and why waste the resources? Boyce said the grizzly bear population in Alberta has been increasing at unbelievable rates. However, the species is still listed as threatened in Alberta, with an estimate of under 700 left, while B.C. has up to 16,000. Smeetons goal for the Cochrane Ecological Institute is to prove to the province that the organization does have the resources to care for another bear, albeit a grizzly, and will eventually have an enclosure for it. She said she is firm that grizzly cubs and other species she advocates for that are not allowed to be rehabilitated in the province should be granted the same second chance as black bears. It is time to change the paradigm and do something different now, Smeeton said. Starting with allowing the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of orphaned bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk, grizzly bear, lynx, bobcat, cougar, coyote, raccoon, wolf. Elsewhere in North America, these species have successfully been reared and released. Read more about: MONTREALPeople who were trapped for hours on a Montreal highway following a massive 2017 snowstorm will each receive up to $1,375 from the province, lawyers for the stranded motorists announced Thursday. The payments result from a partial settlement of a class-action lawsuit against the Quebec government and the city of Montreal. The lawsuit had been authorized by the Quebec Superior Court and will continue against the city, which so far has refused to negotiate, according to the motorists lawyers. A storm that began on the evening of March 14, 2017, dropped more than 35 centimetres of snow on the city overnight, stranding hundreds of motorists on Highway 13, some of whom had to stay in their cars until the morning. The government later acknowledged that emergency services were badly managed that night. Marc-Antoine Cloutier, the lead lawyer representing plaintiffs, said his clients were traumatized. People cry when they talk about their night, he told reporters. Many people spoke about a significant trauma. Im still stunned that people who appear very strong cry when they talk about their night of March 14-15. Cloutier said the agreement recognizes that provincial authorities have since fixed their emergency services operations. Under the terms of the agreement, people who were trapped in their cars for four hours or less will receive $350 from the provincial government. The payments increase according to the amount of time people were stuck, rising to $1,100 for drivers and passengers who spent 10 hours or more in their vehicles. Children aged under 12, seniors over 75, pregnant women and people with medical conditions will receive bonuses worth 25 per cent of the payment, for a maximum of $1,375 per plaintiff. Cloutier said plaintiffs could be in line for more money depending on the outcome of the suit against the city. Roughly 2,500 people have so far registered to take part in the class action. The agreement with the Quebec government needs to be authorized by the Superior Court before plaintiffs can be compensated. Gabrielle Gagne, part of the plaintiffs legal team, said people who wish to collect money will need to show evidence they were stuck in their cars. You can use pictures, you can use text messages, email, videos, she said. A lot of people have smartphones and have all of that already with them, so it could be fairly easy to prove. Read more about: WEYBURN, SASK.A growing number of Saskatchewan politicians are calling on city councillors who decided against a proposed group home for the disabled to change their minds. Premier Scott Moe, Social Services Minister Paul Merriman and legislature member Dustin Duncan who represents the Weyburn area are urging the city in the southeastern part of the province to reconsider a vote from earlier this week. Weyburn city council voted Monday to reject a proposal for building a group home in a new upscale residential area called The Creeks. Residents there cited concerns including safety and an impact on their property values. The Saskatchewan I know can do much better, Moe said on Twitter on Thursday. Our province should be the best place in Canada for persons with disabilities. Moe and Merriman both said they are disappointed in the councils decision. Merriman told reporters that he spoke to Weyburns mayor, Marcel Roy, and urged him and city council to reconsider. Read more: Saskatchewan city council rejects group home for people with disabilities Its a very slippery slope when people from the community are picking and choosing who lives on their street and who doesnt, Merriman said. Duncan stood up in the legislature and said he has visited three other group homes that have opened in Weyburn and they dont take away but add to a community. Any neighbourhood would be lucky to have them, he said. Former premier Brad Wall has also called on Weyburn city council to reconsider. This decision must be changed, Wall said in a post on Twitter Wednesday. Saskatchewan has worked hard to provide dignity, care and quality of life through more group home spaces to our most vulnerable fellow citizens. In turn, they bring dignity and care to any neighbourhood. The proposed home was to have rooms for no more than four adults with physical or mental disabilities and two to three staff on rotation to provide their care. Roy has said council would work with the Weyburn Group Homes Society to find a location and that no harm was meant by councils vote. Letters had been sent to council on behalf of residents in The Creeks voicing concerns about safety, a disruption of parking and a potential impact on insurance rates. The needs and the severity of the participants dwelling there may change in the future and our hands would be tied for dispute, said one letter. Coun. Brad Wheeler, who had said there is a stigma to having a group home in an upscale neighbourhood, later apologized. Rick Wanner had hoped his autistic, non-verbal grandson would be moving into the new group home. Its rather disgusting, Wanner said Thursday. The whole city has been given a black eye by these individuals with their negative attitude towards the handicapped. Wanner knows how important a group home can be. His sister-in-law lives in another group home in the community. He and his wife, both who are retired and in their 70s, are caring for 21-year-old Josh because the young mans parents work full-time. Wanner said his grandson needs a home he can live and thrive and get the best life possible. He said he wants to see the group home built where it was planned. The whole thing has now becomes a matter of principle. It has been five months since the students of Crescent Town Public School lost the footbridge that connects their school to most of their homes. The bridge, which is owned by Pinedale Properties and the Toronto District School Board, partially collapsed in November 2018, and has still not been replaced. After five months of scrambling down steep ramps or risking unsignalized road-crossings between the highrise neighbourhoods to the south and the school to the north, students, teachers and parents have had enough. So, the Grade 3 class, headed by teacher Mariela Sirizzotti, wrote to Pinedale Properties CEO Alexander Grossman, the Toronto District School Boards project supervisor for the area and Mayor John Tory, as an exercise in writing formal letters. In one letter to Tory, signed by a student named Ehan, it said: I am worried about how slippery it is for students to walk on the street to get to school. They might fall down and get hurt and get hit by a car. If we had the bridge, we wouldnt be hit by cars. In another letter signed by a student named Sam, the writer quoted Torys tweet in November, which had promised to look into the inspections that had been done on the bridge prior to its collapse. So, Mr. Tory, what did you find out? he wrote. Three weeks after sending the letters out, the class received nothing from Pinedale, an acknowledgement from Torys office, and an update from the school board. The TDSB said it had agreed in principle to share costs proportionately with Pinedale, and that there is a tender process ongoing and Pinedale has hired a consultant to do the design work. Sirizzotti said that reassurance is cold comfort for the 18 children in her class. They say, what if we had been walking on that bridge? They could have fallen, they could have gotten hurt, someone could have died, said Sirizzotti. Currently, students have few options for reaching the school from the highrise neighbourhood of Crescent Town. The best route is a steep ramp between buildings, owned by Pinedale, that crosses a narrow service road and leads directly through the schools fenced-off kindergarten play area. Otherwise, students and their parents can make their way across a private roadway that winds underneath where the bridge once was. If there is a thought of not putting that bridge up, we need to find a safe way for kids to come to school from Crescent Town, said Razia Rashed, a member of the schools parent council. Accessibility-wise we need to think about them. According to Principal Harpreet Ghuman, the school has been unsuccessful in its requests to obtain a crossing guard. We have worked with the city and we have worked with the police according to them we dont meet the requirements for having one, said Ghuman. Ghuman said that the path between home and school is so arduous for so many students that the office is changing its policy for issuing late slips. Is it really valuable giving children and families late slips when theyre trying to get there on time but their major access route is not there? Ghuman said hes been trying to help the community and the students articulate their anger. One of the questions weve had (from the community) is if this was a rich community this wouldnt happen, he said. I say, why do you think that? The point is you still have to persist and overcome that, whether through media or more letter writing, more noise and more social action. Calls to Pinedales Alexander Grossman were not returned before our publication deadline. Torys spokesperson Don Peat said in an email that the mayors office had received six letters from students and was working on a response that would update them on the progress. Peat wrote: Because this bridge is on private property, the Mayor reached out to Pinedale Properties when this incident happened and was assured they would be doing everything possible to get a new bridge up. He said the mayor will be following up with the property owner again to make it clear that a fix is needed as soon as possible. Peat added that the mayor will be supporting Councillor Brad Bradford (Ward 19 Beaches-East York), who brought forward a motion to look into both the bridge collapse and how the city might better deal with privately-owned essential infrastructure. In an interview, Bradford noted that he had also held his first major community meeting of the term in Crescent Town to largely address the matter of the collapsed bridge. Bradford said he would be reaching out to the school community to try and find better interim measures to ensure safe access to the school including trying to arrange a crossing guard. Im going to work on it absolutely ... Im happy to work with them on the crossing guard process. Bradford, a former Toronto city planner, said he shared the communitys frustration with the amount of time the bridge has been down. Five months is a long time for the community and children and parents at the school, but I think when we look at this in comparison to a lot of infrastructure projects, its not nothing ... its not putting in a bike post. Thats an elevated structure linking two plazas. Turning that around in the winter, its not surprising its been five months. But that doesnt mean its acceptable and it doesnt mean we shouldnt have a better interim plan. Airline customers can expect months of travel disruptions stemming from the Canadian and U.S. governments decision to ground the Boeing 737 Max 8, according to industry experts. Mary Jane Hiebert, chair of the board of directors for the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies, said Wednesday that member organizations started getting calls from concerned travellers immediately after one of the jets operated by Ethiopian Airlines crashed on Sunday, even before aviation authorities around the world started suspending flights using the aircraft. The calls havent let up since. I think its a bit of a domino effect and were not really sure how bad it could be, Hiebert said. The Canadian and U.S. authorities move to ban the Boeing model from their airspaces Wednesday sent airlines scrambling to make arrangements for passengers, with Hiebert predicting the fallout could last well beyond this week. She said it might not be simple for airlines to replace their Max 8s with other aircraft, as not all crews are trained to fly all plane models. And as airlines can book flights as much as a year in advance, any routes scheduled to be served by the Max 8s could see changes. If the aircraft is grounded indefinitely then, yes, it will have a big effect, Hiebert said. The first two months are going to be the most critical. After that it might get a little bit easier as far as rescheduling. How can you tell if you were booked on a 737 Max? Just three Canadian airlines were operating 737 Max 8s before this week Air Canada, WestJet and Sunwing. Allison Wallace, director of media and communications for Flight Centre Canada, said a customers booking information should state the type of aircraft being used for the flight, either by its full name or a three-digit code. The code for the 737 Max 8 is 7M8. Customers should check the codes carefully because other models of the Boeing 737 family arent affected by the grounding. These models will have different codes. Wallace said if customers dont see the type of aircraft listed on their booking, they should contact their airline or travel agent. Third-party websites like FlightRadar24 also list aircraft types for commercial flights. How many people are affected? According to WestJet, as of Wednesday about 1,000 of its customers had been inconvenienced by the 737 Max 8 grounding. The Calgary-based airline normally operates 13 of the aircraft, out of a total fleet of 175. The company said it had already moved more than half of affected customers to same-day flight options and hoped to rebook the rest on flights Thursday and Friday. Air Canada said its fleet of 24 of 737 Max 8s usually operate 75 flights daily. Thats a fraction of the 1,600 flights the airline schedules every day, but the planes still normally carry between 9,000 and 12,000 customers per day. The company said it was working to rebook those passengers as soon as possible. Sunwing announced late Tuesday, the evening before the Canadian government announced it was grounding the planes, that it had independently decided to take its four 737 Max 8s out of service. The company said the planes made up just 10 per cent of its fleet and we will not be cancelling any flights as a result of any schedule changes. Could some travellers be more affected than others? Wallace said customers flying within Canada are likely to have an easier time coping with the disruptions. If youre going somewhere domestically where theres multiple flights a day, youre probably not going to be delayed too badly, she said. But for passengers headed to sun destinations in places like the Caribbean where there are fewer daily flights, its a bit more challenging. But the airlines are doing what they can to reshuffle their aircraft and put larger aircraft in the more popular destinations, she said. Are airlines waiving fees for flight changes or cancellations? Air Canada issued a statement Wednesday that it had instituted a rebooking policy that allowed passengers to change flights without paying additional fees, space permitting. A spokesperson said fees would also be waived for people wishing to cancel flights that had been booked on a 737 Max 8. WestJet posted a message to its website saying the company had invoked its uncontrollable delay policy, meaning it will attempt to rebook passengers on the next available flight at no additional cost. The company will also change customers return flights to match the length of their original booked trip, or book them on a flight headed to a location close to their original destination. According to the companys uncontrollable delay policy, any changes outside of those options could result in customers paying additional fees or higher fares. How has the peak March Break travel period affected this scenario? According to Wallace, air traffic during March Break can be as much as double or triple that of normal times. Youre looking at very limited space available at these times. The planes are full, she said. The lack of free seats is likely why Air Canada has opted to waive fees for cancellations, according to Hiebert. If passengers cancel upcoming flights, that means theres more room to accommodate other customers. When this kind of thing happens its easier on the airlines if there are cancellations on the passengers side, she said. Ben Spurr is a Toronto-based reporter covering transportation. Reach him by email at bspurr@thestar.ca or follow him on Twitter: @BenSpurr Read more about: Ontarios Special Investigations Unit the often embattled and scrutinized provincial police watchdog is looking for a new director. Tony Loparco, who has spent five-and-a-half years at the helm and is the longest-serving SIU director, is leaving his post at the end of the month, an SIU spokesperson confirms. The departure leaves the Ministry of the Attorney General needing to fill a position thats been called one of the toughest public-sector posts there is leading the agency that oversees investigations into police-involved fatalities, serious injuries and allegations of sexual assault. The vacancy comes after a major, and at times highly critical, Court of Appeal judges review of the SIU and its functions, and as Queens Park considers new policing legislation that would weaken the police watchdog, including lowering expectations around when it must be called in to investigate officers. Last month, Doug Fords government unveiled its rewrite of the previous governments police laws, which had granted the SIU greater powers and was dubbed the most anti-police legislation in Canadian history by community safety minister Sylvia Jones. One of Fords first moves after becoming premier in July was the 11th-hour halt of the new legislation, scheduled to come into force the next day. Read more: Whats changing in Fords new police oversight law and why it matters Opinion | Edward Keenan: The Tories are keeping key parts of the Ontario law they call anti-police Ford government unveils plan to fix police oversight, limit SIU mandate Attorney General Caroline Mulroney who will have final say on Loparcos successor called the SIU process ridiculously opaque at last months press conference unveiling her governments new policing laws. Proposed changes to the watchdogs mandate would include setting a 120-day deadline on its investigations. Last week, in what will be one of his final acts as director, Loparco laid out a series of concerns about the proposed changes in a letter to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy, the investigative deadlines among them. In certain cases, the 120-day deadline will be virtually impossible to meet, particularly amid what he calls significant cuts to the SIUs budget. No other criminal law enforcement agency has a deadline set on the length of their investigations, Loparco wrote, adding the deadline is simply unrealistic and setting the unit up for failure. The SIU director job search also comes in the wake of allegations of political interference in another high-profile, law-and-order role. After months of fallout over the appointment of Doug Ford family friend Toronto police Supt. Ron Taverner as Ontario Provincial Police commissioner, the government announced Monday that outgoing York Regional Police Deputy Chief Thomas Carrique will instead fill the position. In an email, Ministry of the Attorney General spokesperson Brian Gray said the government has hired an external recruitment firm to co-ordinate an extensive search for a new SIU director. Candidates from a wide range of professional backgrounds will be considered, he said. It is contemplated that an interview process will take place with panel recommendations provided to the attorney general. The attorney general will then provide her recommendation to the lieutenant governor in council, Gray said. A job description posted online last week lists political acuity, leadership skills and sound professional judgment among the qualifications, alongside the ability to manage the SIU through a period of organizational change. Andre Marin began a three-year stint as SIU director in 1996, and was the ninth director in six years. Its a pressure cooker job, he said, where you can never win. If you lay a charge youre vilified, demonized and police-bashing. If you dont lay a charge youre often condemned by community groups who want to see cops blood every time theres an incident, he said. Loparco, a former Crown prosecutor, appeared to understand what he was getting himself into, saying before his October 2013 term began that he was used to being unpopular. In a press release announcing Loparcos appointment, then-attorney general John Gerretsen called the job one of the toughest public-sector posts there is. No educational requirements are listed among qualifications for the job, as the only rule upheld by Ontarios Police Services Act is that an SIU director cannot have been a police officer. The prohibition is there to remove any perception of bias toward police. In his 2016 report on police oversight in Ontario, Court of Appeal Justice Michael Tulloch criticized the hiring trends, noting just two of the SIUs 13 directors have been women and both were interim and that former directors have not reflected the racial diversity of the province. He also noted another diversity problem: all have been lawyers, and 12 of the 13 directors since the watchdog was created in 1990 were Crown prosecutors. Tulloch questioned this practice in his report, going so far as to say a director need not even be a lawyer, citing as precedent non-lawyers leading oversight bodies in British Columbia and England. And akin to concerns about hiring a police officer in the role, Tulloch said appointing a Crown prosecutor could equally raise concerns about bias, since he or she potentially spent years working with police officers. In addition, they would seem less likely to appreciate public relations, Tulloch wrote. Tullochs report was spawned in 2016, following the controversial Toronto police shooting death of Black, mentally ill man Andrew Loku. Black Lives Matter Toronto launched a days-long protest after the SIU cleared Toronto police Const. Andrew Doyle in the shooting, concluding it was justified. Among the biggest criticisms was the lack of information coming from the SIU to explain its decisions; up until Lokus death, the directors report containing a wealth of detail about its investigation and decision was not public, sent only to Ontarios Attorney General. Tulloch concluded the SIU must be more transparent. Since the reports release, the watchdog has begun releasing detailed reports in some cases when no charges are laid. The SIU director job posting appears to act on Tullochs recommendations, noting the applicant should have excellent oral and written communication skills. To me, I think the government would be wise to appoint someone who has a background in community engagement and who can be perceived as legitimate by different communities, said Kate Puddister, a University of Guelph assistant professor who focuses on police accountability. But this is a really challenging role to be in, because you need to be perceived as legitimate by the law enforcement community, and the communities that are being policed. Loparco made $234,000 dollars in 2017, according to Ontarios Public Sector salary disclosure. Read more about: Canadians have the most favourable opinion of immigrants among the worlds top migrant destination countries, viewing newcomers as a strength rather than a burden, says a new international survey. The report by Washington-based Pew Research Center also found Canadians are the least likely to blame immigrants for crime or an increased risk of terrorism, among the respondents in 18 countries that together host half of the worlds migrants. Canada is on the top of the list in believing immigration is a plus to the country, said Jeffrey Reitz, director of ethnic, immigration and pluralism studies at the University of Torontos Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, who is not involved in the survey. It also shows Canada is less polarized than the other countries on immigration as all Canadian political parties are on board with immigration. Even those on our right are more positive about immigration than the left in many other countries. Sixty-eight per cent of Canadian respondents in the survey believed immigrants make the country stronger while only 27 per cent said newcomers are a liability because they take jobs and social benefits, said the report released Thursday. Canada was followed by Australia, where 64 per cent of respondents favoured immigration; the United Kingdom and Sweden, both at 62 per cent; and with Japan, at 59 per cent, rounding up the top five. In Mexico, currently a destination and transit country for tens of thousands of migrants fleeing violence in Latin America, 57 per cent of people welcome migrants while 37 per cent considered them a burden. Read more: Americans top the list of inadmissible migrants to Canada Getting refugee decisions appealed in court the luck of the draw, study shows Forever grateful to them. 40 years on, refugees still feel warm embrace of their sponsors In six European Union member states surveyed, public perception about immigration has shifted since 2014 after the arrival of hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers. In Greece, Germany and Italy, the share of adults in favour of immigrants dropped significantly. In most countries surveyed, those on the left of the ideological spectrum are more positive about immigrations impact on their country than those on the right, said the 24-page report. In many countries surveyed, those with higher levels of education, younger adults, and those with higher incomes are more likely to say immigrants make their countries stronger because of their work and talents. The survey interviewed 19,235 people in 18 countries, including 1,056 Canadians, with five questions focusing on public attitude towards immigrants, integration, crime, terrorism and deportation. The Canadian portion of the survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.7 percentage points. In Canada, people across the political spectrum share positive views of immigrants, with 81 per cent of left-leaning Canadians and 65 per cent of self-described conservative respondents in favour of newcomers. The 16 percentage-point gap was the second narrowest among the 18 countries. In Greece, where the political gap was the narrowest, at just 13 percentage points, people were overwhelmingly opposed to immigration, with just 6 per cent of conservative respondents and 19 per cent of leftists in favour of migrants. However, public attitudes are mixed on immigrants willingness to adapt to their new countrys customs and way of life, said the survey. People in Japan, Mexico, South Africa, the United States, France and Sweden are more likely to say immigrants are inclined to integrate into their society, while their counterparts in Hungary, Russia, Greece, Italy, Germany, Poland, Israel and Australia all said the opposite. Canadians are split in their views on whether immigrants want to fit in or not. Eighty per cent of survey respondents in Canada said immigrants are no more to blame for crime and 65 per cent said immigrants dont increase the risk of terrorism, compared to 17 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively, who said otherwise. The majority in most countries surveyed support the deportation of people who are in their homeland illegally, and Canada is no exception. While 53 per cent of Canadians said irregular migrants should be removed, only 37 per cent disagreed with the statement. Percentage of people in various countries who supported the following statements: Immigrants no more to blame for crime: Canada: 80% U.S.: 77% France 76% UK: 74% Spain: 68% 18-country median: 50% Immigrants do not increase risk of terrorism: Mexico: 65% South Africa: 62% Canada: 61% Japan: 60% France: 59% U.S.: 56% 18-country median: 48% Immigrants are a strength: Canada: 68% Australia: 64% UK: 62% Sweden: 62% Japan: 59% U.S.: 59% (TNS) The Erie County Prison in Pennsylvania could soon have a new way to keep contraband from getting behind bars.County officials are looking to purchase a $95,000 full-body scanner to more effectively search inmates entering the prison.The walk-through scanner would allow prison staff to detect contraband, such as drugs, that may be hidden on a person's body or in a body cavity. Erie County Prison Warden Kevin Sutter said inmates regularly try to bring heroin, marijuana, pills, needles and other drugs into the prison."Some of these items have been detected in body cavities and weren't able to be detected during a physical strip search," Sutter said in an email. "The utilization of the scanner detects these items even if hidden in the body cavity."Erie County Council's finance committee will review the request Thursday in advance of County Council's Tuesday meeting.The county put out a request for proposals and received responses from two vendors, according to documents included with the finance committee's agenda.Nuctech US Inc. submitted the lowest bid, at $95,000, and offered a machine that fit the county's needs, said Gary Lee, Erie County's director of administration."We thought it would be best to invest in the latest technology that can help us reduce contraband coming into the prison," Lee said. "We're viewing this as a positive investment to really improve the security at the prison for staff and inmates."Lee said using body scanners to search inmates is a growing trend in correctional facilities. One reason the county gave for the purchase is that the Erie County Prison is the only facility of its size in Pennsylvania without a body scanner.Like an airport body scanner, the device quickly provides a head-to-toe inspection of an individual without touching his or her body. The scanner can identify contraband such as weapons, cell phones and narcotics that might have been hidden under clothing, ingested or hidden in body cavities, according to Nuctech specifications.Inmates will go through the scanner during intake and whenever they return from a transport outside the prison, Sutter said. He said there are no plans to use the scanner on visitors to the prison at this time.The device will reduce the need to send inmates to the hospital for an X-ray to detect hidden contraband, Sutter said."I will never say that there will never be another overdose or death at this prison due to the obvious environment as a whole," Sutter said. "However this capability of early detection will lower that probability by allowing us to detect any contraband, drugs, weapons, etc., that an inmate may be trying to bring into the jail and allow us to resolve the issue before the inmate reaches general population." A service that connects men released from the Toronto South Detention Centre in Etobicoke with housing, overdose prevention and peer support has gone from no location to two locations in the month after their lease expired. As hoped, the John Howard Society of Torontos Reintegration Centre has signed a lease with the province that allowed them to occupy three parking spaces by the jails discharge exit with a loaned van. The highly visible space allowed for us to connect with more (released inmates) in our first days at this site than we had been able to connect with in an entire month prior to the relocation, John Howard Society executive director Sonya Spencer said in a press release. In looking for a new location the centre had stressed the importance of being close to the jail in order to reach men in the critical period of time right after they are released, sometimes with no appropriate clothes and nowhere to go. The van will soon be replaced with a hydro-equipped mobile trailer the centre can convert into office space. From the van, staff can provide reintegration services through former inmates trained as peer support workers, providing TTC fare, footwear, food, clothing and, in the near future, the use of a phone or a place to charge a mobile phone, Spencer said. The centre, now known as the John Howard Society of Torontos Reintegration Services, was also able to lease a storefront on Lake Shore Blvd. W., between Kipling Ave. and Browns Line, where it can also offer services, host meetings and possibly provide up to six single-room occupancy units of housing for some vulnerable clients with funding from the city. In addition to thanking the jail, the city and the province for their assistance, Spencer specifically thanked Counillor Joe Cressy. Without his contribution, a fast and viable outcome was likely to have eluded us, she said in the release. The stadium at York Universitys Keele Campus which was home to 2015 Pan American Games events will be getting a makeover. The North York stadium, which was built for the 2015 games, will be renovated into a multi-use facility with artificial turf and an inflatable seasonal dome to support year-round activities and events, the university said in a news release. The new multi-use facility will be available for additional sporting events such as football and soccer competitions year-round, the release said. It will allow for better utilization of the stadium and for improved athletics and recreation programs that service York students, staff and faculty. The new facilities will be used to support a mix of varsity and campus recreation programs, intramurals, special university events, public events and activities, the release added. York University will also construct a new six-lane track on the northwest corner of campus. The university plans to issue a request for proposals in the coming months. WASHINGTONThe Pentagon is gearing up to test missiles banned by a Cold War-era arms control pact with Russia that is set to end formally this summer after U.S. President Donald Trumps withdrawal over Russian violations. The U.S. military plans to test a ground-launch cruise missile with a range of about 620 miles (998 kilometres) in August and a mid-range ballistic missile with a range of about 1,850-2,500 miles (2,977-4,023 kilometres) in November, according to senior U.S. defence officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters. The testing, production and deployment of missiles with those ranges is prohibited by the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, or the INF Treaty. But Trump withdrew from the treaty on Feb. 1 and triggered a formal six-month wait period before the final expiry of the agreement this summer. Washington and Moscow will then be free to test, produce and deploy the intermediate-range missiles that both countries had agreed to ban for more than three decades. Research and development of the banned missiles isnt prohibited by the treaty. Russia suspended its participation in the treaty after Trumps withdrawal. Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to design new weapons banned under the pact but said he would deploy them only if the United States does. Washington has said Moscow is already deploying a missile that violates the agreement, and it cited that weapon as a reason for its withdrawal from the pact. The Kremlin has denied that accusation. The race to develop new intermediate-range missiles banned by the treaty raises concerns about a new nuclear arms race with Russia as an arms-control framework constructed during the Cold War shows increasing signs of eroding. The senior U.S. defence officials cautioned that the United States was looking at only conventional variants of the new missiles slated for testing later this year. Theoretically, they could be armed with nuclear warheads. Signed in 1987 by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the INF Treaty was widely viewed as a breakthrough in arms control. The pact banned all ground-launch missiles, both nuclear and non-nuclear, with ranges from 500 to 5,500 kilometres. It ended a particularly tense period in the Cold War arms race, in which Washington and Moscow dotted Europe with nuclear-tipped rockets. U.S. officials say the Trump administration has no plans to seek the forward deployment of nuclear missiles in Europe once again, but the breakdown of the treaty threatens a return to an era in which Europeans worried about Russian nuclear missiles that could strike their cities within a few minutes of launching. The systems the Pentagon is planning to test are similar to the missiles that the United States deployed in the 1980s, although without nuclear warheads attached. Tension over the deployment of those missiles fuelled tension with the Soviet Union that ultimately led to the conclusion of the INF Treaty. The U.S. ground-launch cruise missile is slated for testing in August just after the treaty formally ends. According to a senior defence official, it will essentially involve putting a Tomahawk missile in a container that could be placed on a ship or in a mobile launcher. Well actually launch it, and itll fly out, and well prove the concept that you can take a Tomahawk and put it on a truck, the senior defence official said. Deployment of the mobile missile would require procuring the system and training and equipping the forces that operate it. The official said that could take place within 18 months. Washington has not spoken to any European or Asian allies about the possibility of hosting the missile on their territory, according to the defence officials. The U.S. military could keep it in its arsenal at home for possible deployment if a situation warranted. We havent engaged any of our allies about formal deployment, the senior official said. But its always going to be deployable. Asked about a possible forward deployment, the official added, We are far away from that consideration. The United States deployed a mobile ground-launch cruise missile known as the BGM-109G Gryphon in Europe during the Cold War, but the Pentagon withdrew the weapon as a result of the INF Treatys restrictions. The intermediate-range ballistic missile that the Pentagon is planning to test in November is a longer-term effort. The test comes as the Army also explores developing longer-range missiles. If the test works in November, the Army would develop, procure and roll out the system, according to the senior defence official, who predicted that the process would take no less than five years. The official said the missile was different from the Army Tactical Missile System and would more closely resemble the Pershing II ballistic missiles that the United States deployed at the end of the Cold War in the years before the signing of the INF Treaty. Its a brand new missile, the senior defence official said. Think Pershing II. Its a missile of that class. Both the Obama administration and the Trump administration urged Russia to come back into compliance with the INF Treaty and end the production and deployment of its banned intermediate-range missile. Russia denied the allegations and accused the United States of violating the pact through its missile defence installations in Europe accusations the State Department refuted. The senior defence official said the Pentagon would stand down with the tests if Russia were to come back into compliance and the treaty survived. If the Russians come back in, in August we wouldnt do the test, the official said. Read more about: Gary Cohn, U.S. President Donald Trumps former top economic adviser, says the president is desperate to reach a trade deal with China and is being ill-served by protectionist advisers who have left the White House living in chaos on major decisions. The president needs a win, Cohn said in an interview with Freakonomics, a public radio show and podcast. Trump expects a China deal to boost the stock market, which has treaded water for the past year, the former aide said. Cohn cast doubt on the presidents ability to obtain fundamental changes in Chinas state-led economic system, one of his core negotiating objectives. I think market access, the Chinese will give because theyve been close to giving it for a while. But how are we going to stop the Chinese from stealing intellectual property or not paying for it? he said. How are we going to stop them from copyright infringement? What is the enforcement mechanism, and what are the punitive damages if they dont stop? The United States has proposed enforcing any agreement via 18 annual meetings with Chinese officials, backed by the threat of unilateral American tariffs, according to Robert Lighthizer, the chief U.S. trade negotiator. At the White House on Wednesday, the president told reporters he is not in a hurry to reach a deal with Beijing and said theres always a chance the talks could fail. But he also has expressed an eagerness to host a signing summit at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida for Chinese President Xi Jinping. Read more: Military to begin enforcing Trumps restrictions on transgender troops Senate rebukes Trump with vote ordering U.S. military to end support for Saudi-led war in Yemen Boeing chief personally appealed to Trump as countries grounded jets Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that the president should have the guts to walk away if the Chinese dont offer significant concessions. Cohn, 58, the former president of Goldman Sachs, served for 14 months as Trumps director of the National Economic Council. He cited the 2017 passage of a $1.5 trillion (U.S.) corporate and personal income tax cut as his principal accomplishment, though he said it would be several years before the measures success or failure becomes evident. A self-described globalist in a nationalist White House, Cohn argued against the presidents enthusiasm for imposing tariffs on products such as solar panels and steel. But he was often bested by White House adviser Peter Navarro and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, the administrations leading protectionists. I was losing the war on tariffs every day with the president. I knew I wasnt convincing him I was right, he said. I was not going to take a 74-year-old man whos believed something since he was 30 and convince him that I was right. Believe me, I tried. Cohn resigned in March 2018, shortly after the president abruptly announced 25 per cent tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. In the Freakonomics interview, he said the president acted after Navarro and Ross circumvented normal channels to arrange a meeting between Trump and industry chief executives. Trump announced his decision to reporters at that White House meeting. They created that meeting without anyone knowing it, Cohn said, adding that White House Chief of Staff John Kelly had been blindsided by the move. When the process breaks down, then youre sort of, in my mind, living in chaos. Cohn disparaged Navarro as the only PhD economist in the world who supports the widespread use of tariffs. Cohn said he supported the presidents desire to crack down on unfair Chinese trade practices, but he said tariffs dont work. As evidence, he pointed to last years record $891 billion trade deficit in merchandise and the record $419 billion gap in trade with China. So tariffs were used as the threat. Did it hurt the Chinese at all? We had record trade deficits, Cohn said. Once seen as a leading candidate to replace Janet Yellen as Federal Reserve chair, Cohn fell out of favour with Trump after he criticized the presidents handling of the August 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. But Cohn told Freakonomics that he would not have been a good fit as central bank chief, which he likened to an academic position debating the finer points of the U.S. economy. That would be the worst position you could give to Gary Cohn, he said. I would not have been good at that job. Trump has frequently criticized his eventual appointee as Fed chairman, Jerome Powell, who took office in February 2018, for raising interest rates in the absence of significant inflation. With the Fed now having paused its campaign of rate hikes, Cohn was asked whether Powell had caved to presidential pressure. I surely hope, and I almost pray, that what the Fed did was in reaction to what they were seeing in the data, that they felt that there was an actual slowing of the economy and they were in the wrong place, he said. Read more about: LAGOS, Nigeria Outrage mounted at government officials in Nigeria on Thursday over a deadly school building collapse and a shoddy rescue effort that followed. At least eight people were killed when the three-story building that housed the Ohen Nursery and Primary School pancaked into the ground about 10 a.m. Wednesday. It had been marked for demolition months before it collapsed with dozens of people inside, some of them toddlers. Authorities called off the frantic, daylong search for survivors early Thursday, after more than 35 people had been pulled from the slabs of concrete. Officials at the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency said the last person, an adult male, was pulled from the debris at 3 a.m. They denied earlier reports that as many as 100 people had been in the building when it came down. The structure was on Lagos Island, an area of Africas largest city that is known for its poor urban planning. Many of the buildings there have been marked for demolition. Although the building that housed the school was one of them, it was renovated about a year ago, and a coat of paint was added. Shops and a public restroom occupied parts of the ground floor, and the upper floors contained apartments. Residents had complained of low-quality construction. On Thursday, people who live near the school expressed outrage at the rescue effort, complaining in particular that it took crews more than an hour to show up. Once the effort began, rescuers told of shortages of water and oxygen masks. Local officials defended the effort, saying they left for the site as soon as they received a call about the collapse, at 10:06 a.m. Neighbors, including area boys, who are stereotyped as criminal gang members, dug through the rubble Wednesday to rescue a pregnant woman and others before crews arrived. They stayed through the night, angry that officials could not provide them with even a flashlight. Beg the government that this cannot go on, said Maryam Abdul-Quadri, 25, who lives nearby. So many lives were just wasted yesterday. Residents said the government must act to save them from other unsafe buildings. We need to put an end to this act; if not, we and our families are in real danger, said Oyindamola Oluwole, who lives in the area. They point to unscrupulous builders who erect shoddy structures in crowded areas and pay off officials to look the other way. Lagos Island is a litany of buildings about to collapse or already collapsing, the Socialist Party of Nigeria said in a statement. The reality is that the agencies are more or less bureaucratic conduit pipe for collection of bribes and kickbacks from builders. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria described the situation as the height of criminal dereliction of duty among Lagos state officials. The negligence that led to the incident should attract immediate prosecution for murder for all those officials, the group said in a statement. The group also called for audits of all public buildings, including shopping malls, stadiums and places of worship, noting other structures that have collapsed and killed people in past years. This particular case must never be swept under the carpets of impunity, the groups statement said. The Lagos State Building Control Agency issued a public appeal Thursday for residents not to break government seals on buildings marked for demolition. Akinwunmi Ambode, governor of Lagos state, has called for an investigation and said the school had been operating illegally in the building. Residents were still processing the disaster Thursday. A woman selling pastries sat on a stool crying into her hands as she put cups of dough into a pot of oil, telling anyone who would listen that a man named Kashim had died in the building after he went to his apartment for a quick nap. He was tired from the work he had been doing, she said. Now hes gone. Look at the way the world is. Parents of children injured or missing remained Thursday at a nearby hospital. Some were waiting a second day for news of their childrens well-being. One father left the hospital devastated after seeing the body of his son. Hospital officials had misidentified him, writing the wrong name on his hand, a final injustice for the man, who did not give his name. What am I going to do? he said. Read more about: DAMNING PHRASE: Ebit macht frei. The line used by Volkswagens CEO at a company event evoked Arbeit Macht Frei (work sets you free) at the gates of Auschwitz. Ebit commonly means earnings before interest and taxes, BBC noted. CEO Herbert Deiss apologized for an unfortunate choice of words. DAMNING PRAISE: From the European Parliament president. Antonio Tajani told Radio 24 that Italian dictator Benito Mussolini did some positive things. Tajani did note that after doing things like boosting infrastructure, Mussolini declared war on the entire world and aligned with Hitler. WANTED: Hairstylists in Hollywood who know how to work with Afro-Caribbean hair. Black actors including Gabrielle Union have been drawing attention to resulting problems. Makeup has also been an issue for Black performers, with some stars deciding to bring their own. REJECTED: An airline passenger wearing a crop top. Emily OConnor said cabin crew called her top and high-waisted pants inappropriate, the BBC reports. Several crew aboard a Thomas Cook flight surrounded her and threatened to remove her until she put on a jacket. The company apologized. ATTACKED: A fox, fatally. By chickens. The fowl at a school farm in France are believed to have killed a young fox. The fox entered a coop with 3,000 hens and got trapped. They attacked with their beaks. The head of farming told a local paper: They can be quite tenacious when they are in a pack. PROTECTED: Horse-drawn buggies, if Maine lawmakers push goes through. Theyre considering a bill requiring reflectors or lights at night, following several crashes near towns home to Amish communities. The bill would require reflective white tape and an oil lantern. RUNNING AWAY: The marathon man. Alex Vanegas, 62, the Nicaraguan who became a prominent public face of opposition to President Daniel Ortegas government for his protest runs is in exile, his son said. Feeling vulnerable after an earlier arrest, he decamped for Costa Rica. STILL IN THE GAME: Former U.S. vice-president Dick Cheney. He criticized the current presidents foreign policy, the Washington Post reported, at a private retreat. Cheney worried about losing faith among NATO allies, and told Mike Pence current policies were akin to those of Barack Obama. WASHINGTONAfter pulling all remaining U.S. diplomats from Venezuela on Thursday, the Trump administration warned the countrys leader, Nicolas Maduro, that any pressure on Juan Guaido, the self-declared interim president who has the White Houses support, would be met with an immediate reaction from the international community. But it remained unclear what that would mean. The administration issued the threat in the midst of a diplomatic retreat that cast doubt on the United States ability to reinforce Guaido if Maduros government moved to arrest him on accusations of orchestrating a dayslong blackout that plunged Venezuela deeper into unrest before power was restored in most major cities Tuesday. We hold former President Maduro and those surrounding him fully responsible for the safety and welfare of interim president Juan Guaido and his family, Robert Palladino, a State Department spokesman, said Thursday. It would be a terrible mistake for the illegitimate Maduro regime to arrest Juan Guaido. Palladino said the United States would be seeking to recruit a country to act as a protecting power and support any U.S. citizens still in Venezuela. But in a briefing with reporters, Palladino urged Americans to strongly consider departing the country. This week, the State Department issued a travel advisory warning Americans not to travel to Venezuela and said that the United States would not be providing any consular services. As conditions in Venezuela continue to deteriorate, the Trump administration has stuck to a sanctions-based policy of trying to pressure Maduro, who has shown little sign that he will acquiesce to the request of the United States, nor more than 50 other countries that back Guaido. Human rights groups believe Maduros government has detained dozens of people accused of helping orchestrate the blackout. The arrest of Luis Carlos Diaz, a prominent radio producer and social media activist, has rattled people who worry that Guaido could be next. Palladino said Thursday that the Trump administration had revoked more than 600 visas of Venezuelans, including those belonging to more than 100 people the administration says were diplomats or otherwise close to Maduro. Policy is going to continue to support democracy in Venezuela, Palladino said, without bringing up the possibility of military intervention, a tactic that Trump administration officials have previously identified as an option, albeit a distant one. The administration, Palladino said, would continue using sanctions and diplomatic pressure to pressure the illegitimate regime to end. Read more about: WASHINGTONU.S. President Donald Trump issued an extraordinary warning to political opponents on Monday, telling a right-wing website that it would be very bad, very bad if his supporters in the military, police and a motorcycle group were provoked into getting tough. Trump uttered the remark in an interview with Breitbart News. It came, according to Breitbart, as Trump was arguing that the left plays politics in a more vicious manner than the pro-Trump right even though the tough people are on Trumps side. I can tell you I have the support of the police, the support of the military, the support of the Bikers for Trump I have the tough people, but they dont play it tough until they go to a certain point, and then it would be very bad, very bad, Trump said. The quote went largely unnoticed by the U.S. media until the Star tweeted it on Thursday, when it prompted alarm and criticism. This is how an authoritarian talks. Happening right in front of us, Brendan Nyhan, a University of Michigan public policy professor who co-founded an initiative monitoring the state of U.S. democracy, said on Twitter. So Donald Trump is threatening to unleash state violence (cops, military) and extrajudicial violence (bikers) against his political opponents. Cool republic we had. Shame about the new ownership, tweeted Republican strategist Rick Wilson, a vocal Trump critic. Read more: Trump accuses media of out of control dishonesty then tweets four straight false claims Opinion | Heather Mallick: Running the gauntlet of Trump, Twitter, trolls Trump mourns loss of tremendous momentum for GOP due to pipe bombs, synagogue shootings In which the president of the United States threatens street violence against his political opponents, the liberal advocacy group Public Citizen tweeted. What happens if Trump loses in 2020? Is that the certain point? Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen, who has been convicted of several crimes, testified to Congress in February: Given my experience working for Mr. Trump, I fear that if he loses the election in 2020, that there will never be a peaceful transition of power. Trump made another veiled suggestion of retribution from the military, police and Bikers for Trump at a campaign rally in November. After mocking Antifa protesters as weaklings you see these little arms, he joked he said, And then you see the clubs in their hands. You know, theyre tough guys, right. Where are the Bikers for Trump? Where are the police? Where are the military? Where are the ICE? Where are the Border Patrol? No. No. Weve taken a lot. Weve taken a lot, folks. Bikers for Trump, which has more than 300,000 followers on Facebook, is not a criminal biker gang. Bikers for Trump founder Chris Cox, a chainsaw artist described in one 2017 newspaper profile as exceedingly polite, offered in advance of Trumps inauguration in 2017 to form a wall of meat between the president and protesters. He said, though, that he expected a peaceful gathering. While group members have had verbal confrontations with anti-Trump protesters, there have not been reports of major violence. I think its more of a hope than a threat, liberal MSNBC host Lawrence ODonnell tweeted about Trumps comments. Trumps supporters arent as bad & violent & criminal as he hopes they are. They peacefully watched President Obama inaugurated twice. Theyll do that again for the next Democrat. Lets not help him fan his imaginary flame. Trump met with some of the Bikers for Trump at his Bedminster golf club in New Jersey in August. In November, Cox travelled to Florida and made unfounded allegations of election fraud. In December, Cox and his German shepherd stood outside the courthouse where former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn was to be sentenced for lying to the FBI, with Cox telling Mother Jones magazine he was here to make sure [Flynns] family is not assaulted or intimidated. Trump also endorsed violence against protesters at some of his rallies in 2016. In August 2016, the Washington Posts Greg Sargent noted, he used a hinting formulation similar to the one he used with Breitbart saying it would be a horrible day if gun owners were to take action against Hillary Clinton if she tried to take their guns. Hillary wants to abolish, essentially abolish, the Second Amendment. By the way, and if she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks. Although the Second Amendment people maybe there is, I dont know. But I tell you what, thatll be a horrible day, he said then. Read more about: Madeline Peltz works the night shift at the liberal media watchdog group Media Matters for America. Given the timing of that particular shift, one of her main responsibilities is watching Tucker Carlsons 8 p.m. show on Fox News. And shes watched a lot of Tucker Carlson. Carlson has been in the public eye for some 20 years first as a print journalist, then a television commentator, founder of the conservative site the Daily Caller, and now, Fox News host, with a prime time slot and a salary in the millions. But people have been confused by Carlsons tone on Fox since he took over for Bill OReilly in 2018, noting concern about diversity and demographics in his show. After many Carlson-watching hours, the 24-year-old researcher developed a working theory, which she outlined on the nonprofits website: that Carlson is using his platform on Fox News to introduce white nationalist ideas to the mainstream, making him a uniquely prominent mouthpiece for white supremacy. Peltz dug into his recent past and discovered a trove of appearances he made on shock jock Bubba the Love Sponges radio show between 2006 and 2011. She found a series of misogynistic, racist and homophobic remarks Carlson made, the audio of which Media Matters published this week. In response, Carlson was defiant, casting himself as the victim of the great American outrage machine, a mob of power-seeking organizations and people that he says are waging a political war to censor him. Read more: What shes selling is bitter division, Fox News host suggests Stacey Abrams wants to overthrow white men Tucker Carlson faces advertising boycott over immigration comments Tucker Carlson says Trump is not capable and hasnt kept his promises In reality, credit for the tapes publication is due to Peltz: a 20-something in her first adult job who lives in the basement of a Washington, D.C., house she rents with five other people, a few cats and a dog named Noodles. Im not like some high-power wielding globalist, Peltz said, adopting the conspiracy-inflected jargon of the far-right. Im this kid whos been on the internet my whole life and knows how to get around it. Its been a busy week at Media Matters, which tracks conservative media trends and has engaged in a years-long effort to cast light on the ways Fox News and its hosts sidestep traditional journalism guidelines. The organization released the first audio of Carlson on Sunday. In that, Carlson called rape shield laws totally unfair and was adamantly supportive of Warren Jeffs, the former leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who is serving a life sentence for child rape. Carlson also said he would love a scenario involving young girls sexually experimenting and described women as extremely primitive. The next day, Media Matters for America released another audio file just moments after Carlsons show began. In that, Carlson said that white men deserve credit for creating civilization, called Iraqis a bunch of semi-literate primitive monkeys, and spoke about his desire for a presidential candidate to blame the lunatic Muslims who are behaving like animals. There was more on Tuesday. This time, Carlson could be heard joking about having sex with what he thought was an underage beauty pageant contestant. On his Tuesday night show, Carlson did not address the audio itself. Instead, he took aim at Media Matters, calling it a George Soros-funded lobbying organization whose sole mission is to punish critics of the Democratic Party. But the tapes have turned up pressure on the show, teeing off an advertiser boycott and a protest in front of Fox Newss headquarters in New York City on Wednesday, which Media Matters helped organize. When asked for a comment for this story, Fox News spokeswoman Carly Shanahan pointed to Carlsons statements on his show this week. Media Matters for America is not currently funded by George Soros; he has not donated to the organization in many years, its president, Angelo Carusone, said in an interview. While Carlson described it as working to bully corporations, it is the fraction of the size of Fox News, whose revenue for 2018 has been estimated to be more than $3 billion (U.S.). Media Matters has about 80 employees and a budget of about $14 million that mostly comes from private donors, Carusone said. The group does media analysis from a left-leaning perspective, studying trends and themes to see how political discussions play out in the nations media bubbles. Its staff monitors some 50,000 hours of live programming on television and radio every year and the organization tapes another million hours of audio and video on top of that. Media Matters, which has an active website that highlights and contextualizes some of these moments, drew criticism during the 2016 for what some saw as an attempt to malign coverage that was critical of Hillary Clinton. But it has found a renewed prominence in the Trump era by turning its sights to the new information economy: the rise of conspiracy theories and misinformation online, the increased visibility of fringe right-wing websites and ideas, and an energized conservative media ecosystem that helps amplifies those ideas an news cycle that often peaks with a tweet from President Donald Trump. When we did a power mapping of the landscape at the end of 2016 early 2017, what we found was that so much of what used to be dismissed as the fringes was now where power was being organized: 4chan; Daily Stormer comment sections; subreddits, Carusone said. These would never have been considered worthy enough or important enough to monitor [before]. But we looked at it and they were they were driving a lot of the misinformation and fake news of 2016. They were creating a lot of material that was making it onto Fox News or Donald Trumps Twitter feed. Carusone said the organization had to build some new digital technology to track the online conversations in forums and message boards that he said have such a large effect on the political discourse in the United States. Its basically its just a giant DVR for the chans, an archive of these message boards, Carusone said. And it has been doing studies and using other data to advocate for better practices. It pushed Google to stop allowing what it had assessed as fake news-purveying websites to use the companys AdSense program. It has met with the big three technology companies Facebook, Google and Twitter Carusone said, but said NDAs prevented him from disclosing more about that. It also works with journalists to publicize problems or issues when other methods of persuasion fail. Its a combination of building up public pressure or direct lobbying, Carusone said. Peltzs project was her idea, Carusone said. And he said the organization decided to publish portions of what she had found after deciding it was relevant to understanding Carlsons current political views. We didnt just try to embarrass him, Carusone said. We took things that directly echo his show now, and things that had some relevancy today. Carlson has responded by attacking Media Matters for America, along with the Southern Poverty Law Center, whose categorization of hate groups is used widely by media organizations. He has also been engaged in a long-running feud with CNN; on Tuesday he called anchor Brian Stelter a eunuch, multiple times, name-calling that was omitted from the text of his monologue later posted on the Fox News website. This is what an authoritarian society looks like, Carlson said. It was only a matter of time before they came for Fox News. He also took aim at Media Matters designation as a tax-exempt non-profit and urged viewers to call the IRS. In its original tax application to the IRS, Media Matters claimed that the American news media were dominated by a pro-Christian bias and that they were needed to balance it, Carlson said. It has been violating the terms of that status ever since. He interviewed Boyden Gray, a former counsel to President George H.W. Bush, who has filed a complaint with the IRS about Media Matters. There is something wrong with the IRS, Gray said. There is nothing more harmful than to keep silent when you shouldnt be defending yourself. The Daily Caller, which Carlson founded in 2010, also repurposed an story it had written previously about some racist and transphobic slurs Carusone used on a blog in 2005. Carusone had spoken in a derogatory way about trannies, jewry, and japs, in a series of posts. He wrote about his boyfriend, now husband, saying that despite his jewry, you KNOW hes adorable, in October 2005, for example. Carusone said the story, which he intended as satire, recirculates every time Media Matters is in the news. And he said that the persona of the blog, which he wrote in college, was designed to parody a right-wing blowhard. It didnt work very well and I killed it, he said. Its not funny and its not nice. Peltz said theres no doubt in her mind that Carlson has been trying to thread the needle of mainstreaming overt white nationalism, while also avoiding the consequences for it. She cited well-publicized instances: when Carlson said immigration was making the country dirtier, in December and another segment in which Carlson claimed the South African government was seizing land from white owners, simply because they were white. Carlson has defended that story. Peltz said she believes the extremism has been escalating. Its clear in the editorial choices that he makes that he covers demographic change as basically the end of white people, Peltz said. As someone with one of the largest platforms in media he frequently portrays himself as a victim. And thats a long tactic of white nationalists, going back all the way to the civil rights struggle in the South. She said Carlsons response to the audios publication is a sign that it had an affect. Media Matters says they have more material; it is not clear if the releases will continue. Theres a lot of stuff that I dont think Fox News is super proud of, Peltz said. It just took 10 hours a day [listening to] Bubba the Love Sponge to figure out. Read more about: LONDONBritish lawmakers voted Thursday to seek to delay Brexit maybe for weeks, maybe for months after Prime Minister Theresa Mays plans for leaving the European Union have been repeatedly rejected by a raucous Parliament trying to wrestle control of the exit from the government. Lawmakers also voted against holding a second Brexit referendum, a complete do-over that could see the results of the historic June 2016 plebiscite overturned. While many members of Parliament may ultimately back a second referendum a highly contentious prospect, marketed as a Peoples Vote even supporters of the move withheld support on Thursday, hoping instead to push the idea in tumultuous days to come. In the main vote on Thursday, May is offering lawmakers a stark choice. Either support her now twice rejected Brexit deal in a third meaningful vote next week dubbed MV3 or face the prospect of a very long Brexit delay. Christopher Chope, a hard-line Brexiteer and fellow member of Mays Conservative Party, confessed he felt Mays cold steel. Instead of accepting verdict of House, she is stubbornly continuing to assert that her deal is a good deal. And now she is holding a pistol to our heads by threatening that we will lose Brexit altogether, he told the House of Commons during the debate. The clock ticks louder each day, with the default Brexit deadline set for March 29. May said that if the lawmakers back a Brexit deal by Wednesday the day before a European summit then she will ask EU leaders for a one-off extension ending on June 30. Those three months would be necessary to pass legislation in Britain and on the continent and to provide for an orderly Brexit. Read more: May's authority erodes as UK lawmakers vote on Brexit . . . again Trump says Britains Brexit debate is tearing country apart World stocks rise ahead of vote to push Brexit back If the lawmakers reject May on her third attempt to win approval for her half-in, half-out compromise plan for Brexit, then the prime minister would ask EU leaders for a longer delay the governments motion doesnt say how long. Staying in beyond June would require Britain, as one of the 28 EU member states, to hold European Parliament elections in May 2019. This would essentially keep Britain in the economic and political union a good long while. How long? Maybe forever, opponents of Brexit hope and hard-line Brexiteers fear. President Trump weighed into the debate on Wednesday, offering May a hand with a morning tweet: My Administration looks forward to negotiating a large scale Trade Deal with the United Kingdom. The potential is unlimited! But in a later meeting with the Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at the White House, Trump was critical of Mays leadership. Im surprised at how badly its all gone from the standpoint of a negotiation, Trump said. I gave the prime minister my ideas on how to negotiate it, and I think you would have been successful. She didnt listen to that and thats fine shes got to do what shes got to do. I think it could have been negotiated in a different manner, frankly. I hate to see everything being ripped apart now. European leaders will have to decide what to do with Britain when they gather for a two-day conclave in Brussels next Thursday. They are divided over how much rope to give. Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, tweeted on Thursday that he would urge EU leaders to support a long extension if Britain needed to rethink its Brexit strategy. French President Emmanuel Macron does not support granting a short extension, if it is merely for Britain to try to reopen negotiations over terms with the European Union, an official from Macrons office told Reuters. Once they sort themselves out, Im pretty sure the 27 will still be united on the next steps forward, European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans told Sky News. But many member states are saying, yes, youre talking about an extension, but to do what? That question appeared unlikely to be settled by Thursdays votes. Conservative party lawmaker Ken Clarke, who opposes Brexit, told Sky News that the government should ask Brussels for the longest possible extension. I think we should suggest to the Europeans a good, long delay, Clarke said. Go back to square one and work out . . . over a proper time, the final relationship. Passions are high as hard-line Brexiteers fear Mays strategy will either force them to accept a deal they dont like or they will lose their beloved Brexit. A headline in the Telegraph newspaper read: Britains Remainer elites have declared war on democracy itself. Nigel Farage, the frontman for Brexit and former leader of the U.K. Independence Party, warned, Brexits betrayal is one of the most shameful chapters in British history. The vote against the second referendum was decisive: 85 to 335. The opposition Labour party asked its members to abstain and urged members pushing for a second referendum to be patient. The Labour leader on Brexit, Keir Starmer, told angry backbenchers, It is obvious that we are supportive of the principle. Its a question of timing. The Peoples Vote Campaign issued a statement Thursday saying we do not think today is the right time to test the will of the House on the case for a new public vote. Lawmakers also voted against an amendment that would see Parliament hold indicative votes, where lawmakers would vote on a range of Brexit options to help determine Parliaments preferred outcome. The amendment reflected an effort by Parliament to take control of Brexit away from May. The vote was close: 312 to 314. Members of Mays party have been brazen in saying that a compromise deal could be crafted but they beg the prime minister to drop her plan. There is a majority in this house for a Brexit deal. Its just not the prime ministers deal, Conservative lawmaker George Freeman told the BBC. We have got to find a way to find that cross-party deal. Arlene Foster, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party and who is currently in Washington, told the BBC they were in talks with Mays government. Many think that if the DUP were to fall in behind the government, then other hard-line Brexiteers would follow. When you come to the end of a negotiation, thats when you really start to see the whites of peoples eyes, said Foster, and you get down to the point where you make a deal. Read more about: (TNS) The Massachusetts public defender agency has been unable to access its IT network for weeks, following a cyber attack that forced the shutdown of its email service.The Committee for Public Counsel Services suffered both a ransomware attack, in which hackers demand money to restore access to data, and a Trojan horse attack in which malicious software is installed on a network, CPCS Chief Information Officer Daniel Saroff told MassLive.The committee, which employs staff attorneys but also manages the bar advocate program that assigns private lawyers to represent indigent criminal defendants, immediately shut down its servers to prevent further damage, Saroff said.That has left CPCS unable to pay the bar advocates who handle 80 percent of the public defender caseload in Massachusetts, CPCS told MassLive. CPCS has since cleared the ransomware off its network and is gradually restoring its systems from backup data.The comptroller and the courts and executive branch and the legislature have all been extremely supportive of us," CPCS General Counsel Lisa Hewitt said.CPCS refused to meet the payment demands made by the hackers, both because the committee had backups of its data and because complying with hackers can leave agencies vulnerable to future attacks, Saroff said.The agency posted a notice on its website on Feb. 28 saying that its email service was down, but at that time did not publicly disclose the hack.Saroff said that the organization has hired two consulting firms to assist in the recovery and harden its security. CPCS has not identified any data that was stolen, though that remains under investigation.CPCS has contacted the Massachusetts Attorney Generals Office and the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, as is standard protocol following a cyberattack, the committee told MassLive.CPCS is working with the state comptrollers office to speed payment to bar advocates, who have so far missed one payday.MassLive has reached out to the AGs office for comment. MEXICO CITY - The environmentalist group Sea Shepherd said Thursday that it found the body of what appeared to be a vaquita porpoise, one of perhaps only 10 that remain in the world. The group said the remains were too badly decomposed for immediate identification and had been turned over to authorities for further study. Two Sea Shepherd patrol boats found the animal in a net Tuesday in the Gulf of California, the only place the critically endangered tiny porpoises live. The group patrols the gulf, also known as the Sea of Cortez, removing illegal fishing nets. The vaquitas get caught in nets set illegally for totoaba, a fish whose swim bladder is considered a delicacy in China. In a report issued earlier this week, an international commission of experts estimated only six to 22 vaquitas remain alive. The lower figure was the number of vaquitas actually seen on the surface during a trip by researchers last fall. The higher estimate was the number of the animals that may have been heard over a system of floating acoustic monitors making distinctive, dolphin-like clicks. The commission said the most likely number of remaining vaquitas was somewhere around 10. And the vaquitas are concentrated in an increasingly small area of about 15 miles by 7 miles, its report said. The few remaining vaquitas inhabit a very small area, approximately 24 by 12 kilometres, most of which lies within the Vaquita Refuge. However, high levels of illegal fishing for totoaba occur in this area, the report said. Defending the vaquitas in the small area should not be an impossible task, as the area to be protected is not large, the report added. But Sea Shepherds vessels have come under increasing harassment and attacks in the gulf in recent months, and the totoaba season in which the big fish gather to breed will reach its peak between now and May. The boldness of illegal fishermen, the small number of remaining vaquitas and the inability of the Mexican navy and authorities to stop poaching has raised alarms among environmentalists, who fear the marine mammal could go extinct soon. Reports from the region suggest that the illegal fishery is growing, and there have been several recent episodes of violence by illegal fishermen directed at net removal vessels and their crews, legal fishermen, and even the Mexican Navy, the commissions report said. These events illustrate the continued failure of enforcement efforts and the lack of respect for Mexican law by illegal fishermen. In a last-stand bid to save the vaquita, the commission urged the Mexican government to provide 24-hour surveillance and patrols of the small remaining habitat area, and take all necessary measures to protect net removal teams. There is only the tiniest sliver of hope remaining for the vaquita, said Kate OConnell, a marine wildlife consultant with the Animal Welfare Institute. Mexico must act decisively to ensure that all gillnet fishing is brought to an end throughout the upper gulf. MANAGUA, Nicaragua - The European Parliament approved a strongly worded resolution criticizing Nicaragua on human rights and calling for sanctions Thursday, as talks between President Daniel Ortegas government and the opposition resumed after being suspended over the weekend. The non-binding resolution asks the European Unions External Action Service and member nations for targeted and individual sanctions such as visa bans and asset freezes against the Central American nation and individuals responsible for human rights abuses until fundamental rights and freedoms are restored and upheld. EU Parliament member Ana Gomes said the measure was approved by a vote of 332 to 25, with 39 abstentions. Resolutions of this kind do not set EU policy. At least 325 people died last year amid a crackdown on protests demanding Ortega leave office and allow early elections, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Thousands more were wounded, detained or fled into exile. Ortegas government has also imposed a de facto ban on opposition demonstrations the past six months and shuttered some independent media outlets and non-governmental organizations. In Managua, opposition negotiator Carlos Tunnermann said an envoy from the Organization of American States and the Vaticans ambassador to Nicaragua were acting as witnesses and companions to the talks, which broke down four days earlier. The opposition had conditioned further negotiations on the total and immediate release of some 770 people considered political prisoners. On Wednesday, however, some in the Civic Alliance coalition accepted a government proposal to free some prisoners. That is expected to happen Friday. Government delegates did not want to commit to a number, but it will be an appreciable number, Tunnermann said. The agreement raised objections from other members of the Civic Alliance, including student representatives, who declined to join the talks Thursday. The students want to see deeds. The people and the European Union, too, but first you have to put the issue on the table, said Jose Pallais, another opposition negotiator who confirmed the absence of the student negotiators. This is the first stage. Students groups and others called later in the day for a rally Saturday to demand the release of political prisoners, which if it happens would be the first demonstration since late September. Pallais dismissed the possibility that the students objections could fracture the opposition coalition, saying the Civic Alliance is committed to unity. The government has committed in writing, for the first time, to free the political prisoners. ... We are going to fight and we are going to get them all out, Pallais said. It is the priority issue. It is at the centre of the table. ___ Associated Press writer Raf Casert in Brussels contributed to this report. SAN JUAN LA LAGUNA, Guatemala - Friends who were with an Englishwoman found dead near a Guatemalan highland lake in her final days recall her as a spiritual person who spread joy to others, and said numerous details of the case suggest to them that it was an accident. Those who helped search for Catherine Shaw, 23, of Witney, England, said several things didnt seem to square with possible foul play, such as that her sweater was found near the body carefully folded with her rings inside. Also found nearby was the puppy she adopted as a sidekick the day she arrived in San Juan La Laguna. Now theyre looking for someone else to take care of the small dog, which theyve named Cat, after Shaws nickname. She was like a fairy who went around spreading happiness, said Elena Consolini, describing Shaw as relaxed and without conflicts. I thought she seemed a bit sad the last days, but we didnt talk much, Consolini added. We just played music, without speaking. She was among the two dozen or so people who gathered to say a final goodbye to Shaw on Tuesday evening, lighting 23 candles one for each year Shaw spent on Earth. Later, around a campfire on a hotel terrace, they told stories about their time with her. As the night advanced they held hands, sang, took a group photo and said, in unison, See you later, Cat! The informal wake took place a day after Shaws unclothed body was found in the shrubs near a mountain overlook above Lake Atitlan, found four days after she was reported missing. An autopsy found she died of hemorrhaging from traumatic brain injury. Authorities have not said what may have caused that, though the doctor who carried out the procedure told The Associated Press the body had no gunshot or stab wounds. The womans father, Tarquin Shaw, identified her body Tuesday at a morgue about 30 miles (50 kilometres) away in the city of Quetzaltenango. He later visited the MayAchik hotel, a thatched-roof eco-lodge where she had been staying up the slope from the lake in San Juan La Laguna. Escorted by police, Shaw did not want to speak to reporters but told AP he was grateful to those who searched for his daughter and for the support of the Lucie Blackman Trust, which has been assisting the family. Catherine Shaw had arrived early last week at the hotel where she struck a deal with management to do volunteer work in exchange for lodging. She roomed with Consolini, an Italian who is the last known person to see Shaw alive and was the one who reported her missing last Thursday. They didnt pay any attention. The police just said she would appear Go looking for her, she must be around somewhere, Consolini said. She and others spent two days asking whomever they could to help, but it wasnt until Saturday a serious search was launched. Shaws friends collected money to pay for a helicopter to fly over the area, and local Tzutujil indigenous residents, foreign tourists and some police officers scoured the mountainous terrain. Finally Shaws body was located Monday afternoon around the overlook of Indian Nose, a mountain formation that from a distance looks like the face of someone lying down. The uninhabited area has some walkable trails and other parts can only be climbed, said Johanna Rodriguez, who took part in the search. Shaws friends were eager to counter rumours on social media of purported drug use, sexual assault or the possibility she was responsible for her own death. Those unsupported accounts, plus a grisly photo of the body that circulated online, gave an inaccurate portrait of who Shaw was, they said. She had a free spirit, said Francisco Paco Rosales, a Mexican who said he met Shaw four years ago and travelled with her in several countries. She was very spiritual. She liked to meditate. She was a master of Reiki and yoga. Atitlan is popular among travellers seeking a connection with nature, and Rosales, who travelled from Mexico to join the search, said Shaw had left the hotel to see the sunrise. The Indian Nose overlook affords a dramatic, east-facing view of the lake and the mountains that ring it. Amy Farrow, a U.S. paramedic who has been living in the area for several years and helped co-ordinate the search, said she had reviewed security camera video of Shaw from the day she was last seen. Shaw was captured leaving her room last Tuesday at 1:30 a.m. carrying a drum with her, and again around 5 a.m. She did not seem intoxicated, Farrow said. She was acting normal. The autopsy estimated the time of death at four to six days earlier, roughly coinciding with her disappearance. While authorities have yet to say why Shaw died, Rosales thinks he knows what happened: She hiked to the place alone and took off her clothes due to the heat, before falling to her death. In Shaws circle, being nude in an unpopulated place because of warm temperatures or while meditating wouldnt be considered odd. Many people had morbid thoughts from the photograph of her unclothed at the scene, quickly saying that she had been raped, Rosales said. But she saw the body as something natural ... thats why its easy to believe that she undressed. Rosales and others said Shaw had been in a period of fasting and reflection and had not eaten or even drunk water for four days before she went missing. They speculated that weakened state could have led her to fall. The Lucie Blackman Trust has also said it believes Shaws death to be a tragic accident, while not ruling anything out for now. Her family said Tuesday that she just loved mountains and sunrises and died doing what she loved. SHAH ALAM, Malaysia - Malaysias attorney-general ordered the murder case to proceed against a Vietnamese woman accused in the killing of the estranged half brother of North Koreas leader, prosecutors said in court Thursday. Prosecutor Iskandar Ahmad gave no explanation for the refusal to drop the murder charge against Doan Thi Huong, who is the only suspect in custody after the stunning decision Monday to drop the case against Indonesian Siti Aisyah. The decision to move forward with Huongs case was slammed by both her lawyer and Vietnams ambassador, who had hoped she would be given the same leniency as Aisyah. Ambassador Le Quy Quynh said he was very disappointed with the decision. He said Vietnams justice minister had written to the Malaysian attorney-general seeking Huongs release and that Vietnam would keep lobbying Malaysia to free her. We will request Malaysia to have fair judgment and release her as soon as possible, he said. Huongs lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik was more blunt, telling the court the decision was perverse. He said prosecutors were being unfair to Huong as her case was similar to Aisyah. Very obviously, there is discrimination. The AG favoured one party to the other, Teh said. Huong and Aisyah were accused of smearing the toxic VX nerve agent on Kim Jong Nams face in an airport terminal in Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 13, 2017. They have said they thought they were taking part in a harmless prank for a TV show. They were the only people in custody after four North Korean suspects fled the country the same morning Kim was killed. Both women were charged separately but the charge against them is the same: That they had colluded with the four North Korean suspects to murder Kim. A High Court judge last August had found there was enough evidence to infer that Aisyah, Huong and the four North Koreans engaged in a well-planned conspiracy to kill Kim. Lawyers for the women argued that they were pawns in a political assassination with clear links to the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and that the prosecution failed to show the women had any intention to kill. Intent to kill is crucial to a murder charge under Malaysian law. Huongs lawyer sought a deferment of the trial Thursday, saying she was unwell and needed medical treatment. He said Huong only slept an hour a night since Aisyahs release and was not in a position to testify. When asked by the judge if she was unwell, Huong stood in the dock and said she suffered from tension and stress. I have no idea what is going on, a tired and pale-looking Huong, who was wrapped in a red headscarf and a coat, said through an interpreter. The judge agreed to postpone the trial until April 1 but warned there should be no more delay. The defence phase of the trial was to have begun Monday. Huong was sobbing as she spoke to Vietnamese Embassy officials after Thursdays court hearing ended. In Huongs village in Vietnam, her family was crestfallen. I had hoped for good news today, but unfortunately there is none. Im very sad and disappointed. I had hoped my daughter would be freed like the Indonesian woman, said her 66-year-old father Doan Van Thanh. He said he believes his daughter is innocent and told her to stay calm and hope for the best outcome. Huongs stepmother, Nguyen Thi Vy, was in tears as she slammed the courts decision. Its so unfair. They were together, did the same thing, she said. Huong could face a death sentence if she is convicted. Naran Singh, another lawyer for Huong, said it was very rare for the attorney-general to drop a murder case after the judge had called for their defence. He urged the attorney-general to be transparent and explain why he dropped the case against Aisyah but not Huong. During the prosecution phase of the trial, expert witnesses testified that acute VX poisoning caused Kims death and the nerve agent was detected on his face, in his eyes and on his clothing. The witnesses said traces of VX were found on both womens clothes as well as on Huongs fingernails. Analysts have said the case against Aisyah appeared weaker since there was no video evidence of her accosting Kim at the airport. There was security camera footage of Huong. Prosecutors have contended the women were trained assassins who knew they were handling poison because they carefully held out their hands away from their bodies and went to separate restrooms to wash their hands afterward. The defence phase of the trial is expected to shift the focus onto the absent North Koreans. Defence lawyers have said the women were hired to play pranks on strangers and had done several such pranks before the attack on Kim. Prosecutors have also said the VX was supplied by the North Korean suspects. Airport security footage played during the womens trial showed all four of the men at the airport during the attack, discarding their belongings and changing their outfits later. They were then seen meeting a North Korean Embassy official and an Air Koryo official before flying out of the country. On Malaysias request, Interpol has issued arrest warrant for the four men, who are believed to be back in Pyongyang, but North Korea is not a member of the organization. ___ Associated Press reporter Hau Dinh in Vietnam contributed to this report. LONDONBritish lawmakers Thursday voted to postpone the countrys departure from the European Union but, in a rare victory for Prime Minister Theresa May, narrowly failed to wrest control of the Brexit process from her battered government. After days of turmoil, May fended off by just two votes a remarkable power grab by lawmakers frustrated at months of political deadlock that has left the country in limbo with just 15 days to go before its scheduled departure from the bloc. They later voted by 412-202 for a motion that means that Britain will almost certainly not leave the European Union as scheduled March 29, as May has repeatedly promised it would. What remains unclear now is how long the delay will be. May plans to hold a third vote on her unpopular plan for withdrawal, despite having suffered two staggering defeats on it already. If the prime minister should succeed in a third attempt, she would then request a short delay no more than three months from EU leaders. That presumably would be agreed to next week at an EU summit in Brussels. But the motion noted that should her plan go down to defeat once again, May might have to ask European leaders for a much longer delay, with unknown consequences. The votes Thursday were a relief for May, whose control over the withdrawal process, or Brexit, has melted away in recent days, culminating in open defiance from members of her own Cabinet in a vote Wednesday rejecting a no-deal Brexit. It had long seemed possible that a cross-party consensus for a softer Brexit existed within the House of Commons, but that proved not to be the case. Some analysts said that was no great surprise. Ultimately, these are people who have spent their careers competing against the people they now have to work with to get things passed, said Rob Ford, a professor of politics at the University of Manchester. Theyre Labour and Tory first, and Leave and Remain second. These are people who have spent their whole lives working for one tribe, Ford added, and the other tribe is the baddies. The other tribe is the people they went into politics to overcome. Theres a lot there to overcome, psychologically and historically. And so lawmakers could not quite bring themselves to allow the body to test whether a majority would support a softer Brexit than May has offered. That would mean leaving the European Union but remaining in a customs union with the bloc, or keeping even closer ties, minimizing the economic dislocation. Instead, Parliament has effectively given May another chance to press ahead with her withdrawal agreement, most likely next Tuesday. May and her allies are again working to win over 10 lawmakers from Northern Irelands Democratic Unionist Party, and a bigger group of pro-Brexit hard-liners in her own Conservative Party. The amendments came at the end of a week that has been dismal for May. On Tuesday, Parliament rejected her plan for a second time, by a vote of 391-242. Then Wednesday, Parliament voted 312-308 for an amendment ruling out a disorderly no-deal Brexit, badly undercutting Mays authority and negotiating leverage. Four amendments were tabled Thursday, each wresting a degree of control away from May. The amendment to take control of the process failed by 314 votes to 312. Oliver Letwin, a Conservative Party lawmaker who co-sponsored the measure, calling for indicative votes, told the government he and his colleagues had entered into rebellion reluctantly. None of us who has put this forward prefer to grab the order paper, he said, addressing one of Mays top lieutenants in debate at the House of Commons. None of us prefer these elaborate devices. We seek above all, and only, to ensure that the House has the opportunity to rescue our fellow citizens from a fate that both he and I wish to avoid. Sarah Wollaston, an independent lawmaker, whose amendment supporting a second referendum failed 334-85, used her medical background to argue that, if we talk about this in strictly clinical terms, the popular consent for Brexit had expired. Nobody would seriously proceed on the basis of a consent form that was signed nearly three years ago, she said. And furthermore, for young people in this country, they face being wheeled into the operating theatre for major constitutional, social and economic surgery based on a consent form that was signed by their grandparents three years ago. Delaying Brexit can happen only with the consent of the European Union, and up until now the blocs position has seemed clear: Only a general election or a second Brexit referendum would justify letting Britain postpone its departure by more than a few months. But Thursday, there were signs of flexibility when Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, said European leaders should be open to a long extension of Britains membership. The comments will give weight to Mays threat to pro-Brexit politicians that unless they back her deal in a third vote next week, they will face a long delay. That could increase the prospects of a second referendum and that could mean that Brexit might never happen. Already some pro-Brexit rebels have folded, including David Davis, who resigned as Brexit secretary in protest over Mays deal, but who voted to support it Tuesday. Though some of the hard-liners are likely to cave in, it is unlikely that all of them will. Some believe Mays days are numbered and are sure that her successor will be a Brexit enthusiast, perhaps Boris Johnson, the former foreign secretary. Were he or someone like him in charge, they would have little to fear from a long extension of the Brexit process, some argue. One pro-Brexit legal expert, Martin Howe, argued recently in an article on the Conservative Home website that Britain would be much better off than under the deal negotiated by May. At the end of the extension, he said, Britain would be free to leave on 1 January 2021 without being trapped in the backstop protocol involving the Irish border. The question then would be how many Brexit supporters would hold out against Mays deal, and whether she could attract enough sympathizers from the opposition Labour Party to squeak her plan through. At the end of the voting Thursday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who had ordered his lawmakers to abstain on the Wollaston amendment, stood up and called for a second vote on Brexit. That earned him a cacophony of catcalls for his head spinning volte-face. Read more about: JERUSALEM - The campaign of a former Israeli military chief who is a leading challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in his tight race for re-election says the candidate has been targeted by an Iranian hacking attack. Israeli media reported Thursday that the Shin Bet internal security service warned Benny Gantz that Iranian intelligence hacked his cellphone, putting his personal details and addresses in hostile hands. A statement from Gantzs campaign insinuated his opponents leaked the news to damage his political bid, saying the timing of the report just weeks before Israels April 9 elections raises important questions. A campaign official says the security breach happened several months ago, before Gantz entered politics. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to media. CAIRO - Three months after Sudanese protesters rose up against President Omar al-Bashir, the longtime autocrat has bound himself more tightly to the military and refuses to bow to their demands. The wily 74-year-old has remained in power through three decades of war and sanctions, the secession of Sudans oil-rich south in 2011 and an international arrest warrant for genocide and war crimes linked to the Darfur conflict. But since December he has faced the biggest protests of his long rule, with political parties and unions demanding his ouster and demonstrators chanting slogans from the 2011 Arab Spring. A look at where things stand, three months on. DAILY PROTESTS Demonstrators are still taking to the streets nearly every day despite a heavy crackdown by security forces. The largest protests are being held in the capital, Khartoum, and nearby Omdurman, with smaller ones breaking out elsewhere. Activists said in early February that 57 people had been killed, while the government put the toll at 31, including police. Neither has updated those figures since then, even as clashes have regularly erupted, with police dispersing protesters with tear gas, rubber bullets, live ammunition and batons. Hundreds of people have been arrested and are still behind bars. The umbrella group of independent professional unions that has been spearheading the protests is sticking to its demands that al-Bashirs administration be replaced with an interim government that would prepare the country for new elections. Sarah Abdel-Jaleel, a spokeswoman for the group, said they call for a total change of the regime to meet the aspirations of the Sudanese people. There is no room for compromises with this regime. History tells us that dialogue with the regime was not fruitful, she said. We will continue our peaceful resistance. ___ GOVERNMENT CLOSES RANKS Al-Bashir has offered little in the way of concessions, beyond calling for a national dialogue and asking parliament to postpone constitutional amendments that would allow him to seek a new term in next years elections. Instead, he has bound himself more tightly to the countrys feared security forces, replacing all state governors with senior military officers. He has declared a state of emergency, banned all unauthorized gatherings and given security forces sweeping powers to try and quash the protests. Al-Bashir also dissolved the government last month. But his hand-picked prime minister on Wednesday announced a new Cabinet that keeps the defence and foreign ministers in place. Al-Bashir stepped down as leader of the National Congress party but handed power to hard-line Islamist Ahmed Harun, who is also wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges linked to the conflict in Darfur in the 2000s. Al-Bashirs embrace of the military appears to be aimed at avoiding a repeat of the coup that brought him to power in 1989. ___ INTERNATIONAL SILENCE Al-Bashir has been isolated internationally for most of the time he has been in office. Western countries expressed concern about the violence in the early days of the protests, but have been largely silent since then. Arab countries have meanwhile remained largely neutral, fearing any revival of the Arab Spring protests that swept the region in 2011 but also viewing al-Bashir as an unreliable ally. The longtime leader has courted various Gulf states in recent years, playing both sides in the Saudi-Qatari rivalry without strongly committing to either. Relations with neighbouring Egypt have oscillated over a longstanding border dispute and the construction of a major hydroelectric dam in Ethiopia that threatens to cut into both countries share of the Nile. In the absence of strong international pressure, the deadlock between the protesters and the government looks set to continue. For now, both sides appear to think that time is on their side. SANAA, Yemen - Yemens warring sides were divided Thursday over a U.S. Senate vote to end Americas support for the Saudi-led war in the impoverished country, with the Yemeni government condemning it and the Iran-backed rebels welcoming the development. Information Minister Moammar al-Iryani denounced the vote, saying it would only embolden Iran and empower its proxy, the rebels known as Houthis. The rivals Houthis who are at war with the internationally recognized government and its backers from the Saudi-led coalition hailed the Senate step, saying that U.S. support has prolonged the conflict. The Senate vote on Wednesday brought the Congress one step closer to an unprecedented rebuke of President Donald Trumps foreign policy. It also put Congress on a collision course with Trump, who has already threatened to veto the resolution. In reality, America is the one ... selling weapons, and providing support to the coalition, top Houthi negotiator and spokesman Mohammed Abdel-Salam told The Associated Press. In this way, the U.S. only prolongs the conflict and the humanitarian crisis, he said. Yemens conflict erupted in 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, forcing the internationally recognized government to flee abroad. A Saudi-led coalition of Arab states intervened the following year, waging a destructive air campaign in support of the government. Thousands have been killed and millions pushed to the brink of starvation. The West, including the U.S., has provided the coalition with billions of dollars in arms, in addition to logistical support. In addition to arms, U.S. military experts have acted as advisers to the Saudi and Emirati command centres in Riyadh and elsewhere, and a U.S. pullout could also impact intelligence gathering. As Saudi-led coalition airstrikes claimed thousands of lives over the years, mostly in northern Yemen where the Houthis are based, the U.S. insisted it plays no role in targeting Yemenis. The development in the Senate came on the same day that U.N. envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, reported no progress to the Security Council in getting Yemens warring parties to withdraw their forces from the key port of Hodeida and two smaller ports as called for in an agreement they signed in December. The agreement was meant to ensure smooth passage of aid through Hodeida, a strategic gateway for relief, into Yemen. The head of the Yemen Peace Project, an advocacy group based in Washington, said she believes previous congressional pressure played a big role in pushing the coalition toward a peace agreement and Wednesdays vote would likely move the ball forward again. Twice weve seen these clear expressions of the will of Congress push forward the peace process in very concrete ways, said Layla E. Picard. She said U.S. involvement in Yemen would be more positive if it was focused on diplomatic efforts to reach a peaceful end to the war. Most of the advocacy around this war in the U.S. has focused on what we want the U.S. to stop doing - refuelling , selling arms, blocking Security Council actions, etc. ...But positive engagement from the U.S. is crucial. Al-Iryani, the information minister, warned that any U.S. pullout from its support for the coalition in Yemens war would only serve Iran. However, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, who heads the Houthis so-called Supreme Revolutionary Committees, called upon other Western countries to take similar steps against what he described as American, British, Israeli, Saudi, and Emirati hegemony over Yemen. Trumps support for Saudi Arabia came under the spotlight after the brutal killing of U.S.-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year. Lawmakers from both parties have criticized Trump for not condemning Saudi Arabia strongly enough for the killing. Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, his remains have not been found. In addition to supporting the Saudi-led coalition, the U.S. has also been fighting al-Qaida in Yemen, mainly through drone warfare. It wasnt immediately clear how a U.S. cutting of ties with the coalition could impact that campaign. After the vote in the Senate, the White House argued that the premise of the resolution was flawed and that it would undermine the fight against extremism. U.S. support for the Saudis does not constitute engaging in hostilities, the statement said, and the Yemen resolution seeks to override the presidents determination as commander in chief. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - A huge section of Illinois that honours the life and work of Abraham Lincoln and promotes tourism and recreation has been expanded. The Lincoln National Heritage Area established in 2008 covers 42 counties across Illinois. It stretches across the central part of the state where the future president worked as a circuit-riding lawyer in the first half of the 19th Century. Officials say the area generates $260 million in economic impact. A law signed this week expands the area to Livingston County, to Freeport in Stephenson County and to Jonesboro in Union County. Livingston County was part of the Eight Judicial District in which Lincoln travelled from courthouse to courthouse. Freeport and Jonesboro were among seven stops for the 1858 debates Lincoln had with Stephen A. Douglas in a campaign for the U.S. Senate. AUSTIN, Texas - Democrat Beto ORourke has told a Texas TV station that hes running for president in 2020. The former Texas congressman sent a text message to KTSM Wednesday afternoon confirming the news that he will seek the Democratic presidential nomination. He wrote: Im really proud of what El Paso did and what El Paso represents. Its a big part of why Im running. This city is the best example of this country at its best. ORourke was little-known outside his hometown of El Paso until he challenged Republican Sen. Ted Cruz last year. He got within 3 percentage points of upsetting Cruz in the nations largest red state and shattered national fundraising records while using grassroots organizing and social media savvy to mobilize young voters and minorities. An unexplained irregularity Polling on paper ballots (TNS) Georgia lawmakers are preparing for final votes on a statewide voting system thats strongly supported by government workers experienced in running elections and just as staunchly opposed by computing experts who see an imminent threat to election security.The conflict over election integrity will be a driving force in Wednesdays state Senate vote to switch Georgia to a $150 million voting system that combines touchscreens and printed-out paper ballots. The states current electronic voting machines dont produce paper ballots.Voters would pick their candidates on touchscreens that are attached to ballot printers. Then voters could review their printed choices before inserting their ballots into scanning machines.The Republican majority in the Georgia General Assembly is siding with election officials who want to install the new voting machinery, called ballot-marking devices, in time for next years presidential primary election. The measure, House Bill 316 , has already passed the state House, and Republican Gov. Brian Kemp supports the voting technology.Democratic legislators are aligned with cybersecurity experts who prefer paper ballots bubbled in with pens, a voting method that avoids the inherent risks of a computerized system.Theres no evidence that Georgias voting machines have been hacked during an election, but computing experts say malware could be written so that its undetectable.Election officials say voters can trust them to keep results accurate in the future, just as they have during the past 17 years when the current electronic voting machines have been used in Georgia. They dismiss concerns from the tech crowd, which says the danger of vote manipulation is real.We know the security of our system. We program these units ourselves, so were confident that Georgia will remain a state that isnt hackable, said Cynthia Willingham, the elections supervisor for Rockdale County. With any voting system in the United States, theres a possibility that it could be tampered with. The key is that, as election officials, well ensure that it isnt.But computing professionals say election administrators and state legislators are ignoring the potential problems of computerized voting and ballot-printing.A group of 24 computer scientists sent a letter in January urging Georgia officials to abandon touchscreen voting. They include university professors who say computer-printed paper ballots wouldnt be a reliable check on election accuracy because many voters wouldnt verify or remember all their choices. study published in November found that nearly half of voters in a Tennessee election last year didnt review their ballots printed from the same kind of machines as those under consideration in Georgia, and many voters who were surveyed misidentified which ballot they had voted on. The study was written by Georgia Tech researchers Richard DeMillo and Robert Kadel, and Marilyn Marks of the Coalition for Good Governance, who oppose ballot-marking devices.Critics of ballot-marking devices also say that even though printed ballots include the names of candidates, votes would be encoded in bar codes that humans cant authenticate.Theres nothing speculative about these vulnerabilities, said DeMillo, a Georgia Tech computer science professor and former chief technology officer for Hewlett-Packard. If exploited, it would affect the result of the election. Its not a secure system.DeMillo said theres already evidence of problems with electronic voting in Georgia: the unexplained drop-off in votes in the lieutenant governors race in November, an issue that occurred only on voting machines but not on absentee paper ballots. About 80,000 fewer votes were counted in the lieutenant governors race between Republican Geoff Duncan and Democrat Sarah Riggs Amico than the average of ballots recorded in 10 statewide contests in the Nov. 6 election.Its unknown whether the dip in votes occurred because of voting machine error, ballot layout, human choice, election hacking or some other reason.Still, county election officials and Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said voters can have confidence in the states next voting system.They said voting will remain easy on a touchscreen, paper ballots will be audited, votes wont be discarded because of stray pen marks, and voting machines can accommodate people with disabilities by adjusting type size or providing audio through headphones.Touchscreen-marked paper ballots will provide the most accuracy and clarity in our elections since voters will have a clear choice with the touch of a button, Raffensperger said. The advantage of having that paper and being able to do that audit is youll know the winner really did win, the loser really did lose, and after the election you can move on.The outcomes of elections werent always immediately conclusive in Georgia last year. Democrat Stacey Abrams, who fell about 17,000 votes short of forcing a runoff, didnt end her campaign until 10 days after Novembers election for governor against Kemp. Another race, for the state House of Representatives, still isnt settled because voters were incorrectly mapped into the wrong district or were ineligible to participate. A judge ordered a redo election between Republicans Chris Erwin and Dan Gasaway, which will take place April 9.Most Georgia voters about 55 percent prefer paper ballots filled out by voters instead of by computers, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll conducted in January.Voters who testified during hearings at the Georgia Capitol told lawmakers they support paper ballots completed by hand.When it comes to computers, it is not a matter of if something gets hacked, but when something gets hacked, Eileen Nakamura, a Sandy Springs resident, said during a hearing last week. When you have a computer system, thats always the No. 1 problem.Longtime Georgia voting integrity advocate Garland Favorito agreed. He delivered documents to Kemps office this week seeking answers about election security and voting system costs.Consider what the voters and cybersecurity experts have said over and over again, said Favorito, who founded the group Voter GA . Its just not in the best interest of the people of Georgia.Supporters of ballot-marking devices point out that paper ballots have a long history of fraud through ballot-box stuffing. In states that use paper ballots marked by hand, that problem is avoided because the number of ballots counted must match the number of voters who sign in at each precinct.If the legislation passes the state Senate on Wednesday, it will return to the state House for a final vote since it was amended in a Senate committee. Then it would go to Kemp for his signature.Afterward, Raffenspergers office would solicit bids from voting machine companies, select a vendor and conduct test runs in municipal elections in November.Georgia would become the first state in the country to use ballot-marking devices in every precinct. Some jurisdictions in 24 states use similar voting systems, often to assist voters with disabilities. CHICAGOAt the urging of a politically connected lawyer, States Attorney Kimberly Foxx asked Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson to turn over the investigation of Jussie Smolletts reported attack to the FBI, according to communications provided to the Chicago Tribune. Foxx reached out to Johnson after Tina Tchen, former chief of staff to first lady Michelle Obama, texted Foxx saying the actors family had unspecified concerns about the investigation. Tchen, a close friend of Mayor Rahm Emanuels wife, said she was acting on behalf of the Empire actor and his family. A relative later exchanged texts with Foxx. The exchanges began Feb. 1, three days after Smollett claimed two men approached him near his downtown Chicago apartment building, yelled racists and homophobic slurs, hit him and put noose after his neck. It would still be 2 1/2 weeks before he was charged with making the story up, but some media outlets were already starting to question the actors account, citing unnamed police sources. Spoke to the Superintendent Johnson, Foxx emailed Tchen back on Feb. 1. I convinced him to Reach out to FBI to ask that they take over the investigation. The same day, Foxx texted with Smolletts relative, whose name was blacked out in copies released by her office. Spoke to the superintendent earlier, he made the ask, Foxx wrote. Trying to figure out logistics. Ill keep you posted. Read more: Smollett team: Court cameras would show states flimsy case Actor Jussie Smollett indicted on 16 counts stemming from reported attack Case against Jussie Smollett resembles detailed movie script Omg this would be a huge victory, the relative replied. I make no guarantees, but Im trying, Foxx replied. Kiera Ellis, a spokeswoman for the states attorneys office, said Smolletts relative was specifically concerned about leaks to the media that purportedly came from the police department. When she initially engaged in the communications, Mr. Smollett was still believed to be the victim of the crime, Ellis said. As the investigation started to change and it became a possibility that he could actually be a suspect, that is when she made the decision (to recuse herself). It is not uncommon for people to approach Foxx with information or concerns about cases, and it is fairly typical for her to contact Johnson directly to request updates or get information, Ellis said. Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi could not verify whether Johnson and Foxx discussed turning the case over to federal agents and refused to ask the superintendent about it. But Guglielmi noted that the FBI had been working on the case with Chicago police from the very beginning because it was reported as a hate crime. Also, a week earlier, a letter addressed to Smollett at the Empire studio made racial and homophobic threats against the actor a federal offence. The released texts between Foxx and the relative stop on Feb. 13, the same day a memo was sent out by Foxxs chief ethics officer, April Perry, informing staff that Foxx is recused from the Smollett investigation. It did not say why. First Assistant States Attorney Joe Magats, the second highest-ranking official in the office, was placed in charge of the investigation. Her recusal was not publicly announced until Feb. 19, the day before charges were filed against Smollett alleging he made up the whole story. Foxxs office said she recused herself out of an abundance of caution because she had conversations with one of Smolletts relatives after he reported the incident, and then acted as a go-between with Chicago police. Foxxs office did not elaborate on those conversations with the relative, bringing a jab from Anita Alvarez, the former states attorney handily defeated by Foxx in 2016. Maybe I should have just recused myself from the difficult cases that came across my desk when I was states attorney, she posted on Facebook. I was under the impression that when the voters elected me and I took my oath of office it meant I had to do my job. NEW YORK - Three Saudi womens rights activists whose arrests last year have been condemned worldwide are being honoured by PEN America. Nouf Abdulaziz, Loujain al-Hathloul and Eman al-Nafjan have won the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award, the literary and human rights organization announced Thursday. The award was established in 1987 and is given to writers imprisoned for their work, with previous recipients coming from Ukraine, Egypt and Ethiopia among other countries. In custody for working to undermine the security of the kingdom, Abdulaziz, Al-Hathloul and Al-Nafjan have openly opposed such government policies as a ban on women driving and the restriction of womens travel, education and other rights without approval from a male guardian. On Wednesday, al-Hathloul and al-Nafjan were among those at a closed-door hearing in Riyadh, according to Amnesty International. Reporters were not allowed in. The PEN award comes at a time of international outrage at Saudi Arabia and at Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, especially after the Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in October 2018 by Saudi agents at the countrys consulate in Istanbul. Last week, the United Nations Human Rights Council denounced Saudi Arabias continuing arrests and arbitrary detentions of human rights defenders Activists have alleged that the PEN winners have been subjected to torture, including flogging and sexual assault. Saudi officials have denied the allegations. The fleeting hope that generational transition in the Saudi leadership would open the door toward greater respect for individual rights and international law has collapsed entirely, with individuals paying the highest price as the government resorts to rank barbarism as a blunt means to suppress and deter dissent, PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said in a statement. These gutsy women have challenged one of the worlds most notoriously misogynist governments, inspiring the world with their demand to drive, to govern their own lives, and to liberate all Saudi women from a form of medieval bondage that has no place in the 21st century. PEN officials have not determined who will accept the Freedom to Write Award on behalf of the three winners at the annual PEN gala, being held in Manhattan on May 21. Others receiving prizes and able to collect them in person include Bob Woodward of Watergate fame and the CEO of Scholastic, Richard Robinson. PEN has long highlighted the Freedom to Write Award as a way of turning advocacy into concrete action, noting that 37 of the 43 previous winners have since been freed, at least in part because of the attention raised by the prize. It helped me to survive while I was in prison, said the 2016 winner, Ahmed Naji, an author and journalist who had been imprisoned in Egypt and now lives in Washington, D.C. When youre in prison, they want to isolate you from society and make you think what you wrote is worth nothing. So such awards give hope to the writer. Naji was initially freed in December 2016 and his sentence, for violating public modesty in his novel The Use of Life, was overturned in 2018. During a recent telephone interview with The Associated Press, he recalled how prison authorities tried to keep him from learning about his award. Inmates usually were allowed to read a daily newspaper, but one day no one received it. He later learned from a guard that the paper had been banned because there was news about him in it. After another week, I had a family visit and they told me about the award, Naji said. This years Freedom to Write winners are among more than a dozen activists arrested a year ago. Al-Nafjan is a blogger and linguistics professor who has written for The Guardian and CNN among other publications. Al-Hathloul is a prominent opponent of the driving ban, lifted shortly after her arrest last year, and was arrested in 2014 and detained for 73 days. Abdulaziz is a journalist and blogger who has written for years about human rights violations. After her arrest, fellow womens rights activist Mayya al-Zahrani posted online a letter Abdulaziz had written in case she was captured. I usually sum up myself with a few characteristics: a writer, a reading addict since I was six years old, my father tells me that I am intelligent; I am a quiet girl except for the questions that storm my mind, Abdulaziz wrote. I will talk to you and share some of the questions that overcome my mind: Why is our homeland so small and tight, and why am I considered a criminal or an enemy that threatens it! I was never but a good citizen that loved her country and wished the best for it, a loving daughter and a hardworking student and a devoted worker, who never demeaned hated or envied anyone. BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. - Nearly 50 students at a Georgia high school have been caught sharing naked photos of their classmates. WSB-TV reports the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the district attorney spoke to students at Union County High and Middle schools in Blairsville about the dangers of sexting on Wednesday after the scope of the scandal became apparent. Superintendent John Hill says an investigation that began with a parents complaint found at least 46 students ages 14 to 18 were involved in what could be prosecuted as felony child pornography. Thats nearly 6 per cent of the schools population. School police continue investigating, but Hill says the district hasnt pushed for criminal prosecutions. Students were instead suspended temporarily or sent to an alternative school, based on the severity of their actions. ___ Information from: WSB-TV, http://www.wsbtv.com/index.html FRANKFORT, Ky. - Kentuckys legal feud with abortion-rights defenders expanded on Thursday as the Republican-dominated legislature voted to ramp up the states restrictions on the procedure. Hours after the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit aimed at blocking one abortion bill, the group vowed to return to court to challenge Kentuckys newest and most restrictive measure which would ban most abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected. A fetal heartbeat can be detected as early as six weeks into pregnancy. The Kentucky House voted late Thursday night to send the so-called fetal heartbeat bill to the states anti-abortion governor, Republican Matt Bevin. GOP-run legislatures in several other states are working on similar measures that loom as some of the countrys strictest abortion measures. Minutes after the heartbeat bill cleared Kentuckys legislature, the ACLU said it would file another lawsuit on behalf of the last abortion provider in the state. The ACLU termed the heartbeat measure as a near total ban on abortion. These bans are blatantly unconstitutional, and we will ask the court to strike it down, said Brigitte Amiri, deputy director with the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project. The bills supporters were undaunted by the threat of another lawsuit as they pushed through the heartbeat bill on the next-to-last day of this years legislative session in Kentucky. It recognizes that at the sound of a heartbeat, that a child is living, said Republican Rep. Chris Fugate. And at the sound of a heartbeat, those who would kill the unborn child would not be allowed to do so anymore. Senate Bill 9 recognizes a heartbeat as a sign of life. The measure would require anyone seeking an abortion to first determine if a fetal heartbeat is detectable. If it is, the abortion would be banned. The measure would provide narrow exceptions for abortions, such as when the mothers life is endangered. Earlier Thursday, the ACLU carried out its pledge to challenge another Kentucky measure that would ban abortion for women seeking to end their pregnancies because of the gender, race or disability of the fetus. The measure cleared Kentuckys legislature on Wednesday, and the ACLU immediately said it would take the state to court again over abortion. That brought a defiant tweet from Bevin: Bring it! Kentucky will always fight for life. The ACLU obliged on Thursday with its lawsuit that said the bill strips a woman of her right to have an abortion if the commonwealth disapproves of her reason for seeking the care. The suit said the measure is unconstitutional because it bans abortion, under certain circumstances, prior to viability. It was filed on behalf of the last abortion clinic in Kentucky. The ACLU said it filed the suit in anticipation that Bevin will sign it. The measure would go into effect immediately upon the governors signature. The measure would require doctors performing abortions to certify in writing that, to their knowledge, their patient did not want to end her pregnancy because of concern over her unborn childs sex, race, colour, national origin or disability. Doctors violating the measure would face felony prosecution and the loss of their medical license. Any clinic where a violation occurred would lose its license. Pregnant women would not face penalties. Kentuckys last abortion clinic is in Louisville. The bills passage prompted the fourth federal lawsuit the ACLU has filed since early 2017 to challenge abortion-related laws in Kentucky. The other suits are winding through the courts. Now Kentucky faces a fifth lawsuit with passage of the heartbeat measure. Kentuckys Republican leaders have aggressively pushed to restrict abortion since the GOP took total control of the states legislature in 2017. Its part of a larger agenda by GOP-dominated legislatures in some states to restrict abortion. Conservatives want to push an abortion case to the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge the courts 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. Meanwhile, Kentucky lawmakers gave final passage on Thursday to other abortion-related bills. One of them would require that women undergoing drug-induced abortions be informed the procedure can be reversed. Another would ban most abortions in Kentucky if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the landmark decision that legalized the procedure nationwide. WASHINGTON - Afghanistans national security adviser on Thursday blasted the U.S. talks with the Taliban, saying the Trump administration has alienated the Afghan government, legitimized the militant network and is crafting a deal that will never lead to peace. If we are to make peace, it cannot be just a mere deal out somewhere far away where were not in the loop, Hamdullah Mohib said at a blunt and candid briefing with reporters that prompted a scolding by State Department officials. Mohib, the former Afghan ambassador to the United States, also took aim at Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. point man negotiating with the Taliban. He suggested that the negotiations conducted by Khalilzad, a veteran American diplomat who was born in Afghanistan, are clouded by Khalilzads political ambitions to lead his native country. The perception in Afghanistan and people in the government think that perhaps perhaps all this talk (with the Taliban) is to create a caretaker government of which he will become the viceroy, Mohib said, adding that Khalilzad had eyes on the Afghan presidency in both 2009 and 2014 when Ghani was elected. He said more transparency about what the U.S. and the Taliban have discussed would help to quell misinformation and rumours. He said the Afghan government is the last to find out what has transpired at the negotiating table and has resorted to getting information by tracking tweets from the foreign minister in neighbouring Pakistan, or brief readouts from U.S. officials involved. We are told that Ambassador Khalilzad is a great diplomat, Mohib said. Well, Im not sure I buy that because he is ostracizing and alienating a very trusted ally and partner. We think either Ambassador Khalilzad doesnt know how to negotiate or there are other reasons behind what hes doing. But what hes doing is not getting a deal that would result in peace. State Department deputy spokesman Robert Palladino dismissed Mohibs comments. He said David Hale, undersecretary of political affairs, summoned Mohib Thursday afternoon to reject his criticism about the U.S. talks with the Taliban. Hale underscored the longstanding U.S. assistance and support to Afghanistan, and expressed our commitment to the Afghan governments stability and full participation in the peace process, Palladino said. He said Khalilzad represents Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and that attacks on Ambassador Khalilzad are attacks on the department and only serve to hinder the bilateral relationship and the peace process. Mohib insists that the U.S. is keeping the Afghan government in the dark. He said he has no information to share with Afghanistans 350,000 police and soldiers, who have taken heavy casualties from the Taliban. He said in the past five years, 45,000 Afghans have been killed in the fighting 36,000 security forces and 9,000 civilians. What are they fighting for? How am I supposed to convince them that they are not being sold out? Mohib asked. As national security adviser, I have no information to share with those who are fighting for Afghanistan on the front line. The longest session between the U.S. and the Taliban, lasting 13 days, ended this week with both sides citing progress toward ending the 17-year war in Afghanistan, but many questions remain unanswered. The Taliban are negotiating from a position of strength: They effectively control half the country, and President Donald Trump has made clear he is frustrated with Americas longest war, wants to see a peace deal and is determined to bring at least some U.S. troops home. The two sides have reached a draft agreement on the withdrawal of U.S. troops a longtime Taliban demand and the insurgents have rebuffed U.S. efforts to get them to negotiate with the Kabul government. Khalilzad has said that when the draft agreement about a withdrawal timeline and effective counterterrorism measures is finalized, the Taliban and other Afghans, including the government, will begin intra-Afghan negotiations on a political settlement and comprehensive ceasefire. Mohib said the Taliban are planning a full-on spring fighting offensive, emboldened by their sit-downs with American negotiators and have no inclination to negotiate with the Afghan government. There is no reason for them to do so, he said, adding that the legitimacy theyve won from the talks has prompted them to boast that foreign ministers from around the world are seeking to meet with them. In the talks, the Taliban have said they will prevent Afghanistan from being used as a base for launching terror attacks, as it was prior to 9-11. But the insurgents have provided no specifics on what that would entail, and it remains unclear whether they are willing or able to confront other militant groups, some of which are longtime allies. Our understanding is even if there is a deal, its a bad deal, Mohib said, adding that any Taliban guarantees that Afghan soil will not be used again as a launching pad for terror attacks amounts to having cats guard the milk. WASHINGTON - Democratic lawmakers accused Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Thursday of secretly orchestrating the addition of a citizenship question to the 2020 census, citing an email they say shows he misled Congress about the decision. Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland, the chairman of the House oversight panel, said documents show Ross engaged in a campaign to add the question from the first days he joined the Commerce Department. These documents showed that he was not merely responding to a request from another agency, Cummings said. To the contrary, he was choreographing these efforts behind the scenes, he became impatient when his demands were not being met, and he was working directly with officials at the highest levels of the Trump administration to force this issue through. Ross testified before the House Oversight and Reform Committee in an often contentious hearing. He stuck with his explanation from previous hearings that Justice Department officials made a formal request to include the citizenship question to help it enforce the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The Census Bureau initiated a review to consider alternatives to DOJs request. Ultimately, Ross determined in March 2018 that reinstating the question was warranted. Some 18 states, 15 big cities or counties, and immigrants rights groups have sued the Commerce Department. The plaintiffs say an undercount of Latinos and immigrants would jeopardize federal funding and congressional representation in states with a substantial number of both groups. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross is sworn-in during the House Oversight Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 14, 2019. Two federal judges have declared the move to reinstate the question illegal. A federal judge in New York had previously blocked the administration from adding the question to the population count that occurs every 10 years, and the Supreme Court last month agreed to review that decision. Democratic lawmakers accused Ross of misleading Congress because he had previously testified we are responding solely to the Department of Justices request. The most withering criticism came from Rep. Lacy Clay, D-Mo., who said Ross withheld critical information from Congress about what led up to the decision. He read an email from Ross that came months before the DOJs request for the citizenship question, which stated: I am mystified why nothing have been done in response to my months old request that we include the citizenship question. Why not? Clay said Ross failed to mention the memo when previously testifying to Congress. He asked Ross whether he wanted to take responsibility today for misleading Congress, whether intentionally or not about the process you followed to add the citizenship question. I have never intentionally misled Congress or intentionally said anything incorrect under oath, Ross said. Clay refused to accept that answer and accused Ross of being complicit in the Trumps administrations intent to suppress the growing political power of the non-white population. He said Ross should resign. A citizenship question has not appeared on the once-in-a-decade headcount since 1950, though it has been on the American Community Survey, for which the Census Bureau annually polls 3.5 million households. Democrats also released a memo noting that a Department of Justice official told committee staff last week that in the fall of 2017, the Commerce Departments James Uthmeier hand-delivered what Cummings called a secret memo and handwritten note on the citizenship question to John Gore in the civil rights division at the Department of Justice. That delivery occurred months before the DOJ formally requested the citizenship question. Gore would not reveal to committee staff the content of the memo or the note, based on recommendations from counsel at the department. Did the secret memo or note describe the real reason you wanted to ask the citizenship question? Cummings asked. Ross said he did not believe such a message was delivered, but if there was a document of that sort he wanted the chance to review it. The Trump administrations decision to ask people about their citizenship has set off worries among Democrats that immigrants and their families will dodge the survey altogether, diluting political representation for states that tend to vote Democratic and robbing many communities of federal dollars. Ross sought to emphasize that the Trump administration has boosted spending for the census and that it was using the money to increase its advertising budget and hire more community partners. We have done all kinds of things we can think of to make sure we have the best census possible, Ross said. Republicans said it was completely appropriate to add the citizenship question to the census. For the life of me, I do not know why the Democrats dont want to know how many citizens are in the United States of America, said Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the ranking Republican. But for some reason, they are focused on this question. ATLANTA - Legislation calling for Georgia to purchase new electronic touchscreen voting machines that print a paper ballot is headed to the governors desk. The state House gave final passage to the wide-ranging election bill Thursday, a day after Senate approval. The bill would replace the states current system, which offers no auditable paper trail. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp has previously supported the type of machines the bill authorizes. In a statement Thursday, Kemp said the bill modernizes Georgias voting system and ensures our elections remain secure, accessible and fair. Republican lawmakers and many county election officials say the electronic ballot marking devices will be the easiest to administer and can accommodate all Georgians, including those with disabilities. But Democrats and cybersecurity experts say the machines are hackable and that hand-marked paper ballots would be cheaper and more secure. Georgia Tech computing professor Richard DeMillo, along with 23 other cybersecurity experts around the country, sent a letter to lawmakers urging for hand-marked paper ballots in January. Systems using electronic ballot markers include touchscreen computers, where voters make their selections and then print a paper ballot. Under the legislation, voters will have a chance to review a summary of selections on their ballot printout before putting it through a scanner, where votes are tallied. Setups from different vendors vary, but many offer ballot printouts that include text summaries as well as barcodes where voter selections are encoded for tabulation. The proposal comes months after Kemp, then the secretary of state, defeated Democrat Stacey Abrams in the governors race, and amid several lawsuits challenging the states handling of elections. One of the biggest points of contention is the lack of financial information offered in support of the bill. Bond funding, or borrowing, totalling $150 million has been included in the 2020 budget proposal. But House and Senate Democrats criticized the fact that the bill does not include a fiscal note - a report on the bills estimated financial impact. The legislation would also tweak Georgias strict standard for verifying voter registrations and clarify when polling places can be closed or moved, measures proposed earlier by Democrats. OAK PARK, Mich. - Michigan health officials have confirmed a travel-related case of measles involving a person visiting from Israel. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Oakland County Health Division say people may have been exposed this month at several places in the Detroit suburbs of Oak Park and Southfield , including a synagogue, Jewish educational institutions, convenience stores and a pizza restaurant. Officials say the person with measles had stayed in New York, where theres a measles outbreak. Measles typically will start with a high fever, red eyes, runny nose, sensitivity to light, and eventually rashes on the face and head move to other parts of the body. Michigan health officials last year urged people to get vaccinated and take other precautions after confirming several measles cases in the state . ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Anchorage police have arrested the 24-year-old mother of a 3-year-old girl found stabbed to death in a small car parked at an Anchorage scenic overlook. Kelsey Jackson of Anchorage was arrested and transported to the Anchorage jail after she was discharged from a hospital, where she was recovering from self-inflicted stab wounds. She faces charges of first- and second-degree murder in the death of her daughter, whose name was not released. Online court records do not list Jacksons attorney. Airport police early Wednesday morning called in city officers after finding the child and woman in the parking lot of Point Woronzof (WORH-on-zawf) in west Anchorage. The parking lot looks out over Turnagain Arm. The girl suffered stabbing wounds to her chest. Figures in the F1 paddock have criticised a new rule that will grant an extra point to the driver who posts the fastest lap of each race. From 2019, if a driver finishes in the top ten, he will get an extra point if he also posts the fastest lap of the race. "It will benefit the third fastest car the most," Auto Motor und Sport quotes a strategist as saying. "The gap to the midfield is normally so big that they can afford an extra change of tyres without damaging their result." Indeed, Red Bull's Max Verstappen told Servus TV he is looking forward to chasing extra points. "It can mean a lot of points," said the Dutchman. "Five or six fastest laps are five or six points extra." Dr Helmut Marko also welcomed it, saying of the initiative: "This is what makes for different tactics." However, Alfa Romeo team manager Beat Zehnder said the fastest lap point is not overly interesting to the team because the other midfield teams are "far too close" together. The move could also give Ferrari an advantage, thanks to its satellite teams Alfa and Haas. "Just imagine, a Mercedes driver has the fastest lap. Ferrari cannot risk an extra pitstop, but Haas or Sauber could be asked to give fresh tyres to their drivers to take the point from Mercedes," a team boss said. "Mercedes could also do the same with Racing Point or Red Bull with Toro Rosso." (GMM) RENO, Nev. - Prosecutors said Thursday they will seek the death penalty against a 20-year-old Salvadoran immigrant in the U.S. illegally who has been charged with killing four people in Nevada, including an elderly couple. Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman is being prosecuted in Reno after authorities said he fatally shot the couple in their Reno home and two women in their homes south of Carson City during a 10-day crime rampage in January. The case has drawn the attention of President Donald Trump, who says it shows the need for his proposed border wall. Immigration status had nothing to do with the decision to pursue capital punishment in the case, according to district attorneys Chris Hicks of Washoe County and Mark Jackson of Douglas County, co-prosecutors in the case. His immigration status was not even discussed at all, Jackson said. Hicks said Martinez-Guzman would be eligible for the death penalty because of aggravating circumstances that include the killing of more than one person during the commission of felonies aimed at obtaining money and other property. His young age and absence of any prior criminal history in the U.S. and El Salvador were also considered, the prosecutor said. A grand jury indicted Martinez-Guzman on Wednesday on murder, burglary and weapon charges. He could enter a plea to those counts at his first appearance in state court, scheduled April 11. He has been held without bail in the county jail in Reno after being charged in previous criminal complaints. He was arrested Jan. 19. His public defence attorney, John Arrascada, did not immediately respond Thursday to messages seeking comment. Federal officials have said Martinez-Guzman is in the U.S. illegally but they dont know how or when he crossed the border. The four slaying victims include Gerald David, 81, and his 80-year-old wife, Sharon David, a prominent Reno Rodeo Association couple who had employed Martinez-Guzman as a landscaper at their house last summer. Police say they were shot with a .22-calibre handgun that Martinez-Guzman stole from them less than two weeks earlier. Court documents allege that Martinez-Guzmans DNA was found on the same gun that was also used to kill Connie Koontz and Sophia Renken in their homes. Martinez-Guzman was arrested in Carson City, where he also faces a series of weapons and burglary charges. Hicks said prosecutors presented witnesses and an extraordinary amount of evidence during the grand jury proceeding Wednesday aimed at bypassing a preliminary hearing. We believe we cut off several months of time that would have been spent in Justice Court, Hicks said, noting the victims families supported the strategy. Jackson said its the first time he has sought the death penalty in the 12 years hes been the district attorney in Douglas County. Hicks said its the fourth time its been sought in more than 10 years in Washoe County. We reserve the death penalty for the worst of the worst, Hicks said. ____ Associated Press writer Ken Ritter contributed to this report from Las Vegas. MIAMI - A federal judge has set a new deadline in a Florida victims rights case involving a wealthy financier accused of sexually abusing dozens of underage girls. U.S. District Judge Kenneth Marra ordered Wednesday that the U.S. Justice Department and the victims attorneys decide by May 10 how they want to proceed with the case involving victims of 66-year-old Jeffrey Epstein. Marra ruled last month that former Miami U.S. Attorney Alexander Acostas prosecutors violated the victims rights by secretly reaching a 2008 non-prosecution agreement with Epstein. Under the agreement, Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges, spent 13 months in jail, paid settlements to victims and became a registered sex offender. Marra had initially set a March 8 deadline but agreed to move it back after federal prosecutors in Atlanta took over the case. Acosta, now President Donald Trumps labour secretary, says the deal was appropriate. NEW YORK - Insider testimony, emails and other evidence show President Donald Trump turned his charitable foundation into a wing of his White House campaign, New Yorks attorney general said in a new court filing Thursday. State Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, detailed her case against the foundation in a 37-page court filing in a lawsuit that seeks $2.8 million in restitution and an order banning Trump and his three eldest children from running any New York charities for 10 years. The filing was a response to an earlier court submission from the foundations lawyers, who have argued that the lawsuit against the charity is both flimsy and politically motivated. The Trump Foundation reached a deal in December to fold and distribute about $1.7 million in remaining funds to other nonprofits in a court-supervised process. Each charity will get the same amount, and the attorney generals office has the right to reject the ones it deems unfit. That agreement, though, didnt resolve the lawsuit, which says the foundations involvement in a Trump manoeuvr during the run-up to the Iowa caucuses in 2016 broke rules barring charities from getting involved in political campaigns. At the time, Trump was feuding with Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly and refusing to participate in the networks final Republican presidential primary debate before the caucuses. Instead, he held a rally at the same time as the debate at which he called on people to donate to veterans charities. The foundation acted as a pass-through for people who heeded his call for donations. James said the evidence of banned co-ordination between campaign officials and the foundation includes deposition testimony from Trump Organization executive Allen Weisselberg and emails he exchanged with former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. In one email, a Trump company vice-president asked Lewandowski for guidance on how to distribute the money that was raised. Do you have a list of which veterans charities you want these funds sent to and how much for each charity?? the vice-president, Jeffrey McConney, wrote Lewandowski on Feb. 16, 2016, according to the filing. Lastly, how much longer do you want to keep the TrumpforVets website up and running? Trump was also accused in the suit of directing that $100,000 in foundation money be used to settle legal claims over an 80-foot flagpole he had built at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, instead of paying the expense out of his own pocket. A message seeking comment was left with a lawyer for the foundation. In the past, foundation lawyers have said any infractions were minor and that the lawsuit ignored the charitys philanthropic work. James, a Democrat newly elected to office, also issued subpoenas Monday to Deutsche Bank and Investors Bank seeking records related to four Trump real estate projects and his failed 2014 bid to buy the NFLs Buffalo Bills. Trump decried that development as the work of PRESIDENTIAL HARASSERS, and said, The Witch Hunt continues! SEATTLE - Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, who is considering an independent bid for president, is apologizing for saying he had likely spent more time with the military than the other candidates. Schultz made the comments during an interview Thursday with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. Two Democratic candidates are veterans, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii and South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg (BOO-tuh-juhj). Afterward, Schultz tweeted that leaders must accept responsibility for mistakes and his comment was wrong. Gabbard served in Iraq with the Hawaii Army National Guard, and Buttigieg is a veteran of the Afghanistan War, having served a tour with the Navy Reserve. Buttigieg tweeted that he didnt recall seeing any Starbucks over there. During his time at Starbucks, the company pledged to hire more veterans and last year said it had hired 21,000 over five years. SAN FRANCISCO - In one of the first lawsuits to come out of the college bribery scandal, several students are suing Yale, Georgetown, Stanford and other schools involved in the case, saying they and others were denied a fair shot at admission. The plaintiffs brought the class-action complaint Wednesday in federal court in San Francisco on behalf of themselves and other applicants, asking for unspecified damages and the return of all application fees. They argued that applicants who played by the rules were victimized when rich and famous parents paid bribes that enabled unqualified students to get into highly selective universities. Each of the universities took the students admission application fees while failing to take adequate steps to ensure that their admissions process was fair and free of fraud, bribery, cheating and dishonesty, the lawsuit said. Legal experts, though, said the students could have difficulty holding the colleges responsible. The scandal erupted Tuesday when federal prosecutors announced charges against 50 people, including coaches and dozens of parents, among them TV actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin. Prosecutors said parents paid to rig standardized exams and bribed coaches to get their children designated as recruited athletes in sports they didnt even play, thereby boosting their chances of getting in. In this Aug. 13, 2017 file photo, actress Lori Loughlin, center, poses with her daughters Bella, left, and Olivia Jade at the Teen Choice Awards in Los Angeles. The FBI says actress Lori Loughlin has been taken into custody in connection with a scheme in which wealthy parents paid bribes to get their children into top colleges. FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said Loughlin was in custody Wednesday morning in Los Angeles. She is scheduled to appear in court there in the afternoon. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/ The colleges have cast themselves as victims and moved to distance themselves from the coaches by firing or suspending them. The investigation began with a tip from an executive under suspicion in a securities fraud probe, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to discuss the case and spoke on condition of anonymity. The executive told Boston authorities that the womens soccer coach at Yale offered to label the executives daughter a recruited athlete in exchange for cash, the official said. Among other developments Thursday: The Hallmark Channel cut ties with Loughlin, a longtime star of its feel-good movies. Cosmetics company Sephora and hair-product company TRESemme dropped Loughlins daughter Olivia Jade Giannulli, a 19-year-old social media star who had previously pushed their products online. Golfer Phil Mickelson said he used the college consulting company accused of orchestrating the scheme but emphasized his family was not involved in any fraud. One of his daughters is a sophomore at Brown University. Brown said it has found no evidence of fraud among its athletes. The class-action complaint was brought initially by Erica Olsen and Kalea Woods, now students at Stanford. It was revised Thursday to remove Olsen and add three new plaintiffs, students at Tulane, Rutgers and an unnamed community college. One of the institutions being sued, the University of Texas at Austin, issued a statement saying that it is outraged over the bribery scheme and that any wrongdoing at the school does not reflect its admissions practices and was carried out by one UT employee. Other schools named in the lawsuit were the University of Southern California, the University of California at Los Angeles, Wake Forest University and the University of San Diego. The students in the lawsuit could have a difficult time tying the schools to the fraud in the absence of further evidence, said Joy Blanchard, a professor at Louisiana State University who focuses on higher education law. They wont be able to prove that the universities were behind some grand scheme, she said. Kyle McEntee, an attorney who has pushed for reforms in law school education, said the lawsuit reeks of opportunism. Its tough to see these succeeding, he said. Legal experts said the plaintiffs at highly selective Stanford would have had an especially hard time showing they suffered any harm because they still got into an elite institution. Messages seeking comment from Olsen and Woods were not immediately returned. An email to one of their attorneys, John Medler, also was not immediately returned. Among other claims, the lawsuit said that the universities should have discovered the bribes and that their failure to do so through audits or other practices reflects an unfair business practice. The lawsuit seeks to represent everyone who applied between 2012 and 2018, paid an application fee and was rejected by one of the named schools. David Levine, an expert in lawsuit rules and procedures at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, said the plaintiffs may succeed in returning application fees to prospective students but probably wont get anything more. The big money is unlikely to be there, he said. USC officials said earlier this week that prosecutors believe the perpetrators went to great lengths to conceal their actions from the university. Yale, likewise, said it was the victim of a crime. ____ Melia reported from Hartford, Connecticut. Associated Press writer Alanna Durkin Richer in Boston contributed to this report. RENO, Nev. - The Latest on criminal charges against a Salvadoran immigrant in the U.S. illegally who is accused of killing four people in Nevada (all times local): 11:50 a.m. Prosecutors in Nevada say theyll seek the death penalty for a Salvadoran immigrant in the U.S. illegally who is charged with killing four people in January. Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks said Thursday that Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzmans immigration status has nothing to do with the decision to seek capital punishment. The 20-year-old Martinez-Guzman is accused of fatally shooting a Reno couple and two women in neighbouring Douglas County during a 10-day crime rampage. The case has drawn the attention of President Donald Trump, who says it shows the need for his proposed border wall. A grand jury in Reno indicted Martinez-Guzman on Wednesday on murder, burglary and weapon charges. He was previously charged in criminal complaints ____ 8:55 a.m. A grand jury has indicted a Salvadoran immigrant on murder charges in the killing of four northern Nevadans in January. The Washoe County grand jury handed up the indictment in Reno late Wednesday for 20-year-old Wilber Ernesto Martinez-Guzman. Hes accused of fatally shooting an elderly Reno couple and two women in neighbouring Douglas County during a week-long robbery spree in January. The district attorneys for Washoe and Douglas counties scheduled a news conference for 11 a.m. Thursday to provide an update on the case, including their decision on whether to seek the death penalty. The case has drawn the attention of President Donald Trump, who says it shows the need for his proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall. Federal officials say Martinez-Guzman is in the United States illegally but they dont know how or when he got here. CORONA, Calif. - The Latest on a search for a missing Southern California boy (all times local): 10:30 a.m. Southern California authorities searching for a missing 8-year-old boy have arrested his mother and father. The Corona Police Department says Thursday that 36-year-old Jillian Godfrey and 32-year-old Bryce McIntosh have been arrested for investigation of child abuse. The department said the arrests were based on evidence gathered in the investigation but it did not release details. The search for missing Noah McIntosh began Tuesday night. ___ 10:10 a.m. Southern California authorities searching for a missing 8-year-old boy have arrested his father. The Corona Police Department says the investigation began Tuesday evening when officers spoke with the mother of Noah McIntosh and unsuccessfully attempted to contact his father at a local apartment. Police served a search warrant at the residence early Wednesday and found 32-year-old Bryce McIntosh inside with his 11-year-old daughter, but Noah was not there. Detectives arrested the father for investigation of suspected child abuse. The Police Department says other local family members were contacted but could not provide information about the boys whereabouts. Corona is southeast of Los Angeles in western Riverside County. PADUCAH, Ky. - The Latest on severe weather in the South (all times local): 7:15 p.m. Severe weather moving through Alabama caused heavy damage in parts of Cullman and Lawrence counties and moderate damage in Blount County, but no injuries have been reported. The National Weather Service reports a possible tornado Thursday downed trees and threw debris from Cullman to northeast of Holly Pond but meteorologist Chelly Amin says its too early to confirm whether a twister actually touched down. She says teams will assess the areas Friday before making an official notification. Amin says there were reports of moderate roof damage to a few structures in Cullman and reports of several trees down in the Bankhead National Forest in southern Lawrence County. Several central and north Alabama counties remain under a tornado watch. This Thursday, March 14, 2019 photo shows damage to the Wilbert Vault Co., in West Paducah, Ky. A tornado left a path in western Kentucky from Lovelaceville through the West Paducah area, according to Keith Todd, a spokesman for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. He said the public was being asked to avoid the area while utility crews, area fire departments, and rescue squads worked to clear utility lines, downed trees and other debris. ___ 1:30 p.m. Kentucky State Police say a state of emergency has been declared in an extreme western county where a tornado spread damage around a 5-square-mile (13-square kilometre) area, knocking down power lines and covering roadways in debris. A statement from police says one injury has been reported in McCracken County from the storm. Emergency crews are going door-to-door in the area to check on residents. Authorities said buildings were damaged, including a preschool. Forty students were inside but none were reported hurt. Several roadways are shut down due to debris and down power lines including portions of U.S. 62 and Kentucky 286. The American Red Cross has opened an evacuation centre for those hit by the storm. ___ 11:30 am State transportation officials are asking motorists to avoid travelling in some areas of western Kentucky due to damage from a reported tornado. A statement from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokesman Keith Todd says motorists should avoid travelling in western McCracken County and southeastern Ballard County for at least the remainder of Thursday. Todd says storm debris has blocked areas along U.S. 62 from Kentucky 305 to Kentucky 286 in McCracken County. Todd said there are report of pieces of grain bins, barns, homes and other debris in the roadway and some of it cant be cleared until utility crews arrive to cut power. He said there are additional areas of downed trees and power lines reported in the West Paducah area. Todd says motorists should avoid US 62 and KY 286 to allow emergency responders to work in the area unimpeded. Earlier, officials at the National Weather Service in Paducah tweeted that a tornado blew past their office. ___ 11 am Weather officials in Kentucky say a tornado has blown past their office. The National Weather Service in Paducah tweeted Thursday morning, TORNADO JUST MISSED OUR OFFICE IN WEST PADUCAH. TAKE SHELTER NOW IF YOURE IN PADUCAH!!!! The tweet was posted at 9:30 a.m., Central Daylight Time. There was no immediate word on any damage. Weather forecasters say numerous severe storms are possible beginning Thursday afternoon in the Tennessee Valley region and as far south as the northern Birmingham area. Officials said schools are closing early in north Alabama because of the severe weather possibility. Forecasters say winds up to 60 mph are possible along with isolated tornadoes and hail. The state is on the southern end of a storm system that pummeled the central United States. CHICAGO - The Latest on the case against Empire actor Jussie Smollett (all times local): 10 a.m. Empire actor Jussie Smollett has pleaded not guilty to the charges accusing him of lying to police about being attacked in downtown Chicago a few weeks ago. The 36-year-old actors lawyer, Tina Glandian, entered the plea Thursday on Smolletts behalf after Judge Steven Watkins was assigned to oversee the case, including the trial. The next court date was scheduled for April 17. Smollett is charged with 16 counts of disorderly conduct. Prosecutors allege that the actor, who is black and gay, hired two friends to help stage an attack on him in downtown Chicago early on the morning of Jan. 29. Police say Smollett told detectives that two masked men beat him while hurling racist and homophobic slurs, and that they poured an unknown substance on him and hung a noose around his neck before fleeing. Empire actor Jussie Smollett, center, arrives at the Leighton Criminal Court Building for his hearing on Thursday, March 14, 2019, in Chicago. Smollett is accused of lying to police about being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack by two men on Jan. 29 in downtown Chicago. Smollett has denied staging the attack and maintains his innocence. ___ 9:05 a.m. Empire actor Jussie Smollett has arrived at a Chicago courthouse where hes expected to plead not guilty to charges accusing him of lying to the police about being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack. Judge Steven Watkins was assigned to oversee Smolletts trial at the start of Wednesdays hearing in Cook County Circuit Court. Smollett is expected to enter a plea later Wednesday before Watkins. He is charged with 16 counts of disorderly conduct. Prosecutors allege that the black and gay actor hired two friends to help stage an attack on him in downtown Chicago early on the morning of Jan. 29. Smollett has denied wrongdoing. ___ 12:05 a.m. A judge is expected to be assigned to Jussie Smolletts disorderly conduct case when the Empire actor returns to court Thursday. That judge will then likely ask Smollett to enter a plea. Smollett is accused of lying to police about being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack by two men on Jan. 29 in downtown Chicago. The actor appeared in court earlier this week when prosecutors and defence attorneys agreed to allow cameras during Thursdays hearing. Prosecutors allege that Smollett, who is black and gay, staged the attack because he was unhappy with his salary and wanted to promote his career. A grand jury in Chicago indicted him on 16 felony counts, which his attorneys have called prosecutorial overkill. Smollett, who is free on bond, maintains his innocence. ___ Check out the APs complete coverage of the Jussie Smollett case. WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Thursday sharply criticized Britains handling of negotiations over leaving the European Union, saying the talks have been bungled and that the debate was dividing the country. Im surprised at how badly its all gone from the standpoint of a negotiation, he said. Trump, who holds himself up as a master deal-maker, said he had given Prime Minister Theresa May his ideas on how she could negotiate a successful deal for leaving the 28-member group of nations. But she didnt listen to that and thats fine. I mean shes got to do what shes got to do, he said at the White House as he welcomed Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar for an early St. Patricks Day celebration. I think it could have been negotiated in a different manner, frankly, Trump said. I hate to see it being, everything being ripped apart right now. Trump spoke hours before British lawmakers voted to delay Brexit for at least three months. Britains exit from the EU had been scheduled for March 29. The motion commits Mays government to seek an extension until June 30 if Parliament approves a U.K.-EU withdrawal deal next week. Trump predicted later Thursday that the situation eventually would work itself out. The president said he and Varadkar discussed the issue during their Oval Office meeting. Varadkar opposes Britains EU exit and expressed concern about how such a move would affect Northern Ireland. President Donald Trump welcomes Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 14, 2019. We talked about Brexit, something thats turning out to be a little more complex than they thought it would be, Trump said at an annual Capitol Hill luncheon for the Irish hosted by the House speaker. But itll all work out. Everything does. One way or the other, its going to work out. Varadkar was returning to the White House for an evening reception and the presentation of a bowl of shamrocks to Trump. The openly gay prime minister and his partner, Matthew Barrett, started the day as the breakfast guests of Vice-President Mike Pence, a conservative Christian who opposes gay rights. Trump was at the Capitol just hours before 12 GOP senators broke ranks and voted to reject his declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump had taken that step so he could spend money that lawmakers refused to give the administration specifically to build a wall there. The Democratic-run House, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, voted last month to block the declaration. Pelosi used the luncheon to make a pointed plug for immigration after just she had just described the annual event as a tradition where we dispense with our differences, whether theyre political or whether theyre competitive in any other way. Speaking about the contributions of Irish-Americans, Pelosi quoted Republican President Ronald Reagan as saying U.S. leadership would be lost if we ever close the door to new Americans. Then she told the bipartisan luncheon: You can applaud if you want. ___ Follow Darlene Superville on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dsupervilleap Toto Wolff has hit back at Dr Helmut Marko's estimation of the 2019 pecking order. Marko, the Red Bull-Honda official, has stated on multiple occasions that he thinks Ferrari is leading Red Bull by two tenths, followed by Mercedes. "I don't think anyone can tell if someone is two tenths ahead or two tenths back," Wolff, the Mercedes team boss, told APA news agency. "That would mean they know how much fuel the others had, and we don't." He admitted, however, that Ferrari does appear to be leading after the winter tests. "At the moment it looks like Ferrari is ahead, with not much between Red Bull and Mercedes, but as I said, on Saturday and Sunday we will know a little more," said Wolff. Mercedes ultimately set a good laptime in Barcelona, but Wolff said that is not enough for the German team to feel confident. "If you look at the eight days, we did a fast lap on the last day but it wasn't that strong on the race simulations," he said. In contrast, he says Ferrari "put on the track a car that worked well from day one. "Sebastian said the car goes where he wants it to go. Our car is not yet optimally balanced," added Wolff. "We had a problem with the stability in high speed with a bit of understeer, and we had understeer in the low speed, especially the last sector." However, Wolff said Mercedes is not ruling out its title hopes, even given Ferrari's apparent advantage. "It's not something that's new to us. First we have to understand the car and then we'll see. But somehow this year we do not feel we are in the favourites role, but catching up is also something we enjoy," he said. (GMM) WASHINGTONThe Senate passed a resolution Thursday to overturn President Donald Trumps declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, with 12 Republicans joining all Democrats to deliver a bipartisan rebuke to the president. The disapproval resolution passed the House last month, so the 59-41 Senate vote will send the measure to the Trumps desk. Trump has promised to use the first veto of his presidency to strike it down, and Congress does not have the votes to override the veto. VETO! Trump tweeted moments after the vote. Still, the Senate vote stood as a rare instance of Republicans breaking with Trump in significant numbers on an issue central to his presidency the construction of a wall along the southern border. For weeks Trump had sought to frame the debate in terms of immigration, arguing that Republican senators who supported border security should back him up on the emergency declaration. But for many GOP lawmakers, it was about a bigger issue: The Constitution itself, which grants Congress not the president control over government spending. By declaring a national emergency in order to bypass Congress to get money for his wall, Trump was violating the separation of powers and setting a potentially dangerous precedent, these senators argued. Read more: 12 GOP senators join Dems to block Trump border declaration Senate rejects Trump border emergency as Republicans defect Tillis changes vote, supports Trump on border emergency Its imperative for the president to honour Congress constitutional role, Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, said Thursday on the Senate floor as he announced his vote in favour of the disapproval resolution. A national emergency declaration is a tool to be used cautiously and sparingly. Republicans who voted with Trump and against the disapproval resolution said the president was acting within his authority under the National Emergencies Act, and taking necessary steps to address a humanitarian and drug crisis at the border that Democrats had ignored. There is a crisis at the border and Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer have prevented a solution, said Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., naming the House speaker and Senate minority leader. It should never have come to this, but in the absence of congressional action, the President did what Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer refused to do. Many GOP senators agonized at length before deciding how to vote, with significant numbers of them including Portman and Gardner, who is up for re-election next year waiting until Thursday to announce their positions. In the end, only one Republican who is up for re-election next year Susan Collins, R-Maine voted for the disapproval resolution. In addition to Collins and Portman, the other 10 GOP senators voting for the disapproval resolution were: Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Roy Blunt Missouri, Mike Lee of Utah, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Mitt Romney of Utah, Marco Rubio of Florida, Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania and Roger Wicker of Mississippi. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N. C., another senator up for re-election in a politically divided state, had announced last month that he would vote for the disapproval resolution. He wrote an opinion piece in The Washington Post at the time arguing there would be no intellectual honesty in supporting executive overreach by Trump that he had opposed under President Barack Obama. But on Thursday Tillis flipped and cast his vote with the president, saying he was reassured by indications that Trump would support changes to the National Emergencies Act itself, to rein in presidential powers going forward. Tillis flip-flop highlighted the political pressure Republicans felt over potentially crossing the president. Thursdays vote followed numerous failed efforts at compromise by vacillating GOP senators, including a dramatic incident Wednesday evening where a trio of GOP senators Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S. C., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Ben Sasse, R-Neb. showed up nearly unannounced at the White House, interrupting Trump at dinner in a last-ditch effort to craft a compromise. Their efforts failed, and Graham, Cruz and Sasse all ended up voting against the disapproval resolution. I said thank you for meeting with us. Sorry we ruined your dinner. And again, if itd been me, I would have kicked us out after about five minutes, Graham said later. Ahead of the vote, Trump took to Twitter to goad his critics and insist that defectors would be siding with Pelosi. A vote for todays resolution by Republican Senators is a vote for Nancy Pelosi, Crime, and the Open Border Democrats! Trump wrote. The president said he would support GOP efforts to update the National Emergencies Act at a later date something thats been under discussion as a way to rein in presidential powers going forward but todays issue is BORDER SECURITY and Crime!!! Dont vote with Pelosi! Pelosi herself told reporters: The Senate will hopefully vote for the Constitution of the United States to uphold the oath of office that we all take by voting to reject the presidents measure that does violence on the Constitution ... Well then send the bill to the president. Concern among GOP senators has focused on Trumps use of the National Emergencies Act to grab $3.6 billion appropriated by Congress for military construction projects nationwide and use it to build barriers along the border instead. Graham declined to specify what exactly was discussed when he and the others showed up to interrupt Trumps dinner Wednesday night, but said it focused on satisfying those concerns. The attempted last-minute intervention by Graham and the others was just the latest attempt by Republicans to find some kind of compromise, as they choose between siding with Trump or crossing him on Thursdays vote. But Trump repeatedly shot down the GOPs attempts at deal making, calling Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, during a private GOP lunch Wednesday to reject a proposal to curtail presidential powers under the National Emergencies Act. Shortly after that, Lee announced he would be voting for the disapproval resolution. The vote on the disapproval resolution came a day after a Senate vote to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen, marking unusual twin rebukes from a Senate that has mostly bowed to Trumps wishes. Schumer and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., offered contrasting takes on the Senate floor Thursday morning about what is at stake. This is not a normal vote, Schumer said. This will be a vote about the very nature of our constitution and the separation of powers. But McConnell argued that Trump was acting well within his powers and consistently with previous invocations of the National Emergencies Act. Lets not lose sight of the particular question thats before us later today, whether the facts tell us theres truly a humanitarian and security crisis on our Southern border and whether the Senate, for some reason, feels this particular emergency on our own border does not rise to the other national emergencies current in effect, McConnell said. Read more about: PHOENIX - Two years after New Mexicos largest county barred local law enforcement from co-operating with immigration authorities, its leaders learned that the policy was being subverted from within. Staff members at the Bernalillo County jail in Albuquerque were still granting immigration authorities access to its database and, in some cases, tipping them off when a person of interest was being released. I was surprised and horrified, said Maggie Hart Stebbins, chairwoman of the Bernalillo County Commission. Individual employees do not have the freedom to pick and choose what they want to observe. The disclosure last month cast a spotlight on an often-overlooked way in which immigration officials around the U.S. may be getting around local sanctuary policies through informal relationships with police and others willing to co-operate when theyre not supposed to. Immigration activists say they have seen it places like Philadelphia, Chicago and several communities in California, which has a statewide sanctuary law. On Wednesday, for example, the American Civil Liberties Union reported that emails show that a detective in Orange County, California, regularly looked up license plate information for an immigration officer. Often people underestimate the informal relationship between ICE and local law enforcement, said Sara Cullinane, director of the immigrant-rights organization Make the Road New Jersey. She said a major way to make sure immigrant-friendly ordinances are being obeyed is training officers about what they can and cannot do. Over 100 local governments around the country have adopted a variety of sanctuary rules barring police and jails from co-operating with immigration authorities, often by refusing to hold people arrested on local charges past their release date at the request of immigration officers who intend to pick them up. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says these types of policies have made the streets less safe. The restrictions have also led the agency in the past couple of years to find other ways to make arrests, such as by staking out courthouses for immigrants, a practice ICE had generally avoided. In 2017, the governing commission in Bernalillo County, population 680,000, barred the use of county money, resources or personnel to enforce civil immigration laws. County employees are not allowed to investigate, question or apprehend people based on their immigration status. Last month, Bernalillo County passed another resolution further restricting county workers from sharing any sort of information regarding immigration status. A day later, on Feb. 27, the jail administration notified county leaders that it learned, while discussing the latest resolution with jail staff, that some had still been working with ICE in an informal way. Staff members let immigration officers walk beyond the public areas of the jail and use the county computers, where they had logins to access inmate information such as names, places of birth and addresses. On occasion, staff would call immigration officers to let them know when an inmate was being released. The county now bars ICE from going anywhere past the public areas. Nobody has been disciplined so far, said jail spokeswoman Candace Hopkins. Hopkins said jail workers tipped off ICE regarding about one person out of around 3,000 released each month. Our records department was complying with those requests with rare occasion. Extremely rare is something that we want to emphasize, she said. ICE said that accessing the jail database made the public safer by ensuring that criminals facing deportation werent released back onto the streets in the U.S. When sanctuary-city policies inhibit ICE officers ability to identify and take custody of criminal aliens in a controlled environment such as local jails, ICE is forced to dedicate its limited resources to track down fugitives and dangerous criminals upon release, said Corey Price, an official with the ICE field office in El Paso, Texas, which covers New Mexico. He said sanctuary policies are misguided efforts by those who ultimately want to shield dangerous criminals from being deported. In Chicago, police are barred from co-operating with immigration authorities in a number of ways, but ICE still had access to its gang database, advocates say. In 2017, the city settled with a man who sued after he was mistakenly placed on a gang database that ICE accessed and used to arrest him. Immigration officers seriously injured the man while arresting him at his home. In Philadelphia, which since 2014 has prohibited its jails from holding detainees for ICE or notifying the agency of release dates, authorities even in high-level administrative posts were still informally working with the federal agency, according to advocates and an investigative report by The Philadelphia Inquirer . The newspaper documented about 10 occasions in which police notified ICE about immigrants they arrested. Blanca Pacheco, co-director of the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia, said that until last year, the citys probation officers, who shared an office building with ICE, were walking clients over directly to the federal agency to turn them in, in violation of the citys directive. Pacheco said the practice stopped when it came to light. She said it went on largely because some people werent trained on the policies. Training is really key because one thing is to win the policy, and another is to train people. There are people that, because of racism, do it, but also there are officers who just dont know, Pacheco said. In another case of behind-the-scenes co-operation, the ACLU reported that ICE uses a license-plate recognition database containing information submitted by some 80 police departments, some of them in sanctuary cities that are not supposed to be co-operating with ICE. Jorge L. Baron, executive director of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, an advocacy and legal services group in the Seattle area, said immigration agents have always found ways to get information on deportable criminals when its not easily accessible. We have to continue working on ways that we can prevent information-sharing, Baron said. On March 5, Dr. Malcolm Moore, the CEO of British Columbias Cancer Agency (BCCA) announced his resignation more than a year before his contract expired. Moore was the third CEO at the agency in six years. His two predecessors also resigned long before their contracts were up. This high-level churn is a signal that something is very wrong at the agency that was once recognized internationally for its leadership in cancer clinical care and research. Prior to 2001, the CEO of the cancer agency reported to the health ministry in B.C. and had responsibility for cancer staffing levels, recruitment and performance across the province. In 2001, the B.C. health ministry ordained structural changes to B.C. health similar to the health system transformation recently announced in Ontario. This resulted in one provincial super agency called the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), as well as five regional health authorities. The provincial agency took over responsibility for cancer care as well as for children, maternal, mental health and emergency medical care. In Ontario, the new provincial super agency is called Ontario Health. The new board was announced last week. At the same time, boards of more than 20 agencies were terminated, meaning that the new directors have already taken over responsibility for all 14 current Ontario regional health authorities, as well as all clinical services, measurement of clinical quality and possibly a new supply chain for Ontario health purchases. The breadth of responsibility of the Ontario super agency is far broader than the B.C. authority. In 2014, Don Carlow, the B.C. cancer CEO prior to 2001, expressed concerns about B.C. cancer care under the new provincial authority. Carlow said the board of the authority was too distant from cancer treatment to provide effective leadership of cancer services. The cancer CEO was now four bureaucratic levels below the ministry of health. This contrasted with the prior situation where the cancer CEO had direct connection to the ministry. Continuing problems with retaining leadership as well as problems with clinician work load, recruitment of front-line staff and prolonged wait times have been evident since Carlows concerns were expressed five years ago. At the time of his recruitment in 2015, Moore described B.C. cancer as follows, B.C. was considered to be one of the pre-eminent cancer systems, and .. in the last five years or so things have slipped while other jurisdictions, like Ontario, have moved forward. Reflecting on the impact of the health authority on cancer providers in B.C., Moore said, everybody has been traumatized to some degree by what happened. Continued concern about clinician morale in cancer and other health authority services led to a third-party medical services review in May 2018. The independent consultant recounted there was insufficient opportunity for medical staff input/consultation as part of PHSAs strategic planning, policy development, health human resources planning and resource allocation processes. There was also a lack of significant input by medical leadership at the PHSA Senior Executive Team meetings. Finally, there was a perception by medical leaders that the board does not fully understand the populations served or the services delivered and is too far removed from medical staff to make informed decisions about patient care. These comments and the leadership crises that have undermined performance in B.C. cancer care are important for the Ontario Health board to consider as they take on their new responsibilities. The B.C. super agency is approaching the end of its second decade so performance issues cannot be blamed on inexperience. Until last week, Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) led Ontarios cancer system and was recognized as an international leader in cancer best practices. Any deterioration in cancer leadership or services will reflect badly on Ontario Health, especially since there was no perceived problem in CCO performance. CCO distributed cancer funding on the ministrys behalf motivated solely by enhancing excellence in cancer care. This focus on excellence is unlikely to continue under Ontario Health since the super agency will have infinitely more responsibilities than the terminated board of Cancer Care Ontario. The importance of governance and leadership in cancer care is recognized around the world. Cancer Care Ontarios board undertook this governance role in exemplary fashion. The new directors of Ontario Health may soon be asking what problem they were trying to solve when they took on responsibility for cancer care in Ontario. To the surprise of absolutely nobody, the meeting in Rome last month between Pope Francis and select Catholic bishops has produced absolutely nothing concrete. Its now clear that no serious reforms are in sight. And its even clearer that no bishop anywhere understands that his office and that of the pope is the biggest problem in desperate need of reform. While bishops fiddled in Rome, Catholics around the world are demanding concrete structural reforms to the church. Part of the unwillingness of the bishops stems, of course, from the age-old problem that those who have power will rarely surrender it voluntarily. But we must also recognize that many Catholics feel handicapped by not having examples of effective models of a restructured church. What if Canada had some answers? What if, reaching back a decade before Confederation, we found a pioneering model for structuring a church that was then a new and revolutionary model but which, in a few short decades, was the norm across our newly confederated country? In 1857, Anglicans in southwestern Ontario in the Diocese of Huron (hugging the lake of that name and headquartered in London, Ont.) made world history by electing their bishop instead of waiting for Queen Victoria to send one. That model was unprecedented at the time, but within a few short decades it spread across Canada and around the world so that today election of bishops is the norm almost everywhere in the global Anglican Communion (except England). But Anglicans in Huron did much more than elect a bishop. They also structured their churches to achieve a marvellous balance of power between three orders: the order of the laity, of the clergy, and of the bishops. No serious electoral or legislative matter can proceed without majority approval in all three orders. Bishops are elected by their people, and accountable to them annually in synods. Clergy are appointed after a parish council comes to an agreement with the bishop on suitable candidates. And if clergy are removed, the parish council must be told why. These two features alone would go a long way to helping the Catholic Church hold bishops accountable and stop them from secretly shuffling abusers from parish to parish. This Anglican system recognizes that each order must be involved in church governance and that nobody should be trusted with a monopoly of power, which is the fatal flaw in the Catholic system, as Canadians have been seeing for a full thirty years now. Back in early 1989, the horrors of Mount Cashel Orphanage in St. Johns began to make headlines across the country, and I have never forgotten the searing reports about the demonic offences committed and covered up by Catholic churchmen. By 1992, the Canadian bishops had published a short booklet on the crisis and I used it at the University of Ottawa to write my first paper on sex abuse in the Church for a child psychology class. It was obvious to me then that the system needed serious reform. In the past year, as I was writing my book Everything Hidden Shall Be Revealed: Ridding the Church of Abuses of Sex and Power (Angelico Press, 2019), I have talked to Catholics in Canada, the U.S., Europe, Malta, and Australia, and the demand for major reforms is higher and more unrelenting than anything I have seen in three decades. Now more than ever Catholics are willing to look to unprecedented places for models of serious restructuring and reform. My book highlights Canadian Anglican structures alongside another improbable source the Armenian Apostolic Church, which even more sharply insists on clear lines of accountability between the people, the priests, and the bishops. Perhaps, as the Catholic Church madly flounders to find models of reform and restructuring, Anglicans and Armenians in Canada can offer their own experiences very much as an ecumenical gift exchange, as the late Pope John Paul II put it. Heaven knows the Catholic Church needs all the help it can get. One of the most powerful newspaper columns ever published was written by Eugene Patterson for The Atlanta Constitution in 1963, after a church bombing in Birmingham, Ala., that killed four little African-American girls. The atrocity was not just a sorrow for the Black community whose children were lost, Patterson wrote. The fault rested not just with the deluded and hate-filled men who planted the bomb. We broke those childrens bodies, he thundered in a piece entitled A Flower for the Graves. We watched the stage set without staying it. We listened to the prologue unbestirred. The same might be said in this country about the tragic life and ghastly death of Tina Fontaine, a 15-year-old Indigenous girl who sought help many times in the weeks before she was found dead in 2014 in Winnipegs Red River. The little girls story a horror of abuse, sexual exploitation, poverty, violence and neglect was told this week in a 115-page report by Manitobas Advocate for Children and Youth, Daphne Penrose. It should shame the nation. In this country of plenty, in this young century, in this nation coming to understand the long-term consequences of its past cruelties, a little girl disappeared and died in plain sight. Worse still, not only did Fontaine receive no help, Penrose said, but many First Nations children even now face similar dangers. They are falling through the cracks of societys safety net, just like Tina, Penrose said. What her report concluded, in essence, is that we in Canada have our own Birmingham bombing, delivered in instalments, taking even more young lives. And we have it for the same reasons of racism and indifference that Eugene Patterson identified almost six decades ago in the American South. We created the day, he wrote. We bear the judgment. Fifty-six years on, adapted but slightly to our own circumstances, we still do. After reading the Penrose report, we should insist that those who represent us ensure all children at risk have safe, secure lodging. We should insist that no child in crisis be dispatched into the night alone, on a bicycle to make her way through the streets. We should demand reform to bureaucracy that has the potential to kill. We should insist that police investigate missing Indigenous children with the same alacrity they presumably would a non-Native child. The responsibility in such horrifying circumstances rests on all of us, Patterson wrote in a single, percussive theme long years ago. We are the ones who have resented the necessary, rationalized the unacceptable and created the day, surely, when these children would die. Daphne Penrose said that Tina Fontaine whose family was affected by a history of residential schools, the Sixties Scoop and the inadequacy of child-welfare agencies carried a burden that was not her own. When her body was found, wrapped in a duvet cover and weighted with rocks, the child who was looking simply for a place where it feels like home, weighed 72 pounds. It is we who need to take up her burden. It is we who must ensure that children in such danger are delivered to a place that feels like home. It is we hearing the warnings who need say, no more. Read more about: Are current mortgage rules too strict? No, March 5 CMHC CEO Evan Siddalls contribution to the Big Debate described the mortgage stress tests like Buckleys cough syrup, as bitter medicine that was working. Siddall concedes that some young Canadians are finding it harder to buy homes. The stress test reduces borrowing power by 15 per cent to 20 per cent. He then congratulates the policies for having created a 5.3 per cent reduction in house prices in Toronto. For the aspiring middle class Canada needs, the net result is a home priced 10 per cent even further away from their ability to buy. If you need an insured mortgage, homebuying is no more affordable today than it was before the stress tests. And yes, these may be more highly leveraged borrowers, but first-time buyers always will be. Isnt this the cohort that the social mechanism of government-backed mortgage insurance is designed to promote? As a reminder, these borrowers pay significant premiums to protect their lenders should they default, with $4 billion in profits going from CMHC to the federal governments general accounts via a recently declared special dividend as proof. Even the NDP not normally associated with the mortgage industry supports our recommendation for 30-year amortizations for first-time homebuyers, because, absent defined-benefit pensions the select few now have, Canadas economy historically relies on young Canadians who can join the middle class via the growing equity (through repayment not just continuous appreciation) in homes they own. Our association has never asked for outright removal of the stress tests; we are reasonably asking for a reduction of them to better counter three Bank of Canada rate hikes in 2018. Without some adjustments, homes will continue to be on sale for the wealthy and unattainable for the young middle class we promised to support. Kawi, 20 Hudson Yards, fifth fl. Eunjo Park. Photo: Andrew Bezek Kawi is a play on the Korean word for scissors, and that tool will be put to good use at New Yorks latest Momofuku restaurant. It will be deployed by executive chef Eunjo Park, known as Jo, a 32-year-old South Korean native who immigrated to Philadelphia when she was 12, and who was inspired to pursue cooking professionally after mastering such Americana as baked chicken and apple dumplings in home-ec class. I learned about American culture through the food, she says. That led to cooking school and stints at Daniel, Le Bec-Fin, Per Se, and Momofuku Ko, then to Korea, where she worked at Gaon in Seoul and staged for a month at Netflix-famous Baekyangsa Buddhist temple. All these influences meld at Kawi, where Park makes her own rice cakes and snips them tableside (thats where the scissors come in). We asked the chef a few questions about her formative food experiences and current cravings. What food reminds you of your childhood? Soybean stew. You can make it with shellfish, meat, whatever you want. Its what my mom made, what my grandma made, and what I make now at home. Whats the strangest thing youve ever eaten? Black olives, the ones that come in a can. After my family moved to the U.S., Id see kids in the cafeteria at school put them on their fingers, and I thought it looked so cool. And then I tried some and I was like, This is so terrible. Whats your favorite non-Momofuku restaurant in New York? I love Xian Famous Foods. I always order No. A-1, cold-skin noodles. I order the tiger salad separately and put them together. Whats always in your fridge? Noodles and my moms kimchee. Shes very serious about her kimchee; she has a dedicated kimchee fridge. Why did you go to Korea to cook? When I was working at Ko, I did get inspired by Korean food, but all I knew was my moms food. I wanted to learn more about the roots of Korean cuisine. Now I cook Korean for my mom. A number of advertisers are distancing themselves from the Fox News Channel shows featuring Tucker Carlson and Jeanine Pirro after the two high-profile hosts were accused of making bigoted statements. Carlson is under fire for misogynistic, homophobic and racist comments unearthed from past radio appearances. Pirro came under scrutiny for comments she made about Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who is Muslim. Both have pushed back against the criticism, but multiple companies have reportedly pulled their support this week. Targeting advertisers with boycott campaigns is a frequent tactic of the networks' critics. Beginning Sunday, Media Matters for America, a watchdog group that monitors conservative media outlets, released several audio clips of Carlson's appearances on the "Bubba the Love Sponge Show," a Tampa, Florida-based radio show, from 2006 to 2011. In one set of recordings, Carlson made controversial statements about child rape and comments that some have called misogynistic. "If you're talking to a feminist and she's giving you, 'Well, you know men really need to be more sensitive,' no actually, men don't need to be more sensitive. You just need to be quiet and do what you're told," he is heard saying in one recording. In another segment, Carlson is heard calling Iraq a "crappy place filled with a bunch of, you know, semiliterate primitive monkeys" and jokingly using a homophobic slur. After the recordings were published, some companies decided to pull their advertisements from Carlson's show. Debby Jennings, a spokeswoman for SHEEX, a bedding company, told The Post on Tuesday that "due to the inappropriate statements of Tucker Carlson that have recently come to light, SHEEX has made the decision to cease advertising on his television program, 'Tucker Carlson Tonight.'" Pharmaceutical company Astra Zeneca tweeted Monday that it had ceased advertising on Carlson's show and would not resume in the future. In a statement to The Washington Post this week, Carlson was defiant. "Media Matters caught me saying something naughty on a radio show more than a decade ago," he said. "Rather than express the usual ritual contrition, how about this: I'm on television every weeknight live for an hour. If you want to know what I think, you can watch. Anyone who disagrees with my views is welcome to come on and explain why." Fox News Channel spokeswoman Carly Shanahan responded to a request for comment by resending a December statement on boycott efforts against Carlson's show. "We cannot and will not allow voices like Tucker Carlson to be censored by agenda-driven intimidation efforts from the likes of Moveon.org, Media Matters and Sleeping Giants," the December statement said. Pirro also faced wide condemnation - including a rebuke from Fox News Channel - for suggesting on her Saturday show that Omar, who has criticized pro-Israel lobbyists, did not support the Constitution because she was Muslim and wore a hijab. "Omar wears a hijab, which, according to the Koran 33:59, tells women to cover so they won't get molested," Pirro said Saturday. "Is her adherence to this Islamic doctrine indicative of her adherence to sharia law, which in itself is antithetical to the United States Constitution?" Novo Nordisk, another pharmaceutical company, told The Post it was "reevaluating" its ads on Pirro's show. Spokesman Ken Inchausti confirmed that Novo Nordisk will continue to advertise elsewhere on Fox News. "We absolutely condemn Ms. Pirro's comments, which are offensive and completely contrary to our values," a spokesperson for Letgo, a website for buying and selling used goods, told the Hollywood Reporter. "We are in the process of ensuring our ads will no longer run during her show." NerdWallet also told the Hollywood Reporter that "we're no longer advertising on this show and don't have plans to in the future." ThinkProgress reported that Botox manufacturer Allergan and GreatCall, a health technology company, would not advertise their products on Pirro's show going forward. Representatives for Letgo, Allergan, GreatCall and NerdWallet did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment. Pirro later denied saying Omar was "un-American." "I've seen a lot of comments about my opening statement from Saturday night's show and I did not call Rep. Omar un-American," she said. "My intention was to ask a question and start a debate, but of course because one is Muslim does not mean you don't support the Constitution." Fox News Channel's hosts have previously faced companies pulling advertisements from their shows over controversial comments. Companies withdrew their ads from Laura Ingraham's show last year after she mocked one of the young Parkland gun control advocates for being rejected from colleges. In December, more than a dozen companies pulled ads from "Tucker Carlson Tonight" after Carlson implied immigration "makes our own country poorer and dirtier and more divided." But as The Post's media reporter Paul Farhi noted in December after Carlson's immigration comments, these advertiser decisions don't tend to affect the company's bottom line and the commercials can be aired at other times. However, that did not stop activists from trying the tactic again on Wednesday. A small crowd of about 150 turned out on Wednesday morning at Fox headquarters in Midtown Manhattan to pressure the network's advertisers. The gathering, which was organized by Media Matters, was designed to coincide with the network's first-ever upfront presentation, which featured over 100 advertisers. The network was "extremely proud to open our doors," Fox News Channel's Marianne Gambelli said in a statement. Some members of the crowd carried signs with slogans like "Fox News is Bad for Business," before dispersing at about noon. - - - The Washington Post's Shivani Vora contributed to this report from New York. With its CEO describing 2019 a reset year, General Electric disclosed Thursday it expects to absorb two more years of losses from its GE Capital division based in Norwalk, before hitting breakeven as insurance losses ebb and it finds buyers for some of GE Capitals portfolio of loans. GE gave investors an update on Thursday of its business outlook for 2019 and beyond, with shares up 4 percent as of mid-morning to $10.40. The company has scheduled its general shareholder annual meeting for May 8 in Tarrytown, N.Y., less than an hour from its former headquarters office in Fairfield. On Thursday, GE reported it slashed roughly 10,000 corporate jobs last year through the sale of businesses and internal moves, with the company promising more actions underway on Thursday as it looks to strip $500 million out of its net corporate costs by the year 2021. The company expects to spend $2.4 billion this year on restructuring actions, without stating any overall impact on jobs it may cut or transfer through divestments. GE recently reneged on a pledge to build its Boston headquarters staff to 800 people after moving its main office there in 2016 in a relocation that had included Massachusetts incentives it has now turned away as a result of that decision. The companys shares got a boost last month after GE announced the $21.4 billion sale of its GE BioPharma unit to Danaher, whose former CEO Larry Culp Jr. was installed last October as CEO of GE. Shares had dropped since, however, closing at $9.11 on March 6, and having traded as low as $6.66 last December. We do not need any convincing that we can and should be better, Culp said Thursday in a conference call with investors. Simply put, we have too much debt and we need to reduce it thoughtfully and quickly. Serious turnaround mode At last report, GE had about 1,400 employees in Norwalk between GE Capital and corporate functions, including tax planners. The company declined last month to provide an update on how many people it employs in Norwalk. GE expects its finance subsidiary to produce losses of between $500 million and $800 million this year, and to near the break-even mark in 2020. By the following year, it expects GE Capital to be contributing profits again to the corporate parent on income from a portfolio of financial assets expected to be valued between $103 billion and $105 billion, versus $109 billion entering this year. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group reached a deal in January to acquire GE Capitals supply chain finance business, which runs an accelerated payment program that suppliers can use to have their customers pay off their invoices ahead of due dates in exchange for discounts. The companies did not disclose financial terms of the deal, which could be complicated depending on the willingness of some of those customers to make the transition to MUFG which has its main U.S. office in New York City. We (have) ... some expectation on leakage, said Jamie Miller, chief financial officer of GE, speaking Thursday. As suppliers transition, participation rates could change they could opt out of the program. GEs power business remains in a serious turnaround mode as Culp put it Thursday, including the utility grid businesses GE acquired from Alstom in 2015, in a deal engineered by former CEO Jeff Immelt. Culp likened to inheritance taxes the business liabilities GE took on in the deal like pension costs, legal liabilities and costs to undertake upcoming project commitments. This is not going to be quick by any stretch, Culp said. We were slow to embrace market realities and as a result, we were slow to address our cost structure. Separately on Thursday, the head of GE Aviation referenced the Ethiopian Airlines crash last week that has led to a worldwide grounding of Boeing 737 Max 8 jets that use engines from GE Aviations CFM International joint venture with Safran. Investigators have focused attention on whether the aircrafts software had any role in putting the aircraft into a downward descent, and whether pilots attempted to counter that descent. There is no more important imperative than getting to root cause and corrective action for the flying public, said GE Aviation CEO David Joyce on Thursday. Their confidence in the safety of flight is the foundation of our entire industry, and we all take that responsibility as paramount. GE Aviation recently won a U.S. Department of Defense competition to design the newest iteration of engines for Black Hawk utility helicopters built by the Stratford-based Sikorsky Aircraft subsidiary of Lockheed Martin and Boeing AH-64 Apache combat helicopters, with GE contemplating orders of as much as $20 billion as a result of the contract. Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman General Electric Co. jumped as new boss Larry Culp pledged a rebound in cash flow next year after a "reset" in 2019. Although the company could burn as much as $2 billion this year in the effort to restore its battered balance sheet, the chief executive officer vowed "significant improvement" in free cash flow from GE's manufacturing businesses over the next few years. "I don't want to oversimplify -- there's a lot of work to do," Culp said in an interview after GE revealed its 2019 forecast. But the company is increasingly confident that many of the recent headwinds "will lessen as we go forward." The comments eased investor fears that Culp stoked last week when he warned that the company would post negative industrial free cash flow this year as it tries to revive the ailing power business. While both cash and profit will remain weak in 2019, the upbeat longer-term view suggested that less than six months into his tenure, the CEO sees a path to recovery. "GE remains a battleground stock, but we believe that having Mr. Culp draw the line in the sand today with his targets and vision for the turnaround should bolster the bull case," Deane Dray, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, said in a note to investors. The prospect for a cash-flow recovery was "the biggest positive disclosure.'' GE rose 2.7 percent to $10.29 at 12:23 p.m. in New York. The shares gained 32 percent in 2019 through Wednesday, recovering a portion of last year's 57 percent loss, the worst annual decline since at least the early 1970s. The turnaround still faces hurdles, including $25 billion in borrowing that matures in 2020. "Simply put, we have too much debt," he said. "General Electric's credit ratings and outlook may be at risk following the company's 2019 guidance, which is below consensus and will likely lead to missed rater expectations. Ratings companies anticipate positive free cash flow," said Bloomberg Intelligence credit analyst Joel Levington. As a part of its deleveraging plan for this year and next, GE is considering buying back debt through a tender offer, though it didn't specify the amount. The company has only about $1 billion coming due this year and doesn't plan to issue new debt, which could be used to refinance outstanding obligations, until 2021. Culp still hasn't shaken the cash woes that have plagued GE throughout its slump. The industrial free cash flow of zero to negative $2 billion that the Boston-based company projected for this year falls well short of the $4.5 billion generated in 2018. The drain will be most pronounced in the power business, where cash flow will be worse than last year's $2.7 billion outflow. Cash flow will also drop in the renewable-energy and health-care units, GE said. The figure will be little changed in the jet-engine operation. Still, the cash outlook is better than some had feared, John Walsh, an analyst with Credit Suisse, said in a note. Investors keep a close eye on industrial free cash flow, which is considered an indicator of the health of GE's nonfinance businesses. Fixing power is a top priority for Culp, who has already split the business in two and brought back former GE executive John Rice to run the gas operations. The company is dismantling the power-unit headquarters and expects a 20 percent reduction in costs over the next two years. The business, which makes and services gas turbines, has struggled with a range of problems, from poor management, to technical issues, to falling demand for gas-fueled power. GE also made an ill-timed acquisition of Alstom SA's energy business, which contributed to a $22 billion charge last year. Culp has said it will take several years to return the business to health. While cash flow will still be down next year in GE Power, the company expects improvement and a return to positive territory in 2021. GE expects to spend $2.4 billion to $2.7 billion this year on restructuring. With the power-unit overhaul, the company is targeting cuts in indirect and corporate costs rather than a massive consolidation of its footprint. Adjusted earnings will be 50 cents to 60 cents a share this year, GE said. Wall Street had been anticipating 67 cents, according to the average of analysts' estimates compiled by Bloomberg. This year will be "challenging," Culp said, but there's reason to think there's a recovery ahead. "That's the picture we painted today." - - - Bloomberg's Molly Smith contributed. Every Sunday and Monday is Kerala Fried Chicken night at Bombay Bread Bar. Photo: Melissa Hom When chefs get tired of cooking the same old thing, theres two options: Create new dishes or cook something entirely different. Recently, theres been an uptick in specialty nights at notable restaurants throughout the city, including a classic Sunday roast-chicken dinner at Flora Bar on the Upper East Side; a weekly meal at Sunday in Brooklyn, dedicated to old-school Italian fare; and a Japanese curry night at Williamsburg favorite Marlow & Sons, an ode to chef Patch Troffers Japanese heritage and a new direction for the restaurants menu. I like the process of just making the curry or any long process food thats really warming and soulful, Troffer says. People are really open and excited about it, and for some of them, its their first time trying this food. Here are all the specialty nights worth checking out at New York City restaurants right now. Kerala Fried Chicken Where: Bombay Bread Bar How Much: $41 In Soho, chef Floyd Cardoz has turned fried chicken on its head with a Sunday and Monday dinner special inspired by street food in the South South India, to be specific. For his significantly more flavorful take, Cardoz marinates chicken thighs overnight in a mixture of lime juice, coconut oil, curry leaves, cumin, coriander, garlic, and ginger before dusting it with rice flour and deep frying the chicken in canola oil. The result is fried chicken that is not only crunchy, but actually tastes good under all that crackly skin. Its meant to be shared, so bring a friend along to dig in. Noodle Night Where: Meat Hook at Threes Brewing When: A la carte The folks at butcher-grocer Meat Hook have friends in all the right places, and that shows when it comes to their many dinner series including the recently launched Noodle Night, a weekly Monday night dinner series at Threes Brewing in Gowanus. If you havent had the pleasure of checking it out, theres still two to go: an unmissable collaboration with Vietnamese hot spot Di An Di on March 18 and a final night with Hanoi Soup Shop, a spinoff of the very popular Hanoi House. Each Noodle Night kicks off at 5 p.m., so come early and come hungry. Sunday Roast Chicken Dinner Where: Flora Bar How Much: $50 for a half chicken or $100 for a whole chicken What better way to spend a Sunday night than digging into a family-style meal at a museum? Flora Bar recently launched a weekly special centered around a whole or half roasted chicken. To accompany said chicken, the staff serves deviled eggs, potato gratin, roasted squash, chicory salad, and extremely old-school, but always good Parker house rolls. Get saucy at Sunday in Brooklyn. Photo: Melissa Hom Red Sauce Sundays Where: Sunday in Brooklyn How Much: A la carte or $79 prix-fixe for two If youre not fortunate enough to have a nonna, Sunday in Brooklyn has launched a dinner series thatll make you feel like you do. The Williamsburg restaurants Red Sauce Sunday is an ode to old-school Italian dinners and features all the classics, like baked ziti, penne alla vodka, chicken parm, eggplant puttanesca, Caesar salad, gabagool, fresh focaccia and more. Everythings available a la carte, but youd be doing yourself a disservice if you didnt grab a friend and go all in on the prix-fixe option featuring all of the above. This Must Be the Place Where: Root & Bone How Much: A la carte This pop-up bar series is a vehicle for comedian and bartender Griffin Hennelly, whos created cocktails that come with jokes included (like the Personal Insult, where he roasts you while he makes the drink). But theres also a down-home food element: Along with the drinks, Root & Bone is serving a special late-night menu of pimento grilled bacon, egg, and cheese; fried wings; and fried green tomatoes, or basically a comedy show with food. It kicks off at 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night. Sunday Supper Where: Fancy Nancy How Much: $26/person What sets this Brooklyn restaurants Sunday dinner apart from all the others is that its constantly changing, so while you could be enjoying kung pao chicken, coconut tapioca pudding, and white wine one week, next weeks dinner might be all about seafood stew and cinnamon-sugar cream puffs. The theme is announced every week via the Fancy Nancy Instagram page, or theres the always exciting prospect of living dangerously and just showing up for whatevers in store. Sunday Night Dinner Series Where: 10 Corso Como How Much: $39/person New York isnt exactly hurting when it comes to Italian restaurants, but few Italian restaurants come with a retail arm and a reputation for revitalizing Milan, Italy. So, color us interested in this very new series at Italian import 10 Corso Como, where Momofuku alum Jordan Frosolone serves a three-course Italian dinner every Sunday. Among the options are beef meatballs with mozzarella and basil, bacon-wrapped scallions, tuna carpaccio, seven kinds of pasta (the Underground Gourmet highly recommend the cacio e pepe), and tiramisu for dessert. The Curry Night special at Marlow & Sons is ever-changing, but always good. Photo: Melissa Hom Curry Night Where: Marlow & Sons How Much: $24/person The new Japanese curry dinner at Marlow & Sons is part of a bigger push by chef Patch Troffer to showcase his experience with Japanese cooking techniques as well as an ode to his Japanese-born grandmother. Every Tuesday, patrons are invited to dig into a bowl of furikake-speckled rice served with a revolving menu of tonkatsu cutlets (including heritage pork, golden tilefish, and locally raised beef) and thick curry made using an in-house roux and spice mix. On the side, Troffer serves pickles of the seven gods, or seven different seasonal vegetables pickled with sugar, salt, and brine. Were not really doing Japanese food, Troffer says. Its Japanese-American farm food thats rustic and clean and mixed with the traditions of my grandma. Chimek Monday Where: Insa How Much: $30 for half chicken and $50 for whole chicken This weekly dinner has been around for a little under a year, but still cant be beat. Every Monday, this Korean barbecue spot celebrates all things KFC, or Korean fried chicken, with Chimek Monday. Its pretty straightforward: Get a half chicken and a pitcher of beer or a whole chicken and a pitcher of beer. Diners get to choose how their chicken is dressed (options include sweet soy garlic, Carolina mustard barbecue, honey tamarind, and more) and the rest is pretty self-explanatory. Sunday Roast Where: The NoMad Bar How Much: $75/person In keeping with their tradition of elevating bar food, the NoMad Bar has a new Sunday Roast dinner featuring highbrow takes on pub classics. The three-course prix-fixe dinner starts with a caramelized onion tarte and potted trout dip. For the main course theres slow-cooked leg of lamb with Yorkshire pudding. And dessert is banoffee pie, a cross between bananas and toffee with some cream thrown in for good measure. Should you truly want to live like the Queen of England, diners can add black truffles and foie gras for a little extra. Are you a conservative who is wary of dining out while wearing your red "Make America Great Again" hat? Do you wish you knew where you could freely sport a "Trump 2020" shirt while running errands? There's an app for that. Earlier this month, an Oklahoma developer launched "63red Safe," described as "an app to keep conservatives safe as they eat and shop." The idea, according to founder Scott Wallace, is to "simply get these politics out of restaurants and businesses" - by gauging whether they would be friendly to conservatives. "Reviews of local restaurant and businesses from a conservative perspective, helping (ensure that) you're safe when you shop and eat!" reads the app's description in the Google Play store. Wallace, who describes himself as a lifelong Republican, said he conceived of the idea in November, when he was out with his youngest child and considered buying "one of those MAGA hats." Then he wondered whether it would make them targets for harassment, even in Oklahoma City. Just a few months before, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders had been asked to leave the Red Hen, a restaurant in western Virginia, because she worked for President Donald Trump, he noted. "I thought, 'Maybe this isn't the right thing to do,' " Wallace told The Washington Post in a phone interview Monday, talking about displaying his support for Trump. "That was very uncomfortable for me. I don't want to be a nation where putting Che Gueverra on a T-shirt . . . or wearing a MAGA hat . . . makes you a target." So he and two associates set out to develop something like a Yelp app, one that would evaluate establishments on four questions: - Does this business serve persons of every political belief? - Will this business protect its customers if they are attacked for political reasons? - Does this business allow legal concealed carry under this state's laws? - Does this business avoid politics in its ads and social media postings? "The questions, as you read through them, are designed to be apolitical," Wallace said. But he admits that the aim is ultimately to help identify whether businesses are "safe" for conservatives. "The truth is, from a political standpoint - not talking religion or race or sexuality - conservatives are under physical attack," Wallace said, citing an altercation in which a conservative activist was punched at University of California, Berkeley. "The best way to describe it, to me, is there's sort of a general unease among conservatives right now. And whether it's real or imagined, I don't know. . . . I want to call out those local businesses" where an attack against conservatives does or could manifest. Wallace said the reviews will be crowdsourced and rely on "the honor and trustworthiness of the reviewers themselves," much like Yelp does. "Fox & Friends" featured the app in a segment Monday morning, dubbing it "Yelp for conservatives." Shortly afterward, the "63red" servers crashed because of overwhelming interest, Wallace said. The company accused Facebook, the source of the app's location data, of cutting it off because of its conservative politics. "Apparently, 'Doing business while #conservative' is a real thing," 63red's Twitter account posted Monday morning. "Thanks to Facebook, where we get our location info, 63red Safe can't get any data. Our sincere apologies while we call Congress and try to break up this tech monopoly . . . " The tweet was later deleted. Wallace said that it was "a mistake made in annoyance" and that he vowed to work with Facebook to resolve the issue soon. "Here's how I view this. There's Facebook, Google, Apple, Microsoft . . . at every one of these companies, there are 'low-level functioners,' people who have the levers and switches to get things done but aren't up there in the vice presidential level," Wallace said. He said he suspects there are "socialist embeds" operating as those "low-level functioners," who actively worked against conservatives. "When I have a little trouble at the lower levels, they're happy to work with me at the higher levels," Wallace added. Facebook representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. On Monday, the ratings for "63red" on Google Play and Apple's app store hovered around 2.5 out of 5 stars, thanks to dozens of polarized reviews. Some praised its aim: "Finally, I am able to avoid places which don't respect America and US Constitution. Eat your heart out, snowflakes," wrote one user who rated the app five stars. Others promised to use it to identify MAGA-friendly establishments for a contrary purpose - "so you know what business to avoid and boycott," according to someone who rated the app one star. Wallace said he is ignoring the hate mail and "annoyed tweets" the company has received and is focusing on a bigger picture: creating apps under the "63red" umbrella aimed at younger conservatives so the brand can "be a factor in the 2020 elections, both at the local and national level." He also emphasized that there is no hidden message or conspiracy theory behind the app's name, which he chose at random. "Everyone asks. It means nothing at all, absolutely nothing," he said. "It's a good-looking logo. It's a unique name." Toyota Motor Corp., leery of Donald Trump's threats to raise tariffs on cars and auto parts, is adding about $3 billion to a years-long U.S. investment plan announced just before the "America first" president took office. The added spending raises the amount Toyota is investing in the U.S. to almost $13 billion over a five-year period ending in 2021. This includes a new $750 million outlay across several plants, the most noteworthy being for retooling a factory in Kentucky to build gas-electric versions of the top-selling RAV4 crossover and Lexus ES sedan. "Today's news really builds on our already expansive presence in the U.S.," Jim Lentz, chief executive officer of Toyota North America, told reporters on a conference call. "At a time when others are scaling back, we believe in the strength of America." Japan's largest automaker has tried to work its way into Trump's good graces after being a target of his tweets when he was still president-elect in January 2017. Days after drawing criticism for plans to build Corolla cars in Mexico, Toyota announced a $10 billion, five-year investment plan. In August of that year, it unveiled plans with Mazda Motor Corp. to jointly build a $1.6 billion factory in Alabama. Lentz said the decision to further amp up the investment reflects Toyota's credo to build cars where they're sold, as well as increasing U.S. demand for its vehicles. But he also said a new North American trade deal and tariff threats also contributed to the moves. "I'd be disingenuous if I said we didn't have an eye on trade," he said. Trump congratulated Toyota by tweet about 80 minutes after the company's announcement and linked the investment to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, the still un-ratified deal intended to replace NAFTA. While Lentz didn't identify other companies that are scaling back in the U.S., Toyota's announcement comes a week after General Motors shut the first of four plants it's closing in the country over the next year as it jettisons slow-selling sedans. Ford Motor Co. also is eliminating thousands of jobs in the midst of an $11 billion restructuring. For all of Toyota's efforts to appease Trump, it's far from out of the woods. The president asked the Commerce Department last year to investigate whether imported cars and parts pose a national security threat, and has been mulling a potential increase in tariffs to as much as 25 percent. Toyota and other automakers have warned this would harm the economy by jacking up car prices -- even of U.S.-built models like the Camry sedan -- and undercutting sales. The only hybrids Toyota makes now in the U.S. are gas-electric versions of its Camry and Avalon sedans and the Highlander sport utility vehicle. Building the RAV4 hybrid in Kentucky reduces trade risk for a key model that's been entirely imported from Canada and Japan. Toyota isn't ruling out eventually producing a gasoline-only version of the RAV4 in Kentucky if demand for the vehicle continues to grow, Chris Reynolds, chief administrative officer for North America, told reporters. The company already produces the conventional Lexus ES in Kentucky. Lentz said about 10 percent of ES and roughly 12 percent RAV4 sales in the U.S. last year were for the gas-electric versions. "We think there's going to be increased demand, especially for hybrids," he said. Colter Peterson | St. Louis Post-Dispatch (AP) WATERLOO (AP) Authorities say a 4-year-old boy and his grandparents were rescued after their small plane crashed in southern Illinois. The fixed-wing single-engine Piper PA-32 was traveling from Mobile, Alabama, when it went down Tuesday in rural Monroe County on its way to St. Louis Downtown Airport in Cahokia. As President Donald Trump's energy czar and former governor of the biggest source of American oil, Rick Perry had a startling response to the author of the Green New Deal: Let's talk. Perry, in an appearance at the biggest North American energy conference on Wednesday, said he's interested in "getting together and having a conversation" with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., about the low-carbon blueprint intended to free the country from fossil-fuel dependence in a decade. His remarks came just minutes after a small coterie of sign- and microphone-wielding climate activists mounted an unsuccessful bid to disrupt the gathering, itself an almost-unheard of occurrence in a city that embraces the oil industry like no other. The night before, BP Chief Executive Officer Bob Dudley struck a similar tone, telling about 5,000 executives, consultants and journalists gathered for CERAWeek by IHS Markit that the oil industry needs to engage with policymakers, "including those behind the Green New Deal." "I don't think that the representative should be castigated and pushed aside just on the face of her comments relative to that she wants to live in a place where there's clean air and clean water. So do I," Perry said. "How can we get there?" Such comments wouldn't be unusual at a European oil conference but CERAWeek is an event that has been dominated by executives promoting crude and natural gas development. The shift in tone and the advent of homegrown protesters may be indicative of rising social pressure for climate-friendly practices. "Shareholders are increasingly asking how our strategies relate to the Paris goals," Dudley said in reference to a global climate deal signed in the French capital. "There is a rising tide of concern on many fronts about the lack of progress on climate issues -- not just concern: anger." "There will be places we disagree," the Republican Perry said in reference to the freshman congresswoman who calls herself a Democratic socialist. "But the idea that we have to be disagreeable. I'm just sorry. I've been in this business now for a pretty good spell, and I'd rather be agreeable." Equinor, the Norwegian energy company which recently dropped the word oil from its name, was equally critical of the industry, warning about the consequences of climate change at CERAWeek. Equinor CEO Eldar Saetre said that oil majors will need to invest more in renewable energy under pressure from shareholders. On Tuesday, the top U.S. executive at Royal Dutch Shell had strong words on climate change, directly challenging the Trump administration. "At Shell, we generally don't make a habit of trying to tell governments how to do their jobs," said Gretchen Watkins, head of U.S. operations. "I am breaking that rule today to request that the Environmental Protection Agency continue the direct regulation of methane emissions." CERAWeek comes weeks after climate change and the energy transition were key themes at the annual International Petroleum Week in London, another top oil industry conference. It's also occurring amid a push in the U.S. House of Representatives for a stronger response to climate change. For Big Oil, the trouble is more acute as it needs to carefully make bets outside petroleum in a rapidly evolving landscape. "The market and policy signals in areas like solar and electrification are already becoming much stronger and we are starting to lay down some bigger bets," Dudley said in his speech, which was received with muted applause before proceedings moved on to a question-and-answer session. He also expressed support for natural gas, a cleaner form of energy. But he's confident that the industry could adapt. "We can readily reshape BP however fast the energy transition unfolds -- and I'm sure it's a similar story at the other majors," he said. - - - Bloomberg's Catherine Ngai contributed. EDWARDSVILLE Two Republican county board members said Wednesday they are troubled and outraged over a clerical error that led to a former Democratic prosecutor getting his driving privileges back after a second charge of driving under the influence. However, a Democrat circuit clerk said the Republicans were making political hay out of a tragedy. Board Member Mike Walters, R-Godfrey, called a news conference to discuss the fact that a clerical error Circuit Clerk Mark Von Nidas office allowed former U.S. Attorney Steven Wigginton to regain his driving privileges. Wigginton still faces a felony driving under the influence charge and could have his license revoked, if convicted. Walters called the news conference to say he is disheartened and troubled by the developments and announced a special meeting 6:30 p.m. Thursday to discuss the matter. We want to get to the bottom of this, he said. Wigginton was arrested a second time New Years Eve, a second charge. He was entitled to a hearing on the matter, but scheduling error in the circuit clerks office resulted in a missed deadline, a cancelled hearing and a judge rescinding the suspension. Board member Chrissy Dutton, R-Bethalto, said her brother was killed by a drunk driver, and she is outraged that a clerical error benefited a powerful and politically connected person like Wigginton. The meeting room in which the conference was held was packed with Republican officials, as well as many members of Von Nidas staff. Von Nida took a seat in the chair originally occupied by Walters and gave his side of the story. I, too, am outraged, he said. Wigginton does not deserve to having his driving privileges restored, he said. He noted that everyone on his staff, including the clerical worker who made the mistake, are mortified by the developments. He noted that he went public with the problem without prompting from anyone. He said he intends to correct the problem, which includes more drivers than just Wigginton, but it does not serve any purpose to hold a press conference on the matter. He hinted there are medical issues involved but declined to go into details. When asked, Walters said the purpose of the press conference and the special meeting are not political. A DUI is not political, he said. Von Nida disagreed. There would not be a press conference if there were no political hay being made. It is sad to see political hay being made from somebody elses tragedy, somebody elses mistake, he said. DORSEY An aggressive fire made quick work of a home at Rocky Branch Stables on Rocky Branch Road in rural Moro Township in Madison County Saturday night. Dorsey Volunteer Fire Department crews were first called to the final home at the end of Rocky Branch Road at approximately 8:15 p.m. Occupants there reported that everyone was out of the home, and the roof was on fire. By the time fire crews arrived on the scene, the home was fully engulfed and could not be saved. No injuries were reported. The first caller from the home told dispatchers they suspected a lightning strike to be the cause. A neighbor in the area told a Telegraph reporter that there didnt appear to be much lightning in the area at the time of the fire, but said an official told them the fire could have been sparked when high winds in combination with soft, rain-soaked ground could have resulted in a downed power line falling on the home. No official cause was known Saturday night into Sunday morning. At least three, likely four or more, tenders rotated in and out from the scene for several hours, refilling water supplies at Rocky Branch and Bethalto Road. Multiple departments responded to the Dorsey call to provide mutual aid, including Prairietown, Fosterburg, Holiday Shores and Bunker Hill. No horses appeared to be injured in the fire, and flames did not reach nearby stables. A large propane tank on the side of the home did not ignite. Rocky Branch Sporthorses & Riding Academy, LLC, run by the Teepe family, offers multiple equestrian training, education and boarding services. The majority of online reviews for the company give them 5/5 stars. It was in just Dec. 19, 2018 that an adjacent home in the 4800 block of Rocky Branch Road, owned by the Crews Family was destroyed by fire, due to an apparent electrical malfunction. A GoFundMe for the Crews family recently peaked at $19,245 of a $15,000 goal. Members of that family were on their property, in the process of being rebuilt, after Saturday nights fire occurred nearby. When asked about the recent fire, a man there shook his head and pointed in the direction of Bethalto, where a fire last week resulted in the death of Godfrey Fire Capt. Jake Ringering and serious injuries to colleague Luke Warner. Were fine, were good, thank God, he said. Thats the real tragedy. GODFREY Economic development was the main focus of questions and comments by Godfrey trustee candidates at a forum Wednesday evening at Lewis and Clark Community College. Six candidates are seeking three seats on the board in the April 2 election. Incumbents Ben Allen, Joseph Springman III and Karen McAtee are being challenged by Richard Dick Jones, Jerome Jacobs and Virginia Wolfe-Beille. About 110 people attended the forum, sponsored by the East End Improvement Association and the North Alton-Godfrey Business Council. Five of the six candidates participated. McAtee was unable to attend because she had emergency eye surgery. A statement from her was read by moderator Steve Schwartz. The forum began with each candidate introducing themselves, then Schwartz asked a series of seven questions, ranging from the effects of the new $15 per hour minimum wage to what the village should do with proceeds from the sale of its sewer system to Illinois American Water Co. In opening statements, Allen noted he has lived in the area for more than 70 years. An attorney, business owner and developer, Allen said he has a lot of experience in a number of areas, but being newly appointed to the Village Board, was still learning the legislative side of it. Wolfe-Beille, a lifelong area resident, said she brings more than 30 years experience working with municipalities in a number of roles. She also cited extensive experience with budgets, project management and grant writing. I believe I can put my experience to good use to benefit the residents of this area, she said. She cited working with the Sierra Club, and helping establish the Godfrey Climate Protection and Energy Efficiency Committee, which she now chairs. I want to see Godfrey continue to be a quality area to raise a family and start a business, she said. She cited the idea of smart growth, by developing areas coming out of the villages core areas, rather than haphazard development. She also cited support for the Godfrey Fire Protection District. Jacobs, a life-long Godfrey resident, said his goals are to be open-minded, seek consensus, be a good listener and bring a common sense approach to government. I think civic involvement is a very important responsibility, he said. I want to help keep Godfrey a wonderful place to live. He also cited the need to improve infrastructure, including parks. Jones noted that honesty and integrity is vital. I still believe that honesty is the best policy, and there seems to be a scarcity of that, he said, adding he is for the people of Godfrey. He noted that he tries to make local purchases, and believes growth is important for the village. Godfrey is not growing much, he said. Our tax base is kind of stable, our taxes have not risen. Springman cited numerous accomplishments during his first term, including: road and bridge improvements; demolition of unsafe and unsightly structures, the relocation of Godfrey Public Works, lighting ball fields, bike and pedestrian trails. If reelected, he would continue some of those efforts, especially road and bridge infrastructure. He also said the village needs to address drainage issues, and support fire and police services. In a written statement, McAtee said that in her first term, including serving as mayor pro tem, she has learned so much about our community, and am eager to learn more. Among her goals were the combination of the village and township and the sale of the wastewater sewer system, which are both now under way; lighting ball parks and expanding bike trails and sidewalks. She also cited the need to continue improving roads and encouraging future growth. Questions center on growth, development The first question dealt with Godfreys property tax rate, which has remained relatively stable for the past decade. All said they wanted to keep taxes low. Allen said he was proud of the village, and didnt want Godfrey to incur debt. As a taxpayer in Godfrey, Im glad my taxes are not going up, Wolf-Beille said. I think we need to look for alternative ways to fund projects in our community. She added they need to find ways to assist the fire district. Jacobs said the village needs to generate more business growth to keep taxes low, while Jones noted that Godfrey has surplus funds and with the sale of the sewer system has shed its biggest liability. He said there was some hanky-panky regarding the sale of the sewer system, but did not elaborate, and said he hoped the board would make judicious use of the funds. While Springman said he supports keeping taxes low, over the years his property taxes have increased overall, but Godfreys portion has actually shrunk. Im all about keeping taxes low, but our roads need to be prepared, he said. As long as we can keep everything protected, and our roads were everybody likes them, I have no problem. But if you want the road to your house fixed or something like that, you might have to (pay for it). The second question dealt with the candidates vision for the village. Wolf-Beille reiterated the idea of smart growth from residential and economic hubs, rather than scattered development from throughout the village. Theres a lot of land in Godfrey, she said. When we start remote developments and we have to get emergency services out top them, and we have to get utilities and services out to them, its not the best use of taxpayers money. Adhering to smart growth principals would be the most judicious way to grow. Smart growth principals growing from residential and economic hubs. Theres a lot of land in Godfrey, she said. When we start remote developments and we have to get emergency services out top them, and we have to get utilities and services out to them, its not the best use of taxpayers money. Adhering to smart growth principals would be the most judicious way to grow. Jacobs emphasized developing a growth plan, then sticking to it and executing it. Then I think you will see growth, he said. Jones said the village is not growing now, and said real growth will come from small businesses. He noted that one of the biggest hindrances is the cost of land for larger developments. Theres all kinds of land that is open, but its prohibitively expensive, he said. Springman cited growth in Edwardsville, noting that 25 years ago the city built Governors Parkway. He said Godfrey is trying to do something similar with the Lars Hoffman Crossing. We have to have a place for (growth) to happen, he said. We have to have infrastructure in. Allen said he agreed that Lars Hoffman Crossing was important, but also said the village needs to think outside the box and consider developing a community or cultural center. The next question dealt with the minimum wage, with most candidates saying raising it to $15 was a bad idea. Wolfe-Beille said it will give dignity to a lot of people. It might raise some prices, but added it will make a huge difference in the lives of struggling families. Other questions dealt with how the village markets property near the Illinois 255/U.S. 67 intersection, with candidates reiterating many of the points made previously. They were also asked what to do with several vacant properties, specifically the public works facility and the Hiway House property. Candidates said small businesses should be encouraged to locate at those locations. When asked what the village should do with money generated by the sale of the wastewater sewer system. Most said there needs to be some kind of rainy day fund, and also emphasized infrastructure improvements. Allen said some money could be used as seed money for a cultural/civic center. Wolfe-Beille said she wanted to hear what voters wanted to do, noting she has heard that road and drainage issues are important. There is a lot of road work that needs to be done in the future, Jacobs said. Thats a good area to look at for using some of those funds. Springman said in addition to roads, storm water drainage has to be considered. We have people coming to the board meetings all the time with storm water issues, he said. We have very little money to help them. After the forum, Schwartz said he thought it went well. I thought the questions were excellent and I thought all the candidates did a good job in answering them, he said. We were right on time, which can be unusual. I think development was the big question, he added. Theres a lot of vacant land out there, and 255 is a big issue. Early on-site voting begins March 18, and Election Day is April 2. For information visit www.madisonvotes.com. Reach reporter Scott Cousins at 618-208-6447. WOODSTOCK (AP) Hundreds of mourners packed a high school gymnasium Wednesday to remember a northern Illinois sheriffs deputy who was shot and killed while trying to serve an arrest warrant at a hotel. The main gym at Woodstock North High School was filled during the funeral for McHenry County Sheriffs Deputy Jacob Keltner. More people were in an overflow area. Law enforcement representatives attended from across the region. The Rev. Kendall Koenig, senior pastor of Light of Christ Lutheran Church in Algonquin, spoke about the 35-year-old Crystal Lake deputys family. Koenig said Keltner recently built zip lines for his sons toys in their basement. Friends, we are not heroes because of how we die, Koenig said. We are heroes for how we live and you have lived it, Koenig said of Keltner. Mourners also left notes and flowers on a sheriffs squad car parked in Woodstock and dedicated to Keltner, a 12 -year veteran of the sheriffs office. Keltners wife wrote an open letter to her husband Monday, saying she would give anything for one more hug, joke or I love you from her husband. Its unfair, she wrote. I have screamed. I have cried. Nothing can make this better. Keltner was part of a U.S. Marshals Service fugitive task force that was trying to serve a warrant on Floyd E. Brown, 39, for burglary and parole violation charges last Thursday. Police say Brown shot Keltner, fled the Rockford hotel in a vehicle and was arrested hours later after a standoff. Brown is charged with first-degree murder in federal court. He didnt enter a plea during his first court appearance Monday. The case is next scheduled to be in court March 20. Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz apologized Thursday for suggesting that he had spent more time with the military than any other member of the 2020 presidential field. Two other candidates, South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, are military veterans. "Today I said I spent more time with the military than any candidate running for president. That was wrong," Schultz tweeted Thursday afternoon. "I apologize to @PeteButtigieg and @TulsiGabbard who served our country honorably," he added. "In that moment I made something that should unite us all, about me. I made a mistake and I apologize." Gabbard, D-Hawaii, served in a field medical unit of the Hawaii Army National Guard in a combat zone in Iraq from 2004 to 2005 and was deployed to Kuwait from 2008 to 2009. Buttigieg, a Democrat, was commissioned as an intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve in 2009 and deployed to Afghanistan in 2013. Schultz, who is exploring an independent 2020 bid, had made the claim in an interview Thursday morning with radio host Hugh Hewitt. "Do you consider yourself competent to run the American military?" asked Hewitt, who is also a Washington Post contributing columnist. "Yes, I do," Schultz replied. "I probably have spent more time - in the last decade, certainly - than anyone running for president, with the military. I've been to Okinawa. I've been to Kuwait. I've - with Marines, with the Army. I've been to the national training center in Mojave Desert." Schultz went on to name military leaders who he said have become "great friends" of his, including retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the former commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, and William McRaven, a retired four-star admiral and former Navy SEAL who oversaw the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. Schultz's apology Thursday afternoon followed a tweet by Buttigieg in which the mayor shared a link to the former Starbucks CEO's remarks. "I remember a Green Beans Coffee at the exchange at Bagram, and a decent espresso machine run by the Italian NATO element at ISAF HQ. But I don't recall seeing any Starbucks over there . . ." Buttigieg said in the tweet. - - - The Washington Post's John Wagner contributed to this report. SPRINGFIELD Deaths among pregnant and recently pregnant women have been on the rise in the U.S. for more than a decade, and a group of state lawmakers has introduced legislation aimed at reversing this trend in Illinois. Weve done a great job (in the U.S.) focusing on the child, but when it comes to the mothers, we havent, state Sen Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) said Wednesday at a news conference. I think thats kind of fallen behind as a country. If you look at other developed countries, they do better than us. According to a report from the Illinois Department of Public Health, an average of 73 women in Illinois died each year from 2008 to 2016 within one year of pregnancy, 72 percent of those deaths were preventable, and 93 percent of violent pregnancy-associated deaths were preventable. Per the report, African-American women were six times more likely to die of a pregnancy-related condition during that span. For African-American women in particular, were dying at six times the rate amongst American women, which means were dying at Third-World country rates, state Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Olympia Fields) said. Hutchinson and Castro have introduced reforms focused on these issues, including Senate Bill 1909, which would continue Medicaid coverage for new mothers for 12 months after giving birth currently a mother is covered for only 60 days after a birth. That bill would also create a pilot program to provide voluntary in-home nursing visits to low-income, first-time pregnant women; mandate quality control guidelines and hemorrhage protocols for birthing facilities; and require insurance plans to cover medically necessary treatment for postpartum complications. Just because the pregnancy goes smoothly doesnt mean the mother wont have complications afterward, Castro said. We are careful to examine newborns and their progress after birth, so why shouldnt we do the same for mothers? Hutchinsons Senate Bill 132 would require continuing education programs to teach doctors and nurses about implicit bias that can affect behaviors, decisions and actions in the treatment of women and minority groups. Were finding too often and in too many cases that this does not just come down to whether or not you have insurance or whether you are comfortable going to a hospital, Hutchinson said. There are all kinds of cultural things that happen in that interaction amongst health care providers and patients from a number of different perspectives that impede and impact the kind and quality of care you get. Hutchinson said the type of care provided often depends on how people view each other during those interactions. Theres very few other things you could say in the highly industrialized nation that we live in, one of the richest countries on Earth, where these rates are the only places where theyre going up, she said. State Sen. Iris Martinez, a Chicago Democrat, said she would be exploring legislation focusing on making home births safer for those who either choose not to give birth at a hospital or do not have access to one. Her Senate Joint Resolution 14, which passed in the Senate on Wednesday, would create a home birth crisis committee to provide the General Assembly with evidence-based solutions to the Illinois home birth maternity care crisis. Martinez said state home births increased by 50 percent from 2007 to 2014, but there are now fewer than 10 legally recognized home birth nurse midwifes in Illinois. Due to this scarcity, approximately half of the babies born at home in Illinois are born with no skilled assistant, or with assistance of underground community midwives who may or may not be licensed or credentialed, Martinez said. If a midwife is not licensed, they will not have access to lifesaving oxygen and anti-hemorrhage medication. Martinez said 33 states license community midwives, and Illinois should join them, as many women cannot afford to have a baby in a hospital. Reach reporter Jerry Nowicki at jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com The past few months have been exciting though stressful times in the McCaleb household. Our son is a senior in high school and graduates in May. In August, the family will pack up our SUV with many of his belongings and drive 12 hours south to Tuscaloosa, where he will begin his next journey in life studying engineering at the University of Alabama. Like most parents, were proud of what hes accomplished so far and know he has a bright future in front of him. But were also dreading the moment we leave him outside his new dormitory and begin the 800-mile trek back to our Illinois home without him. Before deciding on Alabama, my son made official visits to the University of Texas, Texas A&M and Purdue University in Indiana. He never seriously considered an Illinois school. According to the latest report from the Illinois Board of Higher Education, released Tuesday, hes far from alone. Nearly half of Illinois high school graduates 48.4 percent who attended a four-year college in 2017 enrolled in one outside the state. While the accelerating out-migration of Illinois college students increased during the two-year budget standoff between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the Democratic legislature, the fact is it has been steadily rising the past two decades. In 2002, fewer than 30 percent of public high school graduates 29.3 percent, to be exact enrolled in four-year colleges outside the state, according to ISBE. By 2014, before Rauner took office, that number had grown to 43.3 percent. At 48.4 percent now, will it be more than half in a year or two? This is not good news, Nyle Robinson, interim executive director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, said in a statement. The out-migration trend continues to increase, and that means were not only losing students to out-of-state colleges and universities, were likely losing them to other states for good. We want to educate our states students and see them flourish in jobs here in the Land of Lincoln. Robinsons right. When you leave your home state to go to college, the chances of you returning for a job and to raise a family decrease. Why are so many students, many of them top tier, leaving their home state to pursue higher education elsewhere? Simply put, Illinois lacks the fiscal discipline to properly invest in its best and brightest. Like any parents undergoing a college search with their child, our journey to Tuscaloosa was at times fun, painful, time-consuming and eye-opening especially when it came to evaluating overall costs. Lets face it: College is an important investment, but its also an expensive one. While not necessarily the driving factor for many families, financial considerations certainly are a big one. My son heard from classmates that the University of Alabama had a good engineering program and a generous scholarship program. We looked into it, he applied, and we visited the school. His grades were good enough that he earned a scholarship. That pretty much cemented his decision. According to a 2018 Chicago Tribune story, Alabama has been poaching Illinois top students for years by offering generous financial incentives. Universities in many other states have, too. Because of years of fiscal mismanagement, Illinois is virtually powerless to stop it. State government here has had billion dollar budget deficits for years. As a result, the states backlog of bills has grown to more than $8 billion. Lawmakers skipped pension payments and over-promised benefits to the point where the states five public pension systems are underfunded by at least $135 billion. State and local governments spent 8.71 percent of all 2015 revenue on pension benefits, more than any other state, according to the latest data from the National Association of State Retirement Administrators. Thats nearly double the national average of 4.65 percent. Because of decades of irresponsible fiscal decisions, Illinois has the lowest credit rating of any state in the U.S., and its not even close. Thats despite the fact we pay among the highest state and local taxes in the country. When you manage your finances as poorly as Illinois has, theres not much money left to invest in your future. Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Democratic supermajorities in both chambers of the General Assembly apparently havent learned the lesson. They propose more of the same policies that got Illinois where it is more tax hikes, spending increases and burdensome regulations that will continue to drive Illinoisans to find better opportunities elsewhere. That includes our best and brightest young students. Dan McCaleb is editor of Illinois News Network and the digital hub ILNews.org. He welcomes your comments. Contact Dan at dmccaleb@ilnews.org. The Assistant Protection Officer (SGBV) works closely with programme andother team members to create a multi-sectoral SGBV prevention and responsemechanism. S/he is required to set up coordination with inter-agency partners,government authorities and persons of concern. The incumbent contributes to thedevelopment of action plans and SOPs, capacity building and organizing SGBVworkshops for a range of audiences including partners, authorities and personsof concern. The incumbent will also take part in reviewing the current SGBVprevention and response framework on the ground to identify critical gaps to befilled. Furthermore, the incumbent will be tasked with ensuring thatSGBV-related responsibilities are fully incorporated into the existingprotection staffing structure. India and Pakistan Thursday agreed to work towards expeditiously launching the Kartarpur corridor, a decision taken at a meeting held after the recent escalation in tensions between the two countries. The first meeting between the two sides to finalise the modalities for the proposed corridor linking Gurdaspur in Punjab with the Sikh shrine in Pakistan's Kartarpur took place in a cordial environment, a joint statement said. The two delegations met on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border. India has sought visa-free access to the Kartarpur shrine, and suggested that 5,000 pilgrims be allowed to visit every day. There should not be any additional encumbrances in the form of any additional documentation or procedures, S C L Das, joint secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs who headed the Indian team, told reporters. He said as a first step, the two sides agreed that the passport shall be the identification document for the pilgrims. Islamabad is expected to respond to Indian suggestions at the next meeting, scheduled for April 2 at Wagah on the Pakistan side of the border. Technical experts from both sides will meet earlier, on March 19. Kartarpur Sahib marks the place where Sikhism's founder, Guru Nanak Dev, spent the final years of his life. India hopes that the special border crossing for pilgrims will open before his 550th birth anniversary in November. "The first meeting to discuss the modalities and the draft agreement for facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib using the Kartarpur Corridor was held today at Attari, India, in a cordial environment," the joint statement issued after the meeting said. "Both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalising the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor," it said. The meeting took place amid heightened tensions between the two neighbours following India's air strike on a terrorist training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, in retaliation to a JeM attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama that killed 40 jawans. An Indian official told reporters in Attari that the meeting did not mark the resumption of the dialogue with Pakistan. The 20-member Pakistani team was headed by Mohammad Faisal, Director General (South Asia and SAARC) of Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On his return, Faisal tweeted,"Pakistan Kartarpur Delegation returns after constructive discussion in a cordial environment." From our side, we have pressed for at least 5,000 pilgrims per day to be allowed to visit the holy shrine in the initial phase, the Indian delegation leader said. This will include not only Indian nationals but people of Indian origin as well, Das added. India has asked Pakistan to allow pilgrims to travel on foot, if they wish. It also urged that another 10,000 pilgrims be allowed access on festivals like Baisakhi and Gurupurab. India plans to create infrastructure for that number on its side of the corridor, the Pakistani team was told. Last November, India and Pakistan agreed to set up the new border crossing. Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the border. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had on November 26 laid the corridor's foundation stone in Gurdaspur. Two days later, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone at Narowal, 125 km from Lahore. Congress's Tom Vadakkan has joined the BJP on Thursday after declaring that he was "deeply hurt when party questioned integrity of armed forces". He claimed that he was moving to the BJP over his "love for the nation" and that he was deeply appreciative of PM Narendra Modi's developemental narrative. He said he had taken the decision to join the BJP with a "heavy heart". He claimed that in the Congress dynastic politics was at its "zenith". At the press conference announcing his change of alliance, Vadakkan said, ""I left Congress party because when Pakistani terrorists attacked our land, my party's reaction to it was sad, it hurt me deeply. If a political party takes such a position that is against the country, then I'm left with no option but to leave the party." Vadakkan was welcomed to the party by Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and was garlanded by BJP chief Amit Shah. Vadakkan was one of the top aides of Sonia Gandhi and has been a member of the Congress party for almost 30 years. He was the national spokesperson for the party in the past and former secretary of the AICC. Touched by the compassion of the nurses who tended to her... Scientists from the US and Russia have experimentally demonstrated time reversal. They have managed to send a qubitthe basic unit of quantum informationfrom a more complicated state to a simpler one. It is the quantum version of a computer binary bit, which can be a one or a zero. Study author Andrei Lebedev told Newsweek, Doing this magic with the developed state of ink we will see that after the same time (time needed for the dissolving of ink in the water) the ink will again combine back into the original drop." This is exactly what we did in our work where the drop of ink is state of three qubits, and the water is a Hilbert state of the quantum computer," he said. The scientists at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology have hence contradicted the basic law of physics with the assistance of colleagues in Switzerland and the US. Lead author Gordey Lesovik said in a statement: "This is one in a series of papers on the possibility of violating the second law of thermodynamics. That law is closely related to the notion of the arrow of time that posits the one-way direction of time: from the past to the future." The qubits were set at what is understood to be a zero level. From this, it proceeds to lose its order and the qubits become more complex'changing to a pattern of zeros and ones'. Scientists in their experiment managed to send the qubits backwards in timefrom complex to simpleby reversing time. Time was reversed using a specially developed programme that allows the quantum computer to go from a state of chaos to orderfrom complex to simple. The study published in the journal Scientific Reports says, the programme was successful in a two qubit quantum computer around 85 per cent of the time. But when a third qubit was introduced, more errors occurred and the success rate fell to around 50 per cent. Hence, scientists believe that developing a quantum computer that can reverse time on a large scale will not happen anytime soon and that time reversal in nature is unlikely as it is too complex. Such an unfortunate growth of the complexity explains why do we not observe such time-reversed objects in the Nature, Lebedev said. The probability of a spontaneous appearance of a time-reversed object (particle of a system of particles) is negligible. A woman, who was flying from Birmingham to Tenerife, was told by Thomas Cook Airlines to 'cover up' or be removed from the flight. The airline crew stated that her crop top outfit was inappropriate and causing offense to other passengers. Emily O'Connor took to Twitter to express her anguish and tweeted about her ordeal during the flight. Emily, who was wearing a crop top with spaghetti straps, said that she passed through security without any problem, but once she boarded the flight, four staff members of Thomas Cook were ready to take her luggage and remove her from the plane if she didn't cover up. Flying from Bham to Tenerife, Thomas Cook told me that they were going to remove me from the flight if I didnt cover up as I was causing offence and was inappropriate. They had 4 flight staff around me to get my luggage to take me off the plane. pic.twitter.com/r28nvSYaoY Emily O'Connor (@emroseoconnor) March 12, 2019 After informing the staff that there is no appropriate wear policy stipulated online, Emily asked the other passengers if they had a problem with what she was wearing and no one said anything. She said that one passenger told her to shut up and put a f*cking jacket on, and the crew didn't respond to his harassment. Emily spoke about the incident to the UK tabloid The Sun and said that it was the most sexist, misogynistic, embarrassing experience of my life. She added that a man behind her in the plane was wearing shorts and a vest top and he was not berated for his attire. ALSO READ Mother forgets baby at airport, flight forced to return When the situation didn't seem like abating, Emily's cousin gave her a jacket and she said that the crew didn't leave her until she put it on. Moreover, the crew also made comments over the speaker that left her shaking and upset. Thomas Cook later investigated the incident and apologised to Emily. The airline said that they could have handled the situation better and were sorry about it. They added that they have an appropriate attire policy to men and women of all ages, and the crew don't always get it right. Bengal inks wage agreement with jute industry, CITU stays away Kolkata, Mar 14 (PTI) The West Bengal government has signed a wage agreement with the jute industry to ward off an impending strike in the mills, officials said Thursday. The agreement. which was signed late on Wednesday, came into effect from today, Labour Minister Malay Ghatak said. As per the fresh agreement, new workers would get a maximum of Rs 385 per day, from the existing Rs 257. In January this year, the state government had raised the wages for new joinees to Rs 327 a day as interim relief. A worker is also entitled to get Rs 385 a day if his attendance is at least 24 days in a month, failing which the wage would be reduced to Rs 370 a day. The new agreement came in the backdrop of an indefinite strike call from March 15 by trade unions demanding wage revision and implementation of Minimum Wages Act, among others. As many as 21 trade unions, barring Indian National Trinamool Trade Union Congress, had called the strike. However, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), stayed away from the fresh wage agreement terming it as "nti worker". "The state government has budged before the jute mills management and forced an anti-worker wage agreement which is not acceptable to us. We have not ratified the deal," CITU backed Bengal Chatkal Mazdoor Union secretary Anadi Sahu said. Out of 21 trade unions, 6 left Front backed trade unions have not signed the agreement. But other major trade unions including the Congress-backed INTUC, BJP's BMS, and Trinamool congress trade union INTTUC have signed the agreement last night, he said. "There is merely a Rs 2 hike per day for the 2.5 lakh existing workers which is just not acceptable to us," Sahu said. He said the CITU will soon announce its next course of action. PTI BSM RG JM JM Bengal govt inks wage pact with jute industry, CITU stays away (Eds: With fresh inputs) Kolkata, Mar 14 (PTI) The West Bengal government on Thursday signed a wage agreement with the jute industry to ward off an impending strike in the mills, officials said. The agreement, which was signed late on Wednesday, came into effect from Thursday, Labour Minister Malay Ghatak said. As per the fresh agreement, new workers would get a maximum of Rs 385 per day, from the existing Rs 257. In January this year, the state government had raised the wages for new joinees to Rs 327 a day as interim relief. A worker is also entitled to get Rs 385 a day if his attendance is at least 24 days in a month, failing which the wage would be reduced to Rs 370 a day. "This is a good wage agreement. Our government has given a better deal to the workers compared to the previous Left Front regime," Ghatak said. The new deal came in the backdrop of an indefinite strike call from March 15 by trade unions demanding wage revision and implementation of Minimum Wages Act, among others. As many as 21 trade unions, barring Indian National Trinamool Trade Union Congress, had called the strike. However, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), stayed away from the fresh wage agreement terming it as "anti worker". "The state government has budged before the jute mills management and forced an anti-worker wage agreement which is not acceptable to us. We have not ratified the deal," CITU backed Bengal Chatkal Mazdoor Union secretary Anadi Sahu said. Out of the 21 trade unions, six Left Front-supported trade unions have not signed the agreement. Major unions, including the Congress-backed INTUC, BJP's BMS, and Trinamool Congress' INTTUC have signed the agreement. "There is merely a Rs 2 per day hike for the 2.5 lakh existing workers, which is just not acceptable," Sahu said. He also said that the Left-backed trade unions and four other unions have called for a one-day token strike. Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA) sources said if the Left trade unions do not become a signatory to the wage agreement, smooth functioning will be affected in many mills. IJMA had earlier cited rising cost, cheap Bangladeshi imports and the onslaught of the plastic industry in packaging as causes for inability to pay more to the workers. PTI BSM RBT RBT (Eds: Disclaimer: The following press release comes to you under an arrangement with PR Newswire. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.) Indias over USD 30 billion organized woodworking industry to gain massive traction with this gala exhibition of latest technologies and products from around the world Delhi, India(NewsVoir) The sixth edition of the woodworking industrys eagerly anticipated biennial event, DelhiWood 2019 organised by NuernbergMesse, in cooperation with PDA (Pradeep Devaiah associates) Trade Fairs, is on from March 13 -16 2019 at the India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida, India. Ms. Sonia Parshar, Chairperson of the Board and Managing Director, Nuernberg Messe India Pvt. Ltd. informed - "More than 550 exhibitors from over 35 countries showcased modern cutting-edge technologies, machinery, tools, fittings, accessories, raw materials and products for furniture production and wood-based manufacturing, housed in a whopping 42,000 square metres of space at the forthcoming DelhiWood 2019, making it the biggest ever woodworking industry show in India." "It may be noted that the woodworking industry is one of the fastest growing sector of the Indian economy. According to a study by the World Bank, Indias organised furniture industry is expected to grow 20% per annum over the next few years and is projected to cross USD 32 billion by 2019, while the luxury furniture market is expected to garner $27.01 billion by 2020, registering a CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period 2015-2020," further added Ms. Sonia Parshar. DelhiWood 2019 is expected to provide a big fillip to this growth by showcasing the latest innovations and world class products at the much awaited event. The fair is expected to result in huge trade outcomes and business tie-ups. Organised by NuernbergMesse, in cooperation with PDA Trade Fairs and supported by Eumabois, the 14-country federation of European woodworking machinery manufacturers, DelhiWood has, over the last 5 editions, evolved to be one of the largest industry-specific events, offering a 360-degree experience for furniture and wood-based manufacturing industries. The sixth edition of DelhiWood, has registered an unprecedented 30% growth in number of exhibitors while over 45% of 550 plus exhibitors will be international companies. DelhiWood 2019 Highlights 42,000 + Sqm Exhibition Space 550 + Exhibitors 35 Exhibiting Countries 100 + Product Launches 500 + VIPs and Media 30,000 + Trade Visitors 103 Companies Exhibiting forThe First Time 11 Country Pavilions Product & Technology Demonstrations of over 500 wood working machines Strong International Participation: The international flavour of DelhiWood is reflected in the many country pavilions at the show. Participating pavilions from Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey & USA will showcase their home-grown innovations and products at DelhiWood 2019. Among other highlights, DelhiWood 2019 is hosting an International Timber Forum that aims to bring furniture manufacturers, builders, architects, interior designers, civil engineers and construction project consultants to connect with international timber suppliers to understand the different species of timber suitable for India, engineered wood and their properties and availability. Skill Demonstration: While dissemination of latest technologies is one of the biggest achievements of the show, skill demonstrations for small furniture manufacturers, carpenters and craftsmen will be conducted live in the current edition of DelhiWood 2019 in association with the Furniture and Fittings Skill Council (FFSC). FFSC is also conducting live skill demonstrations, by the two finalists from World Skills 2019 competition. Delegates from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the World Skills team from NSDC to grace the occasion and increase advocacy. According to a report of the National Skill Development Council (NSDC), Indias furniture and furnishings industry will need 11.3 million skilled workers by the year 2022. The FFSC is driven by the NSDC to a raft of training programmes and schemes toward meeting this demand without diluting the expected quality standards. Image 1: DelhiWood 2019 Image 2: DelhiWood 2019 PWR PWR (Eds: Disclaimer: The following press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.) Merck Foundation invites application from all Fashion Designers of Zambia to create a design with the aim to break the stigma around infertility in Zambia and rest of Africa Mumbai, Maharashtra, India&Lusaka, Zambia Business Wire India Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany announces the Call for Application of Merck More Than a Mother Fashion Awards in partnership with H.E. ESTHER LUNGU, The First Lady of Zambia, together with Zambia Fashion Week. All Fashion Designers are invited to create a design with the aim to deliver strong and influential messages to empower infertile women and say No to Infertility Stigma. Designs ideas can also deliver messages to encourage men to speak openly about their infertility, because 50% of infertility causes are due to male factor, explained Dr. RashaKelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck More Than a Mother. Who can apply? All Fashion Designers from Zambia How to apply? The applicants are requested to send the sketches of their creations as an attachment on email: info@merck-foundation.com. Please mention the subject: Merck Foundation Fashion Awards and add your name, your email and contact number. Last date of submission: Entries can be submitted till 30th June 2019. No designer has ever, or would ever, say that he or she wanted to make things difficult for women. Fashion industry has already got enough flakes for being superficial. Lets change this perception and create a meaningful fashion trend aiming to educate our communities that Fertility is a Shared Responsibility. I love fashion and I strongly believe that we will be able to select a creative design or designs that Men and/or Women would be proud to wear to show their contribution toward breaking the infertility stigma in their communities, villages, cities, across Africa and the rest of the world, emphasized Dr. RashaKelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck More Than a Mother. Designers its time to showcase your talent and contribute towards making a difference in society with your unique creations, Dr. RashaKelej added. The best 10 submissions will be selected by Merck More Than a Mother committee. Winners will be granted $500each to execute their designs and will have an opportunity to exhibit them during the Zambia Fashion Week which will be conducted in Lusaka. Also, the model will get his or her winning outfit. Merck Foundation plans to scale up this initiative in many more African Countries. Merck Foundation established a long term partnership with the First Lady of Zambia and Ministry of Health to build healthcare capacity with the aim of improving access to equitable and quality healthcare solutions nationwide. Merck Foundation has also appointed Her Excellency First Lady of Zambia to be the Ambassador of Merck More Than a Mother campaign to empower infertile women through access to information, health and change of mindset to break the stigma around infertility. Through this campaign, Merck Foundation has trained the first Fertility specialists in Zambia, and will continue to train more candidates to help infertile couples across the country. About Merck More Than a Mother campaign Merck More Than a Mother initiative aims to empower infertile women through access to information, education and health and by changing mind-sets. This powerful initiative supports governments in defining policies to enhance access to regulated, safe and effective fertility care. It defines interventions to break the stigma around infertile women and raises awareness about infertility prevention and management. In partnership with academia, ministries of health and international fertility societies, the initiative also provides medical education and training for healthcare providers and embryologists to build and advance fertility care capacity in Africa and developing countries. With Merck More than a mother, we have initiated a cultural shift to de-stigmatize infertility on all levels: By improving awareness, training the skills of local experts, building advocacy in cooperation with decision makers and by supporting childless women in starting their own small business. Its all about giving every woman the respect and the help she deserves to live a fulfilling life, with or without a child. The Ambassadors of Merck More Than a Mother are: H.E. ESTHER LUNGU, The First Lady of Zambia; H.E. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana; H.E. DENISE NKURUNZIZA, The First Lady of the Republic of Burundi; H.E. BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central Africa Republic; H.E. HINDA DEBY ITNO, The First Lady of Chad; First Lady of Ghana, H.E. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO; H.E. DJENE CONDE, The First Lady of Guinea-Conakry; H.E. FATOUMATTA BAH BARROW, The First Lady of Gambia; H.E. AISSATA ISSOUFOU MAHAMADOU, The First Lady of Niger; H.E. FATIMA MAADA BIO, The First Lady of Sierra Leone. Also, part of the campaign is our Merck Embryology & Fertility Training Program, a three-month hands-on practical course in partnership with IRSI, Indonesia, IIRRH, India and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (Manipal University), India to establish the platform of fertility specialists across Africa and developing countries. Merck Foundation provided for more than 84 candidates, in clinical and practical training for fertility specialists and embryologists in more than 29 countries across Africa and Asia such as: Chad, Niger, Central African Republic, Cote DIvoire , Ghana, Ethiopia , Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania , Zambia , Nigeria, Benin, Mali, Burkina Fuso, Senegal, Guinea Conakry, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cameron, Rwanda, Botswana, DR Congo , Congo Brazzaville, Gambia , Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Cambodia. Merck Foundation is making history in many African countries where they never had fertility specialists or specialized fertility clinics before Merck More Than a Mother intervention, to train the first fertility specialists such as; in Sierra Leone, Liberia, The Gambia, Niger, Chad, Guinea, Ethiopia and Uganda. Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard: Facebook: Merck Foundation Twitter: @Merckfoundation YouTube: MerckFoundation Website: www.merck-foundation.com Join Merck Foundation online community to exchange experience and information with other healthcare providers, researchers, students, policy makers and community members in Africa and beyond www.merck-foundation.com free registration. About Merck Foundation The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to innovative healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare and scientific research capacity and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please go to www.merck-foundation.com to read more and/or register online to interact and exchange experience with our registered members. About Merck Merck is a leading science and technology company in healthcare, life science and performance materials. Almost 53,000 employees work to further develop technologies that improve and enhance life from biopharmaceutical therapies to treat cancer or multiple sclerosis, cutting-edge systems for scientific research and production, to liquid crystals for smartphones and LCD televisions. In 2017, Merck generated sales of 15.3 billion in 66 countries. Founded in 1668, Merck is the world's oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed corporate group. Merck holds the global rights to the Merck name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the company operates as EMD Serono, MilliporeSigma and EMD Performance Materials. To View the Image Click on the Link Below: Dr. RashaKelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President, Merck More Than a Mother with The First Lady of Zambia, H.E. ESTHER LUNGU during their visit to a village in Central Province, Zambia to meet and empower infertile women. Message from Dr. RashaKelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President, Merck More Than a Mother. Call for Applications PWR PWR (Eds: Disclaimer: The following press release comes to you under an arrangement with NewsVoir. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.) Leading Indian publisher will adopt Taboola Feed to increase user engagement and drive increased revenue New Delhi, Delhi, India(NewsVoir) Taboola, the leading discovery platform, today announced an exclusive partnership with Zee Media, one of Indias largest media companies. Set for a two-year duration, the partnership will see Zee Media implement Taboola Feed on desktop, mobile web and in-app to increase user engagement and generate additional revenue. Zee Media, which reaches more than 220 million users on broadcast and 60 million on digital per month, owns news brands such as Zeenews.com, India.com, DNAIndia.com and WIONews.com, will launch Taboola Feed, a vertical-scrolling feed that enables users to access content including articles, in-feed video and premium content. Similar to how people experience social networks, Taboola Feed encourages audiences to stay engaged on a publishers site by scrolling through a personalized stream of content, video and other experiences the user might be interested in discovering next. Zee Media will also leverage Taboola Newsrooms insights and A/B testing capabilities, providing editorial teams with actionable insights and data about content performance in real time. Editors and writers will now be able to test the performance of headlines, thumbnails and story placements in real time and discover topics their users are most interested in reading about to create editorial best practices over time. The platform also provides editors with unique insights on trending topics from Taboolas network. Additionally, the publisher will use Taboolas Audience Exchange to strategically manage and optimize the flow of traffic across publisher partners properties. ZMCL is one of the largest digital networks in India, registering more than 60 million users per month on ComScore. ZMCL Digital Products are amongst the fastest growing websites and applications worldwide. With over 15 digital properties, we deliver unbiased and verified content spanning across all genres which is trusted by users across the globe. Establishing long-term relationships with innovative partners is key to our growth strategy as we look to build meaningful connections with our audiences, said Ashok Venkatramani, MD at Zee Media. I am confident that Taboolas technology and team will assist us in our strategy, and we look forward to working together. According to eMarketer, adults in India will spend an average of 86 minutes per day with digital media in 2019, with mobile specifically accounting for about 70 minutes per day. Reaching users during their key moments of next when theyre open to discovering new and interesting content is a key part in users digital journey, said Adam Singolda, CEO and Founder at Taboola. We understand how vital quality journalism is today in India and are honored to partner with Zee Media in their journey. PWR PWR Mumbai, Mar 14 (PTI) Superstar Aamir Khan on Thursday said he was not aware of Kangana Ranaut being upset with him for not supporting her film "Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi". Kangana, in an interview, had claimed that she had attended the screening of Aamir's films "Dangal" and "Secret Superstar", but the actor did not return the favour when it came to her movies. "She was upset with me? Why?" Aamir asked when informed about Kangana's statement. "She never told me she is upset with me. When I meet her I will ask her," he added. Post "Manikarnika" release, Kangana had attacked various Bollywood celebrities including Aamir and Alia Bhatt for not backing her films. Aamir was speaking to the reporters on his 54th birthday. PTI KKP SHD SHD Mumbai, Mar 14 (PTI) Writer Anjum Rajabali says Shah Rukh Khan backed out of astronaut Rakesh Sharma's biopic "Saare Jahan Se Achha" as he was shaken up by the failure of "Zero". There were reports that Shah Rukh was sceptical to venture into another space film after "Zero", which had its character travel to Mars for love and hence quit "Saare Jahan Se Achha". At a panel discussion at FICCI Frames, Anjum, however, said the space angle was not the reason for the superstar to leave the film. "If you're asking me, there was a problem with the script (of 'Zero'). Himanshu (Sharma, the writer) is a very talented person but things go wrong sometimes. "I don't think he said no to 'Saare Jahan Se Achcha' because of the space (angle). I think he's also pretty shaken up, he was banking a lot on that," Anjum said while moderating a panel discussion 'Screenwriters: The Creative Force Powering Indian Cinemas New Surge'. Anjum said asking question about "Saare Jahan Se Achha" was "dukhti rag pe haath rakhna" (hitting a raw nerve) but made an observation about how often makers blame everything else but the script when a film fails. "This whole practice and culture of postmortem, of analysing what went wrong hasn't really caught on. What happens then is, there are knee-jerk reactions rather than responses even from the makers," he said. " Oh, it (the failure) could be because of the space and hence we put two into two together. Oh it's because the time wasn't right, nobody wants to see a star in a disabled person's role.' It could also well be that there was a problem with the DNA of the script." Anjum, who has penned films like "Ghulam", "The Legend of Bhagat Singh" and "Raajneeti", said a writer should also be involved in this "honest introspection to be able to determine where did things go wrong." "Most of the times, when a film doesn't connect in spite of the fact that the idea was good, director was talented and the stars were attractive, it's because the script has gone wrong. That's where we need to be investing in." PTI JUR SHD SHD Mumbai, Mar 14 (PTI) "Us", director Jordan Peele's much awaited follow-up to his critically-acclaimed horror-thriller "Get Out", is all set to release in India on March 29. "Get Out", Peele's directorial debut, won him the best original screenplay Oscar for tackling racial themes and early reviews of "Us", about a family haunted by its doppelgangers, suggest that the new film also breaks ground in the horror genre. Set in present day, "Us" features Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o as Adelaide Wilson, a woman returning to her beachside childhood home with her husband, Gabe and their two children for an idyllic summer getaway but things start going awry as they are confronted by their doppelgangers. "The idea for this movie came from a deep-seated fear in doppelganger. I love doppelganger mythologies and the movies that have dealt with them, and I wanted to make my offering to that pantheon of evil-double films. "I was drawn to this idea that we are our own worst enemy. That's something we all know intrinsically, but it's a truth we tend to bury. We blame the outsider, we blame the other. In this movie, the monster has our faces," Peele said in a statement. Peele has produced the film via his Monkeypaw Productions alongside Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, and Monkeypaws Ian Cooper. Universal Pictures International India is releasing the film in the country. The film also stars Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Anna Diop, Evan Alex, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Madison Curry, Cali Sheldon and Noelle Sheldon. PTI BK BK BK Mumbai, Mar 14 (PTI) Bollywood star Alia Bhatt has joined the cast of filmmaker SS Rajamouli's upcoming venture "RRR". The 25-year-old actor said she is excited about working with the critically-acclaimed director and south superstars Ram Charan and Jr NTR. "Working with Rajamouli sir is a big tick off my bucket list. Also to be alongside Ram Charan and Jr NTR is an absolute honour. I am very excited about this experience and also working in the south for the first time," Alia said in a statement. The film is set in the 1920s and the actor will soon start filming it. "I begin the shoot in less than a month. I will be playing role of Sita and the film is set in 1920s backdrop," the statement further read. Ajay Devgn, who had earlier given the voice-overs for the Hindi version of Rajamouli's 2012 Telugu blockbuster "Eega" titled "Makkhi", is also set to play a pivotal role in "RRR". PTI SHD SHD SHD Mumbai, Mar 14 (PTI) Akshay Kumar, whose "Kesari" is based on the Battle of Saragarhi, says it is sad that the story has not been made into a film until now. The Battle of Saragarhi was fought between the British Indian army's Sikh Regiment and Afghan tribesmen on September 12, 1897. Saragarhi was a tiny village in the then North-West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan). The British Indian contingent comprised 21 Jat Sikh soldiers of the 36th Sikhs who were stationed at an Army post and were attacked by 10,000 to 12,000 Afghans. Led by Havildar Ishar Singh, the Sikhs chose to fight to the death, in what is touted by some military historians as one of history's greatest battles ever fought. "The Battle of Saragarhi ranks second when one would search about the top battles ever fought by India. Sadly we haven't made a film on it and not many people know about it. I also did not know much about it in detail, but I learnt a lot of things while working on the film," Akshay said in an interview. "It is fascinating that these people had the chance to run away but they didn't. They were aware that they will not win this battle but still chose to fight," he added. Akshay said he considers himself lucky to have had the chance to play Havildar Ishar Singh. Talking about the action scenes in "Kesari", Akshay said, "There is a technique called Gatka, which is popular in Sikhs. We had to do that in this film. I know martial arts so I had to make some efforts to do it. I had to learn some techniques. It was a new genre of action for me. It was a different kind of fight." Some crucial portions of the film were shot in Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh and Akshay said it was difficult to shoot there because of the temperature. "The kind of terrain we shot the film was difficult... There is less oxygen in Spiti Valley. Besides, the pagdi (turban) that I wear in the film weighs one and half kg and the sword was of 6-7 kg but in reality their sword was 25-30 kg. The film is not shot on real locations but this place where we shot matched the era of 1897." The film will arrive in theatres on March 21. It is produced by Akshay's Cape of Good Hope Films and Karan Johar's Dharma Productions and Anurag Singh has directed the film. PTI KKP BK BK Mumbai, Mar 14 (PTI) Superstar Aamir Khan on Thursday announced that his next project is an official adaptation of Tom Hanks' classic "Forrest Gump". Aamir shared the news on the occasion of his 54th birthday that the Hindi adaptation will be titled "Laal Singh Chaddha", which he will co-produce with Viacom18 Motion Pictures. The film will be directed by "Secret Superstar" helmer Advait Chandan. "My next film is finalised it is called 'Laal Singh Chaddha'. It is being made by Viacom18 Motion Pictures and Aamir Khan Productions together. It will be directed by Advait Chandan. It is an adaptation of Hollywood film 'Forrest Gump'. "We have bought the rights from Paramount... I am playing the lead role of Lal Singh," Aamir told reporters here. "Forrest Gump", directed by Robert Zemeckis, released in 1994 and went on to win six Oscars, including best picture, best director and best actor for Hanks. The film, based on Winston Groom's 1986 novel of the same name, follows Forrest Gump, a dim-witted man from Alabama, who witnesses and unwittingly influences several historical events in 20th century USA. The actor said the makers are yet to lock the cast for the film. "We have started the prep work on the film. The shoot will start from October. I will be prepping for six months. I have to lose weight. I will be losing 20 kgs. I have to be lean and slim," he added. The makers of the film have not yet decided the release date for the film but are planning a 2020 outing. "I have always loved 'Forrest Gump' as a script. It is a wonderful story about this character. It is a life affirming story. It is a feel good film. It is a film for the whole family," Aamir said. The actor also revealed he would be sporting a turban "for some part of the film". Aamir was last seen in Yash Raj Films' "Thugs of Hindostan" alongside megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Shaikh. PTI KKP SHD RDS SHD SHD Karachi, Mar 14 (PTI) Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday demanded the resignation of three ministers of the Imran Khan government, who he alleged have close links with the banned terror outfits. He also termed the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) action against the two main opposition parties, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the PPP as "political engineering". Bilawal, addressing a press conference here, alleged that the three ministers were known to have close links with the banned outfits. "The three federal ministers are hands-in-glove with the terrorists. I don't want to disclose their names, but will do so if the government fails to take action against them," he said. Pakistan is under intense international pressure to reign in terror groups in the country after the Pulwama terror attack. "A minister was seen publicly with a proscribed organisation during the elections and his connection still continues," he claimed, adding that many video clips have gone viral of another minister who publicly said "no action will be taken against such outfits while the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) rules the country". The PPP chairman also said that there is another minister who enjoys powers in every 'elected' government. "He is a mouth-piece of a particular mindset and undemocratic values, which he always propagates it." "His past statements are available to all. He used to attend the rallies of a banned organisation and has even been seen at training camps of such outfits," he added. Bilawal said unless the three ministers were removed, the government's actions against banned outfits under the National Action Plan would remain doubtful. He said the leader of a UN-banned organisation suddenly appeared on the media in the last general elections with PTI leader Asad Umar and announced he would join and support PTI. PTI CORR SMJ AKJ SMJ SMJ Washington, Mar 14 (AFP) US President Donald Trump on Thursday hailed the "unlimited" potential of a trade deal with Britain -- as Brexit is deadlocked in parliament. "My Administration looks forward to negotiating a large scale Trade Deal with the United Kingdom," the president tweeted. "The potential is unlimited!" Brexit's backers are counting on a trade deal with the United States being reached soon after leaving the European Union. In November, Trump suggested British Prime Minister Theresa May had made a mistake by signing an agreement that might impede a future trade deal between London and Washington. And in an interview with The Sun newspaper upon his first official visit to Britain, Trump said he would negotiate with Brussels "much differently." May later revealed that Trump had advised her to "sue the EU." Just 15 days before Brexit is scheduled to leave the EU, British MPs were set to vote Thursday on whether to seek a Brexit delay. (AFP) PMS PMS Paris, Mar 14 (AFP) The black box flight recorders from the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that crashed in Ethiopia were flown to France Thursday for analysis as the ban on the model went worldwide after President Donald Trump added the US to countries that have grounded the aircraft. France's BEA air safety agency confirmed it has received the recorders from the plane that crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa on Sunday, killing all 157 people aboard. BEA investigators will try to remove information from the cockpit voice and flight data recorders, which were damaged in the disaster. The information that black boxes contain about what the pilots and plane were doing help explain 90 per cent of all crashes, according to aviation experts. On Wednesday, US authorities said new evidence showed similarities between the Ethiopia crash and that of a Lion Air flight in Indonesia in October that claimed the lives of 189 people. The Federal Aviation Administration said findings from the crash site near Addis Ababa and "newly refined satellite data" warranted "further investigation of the possibility of a shared cause for the two incidents". An FAA emergency order grounded 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft until further notice, effectively taking the aircraft out of the skies globally after a growing number of airlines and countries had decided not to fly the planes until it was ascertained there are no safety issues. Trump told reporters the "safety of the American people and all peoples is our paramount concern." The US action came after many airlines around the globe voluntarily took the model out of service and many countries banned it from their airspace. FAA acting chief Daniel Elwell said the agency has been "working tirelessly" to find the cause of the accident but faced delays because the black box flight data recorders had been damaged. The new information shows "the track of that airplane was close enough to the track of the Lion Air flight... to warrant the grounding of the airplanes so we could get more information from the black boxes and determine if there's a link between the two, and if there is, find a fix to that link," Elwell said on CNBC. Boeing's shares have sunk 10 per cent since Sunday's crash, wiping out more than USD 20 billion off the company's market value. Boeing chief Dennis Muilenburg said he supported the US decision "out of an abundance of caution" but continued to have "full confidence" in the safety of the plane. The company continues its efforts "to understand the cause of the accidents in partnership with the investigators, deploy safety enhancements and help ensure this does not happen again," he said in a statement. The MAX series is Boeing's fastest-selling model, but it is still relatively new with fewer than 500 of the aircraft in service. There are 74 of the planes registered in the United States, and 387 in use worldwide with 59 carriers, according to the FAA. The accounts of the recent crashes were echoed in concerns registered by US pilots on how the MAX 8 behaves. At least four American pilots made reports following the Lion Air crash, all complaining the aircraft suddenly pitched downwards shortly after takeoff, according to documents reviewed by AFP on the Aviation Safety Reporting System, a voluntary incident database maintained by NASA. In two anonymous reports on flights just after the Lion Air disaster, pilots disconnected the autopilot and corrected the plane's trajectory. One said the flight crew reviewed the incident "at length... but can't think of any reason the aircraft would pitch nose-down so aggressively." It was unclear if US transport authorities review the database or investigate the incidents. However, the FAA said this week it had mandated that Boeing update its flight software and training on the aircraft. Questions about the Lion Air crash have honed in on an automated stall prevention system, the MCAS, designed to automatically point the nose of the plane downward if it is in danger of stalling. According to the flight data recorder, the pilots of Lion Air Flight 610 struggled to control the aircraft as the MCAS repeatedly pushed the plane's nose down following takeoff. The Ethiopian Airlines pilots reported similar difficulties before their aircraft plunged to the ground as they tried to return to the airport. Boeing was criticised after the Lion Air crash for allegedly failing to adequately inform 737 pilots about the functioning of the stall prevention system. Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde GebreMariam said on Sunday said the captain on the flight, Yared Mulugeta Getachew, 29, was an experienced aviator with more than 8,000 flight hours. Andrew Hunter, a defence industry expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said that while Boeing and the FAA had good track records on addressing safety concerns, sometimes the combination of automated systems and humans did not work smoothly. "It is hard to get a system to work seamlessly with human beings," he told AFP. "The fact the system was fighting the pilot was not an unintended consequence," because it should counteract a pilot error and correcting this is "challenging". In Ethiopia, distraught families wept and lit candles on Wednesday as they visited the deep black crater where the plane smashed into a field, disintegrating on impact. The Ethiopian Airlines plane was less than four months old when it went down six minutes into its flight to Nairobi. (AFP) SMJ SMJ Washington, Mar 14 (AFP) US President Donald Trump said Thursday that a new Brexit referendum -- touted as a solution by many in Britain who believe the first attempt led to today's political chaos -- would be "unfair." "I don't think another vote would be possible because it would be very unfair to people who have won" in the initial referendum to quit the European Union, he said in the White House. Trump also said he was "surprised to see how badly it has all gone" in the attempt to disentangle Britain from the EU. "I think it could have been negotiated in a different manner, frankly," he said, calling the shambolic situation a "shame." (AFP) SCY SCY Shah Alam, Mar 14 (AFP) A Vietnamese woman charged with assassinating the North Korean leader's half-brother lost her bid for immediate release Thursday as Malaysian authorities refused to drop a murder charge, days after her Indonesian co-accused was freed. "In reference to the representation submitted on March 11 to the honourable attorney-general, we got an order to proceed with the case," lead prosecutor Muhammad Iskandar Ahmad told the High Court in Shah Alam, outside Kuala Lumpur. Doan Thi Huong, 30, has been on trial for a year and a half over the 2017 assassination of Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpur airport that shocked the world. She sobbed in the dock as the news was announced, and tearfully told reporters: "I am not angry that Siti has been freed. Only God knows that we did not commit the murder. "I want my family to pray for me." The Indonesian woman accused alongside her -- Siti Aisyah -- was unexpectedly released Monday after prosecutors withdrew the murder charge against her. They did not offer any explanation but it followed intense lobbying from the Indonesian government. Judge Azmi Ariffin said Huong was not "physically and mentally" well enough to continue with the trial on Thursday, and adjourned proceedings until April 1. Vietnamese ambassador to Malaysia, Le Quy Quynh, told AFP at the court: "I'm very disappointed that the court did not free Doan. "We will request Malaysia to be fair and to release her as soon as possible." (AFP) AMS AMS Attari/New Delhi, Mar 14 (PTI) In the shadow of escalating tension in their ties, India and Pakistan Thursday held in a "cordial environment" their first meeting to finalise the modalities for a corridor linking Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistani town of Kartarpur with Gurdaspur district in Punjab. A joint statement issued after the talks said both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the project and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalising the Kartapur Sahib Corridor (KSC). The meeting took place on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border. "The first meeting to discuss the modalities and the draft agreement for facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib using the Kartarpur corridor was held today at Attari, India, in a cordial environment," it said. The meeting took place amid heightened tensions between the two neighbours following India's air strike on a terrorist training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Pakistan's subsequent retaliation. It was agreed to hold the next meeting at Wagah on April 2 and it will be preceded by a meeting of the technical experts on March 19 at the proposed zero points to finalise the alignment of the corridor, according to the statement. Last November, India and Pakistan agreed to set up the border crossing linking Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur - the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev - to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district. Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four km from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. The Indian delegation at the meeting was led by SCL Das, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs while the Pakistani team was headed by Dr Mohammad Faisal, DG (South Asia and SAARC) of Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalising the Kartapur Sahib Corridor," the statement said. It said the two sides also held expert-level discussions between the technical experts on the alignment and other details of the proposed corridor. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had on November 26 last year laid the foundation stone of the Kartarpur corridor in Gurdaspur district. Two days later, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone of the corridor in Narowal, 125 km from Lahore. PTI MPB ZMN Lucknow, Mar 14 (PTI) The Samajwadi Party and the BSP will hold a series of joint rallies for the Lok Sabha polls, with the first being on April 7 in Uttar Pradesh's Deoband town. The general election is going to start on April 11 and will continue till May 19. Polling on the 80 seats in the state will be held in seven phases. There will be several joint rallies in the state and besides the SP and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) will be also part of these public meeting, Samajwadi Party chief spokesman Rajendra Chowdhury said. The first of these joint rallies will be held in Saharanpur district's Deoband town on April 7 and will be addressed by SP president Akhilesh Yadav, BSP chief Mayawati and RLD president Ajit Singh, he said here. The dates for the other rallies will be declared later, Chowdhury said On Wednesday, Yadav had met Mayawati and discussed about their campaign with joint rallies during Navratra, which begins on April 6, the spokesperson said. Speaking to reporters at the SP office here, Yadav said," We are declaring candidates separately on seats finalised by us (SP-BSP) and the first rally (with Mayawati) is planned during Navratra from West Uttar Pradesh." When asked about the possibility of an alliance with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh for the polls, he said, "It's too late now. We have finalised our seats." The SP and BSP, which announced an alliance in January, will field 37 and 38 seats respectively. The RLD, which is also a part of the alliance, will fight from three seats. On the BJP's claim of winning more than 73 seats in the Lok Sabha polls in the state, the Yadav said, "They must be giving this number (of seats) from the entire country." The SP leader said the alliance between his party, the BSP and the RLD was "an alliance of ideologies and people of the state will certainly ensure its success by giving support to its candidates." PTI ABN ANB ANB ANB New Delhi, Mar 14 These are the top stories from the northern region at 9.45 pm ATTARI DEL58 LDALL-PB-CORRIDOR Attari/New Delhi: India and Pakistan Thursday agreed to work towards expeditiously launching the Kartarpur corridor, a decision taken at a meeting held after the recent escalation in tensions between the two countries. LUCKNOW DEL50 UP-ALLIANCE-RALLY Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party and the BSP will hold a series of joint rallies for the Lok Sabha polls, with the first being on April 7 in Uttar Pradesh's Deoband town. LUCKNOW DES14 UP-LD MAYAWATI Lucknow: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president Mayawati Thursday gave final touches to the list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections and discussed other important electoral issues at a party meeting here. PANCHKULA LGD24 HR-COURT-SAMJHAUTA Panchkula: An anti-terror court here trying the 2007 Samjhauta Express blast case Thursday adjourned its hearing to March 18 due to an ongoing strike by local lawyers. CHANDIGARH DES11 PB-POLL-SIDHU Chandigarh: Known for his trademark witty one-liners, Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu will be one of the star campaigners for the Congress in the Lok Sabha poll hustings, a senior party leader said. AMRITSAR DES49 PB-AAP LEADER-SHOT Amritsar: AAP's Patiala (rural) unit president was shot at by unidentified assailants in Punjab's Tarn Taran district on Thursday while he was trying to prevent them from kidnapping a girl, police said. ALIGARH NRG8 UP-AMU-SUSPENSION Aligarh (UP): The Aligarh Muslim University has suspended a research scholar for allegedly misbehaving with a girl student during a seminar recently, an official notification said. DEHRADUN DES5 UKD-POLL-KOSHIYARI Dehradun: BJP veteran and Nainital MP Bhagat Singh Koshiyari Thursday said he will not contest the Lok Sabha elections this time. SHIMLA DES6 POLLS-HP-AIRLIFTING Shimla: The airlifting of people from snow-bound tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh could become a poll issue as the Congress has written to the state chief electoral officer, alleging that BJP leaders were interfering in the process to influence voters. SHIMLA DES22 HP-LD-AVALANCHE Shimla: The search and rescue operation for soldiers trapped by an avalanche in Himachal Pradesh's tribal Kinnaur district was called off after the bodies of the last two missing soldiers were recovered on Thursday, a defence spokesperson said. JAIPUR DES9 RJ-SHEKHAWAT-FARMERS Jaipur: Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Thursday accused the Congress-led Rajasthan government of not providing requisite information about farmers eligible for the Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojna. SRINAGAR DES27 JK-LD EC-NC Srinagar: The National Conference has decided not to meet the Election Commission of India (EC) delegation arriving in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, saying the party has nothing more to add to its demand of having simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls in the state. JAMMU DES28 JK-BJP-MEHBOOBA Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir BJP Thursday alleged that Mehbooba Mufti carried out anti-national activities and promoted a pro-Pakistan agenda in the state as the chief minister of the BJP-PDP government, and demanded she be probed and tried for treason. CHANDIGARH DES34 HR-OFFICER Chandigarh: A Haryana government probe has sought registration of a criminal case against a senior IAS officer and his two children, both international shooters, for allegedly embezzling money from the exchequer. SIKAR DES26 RJ-GEHLOT-MODI Sikar: Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot Thursday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems more like a Bollywood actor than a politician, who "worked less and did jugglery more". JAIPUR NRG10 RJ- CHAUDHARY Jaipur: Former IPS officer Pankaj Kumar Chaudhary, dismissed recently by the state government, Thursday said he would contest the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. NEW DELHI DES39 DL-KIDNEY TRANSPLANT New Delhi: A 45-year-old woman from Delhi underwent a record third kidney transplant at a hospital here, proving true the adage 'No matter how hard life is, don't lose hope'. NEW DELHI DES36 DL-WOMEN-ATTACK New Delhi: A 37-year-old woman died after being allegedly beaten up by locals when she along with another woman was caught while stealing at a manufacturing unit of pressure cookers in north Delhi's Samaipur Badli area, police said Thursday. NEW DELHI DES33 DL-CONG-ALLIANCE New Delhi: Differences among senior Delhi Congress leaders over the issue of a possible tie-up with AAP in Delhi in the Lok Sabha elections surfaced on Thursday with the party's Delhi unit chief Sheila Dikshit questioning the move to seek opinion of party workers through a mobile app. PTI ASH ASH New Delhi, Mar 14 (PTI) In the first briefing session with about 1,800 Election Commission central observers Thursday, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora told them there was no scope for error during the Lok Sabha and select assembly polls in the country. The CEC also underlined that concerns about abuse of money power and social media are "posing newer challenges" with changing times. The full Election Commission, comprising CEC Arora and Election Commissioners Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra, apart from other senior officials of the poll body, briefed the central observers about their roles and responsibilities on election duty. The observers are drawn from various central services like the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax and Customs and Excise) apart from others, and they are taken on special 'EC duty' till the elections process ends. An EC spokesperson said Arora told the officers that they need to be earnest and had no choice but to ensure that "no mistakes" are committed. He recalled that during the recent state elections all the good works done by the poll panel were relegated to the background due to "miniscule" instances like slippage in following protocol on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and VVPAT (Voter verifiable paper audit trail) procedures, a few names missing from the electoral rolls and delay in counting of votes. The CEC told them that while they render their task, the EC closely observes them in order to ensure that they sincerely discharge the assigned duties, the spokesperson said. The endeavour of the EC is not only to conduct free and fair elections but also transparent, clean and ethical elections, the CEC said. EC Ashok Lavasa, the spokesperson said, reminded the observers that they need to ensure implementation of all instructions of the poll body "in letter and spirit." "He (Lavasa) also mentioned that the recently launched CVigil App has helped empower every citizen also to help the EC keep a vigilant eye on model code violations," the spokesperson said. EC Sushil Chandra, who last held the post of the CBDT Chairman, had a special word for the about 800 expenditure observers saying their role "becomes crucial when methods of extending inducements to voters are becoming very innovative." The spokesperson said the observers, during the daylong briefing sessions, were given comprehensive and thorough inputs about various aspects of election management by other senior officials of the EC. "The observers were also acquainted with the various information technology initiatives and mobile applications launched by the Commission for voter facilitation as well as effective and efficient management of election process in the field. "They were provided functional demonstration of EVMs and VVPATs and briefed about the multifarious technical security features, administrative protocols and procedural safeguards that surround the EVM ecosystem to make it completely secure, robust, reliable, non-tamperable and credible," the spokesperson said. The observers were also informed by the EC about a maiden mobile app called the 'observer app'. Using this app, observers can submit their report securely to the EC and they will also get all important notifications, alerts, and urgent messages on this app while they are on duty, the spokesperson said. The CEC, ECs and other EC brass also talked about the entire polls process, code of conduct, rules, laws and other subjects to the observers that they will encounter during the polls for over two months time now, officials said. The EC's mechanism to curb blackmoney and illegal inducements like liquor and drugs and the teams deployed to check these was specifically shared with the expenditure monitoring observers, they said. Another round of meeting, albeit on a smaller scale, could be held later this month, they said. The EC had declared the dates and processes for elections to the 17th Lok Sabha on March 10. The elections will begin on April 11 and polling would be held over seven phases through May 19, followed by counting of votes on May 23. Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Sikkim will be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha election. PTI NES NES TIR TIR \R New Delhi, Mar 14 (PTI) A central team has been sent to Kerala, where a seven-year-old boy has reportedly tested positive for vector-borne West Nile virus, to review the situation and also help the district administration in its prevention and management. The virus is transmitted to humans through a mosquito bite and is mostly reported in North America. Affected people complain of fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, occasionally skin rash and swollen lymph glands. The boy from Malappuram district is undergoing treatment at the Kozhikode Medical College hospital. A health ministry statement said the Centre is closely monitoring the situation and Union Health Minister J P Nadda has directed for all support to be extended to Kerala for prevention and management of the disease. Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan spoke to Additional Chief Secretary Rajeev Sadanandan in Kerala and took stock of public health measures for controlling the spread of the virus, the statement said. The Health Ministry has dispatched a four-member multi-disciplinary central team from National Centre for Disease Control. The team will support the state health authorities in managing the disease. The Indian Council of Medical Research has also been alerted and a close watch is being maintained at the central and state levels, the statement said. "There are no reports available so far about the spread of this virus in other parts of the country," it said. PTI PLB GVS Kinnaur (HP), Mar 14 (PTI) The bodies of two more Army jawans missing since last month following an avalanche in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district were recovered on Thursday, an official said. Naik Videsh Chand, Rifleman Arjun Kumar and four other jawans of the 7 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles were buried under the avalanche at Shipki La near the Sino-India border on February 20. Chand and Kumar's bodies were recovered on Thursday, 23 days after the incident, he said. The bodies were taken to Pooh from where they would be sent to their native places, the official said, adding that Chand was a resident of Kharga village in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh, whereas Kumar was a resident of Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier the bodies of four jawans were recovered on separate days. Havaldar Rakesh Kumar's body was recovered on the day of the avalanche, while the bodies of Rifleman Rajesh Rishi and Govind Bahadur Chhetri and Nitin Rana were recovered on March 2, 4 and 9 respectively. About 400 personnel and several residents of Khab village carried out the search and rescue operation despite adverse weather conditions, the official said. PTI CORR DJI IJT New Delhi, March 14 (PTI) A 37-year-old woman died after being allegedly beaten up by locals when she along with another woman was caught while stealing at a manufacturing unit of pressure cookers in north Delhi's Samaipur Badli area, police said Thursday. The incident took place on Wednesday, when a group of around seven-eight women entered the factory's godown after breaking its wall. While they were trying to allegedly steal items, the women were caught by labourers and a scuffle broke out, police said. While the other women managed to flee, the two women were allegedly beaten up by the labourers and a few locals, officials said. When police reached the spot, one of the two women complained of uneasiness. They were then taken to Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital and after primary treatment were discharged, Gaurav Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police (outer north), said. The two women were officially arrested at the hospital and was presented before a magistrate, he said. After the magistrate ordered their judicial custody, the 37-year-old woman was again taken to the hospital as she complained of uneasiness. She succumbed there during treatment, Sharma added. Police has initiated magisterial probe into the death. Prima facie, it appears that the woman died due to internal injuries, however, the exact cause of the death can be ascertained through the postmortem report, which was yet to come, the police said. PTI AMP AMP SOM SOM Lucknow, Mar 14 (PTI) The three Uttar Pradesh alliance partners SP, BSP and RLD are to hold their first joint rally at Deoband in Saharanpur on April 7 with all three party chiefs - Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati and Ajit Singh - slated to address it. "We are declaring candidates separately on seats finalised by us (SP-BSP) and the first rally (with Mayawati) is planned during Navratra from West Uttar Pradesh," Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav told reporters here at the party office. Yadav had met Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati Wednesday and discussed plans to start campaigning with a joint rally during Navratra, which begins April 6. Asked about the possibility of an alliance with the Congress, SP chief said, "It's too late now. We have finalised our seats." Yadav also mocked at the BJP's claim of winning more than 73 Lok Sabha seats out of 80 in UP in the 2019 elections, saying, "They must be giving this number from the entire country." About his alliance with the BSP and the Rashtriya Lok Dal, Yadav said, "This is an alliance of ideologies and people of the state will certainly ensure its success by supporting its candidates." PTI ABN RAX RAX New Delhi, Mar 14 (PTI) The National Green Tribunal has directed the Delhi chief secretary to personally monitor the progress in the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in the national capital and asked him to submit a quarterly report. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel ordered that at least three wards, zones, circles in each municipal corporation may be notified within two weeks as model initially, which will be made fully compliant within the next six months. "The remaining wards/zones/circles may be made fully compliant in respect of environmental norms within one year. A quarterly report be furnished by the chief secretary, every three months. First such report shall be furnished by June 30," the bench, also comprising Justices S P Wangdi and K Ramakrishnan, said on March 11. The tribunal directed the chief secretary to personally monitor the progress, at least once in a month, with all the district magistrates and it said that the officers concerned may be imparted requisite training. "The district magistrates may monitor the status of compliance of environmental norms, at least once in two weeks. Performance audit of functioning of all regulatory bodies may be conducted and remedial measures be taken, within six months," the bench said. It also asked the chief secretary to remain present in person before the tribunal with the status of compliance in respect of various issues on September 23. The green panel also made it clear that the chief secretary may not delegate the above function and the requirement of appearance before this tribunal to anyone else. The tribunal had earlier expressed concern over the implementation of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in the national capital, saying the situation was highly unsatisfactory. The tribunal had earlier slammed authorities for failing to act on reducing solid waste and asked chief secretaries of all states and Union territories to appear before it with status reports of their actions and immediate future plans. It had noted that India generates over 1,50,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste per day, with Mumbai being the world's fifth most waste generating city. It had asked all states to display on their websites of their pollution control boards the progress made in complying with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and Bio-Medical Waste management Rules, 2016. It had also directed states and UTs to constitute in every district a special task force having three members -- one each nominated by the district magistrate, the superintendent of police, and the regional officer of the state pollution control. PTI PKS PKS SNE SNE New Delhi, Mar 14 (PTI) Tihar jail authorities Thursday denied before a Delhi court the accusations of torture levelled by Christian Michel, the alleged middleman arrested in AgustaWestland chopper scam case. The authorities also told Special Judge Arvind Kumar that the accused was granted all the facilities according to the jail manual. The official appearing for the jail also submitted before the court a hard disk containing the CCTV footage, saying it showed that the accused was allowed to walk, access canteen and meet other inmates. Special Public Prosecutors D P Singh and N K Matta, appearing for the CBI and the ED respectively, told the court that the accused was a foreigner and was brought through extradition. "There is a responsibility of the country to ensure his security as per the treaty," the counsel said. The court had on March 11 allowed the ED to quiz Michel inside Tihar jail after the agency's lawyer Samvedna Verma told the court that new facts have emerged in the case which needs his questioning. The court will now hear the matter on March 16. On March 12, Michel told the court that former CBI special director Rakesh Asthana met him in Dubai and threatened to "make his life hell inside jail" here if he did not toe the line of the agency. "Sometime back Rakesh Asthana met me in Dubai and threatened that my life would be made hell in the jail and that's what is going on. My next door inmate is (gangster) Chhota Rajan... I don't understand what crime I have committed to be put along with the terrorists and those who have killed several people," he said. The jail authorities said Michel was shifted to high-risk prison considering threat to his life. Michel was arrested by the ED on December 22 last year after his extradition from Dubai. The court previously lashed out at the jail authorities for failing to justify the shifting of Michel to a high-security cell in isolation, saying it will start an inquiry if it does not get a proper response. Michel is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the Rs 3,600 crore chopper deal scam by ED and Central Bureau of Investigation. The others are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa. PTI UK SA New Delhi, Mar 14 (PTI) The Supreme Court Thursday asked the West Bengal government to file its response on a plea by Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) leader Roshan Giri who has sought the court's protection to fight the Lok Sabha elections. The state government opposed the plea and told a bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Navin Sinha that Giri was wanted in several cases and the apex court should not grant him any protection from arrest. The counsel appearing for West Bengal said Giri can participate and even contest the election from jail. The state's counsel said there was incriminating evidence against Giri, including his telephonic conversations with others. The bench asked the state to file its reply on Giri's plea and posted the matter for further hearing on March 28. Giri is one of the accused in the 2010 Madan Tamang murder case. Besides, there area several other cases against him. Police have claimed that Tamang, who was the All India Gorkha League (AIGL) president, was hacked to death in Darjeeling on May 21, 2010 in broad daylight when he was overseeing preparations for a public meeting. Giri has been charged with alleged "criminal conspiracy for murder", along with several other aides of him, in the murder case of Tamang. PTI ABA MNL RKS ABA SOM SOM Jaipur, Mar 14 (PTI) A court in Rajasthan has sentenced BJP MP Kirodi Lal Meena to six months imprisonment and asked him to pay a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the Railways in connection with two separate cases registered against him in 2009-10. The court has also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the BJP MP. A bench of Munsif Magistrate Jaya Agarwal of Gangapur city court found Meena guilty of violating Section 144 (prohibiting an assembly of more than four persons in an area) of the CrPC in two separate cases. He was booked under IPC Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant). The court sentenced six-month imprisonment each in both the cases along with the penalty, Assistant Public Prosecutor Kuldeep Singh Baroliya said Thursday. The two sentences would run concurrently, he said. Meena was booked twice for organising public meetings by violating the Section 144 imposed by the Swai Madhopur district collector during December 2009 to February 2010, Baroliya said. The sub-divisional magistrate had filed a complaint in the matter following which a case was registered, he added. PTI AG SNE SNE New Delhi, Mar 14 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Thursday said it will hear on March 25 a plea seeking a direction that political parties field candidates with graduation as minimum qualification, and are below the age of 75 years. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi listed the petition filed by lawyer Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay for hearing before an appropriate bench. "List the matter on March 25, 2019 before an appropriate bench as per the roster," said the bench, also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna. The apex court was hearing a PIL filed by Upadhyay seeking various directions, including setting up of special courts to try criminal cases involving lawmakers. Upadhyay, in its fresh interim plea had said imposing a condition during election to prevent parties from fielding illiterate candidates was a "reasonable restriction", keeping in mind the concessions and privileges enjoyed by MLAs, MLCs and MPs. The plea had said the functions performed by legislators are vital to democracy and there is no reason why they should be held to lower standards than municipal councilors and gram pradhans. "In many states, candidates for municipal councilor and gram pradhan certainly would not be considered at all if they are illiterate," the plea had said. If a person, who is going to make laws and amend the Constitution, is not educated enough to understand the "pros and cons of the laws", then it would be "disastrous", it said. "It is true that even if a person went through higher education, he can still be unsuitable to be a legislator, but to have a legislator who didn't even go to college or university in the 21st Century is unfathomable. Do we, as a country, wish to be represented by a dumbfounded persona that cant find the exit or well-spoken and expressed figure that can handle any situation that arise at the moment?" it had said. Besides setting up of special criminal courts for lawmakers, the PIL has also sought a life-time ban on politicians convicted in cases. PTI LLP MNL PKS SA New Delhi, Mar 14 (PTI) The Supreme Court Thursday asked former Ranbaxy promoters Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh to apprise it how they propose to comply with the Rs 3500 crore arbitral award passed against them by a Singapore tribunal. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Googi asked the Singh brothers, who were present in the court, to consult their financial and legal advisors and give a concrete plan on how they will comply with the tribunal's order. "It is not about individual honour but it doesn't look good for the country's honour. You were the flag bearers of the pharmacare industry and it doesn't look good that you are appearing in court," the bench also comprising justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna said. The bench asked the Singh brothers to appear before it on March 28 and submit the plan, saying "hopefully it will be the last time you are appearing in the court". The apex court was hearing the plea of Japanese firm Daiichi Sankyo which is seeking to recover Rs 3,500 crore, awarded to it by a Singapore tribunal in its case against Malvinder and Shivinder Singh. The Japanese firm, which has filed the contempt plea against the Singh brothers in the apex court, has said that it was promised some shares of Fortis Healthcare by them. The apex court had earlier refused to pass any interim order on pleas relating to the sale of controlling stakes of Fortis Healthcare to Malaysian IHH Healthcare Berhad. The top court, on December 14 last year, had ordered status quo with regard to the sale of controlling stakes of Fortis Healthcare. "Status quo with regard to sale of the controlling stake in Fortis Healthcare to Malaysian IHH Healthcare Berhad be maintained," the bench had said. The top court had also issued notices to the Singh brothers asking them to explain as to why contempt proceedings be not initiated against them for allegedly violating its earlier order by pledging the shares. The board of Fortis Healthcare had approved in July a proposal from IHH Healthcare to invest Rs 4,000 crore by way of preferential allotment for a 31.1 per cent stake. The Malaysian IHH Healthcare Bhd became the controlling shareholder of Fortis Healthcare Ltd by acquiring a 31.1 per cent stake in the company. Daiichi had bought Ranbaxy in 2008. Later, it had moved the Singapore arbitration tribunal alleging that the Singh brothers had concealed information that Ranbaxy was facing probe by the US Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Justice, while selling its shares. Daiichi had to enter into a settlement agreement with the US Department of Justice, agreeing to pay USD 500 million penalty to resolve potential, civil and criminal liability. The company had then sold its stake in Ranbaxy to Sun Pharmaceuticals for Rs 22,679 crore in 2015. PTI MNL ABA LLP AAR New Delhi, Mar 14 (PTI) Air India Thursday announced that it is combining the Mumbai-New York flight with its Mumbai-Newark flight from March 16 to May 31 "due to operational reasons". As Pakistan has kept its airspace closed since the Balakot air strike by the Indian air force on February 26, Air India's expenditure on flights to Europe and the US has increased significantly. On Wednesday, Air India had announced it is suspending its flights on the Delhi-Madrid and Delhi-Birmingham routes from March 16 "till further notice" due to "operational reasons". In a tweet on Thursday, the national carrier said the combined flight AI144 will depart from Newark at 2.15 pm (local time), make a stop in New York, and then arrive at the mumbai airport next day at 2.10 pm (local time). The combined flight AI191 will depart from the Mumbai airport at 1.30 am (local time), make a stop in New York, and then arrive at Newark airport at 8.15 am (local time), Air India said in its tweet. On Wednesday, the national carrier had said that AI135 Delhi-Madrid flight and AI136 Madrid-Delhi flight would be suspended from March 16, 2019, till further notice. It added that AI113 Delhi-Birmingham flight and AI114 Birmingham-Delhi flight would be suspended too. The airline said that AI117 Delhi-Amritsar-Birmingham flight and AI118 Birmingham-Amritsar-Delhi flight would also be suspended too. The airline had also offered full refund to customers. PTI DSP TIR TIR CHARIHO: Charihos girls and boys soccer teams both won Division II titles in dramatic fashion. The girls won in penalty kicks and the boys in the final two minutes of double overtime. The football team reached the D-III title game, as did the field hockey team. The girls volleyball team played in the D-II semifinals. Erin vonHousen was All-State in girls cross country. STONINGTON: Stoningtons boys soccer team earned its second straight Class M state title, closing the season with 21 straight victories. The field hockey team lost in the Class S title game. WESTERLY: Westerlys girls volleyball team reached the Division III semifinals, losing to eventual champion Scituate. The football team played in the D-II semifinals. The girls soccer team reached the D-III semifinals. Jake Serra and Kaya West were All-State in cross country. WHEELER: Wheeler boys and girls soccer teams qualified for the Class S state tournament. Vote View Results Shares in Just Group tumbled after the pensions provider swung into the red, cancelled its dividend and sought 380million of fresh funding. The group said it made 86million of losses in 2018 having notched up a profit of 181million the previous year. At the same time, Just Group said it had decided to scrap its annual dividend and went to investors with a call for cash. It said it needed the extra money to cope with changes to mortgage regulations made by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Life insurer Just Group said it made 86m of losses in 2018 having notched up a profit of 181m the previous year The fundraising included a 300million debt offering and an 80million stock placing, with shares sold at 80p each. The move sent the shares down 12.5 per cent, or 12.2p, yesterday to 85.3p. On another day of Brexit turmoil in Westminster, the FTSE 100 edged up 0.4 per cent, or 26.24 points, to 7185.43 while the FTSE 250 was rose 0.5 per cent, or 102.97 points, to 19,283.06. Oil also hit a four-month high amid signs production cartel Opec could extend production cuts beyond June. Brent crude hit a 2019 peak of $68.14 a barrel before edging lower. Back on the stock market, Capita shares dipped 0.6 per cent, or 0.75p, to 119p after chief executive Jon Lewis said his turnaround plan was on track despite having 'some way to go'. The group Britain's biggest outsourcer reported a 26 per cent fall in profits to 282.1million for 2018 after revenues fell 5 per cent to 3.9billion. Stock Watch - Capital & Regional Property investment trust Capital & Regional saw shares plunge after it swung to a loss of 25.5million. The blow came after the company, which owns seven shopping centres, took a 52.5million writedown on the value of its properties in the year to December 30. Capital & Regional previously made a 22.4million profit in 2017. The businesss shares fell 11.6 per cent, or 3.7p, to 28.2p following the announcement. They have fallen 25 per cent in the past year. Capita said it was expecting broadly flat profits in 2019, predicting between 265million and 295million. It said the successful delivery of its ongoing overhaul was 'critical to the future performance' of the group. Lewis said: 'We've successfully completed year one of our multi-year transformation, fixed the basics and are firmly on track. 'Our transformation still has some way to go. But I am very pleased with our progress.' The chief executive, who joined the business in December 2017, was handed a 2million pay package last year. His pay was made up of a 725,000 salary and 1.2million bonus, with the remainder made up of benefits and pensions payments. Meanwhile, a contract win for British construction group Balfour Beatty failed to lift its shares. An alliance led by the firm was chosen by Network Rail to carry out major work on tracks and crossings. But its shares dipped 0.6 per cent, or 1.6p to 283.6p. Savills shares fell 3.8 per cent, or 35p, to 888.5p after the property giant warned it had a tough year ahead due to economic and political uncertainty. Revenues rose 10 per cent to 1.8billion last year but profits dipped 3 per cent to 112.4million. Chief executive Mark Ridley said: 'We have made a solid start to 2019; however, the year ahead is overshadowed by macro-economic and political uncertainties across the world. It is difficult accurately to predict the impact of these issues on corporate expansionary activity and investor demand for real estate. 'At this stage, we expect to see declines in transaction volumes in a number of markets and growth in our less transactional business lines,' he said. Furniture chain DFS also warned of a 'challenging' year ahead as it prepares for Brexit. It reported strong like-for-like sales growth of 6.6 per cent in the 22 weeks to December 30. Group revenue in the period was up 29.1 Furniture chain DFS also warned of a 'challenging' year ahead as it prepares for Brexit. It reported strong like-for-like sales growth of 6.6 per cent in the 22 weeks to December 30. Group revenue in the period was up 29.1 Furniture chain DFS also warned of a 'challenging' year ahead as it prepares for Brexit. It reported strong like-for-like sales growth of 6.6 per cent in the 22 weeks to December 30. Group revenue in the period was up 29.1 to 422.3m, while underlying earnings climbed 23.8 per cent to 32.8million to 422.3million, However, chief executive Tim Stacey said recent trading had been softer amid poor consumer confidence levels. 'Although identifying underlying growth rates over short-term periods is extremely difficult, we note that year-on-year order intake in the second half of the financial year to date has been lower than the first half,' he said. Shares fell 0.6 per cent, or 1.5p, to 234p. The Governments decision to shove through a 155million raid on bereaved families is a pretty disgraceful move. A Tory government that has previously lambasted its Labour opposition with claims that it would bring in a death tax is insisting on sneaking in a massive hike in probate fees. This will see the cost for some estates rise by 2,700 per cent from 125 to 6,000, but the Government has sought to get away with that by classifying it as a fee not a tax meaning it can be waved through without a vote or debate in parliament. In a chapter straight out of the Modern Book of British Political Blundering, the row over this took another farcical turn yesterday when in its Spring Statement documents the Governments own spending watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility, said that it was a tax. The Government has been accused of targeting the bereaved with massive probate fee hikes It said: The Treasury expects the ONS to classify the new structure with its 2,700 per cent increase in cost for estates valued over 2million as a tax in the National Accounts. The OBR also revealed it would rake in 155million a year in additional tax receipts and be hefty enough to distort behaviour and drag down inheritance tax receipts by 5million due to the incentive for individuals with estates worth close to thresholds in the new probate fee structure to reduce the value of their estates (through genuine or contrived means) to pay a lower fee. The increase arrives in April and will see the cost of applying for probate on an estate rocket from a flat 215 to between 250 and 6,000. The Governments defence is that only larger estates will pay more, as the fees will now be graded: on estates up to 500,000 it will be 750, on those between that level and 1million it will be 2,500, and then between 1million and 2million fees step up to 4,000, 5,000 and 6,000. In a way it could be worse. When I wrote about these colossal probate fee hikes when they were first proposed the Government wanted to hike them by up to 9,200 per cent to as much as 20,000. Its worth noting that this is not a charge for carrying out probate. All the work in collecting the deceaseds financial details, adding up their estate and filling in the reams of forms needed for probate will already have been done by the executor. Ive had the misfortune of completing probate in recent years, both as an executor for my dad and then helping with my grandmothers estate, and so Im fully aware of how unnecessarily complicated and time-consuming the process is. I also know that after youve done all that work, probate fees are paid for a glorified rubber stamping exercise. It mystifies me why the Government is insisting on pushing ahead with what feels like a kick in the teeth for the bereaved but in the grand scheme of the public finances is a drop in the ocean. When a consultation was run on hiking probate fees only 2 per cent of those responding said it was a good idea. It even had the opportunity to quietly drop this in 2017 and didnt. Quite how the Government can defend its behaviour in claiming this is not a tax to get it through has always been beyond me. It looks like it just got rumbled. ...what the Ministry of Justice says At 8pm last night, after the Spring Statement, the Ministry of Justice, which levies probate charges, put out a statement in which it stuck to its guns. Bizarrely, it claimed that even if something is officially classified as a tax that doesn't mean it is a tax and it can still be a fee. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: 'This is not a tax and any decision by the ONS to define it as such would be purely for accounting purposes. The income raised from probate fees will go towards funding a more efficient and effective courts and tribunals system.' Google and Facebook rake in around half of Britain's 13bn online ads market between them Philip Hammond has called on the UK's competition watchdog to investigate the murky world of digital advertising. The Chancellor's move was in response to a major review that highlighted the dominance of Google and Facebook. It will pile pressure on the two US tech giants, which rake in around half of Britain's 13billion online ads market between them. In a letter to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Hammond said the digital ads sector had been 'widely described as lacking transparency'. Hammond told MPs: 'We need to adapt our regulatory environment to ensure competition works for consumers in the digital market place, as it does in the real market place.' He has asked the CMA to make clear whether it would investigate soon, after it had suggested it would look at the issue. It follows similar recommendations for a study by House of Commons committees and Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright. Hammond said he recognised the CMA's ability to carry out a study could be hampered if there is a No Deal Brexit, which would mean it would have to assume several responsibilities that are handled by EU organisations at short notice. The CMA said its ability to launch new probes was 'heavily dependent' on the outcome of Brexit negotiations. Hammond said: 'The UK will remain a great place to do digital business but it will be a place where successful global tech giants pay their fair share, where competition policy works in consumers' interests and where the public are protected from online harms.' A new national supercomputer was among science projects awarded more than 200million to boost the UK's technology facilities ahead of Brexit. Chancellor Philip Hammond said the 79million Archer 2 machine could carry out 10,000trillion calculations a second. It will be hosted at Edinburgh University and used to make breakthroughs in medicine, climate science and aerospace. He pledged 45million for computer equipment at a genetic research centre in Cambridgeshire, 81million for a lasers facility in Oxfordshire, and 60million for the JET nuclear fusion experiment in the same county. Hammond said: 'Technology does not stand still, and neither can we.' Antony Walker, boss of lobby group Tech UK, said: 'If the UK is to stay at the cutting edge of innovation, we need to address our digital capacity and tech needs. The 79million to support the supercomputer will help fill the gap Tech UK has highlighted. 'The UK desperately needs to address its productivity gap. Doing so requires serious support for digital adoption across our economy.' Big companies will be forced to reveal how long they take to pay small suppliers as part of a crackdown on the 'scourge' of late payments. Chancellor Philip Hammond said the information must be published in annual reports a major victory for small businesses, who have long complained that late payments send thousands to the wall. When outsourcer Carillion went bust last year, more than 30,000 sub-contractors were owed hundreds of millions of pounds. Yesterday, Hammond vowed 'definitive action to tackle the scourge'. Crackdown: Chancellor Philip Hammond wants big firms to reveal how long they take to pay small suppliers as part of a crackdown on the 'scourge' of late payments He added: 'We will require company audit committees to review payment practices, and report on them in their annual accounts.' Non-executive directors would be given responsibility for reporting on how quickly suppliers were being paid. It would initially only apply to listed companies but could be expanded to other firms. Taxman's light touch Controversial changes to how companies report VAT are to be enforced with a light touch. The Chancellor said the making tax digital initiative would still launch on April 1 but promised firms they would not face fines if they do their best to adapt. It will require businesses over the VAT threshold with a turnover of more than 85,000 to keep digital records for VAT. Groups such as the Federation of Small Businesses and the British Chambers of Commerce have warned many companies are not ready. Just 37,000 firms have signed up so far. The Financial Reporting Council has been asked to look at whether it can change existing rules or if the Government needs to pass legislation. It comes after a campaign by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) calling for ministers to act on late payments. The group estimates 50,000 small firms a year collapse because of the problem. Around 60pc of its members are owed up to 10,000 in late payments from their clients. Mike Cherry, chairman of the FSB, said: 'At a time of great uncertainty, the Chancellor has shown today there is still plenty of scope to support the UK's small businesses. 'Four out of five small businesses have been paid late, and we told the Chancellor that today was the moment to tackle this scourge once and for all. The commitment from is welcome. 'The end of late payments could finally be in sight. It can't come soon enough.' Veteran investor Martin Gilbert is standing down as joint chief executive of Standard Life Aberdeen (SLA), leaving his colleague Keith Skeoch solely in charge. Gilbert will stay on as an executive director, focused on working with important clients and bringing in new customers. It ends a power-sharing agreement introduced when the firm was created by an 11billion merger of Gilbert's Aberdeen Asset Management and Skeoch's Standard Life in 2017. Two chiefs: Martin Gilbert, left, is standing down as joint chief executive of Standard Life Aberdeen (SLA), leaving his colleague Keith Skeoch, right, solely in charge The tie-up was seen as a way to fend off rivals in a tough market for fund managers. But the share price has since fallen 42 per cent and savers have pulled out billions of pounds and invested elsewhere instead. Another 40.9billion was withdrawn from SLA last year, equal to 7 per cent of its overall assets, leaving it with 551.5billion at the end of 2018. The combined group had 670billion of assets on its books at the time of the merger. Profits dipped 1.5 per cent to 650million last year, but the company hiked its total annual dividend by 1.4 per cent to 21.6p per share. The shake-up at the top comes after SLA hired City grandee Sir Douglas Flint as its chairman. Flint, who previously chaired HSBC, had been widely expected to review Skeoch and Gilbert's roles after starting in January. Gilbert co-founded Aberdeen in 1983 and has spent the subsequent 36 years at the firm. In January he hinted that he was planning to take a back seat, saying that at 63 he was the second-oldest chief executive of a FTSE 100 firm. Although the change involves giving up control of the company, Gilbert will remain on a lucrative pay packet. The married father-of-three's base salary of 600,000 will not change, but the maximum bonus he can receive will be cut from 3.6million to 2.1million. SLA's chief finance officer Bill Rattray is retiring after 34 years. He will be replaced by Stephanie Bruce, currently a partner at PwC, on a pay packet worth up to 2.4million. She is being given 750,000 of shares as a golden hello. The maximum pay for 62-year-old Skeoch is unchanged at 4.3million a year. SLA's performance continues to worry analysts, suggesting Skeoch has a tough job to convince the City he can right the ship. It was dealt a huge blow last year when Lloyds cancelled a contract for it to look after 109billion of pension funds. This decision has triggered a bitter spat between the two sides which could end up in court. Nicholas Hyett, of trading firm Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'The company can't afford to lose too much institutional money, which probably explains why Martin Gilbert is being kept firmly within the fold. 'Gilbert built Aberdeen Asset Management on relationships with global institutions, and he remains key to maintaining those relationships and winning new business.' SLA shares rose 2.4 per cent, or 5.8p, to 250.8p. Veronique Laurys future as chief executive of B&Q owner Kingfisher looks increasingly uncertain after analysts asked if time was running out for the FTSE 100 boss. Investment bank Stifel downgraded the DIY group, suggesting shareholders were losing confidence in her five-year transformation plan. Laury, 53, joined Kingfisher in 2015 and has been racing to reduce costs, improve its IT system and integrate the products sold across the entire business. It also owns Screwfix and international brands Brico Depot and Castorama. Investment bank Stifel downgraded B&Q owner Kingfisher, suggesting shareholders were losing confidence in her five-year transformation plan But Stifel suggested that shareholders now think Laurys ambitions to achieve 500million in additional profits in less than two years are unachievable. She is now more than halfway through the transformation plan. Analysts at the bank blamed poor planning and an out-of-date DIY business model for the groups woes. Stifel has now urged the board to take action on management ahead of Kingfishers full-year results next Wednesday. The companys shares fell 0.6 per cent, or 1.3p, to 223.8p. Shopping centre owners Hammerson and Intu both fell after a report by Liberum issued a disappointing outlook for the retail property sector. It forecasted a 20 per cent decline in retail values across the two companies portfolio over the next two years. The grim forecast follows Hammersons botched attempt to buy Intu for 3.4billion last year. Stock Watch - Red Emperor Resources Shares in the oil and gas explorer Red Emperor Resources tanked after a test at a well at its Alaska site turned out to be a dud. The London-listed company, with partners 88 Energy and Pantheon Resources, said the quality of oil at the site did not warrant further testing. It was a major blow for the firm, which lists the location as one of only two projects it is involved in on its website. Yesterday, shares in Red Emperor plunged 85.2 per cent, or 4.33p, to 0.75p. Hammerson fell by 1.1 per cent, or 4p, to 374.8p. Intu was down 1.1 per cent, or 1.2p, to 110.25p. G4S, the worlds biggest security firm, was the biggest faller on FTSE 250 index, down 4.6 per cent, or 9.3p, to 194.5p, after its price target was slashed by RBC. The brokerage blamed messy results for the downgrade and said it was sceptical of a plan to separate its cash business. On the up was insulation and roofing firm SIG, with the biggest gains on the FTSE 250 after it was boosted by a Stifel research note. Analysts lifted their price target to 130p from 116p, sending shares up 6.9 per cent, or 9.1p, to 141.2p. Meanwhile, oilfield services provider Petrofac jumped 4.5 per cent, or 20.8p, to 486.3p, after it won a 760million project in Algeria. A buy recommendation for online travel firm On The Beach lifted shares by 4.9 per cent, or 19.5p, to 415.5p. Analysts at Liberum said the market has undervalued the companys potential and slapped a 560p target price on the stock. On The Beach has been expanding overseas amid a boom in demand for budget holidays. Liberum said its new products and overseas expansion gave it a long runway for the future. Cigarettes giant British American Tobacco fell 3.4 per cent, or 106p, to 2980p, after the US Food and Drug Administration revealed draft rules which could see flavoured e-cigarettes removed from convenience stores across America. Rival Imperial Brands also fell 1.8 per cent, or 47p, to 2583.5p. The two firms have been investing heavily in alternatives to traditional tobacco products, such as battery-powered vapour products. Dominos Pizza fell after Liberum raised concerns about its international prospects and the dispute with franchisees which run its outlets. Franchisees have been dragging their heels on new store openings as they demand a bigger share of Dominos profits. Analysts said: We do not feel the market fully appreciates the situation Dominos finds itself in. Debt is high and it may find that it has backed itself into a corner. Liberum said the row remains a crucial debate as to how Dominos returns to a sustainable growth model. Shares fell 3.4 per cent, or 8p, to 226.7p. Shell sparked a fresh row over fat-cat pay after its chief executive was handed 17.8million last year. As the rising oil price hit drivers in the pocket, Ben van Beurden saw his pay more than double from 7.8million in 2017 thanks to a generous bonus scheme. It means the Dutchman, who joined the oil group in 1983, has been paid nearly 60million since becoming boss in 2014. 'Warped culture': As the rising oil price hit drivers in the pocket, Shell boss Ben van Beurden saw his pay more than double from 7.8m in 2017 thanks to a generous bonus scheme Critics attacked Shells warped culture and said motorists hit by price rises at petrol pumps would be infuriated by the payout. Blue-chip firms have been rocked by shareholder rebellions over staggering bonuses handed to bosses, with Astrazeneca, WPP and Unilever all attracting investors ire in the past year. Luke Hildyard, of the High Pay Centre, said: Shell epitomises the flawed governance model and warped culture of modern big business. Its ludicrous to think that chief executives who have climbed to the top of huge organisations need the lure of enormous bonuses to motivate them to do their jobs properly and it would be deeply troubling if they did. Pay awards hundreds of times the size of those experienced by the average worker reflect the dim view that business leaders have of the rest of us. Howard Cox of campaign group Fair Fuel UK said: Motorists will be seething that Shells boss is wallowing in such a huge pay check. It is an undeserved and obscene level of remuneration, generated from the pockets of hard-working drivers and small firms every time they fill up their vehicles. Van Beurdens pay emerged in Shells latest annual report, published yesterday. It revealed the package handed to the 60-year-old included a 1.3million salary and 15.6million in bonuses. Overall his remuneration soared by 128 per cent, up from a total of 7.8million in 2017. Shell claimed directors had spent significant time discussing the payout. A spokesman added: We believe our ratio is consistent with those seen in other companies, although it is challenging to draw a meaningful comparison given the different markets and industries in which they operate. Shells board will have to face shareholders at the annual general meeting in May, when investors will be asked to vote on its pay report. The staggering payout handed to van Beurden comes after the group revealed profits last year had soared to their highest level in four years. Shell raked in 16.3billion in 2018, up by more than a third from the 12billion it made the previous year. Government tugs-of-war over Brexit are 'damaging confidence' in the housing market, stark findings by estate agents show. Nearly 80 per cent of estate agents surveyed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said Brexit uncertainty represented the biggest headache for the housing market. Over 70 per cent said political wranglings were hampering both would-be buyers and sellers, while only 8 per cent believe Brexit is having no impact on the market. Warning: Government tugs-of-war over Brexit are 'damaging confidence' in the housing market, the Rics' latest findings suggest The Rics said: 'Following Theresa Mays latest Brexit deal defeat, regardless of whether the UK now leaves the EU with or without a deal, the impact of further uncertainty is expected to be felt across all tenures of the housing market.' The number of homes coming up for sale dwindled to a record low last month, with estate agents having only around 42 properties listed at their branches. This is the lowest since this element of the Rics survey was introduced in 1994. February marked the eighth consecutive month of a fall in the number of homes coming up for sale. Unsurprisingly, supply issues were found to be the second biggest issue for estate agents behind Brexit. The average time taken to sell a property from listing to completion, was unchanged in February at just under 19-and-a-half weeks, which is the joint longest average since the question was introduced to the survey two years ago. Buyer demand fell for the seventh consecutive month in February, while the number of agreed sales also slipped, 'with virtually all parts of the UK displaying a flat or negative trend' in the latest results. New low: The number of homes coming up for sale dwindled to a record low last month Depleted: The number of homes coming up for sale is a real issue for estate agents On the property price front, the findings reveal that London, the South East of England, East Anglia and the South West are all continuing to see sales prices drop. This marks a 'noticeable change' compared to six months ago, when eight out of the twelve regions countries covered by the survey were still seeing house prices rise. Looking further ahead into the year, prices are expected to increase in every area apart from London and the South East, the Rics said. The Rics house price balance, which measures the difference between the number of estate agents and property surveyors anticipating increases and those expecting decreases, dropped to -28 per cent last month, which is markedly worse than the -22 per cent figure published for January. Simon Rubinsohn, chief economist at the Rics, said: 'Although activity in the housing market continues to be weighted down by the lack of available stock, changes in the tax regime affecting property, and affordability; feedback to the latest RICS survey makes it pretty clear that the ongoing uncertainty around how Brexit will play out is the critical factor influencing both buyers and sellers. 'And with little sign that the issue will be resolved anytime soon, it could prove to be a challenging spring for the housing market and the wider economy. 'It is clear from professionals working in the market that this environment requires a greater degree of realism from those looking to move. Prices: Average national property price fluctuations in the UK charted since 1995 'A reluctance from some vendors to acknowledge the shift in the balance of power in the market will compound the difficulty in executing transactions.' Back in September, Bank of England governor Mark Carney warned that a chaotic no-deal Brexit could cause house prices to fall by around 30 per cent. Chancellor Philip Hammond has today committed 3billion in extra borrowing to deliver 30,000 new affordable homes in England. At the same time, figures from the Office for Budget Responsibility suggest house prices are predicted to fall this year. The figures from the Government's Budget watchdog, published today alongside the Spring Statement, are a change of stance from its October 2018 forecast, when values were expected to rise 3 to 4 per cent in 2019 and the years beyond to 2024. Property experts have said that concerns over Brexit and stretched affordability have caused house price growth to flag. Retail experts blasted the Chancellor's failure to address support for struggling High Streets as they continue to battle crippling business rates. Industry groups said Philip Hammond had missed a 'golden opportunity' to help, with more than 47,000 retailers facing a 128million hike to their rates bill from April 1. Thousands of jobs have been lost as stores shut across the country. High Street gloom: Thousands of jobs have been lost as stores shut across the country. Now, rates are set to soar to 50.4% of retailers' annual rent payments Now, rates are set to soar to 50.4 per cent of retailers' annual rent payments, the highest level since the system was introduced in 1990. The rates are based on the estimated rental value of a property and traditional retailers are often subject to much higher bills due to the size of their stores and number of people they employ. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said it was disappointing that the statement did nothing to support shops. Analysis suggest the Treasury is set to rake in an additional 400million from business rates each year from this year until 2021. Robert Hayton, at property adviser Altus Group, said: 'The Chancellor missed a golden opportunity to help major retail and hospitality businesses who are reducing their estates and headcount as well as manufacturers and the services industries hurting from current uncertainties.' A former UBS trainee claims she was raped by a colleague 20 years her senior Investment bank UBS is being sued by a former trainee who claims it failed to protect her after she was raped by a senior colleague. The ex-staff member was allegedly raped by a banker 20 years older than her, then complained to the Swiss bank which did not do enough to help. She says she had to sit near the alleged rapist for almost three weeks after raising concerns. The alleged victim said the bank monitored her movements after she spoke up and allegedly coerced her into handing over hundreds of messages from the personal phones of friends who were also graduate trainees. It is claimed UBS also monitored her Twitter account. She is now suing the firm in a London employment tribunal. The woman has left UBS, and her alleged rapist also quit. UBS said: 'While we would never comment on individual claims ahead of formal hearings, in November an independent investigation into the allegations made by the former UBS employee concluded UBS made no fundamental errors.' The installation of new gas boilers to provide heating and hot water is set to banned for new homes from 2025 in a move that could add 5,000 to the average price, Chancellor Philip Hammond revealed today. The Government's advisory Committee on Climate Change recommended ending the connection of new homes to the gas grid by 2025 in a report last month, with properties heated with low-carbon energy instead. The Chancellor announced new standards 'mandating the end of fossil fuel heating systems in new homes from 2025 delivering lower carbon, and lower fuel bills too'. But the government have not specified exactly what will replace the traditional boiler - with concerns about how long high-tech low carbon heaters can take to warm a room and cost implications for taxpayers. New homes will no longer be heated by gas from 2025, as part of efforts to tackle climate change, Chancellor Philip Hammond revealed today (file image) Heat pumps use the method illustrated above to extract compress and channel ambient heat The most likely replacement for gas are air source heat pumps. These extract heat from the outside air, even in the depths of winter, and channel it into a compressor that amplifies the heat which is then used to warm up water for the heating, taps and showers. The pumps are generally combined with extra insulation, however the total cost of including these two elements in a new property is currently estimated to be around 5,000 more expensive than a gas boiler. They have other draw backs, such as being noisy, requiring a highly insulated home to see any benefits, are less efficient in winter, and require electricity. Other could also be in the pipeline such as utilising local heatworks which is a system of insulated pipes that takes heat from a central source and delivers to buildings. They are a cost-effective way of carbon emissions, but can require a large initial capital expenditure. Another option is replacing natural gas with hydrogen - but fitting a range of boilers to replace traditional ones could also have a huge cost implication. The move is one of a series of environmental measures unveiled in a short Spring Statement, as he sought to address one of the major concerns of young people ahead of a second school climate strike on Friday. The proposals also include increasing the amount of so-called 'green gas' in the National Grid to replace Natural Gas from the North Sea. The new green energy options - All future homes will be future proofed with low carbon heating. The most likely replacement for gas are air source heat pumps. - The pumps are often combined with extra insulation, but the total is 5,000 more expensive than a gas boiler. - There will also be measures to help small businesses cut emissions. - A study will be conducted into carbon offsets for air travellers, such as tree planting schemes. Advertisement Green gas - or biomethane - is created from biodegradable material, such as food and farm waste, and is purified and pumped into the pipes for cooking and heating. There are a number of advocates of this method of, such as Prince Charles, who has a digester at Poundbury, his new town near Dorchester, Dorset, which pumps gas and electricity into the national grid network to power homes and businesses. But vegans have raised ethical concerns saying generated in this way could never be compatible with veganism, due to the use of animal waste. And the supposedly green energy source comes at a heavy cost to taxpayers and to the environment it is supposed to protect. For example the anaerobic digesters rely increasingly on specially-grown crops from prime arable land, such as maize and sugarbeet and rely on 216 million a year in taxpayer-funded subsidies. Mr Hammond also announced measures to help small businesses to cut emissions and a study into carbon offsets for air travellers, such as tree planting schemes, as part of efforts to move to a carbon-neutral economy. The Chancellor's announcement follows a recommendation from the Committee on Climate Change (CoCC),which argued developers should be blocked from connecting homes to the gas grid from 2025. This would have stopped connections for boilers and cookers. Mr Hammond seems to have watered down this proposal to some extent by limiting the ban to gas central heating, so averting a backlash from home cooks who prefer gas. He said: 'To help ensure consumer energy bills are low and homes are better for the environment, the government will introduce a Future Homes Standard by 2025, so that new build homes are future-proofed with low carbon heating and world-leading levels of energy efficiency.' An anaerobic digestion facility in Hampshire. The supposedly green energy source comes at a heavy cost to taxpayers and to the environment it is supposed to protect Mr Hammond also outlined a call for evidence on whether travel providers should be required to offer 'genuine carbon offsets' for their customers to reduce the pollution from their journeys, and proposals to boost green gas in the grid. Along with measures on climate change, Mr Hammond also announced that the Government would mandate 'biodiversity net gain' for developments in England - to ensure new housing and infrastructure does not hit wildlife. He also announced the protection of all the waters around Ascension Island in the Atlantic, where no fishing would be allowed. And a comprehensive global review of the link between biodiversity and economic growth, to be led by Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta, emeritus professor of economics at Cambridge, will be launched as part of efforts to stem declines in wildlife. Campaign group 10:10 Climate Action's director, Max Wakefield, backed the move to end fossil fuel heating in new homes from 2025. 'All our homes and buildings must be made efficient, affordable and zero-carbon within the next two decades to address the climate crisis. 'Ending the scandal of poor quality new homes is a no-brainer that's good for everyone.' The Chancellor announced new standards 'mandating the end of fossil fuel heating systems in new homes from 2025 delivering lower carbon, and lower fuel bills too' Mel Evans, senior campaigner at Greenpeace UK said the plan to end fossil fuels in new homes 'is vital' and welcomed the measures to protect wildlife. But she warned that tackling the climate 'emergency' required much bigger thinking. 'Issues like the shoddy state of our existing housing stock and rapid adoption of electric vehicles require serious money behind serious policies,' such as banning new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, she urged. Dave Timms, from Friends of the Earth, said: 'The nation's children are calling out for tough action to cut emissions; Mr Hammond must listen harder to the lesson they're teaching him. And he said: 'The Chancellor should have announced a massive programme of investment in home insulation and public transport, instead of pushing the false solution of carbon off-setting for aviation.' The House Builders Federation warned that, while it supports a shift to green energy, it is important that alternative heating options are available at a reasonable price before gas boilers are abandoned. A spokesman said: 'Developers have demonstrated a clear commitment to this agenda and new homes are already considerably more energy efficient than older ones. New technologies are increasingly being incorporated that drive down emissions and we are committed to continuing to work with Government on this. 'The ongoing costs and comfort of homeowners is an absolute priority for home builders and it must be ensured that alternative heat sources are suitably attractive, available and efficient before withdrawing existing options.' Director of the campaign group 10:10 Climate Action, Max Wakefield, backed the move to end fossil fuel heating in new homes. 'All our homes and buildings must be made efficient, affordable and zero-carbon within the next two decades to address the climate crisis. Ending the scandal of poor quality new homes is a no-brainer that's good for everyone,' he said. Fraport AG operates airports in Germany, rest of Europe, Asia, and the United States. The company primarily focuses on the operation of Frankfurt Main airport. It operates through four segments: Aviation, Retail & Real Estate, Ground Handling, and International Activities & Services. The Aviation segment operates landside and airside infrastructure, which covers the area of airport charges. The Retail & Real Estate segment engages in retail activities, including marketing of real estate properties and land. This segment also manages buildings and facilities, and parking and retail areas; and rents advertising space. The Ground Handling segment provides loading, baggage, and passenger services through airmail and luggage transport to freight handling. The International Activities & Services segment acquires, operates, maintains, develops, and expands airports and infrastructure facilities. This segment also offers integrated facility and corporate infrastructure management, airport expansion south, and information and telecommunication services. Fraport AG was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Read More Bayer Aktiengesellschaft operates as a life science company worldwide. It operates through Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Health, and Crop Science segments. The Pharmaceuticals segment offers prescription products primarily for cardiology and women's health care; specialty therapeutics in the areas of oncology, hematology, and ophthalmology; and diagnostic imaging equipment and contrast agents, as well as cell and gene therapy. The Consumer Health segment markets nonprescription over-the-counter medicines, medical products, medicated skincare products, nutritional supplements, and self-care solutions in dermatology, nutritional supplements, pain and cardiovascular risk prevention, digestive health, allergy, and cold and cough. The Crop Science segment offers chemical and biological crop protection products, improved plant traits, seeds, digital solution, and pest and weed control products, as well as customer service for agriculture. This segment also provides breeding, propagation, and production/processing of seeds, including seed dressing. Bayer Aktiengesellschaft has a collaboration agreement with MD Anderson Cancer Center to develop oncology drugs; research and license agreement with Dewpoint Therapeutics, Inc. for the development of new treatments for cardiovascular and gynecological diseases; collaboration agreement with Exscientia Ltd, Foundation Medicine Inc., and Evotec AG; research collaboration with Arvinas Inc. and Forschungszentrum JAlich GmbH; strategic research partnership with University of Oxford to develop novel gynecological therapies; and research collaboration agreements with Haplogen GmbH and Kyoto University to identify new drugs candidates for the treatment of pulmonary diseases. The company distributes its products through wholesalers, pharmacies and pharmacy chains, supermarkets, online and other retailers, and hospitals, as well as directly to farmers. Bayer Aktiengesellschaft was founded in 1863 and is headquartered in Leverkusen, Germany. 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Ltd., Alere Medical Pakistan (Private) Limited, Alere Medical Private Limited, Alere North America LLC, Alere Oy Ab, Alere Philippines Inc., Alere Phoenix ACQ Inc., Alere Pte Ltd, Alere S.A., Alere S.r.l., Alere S/A, Alere SAS, Alere San Diego Inc., Alere Scarborough Inc., Alere Spain S.L., Alere Switzerland GmbH, Alere Technologies GmbH, Alere Technologies Holdings Limited, Alere Technologies Limited, Alere Toxicology AB, Alere Toxicology Inc., Alere Toxicology S.r.l., Alere Toxicology Services Inc., Alere Toxicology plc, Alere UK Holdings Limited, Alere UK Subco Limited, Alere ULC, Alere US Holdings LLC, Alere s.r.o., Alisoc Investment & Co, Amedica Biotech Inc., Ameditech Inc., American Generics S.A.S., American Medical Supplies Inc., American Pharmacist Inc., Antares S.A., Apica Cardiovascular Limited, Aquagestion Capacitacion S.A., Aquagestion S.A., Arriva Medical LLC, Arriva Medical Philippines Inc., Arvis Investments Limited, Atlas Farmaceutica S.A., Avee Laboratories Inc., Axis-Shield AD III AS, Axis-Shield AD IV AS, Axis-Shield AS, Axis-Shield Diagnostics Limited, Axis-Shield Ltd., BBI Animal Health Limited, BBI Diagnostics Group 2 Public Limited Company, Banco de Vida S.A., Bioabsorbable Vascular Solutions Inc., Bioalgae S.A., Biohealth LLC, Biosite Incorporated, Bosque Bonito S.A., Branan Medical Corporation, Brandex Europe C.V., British Colloids Limited, CFR Chile S.A., CFR Interamericas EL Salvador Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, CFR Interamericas Nicaragua Sociedad Anonima, CFR Interamericas Panama S.A., CFR Pharmaceuticals, California Property Holdings III LLC, CardioMEMS LLC, Caripharm Inc., Cephea Valve Technologies, Cephea Valve Technologies Inc., Colibri Medical Aktiebolag, Comercializadora y Distribuidora CFR Interamericas Honduras S.A., Concateno South Limited, Concateno UK Limited, Consorcio Tecnologico en Biomedicina Clinico-Molecular S.A., Continuum Services LLC, Cozart Limited, Dextech S.A., Diagnostik Nord GmbH, Distribuciones Uquifa S.A.S., Domesco Medical Import-Export Joint-Stock Corporation, Duphar International Research B.V., Endocardial Solutions, Epocal (US) Inc, Esprit de Vie S.A., European Chemicals & Co, European Drug Testing Service EDTS AB, European Services S.A., Evalve Inc., Evalve International Inc., FARMINDUSTRIA S.A., Fada Pharma Paraguay Sociedad Anonima, Fadapharma del Ecuador S.A., Farmaceutica Mont Blanc S.L., Farmacologia Em Aquicultura Veterinaria Ltda., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV Ecuador S.A., Farmacologia en Aquacultura Veterinaria FAV S.A., Fernwood Investment S.A., First Check Diagnostics LLC, Focus Pharmaceutical S.A.S., Forensics Limited, Forestcreek Overseas S.A., Fournier Pharma Corp., Fournier Pharma GmbH, Fournier Pharmaceuticals Limited, Framed B.V., Gabmed GmbH, Garden Hills LLC, Global Analytical Development LLC, Globapharm & CO LP, Glomed Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Golnorth Investments S.A., Gynocare Limited, Gynopharm Sociedad Anonima, Gynopharm de Centroamerica S.A., Gynopharm de Venezuela C.A., Hi-Tronics Designs Inc., IDEV Technologies Inc., IG Innovations Limited, IMTC Finance B.V., IMTC Holdings B.V., IMTC Technologies Inc., Ibis Biosciences LLC, Igloo Zone Chile S.A., Igloo Zone S.L., Inmobiliaria Naknek S.A.C., Innovacon Inc., Instant Tech Subsidiary Acquisition Inc., Instant Technologies Inc., Instituto de Criopreservacion de Chile S.A., Integrated Vascular Systems Inc., Inverness Canadian Acquisition Corporation, Inverness Medical (Beijing) Co. 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Ltd., Shanghai Si Fa Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Sinensix & Co., Spinal Modulation LLC, St. Jude Medical, St. Jude Medical AB, St. Jude Medical ATG Inc., St. Jude Medical Argentina S.A., St. Jude Medical Asia Pacific Holdings GK, St. Jude Medical Atrial Fibrillation Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Brasil Ltda., St. Jude Medical Business Services Inc., St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division Inc., St. Jude Medical Colombia Ltda., St. Jude Medical Coordination Center, St. Jude Medical Costa Rica Limitada, St. Jude Medical Europe Inc., St. Jude Medical Export Ges.m.b.H., St. Jude Medical GVA Sarl, St. Jude Medical Holdings B.V., St. Jude Medical India Private Limited, St. Jude Medical International Holding, St. Jude Medical LLC, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings II, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings NT, St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings SMI S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings TC S.a r.l., St. Jude Medical Mexico Business Services S. de R.L. de C.V., St. Jude Medical Middle East DMCC, St. Jude Medical Operations (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC, St. Jude Medical S.C. Inc., St. Jude Medical Systems AB, St. Jude Medical Turkey Medikal Urunler Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Standard Diagnostics Inc., Standing Stone LLC, Swan-Myers Incorporated, TC1 LLC, Tendyne Holdings Inc., Tendyne Medical Inc., Thoratec Delaware LLC, Thoratec Europe Limited, Thoratec LLC, Thoratec Switzerland GmbH, Tobal Products Incorporated, Topera GmbH in Liquidation, Topera Inc., Tremora S.A., Tuenir S.A., TwistDx, UAB Abbott Laboratories, UAB Abbott Medical Lithuania, Union-Madison Realty Company Inc., Unipath Limited (dba Alere International/aka Cranfield), Unipath Management Limited, Unipath Pension Trustee Limited, Veropharm, Veropharm Limited Liability Partnership, Vida Cell Inversiones S.A., Vida Cell S.A., Vivalsol, W&R Pharma Handels GmbH, Western Pharmaceuticals S.A., X Technologies Inc., Yissum Holding Limited, ZonePerfect Nutrition Company, eScreen Canada ULC, eScreen Inc., ( ), and Abbott Laboratories Baltics. Founded in 1889 by Georges Ducommun in the heart of the Jura Mountains in Switzerland's canton of Neuchatel, DOXA celebrates its 130th anniversary with a new edition of thein steel that will be produced in a special series of just 130 pieces and offered as a premiere, heralding a new line to be introduced in late 2019.Housed in a 42 mm case made of a single block of 316L stainless steel, the DOXA SUB 200 features a sapphire glass which takes on the distinctive shape of the curved plexiglass used in original models dating back to the late 1960s.The unidirectional rotating bezel frames the famous Black Velvet dial and its baton-styled hands and hour indices with beige Super-LumiNova Light Old Radium" inserts which enhances the vintage character of this special series.Water resistant to 20 ATM (200 metres / 660 feet), the watch is matched to a 316L steel "rice grain" mesh bracelet featuring a diving extension folding clasp.The movement of choice is the Swiss automatic ETA 2824-2 mechanical calibre beating at 4 Hz (28,800 vph) and offering 42 hours of power reserve.The DOXA SUB 200 130th Anniversary Celebration limited edition (ref. 799.10.101LE.10) will have a price of Swiss Francs 1,190 while the non limited edition that will follow later in the year will retail at Swiss Francs 990. Venezuela tank farm explosion blamed on terrorist incursions Two tanks containing thinners exploded on March 13 at a tank farm facility belonging to Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA in eastern Anzoategui state. There have been no reports of victims as yet, according to local media. The blast occurred at the Petro San Felix facility located in San Diego de Cabrutica, the daily Ultimas Noticias reported via Twitter. Representative image - Shutterstock Petro San Felix is located within the Jose Antonio Anzoategui (CIJAA) industrial complex, which covers some 7.4 sq km. Firefighters are on site, the daily said. Venezuela's oil minister, Manuel Quevedo, said on Twitter that it was an attack designed to affect Venezuelan oil production, specifically accusing US Senator Marco Rubio and the head of the Venezuelan Parliament, Juan Guaido, for terrorist incursions against the state. The deputy Jose Brito, a native of Anzoategui, told local media that three tanks had exploded so far and that authorities had activated emergency units to counter the risk of new explosions. US sanctions from January have further squeezed the countrys economy, already suffering from decades of corruption and maladministration. Oil and gas infrastructure has not received vital maintenance and a number of oil leaks and explosions have happened in recent years, including a refinery explosion in 2012 that killed 49 and injured hundreds. Contact Details and Archive... Recent legislation allows the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to now offer many new types of vehicle registration plates to its customers. Five of the new plates offer recognition for veterans, with two special funds plates and a historic military vehicle registration plate rounding out the new offerings. Proceeds from the two special funds plates will help raise funds for worthy causes. The first of these is a new Distracted Driving Awareness registration plate. It is available for a motorcycle and a passenger car or truck with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds or a motor home. The plate costs $40 with proceeds used to advance public education and outreach on the dangers posed by distracted driving. The other is an Honoring Our Women Veterans registration plate, available for a passenger car or truck with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds. Fifteen dollars of the plates $35 cost goes to the Veterans Trust Fund to be used for programs and resources that assist women veterans. Three of the new plates the Soldiers Medal registration plate, the Presidential Service Badge registration plate and the Legion of Merit registration plate recognize veterans special contributions during their service. All are available for passenger cars or trucks with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds for a fee of $20. Veterans must be able to show that they are recipients of the respective awards. New for motorcycle owners is the Purple Heart Medal Motorcycle registration plate, which displays the words Combat Wounded Veteran across the bottom of the registration plate. Applicants must provide proof that they were the recipient of a Purple Heart Medal. Purple Heart registration plates are available for a fee of $11. Our comrades-in-arms from other countries can apply for a Veterans of an Allied Foreign Country registration plate. It may be used on passenger cars or trucks with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds. The fee for the plate is $20. Among the selection of new plates is a Historic Military Vehicle registration plate. This registration plate is for antique or classic vehicles that were manufactured for use in any countrys military forces. The vehicles must be maintained to represent their original military design and markings. This plate is available for both historic military vehicles and historic military motorcycles. The fee for either military vehicle or motorcycle plates is $75. More information, to include eligibility requirements and images of registration plates, is available at www.dmv.pa.gov by checking Registration Plates under Vehicle Services. WASHINGTON President Trump's 2020 budget proposal isnt going anywhere fast, but that isnt preventing Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer from pointing out potential upstate impacts. That includes cuts to community block grants, food stamps, affordable housing and airline subsidies that connect Albany to remote North Country airports, Schumer says. Its nothing short of a gut-punch to the Capital Region, the senator said in a statement accompanying an analysis of what the Trump formulas might mean for New York. As Congress forms its budget bills, I will work in a bipartisan fashion to do everything I can to avert these unjustifiable cuts, which would just hammer the middle class. Trumps $4.7 trillion budget unveiled Monday included $8.6 billion for his border wall and major increases for the military. Although tax cuts in 2017 and increased spending will bring the deficit to an estimated $1.1 trillion next year, the Trump budget projects a balanced budget through 2024 through cuts to non-defense discretionary programs such in housing, education, social services and health care. Among the proposals: 31 percent cuts for the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers and 21.5 percent for the Department of Transportation. While Schumers estimates are just that, the figures are meant to cast a dire picture of the future upstate. The regional economy has pluses and minuses, but the state as a whole is high-cost with a significant needy population in both urban and rural areas. Among the potential cuts noted by Schumer: Community block grants, intended to spur re-development in cities and small towns, especially in commercial areas: In 2018, Albany got $3.3 million in Community Development Block Grant money, while Schenectady got $2.2 million and Troy got $1.7 million. On SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called Food Stamps): Albany County stands to lose $15.2 million a year; Rensselaer County $6.9 million and Schenectady County $9.8 million. Essential Air Services, a transportation subsidy that gives small airlines the financial incentive to run commercial flights into smaller cities and towns: Among those that could be affected are Adirondack Regional Airport and airports in Massena, Ogdensburg, Plattsburgh and Watertown. Federal Aviation Administration airport improvement grants: The Trump budget proposed eliminating the program entirely. Among the recipients in recent years was Schenectady County Airport, which got $7.1 million. Water: The Trump budget cuts funding for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Funds by $874 million. The funds help localities with low-cost financing for water and sewer infrastructure projects. Last year, In New York received $45 million from the drinking-water fund, and $179 million from the Clean Water SRF. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The report noted less-specific potential cuts to Social Security, opioid-abuse prevention, education, and National Institutes of Health grants to medical centers. The Trump administration has touted job creation, dismissing concerns over the growing deficit by assuring continued economic growth will pour more tax money into federal coffers. Since his first year in office, and again in the budget we are laying out, President Trump has pushed for more reductions to wasteful Washington spending than any other president in history, said Russ Vought, acting director of the White House Office of Management and Budget. Unfortunately, Congress has repeatedly ignored these taxpayer savings and plowed ahead with irresponsible budgets that increase our deficits and size of government. This needs to stop. ALBANY The "one-house" budget bills approved Wednesday by the state Senate and Assembly rejected Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's sweeping proposals to dramatically increase oversight of the state's limousine industry proposals that were offered in response to the tragic Oct. 6 limousine crash in Schoharie that killed 20 people. The language of the budget legislation gutted every new safeguard proposed by Cuomo although legislators did keep intact a new $120 inspection fee for the largest stretch limos. While their absence from the one-house budget bills do not preclude Cuomo's proposals from reappearing in the final bills at the end of the standard closed-door negotiation process, it indicates an increased likelihood that they'll fall off the bargaining table. The current state fiscal year ends March 31. Cuomo's original package of proposals, unveiled in January, included an outright ban on stretch limousines and increased powers for the state departments of Transportation and Motor Vehicles to take illegal limos off the road and punish rogue operators. The governor also wanted to increase civil and criminal penalties for limo operators who try to evade the law. Prestige Limousine, the owner of the stretch 2001 Ford Excursion involved in the Schoharie crash, failed to obtain the proper DOT certification, and the vehicle had failed three roadside inspections in the months leading up to the crash. Cuomo said the new powers and penalties were needed to ensure a similar tragedy wouldn't happen again. However, limo company owners and state legislators have been wary of the governor's proposals from the start, saying they could put upstanding limo companies out of business. "You can't unilaterally blame everyone for the actions of a few," state Sen. Neil Breslin, D-Bethlehem, said Tuesday when asked why the Senate took Cuomo's new limo regulations out of the budget. The ban on stretch limousines was removed in revised budget language that was given to the legislature last month. The Assembly took all of Cuomo's remaining limo law proposals from its budget package, except for the imposition of a $120 inspection fee, which owners of stretch limos that carry more than 10 passengers would have to pay at their semi-annual inspections with the DOT. The Senate is planning to hold hearings on the issue, according to a budget resolution submitted by state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins along with the chamber's budget legislation. "The Senate rejects the provisions regulating modified limousines pending a hearing to incorporate stakeholders' input to ensure that passenger motor carrier safety is properly regulated while enabling the industry to function," the resolution states. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Kevin Barwell, president of the Limousine Bus Taxi Operators Of Upstate New York, said he and others in the industry have been pressing the legislature for months on the issue, trying to explain that jobs were at stake. "That (result) was totally what we were asking for," said Barwell, who owns a Buffalo limousine company. "You can't sit there and create legislation and policy for an industry you don't understand." A Cuomo spokesman declined to respond to the absence of the proposals from the Senate and Assembly budget plans. Nauman Hussain, who operated Prestige Limousine for his father, has been charged with one count of criminally negligent homicide in connection with crash, which happened as the limo was carrying 17 friends and family members from the Amsterdam area to a birthday party in Cooperstown. The crash happened after the limo sped through a stop sign at an intersection in front of the Apple Barrel Country Store in Schoharie, careened into the parking lot and landed in a ravine. All 17 passengers and the driver died, along with two bystanders in the parking lot. State Police and the National Transportation Safety Board are continuing their investigations, although court filings in Hussain's case indicate that brake failure is being looked at as a potential cause. Retired Amtrak President Joseph H. Boardman, who grew up in the Rome suburb of Taberg and launched his transportation career as a part-time bus driver while attending Cornell University, has died. Boardman, 70, suffered a stroke while vacationing in Florida with his wife and family, according to the Rome Sentinel. Amtrak announced his death March 7. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church, 1807 Bedford St., in Rome. A complete obituary in the Rome Sentinel may be found here. Boardman in 1975 began managing Rome's transit agency, and then Utica's, before being named commissioner of the state Department of Transportation in 1997 during the administration of Gov. George Pataki. As commissioner, he oversaw state-funded efforts to restore high-speed rail to the state's Empire Corridor by updating a fleet of quarter-century-old turbotrains. The French-designed turboliners were capable of speeds of 125 mph, faster than the existing tracks could accommodate. The first of the rebuilt trains were also panned by passengers for their hard vinyl seats, inadequate air conditioning and lack of insulation. Amtrak, which operated the three trains that were rebuilt, took them out of service in June 2004, leading Boardman to accuse Amtrak of stealing the trains. The following April, Boardman was confirmed as the Federal Railroad Administrator, the industry's top regulator. "New York's loss is the nation's gain," Pataki said at the time. CSX, which opposed high-speed rail service on tracks it owns from Schenectady to Buffalo when Boardman was DOT commissioner, citing safety concerns, came under intense scrutiny after one of its freight trains derailed and exploded in Oneida in March 2007. The 79-car train included 40 tank cars carrying propane, and derailed not far from Boardman's home in Rome. It was eight days before rail service was restored along the busy route. Boardman joined Amtrak as president and CEO the following year, and during his tenure ridership grew strongly, and digital ticketing was introduced. Amtrak also invested in new equipment, including electric locomotives along its Northeast Corridor. Boardman prioritized safety and reliability, so it was also a blow when an Amtrak train derailed in Philadelphia when traveling twice the speed limit, killing eight passengers. Boardman argued for positive train control, a technology that would likely have prevented the crash, but Congress in 2015 extended the deadline for installation until 2018. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Boardman retired the following year. Perhaps it was his rural roots or his early experiences with public transportation. Boardman became an advocate for providing mobility to people, particularly rural residents, who might not otherwise have a way to move around. He has criticized Amtrak management's efforts to discontinue some long-distance trains, arguing they serve communities that otherwise might not have any transportation options. Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia and current President and CEO Richard Anderson issued the following statement: "Joe, during his tenure as FRA Administrator, Amtrak Board Member and Amtrak President & CEO, was a tireless advocate for passenger rail and the nation's mobility. During his eight years at the helm, Joe helped the company make significant progress in reducing our debt, improving our infrastructure and raising our cost recovery performance. "He leaves a lasting legacy that includes public service and making passenger rail transportation better for millions of people." COLONIE Neil Golub knows how to win a food fight. On Wednesday at the Hearst Media Center, the executive chairman of the company that operates Price Chopper, Market 32 and Market Bistro supermarkets explained how Golub Corp.'s early stores ended up with the name Central Markets, and why it's so important to get everything right when you're opening a new store. Golub, the featured guest at the Times Union's Leadership Luncheon series, offered a pocket history of grocery stores, which in the 1930s were typically small in layout. An entrepreneur named Michael Cullen came up with the idea of a spacious new store with plenty of selection, self-service and ample parking. Kroger and A&P both rejected his idea, so Cullen launched what eventually became King Kullen, a chain of supermarkets on Long Island. His early stores were just 3,000 to 4,000 square feet. Today, supermarkets can be 40,000 square feet or more roughly an acre in size. Around the same time, brothers Ben and Bill Golub were opening their first store in Green Island, soon to be followed by another around the corner from Central Park in Schenectady. The "Central" name stuck and remained until the early 1970s, when the Price Chopper name was adopted. More for you 20 things you don't know about me: Neil Golub "It's all about how do you best satisfy the needs of the customer," Golub said. While Price Chopper targeted baby boomers, the company's new Market Bistro/Market 32 branding has brought new generations of shoppers. "A lot of people coming into the Market Bistro," a massive on-trend store with a sit-down restaurant, a wide range of ethnic and prepared foods, desserts and other baked goods, and even an animated mooing cow over the dairy section, said Golub. Their reaction? "This out-Wegmans Wegmans," he added, referring to the Rochester-based chain that has shunned the Capital Region but offers features similar to those found at Market 32. Supermarkets must contend with a flood of new products as many as 2,000 each year and shelf space is at a premium. The slowest sellers are replaced with newer offerings. Golub pointed out that the water category, which once took up four feet of shelf space, now stretches to 30 feet. Store-brand products have been "enormously successful," Golub said, after moderator Rex Smith, the Times Union's editor, asked him about Price Chopper's prize-winning tuna fish, which won the newspaper's taste test competition. And the stakes are growing. While it may be easy to replace a slow-selling product with one that's more popular, "the biggest mistake is when you open a store that lays an egg," Golub said. "Stores cost $5 million to $10 million to open. If it doesn't go and you're in a 20- or 25-year lease, you can hang for a very long time." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Another challenge affecting in-store pharmacies at Price Chopper and Market 32 is the spread of fees charged by pharmacy benefit managers that have squeezed profits. "The reality is that they're on a ... road to shutting down every pharmacy in the country," Golub said. He talked about the community and philanthropic work that he and his wife, Jane, continue to be involved in, from the Museum of Innovation and Science in Schenectady and supporting hospitals as well as the Anti-Defamation League's "A World of Difference" campaign to fight bullying and racism. "There's no place for hate," Golub said. He also talked about his work in the 1990s on Schenectady 2000, a collaboration with then-Union College President Roger Hull to revitalize the city, considered at the time by many to be a "pit." It was Robert Farley, son of longtime state Sen. Hugh Farley, who suggested creating an authority that could oversee revitalization of the downtown, Golub said. The Metroplex Development Authority its name adopted from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Golub said was formed in 1999. Since then, much of the downtown has been rebuilt or restored. What's ahead for Golub Corp.? Golub said consolidation has reduced the number of supermarket chains, and that "in order for us to grow in this business, we need to have a partner." While he didn't say who that partner might be, he added that "we're committed to the long haul." People often say that traveling is all about the journey and not the destination, but for wheelchair users, navigating air travel is often more of an adventure than they would like. Rolling through large crowded airports, hauling luggage, waiting in long lines, receiving a pat down, being strapped into a tiny aisle chair and then sitting for hours unable to move is exhausting. We've learned that the best way to circumvent some of the inevitable issues is to know what to expect, and prepare accordingly. What to remember before you book Before clicking the purchase button, even seasoned travelers should review the airline's policies regarding passengers with disabilities. John Morris, a triple amputee who has flown more than 850,000 miles in the past five years, writes about accessibility for his website WheelchairTravel. He discovered, after reading AirAsia's website, that he cannot fly with the airline because his battery-operated wheelchair weighs more than the airline allows. When choosing a seat, Morris prefers a window to avoid being crawled over by other passengers. Other travelers, particularly those who cannot transfer from a wheelchair to their seat independently, may prefer the aisle seat. The roomier bulkhead seating might be an option for some, just be aware the armrests do not raise. Also, keep in mind that wheelchair users exit the aircraft last. The deplaning process can easily take 25 minutes or more, so when booking a connecting flight, always allow ample time. Morris recommends a minimum of 90 minutes. Considering that quick layover might be your only opportunity to visit a restroom, those extra few minutes are precious. After booking your flight, contact the airline at least 48 hours in advance of departure and let them know you will need special assistance. If you must change airlines, which can be common on international flights, be sure to notify them, too. Avoid wheelchair damage "The way the airlines treat our equipment causes some wheelchair users to not travel at all, and that breaks my heart," said Sylvia Longmire, a former U.S. Air Force officer who travels the world solo on her small power wheelchair. Longmire also writes Spin the Globe, an accessible travel website. You can help prevent wheelchair damage by attaching written instructions explaining how to operate your chair, as well as how it folds and tilts. Before turning a wheelchair over to airport personnel, take off any removable parts such as the seat cushion, removable wheels and footrests. These items may be carried on the plane and do not count as baggage. For your own baggage, carry as little luggage as possible. The airline's curbside baggage check can be helpful if available, or consider purchasing a rolling suitcase designed to attach to a wheelchair. Finally, always carefully inspect your wheelchair for damage when it's returned to you and immediately notify the airline if there is a problem. Document any damage you find with photos that you can send to the airline, as well to file a compensation claim. How to navigate bathroom concerns Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Many domestic flights are on single-aisle planes which rarely have accessible bathrooms onboard. Even though wide-body planes (those with two aisles) are required to have an accessible lavatory, the tight configuration doesn't work for many travelers with disabilities. To avoid embarrassment, always confirm before departure that the plane has an onboard wheelchair. Flight attendants can push you to the bathroom. They do not assist with transferring to a toilet or providing personal care. Better yet, consider that domestic airports are required to have accessible restrooms in all terminals; you will definitely be better off using the toilet before you depart. However, some small or older airports in the United States, and others abroad may not have them. Although it isn't healthy, Longmire stops eating and drinking the day before a flight. Other travelers might choose to use a catheter or wear protective undergarments. What to do once you get to the airport Upon arrival at the airport, remind your airline that you need wheelchair assistance. At the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint, passengers who cannot stand or walk go through a pat-down administered by an officer of their same gender. The TSA website explains the process in detail. You may also call the TSA Cares help line (855-787-2227) at least 72 hours before flying with any questions. Once you get to the gate, tell the agent you have a disability and want to pre-board. The Air Carrier Access Act (ACCA) states individuals with disabilities are to board before all other passengers. What to do if things go wrong If you encounter an access problem at the airport and the airline is unable to resolve it, ask to speak with the complaint resolution official. Each air carrier is required to have one or more available on site or by phone. This specially trained individual has the authority to problem solve on the spot. ALBANY A pair of recent Albany High graduates who claim they were the targets of pornographic text messages, aggressive behavior and other threats from a classmate have filed a complaint with the federal Department of Education, contending that administrators at the school let the abuse continue while failing to protect the alleged victims. The female students, who graduated in 2018 and now attend college, have been interviewed by the DOEs Office for Civil Rights, according to a source familiar with the matter. The office enforces Title IX, the federal law intended to protect students from sexual discrimination or harassment. Albany school officials acknowledge their attorney, Jeff Honeywell, has been contacted by federal authorities, but they are unsure of the status of any potential case against the district. The Office of Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education has contacted us," said spokesman Ron Lesko. "However, no complaint or investigation has commenced." Additionally, documents from the State Education Department show that district officials tried to implement a gag order on the case in 2018, while it was being investigated by state officials. A protective order barring the parties from disseminating the pleadings and supporting documents is necessary to comply with the legal rights of students who attend the school district, Honeywell argued in a filing with the state. We requested a sealed record to protect the privacy rights of all students involved, Lesko said in an email. State education officials, however, replied that they had redacted the names of the students and their parents as well as the identity of the alleged perpetrator. Details of the case, with names redacted, were obtained by the Times Union, which reported on the matter last August. The names continue to be redacted in the state's case files. The federal agencys involvement suggests that the case, dating to 2015, continues to ripple through the school district. State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia in September dismissed the complaint against the district because the students had graduated. But she also ordered state officials to provide guidance going forward to make sure incidents of harassment and bullying are properly investigated. Lesko said district officials met with SED personnel last fall and just recently received additional guidance from the state on its safety monitoring protocols. More for you Parents protest Albany schools' handling of sexting incident The case started in 2015 when a male student, who has since graduated, sent a pornographic text message to a female classmate. After that, the victims contend the perpetrator continually harassed them while school officials failed to take action. That prompted the families of the victims to go to the State Education Department. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The allegations also roiled the student body. In a protest related to the allegations, about a dozen students stood and turned their backs in protest when then-school board President Sue Adler began speaking during their June graduation ceremony. In the wake of the protest, Honeywell called the allegations that prompted it "false, malicious and unfounded." While the state concluded its investigation, the two families went to the federal DOE contending the district had violated Title IX. Federal officials said they couldnt comment or provide details since the matter involves an open request for enforcement. The information you requested could reasonably be expected to interfere with OCRs enforcement proceedings, Timothy Blanchard, director of the DOEs New York Office for Civil Rights, wrote in an email. In addition to what they said was a lack of enforcement, the complainants also said the school district wouldnt release a referral for one of the students to receive mental health counseling after she graduated. She had asked a district employee for counseling while still in the high school but the referral would have gone to counselors outside the school system and could have helped the practitioners with any further counseling she might need. The current status of that referral remains unclear. When asked about that element of the complaint, Lesko said the district cant comment on specific student matters. rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU ALBANY Crumpled plastic cups littering side alleys. Greasy pizza boxes dumped on sidewalks. Trash cans overflowing. St. Patrick's Day may be on Sunday, but the city is already getting dirty. Garbage left over from one of the infamous "Kegs and Eggs" parties clogged the corner of Hudson Avenue and Quail Street in Pine Hills on Wednesday afternoon, an Albany Law School student documented on Twitter. Justin Devendorf, the Twitter user and South Lake resident who snapped the pictures Wednesday, said his college-aged neighbors used the street as "their own personal garbage dump." "This is the end result of what will happen when some people who live in Pine Hills do not act like 'good neighbors' and instead dump their red Solo cups, empty 30 rack and pizza boxes, and other nasty garbage wherever they want. Pine Hills deserves better than this," Devendorf tweeted. Brian Shea, Mayor Kathy Sheehan's chief of staff, responded to Devendorf and reached out to the city's Department of General Services who had already dispatched a litter crew Thursday morning. The crew blew the trash into the road where it was collected by street sweepers. The city notified property owners along the Pine Hills strip that open trash bags were causing garbage to blow into the street. If they don't resolve the issue in five business days, they can be fined for labor costs anywhere between $75 to $150. Shea said streets get cleaned once a week on a regular schedule and pick up more trash this time of year, although it doesn't cost the city more. University at Albany spokesman Jordan Carleo-Evangelist said the situation was "totally unacceptable." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Students are held accountable for conduct off campus and he said the UAlbany Office of Neighborhood Life went door to door with police Wednesday reminding students of their obligations to be good neighbors. The group is scheduled to walk through the neighborhood next week with the Pine Hills Neighborhood Association and city's Department of General Services to identify and report code violations including excessive trash. Cleanups are set for March 31 and April 6. He said off-campus ambassadors, students who live in the neighborhood, are a "visible and accountable presence at virtually every midtown neighborhood meeting" and "do a lot of work to educate their fellow students." In 2011 the University at Albany changed the time of its spring break to avoid St. Patrick's Day after riotous parties in past years. PITTSFIELD, Mass. Massachusetts police believe the husband of an Albany attorney killed his wife and three kids before taking his own life at the family's home in Sheffield, Mass. this week. The five bodies were discovered Wednesday morning at 1343 Home Road, following a fire at the home. Justine Wilbur, 41, was discovered dead on the first floor. Her husband, Luke Karpinski, 41, and three children, 7-year-old twins Alex and Zoe, and 3-year-old Marek, were found dead upstairs, Berkshire County District Attorney Andrea Harrington told reporters Thursday. During a short news conference at 6 p.m. in Pittsfield, Harrington said evidence indicates that Karpinski was the assailant in what authorities have classified a murder-suicide. Harrington said officials from several Massachusetts agencies are still combing through the family home, located in the southwestern corner of the state about an hour from Albany, looking for clues. The causes of the deaths are part of the ongoing investigation. The bodies were taken to the chief medical examiner's office in Boston for autopsies, she said. Harrington was unable to provide much more information about when the family died, whether weapons were involved or how the fire started. Wilbur was a senior associate for Hoffman Warnick, where she worked as a patent attorney since 2017. Much of her work was related to scientific patents. Before becoming an attorney, she worked as a scientist, managing a drug discovery team that focused on cancer research. The law firm released a written statement Thursday, saying Wilbur "built a reputation both domestically and internationally as a patent expert." "Justine was smart, knowledgeable, dedicated and hardworking," the firm said. "She was a devoted mother to her wonderful children, and a true friend to everyone in our firm." "We are each devastated by loss and extraordinary sadness, but are comforted and grateful for having shared Justine's infectious spirit and energy. "We pray for her family and those who loved her." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Karpinski worked as a federal chemical patent examiner. The fire was reported shortly before 8 a.m. It took about 90 minutes to extinguish, according to the Berkshire Eagle. The deaths come only three months after, police said, Steve Jones of Ballston Spa man shot and killed his wife Jennifer and 12-year-old daughter Emma, then himself on Adams Circle. In 2016, Colonie Police Officer Israel Roman killed his wife and 10-year-old son and then set their home on fire before killing himself with his service weapon. Police have not said what the motives in the two cases may have been. SCHODACK Rensselaer County plans to open a new 30- to 40-acre county park along the Moordener Kill on the Fort Orange Paper Company property it owns. "This is a beautiful spot in southern Rensselaer County and we want to open it up allow more residents to hike the area. The county already owns the area and we think it is a common-sense move to allow for public use," County Executive Steve McLaughlin said Wednesday. The county has been attempting to attract investment to the 102-acre paper company site for nearly two decades. The factory site on Route 9J stretches from the Hudson River up the Moordener Kill along the village of Castleton-on-Hudson. The falls, known as the Lower Moordener Kill Falls, are about one-mile west of the river. The park site is accessible from Brookview Road which runs west from the town of Schodack into the village. McLaughlin announced the county's intentions to develop the park during his annual state-of-the-county address to the Rensselaer County Legislature Tuesday night. "The site includes a waterfall, access to the Moordener Kill hiking trails and great views," McLaughlin said. The county will map the park site later in the spring, said Richard Crist, the county director of operations and a spokesman for McLaughlin. There are still several old out buildings dating from the Civil War era, Crist said. Those mill-related buildings are located near the falls, which would have been a source of waterpower for manufacturing during the 19th century. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. The history of the falls stretches back to the 17th century when Dutch settlers were in the Capital Region. "Moordener is the Dutch word for "murderer", and the creek was the site of an ambush of Dutch settlers in 1643 when seven men and two women were killed by Native Americans," according to the website nyfalls.com description of the waterfall. The county has not yet selected a name for the proposed park, Crist said. It also is now yet known how much money the county would have to invest to open the area up for hiking. McLaughlin said in his speech the park is an example of the county "looking to expand or enhance services for our residents at the lowest cost possible." The county will seek a non-profit land trust partner for the project, Crist said. The county manages the nearby Papscanee preserve and has its Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center in Grafton. SHEFFIELD, Mass. Five people were found dead inside a Berkshire County home on Wednesday morning after a fire, the Berkshire County District Attorney's office said. Police and fire departments received a call about the blaze at the 1343 Home Road residence in Sheffield, a western Massachusetts town, at about 7:5o a.m., said Dennis Yusko, a spokesman for the prosecutor's office. New York Paul J. Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, has been charged in New York with mortgage fraud and more than a dozen other state felonies, the Manhattan district attorney, Cyrus R. Vance Jr., said Wednesday, an effort to ensure he will still face prison time if Trump pardons him for his federal crimes. News of the indictment came shortly after Manafort was sentenced to his second federal prison term in two weeks; he now faces a combined sentence of more than seven years for tax and bank fraud and conspiracy in two related cases brought by the special counsel, Robert Mueller. The president has broad power to issue pardons for federal crimes, but has no such authority in state cases. While Trump has not said he intends to pardon his former campaign chairman, he has often spoken of his power to pardon and has defended Manafort on a number of occasions, calling him a "brave man." The new state charges against Manafort are contained in a 16-count indictment that alleges a yearlong scheme in which he falsified business records to obtain millions of dollars in loans, Vance said in a news release after the federal sentencing. "No one is beyond the law in New York," he said, adding that the investigation by the prosecutors in his office had "yielded serious criminal charges for which the defendant has not been held accountable." The indictment grew out of an investigation that began in 2017, when the Manhattan prosecutors began examining loans Manafort received from two banks. Last week, a grand jury hearing evidence in the case voted to charge Manafort with residential mortgage fraud, conspiracy, falsifying business records and other charges. A lawyer for Manafort could not immediately be reached for comment. Earlier this month, Manafort, 69, was sentenced in Virginia to nearly four years in prison on one of his two federal cases, far less time than prosecutors had requested; on Wednesday, he was sentenced in Washington, D.C., to serve an additional 31/2 years. He could face up to 25 years in New York state prison if convicted of the most serious charges in the new indictment, which is expected to be announced later on Wednesday. The loans were also the subject of Mueller's investigation and were the basis for some of the counts in the federal indictment that led to Manafort's conviction last year in Virginia. But the Manhattan prosecutors deferred their inquiry in order not to interfere with Mueller's larger investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. In recent months, prosecutors in the district attorney's Economic Crimes Bureau resumed their inquiry and began presenting evidence to the grand jury, several people with knowledge of the matter have said. The district attorney's office determined some time ago that it would seek charges whether or not the president pardoned Manafort. Manafort's lawyers likely will challenge the new indictment on double jeopardy grounds. New York state law includes stronger protections than those provided by the U.S. Constitution, but prosecutors in Vance's office have expressed confidence that they would prevail, people with knowledge of the matter said. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. State Supreme Court Justice Maxwell Wiley unsealed the charges in the early afternoon, but it will likely be weeks before Manafort is brought to New York to be arraigned. The 11-page indictment contains few details about the conduct underlying the accusations, but it says it occurred between December 2015 and January 2017. Several people with knowledge of the matter said the mortgage fraud charges stemmed from loans Manafort obtained or tried to obtain from Citizens Bank, based in Rhode Island, and Federal Savings Bank in Chicago. The loans were for properties on Howard Street, in Lower Manhattan; on Union Street in Brooklyn Heights; and in Bridgehampton on Long Island, the people said. In the Virginia case, Manafort, who worked for Trump's campaign during a critical five months when he became the Republican Party's presidential nominee in 2016, was convicted in August on eight counts of various financial crimes. At the trial, Mueller's prosecutors presented evidence showing that Manafort used foreign accounts to hide millions of dollars he earned from his political consulting work in Ukraine and evade taxes, and lied to banks to obtain millions of dollars in loans. About a month later, he pleaded guilty in the related case in federal court in Washington, D.C., and agreed to cooperate with Mueller's office. But the deal did not last long, blowing up after a federal judge ruled he had repeatedly lied to the government about his contact with a Russian associate during the campaign and after the election. Prosecutors claim that the associate, Konstantin V. Kilimnik, has ties to Russian intelligence, and have been investigating whether he was involved in a covert attempt to influence the election results. Bethlehem At 17, Bethlehem High School student and Eagle Scout Erick Christian has become one of about 400 individuals in the history of the Boy Scouts to earn all of the organization's merit badges. The badges are about the size and shape of Snapple bottle caps. Each embroidered badge pops with bright colors and clever designs. The exploration badge boasts an Indiana Jones-like fedora and a coiled whip, for example. And he earned them all, including rare ones for bugling (he chose to learn the bagpipes), labor unions and electricity. ("I built a buzzer for that," he said, pointing to his creation which shows a fist grabbing lightning bolts from the air.) Earning the 138 badges required varying levels of time, dedication and for wilderness survival, especially physical strength and guts. When Erick is asked if his peers ever trash-talked him for devoting time to Scouting that he could have spent playing Fortnite or Halo, he rolls his eyes and nods. "Sometimes I wonder if they're jealous because it's weird they'd care what I do in my free time," he replied. "If I want to go hiking or camping or horseback riding or sailing instead of sitting on a couch staring at my phone or a TV, I'm not going to do that. I'm not going to let someone who doesn't know how to do any of those things change my mind." His girlfriend cheered Erick on. And his mom inspired his pursuit of the entrepreneurship badge by sharing her recipe for berry jams. Erick calculated the cost of each jar and the cost in volume, figured the appropriate price point and devised a marketing plan. When he gave his economics teacher a jar of strawberry jam to taste test, Erick waved away the offer of payment. "Then he told me if I didn't charge him, then he hadn't really taught me how business worked so I asked him to pay $5," Erick said. His father, the troop's chaplain, points to a badge with a swimmer in a black wetsuit slicing across blue water. "That's scuba diving, the badge that almost gave his mother and me a heart attack," the Rev. Dean Christian said. Erick loved scuba diving and spent six days on a 55-foot sailing boat navigating the Florida waters around Key West. He even enjoyed wilderness survival which required him to find his way from New Mexico's high desert back to a camping lodge. He and a few other Scouts were given an incomplete map it had three trail options when there were four and omitted many landmarks. Erick chose which trail to follow. There were adults, including Dean, along as observers but they were not allowed speak to the teens unless the team was confronted by immediate danger or injury. "I had a 50-pound backpack strapped to my shoulders under the hot sun and I was sure Erick chose the wrong trail but I wasn't allowed to say anything," Dean recalled. "We would have had to backtrack miles out of our way to get back to the right trail. But that's what you have to do when you volunteer to go along as an adult." Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. He added a bit sheepishly, "It turns out Erick chose the right trail after all." After earning a badge that requires Herculean effort, a Scout can enjoy an easier effort like teaching a trick to a pet. Erick taught a rabbit to hop over his foot. And in an era when fewer and fewer schools can afford civics classes, there are badges that require a Scout to learn volumes about the Constitution and Bill of Rights and state laws. Erick's following a path that older brother Ethan had already walked years ago. Like Erick, Ethan attended Bethlehem High and earned the rank of Eagle Scout as a member of Troop 75. Both brothers were chosen for the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's National Honor Society. Ethan graduated magna cum laude from the University at Buffalo with a bachelor of science degree in nursing. He received the Anne Walker Sengbush Award for leadership in school and community volunteerism. He was a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the national nursing honor society. Ethan was a registered nurse in the Trauma ICU at the Erie County Medical Center when he died in 2013. Erick admired and loved his brother. Earning the badges spurred good memories of him. But Erick discovered his own career interests were linked to business and teaching rather than medicine. The Boy Scouts of America does not track the number of Scouts who earn all the merit badges. But MeritBadgeKnot.com keeps a running tally of the instances it can verify. Erick's troop leader is Doug Kemp, an Eagle Scout who is also an assistant New York state attorney general. The troop has 46 members including its first two female Scouts. In the past, the national organization has been accused of homophobia and criticized for banning atheists. But Scouting is now open to all young people and in 2017, it welcomed its first openly transgender members. Kemp says the Scout ethos still embraces the idea of a "higher power" but "I've never turned anyone away for their spiritual beliefs." "In our troop, the girls will have their own leader and a mother has volunteered," Kemp said. "We've decided to let the kids discuss and choose which activities will be coed and which will be separate for girls and boys. We want them to have the chance to choose the activities, too." Kemp's troop will host an open house for anyone who wants to learn more about the program at 7 p.m. Wednesday at St. Thomas School in Delmar. Erick will be there ready to answer questions about his experience. "There was one badge that almost made me lose my mind: computer programming," he admitted, pointing to one decorated with binary code. "But honestly, it was a great experience. I always learned something interesting, useful or got to talk with someone new or just had a lot of fun." COHOES State police in Schodack arrested a 22-year-old Cohoes woman who allegedly stole $2,500 from a colleague. Rachell Guilboard was charged with identity theft and grand larceny on Wednesday. Police say they received a complaint March 7 from a coworker of hers, who told police she used his debit card without permission to withdraw more than $2,500 from his bank account. Police say an investigation revealed she had used the card at various ATMs. The coworker said he became suspicious when he saw Guilboard return the debit card to his work truck. She was arraigned and released to Rensselaer County Probation, due back in court April 3. (CNBC) Hertz Global Holdings stock plummeted Tuesday after longtime activist investor Carl Icahn disclosed he has trimmed his stake, selling off roughly five million shares. In a regulatory filing late Monday, Icahn reported ownership of 24.3 million shares of the rental car company, that represents 28.9 percent of its outstanding equity. Thats down from a previously reported stake of 29.3 million shares, or about 35 percent of Hertz. To read this article: Washington The U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to confirm Neomi Rao, President Donald Trump's nominee to replace Brett Kavanaugh on a key appeals court, bringing the president closer to his goal of putting his stamp firmly on the federal judiciary. Rao, administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, was confirmed by a 53-46 vote for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, a frequent steppingstone to the Supreme Court. A former law professor and clerk for Justice Clarence Thomas, Rao was seen as an ally in the president's push for deregulation and had the backing of the Federalist Society, the powerful conservative legal group. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, praised Rao when the committee moved her nomination forward earlier this month. "She is an expert on administrative law and has a sound, conservative judicial philosophy that one would expect from a Republican nominee for such an important position," he said. "I look forward to supporting her nomination on the Senate floor." Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, the Judiciary Committee's ranking Democrat, called Rao's record at the regulatory office "troubling and aggressive," and noted that the District of Columbia Circuit often hears challenges to government actions, including over the adoption or repeal of federal regulations. Rao had also come under scrutiny over her views and writings on date rape and abortion. At her confirmation hearing last month, she was questioned about op-ed essays she had written as an undergraduate at Yale in the early 1990s. In one, she suggested that women could avoid date rape by remaining sober. In a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee after the hearing, she said she regretted "the insensitivity demonstrated in my remarks on rape and sexual assault." "I failed to recognize the hurt that my words could cause a survivor of such crimes," she wrote. "I recognize now the arguments I made might discourage a victim from coming forward or seeking help." Feinstein charged that despite Rao's letter, "her record demonstrates that these views seem to persist today," pointing to her role in promulgating controversial new rules on campus sexual assault while working for the White House. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Republicans had raised questions about Rao's views on abortion, exposing tensions within the Republican Party between social conservatives and those more focused on furthering deregulation. Although she has a limited written record on the issue, some suspected that she did not oppose abortion, citing, for example, instances in which she had used the term "anti-abortion" rather than "pro-life." Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, a newly elected Republican who sits on the Judiciary Committee, had voiced loud concerns, but ultimately voted in favor of Rao's nomination. Kelli Ford, a spokeswoman for Hawley, said he met Rao twice before the vote for in-depth discussions of her views on legal issues. In addition to Kavanaugh, Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Thomas have also served on the District of Columbia Circuit. Trump has now filled 20 percent of the nation's appellate court judgeships, at a pace well ahead of his predecessors. A state trooper parked on the side of the Thruway and a passenger in a disabled car were sent to the hospital after a tractor trailer from Canada hit both vehicles, State Police said. The crash occurred at about 3 p.m. Tuesday on a northbound stretch of the highway near Kingston. [March 14, 2019] Alberta Oil and Gas Sector to Benefit From Over $72 Million Federal Investment in Clean Technology To Help Reduce Pollution and Create Jobs in Alberta CALGARY, March 14, 2019 /CNW/ - Developing Canada's natural resources in cleaner, more sustainable ways drives our economy, by creating good, middle-class jobs, improving the environmental performance of Canada's oil and gas sector and helping to address climate change. The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, today announced $72.3 million to Alberta companies, Canadian Natural Resources Limited (Canadian Natural) and Titanium Corporation Inc., to fund three clean technology projects in Alberta's oil and gas sector. This funding will leverage more than $415 million in investments. Canadian Natural will receive $5 million from the Clean Growth Program (CGP) to further develop an in-pit extraction process that separates oil sands ore into solids, bitumen and water at its Horizon Oil Sands mine site, thus reducing the number of diesel trucks and the amount of power needed. Emissions Reduction Alberta is also investing $5.6 million to support this project through its Oil Sands Innovation Challenge. from the Clean Growth Program (CGP) to further develop an in-pit extraction process that separates oil sands ore into solids, bitumen and water at its Horizon Oil Sands mine site, thus reducing the number of diesel trucks and the amount of power needed. Emissions Reduction Alberta is also investing to support this project through its Oil Sands Innovation Challenge. Canadian Natural will also receive $22.3 million from the Low Carbon Economy Fund (LCEF) for a new steam turbine generator technology that will help produce power for its facilities at the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (AOSP) while reducing emissions. The AOSP is owned by Canadian Natural, Chevron Canada Limited and Shell Canada Limited. from the Low Carbon Economy Fund (LCEF) for a new steam turbine generator technology that will help produce power for its facilities at the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (AOSP) while reducing emissions. The AOSP is owned by Canadian Natural, Chevron Canada Limited and Shell Canada Limited. Titanium Corporation will receive a total of $45 million from the CGP and LCEF for a technology designed to remediate oil sands tailings at Canadian Natural's Horizon Oil Sands site. The project has the potential to create a new high-value minerals industry for Western Canada by facilitating the recovery of valuable minerals (zircon and titanium-bearing minerals) from oil sands tailings. An additional $10 million has been committed by Emissions Reduction Alberta to further support this project. Through Canada's national energy dialogue, Generation Energy, Canadians made it clear that clean energy solutions are not a luxury but a necessity for Canada's low-carbon future. Canada will continue to support clean energy projects that create jobs, support investment and industry competitiveness, advance our clean future and help realize our global climate change goals. Quotes "These projects provide Alberta's oil and gas sector with solutions that will help reduce pollution, drive cean innovation and create good jobs. Accelerating clean technology development is a key component of our government's approach to promoting sustainable economic growth as Canada moves toward a low-carbon economy." The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi Canada's Minister of Natural Resources "Canadians across the country are coming up with innovative and affordable solutions to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions, saving people money and creating good jobs along the way. By investing in these projects, from coast to coast to coast, the Government of Canada is making sure we are positioned to succeed in the $26-trillion global market for clean solutions and to create good middle-class jobs today and for the future." The Honourable Catherine McKenna Canada's Minister of Environment and Climate Change "Canadian Natural, and Canada's oil and natural gas sector, recognize the need to reduce GHG emission intensities, and we have been able to leverage technology and Canadian ingenuity to deliver significant results. In fact, Canadian Natural's Horizon Oil Sands operations has reduced our GHG intensity by 31 percent from 2012 to 2017. At today's production levels, that's equivalent to taking 665,000 cars off the road. Canada's oil and natural gas should be considered a premium product and have a major role for decades to come in providing responsibly produced, low GHG-intensity oil and natural gas to growing economies while reducing overall global GHG emissions." Tim McKay, President Canadian Natural Resources Limited "This significant funding commitment from the Government of Canada is a critical step in advancing the first implementation of our Creating Value from Waste clean technology. Government and industry support and collaboration has been invaluable in moving our project forward and developing this made-in-Canada solution for the benefit of all stakeholders." Scott Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Titanium Corporation "Emissions Reduction Alberta's strategic approach to investing responds to the needs of Alberta's industry and innovation system. Our support attracts federal partnerships and other funding, providing leverage to accelerate technology solutions. Aligning on clean technology innovation helps advance projects that drive improvements in Alberta's cost and carbon competitiveness." Steve MacDonald, CEO Emissions Reduction Alberta Quick Facts Natural Resources Canada's Clean Growth Program (CGP) is a $155-million investment fund that helps to advance emerging clean technologies toward commercial readiness so that natural resource operations can further reduce their impacts on air, land, and water, while enhancing competitiveness and creating jobs. investment fund that helps to advance emerging clean technologies toward commercial readiness so that natural resource operations can further reduce their impacts on air, land, and water, while enhancing competitiveness and creating jobs. The Low Carbon Economy Fund is divided into two parts: 1. The Leadership Fund provides up to $1.4 billion to provinces and territories to leverage investments in projects and programs that will generate clean growth and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to support the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. 2. The Challenge component provides over $500 million in funding to support projects that leverage ingenuity across the country to reduce emissions and generate clean growth. The Challenge is being delivered through two streams: 1. The Leadership Fund provides up to to provinces and territories to leverage investments in projects and programs that will generate clean growth and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to support the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. 2. The Challenge component provides over in funding to support projects that leverage ingenuity across the country to reduce emissions and generate clean growth. The Challenge is being delivered through two streams: The Champions stream, valued at $450 million , was open to provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous communities and organizations, businesses and not-for-profit organizations. , was open to provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous communities and organizations, businesses and not-for-profit organizations. The Partnerships stream, valued at $50 million , was launched on December 20, 2018 , and is targeting smaller applicants, including small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, smaller municipalities and Indigenous communities and organizations. Related Links Clean Growth Program Project - Titanium Clean Growth Program Canadian Natural Low Carbon Economy Fund Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan (http://twitter.com/nrcan) NRCan's news releases and backgrounders are available at www.news.gc.ca.http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/media SOURCE Natural Resources Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Artificial Intelligence-based Security Market Forecast till 2025 Artificial intelligence (AI) is group of methodology that focuses on formation of intelligent machines with the help of human intelligence such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages. Artificial intelligence can also be utilized for controlling access to hardware, software, and data, along with protecting them from cyber-attacks and damage that may be caused through the Internet, data, and code injection. Browse Complete Report For More Information @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/artificial-intelligence-based-security-market-1247 Market Dynamics Increasing adoption of Internet of things (IoT) is expected to drive growth of the global artificial intelligence based security market. Internet of things is used to protect and secure the network connecting IoT devices to back-end systems on the Internet. IoT security authenticates an IoT device by managing multiple users of a single device platform. Moreover, it ranges from simple static password or pins to more robust authentication mechanisms such as two-factor authentication, digital certificates, and biometrics. For instance, according to IHS Markita database provider15.4 billion IoT connected devices were reported in 2015, across the globe. A unique technology called User Pre-Shared Key (UPSK), is used for every device within the network to ensure IoT device security. . IoT technology also aids in connecting the physical and digital world. It can track objects, collect data, analyze it, and take required action. It can also be used to monitor activities of an object along with its progress in a specific time period. North America accounted for the largest market share in 2016 North America held a dominant position in the global artificial intelligence based security market in 2016, and is expected to retain its dominance throughout the forecast period. This growth is attributed to rising cyber-attacks in this region. U.S. accounted for the major market share in the region, owing to constant cyber-attacks on industries such as healthcare, banking and financial, and retail and manufacturing. For instance, according to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), in 2016, cybercrimes were valued at over US$1.33 billion globally, in which, California witnessed the highest recorded loss with over US$ 255 million. Additionally, in 2016, around 28% of web application attacks were recorded in the U.S., followed by the Netherlands and Germany. The market in Asia Pacific is estimated to exhibit the highest CAGR over the forecast period. This is attributed to rising adoption of machine learning and natural language processing technologies as well as increasing number of 5G pilot projects in the region. This in turn, is expected to boost the AI in security for application in the telecom industry. For instance, China Telecom Corporation Ltd. established a new 5G base station in Lanzhou on December 2017, to expand 5G pilot projects in China. This in turn, is expected to boost growth of the artificial intelligence based security market over the forecast period. Request For Customization of Research Report @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/1247 Key companies Major players operating in the global artificial intelligence based security market include Nvidia Corporation, Intel Corporation, Xilinx Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Micron Technology, IBM Corporation, Cylance Inc., Threatmetrix, Securonix, Inc., Amazon, Sift Science, Acalvio Technologies, and Skycure Inc. Detailed Segmentation: Global artificial intelligence based security Market, By Offering: ? Hardware ? Software ? Services Global artificial intelligence based security Market, By Deployment Type: ? Cloud Deployment ? On-premise Deployment Global artificial intelligence based security Market, By Security Type: ? Network Security ? Endpoint Security ? Application Security ? Cloud Security Global artificial intelligence based security Market, By Solutions: ? Identity and Access Management (IAM) ? Risk and Compliance Management ? Encryption ? Data Loss Prevention (DLP) ? Unified Threat Management (UTM) ? Antivirus/Antimalware ? Intrusion Detection/Prevention System (IDS/IPS) ? Others (Firewall, Security and Vulnerability Management, Disaster Recovery, DDOS Mitigation, Web Filtering, Application Whitelisting, and Patch Management) Global artificial intelligence based security Market, By Technology: ? Machine Learning ? Context Awareness Computing ? Natural Language Processing Global artificial intelligence based security Market, By Verticals: ? Government & Defense ? BFSI ? Enterprise ? Infrastructure ? Automotive & Transportation ? Healthcare ? Retail ? Manufacturing ? Others (Oil & Gas, Education, Energy) For In depth Information Get Sample Copy of this Report @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/1247 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. Shah Coherent Market Insights 1001 4th Ave, #3200 Seattle, WA 98154 Tel: +1-206-701-6702 Email: [email protected] As a community-building service, TMCnet allows user submitted content which is not always proofed by TMCnet editors. If you feel this entry is of inferior quality or wish to report it for some reason, please forward the URL to "webedit [AT] tmcnet [DOT] com" with your comments. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] BlackRock Nominates Bader M. Alsaad to Board of Directors BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK) today announced that Bader M. Alsaad, former Managing Director of the Kuwait Investment Authority ("KIA"), has been nominated to join its Board of Directors. Mr. Alsaad will be included as a nominee in BlackRock's 2019 Proxy Statement and, if elected by shareholders, will join the Board as an independent director following the Company's Annual Meeting on May 23. "Over the course of his accomplished career, Bader has been a globally respected leader in the investment world as well as a key adviser to some of the world's leading corporations," said Laurence D. Fink, BlackRock Chairman and CEO. "As BlackRock seeks to grow our business in new international markets, Bader's unique experience and perspective will bring valuable diversity of thought and expertise to the Board." Sir Deryck Maughan, who has served the Board with distinction since 2006, will not stand for re-election at BlackRock's 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. "Deryck has been a long-time friend and an invaluable contributor to the Board and to BlackRock over these last 12 years," said Fink. "His insights and wisdom, drawn from a distinguished international career, have proven instrumental to BlackRock's growth in new businesses and markets around the world." If Mr. Alsaad is elected in May, five new independent directors will have joined BlackRock's Board over the past two years. This reflects the deliberate evolution of BlackRock's Board to achieve greater diversity in experience and backgrounds, which will help the Company execute on its long-term growth strategy. Bader M. Alsaad Mr. Alsaad has served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Investment Authority since 2003. He was Managing Director of the KIA from December 2003 until April 2017. Prior to his appointment at KIA, Mr. Alsaad served as the CEO of one of the leading investment companies in Kuwait, The Kuwait Financial Center. Mr. Alsaad is currently a member of the Supervisory Board of Daimler AG, a member of te Global Advisory Council of Bank of America, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Fund for Economic Development. He is a founding member of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds and served as its Chairman and Deputy Chairman from its inception in 2009 until October 2015. About BlackRock BlackRock helps investors build better financial futures. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, our clients turn to us for the solutions they need when planning for their most important goals. As of December 31, 2018, the firm managed approximately $5.98 trillion in assets on behalf of investors worldwide. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT BlackRock, Inc. (the "Company"), its directors and certain of its executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders in connection with the Company's 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "2019 Annual Meeting"). The Company plans to file a proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC (News - Alert)") in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the 2019 Annual Meeting (the "2019 Proxy Statement"). Additional information regarding the identity of these potential participants and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the 2019 Proxy Statement and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the 2019 Annual Meeting. This information can also be found in the Company's definitive proxy statement for its 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "2018 Proxy Statement"), filed with the SEC on April 13, 2018, or the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2019 (the "Form 10-K"). To the extent holdings of the Company's securities have changed since the amounts printed in the 2018 Proxy Statement, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE 2019 PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO), 2018 PROXY STATEMENT, FORM 10-K AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT THE COMPANY HAS FILED OR WILL FILE WITH THE SEC BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Shareholders will be able to obtain, free of charge, copies of the 2019 Proxy Statement (when filed), 2018 Proxy Statement, Form 10-K and any other documents filed or to be filed by the Company with the SEC in connection with the 2019 Annual Meeting at the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov) or at the Company's website (http://www.blackrock.com) or by writing to the Company's Secretary at BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005880/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Our tax policy approach is to have as broad a tax base as possible and as strict a tax rate as possible, meaning there should be no gaps [in the form of tax cuts of breaks], he explained during an election debate organised on Wednesday by the Taxpayers Association of Finland (TAF). ANTTI RINNE , the chairperson of the Social Democrats, says the tax programme of the opposition party would create one billion euros in revenue without raising income taxes on any wage earners. The programme [] allows us to raise a bit over a billion euros in revenue without increasing taxes on anyone, said Rinne. The Social Democratic Party, he added, also believes it would be possible to generate an additional 400600 million euros in revenue by moderately raising the withholding tax levied on the dividend income of institutions. At Germanys level, wed get to one billion euros, he said. The Taxpayers Association of Finland asked Rinne, Prime Minister Juha Sipila (Centre), Minister of Finance Petteri Orpo (NCP) and Pekka Haavisto, the chairperson of the Green League, to tell how they would generate revenue for the central administration if the attempts to promote employment failed. All four agreed that promoting employment growth is the most effective means to generate additional revenue. Every percentage point [added to the employment rate] equals to roughly a billion euros for the public economy, highlighted Sipila. Orpo, in turn, reminded that it will be necessary to create hundreds of millions of euros in revenue every year due to cost pressures arising from population ageing. With the world economy, eurozone economy and national economy all showing signs of slowing down, there is absolutely no room to ramp up spending, he added. Haavisto proposed a combination of spending cuts and tax increases, saying the first item on his agenda would be to slash state subsidies for businesses. Finland is giving away around 3.5 billion euros a year in subsidies that are harmful to the environment. Of course you can cut things like these. You at the same time have to take care of services and the elderly, he said. Rinne also expressed his frustration with the calls for hard-line economic policy. I was away [on sick leave] for a few months and the experiences I got show that we have to make sure that no one has to be afraid of getting old, he stated. Thats why Im a bit concerned about this tax talk. You cant provide the services of a welfare state without any tax revenues. They have to be spent efficiently, smartly for people. Orpo responded by saying he agrees that key welfare services, elderly services and social and health care services must be maintained. But youll need tax money to do that, and in order to get tax money you have to have competitiveness and jobs. You have to be able to create competitiveness and jobs, and you cant do that by raising taxes, he argued. His assessment was echoed by Sipila: Raising taxes is toxic for the employment rate. Aleksi Teivainen HT Source: Uusi Suomi [March 14, 2019] Bureau Veritas Becomes the 1st OmniAir Authorized Test Laboratory in Asia SUWON, South Korea, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Bureau Veritas, a leading wireless device testing, certification and international approvals management provider, has announced that its wireless laboratory in Korea has earned OmniAir Authorized Test Laboratory status from OmniAir Consortium, the first lab to achieve such status in Asia. The award was officially presented to Bureau Veritas Korea in February 2019, signifying Bureau Veritas' achievement in becoming an OmniAir Authorized Test Laboratory (OATL) and also the 1st OmniAir Authorized Test Laboratory in Asia. The award recognizes Bureau Veritas' technical capability of testing Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) based onboard units (OBU). With this latest 1st OmniAir OATL in Asia award, Bureau Veritas continues to be a leader in the Connected Car testing and certification space with proven vehicle-to-everything (V2X) capabilities, including: the 1 st OmniAir Authorized Test Lab for connected vehicles (in USA) since 2017; OmniAir Authorized Test Lab for connected vehicles (in USA) since 2017; the testing partner for the 1 st mniAir certified On Board Unit (OBU) for Commsignia in 2018; mniAir certified On Board Unit (OBU) for Commsignia in 2018; the testing partner for the 1st OmniAir certified Roadside Unit (RSU) for Siemens in 2018. Jason Conley , Executive Director of OmniAir Consortium. "Our newest OATL was authorized within three months of signing an MOU with ITS Korea to advance vehicle-to-everything (V2X) testing and certification." OmniAir's certification program provides third-party accredited laboratory testing and validation of DSRC-based vehicle-to-everything (V2X) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) devices to verify that device manufacturers, suppliers, and automotive OEMs entering the V2X market develop products that conform to industry protocol standards and specifications, to bring about trusted device communications. About OmniAir OmniAir Consortium is the leading industry association promoting interoperability and certification in ITS, tolling, and connected vehicles. OmniAir's membership includes public agencies, private companies, research institutions and independent test laboratories. Learn more about OmniAir at www.omniair.org. About Bureau Veritas Bureau Veritas is a world leader in laboratory testing, inspection and certification services. Created in 1828, the Group has more than 75,000 employees located in more than 1,500 offices and laboratories around the globe. Bureau Veritas helps its clients improve their performance by offering services and innovative solutions in order to ensure that their assets, products, infrastructure and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and social responsibility. Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the Next 20 index. Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI. For more information, visit https://group.bureauveritas.com Bureau Veritas' Consumer Products Services division is a leading global quality assurance provider for the global consumer & technology product markets. It offers an array of specialized services including testing, inspections, audits and engineering services for a wide range of consumer products. These products include electrical and electronic products including wireless and mobile devices; automotive equipment; hard goods; toys and juvenile products; soft goods; premiums as well as health, beauty, cosmetics, and household products. Website: https://group.bureauveritas.com/markets-services/consumer-products-retail Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/699056/Bureau_Veritas_Logo.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/834961/OmniAir_Logo.jpg [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] LindaCare to Debut ProPulse Cardiac Remote Monitoring Services LEUVEN, Belgium and HARTFORD, Conn., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- LindaCare, a digital health company specializing in remote patient monitoring solutions for chronic disease management, today announced the company will offer ProPulse, a new remote monitoring service for patients with cardiac implantable devices, adding to its online device management software solution. Dr. Robert Lerman, LindaCare's Chief Medical Officer and cardiac electrophysiologist (EP), noted, "We are excited to debut the new ProPulse Remote Monitoring service at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions. Remote monitored patients have a higher survival than those followed only in device clinics. Remote monitoring promotes rapid detection of clinical events and changes in device function, leading to faster intervention than routine in-office follow-up. While commercializing our OnePulse software platform in the US, we saw an immediate need for a more service-oriented solution: ProPulse." The clinical benefits of remote monitoring are much greater with increased adherence to the monitoring program. Unfortunately, a large percentage of patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are not monitored consistently. As many as 45% of patients are not successfully transmitting device data, causing delayed detection of clinical events. Furthermore, the sheer volume of data from remote monitored devices typically overwhelms the resources of clinics without dedicated device technicians. In response to these challenges, LindaCare developed the ProPulse cardiac remote monitoring service. ProPulse optimizes remote monitoring of patients while removing the burden from clinical staff. Our certified device technicians ensure all remote patients are consistently transmitting. They review all transmissions, troubleshoot issues, provide preliminary data interpretation, and escalate alerts that need immediate physician attention. Hospitals, clinics and physicians can implement ProPulse with no associated upfront costs. Dr. Lerman, who built his career as an EP, oversees the ProPulse program. "Since working with LindaCare is my full-time job, I'm available to jump in and review difficult transmissions and communicate with the clinicians. Our protocol includes my direct involvement." LindaCare is approaching this problem with a unique perspective. "I've seen firsthand the many positive patient benefits of remote monitoring," said Dr. Lerman. "We want to focus on what is really important: patient outcomes, not just technology. Improving outcomes means improving workflows and that's one of our main goals. Over the next few months, we will be engaging with some of the most well-known experts in EP and cardiology to drive true outcomes innovation including clinical work addressing some of the most pressing issues in remote monitoring." "I am delighted with the introduction of this innovative technology-enabled care service model, helping providers comply with the standard of care, and confirming our commitment to our vision of enabling large-scale adoption of remote patient monitoring," said Shahram Sharif, Founder & CEO of LindaCare. About LindaCare LindaCare is a digital health company specializing in the development of integrated remote monitoring software solutions for chronic disease management. Created in 2015 with an initial focus on patients with cardiac implantable devices and cardiac arrhythmias, LindaCare's solutions will be extended to other chronic disease domains, integrating a wide range of remote monitored medical devices. The company has operations in Europe and the US and plans to expand the team across both regions substantially in 2019. For more information, please visit www.lindacare.com. As a community-building service, TMCnet allows user submitted content which is not always proofed by TMCnet editors. If you feel this entry is of inferior quality or wish to report it for some reason, please forward the URL to "webedit [AT] tmcnet [DOT] com" with your comments. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 13, 2019] OnMiners Mining Rigs Offering Market's Fastest ROI LUXEMBOURG, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- OnMiners S.A ( http://www.onminers.com ) is quickly making a strong impact in the crypto mining industry by offering the market's fastest return on investment. The company recently hit the headlines by introducing three multi-algorithm mining rigs that assure 100% return on investment within just one month. Designed for the beginners as well seasoned crypto miners, all three products are easy to use as they come pre-configured and the users only require to plug in and start mining. Though the popularity of crypto mining has increased by leaps and bounds over the years, earning profits consistently has been a concern for many mining enthusiasts. OnMiners S.A is the brainchild of a team of investors dedicated to making cryptocurrency mining simpler and pofitable for all. The team has accomplished their objective recently by introducing three cutting edge mining hardware named On2U, On4U, and OnTower, each equipped with hash powers that are unprecedented in the market. The mining rigs from OnMiners are capable of mining Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Monero, Dash, and Zcash. Mentioned below are the hash-rates offered by the products for mining different coins. Bitcoin: 140 TH/s for On2U, 270 TH/s for On4U, and 1620TH/s for OnTower Litecoin: 38 GH/s for On2U, 75 GH/s for On4U, and 450 GH/s for OnTower Ethereum: 5 GH/s for On2U, 9 GH/s for On4U, and 54 GH/s for OnTower Monero: 230 KH/s for On2U, 450 KH/s for On4U, and 2700 KH/s for OnTower Dash: 1.3 TH/s for On2U, 2.5 TH/s for On4U, and 15 TH/s for OnTower Zcash: 1.1 MH/s for On2U, 2.1MH/s for On4U, and 12.6MH/s for OnTower The miners from OnMiners are not just about delivering higher hash-rates compared to any other mining equipment in the market. These machines are also the first ever endothermic mining hardware to be launched. Utilizing the company's proprietary endothermic chip technology, these miners absorb heat instead of releasing them to the environment. As a result, OnMiners users spend significantly lower on energy bills for mining compared to others. The energy consumption for On2U and On4U are 600W7%, 1200W7% respectively. OnMiners have taken several other parameters into account to ensure a pleasing mining experience to their customers. In order to eliminate the common concern of excessive heat generation, each product comes with a noiseless air cooling system. Moreover, all their products are compatible with the universal 110v-240v sockets. These mining rigs are delivered around the world barring the countries in war zone, with a delivery time of four to six days from the order. About: OnMiners is a company founded by a group of investors that have invested in the new generation of Endothermic Multi Algorithm CHIP. Their goal is to deliver cryptocurrency miners that are powerful, but have lower power consumption. Utilizing the endothermic chip technology, OnMiners offers a comprehensive range of mining rigs that are easier to set up, release less heat compared to others, and save energy bills for the users. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/833840/OnMiners_Logo.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/835077/On2U_Mining_Rig.jpg SOURCE OnMiners S.A. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 13, 2019] New Relic Kicks Off First-Ever FutureStack Tokyo Event Helping Customers and Partners Accelerate to the Future New Relic, Inc. (NYSE: NEWR), provider of real-time insights for software-driven businesses, today kicked off its first FutureStack event held in Japan. The event is designed to showcase how leading Japanese businesses including DWANGO Co., Ltd., mixi, Inc., RECRUIT LIFESTYLE CO., LTD., and ZOZO Technologies Inc., and others trust New Relic to help modernize their business. In 2018, New Relic announced a joint venture with Japan Cloud known as New Relic K.K. and appointed Shinichiro Konishi as Representative Director and Japan Country Manager. New Relic K.K. is dedicated to serving the Japanese market and is trusted by modern Japanese innovators, including Chatwork, Cybozu, Japan Taxi, mixi, Sansan, and Zucks. There is an increasing demand for APM products in the Japanese market. According to a recently published Gartner (News - Alert) forecast, Japan is the second largest global market for Application Performance Monitoring (1). As more Japanese businesses modernize, New Relic will look to partner with these companies to help them better manage their complex technology stack. "Software is changing the world and the demand for companies everywhere to deliver the best digital experience to their customers is now bigger than ever," said Lew Cirne, CEO and founder of New Relic. "Some of the world's most innovative companies are in Japan, and we are honored to help them succeed with their digital strategies." "I am thrilled to host FutureStack Tokyo today, the first-ever FutureStack event in Japan," said Shinichiro Konishi, Representative Director and Japan Country Manager for New Relic K.K. "A growing number of companies in Japan depend on New Relic to solve business-critical issues around mastering the complexity of modern software. I look forward to connecting with these leading customers and partners to help them achieve success in their digital business." Customer Success in Japan "New Relic makes it possible for everyone to see the situation and problems. We can now grasp the situation immediately by just looking at our dashboards, so we can proactively detect the problem. As a result, New Relic has made a great contribution to improving customer experience." - Kota Ozaki, Developer at Chatwork, one of Japan's first business chat tools. "As our IT function adopts DevOps, we rely on New Relic to establish KPIs to measure. These metrics are sent to New Relic Insights to clearly visualize how our DevOps initiatives contribute to key business objectives." - Akihiro Ikeda, Deputy Director-General of Develoment and Operations at DWANGO, one of Japan's leading platform content providers. FutureStack Tokyo 2019 For the first time ever, New Relic is hosting FutureStack in Tokyo as a part of the FutureStack global tour. This event brings together Japan's most innovative software teams to share practical knowledge for their modern software initiatives. The event includes unique perspectives on digital performance management, real-world success stories from customers, New Relic University certification training, and more. In addition to a keynote from New Relic CEO and Founder Lew Cirne and closing session with Credit Saison CTO Kazutoshi Ono, the event also features customer and partner speakers including: Kenji Morooka, Partner Solutions Architect - Partners Technology Division at Amazon Web Services (News - Alert) Japan Akihiro Ikeda, Deputy Director of First Service Development at DWANGO Co., Ltd. Atsushi Sakai, Development Group Manager, Vantage Studio, Minato Business Division at mixi, Inc. Yu Kotani, Development design unit cross infrastructure base group Tech Lead at RECRUIT LIFESTYLE CO., LTD Junichi Tsurumi, Team Lead for ZOZO Town's system replacement at ZOZO Technologies Inc. Resources: More information about FutureStack Tokyo can be found at https://newrelic.co.jp/futurestack. New Relic's full website in Japanese can be found at https://newrelic.co/jp. Learn more about careers in Japan at https://newrelic.com/about/careers. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking" statements, as that term is defined under the federal securities laws, including but not limited to statements regarding New Relic's FutureStack Tokyo event, including speakers and event details, growing dependence on New Relic's products and New Relic's expectations of additional customers and overall success within the region. The achievement or success of the matters covered by such forward-looking statements are based on New Relic's current assumptions, expectations, and beliefs and are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and changes in circumstances that may cause New Relic's actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement. Further information on factors that could affect New Relic's financial and other results and the forward-looking statements in this press release is included in the filings we make with the SEC (News - Alert) from time to time, including in New Relic's most recent Form 10-Q, particularly under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." Copies of these documents may be obtained by visiting New Relic's Investor Relations website at http://ir.newrelic.com or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. New Relic assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. [1] Forecast: Enterprise Infrastructure Software, Worldwide, 2016-2022, 4Q18 Update, Published 24 December 2018, ID: G00382630 About New Relic New Relic provides the real-time insights that software-driven businesses need to innovate faster. New Relic's cloud platform makes every aspect of modern software and infrastructure observable, so companies can find and fix problems faster, build high-performing DevOps teams, and speed up transformation projects. Learn why more than 50% of the Fortune 100 trust New Relic at newrelic.com. New Relic is a registered trademark of New Relic, Inc. All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners. Social Media Links: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190313005883/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Singapore-based Global Private Exchange 1X Successfully Completes End-to-end Operational Test with Global Investors and Licensed Counter-parties Extensive multi-party operational run thoroughly tested real-time trading and other exchange activities Successful completion of exercise demonstrates that 1X processes are fully operational and secure Multiple accredited investors in Singapore and around the Asia region took part in robust trading simulation, supported by fully-licensed counter-parties SINGAPORE, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore-based global private exchange CapBridge Platform Pte Ltd ("1exchange", "1X" or "Platform") has successfully conducted an end-to-end operational run of its online exchange and trading facilities. This marks a major milestone in one of Singapore's first regulated private securities exchange. In a comprehensive and rigorous simulation, multiple investors from Singapore and around the region thoroughly tested the functionality and robustness of key processes and operations on the 1X private securities trading platform. Choo Haiping, CEO of 1X, said, "We are extremely pleased that this exercise has demonstrated the robustness and security of our functionalities and processes. As one of the first regulated private securities exchanges in Singapore, we have worked closely with our partners to ensure a secure, efficient, and optimal environment for private securities trading to take place. This exercise has underscored the clear viability of the CapBridge and 1X integrated approach towards capital raising and providing access for accredited investors to trade in private equities." The test began in February where multiple functions such as investor onboarding, client due diligence, listing, order creation, trade match, payment transfers and register updates were tested by all participants. During the simulation, 1X conducted Anti-Money Laundering and Know-Your-Client and (KYC) processes for all investors. Investors used Singapore GovTech's MyInfo to provide verified information within minutes to facilitate KYC. MyInfo is an e-service provided by the Singapore government that allows users to control and share their personal data with approved platforms. Notably, the exercise involved fully-licensed and regulated third party service providers -- including trusts and escrow agents. The service providers performed their respective roles on a bona fide transaction basis. Lynn Pang, General Manager of Trust Administration at Equiom Singapore, said, "We are glad to participate in this ground-breaking initiative and are pleased that the 1X platform is fully-functional. As a global trust administrator serving many high net worth individuals, it is critical that a private exchange has secure and efficient trading processes in order to provide proper safeguards and assurance for investors. We look forward to th platform providing access to individual investors seeking the ability to trade in growth-stage private companies." A legal entity was created for the sole purpose of acting as the issuer, and investors across the region with operational Singapore bank accounts actively bought and sold the representative securities of the issuer. As part of the exercise, investors transferred funds from several local banks to the designated escrow bank account based in Singapore. In November 2018, 1X was granted a Recognised Market Operator (RMO) license by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. This makes 1X one of the few regulated and licensed private securities exchanges in Singapore and the region. The Platform is an affiliate of CapBridge, a licensed investment syndication platform, and is also an investee of Singapore Exchange (SGX). For accredited investors seeking private equity returns via private company opportunities that are typically not accessible to individuals, CapBridge enables them to directly discover and access such opportunities outside of public stock exchanges. CapBridge recently introduced "Preferred Access", the exclusive investment product designed for individual investors that enables co-investments alongside expert lead investors in private investment opportunities from as low as SGD$5,000. Through this innovative product, accredited investors can invest smaller amounts across multiple deals to diversify their investment portfolios. With SGX as a shareholder and strategic partner, CapBridge and 1X together offer a holistic avenue for deserving family businesses and growth companies to fundraise, and for investors to have greater flexibility to monetise and recycle capital. Combining a primary capital raise through CapBridge with secondary trading opportunities via the 1X private exchange, is beneficial in many ways to the various market participants, and for the wider capital market ecosystem. With this successful multi-party operational run of 1X systems and processes, 1X will now be onboarding its first batch of private companies as well as individual accredited investors to participate in the trading of private securities. For media queries, contact [email protected] For companies and investors interested in CapBridge -- https://capbridge.sg/contact/ For companies and investors interested in 1exchange -- https://www.1x.exchange About CapBridge Pte Ltd CapBridge is a global investment syndication platform for private opportunities. The CapBridge co-investment syndication platform serves mid-to-late stage growth companies and the funds that focus on them. Our co-investment model is built with investors in mind. We first bring opportunities to lead investors, who leverage their specific industry knowledge to conduct due diligence, negotiate value adding investment structures, and manage their portfolio positions to the desired exit. We then open up the same opportunities to co-investors as they leverage on the lead investors' expertise in specific industry fields and diligence work. Co-investors sign with the same terms as the lead investors and realize better risk-adjusted returns and a more likely exit. Companies benefit from working with lead investors who understand their sector well and can directly value-add, as well as broadening the shareholder base with co-investors who can add network connectivity and assist towards a more successful listing further down the road. The co-investment process is conducted electronically on our intelligent platform, which works ceaselessly to match deals with investors and facilitate the deal process. CapBridge has a Capital Markets Services License and is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Singapore Exchange (SGX) is a strategic partner and shareholder. For more information on the CapBridge co-investment platform, visit www.capbridge.sg. About 1exchange 1exchange ("1X") is a regulated private securities exchange that provide investors with a unique trading platform to buy and sell private securities in a regulated, centralized and transparent manner. 1X provides an easier and more flexible way to unlock shareholder value and recycle capital for private companies. 1X is designed for private operating companies seeking capital, or preparing for liquidity events; late-state, venture-backed companies with shareholder and employees seeking to monetise their shareholdings; and family owned businesses seeking to diversify shareholder base or planning for management transitions. Our platform allows for professional investors and business owners to trade in and out of their positions. 1X has a Recognised Market Operator License and is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Singapore Exchange (SGX) is a strategic partner and shareholder. For more information on 1X, visit www.1x.exchange. SOURCE CapBridge Pte Ltd [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Qualcomm, USI and ASUS Collaborate to Foster Growth of Mobile and Semiconductor Industry in Brazil SAO PAULO, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- In Sao Paulo, March 13, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, Universal Scientific Industrial (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (USI) and ASUS, highlighted their collaboration to grow the mobile and semiconductor industry in Brazil by announcing the commercial launch of the ASUS Zenfone Max Shot and Zenfone Max Plus (M2), the world's first smartphones with the Qualcomm Snapdragon System in Package (SiP) 1, a cellular SiP technology. The first commercial multi-chip semiconductor designed in Brazil, Snapdragon SiP is engineered to help to enable design efficiencies, reduce development costs and accelerate time to commercialization for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), leading to robust and sleek designs to enrich the consumer experience. Snapdragon SiP is the result of an ongoing collaboration between Qualcomm Technologies, USI and Brazil federal government, who have been working together to lay the foundation and foster the growth of the semiconductor industry in Brazil. Building on the heritage of cutting-edge solutions from Qualcomm Technologies, Snapdragon SiP integrates many components normally part of the Company's Snapdragon Mobile Platforms, including the application processor, power management, RF front end, and audio codec, into a single semiconductor system in package, leading to more space for additional components such as cameras or battery, as well as thinner form factors. These products are designed to help dramatically simplify the device engineering and manufacturing processes and provide cost and development time savings to OEMs and IoT device manufacturers. "Qualcomm Technologies platforms and solutions continue to support and accelerate the mobile industry and beyond," said Cristiano Amon, president, Qualcomm Incorporated. "Snapdragon SiP is designed to offer the connectivity, security and accessibility that our customers need to create innovative products and superior user experiences, and I am proud to see the first Snapdragon SiP devices become available in the country of Brazil from ASUS." "We are excited to collaborate with Qualcomm, USI and Brazil federal government to launch the ZenFone Max Shot and ZenFone Max Plus (M2) as the world's first smartphones with Snapdragon SiP that are making a debut in Brazil. At ASUS, user experience is always our first priority. We want to make sure that we provide the best products and most unique experiences to meet the specific demands of consumers in Brazil," says S.Y Hsu, ASUS co-CEO. "This initiative is a promising way to boost scientific innovation in the country, considering that the entire value chain starts with research and development of new technologies, making it possible to develop smartphones and IoT products in Brazil, products that can be used in many different verticals. The smartphone launched today reflects the vocation of the country to foster technological development that can be truly applied with the objective of making lives better," says the Minister of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications, Marcos Pontes. Factory venue announcement During the launch event of the new mobile devces, the joint venture Semicondutores Avancados do Brasil S. A., formed by Qualcomm Technologies and USI, announced that Jaguariuna in the State of Sao Paulo, is the city where the Snapdragon SiP factory is expected to be built. This production is expected to begin in 2020 and should employ between 800 and 1,000 people with an estimated investment of $ 200 million over five-years. "The Snapdragon SiP is an important product to include Brazil into the global semiconductor value chain and, building on the formation of the joint venture between Qualcomm Technologies and USI, we will work together to enable the country to add qualified jobs and acquire development expertise to its professional workforce through the planned factory in Jaguariuna. In addition to smartphones, Snapdragon SiP is designed to power IoT devices as well, contributing to the development of the Internet of Things business in the country," said Rafael Steinhauser, senior vice president, Qualcomm Servicos de Telecomunicacoes Ltda., and president, Qualcomm Latin America. "As Brazil demonstrates significant growth potential for integrated semiconductor SIPs, USI believes that our experience in miniaturization technology will be very important to make this project a success," said Mr. CY Wei, president, USI. "Following the announcement of our joint venture with Qualcomm Technologies earlier last year, we are excited to be part of the value chain in the development and manufacturing of this SIP. This commercial launch lays the foundation for the products that will be manufactured by the joint venture in the continuing collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies to install a semiconductor SIP factory in Jaguariuna and create highly qualified jobs in Brazil," he added. The governor Joao Doria emphasizes the importance of the project to the State of Sao Paulo. "It is quite significant to be able to host in the state a factory that will produce cutting-edge technology. This is a clear demonstration that the government is in tune with global trends and working to insert Brazil into the high-density semiconductor chain. Like any major enterprise, it will be a pole of employment and income generation, but in this case, we are talking about the formation of highly specialized labor," he says. "It is an honor to have at our side a company that bets on innovation, because this collaboration can boost the economic development of the country," he adds. About Qualcomm Qualcomm invents breakthrough technologies that transform how the world computes, connects and communicates. When we connected the phone to the Internet, the mobile revolution was born. Today, our inventions are the foundation for life-changing products, experiences, and industries. As we lead the world to 5G, we envision this next big change in cellular technology spurring a new era of intelligent, connected devices and enabling new opportunities in connected cars, remote delivery of health care services, and the IoT -- including smart cities, smart homes, and wearables. Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, all of our engineering, research and development functions, and all of our products and services businesses, including, the QCT semiconductor business. For more information, visit Qualcomm's website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages. About ASUS ASUS is one of Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired Companies, and is dedicated to creating products for today and tomorrow's smart life. Our comprehensive portfolio includes Zenbo, ZenFone, ZenBook and a range of IT devices and components, along with AR, VR and IoT. ASUS employs more than 16,000 people worldwide and over 5,000 world-class R&D talents. Driven by innovation and committed to quality, the company won 4,511 awards and earned approximately US$13 billion of revenue in 2017. ASUS Brazil branch office was established in 2008 and it is home to more than 200 employees. About USI USI, Universal Scientific Industrial (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., provides design, miniaturization, material sourcing, manufacturing, logistics, and after services of electronic devices/modules for brand owners. USI is a member of ASE Technology Holding and has been listed in Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2012 (SSE: 601231). It has many years of experience in the electronics manufacturing services industry and leverages the industry-leading technology of ASE Group, which enables USI to offer customer diversified products in the sectors of wireless communication, computer and storage, consumer, industrial, and automotive electronics worldwide. Through the sales service network in North America, Europe, Japan, Mainland China, Taiwan, and manufacturing sites in Mainland China, Taiwan, Mexico and Poland. USI has about 18,000 people worldwide. For more information, please visit the website www.usish.com. Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. Qualcomm Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm Contacts: Pete Lancia, Corporate Communications Phone: +1-858-845-5959 email: [email protected] John Sinnott, Investor Relations Phone: +1-858-658-4813 email: [email protected] USI Contact Sherry Wang, Investor Relations Phone: +86-21-5896-8418 email: [email protected] Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20190314/2402020-1-a Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20190314/2402020-1-b SOURCE Universal Scientific Industrial (Shanghai) Co., Ltd [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Tyremarket.com Becomes India's No. 1 Online Tyre Portal BENGALURU, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Tyremarket.com is the fastest-growing player in the online tyre space with a network of more than 3,000 sellers, spread across 60 cities Tyremarket.com, the Bengaluru-based company, has become the leading tyre selling portal in India. The portal, which has witnessed an exponential growth in the last one year, now tops the Amazon Alexa website ranking charts in the tyre vertical. Amazon Alexa, an independent ranking agency, ranks websites based on the number of visitors and pageviews. (Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/834986/Tyremarket_Logo.jpg ) (Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/834987/Sanjeev_Agrawal_Tyremarket.jpg ) The feat of the portal's establishment as the market leader in online tyre retailing is the result of its strategic approach, which focuses on understanding a customer's tyre buying concerns. Tyremarket.com has been very successful in suggesting to tyre buyers what tyre should they buy, based on factors such as their driving behaviour, budget, terrain utility, vehicle type, vehicle make etc. Tyremarket.com has smart product listings, which not only elucidates the features of every single tyre pattern but also showcases its comprehensive specifications in an easy-to-understand manner. Speaking about the portal's success, Mr. Sanjeev Agrawal, CEO & Co-founder, Tyremarket.com, said, "Our positioning as the leader in online tyre space speaks in itself about our influencing presence in the market. Being at the forefront also brings us a lot of responsibility, and thus, we would ensure that we strive towards making the tyre shopping experience better and seamless on our portal." "The way the products are displayed on Tyremarket.com makes tyre buying very easy for customers and every product on our website is displayed with its key attributes, which makes it very simple for tyre buyers to gauge the difference between all the tyre patterns and understand their specialities," said Sanjeev. In a time span of just three years, Tyremarket.com has added many accolades in its portfolio, one such being '10 Most Promising Automobile Portals in India', conferred by a reputed business magazine. And lately, its presence at the #1 spot in Alexa website rankings expresses the portal's crucial role in the tyre industry. Mr. Anuraag Gupta, CFO & Co-founder, Tyremarket.com, said, "For tyre buyers, understanding which tyres should they buy has always been a big concern. Also, buyers are nowadays looking for convenient options to get the tyres fitted, and that is where we come into the picture. With the dedicated team of tyre experts, we have been able to give the right recommendations to buyers as per their need." In the last two years, Tyremarket.com has seen an accelerating growth and its increasing orders along with a vast network of fitment partners speak in itself about the portal's capability to fulfil the tyre requirements across the country. The products on the website are offered at very reasonable prices and it also runs exclusive offers from tyre manufacturers, time and again. The portal also has its strong presence on various social media channels. Its blog site, Tyre Mantra and the official Youtube handle are nowadays a go-to place for tyre buyers to get their tyre related queries answered in no time. Tyremarket.com is now ready for its next phase and aims to grow exponentially, garnering a lion's share in the online tyre space. The management likes to keep the tyre buying experience hassle-free and simple. Michael Welch, Founder of UK-based Blackcircles.com is a Strategic Advisor & Investor to Tyremarket.com. With his global know-how of online tyre retailing, Tyremarket.com is now eyeing for a 10X growth in the next one year. About Tyremarket.com Tyremarket.com is India's largest pure-play portal for tyres. The Bengaluru-based startup provides convenience to its customers by helping them to choose the right tyres at the right prices. Presently, Tyremarket.com services more than 60 locations in India and has a network of more than 3,000 fitment partners. Tyremarket.com has its dedicated call centre team, fulfilment team and tyre experts at multiple locations, who ensure that a distinguished and a class-leading experience is delivered to the tyre buyers. Tyre buyers can either visit http://www.tyremarket.com to shop for tyres for their cars or two-wheelers, or call the portal's customer support on +91-8088090090. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Thales Sets to 28 March 2019 the End Date of the Acceptance Period of Its Offer for Gemalto Regulatory News: Reference is made to the joint press release by Thales (News - Alert) (Euronext Paris: HO) and Gemalto (Euronext Amsterdam and Paris: GTO) dated 27 March 2018 in relation to the launch of the recommended all-cash offer by Thales for all the issued and outstanding shares of Gemalto (News - Alert) (the Offer), the publication of the Offer Document, and the joint press release of Thales and Gemalto dated 10 August 2018 in relation to the further extension of the Acceptance Period. Terms not defined in this press release will have the meaning as set forth in the Offer Document. Thales and Gemalto announce today that Thales has decided to waive the Offer Condition with respect to the antitrust and foreign investment Regulatory Clearances in Russia1. Since all other Regulatory Clearances have been obtained, namely the antitrust clearances in Australia, China, the European Union, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Turkey, and the United States, and clearances relating to foreign investments in Australia, Canada and the United States (CFIUS), the Offer Condition with respect to Regulatory Clearances has now been fulfilled. In accordance with the dispensation (ontheffing) granted by the AFM on 9 August 2018 and the joint press release of Thales and Gemalto dated 10 August 2018, Gemalto shareholders have now 2 full weeks to tender their shares to the Thales offer. The Acceptance Period shall end at 17:40 CET on Thursday 28 March 2019 (the Acceptance Closing Time). Acceptance by holders of Ordinary Shares Shareholders who hold their Ordinary Shares through an Admitted Institution must make their acceptance known via their custodian, bank or stockbroker prior 17:40 CET, on Thursday 28 March 2019. Custodians, banks or stockbrokers may set an earlier deadline for communication by Shareholders in order to permit the custodian, bank or stockbroker to communicate acceptances to ING Bank N.V. (the Settlement Agent) in a timely manner. Admitted Institutions may tender Ordinary Shares for acceptance only to the Settlement Agent and only in writing. In submitting the acceptance, the Admitted Institutions are required to declare that (i) they have the Tendered Ordinary Shares in their administration, (ii) each Shareholder who accepts the Offer irrevocably represents and warrants that the Tendered Ordinary Shares are being tendered in compliance with the restrictions as set out in Section 2 (Restrictions) and Section 3 (Important Information) of the Offer Document and the securities and other applicable laws and/or regulations of the jurisdiction(s) to which such Shareholder is subject, and no registration, approval or filing with any regulatory authority of such jurisdiction is required in connection with the Tendered Ordinary Shares, and (iii) they undertake to transfer (leveren) these Tendered Ordinary Shares to Thales prior to or on the Settlement Date, provided Thales declares the Offer unconditional (gestand wordt gedaan). Acceptance by holders of Ordinary Shares individually recorded in Gemalto's shareholders' register Shareholders individually recorded in Gemalto's shareholders' register (Registered Holders) wishing to accept the Offer in respect of such Shares must deliver a completed and signed acceptance form to the Settlement Agent in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Offer, no later than 17:40 CET on Thursday 28 March 2019. The acceptance forms are available upon request from the Settlement Agent. The acceptance form will also serve as a deed of transfer (akte van levering) with respect to the Shares referenced therein. Acceptance by holders of American Depositary Shares Holders of ADSs in registered form, either in American Depositary Receipt (ADR) form or in uncertificated form through the Direct Registration System (a system administered by the DTC pursuant to which Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as the depositary for the ADSs (the U.S. Depositary), may register the ownership of uncertificated ADSs in its books), may accept the Offer and tender ADSs to American Stock Transfer & Trust Co., LLC (the ADS Tender Agent) by delivering to the ADS Tender Agent a properly completed and duly executed ADS Letter of Transmittal, with any applicable signature guarantees from an Eligible Institution, together with the American Depositary Receipts representing the ADSs specified on the face of the ADS Letter of Transmittal, if applicable, prior to the Acceptance Closing Time. The ADS Letter of Transmittal and other associated forms are available upon request from the ADS Tender Agent and/or the U.S. Information Agent for ADSs. Properly completed and duly executed ADS Letters of Transmittal, together with the corresponding ADRs, if applicable, should only be sent to the ADS Tender Agent and should not be sent to Thales, the U.S. Depositary, the U.S. Information Agent for ADSs or the Settlement Agent. Properly completed and duly executed ADS Letters of Transmittal, together with the corresponding ADRs, if applicable, (or, if a Shareholder is tendering pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth herein, the properly-completed notice of guaranteed delivery) must be received by the ADS Tender Agent prior to the Acceptance Closing Time. The method of delivery of ADS Letters of Transmittal and, if applicable, ADRs, and all other required documents (including delivery through DTC), is at the ADS holder's option and risk, and the risk of loss of such ADSs and, if applicable, ADRs and other documents shall pass only after the ADS Tender Agent has actually received the ADSs or, if applicable, ADRs and other documents (including, in the case of a book-entry transfer, by book-entry confirmation). If delivery is by mail, registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, is recommended. In all cases, an ADS holder should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery. No acknowledgement of receipt of documents will be given by or on behalf of Thales, or the ADS Tender Agent. Shareholders holding ADSs in book-entry form, all of which are held through the facilities of DTC, must instruct the financial intermediary through which such Shareholder owns its, his or her ADSs to arrange for the DTC participant holding the ADSs in its DTC account to tender such ADSs to the DTC account of the ADS Tender Agent through the book-entry transfer facilities of DTC and DTC will then edit and verify the acceptance and send an Agent's Message to the ADS Tender Agent for its acceptance. DTC has informed Thales that it can only cut off book-entry tenders of ADSs at the end of a business day, New York time, and Thales has agreed that it will accept valid book-entry tenders of ADSs up until 5:00 pm, New York time, on the Acceptance Closing Date, and the Agent's Message and any other required documents must be transmitted to, and received by, the ADS Tender Agent before such time.Financial intermediaries may set an earlier deadline for communication by holders of ADSs in order to permit the financial intermediary to communicate acceptances to the ADS Tender Agent in a timely manner. Accordingly, Shareholders holding ADSs through a financial intermediary should contact such financial intermediary to obtain information about the deadline by which such Shareholders must send instructions to the financial institution to accept the Offer and should comply with the dates set by such financial intermediary. Tendered Shares Any Shares tendered prior to 10 August 2018 which are not withdrawn will remain subject to the Offer. Post-Closing Acceptance Period If the Offer is declared unconditional (gestand wordt gedaan), Thales will announce, in accordance with article 17 of the Decree, a post-closing acceptance period (na-aanmeldingstermijn) to enable Shareholders that did not tender their Shares during the Acceptance Period to tender their Shares under the same terms and conditions applicable to the Offer. The Post-Closing Acceptance Period will commence on the 1st (first) Dutch Business Day following the date on which the Post-Closing Acceptance Period is announced, will last no less than 5 (five) U.S. Business Days and may be up to 2 (two) weeks in length. Further information This announcement contains selected, condensed information regarding the Offer and does not replace the Offer Document and/or the Position Statement. The information in this announcement is not complete and additional information is contained in the Offer Document and the Position Statement. Digital copies of the Offer Document and its French summary are available on the websites of Thales (www.thales.com) and Gemalto (www.gemalto.com). Such websites do not constitute a part of, and are not included or referred to in, the Offer Document. Copies of the Offer Document are also available free of charge from the 4 Agents listed below. The Settlement Agent for Ordinary Shares: ING BANK N.V. Address: Bijlmerplein 888, 1102 MG Amsterdam, The Netherlands Telephone: +31 20 56 36 619 E-mail: [email protected] The ADS Tender Agent: AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC Address: 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11219, United States Telephone: +1 (877) 248 6417 E-mail: [email protected] The Information Agent for Ordinary Shares: IPREO Address: 10, rue du Colisee, 75008 Paris, France Telephone: +33 (0)1 79 73 12 12 E-mail: [email protected] The U.S. Information Agent for ADSs: D.F. KING & CO., INC Address: 48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor, New York, New York, 10005, United States Telephone: +1 (877) 536 1556 Email: [email protected] **** This is a joint press release by Thales and Gemalto pursuant to Section 4, paragraph 3 of the Dutch decree on public takeover bids (Besluit openbare biedingen Wft) and section 17 paragraph 1 of the European Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014) in connection with the recommended all-cash offer by Thales for all the issued and outstanding shares in the capital of Gemalto, including all American depositary shares. This announcement does not constitute an offer, or any solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities in Gemalto. Any offer is only made by means of the Offer Document dated 27 March 2018, which is available on the website of Thales at www.thalesgroup.com/en/investors and on the website of Gemalto at www.gemalto.com/investors. About Thales The people we all rely on to make the world go round - they rely on Thales. Our customers come to us with big ambitions: to make life better, to keep us safer. Combining a unique diversity of expertise, talents and cultures, our architects design and deliver extraordinary high technology solutions. Solutions that make tomorrow possible, today. From the bottom of the oceans to the depth of space and cyberspace, we help our customers think smarter and act faster - mastering ever greater complexity and every decisive moment along the way. With 66,000 employees in 56 countries, Thales reported sales of 15.9 billion in 2018. www.thalesgroup.com About Gemalto Gemalto is the global leader in digital security, with 2018 annual revenues of 3 billion and customers in over 180 countries. We bring trust to an increasingly connected world. From secure software to biometrics and encryption, our technologies and services enable businesses and governments to authenticate identities and protect data so they stay safe and enable services in personal devices, connected objects, the cloud and in between. Gemalto's solutions are at the heart of modern life, from payment to enterprise security and the internet of things. We authenticate people, transactions and objects, encrypt data and create value for software - enabling our clients to deliver secure digital services for billions of individuals and things. Our 15,000 employees operate out of 110 offices, 47 personalization and data centers, and 35 research and software development centers located in 47 countries. www.gemalto.com Notice to U.S. holders of Gemalto Shares The Offer is made for the securities of Gemalto, a public limited liability company incorporated under Dutch Law, and is subject to Dutch disclosure and procedural requirements, which are different from those of the United States of America. The Offer is made in the United States of America in compliance with Section 14(e) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "U.S. Exchange Act"), and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, including Regulation 14E (subject to any exemptions or relief therefrom, if applicable) and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Dutch law. Accordingly, the Offer is subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to the Offer timetable, settlement procedures, withdrawal, waiver of conditions and timing of payments that are different from those applicable under U.S. domestic tender offer procedures and laws. The receipt of cash pursuant to the Offer by a U.S. holder of Gemalto Shares may be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and under applicable state and local, as well as foreign and other tax laws. Each holder of Gemalto shares is urged to consult his independent professional advisor immediately regarding the tax consequences of accepting the Offer. To the extent permissible under applicable laws and regulations, including Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act, and in accordance with normal Dutch practice, Thales and its affiliates or its broker and its broker's affiliates (acting as agents or on behalf of Thales or its affiliates, as applicable) may from time to time after the date of the joint press release by Thales and Gemalto dated 17 December 2017, and other than pursuant to the Offer, directly or indirectly purchase, or arrange to purchase Shares or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for such Shares. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. In no event will any such purchases be made for a price per Share that is greater than the Offer Price. To the extent information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase is made public in The Netherlands, such information will be disclosed by means of a press release or other means reasonably calculated to inform U.S. shareholders of Gemalto of such information. No purchases will be made outside of the Offer in the United States of America by or on behalf of the Thales or its affiliates. In addition, the financial advisors to Thales may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of Gemalto, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities. To the extent required in The Netherlands, any information about such purchases will be announced by press release in accordance with Section 5 paragraph 4 or Section 13 of the Dutch decree on public takeover bids (Besluit openbare biedingen Wft) and posted on the website of Thales at www.thalesgroup.com. Restrictions 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, Thales and Gemalto 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 Thales, nor Gemalto, nor any of their advisors assumes any responsibility for any violation by any of these restrictions. Any Gemalto shareholder who is in any doubt as to his position should consult an appropriate professional advisor without delay. Forward Looking Statements This press release may include '"forward-looking statements" and language indicating trends, such as the words "anticipate", "expect", "approximate", "believe", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "may", "potential" and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are only based upon currently available information and speak only as of the date of this press release. Such forward-looking statements are based upon management's current expectations and are subject to a significant business, economic and competitive risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are unknown and many of which Thales and Gemalto are unable to predict or control. Such factors may cause Thales and/or Gemalto's actual results, performance or plans with respect to the transaction between Thales and Gemalto to differ materially from any future results, performance or plans expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Neither Thales nor Gemalto, nor any of their advisors accepts any responsibility for any financial information contained in this press release relating to the business or operations or results or financial condition of the other or their respective groups. We expressly disclaim 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 Integration of Gemalto's Russian business will only be completed upon receipt of Russian Regulatory Clearances. GROUP COMMUNICATIONS - Thales - Tour Carpe Diem - 31 Place des Corolles - 92098 Paris La Defense Cedex - France - Tel.: +33(0)1 57 77 86 26 - www.thalesgroup.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190313005761/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Vifor Pharma Group Reports Strong 2018 Results, Exceeding Raised Guidance Regulatory News: VIFOR PHARMA GROUP REPORTS STRONG 2018 RESULTS, EXCEEDING RAISED GUIDANCE THE VIFOR PHARMA GROUP REPORTED A STRONG SALES AND PROFIT PERFORMANCE IN 2018 WITH CONTINUED SOLID GROWTH FROM ITS THREE STRATEGIC GROWTH DRIVERS. POSITIVE MOMENTUM IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE DURING 2019 WITH THE GROUP ON (News - Alert) TRACK TO MEET ITS MILESTONE 2020 OBJECTIVES. SUE MAHONY AND KIM STRATTON NOMINATED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. STRONG FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE FOR FULL-YEAR 2018 Net sales of CHF 1,584.6 million, up 22.7%; EBITDA of CHF 391.5 million, up 39.7% Strong balance sheet with equity ratio of 74.8% Core earnings per share of CHF 4.16, an increase of 95.9% versus prior year Significant increase in cash flow from operations Strong growth momentum continued in H2 for our three key strategic growth drivers, Ferinject, Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma (VFMCRP) and Veltassa Net sales and EBITDA guidance, raised on 8 August 2018, were exceeded FERINJECT/INJECTAFER IN-MARKET SALES POTENTIALLY A BLOCKBUSTER IN 2019 Reported net sales of CHF 485.1 million, up 23.8% Increase in overall i.v. iron market share by value to 72.6% in 2018 compared to 70.3% in prior year In-market sales of CHF 897.9 million, up 28.6%, potential to achieve blockbuster status already in 2019 VIFOR FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE RENAL PHARMA GROWTH LED BY MIRCERA Mircera net sales of CHF 451.3 million, up 32.8% net sales of CHF 451.3 million, up 32.8% Agreement with Cara Therapeutics to develop and commercialise CR845 (difelikefalin) for chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) in haemodialysis patients worldwide outside US, Japan and South Korea Venofer's unique safety and efficacy profile confirmed by PIVOTAL trial results VELTASSA CONTINUING TO TRANSFORM HYPERKALAEMIA TREATMENT Net sales of CHF 90.5 million, up 75.1% European launches in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway; first successful ex-US reimbursement approvals in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway at prices demonstrating product value Exclusive development and marketing licence signed with Zeria in Japan SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS ON PARTNERING AND CLINICAL TRIALS Increased stake in ChemoCentryx to 21.1% confirming rare diseases commitment Two pivotal phase-III trials of CR485 ongoing, with completion and data read-out anticipated by end of 2019 Phase-II proof-of-concept trial for ferroportin inhibitor VIT-2763 to start in H2, following positive phase-I trial results STRONG GROWTH EXPECTED TO CONTINUE IN 2019 AND BEYOND Net sales expected to grow between 11% and 13% at constant exchange rates Reported EBITDA expected to increase by 25% Confirmation that 2020 net sales expected to exceed CHF 2 billion and EBITDA to be in the range of CHF 700 million Implementation of Milestone 2020 according to plan NOMINATIONS TO BOARD AND CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT Sue Mahony and Kim Stratton will be proposed for election to the Board of Directors at the Annual Shareholder Meeting on 8 May 2019. David Bevan, CEO of Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma (VFMCRP), has decided to leave the Vifor Pharma Group at the end of April 2019. Etienne Jornod, Executive Chairman of the Vifor Pharma Group, commented on the 2018 results: "This was another outstanding performance by Vifor Pharma, our first full year as a pure play pharmaceutical company. The headline numbers highlight our strong growth story, with 2018 net sales up 22.7% to CHF 1,584.6 million, and EBITDA up 39.7% to CHF 391.5 million. Our three growth drivers - Ferinject/Injectafer, the joint company Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma, and Veltassa all continued to perform strongly. We are well on course to achieve the promises we made when we set out our plan to deliver sales of more than CHF 2 billion and EBITDA in the high triple-digit million range in 2020, and our focus is already moving ahead with an ambitious growth strategy to take us up to 2025 and beyond. We have set out guidance for continued strong growth in 2019 and look forward to making further progress towards achieving our vision of being a global leader in iron deficiency, nephrology and cardio-renal therapies." 1. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE In million CHF / in % 2018 2017 Change Net sales 1,584.6 1,291.7 +22.7% EBITDA 391.5 280.4 +39.7% Net profit from continuing operations 244.4 124.0 +97.1% Core earnings per share (in CHF) 4.16 2.12 +95.9% Net debt -179.7 191.1 -370.8 KEY PROFIT AND LOSS FIGURES Vifor Pharma Group net sales for 2018 grew to CHF 1,584.6 million, a strong increase of 22.7%, or 21.7% on a constant currency basis. Application of the new revenue recognition standard (IFRS 15) required a reclassification of certain elements between net sales and costs, with no impact on EBITDA. The new standard resulted in lower reported sales in 2018 of CHF 60.7 million and in 2017 of CHF 50.4 million. Other operating income decreased to CHF 64.6 million in 2018 from CHF 91.6 million in 2017, primarily due to the expected sunset clause of royalty payments from CellCept. EBITDA increased to CHF 391.5 million compared to CHF 280.4 million in the prior year, an increase of 39.7%, or 40.0% on a constant currency basis. This increase was due to strong sales growth combined with cost containment. Cost of sales amounted to CHF 648.7 million in 2018 compared to CHF 517.9 million in the prior period, resulting in a gross profit margin of 60.7% compared to 62.6% in the prior year. The strong growth of higher margin products such as Ferinject/Injectafer was offset by decreasing CellCept royalties and the significant increase in net sales of Mircera. Marketing and distribution expenses amounted to CHF 410.8 million, up 7.1%. The main driver was investments required in the European commercial organisations to further grow Ferinject and to support the continued rollout of Veltassa. Investments in R&D amounted to CHF 206.4 million compared to CHF 185.1 million. The increase was driven by clinical studies on Ferinject, the phase-I study for the ferroportin inhibitor VIT-2763 and the initiation of the DIAMOND study for Veltassa. General and administration expenses amounted to CHF 155.9 million compared to CHF 162.4 million in the prior year. The decrease is mainly attributable to lower personnel cost. Core earnings per share grew to CHF 4.16 in 2018, an increase of 95.9% compared to CHF 2.12 in 2017, reflecting the strong growth of our operating business results. Core earnings are defined as reported earnings after minorities adjusted for proportionate amortisation of intangible assets of CHF 117.5 million in 2018 (2017: CHF 103.7 million). CASH FLOWS AND FINANCIAL POSITION Cash flow from operating activities for 2018 amounted to CHF +193.8 million compared to CHF +60.3 million in the prior year. Cash flow from investing activities was CHF -376.1 million due to upfront and milestone payments for in-licensing agreements of CHF -213.3 million mainly in respect of the extension of commercialisation rights of Mircera of CHF -61.0 million, CR845 (Cara Therapeutics) of CHF -55.4 million, territory expansions for avacopan and CCX140 of CHF -10.0 million as well as additional milestone payments for Mircera of CHF -30.2 million and avacopan of CHF -49.1 million which were already capitalised in previous years. In addition, the Group performed strategic equity investments of CHF -106.2 million which mainly relate to ChemoCentryx of CHF -85.4 million and Cara Therapeutics of CHF -14.6 million. Cash flow from financing activities of CHF +158.6 million was mainly impacted by the bond issuance in September 2018 with net proceeds of CHF +463.8 million. In addition, the private placement notes of CHF -114.5 million were repaid in Q1 2018. Dividend distributions in 2018 in respect of the financial year 2017 amounted to CHF -174.6 million, whereof CHF -45.0 million was paid to Fresenius Medical Care and CHF -129.6 million was distributed to shareholders in May 2018. ROBUST BALANCE SHEET Goodwill and intangible assets amounted to CHF 2,676.0 million at the end of 2018 compared to CHF 2,651.1 million in 2017, representing 59.5% of total assets (2017: 64.3%). The increase was related to the in-licensing agreements and extension of Mircera commercialisation rights described under cash flow from investing activities adjusted by amortisations. Net debt was CHF -179.7 million resulting in a net-debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 0.46 at the end of 2018. With CHF 3,364.6 million of shareholders' equity, the Vifor Pharma Group had a strong equity ratio of 74.8% at the end of 2018 compared to 80.8% in 2017. The slight decrease is due to the investments in intangibles assets. 2. THREE STRATEGIC DRIVERS MAINTAIN STRONG GROWTH Ferinject/Injectafer Reported net sales of Ferinject/Injectafer increased to CHF 485.1 million in 2018, up 23.8% from CHF 391.8 million the prior year, in line with Vifor Pharma's commitment to full-year growth in excess of 20% at constant exchange rates. Given the significant remaining market opportunity around the world, Ferinject/Injectafer reported net sales are expected to continue to grow in the range of 20% in 2019. The latest available data showed global in-market sales of Ferinject/Injectafer of approximately CHF 897.9 million for 2018, up 28.6% from the prior year period. In addition, there was a further increase in overall i.v. iron market share by value to 72.6% from 70.3% the prior year. In the US, Injectafer continued to drive most of the i.v. iron market growth. Our US partner American Regent, a Daiichi Sankyo Group company, recorded net sales of USD 381.4 million in 2018, an increase of 39.4% compared to prior year. As a result, Vifor Pharma posted net sales of CHF 126.9 million. Growth was enhanced by an expanded promotion strategy and increased commercial resources, all despite greater competition. Injectafer is experiencing significant growth in the haematology/oncology and gastroenterology fields, where the majority of administrations occur across patient groups. American Regent's initiatives have further raised awareness of the unmet medical need for optimal iron therapy in iron deficiency anaemia in gastroenterology, nephrology and women's health. In order to increase our geographical footprint in major pharmaceutical markets, ongoing clinical trials required for registration in Japan and China are on track. Ferinject is expected to be launched in Japan in the second half of 2019, focusing on women's health and gastroenterology. Launch in China is expected in 2021 pending approvals, with a particular focus on patient blood management (PBM). Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma (VFMCRP) Net sales of Mircera increased by 32.8% to CHF 451.3 million in 2018 from CHF 339.9 million in 2017. Sales growth in 2018 was mainly due to mid-sized and independent dialysis organisations in the US and continued organic growth within Fresenius Kidney Care (FKC) clinics. Growth is expected to continue in 2019, primarily due to the annualised effect of sales to independent dialysis organisations and the expected increase in the number of patients receiving dialysis. Venofer continued to be the leading intravenous iron brand by volume worldwide in 2018. Reported net sales were CHF 118.2 million in 2018, up 7.9% from CHF 109.6 million a year before. Overall monitored usage of Venofer now correlates to more than 25 million patient years of clinical experience. The US continued to be the largest source of Venofer in-market sales in 2018, thanks to the strong collaboration between Vifor Pharma and its partner. Results of the pioneering PIVOTAL trial (which followed 2,141 patients for up to 4.4 years at 50 sites in the UK), published in October 2018 and January 2019 confirmed the unique safety and efficacy profile of Venofer, and will help to secure and consolidate its position in the highly competitive (i.v.) iron market. Net sales of the phosphate binder Velphoro increased by 18.7% in 2018 to CHF 95.7 million, from CHF 80.6 million in 2017. Worldwide in-market sales generated by Vifor Pharma affiliates and partner companies in 2018 totalled around CHF 229 million. Sales in the US grew by 14.0% to CHF 69.6 million. Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), which develops evidence-based clinical practice in kidney disease, recently updated their guidelines to recommend the use of non-calcium based phosphate binders. FKC US launched a communications program to physicians during 2018 to encourage them to follow this guidance. In May 2018, the US FDA approved Retacrit injection for all indications of the reference drug, epoetin alfa, including treatment of anaemia associated with CKD and renal failure. It is the first biosimilar ESA approved for marketing in the US. Vifor Pharma recorded the first sales of Retacrit in Q4 2018, amounting to CHF 10.0 million. Veltassa In 2018, reported net sales of Veltassa were CHF 90.5 million compared to CHF 51.7 million in 2017, an increase of 75.1%. In 2018, net sales of Veltassa in the US were CHF 88.1 million (USD 89.9 million), a significant increase compared to CHF 51.6 million in 2017. Since FDA approval in December 2015, Veltassa has experienced steady and sustained growth while also driving global expansion of the potassium binder market from CHF 173 million in 2016 to CHF 254 million in 2018. In 2018, reimbursement approval was obtained in Sweden, Denmark and Norway, followed by Belgium in early 2019. Veltassa was launched in Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Reimbursement negotiations and further launches will continue in line with individual reimbursement process timelines across Europe throughout 2019 and 2020. In March 2018, Vifor Pharma concluded a licensing agreement with Zeria Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., granting Zeria exclusive rights to develop Veltassa for the Japanese market and, once marketing authorisation has been granted, to commercialise it in Japan. The collaboration with Zeria represents an important step in Vifor Pharma's promise to make Veltassa available to patients worldwide. In November 2018, Vifor Pharma reached a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreement with the US FDA to study the benefits of Veltassa in patients with heart failure affected by or with history of hyperkalaemia. The DIAMOND study is designed to evaluate the potential of Veltassa in combination with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitor (RAASi) medications to improve patient outcomes, including reducing cardiovascular mortality and hospitalisations, by removing hyperkalaemia as a barrier to achieving the demonstrated benefits of RAASi treatment. Initiation of the study is expected in H1 2019, with anticipated results to provide strong guideline recommendations in cardiology/ heart-failure and improved treatment of patients through potassium control. Results from the phase-II AMBER study will be published in 2019, evaluating the concomitant use of Veltassa and spironolactone in patients with CKD and resistant hypertension. 3. SIGNIFICANT PROGRESSION: IN-LICENSING DEALS, PARTNERING AND CLINICAL TRIALS In May 2018, Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma announced a licensing agreement with US biopharmaceutical company Cara Therapeutics, Inc., to develop and commercialise CR845 (difelikefalin) injection for the treatment of CKD-associated pruritus (CKD-aP) in haemodialysis patients worldwide, excluding the US, Japan and South Korea. In the US, VFMCRP with Cara Therapeutics will promote CR845 to Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) dialysis clinics under a profit-sharing arrangement. In September 2018, Vifor Pharma purchased an additional 7,343,492 shares of the common stock of ChemoCentryx Inc., increasing its stake from 6.6% to 21.1%. Post balance sheet on 7 January 2019, Vifor Pharma reported positive phase-I trial results for VIT-2763, the first oral ferroportin inhibitor. Top-line results indicate that VIT-2763 has a favourable safety/tolerability profile. Following these positive results, Vifor Pharma will start a phase-II proof-of-concept trial in the second half of 2019. This trial will be conducted in patients with non-transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia and documented iron overload. 4. OUTLOOK 2019 Market Access Veltassa will continue to be launched in selected countries across Europe. Ferinject is expected to be launched in Japan in H2 2019. Vifor Pharma will continue to work towards finding a partner for the Japanese rights for CCX140. Clinical Trials Results from the AMBER study will be published in H1 2019, evaluating the impact of Veltassa in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and resistant hypertension. Initiation of the DIAMOND study looking at the benefits of Veltassa in patients with CKD and heart failure affected by hyperkalaemia is expected in H1 2019. A phase-II study of the ferroportin inhibitor VIT-2763, designed to prevent excessive iron release into the blood, is expected to start in H2 2019. Enrolment of the global phase-III ADVOCATE study of avacopan for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic auto-antibody- associated vasculitis (ANCA-associated vasculitis) was completed in Q3 2018, with results expected in Q4 2019. Cara Therapeutics is currently conducting two pivotal phase-III trials of CR845, with completion and data read-out anticipated by the end of 2019. Business Development We aim to complete at least one additional in-licensing, product acquisition or corporate transaction during the course of 2019. Financial Guidance In 2019 at constant exchange rates, Vifor Pharma net sales are expected to grow between 11% and 13%, and reported EBITDA is expected to increase by 25%. In 2020 net sales are expected to exceed CHF 2 billion and EBITDA to be in the range of CHF 700 million. Going forward the dividend is expected to remain at the current level of CHF 2 per share. 5. NOMINATIONS TO BOARD AND CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT Vifor Pharma also announces that two highly experienced pharmaceutical leaders, Sue Mahony and Kim Stratton will be proposed for election to the Board of Directors at the Annual Shareholder Meeting on 8 May 2019. They will replace Sylvie Gregoire, Daniela Bosshardt-Hengartner and Fritz Hirsbrunner, who will not stand for re-election. The Executive Chairman and the Board takes the opportunity to thank them for their outstanding support and service to the Company over many years. Sue Mahony was formerly Senior Vice President of Lilly and President of Lilly Oncology with more than a decade of sales and marketing experience with Schering-Plough, Amgen and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Sue is a British and US Citizen and holds a BSc and PhD in pharmacy from Aston University and an MBA from London Business School. She is a Member of the Board of Assembly Biosciences. Kim Stratton was formerly Head of International Commercial at Shire Plc, responsible for all business outside the US across Specialty and Rare Diseases. Kim is an Australian citizen. She is a member of the Board of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) and a member of the Board of Novozymes. The company also informs that David Bevan, CEO of Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma, has decided to leave the group at the end of April 2019. The Executive Chairman, the President of the Executive Committee and COO, and the VFMCRP Board thank him for his excellent contribution and leadership and wish him every success in his future endeavours. For further details, please see the Vifor Pharma Group 2018 Full-Year Report at viforpharma.com. Live conference call and webcast Vifor Pharma will host a live conference call (see phone numbers below) and webcast (http://swisscomstream.ch/vifor/20190314/analyst) on the 14 March 2019 at 13:00 (CET). The pin code for the live conference call is 8175345. Phone (News - Alert) numbers for the live conference call Country Local Free Switzerland: +41 31 580 0059 0800 740 377 France: +33 17 670 0794 0805 103 028 Germany: +49 692 443 7351 0800 723 4866 United Kingdom: +44 207 192 8000 0800 376 7922 United States of America: 1 631-510-7495 1 866-966-1396 Other countries: +44 207 192 8000 Replay A webcast replay (http://swisscomstream.ch/vifor/20190314/analyst) will be available shortly after the end of the live conference The Vifor Pharma Group is a global pharmaceuticals company. It aims to become the global leader in iron deficiency, nephrology and cardio-renal therapies. The company is the partner of choice for pharmaceuticals and innovative patient-focused solutions. The Vifor Pharma Group strives to help patients around the world with severe and chronic diseases lead better, healthier lives. The company develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products for precision patient care. The Vifor Pharma Group holds a leading position in all its core business activities and consists of the following companies: Vifor Pharma; Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma, a joint company with Fresenius Medical Care; Relypsa; and OM Pharma. The Vifor Pharma Group is headquartered in Switzerland, and listed on the Swiss Stock Exchange (SIX Swiss Exchange, VIFN, ISIN: CH0364749348). For more information, please visit viforpharma.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190313005958/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Comport, A Trailblazer Among Healthcare IT Companies, Discusses Multiple Benefits of Mobile Application Consolidation RAMSEY, N.J., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Comport, a trailblazer among Healthcare IT Companies, recently presented at HIMSS 2019 discussing a mobile application consolidation project at a major CT hospital. The topic of discussion centered round creating awareness of the benefits to patient experiences when utilizing a single mobile application for all your interactions. Benefits discussed included: Patient satisfaction - Mobile systems allow patients to view their medical history online, schedule appointments and even get test results in a more convenient way. Records are also kept in a centralized location, keeping them safer from malicious attacks on private hospital systems - Mobile systems allow patients to view their medical history online, schedule appointments and even get test results in a more convenient way. Records are also kept in a centralized location, keeping them safer from malicious attacks on private hospital systems Wayfinding in Healthcare Patients can get frustrated searching through endless directories or wandering through hallways in search of the location they seek. Finding someone to help can be a challenge in a busy healthcare environment. Folding wayfinding into your mobile application provides aggravation free directions for patients saving the time while increasing their overall experience. Patients can get frustrated searching through endless directories or wandering through hallways in search of the location they seek. Finding someone to help can be a challenge in a busy healthcare environment. Folding wayfinding into your mobile application provides aggravation free directions for patients saving the time while increasing their overall experience. Seamless data flow - Data can move through networks faster with phones and tablets working as endpoints, giving hospital administration more access and control over the dispersion of information. With improved access to data, hospital administrators can quickly move a patient through the system, shortening the time to solution, a metric that is becoming more and more important in hospitals. ," said Geoff Bakeman , Vice President of Healthcare Solutions for Comport. "Mobile application consolidation is revolutionizing the way that patients and healthcare organizations interact bringing forth positive patient outcomes." Patients and guests are now expecting a retail like experience. They don't want to jump between applications to get the information they need. Application consolidation brings the patient experience to the forefront often improving HCAHPS scores and patient satisfaction. Comport Healthcare Solutions has worked with our clients for years to understand the healthcare IT landscape and bring forth technologies that enable better patient care. ABOUT COMPORT Since 1982, award-winning IT services partner Comport has helped to improve enterprise digital architectures for healthcare companies across the world. Our customers include leading enterprises in Hospitals and Healthcare, Financial Services, Manufacturing, Media, Retail, Law Firms and Universities. Comport Healthcare IT Solutions has established ComportSecure as its cutting edge cloud-based solution for cloud managed services. Solutions provided include Advanced IT Datacenters, Mobility Security and Networking. Media Contact: Deanna Thorman, fishbat Media, 631-633-4705, [email protected] View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comport-a-trailblazer-among-healthcare-it-companies-discusses-multiple-benefits-of-mobile-application-consolidation-300808723.html SOURCE Comport [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Page Removed Due to administrative reasons, the content of this page has been removed and is no longer available. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Barclaycard Partners with Alipay to Help UK Merchants Increase Sales from Booming Chinese Tourism Barclaycard, which processes nearly half of the UK's credit and debit card transactions, today announced a new agreement with Alipay, the world's leading payment and lifestyle platform, which will allow retailers to accept Alipay transactions in stores across the UK. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005307/en/ Building on a successful pilot over the past two years, the new agreement will enable UK retailers to take full advantage of the growing volume and buying power of Chinese visitors. In addition to the UK's 393,000 Chinese residents1 and 95,000 Chinese students2, tourists from China represent an increasingly important customer segment for retailers. VisitBritain is expecting 483,000 visits from China in 2019, up 43 per cent on 2017, with Chinese visitors expected to spend more than 1 billion this year, up 50 per cent, moving it well into the UK's top 10 tourism markets3. The increase in market size is also demonstrated by the fact that the number of Alipay users in the UK has doubled in the last year. By accepting Alipay, the world's most-used app in 2018 outside of social apps according to App Annie4, retailers will be able to capitalise on the growing appetite of Chinese tourists to use mobile payments over cash while abroad. According to a 2018 survey conducted by Nielsen, the vast majority (93 per cent) of Chinese tourists said they would likely spend more in a store that accepted mobile payments. In addition, among the merchants surveyed that had adopted Alipay, nearly 60 per cent said that they had clearly seen growth in both foot traffic and revenue5. The new agreement will enable UK retailers to accept in-store Alipay payments without replacing their existing point-of-sale system, allowing them to take advantage of the boom in Chinese tourism without disrupting their existing customer experience6. Retailers will also benefit from being at the fingertips of hundreds of millions of highly-engaged Alipay users, who will be able to search for outlets near their location to find out details such as opening hours, directions, and whether there are any discounts available. Alipay serves over one billion users worldwide together with local e-wallet partners, and this new agreement offers its Chinese users travelling in the UK the familiar mobile payment and lifestyle experience they enjoy at home, as well as Alipay's competitive foreign exchange rate. Feedback from retailers has been incredibly positive; Barclaycard is already in discussions with around 70 clients interested in becoming early adopters. Rob Cameron, CEO, Global Head of Payment Acceptance at Barclaycard, said: "Thanks to the significant investments we've made in our platform, our clients have access to a growing range of payment types, each of whih can help them increase market share by meeting the needs of new customers. "Our new agreement with Alipay gives retailers a vital tool to help them seize the revenue opportunity posed by the growth of Chinese visitors to the UK. At the same time, Alipay users will benefit from a more convenient and familiar in-store payments process - enhancing their overall shopping experience." Roland Palmer, Head of Europe, Middle East and Africa at Alipay, said: "Alipay is excited to announce that it will be working with Barclaycard to provide visitors from China with the mobile payment experience that they are already familiar with. Through this strategic partnership, Alipay will now be able to offer many more UK merchants the opportunity to connect and engage with a growing number of Chinese visitors. This is another step forwards in our vision to offer Chinese tourists a seamless travel and payment experience when travelling overseas." Notes to editors 1: https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/british-population/national-and-regional-populations/population-of-england-and-wales/latest 2: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Research--Policy/Statistics/International-student-statistics-UK-higher-education 3: https://www.visitbritain.org/uk-expecting-boost-visits-china-chinese-new-year-approaches 4: The State of Mobile 2018 Report, App Annie 5: https://www.nielsen.com/content/dam/nielsenglobal/cn/docs/2018-trends-for-mobile-payment.pdf 6: In order to activate the new Alipay functionality, Barclaycard has created an API which retailers can share with their point-of-sale (POS) software supplier to facilitate integration into the POS system. About Barclaycard Barclaycard, part of Barclays Bank PLC, is a leading global payment business that helps consumers, retailers and businesses to make and take payments flexibly, and to access short-term credit and point-of-sale finance. In 2018 we processed nearly 268bn in transactions globally. Barclaycard is a pioneer of new forms of payment and is at the forefront of developing viable contactless and mobile payment schemes for today and cutting-edge forms of payment for the future. We also partner with a wide range of organisations across the globe to offer their customers or members payment options and credit. home.barclaycard Follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) @BarclaycardNews About Alipay Operated by Ant Financial Services Group, Alipay is the world's leading payment and lifestyle platform. Launched in 2004, Alipay currently serves over 1 billion users with its local e-wallets partners. Over the years, Alipay has evolved from a digital wallet to a lifestyle enabler. Users can hail a taxi, book a hotel, buy movie tickets, pay utility bills, make appointments with doctors, or purchase wealth management products directly from within the app. In addition to online payments, Alipay is expanding to in-store offline payments both inside and outside of China. Alipay's in-store payment service covers over 50 countries and regions across the world, and tax reimbursement via Alipay is supported in 35 countries and regions. Alipay works with over 250 overseas financial institutions and payment solution providers to enable cross-border payments for Chinese travelling overseas and overseas customers who purchase products from Chinese e-commerce sites. Alipay currently supports 27 currencies. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005307/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] NexTech Launches New 3D Google Ads Platform NEW YORK and TORONTO, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - NexTech AR Solutions (the "Company" or "NexTech") (OTC: NEXCF) (CSE: NTAR) (FSE: N29) today announced it has launched new 3D augmented reality ("AR") solutions for brands to create immersive ad experiences for consumers. With this launch of 3D advertising options for Google, following the launch of its 3D advertising solutions for Facebook , NexTech continues to build out the AR industry's first end-to-end platform for both brands and online retailers looking for 3D AR/AI business solutions. Click for Demo 3D Ad Brands and retailers can implement NexTech's 3D AR ads through a few simple lines of Web AR embed codes, providing the versatility to create interactive ads that are compatible with all major ad networks, including Google Ad Network and Doubleclick (DFP). Brands can publish 3D ads, which are cross-browser and cross-device capable, from the same assets utilized to create Web AR images with no additional work required, other than building the ad itself. The 3D models can then be spun, enlarged, and interacted with directly by the consumer within the ad itself. Split-testing by Sketchfab-branded 3D ads versus traditional static ads bears out just how dramatically engagement can improve, showing a 633% increase in sign-up conversions and a 376% increase in click-through rates. "We are excited to offer the AR industry's first end-to-end solution for advertisers and brands from the creation of 3D assets, online 3D display ads, online 3D product views, 3D shopping experiences, and ultimately the purchasing of goods all in a frictionless and seamless 3D environment. Our solutions work incredibly well and provide the rich product experience online shoppers are craving more and more when making online purchasing decisions," said Evan Gappelberg, CEO of NexTech. eMarketer forecasted last year that digital ads will account for 50% of total eCommerce ad spending by 2020 at more than $357 billion. NexTech, through its continued push for innovation, is well-positioned to grow alongside the largest ad platforms in the world. NexTech's 3D ads enable a consumer to experience products for themselves while shopping online, from any angle and with rich, true rendering. Providing consumers the ability to fully review an item for size, shape, color and fit before purchasing online can ultimately lead to greater revenues and reduced returns for online retailers. According to last year's IAB Internet Advertising Revenue Report , the 2017 global digital advertising market grew 21% to $88 billion in 2017 with Facebook and Google contributing to 90% of the growth. NexTech now offers innovative and engaging 3D AR advertising experiences for both platforms, positioning the Company to quickly penetrate the growing market. The company is continuing to develop its new business pipeline, targeting high-growth verticals such as eCommerce, Education & Training, and Live Streaming & Telepresence, with an initial focus on the global retail eCommerce market, projected to reach $4.8 trillion in 2021, according to Statistica. Recent research has shown that 40% of online shoppers would be willing to pay more for a product if they could experience it through AR, while 71% of shoppers indicated they would shop at a brand more often if it offered AR experiences. About NexTech AR Solutions Corp. NexTech is bringing a next generation web enabled augmented reality (AR) platform with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and analytics using a xAPI to the Cannabis industry, eCommerce, education, training, healthcare and video conferencing. Having integrated with Shopify, Magento and Wordpress its technology offers eCommerce sites a universal 3D shopping solution. With just a few lines of embed code, the company's patent-pending platform offers the most technologically advanced 3D-AR, AI technology anywhere. Online retailers can subscribe to Nextechs state of the art, 3D-AR/AI solution for $79/mo. The company has created the AR industries first end-to-end affordable, intelligent, frictionless, scalable platform. The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be", "looking forward" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the Company increasing investors awareness are based on the Company's estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of NexTech to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including capital expenditures and other costs. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. NexTech will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nextech-launches-new-3d-google-ads-platform-300812281.html SOURCE NexTech AR Solutions Corp. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] United Arab Emirates (UAE): The 2019-2025 Market for Public Address & General Alarm Systems, Projected to Grow at a CAGR of 7.3% DUBLIN, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "UAE Public Address and General Alarm Systems Market (2019-2025): Market Forecast By Types, By Applications, By Regions, and Competitive Landscape" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The government of the United Arab Emirates is implementing several initiatives such as Vision 2021, across multiple industrial domains with the aim of strengthening the overall economy of the country. As a result, private and public investments in the oil and energy sector are also predicted to rise in the near future. Growing industrial vertical, especially the oil sector, would, therefore, lead to the rise in demand for public address and general alarm systems in the country during the forecast period. UAE Public Address and General Alarm (PAGA) systems market has witnessed a sluggish growth over the past few years due to slump in oil prices leading to lower demand from the oil & gas sector in the country. Steadying oil prices, expanding social infrastructure, development of ambitious transportation projects along with recovering construction industry would act as the key growth drivers for UAE PAGA systems market during 2019-25. Further, upcoming Dubai World Expo 2020, expanding power sector and government-backed infrastructure development plans would strengthen the country's fiscal position and allow additional funds to be allocated for the development of multiple sectors, thereby propelling UAE PAGA Systems Market Forecast revenues. According to this research, the UAE PAGA systems market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.3% during 2019-2025. Significant investments are being made for Dubai Expo 2020, implementation of the UAE Vision 2021 initiative by the government and approval of large-scale projects such as the $132 billion investment for Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, would drive the demand for PAGA systems market in UAE in the future. The oil & gas sector was the highest revenue generating sector in the overall UAE PAGA systems market share in 2018 and would also register the highest growth during the forecast period. In the UAE, Abu Dhabi captures the highest market revenue share in the overall market, by regions followed by Dubai. Upcoming projects such as Barakah nuclear power plant, Ruwais industrial complex, desalination plants, chemical pipelines, and Al Taweelah Alumina Refinery along with Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 would propel the demand for industrial PAGA systems in Abu Dhabi during the forecast period. The report thoroughly covers the market by types, applications, and regions. The report provides an unbiased and detailed analysis of the on-going trends, opportunities/high growth areas and market drivers which would help the stakeholders to devise and align their market strategies accordin to the current and future market dynamics. Key Highlights Market Size and Forecast until 2025. Historical Data of UAE PAGA Systems Market Revenue, by Types, for the Period 2015-2018 Market Size & Forecast of UAE Industrial Public Address and General Alarm Systems Market Revenues, by Types, until 2025 Historical Data of UAE PAGA Systems Market Revenue, by Applications, for the Period 2015- 2018 Market Size & Forecast of UAE Industrial Public Address and General Alarm Systems Market Revenues, by Applications, until 2025 Historical Data of UAE Industrial Public Address and General Alarm Systems Market Revenues, by Regions, for the Period 2015-2018 Market Size & Forecast of UAE Industrial Public Address and General Alarm Systems Market Revenues, by Regions, until 2025 Market Drivers and Restraints Trends and Industry Life Cycle Porter's Five Force Analysis Market Opportunity Assessment Players Market Share Competitive Landscape Competitive Benchmarking Company Profiles Key Strategic Recommendations Topics Covered 1. Executive Summary 2. Introduction 2.1 Report Description 2.2 Key Highlights of The Report 2.3 Market Scope & Segmentation 2.4 Research Methodology 2.5 Assumptions 3. UAE Public Address and General Alarm(PAGA) Systems Market Overview 3.1 UAE Country Indicators 3.2 UAE Industrial Public Address And General Alarm (PAGA) Systems Market Revenues 3.3 UAE Industrial Public Address And General Alarm (PAGA) Systems Market - Industry Life Cycle, 2018 3.4 UAE Industrial Public Address And General Alarm (PAGA) Systems Market - Ecosystem and Value Chain Analysis 3.5 UAE Industrial Public Address And General Alarm (PAGA) Systems Market - Porter's Five Forces 3.6 UAE Industrial Public Address And General Alarm (PAGA) Systems Market Revenue Share, By Types, 2018 & 2025F 3.7 UAE Industrial Public Address And General Alarm (PAGA) Systems Revenue Share, By Applications, 2018 & 2025F 3.8 UAE Industrial Public Address And General Alarm (PAGA) Systems Revenue Share, By Regions, 2018 & 2025F 4. UAE Industrial PAGA Systems Market Dynamics 4.1 Impact Analysis 4.2 Market Drivers 4.3 Market Restraints 5. UAE Industrial PAGA Systems Market Trends 6. UAE Industrial PAGA Systems Market Overview, By Types 6.1 UAE Traditional Pressure Broadcasting PAGA Systems Market Revenues, 2015-2025F 6.2 UAE Network Broadcasting PAGA Systems Market Revenues, 2015-2025F 7. UAE Industrial PAGA Systems Market Overview, By Applications 7.1 UAE Industrial Public Address And General Alarm (PAGA) Systems Market Revenues, By Oil & Gas Application 7.2 UAE Industrial Public Address And General Alarm (PAGA) Systems Market Revenues, By Energy & Utilities Application 7.3 UAE Industrial Public Address And General Alarm (PAGA) Systems Market Revenues, By Chemical & Pharmaceutical Application 7.4 UAE Industrial Public Address And General Alarm (PAGA) Systems Market Revenues, By Metal, Mineral & Mining Application 7.5 UAE Industrial Public Address And General Alarm (PAGA) Systems Market Revenues, By Other Manufacturing Application 8. UAE Industrial PAGA Systems Market Overview, By Regions 8.1 Abu Dhabi Public Address And General Alarm (PAGA) Systems Market Revenues, 2015-2025F 8.2 Dubai Public Address And General Alarm (PAGA) Systems Market Revenues, 2015-2025F 8.3 Other Emirates Public Address And General Alarm (PAGA) Systems Market Revenues, 2015-2025F 9. UAE Industrial PAGA Systems Market Key Performance Indicators 9.1 UAE Government Spending Outlook 10. UAE Industrial PAGA Systems Market Opportunity Assessment 10.1 UAE Industrial Public Address And General Alarm (PAGA) Systems Market Opportunity Assessment, By Types, 2025F 10.2 UAE Industrial Public Address And General Alarm (PAGA) Systems Market Opportunity Assessment, By Applications, 2025F 11. UAE Industrial PAGA Systems Market Competitive Landscape 11.1 Competitive Benchmarking, By Products 11.2 UAE Public Address And General Alarm Systems Revenue Share, By Company 12. Company Profiles 12.1 Federal Signal Corporation 12.2 Robert Bosch GmbH 12.3 Industrie-Electronic GmbH & Co. KG 12.4 Hubbell Incorporated 12.5 Tyco Fire & Security UAE LLC 12.6 Zenitel Norway AS 12.7 INTECH Process Automation Inc. 12.8 Schneider Electric S.E 12.9 BARTEC Top Holding GmbH 12.10 ProCom Professional Communication & Service GmbH 13. Key Strategic Recommendations For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/4lcsqv/united_arab?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 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-arab-emirates-uae-the-2019-2025-market-for-public-address--general-alarm-systems-projected-to-grow-at-a-cagr-of-7-3-300812410.html SOURCE Research and Markets [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] BioCorRx to Present at the 31st Annual ROTH Conference on March 17-19, 2019 ANAHEIM, CA, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- BioCorRx Inc. (OTCQB: BICX) (Company), a developer and provider of advanced solutions in the treatment of substance use disorders, announced today that the Company has been invited to present at the 31st Annual ROTH Conference being held at The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel in Orange County, California, on March 17-19, 2019. The conference will feature presentations from public and private companies across a variety of industries. Last year, the ROTH conference hosted approximately 550 participating companies and more than 4,700 attendees including institutional investors, analysts, family offices and high net-worth investors. Brady Granier, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Lourdes Felix, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, are scheduled to present in one-on-one meetings with institutional analysts and investors held throughout the day on Monday, March 18. Additionally, Granier is scheduled to participate on a panel titled Battling Addiction on Monday, March 18 at 10:00 a.m. PST. ROTH hosted a pre-recorded webcast of the Companys presentation, which is available at http://wsw.com/webcast/roth33/BICX/ and in the investor section of the Companys website. To schedule a one-on-one meeting with BioCorRx please contact your ROTH representative. About Roth Capital Partners ROTH Capital Partners, LLC (ROTH), isa relationship-driven investment bank focused on serving emerging growth companies and their investors. As a full-service investment bank, ROTH provides capital raising, M&A advisory, analytical research, trading, market-making services and corporate access. Headquartered in Newport Beach, CA, ROTH is privately-held and employee owned, and maintains offices throughout the U.S. For more information on ROTH, please visit www.roth.com. About BioCorRx BioCorRx Inc. (OTCQB: BICX) is an addiction treatment company offering a unique approach to the treatment of substance abuse addiction. The BioCorRx Recovery Program, a non-addictive, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program, consists of two main components. The first component of the program consists of an outpatient implant procedure performed by a licensed physician. The implant delivers the non-addictive medicine, naltrexone, an opioid antagonist that can significantly reduce physical cravings for alcohol and opioids, and can prevent opioid overdose following relapse. The second component of the program developed by BioCorRx Inc. is a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) program tailored specifically for the treatment of alcoholism and other substance abuse addictions for those receiving long-term naltrexone treatment. The Company also conducts R&D under its controlled subsidiary, BioCorRx Pharmaceuticals. For more information on BICX and product pipeline, visit www.BioCorRx.com. Twitter: @BioCorRxInc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/biocorrx-inc/ Facebook: @BioCorRx Instagram: @biocorrx_inc Safe Harbor Statement The information in this release includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "estimate," "become," "plan," "will," and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties. Although the Company believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. BioCorRx Inc. [email protected] (714)462-4880 Investor Relations: Crescendo Communications, LLC (212) 671-1020 x304 [email protected] Media Contact: CMW Media (858) 264-6600 [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Morgan Properties Hits Major Milestone as PA's Largest Multifamily Owner with Over 50,000 Units Morgan Properties, one of the nation's largest and fastest growing multifamily investors, announced today it officially ranks as Pennsylvania's largest multifamily owner and operator following its $890.5 million acquisition of the Lantern Portfolio. With 10 assets and 4,130 units spanning Philadelphia and Northern Virginia, the Lantern Portfolio brings Morgan Properties' Pennsylvania portfolio to 9,300 units and its total unit count reaches 50,000 units for the first time since its inception in 1985. This landmark acquisition marks the largest multifamily transaction in Philadelphia to date and expands the company's already growing presence in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Region. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005211/en/ Mount Vernon Square, 1,387 Units, Alexandria, VA (Photo: Business Wire) Morgan Properties acquired the Lantern Portfolio, a subset of the former Home Properties assets from Lonestar. The company plans to invest an additional $20 million into renovations and amenity upgrades. Morgan Properties has successfully completed recent acquisitions in both markets including the Mark Center Portfolio, a $509 million acquisition in Alexandria, Virginia; and Chesterfield Apartments and Curren Terrace Apartments, a combined $71 million portfolio acquisition in suburban Philadelphia. "We are extremely proud of our organization in reaching this significant milestone of 50,000 units. The Lantern Portfolio was a once in a lifetime portfolio acquisition for us as it marks the largest multifamily transaction in Pennsylvania to date and officially makes us the largest multifamily owner in the state," said Jonathan Morgan (News - Alert), President of Morgan Properties JV. "The Lantern Portfolio transaction solidifies the geographic concentration in two of our Core Markets of suburban Philly and Northern Virginia. We continue to remain bullish on the fundamentals in the multifamily industry and are very well positioned going forward. Since 2012, Morgan Properties has purchased over $5 billion in total acquisition volume comprised of over 30,000 units. Our team is looking forward to hitting the ground running on this one." The Lantern Portfolio's Philadelphia assets consist of seven apartment communities totaling 2,346 units. Stonegate at Devon and Villas at Bryn Mawr, both situated in the coveted Main Line neighborhoods of Devon and Bryn Mawr, total 947 units. The remaining five assets, totaling 1,399 units, are located in Conshohocken, West Chester, Downingtown, Jeffersonville, and Bensalem in suburban Philadelphia. The Northern Virginia sub-portfolio consists of three assets totaling 1,784 units. Mount Vernon Square in Alexandria, Virginia represents the largest apartment community in the Lantern portfolio, with 1,387 units. The property is considered the anchor asset to Morgan Properties' rapidly growing presence in Alexandria. East Meadows and Village of Potomac Falls round out the Northern Virginia sub-portfolio. The properties, located in Fairfax and Sterling, total a combined 397 units. Both assets are located two miles from the Dulles Airport with convenient access to the Reston-Herndon employment centers and the growing Dulles technology corridor. "The Lantern Portfolio acquisition is a gamechanger for our organization," said Jason Morgan (News - Alert), Principal at Morgan Properties. "We aspire to get better with every acquisition and our team is excited about the economies of scale this brings to our portfolio. We closed this transaction using our internal sources of equity, secured attractive long-term, fixed-rate financing and view this portfolio as generational hold. We continue to be selective on acquisition opportunities, but realize these portfolios of critical mass rarely come on the market in suburban Philadelphia given the multifamily ownership composition is primarily comprised of families. We also look forward to owning over 5,000 units in Northern Virginia." As a best-in-breed class B multifamily owner/operator, Morgan Properties owns and manages 50,000 units in 11 states throughout the country. The company targets multifamily properties in infill, high-barrier markets where its operational expertise can quickly add value for its residents and investors. About Morgan Properties Established in 1985 by Mitchell Morgan, Morgan Properties is a national real estate investment and management company headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Morgan Properties and its affiliate, Morgan Properties JV own and manage a multifamily portfolio comprised of 168 apartment communities and over 50,000 units located in 11 states, primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Region. Morgan Properties is currently the 20th largest apartment owner in the country. The Company prides itself on its quick decision-making ability, strong capital relationships and operational expertise. Learn more at www.morganproperties.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005211/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] China Mobile Hong Kong and BExcellent Group Holdings Limited (Beacon College) sign a strategic memorandum HONG KONG, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- China Mobile Hong Kong, today, signed a strategic memorandum of understanding with BExcellent Group Holdings Limited (the parent company of the education brand "Beacon") to develop value-adding auxiliary education products and corporate support solutions by making use of the advantages brought by their leading positions in "Communications" and "Education" sectors. A big revolution is, therefore, brought to students in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area through the introduction of "Sync-Class". The online teaching and learning platform featuring brand new content allows students to practice learning with a handful of device which is tailor-made for each user in evaluating one's learning progress, assisting the traditional way of learning. Through the introduction of technology into education, it is a step forward to creating a smart learning city for people in Hong Kong. The memorandum aims to expand the influences among targeted customers of both, including those in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, with their dominant positions in industries and is expected to create a win-win situation for both strategic partners. Along with the opportunities brought by the Government on the development of the Greater Bay Area, the companies are developing value-adding auxiliary education products which would strengthen customer loyalty, and provide advanced and comprehensive assessment reference support solutions. Ms. June Leung Ho Ki, Executive Director and Chairperson of BExcellent Group, said, "Teachers of Beacon are more than happy to provide high-quality exclusive education content, including teaching videos, assessments and exercises in different subjects and levels, for China Mobile Hong Kong's online learning platform "Sync-Class" and other products. The personalized teaching style of the platform facilitates students to learn at their own speed. With the support of big data in the long run, the product is able to analyze the needs of both parents and students, avoiding spoon-feeding education style. On the other hand, China Mobile Hong Kong will also provide exclusive mobile communications services and product plan offers for future development of Beacon." "Sync-Class" is CMHK's first product in their education stream, which is positioned to serve as an online teaching and learning platform to assist classroom learning, allowing students and parents to conduct learning and counselling anytime and anywhere. The "Sync-Class" platform integrates over a million items of teaching resources in Hong Kong and Mainland China. The database of the teaching materials and examination papers are prepared by professional teaching teams according to the syllabus of Hong Kong and Mainland. Mr. Sean Lee, Director and Chief Executive Officer of China Mobile Hong Kong, said, "We are delighted about the partnership! We are putting together our expertise in communications and education to bring a better and higher quality of learning experience through 'Sync-Class' to the young talents in Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area." For more information on "Sync-Class", please visit: https://www.hk.chinamobile.com/en/corporate_customer/Sync-Class.html . About China Mobile Hong Kong China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited ("CMHK") is the wholly-owned subsidiary of China Mobile Limited (HKEx: 941) (NYSE: CHL), which ranks 47th on the Fortune Global 500. CMHK was incepted in January 1997 and was the first mobile network operator to launch PCS services in Hong Kong. CMHK's 4G LTE service covers two major standards, LTE FDD and TD-LTE, and launched the world's first converged commercial LTE network in 2012, and in November 2016, CMHK has successfully launched 4.5G mobile network. The Company offers innovative and comprehensive communications services, including voice, data, IDD and international roaming through 4G LTE, 3GHSPA, GPRS, EDGE and other technologies. In November 2016, CMHK were the first operator in the world to successfully test and demonstrate '2.3GHz TDD Massive MIMO solution' in live network. In February 2017, CMHK became the first mobile operator to implement cloud core network. In September 2017, CMHK led the industry by announcing the first commercial NB-IoT launch in HK. From May 2014 onwards, CMHK became the first service provider in Hong Kong to provide 4G data roaming service in Mainland China, creating a new era for cross-border mobile services. From May 2016 onwards, CMHK has launched "Supreme Greater China" Service Plan, "Supreme Global", "Supreme Asia" and "Bay Area" service plan to empower customers with the advantages of cross-border communications between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. In April 2018, first flagship store opened in Mongkok to showcase smart living experiences. The Company has been named as a "Caring Company" for 15 years consecutively since 2002, and a recognized merchant under the "Quality Tourism Service" scheme since 2004 till now. For more information, please visit: www.hk.chinamobile.com *According to the "Test Report on Mobile Networks in Hong Kong Tunnels Available for Customer Use" (as of 26th May, 2016). #The 4G data roaming service coverage is measured against a designated list of destinations, please visit the China mobile Hong Kong website for details. The data was retrieved as of September 1st, 2017. About BExcellent Group Holdings Limited BExcellent Group Holdings Limited is a public listed company in Hong Kong. (SEHK: 1775)The group provides private supplementary secondary school education services for students under the "Beacon" brand. Beacon mainly offers tutorial classes at the secondary level, day-time secondary courses for senior secondary students, pre-education courses and life-learning courses, it also organises the largest scale public mock examination in Hong Kong every year. With the effort and passion of our outstanding and highly qualified teachers, the group has now established an extensive network of teaching centres throughout the territory. Beacon currently runs 19 teaching centres with a capacity of over 130 classrooms, serving tens of thousands of students each year. It possess one of the most large-scale chains of tutorial centres in Hong Kong. Beacon has good reputation and provides high quality education. In the 2018 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE), there were 11 top performers who scored 5** in 7 subjects or above, 9 of whom were enrolled in Beacon's courses on an average of more than 2 years; it has nurtured over 40 high-fliers over the years, and numerous students are admitted to the university. Recently, Beacon expanded its market to the pre-education field, nurturing toddlers with good virtues and habits, as well as consolidating their academic foundation. In addition, it provides practical training courses, such as interview skills courses, professional English courses, and photography courses, in order to encourage students' life-learning. The Company has been named as a "Caring Company" for 10 years consecutively since 2008. BExcellent Group Holdings Limited was awarded "2018 Hong Kong Top Service Brand" from "Hong Kong Brand Development Council", in recognition of BExcellent Group' s distinguished performance in the education field. Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20190314/2403539-1-a Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20190314/2403539-1-b SOURCE China Mobile Hong Kong [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Submer Launches SmartPodX - The World's First Green OCP & Hyperscale-ready Immersion Cooling Solution Submer announces the launch of the latest addition to their SmartPod Immersion Cooling System platform that conforms to both standard server formats and to Open Compute Project (OCP (News - Alert)) specifications for high-performance, supercomputing, and hyperscale infrastructures - the SmartPodX. Technology leaders need to increase performance and lower costs to innovate and remain competitive. And reducing energy consumption and environmental impact have become moral and regulatory imperatives. Submer Immersion Cooling addresses these issues by thinking outside the server box - devising an innovative line of horizontal racks that fully immerse computers and servers in a proprietary dielectric liquid that is safe, environmentally-friendly, and delivers order of magnitude increases in efficiency over forced-air cooling, including: Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) ratios of 1.03 or better - 25x to 30x more efficient Compute densities exceeding 100 kW - 10x to 20x higher per rack footprint IT Hardware lifespan increase of 20% to 50% At the 2019 OCP Global Summit, Submer will demonstrate this new line of immersion cooling SmartPods designed for high-performance supercomputers built to the latest OCP specifications. These innovative cooling solutions will allow the creation of the world's first GREEN supercomputers and hyperscale environments. Daniel Pope, CEO of Submer, said, "The Open Compute Project exists to develop open standards that bring greater efficiency, scalability, openness, and positive impact to datacenters and hardware - making all of our lives better. This makes the OCP Global Summit the perfect opportunity to launch our hyper-efficient SmartPodX that will power the next generation of high-performance servers and supercomputers that usher in the next wave of research and technical innovation. Submer will have working demonstrations of the new supercomputing SmartPodX at the 2019 OCP Global Summit 2019, in San Jose, March 14th & 15th. Additional information about the SmartPodX is available here. About the Open Compute Project The Open Compute Project (OCP) was founded by Facebook (News - Alert) [FB] in 2011 to share infrastructure standards toward a more cooperative, efficient platform. Today, the OCP is supported by some of the largest industry leaders in technology, including Microsoft (News - Alert) [MSFT], Google (News - Alert) [GOOGL], IBM (News - Alert) [IBM], Dell Technologies [DELL], and many more. Learn more on the OCP website. About Submer Technologies We believe that our digital world can be safer, more efficient, less expensive, and more environmentally friendly. Submer Technologies is solving the biggest problems of datacenter, supercomputer, hyperscale, and edge applications to make that future possible. The SmartPod Immersion Cooling System is the first step on that journey. Launched in 2015, their multinational team has a passion to create these next-generation platforms. Discover Submer for yourself: https://www.submer.com/about View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005165/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Votiro Named Winner of iCyberCenter International Pitch Competition at RSA 2019 Votiro Cybersec Global Limited, a global leader in content disarm and reconstruction (CDR) technology, today announced that they were named the winner of the iCyberCenter International Pitch Competition held at this year's RSA (News - Alert) Conference. The event was hosted by [email protected] in partnership with the Maryland Department of Commerce in an effort to support international cybersecurity companies establishing a presence in Maryland. During the conference, Votiro's CEO and Founder, Aviv Grafi, presented a detailed look into the company's background, technology and overall mission alongside fellow competition finalists. A panel of leading venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and industry veterans judged the contest and named Votiro the winner, with second and third place honors going to Cybermerc (Australia) and Enigmedia (Spain). Hand-selected by executives from DataTribe, Paladin Capital, Cybersecurity Insiders, Tesla and Venable, Votiro has proven that the ability to sanitize documents and ensure all shared files do not contain malware resonates with the U.S. market's mission to prevent targeted attacks. Ellen Hemmerly, President of [email protected], adds, "Votiro impressed the judging panel with its management, funding support and strong business plan and we were delighted to award them with first place in the competition." Trusted by over 400 customers worldwide, Votiro File Disarmer provides protection from all malware threats, both known and unknown, with a 100% success rate to date. The entire file sanitization process takes under a second, while retaining all file content and functionality. Votiro File Disarmer s also fully scalable, compatible with numerous channels, and supports over 120 different file types - making it ideal for any size and type of organization. Management couldn't be easier, thanks to the central user-friendly dashboard and SIEM integration. "Organizations depend on file sharing to communicate with their users, co-workers, and customers. In today's world, the improper handling or disregard for CDR technology can result in potentially devastating consequences, both to the organization's resources and reputation," said Grafi. "We are honored to be selected on an international stage for our innovation and commitment to improving the U.S. cybersecurity market, specifically as it relates to setting the standard for secure file sharing and zero-day exploit protection." Votiro File Disarmer was also recently named a Silver Winner in the 2019 Info Security PG's Global Excellence Awards for Innovation in Enterprise Security, as well as in the 2019 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards for the Advanced Persistent Threat Protection (APT (News - Alert)) and Secure File Transfer categories. To keep up to date on the company's latest announcements, please visit https://www.votiro.com. About [email protected], located adjacent to the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) campus, is a 71-acre research and technology community that is home to the Cyber and Life Sciences Incubators. The Cyber [email protected] is a unique, innovative business incubation program that houses over 50 early-stage companies providing cybersecurity-related products and services. The Life Sciences [email protected] is a nationally recognized life science and technology business incubation program that houses over 45 early-stage bioscience and technology companies. Clients of the incubators enjoy business support services from bwtech's experienced entrepreneurial services team, shared reception areas and conference rooms, affordable offices and wet lab space, and a strategic location along I-95 only five minutes from BWI Airport and less than 15 minutes from Fort Meade and the National Security Agency (News - Alert). Clients also enjoy access to UMBC resources including student talent, faculty and core facilities. bwtechumbc.com About Votiro Votiro is an award-winning cybersecurity company with a mission of securing organizations throughout their digital transformation journey. Its proprietary next-generation CDR technology allows users to safely open email attachments, download and transfer files, share content, and use removable media, while keeping performance and functionality intact. With over 400 customers globally, Votiro has offices in US, Singapore, Australia, and Israel. Votiro is a Gartner (News - Alert) Cool Vendor award winner and certified by the international standard of Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation (ISO/IEC 15408). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005100/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] WithMe Health Appoints Joe Murad as CEO WithMe Health (WithMe), the medication guidance company, announced today that it has named Joe Murad as Chief Executive Officer. He takes over for Co-Founder and Interim CEO Chris Price, who will remain actively involved with the company as Chairman of the Board. Murad's appointment reflects the fast-paced growth of the company, which announced its $20 million round of financing from Oak HC/FT earlier this quarter. With his long history of successfully building and leading innovative, venture-backed healthcare companies, Murad will lead WithMe as it further develops its offering to replace an employer's pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) with a completely new medication guidance solution that improves health outcomes and reduces total cost of care. "As a long-time healthcare services and technology executive and entrepreneur, I'm familiar with the uncontrollable costs, opacity, misaligned interests and poor experiences that employers, employees and their families encounter when navigating the current healthcare ecosystem," said Joe Murad, CEO of WithMe. "I'm excited to lead WithMe as we build a solution that tackles one of healthcare's biggest problems with a data-enabled, results-oriented business model that reinvents stale processes." "Since launching WithMe, we've seen tremendous interest, from employers across all industries, in our medication guidance solution. Joe has spent decades leveraging new technology to reinvent legacy processes and infrastructure, bringing innovative, impactful solution to the employer market and streamlining the healthcare journey for all constituents," said Chris Price. "He has an outstanding track record of leading companies from inception to substantial scale, and I look forward to working closely with Joe as WithMe builds on its early successes." "Medication guidance provides a foundational building block to change the way employees, employers, providers, pharmacies and drug manufacturers think about and interact with medications. With the addition of Joe, we've assembled the team that will fix and personalize the medication experience," said Ash Damle, Co-Founder and CTO. Murad was a founding team member and Chief Operating Officer of Extend Health, Inc. until its sale to Willis Towers Watson (WTW), where he then served as the Managing Director and Head of Individual Benefits Delivery and Administration. Prior to joining WithMe, Murad served as President and CEO of PokitDok Inc., a platform-as-a-service that enables healthcare organizations to quickly bring modern commerce experiences to market, through its acquisition by Change Healthcare. Earlier in his career, he helped grow eHealth (EHTH) from inception as the Director of Business Development. About WithMe Health WithMe Health (www.withme.health) is a medication guidance company. Replacing legacy pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), WithMe uses modern technology and rich datasets to consistently apply proven science and create engaging, individualized medication experiences for employees. With an innovative, outcomes-oriented business model that aligns interests across the pharmaceutical value chain, WithMe optimizes health outcomes and value while substantially reducing costs for employers. WithMe Health is headquartered in Boston, MA. Follow WithMe on Twitter and LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005236/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Offerpad Announces Close of Series C Financing; Total Equity and Debt Capital Raised at $975 Million Offerpad, the Arizona-based real estate and technology innovator, announces the close of its successful Series C financing. The new equity funding, along with previously undisclosed debt capital from Citi late last year, brings the company's combined equity and debt capital raised to nearly $1 billion since its start just three and a half years ago. Offerpad's Series C was led by a new investor. Offerpad also secured funding in Q3 2018 from Citi (NYSE: C) in the form of a significant warehouse facility, the real estate tech company's third in its nearly four-year history. The deal will allow Offerpad to continue its rapid growth trajectory across the iBuyer's current twelve metro areas. Offerpad doubled its year-over-year home acquisitions in 2017, repeated that growth in 2018, and is now poised to further increase performance with the announced funding. The company's Series C round will allow the real estate and technology firm to purchase more houses, enhance the real estate experience for consumers, and introduce new tools to foster a more efficient working relationship with real estate agents across its markets. Offerpad CEO Brian Bair said, "Since Offerpad's early days, we've been fortunate to attract the confidence of excellent investors. Having such positive partnerships with our lasting and new investors presents us with the exiting opportunity and ability to do more for homeowners around the country as we expand." The iBuyer previously announced funding in January 2017 and May 2018, which the company used to fuel expansion into new markets. The capital also supported Offerpad's recent rebranding and development of its Instant Access, home loans, home trade-in, and free local move offerings. Late last year, Offerpad announced its growth strategy expecting to double the number of cities serviced in 2019, and then again in 2020. Its successful Series C round will support this business objective. To learn more about Offerpad's consumer-focused solutions, visit www.offerpad.com. ABOUT OFFERPAD Offerpad is revolutionizing the real estate industry by providing an innovative and convenient way to sell or buy a home. Founded in 2015, the leadership team brings decades of real estate experience that collectively has purchased, renovated, and rented or sold more than 100,000 homes. Offerpad is a privately-held company, headquartered in Arizona, with markets in Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, Phoenix, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, Tampa. and Tucson, with San Antonio opening soon. ABOUT CITI Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005213/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Global Medical REIT Inc. Prices Common Stock Public Offering Global Medical REIT Inc. (NYSE:GMRE) (the "Company") today announced that it has priced an underwritten public offering (the "Offering") of 7,250,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.001 per share, at a price to the public of $9.75 per share for gross proceeds of $70,687,500 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company has also granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase an additional 1,087,500 shares of common stock. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under its credit facility and to fund acquisitions, including the acquisition of a portfolio of four inpatient rehabilitation facilities from affiliates of CNL Healthcare Properties, Inc. (the "CNL Portfolio"), assuming the Company elects to proceed with the closing following completion of its due diligence review, or for other general corporate purposes. Stifel, BMO Capital Markets, Baird, KeyBanc Capital Markets and SunTrust Robinson Humphrey are serving as the joint bookrunning managers for the Offering. H.C. Wainwright & Co., B. Riley FBR, D.A. Davidson & Co. and Janney Montgomery Scott are serving as passive bookrunners for the Offering. Boenning & Scattergood, Compass (News - Alert) Point and Huntington Capital Markets are serving as co-managers for the Offering. The Offering is expected to close on March 18, 2019, subject to customary closing conditions. All of the shares of common stock will be issued pursuant to the Company's shelf registration statement, which was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC (News - Alert)") on June 19, 2017. Copies of the final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus may be obtained, when available, from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or by contacting: Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, One South Street, 15th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202, Atention: Syndicate Department, Fax: 443-224-1273, or by email at [email protected], BMO Capital Markets Corp., Attention: Equity Syndicate Department, 3 Times Square, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10036, by telephone at 800-414-3627 or by email at [email protected], Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Attention: Syndicate Department, 777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202, by telephone at (800) 792-2473 or by email at [email protected], KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., 127 Public Square, 4th Floor, Cleveland, OH 44114, Attention: Equity Syndicate, or by telephone at 800-859-1783, or SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., 3333 Peachtree Road NE, 9th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30326, Attention: Prospectus Department, by telephone at 404-926-5744 or by email at [email protected]. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these shares or any other securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any state. About Global Medical REIT Inc. Global Medical REIT Inc. is a net-lease medical office REIT that acquires purpose-built healthcare facilities and leases those properties to strong healthcare systems and groups with leading market share. The Company's management team has significant healthcare, real estate and REIT experience and has long-established relationships with a wide range of healthcare providers. The Company elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2016. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements that are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "estimate", "plan", "outlook", and "project" and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. 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 such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or Company management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, not all of which are known to the Company and many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the closing of the CNL Portfolio acquisition on a timely basis, or at all, the use of proceeds of the Offering, and the satisfaction of all conditions to, and the timely closing of, the Offering. These risks and uncertainties are described in greater detail in the Company's filings with the SEC, including, without limitation, the Company's annual and periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC. Unless legally required, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements after the date of this release. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005447/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] IFR: Global Race for Leadership in Robotics And AI Between 2018 and 2021, almost 2.1 million new industrial robots are expected to be installed in factories around the world. At the IFR CEO Round Table in Chicago, the IFR President will give an outlook on the new World Robotics Data with breaking news about the global automation race with robots. The International Federation of Robotics invites the press on 8 April 2019 from 01:00 to 03:00 p.m. to the IFR CEO Roundtable at the AUTOMATE in Chicago. The CEOs from ARM (News - Alert) (USA) and MIR (DK), the Director of Strategy MINO (CN), the President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (USA) and the President of the International Federation of Robotics (JP) will discuss the "Global race for leadership in robotics and AI". Where: At the CEO Round Table World Robotics 2019 hosted by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) at AUTOMATE, McCormick Place, North Building, (Theatre on fairground), Chicago, Illinois, USA When: 8th April 2019 (01:00 pm to 03:00 pm) IFR Link: https://ifr.org/roundtable The expert panel is looking forward to welcoming you to the ensuing discussion: Dr. Byron Clayton, CEO, Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM), USA Thomas Visti, CEO, MIR, Denmark Henry Sun, Director of Strategy, Guangzhou MINO Automotive Equipment Co, China Dr. Robert Atkinson, President, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, USA Junji Tsuda, President, IFR and Representative Director Chairman of the Board of Yaskawa Electric Corp., Japan Moderator Robert Huschka, Director of Education Strategies, Association for Advancing Automation, USA Agenda overview: Preview of new World Robotics data by IFR Vice President Steven Wyatt by Discussion on the " Global race for leadership in robotics and AI" Q&A Personal interviews with the panelists (optional) Get together The International Federation of Robotics: www.ifr.org AUTOMATE 2019 - April 08-11, 2019 | McCormick Place, Chicago, IL https://www.automateshow.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005433/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Tyler Technologies to Provide Enterprise Resource Planning Solutions to York County, Pennsylvania Tyler Technologies Inc. (NYSE: TYL) announced today that it has signed an agreement with York County, Pennsylvania, for Tyler's Munis software, including financial management, procurement, human capital management and ExecuTime Time & Attendance solutions. York County was looking to improve efficiencies in its departments by implementing an integrated, easy-to-use ERP solution that would offer a modern workflow, flexible reporting, and self-service functionality. Its current solution was becoming outdated and did not have the functionality the county required. After a thorough review process, York County selected Tyler's Munis and ExecuTime solutions to help transform its business operations. "We saw a need for streamlining much of the financial and human capital management processes that can become cumbersome in our departments," said Mark Derr, York County administrator. "We're committed to providing transparency for our citizens, and we believe Tyler's solutions will help us achieve that goal while also improving our efficiency and reporting capailities." Munis will streamline business functions through automation, integration, and improved workflows while reducing many paper-based processes. With ExecuTime, the county will benefit from flexible configuration, time capturing abilities, work schedules and leave requests, and a seamless integration with Munis. "We're proud to add York County to our growing client base of 68 Munis clients in Pennsylvania," said Chris Hepburn, president of Tyler's ERP & Schools Division. "We're confident that the strong combination of Munis and ExecuTime will bring many benefits to York County, including the elimination of paper processes and streamlined functionality for personnel and financial management." York County is home to approximately 446,000 residents and employs nearly 2,200 people. Tyler also provides its iasWorld appraisal and tax software to the county and its New World public safety solution to the York County Department of Emergency Services. About Tyler Technologies (News - Alert), Inc. Tyler Technologies (NYSE: TYL) is the largest and most established provider of integrated software and technology services focused on the public sector. Tyler's end-to-end solutions empower local, state, and federal government entities to operate more efficiently and connect more transparently with their constituents and with each other. By connecting data and processes across disparate systems, Tyler's solutions are transforming how clients gain actionable insights that solve problems in their communities. Tyler has more than 21,000 successful installations across 10,000 sites, with clients in all 50 states, Canada, the Caribbean, Australia, and other international locations. A financially strong company, Tyler has achieved double-digit revenue growth every quarter since 2012. It was also named to Forbes' "Best Midsize Employers" list in 2018 and recognized twice on its "Most Innovative Growth Companies" list. More information about Tyler Technologies, headquartered in Plano, Texas, can be found at tylertech.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005094/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] 3M and Nobel Media Partner to Explore the Science of Ageing at 'The Age to Come' Nobel Prize Dialogue Event in Tokyo Why do we age? How long can we live? How does lifestyle interact with the ageing process? These are just a few of the questions to be addressed in a unique meeting arena featuring Nobel (News - Alert) Laureates, experts and other curious minds during the Nobel Prize Dialogue in Tokyo on Mar. 17, 2019. Ageing populations is a highly topical theme, especially in a Japanese context as the country is experiencing an extreme demographic shift. Nobel Media is arranging the event in collaboration with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) with the support of 3M (News - Alert) and other Nobel International Partners. "3M is committed to advancing scientific research and education to improve lives around the world," said Kourosh Motalebi, 3M International Operations, leading 3M-Nobel Strategic Relationship. "Our support as one of a select group of Nobel International Partners will help to inspire students and experts in Japan about 'The Age to Come'." The day is intended to bring new insights on the science of ageing, how to address financial and societal challenges tied to changing population structures and how technology can help alleviate the burdens of old age. Key opinion leaders, policy makers, students, researchers and the general public wll gather at the Pacifico Yokohama Conference Center, along with five Nobel Laureates, including Tasuku Honjo, the Japanese Medicine Laureate from 2018, to talk about why and how we age. During the day, the audience will listen to a discussion around the question of why we age with Professor Emeritus from Newcastle University Tom Kirkwood and two Nobel Laureates Elizabeth H. Blackburn and Tim Hunt. In the afternoon, Hunt will engage in a conversation around innovation, technology and policy for an ageing society policy together with Sarah Harper, Professor of Gerontology, University of Oxford, Yoshiyuki Sankai, President and CEO, CYBERDYNE Inc, and other experts. 3M and Nobel Media have collaborated since 2016 to hold international, inspirational events that have brought Nobel Laureates to Dubai, India, Tokyo, Singapore, Korea and Chile. Their work together will continue over several years to bring light to important global issues. About 3M At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. With $33 billion in sales, our 93,000 employees connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M's creative solutions to the world's problems at www.3M.com or on Twitter (News - Alert) @3M or @3MNews. About Nobel Media AB Nobel Media spreads knowledge about Nobel Prize-awarded achievements and stimulates interest in science, literature and peace in line with Alfred Nobel's vision and legacy. The company reaches a global audience of millions through its high quality productions: The official digital channels of the Nobel Prize, the Nobel Prize Concert, as well as a series of intercontinental, inspirational lecture events featuring Nobel Laureates. The company also manages a portfolio of publishing licenses, footage sales, and live broadcast rights to the Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005103/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Casarte Works with Uniters to Launch Fusion Washing + Care Machine at AWE 2019 SHANGHAI, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Haier Home Appliance (Haier), the global leading home appliance brand, along with Italian high-end leather care brand Uniters, has unveiled a new fusion washing + care machine from its sub-brand Casarte at the 2019 Appliances & Electronics World Expo (AWE 2019) in Shanghai, China. Casarte and Uniters showcased how the double-drum machine delicately cleans luxury purses, providing consumers with a dedicated cleaning and protection solution for their high-end clothing and goods. Casarte will launch the line with an initial production run of 1,000 machines. "While the concept of the washing machine has not changed much over the years, the technology behind it is constantly improving," said Eric Ding, China Market General Mangaer of Fabric Care Department of Haier. "Quiet, cold and warm washing, energy-saving these are all innovations that have significantly improved washing machins. Haier continues to push the boundaries of design and technology, and the landmark Casarte fusion washing + care machine reflects our commitment to enhancing the overall consumer experience." When items are placed in the machine, its QNX-based control system and MCU hardware automatically activates, detecting the item type and load weight, as well as analyzing water flow. Connecting with a cloud-based big data system, the high-performance central MCU processor then calculates the data points and intelligently selects the optimal washing cycle, saving water and energy in the process. This also applies to drying. The Casarte fusion washing + care machine is equipped with deep-UV light for water disinfection, allowing users to save on disinfectant and prolonging the lifespan of clothing. Meanwhile, a variable-frequency heat pump, fan, and one-button click maintain a consistent air flow and temperature, protecting each and every fiber. Military-grade 3D infrared sensors monitor the temperature through 256 points and up to 8 times per second to ensure that clothes dry evenly and without overheating. It also provides air washing and fragrant drying, while its two drums can be used both independently and simultaneously. To meet the needs of global users, Casarte boasts six R&D centers, 14 design centers, 300+ designers, and best-in-class partners worldwide. To provide continuous innovation to consumers, Casarte cultivates an open and dynamic global ecosystem that has allowed it to maintain its position at the forefront of the high-end washing machine industry. About Haier Haier Home Appliance is the world's No. 1 home appliance brand, with a 10.5% global market share. Its brands include Haier, Casarte, and Leader in China, GE Appliances in the US, Fisher & Paykel in New Zealand, and AQUA in Japan. Currently, Haier Home Appliance is transforming from a traditional manufacturer to an open entrepreneurship platform as it constructs a truly global smart home ecosystem. In doing so, Haier is continuously enhancing the user value of its products and services, providing interconnected smart home experiences for customers everywhere. For more information, visit: http://www.haier.net/en/ Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20190314/2403564-1 SOURCE Haier Home Appliances [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] More Federal Agencies Chose Valimail Enforce to Achieve DHS Email Mandate Last Year Than Any Other Solution SAN FRANCISCO, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Valimail, the world's only FedRAMP-authorized provider of DMARC email authentication , announced today it signed more new federal agencies to Domain-based Message Authentication Reporting & Conformance (DMARC) contracts in the past 12 months than all other vendors combined. This news comes just five months after another significant milestone: that 100 percent of the U.S. federal agencies using Valimail Enforce had achieved compliance with a Department of Homeland Security DMARC directive by the agency's Oct. 16, 208 deadline. By complying with the DHS directive, federal agencies eliminated the major source of cyber attacks: fake emails from hackers, phishers and other cyber criminals, including other nation-states. As a result, citizens, businesses, and agencies can now trust that the messages they receive are authentic. The DHS mandate Binding Operational Directive 18-01 (BOD 18-01) requires executive-branch agencies to protect their domains with DMARC enforcement. DMARC allows a domain owner to have worldwide visibility into all senders using its domain, and, at enforcement, gives the ability to stop all fraudulent email that appears to be sent from that domain. When implemented properly, DMARC allows domain owners to ensure that only authorized senders can send email that appears to come "from" their domains. "Achieving DMARC compliance is a necessary step in the constant battle against email impersonation attacks. Simply put, DMARC prevents fake emails from reaching inboxes," said Alexander Garcia-Tobar, CEO and co-founder of Valimail. "Valimail has worked diligently to build a fully automated email authentication system, and we're proud that we're recognized as the system of choice for U.S. federal agencies. We will continue to build on Valimail Enforce and other solutions like Valimail Defend in our efforts to make email safe, because cyber attackers around the globe will never stop trying to commit fraud through fake emails." In addition to its success with federal agencies, Valimail was awarded a contract from the State of Ohio to implement DMARC for 250 domains and is actively working with the Center for Internet Security to make information and resources available to other state and local governments. Valimail Enforce, the world's only fully automated email authentication solution, is available on multiple contract vehicles, including the General Services Administration (GSA) and NASA Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP-V). It was included in the Department of Commerce's blanket purchase award for DMARC services, and is in process with Carahsoft's National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) cloud services contract. Valimail's FedRAMP service, hosted on Amazon Web Services in the United States, runs on a dedicated instance for government entities. About Valimail Valimail is an anti-phishing company that has been driving the global trustworthiness of digital communications since 2015, with the only comprehensive platform for stopping fake email, protecting brands, and helping ensure compliance. Valimail has won multiple cybersecurity technology awards and authenticates billions of messages a month for some of the world's biggest companies, including Uber, Fannie Mae, WeWork, and the U.S. Agency for International Development. Valimail is based in San Francisco. For more information visit www.Valimail.com . MEDIA CONTACT: Dylan Tweney, VP Communications, Valimail 650-605-3348 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/more-federal-agencies-chose-valimail-enforce-to-achieve-dhs-email-mandate-last-year-than-any-other-solution-300812354.html SOURCE Valimail [March 14, 2019] Online Marketplace Bonanza.com Takes Key Steps to Prevent the Sale of Pirated e-Textbooks on its Platform WASHINGTON, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Several of the leading higher education publishers in the United States today announced that Bonanza.com, an online marketplace, will join them in efforts to stop the sale of pirated digital content on the internet. Bonanza.com will implement a series of steps designed to prevent the sale of pirated e-textbooks on its platform. These steps will help disrupt digital piracy, while not impeding innovation and the lawful growth of marketplaces. The educational publishers, Cengage, Elsevier, Macmillan Learning, McGraw-Hill Education and Pearson, have worked hard in recent years in partnership with distributors and sellers to combat the sale of pirated ebooks and counterfeit textbooks, which hurts authors and readers and stifles innovation and the creation of the rich content that consumers want. Bonanza.com will take the following key steps designed to keep pirated e-textbooks, whether in the form of a PDF copy or otherwise, off its platforms: In an effort to discourage the sale of infringing files, it will not maintain product categories and sub-categories for electronic copies of textbooks. It will implement technology, including filtering, designed to prevent the listing for sale of infringing e-textbooks. It will continue to respond expeditiously to notices of infringement. It will identify and terminate the accounts of repeat infringers in accordance with its repeat infringers policy. It will include a strong and explicit prohibition against listing for sale any infringing content in its Terms of Use for its marketplaces. It will provide information on its platforms educating sellers and consumers about copyright infringement. It will work with copyright owners to thwart digital piracy. "These important steps will benefit online marketplaces, the legitimate businesses who sell there, and the customers who shop there," said Scott Zebrak, counsel for the education publishers on digital protection. "By helping combat the sale of pirated products, Bonanza is helping to eliminate the sale of illegal digital copies and PDFs that plague the industry and harm authors, customers, publishers, and legitimate sellers." "My clients commend Bonanza for taking proactive steps to prevent the illegal use of its marketplace for infringement." About Cengage Cengage is the education and technology company built for learners. As the lagest US-based provider of teaching and learning materials for higher ed, we offer valuable options at affordable price points. Our industry-leading initiatives include Cengage Unlimited, the first-of-its-kind all- access digital subscription service. We embrace innovation to create learning experiences that build confidence and momentum toward the future students want. Headquartered in Boston, Cengage also serves K-12, library and workforce training markets around the world. Visit us at Cengage.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter. About Elsevier Elsevier is a global information analytics company that helps institutions and professionals progress science, advance healthcare and improve performance for the benefit of humanity. Elsevier provides digital solutions and tools in the areas of strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support, and professional education; including ScienceDirect, Scopus, ClinicalKey and Sherpath. Elsevier publishes over 2,500 digitized journals, including The Lancet and Cell, more than 35,000 e-book titles and many iconic reference works, including Gray's Anatomy. Elsevier is part of RELX Group, a global provider of information and analytics for professionals and business customers across industries. For more information, visit www.elsevier.com. About Macmillan Learning Macmillan Learning improves lives through learning. Our legacy of excellence in education continues to inform our approach to developing world-class content with pioneering, interactive tools. Through deep partnership with the world's best researchers, educators, administrators, and developers, we facilitate teaching and learning opportunities that spark student engagement and improve outcomes. We provide educators with tailored solutions designed to inspire curiosity and measure progress. Our commitment to teaching and discovery upholds our mission to improve lives through learning. To learn more, please visit www.macmillanlearning.com or see us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or join our Macmillan Community. About McGraw-Hill Education McGraw-Hill Education is a learning science company that delivers personalized learning experiences that help students, parents, educators and professionals drive results. McGraw-Hill Education has offices across North America, India, China, Europe, the Middle East and South America, and makes its learning solutions available in more than 60 languages. Visit us at mheducation.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter. About Pearson Pearson is the world's learning company, with expertise in educational courseware and assessment, and a range of teaching and learning services powered by technology. Our mission is to help people make progress through access to better learning. We believe that learning opens up opportunities, creating fulfilling careers and better lives. For more information, visit www.pearson.com. ALL INQUIRIES: Scott Zebrak Oppenheim + Zebrak, LLP [email protected] 202.450.3758. Counsel for the Publishers View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/online-marketplace-bonanzacom-takes-key-steps-to-prevent-the-sale-of-pirated-e-textbooks-on-its-platform-300812462.html SOURCE Pearson Education, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Local SEO Attracts More Customers to Small Businesses WASHINGTON, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- SCORE, mentors to America's small businesses, has published an infographic highlighting how small businesses can use search engine optimization (SEO) to capitalize on the rise in local search to increase their customer traffic. Data gathered by SCORE shows that 46% of all Google searches are local and indicates a more than 900% growth in mobile searches for local businesses from 2016 to 2018. Customers who search for local businesses via mobile devices frequently escalate their searches into in-person visits and purchases. In fact, 76% of nearby mobile searchers visit a related business within a day, with 28% making a purchase. A strong SEO strategy can boost a brick-and-mortar business's online search ranking, getting their business in front of more eyes and increasing foot traffic. Small business owners should include their business name and contact information on their websites, social media pages and local directories for optimal SEO. 70% of obile searchers call a business directly from search results. 54% of consumers search for business hours; 53% search for directions to a business, and 50% search for a business's address. Many businesses neglect to claim their online directory listings: 84% of retailers have not claimed their free listing on the Better Business Bureau's website. 82% haven't claimed their Bing listing. 81% haven't claimed YP. 79% haven't claimed Yahoo. 66% haven't claimed Yelp. 56% haven't claimed Google My Business. Online reviews influence customers' trust: 86% of consumers read reviews for local businesses. Consumers read an average of 10 online reviews before they trust a local business. 89% of consumers read businesses' responses to reviews. Download our infographic to learn more about local SEO strategies for small businesses. About SCORE Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 11 million aspiring entrepreneurs. Each year, SCORE's 11,000 volunteer business experts provide free small business mentoring sessions, workshops and educational services to clients in 300 chapters nationwide. In 2018, SCORE volunteers helped to create 32,387 new businesses and 103,300 non-owner jobs. For more information about starting or operating a small business, or on volunteering with SCORE, visit SCORE at www.score.org. Follow @SCOREMentors on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest small business news and updates. Contact Information Betsy Dougert 800-634-0245 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/local-seo-attracts-more-customers-to-small-businesses-300812373.html SOURCE SCORE [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] A Leading Fashion Retail Brand Identifies $2.1 M in Sales Opportunity with the Help of Retail Analytics | Quantzig A global data analytics and advisory firm, Quantzig, that delivers actionable analytics solutions to resolve complex business problems has announced the completion of their latest retail analytics engagement for a well-known fashion retailer. During the course of this engagement, the retail analytics experts worked closely with the client to revolutionize the way they attract new customers, engage with them, and inspire loyalty. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005517/en/ Retail Analytics Engagement for a Leading Fashion Retailer (Graphic: Business Wire) The onslaught of digitization has perpetually transformed every industry and the retail industry is no exception. A turbulent economy, technological advancements, and an increasingly demanding customer base act as major roadblocks that prompt retailers to adopt new approaches to stay relevant and competitive. In today's tumultuous retail environment, analytics has turned out to be the new operating principle that helps retailers to function smoothly. But the brick-and-mortar stores still seem to be stuck in the conundrum of closing the doors or embracing new omnichannel strategies. The Business Problem: The client is one of the oldest apparel brands headquartered in Canada. This specialty retail chain has over 200 stores across economies along with a strong online presence. High competitive pressures and a diminishing sales margin prompted the retailer to change course and improve performance. Though all the required data sources were within the client's reach, they had no clear and holistic picture of how the could improve their current market position. Quantzig believes that retail analytics has the potential to generate deeper insights across the entire retail value chain, including procurement, supply chain, sales and marketing, store operations, and customer management. Get in touch with our experts for more insights. "To sustain a competitive edge in today's accelerating marketplace, it is extremely important for retailers to seek proactive methods of harnessing new insights from extensive data sources in innovative ways," says a retail analytics expert from Quantzig. The Solution Offered: Quantzig's retail analytics solutions empowered the client to gather and analyze data on customer preferences, demographic attributes, and buying patterns to deploy targeted promotions and increase sales. Also, within a week of implementing the new retail analytics framework the client was able to identify over $2 million in sales opportunities. This success story is a classic example of how a retail analytics framework helped a client to make accurate and profitable business decisions. Request a free proposal to know more about our retail analytics solutions. Quantzig's retail analytics solutions helped the client to: Identify over $2.1 million in sales opportunities Analyze customer preferences and demographic attributes Request a free demo to know how you can use retail analytics to address business needs. Quantzig's retail analytics solutions offered predictive insights on: Deploying targeted promotions Identifying potential areas for growth Retail analytics has the potential to open up new opportunities for your organization too. Want to know how? You're just a click away! Request for more information now! About Quantzig Quantzig is a global analytics and advisory firm with offices in the US, UK, Canada, China, and India. For more than 15 years, we have assisted our clients across the globe with end-to-end data modeling capabilities to leverage analytics for prudent decision making. Today, our firm consists of 120+ clients, including 45 Fortune 500 companies. For more information on our engagement policies and pricing plans, visit: https://www.quantzig.com/request-for-proposal View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005517/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] 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. [March 14, 2019] New City of Houston and Civis Analytics Report Details Methodology for Smarter, More Accurate Disaster Recovery HOUSTON and CHICAGO, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department , along with data science firm Civis Analytics , today released a report detailing the Harvey Data Project , a new, data-based approach for a smarter, more accurate and equitable disaster recovery. After Hurricane Harvey in 2017, the City of Houston recognized that Houston needed a more precise understanding of how the storm impacted residents that went beyond FEMA data. In response, the City launched the Harvey Data Project, a ew way to look at the impact and cost of Harvey. The project partners included a team of data scientists from Civis Analytics, flood engineers from Dewberry, and community and geospatial expertise from Knudson. Together, they built a new model for more accurately calculating storm damage. "While a disaster like Harvey may be 'equal opportunity' in terms of where the rain fell, it actually deepens inequalities that existed before the storm," said Tom McCasland, Director of the City of Houston's Housing and Community Development Department. "The Federal government is supposed to assist those who have the least ability to recover on their own, but Federal disaster programs rely on data that often misses low-income people and people of color. The Harvey Data Project is a way for us to correct the record and make sure Houstonians get what they need to bounce forward from Hurricane Harvey." Coordinating closely among several levels of government, the project collected multiple kinds of data related to flooding, real estate, and social vulnerability to build the new model. The next step is to use data generated in the project to inform program design in Houston. Houston is also pushing Congress and Federal agencies to consider new approaches to calculating disaster damage. "Cities have extremely powerful data at their fingertips, but gathering and analyzing it in an actionable way is hard to do without the right tools or technical expertise," said Chris Dick, Harvey Data Project lead for Civis Analytics. "With the existing framework of the Harvey Data Project in place, cities across America can more easily, accurately, and fairly recover from future disasters." The full report is available here . To read more about the City of Houston's Harvey relief efforts, visit www.recovery.houstontx.gov . To learn more about Civis's work with the public sector, visit www.civisanalytics.com/industries/public-sector/ . About the City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department The City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department's mission is to create a city where everyone has an affordable home, in a neighborhood where they can thrive. In addition to supporting development of housing for all Houstonians, the Department is responsible for administering long-term disaster recovery funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). About Civis Analytics Civis Analytics helps leading public and private sector organizations use data to gain a competitive advantage in how they identify, attract, and engage people. With a blend of proprietary data, technology and advisory services, and an interdisciplinary team of data scientists, developers, and survey science experts, Civis helps organizations stop guessing and start using statistical proof to guide decisions. Learn more about Civis at www.civisanalytics.com . View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-city-of-houston-and-civis-analytics-report-details-methodology-for-smarter-more-accurate-disaster-recovery-300812445.html SOURCE Civis Analytics; City of Houston [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] AICPA Appoints BDO USA, LLP's Angela Newell as New FinREC Chair BDO USA, LLP is pleased to announce that Angela Newell has been appointed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) as chair of its Financial Reporting Executive Committee (FinREC), effective May 2019. Newell is a senior technical partner in the firm's National Assurance office, where she advises audit engagement teams and clients on the implementation and interpretation of accounting standards. FinREC serves as the AICPA's official voice on financial reporting matters and determines the Institute's technical policies regarding financial reporting standards. In her new role as FinREC Chair, Newell will represent the committee externally and lead discussions about new accounting guidance and the evolution of industry standards. She has worked directly with the AICPA since 2009, first participating in a four-year rotation on FinREC as an industry representative, then as a member of the AICPA's Revenue Recognition Working roup. "Having seen Angela in action for many years, we are fortunate to have someone of her caliber and experience to chair FinREC," said Dan Noll, CPA, AICPA senior director accounting standards - public accounting. "I am honored to be recognized by the AICPA leadership and am grateful for the opportunity to represent such an influential institution," said Newell. "As chair, I look forward to furthering the Institute's mission of serving the public interest by improving financial reporting." "Angela has long been a critical technical leader within BDO and the AICPA, and we're thrilled that her impact will expand through this role," said Christopher Tower, National Assurance managing partner at BDO. "As a firm we are committed to investing in and growing our talent to provide exceptional service and resources to our clients." Newell joins the ranks of BDO professionals who have been previously appointed for this role. The late Ben Neuhausen, former partner and national director of Accounting for BDO, chaired FinREC-then called the Accounting Standards Executive Committee-from 2005-2008. In 2009, Neuhausen received the AICPA Special Recognition Award for his contributions to accounting standard setting. About BDO USA BDO is the brand name for BDO USA, LLP, a U.S. professional services firm providing assurance, tax, and advisory services to a wide range of publicly traded and privately held companies. For more than 100 years, BDO has provided quality service through the active involvement of experienced and committed professionals. The firm serves clients through more than 60 offices and over 650 independent alliance firm locations nationwide. As an independent Member Firm of BDO International Limited, BDO serves multi-national clients through a global network of over 80,000 people working out of 1,591 offices across 162 countries. BDO USA, LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership, is the U.S. member of BDO International Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, and forms part of the international BDO network of independent member firms. BDO is the brand name for the BDO network and for each of the BDO Member Firms. For more information please visit: www.bdo.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005194/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Ixia, a Keysight Business, and Marvell Collaborate to Demonstrate the First-of-its-Kind Full Box 12.8Tbps 400GE Test at OCP 2019 Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS), a leading technology company that helps enterprises, service providers and governments accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world, announced a joint demonstration of Ixia's (News - Alert) AresOne-400 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) test system and the Marvell Prestera CX 8580 Ethernet switch at the Open Compute Project (OCP (News - Alert)) Global Summit, March 14-15, 2019. This demonstration, which showcases the maximum performance capabilities of new 400GE, PAM4-based silicon, is the first-of-its-kind full box 400GE test at 12.8 Terabytes per second (Tbps). "The 400GE ecosystem is rapidly maturing," said Alan Weckel, founding analyst for 650 Group. "The availability of PAM4-based silicon is critical to achieving the performance - throughput, latency and jitter - that 12.8Tbps speeds require. This demonstration illustrates the maturity of the PAM-4 based silicon market over the past 18 months." The Marvell (News - Alert) Prestera CX 8580 switch, a 12.8Tbps, 256x 50G device, is part of a new family of switches from Marvell that offers unprecedented workflow visibility and analytics with its Storage Aware (News - Alert) Flow Engine (SAFE) technology and a reduction in network layers leveraging its high radix switch core technology known as FASTER. "We are excited to showcase our newly announced Marvell Prestera CX 8500 family with a powerful RFC compliant 32x400G demonstration. This feature-rich family leverages the testing capability of Ixia's AresONE test equipment to test the scale, 12.8Tbps, and wide range of packet encapsulations that are supported by the switch pipeline," said Guy Azrad, vice president of engineering, Networking Business Unit and general manager at Marvell Israel. "This collaboration testifies to both organizations' ability to supprt the design, deployment and testing of the next generation, high-speed network infrastructure that will be needed to keep pace with ever-growing data demands." "This demonstration highlights the capabilities of the AresONE-400GE test system and the Marvell Prestera CX 8580 switch to support real-world applications in the data center," said Sunil Kalidindi, vice president of product management at Keysight's Ixia Solutions Group. "We are proud to showcase the world's first and only full-box 12.8Tbps 400GE test with Marvell and demonstrate the maturity of our solutions as 400GE rapidly becomes mainstream." Ixia at Open Compute Project (OCP) Global Summit At OCP, Ixia is also demonstrating an 8-port AresOne-400GE system running a 12.8Tbps using 4 separate units chained together to perform as a single 32-port system. The Ixia AresONE-400GE test system enables network equipment providers to test high-port-density devices such as routers, switches and servers for all Ethernet speeds, 400GE/200GE/100GE/50GE, based on the IEEE802.3bs and IEEE802.3cd standards. AresONE is the first high-density 8-port 400GE test system available in a 2 rack-unit (RU) fixed chassis based on 56 Gb/s electrical interface with PAM-4 encoded signaling that supports both OSFP or QSFP-DD pluggable interfaces. AresONE runs IxNetwork, Ixia's field-proven L2-3 network infrastructure performance test solution that scales to business needs. About Keysight Technologies Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) is a leading technology company that helps enterprises, service providers and governments accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Keysight's solutions optimize networks and bring electronic products to market faster and at a lower cost with offerings from design simulation, to prototype validation, to manufacturing test, to optimization in networks and cloud environments. Customers span the worldwide communications ecosystem, aerospace and defense, automotive, energy, semiconductor and general electronics end markets. Keysight generated revenues of $3.9B in fiscal year 2018. More information is available at www.keysight.com. Marvell, the M logo, and Prestera are registered trademarks of Marvell and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or elsewhere. Additional information about Keysight Technologies is available in the newsroom at https://www.keysight.com/go/news and on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005553/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Razer Expands Best-Selling Lineup With a New Line Designed for Value-Conscious Gamers Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced three new gaming peripherals to expand its best-selling lineups. The BlackWidow keyboard, Kraken headset, and Basilisk Essential mouse are some of the best value-for-money gaming peripherals Razer has to offer and deliver everything a gamer needs. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005137/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) RAZER BLACKWIDOW The Razer BlackWidow keyboard is the latest addition to Razer's best-selling keyboard family. Sporting many features of the flagship BlackWidow Elite, the BlackWidow is fitted with Razer's tactile and clicky Green Mechanical Switches. Designed for gaming by Razer, the Green Mechanical Switch features a tactile bump and distinctive click sound, with optimized actuation and reset points for best-in-class gaming and typing. Using Razer's improved dual-side wall switch design, key wobble is minimized while increasing accuracy and responsiveness. Each key is rated to last up to 80 million keystrokes. The BlackWidow offers Razer Chroma with individual key lighting of 16.8 million colors controllable via Razer Synapse 3. With Razer Hypershift, every key can be a macro key, or be assigned secondary functions through Razer Synapse 3. The Razer BlackWidow also features on-board hybrid memory and cloud storage, allowing you to preserve your personalized settings (such as lighting profiles, key binds and macros) when used with different computers. Product Features Razer Green Mechanical Switches designed for gaming 80 million keystroke lifespan Razer Chroma customizable backlighting with 16.8 million color options Hybrid On-Board Memory and Cloud Storage - up to 5 profiles Razer Synapse 3-enabled Cable routing options N-key roll-over with built-in anti-ghosting Fully programmable keys with on-the-fly macro recording Gaming mode option 1000 Hz Ultrapolling Instant Trigger Technology Price & Availability $119.99 USD / 129,99 MSRP Razer.com - 14 March 2019 Worldwide - March 2019 For more information, please visit http://www.razer.com/gaming-keyboards-keypads/razer-blackwidow Product Assets Download product images: http://rzr.to/BlackWidow-RR RAZER KRAKEN The new Razer Kraken is the successor to the best-selling Kraken Pro V2. Taking design and hardware cues from the flagship Kraken Tournament Edition, the Kraken features large 50 mm drivers to deliver clear, powerful sound whilst the improved retractable microphone has been honed to cut out even more background noise, ensuring crystal-clear team communication. Long-term comfort is assured with thicker headband padding and all-ear gel cooling cushions. The ear cup padding features a moisture-wicking breathable fabric on the contact surface, a cooling gel layer and hidden eye-wear channels built into the foam layer, giving the ultimate in comfort. With inline mute and volume controls, the 3rd generation Razer Kraken is Razer's most versatile cross-platform headset to date. The Kraken is also available in a Quartz Pink edition, and as the Razer Kraken for Console, featuring a new color variant of black with blue highlights. Razer Kraken Razer Kraken Pro V2 $79.99 USD / 79,99 MSRP $79.99 USD / 89,99 MSRP Cooling-Gel Infused Ear Cushions Leatherette Ear Cushions Extra Thick Headband Padding Thick Headband Padding Retractable Microphone with improved ambient noise rejection Retractable Microphone Bauxite Aluminum Frame Custom-Tuned 50mm Drivers Compatible with PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Mobile Devices with 3.5mm jack Product Features At-a-glance Custom-tuned 50 mm Drivers Cooling Gel-Infused Cushions Retractable Unidirectional Microphone Bauxite Aluminum Frame Thicker Headband Padding Cross-Platform Compatibility Headphones Frequency response: 12 Hz - 28 kHz Impedance: 32 ? @ 1 kHz Sensitivity (@1 kHz): 109 dB Input power: 30 mW (Max) Drivers: 50 mm, with Neodymium magnets Inner ear cup diameter: 54 mm x 65 mm Connection type: Analog 3.5 mm Cable length: 1.3 m / 4.27 ft. Approx. weight: 322 g / 0.71 lbs Oval ear cushions: Designed for full-ear coverage with cooling gel, perfect for long-wearing comfort Microphone Frequency response: 100 Hz - 10 kHz Signal-to-noise ratio: > 60 dB Sensitivity (@1 kHz): -45 3 dB Pick-up pattern: Unidirectional ECM boom In-line control Analog volume control wheel Microphone quick mute toggle Audio Usage Audio Usage: Devices with 3.5 mm audio jack Audio + microphone usage: Devices with 3.5 mm audio + mic combined jack Audio / mic splitter adapter cable usage: Devices with separate 3.5 mm audio and microphone jacks Price & Availability $79.99 USD / 79,99 MSRP Razer.com - 14 March 2019 Worldwide - March 2019 For more information, please visit https://www.razer.com/gaming-audio/razer-kraken Product Assets Download product images: http://rzr.to/Kraken-RR RAZER BASILISK ESSENTIAL The Razer Basilisk Essential stays true to the unique right-handed ergonomic form factor of the original Razer Basilisk and has a total of 7 configurable buttons utilizing Razer's Mechanical Mouse Switches, with a durability of up to 20 million clicks. The unique thumb-operated Multi-Function Paddle, an award-winning feature in the original Basilisk, can be programmed for any function the gamer needs; a quick-shift DPI clutch for sniping, shortcut for a weapon or spell slot, push-to-talk comms or Press and Hold for sprinting, healing or crouching. Powered by a native, gaming-grade 6400 DPI optical sensor the Razer Basilisk Essential features Razer Chroma with customizability of 16.8 million colors and variety of effects available through Razer Synapse 3. Product Features True 6,400 DPI optical sensor Up to 220 inches per second (IPS) / 30 G acceleration 7 independently programmable Hyperesponse buttons Razer Mechanical Mouse Switches Gaming-grade tactile scroll wheel Ergonomic right-handed design with enhanced rubber side grips 1,000 Hz Ultrapolling Razer Chroma lighting with true 16.8 million customizable color options Razer Synapse 3 enabled Approximate Dimensions: 124 mm / 4.88 in (Length) X 75 mm / 2.94 in (Width) X 43 mm / 1.69 in (Height) Approximate Weight: 95 g / 0.21 lbs (excluding cable) Price & Availability $49.99 USD / 49,99 MSRP Razer.com - 14 March 2019 Worldwide - March 2019 For more information, please visit https://razer.com/gaming-mice/razer-basilisk-essential Product Assets Download product images: http://rzr.to/BasiliskEssential-RR ABOUT RAZER Razer is the world's leading lifestyle brand for gamers. The triple-headed snake trademark of Razer is one of the most recognized logos in the global gaming and esports communities. With a fan base that spans every continent, the company has designed and built the world's largest gamer-focused ecosystem of hardware, software and services. Razer's award-winning hardware includes high-performance gaming peripherals, Blade gaming laptops and the acclaimed Razer Phone (News - Alert). Razer's software platform, with over 50 million users, includes Razer Synapse (an Internet of Things platform), Razer Chroma (a proprietary RGB lighting technology system), and Razer Cortex (a game optimizer and launcher). In services, Razer Gold is one of the world's largest virtual credit services for gamers, and Razer Pay is the e-wallet designed for youth and millennials. Founded in 2005 and dual-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore, Razer has 15 offices worldwide and is recognized as the leading brand for gamers in the USA, Europe and China. Razer is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Stock Code: 1337). Razer - For Gamers. By Gamers. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005137/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Ariel Investments Announces New Trustee to Mutual Fund Board Ariel Investments, adviser to Ariel Investment Trust, announced today that Eric H. Holder, Jr., 82nd Attorney General of the United States, has been appointed to the Trust's Board of Trustees. Mr. Holder served as Attorney General from February 2009 to April 2015. As the third longest serving Attorney General in U.S. history and the first African American to hold that office, Mr. Holder is an internationally recognized leader across a broad range of regulatory enforcement, criminal justice, and national security issues. In 2014, Time magazine named Mr. Holder to its list of 100 Most Influential People. John W. Rogers, Jr., Founder, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Ariel Investments, said, "Eric Holder has a distinguished track record in both the public and private sectors. I know Ariel will benefit greatly from his extraordinary experience, keen intellect and insights." Mr. Holder, who was a partner at Covington & Burling from 2001 to 2009, rejoined the firm after serving as the Attorney General. He has served in government for more than thirty years, having been appointed to various positions requiring U.S. Senate confirmation by Presidents Obama, Clinton and Reagan. In 1997, Mr. Holder was named by President Clinton to be the Deputy Attorney General, the first African-American named to that post. Before that, he served as U.S. Attorney for the District of olumbia. In 1988, Mr. Holder was nominated by President Reagan to become an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Mr. Holder received his BA from Columbia College in 1973 and his JD from Columbia Law School in 1976. He lives in Washington with his wife, Dr. Sharon Malone, a physician, and their three children. To read his biography or to learn more about Ariel's Mutual Fund Board of Trustees, please click here. Ariel Investments, LLC is a money management firm headquartered in Chicago, with offices in New York City and Sydney. Ariel Investment Trust is comprised of six no-load mutual funds: Ariel Fund (its flagship fund), Ariel Appreciation Fund, Ariel Focus Fund, Ariel Discovery Fund, Ariel International Fund, and Ariel Global Fund. As of February 28, 2019, Ariel Investments' firm-wide assets under management totaled approximately $13.0 billion. For more information about the firm, please visit Ariel's award-winning website at arielinvestments.com Investors should consider carefully the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses before investing. For a current prospectus or summary prospectus that contains this and other information about the funds offered by Ariel Investment Trust, call us at 800-292-7435 or visit our website, arielinvestments.com. Please read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before investing. Distributed by Ariel Distributors LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ariel Investments LLC. Ariel Distributors, LLC is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005590/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Global Yoga Accessories Market 2019-2023 | Increasing Introduction of Smart Mats to Boost Growth | Technavio The global yoga accessories market is expected to post a CAGR of close to 7% during the period 2019-2023, according to the latest market research report by Technavio. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005589/en/ The global yoga accessories market is expected to post a CAGR of close to 7% during the period 2019-2023. (Graphic: Business Wire) Vendors are offering innovative yoga accessories developed from natural jute and rubber. For instance, manufacturers are coming out with reversible mats, which are made from natural rubber. These mats are designed with an antimicrobial additive that helps to prevent mold and mildew on the mat. Such innovations are driving the market and consumers are willing to invest heavily in these premium products due to factors such as superior quality and durability. The launch of such innovative and premium products will help vendors widen their profit margins and gain a competitive edge during the forecast period. As per Technavio, the increasing introduction of smart mats will have a positive impact on the market and contribute to its growth significantly over the forecast period. This global yoga accessories market 2019-2023 research report also analyzes other important trends and market drivers that will affect market growth over 2019-2023. This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing Global yoga accessories market: Increasing introduction of smart mats With smart mats trending in the global yoga accessories market, many manufacturers are continuously looking to improve yoga mats with additional features to increase customer satisfaction. One of the trending innovations in the field of yoga mats is smart connectivity using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Such smart mats can be monitored through mobile apps installed on smart gadgets. To garner customer attention and increase their market shares, manufacturers are focusing on introducing the smart connectivity feature in their upcoming yoga accessories. For instance, SmartMat is a portable yoga mat, which helps track and improve yoga practice by learning a users' position and suggesting incremental improvements towards achieving the perfect position. Thus, with such advanced features, the global market is expected to witness a positive outlook during the forecast period. "Along with the increasing introduction of smart mats, the growing number of yoga practitioners, the increasing wellness initiatives by government and corporate agencies and the rising availability of custom-made yoga mats are factors that will contribute to the growth of the global yoga accessories market," says a senior analyst at Technavio. Global yoga accessories market: Segmentation analysis This market research report segments the global yoga accessories market by product (yoga mats, yoga straps, yoga blocks, others), by distribution channel (offline and online) and geographical regions (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA). The North American region led the market in 2018, followed by Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA respectively. However, during the forecast period, the APAC region is expected to register the highest incremental growth due to increasing cases of obesity, and the adoption of healthy lifestyles. Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Some of the key topics covered in the report include: Market Landscape Market ecosystem Market characteristics Market segmentation analysis Market Sizing Market definition Market size and forecast Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation Geographical Segmentation Regional comparison Key leading countries Market Drivers Market Challenges Market Trends Vendor Landscape Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Competitive scenario About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005589/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Nitor to Deliver Procurement Transformation for State of Maryland Nitor makes Public Sector e-procurement more efficient, secure and transparent CLEVELAND, March 14, 2019 /CNW/ -- Nitor , a leading transformation services firm, has been awarded the contract by the State of Maryland for a new statewide e-procurement system, eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA). "With the addition of this e-procurement system, Maryland is taking a significant step forward in the way we do busines," said Governor Hogan. eMMA will offer a single location for suppliers to review and bid for sourcing. The user-friendly platform will allow State of Maryland buyers to collaborate with suppliers bidding for contracts, improving quality and transparency. It maximizes competition by streamlining the procurement process, making it easier for businesses to participate while ensuring all procurements are conducted consistently, efficiently, and impartially. "eMaryland Marketplace Advantage is much more than the state's new bid board," said Lt. Governor Rutherford. "It is an adaptive tool that provides innovation and flexibility over time, fits into our modernization goals of innovation and efficiency, and will help us anticipate future needs. It is a comprehensive procurement and business process transformation." Nitor will commence implementation immediately, with initial functionality to be available summer 2019. "Nitor brings deep expertise in procurement transformation and a passion for managing technology deployment and adoption. We are honored to be part of the eMMA team to modernize the state's procurement," said Jaideep Mulchandani, Principal with Nitor. This statewide e-procurement system, eMMA, is designed to make state procurement and business processes more efficient, transparent, secure, and user friendly for all stakeholders. Stakeholders include, state and local officials, procurement professionals, suppliers, government leaders and citizens. Nitor: Empowering Transformation. Nitor is the leader in source-to-pay transformation with a dedicated focus on advisory, consulting, and change management. The transformation starts with advisory services that focus on assessment, benchmarking and developing a roadmap. Our procurement consulting experts execute the plan across people, processes and technology. And throughout the process, our change management expertise ensures that everything is aligned for maximum results. Contact: nitorpartners.com Email: [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nitor-to-deliver-procurement-transformation-for-state-of-maryland-300811693.html SOURCE Nitor [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Walmart Executive Jay Jorgensen Joins Coupang as Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel Coupang, one of the world's largest and fastest-growing e-commerce companies, today announced that Jay Jorgensen will join the company as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer (CCO). Mr. Jorgensen is a recognized expert on corporate governance, most recently serving as the Global Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer of Walmart, Inc. He brings a wealth of international experience to Coupang as the company continues its rapid expansion. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005262/en/ Jay Jorgensen, Coupang's General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer (Photo: Business Wire) "Coupang is relentless in its pursuit of excellence, and Jay shares that commitment," said Bom Kim, CEO of Coupang. "His standards are remarkably high, and he has a tremendous track record. Jay is the right person to oversee global compliance as we continue to grow Coupang into one of the world's greatest technology companies." Prior to joining Coupang, Mr. Jorgensen created Walmart's first global program to manage regulatory compliance for the company's entire business, including its workforce of more than two million employees. In 2016, the New York Stock Echange Governance Services recognized that program as the "Best Governance, Risk and Compliance Program at a Large-Cap Company." In addition to building and refining a world-class ethics and compliance program, Mr. Jorgensen also served as a member of Walmart Foundation's Board of Directors and Executive Committee, helping direct the Foundation's activities and establish strategies to improve sustainability, and create jobs. Before joining Walmart, Mr. Jorgensen was a partner in the international law firm Sidley Austin LLP, where he represented and counseled both companies and individuals. He also served as a judicial law clerk to the late William H. Rehnquist, the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, in addition to serving as the law clerk to the Honorable Samuel A. Alito, Jr. while he sat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Judge Alito was later appointed a Justice of the United States Supreme Court by President George W. Bush. "I'm glad to have this opportunity to work for a company that is growing by providing exceptional service to its customers," said Mr. Jorgensen. "Coupang is transforming the shopping experience and making customers' lives more convenient by providing a wide selection of products and fast, friendly delivery. I'm looking forward to being part of this team." With revenue more than doubling in the last two years to nearly $5 billion in 2018, Coupang is Korea's largest online retailer. Korea is already a global top five e-commerce market and is one of the fastest growing. Today Coupang offers more than 120 million items for sale, including 4 million retail items available for guaranteed one-day delivery through its Rocket delivery service, which by September 2018 had delivered more than 1 billion items. Millions of customers buy from Coupang more than 50 times per year, and one in every two Koreans has downloaded Coupang's mobile application. Coupang is also the leading Korean retailer of U.S.-based brands, such as Huggies, Febreze, Corelle and Carters. It has served as an effective on-ramp for international companies that want to launch products in Korea. The company opened its platform to international brands in order to introduce new options to shoppers in Korea. In addition to bringing US goods to Korea, Coupang is also expanding internationally. About Coupang Coupang is one of the largest and fastest-growing consumer internet companies in the world. Its innovative technologies and novel approach to mobile commerce and customer service have set a new standard for e-commerce in Korea and beyond. Powered by its proprietary technology infrastructure, Coupang offers the largest end-to-end fulfillment operation in Korea and one of the most revolutionary last-mile delivery services in the world. Founded in 2010, Coupang is a global company with offices in Beijing, Los Angeles, Seattle, Seoul, Shanghai, and Silicon Valley. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005262/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Evoqua Highlights the Critical Role Clean Water Plays in Business, Industry and Daily Life Evoqua Water Technologies (NYSE:AQUA), an industry leader in mission critical water treatment solutions, will celebrate World Water Day by shining a spotlight on the myriad ways clean water enriches modern life. Designated by United Nations General Assembly, World Water Day is held annually on March 22 to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Water is an essential element in making everyday products and to everyday life. Evoqua helps customers use water efficiently to produce those goods as well as to treat water after the goods have been made. The company also supports local municipalities offering a suite of treatment and disinfection solutions to provide clean drinking water to communities around the world. "With a corporate mission to Transform Water and Enrich Life, World Water Day is a unique opportunity for us to celebrate the important work our employees do to preserve the value of water," stated Snehal Desai, chief growth officer at Evoqua. "Our expert water teams work tirelessly to engineer products and deliver solutions that meet the unique water quality challenges and sustainability goalsfor our industrial, municipal and recreational customers. I look forward to celebrating their hard work and our collective success with all members of the water ecosystem on this important day." Kicking off a series of activities, Evoqua will announce the winner of its annual Sustainability Awards on Friday, March 22. The awards recognize excellence in water stewardship, including companies using new or existing technologies in innovative, sustainable ways and companies that have made significant strides in water reduction. The company will also mark World Water Day by ringing the NYSE Closing Bell on Friday, March 22 at 4 p.m. EDT. Evoqua CEO Ron Keating will be joined by Evoqua colleagues at this event and a livestream can be found here. Finally, Evoqua will release an infographic that highlights some lesser-known but important influences clean water has on business, industry and modern living including: Providing peak performance conditions for elite swimmers Creating award-winning beverages and ensuring food safety Producing microchips and solar cells Creating safe and sterile healthcare environments Sign-up here to get a copy of Evoqua's World Water Day infographic next week. About Evoqua Water Technologies Evoqua Water Technologies is a leading provider of mission-critical water and wastewater treatment solutions, offering a broad portfolio of products, services and expertise to support industrial, municipal and recreational customers who value water. Evoqua has worked to protect water, the environment and its employees for more than 100 years, earning a reputation for quality, safety and reliability around the world. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company operates in more than 160 locations across nine countries. Serving more than 200,000 installations worldwide, our employees are united by a common purpose: Transforming Water. Enriching Life. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005586/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Kroger Precision Marketing Partners with Pinterest on Targeting and Closed Loop Measurement CINCINNATI, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) and Kroger Precision Marketing (KPM) are excited to announce a strategic integrated media and measurement relationship with Pinterest. This relationship enables advertisers to leverage Kroger's first-party data for targeting on Pinterest and effectively track from digital inspiration to purchase via closed-loop measurement a strong point of differentiation in the marketplace. "Our intentions are simple; we want to enable brands to create engaging moments with consumers in an effective and efficient manner. We are excited to blend the inspiration delivered on Pinterest with our rich customer intelligence and connection to commerce, driving meaningful value for advertisers," said Cara Pratt, VP of Customer Communications Product Strategy & Innovation at 84.51. The strategic relationship will allow brands to connect to millions of Kroger customers within the Pinterest environment. Moreover, because Kroger is the second largest grocer in the United States, brands can take advantage of targeting 1 in 3 Kroger shoppers through buying capabilities with Kroger Precision Marketing. Consumers visit Pinterest with curiosity and are open-mided about which brands can deliver on the solution they are seeking. This offers brands a distinct opportunity to influence shopper decision-making and deliver against their advertising strategy, from exposing existing customers to new products, to gaining incremental customers through inspiration and more. Kroger captures 96 percent of all transactions through the loyalty card, offering the opportunity to identify the most effective audience, create a seamless connection to commerce and measure the sales impact. This combination makes the Kroger Precision Marketing solution a powerful opportunity for brands to share product information and content in a relevant context. "We are excited to combine the scale of Kroger, the largest domestic grocery retailer, and Pinterest, a visual discovery engine, to deliver a personalized, contextually relevant and inspired experience for Kroger shoppers," said Arthur Sevilla, CPG Strategy Lead at Pinterest. Kroger and Pinterest are expanding their relationship after several successful campaigns in 2018. One such campaign sought to inspire shoppers to purchase the Greek yogurt category. As one of the first campaigns to leverage first-party data for targeting, the campaign drove more effective engagement and efficient results for Kroger. Results showed a 53 percent increase in traffic, while also lowering cost per engagement rates by 15 percent. About 84.51 84.51 brings together customer data, predictive analytics, and marketing strategy to drive sales growth and customer loyalty for Kroger and more than 300 consumer-packaged-goods companies in the U.S. Our programs achieve business objectives by encouraging awareness, trial, sales uplift, earned media impressions and, ultimately, customer loyalty. Using a sophisticated, proprietary suite of tools and technology, we turn customer data into knowledge, resulting in a more enlightened, more personal, dynamic approach to putting the customer at the center of every business decision. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kroger-precision-marketing-partners-with-pinterest-on-targeting-and-closed-loop-measurement-300812587.html SOURCE Kroger Precision Marketing [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] DRAKKAR and Avianor conclude a partnership agreement to fuel growth of the Quebec-based aerospace cluster MONTREAL, March 14, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - DRAKKAR, a world-class company specialized in operational outsourcing within leading-edge sectors including Aerospace, and Avianor, a complete commercial aviation cabin integration specialist and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul organization actively involved in the design, engineering, certification, manufacturing, repair and overhaul of cabin interiors, have finalized a partnership agreement which will enable Avianor to accelerate its growth strategy. With the help of Ernst & Young Orenda Corporate Finance, Avianor strongly believes the strategic and Canadian-based company DRAKKAR is the best partner to secure the future of Avianor. Following this transaction, effective as of February 28, 2019, the Avianor board of directors now consists of Earl Diamond, CEO of Avianor, Sylvain Savard, President and Founder of Avianor, along with two new members from DRAKKAR, Denis Deschamps, President and CEO of Drakkar & Partners, and Benoit Hudon, President and CEO of their Manufacturing business unit. Over the past twenty-four (24) years, Avianor has become a leader in the aviation industry by distinguishing itself through innovative problem solving, maintaining a skilled workforce and a flexible corporate culture. Although Avianor will remain an independent operation, DRAKKAR will now provide Avianor with strategic, tactical, financial, operational, business development and training support to help them accelerate and achieve their consolidation and growth plan while meeting customers' satisfaction. Part of this plan also includes the renovation of a new and additional facility with over 100,000 sq. ft. of hangars and offices with airside access at the Montreal International Airport (Mirabel-YMX). "This new partnrship reinforces the global positioning of our business as a high-caliber outsourcing team with the ability to optimize operations while keeping in mind productivity, efficiency and quality. With over twenty-five (25) years of experience and expertise in outsourcing, this is a major turning point for our Manufacturing Business Unit as it opens the door to the convergence and deployment of its global service offer. DRAKKAR Manufacturing fits perfectly with our vision of creating our own innovative manufacturing ecosystem in one of our leading sectors, working collaboratively with our employees, partners, customers and suppliers as well as our own infrastructure", said Denis Deschamps and Benoit Hudon. "For us, this association with DRAKKAR reflects our determination and willingness to meet the needs of our existing and future clients and shows our concrete commitment to perpetuate Avianor activities over the long term and secure hundreds of jobs here in Quebec at the Mirabel Airport. With a current workforce of over two thousand five hundred (2,500) people and a solid experience in operations management, DRAKKAR will help us achieve the operational efficiency required of a large enterprise while ensuring personalized service is provided to all our clients", added Sylvain Savard and Earl Diamond. "It is a proud moment for Aero Montreal to see these companies conclude a partnership agreement with the objective of uniting their forces and combining their complementary expertise to create a strong added value within the industry. In addition to fostering economic growth and job creation across Canada, this type of partnership contributes to an even stronger, more competitive and prosperous Quebec aerospace industry. It is a common and shared priority to ensure the visibility and influence of the companies that make up our industrial cluster, and in order to do so, we must effectively offer the OEMs more integrated solutions", concluded Suzanne M. Benoit, President of Aero Montreal. About DRAKKAR (www.drakkar.com) Co-founded 25 years ago by Denis Deschamps and Michel Blaquiere, DRAKKAR is a world-renowned company specialized in outsourcing. Working in the logistics, manufacturing and digital sectors, DRAKKAR offers sector-based expertise that ensures the management of operational activities for major clients from a range of industries, such as aerospace, defence and transportation. Based in Montreal, with offices in Canada and the U.S., DRAKKAR has an effective and determined team of over 2,500 employees, which, day in and day out, is the driver of its success. Its people's expertise, supported by innovative and digital solutions, contributes to the operational success of its clients in leading-edge sectors in North America. About Avianor (www.avianor.com) Located in the world's third largest aerospace city, Avianor Inc. is a privately held Canadian corporation that over the past 24 years has developed specialization in commercial Aircraft and Component maintenance and modifications (Airframe MRO, seats, Interiors), Manufacturing (crew seats, cabin interiors and new aircraft completions) and Engineering of cabin interior and In-flight entertainment/connectivity modifications. As such, the company has positioned itself as a vertical integrator in the marketplace. Avianor occupies over 200,000 square feet of hangars, repair shops, fabrication facilities and warehouse space at Mirabel Airport (YMX) and employs over 400 people. SOURCE DRAKKAR & PARTNERS [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] MEGA and MIGS join forces! The two events unite to form a larger entity in Quebec's video game industry MONTREAL, March 14, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Coop La Guilde, the largest cooperative of video game developers in the world, and Alliance numerique, whose mission is to support and promote the products and contributions of the Quebec video game industry among the media, government decision makers and the general public, are pleased to announce that their respective flagship events, the Montreal Expo Gaming Arcade (MEGA) and the Montreal International Game Summit (MIGS), will be held together this year for the first time ever. From November 16 to 19, MEGA the largest B2C video game event in Quebec and MIGS one of the largest B2B events of its kinds in Canada will unite. MEGA+MIGS, the first B2B2C event in the Canadian industry, will take place at the Grand Quay in the Old Port of Montreal and showcase the latest indutry innovations presented by developers and creators from around the world. It will also provide a meeting place to facilitate exchanges between the independent video game world and big name studios as well as between local and international industry leaders, who will gather to network and discuss current challenges and opportunities. The general public are invited to come and discover the new technologies and video games that will be on display. "It's amazing to see La Guilde and Alliance numerique join forces," enthused Jean-Martin Aussant, Executive Director of Coop La Guilde. "We will be developing this union, so that the entire Quebec video game industry can speak with one voice, both here at home and on the world stage." For Nadine Gelly, Executive Director of Alliance numerique, "MEGA+MIGS will be an outstanding international showcase that will reinforce Quebec's status as a leader in the video game field. We are delighted at this new collaboration, which will open up great opportunities for the future of our industry." About Coop La Guilde La Guilde des developpeurs de jeux video independants du Quebec is a non-profit cooperative whose mission is to support the success of Quebec studios in order to ensure the growth and future of the industry by cultivating a fertile ground for local innovation, creativity and digital technologies. With its 160 studio members, it represents the largest independent video game cooperative in the world. La Guilde aims to democratize the industry and promote its members' 100% Quebec-made products. About Alliance numerique Alliance numerique regroups and represents video game companies of all sizes in Quebec. With nearly 100 active members, the organization works to support and promote the products and contributions of this sector among the media, government decision makers and the general public. SOURCE La Guilde des developpeurs de jeux video independants du Quebec [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Government of Canada investing in Canadian researchers to help them make world-class discoveries Investments in University of Manitoba will help attract the best and the brightest talent WINNIPEG, March 14, 2019 /CNW/ - Discoveries made in research labs across Canada are leading to cleaner, greener, healthier and more prosperous lives for all Canadians. Whether researchers are looking for effective cancer treatments or developing clean technologies, they need the right tools to turn their bold ideas into reality. That's why the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, was at the University of Manitoba today to highlight more than $39 million for state-of-the-art research labs and equipment through the Canada Foundation for Innovation's (CFI) John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF). This investment will support 251 researchers leading 186 projects at 43 universities across Canada. JELF aims to help universities attract and retain top talent from around the globe by providing researchers with the highly specialized infrastructure they require to be leaders in their field. As part of this funding, the University of Manitoba is receiving more than $1.1 million in support of seven projects in areas such as disease, food processing and supercomputers. Dr. Janilyn Arsenio, for example, will use the funding to help with her research in developing new strategies for vaccine design and in improving the treatment of infections, cancer and autoimmune diseases. The Minister also highlighted Budget 2018 commitments for the CFI, which include $763 million over the next five years and $462 million per year starting in 2023. This investment provides the CFI with long-term, stable funding, one of the key recommendations of the expert panelled Fundamental Science Review. These new investmentswill allow the CFI to continue to support researchers by investing in state-of-the-art labs and research equipment at Canada's universities, colleges and research hospitals. Investing in research infrastructure creates the spaces to train the new generation of researchers and bring together researchers and entrepreneurs who can jump-start innovation. Quotes "Since 1997, the Canada Foundation for Innovation has been ensuring Canadian researchers have the tools they need to push the frontiers of knowledge in all disciplines. The stable, long-term funding we are celebrating today will help Canada continue to be an international destination for research and innovation." The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport "The Canada Foundation for Innovation lays the cornerstone for the future by providing equipment that ensures the success of researchers from the very start of their careers. The John R. Evans Leaders Fund creates the conditions necessary for the extraordinary talents in Canada's universities and hospitals to excel. With ongoing, permanent funding, the CFI will be able to continue to support their ambitions." Roseann O'Reilly Runte, President and CEO, Canada Foundation for Innovation "I congratulate these researchers on their exceptional work being recognized today with this new investment. The advancements they make will contribute to health and economic well-being in Manitoba and beyond." Dr. Digvir Jayas, Vice-President (Research and International) and Distinguished Professor, University of Manitoba Quick facts The John R. Evans Leaders Fund helps exceptional researchers at universities across the country conduct cutting-edge research by giving them the tools and equipment they need to become leaders in their field. The total funding of $39,125,771 includes capital funding for infrastructure of $30,096,747 and an additional $9,029,024 for incremental operating and maintenance costs awarded under the CFI's Infrastructure Operating Fund. includes capital funding for infrastructure of and an additional for incremental operating and maintenance costs awarded under the CFI's Infrastructure Operating Fund. Budget 2018 is making a historic investment of nearly $4 billion over five years in research and in the next generation of scientiststhe single largest investment in fundamental research in Canadian history. over five years in research and in the next generation of scientiststhe single largest investment in fundamental research in Canadian history. Budget 2018 set aside $763 million over five years for the CFI and ongoing funding of up to $462 million per year starting in 2023. This permanent funding will put cutting-edge tools in the hands of our researchers and students to ensure they can make discoveries and innovate. Related products Government of Canada investing in Canadian researchers to make world-class discoveries March 13, 2019 Associated links Canada Foundation for Innovation John R. Evans Leaders Fund Canada's Science Vision For Canadian Science news, follow @CDNScience on social media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA Follow the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) on Twitter: @InnovationCA SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Government of Canada funds sailing plan app to support boaters' safety KELOWNA, BC, March 14, 2019 /CNW/ - Canada's oceans, lakes and rivers can be unpredictable, and venturing out on them can be a risk. The Government of Canada is committed to Canadians' safety on our waterways and makes it a priority to ensure our marine search and rescue teams are properly equipped should they be called in to assist those in trouble. Today, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, announced the Government of Canada is making an investment of $595,000 in a Kelowna technology company to develop a sailing plan mobile app and dashboard. The app will provide Canadian boaters, for the first time, with an intuitive, dedicated mobile app to support their safety. Minister Goodale was joined by Member of Parliament for KelownaLake Country, Stephen Fuhr, and Limnology Research Corporation (LRC) Consulting Solutions CEO Dr. Nelson Jatel. LRC Consulting Solutions will use the funding to develop a sailing plan mobile app and dashboard application that will make the process of creating and submitting a sailing plan easier and faster for boat captains. In turn, this will make this large quantity of data more accessible and actionable by marine search and rescue operators, immediately increasing the efficiency of responding to boating emergencies. The funding was made available through the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF). he SAR NIF aims to fund projects that deliver on the objectives of the National Search and Rescue Program (NSP). The Government of Canada dedicates $7.6 million each year to support new and ongoing projects under SAR NIF. Quotes "Canada's waterways are vast and can be dangerous, and if something does go wrong and boaters need help, it can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. With this app, boaters have a tool at hand that can make their journey safer. This tool will reduce the number and severity of search and rescue marine incidents by increasing the effectiveness of rescue missions and decreasing the response time to SAR incidents. " - The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness "This app will immediately increase the likelihood of saving lives on Canadian waters by improving the efficiency, accuracy and ease of completing sail plans for Canadian boaters. The Government of Canada is proud to support innovative initiatives like this one that make boating safer and results in more effective and coordinated marine search and rescue capacity." - Stephen Fuhr, Member of Parliament for KelownaLake Country "We have been working closely with Canadian boaters and marine safety professionals to develop a new Sailing Plan mobile app, providing an intuitive, usable and robust sailing plan reporting solution. Sailing plans are an important part of the marine safety toolkit, and this innovative project supported by Public Safety Canada SAR NIF funding will make the completion and submission of sailing plans easier and faster for boat captains and in turn make the large quantity of data more accessible and actionable by search and rescue staff." - Nelson Jatel, Chief Executive Officer, LRC Consulting Solutions Quick Facts In Canada , search and rescue is a responsibility shared by governments, the military, volunteers, and industry groups. , search and rescue is a responsibility shared by governments, the military, volunteers, and industry groups. There are approximately 15,000 search and rescue volunteers across Canada , representing ground, air and maritime domains. , representing ground, air and maritime domains. Canada's search and rescue area of responsibility is 18 million square kilometres of land and water, and includes the longest coastline in the world. Associated Links Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund National Search and Rescue Program SailingPlan.ca SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] McLarens Announces Expansion into Environmental Testing and Consulting Services with the Acquisition of American Environmental Group McLarens, a leading, global independent insurance services provider, today announced the acquisition of American Environmental Group, LLC ("AEG"). Under the terms of the agreement, AEG will become a wholly owned subsidiary of McLarens; financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. AEG adds an additional level of expertise to McLarens' existing risk management and loss adjusting services. AEG offers a full suite of indoor air quality testing and environmental consulting services, supporting the insurance industry, environmental remediation and restoration specialists, and corporate risk managers across a range of industries and government agencies. AEG specializes in the assessment of indoor air quality exposures, identification of hazards, "Scope of Work" recommendations of corrective plans, and Post Remediation Verification Reports, confirming the property has been brought back to pre-existing conditions. In addition, the company's Environmental Technicians and Industrial Hygienists work with a vast array of market segments, such as corporate risk managers and real estate portfolio owners to help ensure their facilities and buildings are compliant with indoor air quality federal, state, and local laws and regulations. "Adding AEG to the McLarens portfolio of solutions is another demonstration of our strategy to offer a full-service suite of independent risk management services to our clients," said Gary Brown, Chief Executive Officer at McLarens. "The AEG team shares our client-centric approach, dedication to premium quality and high-touch service, stringent focus on technical expertise and data-driven, non-biased assessment. In our work, managing complex property claims, we see a real need fr effective third-party environmental assessment and solutions, particularly in testing for and determining environmental risk factors and inspecting for complete resolution of necessary remediation. These claims can be complex and costly, requiring thorough assessment and remediation plans not only to eliminate property damage but to safeguard against future health risks of occupants. Adding AEG to our team is a natural extension of our existing services and creates an in-house environmental consultancy, which will allow our US adjusters to provide an even greater level of pre- and post-risk assessment and solutions to clients." AEG will continue to operate under the American Environmental Group brand for the foreseeable future. Jay Barkley, founder of AEG, says, "Our team is excited to be part of a trusted and respected firm like McLarens. We share fundamental operating principles and, like McLarens, we have been successful by delivering independent technical services and solutions to help our customers mitigate risk. We are looking forward to bringing our unique capabilities and working in partnership with McLarens' US adjusters and their clients." About McLarens: McLarens is a leading global provider of loss adjusting and risk management services. The company's international footprint, which includes offices and operations strategically located in 39 countries, enables it to provide streamlined consistent service to global customers, while at the same time delivering local expertise and responsive service. Founded in 1931, the company's focus has historically been claims management services for complex, commercial and niche markets, as well as auditing and pre-risk surveying. The company's expert adjusters have an average of over 20 years' claims experience, operating across a range of industries with specialties including: Property, Crisis Management, Natural Resources, Construction & Engineering, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Aviation, Casualty, Marine, FAJ & Specie, Global TPA Services. To complement our claims services, McLarens began expanding its suite of risk management services in 2019, with the acquisition of American Environmental Group, which offers a range of indoor air quality and environmental consulting services. About AEG: Headquartered in Westlake Village, CA (News - Alert), American Environmental Group is a premier environmental consulting company. The firm offers a range of indoor air quality and environmental consulting services aimed at helping clients understand and manage their indoor environment, especially regarding worker or occupant exposure to potentially hazardous materials, particularly after property losses, such as fires or floods. The firm works closely with insurance companies, corporate risk managers, real estate portfolio managers, homeowners, business owners and property managers, as well as construction, remediation and development companies to provide environmental consulting and testing services throughout the United States. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005691/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Canada Invests in Energy Efficiency Retrofits in Canadian Municipalities VANCOUVER, March 14, 2019 /CNW/ - One of the greatest opportunities for Canada is the shift toward clean growth. Energy efficiency boosts competitiveness, lowers costs, maximizes profits and helps protect our environment. Promoting and rewarding energy-efficient practices are key components of Canada's approach to a clean energy future. Member of Parliament for South SurreyWhite Rock, Gordie Hogg, on behalf of Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, today announced a $600,000 investment for the Pembina Institute to support two energy efficiency retrofit projects. These projects will lower energy costs, reduce pollution and support future energy efficiency retrofits in other Canadian municipalities. Through the Energy Efficiency Program, our government invested $200,000 to develop a pilot program for energy retrofits of B.C.'s social housing stock. In partnership with the B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association and the City of Vancouver, the Affordable Housing Renewal Pilot Program will retrofit up to five social housing complexes on the Lower Mainland. Upon completion of the pilot project, the remaining $400,000 will go toward five to eight additional municipalities across Canada that are looking to develop strategies to retrofit their multi-unit residential building stock. Retrofitting homes and buildings to make them more energy-efficent lowers costs, reduces maintenance requirements, creates a more pleasant living environment and increases the value of the home or building, all while reducing environmental footprints. Energy-efficient buildings are part of Canada's Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, through which our government 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. Through Generation Energy, Canada's national energy dialogue, Canadians expressed that they want to see Canada continuing to be a leader in the transition to a clean growth economy. Canada will continue to support innovative projects that create jobs, improve industry competitiveness, cut pollution and help address climate change. Quotes "Energy efficiency is one of the quickest, cleanest and cheapest ways to meet our international climate change commitments. Our government is proud to work with Pembina on retrofit projects that will help advance our clean energy future." Gordie Hogg Member of Parliament for South SurreyWhite Rock "Addressing the climate emergency requires us to eliminate carbon pollution from our homes and buildings by 2050. We need cheaper, faster ways to re-insulate our buildings, make them air tight and switch them to clean fuels. Working with social housing providers, governments, manufacturers, construction companies and financing institutions, we can seed these deep energy retrofit solutions across the country and create affordable, safe and comfortable low-carbon homes for some of our most vulnerable people." Tom-Pierre Frappe-Seneclauze Director of Buildings and Urban Solutions, Pembina Institute Related Information Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Investing in Canada : Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan Investing in Canada Plan Project Map Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan (http://twitter.com/nrcan) SOURCE Natural Resources Canada [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Ozark National Life Insurance Company Following Sale to National Western Life Insurance Company AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "a-" of Ozark National Life Insurance Company (Ozark) (Kansas City, MO) following its sale to National Western Life Insurance Company (NWLIC). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect Ozark's balance sheet strength, which AM Best categorizes as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). NWLIC entered into an agreement on Oct. 3, 2018 to acquire all of the outstanding stock of Ozark and N.I.S. Financial Services, Inc. This stock purchase agreement closed on Jan. 31, 2019. AM Best notes that at transaction close, Ozark paid a $102.7 million dividend to its prior owner, CNS Corporation. However, despite the extraordinary dividend, Ozark's risk-adjusted capital remains at the strongest level, as measured by AM Best. Additionally, AM Best anticipates no material changes to Ozark's existing business model, which is focused primarily on selling simplified ordinary life products to the middle market. As a result, Ozark's historically stable earnings pattern is likely to continue, albeit at a somewhat lower level, due to the impact of the recent dividend on its asset base. While Ozark is expected to be maintained as a separate operating company from NWLIC, AM Best expects that Ozark will benefit from WLIC's resources, in particular its more extensive asset management capabilities and its more highly-developed ERM framework. AM Best will continue to monitor the impact of NWLIC's integration of Ozark on the newly acquired company's credit profile. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Understanding Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper media use of Best's Credit Ratings and AM Best press releases, please view Guide for Media - Proper Use of Best's Credit Ratings and AM Best Rating Action Press Releases. AM Best is a global rating agency and information provider with a unique focus on the insurance industry. Visit www.ambest.com for more information. Copyright 2019 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005749/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] Nukondo scaling after growing in traction MIAMI, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Nukondo a real estate tech platform focused in new condominium high-rises in main gateway cities, has formed strategic alliances expanding its reach and presence into new geographic markets. Nukondo has signed an agreement with Edgewise, a PropTech company providing sales and marketing technology for residential new construction builders and developers. Together, they are integrating platforms to consolidate the new construction niche. CUV Ventures Corp, a Canadian public company will integrate its payment system Revolupay into the Nukondo platform, enabling transactions through smart contracts and remittance of payments worldwide. CUV is set to open physical Nukondo branches, expanding from its Miami headquarters into Vancouver, Chicago, Paris, Barcelona, and Madrid. "We look forward to integrating Revolupay into Nukondo, and aiding international expansion," said Steve Marshall, Chief Executive Officer of CUV. Nukondo is also joining fores with Condo.com, a Miami based tech company with presence in 40 U.S. states, focused on existing condominiums. Nukondo's unique database of listings cannot be fed from the Multiple Listing Service the way it is in resales. The alliance will create an opportunity to offer Nukondo's market to Condo.com's extensive customer base. "We are very excited to have these new alliances, to help each other raise the bar in the real estate technology space," said Jorge Brugo, Nukondo founder. About Nukondo Nukondo delivers digital products that create an efficient marketplace for new condominiums in world-class buildings around the globe. It provides a platform for real estate developers and their master brokers, to keep information about their projects updated and accurate in one place. It standardizes and distributes this information globally so buyers and their agents can gain access to these projects providing the tools decide which condominium is most suitable for their needs. We believe that through transparent information people are empowered to make better decisions.For further information, please visit www.nukondo.com, the App Store, or email [email protected] to learn more about Nukondo corporate services. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nukondo-scaling-after-growing-in-traction-300812802.html SOURCE Nukondo [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [March 14, 2019] U.S. Navy awards Raytheon $402 million contract for SPY-6 radars TEWKSBURY, Mass., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $402,658,015 fixed-price-incentive (firm target) modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-14-C-5315 to exercise options for Air and Missile Defense Radar Program (AMDR) low-rate initial production (LRIP). This modification will provide for three AMDR LRIP units. The LRIP units will be deployed on DDG 51 Flight III-class ships. Work will be performed in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by March 2023. Fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $402,658,015 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. Click here for additional information on the SPY-6 family of radars. 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. www.raytheon.com Media Contact Ian Davis +1.978.284.9579 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-navy-awards-raytheon-402-million-contract-for-spy-6-radars-300812895.html SOURCE Raytheon Company [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Countering Last Year's Vandals, Kansas City Knitters Plan A Yarn Bombing At Browne's Irish Market When vandals spray-painted anti-immigrant graffiti on Browne's Irish Market last June, it was front page news in Ireland. Seeing the phrase "Immigrants Not Welcome" painted on a wall at the historic Irish deli, grocery and retail shop at 33rd and Pennsylvania shocked people in Kansas City, too. A nice message from a local institution inspires this community to acknowledge and embrace immigrants and their community by and large. Take a look: Missouri legislators gave first-round approval Wednesday to a bill that would allow medical marijuana patients to expunge pot-related offenses from their records. It's an outgrowth of a voter-approved decision in November legalizing marijuana for medicinal use. Currently, Missourians can seek to get two misdemeanor and one felony marijuana-related convictions expunged from their record. Daily Mail: Olivia Munn takes the plunge in shimmering green mini dress as she leads the stars at Los Angeles gala Midtown Kansas City Foodie Festa Delays don't deter Midtown's Ragazza's new Main St location KANSAS CITY, Mo. - After a series of misfortunes, a local restaurant owner is now celebrating a new beginning. Wednesday marks the first dinner service for Ragazza Food and Wine at its new location in Midtown Kansas City. "When people think about Ragazza, they think about our meatballs and lasagna," Ragazza owner Laura Norris said. JoCo Lady Inspires Cancer Fighter Nicole Cummings By words and photography Anne Marie Hunter Last September, Nicole Cummings, 21, started a new semester at the University of Missouri. Her college schedule was filled with plans and projects. A career fair, homecoming and a trip to New York with fellow business majors were on the calendar. More Deets On Meth Town Special Needs The Independence Police Department adds a therapy dog to its ranks Independence, MO - The Independence Police Department is introducing Josie, a two-year-old golden retriever/border collie mix, as their first ever certified therapy dog. The dog, donated by the nonprofit K9s For Freedom & Independence of Texas, is aimed at improving the psychological well-being of the employees at the police department, as well as the public. Show-Me Safety Declaration Missouri governor creates task force on school safety Missouri Gov. Mike Parson is creating a statewide task force on school safety. Kansas Life Lessons This Region Of Kansas Needs A Lot More College Grads. Here's How It Might Get Them DODGE CITY - Check out Dodge City. A new $12 million waterpark. A shiny new craft brewery - not far from the new whiskey distillery. And, yes, that trendy new downtown cafe. A nearly $6 million addition to Boot Hill Museum just kicked off last fall. Rock Chalk Life Saver KU Cancer Center patient grateful for immunotherapy drug KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City woman living with metastatic lung cancer is grateful after an immunotherapy drug gave her a second chance at life. Marilyn Aylward was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009 and became a patient at the University of Kansas Cancer Center in Westwood, Kansas. Farewell Messages For Eric Berry Fans, media and teammates react to the Chiefs releasing Eric Berry Just after 3 p.m. on Wednesday, the Chiefs a nnounced that they had released safety Eric Berry after nine seasons in Kansas City. Although the decision didn't come as much of a surprise - given Berry's constant battle with injury over the last two seasons specifically - fans, media, teammates and NFL players alike shared their reactions to the news. Hollywood hotness inspires this quick insight into the elite industry news . . .Closer to home, we put the spotlight on these local news links for our evening reader community . . .And this is thefor right now . . . Trade policy pointers: The 16 presentations and keynote speeches from the recent Organic, Fair and Ethical Trade Event (organized by the EU, and co-hosted with AFASA, 19 February, Cape Town) are now available for download. Extracts from the Discussion Paper: pdf Opportunities for South African emerging farmers in the European sustainable agricultural market (755 KB) The EU is South Africas main trading partner, accounting for 26% of all South Africas trade. The EU is also the countrys most stable post-apartheid partner, with exports to the EU systematically above 19% of South Africas exports. South Africas exports to the EU are also far more diverse than to other partners, with raw materials accounting for less than half of the total. Machinery and vehicles alone account for 36% of South Africas exports to the EU, followed by agriculture at 13%. The deficit in favour of the EU has also been shrinking. It is now at R76bn (down from R88bn in 2016), though this is subject to yearly fluctuations. In agriculture, South Africa has a surplus balance with the EU of almost 1bn. South Africa ranks 11th in the EUs top agricultural importing partners. The South African market for organic products outstrips local supply and imports from the region. South Africa is one of the leading consumers of certified organic produce in Africa but is a small player in production. The high domestic demand provides the potential for this market. The limiting factor currently is the supply of organic produce on a regular basis. Organic foods already exist on market shelves in South Africa, but supply is erratic and does not meet demand. This means that producers of many organic products targeting the European market have a fall-back option of supplying the South African market if not successful abroad. In South Africa there are two organic standards: the South African Bureau of Standards and the South African Organic Sector Organisation. However, no organic regulation has been promulgated due to issues with the Agricultural Products Standards Act, 1990. The lack of legislation defining an organic product raises concerns about claims associated with the organic label in South Africa. Nonetheless, many emerging organic markets are operating effectively without government intervention, through third party verification, but this is costly. Since the EU is one of the major importers of South African organic products, the quality of such products must meet international or at the very least, EU standards. Zimbabwe, South Africa Bi-National Commission Joint communique (The Presidency): The two sides emphasized the importance of expanding trade and investment to drive the strategic engagement forward. In this regard, the Heads of State directed their Finance and Trade Ministers to work together to achieve these goals. Zimbabwe highlighted the key initiatives taken by Government to improve the ease of doing business in the country and further informed on the countrys efforts to simplify and rationalize investment rules with the view to attract foreign direct investment. The relevant Ministries agreed to consider options for expanding the standing Facility arrangement between the respective Central Banks. Other Financing Options beyond this are also being explored (for example a facility from South African private banks to the Zimbabwe private sector and guaranteed by the South African Government, with an appropriate counter-guarantee from the Zimbabwe Government). They also agreed to work together on re-engagement with the International Co-operating Partners in support of Zimbabwes economic reform and Debt Arrears Clearance Agenda. Opening remarks by President Cyril Ramaphosa: I am encouraged by the participation of South African business in various sectors of the Zimbabwean economy, such as in engineering, construction, banking, retail, hospitality, mining exploration and services, among others. There are undoubtedly good prospects for both of our countries, but there is a need to ensure ease of doing business and elimination of trade barriers. This should include the urgent conclusion of all outstanding work on the Beit Bridge One Stop Border Post for facilitation of free movement of persons, goods and services. SA raises concern over Zimbabwean trade restrictions The South African government has raised concerns over more than 100 tariff lines in Zimbabwes laws which act as barriers to trade between the two countries. In an interview on the sidelines of the SA-Zimbabwe bi-national commission in Harare, trade and industry minister Rob Davies told Business Day the issue was one of the areas of disagreement in the talks: Statutory Instrument 64 was lifted but we are still concerned about the current laws which continue to restrict imports from SA. Obviously this is against SADC protocols on trade. According to minutes of the summit, seen by Business Day, Harare has asked for a waiver on the regional protocols. In their laws, there are still 112 tariff lines where we have issues that make it difficult to get products from SA into Zimbabwe. We discussed some of these issues and we were able to strike a deal to do away with some of the issues, 29 to be exact, Davies said. But the majority of our concerns still remain. Davies said during closed meetings SA had complained that Zimbabwe was restricting some products that it did not have the capacity to produce. Mauritius-Madagascar: MoUs to enhance cooperation in political, economic and cultural fields (GoM) Prior to the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Jugnauth and President Andry Nirina Rajoelina had a Tete-a-Tete followed by a working session whereby various issues of mutual interest were discussed namely: agricultural development; fisheries; air connectivity; maritime corridor and cabotage; visa facilitation; commerce; and bilateral agreements as regards employment. Speaking about agricultural development, the Prime Minister highlighted that the Indian Ocean Commission is presently financing feasibility studies to finalise a model of development for maize and soybean, in collaboration with the private sector of Mauritius. Both countries, he pointed out, are determined to provide assistance to their respective private sectors for the implementation of the project, which lies in the context of the regional programme for food security and nutrition of the IOC. As regards air connectivity, the Mauritian Prime Minister highlighted that discussions focused on the agreement for an additional weekly flight of Air Mauritius on Antananarivo. Currently six flights are operated. To facilitate a vibrant Mauritius-Madagascar commercial flux, the Prime Minister expressed his commitment to facilitate trade between the two countries through the establishment of administrative procedures aimed at enhancing the business climate, in particular by offering a modern and efficient custom service. The illicit tobacco trade in Zimbabwe and South Africa The study maps the key dimensions of the illicit cigarette trade in Zimbabwe and South Africa, including the key actors, the pathways of trade and the accompanying modalities of criminality, as well as other important dimensions of the illicit cigarette market in southern Africa. It identifies good-faith actors, primarily in South Africa, whose positions could be strengthened by policy and technical interventions, explores opportunities for such intervention, and assesses the practical solutions that can be applied to combat illicit trade and tax evasion in the tobacco industry. [The author: Simone Haysom] [Related: Tobacco in Africa: production and trade (Ron Sandrey)] Uganda: Chinese supermarkets shun local goods traders (Observer) When Dorothy Kimuli started her company Kims Natural Chilli Sauce some years back, her dream was to capture the local market. Her first target was supermarkets whose shelves were full of imported chilli. Kimuli explained that her goods were first rejected by supermarkets because they were not certified by Uganda National Bureau of Standards and, therefore, did not meet standards. Actually at first, I did not have any certification but I worked with Uganda Small-Scale Industries Association, and UNBS, and I was certified. Some supermarkets later accepted and put my goods on their shelves. The demand has been good but the Chinese have completely refused to take on most local products. Those who pretend to buy just buy a dozen or two which they put on their shelves; they will pay you when all the stock is completely finished, this becomes costly to small-scale traders and I think its a way of putting local goods at bay. Her complaints came up during Make BUBU work for the growth and competitiveness of Ugandas small and growing businesses (pdf) conference organised by SEATINI, USSIA and Federation of SMEsUganda. Veronica Namwanje, the executive secretary, USSIA, said although the BUBU policy provides an important regulatory foundation for the support of production, purchase, supply and consumption of locally made goods and services; it is non-binding. Trumps proposed budget slashes funding to Kenya President Donald Trumps proposed budget issued on Monday calls for deep cuts in aid to Kenya as part of an overall rollback in US funding for many Africa-focused programmes. Support for development initiatives in Kenya will fall from the $102m provided in 2018 to $43.5m in accordance with Mr Trumps spending plan for the 2020 US fiscal year that begins next October. A similar reduction of more than 50% is sought in US economic and development assistance for sub-Saharan Africa as a whole. It will plummet from $1.5bn approved by Congress for 2018 to $665m in 2020. In its State Department budget proposal, the White House justifies these cuts as ways of reducing dependency on US assistance and increasing self-sufficiency on the part of African nations. Testimony by USTR Robert Lighthizer to the US Senate Committee on Finance: Approaching 25 the road ahead for the WTO First, the negotiating process at the WTO has largely broken down. Under the old GATT system, from 1947 to 1994, there were eight negotiating rounds each of which led to lower tariffs and fewer trade barriers among all GATT members. To this day, the basic rules that govern global trade were negotiated under the GATT. But in the 24 years since the WTO began operation, there has been no new significant multilateral market access agreement. Second, much work remains to be done in terms of lowering tariffs primarily in countries that consider themselves developing. Numerous WTO members continue to have very high bound tariff rates that allow them to maintain tariffs significantly above the bound rates that apply to the United States. For example, the average bound tariff rate for all goods in the United States is 3.4%. In Brazil, it is 31.4%. In India, it is 48.5%. In Indonesia, it is 37.1%. Third, too many WTO members are not living up to current obligations. For example, members take on significant commitments to provide regular notifications of subsidy programs and other information critical to trading conditions around the world. Despite the clear obligation to make such notifications, many of our trading partners including significant economies like China and India have a very poor track record of providing this critical information. Quality research needed to help implement the AfCFTA With a few more ratifications needed for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to become effective, scholars meeting for the Economic Research Conference in Kigali pledged to produce good high-quality research papers to inform policymakers and help move the agreement forward. The 5th Economic Research Conference was held on 12 March, organized by the Economic Policy Research Network (EPRN Rwanda) in collaboration with the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the German Cooperation (GIZ). Andrew Mold, Acting Director of ECA in Eastern Africa, said that AfCFTA may give the impression that the agreement is simply about free trade, but in reality it is much more ambitious than that. The AfCFTA goes beyond trade.- It is about creating a continental market. It is about free movement of people and free movement of goods and services, it is about protocols on government procurement and intellectual property, explained Mold. Andrew Mold stressed that with the implementation of AfCFTA approaching, policymakers will need high-quality policy advice and research about the potential implications for their economies and where the opportunities reside, as well as where there may be potential vulnerabilities that need addressing. Twenty-two ratifications are required for the Agreement to enter into force. So far 19 countries have ratified it. Speaking also at the conference, Leonard Rugwabiza, the Economic Advisor at the Rwanda Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning said that in the face of changing global context and economic uncertainties, Africa must also change the ways it does business. It will be more difficult to govern if we cannot change the structure of our economies and create jobs for our youth. The AfCFTA and the African single market offer us more opportunities to do so than challenges, said Rugwabiza. The UNDP Rwanda Country Director, Stephen Rodrigues said that the implementation of the agreement needs to be done in a way that is inclusive and benefits small and medium-size SMEs on the continent. We should ensure that women and youth are included in implementing the AfCFTA. It is necessary to make policies that are inclusive and take into account people living with disability and those with low levels of education. Background The Economic Policy Research Network is a Non-Governmental Organization aiming at strengthening the capacities of individuals and organizations active in or with an interest in economic policy research and analysis. One of the flagship activities of EPRN is the Annual Economic Research Conference. This year, the 5th Economic Research Conference convened more than 200 participants, including researchers, senior policy-makers, representatives of the development partners, civil society, private sector and the media. During the conference, research papers and reports on the topic were presented and discussed. This years main theme was The African Continental Free Trade Area: Challenges and Opportunities, which was broken down into three sub-themes: i) Regional Integration; ii) Human Capital Development; and iii) Financial Sector. The conference sought to provide a research platform and opportunity for economic researchers from a wide spectrum such as academics, government officials, representatives of development partners and international and local NGOs with interest on research topics related to African Continental Free Trade Area. The purpose of the conference was to witness the current progress, evaluate the policy progress, suggest innovative policy solutions and, discuss strategies for achieving desired goals and targets. During the conference, Research Papers by EPRN Researchers and Reports by partner institutions were presented. Key takeaways from the conference include the following: Policymakers will need good research on regional integration issues to formulate policies and how this can be implemented Human capital use and innovation must be tackled as a priority We need to enhance competitiveness and enterprise development for innovation and growth Transforming agriculture and food processing should be an engine of growth Capability and accountability of state institutions for economic growth is needed Government should put in place policies to help customers acquire long trade credit terms to boost sales and make profit There is a need for periodic and continuous policy dialogue around African market-related topics The final papers with key policy recommendations will be published on the EPRN website. The Case for Implementing the AfCFTA in East Africa Some New Estimates Presentation by Dr. Andrew Mold, Officer-in-Charge, Office for Eastern Africa, UNECA When quantifying the potential benefits of the AfCFTA, different methodologies give different results: Gravity models tend to give larger effects of regional trade agreements, while Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) simulation models show relatively smaller effects of trade policy (Fosu and Mold, 2008). Gravity model How Much is the East African Community Currently Under-trading? Based on a gravity model using a stochastic frontier approach, the bilateral export flows of the five EAC members States (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda) over the period 1995 to 2016 were examined. Intra-EAC trade is at around half of its potential: The ratio of actual/observed exports (US$ millions) to potential maximum exports (US$ millions) is 51% exports to the EAC and 56% to Africa. Computable General Equilibrium Approach The Potential Benefits of AfCFTA on East Africa A Computable General Equilibrium model Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) was used to measure the static effects of the AfCFTA on East Africa, using 2014 baseline data with complete liberalisation (i.e. 100%) and standard closure, but fixing wages to reflect high unemployment rates prevalent on the continent. Results suggest large potential gains from the AfCFTA: Increase intra-African exports of Eastern Africa by almost US$ 1 billion Chief beneficiary sectors are labour-intensive ones Job creation of 0.5 to 1.9 million Consumer welfare gain of US$ 1.4 billion A Partial Equilibrium Model World Integrated Trade Solution SMART was also used to measure the impact of the AfCFTA on East African countries, with 2015 as the base year for most countries and using a complete liberalisation scenario. Results suggest a significant increase in intra-African exports for Rwanda, a 22% increase over the base year followed by Uganda (21%), Tanzania (17%) and Kenya (10%). Over one-third of the exports are in manufactured goods. This presentation has been made available to download courtesy of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) Office for Eastern Africa. The GTR AFRICA 2019 conference starts today in Cape Town. Twitter updates: #GTRAFRICA The WTOs 2019 Public Forum theme has been announced: Trading forward adapting to a changing world. The dates: 8-11 October, Geneva. Featured trade policy commentary, by PIIEs Anabel Gonzalez: Bridging the divide between developed and developing countries in WTO negotiations 5th EPRN Rwanda Annual Research Conference: The AfCFTA challenges and opportunities. Extracts from the keynote presentation by Andrew Mold: pdf The case for implementing the AfCFTA in East Africa some new estimates (579 KB) How much is the East African Community currently under-trading? Based on a gravity model using a stochastic frontier approach, the bilateral export flows of the five EAC members States (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda) over the period 1995 to 2016 were examined. Intra-EAC trade is at around half of its potential: The ratio of actual/observed exports (US$ millions) to potential maximum exports (US$ millions) is 51% exports to the EAC and 56% to Africa. A Computable General Equilibrium model. Global Trade Analysis Project was used to measure the static effects of the AfCFTA on East Africa, using 2014 baseline data with complete liberalisation (i.e. 100%) and standard closure, but fixing wages to reflect high unemployment rates prevalent on the continent. Results suggest large potential gains from the AfCFTA: Increase intra-African exports of Eastern Africa by almost $1bn; Chief beneficiary sectors are labour-intensive ones; Job creation of 0.5 to 1.9 million; Consumer welfare gain of $1.4bn. A Partial Equilibrium Model. World Integrated Trade Solution SMART was also used to measure the impact of the AfCFTA on East African countries, with 2015 as the base year for most countries and using a complete liberalisation scenario. Results suggest a significant increase in intra-African exports for Rwanda, a 22% increase over the base year, followed by Uganda (21%), Tanzania (17%) and Kenya (10%). Over one-third of the exports are in manufactured goods. Speaking also at the ERPN conference, Leonard Rugwabiza, the Economic Advisor at the Rwanda Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning said that in the face of changing global context and economic uncertainties, Africa must also change the ways it does business. It will be more difficult to govern if we cannot change the structure of our economies and create jobs for our youth. The AfCFTA and the African single market offer us more opportunities to do so than challenges. [ pdf Concept note (819 KB) ] Applications for the ECA/ATPC online economic modelling course applied to trade policy reforms, with a focus on the AfCFTA, close on 17 March. Uganda accuses Rwanda of imposing trade embargo Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa said on Wednesday that Rwanda has introduced an export permit system for those who intend to export goods to Uganda. This is a technical and non-tariff barrier to trade, to which there has been no successful applicant. In effect, this is a trade embargo, Mr Kutesa said. Ugandan Customs officials and traders at all border points say that goods from Uganda, especially foodstuffs, have been blocked from Rwanda. And Mr Kutesa on Wednesday said that exportation of Ugandan goods to Rwanda had been prohibited. Rwanda authorities, he said, were only allowing trucks carrying transit goods destined for the Democratic Republic of Congo and other countries. Update: Claims that Rwanda has instituted trade embargo on Uganda are as untrue as they are diversionary, responded Rwandas Foreign Affairs Ministry on Thursday. It is not possible to have free trade including free movement of goods if traders are killed, tortured, extorted and their property is illegally seized. These are the fundamental issues that need to be addressed, Kigali said. Lesotho: pdf Budget speech for the 2019/2020 fiscal year (1.12 MB) (GoL) Mr Speaker, the challenges facing the Lesotho fiscus have been well canvassed in the past and required actions are well known. But political will has lacked mainly because the actions require sacrifice by public servants and government as a whole. There are three options that government can consider implementing, namely: (a) Government must contain the impact of the volatility of SACU revenues by designating a fraction of annual SACU inflow that is consistent with permanent revenue and set up a rainy day fund from which annual shortfalls in SACU revenue can be augmented. This would require that Government runs budget surpluses during years of SACU windfalls; and this is where past governments have lacked will. Past decisions of raising wages from temporary revenues have been dangerous and have created the current untenable situation. In FY2019/20 the Ministry of Finance will propose the adoption of a fiscal rule which shall then be passed as law to regulate the volatility in SACU revenues. (b) The government must ensure that shared economic growth rises faster than the rise in wages. Practically, this means that private investment in sectors whose income is retained in Lesotho such as agri-business, tourism, and manufacturing, must rise much faster. This also means that annual growth rate of GDP must be on the order of 5-10 percent annually and consistently for many years. We know this has not been the case. Below I will outline specific actions in this direction. (c) Finally, government must reduce its workforce. In an economy with double digit (24%) unemployment this has been extremely difficult to contemplate and it has simply been easier to kick the can down the road. But with little progress on growing the economy and government investments limited by tight fiscal budgets, at some point government will have to confront this monster. Half of this already high spending bill, is accounted for by wages and salaries. The bill for only 47,000 employees and Lesotho has a population of 2 million people is larger than the individual contributions of many important sectors of the economy including the mining, agricultural and construction sectors. The Lesotho wage bill has grown faster than national output and this increase was funded by windfall SACU revenues or hollowing out the share of the budget that used to fund goods and services which has fallen to below half of the wage bill since 2002. There is therefore an urgent need to adopt measures to reduce public spending as a percentage of GDP, including those aimed at curbing the growing wage bill. [Delivered by Mr Moeketsi Majoro, Minister of Finance; Mauritius 2019/2020 pre-budget consultations] SACU, Mozambique make progress on impending Brexit (dti) The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies says progress has been made to finalise a roll-over Economic Partnership Agreement between the SACU Member States, Mozambique and the UK. Davies, briefing the media in Parliament yesterday, said SACU, Mozambique and the UK have agreed on Terms of Reference for the dialogue on the roll-over of the EPA: The MoU will carry over the effects of the SADC-EU EPA to ensure that there is no disruption of trade on 30 March 2019 if the UK exits the EU without a deal. The MoU will roll-over the effects of the SADC-EU EPA for a period of 6 months, while the roll-over of EPA is either being concluded or the necessary domestic legislative processes for ratification of the SACU, Mozambique and UK EPA are being concluded. According to the list, a total of 469 tariff lines will remain dutiable with varying levels and types of duties, including ad valorem, specific, mixed duties; tariff-rate quota based duties. These will affect the following sectors: [Related: Peter Fabricius: Southern Africa scrambles to avoid trade fallout from Brexit; What a no-deal Brexit would mean for Western Cape exports] Tanzania Jobs Diagnostic The Jobs Diagnostic covers three main areas: macro and demographic trends, labor supply, and labor demand. The first section looks at the relationships between employment growth, labor productivity, and economic growth to set the macro context to later examine labor supply and demand. The second section cover labor supply. It aims to identify trends in labor supply to understand the populations needs for employment, the unemployment challenges, underemployment, and waged and informal employment. These trends include working-age population , labor force, and inactivity. Once identified, international comparisons are based on a global harmonized household database (International Income Distribution Dataset I2D2). The labor supply section in JDs employs a set of harmonized variables that are comparable across countries and time. The third section covers labor demand. It aims to identify the links between sectoral productivity, size, age, and other characteristics to assess the constraints for employment growth, productivity, and wages. Firm-level datasets such as Enterprise Surveys, (which allow for some international benchmarking), or censuses of enterprises are used to do this. The MUVA+ project: Helping women market traders in Mozambique unlock their sales potential (World Bank) Providing training for subsistence female entrepreneurs aiming to increase their revenue is nothing new, but MUVA does it a bit differently. We focus on fostering the individual aspiration by valorizing their experience and unleashing their potential, rather than focusing directly on their business and teaching the financial skills they dont have. We also work on the social norms barriers that hinders dreams of personal achievement. After a four-month training, one of our participants told us that she never thought of her as having a work that was worth something. Now she pays herself a monthly salary and calls herself an entrepreneur. When MUVA+ started, only 13% of participants confirmed that they did something in the previous three months to increase their sales. By the end of the project, that number had increased to 76%. Two more cycles will be implemented this year, and more results in terms of change in profits and personnel empowerment of the participants will be coming soon. Stay tuned. [The author: Luize Guimaraes] Drivers of gross capital inflows: which factors are more important for Sub-Saharan Africa? (World Bank) This paper discusses recent trends and investigates the drivers of capital flows across regions in the world, with emphasis on Sub-Saharan Africa. The post-global financial crisis behavior of capital flows into Sub-Saharan Africa is unique and differs from that of global capital flows. The structure of financial flows into Sub-Saharan Africa has shifted toward new sources, such as international bond issuances and debt inflows from non-Paris Club governments. The main message is that the behavior of capital flows into Sub-Saharan Africa differs from that of capital flows into global, industrial, and nonSub-Saharan African developing countries. The main findings suggest that pull and push factors are the driving forces of capital inflows for industrial countries and nonSub-Saharan African developing countries especially better economic performance, sound fiscal outcomes, a greater degree of financial openness, and stronger institutions. The impact of these drivers has become stronger in the 2000s. [The authors: Cesar Calderon, Punam Chuhan-Pole, Megumi Kubota] Ensuring quality to gain access to global markets: a reform toolkit (World Bank) Jointly developed by the WBG and the National Metrology Institute of Germany,the toolkit is designed to help development partners and governments analyze a countrys QI ecosystem, provide recommendations to design and implement reforms, and enhance the capacity of QI institutions. The toolkits 12 modules provide a systematic, holistic knowledge resource supported by practical case studies and examples for QI diagnostics, reform interventions and approaches, and monitoring and evaluation. Related diagnostic tools are also available online, here and here. One Planet Summit: World Bank update Recognizing that a number of countries in Africa are among the most vulnerable to global climate shocks and stresses, and in line with these new climate financing commitments and future direction of our Africa Climate Business Plan, more than half of the $22.5bn financing will be devoted to supporting adaptation and resilience in Africa. This will amount to about $12-$12.5bn over five years from 2021-2025. This year, for example, the World Bank will provide the government of Ethiopia with a results-based support program for adaptation and resilience, the largest done by the World Bank ever in Africa. The new operation, which is currently under preparation, will provide $500m for results in improved watershed management and land administration systems. editorial@tribune.com Parvesh Sharma Tribune News Service Barnala, March 13 Family members of a Prisoner of War (PoW) lodged in a Pakistan Jail on Tuesday wrote a letter to the President, seeking his help to take up the matter with the Pakistan authorities. At present, there are 55 PoWs from India lodged in various jails of Pakistan. Maha Singh from Karmgarh village, son of Sepoy Lal Singh, has never seen his father after the 1965 war with Pakistan. After that, he had gone missing. Initially, the family thought that he had died, but in August 2013, Satish Kumar, a resident of Ferozepur, informed them that his father was in the Kila Attack Frontier Jail. Satish has spent 12 years in a Pakistan jail. On Tuesday, family members and we wrote a letter the President with all details and requested him to take up the matter with Pakistan for the release of all 53 PoWs said, Gurjinder Singh Sidhu, state chief of the ex-servicemen wing of the SAD. Maha Singh has also served in the Army and retired as a Head Constable in 2001. My mother has struggled a lot in her life. I was born in 1966 and whenever we came to know about any news of PoWs, we always try to get any information about my father. But nothing positive has happened. The release of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has again revived our hopes. Hopefully, after the forthcoming elections, the new Indian Government will take up the matter with the Pakistan government, he added. Maha Singh added that he, along with some other relatives of PoWs, has filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking its intervention for the release of PoWs. The next date of hearing is in April, he said. We have all required evidence to prove that our relatives are lodged in different jails of Pakistan. In the coming hearings, we will share all evidences, he said. pardeepdhull@gmail.com Washington, March 14 The United States aims to cut Iran's crude exports by about 20 per cent to below 1 million barrels per day (bpd) from May by requiring importing countries to reduce purchases to avoid US sanctions, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. US President Donald Trump eventually aims to halt Iranian oil exports and thereby choke off Tehran's main source of revenue. Washington is pressuring Iran to curtail its nuclear program and stop backing militant proxies across the Middle East. The United States will likely renew waivers to sanctions for most countries buying Iranian crude, including the biggest buyers China and India, in exchange for pledges to cut combined imports to below 1 million bpd. That would be around 2,50,000 bpd below Iran's current exports of 1.25 million bpd. "The goal right now is to reduce Iranian oil exports to under 1 million barrels per day," one of the sources said, adding the Trump administration was concerned that pressing for a complete shutdown of Iran's oil in the short-term would trigger a global oil price spike. Washington may also deny waivers to some countries that have not bought Iranian crude recently, the sources said. The US reimposed sanctions in November after pulling out of a 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and six world powers. Those sanctions have already halved Iranian oil exports. To give time to importers to find alternatives and prevent a jump in oil prices, the US granted Iran's main oil buyers waivers to sanctions on the condition they buy less in the future. The waivers are due for renewal every six months. "Zeroing out could prove difficult" one of the sources said, adding a price of around $65 a barrel for international benchmark Brent crude was "the high end of Trump's crude price comfort zone." Brent crude settled at $67.55 a barrel on Wednesday. Both sources said they were briefed by the Trump administration on the matter but were not authorized to speak publicly about it and asked for anonymity. While the latest talks on waivers aimed for a reduction in exports, the sources said the administration remained committed to a complete halt in the future. Brian Hook, the State Department's special representative on Iran, also said in remarks at an industry conference in Houston on Wednesday that Washington is pursuing its plan to bring Iranian crude exports to zero. Trump "has made it very clear that we need to have a campaign of maximum economic pressure" on Iran, Hook said, "but he also doesn't want to shock oil markets." A State Department energy bureau spokesperson declined to comment on new volume targets for importers, but said US officials were constantly assessing global oil markets to determine the way forward with Iran sanctions waivers. "On the numbers part, we'll get an updated assessment as we get closer to the end of the 180 day period," of the first round of waivers that ends in May, the spokesperson said. Fewer waivers, less oil Washington in November provided waivers to eight economies that had reduced their purchases of Iranian oil, allowing them to continue buying it without incurring sanctions for six more months. They were China and India, along with Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, Italy and Greece. All eight are in bilateral talks about the waivers, sources said. The administration is considering denying extension requests made by Italy, Greece and Taiwan - in part because they have not made full use of their waivers so far, one of the sources said. Greece and Italy were not buying any Iranian oil, Iran's oil minister Bijan Zanganeh was quoted as saying in February. It is unclear whether the administration will be able to convince China, India and Turkey - all of whom depend heavily on Iranian oil and have criticized the US sanctions on Iran - to reduce imports. "India, China and Turkey the three tough cases will continue to negotiate with the administration and are likely to keep their waivers," one of the sources said. Washington is pressuring allies Japan and South Korea to reduce purchases of Iranian crude, the source said. The administration would likely struggle to cut Iran's exports much below 1 million bpd due mainly to strong demand from China, India and Turkey, said Amos Hochstein, who was in charge of Iran sanctions as the top US energy diplomat under former President Barack Obama. "Looking at the market right now it seems reasonable that Iranian exports will remain at the 8,00,000 to 1.1 million bpd average," said Hochstein, who talks with energy ministers from big oil consumers. He said he expects China and India purchases alone to account for around 8,00,000 to 9,00,000 bpd. Reuters editorial@tribune.com Sushil Manav The Chandigarh parliamentary constituency has largely shown the tendency of going with the trend at the national level, as out of the 13 elections held since 1967, the city has elected candidates of the party that came to power at the Centre 11 times. Of these 13 occasions, former Union Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal has won the seat four times, Satya Pal Jain of the BJP twice and Jagan Nath Kaushal of the Congress also on two occasions. Riding on the strong Modi wave, actor Kirron Kher won this seat in 2014 by defeating her nearest rival Bansal of the Congress by 69,642 votes. Kher polled 1,91,362 votes against 1,21,720 votes received by Bansal. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Gul Panag, another actor, secured third position with 1,08,679 votes. Panag is unlikely to contest this time, as the AAP has already announced Harmohan Dhawan, who won the Chandigarh seat in 1989 polls on the Janata Party ticket, as its official candidate. This is to be seen whether Kher is able to repeat her performance in 2019 when the Modi wave is missing, but the BJP has been trying to sail through the hustings on nationalistic wave, following the Pulwama attack and airstrikes in Pakistan. Though the BJP and Congress are yet to announce their candidates, Kher and Bansal have already launched their campaign. While Sanjay Tandon, state president of the BJP for the past over eight years, and Satya Pal Jain may pose a threat to Kher for the BJP ticket, Bansal faces challenge from Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu, whose husband Punjab Minister Navjot Sidhu enjoys blessings of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and former minister Manish Tiwari. It will not be easy for the BJP to deny ticket to Kher because besides she herself being a towering personality, her husband Anupam Kher, too, enjoys a clout in the saffron party, as he has always been defending Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said a senior BJP leader. As a first-time MP from Chandigarh, Khers performance has been quite creditable her utilisation of MPLAD funds is 110 per cent as per the website of the MPLAD by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, while the website of the PRS Legislative Work suggests that she participated in 38 debates, asked 336 questions and introduced one private member bill during her present term. Last time we voted for her knowing well that she will not be seen after her victory, because we wanted Modi as the PM. But, she has surprised us, as her presence in Chandigarh during important events has been even better than full-time politicians, says Parul, a resident of Sector 50, Chandigarh. Amarjeet Singh, a resident of Sector 18, however, says Bansal, who is being considered the best bet for the Congress, could not be written off easily, as having won this seat four times, he is a strong candidate. However, the result of Chandigarh seat will depend more on who is coming to power at the Centre. With the euphoria of airstrikes still weighing heavy on peoples mind, the BJP candidate is likely to have a head start, he adds. Baldev Raj, an elderly citizen from Sector 23, says the UT status and the tag of City Beautiful are very dear to Chandigarh residents. People have not liked the way Chandigarh has slipped from third to 20th rank in Swachh Survekshan 2019 under the BJP regime, he added. Kirron Kher, a prominent television and film personality, won her debut election from Chandigarh in the wake of Modi wave in 2014 by defeating former Union Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal by a margin of 69,642 votes. Kher polled 1,91,362 votes against 1,21,720 votes obtained by Bansal. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Gul Panag, another actor, secured third position with 1,08,679 votes. Main Players BJP: Kirron Kher, Sanjay Tandon and Satya Pal Jain Congress: Pawan Kumar Bansal, Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu and Manish Tiwari AAP: Has already announced Harmohan Dhawan as candidate Total voters 6,15,214 Male 3,33,621 Female 2,81,593 editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 13 Dr Bernard L Feringa, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2016, delivered a lecture on The Joy of Discovery at the University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, PU, on Wednesday. Prof Bernard Lucas Feringa, Raman Chair Professor, Indian Academy of Science, University of Groningen, The Netherlands, is a member of the Royal Netherland Academy of Sciences and a member of the Council of the Royal Society of Chemistry. His research interests include stereochemistry, organic synthesis, molecular switches and self-assembly nanosystems. He said he drew inspiration from Wright Brothers and his chemistry teacher inspired him to take up the subject. He talked about his humble beginnings to how he became the first person in his village to have studied in a university on a government scholarship. In his talk, Dr Feringa shared a myriad of research areas and appreciated the Mother Nature for the amazing science and biological machinery in our body. He talked about the the significance of molecular motors (ATPase enzyme in the body) which work for the production of energy molecule (ATP) in the body. He said: My team is working on designing a therapeutic drug which will give a response with light flash (an optical on and off command) and help in precise delivery of the drug in the body to combat resistance and fight the tumour. He urged the young scientists to discover their talent. His mantra for success is: follow your dreams, be confident, discover your energy, discover your limits. editorial@tribune.com Sai R Vaidyanathan It is by the Almightys grace that all of us live in the universe, but the ones close to Him can especially experience His hand shielding them like an umbrella. Even while his father, demon King Hiranya-kashyap, was intent on killing him, Prahalad survived all attempts by the grace of Lord Vishnu. Finally, Narasimha, the lion-man incarnation of Vishnu, killed Hiranyakashyap. Similarly, Lord Krishna as a baby warded off numerous attempts by his maternal uncle, King Kamsa of Mathura, to kill him. Later, Krishna, as a young man, killed Kamsa during a bow sacrifice to which he had been invited by Kamsa. A dream job Joseph, great grandson of patriarch Abraham, was sold into slavery to Potiphar, an Egyptian official, by his brothers. One day, Potiphars flirtatious wife made a false accusation against Joseph. So he was put in prison. Time went by. The Pharoah of Egypt was bothered by two dreams and wanted someone to interpret those. He came to know of Josephs ability in this regard and summoned him. Joseph correctly interpreted the dreams, warning the Pharoah that a great famine would strike after seven years. Josephs bad days ended with the Pharaoh pardoning him and making him his highest official. Joseph led a campaign throughout the land to save food for the famine. Horse power King Gushtasp of Balkh in Persia gave a place of honour to Zarathushtra, founder of Zoroastrianism, in his court. On this, the other courtiers became jealous. With the help of Zarathushtras housekeeper, they planted some items used in sorcery at his house. Then, the courtiers complained to the king. When the house was inspected, the objectionable items were found. Zarathushtra was put in jail. A week later, the kings favourite horse, Asp-i-Siyah, fell ill. No one could cure it. Finally, Zarathushtra conveyed to the king that he could cure the horse but he put forth the conditions that the king, his wife and son should promise to serve Ahura Mazda and that his housekeeper should be questioned again. The king agreed to the terms. On this, the horse got well and stood up. The housekeeper confessed to the crime and the guilty courtiers were banished from the land. Jumbo attack Devadatta, Buddhas cousin, joined the Sangha with a view to leading it, but Buddha refused to step aside. So Devadatta went to prince Ajatashatru at Rajagriha. As Ajatashatrus father, King Bimbisar, was a devotee of Buddha, Devadatta incited the prince to put the king in prison and become king in his place. Ajatashatru followed the advice and soon became king. Devadatta then sought Ajatashatrus help in crushing Buddha under a rock near the foothill he used to meditate. But the rock broke into two and fell on either side of Buddha. Then, Ajatashatru let loose intoxicated elephant Nalagiri in Buddhas path. The jumbo destroyed half of the town and killed 20 persons on its way but on seeing Buddha, it calmed down and knelt at his feet. So for foolproof security, get close to God. The author can be contacted at author.sai@gmail.com Neerja Chowdhury Neerja Chowdhury Senior political commentator Chemistry versus arithmetic is the way Battle 2019 was being seen. Chemistry was represented by Narendra Modi, who was to be countered by the combined strength of an otherwise scattered Opposition, if not nationally, then at least in half a dozen states. But as things are panning out, it is becoming a case of chemistry plus arithmetic on the BJP side, pitted against an arithmetic which is weakening by the day on the side of the Opposition. For a couple of years now, it has been clear to the Opposition that it had no option but to come together if it was to have a fighting chance to defeat a Modi-led BJP. And while certain sections of the populace were disaffected or angry, like farmers, Dalits and minorities, Modi himself had not lost goodwill. It was not as if there was widespread anger against the incumbent government, as there was in 2014 against UPA-II. The challenge for the Opposition was therefore greater than might have been the case had there been strong anti-incumbency against the PM. Knowing that it did not have a mutually acceptable leader who could take on Modi, arithmetic was of paramount importance to the Opposition, and its leaders talked of effecting one-on-one contests in as many of the 543 Lok Sabha constituencies as possible, the idea being to prevent a division in votes to BJPs advantage. The 2014 arithmetic had conveyed an unambiguous message. If the BJP had won 282 seats with 31 per cent of the popular vote, a sizeable chunk of the remaining had to come together to defeat it in our first past the post system. In the past month, however, Modis chemistry has become stronger, particularly after Balakot, with many more buying into his ability to provide a strong leadership. He lost no time in hyping the nationalism rhetoric at every meeting he addressed, making an emotional pitch to win peoples allegiance by appealing to their patriotism. Many who had begun to question some of his actions are now looking at giving him another term, despite the mistakes he has made, like demonetisation, with no clear alternative in sight. Particularly, as the Opposition has not been able to impart a sense of confidence that it will come together. In addition to the BJPs chemistry, the party has also got its arithmetic more in order by fashioning or retaining alliances, sowing discord in the Opposition camp and intensifying dissensions which exist there, using every known, or hitherto unknown, trick in the book, and by getting its micro planning in place. The elections stretched over several phases in some states for instance, in UP and Bihar over seven phases might have been understandable, but to have a seven-phase election in West Bengal, or four phases in Odisha (with only 21 seats) and Maharashtra, which is not struck by violence, is unusual. Spanning the election over a longer period is advantage BJP, enabling it to give detailed attention to constituencies in a more planned manner. It has the resources as well as machinery to do it. And now the BJP has urged the Election Commission to declare West Bengal as a sensitive state and deploy Central forces in every booth. As for alliances, it was the mighty BJP which stooped to conquer, leaving 17 seats for the JD (U), of which five were won by BJP last time. This, when the JD(U) had won only two Lok Sabha seats in 2014. The BJP brought around a difficult and unhappy Shiv Sena, when Uddhav Thackeray had been attacking the PM, even repeating Rahul Gandhis chowkidar chor hai charge against him. It managed to get the Sena to give up its demand of simultaneous elections in Maharashtra. In the past months, the BJPs arithmetic has become stronger. But the Oppositions will for it is weakening. The Opposition had got a new wind when the SP-BSP joined hands in UP, and the Congress wrested Rajasthan, MP and Chhattisgarh from the BJP in 2018. It was felt that having peaked in states like UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat in 2014, and given the belief that Modi, after all, could not better his last performance, the BJP tally was bound to slump by 80-100 seats. In such a scenario, the Opposition was well placed to drive home its advantage by forging alliances, particularly in the large states. But for some inexplicable reason, the Congress is out of the SP-BSP-RLD alliance in UP, when they could have really given a BJP a run for its money if all four had joined hands. At the end of the day, a handful of seats either way was not going to lead to a make-or-break situation for any party. If the SP-BSP was to give a few more seats to the Congress in UP, the Congress could have left those many seats for the SP and BSP in the other heartland states, with a consolidation of their vote base, leading to a win-win situation for both. Sharad Pawars decision not to contest from Madha in Maharashtra has weakened him, the NCP and the NCP-Congress alliance in Maharashtra. The Congress inability to tie up with the Prakash Ambedkar-Asaduddin Owaisi alliance in the western state will also help the BJP. Equally inexplicable is the Congress decision not to tie up with the AAP in Delhi, when they share a vote base, which, too, would have firmed up to give a tough fight to the BJP. The BJP under Modi, having seized the initiative after the airstrikes in Pakistan, is forging ahead. The Opposition lost steam after the Pulwama attack and has to rethink how to get the narrative back to the issues it had flogged last year to great effect farmer distress, rampant unemployment, Dalit anger and insecurity among minorities. The trouble is that opposition parties are still fighting one another, and are not prepared for the reality of an opponent who will go to any extent for victory. Devinder Sharma Devinder Sharma Food & agriculture specialist PRESENTING this years budget, Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Badal sounded an ominous warning. Not that it wasnt known earlier, but this was yet another official acknowledgement of a worrisome future scenario that is fast pushing the frontline agricultural state towards desertification and an impending ecological disaster: 76 per cent of the assessed blocks are over-exploited and the estimated groundwater availability for future irrigation use is negative. The warning had been sounded earlier. The two reports on crop diversification in 1986 and 2002, authored by eminent agricultural economist Dr SS Johl, were essentially in response to groundwater depletion. I remember Dr Johl making a very strong point as to how Punjab ends up virtually exporting water when it transports surplus wheat and paddy every year to the deficient areas. Later, in 2009, the observations of NASAs Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite data showed an equally worrisome trend. We dont know the absolute volume of water in the northern Indian aquifers, but GRACE provides strong evidence that current rates of water extraction are not sustainable, hydrologist Matt Rodell of NASA was quoted as saying. Subsequently, a number of studies by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Central Ground Water Board and Punjab Agricultural University, among others, have pointed to a grim future. Speaking in the Vidhan Sabha last month, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said the state had run out of options and there was an urgency required to tackle the water crisis, which may include changing the cropping pattern, going in for crop diversification and so on. But after all these warnings, the Finance Minister ended up reiterating the governments resolve to address the problem of groundwater depletion, using jargon like judicious, sustainable and equitable use to manage water availability, and eventually informed the House that the government was in talks with the World Bank to find a workable solution. This clearly showed the lack of political courage to take the bull by the horns. Like the previous governments, the Congress dispensation, too, has shied away from initiating any significant step to move away from water-guzzling crops, primarily paddy, lest it upset the predominant vote bank. Interestingly, almost at the same time the budget session was in progress, the coordinator of the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, Yudhvir Singh, while addressing a series of meetings organised by the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Lakhowal), was asking farmers to shift not only from paddy cultivation to restore groundwater, but also move away from intensive farming to agro-ecological practices. He wanted them to devote at least one acre out of the total land area to non-chemical agriculture. He urged farmers to reduce the crop output. Your problem is that you produce more. If you were to reduce production by 10 per cent on an average, you will get a better price for your harvest and also save on chemical inputs. With 98 per cent assured irrigation, and having the highest crop productivity in wheat, rice and maize the cereal crops Punjab has the dubious distinction of turning into a hotbed of farmer suicides. With over 16,600 farm suicides, including farm labourers, documented in a house-to-house survey between 2000 and 2017 by three public sector universities (Punjab Agricultural University, Punjabi University and Guru Nanak Dev University), there was ample evidence for a relook at the intensive farming model that the state had adopted. World Bank had played a crucial role in pushing the intensive and exhaustive farming model, and to expect the same institution to help in improving the management of its scarce resources showed that the state had not learnt any lessons. Albert Einstein had said: We cannot solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. We cannot ask the same people who were in a way responsible for the crisis to provide solutions. First and foremost, the time is ripe to move away from intensive farming, which has triggered massive environmental degradation and pushed the food bowl to the brink in terms of sustainability. The impending ecological disaster will not be addressed by changing the cropping pattern. A recent study by the Centres for International Projects Trust, a Columbia University initiative, has after a detailed study on water budgeting shown that crop diversification will not make much of a difference in the ultimate water balance. What Punjab needs is a change in the farming systems. It is time the state government does a rethink on the integrated farming systems that need to be evolved. If Andhra Pradesh can launch Zero Budget Natural Farming with the aim of converting all its 60-lakh farmers to non-chemical agriculture by 2024, I see no reason why Punjab cannot at least initiate agro-ecological methods of farming for the marginal and small farmers, to begin with. Considering that every third farmer in Punjab is below the poverty line, this is the community that needs immediate handholding. Instead of pushing more machines and chemicals into farming, using the Rs 6,000 per year direct income support allocated under the PM-Kisan scheme, Punjab should supplement it with its own contribution and like Andhra Pradesh provide at least Rs 15,000 per year. This package should be linked to agro-ecological farming systems. In Karnataka, a direct income support of Rs 10,000 per year is announced for farmers cultivating millet crops. In Chhattisgarh, instead of going in for increasing crop productivity to emerge out of the prevailing farm crisis, the new Congress government has incorporated the traditional Narwa (water), Garuwa (livestock), Ghurawa (compost/biofertiliser) and Baadi (backyard cultivation) in an interesting agro-ecological approach to be accomplished at the panchayat level. After all, extraordinary problems need extraordinary solutions. More of the same will only exacerbate the crisis. Punjab has to begin with reframing and redesigning the farming systems. But this will be strongly resisted by a powerful cartel of politicians, bureaucrats, agricultural scientists, and economists who will call for business as usual. Unless the government breaks through that cordon, Punjab will continue to suffer. harinder@tribunemail.com IN the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, the Centre has invited the ire of the top judiciary over its laxity in keeping tabs on the accumulation of wealth by lawmakers. The Supreme Court has asked the government to explain in two weeks why it has not set up a permanent institutional mechanism to monitor the undue accretion of assets by elected representatives, as ordered in February last year. At that time, the court had stated that the issue was a sure indicator of the beginning of a failing democracy, which, if left unattended, would pave the way for the rule of the mafia. The government has also not put in place a key provision stipulating that the non-disclosure or partial disclosure of assets would amount to undue influence under the Representation of the People Act. Back in 2003, the SC had ruled that it was a voters fundamental right to know the candidates qualifications, assets, liabilities and criminal antecedents, if any. A dishonest declaration by nominees robs the voter of this right and prevents him or her from making an informed choice. A candidate who cheats the electorate even before voting can only be expected to act worse after he is elected. The Election Commission must crack the whip on those who withhold information which could jeopardise their electoral prospects if it is revealed. Transparency in such affairs is a constitutional imperative. The Central Board of Direct Taxes had told the Supreme Court in September 2017 that 98 MLAs and seven Lok Sabha MPs, whose assets had witnessed a manifold increase in a short span, were under investigation. However, the public remains in the dark about the outcome of such inquiries. A key factor is the covert resistance offered by most politicians, cutting across party lines. It suits them to reveal their personal details selectively rather than coming clean about all their acquisitions. Make hay while the sun shines is their mantra. It is high time they are held accountable for such acts of commission and omission. Periodic and strict monitoring can act as a deterrent to corruption by elected representatives. editorial@tribune.com Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 13 The High Court has quashed a decade-old order rejecting the claim of Haryana Board of School Education employees for pension in lieu of contributory provident fund. Rapping the board, Justice Arun Monga ruled that the denial was violative of the principles of law, equity and justice, lacked merit and did not stand judicial scrutiny. The ruling by Justice Monga came on a bunch of petitions filed by Vijay Laxmi and other employees against the Haryana Board of School Education and another respondent for quashing the rejection order dated July 7, 2009. Justice Monga asserted that the Haryana Governments notification dated June 26, 1992, introducing the pension scheme, was adopted by the board in May 1993. Though it envisaged a three-month cut-off period for furnishing option, the respondents kept granting extension from time to time. Justice Monga ruled that the respondents contention that the petitioners were not entitled to opt for the pension scheme as they did not respond within the time period, to say the least, was completely absurd. Justice Monga observed that the boards mandate for seeking the option within three months clearly stood vitiated and completely diluted, if not washed out, in view of it having entertained the request of its employees even after a lapse of 13 years. Justice Monga noted that 18 other employees were granted the benefit in the proceedings dated March 2, 2006, but 19 petitioner-employees were denied the same benefit vide the impugned proceedings. Elaborating, Justice Monga observed that the employees were given the option to seek the pension scheme in March 2006 proceedings. Justice Monga noted that the petitioner-employees were denied the benefit in the impugned proceedings on the same very ground that pension rules, under which the notification was issued, were yet to be approved and it was not permissible to grant the benefit to them. Justice Monga added that opportunities were granted by the board notwithstanding the cut-off period and as such, the applicability of the rule had no significance. Referring to one of the rules of the Pension Rules, 1994, Justice Monga observed that the board had the final authority in respect of the pension scheme. To reject the claim of the petitioners on the ground of the same being not permissible under the government notification, issued under the Pension Rules, 1994, is discriminatory, unfair and also contrary to the earlier conduct of the board, asserted Justice Monga. Before parting with the order, Justice Monga directed the respondents to process the petitioners case by giving them the pension scheme benefit in lieu of the Contributory Provident Fund Scheme. Case details editorial@tribune.com Sushil Manav Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 13 Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday gave a call to the Congress and Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) to come on one platform in Haryana to defeat the BJP. Kejriwals advice, however, was rejected both by the Congress as well as the JJP. In a tweet on Wednesday, Kejriwal said that people of Haryana wanted to defeat the jodi (duo) of Amit Shah and Narendra Modi. If the JJP, AAP and Congress contest together, the BJP would lose all 10 seats. Kejriwal urged Congress president Rahul Gandhi to think it over. Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda completely rubbished any kind of alliance with the JJP and said even a tie-up with AAP was not needed in Haryana though the central leadership could take a call on this issue for Delhi or other states. The JJP doesnt have any existence in the state. Merely by contesting one poll, it hasnt become relevant in the state, said Hooda alluding to JJPs good performance in the Jind bypoll. He said as far as any alliance with AAP is concerned, the decision is to be taken at the central level. But the AAP doesnt have any base in Haryana, he said. AAP contested on all 10 seats in Haryana in 2014. But its candidates lost security deposits everywhere, he added. Hisar MP Dushyant Chautala also brushed aside any kind of alliance of which the Congress is a part. His partys general secretary KC Bangar said that the party has never thought of any kind of alliance with the Congress in the past and nor would the party think in those terms ever in the future. The JJP has been constituted on the ideology of former Deputy PM Chaudhary Devi Lal who always opposed the Congress. We cannot be part of any alliance in which Congress is a party, Bangar said. Bangar said that the JJP was capable of contesting all 10 seats on its own and would like to go it alone rather than having any kind of alliance with the Congress. Khattar scoffs at AAP suggestion Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar reacted to Kejriwals tweet with a Mirza Ghalibs couplet. He wrote: Dil ko behlane ko Ghalib ye khayal acchha hai (To keep the heart happy, this idea is good). Answering a question by mediapersons during his Rohtak visit, Khattar said the Opposition parties might cobble together as many alliances they want, but the people of the state are with the BJP. editorial@tribune.com Lalit Mohan Tribune News Service Dharamsala, March 13 Chachian is a village located on Dharamsala-Chamundaji-Palampur road. The village was selected as Adarsh village as per the Central Government scheme on the recommendation of BJP MP from Kangra, Shanta Kumar, for 2018-19. Under the Adarsh scheme, the village was to be developed as a model of development. However, after about a year after the declaration as Adarsh village, nothing has happened to make it a model village. Senior officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said even the development plan of the village was yet to be made. Under the Adarsh village scheme, initially a development plan for making village a model village is made with inputs from the villagers. The funds were to be released by various government departments. However, in Chachian nothing of this sort has been done so far. The pradhan of the village, Suresh Pathania, admitted that nothing has come to the village under the Adarsh village scheme. He said BJP MP Shanta Kumar had given Rs 5 lakh from his MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund for improving the cremation ground of the village. Beyond that nothing special has come for our village under the Adarsh village scheme, he said. Pathania said the village had Community Health Centre (CHC) which has four doctors and a senior secondary government school. He said some tracks in the village were still to be constructed and these could not be covered under MGNREGA. The village had no electricity problem but faced problem of water in summers in some areas, he said. Inquiries by The Tribune have revealed that the village has not got anything special under various developmental schemes of the Centre and state. About 40 cases for grant under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY) have been sent for approval by the village panchayat. However, till date the grant has not been sanctioned even in one case. No one has benefitted under the Ujwala Yojana of the Centre. However, 38 LPG connections have been given under the Grahni Yojana of the state government. Population 2,221 Voters 1,520 Families 600 Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Shimla, March 13 The BJP is geared up for the parliamentary poll with an extensive plan being chalked out for workshops in all four constituencies in the presence of senior leaders. The State Election Management Committee of the BJP will also hold its meeting here tomorrow so as to entrust responsibilities and counter Congress propaganda against the Modi regime. The BJP will fight the elections aggressively and reach out to the people to counter the Congress false propaganda, said Ganesh Dutt, state BJP vice-president. The workshop for the Mandi Lok Sabha seat will be held on March 14. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur will be present at the meeting along with ministers Anil Sharma, Govind Thakur and Ram Lal Markanda and MP Ramswaroop Sharma. The workshop for the Hamirpur segment will be held on March 15 in the presence of former chief minister PK Dhumal. Irrigation and Public Health Minister Mahender Singh Thakur, Rural Development Minister Virender Kanwar, Industry Minister Bikram Singh and MP Anurag Thakur will attend the workshop. The workshop for Kangra will be held on March 15 at Dharamsala. Former CM and MP Shanta Kumar, Civil Supplies Minister Kishan Kapoor, Health Minister Vipin Singh Parmar and Deputy Speaker Hans Raj will remain present. The workshop for Shimla will be held on March 15 in the presence of state president Satpal Singh Satti, Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Rajiv Saizal and Shimla MP Virender Kashyap. Besides senior leaders, the parliamentary in charge will be present at the workshops. amansharma@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service Shimla, March 14 With the recovery of the bodies of remaining two soldiers, who were trapped under an avalanche in Kinnaur district, on Thursday, the authorities have called off the search and rescue operation. On February 20, six army personnel were hit by an avalanche in Namgya area of Kinnaur, close to the border with China in Shipkila area. While body of one jawan was found the same day, the bodies of other three were found later. Now with the remaining two bodies found, army and district administration have called off the operation. The body of NK Videsh Chand of Thrauna village, Nirmand, Kullu district, will be moved to Jhakri today evening and last rites will be carried out tomorrow morning at his native place. The body of Rifleman Arjun Kumar of Kattal Brahamana village, Hira Nagar, Kathua district, will be airlifted to Janglot tomorrow and will be sent by road from there to his native village. editorial@tribune.com Amit Khajuria Tribune News Service Jammu, March 13 The special observers appointed by the Election Commission (EC) will start their three-day visit to J&K from Thursday. They will assess the ground situation while exploring the possibility of holding the Assembly elections in the state. The EC has come under sharp criticism of all political parties, barring the BJP, for deferring the Assembly polls in J&K. It, however, cited security reasons while deciding not to hold joint Assembly and Lok Sabha polls in the state. The EC had already announced the schedule for the parliamentary polls for the state. Noor Mohammad, Vinod Zutshi and AS Gill, who were appointed as the special observers by the EC to assess the ground situation in J&K, will start their first visit to the state on Thursday. According to sources, the observers will reach Srinagar on Thursday for a daylong visit and then fly to Jammu on Friday and remain there for the next two days. They will hold a series of meetings with the representatives of all political parties and take feedback from security agencies in the state, a source told The Tribune. After getting the feedback from all stakeholders in both the capital cities of the state, the team will submit their report to the EC, which will take a call on holding the Assembly elections in the state. Pertinently, the National Conference, the PDP and the Congress have been continuously opposing the decision of not holding the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections simultaneously in J&K. On Tuesday, three special observers had also met Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and Election Commissioners Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra at the EC Headquarters in New Delhi. They were requested by the Chief Election Commissioner to visit the state at the earliest. Trip schedule sanjiv@tribunemail.com Arun Joshi Tribune News Service Jammu, March 13 The Election Commission of India (ECI) will be announcing the schedule for the Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir in a few days as the government appears to have made up its mind to give the green signal on the security front following a barrage of criticism over its backfoot approach on the crucial issue. The announcement was put off when the ECI listed the poll schedule for the General Election on Sunday. Something happened that made the ECI hold back the announcement. It was to be hybrid polling, but at the last minute, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the state government raised the bar, seeking security forces at 800 companies plus, revealed a source. Decks seem to have been cleared now after Governor Satya Pal Malik met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Tuesday. The security situation and preparedness of the state government for holding the crucial polls were discussed threadbare. The thrust was on the security situation, that has assumed new and serious dimensions post the February 14 Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF men were killed, the subsequent airstrikes on Balakot in Pakistan and the retaliatory action by Pakistan that brought the situation to the brink. The Prime Minister and the Governor were satisfied with the anti-militancy operations in Kashmir, with a sizeable section of the leadership of the Kashmir chapter of Pakistan-headquartered Jaish-e-Mohammad eliminated. After the ECI on March 10 held back announcement on the Assembly polls in J&K, serious questions were raised regarding the intentions of the government, with the political leadership in Kashmir suspecting foul play. While Peoples Democratic Party chief and former CM Mehbooba Mufti read sinister designs in not holding the Assembly polls along with those for the Lok Sabha, Omar Abdullah of the National Conference described it as an abject surrender to Pakistan. Both leaders questioned Modis image of a strong Prime Minister. Meanwhile, the special observers appointed by the Election Commission will start their three-day visit to the state from Thursday to assess the ground situation. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Jammu, March 13 Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), J&K, Shailendra Kumar on Wednesday interacted with the representatives of recognised political parties in the state and discussed matters relating to the conduct of parliamentary elections. Seeking cooperation of the political parties to ensure transparency in the electoral process, the CEO urged them to abide by the guidelines of the Election Commission of India with regard to the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct. He urged them to make use of the Election Commissions App C-Vigil, which deals with the complaints of violation of the code by any department, political party or any individual. He said the complaints could be filed online and would be dealt with by the EC quickly. He also urged the parties to make optimal use of the Suvidha App to avail online facilities for seeking permission or registration related to the election process from the election authorities. The CEO said the facilities had been created by the Election Commission to provide instant assistance to the political parties. Shailendra assured the political parties of all necessary assistance for the election process by the state election department and asked them to bring any difficulty to his notice. He also briefed them about some new initiatives of the Election Commission for ensuring free, fair and transparent elections across the state. He said the district election authorities had organised training programmes for the political workers and block-level agents on the use of EVMs/VVPATs and other election-related activities, enabling them to educate the voters about the same. He informed the parties that new electoral rolls had been made available to all the parties for their information. He said the manuals of other important guidelines related to the electoral process issued by the EC from time to time would be made available to them for their information. editorial@tribune.com Dinesh Manhotra Tribune News Service Jammu, March 13 The scheduled visit of BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav to the statehas been cancelled at the eleventh hour due to unavoidable circumstances. However, the party core group is meeting on Friday to finalise the panels of the names of probable candidates. BJP point-man in J&K Ram Madhav was scheduled to attend the partys core group meeting on Thursday morning to finalise the panels of the probable candidates so as to submit the same to the high command on Friday. As Madhavs visit has been cancelled this evening, the BJP high command has asked partys national vice-president Avinash Rai Khanna to convene the core group meeting on Friday to finalise the panels, a top BJP leader told The Tribune, adding in the absence of Madhav, Khanna will give his nod to the panels of potential candidates. These panels will be submitted to the BJP top brass on the same evening to facilitate partys parliamentary board to release the list of candidates for all six Lok Sabha seats of the state on Saturday. The meeting of the parliamentary board will be held in Delhi on March 16. Besides discussing the candidates for other states, the names of party nominees for six parliamentary seats of J&K are likely to be finalised in the same meeting, he said, adding, As the election for the Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat will be held in the first phase, the party has to finalise its candidate before March 18. Eyebrows raised The cancellation of Ram Madhavs visit to J&K has raised many eyebrows. Rumours are doing rounds in the party that the BJP high command will take the decision of candidates on its own and the formation of panels will only be a formality. If the party high command is serious about panels then Madhavs visit wouldnt have been cancelled at this crucial time, a senior leader said. amansharma@tribunemail.com Srinagar, March 14 The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday issued fresh summons to moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq to appear for questioning at the probe agency headquarters in connection with a terror financing case, officials said. According to the notice, the Mirwaiz has been asked to appear at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) headquarters in New Delhi on March 18, the agency officials said. The NIA had on February 26 carried out searches at premises of separatist leaders, including the Mirwaiz, in connection with the case related to financing of terrorist and separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir. The NIA team, accompanied by police and CRPF personnel, searched residences of some of the separatist leaders, including the Mirwaiz, Naseem Geelani and Ashraf Sehrai, the chairman of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat. The houses of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Yaseen Malik, Shabir Shah, Zaffar Bhat and Masarat Alam were also raided. Barring the Mirwaiz and Sehrai, all other leaders were jailed for some time. The NIA had questioned two maternal uncles of the MirwaizMaulvi Manzoor and Maulvi Shafatand his close aides last year. Both Manzoor and Shafat are retired senior government officers. He had been asked to appear before the NIA on March 11 but the Mirwaiz had expressed his inability to join the investigation in the national capital fearing for his security in view of conditions of hostility. Under the prevailing conditions of hostility wherein there is a threat to the personal safety of my client, it becomes unwise for my client to travel to Delhi, counsel for the Mirwaiz, Aijaz Ahmad Dhar, had said in a letter to the NIA. If the NIA wants to question the Mirwaiz, it can do so in Srinagar and he is willing to cooperate as he has nothing to hide, the letter had said. The lawyer had said his client was not acquainted with the subject matter of the FIR referred to in the NIAs notice and added that the notice to the separatist leader appears to have been issued on the basis of fallacious assumptions and misinformation solely aimed at maligning the Mirwaiz. On his clients stand on the Kashmir issue, the lawyer said it has always been clear. He has always stated that the Kashmir issue is a political and human issue which needs political resolution either through implementation of UN resolutions or through dialogue amongst the three stakeholdersIndia, Pakistan and people of Jammu and Kashmir, the counsel of the Mirwaiz said. The NIA probe seeks to identify the chain of players behind the financing of terrorist activities, pelting of stones on security forces, burning down of schools and damaging of government establishments. The case names Hafeez Saeed, Pakistan-based chief of Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD), the front for banned Lashkar-e-Toiba, as an accused, besides organisations such as the Hurriyat Conference factions led by Geelani and the Mirwaiz, Hizbul Mujahideen and Dukhtaran-e-Millat. PTI shriaya.dutt@tribuneindia.com Mumbai, March 14 Superstar Aamir Khan on Thursday announced that his next project is an official adaptation of Tom Hanks' classic "Forrest Gump". Aamir shared the news on the occasion of his 54th birthday that the Hindi adaptation will be titled "Laal Singh Chaddha", which he will co-produce with Viacom18 Motion Pictures. The film will be directed by "Secret Superstar" helmer Advait Chandan. "My next film is finalised it is called 'Laal Singh Chaddha'. It is being made by Viacom18 Motion Pictures and Aamir Khan Productions together. It will be directed by Advait Chandan. It is an adaptation of Hollywood film 'Forrest Gump'. "We have bought the rights from Paramount... I am playing the lead role of Lal Singh," Aamir told reporters here. "Forrest Gump", directed by Robert Zemeckis, released in 1994 and went on to win six Oscars, including best picture, best director and best actor for Hanks. The film, based on Winston Groom's 1986 novel of the same name, follows Forrest Gump, a dim-witted man from Alabama, who witnesses and unwittingly influences several historical events in 20th century USA. The actor said the makers are yet to lock the cast for the film. "We have started the prep work on the film. The shoot will start from October. I will be prepping for six months. I have to lose weight. I will be losing 20 kgs. I have to be lean and slim," he added. The makers of the film have not yet decided the release date for the film but are planning a 2020 outing. "I have always loved 'Forrest Gump' as a script. It is a wonderful story about this character. It is a life affirming story. It is a feel good film. It is a film for the whole family," Aamir said. The actor also revealed he would be sporting a turban "for some part of the film". Aamir was last seen in Yash Raj Films' "Thugs of Hindostan" alongside megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Shaikh. PTI vinaymishra188@gmail.com Actors Akshay Kumar and Ayushmann Khurrana, on Prime Minister Narendra Modis behest, have urged people to cast their vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha Election 2019. Indirectly quoting films like Ayushmanns Dum Laga Ke Haisha and Akshays Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, Modi had on Tuesday tweeted: Dear Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar and Ayushmann Khurrana, the power of a vote is immense and we all need to improve awareness on its importance. Thoda Dum Lagaiye aur voting ko Ek Superhit Katha banaiye. Akshay replied saying: True hallmark of a democracy lies in peoples participation in the electoral process. Voting has to be a super-hit prem katha between our nation and its voters. Ayushmann wrote: Honourable PM Narendra Modiji, as aware citizens and opinion leaders, it is the duty of every public figure to spread this awareness. IANS sanjiv@tribunemail.com New Delhi, March 13 A day before a crucial hearing in the case, the Centre on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that documents filed by the petitioners seeking a review of its Rafale deal verdict are sensitive to national security and those who conspired in photocopying the papers have committed theft and put the security in jeopardy by leaking them. The Ministry of Defence said an internal inquiry is in progress over the leakage of sensitive documents. The affidavit filed by the ministry said documents attached by the petitioners former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie, as also activist advocate Prashant Bhushan relate to war capacity of combat aircraft and have been widely circulated, available to the countrys enemy and adversaries. Attorney General KK Venugopal, on the March 6 hearing, had alleged that the review petition was based on the documents which were stolen from the ministry. Two days later, he claimed the Rafale documents were not stolen from the Defence Ministry and he had meant that the petitioners had used photocopies of the original papers, deemed secret. The ministry said secrecy was envisaged in various agreements that the Centre had entered into with France. The Centre said those who conspired in this leakage are guilty of offences under the IPC. The government on March 6 hearing had also threatened The Hindu newspaper with the Official Secrets Act for publishing articles based on them and also contempt of court. PTI Without permission of Centre, those who conspired in making the photocopy of sensitive documents and thereby committing theft... have adversely affected the sovereignty, security and friendly relations with foreign countries. Affidavit by Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra shalender@tribune.com Chennai, March 13 Asserting that law must not be applied selectively, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said if his brother-in-law Robert Vadra can be probed, so can Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his alleged role in the Rafale deal. He also said economic growth is directly related to the mood of the nation and one cannot expect it to happen in a negative and fearful atmosphere. The Congress will change the mood of the country and make people feel happy and empowered, the Congress chief said while addressing women students at a college here. Gandhi, who asked students to refer to him as Rahul, said the law must apply to everybody and not be applied selectively. The Congress chief said the PM should have the guts to face the media and asked why Modi was hiding. The BJP and the government have repeatedly rejected the Congress allegation of corruption in the Rafale fighter jet deal. He also alleged that the BJPs idea is to capture every institution of the country and run them from Nagpur, the RSS headquarters. Gandhi said the Congress would pass the womens reservation Bill if it comes to power. Dont see enough women in leadership positions. You cannot have women in power in India until the attitude towards them changes, he told the cheering crowd. In response to a question, he said he had learnt the lessons of humility and love from his mother Sonia Gandhi. PTI BJP policies hurting J&K: Cong chief gspannu7@gmail.com New Delhi, March 14 A hotel in Delhis posh Chanakyapuri area, which houses the diplomatic enclave, was the first stop of Masood Azhar, the founder of Jaish-e-Mohammad, when he first arrived in India in January 1994 and dodged immigration officials queries about his Portugese passport by claiming he was a Gujarati by birth. The Pakistan-based terrorist, who was arrested in Jammu and Kashmir within the next two weeks, had also stayed in capitals hotel Janpath and visited Lucknow, Shahranpur and Islamic seminary Darul-uloom Deoband, according to his interrogation report. Azhar, whose JeM was responsible for a series of terror strikes in India including the attack on Parliament in 2001 and a CRPF convoy in Pulwama last month, had arrived in India on a fake Portuguese passport after visiting Bangladesh. I spent two days in Dhaka and thereafter travelled to Delhi by Bangladesh Airlines (Biman), reaching the IGI Airport in early hours of January 29, 1994. The Immigration officials at IGI commented that I did not look like a Portuguese but when I replied that I was a Gujarati by birth, he did not hesitate to stamp my passport. I hired a taxi and asked (the driver) for a good hotel. I was taken to the Ashok hotel in Chanakyapuri where I stayed, according to the interrogation report available with the security agencies here. During the night, Azhar told his interrogators, that he rang one Ashraf Dar, a Kashmiri, who came to the Ashok hotel along with Abu Mehmood, a member of terrorist group Harakat ul-Ansar. I expressed my desire to visit Deoband to pay obeisance at the graves of Deobandi intellectuals. As such Ashraf Dar escorted me in his Maruti car, accompanied by Abu Mehmood to Deoband. We stayed in Darul-uloom Deoband for the night. After offering prayers at Deoband, next morning we went to Gungoh and then proceeded to Saharanpur, the report said. At Saharanpur, Azhar stayed for the night at a mosque of Tabliq-ul-Jamat and at none of these places, he had revealed his true identity. On January 31, 1994, he came back to Delhi by the same car after staying overnight at Khan Ji of Maulana Masir-ul-ullah Khan at Jalalabad. On reaching Delhi, Azhar stayed at hotel Janpath located near Connaught Place. Since his flight to Srinanagr was booked for February 9, he decided to visit one Maulana Abu Hassan Nadvi alias Ali Mian at his madrassa in Lucknow. Accordingly, Azhar went to Lucknow in a bus on February 6 or 7, 1994, where again he did not disclose his identity. As he could not meet Ali Mian and another person whom he intended to meet, Azhar returned to Delhi by bus. This time, he stayed at hotel Sheesh Mahal in Karol Bagh. In all Delhi hotels, Azhar registered himself in the assumed identity of Portuguese national Vali Adam Issa. In Delhi, on February 8, 1994, I visited the Centre of Tablig-ul-Jamat at Nizamuddin but did not meet any particular person. I had also purchased 12 compasses (to give direction of Mecca) from Nizammudin to offer them as gift to militants in the Kashmir Valley, he told the interrogators. After his arrival in Srinagar on February 9, 1994, Ashraf Dar escorted him to Madrasa Qasmian in Lal Bazar where a room was arranged for him. Later in the evening a militant, Sajjad Afghani, came to meet him along with his deputy named Amjad Bilal of Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami, who was armed. Next morning, on February 10, he was escorted by Afghani to a place called Matigund where all Pakistan/PoK terrorists gathered. They (the terrorists) were happy about my visit and merger of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami. I had taken their addresses and letters so that I can communicate their welfare to their families on return to Pakistan, he told the interrogators. While returning from Matigund, accompanied by Afghani and one Farooq, a militant of Matigund area, who was armed and had a wireless set, the car developed some trouble and stopped. Then Azhar and his accomplice boarded a three-wheeler and proceeded to Anantnag. After travelling for about 2-3 km, the auto rickshaw was stopped by the Army personnel, according to the report. Farooq started running and opened fire which was returned by the Army men. Farooq managed to escape but I along with Afghani was arrested, he told the interrogators. Azhar was freed from an Indian prison in 1999 along with two other terrorists in exchange for passengers of an Indian Airlines aircraft which was hijacked and taken to Kandahar in Afghanistan. PTI shalender@tribune.com Guwahati, March 13 The BJP has finalised its alliances in the North-East, setting a target of winning at least 22 of the 25 Lok Sabha seats from eight states of the region, party general secretary Ram Madhav claimed on Wednesday. Madhav, the BJPs in charge of the North-East, held a series of discussions here today till past midnight and sealed the alliances with the Asom Gana Parishad, Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF), Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT), National Peoples Party, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party and the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha. The BJP leader will hold a meeting with Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and leaders of the IPFT in Agartala. The alliances have been finalised under the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), the BJP-led National Democratic Alliances (NDAs) political coalition with the regional parties of the region. This alliance has the potential of winning not less than 22 out of 25 seats in the region and play an important role in seeing Modi ji as the PM once again, Madhav posted on Facebook. On Tuesday, Madhav had met Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and NEDA convener Himanta Biswa Sarma. Madhav also met a delegation of the AGP, the led by party president Atul Bora, and finalised reunion of the former allies. It was a hectic day of parlays yesterday in the North-East as sustained negotiations were held at Dimapur and Guwahati with different senior leaders. We have finally sealed the alliance and electoral understanding between the BJP and all major parties in the North-East, he added in the post. The BJP, NPP, NDPP, AGP and BPF will fight together in Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh with the mission of defeating Congress party at the hustings. In Tripura, the BJP will fight the elections together with IPFT, our alliance partner, Madhav said. In Sikkim, BJPs alliance will be with the main Opposition party, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, he added. While the Opposition are still talking about Mahagatbandhan (grand alliance), we already have ours in place in the North-East and the rest of the country. The NDA is a much stronger coalition today than before, Madhav said. PTI Parties on board monicakchauhan@gmail.com Beijing, March 14 China on Thursday sought to defend its fourth technical hold at the UN Security Council to block the designation of Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, saying it would help the parties concerned to engage in more talks to find a "lasting solution" acceptable to all. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. The Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee members had 10 working days to raise any objections to the proposal. Just before the deadline ended, China put a "technical hold" on the proposal seeking "more time to examine" it. The proposal was the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist. Asked why China once again resorted to block the move, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a media briefing here that Beijing's decision is in line with the rules of the committee. China sincerely hopes that relevant action taken by this committee will help relevant countries to engage in dialogue and consultation and prevent adding more complicated factors into regional peace and stability, he said. "As to the technical hold at the 1267 Committee our action is to make sure that the committee will have enough time to study the matter so that the relevant sides will have time for dialogue and consultation," Lu said. Only a solution that is acceptable to all sides could fundamentally provide a chance for a lasting solution to the issue. China is ready to communicate and coordinate with all sides including India to properly handle this issue, he said. India on Wednesday expressed disappointment soon after China put a technical hold on designating Azhar. The External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi said India will continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that leaders of terror groups involved in heinous attacks on Indian citizens are brought to justice. This has prevented action by the international community to designate the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a proscribed and active terrorist organization which has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14, the MEA said. Without naming China, it said the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee was not able to come to a decision on the proposal for listing Azhar on account of a member placing the proposal on hold. To another question on the Wuhan summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping last year to improve the bilateral relations, Lu said, "Xi and Modi met four times. Particularly Wuhan summit made great progress. China is full of sincerity and ready to work with India to build on the consensus of our leaders for greater progress in the bilateral relations. On the Kashmir issue, Lu said China's position on it is clear and consistent. This is an issue that is left over between India and Pakistan. We hope that the two sides will engage in friendly dialogue consultation and solve this issue and other related issues," he said. PTI shalender@tribune.com Anup Datta Tribune News Service Bhopal, March 13 The emergence of the Congress in BJP stronghold Madhya Pradesh in the yearend Assembly elections has not only dented the saffron partys morale, but there is also a real possibility of the BJP losing nearly a dozen seats in the General Election. In 2014, the BJP won 27 of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The BJPs nationwide Modi wave helped the party win 10 seats more from the previous Lok Sabha elections. The Modi wave and the Hindutva politics had a powerful impact in several regions of the state. The BJP won all four Lok Sabha seats in the Bundelkhand region, all five seats in the central region and two seats in the Nimad region. In the Baghelkhand region, the BJP won three of the four seats, while one went to the Congress. The BJP won three of the four seats in the Chambal region and the Congress won one. The voting circle pattern due to BJPs managerial skills surprised everyone. The BJP secured a 54% vote share in the state, which is the highest ever by any party in MP. The saffron party exceptionally did well both in rural and urban areas. According to the Election Commission details, the BJP secured 67 per cent votes of Other Backward Classes (OBC), which is numerically the biggest social group in the state, while 19 per cent of them voted for the Congress. The iron grip of the RSS and BJP even managed to capture the Dalit vote, considered to be the second biggest social group after the OBC. The Dalit vote was almost equally split between the BJP and Congress. The post-poll data showed that the Brahmin and Rajput communities showed higher preference towards the BJP in MP where politics has never changed from bipolar to unipolar. As a result, several Congress stalwarts were swept away by the Modi wave. Congress President Rahul Gandhis close confidante Meenakshi Natrajan, former Union Minister Arun Yadav, former MP Assembly Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh Rahul Bhaiyaa, known lawyer and son of former High Court Judge Vivek Tankha lost in the Lok Sabha elections. In between 2017 and 2018, a year ahead of the Assembly elections, five byelections were held in the state and the Congress won four of the five seats. The Congress managed to end the 15-year rule of the BJP in MP in the Assembly elections, by denting the image of BJPs poster boy Shivraj Singh Chouhan. As a result, the Congress secured 40.9% of the vote share, despite winning 114 seats against 41% for the BJP, which bagged 109 seats. Close difference of votes between the two parties shows that the BJP is still very much a challenger, and can definitely not be ruled out. However, the voting pattern suggested that the BJP may end up losing at least 10 Lok Sabha seats in the upcoming elections. 2014 results Total seats 29: BJP: 27 Congress: 2 Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia managed to retain their home turf Chhindwara and Guna Lok Sabha seats Current status Total seats 29: BJP: 26 Congress: 3 In 2015 bypoll, the Congress won the Ratlam Lok Sabha seat, necessitated after the death of BJP MP Dilip Singh Bhuriya shalender@tribune.com New Delhi, March 13 Mounting pressure on its primary adversary in Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and her party TMC the BJP today urged the Election Commission to declare the state as super sensitive and shift out certain biased officials (such as Kolkata top cop Rajeev Kumar) before the upcoming General Election. Apart from this, the BJP delegation that included Union ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Nirmala Sitharman and JP Nadda, also demanded deployment of Central forces in all polling booths in the state and a media observer to ensure free and fair elections there. We have conveyed to the EC Bengals deplorable track record in conducting free and fair elections, Prasad said pointing towards killings during local body and gram panchayat polls, the stamping of ballot papers during counting and the state government not granting permission to helicopters ferrying BJP leaders. Observers must give independent feedback to the EC and not the ex parte, coloured report of the government of Bengal. The deployment of Central forces should be done not on the recommendation of the local SP or collector, but by the special observer of EC. There are certain officers who are known to be biased towards the TMC. They should be withdrawn from the election-related work, he said. TNS shalender@tribune.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, March 13 Officials of India and Pakistan will meet for the first time on Thursday to finalise a corridor to enable Indian Sikh pilgrims pray at the Kartarpur gurdwara. The corridor will be ready by November on the occasion of Guru Nanaks 500th birth anniversary, ending a quarter-century-long quest since then Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto mooted the proposal. This meeting will be held on the Indian side of the Wagah-Attrai border which will be followed up by another meeting on the Pakistan side a fortnight later to wrap up the loose threads. Sources, however, did not think another meeting was necessary since infrastructure alignment and a MoU the two issues on the table could be wrapped up on Thursday itself. At a press conference, Union Minister Harsimrat Badal expressed her gratitude to PM Narendra Modi for standing firm in his commitment to the Sikh community and attacked Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh for delaying the work for one month. She also assailed Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu who had shared the stage with her in Pakistan during the inauguration ceremony of the corridor. New Delhi has cleared a modern and spacious passenger terminal building for the Kartarpur corridor at a cost of Rs 190 crore. Government sources rejected Pakistans allegations that its journalists were denied access to cover Thursdays Kartarpur talks as the meeting was technical in nature and was not a public event. They also did not want to peg the corridor to bilateral ties, but insisted it was about the faith of Indians belonging to the Sikh religion and their being able to access the gurdwara. India will also urge Pakistan not to allow the use the facility for Kahlistani propaganda. amansharma@tribunemail.com Shiv Kumar Tribune News Service Mumbai, March 14 The Bombay High Court on Thursday hit out at the Special Investigation Team of the Maharashtra police over the investigation into the murder of rationalist Govind Pansare. Judges S C Dharmadhikari and B P Colabawalla of the Bombay HC called out the investigators for shoddy investigation into the murder. After perusing the progress report on the investigations submitted by the SIT in a sealed cover, the court summoned the Additional Chief Secretary in charge of the Home Department on March 28 to explain the reasons behind the slow progress in the case. "Let the state feel some pressure. It must face consequences some day. For most often, the police get away. No memos are issued, no explanations sought," the bench said. The judges also wondered why crimes are probed only after the court's intervention. Pointing out to several gaps in the investigation by the SIT, the court noted one instance where the investigators were content with visiting the place where one of the accused owned an immovable property. "What stops an accused from .... hiding anywhere across the country. Merely because someone owns a property doesn't mean he will stick around in that area," the court observed. "The elemenatary steps you are taking to nab the accused have reduced you to a laughing stock," the judges said. The court also noted that investigations like these have created a perception in the minds of the public that some peoplecould get away "only because they enjoy certain patronage". The court was hearing the petitions filed by the families of Pansare and rationalist Narendra Dabholkar who sought judicial intervention in the probe into the murders. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which is probing the murder of Dabholkar submitted that his assailants have been arrested and the chargesheet filed in the case. The agency, however, sought additional time to probe some additional issues. Pansare who was shot on February 16, 2015 in Kolhapur succumbed to his injuries five days later. Dabholkar was shot dead on August 20, 2013, in Pune while on his morning walk. sanjiv@tribunemail.com United Nations, March 13 When it comes to political power, women are totally outnumbered by men, accounting for less than 7 per cent of the worlds leaders and only 24 per cent of lawmakers, according to the latest statistics. UN General Assembly president Maria Fernanda Espinosa told delegates to the Commission on the Status of Women that there has been a serious regression in the political power of women across the world. The percentage of female elected heads of state dropped from 7.2 per cent to 6.6 10 out of 153 from 2017 to 2018. The percentage of female heads of government dropped from 5.7 per cent to 5.2 10 out of 193 in the same period. In parliaments, the global share of women increased by nearly one percentage point from 2017 to 2018, to 24.3 per cent. It took 25 years to get to that figure, from 11 per cent in 1995. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the executive director of UN Women, called the current environment not the most enabling for women to rise. We also have pushback right now, which contributes to the slowing down of women wanting to contest for office, because it is brutal, she said, citing political violence, verbal abuse, and abuse on social media that female candidates and politicians face in many countries. Mlambo-Ngcuka said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on us to push back against the pushback. Women must be change-makers, she said, because national and global institutions were made for men and by men. AP shalender@tribune.com Tribune News Service New Delhi, March 13 India has accused Pakistan of wrecking any chance of a resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir discord by failing to act on UN resolutions. It also rejected Pakistans demand for self-determination, an oft-used phrase by Kashmiri separatists, by pointing out that the exercise of this option is applicable to colonial territories and cant be misused as an instrument to erode territorial integrity and sovereignty of any member state. A reply filed by the Indian Permanent Representative in Geneva at the ongoing 40th Session of Human Rights Council said the UN resolutions on resolving the Kashmir problem were sabotaged by Pakistan when its army failed to vacate the territories under its control. India tried to turn the tables in its first right of reply by accusing Pakistan of a range of human rights violations, including harassment of minorities through blasphemy law, forced conversions and marriages of minorities, suppression of political dissidents and legitimate criticism in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan is known to the international community for its acts of aggression, harbouring safe havens for terrorists, military courts trying civilians, mass cases of enforced disappearances in north-western Pakistan, state-sponsored extreme prejudices, religious intolerance and attacks on Muslim minorities, such as Shias, Ahmadiyas, Ismailia and Hazaras. India accused Pakistan of misusing the Human Rights Council for raking up malicious propaganda against India. The matters that need to be addressed are Pakistans illegal occupation of a part of the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir and the continued suffering of the people of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir who are victims of sectarian conflict, systemic army persecution, violence, terrorism, extreme economic hardships, discriminatory policies and denial of even basic rights, said the statement. It said the main challenge to human rights protection in J&K was the Pakistan support to cross-border terrorism. It also cited several former and serving members of Pakistans security apparatus in that respect. The confirmation of using UN proscribed terror organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), as an instrument of state policy by Pakistani military or political leadership is already in public domain. Pakistans former NSA Asad Durrani, former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf had already admitted Pakistani complicity in creating disturbances in J&K. Musharraf this month admitted that JeM chief Masood Azhar carried out terror attacks in India on the instructions of the ISI. The current foreign minister has reaffirmed the presence of JeM in Pakistan, it said. Delhi on Key issues shalender@tribune.com Vijay Mohan Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 13 After being deployed on peacekeeping duties in the Democratic Republic of Congo for over 13 years, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Forces stint in Africa is coming to end because of a fund crunch in the United Nations (UN). The ITBP has been sending its personnel on yearly rotational basis to the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) since November 2005. They make up the Indian Formed Police Unit-1 (IFPU) that is deployed at Bunia in the countrys north-eastern corner. The UNs police division, responsible for framing policy and defining parameters of international police peacekeeping, had reportedly informed the Permanent Mission of India (PMI) to UN recently about the decision to cut its police forces in Congo, sources said. UN Police Division through the PMI to UN has informed that the unit (IFPU-1) will be repatriated in view of budgetary constraints and reduction of the police footprint at the mission. Therefore, the ITBP is requested to take necessary action at its end, a communique sent by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the ITBP Headquarters on March 12 states. India is the biggest contributor of troops to MONUSCO. In addition to two IFPUs, an Indian infantry brigade group, comprising about 3,000 soldiers and an Army aviation component, is deployed in Congo. Apart from civilian and military UN personnel, 1,362 police personnel from about a dozen countries are part of MONUSCO. With 276 personnel, India is the third largest contributor of police personnel in this mission after Egypt and Senegal. Their duties include protection of UN staff and assets, area patrolling and confidence building among locals, crowd control, standby quick reaction team and security of designated areas. Some reports said the UN was considering a drawdown of its 20,000 strong force in Congo and reconfiguring the mission in view of the changing political and security situation following elections last year as well as financial constraints. The US is the top financier of the UNs $6.7 billion peacekeeping budget, providing 28.5 per cent of funds, followed by China (10.3%), Japan (9.7%) and Germany and France (6.3% each). In January the UN Secretary General had stated that almost $2 billion in contributions were unpaid and cash balances then covered less than two months of operations. Over 1 lakh peacekeepers are deployed in 14 missions worldwide. rchopra@tribunemail.com Washington, March 14 Outraged by China blocking for the fourth time a move to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist, responsible UNSC members warned they may be forced to pursue other actions at the Security Council if Beijing continued with this policy. If China continues to block this designation, responsible member-states may be forced to pursue other actions at the Security Council. It shouldnt have to come to that, a Security Council diplomat told PTI in an unusual tough warning to China. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity to give a sense of the feeling of other members of the Security Council after China blocked the move to designate Azhar a global terrorist. Beijing previously put a technical hold on similar proposals at the UNSC thrice. In the aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attack, three permanent members of the Security Councilthe US, France and the UKhad moved a resolution to designate Azhar a glocal terrorist. Except for China, which wields veto power in the Security Council, all other UNSC members were on board with the move before the al-Qaida (1267) Sanctions Committee. India has expressed disappointment over Chinas decision saying it will pursue all available avenues to bring to justice terrorist leaders involved in attack on Indians. This is the fourth time that China has placed a hold on this listing. China should not prevent the Committee from doing the job the Security Council has entrusted it to do, another Security Council diplomat told PTI in response to a question. Chinas move to hold the listing is inconsistent with its own stated goals of combating terrorism and furthering regional stability in South Asia, said the diplomat, requesting not to be named to speak frankly, given that the deliberations of the UN sanctions committee are confidential, thus preventing member-countries from talking about it in public. The second Security Council diplomat also slammed Pakistan for depending on China to protect terrorist groups and leaders that operate from its soil. Pakistan has quite often depended on China to protect it from the listing of Pakistan-based terrorist groups and individuals in the UN 1267 sanctions committee, the diplomat said. The case for designating Masood Azharthe leader of a group the UN already calls an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organisationis undeniable, the diplomat said. On Tuesday, the Trump administration had said that Azhar met the criteria for designation by the United Nations. Our views on Jaish-e-Mohammad and its founder are well-known. JeM is a UN-designated terrorist group, State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino told reporters. Azhar is the founder and the leader of JeM, and he meets the criteria for designation by the United Nations. JeM has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks and is a threat to regional stability and peace, Palladino said. The State Department referred to this statement on Wednesday when asked about the latest developments in New York. I would say that the United States and China share a mutual interest in achieving regional stability and peace, and that a failure to designate Azhar would run counter to this goal, Palladino said. Congressman Brad Sherman described the Chinese move as unacceptable. Once again, China has blocked the UN from imposing sanctions on Masood Azhar, the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, which carried out the Pulwama attack in India in February. This is unacceptable, he said. I urge Beijing to allow the UN to place sanctions on Azhar, the leader of a UN-recognised terrorist organisation, Sherman said. Several American think-tank members slammed China for its decision delaying the Azhar listing. Today, China doubled down on a very bad bet. It blocked yet another round of UN sanctions on Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar weeks after the group claimed credit for the deadliest terror attack in Kashmir, Jeff Smith from the Heritage Foundation said. This one wont be undone by another romantic stroll through Wuhan, he said, indicating that such a move by Beijing would only escalate the tension between India and China. Not entirely unexpected, but nonetheless a slap on Indias face after last months bloody suicide-bombing in Kashmir. Also raises serious questions about the benefits of Modis photo-op diplomacy with Xi Jinping, tweeted Sadanand Dhume from American Enterprise Institute. PTI monicakchauhan@gmail.com New York, March 14 The slow-moving US plans to set up six nuclear power plants in India have received a boost as the two nations reiterated their commitment to strengthen security and civil nuclear cooperation during the 9th India-US Strategic Security Dialogue. A joint statement issued on Wednesday after the dialogue, where the Indian side was headed by Foreign Secretary Vijay K Gokhale, said that Washington "reaffirmed its strong support of India's early membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group". "They committed to strengthen bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, including the establishment of six US nuclear power plants in India," it added. The statement also said that both countries declared their "commitment to work together to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems and to deny access to such weapons by terrorists and non-state actors". The US delegation to the dialogue held in Washington was led by Andrea Thompson, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. The statement seeks to breathe new life into expected results of the civil nuclear cooperation agreement between the two countries, which have failed to live up to the hopes since it was signed in 2008 during the Prime Ministership of Manmohan Singh and the Presidency of George W. Bush. The law limiting civil liability for nuclear damages from the plants passed in 2010 was meant to overcome a stumbling block for US companies to set up nuclear power plants in India. However, financial problems of the US company Westinghouse that had agreed in 2016 to build six plants in Andhra Pradesh put the plans on hold when it went into bankruptcy the next year. Now owned by Brookfield Asset Management, the US-based Westinghouse has received the backing of the Trump administration for the project and US Energy Secretary Rick Perry promoted it during a visit to India last year. India has ambitious plans to increase its nuclear electric generation capacity to meets its growing needs with clean energy. Russia is the leading player in the nuclear power sector in India. Ahead of the dialogue, the third round of the US-India Space Dialogue was held on Tuesday at which the two countries "discussed trends in space threats, respective national space priorities, and opportunities for cooperation bilaterally and in multilateral fora", the statement said. Indra Mani Pandey, India's Additional Secretary for Disarmament and International Security Affairs, and Yleem Poblete, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, co-chaired the meeting. Also on Tuesday, Gokhale and David Hale, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs held India-US Foreign Office Consultations. A statement issued after the meeting by the State Department said that they affirmed "the importance of joint leadership to strengthen the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region". "Recognising that the US and India share complementary visions for the Indo-Pacific, they agreed to deepen cooperation toward their joint goals in the region, including in conjunction with other Indo-Pacific partners," it added. The discussion between the two diplomats also covered the situations in areas of importance to the US -- North Korea, where last month's summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on denuclearisation failed; Iran, where Trump has pulled out of the multinational denuclearisation agreement and imposed sanctions on Tehran, and Venezuela, where the US has recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as its president and wants Nicolas Maduro to step down following elections marred by irregularities. Trump wants India to play a major role in the Indo-Pacific region where the two countries act as bookends of democracy, a task Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cautiously embraced without making it appear a direct challenge to China. India and the US have also stepped up multilateral cooperation with the other two major democracies in the region, Australia and Japan. IANS monicakchauhan@gmail.com Mumbai, March 14 Award winning actress Vidya Balan has urged citizens for maximum participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted 29 times in an hour to celebrities across genres to mobilise voters. Vidya told her followers and admirers and all people at large that if they wished to see change in society and the country then it was really important to get their fingers inked this April-May. "I feel if we want a changed society and the country then, we need to participate in that process and the first thing we can do towards that is to cast our votes. It is our responsibility and right to cast our votes," Vidya said. "I think we will not get anything by raising fingers at each others. Instead, people should get their fingers inked to see positive changes... "If you are turning 18 on April 28, then you have no excuse not to vote on April 29. I urge all to cast their votes because it's really necessary," she added. The national award winning actress was interacting with the media at the special screening of "Photograph" along with her husband Siddharth Roy Kapur and Ritesh Batra on Wednesday here, when she urged for all out participation by voters. Modi, in a series of tweets on Wednesday, reached out to prominent personalities from a wide spectrum, ranging from politicians, Bollywood celebrities and top business leaders asking them to encourage citizens to exercise their voting rights in the upcoming polls. Modi urged Congress President Rahul Gandhi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Celebs Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and others to strengthen voter awareness efforts across the country. Maharashtra will got to the polls in four phases during the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from may 11. IANS gspannu7@gmail.com New Delhi, March 14 The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday asked the BJP about its official stand on granting full statehood to Delhi, saying its leaders are giving conflicting statements on the matter. AAP leader Gopal Rai said the BJP is rattled by the AAPs movement towards attaining full statehood and are giving conflicting statements because of that. Rai quoted a media report in which Union Minister Vijay Goel allegedly said the BJP is in favour of full statehood but it is not possible if the city has a chief minister like Arvind Kejriwal. He also referred to another media report in which Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari allegedly said that full statehood would not be part of BJPs manifesto. What is BJPs official stand on granting full statehood to Delhi. We want an answer on that. On one hand, Tiwari says it will not be granted to Delhi while Goel says full statehood would not be given as long as Kejriwal is the chief minister, Rai said. On being asked why is the AAP targeting only the BJP on the issue and not Congress which also formed the government several times in Delhi, Rai said it is because the BJP has formed the government at the Centre. It (BJP) has also won all seven parliamentary seats in Delhi and still it is not fulfilling its promise of granting full statehood to the national capital while the Congress government was removed by the people when it did not fulfil this promise, Rai said. Rai said the AAP is going full throttle on the issue and the movement towards it started on Wednesday when AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal burnt the 2014 manifesto of the BJP in which they promised full statehood to Delhi. Now, the MLAs will burn BJP manifestos in their respective constituencies on March 15 (Friday) and ward in-charges will do the same on March 17 (Sunday), he said. On Wednesday, Kejriwal had said that the upcoming polls will be fought on the issue of full statehood. He had criticised Modi for not fulfilling this promise as mentioned in BJPs 2014 manifesto. It amounts to cheating. They (the BJP) should come clean, Kejriwal had said. The chief minister had said once Delhi attains full statehood, AAP will ensure that women roam freely even at night and the party will also give 85 per cent reservations to local people in jobs and colleges. Kejriwal also referred to the sealing of shops earlier this year and said the party would have halted the process within five minutes. PTI monicakchauhan@gmail.com New Delhi, March 14 The Supreme Court on Thursday asked former Ranbaxy promoters Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh to apprise it how they propose to comply with the Rs 3,500 crore arbitral award passed against them by a Singapore tribunal. A Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Googi asked the Singh brothers, who were present in the court, to consult their financial and legal advisors and give a concrete plan on how they will comply with the tribunal's order. It is not about individual honour but it doesn't look good for the country's honour. You were the flag bearers of the pharmacare industry and it doesn't look good that you are appearing in court," the Bench also comprising justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna said. The Bench asked the Singh brothers to appear before it on March 28 and submit the plan, saying "hopefully it will be the last time you are appearing in the court". The apex court was hearing the plea of Japanese firm Daiichi Sankyo which is seeking to recover Rs 3,500 crore, awarded to it by a Singapore tribunal in its case against Malvinder and Shivinder Singh. The Japanese firm, which has filed the contempt plea against the Singh brothers in the apex court, has said that it was promised some shares of Fortis Healthcare by them. The apex court had earlier refused to pass any interim order on pleas relating to the sale of controlling stakes of Fortis Healthcare to Malaysian IHH Healthcare Berhad. The top court, on December 14 last year, had ordered status quo with regard to the sale of controlling stakes of Fortis Healthcare. "Status quo with regard to sale of the controlling stake in Fortis Healthcare to Malaysian IHH Healthcare Berhad be maintained," the bench had said. The top court had also issued notices to the Singh brothers asking them to explain as to why contempt proceedings be not initiated against them for allegedly violating its earlier order by pledging the shares. The board of Fortis Healthcare had approved in July a proposal from IHH Healthcare to invest Rs 4,000 crore by way of preferential allotment for a 31.1 per cent stake. The Malaysian IHH Healthcare Bhd became the controlling shareholder of Fortis Healthcare Ltd by acquiring a 31.1 per cent stake in the company. Daiichi had bought Ranbaxy in 2008. Later, it had moved the Singapore arbitration tribunal alleging that the Singh brothers had concealed information that Ranbaxy was facing probe by the US Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Justice, while selling its shares. Daiichi had to enter into a settlement agreement with the US Department of Justice, agreeing to pay USD 500 million penalty to resolve potential, civil and criminal liability. The company had then sold its stake in Ranbaxy to Sun Pharmaceuticals for Rs 22,679 crore in 2015. PTI editorial@tribune.com Sanjeev Singh Bariana Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 13 The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) is chalking out a detailed programme to engage the services of more than 40,000 youth for guiding and facilitating voters in casting their ballot during the Lok Sabha elections on May 19. A special election programme for the wings of the Bharat Scouts and Guides, the National Cadet Corps (NCC), the National Service Scheme (NSS) and other volunteers is being finalised. Their services will be utilised especially for reaching out to first-time voters, NRIs, physically challenged and senior citizens. Onkar Singh, the state organising commissioner (Scouts), said, Participation in poll activities is part of the routine training of the scouts. We will have update sessions on new changes in the election process. Volunteers participating in the election activity are awarded special certificates. Assistant CEO Kavita Singh said, We will have youngsters welcoming voters with a smile. The purpose is to make each voter feel special. At least two youths each will be assisting voters at the 23,213 polling booths in the state. Dr S Karuna Raju, the CEO, said, We have finalised our election programme with the Bharat Scouts and Guides today. We will now discuss it with other units and roll out a unified programme in a couple of days. Youths taking part in the poll activity will be given special certificates by the Election Commission of India (ECI). We are engaging at least 600 volunteers each from the Scouts, the NSS and other ogranisations. The office of the CEO has also roped in at least 6,000 electoral literacy clubs to reach out to voters. sanjiv@tribunemail.com Ruchika M Khanna Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 13 The Shiromani Aakali Dal has decided to once again field Prem Singh Chandumajra from the Anandpur Sahib seat and former Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal from Jalandhar. Their names were finalised by the partys Political Affairs Committee (PAC) that met here today. Chandumajra and Atwal have been given the go-ahead to start campaigning. The party has so far decided on three candidates, including Bibi Jagir Kaur for the Khadoor Sahib seat. Allotting ticket to senior leaders is being seen as a tactical move to rebut charges levelled by Taksali leaders that senior leaders were being ignored. A meeting to pick candidates for the Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Faridkot and Fatehgarh Sahib seats will be held on March 17-18. In Malwa, traditionally a SAD stronghold, the party will be fielding big guns, including members of the Badal family. It is believed at least two members of the family will be in the fray. The party is banking on youth power to make a comeback after its worst-ever performance in 2017. At least five of the seven candidates will be young leaders, marking a generational shift. Of late, the Youth Akali Dal has turned active, holding rallies and political meeting to energise the cadre. Prem Singh Chandumajra The sitting MP from Anandpur Sahib won in 2014, defeating Congress stalwart Ambika Soni by 23,697 votes. The first president of the Youth Akali Dal, he made it to Parliament for the first time in 1996 and then again in 1998. Charanjit Singh Atwal A Dalit face in Shiromani Akali Dal, he was Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha during 2004-2009. The two-time MP from the Phillaur constituency also served as Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha twice, including during the last term of Parkash Singh Badal rchopra@tribunemail.com GS Paul Tribune News Service Attari, March 14 Amid simmering tensions, officials from India and Pakistan held their maiden meeting here today to discuss modalities and the draft agreement on the Kartarpur Sahib corridor that will allow devotees access to the Sikh shrine in Narowal, across the border. The Indian delegation was led by SCL Das, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs. The Pakistan delegation was headed by Dr Mohammad Faisal, DG (SA and SAARC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After the meeting, a joint statement was issued which said the two sides had mutually agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalising the corridor. The next round of talks will be held at Wagah on April 2. These will be preceded by a meeting of technical experts on March 18 at Zero Point to remove flaws, if any, and finalise the logistics. The Pakistani officials were told to ensure that places of pilgrimage were not misused for propagating anti-India sentiments and the corridor was not used to push in infiltrators. Das said though the focus remained on facilitating hassle-free access to the shrine, the Pakistani delegates were told that talks and terror cannot go hand in hand and that this meeting should not be seen as a resumption of bilateral dialogue. The meeting was held exactly a month after the February 14 Pulwama attack. Deepak Mittal, MEA Joint Secretary, said: We emphasised that no activity could be allowed which was against the spirit with which the pilgrims would be going to Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. They assured us they would not let their soil be misutilised. Nidhi Khare, Joint Secretary, MHA, said the prime objective was completion of the first phase by September 2019 and visa-free entry. The Indian officials demanded that the pilgrims be also allowed to travel by foot. Passport as the sole identification document was tentatively agreed upon, she said. Indias Demand On number of pilgrims daily Asked for 5,000 pilgrims to begin with and on special occasions, take the number of people to 15,000 Timing and period Asked for keeping the corridor open from dawn to dusk on all 365 days in a year Who all can be allowed Asked for allowing all resident Indian citizens and also Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders Encroachment of land around Gurdwara Registered strong objection over rampant encroachment of land around the gurdwara and asked for its early restoration. The land was donated to the gurdwara by Maharaja Ranjit Singh and other eminent Sikh devotees over a period of time Pakistans Response On number of pilgrims daily Wanted to restrict the number of pilgrims to 500 every day and was silent on the issue of special occasions Timing and period Wanted to limit the pilgrims visit only to visiting days and indicated that it should be done for three to four days a week Who all can be allowed Initially agreed to allow only Sikh pilgrims, but when persuaded agreed to allow Indian citizens only Encroachment of land around Gurdwara editorial@tribune.com London, March 13 British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday said the case of a British Sikh murder suspect lodged in an Indian jail for over a year was being actively dealt with by ministers. Jagtar Singh Johal from Dumbarton in Scotland was arrested by the Indian authorities in November 2017, on charges of fanning communal disturbance in Punjab. His constituencys MP, Scottish National Partys (SNP) Martin Docherty-Hughes, has been lobbying for his release along with his family members and raised the issue in the House of Commons during the weekly Prime Ministers Questions. On Monday, my constituent Jagtar Singh Johal would have been incarcerated for 500 days without trial. He would have suffered trial by media, sanctioned, some would say, by the Indian state, Docherty-Hughes said, calling on May to direct her foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt to take up the case with the Indian government. Ministers are dealing with this. They have been actively involved in this case, May said. One of the ministers is actually dealing with this case and will I am sure will be pleased to meet with him, she said, in reference to the request for a ministerial meeting. Johal, a 31-year-old Scottish-born Sikh, was in Jalandhar with his family for his wedding in October 2017, when he was arrested by police officials in the city. The Punjab government claimed he was among a group of suspects arrested in relation to the murder of Hindu leaders in the state. PTI editorial@tribune.com Kulwinder Sandhu Tribune News Service Moga, March 13 In an apparent violation of the model code of conduct, Congress MLA Dr Harjot Kamal today presided over a function of the Moga Municipal Corporation and handed over at least five tractor-trailers and 200 rehris to the local authorities. These vehicles were purchased under the Swach Bharat Mission and were delivered to the local body on March 10, the date on which the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the dates of the Lok Sabha elections. Senior Deputy Mayor Anil Bansal said funds to the tune of Rs 48 lakh received from the union government under the mission were lying unused in the accounts of the local body for the past three years. Deepinder Singh Sandhu, an independent councillor, questioned the authority of the MLA to hand over these vehicles to the local body at a time when the model code of conduct was in force. AAP spokesman Navdip Singh Sangha alleged that the Congress MLA misused his authority to get publicity for the ruling party and influence the voters. editorial@tribune.com Balwant Garg Tribune News Service Faridkot, March 13 Identifying former Akali MLA Mantar Singh Brar as the prime accused in the police firing on Sikh protesters at Kotkapura on October 14, 2015, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Punjab Police in a sealed cover report to the Faridkot District and Sessions Judge alleged that many persons injured in the incident were not given treatment and their MLRs (medico-legal reports) were not prepared deliberately under police pressure and influence of Brar, then MLA and halqa incharge of Kotkapura. Saying halqa chiefs were in a commanding position, mainly in the matters of police stations at that time, the SIT in its status report to the court revealed that besides the then Chief Minister, Director General of Police (DGP) and all higher-ups in the administration, Mantar was also in touch with the then Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal through his officer on special duty at that time. All this shows his motive and conduct, connecting him with the police firing incident, claimed the SIT. Brars considerable influence over the administrative machinery in decision-making is obvious with the records of phone calls he had made to the DGP between 3.19 am and 3.22 am on October 14, 2015, said the SIT. In its sealed cover status report, the SIT has submitted details of telephone calls between Brar and Station House Officers (SHOs) of Kotkapura and Bajakhana on October 14, 2015 the day when police firing incidents took place at both places. There were a total of 157 telephone calls made and received by Brar from 5 pm, October 13, to 1 pm, October 14. It shows that Brar was in touch with many persons from SHO to DGP and the Chief Minister. During the course of investigation, Brar was summoned two times and he was completely non-cooperative and tried to mislead the inquiry team. It stated that he was a very influential person, in a position to pressure the witness and tamper with the evidence in the case. It said his custodial interrogation was required to find out the truth. Notably, a week after Brar was nominated as an accused in the Kotkapura police firing case, he applied for anticipatory bail in the court of Sessions Judge, Faridkot, on Wednesday. On March 19, the court will hear argument on this application. editorial@tribune.com Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, March 13 More than two years after a dancer, Kulwinder Kaur, was killed during celebratory fire at a wedding in Bathinda, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has rapped the trial court for complete injustice to the prosecution and the victim for not holding trial for murder offence. The trial court has also been asked to tender an explanation within 10 days. The Bench of Justice AB Chaudhari and Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal also directed the state Home Department to identify police officers and persons in the prosecution department, who cleared the charge-sheet for commission of offence under Sections 304 and 336 of the IPC for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and acts endangering life or personal safety of others. An FIR in the matter was registered on December 4, 2016, at the Maur police station in Bathinda district on the allegations that the accused climbed up a stage, took out a pistol and fired, following which the dancer died on the spot. Initially, the FIR was registered for murder and other offences under Sections 302, 336, 148, and 149 of the IPC and the Arms Act. Strangely the murder offence under Section 302 was deleted and reduced to Section 304-A. The charge was, however, framed by the trial court under Sections 304 and 336. Section 304-A entails imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, the term could extend up to life imprisonment in some cases under Section 304. The punishment for murder under Section 302 could be death or imprisonment for life. The victims mother, subsequently, filed an application in the Bathinda Additional Sessions Court for alteration of charge to Section 302 as it was a murder case. The trial court turned down the plea relying on the statement of victims husband Rajinder Singh that the accused had fired in the air. The Bench asserted that it was aghast to see the trial courts attitude in rejecting the mothers plea on flimsy and whimsical grounds. Whether the death was homicidal or accidental depended upon evidence to be tendered before the trial court. It could not have endeavored to frame charge for offence other than murder without recording prosecution evidence, including medical. It is only after the trials conclusion the question will arise whether it was a case of murder, culpable homicide not amounting to murder or accident The Police Department itself decided, though the girl died because of bullet injury, that it was a case of accident. In our opinion neither the Police Department, nor the prosecution have any business to decide whether the death was homicidal, suicidal or accidental and this has to be decided only by the court of law. editorial@tribune.com Aman Sood Tribune News Service Patiala, March 13 Two days after DGP Dinkar Gupta warned officials of a salary cut of Rs 52,000 per constable given by them in an unauthorised manner, over 3,000 cops were summoned at all police districts and battalions today. They have been asked to join their place of postings with immediate effect. About 1,000 persons, a majority of whom are politically connected, were guarded by more than 3,500 Punjab Police personnel drawn from the district cadres and reserved battalions. Sources said many such self-styled VIPs were today seen pleading to keep their illegal security. The security wing of the police, which is not covered under the RTI Act, had given written orders to provide gunmen to VIPs. In many districts, those with political influence continue to get security officials following verbal orders from the police headquarters. Sample this: A Punjab Public Service Commission member has over a dozen gunmen attached with him unofficially as he is related to a senior police officer while his political inclination to the ruling party is an open secret. The chairman of a board aligned with a Cabinet minister, district Congress committee members, retired DSP and above-ranked officials are among the persons enjoying security cover. On March 11, the state DGP stated in a letter that all such officials should withdraw unauthorised security and send a compliance report by March 14 noon. The security wing is under the control of the state government. It has obliged political bosses by providing unwanted security to them. Congress leaders continue to get undue protection while other leaders remain unprotected, said Patiala MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi. Sources said several leaders from the Youth Congress, the Congress, serving and retired bureaucrats, politically connected self-styled leaders and religious heads continue to get security cover on the pretext of threat perception. On an average, a police district has 1,200 to 3,500 personnel on its rolls. While 10 per cent of the force is protecting VIPs officially, five per cent is deployed with self-styled VIPs off the record, said a former IPS officer. vermaajay1968@gmail.com Melbourne, March 13 Cardinal George Pell, the most senior Vatican official to be convicted of sex abuse to date, has been sentenced to six years in prison by an Australian court for the callous assault of two choirboys in the late 1990s. A former senior adviser to Pope Francis, Pell, 77, was found guilty by a jury in December last year. County Court Chief Judge Peter Kidd, while delivering the sentence, described Pells abuse of two choirboys in the sacristy at St Patricks Cathedral in Melbourne as a brazen and forcible sexual attack on the victims. There was a clear relationship of trust with the victims and you breached that trust and abused your position to facilitate this offending, the chief judge said. The brazenness of your conduct is indicative of your sense of authority and power in relation to the victims, he said. Pell will serve a minimum of three years and eight months in jail before he will be eligible for parole. Outside the court, survivors of Catholic sex abuse who had attended the hearing were divided on the sentence. Some felt it was too light, while others were happy to see justice being done. Until last month, Pell held the role of Vatican treasurer, considered by many to be the third most senior position within the Roman Catholic church. PTI monicakchauhan@gmail.com Paris/Addis Ababa, March 14 Two black boxes from the Boeing 737 MAX airplane that crashed in Ethiopia arrived on Thursday in Paris for expert analysis, officials said, as regulators around the world awaited word on whether it was safe to resume flying the jets. A spokesman for Frances BEA air accident investigation agency said the flight data and cockpit voice recorders would be handed over to the agency later in the day. Their data are critical to finding out what caused the brand new aircraft to plunge to the ground shortly after taking off from Addis Ababa on Sunday. Following the lead of other global aviation regulators unnerved by the second crash involving a 737 MAX in less than five months, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued orders on Wednesday for the planes to be grounded. Boeing, which maintained that its planes were safe to fly, said in a statement that it supported the FAA move. Boeing has determined - out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircrafts safety - to recommend to the FAA the temporary suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of 371 737 MAX aircraft. The FAA along with the National Transportation Safety Board, the Ethiopian civil aviation authority, and Boeing, have been investigating the crash at the site, some 60 km (around 40 miles) outside the Ethiopian capital. On Thursday morning in Addis Ababa, grieving relatives of some of the 157 victims of Sundays air disaster boarded buses for a three-hour journey to the crash site. Others described their visit on Wednesday to the arid farmland where the passenger jet crashed. We saw where he died and touched the earth, said Sultan Al-Mutairi, who had come from Riyadh to mourn his brother, Saad, who ran a recruitment agency in Nairobi and perished in the crash. Experts say it could take weeks or months to identify the victims, as their remains were scattered, charred and in fragments due to the impact of the crash and ensuing fire. Investigation Frustration is growing among the families of victims of the crash who are in Addis Ababa. On Thursday morning, some asked Ethiopian Airlines for greater transparency. Both the Ethiopian Airlines crash and a Lion Air crash in Indonesia occurred just minutes after take-off. Fresh information from the wreckage in Ethiopia and newly refined data about the planes flight path indicated some similarities between the two disasters that warrant further investigation of the possibility of a shared cause, the FAA said in a statement. Acting FAA administrator Daniel Elwell said he did not know how long the U.S. grounding of the aircraft would last. A software fix for the 737 MAX that Boeing has been working on since a fatal crash last October in Indonesia will take months to complete, Elwell told reporters on Wednesday. Deliveries of Boeings best-selling 737 MAX jets were effectively frozen, though production continued, after the United States joined a global grounding of the narrow-body model over safety concerns, industry sources said. All 737 MAX jets have now been grounded, flight tracking website FlightRadar24 said. An Air Canada flight from San Francisco to Halifax was the last to land late on Wednesday. With the uncertainty hanging over the 737 MAX, a French presidential source said European planemaker Airbus and Ethiopian Airlines are discussing a possible new contract as part of the airlines fleet overhaul. The official said President Emmanuel Macron and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had spoken about a possible new contract during Macrons visit to Addis Ababa earlier this week. Airlines operating the 737 MAX jets that have been delivered since its 2017 debut said they had cancelled some of their flights and rearranged schedules to use other jets in their fleets. Our goal is to operate our schedule with every available aircraft in our fleet to meet our customers expectations during the busy spring travel season, said US carrier Southwest Airlines Co, the worlds biggest operator of the 737 MAX. Reuters vermaajay1968@gmail.com ADDIS ABABA, March 13 The Ethiopian Airlines pilot whose jet crashed killing 157 people had reported flight-control problems, the company said on Wednesday, as it prepared to send the black boxes to Europe from a disaster that has rocked the global airline industry. The still unexplained crash, just after take-off from Addis Ababa, followed another disaster involving a Boeing 737 MAX in Indonesia five months ago that killed 189 people. Though there is no evidence of links, the twin disasters have spooked passengers worldwide, led to the grounding of most of Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft, and sending shares in the worlds biggest planemaker plunging. The investigation may focus on an automated anti-stall system that dips the aircraft's nose down. Asrat Begashaw, a spokesman for Ethiopia Airlines, said the pilot had reported flight-control problems as opposed to external factors such as birds and had requested to turn back to Addis Ababa. "In fact he was allowed to turn back, he said, adding that a decision where in Europe to send the black boxes would be taken by Thursday. Authorities in France and Britain said they had not been approached yet. Even as many passengers sought reassurances from travel agents that they would not be flying on a 737 MAX, the US held out against suspension and Boeing continued to affirm its full confidence in the model. Reuters pardeepdhull@gmail.com Kuala Lumpur, March 14 Malaysias attorney-general on Thursday rejected Vietnams request to free a woman accused of the murder of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Koreas leader, and a court set April 1 for her trial to resume. Vietnams call had followed Mondays release, at Indonesias request, of an Indonesian woman, who had been accused along with the Vietnamese, Doan Thi Huong. Huong and Siti Aisyah were charged with killing Kim Jong Nam by smearing his face with VX poison, a banned chemical weapon, at Kuala Lumpur airport in February 2017. Its our complaint that the public prosecution has not acted fairly and justly to Doan Thi Huong, her lawyer Hisyam Teh, who asked for an adjournment on the grounds that his client was unwell. Teh told the court the rejection of Vietnams request was perverse, and a case of discrimination, as the attorney-general had favoured one party over another, since the court had ordered both to enter their defence. Vietnams ministers of justice and foreign affairs are communicating with their Malaysian counterparts to secure his clients release, Teh added. Prosecutors had sprung a surprise on Monday by asking the court to drop the charge against Siti Aisyah and free her. The Indonesian embassy flew her to Jakarta the same day. The trial featured airport video recordings of two women allegedly assaulting Kim Jong Nam while he prepared to check in for a flight. In one, a woman identified as Huong puts her hands on Kims face, while a blurry image shows someone the prosecution identified as Siti Aisyah hurrying away. Teh rejected speculation that Siti Aisyahs release was due to a lack of video evidence against her, saying the court had already established a case against both. So it makes no difference whatsover if Doans image was caught on the CCTV camera, none at all, he said after the hearing. Defence lawyers have maintained the women were pawns in an assassination orchestrated by North Korean agents. The North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur was defaced with graffiti just hours before the trial was to resume. Interpol had issued a red notice for four North Koreans identified as suspects by Malaysian police who had left the country hours after the murder. After the ruling, Huong was seen sobbing as she spoke with Vietnamese embassy officials, before being whisked away by police. In Vietnam, Huongs stepmother, Nguyen Thi Vy, said the decision saddened her. I dont understand why the other girl was released, but not my daughter, Vy told Reuters after the decision. They were charged with the same thing, its such an injustice. Kim Jong Nam was living in exile in Macau before the killing, having fled his homeland after his half-brother Kim Jong Un became North Koreas leader in 2011 following their fathers death. Some South Korean lawmakers said the North Korean regime had ordered the assassination of Kim Jong Nam, who had been critical of his familys dynastic rule. Pyongyang has denied this. Reuters gspannu7@gmail.com Oslo, March 14 Greta Thunberg, the Swedish schoolgirl climate campaigner who has inspired worldwide protests, should be awarded this years Nobel Peace prize, Norwegian lawmakers said on Thursday. We have proposed Greta Thunberg because if we do nothing to halt climate change it will be the cause of wars, conflict and refugees, Norwegian Socialist MP Freddy Andre Ovstegard told AFP. Greta Thunberg has launched a mass movement which I see as a major contribution to peace, he added. Six months ago no one knew who Thunberg was when, as a 15-year-old, she camped outside Swedens parliament next to a hand-written sign: SCHOOL STRIKE FOR CLIMATE. Since then she has gone global, striking a chord with younger people disillusioned by the slow progress of the adult world in halting climate change. On Friday, thousands of students are expected to demonstrate in more than 100 countries in what activists say could be a milestone moment in a grassroots campaign to push world leaders into doing more. We are only seeing the beginning, Thunberg, now 16, tweeted recently. I think that change is on the horizon and the people will stand up for their future. AFP pardeepdhull@gmail.com Kathmandu, March 14 A passenger bus carrying a wedding procession was torched by the workers of a radical Maoist party in Western Nepal protesting against the governments move to ban their party. The cadres of CPN-Maoist led by Netra Bikram Chand, a faction of the previous Maoist party, torched the bus after the passengers were taken out of the vehicle in Badaipur of Kailali district, police said. The bus was completely damaged in the incident. Three persons were taken into police custody while they were trying to stop vehicles. Major cities of Nepal were partially affected as the CPN-Maoist enforced a nation-wide strike after the government decided to put a ban on the party. The Nepal Communist Party was formed after the then Maoist Party broke-off into groups. The government after a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday banned the radical Maoist party after it carried out a series of bomb attacks in the capital Kathmandu. The government said that the Chand-led group was engaged in criminal activities by detonating bombs at infrastructure projects and disturbing peace and security. The announcement was made after the governments efforts to hold talks with the party failed. One person was killed and two others injured last month when the Communist Party of Nepal, led by the former Maoist guerrilla, detonated a bomb outside the office of a telecom company in Kathmandu. Maoist rebels fought an armed insurgency against state security forces between 1996 and 2006 that killed more than 16,000 people. A peace accord was signed in November 2006. PTI pardeepdhull@gmail.com Washington, March 14 The United States issued an emergency order to ground all Boeing 737 Max aircraft, a decision a number of countries, including India, have taken following the second deadly crash of the plane in less than five months in Ethiopia. "All those planes are grounded immediately," US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday. The United States is one of the major last countries to have taken a decision to ground Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 aircraft. These planes would be grounded till further orders, he said. Several other countries, including India, China and all of Europe, have ordered the jets off air after the crash of a Boeing 737 Max 8 in Ethiopia on Sunday. The aircraft crashed minutes after takeoff, killing all 157 people on board. Four Indians were among those killed. That crash was the second involving the jet, after a 787 Max operated by Lion Air, an Indonesian carrier, crashed into the Java Sea in October similarly and 189 people died. Trump's announcement came as political and international pressure on the airliner started to build. He said all 737 Max planes currently in the air would be grounded upon reaching their destination. Boeing, the company, agree with the action, he added. "Safety is our paramount concern," Trump added. He expressed hope that Boeing will get to the bottom of the problem with the planes, but until then the jets will remain grounded. Boeing said "out of an abundance of caution", it has decided to recommend to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) the temporary suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of the jets. "On behalf of the entire Boeing team, we extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in these two tragic accidents," said Dennis Muilenburg, president, CEO, and chairman of Boeing Company. "We are supporting this proactive step out of an abundance of caution. Safety is a core value at Boeing for as long as we have been building airplanes; and it always will be. There is no greater priority for our company and our industry. We are doing everything we can to understand the cause of the accidents in partnership with the investigators, deploy safety enhancements and help ensure this does not happen again," he said. The FAA has ordered the temporary grounding of Boeing 737 Max operated by US airlines or in US territory. The agency made this decision as a result of the data gathering process and new evidence collected at the site and analyzed ann Wednesday. This evidence, together with newly refined satellite data available to FAA, led to this decision, it said. The grounding will remain in effect pending further investigation, including examination of information from the aircraft's flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders. The FAA had said a tweet earlier Wednesday that its "review shows no systematic performance issues and provides no basis to order grounding the aircraft". It, however, had added that it will take "immediate and appropriate action" if issues affecting the airworthiness of the aircraft were identified. An FAA team is in Ethiopia assisting the National Transportation Safety Board as parties to the investigation of the Flight 302 accident. The agency will continue to investigate. PTI IF you need to get an MRI scan at a public hospital, you may be in for a long wait. The South-West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) says it has a waiting list that goes to December 2022 for people to access MRI services. Speaking during a Public Administration and Appropriations Committee meeting on Wednesday evening, SWRHA director of Health Dr Pravinde Ramoutar said the Authority has been faced with challenges in providing this service, and there is little capacity at the other RHAs. It is your duty as Prime Minister and Minister of Health to provide whats best for your citizens. The jabs have been provided and are still available to all who want it. But what about those who do not want it? In a small village in Tanzania, several women particularly those who are widowed and single have found good use of tobacco to kill their sexual urge. Zaituni Shabani, a widow from Tabora province confessed she grounds dried tobacco leaves which she inserts in her private parts sometimes at least twice a week. Send 'NEWS' to 40227 to receive all the important breaking news as it happens. READ ALSO: Thika: Yaya mkatili ampasua mtoto usoni, anyunyizia kidonda chumvi Women who use grounded tobacco leaves say it reduces their sexual urge. Photo: Doctors Online. Source: UGC READ ALSO: Nairobi man lures ex-lover to bed only to bite off her private parts Zaituni told BBC News upon losing her husband, she opted to remain single and take care of her children without having to start a new life with another man and to suppress her urges, she uses tobacco. However, this does not come easy as she admitted it leaves her with itchy genitalia. "I usually rub the powder on my private part twice a week for a short time before washing them off. Sometimes it gets so itchy upon use but no much pain once my libido goes down," she confessed. Health experts warn those inserting any foreign object in their genitals are at high risk of interfering with Ph of virginal fluids leaving them susceptible to infections. 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. The Kenyan Man With No Penis | Tuko TV Source: Tuko Breaking News The following is a release by the Elections and Boundaries Commission on the recount request HABARI HIZI ZINAPATIKANA KWENYE APP YA UDAKU SPECIAL, BONYEZA HAPA KUIDOWNLOAD KWENYE SIMU YAKO BURE Join AJIRA YAKO Group for Daily Job Updates CLICK HERE Jussie Smollett?s Empire character could be recast or killed off amidst ongoing court case over his ?fake hate crime? attackIt has been claimed that Jussie Smolletts Empire character could be recast or even killed off amidst the ongoing court case over his fake hate crime attackThe 36-year-old actor is facing 16 Class 4 Felony charges for disorderly conduct for filing a false report that he was the victim of an assault in Chicago with two men allegedly beating him and shouting racist and homophobic slurs.He was later arrested with authorities claiming he staged the attack on himself.Now Variety is reporting that his return to the FOX show is up in the air because many options are on the table, and it is possible the character could be killed off or the role could be recast.Jussie Smollett is due back in court on Thursday, March 14, 2019. HABARI HIZI ZINAPATIKANA KWENYE APP YA UDAKU SPECIAL, BONYEZA HAPA KUIDOWNLOAD KWENYE SIMU YAKO BURE Join AJIRA YAKO Group for Daily Job Updates CLICK HERE Wednesday March 13, 2019-Families affected in the Ethiopian Airlines crash that left 157 dead on Sunday may never get their loved ones for burial.According to the reports, it may take several months for experts to match all body parts for DNA testing, a move that could hinder any burial arrangements for those who died.Only pieces of bodies were recovered from the crash scene with some others burning beyond recognition, another reason why it would not be easy to get bodies for burial.Besides, most bodies got incinerated on the impact beyond recognition and therefore no remains.Relatives of one of the victims, Mama Sahra Hassan, for instance, camped at the Kenyan Embassy help desk.Her son, Khalid Abdikadir Mohamed shared his frustration over the slow release of information on his mother and brother.We are here hoping that we would have a clear indication of where matters stand but we cannot even get a confirmation if we will be taken to the accident scene, said Mohamed.Mr. Opher Dach, an Israeli diplomat, shared the pain of failing to live up to the Judaism teachings on treating the dead, unable to comprehend that there would be no remains to take back home after all.We are here to help find our people, among the others, so that we can bury them according to our religion, Dach said. The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Martin Sajdik called for a ceasefire in Donbas. "Unfortunately, the results of the truce do not satisfy despite the fact that in the first days of the truce the number of ceasefire violations was reduced by 61% compared to the beginning of the month," he said, BelTA reported. Sajdik called on the parties to the conflict to take urgent steps to ensure a ceasefire. As a reminder, the security subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group agreed to introduce a ceasefire regime in Donbas from March 8 with no time limits. At the same time, from the beginning of the day, Russian occupation forces launched two attacks on positions of Ukrainian troops in the area of Avdiivka and Marinka, wounding two servicemen. ish The Marine Corps of the Ukrainian Navy will take part in the international exercise Platinum Eagle-2019 in Romania, the Defense Ministry has reported. "The representatives of the 503d Marine Corps Separate Battalion of the Ukrainian Navy went to Romania to participate in the multinational international exercise Platinum Eagle 2019," the report says. The training will last until March 22, 2019. It will be also attended by representatives of the Armed Forces of the United States, Georgia, Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova. The Ukrainian marines will join a number of international exercises during this year. ish Ghana, Accra Top-ranking government officials, policy makers and ministerial representatives from across the world will be in Ghana for the Africa Climate Week from 18-22 March. Multi-lateral organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the World Bank, will join investors and other key stakeholders to advance national climate action plans or the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the climate change conference (COP24), held late last year in Katowice, Poland, urged stakeholders to work towards an outcome to waste this opportunity in Katowice would compromise our last best chance to stop runaway climate change. The next UN climate change conference - COP25, recently announced to be taking place in Chile this December - will be the pinnacle of the year where governments true ambitions towards tackling climate change will be clarified on the international stage. The UN Secretary Generals Climate Summit in September, attended by world leaders, presents a final opportunity urge governments to raise ambition and deliver at COP25. In the build-up to these global events, a series of Regional Climate Weeks are scheduled in Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The Africa Climate Week is the first of opportunity this year to beat the drum on climate change, and build on the growing understanding of our need to drastically increase our climate action on the ground. Climate change is the single greatest challenge humanity has ever faced, threatening water and food security, health, livelihoods, and the safety of billions of people, stated Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, UN Assistant Secretary General and Director of UNDPs Development Policy Bureau. Financing the global transition to a low-carbon and climate resilient economy will require an investment of at least 60 trillion USD. The 100 billion USD per year financing commitment from the public sector must be used to strategically leverage and de-risk private investment to accelerate climate action. We need to urgently invest in new technologies where they are needed the most. This why the investment focus of this Africa Climate Week is so necessary and welcomed. Ghana NDC Investment Forum Some 85 to 90 percent of the funds needed to achieve the Paris Agreement goals are going to come from the private sector, and with current flows far from sufficient, getting investors and policy makers together is critical. This is why the Government of Ghana and UNDP are organising an NDC Investment Forum to take place during the Africa Climate Week, in collaboration with the UNFCCC. The aim of the two-day forum, March 18 19 will discuss ways to crowding-in private sector investment for projects in Ghana that are financially viable, and that also deliver the climate solutions Ghana pledged in their NDC. Ghana is a regional champion in engaging the private sector in its approach to climate change, and UNDP has been working with the government to support these efforts. A recent workshop was piloted in Ghana explaining how to turn national climate action plans NDCs into a set of projects that can be marketed to investors. At the NDC Investment Forum, a number of initiatives are expected to take place: The launch of Ghanas NDC implementation plan with national priority; Ghanas Macro-Economic Investment Environment: Setting the Scene for Institutional Investors; Discussions on stripping away investment risks and crowd-in private sector finance; The presentation of projects by ministerial representatives to private investors; and Introducing innovative tool for Ghanaian enterprises to manage their SDG impacts and increase their ability to contribute towards the NDC and SDGs. And we look forward to welcoming a number of key institutions and stakeholders, such as: Minister of Planning, Government of Ghana Special Advisor on SDGs to Minister of Finance, Government of Ghana Bank of Ghana Association of Bankers, Representative Principal Climate Change and Green Growth Officer, African Development Bank Resident Representative, International Monetary Fund UNDP Resident Representative, Ghana United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Representative Follow the Africa Climate Week on Twitter via the hashtag #AfricaClimateWeek and @UNDPClimate For more information, please contact: Praise Nutakor, UNDP Ghana, +233-244093010, praise.nutakor@undp.org Sangita Khadka, UNDP New York, +1 212 906 5043, sangita.khadka@undp.org Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my great pleasure to welcome you to this side-event in the margins of the 63rd United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. The United Nations Development Programme is honoured to join the Permanent Missions of Norway and Sri Lanka in hosting this discussion. It is my honour to welcome: Ms. Mari Skare, Deputy Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations; Mrs. Swarna Sumanasekera, Chairperson of the National Committee on Women of Sri Lanka, (on behalf of the Hon. Chandrani Bandara, Minister of Women and Child Affairs of Sri Lanka); Hon. Aida Kasymalieva, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic; Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay, Chair of the Womens Caucus, Parliament of Sierra Leone. I also acknowledge Ms. Sepali Kottegoda, Director of Programmes, Women and Media Collective, Sri Lanka, and Mr. Charles Chauvel, team leader of the Inclusive Political Processes team (GP / BPPS) at UNDP who will moderate the panel discussion. The focus of the 63rd CSW is on social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Social insecurity and conflict are linked: we know a lack of social protection and social safety nets for women and girls leaves them more vulnerable and are often disproportionately impacted by conflict. In some regions and countries, where there is a nexus of conflict and violent extremism, womens equal access to public services, social protection and basic infrastructure is rolled back or non-existent. Over the past 18 years, the global understanding of the gendered nature of conflict has grown substantially, in large part due to the Women, Peace and Security agenda (WPS agenda), which has since been reaffirmed in the Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace Agenda, as well as in the 2030 Agenda and its 17 SDGs. Yet, there remains a gap between the ambition of our commitments on one hand, and on the other, the necessary political will and financial support to take the WPS agenda forward. While many countries have made WPS commitments, implementation of the agenda needs continuous support at the national level. Only 43 percent of WPS National Action Plans (NAPs) include an allocated budget for their implementation, and 28% of NAPs do not include measures for their monitoring and evaluation. In assessing reasons for slow progress, we noted little or no engagement of national parliaments and their members, who are naturally positioned to accelerate the implementation of the WPS agenda. After all, they are mandated to oversee the executive branch and national budgets, pass laws and act as a bridge between governments and citizens. Recognizing the need for greater engagement of parliaments and civil society is a powerful way of promoting participation of women and girls in all aspects of peace and security. Over the past few years, UNDP has sought to re-orient its parliamentary strengthening work toward supporting parliaments and their members to take a meaningful and proactive role in advancing the Sustaining Peace and 2030 Agendas. This effort has been consolidated in our Global Project on the Role of Parliamentarians as Partners for Women, Peace and Security. This event showcases the real-life experiences from the Global Project. Over the past year, the Global Project has been piloted in the legislatures of three countries: Kyrgyzstan, Sierra Leone and Sri Lanka. It was made possible thanks to the continued support from the Government of Norway. The experience from each pilot country offers us a new and different insight into how the engagement of parliaments can produce unique results on women, peace and security: In Sierra Leone, the Parliament passed a historical resolution on WPS - a major step forward for womens rights in the country; In Kyrgyzstan, the Parliament has developed its own Parliamentary WPS Road Map, which identifies specific actions for MPs to prioritize; In Sri Lanka, MPs have worked to integrate WPS issues and responses sectorally through multiple national development frameworks, rather than a standalone WPS plan. The project owes its success largely to the engagement and support of todays panelists, who have championed WPS through their respective ministries, parliaments and organizations. This would not be possible without the continued support from the Government of Norway. I look forward to a more in-depth discussion of their experiences working on WPS at the national level, lessons learned and challenges ahead. It is my hope that todays discussion will leave us a clear way forward on how UN entities, governments and civil society can better work together to implement the objectives of the women, peace and security agenda, with the ultimate aim to support womens access to social protection and good quality public services, and full and equal participation in all levels of peace and security efforts. Thank you. Distinguished Delegates, I was in Syria last week. In Damascus, in Homs and rural Hama, I was struck - and humbled - by the extraordinary resilience of people who have lived through experiences almost beyond contemplation; and yet, are determined to rebuild their lives and their communities. Furthermore, amidst grave destruction, areas of remaining insecurity, and lack of basic essentials, including food, medicine, jobs and water, many Syrians are returning home. Humanitarian and other agencies are doing what they can, but as large numbers of internally displaced people, and some refugees, are making this difficult decision and are returning home, the needs increase. Last week, I also visited Lebanon, one of the five neighbouring countries that together still host more than 5.6 million Syrians - with deep generosity, in very difficult circumstances. There, as in Turkey, in Jordan, in Iraq and in Egypt, despite progress in some areas, life remains a daily struggle for Syrian refugees and the urban and rural communities who host them - their infrastructure, services and local economies remaining under immense strain. If there is a message that must come from this conference, it is that the generosity of host countries must not be taken for granted. The so-called 3RP, co-led by UNHCR and UNDP, together with some 270 partners, has raised over the years over US$12 billion. And much more has been provided directly to host governments through bilateral and multilateral channels and some very innovative financing arrangements in which the World Bank has played a very important role. I wish to thank you all for your sustained and generous support. And this support must continue. The needs are becoming more, not less severe. The assets of refugees are depleted. In all the five countries, the majority are in a situation poverty. Children have been, and continue to be, among the most heavily affected - losing out on education and other childhood investments. Bright futures blighted and possibilities taken away. And as I have seen once again in my last visit last week, women and girls are the most exposed. So, I agree with those who said that a search for solutions for Syrians is more urgent than ever, and also, I would like to stress this year more than last year that this moment of transition has very complex implications. In this context, I have three requests to make and I am glad to say that they match very much what the representatives of the host countries have said. First: renewed and more predictable support has to be provided to neighbouring host countries. Refugee returns I believe will increase as the situation evolves, but large-scale movements back home will take some more time. But returns will continue and increase, In the meantime, that support to neighbouring countries must be renewed, so that they can sustain that hospitality until it is necessary. The 3RP programme we are presenting is one of the most collaborative and innovative refugee support instruments globally, because it combines humanitarian and development approaches, in support of national efforts. US$5.5 billion are required this year to help 9.4 million people, including refugees and host communities. Policy investments are needed to expand refugee access to public services, including education and health, and give access until it is necessary to jobs. Jordan and Turkey are to be commended for the tens of thousands of work permits that were issued. And again, in Lebanon I saw how schools are operating double shifts to accommodate Syrian children. Egypt and Iraq, (and I was also in Egypt recently) are pursuing inclusive policies. But these need more predictable investments, including from development actors. The investments made since the London Conference in particular have been substantial, but the concrete dividends are not yet visible to all. And you heard what host country leaders said, it is becoming a difficult sell for them to tell their populations that they have to continue to host large numbers of Syrians. My second message, echoed one made by the Foreign Minister of Turkey, is that we need more refugee resettlement places . Because they are a lifeline for the most vulnerable and a key mechanism in the spirit of the Global Compact on Refugees for responsibility sharing. The number of places has plummeted in the last two years, with now just one in 200 refugees resettled annually. And other complementary pathways like training schemes and scholarships are also needed. My third and last request is to place refugees and the internally displaced at the centre of return preparations. Most refugees as we know, see their future back home inside Syria. We know of 56,000 who have returned through organized movements last year but the number is surely higher as I heard in Lebanon. And then we should not forget that 1.2 million (internally) displaced people have already returned home. As refugees weigh the prospects of return, security, property rights, legal documentation and military service requirements in Syria are all the key considerations. And so are of course, jobs, shelter and access basic services. If you speak to any refugee in any of the neighboring countries, this is what they will tell you. I am pleased to say that we are working with the Government of Syria, and others. And I would particularly like to thank the Russian Federation for their cooperation in addressing the concerns that refugees are articulating in respect of return. This of course must take place alongside broader efforts to rebuild peace and stability and give people the means to rebuild their lives. One key issue is that access of UNHCR and humanitarian organizations to areas of return in Syria will be essential and must be given more predictably and more broadly in order to build the confidence that is required. And then of course, returns must continue to be, as they have been so far, voluntary, well-informed, and not shaped by political considerations. Talking to refugees, placing their perspectives, rights and interests at the centre of decision-making will continue to be critical as is humanitarian support and support for initial reintegration to those that are returning. This is a crucial moment. The Global Compact on Refugees that the General Assembly endorsed last December, was shaped largely by experiences in this region and with Syrian refugees. And it is grounded in a commitment to responsibility sharing. Let's ensure that here where these concepts were born in this region, this commitment is sustained, and the Compact made real, through support and solidarity with the Syrian people, with the host communities and with the host countries. Thank you. Jacqueline Muhimpundu came to Rwanda in 2015, fleeing the insecurity and violence in her home country Burundi together with her children. Her husband was left behind, and she doesnt know if he is alive or not. I have had no news from him since January 2016. I dont know where he is, says Jacqueline who lives alone with her four children and supports them on her own. Back in Burundi, Jacqueline was selling fabrics in the market, but in Rwanda she has created her own business, building on skills she was taught with help from UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, when she was forced to flee to Kenya years ago. Now, Jacqueline has become a refugee for the third time in her life but she is also an entrepreneur, growing her own soap production business. When I arrived in Rwanda, that was the first thing I thought about, because I knew that I already had the skills, Jacqueline explains. We believe that with their skills and a business mindset refugees can really contribute to the development of the country. And they can become self-reliant. She is one of many refugees in Rwanda who have benefitted greatly from the training programs offered by Inkomoko, a partner to UNHCR. Inkomoko is the Rwandan affiliate of the African Entrepreneur Collective and they work with both local and refugee entrepreneurs. When refugees arrive, they come with a skill set. They are here because they need security, but we believe that with their skills and a business mindset they can really contribute to the development of the country. And they can become self-reliant, Lydia Irambona, director for Special Projects and Government Relation at Inkomoko, explains. Last year, 1.699 refugee entrepreneurs graduated Inkomokos program thus completing training in all aspects of running a business: From book keeping and sales to marketing and customer care. We basically teach them how to do business in Rwanda including the dos and donts of being an entrepreneur. We are working with businesses from all kinds of sectors agriculture, retail, wholesale, restaurants and fashion, says Lydia Irambona. Jacqueline Muhimpundu fled Burundi in 2015 with her children and came to Rwanda. She produces soap, and since she joined the program with Inkomoko, her business has seen big and positives changes. She has been able to move into a bigger house with her family, and she now has 5 employees, including locals. UNHCRs partner Inkomoko in Rwanda is training local and refugee entrepreneurs, enabling them to grow their businesses thus improving their own situation as well as creating jobs for others. Last year, the refugee entrepreneurs graduating Inkomokos program in total created more than 2.400 jobs. Photo UNHCR / Hector Perez. We believe that with their skills and a business mindset refugees can really contribute to the development of the country. And they can become self-reliant, Lydia Irambona explains. She is director of Special Projects and Government Relations at Inkomoko. Photo UNHCR / Hector Perez. The program is free of cost for the refugees the funding comes partly from UNHCR and partly from other donors and partners such as Master Card. But the value speaks loudly in the results. The growing businesses create jobs in 2017, a total of 2.492 jobs were created by refugee entrepreneurs and they experience major increases in revenue and growth as well, the statistics from Inkomoko show. According to Lydia Irambona, the recruitment of approximately 1.600 new refugee entrepreneurs to enroll in the training in 2019 is well underway and in addition, Inkomoko is soon to expand their activities to Kenya, opening a new branch in Kakuma Refugee Camp. With the influx of refugees in many countries, and the refugee crisis being worldwide, expanding Inkomokos services in other countries will be a way of showing that refugees are dignified people who can be self-reliant if they are given the opportunities like any other citizens, she says. My hope for the future is that I can grow my capital and my business, so that I can open more branches. For Jacqueline Muhimpundu the training with Inkomoko has left a significant mark on her business and hereby her ability to improve the living conditions for her family and herself. Since I joined the program I can see a big difference in my business. I started out alone producing the soap in a small room next to the room where I slept with my children. Now that I have grown my business, I have been able to employ staff to support me in the company, and I can afford a bigger house for my family, says Jacqueline. She currently has five employees, two other refugees and three local Rwandese, but her ambitions dont stop here: My hope for the future is that I can grow my capital and my business, so that I can open more branches. I want to expand outside of Kigali and to other countries. I want to open my business in Burundi, when peace comes back. With UNHCRs refugee response in Rwanda being seriously underfunded, the activities and operation are highly dependent on the unearmarked funding, coming from donors like Denmark. In 2017, Denmark was UNHCRs 6th largest donor of unearmarked funding. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi meets with Syrian refugees in Bhannine, in northern Lebanon, in March 2019. UNHCR/Andrew McConnell BRUSSELS, Belgium Delegates to a major EU and United Nations donor conference in Brussels today pledged more than US$7 billion in 2019 for the critical life-saving response inside Syrian as well as for support to refugees. The total set a new record. The money will also help five neighbouring countries Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt that are hosting refugees. These pledges amount to nearly US$1 billion more than donors pledged in 2018. In his concluding remarks, Under-Secretary-General and UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock said: "I am very pleased with the outcome. We want to thank you for your generosity. Your support will help save millions of lives and protect civilians across Syria and the region." Participants at the three-day meeting additionally announced multi-year pledges of US$2.37 billion for 2020-2021 and beyond. More than 11 million people inside Syria need humanitarian aid and assistance is a lifeline to alleviate some of the worst effects of the conflict, said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Another 5.6 million Syrians have fled to neighbouring countries, with no idea when they will be able to return home in safety and dignity. The United Nations and its partners are providing life-saving aid, including food, clean water, health care and protection assistance, to millions of people each month, Guterres said in a video message to the conference on Tuesday. Almost half of the people in need of assistance are children. Five million people are in areas of most acute need, while millions more are internally displaced. Of them, 1.1 million people are in areas categorized as hard to reach. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, visited Syria and Lebanon last week to get a sense of the scale of the need. I was struck and humbled by the extraordinary resilience of people who have lived through experiences almost beyond contemplation; and yet, are determined to rebuild their lives and their communities, Grandi told the conference on Thursday, in the wake of his visit to Damascus, Homs and rural Hama. He also noted that many Syrians are returning home, even amid grave destruction, areas of remaining insecurity and lack of basic essentials, including water, food, medicine and jobs. Humanitarian and other agencies are doing what they can, but the needs will increase as large numbers of internally displaced people, and some refugees, return. See also: Syrian family come home to a town ravaged by war Returns will continue and increase. In the meantime, that support to neighbouring countries must be renewed, so that they can sustain that hospitality until it is necessary, Grandi said. Grandi spelled out three priorities for future assistance. First, he called for renewed and more predictable support for neighbouring host countries. Second, he said there should be more resettlement places for refugees as well as complementary pathways such as scholarships and training schemes. Resettlement is key to responsibility sharing but the number of places has plummeted in the last two years, with just one in 200 refugees resettled annually. Finally, he called for refugees and the internally displaced at the centre of preparations for return, given that most Syrian refugees see their future back home. Syria remains one of the great crises of our time, Lowcock said. Syrians many of us listened to as part of this conferences Days of Dialogue left a single stark message ringing in our ears: they want to live in safety. A Chin child peers out the doorway of the refugee-run school she attends in Malaysia, January 2009. UNHCR/Ted Adnan In response to the worsening security situation in southern Chin State in Myanmar, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has affirmed that Chin refugees may still have ongoing international protection needs. As a result, the Agency will be maintaining their refugee status. There are currently more than 18,000 Chin refugees registered with UNHCR, the vast majority (more than 15,000) living in Malaysia, with smaller numbers in India, Thailand and Nepal. In mid-2018, based on an analysis of conditions inside Chin State and Sagaing Region of Myanmar, UNHCR began a review process of Chin refugees to re-evaluate their continued protection needs. Since then, UNHCR received a number of new reports and assessments, which did not support its original conclusion of fundamental and durable changes in Chin State and Sagaing Region. The agency had also noted specific concerns raised by the Chin community and civil society organizations. UNHCR has been particularly concerned by the worsening security situation in southern Chin State. The agency issued a public statement expressing its deep concern about the humanitarian impact of continuing violence and the displacement of people. As a result of these deteriorating conditions, UNHCR has decided to halt the individual review process for Chin refugees. We recognize that Chin refugees may still require international protection due to the worsening security situation in southern Chin State in Myanmar, which has resulted in new displacement, said Volker Turk, Assistant High Commissioner (Protection) for UNHCR. The decision to reassess our overall approach is in line with our stated commitment at the very start of the review process that UNHCR would continue to monitor developments and revisit our position if warranted. Although UNHCR offices in countries hosting Chin refugees began counselling and individual reviews of Chin refugees last year, no final decisions on status were made. No Chin refugee had lost their refugee status as a result of the revised processing approach, which is now being halted. As with all refugees, UNHCR will continue to work towards maximizing solutions for the Chin, including voluntary repatriation when conditions for sustainable return in safety and dignity allow. UNHCR remains grateful to countries hosting Chin refugees for their continued generosity in extending protection to this and other groups of refugees from Myanmar. Newsnote: 8 February UNHCR statement on escalating conflict in southern Chin State: Media contacts: UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie speaks with Syrian children at Za'atari camp in Jordan, January 2018. UNHCR/Ivor Prickett Geneva, 14 March Violence and destruction in Syria continue to inflict suffering on millions of Syrian people, warned the UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie today, marking the eighth anniversary of the Syrian conflict. Half of Syrias population has been forcefully displaced since the start of the crisis in March 2011. More than 5.6 million Syrians live as refugees across the region. Millions more are internally displaced. Special Envoy Jolie said: My thoughts are with the Syrian people as we mark yet another year of devastating conflict. In particular, I think of the millions of Syrians struggling as refugees in the region and beyond, all the families displaced inside the country, and all those who have endured injury, trauma, hunger and the loss of family members. Millions of Syrians have played no part in the war but live with its terrible consequences. It is impossible to describe the resilience and dignity of the Syrian families I have met. Every Syrian refugee I have spent time with over the last eight years, young and old, has spoken of longing for peace in Syria so that they can safely return home. Some have already started going back internally displaced families and, to a lesser extent, refugees. It is critical that returns are driven by refugees themselves, based on informed decisions, and not by politics. Talking to refugees and placing their perspectives and concerns at the centre of future return planning is vital it is a question of rights. In the meantime, the gap between what Syrian refugees and IDPs need to survive, and the humanitarian assistance available to them, is growing by the day. There are Syrians inside the country who are trying to rebuild their lives around the rubble, without the necessary support. Millions of Syrian refugee families are living beneath the poverty line, and wake each day not knowing if they will find food or medicine for their children, and struggling with debt accumulated during eight years of exile. Women and girls face additional burdens, including severely limited work opportunities and sexual and gender-based violence, such as forced and early marriage, sexual abuse and exploitation, and domestic violence. The host countries Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt have done so much to help refugees, but they are in severe need of financing to enable them to continue to support millions of refugees and assist their local populations in coping with the economic and social pressures. While the conflict continues and until Syrians are able to return to their homes, the least we can do is to try to meet these urgent humanitarian needs: to minimize as much as we can the human suffering, and to try to mitigate some of the damage caused by these eight lost years of senseless conflict. This is the bare minimum that we can do for a people who deserve so much more: the right to live in peace and security and dignity in their country. Half of the land parcels are distributed to displaced families and their hosts while the other half are sold by the local authorities or used for public infrastructure, benefitting the local economy. The income generated is also reinvested into basic social services. Following the success of the first phase of the project (2014 to 2016), the second phase launched in late 2016, involved the construction of housing for the most vulnerable beneficiaries. This phase had multiple benefits including not only the provision of sustainable housing, but also the creation of employment for the local population, as well as refugees and internally displaced populations. By the end of 2016, there were a total of 5,000 land parcels created in seven different municipalities in the Diffa region. To date, over 2,000 land parcels have been distributed to vulnerable families, whilst the construction of sustainable long-term housing continues. For the second phase of the project (2017 to 2018), an additional 6,000 parcels will be developed and it is planned to construct 4,000 houses. The project will provide employment in the region approximately 3,000 local and displaced people will be trained and employed in the various stages of the project. National training workshops present in the communes will also specialise in architecture skills. Almost US$7.5 million will be allocated for the completion of the Podilsko-Voskresensky Bridge. Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers will give Kyiv's authorities UAH 200 million (US$7.4 million) for the construction of the Podilsko-Voskresensky Bridge and UAH 200 million (US$7.4 million) for the construction of a section of the Syretsko-Pecherska subway line from the Syrets station to the Vynohradar residential area in Kyiv's Podilsky district. "Kyiv should be the pearl of Europe, and in ten years it should become the pearl of the world. Therefore, I will now give instructions to the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Infrastructure and to all those concerned. We will examine technical capabilities together with Kyiv City Administration to provide more support for the implementation of these important projects," Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said at a government meeting on Wednesday. Read alsoKyiv authorities to announce massive launch of single e-tickets for all city commute Prior to that, Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko had filed a motion, seeking the government's support in financing of the construction of the bridge and the subway line. "I'm present at this government meeting to ask you to consider an important issue for the city of Kyiv. Despite the fact that in recent years many roads have been built, the situation in the transport sector in the capital remains complicated. Thanks to the support of the Cabinet, Kyiv has resumed the construction of such strategic facilities as the Podilsko-Voskresensky Bridge and the Syretsko-Pecherska subway line. To complete the projects, I ask to give Kyiv funds from the national budget in the amount of UAH 200 million for the Podilsko-Voskresensky Bridge and UAH 200 million for the subway in Vynohradar," Klitschko said. As UNIAN reported earlier, the Kyiv Metropoliten (subway) company on November 20, 2018, hired OJSC KyivMetroBud to build the subway line. According to tender documents, the expected budget is almost UAH 6 billion (US$222 million). UNIAN memo. The construction of the Podilsko-Voskresensky Bridge on Kyiv's Trukhaniv Island began on December 28, 2003. It will consist of a vehicle lane and a subway line. This will be the city's fourth subway line, which will connect Kyiv's right bank with the Troieshchyna residential area on the left bank. The construction of the bridge was frozen for some time due to lack of funding. As of 2017, according to KyivDorMistProject Institute, the bridge was 65% ready. In 2018, the construction accelerated. Kyiv's authorities want to launch vehicle traffic along the bridge before 2021. Ukraine demands the release of 19 Ukrainian civilians and military servicemen illegally held in the occupied areas of Donbas. First Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's representative to the humanitarian team of the Tripartite Contact Group on the Donbas settlement, Iryna Gerashchenko, says the Ukrainian side is ready to hand over to Russia 25 Russian nationals and grant pardon to 72 militants in exchange for 19 civilians and soldiers held in Donbas. "Key point: we insist on unlocking the release process. And we are ready within a few following days to hand over to Russia 25 Russian nationals in exchange for our people and pardon 72 separatists in exchange for 19 civilians and illegally held detainees in the occupied Donbas. Cease the illegal holding of Ukrainians in Russian prisons and those in Russia-occupied Donbas," Gerashchenko wrote on Facebook Wednesday. Read alsoUkrainian sailors captured by Russia could be considered POWs OHCHR "We also express our protest and indignation at the fact that militants give hostages no right to a phone call and correspondence. The last time our people called their families was in 2016 and sent letters in September 2018. We expect a more pro-active position of the International Committee of the Red Cross on the transfer of letters and parcels," wrote Gerashchenko. As reported earlier, during the Minsk talks in February this year, Ukraine offered the Russian Federation two formats for the release of hostages and political prisoners. We once again handed over to the Russian Federation a proposal to pick up 25 of their citizens and offered various release formats: a wide one (25/25) and 19/72, also suggesting several other formats. If the Russian Federation is not ready to take all their people, we offered several narrow formats to unlock the process to start off with the release of those who need medical treatment, Gerashchenko wrote back then. There are no legal grounds for the former official to return to Ukraine. After a former Georgian president and ex-chairman of the Odesa Regional State Administration, Mikhail Saakashvili, announced his intention to arrive in Ukraine on April 1, 2019, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine noted Saakashvili had been banned from entering the country until 2021. As of today, there are no grounds for Saakashvilis legal entry into Ukraine because he is not a citizen of Ukraine and there is a ban on his entry until 2021, Oleh Slobodyan, an assistant to the head of the State Border Guard Service said in a comment to UNIAN. He stressed that border guards always act within the framework of law and powers granted to them. Earlier, Saakashvili, in an interview with journalist Dmytro Gordon, said that he intended to arrive in Ukraine on April 1. Read alsoSaakashvili put on Ukraine's stoplist until 2021 I have an e-ticket for April 1 of this year. From Warsaw I'll be flying to Kyiv and at 14:05, I plan to land in the Boryspil Airport. I bought this ticket because I'm sure that Poroshenko won't make it to the second round, Saakashvili said, suggesting that he could be let in the country in this case. As UNIAN reported earlier, at the end of July 2017, President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree on terminating Saakashvilis Ukrainian citizenship he had been granted earlier before he took up the top post in the Odesa State Regional Administration. According to Anton Gerashchenko, a member of the Council of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Saakashvili was deprived of citizenship after it was proved he had provided inaccurate information while applying for it, in particular, in terms of his criminal record back in Georgia. On September 10, 2017, Saakashvili, earlier deprived of Ukrainian citizenship, managed to cross into Ukraine at the Shehyni checkpoint. A crowd of the politician's supporters broke through the cordons of the Ukrainian law enforcers, took Saakashvili and a number of MPs and public figures accompanying Saakashvili in a tight ring, and literally forced the group's entry to the territory of Ukraine evading standard border control routine. Read alsoGroysman slams Saakashvilis act, urges MPs not to swing "flywheel of destruction and chaos" According to Anton Gerashchenko, Saakashvili was accompanied by people's deputies Yulia Tymoshenko, Serhiy Vlasenko, Yury Derevianko, Pavlo Kostenko, Dmytro Dobrodomov, and former SBU chief Valentyn Nalyvaichenko. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that the border guards during penetration of the state border by Saakashvili along with his entourage had full right to use weapons, but did not allow to "spark fire sought by populist politicians." On December 5, law enforcers detained Saakashvili in Kyiv but later the same day his supporters managed to get him released from the convoy vehicle. Read alsoBorder guards confirm Saakashvili expelled from Ukraine On December 11, a district court in Kyiv refused to satisfy the prosecutions petition to order a 2-month house arrest. The Kyiv Court of Appeal four times postponed the consideration of the appeal against the said court decision. The Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine put Saakashvili on the wanted list on charges of assisting members of criminal organizations and concealing their criminal activities (part 2 of article 256). According to Prosecutor General Yury Lutsenko, Saakashvili organized protests to seize state power in Ukraine and assist members of the criminal gang of ex-President Viktor Yanukovych and businessman Sergey Kurchenko in halting stopping their criminal prosecution. On February 12, 2018, Saakashvili was transferred to Poland under the readmission procedure. That's so that everyone sees who is who", MFA Ukraine says. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has sent to the OSCE a note on the attacks by Russian occupation forces in Donbas. Sixty-eight pages of photos showing consequences of ceasefire violations by the Kremlin have been attached to the note, according to a Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Kateryna Zelenko, Obozrevatel reports. The official added that the note had been sent on March 9, while no response has been received from the partners in OSCE yet. "It was important for us to convey not only the facts and evidence that the armed forces of the Russian Federation had violated the ceasefire and all the provisions of the Minsk agreements. It was also important for us to provide more photo evidence. That is, the note contains 68 pages of an addendum with photo evidence showing consequences of the shelling and armed provocations on the part of the Russian armed forces," Zelenko said. Read alsoMilitants mount two attacks on Ukrainian troops using banned weapons on Tuesday It is important that each participating state sees "who is who" in the negotiation process, Zelenko noted. She clarified that the note contains information covering the period from December 29, 2018, to March 7, 2019. "It is also important for us to ensure that every state recognizes the fact of a violation specifically on the part of Russia," said the official. Zelenko also clarified that the Ukrainian military recorded 561 cases of ceasefire violations, of which 251 times with the use of weapons proscribed by the Minsk agreements. From December 29, twelve Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 105 were wounded in action. Canada will provide funding to counteract the "negative impact of disinformation" in the electoral process. Former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy will lead Canada's election observation mission to Ukraine as concerns mount that Russia may interfere in the country's democratic process, CBC News has learned. "Mr. Axworthy will head the Canadian delegation of short- and long-term elections observers deployed to Ukraine," said a release obtained by CBC News. "Together, they will observe all aspects of the presidential and legislative elections, including monitoring the participation of women, internally displaced persons and minorities in the electoral process." Read alsoOSCE/ODIHR confirms there will be no Russian observers at Ukraine elections Axworthy, who served under former prime minister Jean Chretien, led the Organization of American States election observation mission to Peru in 2006. The release also states that Canada will provide funding to counteract the "negative impact of disinformation" in the electoral process as well as supporting electoral reform and efforts to get more women to participate in the the country's elections. The first of Canada's election monitors began arriving in Ukraine last month in a bilateral effort organized between the two countries. The crisis dates back to the Kremlin's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and the war in eastern Ukraine. Canada and its NATO allies consider Russia's actions, backed by President Vladimir Putin, to be a breach of Europe's borders, and have shored up the 28-country alliance's military forces in several eastern European countries. Now with a pivotal Ukrainian presidential election campaign swinging into high gear, the Trudeau government is following in the footsteps of previous Conservative and Liberal governments in sending a Canadian-led observer mission, organized between Canada and Ukraine, while also contributing to a multinational mission led by the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe. The presidential elections are scheduled for March 31, 2019. For Russia, Crimea is a territory which it could use to exert influence on NATO's southern flank extending across the Black Sea region and all the way to the Mediterranean. On the fifth anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia, head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, Refat Chubarov, spoke about the latest developments on the occupied peninsula. First of all, Russia has been strengthening Crimea to make the peninsula its outpost, Chubarov said in an interview with the Novoye Vremya weekly. According to Chubarov, for Russia, Crimea is a territory which it could use to exert influence on NATO's southern flank extending across the Black Sea region and all the way to the Mediterranean. Secondly, they dont need people in this territory who disagree with the occupation. They've been ousting such people from Crimea. And this is happening through systemic repression. Its not only about intimidation, searches, and arrests, its also about the impossibility to develop, which forces entrepreneurs to leave," the head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people stressed. Read alsoChubarov: Crimean Tatars' pro-Ukrainian position five years ago helped to preserve Ukraine At the same time, Chubarov notes Russia has been resettling its citizens from mainland to the occupied Crimea as an additional factor that would allow Moscow to retain Crimea even in case of its practical de-occupation, which the Kremlin has long ceased to rule out. "In addition to modern anti-aircraft missile systems, they need hundreds thousands of their citizens there, who are just as valuable as weapons. That's because weapons can be destroyed or withdrawn it's very difficult to do anything about the people already living there," summed up Chubarov. A leading prosecutor noted that the assertion made by Interior Minister Arsen Avakov that the general was innocent could in itself be viewed as pressure on the court. Investigative journalists of the Slidstvo project have scrutinized video footage from February 18, 2014, identifying five locations where a man resembling Ukrainian National Guard General Volodymyr Hrynyak appears to be actively involved in riot police's violence against Maidan protesters. In one shot, he is seen standing near another high-ranking enforcement official who is now wanted for his role in crushing the protests and who has been hiding from justice in Russia, according to the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group. Read alsoGuilty: Yanukovych sentenced to 13 years in prison for high treason, complicity in war "None of this is news to prosecutors from the Special Investigations Department, who first laid charges against Hrynyak in December 2016, but it does make it even more baffling that Hrynyak has not only continued to hold high office, but has even been promoted to a higher rank since Maidan," the report says. Hrynyak was the former Deputy Head of the Interior Ministry's Department of Public Security, and now heads an similar department within Ukraine's National Guard. He is accused of involvement in organizing the deliberate killing of Maidan protests on February 18, 2014, one of the bloodiest days of the Euromaidan uprising; of obstructing protests; and of other offences. He was appointed commander of a merged police unit during Euromaidan, and investigators from the Special Investigations Department believe that he coordinated police forces during the protests. Even without the video footage and other evidence, that position alone makes it startling that he simply moved into a similar post after Maidan, implying he is once again responsible for dealing with mass protests. On one of the video shots, Hrynyak is seen standing next to Petro Fedchuk, a Deputy Head of the Kyiv Police and Mykola Mykolenko, Internal Forces General. The Special Investigations Department has issued indictments against Fedchuk over the violent dispersal of students at the Maidan on November 30, 2013. It was largely public outrage over the gratuitous brutality by Berkut riot police that brought huge masses of Ukrainians out onto the streets. Now, Fedchuk is also in hiding in Russia where he appears to be using his experience in crushing protests, this time working for Vladimir Putin's regime. Read alsoEx-riot police operative suspected of murdering Maidan protesters allegedly killed in Syria Challenged by Slidstvo journalists over the video shots, Hrynyak claimed that he had simply been walking by, as he lived in the center of Kyiv. This does not explain many things, including why, in one of the shots, he seems to be holding a weapon. He claims that during the Euromaidan, he was effectively suspended from carrying out his duties. This is not the view of the Special Investigations Department, and certainly not borne out by the records of the telephone calls between him and top enforcement officers during the protests. Yevhenia Zakrevska, lawyer representing Maidan victims or their families, told Slidstvo that at certain times, Hrynyak was the highest-ranking head amongst the police coordinating Berkut and the internal forces. The investigators sought back in December 2016 to have Hrynyak remanded in custody, but to no avail. Horbatyuk noted that the assertion made by Interior Minister Arsen Avakov that Hrynyak was innocent could in itself be viewed as pressure on the court. The case against Hrynyak was only passed to the court in May 2018. In the nine months since then, the court has not begun considering the case on its merits. Among other things, the GUR chief focused on Russia's aggressive and provocative actions in the occupied territories of Ukraine and in the Azov-Black Sea region. Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (GUR) Vasyl Burba and Director of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency Robert Ashley discussed Russia's further intentions to destabilize Ukraine, Europe, and other regions of the world. Top military intelligence officers met in Washington DC as part of Burba's official visit to the United States, according to the GUR. Burba also met with the leadership of the Central Intelligence Agency and senior intelligence community officials. During the meeting, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine discussed with his American colleagues irrefutable evidence of Russia's further intentions to destabilize the situation in Ukraine, European countries, and other regions of the world, the statement reads. Read alsoUkraine's Foreign Intel Service: Russia to spend US$350 mln for meddling in Ukraine elections Among other things, Burba focused on Russia's aggressive and provocative actions in the occupied territories of Ukraine and in the Azov-Black Sea region. Following the visit, a number of agreements were reached on cooperation and U.S. assistance to Ukraine in enhancing GUR capabilities to counter Russia's armed aggression. Poroshenko appealed to the law enforcement bodies to identify the perpetrators and punish them according to the law in the shortest possible time. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has expressed deep and sincere condolences to relatives of an employee of his administration, who was assaulted and murdered in Kyiv. "I express deep and sincere condolences to the family, relatives, colleagues and friends over the tragic death of the employee of our Administration Oleksandr Yevheniyovych Bukhtatyi. I appeal to the law enforcement bodies to identify the perpetrators and punish them according to the law in the shortest possible time," the president's press service quoted him as saying. "Oleksandr Yevheniyovych was a worthy member of the team an honest and decent man. He was a true professional and enjoyed deep respect in journalistic circles," Poroshenko said. "I instructed the Head of the Presidential Administration to provide all the necessary organizational assistance in the funeral of the deceased," he added. As UNIAN reported earlier, a senior consultant with the information policy department at the Presidential Administration of Ukraine was assaulted and murdered in Kyiv. His body was found near a church with a fractured skull, his hands covered in blood. The relevant decree has been published on the official presidential website. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has dismissed Yehor Bozhok as head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service. The relevant decree has been published on the official presidential website. Bozhok was appointed to this post in September 2017. The Foreign Intelligence Service is a government agency that carries out intelligence activities in the political, economic, military-technical, scientific-technical, informational and environmental fields. According to the expert, the campaign is aimed at strengthening the negative effect in Ukraine from the scandal with Ukroboronprom. Last week, the FSB Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation cut off all supply chains for components for the Ukrainian military-industrial complex, as was announced on Wednesday by Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko at the meeting of the temporary investigative commission of the Verkhovna Rada. Read alsoRecognizing Ukraine elections illegitimate: OSINT expert reveals Kremlins plan on Ukraine "At the same time, according to the operational data of the Information Resistance Group, the Directorate of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation in Kursk region has received an order from Moscow to conduct an information and propaganda campaign on the 'arrest of Ukrainian smugglers' on the Russian-Ukrainian border with Russian-made military products with further wide media coverage," Ukrainian MP and coordinator of the Information Resistance OSINT Group Dmytro Tymchuk wrote in an article on March 14, 2019. According to the expert, the campaign is aimed at strengthening the negative effect in Ukraine from the scandal with Ukroboronprom. "In this regard, officers of the FSB department in Kursk region through agents among Russian smugglers are searching for possible perpetrators from among the citizens of Ukraine who will have to arrange the transfer of Russian-made components from the Russian Federation to the territory of Ukraine through smuggling channels for the repair of Ukrainian military equipment. As a motivation, a high monetary reward and guarantees of minimum punishment are offered. At the same time, these perpetrators will be detained by the FSB officers on the Russian-Ukrainian border," Tymchuk said. The FSB officers in Kursk region put forward to their agents from among Russian smugglers the following requirements in terms of searching for candidates for this "fraud:" mandatory Ukrainian citizenship, any connections at the enterprises of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex, as well as the readiness to personally come to the territory of the Russian Federation to receive the goods and transfer them across the border. In addition, the FSB officers tell their agents from among the smugglers about the possibility of increasing the level of remuneration for the perpetrator, but within reasonable limits. "Later, after the arrest, the perpetrators will have to give testimony prepared by the FSB officers about the corruption in the Ukrainian military-industrial complex, which will be covered by the Russian propaganda media," Tymchuk added. Border guards stress they are concerned about the trend of Russia sending recruited militants to Ukraine's peaceful areas. Overnight Thursday, Ukrainian border guards, together with the national police, detained a citizen who was crossing in from Russia-occupied Crimea. In 2014, the 26-year-old man took active part in hostilities, fighting alongside Russian proxy forces in Donbas against the Armed Forces of Ukraine, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service Oleh Slobodyan wrote on Facebook. He was part of the so-called "Zorya" battalion and had a nom de guerre"Kosa", law enfoircers learned. The man was wounded in action. Earlier, he had been recruited on the territory of Russia, where he was lured under the pretext of getting an easy job. Read alsoKremlins plan to sow chaos in Ukraine "This is the usual scheme of involving people into illegal militia by Russia's intelligence services," the report says. "There is a growing trend of Russia sending from temporarily occupied territories to peaceful parts of the country Ukrainian nationals recruited by Russian special services," the spokesman says. In 2019, fifty-nine such persons were revealed. According to intelligence data, three militants were wounded and another one was killed. On March 13, Russian occupation forces twice violated the cease-fire, according to the press service of the Joint Forces Operation Headquarters. Russian proxies opened fire at Ukrainian defenders in the zone of responsibility of the Skhid [East] operational-tactical group from mounted anti-tank grenade launchers and small arms near the town of Avdiyivka, and from sniper rifles near Maryinka. Two Ukrainian soldiers were injured as a result of the shelling. Read alsoMilitants mount two attacks on Ukrainian troops using banned weapons on Tuesday Not a single shelling was left without an adequate response as Joint Forces returned fire, the report says. According to intelligence data, one occupier was destroyed and another three were wounded. From day-start, no attacks on the positions of the Ukrainian troops were recorded. It even has a suggested name: Fort Trump. The Donald Trump Administration has drawn criticism for considering U.S. troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and Syria, but its considering at least one new permanent military base overseas. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy John Rood is in Warsaw, Poland this week to discuss the proposed base, which would boost the Pentagons presence along Russias western border, Time reported. The negotiations take place as Washingtons and Moscows militaries already face off in close proximity at several flashpoints in places like Syria and across eastern Europe. The U.S. currently maintains about 4,000 troops in Poland on a rotational basis, including an armored brigade combat team. The deployment started after Moscows annexation of Crimea in 2014 as part of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) mission to establish a bulwark against Russian aggression on the alliances eastern flank. Read alsoPentagon planning to test long-banned missiles after INF pullout: RFE/RL Polish President Andrzej Duda floated the idea for a new, permanent military base to President Donald Trump in-person during a trip to Washington in September. The Polish government would pay $2 billion to the United States and, he joked, the base would be named Fort Trump. Trump put off a decision at the time, saying he wanted his administration to examine the proposal. Were looking at it from the standpoint of, No. 1, military protection for both countries, and also cost, Trump said at a joint press conference with Duda. The Pentagon, directed by last years Defense spending bill, studied the feasibility of permanently stationing U.S. forces in Poland. The report, which was due to Congress on March 1, was designed to inform the Pentagons plan ahead. If Poland agrees to the terms, the State Department would be the lead negotiator for the technical agreement on the facility, Wheelbarger said. We are looking at probably six months to a year for that to be finalized, she added. Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, who commands all U.S. and NATO forces in Europe, said at the same hearing that he supported having a mix of permanent troops and rotational forces in Poland. A more permanent base is helpful because of the relationships you build and the mission they have, he said. The establishment of a new base in Poland would be a positive sign for NATO, which has had a tumultuous relationship with Trump and his isolationist America First foreign policy. In July, the president insulted allies and questioned the value of NATO at alliance headquarters in Brussels. Read alsoMoscows missile capabilities in Baltics not nearly as dangerous as they seem Foreign Policy Defense hawks have repeatedly called on the United States to take a more active role against Russia, particularly in Eastern Europe, as the relationship between the two nations has deteriorated. The Atlantic Council, a Washington non-profit, issued a 16-page report in December that the U.S. needed to bolster its defense posture on the European continent. It was written by Philip Breedlove, retired U.S. Air Force general who commanded all NATO forces in Europe, and Alexander Vershbow, a former NATO deputy secretary general. While the NATO battle groups and the U.S. rotational brigade combat team both have warfighting capabilities, they lack a comprehensive and coordinated battle plan between NATO and the United States, as well as adequate enablers including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets; air and missile defense; and long-range fires, the report said. A determined Russian conventional attack, especially if mounted with little warning, could defeat these forward-deployed NATO and U.S. forces in a relatively short period of time, before reinforcements could be brought to bear. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Williamstown Voters May Be Asked to Consider Cap on Pot Shops Town Manager Jason Hoch and Select Board member Jeffrey Thomas participate in Monday's meeting. WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. The Select Board is weighing whether to let town meeting decide whether to pass a temporary limit on the number of retail marijuana establishments in the Village Beautiful. Williamstown, where 61 percent of voters in 2016 voted in favor of a statewide referendum to decriminalize pot, currently has a retail store in the final phases of obtaining a green light from state regulators and another potential store beginning the approval process. Select Board member Jeffrey Thomas has suggested that two may be enough and that the local market does not need any more. He therefore has proposed that the board put an article on the warrant for May's annual town meeting that would cap the number of local licenses at two for two years. "Admittedly, the two years is a little arbitrary," Thomas said during a discussion with his colleagues at Monday's meeting. "The idea is to recognize the fact that we will know more about what's the right number in two years than we do now. It may be easier to let it expire, and we'll be fine." Thomas said that when town meeting in 2017 voted 207-36 (85 percent in favor) to approve a zoning bylaw allowing pot peddlers in some parts of town, there were lingering unanswered questions. Likewise, when the Select Board OK'd Silver Therapeutics' application one year later, Thomas said he did not envision multiple shops in its wake. "The last time we really talked about marijuana retail was almost a couple of years ago now," Thomas said. "At that time, there were some people in the community who were concerned about it being here. "I felt and most of us did in favor of that allowing one store, the first store. ... We didn't have a discussion about how many stores there could be and should we have an upper limit. If we were to agree this is worth bringing to the town at town meeting, which would require a majority of this board [to put it on the warrant], the town could decide by simple majority whether to limit or not." Resident Wendy Penner urged the board to take the step of putting the question to town meeting. Penner, who works in substance abuse prevention for the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, told the board she was addressing it Monday "primarily as a resident." "In the prevention world, which traditionally through my state-funded work has focused on preventing alcohol abuse, there is a concept of retail density," Penner said. "The more [retail establishments] you have per capita, it's considered to increase the risk of youth use not because youth are procuring from the establishments directly but because it speaks to the community attitude around these substances." Thomas' colleague Andrew Hogeland said he was not convinced there was a groundswell of opposition to more marijuana retail establishments in town. "There were maybe 10 people at the second applicant's information meeting," Hogeland said, referring to the Feb. 15 public information session hosted by Oregon-based Elev8 Cannabis. "Three [of the 10] were selectmen, four were owners of the building where they hope to put the store, one was a reporter. I don't know who the other two were. "I'm also usually not in favor of, 'Let's ask town meeting what they think.' We should only be forwarding things that at least three of us are behind. ... We could have had a moratorium at the beginning and decided not to do. "I don't feel the urge to do this." At least two other members of the five-person board appeared to lean toward joining Thomas in thinking the question ought to go to the voters. "The governance side of me says, 'Ask the people,' ... but this conceivably would be something where I'd say, 'Yeah, take it to town meeting, but I'll speak against it,' " Hugh Daley said. Jane Patton said she has heard a lot of opposition to the burgeoning number of retail cannabis establishments in town. She admitted that was probably because she was the lone dissenting vote against the Silver Therapeutics application last year. "I often say that we should be mindful of the fact that when we say, 'The town has spoken,' we have a limited number of people who come to town meeting," Patton said. "I think that if you're in the minority, your voice should be heard and have some value. "I see no harm at all in equating this to alcohol, liquor or tobacco sales. There is precedent in at least one town in Berkshire County that has matched its retail sales for marijuana to existing licenses for alcohol." Williamstown is limited by the commonwealth to five licenses for wine and beer sales and two "all-alcohol" retail licenses (including hard liquor) as a function of its population. The town's Board of Health has capped the number of tobacco licenses at seven. Town Manager Jason Hoch, who gave counterpoints to Thomas' argument when the Select Board first addressed his proposal, reiterated some of the same points on Monday and added another data point for the board to consider. "The amount of comment and concern and pushback on this second retailer [at Town Hall] has been basically little to non-existent," Hoch said. "Recognize that cultivation is a whole separate dialogue." Hoch noted the reason Berkshire County (and Williamstown in particular) have seen a relatively high number of retail applications given its population is that bordering states New York, Vermont and Connecticut have not legalized recreational marijuana yet. "There's a little bit of a 'gold rush,' out there, for want of a better term," Hoch said. And with Vermont and New York heading down the road toward legalized pot, the rush probably will be short-lived. "The window for appeal of Berkshire County will be rapidly diminishing," Hoch said. "It seems like this will, No. 1, be a self-correcting problem. No. 2, the opportunity, such as it is, if you choose to look at it that way, in the short run ... the community benefits from the capital investment in whatever building they go into whether or not these businesses succeed or fail in the long run. And for whatever time they are in business, we benefit from the revenue." Massachusetts municipalities can and Williamstown has institute a local option tax on recreational marijuana sales. Chairwoman Anne O'Connor said she has gone back and forth on the question of whether to put a retail marijuana cap to town meeting. She said she respected Hoch's argument that the market will decide for itself the appropriate number of pot shops. "Nobody is coming to me to talk about marijuana," O'Connor said. "It feels like the issue is done and gone. But there's always the opportunity for people to revisit it. "If we do end up sending it to town meeting, we might end up not recommending it, but it's up to the people to take a vote." Marijuana was a talking point for much of the board's bi-monthly meeting on Monday. Joshua Silver of Silver Therapeutics gives the board an update on his store in the Colonial Plaza. Joshua Silver, the principal of Silver Therapeutics, was at Town Hall to give the board an update on his business' progress and present the town with a check for $15,000 as a downpayment on the corporation's Host Community Agreement with the town. Silver said his best guess to attain final approval from the commonwealth's Cannabis Control Commission is either the end of the month or early April. "We're just about to the finish line," Silver said. The Select Board also considered a proposal form Hoch to establish a stabilization fund as a destination for some of the marijuana excise tax revenue the town will start receiving this calendar year. Hoch has noted throughout this winter's budget discussions that he has no way to predict the amount of revenue the town will see, and it likely will go to free cash where it would be used to offset the tax rate in future years. He proposed taking 25 percent of the marijuana-related revenue and putting it in a stabilization fund essentially a municipal savings account where funds can be accrued for capital needs. Specifically, he proposed creating a new stabilization fund, in addition to town's existing stabilization fund, that would be dedicated to "recreation and public facilities." Hoch said the 2016 Municipal Modernization Act created the ability of towns to dedicate up to 25 percent of a revenue stream to such a purpose. Hogeland questioned the wisdom of tying up the new revenue in a stabilization fund that requires a two-thirds vote of town meeting to spend. Hoch said he did not feel that was a potential downside to the plan and that he is confident a good future project would receive support of two-thirds of the town. "Why is marijuana money any different [than other town revenue]?" Hogeland asked. "This is new money that we haven't already internalized into our [budget]," Hoch answered. "This is a one-time opportunity," Daley said, supporting Hoch's argument to set the money aside. "Could we set up a stabilization fund with the same rules [for expenditures] as the existing stabilization fund and just call it Stabilization Fund B but it has a different source?" Daley asked. Thomas argued that a fund dedicated to recreation and public facilities would be beneficial. "I was attracted to this because it will partially empower the [newly created ad-hoc] Parks and Recreation Committee in the sense that they can make a set of recommendations, which we've asked them to do, with the knowledge that there will be some financial support," Thomas said. The board took no action on either proposal the limit on retail marijuana or stabilization fund each of which ultimately would need town meeting approval. Both ideas likely will come back to the board in the next few weeks as it readies the warrant for the May 21 meeting. 'Captain Marvel': Brave New Suffragette Unless you're a card-carrying, dyed-in-the-wool devotee of comic-book film extravaganzas like "Captain Marvel," they can be extremely difficult to follow. Each is chockfull of series lore, a veritable encyclopedia of minutiae that aficionados of the genre demand, and from which they deliriously kvell when given the slightest opportunity to relate in oral treatise. While too lazy to submerge my gray matter into the seemingly endless intricacies each example of the filmic breed holds, I am respectful of the passion, even if it's just to prove I'm not as much a fuddy-duddy and beside the point as I actually am. As a stranger in a strange land, my modus operandi is to stay calm and not despair just because I don't have a built-in libretto and have absolutely no idea what's going on. Rather, I let it wash over me and, like a fisherman in a fast-moving stream loaded with salmon, am thrilled whenever I catch just one discernible thought or motivation. Proud as a cat brandishing before his master a mouse he has just nabbed, I might take a celebratory break from the action to visit the concession stand and, whilst purchasing my box of Goobers, offhandedly relate, "Yeah, they just figured out the force field was a ploy by the Pythagoreans. So, it'll be a while before Xenon and his Antithetical Accelerants establish a foothold on the new planet, thus freeing the Mendacities from their Past Memory State. But excuse me, does that Supreme Bucket Popcorn for $11.99, the one listed as 'best value,' come with unlimited refills even if you take it home and bring it back with you next time?" These films are packed with metaphors and, to protect myself from trivia overload, I delineate the various factors. Thus, I established, after it becomes evident, at least to me, that Brie Larson's Captain Marvel, superheroine and women's icon extraordinaire, represents everything that is good about America. Whereas the poor, misunderstood Skrulls are the immigrants demonized by the Krees, an aggressive faction masquerading as patriots but in their evil hearts just a bunch of would-be supremacists disingenuously wrapping themselves in a pseudo veil of justice and freedom. Naturally, Captain Marvel's path is populated, in a high-tech way, with an "Alice in Wonderland"-like cast of characters some bad, some good, and some falling into the gray area, if only to dangle that redemption is always possible. There is much buzz about energy forces, and our gal goes through a crucible of identity crises on her way to earning title character status. Obscurity reigns. But I've almost come to embrace the confusion, wafting about in the mystifying abyss of the Brave New World in which I've been thrust. Once I'm sure Captain Marvel is who we think she should be, albeit hassled by the Supreme Intelligence (Annette Bening) who would demand her loyalty, I fix my compass in her direction. She might as well be the Statue of Liberty, representative of what the Founding Fathers had imagined back in 1776, and not some newfangled, alternative fact baloney meant to obfuscate the true meaning of democracy. Thus concludes the sociopolitical, diatribe portion of my film criticism. Now, on to the glitz. For those only concerned with the bread and circus aspect of what a moving picture might offer them, rejoicing is in order. Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck generously dump metric tons of cutting-edge special effects into the public trough. Wiz-zoom-bang go the rocket ships, the weapons of the future and the magical superpower rays that emanate from pretty Captain Marvel's fingertips. She's really something, a stunning force for good, unmatched except maybe by the current freshman class of young congresswomen. She is our Jean d'Arc in a spandex jumpsuit, making Gloria Steinem proud as she follows in the heroic ethos Gal Gadot's "Wonder Woman" (2017) recently seared into pop culture, and once again striking an emblematic example of the lyrics, "Anything you can do, I can do better." You don't have to be the dad of a little girl to have a cheering interest in the awesomely positive message that "Captain Marvel" blasts across the screen. However, fathering a daughter does give you a front row seat at the injustice that's been perpetrated ever since Oog told Marge that her place is in the cave, cooking mastodon and sewing loin cloths. So you hope that the Great Unwashed will get with the program and realize that our civilization needs all hands on deck. Prejudice, whether meant to stultify the progress of a race or a gender, is the evil handmaiden of oppression, and "Captain Marvel" convincingly gives notice that she'll have none of it. "Captain Marvel," rated PG-13, is a Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures release directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck and stars Brie Larson, Jude Law and Samuel L. Jackson. Running time: 124 minutes His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, today received, in Al Shati Palace, Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 13th Mar, 2019) His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, today received, in Al Shati Palace, Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan. At the start of the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed welcomed Nazarbayevs visit to the UAE, which will strengthen the relations and cooperation between the two countries and answers the aspirations of their leaderships and peoples. During the meeting, which was attended by H.H. Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser, and H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, both sides affirmed the friendship between the UAE and Kazakhstan, and discussed promising opportunities in the areas of investment, the economy and culture. The meeting also addressed several regional and international causes and developments of common interest and exchanged opinions regarding them. His Highness Sheikh Mohamed said that the UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has been keen, since its establishment, to promote communication and cooperation with various countries, to discuss their mutual interests and achieve overall development and advancement while pointing out that the country has established solid relations with friendly countries, based on mutual respect, trust and constructive cooperation. The Kazakhstan President expressed his happiness at visiting the UAE, asserting the importance of the friendship and cooperation bringing together his country and the UAE in all aspects, and Kazakhstans interest in broadening their horizons. He praised the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 hosted by the UAE, which is considered an international sporting, cultural and humanitarian forum, valuing the countrys role and international qualitative initiatives which make a real difference to the different targeted segments. After the conclusion of the meeting H.H. Sheikh Mohamed and Nazarbayev witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Intent between the Ministry of Energy in the Republic of Kazakhstan and Prime Project Development Consultancy, regarding cooperation in the field of investment in the sectors of energy and industries related to the underground wealth in Kazakhstan. The agreement was signed by Waleed Salman, General-General of Prime Project Development Consultancy, and Maazoum Merzagalyev, Deputy Minister of Energy in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The meeting and the memorandum exchange ceremony was attended by Dr. Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Sultan bin Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of State; Commissioner Ali Al Neyadi, Chairman of the Federal Customs Authority, Dr. Mohammed Ahmed bin Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Akhmetzhan Yessimov, Chairman of the National Welfare Fund; Nurlan Onjanov, Assistant of the President for International Affairs; Madiar Menilikov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the UAE, and several officials. Approximately 40,000 Syrian citizens, who were part of illegal militant groups, have received amnesty from the government, a head of the Syrian National Reconciliation Agency, Jany Haddur, said on Thursday DAMASCUS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th March, 2019) Approximately 40,000 Syrian citizens, who were part of illegal militant groups, have received amnesty from the government, a head of the Syrian National Reconciliation Agency, Jany Haddur, said on Thursday. "Owing to the organization's cooperation with relevant authorities, about 40,000 people involved in using weapons against the Syrian state have already settled their status and pledged not to return to participation in illegal armed groups," Haddur said, adding that around 6,000 women, who resided in the areas controlled by terrorists, also "settled their status and were granted the right to safe and dignified life." Haddur confirmed that the data on 16,000 people missing during the hostilities was handed over to the provincial authorities, and added that 237 confirmations of the possibility of exchanging citizens abducted by terrorist groups for persons detained by competent state authorities were received. The Syrian National Reconciliation Agency, which reports directly to the country's prime minister, was established in late 2018 on the basis of the former Ministry of National Reconciliation. The new body helps Syrians to find relatives, who went missing during the war, clarifies casualty lists and assists refugees in obtaining legitimate documents. Syria has been engulfed in an armed conflict since 2011. At the moment, the Syrian government forces continue military operations in several areas of the country to clear them from terrorists. The political resolution, rebuilding of the country and return of the refugees have come to the forefront in Syria. (@FahadShabbir) Kyrgyzstan's intelligence services detained a mercenary, who fought against the Syrian governmental troops, the press service of the National Security Committee of Kyrgyzstan told Sputnik on Thursday BISHKEK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th March, 2019) Kyrgyzstan's intelligence services detained a mercenary, who fought against the Syrian governmental troops, the press service of the National Security Committee of Kyrgyzstan told Sputnik on Thursday. "On March 8, 2019, the National Security Committee along with the Interior Ministry detained Kyrgyz citizen I. A. Sh., a resident of the Osh Region, who was on an international wanted list, during an operation aimed at preventing militants and mercenaries of international terrorist organizations from entering Kyrgyzstan," the press service said. According to the intelligence service, the detainee was recruited by an international terrorist group in an unspecified country of the Commonwealth of Independent States where he was working. He left the country for Syria in order to join an illegal armed group to fight against the Syrian governmental troops, the National Security Committee said. "After combat training he actively took part in the armed conflict as a mercenary," the press service noted. The National Security Committee added that the investigation was underway. Syria has been mired in a civil conflict since 2011 with the government troops fighting against various opposition groups and terrorist organizations. The latter are actively recruiting mercenaries from all over the world. (@FahadShabbir) The next session of the Russian-Iranian intergovernmental commission on the trade and economic cooperation will take place on June 16 in Tehran and Isfahan, the Iranian Energy Ministry said Tuesday MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th March, 2019) The next session of the Russian-Iranian intergovernmental commission on the trade and economic cooperation will take place on June 16 in Tehran and Isfahan, the Iranian Energy Ministry said Tuesday. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak and his Iranian counterpart Reza Ardakanian, who are the co-chairs of the commission, held phone talks earlier in the day. "In phone talks, the two ministers agreed to hold the 15th joint session of the commission on trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Iran on [June 16] in Tehran and Isfahan. The session will last three days," the ministry said in a statement. Spokeswoman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Kateryna Zelenko said on Wednesday, commenting on the recent statement made by Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl regarding the country's "excellent" ties with Moscow, that Austria was "flirting" with Russia KIEV (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th March, 2019) Spokeswoman for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Kateryna Zelenko said on Wednesday, commenting on the recent statement made by Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl regarding the country's "excellent" ties with Moscow , that Austria was "flirting" with Russia On Tuesday, Kneissl wrote on her Twitter page that she was delighted to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, adding that Vienna and Moscow "will further strengthen the already excellent relations between our countries through deepened cooperation between our civil societies." "We took into account the conciliatory nature of this statement. It significantly differs from the EU's policy ... One should note that flirting with an aggressor is not a policy of neutralism, which Austria sticks to," Zelenko said at a press briefing. Relations between Moscow and Kiev deteriorated in 2014 after Crimea's reunification with Russia and amid the crisis in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian authorities have accused Russia of interfering in Ukraine's internal affairs and being involved in the conflict in Donbas. Russia has repeatedly denied the allegations, stressing that it is not party to the internal conflict in Ukraine and wants the country to overcome its political and economic crises. US and Polish officials meeting in Warsaw this week are drafting details for a planned American military base in Poland and could reach a final agreement on the facility within a year, senior Defense Department officials told Congress on Wednesday WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th March, 2019) US and Polish officials meeting in Warsaw this week are drafting details for a planned American military base in Poland and could reach a final agreement on the facility within a year, senior Defense Department officials told Congress on Wednesday. If negotiators can nail down details, "We're looking at probably six months to a year" before a technical basing agreement can be completed with the US Department of State as the lead negotiator, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Kathryn Wheelbarger told the House Armed Services committee. Dominic Acquista rehearses as Tevye, the lead in the musical 'Fiddler on the Roof' being staged at Hoosac Valley High School this weekend. PreviousNext Hoosac Valley High Students Perform 'Fiddler On The Roof' The musical runs Friday and Saturday night at the high school. CHESHIRE, Mass. Hoosac Valley High School's Performing Arts Department will bring "Fiddler On The Roof" to the stage this weekend. Music Director Jacob Keplinger said they decided to do something more dramatic this year. "We chose this because we have done a number of comedies in the past and were looking to do something a bit more serious," Keplinger said. "Also, when we looked at who might audition, we felt we could fill the roles with the kids who were interested, and it has worked out great." Set in the Pale of Settlement of Imperial Russia in 1905, the musical follows Tevye (played by Dominic Acquista), his wife Golde (played by Marina Fortier), and their five daughters. As Tevye's daughters marry he tries to maintain his Jewish religious and cultural traditions as outside influences affect his family's lives. Local matchmaker Yente (played by Breanne DeLuca) arranges a match between Tevye's eldest daughter Tzeitel (played by Sophia Acquista) and the old widow butcher Lazar Wolf (played by Doug LaDoucer). But Tzeitel is in love with the poor tailor Motel Kamzoil (played by Jackson Keplinger) and ultimately marries him after receiving permission from her father. Tevye's second daughter Hodel (played by Kris Wilczak) marries revolutionary student Perchik (played by Aidan Koczela) but Perchik is arrested by the Czarist troops and sent to Siberia. Hodel follows. Tevye's third daughter Chava (played by Jackie Case) decides to get married to a Christian, Fyedka (played by Ian Cappiello). Tevye does not accept and disowns Chava. Meanwhile, the Czarist troops evict the Jewish community from Anatevka. Keplinger said there are more than 40 students from Grades 8 through 12 involved. This includes the cast, the pit band, stage crew, and the tech crew. "It's great to get so many kids involved," he said. "It's challenging for a number of reasons. First, the music is tough both for the kids singing and the pit playing it. Secondly, it is a more dramatic show which is more difficult to present." Keplinger said he hopes the students not only learn more about their craft and production but pull something from the story itself. "Hopefully the students will gain a better understanding of acceptance of people that are considered outcasts in society and that they see the relevancy in the historic nature of this show in the present," he said. The musical opens Friday at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. There are also showings Saturday at the same time. The directors are teachers Nancy Pedercini-Acquista and Jonathan Rowe. "It's a great show and we are proud of how well the students have grasped the concepts of the show and how well they are performing it," Keplinger said. Rockets Fired at Tel Aviv The Fellowship | March 14, 2019 While southern Israeli communities near Gaza are used to rocket attacks, those who live farther north are targeted by terrorist projectiles much less frequently. But, The Jerusalem Posts Anna Ahronheim tells us, that changed late Thursday when terrorists launched two rockets at Tel Aviv: The Israeli military confirmed that two rockets were fired towards central Israel on Thursday evening, with at least two loud explosions heard in the Gush Dan region. According to the IDF, although the Iron Dome missile defense system was activated, there were no interceptions as both rockets fell in open territory. It was the first time sirens were activated in Tel Aviv since the last war with Gaza in 2014 and several Israelis were treated for shock While there were no special instructions given by the Home Front Command to residents of central Israel, the municipality of Tel Aviv has opened bomb shelters across the city. According to initial reports, the two Fajr rockets were fired by Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in Gaza, the second strongest group in the coastal enclave after Hamas. IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Ronen Manelis said that the military still does not know who fired the rockets and both PIJ and Hamas later denied reports that it was responsible, saying that it did not play a role in the launching of the rockets. "Nutrition: our right", is the theme of the Lenten campaign of Caritas India for 2019. Caritas India, the charitable arm of the Catholic Church of India, has launched a Lenten campaign against hunger by creating an awareness among people regarding solidarity, food security, medical care and a dignified life for all citizens. The theme of the Lenten campaign 2019, launched last month, is, "Nutrition: our right". It aims at fighting the scourge of malnutrition, which it regards as a "painful and shameful for humanity". According to the charity arm of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), the nation, with its resources, is be able to feed its inhabitants, yet it continues to be one home to one of the highest numbers of malnourished women and children in the world. Malnutrition According to official data, 38.4% of children in India suffer from rickets and 35.8% from underweight, both of which are liked to malnutrition. Despite the enviable rate of economic growth, millions of children in the country suffer from hunger. Malnutrition is a debilitating condition that weakens the child's immune system, increases its exposure to diseases and therefore increases the mortality rate. According to Fr. Jolly Puthenpura, the assistant executive director of Caritas India, "Malnutrition as a result of extreme poverty and inequality, irreversibly damages both individuals and society and increases the burden of the disease on families and governments." "During Lent, in which believers are invited to conversion and to love for God and neighbour, we intend to raise awareness among the ecclesial communities on the situation of the poor, the hungry, the malnourished, farmers and migrants looking for work, he told the Vaticans Fides news agency. Bible vs malnutrition, hunger Fr. Puthenpura explained that the Bible is the inspiration for this Lenten campaign. Jesus saw the hungry crowd and had compassion on them. From the Book of Genesis, we learn that malnutrition dehumanizes the image and likeness of God that is in every person. The priest said that the Church must play its role as a catalyst and mobilize consciences so that communities express their solidarity and commitment to feed the poor and the hungry." The assistant executive director of Caritas India said that the compassion of Jesus needs to be lived and experienced in the life of all, in order to wipe out the stain of hunger and malnutrition from society. Pope Francis, he said, urges us to take urgent action to help those who live in desperate circumstances, because the poor cannot wait". SDGs Indias Catholic Church is aware of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that the United Nations member states set for themselves in 2015 to be achieved by 2030. SDG No. 2 aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture. Fr. Puthenpura said that Indias Catholic communities intend to play their part. (Source: Fides) Tie your laces for Aid for AIDS of Nevadas (AFAN) 29th annual AIDS Walk Las Vegas on Sunday, April 7 at Town Square starting at 7 a.m. As AFANs largest fundraiser, last years walk saw more than 3,000 walkers and raised over $250,000 to support critically needed HIV/AIDS services and prevention programs (Photo credit: Madison Freedle). As Nevadas largest and oldest HIV/AIDS service organization, AFAN provides supportive services to more than 1,200 clients, including free HIV testing, prevention education, client transportation to healthcare providers, rent and utility assistance, nutritional counseling, food vouchers, mental health therapy and kids programs. Penn & Teller will once again serve as grand marshals for the 18th consecutive year and are encouraging walkers to take the Penn & Teller Challenge, matching every challengers $250+ donation dollar for dollar. The top challenger will be awarded AFAN swag and other prizes, including tickets to various Las Vegas shows. The walk will be hosted by presenting radio sponsors iHeart Radios Marco and Joanna from the Sunny 106.5 Morning Radio Show. The hosts will introduce top Strip entertainers, including Fuerza Bruta, cast members from WOW World of Wonder, Legends in Concert, Piff the Magic Dragon, Naked Magicians, Human Nature, Lady Luck vocal group, Chippendales, Las Vegas Kaminari Taiko Drummers and singing performance by Katch Gray. Las Vegas community members donate their time, money and talents every year showing tremendous support to AFAN and our mission, said AFAN Executive Director Antioco Carrillo. HIV/AIDS is everyones public health issue and does not discriminate by gender or race. It is through this sense of community that we can come together to truly make a difference. The ever-so-popular event, Sotto le Stelle, Italian for Under the Stars, returns to Ferraros Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar . Every two weeks beginning Saturday, March 23 from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., the restaurant will open its patio for a late-night, all-you-can-eat grilling. The al fresco event is open to the public and Ferraros is a perfect after-hours gathering destination. For the astonishing price of $25 per person, owner Gino Ferraro invites guests to enjoy the talented Las Vegas Chef of the Year Francesco DiCaudos traditional Italian grilled meats,pastas, risottos and vegetables. Each event will feature new, unique dishes, one complimentary featured beverage, 50 percent off wines and 25 percent off spirits. Ferraros regular Mezzanotte late-night dining menu featuring favorite Ferraros dishes will also be available at 25 percent off. In the 11th century Zen Buddhist monk, Nguyen Minh Khong visited Bai Dinh Mountain to find herbal medicines for the king and noted it as a special land. The mountain oriented towards the west had many precious herbal plants with two caves. Bai Dinh Pagoda was founded by Nguyen Minh Khong. It was built with two caves on the sides, making it different from other pagodas in Ninh Binh. In order to reach Bai Dinh Pagoda, visitors have to climb 300 steps, pass a gate and another slope. The Sang (light) Cave is where Sakyamuni Buddha is worshipped and Toi (Dark) Cave is where the nation's Mother Goddess (Mau) is honoured. There is also a little temple that worships God Cao Son on the mountainside. The surrounding area around the pagoda was where King Dinh Tien Hoang hosted the ceremony to pray for rain and King Quang Trung hosted a ceremony to boost soldiers' morale before a battle. In 1997, the original Bai Dinh Pagoda was recognised as a national historical site. Some photos of the pagoda: Vietnams budding aviation industry has grown short of pilots, while more and more new faces are approaching the market Photo: Le Toan Early 2019 has just seen local tourism company Vietravel Group and Malaysia-based AirAsia announcing ambitions to establish their own airlines in Vietnam. Accordingly, Vietravel Group submitted the documents to open Vietravel Airline to the Thua Thien-Hue Department of Transport. Similarly, AirAsias managing director Tony Fernandes in the middle of February sent a letter to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to express interest in establishing a low-cost airline in the country. This is the fourth time the foreign airline has attempted to enter Vietnam. In fact, there has been a definite trend of opening airlines in the country. Last year saw new airline Bamboo Airways of real estate giant FLC Group officially began commercial operations after years of planning. The more airlines are established, the fewer pilots there are to go around. Vietnam Airlines is no longer the countrys leading employer of pilots as over the past years, the aviation market has been greatly fragmented by Vietjet, Jetstar Pacific, and lately Bamboo Airways. At present, as the market is recording a deep shortage of pilots, domestic airlines are growing ever-more serious in their sniping for each others personnel. Serious shortage According to the Ministry of Transports (MoT) Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), the local civil aviation industry has 171 airplanes that were registered in Vietnam in operation. The number is forecast to increase to 250 in 2020-2030. In addition, the CAAV also estimated that from now to 2030, the domestic aviation industry will need 200 new pilots per year to steer these new airplanes. Such a high number of pilots is difficult to procure, especially as the country has a single training school. This is also behind the fact that the brunt of Vietnamese pilots are trained overseas at a tremendous cost, which means that local airlines have no real control over the supply of trained pilots. The only pilot training school in Vietnam is Viet Flight Training, a subsidiary of Vietnam Airlines. After a course at this school, students have to pass an examination and interviews to go abroad for training to the US, Australia, UK, France or New Zealand. In order to find employment at an airline, a pilot needs to obtain numerous certificates, from a Private Pilot License (PPL), to Commercial Pilot License (CPL), and Airline Transportation Pilot License (ATPL). To switch airplane types, they have to enrol on half a year or year-long transfer courses. Therefore, pilot training is very expensive and can only be afforded by a handful of trainees. A pilot from a big airline in Vietnam told VIR the minimum cost to train a co-pilot is VND3-4 billion ($130,400-174,000). According to a Vietnam Airlines document sent to the CAAV last year, the number of the airlines pilots was 1,100 in 2018 and 1,293 in 2019. The document also forecasted the airlines personnel demand to reach 1,340 pilots by 2020 and 1,570 pilots by 2025. Thus, within six years, Vietnam Airlines will need at least 470 pilots more, equalling 30 per cent of the demand in 2025. The pilot said that 75 per cent of the pilots working in the local aviation market are foreigners. In addition, airlines pay higher salaries to both Vietnamese and foreign pilots than the regional average. To tackle the shortage, over the past few years, airlines have been recruiting pilot trainees to build out their own reinforcements for the future, while also looking for experienced pilots. Duong Tri Thanh, CEO of Vietnam Airlines, told local media that both the global aviation market and Vietnam have seen a great shortage of pilots. Therefore, the company has to constantly recruit trainees and hire foreign pilots to facilitate its expansion plans. The shortage of pilots is exerting remarkable effects across the globe. Most recently, India-based IndiGo Airlines was forced to cancel dozens of flights a day as there were simply no pilots to operate the planes. According to Cedar Valley Business magazine, the shortage of pilots in the US is forecast to keep getting more serious in the next years because senior pilots are going to retire although the Federal Aviation Agency has risen the retirement age to 65 from 60 since 2009. Specifically, 42 per cent of the pilots in the US will retire in 2016-2026. Battling over pilots Driven by this shortage, airlines in Vietnam are in a tough battle for personnel. The pilot told VIR that his colleagues regularly receive invitations from other airlines promising 10-20 per cent increases in their salaries. Bamboo Airways even offers to pay part of the compensation if a pilot terminates their contracts with their existing airline. According to the pilot, an Airbus 321-320 co-pilot earns VND80-100 million ($3,500-4,350), while an airline captain make VND100-150 million ($4,350-6,500) per month. Despite this income, airlines still struggle to recruit experienced pilots, leading to a great deal of sniping, in addition to training their own pilots. Over the past few years, airlines have been offering preferential salaries to lure in pilots. To snipe pilots from competitors, in 2017, Vietjet offered an average of VND180 million ($7,800) per month, higher than Vietnam Airlines VND160 million ($7,000). While waiting for the governments approval, Bamboo Airways has recently offered a monthly average of VND200 million ($8,700) to a pilot, 10 per cent more than Vietjet. Competition here for long The CAAVs data suggests that the local aviation market will need 200 more pilots each year and the shortage may continue for a long time it may even exacerbate as an increasing number of investors are planning to open airlines in Vietnam. According to job research website VietnamWorks, in 2018 recruitment posts for pilots increased by 8 per cent on-year and the figure will keep growing in the following years. This is no gap to be filled in haste, as an experienced co-pilot needs 3-5 years on the job, while captains need 6-10 years, according to the pilot, thus the pilots currently in training will only be able to truly account for themselves in at least half a decade. This suggests that airlines will be hard-pressed for experienced captains for at least six years more, which is going to be a tremendous challenge for their expansion plans. Thus, airlines are expected to keep going into great lengths to lure away pilots from competitors, as this is the only source of experienced personnel. To meet the huge demand, airlines might be launching facilities to train pilots locally. At the national e-conference last week discussing solutions to control and prevent the fever from spreading, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked ministries and relevant authorities to establish local delegations to urge the implementation of solutions to control and prevent the fever. In cities and provinces yet untouched by ASF, the local authorities have to build different contingency plans to effectively prevent the fever, while simultaneously preparing resources, including finances, human resources, and chemicals to control the fever in time. In addition, the local authorities have to prevent the illegal selling and arbitrary disposal of sick and dead pigs and issue strict punishment for violations. Previously, China is an example in controlling and preventing the disease. According to statistics from the World Organization for Animal Health, from 2017 to February 18, 2019, ASF reached 20 countries. China, as the largest pig farming country, suffered the most losses from the disease. China has reported 110 outbreaks of the disease in 28 of its provinces and regions since August 2018. However, as of March 3, after applying strict solutions to prevent the transportation of sick and dead pigs to safe places and the destruction of hundreds of thousands of sick pigs, the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture noted that 90 per cent of the outbreaks has been brought under control. In the context of outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) in Vietnam, the government and local authorities play an important role in controlling and preventing disease from spreading. Besides, pig farming and pork processing companies contribute to dealing with the disease. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc gave drastic directions to farmers and businesses to follow five NOs, including No dissembling; No trading and transporting sick or dead pigs; No slaughtering and consuming sick or dead pigs; No discarding pig carcasses in the environment; and No eating pork without heat treatment. However, many businesses do not always walk the talk, with some not following the directions of the government. Unaware of proper disease prevention measures and decrying the waste of materials and animals, some farming households do not cull infected pigs, allowing the disease to spread. Growing concerns In a fact-finding trip to Lac Son district in the northern province of Hoa Binh to study about the ASF prevention, VIR heard complaints from neighbouring residents about local pig farms. It is found that some farms in Tan My commune did not comply with regulations on the culling and burial of infected pigs before the ASF outbreak. I know that the company often hands out sick and dead pigs for free to residents in the commune instead of culling and burying them. Many of these households used the pork to cook and feed their families or process them into spring rolls and sausages for sale, a man living next to a C.P Vietnams pig farm told VIR. On average, I count that 10 pigs die every single day from various diseases. VIR contacted C.P Vietnams communication division to question about the case, and just received a feedback from a representative of the company, saying that C.P Vietnam increased inspections at pig farms and isolated new pig flocks from slaughtered pigs. The company always monitors the pigs health every day and creates contingency plans in case of discovering an infected animal. C.P Vietnams representative also said that the company is also in close co-operation with veterinary agencies to supervise pigs in farming households and quarantine animals sold. In addition, slaughterhouses will also be strictly monitored. Although ASF has yet to reach Tan My commune, complaints have been made, and local residents are concerned if the companys statements and actions will match if disease hits the region. In another case, Masan Group, one of the largest pig farming and pork processing companies in Vietnam, is trying to do well its mission to prevent the disease. A representative of Masan told VIR that while the disease lasts, the company will not take pork delivered from unsafe regions. Technical teams disinfect all vehicles entering and leaving Masans factories. The company is in full compliance with the closed manufacturing process from delivering, slaughter, batching, packaging, and storing. Masans pork and processed pork products meet the four criteria of traceability, quality, safety, and environment-friendliness. In addition to the drastic statements of local farms and food processing companies, CJ Vietnam, one of the leading foreign-invested meat processing companies in the country, still kept silent about the spread of ASF in Vietnam when being asked by VIR, and the prevention measures they put in place. Fluctuating demand The outbreak of the fever also impacted on pork market. Last year was a rather good year for pig farmers, but in the first months of 2019, ASF has been discovered in more than 200 household businesses across the 10 cities and provinces of Hung Yen, Thai Binh, Thanh Hoa, Ha Nam, Haiphong, Hanoi, Hai Duong, as well as Hoa Binh, Dien Bien, and Thai Nguyen. Over 4,300 pigs have been culled, with more than 300 tonnes of meat destroyed. This raises hefty safety concerns in the agricultural sector. The spreading of fever is impacting on the operations of pig farming businesses and pork processors, as well as putting pressure on supply and prices. Despite the small scale of his farming operations, farmer Le Van Ke in Tien Lu district, Hung Yen province, has just destroyed 30 mother pigs infected by foot and mouth disease and ASF. According to a small survey conducted by VIR, although pork sales in big supermarkets and food stores considered safe remained stable, both the demand and price of pork in traditional markets have decreased by about 10-20 per cent. Hoang Thanh Tu, a pork seller in Hanois Bach Mai street said that the consumption of pork has reduced by 20 per cent after ASF was detected in Vietnamese cities and provinces. People have bought less pork over the past two weeks, choosing instead beef, chicken or seafood, said Tu. Pork, which is a key part of every meal in Vietnam, makes up around 70 per cent of all meat consumed in the market. The decreasing demand will lead to an oversupply situation, negatively affecting prices and the income of farmers. Telling VIR about food safety and hygiene during ASF, Bui Bich Lien, CEO of Orfarm, the brand specialising in producing and distributing organic products in Japans EM technology, said: There is no vacin and medicine to treat the ASF virus completely but we ourselves can protect from it by strict measures. At our farm in Hoa Binh province, we use effective microorganism (EM) liquid in food and drinking water for animals to increase their natural resistance to infection, cleaning pigery, spraying all the farm, in-and-out vehicles and surrounding area daily. As result our farm is still safe within the infected region. For customers, Lien suggests that they should select prestigious stores which can prove the origin of the meat and products processed from pork, as well as show certificates for food safety. In our Orfarm store chain, we have stringent standards for food quality, especially pork, and operate with a closed processing circle which was certified by the local authorities and international standards. Quality is our first priority, said Lien. In addition to Orfarm, big supermarkets like Big C and VinMart, and retail chains like Soi Bien and Clever Food still promise to provide clean and safe pork from reputable suppliers which has been inspected carefully from farming to slaughter and preservation. The new National Innovation Centre looks poised to develop into a core for a range of cutting-edge companies As a German company operating in Vietnam since 1979, Siemens has successfully implemented a series of critical infrastructure projects. Now, the company is an innovation leader across a wide range of sectors. On hearing about the project for the new National Innovation Centre (NIC), Siemens views this as a new opportunity as the company is confident with the achievements it has had over the years in Vietnam. However, specific information about the project remains meagre. The fields and extent to which foreign investors can participate in the venture are questions for the company for now. Bosch Vietnam, also from Germany, has been operating a research and development centre for technologies, and a similar centre for automobiles. The company said it would conduct more studies about the project to get involved. Swedish-backed ABB Vietnam, a pioneering technology leader in power grids, electrification products, industrial automation, and robotics, is also wondering what they need to do to grab this new opportunity. With prioritising fields like smart factories, smart cities, and digital industry, ABB have competitive advantages and will seriously consider investment in the NIC if it comes to pass. At last weeks meeting on the project, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc agreed to speed up the building of the NIC. However, he required the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) to set up a detailed, stringent, and complete roadmap so that the project can be soon approved, and guidelines can soon be released. According to the plan, the NIC will be located in the Hoa Lac area in western Hanoi, covering 23 hectares. It will be near universities, and scientific and technological companies with available infrastructure investment. The NICs construction area is set to be 90,000 square metres, with the total investment capital of VND1.9 trillion ($82.6 million) funded by foreign and domestic investors. Nguyen Dinh Cung, director of the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM), said that the NIC can be focussed on various sectors. Specifically, the centre can be the innovation core for smart manufacturing with smart factory application and product development for future factories with increasing automation. The centre can also become a place to promote application and development of products and services for smart cities with a sustainable environment. Accordingly, products and services are not limited with urban management and transportation, but also expand to the development and application of environmental technology with innovative business models. Besides, the centre can also become a new hub to promote digital media, especially digital games based on the available domestic market. Furthermore, the centre can become a place to develop network security applications for governmental agencies, companies, and individuals with the highest tax priority with 20 years of using land for free. Particularly, the NIC can represent enterprises to rent ground, and proceed with administration procedures and deploy necessary infrastructure investment. Meanwhile, according to Dang Quang Vinh, deputy director of the CIEMs Department of Business Environment and Competitive Capacity, the NIC will be the first centre and part of a network of innovation centres that will be set up throughout the country. Each centre will focus on specific areas that can benefit from the localitys advantages. In the first five years, the project expects to attract 40 tech companies, 150 startups, 15 investment funds, 40 companies providing trade services, and create about 5,000 jobs in technology, Vinh said. In order to develop this detailed plan, a study group of 100 Vietnamese overseas talents was established by the MPI last August. The project has also been receiving consultancy from US-based Boston Consulting Group and the UKs Arup Architects. A textile plant. Vietnamese firms are being urged to improve their awareness of environment commitments in free trade agreements to expand exports. - Photo baotainguyenmoitruong.vn The forum was organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment with an aim to help firms understand challenges and environmental requirements of new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs) on their export products. Trinh Xuan Quang from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said the common challenge to the business community now was the heavy dependence on brown growth. Development still relies heavily on the use of natural resources with only modest investment of resources in environmental protection, Quang said. Quang also pointed out that incomplete policies on the management of natural resources and the environment mean firms are less likely to choose environmentally friendly growth models. The core issue is how to encourage firms to use natural resources efficiently and shift from brown to green growth, he said. According to Pham Van Loi, Director of the Environmental Science Institute, the European Union Viet Nam FTA and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) include a number of commitments related to climate change, ozone layer protection, sustainable fishing and corporate responsibility. Firms must study these commitments to comply with them to expand exports, Loi said. Loi said new-generation FTAs also had higher requirements for transparency in compliance with commitments. Waste discharge information and environmental protection solutions would be made public. Loi said this remained a challenge for Viet Nam, adding that the country must improve the framework for environmental laws and improve handling of environment-related international trade issues. According to Loi, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is developing co-ordination mechanisms to help address environmental problems in FTAs. Under the project, an agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade specialised in receiving information about environmental issues from FTA member countries regarding the business operation of Vietnamese firms to raise timely solutions. By Tu Ha and Matthieu Francois* From a more practical perspective, gender balance means creating more equal opportunities for women, particularly in the highest levels of an organisation. According to The power of parity: Advancing womens equality in Asia-Pacific, a report published by McKinseys business and research arm, McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), women in the region continue to be concentrated in lower growth sectors and lower-paying roles. There are over three times more women in clerical positions than men. Despite the increasing role of the digital economy, women are far less likely to hold a position in the tech industry. The further up a company, the more narrow the opportunities for women, with a 50 per cent drop in women representation from entry level to senior management. Beyond the moral and ethical implications suggested by this imbalance, gender inequality puts corporations at a disadvantage. Research done by McKinsey in the Women Matter series has shown that greater representation of women in senior corporate positions correlates with an improved business performance. In essence, diversity leads to more dynamic discussions, a broader range of factors considered, and healthy challenges to conventional thinking. These benefits also apply to governments, as well as private organisations. Ultimately, measures that help promote a more equal gender balance such as flexible hours and extended parental leave, directly improve the work-life balance of all employees. These factors can make all the difference to todays top talent when choosing and staying with their employers, many favour multiple income streams, whilst the work-life balance and other aspects of happiness are considered more important than in previous generators. A trisector effort Much is at stake. MGIs report estimates that $12 trillion can be added to global growth by advancing gender equality. Vietnam could add $40 billion a year to its GDP by 2025, which would see its current economic growth trajectory increase by about 10 per cent. Capturing these benefits requires not just a clear vision and strong will, but also proactive and focused measures. Governments, companies, and society, which make up a key trisector, must work together. The nation has already taken steps to address some of the sources of gender inequality. Domestically, the formal equality of women and men in society is widely regarded as one of the legacies of the socialist revolution. Today, almost half of small-business entrepreneurs are women, whilst participation in the labour force is almost level, making it one of the highest rates in the world. The literacy rate among women is 92 per cent, and female graduates account for over half of the bachelors degrees awarded in the country, more than 30 per cent of the masters degrees, and 17 per cent of the doctorates. Women also have prominent roles in science and technology, and the percentage of women in engineering careers increased in recent years. However, numerous issues still persist and require improvement. Household chores, including childcare and care for the elderly, remain the primary responsibilities of women, especially mothers, and more attention is needed in social services, which can alleviate the burden of caregiving and housework on working women. The first actor needed in the trisector effort to encourage gender balance is the government, which must build on ongoing efforts to create gender parity. The relative success in bringing highly skilled women into the workforce is partly a result of family-friendly laws that support child care and maternity programmes. In addition, the National Strategy on Gender Equality has been an important first step in supporting women reaching managerial and leadership positions, as well as encouraging a narrowing of the gender gap in politics. In 2015, UNESCO and the Ministry of Education and Training agreed to implement the Gender Equality and Girls Education Initiative, which was designed to raise awareness, narrow the development gap, and promote the status of women. The scheme pledged to assess the implications on women and men of any education reforms. However, challenges remain, especially in terms of pay gaps, high-level representation, and access to wage employment. Continually improving policies in these crucial areas will help sustain the countrys exemplary rate of participation by women in the workforce. Case for gender equality Companies in Vietnam also have a role to play in pushing forward gender equality. Though the proportion of women in management positions has increased, it remains low in comparison with the increases enjoyed by women in the workforce generally. According to a 2017 Financial Times survey, even though Vietnamese women have a high participation rate in the labour force, they have the lowest female-to-male ratio in top management, with one woman to every eight men, compared with 1:5.6 in Malaysia, 1:2.8 in the Philippines and 1:2.2 in Thailand. Furthermore, pay gaps still exist between men and women doing the same job, there are fewer opportunities for women to access high-income jobs, and women remain more vulnerable when businesses need to lay off workers. As a corporate challenge that remains, 83 per cent of job advertisements in Vietnam prioritise male candidates. A report from the General Statistics Office also shows that the proportion of women in leadership roles has declined, and men are paid 11 per cent more than women for the same job. As the country continues to progress, businesses need to promote awareness of workplace gender equality, first by re-evaluating their own human resources policies, and then by building a strategic plan designed to promote gender equality. Firms should also focus on diversifying their workforce, providing equal opportunities to both men and women in recruitment, employment, and promotion. Training programmes for women to move into leadership positions are also needed as well as providing training on gender equality for employees throughout the organisation. With equal career opportunities, businesses will be able to create a sustainable corporate culture, increase employee satisfaction, and attract and retain talent. Moreover, gender equality policies will also contribute to image enhancement and brand building, which are crucial for economic development. Society is the last element of the trisector. Deep-rooted attitudes play an integral part in limiting the potential of women and investment in public awareness that shifts social norms can help ease the path for working women. The movement to change traditional mindsets may be slow, but it is essential for long-term change. Education and awareness are crucial. Educational centres could consider ways of removing gender bias in tandem with companies. For instance, sponsorship and mentoring programmes could be implemented for women to encourage them to participate more broadly in the economy, including in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. Even though half of all university faculties in Vietnam employ women, only 11 per cent gain professorships, with those in the STEM fields considerably lower. This is undoubtedly an area that could be improved through education, awareness, and mentorship. Gender parity in Vietnam cannot be achieved without conscious effort, and the challenge is increased by changes in demographics and increased automation, which looks set to increase pressure on the domestic labour force. If the necessary actors work together, progress can be made and everyone can enjoy the benefits of #balanceforbetter. (*) Tu Ha is a senior client development advisor and Matthieu Francois is an associate partner of McKinsey & Company in Vietnam Hanoi became the first city in Southeast Asia to get involved in the Global Greening campaign (Source: baomoi.com) At 1 pm the same day, organisers of the campaign in Hanoi will hold theIreland Day to observe the countrys national holiday, St Patricks Day (March 17). The event will feature cultural activities and art performances of Ireland and its culture to the Vietnamese public. Irelands Global Greening initiative started in 2010 and is now a firm feature of St. Patricks Day around the world. On the day, hundreds of iconic landmarks, such as the Empire State building in New York, the US and the Great Wall of China, turn green to encourage environmental protection. Hanoi became the first city in Southeast Asia to get involved in the activity in 2017. Recent advances are enticing Japanese groups to focus on Vietnamese manufacturing Photo: Le Toan A number of Japanese businesses are planning to move investment from China and Thailand to Vietnam to ease risks from the ongoing US-China tensions. Production cost increases because of the import of spare parts. This is a big concern for an exit, said Takaharu Oyama, general director of A&D Vietnam Ltd., one of the Japanese companies which have previously shifted investment from China to Vietnam. A&Ds concern is also that of other Japanese companies. However, some of the worry is now being partly eased as the countrys low localisation rate improves. Improvements in localisation As the government takes bold action and creates programmes to develop supporting industries in order to increase the localisation rate, good news has come from the latest fiscal year (FY) 2018 survey on the international operations of Japanese companies, released last week by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Hanoi Office. The survey was conducted over 13,415 Japanese businesses at the end of 2018, including more than 1,500 with operation in Vietnam. As it stands, Vietnams localisation rate has tended to gradually increase since 2010, and in 2018 it rose to 36.3 per cent from 33.2 per cent in the previous year, making it the highest rise among the surveyed countries. Impressively, for the first time, the countrys localisation rate has surpassed Malaysia (36.1 per cent). The improvement is expected to add attraction to Vietnam, where manufacturing is the most impressive sector, making up over 80 per cent of the countrys total pledged capital amid stiffening competition in foreign investment attraction. According to JETRO Hanoi, manufacturing retained the most attention of Japanese investors in Vietnam last year, accounting for 35 per cent of total number of projects, and rising by 10 per cent on-year. In terms of registered capital, this sector made up 77 per cent of total Japanese-registered capital during the year. Japanese groups still have high interest in the Vietnamese manufacturing sector. It is known that the more the economy develops, the more the third industry of service develops compared to the second industry of manufacturing, and Japan is not an exception. Thus Vietnam should have policies to attract investment in manufacturing in its targeted areas, JETRO Hanois chief representative Hironobu Kitagawa told VIR. According to the 2018 survey, 1.5 per cent of Japanese businesses in China said that they want to move to third countries, while 5.1 per cent want to narrow operations. Meanwhile, 69.8 per cent of Japanese businesses in Vietnam are planning to expand operations in the country in the next one to two years, up from 69.5 per cent in the 2017 edition. The rate is higher than in Thailand (52.2 per cent), and China (48.7 per cent). Kitagawa said that Vietnam has advantages to attract Japanese investment, such as improvements in labour costs, tax procedures, licensing procedures, and infrastructure. He also attributed market size, revenue growth, and high growth potential as advantages. As laid out in the latest survey, 64.9 per cent of Japanese investors said that they want to invest because of revenue increase in the country, while 42.8 per cent cited high growth potential. Despite improvements, Vietnams localisation rate from domestic businesses remains lower at 14.4 per cent, and far lower than China (66.3 per cent) and Thailand (57.2 per cent). Hanoi-Japan investment promotion conference The Hanoi-Japan investment promotion conference will be held on March 29 with the participation of over 120 Japanese delegates. This annual event aims to introduce investment opportunities in highly-potential projects to Japanese businesses. Vietnamese representatives include leaders of ministries, Hanoi, cities, and provinces, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Vietnam Airlines, and other Vietnamese businesses. As part of the event, a number of memoranda of understanding will be announced. More regulatory concerns Regulatory risks remain high among Japanese firms in Vietnam. A few days ago, a group of Japanese businesses gathered at a conference to give comments to drafts of the new Law on Investment and the Law on Enterprises. Mitsubishi, Japan Airlines, Taisei Corporation, and Inkel Vietnam were among the notable names. The gathering came right after the first New Year meeting held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) to seek comments for the first amendment of these laws, showing how significant legal changes to Japanese investors is. It is easy to understand why this move was made rapidly. Japanese investors have seen improvements in Vietnams legal framework, but solutions to outstanding business concerns remain in the distance. Japanese legal concerns are once again reinforced by the JETRO FY 2018 survey. While Japanese perspectives about risks over labour costs, cumbersome tax procedures, complicated licensing procedures, and infrastructure all fell, regulatory risks went in the opposite direction. While 46.9 per cent of interviewees named regulatory framework as risks in the 2017 edition, the 2018 result now stands at 48.2 per cent, a rise of 1.3 percentage points. Kitagawa of JETRO Hanoi, blamed the poor result for incompletion of a legal framework and lack of transparency in performance. This is particularly proven by the lack of pre-studies about legal contents, as shown in the regulations in used machine imports; late issuance of guiding documents; inconsistency in legal performance as shown in changes in contents of investment licenses; and lack of transparency in regulation performance, as shown in the fund of natural disaster fight and waste rules, among other factors, he attributed. Currently, the MPI is actively working on the amendment of the Law on Investment and the Law on Enterprises to prepare for the upcoming discussions at the National Assembly. Thus, Japanese concerns come as a significant factor. Evidently, A&D Vietnam and other Japanese businesses are keeping their eyes on the discussions and expecting positive changes. What are the highlights in EuroChams Whitebook 2019, and how can it help EuroCham members deal with business activities in Vietnam? Over the past decade, the insights and recommendations of our members have helped to shape the nations business environment, and to further improve trade and investment with Europes market-leading companies. Now, as the country moves up the value chain through digitalisation and Industry 4.0, and further integrates into the international community through free trade agreements such as the upcoming EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), European business will once again represent a strong and stable partner for the next stage of the nations development. In our 11th edition of the Whitebook, we share sector-specific recommendations to help improve the overall legal framework and business environment in the country. If taken on board, these insights can help push the nation further and faster on its path of growth and development, benefitting not just domestic and foreign businesses, but ordinary citizens and wider society too. While some issues remain unresolved, we can see the trade and investment environment today is significantly more competitive, open, and business-friendly. Many of the positive changes we have seen have been raised by EuroCham members in previous editions of the Whitebook, so it is clear that our publication is an effective and impactful tool. What are the key themes in the recommendations given by the Whitebook 2019? Just as in previous editions, our 2019 edition sees each sector committee make a number of detailed recommendations to improve trade and investment in their own sector. However, the common themes which run through all sectors and industries is the need to continue reducing administrative burdens on foreign enterprises, further liberalise the economy, and continue to reform the legal framework to create a more predictable trade and investment environment. The launch of the Whitebook in Hanoi will bring together the issues and recommendations of our sector committees under three main themes including healthcare, tax and customs, and sustainability. Our members will discuss a wide range of issues with the government including tax and transfer pricing, logistics and infrastructure, green growth, human resources, health, and legal issues. If taken on board and addressed, we believe the recommendations of our members in these areas will not only help to improve the business environment and increase trade and investment, but also help to improve the livelihoods and living conditions of ordinary citizens. The EVFTA is expected to be signed this year. What focus does the Whitebook 2019 give to the deal? The EVFTA is one of the most comprehensive and ambitious deals ever concluded between the EU and a developing nation. Once it is ratified during the next session of the European Parliament, Vietnam will join a select group of countries with privileged, tariff-free access to Europes 500-million-strong consumer market and world-leading goods and services across all sectors and industries. Once it comes into force, the EVFTA will set in motion a gradual reduction of 99 per cent of tariffs across a range of products and eliminate technical barriers to trade. This will boost trade and investment, while also helping to further reform the nations legal framework and improve standards. In short, the EVFTA will increase trade, and make Vietnam a more attractive investment destination for European companies in the region. In the Whitebook, our members outline the opportunities that the EVFTA will bring in areas from government procurement to market access for European goods and services to investment dispute settlements. However, in order to unlock these opportunities, and for the country to fulfill its potential as a leading investment destination for European companies in the ASEAN, some issues still must be resolved. In the spirit of co-operation, and to ensure a smooth implementation of the EVFTA, our members have also shared their recommendations on how to overcome these issues. Which changes to investment do you foresee being instigated through the Whitebook? If the recommendations of our members are taken on board, Vietnam will see greater foreign direct investment from Europe across a range of sectors and industries. To take just a few examples, further improvements to the tax and customs environment in Vietnam, such as in the areas of transfer pricing, special consumption tax or improving transparency in customs procedures, would help to create a more predictable environment for foreign enterprises. Meanwhile, addressing issues in information and communication technology such as apprenticeships, or in human resources and training, such as work permits for foreign employees, would help to up-skill the Vietnamese workforce. These changes could help better prepare them, and the economy as a whole, for the jobs and opportunities of the future. These changes, in turn, would encourage greater investment from European companies across all sectors and industries. Although e-commerce is increasingly popular nationwide, many establishments are struggling in the battle to win the trust of consumers Photo: Le Toan Last week, some complaints were made about Lazada.vn displaying and selling replica guns with accessories. These products were in fact plastic guns with bullets made of plaster produced in China. Immediately after receiving the complaints, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, the Market Surveillance Agency, and the Customs Department set up an inspection of Lazada.vn. Under pressure, the company removed all these products from its website. This is not the first time the company has violated regulations. Last year during Halloween, parents were shocked to see swords and imitation hands, feet, and fingers being displayed and sold on the platform. Customers were even offered free fake blood capsules when completing their purchase. Elsewhere, in late 2018 consumer Mai Anh complained that she had bought an Asus laptop on Lazadas website for VND7.869 million ($342). The purchase came with an order code which gave an electronic warranty of 24 months, and promised a returns payment within 15 days. The following day, Anh received her order in an old box. Inside, she found the laptop locked with a password from a previous owner and covered with fingerprints without a sealed stamp. I requested that Lazada explain why I received such a poor-quality product but so far I have been given no answer. They asked me to send the laptop back and they will repay me. Its clear to me that Lazada cheats its customers, Anh said. E-market fraught with violations Such issues are not only exclusive to Lazada.vn but have also involved other e-commerce platforms such as Sendo and Shopee. A similar complaint was made about Sendo on the Tinhte online forum in February by a customer with the username Tran Le Gio. They complained that, People should boycott Sendo. Sendo scams and robs customers. According to the customer, he paid VND1.99 million ($86.5) for an Oppo F3 smartphone in November but instead recieved an F5 made in China. I asked the support department and knew that I had to wait for the shops confirmation within 48 hours. If the shop didnt confirm, Sendo would not take the product back, he shared. Meanwhile, Le Hai Linh from Hanois Nghia Tan area told VIR that she would never shop online again. Once I bought a dress on Sendo because I liked its style, the colour looked great too. I paid VND300,000 ($12) for it including the shipping fee. But I couldnt wear it. The material was of poor quality. The colour wasnt what I wanted, Linh said. With the e-market offering many bargains, Shopee is well-known as a place where fake products are publicly sold. On the platform, it is possible to find different prices for the same product set by different shops. Prices can range from several to hundreds of US dollars. With little clarification by shops on the quality or origin of their products, it is often difficult for consumers to make informed decisions on their purchases. Last August, Shopee was investigated for selling a toy bearing an image of a Chinese map which violated Vietnams sovereignty. Shopee was forced to remove the toy which showed a map featuring the nine-dash line that China uses to illegally claim sovereign Vietnamese territory in the East Sea, internationally known as the South China Sea. Moreover, these products were printed in both English and Chinese, without a Vietnamese translation, which violated regulations on labelling goods. These are just some of the complaints on violated cases at the three biggest e-commerce platforms in the country, although there are many online selling websites and free sellers working on social networks nationally. However, data released from the Ministry of Industry and Trade takes a closer look at violations occurring in this burstling market. In 2018, there were 36,000 products and almost 3,200 accounts and stores locked or removed on platforms due to a violation in products being sold. Its clear that fraud regarding the selling of prohibited goods has been popular across e-commerce platforms. This has bad impacts on the trust of customers as well as creating unequal competition in business. Increased legislation Currently, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) is compiling a draft circular on management of e-commerce websites on mobile platforms in order to better oversee online business activities. Accordingly, the MoIT will publicise the names of these e-commerce websites, mobile application as well as the names and information of violating sellers, website owners, and applications. According to Dang Hoang Hai, director of the MoITs E-commerce and Digital Trade Department, banned goods and services in accordance with Vietnamese law and restricted products such as alcohol and cigarettes must be managed, prevented, and removed by the platforms technical measures. Because of Lazadas violation in accordance with the Decree No.124/2015/ND-CP, they may face a penalty of up to VND40 million ($1,700), Hai said. Penalties given to violators must be based on legal documents, whilst current regulations with light penalties are not enough of a deterrent, according to lawyer Tran Thuy Nga from the Hanoi Bar Association. Co-ordination among relevant agencies is also weak, which makes it more challenging to prevent violations. To improve this situation, we should increase punishments and consider withdrawing business licenses or even criminal handling, Nga told VIR. Meanwhile, Pham Tan Dat, CEO of Fado.vn, a platform that supports Vietnamese individuals and businesses to do online trade and a partner of Alibaba in Vietnam, said that the current operating mechanism of e-commerce platforms is a coded and a continuous trading process based on data. For prohibited goods, e-commerce platforms use software to filter by keywords, while for fake goods they have to identify manually, he said. Theoretically, e-commerce platforms could manage products by papers. Sellers must submit documents for imported goods, while domestic goods require factory certificates, certificate of origin, and an invoice, he added. Following this procedure would take a long time to upload a product online. However, to attract private businesses as well as to compete with each other, the countrys e-commerce platforms must easily facilitate stores. Dat believed that when violations occur, aside from punishments for both the platform and the seller, platforms need to support state management agencies like public security, market management, and inspectors to investigate illegal trade activities as well as provide necessary information, transaction history, and other documents about the violators. Nguyen Binh Minh, representative from the Vietnam E-commerce Association, said, Only when platforms have their own managing mechanisms and sellers are serious with customers trust, can the fraud be stopped. Why does Amazon gets the trust of customers? Its because when you can sell your goods on this platform, it proves that all your details have been noted by Amazon, Minh told VIR. To own a store on Amazon, sellers have to join a short time training course, gain the certificate of Amazon as well as answer dozens of strict commitments and ensure be online 24/24. Minh added. An American Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 arrives in Miami, Florida, from Washington Ronald Reagan National Airport on Mar 12, 2019. (AFP/JOE RAEDLE) WASHINGTON: The US decision on Wednesday (Mar 13) to ground the Boeing 737 MAX came after authorities noted similarities between two recent crashes, eerily echoing reports from American pilots who complained of problems with the plane late last year. At least four US pilots filed reports following the October crash of a Lion Air flight in Indonesia shortly after takeoff and all complained the aircraft suddenly pitched downward, according to documents reviewed by AFP on a flight safety database. The Lion Air crash that killed 189 people was attributed to the flight stabilization system designed to prevent the aircraft from stalling, the "MCAS." The Federal Aviation Administration said on Wednesday that new evidence and satellite data indicated similarities with Sunday's crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX 8 minutes after takeoff, killing 157. That link "warrants further investigation of the possibility of a shared cause for the two incidents," the FAA said in the emergency order grounding the 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft. Dozens of airlines and governments around the world had already taken that step. The cause of the tragedy in Ethiopia has not been determined, although the black boxes with critical data and recordings of the pilots were retrieved on Monday and are due to be shipped to France for analysis. Boeing already announced it was working on an update to its flight software and training on the aircraft. 'DONT SINK, DONT SINK' One pilot on a US carrier reported an incident in November 2018, just weeks after the Lion Air crash, saying the plane "pitched nose down" two to three seconds after engaging the autopilot following takeoff, according to the report on the Aviation Safety Reporting System, maintained by NASA. "The captain immediately disconnected the autopilot and pitched into a climb," the report said. "The rest of the flight was uneventful." The flight crew reviewed the incident "at length ... but can't think of any reason the aircraft would pitch nose-down so aggressively." Another pilot on a flight in November said the crew discussed the concerns about the aircraft following the Lion Air crash, and "I mentioned I would engage the autopilot sooner than usual." But again once engaged, there was a quick automated warning of "DONT SINK, DONT SINK!" "I immediately disconnected the AP (autopilot) ... and resumed climb," the officer said. But after review, "frankly neither of us could find an inappropriate setup error." "With the concerns with the MAX 8 nose-down stuff, we both thought it appropriate to bring it to your attention." The Lion Air accident had focused attention on Angle of Attack (AOA) sensors connected to the aircraft stabilisation system. A malfunction of these systems may erroneously correct the path by pitching the aircraft down due to a mistaken assessment that the aircraft is in a stall. Andrew Hunter, a defense industry expert at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said while Boeing and the FAA have good track records on addressing safety concerns, sometimes the combination of automated systems and humans do not work smoothly. "It is hard to get a system to work seamlessly with human beings," he told AFP. "The fact the system was fighting the pilot was not an unintended consequence," because it should counteract a pilot error and correcting this is "challenging." "I'm not sure the fix here was quite so easy," Hunter said. Vietnam Airlines will switch airports in Russia to improve services The decision was driven by the airlines commitment to high customer satisfaction as Vietnam Airlines continues to invest and meet customers expectations throughout every aspect of business. Sheremetyevo International Airport is the largest and fastest-growing Russian airport with the countrys most modern passenger terminals, offering the maximum level of customer comfort, excellent transfer services, and increased speed and flexibility. This decision will also facilitate Vietnam Airlines co-operation and partnership with Russias major carrier Aeroflot, as the two airlines target to begin codesharing on domestic routes in Vietnam and Russia and expand their co-operation across several areas of the business. The move will take this co-operation further in the direction of a solid and mutually beneficial partnership, offering customers a wider choice of travel options and world-class quality of the two leading four-star airlines. The airline will smoothly move its entire operations without any interruption to the flights. Vietnam Airlines will continue to offer three direct Moscow-Hanoi flights per week, operated on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, arriving at Sheremetyevo at 06:45 and departing at 14:40 from Terminal D (Moscow time). Le Hong Ha, executive vice president of Vietnam Airlines, underlined that, Over the past 25 years, Vietnam-Russia has been one of Vietnam Airlines' most important routes. We have implemented a number of initiatives on this route, including upgrading our service both in the air and on the ground. The airports current infrastructure will allow Vietnam Airlines passengers to experience the airlines 4-star certified international service even before they board our Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. We believe this will enable the airline to fulfil long-term commercial objectives and reinforce our commitment to upgrading overall service quality. Denis Pashkovsky, deputy general director, commercial activities of Sheremetyevo International Airport, said, Vietnam Airlines and its passengers will greatly benefit from the advanced airport facilities, a wide range of available services, and vast route connections with Russian and European destinations on the flights carried out by Aeroflot the Russian national carrier and other airlines which are members of the Skyteam alliance." After 25 years of operations, the carrier has transported more than 1.6 million passengers between Vietnam and Russia. In 2018, Russia was ranked sixth among Vietnams 10 largest international markets with 600,000 arrivals to Vietnam, which is predicted to increase to 1 million by 2020. Vietnam is the second fastest growing market of GrabFood in Southeast Asia By the end of September, GrabFood has been officially operating in Vietnam for eight months. However, the latest figures released by Grab recently showed that GrabFood has become one of the leading food delivery services in the country. GrabFood has been continuously expanding to 15 cities and provinces so far. The number of merchant-partners has increased ten-fold and the average delivery time reduced to 20 minutes per order. At the moment, almost no player in the market could boast similar successes. This success made Vietnam GrabFoods second fastest-growing market in Southeast Asia, outside of Indonesia. Explaining this, it can be said that almost all important factors for a newcomer to rise and take the lead converge in GrabFood, including the maturity of the market, as well as internal forces. Seizing market opportunities Vietnams young population gathering in major urban cities, in addition to the high smartphone usage rate, have pushed the online food delivery market to the point of explosion. Luong Duy Hoai, founder of Giao Hang Nhanh, stated that e-commerce, convenience stores, and instant services, including food delivery services, will be the top three segments which will continue to rocket in the future thanks to this context. A recent research by GCOMM also showed that 99 per cent of respondents said that they used online food delivery services at least 2-3 times a month. Remarkably, up to 39 per cent ordered food via a mobile app 2-3 times a week. It can be seen that the market has formed a group of customers who habitually use mobile apps to order food almost everyday. This is the right time for online food delivery services. However, it is still rare to produce the results GrabFood did. According to a research conducted by Kantar Worldpanel in January 2019, GrabFood was rated as the most used food delivery service in Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi) with 68 per cent of respondents agreeing with this option. Now (Foody) came in second with 19 per cent, followed by Go-Food with 1 per cent, and the rest are other services. GrabFood ranks fisrt about the customers' satifaction on time delivery Strategy to dominate While established competitors are developing multiple services from food delivery, GrabFood draws advantages from its mother company Grab the biggest on-demand ride-hailing service in Vietnam. This helps GrabFood take advantage of a wide driver-partner and customer network. Thanks to these two factors, besides the rapid expansion, GrabFood also received secondary advantages such as fast delivery time as well as a significant increase in incremental revenue from joining the platform. A massive number of driver-partners enables our fast delivery speed. With the mechanism that drivers-partners make orders directly at stores, we can receive order and deliver dishes in a few dozen minutes, said a GrabFoods representative. With the strategy of satisfying Vietnamese consumes taste, GrabFood partnered up with popular local restaurants to add delicious dishes to its menu, as well as deliver consumers the best quality at the highest speed. At present, GrabFood offers a whole range of exclusive items on its menu from well-known restaurants under the GrabFood Signatures tag. In addition, Grab is discussing a partnership with the Vietnam Food Administration for a promotion campaign of food safety to restaurants, food stalls, driver-partners, as well as customers who show increasing demand for food safety. Becoming GrabFoods second-fastest growing market has proved the attractiveness of the Vietnamese online food delivery market. However, competition is fierce to match, with competitors falling behind and disappearing by the day, as the natural selection leaves only the most methodically-invested brands with the most fitting strategies. Singapore. Las Vegas. Silicon Valley. These are the models the Cambodian government says it is hoping to emulate in the coastal port city of Sihanoukville, now awash in Chinese investment. Government spokesman Phay Siphan on Monday gave a nearly two-hour press conference to drill the message home to reporters from a pulpit at the Council of Ministers building, itself build with Chinese money. Public discontent over massive Chinese investment and associated immigration to Sihanoukville is rising, as billions of dollars pour into the real estate market and casinos spring up seemingly overnight to cater to Chinese tourists. You know what? Siphan said at the meeting on Monday. It has only been eight months since my last visit [to Preah Sihanouk province] and I went there again and I got lost, it changed quite fast from my memory of the [citys] old landscape. I traveled around the citys streets at night, it was just a picture of Las Vegas, he added. Sooner or later, Siphan says, the region will be transformed into a financial and tech hubs like Silicon Valley or Singapore, he insists, calling on the media to write positive articles about the developmental phenomenon. Sihanoukville is a city of development with a desire to be a modern city which I would call a city of miracles that we should be proud of as Khmer, he said. I cannot imagine if [Sihanoukville] can be the next Silicon Valley in California as a tech hub, but I think it may be on the way to be one. Sihanoukvilles rapid transformation comes amid a global push back against Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, with growing concern Beijing is practicing debt-trap diplomacy. Cambodia has grown closer to China as relations with Europe and the United States continue to sour over Prime Minister Hun Sens human rights record and the dissolution of the countrys main opposition party ahead of elections last year. Claims were made that China was planning to turn a port being built by one of its state-owned companies in Koh Kong into a naval base have been roundly denied. Siphan called such claims a smear campaign. Chinese tourists made up one-third of the 6.2 million visitors to Cambodia last year. In Sihanoukville, some 90 percent of the permanent expatriate community are Chinese, according to officials. The influx of immigrants and finance follows a visit to Cambodia in October 2016 by Xi Jinping, the Chinese president. Meas Ny, a political analyst in Cambodia, said large-scale Chinese investment came with benefits, but also put the countrys independence at risk. With most development projects run by Chinese, social dialogue usually does not happen. They dont care to ask about local concerns until huge impacts take placeand they solve it later. Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday announced he was launching a legal campaign against Facebook users who insult him on the social media platform. He said he had instructed his lawyers to pursue Cambodians who were judged to have insulted him with claims of as much as $2 million. I am asking my lawyers to study filling complaints. You insult me via Facebook. You must know that your property is in the country. You are outside the country, but your property is inside the country. I will confiscate all of it, only when the court rules that I am the winner of the case. This is a message for you, he said. He added that he would donate the proceeds from the seized assets to charity, but did not name any individuals who would be targeted. If you post more, we will have more work to do, collecting evidence, confiscating your properties, demanding no less than $2 million, he said. In recent years, several Cambodians have been detained for insulting Hun Sen publicly on social media. In April 2017, Som Sokha, a labor activist, was charged after she posted a video online of her throwing her sandal at a billboard depicting Hun Sen and Heng Samrin, president of the National Assembly. In January, Kong Mas, a former opposition official, was also arrested for criticizing the government over its handling of negotiations with the European Union over rice import tariffs. Ky Tech, Hun Sens senior lawyer, declined to comment on the details of the plans. Am Sam Ath, chief of local rights group Licadhos investigations unit, said the threat likely referred to leading members of the former opposition party, which was disbanded by the Supreme Court in 2017. But the threat would not sit well with the European Union, he added, which has tied Cambodias continued membership of an important preferential trading scheme to improvements in democracy and human rights. The U.S. State Department is painting a grim picture of violations and abuses in countries that already have dismal records in its "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2018." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday highlighted abuses in Iran, South Sudan, Nicaragua and China in his remarks on the release of the report. "I wish I could say that the record of every country evaluated in this year's report is spotless or even improved, but it's simply not the case," Pompeo said. This year's report evaluates the practices of roughly 200 countries and territories. Venezuela In Latin America, the report cited extrajudicial killings, the stifling of free expression, and restrictions on political participation in Venezuela. It said the May 20, 2018, presidential vote that re-elected Nicolas Maduro was "deeply flawed" and was boycotted by the opposition and condemned by the international community. The State Department report also pointed to issues including "pervasive corruption and impunity among all security forces" in Venezuela and in the Maduro government, "trafficking in persons and the worst forms of child labor, which the government made minimal efforts to eliminate." "The situation on the ground is deteriorating. It's so tragic. The humanitarian conditions there are just awful. You have people starving, can't get medicine to the sick," Pompeo said in an interview in Houston. "The human rights situation in Venezuela is terrible" and is only getting worse, said Ambassador Michael Kozak from the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, adding the denial of U.S. medical and food aid by the Maduro government only exacerbates its humanitarian crisis. Iran On Iran, the report said, "The government's human rights record remained extremely poor and worsened in several key areas." The high-profile case of Iranian attorney Nasrin Sotoudeh was featured in the report. Sotoudeh, who represents political prisoners and women that protested against the country's compulsory hijab law, was arrested on June 13, 2018, on national security charges.She was sentenced to 38 years in prison and 148 lashes on March 12, 2019. "We are outraged," said State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino in Tuesday's briefing. "This sentence is beyond barbaric." The human rights report also pointed to issues including executions for crimes without fair trials, arbitrary killings and forced disappearance, harsh and life-threatening prison conditions, systematic use of arbitrary detention and imprisonment, unlawful interference with privacy, and severe restrictions on free expression, the press and the internet. China On China, the State Department's human rights report said the government significantly intensified its campaign of mass detention of members of Muslim minority groups in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang). Pompeo said China is "in a league of its own" when it comes to human rights violations. "Today, more than 1 million Uighurs, ethnic Kazakhs and other Muslims are interned in reeducation camps designed to erase their religious and ethnic identities. The government also is increasing its persecution against Christians, Tibetans and anyone who espouses different views from those or advocates those of government or advocates change in government," said the top U.S. diplomat. Other issues include arbitrary detention by the Chinese government; physical attacks on and the criminal prosecution of journalists, lawyers, petitioners, and their family members; severe restrictions on religious freedom; the forcible return of asylum-seekers to North Korea, where they have a well-founded fear of persecution; and official repression of the freedom of speech, religion, movement, association and assembly in Tibet, according to the report. China says it is running a deradicalization program and that the camps are vocational training centers to teach people about the law and the Mandarin language.Chinese authorities said Tuesday that the camps in Xinjiang will "gradually disappear" if a time arises when "society does not need them." Samuel Brownback, the U.S. ambassador for religious freedom, said Friday during a speech in Hong Kong that China's detentions are not proportionate to any real threat it faces from extremism. "China is not solving a terrorist problem by forcibly moving women, children, the elderly and the highly educated intelligentsia into mass detention centers and internment camps. Instead, they are creating one," he said. U.S. lawmakers are pressuring the Trump administration to take stronger actions against China. The House Foreign Affairs Committee told Pompeo last week it "appears the administration has taken no meaningful action" on the matter. Pompeo said the administration is considering sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for rights abuses against the Uighurs in Xinjiang. Reproductive rights missing Separately, critics on Wednesday pointed to the fact that the report does not highlight countries that commit human rights abuses around reproductive health. "For the last 25 years, most of the world has recognized that empowering women to control their bodies helps them and their families to access other rights, but you wouldn't know that from today's report," said Sarah Margon, Washington director at Human Rights Watch. "The State Department is essentially deciding that a significant set of women's rights are not human rights at all," she added. It is the second time since 2012 the State Department's human rights report eliminated references to women's "reproductive rights" since 2012. Lusia Bento Xicuba is one of thousands of street vendors in Praca da Madeira, an unlicensed market about a half-hour's drive from downtown Luanda. Xicuba's construction materials business has been struggling since the price of oil, Angola's biggest export, dropped four years ago. Angola has since faced a shortage of foreign currency, which has discouraged banks from lending to businesses like Xicuba's. The government of President Joao Lourenco has been seeking to inject money into the country with an amnesty for those who repatriate suspect funds. Aid to business owners But Xicuba doubts the program will help at least for businesses like hers. If the money is returned, she said, it would be useful if the government helped more business owners with loans to refinance and develop. Lourenco, who was elected in 2017, says decades of corruption under former President Jose Eduardo dos Santos left billions missing from state coffers. The former president denies any looting during his 38 years in power. He fell out with Lourenco after the president's much-lauded anti-corruption drive targeted members of dos Santos' family. Angolan lawmakers last year backed Lourenco on giving amnesty to those who bring illegally transferred funds back into the country. But so far, there has been no announcement on returned money, despite some high-profile arrests and prosecutions. Critics like opposition UNITA party lawmaker Adalberto Costa Junior say that raises doubts about the anti-corruption drive. He said this seemed to be a selective struggle. It is not a universal fight against corruption, Junior said; it appears that there are protected people and very calculated goals being pursued. A fight like this, Junior said, is not efficient. The Angolan Central Bank has said billions of dollars have been illegally sent abroad over the years, while tens of billions in government funds linked to Angola's state oil company, Sonangol, have disappeared. Leadership change Lourenco sacked dos Santos' daughter, who was running Sonangol, and streamlined operations and regulations to encourage foreign investors. Lawyer Antonio Ventura, who is with the watchdog group Associacao Paz, Justica e Democracia, noted that it won't be easy to eliminate systemic corruption and recover stolen funds after decades of exploitation. A lot of the stolen money was put into financial assets, Ventura said, many of which are earning interest in foreign banks. U.S. officials on Tuesday praised Lourenco's anti-corruption efforts ahead of a visit at the end of the week by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan. Tibor Nagy, U.S. assistant secretary of state for African affairs, said U.S. officials have been delightfully surprised by the Angolan government under Lourenco. "We absolutely support his efforts to fight corruption," Nagy said. "We know that there's a long way to go, because that's been one of the perennial complaints from American investors. And as you know, one of our top-line goals in Africa is to increase American trade and investment so there's not just a few investors going there." Sullivan will meet with the Angolan president to discuss global security issues. He'll also meet with members of the business community to underscore the importance of expanding economic and trade ties between the U.S. and Angola. U.S.-backed forces battling the last remnant of the Islamic State's self-declared caliphate penetrated deeper into the terror group's enclave Thursday, resulting in the second mass surrender in almost as many days. Fighting on the outskirts of the northeastern Syrian town of Baghuz has been intense, with coalition airstrikes and artillery rounds lighting up the night sky while IS fighters launched several waves of suicide bombers at the advancing Syrian Democratic Forces. But as the sun rose Thursday, hundreds of men, women and children began making their way out of the caves and tunnels, which had served as their last refuge. Many men walked gingerly, their bandages clearly visible. Some mothers, holding their young children, stumbled as they made their way down from a rocky outcrop while the sounds of the occasional mortar round or gunshot could be heard in the background. Officials said, in the end, 1,300 people surrendered to SDF forces Thursday, bringing the total number of people to leave Baghuz since the SDF resumed its final assault Sunday to more than 4,000. SDF and U.S. officials said the continued evacuations have slowed the latest offensive, though progress is being made, with forces using multiple axes to penetrate deeper into what had been IS-held territory. SDF officials said at least 112 IS fighters have been killed since Sunday, though they don't know how many more remain. "Daesh militants can see us, but we can't see them or their movements during the daylight," SDF spokesman Mustafa Bali told VOA, using the Arabic acronym for the terror group. U.S. defense officials have likewise said that the terror group's use of caves and tunnels have made it difficult to estimate just how many people remain entrenched in the shrinking sliver of land the terror group calls its own. Both SDF and U.S. military officials remain optimistic it is only a matter of time before all of Baghuz is liberated from IS control. Still, some additional help has been brought in. Sources close to SDF leadership tell VOA Kurdish special forces from Iraq, boasting advanced U.S. weaponry and training, have been transported to Baghuz to aid in the fight. But despite added SDF firepower and a continual bombardment by both coalition aircraft and artillery positions on the ground, at least some of the terror group's fighters have refused to give in. WATCH: UN-EU Meeting Secures $7 Million to Aid Syrian Civilians In an audio recording posted online Sunday, an IS fighter claiming to be in Baghuz called on other followers to find inspiration in the fight and take action. "My brothers in Europe and in the whole world ... be fierce and hard on the crusaders," the fighter said, according to a translation by the SITE Intelligence Group. "Kill them and displace them in revenge for your religion and your dignity." In a separate video, another fighter says death would be a "victory" for the last of the IS defenders as they never lost their faith. The SDF launched its final assault on the IS enclave late Sunday after pausing operations for nearly a week to allow more than 20,000 civilians, many related to IS fighters, to evacuate Baghuz for displaced persons camps. Hundreds of fighters also surrendered. Many of the IS fighters and families leaving now and surrendering are not Syrian. The commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, General Joseph Votel, warned U.S. lawmakers last week the evacuations were not a surrender, but a "calculated decision" and part of a strategy to allow the terror group to complete its transition to a clandestine insurgency. Despite losing administrative control over almost all the land it once held in Syria and Iraq, U.S. defense officials caution IS still has "tens of thousands" of fighters working either as part of sleeper cells or as part of an active, clandestine insurgency. A 1978 law giving preference to Native American families in foster care and adoption proceedings involving American Indian children is an unconstitutional race-based intrusion on state powers that has caused families to be "literally torn apart," an attorney told a federal appeals court Wednesday. But supporters of the decades-old law say it's needed to protect and preserve Native American culture and families. In court, lawyers for Indian tribes argued that the law's definition of an Indian child is based not on race, but on tribal political affiliations. "A child whose `Indian-ness' is based solely on race ... does not qualify," said Department of Justice attorney Eric Grant, defending the law. A federal district judge in Texas last year struck down the Indian Child Welfare Act . Backers of the law, including numerous tribes and the federal government, say that if the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholds that decision, many Native American children will be lost to their families and tribes. "Tribal nations are still reeling from generations of our families being separated," Tyson Johnston, vice president of the Quinault Indian Nation said after the hearing. "So, even though we've had good policy like the Indian Child Welfare Act, it's going to take us many more generations to rectify those past wrongs." In briefs filed ahead of Wednesday's hearing, the tribes accused the law's opponents of "paternalistically contending that they know better than Indian families and tribes what is best for their children." The case was heard by three of the 5th Circuit judges: Jacques L. Wiener Jr., James L. Dennis and Priscilla Owen. There was no indication when they would rule. The law has led to some emotional, high-profile cases, including one in 2016 in which a court ordered that a young Choctaw girl named Lexi be removed from a California foster family and placed with her father's extended family in Utah. Images of the girl being carried away from her foster home drew widespread attention. In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the law didn't apply in a South Carolina case involving a young girl named Veronica because her Cherokee father was absent from part of her life. Adoptive parents in the current case include Chad and Jennifer Brackeen, a Texas couple who fostered a baby eligible for membership in both the Navajo and Cherokee tribes. The boy's parents voluntarily terminated their parental rights and the Brackeens petitioned to adopt him. The state denied their request after the Navajo Nation identified a potential home with a Navajo family in New Mexico. In briefs, they say the Navajo Nation sought to have the child "removed from the home in which he had spent most of his life and given to an unrelated Navajo couple simply because he was an Indian." The Brackeens got an emergency stay and went to court. They were able to adopt the boy in January 2018 after the placement fell through. The boy is now 3, and the couple is seeking to adopt his younger half-sister, according to the brief, "but it is unclear whether that adoption will be permitted under ICWA." Attorney Matthew McGill represents the Brackeens and a Minnesota couple, the Cliffords, who were unable to adopt a child who lived with them after having been shuttled among foster homes. "The Cliffords' family was literally torn apart," he told the appeals court judges. Another couple says in briefs that a child who had been living in their home suffered "serious emotional harm" after being removed and given to a grandmother. Still another couple says they were able to adopt a Native American child with severe medical conditions as a result of the Brackeen lawsuit. They and others said they fear the adoption could be legally attacked if the district court ruling is overturned. The states of Texas, Louisiana and Indiana also joined the lawsuit opposing the Indian Child Welfare Act. Congress passed the Indian Child Welfare Act in 1978 because many Native American children were being removed from their homes by public and private agencies. In such adoptions, the law requires states to notify tribes and seek placement with the child's extended family, members of the child's tribe or other Native American families. Tribes, whose status as sovereign nations is derived from treaties with the U.S. government and acts of Congress, also have a say in foster care placements. Veteran Conservative lawmaker Nigel Evans has been in Britains House of Commons for more than a quarter-of-a-century and, like most of his parliamentary colleagues, is stunned at the turn of Brexit events. I got elected in 1992 and I dont know if I have known any time more uncertain than now, he told VOA. Hes flummoxed at what the next move should be for a Conservative government that has lost control of the Brexit process. As a committed Brexiter, he fears Britain will end up staying in the European Union because of an impasse in the Commons that has seen the ruling Conservative government repeatedly rebuffed by lawmakers, including by a third of its own MPs, in a series of historic votes without precedent for the storied House of Commons. Parliament is not alone in being hopelessly divided: Theresa Mays Cabinet is, too, with the British prime minister lurching between pro-EU rebel ministers and their pro-Brexit counterparts, trying to resuscitate a government that appears to be in terminal decline. Divorce delayed More than 20 ministers have resigned in the past two years and at least another half-dozen are on the cusp of quitting. Midweek another minister resigned and four declined to vote with their own government an unprecedented defiance left unpunished. Britains newspaper headline writers are running out of superlatives and metaphors to describe the political havoc. Were becoming the laughing stock of the World, fumes Andrew Pierce, the Daily Mail's associate editor, in College Green, the patch of grass outside parliament which has become a media encampment of tents, wires and cameras besieged by chanting, dueling placard-waving protesters. Britain was due to exit the EU in 16 days time, on March 29. On Wednesday, the House of Commons voted against Britain exiting the EU without a deal in effect delaying Brexit until further notice. That followed Tuesdays crushing parliamentary defeat of Theresa Mays Brexit withdrawal agreement the second time pro-EU and hardline pro-Brexit lawmakers have combined to reject it. Lawmakers Thursday are expected to pass a measure seeking formally to delay Brexit, at least to June 30. EU leaders are divided about accepting a request for delay. Donald Tusk, the president of the EU Council, tweeted Thursday: "I will appeal to the EU27 to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its #Brexit strategy and build consensus around it." The Remainers hope to either block Brexit altogether or at least steer it in a gentler direction with Britain still closely aligned although not a member of its political institutions. Hardline Brexiters want a no-nonsense sharp break with the EU, ready to accept the economic damage to Britain that will wreak, at least in the medium term. That Evans feels unable to predict what happens next is instructive. He is no junior lawmaker, but a so-called Tory grandee, and he helps to direct the 1922 Committee, of which all backbench Conservative lawmakers are members. When the bosses of the 1922 Committee tell a Conservative leader to quit, their word has the force of the Lord High Executioner. The last time the 22, as its nicknamed, deposed a party leader was in 2003, ousting one of Theresa Mays predecessors for losing a general election. Are they close to giving May the push now? Evans is guarded but makes little secret he thinks the time is close at hand. Her authority is greatly weakened, he says grimly. Replacing May Pro-Brexit Conservative bloggers and columnists are in vituperative mood, blaming May for mishandling the negotiations with the EU and, from their viewpoint, giving too much ground to Brussels. Gridlock has been the result, they say. I can see no scenario where she is the answer for taking the country forward. She should by rights go now. At some point in the next two or three weeks it will even dawn on Mrs. May that it is time to go, Conservative blogger Iain Dale tells VOA. WATCH: British Leadership Change Possible in Wake of Brexit Chaos Then what? The vultures are circling. Half-a-dozen would-be replacements from inside Mays Cabinet have in effect been auditioning already for the job, delivering speeches carving out their vision for the country. Some contenders have advanced plans, including printing up campaign material for what they expect is an inevitable leadership election. A Conservative grassroots favorite, Boris Johnson, the former foreign minister, has had a modern makeover and dispensed with his trademark tousle-haired slapdash look and is now sporting a stylish boyband haircut. But it is not clear that replacing Theresa May will solve anything or break the political impasse, which is why the 1922 Committee has stayed its hand. There is no obvious unity candidate to succeed her. A new leader will face the same splits inside the Conservative party between Remainers, Brexiters and the those who favor a so-called soft Brexit modeled on Norways relationship with the EU, which would see Britain remain in the blocs single market and customs union as well as accept freedom of movement. And the deadlocked parliamentary arithmetic will remain the same. Another try In a final throw of the dice, May is planning to bring her contentious deal back to the Commons for a third time, hoping that she will prevail by sheer persistence. It is the continuation of her strategy of brinkmanship to run the clock down and force Conservative Brexiters and a handful of allied Northern Irish lawmakers to give in, prompted to do so by the fear that otherwise Britain might never leave the EU in any form. It is not clear that the pro-EU Speaker of the House, John Bercow, will allow her to do so under parliamentary rules a government is not meant to keep asking the House to vote repeatedly on the same measure. If she can pull it off, it will be the political equivalent of Lazarus rising from the dead, admits a Downing Street official. Some believe she has a chance of succeeding in this high-stakes game of chicken. Evans does not think so. For some of the rebels it would be better to stay in the EU than accept this deal, which would have us at the beck and call of Brussels without any power, he says. Another key Brexiter, Steve Barclay, says he and many of his colleagues will keep voting the deal down whatever the pressure were put under. Keeping calm and carrying on? Beyond Westminster, there is fear, exasperation and anger. And clear Brexit fatigue. BBC Radio Five Live has seen the volume of Brexit-related call-ins tail off recently. There are signs, according to some opinion polls, that the mood of the country may have shifted slightly in favor of remaining in the EU, suggesting that a second referendum would deliver a narrow win for Remain. As yet there is no majority in the House of Commons for holding a re-run referendum. Nor are lawmakers keen on holding a snap general election, for fear that might result in an equally deadlocked parliament afterwards. Business leaders were already fuming at all the Brexit uncertainty before this weeks upheaval. Enough is enough. A new approach is needed by all parties. Jobs and livelihoods depend on it, said Carolyn Fairbairn, the director-general of the Confederation of British Industry, a major business association. Chinas top legislature is expected to pass the countrys first Foreign Investment Law this week at a time when negotiators from Beijing and Washington work to hammer out a trade deal. Analysts and business groups say the legislation is a step in the right direction, but still falls short. In some ways, they add, it even raises new concerns that negotiators need to address before the two sides reach a deal. For decades, China has been grappling with the question of just how far and how fast it should open up its state directed economy, and steps while always welcome have long lagged behind expectations. The Foreign Investment Law is not different. In a statement, the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China) said it welcomes the law and appreciates the effort to improve the investment environment. We are concerned, however, that such an important and potentially far-reaching piece of legislation will be enacted without extensive consultation and input from industry stakeholders, including Foreign Invested Enterprises, the statement said. An earlier version of the law was put together in 2015, but later stalled during the review process, only to resurface more recently. When it did, the wording was more general and more vague, analysts note. By contrast, the first version had 171 articles, the new one has 41. This some argue, helped pave the way for the bills speedy passage. NPC Observer, a website that closely follows Chinas legislature or National Peoples Congress, notes that by keeping the legislation vague, the government will have more room and time to craft implementing regulations after the law is enacted. The law is phrased and drafted with very general provisions. There are a number of things that are not covered in there, such as what percentage of foreign investment qualifies as foreign invested, said Lester Ross, who heads AmCham Chinas policy committee. Another major concern is the requirement for security assessments even for non-mergers and acquisitions, even for greenfield investments, which seems unnecessary. Subsidies still an issue The newer version of the law was fast-tracked as Washington and Beijing work to hammer out a trade deal. While the provisions in the legislation address some persistent concerns, such as forced technology transfers, equal access to government procurement and national treatment, it does not address other issues, such as subsidies for state owned enterprises. Clearly though, the legislation was pushed through the system in part to address what is being discussed at the negotiation table, said Mats Harborn, president of the European Chamber of Commerce in China. It is more than a law, it is a document that states principles and it is a document that states principles that we [foreign investors] would like to hear. And it also states the principles that U.S. negotiators want to have on paper from China, Harborn said. But the proof in the pudding will be the implementation. National security concerns And while the law echoes concerns that are part of what trade negotiators are discussing, issues such as the broad application of national security reviews and the mention of national security in the law are cause for concern, argues Austin Lowe, a Washington D.C.-based consultant and analyst. In a recent article on the legal and national security website Lawfare, Lowe highlighted provisions in the legislation that foreign companies should not harm national security or the public interest and that businesses that affect national security should be subject to a review. Together, these provisions essentially give the state and, in turn, the Chinese Communist Party free rein to intervene in a wide range of investment activity, signaling to foreign investors that they are better off avoiding any investment in an area that may be construed as politically sensitive or threatening, he wrote. Ross notes that while security reviews have been in place since 2011, they have, so far, been used very selectively and largely for mergers and acquisitions. Now it looks like this is an additional hurdle that will apply across the board, he said. While it doesnt mean that every investment could face such scrutiny, there are no bounds to how it can be applied, and in some cases that would require revealing a companys intellectual property, Ross added. When you put national security into any document it creates a great deal of arbitrary judgement on what is national security and what is not, notes the EU Chamber of Commerces Mats Harborn. It is a very wide definition that creates uncertainty. Not only does it create uncertainty, but the questions the new law raises will add to the issues negotiators will need to resolve going forward, Ross said. While on the one hand it is a good thing that they are showing some significant degree of intention to reduce barriers to foreign investment and actually making some substantive changes, once the law is in place it may actually be more difficult to make departures from that in the course of the negotiations, he said. The dismissal of a provincial police chief in northern Afghanistan triggered armed clashes Thursday between his loyalists and national security forces, in another challenge facing the beleaguered Afghan government. The crisis erupted Wednesday evening when President Ashraf Ghani appointed Abdul Raqib Mubariz as the new chief of the Balkh province, citing a worsening security situation there. But the ousted police chief, Akram Sami, refused to step down in defiance of the presidential decree and his loyalists took up positions in parts of the provincial capital of Mazar-e-Sharif to resist the move. The new provincial police head, accompanied by special security forces, arrived in the city Thursday morning to assume control of the city before gunfire erupted. Residents in Mazar-e-Sharif said both sides used light and heavy weapons in sporadic clashes. A city hospital official confirmed to VOA they are treating at least seven people injured in the clashes, including five civilians. Unfortunately his predecessor, Akram Sami, is not willing to leave his post and accept the new appointment, General Khoshal Sadat, the deputy interior minister security, said while defending the deployment of special forces to travel with Mubariz. A provincial government spokesman late Thursday afternoon told VOA that special forces have taken control of the provincial police headquarters. It was not immediately known whether the overall situation in Mazar-i-Sharif had also been brought under control. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) called for the tensions to be quickly resolved. UNAMA notes with a great concern the escalating tensions in Mazar-e-Sharif. The Mission calls on all parties to deescalate tensions immediately, find a non-violent solution to solve current differences, and prioritize the safety and security of the citys residents, the mission said. The United States, which is funding and training Afghan security forces, denounced as unacceptable the infighting in and areas surrounding Mazar-e-Sharif. We call on leaders to tell military and police forces to stand down, and for political leaders on both sides of this dispute to put the Afghan people first, tweeted U.S. ambassador to Kabul, John Bass. "Afghan security forces are tasked with protecting the Afghan people, not fighting each other over political disputes ... the only ones who benefit from this violence are the Taliban, Bass warned. President Ghani faced a similar crisis last year when he removed the then governor of Balkh, Atta Mohammad Noor, although the regional political strongman refused to step down. The months-long crisis ended after Ghani appointed Sami as Balkhs police chief to meet one of Noors key demands for relinquishing the charge. In a formal statement, Noor denounced Samis removal as a violation of the agreement he had reached with Ghani last year. The former governor urged residents in Mazar-e-Sharif to stay away from work and businesses to protest the dismissal of the police chief, saying our people have been attacked and we are ready to defend ourselves. Using a controversial presidential decree, Ghani in January dismissed a senior member of his ruling coalition, but the second deputy chief executive, Mohammad Mohaqiq, still has not stepped down. Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah declared Mohaqiqs dismissal as a violation of the political deal he had reached with Ghani in September 2014. That led to the formation of the National Unity government, or NUG, to end months of political crisis that stemmed from the fraud-marred presidential election. Ghani became the president and his election rival Abdullah Abdullah became head of the newly created office of the chief executive under a deal mediated by the United States. The Afghan government has since been plagued by political tensions and bickering over appointments, as well as policy issues, bringing it under sustained criticism. Critics also blame a lack of unity in the so called "unity government" for worsening nationwide security in the wake of battlefield gains by Taliban insurgents. A court hearing Wednesday in Saudi Arabia for women activists is drawing some international criticism for perceived flaws in the kingdom's human rights record. The Saudi court hearing coincided with a U.S. State Department human rights report, which criticized Riyadh and many other countries. The Saudi news channel al-Ikhbariya reported that the women activists, most of whom were arrested last year, had "violated acceptable religious and civic norms, in addition to dealing with shadowy elements outside the kingdom to conduct a smear campaign." The closed-door hearing Wednesday for Loujain al-Hathloul and other women activists drew criticism from Human Rights Watch, along with several other international human rights organizations. Reporters and diplomats were not allowed to attend the unannounced hearing, at which charges were presented against the women for the first time. Saudi Human Rights Association head Bandar bin-Ayban told Arab media that much of the international criticism against Riyadh was part of an effort to sully the image of the kingdom abroad. He says that he believes that many (human rights) complaints presented by other countries were made in order to damage the image of Saudi Arabia and he has thrown out those accusations and won't evaluate them. Abdel Aziz Mo'ayed, an opponent of the Saudi government, told al-Hurra TV that the court hearing against the women activists was an "outrage." He says the Saudi court hearing should trouble the conscience of all free men. He cites the recent U.S. State Department report on human rights around the world, claiming that Saudi courts make a mockery of justice and do not adhere to international standards. One defendant, he says, wasn't even allowed to have an attorney, according to her brother. Hilal Khashan, who teaches political science at the American University of Beirut, tells VOA that despite the official Saudi response of anger over the court hearing, Riyadh takes criticism by Washington "very seriously." "There is no question that the Saudi government is sensitive to any criticism by the U.S. unlike other countries [and they] take U.S. criticism very seriously because they know that they depend heavily on U.S. protection of the Kingdom," he said. The U.S. Senate recently voted to ask President Donald Trump to suspend American support for the Saudi-backed coalition in Yemen. Trump has been adamant about refusing to do so, despite criticism over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi embassy in Istanbul, Turkey last October. Saudi commentator Suleiman Ageily told al-Hurra TV that he believes Riyadh "is now making advances in the area of women's rights, so the need for actual protests [by women] is no longer important." He says the "main issue [in the case] is not human rights, but security concerns and efforts by outside parties to destabilize the kingdom." International donors have pledged around $7 billion in aid for Syria and refugees who fled the conflict-ravaged country, the European Union announced Thursday, as the civil war enters its ninth year. But it was unclear how and when the money would be made available to those in need. EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Christos Stylianides said the donors made a collective pledge of almost $7 billion for 2019, short of the $8 billion that the United Nations had hoped to raise for humanitarian aid inside Syria and for refugees living in difficult conditions in neighboring Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq, as well as Egypt. Now is the time to move fast, to translate these pledges into action on the ground, to make the most out of this funding in an effective and transparent way, in the best interest of the most vulnerable Syrians wherever they are, Stylianides told donors in Brussels. U.N. humanitarian aid chief Mark Lowcock said we're very pleased with the outcome, and that the funds will help to save millions of lives and protect civilians across Syria and across the region. The EU, the world's biggest aid donor, announced that it would provide 560 million euros ($633 million) this year, while planning to offer the same amount next year and in 2021. It also pledged a significant slice of the money some 1.5 billion euros ($1.7 billion) for refugees in Turkey. This was previously offered by the EU to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2015 to help persuade him to get the Turkish coast guard to stop Syrian refugees and other migrants from setting out for Greece. Lowcock said this additional 1.5 billion euros is one of the reasons why it looks as though we're going to have a good outcome on the pledging.'' The United States pledged more than $397 million in refugee support. Syria's civil war began in March 2011 with peaceful Arab Spring protests against President Bashar Assad. A harsh government crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into civil war. Assad's forces have made major gains in recent years with help from Russia and Iran, but large parts of the country are still controlled by various armed groups. About 11.7 million Syrians depend on aid, and more than 6 million have been forced from their homes but remain in the country. U.N. agencies, non-governmental organizations, and think tanks are warning that the conflict, which has killed more than 400,000 people and sparked a refugee exodus that destabilized Syria's neighbors and also hit Europe, is far from over. Some 6 million people have fled Syria, and refugees are reluctant to return, fearing violence, conscription or prison. In a statement, 15 NGOs insisted that sustained follow-up is needed to improve Syrians' lives. The financial commitments of donors is critical, but so is the will to see these commitments transform into changes for refugees and vulnerable host communities and this will require a concerted effort from donors, host governments and aid agencies, they said. These risks civilians face, the ongoing conflict, crippling poverty and the lack of basic services are all significant barriers which need to be overcome before conditions are conducive to the return of refugees, said the NGOs, including CARE, World Vision, Medecins du Monde, the International Refugee Committee and the Danish Refugee Council. Before and during the conference, the EU continued to refuse to help rebuild Syria until a political settlement has been reached, even though some NGOs believe that stance is a serious obstacle to genuine aid efforts. Absent from the donor conference are Syrians themselves no government or opposition representatives have been invited. Civil society groups are concerned that donor countries want to pressure Syrian refugees to return, despite the dangers and uncertainties they face. Lowcock acknowledged that conditions are not yet right for large-scale returns. Estonia's president called for continued unity among democratic allies in the face of Russian aggression on Wednesday and expressed a wish for even greater U.S. involvement in the Baltics. Kersti Kaljulaid, on her second visit to the United States in less than a year, told an audience at the Brookings Institution that membership in the European Union and NATO have served to defend and enhance her country's sovereignty. With only 1.2 million people and located on the Baltic Sea near Russia, the former Soviet republic has been especially concerned about growing Russian assertiveness, particularly since its annexation of the Ukrainian region of Crimea and its military support for two breakaway regions in Georgia. 'Direct involvement in Baltics' The United States has responded with military exercises along NATO's borders with Russia and a troop presence in Poland, actions acknowledged by Kaljulaid. While "America's contribution to enhanced forward presence in Poland is appreciated, we would love to see more U.S. direct involvement in the Baltics as well," she said. Rachel Ellehuus, deputy director and senior fellow with the Europe Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said Estonia and its Baltic neighbors have served as model members of NATO since being admitted to the defense alliance in 2004, but cannot defend themselves without help. "Due to their small size, they need our and NATO's help in procuring big-ticket capabilities," Ellehuus said in an interview. Quick US response appreciated The former Pentagon official noted that the United States was the first country to send forces to the Baltics following Russia's takeover of Crimea. She said she would like to see "a persistent rotational presence of U.S. forces in the Baltics and possibly funding in the appropriations bill to support regional capability development in areas such as air and maritime surveillance." In an age of increasing attention devoted to big-power politics and competition, it is understood that small states like the Baltic countries cannot win a war against a power like Russia, but they can raise the cost of war for their potential adversaries. "Their strategy is to increase resilience and hold the line until reinforcements, i.e., NATO, regional partners, can come to their aid," said Ellehuus. She quoted her former boss at the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense James Mattis, saying that "even the bear knows to avoid the porcupine. In Ellehuus's words: The Baltics can take steps "to make themselves as indigestible as possible," even though they don't have the capacity to win an all-out war against their giant neighbor to the east. 'Follow-up plan' In her speech on Wednesday, Kaljulaid said her country was prepared to "hold the line" against an initial assault but that the "follow-on plan" involving sufficient allied forces was not yet in place. Her visit to Washington comes at a time when the Pentagon made it clear in the latest national defense budget proposal that it is focused on countering rising capacities from both Russia and China and ensuring that potential adversaries know there is "no path to victory" if they choose to fight the United States. French firms signed contracts in Kenya worth about 2 billion euros ($2.26 billion) during a visit Thursday by President Emmanuel Macron, who wants to deepen Frances economic ties with Anglophobe East Africa. Macrons visit to Nairobi is the first by a French president since Kenya won independence from Britain in 1963 and follows stopovers in Ethiopia and Djibouti, all countries where China has moved in aggressively and presents stiff competition. At a ceremony with Kenyan leader Uhuru Kenyatta, a consortium led by Vinci secured a 30-year concession worth 1.6 billion euros to operate a highway linking the Kenyan capital and Mau Summit in western Kenya. Renewables firm Voltalia sealed a 70 million euro contract for a solar power plant while an Airbus-led consortium won a 200 million euro deal for coastal and maritime surveillance. Total is finalizing terms on a second solar plant. In Kenya there is an economic opportunity and its within the presidents strategy in France to look at not just Francophone Africa, but Anglophone Africa too, said a French presidential source. During a four-day trip to East Africa, Macron has vaunted Frances soft power in culture and education and its military know-how to woo deeper partnerships. Kenya is east Africas most advanced economy with a liberal business environment and entrepreneurial culture. French businesses however account for just a 1.4 percent market share. French exports to Kenya in 2017 amounted to between $170 million and $225.80 million, while China, Kenyas No. 1 trading partner, exported goods worth $3.8 billion. France has supported Kenya for several years in development projects ... but we are not sufficiently economically and industrially, Macron said Wednesday night in a news conference with Kenyatta. France also faces competition from other European allies, including Britain, which is seeking to revive its trade relationship with its former colony as it prepares to leave the European Union. Kenyatta, who took Macron for a drive around the grounds of State House in a Kenyan-assembled Peugeot car, said he hoped France would become a more important trading partner. Boeing announced Thursday that it was suspending deliveries of its 737 Max jets to airlines after nearly every country grounded the plane following Sunday's deadly crash in Ethiopia. "We continue to build the 737 Max airplanes while assessing how the situation, including potential capacity constraints, will impact our production system," a Boeing spokesman said. This means while Boeing will keep building its newest flagship product, it will put deliveries on hold until new software is installed, tests are carried out and the investigation into the Ethiopian crash provides some answers. Sunday's crash of an Ethiopian 737 Max 8 just after takeoff from Addis Ababa killed 157. Another Max 8 plunged into the Java Sea minutes after taking off from an Indonesian airport in October, killing all 189 on board. The flight data and cockpit voice recorders were recovered from the wreckage of the Ethiopian jet. French aviation experts began analyzing the so-called black boxes Thursday. Since the Indonesian crash, investigators have focused on the aircraft's anti-stall system that dips the plane's nose down to prevent it from stalling. Experts probing the Indonesian disaster said information from the flight data recorder showed the plane's automatic safety system repeatedly pushed it downward despite the pilots' desperate attempts to maintain control. U.S. pilots have complained about the 737 Max, saying its systems have limited their control, according to a confidential U.S. government report. The Federal Aviation Administration, which ordered the planes grounded in the U.S. on Wednesday, said new satellite data and other evidence showed similar movements by the Ethiopian and Indonesian planes. Experts say other possible causes of the crashes are being investigated, including other malfunctioning systems and pilot error. At least five Afghan troops were killed by friendly fire in what was supposed to be a precision airstrike by U.S. forces supporting troops battling insurgents in the country's south, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday. The mishap during the Tuesday night operation near the city of Tarin Kot in Uruzgan province resulted from miscommunication between the Afghan troops on the ground and forces in the air, the ministry said without providing additional details. "It was so dark and a misunderstanding happened after which five army soldiers were killed and 10 others were wounded," the statement said. The ministry said it had begun an investigation. Fighting between the Taliban and government security forces supported by the U.S. in war-torn Afghanistan continued even as insurgent leaders and the U.S. concluded another round of peace negotiations held in Qatar. The U.S. military said it responded to incoming fire on Afghan and U.S. forces on the ground and attempted to come to their defense by conducting a precision airstrike. "The strikes were conducted after Afghan and U.S. forces came under effective small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire and requested air support in self-defense," Resolute Support spokesman Bob Purtiman said in a statement. "We are operating in a complex environment where enemy fighters do not wear uniforms and use stolen military vehicles to attack government forces." Mohammad Karim Karimi, deputy head of the Uruzgan provincial council, said U.S. air forces mistakenly hit an Afghan base, which was followed by a firefight and five Afghans were killed and 10 wounded. Col. Qais Mangal, Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman, said there was "a report of a misunderstanding between the U.S. and Afghan forces" but exactly what happened was not immediately known. Journalist injured by bomb Separately, in southern Helmand province, Afghan radio and TV journalist Nesar Ahmad Ahmadi was wounded when a sticky bomb attached to his car exploded as he was heading to work. Omar Zwak, the governor's spokesman, said the attack happened Tuesday in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital. Ahmadi had a leg wound and was transferred to Kabul for treatment, the spokesman said. He runs the Sabahoon radio station and is also a reporter for Sabahoon TV in Helmand. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack in Helmand, the Taliban heartland. Afghan journalists are often targeted in attacks. In January, the Afghan Journalist Safety Committee said in its annual report that it had recorded a total of 121 cases of violence against journalists and media workers in 2018. It also said 17 journalists and media workers were killed last year, once again placing Afghanistan as the world's most dangerous country for journalists. The International Federation of Journalists and its Afghan affiliate condemned the attack on Ahmadi and called for an immediate investigation. Area retaken from Taliban In western Farah province, the Taliban stormed an army checkpoint along the main highway in Gulistan district on Tuesday, killing 10 soldiers, said Abdul Samad Salehi, a member of the provincial council. Reinforcements were sent and the area was retaken and brought under control but five or six other troops remain missing, Salehi added. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack in Farah. Also in Farah province, a local official was gunned down outside his home on Wednesday, a councilman said. Mohammad Salim Farahi, head of the public works department, was shot and killed near his home in the provincial capital, Farah city, said Salehi. The attacks were the latest violence in war-torn Afghanistan even as the Taliban and the U.S. concluded another round of negotiations held in Qatar, with both sides reporting progress in the talks. Insurgents on the offensive Despite intensified negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban to end the 17-year was in Afghanistan, the insurgents have been carrying out near-daily attacks across the country, mainly targeting the government and security forces and causing staggering casualties. The nearly two weeks of talks in Qatar produced two draft agreements between the Taliban and the U.S. government on a "withdrawal timeline and effective counterterrorism measures," American envoy Zalmay Khalilzad wrote on Twitter. The Taliban also issued a statement, saying "progress was achieved" on both of those issues. However, the Taliban have consistently refused to talk with the government in Kabul, describing it as a U.S. puppet. The talks concluded late Tuesday. It wasn't immediately clear when the next round of talks would take place. The collapse of an unlicensed gold mine in Indonesia this month is renewing attention on illegal mining in the country, which authorities say often overlooks safety, health and security requirements. Indonesian rescue teams managed to evacuate 34 victims of a collapsed and unlicensed gold mine in North Sulawesi March 6, but only 18 of them survived. The authorities believed there are still dozens trapped inside the mine, located on a steep hillside in Bolang Mongondow Regency. The accident happened at the end of February when the wooden beams that support the mine broke causing the soil to shift. In the same area in North Sulawesi, in June 2018, another illegal gold mine collapsed, killing six people. Two weeks after that, another accident occurred in a mine in West Lombok. Thirteen gold miners died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Sri Raharjo, the director of engineering and environment of mineral and coal at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, says illegal mining can create lethal hazards. The potential for accidents is great. For example, underground mining must use beams that are sturdy with certain measurements. But in the case of the collapsed mine, they only use the beams at the entrance, he told VOA. According to data by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, there are 8,663 unlicensed mines in 352 locations in Indonesia, covering a total of 500,000 hectares. About 25 percent of them are gold mines. Complicated procedures Erwiza Erman, a senior researcher at the Indonesian Institute of Science, says illegal mining is usually a small-scale operation managed by the local community or people. She said the procedure to get a mining license is complicated for small-scale miners. Mostly it takes a long time, it could be years to wait for the license. The problem is not that the people dont want to legalize the mine, she said. The government can issue a Community Mining License, or IPR, which requires miners to abide by good mining practices while the local government supervises the operation to ensure safety. Raharjo said the process to get a license takes about 14 working days. Thats usually how long it takes for most permits, to make it easier. But of course there are requirements, and we need to do a survey first to identify whether the mine really has mineral or coal reserve and how much. After that, we can issue the IPR, he explained. But he admits the survey might take time and if there is not enough reserve in the mine, the government cannot grant the license. The problem is if there is only very little reserve and the mine runs out of resources, most of the time people will just move, he said referring to the process of restoring the area that has been mined. Erman believes the regulation on community mining must be improved because there is no comprehensive law on different commodities. Costs to government, environment Raharjo said it is difficult to determine how much money the government is losing because of illegal mining over unpaid taxes and royalties. But to give an example, in one illegal mine that spans 10 hectares located inside a concession area, the amount of gold production is 1,600 kilograms a year. If we do the math, the potential of financial loss is around $12 million, that is only from one place, he added. Meanwhile, Karliansyah, the director general for pollution and environmental damage control at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said illegal mines can potentially harm the surrounding environment because there is no reclamation plan after mining. The ministry has to do reclamation on soil that is already polluted because of illegal mining, which usually uses cyanide and mercury, he said. In dealing with the issue, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry has allocated $20 million (Rp 290 billion) out of the state budget in 2018. But with it, the ministry can only perform two to three small-scale reclamation projects every year. Raharjo said the government is working on closing many of the unlicensed mines in Indonesia. But its an uphill battle, because if we close it then a few weeks later they will mine again or move to a new spot, he said. But Erman is unsure that closing the mine is the best solution for the problem. How can you close it if there is no economic alternative for them? There is no subsidy for their basic needs, and they see the opportunities in front of their eyes. They would think, why not, she added. According to Erman, the government should work with big mining companies and provide training as well as raise awareness to the small-scale miners on mining safety and protection of the environment. Its a task for the government, give them direction to create safety, she said. Even though the town of Dwight, Illinois, in the heartland of America is roughly 2,100 kilometers from the border with Mexico, VOA's Kane Farabaugh reports, it is in the middle of the national debate over immigration, detention and border security. Ethiopian families are continuing to mourn their loved ones killed Sunday in the crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302. Thirty-four-year-old Abdulahi Ibrahim was one of the 32 Kenyans who perished in the Nairobi-bound flight. His family, like the families of the other 156 people killed, are still coming to terms with the death of their loved one. Rael Ombuor reports. Families from different parts of the world continue to mourn the deaths of their loved ones killed Sunday in the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302. Thirty-four-year-old Abdulahi Ibrahim was one of 32 Kenyans who perished on the Nairobi-bound flight. His family is still coming to terms with the death of their loved one. A few hours before he boarded Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, Abdulahi Ibrahim chatted with his sister Aisha. Aisha had not seen her brother for close to a year and was excited about the reunion. The last time I saw my brother was a year ago when he came back for vacation," said Aisha. "I spoke to him the night before he boarded the flight. He said that I should not tell the extended family that he was coming. He wanted it to be a surprise." Four days later, mourners continue to visit Abdulahis home in Nairobis Kibera neighborhood. Abdulahis family is now hoping they can at least bury their loved one. Abdulahis uncle, Osman Abdulahi Taban, spoke to VOA. The way I talked to my brother, I told him even if a piece can be identified, it is good for him to come with it so that we can bury," said Abdulahi. Sundays crash was the deadliest aircraft accident in Ethiopian Airlines history. The plane, a Boeing 737 Max 8, crashed just six minutes after takeoff, near the Ethiopian town of Bishoftu, killing all 157 on board. Five months earlier, another Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed into the Java Sea off Indonesia, killing 189. Monday, Ethiopian Airlines regional manager Yilma Goshu announced the airline was grounding its Max 8 fleet, a move followed by most other airlines and countries around the world. "But this does not mean that the incident was related with defects on this specific fleet. But we have taken this as an extra safety precaution," Goshu said. The planes flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder have been sent to Paris for detailed analysis. Meanwhile, Ethiopian Airlines on Tuesday flew 64 relatives of the victims to the crash site. Abdulahi's wife and father were among them. Their hopes of finding a piece of Abdulahis body to bury are slim. On Wednesday, an airline spokesman said that no bodies were recovered from the crash site. It appears the force of the crash pulverized all the bodies. As Abdulahis family continues to mourn, they hope they will find the closure they need, with or without his remains. A Tajik man was shot dead and several Tajiks and Kyrgyz were wounded in border clashes triggered by a dispute over road construction in Kyrgyzstan's southwestern Batken province, authorities on both sides said Thursday. The clashes broke out Wednesday after the Kyrgyz authorities attempted to restart work on a road project that crosses Vorukh, an enclave of about 30,000 ethnic Tajiks, in the Ferghana Valley. Three former Soviet republics, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, have struggled for three decades to agree to borders in the Central Asian valley, which is home to several ethnic groups. In the latest clash, dozens of men on both sides hurled rocks at each other, and several men were wounded. The violence then escalated and one Tajik man was shot dead, the Tajik government said in a statement. The Kyrgyz government said one of its citizens was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound to the chest. The governments said border guards have intervened to prevent further escalation and diplomats from both sides were discussing the matter. Since 1992, humanitarian organization Medair has been one of the most active relief organizations in what was then southern Sudan, responding to sudden emergencies such as mass displacements, high levels of child malnutrition and outbreaks of highly contagious diseases. Medair CEO David Verboom first visited the region 18 years ago. He returned for the first time, to what is now South Sudan, in December to see how Medair's relief operations have been going since the revitalized peace deal was signed in September. When he traveled to the former Unity state, he said he found both good and bad developments. "They're not able to get out of the political turmoil, all the challenges they're facing. The environment is very basic. Development is hardly happening. It's still mainly relief and humanitarian aid," Verboom told South Sudan in Focus. Workers' resliency On the positive side Verboom said, he witnessed the incredible resiliency and capacity of local Medair workers. "Twenty years ago, we were not able to run a nutrition center or clinic by South Sudanese. We always had to bring in expatriate [foreign] staff. Now, like when I was visiting Unity state, the local staff has grown in capacity. They are running the program, and they are very committed, very knowledgeable," Verboom told VOA. These days, Medair focuses mainly on health care, providing clinics for mothers and children and nutrition programs. "Six million people, especially women and children, are food insecure, so you will find malnourished children throughout the country," said Verboom. Medair also expanded a program in South Sudan called WASH, or Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, which brings quality water and water sources to the South Sudanese. "We do a lot of drilling of boreholes, filtering, providing healthy water, and of course sanitation because there are so many waterborne diseases in South Sudan," Verboom told VOA. Transportation issues When asked why the government does not provide more basic services to its own people, Verboom responded, "It's a huge country but still there is only, like, 300 kilometers of paved roads. To the places where we're working, you have to go by small planes, so you start from scratch." He said a South Sudanese colleague told him that after living in Khartoum since 2011, he returned to the former Unity state with his family "because people were so hopeful that now, finally, South Sudan got independence." But like thousands of others, his friend was forced to evacuate his family in 2016 because of renewed fighting that flared in Juba, leading to the displacement of millions of people and hundreds of civilian deaths. Verboom said he met a woman south of Unity state with four children whose husband was killed in the war, who told him she spends most of the day collecting water lilies to feed her children because there is nothing else to eat. He said she walked three hours to reach the Medair clinic in former Unity state. "We need to support what we can. We need to continue to build capacity, to stand next to people, hoping and praying that stability will return," Verboom told VOA. India has expressed disappointment that a measure by the U.N. Security Council to name the head of the Islamic militant group, Jaish-e- Mohammad (JeM) as a global terrorist, has been blocked by China. The measure was proposed after India and Pakistan came to the brink of war last month following a suicide attack in Indian Kashmir for which the group claimed responsibility. India has long been frustrated by the repeated block exercised by Pakistans close ally, Beijing, on its decade-long effort to blacklist Masood Azhar. New Delhi blames his JeM group for several high profile attacks in India. In a statement Indias Foreign Ministry vowed to pursue all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens are brought to justice. France, along with the United States and Britain, proposed the move to name Azhar a global terrorist after India mounted a diplomatic offensive to put pressure on Pakistan to act against militant groups following the February 14 suicide attack that killed 40 paramilitaries in Kashmir the deadliest such incident in 30 years. It was Indias fourth attempt to put Azhar on a U.N. global list of terrorists, which would subject him to an assets freeze, travel ban and an arms embargo. After putting a technical hold on the move to blacklist Azhar, China said it needs more time to conduct a "thorough and in-depth investigation on the matter. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Beijing is ready to communicate and coordinate with all sides including India to properly handle this issue. Chinas block of the man New Delhi considers the mastermind of high profile terror attacks in India, has become a festering irritant in its ties with its giant neighbor. It triggered an angry reaction among social media users in India with the hashtag #BoycottChinaProducts trending on Twitter in India. It was headline news in newspapers and television broadcasts. The attack for which the JeM claimed responsibility triggered huge anger in India and prompted a dangerous aerial confrontation with Pakistan after New Delhi carried out airstrikes on what it said was a militant base of the group inside Pakistan. Islamabad says it banned the JeM after the group was blacklisted by the United Nations in 2001 following an attack on Indias parliament, but security analysts say it continues to operate under different names. Pakistan also said last week that it had detained the son and brother of Masood Azhar as part of a recent crackdown on militant groups. But India, which blames Pakistan for not doing enough to rein in militant groups, has expressed skepticism about Islamabads actions. Masood Azhar founded the militant group after he was released by India in 1999 in exchange for the passengers of a hijacked Indian Airlines plane. Besides an attack on its parliament in 2001, India blames the JeM for attacks on an air base in Punjab and a military camp in Kashmir in 2016. On Wednesday the Indian foreign minister, while giving a speech on her governments foreign policy, said that if the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is so generous and a statesman, he should give us Masood Azhar. She also said that India could have a good relationship with Pakistan only if the neighboring country takes action against terror groups on its soil. However, in a sign that tensions between the arch rivals are de-escalating, officials from both countries met on Thursday for discussions on facilitating visits by Sikh pilgrims in India to one of their holiest shrines located in Pakistan. Held on the Indian side of the Wagah border crossing between the two countries, a joint statement said the discussions were constructive and both sides agreed to rapidly operationalize the project. Analysts say it is a positive signal that their recent hostilities did not derail the initiative, which many had hoped would improve ties between the nuclear armed countries. Dubbed a corridor of peace, the Kartarpur corridor is set to open later this year. Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service has announced there is enough evidence to charge one British soldier with murder for the so-called Bloody Sunday killings in Northern Ireland nearly 50 years ago. Bloody Sunday is the nickname given to an incident that took place during a civil rights march on Jan. 30, 1972. On that day, 13 people were shot and killed as they fled police or tried to help those who were wounded. A 14th shooting victim died months later. British authorities announced Thursday that a soldier known only as Soldier F will be prosecuted for the murders of protesters James Wray and William McKinney. Soldier F will also face charges for the attempted murders of Patrick O'Donnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and Michael Quinn. The director of the Public Prosecution Service, Stephen Herron, said there was not enough evidence admissible in criminal proceedings to charge the other soldiers with the shootings. But the PPS has announced it will begin considering perjury charges against them. "I am mindful that it has been a long road for the families to reach this point and today will be another extremely difficult day for them," Herron said. "As prosecutors, we are required to be wholly objective in our approach." John Kelly, a representative for the families of the victims, told reporters and onlookers, "There's a terrible disappointment at the outcome. ... The full cost of Bloody Sunday cannot be measured just in those who died that day." After Thursday's announcement, British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson promised the government's full support to Soldier F, including paying his legal costs. He also promised that the government will pass a new package of safeguards to protect members of the armed forces from unfair treatment. "Our serving and former personnel cannot live in constant fear of prosecution," he said. The families of the victims of Bloody Sunday have hoped for years to have those who fired the fatal shots held accountable for the deaths. The original investigation in 1972 concluded by clearing the soldiers and British authorities of blame, accepting the explanation that they shot at armed men. A second investigation in 1998 concluded that the soldiers had given false testimony and that none of the shooting victims were armed or posed a threat to the soldiers. With that, British authorities began a murder investigation. At the close of the second investigation in 2010, then-Prime Minister David Cameron made a public apology for the shootings, saying the shootings were "unjustified and unjustifiable." Israeli rockets struck what the army calls "terror targets" in Gaza overnight Thursday, hours after two rockets were fired toward Tel Aviv. The military gave no other details, but Palestinian media say the rockets were fired at the southern Gaza port of Khan Yunis. There are no reports of damage or casualties. Just hours earlier, two rockets were fired toward Tel Aviv from Gaza, setting off air raid sirens across much of central Israel. The army said Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system intercepted one of the rockets while the other one likely fell on open ground. It is unclear which militant group fired the rockets. Hamas, which rules Gaza, and Islamic Jihad both say they were not responsible. But some Israeli officials said during an emergency security meeting late Thursday that Hamas must be held responsible. Tension between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza have increased in recent weeks. A Palestinian rocket was fired into Israel last Saturday. Israel retaliated with airstrikes on Hamas targets. One of the most prominent prosecutors working for special counsel Robert Mueller is leaving the team soon, a likely indication that the investigation is close to wrapping up One of the most prominent prosecutors working for special counsel Robert Mueller is leaving the team soon, a likely indication that the investigation is close to wrapping up. More than any other member of Mueller's team, Andrew Weissmann has been a target of President Donald Trump's outrage and singled out for criticism as an aggressive prosecutor. Mueller spokesman Peter Carr said in a statement Thursday that Weissmann would be concluding his work with the team ``in the near future.'' He did not give a date. Weissmann, who worked as an FBI general counsel under Mueller, most recently, led the Justice Department's fraud section. He achieved prominence for his work as a prosecutor while investigating the mob in New York City and the Enron scandal. NPR first reported Weissmann's expected departure. Children whose families fled conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo now face a new fight for survival. UNICEF estimates two hundred and sixty thousand of them face malnutrition. As civilians return to their homes and overburden local health care facilities, that number is likely to rise. Some of you may find these images disturbing. Arash Arabasadi reports. U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces continue their push to remove the last remnants of Islamic State militants from eastern Syria, intensifying their attacks at night against what is considered the last piece of territory under the terror group's control. Coupled with U.S.-led airstrikes, SDF fighters have increasingly been attacking several IS positions inside Baghuz, Syria, late at night, SDF officials told VOA. On Wednesday, the Kurdish-led SDF waged a major assault in the center of Baghuz, local military officials said. "Now, we are carrying out strikes against IS. Hopefully, we will clear them from this last speck of territory soon," an SDF fighter who did not want to be identified told VOA. Located on the eastern bank of the Euphrates, Baghuz has been under attack for more than a month, with several hundred IS fighters still resisting SDF advances. "Geography is a major factor in prolonging this fight and delaying our ultimate victory" in Baghuz, said Mustafa Bali, a spokesperson for SDF. "This is a flat region where they have firmly entrenched. Basically, Daesh militants can see us, but we can't see them or their movements during the daylight," he said in a phone interview, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State. Bali added that another reason SDF has been focusing on night raids is that many IS "terrorists choose to surrender themselves during daytime." Amid a fierce night of fighting, a VOA cameraman embedded with SDF forces spotted dozens of IS fighters captured by the SDF as they tried to carry out a counterattack against an SDF position. SDF Intensifies Nighttime Offensives Against IS Ivan Hasib, a Syrian reporter embedded with the SDF, said SDF fighters have not been able to confront IS directly. IS "is sending suicide bombers toward SDF fighters all the time, so that's why the SDF has been attacking at night, which is the only time they are in full control of the battle," he said. During the Wednesday night clashes, the SDF paused for several hours to allow more families of IS fighters evacuate from Baghuz. About 60 people, including women and children, were evacuated, SDF sources said. They were from Turkmenistan and the Netherlands, as well as some local Syrians, the same sources told VOA. The U.S. Senate defied President Donald Trump Wednesday and voted to cut off support for the Saudi-led coalition fighting rebels in Yemen. Seven of Trumps fellow Republicans sided with Democrats in passing the measure 54-46. It now goes to the House, which approved its own similar measure this year, only to have the process stall over a procedural issue. Trump has threatened to veto the bill if it reaches his desk, saying it would undermine the counterterrorism fight. The measure demands Trump remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting the Republic of Yemen within 30 days. A first for the War Powers Resolution If it passes in the House, it would be the first time in history Congress has invoked the 1973 War Powers Resolution, which says Congress determines when the U.S. goes to war, not the president. Today, we begin the process of reclaiming our constitutional power by ending U.S. involvement in a war that has not been authorized by Congress and is clearly unconstitutional, said independent Senator Bernie Sanders, sponsor of the measure. Opponents argued that the War Powers Resolution does not apply because the U.S. is not directly involved in combat in Yemen. Civilians killed, millions face famine Saudi Arabia is leading a coalition helping Yemen fight Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The Trump administration has been providing Yemen with intelligence and other support. Saudi airstrikes aimed at the rebels have also struck civilian areas, killing thousands of people, and devastating entire neighborhoods and hospitals. The war has also worsened the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, where millions face famine. Saudi Arabia is not an ally that deserves our support of our military intervention, Republican Senator Mike Lee said, adding that the Saudis are likely using our own weapons ... to commit these atrocities of war. Thats not OK. Khashoggi killing Lawmakers from both parties are not only opposed to the bloodshed in Yemen, but also upset over what they see as Trumps tepid response to the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October. His body has not been found. Trump has called Saudi Arabia an arch foe of Iran an essential Mideast ally whose weapons purchases from the U.S. create thousands of American jobs. Rights groups are voicing concerns about Sudan's violent action against anti-government protests, which have been sweeping the African nation since last December. The rights groups say the action has left at least 60 people dead and hundreds in jail. The rising costs of bread and fuel sparked the initial protests, which quickly escalated to demand removal of longtime President Omar al-Bashir. Jehanne Henry, associate director of the Africa division at Human Rights Watch, said the widespread crackdown by Sudanese police was aimed at opposition leaders, protesters, activists and journalists. "These protests are ongoing daily and they have been met with quite a lot of violence and abuses by government security forces that inflict very brutal beating on people as they arrest them. Many have been killed so far," she told VOA. Sudanese officials, however, say rights groups are exaggerating the death toll. A senior Sudanese official who spoke to VOA on condition of anonymity said, "Protesters are taking advantage of the situation and violate the law by stealing, looting and damaging government property." He said there were fewer than 31 cases. Yet this is still a "large number and a grave concern," the official admitted. Local accounts Local residents charge that Sudanese authorities are targeting everyone who sympathizes with the protests. Momena Bashir said that her father, Muawiya Bashir, 57, recently died at a hospital in the capital, Khartoum, after Sudanese police shot him inside his house. She said police had targeted her father because he harbored some protesters who were hiding from Sudanese security forces. "My father had sympathy for the protesters," Bashir told VOA. "My father believed that the Sudanese regime is corrupt and is destroying our country. "We don't know what will happen to us. We are still in a state of shock after my father's death." US stance U.S. officials have sharply criticized Khartoum for official violence toward peaceful protesters demanding political change in their country. "It is absolutely unacceptable for security forces to use excessive violence to crack down on demonstrators, to use detention without charge, certainly unacceptable to use brutality, torture ... and needless to say there's no reason anyone should be killed," said Cyril Sartor, senior director for Africa at the U.S. National Security Council. U.S. officials have also voiced concerns about the state of emergency in Sudan. "We are deeply concerned about the declaration of the national state of emergency and calling the government of Sudan to respect the right of all individuals in Sudan, bringing an immediate end to the violent repression of peaceful protests and seek accountability for those responsible for violation and abuse," Jonathan Cohen, acting U.S. permanent representative to the U.N., said at a Security Council briefing on the situation in Sudan last week. In an attempt to end the protest movement, President al-Bashir, who has been in power since 1989, declared a yearlong nationwide state of emergency in late February, while issuing several reform measures. Hundreds jailed Since the uprising in mid-December, the Sudanese government has detained hundreds of people, including rights activists, journalists, organizers and ordinary protesters, the rights groups said. "There are dozens of people who are still in detention even though the government continues to pretend it is releasing everyone. It will announce releases, but it will not actually release everyone," said Henry of HRW. "They [Sudanese authorities] are responsible for killing people on the street, they are responsible for going to neighborhoods [and] pulling people out of their homes behavior that ... makes Khartoum look more like a war zone than just a policing operation," Henry added. Some analysts also charge that al-Bashir's recent reforms are at best ceremonial and aimed at easing the tensions with ordinary Sudanese. "These are not measures that can be called reforms," said Omer Ismail, a senior policy adviser at the Enough Project, a Washington-based research group. "This is a desperate dictator [who] is applying martial law to crush the demonstrations by force." "A president who means reform will call his opponents to the table for a constructive dialogue instead of deploying tanks on the streets," he added. US terrorism list The deadly crackdown on protesters could also threaten Sudan's efforts to be removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. The U.S. designated Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism in 1993. "We have been quite clear, quite explicit ... with all the government leaders that I have met with that the current conditions in Sudan and the overreaction of the security forces in particular put the talks at risk," Sartor of the NSC said. In late 2017, the U.S. government lifted economic sanctions on Sudan and also removed the country from the list of countries with travel restrictions. After telling reporters he would stay in his lane and avoid commenting on the contentious British exit from the European Union, U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday immediately did just the opposite. Alongside Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar in the Oval Office, Trump declared that Brexit is "actually tearing a lot of countries apart." Trump also lamented he was "surprised at how badly it has all gone from the standpoint of negotiating." The president said he had advised British Prime Minister Theresa May how to negotiate her country's divorce from the EU, but "she didn't listen to that." Asked by a reporter if he believes there should be a second public referendum on Brexit in Britain, Trump replied he does not think that would be possible and it would be "unfair to the people who won." In 2016, Britons who desired to remain in the EU were narrowly outvoted by those choosing to depart the 28-member state, political and economic union. The issue of the United Kingdom border with the Republic of Ireland is one of Brexit's most complex points, noted Trump. "I'd like to see that whole situation with Brexit work out," Trump added. After Brexit, "we can do a very big trade deal with the U.K.," noted Trump. He also warned of tariffs being applied on the EU if trade talks with the United States falter. "If they don't talk to us, we're going to do something that's very severe economically," Trump again warned. Trump, during the traditional St. Patrick's Day seasonal meeting here between the leaders of the United States and Ireland, then turned to Varadkar, offering him an opportunity to speak about Brexit. "We have a different opinion, president," said the Irish prime minister. "I regret that Brexit's happening and the U.K. was a really important part of the European Union." The most concerning element for Ireland, Varadkar said, is that Brexit should not cause any problems in Northern Ireland, which voted to stay in the EU. "We shouldn't have a hard border or anything to disrupt the peace process," said Varadkar. Until the 1998 Good Friday agreement, violence in the previous three decades in Northern Ireland killed more than 3,500 people. The conflict pitted loyalist Protestant paramilitary groups and the British army against the Irish Republican Army, a Catholic republican militia that was considered a terrorist organization by London. "I think it'll be a few years until the United Kingdom sorts itself out," predicted Varadkar. The British parliament votes Thursday on a last-minute delay for Brexit, which is scheduled for March 30. It will be the third attempt by Prime Minister May to convince reluctant lawmakers to support her EU exit plan. The number of children adopted from other countries by people in the United States fell by 14 percent last year, with a steep drop in adoptions from China making up a large portion of the decline, the State Department said Thursday. The overall drop is a continuation of a decade-long trend, with annual declines that have sent the number of adoptions from 12,753 in 2009 to 4,059 in 2018. In its annual report to Congress released Thursday, the State Department's Office of Children's Issues attributed fewer adoptions of Chinese children to "an improvement in economic circumstances" as well as the development of options for permanent homes for children within China. State Department Special Adviser for Children's Issues Suzanne Lawrence said one other reason for the decline is China's internal legislation on nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). "While the NGO law was not intended to specifically target adoption service providers," said Lawrence in a briefing on Thursday, "It did adversely impact many agencies who have found it very difficult to comply with all of the paperwork and regulations." China's Foreign NGO Law, which came into effect Jan. 1, 2017, mandates that foreign NGOs must register with the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) or its provincial-level equivalents before establishing an office within mainland China. Foreign NGOs are permitted to work in areas including economics, education, health, and environmental protection, but they "must not endanger China's national unity, security, or ethnic unity; and must not harm China's national interests, societal public interest." Answering questions posed by VOA, Lawrence said: "From our interaction with adoption service providers who had been active in China, they tell us that that has really had an impact on their ability to help families who are interested in adopting from China." China was still by far the leading country of origin for U.S. intercountry adoptions with 1,475 in 2018. But that was a decline of 655 from the year before. India (302), Ukraine (248) and Colombia (229) were next on the list, and also the rare countries in the top 10 that actually saw increases over their 2017 levels. The other high-ranking nations, which account for all those with at least 100 adoptions in 2018, all saw their number of adoptions go down last year. Ethiopia Adoptions of Ethiopian children fell by 43 percent to 177 in 2018. The report cites a number of concerns about the adoption industry and highlights the case of Ethiopia as a place where nearly all of those issues were present. Ethiopia's parliament passed a law in January banning adoptions by foreigners, instead requiring orphans to grow up in their homeland and learn the country's traditions and culture. Critics worried that child centers and other resources would be overburdened. In its report Thursday, the State Department said Ethiopia had specific concerns about missing post-adoption reports, corruption, and cases of U.S. parents returning their adopted children to Ethiopia. Such attempts to return children were among the trends the report identified as those that could undermine the U.S. adoption process. "The facts of each situation differ, but the reasons shared by adoptive parents to the department for such returns include: concerns that the child was improperly separated from birth families to whom they wished to return; false or fraudulent information received during the adoption process; and medical or behavioral issues or previous abuse of the child that the family was not aware of prior to the adoption placement," it says. Unethical activities Another ongoing concern is unethical activities by adoption service providers, something the State Department encourages foreign countries to report. The department said it was encouraged by what it said was in 2018 the first notable use of a complaint registry system that showed other countries are "being more proactive about reporting concerns." The report says bilateral and multilateral cooperation is key to its efforts to ensure intercountry adoptions remain a viable option for kids who need a permanent home. The process also applies to children from the United States who are adopted by people from another country. Those levels remained essentially constant between 2017 and 2018, falling from 83 to 81. Canada was the new home for 38 of those children, followed by the Netherlands at 20 and Mexico with nine. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he was in no rush to complete a trade pact with China and insisted that any deal include protection for intellectual property, a major sticking point between the two sides during months of negotiations. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping had been expected to hold a summit at the president's Mar-a-Lago property in Florida later this month, but no date has been set for a meeting and no in-person talks between their trade teams have been held in more than two weeks. The president, speaking to reporters at the White House, said he thought there was a good chance a deal would be made, in part because China wanted one after suffering from U.S. tariffs on its goods. But he acknowledged Xi may be wary of coming to a summit without an agreement in hand after seeing Trump end a separate summit in Vietnam with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un without a peace deal. "I think President Xi saw that I'm somebody that believes in walking when the deal is not done, and you know there's always a chance it could happen and he probably wouldn't want that," Trump said. China has not made any public comment confirming Xi is considering going to meet Trump in Florida or elsewhere. The president, who likes to emphasize his own deal-making abilities, said an agreement to end a months-long trade war could be finished ahead of a presidential meeting or completed in-person with his counterpart. "We could do it either way. We could have the deal completed and come and sign, or we could get the deal almost completed and negotiate some of the final points. I would prefer that," he said. Trump decided last month not to increase tariffs on Chinese goods at the beginning of March, giving a nod to the success of negotiations so far. But hurdles remain, and intellectual property is one of them. Washington accuses Beijing of forcing U.S. companies to share their intellectual property and transfer their technology to local partners in order to do business in China. Beijing denies it engages in such practices. Asked on Wednesday if intellectual property had to be included in a trade deal, Trump said: "Yes it does. He indicated that from his perspective, a meeting with Xi was still likely. "I think things are going along very well - we'll just see what the date is," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I'm in no rush. I want the deal to be right. ... I am not in a rush whatsoever. It's got to be the right deal. It's got to be a good deal for us and if it's not, we're not going to make that deal." 'Maintaining contact China's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Xi had previously told Trump that he is willing to "maintain contacts" with the U.S. president. Over the weekend, Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen, who has been deeply involved in the trade talks with the United States, did not answer questions from reporters on whether Xi would go to Mar-a-Lago. Two Beijing-based diplomatic sources, familiar with the situation, told Reuters that Xi would not be going to Mar-a-Lago, at least in the near term. One said there had been no formal approach from the United States to China about such a trip, while the second said the problem was that China had realized a trade agreement was not going to be as easy to reach as they had initially thought. "This is media hype," said the first source, of reports Xi and Trump could meet this month in Florida. Though Trump said he is not in a hurry, a trade deal this spring would give him a win to cite as an economic accomplishment as he advances his 2020 re-election campaign. The trade war has hurt the global economy and hung over stock markets, which would likely benefit from an end to the tensions. In addition to smoothing over sticking points on content, the United States is eager to include a strong enforcement mechanism in a deal to ensure that Beijing can be held accountable if it breaks any of its terms. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who has spearheaded the talks from the American side, said on Tuesday that U.S. officials hoped they were in the final weeks of their talks with China but that major issues remained to be resolved. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has announced that all U.S. diplomats assigned to Venezuela have departed, in an exit the State Department calls "temporary." Pompeo released a statement Thursday, soon after the last diplomats were reported to have left. The U.S. flag outside the embassy had been taken down. "I know it is a difficult moment for them," he said, referencing the U.S. diplomats. "They are fully dedicated to our mission of supporting the Venezuelan people's aspirations to live in a democracy and build a better future for their families." Pompeo said the diplomats assigned to Venezuela will continue their work "from other locations" where they will continue to work on getting humanitarian assistance to the Venezuelan people "and support the democratic actors bravely resisting tyranny." Pompeo added that the United States government "remains firm in its resolve and support for the people of Venezuela and interim President Juan Guaido." He said staffers look forward to resuming their presence in Venezuela "once the transition to democracy begins." Also Thursday, the State Department confirmed it has revoked 340 U.S. visas from Venezuelans, including more than 100 former diplomats and their families. State Department spokesman Robert Palladino told reporters that the U.S. has revoked more than 600 visas from Venezuelans since late last year. Palladino urged any U.S. citizens left in Venezuela to leave. Palladino also warned followers of the embattled Nicolas Maduro not to harass U.S.-backed leader Juan Guaido. The New York Times on Thursday quoted Palladino saying, "We hold former President Maduro and those surrounding him fully responsible for the safety and welfare of interim president Juan Guaido and his family. It would be a terrible mistake for the illegitimate Maduro regime to arrest Juan Guaido." The United States is one of about 50 countries that have thrown their support behind opposition leader Guaido, who has announced himself "interim president" after last year's disputed election. Maduro, the incumbent president who is hanging on to power despite shortages of food, water and electricity, says he is the victim of a coup plot by the United States. Power was restored Thursday after a weeklong blackout that Maduro blamed on the United States. He has also promised an investigation into Guaido for "alleged involvement in the sabotage of the Venezuelan electricity system." Guaido denied the allegations at an anti-Maduro protest Tuesday. "The whole world knows who the saboteur is," he said. "Maduro is responsible." Maduro tried Tuesday to send a group of his relatives to Colombia, but Colombian authorities stopped them at the border, saying they do not recognize Maduro as president and will now allow his family to flee the discomfort suffered by other Venezuelans. The U.S. military has carried out three airstrikes against al-Shabab militants in Somalia in less than a week, continuing a rapid pace that could triple last year's record-setting strike numbers. According to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), the latest strike killed three militants near Malayle in the Lower Juba region on Wednesday. The "collective self-defense airstrike" targeted militants who were shooting at Somali National Security Forces on patrol, AFRICOM said. U.S. service members were not on the ground. The strike came a day after an airstrike killed two al-Shabab militants in the vicinity of Huley in the Lower Shabelle region. And on Monday, another U.S. military strike in Lower Shabelle region this one near Dara Salaam killed eight militants who had attacked Somali National Army soldiers and U.S. troops who were advising their Somali partners. No U.S. service members were harmed in the attack, AFRICOM spokesman Air Force Col. Chris Karns told VOA. AFRICOM has carried out 27 airstrikes against al-Shabab in the first 11 weeks of 2019. Bill Roggio, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said the U.S. military is now on pace to nearly triple last year's record number of airstrikes against al-Shabab. 'Alarming' losses Maj. Gen. Marcus Hicks told VOA in a recent interview that al-Shabab was "losing troops in the field at what I would suspect is an alarming rate." He said the ramp-up of strikes was merely a "component" of the broader international fight against terrorism in Somalia. Somali forces and their international partners have gained ground "particularly out of Kismayo in the south," which just a few years ago was considered the epicenter of the al-Shabab terror group, according to the U.S. general. "We've cleared about 45 kilometers up the Lower Juba River Valley, established combat outposts that have withheld multiple attacks, and as we again, 'we' as the Somalis and our AMISOM [African Union Mission in Somalia] partners make contact with al-Shabab, the enemy is presenting itself in such a way that it can be struck as part of this broader counterinsurgency effort," Hicks told VOA. The U.S. military carried out 47 airstrikes in Somalia last year and 35 in 2017, killing hundreds of militants. Most targeted al-Shabaab, while some targeted Islamic State militants in the African country. The al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab militant group continues to control large areas in southern and central Somalia. It is also responsible for deadly bombings in the capital, Mogadishu. The U.S. Congress on Thursday formally rejected President Donald Trump's national emergency declaration to fund border wall construction, as the Senate voted 59 to 41 to disapprove the executive action, weeks after the House of Representatives did the same. Twelve Senate Republicans joined a unified Democratic caucus to pass the disapproval measure in the Republican-led chamber, defying the White House and ignoring a presidential veto threat. "This is not a normal vote this is not a normal day," said Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, noting Congress' first-ever official rejection of a national emergency declaration. Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins said she backed Trump's goal of beefing up security along the U.S.-Mexico border, but not his bid to bypass Congress. "The president's action comes into direct conflict with Congress' authority to determine the appropriation of funds, a power vested in Congress by the framers of our Constitution," Collins said. "This issue is not about strengthening our border security, a goal that I support." At the White House, Trump promised to respond. "I look forward to VETOING the just passed Democrat inspired Resolution which would OPEN BORDERS while increasing Crime, Drugs, and Trafficking in our Country," the president tweeted. That message was echoed by Republicans who voted against the disapproval measure. "There's a clear border security and humanitarian crisis on the southern border of the United States," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said. "The president is operating within existing law, and the crisis on our border is all too real." Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton said: "When hundreds of thousands of foreigners arrive at the southern border and demand entry, that's not migration. That's an emergency and a threat to our sovereignty." No super majority Although simple majorities coalesced to pass the disapproval measure in both houses of Congress, neither has the two-thirds super majority that would be required to override an expected presidential veto. Congress has not funded Trump's border wall requests, including under unified Republican control of the legislature, as existed for the first two years of his term. Earlier this year, a politically-divided Congress provided limited funds to erect new fencing along small sections of the U.S.-Mexico border, an outlay Trump deemed inadequate. A national emergency declaration empowers a president to redirect federal funds in response to a sudden and grave crisis. In this case, Trump seeks to siphon billions of dollars from mostly military accounts for wall construction. Democrats noted that America's border deficiencies have been debated for decades and that, in making the declaration, Trump himself said he "didn't have to do it." "He [Trump] declared an emergency because he lost [the battle for wall funding] in Congress and wants to get around it," Schumer said. "He's obsessed with showing strength, and he couldn't just abandon his pursuit of the border wall. So he had to trample on the Constitution." Fear of setting precedent Some Republicans, meanwhile, feared the president's emergency declaration could set a precedent that a future Democratic president might use to evade the will of Congress. "Imagine in the future a socialist-inclined president who wants to fund the Green New Deal [global warming resolution] or declare an emergency against the Second Amendment [constitutional right to bear arms]," Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said. "Congress needs to fund border security no question. But no president should go around Congress." Building a border wall was one of Trump's bedrock promises to voters in his 2016 presidential campaign. Trump repeatedly stated that Mexico, not the United States, would pay for it. The White House argued Mexico is paying for the wall indirectly as a result of the expected economic benefits from a new free trade agreement negotiated between the United States, Canada and Mexico. Aside from congressional action, the national emergency declaration is being challenged in the federal court system, which may have the final word in whether it survives. A senior U.S. official has rejected Chinas claim that the mass internment of Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in Chinas Xinjiang region is part of a counter-terrorism program and says it will backfire. The United States co-hosted an event on the sidelines of the U.N. Human Rights Council to put the spotlight on the dire situation of Xinjiangs ethnic minorities. The United Nations says China is arbitrarily detaining more than one million Uighurs and other ethnic Muslims in so-called re-education camps in Xinjiang Province. Human Rights activists say they are subjected to torture and brainwashing. Adrian Zenz, an independent researcher who focuses on Chinas ethnic policy, says China is interning ethnic minorities, separating families and sending children to state-run orphanages to maintain ideological control over them. All-in-all the Chinese States present attempt to eradicate independent and free expressions of distinct ethnic and religious identities in Xinjiang is nothing less than a systematic campaign of cultural genocide and should be treated as such, said Zenz. China denies these charges. It says the de-radicalization of Uighurs in the camps is intended to counter terrorism and prevent violent extremism from gaining hold. U.S. Ambassador Kelley Currie says the conflation of ethnic and religious identity with terrorism and efforts to erase the identity of the Muslim groups is unjustifiable and outside any legal norms. She says it also is deeply counter-productive to Chinas stated goal of preventing extremism. By engaging in the wholesale repression of an ethnic and religious minority in this way, they are inviting further alienation, further isolation, further resentment among this community in a way that is not likely to lead to peaceful co-existence and the long-term stability of the region, said Currie. Currie says the United States has been actively trying to engage Muslim majority countries to pressure China to change its repressive policies toward the Uighurs. She says Washington is disappointed by the lack of response from members of the OIC or Organization for Islamic Cooperation. She says the U.S. applauds Turkeys recent statement publicly calling on China to close the re-education camps. Unfortunately, she says this comment was swiftly followed by retribution from China. China has demanded Turkey withdraw what it calls false accusations. Relations between the two countries remain tense and observers fear this ongoing spat could negatively impact their political and economic alliance. The World Health Organization (WHO) chief says the Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) can be brought to an end in six months, if everything goes as planned. Latest figures from the DRC Ministry of Health put the number of Ebola cases at 927, including 584 deaths. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged that any of the challenges that lie ahead could undo the gains achieved so far in controlling the spread of the Ebola virus. But he said enough progress has been made to believe the Ebola outbreak in Congos North Kivu and Ituri provinces can be shut down in six months time. He said transmission of the Ebola virus has been stopped in Beni, Mangina, Komanda, and Oicha in North Kivu province. It has not spread to other parts of the country, and it has not spread to neighboring countries. I think anybody can agree that this is a fact and something that we can say is good news. And the second is not only that it is not spreading, it is actually contracting, Tedros said. WHO reports the virus has been contained in 11 of the 28 communities affected by Ebola. Since January, it said the number of new cases reported every week has dropped by half from an average of 50 cases to 25. Nevertheless, Tedros said challenges remain. He said security is the No. 1 concern, with armed groups posing a serious threat in Katwa and Butembo, the current epicenters of the disease. Three weeks ago, treatment centers in Katwa and Butembo were attacked, and the facility in Butembo was attacked again last week while the WHO chief was visiting the region. Tedros said another big challenge is that of gaining the trust of communities. They often are suspicious of the demands made by health workers that go against their traditional practices. The WHO chief said six months is a feasible goal for ending the Ebola outbreak. However, he added WHO is prepared for any eventuality, and if the goal is missed, the agency will continue its work in the region for as long as it takes to end the Ebola epidemic. Former U.S. congressman Beto O'Rourke on Thursday joined the crowded field for the Democratic Party's nomination to oppose President Donald Trump as he runs for re-election in 2020. O'Rourke, who served three terms in the House of Representatives before losing a close contest for a Senate seat last year in Texas, released a video message pledging a positive campaign that embraces the opportunity of facing challenges at what he called a "moment of maximum peril and maximum potential." "This is a defining moment of truth for this country and for every single one of us," O'Rourke said seated alongside his wife Amy. Later, he visited Iowa, where the party's first presidential nominating contest will be held in February 2020, meeting with voters in a restaurant in the small city of Keokuk. WATCH: Beto is in the race More than a dozen Democrats are seeking the party nomination to run against Trump, with O'Rourke saying that any one of them "would be far better than the current occupant of the White House." In answering questions, he staked out progressive positions similar to other Democrats, calling for "guaranteed" universal health care, decisive actions to combat the effects of climate change and an end to the federal government's prohibition on the use of marijuana. In the video he released earlier, he also highlighted criminal justice reform and ending U.S. involvement in decades-long wars as some of his priorities. "Perhaps most importantly of all, because our very existence depends on it, we can unleash the ingenuity and creativity of millions of Americans who want to ensure that we squarely confront the challenge of climate change before it's too late," O'Rourke said. And he said that if immigration is a problem, then it is the best problem the United States could have, calling for legal paths for immigrants "to work, to be with family and to flee persecution." O'Rourke joins the long list of Democrats who want to challenge Trump in the November 2020 vote. Those who have already announced include Senators Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, as well as Representative Tulsi Gabbard and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro. Former Vice President Joe Biden has signaled he appears ready to join the field, with some early polling suggesting he would lead the Democratic field at this early date in the nominating process. O'Rourke lost last year's Senate race by less than three percentage points to incumbent Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, but political analysts considered that as a credible showing in a conservative state like Texas. The Zimbabwean government has suspended a non-governmental organization, which allegedly encouraged people to stage public protests early this year over the high cost of living following President Emmerson Mnangagwas announcement of fuel prices of up to 150 percent. Masvingo district administrator Ray Hove suspended with immediate effect Community Tolerance and Reconciliation Development Trust, a youth organization that promotes democracy, development and human rights issues. Hove stressed that the NGO can no longer carryout activities of any kind in the district pending investigations on registration and approval of your organization by our office. Hove declined to shed light on the circumstances leading to the suspension of NGO when he was asked by VOA Zimbabwe Service to provide details of the allegations being made against the organization. Community Tolerance and Reconciliation Development Trust programs manager Zivanai Muzorodzi dismissed claims that the organization encouraged people to revolt against the government, adding that they are properly registered in Zimbabwe. He claimed that the government does not tolerate any criticism or organizations focusing on issues of governance and human rights. President Mnangagwa recently told Zanu PF supporters in Masvingo province that his government will deal ruthlessly with NGOs that allegedly encouraged Zimbabweans to stage public protests in January this year with a regime change agenda. At least 12 people were killed during the protests. Dewa Mavhinga, Human Rights Watch director for southern Africa, tells VOA Zimbabwe Services Gibbs Dube that the suspension of the NGO is a well-calculated move by Mnangagwas government to clamp down on political opponents. This is very strange that COTRAD has allegedly been suspended by the district administrator. It is unclear whether the Masvingo district administrator has any such authority to take such a drastic measure which is unsual coming under the so-called new dispensation. But what is also important is that lawyers have quickly intervened and are seized with the matter. Frank Guni, a Zanu PF activist, said non-governmental organizations should complement governments activities instead of pursuing anti-state programs. I think in general people must understand that all non-governmental organizations exist in Zimbabwe to complement government efforts. So, they have to abide by the rules and regulations (governing their operations) What we understand is that this particular NGO is being suspected of having participated in influencing or encouraging people to demonstrate against the government in an illegal way which resulted in the loss of property in Masvingo province and other parts of the country. However, until that is proven as a fact I think operations of this NGO just like any other non-governmental organization in the country should be allowed to go on because they are people downstream who benefit from their services. Photo: Vulture The true-crime podcast universe is ever expanding. Were here to make it a bit smaller, a bit more manageable. There are a lot of great shows and each has a lot of great episodes, so we want to highlight the exceptional, the noteworthy. Each week, our crack team of podcast enthusiasts and specialists will pick their favorites. To read the last edition, click here. Obsession: The Stalkers Obsession delves into, yes, obsessive behaviors, as they relate to the film Greta (the podcast comes from Focus Features, timed to that movies release; synergy!) but also more deeply in the real world. Episode four focuses solely on stalking and how it is often a precursor to more violent behavior. From O.J. Simpson and Nicole Brown Smith to the murder of Rebecca Schaeffer by her stalker, the episode highlights some of the most notorious cases. Marcia Clark also features heavily in the episode, as she worked on both the Simpson and Schaeffer cases and knows a thing or two about how obsession, and especially stalking, can lead to horrible ends. The podcasts blending of true crime and pop-culture perspectives forces listeners to question the way the media has trained us to think about stalking. Hillary Nelson Listen: Spotify | Apple | Website Public Official A: I Talk Too Much Four of the past seven Illinois governors have ended up in prison following their time in office. One of these is Rod Blagojevich, the subject of Public Official A from WBEZ Chicago. If the name Blagojevich sounds familiar, its probably for one of two reasons: the FBI tape of his fabulously profane telephone call about monetizing the Senate seat vacated by the newly elected Barack Obama, or his stint on Celebrity Apprentice, where he apparently got on quite well with our current president (a relationship he hopes will lead to a pardon). The series has just concluded with I Talk Too Much, which details not just the disgraced politicians conviction on federal corruption charges but also his and his familys post-conviction lives. This series benefits from extensive interviews with Blagojevichs wife, Patti. Though her self-pitying can get tiresome, she provides, intentionally and not, a window into both his crimes and his denial. Host Dave McKinney keeps things light and briskly paced, and in the end, were left with a picture of Blagojevich, convicted but not humbled, waiting on a pardon from a president who may or may not remember he is in prison. Toby Ball Listen: Apple | Website Claremont Serial Killings: Taskforce, Tears, and a Suspect This new podcast out of Australia details the cold case of three young women murdered in the tony suburb of Claremont, just outside of Perth, West Australia, in the mid-1990s. All three of the victims had spent an evening out with friends before vanishing, and it is thought that at least two had called for a taxi home. Part of this episode details the extensive police investigation into local cabbies (like, all of them), while the rest zeroes in on one of the early suspects a civil servant named Lance Kenneth Williams. Knowing now that another man (Bradley Robert Edwards) is currently behind bars awaiting trial for these murders makes this episode feel a bit like filler, but its a necessary component of a sprawling, two-decade search for justice. Amy Wilkinson Listen: Spotify | Apple | Website Crime in Color: The Murder of Faith Hedgepeth Nineteen-year-old Faith Hedgepeths 2012 murder remains unsolved because, as Crime in Colors co-host J.V. puts it, the Durham, North Carolina, police department overlooked some basic ass shit. Why didnt the police talk to any of her neighbors? Why didnt they search the woods behind her apartment building? Why, out of the 22 murders that took place in Durham in 2012, was Hedgepeths the only one whose case files were repeatedly sealed? Hosts J.V. and Keyerra regularly go deep into cases involving people of color, such as Hedgepeth, a member of the Haliwa-Saponi Native American tribe. And thats key: Its not a coincidence, they argue, that Hedgepeths case was so mishandled and why the case files were sealed for more than two years it wasnt taken seriously from the beginning. If the massive errors early in Hedgepeths murder investigation dont make you shake your head in exasperation, nothing will. Chanel Dubofsky Listen: SoundCloud | Apple Crime Junkie: Update: April Tinsley & the Monster in Fort Wayne Crime Junkie host Ashley Flowers is particularly passionate about the gruesome murder of 8-year-old April Tinsley, which went unsolved for decades, and this episode offers about as happy of an ending as you could hope for with a case like this an interview with one of the people responsible for the arrest of her killer, John D. Miller, last July. Aprils case is just one of several long-dormant cases to be solved using Parabon genetic genealogy, which any true-crime fan will know as the controversial technique that snagged the Golden State Killer. (Check out Sarah Weinmans terrific article about forensic genealogy, how it works, and how legally complicated it could be over at Topic.) Whats particularly interesting is how enthusiastic Captain Kevin Smith is about the possibilities of Parabon, which, in certain lights, seems rather chilling. The idea of folks uploading their DNA en masse to various websites to be used to track down not just murderers and sex offenders but also lower-level criminals like burglars and so on seems a little Big Brotherish, but hey, if you wanna send your spit to 23andMe, who am I to stop you? Naturally, everyones favorite golden-haired hero Paul Holes figures briefly in the narrative, because of course he helped at least a little. Flowers did a deep dive into the case in April 2018, around the time of the 30th anniversary of the little girls murder, and followed it up with an interview with the girls mother, Janet Tinsley, so you should definitely go back and listen to those first if you havent already. Jenni Miller Listen: Spotify | Apple | Website Once Upon a Crime: Murder Memories: Chapter 1: Eileen Franklin Part 1 Eye witnesses are notoriously unreliable for a host of reasons, though it typically boils down to the fallibility of the human brain. A number of podcast episodes of late have covered the intriguing mechanics of our beautiful, messed-up minds, including the Three Sides to Every Story episode of To Live and Die in L.A. and the King of Cold Cases episode of Murder Book. This week, Once Upon a Crime starts its own series about a fascinating phenomenon repressed memories kicking off with the story of Eileen Franklin, a woman who 20 years after her childhood best friend was murdered finally recalls the grizzly details. Including the perp her own father. This first episodes explains the key players and their backstories, so well have to wait for the second episode to get to the real meat of the thing, but this is a promising introduction to what could be a fascinating series about whats real and whats all in our heads. Amy Wilkinson Listen: Spotify | Apple | Website Undisclosed: The Case Against Adnan Syed: Episode 1 First, Ill say this: If you were a Serial season-one junkie and youre not watching the four-part HBO documentary The Case Against Adnan Syed, youre nuts. And to that end, there has never been a better time to check out to Undisclosed, the podcast helmed by Rabia Chaudry, the Syed family friend who brought his case to Sarah Koenig in the first place. The film builds a new investigation around the material in Chaudrys best-selling book, but the Undisclosed podcast team is adding even more with new episodes. Listeners get a unique, insider view of how the film got made, details about the case and potential evidence that Serial listeners may not have heard about, and the teams reaction to the recent, devastating legal development that may keep Syed in prison for life. And in this weeks episode, theres something else that caught my ear a compelling theory about Hae Min Lees murder case that went unexplored in Serial that she very likely could have been killed by a stranger. Rebecca Lavoie Listen: Spotify | Apple | Website Maddie: Theyve Taken Her, Red Flags, Man With No Face Journalist Mark Saunokonoko promises to make you question everything you know about the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in Maddie, a new podcast from Australian news outlet Nine.com.au. Just 3 years old when she vanished, Madeleines is arguably among the worlds most famous missing-persons cases. Her disappearance in 2007 from a resort town in Portugal has saturated the media for a decade, inspiring multiple books with theories about what could have happened to her. Saunokonoko spent two years researching the case and dives into various angles, from suspicion that her parents, British doctors Gerry and Kate McCann were involved, to conflicting reports about a man seen carrying a child the night she went missing, to police now saying that an aborted crime-scene reconstruction could have helped solve the case. The first three episodes include a comprehensive account of the night Maddie disappeared while her parents were dining at a nearby bar with friends. The podcasts extremely detailed reporting will appeal to listeners who like to put themselves in the shoes of investigators. And for those who want even more immersion, Nine.com.au has a complete online companion to the podcast with case timelines, maps, and photographs. Lara Bricker Listen: Spotify | Apple This weeks contributors: Toby Ball, Lara Bricker, Chanel Dubofsky, Rebecca Lavoie, Jenni Miller, Hillary Nelson, and Amy Wilkinson. A joint investigation Wednesday ended with the arrest of three people in Ardmore, said Stephen Young, Limestone County Sheriffs Office spokesman. Alec Wade Tyler Acklin, 28, of Ardmore is charged with possession of a controlled substance (meth) with intent to distribute, illegal possession of marijuana 2nd degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held in the Limestone County Jail on a $6,000 bond. Alec Acklin (left), Taylor Lide (center), and Kaitlan Hale (right) Alec Acklin (left), Taylor Lide (center), and Kaitlan Hale (right) Kaitlan Hale, 23, of Ardmore is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. She is held in the Limestone County Jail on a $1,000 bond. Taylor Lide, 18, of Ardmore is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. She is held in the Limestone County Jail on a $1,000 bond. Young said at about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday Limestone County sheriffs narcotics investigators, along with members of the Ardmore Police Department and the Northeast Alabama Drug Task Force, executed a search warrant at a residence in the 26000 block of 2nd Street in Ardmore. Investigators seized about a half-ounce of ice methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, a needle loaded with meth, marijuana, and a handgun from the residence, Young said. The video is courtesy of the Limestone County Sheriff's Office. With a national college admission scandal coming to light, WAAY 31 wanted to know if local high schools were on alert as students prepare to take the ACT and SAT. The principal at Bob Jones High School, Sylvia Lambert, said she's confident in how those tests are administered. There are no plans to make changes. Students told WAAY 31 the scandal is sickening, but it won't stop them from trying to get into their dream schools. "I think it's incredibly unfair that just because they are at a higher socioeconomic level, can pay their way into college for a kid. Speaking as someone from a lower socioeconomic level, that's incredibly unfair," said Bob Jones senior, Kafui Sakyi-Addo. Students at Bob Jones High School are preparing for a week of spring break, but before they get some rest, they're focusing on the future. It's college-career week and they tell WAAY 31 they were furious to learn wealthy kids got into schools through bribery and cheating. "Given how hard my friends and I have been working and taking the ACT multiple times, and Bob Jones works really hard to help us with our ACT scores and our SAT scores. It's just really unfair," said Sakyi-Addo. A Bob Jones alum and current Dartmouth College student said for every student who got into a school by cheating, a hard-working one was denied. "Some of my friends are coming from poorer families and had to work really hard to get up there and to hear that someone can just pay their way in is very heartbreaking," said Dartmouth student, Gabriel Kuenzli. The students said even though it's unfair, it won't take away their determination. "Do the best that you can. Try your best. In the end, you get more satisfaction for knowing that you actually earned it," said Kuenzli. "I think they are probably going to keep working hard and doing their best to get the highest score they can to go to the best school that they can," said Sakyi-Addo. Lambert said she's confident the proctors who administer the ACT and SAT at Bob Jones are trustful and follow state college board guidelines. Questions about Boeing's new airliners are of high-interest around the globe. The crisis of faith is of particular interest in Huntsville. Boeing and North Alabama have a long-standing relationship that many people depend on for their livelihoods. Boeing is making news because of two separate crashes of its new highly-touted 737 Max 8 planes. The latest crash Sunday in Ethiopia killed all 157 people on board. In October, another Boeing 737 Max 8 plunged into the sea and killed all 189 people on Lion Air flight 610. There's a growing list of countries grounding the 737 Max 8. The news has the worlds attention. Here at home, Boeing has a significant Alabama presence. Already, about 2,700 people work for Boeing in the state. The company said it expects to hire up to 400 more employees by next year. Plus, Boeing will make an additional capital investment in Alabama of $70 million. In the Tennessee Valley, Boeings focus is mainly on aerospace and defense. In Decatur, Boeing helped get what is now United Launch Alliance up and running. Boeing has a share in ULA and United Space Alliance. But, most of Boeings work is in Huntsville and Madison County. Boeing is working on several military projects, notably, the Patriot Advanced Capability 3 Missile Seeker, among others. Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce underscores, Boeing innovation in Alabama is key to our nations defense and space programs. When it comes to commercial aircraft, Boeing has a relatively small footprint in Alabama. At Redstone Gateway, a team of about 250 Boeing engineers supports several commercial aircraft. That includes the 737 Max 8, but thats just one of twenty aircraft projects. Boeing first made its stake in Alabama in 1962 because of the space program. That commitment remains strong. The most recent economic impact study shows Boeing contributes more than $2 billion a year to Alabamas economy. It also supports nearly 8,400 direct and indirect jobs. The company spent an extra $749 million in Alabama. That includes $532 million to suppliers. In 2016, for example, Boeing gave nearly $1.7 million to non-profits. The company says Boeing is investing in the future of Alabama as a center of innovation, continuing to bring highly-skilled jobs and growth to the region. Long-term, Boeings commitment to Alabama and the states faith in Boeing are solid. That despite what many are hoping will be a short-term lack of confidence from travelers about Boeings Max 8. I would have tried to get on a different flight. Besides Boeing, its commercial aviation competitor, Airbus, also has a presence in Alabama. The Airbus final assembly plant is in Mobile. We have an update to a story many of your are talking about. A day after our WAAY 31 I-Team exposed the dangers of Tianaa, which you can buy in most convenience stores, we're finding out more about efforts to ban its active ingredient. (Read that story here) Letter from Dr. Scott Harris, State Health Officer, to Alabama Sen. Arthur Orr about Tianeptine Letter from Dr. Scott Harris, State Health Officer, to Alabama Sen. Arthur Orr about Tianeptine Sen. Arthur Orr Tells WAAY 31 he requested the Alabama Department of Public Health add Tianeptine to the state's list of controlled substances. But, the health department is refusing to do it. Dr. Scott Harris, the state health officer, told the senator there's not enough research on Tianeptine. In our WAAY 31 I-Team investigation, we told you many people battle addiction to Tianaa much as they would opioid addiction. Tianaa is easy for users to get their hands on. Even teens are buying it. It sells for about $40 for a bottle of 15 capsules. After our report aired, we heard from many of you about your struggles with the unregulated product. We've reached out to the state health department and will let you know when we hear back. Some local firefighters made their movie debut Tuesday night asyou guessed itfirefighters! A crew with the East Limestone Fire Department got to star in an emergency scene youll see in a movie called Only Easy Day. Photo by J Spencer, Canishootyou Productions, LLC Photo by J Spencer, Canishootyou Productions, LLC The scene was filmed in a subdivision on Birchbark Street in East Limestone. Several firefighters got to put their first-responding training to the test and to the big screen. Production officials tell us the scene was the last piece they needed to finish their puzzle of what they believe will be a very impactful film. WAAY 31 spoke with one of the firefighters who was involved in the scene and is actually a producer for the new movie. We incorporated some of the training that we do on a monthly basis into the scene last night, so that killed two birds with one stone," said Kasey Brown. "We actually got some training and the film actually got an emergency scene they could shoot on." Brown says theres no one better to cast as first responders than first responders themselves. These first responders know better than anyone how to be a first responder," he said. "A lot of times Hollywood and/or other media outlets get it wrong when it comes to first responders, and they kind of 'Hollywood-ize' the way things are done," Brown said. "So, last night, with a little direction from the director of the movie, we set up a scene, utilizing the fire trucks here at East Limestone and we walked through an emergency, which is actually a plot device in the movie." Brown said he was happy with the way things turned out and, judging by the smiles on the other firefighters' faces, he thinks they enjoyed themselves as well. "The firefighters out here did amazingly well," Brown said about his team. "They're great background actors, and I can't say enough about them." But Brown says the firefighters weren't the only lucky folks involved. "We had a lot of local support. The neighborhood was great to us. A number of the local residents got to be background actors, so it was just a great experience all the way around," he said. The movie, Only Easy Day, will be released later this year. Film producers want to thank The Limestone County Career Technical Center for letting them borrow an ambulance and, of course, the East Limestone firefighters for all of their help in the important scene. The photos included in this article are courtesy of Kasey Brown with the East Limestone Fire Department. If you'd like to watch the trailer for the new movie, click here. March is Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month, and advocates want people to understand the challenges that come with the disability. The local chapter of the Alabama Head Injury Foundation met at Southside Baptist Church in Huntsville on Wednesday. Some members say the hardest thing about living with the injury is getting a good job, and they would like to see employers create jobs for people living with brain damage. "All that they have are jobs for, like, physical jobs, and I can't do physical type of work," said Rizwan Mahmood, a TBI survivor. He said he wishes more people would have patience when it comes to people with this kind of head injury. He said that not all people who have the injury look like they have any issues. The problem is usually with their motor skills. The group meets every third Wednesday of the month. The Head Injury Foundation tells us it wants to start advocating for educational classes to help employers and teachers accommodate more people. Now that Alabamians will be paying more in gas taxes, WAAY 31 wanted to know how state and local leaders will be spending that money. Governor Kay Ivey signed the Rebuild Alabama bill on Tuesday, which increases the state gas tax by a dime. Local and state agencies said it's too soon to know which projects in North Alabama the money will be spent on. Some people in Madison County said they have roads they'd like to see fixed. "I own a truck, and the front end seems to be wearing more than it ever has. Flat tires is the norm," said Kenneth Shelton, who works in Huntsville. Many people said they've noticed how rough the roads are. "There definitely are certain areas where there are potholes and certain things you have to go around," said Molly Jones, who lives in Huntsville. "It's awful. Myself and my business partner, Angela, try not to be on the Parkway as much as possible, because it does get so congested during the lunch hour and the morning and night commute." In September, the gas tax will go up for the first time since 1992. By 2022, Alabamians will be paying 28 cents a gallon in taxes and 29 cents a gallon for diesel. It's estimated the extra 10 cents will cost the average driver $55 a year. "We're going to be taxed on something, why not something that's going to be better for everybody?" said Shelton. Shelton hopes to see updates to Winchester Road going into New Market, since part of the heavily-traveled road is only two lanes. "It is getting so dangerous now, that it's awful," said Shelton. He also thinks attention has to be focused on Interstate 565. "The Toyota plant and others going out in the area, that's always going to be a thing to be considered to be worked on," said Shelton. The new law will force the Alabama Department of Transportation to hold meetings with the governor's office and other agencies and to be transparent about how the money is spent. A spokesperson for the department said he should have a list of priority projects in the coming months. The extra money will be split between the state, counties and municipalities, with the state getting the bulk of it. Last week, WAAY 31 saw the damage first hand of the EF-4 tornado that hit Lee County, killing 23 people, and flipping over mobile homes or destroying them altogether. There are efforts across the state to make community storm shelters and mobile homes safer. "There are a lot of manufactured homes out there that have not been properly anchored," said Bud Lemmond, who owns Lemmond Mobile Homes. Lemmond has been selling and installing mobile homes for more than 30 years. He said the state of Alabama requires your mobile home to be anchored. "Manufactured homes that are properly anchored and set up will stand as much wind force as a house," said Lemmond. Lemmond said any time they install a mobile home, the state will inspect it to make sure it's anchored properly. "They will go in and inspect it within a 72-hour frame," said Lemmond. Lemmond showed us the various methods used to anchor mobile homes, but he says soil, and the size of the mobile home, all play into how it should be anchored. Sometimes people don't do it properly, and older mobile homes aren't required to be anchored. The Alabama Manufactured Housing Commission was developed in 1988, and they tell us that's when the state started enforcing these regulations by HUD. The problem is that any homes built prior to the HUD regulations are basically grandfathered into the system and don't have to be anchored down. "There's a lot of people that have their mobile home that was not anchored in a fashion that would probably be as safe today," said Lemmond. Glenda Hannig lives in a mobile home and said that was the number one question she asked before renting her current home. "Is it anchored down?" said Hannig, as she explained that her friend told her to ask that before renting. "That was one thing she told me to ask. She said that keeps it. It doesn't completely keep it from flying off, but it will." Because Hannig has a mobile home skirt, we couldn't show how the home is anchored, but we did ask her what her home is wrapped with. "I think it's wrapped with metal," said Hannig. Lemmond said while physically strapping down the home is a good safety measure, so is wrapping the exterior. However, manufacturers are not required to do that with strong materials like plywood. "That creates quite a danger if a tornado comes and applies, flying objects hit the mobile home. They will go right through it. This is one of the things that I think consumers should look for, is, 'How well is my home wrapped on the outside?'" said Lemmond. Lemmond said you can check to see what your mobile home is wrapped with by removing a piece of siding to check the walls. He also says you can remove the skirt of a mobile home to see if it's anchored in. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, from 1985 to 2007, more than 1,200 people died in tornadoes. 506 of them died in mobile homes. WASHINGTON (AP) - 5:30 p.m. The Senate has voted to end U.S. support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalition's war in Yemen. The bipartisan vote Wednesday is another strong rebuke of President Donald Trump's support for Saudi Arabia, which has been a point of tension with Congress since the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year. If the legislation passes the House, it would be the first time lawmakers have invoked the decades-old War Powers Resolution to halt American military involvement in a foreign conflict. The White House has already threatened to veto the legislation, which it says is flawed and could undermine the fight against extremism. The measure in the Senate was co-sponsored by independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah. __ 4 p.m. The Senate is poised to vote Wednesday on ending U.S. support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalition fighting in Yemen, legislation the White House has threatened to veto. The measure is co-sponsored by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Sen. Mike Lee, R- Utah. If it were to pass Congress, it would be the first time lawmakers have invoked the decades-old War Powers Resolution to halt American military involvement in a foreign conflict. It would also be another strong rebuke of President Donald Trump's support for Saudi Arabia, which has been a point of tension with Congress since the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year. In its statement threatening a veto, the White House argued the premise of the resolution is flawed and that it would undermine the fight against extremism. Nearly a thousand students come to the Limestone County Career Technical Center (LCCTC) every day. However, 30 of them are doing something that didn't exist prior to this school year. They're taking part in a new advanced manufacturing course. We have advisory committees and councils and we answer their needs. So when they tell us there needs to be a change in curriculum or programs added we do that, said Dr. John Wilson, director of the LCCTC. New employment data released on Monday from the Alabama Department of Labor backs up that need. Over-the-year numbers show a 1.4 percent growth in the manufacturing sector. ADOL shows that there were 268,000 manufacturing jobs in January 2019 compared to 264,200 one year prior. Shortly after announcing their new plant back in January 2018, representatives from Mazda Toyota Manufacturing came to the career tech school to see if a new course could be added. Theyre a huge part of our advisory council because theyre speaking for not only Mazda Toyota, but also tier two and tier three companies that are going to be coming in to supply them, said Wilson So with a $45,000 contribution from Mazda Toyota and instructors from Calhoun Community College, the school launched a course sanctioned by the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC). Wilson told WAAY 31 News that the program came together quickly, but said there was a caveat. That was a huge challenge cause we started it in the summer. That program didnt exist during preregistration last spring. We went to every high school, had parent meetings... held meetings in libraries and gyms and we filled it up, said Wilson. The course has four main components: manufacturing safety practices, precision measurement, quality control concepts and maintenance awareness Tanner high school junior Javon Garth is part of this first cohort. He was excited to take a course that not only gives him dual enrollment credit, but also key certifications sought by industry. Its only like a two-year program and after that, we can go to different jobs or work at Polaris or the new Toyota and stuff like that. So I was like, thats the best opportunity I can have, said Garth. Representatives from Mazda Toyota visited the school back on January 31 to get a look at the program in action. Vice President of Production Janette Hostettler said this hands-on approach will give students key skills to help them land good-paying jobs. What theyre teaching here is something that is going to live with the students and be with the students to be even that better, what I call, craftsmen and craftswomen, said Hostettler. Instructor Tony Pack calls the program a win-win. This is a great opportunity for not only Toyota Mazda that gets students that are beginning to be pre-trained for their jobs, but also educating the students for the jobs that are out there, said Pack. If you would like to learn more about the advanced manufacturing class or other programs offered at the LCCTC, click here. A lottery in Alabama could be a step closer to becoming a reality. State Representative Mac McCutcheon, who represents North Alabama, said state senators are talking through the terms of a lottery bill right. Right now, there are still plenty of unknowns about where money from the lottery would go, but there is a push to put the money toward education. McCutcheon told WAAY 31 he's seen a major shift in what people in North Alabama think of a lottery in the past few years. All you have to do is walk through the door of a convenience store to see that difference first hand. Sushant Ghimirey is the assistant manager of a convenience store in Huntsville. Any time there is a big jackpot for the lottery, he talks to his customers about it, "Pretty much like 70 percent are for it," said Ghimirey. Felisa Crutcher is one of the customers who wants the lottery, "I will walk right across the street to the store to play some money on the lottery," said Crutcher. Representative McCutcheon said he won't pass judgment on a potential lottery until he can read the details of a bill presented to the house. He told WAAY 31 there are certain possibilities being floated around for what the money will go to. The top possibility is funding for education. He will push for the people of Alabama to vote and decide on the issue instead of the legislature in Montgomery. Ghimirey knows the purpose of the lottery would be to pay for things like education, but they are drooling over the possible economic impact for their business, "Pretty much, they would not only be buying the lottery ticket, but they would be kind of thirsty, or they feel like grabbing something to go with it, so I think that would boost the business," said Ghimirey. On Wednesday, WAAY 31 talked to around 30 people in Huntsville about the lottery. Every single one said they're for it, but several raised concerns about making sure the money goes specifically to something important. Representative McCutcheon told WAAY 31 that is something the legislature would decide before setting up a vote for the people of Alabama. Crews responded to a house fire at Cross Key Road in Athens Thursday afternoon. The Limestone County Sheriff's Office said a man was in the back bedroom of the building when the fire started in the kitchen. The man's family members said he was asleep when a smoke alarm alerted him of the fire. He was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Courtesy of a viewer Courtesy of a viewer The cause of the house fire on Cross Key Road in Athens is narrowed down to two possible causes. The Piney Chapel Fire Department told WAAY 31 it could have been either lightning, or an accident in the kitchen, that caused the devastating fire. The family of the man taken to the hospital was too emotional to speak on camera, because the house represents thirty years of family memories that all went up in flames. While they're devastated to lose the home their mother built, they're thankful their family member is okay. The Piney Chapel Fire Department said officials will be back in the morning to continue their investigation into what exactly caused the fire. The Toyota Manufacturing Plant in Huntsville is growing where 450 new jobs will open up and two new engine lines will be introduced. Toyota is investing a massive $288 million dollars in the plant that has produced over six million engines. Those numbers will only continue to increase. The plant will now produce two new engines, a 4-cylinder and a 6-cylinder engine. The additional jobs coming with this expansion is the largest hiring event in the plant's history. Toyota is making multi-million dollar investments in five states, including this one in Alabama. It's going above their initial commitment. "This exceeds the companies commitment in 2017 where we pledged to invest 10 billion dollars," Toyota North Alabama President David Fernandes said. "This will actually take us to 13 billion dollars. Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and West Virginia all received large investments as well. The Huntsville plant is receiving the most money of them all. I think it is unconscionable that a manufacturer, the FAA, and the airlines would have pilots flying an airplane without adequately training, or even providing available resources and sufficient documentation to understand the highly complex systems that differentiate this aircraft from prior models, one pilot wrote in November. The fact that this airplane requires such jury rigging to fly is a red flag. Now we know the systems employed are error prone even if the pilots arent sure what those systems are, what redundancies are in place, and failure modes. The summons is almost biblical. When Moses is ordered to confront Pharaoh, he tries for seven days to evade the divine imperative. And Forche, a one-book poet in her 20s, hesitates. Though Leonel has sought her out because of her literary skills, she asks: What does this have to do with poetry? Challenging her notion of vocation, Leonel demands: Are you going to write poetry about yourself for the rest of your life? After considerable soul-searching, Forche puts aside the student papers shes grading and flies to Central America. A Guggenheim fellowship makes it financially feasible for her to pack up and head off by herself for a prolonged stay in a foreign land. What You Have Heard Is True recounts how and why its author began to write the kind of poetry she published in her 1981 book The Country Between Us, what she calls the poetry of witness. A decision was made to postpone the Brazil and Benin celebration until summer 2020 and do a smaller event this year, Motley said. Our partners were quite happy with that. They understood the pressure we were under. Next year, the festival will be held June 24-28 and July 1-5. So disgust plus cynicism was the general public tenor as Studios five actors took the stage Wednesday night for the first time since the scandal broke. The play, which viciously satirizes white liberal rhetoric about race, floats a bit above and to the side of the headlines. Dicey confessions are made in the upscale New Hampshire kitchen where the play is set, and the anxious parents a pair of prep school administrators eventually stroke their chins and murmur, Who do we know? to pull strings for their kid as he applies to Yale and other top schools. On Wednesday, the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, a Texas-based nonprofit organization, sent a complaint to the Department of Homeland Securitys inspector general and to the departments Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties on behalf of several Karnes detainees. The organization said fathers with children as young as 5 years old had been detained for between 41 and 59 days in violation of a federal consent decree known as the Flores Settlement Agreement (FSA), which says children generally must be released after 20 days. We met, after all, as students in a graduate writing program. Her friendship was a combination of wisdom and vulnerability. I shared my depths and felt more empowered, more real, for doing so. We bonded over similar family histories. Often we laughed and cried over food, as she introduced me to new spots around Atlanta, where we lived. She often hinted that I cared too much about all the voices around me but my own, that I didnt listen much to what I needed, what I hungered for. Her death shattered me because it reminded me how easy it was for me to feel alone, to catapult into that groundless space of not being truly known by another living soul. A solid rug pad anchors the rug to the floor and prevents it from sliding (who hasnt almost tripped after kicking up a rug?). Terrell recommends buying a pad thats about two inches smaller than the edge of the rug and thats made of a soft rubber backing and a rougher acrylic side to grip the rugs fibers. A thicker rug pad can be helpful if heavy furniture stands on the rug, and it can provide a cushier feel. If youre dealing with a particularly heavy piece of furniture, consider buying some casters or covers for the legs from a hardware store to avoid the legs digging in and damaging the rugs fibers. Lay the pad out with the rug on top, and smooth it out to adhere the two together. And its the knowledge that news organizations that used to have big, vibrant Washington bureaus are down to one person, or no one at all. (That situation is true maybe even worse at the state level, too, where statehouse bureaus have dwindled dramatically as local news organizations continue to cut costs to deal with the loss of advertising revenue, once their lifeblood.) But, I do think its fair to talk about whether gender plays a role in this saga. Whether we view the desperation of moms differently than the desperation of dads. Whether theres a reason B-lister Lori Loughlins photo has accompanied stories about the scandal far more often than photos of her massively successful designer husband. Huffmans Housewives character spent one episode trying to bribe her twins way into a private school, BuzzFeed points out (for $15,000 is that how Huffman knew it was the going rate?), and so, the story goes, of course Huffman would do the same in real life. If you dont own a cat or dog, then you probably dont give a second thought to pet hair when you travel. (The exception, of course, is if you suffer from pet allergies then youre likely to be hyperaware.) But it can be a problem for all travelers, even the ones who are without allergies or who travel without their furry companions. On Celebrity Cruises, kids sail free on cruises departing April 1 through Dec. 31. The deal applies to cruises of at least four nights in the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Asia, Panama Canal, South America and other destinations. Kids must be ages 17 and younger and share a cabin with two adults. For example, the 10-night Bermuda & New England cruise departing Cape Liberty, N.J., on May 26 costs $2,834 for a family of four in an interior stateroom a savings of $1,578. Taxes included. In addition, third and fourth passengers ages 18 years and older sharing an ocean-view stateroom or higher category save 50 percent during the same travel period. Book by April 3. Info: 888-751-7804, celebritycruises.com. Interstate 395 and Exit 10a area, 4:50 p.m. March 5. An officer activated the emergency equipment when a vehicle reported stolen from Fairfax County drove by but did not pursue the vehicle. The driver accelerated and struck multiple vehicles before crashing into a jersey wall. After a brief foot pursuit, a male juvenile was arrested and charged. This is about giving voters a clear choice of should this guy stay or should he go, said Eidinger, who said he would drop his recall effort if its clear constituents are standing by Evans. He is trying to profit off his office in a way thats just grotesque. . . . If he gets to keep his job, its just because hes a powerful man. We just want to encourage them to work with the Judicial Nomination Commission because it could have an impact on public safety, Bowser said in an interview. She said housing development also is affected by the vacancies at the Court of the Appeals. By learning about these other systems and figuring out how they form . . . we can understand a lot more about how our own solar system formed and whats possible and what our place is in our universe, she said. Mueller prosecutor Jeannie Rhee said at the Thursday hearing that five days after the gag order, Stone and a member of his defense team were notified by his publisher that most of 13,000 to 14,000 copies of the book had been shipped to stores, although they had not been selling particularly well so far, and had been available online since Feb. 19 Police arrested Luis Hernandez Rivera, 54, on March 5, on charges of aggravated sexual battery and rape of a child. Nosal said that Alexandria police were determined to investigate sexual offenses whenever enough information exists, no matter when the offense occurred. There is no statute of limitations on sex crimes in Virginia. These were among incidents reported by the Loudoun County Sheriffs Office and the Leesburg and Purcellville police. For information, contact your police or sheriffs department. The body of Jacson Chicas of Falls Church, Va., was found about 5 a.m. March 9 by a Stafford County sheriffs deputy who was driving down River Road and noticed an unknown object in the area between the road and the river, the sheriffs office and Prince Georges County police said. The deputy pulled over and discovered the teen, who had signs of trauma to his body, the sheriffs office said. Jacksons music comes at a time when some Baltimore officers have reported low morale in the department, stemming from a stubbornly high homicide rate. The department has struggled to recruit candidates to fill the 500 vacant patrol officer positions. And nationally, tensions have been high between law enforcement and communities of color, some of whom say they have been unfairly and aggressively targeted for years. D.C. Fire and EMS officials said they have evaluated 47 patients since Monday for symptoms that mirror the effects of an overdose of K2, Spice and other synthetic drugs often sold on the streets as cheap alternatives to marijuana. Best was prohibited from possessing guns because of a 2000 animal cruelty conviction for running a dogfighting ring. According to court records, she owned nine adult pit bulls, all of whom had to be killed because they were deemed too dangerous to release. In 2017, she was convicted of assaulting a law enforcement officer after biting an officer who tried to arrest her after a traffic stop turned violent. There is this narrative out there of teenagers going off the cliff, [but] by most indicators, they seem to be doing pretty well, relative to what was going on 20 years ago, he said, noting that pregnancy and risky behavior has gone down among adolescents while family time has increased. The majority of adolescents are doing great in terms of mental health. . . . Im not willing to say that we have a widespread problem on our hands when its only 13 percent of the population. After investigators retrieve information from the black boxes, they will typically release some information from the cockpit recorders explaining what was happening with the airplane at the time of the crash and characterize the quality of the recording and what it might contain, Guzzetti said. But it remains unclear how state-owned Ethiopian Airlines and the countrys civil aviation authorities will release information, which has thus far been somewhat scattershot. But perhaps as notable as the initiatives included in the budget were those that were omitted. The District had pushed for the restoration of closings at midnight on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends but relented on its threat to veto another year of shorter hours after the Federal Transit Administration warned that more than $1 billion in federal funding for the region would be at risk if that happened. The Maryland and Virginia representatives agreed with the FTA and Metro that the earlier closings needed to be maintained to provide workers more time for maintenance. Theres been a lot of interest about the PAC from candidates across the country, he said. A lot of the candidates out there are running in Republican primaries across the country and want to tie themselves to the president. Our responsibility is not only to protect children, but also to be what Isaiah called the repairers of the breach, the letter said. Through this investigation, we aim to offer healing to anyone who was hurt, and to try to repair any breach of trust that was broken. Some of the budgets boldest ideas for redefining health-care policies are unlikely to move off the page, having been rejected during Trumps tenure even when Congress was in full Republican control with less momentum now that Democrats hold the House. Chief among these is a call to convert Medicaid from its history for half a century as an entitlement program, in which the government pays a certain share for those eligible, to state block grants or strict per-person limits that are not affected by economic changes. The plea comes about six weeks before Raniere is set to go on trial on charges alleging that a secret master-slave society within NXIVM brainwashed women into having unwanted sex with him and had them branded with his initials in initiation ceremonies. Also charged in the case are Salzmans daughter as well as Seagram liquor fortune heiress Clare Bronfman and actress Allison Mack, best known for playing a teenage friend of Superman on the Smallville TV series. They have all denied the charges. Two men were initially convicted in the 2015 rape of the woman in Ancona, but the appeals court overturned the verdict, saying she was not a credible witness. In part of the ruling, the court noted that the suspects had found her unattractive and too masculine and that, therefore, she was not a credible rape victim. And yet, their animus toward the president was mostly unabated, and in further discussions, the real reason became clear. No matter what he might actually accomplish, the presidents demeanor is offensive, the students said. His name-calling, his insults, his swearing and his bullying are traits that diminish him daily, as far as they are concerned. Although these characteristics dont faze most of Trumps supporters, they sincerely alienate others, particularly high school and college students not because they are liberal snowflakes but because they have been raised by their parents to be polite and considerate. In 1846, Congress gave Virginia the part of the District south of the Potomac. It could cede to Maryland all of the remainder of the District except for an area containing the seat of government. That would give D.C. residents the right to vote for Congress without handing them the power to distort the Senate. Alternately, the Constitution could be amended to give D.C. residents a right to vote for the House but not for the Senate. The foreign policy consequences of Brexit are being discussed least but might prove to be the most consequential. If Brexit does occur, within a few years, Scotland and Northern Ireland would probably loosen their ties to Britain to maintain their association with Europe. The United Kingdom would then be reduced to just England and tiny Wales, not really fitting into any of the three economic blocs of the 21st century North America, Europe and China. London, a city that has shaped global affairs for 250 years, would become the Wests Dubai, a place where lots of money sloshes around but of no great geopolitical consequence. In Congress, the Uighur issue has brought together a broad and unlikely alliance of lawmakers. Just look at the list of 39 co-sponsors of the Uighur Human Rights Policy Act, which is moving through the House now. The bills leader , Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-N.J.), and co-sponsor Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) could not be further apart on Israel, but they are both appalled by Chinas persecution of Uighurs. Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) and Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) are at war over the Russia investigation, but they agree on this. Particularly disturbing are the reports that one official who played a large role in the Khashoggi murder, as well as the persecution of the women, Saud al-Qahtani, remains at large. This close aide to Mohammed bin Salman is reported to have overseen the torture of Ms. Hathloul and to have personally threatened her with rape and murder. Saudi authorities named him as one of those responsible in the Khashoggi case, and the Trump administration imposed sanctions against him. Yet he is not among those on trial for the Khashoggi murder, and despite reports that he had been fired and banned from traveling, researchers for Human Rights Watch say he has been spotted in the United Arab Emirates and at the Saudi royal court and is still believed to be advising the crown prince. In other words, the politics of partisan mobilization works only if you dont scare the rest of America to death. Republicans have come to the defense of a man who is incapable of widening his appeal. And this has opened up a reality gap between the GOP and the rest of our political culture. The rift between Republican perceptions of the president and the view of the broader public has grown into a chasm. This is now the main political context of the 2020 campaign. Pelosi knows that such an impeachment effort would divide Democrats and might not even pass the House. And even if it did, there is zero chance that two-thirds of the Senate would vote to convict Trump for something other than a criminal conspiracy with Russia. A failed impeachment would energize Trumps base, raise Trumps approval ratings and alienate the very suburban voters Democrats just peeled away from the GOP to win the House majority in the 2018 midterms. Most important, she knows it would distract Democrats from the agenda Pelosi wants to pursue. Its an opportunity cost in terms of time and resources, she told Rolling Stone magazine. President Trump and Manafort have been using their public statements to coordinate with each other with the rhythm of synchronized swimmers. Trump praises Manafort for not flipping on him, and Manaforts lawyers dutifully repeat Trumps mantras that there was no collusion between the campaign and Russia and that special counsel Robert S. Mueller III has taken a partisan detour. Its clear Manaforts hope, if not expectation, is for Trump to pardon him. Yet this is no Thornton Commission. No policy initiative is without risks, but if legislators support the reports accountability measures, provide the resources and stay the course with the sweeping changes, there is reason to expect a sea change in Marylands educational practices and outcomes: more effective supports for flailing students; bona fide high school pathways pointing toward remediation-free college and life-sustaining careers; teachers whose preparation, compensation and career prospects will lead abler individuals to enter and remain in this honorable profession. And because of this, significantly higher academic outcomes for our students. Geneva, Mar 14: At a time when relationship between two nuclear armed nations- India and Pakistan- have deteriorated over the Pulwama attack and the subsequent incidents, experts assembled on the sidelines of the 40th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva said the support given by PM Imran Khan's nation to terror is creating a worrying situation in South Asia. Experts discussed the issue of terrorism and the growing troubles in Indian Kashmir since the Pulwama attack on Feb 14 that left 40 Indian paramilitary forces personnel killed during the meet. The European Foundation for South Asian Studies (EFSAS) organized a event titled, Terrorism and Nuclear Security in South Asia, during the Session of the council where a panel of academics, former diplomats and independent military researchers in the field of terrorism and nuclear security deliberated upon the growing terrorism in the region and its implications for the nuclear security of South Asia and the world. Experts also stated that Pakistan's support to terrorism has become a worrying factor and may act as a catalyst to destabilize the current situation in South Asia. Kashmir has been once again on the boil since the Feb 14 attack and the subsequent air strike on terror camp conducted by Indian Air Force jets last month. The episode triggered fresh tussle between the nuclear-armed neighbours Amid the growing tension, ceasefire violations by Pakistan has been reported on several occasions in recent times. Dr. Dorothee Vandamme, Research Assistant and Visiting Lecturer at the University of Louvain, Centre for the Study of Crises and International Conflicts, the Genesys Network and EFSAS Research Fellow, analysed the recent terrorist attack in Pulwama in Indian Administered Jammu & Kashmir and discussed how this incident has once again shown that the situation in South Asia is particularly volatile and could bring about irreversible, perilous repercussions for the entire Indian subcontinent. According to her, Jammu & Kashmir-based terrorist groups have been used and will continue to be used as strategic assets by and for Pakistans asymmetric warfare against India. Dr. Vandamme argued that the links between the Pakistani Military establishment and the terrorist groups it sponsors, have been the result of several phenomena, namely its sympathy for the cause of these terrorist groups, the growing number of extremist elements within Pakistans armed forces and the ongoing mainstreaming of terrorists in the Pakistani political life for the purposes of ostensibly diffusing the threat that they represent, when in fact by doing so they are provided with a platform to express their extremist views in an institutionalized way. Nuclear war threat Dr. Vandamme examined the state of nuclear commandant control in Pakistans nuclear doctrine. She argued that Pakistan has the fastest growing nuclear stockpile in the world today, which is a very concerning trend, since such development places special emphasis on tactical usage and miniaturisation of nuclear weapons. Meantime, it continues to be a very dangerous doctrine, since these battlefield weapons are under the control of theatre commanders, while Pakistan expresses willingness to use nuclear tactical weapons, even in the case of a conventional war with India. Overall, the risk of nuclear exchange comes from the fact that Pakistans nuclear structure is vulnerable to elements within the armed forces that have adopted an extremist ideology or those which sympathise with terrorists. Afghanistan-Pakistan issue Dr. Antonio Giustozzi, an independent researcher, Visiting Professor at King's College London, Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, and Associate Researcher at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies, further analysed the ongoing terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan and the threat to security in South Asia. He provided a theoretical framework to the genesis of state-sponsored terrorism, arguing that internal conflicts are an important drive for terrorists, since in some countries clashes between various social factions and communities could provide fuel, which are used to ignite a spark of initiative for terrorists to penetrate. He highlighted how rival states try to exercise pressure on each other by sponsoring acts of terror, which can be observed both in Afghanistan and Pakistan with the purpose of destabilizing neighbouring States. He added that when jihadi organisations attempt to turn countries into battlefield for their personal and the States geostrategic objectives they need to corrupt local causes and jeopardize politics in order to build local constituencies, as the example of Jammu & Kashmir proves. Timothy Foxley, an independent political and military researcher, former Senior Analyst for the British Ministry of Defence, the Swedish Ministry of Defence and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute discussed in-depth the future of the Taliban after the US troops withdrawal and the stemming implications for the stability of South Asia. US troops to exit Afghanistan within five years : Report The United States would withdraw its troops from Afghanistan over the next three to five years under a new Pentagon plan, US media reported. The plan, which was supposed to help talks between the United States and Afghan Taliban, also called for cutting by half the 14,000 US troops currently in Afghanistan in coming months, according to a report of The New York Times recently which was referred in its report by China-based Xinhua news agency. Pentagon spokesman Kone Faulkner told The New York Times that no decisions have been made as peace talks continue, and the Pentagon "is considering all options of force numbers and disposition." There are about 14,000 US troops currently deployed in Afghanistan. The death toll of U.S. servicemen in Afghanistan has surpassed 2,400 since the United States invaded the Asian country in 2001. During the event organized by EFSAS, Foxley explained how the nature of the US departure in 2014 has created an upsurge in fighting while the Taliban continues to benefit from safe havens in Pakistan. He added that while the US is impatient to withdraw, such withdrawal should be done coherently and with a long-term support strategy. Foxley underlined the fact that there have been numerous talks on the subject, yet they seem to be discussing a narrow slice of the pie. US withdrawal in exchange for the Talibans rejection of Al Qaeda and ISIS in the area, while the reality remains much more peculiar. What happens in Afghanistan has a wider impact in the region; with or without the US, neighbouring countries see opportunities for military, political and economic gain. For example, Pakistan sees Afghanistan as an opportunity to thwart the activities of the other. While its relationship with the Taliban remains complicated, yet Pakistan will continue backing the Taliban as a means to shape Afghanistan into an ally and confront what they see as Indias expansionism. Foxleys major concern remained the risk of thousands of experienced fighters suddenly being unemployed and seeking to join other terrorist fractions, moving east into (Indian Administered) Jammu & Kashmir, west into the Middle East and north into Central Asia. While expressing his pessimism about the future, he underlined that the prospects appear negative for Jammu & Kashmir as the region will have to brace itself for increased terrorists activities once the Taliban will find itself unemployed in Afghanistan. Marc Finaud, former French diplomat, former Chief of Staff of the Secretary-General of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and currently a Senior Programme Advisor at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, illuminated the Sino-Indo-Pak Nuclear Arch. He examined the evolution of nuclear weapons in South Asia and argued that the world is witnessing a new form of arms race - not for good or for increasing strategic stability, but on the contrary, to lower the threshold for nuclear war. He discussed the reality of this strategic triangle: Indias nuclear weapons have been in response to Chinas nuclear while Pakistan built up its own because of India. In addition he added that while China maintains a no first use policy of nuclear weapons alongside with India, Pakistan imposes an uncertainty, since it clearly support a doctrine of first and even an early use policy in case of a conventional attack, which is a worrying and destabilising risk factor for the region. Under his budget, the federal government would spend $4.7 trillion in fiscal 2020, a 15 percent increase from the $4.1 trillion of spending in 2018. With tax receipts at $3.6 trillion, the projected deficit is $1.1 trillion. Although the economy is at or near full employment, the annual deficit remains around $1 trillion until 2023 and then begins to decline, though its still in deficit by 2029 when the projections stop. Yes, I do, Schultz replied. I probably have spent more time in the last decade, certainly than anyone running for president, with the military. Ive been to Okinawa. Ive been to Kuwait. Ive with Marines, with the Army. Ive been to the national training center in Mojave Desert. Still, former House speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) questioned the ballot collection rules in California in an interview with The Post in November, saying the states law seems pretty loosey-goose. And Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has called on Democrats to support a national ban on ballot collection. Ive yet to see any evidence they are actually interested in cleaning up the conditions that lead to messes like this one in North Carolina, McConnell said on the Senate floor last month. It was still a bit of the wild, wild West and kind of rugged in 2003, she said. There was still a lot of drugs and a lot of violence in the neighborhood. My brother took one look and just said no with an exclamation point. Chinese officials probably welcomed the opportunity to establish their leadership credentials at an inflection point in the countrys aviation history, analysts said. Chinas civil aviation market is expected to eclipse that of the United States in three years, while its first homegrown passenger jet, the C919 narrow-body model that is designed to compete with the 737 Max, is also expected to take to the skies by the mid-2020s, at least in China. There is a saying: Behind every great man theres a great woman. The Indiana Historical Societys (IHS) Women Behaving Badly event aims to prove women do not need to stand behind men to achieve greatness. Despite coming from different times and contexts, every woman featured shares a sense of rebelliousness that left a mark on history. What we really want to talk about is women that went outside of social norms, those renegades and rebels that took a stand for things they believed in and really made a change for Indiana and made it a better place to live, IHS staff member Callie McCune said. During the event attendees will enjoy thematic food and drink while meeting five historic women from Indiana. Each actress will recite a five-minute monologue before interacting with the audience and answering questions. Attendees can meet Vivian Carter, a Black radio host and record executive. After hosting the radio show, Living with Vivian, Carter founded Vee-Jay Records, the first widely successful African-American record label, with her future husband. The two were instrumental in discovering the Beatles and bringing them to America before Capital Records sued them for the rights to the bands music. The Beatles were the best and worst thing that ever happened to them, Kara Chinn, intern and researcher at IHS, said. Women Behaving Badly also features Roselyn Richardson, wife of civil rights activist Henry Richardson. The Richardsons were some of the first African-Americans to break Indianapolis unwritten rule that Black people did not live in white neighborhoods. Richardson fooled white real estate agents by pretending to check out houses on behalf of another family. Later, when the Richardsons wanted to send their children to the local all-white school, Richardson advocated for desegregating Indianapolis schools. Although her husband was a very prominent figure in the city, she did so much on her own that was not as well known, Chinn said. She did a lot of things to fight for racial equality that wasnt intentional. She was just trying to do better things for her family. Rhoda Coffin, a Quaker who pioneered prison reform, also is featured. Coffin created a womens prison, headed the first female prison board and pushed reformation as the goal of incarceration by offering skill training and religious lessons. However, Coffin was not without controversy due to employees treatment of prisoners. For example, the prison doctor was accused of conducting surgical experiments on inmates. As we did research on Rhoda and really found this sort of complicated story, we grappled with how do we tell that and make sure were telling both sides of that, McCune said. Anna Barnett, the actresses playing Coffin, said Women Behaving Badly performances are interdisciplinary. Performers must know acting, history and whatever field their subject specialized in to answer questions. Its remarkable how many people ask the same type of questions, Barnett said. Well always get questions that really throw us, but nine times out of 10 people are going to ask the same type of question, and its my job to help lead the conversation. IHS staff members look forward to both educating and inspiring people. There is something really empowering about knowing the women that paved the way for us and something thats inspiring about it, McCune said. I want to do things that people are as jazzed about what I did as we are about Roselyn Richardson. Contact staff writer Ben Lashar at 317-762-7848. Follow him on Twitter @BenjaminLashar. Where: The Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Historical Society, 50 W. Ohio St. When: 7-9:30 p.m. March 21 Cost: $16 for IHS members, $20 for those who register in advance and $25 at the door. Registration: Visit www.indianahistory.org, or call 317-232-1882. Its one thing to hear about it or see it on TV, but to be here and know this is where it all ended for them, he said. The grief is all around us the families of the Ethiopian Airlines it brings it all home. Im surprised at how badly its all gone from the standpoint of a negotiation, Trump said. I gave the prime minister my ideas on how to negotiate it, and I think you would have been successful. She didnt listen to that and thats fine shes got to do what shes got to do. I think it could have been negotiated in a different manner, frankly. I hate to see everything being ripped apart now. The shrine is one of the holiest sites for followers of the Sikh religion, and it sits less than three miles from the border between the two countries. India and Pakistan agreed in November to create a corridor to the temple to make it easier for Indian pilgrims to visit. Whelans family says the investigator in the case is preventing his signed Privacy Act Waiver from reaching U.S. officials, hindering them from lobbying on his behalf and publicly disclosing case details. The embassy also says the family has been denied the power of attorney, despite the correct documentation being provided to prison officials. The U.S.-Afghan relationship has been marked by mutual suspicion and exasperation throughout the nearly 18 years since the Afghan war began, when U.S. troops arrived and ousted the Taliban government. But, with the exception of a brief foray under President Barack Obama, successive U.S. administrations have rebuffed repeated Taliban demands to hold direct talks with Washington, saying they should be talking to their own government. The Taliban calls the Kabul government a U.S. puppet. The case against Jany Leveille, 36; Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, 40; Hujrah Wahhaj, 38; Subhanah Wahhaj, 36; and Lucas Morton, 41; drew significant attention when the group was first arrested last year in part because of the compound on which they lived and in part because officials suggested they were Muslim extremists. Officials found 11 guns on the compound in Amalia, near the states border with Colorado, as well as 11 children they said were neglected and the body of Ibn Wahhajs 3-year-old son, Abdul-Ghani. Describing in vague terms the conversations at the FBI around the time the Russia investigation was opened, Strzok said there was debate about protecting a source, and Page argued that because it was unlikely Trump would get elected, investigators could move slowly and not put the source at risk. Strzok said he made the counterargument, that if Trump won and people alleged to be involved in nefarious activity were put in national security positions, we might need to protect America by finding out whether these allegations are accurate or not and making sure that the government, President Trump in that case, was making special or appropriate decisions. To maintain that a sitting president cannot be indicted no matter how much evidence there is because hes a sitting president, and then to withhold evidence of wrongdoing from Congress because the president cannot be charged, is to convert the DOJ policy into the means for a coverup, Nadler said on the House floor just before the vote. The exchange with Kaine showed how the decision to tap funds from the Defense Department for the wall had put a military budget usually hammered out with bipartisan comity squarely in the political crosshairs. It was one of many in which Shanahan found himself on the back foot over decisions and comments that originated not with the Pentagon but with the White House. Shanahan became the Pentagons No. 2 official in 2017 after a long career at Boeing, the aviation company that is a major supplier for the U.S. military. President Trump is considering nominating him to be confirmed in the top Pentagon job, which he has held in an acting capacity since predecessor Jim Mattis resigned abruptly late last year. But for all the focus on the bottom line, the overall non-U.S. defense spending among NATO allies has increased since 2014 only by $14.6 billion a year, or about 5 percent. Setting aside the United States, NATO members spent about 1.48 percent of their annual economic output on defense in 2018, far short of the 2 percent target they said in 2014 they would try to meet within a decade. Only 16 countries have come up with plans to get there in time. Overall, spending levels rose only modestly in 2018. No group immediately claimed responsibility. Islamic Jihad denied that it was behind the attack. Hamas also denied responsibility, pointing out the attack took place at the same time the groups leaders were meeting with Egyptian officials to discuss the cease-fire. It said it would find the perpetrators and called off its weekly Friday demonstration at the fence with Israel. I have very clear memories of sitting between my mother and grandmother at church on Sundays and my grandmother handing me a dollar to drop in the collection plate when it was time for the offering. Even as small children, we knew it was our duty to proffer our small token to help the church, to help those who were less fortunate because God had been good to us. This was the start of my relationship with philanthropic giving. As I grew older, my giving and giving back continued this central tenet of growing up Black: never forget where you came from and always reach back. The Black church has always been at the core of this giving strategy. It was others who reached back that allowed two churches to give me textbook money when I was studying at Spelman. Another church helped me with rent when I was in pharmacy school. My tithes and offerings, to this day, have helped many other Black children whove walked that same path behind me. It is a known fact that Black households lag sufficiently behind whites in terms of wealth, with the typical Black household holding only 6 percent of the wealth of the typical white household. But Black households donate at a higher level (percentage of wealth) than all racial groups. How can this be? Ill tell you how: research shows that the foundation behind Black philanthropy is masses of people coming together to give what they can. This has often been the basis of social change as well committing to support causes that specifically affect us. As a grown adult, I personally made the effort to be more targeted in my giving. I actually have a giving plan that helps me prioritize the causes that I want to support and can support. It also helps me redirect asks when Ive given my designated amount for the year. I do realize this may not be common for the African-American community, but perhaps it should be. This is part of the legacy that we are trying to build by starting the African-American Legacy Fund. How can we collectively leverage our resources for the causes that we care about? How can we do that in a way that is most impactful and can foster social change? How do we get our children and grandchildren to start thinking about planned philanthropy at an early age? Most of us all start out as budding philanthropists through our churches, social organizations and alma maters (especially HBCUs), but what about issues that are directly affecting the community where we work and live? This is why I was thrilled to be asked to help launch this fund that will have a lasting impact on Indy for generations to come. It is past time for us to work collectively and leverage our own resources instead of always waiting to be on the receiving end of others generous support. In this way, we can uplift and move the social, mental and economic state of African-Americans in Indianapolis forward. I believe the idea of the fund has definitely taken root and the reception and excitement about the fund has been nothing short of amazing. The steering committee members have worked very hard to ensure the sustainability of the fund. There is a message behind everything weve rolled out, down to the colors of our branding, the logo that we chose and even the tagline: Your Fund, Your Legacy. We can do it this and its happening right now! The African-American Legacy Fund is an endowed donor-advised fund of The Indianapolis Foundation, an affiliate of Central Indiana Community Foundation. This permanent fund is a philanthropic vehicle that allows any donor to make a charitable contribution, receive a tax benefit and engage with other donors. The fund will make charitable distributions to help address socioeconomic disparities experienced by African-Americans in Indianapolis. This is a fund for us, by us. The time is now. Learn more about the fund and how to become a founding member with your $2,000 donation. If you have any other questions about the fund or other opportunities, drop me a line at AALFIndy2019@gmail.com. And dont forget to give your dollar to your daughter, niece or granddaughter in church so she can start her path as a lifelong philanthropist. Katasha Butler is a steering committee member of African American Legacy Fund of Indianapolis. Loading As things stand, neither party is promising to do what the royal commission recommended and abolish commissions altogether in favour of a borrower-pays model, in which the cost of mortgage advice could be amortised into their loan, spreading it out over many decades. It's a dramatic failure of our political system to deal with one of the most important hip-pocket issues facing most Australians. Buying a home and getting a mortgage remains the biggest financial decision many Australians will ever have to make in their lifetime. The penalty for getting it wrong, by either borrowing too much or failing to choose the cheapest loan available, can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and could end up in you losing your home. Being encouraged to borrow more than you can really afford also carries a hidden cost: the opportunity cost of all that interest paid, which is all the things you could otherwise have done if you didn't borrow so much, such as work less, travel more or enjoy time with family. Australians deserve mortgage brokers who are incentivised to not only ferret out the cheapest loan for potential borrowers, but also encourage them to adopt a prudent attitude to debt. It's not clear to me that this is always the case. Indeed, regulator surveys have consistently found borrowers who use brokers walk out with bigger loan amounts and are more likely to default. Brokers on Tuesday scored a three-year reprieve from Treasurer Josh Frydenberg. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Australia's obsession with home ownership has landed us with one of the highest debt to income ratios in the world. We are a nation of mortgage slaves, who have borrowed to the hilt and inflated house prices beyond the reach of many young Australians. Loading There are many reasons for that, but having an army of mortgage brokers who pocket more money the more we borrow, through percentage-based commisions, has surely not helped. Just because we haven't seen widespread defaults on mortgages in recent years doesn't mean we've been going about home lending right. Australia's high debt burden is a risk to our economy, with the potential to make the next economic downturn truly nasty, as jobless borrowers are unable to pay up. Even if we continue to meet repayments, Australians have racked up huge opportunity costs from our mortgage obsession. Absent our monster mortgages, we could be working less and enjoying life more. Ensuring Australians have access to good quality and independent advice on how to borrow to buy a home remains a matter of huge national importance. The eve of an election is no time to be deciding such matters, of course. If anything, the ridiculous political debate over broker payments with backflips aplenty only serves to highlight everything that is wrong with our democratic process at the moment. The rejection of expert advice, from Commissioner Kenneth Hayne. The use of scare campaigns by noisy commercial interests that stand to lose out from reforms which would benefit the dispersed needs of many. Commissioner Kenneth Hayne recommended a move to upfront fees. Credit:Brook Mitchell The preference of today's crop of politicians to do what is politically optimal, rather than what is socially optimal. The announcement of policy on the run. I don't intend to add to this list the short attention span of the modern media, too keen to breathlessly move on to the next shiny topic. Australia, we need to keep talking about mortgage brokers and whether they're really looking after our interests. Despite defying the recommendations of the royal commisison on broker commissions, both political parties have agreed to revisit the topic in 2022 with reviews by the competition watchdog and the council of financial regulators. The Morrison government has gained new scope to deliver sweeping personal tax cuts in the April budget following a massive surge in the global iron ore price that could pour up to $6 billion into federal coffers. The surprise budget boost gives Prime Minister Scott Morrison a war chest to fight the May election by giving workers another round of tax cuts as well as producing a bigger surplus earlier than expected. A lift in the iron ore price will add billions to the federal budget. Credit:Michele Mossop The price of iron ore, which was already well above the government's forecasts in last year's economic statement, soared about 13 per cent in the wake of a major dam collapse in Brazil in January which is expected to lift demand for Australian resources. Lagging in the opinion polls, the Coalition could use the unexpected growth in Commonwealth revenue to cut income taxes in a new strategy to help address stagnant wages and match or exceed Labor's tax pitch. A federal government inquiry has called for whistleblower protections for franchisees and their staff amid "deeply concerning" evidence of bullying and intimidation by franchisors. The parliamentary committee investigating the $170 billion sector said it had received allegations of franchisors interfering with people who made submissions to or appeared as witnesses at the year-long inquiry. Senator Deborah O'Neill: "There is a serious underbelly in this industry." Credit:Elesa Kurtz "The Senate has long regarded interference with witnesses as the most serious of all possible contempts," the report said. The inquiry highlighted potential attempts to interfere with witnesses, including a letter sent last year by franchisor Foodco warning its Muffin Break and Jamaica Blue franchisees it would take legal action against anyone who made "unsubstantiated defamatory claims" against it. Foodco said at the time it supported the inquiry and "strongly refuted" that the letter was intended to discourage franchisees from taking part. She also claimed she had been bullied into doing nude scenes when her contract stipulated that she shouldn't. And, she added, there were myriad "other things [that] catch you by surprise, like somebody suddenly just grabbing your ass or pushing you up against a wall." It all sounds dreadful, but surely this stuff belongs to the dark ages? "No, I don't think things are getting better," she says. "But I think we're becoming more aware. Hopefully you won't be asked to have a meeting with a director in a hotel room alone. In the horror film Candyman (1992), one of her breakout roles. "Let's see what happens over the next few years," she continues. "Let's see if we get more female directors, let's see if we get fewer predators. My experience tells me it won't change, but I hope I'm wrong. I hope the young ones coming up are stronger and smarter, but you know, they're kids, they're just kids." The sorts of situations she experienced can't just be hash-tagged out of existence. "I just think they're going to be more secretive and the perpetrators are going to be more careful about how they do those things," she says. So, any advice? "I just want to say to my younger sisters and brothers that it's OK to not go to that meeting," she says. "Even if you lose your agent, it's all right. You can stand up for yourself." At 57, Madsen is comfortable playing the role of maternal spirit guide both on screen and off. "When you get older you get more confident," she says. "There's a lot of things that bother you as a young person that you just don't give a shit about any more. Like being liked, or 'I dont think my body looks nice'. I don't care about any of that. Life is just better as you get older." The roles get better, too. In 1985, she plays the conservative and deeply religious mother of a young man called Adrian (Cory Michael Smith) who has come home for Christmas bearing lavish gifts and a couple of massive secrets: he is gay and he is HIV positive. The year is 1985, and the disease barely has a name, let alone a cure; his diagnosis is effectively a life sentence. He's come home to say goodbye, but he can't quite utter the words. The script spoke to Madsen because it mirrored some of her own experiences. "That was kind of when I was first coming up in Hollywood. I was part of the filmmaking and creative community, and people were dying. Nobody was talking about it because it was really frightening. It didn't really have a name it was called 'gay cancer' and nobody knew how you could get it or what it was, there was no treatment, and if you had a friend who had it, you made sure you didn't tell anybody. People who were sick were so alone." In 1985 with, from left, Cory Michael Smith as Adrian, Aidan Langfors as his younger brother Andrew and Michael Chiklis as their father Dale. Credit:Icon For the most part, the shame and terror of that time has been consigned to a dark page in history though, she is quick to point out, there are echoes in the struggle some families have to accept their transgender kids today. But she believes the film represents a chance to acknowledge for the first time the pain and loss many people experienced back then. "There are people my age or older who never got to talk about their grief," she says. "Once it was tamed it's never gone away I think nobody wanted to talk about it any more. So I think it's time to bring this up and to open the discussion again." There's another taboo subject at the heart of The Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair, in which Madsen plays Tamara Quinn, the social-climbing owner of a smalltown diner, who plots to marry her daughter to "famous writer" Quebert, unaware that he is in fact having an affair with a 15-year-old schoolgirl. It's salacious stuff though at the same time coy, with Quebert (Patrick Dempsey, aka Doctor Dreamy from Grey's Anatomy) insisting their love is unconsummated which again brings us to the topic of looking after young actors. In The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair. Credit:Stan "I think it's absolutely wrong [to expose young actors to explicit scenes] and that line should never ever be crossed, in my opinion," she says. "I feel like it started to be normalised a few years ago, but I haven't read a script like that in a while and I would probably see it, because I would be the mother." As it happens, Quebert is in the clear on that front as Kristine Froseth, the actor who plays schoolgirl Nola, is actually a 22-year-old Norwegian model-turned actor. "She just looks impossibly young, and impossibly beautiful," says Madsen. "And she's a really, really good actress." It's not hard to imagine people were saying much the same thing about Virginia Madsen when she first appeared on the scene. But she doesn't miss those days, not for a moment. "Because the roles young girls get are one-dimensional, for the most part. Younger people are objectified. They give more story to a superhero than they do to a girl who's struggling through high school. A 14-year-old boy has allegedly led police on a high speed car chase before fleeing on foot with two others, with one teen attempting to escape atop the roof of a moving freight train. A police spokeswoman said patrolling officers spotted a stolen BMW travelling on Capel Street in Willagee around 10.30pm on Wednesday night. Three teenagers have been arrested following a high speed chase with police. Credit:File photo/AAP "Police activated their emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the vehicle but it is alleged the driver failed to stop," she said. "It is alleged the driver of the stolen vehicle evaded police through several suburbs including Hamilton Hill, Cockburn, Palmyra, Melville and Yangebup. Federal and state government cooperation over the disability royal commission is threatening to break down, with state Labor ministers accusing the Morrison government of playing politics with the inquiry. The Morrison government released a draft of the terms of reference for the royal commission on Wednesday and opened a two week consultation period. But the terms of reference prompted almost immediate criticism from Labor state ministers who argue the timeframe is too short and four weeks are needed. Victorian Disability Minister Luke Donnellan wants more consultation on the terms of reference for the royal commission into disability abuse. Credit:Paul Jeffers In a letter to Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher, the state disability ministers say the federal government has "reneged" on a "unanimous agreement" reached at a meeting last week that two weeks for consultation was "deeply inadequate". Jakarta: Chinese and Russian hackers are attacking Indonesia's voter data base in a bid to disrupt the country's upcoming presidential election, according to a senior election commission official. Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, centre left, speaks as his running mate Ma'ruf Amin, centre right, listens prior to formal registration as candidates for the 2019 presidential election in Jakarta, Indonesia. Credit:AP As Indonesia prepares for simultaneous presidential and legislative polls on April 17, authorities are facing a wave of cyber incursions they say may be aimed at discrediting the polling process. The head of Indonesia's General Elections Commission, Arief Budiman, said some of the attacks originated in Russia and China, and include attempts to "manipulate or modify" content as well as to create so-called ghost voters, or fake voter identities. "They try to hack our system," Budiman said in an interview in Jakarta on Tuesday. On Jan. 14, 1954, my widowed paternal grandmother, Carrie Walker, and her 11 children were featured as the face of abject poverty and hunger in The Plain Dealer a newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio. The story, Slums Just 4 Minutes from Public Square, highlighted their home, Area B of a stores-and-flats building that held six families with a total of 43 persons. It was crowded, unsafe and severely debilitated. My grandmother was part of the Great Migration from 1916-1970 that saw millions of African-Americans flee the South due to violence, poverty, hunger and Jim Crow laws and move to the Northeast, Midwest and West. The root causes of the migration include the legacy of enslavement, dispossessed land and lack of public policy support for work with dignity and wealth creation. In The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of Americas Great Migration, author Isabel Wilkerson points out, they were seeking political asylum within the borders of their own country, not unlike refugees in other parts of the world fleeing famine, war and pestilence. This months Pan-African Devotional guide, Lament and Hope, highlights one of the root causes of the African-American urban migration the federal policy called U.S. Land Dispossession. In 1865, President Andrew Johnson rescinded the 40-acre promise to former slaves who had fought for their country in the Civil War. The move prevented them from becoming fully independent from their former owners. They were legally free, but they were prevented from becoming financially free. If the 4 million people forced into sharecropping had owned their land, they could have started earning income and eventually would have been able to put aside assets for the future. But sharecroppings continual debt cycle made it nearly impossible to get enough to eat, let alone earn money. Sharecropping continued for three generations. These families were often hungry and poorly nourished, far more likely to live in poverty than white people and far less able to accumulate wealth. Yet, others left the South and went to the North in the United States and experienced the same conditions. In the March devotional, Rev. Jennifer Bailey raises a biblical question around the dispossession of land policy. Where is home for African peoples in a strange land of discriminatory policies like land dispossession (Psalms 137:4)? She answers by stating that enslaved foremothers played a primary role of creating home. They did this in the face of family separation policies that removed Black men and their children from them and community life. By the grace of God and their fortitude, these women weaved together a collective understanding of home from the fields to church fellowship halls to community centers ensuring a sense of belonging just like my grandmother Walker did. During this Womens History Month, the devotional invites you to consider the following questions. As we celebrate Womens History Month, what unique role do women play in Gods vision of creating beloved community? How can you faithfully advocate for just policies to end hunger and poverty with a gender lens of empowerment? Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith is senior associate for Pan-African and Orthodox church engagement at Bread for the World in Washington, D.C. London: The UK parliament has ruled out a "no deal" Brexit by an unexpectedly narrow margin, after a chaotic evening that ended up seeing the prime minister vote for the losing side. And the government has hinted it wants to try again next week to pass the Brexit divorce deal that has been twice rejected by parliament even though there is just a fortnight until it is due to take effect. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May in the House of Commons Credit:Mark Duffy/UK Parliament via AP On Thursday parliament will vote on whether to seek a short delay to Brexit, if the deal passes on the third attempt, or a longer delay if it does not. The revelation of a potential third vote on the rejected deal provoked fury from many MPs. And as an extra complication, it is within the Commons Speaker John Bercow's power to reject a third vote on the grounds it has already been voted on. Authorities identified the attackers as 17-year-old Guilherme Taucci Monteiro and 25-year-old Henrique de Castro. "The big question is: What was the motivation of these former students?"Campos said. Police officers and investigators stand outside the Raul Brasil State School in Suzano, the greater Sao Paulo area, Brazil. Credit:AP Monteiro's mother, Tatiana Taucci, told Band News while hiding her face from the camera that her son had been bullied at the school. "Bullying, they call it. ... He stopped going to school ... because of this," she said. She said she was surprised by his involvement and found out about the attack from the television like everyone else. Minutes before the attack, Monteiro posted 26 photos on his Facebook page, included several with a gun and one that showed him giving the middle finger as he looked into the camera. A teenager who was injured during the shooting arrives at hospital. Credit:Futura Press/AP In some of the photos, he wore a black scarf with a white imprint of a skull and cross bones. No text accompanied the posts. By Wednesday afternoon, Facebook had taken down Monteiro's page. State Police Commander Marcelo Salles said he had never seen a crime like it in 34 years of policing. "It was an unspeakably brutal crime. It is horrendous." Security camera footage from the school's entrance published on the website of O Globo newspaper appeared to show Monteiro entering the school and immediately pulling a pistol out of his jeans and shooting into a group of eight students, hitting at least two. A former student is comforted by a friend outside the Raul Brasil State School in Suzano, Brazil. Credit:AP Castro appeared to enter the school a few seconds later and put a crossbow and backpack on the floor, before attacking victims with an axe. Students flooded into the entrance foyer, running into Monteiro. He grabbed one girl by the hair and punched her several times in the face. She managed to escape, and students frantically scrambled out of the school. Police arrived eight minutes after the shooting started, and the attackers were already dead, Salles said. The assailants were trying to force their way inside a room at the back of the school where many students were hiding when police arrived. Instead of facing officers, Monteiro shot Castro and then shot himself, authorities said. Students gathered outside the school recounted harrowing attacks and seeing several bodies lying in pools of blood. Kelly Milene Guerra Cardoso, 16, said she and other students took refuge in the school's cafeteria, locked the door and lay on the floor. "We stayed there until the door was opened. We thought it was the shooters coming to get us, but it was the police," she said. "They told us to start running." The victims were named as students Kaio Limeira and Caio Oliveira, both 15; Samuel Oliveira and Douglas Celestino, 16; Cleiton Ribeiro, 17; school staff members Marilena Umezo, 59, and Eliana Xavier, 38, and the suspected shooter's uncle Jorge Moraes, 51. The two assailants spent more than a year planning their attack, which they "hoped would draw more attention than the Columbine massacre," an investigator said on condition of anonymity. In the 1999 attack on Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, two students killed 13 people. The suspected attackers: Luiz Henrique de Castro and Guilherme Taucci Monteiro. The state school is in a middle-class municipality and has about 1000 students aged 11 to 16, among 1600 students. School shootings are rare in Brazil, even though the country is one of the world's most violent, with more annual homicides than any other. The last major school shooting was in 2011, when 12 children were shot dead by a former pupil in Rio de Janeiro. While gun laws are extremely strict in Brazil, it is not difficult to illegally purchase a weapon. President Jair Bolsonaro made relaxing gun control a cornerstone of his electoral campaign last year. He signed a decree earlier this year making it easier for the average citizen to keep a gun at home and extending gun licences from five to 10 years. He tweeted condolences to the families of the victims, calling the attack a monstrosity and cowardice. Wednesday's shooting ignited debate among other politicians, with some saying armed teachers could have prevented the killings, while others said putting more guns on Brazilian streets would only lead to more deaths. Senator Major Olimpio, a member of Bolsonaro's party and a proponent of loosening gun legislation, made the argument hours after the rampage. "We can't let those who take advantage of this tragedy speak about how disarmament is the solution," he tweeted, adding: "Weak and shameful 'disarmament farce', which gave guns to criminals and prevented self-defence." Mass shootings are also rare in Brazil, but they are growing more common. In December, a man fatally shot four people outside a cathedral in Sao Paulo before killing himself. In October 2017, a student in the central city of Goiana shot six classmates at his middle school. Police officers guard the entrance to the Rual Brasil State School. Credit:AP The Lagos Island building collapse on Wednesday is another glaring reality that many institutions in Nigeria need to wake up to their responsibilities and act accordingly. The collapse on Wednesday morning at Ita Faji, on Lagos Island, which affected a school, has cut short the lives of innocent school children This said occurrence should jolt back these institutions and Nigerians at large to reality. Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw just like many Nigerians is saddened by waste of lives that occur every now and then in the country, with many culprits walking scot free. No sanction or consequence whatsoever. The saddest part is, after a while Nigerians just seem to move on, no more rage, nor criticisms until another tragedy occurs. Speaking via twitter on Thursday, Henshaw expressed her disappointment at the way, Hunan lives are treated in this part of the world, as she wrote: Pericles Lewis, Yale Universitys Vice President for Global Strategy and Deputy Provost for International Affairs, visits Makerere University where he is expected to meet with the leadership, alumni, and medical residents of Ugandas oldest university. Yale and Makerere University have a long, rich partnership that dates back nearly two decades. In 2002, Dr. Majid Sadigh, an associate professor of medicine at Yale, traveled to Kampala to teach under the umbrella of the Academic Alliance for HIV Prevention and Care. During his visits, he noted a contrast between the advanced clinical and epidemiologic research activities at Makerere University and the challenges of patient care in Mulago Hospital, the largest public hospital in Uganda. In the fall of 2005, Sadigh and Dr. Asghar Rastegar, professor of medicine and current director of the Office of Global Health in the Department of Internal Medicine, travelled to Kampala, Uganda on behalf of the Yale University School of Medicine (YSM) to explore a collaboration with Makerere College and Mulago Hospital. Stories Continues after ad To date, the Makerere University-Yale University (MUYU) Collaboration has been a resounding success. Under the MUYU memorandum of understanding, Yale physicians, residents, and medical students travel to Kampala for clinical rotations, and Ugandan physicians and students train in New Haven. The goal for both groups is to improve patient care through education, training, and research; to build up the educational and clinical infrastructure; and to support research that could be easily translated into practice. During his visit, Lewis connected with some of the Makerere medical residents who visited Yale as part of the MUYU training program, an integral component of the MUYU partnership. The length of training at Yale has ranged between 6 weeks and 12 months and has focused on areas of greater need, specifically with respect to non-communicable diseases. Since 2006, 21+ faculty/physicians have been trained in the following specialties and subspecialties: cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, nephrology, rheumatology, oncology, pulmonology, intensive care, pediatric surgery, endocrine surgery, emergency medicine, pathology, and neurology. Lewis trip supports the Yale Africa Initiative (YAI), an ongoing effort by Yale to prioritize and expand upon its collaborations on the continent. Through YAI, Yale continues to leverage the power of partnerships and global networks across the continent to produce remarkable outcomes in science, public health, business, and numerous other disciplines and industry sectors. The visit to Makerere University is just one of many exciting events that the Yale team will participate in as they travel to Ethiopia, Uganda, and South Africa this month. A former presidential aide and bestselling author, Reno Omokri has criticised President Muhammadu Buhari for not travelling to Lagos for an on the spot assessment of the Lagos Island building collapse. The former aide said the president has no reason not to have come to Ita Faji, area of the building collapsed that claimed the lives of young school pupils including some adults. In his statement via his twitter page on Thursday morning, Omokri who is Buharis self acclaimed number one critic said even the president of Russia had visited the Ural Mountains region in 2018 to participate in rescue efforts at a collapsed building in subzero weather. He wrote: President Buhari ought to have travelled to Lagos for an on the spot assessment of the #LagosBuildingCollapse. As dictatorial as Putin is alleged to be, he flew to Russias Ural Mountains region in 2018 to participate in rescue efforts at a collapsed building in SUBZERO WEATHER Kaduna state governor, Nasir El Rufai has reacted to reports that he fell into a coma after a terrible auto-crash, on Wednesday and that his driver had died. The governor described the purveyors of the fake news as those belonging to bigotry-driven, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-affiliated platforms. El-Rufai said he isnt going anywhere anytime soon and would be a permanent nightmare to hunt their wretched and corrupt lives. He wrote: Vanguard Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has passed the state appropriation bill of N672.984 billion for the 2019 fiscal year into law. Thisday The founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and Chairman, Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu, has challenged African leaders to prioritise the future of the African continent. The Sun Gombe state governor-elect, senators and other elected candidates have been advised not to be carried away by victory, but to remember they were elected on the principles of accountability and transparency with a view to delivering the dividends of democracy, and, as such, they should plan to hit the ground running from May 29. Daily Times The National Assembly resumed plenary on Tuesday from the short break it observed to enable senators and House of Representatives members participate in the just concluded general elections. Leadership Lagos metropolis witnessed another tragedy yesterday when a three-storey building located at Massey Street, opposite Oja, Ita Faaji, Lagos Island, collapsed at about 10am, killing 12 persons said to be school pupils, with many others still trapped in the rubbles of the collapsed building. The Nation Oyo State Police have arrested the Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Wasiu Olafisoye Akinmoyede, in connection with the murder of a senatorial candidate, Hon. Temitope Olatoye a.k.a. Sugar. Daily Trust A Septuagenarian, Hajiya Maryamu Mustapha, has said she never missed the opportunity of electing leaders of her choice since the second republic when she voted for late former President Shehu Shagari. Tribune Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Professor Ademola Dasylva, on Wednesday, gave account of how he could have also flown in the same ill-fated Ethopian aircraft that crashed killing Professor Pius Adesanmi and 156 others. A group of Nigerians in Diaspora under the aegis of Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria (GCSDN), have rejected the outcome of the 2019 presidential election. The group described the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari as a sham and therefore should be rejected. The spokesperson of the group, Frederick Odorige, who spoke from Budapest, Hungary, described the election as ill-fated and the worst that he had seen since he was born. Read an excerpt from his statement below; The election was marred by killing, apparent rigging, ballot box snatching and destruction of ballot papers by hired thugs. It was highly militarised by soldiers loyal to Muhammadu Buhari. An election that culminated in the killings of 47 unarmed Nigerians is not an election. However, despite the rejection of the result, the coalition pointed out that it was important that the disruption of the election by thugs was not schemed by any of the presidential candidates of the new political parties. Governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, has called on Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to present him his certificate of return. The embattled Governor stressed that there was no way the Returning Officer for the state would have been held under duress in presence of the Police, DSS and party agents. Recall that INEC deleted his name from the list of Senator-elect after the Returning Officer for the state declared that he announced Rochas as the winner of the Senatorial election under duress. Consequently, Nigerians have been on social media mocking him as he begs INEC for his certificate. Reactions: He is very Violent,he uses thugs from Ohaji Egbema to harass us in Imo State.Dont give him the Certificate of Return Ponta (@Pontauche) March 13, 2019 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js No! They should rather give you yo statue 324 (@uchechukwu324) March 13, 2019 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js My oga just beer them, Monday Prosper (@MondayProsper2) March 13, 2019 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Beautiful Nollywood actress, Adesuwa Etomi, is currently on the Cover of American owned Vogue Magazine for April 2019. She is being celebrated among 14 global superstars in 14 countries. Some Nigerians rather than congratulate her have expressed concerns over darkened skin shade on the cover of the magazine. Reactions: https://twitter.com/tescool/status/1106182990055555072 Why did they darken Adesuas skin biko pic.twitter.com/tLWE805ovA OluDaddy (@Oluchi_Ivor) March 14, 2019 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Congrats to Adesua for making the cover of Vogue, but whoever edited this photo should be jailed for a hate crime. pic.twitter.com/x5zM5NrpHT Mazi Marvin the Paranoid Android (@Boboye_Ak) March 14, 2019 GREENWICH The town of Greenwich has made a new hire, one who will help residents in the case of an emergency. David Fraszka will be a part-time public health emergency preparedness and response coordinator in town. A full-time Yonkers police sergeant, Fraszka is expected to work with community agencies and organizations to prepare for any scenario. This is a very important position, town Director of Health Caroline Calderone Baisley said Thursday. Public health is such a huge piece of emergency preparedness. Weve been told by the federal government since 2001 to be prepared for bioterrorism attacks like anthrax and ricin. That means public health needs to be involved there and in other aspects of a potential emergency like providing shelter or responding to a major power outage. According to the town, Fraszka will work with Greenwich Emergency Medical Services and other health care and emergency management organizations in the community. That planning is critical, Baisley said, because the town must be ready to act when an emergency hits. When an emergency hits, you need to make sure that you prevent panic, she said. The position was made possible through a federal grant to the Department of Health to assist with preparing for and responding to public health emergencies. Whether the emergency is man-made or natural, Fraszka will serve as the contact person to coordinate state and local public health services. According to Baisley, funds are in place to cover Fraskas position through June 30, which is the end of the fiscal year. She anticipates receiving a similar $43,000 grant for the 2019-20 fiscal year, which would cover about nine months. She requested an additional $15,000 in the towns 2019-20 budget, but the Budget Committee of the Board of Estimate and Taxation recommended cutting the funds. Baisley said she is not optimistic that she will get the $15,000. She and the towns Board of Health will meet March 25 to discuss how to apply that cut. As a part-time employee, Fraszka will not be eligible for town benefits or health care coverage, Baisley said. The health department pointed to Fraszkas experience as a patrol supervisor, guiding police officers in the field and planning and responding to emergencies. Also, he earned a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology and master of professional studies degree in homeland security from Penn State University. Mr. Fraszkas educational background and working experience bring special insight into this position, Baisley said in a statement. Its the departments goal to keep residents safe by providing them with needed information to plan for emergencies and to be a part of the planning and response activities in the community. His experience in working in emergency preparedness and emergency response will be a huge advantage, she said. (He) will be especially helpful in bolstering emergency planning efforts in the community because of his knowledge of emergency management, his professional training, his strong agency coordination skills and his ideal educational background in homeland security, said Robert Carangelo, chair of the towns Board of Health. This is a truly a great opportunity for the town to recognize how important this position is for the town, especially with such a talented candidate that has been cross-trained in other emergency disciplines. Fraszka will continue his work with the Yonkers Police Department. Under the employment agreement, he will be working in Greenwich for up to 24 hours a week. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com HARTFORD Police in Fairfield, Westport, Stratford, Trumbull and Norwalk have been assisting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in providing the locations of residents in a nationwide mass-surveillance program, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. A report released Wednesday by the ACLUs Northern California office charges that in all, eight Connecticut law-enforcement agencies, including Southern Connecticut State University, and police in Enfield and Wethersfield have been providing the information in possible violation of the states 2013 TRUST law. For up-to-date information on public policy issues, sign up for the CT Politics newsletter. More for you ICE detention procedures spark CT Capitol debate In all, 80 law enforcement entities across the country have given ICE assistance, including location information through a wide-ranging license-plate database tracking daily movements of potential ICE targets, the ACLU said. This is the latest example of why Connecticut needs a multitude of safeguards to take control of police surveillance and limit local law enforcements cooperation with ICE, said David McGuire, executive director of the ACLU of Connecticut. All eight of these Connecticut police departments must immediately stop sharing their residents information with this rogue and immoral agency, and Connecticuts legislature must step up to pass a statewide law to take control over police surveillance, create privacy protections if the state adopts electronic tolls, and pass a bill to strengthen the TRUST Act. Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling and Norwalk Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik, in a joint statement Wednesday night, denied that there is an agreement with ICE. We do not report anyones immigration status, Rilling and Kulhawik said. On its face, it appears data from a cloud-based law enforcement database used by NPD was used by ICE to obtain information on specific individuals. That is not the intent of this database, as it is meant to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations. They said Norwalk is a welcoming city. We proudly stand with immigrants and residents of all backgrounds and beliefs. Our diversity is one of the greatest strengths of our community. It is the express policy of the Norwalk Police Department to refrain from cooperating or assisting with federal immigration actions. Wethersfield Police Chief James Cetran, president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, said Wednesday that he had been unaware that the license-plate contractor has been sharing information with ICE, and planned to find out more on Thursday. Its a valuable tool, Cetran said in an evening interview. Im not looking for it to track immigrants. I dont believe police in Connecticut, or around the country, are using this to track citizens going abouit their daily business. Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, co-chairman of the legislative Judiciary Committee, said the report is disturbing, but he stressed that pending bills would close several loopholes in the current law. One proposal would require local government to report to the state data regarding individuals to whom local law enforcement has provided ICE access. If proven true, this report is very concerning, he said. Just last week, the Judiciary Committee heard heart-wrenching testimony as to how families in our state are being ripped apart by ICEs extreme deportation tactics. Connecticut was a leader in passing the first TRUST Act as way of making sure individuals living in our state have an opportunity to seek help, to go to police officers when they are victims of crimes, and to interact with government without the fear of being deported. Local government should not be violating the spirit of that law and using their limited resources to do ICEs job for it. The report was released Wednesday afternoon. Police departments in Fairfield, Westport, Stratford and Trumbull did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Reaction from immigrant advocates was strong, coming in the wake of a report from the Connecticut Immigrant Rights Alliance that linked judicial marshals to possibly improper contact with ICE personnel. We already know how ICE is (a) rogue agency that is chasing people at courthouses and detaining people for traffic tickets. But this is a whole other level, said Mary Elizabeth Smith of the advocacy group Make The Road CT. Make the Road members travel, live, go to school, and work in the very towns mentioned in this report Trumbull, Fairfield, and Stratford. No one should fear for their lives and safety while going about their daily lives. It is unacceptable for our local police departments to share license place information with ICE. The only reason for ICE to want this information (is) to strike fear in the hearts of our community, and we wont stand for it. Another pending piece of legislation would limit misdemeanor sentences to 364 days, so a case would not trigger the interest of immigration officials. We are appalled by the findings of this report. Specifically, by the news that the police department at Southern Connecticut State University is sharing information with ICE, said Jonathan Gonzalez, an SCSU alumnus and Connecticut Students for a Dream Policy Coordinator. No student should feel at risk or threatened when seeking to pursue their education. When this happens, our students ability to learn is severely affected which goes against the goals of our institutions of higher learning. The cooperation of SCSU police apparently counters the State University System protocol of 2017, Gonzalez said. The ACLUs findings regarding state and local police sharing license plate information with ICE further expose the complicity of Connecticut law enforcement with a racist deportation regime, said Alok Bhatt, Connecticut Immigrant Rights Alliance community defense coordinator. While this information causes alarm, it should also galvanize us to escalate our fight to get ICE out of Connecticut. We need strong state policies, like the TRUST Act, to prevent such systematic violence, while further organizing to defend our own communities. The documents were obtained after the ACLU of Northern California filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit in May of last year. The reports indicates that 9,000 ICE agents have access to a license plate-reader database run by a company called Vigilant Solutions. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT Maxs Restaurant started out in Quezon City, Philippines, in 1945, first feeding American G.I.s with chicken and fries and then boosting the menu with Filipino favourites. Opening dozens of restaurants in its home country, the popular franchise later expanded with locations across the Middle East and North America. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Maxs Restaurant started out in Quezon City, Philippines, in 1945, first feeding American G.I.s with chicken and fries and then boosting the menu with Filipino favourites. Opening dozens of restaurants in its home country, the popular franchise later expanded with locations across the Middle East and North America. Restaurant Review Maxs Restaurant 1255 St James St. 431-998-6297 click to read more Maxs Restaurant 1255 St James St. 431-998-6297 Go for: Filipino food in a sleek setting Best bet: the signature fried chicken Apps: $3.99-11.99; shared mains: $15.99-24.99 Monday-Sunday: 11 a.m. 9 p.m. 1/2 stars STAR POWER Excellent Very Good Good Mediocre Substandard No stars Not recommended Close This is Winnipegs first Maxs. Located on the St. James commercial strip, the 4,500-square-foot venue offers a casual dine-in format in a modern setting, with a sleek black, white and red colour scheme and big windows. As with many mid-range franchises, the draw here isnt originality but familiarity. There are a few weaknesses in the lineup, but overall, Maxs delivers tasty home-style dishes. Maxs signature offering is fried chicken the restos slogan is "The house that fried chicken built" and options include a half or whole bird that comes on a platter with a scattering of nice, thick-cut fries and a big knife and fork for carving. Unlike standard North American-style fried chicken, which relies on breading, Maxs chicken is all about crackly, crisp skin. The meat is moist and tender but not suspiciously moist and tender, as with some over-processed supermarket chickens. For accompaniment, there is a trio of bottled sauces placed at every table Tabasco, Worcestershire and banana ketchup. A server recommended mixing and matching for a desired balance of spicy, salty and sweet. Co-owners Arnel Alibin (left) and Jessica Sunico at Max's, a Filipino chain on St. James Street. (Photos by Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press) Appetizers include lumpiang Shanghai the deep-fried spring rolls are crispy but the pork filling needs a bit more taste and lumpiang ubon,with hearts of palm cut into matchsticks and a few bits of pork and shrimp brought together in tender crepe-like wrappers and covered in a sweet sauce. (Oh, and last week when I lamented there was nowhere to go for fried chicken skins now that the Sherbrook Deli had taken them off the menu? Well, you can get them here.) Big shareable dishes include kare-kare, a stew made with oxtail, which means lots of bone and nubbly bits but also lots of taste. The dish could have used some more veg, which include pechay and skinny snake beans, but theres lots of thick, rich, peanutty sauce, as well as an accompanying dollop of bagoong alamang, a salty fermented shrimp paste that brings a depth of flavour and can also be used to cut the dishs slight sweetness. The halo-halo ice cream dessert. The bulalo, a traditional soup, comes in a footed pot, jammed with massive beef shanks, the bones protruding over the top, along with corn cobs and cabbage. All of these elemental ingredients yield a marrow broth that is light in colour but filled with subtle, savoury taste. The menu also includes a variety of noodle and rice dishes. The noodles in the pancit palabok were a little over-cooked, but the crispy pork on top was very good, with tender meat and crackling skin. Sticky garlic rice is aromatic and handy for soaking up sauces. Then there are the desserts. We watched several giant halo-halo concoctions go by, exuberant celebrations of too-muchness with many multi-coloured toppings, but opted instead for simpler scoops of plain coconut and ube ice cream, both of which were good. The gorgeously coloured ube prompted a lengthy discussion around our table about the purple yams hard-to-pin-down taste, which is both delicious and elusive. The fried chicken at Maxs, a Filipino chain on St. James Street. Unlike North American-style fried chicken, which relies on breading for its crunch, Maxs chicken is all about crackly, crisp skin. Maxs caramel bars are trademarked, but they are also the only sweet not made fresh in-house but brought in from the Philippines, each bar in its own plastic wrap. They taste like soft, sweet comfort food. Maxs doesnt serve alcohol, but drink options include calamansi juice, made from a fabulous hybrid citrus and served here with shaved ice, making it very refreshing, as well as coconut and mango flavours. The place is buzzingly busy, so be prepared to wait for a table around peak times, especially at the weekend. Service is warm and welcoming but can be disorganized, with long lulls. Later this year, Maxs will expand its menu, but its selection of Filipino favourites feels pretty expansive already. The caramel bars are soft, sweet comfort food brought in from the Philippines. alison.gillmor@freepress.mb.ca Try our Dish The latest on food and drink in Winnipeg and beyond from arts writers Ben Sigurdson and Eva Wasney. Dish arrives in your inbox every other Friday. See sample. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. SALT LAKE CITY - Alcohol limits for beer at Utah grocery stores inched closer to the rest of the country Wednesday under a legislative compromise in the state where the predominant faith teaches abstinence from alcohol. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. FILE - In this Jan. 28, 2019, file photo, Republican Sen. Jerry Stevenson, looks on during a news conference, in Salt Lake City. Utah lawmakers have reached a compromise deal to increase the amount of alcohol available in beer. Jerry Stevenson said Wednesday, March 13, 2019, the agreement would raise alcohol limits to 4 percent, which is still relatively low but would allow for most production-line beers to be sold in grocery and convenience stores. It must still be approved by the state Legislature. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) SALT LAKE CITY - Alcohol limits for beer at Utah grocery stores inched closer to the rest of the country Wednesday under a legislative compromise in the state where the predominant faith teaches abstinence from alcohol. The agreement would raise alcohol limits to 4 per cent starting in November, a level that's still lower than almost all other states but would allow beers like Bud Light and Corona to be sold, Republican Sen. Jerry Stevenson said. The agreement breaks a stalemate over a proposed larger increase that was supported by big retailers like Wal-Mart but opposed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which counts most lawmakers as members. The 4-per cent-by-weight limit would allow most, but not all, regular-strength beers in private stores and on tap, said Kate Bradshaw, a lobbyist with the Responsible Beer Choice Coalition, a group of manufacturers, distributers and sellers. "It's the biggest change in Utah alcohol history in 86 years, since prohibition ended," she said. A task force would also be assigned to study whether to raise the limits again. Higher-strength beer, wine and spirits are only available at state-owned liquor stores in Utah. The compromise is palatable for the church as well. Marty Stephens, director of government relations, said the faith still had concerns but considers the compromise an improvement and won't oppose it. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The deal cleared its biggest hurdle, the state House of Representatives, Wednesday night, and it is expected to fare well in the state Senate. Utah now limits beer to 3.2 per cent alcohol at grocery and convenience stores, which stock weaker versions of popular beers. Large breweries have been discontinuing those products, though, because the market is shrinking as other states like Oklahoma, Colorado and Kansas abandon similar limits. The emptier shelves are difficult for stores that depend on revenue from beer sales, Stevenson has said. He originally wanted to raise alcohol limits to 4.8 per cent, but The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opposed the idea. The state Senate passed it anyway, but it stalled in the House amid concern about the potential side effects. If passed, the deal would also avoid the possibility of a ballot initiative seeking the approval of higher alcohol limits from voters who have bucked state lawmakers on other hot-button issues like medical marijuana and Medicaid expansion. Utah also hosts an active microbrewery community, and many brewers had opposed the incremental 4.8 increase that they said would benefit big companies over locals. The Utah Brewers Guild did not take a position on the compromise deal. MONTREAL - Canada's largest airline was inundated with calls as travellers scrambled to rebook flights after Ottawa joined dozens of countries in grounding the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft Wednesday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/3/2019 (1001 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. An Air Canada Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft is shown next to a gate at Trudeau Airport in Montreal, Wednesday, March 13, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes MONTREAL - Canada's largest airline was inundated with calls as travellers scrambled to rebook flights after Ottawa joined dozens of countries in grounding the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft Wednesday. Calls to Air Canada's customer service line Wednesday and Thursday prompted a recording that said call volume has temporarily exceeded the company's capacity to answer or even place callers on hold. The message cites "unforeseen circumstances," and directs callers to Air Canada's website. Kimberly Yetman Dawson, visiting family in Ontario, said she booked a second return flight to Halifax this Saturday at double the cost due to confusion over whether her original trip scheduled initially on a Max 8 would go ahead. "I'm hoping that I'll be compensated or I'll be credited," she said. "It's a schlimazel. Its up in the air." The logjam prompted Air Canada to set up a service line for Max 8 passengers flying in the next 72 hours: 1-833-354-5963. Air Canada said it will waive cancellation charges and rebooking fees for Max 8 flights within three weeks of the original travel date. The Montreal-based company has 24 Max 8s that carry between 9,000 and 12,000 passengers daily. The jets fly popular routes including Vancouver-Calgary and Montreal-Los Angeles as well as to Mexico, the Caribbean and Hawaii, causing headaches for thousands of March break vacationers and travel agents. Maninder Singh, the owner of InterSky travel agency in Montreal, said the ban will cost him cash as he refunds passengers whose flights have been cancelled. "Obviously we lose our markup," he said. "We have to call every single [Max 8] customer and check for alternate dates." Transport Minister Marc Garneau said the decision to ground the planes was a precautionary move made after a review of the available evidence in the wake of the Ethiopian Airlines disaster Sunday that killed all 157 people on board, including 18 Canadians. WestJet Airlines Ltd., which has 13 Max 8s that fly to destinations in Florida and elsewhere, said 11 domestic flights were cancelled Thursday, impacting 1,200 passengers. More than three-quarters of those travellers would be rebooked on flights Thursday, with the remainder departing Friday or Saturday, the airline said. The Calgary-based company has a no-fee cancellation policy for Max 8 flights, though rebooked flights may cost more. Both airlines say customers will not be compensated for accommodations. "The first 72 hours is a major shock," said Mark Gallardo, vice-president of network planning at Air Canada. "As time progresses we're going to have a lot more recovery options." The airline hopes to hang on to several Embraer E-90 and Airbus A320 planes that were slated to exit the fleet this month, Gallardo said. Slashing the number of flights and swapping in bigger planes and reserve crews is another strategy, along with rerouting passengers through other airlines, but the options all come at a cost. More than 40 countries, including the U.S., China and all European Union states, have now grounded or banned the Max 8 from their airspace over safety concerns and possible parallels to an Oct. 29 incident which saw the same type of aircraft plunge into the Java Sea, killing 189 people. Mary Jane Hiebert, who chairs the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies, said the virtual blanket ban on the more than 375 Max 8s in service across the world will snarl up the global flight grid. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "There are connecting flights, there are alliance partners. So you take an Air Canada plane to a certain destination, you get on a Max 8 with United Airlines or another carrier except you can't now." Pilots, flight attendants and mechanics are trained to work on specific types of aircraft, which could make staffing and maintaining the replacement aircraft more difficult, Hiebert said. Andrea Carr-McNeill, director of marketing with The Travel Store in Charlottetown, said the travel agency has been inundated with customer calls over the past 24 hours. "We've got six offices in the Maritimes and we've stopped counting; there's been that many," she said. "Patience is a virtue that every one of us needs to have right now." With files from Alison Auld in HalifaxCompanies in this story: (TSX:AC, TSX:WJA) CALGARY - An oil and gas industry representative says Canada is "falling behind" the U.S. and other nations in developing its rich Arctic natural resources because of a five-year moratorium on offshore drilling in the North put in place in 2016. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/3/2019 (1001 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. An oil and gas industry representative says Canada is falling behind the U.S. and other Arctic nations in developing its rich natural resources because of a five-year moratorium on offshore drilling until at least 2021. The floating drill rig Kulluk in Kodiak Island, Alaska's Kiliuda Bay as salvage teams conduct an in-depth assessment of its seaworthiness on Jan. 7, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Kodiak Daily Mirror, James Brooks, *MANDATORY CREDIT* CALGARY - An oil and gas industry representative says Canada is "falling behind" the U.S. and other nations in developing its rich Arctic natural resources because of a five-year moratorium on offshore drilling in the North put in place in 2016. But Northern Affairs minister Dominic LeBlanc defends the ban as a necessary device to ensure the resource is developed in a way that is environmentally sensitive, allows Indigenous input and is based on science. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The debate touched off in 2016 when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and then-U.S. president Barack Obama announced offshore Arctic development restrictions is being revisited at the Arctic Oil & Gas Symposium in Calgary. Paul Barnes, Atlantic Canada and Arctic director for the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, says recent moves by the U.S. under President Donald Trump to reopen the Alaskan Arctic to drilling illustrate Canada's "lost opportunities." He says the ban on development creates uncertainty in the market and means Canada isn't able to compete for investment dollars for Arctic drilling or related research, despite ongoing Arctic development by nations such as Norway and Russia. But LeBlanc says Ottawa is using its time to consult with northern people, governments and industry and come up with a science-based report to inform its review of the moratorium in 2021. "Done properly, oil and gas development can bring growth and prosperity to a region that in some cases may have been overlooked for a long time," said LeBlanc. "However, the development ... must be done properly with the full support of scientific data and research." CANADA continues to challenge a Chinese allegation that Winnipeg-based grain company Richardson International Ltd. shipped canola contaminated with grain pests. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. CANADA continues to challenge a Chinese allegation that Winnipeg-based grain company Richardson International Ltd. shipped canola contaminated with grain pests. "We are having a science-based discussion with the Chinese," said newly minted federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau, who was in Winnipeg on Wednesday to announce $6.2 million in funding over three years for the Canadian International Grains Institute. The Chinese have revoked the companys registration to export canola to the Asian country. Not only does that block Richardson canola shipments to China, but getting export registration back can be a long and bureaucratic process. Bibeau said Canadian scientists have double-checked samples taken from the canola shipment in question and found no irregularity. "So we are really pushing the Chinese officials to either send us new samples of what they found, or we could also send some of our scientists over there," she said. Bibeau deflected questions on whether the action by China is a smoke screen for a diplomatic dispute with Canada. Chinas actions are widely viewed as retaliation for Ottawas arrest last fall of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou at the request of U.S. tax authorities. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "I want to push the scientific discussion as far as possible," she replied. In Ottawa, International Trade Diversification Minister Jim Carr said there has been little progress so far in talks with Chinese counterparts. Richardsons trade relationship with China is more than a century old, having signed its first trade deal with that country in 1910. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley issued a statement last week demanding that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau fight for canola farmers and all related jobs. "We are calling on Ottawa to stop its navel-gazing about its internal controversies and fight back," she said. Notley added the issue could cost Alberta farmers hundreds of millions of dollars and lead to a loss of up to 3,000 jobs. Canola and wheat are the two biggest crops grown by Prairie farmers. About 20 million acres of canola is grown annually, and China is the biggest customer, accounting for about 40 per cent of Canadian canola seed exports, or $2.7 billion last year. Bill Redekop, with files from The Canadian Press OTTAWA - The improved economy is expected to give the Trudeau government more fiscal room than anticipated in next week's pre-election budget but a wobbly economic finish to 2018 means conditions could look much different as the October vote approaches. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA - The improved economy is expected to give the Trudeau government more fiscal room than anticipated in next week's pre-election budget but a wobbly economic finish to 2018 means conditions could look much different as the October vote approaches. An abrupt deceleration in economic growth over the final three months of 2018 has dimmed the outlook for this year. Last week, the Bank of Canada predicted a weaker economic performance through the first half of 2019, compared to its previous forecast of just a short slump. Still, the economy posted solid numbers for much of last year and employment has remained particularly strong. Some experts predict it's been enough of a boost to give the Liberal government billions more in fiscal wiggle room. With extra money, hints of tougher times ahead and an election just months away, the government is expected to use up all that space based on the argument the economy will need stimulative investments. Scotiabank chief economist Jean-Francois Perrault said larger-than-expected government revenues last year mean Ottawa could have as much as $5 billion more than it had predicted in its November update to dedicate to new pre-election spending, or even tax cuts. "It's this really fascinating mix of political challenges with some uncertainty on the economic side," said Perrault, a former assistant deputy minister under Finance Minister Bill Morneau. "The Trudeau government is clearly in more difficulty now (politically) than it was six months ago. They're probably going to be looking for something on the budgetary side that will increase their chances of being elected." CIBC chief economist Avery Shenfeld also sees the Liberals in a stronger fiscal starting position, but with economic headwinds in the forecast. "There's good news and bad news, in a sense, for the fiscal path," said Shenfeld, who also noted the effects of an approaching election on budget decisions. "I'm expecting cheques to go out somewhere. Remember that in the last election the party that won was the one party not promising to balance the budget... The recent sluggishness of the economy is just one more reason to expect a budget that sends out some goodies." Morneau has said his fourth budget will focus on helping workers get the skills they need and on ensuring seniors feel optimistic about their futures. The government, he added, is looking for ways to make homes more affordable for millennials, while keeping the housing market stable. The Liberals also intend to use the budget to lay out how they will achieve their two main goals on pharmacare: keeping costs down and ensuring better coverage for everyone. The budget will also update the country on the state of the federal books, which could prove to be an important ballot-box concern for many voters. The Liberals' fiscal record has faced regular criticism from the Opposition and some economists. In particular, the Conservatives have targeted the Liberals over their decisions to ditch their 2015 election vow to run only modest annual shortfalls and to eliminate the deficit by 2019. Instead, the Liberals have posted deficits of more than $18 billion in each of the last two years, with no timeline to achieving balance. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. In November's update, the government projected annual deficits of $18.1 billion in 2018-19, $19.6 billion in 2019-20 and $18.1 billion in 2020-21. Morneau has shifted his focus to reducing the net-debt-to-GDP ratio a way of describing how burdensome debt is, relative to the national economy each year. TD senior economist Brian DePratto recalls how in past budgets the Liberals have enjoyed "growth dividends" because the economy had outperformed expectations. The extra fiscal room enabled them to use up the space without affecting the debt-to-GDP anchor. This time, however, things are different because the overall economic picture has "clearly degraded," he said. "It's a little bit of a funny one because there's a lot of these different currents playing out at once that differ a bit from what we've seen in different years," DePratto said. "There's also the challenge of, well, if we're going into a slower-growth period where the risks are mounting, perhaps there's more impetus for spending regardless of anything else." CALGARY - The federal and Alberta governments are pledging almost $90 million to fund clean technology developments at major oilsands producer Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/3/2019 (1001 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Ottawa and Alberta are pledging almost $90 million to fund clean technology developments at Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., Canada's largest producer of heavy oil. Murray Edwards, left, Executive Chairman, and Steve Laut, centre, President of Canadian Natural Resources, prepare to address the company's annual meeting in Calgary, Thursday, May 4, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh CALGARY - The federal and Alberta governments are pledging almost $90 million to fund clean technology developments at major oilsands producer Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The commitments are expected to result in a total investment of $415 million in three projects. More than half of the federal commitment of $72.3 million, about $45 million, will go to Titanium Corp., a company working with Canadian Natural on a technology to recover valuable minerals and residual bitumen while remediating tailings at the Horizon oilsands mine in northern Alberta. An additional $10 million has been committed by Emissions Reduction Alberta, the provincial body in charge of reinvesting carbon tax proceeds. Canadian Natural is also to receive $5 million in federal funds and $5.6 million from the province for its in-pit extraction process which aims to separate bitumen from oilsands ore in the mine before transporting it to the processing centre, thus reducing transportation costs and emissions. The Calgary-based producer has also won $22.3 million from Ottawa for a lower-emission steam turbine generator at the Athabasca Oil Sands Project mining operation it owns with partners Chevron Canada and Shell Canada. Companies in this article: (TSX:CNQ) NEW YORK - The Chinese electronics giant Huawei pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges accusing it of plotting to violate Iran trade sanctions, a case that has complicated the China-U.S. trade dispute and cast a harsh light on the daughter of the company's founder. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/3/2019 (1001 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. FILE - This March 7, 2019 file photo shows the Huawei Technologies Ltd. business location in Plano, Texas. The No. 2 smartphone maker in the world will be arraigned at federal court in New York on Thursday, March 14. Prosecutors have accused Huawei of using a Hong Kong front company to trade with Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File) NEW YORK - The Chinese electronics giant Huawei pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges accusing it of plotting to violate Iran trade sanctions, a case that has complicated the China-U.S. trade dispute and cast a harsh light on the daughter of the company's founder. Lawyers for the No. 2 smartphone maker entered the plea in federal court in Brooklyn. It came two weeks after Huawei pleaded not guilty to separate federal charges filed in Seattle accusing the company of stealing technology from T-Mobile. James Cole, a lawyer for the Chinese electronics giant Huawei, leaves Brooklyn federal court in New York, Thursday March 14, 2019. Lawyers for Huawei have entered a not-guilty plea in a U.S. case charging the company with violating Iran trade sanctions. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) Both cases have heightened tensions over U.S accusations that China is using predatory tactics to turn Chinese companies into leaders in tech fields such as communications, robotics and electric vehicles. If convicted, Huawei could face fines, forfeiture and other financial penalties. The hearing Thursday lasted only a few minutes, and the lawyers left court without speaking to reporters. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Lawyers for the Chinese electronics giant Huawei from left, James Cole, Michael Alexander Levy, and David Bitkower leave Brooklyn federal court in New York, Thursday March 14, 2019. Lawyers for Huawei have entered a not-guilty plea in a U.S. case charging the company with violating Iran trade sanctions. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) U.S. authorities announced the Brooklyn indictment in late January. It charges the company and two affiliates with bank fraud, conspiracy to violate sanctions, conspiracy to commit money laundering and other counts. Prosecutors allege Meng Wanzhou, daughter of Huawei's founder, was in on the scheme in her role as chief financial officer. She made a presentation in 2013 to a banking executive in which she "repeatedly lied" about the relationship Huawei and a shadowy Iranian company called Skycom, prosecutors said. Wanzhou was arrested in Canada and is awaiting extradition to the United States. She denies the allegations. Skycom is also named in the indictment. But it was not represented at Thursday's arraignment, prompting U.S. Magistrate Judge Ramon Reyes to ask prosecutors, "What's the deal with Skycom?" Assistant U.S. Attorney David Kessler said the U.S. government was still trying to make contact with the company. In the Seattle case, prosecutors accuse Huawei of engaging in a scheme to steal the technology behind a robotic device that Bellevue, Washington-based T-Mobile used to test smartphones, according to the charges. Prosecutors say one Huawei worker even removed the robot's arm from T-Mobile's lab, took detailed measurements and photos of it, and then sent the information about it to China. The company says the worker acted independently and was later fired. Not too many years ago, a shipment of wheat bound for Africa could be assumed to be food aid, perhaps directed by Winnipegs Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Not too many years ago, a shipment of wheat bound for Africa could be assumed to be food aid, perhaps directed by Winnipegs Canadian Foodgrains Bank. But Africa today is being viewed as an emerging market for Prairie wheat and a federal investment announced on Wednesday will go a long way to help that happen. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau was in Winnipeg to renew funding for the Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI) with $6.2 million over three years. The funding wasnt a surprise, but what may be is how CIGI plans to allocate much of the money: teaching African countries how to mill and bake with high-quality Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat. "Africa is buying a huge amount of wheat and they use the Canadian component to ensure quality," said Lisa Nemeth, CIGI director of international markets. African countries are cost-conscious buyers, but can still blend purchases of lower-grade wheat with higher quality Canadian product. Canada Western Red Spring wheat provides gluten strength that gives bread its "volume" when it rises, as well as higher protein. While other international buyers may blend with 50 per cent CWRS, African countries are using a 30 per cent blend or less, Nemeth said. While Africa is known for its traditional flatbreads, it is moving increasingly to pan bread for things like sandwiches and buns. For example, in Mozambique, bakers need considerable wheat strength to blend up their wheat purchases to make a bun called pao, introduced by its Portuguese colonizers many years ago. A spread of products from the Canadian International Grains Institutes pilot bakery. "Its a huge market and its a huge opportunity. A lot of people are eating bread in Africa," Nemeth said. The tremendous expansion of wheat exports from the Black Sea area of Ukraine and Russia is making substantial inroads into Africa. But they are selling medium-protein, medium-strength wheat. "That means every time they go into a market, the customer is going to need to blend it with other wheat to give it strength," she said. "So we dont really look at it so much as a negative for Canada because those markets are going to need Canadian wheat. We need to be going there and explaining thats our role." A blend of Black Sea wheat and CWRS is also cheaper than hard winter wheat from the United States. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Nigeria is currently leading the way, purchasing about 800,000 tonnes of Prairie wheat annually, while other African countries like Ghana and Kenya are buying from 100,000 to 200,000 tonnes. "But theyre growing," Nemeth said. CIGI plans to bring in Black Sea wheat and blend it with Canadian wheat to optimize how the two kinds of wheat can compliment each other, she said. CIGI tries to expand Canadas wheat markets by providing technical support for buyers of Canadas cereal grains. It operates a flour mill, pasta plant, bakery and Asian noodle plant in Winnipeg to show foreign customers how to use Prairie grains in food production. It has hosted millers and bakers from more than 115 countries over the years. About 35 per cent of CIGIs $7.6-million operating budget comes from the federal government. Farmers and industry pay 59 per cent, and six per cent comes from fee-for-service and commercial activity. bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca IF you thought TVs couldnt get any better, youd better think again. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. IF you thought TVs couldnt get any better, youd better think again. Advance Electronics has got its hands on the newest TVs that have not only four times the resolution of the current 4K sets, but will also get smarter and sharper the more you watch them. Last week, Advance received its first models of the new Samsung 8K televisions that not only feature vastly higher resolution, but also uses artificial intelligence to actually improve the performance over time. The TV has quadruple the number of pixels resolution of 4K and 16 times that of normal high definition. Some of us, still stuck back in the early days of HD, might worry that there is not much content available with the 8K definition the TV is capable of showing, but according to Advance store manager Adam Loszchuk, the AI component makes that a non-issue. "It doesnt matter what you feed it," he said. "You could feed it your old DVD collection from 20 years ago and it is going to upscale the content with the AI technology." The 85-inch model now on display at Advance retails for $20,000 Loszchuk said they dont necessarily feature the price prominently because "it might look a little scary" but he said Samsungs 8K is not meant to be just a professional model. "We call it a flagship product," he said. "Its the best they have to offer." Samsung has the manufacturing capability to produce very fast computer chips, and the AI component of the Samsung Q900R QLED 8K allows images to be fed into the cloud. The TV learns how to take poor quality DVD-sourced images, for instance, recognize the object and knows how to make it into 8K resolution. Ready, Pet, Go! Leesa Dahl looks at everything to do with our furry, fuzzy, feathered, fishy (and more!) pet friends. Arrives in your inbox each Monday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Loszchuk said the AI learning capability will actually push that knowledge to the TV with automatic firmware updates. In addition to the 85-inch set on display, Advance also has 75-inchers which go for a mere $9,000 and theyve already sold a few of those. The 8K comes in 65-inch, 75-inch, 82-inch, 85-inch and 98-inch models. The latter, which has to be specially ordered, comes with a six-figure price tag. "At $20,000 (for the 85-inch), it is definitely within the realm," Loszchuk said. "We will sell the 85-inch model, maybe not a $100,000 or $80,000 TV though. But if you are the type of person who buys the best TV every 10 years, well... here you go." Sony is expected to come out with its own 8K model this year, as is the up-and-coming Chinese brand TCL. martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca Manitobas Progressive Conservative government is looking to make it easier for victims of sexual or domestic violence to break residential leases to protect their safety. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Manitobas Progressive Conservative government is looking to make it easier for victims of sexual or domestic violence to break residential leases to protect their safety. Currently, tenants must report incidents of domestic violence or stalking to police and obtain a no-contact order from the courts to be eligible to terminate a lease. Justice Minister Cliff Cullen said a bill he introduced in the legislature Wednesday would no longer require these steps. "This legislation allows victims to get a statement from a range of professionals who are well-placed to assess danger. These professionals include physicians, psychologists, social workers or individuals employed at a shelter," he said. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. A statement from one of these individuals, along with any other relevant information, could be taken to the Justice Departments victim services branch, which would issue a certificate that could be used to end a lease if there is risk to a tenants or a childs safety. Bill 19, which amends the Residential Tenancies Act, also broadens who can qualify for early lease termination to include victims of sexual violence, Cullen said. Rochelle Squires, the minister responsible for the status of women, said the amendments were developed based on advice from victims of violence. "This is a tool that will help empower survivors at the time of their greatest need," she said. Meanwhile, the bill will streamline the provinces residential dispute-resolution process by providing for one right of appeal instead of two, Cullen said. This would make all decisions of the Residential Tenancies Commission final and not subject to further appeal to the courts. Cullen said that would bring Manitobas rules in line with those of other Canadian jurisdictions. larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca On the heels of an independent investigation that exposed systemic barriers victims of crime face within the justice system, Manitoba's justice minister says the department has made operational changes to its victim services branch and still has "more work to do". Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. On the heels of an independent investigation that exposed systemic barriers victims of crime face within the justice system, Manitoba's justice minister says the department has made operational changes to its victim services branch and still has "more work to do". The provincial government hasn't promised to implement the five recommendations from the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth, whose office spent the past year intensively examining the short life of Tina Fontaine through records from child-welfare agencies, police, health care and addictions detox facilities and her autopsy report. On Wednesday afternoon, Minister Cliff Cullen addressed the recommendations for the justice department in detail for the first time, more than 24 hours after the public release of the report and more than two weeks after the justice department was given advance access to the report's victim-services-related findings. It detailed the barriers Tina and her family faced as victims of crime within the justice system after her father, Eugene Fontaine, was beaten to death in 2011. The woman who raised Tina, Thelma Favel, was informed the family wasn't entitled to financial compensation under Manitoba's Victims of Crime Compensation Fund, but she wasn't told they were still eligible for grief counselling and other benefits -- an error the department has now acknowledged. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Manitoba justice minister Cliff Cullen: "more work to do." Cullen said the department now has template letters drafted to clearly inform victims of crime about the services available to them. "Weve also enhanced our own internal communication and tracking system for individuals within the department and across justice, and certainly in terms of children in care, so that the respective jurisdictions dealing with individuals have better communication clearly that was an indication in this report. So weve made very significant strides in that regard already. I will say though that there is certainly more work to do," Cullen said. WHO ARE 17 YOUTH AT IMMINENT RISK? Premier Brian Pallister says he is "very concerned" about a comment by Manitoba's advocate for children and youth that her office is aware of 17 youths who are at imminent risk of harm or death. Pallister told the legislature Wednesday the government is following up on Daphne Penrose's assertion, and he's been told that the director of child and family services has contacted the advocate "to ascertain exactly who these children are." click to read more Premier Brian Pallister says he is "very concerned" about a comment by Manitoba's advocate for children and youth that her office is aware of 17 youths who are at imminent risk of harm or death. Pallister told the legislature Wednesday the government is following up on Daphne Penrose's assertion, and he's been told that the director of child and family services has contacted the advocate "to ascertain exactly who these children are." "We would need to have the information reported so that action can be taken immediately," Pallister said. Penrose's 115-page report on the tragic life and death of Tina Fontaine and how the system failed her continued to be uppermost in provincial politicians' minds at the legislature on Wednesday. Under questioning from NDP Leader Wab Kinew, Pallister did not immediately commit his government to implementing Penrose's five major recommendations. However, he said the government is "excited" to review her report and act upon it. Kinew said it's very important that the premier continue to follow up to ensure the safety of the 17 children referred to by the advocate. "If I were the premier right now and I learned there were 17 kids at risk of imminent harm or death, I'm going to ask to have those 17 names on my desk," he said. "And my next call is probably to the Bear Clan...or some other organization that can reach out to these young people and make sure that they get the supports they need." Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said Penrose's report shows there needs to be better co-ordination among CFS agencies to ensure kids don't fall through the cracks. He said he's concerned by reports that the government and child welfare agencies disagree on the actual numbers of kids in care in Manitoba. "If you can't agree on the number of children in care, that's a huge red flag," he said. Speaking to reporters in Sagkeeng First Nation Tuesday during the release of her long-awaited report, Penrose said the 17 youths need immediate help and treatment to deal with their addictions. Larry Kusch larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca Close He said his department still needs clarification from Advocate Daphne Penrose about the wording of the recommendation, which calls for Manitoba Justice to "develop quality control measures" to properly provide "child-centred" victim support services. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Cullen said the province currently provides counselling that is specifically geared toward children. He emphasized the most recent provincial budget, released earlier this month, increases Victim Services staffing and funding by $325,000. Although he didn't make a firm commitment to implement the advocate's recommendations, Cullen suggested change will happen after the government finishes an inter-departmental review of the youth justice and child-welfare systems. That review was announced last month. RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Daphne Penrose, the Manitoba Advocate for Children and Youth who assembled the report for the investigation into the death of Tina Fontaine, during the report's release Tuesday. "Certainly communications within departments is very important and we think that review will add light to that and then from that review, we can take further steps to make sure that no kids fall through the cracks," Cullen said. Her father's death was a turning point in Tina's life, the advocate's investigation found, before the 15-year-old wound up trying to survive on Winnipeg streets the summer she was found wrapped in a duvet cover in the Red River on Aug. 17, 2014. Despite seeking her participation in the court process for her father's convicted killers when she was 12, Manitoba Justice's victim support services were "too court-focused rather than child-centred," the report says, echoing a complaint oft-repeated by families and victim support groups. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. "Tina had acute mental health needs following her fathers death but she was never provided with a single counselling session or other cultural healing, despite ongoing assessments and recommendations that this was a critical need in her life. Further, Tina developed acute addictions in her final months of life and used many different drugs and alcohol but was unable to find the help she needed that would support her to address her underlying pain," the report states. Dr. Cary Miller, head of Native Studies at the University of Manitoba, said there is no question Tina needed greater intervention. "Youth counselling services are enormously important. As an adult, I lost my parents just a few years ago and it was enormously painful. I can't imagine the order of magnitude worse than that would be for a child, particularly for a child whose parent died under such difficult circumstances," she said. "There are moments when we all need that, we need to engage those services. And making them more available to the youth and even in some circumstances requiring youth to talk to a professional, I think, is important." katie.may@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @thatkatiemay Airports and air travellers across Canada and around most of the world were scrambling on Wednesday after the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircrafts were grounded, and Winnipeg was no exception. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Airports and air travellers across Canada and around most of the world were scrambling on Wednesday after the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircrafts were grounded, and Winnipeg was no exception. Travellers to and from Winnipeg Richardson International Airport only experienced two cancellations because of the Max 8 grounding Wednesday -- a WestJet arrival that was scheduled for 7:59 p.m. from Toronto and that same plane's scheduled departure at 9:00 p.m. to Calgary. One WestJet 737 Max 8 arrived in Winnipeg from Toronto earlier in the day but industry officials said the airline brought in another plane to cover the Max 8's flight that was supposed to go back out. "We're still assessing the overall impact," said Tyler MacAfee, Winnipeg Airports Authority director of corporate communications and government affairs on Wednesday afternoon. "The news is still pretty fresh." Winnipeg gets about 54 Max 8 aircraft in a typical month during the current schedule. MacAfee said that model does not dominate any one particular route in or out of Winnipeg so it's not like any one destination will be particularly affected. But he said most of the travelling public will be affected. "People may be travelling from Winnipeg to Toronto connecting to somewhere else. The flight to Toronto might not be impacted but maybe the connecting flight out of Toronto will be," he said. "It will have ripple effect throughout the industry." He said while this is a unique scenario, airlines are used to reorganizing their fleets, for instance when there is a weather event somewhere that grounds planes in one locale and requires them to bring in rescue aircraft with larger capacity. To see if your flight has been affected, travellers should check with their airlines or look at the airport authorities' website, www.waa.ca. The news of the grounding of the 737 Max 8 after recent crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia was met with approval by some. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Kellen Deighton, the brother of Danielle Moores long-term boyfriend Colby Deighton, said he was relieved to see Canada reverse course Wednesday morning and join the growing list of countries that have grounded or banned the 737 Max 8 jetliners. Moore, 24 of Winnipeg, was one of 18 Canadians killed in Sundays Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 plane crash. Originally from Scarborough, Ont., she'd been en route to Nairobi, Kenya, to participate in the prestigious United Nation Environment Assembly, at the time of the crash. In the wake of her death, Deighton, alongside other friends of Moore, were beginning efforts to pressure Canada into grounding all 737 Max 8 airliners until an investigation into what if any safety issues there were with the planes. "I watched the news conference and Im happy with Minister Garneaus decision. Im not sure what information he received recently that the rest of the world was seeing in real time, but whatever changed his mind Im happy with the outcome," Deighton said. "My first thought was well, I was emotional for sure. Im not under any illusions it had anything to do with what we were doing, Im just grateful he heard the voices of the people. My brother texted me as soon as he hear the news and I know hes very grateful too." martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca Ryan Thorpe Reporter Ryan Thorpe likes the pace of daily news, the feeling of a broadsheet in his hands and the stress of never-ending deadlines hanging over his head. Read full biography The man shot to death Tuesday morning in Winnipegs West End was reportedly hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt to various parties and had a history of being unable or refusing to pay up. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The man shot to death Tuesday morning in Winnipegs West End was reportedly hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt to various parties and had a history of being unable or refusing to pay up. Court records show Brett Anthony Cadieux, 23, had a lengthy record of passing bad cheques or defaulting on payments to local companies, and subsequently being sued in provincial court for significant sums of money. FACEBOOK Brett Cadieux. The pattern replayed itself with various other people who never bothered to take the young man who had gang ties to court, sources told the Free Press. Police were called to the 1300 block of Ellice Avenue around 1:15 a.m. Tuesday, and found Cadieux suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He was taken to hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead. The incident marked Winnipegs eighth homicide of 2019, and the fifth stemming from gun violence. Court records show Cadieux had been ordered by various judges to pay roughly $140,000 in civil and small claims judgements to a number of companies including Manitoba Public Insurance, Bank of Nova Scotia and a local auto dealership. In addition, sources told the Free Press that Cadieuxs debts to various people in Winnipeg totalled hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Winnipeg Police Service homicide unit is investigating the case. No suspects or arrests have been announced, although police have said they believe the attack "was not random in nature." Cadieuxs most recent legal troubles stemmed from an incident Nov. 30, 2017, when he passed a bad cheque for roughly $46,000 as payment for a vehicle at a local dealership. When the business realized the cheque wasnt valid, it sought return of the vehicle. He refused, and declined to file a statement of defence in the case, court records show. A default judgement was handed down ordering Cadieux to repay roughly $48,000 to the dealership, although it appears no payment was ever made. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The pattern repeated itself in other case documents, painting a picture of a man who passed bad cheques, was frequently subject to litigation, and who ignored calls to participate in court proceedings. For example, by August 2016, two accounts with the Bank of Nova Scotia set up for himself and a numbered company he owned were in arrears of roughly $78,000. Cadieux refused repayment to the bank and declined to file a statement of defence when sued, court records show. A default judgement was subsequently delivered by a judge for roughly $80,000, although theres no indication of payment. ryan.thorpe@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @rk_thorpe A bronze bust will honour Georges Forest, whose refusal to pay a $5 parking ticket written only English launched a landmark Supreme Court case and threatened to tip Manitoba into a constitutional crisis. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/3/2019 (1001 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A bronze bust will honour Georges Forest, whose refusal to pay a $5 parking ticket written only English launched a landmark Supreme Court case and threatened to tip Manitoba into a constitutional crisis. In September, St. Boniface will pay tribute to the man whose activism re-established French as an official language in Manitoba. The bust will be located at Provencher Park in the heart of the community. A bust honouring Georges Forest, who refused to pay a parking ticket written only in English, will be displayed in Provencher Park this summer. (Supplied) "After Louis Riel, hes number two in importance in the advancement of culture and the protection of French language rights. He was an activist all his life," said his friend, Marcien Ferland, 82, from his home in La Salle Thursday. This week marked a minor milestone in Ferlands campaign le comite du monument Georges-Forest with commitments of $10,000 from the Winnipeg Foundation and another $5,000 from the Vielfaure family. The goal is $70,000, and $55,000 has been raised to date. Sculptor Miguel Joyal will create the bust, which will capture Forests signature beard. It will stand a little under one metre high, weigh about 73 kilograms, and rest on a thick granite base mounted on a concrete platform. The structure will reach a height of over two metres. "Its going up as a centerpiece in a development underway in the park, on the corner of Langevin (Street) and Provencher Boulevard," Ferland said. Paving is complete for the triangular piece of land where the bust will provide focus as the first monument to catch the eye of visitors as they stroll into the park under a new archway. Festival du Voyageur organizers also paid tribute to Forest's memory this year, marking the 50th anniversary of the festival, of which he was a founder. George and his wife, Anita Forest, were the "first voyageurs officials" during the inaugural festival. Forest died 29 years ago on Valentines Day at the Festival du Voyageur while jigging at an event. The Festival du Voyageur celebrated Georges Forest and his wife Anita this year. Their daughter Lise Forest (above) was on hand at the opening ceremony to honour the Festival co-founders. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) Forests battles for the French language made him a legal legend. He staged a hunger strike in 1971 to preserve French language rights when St. Boniface was amalgamated into the city of Winnipeg. The Manitoba Historical Society's website outlines the constitutional crisis he triggered over the parking ticket fracas. "The Forest case, which began in 1975 and ended at the end of 1979, led to the re-establishment of French as the official language of Manitoba, 89 years after that status was revoked," the online site noted. Ferland said he remembered the constitutional crisis culminated in an all-night session where MLAs were up from dusk to dawn passing the remaining outstanding laws in both French and English, so theyd be legal. "The law said specifically, it (any law) had to be passed in both languages. Louis Riel and his government insisted that laws had to be passed in both languages. Thats key," Ferland said. alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca OTTAWA The federal government has no way of knowing how much of its $188-billion infrastructure fund is replacing cash that provinces would have otherwise spent, a watchdog says. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. OTTAWA The federal government has no way of knowing how much of its $188-billion infrastructure fund is replacing cash that provinces would have otherwise spent, a watchdog says. The parliamentary budget officer released a report Wednesday that suggests Ottawas pledge for evidence-based governance should include incremental reporting on how its massive infrastructure investments are rolling out, including how much construction is underway. The federal Liberals and the Pallister government are embroiled in a spat over untapped funding. "The federal government did not measure what provinces and cities were planning to spend on infrastructure before committing $188 billion for infrastructure projects in 2016," budget officer Yves Giroux wrote. "Without that crucial information, the federal government wont be able to assess whether its money has actually led to higher investment. Our analysis suggests the provincial governments are using a portion of the federal infrastructure money to spend on other programs." Ottawa tracks how much funding provinces and cities have signed on for, how much those jurisdictions are matching, and the sum of claims each has submitted. The information is available online. But Infrastructure Canada cannot tell whether provinces are taking federal money and diverting it elsewhere, by decreasing their own planned infrastructure investments. Since the Trudeau governments first budget, MPs have been asking the watchdog whether federal infrastructure allocations are rolling out as intended, and if the federal cash is replacing provincial money that would have been spent. Giroux reported Wednesday that he can only guess. The office of federal Infrastructure Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne noted that it assesses outcomes such as fiscal growth, housing conditions, accessibility and sustainability "Our long-term infrastructure plan is working and providing the support for Canadian communities that they have long sought," spokesman Brook Simpson wrote. The minister was not available for an interview. Simpson noted that the Liberals have approved more than 4,700 projects, with $19 billion of federal cash being spent, of the $188 billion pledged from 2016 to 2028. But Giroux argues the lack of incremental reporting makes it hard to test the Liberals claims about job creation and economic growth. The federal government only dispenses cash when provinces submit claims for reimbursement, which is normally toward the end of construction projects. The Liberals reject claims their infrastructure money is rolling out slowly, noting that projects are underway and that they expect provinces to submit claims for them. But Giroux suggests provinces arent spending that much money he estimates that "provincial capital spending was $5.4 billion lower in 2016-17 and 2017-18 than what it should have been." That would suggest provinces dont have many projects underway to bill Ottawa for, after all. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Giroux cautioned that other factors could be at play. In Manitobas case, infrastructure spending was $995 million lower in that time period than what the province had been on track to spend. The time frame overlaps with the Progressive Conservatives coming to power and axing programs the NDP had approved. For three weeks, the Liberals have said $1.9 billion in federal funds, which was pledged for Manitoba in various programs over the next decade, has gone unclaimed; about half of that is for infrastructure projects. Girouxs report did note that some cities are boosting their infrastructure spending, thanks to Ottawa putting up cash that is then matched by municipalities and provinces. Champagnes office suggested cities could later bill provinces, who would then seek federal reimbursement. The report looked at larger cities that could provide detailed information; Winnipeg was not one of them. dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca Under the cover of night on Feb. 18, Canadian horses were loaded onto a Korean Air flight at Winnipegs Richardson International Airport, headed to Japan. They would travel 15 hours, via Alaska, in small wooden crates, without food or water. They were bound for slaughter. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Under the cover of night on Feb. 18, Canadian horses were loaded onto a Korean Air flight at Winnipegs Richardson International Airport, headed to Japan. They would travel 15 hours, via Alaska, in small wooden crates, without food or water. They were bound for slaughter. This was not the first such flight out of Winnipeg, just the latest of at least seven in the past year, according to the advocacy group Canadian Horse Defence Coalition. The Winnipeg Humane Society says 4,846 horses were shipped from Canada to Japan in 2017, making us one of the greatest exporters of live horses in the world. Both groups agree that this has to stop. Though horses are considered companion animals rather than food animals in Canada, and are not typically found on menus (other than in Quebec), Canadian horse meat is considered a delicacy in some other countries, specifically Switzerland, Kazakhstan and Japan. Selling our horses for slaughter and consumption overseas is a multimillion-dollar business, one that operates with obvious disregard for many animal welfare, environmental and ethical concerns. For Canadian horses sent to slaughter abroad, the flight is just one step along their torturous journey. Transported from all over the country to departure points in Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton, horses bound for Asia must first endure gruelling ground travel. Though the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) published updated farmed-animal transport regulations last month to much criticism from animal advocates permitted travel time for horses was reduced by little, from 36 hours to 28. During this time, horses can still go without food, water or breaks, all before even being loaded onto planes. Sinikka Crosland of the coalition says the group launched a lawsuit against the CFIA last fall on behalf of exported horses, for violating two parts of the Health of Animals Regulations. According to the regulations, Crosland says, "Horses over 14 hands high, or larger than a pony, are to be segregated (alone in crates)." However, two to four horses are often witnessed and photographed crammed into crates together. Another regulation Crosland claims is routinely violated concerns head clearance. "A horses head is not permitted to come into contact with the top of the crate," she says, "though we do see this happening, where ears are seen to poke through the netting at the top." Additionally, she says, "we need to take into consideration the entire time without food and water, from loading at the feedlot, transfer to the airport, then unloading and ground transport in Japan." Even for animals meant to be killed, this exceeds accepted humane practices in Canada. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. And therein lies perhaps the greatest concern regarding our countrys live export of horses: the inability to ensure their humane treatment, by Canadian standards, upon arrival overseas. "Once horses have arrived at their destination country, there is no guaranteed way of confirming that their welfare concerns will be dealt with promptly," a statement from the Winnipeg Humane Society reads, "or that they will be slaughtered humanely." Japanese animal protection laws are considered weak compared to international standards. Though some Canadians may be surprised to discover our countrys major horse export industry, even more shocking is learning where these horses come from. Some, Crosland says, appear to have been handled and cared for. "We have seen horses with braided forelocks and docked tails being shipped to Japan." Others come from actual horse farms, where the animals are intentionally bred, by the thousands, for their meat. With growing global concern regarding the immense environmental effects of animal agriculture, particularly in North America, it seems highly problematic that Canada is farming animals that the vast majority of Canadians are not even eating, as well as transporting them great distances across the country and putting them onto carbon-heavy airplanes. This, coupled with the obvious animal welfare concerns that contradict Canadian culture and standards, render Canadas live horse export industry truly unethical. According to one online petition, nearly 150,000 signatories agree: its time to end the live export of horses from Canada. Jessica Scott-Reid is a writer and animal advocate, originally from Winnipeg and currently based in Germany. The testimony of Jody Wilson-Raybould before the House of Commons justice committee suggests Liberal government officials will go to great lengths to influence our judicial system. According to the former justice minister, veiled threats were made in an effort to rescue SNC-Lavalin from facing a trial for bribery and fraud and, if convicted, a 10-year ban on seeking Canadian government contracts. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion The testimony of Jody Wilson-Raybould before the House of Commons justice committee suggests Liberal government officials will go to great lengths to influence our judicial system. According to the former justice minister, veiled threats were made in an effort to rescue SNC-Lavalin from facing a trial for bribery and fraud and, if convicted, a 10-year ban on seeking Canadian government contracts. The Quebec engineering giants lobbying efforts put pressure on key bureaucrats to counter prosecution so they could stay in the government contracts game. This type of misconduct is not uncommon for this corporation, as they have been banned from World Bank projects for 10 years. Canadians should watch with great trepidation as SNC-Lavalin and partners make plans for the operation and decommissioning of Canadas nuclear labs. SNC-Lavalin is one of four partners in the Canadian National Energy Alliance, which operates the Pinawa site and is intent on filling the defunct radioactive reactors remains with concrete. The alliance intends to monitor the sarcophagus for a mere 100 years and leave future generations to clean up the mess that will eventually occur when the radioactivity leaches into the Winnipeg River. It has altered the original decommissioning plan significantly, cutting corners to save money. Deteriorating concrete canisters next to the Winnipeg River will be emptied, and these 46 truckloads of high-level radioactive waste will accompany another 2,000 shipments of low- and intermediate-level waste through the Whiteshell and Kenora. The ultimate destination is a poorly designed near-surface disposal facility in Chalk River, Ont. Even before the old reactor has been filled, the same alliance wants the federal government to finance yet another prototype, a small modular reactor (SMR). Someone should remind them that the last prototype reactor, called the Slowpoke, has long since died and its radioactive carcass remains on site. Contact has been made between Pinawas mayor and provincial representatives, with the goal of hosting the reactor at the Whiteshell labs. Ontario First Nations chiefs have recognized this folly and have passed a resolution calling on the government of Canada to cease funding and support for this SMR program, but Starcore Nuclear Ltd. of Maryland has submitted a $150-million proposal. It will go nowhere unless SNC-Lavalin and friends convince the federal government to throw tax dollars at it. These reactors are a money pit that takes away valuable investment in sustainable technology that can address climate change. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The alliance dreams of a non-existent market that will take up to 20 years to develop when action needs to be taken now. SMRs also suffer from the nuclear industrys Achilles heel, radioactive waste, for which there is no solution in Canada. SNC-Lavalins lobbyists met with Manitoba MP Jim Carr twice last year, according to the Office of the Commissioner for Lobbying, and put forth "recommendations on federal policy re: nuclear power development in Ontario." Considering the pressure felt by the former justice minster and the extent of SNC-Lavalins influence, the public should be very concerned about these meetings, especially when the government is being urged not to subject these reactors to a full environmental assessment review. In the event the SNC-Lavalin bribery case goes to trial and the company is convicted, it will be interesting to see just what happens to these poorly laid plans for new reactors and the decommissioning of nuclear sites. Considering the extent of the companys misconduct in other areas, closer scrutiny by Manitobans on the Pinawa file would seem prudent. Dave Taylor teaches at the University of Winnipeg and has been a watchdog of the nuclear industry in Manitoba for more than 40 years. Muslim governments were not silent when Myanmar (formerly Burma) murdered thousands of Rohingya, its Muslim minority, and expelled 700,000 of them across the border into Bangladesh. They were unanimous in their anger when the Trump administration moved the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. But they are almost silent on Chinas attempt to suppress Islam in its far western province, Xinjiang. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Opinion Muslim governments were not silent when Myanmar (formerly Burma) murdered thousands of Rohingya, its Muslim minority, and expelled 700,000 of them across the border into Bangladesh. They were unanimous in their anger when the Trump administration moved the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. But they are almost silent on Chinas attempt to suppress Islam in its far western province, Xinjiang. It is the most brazen frontal assault on Muslims in modern history. Up to a million Chinese citizens have been sent to concentration camps in Xinjiang for the non-crime of being Muslim. They are also guilty of the non-crime of being a 10-million-strong ethnic minority, mostly Uighurs but including 1.5 million Kazakhs, who do not feel sufficiently "Chinese," though Islam is the focus of the states anger. And in the face of this repression, the worlds 49 Muslim-majority countries have said almost nothing. Malaysia refused to send a dozen Uighur refugees back to China last year, four members of Kuwaits parliament made a public protest in January and Turkey loudly condemned Chinas behaviour last month, but the other 46 governments have assiduously avoided the issue. It is very strange. When Turkey finally did cut loose, foreign ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said, "It is no longer a secret that more than a million Uighur Turks exposed to arbitrary arrests are subjected to torture and political brainwashing (in Chinese prisons)... The reintroduction of concentration camps in the 21st century and the systematic assimilation policy of Chinese authorities against the Uighur Turks is a great embarrassment for humanity." But even then, other Muslim countries remained silent. With the honourable exception of Al-Jazeera, the issue is rarely even mentioned in the Arab media, and popular awareness of what is happening is minimal in big Muslim countries like Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia. Why? Its true that the mass repression of the Uighurs and other Muslims in China only became known abroad in the past year, although it was already state policy at least two years ago. Its true, too, that a lot of the evidence is circumstantial. While there are plenty of first-person reports of the brutal treatment of the Uighurs, for example, the estimates of how many are actually imprisoned "up to a million," which would be one-tenth of all the Muslims in Xinjiang are really estimates of how many the camps could hold, based on satellite observations of their size. China denies both the scale and the purpose of the repression. These camps, it says, are "vocational training centres" that tackle "extremism" through "thought transformation" (what used to be called "brainwashing," an old political tradition in Communist China). The detainees are held indefinitely there are no formal charges or sentences, but hardly anybody has been released in the past couple of years and are allegedly volunteers. They are "trainees," said the top Chinese official in Xinjiang, Shohrat Zakir, last October, who are grateful for the opportunity to "reflect on their mistakes." Shohrat Zakir is obviously a Muslim name: as always, there are collaborators and careerists among the oppressed. But it is a classic late colonial situation, with a Communist twist. The population of Xinjiang was over 90 per cent Muslim and Turkic-speaking when the new Communist regime in China reconquered the region in 1949. Beijings original solution, as in Tibet to the south, was to drown the native population in Han Chinese immigrants: Muslims are now only 45 per cent of the population. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. When the inevitable push-back came anti-Chinese race riots and some terrorist attacks the Chinese regime responded with intense surveillance and repression of the native population. Part of the package was an attempt to curb Islamic observance and the use of the local Turkic language. And when that wasnt producing the desired result, Beijing began expanding the "re-education centres" that now hold up to a tenth of the Muslim population. There is nothing surprising in all this. Assimilation to the Han Chinese norm was the policy of all Chinese governments even before the Communist takeover. What is surprising is the response or rather, the lack of response of Muslim governments elsewhere. Why are they silent? Mainly because China is lavishing loans and grants on them: US$20 billion in loans to Arab countries, a rumoured US$6 billion to Pakistan, even more to the nearby Muslim countries of Central Asia (US$27 billion in joint industrial projects in Kazakhstan alone). They need the money, so they shut up. So do their tame media. When the de facto dictator of Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, visited China recently, he endorsed Chinas right to take "anti-terrorism" and "de-extremism" measures in Xinjiang. Of course, he needs Chinas support in fighting off the accusations that he ordered the murder of Jamal Khashoggi even more than he needs the money. Xinjiangs Muslims have been abandoned by the "umma," the world community of Muslims. They are on their own, and they are suffering. Gwynne Dyers latest book is Growing Pains: The Future of Democracy (and Work). JERUSALEM - Cross-border fighting between Israel and Gaza's ruling Hamas group appeared to be winding down Friday, amid reports of an Egyptian-brokered truce and Israeli media saying a misfire was believed to be responsible for the rare Gaza rocket attack on Tel Aviv that triggered the exchange. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/3/2019 (1001 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. An explosion caused by Israeli airstrikes is seen on Gaza City, early Friday, March 15, 2019. Israeli warplanes attacked militant targets in the southern Gaza Strip early Friday in response to a rare rocket attack on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, as the sides appeared to be hurtling toward a new round of violence. (AP Photo/Adel Hana) JERUSALEM - Cross-border fighting between Israel and Gaza's ruling Hamas group appeared to be winding down Friday, amid reports of an Egyptian-brokered truce and Israeli media saying a misfire was believed to be responsible for the rare Gaza rocket attack on Tel Aviv that triggered the exchange. The two rockets had struck late Thursday, taking Israel's military by surprise. Overnight, Israeli warplanes hit some 100 Hamas targets in Gaza. The army said targets included an office complex in Gaza City used to plan and command Hamas militant activities, an underground complex that served as Hamas' main rocket-manufacturing site and a centre used for Hamas drone development. In Gaza, health officials reported that four people were wounded, including a husband and wife in the southern town of Rafah. There were no further details. The office building struck by Israel had been used by Hamas' office of prisoner affairs. Palestinians inspect the damage of destroyed building belongs to Hamas ministry of prisoners hit by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City, early Friday, Friday, March 15, 2019. Israeli warplanes attacked militant targets in the southern Gaza Strip early Friday in response to a rare rocket attack on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, as the sides appeared to be hurtling toward a new round of violence. (AP Photo/Adel Hana) On Friday, Israeli media quoted defence officials as saying a preliminary investigation indicated the rockets were fired from Gaza by mistake. It was not immediately clear if it was a technical malfunction or human error. The Haaretz daily quoted the officials as saying the rockets were fired during maintenance work. The Israeli military had no immediate comment. Also Friday, a Hamas official said an agreement to restore calm has been reached. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because Hamas has yet to announce the deal, said Egypt led meditation efforts "that have apparently paid off." The sudden outbreak of violence came at a sensitive time for both sides. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in the midst of a tight re-election battle. A tough response would draw international criticism and domestic accusations that he is acting out of political motivations ahead of the April 9 vote. But a restrained response will draw criticism from his fellow hard-line rivals. A wreckage of Hamas military site is seen empty after it hit by Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City, early Friday, Friday, March 15, 2019. Israeli warplanes attacked militant targets in the southern Gaza Strip early Friday in response to a rare rocket attack on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, as the sides appeared to be hurtling toward a new round of violence. (AP Photo/Adel Hana) Hamas, meanwhile, is coping with its own domestic troubles. Israel and Egypt have maintained a crippling blockade on Gaza since Hamas took over the territory in 2007. The blockade, along with sanctions by the rival Palestinian Authority and Hamas' own mismanagement have fueled an economic crisis that has driven unemployment over 50 per cent. Shortly before the rocket attack, Hamas police on Thursday violently broke up a rare protest by demonstrators angry about the dire living conditions in Gaza. The crackdown triggered heavy criticism on social media. The organizers of a weekly protest along the Israeli border cancelled the demonstration in the wake of the escalation. The fighting came as Egyptian mediators were trying to extend a cease-fire between the bitter enemies, which last fought a war in 2014. The Egyptians left Gaza late Thursday. Hamas, which typically claims responsibility for its military actions, denied involvement in the rocket attack on Tel Aviv and even said it had undermined its interests. Israel's military said earlier Friday that it holds Hamas responsible for all attacks coming from Gaza. The late-night attack Thursday on Tel Aviv, Israel's densely populated commercial and cultural capital, marked the first time the city had been hit since a 2014 war between Israel and Gaza militants. Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. Following the first Israeli airstrikes, several additional rounds of rocket fire were launched into Israel. The military said several rockets were intercepted by its air defence systems, and there were no reports of injuries. The initial blasts from the Israeli airstrikes in southern Gaza were so powerful that smoke could be seen in Gaza City, 25 kilometres (15 miles) to the north. The Israeli warplanes could be heard roaring through the skies above Gaza City. Israel and Hamas are bitter enemies and have fought three wars since the Islamic militant group seized power in Gaza in 2007. Smaller flare-ups have occurred sporadically since Israel and Hamas fought their last war, in 2014. Despite its denial, Hamas is one of the only groups in Gaza with the means to strike Tel Aviv. A smaller militant group, the Iranian-backed Islamic Jihad, also possesses a large arsenal of rockets, though it too denied involvement. ___ Akram reported from Gaza City, Gaza Strip. Ingredion, Inc. manufactures and sells sweetener, starches, nutrition ingredients, and biomaterial solutions derived from the wet milling and processing of corn and other starch based materials. Its activities include turning corn, tapioca, potatoes and other vegetables and fruits into value added ingredients and biomaterials for the food, beverage, paper and corrugating, brewing, and other industries. The firm operates through the following geographical segments: North America, South America, Asia-Pacific and Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). The North America segment includes businesses in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The South America segment involves businesses in Brazil, the Southern Cone of South America (which includes Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Uruguay), Colombia, and Ecuador. The Asia-Pacific segment pertains businesses in South Korea, Thailand, China, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, India, and Vietnam. The EMEA segment focuses businesses in Pakistan, Germany, the United Kingdom and South Africa. The company was founded in 1906 and is headquartered in Westchester, IL. Read More AKITA Drilling Ltd. (AKITA) is engaged in providing contract drilling services, primarily to the oil and gas industry. The Company is involved in other forms of drilling, including potash mining and the development of storage caverns. The Company owns and operates approximately 31 drilling rigs in Canada. The Company manages its business through approximately two geographic regions, which include Canada and the United States. The Company specializes in the construction and retrofit of heavy oil pad drilling rigs associated with Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) operations. Its rigs are used in operations spanning Fort McMurray, the Alberta oil sands region. The Company also has shale gas operations in the Horn River Basin area of Northeast British Columbia. AKITA is involved in drilling horizontal shale gas wells, with a fleet of deep capacity triple rigs in the areas of Alberta and British Columbia, including the Montney, Duvernay and Horn River regions. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Bristol-Myers Squibb: 1096271 B.C. ULC, 345 Park LLC, A.G. Medical Services P.A., AHI Investment LLC, AbVitro LLC, Abraxis BioScience Australia Pty Ltd., Abraxis BioScience Inc., Abraxis BioScience International Holding Company Inc., Abraxis BioScience LLC, Abraxis BioScience Puerto Rico LLC, Acetylon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Adnexus, Adnexus a Bristol-Myers Squibb R&D Company, Allard Labs Acquisition G.P., Amira Pharmaceuticals, Amira Pharmaceuticals Inc., Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Apothecon LLC, B-MS Generx Unlimited Company, BMS Benelux Holdings B.V., BMS Bermuda Nominees L.L.C., BMS Data Acquisition Company LLC, BMS Forex Company, BMS Holdings Sarl, BMS Holdings Spain S.L., BMS International Insurance Designated Activity Company, BMS Investco SAS, BMS Korea Holdings L.L.C., BMS Latin American Nominees L.L.C., BMS Luxembourg Partners L.L.C., BMS Omega Bermuda Holdings Finance Ltd., BMS Pharmaceutical Korea Limited, BMS Pharmaceuticals Germany Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals International Holdings Netherlands B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Korea Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Mexico Holdings B.V., BMS Pharmaceuticals Netherlands Holdings B.V., BMS Real Estate LLC, BMS Spain Investments LLC, BMS Strategic Portfolio Investments Holdings Inc., Blisa Acquisition G.P., Bristol (Iran) S.A., Bristol Iran Private Company Limited, Bristol Laboratories Inc., Bristol Laboratories International S.A., Bristol Laboratories Medical Information Systems Inc., Bristol-Myers (Andes) L.L.C., Bristol-Myers (Private) Limited, Bristol-Myers Middle East S.A.L., Bristol-Myers Overseas Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Investment Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (China) Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Israel) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (NZ) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Proprietary) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (Singapore) Pte. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb (Taiwan) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb (West Indies) Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb A.E., Bristol-Myers Squibb Aktiebolag, Bristol-Myers Squibb Argentina S. R. L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Australia Pty. Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Axia Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb B.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Belgium S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Business Services Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada Co., Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada International Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Delta Company Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Denmark Filial of Bristol-Myers Squibb AB, Bristol-Myers Squibb EMEA Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Egypt LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Epsilon Holdings Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Ltda., Bristol-Myers Squibb Farmaceutica Portuguesa S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb GesmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb GmbH & Co. KGaA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holding Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings 2002 Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Germany Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Ireland Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Holdings Pharma Ltd. Liability Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Ilaclari Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb India Pvt. Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Company Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb International Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Investco L.L.C., Bristol-Myers Squibb K.K., Bristol-Myers Squibb Kft., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg International S.C.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Luxembourg S.a.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb MEA GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb Manufacturing Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Marketing Services S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb Middle East & Africa FZ-LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Norway Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Nutricionales de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb Peru S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (HK) Ltd, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma (Thailand) Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Holding Company LLC, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Ventures Corporation, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceuticals Unlimited Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Polska Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Products SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Puerto Rico/Sanofi Pharmaceutical Partnership Puerto Rico, Bristol-Myers Squibb Romania S.R.L., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.A.U., Bristol-Myers Squibb S.r.l., Bristol-Myers Squibb SA, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Holding Partnership, Bristol-Myers Squibb Sarl, Bristol-Myers Squibb Service Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Services Sp. z o.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Spol. s r.o., Bristol-Myers Squibb Theta Finance Ltd., Bristol-Myers Squibb Trustees Limited, Bristol-Myers Squibb Verwaltungs GmbH, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Colombia S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Costa Rica Sociedad Anonima, Bristol-Myers Squibb de Guatemala S.A., Bristol-Myers Squibb de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Bristol-Myers Squibb/Astrazeneca EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer EEIG, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership, Bristol-Myers de Venezuela S.C.A., CHT I LLC, CHT II LLC, CHT III LLC, CHT IV LLC, CR Finance Company LLC, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals, Cardioxyl Pharmaceuticals Inc., Celem LLC, Celem Ltd., Celgene, Celgene A.B., Celgene AS, Celgene Ab (Finland), Celgene Alpine Investment Co. II LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. III LLC, Celgene Alpine Investment Co. LLC, Celgene ApS, Celgene B.V., Celgene BVBA, Celgene Brasil Produtos Farmaceuticos Ltda., Celgene CAR LLC, Celgene CAR Ltd., Celgene Chemicals Sarl, Celgene China Holdings LLC, Celgene Co., Celgene Corporation, Celgene Distribution B.V., Celgene EngMab GmbH, Celgene Europe B.V., Celgene Europe Limited, Celgene European Investment Company LLC, Celgene Financing Company LLC, Celgene Global Holdings Sarl, Celgene GmbH [Austria], Celgene GmbH [Germany], Celgene GmbH [Switzerland], Celgene Holdings East Corporation, Celgene Holdings II Sarl, Celgene Holdings III Sarl, Celgene Ilac Pazarlama ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, Celgene Inc., Celgene International Holdings Corporation, Celgene International II Sarl, Celgene International III Sarl, Celgene International Inc., Celgene International Sarl, Celgene K.K., Celgene Kft., Celgene Limited [Hong Kong], Celgene Limited [Ireland], Celgene Limited [New Zealand], Celgene Limited [Taiwan], Celgene Limited [UK], Celgene Logistics Sarl, Celgene Ltd, Celgene Luxembourg Sarl, Celgene Management Sarl, Celgene NJ Investment Co, Celgene Netherlands B.V., Celgene Netherlands Investment B.V., Celgene Pharmaceutical (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Celgene Pte. Ltd., Celgene Pty Ltd, Celgene Puerto Rico Distribution LLC, Celgene Quanticel Research Inc, Celgene R&D Sarl, Celgene RIVOT LLC, Celgene RIVOT Ltd., Celgene RIVOT SRL, Celgene Receptos Limited, Celgene Receptos Sarl, Celgene Research Incubator At Summit West LLC, Celgene Research S.L.U., Celgene Research and Development Company LLC, Celgene Research and Development I ULC, Celgene Research and Development II LLC, Celgene Research and Investment Company II LLC, Celgene S. de R.L. de C.V., Celgene S.L.U., Celgene S.R.L., Celgene SAS, Celgene Sarl AU, Celgene Sdn Bhd, Celgene Services Sarl, Celgene Sociedade Unipessoal Lda, Celgene Sp. Z.o.o., Celgene Sro [Czech Republic], Celgene Summit Investment Co, Celgene Switzerland Holding Sarl, Celgene Switzerland II LLC, Celgene Switzerland Investment Sarl, Celgene Switzerland LLC, Celgene Switzerland Sarl, Celgene Tri A Holdings Ltd., Celgene Tri Sarl, Celgene UK Distribution Limited, Celgene UK Holdings Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing II Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing III Limited, Celgene UK Manufacturing Limited, Celgene d.o.o., Celgene sro [Slovakia], Celmed LLC, Celmed Ltd., ConvaTec Divestiture, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals, Cormorant Pharmaceuticals AB, Crosp Ltd., Delinia Inc., Deuteria Pharmaceuticals Inc., DuPont Pharmaceuticals, E. R. Squibb & Sons Inter-American Corporation, E. R. Squibb & Sons L.L.C., E. R. Squibb & Sons Limited, EWI Corporation, EngMab Sarl, F-star Alpha, FermaVir Pharmaceuticals L.L.C., FermaVir Research L.L.C., Flexus Biosciences, Flexus Biosciences Inc., Forbius, Galecto Biotech, GenPharm International L.L.C., Gloucester Pharmaceuticals LLC, Grove Insurance Company Ltd., Heyden Farmaceutica Portuguesa Limitada, IFM Therapeutics, Impact Biomedicines Inc., Inhibitex, Inhibitex L.L.C., Innate Tumor Immunity Inc., JuMP Holdings LLC, Juno Therapeutics GmbH, Juno Therapeutics Inc., Kosan Biosciences, Kosan Biosciences Incorporated, Linson Investments Limited, Mead Johnson (Manufacturing) Jamaica Limited, Mead Johnson Jamaica Ltd., Medarex, Morris Avenue Investment II LLC, Morris Avenue Investment LLC, MyoKardia, O.o.o. Bristol-Myers Squibb, Oy Bristol-Myers Squibb (Finland) AB, Padlock Therapeutics, Padlock Therapeutics Inc., Pharmion LLC, Princeton Pharmaceutical Products Inc., Receptos LLC, Receptos Services LLC, RedoxTherapies Inc., Route 22 Real Estate Holding Corporation, SPV A Holdings ULC, Seamair Insurance DAC, Signal Pharmaceuticals LLC, Sino-American Shanghai Squibb Pharmaceuticals Limited, Societe Francaise de Complements Alimentaires(S.O.F.C.A.), Squibb Middle East S.A., Summit West Celgene LLC, Swords Laboratories, VentiRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., Westwood-Intrafin SA, Westwood-Squibb Pharmaceuticals Inc., X-Body Inc., ZymoGenetics, ZymoGenetics Inc., ZymoGenetics LLC, ZymoGenetics Paymaster LLC, iPierian, and iPierian Inc.. Suncor Energy Inc. operates as an integrated energy company. The company primarily focuses on developing petroleum resource basins in Canada's Athabasca oil sands; explores, acquires, develops, produces, transports, refines, and markets crude oil in Canada and internationally; markets petroleum and petrochemical products under the Petro-Canada name primarily in Canada. It operates in Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; Refining and Marketing; and Corporate and Eliminations segments. The Oil Sands segment recovers bitumen from mining and in situ operations, and upgrades it into refinery feedstock and diesel fuel, or blends the bitumen with diluent for direct sale to market. The Exploration and Production segment is involved in offshore operations off the east coast of Canada and in the North Sea; and operating onshore assets in Libya and Syria. The Refining and Marketing segment refines crude oil and intermediate feedstock into various petroleum and petrochemical products; and markets refined petroleum products to retail, commercial, and industrial customers through its other retail sellers. The Corporate and Eliminations segment operates four wind farm operations in Ontario and Western Canada. The company also markets and trades in crude oil, natural gas, byproducts, refined products, and power. The company was formerly known as Suncor Inc. and changed its name to Suncor Energy Inc. in April 1997. Suncor Energy Inc. was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More Microsoft is bringing Xbox Live to iOS and Android. With the launch of a new cross-platform SDK, Microsoft is allowing developers to integrate Xbox Live functionality in their games. This will ensure that your scores, achievements, and other stats are synced with and to your Xbox One. Developers will not be forced to integrate every single aspect of Xbox Live in their games. Instead, they can select the parts of Xbox Live they want to integrate into their games. The feature will be available through a single sign-in to a Microsoft account. While some iOS games do have Xbox Live integration, they were released from Microsoft Studios itself. We believe so strongly in community, and Xbox Live really being at the heart of our gaming community, explains Kareem Choudhry, Microsofts gaming cloud chief in a media briefing this week. If you watch what weve done, especially with Minecraft, over the past few years weve taken Xbox Live to as many platforms as Minecraft is on as possible. Really uniting all those communities together with a consistent singular experience for those gamers. Microsoft is making this move as a part of its overall Game Stack initiative with which it is bringing all its various game development tools into a single platform. With this move, Xbox Live is the only service that is available to developers on mobile as well as console. While Microsoft is interested in bringing Xbox Live integration to PS4 games as well, Sony is not really welcoming of this. The company did not have any announcements related to Nintendo Switch as well. Our Take As of now, I am not too optimistic of game developers rushing to integrate Xbox Live in their iOS games. For that to happen, we need to see cloud gaming becoming more popular as it would then allow users to continue playing a game on their iPhone which they initially started playing on their Xbox console. [Via The Verge 25 minutes ago 3 Attractive Small Cap Dividend Raisers From the rise of the retail investor to high-frequency algorithmic trading, there have been several powerful stock market developments the last couple of years. One thing, however, has stayed the samethe basic return components of an equity investment strategy, growth and income. Growth also referred to as capital appreciation, comes from higher security prices and is the main force that drives portfolio values higher. Read Article The following companies are subsidiares of Exxon Mobil: AKG Marketing Company Limited, Aera Energy LLC, Al-Jubail Petrochemical Company, Ampolex (Cepu) Pte Ltd, Ancon Insurance Company Inc., Barnett Gathering LLC, Barzan Gas Company Limited, Caspian Pipeline Consortium, Celtic Exploration Ltd., Coral FLNG S.A., Cross Timbers Energy LLC, Ellora Energy Inc., Esmeroon Oil Transporta Imperial Oil Limited, Esso (Thailand) Public Company Limited, Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd, Esso Deutschland GmbH, Esso Erdgas Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 15) Limited, Esso Exploration Angola (Block 17) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Angola (Overseas) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Chad Inc., Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Deepwater) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East) Limited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, Esso Exploration and Production UK Limited, Esso Global Investments Ltd., Esso Italiana S.r.l., Esso Nederland B.V., Esso Norge AS, Esso Petroleum Company Limited, Esso Raffinage, Esso Societe Anonyme Francaise, Exxo Holdings Inc., Exxon Azerbaijan Limited, Exxon Chemical Arabia Inc., Exxon International Finance Company, Exxon Luxembourg Holdings LLC, Exxon Mobile Bay Limited Partnership, Exxon Neftegas Limited, Exxon Overseas Corporation, Exxon Overseas Investment Corporation, ExxonMobil (China) Investment Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil (Taicang) Petroleum Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil Abu Dhabi Offshore Petroleum Company Limited, ExxonMobil Alaska Production Inc., ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., ExxonMobil Australia Pty Ltd, ExxonMobil B Resources Company, ExxonMobil Capital Finance Company, ExxonMobil Capital Netherlands B.V., ExxonMobil Central Europe Holding GmbH, ExxonMobil Cepu Limited, ExxonMobil Chemical France, ExxonMobil Chemical Gulf Coast Investments LLC, ExxonMobil Chemical Holland B.V., ExxonMobil Chemical Services (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., ExxonMobil China Petroleum & Petrochemical Company Limited, ExxonMobil Development Africa B.V., ExxonMobil Development Company, ExxonMobil Egypt (S.A.E.), ExxonMobil Exploracao Brasil Ltda., ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Malaysia Inc., ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Norway AS, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Romania Limited, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Tanzania Limited, ExxonMobil Finance Company Limited, ExxonMobil Financial Investment Company Limited, ExxonMobil France Holding SAS, ExxonMobil Gas Marketing Europe Limited, ExxonMobil General Finance Company, ExxonMobil Global Services Company, ExxonMobil Golden Pass Surety LLC, ExxonMobil Holding Company Holland LLC, ExxonMobil Holding Norway AS, ExxonMobil Hong Kong Limited, ExxonMobil International Services SARL, ExxonMobil Iraq Limited, ExxonMobil Italiana Gas S.r.l., ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Inc., ExxonMobil Kazakhstan Ventures Inc., ExxonMobil LNG Services B.V., ExxonMobil Lubricants Trading Company, ExxonMobil Oil Corporation, ExxonMobil PNG Limited, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical BVBA, ExxonMobil Petroleum & Chemical Holdings Inc., ExxonMobil Pipeline Company, ExxonMobil Production Deutschland GmbH, ExxonMobil Production Norway Inc., ExxonMobil Qatargas (II) Limited, ExxonMobil Qatargas Inc., ExxonMobil Ras Laffan (III) Limited, ExxonMobil Rasgas Inc., ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, ExxonMobil Russia Kara Sea Holdings B.V., ExxonMobil Sales and Supply LLC, ExxonMobil Technology Finance Company, ExxonMobil Ventures Finance Company, ExxonMobil Ventures Funding Ltd., Fujian Refining & Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Golden Pass LNG Terminal Investments LLC, Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures LLC, Imperial Oil Limited, Imperial Oil Resources Limited, Imperial Oil Resources N.W.T. Limited, Imperial Oil/Petroliere Imperiale, Infineum Italia s.r.I., Infineum Singapore Pte. Ltd., InterOil Corporation, Jurong Aromatics Corporation Pte Ltd, MPM Lubricants, Marine Well Containment Company LLC, Mobil Australia Resources Company Pty Limited, Mobil California Exploration & Producing Asset Company, Mobil Caspian Pipeline Company, Mobil Chemical Products International Inc., Mobil Corporation, Mobil Equatorial Guinea Inc., Mobil Erdgas Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Mobil Exploration & Producing Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil International Petroleum Corporation, Mobil Oil Australia Pty Ltd, Mobil Oil Exploration & Producing Southeast Inc., Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Mobil Producing Texas & New Mexico Inc., Mobil SerLimited, Mobil Venezolana De Petroleos Inc., Mobil Yanbu Petrochemical Company Inc., Mobil Yanbu Refining Company Inc., Mountain Gathering LLC, Mozambique Rovuma Venture S.p.A., Palmetto Transoceanic LLC, Papua New Guinea Liquefied Natural Gas Global Company LDC, Permian Express Partners LLC, Phillips Exploration LLC, Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited, Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Limited (II), SPI Limited, Saudi Aramco Mobil Refinery Company Ltd., Saudi Yanbu Petrochemical Co., SeaRiver Maritime Inc., South Hook LNG Terminal Company Limited, Tengizchevroil LLP, Terminale GNL Adriatico S.r.l, Trend Gathering & Treating LLC, Wolverine Pipe Line Company, XH LLC, XTO Delaware Basin LLC, XTO ENERGY, XTO Energy Canada, and XTO Holdings LLC. Smart & Final Stores, Inc. operates as a food retailer in the United States. It operates in two segments, Smart & Final and Smart Foodservice. The company's stores offer fresh perishables and everyday grocery items, such as produce, meat and deli, dairy and cheese, grocery, and beverage products, as well as paper and packaging, and restaurant equipment and janitorial supplies. It also provides various private label products under the First Street, Sun Harvest, Simply Value, La Romanella, Montecito, Iris, and Ambiance brands. The company sells its products to household and business customers; restaurants; caterers; and various other foodservice businesses, such as food trucks and coffee houses through vendors and suppliers. As of December 30, 2018, it operated 326 grocery and foodservice stores, including 59 Smart & Final stores, 201 Smart & Final Extra! stores, and 66 Smart Foodservice Warehouse stores located in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, and Utah, as well as 15 stores in Northwestern Mexico operated through a joint venture. Smart & Final Stores, Inc. was founded in 1871 and is headquartered in Commerce, California. Read More With the Galaxy S10s punch-hole display, Samsung took a different approach to avoid the notch while Apple just went ahead and embraced it. But that was just the beginning as Samsung is working on completely eliminating the punch-hole by moving the camera under the display. By doing this, Samsung is looking to create the perfect full-screen smartphone. The vice president of Samsung Displays R&D group, Yang Byung-duk, said that while the technology to create a full-screen smartphone wont be ready in the next 1-2 years, at least the technology can advance so much that selfie cameras can work from under the display. While we have already seen the likes of the Honor View 20 ship with a punch-hole display, they feature an LCD display. The Galaxy S10 is the first smartphone to feature an OLED panel along with a punch-hole cutout. And that, as per Yang, is a milestone in itself. Galaxy S10 is the only smartphone that has a hole in OLED display itself, Yang pointed out. Hole display is not one of the design options, but it is a noteworthy achievement in terms of the display technological advances. Like LG, Samsung also considered developing a Crystal Sound OLED display in which the display could act as a speaker. Previous reports have made it clear that the Infinity-O display is just the first step from Samsung towards a full-screen smartphone. While the company can place the selfie camera under the OLED panel even with the existing technology, the image quality takes a serious hit. Samsung is still developing the technology to ensure that the image quality is not affected in any way. Our Take Smartphones OEMs have been taking a different approach to completely eliminating the notch. While Apple embraced it and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future, Chinese OEMs have gone ahead and come up with pop-up selfie cameras and a slider mechanism design. The problem with Apple is that it uses the notch for its TrueDepth sensor which is required for Face ID. So, Apple needs to figure out a way to not just move the camera under the display but also hide the TrueDepth system and that might not be that easy. [Via Yonhap IMI plc, a specialist engineering company, designs, manufactures, and services engineered products worldwide. The company operates through three divisions: IMI Precision Engineering, IMI Critical Engineering, and IMI Hydronic Engineering. The IMI Precision Engineering division develops motion and fluid control technologies for industrial automation, commercial vehicle, life sciences, energy, and rail applications. This division offers actuators, air preparation products, pressure switches, and fittings; pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, and vacuum motion solutions; solenoid valves, angle-seat valves, motorized valves, NAMUR valves, and systems for dust filters; miniature fluid control solutions; precise and accurate syringes, syringe pumps, and rotary valves; and high-pressure control valves, nuclear valves, and pressure transmitters, as well as hydraulic solutions. It provides its products under the Norgren, Bimba, Buschjost, FAS, Herion, Kloehn, Maxseal, and Thompson Valves brands. The IMI Critical Engineering division offers flow control solutions, such as specialized valves and actuators to the fossil power, oil and gas, petrochemical, nuclear, marine, and pharmaceutical markets under the IMI Bopp & Reuther, IMI CCI, IMI Fluid Kinetics, IMI InterAtiva, IMI NH, IMI Orton, IMI PBM, IMI Remosa, IMI STI, IMI TH Jansen, IMI Truflo Marine, IMI Truflo Rona, IMI Truflo Italy IMI Z&J, and IMI Zikesch brands. The IMI Hydronic Engineering division provides products for hydronic distribution systems, which deliver heating and cooling systems to the residential and commercial building sectors. This segment offers balancing and control solutions, thermostatic control and pressurization systems, dirt and air separators, and pressure step degassers under the IMI Pneumatex, IMI TA, IMI Flow Design, IMI Heimeier, and IMI Aero-Dynamiek brands. The company was founded in 1862 and is headquartered in Birmingham, the United Kingdom. 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 The following companies are subsidiares of Xerox: A B S Digital Limited, Acorn Business Machines (Holmfirth) Limited, Alloy Acquisitions Corp. LLC, Altodigital Networks, Altodigital Networks Limited, American Photocopy Equipment Company of Pittsburgh LLC, Amici, Arena Group, Arena Group Holdings Limited, Arena Group Limited, Arizona Office Technologies Inc., B 2 Business Systems Limited, Back2Business Limited, Bessemer Insurance Limited, Bessemer Trust Limited, Boise Office Equipment Inc., Bright Ceramic Technologies Inc., Bunch CareSolutions, Business Systems (North Wales) Limited, CPAS Systems, CREDITEX - Aluguer de Equipamentos S.A., CTX Business Solutions Inc., Capitol Office Solutions LLC, CareAR Holdings LLC, CareAR Inc., Carolina Office Systems Inc., Carr Business Systems Inc., Chicago Office Technology Group Inc., ComDoc Inc., Concept Group, Concept Group Limited, Connecticut Business Systems LLC, Consilience Software, Continua Limited, Continua Sanctum Limited, Conway Technology Group LLC, Copyrite Business Solutions (Holdings) Limited, Copyrite Business Solutions Limited, Copytrend Limited, Criterion IT Limited, Customer Value Group, Dahill Office Technology Corporation, Digitex, Digitex Canada Inc., Docucentric Holdings Limited, Document Systems, Document Systems, Eastern Managed Print Network LLC, Elan Marketing Inc., Electronic Systems Inc., Fovia (Innovation) Limited, G-Five Inc., GDP Technologies Inc., Global Imaging Systems, Global PR Corporation, Groupe CT, Gyricon LLC, Healthy Communities Institute, Heritage Business Systems Inc., ITEC Group, Image Technology Specialists Inc., ImageQuest Inc., Imagetek Office Systems, Impika, Impika SAS, Inland Business Machines Inc., Institute for Research on Learning, Integrity One Technologies Inc., Intrepid Learning, Invoco Group, Irish Business Systems, LRI LLC, LaserNetworks, LaserNetworks Inc., Lateral Data, Learn Something, Lewan & Associates Inc., Limited Liability Company Xerox (C.I.S.), M & S Reprographics Limited, MRC Smart Technology Solutions Inc., MT Business Holdings Inc., MT Business Technologies Inc., MWB Copy Products Inc., Mail A Doc Limited, Merizon Group Incorporated, Michigan Office Solutions Inc., Minnesota Office Technology Group Inc., Mitral Systems Limited, Mr. Copy Inc., Nemo (AKS) Limited, NewField IT, NewField Information Technology LLC, NewField Information Technology Limited, Northeast Office Systems LLC, Osprey Business Systems Limited, PARC China Holdings Inc., Pacific Services and Development Corporation, Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated, Platinum Digital Print Solutions Limited, Precision Copier Service Inc., Quality Business Systems Inc., Quilver Business Services Limited, R. K. Dixon Company, RRXH Limited, RRXIL Limited, RRXO Limited, RSA Medical, Rabbit Copiers Inc., Reflex Digital Solutions (UK) Limited, Reprographics Egypt Limited, Saxon Business Systems Inc., Smart Data Consulting, SoCal Office Technologies Inc., Stem Networks Limited, Stewart Business Systems LLC, Stewart of Alabama Inc., StrataCare, Talegen Holdings Inc., Tektronix - color printing, Text Comm Limited (in receivership), The Xerox (UK) Trust, The Xerox Foundation, Time Business Systems Limited, Triton Business Finance Limited, Una-Stem Limited, Veenman B.V., Veenman Financial Services B.V., WDS, WaterWare Internet Services, XC Asia LLC, XC Global Trading B.V., XC Trading Hong Kong Limited, XC Trading Japan G.K., XC Trading Korea YH, XC Trading Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., XC Trading Shenzhen Co. Ltd., XC Trading Singapore Pte Ltd., XEROX CZECH REPUBLIC s r.o., XESystems Foreign Sales Corporation, XFS Secured Borrowing 2020-1 LLC, XHC Acquisition Corp., XMPie, XMPie Inc., XMPie Ltd., XRI Limited, XRO Limited, Xerox (Europe) Limited, Xerox (Ireland) Limited, Xerox (Nederland) BV, Xerox (Romania) Echipmante Si Servici S.A., Xerox (UK) Limited, Xerox (Ukraine) Ltd LLC, Xerox A/S, Xerox AG, Xerox AS, Xerox Argentina Industrial y Comercial S.A., Xerox Austria GmbH, Xerox Bulgaria EOOD, Xerox Business Equipment Limited, Xerox Business Services Bulgaria EOOD, Xerox Business Solutions Inc., Xerox Business Solutions Southeast LLC, Xerox Buro Araclari Servis ve Ticaret Ltd. Sti, Xerox Canada Inc., Xerox Canada Ltd., Xerox Canada N.S. ULC, Xerox Capital (Europe) Limited, Xerox Capital LLC, Xerox Computer Services Limited, Xerox Comercio e Industria Ltda, Xerox Corporation, Xerox DNHC LLC, Xerox Dienstleistungsgesellschaft GmbH, Xerox Distributor Operations Limited, Xerox Egypt S.A.E., Xerox Equipment Limited, Xerox Equipment UK Limited, Xerox Espana S.A.U., Xerox Exports Limited, Xerox Finance AG, Xerox Finance Leasing S.A.E., Xerox Finance Limited, Xerox Financial Services B.V., Xerox Financial Services Belux NV, Xerox Financial Services Canada Ltd., Xerox Financial Services Danmark A/S, Xerox Financial Services Finland Oy, Xerox Financial Services LLC, Xerox Financial Services Norway AS, Xerox Financial Services SAS, Xerox Financial Services Sverige AB, Xerox Foreign Holdings LLC, Xerox Foreign Sales Corporation, Xerox GmbH, Xerox Health Care LLC, Xerox Hellas AEE, Xerox Holding Deutschland GmbH, Xerox Holdings (Ireland) Limited, Xerox Holdings Inc., Xerox Hungary Trading Limited, Xerox IBS Limited, Xerox IBS NI Limited, Xerox India Limited, Xerox International Joint Marketing Inc., Xerox Investments Europe B.V., Xerox Israel Ltd., Xerox Italia Rental Services Srl, Xerox Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Xerox Latinamerican Holdings Inc., Xerox Leasing Deutschland GmbH, Xerox Leasing GmbH, Xerox Limited, Xerox Luxembourg SA, Xerox Mailing Systems Limited, Xerox Manufacturing (Nederland) B.V., Xerox Maroc S.A., Xerox Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Xerox Middle East Investments (Bermuda) Limited, Xerox N.V., Xerox Overseas Holdings Limited, Xerox Overseas Inc., Xerox Oy, Xerox Pensions Limited, Xerox Polska Sp. z o. o, Xerox Portugal Equipamentos de Escritorio Limitada, Xerox Products Limited, Xerox Products UK Limited, Xerox Professional Services Limited, Xerox Realty Corporation, Xerox Renting S.A.U., Xerox Reprographische Services GmbH, Xerox S.A.S., Xerox S.p.A., Xerox Secured Borrowing 2020-1 LLC, Xerox Servicios Compartidos Guatemala y Compani Limitada, Xerox Servicos e Participacoes Ltda, Xerox Shared Services Romania SRL, Xerox Sverige AB, Xerox Technology Services India LLP, Xerox Technology Services SAS, Xerox Telebusiness GmbH, Xerox Trading Enterprises Limited, Xerox Trinidad Limited, Xerox UK Holdings Limited, Xerox XHB Limited, Xerox XIB Limited, Xerox Xf Holdings (Ireland) DAC, Xerox de Chile S.A., Xerox del Ecuador S.A., Xerox del Peru S.A., Zeno Office Solutions, Zeno Office Solutions Inc., Zoom Imaging Solutions Inc., and inVentiv Patient Access Solutions. Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Buy-Write Opportunities Fund is a closed-end management investment company with objective of providing current income and gains, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. It invests in a diversified portfolio of common stocks and writes call options on one or more United States and foreign indices on a substantial portion of the value of its common stock portfolio to generate current earnings from the option premium. The company was founded on March 30, 2005 and is headquartered in Boston, MA. Read More Village Farms International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, produces, markets, and distributes greenhouse-grown tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumbers in North America. It operates through three segments: Produce Business, Energy Business, and Cannabis and Hemp Business. The company also owns and operates a 7.0 megawatt power plant that generates and sells electricity to British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority; and produces and supplies cannabis products. It markets and distributes its products under the Village Farms brand name to retail supermarkets and fresh food distribution companies, as well as products produced under exclusive arrangements with other greenhouse producers. The company was formerly known as Village Farms Canada Inc. and changed its name to Village Farms International, Inc. in December 2009. Village Farms International, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Delta, Canada. Read More Wells Fargo & Co. is a diversified, community-based financial services company. It is engaged in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance. It firm operates through the following segments: Community Banking, Wholesale Banking, Wealth & Investment Management, and Other. The Community Banking segment offers complete line of diversified financial products and services for consumers and small businesses including checking and savings accounts, credit and debit cards, and automobile, student, and small business lending. The Wholesale Banking segment provides financial solutions to businesses across the United States and globally. The Wealth and Investment Management segment includes personalized wealth management, investment and retirement products and services to clients across U.S. based businesses. The Other segment refers to the products of WIM customers served through community banking distribution channels. The company was founded by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo on March 18, 1852 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA. Read More HERKIMER, N.Y. - The project to reconstruct a portion of Travis Road in Herkimer County is expected to start this Spring. Last year, Herkimer County Legislators approved a project to reconstruct a road affecting the town of Danube and the town of Stark. After the highway superintendent presented the plan projects in the town of Danube and the town of Stark, both town supervisors sent a letter to Herkimer County saying they support the project. Despite opposition from some residents who live on Travis Road, both town supervisors say this portion of the road is in bad shape and it needs to be repaired. The town of Stark's town supervisor, Richard Bronner, said "The town of Stark is on board with the project for Travis Road in the town of Stark from State Route 168 to the town of Stark town line. The town board and the town highway department believes it is in the best interest of the town and its residents, at the time, to proceed with the project." The town of Danube's town supervisor, Frank Brown, said "The town of Danube town board unanimously supports the Herkimer County project improvements to Travis Road." The $1.2 million project will reconstruct a portion of Travis Road from Johnnycake Road to State Route 168. The highway superintendent says even though the road is a low volume road in New York State standards, it is a liability for Herkimer County. "We want to bring it up to current standards and current widths, and here again that's why we have to widen the road and cut some trees and things like that which some of the residents are opposed to," Mark Nagele, Herkimer County Highway Superintendent said. "I think there's residents out there that are in support of the project as well as many town officials who you don't see come in to these meetings." Nagele says right now the highway department is working on the final plans for the project and once everything is finalized, he expects construction to start sometime in May or early June, depending on the weather. UTICA, N.Y. - A Utica registered sex offender will spend the next 50 years in prison following his guilty plea in a child porn case. Federal authorities said Shawn Bunnell, 35 of Utica sent and received numerous graphic images of child pornography over the internet. They said he used Google Docs and Dropbox to commit his crimes. Bunnell pleaded guilty to ten counts of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Following his prison sentence, Bunnell will have a lifetime term of supervised release and remain a registered sex offender. --Added information: U.S. Attorney's Office press release-- A cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to the New York State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in Utica led to the defendant, who was identified as the person who had used a cell phone to produce images depicting the molestation of a two year old girl. As part of his guilty plea, Bunnell admitted that from on or about May 30, 2017 through on or about August 15, 2017, he transported numerous image files depicting one or more minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct through servers maintained by Google, Inc. and Dropbox, Inc. Further, the defendant admitted to possessing a number of graphic video files depicting minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct on a Samsung cellular telephone in his possession. The defendant acknowledged that he has a prior conviction relating to sexual abuse or abusive sexual conduct involving a minor, in that on or about March 27, 2003, he was convicted in Oneida County Court of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, in violation of New York Penal Law, Section 130.65(3), relating to the sexual abuse of a child under the age of 11, and was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and 3 years post-release supervision. This case was investigated by the Oneida County Sheriff's Office, Oneida County Child Advocacy Center, Whitesboro Police Department, Utica Police Department, New York State Police, and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa M. Fletcher, Geoffrey J.L. Brown, and Sahar L. Amandolare. This case is prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. WEST COLLEGE CORNER, Ind. (AP) An eastern Indiana farmer faces charges after 38 dead cows were found on his property. The (Richmond) Palladium-Item reports 42-year-old Rodney Sintz of West College Corner is charged with three counts of failure to properly dispose of a dead animal and three counts of cruelty to an animal. Court documents say an Indiana State Board of Animal Health field veterinarian found the dead cows in various stages of decomposition on March 5. Under state law, animals must be properly disposed of within 24 hours of an owner's knowledge that they have died. The veterinarian said other cattle appeared below normal body weight and about half of the herd didn't have access to adequate food and water. A phone call to Sintz's home rang unanswered Tuesday. MARION, Ind., March 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Indiana Wesleyan University, which has a generous transfer policy for adult and online students, has announced that it will offer a tuition discount and transfer in all credits for Argosy University students who are left searching for options after Argosy University announced on Friday that it was shutting down its academic operations. To help Argosy University students impacted by the for-profit university's recent closure, IWU has agreed to transfer in all Argosy University credits (100-level or higher) in which at least a "C" or higher was earned according to each program's published transfer requirements. Through March 2020, IWU is also offering Argosy University students a 15-percent tuition discount on all degrees offered through IWUNational & Global. "We are looking forward to welcoming Argosy University students to IWU with open arms," said Matt Lucas, D.A., chancellor for IWUNational & Global. "We will work tirelessly to ensure the transition is as smooth and as efficient as possible for these students." IWUNational & Global a nonprofit, regionally accredited institution currently has about 9,000 adult students attending classes either online or at one of IWU's 15 education centers located in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. IWU's online students come from all over the United States as well as other countries. The university has more than 90 online and onsite degree programs available through its Adult Enrollment Services. IWU, the largest private university in Indiana, has a history of offering generous discounts and transfer policies to displaced students for the past several years. Students who are interested in learning more about IWU's online or onsite degree programs may begin their transfer process by calling 1-866-498-4968. Argosy University, based in Orange, Calif., announced Friday that, 18 years after its founding, it was closing its 16 different campuses in all 11 states. INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WLFI) - The school bus stop arm bill is continuing to make positive movement through the Indiana Statehouse. It passed the House Courts and Criminal Code committee on a vote of nine to three on Wednesday. As News 18 previously reported, this bill would create harsher penalties for drivers who pass stopped school buses. The three no's were the first negative votes the bill has received. The bill was recently amended to bar schools or camera vendors from profiting from the camera enforcement. But State Senator Randall Head said those who voted no still did not approve of the language of that amendment. "They weren't happy with the camera language even though I tried to tighten that up," he said. "So I'm cautiously optimistic going forward. I think the bill is important to any Hoosier students who ride the school bus, we've got to pass it." Head said he believes in his bill as is. "We've asked several people to weigh in and make this a better bill and I think we've got a good product out there," he said. "I know the family of the children who were killed is adamantly in support of this bill and all its provisions and we want to move forward." The bill has been co-authored by 14 other state senators, which helps give the bill strength as it heads to the House floor next. Senator Head hopes it will be heard there sometime next week. The University of Wolverhampton has appointed a new Pro Vice-Chancellor to drive forward its international strategy. Tim Steele will join the University in June in the new role of Pro Vice-Chancellor (International). Tim is currently Vice President of International Strategy and Partnerships at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) where he has responsibility for all the institutions recruitment and partnership work for both the UK and international markets. Over the last 20 years Tim has been a champion of the internationalisation agenda and has helped UCLan develop a number of strategic partnerships throughout the world, supporting over 5,000 students studying on a variety of courses in countries including China, Hong Kong, Oman, Mauritius, Cyprus, Singapore and Malaysia. South Africa: President sings praises to Soweto Gospel Choir President Cyril Ramaphosa has lauded the multi award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir for being heroes of South Africa, as they have showcased to the world what the country has to offer. We thought it was important we hold this event so that we can see you, honour you and celebrate you, as well as celebrate with you because your recent achievement is one that managed to ring wonderful bells and celebrations throughout the length and breadth of the country, the President. The President was addressing the choir at the Market Theatre Square in Johannesburg on Thursday. Accompanied by Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa during a short interaction with the group, the President congratulated the choir on winning a Grammy Award in February for the groups album Freedom, which was crowned Best World Music. You are the good news of our country. When you won, you lifted everything that is good in our country. You are as a choir one of South Africas finest exports. You are certainly the most colourful export and active export that we have because your name reverberates throughout the world. Thank you for being as successful as you are. You make us proud, the President said. He described the choir as being dynamic and outstanding as their music inspires people and cuts across the boundaries of race, class and faith. You are called upon to tell the story of our country, of our people and to tell tales about what liberation means. You also project into the future and tell the story of the future... You need to speak to the hopes, fears and aspirations of future generations as you give analysis to the current generation as well. Through your music, through your message and as you continue on this glorious mission that you have embarked upon, you also have to give comfort and hope where there might be hardship, the President said. He encouraged the choir to give inspiration where there may be doubt. We would like you to be our emissaries for reconciliation and peace. We want you to be advocates for the current period that we are in -- a period of renewal and great hope for the future of our country, and also project into a future that will be prosperous for our people, the President said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-03-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Al Barami Group Jobs 2019 in Oman Latest Cosmos Services Engineering Posts Muscat 2021 Technical and experienced personnel for the posts of Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, AC Technician, Electrical Technician, Electrical Foreman, General Helper, Mechanical Technician & Control Room Operator required for a well known Al Barami Group in Oman 2019. How to Apply on Cosmos Services 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 an employer asks to pay money for any purpose, do not pay at all and report us at contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs may not be applied online here. Human typing error is possible. Error & omissions excepted. Thousands of high school students across the country will strike tomorrow to demand immediate action to stem climate change and environmental destruction. They are part of a global movement involving young people from Europe, the United States, Asia and around the world. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE), the youth wing of the Socialist Equality Party, welcomes the widest protest by students and young people. The student strike demonstrates that the younger generation, having grown up amid constant wars, environmental degradation and an onslaught on the working class, is entering into social and political struggle against militarism, austerity, the threat of catastrophic climate change and the assault on democratic rights. Everywhere, there is rising oppositional sentiment among young people. Capitalism is coming to be understood as the fundamental cause of all major problems and interest in socialism is rapidly growing. The political radicalisation of young people coincides with the reentry of the working class into major class struggles, including mass strikes and political demonstrations around the world. The ruling elites are terrified by the emergence of this international social opposition. That is why senior figures in the Liberal-National Coalition government and the Murdoch press have condemned the climate strike and sought to intimidate students who intend to participate. It is also why teachers who have supported the movement have been publicly threatened. The student strike is an important expression of young peoples initiative and willing to fight for their future. But protests are not enough. Young people need an alternative political perspective to resolve the myriad social and political issues they confront. The IYSSE states unambiguously that stemming climate change requires nothing less than the construction of a mass socialist movement of the working class, aimed at reorganising the world economy in the interests of social need, not private profit. We call for the widest discussion of this socialist, internationalist and revolutionary perspective. While the Liberal-Nationals are openly hostile to the climate strike, other political forces, including Labor, the Greens and middle-class environmental groups, are seeking to channel the emerging movement of young people behind the re-election of Greens-backed Labor governments, at the state and federal level. That is not the political change that it is required! Labor and the Greens are just as responsible for the failure to address climate change as the Liberal-National Coalition. The Greens-backed federal Labor government of Julia Gillard did nothing to stem carbon emissions, when it was in office from 20102013. Under its signature carbon tax policy, Australias carbon emissions actually increased. According to Labors own 2012 modelling, if the tax had remained in place from 2012 to 2020, annual national carbon emissions would have grown from 582 to 621 million tonnes by 2020. Emissions trading schemes, touted by the Greens, are no less worthless. Where they have been introduced in Europe and elsewhere, they have succeeded only in establishing lucrative opportunities for green businesses and creating new markets for financial swindlers and speculators to exploit. The efforts to channel young people behind the Labor-Green wing of the political establishment go hand in hand with attempts to suppress political discussion and debate. A solidarity agreement published by the people claiming to speak in the name of School Strike 4 Climate Melbourne declared for example: Distribution or promotion of merchandise/messaging/materials at the strike is strictly prohibited. It warned that any group distributing unauthorised leaflets or any materials would be excluded from the event. Such anti-democratic dictates should be rejected and opposed by all students. Nobody has the right to appoint themselves as political censors and thought police, deciding on high what young people can or cannot read and discuss. Attempts at censorship are always aimed at bolstering an unstated political agenda: in this case, preventing students from learning about a genuine alternative to climate catastrophe, that is a socialist and internationalist perspective. Moreover, the implicit claim in the solidarity agreement, that the climate strike should be non-partisan and avoid political issues, is absurd. Every young person knows that halting climate change requires political change. That is why the strike is being organised in the first place. The threat posed by climate change necessarily raises the greatest political question of all: how is society to be organised and in whose interests? Which classthe working class or a tiny capitalist minorityis going to rule? Innumerable studies by environmental scientists have made clear that the measures proposed by the worlds capitalist governments, including marginal caps on carbon emissions, will do nothing to stem climate change. At one international summit after another, governments, each representing their own corporate and financial elite, have refused to take any serious action because it would impact on the profits of big business. To stop climate change, capitalism must be ended, and global economic and social life reorganised on the basis of scientific, socialist planning. This is demonstrated, not only by the failure of all market-based solutions, but also by studies which have found that just 100 major corporations are responsible for over 70 percent of global carbon emissions. Under socialism, these 100 corporations would be expropriated and placed under public ownership and democratic control. Trillions of dollars would be allocated to ensuring the rapid reductions in carbon emissions required to halt climate change. The technologies for carrying this out, which already exist, would be developed on the basis of the collaboration of scientists from all over the world. The subordination of scientific work and research to the profit demands of the corporate oligarchy would be ended. This perspective is both realistic and necessary. The development of a revolutionary socialist movement of the working class is the only means of ending, not only climate change, but also the looming threat of a nuclear world war. Amid the deepest breakdown of capitalism since the 1930s, governments everywhere, while they ignore the warnings about climate change, are pouring vast sums into preparing for war against their capitalist rivals. The US is carrying out military interventions and provocations around the world, including a regime-change operation targeting Venezuela and escalating confrontations with nuclear-armed powers, including China and Russia. Australia is on the frontlines. Having supported every criminal US-led war over the past four decades, Labor and Liberal-National governments have integrated Australia into a vast US-military build-up throughout the Asia-Pacific region, in preparation for war with China. The drive to war has gone hand in hand with a war on the social rights of the working class. Everywhere wages, jobs and conditions are being destroyed, to bolster the wealth of the corporate oligarchy and to force ordinary people to pay for the deepening economic crisis. Funding for healthcare, education, welfare and other social necessities is being slashed. These measures cannot be imposed democratically. Governments around the world are turning to increasingly authoritarian forms of rule, while fascist forces are openly promoted by the ruling elite. The persecution of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and whistleblower Chelsea Manning, for exposing US-led war crimes, mass surveillance and illegal diplomatic intrigues, is only the sharpest expression of advanced preparations for dictatorship. The IYSSE calls on students and young people to draw the necessary conclusions. Capitalism has failed. The only way forward is through a turn to the working class, the great revolutionary force in capitalist society, and the fight for a socialist and internationalist program. We urge all students to join the IYSSE, and to build IYSSE chapters at your schools and universities. On Wednesday, three days after a Boeing 737 Max 8 commercial jet crashed in Ethiopia, killing all 157 people on board, and governments all over the world had banned the Boeing 737 Max fleet, the United States ended its isolation and announced that it was grounding the planes indefinitely. President Trump made the announcement Wednesday afternoon, hours after the last holdout besides the US, Canada, announced that it was joining Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America in banning the planes. Canadian Transport Minister Marc Garneau issued his statement after reports surfaced of at least 11 complaints about the recently deployed 737 Max planes having been logged by US professional aviators with the federal Aviation Safety Reporting System between April and December of 2018. The position of Boeing and the US carriers that use its 737 Max jetsSouthwest Airlines, American Airlines and Unitedbacked by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), that the planes were perfectly safe and should continue flying, had become untenable. Sunday's crash, which occurred six minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa airport, was doubly alarming because it appeared to follow the same pattern as the Lion Air crash last October of a Boeing 737 Max 8 jet that went down eight minutes after takeoff from the airport in Jakarta, Indonesia. That disaster likewise killed all passengers and crew, a total of 189 people. Aviation experts believe the Lion Air jet plunged into the Java Sea after the aircraft gyrated between descents and ascents because an automated flight control system newly installed on the updated 737 model repeatedly pitched the nose of the plane downward and the pilots were unable to override it. After that crash, both Indonesian and US pilots said they had not been told about the new system and had not been trained in its use. Boeing then announced that it would be adding a software patch to the system and amendments to the training manual for the plane. Those, however, are not due to come online until next month. The CEO of Ethiopian Airlines said Tuesday that the pilot of doomed Flight 302, a senior aviator with thousands of flying hours logged with the airline, had radioed the control tower shortly after takeoff that he was experiencing "flight control problems" and requested permission to return to the airport. In his statement Wednesday, Canada's transport minister Garneau said newly received satellite tracking data of the vertical path of the Ethiopian jet at takeoff and corresponding data from the Lion Air crash showed similar vertical fluctuations and oscillations. In his announcement later on Wednesday, Trump said the grounding of Boeing 737 Max 8s and Max 9s (a longer version of the aircraft employed by United) would begin immediately. The safety of the American people, of all people, is our paramount concern, he said. This is a transparent lie, since the Trump administration kept the planes in the air for days after countries around the world began grounding them and banning them from their airspace. Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg issued his own statement making similar assertions and ignoring the fact that as of Tuesday eveningwhen the whole world with the exception of Canada and New Zealand had banned the jetshe was insisting that the planes were perfectly safe and would continue in operation. On Wednesday, he reversed course and said the company had taken the proactive step of grounding the 737 Max planes out of an abundance of caution. Trump, who has hailed Boeing and Muilenburg as models of America First industrial power, and received praise from the Boeing CEO in return, went out of his way in his announcement to praise the firm. Boeing is an incredible company, he said. They are working very, very hard right now and hopefully theyll very quickly come up with the answer, but until they do, the planes are grounded. The reported complaints about the flight performance of the 737 Max logged onto the federal database by US pilots are highly revealing and troubling. In one, a captain reported an autopilot glitch that caused a nose-down situation, similar to what seems to have occurred in both the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes. In another complaint, a first officer reported that the aircraft pitched nose down after the autopilot was engaged during departure. The plane was stabilized when the autopilot was disconnected. A pilot on a November 2018 flight said it was unconscionable that Boeing, the FAA and the unnamed airline allowed pilots to fly without adequate training or documentation. He called the flight manual inadequate and almost criminally insufficient, and added that part of the planes flight system was not described in our Flight Manual. Boeing, which under CEO Muilenburg has been engaged in a ruthless cost-cutting and job-cutting operation and a desperate war for markets and profits against European-based Airbus, introduced the 737 Max series in 2017 to counter Airbuss more cost-efficient entry to the lucrative mid-range flight market, the A320neo. Boeing claimed that the 737 Max required virtually no new training for pilots who had flown earlier 737 models, making it cheaper for airlines to bring online. The 737 Max has become the best-selling plane in the companys 100-year history, accounting for up to 40 percent of the firms soaring profits. There are already some 370 of the planes in operation around the world, including over 70 in the US, and 5,000 more on order. Boeing stock, whose price has tripled since the election of Trump in November of 2016, accounts for 30 percent of the 7,000-point rise in the Dow since then. The biggest US exporter, Boeing exerts immense influence on the US political system. Its political action committee donates large sums to both parties, including among its beneficiaries Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Last year the company spent $15 million in lobbying and employed more than a dozen lobbying firms. The acting defense secretary, Patrick Shanahan, is a former Boeing executive. Government regulation of Boeing and the airline industry as a whole has become little more than a sham after decades of deregulation. The gutting of government controls over the airlines and manufacturers was initiated by the Democratic Carter administration, with the passage of the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, a measure promoted by liberal icon Edward Kennedy. Since then, the lifting of controls, carried out in the name of encouraging competition and benefiting the consumer, has resulted in the monopolization of air travel to the point where four major carriers control 80 percent of US air traffic. Particularly over the past decade, under Bush, Obama and now in an even more overt manner under Trump, federal regulators of the industry have become its vassals and protectors. The current transportation secretary, Elaine Chao, is a right-wing Republican, married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. She served for two terms as secretary of labor under George W. Bush, during which time she gutted health and safety agencies such as the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). In 2005, the FAA introduced a new program whereby aircraft manufacturers like Boeing were allowed to choose their own employees to serve as FAA designees charged with certifying the safety of their commercial planes. Its a very cozy relationship, said Jim Hall, the former head of the National Transportation Safety Board. The manufacturer essentially becomes both the manufacturer and the regulator, because of the lack of the ability of government to do the job. If we look independent enough, we can do things for you that even the CIA cannot do.former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien. As the political crisis in Venezuela deepens, the leading role that Canada and the Trudeau government are playing in the ongoing US-orchestrated coup becomes ever more evident. Like its US counterpart, Canadian imperialism covets Venezuelas vast oil resources and is determined to prevent Russia, China, and other strategic rivals from expanding their influence in the Americas, even if this naked pursuit of predatory interests threatens to unleash a bloody conflagration. On February 25, US Vice President Mike Pence was invited to address a meeting in Bogota of the Lima Group, a coalition of US allies in the region co-founded and led by Canada. In a bellicose speech, Pence vowed there is no turning back in Venezuela and reiterated US President Donald Trumps threat that all options are on the tablea code name for military actionin forcing Nicolas Maduro and his bourgeois nationalist regime from power. Following Pences speech, the Lima Group, which consists of Canada and thirteen Latin American countries, issued a statement reiterating its support for the self-declared interim president Juan Guaido and supporting Pences demand that the Venezuelan military complete the US-led coup by switching its allegiance from Maduro, the countrys elected president, to the would-be US puppet ruler. Only two group members, Mexico and Uruguay, refused to support the statement. But Canada is working behind the scenes, apparently with some success, to prevail on Mexico to abandon its current stance of urging a mediated settlement between Maduro and Venezuelas right-wing, pro-US opposition. Speaking on behalf of the Lima Group, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said, We reiterated our conviction that the transition to democracy must be conducted by the Venezuelans themselves, peacefully, within the framework of the constitution, in accordance with international law and supported by political and diplomatic means, without the use of force. This is a subterfuge. By ruling out military intervention, at this point, Canada only seeks to distance itself from the Trump administrations bellicose threats, the better to support the US-led regime-change operation; and all the while laying the political groundwork for a naval blockade or outright invasion should the escalating economic sanctionsthemselves an act of aggression tantamount to warprove insufficient. Established in 2017 with the ostensible purpose of brokering a peaceful resolution to the growing social-political crisis in Venezuela, the Lima Groups real objectiveand this is epitomized by Canadas role within itis to provide the US imperialist intrigues in the country with a humanitarian and democratic facade. As the radical journalist Yves Engler noted in a recent comment on Canadas role in the US-orchestrated coup in Venezuela, former Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chretien once made a revealing comment that points to how Canadian imperialism aids and abets its US allies. Chretien told US President Bill Clinton, Keeping some distance will be good for both of us. If we look as though were the fifty-first state of the United States, theres nothing we can do for you internationally, just as the governor of a state cant do anything for you internationally. But if we look independent enough, we can do things for you that even the CIA cannot do. Pences intervention at the Bogota meeting underscored that while the US is not formally a member of the Lima Group, Canada and its Latin American allies are working in tandem with it. In fact, the Lima Group is directly involved in the US war plans, as shown by last weeks meeting in Florida between the head of the Colombian armed forces, Maj. Gen. Luis Navarro Jimenez, and leaders of the Pentagons Southern Command. Like the US, Canada blamed the Maduro regime for the violence that took place during last months US-staged provocation at the Venezuelan-Colombian border over the purported humanitarian aid convoy. Freeland and Minister of International Development Marie-Claude Bibeau immediately issued a statement demanding that the perpetrators of this unacceptable violation of basic humanitarian principles and human decency be brought to justice. With the aim of legitimizing the overthrow of Venezuelas elected president and justifying future military action, Canada has already petitioned the International Criminal Court to investigate the Maduro regime. However, the attempt of the US, Canada and the Venezuelan opposition to whip up a propaganda furore over the aid convoy quickly unraveled. Last weekend even the New York Times had to concede that it was forces loyal to the Venezuelan opposition who set the aid truck fire in a calculated provocation. Like the Trump administration, Canada is using the Venezuelan governments blocking of the Trojan Horse aid convoy to justify imposing harsher sanctions against officials in the Venezuelan government. Freeland said that Canada has put many of the senior leaders in the Maduro regime on our sanctions list and is now discussing with our partners ways that that sanctions list can be expanded in order to have even more bite. Since 2018, several Venezuelan officials have been targeted by US and Canadian sanctions. Needless to say, such actions are not taken against regimes aligned with Ottawa and Washington that have far worse records of human rights abuses, such as the al-Sisi dictatorship in Egypt or the Saudi absolutist monarchy. Pences demand that the member states of the Lima Group transfer ownership of any Venezuelan assets within their borders, including those of the state-owned oil company PDVSA, to the Guaido-led interim government is an idea jointly developed by the Washington Inter-American Dialogue think-tank and the Canadian Centre for International Governance Innovation, based in Waterloo, Ontario. The current attempt to oust the Maduro regime is the culmination of a longstanding US imperialist destabilization campaign, including a failed US-orchestrated coup against Maduros predecessor, Hugo Chavez, in 2002. A Canadian Press report published at the end of January revealed that Canadian diplomats worked systematically over several months with their Latin American counterparts in Caracas to prepare the current regime-change operation, pressing Maduros right-wing opponents to set aside their differences and mount a joint challenge to the government. The turning point, said the Canadian Press, came Jan. 4, when the Lima Group rejected the legitimacy of Maduros May 2018 election victory and his looming January 10 inauguration, while recognizing the legitimately elected National Assembly. The report cited an unnamed Canadian official as saying the opposition were really looking for international support of some kind, to be able to hold onto a reason as to why they should unite, and push somebody like Juan Guaido. One day prior to Maduros inauguration, Freeland spoke to Guaido, the newly-elected National Assembly speaker, by telephone to urge him to challenge the elected Venezuelan president. Like Washington, Canadian imperialism is determined to install a client regime in Venezuela so as to advance its predatory ambitions in Latin America and counter the growing presence of Russia and China in the region. Canadian financial and mining companies are very active in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), a region that possesses some 25 percent of the worlds forests and an estimated 35 percent of the globes potential hydroelectricity, as well as 85 percent of all known reserves of lithium and a third of copper, bauxite and silver. The region is also rich in coal, oil, gas and uranium, and underwater oil reserves are regularly being discovered along its coast lines. In their 2016 book Blood of extraction: Canadian imperialism in Latin America, Todd Gordon and Jeffrey Webber detail the expansion of Canadian capital in the LAC and the outright criminal actions of Canadian companies to secure access to the regions resources and vast pool of cheap labour. In 1990, Canadian capital in Latin America, in the form of cumulative Foreign Direct Investment or FDI, stood at C$2.58 billion. By 2000 it had risen to C$25.3 billion, an increase of 800 percent, and by 2013 to C$59.4 billion, an increase of 134 percent from 2000, and 2,198 percent from 1990. From 2007 to 2012, Canada was the second largest external source of FDI in the LAC region, trailing only the US. LAC countries account for over half of Canadian mining assets held abroad, some C$72.4 billion. There were only two Canadian mines in operation in the region in 1990. By 2012, that number had jumped to eighty, with another 48 in the development or feasibility stage. The operating mines generated combined revenues of C$19.3 billion in 2012 for Canadian companies. In 2014, 62 percent of all producing mines in the region were owned by companies headquartered in Canada. Behind a smokescreen of bogus humanitarian rhetoric, it is these multi-billion dollar investments and the hopes of still greater loot and plunder that are driving Canadas government to play a leading role in the US-led regime change operation in Venezuela, the country that is home to the worlds largest proven oil reserves. The Trudeau government and Canadian big business are determined to grab the biggest slice of the pie possible in Latin America, even if it means subjecting the regions long-suffering workers and toilers to dictatorship and war. The author also recommends: Canadas diversity imperialism [25 January 2019] The ongoing school and college student strikes against climate change are proof of how a new generation is being politically radicalised because of their concern for the future of the Earth and of humanity. This Fridays Strike Global for Future protest will see thousands of young people, including striking school students, take to the streets in 92 countries and over 1,200 cities and towns, angry at how giant corporations and governments are ignoring warnings that global warming threatens catastrophic famine, forced mass migration, fires and floods. An entire generation is coming to realise that the world is being imperilled by the uncontrollable, ceaseless, and rapacious drive for profit. Only the most extraordinary, rationally planned mobilisation of humanitys immense productive, technical and scientific capacities can hope to overcome the challenges of rapidly rising sea levels, accelerating CO2 emissions, loss of biodiversity, collapse of food chains and desertification. But production under capitalism is directed solely to expand the private wealth of billionaires, regardless of the social or environmental cost. Moreover, climate change by its very nature demands a global response in which production is subordinated to the needs of the worlds working population. But the world is divided into competing nation states, each dominated by the selfish interests of rival groups of super rich profiteers. Each continually seek strategic trade and military advantage over their rivals in the struggle to dominate the worlds market as resources, and each continually seek new means of extracting more from the working class. As it has twice in the 20th century, this ferocious conflict ends ultimately in world warthreatening the nuclear destruction of the planet. Climate change, therefore, confronts humanity with the need for the socialist reorganisation of society on a world scale and the abolition of the nation-state system. The youth climate protests, combined with escalating class struggles worldwide that are driven by extreme social inequality, create the conditions for large numbers of people to draw precisely this conclusion. This is why a host of media, political and academic figures have been mobilised to argue that no level of environmental calamity can justify hostility to capitalism itself. Whatever organisations and protests emerge, they must be directed along acceptable channels. The UK based Extinction Rebellion (XR) was launched in October last year by a small group of environmentalists called Rising Up and was supported by an open letter from 94 academics. Rising Ups most prominent figure is Roger Hallam, an organic farmer, PhD researcher and opponent of a third runway at Heathrow airport. But it has been provided with major supportive news coverage in liberal publications such as the Guardian. XR presents itself as a novel combination of urgent environmental demands, international organisation and democratic-sounding decentralisation. Anyone concerned about climate change can get involved. Its websites front page aims at the sincere and politically inexperienced: We are facing an unprecedented global emergency. The government has failed to protect us. To survive, its going to take everything weve got, the slogan stateswithout explaining what everything means. The site links to XR groups in 13 countries, a signup form and a world map showing XR groups. Many of these are Facebook pages linking to training sessions and local events that are part of worldwide days of action. The academics letter declares, [W]e will not tolerate the failure of this or any other government to take robust and emergency action in respect of the worsening ecological crisis. The 94 professed a moral duty to bypass the governments inaction and flagrant dereliction of duty, and to rebel to defend life itself. For all the urgency and novel presentation involved, XR is a rebranding exercise for a strategy and the political forces associated with it that has singly failed to reverse the degradation of the planet. XR propose the same model of capitalism with a green environmental tinge, backed up with protests, promoted by successive Green and similar parties worldwide. A second letter in support of XR attracted signatories including the great and good of the Green and pseudo-left establishment such as Naomi Klein, Noam Chomsky, Rowan Williams, a former Archbishop of Canterbury, former Ecology Party leader Sir Jonathan Porrit, Labour Party MP David Drew, and Green MP and former Green Party leader, Caroline Lucas. One of XRs leading supporters is the Guardian environmental columnist George Monbiot. The Guardian, which loses no opportunity to slander heroes of journalism and democracy such as Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, has happily allowed Monbiot to deploy his column space in support of XR. Universally, when in power, the Greens have acted as ruthless defenders of their own ruling class, most notably in Germany where they have imposed austerity and war mongering policies. Such Green policies as have been pursued invariably service the interests of a wealthy layer of the upper-middle class, along with allied green capitalists and entrepreneurs who embrace environmentalism to establish dominance in niche markets and to ethically (i.e., for the most part cynically) rebrand foodstuffs and various major consumer durables. Meanwhile, despite ever more urgent scientific warnings, international emissions agreements, global warming targets and protocols are ignored by governments and corporations alike. Yet, XR continues to claim that local and national governments and business leaders can be pressured into making piecemeal changes that will alleviate environmental collapse. While advocating various forms of localism in production and political organisation alike, XR seeks to bolster the authority of national governments and to portray them as potential allies against global corporations. Governments should tell the truth about the climate and wider ecological emergency, reverse inconsistent policies and work alongside the media to communicate with citizens, states XR. But why would governments tell the truth when they lie daily on the most fundamental questions facing working people? XR demands legally binding policy measures to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025 and to reduce consumption levels. Whose consumption levels are to be reduced is not explained. But invariably green politics promote anti-consumerism, which views aspirations to the necessities of modern life as unacceptable and blames the working class for wanting too much unnecessary stuff. The XR website Principles and Values page carefully avoids any criticism of capitalism. XR intends To spark and sustain a spirit of creative rebellion, which will enable much needed changes in our political, economic and social landscape. Its aim is to support and encourage a citizens uprising in the UK (of about 2 million people) involving low level and higher risk acts of civil disobedience, with the goal of a participatory, democratic process that discusses and improves a draft manifesto for change and a new constitution. The change they seek ends up as minor constitutional tinkering to be implemented by the ruling class, chivvied on by sections of the upper-middle class. XR pledge to back up their demands with non-violent direct action. In November last year, 85 people were arrested when thousands occupied bridges in Central London. This month, XR supporters in Edinburgh protested an oil industry conference at the National Museum of Scotland. 13 peaceful demonstrators were arrested. One day later, 400 protesters poured hundreds of litres of red paint over Downing Street to represent the death of our children. For all the apparent radicalism and commitment to international organisation, XRs pro-capitalist politics inevitably brings into alliance with its own ruling class trade and military war preparations. Writing in the New Statesman, Labour MP and XR supporter Alex Sobel called for a new Marshall Plan for the UK and Europe to drive a programme of rapid de-carbonisation [that] will help us become a leader in zero-carbon tech. His reference to the Marshall Plan, when US wealth was directed to reviving capitalism in Europe after World War II, is significant. His proposal, shared by XR, offers the European energy and auto industries a means to kick start their competitive struggle to dominate the worlds electric car and renewable energy markets. The second open letter in support of XR, published in December, was also reprinted in the Guardian. It demanded that international political organisations and national governments must foreground the climate-emergency issue immediately and impoverished nations should be compensated for foregoing unsustainable economic growth. In other words, the wealthiest countries should be able to retain their dominant world positionand the upper-middle classes their own very comfortable livesby preventing further economic development in the oppressed nations. Such measures as carbon emissions trading already do this. Youth should reject this bankrupt and selfish outlook with contempt and dedicate themselves to the struggle for a socialist world that would guarantee a decent life for all the worlds peoplewithout threatening global extinction. The United Auto Workers Bargaining Convention in Detroit closed Wednesday amidst another round of demagogic tub-thumping by UAW President Gary Jones and other officials. The bluster was in inverse proportion to the adoption of any actual measures to address the needs of autoworkers. The convention, held in advance of the September 14, 2019 contract expiration for 150,000 GM, Ford and Fiat Chrysler autoworkers, takes place under conditions of intense anger over the announced closure by General Motors of five plants in the US and Canada and the elimination 14,000 jobs. Workers are determined not only to defend jobs, but also win significant gains under conditions in which Ford, GM and Fiat Chrysler are reaping immense profits. However, almost nothing of this was reflected on the floor of the convention. The rare delegate who spoke about actual conditions in the plants, such as the brutal treatment of temporary part-time (TPT) workers, was met with indifference or outright hostility from the loyal and well-paid hand-raisers of the UAW bureaucracy who packed the convention hall. Opposition motions were not even allowed to the floor for a vote, let alone considered and debated. Bargaining committees for the upcoming contract negotiations were announced consisting of corrupt functionaries, including UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada, who was kicked over to head Chrysler negotiations after selling out GM workers in the 2015 contract and afterwards. Estradas personal foundation is being investigated as part of the federal probe into company payoffs to the UAW. Referring to the GM plant closures, Jones declared, There will be no more quiet closing of plants, no more shipping jobs to Mexico and abroad without a sound. They are on notice. In fact, the Lordstown, Ohio GM plant ended production last week after more than 50 years of operation without a sound by the UAW. Thousands of jobs at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant and the Oshawa, Ontario factory are set to be eliminated when those plants are closed in late 2018 or early 2019. Transmission plants in Warren, Michigan and White Marsh, Maryland, outside Baltimore, are also slated to close. The UAW has simply ignored the recent announcement by Fiat Chrysler that it is cutting a shift1,400 jobsat its Belvidere, Illinois facility. More layoffs are inevitable as the car companies seek to reduce capacity under conditions of a continuing slowdown in vehicle sales. Perhaps taking the prize for bluster UAW Vice President for GM Terry Dittes, who blasted the company for using thousands of temporary workers, when in fact the expanded use of TPTs was one of the key concessions granted by the UAW in the 2015 contract. The supposed fight that Jones, Dittes and other UAW leaders are leading to save jobs is entirely based on lowering the automakers production costs in the United States in a bidding war against workers in other countries. This policy of endless concessions has led to a drastic lowering of workers standard of living, and the destruction of hundreds of thousands of autoworker jobs. This is underscored in the call by the bargaining convention resolution for insourcing, a code word for reducing labor costs to attract investment. This goes hand-in-hand with unrestrained support for militarism and promotion of trade war measures against the overseas rivals of US capitalism. The few contract goals advanced by the UAW are vague and insubstantial. For example, the bargaining resolution adopted by the convention calls for reducing but not eliminating the use of temporary part-time workers and taking one or two years off the eight years a two-tier worker must wait to get top wages, not eliminating the tiers all together. Nowhere does the document say anything about pressing for the recall of laid-off workers. Meanwhile, Ford is soon expected to announce a major restructuring involving tens of thousands of job cuts across its global operations. All the car companies are under enormous pressure from Wall Street to slash costs in order to drive up profit margins. The attacks on US and Canadian autoworkers are part of a global restructuring of the auto industry that has seen the recent closure of GM plants in South Korea, and a Ford plant in Brazil. There has also been the announced closure of the only Honda factory in Britain and the possible closure of Ford, Kia and Hyundai plants in China. A recent piece in the industry publication Automotive News gave vent to the automakers determination to slash health care costs in the upcoming talks. After pointing out that Ford alone pays $1 billion toward employee health care, the publication quoted an industrial relations specialist at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, who declared, We're returning to major concession negotiations in the auto industry. The major manufacturers are saying: Give us a reason for why we should expand in the US as opposed to China or India or somewhere else. The Automotive News piece pointed in particular to the Cadillac Tax under the Obama administrations Affordable Care Act that is set to begin in 2022. The measure could impose a 40 percent tax on health care plans similar to the ones currently covering autoworkers, a cost that auto companies are not likely to agree to pay. At a press conference following the convention, Jones took a direct question about the ongoing federal corruption investigation into the UAW that has implicated former union president Dennis Williams and other top leaders. Jones said he was saddened and frustrated by the exposure of illegal payouts to UAW officials and said the union was imposing strict financial oversight to prevent future scandals. The announced measures follow a report by Automotive News that UAW leaders are concerned of a possible federal takeover of the UAW under RICO [Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act] that could lead to the ousting of the current leadership. The revelation that top UAW officials, including members of the bargaining committee that negotiated the 2015 sellout Fiat Chrysler deal, received bribes funneled through the UAW-Chrysler training center has deeply discredited the UAW. Groups like the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), the Labor Notes publication and Autoworkers Caravan that suggest that the UAW can be reformed are throwing sand in workers eyes. The UAW is a business operation. Staffed by a small army of functionaries earning six-figure salaries and controlling some $1 billion in assets, the UAW acts as a labor contractor for the auto companies, working to stifle opposition to the continuous lowering of workers living standards. The growing opposition of rank-and-file autoworkers was expressed in the powerful response generated by February 9 demonstration in Detroit at GM headquarters called by the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter and the Steering Committee of the Coalition of Rank-and-File Committees to oppose GM plant closings. The WSWS Autoworker Newsletter and the Socialist Equality Party call for the building of rank-and-file factory and workplace committees to be the genuine voice of workers. These committees should be established now, well in advance of the 2019 contract, to begin to mobilize workers around their own demands and to assert their interests against the auto companies and the pro-management UAW. The WSWS Autoworker Newsletter calls for the rehiring of all laid-off and victimized workers, the abolition of tiers, the hiring of all TPT workers as full-time workers with full rights and benefits and a 40 percent increase for current and retired workers. The fight for these demands will require an all-out struggle. To be successful, workers must be guided by a socialist strategy that begins not with the interests of the corporations but the needs of workers and society at large. They must oppose the money-mad drive of Wall Street for ever greater profits, through the unification of workers across industries and national borders in a common struggle for a radical reorganization of society based on production for human need, not profit. Politically the UAWs promotion of extreme nationalism and support for the big business two-party system is aimed at blocking any effort to unify workers internationally in a common struggle against capitalism and the global automakers and banks. In the days running up to the bargaining convention UAW officials met with Trumps trade ambassador, Robert Lighthizer, and praised the trade war policies of the Trump administration and in particular the renegotiation of the North America Free Trade Agreement. Against the global strategy of the auto companies, workers must develop their own international strategy. Workers across the Americas as well as Europe and Asia face a common enemy in the transnational auto companies. The recent strikes by maquiladora workers in Matamoros, Mexico greatly strengthens the fight of workers across North America and undercuts attempts to pit US and Canadian workers against their brothers South of the Rio Grande. We encourage workers who want to learn more to contact the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter. The second reading of the 2019 government budget presented by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera was passed by the Sri Lankan parliament on Tuesday. The final vote on the United National Party (UNP)-led governments measures, which are in line with International Monetary Fund (IMF) demands, will be taken on April 5, after further debate. The IMF mission chief for Sri Lanka, Manuela Goretti, told the Dailyft on Tuesday that a prudent policy mix is necessary because the government faced a public debt at over 90 percent of GDP, large refinancing needs, and low reserve buffers. Samaraweeras budget, she declared, strikes an adequate balance by advancing fiscal consolidation. In 2016, the IMF approved a $US1.5 billion bailout loan to Sri Lanka. The final two instalments, amounting to $500 million, however, were suspended last October. This was in response to President Maithripala Sirisenas sacking of the pro-US Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister and the eruption of bitter faction fighting inside Colombos ruling elite. Sirisena appointed former President Mahinda Rajapakse as prime minister and then, after Rajapakse failed to win a parliamentary majority, dissolved the parliament. The US, which regards Rajapakse as pro-Chinese, opposed his appointment. In December, the Sri Lankan Supreme Court overturned Sirisenas dissolution of parliament, compelling him to reappoint Wickremesinghe as prime minister. While the IMF, following requests from Colombo, agreed to recommence its loan program in February, Goretti reminded the Dailyft that the resumption of IMF funding required the government to return to the basics. She called for more state-owned enterprises (SOE) to be brought under its scrutiny through Statements of Corporate Intenti.e., making them commercially viable through downsizing and by increasing prices or charges. She also warned the government that the budget deficit target of 3.5 percent of gross domestic product had to be observed. With provincial council and presidential elections due at the end of this year, it was expected that the UNP-led government would attempt to make some concessions in its 2019 budget. But facing a massive debt crisis and the IMF dictates, the government announced a few cosmetic measures while moving to boost tax revenue. The token concessions include a 2,500-rupee ($US14) rise in the monthly salaries of state sector employees and a 600,000 increase in the number of people receiving Samurdhi (limited living allowance) welfare payments. Currently about 1.3 million Samurdhi recipients are only paid between 1,500 and 3,500 rupees per month. Other proposals include concessionary loans for small businesses, self-employed persons and students for private education fees. Prior to the release of Samaraweeras proposals, the governments plantation minister claimed that the budget would include a 50-rupee increase in the daily allowance paid to estate workers. While this did not occur, the government, in an attempt to deflect the anger of estate workers, has made an arrangement for a 50-rupee monthly allowance to be paid through Tea Board earnings. These payments, however, will only last for a year. Plantation workers held a nine-day national strike in December to demand a 100 percent pay increase and lift their poverty-level basic daily wage to 1,000 rupees. The plantation companies rejected this and, with the connivance of the unions and blessing of the government, only increased the daily wage by 40 percent while slashing previous hard-won allowances. The UNP-led government faces mounting opposition from workers over its attack on social rights. Together with working-class struggles around the world, protests have erupted among farmers and fishermen over subsidy cuts and from students opposing the privatisation of education. In line with the IMF austerity demands, the budget contains new taxes and rate increases. These include: * A 12 percent increase in excise duty on cigarettes * Higher excise duties on local hard liquor and malt liquor, up by 8 percent and 12 percent respectively * A 3.5 percent tax on all foreign payments by credit cards * An increase in the embarkation fee to $US10. Finance Minister Samaraweera also announced new steps towards the privatisation of the Sri Lankan railways. The rail service, he declared, would be improved in conjunction with the private sector and allow the private sector to lease/rent Sri Lanka railway carriages. According to the Institute of Policy Studies, a government think tank, indirect taxes, which are mainly paid by working people, constituted 84 percent of all tax revenue last year. Samaraweera said that the government would move to increase taxes paid by small businesses, self-employed people and other sectors of the working population, including by the establishment of a Revenue Intelligence Unit. At the same time, he announced enhanced tax concessions for wealthy investors where investments are over $100 million and $1 billion. The governments estimated total revenue and grants for 2019 is 2.4 trillion rupees and total expenditure of 4.6 trillion rupees, with the deficit expected to be around 2.2 trillion. Almost all the deficit will be financed by borrowings. On March 7, the Central Bank floated an international sovereign bond auction to borrow $2.4 billion for $5.9 billion debt repayments due this year. The government paid $1 billion towards the debt in January and is required to pay $2.4 billion in April. These figures point to the depth of the economic crisis facing the Sri Lankan capitalist class. The 2019 budget allocated 393 billion rupees for the armed forces and police but only 187 and 105 billion rupees for education and health respectively. Health and education spending is almost the same as the allocation last year and the combined amount is 100 billion rupees less than that provided to defence and police. The security forces and the police are routinely deployed by the government to suppress demonstrations and protests by workers, the poor and students. Big business responded to the budget by demanding more concessions. The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said the budget was realistic but voiced its displeasure at the governments failure to address the privatisation of the state-owned enterprises. It also raised concerns about last years 3 percent growth rate and said the growth estimate for 2019, is not a positive signal for business climate. President Sirisena, who collaborated with the UNP government for four years to impose wide-ranging attacks on workers social and democratic rights, made clear the austerity had to continue. It was not possible to address all the demands, because the country is facing severe economic crisis, he said, referring to the proposed budget. All of us have to understand [that] carrying out demonstrations, strikes, protests, marches, demanding allowances and facilities, will only further weaken the economy. Sirisena, who cynically calls for stable government, hopes to win reelection as president with the support of Rajapakses faction. Rajapakse and his Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (Sri Lanka Peoples Front), however, are appealing to the military and organising with various extreme-right Sinhala chauvinist formations. Their declared agenda is for the establishment of a strong government" of their own party. Confronting massive debts and the growing mass opposition, all factions of Sri Lankas ruling elite are preparing for police-state forms of rule to impose the full burden of the mounting economic crisis on the working class and the poor. IYSSE member Alex chaired the the rally On Wednesday the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and its student and youth wing the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) held a rally at the center of the University of Michigan campus which called for the immediate release of the courageous whistle-blower Chelsea Manning. Manning was imprisoned last Friday for refusing to testify before a secret grand jury that is drawing up fabricated charges against WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange. The event is part of a series of rallies and meetings organized by the SEP and IYSSE throughout the US and around the world in defense of Manning and Assange. Wednesdays rally advanced an international strategy to mobilize youth, students and the broadest layers of the working class against the imprisonment of Manning and the witch-hunt against Julian Assange. The opening speaker, World Socialist Web Site writer Andre Damon, spoke to attendees about the brave and principled stand Manning has taken by refusing to testify in the Star Chamber proceeding against Assange, who remains effectively imprisoned in the Ecuadorian embassy while the United States and Britain plot to have him evicted and extradited to the US to face espionage and/or conspiracy charges that could result in his execution. Andre Damon addressed the rally The imprisonment of Chelsea Manning is cruel, criminal and totally unjustifiable. The White House wants to set a precedent for jailing whistleblowers and journalists who publish information critical of the military and state apparatus. Damon reviewed the heroic role played by Manning: In 2010, Manning made public, via WikiLeaks, the Collateral Murder cockpit video of the July 12, 2007 US helicopter airstrike in Baghdad that killed 16 unarmed civilians, including two Reuters journalists, in cold blood. Nine years after the start of the war in Afghanistan and six years after the invasion of Iraq, Manning made the courageous decision to expose to the public these and other war crimes that had been covered up by the Bush and Obama administrations with the aid of the corporate media. Damon went on to explain the criminal role played by the Democratic Party in the persecution of Manning and Assange. He noted that the Democratic Party has used the unsubstantiated allegation, denied by both Moscow and Assange, that WikiLeaks collaborated with the Russian government to publish emails hacked from the Democratic National Committee and the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign as the central rationale in its drive to censor the internet. Noting the silence on the jailing of Manning from many political tendencies that posture as left, Andre declared, While the organizations of the affluent upper-middle class have made clear their indifference to fundamental democratic principles, the real force capable of defending Chelsea Manning and Julian Assange is the international working class. Following Damons comments, Socialist Equality Party member Carlos Delgado spoke on the significance of the revelations by Manning and Assange in the fight against war. He explained how Manning and Assange were targeted because, they represent genuine anti-war courage, rather than the pathetic bending to the will of power so common in the upper middle class today. Carlos Delgado He continued, As an intelligence officer, Chelsea Manning had access to classified documents which detailed the crimes being committed by the United States. She knew that she could not sit idly by while entire societies were being systematically destroyed, so she ripped away the veil of secrecy and brought these crimes out into public view. Delgado concluded with a powerful call for students and youth to turn to the working class to fight against war: The fight to defend Chelsea Manning, like the fight against war, requires the political mobilization of workers and youth independently of all the organizations of the capitalist class, Democratic and Republican alike. This fight must be anti-capitalist and socialist, since there can be no serious struggle against war except in the fight to end the economic system that is the fundamental cause of militarism and war. Above all, this fight must be international in scope, mobilizing the vast power of the working class in a unified global struggle against imperialism. The next speaker, Sam Wayne, president of the IYSSE at University of Michigan continued on this theme. Wayne pointed the way forward in the fight to defend whistleblowers and other class war prisoners, What is required is the building of a mass movement of workers and young people from below with the recognition that the attack on Manning is a threat to the rights and freedom of workers and young people around the world. This working class is, in fact, the stirring giant of world politics, and the working masses all around the are beginning to find their feet and our mobilizing in opposition to social inequality with an increasingly critical perspective of the whole capitalist setup. Wayne reviewed the wave of working class struggles which have erupted throughout the last year and a half from the strike movement of sweatshop workers in Matamoros, Mexico earlier this year which saw 70,000 workers walking off the job to the on-going teachers strikes across the US. If we are to defend Manning and Assange he concluded, we must recognize that there is no appealing to the oppressive apparatus of the capitalist state. Instead, we will turn to the billions strong international working class to raise the demands of social and democratic rights and to build a movement for socialism. The final speaker, Genevieve Leigh, National Secretary of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality in the US, concluded the rally with a call for the new generation of youth and workers to learn the truth about Manning and Assange and take up a fight for their defense. An 18-year-old today was just nine or ten years old in 2010, when WikiLeaks published the US armys Iraq and Afghan war logs, and hundreds of thousands of diplomatic cables. They were only 12 years old when Assange was forced to seek asylum in Ecuadors London embassy. But those of us who were politically engaged when Manning and Assange carried out their heroic work, will never forget. She went on to condemn the actions taken by the Obama administration at the time, We will never forget how the Obama administration oversaw her torture, including stuffing her into an outdoor cage, and, for almost a year subjecting her to solitary confinement, forced nudity, and harassment by guards...We are here today to make sure a new generation of youth and workers knows the names Chelsea Manning and Julian Assange as the names of heroes. Leigh, like the other speakers, insisted that the fight to defend Manning and Assange required the mobilization of the working class in a fight for socialism. Genuine socialism must be advanced clearly and with great determination...We insist that genuine socialism is based on a defense of Democratic rights. Assange, Manning and all class war prisoners must be released and given a heros welcome. Hundreds lined up under outdoor awnings and in parking garages out of the rain for hours in Nashville, Tennessee, last Saturday in hopes of receiving free dental care provided by Remote Area Medical Volunteer Corps (RAM) and the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. Many drove hundreds of miles with family in tow for the chance of receiving care. RAM was established to provide medical care to isolated areas. Meharry Medical College, an historically African-American medical school, is tasked with running Nashville General Hospital, established as the citys charity hospital. Beckers Dental and DSO Review ranked the United States, the richest nation on the planet, ninth in the world for dental health, behind Mexico. Tennessee ranks among the bottom 10 states with the worst dental health in the country, according to Beckers. As a previous report in 2013 noted, poor dental health is caused by more than eating sweets or not brushing regularly. The website DentalIQ noted that the underlying causes of poor dental health are Limited access to dental insurance, affordable dental services, community water fluoridation, and programs that support oral health prevention and education...[and] are significant factors that contribute to edentulism [toothlessness] among older Americans, particularly the most vulnerable. Those reasons were confirmed by the more than 300 people who were eventually treated in Nashville over the weekend. My daughter and my son-in-law are going to have some teeth pulled, and my wife is going to see about getting her dentures made, said Mark, who traveled with his family from Jackson, Tennessee. It is too expensive if you went to the regular dentist. To have three teeth pulled, it would cost you $2,000, he told the World Socialist Web Site. Mark drove 129 miles (208 kilometers) with family members, arriving at 9 a.m. the day before the clinic began handing out treatment-reservation tickets at 6 a.m. the following morning. The RAM website urges people to arrive early because ticketing often begins at 3 a.m. or earlier the day of clinic operations. In some situations, such as inclement weather, volunteer cancellations, or other circumstances outside of RAMs control, ticketing may occur earlier than 3:00 AM, the clinics website advised. RAM encourages everyone who would like services, especially dental services, to arrive as early as possible. Mark and his family spent the night in his van. He told the WSWS that he knew a bunch of people who needed dental care, and plans for another dental clinic in Selmer, Tennessee, in June already has them lining up [and] trying to sign up. John, a retired construction worker, drove about 126 miles (203 kilometers) from Jamestown, Tennessee, with his 93-year-old mother, arriving at 7 p.m. the day before the clinic and spending the night in his car. We thought there were going to be people here lined up at 5 p.m. the day before like we were told, but as it turned out there was nobody here. And we kept going around, driving around, couldnt find nobody, no lines or no signs, he recounted. Finally, I saw a little sign on the door that said Line Forms Here, but there was nobody there. So I spent the night in the car, and at 3 a.m. I saw people coming in and came over here and got in line. I am going to have all my teeth removed because Im affected by Agent Orange, he told the WSWS, and a lot of my teeth have been breaking offand not because I dont take care of themand because they are breaking off they have sharp edges. So I figured if I could have them all removed and get dentures [and] get it over and done with. They stopped the [dental] program at the VA [Veterans Affairs] that I was going to, John added. They told me I would probably be the last one and get there right away and get everything done. My car broke down on the way, so I couldnt get there. They said sorry, the program for that particular disability had been terminated. The VA did halt the program in about 2014 disputing any effects on teeth and gums despite a myriad of other disorders and diseases connected to the highly toxic and cancer-causing agent that was used for 10 years as a defoliant during the Vietnam War. The VA dismissed veterans Agent Orange claims until 1991, 20 years after it was last used. This is my mom and she is here, hopefully, to get some relining or new dentures, I dont know what they are going to do, John said by way of introduction. Johns mother, Maria, sat in a wheelchair wrapped in a blanket against the cold, morning damp. There was rain off and on all morning as people gathered under metal awnings to escape it. As the lines grew, hospital security made latecomers move from under the awnings briefly out in the rain but then to a covered upper level of the parking garage and then to street-level coverings. There is no way to confirm it, but Johns hopes for his mothers needs were likely not met. A sign indicated that the clinic was for Fillings, Extractions, and Cleaning, and only for those 18 or older. One woman originally from Egypt, speaking through a friend who served as interpreter, said she came to the clinic because her teeth were hurting and she feared something had broken. I have no insurance, she explained. Sometimes you can have insurance, but it does not cover the teeth, her friend added. Greg, who works as a security guard, said he had dental insurance through his employer, but it was too expensive for him to use. Like if I want to get a new tooth in, they will charge me like $200 here, but with my dental insurance it would cost me $1,000 at a regular dentist, he said. The Meharry Dental School provides low-cost dental treatment but it is a service that is not advertised widely enough, Greg added. For instance, I live down the street and I didnt know about it, he said. The community needs to know about this. The decency and sincerity motivating many of the volunteers and dental students who participate in these free clinics was clearly on display in Nashville. Our goal is to have every dental school provide at least one day of services [to] bridge the gap because many have no money for dental care, said Zelexis Morse, chair of the Student Dental Associations third annual Oral Health Day at the Meharry Dental School. It was reported that a combined Meharry and RAM effort provided more than $162,000 in services to more than 330 patients. However goodhearted, charity has never been and will never be sufficient to meet the needs of the working class. Health care, including dental care, is a basic human right that is denied to workers under capitalism. Lack of money for care is especially true in a city, state and nation where income inequality grows daily. The Nashville Business Journal reported recently that to live comfortably in Nashville requires an income of at least $84,000 a year. But the median household income is just $64,000. While the mantra of the ruling elite is that there is no money for the interests of the working class, including guaranteeing health care, unlimited funds are made available to the rich. Tennessee has promised $1 billion in tax incentives and grants to various corporations. Amazons regional hub received $106 million in tax incentives that included $65 million in outright cash payments from the city and state. All the while, Nashville General Hospital goes underfunded and threatened with becoming a day clinic, homelessness is on the rise, schools are underfunded, and teachers denied raises. A study by the British Journal of General Practice reveals an alarming rise in the number of National Health Service (NHS) prescriptions for opioids issued by General Practitioners (GPs). This is greatest in the more deprived areas of the country. Patterns of regional variation of opioid prescribing in primary care in England: a retrospective observational study provides further proof that life expectancy, health, and access to health care is very much a function of the most fundamental division of society under capitalismclass. Poverty and the stresses that it brings is a major killer. Opioids are prescribed for pain relief, especially acute pain in cancer and end of life care, or for short-term use after an injury or surgery. The most commonly known are morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, tramadol and codeine. Fentanyl is so powerful it is used to knock out elephants and is also used in executions. Six or seven grains of the substance can prove lethal. The consequences of long-term use of opioids can be devastating, often leading to death. The British Journal of General Practice records that [m]ore opioids were prescribed in the north than in the south of England, and more opioids were prescribed in areas of greater social deprivation. The 10 highest areas for GP opioid prescribing are NHS Blackpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), and CCGs in St Helens, Lincolnshire East, Knowsley, Barnsley, Corby, Halton, Great Yarmouth and Waveney, Doncaster and South Teesall areas with the highest concentrations of deprivation. Nine out of 10 of these areas are in the largely de-industrialised north of England, which is blighted by poverty. Dr Roger Knaggs, associate professor in clinical pharmacy practice at the University of Nottingham, noted that these drugs are not suitable for relieving long-term chronic pain, such as back pain, arthritis and nerve pain. Their efficacy decreases with use over time, they come with side effects and are highly addictive. One of the authors of the opioid study, Luke Mordecai, a pain research fellow at University College London Hospital, has called for a national register to monitor patients on the equivalent of more than 120mg of morphine a day. There should be a national database to keep track of these people, he said. There is very high morbidity and mortality [among them], a lot of it avoidable. International attention has turned to the dangerous consequences of the increasing use or misuse of these powerful drugs, most catastrophically in the United States. In 2017, US deaths from drug overdoses reached 72,0006,000 more than the previous year-on increase of 9.5 percent. Of these deaths 49,000 were associated with opioids, up more than 9,000 from 2016. Pharmaceutical companies have made bonanza profits by selling medications whose addictive properties they have previously denied. A study by the Sunday Times found a correlation between areas with higher prescribing of opioids and higher death rates. Mortality in the northeast at 6 per 100,000 is double the national average of 3 per 100,000. Wales comes next (5 per 100,000), followed by the northwest (5 per 100,000) and Yorkshire and Humber (4 per 100,000). London has the lowest mortality figures, with 2 per 100,000. Figures for 2017, the latest available, show there were three times more opioid related deaths in the North East and North West (512) in comparison to London (159), with the equivalent population size. Swansea in Wales has the highest death rate from opioids in England and Wales. According to the Office for National Statistics, 16 people per 100,000 died from opioids in Swansea in 2017. Opioid addiction is becoming a problem among those over 60. The number in this age group undergoing treatment for opioid addiction has risen a staggering 300 percent in the last decade. The Sunday Times revealed that in 2017-18, 2,520 needed treatment for addiction. While not as acute as in the US, the increased prescribing of opioids points to a mounting social crisis, marked by a woefully inadequate health service starved of funds by years of austerity since the global financial crash of 2008. NHS Improvement, the regulator of the countrys NHS trusts, calculated that the combined NHS trusts are carrying a total deficit of 4.3 billion. Research and development into new treatments is abysmally low, both comparatively and in real terms. The UK Public Spending website projects a measly 1.9 billion will be spent on research and development in 2019, compared to 48.3 billion on defence. Eytan Alexander, chief executive of UK Addiction Treatment, told the BBC, GPs must accept responsibility for consistently overprescribing A rate of 79 packs [prescriptions] per minute is just not acceptable. It is vital that alternatives are provided. The problem is that GPs treating patients in distress have little alternative than to prescribe something that is potentially harmful if used long-term. Research into providing effective pain relief solutions with minimal side effects is very low on the priority list of any government, Conservative or Labour. Alternative holistic treatments to long-term pain management, while available privately, are not widely on offer in the cash-starved NHS. Only 40 percent of NHS pain consultants can adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to pain management, including a psychologist and physiotherapist. That the working class is bearing the brunt of this crisis is no surprise. Manual workers are more likely to suffer muscular-skeletal injuries due to the nature of the work they do. The rate for men and women reporting chronic pain is much higher in the lowest rather than in the upper income quartile. Another indication of the deepening social crisis in the UK is the increasing uptake of antidepressants. Rates of antidepressant use across all ages increased by 5 percent between 2015-16 and 2017-18, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act. The British Journal of General Practice concludes from its findings that Questions of equality of care arise from higher prescription rates in the north of England and in areas of greater social deprivation. The increase in opioid use corresponds to the changing nature of the work environment. Speed-up is the order of the day. In companies like Amazon, workers are encouraged to compete to achieve backbreaking targets, on pain of dismissal, expedited by temporary contracts. A higher likelihood of work-related injury follows. The culture of work has been transformed. Wages have been driven down, and the right to sickness benefits eroded, expressed by the fact that sickness is routinely treated as a disciplinary matter. Many workers are now referred to Human Resources after a period of sickness and must attend a back-to-work review when they return to the job. Disciplinary proceedings kick in after a certain number of absences, regardless of a doctors sick note. The pressure is on to work through injuries that need time and rest to heal. Workers resort to aggressive pain killers to enable them to continue working out of fear of the economic consequences of missed work. Responsibility for this assault on wages and conditions must be laid at the door of the trade unions. They actively collaborate with employers, pitting workers in the UK against those in other countries, to make UK industry more competitive on the world market and an attractive cheap labour proposition for foreign investment. The struggle for equality in health and all areas of social life is bound up with the fight for socialism, which means the working class taking hold of societys wealth and resourcesat present being squandered by a tiny, parasitic minorityto use for the benefit of all. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected public calls for the impeachment of President Donald Trump, in an interview conducted with the Washington Post Magazine last week and published Monday. Im not for impeachment, she said. Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless theres something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I dont think we should go down that path, because it divides the country, adding, And hes just not worth it. The statement was deliberately planned and carefully crafted to distance the Democratic congressional leadership from the democratic and constitutional issues raised by Trumps open embrace of authoritarian methods, and to reduce the question of impeachment to the small change of congressional maneuvering and electoral politics. Last month, after Trump declared a national emergency and ordered the Pentagon to shift funds appropriated by Congress for military construction to build his border, Pelosi said, quite correctly, that in seeking to bypass the congressional power of the purse, Trump was shredding the Constitution. But there is no suggestion, in any of the ongoing discussions by Democrats, for and against impeachment, of citing Trumps defiance of the congressional power to appropriate funds, laid down in Article I of the Constitution, as one of the possible articles of impeachment. Instead, various financial crimes, from secret payoffs to former lovers to tax and bank fraud to violation of the emoluments clausebecause foreign countries have booked rooms in Trump hotelshave been cited as possible charges. This would be like impeaching Richard Nixon without any reference to the Watergate break-in and its cover-up. The most revealing comment came from Pelosi on Monday night, when she recalled that some Democrats had wanted her to consider impeaching President George W. Bush in 2007 and 2008 for invading Iraq based on lies about weapons of mass destruction. I didnt believe in it then; I dont believe in it now, Pelosi said. The Democrats won control of Congress in the 2006 elections in large measure because of a wave of mass antiwar sentiment. The Democrats were the undeserving beneficiaries of this popular hostility to the Iraq war, which they had largely supported. Within hours of the electoral victory that would make her speaker of the House, Pelosi publicly rejected impeaching Bush for waging a war based on lies. Once in control of the House, in 2007, she made sure that Pentagon operations in Iraq were fully funded, including the major escalation ordered by Bush (the surge), that was in direct defiance of the public sentiment revealed in the election. Pelosi clearly sees the connection between her role in 2006-2007 and her role today: whatever the disputes between the Democrats and Republicans, she is committed to uphold the interests of the military-intelligence apparatus and American imperialism more generally. Her concern over the divisive effect of a push for impeachment is not that it might enrage Trumps hard-core supporters, but that it would weaken the capitalist state as a whole, under conditions of a growing movement of the American working class. As for the two-year campaign by the Democrats denouncing Trump as a Russian agent and declaring his 2016 election victory to be the result of meddling by Vladimir Putin, Pelosi was silent. She was effectively conceding in advance that the report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, widely expected to be submitted soon, will not find evidence to back the claims of collusion between Trump and the Russian government. Pelosis disavowal of impeachment makes nonsense of the increasingly hysterical claims that Trump is Moscows man in the White House. If that were true, then the Democratic Party, as a representative of American imperialist interests, would have no choice but to wage all-out war against the president. Pelosis declaration that hes just not worth it is a tacit admission that there is no substance whatsoever to the anti-Russian campaign. Passing over Trumps attacks on democratic rights, such as the Muslim travel ban, the forced separation of immigrant parents and children, the encouragement of fascists and neo-Nazis, congressional Democrats have focused instead on the likely political impact of the passage of an impeachment resolution by the Democratic-controlled House, to be followed by acquittal of Trump in a trial before the Republican-controlled Senate. Pelosi and others have cited the example of the failed impeachment of Democrat Bill Clinton in 1998, which produced a popular backlash that cost the Republicans seats in the House in the 1998 electionsalthough, significantly, the Republicans kept control of the House and then, emboldened by the spineless Democratic Party reaction to the attempted political coup against Clinton, stole the 2000 presidential election and installed George W. Bush in the White House. At a closed-door meeting Monday night with House Democrats, Pelosi reportedly argued that impeachment was a diversion from enacting the partys legislative agenda, although any bill passed by the House must go to the Republican-controlled Senate and then the White House. Instead of legislation, the Democrats are enacting bills that they hope will have popular appeal in the 2020 elections, such as campaign finance reform, protecting voter rights, placing limits on the purchase of assault weapons and expanding healthcare coverage. Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries of New York made this point bluntly: We did not run on impeachment. We did not win on impeachment. We are not governing with a focus on impeachment. Other top House Democrats backed Pelosi, including those conducting major investigations into actions by Trump that have been cited as potentially impeachable offenses. Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings, who conducted an all-day televised hearing for Michael Cohen, Trumps former lawyer and fixer, chimed in with his support. I think Pelosi realizes this: We cant spend all of our time concentrating on what were fighting against, he said. We need to concentrate on what were fighting for. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, one of the main promoters of the bogus allegations of Russian intervention in the US elections, said Pelosi was absolutely right about the need for evidence so compelling that there would be bipartisan support for Trumps removal. In its absence, an impeachment becomes a partisan exercise doomed for failure, he said. And I see little to be gained by putting the country through that kind of wrenching experience. Some House Democrats voiced their opposition to Pelosis dismissal of impeachment, including Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, who said she plans to file an impeachment resolution, and Al Green of Texas, who introduced an impeachment resolution last year that was shelved by the Republican majority, and attracted barely 60 votes from Democrats. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said that she continued to support impeachment but would defer to party leadership on the decision not to move forward now. Legally I don't think it's something that can ever be 100 percent off the table, but if that's how she feels right now I respect that, she told the press. Hundreds of thousands of students and young people are expected to take part this Friday in a worldwide Youth Climate Strike to protest the inaction of governments on the issue of climate change. That the international demonstration has evoked a broad response is an indication of both the serious nature of the ecological crisis and the radicalization of youth all over the world. The strike is the culmination of a series of international protests that began last August after 15-year-old Greta Thunberg began picketing the Swedish parliament every Friday. Since then, students and youth, some as young as 12, have organized weekly walkouts, protests and strikes in many parts of the world. Fridays demonstrations, which will be the largest to date, will take place in more than 1,200 cities in at least 92 countries across six continentsincluding in Australia, Brazil, China, Great Britain, India, Iran, Italy, the Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Somalia, Sweden and the United States. The protests have expanded amidst a series of reports indicating that global warming is accelerating, and that the destruction already caused by climate change from hurricanes, heat waves, droughts and other extreme weather events will become qualitatively more catastrophic as early as 2040. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned that the measures taken by governments to halt global warming are so much empty bluster. It estimates the potential economic damage from unabated climate change to be between $54 and $69 trillion worldwide. Perhaps the most tragic consequence of global warming is the creation of so-called climate refugees, those forced to permanently flee their homes as a result of climate change-related disasters. The United Nations estimates that 210 million people worldwide have been displaced since 2008, and that up to one billion will be displaced by 2050. The student strikes reflect the politicization and leftward trajectory of a generation that has come of age in a world of unprecedented social inequality, ongoing environmental degradation, growing state repression and expanding imperialist wars. Polls consistently show a leftward movement of young people and growing support for and interest in socialism. Central to the perspective of genuine socialism is the understanding that there is not a single social problem confronting humanityfrom climate change, to poverty and unemployment, to authoritarianism and warthat can be resolved except through the political mobilization of the international working class in a revolutionary movement to overturn capitalism and establish a society based on social need, not private profit. The objective basis for such a revolutionary movement is beginning to emerge in the growth of the class struggle internationally, beginning in 2018 and escalating this year. Mass protests and strikes in the past several weeks have paralyzed the Algerian government. Protests in Belgium, France, Germany, Portugal and Sudan have erupted against pro-business austerity and the victimization of refugees. Workers in different parts of Iran have been regularly striking for 15 months. Tens of thousands of autoworkers in Mexico have been on strike since January, and tens of thousands of teachers in the United States have gone on strike this year, in conflict with the pro-company unions. Students themselves are joining in these struggles, particularly in support of teachers and to defend public education. It is to the working class that young people must turn, not to the corporate politicians and government institutions. Young people must study politics and come to an understanding of the role played by organizations that claim to be left or green, but work to channel opposition behind the ruling class and its policies of war and austerity. In the United States, New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, has advanced the proposal for a Green New Deal to address climate change. The proposal is based on political fictionsnamely, that global warming can be halted on a national basis, that the Democratic Party can be made to carry out major social reforms, and that progressive change can be achieved within the framework of the existing economic and political system. In the upcoming 2020 presidential election in the US, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is once again seeking to appeal to the anger and opposition of young people and workers in order to direct this anger behind the Democratic Party. His campaign, like the Green New Deal proposal, is characterized by a basic contradiction between the limited reforms it proposes and the absence of any realistic strategy for their implementation. The Democratic Party, which both Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez are dedicated to promoting, is fully responsible, no less than the Republicans, for implementing the right-wing policies that are driving workers and young people into struggle. Similar efforts to promote the parties of the ruling class are present in every country. Whether it is the Labour Party in Britain, the Socialist Party in France, the Social Democratic, Green and Left parties in Germanyall have played leading roles in implementing policies of war and social counterrevolution. As for their supposed solutions to climate change, these are so many empty pledges and toothless measures. The track record of every international agreement and climate summit shows that none of them are capable of solving the crisis posed by climate change. They are ultimately dominated by the major corporations, which are responsible for global warming in the first place. Any measures that are adopted, such as carbon emissions trading, are thinly veiled mechanisms for these companies to continue business as usualand even turn the poisoning of the environment into a new source of speculative profit. The urgent measures needed to address climate change require a major reorganization of economic life on a global scale. The framework of energy production has to be transitioned from one that uses fossil fuels to one that relies on renewable energy. This, in turn, requires an international effort, involving a massive influx of funding for infrastructure, the development of current technologies and the investigation of new ideas. All such measures come into conflict with the nation-state system, the basic political framework of capitalism, which itself has become an intolerable brake on the development of the world economy. They also collide with the foundation of capitalist exploitation of the working classprivate ownership of the means of production and production for profit. As long as a handful of billionaires dominate society, with every aspect of economic life geared to their personal enrichment, not a single social problem, including climate change, can be solved. This makes the solution to climate change an inherently class question and a revolutionary question. It is the working class that will suffer the brunt of the impact of global warming. It is the working class that is objectively and increasingly defining itself as an international class. It is the working class whose social interests lie in the overthrow of capitalism and the abolition of private ownership of the means of production, which will open the way to the establishment of an economic system based on the satisfaction of human need, including a safe and healthy environment. The growing opposition of workers and youth must be developed into a conscious, international socialist movement. We call on young people participating in these demonstrations, and all workers and youth internationally, to join the Socialist Equality Party and its youth movement, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, to lead this fight. The deepening bipartisan hostility to China was on open display at a hearing of the US Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday called to discuss the future of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as the 25th anniversary of its founding approaches. The hearing centred on testimony delivered by US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. He confined his opening remarks to express US dissatisfaction with the running of the international trade organisation, reflected in its refusal to back new appointments to its appellate body that threatens to bring dispute-settling procedures to a halt. The subsequent questioning of Lighthizer, however, centred almost exclusively on China and the progress and content of the current trade negotiations. The tone for the hearing was set in the opening remarks by the chairman Republican Chuck Grassley and the ranking Democrat Ron Wyden. Grassley, who is somewhat critical of the use of tariffs and is more inclined to free trade, began by noting that the US had overall been a beneficiary of the WTOs dispute-settling procedures. However, the appellate body was in need of reform and this was a bipartisan position. This was not the only area where changes had to be made. The WTO, Grassley said, had to address the treatment of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that were becoming more prevalent in the global economy. China is notorious for using SOEs to buy private companies around the world and has used SOEs as a conduit for subsidizing its industries. The committee could not have a hearing on the WTO without discussing China, he said. The fact of the matter is that China has simply not lived up to the commitments it made when it joined the WTO. His criticisms, however, paled in comparison to the denunciations of China launched by Wyden in his opening remarks, reflecting the position of all sections of the Democratic Party. The Democrats are preparing to attack Trump for selling out US interests if a trade deal does not include measures that meet their demands. Wyden lost no time in getting to his central theme. He said it was long past time to fix what was wrong with the WTO and that process begins with China. He then began a tirade, declaring that much of Chinas economic growth to now become the worlds second largest economy has come at our direct expense in violation of WTO rules and commitments it made when joining. Wyden listed a series of alleged economic malpractices including: subsidised state-owned enterprises; intellectual property theft; forced technology transfers and government-led shakedowns of foreign investors. China used those schemes and entities to strong-arm American businesses, steal American innovations and rip-off American jobs, he said. Under President Xi the government had tightened its grip on power. It had identified weaknesses in the WTO system and seizes on them to further its economys explosive growth. Having set out his case, Wyden tried several times to tie Lighthizer down to a pledge that there would be no removal of the tariffs already imposed by the Trump administration until China has shown evidence of real change in carrying out its commitments under any deal. Lighthizer refused to be drawn, saying the removal of tariffsan issue that has been advanced by Chinese negotiatorswas part of the talks with Beijing without providing any details. However, he did indicate, in contrast to various comments from members of the Trump administration that a deal is close, that the talks were at risk of failing. There were major, major issues that needed to be resolved before any agreement could be reached and he could not predict success at this point. Lighthizer repeated the US position that it had to have the unilateral right to raise tariffs in situations where theres violations of the agreement. If we dont do that then none of it makes any difference. The key issue is how violations would be determined? Lighthizer indicated there would be meetings between officials and junior ministers on the working of any agreement. If no resolution on disputed matters were obtained, they would go to a half-yearly meeting between the chief negotiators. If the top-level meeting failed to reach agreement, the US would have the right to impose tariffs, with no retaliation from the Chinese side. Pressure is mounting to complete the negotiations because of the uncertainty hanging over US companies as they make investment decisions which affect their global supply lines. US agriculture also continues to be impacted by a drop in sales due to retaliatory Chinese measures. Pressed to indicate a timeframe, Lighthizer said the talks had probably entered their final weeks. Were either going to have a good result or were going to have a bad result before too long, but Im, not setting a specific timeframe and its not up to me. He said either the president will tell me when the time is up, or the Chinese will. China is not the only issue in the trade war policies of the Trump administration. Last July, under the threat that tariffs as high as 25 percent could be imposed on auto imports, hitting the German car industry in particular, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker agreed to trade negotiations with the US. However, the agreement immediately became a source of conflict. The US insisted that agriculture had to be on the table, while the EU has maintained it was not covered by the deal. Lighthizer, who met with his EU counterpart, the trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom last week, told the Senate committee negotiations with the EU over a free trade deal were at a complete standstill because of the disagreement over agriculture. Latin America Guerrero, Mexico educators protest Teachers from the southern state of Guerrero, Mexico blocked the state legislature March 11. The education workers are demanding the cancellation of Mexicos Education Reform law and that 5,700 of their fellow teachers be included in the government incentives program, FONE. According to the Education Reform law, FONE supposedly rewards good teachers. The teachers are also demanding that any teacher fired due to a low performance evaluation be rehired. Teachers from the communities of Costa Grande and Acapulco blocked the entrance to the legislature with buses. A spokesperson for the teachers union, the SNTE, declared that, while the union preferred dialogue with education authorities, it will mobilize the teachers to demand that teachers be paid what is owed to them. Argentine garment workers strike over wages and working conditions Four hundred garment workers went on strike on March 12. Their demands include a bi monthly bonus of US$96, not linked to production quotas, and an end to physically exhausting speed-ups at the Textilana Mauro Sergio plant in the city of Mar Del Plata, Buenos Aires province. The primarily female workforce denounced the companys new production system that forces each worker to perform tasks formerly done by four workers, damaging their physical and mental health. Mexico City firemen stage protest Scores of firemen blocked streets in downtown Mexico City on March 11 to demand the recognition of 330 workers and that their salary be paid up. The workers were hired last October, but have yet to be paid. Mexico City fire authorities claim that contracts have not been drawn up for these workers and called on firefighters to join them at the negotiating table. Workers and students march on International Womens Day across Latin America Workers and youth marched across Latin America for equal rights, equal pay, an end to part-time and casual labor, against violence and for the right to a safe and legal abortion. In the face of continent-wide restrictions of abortion rights, this was a common theme for all the marches. Tens of thousands marched in Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Santiago, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Mexico City, Lima, La Paz and other Latin American capitals. In San Juan, Puerto Rico, the theme of the march was 8 against the debt denouncing the impact of the Islands austerity measures on workers living standards and government attacks on teachers pension rights, in the interest of Wall Street and other holders of Puerto Rican bonds. The march also commemorated 100 years since the birth of Independence fighter Lolita Lebron. The United States California county workers end two-day strike More than 900 workers for San Mateo County returned to work March 7 after a two-day strike to protest a wide variety of issues including working conditions, retiree health care, under-staffing, caseloads and job retention. The strike comprised mostly behavioral health and recovery service workers, licensed therapists, and included administrative workers for the sheriff and District Attorneys office. Concerning wages, county management proposed a 12 percent pay increase over the course of a three-year contract. The wage clause also includes specific raises based on longevity and positions that have proved difficult to fill. The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 829, which represented the striking workers, used a limited strike to let off steam while throttling the demands of county workers. At the same time, AFSCME settled contracts for another 10 bargaining units. But those agreements failed to resolve sick leave and retiree health care, and the union agreed to labor-management committees in order to avoid strikes and leave the behavioral health workers to fight alone. West Coast Maritime workers protest Alaskan governors attempts to slash jobs Members and supporters of the Inland Boatmens Union were slated to stage a rally in Bellingham, Washington on Friday March 8 to protest the attempts by Alaska Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy to impose $100 million in cuts, which will slash 75 percent of the budget of the Alaska Marine Highway System. The draconian measures threaten the loss of the jobs of at least 250 AMHS workers organized in the Inland Boatmens Union. Also to be impacted are at least 32 other jobs dependent on the AMHS in Whatcom County along with a loss of over $4.2 million in economic activity. Since 2013 the Republicans and Democrats have imposed $29 million in cuts to the AMHS budget. The proposed cuts come on the heels of a decision to pare another $27 million by forgoing the fitting of the ferries Tazlina and Hubbard with crew quarters, which AMHS workers have long desired and needed. The ferries Aurora and Fairweather are being retired to avoid $11 million in overhaul and maintenance repairs. Dunleavy is intent on privatizing AMHS and has already engaged at least one agency to consider options. Minnesota Amazon workers protest working conditions Some 30 Amazon workers walked off the job for three hours March 8 to call attention to a number of grievances at the companys fulfillment center in Shakopee, Minnesota. In a Facebook post, the striking workers posed for a picture holding a sign, saying, We are humans, not robots. The workers posted a number of demands, including a safe working environment, rational production quotas as opposed to unfair rates that force errors and end careers, a halt to unfair firings and the setting up of a committee to give workers a voice. Many of the workers are East Africans and Muslims. While they have the right to prayer breaks, they bridle when the company penalizes them by counting prayer breaks against their productivity rates. Canada Southern Ontario electrical workers on strike Part-time workers employed by the town of Lakeshore, east of Windsor, Ontario went on strike last week after negotiations between the town and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union broke down. The 21 workers affected are facility attendants who joined the IBEW over a year ago and have been fighting for a first contract ever since. Union negotiators say that the two sides remain far apart over a number of issues, including wages and scheduling. In particular, they cite demands by the town for flexibility to require workers to come in on weekends. Ontario health workers strike Last week, over 85 nurse practitioners and other health workers in Windsor-Essex County in southern Ontario went on strike after rejecting the employers final offer and mediation failed to produce a new agreement. The workers, who are members of the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA), have been working without a contract since March of last year. Union leaders say they are fighting for wages in female-dominated jobs that are comparable with male-dominated professions such as police and firefighters. Just before 2 p.m. on March 7, a coal miner died of head injuries after falling from a highwall at a Greenbrier County, West Virginia, surface mine. The miner, 38-year-old Adam DeBoard of Craigsville, West Virginia, was working as a loader operator at the Blue Knob Surface Mine run by South Fork Coal Co., LLC. DeBoard is the third coal miner and the fifth miner overall in the US to die on the job in 2019. As of this writing, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has only posted a perfunctory two-sentence notice of the incident online. The West Virginia Office for Miners Health, Safety, and Training (OMHST) has not published any details on its website. West Virginias Republican governor, Jim Justice, a billionaire coal executive, issued his customary call for everyone to join us in praying over the loss of life. Democratic Senator Joe Manchin echoed the remarks, calling miners patriotic heroes while contrasting support for coal-mining communities with those calling for reforms based on climate science. Coal mining has declined precipitously in the US over the past decade, due both to global economic shifts, and to increased domestic production and consumption of cheaper natural gas. Mine employment has fallen across the US, with only about 83,000 coal miners employed today, around 11,000 of them in West Virginia. The drop in employment has resulted in fewer annual on-the-job fatalities than the coal industry has historically recorded. Last year, 27 miners12 in coal and 15 in metal/nonmetal minesdied on the job, including 4 coal miners in West Virginia. Overall, 18 of those deaths were at surface operations like the South Fork mine. Nationally, federal officials are quick to point out, 2018 saw the second lowest death toll in the coal mines on record, behind 2016, when 25 miners were killed at workall preventable deaths. The decline in coal mine deaths is most closely related to the decline in coal employment, not improvements in safety. Tony Oppegard, a mine safety expert in Kentucky, told Ohio Valley ReSource January 4 that in the Central Appalachian coalfields of West Virginia and Eastern Kentucky, theres about one-fifth the number of mines that are operating today than were in operation six years ago. While in straight numbers, fatalities are down, the accident rate continues to be high, and in some mines the dangers are increasing as operators ramp up production with fewer miners. Indeed, at the close of 2018, a cluster of three fatal accidents occurred in the span of 11 days. Industry-wide, the accident rate appears to be rising. An Ohio Valley ReSource analysis found that in 2009, 18 coal miners out of 134,000 were killed on the joba fatality rate of 13.4 per 100,000 workers. In 2018, 12 coal miners out of 80,762 were killedmaking for a death rate of 14.9 per 100,000. The West Virginia OMHST data reveals that, along with four deaths, 680 West Virginia miners were injured on the job last year. Of those non-fatal injuries, 456 were serious enough that they were lost time accidents, meaning miners had to miss work for medical care and recovery, or were unable to return to work. So far in 2019, the state data records 107 accidents, 78 of them lost time. These figures do not even scratch the surface of the fatalities claimed by black lung disease, which has resurged with a vengeance in a new generation of miners in the US. A National Public Radio investigation published in December found that at least 2,000 miners in Central Appalachia were suffering from severe cases of black lung. MSHA, now headed by former coal executive David Zatezalo, has simply stonewalled commenting on the revelations. South Fork Coal Co., LLC is an operator of several large surface mines in West Virginia on behalf of White Forest Resources, Inc. White Forest is a new name for Xinergy Ltd., an energy company that, like many of its competitors in the coal market, declared bankruptcy in 2015 to shed liabilities and less profitable operations. It retains assets in thermal and metallurgical coal mines and prep plants in Central Appalachia. White Forest Resources is headed by Jeff Wilson, an executive who worked directly under Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship for two decades. The South Fork operations produce mid-volatility metallurgical coal, mainly bound for coking plants that supply coke for steel and iron production. White Forest Resources owns approximately 73,000 acres of coal fields in West Virginia. The South Fork surface mine is a sprawling, 35,800-acre operation visible from space. On its company website, White Forest boasts of ZERO lost-time accidents in 2017, highlighting that it was the recipient of West Virginia OMHSTs Mountain Guardian Award and MSHAs Certificate of Achievement in Safety. In fact, MSHAs mine data retrieval system database records an accident in 2017, classified as days restricted activity only, after a rock fell from a highwall onto a loader, shattering the windshield into the face of the loader operator. Glass and debris went into the miners eyes, and he was transported to the hospital for care. This is the reality of a ZERO lost-time accidents mine. MSHA data also lists eight safety citations for South Forks Blue Knob Surface Mine in the past year. Storm rages - Cheyenne State Offices remain closed CHEYENNE - Governor Mark Gordon announced that State Offices in Cheyenne will remain closed through today (Thursday, March 14). Other state offices may also remain closed or have delayed openings depending on their local weather conditions. The Governor has continued to work with the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, the Wyoming Department of Transportation and the Wyoming Highway Patrol throughout the storm. "I've been told that we have not seen a storm of this nature since the Thanksgiving blizzard of 1979 and the 2003 storm. Reportedly, it has the same intensity as a Category 1 hurricane," Gordon said. Governor Gordon said his briefings indicated that strong winds are predicted through Thursday afternoon, likely resulting in continued poor visibility, closed roads, and snow plowing difficulties. "We need people to stay safely at home until this storm subsides so snow plow crews can clear streets and parking lots unhindered." Gordon again praised the state workers at the Department of Transportation and the Highway Patrol for their relentless assistance to stranded travelers and those involved in accidents. "First responders and snow plow teams have been at this for hours now, and everyone's efforts show that Wyomingites handle ourselves well." "The safety of our people is my first consideration; we will get our state offices open and working at full speed again as soon as it is safe to do so," Gordon said. "As this storm subsides, I implore people to stay off the roads and out of the way so storm cleanup across the state can proceed unhindered." "Again I'll say it - stay home, stay off the roads, and stay safe," Governor Gordon added. UW Classes and Activities Canceled Thursday LARAMIE - The National Weather Service blizzard warning remains in effect until 6 p.m. MDT Thursday. This storm system is expected to continue to bring extremely dangerous blizzard conditions to the area. All University of Wyoming classes, labs and activities are canceled today, Thursday, March 14. Washakie Dining Center, High Altitude Performance Center and Training Table, and residence halls remain open. All other university activities and events are canceled. Buses will not run tomorrow. The Wyoming Union, Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center, Coe Library, and the Early Childhood and Education Center will be closed. Essential staff will be contacted by their supervisors with instructions to maintain critical services. Those who have traveled to Laramie should carefully evaluate staying in Laramie until the highways open and it is safe to travel. Campus is expected to be operating on a normal schedule Friday, March 15. Changes to normal operating schedules are communicated using the UW Alert text message system. Faculty, staff and students should register for UW Alert at http://www.getrave.com/login/uwyo. For up-to-date weather information, visit the National Weather Service storm watch for Albany County at: https://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwaatmget.php?x=WYC001&y=1. For up-to-date road information, visit the Wyoming travel information website at http://www.wyoroad.info. Always check road conditions before extended travel. After 55 years, one of the most crowded and dangerous squares of Budapest is to be transformed into a modern community space with the financial support of the government and the Budapest City Council, according to Origo.hu Blaha Lujza Square located in the heart of the city is planned to be one of the centres of a more liveable Budapest with more green terrains than before and a building serving cultural purposes. Not dangerous anymore? Not many know that the original Hungarian National Theatre stood on Blaha Lujza Square; however, since it was hit during WWII, the reconstruction required a lot of money and architects stated that the underground would weaken the building, the government decided to demolish it in 1965. Blaha Lujza, after whom the square was named, was one of the biggest Hungarian actresses, the Nightingale of the nation. According to the plans, Blaha Lujza Square will become accessible for people with reduced mobility; there will be a building for organised cultural events, there will be fountains and even the underground station will be modernised. In fact, the building will not only commemorate the onetime national theatre but will also create a venue for concerts, performances and other cultural programs reported Origo.hu. he number of trees will grow from 26 to 65, thus, the altogether green surface will exceed 1000 square meters. Furthermore, they will plant trees even in a street-island of Rakoczi street which will be replaced only after the reconstruction of the road starts. Further developments: there will be two MOL Bubi public bike stations on the square there will be more cycle stands connected to the renewal of the square some streets will also be modernised in the neighbourhood the owner will modernise one of the oldest stores of Budapest, the Corvin, including its artistic facade The project will start in fall According to the origo, the concept was developed together with locals and many professionals. Furthermore, it is supported by both the local councils of the 7th and 8th districts and the Budapest City Council. The proposals of those taking part in the public hearings and consultations were built into the final draft of the concept. They even harmonised the plans with the Hungarian Cyclists Club. According to the origo, discussions are far from being finished yet, since developers would like to talk with institutions planning to organise cultural events on the square. At the moment, developers and the local councils are trying to acquire all the required building permits. In the summer the plans will be finished, and the project will start in fall. The altogether cost of the modernisation will be 4 billion HUF (12.7M EUR) which includes even the renewal of the underground station and the neighbouring streets. The needed money is provided by the Budapest City Council and the government. Photos: budapest.hu Source: Daily News Hungary, origo.hu We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Although after three hours of talks with PM Victor Orban in Budapest, EPP top candidate Manfred Weber said they could not agree on all issues, a liberal reporter believes, that he offered a face-saving solution to the last contentious issue. After Mr Webers visit to Budapest two of the three conditions he set for Fidesz to remain a member of the European Peoples Party seem to have been settled. Gergely Gulyas, the Minister in Charge of the PMs Office told the press that the billboard campaign against EU leaders will be halted this week and Mr Orban is ready to apologise to EPP members who feel offended by his statement that those who criticise him were the Lefts useful idiots. As to Webers third demand, Gulyas said Hungary sees the future of the Central European University in Budapest as assured. Meanwhile, the Hamburg daily Die Welt reports from Budapest that all three demands will be satisfied by the Hungarian Prime Minister, with the CEU issue to be solved through involvement of the Bavarian government and the Munich Technical University. On hvg online, Judit Windisch asks whether Mr Weber only wants to save the CEU or also Mr Orbans face but takes it for granted that a solution has been found to the controversy. Mr Weber said three CEU programmes would be financed by the government of Bavaria, the Munich technical University and BMW motors respectively. Windisch asked the Munich Technical School how that system would work out and was told that the Bavarian side thought their scheme, which would also involve an unnamed US university, would satisfy the conditions set by the Hungarian law and thus guarantee the long-term presence of the CEU in Budapest, including the controversial US accredited MA and MS programmes. Windisch interprets all this as proof that Mr Orban would go to any lengths to remain within the Peoples Party. Mr Weber on the other hand, she believes, has offered him a way to yield on the CEU issue without being forced to amend the Higher Education Act. MTI Photo: Mohai Balazs This opinion does not necessarily represent the views of XpatLoop.com or the publisher. Your opinions are welcome too - for editorial review before possible publication online. Click here to Share Your Story European Peoples Party group leader Manfred Weber should have had more on his agenda for his Budapest visit on Tuesday, Socialist MP Tamas Harangozo told a press conference, and insisted that Hungary has greater problems than the governments billboard campaign. The Socialist deputy group leader said that little is known about Webers talks in Budapest, and added that the billboards with images of Soros and Juncker have disappeared but only along Webers route. This in itself demonstrates the governments North Korean methods and to what extent they consider Weber and the EPP useful idiots, he said, adding that Prime Minister Viktor Orban had not apologised for the derogatory campaign nor will he do so. Referring to a proposal tendered by an EPP MEP and adopted by the European Parliament on Tuesday, under which Russia should no longer be considered as a strategic partner for the EU, Harangozo said the proposal was supported by deputies of Orbans Fidesz party thus condemning him and his government. According to the EPP Europe should be protected from the Putin plan rather than from a Soros plan, Harangozo insisted. Orban and Fidesz are misleading people; they do not seek authorisation at the upcoming European elections to protect Europes Christian democracy and to reform Europe but to serve their own political and economic interests as well as those of foreign powers, he said. According to Fidesz, the Socialists may feel uncomfortable when confronted with the pro-migration plans of Brussels or Soros. In a statement, the ruling party insisted that the Socialists and other pro-migration politicians have just voted for another point in the Soros plan in the European Parliament under which funds to finance the accommodation of migrants would be tripled. MTI Photo: Szecsodi Balazs At a time when Americans appear to be isolating themselves in their identity groups, author Emily Bernards new book shows us that were not so different after all. A black woman from the South, she married a white man from the North and the couple adopted two children from Ethiopia. Her memoir of essays, Black Is the Body: Stories from My Grandmother's Time, My Mother's Time, and Mine, explores the love, pain and humor of her life that is universal to the human experience. In a powerful opener, Bernard recalls the night she was stabbed by a white man. It was August 1994, and Bernard, then a Yale graduate student, was at a popular coffee shop in New Haven, Connecticut, when a stranger stabbed her and six other customers for no obvious reason. Daniel Silva, who set his house on fire before the stabbing, was originally declared incompetent to stand trial. He was given a suspended 10-year sentence in 2009, according to the New Haven Register. People always ask me why Im not angry at him and, trust me, Ive searched inside thinking, Is something wrong me with me? I should be furious, Bernard, 51, tells PEOPLE in an exclusive interview. But when I looked at him, there was nobody there. I looked in his eyes and for me his part of the story begins and ends that night with his own illness, his own sickness. Now a professor of English at the University of Vermont, Bernard still occasionally experiences severe pains from her wounds. The stabbing created these adhesions where my intestines get mixed up with my scar tissues. Its incredibly painful, she says. In my case, [the adhesions] happened over and over again. It means I end up [on] yet another gurney in a hospital. Though the stabbing was unrelated to the fact that she was black, Bernard writes that it made her reflect on race. I was not stabbed because I was black, she writes in Black Is the Body, but I have always viewed the violence I survived as a metaphor for the violent encounter that has generally characterized American race relations There was no connection between us yet we were suddenly and irreparably bound by a knife, an attachment that cost us both: him, his freedom; me, my wholeness. Story continues John Gennari and Emily Bernard with their daughters The incident compelled Bernard to contemplate compassion rather than anger and she explores the idea in essays about blackness, motherhood, home and her multi-racial family. She was also motivated to write because of her frustration and sadness over the anger that defines todays news cycle. I dont want to drown in this, Bernard says. I dont want to drown in negativity and blaming and victimhood or perpetrator-hood. She adds, I believe in books. Reading has saved me and as James Baldwin says, We think our pain is unique in the history of the world, and then we read.' Bernard gets particularly vulnerable when she explores her marriage in Black Is the Body. Shes married to John Gennari, 58, an Italian-American. The author explains that when she and Gennari first started dating, she was afraid to be out in the world with him because of how they would be received. The author even paused in writing Black Is the Body because she was nervous readers would decide that I was the wrong kind of black person. The misconception, of course, is that our marriage is different because we look different, she explains, because we dont look like a traditional couple. The author with her family In reality, theyre very ordinary, she says. In her essay Interstates, Bernard describes the powerful moment when she was traveling with Gennari (then her fiance) and her parents to Mississippi. She describes her fathers unease at making certain stops while traveling South as a black man. At one point, Gennari stops with them all in the car to change a tire and later, to get gas at an unfamiliar gas station. John was not ignorant of the root of my fathers anxiety. But the danger presented by the flat tire took precedence over any other type of danger, Bernard writes. Somewhere between the clarity of his focus and the complexity of my fathers anxiety, perhaps, lies the difference between living white and living black in America. While Bernard despise[s] that this difference exists, it doesnt stop her from loving Gennari. Later when Bernard learns her mother has died, Gennari joins her on her journey back home. We held hands and drove in silence, both of us staring at the road ahead, Bernard writes. This is marriage, I thought, or at least my marriage. It is not the stories of forbidden desire that thrilled me as a girl, or even magical rides through clouds and on dark waters. It is Johns right hand in mine, and his left one sure and steady on the wheel. Gennari, Bernard, and their daughters Bernard also discusses adoption of children from different races and different cultures. Thirteen years ago, she and Gennari adopted twin girls, Giulia and Isabella, from Ethiopia when they were babies. She explains that some people who have adopted children have relied a little too heavily on the language of poverty. [Theyll say,] Oh, its so sad.' Bernard says, explaining that shes upset when adoptive parents allow that language to impact the way they approach their own children. I wrote [the essay] Mother on Earth because it was a rejection of that, she says. I thought, Im going to write an essay about adoption that is not saturated in guilt and worry and anxiety.' She continues, This is our duty in some ways as human beings. To take care of each other is very fundamental. Andy Cohen Says Being a New Dad to Son Benjamin Is a Dream but Jokes Sleep Is Another Story Bernard is raising her daughters to embrace their American identity and their Ethiopian roots at the same time shes exploring her own. When we talk about race, theres such an assumption about what race should be like and what we as people of different races should be like, Bernard says. [Theres assumptions that] we should conform to a standard way of thinking and being and we should care about the same things. But thats never been true for me as a black woman, she continues. Toni Morrison says that she writes the book that she wants to read and I think its true in this case. I wanted to show myself in order to find myself. Black Is the Body is on sale now. Marvel Studios has hired Destin Daniel Cretton to direct the Asian-American superhero tent pole based on Marvel Comics popular Shang-Chi character of the 1970s, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.Dave Callaham is writing the script that will ultimately modernize the Shang-Chi story and character arc. Marvel Studios Kevin Feige is producing the film. Marvels Louis DEsposito, Victoria Alonso, and Jonathan Schwartz are executive producers on the project.Marvel Studios is looking to tap into that authentic filmmaking superpower that brought Black Panther to cinematic life by bringing on Cretton and a predominantly Asian-American and Asian cast.Also Read: 'Captain Marvel': Marvel Studios Boss on Why Film Version of Mar-Vell Is a WomanCretton is currently directing Just Mercy, a feature film he also wrote which stars Brie Larson and Michael B. Jordan. Larson first worked with Cretton when she starred in his second feature film Short Term 12. His other directorial credits include The Glass Castle. In addition to Larson and Jordan, Cretton has worked with several Marvel Cinematic Universe filmmakers including Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, with whom Cretton developed the television series Scenes for Minors.Marvel Comics original Shang-Chi character is a half-Chinese, half-American superhero. He was created by writer Steve Englehart and artist Jim Starlin. In the comics, Shang-Chi is an extraordinary master of numerous unarmed and weaponry-based wushu styles, including the use of the gun, nunchaku and jian.Shang-Chi first appeared in Special Marvel Edition 15 (December 1973) by Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin.Cretton is represented by WME.Deadline first reported the news.Read original story Destin Daniel Cretton to Direct Asian-American Superhero Movie Based on Shang-Chi Character for Marvel Studios At TheWrap Marvel Studios has hired Destin Daniel Cretton to direct the Asian-American superhero tent pole based on Marvel Comics popular Shang-Chi character of the 1970s, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap. Dave Callaham is writing the script that will ultimately modernize the Shang-Chi story and character arc. Marvel Studios Kevin Feige is producing the film. Marvels Louis DEsposito, Victoria Alonso, and Jonathan Schwartz are executive producers on the project. Marvel Studios is looking to tap into that authentic filmmaking superpower that brought Black Panther to cinematic life by bringing on Cretton and a predominantly Asian-American and Asian cast. Also Read: 'Captain Marvel': Marvel Studios Boss on Why Film Version of Mar-Vell Is a Woman Cretton is currently directing Just Mercy, a feature film he also wrote which stars Brie Larson and Michael B. Jordan. Larson first worked with Cretton when she starred in his second feature film Short Term 12. His other directorial credits include The Glass Castle. In addition to Larson and Jordan, Cretton has worked with several Marvel Cinematic Universe filmmakers including Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, with whom Cretton developed the television series Scenes for Minors. Marvel Comics original Shang-Chi character is a half-Chinese, half-American superhero. He was created by writer Steve Englehart and artist Jim Starlin. In the comics, Shang-Chi is an extraordinary master of numerous unarmed and weaponry-based wushu styles, including the use of the gun, nunchaku and jian. Shang-Chi first appeared in Special Marvel Edition #15 (December 1973) by Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin. Cretton is represented by WME. Deadline first reported the news. Read original story Destin Daniel Cretton to Direct Asian-American Superhero Movie Based on Shang-Chi Character for Marvel Studios At TheWrap Wendy Williams dissed Howard Stern for his Hollywood insider status on Wednesday, a label the SiriusXM radio host didnt take too kindly to and called her a fking bug-eyed ct in return.The back-and-forth started when Williams brought up Sterns upcoming book, Howard Stern Comes Again his first new title in over 20 years on The Wendy Williams Show.Howard is so Hollywood right now, Williams said on her show yesterday. And Howard, I love you. but since youve gone Hollywood, everything you say is so predictable. Every story is gonna be about, you know Oh, I love this one and then we went on their yacht.'Hes a Hollywood insider now, which sucks because you started like me, being of the people, she continued. But at some point, you sat behind that microphone for too long.It hurts, Williams said while also telling viewers they should buy Sterns book.Watch Williams segment with those comments via the video above.Later that day, a caller notified Stern of the remarks during The Howard Stern Show, with the host saying, Lemme hear this and Im gonna say some st Im gonna regret. I know it, adding hes got a very thin skin.He then played the audio of Williams remarks, replying with this when he got to the Hollywood insider part: What a ct. What a fking bug-eyed ct. Fk you. You heard me. Fk off, ct.Also Read: Wendy Williams to Take Hiatus From Talk Show Due to 'Complications' With Graves DiseaseRepresentatives for SiriusXM did not immediately respond to multiple requests for comment on Sterns remarks, which you can listen to hear.The last time I had her in here she was giving me some god damn attitude with this Hollywood crap, he continued. Yeah, Im a real Hollywood insider you should see the wild life Im living. You got those big fake tits and Im Hollywood, huh? Shut the fuck up.Ah, he kisses everyones- Im not kissing your ass now, ct face. What the fks wrong with her? Broad doesnt have an original thought in her god damn head. Busy being Howard Stern? You mean because Ive had success Im Hollywood? What cause I know Jimmy Kimmel? Thats real Hollywood. Who am I hanging out with? She doesnt know even who Im hanging out with. She doesnt know what I do with my life. She doesnt know who I hang with.Worry about your husband, not me. Fk off! Im sick of her and her bullst show.He also calls her a cow and a broad-faced bitch and asks if she has a dk and whether or not she was born a woman or a man.You know what, Ive been very gracious to her, you know? Stern said. When she was going around calling herself queen of all media. That was very original. I cant tell you how original that was, the queen of all media.'She just ruined my day, he added. Thats why I put out a book, so she could knock me. Jealous bitch. Youll never be me, Wendy. Youll never be me. You can pretend to be me, you can pretend to be like me but youre not. Youre never gonna be me. You dont have my wit and you dont have my talent. Thats it, thats the end of the story.Also Read: Howard Stern Describes Donald Trump's Rating of Women to David Letterman (Video)Stern also said hed fk RuPaul before [hed] fk her.Later Wednesday, Williams wrote the following on Twitter: Showed love to Howard Stern this morning about his new book. Gonna buy it. Had his wife on my show several times. Being told that hes being nasty to me on his show. Its all good, Howie. I still admire you old man! The truth is the truth.Showed love to Howard Stern this morning about his new book. Gonna buy it. Had his wife on my show several times. Being told that hes being nasty to me on his show. Its all good, Howie. I still admire you old man! The truth is the truth. Wendy Williams (@WendyWilliams) March 13, 2019Williams did not further address Sterns remarks on her Thursday. Representatives for the talk show host did not immediately respond to TheWraps request for additional comment.Read original story Howard Stern Rips Wendy Williams for Saying Hes Gone Hollywood': F-ing Bug-Eyed C-t At TheWrap Wendy Williams dissed Howard Stern for his Hollywood insider status on Wednesday, a label the SiriusXM radio host didnt take too kindly to and called her a fking bug-eyed ct in return. The back-and-forth started when Williams brought up Sterns upcoming book, Howard Stern Comes Again his first new title in over 20 years on The Wendy Williams Show. Howard is so Hollywood right now, Williams said on her show yesterday. And Howard, I love you. but since youve gone Hollywood, everything you say is so predictable. Every story is gonna be about, you know Oh, I love this one and then we went on their yacht.' Hes a Hollywood insider now, which sucks because you started like me, being of the people, she continued. But at some point, you sat behind that microphone for too long. It hurts, Williams said while also telling viewers they should buy Sterns book. Watch Williams segment with those comments via the video above. Later that day, a caller notified Stern of the remarks during The Howard Stern Show, with the host saying, Lemme hear this and Im gonna say some st Im gonna regret. I know it, adding hes got a very thin skin. He then played the audio of Williams remarks, replying with this when he got to the Hollywood insider part: What a ct. What a fking bug-eyed ct. Fk you. You heard me. Fk off, ct. Also Read: Wendy Williams to Take Hiatus From Talk Show Due to 'Complications' With Graves Disease Representatives for SiriusXM did not immediately respond to multiple requests for comment on Sterns remarks, which you can listen to hear. The last time I had her in here she was giving me some god damn attitude with this Hollywood crap, he continued. Yeah, Im a real Hollywood insider you should see the wild life Im living. You got those big fake tits and Im Hollywood, huh? Shut the fuck up. Ah, he kisses everyones- Im not kissing your ass now, ct face. What the fks wrong with her? Broad doesnt have an original thought in her god damn head. Busy being Howard Stern? You mean because Ive had success Im Hollywood? What cause I know Jimmy Kimmel? Thats real Hollywood. Who am I hanging out with? She doesnt know even who Im hanging out with. She doesnt know what I do with my life. She doesnt know who I hang with. Story continues Worry about your husband, not me. Fk off! Im sick of her and her bullst show. He also calls her a cow and a broad-faced bitch and asks if she has a dk and whether or not she was born a woman or a man. You know what, Ive been very gracious to her, you know? Stern said. When she was going around calling herself queen of all media. That was very original. I cant tell you how original that was, the queen of all media.' She just ruined my day, he added. Thats why I put out a book, so she could knock me. Jealous bitch. Youll never be me, Wendy. Youll never be me. You can pretend to be me, you can pretend to be like me but youre not. Youre never gonna be me. You dont have my wit and you dont have my talent. Thats it, thats the end of the story. Also Read: Howard Stern Describes Donald Trump's Rating of Women to David Letterman (Video) Stern also said hed fk RuPaul before [hed] fk her. Later Wednesday, Williams wrote the following on Twitter: Showed love to Howard Stern this morning about his new book. Gonna buy it. Had his wife on my show several times. Being told that hes being nasty to me on his show. Its all good, Howie. I still admire you old man! The truth is the truth. Showed love to Howard Stern this morning about his new book. Gonna buy it. Had his wife on my show several times. Being told that hes being nasty to me on his show. Its all good, Howie. I still admire you old man! The truth is the truth. Wendy Williams (@WendyWilliams) March 13, 2019 Williams did not further address Sterns remarks on her Thursday. Representatives for the talk show host did not immediately respond to TheWraps request for additional comment. Read original story Howard Stern Rips Wendy Williams for Saying Hes Gone Hollywood': F-ing Bug-Eyed C-t At TheWrap Luke Perry Farm Luke Perry, along with being a Hollywood heartthrob, actually lived part-time on a farm in Tennessee, and after his death his children are planning on keeping their fathers special place in the family. Back in 1994, Perry fell in love with Vanleer, TN, a small rural town with a population of around 300 people. He purchased 380 acres and built a 4,000 sq ft farm the following year. The Beverly Hills, 90210 star even purchased cattle and was known to stop in at the local hangouts and have conversations with the town folk. Vanleer Mayor Jason Weaver, who also owns Weaver and Sons Repair and used to work on Perrys farm equipment, tells The Blast he has been told the Perry family does not plan on selling the farm. In fact, Mayor Weaver says he was told Perrys children, 18-year-old Sophie and 21-year-old Jack, want to keep the property in the family and visit to spend time on their fathers 300-acre Fortress of Solitude. Instagram As we reported, Perrys family listed a Dickson County, TN funeral home on his death certificate for handling his final arrangements, but the owner of the place says its just not true. A source close to the late star tells The Blast the family actually does not want to reveal where Perrys final resting place is located. Mayor Weaver tells us he has not seen anybody at Perrys property since the stars tragic death. However, if he is buried near his beloved farm, Perrys children will have an extra special reason to visit the little town that their father loved so much. Luke Perry Dead The post Luke Perrys Tennessee Farm Will Stay in the Family appeared first on The Blast. F_MU1, known as the Elephant Queen, achieved a rare feat: she died of natural causes. The African elephant survived years of poaching threats to die peacefully and quietly in Tsavo, Kenya. British photographer Will Burrard-Lucas was fortunate enough to capture the last images of this stunning and majestic animal, who was unknown to the world at large, but beloved by those who had the opportunity to meet her. Burrad-Lucas took these stunning shots of F_MU1, who lived to be over 60, as part of a partnership with Tsavo Trust and Kenya Wildlife Service and wrote about the moment, which he calls one of the greatest honors, in a touching blog post. In August 2017, the photographer travelled to Tsavo to take photos for a coffee table photography book of the areas elephants and of the work the Tsavo Trust does every day. Tsavo Trust, a non-profit wildlife conservation organization, is dedicated to protecting the wild animals of Tsavo, which include the four-legged residents of Tsavo East National Park, Tsavo West National Park, and Chyulu Hills National Park. Tsavo Trust knew that Burrad-Lucas had to get photos of F_MU1 for the book, which is called Land of Giants. After looking for the Elephant Queen for several days in an area the size of Switzerland, Tsavo Trust located the big beauty and drove Burrad-Lucas out to meet her. F_MU1 was skinny and old but she strode forward with stately grace, the photographer wrote of his first impressions of the F_MU1. Her tusks were so long that they scraped the ground in front of her. She was like a relic from a bygone era. The elderly cow elephant was a gracious host, allowing Burrad-Lucas to stay with her for an entire day and follow her to a watering hole, where he was able to capture ground-level shots with his BeetleCam that truly capture F_MU1s size and grace. Throughout his time in Tsavo, the photographer was fortunate to encounter the Elephant Queen several more times before she died of natural causes. Story continues As a wildlife photographer, a subject like F_MU1 is incredibly rare; a creature that is unique possibly the most remarkable of her kind and yet an animal that few have photographed before, Burrad-Lucas wrote of his time with the elephant. The time I spent with her was a real privilege. Burrad-Lucas now has many amazing photos to remember her by, which he is sharing in his new book Land of Giants. The book, created in partnership with Tsavo Trust, will be released on March 20 and is available to pre-order from WildlifePhoto.com and Amazon UK. Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards husband, Mauricio Umansky, is facing more trouble over the sale of a $32 million Malibu mansion, with one of his former clients now slapping him with a federal lawsuit accusing him of fraud. According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Umansky and his real estate company, [] Mauricio Umansky Kyle Richards Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards husband, Mauricio Umansky, is facing more trouble over the sale of a $32 million Malibu mansion, with one of his former clients now slapping him with a federal lawsuit accusing him of fraud. According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Umansky and his real estate company, The Agency, are being sued by Sweetwater Malibu LLC, the company that owned the home at the center of the lawsuit. The mansion had been seized by the United States government from Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, who allegedly used funds stolen from his home country Equatorial Guinea (Mangue is the son of the president). Umansky sold the home to a man named Mauricio Oberfeld for $32.5 million. The sale was approved by the United States Government. However, the seller accuses Umansky of failing to inform him that prior to the sale, Umansky received much higher side-offers. Umansky also allegedly never disclosed he had partnered with the buyer to purchase the property. Umansky sold the home for $69.9 million a year later, at a profit of $37 million. Malibu mansion In the newly filed lawsuit, Sweetwater Malibu says, This case involves brazen breaches of fiduciary duties by a high-end real estate broker and his firm the Agency, who were hired to sell a multi-million-dollar Malibu estate owned by Sweetwater. The docs say every real estate broker owes certain duties to their clients but accuses Umansky and The Agency of having violated virtually every one of these duties, by engaging in blatant acts of self-dealing, earning secret profits, and both failing to disclose and outright misrepresenting material facts. The suit is seeking unspecified damages along with punitive damages. Back in October, Umansky and The Agency and his insurance company, Western World Insurance dismissed a separate lawsuit over the $32 million home sale. Umansky was sued by his insurance company, Western World, who wanted the court to order they didnt have to pay for his legal bills relating to a dispute between Umansky and the seller of the Malibu home (aka Sweetwater Malibu), claiming he had breached their contract. Story continues Kyle Richards husband then counter-sued the insurance company and accused them of taking the side of the seller in the dispute over the sale. He denied all allegations of wrongdoing or that he breached their deal. He demanded Western Worlds lawsuit against him not move forward until the outcome of the issue with the seller. Umansky denied all allegations of wrongdoing and said the entire transaction was subject to terms of a settlement agreement between the seller and the United States Government. The post RHOBH Star Kyle Richards Husband Sued for Fraud in $32 Million Malibu Mansion Sale appeared first on The Blast. Samantha Bee offered her two cents on the Tucker Carlson imbroglio currently engulfing Fox News on Wednesday, saying that the hosts old disparaging remarks towards women and Iraqis is probably what got him his job at the network.That is vile and disgusting and presumably the audition tape that got him a job interview at Fox, Bee said during the monologue of her TBS show Full Frontal. Tucker Carlson publicly advocated a genocide while promoting his MSNBC show?On set, Bee played several of the most damaging moments from the Carlson audio released by Media Matters this week.I love women, but theyre extremely primitive. Theyre basic, Carlson said in one moment during his collected appearances on Florida shock jock Bubba the Love Sponges radio show.Also Read: Tucker Carlson Lashes Out at Media Matters Chief Angelo Carusone Over Past 'Racist Blog'If there were a Democrat to come out in the 2008 election and say, you know what the problem is, its these lunatic Muslims who are behaving like animals and I am going to kill as many of them as I can if youd elect me. Id vote for you if you said that, he added, during another moment on the show.He also said Iraq was a place filled with semi-literate primitive monkeys.Also Read: Samantha Bee: Reaction to My Ivanka Trump 'Feckless C--' Segment Was 'Beyond Overblown'Bee has a personal bone to pick with Carlson. In May 2018, the host attacked her on air after the comedian called Ivanka Trump a feckless c. Carlson said he was stunned by Bees use of the term and said it just wasnt a word that should be in anyones vocabulary.That one word that [Bee] used. I dont know any man who uses that word because it is kind of the one word that is actually degrading, Carlson told radio host Tammy Bruce on his own show. Its the thing that feminists are always telling us. That word really is.Among the many things Carlson was quoted saying on Bubbas show was a pointed jab at television host Alexis Stewart, who he called cty.Bee later apologized for using the word toward Ivanka. Tucker, however, has remained defiant. In a statement Sunday, he refused to concede wrongdoing and said anyone aggrieved should come on his show. Fox News has stood resolutely behind him throughout.Read original story Samantha Bee on Tucker Carlson Audio: The Audition Tape That Got Him a Job Interview at Fox (Video) At TheWrap Samantha Bee offered her two cents on the Tucker Carlson imbroglio currently engulfing Fox News on Wednesday, saying that the hosts old disparaging remarks towards women and Iraqis is probably what got him his job at the network. That is vile and disgusting and presumably the audition tape that got him a job interview at Fox, Bee said during the monologue of her TBS show Full Frontal. Tucker Carlson publicly advocated a genocide while promoting his MSNBC show? On set, Bee played several of the most damaging moments from the Carlson audio released by Media Matters this week. I love women, but theyre extremely primitive. Theyre basic, Carlson said in one moment during his collected appearances on Florida shock jock Bubba the Love Sponges radio show. Also Read: Tucker Carlson Lashes Out at Media Matters Chief Angelo Carusone Over Past 'Racist Blog' If there were a Democrat to come out in the 2008 election and say, you know what the problem is, its these lunatic Muslims who are behaving like animals and I am going to kill as many of them as I can if youd elect me. Id vote for you if you said that, he added, during another moment on the show. He also said Iraq was a place filled with semi-literate primitive monkeys. Also Read: Samantha Bee: Reaction to My Ivanka Trump 'Feckless C--' Segment Was 'Beyond Overblown' Bee has a personal bone to pick with Carlson. In May 2018, the host attacked her on air after the comedian called Ivanka Trump a feckless c. Carlson said he was stunned by Bees use of the term and said it just wasnt a word that should be in anyones vocabulary. That one word that [Bee] used. I dont know any man who uses that word because it is kind of the one word that is actually degrading, Carlson told radio host Tammy Bruce on his own show. Its the thing that feminists are always telling us. That word really is. Among the many things Carlson was quoted saying on Bubbas show was a pointed jab at television host Alexis Stewart, who he called cty. Bee later apologized for using the word toward Ivanka. Tucker, however, has remained defiant. In a statement Sunday, he refused to concede wrongdoing and said anyone aggrieved should come on his show. Fox News has stood resolutely behind him throughout. Read original story Samantha Bee on Tucker Carlson Audio: The Audition Tape That Got Him a Job Interview at Fox (Video) At TheWrap Surgeon from I Am Jazz Fired After Posting Photos of Trans Patients' Genitals on Instagram A University of Miami Health System surgeon has been fired after sharing photos of his transgender patients genitals on Instagram. Dr. Christopher John Salgado, who is certified in plastic surgery in Florida and consulted with TLC star Jazz Jennings regarding her gender confirmation surgery on an episode of I Am Jazz, served as the section chief of UHealths LGBTQ Center for Wellness, Gender and Sexual Health, the Miami Herald reports. As recently as Valentines Day, Salgado shared a photo of a patients removed penis, which he molded into a heart, according to archived photos obtained by The Trans Advocate. There are many ways to show your LOVE, Salgado captioned the post shared on his since-deleted personal Instagram account @sexsurgeon. The disgraced doctor also used derogatory slang terms to describe his patients private parts, according to the Herald. In addition, Salgado shared a photo of himself wearing scrubs, holding an adult toy he claims he removed from a patients rectum, according to The Trans Advocate. Salgado did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment. Dr. Christopher John Salgado on I Am Jazz Salgados Instagram content prompted transgender advocates to launch a petition, calling for the American College of Surgeons to take action. Salgado, however, is not a member of the American College of Surgeons, Miami Herald reported. Transgender patients are an incredibly vulnerable population as it relates to seeking medical care, the petition states. We experience violence, neglect, misgendering, sexual assault, and more. To see a surgeon who claims to specialize in treating transgender patients using racist, homophobic, and transphobic hashtags is beyond unacceptable. Beyond Dr. Salgados blatant disrespect for trans people, his public vulgarity, lack of professionalism and questionable ethics around patient privacy must be immediately addressed. Lisa Worley a spokeswoman for UHealth confirmed that Dr. Christopher Salgado is no longer employed by the University. Story continues RELATED: Mom Shares Transgender Teens Heartbreaking Suicide Note to Raise Awareness to Issues She Faced The University of Miami is committed to promoting and supporting diversity in its students, faculty and staff. As health care providers, we continue to have a team of experts dedicated to delivering the full continuum of care for gender reassignments patients, Worley added. As of Wednesday, Salgado remains a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons believes all patients deserve privacy and dignity. The plastic surgery speciality is privileged to provide care to the transgender community through gender affirming treatments, and we strongly condemn any disregard for human decency, ASPS told PEOPLE. It is not immediately clear if Salgados medical license will be revoked at this time. UBCO currently has space for 1,680 students to live on campus, which allows it to meet its guarantee to provide student housing to every first-year student. Photo credit: Tom Brenner - Getty Images From Esquire The president* had a bit of a setback on Thursday, as the Congress suddenly discovered Article I of the United States Constitution at the bottom of its oatmeal bowl next to the bunny rabbit. First, the House of Representatives unanimously passed a measure stating its opinion that Robert Mueller's eventual report should be made public. From The New York Times: Though the resolution is nonbinding and cannot force the Justice Department to take a particular action, Democrats who put it on the House floor are trying to build public pressure on Attorney General William P. Barr in advance of the investigations anticipated conclusion to share what Robert S. Mueller III produces. Far from standing in the way, Republicans joined Democrats en masse. On the 420-to-0 vote, four Republicans voted present. This report must see the light of day, must be available to the American public for a catharsis that will allow us to start with the facts, understand what happened and begin to rebuild the faith of the American people, said Representative Jim Himes, Democrat of Connecticut and a senior member of the Intelligence Committee, which has undertaken its own Russia investigation. The Republicans apparently signed on under the political rubric of, "What, us worry?" With wide bipartisan support the House has agreed: the American people deserve to know the truth about what, if anything, special counsel Mueller has uncovered, and now we should finally see this investigation come to a close, said Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the second-ranking Republican, in a statement. Considering that every investigator in the country except Illya Kuryakin has their teeth in the president*'s leg right now, and show no sign of letting go, this seems a bit blithe as to the future. Photo credit: Pool - Getty Images Meanwhile, down the clickety marble hallway, the Senate took a very binding vote in which it overturned resoundingly the president*'s phony national emergency at the southern border. From the Washington Post: Story continues The disapproval resolution passed the House last month, so the 59-41 Senate vote will send the measure to the Trumps desk. Trump has promised to use the first veto of his presidency to strike it down, and Congress does not have the votes to override the veto. VETO! Trump tweeted moments after the vote. That's really not how you do it. Twelve Republicans voted to reject the emergency declaration and, of course, they all had their own spin on why they did. For example, Marco Rubio voted to reject it because he's afraid some Democratic president is going to show up one morning and steal all his cows. We have an emergency at our border, which is why I support the presidents use of forfeiture funds and counter-drug money to build a wall. However, I cannot support moving funds that Congress explicitly appropriated for construction and upgrades of our military bases. This would create a precedent a future president may abuse to jumpstart programs like the Green New Deal. Among the Republicans who folded on their constitutional duty were Very Concerned Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who wrote a damn op-ed last month in the Post about how he couldn't go along with the president. But Tillis is up for re-election in 2020, and that's how tat goes. (And it's a good thing Sasse is a Very Concerned Serious Person, because his statement explaining why he rolled over reads like it was written by drunken coatimundis. He wants Congress to regain the powers it has surrendered to the Executive, but not this way, or something.) Photo credit: Tasos Katopodis - Getty Images All of this comes after the Senate had given him another whack and voted to cut off US aid to Saudi Arabia's brutal campaign in Yemen. And if you think the president* is going to accept all this LOSING gracefully, well, consider the interview he gave to Breitbart on Thursday. "So heres the thing-its so terrible whats happening, Trump said when asked by Breitbart News Washington Political Editor Matthew Boyle about how the left is fighting hard. You know, the left plays a tougher game, its very funny. I actually think that the people on the right are tougher, but they dont play it tougher. Okay? I can tell you I have the support of the police, the support of the military, the support of the Bikers for Trump I have the tough people, but they dont play it tough - until they go to a certain point, and then it would be very bad, very bad. But the left plays it cuter and tougher. Like with all the nonsense that they do in Congress with all this invest[igations]-thats all they want to do is you know, they do things that are nasty. Republicans never played this. The president* is telling one of his favorite media outlets that he's prepared to use the police and the military against his political opposition, and even if he's just bloviating, what he's saying is an impeachable act all on its own. I'd like to believe that this is finally the first stirring of a general Republican uprising against being led by a vulgar talking yam, but I'm going to need more proof than a couple of votes. After all, late in the afternoon on Thursday, the new normal reasserted itself. Senator Lindsey Graham objected, so that House resolution about making the Mueller report public died quietly without any debate at all. But Graham is willing to swing for it as long as the FBI investigates Hillary Clinton and her emails, and the whole country is insane now. Respond to this post on the Esquire Politics Facebook page here. ('You Might Also Like',) Tucker Carlson called for an IRS investigation into Media Matters for America on Tuesday saying that as a non-profit, its political activity was in violation of its 501 (c) (3) status.In an e-mail from January 5 of 2016, Hillary staff discussed working with Media Matters to counter a Vanity Fair piece on Huma Abedin, quote, We have Media Matters and core surrogates lined up which we can expand on tomorrow,' Carlson said. This isnt just unethical, it is illegal.Under IRS Regulations 501 (c) (3), nonprofits are totally prohibited from participating in campaigns of political candidates. Media Matters broke the law. The group has never been punished for this, though it is widely known, Carlson continued. Media Matters retains its tax exempt status. That means that you and every other taxpayer is subsidizing attacks on our own First Amendment. Why is this? How can this be happening? Maybe someone should call the IRS tomorrow morning and find out.Reps for Media Matters and the IRS did not immediately respond to request for comment from TheWrap.Also Read: Tucker Carlson Says 'Fox News Is Behind Us' After Past Audio ResurfacesCarlson and Fox News have been on a warpath ever since the liberal watchdog group posted excerpts from multiple radio interviews Carlson gave between 2006 and 2011 in which he made disparaging remarks towards women and called Iraqis semiliterate primitive monkeys.Media Matters is a George Soros-funded lobbying organization whose sole mission is to punish critics of the Democratic Party, Carlson derided. Media Matters often uses propaganda from the Southern Poverty Law Center to bully corporations, news executives, and tech companies into punishing people it doesnt like. Not surprisingly, the media love Media Matters.In the segment, the Fox News also went after mainstream media journalists who have worked with the organization, citing the Washington Posts Greg Sargent and BuzzFeed Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith by name as people willing to do Media Matters bidding.Reps for Sargent and Smith did not immediately respond to request for comment from TheWrap. Carlson also repeated his past attacks on CNN senior media reporter Brian Stelter, again calling him a eunuch. CNN has repeatedly declined to respond to the insult.Also Read: Tucker Carlson Once Called Fox News 'A Mean, Sick Group of People' Back in 2003Since Media Matters dropped audio from Carlsons frequent appearances on the radio show of Florida shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge, the host and his network have faced renewed outrage and calls for him to be terminated. At least two advertisers have dropped his show since the Media Matters drop.In a statement Sunday, Carlson refused to apologize for the naughty language, saying anyone upset was welcome to come on his show and have it out with him.Media Matters caught me saying something naughty on a radio show more than a decade ago, Carlson said. Rather than express the usual ritual contrition, how about this: Im on television every weeknight live for an hour, Carlson continued. If you want to know what I think, you can watch. Anyone who disagrees with my views is welcome to come on and explain why.On Monday, Carlson doubled down on air, informing viewers that he would never bow to online outrage mobs and said Fox News stood resolutely behind him.Fox News is behind us, as they have been since the very first day. Toughness is a rare quality at a TV network, and we are grateful for that, Carlson said. We will never bow to the mob, ever, no matter what.The network confirmed Tuesday evening that Carlson was expected to remain on air for the rest of the week.Read original story Tucker Carlson Calls for IRS Investigation Into Media Matters At TheWrap Tucker Carlson called for an IRS investigation into Media Matters for America on Tuesday saying that as a non-profit, its political activity was in violation of its 501 (c) (3) status. In an e-mail from January 5 of 2016, Hillary staff discussed working with Media Matters to counter a Vanity Fair piece on Huma Abedin, quote, We have Media Matters and core surrogates lined up which we can expand on tomorrow,' Carlson said. This isnt just unethical, it is illegal. Under IRS Regulations 501 (c) (3), nonprofits are totally prohibited from participating in campaigns of political candidates. Media Matters broke the law. The group has never been punished for this, though it is widely known, Carlson continued. Media Matters retains its tax exempt status. That means that you and every other taxpayer is subsidizing attacks on our own First Amendment. Why is this? How can this be happening? Maybe someone should call the IRS tomorrow morning and find out. Reps for Media Matters and the IRS did not immediately respond to request for comment from TheWrap. Also Read: Tucker Carlson Says 'Fox News Is Behind Us' After Past Audio Resurfaces Carlson and Fox News have been on a warpath ever since the liberal watchdog group posted excerpts from multiple radio interviews Carlson gave between 2006 and 2011 in which he made disparaging remarks towards women and called Iraqis semiliterate primitive monkeys. Media Matters is a George Soros-funded lobbying organization whose sole mission is to punish critics of the Democratic Party, Carlson derided. Media Matters often uses propaganda from the Southern Poverty Law Center to bully corporations, news executives, and tech companies into punishing people it doesnt like. Not surprisingly, the media love Media Matters. In the segment, the Fox News also went after mainstream media journalists who have worked with the organization, citing the Washington Posts Greg Sargent and BuzzFeed Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith by name as people willing to do Media Matters bidding. Story continues Reps for Sargent and Smith did not immediately respond to request for comment from TheWrap. Carlson also repeated his past attacks on CNN senior media reporter Brian Stelter, again calling him a eunuch. CNN has repeatedly declined to respond to the insult. Also Read: Tucker Carlson Once Called Fox News 'A Mean, Sick Group of People' Back in 2003 Since Media Matters dropped audio from Carlsons frequent appearances on the radio show of Florida shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge, the host and his network have faced renewed outrage and calls for him to be terminated. At least two advertisers have dropped his show since the Media Matters drop. In a statement Sunday, Carlson refused to apologize for the naughty language, saying anyone upset was welcome to come on his show and have it out with him. Media Matters caught me saying something naughty on a radio show more than a decade ago, Carlson said. Rather than express the usual ritual contrition, how about this: Im on television every weeknight live for an hour, Carlson continued. If you want to know what I think, you can watch. Anyone who disagrees with my views is welcome to come on and explain why. On Monday, Carlson doubled down on air, informing viewers that he would never bow to online outrage mobs and said Fox News stood resolutely behind him. Fox News is behind us, as they have been since the very first day. Toughness is a rare quality at a TV network, and we are grateful for that, Carlson said. We will never bow to the mob, ever, no matter what. The network confirmed Tuesday evening that Carlson was expected to remain on air for the rest of the week. Read original story Tucker Carlson Calls for IRS Investigation Into Media Matters At TheWrap The 360 is a feature designed to show you diverse perspectives on the days top stories. Speed read Democrats vying to be the partys nominee for president in 2020 are in the spotlight for their stances on reparations the idea that African-Americans should receive financial compensation for the legacy of slavery and the Jim Crow era. Why its in the news: Last month at a Last month at a CNN town hall , Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders was asked about reparations and responded: What does that mean? What do they mean? Im not sure anyones very clear. Sanders elaborated in a March 4 radio interview when asked if he would support free cash payouts to African-Americans, he said: No. Do you mean a check to every African-American? Well, then, that means a check to every Native American that were wiped out when the settlers came. I think the way we go forward is to build America together. Why its sparking debate: The reparations debate is emerging as a key election issue. African-American voters a key constituency for the Democrats support reparations, but there are different interpretations about how they would be enacted. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have historically opposed reparations . House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she supports a bill establishing a commission to study and consider the issue. Story continues A handful of candidates Sen. Kamala Harris, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro have expressed some form of support for reparations . Sen. Cory Booker is touting a baby bonds plan to close the racial wealth gap. Marianne Williamson , a self-help author and spiritual adviser, wants to set aside $100 billion for a reparations program. Whats next: As the party shifts more to the left, the candidates stance on reparations could be seen as a litmus test for their progressive credentials. The issue looks set to hang over the Democratic field and could entrench divisions between the partys progressive wing and its moderates. While polls in recent years have shown the issue to be popular with black voters , support of reparations is less popular with Americans overall particularly with white voters. And that leaves candidates trying to sort out whether to campaign on the issue. Perspectives Reparations are needed to right the wrongs of slavery. Were a nation coming apart at the seams, a nation in which each tribe has its own narrative, and the narratives are generally resentment narratives. The African-American experience is somehow at the core of this fragmentation the original sin that hardens the heart, separates Americans from one another and serves as model and fuel for other injustices. The need now is to consolidate all the different narratives and make them reconciliation and possibility narratives, in which all feel known. That requires direct action, a concrete gesture of respect that makes possible the beginning of a new chapter in our common life. Reparations are a drastic policy and hard to execute, but the very act of talking about and designing them heals a wound and opens a new story. David Brooks, New York Times Without reparations in the form of money or assets, how can we ensure that every Black American is able to benefit? Not all Black Americans need social programs, but all Black Americans are entitled to reparations, as Ta-Nehisi Coates explained in heartbreaking detail five years ago. The truth is that no form of reparations will fully right the wrongs of slavery. But thats not the point. The point is to acknowledge a crime against humanity and to make one step toward redress. Our country needs better social programs, but we also need true reparations. Its revolutionary to have so many candidates discussing this controversial topic. But that doesnt mean that we cant push them to have these conversations more effectively. Nylah Burton, Bustle Reparations would widen racial divisions in America. Conservatives can sometimes be heard tepidly endorsing reparations in just this sense: a one-time payment, and then nothing more owed no affirmative action, no national conversation on race, nothing. That is the only conception of reparations that could possibly be politically viable. It would also be utterly toxic, ultimately widening divisions that were trying to shrink. And the benefit is likely to be smaller than the heroic price tag suggests; the economic evidence from lotteries suggests that one-time capital transfers do very little to improve the long-term welfare of recipients. Megan McArdle, Washington Post The moral case for reparations may be strong, but the political and cultural consequences of enacting the policy is likely to be extremely high. Far from serving as a moment of moral reckoning and healing for the country, as its advocates contend, it would inspire a severe backlash that would inflame tensions on both sides of the color line and set the stage for future calls from other groups for acts of public restitution for past injustices. Its a recipe for greatly intensified civic anger and resentment. Damon Linker, The Week Supporting reparations is grandstanding. Slavery, and the systematic subjugation of African Americans that followed it officially until the day before yesterday, was evil. Its legacy is evil. Its surviving remnants are evil. It is not an evil that is unique in the world but it is an evil that is unique in the context of the United States of America. Its consequences remain very much with us, as anyone with eyes to see can discern for himself. Reparations are the wrong way to mitigate that evil. One reason for that is that reparations proposals are not intended to mitigate that evil. They are intended to make Elizabeth Warren, professor of color, president of the United States. And, if not Warren, then Senator Harris, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, or some other tedious mediocrity. Kevin D. Williamson, National Review What will resolve the racial divisions in this country is not a cash transfer but and you liberals are going to hate this manifestly true statement of fact a return to the Judeo-Christian values and principles of our Constitution that recognize the worth and dignity of each individual based upon his or her character, as well as a total repudiation of the racial hucksterism that is destroying our culture. Until we reject the ethnic scammers and professional bigots who seek to make immutable characteristics like race, ethnicity, religion, and gender what defines an individual, our culture and politics will be a poisonous cesspool. Its those creeps who owe all of us reparations but I dont want their money. I just want them to stop destroying my country. Kurt Schlichter, Townhall The debate could tear Democrats apart. When an issue suddenly gains traction as important to a left constituency, theres enormous pressure on the Democratic candidates to position themselves as more woke than their rivals. But faux wokeness can backfire. Better to be all in than halfway. The second is that when an issue like this is suddenly injected into the campaign policy conversation, it incentivizes the political press to scour the candidates records. And the longer the record one has, the more perilous scouring can be. Finally, the reparations debate has exposed the crucial divide among Democrats these days, which is between those who emphasize class and those who emphasize race and identity. Ryan Lizza, Esquire Flippant talk about reparations illustrates a worsening pattern of behavior among congressional Democrats, including presidential candidates. A quarter-baked idea (reparations, a Green New Deal, Medicare for All) is floated. There is a stampede to endorse it before thinking about the ideas dependence on enormous revenues of unknown origin and/or unavailable technologies. Then, when details, or the lack thereof, reveal the ideas wild impracticality, the stampeders breezily say: Nevertheless, the idea is virtuous because it is aspirational. Which means that the Democratic party is again assisting, as in 2016, Donald Trumps electoral aspirations. George Will, National Review Can reparations even be calculated? Reparations owed to African-Americans in terms of dollars are insurmountable and nearly impossible for America to afford. No amount of money can repair the psychological damage African-Americans have experienced for centuries, and no amount of money can address the systemic racism that has been carried over from slavery. The United States would have to attempt to calculate the total cost to compensate for damages done to generations of an entire race of people to arrive at a dollar amount for reparations. A realistic expectation is not to offer monetary compensation but to educate the youth and future generations of all American citizens in a way that would reverse the effects of slavery on everyone and change every citizens perception of African-Americans. Benny Williams, Ebony Videos Photo credit: Illustrations By Brett Ryder From Oprah Magazine You can smoke it, vape it, sip it, or spritz it. You can bake it into brownies. You can find it in lotions and potions to rub on your skin, tinctures to drop under your tongue, capsules to swallow, or oils that have been added to your latte or ice cream. Cannabis is everywhere these days, and to hear its proponents talk, its the fix for everything that might ail you. But is it? And do you need a degree in medicinal plant studies (yes, that exists) to know your CBD from your THC? What exactly is cannabis? The cannabis plant contains more than 100 chemical compounds, known as cannabinoids, some of which can affect how we feel and think. The most famous are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which produces a euphoric feeling and alters sensory perception, and cannabidiol (CBD), which is non-intoxicating but may be potent in other ways. Both hemp and marijuana are varieties of cannabis, but hemp has a very low concentration of THC, while marijuanas is, no pun intended, much higher. The type and amount of cannabinoids in any given plant vary widely depending on the plants strain and how its grown; they help determine whether a cannabis product will perk you up, settle you down, or land you somewhere in between. How do you consume cannabis? Smoking pot leads to an almost- immediate high; in edible form, effects are delayed for 30 minutes to an hour but may be more intense, longer lasting, and, in some cases-especially if you overindulge-decidedly unpleasant (nausea, paranoia, even hallucinations). Of course, cannabis has the potential to do much more than alter your consciousness. Yet because the plants longtime illegal status (see Canna-Busted?, right) stunted medical research, theres still a lot to learn about its effectiveness. Weve rounded up some of the most common cannabis claims to see which are solid and which may be as wispy as smoke. Does cannabis actually relieve chronic pain? The facts: When no less an authority than the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (nasem) released a 2017 report reviewing the health effects of cannabis, it included evidence to validate the plants efficacy in treating several health conditions; chronic pain was in the top three. Story continues A comprehensive review published in JAMA in 2015, analyzing 79 trials with 6,462 patients, found evidence that cannabis worked for chronic pain-which is encouraging, says Raphael Mechoulam, PhD, head of the medicinal chemistry lab at Hebrew University of Jerusalem and one of the worlds foremost cannabis researchers. There is real promise that cannabis could help adults with chronic pain. Daniele Piomelli, PhD, co-director of the Center for the Study of Cannabis at the University of California, Irvine, is also optimistic: There is real promise that cannabis could help adults with chronic pain, though we need a few more studies to say that conclusively. Because cannabis has a negligible risk of overdose, experts have suggested that medical cannabis could even be a way to help address the countrys opioid problem. We have less evidence for the CBD-only panaceas were seeing everywhere from bars to bodegas to boutiques: the oils, vapors, topicals, and tinctures. There are tantalizing studies on CBD for pain, but theyve been done on lab animals, and a rat needs a far lower dose of a drug to see effects than a 150-pound woman. Medical cannabis could be a way to help address the countrys opioid problem. Furthermore, the amount of cannabidiol that your body can get from an oil is relatively low. My feelings on CBD products isnt that they dont work, but that they cant be effectively used by humans because the dose would need to be so high, says Jordan Tishler, MD, a Harvard Medical Schooltrained internist whos president of the Association of Cannabis Specialists. The caveats: An October 2018 paper found that more than one in ten frequent marijuana smokers who gave up their habit experienced cannabis withdrawal syndrome, which could include symptoms such as feelings of anger, irritability, or aggressiveness; abdominal pain; fever; chills; sweating; headache; or tremors or shakiness. Photo credit: Illustrations By Brett Ryder Is cannabis legal? The laws regulating cannabis-and their enforcement-are changing by the day. Heres where things stand right now. Marijuana has been effectively illegal under federal law since 1937. Today its still federally prohibited, but individual states have their own laws regarding growth, sale, and possession (for instance, 46 states permit some form of medical use of marijuana; ten of them also permit recreational use). 46 states permit some form of medical use of marijuana; 10 of them also permit recreational use. Hemp, on the other hand, was federally legalized last year. But as of press time, CBD, even if derived from hemp, is still federally prohibited. Although CBD is widely marketed as a health and wellness aid, the FDA considers it a drug, not a supplement, and does not allow the sale of CBD-laced products. The FDA considers CBD a drug. Some states, like Maine, have even started cracking down on the sale of CBD-infused food products. Does this mean the feds will come after you for your CBD gummies? Unlikely. In February 2017, thenAttorney General Jeff Sessions said in an interview that the Justice Department wasnt planning to take on small marijuana cases-like yours. True, Sessions is no longer AG, but federal policing of individual consumption is still unlikely to become a priority. Does cannabis help with sleep? The facts: Theres moderate evidence that cannabis can help some people snooze better, according to the nasem report. And a 2017 research review suggests that CBD may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of insomnia. THC may also help people nod off faster, says Mechoulam. But on the flip side, it might cause sleep to be less restful, canceling out some of its benefits. The caveats: The way cannabis helps or hampers sleep depends on many factors, including the levels of CBD and THC, the dose, the method, the length of time youve been taking it, and the existing sleep issues. In addition, most of the studies on cannabis and sleep have been done on people with chronic pain issues. And even if THC does put you out, theres a risk that the effects will wear off with regular use. But if youve tried everything else, talk to a doctor about cannabis. Insomnia is, like pain, a condition for which conventional medications dont work very well, says Tishler, who notes that cannabis is a promising option with a low risk of negative side effects. And how about gastrointestinal issues? The facts: While a preliminary 2017 study showed that a non-intoxicating form of THC called THC-A had an anti-inflammatory effect when applied to cells taken from people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), experts are still uncertain whether cannabis can have the same effect in patients. Tishler says that cannabis use can improve IBD symptoms including the debilitating stomach pains IBD is known for, but its not a proven cure. The evidence for treatment of symptoms of IBD is clear, he says. Whether thats based on changes in how a patient perceives their symptoms or on improving the pathology of the disease is less than clear. The caveats: THC-A has been tested only in human tissue, not humans themselves. While Tishler has recommended the compound to some of his patients, he says that most dispensaries arent hip to the medical value of THC-A and dont carry these types of products. But cannabis can mitigate anxiety, right? The facts: Studies have supported the stoner movie stereotype of the uptight worrywart who is mellowed out by a joint. But studies have also supported that other stereotype, of the paranoid pothead: Anxiety and panic reactions are the most commonly noted acute effects of being high. This is because THC appears to decrease anxiety at lower doses and increase anxiety at higher doses. THC appears to decrease anxiety at lower doses and increase anxiety at higher doses. There is less anecdotal and scientific evidence regarding CBD, though it appears to ease anxiety at all doses that have been tested. My impression is that low levels of THC and high levels of CBD cause positive effects by enhancing mood, notes Mechoulam. However, he adds, the therapeutic window for CBD and the precise mechanisms by which it works are yet to be determined. The caveats: Considering the number of people who use marijuana to treat anxiety, theres a surprising dearth of rigorous research on how it affects mental health conditions. Given the federal prohibition of cannabis, most studies looking at its effect on mood have involved little control or standardization of treatment type or dose. THC and CBD may help anxiety in the short term, but so do exercise and cognitive-behavioral therapy, and the evidence suggests long-term use isnt recommended (the effects may wear off, or users could become dependent on this treatment). Now for the biggest caveat of all. Use of marijuana is linked to an increased risk of schizophrenia in those with a genetic vulnerability, and the risk goes up the more you use. So if youre going to partake, do so in moderation. And keep in mind that, as every expert will tell you, what we dont yet know about cannabis far outweighs what we do. But if it turns out to have even half the therapeutic benefits its said to possess, it will prove to be a wonder drug indeed. Photo credit: Illustrations By Brett Ryder How is cannabis grown? Sure, cannabis is a leafy plant, but that doesnt mean its necessarily green. In fact, over the decades, pots illegal status has led to some decidedly eco-unfriendly acts. To make space for clandestine greenhouses and secret fields in the woods, cannabis farmers often fragmented forests by clear-cutting trees. They diverted creeks and rivers to help irrigate the thirsty plant (which needs about six gallons of water per day), then doused it with pesticides. Fertilizer runoff drained into streams. Illicit operations sometimes relied on polluting diesel generators to stay off the power grid. Even now, growing the plant indoors (legally or not) requires high-intensity lights and ventilation equipment; these types of operations alone account for 1 percent of total annual U.S. electricity use, according to a 2012 study in the journal Energy Policy. Commercial cultivation of hemp was recently made legal under federal law; 31 states allow for the commercial growth of medical marijuana, according to cannabis consulting firm Quantum 9. Environmentalists, medical experts, and entrepreneurs generally agree that legalization is beneficial for the planet and its people. For example, regulators in many states are establishing clear rules that limit pesticide usage, as is done with other commercial crops, says Daniele Piomelli, PhD, co-director of the UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis. And growers who no longer need to hide from the law can focus on implementing earth-friendly agricultural practices. Some groups already encourage growers to scale up sustainably: Clean Green Certified and Certified Kind assess cannabis cultivators and award stamps of approval to those using organically based practices (Clean Green, which is more established, has certified 108 farms). Washington recently became the first state to start its own certification program and is likely to verify its first crops within the next year. Front Range Biosciences, an agricultural biotech company, is taking a different tack: It sells seeds bred to be disease-resistant, high-yielding plants, which lowers growers reliance on pesticides. Gauging the greenness of CBD-laced products is trickier, since its difficult to ensure that the extract came from an American growth operation-as opposed to one in China-let alone a sustainable one. However, these brands tout their eco-friendly practices: Charlottes Web, which sells hemp-derived CBD oil, uses ladybugs as a pesticide and relies on cover crops like oats and rye to help slow land erosion. And the California-based Humboldt Apothecary, known for its THC and CBD tinctures, works with some operators who use farming methods that restrict irrigation. While states consider ways to clean up cannabis, we can all help by urging the government to study pots impact on the environment, and pushing to find out where that Acapulco Gold, Maui Wowie, or Panama Red really comes from and how it was grown. -R.J.Z. Georgia already faces a dire womens health crisis and a shortage of health care providers. We cannot afford to further dismantle access to health care or interfere with basic medical practice. Nevertheless, Georgias state legislature is poised as soon as Monday to pass HB481, an extreme anti-abortion bill that bans abortions at a medically arbitrary point, roughly six weeks into pregnancy. We are fourth-year medical students at Emory University in Atlanta, preparing to begin our residencies in obstetrics and gynecology. Like millions of Georgians, we are enraged by the political push to pass HB 481. Medical students like us in Georgia and across the country are taught universal values first, do no harm, provide compassionate care, and prioritize a patients wellbeing above all else. This bill violates fundamental doctrines taught in medical school and will deter future trainees from committing to careers in womens health care in this state. Georgia is at the very bottom of the national report card; it has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality and teen pregnancy. Over half of Georgia already lacks access to ob-gyns, while other areas suffer from a complete absence of care. Georgias rural women are disproportionately affected. By 2020, it is estimated that three-quarters of rural areas will lack access to an obstetrician, midwife, or family physician to safely care for women, mothers, and babies. Lets be clear: this bill essentially bans abortion in Georgia. If passed, it will deny care to all women and in particular the most vulnerable patients in our communities. Insufficient health insurance coverage and a lack of health information already prevent the delivery of quality healthcare in our state. We know that these barriers disproportionately affect women of color and low-income women; these populations are less likely to access prenatal care and have worse pregnancy complications, including preterm birth, hemorrhage, and death. Story continues Many of our patients have illnesses that can progress in unexpected ways during pregnancy. Sometimes a safe termination procedure is the best option for a patients health and her familys wellbeing. Take for example a patient with diabetes, which now affects almost 10% of pregnancies. It can be difficult to predict when a pregnant diabetic womans condition may rapidly worsen, leading to blindness or kidney failure. This bill would force healthcare providers like us to wait for a possibly catastrophic outcome before we could legally offer an abortion to protect her health. We trust women to make reproductive healthcare decisions that are best for themselves and their families this trust is at the core of why we chose to pursue this field. This bill will not just undermine womens health in our state. It also sends a message to future health care providers like us that the government can and will violate the privacy of the clinical exam room. Putting aside personal beliefs, our legislators should understand that this measure will deter future trainees from committing to careers in womens health care in Georgia. Many trainees will simply choose not to practice here, where legislative restrictions will diminish their ability to provide the quality care, that they swore under the Hippocratic oath to deliver. In a state already facing a woeful shortage of providers, we must attract, not deter, trainees and providers to make Georgia home. Finally, HB 481 attacks the fundamental rights of patients when they see their doctors. It takes medical decision-making power away from patients and puts that power into the hands of politicians. It promotes political agendas instead of improving the health of Georgias women and families. It does more harm by adding kindle to Georgias maternal health crisis and by criminalizing basic medical procedures that are a part of safe, effective medical care. We trust women to make reproductive healthcare decisions that are best for themselves and their families this trust is at the core of why we chose to pursue this field. We call on our local and state officials to support our communitys medical providers. Legislators must support access to safe and evidence-based medical care across our state; prioritize the health and autonomy of women in Georgia; and stop interfering in the medical exam room. The authors are fourth-year medical students at Emory University in Atlanta. Both will be OB/Gyn resident physicians beginning in July. Ms. Kramer earned an MSc in Health Policy at the London School of Economics. Ms. Nandi is completing a Masters in Public Health and Epidemiology at Emory University. Their views are their own and not those of Emory University. Views expressed here are their own. Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here? This Mom Went To Prison For Enrolling Her Son In A School Outside Her District Beto O'Rourke Is Already Getting The Rockstar Treatment Who Is Running For President In 2020? A mom from Wisconsin is accusing her childs former private school of discrimination. She claims her 5-year-old daughter Kiley Eliason was asked to leave New Life Academy in Minnesota because of her Type 1 diabetes. Emma Garvey claims her daughter Kiley was asked to leave the school due to her diabetes. (Credit: Emma Garvey) My little girl has endured SO MUCH because of this disease. She has had her life and childhood taken away from her. She has had her health physically and emotionally taken from her, the 25-year-old parent wrote on her Facebook Friday. Now she has her school, her friends and especially the wonderful school nurse whom she has grown to love away from her. Kiley was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes three years ago, shortly after starting at New Life Academy in Woodbury. According to Garveys post, Kiley thrived at the pre-school for the first two years. However, during Kileys third year at the Christian school, she began struggling academically when she was pulled out of class more frequently due to highs and lows in her blood sugar. The kindergartner requires insulin doses administered by a trained adult before meals, snacks and during drastic changes in her blood sugar. Garvey also changes her daughters pump every 72 hours, ABC5 reports. When you live with a disease that could kill you at any moment being taken out of class is the least of your problems, Garvey tells Yahoo Lifestyle. Kiley Eliasons mom changes her insulin pump changed every 72 hours. (Photo: Emma Garvey) According to the mom, the school nurse helping Kiley requested for one other staff member to be trained to treat the kindergartener in the event that she was occupied helping another student. The school administration allegedly responded with resistance. You couldnt spend ANY of that money to train even ONE extra person on how to care for her in case of an emergency in order to keep her? wrote a disgruntled Garvey, who added that the private school charges anywhere from $10,000 to $12,000 a year per student. Shortly after the nurse raised questions about the school not providing the necessary resources for Kileys condition, Garvey was called into a meeting with the schools principal in which she was told Kiley was no longer a good fit for New Life Academy. Despite asking to allow Kiley to finish out the school year, Garvey was apparently given only two weeks to find her a new school. Story continues Nobody wanted the responsibility of Kiley. They didnt even try at ALL to find a way for her to stay, Garvey says. They just decided it would be easier if she left so that they wouldnt have to deal with it anymore. Yahoo Lifestyle reached out to New Life Academy for a comment on Garveys allegations. The school released the following statement: We are blessed to provide a Christ-centered learning environment for our students ours is a community of caring. New Life Academy provides services to students with various special health and learning needs. When we have the ability to provide the level of care and support that is needed for each childs situation, we do so. When we do not have this ability, we refer them to schools that can provide the services needed. Out of respect to the privacy of those involved and in accordance with the law, we cannot comment on a specific case without a parents permission to do so. The school also noted that they requested Garvey sign a released so they could talk publicly about the incident, but she has apparently yet to do so. Garvey says that after calling more than six public elementary schools in the surrounding area, she finally placed Kiley at Oakdale Elementary, the first school that would accept her in the middle of the school year. [Kiley] is terrified. Nervous. Anxious. Afraid nobody will like her, the Wisconsin mom wrote on her Facebook. Watching my little girl cry her eyes out in the back of my car over this situation breaks me as a mom. Emma Garvey poses for a family photo with her daughter Kiley and her husband. (Credit: Emma Garvey) Garvey hopes that by sharing her daughters story, shell raise awareness to the fact that diabetics have SO MUCH on their plate as is. She continues, The fact that they also have to worry about whether or not people will see their worth rather than seeing them as a burden is so heart breaking. I just want to be a voice to those who havent spoken up. Adds Garvey, If I can spare even one child from dealing with this then I have done my job. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. Update (Tuesday, March 12, 6:12 p.m. EST): The entire European Union has now banned the use of 737 Max 8 Planes. According to The New York Times, the E.U. prohibited Max 8 planes from entering the airspace of 28 nations. It also banned the use of the slightly newer Max 9. The United States has yet to take action. On Monday, an Ethiopian Airlines plane crashed just moments after takeoff, killing all 157 people on board. In the hours after the crash, even before officials recovered the planes black boxes, people began to call the safety of the aircraft into question a brand new Boeing 737 Max 8 plane. The Boeing 737 Max 8 had been heralded as the future of aviation thanks to its impressive fuel economy and futuristic touches like music in the cabin and new LED lighting throughout. "It's all about the fuel [economy], really," aviation analyst Richard Aboulafia of the Teal Group previously told NPR. "You're talking about double-digit savings relative to the previous generation." However, in a matter of months, two 737 Max 8 plane crashes Lion Air and Ethiopian have left experts to figure out if the plane is part of the equation or if its just a horrible coincidence. Many countries airlines, however, arent waiting for the answer. Mere hours after the crash, Ethiopian Airlines announced it would ground its 737 Max 8 planes. The entire country of China followed suit, then Singapore barred all 737 Max service, along with Australia, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and more. By our count, 23 airlines and nearly 150 #737MAX aircraft affected so far by groundings. Airborne 737 MAX flights now vs same time last week. pic.twitter.com/amjJJPDWsO Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 12, 2019 But, one place youll still find the 737 Max 8 in service is the United States. Story continues We continue to operate our 24 MAX 8 aircraft, American Airlines told Travel + Leisure in a statement. American Airlines extends our condolences to the families and friends of those on board Ethiopian Airlines flight 302. At this time there are no facts on the cause of the accident other than news reports. Our Flight, Flight Service, Tech Ops and Safety teams, along with the Allied Pilots Association (APA) and Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), will closely monitor the investigation in Ethiopia, which is our standard protocol for any aircraft accident, the airline spokesperson added. American continues to collaborate with the FAA and other regulatory authorities, as the safety of our team members and customers is our number one priority. We have full confidence in the aircraft and our crew members, who are the best and most experienced in the industry. Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shared its statement of support for both Boeing and the 737 Max 8 aircraft on Monday. "External reports are drawing similarities between this accident and the Lion Air Flight 610 accident on October 29, 2018," the FAA's Continued Airworthiness Notification to the International Community read. "However, this investigation has just begun and to date we have not been provided data to draw any conclusions or take any actions." The FAA did note that it mandated "design changes" to the aircraft to be done by next month. Those changes were a result of the Lion Air crash, however, not the recent Ethiopian crash. Boeing itself stood up for its planes in a statement, reading in part, Speculating about the cause of the accident or discussing it without all the necessary facts is not appropriate and could compromise the integrity of the investigation. Southwest, another U.S. airline currently operating 737 Max 8 planes, told T+L that it too plans to continue using the planes, but will closely monitor the ongoing investigation. %image1 We operate 34 MAX 8 aircraft in our fleet of more than 750 Boeing 737s. We remain confident in the safety and airworthiness of our fleet, a spokesperson said. Our 34 MAX 8 aircraft produce thousands of data points during each flight which are constantly monitored. To date, we have operated more than 41,000 flights and have corresponding aircraft data that indicates the effectiveness of our operating standards, procedures, and training. But, Southwest is doing one thing to help squelch customer fears: Its allowing people to change planes if they want to. Southwest is fielding some questions from customers asking if their flight will be operated by the Boeing 737 MAX 8. Our Customer Relations Team is responding to these customers individually, emphasizing our friendly, no-change fee policy. In this March 12, 2019, photo, Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., listens as Office of Management and Budget Acting Director Russ Vought testifies before the House Budget Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington. Debate in Congress over Israel and anti-Semitism is providing President Donald Trump an opening to appeal to Jewish American voters (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump can't get enough of Rep. Ilhan Omar. As Democrats try to turn the page after the freshman lawmaker's remarks, criticized by some as anti-Semitic, ignited an embarrassing intra-party fight, the Republican president is trying to prolong and weaponize the issue for his 2020 campaign, asserting during a private weekend fundraiser that Democrats "hate" Jews. While Trump publicly muses about winning over Jewish voters for his re-election, his motivations are more complicated and expansive. The Republican president's rhetorical escalation also is designed to unsettle the Democratic primary debate, exploit an issue that can energize his supporters and move past his own history of toying in anti-Semitic motifs. Trump was slow to condemn white supremacists who marched violently in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. In 2016, he circulated an image of a six-pointed star alongside a photo of Hillary Clinton, a pile of money and the words "most corrupt candidate ever." And he told a group of Republican Jewish donors he didn't expect to earn their support because he wouldn't take their money. "You want to control your politicians, that's fine," he told the Republican Jewish Coalition in 2015. Ultimately, the group and many of its donors backed Trump. Trump on Tuesday promoted comments by former model and 2016 campaign staffer Elizabeth Pipko, who said on Fox News' "Fox & Friends" that "Jewish people are leaving the Democratic Party." Pipko, who serves as spokeswoman for the group Jexodus, which bills itself as speaking for "Jewish Millennials tired of living in bondage to leftist politics," saw her comments amplified by Trump on Twitter. "There is anti-Semitism in the Democratic Party," she continued. "They don't care about Israel or the Jewish people." Her comments mirrored Trump's charge on Friday that Democrats had become an "anti-Israel" and "anti-Jewish" party, responding to the House vote a day before to disapprove of all prejudice in response to Omar's invocation of "dual-loyalty" charges against American supporters of Israel earlier this month. Story continues Speaking later that evening, Trump went even further in an appearance before Republican National Committee donors, charging that Democrats "hate" Jewish people, according to a person who heard the remarks but spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe the president's comments at a private event. Omar, D-Minn., had sparked a political firestorm with comments suggesting supporters of Israel have dual allegiances. It derailed the Democrats' focus on investigations of the Trump administration, including a public back-and-forth over how, or even if, her party should condemn her comments. The ultimate resolution, which passed the House overwhelmingly, didn't call out Omar by name. As a small percentage of the nation, American Jews are not a particularly significant voting bloc, nor is Israel their decisive issue of concern. And both major political parties acknowledge the controversy is unlikely to alter dramatically the electoral votes of the American Jewish community, which has skewed decisively toward Democrats for more than a generation. Even a small shift, though, can be significant. "We're slicing the salami very thin, and an incremental shift in traditional Democratic blocs to the other side can have a profound impact," said Matt Brooks, executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition. He said his group plans to make "the largest investment that we've ever had in the 2020 race in terms of outreach, advocacy and independent expenditures on behalf of the president." Stoking the fight also gives Trump an opportunity to deflect criticism of his own rhetoric, invigorate evangelical Christians for whom the Israel issue is a powerful motivator and paint Democrats into a radical corner. It also plays into Trump's attempt to cast Democrats as radicals ahead of the 2020 campaign, said conservative commentator Seth Mandel, executive editor of the Washington Examiner magazine. He noted that Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders pushed back against efforts to condemn Omar's comments. "It makes it very easy to say they're just adopting whatever the socialist says," Mandel said. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders kept the controversy alive on Monday by criticizing Democrats for failing to explicitly repudiate Omar. "It's something that should be called by name," she said. "It shouldn't be put in a watered-down resolution." Sanders pointed to Republican condemnation of Rep. Steve King earlier this year, including stripping the Iowa Republican of his committee memberships, after he made remarks defending white supremacy. But King had long espoused racially charged ideas, and the GOP only took action after it lost its majority in the chamber. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination, warned that Trump's politicization of the issue "threatens the bipartisan support for Israel." "The problem is that the president sees it somehow as a way to make some kind of political hay and a wedge," she said. "And he keeps addressing it that way. And I just think it's a mistake, as someone that's a strong supporter of Israel, that he keeps doing it." Halie Soifer, the executive director of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, said her group welcomes Trump's focus on the issue of anti-Semitism. "He himself has emboldened anti-Semites in our country by both repeating anti-Semitic tropes and conspiracy theories," she said. "He has no credibility with Jewish voters." Trump has been among the loudest critics of Omar, including last month when he called on her to resign from the House or at least resign her post on the Foreign Affairs Committee over her suggestion that Jewish money drove support for Israel. With respect to Trump's own comments to Republican Jewish donors, Brooks, the Republican Jewish Coalition official, said they were meant obviously in jest and any suggestion otherwise is "unfair and ridiculous." Jexodus is hardly the first time Trump has tried to peel away minority voters from the Democratic coalition. He has pushed the WalkAway and Blexit movements to win over black voters to the GOP, but those efforts proved to have limited, if any, impact. According to AP Votecast, a survey of more than 115,000 midterm voters and 3,500 Jewish voters nationwide, voters who identified as Jewish broke for Democrats over Republicans by a wide margin, 72 percent to 26 percent, in 2016. Over the last decade, Jewish voters have shown stability in their partisanship, according to data from Pew Research Center. Jewish voters identify with or lean toward the Democratic Party over the Republican Party by a roughly 2-1 ratio. ___ Associated Press writers Hannah Fingerhut, Elana Schor and Laurie Kellman contributed to this report. ___ This story has been corrected to show the name is Halie, not Hallie. Photo credit: -nelis- - Getty Images From Men's Health After collapsing at his job and spending a week in a hospital, Thomas Strathmann of Bozeman, Mont., left with a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes and two boxes of insulin. He was told they would last a few days, he remembers. The next box would cost between $500 and $600. He was 28 and uninsured. An emergency mental health clinician, Strathmann earned just enough to not qualify for Medicaid and says he couldnt afford a plan on the Healthcare Marketplace (Obamacare). He turned to the same local nonprofit health service to which he referred clients. The organization offers single-use insulin pens, charging on a sliding scale according to income. For the last three years, hes bought boxes that contain five pens each at $10 a box. The supply is supposed to last five days. He is unsure what he would do if the charity closed or he became ineligible for the program. I cant describe this situation where you are required to have something to live and can only have as much as it as you can get at any one time, Strathmann says. Out of concern that something will interrupt his supply, he has started skipping doses and stockpiling pens. Who's Rationing Insulin? One of four people with diabetes in America have rationed insulin, according to a Yale University study released in December. The cost of diabetes medicines has increased exponentially in the last 20 years, forcing patients to struggle with out-of-pocket expenses. One study, published in JAMA, showed that the price of insulin as charged at the pharmacy tripled from 2002 to 2013. Its continued to skyrocket since. A study from the Health Care Cost Institute, published last month, measured a spike from 2012 to 2016 in terms of how much is spent on Americans with type 1 diabetes (by insurance companies, governments, or patients as a total). It doubled from an average of $2,864 per patient in 2012 to $5,705 in 2016. To cover these costs, some diabetics are skimping on insulin. I hear about it once a week, says Kevin Codorniz, M.D., medical director of diabetes treatment at Loma Linda University Health in Southern California. Their share of cost is so high that its prohibitive for them to take the amount prescribed. Story continues David Nathan, M.D., director of the Diabetes Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, says hes heard from patients struggling to afford $300 to $500 a month in out-of-pocket expenses. Some tell him they skip dosages. I assume [others] are embarrassed to tell me, Nathan says. Its the prideful or shy patients he worries most about. What Happens When You Skip Insulin Doses The results of insulin rationing can be deadly. In February of 2017, Shane Patrick Boyle died of diabetic ketoacidosis in Arkansas, shortly after aging out of the Obamacare provision that allowed him to stay on a parents insurance plan until age 26, and after failing to raise enough for a months supply of insulin on GoFundMe. In another publicized case, Alec Smith, a Minnesota restaurant manager with type 1 diabetes, also departing his parents insurance plan at 26, died while looking for affordable insurance options. Dr. Codorniz warns that under-utilizing insulin can cause a diabetic coma, and can have dire long-term effects, including kidney disease, infections and risk of stroke and amputations. Most people dont know, he says. They think theyre too young [for rationing] to hurt them. Its ten years down the road when you these complications concern you. Insulin has been used since the 1920s and has been produced in roughly the same way for decades - harvesting it from an animal pancreas or using recombinant DNA techniques to create and extract it from bacteria. There have been some new products for diabetes, such as insulin pumps and longer-lasting drugs, but most of these are for unique or severe cases or people with high-quality health coverage. Most patients use basic forms of insulin that have existed for decades, according to Dr. Codorniz, with pharmaceutical companies making tweaks to the medication or delivery process to maintain patents. Photo credit: Africadventures - Getty Images What Drug Companies Are Doing Some patients have blamed drug manufacturers for inflating the prices. In 2017, people with diabetes filed a class action lawsuit against Sanofi, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly in a Massachusetts court, accusing the three companies of working in lock step to increase prices of their nearly identical products. In 2018, the attorney general of Minnesota filed suit against the same three companies, accusing them of raising insulin prices in cahoots. Eli Lilly has responded to the fury by manufacturing an authorized generic version of their insulin Humalog for $137, half the price of its usual cost and opening a solution center where patients can call to ask about lower-cost options. Dr. Codorniz warns its a complicated matter; its not just the drug companies being greedy. He said many have offered low-income and underinsured patients rebate coupons, but these rebates often have the effect of driving up copays for consumers. The American Diabetes Association has spoken out against the rise in costs and made policy proposals, including streamlining the process to get Food and Drug Administration approval for generic versions of insulin medications, guaranteeing pricing transparency, and increasing access all around. The organization has also created a guidecontaining suggestions and resources for anyone struggling to afford insulin. Dr. Nathan says its time for the government to implement cost controls. There are no adults in the room, he says. There is no one telling the pharmaceutical industry, You cant do what you want. For Thomas Strathmann, there is a stark before-and-after the day he collapsed due to diabetic ketoacidosis. He has transitioned to less stressful work, cashiering at a ski shop and doing landscaping. He says hes careful not to earn too much money. Its this Catch-22 where if you earn too much, you cant get insulin, but if you earn too little, you cant afford to eat. He used to enjoy trail running and other mountain sports. Now he goes on an occasional mental health walk. The biggest change is a constant state of anxiety over his health. Experiencing this on a daily basis is crippling, he says. Its on your mind from when you get up to the time you get to sleep. ('You Might Also Like',) In this Oct. 18, 2018 file photo, Summer Zervos leaves New York state appellate court in New York. A New York appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump isn't immune from a defamation lawsuit filed by the former "Apprentice" contestant who accused him of unwanted kissing and groping. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, FILE) By Hadeel Al Sayegh and Stanley Carvalho DUBAI/ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Abu Dhabi state investor Mubadala has suspended new business dealings with Goldman Sachs since its subsidiary filed a lawsuit in November against the U.S. bank and others to recover losses suffered through its dealings with Malaysian state fund 1MDB. "We have suspended any activities with Goldman Sachs pending outcome of the litigation," Brian Lott, spokesman of Mubadala Investment Co, said in response to questions from Reuters. "The only exceptions are engagements signed prior to the litigation, which will continue as per contractual terms," he said. A spokesman for Goldman Sachs declined to comment. Mubadala, which manages over $225 billion in assets, holds stakes in some of Abu Dhabi's biggest companies as well as stakes in global firms such as Spanish energy firm Cepsa and Austria's OMV. For Goldman Sachs, the suspension of new business with Mubadala comes at a bad time as Abu Dhabi is embarking on a privatization spree that raises the prospect of several big deals in the offering for investment banks. Over the last few years, Goldman has ranked among the top banks for takeover advice in Abu Dhabi, the oil-rich capital of the United Arab Emirates. The suspension of business follows a civil legal action filed by International Petroleum Investment Co (IPIC) in New York in November against Goldman and others, alleging they played a role in trying "to corrupt" former executives of IPIC and its subsidiary Aabar Investments, and "mislead" IPIC and Aabar, aiming to further the business of Goldman and 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB). IPIC merged with Mubadala in 2017, Goldman Sachs has said that it will contest the claim 'vigorously'. Three banking sources told Reuters that Goldman Sachs was not being invited to potential advisory business from Mubadala, until the litigation was resolved, with one saying that the state fund had "imposed an informal boycott" on the investment bank. Story continues Wells Fargo Securities analyst Mike Mayo said ongoing headline risk is to be expected for Goldman Sachs and the loss of some business is already baked into its models. "Does this take a big bite of the franchise? It doesn't look that way right now," he said. "Anyone owning Goldman stock at this point should be prepared for more fall out from 1MDB." He estimates losses related to the scandal could be as a high as $5 billion. Goldman has not given hard guidance around how much the scandal could cost but the bank has said it could be underreserved by as much as $1.9 billion. Goldman Sachs' business in Abu Dhabi in recent years included advising a government steering committee that oversaw a merger between Aldar Properties and Sorouh Real Estate in 2013. The bank also worked on a merger valuation plan for the Abu Dhabi and Dubai bourses, in 2014, which was shelved as terms could not be agreed. Abu Dhabi's privatization program has already seen the sale of stakes in its national oil company to international partners, as well as corporate mergers including banks. Goldman Sachs advised Abu Dhabi National Oil Company on the stake of its refining unit, sources said. The deal, announced in January saw Italy's Eni and Austria's OMV agree to pay a combined $5.8 billion to take a stake in the refining business and establish a new trading operation owned by the three partners. Malaysia's 1MDB is the subject of corruption and money-laundering investigations in at least six countries. An estimated $4.5 billion was misappropriated from 1MDB by high-level officials of the fund and their associates between 2009 and 2014, the U.S. Justice Department has alleged. (Additional reporting by Saeed Azhar, Davide Barbuscia and Imani Moise; editing by Susan Fenton and Alexandra Hudson) In a sign of the sort of costs Boeing may face over the mass groundings of its 737 Max planes, Norwegian Air will demand compensation from the plane manufacturer. Norwegian Air has 18 Max jets, which have all been grounded by European air regulators following Sundays deadly Ethiopian Airlines disaster involving a Max 8. This is the second crash of a Max 8, after the October loss of a Lion Air flight off the coast of Indonesia. China, Australia, Singapore and Indonesia have also grounded all Max models while investigations continue. We expect Boeing to take this bill, Norwegian told Reuters Wednesday, having the previous day announced that it would not operate any Max flights until further notice. The airline said there was no change as yet to its order of dozens more Max planes for delivery in the next couple of years. Right now its an open question as to how big Boeings bill might be. Analysts told Reuters that Norwegian, which is already running at a loss, could probably handle a short-term disruption to its fleet, but longer than a couple of weeks and it would have to start bringing in new planes. Morningstar thinks Boeing could end up being on the hook for as much as $1.5 billion for the whole crisis. The Lion Air crash was most likely due to a glitch in the planes automated stall prevention system, which Boeing knew about but did not reveal to pilots before the accidentgrieving families are already suing the manufacturer over that. It is still far too early to say whether the Ethiopian Airline Flight 302 disaster, which claimed 157 lives, was attributable to the same problem. Nonetheless, Boeings shares ba have fallen more than 11% this week. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA,) one of the few regulators not to order that 737 Max planes stop flying, has claimed that the jets are safe while also telling Boeing to hurry up with the software fix for the known glitch. Safety is Boeings number one priority and we have full confidence in the safety of the 737 MAX, the company said in a Tuesday statement. We understand that regulatory agencies and customers have made decisions that they believe are most appropriate for their home markets. Well continue to engage with them to ensure they have the information needed to have confidence in operating their fleets. Boeing had not responded to Fortunes request for comment on Norwegians compensation demand at the time of writing. The global standoff over the airworthiness of Boeing Co.s 737 Max jet intensified as U.S. regulators reiterated their support for the aircraft, even after the European Union and other authorities issued blanket bans. Investigators are still trying to understand why an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max 8 crashed near Addis Ababa on March 10, killing 157 people, less than five months after an identical Lion Air plane plunged into waters off Indonesia. Key Developments: Hong Kong, Lebanon, Thailand impose temporary bans on the 737 Max. FAA repeats it sees no safety issue with Boeing 737 Max. European aviation authority grounds 737 Max flights across region. Boeing shares fell 6.2 percent in New York. Boeing CEO defends plane on call with U.S. President Donald Trump. Where the Boeing 737 Max Is Grounded Here are the latest developments (timestamps are local time in London): Chinas Clout (8:12 a.m.) In grounding the 737 Max, centuries-old American allies including the U.K. and Australia broke convention by snubbing the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, an authority that has defined whats airworthy and whats not for decades. New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam on Wednesday became the latest countries to block the 737 Max, helping legitimize Chinas early verdict on March 11 that the plane could be unsafe. The FAAs credibility is being tested, said Chad Ohlandt, a Rand Corp. senior engineer in Washington. The Chinese want their regulatory agency to be considered a similar gold standard. Who Pays? Norwegian Air Shuttle expects Boeing to compensate it for revenue lost on account of the grounding of its 737 Max fleet, Reuters reports. Lebanon, Thailand The 737 Max has been banned from Lebanese airport, airspace, NNA reports, while Thai authorities also followed suit. Earlier: Hong Kong Hong Kong will impose a temporary ban on Boeing 737 Max aircraft over its airspace from 6 p.m., the Civil Aviation Department said in a statement. Story continues India Expands Blockade India will bar all Boeing 737 Max planes from entering or transiting in its airspace, extending an earlier ban that applied only to its airlines. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the aircraft will be allowed to fly until 4 p.m. local time to enable foreign-registered jets to return to their home base and for planes operating locally to go to a maintenance facility for parking. Aviation ministry and airline officials will also meet at 4 p.m. local time, according to the ANI news agency. Crash Similarities Ethiopian Airlines Chief Executive Officer Tewolde GebreMariam said in an interview with CNN that there are substantial similarities with the Lion Air crash in October involving the same Boeing plane model. The Ethiopian Airlines pilot had flight control problems shortly before the crash, GebreMariam said. In November, Indonesian investigators found that the Lion Air pilots battled multiple malfunctions almost as soon as their flight began. Vietnam Suspends Jets Vietnam suspended all Boeing 737 Max jets of its airlines starting 10 a.m. local time Wednesday, and said it wont grant any operation permits for the aircraft until further notice. VietJet Aviation JSC, which doesnt fly any 737 Max planes now but has 200 of the jets on order, will make a decision on its plans to use the aircraft after U.S. aviation officials finish their investigation, the Vietnamese airline said in a statement. Russias S7 Grounds Planes S7 Airlines suspended Boeing 737 Max flights from 00:01 Moscow time Wednesday until it receives detailed information on the latest crash, the carrier said on its website. The airline said it has two 737 Max planes in its fleet of 96 and the suspension wont affect its schedule. Sunwing Grounds Flights Sunwing Airlines said its temporarily suspending its four Boeing 737 Max 8 jets for evolving commercial reasons unrelated to safety including airspace restrictions being imposed by some of our partner destinations. The carrier is in the process of revisiting its flying schedule to accommodate the temporary removal of Max aircraft from service. Blackbox to U.K. or U.S.? Ethiopia wanted to send the flight-data and cockpit voice recorders to the U.K.s Air Accidents Investigation Branch to recover the data, causing U.S. investigators to hold intense behind-the-scenes talks to bring the remains to America, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. U.S. officials wanted to have the recorders sent to the National Transportation Safety Board on grounds that American government experts would provide the most reliable and accurate data downloads, according to the report. The U.S. hadnt received a final decision as of late Tuesday, according to the Journal. Canada Holds Off Canadian Transport Minister Marc Garneau told lawmakers he wont hesitate to take action on Boeing if needed, but said its too early to determine the cause of the Ethiopian Airlines crash. Our responsibility is to stay clear-minded to navigate this evolving situation, he said, according to a statement obtained by Bloomberg. FAA Support Federal Aviation Administration acting chief Daniel Elwell said the agency continues to closely monitor an investigation into the fatal crash in Ethiopia and will take action if necessary. No other civil aviation authorities have given the FAA data that would warrant action, the agency said. New Zealand Ban New Zealands Civil Aviation Authority suspended Boeing 737 Max flights to or from the country after discussions with other authorities including the FAA. Only Fiji Airways flies the aircraft to New Zealand. Gulf Hub Ban The United Arab Emirates Civil Aviation Authority banned Boeing 737 Max jets from its airspace, state-run WAM reported. This means the aircraft is excluded from another major global transit hub, following a similar move by Singapore. Boeing Call With Trump Boeing Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg defended the safety of the 737 Max to U.S. President Donald Trump in a telephone call on Tuesday shortly after the president criticized modern airplanes for becoming too complicated, two people familiar with the matter said. Indian Meetings After India also banned the 737 Max, the countrys aviation minister said hell hold an emergency meeting to prepare contingency plans to minimize passenger disruption. Indian carriers SpiceJet Ltd. and Jet Airways India Ltd. have a combined fleet of about 20 of the planes altogether, with firm orders for more than 260 in total. European Ban The European Unions aviation authority suspended all flight of the 737 Max 8 and larger 737 Max 9 in Europe. The agency, which usually goes along with the FAA, said it was acting out of an abundance of caution and out of concern for passenger safety. Ethiopian Training Ethiopian Airlines pilots got additional training on the Boeing 737 Max after the Lion Air crashed. We have installed the additional training procedures in our manuals and in our simulations, Tewolde GebreMariam, Chief Executive Officer of Ethiopian Airlines, told reporters in a broadcast on state-controlled ETV. Tewolde said certain elements of the technical investigation need to be sent abroad for analysis. By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States grounded Boeing Co's money-spinning 737 MAX aircraft on Wednesday over safety fears after an Ethiopian Airlines plane crash that killed 157 people, leaving the world's largest planemaker facing its worst crisis in years. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cited new satellite data and evidence from the scene of Sunday's crash near Addis Ababa for its decision to join Europe, China and other nations in suspending 737 MAX flights. The crash was the second disaster involving the 737 MAX, the world's most-sold modern passenger aircraft, in less than five months. GRAPHIC - Ethiopia Airlines crash location: https://tmsnrt.rs/2CdCVUi The new information from the wreckage in Ethiopia and newly refined data about the plane's flight path indicated some similarities between the two disasters "that warrant further investigation of the possibility of a shared cause," the FAA said in a statement. The acting administrator of the FAA, Daniel Elwell, said he did not know how long the U.S. grounding of the aircraft would last. A software fix for the 737 Max that Boeing has been working on since a fatal crash last October in Indonesia will take months to complete, Elwell told reporters. The single-aisle 737 is central to Boeing's future in its battle with European rival Airbus SE. The new variant of the 737, the fastest-selling jetliner in Boeing's history, is viewed as the likely workhorse for global airlines for decades. "The agency made this decision as a result of the data gathering process and new evidence collected at the site and analyzed today," the FAA said, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the planes would be grounded. GRAPHIC - Ethiopian airlines crash speed and altitude data: https://tmsnrt.rs/2UAj5tW It was the second time the FAA has halted flights of a Boeing plane in six years. It grounded the 787 Dreamliner in 2013 because of problems with smoking batteries. Story continues Boeing, which maintained that its planes were safe to fly, said in a statement that it supported the latest FAA move. "Boeing has determined - out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircrafts safety - to recommend to the FAA the temporary suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of 371 737 MAX aircraft." The crash involving a Boeing 737 MAX in Indonesia killed 189 people. Passengers have been spooked by the two disasters. U.S. travel website Kayak was making changes to let customers exclude specific aircraft types from searches, and booking sites were looking to reroute passengers. GRAPHIC - Ethiopian Airlines crash plane and black boxes: https://tmsnrt.rs/2ChjLNE RE-BOOKING PASSENGERS U.S. airlines that operate the 737 MAX, Southwest Airlines Co, American Airlines Group Inc and United Airlines, said they were working to re-book passengers. Southwest had 5 MAX-related cancellations on Wednesday and American nearly 40. Southwest is the world's largest operator of the 737 MAX 8 with 34 jets. France's air accident investigation agency BEA will analyze black-box cockpit voice and data recorders from the crashed plane, a spokesman said. The French announcement resolved uncertainty over the fate of the two recorders after Germany's BFU said it had declined a request to handle them because it could not process the new type of recorder used on the 737 MAX jets, in service since 2017. Shares of the company ended up 0.5 percent at $377.14, recovering from a more than 3 percent fall in the afternoon when the FAA announcement was made. The United States had held back on suspending 737 MAX flights on Tuesday even as many of the world's top economies such as China and European nations grounded the plane. Trump called Boeing Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg on Wednesday to inform him that the United States was preparing to ground the fleet, a White House official said. "I spoke with a number of airlines. And speaking to the airlines, I think that we all agree that this was right decision to make. It didnt have to be made, but we thought it was the right decision to make," Trump told reporters. The grounding was welcomed by air workers in the United States. John Samuelsen, international president of the Transport Workers Union of America, which represents aviation workers and flight attendants, said the grounding of the fleet was right "both for air travelers and aviation workers." GRAPHIC - Boeing shares hit after Ethiopia jet crash: https://tmsnrt.rs/2Ca96E7 NEW SATELLITE DATA Canada also grounded 737 MAX jets on Wednesday, saying satellite data suggested similarities to the previous crash involving the same plane model in October. U.S.-based aircraft-tracking firm Aireon provided the satellite data to the FAA, Transport Canada and several other authorities, company spokeswoman Jessie Hillenbrand said. Ethiopian Airlines spokesman Asrat Begashaw said it was still unclear what happened on Sunday, but its pilot had reported control issues as opposed to external factors such as birds. "The pilot reported flight control problems and requested to turn back. In fact he was allowed to turn back," he said. Brazil, Mexico and Panama on Wednesday became the first Latin American nations to suspend the Boeing 737 MAX. Earlier, Panama's Copa Airlines had suspended operations of its six Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft until the findings are published of an investigation into Sunday's crash. The chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Democrat Peter DeFazio, called for a probe into why the 737 MAX received certification to fly. GRAPHIC - Boeing 737 MAX aircraft by country: https://tmsnrt.rs/2NWeU90 (Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington, Kumerra Gemechu in Gora-Bokka, Ethiopia, David Ljunggren in Ottawa; Additional reporting by Duncan Miriri and Aaron Maasho in Addis Ababa; Doina Chiacu in Washington, Omar Mohammed and Maggie Fick in Nairobi; Tim Hepher in Paris; Jamie Freed in Singapore; Terje Solsvik in Oslo; Aditi Shah in Mumbai; Sanjana Shivdas in Bengaluru; Aleksandar Vasovic in Belgrade; Julie Gordon in Ottawa; Angela Moon in New York, Eric Johnson in Seattle and Tracy Rucinski in Chicago; Writing by Bill Rigby and Alistair Bell; Editing by Gareth Jones, Nick Zieminski and Grant McCool) Wreckage is piled at the crash scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight crash near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 11, 2019. AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene Boeings legal troubles could soar following decisions by several countries, including the United States, to ground its newest model of commercial aircraft following a March 10 crash in Ethiopia that killed 157 people. On Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency order temporarily grounding the entire 737 Max series of aircraft in the United States. The circumstances of the Ethiopian Air flights crash bore resemblances to that of another 737 Max 8 aircraft owned by Lion Air that crashed Oct. 29, killing 189 peoplealthough the cause of both crashes remains unknown. Boeing faces lawsuits from passengers, particularly since eight of them on the Ethiopian Air flight were Americans. But airlines also could bring legal actions over revenue losses incurred due to the grounding, according to lawyers who specialize in aviation. On Wednesday, Norwegian Air CEO Bjrn Kjos told customers that the airline would seek compensation from Boeing. This will be a large financial loss, said Pete Flowers, of Chicagos Meyers & Flowers, who has filed a lawsuit against Boeing on behalf of a Lion Air passengers family and plans to sue over the Ethiopian Air crash in the coming days. The claims against Boeing are going to be enormous overall. Theres going to be a lot at stake here. Boeing spokesman Paul Bergman said in a statement: Boeing extends our heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the families and loved ones of those onboard Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302. As the investigation continues, Boeing is cooperating fully with the investigating authorities. We wont comment on lawsuits directly. The FAAs move comes after regulators in 22 countries, including China, Canada and the entire European Union, had grounded their 737 Max 8 fleets earlier this week. The grounding of flights would have a significant impact on airlines, such as American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, said Mark Dombroff of LeClairRyan in Alexandria, Virginia, who represents airlines. The insurers, Boeing, everyone, is reading insurance policies, warranties, he said. Everyone is reading everything now because all of a sudden an entire fleet worldwide has been grounded. All airlines operating this airplane are, or were, impacted to a greater or lesser degree, either canceling flights or covering flights. These airlines are high-usage pieces of equipment. Theyre flying them seven days a week. He doubted the airlines would drag Boeing into court, given their business relationship with the manufacturer. Instead, they would review their warranties with Boeing, which are tightly drawn, or make claims for grounding insurance, which applies when the government grounds planes. They could have potentially significant damages, he said of the airlines. Boeing already faces lawsuits on behalf of dozens of passengers of the Lion Air flight, none of whom were Americans. A suit filed in King County Superior Court in Seattle names relatives of 17 passengers, but most of the cases are in Illinois, where Boeing, represented by Perkins Coie partner Bates Larson, has removed some from Cook County Circuit Court to the Northern District of Illinois. Boeing also has sought to limit discovery in the Lion Air cases to forum non conveniens, which it plans to argue in moving to dismiss. But the Ethiopian Air crash could thwart those plans, Flowers said. Its a clear sign that theres a definite problem with this particular aircraft, he said. It may expand the discovery that we end up doing because of the similarities between the two crashes. Those similarities indicate the same alleged product defectin particular, the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS, an automated safety mechanism designed to prevent stalling that may, under certain circumstances, push the aircraft into a nosedive. Boeing has made plans to complete a software upgrade to the aircraft by April, but Charles Herrmann, of Herrmann Law Group in Seattle, who filed the King County lawsuit over the Lion Air crash, emphasized that the negligence claims are two-fold: the defect itself, and the failure of Boeing to inform pilots about it in training manuals. That left the Lion Air pilots "fighting a ghost," he said. The same might be true of the Ethiopian Air pilots, he said. Both encounter problems immediately, both dip, and actually descend for a period of time, before rising, he said. Both pilots requested permission to return to base for identical reasons, which was a flight control problem. There are some remarkable similarities that certainly raise questions. Another winter storm is brewing and could affect upward of 70 million people living in the Central and Northern Plains and the Upper Midwest. Known as the bomb cyclone, the storm starting Wednesday is expected to create hurricane-strength winds, blizzards, and flooding across parts of the central U.S. More than 1,000 flights were cancelled Wednesday in preparation for the storm, with additional cancellations and delays possible. The majority of disruptions were for flights in and out of Denver International Airport. Winter storm warnings are in effect in multiple states, including parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, and South Dakota, CNN reports. The National Weather Service warned of heavy rains, severe thunderstorms, flooding, heavy snows, blizzard conditions, and heavy winds across the central U.S. over the next two days. Storms are classified as bombs based on how fast the atmospheric pressure falls, The New York Times explains. For a storm to be classified as a bomb, the barometric pressure has to drop by at least 24 millibars over a 24-hour period. Drops in atmospheric pressure arent uncommon and allow storms to strengthen while picking up more air. But when the pressure sharply falls by 24 millibars in less than a day, the storm is considered to be explosive, as Pop Sci reports. The official terminology for such a storm is explosive cyclogenesis, or bombogenesis. The National Weather Service warned residents of Boulder, Colo. against traveling on Wednesday afternoon and evening, citing the possibility of icy roads, whiteout conditions, and strong winds, according to CNN. A plane takes off. Photo: Steve Parsons/PA Wire/PA Images Many people with flights booked over the coming weeks will be wondering how fears over the Boeing 737 Max 8s safety could affect their travel plans. Dozens of national authorities and airlines have now suspended use of the model as a precaution and under pressure from passengers, grounding planes until the causes of this weeks tragic airline crash in Ethiopia have been identified. The UKs civil aviation authority has indefinitely banned flights using the plane from leaving or entering the UK, throwing scheduled flights into doubt on some routes. Some airlines have already said passengers will not face huge disruption despite the problems, but others have not clarified their arrangements for passengers. TUI has six of the affected aircraft, and has already reassured passengers that flights over the next few days will go ahead as planned but on different aircraft. READ MORE: Disruption for passengers as Boeing 737 Max 8 planes banned in UK The large German-based firm, which operates in around 180 countries, believes it can rely on its own fleet to ensure all customers are able to travel as normal. Another airline, Norwegian, apologised to customers but said there would be temporary cancellations and delays without making clear what if any alternatives would be provided. The safety and security of our customers and colleagues will never be compromised, and once authorities advise to cease operations we will of course comply, it said in a statement. The consumer group Which? has advised passengers due to fly on the planes in coming days that their airline should get in touch with them to confirm how they were affected. But it said: Airlines will likely class the CAA suspension as an extraordinary circumstance, meaning you wont be able to claim compensation for the delay. It said in a post on its site that anyone held up for at least two hours had a right though to two free phone calls or emails, free meals and refreshments appropriate to the delay and free hotel accommodation and transfers if forced to stay overnight. Story continues READ MORE: The airlines grounding Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft and the ones carrying on as usual Passengers also have a right to be informed by UK airlines changing aircraft in another country if they are due to fly their second leg on a Max 8 plane, according to the Which? report. In those circumstances, its travel editor said passengers must receive the option to switch to another routing with a different aircraft for free. As for passengers hoping to switch off Boeing 737 Max 8 flights with airlines and in countries that have not suspended their use, they may struggle to get a refund. Regulators in the USA are still giving the planes clearance to fly, so passengers who choose to buy other tickets for alternative flights are unlikely to get their costs covered. But some operators, including Southwest Airlines, are offering passengers the chance to change their bookings without the standard charges applying. Others, like American Airlines, have so far not offered an exception to their policies. What happened? MPs have voted to reject a no-deal Brexit under any circumstance on an extraordinary night in Parliament. Theresa May was handed two humiliating defeats as MPs voted against Britain crashing out of the EU without an agreement. After the vote Mrs May said MPs will vote tomorrow on an extension to Article 50, which could involve a short delay to implement a deal agreed in the next few days or a longer delay if no agreement is reached. What does this mean? The result is a disaster for Theresa May personally and indicates she has lost control of the Brexit process. She has also lost control of her party with 13 of her own ministers refusing to support her in the vote and abstaining. Other ministers voted against the PM and they are expected to resign. Labour MP Jess Phillips said Mrs May was a disgrace and should resign by the morning. Does this mean no-deal cant happen? Nope. The votes tonight are only an expression of Parliaments opinion. Indeed, as Mrs May has been at pains to point out, there are only two ways for no deal to be avoided: revoking Article 50 (and thereby cancelling Brexit) or accepting a deal. Mrs May will now push to get support for her much-derided deal, which has already been heavily rejected twice by MPs. Whats next? On Thursday, MPs will vote on whether to ask the PM to request an extension of the Article 50 negotiation process from the EU. The EU has consistently said, however, that they will not automatically agree to that. Read more about this story Pound rockets as parliament rejects a no-deal Brexit (Yahoo Finance UK) MPs vote to reject no deal under any circumstance (Yahoo News UK) So MPs dont want a no-deal Brexit but what do they want (Independent) The Tory no-dealers: not serious, still dangerous(The Independent) Italian children have been told not to turn up for school or nursery if they are not vaccinated. Under a new law, children under six will be legally turned away from nursery, which is known as Asilo in Italy. How much pressure should there be on parents to vaccinate their children? Read the full story and have your say below: Story continues Shameless star sorry for unmasking Bulger killer TV star Tina Malone has been spared prison after she told the High Court she is extremely sorry for revealing the identity of James Bulgers killer. The 56-year-old actress admitted being in Contempt of Court when she posted the message on Facebook last February, breaking a court injunction protecting killer Jon Venables new identity. Before deleting the post, she said: You dont deserve a second chance how do we not get rid of these people and wipe them from the Earth? Read the full story here (Evening Standard) Schoolgirls to be given free sanitary products Sanitary products are to be handed out in secondary schools across England from September, the Chancellor has confirmed. Announcing the move in the Spring Statement, Philip Hammond said it followed concern from headteachers that girls are missing school because they cannot afford the products. The Chancellors announcement is the latest in a series of moves by the Government to recognise the issue of what campaigners have termed period poverty. Read the full story here (The Telegraph) A large shelf cloud has appeared over the seaside Italian city of Pescara, reminding one onlooker of a scene from Independence Day. Rob Barke, who posted this footage, said the low-hanging cloud evolved rapidly as it approached land. 737 Hundreds of inmates on the largest death row in the United States are getting a reprieve as a temporary halt is set to be placed on all executions in California. On Twitter, the state governor, Gavin Newsom, called the death penalty ineffective, irreversible, and immoral. Since its last execution in 2006, the states death row population has grown to house one in every four condemned inmates in the US. Read the full story here (The Independent) New plans announced by the government to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss have been dismissed as greenwashing by environmental groups. Carbon offsets for flights and an end to gas heating in new homes were among the measures floated by Philip Hammond in his Spring Statement. But with consultations and calls for evidence supplanting hard targets, the chancellor was accused of fiddling while the planet burns. Caroline Lucas said Mr Hammonds rhetoric was littered with contradictions, amid growing unrest in response to the governments perceived environmental failings. He announced energy efficiency standards for new homes, which his party scrapped in 2015. He wants travel providers to offer carbon offsets, while he builds new runways, said the Green MP. She said the chancellor was merely paying lip service to biodiversity protection following swingeing cuts to Natural England the body tasked with monitoring the countrys nature and wildlife. After the autumn Budget Mr Hammond was derided for not mentioning climate change at all, just weeks after scientists issued a dire warning about the need to act. Instead, he faced criticism for pledging a huge investment in road building, despite cars now overtaking energy production as the biggest source of British emissions. In the run-up to the statement, Mr Hammond said he had heard calls from young people to take more action on the environment, following a wave of protests and school strikes across the nation. Another such strike is expected to take place on Friday, with thousands of children across the UK staging walkouts alongside pupils in more than 80 countries. Mr Hammond told MPs he intended to apply the creativity of the marketplace to deliver solutions to one of the most complex problems of our time climate change. Housing and businesses were both in the chancellors sights, with promises to investigate ways to make companies more efficient and rely more on green gas in heating systems. Story continues Government advisers have warned that UK housing is falling far behind in efforts to tackle climate change, and that emissions from heating as well as transport must be eliminated within two decades if the UK is to meet its legally binding targets. But despite the chancellor pledging to end gas heating systems in new homes by 2025, campaigners said more would need to be done to ensure these targets were met. With the government enthusiastically backing more runways, more roads and fracking, its little wonder the UK is likely to miss future climate targets, said Dave Timms, Friends of the Earths head of political affairs. The chancellor should have announced a massive programme of investment in home insulation and public transport, instead of pushing the false solution of carbon off-setting for aviation. Instead of putting climate change at the heart of economic policy-making, the Chancellor is merely fiddling in the margins while the planet burns. Besides climate change, the chancellor emphasised the economic importance of preventing nature loss, announcing new marine protected areas and a global review of the importance of biodiversity. Mel Evans, a senior campaigner at Greenpeace UK, said such a move could be a really significant moment in our global nature crisis, and praised Mr Hammonds announcement of marine protections. But unfortunately too much of what weve heard today, from plastic waste to climate change, isn't new and isnt bold enough, she said. Strasbourg (France) (AFP) - The European Parliament on Thursday failed to back trade talks between the EU and the US as President Donald Trump warned of severe consequences if Europe failed to deliver. Pursuing a limited trade deal was the central part of a truce agreed in July when Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker pledged no new tariffs following those on steel and aluminium. That announcement allowed the two sides to reduce tensions at a time when Trump threatened to impose steep duties on European automobiles -- a threat he has renewed in recent weeks. MEPs meeting in the eastern French city of Strasbourg on Thursday failed to pass an approval of an EU mandate, after a rebellion by lawmakers changed the wording of the text. Trade talks opponents "won a key vote on the rejection of the draft negotiating mandate in the current form," said Socialist MEP Bernd Lange. In the final tally, 223 voted against the recommendation to start the talks and 198 in favour, with 37 abstentions. Protectionist Trump said that "the European Union treats us very, very unfairly." "If they don't talk to us we'll do something that will be severe economically. We'll tariff a lot of their products coming in," Trump told reporters at the White House. It was not clear whether Trump was responding specifically to the vote in the European Parliament, which only has an advisory role with regard to the EU's negotiating mandate, but will have the final say once an agreement has been concluded. - 'Frightening' - "We have taken note of the vote, on the draft EU-US negotiating directives. We await the outcome of the discussions in Council," a spokesman for the European Commission, the EU executive, said. "The Commission will of course involve the European Parliament throughout in this process," he added. The European Council represents member states and will decide on the mandate, with France and Germany very divided on the matter. Story continues Berlin strongly wants the deal in order to placate Trump and avoid US auto tariffs that would punish Germany's cherished exports, a prospect Chancellor Angela Merkel has labelled "frightening". France however is dragging its feet, fearing that entering trade negotiations with Trump could fire up domestic opposition just months ahead of European elections, set for May 22 to 26. Paris is especially wary after the failure of talks on TTIP, a far more ambitious transatlantic trade plan, which stalled amid fears a deal with Washington would undermine EU food and health standards. - 'Unity is our strength' - The European Commission is hoping to obtain a mandate this month from the from the member states to begin negotiating a trade deal limited to industrial goods. The setback in parliament comes as debate over the contours of the deal showed transatlantic divisions remained deep, with the US insisting that farming be included -- an idea rejected by the EU. Moreover, the punishing tariffs by the US on steel and aluminium imports remain in force against Europe. "I'm fully aware that some of you are afraid we are negotiating under threat," EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom told MEPs ahead of the failed vote. "I sincerely hope you will support the negotiation with us. Unity is our strength," she said. By Aaron Maasho and Duncan Miriri ADDIS ABABA/GARA-BOKKA, Ethiopia (Reuters) - Families of some of the 157 victims of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 stormed out of a meeting with the airline on Thursday, complaining they were not being given timely information, as others paid their respects at the burnt crash site. The airline had called a meeting with families in a hotel in Addis Ababa but around 100 relatives walked out. "I'm so angry," said Yemeni citizen Abdulmajid Shariff, 38, who lost his brother-in-law in Sunday's disaster. "They called us to give us a report on bodies and the reasons for the crash but there was no information." Investigators have found only charred remains of passengers, and no cause has yet been found for the second fatal crash of a Boeing 737 MAX in less than six months. "We wanted to be told about DNA identification but they told us nothing. They were just offering condolences," said a Kenyan who lost her sister and did not want to give her name. I'm actually going home today because there is nothing here." All 149 passengers and eight crew died when the jet crashed six minutes after taking off from the high-altitude capital of Ethiopia. The nation of 105 million people has long been proud of the state-owned airline that is its most successful company. Nine Ethiopians were killed in the crash, along with 32 Kenyans, 18 Canadians, and eight people each from China and Italy. A total of 35 nationalities were on board. "WHERE ARE YOU?" On Thursday morning, some relatives traveled over bumpy roads to the crash site in a somber convoy. Yellow tape demarcated the lines of grief: families stepped onto the churned earth as diplomats and airline staff watched respectfully. "My son! Stiph, you've been scattered on the ground," wailed one elderly black-clad woman as relatives tried to hold her. Another woman, draped in a traditional white Ethiopian mourning shawl, held aloft a framed portrait of her brother. "I can't find you! Where are you?" she said. Another family member dropped to the ground, and a woman thumped her chest. Inside a plastic tent, families sat in front of about half a dozen framed pictures of victims, some posing in graduation uniforms, others displaying broad smiles. A twisted heap of metal scraps - all that remained of the plane - lay nearby. The jet plunged into a field 60 kilometers (37 miles) outside Addis Ababa, and the impact of the crash and fire left the victims' remains in fragments that could take weeks or months to identify. In the Ethiopian Orthodox and Muslim faiths, both widely practised in Ethiopia, religious rules call for the burial of the dead as soon as possible. Hamze Abdi Hussein came from the eastern Ethiopian town of Jijiga with five other family members after receiving confirmation of the crash that killed his uncle, Mucaad Hussein Abdela, a truck driver from Minnesota who was on his way to Kenya to visit relatives. "We visited the crash site yesterday and we are heading there today. It is a huge loss for us," he told Reuters. "The fact that there is no information about whether we will receive the body or not is frustrating and painful." (Reporting by Aaron Maasho; Writing by Maggie Fick; Editing by Nick Macfie, Raissa Kasolowsky and Andrew Cawthorne) By Sonali Paul MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Former Vatican treasurer Cardinal George Pell was sentenced to six years in jail on Wednesday for sexually abusing two choir boys in Melbourne in the 1990s, and will be registered as a sex offender for the rest of his life. County Court of Victoria Chief Judge Peter Kidd, who handed down the sentence in a live television broadcast, said there was a real possibility that at age 77, Pell could spend the rest of his life in prison. Pell, a former top adviser to Pope Francis, is the most senior Catholic to be convicted for child sex offences. His downfall brings to the heart of the papal administration a scandal over clerical abuse that has ravaged the Church's credibility in the United States, Chile, Australia and elsewhere over the last three decades. "In my view, your conduct was permeated by staggering arrogance," said Kidd in handing down the sentence after Pell was convicted of five charges of sexually abusing two children. "Viewed overall, I consider your moral culpability across both episodes to be high," he told the packed court room. Pell, who appeared in court without a priest's collar for the first time during the case, showed no emotion during the sentencing hearing that ran for more than one hour. He has maintained his innocence and has filed an appeal that is scheduled to be heard in June. The offences against two 13-year-old boys took place after Sunday mass in late 1996 and early 1997 in a room and a corridor at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne, where Pell was archbishop. One of the victims died in 2014. The other victim, who testified and was cross-examined at the trial, issued a statement through his solicitor saying he found it hard to take comfort in the verdict for now. "Being a witness in a criminal case has not been easy. I am doing my best to hold myself and my family together," said the victim, who cannot be identified under Australian law protecting the identity of sex abuse victims. During the trial the victim described how Pell had exposed himself to them, fondled their genitals and masturbated and forced one boy to perform an oral sex act on him. Pell was found guilty by a jury on four charges of indecent acts and one of sexual penetration. He had faced a maximum of 10 years in jail for each charge. "Cardinal Pell, I find beyond reasonable doubt that, on the specific facts of your case, there was a clear relationship of trust with the victims, and you breached that trust and abused your position to facilitate this offending," Kidd said. Kidd said as archbishop Pell would have "cast a powerful shadow" and thought he could control the situation if caught. He also probably believed his victims would not complain. During his trial, Pell's own lawyer described the burly 1.9 meters (6 foot and 3 inches) tall cardinal as the "Darth Vader" of the Catholic Church. Kidd said that as Pell had maintained his innocence, which was his right, he had not shown remorse or contrition for his actions and that his sentence reflected that. The dead victim's father, who was in court for the sentencing, was a bit disappointed with the jail term, his lawyer told Reuters. "When he compares what his son and his family and he himself went through, it seems quite a light sentence," said Lisa Flynn, a lawyer at Shine Lawyers, working for the victim's father on a potential civil suit against Pell and the Catholic Church. The surviving victim said everything was overshadowed by Pell's upcoming appeal. CATHOLIC CHURCH NOT ON TRIAL After the sentence was handed down, Pell signed paperwork related to his registration as a sex offender, bowed to the judge and then, aided by a walking stick, was escorted out of the court by five corrections officers. Pope Francis, leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics, ended a conference on sexual abuse in February by calling for an "all-out battle" against a crime that should be "erased from the face of the earth". Pell's fate within the church has yet to be decided. The Vatican has said it will not comment on the case until after the appeal. If defrocked, Pell would be the highest profile figure to be dismissed from the priesthood in modern times and only the second Roman Catholic prelate to lose the title of cardinal in nearly 100 years. Kidd made it clear that Pell's sentence was based solely on the crimes he was convicted of by the jury, and that Pell was not to be made a scapegoat for the failings or perceived failings of the Catholic Church. "In my view, the first episode in the priest's sacristy involved a brazen and forceful sexual attack on the two victims," Kidd said. "The acts were sexually graphic. Both victims were visibly and audibly distressed during this offending," he said, adding Pell's behavior had a "nasty element" to it. He set a non-parole period of three years and eight months. Pell would be registered as a sex offender for life. "I am conscious that the term of imprisonment...carries with it a real, as distinct from theoretical, possibility that you may not live to be released from prison," the judge said. Only the judge was made visible to viewers in the TV broadcast, which was cut immediately after the sentence was delivered. "It's a significant day for survivors and victims of child sexual abuse particularly within the Catholic Church, because what it shows them is that they can come forward, that the courts will believe them and the perpetrators of the crimes against them will be convicted and sentenced and held accountable for what they did, regardless of the position of authority they hold," Flynn said. Pell was convicted in December, but the verdict was suppressed from being made public in Australia by a court order until Feb. 26, when further child sex offence charges against Pell dating back to the 1970s were dropped. (Reporting by Sonali Paul; Writing by John Mair; Editing by Michael Perry) Riga (AFP) - A Latvian Catholic priest and two other people have been charged with human trafficking and sexual abuse of a male teenager with learning difficulties, local media reported Friday, citing justice authorities. Laura Majevska, a spokeswoman for Latvia's prosecutor general confirmed the charges against three suspects, although she refused to reveal their identities. Citing unnamed sources, the Baltic News Service named one of the accused as Pavels Zeila, a 73-year-old priest, who had served in a diocese in eastern Latvia. "The abuser did horrible things to me while talking to me in a sweet voice: 'What a cute boy!'," the alleged victim told Latvian public broadcaster LTV in an interview aired before the indictment. "Only later I was told he is a priest," the vulnerable young man said, in the broadcast to a national audience. Police arrested Zeila on suspicion of abuse in September, but he has since been released on bail. Describing the details of the allegations at the time of the arrest, Armands Lubarts, chief of a police task force on human trafficking and pimping, told media that "one of the suspects 'delivered' the defenceless victim for a fee. "The church representative, who was the end buyer, paid the fee and then committed violent sexual crimes against the victim," Lubarts added. Neither Zeila nor his lawyers have commented on the charges, which come as the Catholic Church has vowed to fight child abuse within its ranks. Lilongwe (Malawi) (AFP) - Malawis former president Joyce Banda has pulled out of the May 21 presidential race and endorsed opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera, who heads the Malawi Congress Party. Speaking to AFP, Banda, who heads the People's Party, confirmed her decision, saying: "Yes, it is true". But she declined to comment further ahead of a joint news conference with Chakwera on Saturday. In a joint statement, the two parties said they had begun talks in 2015, a year after Banda lost the presidency, partly as a result of a huge multimillion-dollar corruption case known as the "Cashgate" scandal. She fled the country into self-imposed exile but returned to Malawi last year, saying the allegations against her were politically motivated. She has never faced any charges. Six weeks ago, Banda and Vice President Saulos Chilima said they had formed a four-party alliance in a bid to take on President Peter Mutharika in the May vote. But it didn't last long, with Banda announcing just days later that she had submitting papers to run as a presidential candidate. Now 68, Banda first came to power in April 2012 following the sudden death of then president Bingu wa Mutharika. At the time, she was serving as vice president with his death propelling her into the top office where she served until May 2014. Paul Manafort has been sentenced to 43 additional months in prison by a federal judge in Washington, D.C. Manafort had been sentenced to 47 months imprisonment last week by a federal judge in Virginia. The Washington sentence was imposed at shortly after noon today, in a proceeding that took more than two hours. Manafort was facing two conspiracy counts, each with a maximum five-year (or 60-month) sentence. On count one, Judge Amy Berman Jackson imposed 60 months, 30 months to run concurrent and 30 consecutive to the 47-month sentence imposed in Judge T. S. Ellis in Alexandria. On count two, Judge Jackson sentenced Manafort to 13 months incarceration, to run consecutive to both count one and the Virginia sentence. The bottom-line result of the two cases is a prison sentence of 90 months (seven and a half years), in addition to millions of dollars in property forfeitures and fines. In my column previewing todays sentencing, I predicted that Manaforts total sentence between the two cases would be closer to 20 years. I was wrong because I made a basic mistake: I focused myopically on the federal sentencing guidelines calculation in the plea agreement that Manafort signed with the special counsel when he pled guilty in Washington. I forgot that, in order to induce Manafort to plead guilty, the special counsels office sweetened the pot by capping his statutory exposure at ten years imprisonment. Because the crimes Manafort admitted conspiring to commit are serious felonies (e.g., money laundering and witness tampering), his guidelines were very high, calling for a term of between 210 and 262 months (18 to 22 years) in prison. But prosecutors rendered the guidelines largely irrelevant by tucking the 20-year felonies into a pair of counts charged under a federal conspiracy provision that carries a maximum five-year sentence. As Ill come to, this violated Justice Department charging practices. For todays purposes, though, the significant thing is that, in any situation where the sentence called for by the sentencing guidelines is greater than the maximum sentence permitted by the statutes of conviction, the statutes control. Therefore, even though the top guidelines-range sentence would have been 262 months, Judge Jackson was restricted to no more than 120 months. Story continues She ended up imposing, in effect, 43 months, added on to the 47-month sentence imposed by Judge Ellis. Given the caterwauling that followed Elliss decision last week, there will no doubt be complaints that Jackson let Manafort off too easy. But if you feel that way, then Mueller shoulders much of the blame. I have complained before about the special counsels flouting of Justice Department charging policies. Manaforts two-count plea deal in the District of Columbia is a good example. The count one conspiracy charged money laundering, a 20-year felony, as one of the objectives. Saliently, money laundering has its own conspiracy provision (Section 1956(h)), which also calls for a penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment. When Congress thinks a crime is important enough to have its own conspiracy provision, federal prosecutors are supposed to charge that provision, since it reflects the punishment Congress has directed for that conduct. Yet, to shield Manafort from Congresss intended penalty, Mueller allowed him to plead guilty under the penal codes catch-all conspiracy provision, Section 371. This section has a maximum penalty of five years and is supposed to apply only to less serious crimes that do not have their own conspiracy provision. Federal prosecutors are not supposed to frustrate congressional intent by charging the catch-all conspiracy when the underlying conduct (here, money laundering) has a conspiracy provision that calls for a more severe sentence (here, 20 years). Indeed, the reason why Manaforts sentencing guidelines are so much higher than the statutory penalties for the crimes charged is that the guidelines are driven by how Congress rates the criminal conduct involved, whereas Mueller did not charge the statutes that correlate to that conduct. An example: Lets say a defendant committed two money-laundering felonies. That would add up to 40 years of statutory exposure. The guidelines reflect how seriously Congress takes money laundering. If sentencing practice is working properly, the guidelines range should be within the statutory range. The statutes state a wide range that accounts for all possible money-laundering offenses, from the least serious to the most serious (in our two-count example, zero to 40 years). The guidelines, by contrast, more narrowly reflect the defendants actual conduct, which should fall someplace between least and most serious. Thus, if the defendant in our example pled guilty to the two 20-year counts, it would make sense for the guidelines to calculate a range of 210 to 262 months, comfortably within this 40-year statutory range. To shield Manafort, however, Mueller avoided charging the applicable 20-year conspiracy count. He instead charged the five-year conspiracy count, far below what Congress and the Sentencing Commission have indicated is a commensurate penalty for money laundering. The second conspiracy count to which Manafort pled guilty involved witness tampering. The witness-tampering provision Mueller cited, Section 1512(b)(1), prescribes a 20-year offense. Like money laundering, witness tampering has its own conspiracy provision, which makes the penalty 20 years. Yet, once again, instead of charging Manafort under Congresss witness-tampering provision, Mueller charged him under Section 371, insulating him from the harsher sentence. Bottom line: Yes, Judge Ellis could have imposed a much more severe sentence; and Judge Jackson could have imposed a harsher total sentence by maxing out the two five-year counts (120 months) and running them consecutively to Elliss 47-month term that would have made for a 167-month sentence, instead of 90 months. Nevertheless, if you want to know why Manafort faced comparatively limited prison time today, blame Special Counsel Mueller. Under federal law, conspiracies to commit money laundering and witness tampering should have carried an aggregate 40 years of statutory exposure. That would have enabled the judge to impose a stiff guidelines sentence of between 210 and 262 months. But the special counsel invoked the wrong conspiracy statutes to spare Manafort greater punishment. When the prosecutor bends the rules to be lenient, it signals to the court that leniency is in order. More from National Review Paul Manafort on Wednesday was sentenced to an additional 43 months in prison by a Washington, D.C. federal court in connection with the undisclosed lobbying work he did on behalf of a Ukrainian political party, just days after receiving a 47-month sentence in a separate case in Virginia. In delivering the sentence, Judge Amy Berman Jackson stipulated that, while the charges against Manafort did result from Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation of his work for a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine, his guilt does not constitute evidence of collusion between Russian officials and the Trump campaign. The question of whether there was any collusion with Russia . . . was not presented in this case, period, therefore it was not resolved by this case, said Jackson. Jackson went on to refute the claim that Manafort was a victim who was cynically taken advantage of by politically motivated prosecutors, as has been alleged by many Trump allies. The defendant isnt Public Enemy No. 1. But hes not a victim either, she said, adding that it is hard to overstate the number of lies, the amount of fraud and the extraordinary amount of money involved. Manafort, who was sentenced in Virginia last week on bank- and tax-fraud charges, apologized for his actions and asked Jackson for leniency so he could care for his wife in their old age. I am sorry for what I have done and for all the activities that have gotten us here today, he said. I stand here today to assure the court that I am a different person [from the one] who stood before you in October of 2017. I know it was my conduct that brought me here today. For these mistakes, I am remorseful. I will be 70 years old in a few weeks, he continued. My wife is 66. She needs me. I need her. I ask you to think of this and our need for each other. Please do not take us away from each other. Please let me and my wife be together. Immediately following his sentencing in federal court, the Manhattan district attorneys office announced state fraud charges against him. More from National Review A thing that occurs to you if you attend an elite college or university, as I did, is that most of the professors teaching you are more or less the same beleaguered time-servers who would be teaching you at any other school. I well remember the sad, unshaven schlump in corduroys who taught one of my introductory English courses: He was fine. He knew his stuff. But so did the people who taught me English at my public high school. Sure, at name-brand colleges you can attend huge lectures given by name-brand professors who appear on television and the op-ed pages and the bestseller lists but theyre just lectures. These days anyone can listen to a lecture given by a world-class expert on virtually any subject by going on YouTube. The actual interactive teaching in these lectures is done by beleaguered grad students in rumpled clothing. By the time Id graduated from Yale College in 1989, I had concluded that the value in the experience came more or less entirely from my classmates, not my teachers: I met a lot of wonderful, brilliant, hilarious fellow students. But couldnt graduates of just about any half-decent college say the same? For that matter, Ive met a lot of wonderful, brilliant, hilarious people at the various jobs Ive held over the years. There are a lot of wonderful, brilliant, hilarious people working at the New York Post, for instance. The Post paid me to be a part of their gang, whereas my family and I paid Yale. The elite-college experience is plainly not worth the immense cost. There are studies on this. In most cases, if you are bright enough to get into Harvard, but dont actually go to Harvard, your post-college income will closely resemble that of a Harvard graduate. As George Mason University economist Bryan Caplan cleverly puts it, if the point of going to college is to learn things (rather than to obtain a certificate of smartness that is in essence no different from the one the Scarecrow gets at the end of The Wizard of Oz), why do students invariably celebrate when they get to class and find a notice that it has been canceled? Story continues There is a widely shared assumption in our culture that having a degree from a place like Yale will get you a good job, or at least help you get a good job. In my case this hasnt been true at all. I entered my profession by taking a pass-fail aptitude test given by the Associated Press. I passed the test. The AP didnt care which college I went to, although perhaps it mattered that I at least graduated from a college. Deeming me employable, the AP subsequently hired me as a news clerk at their New York City headquarters. Once I got in that door, everything that happened in my career depended not on the abstraction of where I had studied but on my ability to do my job. Accepting whatever assignments I could get while doing various clerical tasks at the AP (at the time it fell to the news clerks to print out copies of the wire services stories and file them in cubbyholes, each marked with a day of the month, so as to form an archive for the reporters to consult), I managed in nine months to assemble enough clips to impress upon the editors of the Post the notion that they should hire me. They didnt particularly care where I had gone to college either. Some of my colleagues had fancy degrees, others had gone to no-name schools. It just didnt matter. All that mattered was whether they had made the editors think they could produce. Some who couldnt were shown the door. Others were promoted within the paper or poached by other media outlets. The latest elite-college admissions scandal rests on a foundation of pure silliness; as Jim Geraghty writes, people with rich, famous, well-connected parents are the ones who least need the imprimatur of a famous college to speed them through life. Yet these same people are the ones with the means to indulge the status obsession that plagues most of us. Lets not think of Felicity Huffman et al. as unusual: Everybody with the means to steer their kids into top-drawer colleges is thinking about how to game the system. This is because an elite-college degree isnt an instrument or a tool; it doesnt have to lead to anything. Its a status symbol in itself. Yale is Louis Vuitton is Piaget is Mercedes. Having a Yale diploma in the back of my closet hasnt directly benefited me in any way, as far as I can tell. But. The mention of Yale, in certain quarters, generates a sharp intake of breath. Or an Oooh of sycophancy. Or a sullen grumble and icy stare from those recalling how their own bid to enter the portals of Yale was rebuked by the admissions committee. If your goal is to enhance your sense of superiority over your fellow man, a Yale education is an excellent way to do that. Unlike a Porsche or a Cartier, it is with you always. You cant lose it and it cant be stolen. Students at elite universities quickly notice the effect a mention of the magic name can have on people and regret the general cloud of discomfort it causes. This is the real source of the now-notorious habit Harvard students and graduates have developed of replying to the question, Where did you go to college? with I went to school in Boston. Yale students sometimes do the equivalent I went to school in Connecticut. Some observers consider this dissembling a form of passive-aggressive bragging, but that isnt how its intended. Its intended to spare you, their interlocutors, from an ugly reaction (whether it be fawning or bristling) and its intended to spare them, the elite students, from indulging the equally sordid instinct to lord it over their fellow man. Harvard and Yale students arent good enough actors to fake the unease they feel when the question comes up. They genuinely are pained. Somehow those of us who dont own an Audemars watch or a Birkin handbag manage to muck on without them, and we dont fret about whether our children will someday own one. Few of us have a hole in our soul because we dont own the fanciest car in town. Because we realize worship of material goods is beneath us. Diploma worship ought to be equally so. More from National Review A Spanish National Police car sits outside the North Korean Embassy in Madrid on Feb. 28. (Photo: Sergio Perez/Reuters) When a bleeding woman ran down the street in a leafy suburb of Madrid, pointing at the nearby North Korean embassy and screaming about masked invaders, local police at first thought she was crazy. Now they suspect the mysteries of that day are linked to the CIA, report Spanish media outlets El Confidencial and El Pais. A hush-hush and ongoing Spanish investigation into a violent break-in claims that on Feb. 22, 10 armed men in masks reportedly scaled the side of Pyongyangs isolated Embassy in the Spanish capital and assaulted and interrogated staff before absconding with papers and computer devices. The break-in occurred just five days before President Trump met North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un in Vietnam. North Koreas embassy is currently without a formal head since its former ambassador, Kim Hyok Chol, was declared persona non grata and flown out of Spain 18 months earlier as part of international condemnation of his countrys nuclear testing. The enigmatic embassy break-in took a dramatic new twist this week when it was leaked to Spanish digital newspaper El Confidencial that upon studying the embassys security cameras, investigators had identified two of the subjects as being linked to the CIA. Whats more, according to subsequent reporting, the assailants were carrying imitation weapons, while further police investigation revealed that the embassy itself held an arsenal of arms, described as a vast quantity of rifles, shotguns and handguns, in a country where ownership of arms is heavily restricted. Additionally, investigators believe a transformer fire outside the embassy may be linked to the break-in, according to El Confidencial. The strange saga is confounding experts on intelligence and diplomacy across the U.S., Europe and North Korea about what the motivation behind the intrusion may have been many casting doubt that the U.S. spy agency would get mixed up in such a potentially thorny diplomatic snarl in Spain. Story continues The CIA declined to comment. But multiple former U.S. intelligence officials and national security experts told Yahoo News they would be surprised if the agency participated in or directed the break-in. David Maxwell, a former Special Operations officer who served in Asia for more than 20 years, told Yahoo News that based on the reports, I would be very skeptical that this was a U.S.-conducted operation. This sounds like keystone cops to me, wrote John Nixon, a former senior leadership analyst at the CIA who briefed senior government officials on foreign leaders, including the Kims of North Korea. The risk aversion the CIA feels for such [an] overt act would most certainly kick in and cause such a plan to die on the drawing board. The agency sometimes makes mistakes and I am sure the Trump administration has told them to not feel encumbered by the usual constraints when it comes to [North Korea,] continued Nixon in an email. But this sounds kind of ridiculous. Indeed, the events that reportedly transpired inside the embassy appear ripped from a movie script. Once inside the sparsely furnished three-story building with an adjacent swimming pool, the assailants reportedly Asian and speaking in Korean tied up embassy staff, as well as a visiting group of North Korean architects, putting hoods over their heads, and physically assaulted them as they interrogated them. The subject of their questions isnt publicly known, although the chief diplomat, So Yun Sok, reportedly told the police that they grilled him about the departed ambassador and information hed left behind in Madrid. According to local media reports, after two hours of captivity, a woman escaped from a window and ran to a nearby nursing home. When police arrived, she appeared dazed from a head wound and unable to communicate in Spanish what had happened. When officers finally discerned what she was saying, one of them approached the embassys front door, which was opened by an Asian man who assured the police that there was no problem within. Moments later, however, police were startled as embassy gates swung open and the men, carrying computers, phones and documents, raced out in two luxury vehicles with diplomatic license plates cars that were soon discovered abandoned not far away. Entering the building, police discovered the traumatized, tied-up and hooded staff members and called emergency medical personnel to the scene. A woman walks past North Korea's Embassy in Madrid on Feb. 28. (Photo: Manu Fernandez/AP) Neither the embassy nor the victims have filed police reports on the matter, and initially investigators, who did not believe it was been a common burglary, pondered whether the matter involved South Korea and whether it was tied to the upcoming summit with the U.S. and North Korean leaders a meeting that the former ambassador was reportedly involved in planning. If in fact there was CIA involvement in the break-in, it would not have been a simple act of espionage, according to those familiar with covert operations. Among other complexities are the legal authorities necessary to conduct such a covert operation in Spain. Maxwell told Yahoo News that an operation in Madrid involving violent altercations or interrogations with embassy staff members would almost certainly require whats known as a presidential finding to support a covert activity in support of vital U.S. foreign policy goals. Its also unclear if the brazen theft of embassy documents would be the best method of collecting intelligence on the North Korean Embassy. According to documents from 2010 published by German outlet Der Spiegel from former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, Madrid is listed as one of the sites where the Special Collection Service a joint NSA and CIA unit designed to listen in on hard-to-reach targets is based. In places like Madrid, the unit will often use antennas or other kinds of interception technology disguised on the roof or outside of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country. That interception technology is capable of picking up cellphone and radio frequencies within a one hundred mile radius, according to intelligence historian Matthew Aid. The North Korean Embassy is only about 7 miles from the U.S. Embassy in Madrid with key Spanish government facilities in between. Ken Gause, a senior foreign leadership analyst and director of the international affairs group at CNA, a nonprofit analysis firm based in Virginia, says the incident is bizarre but not beyond the pale. Gause, who has met with a range of North Korean officials over the years and written extensively on the Kim family, says its possible the U.S. or another foreign intelligence service hired a local team to break in, potentially to send a signal to North Korea before the summit or to simply gather intelligence which may have resulted in sloppy tradecraft. Gause also says that potential mistrust between the United States and Europe could affect how events have unfolded including laying of blame. There is precedent of intelligence agencies doing this to foreign embassies for [counterintelligence] reasons, he told Yahoo News in an email. Normally we can keep it quiet but given U.S. intel ops in Europe over the last few years (bugging leaders personal cell phones, for example) and the anger Trumps policies have caused with traditional allies, it is not surprising that we couldnt keep this incident quiet, if in fact it was us who did it. With the North Korean threat, the U.S. often relies on partners who have official diplomatic relations with North Korea including the U.K.., Sweden and others. Spain welcomed its first North Korean ambassador in 2014, Kim Hyok Chol who was booted in 2017 as persona non grata following international rebuke of North Koreas nuclear testing. Hyok Chol has resurfaced on the international scene as a key diplomat engaged in the North Korean leaders discussions with the U.S. over denuclearization. Kim Hyok Chol, center, in Vietnam on Feb. 26, ahead of the arrival of Kim Jong Un for his second summit with President Trump. (Photo: Minh Hoang/AP) El Pais reported that investigators are also questioning the involvement of South Korean intelligence, whether for diplomatic espionage or other reasons. South Korean intelligence agencies have worked closely with U.S. intel agencies for many years, officers often sitting side by side in their respective home bases. At the moment, as South Korean President Moon Jae-in emphasizes the importance of peace between the Koreas, for a number of reasons including economic opportunity and security, Maxwell doubts they would risk a bold operation like the break-in. I doubt the ROK administration [South Korea] would do anything that might put [them] on bad terms with the North Koreans, he wrote. Conducting such a brazen operation in Spain could lead to severe consequences. For example, when CIA officials abducted Abu Omar off a public street in Milan in 2003 as a part of the agencys rendition program, Italian authorities convicted 26 Americans in absentia. Omar later told the Guardian that U.S. administration officials enjoying their immunity were really the ones to blame for the events, and many at the time worried it had seriously damaged transatlantic relations. Another possibility is that it was an inside job. I think it is much more likely that this was an internal North Korean action as a result of someone not doing their job or the security services detected something wrong with members of the embassy staff, Maxwell wrote in an email to Yahoo News. They may have suspected someone planning to defect or someone in the embassy might have been skimming money from the illicit activities (drug trafficking, counterfeiting, etc) that are being conducted out of nearly all NK embassies. Its unclear whether or not any embassy employees were sent back home as a result of the invasion. According to El Pais, very few embassy employees remain living in Spain after the expulsion of the ambassador in 2017. In the latest report, released Wednesday afternoon, El Periodico reported that the assailants, now identified, are not believed to be intelligence operatives, but Asian mercenaries contracted by a foreign secret service. The men, according to that report, are believed to have flown to Spain specifically for the embassy break-in and left just after the assault. One theory, reported El Periodico, is that the men were hired by South Koreas intelligence agency, known to work closely with the CIA. Whether the CIA was connected or not, the accusation could serve as propaganda for the Kim regime, and maybe that was the point. North Korean officials, according to Maxwell, are masters at denial and deception who may have publicized the events in order to use the dramatic break-in as leverage in negotiations with Trump. While some experts may balk at the notion of an inside job, Bob Collins, a 37-year military veteran and expert on Korean security issues, thought it wasnt that far-fetched. North Korean security services are not known for their sophistication, he told Yahoo News, indeed they are known for brutality. Additional reporting by Melissa Rossi in Barcelona. _____ Read more from Yahoo News: Paul Manafort helped pioneer the business of helping foreign governments sway American policy, but his prison sentence on Wednesday may mark the end of the era he helped kick off. For hiding his work advising politicians in Ukraine and the tens of millions of dollars he received for it, the former chairman of Donald Trumps presidential campaign was sentenced to a total of seven and a half years in federal prison by two separate judges. Before handing down her sentence, D.C. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson chastised Manafort for his work. The longtime Republican consultant spent a significant portion of his career gaming the system, she told the courtroom. It is hard to overstate the number of lies and the amount of fraud and the amount of money involved. Prosecutor Andrew Weissmann described Manaforts work as corrosive to faith in the political process, both in the United States and abroad. Last week, a federal judge in Virginia sentenced Manafort to four years for tax and bank fraud hiding the money he made. On Wednesday, Jackson added three and a half years to that sentence for his failure to register his actions on behalf of the government of Ukraine, that countrys pro-Moscow Party of Regions and former Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovych. Manaforts case had already sent a message to the D.C.s foreign lobbyists, but the jail time put an exclamation point on it. When he and a former partner, Rick Gates, first faced charges for failing to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, lobbyists and public relations firms rushed to update their paperwork and, in some cases, registered for the first time. The FARA law was passed in 1938 in response to pro-Nazi propaganda efforts trying to influence American views of Hitlers Germany. Under the law, individuals in the U.S. working to help foreign governments influence U.S. policy must register with the Justice Department and provide updates on what countries they represent, how much they are paid and their activities. Story continues Former prosecutors said that foreign lobbyists like Manafort should expect more scrutiny in the future. Its clear that FARA enforcement has been relatively dormant for a long time, Duncan Levin, a former federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of New York and former chief of asset forfeiture in the Manhattan District Attorneys Office, told TIME. The public can expect to see a new dawn in cases exposing people who have made money representing foreign governments but failed to disclose those ties, Levin said. All you have to do is look at the [2016] election to see that unregulated foreign agents can pose a major threat to the U.S. election process, Levin said. Indeed, the Justice Department has recently added prosecutors to a unit that enforces FARA headed by a former prosecutor from Special Counsel Robert Muellers team with agency officials saying earlier this month that those investigations would be a priority. In the early 1990s, Manafort and has partners, Roger Stone and others, advised clients including Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Zaire President Mobutu Sese Seko and Jonas Savimbi, the former Angolan rebel leader responsible for trading millions of carats in diamonds for weapons. In the years following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Manafort also developed a niche advising the campaigns of politicians running in newly founded democracies in former Soviet Bloc states. But it wasnt until he stepped into the limelight, managing the Republican national convention for Trump, that Manaforts work started to draw attention from prosecutors. As with other key players in the 2016 election, Mueller pursued the charges in part to try to entice Manafort into cooperating by testifying about what he knew. After a jury convicted him on eight financial crimes in Virginia, Manafort pleaded guilty in the D.C. case and began cooperating with the Mueller investigation. But that cooperation deal fell apart after investigators said that Manafort was not truthful, including about central parts of the probe. Still, lobbyists for foreign governments can take comfort from the fact that Manaforts crimes were not just failing to register but also included hiding that income on his taxes and bank forms as well as his handling of the investigation. Had Manafort not lied to Muellers team, he would be in and out of federal prison in a just a few short years, Levin said. The lie to Mueller is becoming his most serious thing that happened to Manafort, Levin said. Trump has repeatedly showed sympathy for Manafort and his reaction to Wednesdays verdict was no different. I feel very badly for Paul Manafort, Trump told reporters during a White House meeting highlighting drug trafficking at the border. Its a very sad situation, Trump said, adding that he has not thought about a pardon for Manafort. But even a pardon would only help Manafort so much. Manafort is now facing charges in New York state for mortgage fraud. If convicted and sentenced in that case, he could face serving time in New York State prison, which a Trump pardon could not save him from. Paul Manafort will serve a total of about 7 1/2 years in the prison, after being sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Washington, D.C. to an additional 3 1/2 years for conspiracy. The ruling on Manafort, President Trumps former campaign chairman who was sentenced last week in Virginia to nearly four years in prison, closes out special counsel Robert Muellers highest-profile prosecution to date. Related stories CNN Chief Jeff Zucker Says POTUS Putting Journalist's Lives At Risk At Trump-Trashing RTDNF Awards Donald Trump Tweets 'Fox & Friends' Trashing Of "One-Sided" Late Night Comedy Kentucky High Schooler Suing CNN For $275M Wants NBC, AP, Bill Maher Next Moments after the second sentence was announced, Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance unveiled 16 charges against Manafort for state crimes related to mortgage fraud, conspiracy and falsifying business records. Those charges would be POTUS pardon-proof. No one is beyond the law in New York, Vance said, saying Manaforts alleged crimes strike at the heart of New Yorks sovereign interests, including the integrity of our residential mortgage market. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Monday was asked about a Trump pardon for his former campaign chair; she dodged the question, saying Trump would decide whether to pardon Manafort when he is ready. U.S. District Court Judge Amy Berman Jacksons sentencing of Manafort was for two conspiracy counts that covered money-laundering and failing to disclose more than a decades worth of lobbying that earned him millions. Saying it was hard to overstate the number of lies and the amount of fraud and the amount of money involved, Jackson sentenced Manafort to a total of 60 months in jail 30 months of which he will serve concurrent to the prison time he was given last week. Jackson told Manafort he is still not being straight with the court which, she told him pointedly, is one of those places where facts still matter. Story continues Manafort had made a last-ditch apology for all his wrongdoing, unlike last weeks court appearance, asking Jackson to add no time to the sentence hed already received. This case has taken everything from me, already, he said, naming all his assets now in the governments possession. Please let my wife and I be together, he said, playing the age card; he is about to turn 70. Jackson was having none of it, telling him that saying Im sorry I got caught is not an inspiring plea for leniency, according to reporters in the courtroom. Manafort, the judge chided, lied to members of Congress and the American public, adding, If people dont have the facts democracy doesnt work. The additional sentence means Manafort would spend 90 months in jail. He can get 15% off for good conduct, which would bring it down to 77 months. And, hes already been in jail about nine months, for which he is likely to get credit, bringing his jail time going forward to 68 months. Sentence came a week after a federal judge in Alexandria, VA sentenced Manafort to just 47 months in prison for bank fraud, tax fraud and additional financial crimes, citing his otherwise blameless life. Once again Manaforts legal team claimed, outside the court, that the judge said there was no evidence of Russian collusion, which, like last week, is not what the judge said. This time, however, people standing outside the court were ready and began to scream LIAR! Thats not what she said! which was picked up clearly on camera. Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Paul Manafort, former Trump campaign chairman, arrives at federal court in Washington, D.C., for his arraignment and bail hearing June 15, 2018. Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/ALM A federal judge in Washington sentenced former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort to about six years in prison Wednesday on charges connected to his past lobbying work for Ukraine, rejecting his claims of remorse as an uninspiring plea for leniency. The sentence, which elevated Manaforts total prison term to about seven-and-a-half years, came less than a week after he was sentenced in Alexandria, Virginia, on financial fraud charges. In the Alexandria proceeding, U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis of the Eastern District of Virginia made note of the fact that Manafort had not given a clear apology in his final words in court. I certainly recommend you do it in the District of Columbia, Ellis told him. Manafort, who was also indicted by the Manhattan district attorney Wednesday for mortgage fraud, appeared to take that advice in Washington. As his voice filled Jacksons courtroom, it didnt take long for him to utter the word Ellis wanted to hear last week. I want to say to you now: I am sorry for what I have done, Manafort said from his wheelchair. Let me be very clear, I accept responsibility for the acts that have caused me to be here today. Still, Jackson questioned whether Manafort had really accepted responsibility for contacting witnesses in an attempt to tamper with their testimony. And she said that while Manaforts crimes did not make him public enemy No. 1, he was not a victim either. Instead, Jackson described a throughline of dishonesty and dissembling by Manafort over the course of his legal saga, including allegations he attempted to tamper with witnesses while on bail and false statements he gave in apparent breach of his September plea agreement. Court is one of those places where facts still matter, Jackson said. Saying, Im sorry I got caught, is not an inspiring plea for leniency. Manafort pleaded guilty in Washington to a pair of conspiracy charges last year after a jury in Alexandria found him guilty of bank and tax fraud. In Washington, he was accused of failing to disclose his past lobbying work for Ukraine as required under the Foreign Agents Registration Act and skirting taxes on that lucrative line of business. Jackson on Wednesday criticized Manafort for hiding his wealth to sustain an opulent lifestyle, saying he had more homes than anyone could enjoy and more suits than any one man could wear. A lead prosecutor for the special counsels office, Andrew Weissmann, had painted Manafort as a brazen criminal who broke the law to fuel an extravagant lifestyle. The judge also addressed what wasnt alleged in the case: collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 presidential election. Evidence of collusion, she said, was not presented in this caseperiod. Outside court, Manaforts lead defense lawyer, Kevin Downing, said, "Judge Jackson conceded that there was absolutely no evidence of Russian collusion in this case." In court, Downing said the special counsels involvement in Manaforts case resulted in disparate treatment. He said the Justice Department has brought only about a half dozen cases over FARA violations since the mid-1960s, saying the governments priority through the years had been to bring more folks in and get filed, not bring criminal prosecutions. Jackson on Wednesday dismissed the notion that Manaforts failure to register under FARA was merely a violation of a pesky regulation. In choosing not to register his lobbying work for Ukraine, she said, Manafort was hiding the truth of who he represented, effectively lying to members of Congress and the American public. When people dont have the facts, democracy cant work, she said. Weissmann said secrecy underpinned Manaforts lobbying work for Ukraine, allowing him to enlist foreign leaders to advocate for the country and appear independent when they were, in fact, handsomely paid. Secrecy was integral to what Mr. Manafort wanted to do for Ukraine, Weissmann said. Sitting behind Weissmann was a former Mueller prosecutor, Brandon Van Grack, who was recently appointed to lead the Justice Department unit devoted to enforcing FARA. Read more: Manafort Indicted by Manhattan DA for Mortgage Fraud Confirmation of Lowenstein's Paul Matey Flips 3rd Circuit to Republicans DOJ Pivot Suggests No End to FARA Frenzy, Lawyers Say Paul Manafort Gets 47 Months, but Second Sentencing Awaits Photo credit: United States Marine Corp - Getty Images From Popular Mechanics The Trump Administrations 2020 Budget is out, and the Pentagon is asking for 17 more aircraft than it received in 2019. A quick tally of the aircraft shows the number of fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles the services are asking for is down slightly, while the number of helicopters is up. Also, the Air Force is purchasing eight new F-15s in a deal that smells fishy, given the Acting Secretary of Defenses work career. The tally, shared on Twitter by Aviation Week & Space Technology defense editor Stephen Trimble, shows a slight increase of 17 aircraft year over year, from 362 authorized in 2019 to 379 proposed for 2020. The aircraft are broken down into a number a categories as follows: Photo credit: Boeing Fighters: DoD wants 110 fighters in 2020, down from 117 in 2019. The Air Force is asking for 48 F-35As, down eight from 2019. The Marines want just 10 F-35Bs, less than half their 2019 purchase. Only the Navy is buying more F-35s, with the service requesting 20 of the carrier-capable F-35C model. The Navy is also buying 24 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets. The real wild card here: the Air Force is asking for eight F-15EX fighters, part of a goal of buying 80 through 2024 . At the same time, the Air Force is asking for eight less F-35s. The service has said in the past it would not spend money on F-15s at the expense of the F-35 program, but that appears to be exactly what happened. According to outgoing Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, the services 2020 budget originally did not include the F-15s. The watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics has filed a complaint with the Pentagon alleging that Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, a 30-year Boeing employee, intervened to force the service to buy Boeings F-15s over the F-35. Photo credit: Isaac Brekken - Getty Images Other Aircraft: The Air Force is asking for 12 KC-46A Pegasus tankers, three less than in 2019. The service will eventually order at least 179 of the aircraft, and at this rate, itll take about thirteen years to buy them all. Its also asking for another squadron of 24 MQ-9A Reapers and a dozen HH-60W combat search and rescue helicopters. Story continues The Navy and Marines, on the other hand, are asking for three more KC-130J tankers, six more P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, and two MQ-4C Triton long-range unmanned aerial vehicles. The service also wants to purchase 22 F-5 Tiger IIs, recently retired from the Swiss Air Force, to act as aggressor aircraft for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps fighter pilots to train against. Photo credit: U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shiloh Capers Helicopters: More than half of the Pentagons aircraft request for 2020 consists of helicopters, with the U.S. Army taking the lions share. The Army will request 48 AH-64 Apache helicopters remanufactured to the new AH-64E Apache Guardian standard, enough for two attack helicopter battalions. Its also asking for 73 UH-60M Blackhawk transport helicopters, about 15 more than it got in 2019. Nine CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopters round out the Armys request. With a few exceptions, the rest of the helicopters go to the Marine Corps. The Marines are asking for six of the enormously expensive CH-53K King Stallion helicopter, ten MV-22 Ospreys, and six VH-92A helicopters, otherwise known as the new Marine One: the official vertical lift ride of the President of the United States. Photo credit: Lockheed Martin Will the services get what they ask for? Its likely, although the split control of Congress into a Democratic House of Representatives and Republican Senate could complicate the services plans. The House, in particular, will almost certainly take a hard look at the F-15EX controversy and may even refuse to fund it--much to the Air Forces relief. The services may even get more aircraft than they ask for, as Congress has been known to add extra aircraft. Let the budget battles begin. ('You Might Also Like',) NASAs budget request for fiscal year 2020 could prove to be a blessing for numerous American private companies operating in the space arena. The $21-billion space budget could offer ground-breaking opportunities for these corporate giants to bank on. NASAs 2020 Objective for Space In a statement released earlier this week, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine highlighted the budgets primary objectives. These include going to the Moon and exploring it for the next 10 years, sending astronauts to Mars and researching on transformative aeronautics technology. However, the most crucial bit of information revealed by NASA was that it is starting an array of small commercial delivery missions to the Moon. Considering there are a few prominent U.S. space companies developing cutting-edge space technologies, rockets and propulsion systems, these stand to gain significantly. Tesla, Amazon to Benefit From Commercial Missions SpaceX TSLA and Blue Origin AMZN could benefit immensely from NASAs commercial space mission. These companies are striving to develop cheap space infrastructure such as reusable rockets and spacecraft, which could bring down the cost of space travel tremendously, thus increasing access to space. In addition, SpaceXs new endeavor to manufacture rockets meant for transporting humans and cargo beyond Earths orbit puts its ambitions in line with NASAs objectives. The independent space agency has a budget of $363 million to assist companies in developing a large lunar lander that will take cargo and humans to Moon. At present, SpaceX and Blue Origin are NASAs top candidates for lunar lander funds. Both Tesla and Amazon carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Tesla has outperformed the broader industry in the past two-year period (+13% vs. -6.2%). Amazon has also outperformed the broader industry in the same period (+98.3% vs. +52.3%). NASAs traditional contractors such as Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Boeing (BA) are also competing for the agencys many awards. Bridenstine said on Mar 13 that NASA wont wait for Boeings immensely expensive rocket for deep space explorations. In fact, the agency will continue using its space launch system Orion spacecraft, primarily used for the same. Lockheed Martin is NASAs major contractor for Orion. Story continues Broader Space Exploration Benefits Space Industry According to a Morgan Stanley report, the global space industry is poised to generate revenues of $1.1 trillion or more by 2040. As more opportunities for space exploration and innovation crop up in the space industry, investments will increase as well. Apart from SpaceX and Blue Origin, several other corporations have also taken a keen interest in developing low-priced space infrastructure. The trend is reflected by the fact that nine other companies are bidding for up to $2.6 billion in contracts this year for lunar transportation to fulfill NASAs futuristic objectives. In fact, Morgan Stanleys list of Space 20 stocks provides an insight into the companies that are expected to benefit from the space industrys exponential growth. The list includes corporate giants such as Apple AAPL, Alphabet GOOGL and Microsoft MSFT among others. This improves their investment worthiness to a significant extent. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2018, while the S&P 500 gained +15.8%, five of our screens returned +38.0%, +61.3%, +61.6%, +68.1%, and +98.3%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2018, while the S&P averaged +4.8% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +56.2% per year. See their latest picks 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 Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Apple Inc. (AAPL) : Free Stock Analysis Report Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research By Carolyn Cohn LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's biggest insurer, Prudential, has transferred 36 billion pounds in customer assets to its new Luxembourg subsidiary ahead of Brexit, it said on Wednesday, as the company reported a six percent rise in operating profit. Insurers and banks have been shifting hundreds of billions of pounds in assets to European Union subsidiaries regardless of the form Brexit takes, reversing decades of European financial market integration and chipping away at the City of Londons dominance. British Prime Minister Theresa May suffered a second, heavy parliamentary defeat on the withdrawal deal she struck with the EU on Tuesday, leaving open the possibility of an abrupt, economically damaging Brexit without a transition arrangement. But parliament is expected to vote against a no-deal Brexit later on Wednesday and then, on Thursday, vote for a delay. Prudential Chief Executive Mike Wells told a media call that the life insurer's strategy was "not to assume any shape on Brexit, but to look at what retail and institutional clients would want, regardless of the shape of Brexit". John Foley, head of Prudential's UK business M&G Prudential, said the insurer had spent 27 million pounds on setting up the new Luxembourg operation, which currently has 35 staff. Prudential said it was making continued progress with plans to separate M&G Prudential through a stock market listing, which market sources expect before the end of the year. Wells declined to give a time frame for the demerger. Other insurers and asset managers such as Old Mutual and Standard Life Aberdeen have also restructured their businesses as they grapple with increased regulatory requirements and competitive pressures. JP Morgan Cazenove analysts said the demerger of the UK operations was a positive step. "It removes S-II (Solvency II capital requirements) overhang for non-European businesses and it is a step forward to further simplification by potentially splitting U.S. and Asia in the future to unlock more value." Story continues After the spin-off, Prudential's international business will be subject to Hong Kong regulation but will remain headquartered in Britain. Prudential reported a higher than forecast rise in 2018 operating profit to 4.8 billion pounds after a strong performance from its Asian business. The company's Asian business "may be attractive to other players, as there are very few similar franchises", JP Morgan Cazenove analysts also said, reiterating a "neutral" rating on the stock. The Asian business reported a 14 percent rise in operating profit. M&G Prudential's profit rose 19 percent, with its British pensions business helped by a slowdown in improvements to life expectancy. In the United States, Prudential's Jackson business reported an 11 percent fall in profit due to accounting measures related to lower U.S. stock markets. M&G Prudential had net asset management outflows of 9.9 billion pounds from external clients, including an expected redemption of a 6.5 billion pound institutional mandate. Prudential's shares were trading at 15.32 pounds at 1025 GMT, up 0.2 percent and in line with the FTSE 100 index. Prudential said it would pay a total dividend of 49.35 pence per share, up 5 percent but below a forecast 50.36 pence. (Reporting by Carolyn Cohn; editing by Simon Jessop/Louise Heavens/Jane Merriman) Husband named person of interest in death of missing North Carolina nurse Diana Keel originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The body of a missing North Carolina nurse who vanished over the weekend has been found and investigators believe foul play was "definitely" involved in her death. Authorities had been searching for the emergency room nurse and mother of two, Diana Alejandra Keel, 38, who was reported missing by her 18-year-old daughter on Saturday, according to the Nash County Sheriff's Office. Her car was left parked at her home in Nashville, the sheriff's office said. Keel's husband, Lynn Keel, said he last saw his wife on Friday and is now a person of interest in the case, officials said. PHOTO: Diana Alejandra Keel, 38, is pictured in an undated photo released by the Nash County Sheriff in Nashville, N.C., on March 11, 2019. She was reported missing on March 9. (Nash County Sheriff) "He said that she leaves from time to time and will stay gone a couple of days," Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone said during a press conference on Wednesday when asked why Lynn Keel hadn't reported her missing. The police said Wednesday that they were aware of "difficulties" in the marriage. Still plenty of police activity at the home of Diana Alejandra Keel and her husband, Lynn. #ABC11 pic.twitter.com/yBi4OlJvJH Gloria Rodriguez (@GloriaABC11) March 13, 2019 Lynn Keel was brought into the sheriff's office for questioning and to help identify Keel's body, which was discovered Tuesday in Edgecombe County. Sheriff's officials said foul play was "definitely" involved. "This is a homicide investigation at this time. I don't want to get into elaborating too much on the specifics of the case because we're doing investigations as of right now. ... The cause of death was the act of someone," Stone said. "Theres a killer on the loose." Story continues A Department of Transportation worker discovered the woman's decomposing body in a wooded area about 30 miles away from where she disappeared, Stone said. He said there were other "persons of interest" in the case, but he declined to release their names. Her husband was released after questioning and has not been charged. (MORE: 38-year-old mom goes missing from North Carolina home; police not ruling out foul play) PHOTO: Diana Alejandra Keel, 38, is pictured in an undated photo released by the Nash County Sheriff in Nashville, N.C., on March 11, 2019. She was reported missing on March 9. (Nash County Sheriff) Investigators executed search warrants on both of the Keels' cars, officials said. The Keels also have a 10-year-old son, who was staying with his grandmother as Lynn Keel met with investigators Tuesday, officials said. "It's very difficult, especially when I see life as it is and how fragile it is and now we have a kid without a mother. It's very difficult," Stone said. "We have a lot of unanswered questions. That's the reason we, as the Nash County Sheriff's office, operate with compassion, honor and diligence." Geneva (AFP) - Saudi Arabia on Thursday reiterated its rejection of calls for an international, independent investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, insisting it was well equipped to bring the perpetrators to justice. The head of a Saudi delegation speaking before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva insisted that his country was taking all the "measures required for us to resolve this heinous crime". Bandar Al-Aiban, who heads Saudi Arabia's human rights commission, stressed though that any calls to "internationalise" the investigation "amount to an interference in our domestic affairs". Aiban was in Geneva presenting his country's response to a review of its rights record before the council last November, during which it faced a barrage of criticism from countries over the Khashoggi murder. His presentation came after 36 countries last week issued a joint statement demanding justice following the killing, in an unprecedented rebuke of the oil-rich kingdom at the rights council. Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor and critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Saudi Arabia initially said it had no knowledge of his fate. It has since blamed rogue agents for Khashoggi's death and the kingdom's public prosecutor has charged 11 people over his murder. Aiban insisted that his country was "horrified by what has happened pursuant to this unfortunate accident". He told the council that most of the recommendations Riyadh had received regarding how to pursue the Khashoggi case during the so-called Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in November were already guaranteed by its constitution. The suspects, he said, "were entitled to a fair trial... and none of their human rights have been violated, and they have been subjected to no form of torture or cruel and inhuman treatment". "They are entitled to legal council, and they have also been informed of their rights to resort to the services of council during the investigation phase and during the trial," he said. Story continues Aiban said that there had so far been three hearings, and that the accused and their lawyers had been present. He also said "representatives of international organisations as well as NGOs and other stakeholders... were able to monitor and see how the court cases were unfolding," but did not specify which organisations had been permitted into the proceedings. But he said Saudi Arabia could not accept recommendations during the UPR for the country to allow international experts to participate in the investigation and to oversee the process. "Saudi Arabia is a sovereign country... Such demands made upon us are tantamount to the international community doubting the integrity of our judicial apparatus and doubting the independence of our judiciary," he said. By Gavin Jones ROME (Reuters) - Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Thursday criticized judges who granted mitigating circumstances to murderers of women on the grounds they were blinded by jealousy or disappointment. Domestic violence is recognized as a serious problem in Italy, and this month two sentence reductions sparked outrage because judges cited the hurt feelings of men who had killed their wives or girlfriends. An appeals court in Bologna halved to 16 years the original sentence of a man who strangled his partner in 2016 gripped by what a court psychiatrist said was "an emotional and passionate storm". The killer had found messages from other men on his partner's phone and she told him she wanted to end their relationship. In another case in Genoa, a man who stabbed his wife to death was given 16 years, rather than the 30 years requested by prosecutors, with the judge saying the murderer was driven by "anger and desperation, deep disappointment and resentment". The man had discovered his wife had not left her lover as she had promised. With women's rights advocates up in arms, Conte, a trained lawyer, stepped into the debate with a post on Facebook saying that while judges must remain independent, such cases raised cultural issues he felt bound to comment on. "We must clarify with force that NO EMOTIONAL REACTION, NO FEELINGS, HOWEVER INTENSE, can justify or mitigate the gravity of femicide," he wrote, using capital letters to ram home the message. In another contested ruling whose reasons were made public this month, an appeals court in Ancona overturned a rape conviction noting that the two suspects had found the victim too unattractive and "masculine" to want to rape her. There was one femicide every two days in Italy between 2006 and 2016, a total of 1,740 and an average of 174 a year, a recent study showed. One in three women between the ages of 16 and 70 has experienced physical or sexual abuse, it said. A generation ago, the Italian penal code prescribed prison sentences as short as three years for men who killed women out of jealousy. Until 1981, the law sanctioned leniency for male defendants who murdered to preserve "family honor." Conte, who is not a member of either of the two ruling parties -- the rightist League and the populist 5-Star Movement -- said Italy must achieve a "cultural revolution" in its attitudes to women in order to build "a better society". (additional reporting by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Catherine Evans and Steve Scherer) After a progressive media organization dug up years worth of his incendiary old comments from a shock jocks radio show, Fox News host Tucker Carlson said he would not apologize and would not back down from his mob of critics who have been working hard to kill his show since the beginning. Carlsons forceful response, during his Monday night show, came amid ongoing scrutiny of his appearances on the Bubba the Love Sponge Show. Carlson called into the Florida-based radio program approximately an hour a week from 2006 to 2011, according to the liberal group Media Matters for America. Since Sunday, Media Matters has been publishing excerpts and clips of Carlsons most startling Bubba the Love Sponge Show remarks, covering topics including gender, race and sexual abuse. The audio published by Media Matters shows Carlson, among other incidents, denigrating women and the Middle East, jokingly using a gay slur and defending Warren Jeffs, a polygamist leader and convicted sexual abuser. Among many examples: Women, he said in October 2007, were extremely primitive. He described Martha Stewarts daughter Alexis as cy in May 2006 and, in 2007, he ridiculed a Miss Teen USA contestant. Shes so dumb, shes like shes vulnerable. Shes like a wounded gazelle separated from the herd, he said. Asked if he ever thought about the contestant sexually, he initially demurred but later said, I was thinking about tapping my foot next to her stall a reference to a clandestine bathroom hookup. In December 2007, he said Oprah was anti-man. In August 2008, he called Paris Hilton and Britney Spears two of the biggest white whores in America. That October, he said, Iraq is a crappy place filled with a bunch of, you know, semiliterate primitive monkeys thats why it wasnt worth invading. Carlson worked at MSNBC as a host during the early years of his radio appearances but his show there was canceled in 2008. He joined Fox News in 2009, initially as a pundit. Story continues On his show on Monday, Carlson said the words were spoken in jest and were taken out of context, or in any case bear no resemblance to what [I] actually think or would want for the country. He did not elaborate further. The presidents son Donald Trump Jr. echoed this defense on Twitter, retorting that Bubba The Love Sponge was obviously a serious policy show where no satire would be made. However, when Carlson went on the show to discuss Jeffs, in September 2006, he sounded much more serious than on other episodes, where he adopted a tone of exaggerated (even playful) outrage. But he seemed to view Jeffs case as an example of government overreach. Authorities said Jeffs was an accessory to rape because he arranged marriages between underage girls and adult men in his group. Carlson argued the charges against Jeffs were bull Arranging a marriage between a 16-year-old and a 27-year-old is not the same as pulling a stranger off the street and raping her. Thats bullshit, he said. When host Bubba Clem challenged him (Thats just a small little thing that they got him on), Carlson pushed back. Since when do you believe everything the government says? he said, later adding, All of a sudden, like were very skeptical about everything until like some prosecutor comes out and says, This guys bad, and the rest of us nod in agreement like a church choir, Yeah, hes bad. How do we know hes bad? What do we know exactly? Nothing. Carlson noted he believed Jeffs religious practices were disgusting and immoral but made a libertarians argument for polygamy: If youre, like, for the government butting out of the bedroom and for gay marriage, and for the right of strip clubs to operate unimpeded by governments how exactly can you be against polygamy? Carlsons comments were made on Sept. 5, 2006, a few days after Jeffs was taken into custody. In a 2009 appearance when Jeffs came up again, Carlson said, Im not for child rape but that Jeff was in prison because hes weird and unpopular and he has a different lifestyle that other people find creepy. Jeffs accessory conviction in Utah was eventually overturned. But in 2012, he was sentenced to life in prison for sexually assaulting two of his own underage brides, according to the Associated Press. On his show on Monday, Carlson did not address his previous comments in detail. Instead, he framed the issue around what he called the outrage machine and said he was being hypocritically pursued by liberals who wanted to silence him. There would be no point in regret or an apology, he said. So he didnt offer one. The lefts main goal, in case you havent noticed, is controlling what you think, he said. Going forward, well be covering their efforts to make us be quiet, he continued. The previous day, he released a statement on Twitter: Media Matters caught me saying something naughty on a radio show more than a decade ago. Rather than express the usual ritual contrition, how about this: Im on television every weeknight live for an hour. If you want to know what I think, you can watch. Anyone who disagrees with my views is welcome to come on and explain why. Speaking with PEOPLE, Media Matters President Angelo Carusone says the group has more audio to release but likely will not do so for a little while. Weve largely been trying to find a way, because thats our job, to tell a more effective story about Tucker Carlsons promotion of white supremacy and misogyny, Carusone says. (Washington Post columnist Erik Wemple drew a similar parallel, arguing Carlsons radio show appearances were not materially different from what hes said elsewhere.) Of future audio of Carlsons previous radio appearances, Carusone says, Theres a ton. However, Theres no way were going to release it all. I will not publish something that does not have relevancy, he says. He has no qualms about pressuring Fox News advertiser-based business model, which he says commercializes the kind of bigotry and bad faith that prevents any kind of necessary political dialogue between liberals and conservatives. Carusone has also faced criticism, largely from conservative media outlets, who point to his own years-old remarks: In this case, blog posts that used offensive terms to describe transgender and Jewish people, among other things. Carusone says those posts were part of a short-lived attempt at parodying right-wing extremism, but he acknowledges they can be harmful. He says the posts regularly resurface when Media Matters targets a conservative personality. The National Review, in a characteristic treatment, called Carusones old posts astonishing hypocrisy. Carlson said on his show that he has the full support of Fox News. Weve always apologized when were wrong, and will continue to do that. Thats what decent people do. They apologize, he said. But we will never bow to the mob. Ever. No matter what. A network spokeswoman tells PEOPLE Carlson will be on the air this week and next, following earlier incorrect reports he was planning a vacation. Asked for comment, the spokeswoman referred PEOPLE to Carlsons statements on the controversy. By Lisandra Paraguassu and Anthony Boadle BRASILIA (Reuters) - The United States will strengthen military ties with Brazil to a level usually reserved for NATO allies during President Jair Bolsonaro's visit to Washington next week, boosting growing cooperation between the Americas' two largest militaries, two Brazilian government officials said on Thursday. Bolsonaro will meet U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House on Tuesday during a visit aimed at strengthening economic, political and military ties between his right-wing government and Washington. The status of "major non-NATO ally" (MNNA) gives a country preferential access to the purchase of U.S. military equipment and technology, including free surplus material, expedited export processing and prioritized cooperation on training. Currently 17 countries have MNNA status. Brazil would become just the second Latin American country to join their ranks after Argentina, which received the designation in 1998. Colombia last year became a member of NATO. The Brazilian officials said they have been negotiating the designation since the beginning of this year. They requested anonymity because they were not cleared to discuss it publicly. The White House declined comment. The MNNA designation would ease the transfer of defense technology at a time when Brazil's aerospace industry has forged new ties with the United States, including a planned tie-up between Boeing Co and Brazilian planemaker Embraer SA on both defense and commercial aircraft. Last year the Trump administration embarked on an arms export policy to help American defense firms compete better against increasingly aggressive Russian and Chinese manufacturers. Brazil may be the top South American consumer of equipment from the United States, but that number is still very small. In fiscal 2017 the U.S. delivered only $39 million in foreign military sales to Brazil. The United States and Brazil have also reached an accord to safeguard U.S. space technology that the South American nation hopes will be used in commercial rockets using its launch center near the equator, officials said on Monday. They expect the deal to be sealed in Washington next week. Brazil hopes to get a piece of the $300 billion-a-year space launch business by drawing U.S. companies interested in sending up small satellites at a lower cost from the Alcantara base run by the Brazilian Air Force on the Atlantic coast. Irrespective of the designation of Brazil as a major non-NATO ally, the U.S. military has made deepening ties with Brazil a top priority. "There's tremendous opportunity for enhancing and strengthening our partnership with Brazil," the head of the U.S. military's Southern Command, Admiral Craig Faller, told Reuters in an interview earlier this week, without addressing Brazil's potential designation as a non-NATO ally. Faller said he was looking for "pragmatic and practical" ways to deepen ties. Those could include greater sharing of intelligence and information, more robust participation in military exercises and more educational exchanges, he said. The greater cooperation comes as the Trump administration is ramping up pressure on Venezuela's leftist government to hold free elections and working closely with Colombia and Brazil to address their neighbor's mounting political and economic crisis. The Brazilian and U.S. military have cooperated since World War Two when Brazil was the only Latin American nation to send troops to fight with the allies in Europe. Ties cooled in 1977 when the administration of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter enforced a U.S. arms embargo over rights abuses by Brazil's military government. (Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu and Anthony Boadle in Brasilia; Additional reporting by Roberta Rampton and Phil Stewart in Washignton; Writing by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Brad Haynes and Lisa Shumaker) By Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Turkey's pending purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system presents a national security problem for NATO, which would not be able to deploy F-35 aircraft alongside the Russian systems, senior U.S. officials said on Thursday. The officials, who briefed a group of reporters on condition of anonymity, said Turkey's purchase of the S-400 system was not tantamount to it withdrawing from NATO, but that Ankara's purchase should be viewed as a national security issue, not a merely commercial decision. "We are continuing to work on a range of options to ensure that Turkeys participation in the NATO alliance and bilateral relationship can continue unabated and unimpinged," one of the officials said. "The gravity of the risk to the F-35 both to the United States and to NATO allies is such that the two systems cannot be co-located." NATO member Turkey has repeatedly said it is committed to buying the Russian missile defense system, despite warnings from the United States that the S-400s cannot be integrated into the NATO air defense system. The U.S. State Department last week said Washington had told Turkey that if it buys the S-400 systems, the United States will have to reassess Ankara's participation in the Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter program. Washington has sought to persuade Turkey to instead purchase the American-made Patriot defense system, but Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has said Ankara remains committed to the deal for the Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile defense system. The senior U.S. officials said Washington's offer to sell Patriots to Turkey continued and that the two sides remain in negotiations about it. The Turkish government has already missed a "soft deadline" set by Washington to decide whether to buy a $3.5 billion Raytheon Co. Patriot missile shield system. The formal offer expires at the end of this month. On Thursday, Erdogan repeated that it was not possible for Ankara to back out of the deal with Russia. Turkey's insistence on buying the Russian system risks triggering a fresh diplomatic crisis with Washington. If Ankara goes ahead with the Russian deal, Turkey also could face sanctions under a U.S. law known as Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. The last diplomatic crisis between the two NATO allies contributed to driving the Turkish lira to a record low in August. Disputes over strategy in Syria, Iran sanctions and the detention of U.S. consular staff remain unresolved, and the issue of missile defense threatens to widen the rift again. (Reporting By Steve Holland; Editing by Alistair Bell) Shah Alam (Malaysia) (AFP) - A Vietnamese woman charged with assassinating the North Korean leader's half-brother lost her bid for immediate release Thursday as Malaysian authorities refused to drop a murder charge, days after her Indonesian co-accused was freed. "In reference to the representation submitted on March 11 to the honourable attorney-general, we got an order to proceed with the case," lead prosecutor Muhammad Iskandar Ahmad told the High Court in Shah Alam, outside Kuala Lumpur. Doan Thi Huong, 30, has been on trial for a year and a half over the 2017 assassination of Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpur airport that shocked the world. She sobbed in the dock as the news was announced, and tearfully told reporters: "I am not angry that Siti has been freed. Only God knows that we did not commit the murder. "I want my family to pray for me." The Indonesian woman accused alongside her -- Siti Aisyah -- was unexpectedly released Monday after prosecutors withdrew the murder charge against her. They did not offer any explanation but it followed intense lobbying from the Indonesian government. Judge Azmi Ariffin said Huong was not "physically and mentally" well enough to continue with the trial on Thursday, and adjourned proceedings until April 1. Vietnamese ambassador to Malaysia, Le Quy Quynh, told AFP at the court: "I'm very disappointed that the court did not free Doan. "We will request Malaysia to be fair and to release her as soon as possible." PHOENIX A woman attacked by a jaguar at an Arizona zoo Saturday says she did not cross the barrier and was not trying to take a selfie. The woman, in an interview with KPHO-TV and its sister station KTVK-TV in Phoenix and posted on azfamily.com, disputed initial claims made by the Wildlife World Zoo. "I never crossed the barrier. I was not trying to get a selfie," said the woman, whom the report identified only as Leanne. "If I was trying to get a selfie, I think my injuries would be in a different place." The woman said she never passed a barrier in front of the jaguar's pen, but she acknowledged she leaned over the barrier. March 11: 90 seconds of terror at Arizona zoo stemmed from a selfie with a jaguar "I never expected the jaguar's paw to come through the fence," she said. The Arizona Republic, which is part of the USA TODAY Network, has reached out to the woman but has not received a response. Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium and Safari Park The zoo said the woman apologized for the incident, but she said in the interview that her apology was not an admission she was trying to take a selfie. The woman said she apologized to the zoo for the backlash caused by media reports of the incident. She told Arizona's Family that she was wrong to lean over the barrier but said the zoo should look into moving back the fencing surrounding the exhibit. March 10: Wildlife World Zoo says it won't put down jaguar that attacked a woman taking a photo The woman also said she has offered to start a fundraiser to move back the fencing, because she enjoys visiting the zoo and does not want it to change. The Arizona Republic reached out to Wildlife World Zoo officials Tuesday afternoon for a response to the woman's claims but has not received a response. Follow The Arizona Republic on Twitter: @azcentral This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Woman attacked by jaguar at Arizona zoo claims she was not taking a selfie 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. Brazil's right-wing government has ordered environmental enforcement agency Ibama not to respond to requests from the media, stoking fears that President Jair Bolsonaro may be rolling back environmental protections out of the public eye. Bolsonaro assumed office on Jan. 1 after pledging on the campaign trail to curb environmental fines, a key tool employed by Ibama to enforce its regulations. He has also floated the idea of pulling Brazil out of the Paris Agreement on climate change. Activists and non-governmental organizations fear the moves could drive up deforestation and other environmental destruction. The IDF arrested five Palestinians who crossed the Gaza Strip border into Israel overnight Thursday. The suspects were transferred to a security forces facility for further interrogation. Indian and Pakistani officials are meeting amid easing of tensions to discuss opening a visa-free border crossing to allow pilgrims to easily visit a Sikh shrine close to the border with Pakistan. India's External Affairs Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar says the talks have started after a Pakistani delegation crossed over to the Indian side on Thursday. Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal is heading the Pakistani delegation. ADDIS ABABA/WASHINGTON - Two black boxes from the Boeing 737 MAX airplane that crashed in Ethiopia were being taken to Paris for investigation, Ethiopian Airlines said, as regulators around the world awaited word on whether it was safe to resume flying the jets. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Following the lead of other global aviation regulators unnerved by the second crash involving a 737 MAX in less than five months, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued orders on Wednesday for the planes to be grounded. The families of the Ethiopia Airlines crash victims visit the site of the disaster near Addis Ababa On Thursday morning in Addis Ababa, grieving relatives of the 157 victims of Sunday's air disaster boarded buses for a three-hour journey to the crash site in a field 60 kilometers (37 miles) outside the Ethiopian capital. "We saw where he died and touched the earth," said Sultan Al-Mutairi, who had come from Riyadh to mourn his brother, Saad, who perished in the crash. Experts say it could take weeks or months to identify the victims, as their remains were scattered, charred and in fragments due to the impact of the crash and ensuing fire. Two of the victims were Israeli businessmen. Israeli victims of Ethiopia Airlines crash Both the Ethiopian Airlines crash and a Lion Air crash in Indonesia occurred shortly after take-off. New information from the wreckage in Ethiopia and newly refined data about the plane's flight path indicated some similarities between the two disasters "that warrant further investigation of the possibility of a shared cause," the FAA said in a statement. An Ethiopian delegation led by the accident investigation bureau has flown the black boxes from the Ethiopia plane crash from Addis Ababa to Paris for investigation, Ethiopian Airlines said on Thursday. France's air accident investigation agency BEA will analyse black-box flight recorders, a spokesman said. Ethiopia Airlines crash site (Photo: AP) The contents of the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder that will be examined in France will provide critical details about what caused the plane crash, according to experts. The acting administrator of the FAA, Daniel Elwell, said he did not know how long the U.S. grounding of the aircraft would last. A software fix for the 737 MAX that Boeing has been working on since a fatal crash last October in Indonesia will take months to complete, Elwell told reporters on Wednesday. Deliveries of Boeing's best-selling 737 MAX jets were effectively frozen, though production continued, after the United States joined a global grounding of the narrowbody model over safety concerns, industry sources said. All 737 MAX jets have now been grounded, flight tracking website FlightRadar24 said. An Air Canada flight from San Francisco to Halifax was the last to land late on Wednesday. With the uncertainty hanging over the 737 MAX, a French presidential source said European planemaker Airbus and Ethiopian Airlines are discussing a possible new contract as part of the airline's fleet renovation. The official said President Emmanuel Macron and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had spoken about a possible new contract during Macron's visit to Addis Ababa earlier this week. Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft sit on the tarmac at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on March 13, 2019 Airlines operating the 371 737 MAX jets that have been delivered since its 2017 debut said they had cancelled some of their flights and rearranged schedules to use other jets in their fleets. "Our goal is to operate our schedule with every available aircraft in our fleet to meet our customers' expectations during the busy spring travel season," said U.S. carrier Southwest Airlines Co, the world's biggest operator of the 737 MAX. Boeing, which maintained that its planes were safe to fly, said in a statement that it supported the FAA move. "Boeing has determined - out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircraft's safety - to recommend to the FAA the temporary suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of 371 737 MAX aircraft." Ireland's Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said on Thursday the European Union may offer Britain to delay its exit from the bloc by up to 21 months in what may lead to a "fundamental rethink" of British policy on the matter. "If you have a long extension of Article 50, that opens up the debate in a much broader way to the overall approach that the United Kingdom takes to Brexit. That may facilitate a fundamental rethink, it may not, we just don't know," Coveney told RTE radio in an interview. A United Nations plan to resolve the issue of African migrants in Israel has been secretly revived by the government, Ynet has learned. The renewal of the plan was leaked by activists from South Tel Aviv who are furious at the prospect of around half of the almost 40,000 migrants being allowed to remain in the country. Even more shocking, the activists say, is a call by the head of Israel's Immigration Authority for the IDF to open fire on any Africans who subsequently sail to Israel seeking asylum. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Exactly a year ago, the issue of African migrants in Israel topped the public agenda. But since an expulsion plan agreed with the United Nations fell through, the issue has dropped from the headlines. With a few weeks to go until the April 9 elections, no party has taken a stand on the issue, and no solution seems to have progressed in the past year. African migrants in south Tel Aviv (Photo: Ido Erez) But behind closed doors, efforts have been made to revive the UN plan to absorb about half of the African migrants in Western countries, and grant residency status in Israel to the rest. As of January 2018, there were some 38,000 African migrants in Israel, primarily from Eritrea and Sudan, with many claiming refugee status. In Israel, politicians and activists opposed to their presence call the migrants "infiltrators," rather than less charged terms commonly used around the world. The south Tel Aviv activists who supported the expulsion, led by Sheffi Paz, were clandestine partners in this renewed process, in the hopes that they could be persuaded to support the improved agreement and grant it legitimacy among right-wing voters. Now, for the first time, these activists have provided Ynet with details, supported by recordings and documents, of what happened over the past year in the backrooms of the Prime Minister's Office and the Population and Immigration Authority. The activists revealed the plan out of fear that after the elections it would be too late for their demands to be met. At the beginning of May 2018, South Tel Aviv activists who backed deportation for the migrants formulated an alternative plan titled, "Employment Ban, Not Jail." They sought to present the outline to Netanyahu and were invited to his Jerusalem residence. Present at the meeting were Netanyahu, Sheffi Paz and her political advisor David, National Security Council chief Meir Ben Shabat, and Netanyahu's bureau chief Yoav Horowitz. The prime minister told Paz and David that he agrees with them that all foreigners from Africa, including those with families in Israel, should leave. Smiling, Netanyahu then turned to Meir Ben-Shabat and asked: "Why can't we find a poor country in Africa and pay them enough money to take them?" Netanyahu expressed an interest in what led David to join the campaign to expel the Africans, and David said that he began his political career out of shock at the way the High Court of Justice was handling the petition against the 2005 plan to leave Gaza. Again Netanyahu smiled as he said: "You expected justice from the courts? That is the last place to seek justice." 'The UN outline is all there is' Paz and David presented their plan, in which the migrants would be permitted to live in housing projects where their basic needs would be provided once they surrendered their work permits. A surprised Netanyahu replied: "I love it. I think I'm going with it." Benjamin Netanyahu and Sheffi Paz in south Tel Aviv (Photo: South Tel Aviv campaign against African migrants) About two weeks later, Paz and David were invited to meet with the director-general of the Population and Immigration Authority, Prof. Shlomo Mor-Yosef, who had a different approach. "At the moment, all that remains is the UN outline," Mor-Yosef said. He presented them with the details of the updated UN plan, which included small improvements in the timetable for the departure of foreigners, the number of departures and the type of sanctions that could be imposed on those who remained in Israel. Paz and David were furious at the prospect of half of the African migrants being allowed to stay legally in Israel. "What happens when rumors spread in Africa that the infiltrators are being granted status here and they start arriving here in boats?" they asked. Mor-Yosef compared such a scenario to the IDF response to violent clashes on the Gaza border. "You believe our soldiers would fire Palestinians at the fence?" he asked them. "Do you see IDF soldiers firing at infiltrators who come in boats?" Paz and David asked in response. "Yes," Mor-Yosef replied. "If that happens, I will volunteer as a human shield," a shocked David told him. The Population and Immigration Authority and the prime minister both sought Sheffi and David's approval for the improved UN plan, but the talks broke down. Two months passed and nothing progressed until Sharon Harel of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Israel met with David in December 2018. She expressed confidence that it would be possible to restart work on the improved outline, and tried to allay his fears. The activists stick to their opposition, however, fearing that after the elections, Netanyahu if he held on to the post of prime minister would implement the UN outline. African migrants protesting in Tel Aviv over expulsion threats (Photo: Barel Efraim) The Population and Immigration Authority said in response that it had held talks with a range of interested parties in order to formulate a plan to resolve the issue. "As part of its handling of the issue of infiltrators, representatives of the Population and Immigration Authority met with various groups to advance the matter, including with representatives of residents of South Tel Aviv," the Authority said. The UNHCR gave a similar response: "UNHCR representatives met with all the parties involved, including supporters and opponents of the outline, in order to explain the quality of the plan and its many benefits." The Prime Minister's Office, however, denied any agreement with the UN on the issue. "At this stage there are no contacts with the UN regarding the infiltrators; the contacts have been completely halted. The prime minister and the National Security Council are examining the various possibilities regarding the removal of the infiltrators, and we do not relate to the claims that were made, whether they were made seriously or in jest." Netanyahu's Likud party also rejected the claims of the south Tel Aviv activists. "The residents of south Tel Aviv are very important to Prime Minister Netanyahu, and just as he completely stopped illegal infiltration into Israel by building the fence in the south, he will also reach the best solution regarding the removal of infiltrators in the country," the Likud said in response. "Prime Minister Netanyahu is examining the various possibilities for removing the infiltrators from Israel, and any other claim about the matter is untrue." Environmental groups including Greenpeace and Oxfam have filed an unprecedented court action against the French government, accusing it of insufficient policy actions to tackle climate change. The groups aim to persuade the Paris Administrative court to force the government to apply its own policies, such as the multi-year energy plan, known as the PPE, and international agreements such as the 2015 Paris Climate accord. A delegation of senior Egyptian intelligence officials arrived Thursday to the Gaza Strip as part of the negotiations for a ceasefire arrangement between Hamas and Israel. The delegation is expected to meet with Hamas officials. German officials say they have identified a painting found in the collection of a reclusive Bavarian collector as art looted by the Nazis, and will soon return it to the heirs of its Jewish owner. The German Lost Art Foundation said Thursday that "Quai de Clichy," by French neo-impressionist Paul Signac, was owned by Gaston Prosper Levy before he fled France from the Nazis. Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today A few clouds. Low 32F. ENE winds at less than 5 mph, increasing to 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 32F. ENE winds at less than 5 mph, increasing to 10 to 20 mph. Tel Aviv has taken a small step toward protecting the lives of "smartphone zombies." Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The municipality has installed special LED sidewalk lights at a busy crosswalk to alert distracted pedestrians staring at their phones when they can walk and when they should stop. 'Zombie' lights at a Tel Aviv crosswalk Tomer Dror, head of the traffic management division at the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality, said the "zombie traffic lights" aim to minimize accidents between vehicles and inattentive pedestrians at crosswalks. "We cannot force them to take their eyes out of the smartphone and into the road. We need to find ways to put the road into their eyes," he said. The striped lights turn green when it is safe to walk, and red when pedestrians should halt. For now, the pilot program is limited to a single intersection in central Tel Aviv, but the municipality says it will expand the zombie lights if they prove effective. Similar systems have already been used in Australia, Singapore and the Netherlands. So far, smartphone-addicted residents seem to be welcoming the lights. 'Zombie' lights at a Tel Aviv crosswalk Haley Danino, another pedestrian, also called it a good idea that will save lives. "But it's a bit sad, no?" she said. "We all look down all the time." Iran is running short of options to replace its ageing fleet of tankers and keep oil exports flowing because renewed US sanctions are making potential sellers and flag registries wary of doing business with Tehran, Western and Iranian sources said. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Since US President Donald Trump reimposed sanctions in November, exploratory talks with South Korea for up to 10 new supertankers have stalled and Panama has also removed at least 21 Iranian tankers from its registry forcing Tehran to put the vessels under its own flag, the sources said. Washington has put restrictions on Iran's port, energy and shipping sectors but it has given temporary waivers to the country's eight biggest oil customers, which include China, India and Japan, so they can keep buying Iranian crude. A rescue ship works to extinguish the fire on the stricken Iranian oil tanker Sanchi in the East China Sea, on January 10, 2018 But potential sellers of vessels are more wary under the new round of sanctions after a Greek network that helped Iran buy tankers under previous restrictions was blacklisted. "Iran has been looking for ships, but this time round it is going to be harderthere is so much more scrutiny now. It is going to take them longer," one shipping source said. Western insurers are steering clear of Iranian vessels and Iran's attempts to export crude to the US-approved buyers is further complicated by having to put its tankers under its own flag, rather than a third country such as Panama. If Iran runs into difficulties exporting its oil it could have a significant impact. Besides the importance of oil for its budget, Iran is estimated to produce about 2.8 million barrels a day, more than 9 percent of OPEC's output. "Whatever sector you look at, companies will keep in mind being cut off from the US financial system when deciding whether to trade with Iran," said Mehdi Varzi, an independent oil consultant who has previously worked at the state-run National Iranian Oil Co http://en.nioc.ir/Portal/Home. INSURANCE AND COMPLIANCE Following the reimposition of sanctions, Panama, the world's leading flag state for commercial shipping, decided to de-flag Iran's ships, an Iranian official said. Shipping data shows nearly all Iran's tankers had been registered with Panama. A gas flare on an oil production platform in the Soroush oil fields is seen alongside an Iranian flag in the Persian Gulf, Iran, July 25, 2005 (Photo: Reuters) All commercial ships have to be registeredflagged in a particular countrypartly to comply with safety and environmental laws. A source at Panama's flag registry said the cancellation, "affects approximately 60 Panama registered ships that are related to Iranian and Syrian owners". The source did not provide further details. At least two other tankers registered to Panamathe Sarak and the Sobarthat were not previously considered part of Tehran's fleethave been re-flagged to Iran this year. The owners of the vessels, who were listed in the British Virgin Islands, could not be contacted. Altogether, more than 20 other tankers in Iran's fleet have been reflagged to Iran this year. A US Treasury spokesperson said: "We intend to fully enforce these sanctions and we encourage the cooperation and compliance of our allies and partners." Having its tankers flagged in Iran presents problems for Tehraneven if it can secure more vessels and approved buyers for its oil, shipping experts say. Besides China, India and Japan, Washington also gave South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, Italy and Greece the green light to keep buying Iranian oil, although it's unclear whether these waivers will be renewed when they expire in May. Dealing with Iran's flag registry raises compliance issues for counterparties as there is a risk they might interact with individuals or entities blacklisted under US sanctions, shipping experts say. And with few buyers now willing to take all the commercial risks involved in oil sales, Iran is also having to cover the shipment of cargoes, including securing insurance in most instances, shipping sources said. Mike Salthouse, with the International Group https://www.igpandi.org, which represents companies that insure about 90 percent of the world's commercial shipping, said Western insurers were very unlikely to do business with Iranian shipping companies. "The biggest problem for insurers these days is finding a bank willing to handle a payment for goods or services where the beneficiary is designated by the US," said Salthouse, chairman of the International Group's sanctions sub-committee. "Banks will not engage when you mention the Iran word." 'FLOATING LIABILITY' A senior Iranian official played down the threat to its oil exports because of pressure on its fleet. Gas flares from an oil production platform at the Soroush oil fields in the Persian Gulf, south of the capital Tehran, July 25, 2005 (Photo: Reuters) According to maritime specialists, methods used for skirting sanctions in the past have included changing the names of ships, switching off AIS (Automatic Identification System) location transponders and conducting ship-to-ship transfers of oil. Israel warned this month that its navy could take action against Iran, which it said was smuggling oil using clandestine measures similar to those employed during the previous round of sanctions. Since the previous sanctions imposed, ship tracking has become more sophisticated and more readily available. Washington has also cracked down on more Iranian networks, making it riskier to get involved with Iran, according to bankers. Iran reached an agreement with world powers in 2015 over its nuclear programme which led to the lifting of sanctions in 2016 but Trump pulled out of the deal in May last year and reimposed US restrictions in November. "Many big oil traders are very worried about going into Iran due to Trump, and even the Chinese are trying to comply with what the Americans want," said Varzi, who is based in Britain. Renewed US sanctions have also meant Iran has been unable to secure vital certification services from foreign providers to ensure its ships remain seaworthy, shipping officials said. Shipping records show that 16 of Iran's tankers are at least 19 years old - and three of those vessels have been in service since 1996. Iranian tanker Sanchi sank off China in 2018 after colliding with another vessel while five of the eight tankers Iran bought via the Greek network under previous sanctions have since been scrapped, adding to the need for more ships to fill the gaps. US Special Representative for Iran, Brian Hook, described Iran's tanker sector as a "floating liability" in November. SOUTH KOREA A second Iranian official said talks with South Korea over the possibility of ordering as many as 10 supertankers, each able to carry up to 2 million barrels of oil, had been delayed by US sanctions. The talks have not previously been disclosed. "We are working on it," the official said. A South Korean government official had no comment on the matter. Iranian oil infrastructure (Photo: EPA) After Western sanctions were lifted, Iran also started talks with South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co. about forming a joint venture to establish a shipyard in Iran. A spokesman for Daewoo said it signed a preliminary agreement with Iran in December 2016 to cooperate on developing the shipyard, but said no progress had been made since then. A third Iranian official said talks were still ongoing. According to one shipping source, Iran has been searching for more ships in Vietnam and two sources said it had also been looking for middlemen in the Greek market, one of the main hubs for second-hand ship deals. When asked about Iran's efforts to secure ships, a third Iranian source said they were looking at all options. Vietnamese officials did not respond to requests for comment. Iran has more than 50 tankers, but needs them for both transporting oil and storing unsold stocks in its territorial waters - given its limited onshore storage capacity. Data based on AIS tracking by shipping intelligence platform MarineTraffic showed 12 Iranian tankers, or more than a fifth of its fleet, were being used for floating storage in March. The head of a popular online marijuana distribution network Telegrass, arrested two days ago , has began to cooperate with the investigators, said police sources on Thursday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Amos Dov Silver, founder and director of the network, was arrested Tuesday along with 42 additional suspects by detectives from the Lahav 433 crime unit, known as the "Israeli FBI." Hours before Ukrainian police raided Silvers hotel room in Kiev he was quoted as saying that Police cannot do anything to us, it will take them years to bring this down. Arrests were also made in Germany and the United States. Amos Dov Silver, founder and director of the network We dont need your help, we know everything. The head of the network is cooperating with us, the investigators apparently told some of the 42 suspects. The investigators apparently already managed to obtain the network members code names and bank accounts information, as well as information regarding the distribution of money within the organization. This is a worldwide investigation that uncovered a hierarchical, organized criminal network, which employed many elements in various positions of management," said a judge during a remand hearing at Rishon Lezion Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. One of the detained suspects in court (Photo: Motti Kimchi) Telegrass reportedly has over 100,000 members in Israel, including dozens of cannabis suppliers. The network enables instant anonymous cannabis delivery, and has an option for users to review the vendors and their products. Following the arrests, the police said that most of the suspects allegedly belong to the highest echelons of the organization including its head, three deputies and other administrators. The investigation is being conducted by Lahav 433, the national cybercrime unit and the central unit of the Northern District in cooperation with the tax authorities and the cyber crimes and international crimes departments at the State Prosecutor's Office. Telegrass (Phoot: Shutterstock) According to police, the operation was carried out in cooperation with the Organized Crime and Corruption Division of the security services in Ukraine and other enforcement bodies in the United States and Germany. "This is an international affair dealing with the operations of a crime organization with an infrastructure network for drugs and other crimes in Israel and around the world, the police said. IDF soldiers arrested Thursday a Palestinian who breached a security fence and entered Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip. He was armed with a knife and transferred for further questioning. In an unusual turn of events, hundreds of Palestinians took to the streets of the Gaza Strip on Thursday in order to protest the high cost of living in the Hamas-ruled coastal enclave. Sources in the Strip believe Hamas might initiate a military confrontation with Israel in order to ensure the social-justice phenomenon doesn't expand in scope. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The demonstration started in a seemingly spontaneous mannerin Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gazaand included a relatively small number of protesters, but over the course of the evening it gradually grew as more people began to join in. The demonstrators apparently refrained from calling for the overthrow of the Hamas government, opting instead to focus on the rising cost of living in the blockaded Strip. Palestinians protesting against high cost of living in Gaza The protest was started by just dozens of people in Jabalia and picked up the pace in the city of Deir al-Balah, but towards the late evening hours, the demonstrators began to disperse, said a Palestinian source in Gaza. Similar protests might develop in the coming days in other parts of Gaza. This protest is completely authentic, the source added. It remains unclear whos leading the charge in these events and whether the Palestinian Authorityat odds with Hamas for driving the PA out of Gazahad any hand in the unexpected protest. Gaza protests against high cost of living X The source added they dont believe the Hamas leadership will be pressured by the protest. "Hamas is in complete control of the situation and understands how to deal with it, said the source, adding that Hamas might initiate a confrontation with Israel in order to divert the attention of the general population if the protests spread. Israeli military confirms two rockets were fired at Tel Aviv area, as rocket alert sirens rocked the entire Dan region in central Israel on Thursday evening. Despite the apparent activation of the Iron Dome air defence system, the military said no rockets were shot down. It said there were no reports of casualties or damage. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai said he had ordered the city to open public air raid shelters as a protective measure. The decision was followed by several other municipalities in central Israel. Public bomb shelter in Tel Aviv (Photo: Or Yakubovitch) There was no immediate claim of responsibility in the enclave, where its dominant Hamas group has been engaged in talks with Egypt on a long-term ceasefire with Israel. In addition, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror groupinitially thought to be behind the attackdenied any involvement in the rocket fire. People take cover in Gush Dan (Photo: Ran Boker) The Hamas armed wing said in a statement it was also "not responsible" for the firing of the rockets "towards the enemy. They were fired as a meeting was underway between the leadership of the Hamas movement and the Egyptian security delegation over the understandings regarding the Gaza Strip." The attacks came as Gaza rulers Hamas sought to contain riots by Palestinians in the coastal enclave and security experts in Israel speculated that the domestic disturbances could lead the terror group to strike Israel as a diversion. Rockets fired at Tel Aviv area X "No rocket fell in any built-up area," military spokesman Brigadier-General Ronen Manelis told Israel Radio, declining to provide further operational details. "This was basically a surprise," Manelis said, adding that Israel had no advance intelligence warnings of the rocket fire. "We don't know who carried it out (but) the Hamas organization is the main organization in the Strip. It is responsible for what happens within the Strip and what emanates from it." People in Tel Aviv take shelter amid rocket alert sirens Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency security meeting at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv following the event. Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon said on Twitter that Israel "would respond as necessary" to the rocket attack. Other Israeli political leaders from across the spectrum called for a response to the rocket fire. Following the rocket fire, Hamas evacuated all its headquarters in the Gaza Strip in anticipation of a possible retaliation by Israeli military. A delegation of senior Egyptian intelligence officials, currently in Gaza, is also expected to leave in the upcoming hours. US envoy to the Middle East Jason Greenblatt called the rocket attack on Tel Aviv on Thursday evening as "Outrageous." "Hamas violently suppresses its own people demonstrating against Hamas rule & failures today and NOW fires rockets at cities in Israel. This is what prevents the world from helping the people of Gaza! We strongly support Israel in defense of its citizens. Always!" he wrote on his official Twitter account. Hamas and Islamic Jihad told the members of the Egyptian delegation, shortly before their departure from the Gaza Strip, that they were not responsible for the rocket fire on Israel on Thursday evening, according to media outlets associated with Hamas. The Egyptians are reportedly trying to prevent a violent escalation between the two sides following the events. Palestinian Islamic Jihad said Thursday that Israeli government is looking for an excuse to attack in Gaza due to the fact that the two sides are on the verge of reaching a consensus regarding a long-term ceasefire arrangement. We have reached an advanced stage in the talks regarding the arrangement in Gaza, said the terror group in a statement. By BRYAN HELLIOS [email protected] BESSEMER The Gogebic County Board of Commissioners approved a contract for an ambulance service for Watersmeet Township during the boards Wednesday evening meeting. For the period from April 1 through Dec. 31 of this year, ambulance services will be provided by Aspirus Medevac for Watersmeet Township for $43,125, according to the contract. At a Finance, Budgeting and Auditing Committee meeting held prior to the general meeting, a lengthy discussion ensued about where the funds would come from to finance the expanded ambulance service acro... The countrys reliance on the construction sector is a concern for Richard Barkham, CBRE's global chief economist, according to a report by the Australian Financial Review. The economist claimed that the over-dependence on construction could lead to a housing correction that will trigger a wider economic downturn. When more than 7% of an economys GDP comes from the construction industry, it can be alarming, Barkham said. The share of Australia's GDP from construction is nearly 8%. "It tends to send a little bit of an alarm bell for me in the period before the global financial crisis, GDP in construction crept up in the United States to about 10 per cent, and what that means is that a price correction can very quickly translate into a GDP correction. I suspect that the Australian central bank is observing it closely ... even a reasonably serious correction now is better than having to pick up the pieces of a major property crash later on," Barkham said. Construction activity over the December quarter was slower than expected, with total home building in Australia dropping 3.6% to $18.9 billion from $19.6 billion in the previous quarter. Australia's economic growth, meanwhile, slid to 0.2% over the same period. Barkham also observed that the country is very much dependent on China. "China is trying to keep growth going and at the same time trying to restructure their economy away from investment and exports to more domestic growth it's a very tricky balance and you see it seeping through to the Australian economy," he said. China, though, have started to stimulate again, which resulted in a rebound in its market. This shift is expected to positively impact the Australian economy. The Labor Party has committed to removing property services from Fair Trading, according to the Real Estate of Institute of New South Wales (REINSW). In a written statement addressed to REINSW CEO Tim McKibbin, Labor said that it will prioritise placing property services within Property NSW, should it form a government this month. In addition, the NSW Building Authority would also be placed under the expanded Property NSW agency. Shadow Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation Yasmin Catley, writing on behalf of Michael Daley, said that the move to establish an agency that focuses on property would enhance the relationship with industry and government while achieving economies of scale. We support NSW Labors policy to establish a government agency that has the experience in, and understanding of, the property industry. Fair Tradings regulatory competencies exist in the high-frequency, low-dollar-value, minimal-legal-complexity transactions. Property transactions, by comparison, are low-frequency, high-dollar value, and by their very nature inherently complex. A regulatory authority seeking to adequately support the property industry must be well-educated and experienced in the industry and be exclusively focused on (the industry), said REINSW CEO Tim McKibbin. REINSW also said that consumers, who are buying homes worth hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars, need specialist service providers and an experienced and competent regulatory authority. Expecting the same people at Fair Trading who represent consumers when buying a toaster or getting a haircut to then step up into complexities of a property transaction is ludicrous. A property transaction is a very serious undertaking, there is no room in the transaction for the ill-equipped, particularly the regulatory authority, McKibbin said. REINSW said that a new property services commissioner would also provide a centralised overview of legislation and regulation that affects residential, commercial, strata and rural property, and support the push to increase education and service delivery standards in the industry. News Washington, DC - Remarks by President Trump in Briefing on Drug Trafficking on the Southern Border: THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much for being here. I know that youve all been following the terrible tragedy of the Ethiopian Airlines crash this weekend. Tragic. The FAA is prepared to make a announcement very shortly regarding the new information and physical evidence that weve received from the site and from other locations, and through a couple of other complaints. Weve had a very, very detailed group of people working on the 737-8 and the 737-9 new airplanes. Were going to be issuing an emergency order of prohibition to ground all flights of the 737 MAX 8 and the 737 MAX 9, and planes associated with that line. Ive spoken to Elaine Chao, Secretary of Transportation; Dan Elwell, Acting Administrator of the FAA; and to Dennis Muilenburg, CEO of Boeing, and theyll be available shortly after our conference today. They are all in agreement with the action. Any plane currently in the air will go to its destination and thereafter be grounded until further notice. So planes that are in the air will be grounded if theyre the 737 MAX will be grounded upon landing at the destination. Pilots have been notified. Airlines have been all notified. Airlines are agreeing with this. The safety of the American people and all people is our paramount concern. Our hearts go out to all of those who lost loved ones, to their friends, to their families, in both the Ethiopian and Lion Airlines crashes that involved the 737 MAX aircraft. Its a terrible, terrible thing. Boeing is an incredible company. They are working very, very hard right now, and hopefully theyll very quickly come up with the answer. But until they do, the planes are grounded. And youll be hearing from the FAA directly, in a little while. Wed say probably in 45 minutes from now, so youll be prepared to hear. Theyre going to go into great detail as to what they found and where were going and what were doing. But all of those planes are grounded effective immediately. Okay? This is a briefing that weve had planned for quite some time. Some incredible people are with us. This is on drug trafficking and on the southern border. And we have a lot of great things happening there. Were building a lot of wall, as you all know. A lot more than they understand, I think, Carla, right? CHIEF PROVOST: Yes, sir. THE PRESIDENT: They dont understand how much were building, but thats okay. They never did. And were joined today by federal, state, and local leaders on the frontlines of the battle against the vicious drug traffickers and criminal cartels violating our sovereignty and infiltrating our southern border. I want to thank Director of Office of National Drug Control Policy, whos with us, Jim Carroll. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you, Jim. Fantastic job youre doing. Acting DEA Administrator, a friend of mine, Uttam Dhillon, who I hear just incredible things, the job youre doing. Thank you, Uttam. Director of the Houston, Texas High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Mike McDaniel. Thank you, Mike. And youre going to be saying a few words. Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost. Thank you, Carla, very much. A friend. ICE Homeland Security Investigations Assistant Director Matt Allen. Thank you, Matt. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Counternarcotics and Global Threats, Thomas Alexander. Thomas, thanks. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall. Steve? Steve. Thank you, Steve, very much. I appreciate it. Youre doing a great job too, by the way. I hear. And the other law enforcement professionals. These are fantastic people. Work so hard. Great danger. And they have incredible responsibility. Tens of thousands of innocent Americans are killed by the vast quantities of deadly, poisonous drugs that are smuggled across our nations very porous borders. Theyre a lot less porous with us there, but theyre coming in bigger numbers, and part of that is because our country is doing so well economically. Theyre coming up for that. And even the drugs I guess the money that were spending, unfortunately, within the country, if we could just tell people not to be doing that, but they are doing that. And we have a very, very strong country economically. And people come up, to a large extent, for that reason. But were having tremendous amounts of meth, cocaine, heroin, and ultra-lethal fentanyl. Thats literally ultra-lethal. It gets stronger. This comes at a great cost to our society. An excess of $700 billion annually is spent, and we think thats a very, very small number compared to what the actual number is. The administration declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency. Illegal immigration provides a lucrative cash flow, to put it mildly, to some of the most dangerous and ruthless criminal organizations on planet Earth. Were doing a lot at the border, a lot of wall going up. A lot of equipment has been purchased. A lot of equipment is being purchased as we speak. We have tremendous things going in terms of technology. We have tremendous amounts of technology going to the ports of entry, where a lot of the drugs come in. But I think its highly overrated. I think much of the drugs the big loads of drugs, and certainly the human traffickers, go not through the ports of entry; they go through the open areas where they dont have walls. These folks know that better than anybody. When the press talks about ports of entry, sure, things go through ports of entry, but were going to have that very well sealed up with this equipment. The equipment is incredible what it does. Its expensive but its pretty amazing stuff. And thats going in literally as we speak. But we have a lot of weve got to get the wall up, otherwise it all doesnt work. And I have to say, and I have to say it again: I hope you go down there, because were going to have a news conference at the border over the next three weeks. Were going to do it in areas where were building large stretches of wall. And tomorrow, or the next day, were giving out another very large section. So we got a lot of wall going up. The massive, surging flow of illegal immigration, trafficking, drugs, and crime threaten the safety and security of all Americans. To confront this urgent national crisis, were doing many, many things. And thats what were going to be talking about today. We have a vote tomorrow on national emergency, and well see whether or not I have to do the veto. And it will be, I think, all very successful, regardless of how it wall works out. But its going to be very successful. A lot of money is being spent right now. We have access to a lot of money. And more money is coming in, and people are starting to see it. Even certain of the other side are starting to see the level of importance and the importance of having this wall. I call it a wall; some people are liking to call it a barrier. And some people are even calling it slats. But its a wall, and its a strong wall. Its a powerful wall. So a lot of very positive things are happening on the border. Id like ask Mike McDaniel to say a few words Director of Houston, Texas. The whole job that you and your folks have been doing has been incredible, Mike. People are studying it. So maybe youll say a few words to the media, please? MR. MCDANIEL: Thank you, sir. Im honored to be here today to report on the important work being done by the 21,000 state, local, federal, and tribal law enforcement officers participating in the HIDTA program across the country. Some of our principal partners are sitting here at the table with us today. Let me first begin by thanking you for your unprecedented commitment in fighting against the drugs and the cartels that are assaulting our communities. Thank you for the support and respect youve restored to law enforcement in this country. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart. THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Mike. MR. MCDANIEL: Your appointment of Director Jim Carroll has been significant for us in the HIDTA program, and we thank you for that and also for you signing the reauthorization of ONDCP with the opioid act that you signed. So thank you very much. THE PRESIDENT: Thanks. MR. MCDANIEL: We all see the charts, and everyone at the table is familiar with seeing 72,000 in 2017 died of drug overdoses. And sometimes I believe the general public doesnt realize the magnitude of what that really represents. And as a matter of fact, I was at a rodeo event in Houston this weekend, and the announcer said, Theres 72,000 in attendance at this thing. And I looked around the stadium, and you talk about giving it a whole new perspective of how big of a crisis this is in our country, just take a look at the next time youre at a major sporting event. THE PRESIDENT: Its a good way of explaining it too. A stadium full of people. MR. MCDANIEL: Yes, sir. Now is not the time for business as usual in addressing this epidemic. Now is the time for us to develop and implement new and innovative strategies to address this countrys drug addiction issues. The fact that we cannot arrest our way out of this problem is well recognized by law enforcement. But law enforcement is a part of the solution, and the emerging partnerships between public health and public safety have never been more important. And HIDTA is a perfect platform, and the DFC the drug-free communities is a perfect platform to work along, side by side, with our treatment and prevention partners. As a point of reference, I have been involved in drug law enforcement for 36 years as a police officer with the city of Houston, 24 years with the Drug Enforcement Administration. And I retired to get the job done that Im blessed with having now as the Houston HIDTA Director. But today I come representing the other 32 HIDTA directors across the country. And thanks to this administration, the HIDTA program is now in 50 states, with the inclusion of Alaska, and were very proud of that. And the HIDTA program is in 33 critical regions, to include our five southwest border HIDTAs. We just recently, in Arizona, had a seizure of 29,000 counterfeit OxyContin and fentanyl tablets that actually had contained fentanyl. And it was an Arizona HIDTA task force that seized these, and they seized them up in Phoenix, Arizona. The scary thing about that is those drugs actually went through our southwestern border primarily through backpackers that are moving them up into the communities of our nation. And, as a matter of fact, the Arizona HIDTA just last week had to issue an alert about teenagers overdosing on counterfeit OxyContin pills. So, how many of those pills are actually making it in our community is really the scary thing to focus on. HIDTAs around the country have effectively assembled unified teams of federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to work together towards one common goal, and that is attacking and dismantling these violent drug cartels. One of the most important things I believe that we do and working with our partners at CBP and Border Patrol is to try to connect the dots. When theres seizures along the border, the most important thing law enforcement can do is connect the dots and actually identify the cartels that those drugs are coming from so that we can dismantle those drug trafficking organizations and, more importantly, criminally prosecute them in U.S. courts. Recently, a lot of you in the media have noticed there was a 254-pound fentanyl seizure by CBP in Nogales, Arizona. Just two weeks ago, a case in Little Rock, Arkansas, and with the Gulf Coast HIDTA, they seized approximately 38,000 in several seizures that were coming into the port of New Orleans and a good case. And, sir, I can assure you that the women and men of law enforcement across this country are trying to connect those dots so that we can do our job of dismantling those cartels. Theres another alarming trend that really bothers me, in that were seeing juveniles actually transporting fentanyl, especially in the San Diego area. And if you can imagine us in law enforcement youll see law enforcement wearing suits and everything else to prevent any contact. But the cartels are strapping these drugs, many times on these juveniles, and sending them across the border, telling them that its actually methamphetamine or coke. And they have no regard for human life. The cartels and transnational gangs targeted by law enforcement are predators that only exist to make money and harm our communities. My prior experience with DEA has allowed me to see the inner workings of these cartels on a first-hand basis. I do not see the difference of these cartels and many of the designated terroristic organizations also seeking the destruction of our country. What keeps me up at night is not the vast amount of drugs being seized but the vast amount of drugs coming into our country not being seized. Our hearts grieve for the loss of so many lives and for the family members that have lost so many of their sons and daughters. Thank you, sir, for your support on this important issue. THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Mike. I really appreciate it. Great job that youre doing. Okay. Any questions? Q Mr. President, can we get your reaction to the Manafort sentencing more than seven years and the fact that the Manhattan District Attorney has now filed similar charges in New York State, which would seem to negate any effect of any pardon that might be down the road? THE PRESIDENT: Well, I feel very badly for Paul Manafort. And, you know, he worked for Ronald Reagan very successfully. He worked for John McCain. He worked for Bob Dole and many others for many years. And I feel badly for him. I think its a very sad situation. And I saw that just a little while ago. And certainly, on a human basis, its a very sad thing. I feel badly for him. Q Was Canada a factor in your decision to ground the airplanes? And secondly, why havent you made arrangements to have (inaudible). THE PRESIDENT: Say it again? Q Two questions: Was Canadas grounding of THE PRESIDENT: Well, were doing it almost as a simultaneous Q Was that a factor in the decision? THE PRESIDENT: Yes, we were coordinating with Canada. We were giving them information; they were giving us information. We very much worked in conjunction with Canada. And youre going to be having an announcement in a half an hour or so directly from the FAA as to some of the details. But we were working actually very closely also with Boeing and with other countries. But Canada was one of those countries. Q And on the China trade meetings that you anticipated having with President Xi, why havent you secured a date yet? THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think things are going along very well. Well just see what the date is. Im in no rush. I want the deal to be right, much more importantly. Its somebody said Im in a rush. Im not in a rush at all. Right now, were getting billions and billions of dollars of tariffs paid into our coffers. I am not in a rush whatsoever. Its got to be the right deal, and its got to be a good deal for us. And if its not, were not going to make that deal. But I will say that deal is going along very nicely. Q Mr. President, could I come back to the second question that I asked you, which is THE PRESIDENT: Steve. Go ahead. Steve. Q The China the Boeing aircraft, was that a hard decision to make? You spoke to the Boeing CEO yesterday. THE PRESIDENT: Very tough decision. Its you know, its tragic. Its all the people that were talking about and that we paid our highest respects to. But its a very tough decision from the standpoint of a company like Boeing. Its a great, great company with a track record that is so phenomenal. And they want this solved; they want it solved quickly. They dont know the problem yet. They have to find the problem. But they dont know the problem; it could be a lot of different things. So they have to find it, and they will find it. The United States has the greatest record in the world of aviation, and we want to keep it that way. So I didnt want to take any chances. We didnt have to make this decision today. We couldve delayed it. We maybe didnt have to make it at all, but I felt I felt it was important both psychologically and a lot of other ways. And again, working with Canada, working with other countries, we just felt it was the right thing to do, and also in speaking to Boeing and speaking to airlines. I spoke with American Airlines. I spoke with a number airlines. And speaking to the airlines, I think that we all agree that this was right decision to make. It didnt have to be made, but we thought it was the right decision to make. Q Mr. President, are you confident the FAA acted quickly enough? THE PRESIDENT: Oh, they acted very quickly, yeah. And we acted also very fact-based and very much working with other countries and with the airlines. Okay? Q Take the second part of my question, sir? Q Mr. President, will you pardon Paul Manafort? THE PRESIDENT: Yes? Q Will you pardon Paul Manafort? THE PRESIDENT: I have not even given it a thought as of this moment. Its not something thats right now on my mind. I do feel badly for Paul Manafort, that I can tell you. Q What about the second set of charges that were filed at the state court? THE PRESIDENT: I dont know about that. Are they going after him for state taxes? Q No, theyre going after him in New York State. He faced federal charges and hes been sentenced on federal charges. Right after the sentencing took place here in Washington, D.C., the Manhattan District Attorney filed state charges against him, which would seem to be a way to get around the effect of any pardon that might be down the road. THE PRESIDENT: I dont know anything about it. I havent heard that. Ill take a look at it. Q Mr. President? THE PRESIDENT: Yes. Go ahead. Q Republicans in Congress are looking are working on another bill on the national emergency declaration that would curb future Presidents from being able to declare an emergency. Are you supportive of that effort? THE PRESIDENT: Ill have to take a look at what theyre going to present. They are coming over in a little while just to present something. But were in very good shape in terms of the money and in terms of the national emergency. Ultimately, were in very good shape. Q But they want to curb future THE PRESIDENT: And weve had great support from the House, from House Republicans, and we have great support from most as you know, from most of the Senate, from most of the Republican Senate. Because this is really a bill on border safety, border security, and its a bill on I would say, maybe more than anything else, were here talking about drug trafficking, and you people know the subject better than anybody. Were talking about drugs. Were talking about human trafficking. This is a bill on human trafficking, on drugs, on all of things that were all gathered in this room. Weve brought up the problem with the Boeing and the jetliners. Its a big problem. But we were really here for another reason. And I thought we should bring this up because youre going to be having a meeting in about a half an hour with FAA. But this is really a vote not on constitutionality, because its constitutional. Its not a vote on precedent, because you take a look at what President Obama did with DACA and with so many other things that was no precedent. This is a vote on border security, and its a vote on drugs and trafficking and all of that. So and I think most Republican senators fully understand that. Q Senator Rand Paul said that there are a number of Republican senators who are beaten up and pretty bloody because the White House has been going after them to not vote in favor of this bill. How much effort have you been putting into keeping Republicans with you on this issue? THE PRESIDENT: Yeah, nobody nobody is beaten up. I said, Use your own discretion. But I think its a bad vote if they go against I think anybody going against border security, drug trafficking, human trafficking, thats a bad vote. The Democrats are for open borders. Theyre for crime. I mean, frankly, theyre for crime. These people can tell you that better than anyone. When you have open borders, when you dont have walls Mike, when you dont Very well all of you folks know it very well. We deal with it all the time. I guess they think its good, politically. I think it happens to be bad, politically. I think its an 80 percent issue and maybe more than that. But the Democrats, in order to make things difficult, they are for open borders and theyre for crime, and the Republicans arent. But I told Republican senators, Vote any way you want. Vote how you feel good. But I think its bad for a Republican senator, I also think its bad for a Democrat senator to vote against border security and to vote against the wall. I think if they vote that way, its a very bad thing for them long into the future. Steve? Q The China trade deal, does it have to include intellectual property? THE PRESIDENT: Yes, it does. It has to include everything. Q So its possible this could all fall apart? THE PRESIDENT: Anything can, but I think were doing very well. I would say that were now, I tell you Im very open about it because Im very happy the way we are right now: Were collecting billions and billions of tariffs. The money we have pouring in now, weve never had money like that pouring in from China. We are collecting billions and billions of dollars, mostly paid for by China. If you look at the 25 percent a report was done where four points out of the 25 percent are paid for by us, and 21 points are paid for by China. So were in a very good position one way or the other. I think the deal is going to be made. I think theres a very good chance the deal is going to be made. And I will say, officially, were doing very well in the deal. So but well see what happens. Q Lighthizer seemed to be at about 50/50 on a deal in testimony to Congress yesterday. What gives you optimism? THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think you always have to be 50/50; 50/50 is very good. But I think even if you felt youre better than 50/50, you should never say it. I think 50/50 is good. Q What gives you optimism? THE PRESIDENT: They want to make a deal. China wants very much to make a deal. China has not been doing well; weve been doing unbelievably well. Our economy is the best its ever been, just about ever. You look at our unemployment numbers. If its African American, if its Asian, if its Hispanic, theyre the best historic numbers in history in the history of our country theyre the best numbers weve ever had. And overall employment, the best in 61 years, and thats going to soon be a record if we keep going the way were going. Its going to soon be a record. But its the best in 61 years. Our country is doing great. China would like to make a deal and wed like to make a deal. Well see. We have a very good relationship. I have a very good relationship with President Xi. Were going to see what happens. But its an exciting time in terms of trade. We just made a deal with Mexico, Canada. We just made a deal with South Korea. We have other deals that we have cooking. And, frankly, our country was being taken advantage of by everybody. We were getting what was happening to our country on trade was a horrible thing; that this wasnt done years ago. And Im not talking about the Obama administration. Im talking about that and plenty of other administrations before it. That they could have allowed this to happen we lost, over the last number of years, almost $800 billion a year on trade. What kind of deal whos making these deals? So were making great deals or were not going to make them at all. Were going to go tariffs. Q And are you in favor of nailing down a deal before a summit so that all that would need to happen at the summit is just to sign it? THE PRESIDENT: Doesnt matter to me. Ill go either way. I think President Xi saw that Im somebody that believes in walking when a deal is not done. And, you know, theres always a chance it could happen, and he probably wouldnt want that. That could be a reason. But we can do it either way. We can have the deal completed and come and sign, or we can get the deal almost completed and negotiate some of the final points. I would prefer that, but it doesnt matter that much. Q Is Shanahan your pick for Defense Secretary? THE PRESIDENT: Hes doing a great job. Shanahan is doing a fantastic job as at Secretary as the Acting Secretary of Defense. Q Will you nominate him? THE PRESIDENT: Well, Im just telling you, hes doing a great job. Look at weve done with respect to the caliphate in Syria. I was told by our previous person that it was going to take two years to knock it out, and I did it in three weeks once we started. Did it, really, in less. And no I have a great group of people. We are surrounded by some tremendous talent in this building. We have great Secretaries and a lot of great people. I dont think they get the credit for the job they do. Look at you take a look at the economy. You take a look at regulations. You take a look at tax cuts. You take a look at all of the things that weve done. We have great people in this government. Q Any update on North Korea? THE PRESIDENT: No update. No. No. Seem to have a very good relationship. Well let you know about it. Q Any idea when the Mueller Report is coming down? THE PRESIDENT: I have no idea. Q Are you anxious to see it? THE PRESIDENT: I have no idea. I can only tell you one thing again, that was proven today: no collusion. Theres no collusion. Theres no collusion. And there hasnt been collusion. And it was all a big hoax, and you know it. It was done and stated by the Democrats because they lost an election that they should have won because the Electoral College is a big advantage for Democrats, not for Republicans. And they should have, and I ran the clock out. We ran the whole thing. You ran up the East Coast from North Carolina to Pennsylvania, and then we go up to Wisconsin and Michigan states that hadnt been won for many, many years. We won those states. And they said, How do we how do we solve this horrible problem? We lost an election that, in theory, some people I didnt but some people thought they were going to win, right? And they said, I have an idea. Lets blame Russia. It was a hoax. It was all a big hoax. And now youre seeing it. Today, again, No collusion. The other day, No collusion. There was no collusion. When I had to go Wisconsin, I went to Wisconsin. When I had to go to Michigan and Pennsylvania and South Carolina and North Carolina, thats where Id go. When I had to go Florida, which we won easily, I went to Florida. You dont call Russia when you go to Florida. Russia wont help you much. Have a good time, everybody. Thank you. Arizona News Phoenix, Arizona - Attorney General Mark Brnovich's recently filed a reply brief in the Arizona Supreme Court in the lawsuit challenging the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) tuition-setting policies. The filing sets forth why ABORs tuition and fee setting practices are unconstitutional and require judicial review. ABOR continues to misdirect scrutiny of its actions and seeks to avoid accountability for its unlawful tuition-and-fee-related actions. ABOR seeks to avoid accountability for its conduct by refusing to defend its actions and ignoring the merits of the States claims, said Attorney General Mark Brnovich. The fact remains skyrocketing tuition at our state universities has made it harder for Arizona students and families to afford college." ABOR has established tuition-and-fee-setting policies and practices that ignore its constitutional and statutory mandate to provide affordable public higher education for the people of Arizona. Over the last 16 years, ABOR has set in-state tuition at Arizonas public universities without even considering the actual cost of furnishing instruction, which the Arizona Constitution requires. Instead, ABOR has justified one cost-increase after the next by using factors such as tuition and fees charged at peer universities, Arizonas family income levels, and the availability of student loans. Not surprisingly, over the same period of time, Arizonas public universities went from among the least expensive in the country to among the most expensive (from bottom third in cost to nearly top quarter in cost). ABOR has increased the prices at all three state universities in lock-step, with tuition increasing over the past 16 years by more than 300%, and prevented many Arizona students from accessing more affordable options. The Arizona Supreme Court stated that it would consider this petition in due course. The State also has a pending appeal at the Arizona Court of Appeals, in which the Court ordered oral argument later this Spring or Summer. Latest News Washington, DC - Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced that his office recently filed suit in the U.S. Supreme Court against the State of California seeking to invalidate Californias extraterritorial tax assessments and seizures, which result from an unconstitutional doing business tax against businesses and individuals that dont actually conduct any business in California. Every year, California assesses an $800 doing business taxes against Arizona businesses that conduct no actual business in California. Instead, their only connection to California is a mere passive, non-managing investment in a California limited liability company. California continues to assess these doing business taxes even though both its state courts and tax appeals agency have held that the taxes are illegal under California law. The lawsuit filed by Arizona alleges that these taxes are plainly unconstitutional under the Due Process and Commerce Clauses of the U.S. Constitution. The Supreme Court has held that passive investment in a company located in another state is not sufficient minimum contacts to impose taxation under the Due Process Clause (Shaffer v. Heitner, 433 U.S. 186 (1977)). The Supreme Court has also recognized four requirements for states to impose taxes on out-of-state businesses under the Commerce Clause. Californias doing business assessments brazenly violate all four. The amounts collected by these doing business assessments are substantial. Arizona estimates that its citizens pay over $10 million in these unconstitutional taxes to the State of California every year. These taxes also impact Arizonas tax collections. Since the doing business taxes are deductible expenses, Arizona loses an estimated $484,000 in tax revenue each year due to Californias illegal taxation. These figures are further compounded since the tax applies to all individuals in other states who invest in California businesses. Extraterritorial Seizures: Making matters worse, if Californias tax assessments are not paid voluntarily, California frequently further tramples on the sovereignty of other states by issuing orders to interstate banks, demanding that they transfer funds in Arizona-based accounts for back payment. Those seizure orders threaten the banks that, if they do not transfer the funds, California will take the taxes and penalties owed from the banks instead. Not surprisingly, the banks almost uniformly consent to Californias strong-arm tactics. Exhibit G in the filing provides an example where California demanded that Wells Fargo not only transfer the $800 tax, but also a $200 demand penalty, a $432 late filing penalty, a $79 filing enforcement fee, and $63.40 in interest, for a Total Tax, Penalties, Interest and Fees of $1574.40. The lawsuit alleges that these seizure orders violate both the Due Process Clause (by exercising jurisdiction over out-of-state funds without the requisite minimum contacts); and, the Fourth Amendment (by effectuating seizures without a warrant, probable cause, or involvement of any court). Those seizure orders further preclude the banks from filing any court challenge. Arizonas suit seeks to end Californias unconstitutional tax encroachments. Latest News Benson, Arizona - Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced that Glenn Gary Robertson has been arrested for one count of Conspiracy to Commit Murder. A joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Special Agents with the Arizona Attorney General's Office revealed that Robertson allegedly conspired to have a former patient murdered. Robertson was arrested at a home in Benson. In a previous separate matter, Robertsons license to practice medicine was summarily suspended by the Arizona Medical Board effective June 25, 2018. Robertsons license to practice medicine was subsequently revoked effective December 14, 2018. Assistant Attorneys General Jordan Emerson and Sterling Struckmeyer from the Attorney Generals Southern Arizona Office in Tucson are prosecuting this case. All defendants are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law. Below is the booking photograph for Robertson. Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - City of Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls invites members of the media to Day of Unity III, a volunteer community clean-up set to begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, aimed to unite all in giving back. Members of the media will have the opportunity to interview Mayor Nicholls and local leaders at Kennedy Park in Yuma between 8 and 8:45 a.m., prior to the volunteer clean-up effort beginning at various locations. From there, members of the media are welcome to accompany volunteer teams to a variety of locations throughout the City, aiming to beautify and cleanup pre-vetted areas. WHAT: Mayor Nicholls' Third Day of Unity. WHEN: 8:00 a.m. to approximately noon on Saturday, March 16. WHERE: Volunteers will gather at 8 a.m. at Kennedy Park (2251 S. Kennedy Lane) under Ramada 27, where Mayor Nicholls and local leaders will be available for interviews and giving brief speeches. WHO: Mayor of Yuma Douglas Nicholls; Chief of Police John Lekan, as well as various city leaders and volunteers are slated to be in attendance. Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - Arizona Western Colleges 2019 Teacher of the Year honorees are full-time faculty member Fabiana Bowles, Professor of Nursing, and associate faculty member Alma Barrandey, Director of the Child Development Learning Laboratory. Of the 26 qualified nominations that were made by students and staff, the winners were selected for this prestigious honor based on exemplary performance in the classroom; being accepted and respected by their colleagues and administrators; being innovative, creative and enthusiastic; being involved in professional enrichment; demonstrating outstanding contributions and/or leadership in their workplace and beyond; and exhibiting a willingness to share their expertise with others. Bowles and Barrandey will be recognized for their work at AWC, in the community, and their dedication to their students education at the 32nd Annual Teacher of the Year banquet at the Yuma Civic Center on Tuesday, April 23. Through a partnership with the AWC Foundation, this years awardees were given the Frances Morris Endowed Faculty Achievement Award and the Shadle-Edgecombe Endowed Faculty Achievement Award to honor their hard work. These awards are in addition to a tuition waiver for three credits/units at Northern Arizona University-Yuma for academic year 2019-2020, an opportunity to travel to a professional conference of their choice, and a special parking spot on campus. Additionally, Bowles will also have the responsibility of selecting a student who is a high school senior or a student already attending AWC for the Teacher of the Year Presidential Scholarship. Excerpt from Fabiana Bowless Teaching Philosophy Statement: In an ever-changing profession such as nursing, teaching students to embrace technology and the resources available to them is an important part of my teaching philosophy. Updating and changing with the times is as critical to nursing as it is with the education profession. Through technology, the ability to reach out to all types of learners with different mediums ensures material taught will be retained and useful to the student. Demonstrating that there is more than one way to do things or learn things teaches the student to find other methods or mediums to enhance their own learning. Teaching students to use their resources, not only to read a textbook from front to back, allows me to help prepare the nurses of the future. Flexibility and evolution continue to be driving forces in my profession and development as a nurse educator. Change is constant and inevitable, and I am continually changing and reinventing my teaching style. Excerpt from Alma Barrandeys Teaching Philosophy Statement: Students learn best by participating in their own learning through hands-on experiences. Even if students are hesitant to participate, teachers need to encourage the sharing of experiences. When students fully engage in their learning, they can truly demonstrate their understanding of the subject. My goal for my students is for them to learn how to apply everything that they learn in my classroom to their own classrooms. I give them practical experiences that they can use with their students. I want them to feel secure that they are using the best practice with young children and that they are aware of what quality in the preschool classroom looks like. Students who are well prepared will feel secure to run high quality classrooms for young children in the future. 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. 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. Ghanaian corporate culture is a male-dominated organisation that sees very few women in position of real and overall power, controlling affairs and calling shots. The reason for which women are left behind from the top of organisations are many. While some of it is age-old sexism, others bore down to a lack of women in the field, a phenomenon that plays out in fields of science and technology, especially. However, over the last decade, foreign and indigenous companies have appointed women as chief executives or managing directors. Some of these appointments have come with varying degrees of success. YEN.com.gh lists some of the top female CEOs of notable Ghanaian companies at this beginning of 2019. READ ALSO: 250 scientists warn trendy wireless earphones may pose higher risks to cancer 1. Beatrice Agyemang-Abbey of Media General The Media General Group replaced one woman with another in 2018 when Beatrice Agyemang-Abbey became the CEO of the company. Media General own among other outfits, TV3 News Network. This puts Agyemang-Abbey in the position of so much control and influence. 2. Patricia Obo-Nai of Vodafone Ghana Earlier in 2019, Vodafone appointed the first ever Ghanaian to head their operations in Ghana. It was in the person of Patricia Oba-Nai. Vodafone, as the third largest telecommunications firm makes Obo-Nai the head of the company that provides service for millions of Ghanaians. 3. Patience Akyianu of Hollard Ghana Patricia Akyianu was formerly the managing director of Barclays Bank Ghana Limited. A professional business executive, Akyianu in late 2018 landed another job as the CEO of insurance company, Hollard. Akyianu is one of the very few major executives in Ghana who happen to be women. 4. Boatemaa Duffuor Barfuor-Awuah of Star Assurance Boatemaa Duffuor Barfuor-Awuah of Star Assurance. Photo credit: Star Assurance Source: UGC Boatemaa Duffuor Barfuor-Awuah is a daughter of politician and business mogul, Dr Kwabena Duffuor. But she is also an acclaimed business manager. Boatemaa heads Star Assurance, one of the leading insurance companies in Ghana. READ ALSO: Ghanaian Prof Wisdom Tettey becomes principal of University of Toronto 5. Carol Annang of New Times Corporation Carol Annang of New Times Corporation. Photo credit: Daily Guide Source: UGC Carol Annang is currently the most powerful woman in Ghanaian print media. As the managing director of New Times Corporation, she oversees the operations of one of Ghana's oldest and most widely read newspaper. PAY ATTENTION: Forbes Top 10 Wealthiest Celebrities In 2018 Ghana News Today: Residents of Tuba are living on a time bomb | #Yencomgh: Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish on YEN.com.gh? Please contact us on Facebook. Source: Yen.com.gh Mumbai: Superstar Aamir Khan on Thursday announced that his next project is an official adaptation of Tom Hanks' classic "Forrest Gump". Aamir shared the news on the occasion of his 54th birthday that the Hindi adaptation will be titled "Lal Singh Chaddha", which he will co-produce with Viacom18 Motion Pictures. The film will be directed by "Secret Superstar" helmer Advait Chandan. "My next film is finalised it is called 'Lal Singh Chaddha'. It is being made by Viacom18 Motion Pictures and Aamir Khan Productions together. It will be directed by Advait Chandan. It is an adaptation of Hollywood film 'Forrest Gump'. "We have bought the rights from Paramount... I am playing the lead role of Lal Singh," Aamir told reporters here. "Forrest Gump", directed by Robert Zemeckis, released in 1994 and went on to win six Oscars, including best picture, best director and best actor for Hanks. The film, based on Winston Groom's 1986 novel of the same name, follows Forrest Gump, a dim-witted man from Alabama, who witnesses and unwittingly influences several historical events in 20th century USA. The actor said the makers are yet to lock the cast for the film. "We have started the prep work on the film. The shoot will start from October. I will be prepping for six months. I have to lose weight. I will be losing 20 kgs. I have to be lean and slim," he added. The makers of the film have not yet decided the release date for the film but are planning a 2020 outing. "I have always loved 'Forrest Gump' as a script. It is a wonderful story about this character. It is a life affirming story. It is a feel good film. It is a film for the whole family," Aamir said. The actor also revealed he would be sporting a turban "for some part of the film". Aamir was last seen in Yash Raj Films' "Thugs of Hindostan" alongside megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Katrina Kaif and Fatima Sana Shaikh. Mumbai: Director Raj Kumar Gupta is set to bring the life story of Indian spy Ravinder Kaushik to the big screen. Kaushik was an actor turned RAW agent, also known as The Black Tiger, a name given to him by former prime minister Indira Gandhi. "Ravinder Kaushik was India's greatest spy. Interestingly, he was an actor before becoming a spy. It's an emotional and remarkable story. "We are at the scripting stage for the film. I am humbled and thankful to his family, who trusted me and gave me the rights to turn this unbelievable story into a film," Gupta said in a statement. Kaushik's family has given the rights of his life story to the "Raid" director and are confident that the filmmaker will do justice to it. "I know my brother's story is very unique and many people have approached us to make a film on him but it never felt right because it is very personal for us. "When Raj Kumar Gupta approached us, since we knew of his films like 'No One Killed Jessica' we felt confident .He is a sensible film maker and he is the right person to tell my brothers story for the first time," Kaushik's sister Shashi Vashisth said. Gupta is currently busy with the post production of his upcoming film "India's Most Wanted", featuring Arjun Kapoor. Air India on Thursday announced that it is combining the Mumbai-New York flight with its Mumbai-Newark flight from March 16 to May 31 "due to operational reasons". Taking to Twitter on Thursday, the national carrier said the combined flight AI144 will depart from Newark at 2.15 pm (local time), make a stop in New York, and then arrive at the Mumbai airport next day at 2.10 pm (local time). The combined flight AI191 will depart from the Mumbai airport at 1.30 am (local time), make a stop in New York, and then arrive at Newark airport at 8.15 am (local time), Air India said in its tweet. As Pakistan has kept its airspace closed since the Balakot air strike by the Indian air force on February 26, Air India's expenditure on flights to Europe and the US has increased significantly. Air India on Wednesday issued a statement announcing that its flights on Delhi-Madrid and Delhi-Birmingham routes will be suspended from March 16 till further notice. The airline cited "operational reasons" behind the move. The airline took to Twitter to make the announcement. Air India has also asked the passengers of the flights to claim a full refund. "Due to operational reasons, the following Air India flights are suspended with effect from March 16, 2019, till further notice." The airline then said that AI135 Delhi-Madrid flight, AI136 Madrid-Delhi flight, AI113 Delhi-Birmingham flight and AI114 Birmingham-Delhi flight would be suspended. The airline said that AI117 Delhi-Amritsar-Birmingham flight and AI118 Birmingham-Amritsar-Delhi flight would also be suspended too. "We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our valued passengers and request passengers to collect the full refund," the airline added. New Delhi: State-owned hydro power giant NHPC said Wednesday that its board would on Friday consider a proposal to raise up to Rs 2,017.20 crore through taxable non-convertible bonds on a private placement basis. "The NHPC board in its meeting on Friday will consider proposal to issue 'GOI Fully Serviced Bonds' worth up to Rs 2,017.20 crore as per mandate given by the Government of India for 2018-19," the company said in a statement. The unsecured, redeemable, non-cumulative, non-convertible, taxable bonds will be issued in one or more tranches on a private placement basis in the domestic market, it added. Besides, it said the company would also consider a proposal to raise funds through external commercial borrowing in the Japanese yen equivalent to USD 100 million from MUFG Bank, Japan's leading lender, to part-finance capital expenditures for on-going projects and other permissible end-uses. New Delhi: The corporate affairs ministry has formulated guidelines on responsible business conduct urging businesses to actualise the principles in letter and spirit. "Ministry of Corporate Affairs has revised the National Voluntary Guidelines on Social, Environmental and Economic Responsibilities of Business, 2011 (NVGs) and formulated the National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC), an official release said. The Ministry has also constituted the Committee on Business Responsibility Reporting (BRR) to develop BRR formats for listed and unlisted companies. "Non-financial reporting is increasingly forming the basis for enhancing investor confidence in businesses and increasing their creditworthiness. The Committee is to develop comprehensive yet simple formats situating the various stakeholders at the center so as to not increase or duplicate reporting burden. The proposed formats are to reflect linkages to prevalent non-financial reporting formats, viz, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Integrated Reporting (IR) etc., and SDGs from a NGRBC perspective," the release said. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs is also in the process of developing Indias National Action Plan on Business & Human Rights (NAP) in consultation with various Ministries and State Governments by 2020. A Zero Draft of Indias NAP demonstrating implementation of the three pillars of UNGPs has also been released and uploaded on the website of the Ministry. The following principles have been laid down by the Corporate Affairs Ministry 1. Businesses should conduct and govern themselves with integrity in a manner that is Ethical, Transparent and Accountable. 2. Businesses should provide goods and services in a manner that is sustainable and safe 3. Businesses should respect and promote the well-being of all employees, including those in their value chains. 4. Businesses should respect the interests of and be responsive to all their stakeholders. 5. Businesses should respect and promote human rights. 6. Businesses should respect and make efforts to protect and restore the environment. 7. Businesses, when engaging in influencing public and regulatory policy, should do so in a manner that is responsible and transparent. 8. Businesses should promote inclusive growth and equitable development. 9. Businesses should engage with and provide value to their consumers in a responsible manner. NEW DELHI: China's move to block the proposal to designate Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a ''global terrorist'' by the United Nations has evoked a sharp response from the Indian users on Twitter who have now given a call for boycotting the Chinese products. Within hours of China blocking the proposal, #BoycottChineseProducts started trending on Twitter on Thursday and soon became one of the top trends of the day. It is to be noted that the proposal to designate Masood Azhar as a ''global terrorist'' was moved by France, UK and the US under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council. It was brought in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack in which at least 40 CRPF troopers were killed on February 14. Masood's group JeM had claimed responsibility for the same. In a major disappointment for India, China blocked the bid to designate Masood Azhar as a "global terrorist" for the fourth time. While blocking the move, Beijing said that it was calling for putting the proposal on technical hold as it required more time to inquire about Masood Azhar's terror activities. The Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee members had 10 working days to raise any objections to the proposal. The no-objection period deadline ended at 3 PM local time (New York) on Wednesday, (12:30 AM IST Thursday). Minutes before the deadline expired, China put the proposal on hold. A Chinese diplomat said that Beijing has asked for "more time to examine" the proposal. According to the listing rules of the Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee, if no objection is received by the end of the no-objection period, the decision will be deemed adopted. Responding to the Chinese move, MEA said, ''We are disappointed but efforts to defeat terrorism will continue.'' Indians too responded angrily to the Chinese move and many on Twitter called for a boycott of the Chinese products of India. Indian Twitter users said that boycotting the Chinese goods will deal a major blow to China since India is a huge market. Here are some of those reactions:- India - China bilateral trade in 2017 - $84.44 billion. India's exports to China - $16.34 billion. India's imports from China - $68.10 billion. Trade deficit - $51.75 Now it is time to #BoycottChineseProducts to Protest Beijing block on UN action on terror.#BoycottChina Gourav angral (@gouravangral3) March 14, 2019 My humble request to every Indian. We must retaliate on China for this act. Show your patriotism by boycotting chinese products. Every rupee will saved by this act will be your contribution to nation and tribute to our soldiers.#BoycottChineseProducts Kamal Kumar (@KumarKamal152) March 13, 2019 I uninstalled #TikTok & I urge every Nationalist Indian to #BoycottChineseProducts for good and teach these Chinese Traitors a lesson for life pic.twitter.com/QVk08F5b3X (@Rajpoot_Roopesh) March 14, 2019 China supporting terrorism again... Indian JANTA doesn't need more explanation than this to #BoycottChina and #BoycottChineseProducts pic.twitter.com/ZYUaNStXxb Sanghati dutta (@Sanghati6) March 14, 2019 LONDON: Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba on Thursday said that the growing presence of Chinese ships and submarines in the northern part of the Indian Ocean is a challenge for India but New Delhi is closely monitoring the situation in the region. Admiral Lanba, who is on a four-day visit to the United Kingdom, added that China has invested much more than any other nation in shipbuilding. It is to be noted that China has already acquired a logistic base at Djibouti and Beijing has also secured the acquisition of the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka on a 99-year lease. China and Japan have long-running maritime disputes in the East China Sea and Beijing stakes claim on 90 per cent of the South China Sea, despite objections from Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan, PTI reported. "No nation has invested as much as China in shipbuilding. It is a challenge; we keep a close eye on their presence and deployments... It is here to stay," Admiral Lanba said during a conversation at the Institute of Strategic Studies. The Navy chief added that around six to eight Chinese naval ships are always present in the northern part of the Indian Ocean and India is aware of their movement. During a discussion on 'Martime strategy and its contribution to the Indo-Pacific and global commons', Admiral Lanba said that New Delhi does not see any "no post-Brexit challenges" but is rather hopeful of establishing greater synergies with the UK in naval co-operation. "Over the years, our multi-faceted bilateral relations have grown from strength to strength to a sustained and mutually beneficial friendship. We have a common perspective on maritime challenges and agree to developing a cooperative framework to face them," Lanba said. "The maritime bonds between our two countries have been further cemented to a deepening defence cooperation. Konkan, the bilateral naval exercise, is the cornerstone of our maritime cooperation and the UK has been a preferred port of call whenever we operate in the northern Atlantic," he added. During his stay in the UK, the Navy chief is also scheduled to meet the UK Chief of Defence Staff. He will also visit the Naval Base in Portsmouth for a tour of the HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier. (with PTI inputs) In a horrendous incident, a part of a foot overbridge collapsed on Thursday near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station in Mumbai, Maharashtra, killing at least six people and injuring 36 others. Two of the injured people are in critical condition. The injured are being treated at the St. Geroge hospital and G T hospital. The deceased have been identified as Apoorva Prabhu (35), Ranjana Tambe (40), Zahid Shiraj Khan (32), Sarika Kulkarni (35) and Tapendra Singh (35). The Mumbai Police has filed an FIR at the Azad Maidan Police Station against the concerned officials of the Central Railway and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) under section 304A (causing death by negligence) of Indian Penal Code (IPC). The bridge is currently being demolished and will continue till Friday. The traffic on the route, that was diverted after the incident, is expected to remain diverted on Friday as well. The NDRF team which was pressed for rescue operation was withdrawn from the accident spot at 10.34 pm after the completion of the operation. GT hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Mukund Tayade said, "We have received two bodies, both of them were nurses at this hospital. The body of one more nurse is at St George Hospital. 14 injured have been admitted here, 1 of them has been shifted to JJ Hospital for neurosurgery." The injured has been identified as--Sonali Navale (30), Adhvit Navale (3), Rajendra Navale (33), Rajesh Lokhande (39), Tukaram Yedge (31), Jayesh Avlani (46), Mohan Kaygade (40), Mahesh Shere (9), Ajay Pandit (31), Harshada Vaghale (35), Vijay Bhagvat (42), Nilesh Patavkar (13), Parshuram Pawar (14), Mumblik Jaiswal, Mohan Mojhada (43), Anolkhi (32), Ayushi Ranka (30), Siraj Khan (55), Ram Kupreja (59), Rajedas Das (23), Sunil Girlotkar (39), Aniket Anil Jadhav (19), Abhijit Mana (21), Rajkumar Chawala (49), Subhesh Banrji (37), Ravi Lageshetty (40), Nanda Vitthal Kadam (56), Rakesh Mishra (40), Attar Khan (45), Sujay Mazi (28), Kanubhai Solankhi (47) and Deepak Parek (32). Maharashtra CM announces ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to kin of deceased The incident took place around 7.30 pm when a major portion of the bridge caved in. The people who were trapped under the debris have been rescued. Mumbai mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar and Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant visited the injured people at the St. George Hospital. The bridge was officially known as "Himalaya" foot overbridge. It was constructed in 1980 and is almost 39 years old. After the Elphinstone bridge collapse incident an audit of the bridge was done in which it was found to be fit and only minor repairs were done. Photo Gallery: Mumbai's CST station foot overbridge collapses Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced compensation for those who were killed in the incident. The Maharashtra chief minister regretted the incident calling it unfortunate. He announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of those who were killed in the incident and a compensation of Rs 50,000 each will be given to the injured. The state government will provide for the treatment of injured people. "Ex-gratia of Rs 5 Lakh each will be given to the families of those who died in the incident and compensation of Rs 50,000 each will be given to the injured, state govt will provide for their treatment," said CM Fadnavis. "It's unfortunate. I've ordered a high-level inquiry. A structural audit of the bridge had earlier been done &it was found to be fit. Even after that if such an incident happened, it raises a question on the audit. The inquiry will be done. Strictest action will be taken," added the chief minister. CM @Dev_Fadnavis ordered high level enquiry into #MumbaiBridgeCollapse incident and announced 5 lakh for the next of the kins of deceased and 50,000 to the injured and their medical expenses will be borne by GoM. pic.twitter.com/k6mR5PCGzb CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) March 14, 2019 Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish at the loss of lives in the incident. Taking to Twitter, the PM tweeted, "Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the foot overbridge accident in Mumbai. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wishing that the injured recover at the earliest. The Maharashtra Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected." Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the foot overbridge accident in Mumbai. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wishing that the injured recover at the earliest. The Maharashtra Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 14, 2019 Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal also expressed his sincere condolences to the family of the victims of the bridge collapse. "Railway Minister @PiyushGoyal expresses his sincere condolences to the family of the victims in Mumbai Bridge Collapse. Railway doctors and personnel are cooperating with BMC in relief and rescue operations," tweeted his office. Reacting to the incident Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the collapse is deeply saddening. "My thoughts are with the families who lost their loved ones in this accident. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," said Singh. Mumbai foot overbridge was not considered 'risky', had 'minor defects': BJP Minister Vinod Tawde After meeting the injured at GT Hospital, BJP leader Girish Mahajan said, "There is a sufficient number of doctors and experts here. There is sufficient blood available in the blood bank. Accountability will come next, our priority is to cater to the injured first." Congress leader Milind Deora said, "If the govt wants to send a message to the common Mumbaikars that this won't happen again then they should immediately lodge an FIR under IPC Section 302 which amounts to murder, against the concerned officers & auditors." Maharashtra MoS Home Dr Ranjit Patil said, "Footover bridge near ToI Mumbai collapsing is a tragic incident. CM has immediately called for a meeting with BMC commissioner and Railway Ministry. Taking the injured to safety is of utmost importance and it is being done at a war-level." PM Narendra Modi expresses anguish, assures of all possible help The Central railway in a statement said, "In an unfortunate incident a portion of public FOB (not railway FOB) has fallen outside CST railway premises across the road. Railway traffic is not affected. Railway doctors, paramedical staff, ambulance are at the site to extend all the possible help to local authorities." The Ministry of Railways said that the bridge was of BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation). They, however, added that they are extending support to the victims. "The bridge was of BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation). However, we're extending all our support to the victims. Railway doctors and personnel are cooperating with BMC in relief and rescue operations," said Ministry of Railways. The traffic in the area was affected and commuters were asked to use alternate routes. The traffic has been closed on both bounds between CST junction and JJ Flyover till further orders. The commuters have been advised to use the Mahapalika Marg from CST to Metro Junction and ahead towards Princess Street Flyover/ Crawford Market/ Chakala and Mohammed Ali Road. Commuters coming from JJ Flyover may take a right turn towards Crawford Market/ Metro Junction/ CST and ahead or take a left turn at Nesbit junction and move further to PD mellow road/Avatar Singh Bedi chowk to CST/ lion Gate, Regal junction and further. The bridge connected the bustling Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station with the Azad Maidan Police Station. The bridge which connected the area near the Times of India building with the iconic CSMT station was commonly known as 'Kasab bridge' after the 26/11 Mumbai attack terrorist passed through it during the terror attacks. This is not the first incident in the financial hub of the country. Earlier in 2018, a part of a Road Over Bridge (ROB) had collapsed on the tracks near Andheri Station injuring at least six people. In another incident, a foot overbridge (FOB), connecting the Parel-Elphinstone Road stations, collapsed at the suburban Elphinstone Road station in Mumbai in September 2017, killing 23 people and injuring over 30 people. The first meeting to discuss the modalities for the Kartarpur Sahib corridor took place on Thursday between India and Pakistan at Attari in Amritsar district of Punjab. Shortly after the talks, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement calling it a positive meeting. The MEA statement said that both the countries held constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalising the Kartapur corridor. "The first meeting to discuss the modalities and the draft Agreement for facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib using the Kartarpur Corridor was held today at Attari, India in a cordial environment. Both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalizing the Kartapur Sahib Corridor," said the MEA statement. The corridor will link Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in the Pakistani town of Kartarpur with Gurdaspur district in Punjab. In November 2018, India and Pakistan agreed to set a corridor linking Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur - the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev--to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district. Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four km from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. Expert level discussions were also held between the technical experts on the alignment and other details of the corridor. A meeting of the technical experts will take place on March 19 at zero points to finalise the alignment. The next meeting between the two countries is scheduled to be held at Wagah in Lahore, Pakistan, on April 2. "Both sides also held expert-level discussions between the technical experts on the alignment and other details of the proposed corridor. It was agreed to hold the next meeting at Wagah on 2 April 2019. This will be preceded by a meeting of the technical experts on 19 March 2019 at the proposed zero points to finalize the alignment," added the statement. The meeting comes exactly a month after the February 14 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. The Indian delegation was led by Ministry of Home Affairs Joint Secretary SCL Das and the Pakistan delegation was led by Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs DG (SA & SAARC) Mohammad Faisal. Hours after the first India-Pakistan meeting on Kartarpur corridor ended on Thursday, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Joint Secretary SCL Das asserted that India has pressed that the corridor should be visa-free and urged on the need for arranging the visit of at least 5,000 pilgrims per day to Kartarpur's Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. Addressing a press brief, the joint secretary assured that India has also urged that another 10,000+ pilgrims be allowed to visit the shrine on special days like Gurpurab and Baisakhi. He added that the pilgrims will include Indian nationals, people of Indian origin and also people from all over the world. The meeting took place at Attari in Amritsar district of Punjab. "Our side pressed on the need for arranging the visit of at least 5,000 pilgrims per day, to begin with, in phase 1 of the project. This should include not only Indian nationals but people of Indian origin as well. We've strongly urged them to allow because people from all over the country and world will be coming for all the seven days throughout the year without any break. Have asked to provide for a much higher size of 'jathhas' of visiting pilgrims by another 10,000 on special days like Gurpurab, Baisakhi," said Das. Assuring that India has urged for a visa-free corridor, Das said that India has emphasised that in the spirit of Kartarpur corridor, it should be absolutely visa-free. India also added that there should not be any additional encumbrances in the form of any documentation or procedures, added Das. "We have also emphasised from our side that in the spirit of Kartarpur corridor, it should be absolutely visa-free. There should not be any additional encumbrances in the form of any additional documentation or procedures," added Das. India has also suggested that the pilgrims be allowed to travel on foot to the shrine and the corridor should remain open for seven days a week, added Das. He said that Pakistan has assured that they will consider India's proposed terms and revert soon. The official further added that the talks held were constructive and the draft agreement of both India and Pakistan were discussed in the meeting. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Joint Secretary Deepak Mittal said that India's expectations were made clear to Pakistan that India would like them not to allow any miscreant. He added that India would not like Pakistan to allow any kind of activity which would be against the spirit with which pilgrims would be going to Kartarpur Gurdwara. Mittal clarified that it doesn't mean the resumption of any bilateral dialogues with Pakistan. He also clarified that India's position on the dialogue is very clear. "Our expectations were made clear to Pakistan side that we would like them not to allow any miscreant. We would not like them to allow any kind of activity which would be against the spirit with which pilgrims would be going to Kartarpur Gurudwara. This doesn't mean the resumption of any bilateral dialogues with Pakistan. Our position on the dialogue is very clear...Today what we had was a meeting on the issue of the Kartarpur corridor, with an objective that pilgrims can have easy access to Kartarpur Sahib," said Mittal. The corridor will link Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in the Pakistani town of Kartarpur with Gurdaspur district in Punjab. In November 2018, India and Pakistan agreed to set a corridor linking Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur - the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev--to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district. Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four km from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. The talks come amid escalating tension between the two countries following India's preemptive air strike on a terrorist training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Pakistan's subsequent retaliation. The meeting comes exactly a month after the February 14 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. New Delhi: China prevented a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) committee to blacklist dreaded terrorist and leader of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) Masood Azhar for a fourth consecutive time on Wednesday. China's move to continue defying global opposition to terrorism and veto sanctions against Masood Azhar once again allows Pakistan to unabashedly support terror outfits on its turf. Pakistan is currently placed on the 'grey list' of international terror financing watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for failing to comply with anti-money laundering and terrorist financing regulations. The country has been scrambling in recent months to avoid being blacklisted by FATF, a measure that will further hurt its struggling economy. Despite the state of affairs, the country's leadership continue to shelter extremist elements on its home soil. The proposal to list the Mumbai-attack mastermind under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UNSC was moved by France, with the support of the UK and the US on February 27. The move came days after the February 14 Pulwama terror attack carried out by JeM that claimed the lives of 40 jawans. 1267 Sanctions Committee, upon completion of the no-objection period on 13 March 2019, was not able to come to a decision on the proposal for listing Mohammed Masood Azhar Alvi under the UN Sanctions regime, on account of a member placing the proposal on hold, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a release on Wednesday. We are disappointed by this outcome, said New Delhi. This has prevented action by the international community to designate the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a proscribed and active terrorist organization which has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 14 February 2019." India added it is "grateful for the efforts of the Member States who moved the designation proposal and the unprecedented number of all other Security Council members as well as non-members who joined as co-sponsors." "We will continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens are brought to justice." Had Azhar been designated a global terrorist by the UN, Pakistan would have been forced to immediately freeze his funds and other financial assets, and prevent movement to other states. NEW DELHI: Details emerging from Pulwama mastermind Maulana Masood Azhar`s interrogation report -- when he was in Indian captivity for five years -- reveal that like 26/11 perpetrator David Coleman Headley, he too roamed around India without any fear. On exiting IGI, like Headley, he too was driven to the Ashok Hotel slapbang in the middle of LBZ and the heart of India`s diplomatic community (Headley had stayed at the Mumbai Taj and got GPS coordinates for all the locations for 26/11). The Jaish supremo arrived in India on a Portuguese passport in 1994. Over the next 15 days, he stayed at Hotel Janpath, then Karol Bagh and visited Darul-uloom Deoband in Saharanpur and Lucknow. Masood Azhar arrived from Dhaka, and when questioned by immigration that he didn`t look like a Portuguese referring to his passport, he claimed he was a Gujarati by birth. The report says: "I spent two days in Dhaka and thereafter travelled to Delhi by Bangladesh Airlines (Biman), reaching the IGI Airport in early hours of January 29, 1994. The immigration officials at IGI commented that I did not look like a Portuguese but when I replied that I was a Gujarati by birth, he did not hesitate to stamp my passport. I hired a taxi and asked (the driver) for a good hotel. I was taken to the Ashok Hotel in Chanakyapuri where I stayed." At Saharanpur, Azhar reportedly stayed for the night at a mosque of Tabligh-ul-Jamat and he did not reveal his true identity. On January 31, 1994, he returned to Delhi by the same car after staying overnight at Khan Ji of Maulana Masir-ul-ullah Khan at Jalalabad. This time he stayed at Hotel Janpath located near Connaught Place. He flew onwards to Srinagar on February 9, but before that, decided to visit Maulana Abu Hassan Nadvi alias Ali Mian in Lucknow. Unable to make his tryst with this person, he returned once again to Delhi but stayed at Hotel Sheesh Mahal in Karol Bagh. In all Delhi hotels, Azhar registered himself in the assumed identity of Portuguese national Vali Adam Issa. "In Delhi, on February 8, 1994, I visited the Centre of Tabligh-ul-Jamat at Nizamuddin, but did not meet any particular person. I had also purchased 12 compasses (to give direction of Mecca) from Nizammudin to offer them as gift to militants in the Kashmir valley," he revealed to interrogators. On February 10, he was taken to a place called Matigund where all Pakistan/PoK terrorists congregated. "They (the terrorists) were happy about my visit and merger of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami. I had taken their addresses and letters so that I can communicate their welfare to their families on return to Pakistan," he told the interrogators. While returning from Matigund, accompanied by Afghani and another person who was armed and had a wireless set, the car developed a snag and stopped. Then Azhar and his accomplice boarded a three-wheeler and proceeded to Anantnag. After travelling for about 2-3 km, the autorickshaw was stopped by Army personnel which led to an exchange of fire. "Farooq started running and opened fire which was returned by the Army men. Farooq managed to escape but I along with Afghani was arrested," he told his questioners. He was housed at the Kot Bhalwal Central Jail in Jammu. For the infamous IC-814 exchange, the dreaded Azhar was freed from Indian captivity in 1999 along with two other terrorists. Since then, he has made it his business to target India, he was the brains behind the December 13, 2001 Parliament attack. In a major boost for infantry troops of the Army, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Thursday successfully test-fired Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) in the desert ranges of Rajasthan. According to Defence Ministry sources, the MPATGM launched from the shoulder is low weight, fire and forget. Developed by DRDO, the missile is equipped with many advanced features, including ultra-modern imaging infrared radar seeker with integrated avionics. #WATCH: India successfully carried out trial of the Man Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile (MP-ATGM) being developed for infantry troops of the Army. The DRDO carried out the trial of the missile with 2-3 km strike range last night in Rajasthan desert. pic.twitter.com/fUcDj3Jlww ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 The programme director for this missile is V.S.N. Murthy and the project director is K.E. Kapadia. Sources added that the entire operation was under the direction of Director General of Missile Strategic Systems M.S.R. Prasad. The MPATGM is a third-generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) comes loaded with a high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead. It has a maximum engagement range of about 2.5 kilometers. It is expected that the mass production of these missiles would begin in 2021. In December 2017, the government had decided to scrap deal worth USD 500 million with Rafale for 321 Spike ATGM systems and 8,356 missiles in favor of the MPATGM system. It is to be noted that in October 2014, the Spike ATGM was selected by then government over the US-made FGM-148 Javelin ATGM system. On Tuesday, DRDO had successfully conducted the third trial of the Pinaka guided missile in Rajasthan's Pokharan. Developed by DRDO, the Pinaka missile system can fire a salvo of 12 HE rockets in 44 seconds. It can be mounted on a Tatra truck for mobility. Each Pinaka battery consists of: six launcher vehicles, each with 12 rockets; six loader-replenishment vehicles; three replenishment vehicles; two Command Post vehicle (one stand by) with a Fire Control computer, and the DIGICORA MET radar. A battery of six launchers can neutralise an area of 1,000 m 800 m within no time. NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan will hold a dialogue to discuss the modalities on Kartarpur Corridor project on Thursday at Attari, near Amritsar. A Pakistani delegation will visit India for this meet. This will be followed by an Indian delegation's visit to Islamabad on March 28. Visa-free access to the corridor, linking Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur town to Gurdaspur district in Punjab, are expected to be raised in the meeting. The meeting comes amid simmering tensions between the two nations and exactly a month after the Pulwama terror attack on February 14 that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans. The Indian delegation will comprise of representative of the Home Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, Border Security Force, National Highways Authority of India and Punjab government, reported news agency PTI. New Delhi is also likely to ask Islamabad to insulate them from any propaganda by Khalistani separatists, added the report. Meanwhile, Pakistan expressed disappointment over India's decision to not issue visas to Pakistani journalists to cover the first historic meet on Kartarpur Corridor between the two nations. "Regrettable that India has not given visas to Pakistani journalists for the Kartarpur meeting tomorrow," Dr Mohammad Faisal, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, tweeted. "Hope the #PakKartarpurSpirit and meeting tomorrow will bring a change for the better for people of both countries," he added. Talks will be held tomorrow. It is an initiative of Pakistan. Pakistan wants to open the Kartarpur corridor so that the Sikh pilgrims can visit it, said Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan to India, Syed Haider Shah told ANI on Wednesday. Hours after the Mumbai foot overbridge collapse, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday announced compensation for those who were killed in the incident. At least five people were killed and 36 others injured after a part of a foot overbridge collapsed in the evening near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The Maharashtra chief minister regretted the incident calling it unfortunate. He announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of those who were killed in the incident and a compensation of Rs 50,000 each will be given to the injured. The state government will provide for the treatment of injured people. "Ex-gratia of Rs 5 Lakh each will be given to the families of those who died in the incident and compensation of Rs 50,000 each will be given to the injured, state govt will provide for their treatment," said CM Fadnavis. CM Fadnavis assured of a high-level inquiry and strictest action against those responsible. He also added that a structural audit of the bridge had earlier been done and it was found to be fit but the incident raises a question on the audit. CM @Dev_Fadnavis ordered high level enquiry into #MumbaiBridgeCollapse incident and announced 5 lakh for the next of the kins of deceased and 50,000 to the injured and their medical expenses will be borne by GoM. pic.twitter.com/k6mR5PCGzb CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) March 14, 2019 "It's unfortunate. I've ordered a high-level inquiry. A structural audit of the bridge had earlier been done&it was found to be fit. Even after that if such an incident happened, it raises a question on the audit. The inquiry will be done. Strictest action will be taken," added the chief minister. Earlier the Maharashtra CM had tweeted saying that he was pained to know about the incident. "Pained to hear about the FOB incident near TOI building in Mumbai. Spoke to BMC Commissioner and @MumbaiPolice officials and instructed to ensure speedy relief efforts in coordination with @RailMinIndia officials," tweeted CM Fadnavis. The bridge connected the bustling Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station with the Azad Maidan Police Station. An eyewitness, who was waiting at the signal, said, "We all were waiting impatiently at the signal as it was red. Before the signal turned green, the bridge came down along with people on it. Had the signal turned green earlier, the situation would have been worse. It is the time when entire Mumbai rushes to CSMT to return home. We also wanted to reach home early, but now I feel relieved that the signal was red. Otherwise, I could have been injured as well," he said. A taxi driver, who was near the bridge when the tragedy struck, had a providential escape, though his vehicle suffered damage. Vehicles behind him stopped in time, thereby avoiding a bigger tragedy. Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Vinod Tawde has said that the footover bridge outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus was under repair when a portion of it partially caved in at around 7:30pm on Thursday. Tawde claimed that the bridge was not considered 'risky' and it only had some minor defects. He added that an investigation will be launched to find out why the bridge was open for public despite repairs being undertaken. The bridge collapse has resulted in the death of five people and 34 are injured, two of them critically. The bridge connected the CST railway station with the Azad Maidan Police Station. Congress leader Murli Milind Deora said that the BJP and Shiv Sena should be held responsible for the collapse, as the bride was under the BMC, which is run by BJP-Sena combine. Milind Deora, Congress on Mumbai foot over bridge collapse: If the govt wants to send a message to the common Mumbaikars that this won't happen again then they should immediately lodge an FIR under IPC Section 302 which amounts to murder, against the concerned officers & auditors pic.twitter.com/SEjINi4l8T ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 BJP MLA Raj Purohit demanded strict action against the engineer who gave certificate to this bridge in auditing and said that he should be arrested. The bridge was officially known as 'Himalaya' foot overbridge and it was constructed in 1980. The srtucture audit of this bridge was done by last year after the tragedy at Elphinston foot overbridge and the audit had found this bridge was found to be in good condition. Photo Gallery: Mumbai's CST station foot overbridge collapses Sources said that the audit of the foot overbridge was ordered last year after the collapse of another foot overbridge in Andheri last year. A total of 445 were named for safety audit after Andheri's incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish at the loss of lives in the incident and tweeted, "Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the foot overbridge accident in Mumbai. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wishing that the injured recover at the earliest. The Maharashtra Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected." Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also expressed pain at the incident and said that the BMC Commissioner and the Mumbai Police officials have been instructed to ensure speedy relief efforts in coordination with the Railway officials. "Pained to hear about the FOB incident near TOI building in Mumbai. Spoke to BMC Commissioner and @MumbaiPolice officials and instructed to ensure speedy relief efforts in coordination with @RailMinIndia officials," said the CM. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep anguish over the loss of lives due to the collapse of a foot overbridge at CST station in Mumbai on Thursday evening. The Prime Minister posted a tweet saying that his thoughts are with the families of the deceased. He wished quick recovery to the injured and said that Maharashtra government has been directed to provide all possible assistance to affected people. "Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the foot overbridge accident in Mumbai. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wishing that the injured recover at the earliest. The Maharashtra Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected," tweeted PM Modi. Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the foot overbridge accident in Mumbai. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wishing that the injured recover at the earliest. The Maharashtra Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 14, 2019 At least five people were killed and 36 others injured after a part of a foot overbridge collapsed on Thursday at 7:30pm. Two of the injured people are in critical condition. The injured people have been admitted to the nearby St. Geroge hospital and G T hospital. Of the total five people who lost their lives in the incident, three are women and two are men. The three women who were killed have been identified as Apoorva Prabhu, Ranjana Tambe and Sarika Kulkarni, while the two men have been identified as Zahid Shiraj Khan and Tapendra Singh. Prabhu and Tambe were the staff of the G T hospital. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also expressed pain at the incident and said that he has instructed the BMC Commissioner and the Mumbai Police officials to ensure speedy relief efforts in coordination with the Railway officials. Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal also expressed his sincere condolences to the family of the victims of the bridge collapse. "Railway Minister @PiyushGoyal expresses his sincere condolences to the family of the victims in Mumbai Bridge Collapse. Railway doctors and personnel are cooperating with BMC in relief and rescue operations," tweeted his office. Washington: India and the US said they have agreed to build six American nuclear power plants in India, in a boost to bilateral civil nuclear energy cooperation. The two countries said this in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the 9th round of India-US Strategic Security Dialogue, co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Andrea Thompson, the US Under-Secretary of state for arms control and international security, on Wednesday. "They committed to strengthening bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, including the establishment of six US Nuclear power plants in India," the joint statement said. India and the US signed a historic agreement to cooperate in civil nuclear energy sector in October 2008. The deal gave a fillip to bilateral ties, which have been on an upswing since. A major aspect of the deal was the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), that gave a special waiver to India enabling it to sign cooperation agreements with a dozen countries. Post-waiver, India signed civil nuclear cooperation agreements with the US, France, Russia, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Sri Lanka, the UK, Japan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan and South Korea. On Wednesday, the United States also reaffirmed its strong support to India's early membership in the 48-member NSG. Notably, China has blocked India's pending membership to the elite grouping that seeks to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on a wide range of global security and non-proliferation challenges and reaffirmed their commitment to work together to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems and to deny access to such weapons by terrorists and non-state actors. On March 12, Indra Mani Pandey, India's additional secretary for disarmament and international security affairs, and Yleem D. S. Poblete, US assistant secretary of state for arms control, verification and compliance, co-chaired the third round of India-US Space Dialogue. The two delegations discussed trends in space threats; respective national space priorities; and opportunities for cooperation bilaterally and in multilateral fora. New Delhi: The Supreme Court is set to take up a bunch of petitions on Thursday seeking review of its earlier verdict on Rafale fighter jets deal between India and France. The hearing in the country's top court comes a day after the Centre told it that documents attached by the petitioners in the case seeking review of its Rafale deal verdict are "sensitive to national security". In its submission before the Supreme Court, the Centre said that ''those who conspired in photocopying the papers have committed theft and put the national security in jeopardy by leaking them.'' The Ministry of Defence informed the apex court that an internal enquiry was launched into the matter on February 28. The ministry officials further informed that all efforts are being made to ascertain who all were behind the leakage of sensitive documents and when they were leaked. Earlier on March 6, Attorney General KK Venugopal, speaking on behalf of the Centre, had alleged before the Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and comprising Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice KM Joseph that the review petition was based on the documents which were stolen from the Defence Ministry. However, two days later he retracted and clarified that what he meant in his submission is that the petitioners in their application had used photocopies of the original papers, deemed secret by the government. It may be recalled that review pleas in the case had been filed by former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie and activist advocate Prashant Bhushan against the December 14 verdict of Supreme Court, which rejected all the pleas challenging the Rafale deal between India and France. In its December verdict, the Supreme Court had rejected all petitions seeking a court-monitored investigation and said that it found no occasion to really doubt the process of decision making, pricing and selection of offset partners. However, on February 26, the Supreme Court agreed to hear these petitions in an open court. (With PTI inputs) Washington: Outraged by China blocking for the fourth time a move to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist, responsible UNSC members warned they "may be forced to pursue other actions" at the Security Council if Beijing continued with this policy. "If China continues to block this designation, responsible member-states may be forced to pursue other actions at the Security Council. It shouldn't have to come to that," a Security Council diplomat told PTI in an unusual tough warning to China. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity to give a sense of the feeling of other members of the Security Council after China blocked the move to designate Azhar a global terrorist. Beijing previously put a technical hold on similar proposals at the UNSC thrice. In the aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attack, three permanent members of Security Council - the US, France and the UK - had moved a resolution to designate Azhar a glocal terrorist. Except for China, which wields veto power in the Security Council, all other UNSC members were on board with the move before the al-Qaida (1267) Sanctions Committee. India has expressed disappointment over China's decision but said it will "pursue all available avenues" to bring to justice terrorist leaders involved in attack on Indians. "This is the fourth time that China has placed a hold on this listing. China should not prevent the Committee from doing the job the Security Council has entrusted it to do," another security council diplomat told PTI in response to a question. "China's move to hold the listing is inconsistent with its own stated goals of combatting terrorism and furthering regional stability in South Asia," said the diplomat, requesting not to be named to speak frankly, given that the deliberations of the UN sanctions committee are confidential, thus preventing member-countries from talking about it in public. The second security council diplomat also slammed Pakistan for depending on China to protect terrorist groups and leaders that operate from its soil. "Pakistan has quite often depended on China to protect it from the listing of Pakistan-based terrorist groups and individuals in the UN 1267 sanctions committee," the diplomat said. "The case for designating Masood Azhar ? the leader of a group the UN already calls an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organization ? is undeniable," the diplomat said. On Tuesday, the Trump administration had said that Azhar meets the criteria for designation by the United Nations. "Our views on Jaish-e-Mohammad and its founder are well known. JeM is a UN-designated terrorist group," State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino told reporters. "Azhar is the founder and the leader of JEM, and he meets the criteria for designation by the United Nations. JEM has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks and is a threat to regional stability and peace," Palladino said. The State Department referred to this statement on Wednesday when asked about the latest developments in New York. "I would say that the United States and China share a mutual interest in achieving regional stability and peace, and that a failure to designate Azhar would run counter to this goal," Palladino said. Congressman Brad Sherman described the Chinese move as unacceptable. "Once again, China has blocked the UN from imposing sanctions on Masood Azhar, the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, which carried out the Pulwama attack in India in February. This is unacceptable,? he said. "I urge Beijing to allow the UN to place sanctions on Azhar, the leader of a UN-recognized terrorist organization," Sherman said. Several American think-tank members slammed China for its decision delaying the Azhar listing. "Today, China doubled down on a very bad bet. It blocked yet another round of UN sanctions on Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar weeks after the group claimed credit for the deadliest terror attack in Kashmir," Jeff Smith from the Heritage Foundation said. "This one won't be undone by another romantic stroll through Wuhan," he said, indicating that such a move by Beijing would only escalate the tension between India and China. "Not entirely unexpected, but nonetheless a slap to India's face after last month's bloody suicide-bombing in Kashmir. Also raises serious questions about the benefits of Modi's photo-op diplomacy with Xi Jinping," tweeted Sadanand Dhume from American Enterprise Institute. President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday presented Gallantry Awards and Distinguished Service Decorations at the Defence Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The President decorate Sepoy Vrahma Pal Singh of Rajput Regiment with Kirti Chakra posthumously. On November 2017, a cordon and search operation was launched by the army at a village in Jammu and Kashmir after input that three terrorists were hiding in the village. Sepoy Vrahma Pal Singh was deployed in the inner cordon. Sepoy Vrahma Pal Singh successfully cleared two houses and then he moved ahead to clear the adjacent cowshed with his fellow rifleman. As soon as he entered the completely dark cowshed he came under heavy fire from three different directions. Sepoy Vrahma Pal Singh retaliated immediately without thinking anything about his own safety. All three terrorists started firing at him and Sepoy Vrahma Pal Singh displayed his bravery by providing cover fire and an opportunity to his fellow rifleman to extricate himself out of the cowshed. He also kept the three terrorists engaged thus preventing their escape out of cowshed. In the ensuing firefight, he sustained bullet injuries on his chest and legs. Sepoy Vrahma Pal Singh got grievously wounded in the gunfire but he continued to dominate and engage the terrorists, which led to neutralization of one terrorist and injuring of another. The exceptional bravery displayed by Sepoy Vrahma Pal Singh helped in saving the life of his fellow rifleman and neutralization of two Pakistani terrorists. He made the supreme sacrifice for the nation in line with highest traditions of Indian Army. NEW DELHI: Sending out a strong message to Pakistan, India on Wednesday said that teror and talks can't go together. This was conveyed to Pakistan by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who said that while India will continue to engage with Islamabad at appropriate forums, it needs to show 'some action' against the terror groups operating from its soil. The EAM made these remarks while addressing a press conference during which she stated that India has conveyed to several countries after the Pulwama attack that India will not escalate the situation with Pakistan but if there is any other terror attack from that country, then it will not remain silent. She was addressing a think tank on Narendra Modi government's foreign policy. Swaraj continued to corner Pakistan by saying that Islamabad was worried that India would escalate the situation in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack. "I used to receive calls from foreign ministers who used to first condole the Pulwama attack, then express their solidarity and then they used to softly say that we think India will not escalate the situation," she said. "To which I used to reply that no, I assure you India will not escalate the situation but if there is any other terror attack then we will not remain silent as we cannot say Pulwama as our destiny," she said. The EAM also raised serious doubts over Pakistan PM's ''generosity and statesmanship'' in post-Pulwama attack scenario and the return of IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan after an aerial dogfight, to India. ''We are ready to engage with Pakistan in atmosphere free from terror. Some people say Imran Khan is a statesman, if he is so generous then he should hand over JeM chief Masood Azhar to India. Let's see how generous he is,'' the EAM said. #WATCH EAM Sushma Swaraj in Delhi: We are ready to engage with Pakistan in atmosphere free from terror. Some people say Imran Khan is a statesman, if he is so generous then he should hand over JeM chief Masood Azhar to India. Let's see how generous he is. (13.03) pic.twitter.com/kgnDfv8gOY ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 The February 14 Pulwama attack on a CRPF convoy, in which at least 40 troopers were killed, has escalated tension between the two nuclear-powered countries. Further aggravating the situation, Indian Air Force fighter jets bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad's biggest training camp near Balakot deep inside Pakistan on February 26. Pakistan retaliated by making an unsuccessful bid to target Indian military installations, which was thwarted by IAF. Amid the simmering tension between India and Pakistan, the Indian Air Force on Thursday tweeted a few lines on the indomitable spirit of air warriors and the responsibility to protect the borders rest on their shoulders. The Indian Air Forces ability to guard the borders rests on our shoulders, We the Air-Warriors, the Fearless Fighters. Courageous, Competent, Capable, We rule the skies, No matter who the enemy We are indomitable! The IAF also shared an image of fighter planes in the sky. Following the airstrikes of February 26 on Pakistan-based terror camps, the IAF has been tweeting out poems at times praising Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, other times trolling Pakistan. It also tweeted the Hindi poem 'Hadd Sarhad Ki' written by Bipin Allhabadi. Tensions between India and Pakistan flared after the Pulwama attack on February 14 which killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel. India launched counter-terror operation in Balakot on February 26, dropping 1000-kg bombs on JeM camps on Balakot in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Next day, warplanes of Pakistan Air Force attempted to infiltrate the Indian airspace but were chased out by IAF jets. The debriefing of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has been completed by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and other agencies. ANI reported quoting IAF sources that Abhinandan would now go on sick leave for a few weeks on the advice of doctors of Armys Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi. "The debriefing of Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman has been completed by the Indian Air Force and other agencies. Now the officer would be going on sick leave for a few weeks on the advice of doctors of Armys Research and Referral Hospital," ANI reported. IAF Sources: The debriefing of Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman has been completed by the Indian Air Force and other agencies. Now the officer would be going on sick leave for a few weeks on the advice of doctors of Armys Research and Referral Hospital pic.twitter.com/pkfLVENPEk ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 IAF sources added that the medical fitness of Abhinandan will be assessed by a medical review board in the near future and then a decision will be taken on when can he resume his operations as a fighter pilot. IAF Sources: A medical review board in the near future will assess the medical fitness of Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman and decide on when can he resume his operations as a fighter pilot. https://t.co/B4DAZR4jhY ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 The MRI scan of Commander Abhinandan was conducted on March 3 and the doctors had not found any bugs inside his body. The scan had however revealed that Abhinandan has suffered an injury in his lower spine which could have happened due to his ejection from his MiG-21 was hit by Pakistani fighter jet during a fierce aerial dogfight on February 27. Sources had told ANI that the scan also showed that one rib of Abhinandan was injured due to assault by Pakistani locals soon after he landed in PoK after his plane was shot down. On March 2, Zee News had reported that Pakistani forces had subjected Wing Commander Abhinandan to severe 'mental harassment' when he was in their captivity. Wing Commander Abhinandan had informed the Indian officials that "though he was not physically tortured by the Pakistanis, he went through a lot of mental harassment." Wing Commander Abhinandan spent around 59 hours in Pakistan before being handed over to Indian authorities on March 1. Wing Commander Abhinandan was flying the MiG 21 Bison when he chased the Pakistani F-16 fighters which had violated the Indian airspace on February 27. While chasing down the Pakistani jets, Abhinandan crossed over to the Pakistani side and was shot down. The MiG-21 Bison is not a very large aircraft but it can fly at a very high speed. This plane is capable of sneaking up to enemy planes from low altitude. The MiG 21 is highly manoeuvrable in dogfights because it has got a delta wing. MiG 21 is a single seater plane with a length of 14.7 m (48 ft 2 in) and wingspan of 7.154 m (23 ft 6 in). The empty weight of MiG 21 is 5,846 kg (12,880 lb) and its loaded weight is 8,725 kg (19,230 lb) with 2 K-13A missiles. The maximum takeoff weight of this fighter jet is 9,800 kg (21,600 lb). (with ANI inputs) New Delhi: A political worker was shot by the terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar on Thursday. The victim is identified as Mohammad Ismail Wani. He was fired by the gunmen at Thajeewara Bijbihara village in south Kashmir. After terrorists fled from the scene, the locales immediately rushed him to a nearby hospital in Srinagar. As per reports, Wani is said to be affiliated with National Conference party. National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah took to Twitter and wrote, "My JKNC colleague Mohd Ismail Wani, block President Bijbehara block in South Kashmir of has been shot and injured. He has been referred to Srinagar. Praying for his recovery." My @JKNC_ colleague Mohd Ismail Wani, block President Bijbehara block in South Kashmir of has been shot & injured. He has been referred to Srinagar. Praying for his recovery. Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 14, 2019 Further details awaited. BENGALURU: Former prime minister and Janata Dal-Secular patriarch HD Deve Gowda turned emotional as he announced on Wednesday that one of his grandsons will contest from the Hassan Lok Sabha seat represented by him. Gowda, who hails from Holenarasipura, has represented the Hassan Lok Sabha seat for six times since 1991, when he first got elected to the Lower House. "I have decided that I will not be contesting the Lok Sabha elections from here (Hassan constituency)," a teary-eyed Gowda told a gathering of party supporters and well-wishers. #WATCH Former PM&JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda gets emotional as he announces that his grandson Prajwal Revanna will be JD(S) candidate from Hassan constituency; says, "With your blessings&blessings of Channakeshava God, I've chosen Prajwal Revanna from Hassan." #Karnataka (13.03) pic.twitter.com/gCE0ZN1yK2 ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 The JDS supremo further added that his grandsons Nikil Kumaraswamy and Prajwal Revanna will contest from party bastions of Mandya and Hassan respectively for the Lok Sabha polls. The announcement also marked the beginning of the JDS' political campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha election 2019. Revanna is the son of state's Public Works Department Minister HD Revanna (brother of Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy) While Nikil Kumaraswamy is the son of Karnataka Chief Minister. While making the announcement, Gowda also expressed concerns over allegations of promoting dynasty culture in the state. "...So many allegations, from the morning in the media (they talk about) Deve Gowda, Revanna, Kumaraswamy and their sons," Gowda said as he broke down at an event in Hassan to launch the poll campaign of Prajwal Revanna. The JDS chief was seen wiping tears and speaking in a heavy voice after which many JD-S supporters present there came near him and pleaded him to calm down. The JDS supremo will, however, contest the Lok Sabha polls from another constituency, which he is yet to be announced. It may be recalled that JD-S leader had demanded at least 10 of 28 seats in Karnataka for his party from the coalition ally Congress in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections on April 18 and 23. The two sides have reportedly agreed to a seat-sharing deal, but a formal announcement is yet to be made. Kolkata: Amidst concerns expressed by the opposition parties over ''free and fair polls'' in West Bengal, the Election Commission has called an all-party meeting in Kolkata on Friday. Additional Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, Sanjay Basu told reporters that Deputy Election Commissioner Sudeep Jain will arrive in Kolkata on March 15 to conduct a monitoring meeting with all political parties of the state. According to Basu, the DEC will also hold parleys with the District Election Officers (DEOs), Superintendents of Police and others and review preparations for holding elections here. Ahead of this, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Aariz Aftab will have a meeting via video-conference with all the DEOs on March 15. "After the `cVigil` app became operational on Tuesday, we have received 183 complaints out of which 56 have been dropped. As many as 48 complaints have been forwarded for investigation," Basu said. Meanwhile, the poll panel has also directed the authorities to remove all propaganda materials like banners and hoardings from across the state. The poll panel officials have so far removed around 8,500 out of nearly 10,000 hoardings all around the state. It may be recalled that the opposition parties including BJP have raised serious doubts over conducting ''free and fair polls'' in the West Bengal, stating that they don't trust the state police since it works on the behest of the ruling Trinamool Congress government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. A BJP delegation had in the past also met the EC to complain against the ruling Trinamool Congress-led government claiming that they are barring the saffron party from holding poll-related activities. They had also urged the EC then to remove state government officers who they alleged are acting as agents of the TMC and to deploy central armed forces so that the election is held in a free and fair manner. The BJP had also alleged that central government officers in the state are being threatened and detained and rallies of the BJP were being repeatedly denied permission. Voting for Lok Sabha election in West Bengal will be held in all seven phases, beginning April 11 and concluding on May 19. The counting of votes will be done on May 23. HYDERABAD: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi hit out at Modi government on Thursday after China blocked the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) committee to blacklist Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar for a fourth consecutive time. Our bullet proof jackets: Chinese fingerprints Our Staue of Unity: Chinese fingerprints Masood Azhars designation as terrorist blocked: Chinese fingerprints. Series of foreign policy disasters: Modijis fingerprints, tweeted the Hyderabad MP. Our bullet proof jackets: Chinese fingerprints Our Staue of Unity: Chinese fingerprints Masood Azhars designation as terrorist blocked: Chinese fingerprints. Series of foreign policy disasters: Modijis fingerprintshttps://t.co/8azODq00OR Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) March 14, 2019 India's effort to designate Azhar as an international terrorist faced a big setback after China placed a technical hold on a proposal to ban him. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UNSC was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the JeM killed 44 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. Owaisi attacked the BJP-led NDA government for holding polls in Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency in Jammu and Kashmir over three phases. "Have you ever heard that election to a parliament seat would be held in three days, in three phases... There are four districts in Anantnag. Two districts in one phase, one district in second phase and one district in third phase... Wah Modiji Wah. What have you made of Kashmir. Because of your governance, the election of a parliament seat is held in three phases," he said on Tuesday. Bastar is one of 11 Lok Sabha constituencies in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh and is reserved for candidates belonging to Scheduled Tribes. The first phase of voting in the lone Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh ended on April 11 with at least 56 per cent of the electorate exercising their franchise in Bastar Lok Sabha constituency. The fate of seven candidates will be decided on May 23 when counting of votes takes place and the result is declared. There were total 13,79,133 voters in the constituency, who cast their votes to choose their parliamentary representative from among the seven candidates. In 2014, the turnout had been 59 per cent. Considered one of the toughest constituencies to conduct elections in due to the prevailing security threat posed by Maoists here, there are eight assembly segments here - Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Bastar, Jagdalpur, Chitrakot, Dantewada, Bijapur and Konta. In the 2014 Lok Sabha election here, Dinesh Kashyap - son of Baliram Kashyap who had numerous terms as Bastar MP - defeated Congress' Deepak Karma by 1,24,359 votes. The others in the fray were AAP's Soni Sori and CPI's Bimala Sori but they failed to make any impact here. The voter turnout was 59.32 per cent. The elections - much like all elections before it - were conducted under a heavy security blanket. Over 40,000 security personnel were deployed even as Maoists called for a boycott. The Maoist threat was omnipresent even before and during the 2009 Lok Sabha election and the voter turnout was 47.33 per cent. BJP's Baliram - the outright favourite - managed yet another win by defeating Congress' Shankar Sodhi. Violence erupted in some of the polling booths with Naxals firing upon security forces here on the day of voting. Ballots, and not bullets, however, remain the most powerful weapon here. NEW DELHI: Top Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders lashed out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday for his tweet on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. China wouldn't be in UNSC had your great grandfather not 'gifted' it to them at Indias cost. India is undoing all mistakes of your family. Be assured that India will win the fight against terror. Leave it to PM Modi while you keep cosying up with the Chinese envoys secretly, tweeted the BJP official handle. China wouldn't be in UNSC had your great grandfather not 'gifted' it to them at Indias cost. India is undoing all mistakes of your family. Be assured that India will win the fight against terror. Leave it to PM Modi while you keep cosying up with the Chinese envoys secretly. https://t.co/lAyp12CXBD BJP (@BJP4India) March 14, 2019 The BJP's stern response came after the Congress chief called PM Modi weak and scared of Chinese President Xi Jinping following China's move to block a UN resolution to designate JeM chief a global terrorist. Union Minister RS Prasad, while briefing the media, said, Why is Rahul Gandhi is in a celebratory mode when the country is suffering in pain. What happened to you? I know ur tweet must have made headlines in Pakistan, making you happy, he added. My question to Rahul Gandhi is that during the time of the UPA in 2009, China had put forward a technical objection on Masood Azhar. Did you post a similar tweet at that time, questioned Prasad. "Would the Congress party adopt a different voice even in case of a cruel killer and a global terrorist Masood Azhar?" India's effort to designate the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist faced a setback after China placed a technical hold on a proposal to ban him The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UNSC was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the JeM killed 44 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. NEW DELHI: In a big setback for Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party, its senior leader Tom Vadakkan on Thursday joined the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha election 2019. Vadakkan was formally inducted into the saffron party in the presence of Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and other top BJP leaders. Soon after joining BJP, Vadakkan attacked his former party for its stand on the Pulwama terror attack and India's retaliatory strikes. "I am deeply hurt when my party (Congress) of 20 years questioned the integrity of the armed forces,'' Vadakkan said. Vadakkan claimed that he had no option but to leave the party as its political stand went against the nation. He said that he was "hurt" at the situation within the Congress where it was not clear that who was the power centre. The former senior Congress leader claimed that dynastic politics in the party had reached a zenith. A use-and-throw phenomenon has started, it is not acceptable for self-respecting workers of the party, he said. No one knows who the power centres in the party are, he said. Vadakkan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah, saying they had wished him good luck. During Sonia Gandhi's tenure as Congress president, Tom Vadakkan was an integral part of the party's media management team. He is believed to have been among a handful of Congress leaders who were close to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. It is said that Vadakkan had lost his prominence and was apparently sidelined ever since Rahul Gandhi made big organisational changes in the party and appointed a young team. Before joining the Congress party in the late 1980s, Vadakkan was employed in the corporate sector. Due to his growing proximity with Rajiv Gandhi, he quit his corporate job and joined the Congress party as his media consultant. In 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Vadakkan was projected as a party candidate from Thrissur but was eventually denied a ticket owing to a protest mainly within the party. He is a native of Thrissur in Kerala. Though Vadakkan is a familiar name in the political circle, he is not seen as a grass root leader. During the initial phase of his political career, Vadakkan was tagged as an ''outsider'' in Kerala politics. However, he continued to enjoy party high commands confidence. Vadakkan had to face a lot of opposition within the party and, in 2009, Kerala state spokesperson of Youth Congress Gopa Prathap was expelled for six years for speaking against him. The then DCC President Thrissur CN Balakrishnan had opposed him and said that making Vadakkan contest would be a move to 'impose outsiders on regional leaders. According to Congress party insiders, Tom Vadakkan had for long nurtured the dream of contesting from the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat. Though he was favoured by the party high command, he had to face stiff resistance from local leaders who opposed his candidature from Thrissur. Interestingly, in 2014, influential Christian bishops had backed his candidature but Vadakkan was still not given the party ticket to contest from Thrissur. New Delhi: Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan turned a year older on March 14 and continuing his yearly ritual, celebrated his special day by interacting with the media at his residence in Bandra. The actor donned a casual look and his wife Kiran Rao accompanied him. After answering some questions, the couple sealed birthday celebrations with a kiss! Check out the pics here: (Image Courtesy: Yogen Shah) Aamir is also known as 'Mr Perfectionist' and has time and again delivered blockbuster films. Right from 'Lagaan' till 'Dangal' and 'Secret Superstar', the actor has played varied roles and has left us impressed each time. Even though his latest film 'Thugs of Hindostan' failed to create an impression, the actor's fans have been curious to know about his next project. On his Birthday, Aamir announced his next project which will be titled 'Lal Singh Chaddha' and is an official adaptation of Hollywood actor Tom Hanks' film 'Forrest Gump'. Here's wishing the actor a very happy birthday once again! Mumbai: Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh got nostalgic about his debut film "Johnny Gaddaar" while shooting for a sequence of his upcoming thriller "Bypass Road". The sequence, shot last week, took him back to a Juhu bungalow in Mumbai where the actor had shot for Sriram Raghavan's "Johnny Gaddaar", which released in 2007. "It was walking down memory lane for me during the shooting of 'Bypass Road'. I had shot in Ashish Bungalow for my debut film 'Johnny Gaddaar' but since it was almost 12 years ago, I didn't recognise the bungalow from the pictures. I was totally surprised when I found out and it brought back so many memories," Neil said in a statement. He essays the role of a paraplegic in "Bypass Road", which marks the directorial debut of his younger brother Naman Nitin Mukesh. Neil has turned a writer and a producer with the film. "Naman was a child back then and used to visit me on the set and now he is in charge of the set. I am sure Sriram will be thrilled to hear about this since he is someone both Naman and I look upto as an inspiration," he added. Neil continued: "I also wielded the camera for a scene in the sequence. I have operated the camera before, but not for Naman's film so that was a welcome change. It was a three-camera set-up so while the cinematographer and his assistant had taken over two of them, and the action director was managing another part of the sequence, I took over the third camera." It also stars Adah Sharma, Gul Panag and Rajit Kapur. The film is a thriller drama, which is jointly produced by NNM Films and Madan Paliwal of MIRAJ. Opening up about the location, Naman said: "It's an action sequence involving a chase and we had a couple of locations in mind, when the production team brought pictures of this Juhu property. In fact both the scenes in 'Johnny Gaddaar' and 'Bypass Road' are the pre-interval scenes at the very same location." New Delhi: Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan's adorable little munchkin Taimur Ali Khan is the paps favourite kid and his pictures and videos often float on the internet. The 2-year-old is one of the most photographed star kids out there and was recently spotted along with his daddy Saif in Bandra. However, his new hairstyle has our attention. In a striped t-shirt, orange shorts and blue shoes, we believe the 'Chote Nawab' looks cuter than ever! Check out the pics here: (Pic Courtesy: Yogen Shah) Doesn't the royal baby look super stylish in these pics? People are obsessed with the tiny tot and never shy away from showering love on him. The royal baby now ever recognises the media and acknowledges them with a smile. Last month, a video went viral in which Taimur was seen saying 'Media' as he spotted a bunch of paps clicking his pictures. Right from the moment he was born, Taimur has been the internet's favourite baby and we can never really get enough of him. The toddler also has various fan clubs dedicated to him on social media. Vijay Deverakondas upcoming film with Anand Annamalai is titled 'Hero'. The project is official now and Mythri Movie Makers, the producers of the film have announced it on their Twitter handle. They wrote, Mighty glad to announce our Production No. 9 with @TheDeverakonda to be directed by Anand Annamalai in all South Indian languages titled HERO. Shoot starts on 22nd April in New Delhi. More details soon. (sic) Mighty glad to announce our Production No. 9 with @TheDeverakonda to be directed by Anand Annamalai in all South Indian languages titled "HERO". Shoot starts on 22nd April in New Delhi. More details soon. Mythri Movie Makers (@MythriOfficial) March 12, 2019 This is Mythri Movie Makers second film with Vijay Deverakonda, the first one being 'Dear Comrade', which is still underway. Producers are pretty happy to be teaming up with Vijay once again and they are quite confident on bagging a hit. Anand Annamalai is popular for his film 'Kuttrame Thandanai' which became a huge hit in Tamil film industry. So there are hopes pinned up on this director and the film he is going to direct with Vijay. As per the reports, Vijay will be seen as a biker who will be interested in racing and a lot more stuff related to biking. The film will release in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam languages. Looks like Vijay is completely occupied with back-to-back films and is keeping himself busy to make as many movies as possible. Every two days, he is making headlines. The actor is currently busy shooting for his upcoming film which is being directed by Kranthi Madhav. New Delhi: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said that in Uttar Pradesh, SP and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will have joint election rallies during the ensuing Lok Sabha election. "We have planned joint rallies in Uttar Pradesh," he said today in reply to a question about what transpired in his meeting with BSP president Mayawati on Wednesday. "The meeting was to discuss the poll strategy for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. We have decided on meeting and rallies of SP and BSP. We have also planned joint rallies," he said. SP and BSP, who together announced an alliance last month, are all set to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election as allies. As per the seat sharing agreement, SP will contest on 37 seats and BSP on 38. Three seats Mathura, Muzaffarpur and Bagpat have been given to the RLD whereas two seats Rae Bareli and Amethi have been left for Congress. "The Lok Sabha election dates have been declared. Every party is announcing its candidates. SP and BSP have also announced some candidates. It is the time to reach out to the people of the state," Akhilesh said today adding that his party would now reach out to the people of the state. The Lok Sabha election will be held in seven phases beginning April 11 to May 19 and the counting of votes will take place on May 23. Yadav, however, avoided questions on Congress general secretary and party's in-charge of east UP's affairs Priyanka Gandhi meeting Bhim army chief Chandrashekhar Azad in a hospital in Meerut on Wednesday. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, BJP had won 71 seats, Samajwadi Party 5, Congress 2, Apna Dal 2 and BSP had drawn a blank. (With ANI inputs) GENEVA: A leading researcher on China`s ethnic policies said on Wednesday that an estimated 1.5 million Uighurs and other Muslims could be held in so-called re-education centres in Xinjiang region, up from his earlier figure of 1 million. China has faced growing international opprobrium for what it says are vocational training centres in Xinjiang, a vast region bordering central Asia that is home to millions of ethnic minority Muslims. Beijing has said the measures are needed to stem the threat of Islamist extremism. The governor of Xinjiang, Shohrat Zakir, said on Tuesday that China is running boarding schools not concentration camps or re-education camps in the remote region. Adrian Zenz, an independent German researcher, said that his new estimate was based on satellite images, public spending on detention facilities and witness accounts of overcrowded facilities and missing family members. "Although it is speculative it seems appropriate to estimate that up to 1.5 million ethnic minorities - equivalent to just under 1 in 6 adult members of a predominantly Muslim minority group in Xinjiang - are or have been interned in any of these detention, internment and re-education facilities, excluding formal prisons," Zenz said at an event organised by the US mission in Geneva, home of United Nations human rights bodies. "The Chinese state`s present attempt to eradicate independent and free expressions of the distinct ethnic and religious identities in Xinjiang is nothing less than a systematic campaign of cultural genocide and should be treated as such," Zenz added. The US State Department on Wednesday sharply criticised human rights violations in China, saying the sort of abuses it had inflicted on its Muslim minorities had not been seen "since the 1930s". Omir Bekali, a Kazakh Uighur, told a panel at the event that he had been tortured by Xinjiang police and held in a camp for six months in a small room with 40 people. "We had to applaud the Communist Party, sing songs about (Chinese leader) Xi Jinping and say thanks for the government. We had no right to talk," he said. A bipartisan group of US lawmakers complained to the Trump administration this week that its response to rights abuses against China`s Muslim minority was inadequate, months after it said it was looking into imposing sanctions. At the Geneva event, US ambassador Kelley Currie, of the State Department`s office of global criminal justice, was asked about imposing such sanctions on China. "We are always looking at all of the mechanisms and the tools that we have available to us to identify those who are responsible for serious and gross human rights abuses and to ensure that they don`t benefit from opportunities to travel to the United States and that we don`t give them access to the U.S. financial system," she told reporters, declining to be specific. Copenhagen: Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old Swedish activist who is a prominent voice in the fight against climate change, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize this year. Norwegian deputy Andre Ovstegard told the "VG" newspaper on Wednesday that he and two other parliamentarians of the Socialist Left Party have nominated Thunberg because "climate threats are perhaps one of the most important contributions to war and conflict", and "the mass movement that she has promoted is a very important contribution to peace", reports Efe news. Last year, Thunberg stopped going to school every Friday and instead protested in front of the Swedish Parliament to demand more effective measures against climate change. After her speeches at the UN climate change conference in Poland and at the Davos forum, she became an example for many young people all over the world, who since have promoted similar initiatives. Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai in 2014 became the youngest winner of the prize, at the age of 17. This year`s Nobel Peace Prize has 304 candidates, of which 219 are individuals and 85 organisations, the Norwegian Nobel Committee reported last month. The Nobel prizes are awarded each year on December 10, coinciding with the anniversary of the death of its founder Alfred Nobel, in a double ceremony: at the Oslo City Hall in Norway, for the Peace Prize, and in the Konserthus in Stockholm, Sweden, for the other five awards. The Nobel Peace Prize last year went to Congo`s Denis Mukwege and Iraq`s Nadia Murad for "their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict", according to the Nobel Committee`s ruling. WASHINGTON: The United States grounded Boeing Co`s money-spinning 737 MAX aircraft on Wednesday over safety fears after an Ethiopian Airlines plane crash that killed 157 people, leaving the world`s largest planemaker facing its worst crisis in years. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cited new satellite data and evidence from the scene of Sunday`s crash near Addis Ababa for its decision to join Europe, China and other nations in suspending 737 MAX flights. The crash was the second disaster involving the 737 MAX, the world`s most-sold modern passenger aircraft, in less than five months. The new information from the wreckage in Ethiopia and newly refined data about the plane`s flight path indicated some similarities between the two disasters "that warrant further investigation of the possibility of a shared cause," the FAA said in a statement. The acting administrator of the FAA, Daniel Elwell, said he did not know how long the U.S. grounding of the aircraft would last. A software fix for the 737 Max that Boeing has been working on since a fatal crash last October in Indonesia will take months to complete, Elwell told reporters. The single-aisle 737 is central to Boeing`s future in its battle with European rival Airbus SE. The new variant of the 737, the fastest-selling jetliner in Boeing`s history, is viewed as the likely workhorse for global airlines for decades. "The agency made this decision as a result of the data gathering process and new evidence collected at the site and analysed today," the FAA said, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the planes would be grounded. It was the second time the FAA has halted flights of a Boeing plane in six years. It grounded the 787 Dreamliner in 2013 because of problems with smoking batteries. Boeing, which maintained that its planes were safe to fly, said in a statement that it supported the latest FAA move. "Boeing has determined - out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircrafts safety - to recommend to the FAA the temporary suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of 371 737 MAX aircraft." The crash involving a Boeing 737 MAX in Indonesia killed 189 people. Passengers have been spooked by the two disasters. U.S. travel website Kayak was making changes to let customers exclude specific aircraft types from searches, and booking sites were looking to reroute passengers. RE-BOOKING PASSENGERS U.S. airlines that operate the 737 MAX, Southwest Airlines Co, American Airlines Group Inc and United Airlines, said they were working to re-book passengers. Southwest had 5 MAX-related cancellations on Wednesday and American nearly 40. Southwest is the world`s largest operator of the 737 MAX 8 with 34 jets. France`s air accident investigation agency BEA will analyse black-box cockpit voice and data recorders from the crashed plane, a spokesman said. The French announcement resolved uncertainty over the fate of the two recorders after Germany`s BFU said it had declined a request to handle them because it could not process the new type of recorder used on the 737 MAX jets, in service since 2017. Shares of the Seattle-based company ended up 0.5 percent at $377.14, recovering from a more than 3 percent fall in the afternoon when the FAA announcement was made. The United States had held back on suspending 737 MAX flights on Tuesday even as many of the world`s top economies such as China and European nations grounded the plane. Trump called Boeing Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg on Wednesday to inform him that the United States was preparing to ground the fleet, a White House official said. "I spoke with a number of airlines. And speaking to the airlines, I think that we all agree that this was right decision to make. It didnt have to be made, but we thought it was the right decision to make," Trump told reporters. The grounding was welcomed by air workers in the United States. John Samuelsen, international president of the Transport Workers Union of America, which represents aviation workers and flight attendants, said the grounding of the fleet was right "both for air travellers and aviation workers." NEW SATELLITE DATA Canada also grounded 737 MAX jets on Wednesday, saying satellite data suggested similarities to the previous crash involving the same plane model in October. U.S.-based aircraft-tracking firm Aireon provided the satellite data to the FAA, Transport Canada and several other authorities, company spokeswoman Jessie Hillenbrand said. Ethiopian Airlines spokesman Asrat Begashaw said it was still unclear what happened on Sunday, but its pilot had reported control issues as opposed to external factors such as birds. "The pilot reported flight control problems and requested to turn back. In fact he was allowed to turn back," he said. Brazil on Wednesday became the first major Latin American nation to suspend the Boeing 737 MAX, after Panama`s Copa Holdings said it would suspend operations of its six Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft. The chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Democrat Peter DeFazio, called for a probe into why the 737 MAX received certification to fly. LONDON: British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to seek a delay in Britain`s exit from the European Union, setting the stage for Prime Minister Theresa May to renew efforts to get her divorce deal approved by parliament next week. Lawmakers approved by 412 votes to 202 a statement setting out the option to request a short delay if a Brexit deal can be agreed by March 20 -- or a longer delay if no deal can be agreed in time. Just 15 days before Britain is due to leave the European Union, May is using the threat of a long delay to push Brexit supporters in her Conservative Party finally to back her deal. A new vote on her deal is likely next week, when those lawmakers will have to decide whether to back a deal they feel does not offer a clean break from the EU, or accept that Brexit could be watered down or even thwarted by a lengthy delay. Earlier, lawmakers voted by 334 to 85 against a second referendum on EU membership. Most opposition Labour lawmakers did not back the measure and even campaigners for a so-called People`s Vote said the time was not yet right for parliament to vote on the matter. The government narrowly survived an attempt to give lawmakers control of the parliamentary agenda on March 20 with the aim of forcing a discussion of alternative Brexit options at a later date. May`s authority hit an all-time low this week after a series of humiliating parliamentary defeats and rebellions. But she has made clear her plan is still on the agenda, despite twice being rejected by an overwhelming majority in parliament, in January and again on Tuesday. May`s spokesman said earlier on Thursday that she would put her Brexit deal, struck after two-and-a-half years of negotiations with the EU, to another vote "if it was felt that it were worthwhile". Seeking to win over dissenters, she has given rebellious Conservative lawmakers a thinly-veiled warning that a failure to back her plan could mean no Brexit at all. Britons voted by 52-48 percent in a 2016 referendum to leave the EU, a decision that has not only divided the main political parties but also exposed deep rifts in British society. Sterling has swung more wildly this week than at any point since 2017, rising from below $1.30 to a nine-month high of almost $1.34 as investors bet Britain would avoid a no-deal Brexit. LONDON: The British parliament was due to vote on Thursday on seeking a last-minute Brexit delay, while Prime Minister Theresa May piled renewed pressure on reluctant lawmakers to back her EU divorce deal at the third time of asking. Two weeks before Britain is due to leave the European Union, May is using the threat of a long extension to the Brexit deadline to push eurosceptic rebels in her Conservative Party to finally back her deal. That vote could come next week. May`s authority hit an all-time low this week after a series of parliamentary defeats and rebellions, but finance minister Philip Hammond said her plan was back on the agenda. That plan, struck by May after two-and-a-half years of negotiations with the EU, was defeated heavily in parliament in January and again on Tuesday. "Quite a number of colleagues changed their mind on this issue between the January vote and the vote earlier this week," Hammond told Sky News. "It`s clear that the House of Commons has to find a consensus around something, and if it isn`t the prime minister`s deal I think it is likely to be something which is much less to the taste of those on the hard Brexit wing of my party." Britons voted by 52-48 percent in a 2016 referendum to leave the EU, a decision that has divided the main political parties and exposed deep rifts in British society. Although parliament on Wednesday voted against the prospect of a no-deal Brexit, the default position if nothing else is agreed remains that Britain will exit without a transition arrangement on March 29, a scenario business leaders warn would bring chaos to markets and supply chains. Brexit supporters say in the longer term it would allow Britain to thrive and forge trade deals across the world. May will put her deal to another vote if the circumstances are right, her spokesman said. "If it was felt that it were worthwhile to bring back a new vote, then that`s what we would do. But that`s a decision we would have to judge on circumstances at the time," he said. European Union leaders meeting next week will consider pressing Britain to delay Brexit by at least a year to find a way through its domestic deadlock, an EU official said. "I will appeal to the EU27 to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it," European Council President Donald Tusk said, referring to EU leaders who will meet May next Thursday and must agree to any extension. But there was no sign the prospect of a long delay - which could lead to Britain having closer ties to the EU than planned by May or even a second Brexit referendum - was causing a major shift in the views of pro-Brexit lawmakers who have so far thwarted May. Andrew Bridgen, a eurosceptic from May`s Conservative Party accused her of pursuing a "scorched earth" policy of destroying all other Brexit options to leave lawmakers with a choice between her deal and a delay of a year or more. Another eurosceptic Conservative lawmaker said he would not vote for her deal, even if there was a risk of a long Brexit delay. "If it`s a rancid deal, why vote for it?" Mark Francois told BBC television. BREXIT DAY May also needs to win over the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) that props up her minority government in parliament and which has so far refused to back her plan. DUP leader Arlene Foster said the party was working with the government to try to find a way of leaving the EU with a deal. On Wednesday, parliament rejected leaving the EU without a deal, paving the way for Thursday`s vote that could delay Brexit until at least the end of June. While the motion approved by parliament has no legal force - March 29 remains the day enshrined in law that Britain will leave the EU - and ultimately may not prevent a no-deal exit, it carries considerable political force. Sterling surged, hitting nine-month highs against the U.S. dollar and a nearly two-year high against the euro, as investors saw less chance of Britain leaving the EU without a transition deal to smooth its exit. It lost some of those gains on Thursday. Although May supported the idea of ruling out a no-deal Brexit in the short term, she suffered another humiliation when - in an evening of parliamentary mayhem on Wednesday - four of her ministers disobeyed her by abstaining from a vote on an amendment which ruled out a no-deal Brexit in any circumstances. The amendment was passed by parliament. Italy said it would support a delay if Britain asked for one, a view also backed by an influential member of the European Parliament. But the EU would not change the deal it has agreed with London during any extension or negotiate future ties, said Danuta Hubner, who sits on a panel dealing with Brexit in the European Parliament. Lawmakers will vote on up to four amendments to May`s proposed Brexit delay on Thursday, one of which calls for a second referendum on leaving the EU. Another, proposed by the opposition Labour Party, calls for May to use a Brexit delay to give parliament time "to find a majority for a different approach". A third would allow lawmakers to force a discussion of alternative Brexit plans. The fourth opposes the government bringing May`s deal back unchanged for a third time. GENEVA: The Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo is now concentrated in two areas and could be stopped by September, but the world must tackle Congo`s broader crisis to make it count, the head of the World Health Organization said on Thursday. The outbreak, the second worst in history, has killed 584 people in a region beset by violence and poverty, but a rapid international response has so far stopped the disease spreading into neighbouring countries. "We have averted a much larger outbreak," WHO chief Tedros Ghebreyesus Adhanom told a news conference, adding that the affected area was contained and shrinking within a certain geographic area. "Our target now is to finish it within the next six months." The number of new cases has halved to 25 per week since January, and the virus was now concentrated in Butembo and Katwa, although community distrust and attacks by armed groups were hampering the response. On Thursday, a group of young men attacked an Ebola centre for the fifth time since last month, said Richard Nyembo Wa Nyembo, the administrator of Lubero territory, after health workers attempted to collect samples from the body of a man who had died of the virus. Nyembo told Reuters the assailants torched the facility and some vehicles in Lubero`s Biena health zone, which is west of Butembo, and that one person was injured when police opened fire. Last week the head of medical charity MSF, which had two facilities attacked, said the battle against Ebola was being lost because ordinary people did not trust health workers and the response was overly militarised. Tedros, who had just returned from the outbreak zone, said local people were despairing, and rightly wondered why the world was so exercised by Ebola and cared so little about other problems, including cholera and malaria. "Id actually like to call upon the international community to link the outbreak control now with developing the health system," he said. "That`s a big challenge. Otherwise we will appear as if we are preventing Ebola getting into other countries and we dont care about the demands of the community." He said the WHO would not leave when the outbreak ended, but would help the government to build stronger health services. "The vulnerability comes from weakened systems, and what the people are asking for is correct," he said. He called on the international community to fund the $148 million plan to tackle Ebola in the next six months, a tiny spend compared to the potential cost. The worst outbreak, which killed 11,300 people in West Africa in 2013-2016, cost an estimated $53 billion, according to one study. Poster for the National Changgeuk Company of Korea's "Farewell My Concubine" / Courtesy of National Theater of Korea By Kwon Mee-yoo Can "changgeuk," a type of theater style based on Korean narrative singing pansori, blend well with Peking opera, the iconic Chinese performance style combining music, mime, dance and acrobatics? The National Changgeuk Company of Korea (NCCK), which has been pioneering modernization of the genre, joined hands with Taiwanese actor and director Wu Hsing-kuo to experiment with changgeuk and Peking opera in their new performance "Farewell My Concubine." Though mostly well known as the 1993 film version starring Leslie Cheung, the NCCK's "Farewell My Concubine" is based on the original Peking opera also known as "The Hegemon-King Bids His Concubine Farewell." The Chinese epic tells the story of Xiang Yu during the ChuHan Contention in ancient China. Poster for the National Changgeuk Company of Korea's "Farewell My Concubine" / Courtesy of National Theater of Korea Wu, currently artistic director of the Contemporary Legend Theatre, said this collaboration has a great cultural and historical significance. "Tradition and modernity meets in this changgeuk and it is important to have the concept that resonates with contemporary audiences," Wu said during a press conference, Tuesday. "Tradition has to become braver, modernized to encounter more audiences. It is a feeling of danger all kinds of traditions around the world face." Wu's Contemporary Legend Theatre has been working on modernization of the Peking opera, embracing various genres such as Greek tragedy and Shakespeare and Kafka's writings, unlike Peking opera in mainland China centering on preserving the tradition. "I have been rehearsing with the NCCK members for about a month now and realized that pansori is an amalgamative form of art that can absorb and embrace other genres. Pansori is established from sound, but Peking opera has strong visual elements such as gestures and movements. I believe that we can make pansori more exuberant by adding performative elements while maintaining its essence." Lin Hsiu-wei, script writer and choreographer of "Farewell My Concubine," said she concentrated on bridging the heroes of some 2,000 years ago with contemporary audiences. "The ChuHan Contention spans seven years and we condensed the epic into two hours. It is impossible to tell every detail in a limited running time, but I tried to give a glimpse of general plot of the war in 'Farewell My Concubine,'" Lin said. In terms of choreography, "We work based on pansori and Peking opera, but added Korean traditional dance and contemporary dance for diversity. I borrowed the iconic sword dance of Yu Miaoyi, or Consort Yu, from original Peking opera," she added. Wu Hsing-kuo, left, director of changgeuk "Farewell My Concubine" and Lee Ja-ram, pansori composer of "Farewell My Concubine," pose for a photo in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of National Theater of Korea By Park Hyong-ki President Moon Jae-in's administration is facing growing criticism for allegedly "parachuting" his former assistant secretaries into private financial companies as senior executives. Han Jung-won, a former assistant secretary for political affairs, was recently named the head of brand strategy at Meritz Financial Group, a mid-tier holding company. She is expected to oversee the brand management of the group's securities and insurance units Han Jung-won / Captured image from SBS News Tourists are heading to small and placid destinations such as Nha Trang, a costal resort city in southern Vietnam. / gettyimagesbank By Kang Seung-woo Today's tourists are evolving constantly and Korean travelers are no exception as the country's travel trends have gone through noteworthy changes over a decade. According to the latest report by Korea's largest travel agency Hana Tour, Thursday, Japan has emerged as local travelers' favorite destination over Southeast Asia, while they are also fonder of quiet and rural areas rather than big cities Plus, what to do and with whom they do it are now more important than where to go. Japan becoming darling of Korean travelers Ten years ago, Southeast Asian countries were the most popular vacation spots for Koreans, accounting for 40 percent of all travel destinations, but since then, they and China have alternately taken the lion's share. However, Japan became the top vacation spot 2016 and the neighboring country tightened its grip on the leader board the following year with its portion reaching 42 percent a sharp increase from 21.8 percent in 2008. Last year, it logged 38.8 percent. In January, about 779,400 Koreans visited Japan, showing that this year's figure may surpass 2018's record high of 7.54 million. "Along with the Japanese government's aggressive tourism policy to welcome foreign visitors, more independent travelers and budget airlines flying to Japan have also contributed to more Koreans traveling there," a Hana Tour official said. While Japan is riding high, China, once the top tourist destination along with Southeast Asia, has been losing luster with Koreans. ? Since China dropped to second in 2011, the country has failed to bounce back, sitting third last year after attracting 13 percent of the total outbound travelers. Quiet, peaceful destinations emerging As Korean travelers' preferred locations have been changing, so have their travel styles, with more people running away from hectic and famous places and instead heading to small and placid destinations. For example, crowded resort areas such as Thailand's Phuket, Bangkok and Pattaya were favorite tourist spots previously, but since 2017, Vietnam's small and newly developed cities, including Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, have been high on the list of tourist destinations. As for China, Zhangjiajie and Guilin were traditional attractions, but currently, Hong Kong has stepped in for them since 2015. Beppu, a city and spa resort on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, is one of the favorite destinations for Korea travelers. / gettyimagesbank The Shinhanchon Memorial Monument was set up in August 1999 by the Institute of Koreans Abroad to commemorate the history and meaning of the freedom fighters. Korea Times photos by Kwak Yeon-soo This is the fifth in a series of articles highlighting overseas independence fighters on the occasion of the centennial of the March 1 Independence Movement ED. By Kwak Yeon-soo VLADIVOSTOK, Russia On a steep hillside in the Russian far eastern city of Vladivostok, three iconic monuments have endured a turbulent history, symbols of Korean identity reminding the public of ethnic Koreans who longed for their homeland's liberation from the 1910-45 Japanese occupation. The tallest monument that stands in the middle represents South Koreans while the monument on the right represents North Koreans and that on the left side signifies the Korean diaspora scattered all across the world. In 1863, many Koreans crossed the Tumen River in search of a better life and arrived in the Primorsky Krai region, which sits near the borders of Korea and China. About 13 Korean households first settled in Tizinhe Village and Yanchihe Village, turning the barren lands into fertile fields with their decades of hard work. Many anti-imperialist activists, including Choe Jae-hyeong, Ahn Jung-geun, Lee Beom-yun and Yi Wi-jong teamed up to create an organization in Yanchihe Village to fight Japan's annexation. Righteous Armies leader Yu In-seok lived there too, according to a report published by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs. Later in 1874, many moved to Vladivostok, the administrative center of Primorsky Krai, where about 7,500 Koreans resided primarily near the Pacific port. Following an outbreak of cholera in 1911, however, the Russian government forced Koreans to move to the hillside at the eastern edge of Vladivostok in the name of preventing the disease. There, they built a Korean village called "Shinhanchon," literally New Korea Town, which has since been called a holy place for the Korean independence movement. Anti-imperialist activists in Yanchihe Village. Courtesy of Park Hwan "Various independence fighters and groups had operated in the area of Shinhanchon," Park Hwan, a professor at the University of Suwon, told The Korea Times. "Most of their activities were armed resistance and they later joined forces with Russian fighters against Japan." Korean newspapers, publishing houses and schools were founded and the area was used for training and educating young independence fighters. Although major independence movements had taken place in Shinhanchon, it now bears little evidence that it was once a mecca for freedom fighters. The Shinhanchon Memorial Monument was set up in August 1999 by the Institute of Koreans Abroad to commemorate the history and meaning of the freedom fighters. "Not just Koreans but Russians visit to pay respect and gratitude to the independence fighters as well as forced migrants under the Stalin era," said Lee Zinaida, the caretaker of the memorial. In 1937 when Stalin ruled the Soviet Union, over 170,000 ethnic Koreans in Russia, known as "Koryo saram" or "Koryo-in," were forced onto cargo trains and relocated to Central Asia. The executive order gave ethnic Koreans only a 24-hour warning. They hurriedly packed their belongings and left their hometown without any idea of whether they were heading. The engraved letters of the monument reads: "Koreans had been unfortunately taken out of the country and dispersed elsewhere." It doesn't use the expression "forcibly moved" or "deported." "It is highly likely that Russian government refused to engrave controversial words on monuments because they didn't want the negative image those words would create regarding Soviet authorities," said Kwak Se-la, a Korean guide who lives in Vladivostok. The house, which is the only remaining historical trace that shows Koreans have lived in this region as early as the 1910s, has an address sign "Seoulskaya 2A" or Seoul Street 2A. Just a few blocks from the Shinhanchon Memorial Monument is a single house, alone between Russian apartments, that shows signs that Koreans had lived there. The house underwent a partial renovation recently, but the address sign "Seoulskaya 2A" or Seoul Street 2A by which people can recognize the house and the area, is still attached to the fence. This house is the only remaining trace of historical records in the city Vladivostok that shows Koreans have lived in this region as early as the 1910s. A picture of the house before undergoing a partial renovation "The new owner of the house decided to renovate last year, but he left the address sign as it is because he allowed the visitors to take pictures of it," Kwak said, showing a picture of the house before it underwent renovation. "However, I sometimes think it would've been better if the Korean government purchased the house from the previous owner and preserved it as it is because this house is part of Korean history." Anti-Japan resistance writer Cho Myung-hee's monument The Koryo Culture Center is a place where people can witness the history of anti-imperial activities and the resettlement of ethnic Koreans in detail. Korea Times photos by Kwak Yeon-soo By Kwak Yeon-soo USSURIYSK, Russia Some 98 kilometers north of Vladivostok, the city of Ussuriysk served as the foothold of the Korean independence movement. It is where a large number of ethnic Koreans first settled and a handful of monuments still stand today to commemorate their sacrifice. The Koryo Culture Center is a place where people can witness the history of anti-imperial activities and the resettlement of ethnic Koreans in detail. Kim Valeria, a former president and current editor of the Koryo Sinmun, said, "The center has a big meaning for us as we are eager to share the deep-rooted history of freedom fighters in Russia. The center keeps records of culture and traces of Korea. Here we also offer Korean language classes and publish monthly newspapers in Russian." Ahn Jung-geun and Hong Beom-do monuments stand proudly in front of the culture center to greet visitors. Ahn Jung-geun and Hong Beom-do monuments stand proudly in front of the culture center to greet visitors. Ahn is regarded as a national hero in Korea for the 1909 assassination of Ito Hirobumi, four-time prime minister of Japan and the first resident governor general of Korea. Ahn was arrested on the spot, and tried and executed the following year. Hong, whose monument was set up last October, led an army of freedom fighters after moving to Manchuria during the Japanese occupation. Following the March 1 Independence Movement in 1919, he led an armed force in the fight against the Japanese. In 1920, he was successful in the Bongoh Town Battle and Battle of Qingshanli against the Japanese army. Hong died in 1943. Nearly two decades later, the Korean government posthumously awarded him the Order of Merit in 1962. "To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement, we set up Hong's monument last October," Kim said. The old house of Choe Jae-hyeong, a successful businessman who financially supported Ahn Jung-geun, underwent renovation recently to become a memorial museum. A five-minute drive from the center, there is the old house of Choe Jae-hyeong, a successful businessman who financially supported Ahn. Moon Andrei, the caretaker of the Choe Jae-hyeong Memorial, said the old house was recently renovated except for the "pechka," a Russian word meaning fireplace. "Pechka" was Choe's nickname as he embraced overseas freedom fighters through providing financial aid and military equipment. Apart from the memorial hall, there is a screening room where visitors can watch a short film of Choe's life. "Preserving this old house requires hefty maintenance costs," Moon said. "Starting March, we will collect a 50 ruble entry fees per person per visit." Independence activists formed an assembly in this building in 1918 to promote nationhood and self-determination. A few blocks away from Choe's house lies a building, in which independence activists formed an assembly in 1918 to promote nationhood and self-determination. Shortly after the March 1 Independence Movement, they gathered in the building to form the Provisional Government in Russia. The building is now used as a school, but visitors can recognize the place as there is a sign on the wall, commemorating the freedom fighters. Yi Sang-sul monument, right, and a monument that honors victims of an April 1920 street battle against the Japanese army in Ussuryisk The next monument pays tribute to the late independence activist Yi Sang-sul who died in the city in 1917 due to ill health. Yi is well-known for serving as ex-Emperor Gojong's confidential emissary to the Second Peace Conference at The Hague in the Netherlands in 1907 along with Yi Jun and Yi Wi-jong. Another significant monument stands to honor victims of a street battle against the Japanese army in April 1920 in Ussuryisk. Back then, Japan dispatched troops to Russia in order to eliminate Russian revolutionary forces and Korean independence activists. At that time, about 300 Koreans were killed and 100 were arrested while Russia suffered more than 5,000 casualties, according to historical records. Razdolnoye Station where ethnic Koreans were deported in the late 1930s U.S. President Donald Trump (R) and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un sit for a dinner at the Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel in Hanoi on Feb. 27. AFP-Yonhap A North Korean media outlet urged the United States on Thursday to accept Pyongyang's offer to dismantle its Yongbyon nuclear facilities in exchange for partial sanctions relief, insisting it is the best-possible proposal at this point. The North put forward the proposal at last month's second summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump, but the U.S. turned it down, saying Pyongyang demanded the lifting of all key sanctions while offering to denuclearize Yongbyon only. The differences led to the Feb. 27-28 summit ending without an agreement. "Our (proposed) denuclearization steps and demand for corresponding sanctions relief sufficiently reflected the U.S. government's stance and demand as well. There can be no better way than that," Uriminzokkiri, a North Korean propaganda website, said in an article. North Korean embassy in Madrid. Screen capture from YouTube At least two of the 10 people who broke into Madrid's North Korean embassy in February, roughing up employees and robbing computers, are linked to the CIA, the El Pais daily said Wednesday. The mysterious incident took place on February 22 just five days before the start of a nuclear summit between North Korea and the United States attended, among others, by Pyongyang's former ambassador to Spain Kim Hyok Chol. According to investigators quoted by El Pais, they were specifically looking for information linked to Kim. "At least two of the 10 assailants... have been identified and have ties with US secret services," the paper said, citing sources from the police and Spain's intelligence agency, the National Intelligence Centre (CNI). Inside CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, is shown the agency's logo. Yonhap It specifically identified the CIA. Contacted by AFP, the CNI refused to comment. According to El Pais, Spain asked for clarification from the CIA but the US spy agency denied any involvement. Spanish authorities however said the response was "not very convincing". The report said the CIA acted "in probable cooperation" with South Korean intelligence services. North Korean Ambassador to Spain, Kim Hyok Chol, talks during an interview with the media in Madrid, Spain, Apr. 21, 2017. EPA-Yonhap The break-in has been surrounded by mystery. The Spanish government and police have only confirmed that on February 22, emergency services attended to a North Korean woman with mild injuries on the street near the embassy. According to El Pais, which has quoted investigators as saying this could be "political espionage", the 10 men entered with fake handguns, tying up and gagging the staff. They reportedly escaped with documents, computers and telephones in two embassy cars with diplomatic number plates which they later abandoned. Investigators have discarded the theory of a petty crime as the break-in was well organised and similar to a military commando operation that knew what it was looking for. North Korean envoys leave the Vietnamese government's guesthouse in Hanoi, Feb. 23, after a meeting with their U.S. counterparts. From left are Kim Hyok-chol, Pyongyang's special representative for the United States; Choe Kang-il, acting director-general for the foreign ministry's North American affairs; and Kim Song-hye, director of the United Front Department's tactical office. Yonhap By Kim Hyun-bin There has been a surge in cannabis product smuggling here in recent years especially after California and Canada legalized the use of recreational marijuana. According to Incheon Main Customs, Thursday, it recorded 60 cases of marijuana smuggling and confiscated 7.8 kilograms of these products in 2017. But the number of cases soared 303 percent to 242 in 2018, and quantity increased 268 percent to 28.7 kilograms of weed products. From the end of last year, the customs office has seen a huge increase in the smuggling of marijuana cartridges that can be smoked like electronic cigarettes 79 cases with a total 3.5 kilograms since November. The number is significant as it exceeds the total number of marijuana cartridge smuggling cases in all of 2018: 45 cases and close to 2 kilograms. Diverse weed products have been confiscated including marijuana cookies, chocolates and gummies. They were mostly smuggled by travelers and international mail and freight. Under the country's law, anyone who smuggles, possesses or uses marijuana products could serve up to five years in prison or pay up to 50 million won in fines. Incheon Main Customs plans to strengthen cooperation with Incheon District Prosecutors' Office, Incheon International Airport Corp., airlines and other related entities to better prevent inflow of drugs to the country. By Jung Min-ho Tens of thousands of English teachers across the country are in danger of losing their jobs as the government is set to ban English education for children from preschool to second grade. About 7,000 afterschool English teachers at elementary schools will lose their jobs in March when the new policy comes into force for first and second graders. When the Ministry of Education applies the policy to 50,000 kindergartens and daycare centers later this year as announced, tens of thousands more teachers will suffer the same fate. Kim Min-jung, 34, a part-time English teacher at one kindergarten and three daycare centers in northern Gyeonggi Province was recently notified the kindergarten decided to terminate her contract owing to the policy. "I will probably lose three other jobs as well. Many teachers are concerned and feel insecure about their careers," she told The Korea Times Monday. Many English teachers at kindergartens and daycare centers institutions partly sponsored by the government have already started to look for jobs at private academies or in completely different fields, she noted. Hundreds of English teachers have posted on a petition on the Cheong Wa Dae website urging the government to reconsider the policy, but the ministry remains firm in its decision. The ministry said the policy is in line with the Constitutional Court's 2016 ruling that found its prohibition of intensive English education for first and second graders constitutional. The court said teaching them Korean and English simultaneously may hinder their development of Korean proficiency. Then the ministry decided to expand the policy to kindergartens and daycare centers as many policymakers pointed out there was no point implementing the policy if kindergartens and daycare centers continued to teach English to younger children. But teachers and parents alike have criticized the ministry, saying demand for English education will remain strong. They believe many parents will send their children to more expensive private institutions if they can afford it. "On the other hand, children from poor families will no longer be able to learn English. This will deepen the English gap between children," said another English teacher, 28, who refused to be named. "What the ministry is trying to do is to simply cut the investment for English education for all. The policy will only make private academy owners smile." Linguistics scholars say the Korean government's English education for children is heading in the wrong direction. / Korea Times file By Jung Min-ho The government's policy to ban English education for children who are "too young" is based on the assumption that teaching them Korean and English simultaneously may hamper their mother-tongue development. But many linguists find the assumption incorrect. They also think the advantages of learning a foreign language at an early age outweigh if there are any its costs in the long term. "I do not understand the pedagogical motivation for this policy at all," Robert Kluender, a linguistics professor at the University of California San Diego, told The Korea Times. "Is it based on any research? It doesn't sound like it. Limited exposure to a second language for an hour or two a day in a school or preschool setting is never going to supplant the dominant language of the culture that children otherwise hear and speak at home and in other settings on a daily basis." Richard Donato, a professor in the University of Pittsburgh's instruction and learning department, agrees. He believes the limited amount of time children study a foreign language would "never exert a negative impact on the development of the mother tongue." "There is no evidence whatsoever that an early start to foreign language learning has any negative impact on the development of oral or literacy abilities in the mother tongue," he said. "What occurs in most cases is just the opposite. The mother tongue influences foreign language learning." So contrary to popular misconception, it is not the case that exposure to a second language at any time during childhood before adolescence will yield equivalent outcomes. "The clock starts ticking from birth with regard to ultimate language proficiency," Kluender said. About 7,000 afterschool English teachers at elementary schools across Korea will lose their jobs in March when the Ministry of Education's policy comes into force. The ministry also plans to apply the policy to children at kindergartens and daycare centers, which is expected to affect tens of thousands more teachers. Apart from the job crisis, according to the scholars, the ministry will do children a disservice by pushing ahead with the policy. Over the past 25 years, numerous studies have shown that the earlier children are exposed to a second language, the better their ultimate proficiency in it will be. "In other words, the later the first exposure to a second language in childhood, the less proficient that individual will be in it in the long term," Kluender said. "It is only children who are exposed to a second language at very early ages who eventually (with continued exposure to the language) approach native speaker proficiency on a variety of measures. "Some studies have even shown a break in ultimate proficiency between children exposed to the second language before and after five or six years of age. In view of this, delaying first exposure to English until about eight years of age (third grade) seems like utter folly." One of the most evident disadvantages of not starting to learn a foreign language at an early age is the hurdle of acquiring its pronunciation. Many Koreans find English pronunciation difficult to master. Kluender reckons delaying first exposure to English only serves to help guarantee that this will continue. In the case of a fully bilingual situation, or an English immersion environment, children may experience confusion of learning different languages at the same time for the first few years but they catch up and often outperform their monolingual counterparts by around 10 years old, the scholars said. "There is research to suggest that while learning a foreign language early might initially slow down learning of the first language, the effect is short-lived, and indeed, after a while, the insight a child gains through learning a foreign language (or languages) will overall be highly beneficial," Keith Johnson, an emeritus professor of linguistics and language education at Lancaster University, said. Many experts The Korea Times contacted said the ministry's policy lacks logic and benefits nobody. In fact, teachers and parents of children alike have raised their voices against the policy here, saying it will only deepen the English gap between children from rich families who can just send them to expensive, fully private English academies and the ones who cannot afford it. "Additionally, children do not learn their mother tongue error free, whether they learn a foreign language or not," Donato said. "They will always develop their first language in ways that do not mirror adult grammar. This will have nothing to do with learning a foreign language. This is the natural course of language development." At the talks (Photo: NDO) Reporting with the Lao Vice Prime Minister on the results of the talks between the Vietnamese legation and the Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism as well as the Lao Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Mr. Hung said that Vietnam would continue to support Laos in developing information and communications technology, especially building the Lao center for cyberspace security supervision. Expressing his thanks to Vietnam for the greatest support for Laos, the Lao Vice Prime Minister suggested that the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications continue to help Laos train human resources for developing a modern society. Earlier, during the talks between Vietnamese Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung and Lao Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Thansamay Kommasith, Minister Hung stressed that Vietnams posts sector grows over 30% per year, and the country encourages the sector to increase new technologies. He also suggested that Laos should set up a joint venture in posts between the two countries in the near future. Giving an introduction about Laos telecommunications and telephone signal coverage, Minister Thansamay Kommasith expressed his thanks to Viettel for developing a Lao language font to the telephone system, training human resources, and managing frequency and domain name for Laos. He said that Laos reached consensus on the cooperation with Vietnam, adding that Vietnams assistance in training Lao human resources in posts and telecommunications and other areas is crucial for the countrys development./. By Jung Min-ho Lawmakers have approved an amendment to revert the policy banning English education for first and second graders at elementary schools. The National Assembly passed the amendment Wednesday to allow first and second graders to learn English in after-school classes. The move comes only a year after the policy came into force to prohibit all English classes for children "too young to learn a foreign language." After introducing the policy, the Ministry of Education was criticized by teachers and parents alike. Many said the policy would only deepen the English gap between the rich and the poor, who cannot afford expensive private education. Given that English is not a regular subject for first and second graders, if they want, they will be allowed to learn English in after-school classes from next semester. Initially, the ministry defended the policy, saying it was in line with the Constitutional Court's 2016 ruling that found its ban on intensive English education for first and second graders constitutional. The court said teaching them Korean and English simultaneously could hinder their development of Korean proficiency. But many scholars were skeptical, saying learning a foreign language at an early age outweighs its negatives if there are any in the long term. A satellite image of North Korea's Sohae Satellite Launching Station (Tongchang-ri). Washington-based Stimson Center's 38 North says, "Rebuilding continues at the engine test site" as seen in this image provided by Airbus Defence & Space and 38 North in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 7. Reuters-Yonhap By Jung Da-min The Ministry of National Defense said, Thursday, the process of rebuilding a portion of a facility earlier used to test long-range missile engines in North Korea appeared to be "almost complete." But the ministry has expressed uncertainty over whether or not increased activity at the Tongchang-ri launch facility represents North Korea's intention to activate the site for another possible test. Regarding the recent information on alleged activity at the Tongchang-ri site, one of the few publicly known missile component development facilities in North Korea, a ministry source said it is "too early to say if the Tongchang-ri site is already operational." Foreign media outlets hinted at resumed operation of the missile site stating that satellite images appearing from March 6 show construction that began before the Hanoi summit. It is claimed the rebuilding has continued at a rapid pace and the rail-mounted transfer structure might be ready for normal operation. The ministry refuted media reports the North might launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) or space rocket, adding the partial restoration of the site seemed to have started last month before the Feb. 27-28 Hanoi summit. The latest satellite images showed no new activity had been detected at the site between March 8 and 13, according to the Washington-based Stimson Center's 38 North, a website dedicated to North Korea issues. In the meantime, the U.N. Panel of Experts said Tuesday (local time) in its annual report that North Korea's nuclear and missile programs "remain intact." The report neither mentioned nor specified the Tongchacng-ri site but said the Yongbyon nuclear complex remained active. The 5-megawatt Yongbyon reactor is said to have been operational since December 2015. The U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently called for the North's "action" on denuclearization in multiple media interviews, though he didn't specify what "action" means with regard to the Tongchang-ri site. Pompeo discussed the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula among other agendas during his meeting with the U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. By Jung Min-ho A former executive at KT, Korea's second largest mobile carrier, has been arrested on charges of giving favors to a lawmaker's daughter during the company's hiring process in 2012. The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office said Thursday that the court issued an arrest warrant for the suspect, 63, surnamed Kim, for allegedly giving favors to Rep. Kim Sung-tae's daughter. The daughter, who became a KT intern in April 2011, was later hired as a full-time employee. Investigators confirmed that she failed to make it through a document review, the first stage of the hiring process. The prosecution suspects that Kim, former floor leader of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, peddled his influence to secure a position for his daughter. She left the company in February 2018. President Moon Jae-in delivers his keynote speech at the start of 'South Korea-Malaysia Business Forum' held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, downtown Kuala Lumpur, Thursday afternoon. Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul South Korea plans to expand the country's overall trade volume with Malaysia focusing on halal tourism, and hallyu-oriented industries, President Moon Jae-in said, Thursday. "Malaysia is one of the most important trading partners with South Korea and vice versa. South Korea and Malaysia have a long history within that context on multiple fronts and I think it's a sincere friendship," Moon said during his keynote speech at the start of a business forum packed with executives from South Korean and Malaysian companies, Kuala Lumpur, Thursday afternoon, according to Cheong Wa Dae press pool reports. Moon said South Korea is hoping to complete the signing of a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with Malaysia within this year to provide a fresh impetus to further vitalize mutual trade. The two countries agreed "in principle" to sign the FTA on the sidelines of the Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir's possible attendance at a special South Korea-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit scheduled later this year in Busan, the biggest port city in Korea. "Malaysia's iconic Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur is a symbol showing solid economic cooperation between the two countries. If we further strengthen bilateral relations, a better future will prevail," Moon told participants, adding a "Malaysia bridge" in South Korea's northern industrial city of Paju is a result of financial assistance from Malaysia in 1960s. Some 500 business executives from the two countries attended the event. The South Korean leader arrived in the Southeast Asian country on Tuesday for a three-day state visit. Stressing the continued boom in hallyu (Korean Wave)-related content in countries in Southeast Asia, Moon said what he described as "K-Town" will be developed inside a shopping center in downtown Kuala Lumpur by July this year. "I expect the center to take a central role with more hybrid content displaying the 'wow factor' of the best aspects of hallyu and halal tourism. About 25 percent of the global population are Muslim, and the global halal market has breached the $2 trillion mark," Moon said. Trade between the two countries has already been on the rise, apparently helped by South Korea's multilateral FTA with the 10-member ASEAN that went into effect in 2007. Bilateral trade between South Korea and Malaysia spiked about 15 percent to $19.2 billion last year from about $16.7 billion the year before. Malaysia is currently South Korea's 14th-largest trading partner in the world. Kenji Kanasugi, director-general of the Japanese foreign ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, enters the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul, Thursday. He had two hours of talks with his South Korean counterpart, Kim Yong-kil, director-general for Northeast Asian affairs at the ministry, to resolve a months-long conflict over a ruling by the top court in Seoul on Korean victims of forced labor. / Yonhap By Lee Min-hyung Directors from South Korea and Japan have held talks to resolve an ongoing dispute on a ruling by Seoul's top court that Japanese firms should compensate Korean victims of forced labor during the 1910-45 Japanese occupation of the Korean Peninsula, the foreign ministry said Thursday. Kim Yong-kil, director-general for Northeast Asian affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with his Japanese counterpart, Kenji Kanasugi, director-general of the Japanese foreign ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau at the former's headquarters in Seoul. Kanasugi did not respond to any questions from reporters upon his arrival. But a foreign ministry official told reporters after the meeting that the two countries agreed "in principle" to prevent further conflict. "The directors agreed to avoid further confrontation by stimulating more cooperation in issues mutually interested in," the official said. The two-hour-long dialogue came in response to a previous one held in Tokyo last month between the two senior diplomats that failed to reach a consensus over the sensitive issue. They met again to seek a breakthrough to end the months-long discord. The controversy started last October when the Supreme Court here ruled that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries should compensate Koreans mobilized to work for the company during the colonial era. The estimated number of victims of forced labor is between 100,000 and 200,000. Japan expressed deep disappointment over the ruling, and both sides have since escalated diplomatic tension. In particular, Tokyo hinted recently at taking a hardline stance unless Seoul "withdraws" the ruling, threatening to impose economic sanctions. On Tuesday, Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said his country was considering taking retaliatory measures, such as tariffs and the suspension of visa issuances. Japan claims the issue of compensation was resolved in 1965 when Seoul and Tokyo signed a treaty which outlined the settlement of any such issues regarding the latter's wartime atrocities against the Korean people. The reported retaliatory move being mulled over by Tokyo has done nothing to relieve intensifying diplomatic tension between the two countries. Japan Tokyo has yet to make public any possible sanctions against South Korea, the foreign ministry said it would continue to keep a close eye on the situation. "We are refraining from answering details on the hypothetical situation, but the ministry is paying close attention to the issue," an official said. "The government is looking at whatever possibilities may occur, and will continue urging Japan to be more careful when responding to the issue," the official added. The foreign ministry said it would keep communicating with its Japanese counterpart through various diplomatic channels, calling on the latter not to aggravate the situation by taking hardline actions. It remains to be seen whether Tokyo will impose the sanctions, but Seoul is preparing for all possible scenarios and drawing up countermeasures, the ministry said. If both sides narrow their differences on the issue, Japan will likely request the creation of a mediation committee that will include an official from a third country. No details on this have been confirmed, but the chances are the U.S. may play a mediating role. But given the obvious disparity in views on the issue, the conflict is likely to deepen. In addition, South Koreans feel particularly emotional when it comes to the wartime history during the colonial era, which raises the possibility that the dispute will not be settled in the near future. U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, White House National Security Adviser John Bolton and acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney attend the extended bilateral meeting in the Metropole hotel with North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un and his delegation during the second North Korea-U.S. summit in Hanoi, Vietnam Feb. 28, 2019. Reuters-Yonhap By Kim Yoo-chul Though not totally unexpected, the failure of the Hanoi summit was an unwelcome development for the United States-North Korea detente because the talks abruptly ended with lingering differences over sanctions relief and the two countries didn't commit to a third Trump-Kim Jong-un summit. But in the aftermath of the Hanoi summit, it's important to assess how Trump and Kim Jong-un will proceed to avoid a total collapse of the denuclearization process. Political analysts and experts in Seoul said the Hanoi summit wasn't a failure as the summit was a nice opportunity for North Korea and the United States to better grasp one another's core intention a step-by-step denuclearization approach for North Korea and no sanctions easing until there is complete, final and fully-verified denuclearization for the United States. Because President Moon Jae-in isn't a distant bystander in the denuclearization talks, the South Korean leader has been advised to play the role of "facilitator" not "mediator" to advance the nuclear disarmament talks between Washington and Pyongyang, they said. "On his way back to Washington D.C., Trump asked Moon to persuade Kim Jong-un. Given this complication, President Moon should not assume the role of a mediator. Rather, South Korea should act as a facilitator because the country has stakes in the denuclearization talks," Moon Chung-in, a senior presidential adviser on unification and diplomacy matters to the President Moon, said in a recent forum. A mediator usually doesn't have deep relations with or complex interests in either party; however, a facilitator usually plays an active role in convincing interested parties to move forward relevant processes. The presidential aide Moon said being a facilitator is a fine line, and the first step as a bona fide facilitator will be another inter-Korean summit. "But this time, if another inter-Korean summit happens, it should be done behind closed doors to avoid unnecessary fuss." Last week, Seoul's Foreign Ministry said it plans to focus diplomatic efforts on facilitating an early resumption of nuclear talks between the United States and North Korea. The Unification Ministry separately reported to Cheong Wa Dae that it plans to develop "sustainable inter-Korean relations" through a top-down approach driven by further inter-Korean summits. But the question is what can President Moon do and what is the prerequisite for him to proceed with the advised task? The presidential aide Moon and Koh Yu-hwan, a professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University in Seoul, said approval from the United States is needed to move forward with an early resumption of inter-Korean economic projects within the broad range of the sanctions frame. The key rationale is for North Korea, getting sanctions relief and an operation of inter-Korean projects still remain the top priority as possible declaration of an end to the Korean War and establishment of liaison offices in Pyongyang and Washington don't fit with the North Korean leader Kim's "New Strategic Line" of economic development, they said. By Bernard Rowan I am a student of Korea. Thanks to my friendship with a fellow graduate student from South Korea, I began a journey to Korea in 1998 that has meant everything for my lifelong learning, professional development and personal fulfillment. One regret, despite having tried in earnest over years, is that I never mastered the Korean language. I can read and speak and understand a bit but only just. I've worked hard in English to learn more about Korean politics, society and culture. I share that knowledge with others, including through this column. But I can't do so in Korean. With the pride Koreans show in their language, culture, customs, and practices, I've marveled over how South Korea encourages the study and use of the English language. It's more than a result of English's current status. Children learn English, hagwons abound, and entire curricula in universities occur in English. This all hastens the advance of South Korea today. Today there is software to help to learn and use plain English more effectively. Some examples are Grammarly and Editor. I also want to encourage the work of another colleague. Jung Ku-jong, a Korean expatriate living in Australia, has published a work entitled Native English. This compiled guide to English is suitable for a wide variety of English-learning and English-speaking audiences. It's a compendium of useful and practical English and interpretation for Korean native language speakers who've begun to learn English. The work is published on Amazon.com in paperback and as an eBook. The number of Koreans studying overseas peaked several years ago. The Korean Ministry of Education has banned teaching English in first and second grades. My thinking about these developments is not about any "retreat from English", though I don't for the moment think English will forever remain the international language of choice. It's expensive to study abroad, and many Koreans worry about unemployment for young adults at home. As for schoolchildren, I don't think it's clearly better to learn two languages at once early on. I've heard arguments and experts on both sides. Bilingual curricula impact hiring and costs of instruction in any country. Nonetheless, compared with perhaps most countries on earth, South Korean students from elementary grades onward learn English. South Korea's embrace of English isn't unlike its embrace of Chinese and Japanese languages in days gone by. Of course, I'm not speaking about the evils of Japanese colonization. I'm speaking to what I've noticed and commented on as the syncretism of Korean culture. Korea has survived and thrived by "taking on" internationalist habits in a thoroughgoing way. It's been a part of Korean history for centuries. It's a strength and a disposition to copy. And it's too simplistic and inexact to name it a token of the country's "small size" or relative power as primary explanations. I will make one critical comment. I'd like to encourage Koreans not to act in a condescending way to native English speakers learning their language. I've experienced one or two good people tell me flatly, "You'll never be Korean." I never wanted to be and don't, but we need to value those who learn our languages and to celebrate and encourage their learning. Native English speakers should bear with those whose speed of pronunciation, inflections, and accents make it harder to understand. I've always taken pride in being able to understand my English-speaking Korean friends and act positively and diplomatically in conversation. I admire people who can read, write, and work in more than one language. Even more so, I admire societies that encourage bilingual education as a pillar of their society. That description fits South Korea to a great extent. South Koreans believe in and practice bilingual education, in Korean and English. That adds to the posterity and happiness of Koreans as citizens of an increasingly connected global society and humanity. Bernard Rowan (browan10@yahoo.com)is associate provost for contract administration and professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and former visiting professor at Hanyang University. By Mark Leonard MUNICH Two Americas were represented by two different vice presidents at the Munich Security Conference this year. Between them, former Vice President Joseph Biden certainly received the warmer reception, but Vice President Mike Pence may have unwittingly emerged as the savior of transatlantic relations. In his address, Pence duly championed his boss, U.S. President Donald Trump, as the "leader of the free world." But the "free world" he described was scarcely recognizable to the Munich audience. In the world Trump wants to lead, America is not the exceptional power, but merely a normal country putting its own interests first. By that logic, it is only reasonable to break from multilateral institutions that allow weaker countries to free-ride on American largesse. In keeping with this vision, Pence used his speech to demand that Europeans spend more on defense, and to extol the virtues of the Trump administration's trade war against China. But the climax came when he enjoined Europe to get in line with the U.S. in suspending the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and restoring sanctions on the Islamic Republic. According to Pence, Iran is plotting another Holocaust, for which Europeans will bear partial responsibility unless they stop undermining U.S. sanctions. This warning came on the tail of a U.S.-hosted conference in Warsaw, which was designed to drive a wedge between European Union countries and derail the bloc's efforts to salvage the JCPOA. Pence spoke for the America that works to divide and weaken Europe. The other America, represented in Munich by Biden, views the Trump administration's actions as an "embarrassment." In his speech, Biden described an America that does not want to turn its back on allies and that values democracy, the rule of law, freedom of the press, and a close partnership with Europe based on shared "human decency." Biden ended his remarks to great applause, declaring, "We will be back." Was he referring to an outward-looking America, or to a future Biden presidency? Many of those present hoped for both. The rapturous applause following Biden's appearance was markedly at odds with the awkward, stony silence that followed Pence's address. The contrast was reminiscent of the early 2000s, when disillusioned transatlanticists took refuge in the West Wing, wherein the cerebral character of President Josiah Bartlet (played by Martin Sheen) stood in stark contrast to George W. Bush and his administration's disingenuous brutality. But such escapism yields only false hope. Rather than being lulled into complacency by Biden's reassuring words, Europeans would be better off heeding Pence. Only by growing up, paying its way, and clarifying its goals can Europe repair the transatlantic relationship and ensure a healthy and durable partnership. The fact is that Europeans and Americans have long lied to themselves and each other about the extent of their common interests and values. European and U.S. strategic interests have been diverging at least since the end of the Cold War. America rescued a hapless Europe in the Balkan Wars of the 1990s. But by the time of the Kosovo War at the end of that decade, Europeans had begun to wake up to their responsibilities. In the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, and in the conflict in Ukraine since 2014, it was Europeans, not Americans, who led the diplomatic response and imposed the strongest sanctions on Russia. Moreover, Europe is the only party ever to have mobilized in the name of collective defense under Article 5 of the NATO treaty. Following the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, Europeans sent forces to distant wars in the Middle East, over which they had little control. In hindsight, it is clear that those wars destabilized Europe's neighborhood and, eventually, Europe itself. America's exclusive focus on counterterrorism left war-torn Middle Eastern countries with fragile governments, or none at all. And in recent years, Europeans have increasingly borne the costs in the form of terrorism and influxes of refugees. As for the U.S., many of its 320 million citizens no longer understand why they should have to protect 500 million Europeans, who live, after all, on a relatively peaceful and prosperous continent. They know that their country is in an escalating competition with China in the Indo-Pacific, and are thus shocked that Europeans would join the Chinese-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Ultimately, Europeans are left between a rock and a hard place. They, too, want to push China harder on trade and investment issues. But the best way to do that is through the World Trade Organization, which the Trump administration is actively undermining. The divergence in values is no less pronounced. For their part, Europeans support international institutions, rules-based arrangements, and multilateralism generally. But America has always been ambivalent about treaties and institutions that might constrain its sovereignty or defy its objectives. While Trump and Pence crudely state what today's America wants, Biden is selling a vision of America that it no longer obtains. The U.S. government does not have the American people's consent to act on the world stage as it once did. While Americans still recognize the importance of sustaining U.S. economic and military primacy vis-a-vis China, they appear to have rejected the elite consensus on trade, defense spending, and diplomacy. The transatlantic partnership will always be Europe's most important relationship. But it can last only if both sides take responsibility for their own affairs. The alliance would be immeasurably stronger if it were based on an honest assessment of each side's interests and values, rather than on quaint illusions of fellow feeling. Pence's blunt speech in Munich may have been painful to hear; but one hopes that it will bring an end to European complacency and point the way to a renewal of transatlantic relations on realistic terms. If that turns out to be the case, Pence will have won the title of transatlantic hero whether he wants it or not. Mark Leonard is director of the European Council on Foreign Relations. Copyright belongs to Project Syndicate (www.project-syndicate.org). By Donald Kirk The Demilitarized Zone that's divided North from South Korea since the Korean War evokes images of the Berlin Wall that divided East from West Berlin from 1961 to 1991 but shows no signs of going down after the second summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Oblivious to the symbolism of the double barbed-wire barriers that stretch 250 kilometers across the Korean Peninsula, Kim is determined to suppress rebellious instincts that might inspire revolt against his rule. With no one to question anything, Kim does not appear aware of calls by his grandfather Kim Il-sung, the North's founding leader who died in 1994, for destruction of what he called a wall between North and South that "runs diametrically counter to the desire and demand of the nation and the trend of the times." That was presumably a reference to the four-kilometer-wide DMZ on either side of which North and South Korean forces stare from guard posts that Kim Jong-un and South Korea's President Moon Jae-in agreed in their last summit in Pyongyang in September to tear down. So far only 10 of 160 guard posts, 100 on the North Korean, 60 on the South Korean side of the Military Demarcation Line that bisects the zone, are gone. Those who have worked in North Korea or examined what's going on get the impression that North Koreans basically have no idea how to respond to reports that South Koreans are leading better lives. Nor do they see much chance of really penetrating the barriers despite exchanges engendered by the summits. "Authorities (in the North) don't want it," said David Hawk, author of "The Hidden Gulag," a classic study on the North's human rights record. The opaque nature of the North "may change a bit if President Moon gets his way," he said, but opening up the hermit kingdom will be "a long and slow process" even if Kim "is hoping to improve the North Korean economy enough to keep people happy." No one doubts that conditions in North Korea are far more severe than they ever were in East Germany before the fall of its Communist regime or the downfall of communist rule in the former Soviet Union and other eastern European countries in 1989 and 1990. It's a tribute to the power of the Kim dynasty that the failure of communism in the old Soviet bloc was a deep and dark secret to his people, who heard not a word about it on the state broadcast and print media. Kim Jong-un's stubborn opposition to softening of tensions that might lead to removal of the Demilitarized Zone helps explain why life in the North is hardly improving despite his stated goal of focusing on the economy. Revolt, however, is not an option. "I have talked to nearly 150 defectors," says Robert Collins, reflecting on a career analyzing North Korea, first as a U.S. Army soldier and then as a senior civilian with the U.S. and U.N. commands. "Most of them did a lot of wondering about the South when in the North, but few actually understood what they heard or saw on videos." As for bringing about change in the North, that's a non-starter. People are "too worried about consequences," said Collins, who has written three revelatory books on life there. "The surveillance political, ideological and physical by the Korean Workers' Party and the internal security services is far too great." Collins is sure George Orwell, author of "Animal Farm" and "1984," "never imagined this." The dictatorship "is so pervasive" "outside the elite, they know nothing" of the fate of communist regimes in Eastern Europe. Ken Eom, who defected from North Korea 10 years ago, recalls his ordeal vividly. "My mother and brother had already escaped," said Eom, who studied English in Casey Lartigue's Teach North Korean Refugees program. Though he rose to master sergeant in the Korean People's Army, "I was not accepted as a party member" the prerequisite to success probably because they suspected his loved ones had defected. A fixer, for $4,000, got him on the way to South Korea. "Our people do not believe in the regime," Eom told me. "The public distribution system outside Pyongyang is completely closed. People make money through the black market." Kim may be "in more danger," he believes, but "they could not start a movement." In that atmosphere, nobody cares about nukes and missiles not a concern for a hungry people battling to live another day. Donald Kirk (kirkdon4343@gmail.com) has been writing about the North-South confrontation since first covering the North-South Red Cross talks in 1972 for the Chicago Tribune. By Jun Ji-hye LG CNS plans to offer free software education programs to 2,500 students at 22 middle schools nationwide this year, providing hands-on experience with handling new information technologies including big data and augmented reality (AR), the firm said Thursday. The program, dubbed Coding Genius, began in the day at Shinil Middle School in Seoul with 118 students participating. The LG Group's IT affiliate has operated the annual program since 2017 to help students improve their creativity and critical thinking abilities. About 100 LG CNS employees have participated in the event every year and donated their expertise. This year, the firm added big data and AR education to the program as part of efforts to nurture talented individuals for the future. "We have improved the education program so students can experience more advanced technologies," an LG CNS official said. During the big data education, students will be given the opportunity to create big data models recommending information on food, fashion and other areas they have interest in. The firm will also give students opportunities to make self-driving vehicles on their own by utilizing robotic cars made out of LEGO. Photo taken on March 13, 2019 shows the scene of a plenary meeting of deputies from Macao Special Administrative Region at the second session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, capital of China. The meeting was opened to media. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] Korean Air's headquarter office in Gangseo-gu, western Seoul / Korea Times file By Baek Byung-yeul Korean Air Chairman Cho Yang-ho Korean Air is desperate to secure favorable votes ahead of a March 27 shareholders' meeting, even trying to gather proxy ones from its employees, to help keep Chairman Cho Yang-ho on the board of directors. Hanjin Group has been hit hard over the past few years as Cho and his family members have caused a public uproar over a string of scandals such as the "nut rage" and "water rage" incidents and criminal activities including assaults, bribery, fraud, embezzlement and smuggling. To ensure transparent management and enhance shareholders' value, local civic groups and the home-grown activist private equity fund Korea Corporate Governance Improvement (KCGI) have joined hands to oust Cho and his family. According to company rules, board members must get support from two thirds of voters at shareholders' meetings to keep their seats. Analysts said the March 27 meeting will be a proxy fight between Hanjin Group, and the KCGI and civic groups. Korean Air said Wednesday it had recently asked its employees to entrust their voting rights to the firm "through the appropriate legal procedures." "We solicited employees to exercise their voting rights by proxy in accordance with Article 152 of the Capital Market and Financial Investment Business Act," a company spokesman said. A grounded American Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 is towed to another location at Miami International Airport on March 13 in Miami, Florida. AFP A screen shows stock pricing information for the Boeing company at the end of the of the trading day at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, U.S., March 13. The United States joined most of the rest of the world on the same afternoon in grounding all Boeing 737 Max 8 planes following two separate crashes involving the model that have raised safety questions. EPA By Jung Min-ho Korean Air, the country's largest airline, will suspend introducing Boeing 737 Max 8 jets until "safety is guaranteed." The company said Thursday that it canceled its plan to introduce the aircraft in May after one of the model crashed in Ethiopia on March 10 only six months after a deadly crash involving the identical model in Indonesia. Korean Air, which contracted to buy 50 of the model (20 optional) over the next seven years, initially planned to bring in six Boeing 737 Max 8 planes this year. "Customers' safety is our priority and we will make sure to maintain it," the company said in a statement. "We are paying close attention to the situation in regard to our purchase plan." The decision came after U.S. President Donald Trump issued an emergency order to ground all Boeing 737 Max 8 planes in the country over growing safety concerns. Boeing, one of the largest U.S. exporters, said it still had "full confidence in the safety of the 737 Max." CEO Dennis Muilenburg said in a statement, "We are supporting this proactive step out of an abundance of caution. Safety is a core value at Boeing for as long as we have been building airplanes; and it always will be. "We are doing everything we can to understand the cause of the accidents in partnership with the investigators, deploy safety enhancements and help ensure this does not happen again." Boeing's global reputation and future are at stake. Airlines around the world are cautiously watching Boeing's and governments' investigations into the Ethiopia disaster. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's data, Korean airlines plan to purchase 114 Boeing 737 Max 8 planes by 2027. Jeju Air contracted to buy 56, followed by Korean Air (30), Eastar Jet (18) and T'way Air (10). Eastar Jet, Korea's only airline that operates the model, had already suspended operations of its two Boeing 737 Max 8 planes on March 13. The ministry is conducting its own inspections of the planes. Other domestic airlines may follow Korean Air in reviewing their Max purchase plans. Malaysia's Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali reportedly said the nation's sovereign wealth fund, Khazanah, would have to "revisit" the agreement to buy the jets for Malaysia Airlines. "The management of Khazanah should look into the matter urgently," Ali said. "This is to ensure the safety of the airline, which is paramount." "The management of Khazanah should look into the matter urgently," Ali said. "This is to ensure the safety of the airline, which is paramount." Boeing has already been hit hard financially. The cost of grounding all 737 Max planes could be between $1 billion and $5 billion, according to estimates from Wall Street firms Melius Research and Jefferies. The crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 from Addis Ababa to Nairobi killed all 157 people on board. Last October, a Lion Air Boeing 737 Max went down over the Java Sea, killing all 189 people on board. Although there is no evidence that the two disasters are linked, similarities both jets were almost brand new and went down soon after take-off have prompted concerns around the world. The cost of a flight was different across all six websites that the consumer watchdog tested. gettyimagesbank By Sum Lok-Kei Websites claiming to offer the cheapest tickets for air travel may not actually do so, and savvy travellers should shop around to get the best deal, Hong Kong's consumer watchdog said on Thursday. Websites claiming to offer the cheapest tickets for air travel may not actually do so, and savvy travellers should shop around to get the best deal, Hong Kong's consumer watchdog said on Thursday. According to the Consumer Council, of the six websites it tested, Skyscanner proved to be the best, with Google Flights the worst performer. Clement Chan Kam-wing, who heads the council's publicity and community relations committee, said it came to the conclusion after conducting at least 50 searches on each of the six fare comparison websites: Skyscanner, Kayak, Cheapflights, Momondo, DuckDuckLook and Google Flights. "Although all the websites claimed the airfares they displayed were the lowest prices available, results of actual trials showed a huge price difference," Chan said. In one case, the same round-trip flight from Hong Kong to Jeju, South Korea, was priced at anywhere between HK$2,081 and HK$2,536. According to the Consumer Council's analysis on six websites, Skyscanner proved to be the best, with Google Flights the worst performer. gettyimagesbank Google Flights was unable to show that particular flight and instead listed another flight costing HK$4,102 almost double the cheapest fare shown on Skyscanner. In another case, the six websites showed five different prices for the same flight from Hong Kong to Singapore, with the amount ranging from HK$920 to HK$1,337. The council found that all six websites showed fares that differed from the actual prices paid by consumers at websites where consumers bought the tickets. In the most extreme case, a flight between Hong Kong and Singapore was said to have cost HK$920 on a website, but when redirected to the airline's website, the actual fare was HK$1,309 42 per cent higher. The council's chief executive, Gilly Wong Fung-han, said as websites were based in various countries, different prices for the same flight could be explained by variations in currency exchange rates, or fare prices being refreshed in between searches. Wong also warned against buying "hacker fare" tickets available online, and said it could lead to passengers being kicked off flights. A "hacker fare" is achieved by combining one-way and round-trip tickets for a two-way journey. By ditching one journey of a round-trip ticket, the fare may be lowered, and an overall cheaper deal might be achieved, as compared to buying a round-trip ticket from one airline. However, Wong said the practice could be risky. "If you buy it, you are running the risk of violating the airline's policy," she said. "It is possible for them to stop you boarding." Clement Chan said that claims on some price comparison sites could be misleading. Photo from the South China Morning Post A lot has happened with the Enhance La Jolla boards efforts to get a Maintenance Assessment District (MAD) in La Jolla going. After a year of legal battles, Enhance La Jolla met March 7 at the La Jolla Library to add three new members to the board and talk about the projects they could carry out. A large part of the meeting today is restart Enhance La Jolla, said president Ed Witt. It has been a year since weve had a meeting and going forward, we will meet much more regularly and will begin to conduct business. I think we are going to be pretty busy this year. Through the MAD, Enhance La Jolla would have the authority to 1) enhance City-provided services and 2) privately fund and complete capital improvement projects in public spaces, such as upgrade trash cans, install benches, augment signage, create roundabouts, make park improvements, increase public art and plant tree canopies on main thoroughfares. The first task has been complicated by legal battles, but the second is making headway. The MAD for La Jolla was approved by a majority (weighted by property size and type) of the commercial and residential property owners within its boundaries in November 2016. Soon after the MAD was passed, the La Jolla Benefits Association LLC was formed. It filed a lawsuit challenging the MADs legality on the grounds that services the MAD would provide are services the City should be carrying out, such as additional trash collection, litter abatement, graffiti control, landscape maintenance and power-washing sidewalks. After legal back-and-forth, San Diego Superior Court Judge Randa Trapp ruled the MAD could proceed. After months of legal battles with a vocal minority, our office successfully defended the City in this frivolous lawsuit that went against the will of the voters, City Attorney Mara Elliott said at the time. Now, the communitys plans to establish a Maintenance Assessment District in La Jolla can finally move ahead. However, three months later, a notice of appeal was filed by the opponents. In the meantime, it was announced at last weeks Enhance La Jolla meeting, that the La Jolla Community Foundation (LJCF) has two privately funded projects in development to improve The Village. The Foundation raises funds to improve the quality of life in La Jolla. (La Jolla architect) Mark Steele submitted a grant proposal for a streetscape plan and is working with local architects, planners and landscape designers to come up with an overall plan for The Village, said Phyllis Pfeiffer an Enhance La Jolla member and La Jolla Light president and general manager. The first phase is doing a block-by-block inventory of every problem on every street in the district whether it is street furniture, broken sidewalks or other issues. Then the group is going to create a streetscape plan that everyone can see and review. The decision of the LJCF was to do this in phases because there is a lot that needs to be done. We looked at the core of the Village such as Girard Avenue and Prospect Street as what the streetscape planners would focus on. The funding has been approved by the LJCF members, so payments will be transferred to Enhance La Jolla to pay for these services. Interns will conduct the inventory and the designs will be produced by professionals in The Village. Capital improvements will be funded through private contributions, so we need beautiful drawings to show donors, Pfeiffer continued. Benefactors need concrete designs in order to decide how they might like to contribute. The second project is in collaboration with La Jolla Parks & Beaches president Ann Dynes and a sub-committee looking to install branded bike racks in The Village. The committee asked the LJCF to administer their contributions, so we set up a fund for the bike racks within the Foundation. The LJCF will receive funds, file IRS paperwork and provide donors with letters documenting their contributions, Pfeiffer said. Funds will then be transferred to Enhance La Jolla for bike racks in The Village. The rack locations have not been determined. Enhance La Jolla has 13 directors on its board: Seven property owners (or representatives of property owners) paying the LJMAD assessment; three members of the Board of Directors of the La Jolla Community Foundation; one member of the La Jolla Village Merchants Association; and two representatives of the La Jolla community at large. At the March meeting, three new members were elected to the board: Joe LaCava (member at large), Chris McKellar (commercial property owner) and Jonathan Lipsky (commercial property owner representative). Additionally, officers were elected: Ed Witt as president, Joe LaCava as secretary and Andy Nelson as treasurer. To learn more, visit enhancelajolla.org Renagul embroiders for haute couture at her workshop in Yizhou District of Hami City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on March 8, 2019. The haute couture, literally named "blossoming flower", decorated with handmade embroidery with distinctive local flavor, was presented at the Paris Fashion Week in 2016. This changed embroiderer Renagul's life, who never thought her works would be displaed at a world-renowned fashion show. Renagul grew up in an embroidery family in Hami. Influenced by her mother, she has been fond of embroidery since childhood. Supported by local government, she opened an embroidery cooperative in 2014. In 2016, Qin Xu, founder and chief designer of Shanghai fashion brand Moodbox, came to Hami for inspiration. Obsessed and inspired by Renagul and her mother's exquisite embroidery, Qin Xu designed a series of fashions with Hami embroidery. Once the elegant "blossoming flower" was stunningly unveiled during the Paris Fashion Week, it immediately fascinated the audience. Now, Renagul has achieved growing orders and rising incomes. She also started to learn English, hoping her work would gain popularity abroad. She said, "I enjoy my work. Every time I pick up the needle, I feel calm and happy. In the future, I would like to incorporate more modern elements into traditional embroidery to make Hami embroidery more popular". (Xinhua/Wang Fei) 8 1 [ Editor: zyq ] The delegation attended the event in its capacity as ASOSAI Chair for the 2018-2021 tenure. Speaking at the event themed Emerging Issues and Emergency Situations, Tien said the conference shows the two organisations determination in affirming the role of supreme audit institutions (SAIs) in good governance at the country and world levels. Amid challenges in migration, natural disasters, cyber security risks, and fulfillment of the United Nations sustainable development goals, he asked SAIs to build strategies and approaches to dealing with them. ASOSAI will give focus on environmental audit and SDG fulfillment in the near future, which was clearly set in the Hanoi Declaration adopted at the 14th ASOSAI Assembly held in the capital city in September 2018, he said. Participants discussed population aging, cyber security, environment pollution and use of wastes, challenges faced by technologically-reliant economies. In December 2018, Vietnams State Audit Office together with other SAIs built an action plan to carry out the Hanoi Declaration. It also signed agreements with 46 SAIs as ASOSAI members on environmental audit for sustainable development. The conference afforded auditors from Asia and Europe a chance to share experience and learn about challenges that need to be dealt with in the two continents, thus gaining the best audit practices. It will last till March 14. Resorts gear up for 2022 with half-million in private investment The tourist crowds may have dropped off for the winter, but that has proved a good opportunity for the Lincoln County resort community to expand... Christmas parade and festival this Saturday The Annual Lincolnton Christmas Parade is this Saturday at 1:30 p.m, along with a host of festival activities as part of Holidays in Olde Lincoln... Upcoming commission action This weeks meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners will tackle two big issues in addition to the usual county business. The Commission meets... At a meeting with IFAD President Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo at the funds headquarters in Rome, Italy, on March 12, Ambassador Hue said that although Vietnam became ineligible for IFADs official development assistance (ODA) in 2018, it has faced many challenges. Climate change has seriously affected the production of many farmers, while their access to credit is limited, she noted. She proposed that the IFAD help Vietnam by creating favourable conditions for the country to continue borrowing soft loans in the future, and expanding cooperation projects across Vietnam. For his part, the IFAD President lauded Vietnams collaboration over the years, holding that the affiliation has helped ensure the efficiency of IFAD-funded projects in the country and the region, including those to upgrade the representative office of the fund in Hanoi into the IFAD Mekong Hub. Houngbo said that the IFAD has been seeking measures to assist countries graduating from ODA before 2019, helping them to access soft IFAD loans in a certain time. He praised Vietnams proposal to join the South-South Cooperation, expressing his hope that Ambassador Hue will successfully promote the sound partnership between Vietnam and the IFAD. According to Minister Dung, as Vietnam chose Safety Year for Women and Children as the theme of 2019, the country will carry out numerous measures to aid women, with the focus on development goals. It will step up poverty reduction, especially for ethnic minority groups, to develop comprehensively, and ensure all women enjoy social welfare, he stated. The law system will be completed to handle violence against women and woman trafficking, he added. The minister said that Vietnam has seen an increasing number of women participating in politics at all levels. It also ranks second in Southeast Asia in the rate of women who own enterprises or hold leading positions in major groups, only after the Philippines. The largest UN gathering on gender equality and womens rights is attended by more than 100 other ministers, several vice presidents and deputy prime ministers and representatives from different non-governmental organisations and UN offices. Minister Dung delivered a speech on Vietnams achievements in ensuring social welfare, made proposals to promote social welfare and empowerment for women and narrow the gender gap on March 12. On the sidelines of the event, he met with representatives from the UN Women, the UN Population Fund and delegations of Israel and Australia. US Conservatism Commenting on my own essays has never been my favorite activity, because before you know it you land into Russian doll territory. But a few recent comments from readers have me rethinking that, for once. Of course I understand that my expressed views over the past two years and change on the era of Donald Trump and his presidency do not please everyone out there, whether theyre long time Automatic Earth readers or new to the site. Its just that a surprising -to me- number of people let their thoughts and opinions be shaped by media that primarily follow the color of politics and money, not objective facts. Or perhaps it shouldnt be all that surprising, given the amount of attention the mainstream media still manages to gather. Then again, if the MSM would have been right on more issues, there would never have been a place for the Automatic Earth and many other alternative media sources. So yeah, Im a bit of two minds on that. What I am sure about is that I dont think the advent of Donald Trump has been the main event since 2016, I have very few illusions about US politics. For me the big story has been how the media has shifted from reporting the news to manufacturing it. Im seeing the Russiagate narrative falling apart in real time right now and I think: I saw that coming, because none of all those collusion stories were based on facts to begin with. And Ive said exactly that for two years now as well. It started off with supporting their favorite candidate, who was a shoe-in anyway, then it turned into being angry when she lost, and it ended up with figuring out that denouncing Trump ten times a day was a goldmine that could save entire papers and TV channels, because Americans are addicted to scandals, even if theyre invented and/or inconsequential. In my view, media making up stories and narratives from scratch is a much bigger threat to America than Donald Trump. Obviously, people believing the made-up tales is just as bad. You dont have to be pro-Trump, let alone even like the man, to be very wary of reporters and papers and news channels and everyone and their pet hamster with a social media account, publishing a dozen anti-Trump stories every single day, most of them entirely made up and most of the rest just plain dumping on him. And you certainly dont need to be pro-Trump to point out that this is happening, or to agitate against it. But thats how its presented, and thats how many people, including no doubt many readers of the Automatic Earth, see it. In this day and age, if you wander too far from what the MSM tell you the truth is, you get punished even by somewhat smarter people. If you dont support the anti-Trump narrative, and elect to stay out of that echo chamber, you become a Trump supporter. And we all know what happens when you actively resist the narrative. The reason why one so easily gets labeled a Trump supporter only for pointing out that stories contain no facts, provokes interesting questions, but none of them will have me shy away from saying what I think of it. I mean, just take a look at the Reuters/Ipsos poll that came out last week, which shows that Americans have made up their minds about Trump-Russia way ahead of the Mueller report being published. Only a small number of Americans have not yet made up their minds about whether Donald Trumps 2016 election campaign coordinated with Russian officials, according to new Reuters/Ipsos polling, which also showed deep divisions in the United States in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election. Eight out of 10 Americans decided almost immediately about Trump campaign ties to Moscow and only about two in 10 appear to be undecided; about 8 in 10 Democrats said they thought the Trump campaign colluded with Russia, while 7 in 10 Republicans said they did not. Now how is that possible, the majority knowing what to believe without knowing the facts? Easy, the media made up their minds for them, and they did it without knowing the facts either. A much bigger story than Trump. And you would think old-fashioned journalism could have gotten a lot of real dirt on the Donald, but the entire MSM chose to go for unproven smear instead.. The Old Gray Lady and her consorts have made it entirely acceptable to disrespect the Office of the President of the United States. Theyve made doing so an honorable thing to do. All on the basis of rumors about Vladimir Putin pulling Trumps strings. How this can fail to have terribly dramatic consequences for the US I do not see. Once the respect for the office is gone, how do you get it back? By putting a different questionable person in it? But now Im doing what I swore not to do: repeat myself. Inevitable when commenting on your own essays perhaps, but still. So lets move on to the comments. Both came in by private emaiI, and I havent asked for permission to use real names, so theyll be anonymous. The first one was from a highly respected -and not just by me- retired US professor and writer Ive had contact with for a decade or so, and came after I published The House Hit A New Low, commenting on Michael Cohens testimony before the House on February 27. Which I thought was about nothing at all, A phishing expedition with a willing whale in the center who sort of volunteered to be harpooned.., other than Democrat showboating. But my friend the professor wrote: Just so you know I thought Cohen courageous, believable and completely on target. I think people see what they are predetermined to see. You and I see different things. As Congressional Republicans and apparently you do not see the problem is Trump, and as he said those who are blinded by him. Not Cohen. We should all speak out. The conservatism of your columns sometimes annoys me, but your insights are often good. I try to get different perspectives. As I said above, and often before, I agree that people see what they are predetermined to see. Its just that I think that originates at the NYT, WaPo, CNN, and my friend does not. But what struck me in his comment is him calling my writing conservatism. Nobody ever called me that, I dont see myself that way, and I doubt that anyone did before I started talking about the way Trump has been treated. And again, you dont have to like Trump to dislike the made-up narratives that dictate what news in America has turned into. And thats not conservative. Not that I think that conservatism is a wrong thing per se, but I dont see many conservatives these days conserving anything at all, other than their privileges. See, I would think MAGA means protecting bald eagles, mountain lions, humpbacks and even mom-and-pop stores, but what counts as conservative today is the opposite of that. It basically revolves around making a few people rich at the expense of everyone else and the natural world they all depend on for their survival. Other than that, as I said, I have few illusions about US politics, on either side of the aisle. Which is why I welcomed Trump three years ago, and I welcome Ocasio, Tulsi Gabbard and Ilhan Omar today: something better change, because if things dont change fast, were bound to see the 21st century American version of pitchforks; yes, that would be rifles and handguns. I hope perhaps that clears things a up, even if just a little, for my friend. But still, I didnt think Cohen looked courageous, believable and completely on target. I thought he looked like a worn out tool of Nadler and Schiffs committee, telling obvious lies about not having asked Trump for a White House job or a pardon. But lets agree not to agree. Then I mentioned the professors mail in the Automatic Earth comments section the next day, saying: Someone mailed me yesterday talking about the conservatism of my columns. Never saw that before. And I dont agree. Raging against the empty narratives of the anti-Trump machine does not make me a Trump supporter. (People should read more carefully. The world is not divided into two camps.) and a second mail came from someone whos, lets say, one of my more critical readers (he seems to think Im full of it, and uses that as a reason to keep reading me): Youre right: to the extent that you agree with anything Trump says or does to reduce US aggression in different parts of the world, the anti-Trumpers should be shouted down. Youre wrong: your refusal to even mention racism, sexism, anti-democratic voter suppression, gerrymandering, campaign finance laws, electoral college, gun control, health care, tax cuts and the wholesale attack on the environment by Trump and Republicans (Trump is representative not an outlier among Republicans) is what makes you conservative. Your silences speak louder than anything you say or print. Your alleged concern for the environment is comical compared to your total silence on American (Trump) policies on the environment. Keep up your selective silences. Its what you do best. Thats a nice list, but it doesnt appear to be all around fair. Criticizing Trump over all these things is at best a double-edged sword. But first of all, I dont refuse to mention them, but Im not here to provide a fully balanced picture. Im here to balance out the one-sided positions the Old Gray Lady vents on a daily basis and 27 times on Sunday. As for racism and sexism, I see those as America-wide issues, not Trump issues. Anti-democratic voter suppression: go ask Bernie Sanders and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz. Gerrymandering ditto. And campaign finance laws. How one can hold such things against Trump and not others in US politics is beyond me. But lets talk. The electoral college problem, if it indeed is one, has absolutely nothing to do with Trump. America as a society would need to come together to move to the popular vote. But what are the odds of any such unity happening given the anti-Trump campaigns? Gun control: I cant recall Obama doing anything much about that, so how can one hold it against Trump? Guns seem to be too big a problem for the US to deal with, and I see it leading to the American version of Frances pitchforks: the one tool the unwashed masses have left to defend themselves and get their grievances across. A good thing? No. But Trumps fault? No. When it comes to health care, things are a bit more confusing and clearer at the same time. The conservatives who conserve dick all, stand quasi-united against universal health care, while the Democrats, who long held a similar position, are starting to shift. Health care is a much more worthy topic than the ones before mentioned in that comment, but that particular discussion, like so many others, has been stifled by the neverending accusations of Russia collusion that the MSM have placed -the vast majority of- their bets on. Trump has been president for two years, and not one day has gone by in which he was not accused of sitting on Putins lap in some way or another, so how are you going to get him to open up to your different point of view? Hes had to retreat into his trenches just to survive and go about the business of being a president. He was never given a chance to open up and change his mind. Is he to blame for that? What else was there? Tax cuts. Yeah, well, conservatives and their privileges. And a short-term way to make the economy look better. Long-term economic benefits? Maybe not so much. But dont lets go there, because Pandora would open and reveal, again, very little thats Trump-specific. Its simply Washington. Last thing is the environment, and because I post many articles on that topic in my daily news aggregators, its obvious that my views are not the Donalds. But that, again, is conservatives refusing to conserve. Its not just Trump, and its not just Republicans either. From what I see, America has destroyed far too much of its natural world already, and I havent seen a single voice in Washington with a convincing story to stop it, not AOC and the Green New Deal either. To summarize: the Automatic Earth has sought, and continues to seek, to provide a balance vs one-sided news, because it is a much bigger problem than any single presidency. Reporting in the age of Trump has not just been one-sided, most of it has been outright falsehood. Why does it happen? Because it sells. You are prone to believe fictional accounts, you have a tendency to become addicted to scandal, and so you are targeted. Now, the reason the Automatic Earth exists is that it tells people things they dont want to hear. That goes for the odd professor, no matter how much we appreciate him or her, for all those who dislike an individual like Donald Trump so much they let others form their opinions for them with trumped-up narratives, it goes for Trump himself, and for everyone else we think fail to think for themselves any longer. If your opinions are shaped by people who seek to make a profit off of doing that for you, you are merely one among millions who fall into the same trap. Its ironic and funny too that the Old Gray Lady et al could never have started out on their new business model without the internet and the social media it spawned, while the very same business model makes entities such as the Automatic Earth necessary. It gets more ironic still: the MSM developed the model because the old one, just plain reporting, wasnt paying them enough to survive. Orwell was never that easy to understand. After all, he was talking about things that existed only in his minds eye when he was alive, and came alive themselves long after he was gone. But look at us today. One last thing: I cant perhaps speak for the entire Automatic Earth, because Nicole Foss, though she may have been silent for a while, appears to detest Donald Trump. That gives her and I something to talk about. By Raul Ilargi Meijer Website: http://theautomaticearth.com (provides unique analysis of economics, finance, politics and social dynamics in the context of Complexity Theory) 2019 Copyright Raul I Meijer - 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. Raul Ilargi Meijer Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Why the Green New Deal Will Send Uranium Price Through the Roof Have you heard of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez? At 29 years old, shes the youngest Congressperson in history. Also known as AOC, Cortez is quite a sensation among young left-leaning folks. No surprise, shes often referred to as the Democratic version of Trump. 2.4 million fans follow her on Twitter. Like any socialist, AOC is full of ideas. Most of them involve taking money from one group of people and giving it to another. Shes calling for a 70% top tax rate, for example. And free college. And giving free money to those unwilling to work. AOCs Big Idea Is Called the Green New Deal But I want to set politics aside to tell you about her silliest idea of all. She doesnt know it, but this idea will send one beaten down stock through the roofOne that soared 3,000% the last time it was in a bull market. The Green New Deal aims to have America running on 100% clean energy by 2030. AOC has called climate change her World War II. She wants to get rid of dirty energy like coal, oil, and gas that pollute the air. Sounds pretty good, right? A clean environment is important for all of us. I certainly want my young daughter to grow up breathing clean air. But theres one big problem with AOCs plan. The Green New Deal Excludes the Cleanest Energy Source of All According to AOC "there is no place for nuclear power in Americas future. Many folks think nuclear power is dirty and dangerous. They associate it with big smokestacks and nuclear bombs. These people could not be more wrong. Nuclear is the best source of renewable, clean energy we have. It doesnt cause any pollution. The steam drifting out of nuclear plants is as harmless as the steam from your shower. In fact, the International Panel on Climate Change found nuclear power produces less air pollution than solar, wind, or hydro. It is also the safest energy source on the planet, according to the World Health Organization. The Green New Deal Cant Succeed Without Nuclear There are 99 nuclear reactors in the US. They generate twice as much clean energy as every solar panel, wind turbine, and other clean energy source combined. Excluding nuclear, clean energy sources like solar and wind make up 17% of Americas energy needs. Getting that to 100% by 2030 without nuclear is impossible. For one, it would cost trillions of dollars. Also, we need energy sources that are dependable and always on. This is a major problem for solar and wind. Solar power is interrupted by darkness and clouds. Wind turbines only work when the wind blows. Thats why solar generates power only 25% of the time and wind 35% of the time. This Is How the Uranium Sector Collapsed As you likely know, nuclear power plants use uranium as fuel to produce electricity. But the uranium sector has collapsed since 2011. It began with the freak accident in Fukushima, Japan. First, the most powerful earthquake in Japans history caused a reactor to shut down. Then a tsunami disabled the emergency generators. This caused a disastrous nuclear meltdown that contaminated a large area and killed and injured many people. Japan shut down all but two of its reactors after the Fukushima disaster. Many other countries followed suit. Germany moved to phase out nuclear power completely. And plans to build four new reactors in America were shelved. Uranium Demand Plunged and Its Price Cratered 86% This led to the vast majority of uranium companies shutting their doors. In 2011, there were 585 uranium companies. Just 40 remain operational today. And most of the survivors have seen their stocks plunge 90% or worse. Last year, uranium production in the US dropped to its lowest level since the 1950s. Thats because almost no producer can make money at todays depressed prices. Uranium Has Nowhere to Go but Up Its a total bloodbath. But as I explained last year, the uranium market is poised to surge higher. You can review my whole case for uranium here. In short, nuclear use around the world is growing. 57 new reactors are now being built. And uranium demand is expected to rise 23% by 2025. Yet uranium stocks are priced as if nuclear energy is being phased out altogether. Despite what the Green New Deal says, its not. I guarantee nuclear power will be a big part of America and the worlds clean energy future. Cameco (CCJ) Is Hands Down My Favorite Uranium Stock Cameco is the worlds biggest uranium producer. In fact, its one of my top picks for 2019, period. I recommended Cameco to you in August. It has climbed 10% since then. And its up 30% in the past year: Cameco produces around 15% of the worlds uranium. It operates two of the highest-quality uranium mines in the world. Both are located in Canadas Athabasca Basin. And the quality of the uranium there is 100x better than the global average. This allows Cameco to produce uranium for less than its competitors. Most companies mine it for $50$60/lb. Cameco does it for around $35/lb. A key thing to know about uranium stocks is they move in massive cycles. The up part of the cycle can produce some of the biggest gains youll ever see. For example, when the uranium price ran from $10/lb to $136/lb between 2000 and 2007, Cameco shot up over 3,000%. Over the next few years, as reality dawns on the markets, we have a great shot to triple our money or better in Cameco. And given that it rocketed 30x in the last uranium bull market, it could easily go a lot higher. By Stephen McBride http://www.riskhedge.com 2019 Copyright Stephen McBride - 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. 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. We publish here an article produced by Esquerda Marxista, the Brazilian section of the IMT, in reply to some of the outrageous slanders presented as historical drama in the Russian series, Trotsky, which was recently released on Netflix (read the original in Portuguese here). Originally produced for the Russian public TV station PevryKanal (which is controlled by Vladimir Putin), the series Trotsky recently debuted on Netflix. It is a pretentious production, which offers neither artistic quality nor historical fidelity. Producer Aleksandr Tsekalo, half-guiltily, admits that: "It's hard to be objective a hundred years later, but we tried to reproduce a series based on real events." We could perhaps believe him were there not several sources about the events in question, which concern some of the most important figures of the twentieth century, and if he did not openly admit (perhaps at Putins behest), that the central message of the series is: you should not force people to go to the streets. The series alternates between different periods in the life of Leon Trotsky, cutting from his exile in Mexico to the frozen fields of Russia amid the catastrophe of the Civil War. At the beginning, there is no shortage of scenes and dialogue that, honestly, would prevent the better-informed viewer from proceeding any further. Still, Netflix is the largest video streaming platform in the world, meaning this show could reach a very large audience. In most of the world, there is little said in schools or in the media about the Russian Revolution, and less still that is accurate. Therefore, it is necessary to address briefly some of the main lies of the series. The German Plot As the author of the theory of permanent revolution, a leading figure in the October Insurrection and commander of the Red Army, Trotsky is a revolutionary titan. The great events that took place in Russia during Trotskys life elevated certain people (with special qualities of courage, leadership and foresight) to stand tall on the stage of history. However, Trotsky did not take advantage of the revolutionary conditions of his time for his own sake, but to fight for the working class, whose cause he had joined and served all his life. The series, however, treats Trotskys trajectory as a "career", in the worst sense of the word: akin to the career of bourgeois politicians, behind whom lie dirty money and profiteers. The profiteer, in this case, is Alexander Parvus: a member of the German Social-Democracy, but of Russian origins. He chooses Trotsky, based mainly on his ability as a speaker, as the man to fulfil a devious plan by the German Empire to "destroy Russia with a revolution" for 10 million marks, no less! The German plot is an old lie. The first to spread this idea was Tsar Nicholas II, and it was picked up by the liberal opposition, Social-Revolutionaries, Mensheviks... Each in their own way, whenever it was convenient, accused the Bolsheviks of being foreign agents. The Provisional Government that assumed power after the February Revolution in 1917 did not act any differently when cornered, as Trotsky himself reported: "The struggle of the other parties among themselves was almost like a family spat in comparison with their common baiting of the Bolsheviks. In conflict with one another they were, so to speak, only getting in training for a further conflict, a decisive one. Even in employing against each other the sharpened accusation of German connections, they never carried the thing through to the limit. July presents a different picture. In the assault upon the Bolsheviks all the ruling forces, the government, the courts, the Intelligence Service, the staffs, the officialdom, the municipalities, the parties of the soviet majority, their press, their orators, constituted one colossal unit" (Trotsky, History of the Russian Revolution, Volume I). In 1917, the workers and soldiers could no longer bear the burdens of the imperialist war. The workers remaining in Russia had to endure exploitation and growing pauperisation, while those who were sent to the frontlines lost their lives in a war waged in the interests of capital and the aristocracy. The imperialist war was "free competition" in its most barbarous expression. The series treats Trotskys political activity as a "career", in the worst sense of the word: akin to the career of bourgeois politicians / Image: fair use Lenin was clear that the war was alien to the interests of the working masses and that, as in the "dress rehearsal" of 1905, it would lead the masses to insurrection. Thus, the fight against war took on a fundamental importance in the programme of the Bolsheviks, and Lenin predicted that the world war could turn into an international class war. German imperialism, eager to get rid of the Eastern front, allowed Lenin and other Russian revolutionaries to pass through Germany on their return from exile, but as Trotsky put it: Lenin took advantage of [German General] Ludendorffs plans to further his own (Trotsky, My Life). It has never been proven that Trotsky or the Bolsheviks received German money. Anyone who wants to believe in this accusation of "collaboration" simply ignores history. In the Brest-Litovsk negotiations, Trotsky fought bravely against the German Empire. He came face to face with some of the enemy's most capable agents. It is said that members of the Soviet delegation agitated in the German trenches, inciting insurrection against the capitalists, for peace and solidarity among workers around the world. After the Germans resumed the offensive, peace had to be signed. The survival of the revolution was more important. Lenin and Trotsky were clear about this, and were confident that an uprising of the German proletariat would take place, as it finally did in 1918. The opportunity was lost through the betrayals of German Social Democracy. Sex, lies and violence The Leon Trotsky of the series is actually more interested in sex (and violence) than money. In a fictional encounter with Sigmund Freud (indeed, the whole series is a fiction), both talk about how everything is actually about sex, including the revolution. The dialogue written for Freud is contemptible, but for Trotsky, it is astonishing, including this particular gem: the masses have a feminine psychology... the revolution needs to be inseminated. As should be obvious, there is no source, written, recorded or reported not the remotest sliver of evidence for these ridiculous sentiments having ever come out of Trotskys mouth. This is an invention of the series. Meanwhile, the scenes of Trotsky with his lifelong companion Natalia Sedova, which insinuate that Trotsky sacrificed his children (as if Stalin was blameless for their deaths), deserve only repudiation. The Leon Trotsky of the series is actually more interested in sex (and violence) than anything else / Image: fair use Bolshevism is the practical expression of Marxism. It provides the working class with revolutionary leadership and direction: a party of cadres capable of assimilating the theory and historical experience of class struggle, and guiding the fight within the particular conditions that the workers face. To deny the need for leaders is also to deny history. But this element, the leadership, which is the subjective factor, cannot by itself create a revolutionary process involving the participation of millions. Objective or material conditions are needed, which push the masses into action. These conditions were ripe in Russia in 1917, as they are today. The crisis of capitalism, and the ensuing wars, famine, inequality and exploitation, were decisive for the Russian workers to take to the streets. They were not forced by Trotsky or Lenin. The role of the masses is as an active agent in history. And not infrequently, the masses have surpassed their most conscious elements in theory and practice. The Russian Revolution gave us an example of the spectacular role that can be played by the masses. It also revealed what Marxists identify as a tendency of the workers movement during a revolutionary situation: the creation of Soviets (councils) of workers and soldiers, the most advanced organs of workers democracy. The election of deputies to the Soviets took place proportionally, by region or factory. Nobody received years-long mandates: positions were recallable at any time. The Soviets legislated and executed the power of the working class. The participation of the bourgeoisie and the old aristocracy was forbidden. As John Reed reported: "No political body more sensitive and responsive to the popular will was ever invented. And this was necessary, for in time of revolution the popular will changes with great rapidity (Reed, The Soviets in Action). This is in stark contrast to what the sophists of the bourgeoisie define as the "passive" mentality of the masses. Not surprisingly, the creators of Trotsky resort to the same historical fallacies raised against the October Revolution by bourgeois historians. The series portrays the overthrow of the Provisional Government as a "coup", devised by Trotsky. All that remains is to explain what "coup" in the history of mankind has ever given power to such a revolutionary body as the Congress of Soviets! The series even depicts Lenin, on 25 October 1917, professing this fallacy, when he objects, in dialogue with Trotsky that: "this is not a revolution, it is a coup" although he sets these concerns aside after Trotsky offers him the government. To defame Trotsky is not enough for the series, it is necessary to defame all the great revolutionaries and to pit them against each other. Falsifications on Trotsky, Lenin and Stalin For the purposes of bourgeois ideology, Trotsky has always been portrayed either as a bloodthirsty mirror image of his executioner Stalin, or a naive idealist: a victim of the very system he engendered. In the series, Jacson (the false identity of the assassin Ramon Mercader) repeatedly comments on his resemblance with Stalin. The historical divergence between Trotsky and Stalin is reduced to the rancour of defeat. Stalin, incidentally, appears in the days of the revolution alongside Lenin as his right-hand man. The relationship between Lenin and Trotsky is totally depoliticised. Trotsky goes so far as to say that he is not yet a Bolshevik because "there is no room for two first I will discredit Lenin then I will take his place as leader of the party. These lies could have come straight out of the Stalinist history books. Lenin and Trotsky had important differences, but they were not divided on fundamental political principles during the revolution. After Trotsky joined the Bolsheviks, Lenin commented that "there has been no better Bolshevik". He stated in his last testament, despite offering some criticisms, that Trotsky was the "most capable man in the party." The attempt to separate Lenin from Trotsky is clearly intended to cause confusion among the young, for whom the restoration of capitalism is only feeding a growing lack of perspective, while deepening crisis and exploitation. These falsifications only emphasise the importance of defending our legacy as Marxists and Bolsheviks / Image: fair use Stalin was little known until Lenin went into inactivity, and had played no particular role in the direction of revolution. Already, the differences between Trotsky and Stalin (which were also Stalin's disagreements with Lenin, though he never had the courage to clash with Lenin in his lifetime) went much deeper than the series depicts. Faced with the defeat of the international revolution, Russia was isolated, and destroyed by a terrible civil war. Many Bolshevik cadres fell in battle. After years of struggle, and international defeats, the working class was overwhelmed by fatigue. Added to Lenin's retreat from active political life after an assassination attempt, historical conditions enabled a bureaucracy a privileged caste within the working class to be installed, whose interests were increasingly contrary to the masses of workers. Koba, otherwise known as Stalin the so-called man of steel, who was really a complete mediocrity was the perfect character to meet the need for political representation of this caste. He proposed the theory of socialism in one country, in which he argued that it was possible to reach a socialist society in isolated Russia, abandoning the struggle for the international proletarian revolution and, specifically, preventing the revolution in different countries. Stalin decreed that Russia had already attained socialism. But despite the extraordinary economic and social advances achieved on the basis of a planned economy, this development reached its limit and then faced setbacks, eventually resulting in the restoration of capitalism in the USSR. The sabotage of the international revolution by the Soviet bureaucracy and the absence of a true workers' democracy in the USSR were decisive in this. The series includes a scene where Trotsky, in a state of delirium, recognises himself as a "demon". This runs contrary to the real eyewitness accounts of his final hours. Even after the cruel blow dealt by the assassin Ramon Mercader to his skull, he maintained a touching clarity about the meaning of his life and what was happening around him. Trotsky, far from being "repentant" in the face of the bureaucratisation in the Soviet Union and the Communist International, devoted the last years of his life to the foundation of the Fourth International, with the aim of defending genuine Marxism and continuing the struggle for world revolution, in the face of the attacks of fascism and Stalinism. Trotsky was shown on Russian TV on the occasion of the centenary of the revolution. It was presented to the public just as class struggle worldwide is reaching a boiling point. In France, the protests of the yellow vests show the direction of events. A revolutionary situation is on the order of the day. This is why the ruling class, through the cultural industry, must defame the greatest revolutionaries in history. This only increases the importance of defending our legacy. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. South Africa: Careers in high demand needed to thrive in 4IR Higher Education and Training Minister Naledi Pandor says South Africa must up its game to drastically increase the numbers of Occupations in High Demand (OIHD) so it can participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Occupations in High Demand are defined as jobs that show relatively strong employment growth and/or are experiencing shortages in the labour market, or which are expected to be in demand in future. Pandor said currently, there are 11 universities in the country offering programmes and modules in 4IR and related fields of artificial intelligence and robotics. If we intend to take full advantage of 4IR, all our universities and colleges should be offering such courses, Pandor said. Pandor was speaking at the official opening of the National Skills Conference underway in Boksburg. Hosted by the National Skills Authority (NSA) under the theme Building a demand-led skills development system that focuses on inclusive economic growth, the two-day conference seeks to find solutions to the challenges and blockages experienced in the implementation of skills development interventions. Pandor said as part of its responsibility to identify skills needs in South Africa, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has developed a list of OIHD for a wide range of reasons, mostly to support enrolment planning at universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, as well as macro-planning at national level. The list of approximately 370 occupations specifically helps young people to make informed decisions regarding their subject choices in grade 10, which they can use to make informed choices regarding fields of study for further and higher education. The list also assists the National Skills Fund (NSF), Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) and other organisations that provide bursaries and scholarships to allocate resources directed to occupations that are in high demand. The 2018 list of OIHD identified white-collar occupations in information and communications technology, including ICT project manager, data management manager, application development manager, information technology manager, information systems director, ICT systems analyst, software developer, ICT risk specialist, programmer analyst, developer programmer, and applications programmer. The list also identified blue-collar occupations requiring intermediate level of skills as being in demand such as carpenter, plumber and pipe fitter, welder and sheet metal worker. Local economic development Pandor said skills training must be linked to local economic development priorities. We are here to identify and discuss practical steps to improve our skills training sector. The NSDS III [National Skills Development Strategy] and the White Paper for Post School Education and Training are the policy documents that set our targets and shape our planning. Our goals are to ensure skills training of a high standard. We have made credible progress in our efforts to improve skills and to give young people the opportunities to meet their aspirations. Our colleges and universities and the SETAs are receiving significant budget support to address their distinct mandates, Pandor said. Pandor will in the evening address the National Skills Awards, which are conferred on organisations and institutions that promote training programmes and widen access to work placement opportunities. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-03-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Aiming to bring the programme of National Tourism Year 2019 closer to Russian visitors in particular and the international in general, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Vietnam Airlines and several local tour and hotel operators have been taking part in the 2019 MITT in Moscow from March 12 to 14. Khanh Hoa is hosting National Tourism Year 2019 themed Nha Trang Colour of Sea, which includes various tourism activities, including a marine festival week and a Hong Kong-Nha Trang yacht race. Speaking at the event, Dinh Ngoc Duc, head of the VNAT Tourism Marketing Department, said Russia is among the top 10 markets of the Vietnamese tourism sector. The two countries have sound political ties and are connected by direct flights, while Russian demand for Vietnamese tourism products is rising. According to the VNAT, the number of Russian tourist arrivals in Vietnam grows by 30 percent annually on average, with the total number of arrivals expected to reach 1 million by 2020. In 2018, 600,000 Russian people visited Vietnam, raking 6th among all countries in terms of visitor number. 4 pm is dinner time in the panda enclosure. Ma Tao puts the dinner he has prepared at the door of the panda house - eggs, porridge, steamed corn bread and bamboo shoots. The 20-year-old giant panda, Gugu, will eat them from the ground. Ma Tang feeds the panda. (Photo/ Beijing Role Model) Ma Tao's daily tasks as the head of the Beijing Zoo panda team include feeding pandas morning and night, cleaning the panda house and writing observation reports. Listed on Beijing Role Model and chosen as The Best Worker of the Capital", Ma has been a giant panda "father" for 30 years. In 1989, 19-year-old Ma Tao came to the Beijing Zoo Panda Pavilion. His roles included preparing food, sanitation, artificial breeding, animal training and behavioral observation. After years of learning about these incredible animals, he is now an excellent breeder. Now there are 13 members in the Beijing Zoo panda team. Many of them graduated from animal breeding majors at university, but in practice, they still need to accumulate experience. "Traditionally, we use one-on-one mentoring, to make sure that every new employee has an experienced mentor to guide them, and also technical communication between peers, said Ma. Ma Tao interacts with the panda. (Photo/ Beijing Role Model) The oldest panda here is 'Dadi', born in 1992. The youngest was born in 2015, said Ma, as he introduced the 17 giant pandas at the Beijing Zoo. Both visitors from China and further afield love the giant panda for its cute charm. However, contrary to its docile appearance, it is a savage animal. The Beijing Zoo included the giant panda in a list of 27 wild animals for public awareness. It is incredibly territorial and may attack if it feels threatened, so the breeder always has to be careful and keep a safe distance. As a national Class I protected species of China, the giant panda has the title of national treasure. Compared with other species, it is more difficult to breed a panda. In addition to hard work, the most important thing for the job is to care with love, said Ma. For example, if you find that the panda doesn't have an appetite, you need to reflect on what may be the issue, and whether any external conditions are interfering with its appetite. Ma Tao prepares food for the panda. (Photo/ Beijing Role Model) After years of getting to know these pandas, Ma is familiar with the temperament of each one. "You have to think about it from the animal's point of view, and take care of it as if it is your child," Ma said, "To love them, not spoil them, you must use scientific methods. "My job is very common. It gets a high level of attention because I work with national treasures, Ma said modestly. He may think his job is ordinary, but without the work of people like Ma, the giant panda could never return to the wild. In 2015, the results of the fourth national giant panda survey released by authorities showed that by the end of 2013, the number of wild giant pandas in China reached 1,864, the number of captive giant pandas reached 375, and the number of protected habitat areas for pandas increased to 67. Due to these efforts, in 2016, the International Union for Conservation of Nature announced that pandas had been reclassified from endangered to vulnerable. Ma Tao cleans the panda house(Photo/ Beijing Role Model) When Ma joined the Beijing Zoo, there were only three resident giant pandas. Seeing the improved zoo conditions and the growing number of pandas being born, Ma is overjoyed. "To do an ordinary job for a lifetime. I feel it's worthy, " he said with satisfaction. Fan Yongzhen (2nd R), a deputy to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), talks with her fellow deputies after a plenary meeting of Yunnan delegation in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2019. (Xinhua/Yang Zongyou) BEIJING, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Sitting among nearly 3,000 national lawmakers at the Great Hall of the People at the heart of Beijing, Fan Yongzhen feels a great sense of responsibility to her people. A deputy curator of a local cultural museum in southwest China's Yunnan Province, Fan wants more funding for preserving ethnic minority cultures, as well as better technologies in public museums in less developed areas. The annual "two sessions," which gather thousands of national legislators and political advisors from across China, present an opportunity for voices like Fan's to be heard on the national level. Fan attended the sessions for the first time last year. As a beginner, she felt uncertain about how to fulfill her duty well. From the multi-ethnic Yunnan Province, Fan suggested the government increase support for modern public cultural institutions in the western region. Although she had made thorough research on the topic by visiting local cultural facilities and artists, and conducting surveys, she was not sure about her suggestion. To Fan's surprise, soon after she went back home from Beijing, she received feedback for her suggestion. Digital museum construction in Lijiang and cultural institutes at the township level have both received strong support from government departments. "I look at my role as a lawmaker differently after that," Fan said. "The responsibility is huge." This year, she suggests creating more digital cultural products for better public access. Zhuang Yan, another lawmaker from northeast China's Liaoning Province, tries to address pollution caused by de-icing salt. Her home city of Anshan has long snow-covered winters. As a street cleaner, Zhuang experiences first-hand how de-icing salt can erode road surfaces, vehicles, and cause pollution to soil and underground water. "I give my suggestion based on what I am most familiar with. That way I feel more confident," said Zhuang, in her orange uniform. Zhuang has been a legislator since 2017. Ahead of her first trip to Beijing that year, she was excited and nervous at the same time. Unlike many other legislators with more experience in public speaking, eloquence was not Zhuang's strength. "I was afraid of people asking me questions," Zhuang said. She received several training sessions afterwards, and learned how to conduct research on the de-icing salt's negative impact. Zhuang later found using a new type of green de-icing salt could help improve the overall benefits, but the price is three to four times higher. "Government at all levels should spend money on addressing the issue," she wrote in her suggestion. As her experience increased, she has become more confident and her speech delivery got better too. "People choose me as their representative, and I have to present their voice well," she said. WASHINGTON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- A longtime U.S. observer on China has said the draft foreign investment law being deliberated in Beijing is "definitely a step forward" in the country's continued reform and opening-up. David Dollar, a senior fellow in the John L. Thornton China Center at the Brookings Institution, told Xinhua in an interview on Monday that he believes the draft law will attract more foreign investment. The draft law, which has been submitted to China's ongoing annual national legislative session for a third reading, aims to further improve the transparency of foreign investment policies and to better ensure that foreign-invested enterprises participate in market competition on an equal basis. Calling it a "sensible" set of policies, Dollar highlighted the shift to a negative list system, which the expert said he believes will "probably result in more sectors opening up." Dollar said opening up more sectors would allow the entry of high-quality imports and also increase competition so that Chinese companies could improve, which would ultimately benefit China's economic growth. The expert used to serve as country director for China at the World Bank from 2004 to 2009, and then as the U.S. Treasury Department's economic and financial emissary to China from 2009 to 2013. He said China has gone through a rapid structural adjustment since the 2008 financial crisis, as its economy has become more focused on consumption. He also said the massive tax and fee cuts to be rolled out are "smart" measures expected to lower the price of some products, give more impetus to consumption and stimulate the economy. "I think the tax cuts will be very welcome," he said. As one of the highlights of this year's government work report, China has pledged that it will reduce the tax burdens and social insurance contributions of enterprises by nearly 2 trillion yuan (about 298 billion U.S. dollars) in 2019. Another thing in the work report that has attracted his attention is Beijing's pledge to continue opening up the country's economy. Dollar, who made his first trip to the Chinese mainland in 1986, said China's change over the past few decades is "unbelievable," thanks to the continued implementation of the reform and opening-up policy. The China expert encouraged the country to "follow through," and suggested it further open up its service sectors, such as financial services and healthcare, as the Chinese economy is going to depend more on services in the coming years. A father and son who were hospitalized after their wife and mother died from a gas leak at their home have been transferred to Jacobi Hospital in the Bronx New York, Pennridge Regional Police Department said this morning. Get festive at Happy Holidays from Roxborough! BEIJING, March 13 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor on Wednesday greeted and thanked news media for their coverage of the second session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), which ran from March 3 to 13. Meeting with representatives from the country's major media outlets including People's Daily, Xinhua News Agency and the China Media Group, Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, said the media outlets showcased the CPPCC's work in various forms, from multiple angles and at different levels, making significant contributions to the success of the annual session. He called on the media outlets to continue using their advantages in penetration, guidance, influence, and credibility, to further demonstrate the CPPCC's practice in political consultation and consensus building, and to manifest the characteristics and strengths of socialist democracy. Photo taken on March 13, 2019 shows the scene of a plenary meeting of deputies from Macao Special Administrative Region at the second session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, capital of China. The meeting was opened to media. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang) MBS RECAP: Small Scale Volatility Lost in Big Picture Shuffle In the bigger picture, we'll look back at today's intraday trading range and it will be completely meaningless--among the narrower days of 1st quarter of 2019. That's because, like yesterday, nothing interesting happened to motivate any meaningful movement. If that's all the more you'd like to know about today, feel free to go about your business and check back in tomorrow. You won't be missing much. For those of you that noticed the intraday mini-spike in bond yields, I'm afraid I don't have much more for you. We discussed this in detail in MBS Live and I spent most of the Huddle video time discussing it as well. Ultimately, there was no good case to be made for correlation with British markets, news, data, events, or the stock market (even though I saw several other analysts say otherwise. Watch the video if you think you might agree with them). The best explanations involve boring things like technical stop loss levels for curve traders (i.e. trading programs with triggers based on the gap between two flavors of US Treasury Note/Bond, such as 5yr vs 30yr Treasuries). The net effect around the noon hour was a bit of a snowball sell-off that took 10yr yields 1bp higher in 10 minutes, or 3bps higher over the course of 3 hours. Neither milestone is overly impressive, but the weakness was notable on an otherwise boring day. MBS Pricing Snapshot Pricing shown below is delayed, please note the timestamp at the bottom. Pricing shown below is delayed, please note the timestamp at the bottom. Real time pricing is available via MBS Live. MBS FNMA 3.5 100-15 : -0-02 Treasuries 10 YR 2.6300 : +0.0200 Pricing as of 3/14/19 5:13PMEST Today's Reprice Alerts and Updates A recap of Alerts and Updates provided to MBS Live subscribers 12:10PM : ALERT ISSUED: Negative Reprice Risk Increasing For a Few Lenders 10:20AM : Modest Improvement After New Home Sales Data MBS Live Chat Highlights Live Discussion on the A recap of featured comments from theon the MBS Live Dashboard Ted Rood : "Would depend on pricing difference between 30-45-60 days, but much/most of any potential risk is offset by better pricing on shorter locks." E S : "PL, until we break above 2.63, there is some minimal risk in floating and as JA said also, the range is narrow, losses would be limited" Peter Lassig II : "ES & JA, why are you two floating 60-days out?" E S : "2nd'd" Jason Anker : "floating" Dustin McAlister : "it is your personal purchase closing in 60 days. you locking or floating today?" Matthew Graham : "Treasuries moving more than GBP or GB 10yr. So it's not looking like Brexit headlines. Twitter is silent. No concomitant move in stocks or EU markets." Matthew Graham : "none so far" Oliver Orlicki : "Any news on this movement?" Oliver Orlicki : "Not liking this" Linda Mercuri Fischbach spent 20 years running the nonprofit Womanline Counseling Center and another 13 as clinical director of Family Service Association. Shes an active community volunteer think Italian Festival or Goodwills Miracle Clubhouse. She has four kids, a husband and 11 grandchildren. But somehow, retirement wasnt really in the cards. Shes spent the last two years with The Dayton Foundation as a Del Mar Encore Fellow, tackling significant community problems. Her current assignment is with the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ), exploring how our community addresses issues of diversity and inclusion. Linda is one of five Encore Fellows assigned to area nonprofits as part of an initiative aimed at using older adults to provide expert resources to nonprofits and to change the community conversation around aging along the way. The program, The Dayton Foundation Del Mar Encore Fellows Initiative, is built on the understanding that retired professionals have a lot of wisdom and experience that can continue to benefit the Dayton Region. The Dayton Foundation is now seeking new Host Organizations for three new Encore Fellows, older adults who have finished their primary careers but are still interested in giving back to the community. They are employed by The Dayton Foundation but placed with community groups to work on major projects for a minimum of one year, and up to three. The Encore Fellows work about 25 hours a week and their role has three aspects. The first is the Hosts initiative help solve a community problem. The second is to engage older adults as Encore volunteers, identifying equally skilled folks who dont want the year-long commitment of the Fellows role, but are interested in making a meaningful contribution to our community. The last is to change the conversation around aging, to help our community recognize that we can more effectively solve problems if we thoughtfully employ the experience and wisdom of older adults. Frieda R. Bennett is another Encore Fellow who has a hard time staying retired. After 30 years at Sinclair Community College, where she was a professor, dean of the business technologies division, and served as assistant to former President Ned Sifferlen, she retired, only to start teaching again at Wright State University. Five years later, she retired again. Sort of. She began her new role in August as an Encore Fellow with St. Mary Development Corp., trying to figure out how technology can be used to help low income senior residents have better access to health care. Sherre Collier left a 33-year career at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in 2017 and a week later began her new role as a Del Mar Encore Fellow with the Brunner Literacy Center in Trotwood. (She hasnt even tried retirement!) At Brunner, Sherre and the staff are working to address the widespread challenges of adult illiteracy and low literacy by helping to recruit and train volunteer tutors, and document the literacy and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) resources in our community. Vel Hux was a volunteer leader of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) who had worked in communications for corporations, nonprofits and with her own business, before she joined Learn to Earn Dayton as a Del Mar Encore Fellow. Vel coordinates the Summer and After School Collaborative, which helps providers offer high quality programming and document their impact on children in our community. After multiple careers in the law and education, including serving as general counsel to the Tennessee Department of Education, Kaye Manson Jeter actually did retire as Dean of the Central State University-Dayton Campus in 2013. But the lure of an interesting Del Mar Encore Fellowship pulled her back into the workforce. In August, Kaye began working with the Dayton Metro Library, reviewing their nascent Homework Help programs and making plans to expand the program into more branches across their service area. Each of these Encore Fellows has brought a wealth of experience to their Host Organizations and an even broader view of the needs and gaps in our community. If you think your organization has a project that could benefit from the contributions of a highly skilled, retired professional, check out our Request for Proposals. And if you still have questions, give me a call. The massive Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is the newest and one of the largest aircrafts in the Air Force inventory. Weighing in at a maximum takeoff weight of 585,000 pounds and flying as fast as 590 mph the 200-foot-long C-17 will show off its impressive aerial capability. The C-17s primary mission is to transport equipment, supplies and troops around the world. Daytons Wright-Patterson AFB is the home base for the 445th Airlift Wing that flies C-17s. The aircraft last performed an aerial demonstration at Dayton in 2010. The KC-135 Stratotanker is the core aerial refueling aircraft for the United States Air Force and has excelled in this role for more than 60 years. This large aerial tanker provides the U.S. Air Force capability to accomplish its primary mission of global reach. It provides aerial refueling support to all Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps aircraft. The KC-135 weighs 322,500 pounds. The heavy refueler flies at a speed of 530 mph. The KC-135 has never performed an aerial demonstration at Dayton. The demo aircraft and crews will be traveling to Dayton from the 97th Air Mobility Wing, Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The C-17 and KC-135 will also both be on display so spectators will have an opportunity to tour them and talk with the flight crews. They promise to be a big hit with air show fans. British Prime Minister Theresa May (Front) speaks during the no-deal Brexit vote in the House of Commons in London, Britain, on March 13, 2019. British MPs on Wednesday voted to reject no-deal Brexit at any time in the wake of Tuesday night's shattering defeat of the Brexit deal of British Prime Minister Theresa May. (Xinhua/UK Parliament/Mark Duffy) HOC MANDATORY CREDIT: UK Parliament/Mark Duffy LONDON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May will have one last shot of winning support for her Brexit deal after MPs voted Wednesday to stop Britain quitting the European Union (EU) without a deal. A vote to prevent a no-deal Brexit in any circumstance was won by 321 votes to 278 in the House of Commons. Work and Pensions Minister Sarah Newton became the 15th government minister to resign over Brexit. She quit tonight after she voted against the government. It means MPs will return to the historic chamber at Westminster Thursday to debate asking for Britain's delay from the EU to be delayed. A government proposal for debate Thursday would see MPs having until next Wednesday to see if they could finally agree a deal. If they agree a Brexit deal, the government would ask for a short extension of EU membership to June 30, to enable legislation to be rushed through the House of Commons. But if there was no deal, Britain would seek to stay in the EU for longer and would have to take part in European Parliament elections in May. MP Steve Baker from the influential pro-Brexit group of Conservative MPs, the European Research Group, said in the House of Commons that if May presented the deal already rejected twice by MPs, members of ERG would vote against it a third time. ANOTHER BAD NIGHT May, her voice still hoarse, took part in a debate Wednesday to enable MPs to decide if they wanted to rule out Britain leaving the EU with no deal. May announced her support for the main motion to rule out a no-deal Brexit unless a deal had been agreed, but it kept alive the possibility of Britain leaving the EU if there wasn't a deal. Conservative MPs were told they could have a free vote on that motion. An amendment was put forward to rule out Britain leaving under any circumstance without a deal. To the shock of Conservative Party managers that amendment won by 312 votes to 308, a narrow four vote margin. It meant the main motion of the evening was now amended to incorporate the successful amendment. Conservative managers changed their minds and withdrew the free-vote offer, meaning party MPs were required to vote against it. However, it won by 321 votes to 278, representing another crushing blow for the already embattled May. ALL GO WRONG There is still great unease in the House of Commons over May's unpopular Brexit deal with its risk of measures to prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland. Many MPs opposed to May's deal fear Britain would be locked into EU rules for years, or even indefinitely, with no means of escape. They wanted legal guarantees to make sure this could not happen. Across the House of Commons, a number of MPs have been demanding a block on a no-deal exit, fearing that May was running down the clock towards March 29 with the prospect of Britain ending its EU membership with no deal by default. The sum total of MPs voting against May for different reasons all added up to inflict yet another defeat. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT MPs will gather at Westminster Thursday, with just 16 days to go before the scheduled March 29 departure date. They are set to debate on whether they want Britain to seek an extension to Article 50. That is the EU's trigger mechanism that sets a two-year countdown to departure day. It runs out on March 29, having been trigger in March 2017. Even if British MPs vote for a delay, the final decision is in the hands of the leaders of the 27 EU member states. They will want to know why Britain wants to delay its departure, and all have to agree. After losing the vote in the Commons on Wednesday, a day after her Brexit deal had been overwhelmingly defeated again, May addressed MPs. She told them the options before the House of Commons are the same as they always have been. She said: "The House has today provided a clear majority against leaving without a deal, however I will repeat what I said before. These are about the choices this House faces. The legal default in EU and UK law is that the UK will leave without a deal unless something else is agreed. The onus is now on every one of us in this House to find out what that is." Innovid Names EMEA MD Online video analytics tech developer Innovid has hired Seamus Whittingham to lead its EMEA team as Managing Director, based in London. New York-based Innovid provides MRC-accredited tools to create, deliver and measure video campaigns. These tools capture consumer engagement with proprietary real-time analytics and reporting, providing insight into ad 'viewability', engagement, awareness and social media sharing. Whittingham (pictured) joins from digital marketing technology firm IgnitionOne, where he served as MD, overseeing revenue and operations across the UK, France, Germany and Eastern Europe. Previously, he was MD at personalization software company Qubit, and he worked for eBay as VP Sales, International. In his new role, Whittingham will focus on driving Innovid's position in connected TV (CTV) advertising to support global advertising brands, publishers and broadcasters in the region. CEO and co-founder Zvika Netter comments: 'Following our $30 million funding raise from Goldman Sachs earlier this year, Innovid has been rapidly expanding its global footprint and onboarding many new global advertising clients, particularly in EMEA. Seamus' expertise in scaling teams and supporting sustainable growth across existing brand partners and new accounts will be a huge asset as we further expand Innovid's leadership in EMEA, particularly in France and Germany'. Web site: www.innovid.com . By Bloomberg Airlines worried about buying from Boeing Co. have another supplier besides Airbus SE to choose from: the Chinese government. The state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China, or Comac, is building the C919, a narrowbody passenger plane with a capacity of about 170 that the company says has more than 800 orders worldwide. It will compete with the Boeing 737 Max 8as well as the Airbus 320neoas part of Chinese President Xi Jinpings ambitious gamble to build an aerospace industry from scratch and break Western companies grip on the skies. China grounded the Max 8 within hours of the Ethiopian Airlines crash, leading a global wave of suspensions. These kinds of events provide an opportunity for Comac to get their foot in the door, says Chad Ohlandt, a senior engineer at Rand Corp. in Washington. If theyre smart, theyre going knocking on doors of whatever 10 airlines are considering buying narrowbody aircraft. The company, which started test flights of the C919 in 2017, has received 815 orders from 28 customers, including GE Capital Aviation Services. Comac didnt respond to requests for comment. Beijings aspirations extend beyond the C919. Comac is working with Moscow-based United Aircraft Corp. to develop the widebody CR929 that could eventually fly long-haul routes such as Beijing to New York. State-owned enterprises are developing a complete range of aircraft, including widebodies, turboprops, business jets, helicopters, seaplanes, and even zeppelins. Strategically speaking, aviation manufacturing is a national imperative, says Yu Zhanfu, a partner at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants in Beijing who focuses on aerospace and defense. Once you have aviation manufacturing reaching economies of scale, it will lift the entire industrial chain. Comac said in November that Chinas aviation market will take delivery of 9,000 planes, worth $1.3 trillion, over the next two decades. Two-thirds of those will be single-aisle planes like the Boeing 737 and the C919. Shanghai-based Comac is building a training center for maintenance engineers, flight attendants, and other airline employees who will fly the C919 and CR929. They are doing four, five, or six things in parallel, Marc Szepan, a lecturer in international business at Oxfords Said Business School, says of Chinas master plan. Theyre firing on all cylinders. That puts Boeing in the potentially awkward position of competing against one of its partners. Comac and Boeing are co-owners of an assembly center south of Shanghai that opened in December by delivering a 737 Max 8 to Air China. Another Comac plane, the ARJ21 regional jet, competes with aircraft made by Embraer SA, which is also forming a joint venture with Boeing. The buyers so far are smaller carriers, including Chengdu Airlines and Genghis Khan Airlines. Comac is a great competitor and we respect them a lot, Boeing said in an email. They are also a great collaborator. China accounted for about 14 percent of Boeings revenue last year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. But its not all clear skies for Xi. Chinese planes dont have the safety track record that Western ones do. More important, no Chinese company has the capacity to design and produce engines for commercial jets, says Yong Teng, a partner with L.E.K. Consulting in Shanghai. The C919s engines are by CFM International, a joint venture of General Electric Co. and Frances Safran SA. That technology is at the heart of charges the U.S. Department of Justice brought against two Chinese nationals in October. It said they were intelligence officers who allegedly tried to hack the computer systems of companies to obtain information related to commercial aircraft engines. The U.S. has also unsealed charges against an alleged Chinese agent and accused him of conspiring to steal trade secrets from U.S. aviation and aerospace companies. The Chinese government dismissed the charges. Says Nicholas Eftimiades, a lecturer in the School of Public Affairs at Pennsylvania State University in Harrisburg: Aerospace technology is the No. 1 target for China espionage. With Bruce Einhorn and Dong Lyu. A visitor looks at paintings displayed at an art exhibition in Lisbon, Portugal, March 13, 2019. About 30 paintings are on display at an art exhibition, which kicked off on Wednesday in Lisbon, to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun) Anuradha Shukla By Express News Service NEW DELHI: With a surge in fertliser subsidy requirements and the Central government already exceeding its fertiliser subsidy bill by Rs 12,000 crore, the Ministry of Finance has now approved a special banking arrangement for subsidies worth Rs 10,000 crore for the current financial year (FY19). The subsidy deficit thereafter will be rolled over to the next fiscal. The fertiliser subsidy expenditure has overshot the budgetary target. It is to the tune of Rs 12,000-15,000 crore. While some of the deficit would be rolled over to the next year, there would be special banking arrangement for Rs 10,000 crore. The proposal is already approved, a senior finance ministry official told this publication. The Indian government compensates state and private fertiliser companies for selling crop nutrients to the countrys millions of farmers at discounted rates. With the expenditure overshooting this year, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers had sought an additional Rs 23,000 crore. While the finance ministry did not allot this extra expenditure as the government is already struggling to meet the revised fiscal deficit target of 3.4 per cent, it instead approved the special banking arrangement for local fertiliser companies. The new arrangement will help the fertiliser firms procure funds from banks, subsequently easing the burden on the government. The Centre had originally budgeted Rs 70,000 crore for fertiliser subsidies for FY19, which, according to official sources, was insufficient. The budget was not sufficient. In fact, about half of the money was spent in settling dues from the previous year. Also, fall in the rupee value made imported fertilisers more expensive. This, combined with agrarian crisis, resulted in a surge in subsidy requirements, the official said. The domestic fertiliser industry is highly dependent on imports, with almost the entire raw materials used for manufacturing phosphatic fertilisers being procured thus.On the demand side, meanwhile, primary fertiliser sales witnessed a healthy growth of around 7 per cent YoY in the first half of FY19, driven by the sale of non-urea fertilisers. Non-urea fertiliser sales volume saw a healthy growth of 12 per cent during the same period. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: A day after joining the list of countries that has suspended operation of Boeing 737 Max 8 planes, Indias aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on Wednesday that lifting the ban on the Max planes will be based on inputs from various agencies and it will not happen soon. DGCA will take information from regulators and manufacturers before lifting the suspension. Meanwhile, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which regulates aviation industry in the US, is yet to suspend the use of the Boeing Max planes in their homeland. FAA in a tweet on Wednesday, said it continues to review extensively all available data and aggregate safety performance from operators and pilots of the Boeing 737 MAX. Thus far, our review shows no systematic performance issues and provides no basis to order grounding (of) the aircraft. Nor have other civil aviation authorities provided data to us that would warrant action, it said. The DGCA also clarified that airlines will not be compensated for loss caused due to the grounding of Boeing 737 Max aircraft. The decision has impacted only budget carrier SpiceJet, which had 12 operational Max planes in its fleet, which reportedly might seek compensation from the manufacturer Boeing. Countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Indonesia and Ethiopia have grounded their Boeing Max 8 aircraft over safety concerns, following the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines on Sunday that killed 157 passengers.On the impact that passengers may face from the ban, civil aviation secretary P S Kharola said SpiceJet has increased the utilisation of existing aircraft, so that the cancellations get limited. By Express News Service BENGALURU: A 13-year-old girl from Mauritius who was suffering from a rare genetic disease since the age of two, has got a new lease of life at a hospital in Bengaluru. Clara (name changed) was suffering from C1q deficiency and experts in the city performed a bone marrow transplant, making her the first teen in Asia who was suffering from this condition, to be treated with this transplant. She was suffering from skin rashes and kidney ailments for over a decade and also faced difficulty in walking. Until the transplant, Clara was on multiple immune-suppressants to control the autoimmune condition, Systemic lupus erythematosus. She was being treated with over 10 different medications for her skin disease, kidney disease and pulmonary hypertension. The Pediatric Immunology department at Aster CMI Hospital, diagnosed the rare genetic disease complement C1q deficiency - which was confirmed by the genetic studies conducted at the hospital. She was advised to undergo a bone marrow transplant and her father was found to be a Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) match. He donated his bone marrow to Clara, and today the teen can lead a normal life. Currently, she is under medication and will require close follow-up for the next six months. Considering the cost of the treatment, the hospital took the initiative of crowd-funding the expenses, and managed to raise Rs 26.5 lakh. As explained by the doctors in a press conference conduced on Wednesday, Less than 10 such cases have been successfully transplanted in the world so far. The first one was conducted in UK in 2014. Dr Sagar Bhattad said, Though considered to be a rare disease, our hospital sees three-four new children every month, who are diagnosed with an immune deficiency. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Delhi BJP MLA O P Sharma was issued a show cause notice by the Election Commission on Wednesday for using photos of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media, in the first case of violation of poll norms in Delhi. The Election Commission also asked him to take down the post and reply to the show cause notice by Thursday. This prompted the Sharma to dub the poll body biased against nationalist leaders. Sharma said that he had deleted the post mentioned by the EC, but said he did not understand why the poll body was so allergic to a person cheering the heroic act of its soldiers and rejoicing over an act of national honour. The Election Commission is biased against nationalist leaders like me, he said. The Election Commission on Sunday announced the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls. The model code of conduct is in force across the country since the announcement of poll dates. Polling in Delhi will be held on May 12. The posters, shared on social media by the BJP MLA on March 1, featured Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, the IAF officer, and Sharma, who represents the Vishwas Nagar seat in the Delhi Assembly. Pakistan has bowed down. Our brave soldier has returned. Its a big diplomatic victory that Modiji has brought Abhinandan back in very little time, the message in the photos read. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first-ever International Waitress Race involving women employees from major hotels, restaurants and resorts was held at UDS Hotels, Kovalam. The event was organised as part of the International Womens Week 2019 celebration. The waitress race was flagged off by L V Kumar, the IHMCT principal at Vellar Junction in the presence of hotel representatives from Sri Lanka, Maldives, ATTOI, APT. The event was aimed at empowering women employees working in the hospitality sector and to inculcate an awareness about the rights and privileges of women. The race was organised by UDS Group of Hotels with other hospitality organsiations, hotels, airlines with a view to bring out and exhibit the strength and abilities of women employees in hospitality sector. Nissa Beevi, the counsellor of Harbour attended the closing ceremony which was held at UDS Hotel, Kovalam. Maria Jacob, MD of Nikkis Nest, Parvathy Nair from Red FM and Maryse Noiseux, kathakali artist were the judges. The winners were honoured with merit certificates, cash prizes and trophies by hospitality industry leaders. The event attracted huge crowd including tourists. By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: A team of representatives from an Australian research organisation Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities (CRCWSC) held a meeting with municipal commissioner M Rama Rao and discussed the methods to be followed for the execution of capacity building programme to prevent the mixing of commercial and household wastes into the three irrigation canals passing through the city. It may be recalled that Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) had entered into an MoU with the CRCWSC during Happy Cities Summit in February. As part of the pact, the CRCWSC will provide technical support to VMC in treatment of the wastewater entering the canals. Over the years, it has become a Herculean task for the civic body to tackle the pollution in the canals. To overcome this problem, the Corporation had mooted the establishment of an on-site wastewater treatment plant but it couldnt be materialised due to financial and space constraints. Speaking to TNIE on Wednesday, VMC Superintendent Engineer (Projects) J V Rama Krishna said that as part of the MoU, representatives from Australia conducted a ground-level survey to inspect the efforts being made by the civic body to prevent canal pollution. After inspecting the canals, the team lauded the efforts made by the civic body to improve the greenery on the canal bunds and fix the iron meshes on the bridges across the canals to prevent the indiscriminate dumping of waste, he said. The Superintendent Engineer also said that the Australian team will prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) at an estimated cost of Rs 3 crore for the execution of the capacity building programme in the city. Of the total, CRCWSC will spend Rs 1.5 crore and the remaining amount would be spent by the State government. The team will visit the city once again after April 15 to discuss the DPR and the steps to be taken in order to materialise the programme, he added. Abhijit Mulye By Express News Service MUMBAI: Dr Sujay Vikhe-Patil, the son of senior Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra state assembly, finally joined the BJP on Tuesday in presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai. Speculations were rife regarding Sujay joining BJP as he was reportedly upset over not being fielded by the party from Ahmednagar South Lok Sabha constituency. Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil had said last week that his son is free to take his own decision. His move comes after his meeting with state irrigation minister Girish Mahajan a couple of days back. Im deeply pained while making this decision going against the wishes of my parents. Ive been trying to speak to my father since last night but he hasnt picked up my calls. I hope the news reaches to him through media, Sujay said while speaking to media after joining the BJP. Sujays wife and sister accompanied him at the event. CM Fadnavis said that recommendation for his name from Ahmednagar South Lok Sabha seat would be sent to partys parliamentary board at Delhi. He also expressed confidence that the recommendation would be accepted by BJPs central committee. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Dr Sujay is a practising surgeon and belongs to the fourth-generation of the Vikhe-Patil family that controls a vast network of milk, sugar, education and other cooperatives in Ahmednagar area making it the familys stronghold. Reacting to the development, state Congress spokesperson Ratnakar Mahajan said that the party has no role to play in the case. The Congress has finalised its seat-sharing arrangement with Sharad Pawars Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Maharashtra for the Lok Sabha election and the particular seat from where Sujay wanted to contest has gone to the NCP. Hence, there is no role of the party in his crossing over, Mahajan said. State Congress Chief Ashok Chavan, however, termed the development as the one that is detrimental to the democracy. The BJP had always been undermining the democratic institutions and their behavior had remained undemocratic. The latest development too is indicative of that. The BJP has created a rift in the party and the family. This is detrimental to the democracy, he said. State Congress sources said that efforts were made on state as well as central level to avoid the embarrassing situation. Party president Rahul Gandhi even spoke to the NCP chief to leave the seat for the Congress, but that too didnt work. The Shiv Sena on the other hand has extended offer to Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil to join them while reminding him that he was minister of agriculture as a Shiv Sena MLA during the partys government in the state between 1995-99. NCP leader Sharad Pawar had earlier said that he had proved in the past that Vikhe-Patil family member can be defeated from Ahmednagar and hence it wont make much difference to his party even if Sujay joins the BJP. Sitting BJP MP Dilip Gandhi, whose supporters had staged demonstrations in front of CM Devendra Fandavis yesterday, however, was not available for comment. More trouble for Congress Meanwhile, in an unrelated development, a group of Dalit intellectuals and activists from Nagpur have written to the Congress leadership against fielding former BJP MP Nana Patole from the city against Union minister Nitin Gadkari. Patole had tried to save the perpetrators of Khairlanji massacre and his stand during the episode was utterly sectarian, which cant be forgotten, the letter has said. Meanwhile, irrigation minister Mahajan and NCP MP Vijaysingh Mohite-Patils son Ranjitsingh has led to yet another wave of speculations. When asked whether Ranjitsingh is the next person to join the BJP in the state after Dr Sujay, Mahajan declined the possibility and added that meeting was to discuss the subsidy of the sugar mill. Though Pawar had announced his decision to not contest Lok Sabha election, Vijaysingh has not been granted the seat as yet, leading to the speculation. By Online Desk NEW DELHI: The BJP on Thursday slammed Congress president Rahul Gandhi for his jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after China blocked a UN resolution to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist. Gandhi had hit out at PM Modi on Twitter, saying he was weak and scared of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Responding to Rahul's comments, Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "Why is Rahul Gandhi in a celebratory mood when country is pained by China's attitude? He must be headlining in Pakistan," adding, "a country's foreign policy is not determined on Twitter". Prasad and his party both also pointed out that China would not be in the UNSC today if not for Jawaharlal Nehru. In a tweet, the BJP accused Gandhi's great grandfather and India's first Prime Minister of gifting the UNSC seat to China at India's cost. The Congress chief attacked the Prime Minister and said he had not spoken on China blocking the resolution in the UN Security Council. The party accused the BJP of letting Masood off the hook again and also questioned Modi what was the use of "swinging" with Xi. "Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India.NoMo's China diplomacy: 1.Swing with Xi in Gujarat. 2.Hug Xi in Delhi. 3 Bow to Xi in China," Gandhi said on Twitter. READ| UNSC members may be forced to pursue other actions on Masood Azhar: US after China blocks ban on Jaish chief India's bid to designate the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief as a global terrorist suffered a setback with China on Wednesday putting a technical hold on a proposal to ban him following the Pulwama terror attack. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UNSC was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the JeM killed 44 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. "With China having blocked our bid to designate Masood Azhar a global terrorist, the question on every Indian's mind is, what was the use of all the swinging with Modi and President Xi," the Congress said on its official Twitter handle. "A terrorist responsible for such bloody murders is let off the hook again by the BJP," it claimed. Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said it was a sad day in the global fight against terrorism. "China blocking Masood Azhar's designation as global terrorist reaffirms Chinese position of being an inseparable ally of terrorism's breeding ground-Pakistan," he tweeted Wednesday. "Sadly, Modiji's foreign policy has been a series of diplomatic disasters," the party spokesperson said. The Congress has also been attacking the BJP over Azhar's release in the Kandahar hijacking case. Gandhi has asked Modi to tell the nation that it was a BJP-led government which released Azhar from an Indian jail in 1999. (With agency inputs) By Express News Service NEW DELHI/KOLKATA : The BJP on Wednesday urged the Election Commission (EC) to declare West Bengal a super sensitive state to ensure that free and fair elections there, prompting state Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee to hit back at the party, accusing it of insulting the people of Bengal.A high-level BJP delegation which included Union ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Nirmala Sitharaman and senior leaders Bhupender Yadav and Kailash Vijayvargiya, met the EC and demanded deployment of central forces in all polling stations of West Bengal. The party has also requested the Election Commission to transfer those police officers whose electoral impartiality is questionable and the withdrawal of former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar from election duty, Prasad said after the meeting. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION COVERAGE HERE The meeting assumes significance as the saffron party is trying to make inroads in the Trinamool-ruled Bengal which sends 42 MPs to the Lok Sabha and improve its tally from the existing two seats. The delegation also lodged a complaint against Congress president Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of violating the Model Code of Conduct. The party requested that action be taken the Congress president for leveling unverified allegations against the PM in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, which was in violation of the Model Code of Conduct, Prasad said. Reacting sharply to BJPs appeal to the Election Commission to declare all the 42 constituencies in West Bengal as sensitive and appoint an observer to monitor media coverage, Mamata said, Why is the BJP so scared of TMC and sensitive about Bengal? On what basis did they demand that all constituencies of the state be declared sensitive? There is no trouble in Bengal, ours is a peaceful state. Was there any problem during Gangasagar Mela and Durga Puja? The by-elections were peaceful and most of the people who died in panchayat elections were TMC workers. Do they think they can control me with these antics? There is no point showing me muscle power. I am not scared. Whatever BJP says is not the last word of democracy. They have insulted the people of Bengal by raising such demands. People will answer them in the elections, Mamata thundered.On BJPs demand for media observer, the TMC chief said, My moral support is with media...Dont bow down to this... Why is the BJP trying to control the media? Kolkata mayors warning Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim said TMC will raise the issue of ECs impartiality if it heeded to BJPs demand to declare all seats as sensitive. He alleged that the BJP was trying to bring in cadres from neighbouring Jharkhand to foment trouble in West Bengal No critical constituencies, state poll panel says The State Election Commission has sent a letter to Election Commission of India stating that there are no critically sensitive constituencies in West Bengal, but it can send observers for any constituency it wishes, sources revealed. The SEC sent the letter to the ECI in response to the latters query about critically sensitive constituencies in the state. However, central paramilitary forces have to send photographs of route march maps to the EC which will be uploaded on its website. China has reaffirmed its determination to win the tough battle against pollution and pledged that boosting the economy will not come at the price of a degraded environment. Speaking to reporters at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual legislative session on March 11, Chinas Ecology and Environment Minister Li Ganjie vowed to coordinate efforts of environmental protection and economic development in 2019, an critical year for winning the battle. Li claimed that China has made progress in addressing the prominent problems on environmental protection, especially along the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and promised the public that the monitoring data are accurate and authentic. However, he also admitted that the battle remains an arduous task and there were huge gaps between cities and regions. Chinese analysts said that although previous practices in dealing with environmental problems have led to the shutdown of factories and a decline in local fiscal revenue, in the long run, the battle against pollution will bring a new economic growth point and help China switch from high-speed growth to high-quality growth. No crossing red line In 2018, the proportion of blue-sky days in 338 cities at or above the prefectural level increased by 1.3 percentage points to 79.3 percent, with PM 2.5 concentrations dropping 9.3 percent year-on-year, Li said. Meanwhile, to fight smog, China has expanded its coal-to-gas and coal-to-electricity projects to 35 cities in 2018 from 12 cities the previous year, Li noted. As for protecting the Yangtze River, Li said 99.9 percent of the 1,474 drinking water sources in cities above county-level along the Yangtze River Economic Belt, stringing up 11 provinces and municipalities from west to east, have had their problems resolved. Li added that over 90 percent of the 12 black and malodorous water bodies in provincial capital cities have been cleaned up, while prefecture-level cities are catching up. Li also reiterated what President Xi Jinping had said when he attended a panel discussion with deputies to the National Peoples Congress from Inner Mongolia on March 5: Local governments should not pursue economic growth at the cost of the environment when economic development encounters difficulties. Li marked it as a key guide for the future battle against pollution. At the panel discussion, Xi stressed efforts to maintain strategic resolve in enhancing the building of an ecological civilization and to protect the countrys beautiful scenery in the northern border areas. Xi warned local governments against launching new projects to boost economic growth by sacrificing the environment when its economic growth encounters difficulties, and not to even consider trying to cross the ecological red line. Xi underlined a resolute and effective fight to prevent and control pollution, saying prominent environmental issues the people are strongly concerned about must be addressed properly. New growth point There has been a misunderstanding that green development will restrain economic growth. In fact, environmental protection itself can be a very promising field for investment, Xu Hongcai, assistant minister at the Ministry of Finance, told the Global Times. Children at the Xiajiang County Kindergarten in East Chinas Jiangxi Province water a tree in a park on Monday, March 11. March 12 marks Chinas Arbor Day and activities to promote environmental awareness are held across the country. (Photo: Xinhua News Agency) The governments have discarded their previous simple approach and are trying to find a balance between fighting pollution and stabilizing growth, Xu said. For example, instead of shutting factories down, local governments are supporting companies which upgrade facilities, increasing investment to them and helping laid-off employees find new jobs, he said. The green industry is also a new economic growth point. Some companies which invested in pollution treatment facilities now experience record high profits, Xu said. The city of Hengshui in North Chinas Hebei Province is one example. The Hengshui government provides environment management guidance to help enterprises achieve green development. Thanks to the environment protection upgrade, Hengshui Baili Rubber Products Co. bid farewell to its previously disheveled factory area, meeting the requirements of the European market, media reports said. By Online Desk For the fourth time in a row, China has blocked India's bid in the UN to list Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Mazood Azhar as a global terrorist. Following the Pulwama terrorist attack, which was claimed by the terror outfit, three permanent members of the Security Council - the US, France and the UK - had moved a resolution to designate Azhar as a global terrorist. But China, which wields veto power in the Security Council, blocked the move again, in support of Pakistan. India has expressed disappointment over China's decision but said it will "pursue all available avenues" to bring to justice terrorist leaders involved in the attack. ALSO READ: Disappointed over China blocking move at UN to list Masood Azhar as global terrorist: MEA Meanwhile, outraged by China's move in the UN, netizens have taken to Twitter to express their anger by calling for a complete ban on Chinese products in India. Here are some of the reactions on Twitter: By again stalling India's move to declare Masood Azhar as GLOBAL TERRRIST at UN, China has openly shown it supports terrism. #BoycottChineseProducts #CKMKB pic.twitter.com/hrdbyQ746H Rosy (@rose_k01) March 14, 2019 It is not possible to put a 'blanket ban' on chinese products due to WTO (world trade organisation) rules. India's export to china - 12 Billion $ India's import from China - 60 Billion $ Logically to #BoycottChineseProducts is impossible, we should work on the trade dificit. (@SanataniGaurav) March 14, 2019 Hold on guyz throw your oppo smartphones first. Ask your players not to wear china's company sponsored T-shirts SHOW THE REAL PATRIOTISM. DONT BE KEYBOARD WARRIORS#BoycottChina#BoycottChineseProducts pic.twitter.com/shwOyWJGSn K. (@K_Serotonin) March 13, 2019 If you not #BoycottChineseProducts then it means you are Product of China. Abhishek Mishra (@Abhishek_Mshra) March 14, 2019 A few wanted to uninstall Chinese products from their smartphones, including the popular Tik Tok app. I uninstalled #TikTok & I urge every Nationalist Indian to #BoycottChineseProducts for good and teach these Chinese Traitors a lesson for life pic.twitter.com/QVk08F5b3X (@Rajpoot_Roopesh) March 14, 2019 One user pointed out how Chinese products dominate the smartphone market in India Very curious how many people tweeting #BoycottChineseProducts are using phones from China - Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, Huawei, Gionee. Niha Masih (@NihaMasih) March 14, 2019 The US has warned it "may be forced to pursue other actions" at the Security Council if Beijing continued with this policy. Harpreet Bajwa By Express News Service CHANDIGARH: Leading from the front, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh shares his plans for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls in an interview with Harpreet Bajwa. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION COVERAGE HERE On what issues will the Congress fight the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Punjab? There is one big plank on which we are fighting the elections in Punjab, just as the Congress will fight in the rest of the country. The total failure of the BJP government on all counts. Be it jobs, farmer debts and suicides, attempts to create communal rift, prices of essential commodities, it all boils down to the Modi governments failure to fulfil any promise to any section of the society and to put the nation, including our state, down the path of ruin. The central government has failed Punjab on all fronts they did not help us come to the rescue of the debt-ridden farmers, they have not settled the Rs 31, 000 legacy debt that their partners, the Akalis, left us with, they have failed to give us necessary funds for development, and even funds for befitting celebration of Sri Guru Nanak Devs 550th birth anniversary celebrations. They do not care for the people, they only care to partner with big industrialists for their own petty gains. They have done everything in their power to divide people, which is not the essence of our nation. They have destroyed all democratic institutions and have no respect for even the Constitutional bedrocks of our country just see how they behave in the Vidhan Sabha. India does not need such leaders, it needs a party and leadership that wants to take the people along the road to progress. How do you rate the performance of your government in the last two years? Are you satisfied? A lot has been done, and we have fulfilled most of the promises we made to the people, or at least are on the way to implementing the same. Industry is back, investments are rolling in, farmers are finally getting their due in terms of not just the debt waiver but also smooth procurement of their foodgrains, jobs are now there for the youth and more are on the way. There is a climate of positivity, which is evident even in the stable law and order situation in the state. Corruption, drugs, gangsters and mafias all these are virtually gone and what is left is being wiped out by the police and administrative authorities working together for the welfare of the people. So yes, I am satisfied with our performance but then, there is a flipside too, in the form of the financial constraints we are facing because of the way the previous government messed up on the economic front, as on all other fronts. So while people are getting what they deserve and need, it is somewhat slower due to the fiscal problems we face as a result of the total mismanagement by the previous government. But I promise the next three years will see us not only fulfil every single of our promises but go beyond to give more to the people of Punjab. What has your government missed out on implementing? Well, I wouldnt really call it a miss but as just mentioned, we would have liked to do things much faster than we are able to do. If I had the resources, I would have liked to be able to have waived off all the loans of all the farmers and landless labourers in one go. But unfortunately, Im having to do it in a phased manner. Infrastructure development, including more colleges and hospitals, also needs to be speeded up, but again, it boils down to lack of sufficient resources, which prevents me expediting projects. You are being accused of going soft on the drug mafia and till date no big fish have been caught. Even your own party leaders and ministers accuse you of soft pedalling. Look, Punjab has been through a bad time under the previous government, which showed no respect for any democratic institution, be it the police or civil administration. They had no respect even for the judiciary, for that matter. I made it clear before I took over that I do not function like that and I do not indulge in political vendetta. I will not put anyone behind bars without evidence, which the SIT and the police are working on. In the meantime, you need to appreciate that we have been able to break the back of the drug mafia to save our future generations from this deadly menace. The number of arrests and seizures are a clear indication of our success on this count. As for the big fish, we will get them too, as soon as we can. And thats a promise I mean to keep. Nobody guilty of destroying young lives like this should be allowed to go scot free. Punishment is what they deserve, and punishment is what they will get but we will not scuttle the course of law to do that. Congress Ministers & MLAs have been complaining that bureaucracy has been made powerful while legislators hardly have a say in governance This is not true because I have personally made it clear to the bureaucracy more than once that I will not tolerate any disrespect to the elected representatives. All complaints and requests from ministers and MLAs are addressed promptly and the bureaucrats have clear orders to help the elected representatives in addressing the problems of their constituents and ensure the welfare of the people. You have divergent views with your own local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on various issues, be it Kartarpur corridor, his visit to Pakistan or his comments on the Pulwama attack. He also said his captain is Rahul, dont you think it is gross indiscipline? We are a functioning democracy, where every person has the right to say what he feels. How can that be termed indiscipline? Yes, Navjot and I hold different views on certain subjects, particularly in the context of Pakistan and defence matters, but then, as I have mentioned earlier, he is not a soldier and I remain a soldier at heart even though I am no longer an Army man. So we look at things differently. But that does not make me more nationalistic than him, or him any less of a patriot. It seems that the third alliance which is being formed in Punjab will dent your vote bank What third alliance? I have not seen or heard of any third alliance so far. The existing parties are not even able to keep their rank and file together, so how can they even think of cobbling up external alliances. What we see today is splinter groups battling for survival, which pose no threat at all to the Congress, which you will see when the results of the Lok Sabha elections come out. During the last elections, the AAP had emerged as a major force. Whats your view about AAPs performance in the 2019 general elections? Now, which AAP are you talking about? The last I heard, there were at least two, and I see some more emerging by the time polls are held. They failed to counter the Congress resurgence two years ago despite being a stronger party than they are today. So if they could not do anything then, where is the question of them being a force to reckon with this time, when they are not even one single entity now. Of the thirteen Lok Sabha seats, how many will your party win? Thirteen and that is what I truly believe and have promised even Rahul Gandhi, the AICC president. People will vote for performance and we have performed on every count, and they know we shall continue to do so. The SAD-BJP alliance is accusing your government of total failure, be it on loan waiver to farmers or other promises made by you in the manifesto That is a total lie and they know it. But we all know that a lie does not become the truth just by being repeated multiple times. Do they really think they can befool and mislead the people of Punjab with their fabrications? The people saw what they did for 10 years, and they are seeing what we have already done for them in less than two years. As far as loan waiver is concerned, I think you should go an ask the farmer whose loan has been waived and who can finally breathe freely and live to see better days. Or maybe the young men and women who have jobs in hand now, and are not being pulled into a pit of drugs. Let the SAD-BJP come out for a debate on what promises we have or havent fulfilled, and let us also compare that with the promises they failed to implement in 10 years. They do not have a leg to stand on, and they know it. They are just making a lot of noise because the Lok Sabha elections are round the corner, and they are desperate to get at least face-saving votes. The SAD is accusing you of interfering in panthic affairs Lets be very clear the SGPC is a body of Sikhs and not the personal domain of the Badals, which is what they have been treating it as all these years. They have been running it as their fiefdom and I have already stated that I will support anyone who challenges them. We need to break their fiefdom and hand over the body back to the Sikh community, through whoever they choose to be represented by. The employees, farmers and other sections of the society have been protesting against your government for not implementing the promises made to them by your government These protests are not because we have not implemented the promises but because things are not happening as fast as they wanted or expected them to. And that is something I am really sorry about. Unfortunately, we just do not have the resources to give everything in one go. Which is something that we are trying to overcome. Things are already better, and as I have already said on more than one occasion, as the situation gets better, we will give more to all the sections. What we earn will continue to be shared with the people, and we shall continue to try to boost the states earnings, which are already in a better shape than they were two years ago. By IANS ATTARI: Exactly a month after the Pulwama terror attack killed 40 CRPF troopers, Indian and Pakistani officials met for the first time at Attari border near Amritsar on Thursday to finalise modalities of the corridor to the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara. "Commitment to fulfill a dream!" is how Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Raveesh Kumar referred to the crucial dialogue on Twitter, once the meet kicked off. "Talks begin between India and Pakistan to discuss and finalise the modalities for the Kartarpur Corridor, that will facilitate Indian pilgrims to visit the holy shrine of Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur," he added. The meeting started after the arrival of the Pakistani delegation via the Attari-Wagah joint check post land border. It is being held at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari on the Indian side. READ| Sushma Swaraj says BJP will turn up poll heat on air strike sceptics Officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), National High Authority of India and other related departments represent the Indian side at the talks. While, Pakistan has sent an 18-member team headed by its Foreign Office's Director-General of South Asia, Muhammad Faisal, who is also the Foreign Office spokesperson. India has made it clear that the meeting was in no way a resumption of bilateral dialogue. "It is not any resumption of bilateral talks, let me make it very clear that it is not in any way a resumption of a bilateral dialogue," the MEA spokesperson said earlier. The Ministry has said that the issue relates to emotions and sentiments of the Indian citizens of the Sikh faith and its decision regarding the meeting reflects a strong commitment to operationalise the corridor on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. READ| If Imran Khan is a statesman, he should hand over Masood Azhar to India, says Sushma Sources said that security aspect was of paramount importance and there will be no dilution in that. India is wary of the Pakistan establishment's direct and indirect support to pro-Khalistan elements who would like to take advantage by reaching out to pilgrims from India. They have also said that Pakistan will also be conveyed that places of pilgrimage should not be used for separatist propaganda by anti-India elements. India is keen for visa-free access to the pilgrims to the historic Sikh shrine across the border. Officials from both sides were also expected to discuss the alignment of the project as there is some mismatch in the coordinates. "Continuing with our spirit of constructive engagement and flexibility and in line with our sincere efforts to deescalate the situation for regional peace and stability," Faisal told Pakistani media before leaving for India for the talks. He said that this was the first in a series of meetings. "We hope this initiative of the Prime Minister (Imran Khan) will not only facilitate Sikhs, especially from India, but will be a step forward in the current direction from conflict to cooperation, animosity to peace and enmity to friendship," he added. An Indian delegation will visit Islamabad for a follow-up meeting on March 28. The meeting is taking place a month after a militant of the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror outfit on February 14 blew up a truck of a Central Reserve Police Force convoy killing 40 troopers, and triggering India-Pakistan tensions. The Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara in Narowal district of Pakistan's Punjab province, located 4.5 km from the border near the Dera Baba Nanak town in Punjab's Gurdaspur district, is significant for the Sikh community as it is here that Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev spent 18 years of his life and is his final resting place. The governments of India and Pakistan are trying to facilitate the travel of pilgrims to offer prayers at the gurdwara -- a demand made by the Sikhs for the past over 70 years. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh wants "passport and visa-free 'khule darshan' for pilgrims". The union government has already announced the setting up of an Rs 190-crore state-of-the-art Passenger Terminal Building Complex at Dera Baba Nanak, with its design inspired by the symbol "Khand", which symbolises values of oneness and humanity. It will cater to about 5,000 pilgrims per day with provision to cater to additional 10,000 pilgrims during festivals. By PTI PATNA: With his exit from the BJP appearing imminent, disgruntled leader Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday launched a stinging attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying it was high time that "a new, better leadership" took over. The Patna Sahib MP, who is expected to announce his next political destination, predictably in the opposition 'Mahagathbandhan' next week, came out with a flurry of tweets flaying Modi for not having held a single press conference in his five-year-long tenure and urged him to "come out with all your black, white and grey shades". "Now that dates have been announced, Sir, ab toh kum se kum ek press conference kar dijiye. A free and fair session, not choreographed, researched or rehearsed and without the press known for Raag Darbari and Sarkari mindset. You shall go down in history as the only PM in a democratic world who has not had a single Q and A session during his tenure," Sinha tweeted. "Don't you think it is high time and the right time, before the government changes, that a new, better leadership takes over. And you should come out with all your black, white and grey sides," he said in another tweet. The actor-turned-politician also attacked the PM for having "announced 150 projects in UP, Benares and other parts of the country in the last week/month of your term". "Technically speaking it may not be against the code of conduct, but certainly it seems to be too little and too late jumlas. Still, wishing you all the best in spite of your looking London and talking Tokyo attitude and your shoot and scoot behaviour. Jai Hind," Sinha said in his final tweet. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Having been with the BJP since the 1990s, Sinha had served as a minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government and is serving his second consecutive term as MP from Patna Sahib. He has been sore over being sidelined in the party, which he has repeatedly described as "one man army and two-man show", a reference to Modi and his confidant Amit Shah-BJP president. Having shared the stage with opposition leaders of all hues, Sinha insists that "location will be the same, the situation may be different" implying that he will seek re-election from Patna Sahib albeit as a candidate of a different party. Sinha, who is likely to be fielded by the Congress or the RJD, has indicated that the same would be announced by March 22. The BJP is yet to announce its candidate for Patna Sahib. Negotiations are on with its ally, the JD(U), as the party headed by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is reportedly keen on contesting at least one of the two seats in Patna district. In 2014, the BJP's Ram Kripal Yadav had won Pataliputra defeating JD(U)'s Ranjan Yadav. By PTI AMARAVATI: Some of the non-BJP parties have decided to approach the Supreme Court against the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said here Thursday. In his daily teleconference with Telugu Desam Party leaders, Naidu said a decision in this regard was taken during the meeting of 15 non-NDA parties at Sharad Pawar's residence in New Delhi last night. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION COVERAGE HERE A TDP release on the teleconference, however, did not give any further details on the issue. The TDP has been demanding that use of EVMs be abolished in the upcoming elections and that the Election Commission of India revert to the old ballot paper system. Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, who was here a couple of days ago, maintained that "most parties" reposed faith in EVMs and regretted that some were making the EVMs part of their "motivated slugfest". ALSO READ: Vehicles transporting reserve EVM's, VVPATs to have GPS trackers Naidu also told his party rank and file that the opposition parties decided to forge a pre-election alliance and work with a common minimum programme. "There is a lot of antagonism towards Narendra Modi's rule across the country. Democracy will be in danger in the hands of incompetent people. Our talks with national parties have been successful," the release quoted the TDP chief as saying. ALSO READ: Keep close watch on EVMs during polling: NCP chief Sharad Pawar tells partymen He, however, did not specify if the TDP would have a pre-poll alliance with the Congress in Andhra Pradesh. The Congress had already announced it would fight the Lok Sabha and the state Assembly elections, due in May, on its own. By PTI KOZHIKODE: Launching his party's poll campaign in Kerala, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Thursday flayed the ruling CPM in the State and BJP-RSS for allegedly indulging in violence and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ignoring voices of farmers, fishermen and small businessmen. "BJP and CPM use violence which is the weapon of the weak," Gandhi said mounting a scathing attack on the two parties at a massive election rally here this evening. In a whirlwind visit to the state after the election schedule was announced on Sunday, Gandhi also referred to the Rafale deal to attack Modi and reiterated his promise that a Minimum Guarantee Income would be provided to all citizens if the Congress party is voted to power. Stating that he was happy to come to a state where people of different ideas and religions live happily together, he said an "ideological battle" was being played out in the country today. Taking pot shots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi Gandhi said "the Prime Minister's job is not to tell the nation his Mann ki Baat but to listen to the mann ki baat of the people," he said. The Congress president said the Congress was the "voice" of the country and not just the voice of one person or a community. It was the voice of all the people, he said. "Congress does not want to impose anything on India. We do not want to impose any idea on this country. The Congress party wants to listen to what the people have to say and act accordingly. That's why the doors of Congress is open to everyone," he said. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION COVERAGE HERE "While Congress listens to everyone, RSS wants to tell India what to do. They have an ideology which they are convinced about and they want to tell everybody that their ideology is the truth," he said. Comparing the people of India to the ocean, he said the BJP/RSS was like a person who talks to the ocean and wants to control the waves rather than listening to it. Gandhi said he meets the press every week and they are free to ask him any question. "I listen to them. And the only thing our Prime Minister does is every week he tells the country what he thinks. Like a man who gets up in the morning, stands in front of the ocean and tells the ocean what he thinks. Week after week the man comes to the ocean and tells the ocean what he thinks. And what the man does not realise is that the ocean does not care about what he thinks," he said in a jibe at the PM. "Modi wants to have two Indias. One for the 15-20 friends of his and the other for the rest of the people," Gandhi said. The Congress party would bring out a minimum income guarantee scheme to ensure minimum income guarantee scheme to the poor and pass the women's reservation bill if voted to power, Gandhi said and attacked Modi on the Rafale deal. "The Congress party is not going to allow anybody to get away from Justice. It doesn't matter even if he is the prime minister of India. Nobody is going to be allowed to steal from the Air Force," Gandhi said. Gandhi also lashed out at Modi for his silence over the rape allegation against a BJP MLA in Uttar Pradesh. Attacking the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala, he said the left party thinks they can remain in power through violence and referred to the killing of two youth congress activists last month. "No Way. I want to tell you that Kerala is land of justice. These two people (Kripesh and Sarath Lal) will get justice. Those who did it would face justice," he said, adding their ideology was "deformed." Continuing his tirade against the CPM, Gandhi said the only thing they could do is violence. "There are no jobs. Three lakh women in the cashew industry have lost their jobs. Many cashew processing units have been closed," he said. Earlier, interacting with fishermen at the National Fishermen Parliament at Triprayar in Thrissur district, Gandhi accused Modi of "ignoring" voices of farmers, fishermen and small businessmen. The NDA government listened only to industrialists such as Anil Ambani and Nirav Modi, he alleged. Responding to the grievances raised by members of the fishing community, the Congress chief vowed to set up a separate ministry for fishermen if the Congress is voted to power in the Lok Sabha elections, saying unlike Narendra Modi he did not make "fake promises". During the interaction, he also sarcastically said only 30 to 40 people in the country were getting the benefits of Indian banking system under the BJP rule and promised more bank loans to young entrepreneurs who can generate jobs if his party is voted to power. Gandhi also took time off his hectic schedule to meet the families of three Youth Congress workers who were killed allegedly by CPM activists. The Congress chief visited the homes of Kripesh and Sarath Lal, who were hacked to death last month in Kasaragod district, and consoled the grieving parents. He assured the family members that they would get justice. Gandhi also met the parents of another activist Suhaib who was killed last year. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Congress leader and AICC's former spokesperson Tom Vadakkan has joined the BJP. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad welcomed Vadakkan to the saffron party and gave him party membership at a function held in Delhi on Thursday. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Vadakkan said he was deeply hurt when the Congress questioned the integrity of the Armed Forces after the Pulwama attack. Speculations are rife that Vadakkan would contest in the Lok Sabha polls from Thrissur. Ravi Shankar Prasad told media persons that Vadakkan was inspired by the BJP's development politics. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, a couple of Congress leaders have migrated to the saffron party. By PTI NEW DELHI: Tihar jail authorities Thursday denied before a Delhi court the accusations of torture levelled by Christian Michel, the alleged middleman arrested in AgustaWestland chopper scam case. The authorities also told Special Judge Arvind Kumar that the accused was granted all the facilities according to the jail manual. The official appearing for the jail also submitted before the court a hard disk containing the CCTV footage, saying it showed that the accused was allowed to walk, access canteen and meet other inmates. ALSO READ: Rakesh Asthana threatened to make my life hell, Christian Michel tells Delhi court Special Public Prosecutors D P Singh and N K Matta, appearing for the CBI and the ED respectively, told the court that the accused was a foreigner and was brought through extradition. "There is a responsibility of the country to ensure his security as per the treaty," the counsel said. The court had on March 11 allowed the ED to quiz Michel inside Tihar jail after the agency's lawyer Samvedna Verma told the court that new facts have emerged in the case which needs his questioning. The court will now hear the matter on March 16. ALSO READ: ED attaches Paris property of Christian Michel's ex-wife On March 12, Michel told the court that former CBI special director Rakesh Asthana met him in Dubai and threatened to "make his life hell inside jail" here if he did not toe the line of the agency. "Sometime back Rakesh Asthana met me in Dubai and threatened that my life would be made hell in the jail and that's what is going on. My next door inmate is (gangster) Chhota Rajan. I don't understand what crime I have committed to be put along with the terrorists and those who have killed several people," he said. ALSO READ: Christian Michel claims in court CBI asked him to implicate certain persons The jail authorities said Michel was shifted to high-risk prison considering threat to his life. Michel was arrested by the ED on December 22 last year after his extradition from Dubai. The court previously lashed out at the jail authorities for failing to justify the shifting of Michel to a high-security cell in isolation, saying it will start an inquiry if it does not get a proper response. Michel is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the Rs 3,600 crore chopper deal scam by ED and Central Bureau of Investigation. The others are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa. By Express News Service BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to submit details of overstaying foreign students who can pose a threat to national security, as there are instances of such students being involved in the narcotics trade and other crimes in the state. The court also asked to furnish the details of steps to be taken to deport such persons to their country. Justice Aravind Kumar issued this direction while hearing the petition filed by Hossie Bikandou Sidney, a Congolese student, who claimed that the trial in the case registered against him before Mayo Hall court was at a standstill since 2017 as the other accused in this case were absconding and his passport and visa were impounded by the authorities. Hence he was unable to go back to his country despite urgency, he claimed. Asking the Advocate General to be present during the next hearing, the court observed that about 25,000 students are overstaying in the state as per information. The state should collect the details from Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and submit, it said. The court observed that it was noticed the students from Cambodia, Tanzania, Congo and other countries were involved in narcotics and other crimes. Four accused were arrested on February 5, 2017. Arun M By Express News Service KOCHI: With old guards, including Oommen Chandy and Mullappally Ramachandran reluctant to enter the fray in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, there is increasing talks within the Congress that many youngsters will find a place in the final candidate list for Kerala. AICC president Rahul Gandhi, during his visit to Kochi in January, had promised youngsters and women candidates will be fielded from Kerala in the Parliament elections, the Congress leaders pointed out. If winnability is considered to be the prime criterion, the second generation leaders of the party enjoy acceptability among the cadre and the public, helping them exploit the favourable political situation prevailing in the state for the UDF following the Sabarimala womens entry issue, they said. In Ernakulam LS constituency, where uncertainty looms over fielding once again sitting MP K V Thomas, who is in the poll fray since 1984, the majority of the workers propose the name of young legislator Hibi Eden. Hibi has garnered a huge majority in an internal survey conducted by the party. Youth leaders pointed out the UDF can emerge victorious in Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Idukki, Chalakudy, Thrissur, Palakkad and Vadakara LS constituencies if fresh faces are introduced in the poll fray. In Chalakudy, AIPC state president Mathew Kuzhalnadans name is before the screening committee. If Kuzhalnadan is fielded he could ensure the victory of the UDF, said a party functionary. CWC member P C Chacko and UDF convener Benny Behanan are the other contenders. Kuzhalnadan, a new generation face of the party, is more impressive,said another youth leader who requested anonymity. In Alappuzha, where AICC general secretary K C Venugopal is keeping away from the contest citing his responsibility in the role of the leader in charge of the organisation, DCC chief M Liju and Shanimol Usman are better options. However, Shanimol has the upper hand over Liju as the Congress does not have other women leaders of her stature. When coming to the Vadakara seat, where the CPM fielded its bigwig P Jayarajan, youth leaders suggest the name of T Siddique, the Kozhikode DCC president. Siddique has good oratory and organisational skills. With this, he can effectively expose the killing politics of CPM in the area. Besides, he enjoys a good rapport with the IUML and thereby garner the votes of the Muslim community, which has considerable sway in the constituency, said a leader. The case of Shafi Parambil MLA, whose name was considered for Palakkad seat, is also not different as he also enjoys vast support among party workers. (For the latest China news, Please follow People's Daily on Twitter and Facebook By Express News Service BHUBANESWAR: Following in the footsteps of BJD and Trinamool Congress (TMC), Congress has now decided to field more women candidates in Odisha during the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Speaking to media persons here after his return from New Delhi on Wednesday, president of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) Niranjan Patnaik said the party high command has asked the State units to give emphasis on fielding women candidates in the ensuing elections. Acting on the high commands directive, we have started the process of selecting eligible women candidates, he said. Clearing the air on delay in selection of party candidates, Patnaik said All India Congress Committee (AICC) will announce the final list of candidates for Odisha soon. Stating that the Central Election Committee (CEC) of the party has finalised candidates for 15 Lok Sabha and 105 for Assembly seats, he said the next meeting will be held on March 16 to shortlist names for remaining six Lok Sabha and 42 Assembly seats. Sources said the first list of candidates is likely to be announced on March 17 or 18. Meanwhile, differences have cropped up in the party over the candidature of Prithvi Ballav Patnaik, son of former Chief Minister late JB Patnaik from Begunia Assembly constituency. While the OPCC president said Prithviraj is not keen to contest, two senior leaders former minister Suresh Kumar Routray and Congress chief whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati supported his candidature. Prithvi is not keen to contest, Patnaik said and added that the party will take a decision on his candidature. However, contradicting the OPCC chief, Routray said Prithvi will definitely contest and win from Begunia. Prithvi had announced his intention to contest polls much earlier, he said. Supporting the candidature of Prithvi, Bahinipati said he is a humble person and can win from Begunia. If the party fields me from Begunia, I will try my best to win the election, Prithvi had told media persons on Tuesday. By Express News Service CHENNAI: A government order was notified in the state gazette on Wednesday requesting the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe the Pollachi sexual abuse case. The order issued by the home department, requesting transfer of the case from the CB-CID to the CBI, said since the investigation involved technical issues, including analysis of Facebook data, IP logs, addresses and internet usage logs, the case demanded specialised attention and required more laborious work. Hence, the government requested a dedicated investigation with technical expertise. The decision was taken on Tuesday hours after the case was handed over to the CB-CID and the four accused were booked under the Goondas Act. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: TRS working president KT Rama Rao blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not giving representation in the Union Cabinet for Telangana. Secunderabd MP Bandaru Dattatreya was removed from the Cabinet in the first year itself. Telangana is one of the fastest growing States in the country. But Modi failed to give any Cabinet berth to Telangana after Dattatreya was stripped off the portfolio, Rama Rao said. Addressing party workers of Secunderabad Lok Sabha constituency here on Wednesday, Rama Rao heckled BJP president K Laxmans statement that the BJP would win majority seats and dared TRS leaders to take sannyas (retirement). Laxman who was defeated in the Assembly elections is again issuing bold statements. Let Laxman, first clarify why no Telangana MP was in the Union Cabinet. Is it the importance given to Telangana by the BJP government. It is an insult to Telangana, he asked. Rama Rao also termed his father and TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao as monagadu (chieftain). Some people are asking what could TRS do in the Centre in a fight between PM Modi and AICC president Rahul Gandhi. My answer is that, when TRS had two MP seats, KCR, Monagadu, achieved separate Telangana. When people give us 16 seats, KCR will get `1 lakh crore to `1.5 lakh crore additional Central funds, he said. In Nizamsagar, addressing the Zaheerabad Lok Sabha segment party workers, Rama Rao wanted the party workers to improve the voting percentage in each Assembly segment. Rama Rao said that the TRS votes were increased from 36 per cent in 2014 to 51 per cent in 2018 Zaheerabad Assembly segment, there was a two per cent increase from 52 per cent in Banswada Assembly and five per cent increase from 50 per cent in Narayankhed Assembly segment. Whereas, the party candidate got four per cent less from 46 per cent in 2014 to 42 per cent in 2018. He said that TRS vote share had dropped from 49 per cent in 2014 to 34 per cent in 2018 in Yellareddy. We have to introspect and ensure that the TRS got 60 to 65 per cent votes. By PTI PARIS: The black box flight recorders from the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that crashed in Ethiopia were flown to France Thursday for analysis as the ban on the model went worldwide after President Donald Trump added the US to countries that have grounded the aircraft. France's BEA air safety agency confirmed it has received the recorders from the plane that crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa on Sunday, killing all 157 people aboard. BEA investigators will try to remove information from the cockpit voice and flight data recorders, which were damaged in the disaster. The information that black boxes contain about what the pilots and plane were doing help explain 90 per cent of all crashes, according to aviation experts. On Wednesday, US authorities said new evidence showed similarities between the Ethiopia crash and that of a Lion Air flight in Indonesia in October that claimed the lives of 189 people. ALSO READ | Ethiopian plane crash: UN consultant Shikha Garg's husband to bring back her mortal remains The Federal Aviation Administration said findings from the crash site near Addis Ababa and "newly refined satellite data" warranted "further investigation of the possibility of a shared cause for the two incidents". An FAA emergency order grounded 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft until further notice, effectively taking the aircraft out of the skies globally after a growing number of airlines and countries had decided not to fly the planes until it was ascertained there are no safety issues. Trump told reporters the "safety of the American people and all peoples is our paramount concern. The US action came after many airlines around the globe voluntarily took the model out of service and many countries banned it from their airspace. FAA acting chief Daniel Elwell said the agency has been "working tirelessly" to find the cause of the accident but faced delays because the black box flight data recorders had been damaged. The new information shows "the track of that airplane was close enough to the track of the Lion Air flight to warrant the grounding of the airplanes so we could get more information from the black boxes and determine if there's a link between the two, and if there is, find a fix to that link," Elwell said on CNBC. Boeing's shares have sunk 10 per cent since Sunday's crash, wiping out more than USD 20 billion off the company's market value. Boeing chief Dennis Muilenburg said he supported the US decision "out of an abundance of caution" but continued to have "full confidence" in the safety of the plane. The company continues its efforts "to understand the cause of the accidents in partnership with the investigators, deploy safety enhancements and help ensure this does not happen again," he said in a statement. The MAX series is Boeing's fastest-selling model, but it is still relatively new with fewer than 500 of the aircraft in service. There are 74 of the planes registered in the United States, and 387 in use worldwide with 59 carriers, according to the FAA. The accounts of the recent crashes were echoed in concerns registered by US pilots on how the MAX 8 behaves. At least four American pilots made reports following the Lion Air crash, all complaining the aircraft suddenly pitched downwards shortly after takeoff, according to documents reviewed by AFP on the Aviation Safety Reporting System, a voluntary incident database maintained by NASA. In two anonymous reports on flights just after the Lion Air disaster, pilots disconnected the autopilot and corrected the plane's trajectory. ALSO READ | Britain leads airspace bans on Boeing 737 MAX jets after Ethiopia crash One said the flight crew reviewed the incident "at length. but can't think of any reason the aircraft would pitch nose-down so aggressively." It was unclear if US transport authorities review the database or investigate the incidents. However, the FAA said this week it had mandated that Boeing update its flight software and training on the aircraft. Questions about the Lion Air crash have honed in on an automated stall prevention system, the MCAS, designed to automatically point the nose of the plane downward if it is in danger of stalling. According to the flight data recorder, the pilots of Lion Air Flight 610 struggled to control the aircraft as the MCAS repeatedly pushed the plane's nose down following takeoff. The Ethiopian Airlines pilots reported similar difficulties before their aircraft plunged to the ground as they tried to return to the airport. Boeing was criticised after the Lion Air crash for allegedly failing to adequately inform 737 pilots about the functioning of the stall prevention system. Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde GebreMariam said on Sunday said the captain on the flight, Yared Mulugeta Getachew, 29, was an experienced aviator with more than 8,000 flight hours. Andrew Hunter, a defence industry expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said that while Boeing and the FAA had good track records on addressing safety concerns, sometimes the combination of automated systems and humans did not work smoothly. "It is hard to get a system to work seamlessly with human beings," he told AFP. "The fact the system was fighting the pilot was not an unintended consequence," because it should counteract a pilot error and correcting this is "challenging". In Ethiopia, distraught families wept and lit candles on Wednesday as they visited the deep black crater where the plane smashed into a field, disintegrating on impact. The Ethiopian Airlines plane was less than four months old when it went down six minutes into its flight to Nairobi. By PTI WASHINGTON: The US Senate has dealt a stinging bipartisan rebuke to Donald Trump's foreign policy and his alliance with Riyadh, voting to end support for the bloody Saudi-led war effort in Yemen. Lawmakers in the Republican-controlled chamber approved on Wednesday a historic curtailment of presidential war powers that directs Trump "to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting the Republic of Yemen" within 30 days. The Senate vote was 54 to 46, with seven Republicans defying the president and aligning with Democrats. The text now heads to the Democrat-led House of Representatives, which approved a similar measure that stalled earlier this year, and which is likely to pass the latest effort. The White House has threatened a veto, calling the measure "flawed" and saying it would harm bilateral relationships in the region and hurt Washington's ability to fight extremism. But its full passage would set a historic marker. It would be the first measure passed by Congress to invoke the 1973 War Powers Resolution to directly curtail a president's use of military powers. "Today, we begin the process of reclaiming our constitutional power by ending US involvement in a war that has not been authorized by Congress and is clearly unconstitutional," Senator Bernie Sanders, who is running for president in 2020 and is a sponsor of the measure, said on the Senate floor. Republican Senator Mike Lee concurred, saying Saudi Arabia "is not an ally that deserves our support or our military intervention." The Saudis, he said, "are likely using our own weapons to commit these atrocities of war.That's not OK." The war in Yemen is the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with an estimated 14 million people at risk of famine. The World Health Organisation says about 10,000 people have been killed in the war between forces loyal to the Yemeni government, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, and the Iran-aligned Huthi rebels. Rights groups say the death toll is far higher. The United States provides weapons and refueling to the Saudi coalition. The resolution is a reminder that Congress has the legal ability to compel the removal of US military forces, absent a formal declaration of war. Should it pass Congress, it could force Trump to issue the first veto of his tenure. The vote may well be the first of two congressional rebukes of Trump in as many days. On Thursday, the Senate is expected to vote on a resolution already passed by the House to reverse Trump's emergency declaration on border security, after the president went around Congress in a bid to secure more funding for his wall between the United States and Mexico. In that case too, he has promised to use his veto. Wednesday's Yemen vote, and the rare bipartisanship at the heart of it, came as US lawmakers have escalated their opposition to Saudi Arabia after the October murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. Republicans and Democrats alike have bristled over the White House's apparent embrace of the kingdom and its leadership. Some members of Congress have publicly stated that they suspect that powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was directly responsible for the killing, based on the CIA's conclusions. Sanders, using unusually blunt language about an American ally, said the United States should not "simply follow the despotic lead of a government in Saudi Arabia." "We will determine our military and foreign pol and not be led around by a murderous regime," he said. By PTI ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will have better relations with its neighbours including India after the upcoming general elections, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday, claiming that Islamabad has taken the first step on a new path to peace and progress. Recently, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in February 14. Khan, who announced visa reforms at a ceremony here, said that Pakistan is confident today that it has taken the first step on a new path to peace and progress. "Pakistan will have better relations with its neighbours, including India after the end of their elections." "We will have good relations with all our neighbours and a peaceful Pakistan will be a prosperous Pakistan," he said as he announced major visa reforms, including online visa issuance facility, to attract tourists and investors. The elections in India will begin on April 11 and polling would be held over seven phases through May 19, followed by counting of votes on May 23. ALSO READ | Bilawal Bhutto Zardari accuses three Pakistan ministers of having links with banned outfits The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party tweeted that the new e-visa scheme will available to visitors from 175 countries. "This is the first step to open up the country, the Naya (new) Pakistan," Khan said, adding that it would revive the confidence of 60s when Pakistan was making fast progress The Prime Minister said that Pakistan would attract religious tourism from all over the world. "Taxila was the centre of Buddhism. We have discovered a 40ft Buddha ' the world's largest sleeping Buddha ' which we have yet to share with the world." "Sikhs' holiest places like Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur were also in Pakistan. We also have very old sites for Hinduism in Pakistan, including Katas Raj," Khan said. He also announced that the next season of the Pakistan Super League will be organised in Pakistan instead of Dubai. Officials said that initially, the e-visa facility will be available to nationals of Turkey, China, Malaysia, the UK and the UAE and later extended to other 170 countries. Business visas will be given to 90 countries, while 55 countries will be granted visa-on-arrival. By PTI KATHMANDU: A passenger bus carrying a wedding procession was torched by the workers of a radical Maoist party in Western Nepal protesting against the government's move to ban their party. The cadres of CPN-Maoist led by Netra Bikram Chand, a faction of the previous Maoist party, torched the bus after the passengers were taken out of the vehicle in Badaipur of Kailali district, police said. The bus was completely damaged in the incident. Three persons were taken into police custody while they were trying to stop vehicles. Major cities of Nepal were partially affected as the CPN-Maoist enforced a nationwide strike after the government decided to put a ban on the party. The Nepal Communist Party was formed after the then Maoist Party broke-off into groups. The government after a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday banned the radical Maoist party after it carried out a series of bomb attacks in the capital Kathmandu. The government said that the Chand-led group was engaged in criminal activities by detonating bombs at infrastructure projects and disturbing peace and security. The announcement was made after the government's efforts to hold talks with the party failed. One person was killed and two others injured last month when the Communist Party of Nepal, led by the former Maoist guerrilla, detonated a bomb outside the office of a telecom company in Kathmandu. Maoist rebels fought an armed insurgency against state security forces between 1996 and 2006 that killed more than 16,000 people. A peace accord was signed in November 2006. By PTI GENEVA: Saudi Arabia on Thursday reiterated its rejection of calls for an international, independent investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, insisting it was well equipped to bring the perpetrators to justice. The head of a Saudi delegation speaking before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva insisted that his country was taking all the "measures required for us to resolve this heinous crime". Bandar Al-Aiban, who heads Saudi Arabia's human rights commission, stressed though that any calls to "internationalise" the investigation "amount to an interference in our domestic affairs". Aiban was in Geneva presenting his country's response to a review of its rights record before the council last November, during which it faced a barrage of criticism from countries over the Khashoggi murder. His presentation came after 36 countries last week issued a joint statement demanding justice following the killing, in an unprecedented rebuke of the oil-rich kingdom at the rights council. Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor and critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Saudi Arabia initially said it had no knowledge of his fate. ALSO READ | Saudis held 3 court sessions on 'heinous' Khashoggi killing It has since blamed rogue agents for Khashoggi's death and the kingdom's public prosecutor has charged 11 people over his murder. Aiban insisted that his country was "horrified by what has happened pursuant to this unfortunate accident". He told the council that most of the recommendations Riyadh had received regarding how to pursue the Khashoggi case during the so-called Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in November were already guaranteed by its constitution. The suspects, he said, "were entitled to a fair trial and none of their human rights have been violated, and they have been subjected to no form of torture or cruel and inhuman treatment". "They are entitled to legal council, and they have also been informed of their rights to resort to the services of council during the investigation phase and during the trial," he said. Aiban said there had so far been three hearings, and that the accused and their lawyers had been present. He also said "representatives of international organisations as well as NGOs and other stakeholders were able to monitor and see how the court cases were unfolding," but did not specify which organisations had been permitted into the proceedings. But he said Saudi Arabia could not accept recommendations during the UPR for the country to allow international experts to participate in the investigation and to oversee the process. "Saudi Arabia is a sovereign country. Such demands made upon us are tantamount to the international community doubting the integrity of our judicial apparatus and doubting the independence of our judiciary," he said. By Online Desk WASHINGTON: Outraged by China blocking for the fourth time a move to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist, the US has warned they "may be forced to pursue other actions" at the Security Council if Beijing continued with this policy. "If China continues to block this designation, responsible member-states may be forced to pursue other actions at the Security Council. It shouldn't have to come to that," the US diplomat said in an unusual tough warning to China. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity to give a sense of the feeling of other members of the Security Council after China blocked the move to designate Azhar a global terrorist. Beijing previously put a technical hold on similar proposals at the UNSC thrice. READ MORE | China again blocks bid at UN to list JeM chief Masood Azhar as global terrorist In the aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attack, three permanent members of Security Council - the US, France and the UK - had moved a resolution to designate Azhar a glocal terrorist. Except for China, which wields veto power in the Security Council, all other UNSC members were on board with the move before the al-Qaida (1267) Sanctions Committee. India has expressed disappointment over China's decision but said it will "pursue all available avenues" to bring to justice terrorist leaders involved in attack on Indians. "This is the fourth time that China has placed a hold on this listing. China should not prevent the Committee from doing the job the Security Council has entrusted it to do," another security council diplomat said in response to a question. "China's move to hold the listing is inconsistent with its own stated goals of combatting terrorism and furthering regional stability in South Asia," said the diplomat, requesting not to be named to speak frankly, given that the deliberations of the UN sanctions committee are confidential, thus preventing member-countries from talking about it in public. The second security council diplomat also slammed Pakistan for depending on China to protect terrorist groups and leaders that operate from its soil. "Pakistan has quite often depended on China to protect it from the listing of Pakistan-based terrorist groups and individuals in the UN 1267 sanctions committee," the diplomat said, adding, "the case for designating Masood Azhar - the leader of a group the UN already calls an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organization - is undeniable." READ | Disappointed over China blocking move at UN to list Masood Azhar as global terrorist: MEA On Tuesday, the Trump administration had said that Azhar meets the criteria for designation by the United Nations. "Our views on Jaish-e-Mohammad and its founder are well known. JeM is a UN-designated terrorist group," State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino said. "Azhar is the founder and the leader of JEM, and he meets the criteria for designation by the United Nations. JEM has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks and is a threat to regional stability and peace," Palladino said. The State Department referred to this statement on Wednesday when asked about the latest developments in New York. "I would say that the United States and China share a mutual interest in achieving regional stability and peace, and that a failure to designate Azhar would run counter to this goal," Palladino said. South Africa: Cabinet offers condolences to friends, family of Matwetwe actor This story has been published on: 2019-03-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Cabinet on Thursday welcomed the joint efforts aimed at recapitalising South Africas largest clothing retailer Edcon. Edcon which owns Edgars, Jet and CNA is southern Africas largest non-food retailer and has been in operation for 89 years. However, in February, the group reported that it was unable to pay its creditors, including... See more Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, gives an exclusive interview to Peoples Daily Online on March 4, 2019. (Photo by Jia Wenting from Peoples Daily) The development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will inject new energy into the Hong Kong economy, and provide more and greater future opportunities for businesses and elites, especially the young people, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, chief executive of the Hong Kong special administrative region (HKSAR) said in an interview with Peoples Daily Online on March 4. Her remarks came as Hong Kong has, in recent years, sped up its steps to integrate into the big pic-ture of national development and gained advantageous opportunity in the national drive to build the bay area and expand opening up. Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area was written into Chinas government work report for the first time in March 2017. Chinese authorities unveiled the outline development plan for the cluster on February 18 this year, with an aim to develop the region into "a role model of high-quality development". The greater bay area will add more impetus to the economic growth of Hong Kong by bringing its advantages into full play, said the chief executive. Hong Kong, an economy backed up by service industry rather than manufacturing, needs both sci-entific, technological innovation and advanced manufacturing industry to support its reindustrializa-tion and "Industry 4.0" vision, according to the chief executive. She added that with a sound coordinated development of the region and mainland cities, Hong Kong can focus more on research, transformation and incubation of scientific technologies, while setting production bases in mainland cities encompassed by the bay area. Hong Kong, as a global financial center, can offer funding platforms for tech and other innovation-oriented firms, she said, adding that a strong financing capacity is a premise for scientific and tech-nological innovations. After the Hong Kong section of an express rail link connecting the region with Guangzhou and Shenzhen and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge opened to traffic last year, they also create favorable opportunities for the development of the bay area, Lam noted. An one hour living circle --whereby travelling to and from Hong Kong will only cost an hour, has taken shape, she said, explaining that locals can arrive in Guangzhou in 45 minutes and Shenzhen in even less time if taking a high-speed train. Thanks to the bridge, the travel between Hong Kong International Airport and Zhuhai has been shortened from 4 hours to about 45 minutes, she said, adding that ship is no longer a must-to-be choice for those heading for Macao. The interconnected infrastructure facilitates the development of the cluster, and many businessmen are considering to live in Hong Kong but find a job in other cities within the bay area, said Lam. Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng, when presiding over a meeting on the greater bay areas devel-opment on March 1, clarified the prior tasks and major policies for 2019. Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, promised to roll out more favorable policies on personal income tax. For the Hong Kong and Macao residents who stay in mainland cities, the days of departure and re-turn will be no longer calculated as residing time, according to Han, also head of the leading group for the development of the greater bay area, the nation's top decision-making unit for the national strategy. The measure is most popular in Hong Kong, as it is the good news for those traveling between Hong Kong and other parts of China, Lam said. When talking about the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation to be held this April, Lam hoped that representatives attending the forum could discuss how Hong Kong can con-tribute to Belt and Road construction and how the greater bay area can be better integrated into the Belt and Road Initiative. The bay area consists of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Admin-istrative Region, as well as nine cities in Guangdong Province -- Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Fo-shan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing. Covering 56,000 square kilometers, the bay area had a combined population of about 70 million at the end of 2017 and its GDP reached around 10 trillion yuan in 2017. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Partly to mostly cloudy. Low near 35F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. Low near 35F. Winds light and variable. The rollout of a new foreign investment law declares Chinas determination to optimize business environment, and underlines its efforts to further facilitate foreign investment with detailed institutional design, an expert told Peoples Daily. Deputies to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) from east China's Jiangxi province, including secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Ruijin Municipal Committee Xu Rui (1st from the right), general manager of China Railway Nanchang Group Ma Yejiang (middle) and mayor of Ganzhou city Zeng Wenming (1st from the left), are discussing on the draft of the foreign investment law. Deputies from Jiangxi province held a plenary meeting on March 10 to review the draft. (Photo by Shi Jiamin from Peoples Daily) The new law responds to long-standing questions concerned by foreign-funded companies and other investors by giving answers on how to define, promote, protect and manage foreign investment, added Zhang Sujun, vice president of the China Law Society. His comments came after deputies from provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities deliberated on the latest draft of the proposed law in their plenary meetings on March 10. The new draft, which would serve as Chinas basic law on foreign investment if adopted, has drawn attention from both home and abroad. Upon adoption, the unified law will replace three existing laws on Chinese-foreign equity joint ventures, non-equity joint ventures and wholly foreign-owned enterprises. The three laws have been working as the basic backup of Chinas legal system for foreign investment after China embarked on the journey of reform and opening up, but now they could hardly catch up with the changing requirements in further deepening reforms and expanding opening up. The draft further simplifies the management procedures on foreign investment and adds more service policies for foreign investors. It also requires policy-makers to collect the suggestions and opinions of foreign investors before formulating laws, rules or guidelines related to foreign investment. The law also asks the authorities to perfect service system by providing foreign investors with consultations and other services on laws, rules, policies and project information. These provisions indicate that Chinese government is committed to creating a more favorable business environment by furthering its reforms in streamlining administration and delegating power, improving regulation, and upgrading services, said Zhang. The draft makes it clear that the state shall manage foreign investment according to the system of pre-establishment national treatment plus a negative list. In industries that are not on the negative list, domestic and foreign enterprises would be subject to a unified set of rules and compete on a level playing field. According to the new law, foreign investors are accessed to business supporting policies rolled out by the country, excepting a few special cases stipulated by the laws and administrative rules. It also upgrades a series of industrial and regional policies on investment services, capital inflow and foreign investment absorbing to law provisions, so as to reassure the legal guarantee for the equal treatment of domestic and foreign investors. The overarching law also specifies measures to protect the rights and interests of foreign investors, especially their intellectual property rights (IPR). The state shall protect the IPR of foreign investors based on law, and encourage technology cooperation based on voluntary agreement and commercial rules, the draft said, but stressed that the cooperation details must be decided by involved sides after voluntary consultation, and forced technology transfers through administrative means is not allowed. Stressing the importance of honoring commitment, the draft also asks government departments at all levels to keep their policy promise for foreign investors and implement the lawful contracts they signed. Zhang added that enabling a more unified and regulated management on the foreign investment, the new law will lay a solid foundation for Chinas efforts to drive economic growth, deepen reforms and expand opening up by better utilizing foreign investment. Reporter Noelle McGee is a Danville-based reporter at The News-Gazette. Her email is nmcgee@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@n_mcgee). Reporter/Columnist Julie Wurth is a reporter covering the University of Illinois at The News-Gazette. Her email is jwurth@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@jawurth). The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government today welcomed the European Unions decision to remove Hong Kong from its watchlist on tax co-operation. In 2017 and 2018, the EU had put 68 tax jurisdictions including Hong Kong on the watchlist, and monitored the progress of these jurisdictions in implementing the requirements of international tax co-operation. Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury James Lau said Hong Kong has all along supported and facilitated the efforts of the international community in enhancing tax transparency and combating cross-border tax evasion. "Since 2018, Hong Kong has implemented various initiatives relating to international tax co-operation and fulfilled the commitments made to the EU. The latest decision of the EU shows that Hong Kong's compliance with the standards of international tax co-operation is recognised by the international community." The initiatives implemented by Hong Kong include the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, which came into force on September 1, 2018. It allows Hong Kong to effectively implement the automatic exchange of financial account information in tax matters (AEOI) and the Base Erosion & Profit Shifting Package promulgated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development. The first exchanges under the AEOI with the relevant jurisdictions were smoothly conducted in September and October 2018. The Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No. 6) Bill 2017 and the Inland Revenue (Profits Tax Exemption for Funds) (Amendment) Bill 2018 alter the tax regimes in respect of corporate treasury centres, professional reinsurance, captive insurance, offshore funds and offshore private equity funds by extending the coverage of the relevant tax concessions from non-domestic transactions to domestic transactions in order to comply with international requirements. China has made remarkable achievements in poverty alleviation, lifting over 80 million people out of poverty in just 6 years. It is getting closer and closer to its target of poverty eradication in 2020. Rural deputies to the second session of the 13th National Peoples Congress (NPC) shared their stories of poverty alleviation, unfolding the secrets to the countrys progress in poverty reduction. Story 1: E-commerce assists village to drive up sales of yellow peaches E-commerce is never an easy business in rural areas, as farmers lack experiences, techniques and marketing skills. Its hard for them to attract consumers at the online market of fierce competition. However, the yellow peaches produced in Guangming village, Oujiang township, Guidong county of Hunan Province have made considerable profits through online channels. According to Guo Xiaoqin, a deputy from the village, the annual net income of dozens of households in the village has been lifted to 20,000 to 30,000 yuan after they joined a peach cooperative established by the village. Under the guidance of local government, Guangming village was joined by two major e-commerce enterprises of Guidong county, who were soliciting business outside of the region and collecting peaches from the villagers. Such mode helped the villagers locate market and promote sales. In addition, the village also established a service station to deliver information to the market, and the yellow peaches produced by the village were incorporated into the national sales network of featured agricultural products, which further expanded the distribution channel for the villagers. Guo believes that by rolling out more policies to attract young talents back to the countryside and optimizing the rural logistics pattern, the agricultural industry will embrace further development under the assistance of e-commerce. Story 2: Mountainous village benefits from agri-tourism NPC deputy Chen Chunfang is the Party chief of Chegutuo village, Nanying township, Lingshou county of Hebei Province. The village, located in remote mountainous areas of the Taihang Mountain, suffered poor economy due to inadequate transportation and barren land. Fortunately, after Chen and his fellow villagers started building roads and conducting agritourism in 2011, the village finally eradicated poverty three years later. Thanks to the strategy of coordinated development for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Hebei Province is seeing more opportunities in rural development. With improved transportation facilities, people in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region can travel to the countryside more freely. Now, tourism is bringing huge benefits to Chegutuo village, and the per capita annual income of the villagers has hit 7,000 yuan at the end of last year. In December 2018, the Taihang Mountain expressway opened to traffic, and its only half-an-hour drive from Chegutuo village to the nearest tollgate of the expressway. Chegutuo, together with other four neighboring villages, invested a total of 2.15 billion yuan to build an eco-tourism resort, bearing a hope for common prosperity. Story 3: Industry turns farmers into skilled workers A clothing factory in Dongxing village, Liangzhongqiao township, Changtu county, Liaoning Province has created over 100 jobs for local and neighboring villagers. The factory was built at the end of last year, a long-conceived plan of Wu Yanliang, Party chief of Dongxing village, and a deputy to the 13th NPC. The factory has bright workshops, professional production lines, scientific management and transparent dispatching system. It now manufactures garments for multiple renowned clothing brands. The village invited experts to train the villagers, and everyone, even the physically disabled, is able to find a suitable job at the factory including tailor, machinery maintenance and logistics. From farmers to skilled workers, the industry-led poverty alleviation has not only transformed the identity of the villagers, but also their spirits, Wu said. Chief Executive Carrie Lam today met the National Assembly of Frances France-China Friendship Group President Buon Huong Tan, National Assembly Vice Presidents Carole Bureau-Bonnard and Hugues Renson, and three other assembly members at Government House. Mrs Lam welcomed their visit to Hong Kong to learn about the city's latest developments after she invited them during her trip to France last June. Describing her visit to France last year as a great success, Mrs Lam said she called on the French Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and people from different sectors to highlight Hong Kong's advantages and development opportunities, thus laying the foundation for further collaboration between Hong Kong and France. She believed the visits and exchanges made in Hong Kong by members of the National Assembly would help strengthen ties between the two places and offer co-operation in further areas. Noting one of the major events in her trip to France last year was attending the joint promotion seminar on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Mrs Lam said she was pleased to learn that people from the French political and business sectors had a strong interest in this key national development strategy. She said Hong Kong will play a vital role, especially in leveraging its advantages to establish an international innovation and technology hub in the bay area. Adding that France has some of the world's top universities and a solid foundation in scientific research, Mrs Lam said she hopes Hong Kong will continue to strengthen co-operation with France in I&T to jointly seize the huge opportunities presented by the bay area development. She also said the city is striving to strengthen its role as a cultural hub and she looks forward to enhancing co-operation in culture and arts with France. Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau and Consul General of France in Hong Kong & Macau Alexandre Giorgini also attended the meeting. Secretary for Transport & Housing Frank Chan (second left) and the Hong Kong Maritime & Port Board delegation get an update on the facilities and application of green shipping technology on-board the Vision of the Fjords. Secretary for Transport & Housing Frank Chan today met the Norwegian official and maritime sector in Oslo. Leading a Hong Kong Maritime & Port Board delegation on a visit to Norway, Mr Chan called on Norwegian Minister of Trade & Industry Torbjrn Re Isaksen to learn about the latest developments of Norway's maritime industry and promote Hong Kong's high value-added maritime services. They also exchanged views on strengthening ties between the two places. For delegation members, they met the Norwegian Shipowners Association to discuss global maritime issues and encourage the Norwegian maritime sector to leverage on Hong Kong's services to expand markets. Mr Chan and the delegation then toured the Vision of the Fjords, a hybrid electric sightseeing vessel designed and built in Norway, to understand the development and application of green shipping technology. They also met representatives from DNV GL, an international accredited classification society, to discuss the industry development prospects on vessel safety, shipping equipment and technology. ZIMBABWE is determined to catch up with other countries through developing modern infrastructure, modern methods of doing business and embracing technology in its quest to transform the economy, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said. Speaking at the commissioning of the Tel-One $23,6 million national backbone fibre link in Beitbridge, President Mnangagwa said Government, under the Second Republic, was committed to connecting the nation to the rest of the world. The multi-million dollar National Broadband project whose main project contractor was Chinese technology firm Huawei, has seen the network upgrade of the backbone fibre link which runs from Harare to Beitbridge and from Bulawayo to Beitbridge to establish a new backbone fibre link with South Africa and other SADC countries. The backbone fibre link has resulted in a 40 percent cut in internet bandwidth landing costs. The project was implemented through a loan facility from China Exim Bank.The backbone fibre link has resulted in a 40 percent cut in internet bandwidth landing costs. Our infrastructure has for too long lagged behind but were determined to catch up with those that have progressed ahead of us. The completion of this project is timely and is a significant step for the new Zimbabwe. Such an investment has a transformative impact in our quest for economic growth, modernisation and industrialisation of the economy. It will further improve economic efficiency and productivity, said President Mnangagwa. He said the initiative was a testimony of Governments commitment to building modern infrastructure that will give the people of Zimbabwe the best opportunities to succeed in the modern world. The President said the milestone accomplishment will efficiently connect Zimbabwe to the rest of the world. It will further ensure a more inclusive society, where our people can benefit from the immense growth opportunities that are abound across all sectors, said President Mnangagwa. In the Second Republic, he added, proximity to major cities need to be a prerequisite for economic success. All Zimbabweans should have access to the vital tools of development, with internet capability facilities. In addition, the middle income economy status we envision, will be accelerated as a result of the digital socio economic impact that cuts across financial services, health, retail, agriculture, mining, tourism and Government, said President Mnangagwa. We must move out of our comfort zones and put aside archaic methods of how weve always done things, and instead ask how we can do things better. By embracing technology and connectivity were embracing the future and giving our people the best opportunities to thrive in the modern economy. The President commended Tel-One for the job well done, saying he was proud that the establishment of the fibre links had completed the connectivity of Zimbabwe with neighbouring countries specifically South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana and Zambia. The link will also provide transit services that enable SADC members to be connecting to the whole world through a robust fibre network. Im particularly impressed that this infrastructure is one of the most reliable routes in the Southern Africa region, said President Mnangagwa. Information Communication Technology and Courier Services Minister Kazembe Kazembe said his ministry was cognisant of the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) target of broadening adoption and utilisation of e-Government. He said the use of e-Government across Ministries, departments, local authorities and state owned enterprises in the provision of public services helps to fight corruption. Im pleased to advise that the commissioning of this route has enabled the landing of internet bandwidth into Zimbabwe at significantly lower costs and reducing prices by up to 40 percent. This initiative dovetails well with the Presidents mantra which says Zimbabwe is open for business. This kind of investment will result in increased interest of regional and global telecommunication firms in setting up projects across the country, said Minister Kazembe Kazembe. He said investors across sectors will realise better returns due to affordable bandwidth. This will drive investor confidence and the growth of the Zimbabwean economy. The ICT sector on its own has the potential to create employment opportunities, generate more revenue and boost economic growth opportunities, said Minister Kazembe Kazembe. Chinas acting Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Zhao Baogang expressed gratitude to the China Exim Bank for financing the project. The optic fibre connection to the outside world is critical to Zimbabwes growth as it reduces the cost of internet services. It will definitely upgrade the status of Zimbabwe, which has in the past years achieved a lot, said Mr Baogang. He said despite the challenges the country is facing, the people of Zimbabwe should strive to be united. China will always be there for Zimbabwe to support its efforts of national development, said Mr Baogang. TelOne managing director, Mrs Chipo Mtasa, commended the Government for its support in the implementation of the project. The commissioning of the fibre link was also attended by Vice President Kembo Mohadi, Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs Minister Abednico Ncube, the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Amon Murwira, the Minister of Industry and Commerce Mangaliso Ndlovu, Permanent Secretaries from different ministries TelOne board of directors, officials from Potraz and other telecommunication operators, as well as Zanu-PF officials, traditional leaders , business community and the Beitbridge community. President Mnangagwa, VP Mohadi, Minister Kazembe Kazembe planted trees during the event. (Newser) More details are emerging about the ongoing saga between Elon Musk and a former Tesla employee. Martin Tripp, a whistleblower who aired alleged evidence of dangerous practices in Tesla's Nevada battery factory, has been accused of leaking information about the company and stealing data; a lawsuit was filed against him. Tripp then countersued Tesla for defamation, denying that he'd written hacking software to steal data. The enfolding drama has been "almost like a movie," Tony Dosen, a Storey County sheriff's deputy, told Tripp at one point. That's per Matt Robinson and Zeke Faux, who've been following the developments for Bloomberg Businessweek in a deep dive investigating the story behind the headlines. story continues below The battery factorys security manager has now also filed a whistleblower report, explaining that Tesla investigators hacked Tripp's phone, seemingly during an interrogation session, and had him followed; they also allegedly misled police. A Tesla rep says the allegations are untrue. Robinson and Faux also detail a particularly heated email exchange between Musk and Tripp, in which both called each other "a horrible human being." An anonymous tip that Tripp was planning a mass shooting was placed to a Tesla call center just hours after that exchange, a tip that was relayed to the local sheriff's office. Musk then emailed a reporter at the Guardian explaining that Tripp "was going to come back and shoot people." Tripp was found by Dosen that day outside a casino crying, without a gun. "They keep saying I'm stealing data," Tripp said. "I'm not that smart." More on the back-and-forth here. (Read more Tesla stories.) (Newser) A federal judge says Full House actress Lori Loughlin can be released after posting $1 million bond in a case in which she and her husband are accused of paying bribes to get their daughters into college, the AP reports. Loughlin stood with her lawyer in the Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday and didn't speak except to answer "yes" to the judge's questions. Magistrate Judge Steve Kim said Loughlin must limit her travel to the continental US and areas around Vancouver, Canada, for work. story continues below Dozens of defendants in the alleged nationwide scheme, including Loughlin's husband fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, were arrested Tuesday. Giannulli posted bond and was released Tuesday. Prosecutors allege the couple paid $500,000 to have their daughters labeled as crew-team recruits at the University of Southern California, even though neither is a rower. (See how a Full House episode is "eerily similar" to Loughlin's real life.) (Newser) The Senate voted Wednesday to end US support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalition's war in Yemen, bringing Congress one step closer to a unprecedented rebuke of President Trump's foreign policy, the AP reports. Lawmakers have never before invoked the decades-old War Powers Resolution to stop a foreign conflict, but they are poised to do just that in the bid to cut off US support for a war that has triggered a humanitarian catastrophe. The vote puts Congress on a collision course with Trump, who has already threatened to veto the resolution, which the White House says raises "serious constitutional concerns." The measure was co-sponsored by Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Democrat, and Sen. Mike Lee, a Republican. Next, it will move to the Democratic-controlled House, where it is expected to pass. story continues below "The bottom line is that the United States should not be supporting a catastrophic war led by a despotic regime with an irresponsible foreign policy," Sanders said Wednesday from the Senate floor. He said a vote in favor of the measure would "begin the process of reclaiming our constitutional authority by ending United States involvement in a war that has not been authorized by Congress and is unconstitutional." In its statement threatening a veto, the White House argued the premise of the resolution is flawed and that it would undermine the fight against extremism. US support for the Saudis does not constitute engaging in "hostilities," the statement said, and the Yemen resolution "seeks to override the president's determination as commander in chief." (Read more Yemen stories.) (Newser) A Virginia woman who admitted faking a pregnancy and lying to a couple hoping to adopt her baby now faces criminal charges, reports WCYB. Scott County prosecutors filed felony larceny charges against Elizabeth Jones, who has acknowledged that she tricked Laura and Matt Trayte from Lake Forest, California, into thinking she was carrying a baby for them, reports the Washington Post. Throughout the whole process, the California couple kept in constant contact with Jones, even traveling to Virginia for a professional Were Adopting photo shoot. Weve been keeping a little secret reads the caption of a November Facebook post, but really it was Jones who had one. She has admitted the trickery and expressed regret. "If I could take it back ... I absolutely would," she told the local TV station. story continues below Jones wasn't charged directly with the deception over the fake pregnancy (she has said no money changed hands on the would-be adoption) but with nine counts of larceny for gifts that she was showered with by the California couple. On the day of the supposed birth, the Trayte family was in the waiting room, having flown to a hospital in Kingsport, Tennessee. Jones sent messages, supposedly from the ER, explaining that she had gone into labor on the side of the road and had the baby painfully and without medication in an ambulance she flagged down. Theres so much blood, reads one message seen by the Post. Omg. . . . I dont think any of us expected this to happen like this. Eventually, Jones was found fully clothed in a hospital bed, after checking herself in for back pain. (Read more fraud stories.) (Newser) Police in Brazil say Wednesday's school shooting near Sao Paulo was apparently inspired by another massacre that involved two shooters: the infamous 1999 Columbine school shooting in Colorado. The shooters at the Raul Brasil school in Suzano, who killed at least five students and two adults after storming the institution during a morning break, have been identified as former students 17-year-old Guilherme Taucci Monteiro and 25-year-old Henrique de Castro, the Guardian reports. Police say Monteiro used a .38 caliber handgun while de Castro had a crossbow. They were also armed with Molotov cocktails, knives, and axes, police say. story continues below Monteiro's mother told local news that her son left the school because he had been bullied. Police say that before attacking the school, the pair killed Monteiro's uncle, who owned a used car business, and stole a vehicle. A police source tells Reuters that the pair spent more than a year planning the attack, "which they hoped would draw more attention than the Columbine massacre." Initial reports said both attackers took their own lives, but authorities now say that when police arrived as the pair were trying to force their way into a room where students were hiding, Monteiro shot de Castro in the head before turning the gun on himself. (Read more school shooting stories.) China in the Eyes of the British Event Held at London Book Fair (Photo by Tianxing Bai) On the opening day of the London Book Fair, March 12, the China International Publishing Group (CIPG) held an event entitled "China in the Eyes of the British," which celebrates the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China and the 65th anniversary of the establishment of China-UK diplomatic relations at the level of charge d'affaires. The event, which was organized by New World Press affiliated to the CIPG and the UK Global China Press, included a special exhibition titled China-Themed Books by the British and UK-Themed Books by the Chinese Published in the 70-Year History of the CIPG alongside a number of book launches. It was sponsored by the Cultural Office of the Chinese Embassy in the UK and China National Tourist Office, London, and attracted many political, academic, cultural and publishing celebrities from China and Britain. Ma Hui, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, delivered a speech at the event. He noted that this exhibition holds great significance, as this year marks the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the sixty-fifth anniversary of the formal establishment of China-UK diplomatic relations at the level of charge d'affaires. Ma Hui, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, gives speech. (Photo by Tianxing Bai) Liu Dawei, Vice-President of CIPG, said the exhibition showcased more than one hundred titles published by the CIPG over the past 70 years on the subject of relations between China and the UK. These books are historical witnesses and cultural symbols of the exchanges between the two countries and reflect the profound and close friendship between the Chinese and British. They can also add a more human element and reveal special significance to the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Many other book launch ceremonies were held at the festival, including titles Walk Your Dream (English edition), PINGJU: Real Life Opera of Northern China (English edition) published by New World Press, and Walk for Peace - Transcultural Experiences in China (English revision), among others. Lord Bates, member of the House of Lords, Professor Martin Albrow, FAcSS, the Honorary President of the Global China Institute, and Dr. Frances Wood, who were all involved in book launches at the event, delivered speeches in which they discussed their understanding of Chinese politics, philosophy and culture, with reference to the books they wrote or prefaced. They also presented their observations and analyses of China from the British perspective, the changes taking place in contemporary China, the tradition of Chinese opera and China's concept of building a Community of Shared Future for Mankind. (Photo by Tianxing Bai) Since the founding of the London Book Fair, this is the first time that such a themed event has been held, which highlights the appreciation and examination of China UK relations by authors from all walks of life. The event is expected to help promote further successful exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and British people. (Tianxing Bai) (Newser) Less than a week after the head of the Colombo crime family died, the Gambino crime family has lost its own reputed boss. The demise Wednesday night of Francesco "Frank" Cali, however, was much more violent and untimely than the passing of Carmine "The Snake" Persico, who died in a North Carolina medical center at age 85 last Thursday: Cali was shot six times in front of his Staten Island home by someone in a blue pickup truck, shortly after 9pm, the New York Daily News reports. A 911 caller said the 53-year-old was mowed down by the perpetrator's vehicle before he was shot, though that hasn't been confirmed. Cali was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The New York Times notes it's been more than three decades since a Mafia boss was murdered in New York, although lower-level mobsters have recently met that fate. story continues below In fact, several outlets have made comparisons between Cali's shooting and that of erstwhile Gambino boss Paul Castellano, who was gunned down in front of a New York City steakhouse in 1985, a killing orchestrated by John Gotti, who then took over the family. CNN notes that since taking over the crime syndicate as acting boss in 2015, Cali stayed under the radar more than the flashier Gotti, who was put away for murder and racketeering in 1992 and died in prison a decade later. The Daily News reports that Cali's ascension in the crime family was a rapid one, with the feds even trying (to no avail) to keep him away from other mobsters after he got out of prison in the late 2000s after serving time for an extortion scheme. "There are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing," a police statement notes of his death, per the BBC. (Read more Gambino crime family stories.) (Newser) No measles cases have been confirmed at the Green Meadow Waldorf Schooland health officials in Rockland County, NY, where there's been an "unprecedented" outbreak, want to keep it that way. A federal judge agreed Tuesday, denying a request by parents of more than three dozen unvaccinated kids to overturn an "exclusion order" by the county's health department that has kept their children out of the private preschool/K-12 school, even with religious exemptions against immunization, the New York Times reports. "The plaintiffs have not demonstrated that public interest weighs in favor of granting an injunction," Judge Vincent Briccetti said, per the Journal News. "While no one enjoys the fact that these kids are out of school, these orders have ... helped prevent the measles outbreak from spreading to this school population," Thomas Humbach, the county attorney, added in a statement. story continues below An attorney for affected parents, however, calls Briccetti's decision "remarkably irrational in every conceivable way," with the parents' complaint noting an upheaval to both the educational process and the kids' constitutional rights. There've been more than 140 measles cases in Rockland since October, with many cases involving Orthodox Jewish communities. The exclusion order issued Dec. 5 mandated that schools in two ZIP codes with vaccination rates below a 95% threshold block unvaccinated kids from attending until there are no newly diagnosed measles cases in the area for at least 21 days. Per the county health department, the vaccination rate at Green Meadow's elementary school is 56%, up from 33% in December; the school contends that number is much higher. The suit notes none of the school's excluded kids or their relatives have been diagnosed with measles. (Read more measles stories.) (Newser) Ways you can use your cellphone to keep safe: Set up a list of "in case of emergency" contacts, turn on the "locate my phone" feature so you can be tracked down if you ever go missing, hold your device up like a shield if someone ever goes after you with a bow and arrow. That last scenario may seem like the most unlikely, but it's what happened to an Australian man who was attacked by someone he knew on Wednesday. The BBC reports the 43-year-old was outside of his home in Nimbin, New South Wales, when the 39-year-old suspect is said to have approached him, bow and arrow in hand. The victim had raised his phone up to eye level to start to document the confrontation when the suspect allegedly shot an arrow directly at him. story continues below Instead of burrowing into the victim's face, the arrow lodged itself in his phone, coming through on the other side (you can see a pic from NSW police here). The man suffered just minor injuries on his chin when the phone slammed into it; he didn't require medical attention. The suspect was arrested and charged with property damage and assault. He was granted bail and will next be seen in court in mid-April, per Time. If you're scanning the headlines to see what brand the lifesaving phone was, you're out of luck: Police haven't said, notes CNN. (Here's another miraculous phone story.) We use cookies. By Clicking "OK" or any content on this site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. Read more in our privacy policy (Newser) It's Pi Day, the 3/14 celebration of perhaps the most famous number in history. Google is celebrating with a record-breaking feat: One of its employees calculated pi to 31 trillion digits, 9 trillion more than the previous record, with help from cloud computing, reports the BBC. Emma Hauka Iwao needed 121 days, 170 terabytes of data, and 25 virtual machines to accomplish the feat, and Google explains the particulars in a blog post. Guinness World Records has confirmed. "There is no end with pi," Iwao tells the BBC. "I would love to try with more digits." (She explains the process in a video.) Other Pi Day news: The math: Vox has an explainer, complete with a GIF. "If you were paying attention in grade school, you'll remember pi is the number that describes how the circumference of a circle relates to its diameter (how wide a circle is if you draw a line straight across the middle)," writes Brian Resnick. "If a circle's diameter is 1, then its circumference is . If a circle's diameter is 2, then its circumference is 2. And so on." The seemingly simple concept has been vital for mathematicians and engineers throughout history. Vox has an explainer, complete with a GIF. "If you were paying attention in grade school, you'll remember pi is the number that describes how the circumference of a circle relates to its diameter (how wide a circle is if you draw a line straight across the middle)," writes Brian Resnick. "If a circle's diameter is 1, then its circumference is . If a circle's diameter is 2, then its circumference is 2. And so on." The seemingly simple concept has been vital for mathematicians and engineers throughout history. The pizza: For a lot of people, Pi Day is all about the related sales on pizza, and Thrillist has a list of the deals at chains and restaurants around the US. If pizza's not your thing, a roundup at People includes deals on fruit pies and pot pies, too. story continues below The day: The celebration of March 14 as Pi Day was the brainchild of the late physicist Larry Shaw, who began it in 1988 at the Exploratorium, a San Francisco museum. The museum explains it all here. The celebration of March 14 as Pi Day was the brainchild of the late physicist Larry Shaw, who began it in 1988 at the Exploratorium, a San Francisco museum. The museum explains it all here. The numbers: If you'd like to memorize pi to the 30th decimal place, here you go: 3.141592653589793238462643383279. If you'd like to memorize pi to the 30th decimal place, here you go: 3.141592653589793238462643383279. Speak it: Fortune takes note of a language called Pilish based on pi. The first word of a sentence has three letters, then one, then four, and so on. "But a time I spent wandering in bloomy night" is an example of the first line of a poem written in Pilish. Fortune takes note of a language called Pilish based on pi. The first word of a sentence has three letters, then one, then four, and so on. "But a time I spent wandering in bloomy night" is an example of the first line of a poem written in Pilish. Weird one: In the 19th century, a physician in Indiana named Edward J. Goodwin claimed his calculations proved that pi was actually 3.2 and nearly got state lawmakers to officially back him up with legislation. (This may have had something to do with math book royalties he might have collected.) Luckily, a math professor got wind of it and convinced senators Goodwin was wrong. ABC News has the odd tale. (Read more Pi Day stories.) Let us know what you're seeing and hearing around the community. Submit here (China News Service/Yang Yanmin) The Mogao Caves, a UNESCO world cultural heritage site located near Dunhuang, northwest Chinas Gansu province, will be officially opened to the public for night tours this year, in a bid to attract more tourists, China News Services reported Tuesday. The grottoes are an essential component of the economic tourism circle across Dunhuang, and so a series of night tours will be launched from mid-April to early May, providing customized cultural services for tourists, said Wang Xudong, head of Dunhuang Academy. Aside from the night tour of the Mogao Caves - a complex cave structure made up of hundreds of Buddhist and Taoist grottoes which are over 1,000 years old, tourists will also be offered options for trips to Yangguan Pass and Yumenguan Pass, two major passes of ancient China along the historic Silk Road. Similar night tours were provided for research, study, and tour groups by Dunhuang Academy last year, and were widely welcomed by sightseers. 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. 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Journalists on Wednesday were given a guided tour of the Izumo a Japanas largest flat-topped helicopter carrier a for the first time since the Defense Ministry revealed a controversial plan late last year to convert it so that it could handle fixed-wing aircraft a which critics and some opposition lawmakers say could make it capable of offensive operations. The pacifist postwar Constitution bans the possession of aattack aircraft carriers,a and calls for an exclusively defense-oriented posture. However, under a five-year defense build-up plan adopted in December, the 248-meter, 195,000-ton vessel will be undergoing a major remodeling to accommodate jet fighters, likely U.S.-developed F-35B stealth planes, which are capable of short take-offs and vertical landings. The Defense Ministry has refused to call a remodeled Izumo aan aircraft carrier,a saying it would not regularly carry jet fighters and would also be used for missions including anti-submarine missions and rescue operations. aMy understanding is that aircraft carriers are designed specifically for the operation of aircraft only, like U.S. aircraft carriers,a Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in mid-February at a Lower House budget committee meeting. aThe Izumo is not designed for this purpose, and therefore is not an aircraft carrier.a According to the ministryas definition, aattack aircraft carriersa are those ato be used only for the carrying out of missions of mass destruction in other countries.a A remodeled Izumo would not fall within this category and thus would not be unconstitutional, according to the ministry. Following the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, the Izumo was used to transport over 300 ground self-defense force troops to central Kyushu for disaster relief. In the press tour on Wednesday, MSDF officers guided reporters around the Izumo, docked at the Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture, including a 170-meter-long cavernous hangar that experts say can accommodate about 10 F-35B fighters and two anti-submarine patrol helicopters. The Supreme Court has finalized high court rulings ordering owners of television-capable cellphones to pay a subscription fee to public broadcaster NHK, Kyodo News learned Wednesday. The Japanese Broadcast Law obliges anyone who has a TV signal receiver to sign a contract with the Japan Broadcasting Corp., widely known as NHK. Presiding Judge Toshimitsu Yamasaki ruled Tuesday in two cases that the broadcast law applies to individuals who own a cellphone with a TV function, rejecting appeals by the plaintiffs. One of the lawsuits was filed by a member of the assembly for the city of Asaka near Tokyo who does not own a TV set, and the Saitama District Court decided in August 2016 he was not obliged to pay the subscription fee because possessing such a cellphone was not necessarily equivalent to installing a TV signal receiver. In 1999, all-girl idol group Morning Musume topped the Oricon singles chart for three straight weeks with aLove Machine.a Twenty years later, Maki Goto, a 33-year-old former member of the group, appears to be taking the songas title to heart, reports weekly tabloid Shukan Bunshun (Mar. 21). According to the magazine, which hits newsstands on Thursday, Gotoas husband of five years has lodged a complaint in court seeking 3.3 million yen in compensation from her boyfriend for her unfaithfulness. Court documents obtained from the magazine indicate that Goto and her lover, 28, who is single, traveled together by taxi to an outlet of chain APA Hotel by taxi to engage in sexual relations on two occasions. Goto had previously been in a relationship with her current lover. They reunited via the internet last year. Her husband flew into a rage after he learned that they were communicating via the smartphone application Line. Gotoas boyfriend claims that her husband inflicted domestic violence upon her. aSince [their] marriage had already collapsed, [I do not] acknowledge an infringement upon his rights [which is a requisite for compensation for damages],a he said. Pierre Taki, a member of Japanese techno-pop duo Denki Groove and the Japanese voice of snowman Olaf in the hit Disney anime movie Frozen, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of using cocaine, investigators said. The 51-year-old, whose real name is Masanori Taki, has admitted to using a small quantity of cocaine in Tokyo and its vicinity around Tuesday, according to a regional bureau of the health ministry's narcotics control department. Authorities searched Taki's car and home in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward shortly after 6 p.m. on Tuesday based on several tip-offs. He was then arrested at around 11 p.m. after his urine sample tested positive for cocaine. Early Wednesday morning, Taki was transferred to a police station in Tokyo's Koto Ward, where he is currently being detained. Investigators will check his cell phone to find out how he obtained the cocaine and how often he used it. Japan has temporarily banned all flights of Boeing 737 Max aircraft in the country's airspace. Japan's decision on Thursday came after the US Federal Aviation Administration ordered the temporary grounding of all Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 aircraft, in response to a fatal crash on Sunday of Ethiopian Airlines' 737 Max 8. No Japanese airlines operate 737 Max aircraft. The transport ministry's order bans any foreign airlines flying the aircraft into Japanese airspace. Foreign airlines that operate regular flights of 737 Max aircraft in Japan have already switched to other aircraft following the crash in Ethiopia. A 5G hospital will soon be built in south Chinas Guangdong Province, according to a cooperation document signed by Chinese tech firm Huawei, Guangdong Provincial Peoples Hospital and Guangdong Mobile on Mar. 9. Guangdong Provincial Peoples Hospital signed a cooperation agreement with Guangdong Mobile and Huawei to jointly build a 5G-connected hospital, March 9, 2019. (Photo from Guangzhou Daily) The three will establish a smart medical service system under the Internet Plus framework compatible with the next generation of communication technology. The project will commence this year, said the cooperation document. The 5G network, the latest generation of information and communication technology, features high speed, low delay and large capacity. It is expected to be applied in more scenarios of medical services, create better technical management, and bring more innovation. According to the agreement, the three parties will establish an expert team on remote medical imaging solution, telemedicine, digital medical services and big data, to provide quality services for patients with more convenience and higher efficiency via 5G network. A Huawei employee told Peoples Daily that with the integration of 5G, big data, and artificial intelligence, doctors would be able to check high-definition medical images of the patients under the 5G network before the patients go to hospitals. It enables the doctors to map out optimal treatment solutions in advance. At present, China is seeing continuous progress of the 5G application in the medical sector. Medical institutions and enterprises in Hubei, Beijing, Sichuan, Zhejiang and many other regions have already started relevant researches and practices. For instance, on Feb. 21 this year, China Telecom Wuhan Branch and Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University in central Chinas Hubei Province signed a strategic agreement, planning to build China's first 5G intelligent medical demonstration project. In addition, Sichuan Province also carried out the first pilot telemedicine program under 5G networks in southwest China. Besides, the West China Hospital of Sichuan University, as a pilot hospital of 5G applications, completed a demonstration of remote ultrasonic diagnosis under the 5G network, according to Li Weimin, president of the hospital. Not long ago, the first-ever 5G-assisted remote surgical operation in the world was successfully performed in southeast Chinas Fujian province. The hepatic lobule of an experimental animal was removed by a robotic arm manipulated by Liu Rong, director of the No.2 surgical department of liver and gallbladder of Chinese Peoples Liberation Army General Hospital 50 kilometers away. The operation, performed on real-time signal transmission under the 5G network, marked the official entry of surgery into the 5G era. 5G technology will be widely applied for clinical use in the near future, said Liu Jingfeng, head of Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University. The technology would also make remote ward round and remote B-scan ultrasonography possible, bringing more high-quality medical resources to remote areas, he added. By that time, patients will be able to receive diagnosis from provincial- and state-level experts, and even internationally renowned experts without traveling far. Nigerias President, Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja disclosed that the new report on HIV prevalence put the people living with th... Nigerias President, Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja disclosed that the new report on HIV prevalence put the people living with the dreaded disease currently in the country at 1.9 million. Buhari spoke while formally unveiling the findings of the 2018 Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) in Abuja. Buhari noted during the presidential announcement of the NAIIS result at the Banquet hall of the Aso Rock that the results would form the future response to the countrys HIV and AIDS epidemic. He said that the new prevalence of HIV and AIDS according to the result gives an estimate of 1.9 million people living with HIV in Nigeria presently. According to him, this is an improvement to what was obtained in 2014, when the country was estimated to have 3.1 million people living with the virus in the country. Buhari also noted that the results would provide the government with appropriate information that would enable the country beat the 2030 target of ending the epidemic. This result will provide the government with information to move forward in the HIV fight based on scientific data. We are already a step ahead in this regard. However, we cannot celebrate yet as we are more committed to ensuring that more people are placed on treatment. Now that we have the data, I urge us all to work together to ensure that we deliver ahead of 2030, he said. He added that in line with his administration commitment to healthcare, the government would ensure more people living with HIV are put on free anti-retroviral treatment. Buhari also appreciated the U.S. government, PEPFAR, Global Fund and all partners that contributed to the success of the survey. He, however, tasked the Ministry of Health and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) to work closely with state governments with high HIV prevalence by ensuring that the epidemic was drastically reduced. The Federal Government launched the National AIDS Survey on June 28, 2018, to determine the true distribution of HIV and AIDS, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in the country. The survey, which is the largest HIV survey in the world, reached more than 250,000 respondents in nearly 100,000 households in the 774 local government areas of the country. In every electoral process, there are winners and losers but some losses are more intense than others, depending on a variety of facto... In every electoral process, there are winners and losers but some losses are more intense than others, depending on a variety of factors. All parties and candidates head into elections with the optimism of either retaining their positions or unseating the incumbents none ever plans to lose. But there must be losers. In fact, there are more losers than winners. Here, we take a look at some of the politicians who suffered double loss in the 2019 general election. BUKOLA SARAKI O to ge the people of Kwara said enough is enough and this altered the political calculation of Senate President Bukola Saraki. Running under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he contested the Kwara central senatorial district election and lost to Ibrahim Oloriegbe, a medical doctor like himself. Oloriegbe, who had vowed to retire Saraki from the senate, polled 123,808 votes to defeat the senate president who had 68,994 votes. While trying to recover from the shock of the legislative poll, Saraki was hit by yet another loss. Razak Atunwa, his preferred candidate for the governorship poll in Kwara, lost to Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of the All Progressives Congress (APC). No senate seat nor senate leadership, no governance edge in Kwara, no presidency (having earlier lost the presidential primary of the PDP). Triple loss, you may call it. GODSWILL AKPABIO The uncommon senator representing Akwa Ibom north-west senatorial district was not saved from the tsunami of losses that swept through the elections. Akpabio prides himself as a strategic politician, having played a key role in the emergence of Udom Emmanuel, incumbent governor of Akwa Ibom. While in the opposition party, he was senate minority leader but he resigned his position upon his defection. Some of his supporters believe that his political misfortune started when he abandoned the PDP but Akpabio saw things in a different way. Five days to the governorship election, Akpabio said PDP lost the presidential election the day he joined APC. He made this comment despite not being able to deliver Akwa Ibom for President Muhammadu Buhari Chris Ekpenyong, a former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom, defeated Akpabio in the senatorial election though the senator has insisted that he won the election and my mandate is waiting for me. In Saturdays election, Nsima Ekere, who served as deputy when Akpabio governed the state, was defeated by the incumbent governor. Akpabio had campaigned vigorously for Ekere who lost alongside Akpabios allies who sought seats in the state assembly. What an uncommon defeat. ABIOLA AJIMOBI The loss was not only for Mr Constituted Authority but also for the APC. Abiola Ajimobis emergence as governor in 2011 paved way for the party to snatch power from the PDP which had ruled in the state since 2003. But as things stand now, the PDP is back in control. Kola Balogun of the PDP defeated Ajimobi in the Oyo south senatorial contest. Then, Ajimobis anointed candidate, Adebayo Adelabu lost the governorship poll to Seyi Makinde, still of the PDP. Some have said Ajimobis loss robbed off on Adelabu. Ajimobi goes into history as the first governor to rule for two terms in the state but this feat did not help him when he needed it most. ROCHAS OKOROCHA Many have accused Rochas Okorocha, Imo state governor, of wanting to institute a monarchy in the state and that may have been the catalyst of his loss in the 2019 polls. In 2018, Okorocha appointed Ogechi Ololo, his sister, as commissioner of the happiness ministry in Imo. The governor planned for Uche Nwosu, his son-in-law, to succeed him. When Nwosu did not clinch the parts ticket at the primary of the APC, Okorocha nudged him to defect to the Action Alliance (AA) while he (Okorocha) contested the senate seat under the platform of the APC. However, Nwosu lost to Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP and while his camp was strategising on how to stop Ihedioha, INEC deleted the name of Okorocha on the list of elected senators. The move followed the complaint by Innocent Ibeabuchi, returning officer for the election, that he was forced to declare the results in favour of Okorocha. INEC had said it would not issue certificates of return to any candidate declared winner of an election under duress. IBRAHIM DANKWAMBO Like Saraki, Ibrahim Dankwambos loss story began when he sought the presidential ticket of the PDP which was eventually won by Atiku Abubakar. The two-term governor of Gombe, again, lost out in his bid to represent the states north senatorial district in the national assembly. The governor, who contested under the platform of the PDP was defeated by Saidu Alkali of the APC. The APC candidate scored 152,546 votes ahead of Dankwambo who had 88,016 votes. The Nigerian Red Cross (NRC) has appealed for blood donations for victims of the collapsed building on Lagos Island. Mr Olakunle ... The Nigerian Red Cross (NRC) has appealed for blood donations for victims of the collapsed building on Lagos Island. Mr Olakunle Lasisi, Secretary of NRC, Lagos made the appeal in an interview with the newsmen on Thursday in Lagos. Publication trending on social media to appeal to the public for blood donations Speaking on the hashtags #DonateForItafaji and #savetheitafajichildren trending on social media, to solicit for blood donations from the public, he said Red Cross would partake in the exercise. Lasisi added that he spoke with the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service on Wednesday, and confirmed that the information was true. They said, yes, they are aware of it. It was launched by the MD of the General Hospital, so they can have enough blood in the bank to assist the casualties of the collapsed building. When an incident like this happens, blood donations are always required to meet the demand of those in need of blood transfusion. It is a good opportunity for the blood bank to replenish because there are people who want to assist. Some of our members who are due for blood donation will be available, he said. Lasisi commended the Red Cross volunteers and other agencies such as LASEMA, LASAMBUS, NEMA, FED FIRE and Nigeria Police, whose efforts ensured that lives were saved. We left the point at about 12:30 am; we were moving out the debris there. There are a lot of agencies and two construction companies also assisting. China has made remarkable achievements in its poverty alleviation. However, Luo Aying, a deputy to the National Peoples Congress (NPC), is aiming farther and making efforts to advance rural revitalization. People celebrate the Water-Splashing Festival at a square in Jinghong, southwest Chinas Yunnan province, April 15, 2018. (Photo/Peoples Daily Online) At present, Luo is attending the ongoing second session of the 13th NPC in Beijing. She carries a notebook wherever she goes. I wrote the wishes of my fellow villagers in the first half of my notebook and what I learnt from the meetings in the second half, she told Peoples Daily, adding that she would bring the good news to his fellow villagers after going back home. Luo and her fellow villagers are from the ethnic minority group Jino. They live in the forest-blanketed mountains in Jinghong, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan province. Thanks to the founding of the Peoples Republic of China, the Jino people, most of who lived in primitive mountain tribes entered socialist society. It has been 40 years since the Jino people were officially acknowledged in 1979 as the 56th independent ethnic group of China. The past 40 years, according to Luo, witnessed the hard work and joint efforts of the Jino people. As the only NPC deputy from Jino ethnic minority group, Luo said she carries heavy responsibilities. Luo, who is the secretary of the Party committee of Luote village, Jino ethnic township, knows everything about the history, population, cultural customs and industries of the village. She often visits the impoverished households in her village with her colleagues to help them get rid of poverty. By attracting investment and new projects, as well as the poverty alleviation plans tailored for the impoverished households, the livelihood of the people in Luote village has been gradually improved in recent years. Now every village has hardened roads, which has made it more convenient for vendors to come to buy our teas, Luo said, adding that many households have bought motorcycles, and even cars. Smart phones are also very common there, she told Peoples Daily. Though the village is prospering day by day, Luo can still feel the responsibilities she carries. She said she must make the young labor force stay and achieve better development of the village. Therefore, she raised a proposal at the NPC session this year to increase income of rural doctors and grass-root cadres, hoping to guarantee the sustained development of the rural areas. After overcoming poverty, we must advance rural vitalization, she said, adding that they will always follow the steps of the Party, and roll up their sleeves to build a better future. An Agege Customary Court in Lagos has dissolved a 22-year-old marriage between a driver, Kasali Raji, 64, and his wife Toyin, 47, over l... An Agege Customary Court in Lagos has dissolved a 22-year-old marriage between a driver, Kasali Raji, 64, and his wife Toyin, 47, over lack of love and irreconcilable differences. The president of the court, Mrs Patricia Adeyanju, held that the estrange couple go their separate way in the interest of peace. In the interest of fairness, justice and impartiality, the court grants the pleas of the petitioner and thereby dissolves the union between the petitioner Kasali and his wife Toyin. They shall cease to be regarded as husband and wife and both parties are ordered to go their separate ways without any threat to life or blackmail, Adeyanju said. Earlier, Afeez, the couples 22-year-old only child told the court that he was not in support of the dissolution of the union of his parents. Kasali, however, refused the plea of his son and insisted on going ahead with the divorce. Afeez, however, broke down in tears inside the court when his father insisted on going ahead with the divorce. It was gathered that Kasali had during proceedings on March 27, 2018, told the court that he was tired of his wifes attitude towards family matters. The petitioner said that he left his matrimonial home in 2017 due to lack of love between him and his wife. I stopped having sexual intercourse with my wife over seven years ago. I have not been living with her for the past 15 months now, he said. Kasali said that his wife refused to have another child after the birth of their only son. There was a time my wife got pregnant, but she aborted it without my consent; when l challenged her, she told me not to disturb her. I prayed the court to dissolve this marriage in the interest of peace, he said. The respondent denied the allegations levelled against her. Toyin said she was not ready for the divorce. I still love my husband, I dont want divorce, she said. The respondent said her husband was an inconsiderate person, who wanted her to carry another pregnancy nine months after she gave birth to her first child. After I gave birth to our only son, nine months later, my husband forcibly had sex with me in spite of my health condition. When I discovered l was pregnant, I had to abort it because of my health and our economic situation at that time. We couldnt afford to take good care of our only child or even feed ourselves, not to talk of taking care of another child, she said. Toyin also alleged that for the past one year her husband had stopped eating at home. He later stopped coming home and only sends money to his son whenever there is a need for it. I recently discovered that my husband had a 26-year-old son before our marriage. He did not inform me that he had a child outside our union, she said. A state high court in Yola has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting the supplementary governorshi... A state high court in Yola has barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting the supplementary governorship election for which it scheduled March 23 in Adamawa State. The Adamawa State High Court, presided by Justice Abdulaziz Waziri, granted an interim injunction barring INEC from conducting the supplementary polls in the 44 polling units where voting either did not hold during the March 9 governorship election or was cancelled The high court judgement was sequel to a suit filed by the governorship candidate of the Movement for the Restoration and Defence of Democracy (MRRD), Rev Eric Theman, who questioned non-inclusion of his party logo for the governorship election by INEC. The Adamawa governorship election had been declared inconclusive by INEC on Monday morning after it collated results from the 21 LGAs of the state and arrived at a margin of lead between the two leading parties to be lower than the number of registered voters in polling units where voting was cancelled. The commission announced Tuesday that it would conduct a supplementary election on March 23 in the affected polling units, but a sign that the current suit might come up emerged the day after the election, March 10, when the MRDD candidate cried out that his party logo was not on the ballot paper, and urged INEC to cancel the election. I reject the election and urge INEC to stop the process of announcing the results immediately. My party is not on the ballot paper and I will reject whatever is the outcome, Theman had said. The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday reacted to reports of his alleged involvement in a ghastly motor accident. ... The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday reacted to reports of his alleged involvement in a ghastly motor accident. Reports had it that El-Rufai was involved in a ghastly accident which claimed the life of his driver on the spot. But the governor has since reacted, saying the report claiming he was in coma and that of the death of his driver was false. El-Rufai described the news as bigotry-driven propagated by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In a post on his official Facebook page, El-Rufai vowed to remain PDPs permanent nightmare. He wrote: UPDATE: I woke up after a rare 8-hour bout of deep sleep to learn that some bigotry-driven, PDP-affiliated fake news platform has declared my driver dead and my humble self in coma. Both claims are false. Dr Kayode Ajulo, a Human Rights Lawyer, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately embark on electoral reform to strengthen... Dr Kayode Ajulo, a Human Rights Lawyer, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately embark on electoral reform to strengthen the countrys electoral process. Ajulo said that the country could not afford a defective electoral process that allowed for brigandage, voter apathy and manipulation. According to the human right lawyer, it is imperative for the President to reform the electoral process as I do not see reasons people cannot go and vote with their Automated Teller Machine (ATM). Security agencies, journalists, health workers and other paramilitaries should be able to vote and this is what the President should commence before his second term inauguration on May 29., he said. He called for electoral reforms, particularly in states, saying that there was a need to address the issue of voter apathy as recorded in the March 9 Governorship and House of Assembly elections. If the President refused to embark on electoral reforms within 30 days, I will work in collaboration with the civil society and the international community to strengthen the discussion, he said. Ajulo said this against the backdrop of the irregularities, manipulations and violence that attended the 2019 elections. He said that the conduct of some political gladiators in the governorship and state house of assembly elections was worrisome while commending Buhari for promising to leave a legacy of free, fair elections in Nigeria, Buhari had on March 11 in Daura declared that he would want to be remembered as a leader who kept his word that elections in Nigeria must be free, fair and credible. The human right lawyer, however, called on Buhari to revisit the Justice Muhammed Uwais electoral reform which was set up by the late President Umar Yaradua. Okechukwu Enelamah, minister of industry, trade and investment, says the new federal government tomato policy will stop the importatio... Okechukwu Enelamah, minister of industry, trade and investment, says the new federal government tomato policy will stop the importation of tomato paste. Speaking during a visit to GB Foods Nigerias tomato backward integration project in Kaduna, the minister assured that the government is committed to boosting tomato production. During an earlier visit to Dangote Tomato Processing Plant, Audu Ogbeh, the minister of agriculture and rural development, had expressed the governments willingness to ban tomato paste importation. In a bid to diversify the economy and boost local production, the federal government had restricted the importation of rice while the Central Bank of Nigeria restricted forex for the importation of 43 items including fertilizer, textiles and toothpicks. Enelamah said the implementation of the policy would also open up investment in greenhouse farming and address some challenges faced by tomato farmers in the country. I like what I saw and I am highly impressed, he said. When we see genuine investors, ours is to help them grow. In his comments, Francis Ogboro, chairman of GB Food Africa, the company has so far spent over N2 billion on the backward integration project on the farm in the procurement of tractors, high tech farming equipment for seedling, planting, harvesting and processing of the tomato paste among others. The project also consists of four hectares of Greenhouse seedlings; 16 hectares of tomato planted, all of which have created over 50 jobs. He said, GBFoods Africas investments in Nigeria will make a significant positive socio and economic impact, including: the creation of 1,500 jobs, empowerment of more than 3,000 farmers; reduction of foreign currency demand; increased tax revenue; increased productivity of the tomato industry by a minimum of 60MT/Ha; and reduced food imports. Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria, has warned trouble politicians in the country to s... Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria, has warned trouble politicians in the country to stay away from his ministry. Mbaka stated this during his Wednesday weekly prayer meeting, in his prayer ground Umuchigbo-Nike Enugu. The controversial cleric further noted that his religious inclination was a gift that God bestowed on him, to save the captives and preach the message of God to his people. He said: The gift I have is not sold in the market, neither do you get it anywhere in the world. So, when I prophesy you are not in a position to criticize the prophecy I give because it is from the oracle of the Holy Spirit. Those who are still plotting for the downfall of the adoration ministry should remember the present condition of Mr. Peter Obi, politically, and if they dont desist from that, they will be failing in all their endeavours. The victory of President Muhammadu Buhari is divine. Could anybody believe that after all the insults that were thrown at him, that at the end of the day Buhari will win the presidential election? So, his victory has spiritual connotation. Even in Enugu state, didnt you see what happened? I told Senator Ayogu Eze the Governorship candidate of the APC that he will not win the Governorship election, that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi will finish his eight years in Office. Didnt it happen? Out of over 400,000 votes that were cast, was it not 10,000 and something votes that he got? So my prophecy is not from man rather from God. Those of you who are criticising Buhari that he is not doing well should be mindful of your utterances. I could recall in 2012 when there was oil boom in the country I told the Nigeria President then, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his associates to save for the raining days and they did not heed my advice, rather they told me not to interfere in politics; that I should mind my pastoral work. The All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in Imo State, Hope Uzodinma says he is heading to court to challenge the governorship elec... The All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in Imo State, Hope Uzodinma says he is heading to court to challenge the governorship election results which declared Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the winner of the poll. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Ihedioha winner of the election, having polled majority of the votes. Uzodinma came third in the election after being outshone by the the Action Alliance candidate, Uche Nwosu, who came second in the poll. However, Uzodinma said he would head to court to challenge the outcome of the poll, saying that the poll was fraught with series of iregularities. Addressing party supporters, he alleged that INEC conspired with the PDP to rig the election, while appealing to his supporters to remain calm. He said those who were manipulating argued that it would be suspicious if the APC candidate that they knew clearly will won this election was not even in second position. Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, on Wednesday, told Governor Rochas Okorocha to stop complaining over the conduct of Satur... Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, on Wednesday, told Governor Rochas Okorocha to stop complaining over the conduct of Saturdays governorship election in Imo state which his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, of the Action Alliance (AA) lost to Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Fani-Kayode was reacting to a 24-second video clip culled from Channels Television where the governor was caught lamenting and almost crying over an alleged militarization of 2019 general elections in his state. Referring to him as Judas, the PDP chieftain said Okorocha was one of the powerful founding members of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), as such he shouldnt be complaining. He wrote on his Facebook page: Listen to this useful idiot and accursed slave speaking against those he helped put in power. He is the Judas of the east and one of the three biggest traitors of the south. May the Lord pay him according to his works. Advertise with us. Send us enquiries, press releases. Subscribe to Daily Post.Advertise with us.Send us enquiries, press releases. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Niger has expressed concern over the safety of tobacco snu... The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Niger has expressed concern over the safety of tobacco snuff currently imported into the country in large quantities. Mr Aniko Ibrahim, the state Coordinator of NAFDAC, expressed the concern in an interview with newsmen in Minna on Thursday. Going by the labels, these products are coming from Ghana into our country because of the nature of our borders. It means that as an agency we have to work very hard to stop the proliferation of products like this, he said. Ibrahim expressed concern that many people now sniffed the powdered substance and got addicted to it without knowing the content (ingredients). We have not ascertained the composition of these substances as some of them claim to cure eye disease, pile, waist pain and headache. Others claim to cure weak erection in men, asthma, cough and catarrh and many more. In fact, they are endless, he said. He said that the composition of the various snuff would be checked to ensure that there were no harmful substances in the imported local powder. The NAFDAC state coordinator said that the agencys headquarters in Abuja would be notified for necessary action. We will find out who is responsible for bringing the snuff into Niger state, he said. Malam Dahiru Ayuba, security man at the state secretariat told newsmen that the snuff stopped headache and energises him. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) have resolved to include the National Id... The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) have resolved to include the National Identification Number (NIN) in the new e-passport. The agencies made the resolution when Aliyu Aziz, director general of NIMC, visited Muhammad Babandede, comptroller general of the NIS, on Monday. Loveday Ogbonna, head corporate communications, NIMC, and Sunday James, public relations officer, NIS, said the resolution was based on a presidential directive. When he unveiled the new e-passport on January 15, President Muhammadu Buhari directed that the NIN be inserted as additional data in the new passports. The NIMC DG said the commission had upgraded its software and infrastructure to enable the generation of the NIN in just micro seconds, ensuring that applicants are successfully enrolled into the NIDB (National Identity Data Base). Few months ago, we had an issue that made NIN generation take up to hours and people had to come back the following day, he was quoted to have said. However, right now it is instantaneous and that is the way we intend to maintain the system. The type of Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) we utilize makes sure that the NIN is unique that is our only job. are enrolled into the NIDB. On his part, Babandede said the NIS is willing to accommodate NIMC in all its 44 diplomatic missions abroad and 42 locations in Nigeria to ensure that all legal residents in the countryare enrolled into the NIDB. We are ready to provide space for you to operate in our locations to facilitate real time online, integration, he said. Photo credit: Boeing After dragging its feet, the US government has finally decided to follow the lead of China and other countries and put safety first by grounding the Boeing 737 MAX. Yet, despite the obvious similarities between the deadly crash of the Ethiopian Airlines flight and the deadly crash of the Lion Air flight in Indonesia just months earlier, Boeing continues to insist that there is no real reason to ground the plane. Two deadly crashes in less than six months, as well as numerous complaints by pilots and airlines, raise serious questions about the safety of the modern plane. According to incomplete statistics by Bloomberg, some 60 countries (regions) have completely halted 737 MAX flights and one or more carriers in nine countries have grounded the 737 MAX. On Mar. 12, Boeing, a leading manufacturer of commercial jetliners, issued a statement on the operation of the 737 MAX, stating that it continues to have full confidence in the safety of the 737 MAX. Boeing said in the statement that safety is the number one priority and that it has full confidence in the safety of the 737 MAX, which is a best-selling plane in the companys history. We understand that regulatory agencies and customers have made decisions that they believe are most appropriate for their home markets. Well continue to engage with them to ensure they have the information needed to have confidence in operating their fleets. The company also stated that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is not mandating any further action at this time, and based on the information currently available, it does not have any basis to issue new guidance to operators. However, Boeing was forced to change its position. Facing mounting pressure from governments and airlines around the globe, US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday an emergency order from the FAA to ground all Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operated by US airlines or in US territory. In response, Boeing issued a new statement, saying that it continues to have full confidence in the safety of the plane; however, it added, after consultation with the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and aviation authorities and its customers around the world, Boeing has determined -- out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircrafts safety -- to recommend to the FAA the temporary suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of 371 737 MAX aircraft. Despite supporting the FAAs decision, Boeing is being criticized for putting profits over safety, as it recommended the grounding of the plane only after fierce global backlash. The poor leadership shown by one of the worlds biggest manufacturers of civil transport aircraft has angered people around the worldand rightly so. On social media, many people questioned why hundreds of lives had to be lost first, saying that the plane should have been grounded after the Lion Air crash, while others said that Boeing does not deserve any credit for putting safety first, because the company is just responding to the pressure. You took action LAST, a Twitter user wrote in response to Boeings statement. After almost every other country in the world took action, you just piggybacked. It was a no brainer, considering the number of pilots who came out and said even THEY feared the planes. A man checks the wreckage of the airplane of Ethiopian Airlines (ET) which crashed earlier near Bishoftu city, about 45 kms southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, March 10, 2019. (Xinhua) On Chinese social media, netizens also pointed out that the US government and Boeing appear to value profits over safety. One netizen wrote that the Trump administration tried to support Boeing, but was ultimately forced to change its position because of public pressure. To make matters even more ridiculous, Elaine Chao, Trumps secretary of transportation, resisted the calls to ground the plane shortly before it was grounded. US media reported that Elaine Chao even took a Boeing 737 MAX 8 from Texas to Washington on Tuesday in an apparent bid to support Boeing. She was criticized on Chinese social media for putting on a show, with one Weibo user joking that no matter how many deaths, the plane is safe unless she does not make it back. The slow action taken by US government has triggered a joke in China. Referring to Trumps slogan America First, Badashangren (literally 8 Big Merchants), a columnist on Sina Weibo, summed it up this way: Its not America First. Its America Last. Indeed, the world expects a company like Boeing, which has a leading position in the aviation industry, to be responsible and put safety first in action, not just in words and statements. Sanwo-Olu with one of the surviving child in the hospital Lagos State Governor-elect, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday visited the sit... Sanwo-Olu with one of the surviving child in the hospital Lagos State Governor-elect, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Thursday visited the site of the collapsed three-storey building at Ita-Faji on Lagos Island where over 12 people, including children died. He also visited some of the school children who survived the collapse in the hospital to felicitate with them. Sanwo-Olu was accompanied on his visit by the Deputy Governor-elect, Dr. Kadri Hamzat. Sanwo-Olu with another child-survivor Sanwo-Olu sympathised with those who lost their lives, saying that government and others were doing all they could to resolve issues arising from the collapse. He said as a father, his thoughts and prayers were with the parents and members of the community, adding that beyond this, there was need to put factors in place to ensure that such occurrence were avoided in the future. Sanwo-Olu said he would be committed to ensuring such occurrence were avoided in the future when he took over the realm of affairs. Sanwo-Olu at the site of the the collapsed building In his words: I visited the site of the collapsed building at Ita-faji and the general hospital where those affected are receiving treatment. The community, rescue workers, health personnel and the State government are doing all they can to aid and resolve all issues arising. Sanwo-Olu at the site of the the collapsed building As a father, my thoughts and prayers are with the parents and members of the community, but beyond this, we need to put factors in place to ensure that we avoid such occurrences and I will be committed to doing this. Sanwo-Olu visits the injured in hospital Oyo State Police have arrested the Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Wasiu Olafisoye Akinmoyede, in connection with the m... Oyo State Police have arrested the Chief Whip of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Wasiu Olafisoye Akinmoyede, in connection with the murder of a senatorial candidate, Hon. Temitope Olatoye a.k.a. Sugar. Akinmoyedes arrest brought the number of those held to two. Olatoye was representing Lagelu/Akinyele federal constituency in the lower chamber of the National Assembly. Akinmoyede is representing Lagelu state constituency. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Olugbenga Fadeyi, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said he was not aware of the development. The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Olagunju Ojo, confirmed the arrest. He said the House was notified through a letter. Ojo said: I am not aware that he has been taken to Abuja. I am only aware that he is under investigations but I am not aware whether he has been taken to Abuja or not. Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has blamed President Muhammadu Buhari for failing to act over the colla... Reno Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has blamed President Muhammadu Buhari for failing to act over the collapse of a three-storeyed building, which left many dead in Ita Faji area of Lagos Island on Wednesday. At least, 50 children have been rescued by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), as well as other security agencies. Reacting to the sad event on Thursday, Omokri said Buhari ought to have travelled to Ita Faji, Lagos Island, where the three-storeyed building collapsed for an on the spot assessment. He tweeted: President @MBuhari ought to have travelled to Lagos for an on the spot assessment of the #LagosBuildingCollapse. Some residents of the federal capital territory (FCT) paid last respect to Pius Adesanmi, Nigerian-born Canadian professor, on Wednesd... Some residents of the federal capital territory (FCT) paid last respect to Pius Adesanmi, Nigerian-born Canadian professor, on Wednesday. Adesanmi was among the passengers on the ill-fated Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed on its way to Nairobi, Kenya, on Sunday. All the 157 persons on board died in the accident. At the Unity Fountain, different people, mostly clad in black and teary-eyed, recounted how the professor touched their lives in numerous ways. Speaking at the event, Senate President Bukola Saraki said Adesanmi was not his enemy despite criticising him. Describing Adesanmi as an ambassador of Nigeria, Saraki said the professor did not die in vain. The procession As I was leaving my house somebody said, Sir, do you know that he was very critical of you? I said we are not enemies, we share different views and we must appreciate his talent. He had his views, he had his thought about some of us, he said. We can learn from some of those things and that is why I came here to join you and appreciate those that are good ambassadors of this country. His wife and his daughter, let them know that their father and husband did not die in vain. Im here to give him that respect. Deji Adeyanju, convener of Concerned Nigerians, said Adesanmi was a patriot who ought to be celebrated. There is no greater patriot than a person who speaks the truth, we must celebrate Pius Adesanmi. Im touched by this death and I prayer that his memory be blessed, Adeyanju. We must take the lives of Nigerians more seriously than business. Nwabufo paying tribute to the late professor Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west, said the professor was one who spoke the truth fearlessly. Melaye said one way to honour Adesanmi is to stand for the truth he wrote. He was a great Nigerian, one who spoke the truth fearlessly. He is gone but his works are here and the only way to appreciate this transparent ordinary Nigerian is to make sure that the truth is stood for, the senator said. The truth he wrote about we will defend it. In an unjust society, silence becomes a crime. Frederick Nwabufo, media personality, said Adesanmi would live forever. You wrote your legacy in the sands of time. Archaeologists have work to do excavating the artefacts of truths you left sprawling everywhere on red earth. Rest on, Prof, he said. Aisha Yesufu, an activist, spoke on how they used to exchanged banters on social media. After the speeches, a procession was held within the vicinity of the fountain. By Auwal Ahmed Ibrahim An African proverb says, "A wrong step by a leader is a warning to the followers" A toad... By Auwal Ahmed Ibrahim An African proverb says, "A wrong step by a leader is a warning to the followers" A toad does not run in the day time for nothing and it is exactly what Nigerians expected happened in the 2019 general elections. For INEC to conduct much better elections, the president and the senates agreed and approved the tune of N234.5 billion for the 2019 elections. Professor Mahmud Yakubu, the INEC boss had not only boast his readiness for the 2019 election but designed the dates of almost 50 years elections to come. But, it started indicating warning alarm to Nigerians that INEC had not prepared to conduct the four years preparatory elections of February, 2019. election supposed to take place on the 6th February, 2019 to the next week in few hours to the election time. But, as it is nasty for a bird to messes its own nest, Prof. Yakubu unexpected changed his dance to tango and announced the postponement of the presidentialelection supposed to take place on the 6February, 2019 to the next week in few hours to the election time. Despite the complain of logistics reasons that caused the postponement of the presidential election, the conducted presidential election on the 12th February, 2019 was characterized by delay before starting the elections in almost parts of the country, and the INEC haphazard replacement of their ad-hoc staff resulted to inefficiency and irregularities in the elections. The card readers in many states developed problems that paved ways for over voting and sabotaged the laws of election's conducts. As the saying goes that a boat cannot goes well when each rows hits another but the winner of the election was declared. Though, the gods are not to blame as Chinua Achibe prescribed but a zebra cannot do away with its stripes as INEC had already starved a knife on its own chest. As the Igbo witty adage says, "A lizard that falls from iroko tree praise himself even if no one does and I must commend INEC for one thing. INEC has done commendable effort in the Gubernatorial and States Assembly Elections in delivering the electioneering materials in time to the respective polling units, nationwide. th March, 2019 elections are marred with irregularities despite the Automated Card Reader employed to sanitize Nigerian elections. But as Guinean says, around a flower there are many insects. The 9March, 2019 elections are marred with irregularities despite the Automated Card Reader employed to sanitize Nigerian elections. Section 153 of the Electoral Act, 2010 ( as amended) gives power to INEC to issue regulations , guidelines or manuals for the conduct of any elections in the country. And, by the power of INEC, it stated that any election conducted without the Card Reader is null and void but despite the supervisors, the observers, party agents and the INEC officers all around, many elections were conducted without the available card readers. Now all the blames are on the INEC boss as the Ugandan says, " A weak ruler puts a load on his head" but a "clever bird builds its nest with other birds' feathers" and Mahmud Yakubu failed with his team in his promises of conducting free and smooth elections for the people. On the 13th November, 2018 Professor Mahmud Yakubu promised Nigerians that the "2019 election will be free, fair and better than the 2015 elections" As there is no wormwood that comes into flowers that does not wither and that is what happened in the past elections because the history of our past elections nightmare replicated itself. A man can only knows his progress in life better when he never forgets his yesterday and the analysis of INEC of yesterday and of today are two feathers that flocked together and to sincerely compare the previous elections of 2015 and 2019 the analogy is clearly different, that the elections of 2015 were better than of 2019 elections. The results collation of the 2019 election is totally slow and delay is dangerous as people always warn. People are suspicious that the new mantra of ' inconclusive election' is a technical name to favour the ruling government as suspected in the 2018 gubernatorial election of Ekiti. INEC is an independent electoral body that has the ultimate power of the citizens of the nation and the security agents during elections to toe the line of its laws during elections but people are of the opinions that the ruling party is still using its power to fine tune the direction of the body. As inconclusive order halts the victory of PDP leading states of Plateau, Kano, Bauchi, Adamawa, Sokoto, Imo and Benue Nigerians are smelling rat that something fishy is about to happen. The Kenyan people preaches that a leader that does not take advice is not a leader and a word is enough for the wise because an egg never sits on a hen. The glorified image of Nigeria is now in the hands of INEC and any mistake to overhaul the credit of the elections before the eyes of the world will nullify the country's struggle in its fight of corruption. Meanwhile, With the half baked election that was served by INEC, I blame no one that refer his case to court to demand for justice. Auwal Ahmed Ibrahim The Secretary General, Youths Salvation, Kaduna auwalgoronyo@gmail.com The 9th national assembly to be inaugurated in June will definitely come with a lot of surprises, intrigues and power play. The two pr... The 9th national assembly to be inaugurated in June will definitely come with a lot of surprises, intrigues and power play. The two prominent leaders of the legislature are most likely not returning to their positions. This leaves room for speculation over who presides over the two chambers. Senate President Bukola Saraki lost his reelection bid, while Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, now falls within the minority, having defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The current composition of the lower chamber shows that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has 211 seats, while the PDP trails with 111 seats. The race for the speakership has begun, undoubtedly and all eyes are on Femi Gbajabiamila, majority leader of the house. In 2015, Buhari and Bola Tinubu, a national leader of the party, favoured the lawmaker representing Surulere 1 federal constituency of Lagos, for the position. But Dogara secured just eight votes ahead of him to emerge speaker. With his reelection on February 23, the 56-year-old lawmaker may emerge as the next helmsman, considering his pedigree and experience. Below are five reasons why Gbaja, as he is called in the political circle, might succeed Dogara: 16 YEARS OF LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE Gbajabiamila assumed office in 2003 making him a four-time returnee to the green chamber. He was the deputy minority leader in the 6th assembly and emerged as the minority leader with the 7th assembly. Aside his eloquence and tactical approach to issues in the house, Gbajabiamila maintains an enviable track record. Having sponsored a myriad of bills in the national assembly, he is seen as one of the brilliant minds to have graced the chamber. He initiated a motion in the house for the invocation of the doctrine of necessity while former President Musa Yaradua was critically ill and absent from the country. This led to the emergence of Goodluck Jonathan as acting president. In 2011, Gbajabiamila rejected his nomination for a national honours award of the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR), citing that he wasnt qualified for it given that the award was no longer achieving its original intent. PROTECTED THE INTEREST OF THE PARTY The Lagos lawmaker played a pivotal role in protecting the interest of the APC, positioning it as a strong force, especially in the eight assembly where the party suffered internal crisis that led to gales of defection. While 37 members of the caucus dumped the party during plenary on July 2018, Gbajabiamila led the remaining members to reject the defection, while he hinted at taking necessary steps over the move which he described as illegal. People elected you on a particular platform to represent them. That seat does not belong to you; it belongs to the political party. Not only does APC remain the majority in the house it is still a clear majority. This leaves APC over and beyond what is required for majority, Gbajabiamila had said. A LAWYER LIKE PREVIOUS SPEAKERS Gbajabiamilas legislative know-how might have stemmed from his experience as a lawyer and strong academic records. Interestingly, the house has recently been headed by lawyers: Aminu Tambuwal and Dogara. A law graduate from the University of Lagos, he started his career with the Bentley, Edu and Co law firm in Lagos before he established his own firm, Femi Gbaja and Co. where he was principal partner. Gbajabiamila later returned to John Marshall Law School in the US and was said to have graduated top of his class, earning himself a juris doctorate. He set up a law firm and had a brief stint of practice in the US after he passed his Georgia bar exams in 2001. Later, he returned to Nigeria to join politics. TINUBUS GODSON One thing that might work for Gbajabiamila is the undeniable fact that he is a loyalist of Tinubu, the Lagos-based political kingmaker. In his bid to clinch the speakership seat in 2015, Tinubu pushed for his endorsement in the party. In fact, he won the mock election conducted by the party for the seat and was widely accepted before he was narrowly trounced on the floor of the house. In Dogaras biography written by Dele Momodu, Ovation publisher, the speaker narrated how Tinubu begged him to drop his ambition for the speakership to support Gbajabiamila. He appealed to us and said what he only wanted, as a leader, as a political father, was for us to please collapse our campaign into Femis and declare our support for him. Asiwaju maintained that, as a matter of fact, support for Femi was a support for him. He said if we supported Femi by extension we were actually supporting him and reciprocating the work he did to ensure APC won the Presidency, Dogara said. Tinubu has also played key roles in the political career of the lawmaker. LED APC CAUCUS FROM MINORITY TO MAJORITY PARTY As the APC maintains its majority control of the house in the 9th assembly, one cannot divorce Gbajas role in the transition of the party to its present domination. He was the minority leader when the PDP maintained hegemony. When APC flipped the script and had the domineering figure, he stepped up to become the majority leader. With the present vacuum in the leadership of the next assembly, hes could just leap to the next level. Apart from Gbajabiamila, another top contender that could be considered is Abdulmumin Jibrin from Kano state. The lawmaker, who was elected to represent Kiru/Bebeji federal constituency in 2011 also appears to be a top contender for the seat he eyed in 2015. He dropped his ambition to sponsor and support Dogara but the duo later fell out. having come from the north west, the same zone as the president, may not work in Jubrins favour. Aside having limited experience in the house compared to Gbajabiamila,having come from the north west, the same zone as the president, may not work in Jubrins favour. Ukpong, cousin to Godswill Akpabio, says the people of Essien Udim local government area of the state have totally rejected the All Pr... Ukpong, cousin to Godswill Akpabio, says the people of Essien Udim local government area of the state have totally rejected the All Progressives Congress (APC) senator. Ukpong spoke when he alongside some stakeholders from the local government marched to the state press centre in Uyo to protest the electoral offences and irregularities masterminded by the senator and his cohorts. He accused the former governor of Akwa Ibom of intimidating and assaulting officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Essien Udim people condemn in strong terms the various electoral offenses and irregularities masterminded and perpetrated by Senator Akpabio and his cohorts in which almost all the election processes in the area were marred by unlawful militarisation, rigging and assault on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) electoral officers, read a communique jointly signed by the stakeholders, including Akpabios cousin. The atrocities include carting away of electoral materials and kidnapping of INEC ad hoc workers, with military help, to the home of Ibanga Akpabio. Senator Akpabio and his cohorts, apart from assaulting INEC workers, also beat and machete some PDP faithful to unconsciousness we as a people have totally rejected him (Akpabio). The political leaders in Akpabios area alleged that one Idorenyin Akpabio of SARS, in company of other police men, shot at the people indiscriminately. Speaking on the election, they insisted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in units where elections held, and result sheets intact. They also said any other result is fake and did not represent the peoples votes. The political leaders rejected the results released so far by the electoral body. They also condemned the cancellation of results in nine wards in the council area. They advised senator to stop advertising his declining and dwindling political status through interviews as such will continue to deepen his failing image. Adeshina Tiamiyu, general manager of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), says there is no casualty left under the debris... Adeshina Tiamiyu, general manager of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), says there is no casualty left under the debris of the collapsed three-storey building in the Ita-Faaji area of Lagos Island. Tiamiyu spoke with journalists at the site of the incident on Thursday morning. We stopped work at 3am after recovering the lifeless body of a male and we are sure there is no casualty left under the debris, he said. Tiamiyu, however, said he could not give the casualty figure but the ministry of health would release the accurate figure later in the day. However, some residents have faulted the claims of LASEMA, insisting that there are still casualties in the debris The building, which housed a primary school on its second floor, caved in on Wednesday morning while pupils were in their classrooms. At least 12 people, including nine children, have been confirmed dead. When he visited the scene on Wednesday, Akinwunmi Ambode, governor of Lagos, said buildings within the vicinity would be subjected to integrity tests, adding that any building that failed the test would be demolished. This area and building here will be undergoing an integrity test. As you can see some of the buildings have been marked for demolition, Ambode had said. We have been receiving pleas from house owners from the area. Notwithstanding, we will go ahead with the integrity test and any building that fails the integrity test will be demolished. But the most important thing now is to save more lives before we talk about dealing with the culprit. Many families have been counting their losses in the incident. Abdulfatah Ayoola, a trader who lost his 6-year-old son, told TheCable of how another family lost four children in the incident. I know of a family who lost four of their children in the building, what will be their fate? he had asked, Edward Boateng, Ghanaian Ambassador to China (Xinhuanet/ Wang Zhongyi) BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhuanet) - It is a miracle that China has lifted 700 million people out of poverty within a period of 40 years, Ghanaian ambassador to China Edward Boateng said in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhuanet. China has done a remarkable job and Ghana wants to learn from China, the ambassador noted, adding that poverty alleviation is a big deal for Ghana. The ambassador spoke highly of China's targeted poverty alleviation, saying it's a very laudable concept. In most countries, he said, poverty alleviation is really an aid-based approach. However, China's targeted poverty alleviation is a scientific approach because the government identifies the poor families and their needs and works with them to lift them out of poverty within a generation, said the ambassador. The ambassador said the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is successful because it is an opportunity to bring the world together and to develop infrastructure, cultural exchanges and people-to-people exchanges. One excellent example is that an increasing number of people in Ghana are willing to visit, learn and understand China, while they would take holidays in Europe or North America few years ago, the ambassador noted. In terms of people-to-people exchanges, he hoped Ghana to become the window for Chinese people to learn about Africa. He believed this spirit of the BRI is very positive and is "a two-way process", because it not only brings China to the rest of the world, but also brings the rest of the world to China. "We're looking at how the world can be more connected. And I think that's the key thing the Belt and Road can achieve." This year, Ghana expects to work with Chinese companies and the Chinese educational institutions to bring a lot of Ghanaian students to China and also Chinese people to Ghana, he said. The 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is very successful, said the ambassador. He expected that the eight FOCAC initiatives proposed during the FOCAC last September are implemented in a way that will benefit the people and make the world a better place. Ghana was one of the first African countries to establish diplomatic relations with China. Next year China and Ghana will mark the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties and there will be a very big celebration in Ghana, said the ambassador. (Photo/Red Star News) A mobile KTV room, a new delivery product recently launched in Chengdu, capital of southwest Chinas Sichuan Province, offers people the chance to enjoy a karaoke room delivered to their home just like takeout food, Red Star News reported on March 12. No matter where you are, whenever you want to sing karaoke or hold a party with a difference, you can order a KTV room online using an app with which you usually order takeout food, and wait for the party to come to you. The motor home with an inbuilt KTV room is usually delivered within an hour and must be parked in a legal and reasonable place, like a parking lot near the customer's house, according to the service operator. (Photo/Red Star News) The interior of the mobile KTV room is decorated just like any other KTV room, and it is equipped with almost everything you would usually see in a regular KTV, including drinks, professional sound equipment, a refrigerator, microwave oven, and toilet. Compared with the regular KTV experience, the mobile KTV has better sound effects and is more exciting, said one user surnamed Huang. According to the operator, the service is only available in Chengdu at the moment, and people can book it at the operator store or via platforms that offer food delivery services. (Photo/Red Star News) The cost varies from 200 yuan (about $29.8) to 500 yuan for each session, similar to the price in a common KTV establishment, and customers can enjoy a karaoke session in the motor home for about three hours. So far, there is only one KTV motor home in Chengdu, and the operator disclosed that if it is well received, they will take further steps to promote the product. (Photo/Red Star News) South Africa: Govt committed to land reform Cabinet says it is pleased with the continued roll-out of land reform programmes. In recent weeks, government has been seeking to correct the wrongs of the past and build a more equitable society that will benefit all South Africans by settling finalised land claims. At the weekend, President Cyril Ramaphosa led a handover of the settled and finalised 142 hectares of prime land claims to the community of Moretele in the North West. The communities, who indicated that they will use the land for development, lost their rights to land when they were abruptly removed from their properties following the implementation of the Natives Land Act of 1913. The Commission on Restitution of Land Rights (CRLR) has spent over R203 million in settling and finalising claims. On Saturday, Deputy President David Mabuza will hand over settled and finalised land claims worth R136 million to the Ubizo community in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal. The Ubizo Community Land Claim consists of 2547.2860 hectares of land and is made up of 149 households, who were dispossessed. There are 894 land restitution beneficiaries (30% of which are women), who are direct descendants of this community that will benefit from the handover. According to the CRLR, the total value of assets is R136 million. Cabinets commitment comes after Wednesdays adoption of the report of the Ad Hoc Committee set up to amend Section 25 of the Constitution. In the report, the committee recommended to the National Assembly (NA) that the House should take note of the ad hoc committees programme and resolved that it could not conclude its work in this term of Parliament. It further recommended that the sixth Parliament be tasked with finalising the amendment of Section 25 of the Constitution. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-03-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Xinhua News Agency recently released a set of GIF images of eight man-made miracles from a new perspective. These photos were taken from space to celebrate the vast achievements China has made in recent years here on earth. No. 1 Greener Mu Us Desert The Mu Us Desert, located in northwest China near the Loess Plateau, was once an arid place with very little vegetation. However, in 1959, many individuals and villages joined tree-planting campaigns and over the following decades, turned it into a fresh and greener land. No. 2 Three Gorges Dam The Three Gorges Dam is the world's largest hydropower station, located in the Yangtze River Economic Zone. It is a green power source and has injected dynamism into the Yangtze River Economic Belt. No. 3 Lop Nur Lop Nur, a former saline lake in northwestern Chinas Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is now a salt-encrusted lake bed. However, underground, the old lake holds abundant reserves of rare mineral resources - potassium sulfate. Today, Lop Nur is the largest potassium sulfate production base in the world, injecting life back into the Sea of Death". No. 4 Yangshan deep water port Yangshan deep-water port boosts Chinas foreign trade as an international shipping center. No. 5 Great Northern Wilderness For many years, Heilongjiang province in northernmost China was a desolate, barren area. Thanks to decades of farming, the Great Northern Wilderness is now known as a vital commodity grain base. No. 6 Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge This GIF shows the whole process of building the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the worlds longest human-made sea crossing. No. 7 Beijing Daxing International Airport The second international airport in Beijing looks like a golden phoenix. According to current plans, it will open to the public this September. No. 8 FAST The Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) project, the worlds largest radio telescope, can be seen in mountains of southwest China. NAIROBI, March 13 (Xinhua) -- An environmental expert on Wednesday hailed China for transforming the solar energy sector in line with the global sustainable development goals. Paul Ekins, Director of Institute for Sustainable Resources at University College London (UCL), said Beijing has done a wonderful job by availing renewable energy through solar globally. "China has taken a lead in renewable energy and is now the world's largest producer, exporter and installer of solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicles," Ekins said during the launch of the sixth Global Environmental Outlook report at the ongoing fourth session of United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in Nairobi. The expert said the transformation is now more visible in Africa than in any other continent as majority of populations are adopting solar power as it is cheaper than fossil fuel driven power. "What China has done in the past few years is a result of public private partnership where the private sector is left independent to run innovation," said Ekins, the co-chair of the panel that conducted the five-year assessment report. Ekins added that from the report findings that paint a grim picture of bad management of the planet, there is need to move from fossil fuel to renewable energy-powered vehicles and other equipment. He urged populations to borrow good behaviors by adopting lifestyles that could help reduce environmental degradation. "We need to start pooling transport, change our homes to energy positive homes and adopt the use of renewable energy at our homes," he said. Ekins also urged governments to openly respond to the report, which raised pertinent real issues that require direct intervention by the governments. The report warns that damage to the planet is so dire that people's health will be increasingly threatened unless urgent action is taken. The report, which was produced by 250 scientists and experts from more than 70 countries, calls for drastic scaling up of environmental protection in regions including Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 made two fatal air crashes within only five months, leading to 189 and 157 casualties, respectively. Dozens of countries and regions, including the US, have completely grounded the 737 MAX 8, according to newly released news. Nobody should take human lives or the security of citizens as jokes. Earlier, Boeing issued a statement saying safety is Boeings top priority and the company continues to have full confidence in the safety of the 737 MAX. Nonetheless, confidence is not a slogan. Without reliable evidence to prove safety, this so-called confidence would bear out a traditional Chinese saying: whistling when walking at night is only to boost ones own courage. This action not only deceives Boeing itself, but also fools customers and lacks basic respect for lives. Boeing should reflect on themselves instead of saying nonsense or spreading the fake confidence theory out of basic humanitarian principles and even simple business ethics. Boeings words no respect for human lives and its confidence is filled with disregard, arrogance, and conceit. Chinese often say that a stronger man has more wisdom and greater responsibility. As an important aircraft manufacturer in the world, Boeing has always been powerful in the manufacture and sales of large aircraft. The 737 family is quite appealing and global orders for the 737 MAX series are also impressive. From a common sense perspective, flight safety and human lives are most important. However, the two crashes have many similarities. For instance, the crashed aircraft were all new models of Boeing, all crashed shortly after taking off, and were all accused of fatal design defects. Regardless of the truth of these two calamities, Boeing should have the courage to face up to public concerns. Nevertheless, judging by the series of actions after the accidents, reactions of Boeing are totally not acceptable nor convincing. The irresponsible responses of Boeing show that it prioritizes the companys interests over human lives. The companys annual revenue hit $101.1 billion, and its net profit reached $10.46 billion, with a 19 percent increase last year. Among the four major business segments, its commercial aircraft revenue accounted for 60 percent of the total, according to the companys annual report. The 737 MAX is the worlds mainstream model and one of the largest Boeing orders, which may be the cause of Boeings attitude after the fatal crash, relevant experts said. Enterprises should consider their interests, but such considerations cannot outweigh human lives. A company without respect for human lives and awareness of introspection will eventually be cast aside. It is worth mentioning that China was the first country to ground the Boeing 737 MAX 8. Initially, Chinas aviation industry had some controversies, but it has improved over time, which reflects focus on care for life and responsibility as a major power. Afterward, some 47 countries successively grounded the Boeing 737 MAX, a signal that this jet has potential safety problems. It remains unknown how Boeing will clean up the mess. Besides the fall of its stock price, the worlds leading aerospace company also faces compensation claims from other countries. For example, Norwegian Air will send the bill to Boeing, according to its spokesman. If the ban on the 737 MAX has triggered a domino effect, will the claims worsen the situation? The best solution for Boeing is to accept and correct its error and to ensure quality as well as safety. Just like the old saying goes, safety is the lifeline of the civil aviation industry. Nothing can be developed without a guarantee of safety. A video titled university canteen provides discounts using WeChat step tracker has recently become a hit on Chinese social media. If you clock up over 10,000 steps on WeRun, a Wechat add-on which compares your daily step count with your friends, you can enjoy 10 percent off in the Zhejiang Gongshang University canteen in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province. If you clock up more than 40,000 steps, you will receive a discount of 45 percent. The video explained that the WeChat steps for discounts campaign would last from March 6 to April 10. Students widely welcome this campaign which combines health and discounts. "I hope everyone can remember to build up their bodies while dining," Zhang Liqin, manager of the canteen, told Beijing Youth Daily. As the university is now in its spring semester, the cafeteria is entering its off-season, and so this campaign will also bring in more customers. After the video was shared online, many netizens showed their admiration for the plan, noting that it was a creative way to help students do more exercise and save money. Some people noted that since they graduated, it has been more challenging to find the time to rack up 40,000 steps a day. Regarding the concern that some students can cheat by using an auto step machine, Zhang said that even without the discounts, the canteen's pricing was very affordable. As long as one person on the table is eligible, everyone else can enjoy the discount. Students feel that there is no need to cheat on the step count, so to our knowledge, no one has so far, she said. You may be familiar with the M.A.D. galleries that showcase MB&F timepieces alongside all kinds of quirky objects. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, CEO of Chronometrie Ferdinand Berthoud, a customer of the M.A.D. gallery and MB&F, has now borrowed from the idea and extended it with the opening of the Art in Time gallery. In a prime location in Monacos brand-new One Monte Carlo complex, near the casino and just a few minutes walk from the Principalitys best hotel, the Hermitage, the new gallery catches the eye from afar thanks to the huge wall clocks of Swiss craftsman Florian Schlumpf. In the light and airy space inside, visitors can see some of the best examples of fine watchmaking currently available on the market in a collection that covers both ends of the spectrum, from the thoroughly classical pieces of L.U.C by Chopard, Ferdinand Berthoud and Greubel-Forsey to the avant-garde technology and designs of MB&F, Urwerk and Ressence and the eclectic objects of LEpee. Object of L'Epee All rights reserved This unique new retail concept has been refined over the past 18 months, after Karl-Friedrich Scheufele had to decide whether or not to keep the prime retail location that he had been guaranteed four years earlier. We took over a company a few years ago that had two retail locations in Monaco, one of which is the current location of our Chopard boutique, the other was in a building that was subsequently demolished, he explains. But at the time all the tenants were given a guarantee of another good retail location four years later. Once this was confirmed a year and a half ago, we had to decide whether we wanted to keep it. But a second Chopard boutique did not make sense and I wasnt convinced about having a retail concept with the L.U.C collection and Ferdinand Berthoud. This is when I thought that if we could offer a wider product range then it would be more viable. Ferdinand Berthoud Each showcase contains just one watch, and with the futuristic designs of Urwerk sitting right next to the traditional interpretations of Ferdinand Berthoud, there is at first sight no apparent link between the two, other than that they are both example of watchmaking art, which is precisely what Art in Time aims to promote. But there are other, more deep-rooted links. Thanks to the Carre des Horlogers at the SIHH, but also because I am a customer of the M.A.D.Gallery and Max Busser, I could see that there was a desire among these brands to develop together, says Karl-Friedrich Scheufele. We all have the same concerns and the same qualities, too, so I thought why not suggest it to them? Max was immediately on board, so was Stephen Forsey and it grew from there. I think we have brought together a high-quality selection of brands that are representative of fine watchmaking. Chopard Given the unique concept and its successful implementation in a format that definitely stands out from the usual watch retailers, it naturally begs the question of whether there are plans to develop it further. To be honest, I havent even thought about it, answers Mr Scheufele, somewhat surprisingly. Several of your colleagues have asked me the same question but at the moment I would like to see how this first store develops. But if it works, why not expand the idea. I think all our partners would agree. While additional ports closed, the ports of Suez, Al-Zeitiyat and Nuweiba on the Red Sea reopened, a day after they were closed due to bad weather conditions Egyptian authorities have closed four ports on the Red Sea and Mediterranean due to bad weather, officials said Thursday. The Red Sea ports of Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh were shut Thursday, the Red Sea Ports Authority said. The authority has meanwhile reopened the ports of Suez, Al-Zeitiyat and Nuweiba on the Red Sea, a day after they were closed due to bad weather conditions. The two major ports of Alexandria and Dekheila on the Mediterranean Sea were shut in Alexandria governorate for the second day on a row Thursday due to strong winds and high waves, Alexandria Port Authority said. The movement of goods through the two ports as well as the loading and unloading of docked vessels was continuing normally despite the closures, said port authority spokesman Reda Al-Ghandour in comments carried by state news agency MENA. The Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA) had said active winds stirring sand and dust in some parts of the country would leading to the disruption of maritime navigation on the Red and Mediterranean seas Wednesday and Thursday. Search Keywords: Short link: Image by Carl Van Vechten, via Wikimedia Commons How did Faulkner pull it off? is a question many a fledgling writer has asked themselves while struggling through a period of apprenticeship like that novelist John Barth describes in his 1999 talk My Faulkner. Barth reorchestrated his literary heroes, he says, in search of my writerly self downloading my innumerable predecessors as only an insatiable green apprentice can. Surely a great many writers can relate when Barth says, it was Faulkner at his most involuted and incantatory who most enchanted me. For many a writer, the Faulknerian sentence is an irresistible labyrinth. His syntax has a way of weaving itself into the unconscious, emerging as fair to middling imitation. While studying at Johns Hopkins University, Barth found himself writing about his native Eastern Shore Maryland in a pastiche style of middle Faulkner and late Joyce. He may have won some praise from a visiting young William Styron, but the finished opus didnt flyfor one thing, because Faulkner intimately knew his Snopses and Compsons and Sartorises, as I did not know my made-up denizens of the Maryland marsh. The advice to write only what you know may not be worth much as a universal commandment. But studying the way that Faulkner wrote when he turned to the subjects he knew best provides an object lesson on how powerful a literary resource intimacy can be. Not only does Faulkners deep affiliation with his characters inner lives elevate his portraits far above the level of local color or regionalist curiosity, but it animates his sentences, makes them constantly move and breathe. No matter how long and twisted they get, they do not wilt, wither, or drag; they run river-like, turning around in asides, outraging themselves and doubling and tripling back. Faulkners intimacy is not earnestness, it is the uncanny feeling of a raw encounter with a nerve center lighting up with information, all of it seemingly critically important. It is the extraordinary sensory quality of his prose that enabled Faulkner to get away with writing the longest sentence in literature, at least according to the 1983 Guinness Book of World Records, a passage from Absalom, Absalom! consisting of 1,288 words and who knows how many different kinds of clauses. There are now longer sentences in English writing. Jonathan Coes The Rotters Club ends with a 33-page long whopper with 13,955 words in it. Entire novels hundreds of pages long have been written in one sentence in other languages. All of Faulkners modernist contemporaries, including of course Joyce, Wolff, and Beckett, mastered the use of run-ons, to different effect. But, for a time, Faulkner took the run-on as far as it could go. He may have had no intention of inspiring postmodern fiction, but one of its best-known novelists, Barth, only found his voice by first writing a heavily Faulknerian marsh-opera. Many hundreds of experimental writers have had almost identical experiences trying to exorcise the Oxford, Mississippi modernists voice from their prose. Read that onetime longest sentence in literature, all 1,288 words of it, below. Just exactly like Father if Father had known as much about it the night before I went out there as he did the day after I came back thinking Mad impotent old man who realized at last that there must be some limit even to the capabilities of a demon for doing harm, who must have seen his situation as that of the show girl, the pony, who realizes that the principal tune she prances to comes not from horn and fiddle and drum but from a clock and calendar, must have seen himself as the old wornout cannon which realizes that it can deliver just one more fierce shot and crumble to dust in its own furious blast and recoil, who looked about upon the scene which was still within his scope and compass and saw son gone, vanished, more insuperable to him now than if the son were dead since now (if the son still lived) his name would be different and those to call him by it strangers and whatever dragons outcropping of Sutpen blood the son might sow on the body of whatever strange woman would therefore carry on the tradition, accomplish the hereditary evil and harm under another name and upon and among people who will never have heard the right one; daughter doomed to spinsterhood who had chosen spinsterhood already before there was anyone named Charles Bon since the aunt who came to succor her in bereavement and sorrow found neither but instead that calm absolutely impenetrable face between a homespun dress and sunbonnet seen before a closed door and again in a cloudy swirl of chickens while Jones was building the coffin and which she wore during the next year while the aunt lived there and the three women wove their own garments and raised their own food and cut the wood they cooked it with (excusing what help they had from Jones who lived with his granddaughter in the abandoned fishing camp with its collapsing roof and rotting porch against which the rusty scythe which Sutpen was to lend him, make him borrow to cut away the weeds from the door-and at last forced him to use though not to cut weeds, at least not vegetable weeds -would lean for two years) and wore still after the aunts indignation had swept her back to town to live on stolen garden truck and out o f anonymous baskets left on her front steps at night, the three of them, the two daughters negro and white and the aunt twelve miles away watching from her distance as the two daughters watched from theirs the old demon, the ancient varicose and despairing Faustus fling his final main now with the Creditors hand already on his shoulder, running his little country store now for his bread and meat, haggling tediously over nickels and dimes with rapacious and poverty-stricken whites and negroes, who at one time could have galloped for ten miles in any direction without crossing his own boundary, using out of his meagre stock the cheap ribbons and beads and the stale violently-colored candy with which even an old man can seduce a fifteen-year-old country girl, to ruin the granddaughter o f his partner, this Jones-this gangling malaria-ridden white man whom he had given permission fourteen years ago to squat in the abandoned fishing camp with the year-old grandchild-Jones, partner porter and clerk who at the demons command removed with his own hand (and maybe delivered too) from the showcase the candy beads and ribbons, measured the very cloth from which Judith (who had not been bereaved and did not mourn) helped the granddaughter to fashion a dress to walk past the lounging men in, the side-looking and the tongues, until her increasing belly taught her embarrassment-or perhaps fear;-Jones who before 61 had not even been allowed to approach the front of the house and who during the next four years got no nearer than the kitchen door and that only when he brought the game and fish and vegetables on which the seducer-to-bes wife and daughter (and Clytie too, the one remaining servant, negro, the one who would forbid him to pass the kitchen door with what he brought) depended on to keep life in them, but who now entered the house itself on the (quite frequent now) afternoons when the demon would suddenly curse the store empty of customers and lock the door and repair to the rear and in the same tone in which he used to address his orderly or even his house servants when he had them (and in which he doubtless ordered Jones to fetch from the showcase the ribbons and beads and candy) direct Jones to fetch the jug, the two of them (and Jones even sitting now who in the old days, the old dead Sunday afternoons of monotonous peace which they spent beneath the scuppernong arbor in the back yard, the demon lying in the hammock while Jones squatted against a post, rising from time to time to pour for the demon from the demijohn and the bucket of spring water which he had fetched from the spring more than a mile away then squatting again, chortling and chuckling and saying `Sho, Mister Tawm each time the demon paused)-the two of them drinking turn and turn about from the jug and the demon not lying down now nor even sitting but reaching after the third or second drink that old mans state of impotent and furious undefeat in which he would rise, swaying and plunging and shouting for his horse and pistols to ride single-handed into Washington and shoot Lincoln (a year or so too late here) and Sherman both, shouting, Kill them! Shoot them down like the dogs they are! and Jones: Sho, Kernel; sho now and catching him as he fell and commandeering the first passing wagon to take him to the house and carry him up the front steps and through the paintless formal door beneath its fanlight imported pane by pane from Europe which Judith held open for him to enter with no change, no alteration in that calm frozen face which she had worn for four years now, and on up the stairs and into the bedroom and put him to bed like a baby and then lie down himself on the floor beside the bed though not to sleep since before dawn the man on the bed would stir and groan and Jones would say, flyer I am, Kernel. Hits all right. They aint whupped us yit, air they? this Jones who after the demon rode away with the regiment when the granddaughter was only eight years old would tell people that he was lookin after Majors place and niggers even before they had time to ask him why he was not with the troops and perhaps in time came to believe the lie himself, who was among the first to greet the demon when he returned, to meet him at the gate and say, Well, Kernel, they kilt us but they aint whupped us yit, air they? who even worked, labored, sweat at the demons behest during that first furious period while the demon believed he could restore by sheer indomitable willing the Sutpens Hundred which he remembered and had lost, labored with no hope of pay or reward who must have seen long before the demon did (or would admit it) that the task was hopeless-blind Jones who apparently saw still in that furious lecherous wreck the old fine figure of the man who once galloped on the black thoroughbred about that domain two boundaries of which the eye could not see from any point. The first phase of the proposed reconstruction of Libya will cost an estimated $20 billion, and require more than three million workers, which could provide a good push for neighbouring Egypts economic fortunes, the secretary-general of the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce (FEDCOC) has said. Speaking to Zawya in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of a meeting between the Egyptian and Libyan Chambers of Commerce, Alaa Ezz said that FEDCOC is in negotiation with Libyan counterparts about work in several sectors, including infrastructure, construction, roads, communications, hotels, tourism and other sectors. The council is negotiating with international financial institutes to lend Libya the $20bln. It will help the rapid reconstruction operations in different fields, Ezz said. He said that a number of development banks have been approached for funding, including the African Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, Development Bank of Japan and the World Bank. He added that some projects could also be brought forward under a Build, Operate, Transfer (BOT) model, adding that the Egyptian side here will be an investor in such schemes. Ezz said there were a number of high-profile Egyptian companies who are due to start work in Libya very soon. Orascom Construction, Arab Contractors and El Sewedy Electric have already taken serious steps there," Ezz said. Reopening trade routes "We have completed the feasibility studies to set up a global logistics hub near the port of Salloum in the plateau region, not only in order to support bilateral trade, but more importantly, supporting the exports of Egypt and Libya to the neighbouring countries, Ezz said, adding that he expects trade to improve once Libya regains access to a 10,300km-long East African trade route stretching from Alexandria in the Mediterranean Sea through to South Africa. He said that Egyptian firms stood ready to work on rebuilding vital infrastructure, such as roads, mobile networks and health care projects. We must immediately seek to integrate Egyptian experiences with Libyan investments in Africa for the benefit of both sides, said Ezz. Ezz said that non-oil trade between Libya and Egypt had slumped to $455 million in 2018, down from $1.38 billion in 2013. He said this was regrettable, as it meant there had been delays in repayment of debt to Egyptian companies. He also said that it was unacceptable that the amount of Libyan investments in Egypt has been reduced by 25 percent, with 511 companies contribution a total of $2.4 billion. Similarly, it is unacceptable that Egyptian investments in Libya are only $520 million, and we are in the process of reconstruction," he added. He said that both sides should work together to benefit from business in the Tripartite Free Trade Area an economic trading bloc created through agreements signed in Egypt in 2015 between the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The free trade area comprises half of Africa, with a combined GDP of around $3 trillion, and was the first step towards a free trade area covering the whole of Africa, Ezz said. He argued that the reconstruction process across the Arab world needs $200 billion in the coming five years, including Iraq, Libya, Yemen and Syria. Leading Egyptian companies already started working in Iraq three years ago, in 2016, and it is planned to continue work in the three (other) countries as well. He said that Egyptian firms are ready to help in all countries by providing feasibility studies and manpower, where needed. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt's cabinet has legalised the status of 165 churches and church service buildings in Egypt, the official state gazette reported on Thursday. A committee assigned in 2017 with reviewing the status of unlicensed churches has so far legalised 783 churches and church service buildings. The committee is headed by the prime minister and includes the ministers of defence, housing, local development, legal and parliamentary affairs, justice and antiquities. The committee also includes three representatives from the General Intelligence Service, the Administrative Control Authority, and interior ministry's national security department, and a representative of each Christian sect in Egypt. Egypt passed a law in 2016 easing regulations on church building. Search Keywords: Short link: Parliaments Legislative and Constitutional Affairs Committee will hold meetings on proposed amendments to Egypts 2014 constitution next week. Head of the committee Bahaaeddin Abu Shokka told reporters the dialogue is expected to kick off after 15 March, and will continue for two weeks. Six hearing sessions have been scheduled, and though a final decision on whether they will be broadcast live has not been taken journalists will be allowed to attend the debates. Abu Shokka added that though parliamentary by-laws allow such meetings to be closed-door he had insisted the sessions be open. The amendments will impact the future of Egypt and every Egyptian has the right to follow the debate on them, he said. We have invited representatives of religious institutions, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, the Interior Ministry, the Higher Council for Justice, heads of appeal courts, the prosecutor-general, head of the administrative prosecution, military judges and the Judges Club to attend, said Abu Shokka. Representatives of the National Council for Women, the National Council for Human Rights, the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, the National Council for the Physically Challenged, the Central Bank of Egypt, the Central Auditing Agency, the Administrative Control Authority and the Public Authority for Financial Control will also participate in the dialogue. Constitutional law experts, faculty of law deans, leaders of the Union of Egyptian Students and representatives of professional syndicates and trade unions have also been invited. The consultations are being held after 485 MPs provisionally approved the proposed amendments on 14 February. Since the vote Abu Shokka says many political parties and state institutions have forwarded comments on the proposed amendments to the committee and a report on the remarks received will be available to all participants in the coming consultations. Sayed Abdel-Aal, head of the leftist Tagammu Party, told Al-Ahram Weekly that although the Tagammu voted against the amendments it will be an active participant in the dialogue. We have sent the Legislative and Constitutional Affairs Committee a detailed document outlining the partys views, said Abdel-Aal. We have no objections to increasing the presidential term from four to six years, or President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi running for one more six-year term after his current term expires in 2022. The Tagammu also agrees to amending Article 200 to give the Armed Forces a leading role in protecting democracy. As the 30 June Revolution showed, the Armed Forces were the major force standing against attempts by the Muslim Brotherhood and other radical Islamist movements to turn Egypt into a theocratic state. The amendment is a necessary bulwark against Islamist forces attempting to usurp power in the future, said Abdel-Aal. On Sunday President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi told a cultural symposium organised by the Armed Forces on the occasion of Martyrs Day that events following the 2011 Revolution were attempts to spread chaos across Egypt. The organisers of protests, particularly in front of the Interior Ministry and in Mohamed Mahmoud Street, sought to demonise the ruling military council, force it from power and open the door to anarchy, said Al-Sisi. He warned that some forces still seek a repeat of the post-2011 scenario they do not want to see Egypt a successful story. Gibali Al-Maraghi, chair of parliaments Labour Committee and head of the General Egyptian Federation of Trade Unions (GEFTU), told the Weekly that in written comments to parliament trade unions had asked that 50 per cent of the seats in parliament be reserved for representatives of workers and farmers. This was the case between 1964 and 2012 and we want the quota revived to preserve the rights of these two groups, said Al-Maraghi. The amendments involve changes to articles 102, 140, 160, 189, 190, 193, 200, 204, 234, 243 and 244. According to Parliament Speaker Ali Abdel-Aal, they have six objectives: to give a greater quota of parliamentary seats (25 per cent) to women; create a second house; increase the presidential term from four to six years; reinstate the post of the vice president; regulate the system for selecting the heads of judicial authorities; and re-define the role of the army in defending the country. On 28 February Abdel-Aal told reporters the amendments could be changed as a result of consultations and even during the debate which will precede the final vote in parliament. He promised an open and vigorous dialogue. Nothing is a foregone conclusion. We know the vote in the public referendum on the amendments will depend on how far the debate over the amendments is credible and open. Some political parties, led by the Future of the Homeland Party and in collaboration with the General Federation of Non-governmental Organisations, have started a campaign in support of the amendments. Federation head Talaat Abdel-Qawi said the campaign titled Turn out and Vote will explain the necessity of the amendments to Egypts political future and urge citizens to actively vote in the public referendum expected at the end of April. *A version of this article appears in print in the 14 March, 2019 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: Constitutional consultations begin Search Keywords: Short link: 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. Central National Gottesman Opens New Office in Sweden Central National Sweden, AB, a new trading company, will focus on paper, paperboard and packaging sales in sub-Saharan Africa and other emerging markets. March 14, 2019 - The Central National division of Central National Gottesman Inc. (CNG) today announced the opening of Central National Sweden, AB, a new trading company that will focus on paper, paperboard and packaging sales in sub-Saharan Africa and other emerging markets. Central National Sweden was established along with a team of traders formerly responsible for the Africa business of Price & Pierce, and will be based in Gothenburg, Sweden. "We are excited to expand our trading activities in sub-Saharan Africa, a growing part of the world economy," said Michael Jones, Executive Vice President of Central National. "By bringing on a well-established trading team with long-standing customer relationships, we are gaining an immediate platform to grow significantly in the region." Calle Rendahl, Managing Director of Central National Sweden, added that the team has already experienced several years of success in the region, and is looking forward to additional growth. "This new cooperation with Central National will provide us with an exciting opportunity to build on our already solid foundation in the region," said Rendahl. "We are particularly excited to leverage the expanded product and service resources of CNG to expand our offering to our customers." Central National Gottesman Inc. (CNG) is a $6 billion sales and distribution organization that owns businesses in the global pulp, paper, tissue, packaging, wood products and metals industries. Founded in 1886 and headquartered in Purchase, New York, CNG employs more than 2,900 people in 28 countries around the world. To learn more, please visit www.cng-inc.com . . SOURCE: Central National Gottesman Inc. Hollyweird, in collaboration with @velvetcoke, takes stock of once-known but obscure or forgotten stories about popular celebrities and cult figures. Those who mythologize the relationship of Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder will fondly recall their meet-cute at the 1989 premiere of Great Balls of Fire! in the lobby of New York's Ziegfeld Theater. Ryder was buying a Coke. They locked eyes. "It was a classic glance," Depp remembers, "like the zoom lenses in West Side Story, and everything else gets foggy." We all know how that one ended. Post-"Winona Forever" tattoo scrub, Depp briefly had a fling with Gilbert Grape actor Juliette Lewis and This Boy's Life actor Ellen Barkin. Then he met his next serious girlfriend, a 20-year-old Kate Moss. He was 31. Though public record states that the supermodel and actor met at Tim Moore's famous Cafe Tabac in downtown New York, nobody knew how the two came together. Did he approach her? Was she a fan of his alt-rock band P? Related | The Brad Pitt Nude Photo Scandal That Inspired a Shania Twain Song Neither, actually. It was the fashion writer and former Vanity Fair columnist George Wayne who introduced Johnny and Kate, "one fateful night mid '90s at Cafe Tabac, which was the supermodel hangout back in the day!" he wrote on his Instagram. "Johnny was in the back having dinner and Kate walked in with Naomi [Campbell and I] grabbed her and made the introduction! I had no idea that they would then become the IT couple for seasons to come, destroying hotel rooms across the globe during their still unforgettable union!" Their relationship lasted four years, and yielded gob-smacking tales of young love, like the time Depp presented Moss with a diamond necklace, "which he had hidden down the crack of his ass," she revealed on a British morning show. Or how about when he surprised her with a bathtub overflowing with $1,000 of champagne at a West London hotel? When they broke up in 1997 reportedly because of Depp's intense mood swings Moss was distraught. "There's nobody that's ever really been able to take care of me. Johnny did for a bit. I believed what he said. Like if I said, 'What do I do?' he'd tell me. And that's what I missed when I left," she told Vanity Fair in 2012. "I really lost that gauge of somebody I could trust. Nightmare. Years and years of crying. Oh, the tears!" Fans of the "chicest, druggiest couple since Keith Richards and Anita Pallenberg" are still crying. Winona Forever? More like Moss-Depp Forever. Photo via Getty Today, Democratic members of the House of Representatives and Senate introduced The Equality Act. The historic new act is an amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a landmark civil rights and labor law in the United States that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, or national origin. It also effectively banned Jim Crow state laws that upheld racial segregation of public places and employment discrimination. The Equality Act will explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity "in education, employment, housing, credit, federal jury service, public accommodations, and the use of federal funds," ABC News reports. During the press briefing announcing the act's existence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, New York Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, and Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Jerrold Nadler all made comments about the impact of the Equality Act. "Equality that is what America is all about... It's hard to believe that in 2019, it is still legal to discriminate," Schumer noted, before going on to quote Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, whose activism efforts during the Civil Right Movement in part made desegregation and the provisions of the Civil Rights Act possible. "The arc of history is long, but it bends in the direction of justice," King, now Schumer, said. Nadler, who is one of the co-sponsors of the bill, said, "We are going to win this bill... to end the discrimination LGBTQ people have suffered throughout recorded history." In an op-ed for The Advocate further elaborating on Trump's anti-LGBTQ initiatives, Pelosi promised to never rest until full equality has been achieved for the LGBTQ community. "We will be relentless in our work to defeat the president's discriminatory, anti-LGBTQ agenda and hateful attacks on the transgender community," she wrote. "The president's transgender service ban is a cruel and arbitrary decision designed to humiliate patriotic transgender Americans who have stepped forward to bravely serve our country, and it will not be allowed to stand. Liberty, justice, and equality are America's guiding values not bigotry and discrimination." The Trump administration has proposed several anti-LGBTQ policy changes that would adversely affect more than 11 million LGBTQ-identifying Americans at work, in school, and in the military. Just last night, according to a new memo, the Defense Department approved a new policy that will largely bar transgender troops and military recruits from transitioning to another sex, requiring most individuals to serve in their birth gender. This falls slightly short of Trump's initial trans military ban, but the new policy will likely force the military to eventually discharge trans people who need hormone treatments or surgery, and can't or won't serve in their assigned sex at birth. If passed, the precedence of the Equality Act might be the closest thing we have to challenging many of these policies. That'll be the ultimate litmus test of its power. Want to help make sure the Equality Act becomes a reality? Contact your representatives and tell them to support the act, here. Widow of Dual National Who Died in Iranian Custody Sues Judiciary for Banning Her from Travel 03/14/19 Source: Center for Human Rights in Iran Maryam Mombeini, the widow of an Iranian Canadian academic who died under suspicious circumstances in Tehran's Evin Prison, has sued a judicial official for extending a travel ban imposed on her a year ago, the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) has learned. Kavous Seyed-Emami's widow, Maryam Mombeini, filed the suit on March 6, 2019, against Amir Nasseri, the judiciary's security chief at Tehran's Evin Prison where her husband died while held in solitary confinement there for interrogations in February 2018. "From now on, we are going to file objections everywhere we can against this unlawful travel ban so that eventually someone will listen and give us an answer," Mombeini's son Ramin Seyed-Emami told CHRI on March 12, 2019. "What's strange is that Iranian authorities don't even respect their own laws," he added. "The travel ban is illegal because my mother has not been charged with anything." Mombeini, who also holds Canadian citizenship, was prevented from leaving Iran on March 7, 2018, as she was waiting to board a flight to Canada with her two sons. Ramin and her other son Mehran were eventually able to board but Mombeini's passport was confiscated without explanation. "When we went to inquire about lifting the ban, Mr. Nasseri's office told us they would give a response within a week," said Ramin Seyed-Emami. "Then when my mother went there last week, she realized that the ban had been extended." Attorney Payam Derafshan, who represents the family, told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on March 12, 2019, that the travel ban was not only illegal but was extended without giving Mombeini a chance to appeal. "The ban is still standing despite the end of investigations and lack of any charges against my client," said Derafshan. "We filed several requests to meet the judiciary's security official at Evin Prison but he refused." The managing director of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation (PWHF), Kavous Seyed-Emami was among nine conservationists arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC's) Intelligence Organization in Iran in late January 2018 under trumped-up espionage charges. His death, which occurred within two weeks of being held virtually incommunicado for interrogations in Evin Prison, was reported to his wife as a "suicide" on February 9, 2018, after security agents interrogated her. No final autopsy report was made public but a preliminary State Medical Examiner's report did show evidence of an injection on his skin as well as "bruises on different parts of the body," according to one of the Tehran-based lawyers representing the family. Iran's State Prisons Organization and the judiciary to which it responds, as well as prison officials, are responsible for the health and wellbeing of detainees. But one year after Seyed-Emami's death, no one has been charged, prosecuted or held accountable. Iran has also ignored international calls for an independent and impartial investigation into Seyed-Emami's death, for his wife to be allowed to leave Iran, and for his colleagues to be given a fair trial. Instead, for the past 12 months Tehran Prosecutor Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi has been working on a case against Seyed-Emami's detained PWHF colleagues based in part on false "confessions" despite three major state agencies contesting accusations that they committed espionage. Seyed-Emami's family has also petitioned Iran's main state-funded broadcaster, Islamic Republic Iran Broadcasting, demanding to be allowed to respond to unsubstantiated smear campaigns IRIB has broadcast in the form of mini-documentaries and news reports about Kavous Seyed-Emami. The International Coalition is mopping up last pockets of IS fighters in eastern Syria, but the group will likely return in the absence of political solutions to the problems of the region, writes Bassel Oudat in Damascus Less than one year after the start of the Syrian Revolution in January 2012, the terrorist group the Al-Nusra Front led by Mohamed Al-Jolani was created. While this did not state it was in fact a branch of Al-Qaeda in order to facilitate its infiltration of armed Syrian opposition circles including the Free Syrian Army (FSA), in December 2012 it was listed by the US as a terrorist group. By April 2013, the Islamic State (IS) group had arrived in Syria from Iraq, and the leader of IS, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, declared that the Al-Nusra Front had joined him under the name the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIL or IS) and that Al-Jolani had earlier been working on his instructions. Later, Al-Jolani rebelled against IS tutelage and pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Al-Zawahri instead. The quarrel between the two camps deepened, and they eventually went to war against each other with their final parting occurring in April 2014. The brutality of IS exceeded all expectations, and it did not exempt even once close comrades in the Al-Nusra Front from its atrocities. It then spread to other countries such as Yemen, Libya, Pakistan and the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, as well as carrying out a series of savage attacks in Europe. IS used primitive violence to terrorise its enemies, staging decapitations and other public executions, enslaving women, recruiting child soldiers and destroying religious shrines and historic sites in the areas under its control to achieve its goal of creating a so-called caliphate. Between 2013-2015, IS controlled large resources and heavy weapons after occupying many cities in Iraq and Syria, including Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa and Deir Al-Zor in Syria. It took control of oil wells in Deir Al-Zor and grain silos in Hasaka and robbed banks and kidnapped people for ransom. It controlled an estimated 91,000 square km of territory in Iraq and Syria and commanded tens of thousands of fighters from around the world, most of them based in Syria, including 5,000 combatants from Europe. The group established a structure that was close to that of a state, collecting taxes, printing money and having a budget running into hundreds of millions of dollars. The Syrian city of Raqqa became the capital of IS in March 2013 once the Syrian government forces had withdrawn from there without a fight, raising suspicions about links between the regime led by Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and this international terrorist group. Many military officers close to the former Baath Party regime in Iraq who had links to the Syrian regime became leading figures in IS. The group made the marginalisation of Sunni Arab populations in Iraq and Syria the pretext for it to spread after the US created a ripe environment for the proliferation of Shiite militias in Iraq. Some Syrians who had rebelled against the Al-Assad regime also hoped the group would provide them with protection in areas liberated from regime control. However, the hopes of those who relied on IS were swiftly dashed due to the groups ruthless violence. An International Coalition to combat IS was formed in September 2014 led by the US, and IS began to falter after it was defeated at Ain Al-Arab (Kobane) in February 2015 at the hands of Kurdish militias allied with the US and US airstrikes. Many pointers indicate that regional and international intelligence agencies have been using IS for their own purposes in Syria, and these have competed to recruit its leaders to make gains or to prevent others from gaining ground. It became commonplace to see IS fighters and heavy weapons travelling across the desert for hundreds of km without being intercepted, despite their being surrounded by their so-called enemies. Former Iraqi military officers likely caused the greatest security breaches in the group, because they were easy to manipulate by international and regional intelligence agencies. The latter have included the intelligence services of the Syrian regime, which have been able to reach out to these officers due to their common Baathist links and their joint interest in resisting the US presence in Iraq. The Syrian regime bought oil from IS through middlemen and allowed IS fighters to pass through areas under its control. IS fought against the Syrian opposition side-by-side with regime forces at several locations in the country. Iran also recruited many fighters into IS through its relations with Al-Qaeda members residing in the country. The Turkish opposition accused the Turkish government of allowing IS fighters to pass through Turkish airports and of turning a blind eye to their activities, something that Turkey has vehemently denied. Russias relationship with IS was clear, since IS combatants from Chechnya and the Central Asia republics formed a core force in the groups structure, including Abu Omar Al-Shishani, the former IS defence minister. Today, the US is dealing with the last pockets of IS in Syria in Baghouz in the far east of the country through fighters belonging to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that are affiliated to the Kurds. Hundreds of IS fighters have surrendered, but their fate is largely unknown. Some remain in tunnels or caves while the SDF tries to talk them into coming out. The fate of the thousands of IS prisoners is also mostly unknown amid differences on how to prosecute them and some countries evading their responsibilities by refusing to take back their citizens who were members of IS. Some senior IS leaders have also disappeared even after they were captured. The Kurdish militias who captured the IS combatants are not transparent, and there is concern that IS members will be smuggled to other unstable locations. The state set up by IS has been all but extinguished, but this does not mean that the group has been eliminated. The fanatical ideology espoused by IS is only the tip of the iceberg of a plethora of unresolved problems in Syria and Iraq. Confronting this radicalism through military action avoids dealing with the heart of the matter, since in countries where dictatorship, poverty and backwardness reign, fanaticism will surely find a way to re-emerge in future. As long as the process of transition from despotism to democracy in Syria fails, while IS can be curtailed by military means it cannot be eradicated. IS may be dormant for now, but in the absence of political solutions to the crises in the region, it will surely once again rear its ugly head. *A version of this article appears in print in the 14 March, 2019 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly under the headline: The demise of Islamic State? Search Keywords: Short link: Gas Pipeline Explosion In Southwest Iran Leaves 4 Dead, 6 Injured 03/14/19 Report by Mehr News Agency; photos by Islamic Republic News Agency AHVAZ, Mar. 14 (Mehr News Agency) - At least four people were killed on Thursday in an explosion of the pipelines that link the gas network from Mahshahr city to Ahvaz city in southwestern Iran, a senior provincial official said. See more photos by Islamic Republic News Agency See video by Mehr News Agency According to Kiomars Hajizadeh, the director general of the province's Crisis Management Directorate, the blast, which struck a gas pipeline between Ahvaz and the city of Mahshahr, near the Persian Gulf, has so far left four killed and injured six others. A bus, a water tanker truck and a private car had also caught fire amid the explosion. The bus, fortunately, was not carrying any passengers, but the driver sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital along with the other wounded. The two passengers in the car, and the driver of the truck lost their lives in the fire. The rescue teams have been dispatched to the site of the incident. Meanwhile, spokesperson of the Emergency Organization of Iran, Mojtaba Khaledi, told Mehr News that the fire at the site of the explosion has been extinguished. Iran's President Rouhani meets Grand Ayatollah Sistani in Najaf, Iraq 03/14/19 Source: Tehran Times President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday met with Iraq's top Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in the holy city of Najaf on the last day of his historic visit to neighboring Iraq. President Hassan Rouhani (R) with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani During the meeting, Rouhani briefed Ayatollah Sistani about the outcomes of his meetings with senior Iraqi officials. He said his trip was aimed at expanding bilateral ties based on "friendship" and "good neighborliness", Fars reported. Ayatollah Sistani welcomed any step toward expansion of Iraq's ties with its neighbors based on mutual interests, respect for the sovereignty and not interfering in the internal affairs of one another. The ayatollah also pointed to the Iraqi people's sacrifices in fighting Daesh (ISIL) and appreciated the role that Iraq's friends played in defeating the terrorist group. Sistani also underlined the necessity of adopting a "moderate approach" in dealing with regional issues. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Tehran's Ambassador to Baghdad Iraj Masjedi were also present at the meeting. Rouhani is the first Iranian president ever to have met with Ayatollah Sistani, who is considered Iraq's most influential religious figure. It was one of the highlights of President Rouhani's Iraq trip, as Ayatollah Sistani usually do not agree to meet with top political figures - even those of his own country. Sistani seldom makes public speeches and have not done interviews with media outlets. His views and statements are officially published through his representatives. His fatwas have significantly contributed to shaping Iraq's political structure. In June 2014, when Daesh unleashed its campaign of terror and destruction in Iraq, Ayatollah Sistani called on his followers to rush to the national army's help in the fight against the terrorist group. The fatwa helped bring together Shia fighters, Sunni tribesmen as well as Christian and Izadi volunteers under the umbrella of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), commonly known as Hashd al-Sha'abi, to reverse Daesh's gains and ultimately end the terror group's territorial rule in Iraq in late 2017. Rouhani's meeting with Sistani is also considered to be a foundation for further expansion of ties between Iran and Iraq. The president, upon his arrival to Najaf on Wednesday morning, also visited the holy shrine of Imam Ali (PBUH), the first Imam of Shia Muslims. Iran Asking Canada For Extradition Of Marjan Sheikholeslami In A Financial Case 03/14/19 Source: Radio Farda Iran's General Prosecutor says that Tehran has referred to Interpol the case of a woman in Canada accused in his country's petrochemicals scandal and expects extradition. The news website of Iran's Judiciary quotes Mohammad Jaafar Montazeri as saying that an arrest warrant for Marjan Sheikholeslami has been issued and sent to Interpol, and he hopes "they will cooperate". Marjan Sheikholeslami The trial of several defendants in Tehran is underway, accused of exporting government owned petrochemicals through front companies and using the funds to make personal profits before returning it to the government. Such trades were arranged with the knowledge of the authorities through private companies to circumvent international sanctions in the past. Sheikholeslami is one of three defendants who are abroad. There are others who are in the country and attend the court sessions. They are represented by their lawyers in Tehran. Any extradition would depend on Canadian law and regulations. Mr. Montazeri seems not to be confident that Interpol can return the accused, saying that Iran faces a problem with getting extraditions from countries which "have malice towards us". He also accused Canada of having turned in to "a safe refuge" for Iranians accused of corruption. Wife of prominent Iran sanctions advocate, Washington Institute for Near East Policy fellow Mehdi Khalaji, was allegedly profiting from sanctions evasion on behalf of IRGC. https://t.co/VSWfEHKsBk Eli Clifton (@EliClifton) March 11, 2019 Another Iranian, Mahmoud Reza Khavari who was accused of banking fraud also resides in Canada since 2011. An Iranian group in Canada called Iranian Canadian Congress has issued a petition asking the government to investigate Khavari and Sheikholeslami. Iran's legal system is criticized by international rights organizations, the United Nations and Western government for lacking due process safeguards, lack of transparency and arbitrary verdicts. The dialogue brought together players in the Agric sector to deliberate on how to ensure the sustainability of the cocoa industry. Representatives of cocoa farmer-based organizations, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Forestry Commission and other stakeholders participate in the dialogue. Chairman of the Concerned Farmers Association Nana Oboadie said cocoa production in the Eastern region is under threat from the rubber industry as a result of the ongoing destruction. He claims the private persons have bought cocoa lands belonging to small scale farmers from chiefs, and have since moved in to destroy more than 2000 acres of cocoa farms in the enclave. He wants government to intervene and stop what he says are plans to destroy more farms. He wants lands that have already been taken returned claiming the development has destroyed the livelihoods of farmers. More than 50 people have lost their lives as a result of the destruction of cocoa trees in these areas. Cocoa has brought a lot of development to the Eastern region including cocoa roads but now it is not respected. We want our lands back, he said. Last year, an Accra-based Joy Fm documentary, Plastic Chocolate highlighted how farming communities were struggling as a result of the destruction of cocoa trees to make way for rubber plantations. The Ghana Rubber Estate Limited denied any wrongdoing and insisted adequate compensation was being paid to farmers who have had their farms taken over. But the farmers are not satisfied. Nana Oboadie served to notice the farmers will organize a demonstration soon over the continuous destruction. We are giving the President a three-day ultimatum. If he doesnt ensure we get our lands back, we will demonstrate. Sadly COCOBOD says they have not seen this. COCOBOD is not serving the interest of ordinary cocoa farmers, he said. Ghana is for all of us. We will not sit down and allow anyone to destroy the cocoa industry. They do not have the ordinary cocoa farmers at heart. It is sad that cocoa which government has given the farmers seedlings to plant and help expand on the production are being destroyed and no one cares. Why would government act like this? he quizzed. President of the Ghana Agricultural and Rural Development Journalists Association (GARDJA) Richmond Frimpong who spoke at the dialogue called for legislation to criminalize the destruction of cocoa trees. GARDJA has presented a petition to parliament and the president for a law to stop the destruction of cocoa trees and we hope it will be considered so that farmers can be protected, he said. Josephus Bannor, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture office in Atiwa East called for a concerted effort to tackle the impact of climate change on Agric production. Climate change is real and the earlier we acknowledge and deal with it, the better. Previously, we used to have a lot of trees on our cocoa farms. That is not the case anymore. It is about time we returned to those times because that is how we can get adequate rains on the fields, he said. Dr. Francis Emmanuel Awortwi who is Head off the Environmental Studies Department at the University of Agriculture and Environmental Studies at Bunso said cocoa farmers play an important role in the Ghanaian economy and urged all to work to help sustain the industry. Cocoa is still the backbone of the country. So whether you are a cocoa farmer or not, we all need to take the necessary steps to make the industry better off, he said. Humphrey Ayisi of the World Cocoa Farmers organization told the forum the challenges of cocoa farmers have been ignored for far too long and it is about time that changed. He called on cocoa farmers to unite so they can be able to help influence policies in the cocoa industry and ensure farmers get good prices. Look at the cars that are parked at COCOBOD. And the lavish expenditure. All of that is earned through the sweat of ordinary cocoa farmers but the farmers are poor, he said. The 3rd edition of the cocoa dialogue series saw representatives of 15 different farmer-based organizations and other players in the Agric sector participating. GARDJA last year organized similar dialogues in the Western and Greater Accra regions. Source: The Insight Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The sacking of a Chairperson of Ghanas Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs Charlotte Osei as well as the countrys undesirable prison conditions and attacks on journalists have been captured in the 2019 Human Rights Report by the United States of America. The report, which was presented to the U.S. Secretary of State. Michael R. Pompeo. said: "The June ouster of the electoral commission chairperson and the presidents subsequent stacking of the Electoral Commission with persons considered to be biased in favour of the ruling party raised questions about whether the body might be used to stifle voter registration among the oppositions base." Touching on the conditions in the countrys prisons, the report indicated that as of September 2018, Ghana's prisons held 14, 985 inmates, though they are designed to hold 9,875. This has exacerbated the harsh conditions leading to overcrowding, food shortages, a poor sanitary environment and lack of medical care. The report also decried the cases of attacks on journalists. On the back of the report, the Minority in Parliament, in a statement signed by Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ranking Member, Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs, is demanding a sincere and determined action on the report. Below is the full minority's statement: MINORITY DEMANDS SINCERE AND DETERMINED ACTION ON 2019 US HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT The Minority in Ghana's Parliament in fulfilling our constitutional mandate and living up to the requirements of a conscientious and responsible opposition followed keenly the release of the 2019 Human Rights Report by the United States of America. The Report which was presented in Washington, DC yesterday the 13th of March, 2019 by US Secretary of State, Michael R. Pompeo must be of interest to us all as we strive to entrench good governance and the respect for fundamental human rights as contained in Chapter 5 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. The Minority agrees with Secretary Pompeo that "by articulating abuses and pressuring noncompliant regimes, we can affect change." It is our expectation though that this shared responsibility would be pursued through objective mechanisms without bias and prejudice as we all work towards the construction of a fair and just world. Despite the fact that this report covers some 200 countries, we shall highlight the following issues as raised specifically in the Ghana country report: 1) The July 2018 tragic police killing of 7 Asawase Zongo youth near Kumasi: As we know, the Akufo-Addo administration-initiated investigations following public outcry which proved that there was no evidence that the young men were armed robbers as initially claimed by the police and for which the victim's families have now been compensated; the perpetrators have not yet been brought to justice. The Minority urges Government to act expeditiously to secure justice in this matter. We also appeal to Government to pay attention to several cases of police brutality, corruption, negligence and impunity as documented in the report with the view to eliminating this combined canker and preserving the good image of Ghana. 2) Harsh and life-threatening Prison Conditions: The report indicates that as of September 2018, Ghana's prisons held 14, 985 in prisons designed to hold 9,875. This has exacerbated harsh conditions leading to overcrowding, food shortages, a poor sanitary environment and lack of medical care. 30 prisoners reportedly died as at September 2018 because of these circumstances. The Minority calls on Government to continue with former President Mahama's programme of prison reforms which included the expansion of facilities, without any further delay. 3) Violence and harassment against journalists: It is worrying that the report highlights 17 cases of attacks on journalists. The incident of the Joy FM reporter Latif Idrissu who sustained fractures to his skull when he was brutalized at the Police Headquarters is also documented as the report decries a lack of update from Government. The government must be seen bringing perpetrators of violence against journalists to book. It is troubling to note that this trend of intolerance and hatred for journalists who expose wrongdoing in this Government is getting worse as Anas Aremeyaw Anas and Manasseh Azuri Awuni become the latest victims. At this rate, we shudder to imagine what would be contained in the 2020 Human Rights Report. It is noteworthy that the NPP MP who exposed the identity of the assassinated undercover journalist receives inglorious mention in the report. 4) Vigilante Groups: The Ghana country report, in what must be unnerving, places the spotlight on: "post-election violence, including takeovers of government institutions by vigilante groups associated with the victorious New Patriotic Party." The Minority hereby reiterates its call on the need to disband all vigilante/party militias NOW. President Akufo-Addo must lead from the front and not from the back as he has been seeking to do by asking party executives to dialogue. 5) Dismissal of Charlotte Osei: The report states unequivocally: "The June ouster of the electoral commission chairperson and the presidents subsequent stacking of the Electoral Commission with persons considered to be biased in favour of the ruling party raised questions about whether the body might be used to stifle voter registration among the oppositions base." Clearly, it ought to now dawn on President Akufo-Addo and the new EC Commissioners that the United States and the international community is watching them keenly and that indeed they know what they may be up to. It is also obvious that the world has taken note of the unfair treatment meted out to Charlotte Osei in satisfying pre-election open threats by some leading members of the NPP and therefore in the process setting a bad precedent. 6) Corruption and Lack of Transparency in Government: A verbatim extract from the report - "The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by government officials, but the government did not implement the law effectively, and officials frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity. There were numerous reports of government corruption during the year. Corruption was present in all branches of government, according to media and NGOs, and various reputable national and international surveys, such as the World Banks Worldwide Governance Indicators and Afrobarometre, highlighted the prevalence of corruption in the country." It is the Minority's hope that the infamous penchant of President Akufo-Addo acting as a clearing agent will now give way to a sincere determined effort at fighting corruption seeing that the world is highly unimpressed with his hollow rhetoric about fighting the menace. 7) Other Matters of Concern: "Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting was significantly higher in the Upper East Region with a prevalence rate of 27.8 per cent, compared with the national rate of 3.8 per cent." "Early and forced child marriage, while illegal, remained a problem, with 34 per cent of girls living in the three northern regions of the country marrying before the age of 18. Through September the CHRAJ had received 18 cases of early or forced marriage." "Children as young as four years old were subjected to forced labour in the agriculture, fishing, and mining industries, including informal gold mines, and as domestic labourers, porters, hawkers, and quarry workers. One child protection and welfare NGO estimated that 100,000 children were trapped in forced child labour, almost one-half of whom worked in the Volta Region where, in the fishing industry, they engaged in hazardous work, such as diving into deep waters to untangle fishing nets caught on submerged tree roots. The government does not legally recognise working underwater as a form of hazardous work." These three frightening predicaments ought to be a scar on our collective conscience. We must all come together and do everything in our power to reverse this scourge. The Minority intends to partner Government and intensify our constituency specific interventions to bring an end to this unacceptable plight confronting our children. In conclusion, the Minority hopes that the 2019 US Human Rights Report would raise the needed awareness, trigger the necessary discussions which must ultimately lead to concrete actions aimed at securing for ourselves a far improved climate of respect for fundamental human rights and social justice. Signed, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa MP, North Tongu Ranking Member, Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs. 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 South Africa television and radio presenter Samora Mangesi was allegedly beaten in a racially motivated attack after stopping to help a group of young white men whose car has overturned a few nights ago in the city of Roodepoort. "They called my friends & I 'monkeys'. When we engaged them on why we were being called such, they beat me up until I was unconscious," Mr Mangesi wrote in a thread on Twitter. Mr Mangesi, who works for the public broadcaster SABC, claims he was assaulted until became unconscious. His injuries include cuts to his face, mouth and bruising along the left side of his body. "Even whilst I was being put in the ambulance, one of these guys tried to run my friend over with his bakkie [pick-up truck] and the paramedics had to intervene," he added. The news has sparked anger on local social media and calls for a police investigation. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG) has called on the Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba, Rev. Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni to resign. This follows the recent controversies that have upset the peace of the university, following the dismissal of some lecturers. National President of UTAG, Dr. Eric Opoku Mensah explained Rev Prof Afful Bronishould resign on the grounds that he has performed poorly as a vice chancellor and is unable to keep the university together for unity and progress. He further requested that all sacked lecturers be reinstated unconditionally. In a radio interview with Accra based Citi FM on Wednesday, Dr. Eric Opoku Mensah also called on the Governing Council of the university to act as a responsible council, since they seem not to be doing what is right in upholding the constitution. He added that the lecturers of UEW campus must rise up, without fear, for their democratic rights. As at now about 30 people have either been sacked, demoted, suspended or transferred arbitrarily. Now, mind you that before this happened, the former president, Mr Bekoe (former UTAG President, Dr. Samuel Ofori Bekoe) was sacked due to this confusion staged by the same administration," he said, explaining that other lecturers and officials suffered the same fate. He further called on the students to continue with their demonstrations peacefully until their voices are heard 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 Three generations of 1 family died in the Ethiopian Airlines crash which occurred on Sunday, March 10, 2019. Carol Karanja, her three children, and her mother were all travelling from Canada to Kenya and were involved in the plane crash that killed all 157 people on board. A week before Carol Karanja boarded the ill-fated Ethiopian Airlines flight, she sent a message to her sister, saying she had an uneasy feeling. The WhatsApp message read: "My heart isn't really excited. I feel like there's something bad ahead, but I don't know what." Back home in Kenya, Carol's younger sister, Kelly Karanja was worried about the premonition so she asked her sister the exact day she would arrive and told her to pray about it. Carol replied in a message: "10th. Will let you know the time." Karanja was so worried about the trip that she sent a similar message expressing her fear of the impending journey to her father, John Quindos Karanja, before she boarded the flight. Sadly, she never made it home. The plane she was in crashed just minutes after takeoff from Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa. She died with her mother, Ann Wangui Karanja, her three children: Ryan Njoroge, 7, Kellie Pauls, 4, and 9-month-old daughter, Rubi Pauls, and 152 others. Rubi Pauls was born in Ontario, where the family lived. She was going home for the first time to meet her Kenyan family but that was not to be. Kelly Karanja said her sister was deeply spiritual and always knew how to read things, CNN reports. She said: She was always the telepathic one. She was also jovial, funny, selfless, the one who brought the family together. We are not able to put into words the kind of woman she was. She was just awesome. Carol's father, John Quindos Karanja, said his daughter sent him a text before her flight and expressed her fear for the impending journey. Her father said: The day before the flight my daughter sent me a message -- and she told me I'm not excited. 'I don't know what is happening dad. I am fearing and I don't know what it is in me.' She had fears. So I thought that was normal. We never interacted again. John Quindos Karanja lost his wife, his daughter, and three grandchildren in the plane crash. 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 Study shows shorter treatment for Chagas disease as effective, and significantly safer Barcelona/Rio de Janeiro, 14 March 2019 - A two-week treatment course for adult patients with chronic Chagas disease showed, when compared to placebo, similar efficacy and significantly fewer side effects than the standard treatment duration of eight weeks, according to the results of a clinical trial in Bolivia led by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi). Chagas disease affects an estimated six million people globally and can lead to irreversible damage to vital organs, and death. Benznidazole, one of the two drugs used to treat Chagas, is traditionally administered twice a day over a course of eight weeks, in line with PAHO and WHO recommendations and national guidelines. The Phase II clinical trial, carried out in three centres in Bolivia, sought to improve safety, tolerability and efficacy of treatment with this drug, which was discovered half a century ago. Initiated in 2016, it was the first-ever placebo-controlled study to test various lengths and dosages of treatment with benznidazole, both on its own as a monotherapy, and in combination with fosravuconazole. The results were presented for the first time today at the "XV Jornada sobre la Enfermedad de Chagas", organised by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal, a centre supported by "la Caixa"). "We believe treatment can spare people with Chagas the risk of a lifetime of debilitating complications associated with the disease. However, the current treatment can cause severe side effects, which has often discouraged some people from seeking treatment and healthcare workers from recommending it," said Joaquim Gascon, a principal investigator in the trial and the director of the Chagas Initiative at ISGlobal. "We've shown that shorter treatment could be just as effective, and much safer. This could change the paradigm for Chagas treatment, by improving adherence and encouraging wider adoption by the medical community," said Dr Faustino Torrico, President of CEADES Foundation, Bolivia, and a principal investigator in the trial. All arms of the study, both monotherapy and combination, were shown to be efficacious. Eighty percent of the patients assigned to the group which took the standard dose of 300mg/day of benznidazole, but for two weeks instead of the standard eight weeks, showed no sign of the parasite in their blood six and 12 months after finishing the treatment. A similar result was observed in the group that took the standard eight-week treatment. Significantly, none of those in the two-week reduced duration group interrupted treatment. On average, 2 in 10 patients who followed the standard course of treatment with benznidazole abandoned the treatment due to side effects. "These results bring new hope for people living with this silent disease and could change the reality of access to treatment in endemic countries. With a much simpler treatment regimen, there is no excuse for not treating people with Chagas disease," said Dr Sergio Sosa Estani, Head of Chagas Clinical Programme at DNDi. "DNDi will now continue to work with national programmes, partners and ministries of health of endemic countries to confirm these results and encourage necessary steps to register the new regimen and turn this breakthrough discovery into a reality for people affected by the disease." The trial was conducted in partnership with CEADES (Fundacion Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente), ISGlobal, Japanese pharmaceutical company and manufacturer of fosravuconazole Eisai Co. Ltd., Argentinian pharmaceutical company and manufacturer of benznidazole Elea, and associated non-profit foundation Fundacion Mundo Sano, among others, and funded by the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT). DNDi continues to work on pre-clinical and clinical research to discover, develop, and test new drugs and drug combinations to treat Chagas. For more information, please contact: Alessandra Vilas Boas (DNDi)/ avilasboas@dndi.org / +447484661366 About the study The "Bendita" study (Benznidazole New Doses Improved Treatment & Associations) was carried out in sites in Cochabamba, Tarija and Sucre, Bolivia. It tested, against a placebo, six treatment arms with a variety of lengths and dosages of benznidazole, both as a monotherapy and in combination with fosravuconazole: The standard 8-week treatment, with a standard daily dose of 300mg/day of benznidazole in monotherapy A 4-week treatment with a daily dose of 300mg/day of benznidazole in monotherapy A 2-week treatment with a daily dose of 300mg/day of benznidazole in monotherapy A 4-week treatment with a lower daily dose of 150mg/day of benznidazole in monotherapy A 4-week treatment with a lower daily dose of 150mg/day of benznidazole, in combination with fosravuconazole An 8-week treatment, with a lower weekly dose of 300mg of benznidazole, in combination with fosravuconazole. Efficacy was measured through sustained parasitological response at six months, with a final assessment at 12 months after the end of the treatment. ### About Chagas disease Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) endemic in 21 countries in Latin America, but present also in North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia. The Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) estimates that the disease affects approximately 6 million people, with 30,000 new cases and 14,000 deaths per year. It is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) and transmitted by insects known as "kissing bugs". It can also be transmitted from an infected mother to a child, or through blood transfusion or food contaminated with the vector. Since it was first discovered in 1909, Chagas has primarily affected poor, vulnerable populations with limited access to healthcare. As the disease typically remains asymptomatic for years after infection, most people with the disease are unaware of their condition. For 30-40% of people infected, the disease progresses to a late chronic stage. Of these, most will suffer cardiac damage, often leading to sudden death or progressive heart failure. The disease can also cause enlargement of the gastrointestinal tract and organs, and gastrointestinal motor disorders. There are currently only two drugs available to treat Chagas disease - nifurtimox and benznidazole - both discovered half a century ago. Treatment with benznidazole, the most commonly used, lasts 60 days and may have undesirable side effects such as gastric intolerance, cutaneous rashes, or neuromuscular problems, amongst others. Around 20% of those who start the treatment do not complete it, mostly due to undesirable side effects. About DNDi A not-for-profit research and development organization, DNDi works to deliver new treatments for neglected patients, in particular those suffering with Chagas disease, sleeping sickness (human African trypanosomiasis), leishmaniasis, filarial infections, mycetoma, paediatric HIV, and hepatitis C. Since its inception in 2003, DNDi has delivered eight new treatments. DNDi's strategy for Chagas disease consists of three pillars: improving diagnostic and therapeutic tools through innovation in research & development, fostering collaboration and strengthen capacity in endemic countries through a scientific platform, and increasing patients' access to diagnosis and treatment. About ISGlobal The Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal, is the fruit of an innovative alliance between "la Caixa" and academic and government institutions to contribute to the efforts undertaken by the international community to address the challenges in global health. ISGlobal is a consolidated hub of excellence in research that has grown out of work first started in the world of health care by the Hospital Clinic and the Parc de Salut MAR and in the academic sphere by the University of Barcelona and Pompeu Fabra University. The pivotal mechanism of its work model is the transfer of knowledge generated by scientific research to practice, a task undertaken by the institute's Education and Policy and Global Development departments. ISGlobal a member of the CERCA programme of the Generalitat de Catalunya. About CEADES Fundacion CEADES is a non-profit organisation working to contribute to the knowledge and the solution of health and environment problems in Bolivia, with emphasis on research and treatment of Neglected Tropical Diseases. CEADES also carries out capacity building activities for healthcare workers, community education and innovative projects about health and society and technology transfer. Since 2008, it has developed specialised healthcare models in seven centres which are part of the Platform for comprehensive care to adults with Chagas disease. In the area of scientific research, CEADES participates in various clinical trials with new medicines and biomarkers for disease cure and progression. CEADES works in collaboration with ISGlobal and with funding from AECID. In addition, it implements projects in collaboration with DNDi, Mundo Sano Foundation, UTEP, INH and HORIZON2020. At the local level, it supports institutional networks, patients' social organisations and coordinates with government agencies such as the National Chagas Programme and the Ministry of Health. This story has been published on: 2019-03-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Israel's prime minister has convened an urgent meeting with senior military officials following a rocket attack on Tel Aviv from the Gaza Strip. Israeli media said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is also Israel's defense minister, was meeting with his military chief and other senior advisers late Thursday to plan a response. Two rockets were fired from the Israeli-besieged Gaza Strip at the Tel Aviv area on Thursday, setting off sirens, and several explosions were heard, the Israeli military and witnesses said. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. Video broadcast on Israeli TV showed two Israeli interceptor missiles streaking into the sky above Tel Aviv, Israel's commercial capital, and detonating. Reuters journalists heard explosions, but it was unclear whether they were caused by the rockets or the interceptor missiles fired by Israel's Iron Dome system. The military said two rockets were launched from the Gaza Strip and it would provide further details later. There was no immediate claim of responsibility in the enclave, where its dominant Hamas group has been engaged in talks with Egypt on a long-term ceasefire with Israel. Tensions have been high for the past year along the Israel-Gaza frontier since Palestinians began violent protests near Israel's border fence that have often drawn a lethal response from the Israeli military. Search Keywords: Short link: Member of Parliament for Effutu constituency, Hon Alexander Afenyo-Markin has urged members of the UEW branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana to rise up and fight against the injustice meted out to them by the current Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Rev, Fr. Anthony Afful-Broni. According to him it is time they unite and build bridges for a better UEW. In a post on his facebook wall, he is also asking protesting students to cooperate with the police even as they protest against the Vice Chancellor. "Non violence protest shall definitely weaken the morale of the Professor and work on his conscience," he said. His comments comes in the heat of massive protest rocking the school over the sacking of three principal officers and some senior lecturers of the school by the current Vice Chancellor. A decision that has not gone down well with the student body. Reports indicates that the principal of the College of Languages Education at Ajumako Prof. Ephraim Avea Nsoh was sacked because he had not been cooperating with other management members. The local President of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Dr. Frimpong Kakyire Duku,was also sacked after initiating legal action against his employer without any cause and without exhausting internal procedures. An Alumni representative on the University Council, Dr. Emmanuel Osei Sarpong, was sacked for showing disrespect to the Council and refusing to back their decisions. Starting at about 7am, students marched through the satellite campus and disrupted lectures. Successful, the throng proceeded to replicate this design of chaos in the Central and South campuses. The Police overpowered at Central campus reorganized with reinforcements at the South campus, the last campus standing. The students are also demanding the resignation of their Vice-Chancellor Prof Rev, Fr. Anthong Afful-Broni who marked his first year in office four days ago. He is the second Vice-Chancellor since the New Patriotic Party won power in 2017. His predecessor Prof. Mawutor Avoke was removed after a protracted litigation pushed by NPP MP Afenyo-Markin. Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Former National Organizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Kofi Adams has petitioned the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to invite preacher Rev. Owusu Bempah for alleging that some NDC members have been contracted to kill President Akufo-Addo. The popular preacher is alleged to have said on Oman FM that the NDC is plotting to assassinate the President and his Vice Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as well as Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, Chairman Wontumi and himself. The petition which was submitted at the CID headquarters Wednesday, 13 March 2019, said: The Rev. Owusu Bempah, a popular Ghanaian preacher alleged on the OMAN FM on the 28th of February 2019 on its morning show hosted by one Akua Asabea Croppa that certain persons have been contracted to kill the President and Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana. He further said had personal knowledge of the details of the plot and the persons behind it. Mr. Adams wants the CID to interrogate the founder of Glorious Word Power Ministry International to ascertain the veracity of his claims. According to Mr. Adams the discussion is about life and not anybody but the life of the President which is so dear to Ghanaians as the first gentleman of the land. Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he maintained that the life of the President is critical whether he is performing or not. "The police should invite Rev. Owusu Bempah to help investgate those NDC members who are planning to assassinate the President . . . the life of the President is so dear to me and will do everything possible to protect him whether he is performing or not," he said. "I will go to the CID office tomorrow if I don't hear anything from them today, because I was expecting their call yesterday which never came. I am waiting for today if not they will see my face tomorrow," he added. Meanwhile Kofi Adams has made a copy of the interview available to the CID. Rev. Owusu Bempah, a popular Ghanaian preacher alleged on OMAN FM on the 28th of February 2019 on its morning show hosted by one Akua Asabea Croppa that certain persons have been contracted to kill the President and Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana. He further said he had personal knowledge of the details of the plot and the persons behind it. According to him they have plotted to use every means to ensure that the President dies. "The Vice President, Kennedy Agyapong and Chairman Wontumi are all included. They have plotted to assassinate 5 of us. Ghanaians should take this issue very serious. "The Police should invite Rev. Owusu Bempah for help to investigate those NDC members who are planning to assassinate the President. "I know Ghanaians would ask if God revealed this to me . . . I will soon come to your station and give you details of where the meeting was held . . . a member of the NDC has also confirmed the issue to me and because of that, I am unable to step out. This is not due to fear but I am extremely shocked and alarmed that a former President would plot to kill a sitting President, his Vice, myself, Kennedy Agyapong and Chairman Wontumi. "The NDC member told me to be careful. I am also aware the plot was due to my promise to pray for President Nana Addo to ensure he wins the 2020 polls as revealed by God, Rev Owusu Bempah said. Source: Josephine Acheampomaa / [email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Mr Gregory Afoko, one of the suspects alleged to have killed the Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Adams Mahama, in 2015 has been granted bail by the Criminal Division of the Accra High Court. Afoko was admitted to bail in the sum of 500,000 with two sureties, one of which must be justified. Speaking in an interview with Peace FM news, Nana Yaw Osei, a member of the legal team for Mr. Gregory Afoko explained that their client was not even in court and that his bail condition will be satisfied immediately to facilitate his release. As part of the bail conditions, the court, presided over by Mr Justice George Boadi, also ordered Gregory Afoko to report himself to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service every two weeks. The bail was as a result of a bail application filed by Afokos lawyers. Gregory Afoko is currently facing committal proceedings at the District Court. This was after the Attorney-General (A-G) filed a nolle prosequi to discontinue his trial at the High Court which started in 2016 following the arrest of a second suspect, Asabke Alangdi. Background Alhaji Mahama suffered severe bodily injuries after a substance suspected to be acid was allegedly poured on him in front of his house in Bolgatanga on May 20, 2015. He later died from the injuries at the Bolgatanga General Hospital. Afokos trial started in 2016 and was nearing completion after the prosecution and the defence had closed their cases. On January 26, 2019, Afoko closed his case after he and his brother, John Ishmael Afoko, had testified. The prosecution, led by a Chief State Attorney, Matthew Amponsah, had called 14 individuals as prosecution witnesses. Subsequently, the presiding judge, Justice Lawrence Mensah, directed the two parties to file their written addresses. Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The CEO of White Movie Productions, Ellen Kyei White has bemoaned the seeming neglect of the NPP government for the movie industry after they took power in 2017 despite the many promises they made in their manifesto prior to the 2016 general election. Speaking on zionfelix, the award-winning actress noted that she cant pinpoint any single thing which can be touted as an achievement of the government in power for the movie industry. She also stressed that maybe they currently are thinking about something they are going to do in the near future but as it stands, it is zero. She also gave them pointer areas they can focus on if they have plans to help the movie industry anytime soon. She disclosed that the building of cinema halls for the movie industry, especially in Kumasi, is something that will go a very long way to help them. Ellen White added that the few privately owned cinema halls in Kumasi are currently killing movie producers because of the huge amount of monies they have to pay before they premiere their movies there. Watch the video of actress Ellen White scoring the NPP government two-year performance in the creative arts sector. VIDEO- 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 It looks like after all the juicy promises the New Patriotic Party made to the people of Ghana to help fix DUMSOR permanently, things are not going on smoothly as they promised and planned. For the past few days, the whole of the country has been subjected to some form of DUMSOR. Even though the managers of power in Ghana have continually assured us that they are working hard to solve the issue, things gets worse by the day. A lot of people in the country have been gravely angered by this situation we find ourselves in and have taken to social media to pour out their frustrations. Ghanaian comedian DKB has taken to his Instagram page to also pour his frustrations about the DUMSOR situation in Ghana. He has threatened government that if they do not fix the situation in one week, he will organize a mammoth demonstration against them. 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 Josh McQuillin, right, of Prince George, B.C., who is the first Canadian in history to receive a direct intravenous injection gene replacement therapy, undergoes tests at the University of Calgary's clinical trials unit in Calgary, Alta., Thursday, March 14, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh Dr. Darius Tsatsi, the Saskatchewan radiologist whose work has sparked a review of 70,000 exams, attends a news conference in Yorkton, Sask., Wednesday, July 22, 2009. The Supreme Court of Canada says it won't hear the appeal of Dr. Darius Tsatsi, who had sued former health minister Don McMorris, the Sunrise Health Region and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jennifer Graham European planemaker Airbus is discussing a new order with Ethiopian Airlines and there are "positive signs" that a long-negotiated deal with China may be concluded later this month, a French presidential source said on Thursday. The Elysee official gave no details on the size of the potential new Ethiopian order but cited the long-range A350, a model which Ethiopian already operates, and the single-aisle A320 jet as aircraft that were of interest to the airline. President Emmanuel Macron and Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed discussed the possible order during Macron's visit on Tuesday, two days after an Ethiopian Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed minutes after taking off, killing all 157 people. Data about the plane's flight path indicated some similarities with a crash involving the same model in Indonesia five months earlier. Aviation authorities around the world have temporarily banned the money-spinning aircraft from flying, leaving the world's largest planemaker facing its worst crisis in years. Separately, the Elysee official said there were hopes a huge Airbus deal with China could be concluded when President Xi Jinping visits Europe later this month. Macron failed to clinch the deal during a trip to China in early 2018 and the French government and European planemaker have been working to salvage it. Macron said at the time that China would buy 184 A320 narrow-body jets, an order worth $18 billion at list prices. "There are positive signs," the Elysee official said. Search Keywords: Short link: By Turigye Harold Twenty years ago saw the birth of the beautiful child, the vision of a one East Africa. However, this beautiful child still cant walk, and still wets the bed. The failure of the vision of the East African Community can be blamed on many factors, but majorly on myopic foreign policies by the regional leaders. While some achievement may have been registered towards one market, common boundary and United travel documents, it all seems that the vision takes one step forward and seven steps backwards. This image has been magnified by the visible tensions in the relationship between the heads of state and clashing visions of foreign strategy amongst the governments. It seems that while the picture on top shows negotiating presidents on a round table, everyone is holding a bayonet under the table, and playing with their witty tongues to suit the needs of their respective home countries. With Rwanda at the centre of these disputes having a strained love affair with Uganda, Burundi and DRC, Uganda has been seen as the catalyst at the helm of this discord. Due to escalating tension between Kigali and Bujumbura governments, President Museveni of Uganda was appointed as the Mediator(regardless of the already existing tension between Kigali and Kampala)and Benjamin Mkapa the former president as the facilitator. This came after President Nkuruziza in an open letter had suggested that Rwanda was Burundis only problem. This team that was tasked with the negotiations pertaining the sovereignty battles between Rwanda and Burundi have up to date do not more than write on the water with claims of kindled ego fire, apparent bias, and the fact that the mediator himself did not have clean hands. The whole world last week heard war drums as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and cooperation Mr. Richard Sezibera stormed on Twitter to make the claims that Uganda was taking a lead role in torturing and arresting Rwandan Citizens on the basis that they were spying for Rwanda. The Rwandan government based on these claims to strongly advise its nationals to stay in Rwanda and not attempt to cross to Uganda until the issue is resolved. The Rwanda Government further closed the border post with claims that were executing their intention of constructing a one border post at Gatuna and renovating the road to the post. This as however evidently false and baseless propaganda as the excuse could not cover the fact that the alternative one-stop border post had been closed. The Minister further claimed that Rwandese were not stopped from travelling to Uganda, but were strongly advised against it for their own safety. Hon. Nguhungirehi, a Rwandan Minister while speaking on Monday in Zanzibar openly accused Uganda of spying on Rwanda on behalf for Kayumba Nyamwasa and the Rwanda Group in South Africa. It is shockingly true that during the famous Rwanda-Uganda war at Kisangani-DRC, the said Nyamwasa and the current Minister for Internal Affairs Hon Jeje Odongo were the delegates of the negotiation process representing the two countries. Almost 20 years later, the former is now the centre of the rebirthed conflict, while the latter is in the situation room trying to get the solution to this escalating rivalry. Weeks before, Uganda had deported employees of MTN the major telecommunication company, and the biggest taxpayer. Among those deported was a Rwandese National who was head of Sales and Distribution Ms Bilenge Tabura. The government claimed that the said persons were compromising national security, and the accusations painted the picture of the staff selling information to Rwanda. Uganda again mentions Rwanda in the charges placed against the former IGP Kare Kaihura. A deeper look at the tension between Uganda and Rwanda infers the conclusion that it is a question of a National Ego for Uganda and, inferiority complex for Rwanda. While the tall man is too proud to bend for a handshake, the short man is jumping too high for a hug. It can also be seen as the student who has learnt a lot from his mentor and after becomes prodigal. The Rwandan President in the interview, while addressing the matter of the conflict between Uganda and Rwanda said that while the matter can easily be resolved, and that what escalates it is keeping quiet. We the neutrals have argued that while it may be true that Mr.Kagame has gone an extra mile in suppressing his political opponents especially those abroad, the Ugandan Government should not impose itself as the savior from gods as the sole nation, but rather spearhead the efforts to have a body to deal with the claims, and give asylum and protection to those seeking it as the East African block. It, therefore, seems that the internal issues have largely contributed to the reactionary foreign moves of the neighbouring nations, and these clashes seem to have sacked all oxygen out of the East African community atmosphere. The foreign policy can in general been characterized as one full of Political hunger, mistrust and unquenched thirst for patronage, the same being the vampires sucking the blood out of the dream for a one East Africa. Mr. Museveni while addressing the Heads of States at the recently concluded AU Summit in Addis Ababa emphasized the need for African Unity as a key to Sovereignty. It seems that while all the heads appreciate that the need for a one East Africa, and a one Africa, there are in house treasure they are not ready to give up, Political strengths they are not ready to surrender, and the Unity will therefore always be the opportunity cost. It, therefore, defeats every ones understanding when the heads of states who ought to preach a common border are now closing border posts, failing to control looting troops in the foreign land. It is, therefore, my argument that our leaders have failed to discern the expedient end the permissible, the wheat and the tares, the precious form the guile In conclusion, it seems from the trend of the facts at hand that the fate of a one East Africa may as well be determined by foreign players and Investments giants, and maybe but just a byproduct of the inevitable need for trade and economic convenience. This will, therefore, leave out anything political and social out the Mashariki deal as all parties think differently on interests, speed and means of execution. ============================================================================ The writer is a legal Associate at PACE Advocates, and International Law Scholar. Related The public is welcome to attend workshops in March and April in which the City Council will be focused on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2020. The proposed FY20 budget covers July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. Traditionally, multiple meetings take place between the administration and the City Council prior to the public hearing and public adoption of the budget. Budget workshops are set for the Dearborn Administrative Center, 16901 Michigan Ave., in Conference Room 1A at 6:30 p.m. The public should use the west entrance. As of March 12, the following dates and topics are: ? Wednesday, March 13: Actuary and reports ? Wednesday, March 27: capital debt ? Monday, April 8: Proposed budget overview ? Tuesday, April 9: Property Maintenance and Development Services Department ? Monday, April 22: Police and fire ? Monday, April 29: Department of Public Works ? Wednesday, May 1: Museum and City Clerk ? Monday, May 6: Recreation and 19 th District Court ? Thursday, May 9: Downtown Development Authorities ? Monday, May 13: Wrap Up Please note that topics, dates, times, and meeting locations are subject to change. The schedule of sessions will be updated at www.cityofdearborn.org in the Transparency section. Documents related to the proposed FY2020 budget will be continually posted on the website as they become available. The budget must be approved by the City Council before the new fiscal year begins. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Welcome Guest! You Are Here: British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to seek a delay in Britain's exit from the European Union, setting the stage for Prime Minister Theresa May to renew efforts to get her divorce deal approved by parliament next week. Lawmakers approved by 412 votes to 202 a statement setting out the option to request a short delay if a Brexit deal can be agreed by March 20 -- or a longer delay if no deal can be agreed in time. Just 15 days before Britain is due to leave the European Union, May is using the threat of a long delay to push Brexit supporters in her Conservative Party finally to back her deal. A new vote on her deal is likely next week, when those lawmakers will have to decide whether to back a deal they feel does not offer a clean break from the EU, or accept that Brexit could be watered down or even thwarted by a lengthy delay. Earlier, lawmakers voted by 334 to 85 against a second referendum on EU membership. Most opposition Labour lawmakers did not back the measure and even campaigners for a so-called People's Vote said the time was not yet right for parliament to vote on the matter. The government narrowly survived an attempt to give lawmakers control of the parliamentary agenda on March 20 with the aim of forcing a discussion of alternative Brexit options at a later date. May's authority hit an all-time low this week after a series of humiliating parliamentary defeats and rebellions. But she has made clear her plan is still on the agenda, despite twice being rejected by an overwhelming majority in parliament, in January and again on Tuesday. May's spokesman said earlier on Thursday that she would put her Brexit deal, struck after two-and-a-half years of negotiations with the EU, to another vote "if it was felt that it were worthwhile". Seeking to win over dissenters, she has given rebellious Conservative lawmakers a thinly-veiled warning that a failure to back her plan could mean no Brexit at all. Britons voted by 52-48 percent in a 2016 referendum to leave the EU, a decision that has not only divided the main political parties but also exposed deep rifts in British society. Sterling has swung more wildly this week than at any point since 2017, rising from below $1.30 to a nine-month high of almost $1.34 as investors bet Britain would avoid a no-deal Brexit. Search Keywords: Short link: Steve Greenlee, the president of ExxonMobil Exploration Company, said during a meeting with Egyptian Minister of Petroleum Tarek El-Molla that the company is looking to invest in Egypt for the first time by participating in energy exploration and production activities. Greenlee and El-Molla met on the sidelines of CERAWeek the World's Premier Energy Event, taking place in Houston, US. Greenlee said that the company is interested in the bid rounds launched by the Egyptian oil and gas sector for exploration in the Mediterranean and Red Sea. El-Molla and Greenlee affirmed that Exxonmobils decision to invest in Egypts E&P field will have a positive return on the Egyptian oil and gas industry, increasing the presence of international oil companies in Egypt and pumping more investments. Egypt's petroleum minister also held talks with Francis R. Fannon, the Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) at the US Department of State, to discuss promoting bilateral cooperation in the petroleum and natural gas sector. El-Molla also attended a plenary meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce and met with Apache CEO John J Christmann to discuss the company's action plan in oil and gas exploration in Egypt's Western Desert. When Jenna Weiler worked on a small organic farm, she and her fellow farmhands often brainstormed about ways to get more people excited about vegetables. One day, in the bean field, they started joking about getting tattoos that would help them determine if the beans were long enough to pick. That joke gave Weiler the idea for Tater Tats, temporary vegetable tattoos that would motivate kids (and adults) to eat their veggies and learn more about where their food comes from. In 2014, Weiler raised seed money via Kickstarter, planted the concept with an illustrator, and watched as Tater Tats grew. Small shops and nonprofits across the country began picking them to sell and share. To further her mission of supporting sustainable agriculture, Weiler gives 10 percent of sales back to small farms and nonprofits invested in healthy food projects. Since 2015, Tater Tats has given 48 grants more than $20,000 to farms and innovative projects all over the country. This year over 100 folks applied. We gave away 15 good food grants, a total of $8,500, to an exciting group of farms and healthy food projects, she says. We are very excited to announce this year's good food grantees: small sustainable farms from around the country and a few innovative food projects moving the sustainable food world forward. Farmshare Austin Tater Tats latest round of grants include Farmshare Austin, a 10-acre teaching farm in Texas that increases food access, teaches new farmers, and preserves farmland. In Washington, D.C., Food Talks DC is an evolving online media platform for people of color and their food narratives, stories, and perspectives. In Chicago, The Urban Canopy offers a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, compost club, outdoor/indoor farm, and, in partnership with the City of Chicago, multiple farmers markets providing fresh, organic produce at an affordable price in areas considered food insecure. Among Michigan grant recipients, Boyne Citys Spirit of Walloon Farm and its all-female staff grow thousands of pounds of fresh produce year-round in seven unheated four-season greenhouses and one heated transplant greenhouse. Tortoise and Hare Farm offers CSA shares in Muskegon. The Sovengard matched our grant to Tortoise and Hare Farm. We've also had a few other businesses join us in matching these grants, Weiler notes. The Sovengard, Sweetgreen, and The Little Fleet are a few who partnered with us to match a grant to a small farm. A volunteer with Wormies. Closer to home, Wormies, a Grand Rapids-based, community-oriented, vermicompost subscription service, collects food scraps from residents and businesses to recycle into nutrient- and microbial-rich fertilizer. I chose Wormies because I think soil and how were dealing with our waste is important. It is a local business meeting a need as Grand Rapids does not have a compost pick-up service. I liked the commitment to reducing food waste and doing soil restoration, Weiler says. The future of farming is really making sure that we are taking good care of the soil. Photos courtesy Tater Tats. A decade ago, many would have turned up their nose at an AR with a carry handlebut no longer. With prices being lower than they've ever been, there's been a resurgence of retro cloning and building (we even did one of our own OK, more than one). Brownells, in particular, has helped tremendously in this endeavor. And now you have another option: DoubleStar. They're starting their retro line with A1 and A2 receivers (stripped or complete), 3-prong flash hiders, triangle handguards, and straight delta rings. Undoubtedly if these are successful, we'll see even more in the future. Here's what they have to say about it: Winchester, Ky. (March 2019) DoubleStar Corp, manufacturers of high-quality, US-made AR components, rifles, pistols and edged weapons, is pleased to introduce its Retro Parts Line. DoubleStar saw a need within the market to provide necessary parts for gun enthusiasts to complete their retro builds. Products included in the Retro Line are the Vietnam-Era 3 Prong Flash Hider; Delta Ring, A1 Style; A1 Stripped Upper Receiver and A1 Complete Upper Receiver; A1 Rifle Triangle Handguard; A-2 Stripped Upper Receiver and A-2 Complete Upper Receiver. The A1 Stripped Upper Receiver and the A1 Complete Upper Receiver is the perfect start to your retro project. Machined from Forged Aircraft 7075 T6 aluminum and hard coat anodized to military specs, this receiver is a replica of the first Slabside upper receivers from the Vietnam era. These uppers do not have the forward assist, brass deflector or M4 feedramps to maintain the original era look. MSRP for the A1 Stripped Upper Receiver is $154.99 and MSRP for the A1 Complete Upper Receiver is $199.99. The A1 Rifle Triangle Handguard is designed for the AR15 platform. It is a black polymer handguard that measures 12 in length. MSRP $39.95. The A-2 Stripped Upper Receiver is made from Forged Aircraft 7075 T6 Aluminum with an anodized to MIL-SPEC coating. It includes a brass deflector as well. MSRP $119.99. The A-2 Complete Upper Receiver is made to military specifications from Forged Aircraft 7075 T6 Aluminum with an anodized coating. Designed for the 5.56x45mm NATO caliber, it includes a brass deflector, ejection port door assembly, forward assist and dust cover. MSRP $217.99. The Reproduction Vietnam-Era 3 Prong Flash Hider is made from steel with a phosphate finish. It has a 1/2 x 28 tpi thread pitch and weighs 1.9 oz. MSRP $14.99. You can check out the entire line here. Eni said it would start the feasibility studies to "accelerate the exploitation of these new resources" after finalising the discovery evaluation Italian energy company Eni on Thursday announced a new natural gas discovery off the Egyptian coast. The discovery is in the Nour North Sinai Concession located in the Eastern Egyptian Mediterranean, some 50 kilometres north of the Sinai peninsula, which Eni operates with a 40 percent stake. "The Nour-1 New Field Wildcat (NFW), which has led to the discovery, was drilled by the Scarabeo-9 semi-sub in a water depth of 295 metres and reached a total depth of 5,914 metres," the company said in a statement on its official website. The Nour-1 well found an estimated gas column of 90 metres, Eni said, adding that the well has yet to be tested. Eni said it would start the feasibility studies to "accelerate the exploitation of these new resources" after finalising the discovery evaluation. Eni signed a concession agreement for exploration in the Nour prospect in August 2018. In the joint concession with Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), Eni holds a 40 percent stake, British Petroleum holds 25 percent , Mubadala Petroleum 20 percent and Tharwa Petroleum Company 15 percent. Enis 2015 discovery of the giant Mediterranean gas field Zohr, estimated to hold around 30 trillion cubic feet of gas, has promoted gas exploration in Egypt. Search Keywords: Short link: Tampa, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/14/2019 --Ed4Online is excited to announce the rebranding of its adult vocational training division, which is now operating as Ed4Career and providing a clear reflection of the company's focus on offering career and vocational coursework and other training options for adult learners. Ed4Career's focus areas of career training and personal enrichment allow the brand to offer its clients a broad range of courses designed to provide options and opportunities to individuals at all stages of their careers. The company's career training courses provide hundreds of programs for those interested in training for a new career, as well as for established professionals looking to enhance their existing skills. Its four-week personal enrichment courses, meanwhile, cover numerous industries, focus areas and skills, and can help clients learn more about subjects that interest them and aid them in preparing to embark on new careers and opportunities. Ed4Career partners with many academic institutions, enabling its clients to earn college certificates for their efforts. "We've been very pleased with the reach of our career and vocational coursework, and its popularity has really demonstrated to us the extent to which people are interested in accessing opportunities for career and personal advancement," said Dr. Tricia Seymour, Chief Operating Officer at Ed4Online. "We're excited about the opportunity to rebrand this segment of our course offerings under the banner of Ed4Career and eager to help even more professionals learn and grow in their careers." Ed4Career's course offerings are designed to provide enrichment opportunities for individuals in a wide variety of industries, including business management, information technology, healthcare, green energy and more. In addition to its industry-focused coursework, the company offers numerous broadly applicable course options, such as Microsoft Office training, test preparation, writing and more. The courses offered by Ed4Career appeal to individuals who are looking to expand their skills and improve their marketability through user-friendly, self-paced and easily accessible online training opportunities. For more information about Ed4Career and its coursework, or to view the company's newly rebranded website, please visit https://ed4career.com/. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, Ed4Career is committed to providing high-quality online curriculum for adult learners in the areas of career development and personal enrichment. Through our accessible and user-friendly learning management system (LMS), our students have access to a variety of courses and training options across a wide spectrum of focus areas. Our goal is to facilitate professional and personal improvement among our students so they can continue to grow and enrich their communities. Egypts Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali discussed on Thursday with Marina Wes, the Country Manager for the World Bank programme for Egypt, Yemen and Djibouti, the progress in Egypts Takaful and Karama programmes, which offers financial subsidies for the poor. In a statement, the ministry said that the programmes budget has been included as part of the state budget, which reflects the government's keenness to give priority to helping the most impoverished in the country. Wali highlighted her ministry's efforts to improve conditions for poor families by delivering the subsidies to those most in need. Meanwhile, Wes stressed the importance of societal integration to achieve equality among all startas in society. Takaful is an income support programme for families with children (0-18 years). It supports child health and nutrition (0-6 years), school enrollment, an 80 percent school attendance for children (6-18 years), and maternal care for pregnant and lactating women. Karama is a social inclusion programme for those who cannot work, specifically the elderly (65+ years of age) and persons with disabilities, and is designed to provide social protection and a decent life for the most vulnerable. Search Keywords: Short link: Gandhi family loyalist Tom Vadakkan joins BJP In a jolt to the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Tom Vadakkan, its spokesperson and until now a Nehru-Gandhi family loyalist, on Thursday joined the BJP complaining about "dynastic politics". The announcement came on a day Congress President Rahul Gandhi was in Kerala, to which Vadakkan belongs. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad told the media that Vadakkan had been impressed by the work done by the Modi government. Vadakkan said on Thursday that he was deeply hurt over the way the Congress raised questions in the aftermath of the suicide bombing at Pulwama that killed 40 CRPF personnel and triggered major India-Pakistan tensions. "I gave my prime of life to the Congress. But dynastic politics is now at its zenith in the party... There's no place in it for self-respecting people," he said. Vadakkan has tried unsuccessfully in the past for Congress ticket in Lok Sabha elections. With the BJP seeking to make inroads in Kerala, Prasad noted that Vadakkan was from the "Roman Catholic family" -- an oblique reference to Sonia Gandhi's Christian origins. Vadakkan has handled the crucial communications department for many years when Sonia Gandhi was the Congress President. He was later appointed an AICC Secretary and then became a spokesperson. Sonia Gandhi has been the longest serving Congress chief and most media queries about her meetings and engagements during the UPA regime were handled by Vadakkan. After being appointed spokesperson in March 2015, Vadakkan passionately articulated the party's viewpoint and slammed the Modi government. Vadakkan, who hails from Thrissur, could be fielded by the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections from Kerala. Congress leaders in Kerala, however, insisted that Vadakkan's departure was a non-issue for the party. Congress spokesperson Joseph Vazhakken said in Thiruvananthapuram: "We have only seen Vadakkan on TV channels. In Kerala he has had no space or role. His leaving is not going to affect us in any manner." Congress Secretary and former MLA P.C. Vishnunath said he failed to understand the noise over Vadakkan joining the BJP. "Vadakkan is one person who will not be able to make any impact even in a local body in Kerala. Who is he? Our only plea to the BJP is to see that they retain him forever," he said. But Kerala BJP President P.S. Sreedharan Pillai said that many more Congress leaders were expected to join the party. "Vadakkan is just one. You just wait and see, more are coming. But I will not reveal who they are," said Pillai. Maulana Masood Azhar (file photo) Details emerging from Pulwama mastermind Maulana Masood Azhar's interrogation report -- when he was in Indian captivity for five years -- reveal that like 26/11 perpetrator David Coleman Headley, he too roamed around India without any fear. On exiting IGI, like Headley, he too was driven to the Ashok Hotel slapbang in the middle of LBZ and the heart of India's diplomatic community (Headley had stayed at the Mumbai Taj and got GPS coordinates for all the locations for 26/11). The Jaish supremo arrived in India on a Portuguese passport in 1994. Over the next 15 days, he stayed at Hotel Janpath, then Karol Bagh and visited Darul-uloom Deoband in Saharanpur and Lucknow. Masood Azhar arrived from Dhaka, and when questioned by immigration that he didn't look like a Portuguese referring to his passport, he claimed he was a Gujarati by birth. The report says: "I spent two days in Dhaka and thereafter travelled to Delhi by Bangladesh Airlines (Biman), reaching the IGI Airport in early hours of January 29, 1994. The immigration officials at IGI commented that I did not look like a Portuguese but when I replied that I was a Gujarati by birth, he did not hesitate to stamp my passport. I hired a taxi and asked (the driver) for a good hotel. I was taken to the Ashok Hotel in Chanakyapuri where I stayed." At Saharanpur, Azhar reportedly stayed for the night at a mosque of Tabligh-ul-Jamat and he did not reveal his true identity. On January 31, 1994, he returned to Delhi by the same car after staying overnight at Khan Ji of Maulana Masir-ul-ullah Khan at Jalalabad. This time he stayed at Hotel Janpath located near Connaught Place. He flew onwards to Srinagar on February 9, but before that, decided to visit Maulana Abu Hassan Nadvi alias Ali Mian in Lucknow. Unable to make his tryst with this person, he returned once again to Delhi but stayed at Hotel Sheesh Mahal in Karol Bagh. In all Delhi hotels, Azhar registered himself in the assumed identity of Portuguese national Vali Adam Issa. "In Delhi, on February 8, 1994, I visited the Centre of Tabligh-ul-Jamat at Nizamuddin, but did not meet any particular person. I had also purchased 12 compasses (to give direction of Mecca) from Nizammudin to offer them as gift to militants in the Kashmir valley," he revealed to interrogators. On February 10, he was taken to a place called Matigund where all Pakistan/PoK terrorists congregated. "They (the terrorists) were happy about my visit and merger of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami. I had taken their addresses and letters so that I can communicate their welfare to their families on return to Pakistan," he told the interrogators. While returning from Matigund, accompanied by Afghani and another person who was armed and had a wireless set, the car developed a snag and stopped. Then Azhar and his accomplice boarded a three-wheeler and proceeded to Anantnag. After travelling for about 2-3 km, the autorickshaw was stopped by Army personnel which led to an exchange of fire. "Farooq started running and opened fire which was returned by the Army men. Farooq managed to escape but I along with Afghani was arrested," he told his questioners. He was housed at the Kot Bhalwal Central Jail in Jammu. For the infamous IC-814 exchange, the dreaded Azhar was freed from Indian captivity in 1999 along with two other terrorists. Since then, he has made it his business to target India, he was the brains behind the December 13, 2001 Parliament attack. Defying global opposition to terrorism, China has vetoed sanctions against Masood Azhar, the chief of the terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), extending cover to him and Pakistan that protects him. On Wednesday, China was the only Security Council member to oppose the proposal spearheaded with renewed vigour by France with British and US backing at the al-Qaeda sanctions committee to declare him a global terrorist and impose sanctions on him. Wednesday was the deadline to take a decision in the current cycle and because of Beijing's veto - officially known as a technical hold - the proposal will remain on hold for at least three months. In New Delhi, the External Affairs Ministry expressed disappointment over the outcome. "This has prevented action by the international community to designate the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a proscribed and active terrorist organization which has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 14 February 2019," the statement said. India affirmed that it acewill continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens are brought to justice". The US had said on Tuesday that China's opposition to designating Azhar as an international terrorist runs counter to the mutual goal with the US of regional stability. As the founder and leader of JeM, Azhar "meets the criteria for designation by the United Nations" for a global terrorist subject to its sanctions, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino said. The Council's sanctions committee on the Islamic State and al-Qaeda and linked terrorist groups - known as 1267 committee after Council resolution's number - needs a consensus for its decisions. China had shown some flexibility last month on the issue of JeM last month, when it went along with a Council statement condemning in "strongest terms" the Pulwama attack calling it a "heinous and cowardly suicide bombing" and noting that the JeM claimed responsibility for it. Because of the growing revulsion against terrorism, Beijing felt boxed in. Partly to assuage it, the Council made it a statement, rather than a resolution so it would not have a formal vote. However, Azhar has been the redline for Beijing and as it has for a decade protected him. Although Pakistan flouts the other decisions of the committee by allowing various terrorist groups under sanctions like the JeM itself to operate, adding Azhar would have increased pressures on it over support for terrorism. Before Azhar's case was taken up by the committee, Beijing indicated it would block the sanctions on him. Using convoluted diplomatic language, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reporters in Beijing, "China will continue to adopt responsible attitude and participate in the deliberations in the UNSC 1267 Committee" and "engage in consultations with various parties and properly deal with this issue". Last week, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou visited Pakistan for talks with that nation's leaders. He declared that Beijing was Islamabad's time-tested friend and woul stand by it. Amid mounting pressure from concerned flyers, the Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday grounded all Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9 aircraft in the wake of two deadly crashes within less than six months. The move brought the U.S. in line with most of the rest of the world, which had already halted flights on the aircraft since the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines jet on Sunday. The FAA, which had previously resisted calls to halt flights on the aircraft, said it ordered the temporary grounding as a result of the data gathering process and new evidence collected at the site and analyzed today. The grounding applies to 737 Max aircraft operated by U.S. carriers or in U.S. territory and will remain in effect pending further investigation, the agency said in a statement Wednesday. Advertisement READ MORE: Boeing 737 Max jets to be grounded at least through April, lawmakers say Boeing said it continues to have full confidence in the aircrafts safety, but decided to recommend suspending operations of all 371 of the 737 Max planes in operation worldwide out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircrafts safety. It wasnt immediately clear how many flights at Chicagos two airports would be affected. Affected passengers have the right to be rebooked on a future flight or request a refund, said Paul Hudson, president of consumer group FlyersRights.org, which pushed for the FAA to ground the 737 Max. Travelers can also ask to be booked on a different carriers flight, though airlines arent obligated to do so, he said. The decision to ground the 737 Max in the U.S. came amid growing pressure as regulators around the world halted flights on the aircraft. A union representing flight attendants at American Airlines and a handful of senators pushed for a similar move in the U.S., and worried passengers flooded airlines with questions on social media. Bill Dougherty, a software salesman from Aurora planning to book three work trips Wednesday, said the delay in grounding the 737 Max concerned him. He thought American Airlines, his usual carrier, should have put its customer safety first, and not waited until the decision by the FAA and President Donald Trump. Better safe than sorry, he said. Southwest Airlines, which uses the aircraft on some flights at Midway Airport, removed all 34 of its 737 Max 8 aircraft from service Wednesday. Those aircraft account for less than 5 percent of Southwests daily flights, the airline said. Our goal is to operate our schedule with every available aircraft in our fleet to meet our customers expectations during the busy spring travel season, Southwest said in a statement. At Midway, Southwest passengers waiting for their bags after arriving on a flight from Las Vegas one that used the 737 Max 8, according to the aviation website FlightAware were surprised to learn of the FAAs decision. Stacy Sternberg, 53, a scientist who lives in Chicago and Las Vegas, tried not to think about the model of plane she was on, but said turbulence reminded her during the flight. It got really bumpy, she said. I was more on edge than normal. Sternberg, who flies Southwest nearly every week, wasnt upset with the airline for keeping the plane in service, but added that she might fly United next week. Gianna Trombino, 29, a recovering white-knuckle flyer from Aurora, was returning from an early 30th birthday celebration with her boyfriend. She adopted a philosophical view that has enabled her to overcome her fear of flying. I still would have gotten on, she said. You cant let something like this dictate your life. But Amanda Daniels, 30, a Chicago resident who took a different Southwest flight, one that was not a 737 Max 8, was less forgiving. I would have canceled if I saw I was on a Max, she said as she waited at baggage claim. Amid the confusion, airlines scrambled to field calls and rebook passengers. Southwest said that customers booked on canceled flights can rebook on an alternate flight at no added fee and without having to cover any difference in airfare as long as the new flight is within 14 days of the canceled trip and between the same two cities. United Airlines said it would comply with the FAAs order and ground its 14 737 Max 9 aircraft, which handle about 40 flights per day. The airline said it had been working on contingency plans since Sunday and would cover those flights with a combination of spare aircraft and rebooking customers. We will continue to work with our customers to help minimize any disruption to their travel, United said in an email. American Airlines said it would work to rebook customers as quickly as possible. American operates 85 flights per day on average on its 24 Max 8 aircraft, or about 1.3 percent of all its departures. American said it does not typically use the 737 Max on flights through Chicago, though its possible there could be cancellations at OHare in response to the disruption. We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause some of our customers, American said Wednesday. Passengers can also rebook their own flights or request a refund on the airlines website, American said. The airline encouraged passengers who booked flights with a travel agent to contact the agency. Southwest and American would most likely be hit hardest by the grounding as the heaviest users of the aircraft among U.S. carriers, with 34 and 24 of the 737 Max 8s, respectively. Each aircraft typically operates four or five flights per day, said Robert Mann, a New York-based airline industry consultant. It will mean working some aircraft harder and modifying some schedules, Mann said. In ordering the grounding, the FAA said the investigation into an Ethiopian Airlines crash on Sunday found new information from the wreckage that, along with data on the aircrafts flight path, pointed to similarities with a Lion Air 737 Max 8 crash in Indonesia last year. The similarities warrant further investigation of the possibility of a shared cause for the two incidents that needs to be better understood and addressed, the agency said in the order. While both accidents involved the 737 Max 8 aircraft, the order also applies to the 737 Max 9, which the FAA said shares nearly identical design features. Southwest said it remains confident in the aircraft but supports the actions of regulatory agencies. The Air Line Pilots Association also backed the U.S. and Canadian regulatory agencies decisions to ground the aircraft. At Midway, most passengers who had flown from Las Vegas on the 737 Max 8 expressed relief to be safely on the ground. But they still faced one more hurdle. After waiting for their bags for 10 minutes, they were told to migrate to the other end of the baggage claim, when their luggage shifted to another carousel. Chicago Tribunes Robert Channick and Ally Marotti contributed. lzumbach@chicagotribune.com Twitter @laurenzumbach MORE COVERAGE The 737 Max fallout poses a risk to Boeings finances and its reputation Some airlines rethinking Boeing 737 orders as crash stokes flyer fears After second crash and FAA advisory, Boeing says it will update 737 Max 8 flight control system The San Diego Planning Commission on Thursday unanimously approved a four-story, 125-room hotel for a vacant 2-acre site near San Diego State University. Neighborhood leaders have expressed support for the proposal, especially an agreement by the developer to share 25 of the hotels 125 parking spaces with the nearby College-Rolando library branch. City officials said a shared-parking pact makes sense because the hotels heaviest use of the spaces will be during evening and overnight hours, while the librarys heaviest use will be during morning and afternoon hours. Plans for the 68,000-square-foot hotel, which is expected to be a Hampton Inn, include a pool, breakfast area, conference room and gym located on the ground level. Advertisement City officials said the project would revitalize the area and provide needed hotel accommodations for tourists and families visiting students who attend the university. The site has been vacant since a church that occupied it was demolished in 2017. Nearby residents say the site, while fenced off, has become a magnet for trash dumping and homeless people. College Lutheran Church had occupied the site since 1955. A historical assessment determined that alterations to the building had been too significant to warrant preservation. The church had a shared-parking agreement with the library branch. The site is on the north side of Montezuma Road between Reservoir Drive and El Cajon Boulevard. It is bordered by the library to the west, single-family homes to the north, a shopping plaza anchored by a Ralphs supermarket to the east, and a mix of residential apartments and commercial uses to the south. In October 2017, the College Area Community Planning Group unanimously supported the proposal. Jose Reynoso, the groups chairman, noted Thursday that community support is contingent on the shared-parking agreement with the library, which has only 15 on-site spaces for patrons now. The community is very excited to see a hotel in this location, he said. We think its a small demand to require the property owner to share its access off Montezuma and 25 parking spaces with the city for library uses. david.garrick@sduniontribune.com (619) 269-8906 Twitter:@UTDavidGarrick A developer has proposed putting a new condo tower on the same property as one of San Diegos most historic buildings. J Peter Block Companies would put the 12- to 13-story building on the land behind El Cortez, currently used by residents, on the south side of Beech Street. The proposal calls for 104 condos on a 20,000-square-foot spot roughly 22 feet from the El Cortez lot. While it might seem surprising to historical buffs, a building has been planned on the site for nearly 15 years. A parcel split was allowed on the site in 2004 and a building was approved for the site in 2008, only to be delayed because of the recession. On Wednesday, officials from the Design Review Committee of downtowns planning agency, Civic San Diego, got their first look at the project. There are still a number of approvals before construction could begin, including another design review, a meeting with the full Civic board and a public meeting. Advertisement Some residents have voiced displeasure in the past about the project blocking views, but no public comments were made at the meeting. Steve Altman, who has lived in the Discovery Condos across the street from the El Cortez for 12 years, said after the meeting he felt the project didnt seem like it fit on the site and was frustrated it didnt contain retail. Overall, the project really cramps the site, he said. A rendering of 777 Beech St. from the sky (Civic San Diego) Architect Taal Safdie, of the San Diego firm Safdie Rabines Architects, said the design was meant to complement the El Cortez. She said the design mimics the historic building with a central tower and two wings. The concept of the building was really created in respect to the El Cortez, she said. The proposal calls for two-story townhouses to surround the building, except for where the lobby would be on Beech Street. Other plans call for 206 parking spaces in five underground levels, balconies, outdoor space on the seventh floor and a ground floor courtyard. The El Cortez was a hotel built in 1927 that has been converted to condos. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and is said to have had the first outside glass elevator in the world. It was the tallest building in San Diego for more than 30 years. Design committee member Jennifer Ayala said she liked the landscaping of the proposal, design elements and its placement. I appreciate the respectful gestures to the El Cortez, she said. Blueprint of proposed condo tower behind the El Cortez building (Civic San Diego) Plans for the condos include seven studios (414 to 1,353 square feet), 75 one-bedroom units (729 to 1,812 square feet) and two units that are two-bedrooms (2,565 to 2,960 square feet). Low-income housing will not be included on site, instead J Peter Block Companies will pay $1.56 million in inclusionary housing fees. A rendering of 777 Beech at night. (Civic San Diego) Business phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1891 Twitter: @phillipmolnar ALSO Is San Diego County done building single-family homes? San Diego County apartment rush continues. More than 4,500 planned for 19 New Tijuana condo towers will hit record heights Four months after revamping the style and service model of his flagship restaurant Urban Solace, owner and chef Matt Gordon announced Tuesday that he is closing the North Park eatery as well as its sister restaurant, Solace & the Moonlight Lounge in Encinitas. The restaurants final day of service is Wednesday, March 13. Gordon could not be reached for comment, but wrote about the plan to close in an email on Tuesday afternoon. It is with a heavy heart that I write to you today, he wrote. We have come to the very difficult decision that Solace Restaurants have run their course here in San Diego. It has been an uphill battle for quite some time now, and its just time to move on. Last fall, Gordon announced plans to dramatically revamp the North Park restaurant, which opened in fall 2007. He expanded breakfast/brunch service from one to seven days a week, and he reinvented the dinner menu to a shareable plates concept to supplement a hopefully more robust social bar experience for diners. The changes were accompanied by an interior refresh. Advertisement In January, Gordon talked to the Union-Tribune about the challenges he faced as a traditional restaurateur in a changing marketplace. The fine dining industry is in transition and traditional dinner menus were no longer as popular with diners, particularly with younger patrons who prefer a more social dining and drinking experience. Adding to this challenge was the evolution of North Park over the past decade. When Gordon and his wife, Young Mi, opened Urban Solace nearly 12 years ago, the neighborhood was more oriented toward sit-down restaurants. But in recent years, a number of bars, quick-service and fast-casual eateries have crowded the market, making it harder to compete in a more traditional, service-heavy style. Urban Solace continued to attract loyal and older crowd for its dinner service and Sunday brunch, but sales were declining just as labor and food costs were on the rise. Gordon and Mi also refused to compromise on the quality of their sustainable and natural ingredients. The North County couple was committed to a from-scratch, preservative-free menu because that is how they feed their children. The closure of Urban Solace and Solace & the Moonlight Lounge, which opened in 2011, follow the closure of a third restaurant owned by the couple, Sea & Smoke, which operated in the Flower Hill Plaza shopping center from 2013 to 2016. In his email, Gordon said he and his wife are grateful for the support theyve received over the years. We love you all and thank you and San Diego in general for the wonderful 12 years that we were able to live out our dreams, he wrote. Urban Solace at 3823 30th St. in North Park and Solace & the Moonlight Lounge at 25 East E St. in Encinitas will be open for service through March 13. To say goodbye to longtime guests, the Gordon family will be at the North Park location from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and at the Encinitas location from 7:30 p.m. to close. To help empty the bar and pantry, bills will be discounted by 25 percent. Visit barsolace.com. pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com. Twitter: @pamkragen The nuclear power industry is pushing the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to cut back on inspections at nuclear power plants and throttle back what it tells the public about plant problems. The agency, whose board is dominated by Trump appointees, is listening. Commission staffers are weighing some of the industrys requests as part of a sweeping review of how the agency enforces regulations governing the countrys 98 commercially operating nuclear plants. Recommendations are due to the five-member NRC board in June. Annie Caputo, a former nuclear-energy lobbyist now serving as one of four board members appointed or reappointed by President Donald Trump, told an industry meeting this week that she was open to self-assessments by nuclear plant operators, who are proposing that self-reporting by operators take the place of some NRC inspections. The Trump NRC appointees and industry representatives say changes in oversight are warranted to reflect the industrys overall improved safety records and its financial difficulties, as the operating costs of the countrys aging nuclear plants increase and affordable natural gas and solar and wind power gain in the energy market. Advertisement But the prospect of the Trump administrations regulation-cutting mission reaching the NRC alarms some independent industry watchdogs, who say the words nuclear safety and deregulation dont go together. For example, the deregulatory agenda at SEC is a significant concern as well, but its not a nuclear power plant, said Geoffrey Fettus, a senior attorney for nuclear issues at the Natural Resources Defense Council, referring to the federal governments Securities Exchange Commission. For an industry that is increasingly under financial decline ... to take regulatory authority away from the NRC puts us on a collision course, said Paul Gunter, of the anti-nuclear group Beyond Nuclear. With what? With a nuclear accident, Gunter said. The industry made its requests for change in a letter delivered by the Nuclear Energy Institute group. A high-priority ask is to eliminate press releases about lower-level safety issues at plants meaning the kind of problems that could trigger more inspections and oversight at a plant but not constitute an emergency. The industry group also asked that the NRC reduce the burden of radiation-protection and emergency-preparedness inspections. Nuclear plant operators amplified their requests at an annual meeting in the Washington, D.C, area this week. Scaling back disclosure of lower-level problems at plants is more responsible ... than to put out a headline on the webpage to the world, said Greg Halnon, vice president of regulatory affairs for Ohio-based FirstEnergy Corp., which says its fleet of nuclear and other power plants supplies 6 million customers in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. When the NRC makes public the problems found at a plant, utilities get pretty rapid calls from the press, SEC filings get impacted because of potential financial impact, Halnon said. Requests by utilities for rate increases also can be affected, Halnon said. Trump has said he wants to help both the coal and nuclear power industries. So far, its the more politically influential coal industry thats gotten significant action on the regulatory rollbacks that it sought from the Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies. In January, Trump appointees to the NRC disappointed environmental groups by voting down a staff proposal that nuclear plants be required to substantially and expensively harden themselves against major floods and other natural disasters. The proposal was meant to be a main NRC response to the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster after Japans 9.0 earthquake and tsunami in 2011. Caputo, who previously worked for nuclear plant operator Exelon Corp, told operators this week her aim was risk-informed decision-making, concentrating regulatory oversight on high-risk problems. We shouldnt regulate to zero risk, said David Wright, a former South Carolina public-utility commissioner appointed to the NRC board last year. The NRC mission is reasonable assurance of adequate protection no more, no less, Wright said. Tony Vegel, a Texas-based reactor safety official for the NRC, pushed back when industry executives publicly made their case for fewer NRC inspections. Its difficult to come across as an independent regulator and rely on self-assessment from plants, Vegel said. The current review, commissioned by the new NRC panel, was looking at the inspections issues and related ones, NRC spokesman Scott Burnell said. Commissioners will decide after receiving the staff recommendations whether to adopt any of them, Burnell said. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. A 5-year-old tech startup founded in downtown San Diego has been snatched up for $43 million by Salt Lake City-based education technology company Instructure. Portfolium, which employs 32 people in San Diego, makes portfolio software for college students and new graduates seeking jobs. The company is keeping its local office and all of its employees, said Portfoliums founder and CEO Adam Markowitz. The acquisition means Instructure, a public company with a market cap of $1.5 billion, will make San Diego its first California outpost. The edtech company has offices all over the globe, including in Chicago, Budapest and London. Portfolium makes software for academic institutions that allows students to create digital portfolios to showcase their projects, skills and credentials to potential employers. The company also offers student assessments and job matching services. More than 4 million students from about 3,600 colleges, universities and high schools have used the service. Advertisement The acquiring company, Instructure, makes a teaching platform called Canvas that competes with older offerings like Blackboard. The company is used by more than 4,000 educational institutions and corporations. After the acquisition, Porfoliums software will live inside Instructures platform. Portfolium is still at the early stages, and so part of the acquisition is based upon their feedback that weve received from common customers and organizations out in the market, but theres still a huge opportunity moving forward to expand, said Instructures CEO Dan Goldsmith on a recent earnings call. Portfolium raised about $8 million in a series of financing rounds since its launch. The company was sold for $25.8 million in cash, with the remaining $17.2 million in stock. Markowitz, who founded Portfolium in 2014 when he was 27, answered questions about what happened behind-the-scenes of the deal. Here are some excerpts: Portfoliums founder and CEO Adam Markowitz (Courtesy/ Portfolium) How did the Instructure deal come about? Weve been partners of Instructure since 2016, which essentially gave them front-row seats to view our progress and rapid growth. They were able to closely follow our 300 percent revenue growth last year as we doubled our number of customers, and of course continue to have big plans for 2019 and beyond. The partnership evolved into a serious discussion around acquisition, or in other words, Portfolium was bought, not sold. Was this the exit strategy you were shooting for from the beginning? When youre fundraising, a common and appropriate question from investors is, Whats your exit strategy? Acquisition was always in the back of my mind, but never in the front dictating strategy. We stayed focused on our vision and always prioritized execution above all else. I knew that if we continued to execute on our vision, there would ultimately be exit opportunities down the road simply because of how important the mission is to so many people and companies. How does your role change after the acquisition? Portfolium will continue to execute as part of the Instructure family. Im now the general manager of Portfolium at Instructure with the same focus on execution and continued growth as we integrate and accelerate our combined objectives. What was the turning point where Instructure decided acquiring Portfolium was a smarter idea than partnering? With so many shared customers, success stories would often surface organically and be shared from both Portfolium and Instructure customer success and sales teams out in the field. Customers would tell us how they loved the combined and integrated solution that our partnership allowed, and so we started pursuing an even deeper partnership in this regard. In those discussions, it became obvious that both our companies were aligned not just on vision, but also culturally, which was very important to me. Of all our accomplishments, Im most proud of the culture my team has created and maintained over the years. Will the San Diego Portfolium presence change at all? Were staying in San Diego and will continue to grow here. Weve been in San Diego since the beginning starting in my apartment, then in the EvoNexus incubator before moving into our own office at Symphony Tower. We have no intention of leaving. San Diego has been good to us and were proud to be another great success story for the city. Your team said they see this acquisition as a win for the San Diego startup scene? The acquisition is a huge win for a city thats been behind us from the beginning, and one that we couldnt be prouder of. Were thankful to our initial investors like Seed San Diego, and to our advisers, and fellow San Diego startups. For those looking to start their own companies here, my team and I hope that they can look at this acquisition and find inspiration in the fact that you really can start something in your garage or apartment and grow it into something of incredible value. We also hope it attracts even more venture capital to San Diego, as its another proof point that great exits do happen here. Related reading: Why San Diego missed the first wave of tech unicorns, and whats changing now Busy doctors can miss mental health crises. Can this San Diego startup help? Silvia Mah to lead startup accelerator Connect as new president Business brittany.meiling@sduniontribune.com 619-293-1286 Twitter: @BrittanyMeiling Can El Cajon support two brand-name, four-star hotels in a one-mile stretch? Officials in the East County city of about 100,000 think it can. A Hampton Inn by Hilton is starting to take shape at the northeast corner of North Magnolia Avenue and Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon, on the 4.1-acre site of the old police station, which was decommissioned in 2012. The 96-room Hampton is slated to join the Courtyard by Marriott sometime in 2020. Marriott opened last year at Rea Avenue and Magnolia Avenue, just steps away from the new police department, City Hall and the soon-to-reopen East County Performing Arts Center. Advertisement According to site plans, the hotel will be located on the northeastern portion of the area to take advantage of the visibility from adjacent state Route 67 and minimize the noise and traffic from Fletcher Parkway. The L-shaped Hampton Inn will wrap around a swimming pool and outdoor amenity area, to be buffered from SR-67 by a landscape area and surface parking lot. The hotel has been designed so its entry will be west-facing near the North Magnolia Avenue driveway. Upscale lodging has been in the citys plans for nearly a decade, with a vision for a new hotel initially broached by former City Councilwoman Jillian Hanson-Cox in 2010. A City Council subcommittee on hotels started in 2015 with Gary Kendrick and former Councilman Tony Ambrose kept the ball rolling. In-between the rain last week, a few dozen workers from Dewey Construction out of El Cajon and several of its subcontractors continued to pencil out plans, drill holes, climb ladders, connect rebar and fire up heavy equipment to move dirt, heavy metal and concrete slabs. There was also work taking place on the property where several other brick-and-mortar businesses have signed leases, including four restaurants. In-N-Out Burger, Blaze Pizza, California Fish Grill and Urbane Cafe have also broken ground, as has Mattress Firm. This shows that the business community has faith in El Cajon, said City Councilman Gary Kendrick, who has been on the council since 2002, when even one fancy hotel for El Cajon was unheard of. Businesses are investing their hard-earned dollars into our city. The things that we have done to make this city a better place are paying off. The four-story Courtyard by Marriott has been open nearly one year and Marriott officials told El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells that it is regularly at 95 percent capacity with guests. Its the 50th most successful Marriott in their chain and there are about 5,000 Marriott hotels, Wells said. Were just so happy about the success of the Marriott. I just went for the East County Chamber of Commerce dinner there and its a very nice place for events. The new Hampton is going to be more of the same. Its raising the bar in regards to El Cajon. The city can be proud and feel good about the confirmation of all the hard work weve put into El Cajon. This is indicative of the direction the city is moving in. There is a lot of excitement, a lot of people wanting to be part of this. The site is being tabbed as Fletcher Plaza, according to an email from Retail Insite, a local commercial real estate broker representing the property owners Brixton Capital. Retail Insite said that construction of the restaurants is expected to be completed by mid- to late April, with tenants starting to open in May and June. But the rains in February and March have slowed construction, according to Dave Porter, site superintendent of Dempsey, so those dates may be pushed out. El Cajon sold the former police station parcel for just over $4 million four years ago to Brixton. After the hotel is built, El Cajon will begin receiving a full share of Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) of 10 percent. The city expects to receive annual revenues of $300,000 in TOT. El Cajon will also earn sales tax from associated on-site retail uses as well as property tax from the entire site. There is no word yet on the fate of the In-N-Out less than a mile away at 1541 N. Magnolia Ave. and whether it will close once the new burger spot opens. karen.pearlman@sduniontribune.com Just weeks from a court-ordered deadline of April 11, the Encinitas City Council unanimously voted Wednesday to adopt a controversial plan detailing how it will handle its future housing needs. To me, we dont have any options here; we have our back against the wall, Mayor Catherine Blakespear said before making the motion to adopt the plan. Next up will be winning state approval for the document and resolving two pending lawsuits against the city. The citys contentious, multi-year battle over this proposed housing plan will likely be repeated in the years to come, Councilman Tony Kranz said just before the councils vote. He noted that this document only covers the current housing cycle. A new plan will be required by the state for the period that begins in 2022. Advertisement This will probably get much harder as we move forward, he said, noting that the city doesnt have many vacant properties left that can accommodate additional housing and the ones designated as housing sites in the current plan were often extremely controversial. Encinitas is the only city in San Diego County that lacks a valid, state-certified housing plan, a state-mandated document known as a Housing Element, which spells out how a city proposes to handle its housing needs, particularly those of low-income residents. The citys lack of a current plan has been the source of multiple lawsuits. In December, a Superior Court judge handling two lawsuits -- one by the Building Industry Association of San Diego and one by the housing advocacy group San Diego Tenants United -- ordered the city to get in compliance with state law within 120 days. In order to accomplish this task, the judge directed the city to temporarily exempt itself from the requirements of the citys growth-control regulations, which require Encinitas to win voter approval for any proposals that increase zoning density or height. Prior to that court directive, the city had tried twice to win voter approval for housing plan proposals. The most recent of these was the Measure U proposal, which the citys voters rejected in November. That plan proposed up-zoning 15 privately owned properties, allowing their owners to exceed city height limits and put 25 to 30 housing units an acre on their properties. The plan the council adopted Wednesday night is a modified version of the Measure U plan, which the city reworked in recent weeks under a directive from state housing officials who said it didnt go far enough to meet the citys likely housing needs. Changes in the modified plan that the council approved Wednesday night include: Bumping up the building height limit by two feet. Measure U had called for a height limit of 33 feet for a flat-roofed, three-story buildings, and 37 feet for a pitched-roof structure. The revised standard will be 35 feet for flat roofs and 39 feet for pitched roofs. Changing a city calculation system so that more housing units could be allowed on a property. Under this modification, private access roads, parking lots and driveways would be considered part of a sites gross acreage. Before the vote, the council heard from six public speakers, five of whom opposed adopting the modified Measure U plan. Three of the opponents said they lived in the citys Avocado Acres area east of Interstate 5 and they wanted the city to remove a property in their neighborhood from the housing list. The other two people said they opposed the councils move to adopt the entire revised plan without getting voter approval for it, saying the city should be required to follow the provisions of its growth-control ordinance, known as Proposition A. One of the two, former Encinitas Mayor Sheila Cameron, said it wasnt Prop. As fault the city had failed twice to win voter approval for a housing plan; it was city officials fault for not putting together good plans that voters could support. If you fix the plans, the problem is solved, she said. Leave Prop. A out of it. The lone proponent of the councils move was Bob Kent, one of the leaders of the low-income housing advocacy group Keys for Homes. Kent said the city desperately needs more housing, and adopting the plan is a necessary first step to getting it. The plan may not be perfect, but the city must start moving forward now, he said. The Oceanside Unified School District anticipates a balanced budget for the next two years, but will have to consider cuts in order to maintain that for the 2020-21 school year, district officials said Tuesday. Those discussions took place as the board approved its second interim budget report at its regular board meeting. We recognize that we have budget gap factors, including declining enrollment and special education, said Deputy Superintendent of Administrative Services Shannon Soto. As a result, the district must cut expenses by more than $8 million by the 2020-21 school year to avoid spending more than it takes in, Soto said. That will likely mean cutting some staff positions to keep spending in line with the number of students, she said. Advertisement In order to meet our expenditures for 2020-21, we are proposing that we have an adjustment for declining enrollment and staffing, she said. Oceanside is one of several of San Diego County districts facing drops in enrollment, which school officials attribute to changes in demographics, as well as competition from charter schools. In the 2013-14 school year Oceanside enrolled 21,244 students, but that dropped to 20,459 in the 2017-18 school year, according to the state website Ed-Data. That loss of 785 students means that the district receives less revenue from the state, which provides funding through an average daily attendance formula, based on the number of students who attend school each day. During that same period, special education enrollment rose from 2,515 to 2,720, raising the number of students who need extra services that arent fully covered by the state, or by federal education money. The projected shortfall leaves the district with a qualified budget, which means the district is at risk of falling short on its financial obligations within the next three years. Districts describe their finances in one of three designations: positive means they will meet financial obligations for the current and next two years; qualified means they may not meet obligations for those years; and negative means they will not meet obligations for those years. Oceanside is one of four San Diego County Districts to file a qualified budget this year, along with Bonsall Unified, Mountain Empire Unified and San Ysidro. Oceanside went through contentious labor negotiations in 2017, following a standoff between staff and management that lasted more than 500 days. Collective bargaining talks had stalled as teachers and district administrators clashed over pay, health care and other issues, but the district protested that looming shortfalls limited its ability to raise salaries and benefits. The district and union struck a deal early last year, but the projected budget gaps remain. Soto said the district could narrow that gap by $5.2 million through a combination of spending cuts and some additional money expected from the state. Gov. Gavin Newsom has allocated some additional school funds in his proposed budget, which would bring another $2.8 million to Oceanside, Soto said. In addition, she said, the district should plan to adjust staffing to bring it in line with the reduced number of students. That could save another $2.4 million, she said. The district would address the final $2.8 million that it needs to cut in its third draft budget, she said. deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan A $400,000 grant has helped launch a collaborative effort to prevent domestic violence in San Ysidro with the help of community liaisons and theater. The joint effort will bring together two social services agencies South Bay Community Services and Casa Familiar as well as San Ysidro Health, which runs health clinics. The three organizations chose to focus on San Ysidro, a predominately Latino community near the U.S.-Mexico border that community leaders said has been overlooked in terms of domestic violence services. The partnership named San Ysidro Domestic Violence Prevention Collaborative will be funded by the Blue Shield of California Foundation, which awarded a total of $2.4 million in grants to five other projects that aim to end domestic violence. Advertisement The group of organizations will set out to tackle the factors that often lead to domestic violence, such as cultural norms and gender roles. They will do so in large part through dialogue and education. Culturally, its not something that is dealt with very well or reported much, said Lisa Cuestas, president and CEO of Casa Familiar, which is based in San Ysidro. Some members of the border community may not even be aware of what domestic violence might look like, said South Bay Community Services Director Valarie Brew, who will lead the new partnership. In a border town like San Ysidro, domestic violence can be a complex issue that takes many forms. It could play out as a power play in which a spouse purposely holds up his or her partners citizenship process. Its not just physical abuse and violence, Cuestas said. Because some families include relatives with mixed citizenship or immigration statuses, Cuestas said, some victims may be afraid to report domestic violence to law enforcement. In San Diego, reports of domestic violence declined among Latino residents in the first half of 2017 compared to the same period during the previous year, according to a Los Angeles Times report. Across San Diego County in 2017, there were more than 17,000 reported cases of domestic violence. The San Ysidro Domestic Violence Prevention Collaborative will use some of the funding from the two-year grant to hire at least two promotoras, a Spanish-language term that refers to community leaders who engage in health-related outreach and education. The plan is for the promotoras to lead discussions about domestic violence, connect victims to resources and perhaps recruit residents for weekslong leadership academies. The hope is that they become trusted community members visible and approachable on the subject of domestic violence, said Lisa Cuestas. To create more dialogue around the issue, the group of organizations plans to also work with Teatro Mascara Magica, a theater company based in Chula Vista, to put on some sort of play that tackles the issue of domestic violence. The production will make resources available and be followed by a discussion about domestic violence. Theater, Cuestas said, lends itself to discussions about difficult subjects such as domestic violence and allows the audience to see the topic through a new lens. Cuestas said the plan is to put on the play some time next year at a theater that is under construction as part of a small-scale development in the center of San Ysidro. Brew, of South Bay Community Services, said ending domestic violence must be a community-wide effort. It is the responsibility of all of us as community members to ensure that were ending domestic violence, she said. Its going to take all of us collectively to make that happen. Email: david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com Phone: (619) 293-1876 Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez Reckless to the End Its tempting to greet Reckless Brewings closure with dignified silence, but that wouldnt be fitting. During Reckless six-year-plus run, few referred to Dave Hyndmans passion project as dignified. Offensive? Sure. Stupid and clueless and ignorant? That, too. That last quote comes from Hyndman himself, Reckless owner, brewer and sole full-time employee, expressing contrition for a recent Facebook post about Black Lagers Matter. The post seemed to trivialize the Black Lives Matter movement and Martin Luther King Jr.s I have a dream speech. (I have a dream where beers are judged not by their color but by the content of the characters.) Social media erupted with outraged comments. Reached by phone this week, Hyndman said hes had enough and will close after selling his current inventory. Advertisement I honestly thought that my post was an homage to Martin Luther King and an insight into the sources of racism, he said. I had no idea that it would be taken the way that it was. Thats on me and I will own that and thats my bad. Why was he surprised? Hyndman has courted controversy since 2012, with the opening of the brewery he dubbed Wet N Reckless. When other brewers objected, noting that wet and reckless is a vehicle code violation heedless driving by a motorist who has been drinking, if not quite drunk Hyndman pled ignorance. And kept the name. Fire destroyed his original Mira Mesa brewery in 2014. A year later, he re-opened as Reckless in Miramar. He continued to issue beers with names designed to provoke Crazy Stupid Bitch IPA, say, or Pop My Cherry Ale. Offending people, he insisted, was not the point. I didnt want anyone to be offended, he said about the Black Lagers Matter incident. The thing that I find so nonsensical is that people are saying, Oh, I must have known that people would be offended. That is idiotic. Given its history, this brewerys sad, sudden demise seemed inevitable. Reckless lived up to its name once too often. Kings of Beer Every beer is Irish on St. Patricks Day, but why grab an American brew when you can find genuine and genuinely pleasing beers from the Emerald Isle? Exhibit A: Murphys Imported Stout (4 percent alcohol by volume) in the draught style can. When you pop the top, a widget dispenses nitrogen to fluff the black ale. Pour Murphys into a pint glass and youll be treated to a visual spectacle: cascading bubbles rise through the body, re-forming as a thick mocha-colored cap over the inky body. Light on the tongue, Murphys bold roasted malt is softened by smooth, coffee-with-cream layers. For such a low alcohol beer, this one is rich, satisfying and authentically Irish. Random Question from My Editor Q. What are the five top Irish pubs in San Diego County? A. Your choices, and your math, may differ. These seven are my top five: 1. The Field, 544 5th Ave., San Diego, for its imported rural artifacts is that actual peat moss? and menu, as well as the beer. 2. The Dubliner, 554 4th Ave., San Diego, an urban counterpart to The Field. 3. The Ould Sod, 3373 Adams Ave., San Diego, a true neighborhood bar whose Irish sensibilities never seem hokey. 4. OSullivans, 118 E. Grand Ave., Escondido, a North County landmark that often offers live Irish music. 5. Stout Public House, 1126 6th Ave., downtown San Diegos pleasantly no-nonsense pub. 6 and 7. Hooleys Public House, both versions 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, Suite 247, La Mesa and 2955 Jamacha Road, El Cajon for a good craft beer lineup as well as Irish imports. Gone to the Dogs Is Buster barking for beer? Fear not a handful of U.S. companies sell non-alcoholic brews for dogs. Seattles Bowser Beer insists its namesake product promotes healthy joints and that its Beefy Brown Ale is great for shiny coats. Floridas Pet Winery bottles Barkbrew Beef Ale, which, it claims, promotes hip and joint health and a good time. Almost two dozen bars near Good Boy Dog Beers Houston headquarters serve IPA Lot in the Yard, Mailman Malt Licker, Session... Squirrel! and Crotch Sniffin Ale. While safe for human consumption, these brews are best reserved for your four-legged drinking buddy. A brewers review of the entire kennel of these beers: Really bland. Correction My recommendation of Yuengling Lager last week drew one-handed applause from Mark Wilson of 4S Ranch. Great call on this old school beer, he wrote before dropping the hammer. But its not sold here in Cali. Whats the point? Or do you know something I dont? What I know now is that this Pennsylvania brewerys beers which I swear were once sold here are distributed only as far west as Arkansas. If youre not among my Natural State readers, I owe you an apology. Beer Videos Twitter: @peterroweut peter.rowe@sduniontribune.com Texas de Brazil, the nations largest Brazilian-American steakhouse restaurant chain, opened its first San Diego County location last week in Carlsbad. The 200-seat churrascaria opened March 6 on the ground floor of the Shoppes at Carlsbad mall, across from the The Cheesecake Factory. Its the 61st restaurant for the family-owned chain, which started in 1998 in Addison, Texas. Texas de Brazil specializes in rodizio or rotisserie-cooked beef, pork, chicken, lamb and sausage that are served tableside by costumed servers. Company founder Salim Asrawi was inspired to launch the chain after discovering these unique steakhouses during his business travels in Brazil in the 1990s. The idea was to create the cuisine of Brazil but in a more upscale, lively and colorful environment, said Carlos Restrepo, the companys corporate training manager. There are other upscale churrascarias out there but this one reflects the decor and colors and music of Brazil. Advertisement The interior of the newly opened Texas de Brazil restaurant at the Shoppes at Carlsbad mall. (Pam Kragen/San Diego Union-Tribune) The menu at the all-you-can-eat restaurant is vast, with a huge salad, chilled shellfish, seafood and appetizers bar, lobster bisque and Brazilian seafood stew, potato and vegetable side dishes and fresh-baked Brazilian bread rolls. But the stars of the menu are the Prime-grade meats, mostly raised in the Midwest. All of the beef cuts are seasoned only with sea salt. Chicken and pork cuts are marinated in red wine and other ingredients. Then theyre skewered on steel spits and turn on a rotary grill over a 500-degree mesquite charcoal fire. Servers dressed in traditional Brazilian cowboy costumes walk through the dining room cotinuously offering hand-cut slices of all the meat items to diners. When a diner has had enough, they can flip over the green round card on their table to expose the red side underneath. Among the protein options are herb-marinated pork loin, Brazilian sausage, leg of lamb and lamb chops, chicken breast wrapped in bacon, filet mignon wrapped in bacon, Parmesan-crusted pork loin, braised beef rib and barbecued pork rib. The companys signature beef cut is the picanha, which is the ultra-tender sirloin cap, but Restrepo, an 11-year employee, is partial to the flavorful flank steak. There is also a full bar and desserts, which are sold a la carte. Restrepo said most of the diners at Texas de Brazil are celebrating a special occasion and tend to stay for an average of two hours during their visits. Since its launch in Texas, the company has opened locations around the world, including in the Middle East, Mexico and the Caribbean. The Carlsbad restaurant is the third in California, following an Irvine location that opened two years ago and Fresno outlet that debuted in December. Restrepo said there are plans to open several more California locations in the next several years. Texas de Brazil Dinner Hours: 5 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays-Thursday. 5-10 p.m. Fridays. 3:30 to 10 p.m. Saturdays. 3:30 to 9 p.m. Sundays. Lunch Hours: Noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays (includes dessert and soft drinks) Where: The Shoppes at Carlsbad (near The Cheesecake Factory), 2525 El Camino Real, Carlsbad. Prices: Adult all-you-can-eat: $47.99. $29.99 for salad bar only. Children ages 6-12 are half-price. Children ages 3 to 5 are $5. Children 2 and under are free. Phone: (760) 544-1600 Online: texasdebrazil.com A variety of meats and sausage spin over a 500-degree mesquite charcoal fire at Texas de Brazil churrascaria in Carlsbad. (Pam Kragen/San Diego Union-Tribune) pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com British lawmakers facing a March 29 Brexit deadline voted Thursday to seek a delay in the nations breakaway from the European Union to try to reach agreement on what should happen next to avoid economic chaos. Parliament voted 412 to 202 to give Prime Minister Theresa May until June 30 to come up with a plan to exit the EU, even though the two proposals she has already presented have been rejected by lawmakers, one in January and the other Tuesday. Some British officials hope that postponing Brexit by three months will enable May to work out a way to get her deal or a different deal with the EU through Parliament and ensure all the necessary legislation to guarantee a smooth, orderly break. May warned that if she cannot get Parliaments majority support for a deal soon she would need to seek a longer extension from the EU, which must approve any delay to Brexit. Advertisement EU officials have said their best offer for coordinating the break has already been made and that Britain must work within existing agreements. European Council President Donald Tusk said Thursday that he would appeal to the leaders of the remaining 27 EU countries to grant Britain a long extension if it finds it is necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it. British politicians and others have worried about the turmoil expected in commerce and other areas if Britain were to leave the bloc without a plan in place. A significant issue for Brexit negotiations has been how to manage the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. British lawmakers have been unhappy with a so-called backstop agreement that would take effect if talks over a future trade deal deadlocked. The agreement would keep all the U.K. inside an EU customs union, and Northern Ireland would remain linked to some rules of the more extensive single market. Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said Thursday that Parliament must work together in a way the government has so dramatically failed to do. May needed to accept that her deal and no deal are simply no longer viable options, he said. Parliament needs to come up with an alternative plan or consider a new public vote on the matter to move forward, Corbyn said. Thursday was the third consecutive day lawmakers voted on various Brexit scenarios in a tumultuous week in British politics that has raised serious questions about how much longer May can retain power over a fractured Conservative party. On Tuesday, lawmakers voted by a 149-vote margin against the withdrawal agreement that May hashed out with EU leaders during months of negotiations. Despite rejecting her plan, a day later they voted 321 to 278 against leaving the European Union without any deal on March 29, or any other date. Even more power drained away from Theresa May [Wednesday] night, Anand Menon, director of the U.K. in a Changing Europe think tank, said in an interview. And as that power ebbs away from her, it moves inextricably toward Parliament. Lawmakers on Thursday also voted 334 to 85 against a new proposal to hold a second voter referendum on Brexit, which was approved 52% to 48% in 2016. Even though the results of Thursdays vote are not legally binding, it is a barometer of how much support there is within the House of Commons for going back to the polls. Some officials and others are concerned that granting a second referendum could not only open up old wounds, given how intensely bitter the 2016 referendum campaign was, but it could also ultimately reverse Brexit, which they say would potentially undermine democracy and the will of the 17.4 million people who voted to leave the EU. On Thursday, Cabinet member Philip Hammond dismissed the idea of another referendum. We had a referendum, the public made its view clear, narrowly, but clear, and now Parliament has to resolve this, he said. There isnt a majority in Parliament for a second referendum. Proponents of another referendum say members of the public ultimately should have a chance to vote on whether they support the details of a Brexit plan. Some said Thursdays focus, however, should be on whether to extend the deadline. We believe Parliament will have better opportunities to decide it is only fair and reasonable to give the public a real say on this crucial decision for our country, said Adrian McMenamin, a spokesman for the Peoples Vote campaign, a group of activists and politicians. Boyle is a special correspondent. A college student from Palos Verdes Estates who was acquitted last year in a South Los Angeles killing was arrested Tuesday night on suspicion of carjacking, according to the mans attorney and arrest records. Cameron Terrell, 19, was arrested at 6 p.m. in Palos Verdes Estates, internal Los Angeles Police Department arrest records obtained by The Times show. Terrells attorney, Jovan Blacknell, confirmed the arrest in an email. He said that the incident is not recent and occurred before the 2017 killing of 21-year-old Justin Holmes. Terrell and two other teens were arrested in connection with the slaying. When the homicide did not stick, they tried to find something else, Blacknell said. The attorney said he did not have specifics about the new case. Advertisement His arrest was intentionally done by surprise on his spring break to interrupt his schooling, Blacknell said. There is no other explanation as to why they would do this now. The LAPD issued a statement Wednesday night confirming the arrest but declined to give specifics on the crime. Police said that during the investigation into Holmes killing, evidence was discovered by investigators for additional felony crimes, and due to the dates of those incidents, they could not be charged concurrently with the murder case. Terrell was a juvenile at the time of the other alleged felony crimes, police said. Police confirmed that Terrell is being held without bail. Last July, a jury found Terrell not guilty of murder in the killing of Holmes. On Oct. 1, 2017, Holmes was walking with two friends near South Western Avenue and West 78th Street when two teenagers got out of a black Mercedes-Benz and asked about their gang affiliation. The two people with Holmes ran. Holmes, who worked for U-Haul, told the teens he wasnt from a gang. One of the juveniles shot Holmes, then ran to the black car, driven by Terrell and registered to his father. The case first grabbed headlines after Terrells family was able to post the $5-million bond, which required $500,000. After his release, Terrell was able to finish high school off campus. Much of the trial focused on Terrells alleged gang affiliation. His attorney told jurors that Terrell was having problems at home and began hanging out at Jesse Owens Park in South Los Angeles. There, he met another teenager who would later join a gang. Prosecutors told jurors that Terrell was fully committed to the gang, and even got a gang tattoo. As evidence, prosecutors showed jurors social media accounts of Terrell throwing gang signs and flashing weapons. Following his acquittal, his attorney said at the time that he was going to attend the University of Houston. Holmes family has filed a wrongful-death suit against Terrell and his family. nicole.santacruz@latimes.com For more crime news, follow @nicolesantacruz on Twitter. Los Angeles city leaders announced Wednesday that at least a handful of oil wells on a shuttered South Los Angeles drilling site can no longer be operated after the expiration of a city agreement with the company. It is the latest attempt to chip away at the ability of AllenCo Inc. to reopen the University Park site where neighbors once complained of nosebleeds, nausea and other ailments. AllenCo agreed more than five years ago to halt its operations there amid a public outcry, after federal and local investigations had been launched. Los Angeles City Atty. Mike Feuer then sued and obtained a court order requiring AllenCo to follow new requirements if it wanted to restart operations there. AllenCo also had to pay $1.25 million in penalties and had already spent more than $1 million on other penalties and improvements. Advertisement But community activists, still troubled that oil operations could someday resume, have demanded a permanent shutdown of the AllenCo site. City officials said Wednesday that the expiration of a city lease would prevent part of the site from resuming oil operations, though other wells would not be affected. That city lease had expired, City Petroleum Administrator Uduak-Joe Ntuk wrote in a letter to the company, because of a lack of petroleum production and payments to the city. Because the lease had expired, AllenCos rights to operate wells from the site that extend beneath city property terminated upon the expiration of these lease agreements, Ntuk wrote. That affects at least three of the 21 wells at the site, according to city officials. Fredy Ceja, senior policy director for City Councilman Gil Cedillo, said that the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, which owns the University Park site, has additional leases that could affect other wells. Weve asked them to join us and do the right thing, Ceja said of the archdiocese. Ed Renwick, an attorney advising the archdiocese on the issue, said he could not weigh in on the city decision or whether the archdiocese could take similar steps because he still needed to review the city lease. In a statement, the archdiocese said it continues to cooperate and work with the city and AllenCo to find an alternative use for the site that is in the best interest of the community, royalty holders and all other stakeholders. An employee reached at AllenCo offices Wednesday said the company was not providing comment. Cedillo, who represents the area around the site and backs the idea of permanently closing it, said that by not renewing the expired lease, we reaffirm our commitment to our residents. Mayor Eric Garcetti, who made the announcement jointly with Cedillo, billed it as moving us closer to a clean energy future that doesnt depend on dirty oil. Community and environmental activists with the Stand L.A. coalition said they wanted to see the archdiocese follow suit and for the city to go further and phase out all oil and gas drilling close to homes and schools. Nancy Halpern Ibrahim, executive director of the nonprofit Esperanza Community Housing, said that a spot response is not enough. Many communities have not mobilized around concerns about neighborhood drilling the way that the University Park residents did, she said, but still face risks. We dont have the luxury of time to address this fossil-fueled health and climate crisis by shutting down one oil well at a time, said Martha Dina Arguello, co-chair of the coalition, in a statement. emily.alpert@latimes.com Twitter: @AlpertReyes One person was killed and another injured Wednesday after two planes collided in a fiery crash at the Compton/Woodley Airport, officials said. A single-engine North American T28 collided with another aircraft, a single-engine Cessna 152, which caught fire and burned, said a spokesman with the Federal Aviation Administration. Downey firefighters responded to the scene shortly before 7 p.m., said an operator with the Downey Fire Department. The injured person was taken to a trauma center. Its unclear why the collision occurred and whether both people were on board. The FAA is investigating the circumstances of the crash. Advertisement This post will be updated as more information becomes available. alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com Twitter: @AleneTchek The Los Angeles County coroners office has identified 32-year-old Jamie Baker as the victim in an apparent murder-suicide at a residence in the Broadway-Manchester neighborhood of South Los Angeles this week. Baker was found dead inside the home, and a man in his 50s was found dead in the attic from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said. He has not been identified. Police believe the two were in a relationship, said Det. Meghan Aguilar, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department. Officers responded to a call about 8 p.m. Monday from one of Bakers relatives, who was concerned for her safety inside a residence in the 100 block of West 109th Street, Aguilar said. Advertisement When police arrived, a car was blocking the driveway and officers struggled to make contact with the people in the home. A SWAT team arrived about 10 p.m. after officers determined that a man inside the home was armed and had barricaded himself, Aguilar said. Police eventually used a robot to enter the home early Tuesday and found the bodies. javier.panzar@latimes.com @jpanzar A yearlong investigation found three of Orange Countys emergency homeless shelters riddled with problems including reports of physical and sexual abuse, neglect of residents with disabilities and mental illnesses, and filthy conditions, according to a report released Thursday by the American Civil Liberties Union. The report is based on first-person visits and more than 70 interviews with residents, staff members and shelter volunteers at three emergency shelters: the Courtyard Transitional Center in Santa Ana, opened in October 2016; Bridges at Kraemer Place in Anaheim that opened in May 2017; and SAFEPlace in Santa Ana, which opened last April. They say they found dangerously unclean conditions in each of the shelters; facilities that lacked temperature control and in some cases, flooded during rainstorms; and reports of staff threatening residents with eviction for minor infractions, or if they spoke out about conditions at the shelter. DOCUMENT: Read the ACLUs scathing report on Orange Countys homeless shelters People who have been to jail have said jail is better than this shelter, one homeless resident, Roberta Filicko, wrote in her diary, according to the ACLU report. We are so scared that we will be living on the streets, and the staff make sure to remind you of this every minute of every day. Its true we have no one to help us, so we go along with it. An employee at one of the Santa Ana emergency homeless shelters found that bedbugs would crawl on you if you sat down long enough. I got three bites (during my last shift), the employee told an interviewer. Some [people] are getting a lot more. You can see the bedbugs when they get on you. They are big. Theyve been around for a while. At another Orange County emergency shelter in Anaheim, residents and staff faced similar problems. Critters all around, a resident told an interviewer. Mosquitos, cockroaches. I saw a couple of people with head lice. Staff would say, Hide the bugs, dont let [the supervisor] see that. She added: It is one of the filthiest shelters I have been in. Document Many residents told us that unsanitary conditions in the showers and restrooms are a particular source of concern. The showers got bad, recalls a former resident. Dirty, trash. It builds up. I saw personal body fluids on the sinks. Either blood or snot. It was so bad that I wouldnt want to go in them. A resident observes, Feces on the walls and the showers. They dont clean it properly. Says another resident, I went nine days without taking a shower, because I dont want to get sick. see the document Orange County spokeswoman Molly Nichelson said in a statement that the county will take time to review the report and respond accordingly. She declined a request from The Times for an interview. The County of Orange is committed to ensuring our emergency shelters are safe for all our clients, Nichelson said. Each emergency shelter has its own provider and complaint process. We work to ensure valid complaints are addressed by our service providers in a timely fashion. In an email to The Times, the state attorney generals office said it was reviewing the contents of the report. The ACLU, which launched a Dignity for All project in 2013 to address homelessness in Orange County, said staffers cross-verified their interviews with multiple sources, including public records and data, according to the report. The ACLU argues that the shelters are ineffective in ending homelessness; in its report, the civil rights organization advocates for an expansion of affordable housing and permanent supportive housing. Theres a special sort of cruel irony that this is such a wealthy county, and the homeless community is relatively small compared to a county like Los Angeles, said Julia Devanthery, a staff attorney at the ACLU of Southern California and one of the authors of the report. And yet, there is no meaningful movement toward expanding access to affordable housing and supportive housing, which everyone who works on this issue agrees is a solution. More temporary shelters are set to open in the coming months across Orange County, prompting the ACLU to release its report, Devanthery said. In 2017, almost 4,800 people in Orange County were found in the annual Point in Time count to be experiencing homelessness. Orange County officials felt it was an undercount. Laura Kasten was one of hundreds of homeless residents who lived along the banks of the Santa Ana River until they were removed and sent to live in motels and shelters across Orange County. Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times Hundreds of homeless residents lived along the banks of the Santa Ana River until they were removed and sent to live in motels and shelters across the county. Many have been removed from a large encampment at the Santa Ana Civic Center. Over the last few years, Orange County officials have grappled with how to implement solutions to help homeless residents often to large protests about proposed shelters from residents in the countys wealthier communities. A series of lawsuits have attempted to force solutions, including a lawsuit filed in February against five Orange County cities Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Irvine, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano and the county for failure to provide housing for homeless people. The ACLUs Devanthery said the organization has examined what legal remedies exist to address the conditions they found at the temporary shelters. Document On July 7, 2018, for example, a record-breaking heat wave baked the sidewalks around the Courtyard as the outdoor temperature rose to 107 degrees. Inside, a volunteer measured the temperature with a thermometer purchased especially to record the temperature that day. It registered 96 degrees, as scores of residents sat listlessly on their cots or dragged themselves into line for bottled water. see the document Brooke Weitzman, an attorney who has represented homeless residents in multiple lawsuits against the county, said conditions vary widely among shelters in Orange County, as each shelter is run by different organizations with their own staff training protocols and rules for residents. In recent years, local officials have discussed homelessness in Orange County much more frequently, but havent made significant progress in approving and building housing, said Weitzman, an attorney and co-founder of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Center. I think were at a point where most of them recognize it is necessary and needs to be done, said Weitzman, who wasnt involved in the ACLU investigation. But knowing that doesnt necessarily mean theyre willing to do it in the face of residents opposing any type of development or affordable housing or permanent supportive housing. The report provides a scathing review of the shelters, which officials have lauded as progress in combating homelessness in Orange County, and includes graphic details from witnesses. Document A woman with an inoperable brain aneurism gets headaches when the aneurism bleeds. Two or three times when I had the pain, she says, I wanted to go to the hospital. The last time it was 7:00 or 8:00 in the evening. The staff wouldnt give me ice packs, wouldnt call 911, and wouldnt give me a ride [to the hospital] because they said the shuttle drivers were off until 11:00 p.m. I sat there and suffered. I was terrified. I wasnt allowed to walk out the gate. They will exit you. see the document At SAFEPlace, a gymnasium housing about 70 people, a resident at the shelter recalled an 82-year-old resident who had dementia and was frequently tricked by scam artists calling her cellphone. To teach her a lesson after she was scammed yet again, a staff member forced her to spend at least a day outside the shelters fence, according to the report. She didnt understand what was going on, and it was getting dark and cold, a resident told the ACLU. We were begging the security guard to open the gate and let her back in, but they said they had to follow orders. At the Courtyard, a former bus terminal that houses more than 450 people, an employee told the ACLU about when staff refused to take in a man who transferred from a psychiatric facility to the Courtyard in his hospital pajamas because they said he cant take care of himself. The man slept on the sidewalk that night, according to the report. Another resident at the Courtyard noticed a small hole, about the diameter of a pen, in the shower wall at torso level. She told the ACLU that she suspected it was a peephole and shoved the wrapper of her soap bar into the hole. I started to take a shower, she told the ACLU. And the wrapper gets sucked into the peephole. I can see that one of the workers is peeping through the hole. Im still taking a shower. Support our journalism Please consider subscribing today to support stories like this one. Get full access to our signature journalism for just 99 cents for the first four weeks. Already a subscriber? Your support makes our work possible. Thank you. Times writers Anh Do and Benjamin Oreskes and Times Community News writer Ben Brazil contributed to this report. A 41-year-old documented gang member was convicted Wednesday of murder and attempted murder in the shooting death of a career Navy man and the wounding of his cousin outside a comedy club at Horton Plaza. Jurors deliberated for nearly two days before finding Arrow Morris guilty of the two felony charges, three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and gun-use allegations. Morris, who is scheduled to be sentenced May 20, faces more than 80 years to life in prison for the killing of 43-year-old Lt. Cmdr. James Celani Jr., who was struck in the head, neck and chest. His cousin was grazed in the leg. Deputy District Attorney Amy Maund said that on the night of June 10, 2017, following a violent confrontation with his girlfriend, Morris and his brother walked away from the club and encountered Celani and his cousin, who were walking past them in the opposite direction. Advertisement Maund told jurors that either Celani or his cousin said, Whats up? to the Morris brothers as they walked past, to which Morris replied, Dont (expletive) talk to me, then began firing. The prosecutor said Morris, still in a rage over the confrontation with his girlfriend, took his anger out on Celani and his cousin, some of the first people he came across after leaving the club. The shooting happened to a truly innocent, vulnerable victim,' Maund said, and it could have been anyone. Maund said several witnesses pointed to the shooter as a man wearing a red shirt, red hat and white jacket, which Morris can be seen wearing in surveillance footage from Horton Plaza and a 7-Eleven convenience store. Defense attorney Steward Dadmun contended that witnesses mistook his client for his brother, who, according to Dadmun, was the actual shooter. The whereabouts of Morris brother was unclear. None of these witnesses passes the reasonable doubt test, not a single one of them, Dadmun told the jury. According to Dadmun, Morris had no idea his sibling was going to begin shooting, while Maund maintained that the altercation with his girlfriend left Morris enraged and prone to violence. The defendant was angry, the defendant had a gun and he wasnt backing down, the prosecutor said. Morris was arrested two days after the shooting during a traffic stop in Serra Mesa. Federal officials and local community partners will pour almost $70 million into programs to improve education and socio-economic outcomes for youth in Barrio Logan, Logan Heights and San Ysidro. The programs will include education for new parents, home visits for newborns, tutoring, anti-bullying programs, attendance intervention specialists, after-school programs and college preparation, among others. A five-year, $30 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education and $39 million in matching funds from local community partners will fund the new San Diego Promise Neighborhood that encompasses about 13,000 family households in those three areas. The idea of the Promise Neighborhood, which was inspired by the Harlem Childrens Zone in New York, is to coordinate programs that support all aspects of a neighborhood, including education, health and jobs, and span all chapters of childrens lives, from birth to post-college graduation. Advertisement This grant allows a sustained community focus to support our children no matter what theyre experiencing, San Diego Unified Superintendent Cindy Marten said at a press conference Wednesday at Perkins K-8, which is one of five schools that will participate in the Promise programs. The other four are San Ysidro High School, San Ysidro Middle, Smythe Elementary and the Logan Memorial Educational Complex. South Bay Community Services, which is spearheading the Promise Neighborhood, surveyed families in the three areas and found that 80 percent of those families did not have an adult who completed college. Meanwhile, about half the areas children live in poverty and many are English language learners, according to the nonprofit. Almost three-quarters of area children under age 6 are not attending preschool or other early learning programs. San Diego County is rare in that this is will be its second Promise Neighborhood, officials said. The other is the Chula Vista Promise Neighborhood in Castle Park, a neighborhood of about 6,700 people with high rates of unemployment and poverty. The nonprofit has reported improved outcomes for children in Castle Park since the Promise Neighborhood was formed there. Nearly all of preschool-age children who participated in the Promise Neighborhood programs were prepared for kindergarten last year, up from 77 percent in 2014, according to South Bay Community Services. More young children were also enrolled in early learning programs. Elementary students test scores increased by an average of 4 percent in English and 9 percent in math over a three-year period, according to South Bay Community Services. Nearly all high school students enrolled in college. The Chula Vista Promise Neighborhood began with about $60 million of grant money and matching funding. Kristen Taketa Email: kristen.taketa@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @Kristen_Taketa TALLAHASSEE The Florida House repealed the states ban on smokable medical marijuana on Wednesday, meeting Gov. Ron DeSantis demand that lawmakers do so and handing the governor the first legislative victory of his 3-month-old administration. The bill (SB 182) passed by a 101-11 vote. It passed the Senate last week 38-0. This is a difficult issue, and youre going to have people on both sides; some that are happy that now this is available to them and others that feel that we didnt go far enough, House Speaker Jose Oliva said after the vote. We did the best that we could do and still remain responsible. In addition to the smoking ban repeal, the bill allows doctors to order a 210-day supply of medical marijuana for patients, up from the current 70-day supply limit, requires doctors to submit patient data for research into the effects of smoking and requires patients under the age of 18 to have a terminal condition and get a second opinion from a pediatrician before receiving the drug. Advertisement Its the first bill of the 2019 legislative session that will head to DeSantis desk. DeSantis asked lawmakers to repeal the smokable ban at a February press conference in Winter Park, flanked by Orlando attorney John Morgan, who bankrolled the 2016 ballot measure approved by 72 percent of voters to legalize medical marijuana. Morgan brought a lawsuit in 2017 after the Legislature passed a law that implemented the constitutional amendment but banned smoking, something Morgan said went against the intent of the amendment. A trial court agreed, but the Gov. Rick Scott administration appealed. DeSantis said hed drop the appeal if lawmakers didnt act. His office did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday, but he applauded the Legislature on Twitter. I thank the Florida Legislature for taking action on medical marijuana and upholding the will of the voters, DeSantis posted. Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, defended the 2017 law but warned the regulations put in place would be removed by the courts if they failed to pass the bill. But he also cautioned doctors licensed to order medical marijuana not to liberally hand out the drug, which is still classified as a Schedule II illegal substance under federal law. What I would say to the medical community is that it is incumbent upon them to do their jobs to treat this as medicine, Rodrigues said. The last thing we want to see is the pill mill crisis that occurred with opioids to occurring in this state with medical marijuana. So well be watching. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who advocated for a repeal of the smoking ban, praised the vote in a news release. Todays action to finally allow smokable medical marijuana brings four words to the lips of people across our state: Its about damn time, said Fried, a Democrat. Its long past due that the State of Florida honored the will of the people and allowed doctors to determine their patients course of treatment. But even after DeSantis signs the bill, the issue isnt likely to go away. Critics have slammed Scott for slow-walking medical marijuana and have said the current regulations make it too expensive and cumbersome for patients, pushing them to the black market. Im very frustrated, Rodrigues told reporters after the vote. I dont think the Scott administration made a good faith effort to implement the (2017) bill as we passed it. I think the fact that were not moving with alacrity is whats created demand from the public that more be done, and I think had the bill actually been implemented more patients would have access to products sooner. Rodrigues added that he thinks the DeSantis administration will move quickly on the latest measure, which becomes effective when he signs the bill. I thank the Florida Legislature for taking action on medical marijuana and upholding the will of the voters. Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 13, 2019 Under questions from Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando, Rodrigues said the House could take up legislation later in the session to address affordability of the drug and said law enforcement officers should have training to spot the difference between medical marijuana and black market marijuana, so that legitimate patients arent arrested. Medical marijuana packages are supposed to be standardized, within a sealed plain opaque white receptacle with a legible and prominent warning to keep it away from children and a warning that states: Marijuana smoke contains carcinogens and may negatively affect health, Rodrigues said. He added that police officers would have real-time access to the medical marijuana registry that lists authorized patients and would treat the drug like any other prescription medication during a traffic stop. My hope is that with the legislation that law enforcement will train themselves, Smith replied. Because even the wrapped product, the wrapped whole flower product can leave a scent behind in the car which can leave a scent mistaken as smoked medical cannabis. Smith has filed a bill (HB 1117) to legalize recreational marijuana, but it hasnt received a hearing this year. grohrer@orlandosentinel.com or (850) 222-5564 A prominent Iranian lawyer who defended women arrested for protesting the countrys mandatory head scarf law has been sentenced to a total of 38 years in prison and 148 lashes, according to her husband. Nasrin Sotoudeh, who has been imprisoned since being taken from her home in June, is already serving a five-year sentence. The 55-year-old human rights lawyer was sentenced to an additional 33 years and the 148 lashes after being convicted of several more national security crimes this month, her husband, Reza Khandan, wrote on Facebook on Monday. But the semiofficial Islamic Republic News Agency reported that a judge at Tehrans Revolutionary Court said Monday that in addition to the five years of Sotoudehs earlier sentence for colluding against the system, she was sentenced to two years for insulting supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The report did not clarify which cases the judge spoke of, but a rights group said one appeared to be the 2015 conviction. Advertisement Sotoudeh told her husband in a brief phone call from prison that she was informed she faces 38 years and the lashes, according to the Center for Human Rights in Iran. Khandan told the New York-based advocacy group that it is unclear what additional charges Sotoudeh had been convicted of and that his wife had not received the verdict in writing. I dont know how many years she got for each of the charges because my conversation with Nasrin only lasted a few minutes and we didnt get to the details, Khandan said, according to a statement on the groups website. I only know that the biggest sentence was 12 years for [encouraging] corruption and prostitution, he said, according to the Center for Human Rights in Iran. .@statedeputyspox: We condemn #NasrinSotoudehs sentencing in the strongest possible terms and call on all of our partners and allies to speak out and demand the release of this courageous #humanrights defender and all of those arbitrarily detained immediately. #Iran pic.twitter.com/Gu46W9cFLZ Department of State (@StateDept) March 12, 2019 Hadi Ghaemi, the centers executive director, said lashing is an unusual sentence for someone charged in a security case. He said it showed Iran is escalating its crackdown on human rights defenders. Sotoudeh is asking for rule of law. It shows how much [authorities] are afraid of her, Ghaemi said in an interview Tuesday. Human rights groups and lawmakers denounced Sotoudehs sentencing. Sotoudeh must be released immediately and unconditionally and this obscene sentence quashed without delay, said Philip Luther of Amnesty International. The U.S. State Department also demanded her release and called the sentence barbaric. The European Union released a statement demanding authorities review Sotoudehs sentence and ensure her right to appeal. The European Parliament awarded Sotoudeh the prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2012. The European Union notes that the right to protest peacefully, as well as the right to express opinion in a non-violent manner, are cornerstones of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a party, the statement read. In the decade following Irans disputed 2009 presidential election, more than 40 lawyers who defend political activists have been arrested. But the Iranian judiciary intensified its clampdown in January 2018 after the country was rattled by its biggest anti-government protest in nearly a decade. The protests were set off after a woman was arrested in Tehran for removing her head scarf in public. After the wave of unrest, authorities arrested at least seven human rights attorneys, including Sotoudeh, and announced that defendants held on political charges are only able to choose lawyers from an approved list. Human rights lawyer Mohammad Najafi was sentenced in October 2018 to three years in prison and 74 lashes for publishing falsehoods and disturbing the state. This isnt the first time Sotoudeh has been imprisoned. She was arrested in 2010 for what Iran said was spreading propaganda against the system. Sotoudeh was kept in solitary confinement during some of her time in prison and reportedly went on a hunger strike in October 2012 to protest how authorities were treating her family and for being denied the opportunity to see her daughter and son. She was released in 2013 when President Hassan Rouhani granted her a pardon. Iran cracks down on womens rights activists as leader offers his solution to sexual harassment, assault: Cover up The migrants were kidnapped in broad daylight. At least 19 men believed to be from Central America were traveling on a bus in northern Mexico last week when masked gunmen stormed aboard, forced the migrants onto pickup trucks, then sped away, Mexican officials said. The violent incident Thursday, which took place just miles from the U.S. border, was not unique. A group of 25 migrants was pulled off another bus under similar circumstances in February, a top Mexican human rights officials said this week. The migrants whereabouts are unknown. The two cases highlight the risks faced by Central American migrants in Mexico, where criminal groups have diversified well beyond drug trafficking and now help smuggle migrants north and sometimes extort or kidnap them for ransom. Advertisement Conditions for migrants in Mexico have been under added scrutiny in recent months since U.S. officials began sending some Central Americans who have applied for political asylum in the United States to Mexico to await rulings in their cases. Since January, more than 200 migrants have been returned to the border city of Tijuana under the so-called Remain in Mexico program, which U.S. officials say they plan to expand to other parts of the border soon. Northern Mexico, and Tamaulipas in particular, is known for being dangerous territory for migrants. In 2010, 72 men and women seeking to reach the U.S. were kidnapped in Tamaulipas and then shot to death at a ranch near the city of San Fernando. Mexican officials blamed the massacre on the Zetas, a powerful criminal group, saying the kidnappers killed the migrants after they refused to join the gang. The migrants kidnapped last week were traveling on a bus route that traversed the roughly 90 miles from San Fernando to the border city of Reynosa, officials said. Mexican officials have offered different estimates of the number of victims ranging from 19 to 22 as well as various theories of possible motives. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador speculated that the migrants may have staged their own kidnapping as a way to deceive immigration officials. We are investigating to get to the bottom of this, because theres a theory that this could be a way to get into the United States, that they didnt actually disappear but rather crossed the border, he said at a news conference Tuesday. But human rights officials said other, more predatory scenarios were more likely. A statement from the National Human Rights Commission said the migrants are in a situation of vulnerability on various fronts that places them at extraordinary risk. On Wednesday, the countrys newly formed National Search Commission, working with state and federal police as well as the armed forces, officially launched an effort to locate the migrants. Lopez Obrador has repeatedly promised to protect migrants seeking to reach the United States. But he has been criticized by some migrant activists for allowing the U.S. to send asylum seekers back to Mexican territory, and his administration has been accused of denying entry into Mexico of several attorneys and journalists who worked with or covered a recent migrant caravan in Tijuana. Migrant kidnappings occur across Mexico, but a majority are concentrated in just three states: Tamaulipas, Coahuila and Veracruz, according to a report published last year by the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law at the University of Texas at Austin. The report, which analyzed cases involving nearly 8,000 victims over a 12-year period, found that kidnappings in the three states were likely to be carried out by organized criminal groups namely the Gulf cartel or the Zetas as opposed to individual actors. In Tamaulipas, in particular, kidnappings were likely to be carried out on buses, and ransom demands ranged from $500 to $10,000, according to the report. The decision by Gov. Gavin Newsom to grant a sweeping reprieve from execution for all 737 inmates on the states death row, shutter the execution chamber and discard the states capital punishment protocol reverberated through San Diegos legal community Wednesday. Prosecutors, lawyers, death penalty opponents, family members of victims killed by death row inmates all had strong reactions to Newsom halting the states capital punishment apparatus. Im disgusted by the justice system, said Maria Keever, whose 13-year-old son Charlie Keever was murdered along with his friend Jonathan Seller, 9, in 1993 by death row inmate Scott Erskine. A week ago she and Jonathans mother, Milena (Sellers) Phillips, were at the state Supreme Court for a hearing on Erskines appeal of his death sentence 15 years after he was sentenced to death. Ive fought for 25 years for the death penalty, and for what?, she said. Nothing. Advertisement Others opposed to the death penalty hailed the move as long overdue, with praise for Newsom as strong as Keevers condemnation. We certainly thank and commend the governor for leadership on this because Californias death penalty system is broken beyond repair, said David Loy, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union for San Diego and Imperial Counties. Decades of experience show that the death penalty is unfairly applied to people of color, people with disabilities and low-income people Newsoms order did not eliminate the death penalty law in the state, though legal challenges to some of the governors actions are likely ahead. While legal experts on both sides acknowledged granting reprieves are within the governors powers, there are questions about whether he could shut the San Quentin death chamber and withdraw the protocol for conducting lethal injection executions. Those protocols have been laboriously hammered out and subject to a sustained legal challenge. Its one reason why the state has not executed anyone since 2006. Critics said that Newsom had swept aside voter support for the death penalty. In 2012 and again in 2016, statewide measures to abolish the death penalty lost, by four points in 2012 and six points in 2016. At the same time in 2016, voters approved a competing measure to streamlining the appeals process and speed up executions. A SurveyUSA poll Wednesday showed support is strong. Of 600 adults surveyed, 60 percent said they strongly support the death penalty, and 26 percent were opposed. The margin of error was 6.5 percent. At a news conference, Newsom strongly defended his action, and rejected the idea that he was defying the will of voters who refused to abolish capital punishment just two years ago. The law is the law and this is crystal clear: The constitution of the state of California provides the governor the ability to reprieve, the ability do this moratorium, Newsom said Wednesday at the Capitol. I dont believe there is any ambiguity. My ultimate goal is to end the death penalty in California. The local impact is unclear. Prosecutors can continue to seek the death penalty, though that has been done infrequently in recent years by the District Attorneys Office. Right now there is one pending death penalty case in the county against Jesse Michael Gomez, accused of killing San Diego Police Officer J.D. Guzman in 2016. Prosecutors sought death against Carlo Mercado for the triple murder of three people at a Mission Valley mall on Christmas Eve 2013. However, in an agreement with prosecutors, he agreed to plead guilty before trial and get a sentence of life without parole in prison. In response to questions Wednesday, the District Attorneys Office said it was unclear how the moratorium would affect current death cases and would be reviewing it. District Attorney Summer Stephan was critical of Newsoms decision. In San Diego County, we pursue the death penalty in a very limited number of cases pursuant to the law and the will of the People of the State of California who recently reaffirmed it, she said in a statement. The Governors action, in essence, replaces the will of the People and short circuits justice for victims who permanently suffer the violent loss of their loved ones. Our concern remains the mothers, fathers and families, who heard a jury render a verdict that brought them a measure of justice but who have had that taken away from them. Of the 737 inmates on death row, 38 are from San Diego County or five percent of the total population. Some were convicted in the regions most notorious cases, including the serial killing deaths of six San Diego women in 1990 by Cleophus Prince, and Susan Eubanks, who killed her four children in San Marcos in 1997. In 2003, gang member Adrian Camacho shot and killed Oceanside police Officer Tony Zeppetella during a routine traffic stop. Camacho has been on death row since 2006. There is really nothing we can do about what the governor does, Oceanside police spokesman Tom Bussey said Wednesday. He later added, But he (Camacho) is not getting out. Hes going to remain in custody. We dont have a public safety issue as long as he is kept in jail. Just last month, the state Supreme Court upheld the death sentence for David Westerfield, convicted of the 2002 killing of 7-year-old Danielle van Dam. It was the first of Westerfields several appeals he is entitled to pursue and came 17 years after the killing. Years more of appeals lie ahead. Elisabeth Semel, a lawyer and head of the Death Penalty Clinic at UC Berkeley, said that the reprieve does not reduce any sentences nor set any inmates free. The governor, she said, was at the start of an education process about how the death penalty is applied in the state. She said the death penalty in the state is plagued by racial and geographic bias some counties send far more people to death row than others and runs the risk of executing an innocent person. I think hes trying to begin a conversation on ways in which the death penalty is deeply flawed, she said. The governor argued that the death penalty discriminates against defendants who are poor, mentally ill, African American or Latino. He also said he would not take part in executing prisoners knowing that many death row inmates in California and other states have been exonerated, providing proof of the nations flawed criminal justice system. It was little consolation to Keever, who at age 72 said that she had a little bit of hope that Erskine would be executed in her lifetime. And now, she said, Ive just completely lost hope. Staff writer J. Harry Jones contributed to this report. Twitter: @gregmoran greg.moran@sduniontribune.com A fatal big-rig crash prompted an hours-long closure of state Route 76 in Pauma Valley on Thursday, a California Highway Patrol officer said. The driver was headed west in a 2005 Peterbilt tractor towing a flatbed trailer loaded with bags of landscaping mulch about 8:10 a.m. when he lost control in a curve, went down an embankment and overturned, CHP Officer Kevin Smale said. Investigators believe the driver was traveling too fast for the downhill stretch of SR-76 near Rincon Ranch Road. Emergency crews were able to pull out a 55-year-old passenger from the semi-truck. He was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. The 54-year-old driver died in the crash. Advertisement Both men were Indio residents. SR-76 was closed in both directions until about 3:10 p.m. Local casinos were notified of the road closure, since it was expected to last a couple of hours. Homeless Playlist On Now San Diego hepatitis outbreak continues to grow: 481 cases On Now Homeless entrenched in booming tent city along Santa Ana River On Now San Diego mayor agreed to homeless hub, then delayed, advocates say On Now Homeless outreach in San Diego On Now Video: Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #8 On Now In poverty himself, 'Water Man Dave,' is the fearless saint of San Diego's homeless 5:41 On Now Video: Homeless living in cars find safe havens 2:21 On Now Street Art: Portraits of San Diego's Homeless #7 On Now Pitching a tent plan for San Diego's homeless On Now Homeless efforts get $80M boost for various services gary.warth@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @GaryWarthUT 760-529-4939 There are 38 names on the list of 737 inmates on death row sent by San Diego County. Some were convicted in the regions most notorious cases, including the serial killing deaths of six San Diego women in 1990. Cleophus Prince was convicted in that case. The list includes Susan Eubanks, convicted of fatally shooting her four children in San Marcos in 1997, and Scott Erskine, convicted of killing two South County boys, ages 9 and 13 in 1993. 1 / 38 A defiant Eric Anderson admonished the jury that convicted him of murder on July 7, 2005. Now 45, Anderson was a 30-year-old parolee in 2003, when authorities say he fatally shot Cajon Speedway owner Stephen Brucker during a botched robbery. 2 / 38 Hector Ayala as he was sentenced to death on November 30, 1989. Ayala, 67, and brother Ronaldo Ayala, 68, were convicted in the 1985 execution-style murders of three men during an auto repair shop robbery. 3 / 38 February 9, 1989 file photo of Ronaldo Ayala at his sentencing. Ayala, 68, and brother Hector Ayala, 67, were convicted in the 1985 execution-style murders of three men during an auto repair shop robbery. (Barry Fitzsimmons ) 4 / 38 July 31, 1992 file photo of Steven Bell. At left is Bells attorney. Bell, 53, was convicted of stabbing to death his girlfriends 11-year-old son as the boy watched TV in 1992. Authorities said Bell wanted to steal the TV to sell to buy crack cocaine. (Gerald McClard ) 5 / 38 February 22, 1991 file photo of Christopher Box as he was sentenced to death for triple murder. Box, 50, was 21 in 1989 when authorities say he and a 17-year-old killed a mother, her 3-year-old son, and a houseguest in a Clairemont Mesa Boulevard home during a robbery. (Tom Kurtz ) 6 / 38 February 9, 2004 file photo of Manuel Bracamontes, 55, who was convicted of kidnapping, sexually assaulting and killing 9-year-old Laura Arroyo in San Ysidro in 1991. In 2003, DNA evidence led to his arrest. (John Gibbins) 7 / 38 February 7, 2006 file photo of Adrian Camacho, left, with lawyer William Stone, as they listen to Judge Joan Weber read the death sentence in a Vista courtroom. Camacho, 43, shot and killed Oceanside police Officer Tony Zeppetella during a traffic stop in June 2003. (Eduardo Contreras) 8 / 38 April 11, 1989 file photo of convicted killer David Carpenter talking with his attorney in a San Diego courtroom. Carpenter, 88, became known as the Trailside Killer after the early 1980s murders of seven hikers in Marin County. The trial was moved to San Diego County. (John Gibbins) 9 / 38 April 10, 1991 file photo of Dean Phillip Carter shown during opening statements in San Diego County courts phase in his death penalty trial. Carter, 63, was convicted of killing four women in the 1980s, including a 24-year-old woman who, in April 1984, was strangled and stuffed her a closet in her Pacific Beach home. (Howard Lipin) 10 / 38 July 7, 2008 file photo of Tecumseh Colbert, left, with his attorney, Brad Patton, as the judge pronounced the death sentence in San Diego Superior Court. Colbert, 35, was convicted of killing two men during robberies within two weeks in 2004. (Peggy Peattie ) 11 / 38 May 15, 1985 file photo of convicted murderer, Kevin Cooper, as he stands before the judge while being sentenced to death. Cooper, 61, was found guilty in 1985 for the 1983 slayings of a mother, father, their 10-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old friend of their son in the familys Chino Hills home. The trial was moved to San Diego. He has maintained his innocence. In December, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered new tests of physical evidence in the case. (Dave Siccardi ) 12 / 38 Kerry Lyn Dalton, now 66, who is one of few women on death row, convicted of murder with the special circumstances of torture and lying in wait for the 1988 slaying of Irene Melanie May at the Live Oak Springs trailer park in East County. (California Department of Corrections) 13 / 38 Scott Erskine, 56, was 31 when Charlie Keever, 13, and Jonathan Sellers, 9, were abducted, raped, tortured and killed by the Otay River in 1993. Eight years later, DNA lead investigators to identify Erskine as their suspect. (Jim Baird ) 14 / 38 July 17, 2008 file photo of Susan Eubanks as she was sentenced to death. Eubanks, 54, shot and killed her four sons ages 4 to 14 and shot herself in her San Marcos home in 1997. (Charlie Neuman ) 15 / 38 Michael Flinner, 51, was an Alpine landscaper convicted of hiring one of his workers to kill his 18-year-old fiancee in order to collect insurance money in 2000. (Dan Trevan ) 16 / 38 Johnaton George, 61, was convicted of fatally shooting during a carjacking near 5th Avenue and G Street, after escaping from a sheriffs van in 1992. (Jerry Rife ) 17 / 38 Ivan Gonzales, 52, and wife Veronica Gonzalez, 49, were convicted of torture and murder of her 4-year-old niece, who had been scalded to death in a bathtub in 1995. (Gerald McClard ) 18 / 38 Veronica Gonzalez, 49, and husband, Ivan Gonzales, 52, were convicted of torture and murder of her 4-year-old niece, who had been scalded to death in a bathtub in 1995. (Gerald McClard ) 19 / 38 Jaime Hoyos, 60, was convicted of killing a marijuana distributor and his wife and injuring their 3-year-old son in their Jamul home in 1992. (James Skovmand ) 20 / 38 Bryan Jones, 56, was convicted of strangling two women, and trying to kill two others, who survived to testify against him. All the crimes occurred in 1985 and 1986. (California Department of Corrections) 21 / 38 Robert Jurado, 48, was one of three people convicted of killing a pregnant woman when she was strangled, beaten with a tire jack and left to die in Balboa Park in 1991. (California Department of Corrections) 22 / 38 David Lucas, 63, was convicted of three murders, including slashing the throats of a mother and her 3-year-old son in their Normal Heights home in 1979, and the death of university student who disappeared after her car ran out of gas in La Mesa in 1984. (Howard Lipin ) 23 / 38 Kurt Michaels, 52, was convicted in the 1988 throat-slashing murder of his girlfriends mother in Escondido. (Charlie Neuman ) 24 / 38 Calvin Parker, 49, was convicted of raping and killing his female roommate in their Morena District apartment in 2000, then covering it up by cutting off her fingers and placing her bloodless body in a trash can. (Peggy Peattie ) 25 / 38 Cleophus Prince, 52, was convicted of murdering six women who were stabbed to death in their homes in Clairemont, University City and East San Diego between January and September 1990. (Dave Siccardi ) 26 / 38 June 9, 2009 file photo of Jean Pierre Rices, who pleaded guilty to the 2006 execution style slaying of two people at an El Cajon Liquor store. (John Gibbins) 27 / 38 Ramon Rogers, 58, was convicted of killing two former girlfriends and a male friend in 1993. Rogers was arrested in 1996 after police discovered body parts in a storage area at his College Area apartment. (Tony Doubek ) 28 / 38 Rudolph Roybal, 62, was convicted of stabbing and slitting the throat of a 65-year-old woman in her Oceanside home in 1989. (Charlie Neuman ) 29 / 38 Richard Samayoa, 66, was convicted of fatally bludgeoning a South San Diego neighbor and her 2-year-old daughter in 1985. (Dave Siccardi ) 30 / 38 Brandon Taylor, 45, was convicted of raping and murdering an 80-year-old neighbor in her North Park home in 1995. (John R. McCutchen ) 31 / 38 Correll Thomas, 45, was convicted of beating a neighbor to death, then three weeks later using a submachine gun to kill a stranger who had smiled at his girlfriend in 1996. (John Gastaldo ) 32 / 38 Derlyn Threats, 37, was found guilty of killing a young mother after she interrupted a mid-morning robbery in her Vista home in 2005. (Charlie Neuman ) 33 / 38 Billy Ray Waldon, 67, was convicted of three 1985 murders and 21 other crimes, including rape, following a trial in he which acted as his own attorney. The slaying victims included a 42-year-old woman and her 13-year-old daughter. (Gerald McClard ) 34 / 38 Randall Wall, 50, was convicted of killing an elderly couple in their Clairemont home during a 1992 robbery. (James Skovmand) 35 / 38 Latwon Weaver, 50, was found guilty of killing a Vista jewelry store owner during a 1992 robbery. (Tony Doubek) 36 / 38 David Westerfield, 67, was convicted in one of the regions most notorious cases the murder of Danielle van Dam, 7, a neighbor who went missing from her home in Sabre Springs in 2002. (Dan Trevan) 37 / 38 George Williams, 63, was found guilty in 2004 of kidnapping a 14-year-old girl from her Chula Vista home in April 1986, then raping and strangling her, and dumping her body in Barrio Logan. DNA led to his arrest. (Don Kohlbauer) 38 / 38 Jeffrey Young, 44, was convicted of killing two people during a botched 1999 robbery in a parking lot near Lindbergh Field. (U-T file) Here are the inmates San Diego County has sent to death row: Advertisement Eric Anderson, 45, was a 30-year-old parolee in 2003, when authorities say he fatally shot Cajon Speedway owner Stephen Brucker during a botched robbery. Hector Ayala, 67, and brother Ronaldo Ayala, 68, were convicted in the 1985 execution-style murders of three men during an auto repair shop robbery. Steven Bell, 53, was convicted of stabbing to death his girlfriends 11-year-old son as the boy watched TV in 1992. Authorities said Bell wanted to steal the TV to sell to buy crack cocaine. Christopher Box, 50, was 21 in 1989 when authorities say he and a 17-year-old killed a mother, her 3-year-old son, and a houseguest in a Clairemont Mesa Boulevard home during a robbery. Manuel Bracamontes, 55, was convicted of kidnapping, sexually assaulting and killing 9-year-old Laura Arroyo in San Ysidro in 1991. In 2003, DNA evidence led to his arrest. Adrian Camacho, 43, shot and killed Oceanside police Officer Tony Zeppetella during a traffic stop in June 2003. David Carpenter, 88, became known as the Trailside Killer after the early 1980s murders of seven hikers in Marin County. The trial was moved to San Diego County. Dean Carter, 63, was convicted of killing four women in the 1980s, including a 24-year-old woman who, in April 1984, was strangled and stuffed her a closet in her Pacific Beach home. Tecumseh Colbert, 35, was convicted of killing two men during robberies within two weeks in 2004. Kevin Cooper, 61, was found guilty in 1985 for the 1983 slayings of a mother, father, their 10-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old friend of their son in the familys Chino Hills home. The trial was moved to San Diego. Cooper has maintained his innocence. In December, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered new tests of physical evidence in the case. Kerry Dalton, 66, is one of few women on death row, convicted of murder with the special circumstances of torture and lying in wait for the 1988 slaying of an acquaintance. Scott Erskine, 56, was 31 when Charlie Keever, 13, and Jonathan Sellers, 9, were abducted, raped, tortured and killed by the Otay River in 1993. Eight years later, DNA lead investigators to him identify their suspect as Erskine. Susan Eubanks, 54, shot and killed her four sons ages 4 to 14 and shot herself in her San Marcos home in 1997. Michael Flinner, 51, was an Alpine landscaper convicted of hiring one of his workers to kill his 18-year-old fiancee in order to collect insurance money in 2000. Johnaton George, 61, was convicted of fatally shooting during a carjacking near 5th Avenue and G Street, after escaping from a sheriffs van in 1992. Ivan Gonzales, 52, and wife Veronica Gonzalez, 49, were convicted of torture and murder of her 4-year-old niece, who had been scalded to death in a bathtub in 1995. Jaime Hoyos, 60, was convicted of killing a marijuana distributor and his wife and injuring their 3-year-old son in their Jamul home in 1992. Bryan Jones, 56, was convicted of strangling two women, and trying to kill two others, who survived to testify against him. All the crimes occurred in 1985 and 1986. Robert Jurado, 48, was one of three people convicted of killing a pregnant woman when she was strangled, beaten with a tire jack and left to die in Balboa Park in 1991. David Lucas, 63, was convicted of three murders, including slashing the throats of a mother and her 3-year-old son in their Normal Heights home in 1979, and the death of university student who disappeared after her car ran out of gas in La Mesa in 1984. Kurt Michaels, 52, was convicted in the 1988 throat-slashing murder of his girlfriends mother in Escondido. Calvin Parker, 49, was convicted of raping and killing his female roommate in their Morena District apartment in 2000, then covering it up by cutting off her fingers and placing her bloodless body in a trash can. Cleophus Prince, 52, was convicted of murdering six women who were stabbed to death in their homes in Clairemont, University City and East San Diego between January and September 1990. Jean Pierre Rices, 37, pleaded guilty to killing two people at an El Cajon liquor store in 2006. Ramon Rogers, 58, was convicted of killing two former girlfriends and a male friend in 1993. Rogers was arrested in 1996 after police discovered body parts in a storage area at his College Area apartment. Rudolph Roybal, 62, was convicted of stabbing and slitting the throat of a 65-year-old woman in her Oceanside home in 1989. Richard Samayoa, 66, was convicted of fatally bludgeoning a South San Diego neighbor and her 2-year-old daughter in 1985. Brandon Taylor, 45, was convicted of raping and murdering an 80-year-old neighbor in her North Park home in 1995. Correll Thomas, 45, was convicted of beating a neighbor to death, then three weeks later using a submachine gun to kill a stranger who had smiled at his girlfriend in 1996. Derlyn Threats, 37, was found guilty of killing a young mother after she interrupted a mid-morning robbery in her Vista home in 2005. Billy Ray Waldon, 67, was convicted of three 1985 murders and 21 other crimes, including rape, following a trial in he which acted as his own attorney. The slaying victims included a 42-year-old woman and her 13-year-old daughter. Randall Wall, 50, was convicted of killing an elderly couple in their Clairemont home during a 1992 robbery. Latwon Weaver, 50, was found guilty of killing a Vista jewelry store owner during a 1992 robbery. David Westerfield, 67, was convicted in one of the regions most notorious cases the murder of Danielle van Dam, 7, a neighbor who went missing from her home in Sabre Springs in 2002. George Williams, 63, was found guilty in 2004 of kidnapping a 14-year-old girl from her Chula Vista home in April 1986, then raping and strangling her, and dumping her body in Barrio Logan. DNA led to his arrest. Jeffrey Young, 44, was convicted of killing two people during a botched 1999 robbery in a parking lot near Lindbergh Field. teri.figueroa@sduniontribune.com (760) 529-4945 Twitter: @TeriFigueroaUT Beto ORourke entered the presidential race Thursday among the least credentialed, least experienced candidates in a crowded Democratic pack but also among those generating the most buzz. The former three-term Texas congressman is well-positioned at a time when Democrats are desperate for a new approach, fresh ideas and an infusion of charisma. The candidate whose signature achievement was galvanizing Democrats behind a Senate campaign he ultimately lost will quickly test how willing the partys voters are to eschew political pedigree and policy experience for optimism and eloquent energy. This is a defining moment of truth for this country and for every single one of us, ORourke said in a video announcing his candidacy. The challenges that we face right now, the interconnected crises in our economy, our democracy and our climate have never been greater. They will either consume us, or they will afford us the greatest opportunity to unleash the genius of the United States of America, he added. Advertisement He has planned a series of events over the next several days in Iowa, which will hold the first voting in the Democratic nominating season next February. At the first event, in Keokuk, he embraced some parts of the standard Democratic creed, saying for example that every woman should be able to make her own decisions about her own body. But he also took some stands notably more restrained than his rivals, such as endorsing a minimum-wage increase to $15 within the next six years. Asked about marijuana legalization, which he favors, he told the overwhelmingly white crowd that people imprisoned on marijuana charges mostly do not look like this room. They are browner and blacker than most of America. Later, in Burlington, he displayed a characteristic trait avoiding specific commitments on policy questions. Asked by a voter about proposals to change the composition and character of the Supreme Court, he said, Thats an idea we should explore. He went on to note that some have advocated term limits for Supreme Court justices. That is an idea worth exploring as well, he said. Unlike some of his campaign rivals, however, ORourkes presidential bid is not built around policy positions. The former congressman, 46, captivated the attention of Democrats last year when his long-shot bid to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz galvanized a national political movement. He fell short. That would have been a serious career setback for most politicians, if not a career-ender. But in ORourkes case, the national momentum behind him morphed into a clamor for a presidential launch. Whos in the race, and whos on the fence? Whether it is gliding on his skateboard across a Whataburger parking lot or delivering an impassioned address about the horrors Central American immigrants face in their journey to the U.S., ORourke draws an immense audience for everything he does. Democrats nationwide were so enthralled by him during his Senate campaign that they dug into their pockets to propel ORourkes run with nearly $80 million in mostly small-dollar donations nearly double what the incumbent raised. In the end, although he lost, ORourke came closer to unseating a Republican senator than any Texas Democrat had done in 40 years. If the candidate can draw crowds and dollars at a similar pace in the presidential primary elections, he will be a considerable force. But ORourke has jumped onto a very different stage than the one he commanded in Texas, where the only candidate providing contrast was universally despised by Democrats. It is going to be much more difficult to differentiate himself from these candidates who are all running in a similar vein as Beto they all are standing up for something too, said Matt Barreto, co-founder of Latino Decisions, a polling and research firm that works for several liberal groups. This is not like campaigning against Ted Cruz. You have this field full of candidates Democrats will also find likable. Its hard to read the tea leaves for where this is going. One important distinction is ORourkes apparent ability to mobilize large numbers of new voters, particularly disaffected young people and Latinos, Barreto said. The rate at which ORourke succeeded in luring such voters to the polls in Texas, especially in urban areas, makes some party activists believe that he is uniquely suited to rebuild the coalition former President Obama twice rode to victory. ORourke counts some of the masterminds behind the Obama political machine among his admirers. They say they see in him some of the same traits they did in the former president. Theres an authenticity factor, said David Axelrod, who was Obamas longtime political advisor. Theres a hipness factor thats galvanizing a lot of people. Even as former Obama aides praise him, ORourkes potential candidacy has drawn fire from supporters of other presidential hopefuls, especially backers of Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. ORourkes innovative digital approach, absence of polls and focus groups, and cult following of new voters have echoes of the campaign Sanders began four years ago. That could set the Texan up as a rival to Sanders for the affections of millennial voters. Perhaps not surprisingly then, many Sanders backers have taken to social media for weeks to point out that ORourkes voting record is far more moderate than his progressive image might imply. Sanders Iowa director from the 2016 race, Pete DAlessandro, says the fact that the field is already packed with vibrant candidates shrinks the void an unorthodox candidate like ORourke would otherwise fill. That might be his struggle, DAlessandro said. Candidacies like his usually take off if nothing else is happening. Beto ORourkes grass-roots run for Senate is captured in the HBO documentary Running With Beto. (Charlie Gross / HBO) Another potential problem for ORourke is what some critics have dubbed a weirdness factor. ORourke followed his Senate loss with a prolonged period of self-reflection and ambivalence that hardly seemed to position him for a presidential run. He posted on Medium about his malaise, shared Instagram photos of his dental checkup, shunned media attention as he traveled middle America, and in the only national interview he granted during that time seemed flummoxed about how to fix the nations immigration system. But though that period of wandering may not have played particularly well in the states with early primaries, ORourke seemed to have little problem bouncing back to once again become a center of attention. He returned to the public stage in early February in an interview in Times Square with Oprah Winfrey, during which the host almost pleaded with ORourke to enter the race. Soon after, the enthusiasm for ORourke generated another big media moment, as he starred in a counter-rally to an event President Trump held in El Paso, ORourkes hometown. Trumps visit played into ORourkes hands. El Pasos ranking among the safest cities in the U.S. has been a long-running narrative for ORourke, a fact-check against Trumps exaggerated claims about danger on the border. Trumps mocking of the former congressman that night, of course, merely boosted ORourkes credibility with Democratic primary voters. As other candidates worried about not being recognized on the streets in key primary states, ORourke was being followed around El Paso by celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz. He speaks to Democratic hearts. But is Beto ORourke a serious White House contender? The slim, animated Texan has built his movement around an unorthodox campaign style that infuses confrontation with inspiration and a loose, informal approach on the stump that builds into motivational speechifying. During his Senate campaign, ORourke drew crowds of thousands to rallies in border towns that were an afterthought to Texas politicians before him. He harnessed the anger of voters outraged by Trumps demand for a border wall and his administrations separation of immigrant children from their parents at the border, and used his social media and organizing savvy to channel that fervor into a movement. At the same time, he obsessively parachuted into deeply conservative rural towns to build what connections he could. The exhaustive undertaking earned ORourke the respect of swing voters and praise from progressives who had long complained Democrats left votes on the table by only campaigning in the predictable places. That is also a style that plays well in the Iowa caucuses, the first contest of the primary season where victory sometimes launches presidential careers, as it did for Obama. Beto is a tailor-made Iowa candidate, said Dan Pfeiffer, a former Obama advisor. He ran Texas like a giant Iowa campaign visiting every county, retail politics. Times staff writer Janet Hook contributed to this report. Evan.Halper@latimes.com As a self-described Republican dirty trickster, Roger Stone spent decades gleefully and gratuitously inspiring ire among his critics and opponents. Now the longtime political advisor to President Trump is struggling to stay in the good graces of U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson while awaiting trial in the Russia investigation. For the record: This article refers to Roger Stone as a self-described dirty trickster. Stone has not used those words to describe himself, but has acknowledged that its a widely used label that Im stuck with. He appeared to get a reprieve Thursday when he returned to Jacksons courtroom for a status conference. There were no fireworks over whether Stone had violated her gag order with the release of his book The Myth of Russian Collusion. Jackson instead set a trial date of Nov. 5. Stones legal team will review nine terabytes of potential evidence collected by prosecutors if printed, enough paper to be stacked twice as high as the Washington Monument, according to one of his lawyers. Advertisement Stone faces seven charges involving lying to the House Intelligence Committee about his conversations involving WikiLeaks, the organization that released thousands of hacked Democratic Party emails during the 2016 presidential campaign. He has pleaded not guilty. Thursdays hearing occurred as new signs suggested special counsel Robert S. Mueller III was wrapping up his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential race and whether the Trump campaign cooperated with the Kremlin. Top prosecutor Andrew Weissmann is leaving the office in the near future, spokesman Peter Carr said, following other members of Muellers team who recently departed. Weissmann may return to the New York University School of Law, where hes taught in the past. We have been talking with him about returning to the law school following his current commitments, spokesman Michael Orey said. If Mueller closes up shop soon, Stones trial likely will be handled by the U.S. attorneys office in Washington, which also has worked on the case. Stone angered Jackson last month with an inflammatory Instagram post that included a crosshairs symbol next to her head. In response, Jackson tightened an earlier gag order and barred Stone from saying almost anything in public about the case. He ended up in hot water again because he failed to disclose the imminent publication of the book, an updated version of a political tome released shortly after the election. It includes a new introduction that calls Mueller crooked. An exasperated Jackson demanded more information about the book, and Stones lawyers asked her forgiveness in a court filing on Monday. Having been scolded, we seek only to defend Mr. Stone and move ahead without further ado, they wrote. Jackson has strictly policed gag-order infractions in separate cases involving Paul Manafort and Richard Gates, the chairman and deputy chairman of Trumps campaign. On Wednesday, she sentenced Manafort, who had pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges, to 3 additional years in prison, bringing his total sentence to 7 years. In their latest court filing, Stones lawyers submitted emails about the book, which was originally called The Making of the President 2016. The publisher pitched the idea for an update in December as a way for Stone to set the record straight, clear his name, reach a wider audience and make some money. Stone was underwhelmed, complaining that the original printing didnt sell well and never even recaptured the promotional costs. He added, I have no confidence I would make a penny. Fox News courts advertisers after brands flee Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham But with the help of his lawyer, Grant Smith, who also represents him in the Russia investigation, Stone negotiated a deal to write a new introduction and reprint the book with a new title. On Jan. 13, Stone emailed Tony Lyons of Skyhorse Publishing to say he was putting the final touches on the introduction and its substantially longer and better than the draft sent to me by your folks. Better or not, Stones language in the introduction risked violating the judges gag order, which was tightened on Feb. 21. It was only then that Smith began demanding more information about the books release to figure out what to tell the judge. The mere publication of the new portions of the book could land Roger in jail for contempt of the judges order, Smith wrote to the publisher on Feb. 26. I need this immediately. This is not some made-up emergency. Lyons told him that about 14,000 copies had been shipped across the country and an electronic version had already been made available online long before the gag order. So we should be good, right? Lyons wrote in an email. Hopefully, Smith responded. There was no discussion at Thursdays hearing about an Instagram post highlighted by prosecutors. The March 3 post showed a picture of Stone and the question Who Framed Roger Stone? a homage to the popular 1988 live action/animated feature film Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Stones gag order allows him to profess his innocence and raise money for his legal defense fund, but hes otherwise barred from commenting about his case in public. He has demanded goddamned steam to power the Navys aircraft carriers and prefers a wall to drones and other technology to secure the countrys southern border. He has rejected the scientific consensus on climate change and repeatedly, wrongly, pointed to occasional wintry weather as proof that hes right. And this week, amid a safety scare involving Boeings 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 airplanes, President Trump complained that modern jets are too complex to fly. He added: I see it all the time in many products. Always seeking to go one unnecessary step further, when often old and simpler is far better. The president, a septuagenarian who tweets yet doesnt email, text or use computers, and openly marvels at the invention of the wheel, is not shy about his old-school attitude toward technology. That backward-looking approach is at the core of his nostalgia-based appeal to voters longing for a supposedly better, simpler era of American greatness. Advertisement Yet this worldview represents a break from the generally futuristic stance of Trumps predecessors in his lifetime. His most recent comments in a pair of tweets Tuesday morning alluding to the Boeing models involved in two calamitous crashes in six months cast into vivid relief the puzzling, even perilous mind-set of a 21st-century chief executive so stubbornly change-averse and all but indifferent to technological advancement in an era of intense global competition. It is profoundly concerning, and its not just about scientific evidence but evidence more broadly, said John P. Holdren, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy during the Obama administration. He just says and tweets whatever he thinks from his gut, not from data or evidence or facts. And thats extremely dangerous dangerous in terms of national security, foreign relations, all kinds of areas. There are 87,000 flights a day in the United States, Holdren added. We prove 87,000 times every day that planes are not too complex to fly. Whatever the cause of the latest crash Sunday in Ethiopia that killed everyone on board, following the catastrophic accident in Indonesia in October, Trump waited until Wednesday afternoon to order the MAX models to be grounded indefinitely pending investigation. Fifty-one nations, including the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, already had ordered the planes out of service, and members of Congress in both parties urged the administration to do so as well. Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg, who donated to Trumps inaugural committee and traveled with him to Hanoi last month to celebrate orders for MAX planes from three Vietnamese airlines, spoke with the president Tuesday after his tweets about the alleged danger of planes complexity. The company has been planning to update the flight control system in 737-MAX jets to fix issues with a stall prevention system. When Boeings 787 Dreamliner model had a battery fire problem in 2013, during the Obama administration, the Federal Aviation Administration grounded the aircraft for six weeks until a fix was in place. Yet fire incidents continued into 2014, prompting Trump to tweet in March of that year, Lithium ion batteries should not be allowed to be used in aircraft. I wont fly on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner it uses those batteries. In his tweet Tuesday, Trump complained that planes are so complicated they require computer scientists from MIT, and added, I dont know about you, but I dont want Albert Einstein to be my pilot. That provoked a parody from The Onion, a satirical website. President Donald Trump complained Tuesday about the overly complicated controls needed to operate modern-day doors, its purported news story said, quoting the president as having groused: The only Americans who know how to operate these complex doors are MIT engineers and rocket scientists, and regular people cant go inside or outside anymore. Trumps rivals arent amused. Evidence and science are not as popular in this administration, but our lives depend on this administrations ability to understand and process this information, said Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Ind., who, at 37, is the youngest of about a dozen declared Democratic presidential candidates. Your crazy uncle can be amusing, but when you put him in charge it can really leave you at a disadvantage. Under Trump, the FAA hasnt had a permanent administrator for 14 months. The president, who owns a Boeing 757 and considered naming his private pilot to lead the regulatory agency, has long been fascinated with aviation and unabashed about sharing his opinions on air safety. Still, he has proposed cutting the funding for the agency each year. His just-released fiscal 2020 budget proposal would curb spending for the Department of Transportation by nearly a quarter. Trump is a real estate guy, not a technology person. His administration has been slow to react to many digital developments, said Darrell M. West, director of the Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution. It wasnt until January that the Senate confirmed Kelvin Droegemeier, an extreme-weather expert, to serve as the presidents top science and technology advisor, leaving the job vacant for nearly two years. Trump didnt nominate anyone until last August. Droegemeiers job is to advise the president on federal research spending and policies in areas including artificial intelligence, climate, medicine and cybersecurity. His appointment came long after Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris climate accord in 2017 and ended a number of Obama administration regulations aimed at combating climate change. Congress has mostly ignored his proposed reductions in scientific research investments. In February, Trump signed an executive order outlining a national strategy on artificial intelligence that called for increasing access to federal data, providing financial support for research and development, enhancing digital infrastructures, and improving workforce development. The order did not include additional funding to accomplish those goals, however. Thats a dangerous mixed message the president is sending, said West, who noted that Chinas investment in artificial intelligence technology far exceeds that of the U.S. Trump seems slow to take advantage of the opportunities of technology and doesnt worry enough about the risks in terms of national security and economic competitiveness. Chinas president, Xi Jinping, has set a goal of surpassing the United States technologically by the year 2030. The core theme of this president and this campaign is the idea that you can turn back the clock, that you can make America great again, that the answer for people worried about change is were going to stop it and reverse it and thats just not true and its just not possible, said Buttigieg, whose generational appeal is part of his presidential pitch. Theres obviously a shallow appeal to leaders telling us we dont have to change, he said. But at a moment when automation and AI are deeply transforming our economy and our society, wed like to believe we have leaders who get it. On another defining issue, Trump proudly expresses his skepticism that humans are contributing to climate change. Asked last year whether hed seen his own administrations dire forecast on the potential impact of global warming, Trump replied, I dont believe it. During a rollicking, partisan address this month at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Trump mocked Democrats for proposing a Green New Deal, joking that a shift to wind energy would impede his ability to watch television on breeze-less days. Anti-intellectualism has been quite common in American political culture for a very long time, said Emrys Westacott, a professor of philosophy at Alfred University in New York. Trump is probably the most extreme example of a president who consciously tries to manipulate and exploit the resentment felt by those who feel they are being left out or looked down upon by the elites. Noting that the president gets quite a lot of support from communities where traditional jobs have disappeared due to automation, Westcott said, Of course, Trump prefers to blame immigrants or unfair foreign competition, or companies that move operations overseas. He added: I suspect that people are somewhat aware that automation is actually a major factor bringing about the decline of certain sorts of work, and manage to suppress this awareness when Trump announces to cheers that he will revive industries like coal mining and steel. The latest from Washington More stories from Eli Stokols John Chiang had hoped to be Californias first Asian American governor. But after coming up short in a distant fifth place finish in last years primary, the 56-year-old Democrat took some time away from politics. Now, he says, hes ready to help other candidates of his background win more contested seats and increase their political clout nationwide. In an email to supporters Thursday, Chiang said hes launching a political action committee aimed at electing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across the country, with a particular focus on congressional seats. We want to build a more inclusive America. For too long, Asian Americans have not had the political infrastructure like so many other communities to be as successful in the political arena, Chiang said in an interview. Advertisement The PAC, ElectAAPI.org, hopes to amass a seven-figure war chest for the 2020 cycle and plans to give directly to federal candidates as well as use independent expenditures to influence races. The group also wants to help mobilize Asian American voters, the fastest growing racial group in the electorate. Citing what it called growing racism, xenophobia and intolerance being perpetuated by the GOP, the PACs website said it will support only Democratic candidates. Chiang, the son of Taiwanese immigrants, spent more than two decades in public office and won statewide races for controller and then treasurer, in part thanks to his low-key style and knack for retail politicking. I want to use my deep involvement and my history of building relationships to try to provide that outreach, that opportunity so that each Asian American candidate doesnt have to reinvent the wheel, Chiang said. He hopes his new group can help sustain the momentum Asian Americans demonstrated in the midterms. According to election eve polling from Asian American Decisions, Asian Americans reported an unprecedented level of engagement nationwide and broke decisively for Democratic candidates in congressional races. Karthick Ramakrishnan, a professor of public policy and political science at UC Riverside, says Asian Americans overwhelmingly supported Democrats both in their votes and in their dollars in 2018. This PAC is part of a larger trend over the last decade of Asian Americans getting more organized in terms of their campaign contributions and strategically deploying them around the country to get more Asian Americans elected. As Democrats look to defend their gains in the House in 2020, theyll also need to engage voters in a number of Asian-heavy districts that flipped, such as Orange Countys 39th Congressional District, where Asian Americans make up about a third of residents. There are currently 20 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders serving in Congress, a high water mark. Eight are from California, including newly elected Rep. TJ Cox, who is of Chinese and Filipino heritage. Chiang says he wants his organization to focus on supporting Asian American candidates in tough races and is not opposed to weighing in during primaries. Obviously, we care about candidates who are going to stand up and fight on issues of immigration, on healthcare and education, so if theres a clear difference on those issues we may very well jump in, Chiang said. Were not looking to join the bandwagon. Were trying to create a future. christine.maiduc@latimes.com For more on California politics, follow @cmaiduc. Give Gov. Gavin Newsom credit: He had the guts to act on his convictions and declare a moratorium on the death penalty in California. It may be virtually moot. California hasnt executed a murderer since 2006 and doesnt even have an approved method for administering lethal injection. The state has executed only 13 since it reinstated capital punishment in 1978. But Newsoms action stands in stark contrast to two other prominent California Democrats who oppose the death penalty U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris and former Gov. Jerry Brown. Harris and Brown remained utterly mute when death penalty repeals were on the ballot in 2012 and 2016. Both measures failed narrowly, probably because they lacked support from the political top. As Californias attorney general, Harris even defended the death penalty in court. Advertisement Harris example is the most relevant because shes now running for president as a fighting liberal. As attorney general, she was anything but on capital punishment. On Wednesday, Harris praised Newsoms announcement that he wouldnt allow any executions during his time as governor. She called capital punishment immoral, discriminatory, ineffective and a gross misuse of taxpayer dollars. But Harris took a hike when there were ballot initiatives to resentence every murderer on death row to life without the possibility of parole. Neither did she take a position on a rival measure to expedite the death penalty. It narrowly passed. Harris excuse was that it was her ministerial duty to write the official title and summary for ballot propositions. So she didnt want to taint her work by supporting or opposing measures. But except for her predecessor, Jerry Brown, all previous attorneys general had taken positions on ballot measures. More from George Skelton Her real motive in not fighting to repeal the death penalty, it seemed, was to avoid making political enemies among a key constituency: law enforcement. Brown has been a lifelong opponent of the death penalty. But in 2012 the then-governor was pushing his soak the rich ballot initiative, and in 2016 was sponsoring a ballot measure to reduce prison sentences. He figured that thrusting himself into the death penalty fight could jeopardize his own ballot measures. Then-Lt. Gov. Newsom publicly supported both death penalty repeals. As for political leaders who stayed on the sidelines, he told me in 2015: It frustrates me no end. I get the politics, but. Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a news conference at the California State Capitol on Wednesday in Sacramento. Newsom announced a moratorium on Californias death penalty. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images) While Newsom deserves kudos for acting on his convictions The intentional killing of another person is wrong he opened himself up to attack for ignoring the voters. Theyve decided twice in the last eight years to keep the death penalty. Coverage of California politics When a governor solemnly swears to support and defend the state Constitution and faithfully discharge the duties of office, is that for real or just a throwaway line? With one stroke of the governors pen, he has defied the will of the people, state Senate Minority Leader Shannon Grove of Bakersfield charged. That was a common reaction of Republicans. But Grove also said that Newsom acted well within his authority to impose a moratorium on the death penalty. Theres undoubtedly enough counterargument for a court challenge. The state Constitution says that all death penalty statutes are in full force and effect, subject to legislative amendment or repeal by statute, initiative or referendum. It doesnt say anything about a governor halting capital punishment by declaring a moratorium. The Constitution does provide gubernatorial power to grant a reprieve. Is that similar to a commutation, which requires approval by the state Supreme Court if the prisoner is a two-time felon? Judges may be asked. Were in unchartered territory. The last governor to call a moratorium on capital punishment was Browns father, Pat Brown, in 1960. At his son Jerrys urging, he briefly stayed the execution of convicted robber, rapist and kidnapper Caryl Chessman, the Red Light Bandit, and asked the Legislature for an official moratorium. It refused. For that I was called every foul name in the book, Pat Brown wrote in his autobiography. My family was booed in public. My political stock fell so low that there was talk of a recall. Then when I followed the law and the will of the people and allowed Chessman to be executed, the reaction was equally intense. Pat Brown opposed the death penalty. But he sent 36 to the gas chamber while commuting the sentences of 23 to life imprisonment. He recalled that the issue seriously damaged my political future. Newsoms political future will probably be helped, at least among Democrats who have been veering left as fast as the GOP has been careening right. This should raise the new governors national profile. The temporary reprieve of 737 condemned inmates on San Quentins death row was the big flashy act that we were awaiting from Newsom. Its his style. The first example was his allowing same-sex couples to marry when it was illegal. He did that in 2004 shortly after becoming mayor of San Francisco. The bold act led to gay marriage becoming legal across the country. The most straightforward way to end capital punishment is for the Legislature to pass a constitutional amendment and place it on the ballot. Assemblyman Marc Levine (D-San Rafael) introduced such an amendment Wednesday. It will require a two-thirds vote in each house a long reach. But this time therell be a governor helping the fight. george.skelton@latimes.com Follow @LATimesSkelton on Twitter An immigrant is a person who is coming into a country to become a citizen, who wasnt born there nor had been made a citizen by virtue of his/her parents citizenship (like me). Since l was born abroad of two American citizens, my American parents went to the American Embassy before my 18th birthday and made me an American citizen, documenting their own American citizenship at the time. I did the same for two of my children who were born abroad. My brother-in-laws parents forgot to take this step and when he went to the airport to go to the U.S. and enter the university in Texas, just after his 18th birthday, he was asked to present his passport. When he was not able to show a passport, he was told that he would not be able to enter the U.S. until he had some sort of legal passport which would prove his American citizenship. He ended up serving in the U. S. Army for two years so that he could obtain his American citizenship and finally start college a few years late! My mother helped quite a few immigrants through the process of legal immigration into the U.S., and these were two very important steps taken as she helped them fill out all the needed documents: Proof that one had no criminal record in their country of birth. Advertisement Proof that one had someone in America who would be financially responsible in case the immigrant needed any kind of help for the first two years of living in the U.S. (like housing and/or food). Thus, the immigrant would not be a burden to America while seeking a job and living arrangements. Another interesting fact about immigration into the U.S. is that America used a quota system in the early 1900s. Both ones Irish and Italian ancestors had to go through a quota system because so many of them wanted to escape famine and poverty, and head for the lure of the American Dream. However, due to slow job growth and then the Great Depression, America was trying to protect the jobs of American citizens, so the number of immigrants had to be slowed down, and for that reason, there was a limit or quota each year during that period in U.S. history. Many immigrants needed help to fill out the other documents required to show their personal history. Upon completion of the process, my mother also helped the aspiring citizens learn the Pledge of Allegiance! She was often working through her patriotic organizations (DAR, Daughters of Founders and Patriots, etc.). When the folks got their citizenship papers, they held a very nice celebration program and each person was introduced to the audience. At the end, they said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the American Anthem. Since the extremely large thrust of immigrants these days are at our border with Mexico, it appears urgent that barriers should be constructed so that immigrants can do the citizenship process in an orderly fashion and not try to enter illegally. In fact, the immigrants should not be allowed to enter the country at all until the whole process is finished. Also, there exists the great threat of illegal drugs, criminals, and people doing sex-trafficking who will be stopped by a very good system of barriers, both physical ones, electronic types, and hidden camera systems that will help the Border Patrol. Many, many of the crimes committed by undocumented people are repeat offenses because those same criminals return repeatedly in unprotected border areas. The drug cartels also dig intricate tunnels to bring in their drugs. Theres no possible way for [author] Mr. [Don] Winslow to know or even estimate the number of drugs and criminal illegals that enter the U.S. via hidden tunnels or other methods. And it is patently ridiculous, both for President Trump and Mr. Winslow, to compare these barriers with the Great Wall of China. All citizens who live near the existing barrier systems praise them profusely. Also, any citizen who has been personally and adversely affected by illegal drugs and/or criminal illegals would ask how you would react if it happened to you! Pitney is a resident of Del Cerro. The decision by state Sen. Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, to pull a bill sponsored by City Attorney Mara Elliott that would have made it more difficult to obtain public records is a triumph for transparency. Senate Bill 615 would have required those seeking public records to meet and confer with government officials before suing for access to records, and also required that to win such a lawsuit, the party suing must prove an agency knowingly, willfully and without substantial justification failed to respond to a request for records, creating a high bar. Elliott argued that governments are overwhelmed by records requests and cited a case in which the city was forced to pay $158,000 in legal fees because of an inadvertent error made by an employee on one request. But as The San Diego Union-Tribunes Greg Moran detailed on Twitter, thats a simplified explanation of a major mistake for which the city was sharply rebuked by an appeals court. Whatever Elliotts intentions, her bill made the bizarre presumption that government agencies can always be counted on to handle records requests in good faith. Agencies sometimes hide information. Its why public records laws exist. Its why Huesos and Elliotts advocacy for this bill wont be forgotten. Theres an obvious reason Mayor Kevin Faulconer and a unanimous City Council so quickly decided to oppose the legislation: It was awful. Good riddance. Advertisement Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: San Diego Union-Tribune Ideas & Opinion Northbrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/14/2019 -- The report "Activated Carbon Market by Type (Powdered, Granular, Others (Pelletized, Bead)), Application (Liquid Phase (Water Treatment, Foods & Beverages, Pharmaceutical & Medical), Gaseous Phase (Industrial, Automotive)), Region - Global Forecast to 2021", The global activated carbon market was valued at USD 4.74 Billion in 2015 and is projected to reach USD 8.12 Billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 9.4% from 2016 to 2021. The market size in terms of volume was 2,743.4 KT in 2015, and is projected to reach 3857.9 KT by 2021, at a CAGR of 8.4% from 2016 to 2021. Browse 156 market data tables and 47 figures spread through 181 pages and in-depth TOC on "Activated Carbon Market - Global Forecast to 2021" Downlad PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=362 This growth is propelled by the stringent government regulations across the globe to mitigate emissions, mainly the removal of mercury and hydrogen sulfide, and for industrial wastewater treatment. The demand for activated carbon for industrial applications for decolorization and deodorization operations is expected to be high. Powdered Activated Carbon: The largest activated carbon market, by type The market for powdered activated carbon is the largest in the global activated carbon market, followed by the market for granular activated carbon. The demand for powdered activated carbon is mainly fueled by the increasing applications of activated carbon in end-use industries such as, chemical, petrochemical, foods & beverages, and for decolorization and deodorization applications. Get 10% FREE Customization on this Report @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=362 Liquid Phase Application: The largest application market for activated carbon The liquid phase application is the largest application of activated carbon. Activated carbon is widely used in liquid phase applications such as, industrial water treatment and municipal water treatment, the chemical industry, pharmaceutical industry, and foods & beverages industry. Applications of activated carbon for decolorization, deodorization, and solvent recovery are expected to drive the demand for activated carbon during the forecast period. Asia-Pacific: The largest market for activated carbon The Asia-Pacific region was the largest market for activated carbon, in terms of value and volume, in 2015. Industrial growth in countries such as, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand, increased investments in chemical, petrochemical, oil & gas, foods & beverages industries are the key factors driving the Asia-Pacific region market. The Calgon Carbon Corporation (U.S), Osaka Gas Co. Ltd (Japan), Cabot Corporation (U.S), Haycarb PLC (Sri Lanka), Kuraray Chemical Co. Ltd ( Japan), KUREHA CORPORATION (Japan), Donau Carbon GmbH (Germany), Silcarbon Aktivkohle GmbH (Germany), and Oxbow Activated Carbon LLC (U.S) are the major activated carbon producers covered in the report. About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. 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. M&M's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" 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. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers. We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository. Contact: Mr. Rohan Markets and Markets UNIT no 802, Tower no. 7, SEZ Magarpatta city, Hadapsar Pune, Maharashtra 411013, India 1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Los Angeles, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/14/2019 -- Adult milk powder is mainly marketed for providing nutrition, such as necessary vitamins and minerals, for the adult group. Adult milk powder, targeted at the adult, provides the nutrition supplement for the group. Global leading milk powder manufacturers are actively expanding their adult milk powder business. Some leaders, like Abbott, Nestle, commonly launch specific brand for specific region. Consumption of adult milk powder mainly concentrates in Europe. In 2016, the consumption volume of adult milk powder in the region reached 104385 MT, holding 28.53% market share globally. The second consumer is USA, with 18.42% share. Global consumption of Adult milk powder increased from 306127 MT in 2012 to 365880 MT in 2016 with the CAGR of 4.56%. Get PDF template of this report: https://www.qyresearch.com/sample-form/form/949312/global-adult-milk-powder-depth-research-report As for adult milk powder suppliers, each supplier owns their key sales regions. Abbott places USA as their first sales place, while many suppliers from Australia and New Zealand take China as their key market. Adult milk powder suppliers should play attention on the local region consumption characteristic and provides appropriate products to consumers. Adult milk powders offer people in various life stages with different nutritional requirements. With the improvement of life quality, more and more people lay emphasis on their health and nutrition, stimulating the demand of dairy products. The global Adult Milk Powder market is valued at 3890 million US$ in 2018 is expected to reach 5080 million US$ by the end of 2025, growing at a CAGR of 3.4% during 2019-2025. This report focuses on Adult Milk Powder volume and value at global level, regional level and company level. From a global perspective, this report represents overall Adult Milk Powder 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: Abbott Nestle Anlene Murray Goulburn Regilait Yili Fasska Yashily Vreugdenhil Dairy Anchor GMP Feihe Tatura Ausino Products Wondersun Able Food Sdn Bhd Mengniu Anmum Malaysia Segment by Regions North America Europe China Japan Segment by Type Whole Milk Powder Skim Milk Powder Segment by Application Age 18-35 Age 35-55 Age >55 Get Complete Report in your Inbox within 24 hours: https://www.qyresearch.com/customize-request/form/949312/global-adult-milk-powder-depth-research-report About QYResearch QYResearch always pursuits high product quality with the belief that quality is the soul of business. Through years of effort and supports from the huge number of customer supports, QYResearch consulting group has accumulated creative design methods on many high-quality markets investigation and research team with rich experience. Today, QYResearch has become the brand of quality assurance in the consulting industry. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/14/2019 -- Ambulatory surgery is defined as surgical and diagnostic intervention that does not require overnight hospital stay. The ambulatory surgery has been increasingly adopted by patient population in Europe owing to its safe, high quality, cost-effective and time saving approach to perform surgical interventions. In addition, advancements in technologies that enables healthcare professionals to perform multiple minimally invasive surgical procedures in a single day further drives the market growth in Europe. View Report- https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/europe-ambulatory-surgical-emergency-center-services-market.html For example, advent of minimally invasive surgeries such as laparoscopic procedures has permitted complex surgeries such as gallbladder, hysterectomy surgeries to be done in reduced amount of time. However, factors such as lack of adequate medical facilities and favorable reimbursement policies for inpatient surgeries as compared to outpatient surgeries might impede the growth of Europe ambulatory surgical and emergency center services market. In 2013, the orthopedic surgeries segment accounted for the largest share. Dominance of this market segment was majorly due to high cost of procedures coupled with rising prevalence of arthroscopic procedures. The ophthalmology surgeries segment is expected to grow at the highest growth rate during the forecast period from 2014 to 2020. Factors such as rising number of ophthalmology procedures performed and increasing number of cataract, diabetic retinopathy and other ophthalmology surgeries are supporting the growth of this market segment in the European region. In terms of market volume, ophthalmology segment recorded the highest number of ambulatory procedures and is expected to dominate the market in future. Request A Sample- https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=3676 Growing number of ophthalmology procedures that can be done on a daily basis coupled with advancement in ophthalmology ambulatory surgical procedures will help this segment to record high revenue. Moreover, orthopedic surgeries recorded second highest number of ambulatory procedures in 2013. The growth of this segment is due to persistent rise in geriatric population coupled with growing trend of minimally invasive surgeries that helps large number of orthopedic surgeries to be done on ambulatory basis. U.K. dominated the Europe ambulatory surgical and emergency center services market in 2013. The dominance of this region was mainly attributed to rising government and medical professional bodies' initiatives to promote ambulatory services in the country. For instance, in November 2014, the British Association of Day Surgery in collaboration with the Healthcare Conferences UK (HCUK) organized an event titled "Improving Quality in Day Surgery". This event aims at discussing new way to improve quality of day surgery in European countries such as the U.K. and Germany. Rest of the Europe (RoE) accounted for the highest number of ambulatory surgeries performed in 2013 and is projected to dominate the market during the forecast period from 2014 to 2020. Rising number of day surgeries performed in countries such as Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden and other regions will help Rest of Europe to record high number of ambulatory surgeries. Request Brochure- https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=3676 Some of the key players having presence in the Europe Ambulatory Surgical and Emergency Center market are Community Health Systems, Inc., IntegraMed America, Inc., Nueterra Healthcare, Terveystalo Healthcare Oyj, Symbion, Inc., AmSurg Corporation, Medical Facilities Corporation, Surgery Partners, Healthway Medical Corporation Ltd., Eifelhoehen-Klinik AG and others. Among these players, companies such as Community Health Systems, Inc., Healthway Medical Corporation Ltd. and Medical Facilities Corporation have the presence in majority of ambulatory surgeries. SPIT lab leading the effort to analyze hair, expand research on puberty AMES, Iowa - Puberty is something we all go through and yet there is limited science to explain what is happening inside our bodies during this transition, and how it affects our physical and mental health. The research that does exist focuses primarily on girls and often ignores the changes for boys, African Americans and LGBTQ youth, said Elizabeth "Birdie" Shirtcliff, an associate professor of human development and family studies at Iowa State University. She is part of teams of researchers working to expand our understanding of puberty. "Puberty is a normal process, but how you go through puberty can really set your life off on a different trajectory," Shirtcliff said. "There are risks for early development including anxiety, depression, social problems and physical health problems, such as cancer." For a special section in the Journal of Research on Adolescence, Shirtcliff and her co-authors look at why there is a lack of research on puberty in understudied populations and the potential consequences. In a second paper, they examine factors that may influence cognitive and hormonal changes during puberty. The special issue also identifies questions to tackle with future research. Hair may hold the answer As director of the Stress Physiology Investigative Team (SPIT) Laboratory at Iowa State, Shirtcliff and a team of graduate and undergraduate students are analyzing hair samples to study how hormones and environmental factors influence the process of puberty. The SPIT Lab is one of the first in the U.S. to measure sex hormones in hair. Shirtcliff says unlike a saliva sample, which provides a snapshot of one specific moment, a centimeter of hair captures a month of hormone exposure. (Watch this video to learn more about the lab: https:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v= dGGLTskrMCs ) The hormones extracted from hair samples may provide answers about early and late onset of puberty. Shirtcliff says puberty can start between the ages of 8 and 10 - much earlier than most people think - and continue well into the early 20s. However, existing research is limited to the four or five years when children transition from looking like a child to an adult. Hair provides a direct measure of hormone exposure throughout, which may offer insight on what activates puberty, Shirtcliff said. "Our goal is to understand the mechanisms inside the body that trigger this transition, and how factors such as nutrition, stress and environmental toxins affect that process," she said. Not all experiences are equal Understanding how personal experiences and environmental factors shape and change hormones can help adolescents and their parents prepare for and deal with the emotional outbursts, aggression and other challenges associated with puberty. For example, in understudied groups such as African American boys, Shirtcliff says puberty changes their body in ways that seem desirable, but can be detrimental. "We have this perception puberty is really great for boys because they get big and strong and these are things boys want. But African American youth going through puberty are viewed as less innocent and stronger or as menacing and a perpetrator, so it's not necessarily a positive thing," Shirtcliff said. LGBTQ youth also have their own unique experiences. Shirtcliff says the transition to adulthood may change their bodies in ways they really do not want. There is limited research on ethnic and cultural differences and the risk of depression during puberty, but this is another area researchers would like to further investigate. "The study of puberty is complex as every individual progresses through puberty in his or her own way. We need to embrace that complexity to advance the science," Shirtcliff said. "In doing so, we can help teens and their parents navigate this transition and limit the risk for anxiety, depression and other health issues." ### The Society for Research on Adolescence provided funding for this research. Carlos Aylwin, Carlos Toro and Alejandro Lomniczi, all with Oregon Health and Science University; as well as Julianna Deardorff, University of California, Berkeley; Lindsay Hoyt, Fordham University; and Rona Carter, University of Michigan, contributed to the work. This story has been published on: 2019-03-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. New York, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/13/2019 -- Belgium will continue to be the largest exporter of organic fertilizers, with total exports totalling 1.15 million tonnes in 2015. Netherlands and the U.S. will be the other two key exporters. In terms of imports, France continues to be the largest market globally. Global organic fertilizer demand was pegged at 17 million tonnes in 2016. In terms of value, the market was valued at US$ 5.57 billion. Persistence Market Research projects the market to grow at 7% CAGR through 2025 and reach US$ 10.23 billion. Request for Report Sample@ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11950 Key Drivers Government initiatives and subsidies promoting the use of organic fertilizers. For instance, in the EU, government is promoting organic sector via conversion subsidies and large subsidies on agricultural inputs. Rising awareness among consumers about organically produced food will continue to provide growth opportunities. From a US$ 15 billion market in 1999, the global organic food and drink market has grown to become a US$ 80 billion market in 2014. Organic fertilizers don't cause the same level of damage to the environment as conventional fertilizers. This is promoting their adoption among end-users. While Persistence Market Research maintains a positive outlook on the global organic fertilizer market, premium prices for organic fertilizers are a key impediment to adoption. Organic Fertilizer Market Trends Integrated nutrient supply system (INSS) is being adopted by farm owners, as the lower nutrient content alone is insufficient to supplement the demand for nutrients in plant growth. Considering the fragmented nature of organic fertilizers market, leading players are focusing on strengthening their distribution partnerships in local markets. Manufacturers in Europe are focusing on expanding their customer base in high-growth regions, including Latin America and North America. Non-profit organizations are playing a key role in promoting the use of organic fertilizers. According to Persistence Market Research's analysis, demand for animal-based organic fertilizers is higher than plant-based variants. While 6.84 million tonnes of plant-origin organic fertilizers were sold in 2016, animal-origin organic fertilizer volume was pegged at 10.15 million tonnes. Use of organic fertilizers remains highest in the farming of cereals and crops. This application segment accounted for over 70% revenue share of the market in 2016. By volume, demand from cereals and crops was estimated at 12.53 million tonnes in 2016. Historically, solid organic fertilizers have remained sought-after, and the trend is expected to remain unchanged during the forecast period 2017-2025. While solid organic fertilizers are projected to grow at 6.2% CAGR, liquid organic fertilizers' growth rate is estimated to be 5.1%. Europe & Asia Pacific Collectively Account for over 60% Revenue Share Europe is the largest market for organic fertilizers, followed by Asia Pacific. While Europe will continue to be the largest market for organic fertilizers, it will lose 2.3% revenue share to APAC during the forecast period. North America, the third largest market for organic fertilizers, is expected to account for 21.8% revenue share of the market by 2025-end. Request for Report Table of Content (TOC) @ https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/methodology/11950 In its report, Persistence has profile key players in the organic fertilizers market, including Italpollina SpA, ILSA S.p.A, BioStar Renewables, Sustane Natural Fertilizer Inc., True Organic Products Inc., California Organic Fertilizers Inc., The Fertell Company, Purely Organics LLC, Pupuk Kaltim, and Qingdao Sonef Chemical Co., Ltd. Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/14/2019 -- An automotive natural gas vehicle uses compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) as an alternative to the diesel or petrol. A natural gas is widely used in lift trucks, buses, light and heavy duty trucks, motorcycles, cars, vans and locomotives. A natural gas provides an economical and environmental friendly option over diesel or petrol. Currently, the penetration of automotive natural gas vehicle is less globally, but due to its operational advantages, in future the penetration is expected to increase globally. Automotive Natural Gas Vehicle Market: Drivers and Challenges Around the world, the governments have issued stringent regulations regarding the emissions and fuel efficiency. The global fossil fuel price has seen an increasing trend over the past 5-10 years. Due to these reasons, there is a growing demand for cheap and environmental friendly fuel alternative. Original equipment manufacturers of vehicles are promoting their products by showcasing the fuel efficiency and emission free features. This factor is fueling the demand for automotive natural gas vehicle market. High upfront purchase cost, low awareness in many countries are some of the factors which are inhibiting the growth of automotive natural gas vehicle market. Automotive Natural Gas Vehicle Market: Overview Currently, the automotive natural gas vehicle market is still in the nascent state, thought the market experienced growth in sales in last 3-4 years. The global automotive natural gas vehicle market by volume is expected to expand at a CAGR of around 5-7% during the forecast period (2015-2025), due to stringent government emission regulations and growing demand for fuel efficient vehicles. Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-530 Automotive Natural Gas Vehicle Market: Segmentation The global automotive natural gas vehicle market can be segmented by fuel type, by vehicle type and by regions Based on Fuel Type, the global automotive natural gas vehicle market is segmented as: Compressed Natural Gas Liquefied Natural Gas Based on Vehicle Type, the global automotive natural gas vehicle market is segmented as: Passenger Commercial Automotive Natural Gas Vehicle Market: Region-wise Outlook The global automotive natural gas vehicle market is expected to register a single-digit CAGR for the forecast period. Depending on geographic regions, global automotive energy recovery market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, South America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, and Middle East & Africa.In terms of market revenue, Asia Pacific automotive energy recovery market is projected to register a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Stable economic growth, growing automotive production, stringent government emission norms, changing consumer preferences, are some of the factors which are fueling the growth of automotive natural gas vehicle market in Asia Pacific. The significant demand for natural gas is from commercial vehicle segment in Asia Pacific. India, China and Iran are forecast to register a significant growth in the Asia Pacific automotive natural gas vehicle market, as these countries have significant network of gas infrastructure and CNG fueling network. In Europe, countries like Russia and Ukraine have a high demand for natural gas in trucks and buses. The Europe automotive natural gas vehicle market revenue is currently dominated by commercial vehicles. The government policies, subsidies, increasing fossil fuel prices, stringent environmental regulations are fueling the demand for automotive natural gas vehicle in Western and Eastern Europe. In North America and Latin America, compressed natural gas is seeing the high demand. Currently, U.S.A. is dominating the North America automotive natural gas market by value, on the other hand, Columbia is dominating the Latin America automotive natural gas market by value. Automotive Natural Gas Vehicle Market: Key Players Some of the key market participants in global natural gas vehicle market are Ford Motor Company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, General Motors, Honda Motor Company, Volkswagen, Hyundai Motor Group, etc. Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-530 Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/14/2019 -- Global Automotive Silicone Market: Introduction Silicone is a class of inorganic polymers made of repeating units of siloxane, which is a chain of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms. Silicone has properties such as high gas permeability, electric insulation, low chemical reactivity, flame retardancy, low thermal conductivity, low toxicity, resistance to ultraviolet (UV) light, thermal stability, and oxidative stability. Owing to these properties, silicone is increasingly used in various applications in the automotive industry. Since silicone products are increasingly being used in automobiles to improve reliability, safety, and comfort and make automobiles light in weight, silicone has become critical in evolution of the automobile technology. Global Automotive Silicone Market: Trends & Developments Growing use of silicone-based film adhesives in car customization is expected to drive the global automotive silicone market during the forecast period. With recent technological advancements in the paints & coatings industry, silicone is being increasingly used in combination with thermoplastics to provide paint finishes with scratch and mar resistance. The growing ownership of passenger cars led by growth of the economy and rising disposable income in countries such as India, China, Mexico, and Vietnam are expected to drive the market for automotive silicone in these countries in the near future. Global Automotive Silicone Market: Segmentation Based on type, the global automotive silicone market can be segmented into elastomers, fluids, resins, and gels. Silicone elastomers offer high durability and stable performance over a wide range of temperatures. They are used in the automotive industry as sealing materials, adhesives, and potting agents for ECUs (electronic control units) used in automobiles. Silicone resins are used to manufacture heat-resistant and flame-retardant binders and heat-resistant paints, as they produce films with excellent properties such as heat resistance, weather-ability, and water repellency. Based on application, the global automotive silicone market can be segmented into engine & drive train systems, interior & exterior, electrical systems, suspension systems, and others. Automotive silicone is consumed the maximum in the interior & exterior segment. Automotive silicone is used in bonding and sealing of interior and exterior cosmetic parts. It is also used for encapsulating and protecting of electric and electronic components such as airflow meters, pressure and temperature sensors, and ECUs (electronic control units). Get PDF Brochure for more Professional & Technical industry insights: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=61197 Global Automotive Silicone Market: Regional Outlook In terms of region, the global automotive silicone market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is expected to lead the global automotive silicone market, in terms of consumption, during the forecast period. This is attributable to the rising demand for automotive silicone from the automotive industry in Asia Pacific. Growth of the market for automotive silicone in Asia Pacific can be attributed to easy availability of raw materials used in the manufacture of automotive silicone and growth of the automotive industry in the region, especially in developing countries such as India, South Korea, and China. The market for automotive silicone in North America is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period, due to revival of the economy and rise in automobile production. The market in Europe is projected to register a sluggish growth rate during the forecast period, due to sluggish growth of the economy in Europe. Global Automotive Silicone Market: Key Players Key players operating in the global automotive silicone market are ACC Silicones Ltd., Momentive, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., NuSil, DowDuPont, Kaneka Corporation, Primasil Silicones Limited, Evonik Industries AG, KCC Corporation, Wacker Chemie AG, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Rogers Corporation, Elkem ASA, Bostik, and Siltech Corporation. About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a U.S.-based provider of syndicated research, customized research, and consulting services. TMR's global and regional market intelligence coverage includes industries such as pharmaceutical, chemicals and materials, technology and media, food and beverages, and consumer goods, among others. Each TMR research report provides clients with a 360-degree view of the market with statistical forecasts, competitive landscape, detailed segmentation, key trends, and strategic recommendations. Contact us: Transparency Market Research 90 State Street, Suite 700, Albany NY - 12207 United States Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA - Canada Toll Free 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ Los Angeles, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/14/2019 -- Cold Plate is aluminum or other plate containing internal tubing through which a liquid coolant is forced, to absorb heat transferred to the plate by transistors and other components mounted on it. It is one of the most common liquid cooling solutions that make use of direct contact between the Cold Plate and the object to be cooled. This direct contact allows the heat to be efficiently conducted. Cold Plate offers many advantages over forced air cooled heat sinks such as performance, noise level and reliability. China is the world's largest exporting country. Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia and the United States need to import cold plate from China. In addition, many companies set up production bases in China. At the same time, China can also produce OEM cold plate. It should be noted that some of Aavid's products come from China or India (OEM form). Request Sample Copy of this Report @ https://www.qyresearch.com/sample-form/form/1027555/global-cold-plate-industry Today's industrial marketplace is increasingly competitive and requires the ability to reduce costs, raise production and increase accuracy for any business that is going to survive. For businesses that will truly thrive, the ability to lead development and get products to market faster is also critical. The Cold Plate market was valued at 250 Million US$ in 2018 and is projected to reach 420 Million US$ by 2025, at a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period. In this study, 2018 has been considered as the base year and 2019 to 2025 as the forecast period to estimate the market size for Cold Plate. This study focuses on the production side and consumption side of Cold Plate, presents the global Cold Plate market size by manufacturers, regions, type and application, history breakdown data from 2014 to 2019, and forecast to 2025. In terms of production side, this report researches the Cold Plate capacity, production, value, ex-factory price, growth rate, market share for major manufacturers, regions (or countries) and product type. In terms of consumption side, this report focuses on the consumption of Cold Plate by regions and application. The key regions like North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Central & South America, Middle East and Africa etc. Read Full Market Research Report Click Here: https://www.qyresearch.com/index/detail/1027555/global-cold-plate-industry-research-report-growth-trends-and-competitive-analysis This report includes the following manufacturers; we can also add the other companies as you want. Aavid Lytron Asia Vital Components Wakefield-Vette Wolverine Tube Xenbo Electric Columbia-Staver TAT Technologies Ellediesse DAU TE Technology Wenxuan Hardware Kawaso Texcel Hitachi Suzhou Wint Electric Tucker Engineering Shanghai Kissthermal MaxQ Technology Mikros HS Marston Cold Plate Market Segment by Product Type Formed Tube Cold Plate Deep Drilled Cold Plate Machined Channel Cold Plate Pocketed Folded-fin Cold Plate Others Cold Plate Market Segment by Application High Power Electronic Equipment Laser Device Power Conversion Equipment Medical Equipment Defence and Aerospace LED Others Buy Full Cold Plate Market Report Now, Report delivery time within 24 hours @ https://www.qyresearch.com/settlement/pre/263f13fc8b0f205bdad28eae05ba3c21,0,1,Global%20Cold%20Plate%20Industry%20Research%20Report,%20Growth%20Trends%20and%20Competitive%20Analysis%202019-2025 About QYResearch QYResearch established in 2007, focus on custom research, management consulting, IPO consulting, industry chain research, data base and seminar services. The company owned a large basic data base (such as National Bureau of statistics database, Customs import and export database, Industry Association Database etc), expert's resources (included energy automotive chemical medical ICT consumer goods etc. Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/14/2019 -- Arecent study published by FMI states that the companion animal vaccine market is likely to register an attractive CAGR of 6.8% in terms of revenue during the forecast period 2018-2026. The companion animal vaccines market is likely to witness significant growth in developed markets by 2018 due to the increasing awareness regarding various infectious diseases that affect pet animals. The easier availability of vaccines and diagnosis of diseases spreading patterns are creating attractive demand opportunities in Asian markets. The FMI study covers the entire macroeconomic and microeconomic spectrum influencing the companion animal vaccines market. Routine vaccine programs for companion animals have eliminated some of the chronic scourges from developed countries. The improved focused on vaccination campaigns and the higher awareness regarding pet care are fuelling the demand for companion animal vaccines. Attenuated live vaccines is, by far, the largest revenue generating segment, accounting for over half the revenue generated across the globe due to faster action and lower number of required doses. Request to Sample of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1427 To boost the sales as well as benefits of vaccination, leading vaccine manufacturers are trying to improve vaccine quality by minimizing vaccine load. The industry is witnessing a phase of consolidation in order to set up a technically-superior facility and remain competitive. The companion animal vaccine market in APEJ is expected to witness significant growth due to the increasing awareness and increasing focus towards the adoption of pets, inspired by western countries. In developed countries, there is an increasing tendency to vaccinate pets so as to induce "herd immunity". In this regard, more and more companion animals are being brought under the coverage of at least the core vaccines. Further, re-emerging concept of 'One Health' has also impacted on the field of vaccinology especially the management of infectious diseases through the collaborative interaction of agents involved and provide a rational and cost-effective solution. This aims at provision of at least core vaccines to companion animals across the involved countries. It has been worth noting the animal health industry is one of the most lucrative revenue generating industries as well as innovative too. The route map of the animal health industry is innovative too "Prevent Treat End". The industry is said to have invested US$ 960 Mn in research and development in the US in 2016. Authorities have reportedly noted that administration of adequate companion animal vaccines keep families safe from health issues. The largest exported of animal biologics is the U.S. accounting for over 40% of total global exports. In such a scenario, manufacturers of animal biologics in the U.S. and other developed EU markets are facing a windfall in demand generation. Industry players are on a consolidation spree to remain profitable and sustain profits in the long run. Manufacturers of companion animal vaccines are also emphasizing on collaborative manufacturing in the absence of direct manufacturing presence to grab a greater share in high potential untapped markets such as China and Africa. The Japan-based animal healthcare company, Sumitomo Corp., revealed plans to market vaccines in China in November 2015 through an undisclosed investment in a leading local Chinese drug manufacturer. Need more information about Report Methodology @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-1427 The company is currently in discussions regarding the establishment of a local vaccine production set up. Further, support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Japan could aid regional expansion in other Asian economies. These type of collaborations are new and could actually boost local manufacturing presence in less developed economies of Asia. External partnerships in research and development and provision of funding are shaping the development of the companion animal vaccines market. Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/14/2019 -- Several countries across the world are either already facing or will face a demographic disaster in the near future. They will undergo severe socio-economic pressures due to a rapidly ageing population with not enough children being born to replace the workforce. This is particularly true in North America, Europe, Russia, South Korea & Japan. According to a government report compiled in Japan in 2012, 22% of the country is 65 or older and this is expected to rise to nearly 40% by 2060. In 2010, Japan had 30 million elderly individuals in old-age homes, but a serious dearth of caregivers to assist them. These countries are the mean reason that the eldercare-assistive robot market has come into existence. Over the past few years, eldercare-assistive robot R&D has become much cheaper, giving rise to helpers with more functionality & a cheaper price. It has also gained wider acceptance not only in Japan but also in the western nations. Eldercare-Assistive Robots Market Drivers The ageing population in developed countries is the main driver for the eldercare-assistive robot market. According to U.N data, the global over-65 population will grow by 181% and they will account for nearly 16% of the population by 2050. Caring for these individuals will be an enormous physical, mental & emotional undertaking. There will be a tremendous shortage of qualified & willing medical personnel for this. Eldercare-assistive robots have the potential to serve this demographic exceptionally well. They can use camera sensors to supervise the senior citizen, ensure that they take their prescribed medication at the right time & also prevent them from falling & injuring themselves. Get Sample Copy of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2409 Another factor is the individualistic societies in western countries, as opposed to collective Asian ones. People prefer to live on their own as much as possible. Even in old age, they prefer the privacy, comfort & security of their own homes over that of an institutional caregiver like an old-age home. To address these requirements, eldercare-assistive robots can come in handy. Not only will they fulfil the role of medical practitioner, but they can also provide human-like companionship to the patient. They will be able to enhance the health & psychological well-being of the elderly in several ways. By reminding them off daily tasks & other important information, they could help dementia patients. With informal chit-chat, they might keep a senior citizen's mind sharp, reducing the probability of clinical depression, or Alzheimer's disease. Robots could also act as telepresence machines, bridging the gap between doctors and their elderly patients. These individuals might not always be able to travel to the hospital to seek treatment, & frequent nurse visits are also very costly. The doctor could check in with their patients through the robot's screen, even control the machine for simple tasks. These are some of the factors helping the eldercare-assistive robot market. Eldercare-Assistive Robots Market Restraints There are a few challenges faced by the eldercare-assistive robot market. These robots must be able to manage & cope with more uncertain environments than industrial robots. This makes it a challenge to build safe & certified ones. Another issue might be human opposition. Either the elderly individual, their family or both might not be comfortable with the idea of a robot playing a caregiver role. Older people, in particular, might be very resistant to adopting high-tech equipment like eldercare-assistive robots to simplify their lives. Cost can also be a major restraint. While the price of these assistive robots has dropped over the last decade, they still cost thousands of dollars each. People from lower income or middle-class families might not see the benefit in adopting them as much. Even with many advances made in the eldercare-assistive robot market, it is estimated that it will be several decades before full assistive robotic care is possible. Eldercare-Assistive Robots Market Key Regions The main eldercare assistive robot markets are those regions which have an ageing population, i.e. North America (barring Mexico), the E.U, Japan, and China & South Korea. Japan is the largest eldercare-assistive robot market since it has the most rapidly ageing population along with very low immigration & birth rates. It also has several domestic players involved in making assistive robots. North America has also slowly but surely begun to warm up to the eldercare-assistive robot market. Get more information about Report Methodology @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-2409 Eldercare-Assistive Robots Market Key Market Players Some of the companies involved in the eldercare-assistive robot market are Paro Robots, Aldebaran, Togo Seisakusyo Corporation, and Hasbro. Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/13/2019 -- ESD Tapes & Labels Market: Introduction Electro static charges can accumulate for longer times in conventional adhesive labels or tapes when they are removed of their liner, because the adhesives used generally are insulators. Therefore it may cause some ESD related hazards, they are not suitable to use in printed circuit boards, integrated circuits, mother boards, microprocessors, batteries and other electric and electronic components. ESD tapes & labels are made with conductive or dissipative materials, as soon as the static discharge builds on the surface they conduct or dissipate it. ESD tapes are used for the purpose of masking, marking, labelling and conductive shielding. There is a requirement that, these tapes & labels should withstand high temperatures. Recent trends in global technology sector shows that the internet of things (IoT) market is rapidly growing, which influences the demand for lot of electronic, electric and communication devices. The market penetration of smartphones & other communication and computing devices to influence the growth of ESD tapes & labels market. In PCB soldering and other electronic & electrical manufacturing, ESD masking tapes are used. These will protect the other electronic components such as capacitors, diodes, transistors, ICs on the board from ESD damages. ESD signage labels are used to caution in ESD protected areas. Overall the ESD tapes & labels market is estimated to grow at a healthy CAGR, with bigger market opportunity during the forecast period. ESD Tapes & Labels: Market Dynamics The demand for ESD tapes & labels is largely contributed from electronics & electrical manufacturing service providers. In last few years outsourcing of product design & manufacturing by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) has grown considerably. In the last decade the automotive, electrical and electronic manufacturing in western developed world has been shifted to developing eastern world, to exploit cheap labour and cheap manufacturing costs. Due to this, Bangladesh, India, ASEAN and China ESD tapes & labels market are growing at a rewarding growth rates. This change is expected to drive the global demand for ESD tapes & labels market. Major electronics & electrical manufacturing service providers are located in Asia Pacific region, where China and Japan stands at the top. By country, India is expected to growing at the highest CAGR in electronics & electrical and aerospace manufacturing service market. This is due to government initiatives like "Make in India", "Smart City", "UDAN (regional airport development and Regional Connectivity Scheme)" and other initiatives. Growing massive infrastructure development projects in Asia Pacific region e.g. One Belt One Road (OBOR), China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and Sagarmala Project (India) etc. are expected to boost the demand for electronic & electrical and fibre optic devices, which in turn is expected to drive the ESD Tapes & Labels market. ESD Tapes & Labels are used in labelling, masking, conductive shielding and as signage in manufacturing & packaging of Integrated circuits (ICs), microprocessors, PCBs, Capacitors, CDs, Cell phones, batteries, reels & tapes, TVs, and other automotive electronic and electrical parts. Growing middle class population and changing lifestyle in emerging markets such as China, India, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Nigeria is influencing the demand for automotive and electric & electronics goods, which in turn is driving the demand for ESD tapes & labels. Overall, the global ESD tapes & labels market is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR during the forecast period. Request Report for Table of Contents @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5505 ESD Tapes & Labels: Market Segmentation The global ESD tapes & labels market is segmented on the basis of product type, face material type and end-use. On the basis of product type, the global ESD tapes & labels market is segmented into ESD Tapes, ESD Labels. ESD Labels is further sub segmented into Masking Tape, Conductive Shielding Grid Tape and Marking Tape. On the basis of face material type, the global ESD tapes & labels market is segmented into PET, PA, Polyester and Others. On the basis of end-use, the global ESD tapes & labels market is segmented into electronic & electrical manufacturing, automotive & mechanical parts, aerospace, defence and others. ESD Tapes & Labels Market: Regional outlook ESD tapes & labels market has been segmented on the basis of region into North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Middle East & Africa (MEA), and Japan. ESD tapes & labels market in APEJ is expected to dominate the overall global market. APEJ contributes approx. 40% in overall global electrical & electronics manufacturing market. ESD Tapes & Labels Market: Key players Some of the players in the global ESD tapes & labels market are Ultratape Industries, Inc., Polyonics, Inc., Desco Industries Inc., 3M Co., JSC "IDON", Electrotek Static Controls Pvt. Ltd. and others. The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to market segments such as geographies, application, and industry. 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. Report Highlights : Detailed overview of parent market,Changing market dynamics in the industry,In-depth market segmentation,Historical, current and projected market size in terms of volume and value,Recent industry trends and developments,Competitive landscape,Strategies of key players and products offered,Potential and niche segments, geographical regions exhibiting promising growth,A neutral perspective on market performance,Must-have information for market players to sustain and enhance their market footprint. Request to Sample of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5505 Pune, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/13/2019 -- The market for 5G infrastructure consists of some well-established players across the globe, which invest huge amounts in order to deliver the most advanced service to the customers. Also, there are many stakeholders in the 5G ecosystem that are involved in the end-to-end development of 5G technology and ensuring that the best service is made available for the users by the first half of 2020. Government funding for research & development, strategic partnerships between chipset manufacturers, equipment vendors, network operators and Government bodies are anticipated to enable huge surges in the market for 5G over the forecast period. Encouraging Government support through investments and strategic partnerships to create more opportunities for the network operators in the 5G market which is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 56.39%. Get Sample Report Copy @ https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000387/ The 5G market segmentation is done on the basis of networking infrastructure and industry vertical. The market for 5G is segmented on the basis of networking infrastructure into small cells, macro cells and others. Further, the market has been segmented into various industry verticals that are anticipated to be benefitted through incorporation of 5G technology into their operational models. A number of industry verticals are set to be positively impacted post the rollout of 5G technology services in the market space. The major industry verticals include smart automotive, healthcare, smart transportation & logistics, consumer electronics, industry automation, building & home automation, and others. The key players profiled in the report are 1. T-Mobile USA, Inc. 2. Cisco Systems, Inc. 3. AT&T, Inc. 4. Qualcomm, Inc. 5. Ericsson 6. Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. 7. Verizon Communications, Inc. 8. Nokia Networks 9. Telefonica S.A. 10. Orange S.A. Governments of various developing economies across the globe have realized the potentials of 5G and the impact this technology can have on the GDP of the country. Also, it is anticipated that due to digitalization of businesses, huge jobs would be created that would in turn have a positive impact on the economy of a particular country. TeleBrasil, which is the Brazilian Telecommunications Association has signed an agreement with China, the US, European Union, Japan and South Korea to develop 5G technology in the country. The Indian government has established a 5G forum with a budget of approximately $76 million dedicated to 5G research and development. The Mexican Government is striving to increase the connectivity coverage across the country with its project named Red Compartida. This project involves building a 5G ready network using the LTE technology for rollout in Mexico. Further, countries like Argentina, Chile, and Columbia have also taken initiatives for investment in the 5G technology through partnerships with giant telecommunication players such as Nokia and Huawei Telecommunications. Moving on to the Middle East and African countries, the Saudi Arabian government is strategically focusing on the development of 5G technology in various countries present in this region. Buy Complete Report @ https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPTE100000387/ North America and APAC will have bigger share of revenue in the market, owing to their economically economies and developed infrastructure to support upcoming technological trends in almost all industry sectors and the population in the region coupled with smartphone penetration. Globally 5G market is expected to foresee significant rise in terms of revenue share. By 2025, the market scenario is expected to change in terms of acquired revenue share. North America is expected to be a saturated market with almost constant market share over the forecast period. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/14/2019 -- Guava purees are generally thick and smooth products which is obtained from processing of guavas including removal of the insoluble fibrous part and can pass through a fine sieve. Fruit purees are commonly used for the preparation of beverages, syrups, ice cream topping, jams and jellies, dressing and fruit sauces. Most common form of guava purees are frozen, canned, and aseptic packed. Few companies even dry guava puree powder for enhanced shelf life of the product and easy exports. Get PDF Sample For More Information @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=41438 Guava puree market is driven by demand from the food and beverages industry. Advancements in guava cultivation and processing has augmented guava puree supply globally over the years. Demand is concentrated in the western part of the world while supply of guava is concentrated in the eastern part of the world. However, demand in North America and European region is met by South American and African countries. On the other hand, guava puree demand is locally consumed in India and rest is exported to Middle-Eastern countries mainly. Guava fruit production is often hampered with the incidence of El Nino and La Nina events, with La Nina event affecting nd El Nino affecting Asian region restraining guava supply for guava puree production. Lack of post-harvest technologies and fruit processing technologies in major guava producing countries like India and Brazil is limiting potential growth of guava puree market. Read Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/guava-puree-market.html By variety, the global Guava Puree market is segmented as tropical white, tropical pink and other varieties. By application the market is segmented as infant food, beverages, bakery & snacks, ice cream & yoghurt, dressing & sauces and others. Furthermore, by nature, the market is segmented as organic and conventional. Among all the varieties, tropical pink variety is estimated to account for 56.3% of market share, in the overall global guava puree market, in 2017. On the basis of region, the market in APAC is projected to dominate the global Guava Puree market both in terms of value and volume in 2017. APAC is expected to gain significant market share in revenue terms by 2025 end. This trend is attributed to the consumer dependence on Guava Puree as demand from various sub- segments like blends and nectars in the beverages industry is on rise in this region. Moreover, Asia-Pacific followed by Latin America is projected to exhibit significant CAGR in terms of value during the forecast period. Some of the major companies operating in the global guava puree market are Cobell Limited, Dohler Group, Grunewald Fruchtsaft GmbH, Kiril Mischeff, Ariza B.V., Shimla Hills Offerings Pvt. Ltd., SunOpta Grains and Foods Inc., Jain Irrigation Systems Limited, Bajaj Agro Foods India Ltd., Tricom Fruit Products Limited, Galla Foods Pvt. Ltd. (Amara Raja Batteries Ltd.), iTi Tropicals, Capricorn Food Products India Ltd., Golden Hope Plantations Bhd (Sime Darby Bhd.), Sresta Natural Bioproducts Private Limited, ABC Fruits, La Fruitiere du Val Evel, Allanasons Private Limited and Jadli Foods (India) pvt. Ltd. Harrisburg, NC -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/13/2019 -- Global Hydraulic Excavators Market Research Report 2019 The report discusses many vital industry facets that influence global Hydraulic Excavators industry acutely which includes extensive study of competitive edge, latest advancements, region-wise industry environment, contemporary market and manufacturing trends, leading market contenders, and current consumption tendency of the end user. The report also oversees market size, market share, growth rate, revenue, and CAGR reported previously along with its forecast estimation. Hydraulic Excavators Market to grow at a CAGR of over 2% during the forecast period. Avail a sample 104 pages copy before purchase: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/03121144816/global-hydraulic-excavators-market-research-report-2019/inquiry?source=releasewire&Mode=21 Global Hydraulic Excavators market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, and revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players including: Caterpillar, Volvo, Komatsu, Liebherr, Hitachi, Doosan, Deere & Company, CNH Industrial, Bharat Earth Movers, Kobelco Construction Machinery, Guangxi LiuGong Machinery, J C Bamford Excavators, GEHL, Sany Group, XCMG, Sennebogen, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Atlas GmbH, Shantui Construction Machinery Market segment by Type, the product can be split into Crawler Type Wheeled Type Market segment by Application, Hydraulic Excavators can be split into Building Construction Mining Engineering Traffic Construction Other (Special Offer: Get flat 15% discount on this report) Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), and market share and growth rate of Hydraulic Excavators Market these regions, from 2019 to 2025 (forecast), covering North America, United States, Canada, Mexico, Asia-Pacific, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Europe, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Russia, Central & South America, Brazil, Rest of Central & South America, Middle East & Africa, GCC Countries, Turkey, Egypt, South Africa Market Regional Analysis: The market for Hydraulic Excavators in regions such as Asia-Pacific has increased steadily in the past decade. The main growth is witnessed in China, due to the increase in the infrastructural activities, and urbanization. The scenario of the market is also favorable in North America, though the housing activities were slowed down but its gaining impetus again. The market in Europe including the countries Germany, France and U.K. are pretty favorable with the harsh scenarios in countries like Greece and Spain. The market in the Middle Eastern region also poses a favorable growth with the major market of the hydraulic excavator being Turkey, closely followed by Saudi Arabia followed by UAE. Report Coverage The Global Hydraulic Excavators Market Report covers the value, volume, market share, country level break down for each segment, market dynamics, supply chain analysis, porter's five forces analysis, market pricing analysis, competitive landscape, and company profile. Hydraulic Excavators Market Report Highlights: -The report provides a detailed analysis on current and future market trends to identify the investment opportunities -Market forecasts till 2025, using estimated market values as the base numbers -Key market trends across the business segments, Regions and Countries -Key developments and strategies observed in the market -Market Dynamics such as Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and other trends -In-depth company profiles of key players and upcoming prominent players -Growth prospects among the emerging nations through 2025 -Market opportunities and recommendations for new investments Purchase Full Report Copy at: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/reports/03121144816/global-hydraulic-excavators-market-research-report-2019?source=releasewire&Mode=21 Furthermore, the report also assesses the key opportunities available in the market and outlines the factors that are and will be driving the growth of the industry. Growth of the global Hydraulic Excavators market has also been forecasted for the period 2019-2025, taking into consideration the previous growth patterns, the growth drivers and the current and future trends. The report includes an in-depth analysis of the industrial value chain, which provides a detailed view of the Hydraulic Excavators Market. The Porter's Five Forces model for the market has also been studied, in order to help understand the competitive scenario in the market. The study includes market attractiveness analysis, wherein the end-users are standardized, on the basis of the market size, overall attractiveness, and growth rate. Buy Now This Report at: https://www.marketinsightsreports.com/report/purchase/03121144816?mode=su?source=releasewire&Mode=21 Competitive Landscape 1) Competition Benchmarking: Benchmarking of leading 20 players on the basis of product portfolio, production plants, market pricing, sales footprint, target customer types, etc. 2) Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in global Hydraulic Excavators market. 3) Product Benchmarking: Benchmarking of most selling variant of all leading companies on the basis of major technical parameters. In-depth analysis of benchmarking and recommendation on ideal product specifications This report includes the estimation of market size for value (million USD) and volume (K Units). Both top-down and bottom-up approaches have been used to estimate and validate the market size of Hydraulic Excavators market, to estimate the size of various other dependent submarkets in the overall market. Key players in the market have been identified through secondary research, and their market shares have been determined through primary and secondary research. All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns have been determined using secondary sources and verified primary sources If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want. Customization of the Report The report could be customized according to the client's specific research requirements. No additional cost will be required to pay for limited additional research. Contact US : Irfan Tamboli (Head of Sales) Market Insights Reports Phone: + 1704 266 3234 Mob: +91-750-707-8687 sales@marketinsightsreports.com irfan@marketinsightsreports.com Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/13/2019 -- Luxury hotel industry has become an invaluable segment in the hospitality industry and is undergoing robust expansions. Luxury hotel market is a breed apart in various ways when it comes to lodging industry. These hotels offer guests opulent facilities and top-line services which are complex to operate, presenting a high degree of peril for owners and developers. Being among the most volatile in the industry, luxury hotels enjoy strong performance in good times and suffer considerably in phases of economic downturn. These actionable insights are according to the report titled, "Global Luxury Hotels Market to 2022: Market Data and Insights on the Global Luxury Hotels Industry," which has been lately incorporated in the exhaustive repository of Market Research Hub (MRH). Click here for Free Sample Report@ https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=2100121 Forbes Travel Guide created a verified list of world's most luxurious hotels at the end quarter of 2018, naming 58 hotels to the list52 five-star hotels and six four-star hotels; spanning across 17 countries. The U.S. earned the coveted designation as the most number of hotels with 25, while China has eight hotels. Mexico, Indonesia and Italy have three each. Travelers' expectations have transitioned and the focus is on personalized, authentic experiences. The ethos has filtered into luxury travel segment and has compelled luxury hotels to rethink its strategy. The luxury hotels are focusing on scintillating interior design landscaping; and rooms with top-of-the-line bed linens and pillows, high quality robes and luxurious bath amenities. Besides, shift of luxury hotels form membership-based business models to concierge apps and luxury camping signify the trends shaping the future of luxury hotels market. View Full Report with TOC@ https://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/global-luxury-hotels-market-to-2022-market-data-and-insights-on-the-global-luxury-hotels-industry-report.html Luxury Hotels Market: Report Content The report provides a meticulous analysis on luxury hotels market through quantitative and qualitative analysis. The report focuses on the dynamics of the market such as drivers, opportunities, trends and restraints to offer coherent assessment of luxury hotels. The report presents in-depth analysis on regions such as the U.S., Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Europe. The final section provides actionable insights on the competitive scenario of the luxury hotels market, including a dashboard view, competition position index, market structure analysis, competition position index and mergers & acquisitions in the hotel industry. The final section provides insights on financial overview, company overview, industry portfolio, strategies and recent developments. Luxury Hotels Market: Research Methodology Trove of primary and secondary sources propels the report on luxury hotels market. Primary sources offer actionable insights through information received first-hand on aspects incorporating competitive landscape, market size, growth trends, and market size. As such, these facets have turned out to be invaluable in validating and bolstering finding from secondary research. The collated data are assessed and discerned meticulously by panel of expert. Assessment of the trends in luxury hotels alluded that the researchers applied quantitative methods with the assistance of different statistical analysis techniques Quezon City, Philippines -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/13/2019 -- Proper siphoning services require an extensive amount of knowledge and understanding of the various techniques involved. This is why not everyone is able to perform septic siphoning in a proper and reliable manner. However, one service which has managed to garner quite a bit of popularity in the Metro Manila region is Malabanan Septic Siphoning. They solve a multitude of septic system problems which are caused as a result of flushing solid materials or using particular special water purification systems. These problems can lead to a wide array of complications if they are not resolved fast enough and thus, it is imperative to take the assistance of someone truly efficient such as Malabanan Septic Siphoning. In fact, their new policy around 120km radius service area for Metro Manila region makes them an even more attraction option. Malabanan Siphoning ensures that they provide their customers with the free inspections and estimates anywhere in Metro Manila as well. While most Malabanan siphoning services are unable to properly deal with bad odors, pooling up water or slow draining, Malabanan Septic Siphoning ensures that all of these problems are extensively dealt with and that customers are able to enjoy a clean and proper draining system. A failing septic system can cause a lot of health hazards, and it is thus essential for anyone who spots the above signs to immediately contact a reliable professional so that further discussions can be made. The one thing that many people wonder about is the Malabanan siphoning services price. They offer quite economic and competitive rates, so that their customers never have to worry about losing all of their money just because they opted for hygiene and betterment. The Malabanan siphoning rate is quite modest and always makes the customer feel like they got the better end of the deal. That being said, if anyone wants a reliable and proper siphoning service from professionals who have expertise on the matter then Malabanan Septic Siphoning could be the way to go. About Malabanan Septic Siphoning Malabanan Septic Siphoning is a team of septic tank siphoning experts which also provides ongoing regular maintenance for commercial clients, de-clogging for problem situations and excavations for repairs or new installations. They've managed to make a name for themselves because of how professional and reliable their services are. Additionally, their prices and rates are also quite affordable. Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/14/2019 -- Future Market Insights has recently published an exclusive forecast report on the global market for microbial identification. In the foreseeable future, improvements in techniques adopted by microbiologists for identifying pathogens and examining microbial cultures will factor developments in microbial identification systems. From healthcare to food & beverage, the vital use of microbial identification in applied research projects will continue to boost the growth of the global microbial identification market. By 2022-end, microbial identification systems are pegged to become a global market worth US$ 1.4 billion. During the forecast period, 2017-2022, the global market for microbial identification will be registering a robust growth at 6% CAGR. The report has analysed a slew of factors influencing the dynamics of microbial identification markets across several regions. North America to register steadfast adoption of microbial identification A key discernment from the regional analysis delivered in the report exhibits the dominance of North America in the global microbial identification market. Considering how healthcare marketplaces in the US and Canada are robust, compared to other developed markets, and taking into account the rising contribution of North American academic institutes in developing research studies of medical microbiology, the adoption of microbial identification systems will be widespread in this region. Towards the end of forecast period, North America's microbial identification market will be worth around half a billion dollars, soaring robustly at a CAGR of 6.4%. Europe and Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) will also be observed as lucrative markets for expansion of microbial identification. Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/REP-GB-5077 Key Findings from the Report In 2017, over two-fifth of revenues anticipated to be procured in the global microbial identification market will be accounted by sales of bacterial identification systems Towards the end of forecast period, global sales of microbial remuneration systems will procure an estimated US$ 310 million in revenues Throughout the forecast period, bacterial resistance identification systems will represent the fastest-selling product in the overall microbial identification market Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology industry will remain the largest end-user of microbial identification by 2022 The end-use of microbial identification systems in water and environment sector will remain steady in 2017 and the following years Between 2017 and 2022, the end-use of microbial identification across independent research laboratories in the world is anticipated to create an incremental opportunity of more than US$ 50 million In 2017 and beyond, the use of microbial identification methods in blood banks will be subpar Diagnostics remains to be a key application for microbial identification, revenues from which are anticipated to register above-average growth While detection of harmful microbes is viewed as a necessary measure for bolstering quality control in production of food items and drinks, the application of microbial identification in food & beverage testing will register a moderate CAGR in terms of revenues over the forecast period On the basis of technologies, phenotypic microbial identification methods are anticipated to remain predominant in terms of adoption, albeit, genotypic technologies will register a marginally high CAGR during the assessment period Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-5077 The report has further profiled companies that will be actively manufacturing microbial identification systems in the global market. Key players in the global microbial identification market include, Bruker Corporation, Danaher Corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Shimadzu Corporation, Siemens Healthineers, QIAGEN N.V., Merck & Co Inc., bioMerieux S.A., Becton, Dickinson and Company, and Biolog, Inc. Many of these companies are expected to focus on developing microbial identification systems that befit the advancements in the field of medical microbiology. Specific requirements of microbiologist working in leading microbial identification projects will also influence the manufacturing techniques exercised by these companies. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/13/2019 -- Non-surgical skin tightening is a minimally invasive procedure where targeted energy is used for heating deeper layers of skin to stimulate elastin and collagen production, which in turn gradually improves the skin tone and texture. Various types of products such as laser-based devices, RF devices, and ultrasound devices are available in the market for carrying out the procedure of non-surgical skin tightening. Dermatologists Prefer Non-Surgical Skin Tightening Devices over More Invasive Ones Skin tightening procedures have gained immense popularity over the past few years, with the introduction of a non-surgical alternative to invasive procedures to correct the skin laxity and improve the skin quality. With aging, a large number of people are bothered by the sagging skin on their face, neck and body, which has resulted into high demand for pain-free skin tightening treatments. On the back of low risk involved, dermatologists are preferring non-surgical skin tightening devices over more invasive ones. The easy-to-use non-surgical skin tightening devices help doctors in safely delegating treatment to medical professionals or nurses. A key opportunity for growth of the global non-surgical skin tightening market is the development of more efficient, reliable and advanced devices. Report Overview @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/non-surgical-skin-tightening-market.html However, results of non-surgical skin tightening procedures are discerned gradually over many weeks or even months following the treatment. Multiple treatments are required for achieving desired results. For maintaining the intended results on the skin, treatments are required to be repeated periodically. In addition, non-surgical skin tightening procedures are not much effective on higher intensity of skin sagging, such as stretched skin or pronounced jowling following weight loss or pregnancy. A recently published research report by Transparency Market Research (TMR) has projected the global non-surgical skin tightening market to reflect an impressive expansion over the forecast period (2017-2022). The report estimates revenues from the market to reach nearly US$ 500 Mn by 2022-end. non surgical skin tightening market Non-Surgical Skin Tightening Market to Remain Most Lucrative in North America The non-surgical skin tightening market will remain the most lucrative in North America, and is estimated to expand at the highest CAGR through 2022. This region is expected to account for the largest share of the global market during 2017 to 2022. The rapid expansion of the market and availability of advanced devices for skin tightening in North America is mainly because of approval for these devices by the FDA. The U.S. recorded highest number of non-surgical skin tightening procedures in the region. Request A Sample Copy @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=33119 Europe and Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) are also anticipated to account for a major revenue share of the global market for non-surgical skin tightening during the forecast period. In contrast, Japan and Middle East and Africa will continue to account for the lowest market revenue shares of the market in the foreseeable future. Laser-based Devices to be Sought-after among Products Laser-based devices are expected to be sought-after among products of non-surgical skin tightening procedures, with revenues poised to account for over half share of the global market during 2017 to 2022. RF devices are projected to emerge as the fastest expanding product in the market through 2022. However, revenues from ultrasound devices will remain relatively higher than those from RF devices, although their sales are projected to register a relatively lower CAGR than all the other product segments during the forecast period. Although, dermatology clinics will remain the largest end-users of non-surgical skin tightening products in terms of revenues, sales in beauty clinics will exhibit a comparatively higher CAGR through 2022. Request Brochure @ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=33119 Company Profiles TMR's report profiles key players, who are actively contributing to growth of the global market for non-surgical skin tightening, which include Alma Lasers, Ltd., Fotona d.d., Sciton, Inc., Venus Concept Canada Corp., EL.En. S.p.A., Lynton Lasers Ltd., Lumenis Ltd., Solta Medical Inc., Strata Skin Sciences, Inc., Cynosure, Inc., Lutronic Corporation, and Cutera Inc. About Transparency Market Research Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge. Each TMR syndicated research report covers a different sector such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food & beverages, semiconductors, med-devices, consumer goods and technology. These reports provide in-depth analysis and deep segmentation to possible micro levels. With wider scope and stratified research methodology, TMR's syndicated reports strive to provide clients to serve their overall research requirement. Contact 90 State Street, Suite 700 Albany, NY 12207 Tel: +1-518-618-1030 USA Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453 Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com Website: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/14/2019 -- Organoids is one of the in-vitro derived 3D cell culture models derived majorly from stem cell or tissue proficient of self-regeneration and simultaneously exhibit organ functionality. Organoids are used in the research of multiple organs and tissue additionally, Organoids derived from self-unifying stem cells which can recapitulate the in-vivo functionally, architecture and genetic markup of original tissue. The application of Organoids in the fields of exploring organogenesis, stem cell biology and human pathologies have further advanced the research and development in the 3D cell culture fields. Some disease causing bacteria are rationally difficult to cultivate in the laboratory, limiting the study potential. For example C. difficile bacteria requires anaerobic conditions, but can survive in an intestine Organoids. Organoids derive from biopsies are allowing scientist to differentiate between the cancer development in various individuals. The presented advancement in market, Organoids an exhilarating new tool for scantiest and researchers. Evidently the prime focus is on the intestine and stomach, nevertheless the procedure is rapidly expanding to other tissue such as brain, breast, liver and gastrointestinal. The advancement in Organoids is anticipated to transform the traditional methods of conducting research, starting from basic understanding to drug discovery and personalized treatments Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-8106 Organoids Market: Drivers and Restraints Simultaneous research on 3D cell culture and Organoids following with increasing research activity in application of Organoids. Is anticipated to fuel the market. Additionally increasing investment from the major firms and research organization and funding, is symbolizing the growth of the Organoids market. The upsurge in the demand for organ transplantation is categorized as the driving factor for growth of the Organoids market owning to the advancement in the stem cell research. Which is estimated to perform as a significant factor backing the demand for Organoids. The utilization of livestock in research and clinical trials is always been a subject of criticism and holds against the animal cruelty policy, nevertheless Organoids tends to hold the prospective to replace an animals utilized in clinical trials and research. The probable advantage of Organoids over lifestock is estimated to play a vital role in impelling the demand for Organoids market. Growing adaptations in biotechnology and laboratories for 3D cell culture technique is directly affecting the growth of the Organoids market. However, high cost associated with development of Organoids culture and requirements of numerous favorable factors is anticipate the restraint the growth of the Organoids market. Organoids Market: Segmentation Based on product type, the Organoids market is segmented into: Gut Organoid Hepatic Organoid Neural Organoid Pulmonary Organoid Based on application, the Organoids market is segmented into: Drug Designing Bio-banking Developmental Biology and Toxicology Testing Disease Pathology Others Based on components, the Organoids market is segmented into: Media Reagents Platform Organoids Market: Overview The manufacturers in the Organoids market are primarily focused on extensive research of new treatment regiments involving the utilization of Organoids. The global Organoids market is witnessing a concrete growth reasoning to rising awareness among the researches for the application of Organoids and high attention towards 3D cell culture research. The upsurge in demand of Organoids is primarily rising from developed regions such as North America and Europe due to intensive research on cell cultures and government aids for the research programs. The manufacturers in the Organoids is focused on potential tie us and mergers coupled with growth in development new application for the Organoids. The advantage of Organoids in targeted stem cell research is estimated to offer manufactures a prime advantage to grip on the market competition. Organoids Market: Region-Wise Overview The global Organoids market is segmented into the following regions - North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific Excluding China & Japan, China, Japan and the Middle East & Africa. North America is the leading regional market for Organoids due to growing research on the various cell culture Medias with Organoids in the region. In North America, the U.S. is the dominating Organoids market owing to increasing number healthcare research and bulging research budgets of manufacturers in the country. Europe Organoids market is anticipated to grow considerably owing to inclination towards research associated with organ regeneration. Japan and China is a growing at fast pace due to increasing investment from the manufacturers and availability of resources for the Organoids research. Growth in the Latin America and the Middle East and Africa is considerably low due to lack of research initiatives and technological parity in terms of funding's. Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-8106 Organoids Market: Key Participants Examples of some of the key participants in the Organoids market are Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Becton Dickinson and Company, Corning Incorporated, and Sigma-Aldrich Corporation., 3D Biomatrix, Inc., 3D Biotek LLC, Reinnervate Ltd, InSphero AG, Global Cell Solutions, Inc., and Lonza Group among others. Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/14/2019 -- Xylenes are petrochemicals produced by catalytic reforming and coal carbonization in the manufacture of coke fuel. They are used in various industries and medical technology as a solvent. It occurs naturally in coal, wood tar and coal among others. Xylenes are mainly produced as a part of the BTX aromatics. They are derived from various sources within a refinery including pyrolysis gasoline, toluene disproportionation and reformate among others. Reformate accounts for over three fourths of mixed xylenes market. There are three types of xylenes, viz., ortho-xylene, meta xylene and para xylene. Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-157 Ortho-xylene is a commercial isomer of xylene. It is a hydrocarbon based on benzene with two methyl substituents bonded to the aromatic ring. It is liquid at room temperature. It is used extensively for producing phthalic anhydride (PAN)-primarily dio-octyl phthalate for PVC. The major use for PAN is for producing plasticizers which are largely used in automobile and construction industry. In addition, it is used in solvent based paints. It is extracted by means of distillation from xylene stream in a plant designed for para-xylene production. It is a constitutional isomer of m-xylene and p-xylene. Moreover, it is produced with its isomers paraxylene, metaxylene and ethylbenzene. Friedel Craft's alkylation of toluene yields a mixture of ortho-xylene .This reaction gives a pure form of o-xylene. Furthermore, it is used in alkyd resins having wide applications in the coating industry. It has a large demand in the petrochemical industry. The growing construction industry coupled with burgeoning development in the automobile industry is expected to drive the demand for ortho-xylene within the forecast period. Additionally, the growing paints and adhesive industry is expected to fuel the demand for ortho-xylene further over the next few years. However, acute inhalation or exposure to ortho-xylene in humans results in irritation of eyes and neurological effects. Furthermore, chronic exposure of ortho-xylenes results in central nervous system effects, cardio-vascular and kidney effects. It reacts violently with oxidants causing fire and explosion hazard. Thus, stringent regulations on use of ethylene are expected to hamper the ortho-xylene market in near future. In Asia, prices of xylene are anticipated to weaken due to weak downstream conditions in the purified terephthalic acid and paraxylene sectors. Global manufacturing coupled with supply chain and access to feedstock are the key strengths of the companies involved in the ortho-xylene market. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing regional market within the forecast period on account of the growing chemical industry and in turn, rapid industrialization. China dominated the otho-xylene production in 2011 and this trend is expected to continue within the forecast period. In India, Reliance Industries is a manufacturer of ortho-xylene with a capacity of 150 KTA. Consumption of ortho-xylene in Eastern Europe and Russia is expected to be strong on account of the thriving construction industry. Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-157 The major players in the ortho-xylene market are Creasyn Finechem (Tianjin) Co., Ltd., Doe & Ingalls of North Carolina Inc., DynaChem Inc, Minda Petrochemicals Ltd, Shell Chemicals, Sonoco Chemicals, U.S. Petrochemical Industries Ltd. and Puritan Products, Inc. among others. Ortho-xylene projects by major companies are planned in China, Taiwan and Singapore within the forecast period. Valley Cottage, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/14/2019 -- Skin traction kits is used for various orthopedics. Skin traction is one of the two basic types of traction used for the treatment of fractured bones or dislocation of the body parts. It is applied at the damaged part to immobilize them to prevent further tissue damage. It also helps to relieve muscle spasms or to reduce deformities such as arthritis. It works by applying bandages, splints, tapes, sponge rubbers or canvas material to the skin surrounding the damaged body structure. Once the material has been applied the weights are put into the skin traction. The amount of weight applied is limited to the tolerance of the skin. Traction should be applied in the desired direction and magnitude for effective results. Nowadays, non-adhesive skin traction kits are mainly used to avoid the risk of skin irritation and they also provides maximum patient comfort. The non-adhesive type of skin tractions are useful for sensitive or delicate skin and for infants. The Latex-free skin traction kits are also available in the market for the allergic people. Low allergy adhesive skin traction kits are effective for long term treatment. Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-7129 Skin Traction Kits Market: Drivers & Restraints Increase prevalence of bone-related injuries and other muscle injuries is the driving factor of skin traction kits in the overall forecast period. Rise in geriatric population and increasing the incidence of arthritis and other back pains are the second most driving factors of skin traction kits market. Cheaper cost than other medical procedures also increases the market size of skin traction kits. Longer recovery time and other more advanced surgical techniques have restrained the growth of skin traction kits market in the forecast period. Moreover, lack of awareness among the people and untrained professionals in the low resource regions also delayed the growth of skin traction kits market. Skin Traction Kits Market: Segmentation The global market for skin traction kits is segmented on the basis of product type, end users and geography. Based on the product type, skin traction kits market is segmented into: Adhesives skin traction kits Non-adhesive skin traction kits Based on the end-user, skin traction kits market is segmented into: Hospitals Ambulatory surgical Centers Long term care centers Others Skin Traction Kits Market: Overview As the number of work-related accidents and increasing prevalence of arthritis, the market of skin traction kits is in great boom. They are ready to use and are available in different sizes. The non-adhesive skin tractions hold the largest market share in Skin Traction Kits market due to higher adoption among users as they do not cause skin irritations. The new adhesive skin traction kits are also available in the market provides maximum adhesion, made up of acrylic with less allergy related complications. The skin traction kits are available for short as well as long treatment. They can also be useful to relieve back pain and to correct mild deformities. Tractions are useful for various conditions. It provides pain relief in the earlier stages of the treatment. Skin Traction Kits Market: Regional Outlook Skin traction market is segmented on the basis of eight regions into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan and China (APECJ), China, Japan and Middle East & Africa (MEA). North America is dominating the market of skin traction kits due to rise in geriatric population and awareness among the people. This is followed by Europe due to better healthcare facilities and high adoption among the users. Asia-Pacific is expecting to grow at the higher rate in the skin traction kits market due to rise in work-related accidents and increase the incidence of bone-related injuries. The Middle East and Africa is showing the sluggish growth of skin traction kits market due to poor health care facilities and lack of awareness among the patients. Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-7129 Skin Traction Kits Market: Key players Some of the leading players operating in the skin traction market are: BSN medical GmbH, Molnlycke Health Care AB, GPC Medical Ltd, Relief Orthotics, BioCare Group Limited and others. Albany, NY -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/12/2019 -- The smart education and learning market in the ASEAN region is rising due to government initiatives towards digitizing education, increasing use of smartphones and tablets, internet penetration and developed information and communication (ICT) infrastructure. Virtual reality-infused classrooms and cloud-based smart education and learning solutions are gaining heightened popularity in the region and are becoming a standard across many educational institutions in countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore. Get Brochure For More Industry Insights@ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=B&rep_id=16106 Transparency Market Research estimates that the ASEAN smart education and learning market holds immense growth potential in the near future. The market is expected to exhibit a remarkable 19.7% CAGR over the period between 2016 and 2020. If the prediction holds true, the market is expected to rise from US$36.84 bn to US$88.97 bn by 2020. Simulation-based Solutions Witness Adoption at Promising Rate The ASEAN smart education and learning market has been segmented on the basis of delivery model into classroom-based, desktop/mobile-based and simulation-based solutions. Among these, the desktop/mobile-based segment was the leading segment, occupying approximately 67% of the market share in 2015. It is also expected to remain the leading segment throughout the forecast period. However, the segment is expected to lose prominence to the simulation-based delivery model in terms of the rate of growth over the period between 2016 and 2020. The segment is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 21% over the said period. This up-and-coming segment will, however, still be able to occupy a very small share in the market pie owing to the dominance of desktop/mobile-based and classroom-based smart education and learning solutions. The segment of classroom-based solutions is projected to see a decline in its share in the overall market by the end of the forecast period owing to the rising demand for simulation-based smart education and learning solutions. Malaysia and Thailand to be Potential Growth Markets The ASEAN smart education and learning market has been examined for seven regions: Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Rest of ASEAN (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), and Brunei). Malaysia currently leads the ASEAN smart education and learning market, accounting for a dominant share of 36.9% in 2015. The highly developed state of the information and communication technology (ICT) and vast penetration of smartphones have bolstered the Malaysia market for smart education and learning. Furthermore, government initiatives toward promoting the use of technology in education have resulted in the increased use of smartphones and desktops in delivering smart education to learners in the country. The market for in Malaysia is projected to remain the dominant regional market in the ASEAN smart education and learning market throughout the forecast period as well. Malaysia, along with Indonesia, is also expected to be one the most promising regions in terms of rate of growth of the smart education and learning market over the next few years. Both the countries are projected to exhibit a 20.3% CAGR over the forecast period. Get Customize Report@ https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=CR&rep_id=16106 The launch of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) has bolstered the demand for English language courses in Indonesia. Additionally, high smartphone penetration and government initiatives towards delivering digitized education have further added to the growing market revenues in the smart education sector in Indonesia. The key market players operating in the ASEAN smart education and learning market include Blackboard, Inc., Educomp Solutions Ltd., Cisco Systems Inc., Adobe Corporation, Scholastic Corporation, Smart Technologies Inc., NIIT Ltd., Saba Software Inc., Scholastic Inc., and Extramarks Education Pvt., Ltd. This article is part of State of Health, a series examining health disparities, how they affect Michigan's children and seniors, and the innovative solutions being developed to address them. It is made possible with funding from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. Michigans urban centers boast medical systems with highly rated obstetric and neonatal units, yet infant mortality in those areas is still drastically higher among black residents than white residents. Statewide, three times as many black Michigan babies die in their first year of life (14.6 babies out of every 1,000 live births) as white Michigan babies (4.8 babies out of every 1,000 live births), a ratio that has sadly risen in recent years. But the numbers are even more alarming in many of Michigans urban centers. Muskegons black babies have the highest death rate, at 26.5 deaths per 1,000 live births. Black infant mortality rates in Saginaw, Flint, Pontiac, Lansing, and Detroit are all higher than the Michigan average. These numbers coldly reflect the faces of hundreds of African-American infants who died before their first birthday. The disparity extends to mothers as well. In Michigan, nearly three times more African-American women die during pregnancy and childbirth (41.3 deaths per 100,000 live births) than white women (15.1 deaths per 100,000 live births). "We have had, for a long time, disparity between white, African-American, Hispanic, and other minority groups in the state," says Amy Zaagman, executive director of the Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health (MCMCH). What are the social determinants of health behind these statistics? And, more importantly, what are Michigans communities doing to improve them? Zaagman says that while some mothers and babies die because of lifestyle choices, systemic issues such as differential treatment and lack of access to care, healthy food, good housing, and transportation are at the heart of the problem. Amy Zaagman. "All those things tie in. Its not an easy answer," Zaagman says. "How do we change systems and communities where racism and other underlying social determinants of health are more deeply rooted?" Research shows that socioeconomic factors including income and educational attainment have either no effect on health outcomes for black moms and their babies or less effect than they do for white families. "When you take out these socioeconomic factors, that means structural racism is a determining factor that you can measure," says Demetrias Wolverton, director of mission impact for the YWCA Kalamazoo. "Racism definitely has the potential of creating trauma that women are constantly having to deal with. For black women, its not just access to doctors, but navigating systems that create trauma where they work, where they shop, in all the systems they interact with every day. All these different things continue to add more stress. The trauma that is associated with racism is alive and well." Addressing the problem YWCA Kalamazoo leads one of the many Michigan initiatives aiming to reduce infant mortality: Cradle Kalamazoo, formerly the Kalamazoo Infant Mortality Community Action Initiative. The initiative provides programming for families, women, and their children and also collaborates with the region's healthcare providers, insurers, religious organizations, Planned Parenthood, and the NAACP to dismantle the structural racism that leads to infant deaths. Wolverton notes that municipal bodies like the city of Kalamazoo and Kalamazoo County are "taking steps in the right direction" not only through involvement in Cradle Kalamazoo but also in initiatives like Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo. Demetrias Wolverton. "We are asking, What can we do as a city, a community foundation, to ensure that our community is healthy and thriving and that racism is no longer a social determinant of health?" he says. Cradle Kalamazoos hands-on programming for high-risk women and families includes home visits, infant safe-sleep education, and respectful reproductive health education and support. As another facet of the initiative, Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services and Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine lead the county's monthly Fetal-Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) in order to understand and improve mortality numbers. The Detroit area offers a variety of resources to help support the health of mothers and their infants. Detroits St. John Hospital Mother Nurture Project supports breastfeeding among its African-American patients. Moms and Babes Too, a WIC program, provides high-risk expectant mothers access to early intervention and preventive care. WIN Network: Detroit addresses maternal and infant mortality by providing a variety of health-related services and connections to local resources for young women considering pregnancy, expectant mothers, infants, and fathers. Great Start Wayne works with these organizations and many others in an effort to enhance Detroit's early childhood system. Its messaging campaign, My Baby: Born Ready, is an important example of how Great Start's many partner health systems and agencies collaborate. The campaign's ready-made graphics, text, and social media content, which emphasize healthy pregnancy and healthy babies, are used by Detroit-area medical providers, hospitals, WIC programs, community organizations, and health departments. "We really focus on collaboration in Detroit. Organizations, programs, and research initiatives that address infant and maternal health meet regularly and with great focus," says Great Start Wayne executive director Kathleen Alessandro. "All recognize that it is important that families receive clear, consistent information that does not send mixed messages." "A productive amount of outrage" Combating racial inequity has increasingly become a crucial part of efforts to address infant and maternal mortality in Michigan. Underpinning Michigan's many regional initiatives, the State of Michigans Mother Infant Health and Equity Improvement Plan (MIHEIP) recognizes "health inequities and unjust treatment" as a primary cause of maternal and infant mortality. Introduced this year, the plan is described as an "iterative, evolving road map" that builds on the state's previous Infant Mortality Reduction Plan. The plan lays out a generalized plan for aligning public and private efforts to address health inequity, which Alessandro says is key. "First and foremost, racial disparities in maternal/infant care need to be recognized, acknowledged, and accepted," Alessandro says. "Education about the disparities needs to be shared among all maternal and infant health touchpoints, and action steps need to be intentionally taken to eliminate the disparities and inequities." But that will still take considerable work and a heightened sense of awareness among multiple groups of Michigan stakeholders. On March 12 and 13, 400 stakeholders in infant and maternal health are expected to gather in East Lansing for the states second Maternal Infant Health Summit. Zaagman expresses excitement for the event. "We are trying to be involved not only in spreading awareness about how policies impact the systems and care but also making sure that the medical professionals and public health professionals are involved in that work," she says. "We are listening very closely to what they say will help and using that information to advocate with the administration and with legislators." Despite engagement from those higher-level stakeholders in the medical and legislative spheres, Zaagman says the major missing piece is "broad-based support where the community is driving the solution." Despite the alarming numbers on infant and maternal mortality in Michigan, she says public awareness of the issue is still remarkably low. "We need a productive amount of outrage," Zaagman says. A freelance writer and editor, Estelle Slootmaker is happiest writing about social justice, wellness, and the arts. She is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media , communications manager for Our Kitchen Table , and chairs The Tree Amigos, City of Wyoming Tree Commission . Her finest accomplishment is her five amazing adult children. You can contact Estelle at Estelle.Slootmaker@gmail.com or www.constellations.biz Sterling Heights Parks and Recreation director Kyle Langlois has seen attitudes change towards Clinton River. When he was growing up Kyle Langlois always thought of the Clinton River as a bit of a dirty word.It didnt flow very well, there was not a lot of wildlife, Langlois says. The joke was always that yes, you could swim in it, but I wouldn't recommend it or yes you can fish, but I wouldnt eat what you catch.Now, the Sterling Heights Parks and Recreation director knows just how much that reputation is changing. And how important it is that it does.Sterling Heights is one of the many communities lining the river (which traverses over 750 square miles across Oakland, Macomb, Lapeer and St. Clair counties) looking to the waterway for its placemaking potential. A recent push to realize the river as an asset has made substantial changes in the city, along with other efforts further along the waterway in Mount Clemens and even proposals for daylighting the river in Pontiac For almost three decades, the Clinton River has been listed as an environmental Area of Concern. The U.S.-Canada Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement pointed to the river as having one of the worst legacies of toxic contamination and environmental degradation in the Great Lakes ecosystem.In Sterling Heights, Mayor Michael Taylor says improving the river has to be coupled with changing peoples impression of, and the way they interact with, the natural feature.If you look at a map of the city, the river runs diagonally right through it, he says. It shapes everything in our city.Taylor says the river provides a great environment around it, and that the future of the city involves making the most of that. It will take a slight shift, however, in the local psyche.Even a lot of our residents who have lived here for 20 years or more dont realize what a tremendous asset it is.A few years ago, Sterling Heights received a $4.5 million grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, along with the city of Utica, for a Clinton River Restoration Project. The grant was one of the largest in the city's history, and provided improvement to the habitat along nine miles of the Clinton River, upstream from its confluence with the Red Run Drain.Contractors repaved paths, installed bank plantings, reseeded bare areas, stabilized banks, and removed woody debris blockages.Its been amazing, says Langlois. The river is flowing, and flowing water is cleaner water, and there's water that fish can live in. Its a beautiful river.Its been a tremendous benefit to the residents of Sterling Heights, says Taylor. It really is a gem that I think not a lot of people know about.Jerry Reis will be the first to tell you about the potential for enjoying the Clinton River. He and his team at Clinton River Canoe & Kayak have been working with the city over the last four years on the restoration project and plan to open a new shop front this year at 37328 Utica Rd.Its a beautiful part of the river to paddle, and will only get better, Reis says. Its like being up north, but in the city.As part of the city's Recreating Recreation initiatives, a permanent EZ Launch Dock will be added as well as the kayak and canoe livery. Its something the city want to see more of.One of the most fun, and unique, things you can do in Sterling Heights is get on a kayak, says Taylor.So weve been happy to partner with private companies and were working on having kayak and canoe landings and liveries that the city will maintain and support.One of the benefits of restoration projects that Langlois points to is a reduction in flooding along the river. Its not something that has escaped the notice of homeowners.Builder Joe Nahas has seen a renewed interest in homes along the river, and an increase in value.There used to be stigma about the Clinton River, but in the last ten years a switch has flipped and people want to be near it."Both Nahas and his son have built homes along the river, a move that has paid off when it comes to resale value.My wife and I are looking at downsizing, Nahas says, And we have another couple basically just waiting for us to move so they can purchase our house, because of its great location.Cleaning up the river isnt just about aesthetics on the river banks. Its also about improving water quality, which is where Six Rivers Land Conservancy comes in.The non-profit fiduciary for the Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) in Oakland and Lake St. Clair counties recently gained support- courtesy of two $60,000 grants. Each grant supports a CISMA coordinator based in a geographic region, and their efforts to address invasive species.Sounding like an flu-ridden Australian visitor, phragmites australis is one of the main invasive species concerns for Macomb. Phragmites thrive in disturbed areas and roadside ditches, and CISMA Coordinator McKenzi Bergmoser says it is a persistent, robust species that it requires a cooperative effort to control it.Phragmites treatments along road right-of-ways have been taking place around Macomb County, including areas of 16 Mile, she says.But it will take a combined effort, which is why the Macomb County Department of Roads has been involved in the project as well.All water is part of a larger hydrologic process, whether it be the water contained in a lake, river, stream, or puddle, says Bergmoser. By coordinating our efforts, municipalities and nonprofits can share best management practices and gain an economy of scale.Sterling heights isnt the only community taking advantage of its waterways. Eric Diesing, Watershed Ecologist at the Clinton River Watershed Council says lots of neighborhoods are waking up to what the river provides.A healthy river helps promote healthy living, both economically and socially, Diesing says.Habitat projects have occurred along several of the rivers locations, including the Clinton River Spillway, Galloway Creek and projects in Shelby Township, all in association with the EPAs Area of Concern Program.Today, after eleven restoration projects since being declared an area of concern, Diesling says the river is beginning to move towards becoming a renewed resource for wildlife and people to enjoy.With 1.5 million people and 72 communities living within the Clinton River watershed, its no wonder people are looking to reclaim the natural feature. It seems that sooner or later the negative connotations surrounding the river will become just water under the bridge. Jessica Robinson revealed plans for the first ever Master of Mobility degree, a nine- to 12-month program at Michigan Mobility Institute. Samir Tout is professor of Information Assurance at Eastern Michigan University's School of Information Security & Applied Computing. Photo by S. Tout. This is the In the process of establishing the Detroit Mobility Lab , Jessica Robinson says she's interviewed "dozens and dozens" of local mobility leaders who've all brought up the same concern: a lack of local talent with the specialized skills to fill their industry's needs.So in January, the Detroit Mobility Lab announced plans to offer a first-of-its-kind Master of Mobility degree starting in 2021. Working with local universities and industry, the nine- to 12-month program will offer a high-level educational credential in mobility through the brick-and-mortar Michigan Mobility Institute."We said, 'You know what? This has come up enough. It's time to do something about it,'" says Robinson, the institute's executive director.The Master of Mobility degree is just one example of the innovative ways metro Detroit's higher educational institutions are working to create new curriculum, programs, and collaborations that address the mobility industry's need for talent."It's a major shift," says Samir Tout, professor of information assurance at Eastern Michigan University (EMU). "However, the good news is that it really compels us to open up new types of educational avenues for our students."Those new educational avenues vary from institution to institution. Washtenaw Community College (WCC) has deployed a wide range of mobility training efforts since it opened its Advanced Transportation Center in 2012. The center offers a wide variety of mobility-related programs for college credit , including certificates and associate degrees, as well as shorter workforce training courses . WCC students can take advantage of educational tools like the college's mobile hacking workbench , which simulates the communications systems of a modern vehicle."We really wanted to be a leader in this whole connected space not necessarily the vehicle itself, but the vehicle and the infrastructure to which it relates," says Michelle Mueller, WCC's vice president of economic, community, and college development. "Everything is being affected by this technology. Absolutely everything."The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute's ( UMTRI ) work in mobility research is well-known, but the University of Michigan (U-M) itself doesn't yet offer mobility-specific degrees. However, UMTRI marketing and communications director Francine Romine says mobility topics have made their way into diverse fields of study at the university. U-M's school of engineering offers multiple courses on connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV), and the law school now offers courses dealing with the unique legalities of CAV as well.While it's unlikely that any U-M student will be taking both a legal course and an engineering course on CAV any time soon, Mueller and Robinson both say a multidisciplinary approach is key to mobility training. Robinson says the Michigan Mobility Institute will develop people who "have kind of a tinkerer approach to technology.""I think that's reflective of the state of art within mobility right now," she says. "Most of these things are not production-scale, where we're churning out hundreds of thousands of units. They are still in development and they will be for some time to come."At EMU, Tout recently submitted proposals for two new classes related to vehicle cybersecurity, which he says are just the beginning of a larger plan to expand mobility-related course offerings. But just as important is the work he's done to begin connecting EMU students to the mobility industry. He's already forged a partnership with automotive software company Elektrobit , which funded auto security research projects he and his students worked on last semester. They then exhibited those projects at the North American International Auto Show in January.Tout says that's just the tip of the iceberg. He's working on developing relationships with other mobility-related companies to create more practical learning opportunities for his students. Industry connections are key to WCC and the Michigan Mobility Institute's efforts as well. Mueller says business leaders sit on many of WCC's advisory boards. The college has also made an effort to plug into the local mobility industry by working with MICHauto , the American Center for Mobility , and the Center for Automotive Research "You've got to be tied to industry," Mueller says. "Being part of what they're doing gives you great access to know what's happening and to be able to respond appropriately."Robinson sees industry as an integral part of the Michigan Mobility Institute's work as well. Multiple local and national mobility industry leaders were recently announced as the institute's first advisory board members . She anticipates that relationship being a two-way street, with the institute giving back to industry in more ways than just developing new talent."There will be both an ample opportunity and a real demand for people who are going through these programs to do project-based work at some of the companies that we have here in the region," Robinson says. "You can envision it one day in the way that a group of business students might be deployed today on a project in partnership with one of these companies."One might assume that all this training is aimed primarily at area youth, but Robinson says they're not necessarily the target demographic."There's a lot of investment in our youth in the region through STEM programs, through schools, but also through extracurricular activity," she says. "There's a lot of robotics clubs and programming now. So we're really optimistic that that sets us up for success for our young folks in school and as they start their careers."Instead, she envisions the typical Master of Mobility candidate as someone who already works in the auto industry, has a four-year degree, and is interested in bolstering their skills to transition into a new automotive era. Mueller echoes that sentiment, noting that WCC will continue to focus its efforts both on for-credit courses in mobility-related topics as well as professional development opportunities for the "incumbent workforce." She notes that numerous Ph.D. holders take advantage of WCC's offerings."Sometimes people think at the community college you just have these people taking classes who are just trying to get their first entry-level job or get into a university," she says. "That isn't necessarily true. There's a lot of people that have degrees and they just want to get an additional skill set."Although higher education institutions have done a lot to fill the gap in focused skills development for mobility, Tout says they still have a long way to go. The key, he says, will be working together."We should realize that what we're dealing with is a huge skill gap, a huge shortage in those workers who will fill the jobs of tomorrow that are quite demanding in terms of technical skills," he says. "That really is quite a compelling reason for us to work together and try to prepare, to join curricula, and to co-plan to a certain extent."Visit Driven and learn how the Detroit region is leading the world in next-generation mobility.Photos by Steve Koss Its not every day that local college students get to work alongside technology development experts in the field of mobility.And its not every day that local college students get the opportunity to pitch their solutions for real world problems to top-level industry experts and corporate executives.And its certainly not every day that, should they win, they get a shot at a much-sought-after internship at a Fortune 150 company. And who knows where their careers could go from there?But thats just what happened at the third annual Lear Student Innovation Challenge on on Saturday, Feb. 23.The teams of students from a number of local colleges and universities--students of a variety of backgrounds, grades, and disciplines--gathered to pitch their ideas for innovation.This years theme? Solutions that capitalize on industry trends in shared mobility.While Lear wont divulge the winning pitch for confidentiality reasons, they will confirm that this years winner was Team Notio, which was comprised of Ibro Chundusu, College for Creative Studies; Shaily Fozdar, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; and Joe Iaquinta, Macomb Community College.All three will be offered an internship at Lear to incubate their innovation concept, according to Jenny Gogan, marketing and communications manager for Lear Corporation.In total, this years participating universities include University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; University of Michigan, Dearborn; Michigan State University; Michigan Technological University; Wayne State University; Oakland University; College for Creative Studies; and Macomb Community College.With this challenge, the students have the opportunity to provide a fresh perspective and insight on a current project, working with Lears top experts. The students also receive outstanding mentorship from Lears innovation team, learning how to develop the pitch and work together as a cross-functional team--both of which are essential to career development, says Robert Humphrey, director of innovation management for Lear Corporation.The Lear team also benefits from this experience by showcasing their dedication to working with students in the community and helping to establish great entrepreneurial talent for the future.The third annual Lear Student Innovation Challenge began with a two-day workshop starting Feb. 9. There, students received innovation training from industry experts and learned about Lears capabilities. The students were also presented a mobility challenge faced by Lear today. They then dispersed for a two-week period, incubating their ideas before the final event.On Saturday, Feb. 23, the students gathered in front of a panel of Lear executives and industry experts, pitching their innovative ideas in the style of the popular Shark Tank television program.In the end, it was Team Notio for the win.This is the first year that the Lear Student Innovation Challenge has tackled the topic of mobility, says Humphrey. In 2017, a team of students were awarded for presenting a solution to a problem with a Lear manufacturing process. In 2018, students were tasked with increasing vehicle occupant safety.This is our third year hosting the competition, and we have had great success with it in the past, Humphrey says.In the last two years weve had three incubation teams and submitted for a total of eight invention disclosures--which turned into four patent applications, with one of the projects underway and currently being implemented at Lear.Visit Driven and learn how the Detroit region is leading the world in next-generation mobility.Image courtesy of Lear Corporation. Press Release March 14, 2019 ANGARA: GOV'T NEEDS TO INVEST MORE IN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE Reelectionist Senator Sonny Angara said the government should invest more in water infrastructure and implement practical local government measures like rainwater collection to help the country cope with drought and consequent water shortages during dry season and El Nino events. "Since droughts and water scarcity have become a more common occurrence, it is necessary that we come up with measures to improve the country's water management system to prevent a full-blown water crisis in the future," Angara said. Angara issued the statement as authorities warned of possible water shortages in the coming months due to the El Nino phenomenon. According to the lawmaker, the government needs to build more water catchment basins and other infrastructure requirements to meet the country's water demands. He also called for full implementation of a 30-year-old law, Republic Act 6716, which mandated the construction of rainwater collectors in every barangay nationwide. "RA 6716, which was approved in March 1989, mandates the collection of rainwater in barangays to ensure provision of fresh water," Angara pointed out. "This covers the entire process, from catchment to treatment and distribution." Angara noted that community-based rainwater harvesting systems had been proven quite effective in several countries like India, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. "Why shouldn't we implement the same, especially since we get an abundance of rain during the rainy season?" he asked. As early as 2007, the Asian Development Bank had already warned that the country's clean water supply could be depleted by 2025 if the government failed to act and invest in water management and infrastructure. Metro Manila is one of nine metropolitan areas identified as "water critical." The others are Metro Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Angeles, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga. Because of the situation, the country's ageing and inadequate water infrastructure needs immediate review and rehabilitation, the reelectionist senator said. "This recurring water problem needs urgent attention. Every minute of inaction prolongs and compounds the problem of overexploitation and unsustainable use of water, a vital but increasingly limited resource," Angara added. Press Release March 14, 2019 De Lima to Estrada: Stop peddling lies about your supposed innocence Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima took a swipe at administration senatorial candidate Jinggoy Estrada for persistently feeding the Filipino public with outright lies in a desperate move to regain their trust and earn their votes in the coming May elections. De Lima, a former justice secretary, said Estrada should stop fooling the Filipinos into believing his supposed innocence over plunder charges following Ombudsman's recent confirmation that there is enough evidence to prove his guilt of the said crime. "Nagtataka talaga ako sa lakas ng loob ng mga gaya niya na kumandidato, humarap sa mga tao at magreklamo tungkol sa dinanas daw nilang panggigipit sa nakaraang administrasyon. Pero kung titingnan naman kung gaano katibay ang mga ebidensya laban sa kanila, malinaw na sangkot sila sa anomalya," she said. "Kitang-kita ang estilo nila: Maninira at maninisi sila ng iba para magmukha silang malinis. Magpakatotoo na sila, lalung-lalo na si Jinggoy, dahil hindi lang nila niloloko ang kanilang sarili, kundi ang taumbayan," she added. Estrada was charged with plunder for purportedly funneling his congressional development fund amounting to PhP183.79 million to bogus foundations linked with businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, the alleged pork barrel scam mastermind. He is currently on bail after serving more than three years in detention. Last Feb. 27, the prosecution has reportedly pressed the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division to scrap Estrada's motion for leave to file a demurrer to evidence, which would allow him to seek the outright dismissal of his plunder case. The Ombudman prosecutors said the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) report baring Estrada's receipt of PhP70.7 million worth of kickbacks from Napoles is enough evidence to prove his role in the pork barrel fund scam. "Such verification and confirmation by the AMLC is nothing less than corroborative to the testimony on record that indeed Estrada received kickbacks/commissions, therefore amassing, accumulating and acquiring ill-gotten wealth," they said. The lady Senator from Bicol said she hopes Estrada would stop mocking her to improve his already-tainted reputation, especially during his provincial campaign sorties, saying that "making fun of my unjust detention will not make you any better." "As I've mentioned before, you and I are different. I am deprived of my freedom because of the personal and political vendetta of Mr. Duterte who saw me as his political enemy while you are facing plunder charges because you stole from the Filipino's money. This is not about political climate," she said. "The Senate doors should be closed to liars and plunderers," she added. During the Aquino administration, De Lima led the investigation of the multi-million pork barrel scam and filed plunder and graft charges against Estrada along with then Senators Ramon Revilla and Juan Ponce Enrile and several other lawmakers. Estrada, Revilla and Enrile are running for senator this coming May 13 elections. Press Release March 14, 2019 Dispatch from Crame No.485: Sen. Leila M. de Lima's statement on Duterte's evasion of justice before the ICC 3/14/19 Instead of facing the music, Duterte is running scared. Behind the delusional bravado of a tyrant is a man who hides behind the legal acrobatics of his men, rather than face justice before the International Criminal Court - which, unlike the brand of justice faced by victims of Tokhang and EJKs, at least accords him the opportunity to defend himself. His men, particularly his DOJ Secretary and Spokesperson, basically argue four (4) things, all of which betray that Duterte is desperately grasping at any excuse to escape the jurisdiction of the ICC and the justice it is bound to serve upon him for his crimes against humanity. First, Sec. Guevarra argues that the ICC cannot exercise jurisdiction because our justice system is working. He uses the case of Kian delos Santos as an example. That Sec. Guevarra can only point to one prosecution out of thousands of deaths reveals the fallacy of his argument. It says a lot about this government that the one case that was prosecuted successfully was the one where the eyewitnesses chose to remain in the protective custody of Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who, for her efforts, was charged with kidnapping, among other absurd charges that were meant to intimidate her and the witnesses. Kian's case is obviously, and by Guevarra's own demonstration, the exception rather than the rule. Second, Sec. Gueverra claims that the letter withdrawing from the ICC - signed by the person under investigation himself! - was "as a matter of courtesy" letting the ICC know that the Philippines was never under its jurisdiction from the very start because the Rome Statute was never published in the Official Gazette. This argument is Duterte's favorite false legal loophole in claiming that the Philippines never became a state party to the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the ICC. It is a false argument because Philippine laws do not require treaties to be published first before the Philippines becomes a state party to them. Third, Sec. Guevarra says that the thousands murdered by PNP death squads and state-sponsored vigilantes in Duterte's drug war do not constitute genocide or crimes against humanity. Sec. Guevarra knows or ought to know that crimes against humanity include a systematic attack directed against any civilian population committed through, among others, murder and extermination. Duterte already admitted to ordering such criminal acts against civilians on mere suspicion of involvement in illegal drugs. On the day after Kian's murder, he gloated about the "one-time, big-time" operations that killed 30 civilians in a single day, saying 30 dead in a day is good for the country. Finally, Panelo also claims that the ICC would be violating its own laws if it proceeds with a probe without a preliminary investigation prior to the withdrawal. Yet he admits that there is already a preliminary examination that would decide whether the ICC has jurisdiction or not. Precisely, if the ICC decides that it has jurisdiction, then and only then can and should the formal preliminary investigation proceed. It doesn't lose its jurisdiction over a matter already taken cognizance of by the ICC before the withdrawal takes effect. That Duterte and his men attempt to argue otherwise reveals even more his true reason for withdrawing from the ICC (if there were still any doubt as to what it is) - the purely self-serving attempt of a guilty man to flee from justice. He may not (yet) be fleeing physically, but he is surely fleeing by abusing his powers as President and usurping the powers of two other branches of government. Mr. President, ikaw na ngayon ang nanlalaban sa harap ng mga awtoridad ng hustisya. Gusto mo lamang isahan ang taumbayan at ang mundo. Gagamitin mo pa ang kapangyarihan ng opisina mo para manlaban sa katotohanan at hustisya. Gagawa-gawa ka ng kasalanan, tapos ngayong panahon na para managot ay tatakbo ka lang pala? Mahiya ka naman at ang mga tauhan mo. Tuparin mo na ang pinagmamalaki mong pangako na papanagutan mo lahat ng pagpatay na inutos mo. Huwag ka nang manlaban. Huwag ka nang tumakbo. Harapin mo na lang ang hustisya. After all the boasting about your willingness to sacrifice yourself supposedly to save the country by killing drug suspects, be man enough to face justice for the murders committed with your blessing and/or upon your open inducement. Press Release March 14, 2019 Koko: Jaafar a 'peacemaker' who fought for peace in Mindanao Senate Trade and Committee Chair Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III today joined the country in honoring Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) First Vice Chairman Ghazali Jaafar, who was lain to rest on Wednesday in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. The senator from Mindanao called Jaafar "one of the architects of the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)" and credited him for his efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution to the decades-old conflict in Mindanao. Quoting the Bible, Pimentel said "blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." "Mr. Jaafar was a peacemaker who was not afraid to fight--to fight for his beliefs, to fight for the Bangsamoro, and to fight for the right of Mindanawnons to a peaceful, prosperous, and progressive Mindanao," said the legislator. The PDP-Laban President said that he and Jaafar "shared a common desire to bring peace to Mindanao and I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with him on the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL)." "Mr. Jaafar's work will forever be remembered by us and future generations of Filipinos who will benefit from his tireless pursuit of a peaceful resolution to a conflict that has brought pain and misery to thousands of families--Muslim and Christian alike." Pimentel said he was glad that the highly-respected MILF leader was able to witness the passage and ratification of the BOL, a law Jaafar helped craft. "As a new dawn for the Bangsamoro people breaks with the ratification of the BOL and the establishment of the BARMM, I am happy that Mr. Jaafar lived to see this historic moment, and hope that the our people forever recognize his significant contributions to forging a just and lasting peace in Mindanao." Welcome to Shakesville, a progressive feminist blog about politics, culture, social justice, cute things, and all that is in between. Please note that the commenting policy and the Feminism 101 section, conveniently linked at the top of the page, are required reading before commenting. Net migration may have risen 10 percent in the 12 months to January, according to provisional data. By Stats NZ's provisional estimate, annual net migration in the year through January was 58,400 people, up from a still provisional estimate of 52,880 in the same period a year earlier. Stats NZ said the latest 12-month figure could be plus or minus 1,600. Migrant arrivals are estimated at 151,600, while migrant departures are estimated at 93,300. New Zealand citizens were the largest group of migrant arrivals, at 36,400, followed by China with 17,500. Among those departing, 44,100 were New Zealanders, followed by China with 8,500. Stats NZ has changed the way it measures migration. Its estimates are subject to revision, with net migration for the 12 months through December today revised up to 56,200 from 48,300. Arrivals for the year to December were revised up 2.4 percent while departures were revised down 4.6 percent. The government no longer requires people leaving or arriving in New Zealand to complete the arrival or departure cards from which the data was previously compiled. The new data is based on an outcomes-based migration measure, something Stats NZ said is more accurate as the outcomes measure reflects actual not intended durations of stay or absence. Under the new approach, it takes 16 months before the migration estimates are finalised so Stats NZ uses a statistical model to produce provisional migration estimates. It noted that the revised estimates are more variable in the first few months, but the size of revisions to arrivals and departures are expected to reduce after about five months. The migration estimates generally become more certain after each subsequent month, population insights senior manager Brooke Theyers said. Meanwhile, annual total traveller movements across New Zealands border reached 14 million for the first time in the year ended January 2019, Stats NZ said. Annual total traveller movements are equivalent to the sum of all arrivals and departures for New Zealand-resident travellers, overseas visitors, and migrants, said Theyers. Visitor arrivals were 399,300 in the month of January 2019. That was up 21,100 or 5.3 percent from January 2018. Australia led the increase with visitor arrivals up 7,800 versus January a year ago while visitors from China were up 6,600. Total visitor arrivals for the year ended January 2019 were 3.88 million, up 151,500 from the year ended January 2018, Stats NZ 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: 10th December 2021 Morning Report Ebos Group Limited (NZX: EBO) EBOS Announces Successful Placement Pacific Edge Limited (NZX: PEB) PEB Announces Agreement with Northern Health in Australia AFT Pharmaceuticals Limited (NZX: AFT) AFT welcomes Australian Federal Court appeal success 9th December 2021 Morning Report Ebos Group Limited (NZX: EBO) Acquisition of LifeHealthcare, Equity Raising Livestock Improvement Corporation Limited (NZX: LIC) Special Dividend 8th December 2021 Morning Report New Zealand King Salmon Investments Limited (NZX: NZK) Market Update Scales Corporation Limited (NZX: SCL) Market update China's national defense policy is a topic that never fails to capture international attention. To make more people understand China's national defense policy, we have had the honor of inviting Xu Hui, Major General and Commandant of the International College of Defense Studies at the National University of People's Liberation Army (PLA), to answer those questions. The U.S. military budget is 3x than that of China, so how can the U.S. be scared' of China? The defense budget is one of the core elements of measuring a country's defense policy. China's defense budget for 2019 will be about 177 billion U.S. dollars, meaning the growth rate has lowered from 8.1 percent in 2018 to 7.5 percent, which prompted their questions. According to newly released data, the U.S. 2019 National Defense Authorization Act authorized a top-line budget of 716 billion U.S. dollars, which is more than four times that of China. It left some netizens wondering, How can the U.S. be scared' of China? According to Major General Xu, for many countries including China, the military budget mainly depends on three elements: The security needs, the evaluation of the security environment and the economic competence. Therefore, the fluctuations of China's military budget are all normal parts of active defense policy. In Major General Xu's opinion, the U.S. has been concerned about China for years. They want to keep the top position forever and always keep an eye on the second place, especially on its military. So, it is quite natural for them to use China as the target to justify their military budget. Major General Xu also mentioned that the purpose of the military is not for construction, it's for destruction, for fighting. Therefore, the lower the military budget, the better. How can China ensure that the territorial sovereignty of other neighboring Asian countries will be secured? Earlier this year, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Manila and offered assurance to the Filipino side of the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty by saying: China's island building and military activities in the South China Sea threaten Philippine sovereignty, security, and therefore economic livelihood, as well as that of the United States. Not appropriate, said Major General Xu about Pompeo's remarks, noting that a lot of people were making fun of him for being a trouble maker. Xu thinks it's quite clear for the international community that the U.S. is attempting to drive a wedge between China and its neighbors. In Major General Xu's perspective, China and its neighboring countries are on the right track, which is to say that they negotiate and solve their disputes in a way that maintains peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. And for those disputes that cannot be resolved in the short term, Major General Xu attached importance to the principle of shelving differences while seeking common development. On one level, we should not let these small disputes prevent state-to-state relations, and on the macro level, we should try to find a way to jointly exploit the resources, he explained. This principle has played a fundamental role in ensuring that peace and prosperity has been maintained in the Asia-Pacific region, and a lot of progress in this regard has been made in the past four decades. Xu indicated that all the countries in the region should understand that they cannot move away, so they have to find a way to peacefully coexist in the region to put aside their disputes and let people work together in the common interest, to show goodwill and assure each other, and also let more people of the two countries recognize in this way we can make the cake of common interest bigger and bigger. Why does the Western media only make an issue of Chinese army's "lacking battlefield experience" insinuating that they are a Paper Tiger? Major General Xu was impressed when a netizen brought up the term Paper Tiger and asked why the Western media likes to insinuate that the Chinese army is weak. Xu acknowledged that the Chinese military hasn't engaged in large scale wars or fighting for over 30 years, but the PLA has been engaging in an increasingly large amount of peacekeeping operations and drills both domestically and internationally. The fighting spirit, the capabilities they have, and the achievement they have made is quite clear. No matter in UN peacekeeping or in the escort in the Gulf of Aden, they have been widely praised by the international community. He believed that the military's combat capability, status as a deterrent, and its cooperation with counterparts from around the world will increase. Major General Xu believes that a modernized military should not only be modernized in terms of weaponry and equipment, but also its human resources. The quality of the personnel is the most important aspect of military modernization. The armies need the capability to know, command and conduct modern warfare and safely guard the nation. Actress Parineeti Chopra who is gearing up for the release ofsaid her forthcoming film is a cool love story woven into a story of battle. Kesari revolves around the 1897 Battle of Saragarhi in which an army of 21 Sikhs fought against 10,000 Afghans. Chopra plays wife of Akshay Kumar in the film. Talking about her character in the film, she said: "Everybody knows Kesari is about the Battle of Saragarhi. It's a boys film, but at very crucial and emotional moments of the film, character of Akshay Kumar thinks about his dead wife (played by me). It's very cool love story that is woven into the story of battle. I have a very small role in the film, but it is one of those films that I wanted to be a part of." Chopra said she didn't think about her screen time in Kesari. "It was one of those films where I didn't think about what is my screen-time. After release of the film, people will think my role is too small, but it will not bother me. There is also one beautiful romantic song of mine in the film, which is going to be released in three days. Because of these two things, I decided to do the film." Kesari is an action-war film, starring Akshay Kumar and Parineeti Chopra in the lead roles. Directed by Anurag Singh and produced by Dharma Productions, it is scheduled for release on March 21. Text: IANS Images: Prineeti on Instagram By Mao Pengfei and Li Jiansu KAMPOT, CAMBODIA, Mar. 14 (ChinaMil) -- The opening ceremony of China-Cambodia joint military training Golden Dragon - 2019 kicked off at the Shooting Range Training Field for the 70th Infantry Brigade of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) in Kampot Provinces Chum Kiri district, Cambodia on March 13, 2019. General Vong Pisen, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), and Major General Feng Xiang, deputy chief of staff of the army under the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command attended the ceremony, joined by 716 participants from both sides. In his speech, Gen. Vong Pisen said that Cambodia and China are comprehensive strategic partners. The Golden Dragon serial joint exercises will help two militaries to improve their capacities, deepen cooperation and inherit friendship, and will certainly contribute to the peaceful development of the two countries and regional peace and stability. Maj. Gen. Feng Xiang said that the Golden Dragon joint exercise is a brand of the bilateral military cooperation. The Chinese and Cambodian militaries will constantly enrich the content and expand the scope of the joint training, and jointly improve the level of exchanges and cooperation between both sides. Li Ningya, military attache of the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia, said that it is the third time for both armed forces to launch joint training and it serves as a concrete measure to implement the consensus reached by the high-level leaders of the two sides on strengthening pragmatic cooperation. Compared with the previous two exercises, the size of the participating forces is grander, the joint operations are more prominent, the weapons and equipment are more diversified, and the training content is much richer, he added. Under the theme of joint anti-terrorism training and humanitarian rescue and aiming at promoting the two militaries abilities in counter-terrorism training and deepening the traditional friendship between the two militaries, the joint exercise will last until March 27. Chinese participants mainly come from the army under the PLA Southern Theater Command and the PLA 74th Group Army. In total, there are 252 members from multiple military branches, including special operations troops, army aviation troops, engineer forces, artillery forces, and armored forces. By Huang Ming, Ju Zhenhua and Yu Xiaoquan BEIJING, Mar. 13 (ChinaMil) Resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, China never seeks maritime hegemony. said the deputies and members from the Chinese Navy participating in the Two Sessions. They believe that China's Navy goes to the high seas, not only to protect its motherland, but also to maintain world peace. Chinese PLA Navys hospital ship Peace Ark (Hull 866) carried out free medical service tasks in the Oceania, Central and South America in 2018. They sailed 31,800 nautical miles in 205 days, treating 50,884 people and performing 288 operations. All these numbers vividly reflected the Chinese Navys love and passion for peace, impressing the local people with warmest memories. Major General Chen Xianguo, former deputy director of the Political Department under the PLA Southern Theater Command, who has led the hospital ship abroad several times to carry out free medical services, said that whether it is escort mission in the Gulf of Aden, evacuation of overseas Chinese in Yemen, or the disaster relief and medical services, the Chinese Navy is always there for maintaining peace. I have been in the Gulf of Aden twice and have gained all kinds of experiences, said Capt. Zhao Yanquan, captain of the guided-missile frigate Yueyang (Hull 575). Referring to the missions in the Gulf of Aden, Zhao said that they have implemented the escort missions both for Chinese and the UN ships. In the Gulf of Aden, we did these not only for China, but also for the world, added Zhao. Chinas development benefits the world, said Major General Liu Gengqun, former deputy Chief of Staff of the PLA Southern Theater Command. Liu believes that with 5,000-Year of civilization, peace loving is anchored in Chinese genes. The PLA Navy is about to celebrate its 70th birthday, and the progress of its development has further demonstrated its love for peace. Dispatching naval vessels to the Gulf of Aden and the waters off Somalia for normal escort operations are good examples. Since December 2008, the PLA has sent 31 batches of more than 100 vessels and over 26,000 troops to provide security for over 6,600 Chinese and foreign ships. We must be more active in the international activities such as escort missions abroad, disaster relief and humanitarian medical services. We will continue promoting peace, sowing seeds of friendship, and demonstrating the Chinese Navys guard of peace through concrete and practical actions, said Liu. China did not, is not and will not seek hegemony as always! said Lieutenant general Cen Xu, assistant to the director of the former PLA General Political Department. Cen said that the Chinese Navy is a force that loves and defends peace and will forever hold that as its ultimate purpose. I cannot hope to pinpoint the original date of the legend, but it is plausible that the idea of robots guarding Buddhas relics melds both real and imagined engineering feats from the time of Ajatasatru and Asoka. by Adrienne Mayor As early as Homer, more than 2,500 years ago, Greek mythology explored the idea of automatons and self-moving devices. By the third century B.C., engineers in Hellenistic Alexandria, in Egypt, were building real mechanical robots and machines. And such science fictions and historical technologies were not unique to Greco-Roman culture. In my recent book Gods and Robots, I explain that many ancient societies imagined and constructed automatons. Chinese chronicles tell of emperors fooled by realistic androids and describe artificial servants crafted in the second century by the female inventor Huang Yueying. Techno-marvels, such as flying war chariots and animated beings, also appear in Hindu epics. One of the most intriguing stories from India tells how robots once guarded Buddhas relics. As fanciful as it might sound to modern ears, this tale has a strong basis in links between ancient Greece and ancient India. The story is set in the time of kings Ajatasatru and Asoka. Ajatasatru, who reigned from 492 to 460 B.C., was recognized for commissioning new military inventions, such as powerful catapults and a mechanized war chariot with whirling blades. When Buddha died, Ajatasatru was entrusted with defending his precious remains. The king hid them in an underground chamber near his capital, Pataliputta (now Patna) in northeastern India. Traditionally, statues of giant warriors stood on guard near treasures. But in the legend, Ajatasatrus guards were extraordinary: They were robots. In India, automatons or mechanical beings that could move on their own were called bhuta vahana yanta, or spirit movement machines in Pali and Sanskrit. According to the story, it was foretold that Ajatasatrus robots would remain on duty until a future king would distribute Buddhas relics throughout the realm. Ancient robots and automatons Hindu and Buddhist texts describe the automaton warriors whirling like the wind, slashing intruders with swords, recalling Ajatasatrus war chariots with spinning blades. In some versions the robots are driven by a water wheel or made by Visvakarman, the Hindu engineer god. But the most striking version came by a tangled route to the Lokapannatti of Burma Pali translations of older, lost Sanskrit texts, only known from Chinese translations, each drawing on earlier oral traditions. In this tale, many yantakara, robot makers, lived in the Western land of the Yavanas, Greek-speakers, in Roma-visaya, the Indian name for the Greco-Roman culture of the Mediterranean world. The Yavanas secret technology of robots was closely guarded. The robots of Roma-visaya carried out trade and farming and captured and executed criminals. Robot makers were forbidden to leave or reveal their secrets if they did, robotic assassins pursued and killed them. Rumors of the fabulous robots reached India, inspiring a young artisan of Pataliputta, Ajatasatrus capital, who wished to learn how to make automatons. In the legend, the young man of Pataliputta finds himself reincarnated in the heart of Roma-visaya. He marries the daughter of the master robot maker and learns his craft. One day he steals plans for making robots, and hatches a plot to get them back to India. Certain of being slain by killer robots before he could make the trip himself, he slits open his thigh, inserts the drawings under his skin and sews himself back up. Then he tells his son to make sure his body makes it back to Pataliputta, and starts the journey. Hes caught and killed, but his son recovers his body and brings it to Pataliputta. Once back in India, the son retrieves the plans from his fathers body, and follows their instructions to build the automated soldiers for King Ajatasatru to protect Buddhas relics in the underground chamber. Well hidden and expertly guarded, the relics and robots fell into obscurity. Two centuries after Ajatasatru, Asoka ruled the powerful Mauryan Empire in Pataliputta, 273-232 B.C. Asoka constructed many stupas to enshrine Buddhas relics across his vast kingdom. According to the legend, Asoka had heard the legend of the hidden relics and searched until he discovered the underground chamber guarded by the fierce android warriors. Violent battles raged between Asoka and the robots. In one version, the god Visvakarman helped Asoka to defeat them by shooting arrows into the bolts that held the spinning constructions together; in another tale, the old engineers son explained how to disable and control the robots. At any rate, Asoka ended up commanding the army of automatons himself. Exchange between East and West Is this legend simply fantasy? Or could the tale have coalesced around early cultural exchanges between East and West? The story clearly connects the mechanical beings defending Buddhas relics to automatons of Roma-visaya, the Greek-influenced West. How ancient is the tale? Most scholars assume it arose in medieval Islamic and European times. But I think the story could be much older. The historical setting points to technological exchange between Mauryan and Hellenistic cultures. Contact between India and Greece began in the fifth century B.C., a time when Ajatasatrus engineers created novel war machines. Greco-Buddhist cultural exchange intensified after Alexander the Greats campaigns in northern India. In 300 B.C., two Greek ambassadors, Megasthenes and Deimachus, resided in Pataliputta, which boasted Greek-influenced art and architecture and was the home of the legendary artisan who obtained plans for robots in Roma-visaya. Grand pillars erected by Asoka are inscribed in ancient Greek and name Hellenistic kings, demonstrating Asokas relationship with the West. Historians know that Asoka corresponded with Hellenistic rulers, including Ptolemy II Philadelphus in Alexandria, whose spectacular procession in 279 B.C. famously displayed complex animated statues and automated devices. Historians report that Asoka sent envoys to Alexandria, and Ptolemy II sent ambassadors to Asoka in Pataliputta. It was customary for diplomats to present splendid gifts to show off cultural achievements. Did they bring plans or miniature models of automatons and other mechanical devices? I cannot hope to pinpoint the original date of the legend, but it is plausible that the idea of robots guarding Buddhas relics melds both real and imagined engineering feats from the time of Ajatasatru and Asoka. This striking legend is proof that the concepts of building automatons were widespread in antiquity and reveals the universal and timeless link between imagination and science. Adrienne Mayor, Research Scholar, Classics and History and Philosophy of Science, Stanford University. This piece originally published in The Conversation. For Russian youngsters these days, Stalin is a figure from the distant past. His appearance in this kind of setting doesnt shock anyone. by Andrei Kolesnikov The hipster precincts of Moscow these days have plenty in common with their Brooklyn cousins, Williamsburg and Bushwick: an all-too-familiar ecosystem based on coffee bars, techno clubs, bike repair shops and ample facial hair. So young visitors to one trendy barbershop perhaps can be forgiven for not recognizing the handsome, young bearded man with a fashionable black-and-white scarf depicted in a mural on one wall: Josef Stalin. For Russian youngsters these days, Stalin is a figure from the distant past. His appearance in this kind of setting doesnt shock anyone. Nor do many young people see this marketing trick as an insult to the memory of the millions of innocent people repressed, imprisoned and killed during Stalins long tenure as dictator of the Soviet Union. That represents a small victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his political allies who are waging another one of the wars that have raged periodically in Russia for decades. Opposing them is what remains of Russian civil society, which seeks to preserve the memory of victims of repression as a way of fighting todays authoritarian political regime. Just as a photo of the mural was making the rounds on social media, the Moscow mayors office banned this years installment of Returning the Names, an event with extraordinary emotional power in which people line up opposite the headquarters of the KGB (now FSB) to read aloud the names of those who were shot or who perished in the Gulag. In the end, the mayors office gave in, which perhaps helps explain why even more people than usual stood in the bitter cold for four hours to take their turn. One of the paradoxes of Putins Russia is that the harsher the stance of the current regime, the higher the level of Stalins popularity within Putins electoral base and the more likely these Russians are to make excuses for the Soviet dictator. This pattern became more noticeable following Russias annexation of Crimea in March 2014. According to data from the Levada Center, an independent pollster, 17 to 20 percent of respondents in 2014 had a negative view of Stalin. This figure dipped to 12 percent in 2018. Meanwhile, acceptance of the view that Stalin is guilty of killing millions of innocent people dropped from 62 percent in 2016 to 44 percent in 2018. The percentage of respondents who declined to answer that question also increased significantly, from 16 percent to 29 percent. These changes reveal only one attitude to be stable: Recognition of Stalins role in the Soviet Unions victory in World War II barely budged during this period. Even Putins closest allies readily admit that Stalin was a cruel tyrant. But thanks to the Kremlins well-crafted propaganda efforts, the dictator is once again becoming a symbol of Russian pride and military and industrial glory. For average Russians, Stalin is seen as an effective manager (as one history teachers handbook described him) or as a symbol of a glorious Soviet past whose image is routinely burnished in pop culture thanks to things like the popular television serials that present positive and romantic images of Stalins feared secret police, the NKVD. Russia, of course, is no stranger to these kinds of history wars. Stalinists and anti-Stalinists fought it out following the Khrushchev Thaw in the mid-1960s and Gorbachevs perestroika in the 1980s. In the absence of any national agreement on Stalins crimes, there is still plenty of room for the mythology of the Russian state to be framed around an official policy of simplifying the past and whitewashing the darkest pages of Russian history. Increasingly, this war over memory is spilling over into a war over monuments. A new wave of peoples initiatives to commemorate Stalin has appeared in recent years. In the latest incident, a public hearing was held in Novosibirsk, Russias third-biggest city, over whether to put up a bust of Stalin in the city. Imagine a similar debate somewhere in Stuttgart on whether to erect a bust of Hitler. Russian civil society is still capable of exchanging blows with the Stalinists. At the Kommunarka former NKVD shooting range on the outskirts of Moscow, where 6,609 people were shot, a Wall of Remembrance listing the names of the victims was opened on Oct. 27 last year. Completion of the memorial was complicated by a debate on whether to include the names of executioners, who were themselves later repressed. Still, this is another important step in memorializing victims of the regime. Another battle is being waged over a building on Moscows historic Nikolskaya Street, just a few hundred meters from the Kremlin. People were shot en masse in the basement of the building when it housed the dreaded military division of the Supreme Court. Now the owner of the building intends to open an upscale perfume store over the bones of those slaughtered there. Memorial finds itself not only doing combat with the state but also with the avant-garde of Russias glamorous consumer culture, who see nothing terrible in Stalin, and whose historical memory has been wiped out entirely. Its worth remembering that civil society in the Soviet Union was itself born from anti-Stalinism, and it continues to develop in modern Russia on precisely the same grounds. Another ambitious project, titled the Last Address, encourages people to remember Stalins victims by erecting memorial plaques on apartment buildings to which arrested victims never returned. The project reveals not only the scale of Stalins crimes but also the scale of resistance to the new Stalinists in todays Russia. And this is one more flank of the history war: Recently in St. Petersburg, local authorities supported a denunciation. It had been stated that the Last Address violates the law on advertisements. I myself put up a plaque on a building right in the center of Moscow from which my grandfather was taken away; he died in the Gulag in 1946. In the building where he and our family lived until 1965 one Moscow building alone six people were arrested during the Great Terror. The plaque is my personal victory in my personal war of memory with the Stalinists. In 1987, at the height of Gorbachevs perestroika, the rock musician Boris Grebenshchikov recorded the song This Train Is on Fire, which includes the line The people who shot our fathers are now making plans for our children. Back then, more than 30 years ago, a return to Stalinism seemed unthinkable. Now the grandchildren of those who shot our grandfathers at Kommunarka and across the gigantic empire of the Gulag are making plans for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren fighting for their minds and souls. The war over historical memory for the minds and souls of the next generations is arguably Russias greatest battle. Andrei Kolesnikov is a senior associate and the chair of the Russian Domestic Politics and Political Institutions Program at the Carnegie Moscow Center. Andrei Kolesnikov is an author at OZY where this piece originally published System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28: 29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. 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They were banned last year since regular English classes start in third grade and children younger than that were to be protected from excessively long hours. Hong Kong: Hung Hom Station check to resume The Government has accepted the Mass Transit Railway Corporations proposal for an enhanced test for the Shatin to Central Link Project. The opening-up investigation will resume tomorrow. The Highways Department said the opening-up investigation in the second stage of the holistic assessment strategy relating to the platform slabs and diaphragm walls of the Hung Hom Station Extension started in last December. The department noted that up to late January, a large deviation was observed between the embedded length of the threaded steel bar inside the coupler measured using Phased Array Ultrasonic Test and the direct measurement after cutting the rebar with the coupler connected. At the Government's request, the corporation probed into the incident and improved the Phased Array Ultrasonic Test. The enhanced test was then validated. The validation results showed that compared with the enhanced test results, all the direct measurements of the embedded length of the threaded steel bar inside the coupler fall within the 3mm's allowable tolerance of test results. The Government accepted the corporations proposal to continue with the enhanced Phased Array Ultrasonic Test in the second stage of investigation to minimise damage to the structure. The deparment said the Government will closely monitor the investigation, adding on-site test results will be verified the next day and will be made available here. This story has been published on: 2019-03-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. North Korea continued to produce raw materials for nuclear weapons last year even amid a flurry of diplomacy with South Korea and the U.S., according to a report by the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea on Tuesday. The report says the Yongbyon 5 MW reactor has been in normal operation since December 2015, though it temporarily suspended operations for a few days in February, March, and April in 2018. "It seems the North temporarily suspended operations of the Yongbyon reactor during the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in February, during a special South Korean envoy's visit to Pyongyang in March, and during the inter-Korean summit at the border truce village of Panmunjom in April last year," a researcher with a think tank here explained. But according to the report, "In November 2018, a member state informed [the committee] that the reactor's operation had been suspended from September to October 2018 and that the discharge of spent fuel rods could have taken place during those two months." The committee said it is probing organizations and individuals in Asia who secretly supplied centrifuges for the North to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons. It "observed the removal of spoil piles in Pyongsan in 2018," where there is a uranium mine, "which indicates that mining may be ongoing," adding it "observed no significant change around the possible uranium enrichment facility in Kangson during the reporting period, except for the periodic movement of oversize trucks." The New York Times on Sunday speculated that the North produced enough nuclear materials to make about six nuclear weapons between the first and second summits with the U.S. Apart from the Yongbyon facility, the North is also assembling missiles at civilian plants or non-military facilities, the committee said, apparently to guard against targeted strikes against official nuclear and missile facilities. Meanwhile, the report accuses North Korea of stealing US$571 million in Asia by hacking cryptocurrency exchanges on at least five occasions between January 2017 and September 2018. The regime also trafficked arms with some 30 countries in Africa and the Middle East to evade international sanctions. Global student climate rally starts in New Zealand Wellington, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2019 Students in New Zealand launched a global wave of protests Friday aimed at spurring world leaders into acting on climate change for the sake of future generations. Hundreds gathered in Wellington carrying placards reading "Time's Melting Away" and "Act Now or Swim", part of a grassroots movement planning to stage 1,000 demonstrations in more than 100 countries on Friday. The international student strike is set to see classrooms empty in cities across the globe, from Boston to Bogota, Dhaka to Durban and Lagos to London. "This is young people taking the reins and realising that they do have people power, that's really awesome," Abigail O'Regan, 20, told AFP. The protests were inspired by Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg, who camped out in front of parliament in Stockholm last year to demand action from world leaders on global warming. "We are only seeing the beginning," tweeted Thunberg, who has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her activism. "I think that change is on the horizon and the people will stand up for their future." Some teachers and political leaders have tried to cajole or threaten students -- efforts that have mostly backfired. In New Zealand, schools have warned absent students will be marked as truants, with Secondary Principals Association president Michael Williams saying their impact on climate change will be "probably zero". "We're concerned that students are wasting good learning time," he said. But the budding activists have received encouragement from Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern, who said it was important for the young generation to send a message. "Don't underestimate the power of your voice," the 38-year-old leader told students at parliament this week. "Too often we make this assessment that to make an impact we have to be of voting age. That is not the case." - ' Genuine fear' - Wellington university student Josie Mason, 20, said she was "excited by the fact that youth are being heard and are making a stand right now." "They call our generation the 'slacktivists' because it's really easy to say you're going to an event on a Facebook page or like something but not really do anything," she said. Despite 30 years of warnings about dire impacts, carbon dioxide emissions hit record levels in 2017 and again last year. Loading the atmosphere with greenhouse gases at current rates, scientists agree, will eventually lead to an unlivable planet. "On climate change, we have to acknowledge that we have failed," Thunberg told the global ruling class in Davos in January. The 2015 Paris climate treaty calls for capping global warming at "well below" two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). The planet is currently on track to heat up by double that figure. The UN's climate science panel warned in October that only a wholesale transformation of the global economy and consumer habits could forestall climate catastrophe. As she prepared to march through central Wellington to parliament, O'Regan said she was concerned that by the time she was raising a family the plant would be close to unlivable. "I feel a lot of stress and anxiety about the climate situation, and fear for my future," she said. "I have genuine fear that my future will not be what it should be." ns/grk/gle The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2018 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement The government is in a flap because the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea included in a report a photo of President Moon Jae-in getting into a Mercedes with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The government used what diplomatic means it had at its disposal to prevent the photo from being included, according to a source here. "The government used various channels to ask the UNSC committee not to use the photo of Moon boarding the Mercedes, but to no avail," the source added. Kim has a new Maybach, which he rode with Moon through Pyongyang when the two met last September. It has no license plates. One former high-ranking diplomat claimed the photo does seem to suggest some complicity by Moon in Kim's violation of the ban on luxury cars being sold to the North. The report also pointed to a Rolls-Royce Phantom and Lexus SUV among luxury goods that mysteriously came into Kim's possession even though sanctions ban them. Diehard Syria jihadists go down all guns blazing Baghouz , Syria, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2019 Their last Syrian bastion is levelled and burned, they are using rifles to battle warplanes and tanks, but the hardline jihadists holding out in Baghouz are still putting up a fight. Defeat is guaranteed, but a few diehard Islamic State fighters defending the last tiny, smouldering vestige of their once-sprawling "caliphate" are refusing to surrender. The Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurdish-led outfit which has spearheaded the fight with backing from the US-led coalition against IS, say their assault is in its final hours. IS fighters are now cornered on a palm-lined bend of the Euphrates near Syria's border with Iraq, but they are still on the offensive. "They attacked on two axes, from the Euphrates river, and from the hill," an SDF commander who gave his name as Sheikh Al-Jabal says from the roof of a nearby villa used as a military position. He points to the banks of the river behind the IS encampment, about a kilometre (half a mile) away, but the view is obscured by the thick black smoke billowing out of the ruins of Baghouz. A wasteland strewn with the charred carcasses of vans, cars and water tankers lies beyond the SDF's positions, marking the edge of the handful of acres ruled by IS. Nobody seems to know how many fighters are left inside the shrinking pocket. Despite thousands of people surrendering in recent weeks, the tiny hamlet of Baghouz has released a seemingly never-ending flow of civilians and fighters. On Wednesday, after the SDF announced that another 3,000 IS members had surrendered, another contingent launched at least two counter-attacks. "They are using tunnels, they have experienced snipers," Sheikh Al-Jabal says, a walkie-talkie in one hand and another clipped to his belt. Behind him, a huge black cloud caused by air strikes on IS ammunition depots darkens the sky and engulfs the little riverside village. The fires still rage hours after the strikes, fanned by the dusty desert wind. - 'They just keep coming' - "IS had conquered vast territories in Syria and Iraq," the commander explains, referring to the jihadist's lightning cross-border assault in the summer of 2014. "They seized ammunition and weapons from the army and all of this ended up being transferred to their last bastion," he adds. "To this moment, they are refusing to let go of their dream of a state." Baghouz is the last of a string of farming villages dotting the banks of the river. All lie in ruins, their streets made unusable by huge craters and unexploded ordnance. "Chickens for sale", "Ice factory": a few wall inscriptions bear witness to daily life in what was once the very heart of the jihadists' proto-state. The past few days have followed a set pattern: the SDF on the ground and its coalition allies in the sky unleash their superior firepower on the jihadist stronghold. At dawn, guns go silent to allow for the exit of the latest batch of jihadist families, pummelled into submission by the night's deluge of fire. "We're surprised every time. We say there aren't many jihadists left... and they just keep coming out of their holes," says an SDF fighter returning from the front. At another SDF position, fighter Massino Kobane's eyes are red with exhaustion after a night of fighting. "I'm determined not go home before IS has been eradicated," says the 21-year-old, who hasn't seen his family in three years. The young Kurd took part in some of the largest battles against the jihadists, helping seize cities such as Kobane, Manbij and their main Syrian stronghold Raqa when IS was still a major force. The battle to crush the last remnant of the caliphate in the Euphrates Valley was launched six months ago. But while the outcome was never in doubt, the fighting has dragged on. Kobane hopes he will soon be able to return to his loved ones and find a job in his native city of Kobane. "Our comrades are a bit tired after all these battles," he says. Seven NATO countries hit spending target Brussels, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2019 Seven of 29 NATO countries hit the alliance's defence spending target in 2018, figures showed Thursday, an improvement over the year but likely not enough to satisfy US President Donald Trump. The president has repeatedly railed against European alliance members for not spending enough on their own defence, accusing them of freeloading on US military might. Apart from the US, six members hit the target of spending two percent of GDP on defence in 2018: Britain, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Though NATO countries have only promised to try to hit two percent by 2024, the failure of many to get even close has infuriated Trump, who reportedly threatened to pull out of the alliance if the European allies did not boost spending immediately. Germany, Europe's economic powerhouse, has come in for particular criticism and once again it fell well short of the target. While German defence spending went up from $45 billion to $50 billion, the country's growing economy meant the figure relative to its GDP stayed flat at 1.23 percent. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in January that Trump's regular outbursts about expenditure had led to allies spending more. Stoltenberg regularly points out that overall NATO defence spending is rising and that by the end of 2020, allies will have added $100 billion to expenditure since Trump took office in 2016. US military spending dwarfs that of the rest of the alliance. In 2018 Washington spent nearly $700 billion on defence, compared with just $280 billion for all the European NATO allies combined. Last month a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) showed that NATO's 27 European countries fell short of the two percent target by $102 billion in 2018. The IISS said European NATO members would "collectively have had to increase their spending by 38 percent" to hit the two percent target in 2018. NATO officials had expected seven European member states to hit the target in 2018 but Romania fell just short on 1.92 percent because its economy grew faster than expected. Seven NATO countries hit spending target Brussels, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2019 Seven of the 29 NATO countries hit the alliance's defence spending target in 2018, figures showed Thursday, an improvement over the year but probably not enough to satisfy Donald Trump. The US president has repeatedly railed against European alliance members for not spending enough on their own defence, accusing them of freeloading on US military might. NATO's 2018 annual report showed sharp rises in defence spending, notably in the Baltic states and the Netherlands but economic giant Germany still lags. Apart from the US, six members hit the target of spending two percent of GDP on defence in 2018: Britain, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Though NATO countries have only promised to try to hit two percent by 2024, the failure of many to even get close to that has infuriated Trump, who has reportedly threatened to pull out of the alliance if the European allies does not boost spending immediately. Germany, Europe's economic powerhouse, has come in for particular criticism and once again it fell well short of the target. While German defence spending went up from $45 billion to $50 billion, the country's growing economy meant the figure relative to its GDP stayed flat at 1.23 percent. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Berlin's moves to increase its budget but insisted it must redouble its efforts. "Germany has after years of cutting defence spending started to increase, and actually added a significant amount of money to the defence budgets," Stoltenberg told reporters. "But I expect more. I expect further increases and Germany has made it clear they plan to further increase defence spending." - Trump outbursts - Trump's regular outbursts about European defence expenditure have caused some to question the future of the alliance, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. After the end of the Cold War military budgets in Europe steadily dwindled, but Russia's annexation of Crimea and growing assertiveness have made defence a priority once more. Stoltenberg insisted in January that pressure from Trump had led to allies spending more. The former Norwegian prime minister regularly points out that overall NATO defence spending is rising and that, by the end of 2020, allies will have added $100 billion since Trump took office in 2016. "We face a paradox: At a time when some are questioning the strength of the transatlantic bond, we are actually doing more and in more places than ever before," he said on Thursday. US military spending dwarfs that of the rest of the alliance. In 2018 Washington spent nearly $700 billion on defence, compared with just $280 billion for all the European NATO allies combined. Last month a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) showed that NATO's 27 European countries fell short of the two percent target by $102 billion in 2018. The IISS said European NATO members would "collectively have had to increase their spending by 38 percent" to hit the two percent target in 2018. NATO officials expected seven European member states to hit the target in 2018 but Romania fell just short on 1.92 percent because its economy grew faster than expected. Stoltenberg confirmed on Thursday that he would accept an invitation to address a joint meeting of the US Congress in early April as part of NATO's 70th birthday celebrations. NATO officials say it will be the first time an alliance secretary general has addressed both houses of Congress. Pakistan, India hold 'positive' talks on Sikh visits Islamabad, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2019 Pakistan and India held "very positive" talks Thursday, as the arch-rivals sat down to discuss a visa-free corridor for Sikh pilgrims just weeks after soaring tensions brought the two nuclear-armed powers to the brink of war. Officials from the two countries met in Attari, India, to discuss the details of an agreement that would allow Indian Sikhs to visit a shrine to their religion's founder in eastern Pakistan. "Both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalizing the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor," read the joint statement released by Pakistan's foreign ministry. The two sides are set to meet again in the coming weeks to finalise the deal, the statement added. "They were very welcoming, the whole meeting took place in a very positive environment," added Pakistan's foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal. Upon completion of the corridor, Indian Sikhs will be able to access the site without first having to apply for a Pakistani visa. The arch-rivals have maintained an uneasy calm since tit-for-tat cross-border air raids across their disputed Kashmir frontier in February sparked fears of wider war, with each side claiming to have shot down a fighter jet from the other side. The latest crisis was sparked by a February 14 suicide bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 40 Indian paramilitaries, and was claimed by a Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). A pilot who was shot down over Pakistani territory was later sent back to India, lowering tensions. Islamabad has also said it is cracking down on militants inside its borders, saying that more than 100 insurgents, including many from JeM, had been detained. The talks in India come a day after China put on hold a request by Britain, France and the United States to add Masood Azhar, leader of JeM, to a UN terror blacklist. Pakistani and Indian soldiers have continued to fire over the Line of Control -- the de-facto border dividing Kashmir, killing several civilians on both sides. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in full and have fought two wars over it. Afghan airstrikes kill 31 militants: officials Ghazni, Afghanistan, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2019 Thirty-one militants, many of them believed to have been Al-Qaeda fighters, have been killed in airstrikes in south-eastern Afghanistan, officials said Thursday. The strikes were carried out in Ghazni province late Wednesday, where the defence ministry said they targeted a "base" belonging to the militants. "Qari Aref, one of the facilitators (for Al-Qaeda) was transferring these 31 terrorists, including nine suicide bombers, in several cars when targeted by airstrikes and eliminated," the ministry said. It described the fighters as all belonging to the Middle Eastern jihadist group, although a spokesman for the Ghazni governor said fighters from the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani network were also present. The defence ministry did not specify who carried out the airstrikes. Only Afghan and US forces in Afghanistan conduct airstrikes. The Ghazni governor's spokesman, Mohammed Aref Noori, said the strikes had been carried out by US forces, but there was no immediate confirmation of his claim. Al-Qaeda is still believed to be active in parts Afghanistan and Pakistan, where some of its surviving leadership such as Ayman al-Zawahiri are thought to be hiding. While still regarded as a threat by Afghan and US officials, the group has not been able to conduct major attacks in Afghanistan or repeat the spectacular success of the September 11, 2001 attacks by hijacked airliners on New York and Washington. Court rules gunmaker Remington can be sued over Newtown massacre New York, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2019 Connecticut's supreme court ruled Thursday that US gunmaker Remington can be sued over the 2012 massacre at the Sandy Hook elementary school in which one of its weapons was used. The narrow 4-3 ruling raised the hopes of the families of the 20 schoolchildren and six school staff killed in the December 14, 2012 attack of punishing the marketers of the powerful Bushmaster AR-15 assault rifle used by shooter Adam Lanza. It also sets a precedent that could lead to more lawsuit against manufacturers whose guns are used in mass shootings. The ruling Thursday overturned a lower court's judgment that rejected the lawsuit, which charged that Remington Outdoor Co., arms distributor Camfour, and the Connecticut store which sold the gun, could be held liable in a wrongful death lawsuit. Lanza was a 20-year-old with known developmental disabilities who lived at home with his mother when he undertook the attack. His mother, a gun enthusiast, had bought him the AR-15-style Bushmaster XM15-E2S semi-automatic rifle more than two years before the shooting. Lanza killed his mother before assaulting the school, and then killed himself afterward. The lawsuit alleged that Remington and the other two defendants are culpable because they knowingly marketed a military grade weapon that is "grossly unsuited" for civilian use yet had become the gun most used in mass shootings. They alleged that the gun was marketed immorally and unscrupulously, sold on its warfighting capabilities to civilians who would never experience combat. - 'Used to kill' - That included, they alleged, popularizing the AR-15 in combat and mass shooting-type situations through the type of violent video games that Lanza was known to play. They specifically cited Remington's marketing of high-capacity magazines, which have only combat utility, for use with the gun. They noted that video games feature shooters using multiple high capacity magazines, and that Lanza attacked the school with ten 30-round magazines. "Prior to December 14, 2012, assault rifles like the Bushmaster XM15-E2S had been used to kill in department stores and fast food chains, at offices and homecoming parties, on courthouse steps, and in schools," the suit said. "Despite the unreasonable risks associated with selling assault rifles under these circumstances, defendants continued to market, promote and sell AR-15s to consumers." The court ruled that, even though the US Congress passed a law in 2005 that explicitly immunized gunmakers when their products are used in crimes, Remington could still be sued on the grounds that its marketing violated Connecticut's unfair trade practice laws. Congress did not seek to fully protect gunmakers and dealers from practices that promote criminal conduct, the judges said in their ruling. Hence, they said, "it falls to a jury to decide whether the promotional schemes alleged in the present case rise to the level of illegal trade practices and whether fault for the tragedy can be laid at their feet." The Japanese government will not take part in the drafting of this year's UN resolution condemning North Korea's human rights abuses, of which it had been a leading light so far, the island country's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Wednesday. There is speculation that Japan secretly offered a deal to North Korea, which is desperate after its summit with the U.S. in Hanoi last month collapsed. Diplomatic sources speculated that Tokyo is setting itself up as a new mediator for North Korea to get Pyongyang to reveal the fate of Japanese victims of a bizarre abduction campaign in the 1970s and 80s. "Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said it is important for Japan to take the lead in responding to the abductee issue and believes he should sit face to face with [North Korean leader] Kim Jong-un," Suga told reporters. Japan's Liberal Democratic Party faces public pressure to deal with the issue as regional and parliamentary elections approach in April and July. Earlier this month, Abe met the families of some abduction victims and told them he wished to "solve the problem by using all possible means" and added that he wants to hold his own summit with Kim. The UN resolution was first adopted in 2003 and has continued to be declared each year led by Japan and the EU. South Korea has frequently abstained. The UN Human Rights Council will convene its 40th annual meeting next week and discuss the latest resolution, but Japan is taking a back seat. Tokyo is trying to bolster its diplomatic role in Northeast Asia as China flexes its military muscle. President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday asked Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to help encourage North Korea to play a more responsible role as a member of the global community. Meeting the nonagenarian comeback kid of Malaysian politics in Kuala Lumpur, Moon stressed the importance of North Korea entering the international community. "Moon actively appealed to Malaysia, which has normalized diplomatic ties with North Korea, that improvement of inter-Korean relations and easing of sanctions are vital to persuade North Korea to denuclearize," a presidential spokesman said. Mahathir only said he expects relations between the two Koreas to improve further. Neither Moon nor Mahathir mentioned Malaysia's sudden release of an Indonesian suspect in the assassination of Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, at Kuala Lumpur airport in 2017. English13/03/2019 UJIC: TWO MIGRANTS STILL BEING SEARCHED FOR SARAJEVO, March 13 /SRNA/ - Director of the Service for Foreigners Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slobodan Ujic, told SRNA that two out of the group of migrants who escaped from the Immigration Centre in Istocno Sarajevo, are still being searched for, while the rest were found and returned to this Centre. He stated that the Service for Foreigners Affairs officers found four out of the six migrants who were at large. Ujic said that two migrants still at large do not pose a threat to citizens' safety. Vesna Stokanovic, spokeswoman for the Istocno Sarajevo Police Administration, told SRNA that the migrants escaping the Centre were reported to the Police that are still searching for the remaining two. She stated that members of this Police Administration did not arrest any migrants. The Service for Foreigners Affairs announced Tuesday evening that a group of 15 migrants attempted to escape from the Immigration Centre in Istocno Novo Sarajevo and that, thanks to the rapid response of the security officers, nine persons were prevented from escaping. Six persons, who were handed down expulsion measures and were in the process of readmission, jumped over the fence. The Republika Srpska and Sarajevo Canton interior ministries and the field offices of the Service for Foreigners Affairs were informed on the escape. Over earlier statements by Security Minister of the Council of Ministers in caretaking capacity, Dragan Mektic, that five migrants, originating from Afghanistan and being linked with international terrorism, are in this Centre, the Service for Foreigners Affairs notes that these persons did not take part in yesterday's attempted escape and are under surveillance at the Immigration Centre. /end/vos Published: 14 March 2019 A total of 5.1 per cent of students discontinued education Discontinuation of education leading to a qualification or degree remained in the academic year 2016/2017 almost on level with the previous academic year. In all, 5.1 per cent of students discontinued their studies and did not resume them in any education leading to a qualification or degree. In upper secondary general education aimed at young people the discontinuation percentage was 3.1, in vocational education aimed at young people it was 7.4, in university of applied sciences education (university of applied sciences qualifications) 7.3 and in university education (lower and higher university degrees) 5.9 per cent. These data derive from Statistics Finlands Education Statistics. Discontinuation of education in upper secondary general, vocational, university of applied sciences and university education in academic years from 2005/2006 to 2016/2017, % These statistics examine discontinuation from many perspectives. Education can be discontinued in one's own field of education in one's own sector of education, but it can continued in another field of education either in one's own or another sector of education. Or correspondingly, examined by area; education can be discontinued in one's own sector of education in ones own region, but it can continue in another region in either one's own or another sector of education. Men discontinued studies more often than women Men discontinued their education leading to a qualification or degree more often than women in the academic year 2016/2017. Of men, 6.0 per cent discontinued education completely and 4.2 per cent of women. Women and men changed their sector of education equally often. Men most often discontinued university of applied sciences education (9.3 per cent), women vocational education (7.5 per cent). Women discontinued studies in the sector of vocational education more often than men (7.3 per cent), but instead of discontinuing completely, women continued studies in some other sector of education more often than men. Discontinuation of education leading to a qualification or degree by sex and sector of education in academic year 2016/2017 1) Sex / sector of education Number of students used in the statistics on discontinuation of education 20 Sept. 2016 Discontinued in own sector of education Changed sector of education Discontinued completely education leading to a qualification or degree Pieces % % % Total 474 681 6,1 1,0 5,1 Men and women Upper secondary general education (aimed at young people) 96 224 3,1 1,5 1,6 Vocational education (aimed at young people) 115 264 7,4 0,7 6,7 University of applied sciences education (university of applied sciences degrees) 128 337 7,3 1,2 6,1 University education (Bachelors and Masters degrees) 134 856 5,9 0,7 5,2 Men Total 229 665 7,0 1,0 6,0 Upper secondary general education (aimed at young people) 40 877 3,4 1,5 1,9 Vocational education (aimed at young people) 64 150 7,3 0,5 6,8 University of applied sciences education (university of applied sciences degrees) 61 537 9,3 1,3 8,0 University education (Bachelors and Masters degrees) 63 101 6,7 0,7 5,9 Women Total 245 016 5,3 1,0 4,2 Upper secondary general education (aimed at young people) 55 347 2,9 1,5 1,4 Vocational education (aimed at young people) 51 114 7,5 1,0 6,5 University of applied sciences education (university of applied sciences degrees) 66 800 5,5 1,1 4,4 University education (Bachelors and Masters degrees) 71 755 5,3 0,7 4,5 Big differences in discontinuation by field of education 1) Numbers of students used in calculating discontinuation differ from total numbers of students, because part of students had to be removed from the data (see the quality description, only in Finnish). The data do not include Aland University of Applied Sciences because discontinuation of studies could not be calculated due to insufficient monitoring data. Studies were discontinued most in natural sciences (12.0 per cent) and in the field of information and communication technology (ICT) (12.2 per cent), and least in general education (3.1 per cent) and in education (5.4 per cent). Discontinuation in various sectors of education focuses on different fields of education. In vocational education aimed at young people discontinuation was most common in natural sciences (15.0 per cent) and in ICT (12.4 per cent), and lowest in health and welfare (8.6 per cent). When examining with a more detailed classification of field of education the situation changes slightly; discontinuation was highest in fishery (15.5 per cent), languages (15.1 per cen), environmental fields (15.0 per cent) and material and process technology (14.4 per cent) and lowest in forestry (7.2 per cent) and security services (8.1 per cent). In university of applied sciences education discontinuation was most common in social sciences (13.2 per cent) and ICT (12.8 per cent). Discontinuation in university education was biggest in natural sciences (12.2 per cent) and ICT (11.5 per cent). In natural sciences discontinuation of education leading to a qualification completely was lower (6.4 per cent) than in ICT (8.3 per cent), because from that field students moved more often to another university field of education or completely to a different sector of education than from ICT. (See more details in Appendix table 2.) Discontinuation in both university of applied sciences education and university education was lowest in health and welfare, in university of applied sciences education 5.1 per cent and in university education 3.0 per cent. The statistics on discontinuation of education started to use the National Classification of Education 2016 in examining discontinuation. The discontinuation figures were calculated to levels 1 and 2 of the National Classification of Education. In earlier years the database tables used the education administration's Classification of field of education and level of education. They can be found nowadays in the archive database. Other discontinuation data Discontinuation grew slightly in apprenticeship training . The number of students having discontinued apprenticeship training during and after the probationary period was higher than in a couple of previous years. In all, 769 students discontinued apprenticeship training during the four-month probationary period in 2017, which is 1.5 per cent of all students in apprenticeship training. A total of 3,491 students discontinued apprenticeship training after the probationary period, which is 6.6 per cent of all students in apprenticeship training. The total number of students in apprenticeship training was 52,715 in 2017. A total of 510 students had discontinued studies in one way or another in comprehensive school during the 2017/2018 academic year. The number of those who had completely dropped out from compulsory education in the spring term was 74 and those over the age of compulsory education having left school without a leaving certificate from comprehensive school was 436. Thirty-seven per cent of all school drop-outs were girls. The number of girls among those who had completely dropped out from compulsory education was 33, and 157 among those having left comprehensive school without a leaving certificate. The database tables of these statistics contain information on discontinuation of studies by sector of education in different fields of education and regions. These statistics describe the discontinuation of post-comprehensive school education leading to a qualification. Data concerning discontinuation in the academic year 2016/2017 have been obtained by examining the situation in September 2017 of the students who attended education in September 2016. If a person has not obtained a qualification or continued education during this period, he/she is counted as having discontinued education. In order to calculate the discontinuation, students have been followed in a certain logical order where completion of a qualification is always prioritised above studying. The calculation of discontinuation is described in more detail in the quality description (in Finnish). More information related to the progress of studies is available from statistics describing Progress of studies and Employment of students. Source: Education. Statistics Finland Inquiries: Heli Hiltunen 029 551 3314, koulutustilastot@stat.fi Director in charge: Jari Tarkoma Publication in pdf-format (271.7 kB) Updated 14.3.2019 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Discontinuation of education [e-publication]. ISSN=1798-9302. 2017. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 10.12.2021]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/kkesk/2017/kkesk_2017_2019-03-14_tie_001_en.html Published: 14 March 2019 Parents educational background connected to passing upper secondary level education According to Statistics Finlands education statistics, children of parents with high education pass upper secondary general school education and upper secondary vocational education faster than students whose parents have completed upper secondary level qualifications or have no post-comprehensive level qualifications. Parents high education improved the probability of both daughters and sons passing through education in the target time. Human capital inherited from home had more effect on boys than girls passing through education. Completion of degrees in both university education and university of applied sciences education accelerated. Pass rates by sector of education and parents educational background 2017 ** Including persons with unknown educational attainment in Statistics Finlands education registers* Including Post-secondary non-tertiary education Parents educational background had an effect on both passing upper secondary level education and entrance to education. In all, 74 per cent of new students in upper secondary general school education and 42 per cent in initial vocational education were children of highly educated parents. Twenty-four per cent of new students in upper secondary general education came from families where the highest qualification was an upper secondary level qualification, while the corresponding share in initial vocational education was 48 per cent. Two per cent of new students in upper secondary general education and 10 per cent of new students in initial vocational education came from families where parents did not have a post-comprehensive level qualification. New students who came from families with low education were a heterogeneous group: 50 per cent of new students in upper secondary general school education and 46 per cent of new students in initial vocational education spoke other than Finnish, Swedish or Sami as their native language. Foreign-language speakers were first or second generation immigrants, on whose parents qualifications there is, as a rule, no information in Statistics Finland's Register of Completed Education and Degrees, in which case they are recorded as attainers of post-comprehensive level qualifications. Upper secondary level education was passed in the target time of three-and a-half years best by children of parents with high education. Differences in the pass rates were big in both upper secondary general school education and initial vocational education depending on parents educational background. Eighty-four per cent of children of parents with high education passed the matriculation examination in the target time and 73 per cent of those having started studies for an initial vocational qualification. In all, 77 per cent of children of parents with upper secondary level qualifications passed the matriculation examination in the target time and 66 per cent of those having started studies for an initial vocational qualification. Of children of parents with no post-comprehensive level qualifications, 63 per cent passed the matriculation examination in the target time and 57 per cent of those having started studies for an initial vocational qualification. Pass rates of upper secondary general education by gender and parents educational attainment 2017 ** Including persons with unknown educational attainment in Statistics Finlands education registers* Including Post-secondary non-tertiary education According to the data for 2017, upper secondary general education was completed typically in 3.5 to 4.5 years: Eighty-two per cent of new students in upper secondary general schools completed the upper secondary general school syllabus in at most three-and-a-half years and 89 per cent in at most four-and-a-half years. Men studying in upper secondary general school passed their qualifications slightly slower than women studying there did. Parents educational background had an effect on the pass rates of both women and men, although the effect on sons passing education was slightly higher. Eighty-four per cent of daughters of parents with high education passed the matriculation examination in the target time and 83 per cent of sons, whereby the difference between the pass rates was one percentage point. When parents highest qualification was an upper secondary level qualification, sons' pass rate fell to 75 per cent and daughters to 78 per cent, in which case the pass rates differed by three percentage points. The difference between the genders in the pass rates was biggest in the case of parents with low level of education: 58 per cent of men passed the qualification in the target time and 66 per cent of women, where the difference between the pass rates was eight percentage points. The pass rate of men coming from families with high education was 25 percentage points higher than the pass rate of men from families with low education. The corresponding difference for women was 18 percentage points. Pass rates of upper secondary vocational education by gender and parents educational attainment 2017 ** Including persons with unknown educational attainment in Statistics Finlands education registers* Including Post-secondary non-tertiary education Sixty-eight per cent of students attending vocational education aimed at young people completed a qualification in three-and-a-half years and 75 per cent at most in four-and-a-half years. Women completed a qualification slightly faster than men. Of daughters of parents with high education, 73 per cent completed an initial vocational qualification in the target time and 72 per cent of sons. The difference between the pass rates was one percentage point. Of sons of parents with upper secondary level qualifications, 65 per cent completed a qualification and 67 per cent of daughters, in which case the difference between the pass rates was two percentage points. Fifty-three per cent of sons of parents without a post-comprehensive level qualification completed a qualification in the target time and 61 per cent of daughters, in which case the difference between the pass rates was eight percentage points. The pass rate of men coming from families with high education was 19 percentage points higher than the pass rate of men from families with low education. The corresponding difference for women was 12 percentage points. Fifty-one per cent of those who started studying for a university of applied sciences degree completed their studies in four-and-a-half years. Of men, 35 per cent completed a qualification in the target time and 64 per cent of women, so the difference between the pass rates was 19 percentage points. The pass rate of university education grows, the longer time has passed from the start of education. The older the cohort of new students is examined, the higher the pass rate became. Sixty-three per cent of students completed a lower or higher university degree in five-and-a-half years and as many as 72 per cent of those having studied for 7.5 years had passed a university degree. Of women, 69 per cent completed their degree in five-and-a-half years, while the figure for men was 55 per cent. The database tables of these statistics contain information on the differences between the pass rates for different sectors of education (see database tables ). The database tables also include information on those students who did not attain their qualification in the target time. More information related to the progress of studies is available from statistics describing: ( Discontinuation of education , Employment of students ). Source: Education Statistics, Statistics Finland Inquiries: Mika Witting 029 551 3530, koulutustilastot@stat.fi Director in charge: Jari Tarkoma Publication in pdf-format (262.6 kB) Updated 14.3.2019 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Progress of studies [e-publication]. ISSN=1799-1021. 2019. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 10.12.2021]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/opku/2019/opku_2019_2019-03-14_tie_001_en.html Published: 14 March 2019 Share of employed students grew According to Statistics Finland's Education Statistics, employment among students increased by 2.5 percentage points in 2017 from the previous year. Over one-half of students were employed during their studies. Working was most common in connection with university and university of applied sciences studies. Shares of employed students aged at least 18 of all students in 20092017 Fifty-six per cent of university students and 58 per cent of university of applied sciences students had an employment contract while studying. Fifty-three per cent of students attending vocational education were employed during their studies. Women worked while studying more frequently than men: 56 per cent of women and 50 per cent of men had an employment contract while studying. The proportion of employed women in upper secondary general education and in university of applied sciences education was around ten percentage points higher than that of men. Thirty-six per cent of women in upper secondary general education were working alongside studies and 59 per cent of women studying for a university of applied sciences degree. Fifty-five per cent of women in vocational education worked, which was five percentage points more than for men. There were differences in employment during studies among students of different ages. While 29 per cent of students aged 18 were working, and correspondingly, 40 per cent of students aged 21 and 52 per cent of students aged 24 had an employment contract. Among students aged 25 or over, 64 per cent were employed during their studies. Employment of students during studies varied by field of education. Sixty per cent of students in the fields of social sciences, journalism and information, 59 per cent of students in the fields of health and welfare, and 48 per cent of students in the fields of arts and humanities had a valid employment contract at the end of 2017. Employment during studies was more common than the average for the whole country in the regions of Uusimaa, Ostrobothnia and Southeast Finland and in Aland. More information on the employment of students can be found from the Tables in databases. More information related to the progress of studies is available from statistics describing Progress of studies and Discontinuation of education . Source: Education. Statistics Finland Inquiries: Vesa Hamalainen 029 551 2594, koulutustilastot@stat.fi Director in charge: Jari Tarkoma Publication in pdf-format (223.2 kB) Updated 14.3.2019 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Employment of students [e-publication]. ISSN=1799-0017. 2017. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 10.12.2021]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/opty/2017/opty_2017_2019-03-14_tie_001_en.html A more recent publication of this set of statistics is available. Latest publication: Index of turnover in industry 2021, October Published: 14 March 2019 Turnover in manufacturing increased by 6.2 per cent in January According to Statistics Finland, working day adjusted turnover in manufacturing (TOL BCD) grew in January by 6.2 per cent from the corresponding period of the previous year. Among the main manufacturing industries, the growth in working day adjusted turnover was strongest in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, 20.2 per cent, in the electrical and electronics industry, 14.1 per cent, and in mining and quarrying, 12.4 per cent. Seasonally adjusted turnover in manufacturing (TOL BCD) grew by 0.4 per cent in January compared with December. Annual change in working day adjusted turnover in manufacturing (BCD), %, (TOL 2008) The risen prices of electricity particularly had an effect on the growth in the industry of electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply. Among the main industries, turnover grew slowest in January in the food industry, by 0.9 per cent, in the chemical industry, by 1.5 per cent, and in the textile, clothing and leather industry, by 1.6 per cent compared with the previous year. Annual change in working day adjusted turnover in manufacturing by industry, January 2019, %, (TOL 2008) Export turnover and domestic turnover growing in December Export turnover grew in December most in metal industry, by 5.7 per cent, mining and manufacturing, by 4.9 per cent, and in the forest industry, by 4.7 per cent. Correspondingly, export turnover fell in mining and quarrying by 4.9 per cent and in the chemical industry by 2.2 per cent from the previous year. Annual change in working day adjusted export turnover and domestic turnover in manufacturing by industry, December 2018, %, (TOL 2008) Domestic turnover grew in December fastest in the forest industry, by 17.8 per cent. Respectively, domestic turnover fell in the textile, clothing and leather industry, by 0.9 per cent, and in mining and quarrying, by 0.6 per cent from the respective period of the previous year. Trend series of turnover, export turnover and domestic turnover in manufacturing (BC), 01/2007 to 01/2019, %, (TOL 2008) The index of turnover in industry describes enterprises whose main industry is manufacturing. The calculation of the indices is based on the Tax Administrations self-assessed tax data which are supplemented with data obtained with Statistics Finlands sales inquiry. The monthly turnovers of manufacturing enterprises can vary considerably, especially in the metal industries. The variation is mainly due to invoicing practices. The final invoice for major machinery deliveries and projects may be recorded in the sales of one month, even if the delivery had required the work of several months or years. The factors caused by the variation in the number of weekdays are taken into account in adjustment for working days. This means taking into consideration the lengths of months, different weekdays and holidays. In addition, seasonal variation is eliminated from seasonally adjusted series, on account of which it makes sense to compare observations of two successive months as well. The data for the latest month are preliminary and they may become significantly revised particularly on more detailed industry levels in coming months. Source: Index of turnover in industry 2019, January, Statistics Finland Inquiries: Maija Sappinen 029 551 3348, Kirsi-Maaria Manninen 029 551 2681, myynti.teollisuus@stat.fi Director in charge: Mari Yla-Jarkko Publication in pdf-format (325.2 kB) Updated 14.3.2019 Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Index of turnover in industry [e-publication]. ISSN=1798-596X. January 2019. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 10.12.2021]. Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/tlv/2019/01/tlv_2019_01_2019-03-14_tie_001_en.html Shanghai urged to step up work on maglev trains From:ChinaDaily | 2019-03-14 07:19 A national legislator has suggested that Shanghai, which operates the world's first commercial maglev line, should accelerate experiments and improve its technology to maintain a continuous advantage in this respect internationally. A new round of technological competition in maglev trains is going on globally, and a number of countries are speeding up the development of maglev train technologies, said Wu Guanghui, a deputy to the National People's Congress and vice-president of State-owned and Shanghai-based aerospace manufacturer Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, on the sidelines of the ongoing annual session of the national legislature in Beijing. Japan is constructing a maglev train line between Tokyo and Nagoya, which is scheduled to become operational in 2021 and the journey will take only 40 minutes, said Wu, who is also an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE). "Many foreign technology suppliers are focusing on maglev trains and some are trying to offer new maglev plans for Shanghai," he said. Even Tesla CEO Elon Musk has shown great interest in providing a plan for an underground maglev route in Shanghai when the company signed a cooperation memorandum on the Tesla Shanghai Gigafactory with the Shanghai government last year, Wu said. "He claimed that the technology is being experimented in Los Angeles and Seattle," Wu said Wu Guanghui, vice-president of Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, at a panel discussion at the ongoing annual session of the national legislature in Beijing. [Photo by Du Yang/China News Service] Shanghai has been operating a maglev train line based on Sino-German technical cooperation between a metro station in Pudong new area and Pudong International Airport since 2006. The 30-km journey takes roughly eight minutes with the train running at a maximum speed of 430 km an hour. Wu suggested a maglev route from downtown area of one city in the Yangtze River Delta region to that of another, for example, from downtown Shanghai to downtown Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province. "Shanghai-based Tongji University has mastered the technology to design maglev trains that can run at the maximum speed of 550 km an hour," Wu said. "This means that a maglev ride will only take half an hour to run from downtown Shanghai to downtown Hangzhou, which will significantly promote the national strategy of the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region," he said. Shanghai can also consider an underground maglev line from the downtown area to Pudong's Lingang area, the city's smart manufacturing base, to accelerate the development of the area, Wu suggested. A report on the website of the CAE showed that a meeting attended by 90 domestic experts to launch a research project on a new generation of maglev technology was held in Beijing in December. CAE Vice-President He Huawu said that the project would organize advantageous resources in the country to carry out strategic, comprehensive and forward-looking research on a transportation model combining maglev technology and a low-pressure vacuum environment. For nearly two weeks in January, I traveled to Doha, Qatar with 27 classmates and friends from John Burroughs School to take part in The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) Qatar. Even with the grueling 14-hour flight and eight-hour layover, the trip was life-altering I had almost never experienced such an unfamiliar culture and prestigious conference. In Model United Nations, delegations of students represent various nations or other entities in a simulation of the U.N. Students research international issues and take part in debates and committee meetings, advocating for the best interests of the nations they represent, while following the same rules of procedure as the real U.N. For example, the Burroughs delegation was split into groups representing Australia and Equatorial Guinea, and another representing the press and International Court of Justice (ICJ) advocates. Our THIMUN club spent over four months researching global conflicts, writing speeches and resolutions, honing debate and cross-examination skills and absorbing cultural competency lessons in St. Louis before our departure. To us, attending and succeeding at THIMUN was the epitome of what it meant to understand Model United Nations at a high-school level. However, even with all this training, our visit to Qatar also was significant because of our unique explorations of the country. For the first half of the visit, we devoted most of our energy to enjoying Qatar jet-lag was no challenge to our eagerness. From early-morning runs in the city along the Persian Gulf to late-night pool parties at the hotel, there was no time wasted for anything but fun. ADVERTISEMENT Among our notable experiences was a bus tour around the capital city of Doha, where we not only experienced the size and scale of the citys skyscrapers, but also stopped at the enormous Qatar National Library, Education City and Souq Waqif. From these destinations, we traveled to the outskirts of Doha, where we embarked on Land Rovers to zoom up and down the incredible sand dunes of the Mesaieed Desert. Except for the time that I spent struggling to carry myself up a treacherous dune, I found this to be the most thrilling highlight of the trip. Also, on this day, was a visit to the Qatar State Mosque, where we learned of how Qatar integrates Islam into daily life. On the final day of our touring section of the trip, we walked to the Museum of Islamic Art, an architectural materpiece that was almost as enlightening as the art inside. During this time, we met up with the delegation from Afghanistan, who were representing Switzerland at THIMUN (they also roomed with us in our hotel), and we brought our fun to a dhow boat cruise: the setting for our nighttime festivities. Here, we bonded and broke bread with the Afghani teens, and after we enjoyed ourselves with the glistening lights of the city behind us, it was time to go to THIMUN itself the following morning. Get the St. Louis Jewish Light's top stories delivered to your inbox six days a week. THIMUN was a new rush of excitement; finally, I felt as if I could put my training and preparation from our long Sunday meetings to use. And I did. After much negotiation and improvisation, I, like many of my classmates, became head-submitter of my resolution. However, my resolution, which aimed to curb the Syrian Crisis with an emphasis on the human-displacement implications, was not only a product of my work at home, but also one of many efforts by my group to succeed. I felt proud of the collaborative nature in the groups authoring of the resolution. Then came the debate. I wrote more speeches on the fly than I ever thought possible, answered an unfathomable number of questions from delegates and worked hard to pass my resolution (and it fortunately did, by an overwhelming majority). I also spoke for those delegates and their resolutions with whom I thought Australia most agreed, and in contrast, as well (this included the Burroughs delegate of Equatorial Guinea, but I was so enamored by the conference that it didnt even register in my mind that I was speaking against a fellow classmate). Thats how much I loved my time on the floor at THIMUN so much so that my authenticity was prioritized over a potential vote. But there were other aspects at the Qatar National Convention Center that were equally as memorable. Burroughs students were fortunate to meet many important figures in the realm of United Nations, including officials with the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime to the actual Australian ambassador to Qatar. Hearing from U.N. officials targeting the very issues that we had focused on also proved to be fascinating. Burroughs won the second-place prize in Global Aid with Impact Awards for our efforts in lowering the stigma against the usage of feminine-hygiene products. A video that described our project was played for all 3,000-something participants in the closing ceremony. Indeed, my classmates and I felt the rewards of hard work and the pleasures of traveling in a strange, yet exciting environment. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been selected as a delegate for THIMUN. Yes, I had reservations of traveling to the Arab state as a Jew and was concerned for safety of the women in my group, but I found so much more there, as demonstrated by all the wonderful experiences I had. Thus, this global citizenship that I have begun to cultivate is so valuable to me, especially as a Jewish teen, and that is why I wanted to share this experience with the readers of the Light. DGAP-Media / 14.03.2019 / 07:00 14 March 2019, Stuttgart Germany Exyte celebrates 30 years of business in Asia at Semicon China Exyte, a global leader in design, engineering and construction of high-tech facilities, plants and factories, is celebrating thirty years of successful business in Asia Pacific (APAC). The celebration will take place at Semicon China 2019, one of the world's largest and most comprehensive semiconductor trade fairs, which takes place from March 20-22, 2019 in Shanghai. The company entered the Asian market in 1989, when it successfully completed its first large project in Asia: the construction of a semiconductor plant in Taiwan for one of the world's leading semiconductor manufacturers. In 1991, the company established a subsidiary in Singapore. The early 90ties saw the company further grow and expand to China, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam, building semiconductors and flat-panel display plants. Today, Exyte is represented in China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam, operating projects in the region across its three core business activities: Advanced Technology Facilities (mainly semiconductors), Life Sciences and Chemicals as well as Data Center. Customers rely on an experienced partner for the full cycle of production facilities Exyte's Advanced Technology Facilities segment became a strong front-runner in the fast-growing APAC region, which accounts for 55% of Exyte's total group revenue. In the first nine months of fiscal year 2018, Exyte more than doubled its revenues in the region. Mark Garvey, President of Exyte Asia Pacific, comments: "The Asia-Pacific region plays a key role in Exyte's growth strategy because in recent years, semiconductor investments have shifted from the United States and Europe to Asia. With our long-standing track record and our construction project management skillsets in the APAC region we are delivering sophisticated next-generation technological facilities for our clients in Asia. A large part of our business is follow-up business and our long standing and trusted customer relations are therefore essential for our future success." At the end of 2018, more than 2,800 employees were employed in Asia Pacific. Due to the rising order intake in the region, Exyte is currently expanding its workforce with intensive recruitment and development activities in China, Singapore and Taiwan. In 2018, Exyte had three major projects in APAC of multi-national companies (MNCs) in China and Singapore alone. At the same time, the business with domestic companies, especially in China, is growing too. Already today about half of the TOP 10 clients of the Exyte Group are domestic companies from the APAC region. For the APAC region the importance of these clients will increase in relative importance. Semiconductor industry in China drives growth in APAC Wafer fabrication equipment spending is about to more than double in China from 2017 to 2019. Macrotrends, such as digitization, e-mobility, growing population, changes in healthcare and Big Data will further bolster this growth. The Made in China 2025 government initiative supports the development of a domestic semiconductor industry. Exyte enjoys a unique position in China as a foreign-owned "Grade A General Contractor License" holder operating in the semiconductor industry, with both multinational and domestic customers, which is proof to its customer orientation and ability to independently execute major construction projects. Exyte Technology, a member of the Exyte Group, runs scalable production capacities in Shanghai that offer maximum production efficiency through just-in-time and Kanban systems. Today, Exyte has a wealth of experience of 300+ projects in China alone. At the heart of Exyte's operations lies design ("engineering") and the realization of new factories as well as extensions and renovations of existing factories in order to adapt them to meet the growing capacity needs or new technologies. The design and build element is as crucial to each clients' fab operational efficiency and wafer production yield targets as ultra-pure environmental control concepts based on leading-edge cleanroom technologies. In addition, the group pays particular attention to safety and embarked the global program "incident-free workplace", which is a unique characteristic for customers and employees alike. Meet Exyte at Semicon China 2019 From 20th to 22nd March 2019, Semicon China 2019 will take place at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. The show connects with the world's fastest growing and most dynamic microelectronics market, providing the platform to showcase products, technologies, and brand in front of the most qualified audience of industry professionals in China. Exyte presents smart fab design, construction and operation as a future outlook and welcomes visitors on booth #1022 in hall N1 to discuss challenges in design, construction and operation of smart fab facilities. About Exyte Exyte is a global leader in design, engineering and construction delivering high-tech facilities, plants and factories. With a history of more than 100 years, the company has developed a special expertise in controlled and regulated environments. It serves the most technically demanding clients in growth markets such as semiconductors, life sciences, and data center across the full spectrum of services from consulting and design to managing turnkey solutions. Operating in more than 20 countries, Exyte is uniquely positioned to support clients locally and globally. In 2017, Exyte generated sales of 2.4 billion euros, up from 2.1 billion euros in 2016 on a like-for-like basis, with over 4,800 highly experienced and motivated employees (by the end of the year 2017). Exyte emerged from a regrouping of the M+W Group in 2018. Exyte is a member of the Stumpf Group. For further information about the company please see our website: www.exyte.net Pictures: 1.Cross section of TSMC's Fab 2 in Hsinchu, Taiwan: https://bit.ly/2JosyDx 2. The 300 mm wafer foundry for HLMC in Shanghai from a bird's eye perspective: https://bit.ly/2TM6WVo 3. Exyte teams designed HLMC's first greenfield fab including cleanroom, office and lab interior: https://bit.ly/2O14yF3 For further information please contact: Katrin Neuffer Head of Corporate Communication and Investor Relations Tel: +49 711 8804-4062 Email: communications@exyte.net exyte.net Sharon Tiu Marketing APAC Tel: +65 6725 8503 Email: sharon.tiu@exyte.net exyte.net DGAP-News: Ferratum Oyj / Key word(s): Quarterly / Interim Statement Ferratum Oyj: Ferratum Group publishes restated interim results for 2018 due to adjustment on credit loss provisioning in connection with IFRS 9 adoption 14.03.2019 / 08:17 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Ferratum Group publishes restated interim results for 2018 due to adjustment on credit loss provisioning in connection with IFRS 9 adoption Helsinki, 14 March 2019 - Ferratum Oyj (ISIN: FI4000106299, WKN: A1W9NS) ("Ferratum" or the "Group") announces restated unaudited results for the 3 months ended 31 March 2018, ("3 Month"), the 6 months ended 30 June 2018 ("6 Month"), and the 9 months ended 30 September 2018 ("9 Month"). These restatements are required following a review of the implemented risk provision model and assumptions that were implemented as per 1 January 2018 as part of the adoption of IFRS 9 accounting standards for the Group's 2018 fiscal year. As of 1 January 2018, Ferratum Group adopted the accounting standard IFRS 9 Financial Instruments which covers, among others, impairment of accounts and loan receivables and introduced an expected credit loss model, replacing IAS 39. The overall impact to the credit loss provisions as at 1 January 2018 was calculated and reported as part of the interim results for the first 3 months ended 31 March 2018 as an increase of EUR 9.3 million as follows: 31 Dec 2017 IAS 39 1 Jan 2018 Reported IFRS 9 - reported impact GBV* Credit Loss Provisions NBV** GBV* Credit Loss Provisions NBV** GBV* Credit Loss Provisions NBV** Current 216,988 (10,159) 206,829 158,368 (4,695) 153,673 58,620 (5,464) 53,156 1-90 days due 29,895 (7,668) 22,227 72,398 (17,649) 54,749 (42,503) 9,981 (32,522) 91-180 days due 20,904 (9,228) 11,676 21,474 (12,768) 8,706 ( 570) 3,540 2,970 > 181 days due 68,456 (51,782) 16,674 84,004 (52,988) 31,016 (15,548) 1,206 (14,342) 336,243 (78,837) 257,406 336,243 (88,100) 248,143 - 9,263 9,263 * Gross Book Value of Accounts Receivables ** Net Book Value of Accounts Receivables The reported overall impact of the IFRS 9 adoption on equity was lower than the increased credit loss provisions, as the adjustment was offset by the impact of deferred taxes of EUR 1.7 million reflecting the timing difference of recognizing the loss allowance in accounting and taxation. Accordingly, the adoption of IFRS 9 was previously published to have resulted in a one-off accounting charge of EUR 7.6 million which was debited directly to the equity of the Group as at 1 January 2018. During the 2018 annual closing, the Group carried out a full review of the implemented credit loss provisioning model and came to the conclusion that the model has to be enhanced to be more accurate in the following aspects: 1. The parameters of default definition has been tightened from 91 to 61 days past due date for Primeloan, SME loans and PlusLoan, therefore aligning with the parameters set for Credit Limit. 2. Data extraction, discounting and mathematical modelling for Credit Limit, Primeloan, SME loans and PlusLoans has been corrected for accuracy. These points impact the basic methodology of the credit loss provisioning model and are therefore to be applied for the full year 2018 as well as the opening balance 2018. In accordance with IAS 8, the Group has corrected the misstatement in opening balance related to IFRS 9 adoption as follows: 1 Jan 2018 Reported 1 Jan 2018 Restated IFRS 9 - restated impact GBV* Credit Loss Provisions NBV** GBV* Credit Loss Provisions NBV** GBV* Credit Loss Provisions NBV** Current 158,368 (4,695) 153,673 158,368 (12,810) 145,558 8,115 8,115 1-90 days due 72,398 (17,649) 54,749 72,398 (20,720) 51,678 3,071 3,071 91-180 days due 21,474 (12,768) 8,706 21,474 (12,734) 8,740 (34) (34) > 180 days due 84,004 (52,988) 31,016 84,004 (53,485) 30,519 497 497 Sum 336,243 (88,100) 248,143 336,243 99,749 236,495 11,649 11,649 * Gross Book Value of Accounts Receivables ** Net Book Value of Accounts Receivables The restated credit loss provisions increase the one-off accounting adjustment of the credit loss provisions from EUR 9.3 million by EUR 11.6 million to EUR 20.9 million. The overall impact of the IFRS 9 adoption on equity is lower than the increased risk provision, as it is offset by the deferred taxes reflecting the timing difference of these reserve changes on profitability. After deducting deferred tax effects of EUR 5.8 million an adjustment of EUR 15.1 million is to be debited directly to the equity of the Group as per 1 January 2018 instead of the previously reported EUR 7.6 million. In addition to the restatement of the opening balance adjustment as per 1 January 2018 for equity, deferred taxes and the value of accounts receivables, the Group has also restated all subsequently published interim results and balance sheets as follows: Consolidated Statement of Financial Position 31 Mar 2018 30 Jun 2018 30 Sep 2018 Restated Restated Restated ASSETS Deferred income tax assets 8,187 10,123 10,029 Total non-current assets 41,441 46,641 48,701 Accounts receivable - loans to customers 254,597 269,989 294,237 Total current assets 398,472 448,486 460,776 Total assets 439,913 495,127 509,476 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Total equity 95,417 93,374 98,369 Total equity and liabilities 439,913 495,127 509,476 Equity ratio % 21.7 18.9 19.3 Net debt to equity ratio 2.20 2.47 2.56 The above described corrections on the IFRS 9 credit loss provisioning model trigger also changes in the recorded impairments (credit losses) in the income statement in the reported interim results as follows: 1 Jan 2018 - 31 Mar 2018 1 Jan 2018 - 30 Jun 2018 1 Jan 2018 - 30 Sep 2018 Restated Restated Restated REVENUE 61,442 124,232 190,194 Impairments on loans Restated (18,986) (42,162) (65,400) Impairments on loans Reported (18,866) (40,609) (63,996) Difference (120) (1,553) (1,404) OpeRating profit 10,048 16,591 25,429 Profit before income tax 6,506 8,175 13,706 Income tax expense (976) (1,227) (2,055) Profit for the period 5,530 6,948 11,650 Earnings per share, basic 0.26 0.32 0.54 Earnings per share, diluted 0.25 0.32 0.54 Based on the more accurate IFRS 9 model Ferratum Group has a stricter risk forecast model that improves substantially the quality of expected earnings in the foreseeable future. Following the adjustments to the risk provisioning model outlined above, Ferratum considers its procedures on calculating expected credit losses as fully compliant with IFRS 9 and a highly sophisticated version of a credit loss prediction model. About Ferratum Group: Ferratum Group is an international provider of mobile banking and digital consumer and small business loans, distributed and managed by mobile devices. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Ferratum has expanded rapidly to operate in 25 countries across Europe, Africa, South and North America and the Asia-Pacific region. As a pioneer in digital and mobile financial services technology, Ferratum is at the forefront of the digital banking revolution. Ferratum's mobile bank, launched in 2016, is an innovative mobile banking platform offering a range of banking services, including real time digital payments and transfers, within a single app. It is currently available in five European markets. Ferratum has approximately 2.0 million active and former customers who have an account or have been granted one or more loans in the past (as at 31 December 2018), of which over 792,000 customers have an open Mobile Bank account or an active loan balance in the last 12 months. Ferratum Group is listed on the Prime Standard of Frankfurt Stock Exchange under symbol 'FRU.' For more information, visit www.ferratumgroup.com. Contacts: 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. . . ... RTHK: One soldier charged over Bloody Sunday deaths A former British soldier has been charged with murder over the 1972 Bloody Sunday killings, one of the darkest chapters in the Northern Ireland conflict. The ex-paratrooper, identified only as Soldier F, was charged with murdering two people and the attempted murder of four others in what was an early turning point in the history of the Troubles, three decades of deadly sectarian unrest. British troops opened fire on a civil rights demonstration in Derry, Northern Ireland's second city, killing 13 people on January 30, 1972. A 14th victim later died of his wounds. Soldier F was one of 17 British veterans who had faced investigation, plus two alleged Irish Republican Army (IRA) paramilitaries, but he was the only one charged. A 12-year public inquiry - the biggest investigation in UK legal history - concluded in 2010 that British paratroopers lost control and that none of the casualties had posed a serious threat. Police then launched a criminal investigation and handed files to Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service state prosecutors in November 2016. Relatives of the victims were upset after learning that there would only be a prosecution over two of the deaths. "The Bloody Sunday families are not finished yet," said John Kelly, whose 17-year-old brother Michael was killed. He raised the prospect of a legal challenge against the decisions not to prosecute others. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-03-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Late-winter storm wallops four US states, snarls travel Chicago, March 14 (AFP) Mar 14, 2019 A late winter storm on Wednesday caused widespread flooding and snarled travel in the Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado and Wyoming, forcing evacuations in some areas. Blizzard conditions and flooding closed numerous roadways in the region. Nearly 1,400 flights were canceled at Denver airport, where all runways were shut down. Colorado declared a state of emergency and National Guard troops were activated. National Guard troops in Nebraska were put on alert for possible activation, as emergency officials braced for the storm to intensify overnight there. "This has the potential to be a very severe weather event," Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts said. "We're already seeing flooding in a number of communities and evacuations in several communities." Colorado was walloped by heavy snow and high winds gusting to as much as 90 miles per hour -- leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power, according to the Denver Post. Schools, businesses and government facilities were closed in Wyoming, according to the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, which itself was forced to shut down because of the weather. Officials in Nebraska said they expected flooding there to worsen -- potentially to record levels. "It is an unprecedented event today," said Kyle Schneweis, Nebraska's director of transportation. "Just today we're facing blizzards, white-out conditions, flooding, dense fog, and each of those pose a unique risk," he said. An area north of Omaha was evacuated as floodwaters topped a levee, according to television station KETV. The National Weather Service also predicted river flooding from rain and snowmelt in parts of Iowa, which could last into the weekend. SUMMONS STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF RICHLAND IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS Case No.: 2021-CP-40-04853 Crystal Goodwin and Tyrone Goodwin, Plaintiff, vs. Jatorri Jefferson, Defendant. TO: THE DEFENDANT ... All persons having claims against the following estates are required to deliver or mail their claims to the indicated Personal Representatives, appointed to administer these estates, and to file their... The mayor this morning is announcing his revamped plan to protect Lower Manhattan from climate change. At 10:30 a.m., hes scheduled to appear at the Metropolitan College of New York, 60 West St., to unveil the proposal. He also writes vaguely about the citys latest scheme for, filling one of the biggest gaps in our coastal defenses in New York Magazine. In the article, de Blasio hints about building out into the East River, a development first reported last week by Gothamist. The mayor explains: It will be one of the most complex environmental and engineering challenges our city has ever undertaken and it will, literally, alter the shape of the island of Manhattan The plan were announcing will invest a half-billion dollars to fortify most of Lower Manhattan with grassy berms in parks and removable barriers than can be anchored in place as storms approach. But theres one part of this area that will prove more complex, and more costly, to defend than all the others combined. South Street Seaport and Financial District, along the eastern edge of Lower Manhattan, sit so close to sea level just eight feet above the waterline and are so crowded with utilities, sewers and subway lines that we cant build flood protection on the land. So well have to build more land itself. The mayors plan calls for building out into the river by as much as 500 feet in some places. The plan would cost a whopping $10 billion. After a long community-driven planning process, the city scrapped an earlier version of the East River resiliency plan. Residents have been mobilizing against new proposals from city hall which would bury East River Park. More to come UPDATE: The New York Times reported following the mayors announcement: - : - : - ? - . : 97 , . 26 , , . 26 - , , , 3 : . , . . , , , , . . . . . : . , . , , , , , , - . . - , , , . , . . - , , . , , : . , V , . , . . : ? - . : . , . , , , , , . , . : : , ? - . : , - , . , , , , , . . . , , . - , . : ? - . : . , . , 15 . , , - , . , . . . : ? - . : , , . , , , , , . , . : ? - . : , . 7 . , . . , , . , -, . : ? - . : , , . 19. , . , . , . / / . - . . , , , , . . , . , , , . : ? - . : . 46. , - . , 3, - , . . , 6 7 . Based in the South-east coast of the UK, Ambling Traders is an artisan brand set up by Hannah Martin and her partner Joe. Available to shop online, the brand is full of all different types of eclectic pieces found by Hannah and Joe on their travels. They sell everything from slippers and traditional footwear to headscarves to copper water bottles. A true mix of everything, but with one main love for sustainability at the very heart. Image courtesy of Hannah Martin / Ambling Traders So, what is the main ethos behind the brand? Hannah explains: We are all about fair: fair for the maker, fair for the customer and fair for our beautiful planet. By meeting as many of our makers as we can and by working with them directly, we can insure they are being paid fairly for their craft. It also means we can get a fair price for our customers as we dont have to pay a string of middle men. Eco-friendly Ambling Traders is all about being kind to the planet sustainability and conscious living are a big part of the brand's DNA. We try to be as fair on our planet as we can be. As a company we have always tried to make environmentally conscious choices and to actively seek products that are gentle on the earth and sea. Many of our pieces use reclaimed fabric; wherever possible we work with natural dyes and materials and we really try and focus on supplying products that will last, breaking away from the disposable culture we seem to live in. As a company we have never used plastic packaging; all our products come in handmade reclaimed sari bags. We try our best to always practice what we preach. Being sustainable is something that has always been a part of Hannahs life, even before she started her brand. She says: I actually won the title most likely to recycle in my last year at secondary school. I remember at the time feeling a bit embarrassed about it - sustainability wasnt very cool back then! But thinking back Im actually pretty proud of it. Image courtesy of Hannah Martin / Ambling Traders Travelling the world Hannah never started off to create her own fashion and lifestyle brand. Ambling Traders was formed after the pair embarked on travelling around the world: We never set out to start a business. My partner, Joe and I had been travelling for nearly three years and to be honest we were freaking out about going home! We didnt want to go back to 9-5 jobs we didnt enjoy; we wanted to find a way to keep doing what we loved, exploring the world together. So what was the turning point? How did they decide that starting a brand together was what they really wanted to do? We were trekking in Himachel Pradesh and came across these amazing handloomed Yak Wool shawls a local lady was selling, we brought one each and didnt think that much of it. Later we were talking about how lovely they were and that they would make great gifts for our family back home. Then we thought well if we love them and our family and friends would love them maybe other people would to we trekked back up the hill and brought the lot. It was literally that simple! From there is just really snowballed, we started researching traditional Indian crafts and visiting particular areas where the crafts came from, we arranged meetings with various social enterprises and co-operatives, spoke to as many artisans as we could and started buying products directly from the people we met. When we came back to Brighton for Christmas 2017 we did a few local markets and sold out, we used that money to go back to India in January and really focus on growing the business. As she is someone who has travelled the world, I wanted to find out from Hannah where her favourite place shes visited so far is: For me its all about India, I had dreamt of going since I was a little girl and it just blew me away on every level. The people, the craft, the culture, the food it really is impossible to put into words. The country is hugely diverse, and I just found the entire experience incredibly inspiring. There were lots of parts of India I loved, but I think Rajasthan has to be my favourite. It was like stepping back in time and its where we met many of the incredible makers we continue to work with. I literally cant wait to get back. And of course, the next question is: where does she want to go to next? There are so many places I want to explore, in fact I cant really think of anywhere I wouldnt like to see at least once! Top of the list is probably Isfahan, Iran, where they produce the most stunning block prints. I am also obsessed with North African textiles at the moment. Image courtesy of Hannah Martin / Ambling Traders Meeting the makers What makes Ambling Traders unique is that Hannah and Joe meet all of the artisans when they are travelling. So how important is it for them to meet the people making the products? Meeting the makers is extremely important to us. I want to know with certainty that the maker is being paid fairly for their craft and that our money is going into the right pockets. There are some occasions where we cant get to the maker themselves, but we always try and get as close to the source as possible. Its my favourite part of the job; we have ended up in some crazy places and met the most incredible people. I love hearing their stories, seeing their tools and materials and getting an understanding for the craft. Many of the artisans we work with are using the same techniques their great grandparents used. I just find it fascinating. So how do they choose who they are going to work with? Is there a particular mindset thats involved in their selection process? We basically have three major points we want to cover Is it a sustainable product? Can we work directly with the maker or local supplier? Do we love it? We always work on a gut feeling, it has to feel right. We need to connect with the maker and the product, we have to want it for ourselves! Words of wisdom For people wanting to get into the industry, it isnt vital that you study a fashion-based course at university Hannah didnt: I actually studied sociology and social science at university, so nothing to do with what Im doing now! Although saying that, my business is very much based around people, connecting with them, sharing their stories and talents so maybe it did me some good after all! So finally, what is her advice for anyone wanting to start up their own business? Just go for it. I know that sounds really, really cliched but seriously, stop waiting to feel ready - you never will! You will make a lot of mistakes, you will feel like giving up, you will question every decision you make, but you will learn, and you will improve and slowly you will get there. I never thought in literally a billion years I would be running my own business. Seriously, if I can do it so can you." Lead image courtesy of Hannah Martin / Ambling Traders To read more pieces from our 'Behind the brand' series, visit this link. Image courtesy of Boardmasters Festival The main stage headliners are Wu-Tang Clan, Florence + the Machine and Foals. The New York-based rap group will lead with a performance on Friday, while Florence Welch and her band will continue the music with powerful vocals and haunting lyrics on Saturday, while rock band Foals are set to close the festival with a bang on Sunday. The variation in these headliners is indicative of the ever-diverse and impressive lineup across the festival. With the UKs biggest silent disco, beaches, exercise classes, shopping and a whole lot more, Boardmasters is bigger than a music festival in spite of the world-renowned artists set to perform. Set against a stunning sea backdrop, its the perfect environment for a weekend of dancing, eating and drinking. Though it is known for its history as a surfing festival, there is also the opportunity to kayak, cliff jump and swim into rocky coves during your time in Newquay. But the music still takes the spotlight, with twelve stages across the festival site promising performances from over 200 artists spanning multiple genres, from house DJs and hip hop to rock and upbeat pop. In addition to the impressive headliners. The Wombats, Jorja Smith and Franz Ferdinand are amongst the eclectic mix of artists gracing the various stages, meaning there is something for everyone. Though 50,000 people attended the festival last year, sustainability has remained part of Boardmasters ethos, where organisers continually aim for it to be amongst the most environmentally conscious and low-impact festivals. Costing 74 for a day ticket or 179 (excluding the litter bond and booking fee) for a five-day camping ticket, Boardmasters is a flexible and affordable way to see your favourite artists, try out some surfing and (hopefully) soak up some sun on the Cornish coast. Unfortunately, The Content Is Not Here You have arrived at this page because the page or post you were looking for no longer exists. Please check our main navigation pages for other content: Home Page Montreal, CA (H4T1V6) Today Cloudy with periods of snow after midnight. Low -6C. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulations less than one inch.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of snow after midnight. Low -8C. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 90%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. 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. MBABANE The venue has been confirmed! South African-born gospel music sensation and preacher Dr Tumi, real name Tumisang Makweya, has confirmed the date for his show in the country to be held at the popular Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre. The gospel star is set to perform in the country on June 21. Dr Tumi revealed the venue last week on his posters after mentioning that he was yet to reveal the venue about a month ago when it firt came out that he was coming to Eswatini. started The Wafika hit maker is coming for The Connect Tour which started on March 2 in the Gauteng Province in South Africa. Confirming the dates for his tour was the South African press including JustNje, where they revealed the dates and venues for the tour. The Connect Tour will also be heading to African countries such as Botswana on March 30, Zambia on April 20, Zimbabwe on April 27 and Swaziland on June 21. confirmed A month ago, Dr Tumi confirmed the show in a brief interview with this publication, stating that he was excited to come back to the country. I am happy to bring The Connect Tour to Eswatini, said the Someone Like Me hit maker. Dr Tumi, who is a producer, songwriter, instrumentalist and vocalist, is endowed with grace to minister healing from a dual perspective. Dr Tumis first solo album titled Heart of a King garnered him Best RnB Gospel Award at the SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards in 2012, where he was nominated in four categories. It is the same album that launched his career. It will not be the first time for the gospel music sensation to perform in the country as his last perfomance was at Word of Hope revivals in 2016. Not only was he performing but he was one of the preachers. LOBAMBA Great news could be in store for head teachers as early as next week. This is because Cabinet will be presented with a study, which may see an increase in the Free Primary Education grant and the OVC support grant. According to Minister of Education and Training Lady Mabuza, the ministry hopes that the current Cabinet shall approve the results of a hybrid study that is about to be submitted to Cabinet before the end of March 2019. The minister revealed this information through the portfolio committee report, which was tabled in the House of Assembly yesterday. This was after Shiselweni Region MP Nokuthula Dlamini questioned why the FPE grant had remained the same as it stood at E560 for primary school level while the OVC support grant had remained at E1 950 since 2009. She wondered why the ministry had not addressed this situation because the allocated amounts were no longer adequate to cover the needs of the pupils. Aware In her written responses, the minister said she was aware that in some cases, small schools did not get enough funds to operate effectively. She said the ministry had made several attempts to review the fees structure through studies whose results were never approved by Cabinet. Mabuza said the results of these studies called for an increase in the fee structure at both primary and secondary levels including the OVC grant. The ministry hopes that the current Cabinet shall approve the results of the hybrid study that is about to be submitted, reads the report. The minister further stated that they were counting on the Members of Parliament to support them as they continued to make requests for the increase. Mabuza reported that the ministry had conducted several studies on the cost of education per leaner, however, all these studies were not approved by the previous Cabinet. The ministry, realising the importance of this exercise, resorted to putting together the formula which was used in one of the studies and came up with a hybrid study through the Planning Unit, reads the report which was tabled by the portfolio committee chairperson MP Noah Gama. The minister said the hybrid study used a formula which addressed issues of pupil enrolment, curriculum used in that particular school as well as the location of the school. Mabuza reported that the above three issues were the contributing factors to the cost of education. As soon as the current Cabinet approves this study, the ministry shall present the study to the honourable members with the implementation plan, further reads the report. Issue On the OVC issue, the minister said it was no longer under her ministry, but the Deputy Prime Ministers Office. She said, however, the hybrid study to be presented to Cabinet also catered for the OVC pupils. She said the approval of the hybrid study by Cabinet shall inform and influence all grants paid to schools by those involved in paying fees for learners. This means that even the OVC fund would increase with the application of the formula. The ministry said it was aware that the delayed disbursement of the FPE grants compromised the quality of education. She said the ministry had also engaged the Treasury Department on the issue and hoped it would be resolved soon. MBABANE Government will not be filling the 550 existing posts within the police service. This was said by the Prime Minister (PM) Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, in written responses tabled in the House of Assembly yesterday. Last week, Lobamba Lomdzala Member of Parliament (MP) Marwick Khumalo had suggested that there should be filling of the 550 available vacant posts, which arose through attrition factors, regardless of the prevailing economic situation. He posed this question despite the fact that government issued a circular freezing all hiring within government without the approval of Cabinet. The PM reiterated that the issue of recruitment in government had been temporarily suspended on account of budgetary constraints. He said be that as it may, government would monitor the staffing levels in the police service to ensure that service delivery was not compromised. Meanwhile, Hosea MP Mduduzi Mabuza asked the PM whether the recruitment of police officers was fair and transparent as they had witnessed situations where police relatives or children had the advantage of being recruited over other applicants. The PM said the recruitment was conducted in a fair and transparent manner and every qualifying liSwati citizen was eligible to apply and be enlisted, whether related to Police Officer or not. The Honorable House must be aware that this question has been raised numerous times in this August House in previous Parliamentary sessions, said the PM. He said as per their recommendations, selection was now done in the four Regional Headquarters and recruitment was such that it was from all regions and Tinkhundla. Suffice to mention that, the organisation is in a process of reviewing its Recruitment Policy to align it with the newly-promulgated Police Act as well as making sure that it is relevant to the aspirations of the citizens, said Dlamini. Meanwhile, the MPs asked why some officers in the police service, who were due for retirement, were given extended contracts. MBABANE - A teacher of Elangeni High School has been suspended following allegations of being involved in an intimate relationship with a pupil. The teacher, Sikelela Ndlangamandla faces 34 counts of misconduct, including allegedly helping the same pupil to copy a Mathematics examination, thereby contravening the Guide to School Regulations. The charges are contained in a letter written by Schools Manager and Under Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training, Macanjana Motsa. Ndlangamandla is the second teacher from the same school to be suspended after allegedly being involved in an intimate relationship with a learner. The first teacher, Mbongeni Simelane, was arrested for allegedly raping one of the pupils at the school. The pupil, who later went missing, was allegedly found at Simelanes house. In the first charge against Ndlangamandla, he is alleged to have contravened the Guide to School Regulations and Procedures of 1978, in that on February 6, 2019, during the investigations conducted by the Ministry of Education and Trainings Knowledge Ngwenya, he failed to do his professional duties as his daily preparation book was not up to standard in that it was last updated in March 2018. Preparation book The charge sheet of Ndlangamandlas alleged misconduct stated that the preparation book which was not up to standard, meant that he did not prepare for lessons under the listed months of April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November 2018. These are allegations whose veracity is yet to be tested as Ndlangamandla was yet to answer on his charges. In the second complaint, Motsa alleged that the teacher intentionally contravened Regulations 15.1 (a), (c), (d), (f) and (J) of the Teaching Service Regulations of 1983 as read with Regulation 17 of the Teachers Service Regulations of 1983. This, according to the letter, is in relation to that he allegedly abused his professional standing and organised one pupil, *Cebi, accompanied by another, *Ncobile, into his rented house at Satellite around Ezulwini. Two black boxes from the Boeing 737 MAX airplane that crashed in Ethiopia arrived on Thursday in Paris for expert analysis, officials said, as regulators around the world awaited word on whether it was safe to resume flying the jets. A spokesman for France\s BEA air accident investigation agency said the flight data and cockpit voice recorders would be handed over to the agency later in the day. Their data are critical to finding out what caused the brand new aircraft to plunge to the ground shortly after taking off from Addis Ababa on Sunday. Following the lead of other global aviation regulators unnerved by the second crash involving a 737 MAX in less than five months, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued orders on Wednesday for the planes to be grounded. Boeing, which maintained that its planes were safe to fly, said in a statement that it supported the FAA move. "Boeing has determined out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircraft\s safety to recommend to the FAA the temporary suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of 371 737 MAX aircraft." The FAA along with the National Transportation Safety Board, the Ethiopian civil aviation authority, and Boeing, have been investigating the crash at the site, some 60 km (around 40 miles) outside the Ethiopian capital. On Thursday morning in Addis Ababa, grieving relatives of some of the 157 victims of Sunday\s air disaster boarded buses for a three-hour journey to the crash site. Others described their visit on Wednesday to the arid farmland where the passenger jet crashed. "We saw where he died and touched the earth, said Sultan Al-Mutairi, who had come from Riyadh to mourn his brother, Saad, who ran a recruitment agency in Nairobi and perished in the crash. Experts say it could take weeks or months to identify the victims, as their remains were scattered, charred and in fragments due to the impact of the crash and ensuing fire. INVESTIGATION Frustration is growing among the families of victims of the crash who are in Addis Ababa. On Thursday morning, some asked Ethiopian Airlines for greater transparency. Both the Ethiopian Airlines crash and a Lion Air crash in Indonesia occurred just minutes after take-off. Fresh information from the wreckage in Ethiopia and newly refined data about the plane\s flight path indicated some similarities between the two disasters "that warrant further investigation of the possibility of a shared cause," the FAA said in a statement. Acting FAA administrator Daniel Elwell said he did not know how long the U.S. grounding of the aircraft would last. A software fix for the 737 MAX that Boeing has been working on since a fatal crash last October in Indonesia will take months to complete, Elwell told reporters on Wednesday. Deliveries of Boeing\s best-selling 737 MAX jets were effectively frozen, though production continued, after the United States joined a global grounding of the narrow-body model over safety concerns, industry sources said. All 737 MAX jets have now been grounded, flight tracking website FlightRadar24 said. An Air Canada flight from San Francisco to Halifax was the last to land late on Wednesday. With the uncertainty hanging over the 737 MAX, a French presidential source said European planemaker Airbus and Ethiopian Airlines are discussing a possible new contract as part of the airline\s fleet overhaul. The official said President Emmanuel Macron and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had spoken about a possible new contract during Macron\s visit to Addis Ababa earlier this week. Airlines operating the 737 MAX jets that have been delivered since its 2017 debut said they had canceled some of their flights and rearranged schedules to use other jets in their fleets. "Our goal is to operate our schedule with every available aircraft in our fleet to meet our customers\ expectations during the busy spring travel season," said U.S. carrier Southwest Airlines Co, the world\s biggest operator of the 737 MAX. SOURCE: REUTERS You have reached a premium content area of TOL. To read this entire article please login if you are already a TOL subscriber. Not a subscriber? Subscribe today for access to: Full access to the website, including premium articles videos, country reports and searchable archives (containing over 25,000 articles). The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Moroccos Bank Al Maghrib to cooperate in the authorisation and supervision of banks operating in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Morocco. The MoU was signed by DFSA chief executive Bryan Stirewalt and Abdellatif Jouhari, Governor of Bank Al Maghrib, March 13 in Rabat. Stirewalt said: The MoU between the DFSA and Bank Al Maghrib will drive greater transparency in relation to the functioning and operations of banks of mutual interest. By promoting stable and transparent financial services in our respective jurisdictions, the MoU will contribute to strengthening investor confidence and promoting stronger bilateral financial services. Jouhari said: We confirm our commitment to upholding the highest corporate governance standards as regards activities of credit institutions in Morocco, and to supervising their international banking operations, including in key international financial hubs such as Dubai. The new MoU signed with the DFSA will help adopt the regulatory controls which are necessary to curb financial crimes and to facilitate sound and orderly cross-border banking transactions. The MoU also provides for coordination and cooperation in relation to applications to establish a branch in either jurisdiction. Additionally, information relating to the financial soundness of the financial or credit institutions, as well as concerns arising from supervisory visits and reports will be duly shared with the other party. Representatives of the two authorities will convene ad-hoc meetings to resolve any supervisory concerns relating to a cross-border establishment in either jurisdiction. The two authorities will also cooperate closely to identify any suspected financial crime activities in banks of mutual interest, including in relation to unauthorised banking services, money laundering or any violation of financial market laws. Any imminent crisis issues involving the financial or credit companies will also be duly notified. The agreement is the sixth MoU signed by the DFSA with a central bank in the region and reflects the level of trust and confidence each authority has for the other. In 2018, DFSA signed MoUs with the Central Bank of Bahrain and the Central Bank of Oman to cooperate in the supervision and authorisation of firms operating in both jurisdictions. This builds upon an MoU signed with the Central Bank of the UAE in 2009, Banque Du Liban in 2013 and the Central Bank of Jordan in 2007. TradeArabia News Service Gulf Capital, a top alternative asset management firm, has appointed Sharaf F Sharaf as a managing director in Gulf Credit Partners, the firms private debt business. Based in Dubai, Sharaf will join Gulf Credit Partners, which provides mezzanine debt and structured capital to growing regional small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Dr Karim El Solh, chief executive officer of Gulf Capital, commented: We are excited to welcome Sharaf to our leadership team as we continue to grow our business. Sharafs expertise and his deep knowledge of the private debt and mezzanine sectors in the Middle East will add tremendous value to Gulf Credit Partners. This appointment builds on the existing strength of our platform across our private equity and private debt businesses, as we keep expanding our investment capabilities and delivering value to our investors. Christopher Foll, senior managing director, Private Debt at Gulf Capital, added: I am delighted to welcome Sharaf to the team and look forward to leveraging his deep knowledge and strong relationships across the industry in the Middle East and North Africa. His proven track record in origination, deployment and structuring will be a valuable addition to the team and will support the further growth of our private debt and mezzanine business. Sharaf Sharaf stated: I am incredibly excited to assume this new role and for the future of Gulf Credit Partners. We have an exceptionally talented team with a strong track record that is focused on making smart credit investments, ensuring strong and stable returns for our investors. I look forward to building further on this success with confidence and determination. Before joining Gulf Capital, Sharaf was a leader in the mezzanine business at NBK Capital Partners where he was responsible for origination, investment selection, execution and portfolio monitoring. He commenced his career in 2001 in Canada, in corporate lending and project finance with The Bank of Nova Scotia, and subsequently in leveraged finance with BNP Paribas. He also worked at Investcorp in Bahrain. Sharaf was educated in the US and received his Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia. He continued his studies at the University of San Diego where he received his Juris Doctorate, the highest professional degree in law in the US and was admitted to the State Bar of California. He also holds an MBA from the University of San Diego. TradeArabia News Service Global real estate advisor Savills has announced the signing of a prominent joint venture with Egyptian company Sphere, to cover the full range of real estate services in Egypt. The new partnership, which will trade as Savills, will combine local knowledge with international best practice. As a result of this partnership, Savills has established a new team in Egypt which will grow from three to around 30 people in the next few months, said senior company officials at the signing ceremony held on the sidelines of Mipim 2019, a leading international property event in Cannes, France. Senior executives including Steve Morgan, CEO of Savills Middle East, Catesby Langer-Paget, Head of Savills Egypt, James Sparrow, CEO of Savills UK & EMEA, Philip Ingleby, COO of Savills UK & EMEA, and Sherine Badreldine, CEO of Sphere took part. The new joint venture company will take responsibility for the management, agency and marketing of the highly regarded mixed-use development, Arkan which is located in West Cairo by May, stated the officials. The development opened its doors in 2012 and quickly became the prime location for business, retail and leisure for Sheikh Zayed City and beyond, it added. Arkan is undergoing significant expansion, with construction on track to be completed in Q1 2020. Once the extension is concluded, the project will span over a total built-up area of 260,000 sq m and features 210 shops, 67 restaurants, 185 room hotel, 600 seat theatre, 47,000 sq m offices, 4,500 parking spaces and other key developments. Langer-Paget said: "The Savills journey in Egypt to date has been a great success. We launched our operations in Egypt only in December 2018 and recently announced the launch of our first residential project, One Zamalek, the much anticipated waterfront address in Cairo." "These rapid developments allowed us to grow considerably in a market that shows promising signs of expansion. We are now achieving another milestone through our strategic joint venture with Sphere, and the subsequent management of Arkan," he stated. "This key development is set to become one of the most sought-after destinations in the Egyptian capital. Thus we are bringing on board world-class expertise to set a new benchmark in the market," he added. Badreldin said: "We have managed Arkan since its inception and were able to provide one of the first real mixed use schemes in Cairo. Accordingly, we have been approached by other clients for property management, marketing and leasing mandates." "There is a strong demand for high-end real estate services in Egypt, given the growing number of developments. With Savills, we can meet these requests by providing best in class service, based on global standard policies and procedures," he stated. "We take great pride in working with the renowned Savills team on the next phase of Arkan, and all the potential future mandates. Their global expertise and knowledge of the regional market, will be key in our journey towards being Egypt's best real estate service provider," he added. Savills has also appointed James Bailey as Client Services Director to join the team. Bailey brings over 20 years of experience in delivering and managing key commercial assets. For instance, he played a vital role in successfully launching three top 20 UK shopping centres which contributed to significant economic regeneration and community engagement in Leeds, Bristol and Leicester. His expertise will be an important asset to raise the bar of what has been previously achieved in Cairo. Savills entry into the Egyptian market is part of an ambitious expansion plan within the Mena region. It comes at the time of an estimated 5.3 per cent GDP growth for Egypt, a rate higher than the other Arab world economies, according to reports. Moreover, the population in Egypt is expected to pass 100 million this year with over 20 million in the Greater Cairo area alone. Savills aims to play a key role in the country, through catering to different stakeholders within the real estate market and supporting the property project lifecycle with a robust and complete service offering.-TradeArabia News Service Etihad Aviation Groups Engineering and Aviation Training divisions have signed contracts to collaborate with Sky Prime, the largest private aviation operator in the Middle East, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The agreements were announced at the Saudi International Airshow where Etihad is showcasing its Special Olympics liveried Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, alongside the Embraer Phenom 100E used in Etihad Aviation Trainings flight school. Etihad Airways Engineering is exhibiting its extensive maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, including the new Airbus A350 maintenance services announced earlier this week. Etihad Airways Engineering has added another key customer to its VIP aircraft maintenance portfolio by joining hands with Sky Prime. The agreement allows the two companies to collaborate in multiple areas of operation, from heavy maintenance and cabin modification support including Part 21J and Part 21G engineering services. Under the scope of the new agreement, Etihad Airways Engineering has already delivered C-checks and cabin repairs to two VIP aircraft in the Sky Prime fleet, at its state-of-the-art MRO facility in Abu Dhabi. Additional projects are planned over the coming months which will see the engineering team deliver a wide range of engineering solutions to Sky Prime. Abdul Khaliq Saeed, Etihad Airways Engineering chief executive officer, said: Our team enjoys a strong reputation in the international market for expertise and experience on major commercial aircraft platforms. While we have been supporting luxury aviation operators locally for many years, we are now expanding our services to the VIP aviation sector across the region and beyond. Our partnership with Sky Prime is a perfect example of this expanded scope. Captain Mokhtar, Sky Prime Aviation Services CEO, said: We value this co-operation with Etihad Aviation Group which will play an active role in supporting and growing the Saudi aviation sector. Aircraft hangars at the Abu Dhabi facility cover approximately 66,000 sq m, including 10,000 sq m of aircraft painting facilities and a custom-designed hangar that can accommodate up to three Airbus A380 aircraft simultaneously. The company has successfully completed maintenance projects over the years for airlines across the world. Etihad Aviation Training and Sky Prime Etihad Aviation Training (EAT) will for the first time collaborate with a partner in Saudi Arabia, after a landmark signing ceremony with Sky Prime, further strengthen business ties between the two nations. As part of the agreement, Sky Prime will dry and wet lease EATs Full Flight Simulators at Zayed Campus, Etihads training facility in Abu Dhabi. The training will be conducted by both Etihad and Sky Prime instructors. Paolo La Cava, Director of EAT, said: EAT is looking forward to welcoming Sky Prime instructors and pilots to conduct Airbus A320, A340 and Boeing 777 and 787 training at Zayed Campus. Last year was a strong year following EATs relaunch and we anticipate an even stronger 2019 with Sky Prime as our first Saudi Arabian partner. As part of the agreement, Crew Resource Management training, a tool for improving air safety, will also be conducted by EAT trainers for Sky Primes pilots and cabin crew. Sky Prime Cabin Crew will also receive recurrent training with EATs cabin safety trainers. Captain Mokhtar, Sky Prime Aviation Services CEO, said: "In line with the Saudi 2030 vision, we are delighted Etihad Aviation Training is helping us fulfil our development strategy. To use their best-in-class training facilities and pilots to train our flying crew will enable us to gain the trust of our customers. EAT currently boasts 11 Full Flight Simulators (FFS) including three Airbus A320 FFS devices, two Airbus A330/A340s, one Airbus A380, two Boeing 777s and three Boeing 787-9 devices. The facility is expanding and will soon see the arrival of a brand new Airbus A350 FFS, as well as an Airbus A320 Fixed Based Device, both of which will be available in Abu Dhabi to third-party customers. There are 109 cadet pilots currently in EAT programmes, all of whom are UAE nationals. In addition to training pilots for Etihad Airways on our Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) program, EAT also trains pilots for third-party customers, including L3 and Alpha Aviation. TradeArabia News Service US-based Halliburton has signed an agreement with the Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources (MoP) to support a specialized development program for Egypts middle management and young professional employees. The memorandum of understanding (MOU), which aligns with the ministrys Oil and Gas Modernization Program, is a collaborative agreement under which Halliburton will utilize its strength in human capital development to provide on-the-job training for Egyptians who show the potential to be future leaders in the oil and gas industry. Additionally, Halliburton will customize a development program for select participants to enhance their capabilities and assist Egypt in its role as a leading regional oil and gas hub. "We are excited to collaborate with the Ministry to improve the development of its local workforce," said Halliburton chairman, president and CEO Jeff Miller. "We have a 50-year, established working relationship with Egypt, and this MOU is a testament to our ongoing commitment to the country and its efforts to build its presence in the oil and gas industry." "As we embark on our Modernization Program to create a more conducive environment for business and investment in Egypt, one of the most important pillars of this effort is to build world-class human capital," said Tarek El Molla, Egypts Minister of Petroleum & Mineral Resources. "We believe Halliburtons robust employee development experience will contribute greatly to positioning our local talent for success and sustaining the promising vision of our ministry." "This MOU is a wonderful way to celebrate Halliburtons 100th anniversary and our rich history of developing future leaders," said Halliburton vice president of Egypt and Libya Colby Fuser. "It embodies our core values of creativity and collaboration and helps set us on the right path for the next century." Founded in 1919, Halliburton celebrates its 100 years of service as one of the world's largest providers of products and services to the energy industry. TradeArabia News Service Etihad Airways, official airline partner of the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, today welcomed the Irish Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD, to its Abu Dhabi headquarters on the day of the official opening of the World Games in the capital city. The minister was joined by Aidan Cronin, ambassador of Ireland to the UAE and senior representatives from both Special Olympics Ireland and Tourism Ireland. The delegation was welcomed by Etihad Aviation Groups chief commercial officer, Robin Kamark and other Etihad executives. Earlier in the day, Etihad invited a group of volunteers from Special Olympics Ireland to a breakfast and special tour of the airlines training facilities to thank them for their support and to wish the team well. The Special Olympics delegation was led by Brendan Whelan, chairman of Special Olympics Ireland and Matt English, CEO Special Olympics Ireland. - TradeArabia News Service NAIROBI (March 14, 2019) JCDecaux, the number one outdoor advertising company worldwide, is to join The Lions Share Fund, a unique initiative raising much-needed funds to support wildlife conservation across the globe. The Lions Share is an ambitious initiative, led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), founder FINCH and founding partner Mars, Incorporated, which aims to raise over $100 million per year within the next three years for wildlife conservation and animal welfare by asking advertisers to contribute 0.5% of their media spend every time an animal is featured in an advertisement. JCDecaux, which operates in 4,031 cities in more than 80 countries and reaches a daily audience of over 410 million people, will play a key role in the initiative, running campaigns of The Lions Share across the year. Thanks to global presence in peoples daily lives through its Out-of-Home displays, JCDecaux will help raise awareness worldwide about this important urgent issue of wildlife conservation. Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the UNDP Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, said: This latest partnership with JCDecaux marks a continuing evolution of this innovative fund, which is providing an opportunity for media companies to join and to help preserve and protect biodiversity across the globe Each year, we lose 10,000 species to extinction which is an astonishing 1,000 times the natural rate. This crisis may seem insurmountable at times because its scale feels too large for anyone to have a real impact. But this crisis is reversible, and nature can thrive again. The Lions Share is harnessing this hope, he added. Jean-Sebastien Decaux, CEO Southern Europe, Belgium, Luxembourg, Africa, Israel and member of the Executive Board of JCDecaux, said: We are proud to support the Lions Share fund in its mission to promote wildlife conservation across the globe. As number one advertising company worldwide, present in more than 80 countries, JCDecaux is committed to contributing towards the United Nations Sustainable Goals through its daily activities across the globe. Following our partnership with WildAid in 2018, which aimed to end the illegal wildlife trade, the Lions Share global initiative underlines our commitment to preserve and protect biodiversity across the globe. We are delighted to use the power and reach of our advertising portfolio to raise peoples awareness and to help create positive and sustainable changes. The Lions Share will also hold in Nairobi its first steering committee, agreeing on a five-year, $15 million investment plan. Key investments include a programme to support endangered jaguars in Latin America and to address the loss of tigers and their habitat in Asia. The fund is already having an impact, providing a grant to improve critical radio systems for law enforcement officers protecting wildlife in Mozambiques Niassa National Reserve, and providing a grant to help secure land for endangered orangutans, elephants and tigers in North Sumatra in Indonesia. Animals appear in approximately 20 per cent of all advertisements in the world, yet despite this, animals do not always receive the support they deserve. The Lions Share gives brands the opportunity to take urgent and significant action to play their part in protecting wildlife conservation and animal welfare by raising money in a sustainable way. The Lions Share was established in June 2018 with Mars, Incorporated as a founding partner, and partnerships with advertising network BBDO and leading measurement company Nielsen. The Lions Share will work to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, the UNs universal call to action to end poverty and protect the planet. Supporting animals and helping to conserve their habitats is key to achieving Goal 14, Life Underwater, and Goal 15, Life on Land. For more information on the Lions Share Fund, visit www.thelionssharefund.com. Hong Kong: CE inspects new control point Chief Executive Carrie Lam inspected the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point project today. Accompanied by Secretary for Development Michael Wong and Under Secretary for Security Sonny Au, Mrs Lam first travelled through the Heung Yuen Wai Highway linking the new control point with Fanling Highway. They also inspected works at the Passenger Terminal Building construction site, and received an update by relevant departments on the progress of building installations and facilities as well as the future clearance arrangement. Mrs Lam said the new boundary control point will be the seventh land crossing between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. It can handle 17,850 vehicles and 30,000 passengers daily. It is also the first port designed and built with the concept of providing direct access facilities for both passengers and vehicles. People can go to the new control point by public transport, private cars or through the pedestrian subway, she added. Heung Yuen Wai Highway is expected to open in the middle of this year to improve traffic in the North District. The Government aims to complete the control points construction this year and will work with the Shenzhen Government to decide the commissioning schedule. This story has been published on: 2019-03-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. GLO.ACT training strengthens law enforcement capacity in Belarus Minsk, Belarus, 14 March 2019 - UNODC, under the framework of the Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants ( GLO.ACT), and in collaboration with the International Training Centre for Migration and Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings (ITC) of the Ministry of Interior Affairs, organised a three-day training course the identification, detection and investigation of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM) in Minsk from 26-28 February 2019. 27 people participated in the training, including four women, representing the capital city Minsk and five regions of Belarus. The Republic of Belarus is often referred to as a bridge between West and East and some exploit its geographic position to traffic and smuggle people through Belarus to countries of the European Union. During 2002-2018, the Department for Drugs Control and Human Trafficking of the Ministry of Internal Affairs identified 5679 victims of human trafficking, including 5041 for the purpose of sexual exploitation and 635 for forced labour (3 victims were trafficked for other purposes). In 2018 alone, the Ministry of Internal Affairs identified 1751 cases of human trafficking and related crimes. 'Belarus is one of the first countries in the former Soviet Union that recognised the problem of human trafficking and immediately responded with a set of comprehensive actions' stated Mr. Tsaun, deputy head of the Department for Drugs Control and Human Trafficking of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in his opening remarks to the participants of the training course. 'Our country is a party to all conventions of the United Nations relating to human trafficking and smuggling of migrants and the only non-member of the European Council that joined its Convention Action against Trafficking in Human Beings', Mr. Tsaun continued. Ms Anna Tsitisina, Criminal Justice and Crime Prevention Officer, UNODC reinforced the message by reminding participants of Belarus' chairmanship at the 2019 Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, which in itself reaffirms the strong stance of the country against human trafficking and migrant smuggling. To enhance the local ownership and sustainability of GLO.ACT results, the programme of the training was designed in close cooperation with the ITC and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This approach ensured that training sessions are tailor-made and correspond to needs and expectations of the target audience. Built around three substantive streams - international and national anti-trafficking legal instruments; anti-human trafficking cooperation and coordination among competent authorities of the Republic of Belarus; and practical cooperation of relevant law enforcement bodies, non-governmental and international organisations, the role of international NGOs in combatting human trafficking - the training combined expert presentations, discussions, experience sharing among participants and practical solutions offered by invited speakers. The roster of speakers combined both UNODC and local experts. On day one of the training, UNODC representatives provided a detailed overview of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and the protocols thereto were later discussed vis-a vis-national anti-trafficking legislation in Belarus. Furthermore, as for many it was the first UNODC training, participants appreciated learning about the repository of UNODC anti-human trafficking instruments and tools developed for criminal justice practitioners as well as the law case database on human trafficking and migrant smuggling. The second day of the training focused on cooperation and coordination among competent authorities of the Republic of Belarus. As the theme suggests, all speakers were local experts representing the investigative committee, criminal police, the General Prosecutor's Office, the State border committee, the Ministry of Health and the national bureau of Interpol. The presentations on this day were of practical nature providing concrete recommendations for improving cooperation and coordination between competent authorities of Belarus. For instance, Ms. Suzdaleva from the investigative committee outlined in detail current challenges in investigation of TIP cases and shared recently developed step-by-step algorithm for detection of TIP-related crimes and prosecution of offenders. GLO.ACT partners, IOM and UNICEF, joined the last day of the training to speak about the roles their organisations play in countering human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and highlight key achievements in implementing GLO.ACT in Belarus. The training culminated with the award ceremony where all participants received State recognised certificates of Professional Development and GLO.ACT certificates of training completion. The Global Action to Prevent and Address Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants (GLO.ACT) is a four-year (2015-2019), 11 million joint initiative by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The project is being implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). GLO.ACT aims to provide assistance to governmental authorities and civil society organizations across 13 strategically selected countries: Belarus, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, Mali, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Pakistan, South Africa, Ukraine. GLO.ACT works with the 13 countries to plan and implement strategic national counter-trafficking and counter smuggling efforts through a prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships approach. It supports the development of more effective responses to trafficking and smuggling, including providing assistance to victims of trafficking and vulnerable migrants through the strengthening of identification, referral, and direct support mechanisms. For more information, please contact: UNODC Vienna: Elena Nyanenkova nyanenkova-lowry@un.org https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/glo-act/ Email: glo.act@un.org Twitter: @glo_act A peculiar mountain, the Banping Mountain sits at the junction of Zuoying District and Nanzi District of Kaohsiung City in Taiwan. One side of the mountain ridge is so flat that it looks like it has been cut off with a knife. The residents say it resembles a painted screen, so everyone calls it the Half Screen Mountain. The mountain has a legend surrounding its origin. It involves Han Zhongli, one of The Eight Immortals in ancient Chinese legends, and his use of delicious food to test humanity. According to this legend, Han Zhongli sought to select a virtuous person as his apprentice, so he decided to descend from Heaven to the secular world. He traveled to the beautiful Zuoying District and disguised himself as a dumpling hawker in order to test human beings and find a suitable apprentice in the crowd. He lifted his small hand-held fan and waved it toward the mountain, and the side of the mountain was cut off. The falling stones transformed into countless dumplings. Then he took these dumplings to the street market and put an advertisement on a signboard to solicit business. It read: Delicious dumplings! One for one cent, two for two cents, and three for free! Hearing that they didnt need to pay for eating three dumplings, the crowds rushed to Hans booth and ate three dumplings without hesitation. Some greedy people even ate several dumplings for free and didnt leave until they were full. It remained like this for several days, and Han felt disappointed. Just then, a young man came and said he would like to order one dumpling. Han asked him with curiosity: Young man, why dont you eat three dumplings for free like the others? The young man replied: I know I could, but you have to bear a heavy burden to come here to do business, and I cant let you run a losing business. So I decided to use the money to buy a dumpling. After listening to these words, Han Zhongli thought: I finally found my ideal apprentice. Then he told the young man his true identity and his intention to accept him as a disciple while advising the young man on his decision. The young man replied that this matter must be approved by his parents. This further confirmed Han Zhonglis thoughts: This young man is not only kind and upright, but also filial to his parents. He is definitely the best choice for a disciple. They set out to the young mans home and asked for the consent of his parents. After consent was granted, Han left with the young man. The two came back to the street and met the greedy customers. Seeing Han Zhonglis true form and realizing he was a deity, they all came forward to apologize. Han said to them with a smile: Look at the mountain behind you. Hasnt a lot of it been cut off? Those missing stones are the dumplings in everyones stomach. This is a lesson for those of you who love to take advantage of others. Suddenly, the listeners stomachs felt painful and they tried to spit out the dumplings. Meanwhile, Han left the mortal world with his recruited apprentice and returned to Heaven. Edited by Derek Padula Follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our weekly email The WCO Trade Facilitation Agreement Working Group (TFAWG) met for the eleventh time on 4 and 5 March 2019 in Brussels at the WCOs Headquarters. The meeting included a Joint Session with the WCO Permanent Technical Committee (PTC). Over a hundred delegates, representing Customs, other Border Agencies and Trade Ministries from WCO Members, Observers from several International Organizations, the Private Sector and Academia participated in the event. The Meeting was chaired by Mr. L. Satya Srinivas (India). The WTO Secretariat provided an overview of the latest developments and shared the relevant sources of information regarding ratifications, notifications and Members individual profiles, such as the WTO TFA Facility and TFA Database web sites. The TFAWG agreed on the update of the Work Programme and Annual Work Plan 2019/2020 that provide direction to its future activities. It will be submitted to the June 2019 Policy Commission for endorsement. The TFAWG was updated on the developments under the Mercator Programme, the WCOs flagship Capacity Building Programme supporting WCO Members in implementing trade facilitation measures to enhance their economic competitiveness. The Secretariat informed the delegates of the ongoing work on the Annual Report of the Mercator Programme, to be launched at the next session of the Capacity Building Committee in April this year. The donors and the beneficiary countries had the opportunity to brief the TFAWG about the progress they had been making vis-a-vis TFA implementation. The Meeting was, furthermore, informed about the Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAF) Grant Programme. The representatives of the SECO (Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland) presented the new WCO SECO Programme. The Agreement was signed in December 2018 and officialized at the meeting. On the second day of the meeting, the Deputy Secretary General Ricardo Trevino Chapa welcomed the delagates to the Joint Session of the TFAWG and PTC. Through a break-out session, the Joint Meeting discussed the Time Release Study, one of World Customs Organization (WCO)s strategic tools that has been widely used by WCO Members to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Customs administrations, other Government agencies and Private Sector stakeholders in relation to international movement of cargo, and especially more recently as a means of tracking progress of the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. The TFAWG and PTC were updated on the establishment of the Working Group on Performance Measurement. Furthermore, the WCO Secretariat provided an update regarding the cooperation with the World Bank on the Doing Business survey. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Secretariat informed the Joint Meeting about the eCITES initiative on the integration of CITES into paperless Customs clearance processes and risk management. The International Trade Center (ITC) provided a presentation on the Global Trade Helpdesk (GTH), a multi-agency response to the information gap in global trade. The WCO supports this initiative and works with other stakeholders in further developing the GTH. Then the Members also shared their experiences on the functioning of Integrated Enquiry Points established in line with the requirements of the TFA to answer reasonable enquiries of governments, traders and other interested parties. The Joint Session discussed the strategic significance of the regional/plurilateral approach to AEO programmes and MRAs when implementing the SAFE Framework of Standards and the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation, examined the outline of the first draft of a related tool and provided guidance. The next meeting of the TFAWG will be held in spring 2020 back to back with the Capacity Building Committee. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the World Customs Organization (WCO) with the support of China Customs Cooperation Fund organized a regional Customs Valuation and Transfer Pricing Workshop for Customs and Tax officials of the WCO Asia Pacific region. The Workshop held at the Yangzhou Multi Tax Centre, China, from 4 to 8 March 2019 was attended by about forty transfer pricing and Customs valuation specialists. The programme consisted of an overview of the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement including relevant WCO Technical Committee on Customs Valuation (TCCV) instruments, the OECD Transfer Pricing guidelines and country presentations. For related party transactions, Customs examine the circumstances surrounding the sale when there are doubts that the price has been influenced by the relationship while for Tax officials, the focus is the arms length principle. Relevant Customs valuation issues to this Workshop such as related party transactions, royalties and high-value intangibles were discussed. From the transfer pricing perspective, the discussion was mainly about the use of transfer pricing documentation for Customs valuation, retroactive adjustments, functional and comparability analysis. The crux of the Workshop was the interaction between Customs valuation and transfer pricing specialists. There was general acknowledgement by the participants of the different methodologies for the two domains and welcomed the opportunity provided through this Workshop for Tax and Customs officials to learn each others work and challenges and identify areas of cooperation which would assist in their deliverables. Exchange of information and cooperation were identified as being areas of mutual benefit. This Workshop which is a continuation of a series of regional Workshops for Customs and Tax officials as part of joint WCO/OECD efforts to explore synergy between Customs valuation and transfer pricing provided a good platform for Customs and Tax officials to interact and learn each others methodology when addressing related party transactions. The WCO Guide to Customs Valuation and Transfer Pricing is available via the following link: http://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/valuation/instruments-and-tools/guide-to-customs-valuation-and-transfer-pricing.aspx If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit By WestKyStar & Baptist Health Staff Mar. 13, 2019 | 07:29 PM | PADUCAH Open since March 2016, Baptist Health Wound Care achieved outstanding clinical outcomes for 12 consecutive months, including patient satisfaction higher than 92 percent, and a minimum wound healing rate of at least 91 percent within 30 median days to heal. There were 413 Centers eligible for the Center of Excellence award, but only 29 achieved this specific honor. We are so pleased with the level of commitment provided by this department and with the services it provides to our patients, said Chris Roty, Baptist Health Paducah resident. As one of only 29 wound care centers in the entire country to earn the Presidents Circle Center of Excellence, I am very proud of the dedication to quality care Baptist Health Wound Care provides. Baptist Health Wound Care is a member of the Healogics network of nearly 700 Wound Care Centers and provides proven experience treating approximately 2.5 million chronic wounds. The center offers highly specialized wound care to patients suffering from diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections and other chronic wounds which have not healed in a reasonable amount of time. Treatments include negative pressure wound therapy, bio-engineered skin substitutes, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and advanced wound dressings. Baptist Health Wound Care does not require a referral from a physician and strives to offer all new patients an appointment within 24 to 48 hours of their phone call. This award shows our commitment to our patients and to the quality of care we provide, said Jamie Ehling, Baptist Health Wound Care program director. Sharing our wound care expertise with every patient who would benefit by the best means available is our mission. Our clinicians and staff are always fully engaged and are determined advocates for our patients. This produces award-winning treatment and excellent care. Baptist Health Wound Care is located at 2603 Kentucky Ave., Suite 103, inside Baptist Health Paducah Medical Park 2, and can be reached by calling 270-575-2414. Baptist Health Wound Care in Paducah is the only center in the state and one of only 29 centers nationwide to receive the Presidents Circle Center of Excellence award from Healogics, the nation's largest provider of advanced wound care services. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 14, 2019 | MCCRACKEN COUNTY By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 14, 2019 | 11:37 AM | MCCRACKEN COUNTY KYTC personnel are working with utility crews, area fire departments, and rescue squads to clear utility lines, downed trees and other debris from the tornado that touched down in western McCracken County Thursday morning. At this time US 62/Blandville Road is blocked by storm debris between KY 305/Fisher Road and the KY 286 intersection at Milan Station. Many side roads in this area are also blocked. Crews report pieces of grain bins, barns, homes and other debris blocking the roadway. Some of the debris cannot be cleared until utility crews arrive to cut power to the area where work is required. The storm left a path from near Lovelaceville along US 62 to the KY 286 intersection at Milan Station, then along US 62 to the KY 305/Fisher Road intersection in McCracken County. There are additional areas of downed trees and power lines reported between US 62/Blandville Road and US 60/Hinkleville Road through the West Paducah area, as well as utility poles down near the US 60 intersection with Olivet Church Road and New Holt Road in the mall area. The public is asked to avoid these areas to allow emergency responders to work in the area unimpeded. By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 13, 2019 | 09:54 PM | PADUCAH According to Paducah Police, they received a number of inquiries about the incident. Police say details are unclear at this time, but they do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public. Further information will be released when it becomes available. An incident best described as a reported purse snatching took place Wednesday afternoon outside a store near Kentucky Oaks Mall. By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 14, 2019 | 01:17 PM | MARSHALL COUNTY A rollover crash Wednesday morning in Marshall County sent the driver to a Tennessee hospital. The Marshall County Sheriff's Office says the wreck happened around 6:40 am in the northbound lane of I-69 at exit 43. Michael Lumson told deputies he was behind a slower-moving vehicle in the right lane, so he merged into the left lane to pass the vehicle. The slower-moving vehicle then reportedly veered toward the left lane, causing Lumson to swerve to avoid contact. Lumson's vehicle then ran off the left shoulder of the road, struck the median, rolled onto its roof and slid across both southbond lanes, before leaving the road and striking a fence. Lumson was transported to Marshall County Hospital and then airlifted to a Nashville hospital for further treatment. Former CALS Director to be knighted Prof Bonita Meyersfeld will be appointed a Knight of the National Order of Merit by France for her work on gender-based violence on 19 March 2019 Prof Meyersfeld is a former Director of CALS and currently sits on our board of advisors. She is also the founder and chair of the board of Lawyers against Abuse, who released this message today: Lawyers against Abuse is proud and delighted to announce that on 19 March 2019, our founder and chair of our board, Prof. Bonita Meyersfeld, will be appointed a Knight of the National Order of Merit by France for her work addressing gender-based violence. This honour is awarded by the President of the French Republic to French citizens and foreign nationals for distinguished achievements such as acts of devotion, bravery, generosity, real merit or a measurable commitment to serving others. The award will be bestowed upon Prof. Meyersfeld by the Ambassador of France to South Africa, His Excellency Christophe Farnaud, at the French Residence in Pretoria in recognition of over 20 years of work addressing gender-based violence in South Africa. In particular, the appointment recognises Prof. Meyersfelds role in conceptualising and establishing Lawyers against Abuse (LvA), a nonprofit organisation based in the informal settlement of Diepsloot, South Africa. Founded in 2011, LvA provides a cutting edge and unique service to victims of gender-based violence, integrating legal and pyschosocial services to ensure that we travel the journey to justice and recovery with our clients. At the same time, LvA works in close partnership with state actors to address systemic gaps and challenges to strengthen the overall response of the justice system. To date, LvA has provided legal and psychological support to over 850 victims, including assisting 528 clients with protection orders, supporting 163 clients pursuing criminal cases, and providing over 1,000 therapy sessions to 286 clients. A mere fortnight before the award, LvAs work resulted in a life sentence for a perpetrator of rape and sexual violence in Diepsloot. LvAs Executive Director, Lindsay Henson, has seen the organisation flourish in the four years of her directorship and believes that LvA is at the point where the model can and should be replicated in other communities in South Africa. According to Henson, LvAs model works. We see meaningful, long-term and successful support to hundreds of women and children resulting in a level of access to justice that is unprecedented. It is this model that Meyersfeld initiated, together with a remarkable team of founding members. We are thrilled about the recognition by the French President. According to Meyersfeld, the Chevalier is testimony to the thousands of heroes who survive gender-based violence; to the powerful women who founded LvA; and to the women in our Centre who work every day to make LvA the sanctuary and place of justice it is today. Unfortunately, the award ceremony is closed to media. However, Meyersfeld and Henson are available for interviews and event photos can be supplied upon request. For more information, please contact: A visitor looks at paintings displayed at an art exhibition in Lisbon, Portugal, March 13, 2019. About 30 paintings are on display at an art exhibition, which kicked off on Wednesday in Lisbon, to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR). [Xinhua/Zhang Liyun] Spanish writer Rosa Regas (left) expresses her view on gender equality with Chinese writer Lu Min (right) and Peking University professor Wang Jun (center), at the Cervantes Institute in Beijing, on March 8, 2019. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] Last Friday, Spanish writer Rosa Regas together with Chinese writer Lu Min and Peking University professor Wang Jun shared their insight on gender equality and women's literature under a contemporary scope. The event, hosted by the Cervantes Institute and the embassy of Spain in Beijing on the occasion of the International Women's Day, aimed to raise public awareness on gender equality and self-development among women. Regas, who used to work with the United Nations, said in her speech that she has observed the difficulties faced by women around the globe. "Gender equality is more of a social problem needing the support in politics and legislation. We need to reflect upon the past in order to understand the present and make progress in the future," she said. Regas encourages women to understand better about the reality. "Every woman should make her contribution to the cause, to fight for the equality." Writer Lu Min summarized the history of women's right movement in Chinese history, and added that was still a long journey ahead. "Now women have the right to get education, work, and freedom of marriage, but we are still bound to many patriarchal values and aesthetics." At the end of the meeting, Regas compared the path of gender equality as a learning process. "Like the society in development, us women need to learn and evolve as well. Step by step, you can get rid of the things that prevent you becoming a better version of yourself." (Source: China Daily) Fan Yongzhen (2nd R), a deputy to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), talks with her fellow deputies after a plenary meeting of Yunnan delegation in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2019. [Xinhua/Yang Zongyou] Sitting among nearly 3,000 national lawmakers at the Great Hall of the People at the heart of Beijing, Fan Yongzhen feels a great sense of responsibility to her people. A deputy curator of a local cultural museum in southwest China's Yunnan Province, Fan wants more funding for preserving ethnic minority cultures, as well as better technologies in public museums in less developed areas. The annual "two sessions," which gather thousands of national legislators and political advisors from across China, present an opportunity for voices like Fan's to be heard on the national level. Fan attended the sessions for the first time last year. As a beginner, she felt uncertain about how to fulfill her duty well. From the multi-ethnic Yunnan Province, Fan suggested the government increase support for modern public cultural institutions in the western region. Although she had made thorough research on the topic by visiting local cultural facilities and artists, and conducting surveys, she was not sure about her suggestion. To Fan's surprise, soon after she went back home from Beijing, she received feedback for her suggestion. Digital museum construction in Lijiang and cultural institutes at the township level have both received strong support from government departments. "I look at my role as a lawmaker differently after that," Fan said. "The responsibility is huge." This year, she suggests creating more digital cultural products for better public access. Zhuang Yan, another lawmaker from northeast China's Liaoning Province, tries to address pollution caused by de-icing salt. Her home city of Anshan has long snow-covered winters. As a street cleaner, Zhuang experiences first-hand how de-icing salt can erode road surfaces, vehicles, and cause pollution to soil and underground water. "I give my suggestion based on what I am most familiar with. That way I feel more confident," said Zhuang, in her orange uniform. Zhuang has been a legislator since 2017. Ahead of her first trip to Beijing that year, she was excited and nervous at the same time. Unlike many other legislators with more experience in public speaking, eloquence was not Zhuang's strength. "I was afraid of people asking me questions," Zhuang said. She received several training sessions afterwards, and learned how to conduct research on the de-icing salt's negative impact. Zhuang later found using a new type of green de-icing salt could help improve the overall benefits, but the price is three to four times higher. "Government at all levels should spend money on addressing the issue," she wrote in her suggestion. As her experience increased, she has become more confident and her speech delivery got better too. "People choose me as their representative, and I have to present their voice well," she said. Fan Yongzhen (R), a deputy to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), carries out a research on Thangka painting with dianxiu embroidery at Baisha Old Town of Yulong Naxi Autonomous County in Lijiang, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Feb. 13, 2019. [Xinhua/Yang Zongyou] Fan Yongzhen (L), a deputy to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), discusses with her fellow deputy Hu Aluo in Beijing, capital of China, March 6, 2019. [Xinhua/Yang Zongyou] Zhuang Yan (front), a deputy to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), attends the opening meeting of the second session of the 13th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 5, 2019. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi] Zhuang Yan (R), a deputy to the 13th National People's Congress(NPC), cleans a track in the Lishan District of Anshan, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Feb. 26, 2019.[Xinhua/Yang Qing] (Source: Xinhua) Shen Yueyue, vice chairperson of the NPC Standing Committee and president of the All-China Women's Federation, joins the Fujian NPC delegation to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at a plenary conference on March 5.[Photo/Women of China] The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has demonstrated tremendous political courage and a powerful sense of mission to unite and lead the whole Party and the people of all ethnic groups to overcome difficulties, and to make new and significant progress in building a well-off society in an all-round way in the face of the complex international situation and arduous tasks. Shen Yueyue, vice chairperson of the NPC Standing Committee and president of the All-China Women's Federation, made those remarks when she joined the Fujian NPC delegation to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at a plenary conference on March 5 to deliberate on the Government Work Report at the ongoing legislative session in Beijing. "Practice has fully proved that Xi's core position and the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee are the fundamental guarantees for the success of the Party and the country's undertakings, and the fundamental guarantees for us to overcome all difficulties, and the sources of the happiness and expectations of hundreds of millions of people," Shen stated. Shen spoke highly of the Government Work Report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang and said she fully agreed with it. Shen stressed that the work should be pushed forward with the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. She also urged greater efforts to benefit people's lives in employment, education, medical services and elder care and called for more legislation and enforcement on issues that concern people most. Women's federations should strengthen their progressiveness in politics and ties with the masses and keep high consistency with the CPC Central Committee with Xi at its core, lead the Chinese people to follow the Party and make achievements in the New Era, Shen said. She also called on women's federations to host more campaigns to encourage women to make more progress for the country and Chinese women. Federations should promote family harmony, family education and good virtues and pay more attention to ordinary women, especially women in difficulties, Shen said, adding that assistance and care should be given to rural women and children. Shen Yueyue, vice chairperson of the NPC Standing Committee and president of the All-China Women's Federation, joins the Fujian NPC delegation to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at a plenary conference on March 5.[Photo/China Women's News] Shen Yueyue, vice chairperson of the NPC Standing Committee and president of the All-China Women's Federation, joins the Fujian NPC delegation to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at a plenary conference on March 5.[Photo/Women of China] (Source: China Women's News) CPPCC National Committee member Huang Xiaowei, vice-president and first member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation,joins a panel discussion for deliberating the Government Work Report during the second session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing on March 6.[Photo/China Women's News] Campaigns and projects raising women's role in poverty alleviation, rural revitalization, entrepreneurship and innovation and civilization launched by the All-China Women's Federation will be further promoted to unite and mobilize women and enable them to make contributions in the New Era. CPPCC National Committee member Huang Xiaowei, vice-president and first member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation, made those remarks when she joined a panel discussion for deliberating the Government Work Report during the second session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing on March 6. Over the past year, China's economic and social development has made new and significant progress, thanks to the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The progress shows the great power of the socialist path, theory, system and culture with Chinese characteristics to the world, Huang stated. She said the Government Work Report delivered by Premier Li Keqiang is "pragmatic and inspiring" and that she fully agrees with and supports it. Huang said the report demonstrates the people-oriented principle and presents a package of policies concerning people's livelihoods. It contains many references to the employment of women, children, families and women's federations, which reflect the great importance to the cause of women and children in the eyes of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi at its core, Huang noted. She said the report "made us extremely warm and heartened." The women's federations will carry out the tasks assigned by the CPC Central Committee and implement the state policy of gender equality, striving to tackle the key problems involving women and children's development and rights protection. In addition, Huang made suggestions on promoting family education and family traditions, and care services for children under 3 years of age. CPPCC National Committee member Huang Xiaowei, vice-president and first member of the Secretariat of the All-China Women's Federation,joins a panel discussion for deliberating the Government Work Report during the second session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing on March 6.[Photo/China Women's News] (Source: China Women's News) Email Sign Up For Our Free Weekly Newsletter According to ATTOM Data Solutions Q1 2019 Single Family Rental Market Report, the average annual gross rental yield in the U.S. (annualized gross rent income divided by median purchase price of single-family homes) among the 432 counties was 8.8 percent for 2019, up from an average of 8.7 percent in 2018. "Buying single-family homes to rent them out is a better deal for investors so far this year, than it was at the same time in 2018, as profit margins are rising in a majority of counties across the United States," said Todd Teta, chief product officer at ATTOM Data Solutions. "Last year, at this time, investors were seeing returns drop in three-quarters of the counties that were analyzed. So far this year, those margins are up in six out of every 10 counties analyzed. But despite the generally rosier picture, profits vary widely and investing in the single-family home rental market is not always a great move. The typical bottom-line gain from county to county this year has ranged from as high as 29 percent to as little as 3 percent." Counties in Baltimore, Macon, Vineland, Rockford, Detroit post highest rental returns Counties with the highest potential annual gross rental yields for 2019 were Baltimore City, Maryland (24.5 percent); Bibb County, Georgia in the Macon metro area (21.9 percent); Cumberland, New Jersey, in the Vineland-Bridgeton metro area (21.2 percent); Winnebago, Illinois, in the Rockford metro area (17.1 percent); and Wayne County, Michigan in the Detroit metro area (17.1 percent). Along with Wayne County, Michigan, the highest potential annual gross rental yields among counties with a population of at least 1 million were Cuyahoga County (Cleveland), Ohio (12.0 percent); Allegheny County, Pennsylvania (10.9 percent); Cook County (Chicago), Illinois (9.7 percent); and Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (9.4 percent). Rental returns increase from a year ago in over half of the counties analyzed Potential annual gross rental yields for 2019 increased compared to 2018 in 248 of the 432 counties analyzed in the report (57 percent) led by Buncombe County, North Carolina in the Asheville metro area (up 29.1 percent); Santa Clara County, California in the San Jose metro area (up 24.8 percent); Henderson County, North Carolina, in the Asheville metro area (up 24.6 percent); Erie County, Pennsylvania (up 24.3 percent); and Muscogee County, Georgia in the Columbus metro area (up 23.5 percent). Along with Santa Clara County, California, the biggest increase in potential annual gross rental yields for 2019 compared to 2018 among counties with a population of at least 1 million were Sacramento County, California (up 12.2 percent); Orange County (Los Angeles), California (up 10.9 percent); Dallas County, Texas (up 10.8 percent); and Kings County (Brooklyn), New York (up 10.6 percent). Counties in San Francisco, San Jose and New York post lowest rental returns Counties with the lowest potential annual gross rental yields for 2019 were San Mateo County, California, in the San Francisco metro area (3.4 percent); San Francisco County, California (3.7 percent); Marin County, California, also in the San Francisco metro area (4.0 percent); Santa Clara, California, in the San Jose metro area (4.2 percent); and Kings County (Brooklyn), New York (4.3 percent). Along with Santa Clara County, California and Kings County, New York, the lowest potential annual gross rental yields among counties with a population of at least 1 million were in Fairfax County, (Washington, D.C. metro area) Virginia (4.7 percent); Queens County, New York (4.8 percent); Alameda County (San Francisco metro area), California (4.9 percent); and Orange County (Los Angeles metro area), California (5.0 percent). Rents rising faster than wages in 55 percent of markets Rents rose faster than wages in 236 of the 432 counties analyzed (55 percent), including Los Angeles County, California; Harris County (Houston), Texas; Maricopa County (Phoenix), Arizona; San Diego County, California; and Orange County, California. Wages rose faster than rents in 196 of the 432 counties analyzed (45 percent), including Cook County (Chicago), Illinois; Kings County, New York; Queens County, New York; Clark County (Las Vegas), Nevada; and Tarrant County (Dallas-Fort Worth), Texas. Best SFR growth markets in Cleveland, Columbia, Pittsburgh, Rockford, Atlanta The report identified 98 "SFR Growth" counties where average wages grew over the past year and with potential 2019 annual gross rental yields of 10 percent or higher. The 98 SFR Growth markets included Wayne County (Detroit), Michigan; Cuyahoga County (Cleveland), Ohio; Allegheny County (Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania; Milwaukee County, Wisconsin and Marion County (Indianapolis), Indiana. Sign Up Free | The WPJ Weekly Newsletter Relevant real estate news. Actionable market intelligence. Right to your inbox every week. Go Thank you for your interest! You will now be receiving our Weekly Real Estate Newsletter. 30k average gain on Right to Buy homes in Wrexham This article is old - Published: Thursday, Mar 14th, 2019 An average gain of 30,000 was made by people selling homes they bought under the Right to Buy scheme in Wrexham. Right to Buy, which offers large discounts to council tenants who buy their home, has been one of the most divisive housing policies of the past 40 years. The Housing Act came into force on 3 October 1980 including giving the Right to Buy (RtB) to more than five million eligible council tenants in the UK. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher said it would pave the way for a property-owning democracy. Since its inception, more than 2.6 million former council tenants in Great Britain have bought homes under the policy, according to research by The Chartered Institute of Housing. In Northern Ireland, some 119,000 Housing Executive and 3,000 Housing Association properties have been sold under equivalent schemes. Supporters say it has given millions of people the chance to get on the housing ladder and secure their families financial future. Opponents blame the policy for distorting the housing market and for a huge reduction in the amount of social housing stock. Since its inception, more than 140,000 homes have been sold under RtB in Wales, 1.9 million homes in England, more than half a million in Scotland, and 122,000 in Northern Ireland. Across the UK, the devolved governments have adopted differing approaches in recent years. A final cut-off date for applications to buy under the policy across Wales expired on 26th of January this year. Previously commenting on the scrapping of the Right to Buy scheme earlier this year, Lesley Griffiths AM said: I am pleased this key Welsh Labour commitment is coming to fruition. Abolishing Right to Buy will help reduce pressure on social housing, enabling local authorities and housing associations to invest in new developments safe in the knowledge that their housing stock will not be sold off at discounted rates. Constituents regularly contact my office with housing issues but I am hopeful this move will help ensure sustainable, affordable housing is available for people who need it most. The BBCs Shared Data Unit has compiled a dataset of sales of ex-RtB homes across the UK from the year 2000 to April 2018. The analysis has revealed former council homes bought under RtB in Great Britain and sold on again have made a combined profit of 6.4bn in real terms since the year 2000. The data states in Wrexham there was an average of 2,695 days (7.3 years) between purchase and sale of a RtB property, with an average profit of 30,086 based off data of 115 homes in the period covered. In Wales There were some 3,355 sales between February 2002 and March 2018. Of those, there are 1,328 where we have RtB sale price and subsequent sale price to compare The total profit made on those ex-RTB homes sales in Wales was 61m or 51m in real terms The average amount of money a vendor made between purchase and sale was 19 per day Just 32 (2.4%) out of 1,328 sellers made a loss on their home. Some 119 (9%) of vendors made a real terms loss RtB homes were kept for an average of 2,948 days (8 years) The longest time someone kept their ex-council home before selling was 12,261 days (33.6 years) in Merthyr Tydfil. It was bought in June 1982 and sold on again in August 2016 for 79,000 One person bought their ex-council home in Cardiff before selling it the next day in February 2013 for 87,000. The RtB purchase price is not available. The most money a seller made per day was 1,371. Someone bought their ex-council house in Newport in July 2007 for 7,000 and sold it on in September 2007 for 86,500 The Wrexham data set is below, it is not possible to do comparisons on some data as not all properties had a starting purchase price or similar information. Right to Buy - Wrexham Dataset Price purchased under RtB Date of purchase Next sale price Date of sale Days owned before next sale Price difference () Real terms price difference () Profit per day () 110,000 24/06/03 126000 17/09/03 85 16000 16,000 188 105,000.00 02/02/04 146000 29/07/04 178 41000 41,000 230 74,000 12/01/06 125500 25/01/07 378 51500 48,328 136 48,000 28/08/07 80000 04/12/08 464 32000 30,086 69 25,000.00 08/08/01 65000 16/12/02 495 40000 39,583 81 72,500 19/03/07 125000 04/08/08 504 52500 49,609 104 42,000.00 19/02/04 94000 02/08/05 530 52000 50,814 98 63,500 22/11/05 116950 12/07/07 597 53450 48,612 90 8,550 28/02/08 40000 13/11/09 624 31450 31,495 50 59,000 14/12/05 112000 19/12/07 735 53000 48,505 72 23,800 19/05/03 78000 08/06/05 751 54200 52,799 72 22/01/02 99950 07/04/04 806 37,000 06/12/04 87500 18/05/07 893 50500 46,556 57 21,000 18/05/04 76500 01/11/06 897 55500 54,217 62 21/12/99 62000 04/07/02 926 26,000 20/10/04 74950 10/05/07 932 48950 46,179 53 20,580 01/10/03 76000 05/05/06 947 55420 53,512 59 10,200 07/10/02 78000 06/07/05 1003 67800 66,887 68 12/10/00 58750 11/08/03 1033 22,360 07/11/03 88000 02/10/06 1060 65640 63,567 62 23/02/00 59950 18/02/03 1091 10,830 05/02/03 75000 21/02/06 1112 64170 63,166 58 54,000 14/02/07 69500 04/03/10 1114 15500 11,067 14 51,500 07/11/06 55000 07/12/09 1126 3500 -553 3 01/02/99 49000 19/03/02 1142 25,200 05/09/03 68000 31/10/06 1152 42800 40,464 37 74,000 14/07/06 100000 08/09/09 1152 26000 20,177 23 19,680 29/08/03 80000 26/10/06 1154 60320 58,496 52 8,925 09/07/02 79950 07/09/05 1156 71025 70,226 61 94,000 14/06/10 134000 15/08/13 1158 40000 28,830 35 29/01/02 69950 07/06/05 1225 11,520.00 15/03/04 86000 25/07/07 1227 74480 73,252 61 17,030 11/07/00 53000 02/12/03 1239 35970 34,870 29 16/10/98 59950 11/03/02 1242 44,000 09/02/07 54000 05/07/10 1242 10000 6,388 8 7,350 07/02/03 80000 04/07/06 1243 72650 71,969 58 120,000 18/09/02 165000 28/02/06 1259 45000 30,084 36 65,000 13/01/11 81000 02/07/14 1266 16000 10,241 13 12/02/99 48950 12/08/02 1277 79,500 07/02/08 110000 15/08/11 1285 30500 22,967 24 35,000 24/05/04 68500 11/12/07 1296 33500 29,770 26 45,500 30/05/07 60000 10/01/11 1321 14500 8,203 11 21,000.00 04/03/04 82000 26/10/07 1331 61000 58,762 46 20/07/00 92500 13/04/04 1363 76,500 06/08/12 107250 03/05/16 1366 30750 24,351 23 18,760 04/06/03 83000 16/03/07 1381 64240 61,622 47 9,450 09/05/00 35000 20/02/04 1382 25550 24,640 18 7,950 08/01/02 67500 09/11/05 1401 59550 58,839 43 31,000.00 02/06/04 99500 06/06/08 1465 68500 63,828 47 03/10/03 120000 25/10/07 1483 46,000 15/03/05 75250 21/04/09 1498 29250 24,044 20 55,000 17/02/05 94500 16/04/09 1519 39500 33,276 26 23,000.00 09/12/03 87000 05/03/08 1548 64000 59,745 41 15,985.00 05/12/03 80000 03/03/08 1550 64015 61,058 41 24/12/99 76000 13/04/04 1572 03/02/99 63000 27/05/03 1574 59,000 15/06/07 72000 12/10/11 1580 13000 4,834 8 44,000 09/12/05 90000 26/04/10 1599 46000 38,761 29 17/04/00 84000 15/09/04 1612 20,000 11/09/03 50000 21/02/08 1624 30000 26,300 18 44,000 13/11/06 50500 01/06/11 1661 6500 -1,737 4 07/04/98 36950 30/10/02 1667 09/11/99 73000 30/06/04 1695 9,075 26/07/01 118000 31/03/06 1709 108925 107,627 64 31,960 08/06/06 100000 28/02/11 1726 68040 62,057 39 12,000 05/02/03 88000 06/11/07 1735 76000 74,326 44 13,000.00 03/02/04 80000 03/12/08 1765 67000 65,041 38 13/01/00 59950 15/11/04 1768 11,250 04/02/02 89500 18/12/06 1778 78250 76,852 44 15,500 29/05/03 64000 18/04/08 1786 48500 45,633 27 25,000 04/05/04 60000 26/03/09 1787 35000 31,385 20 36,500 31/07/06 83000 18/07/11 1813 46500 39,667 26 21/02/00 72000 09/02/05 1815 17/11/97 23000 25/11/02 1834 64,000 21/09/12 62000 23/10/17 1858 -2000 -9,840 -1 04/02/99 225000 22/03/04 1873 50,000 03/03/06 74995 12/05/11 1896 24995 15,635 13 64,000 16/01/09 75000 14/04/14 1914 11000 -1,679 6 08/10/97 98000 07/01/03 1917 59,000 14/12/06 90000 15/03/12 1918 31000 17,705 16 89,000 24/07/07 101000 30/10/12 1925 12000 -3,572 6 39,000 17/02/05 68000 17/06/10 1946 29000 22,583 15 20/05/97 134000 20/09/02 1949 85,000 09/08/07 124000 19/12/12 1959 39000 24,128 20 10,715 09/12/03 53000 18/05/09 1987 42285 40,370 21 57,500 27/02/06 87000 12/08/11 1992 29500 18,736 15 18/09/98 96000 05/03/04 1995 56,000 31/01/06 83500 05/09/11 2043 27500 17,017 13 15/05/97 29950 24/12/02 2049 16/07/96 79950 19/03/02 2072 30/09/98 132000 17/06/04 2087 56,500 06/12/06 74000 21/09/12 2116 17500 4,769 8 16/10/96 245000 14/08/02 2128 13/01/99 72000 24/11/04 2142 59,000 17/01/06 80000 17/01/12 2191 21000 7,705 10 36,500 17/05/07 50000 22/05/13 2197 13500 5,810 6 76,500 19/02/08 155000 04/03/14 2205 78500 63,832 36 49,000 19/01/06 62500 13/02/12 2216 13500 2,459 6 27/09/96 144000 19/11/02 2244 05/02/98 93000 05/04/04 2251 42,500.00 05/08/04 73000 04/10/10 2251 30500 22,110 14 59,000 13/05/11 89950 15/08/17 2286 30950 21,596 14 69,000 23/03/06 92750 05/07/12 2296 23750 8,202 10 23/08/96 80000 13/12/02 2303 15/04/98 126000 16/08/04 2315 29,070 05/09/03 77500 12/01/10 2321 48430 41,654 21 12/12/97 106000 26/04/04 2327 15/04/96 170000 22/11/02 2412 04/03/97 144000 13/10/03 2414 10/06/97 52000 18/02/04 2444 11/07/95 59950 05/04/02 2460 56,000 05/12/06 118000 30/09/13 2491 62000 47,296 25 02/02/98 87000 15/12/04 2508 24/03/99 75000 14/02/06 2519 60,500 08/09/06 73000 12/09/13 2561 12500 -3,386 5 21/02/96 90000 02/04/03 2597 12/06/95 89950 09/09/02 2646 31,000 08/09/03 106500 17/12/10 2657 75500 68,274 28 20/12/94 85500 23/04/02 2681 8,925 19/09/00 83000 19/02/08 2709 74075 71,741 27 14,250 01/12/00 85000 07/05/08 2714 70750 67,023 26 105,000 22/10/08 125000 15/04/16 2732 20000 -3,565 7 23/01/95 93000 11/09/02 2788 27/11/02 65000 16/07/10 2788 07/02/95 52950 30/09/02 2792 05/08/94 57500 22/04/02 2817 28/05/98 407000 23/02/06 2828 25/11/99 67000 29/08/07 2834 54,000 20/12/06 78000 09/10/14 2850 24000 8,211 8 39,000 17/03/06 50000 29/01/14 2875 11000 -403 4 77,000 14/03/07 113000 05/02/15 2885 36000 16,632 12 21/09/95 190000 15/10/03 2946 01/05/96 82950 19/07/04 3001 24/05/96 135000 15/09/04 3036 13/09/95 104000 18/02/04 3080 47,500 15/10/02 102000 11/04/11 3100 54500 38,598 18 21/06/95 213000 16/01/04 3131 24/09/93 52950 07/05/02 3147 49,000 13/11/06 69000 10/07/15 3161 20000 5,046 6 19/05/94 84500 29/01/03 3177 04/11/97 119950 05/09/06 3227 07/07/93 118000 14/05/02 3233 54,000 26/07/06 98000 09/06/15 3240 44000 27,520 14 15/04/97 500000 09/05/06 3311 22/07/94 45950 20/08/03 3316 02/08/95 303000 02/09/04 3319 07/03/96 73500 19/05/05 3360 68,000 18/05/07 93000 03/08/16 3365 25000 6,419 7 58,000.00 25/05/04 79000 19/08/13 3373 21000 1,297 6 18/01/94 105000 07/05/03 3396 55,000 25/01/07 63000 15/06/16 3429 8000 -7,029 2 35,500 22/08/06 52000 13/01/16 3431 16500 4,862 5 03/02/94 59950 01/07/03 3435 57,500 23/01/06 71000 29/06/15 3444 13500 -4,048 4 34,000 21/04/06 120000 14/10/15 3463 86000 75,624 25 58,500 25/09/06 77000 04/04/16 3479 18500 -678 5 84,000 23/08/07 105000 13/03/17 3490 21000 -5,787 6 07/09/95 151000 05/04/05 3498 59,000 21/04/06 117000 18/12/15 3528 58000 39,994 16 57,750 21/11/07 75000 27/09/17 3598 17250 -1,166 5 44,000 28/07/05 79000 07/07/15 3631 35000 19,737 10 04/11/02 135000 06/11/12 3655 24/09/93 79995 14/10/03 3672 12/05/97 245500 04/06/07 3675 12,420.00 05/11/03 51000 17/12/13 3695 38580 33,865 10 13/05/93 56500 07/07/03 3707 60,000 24/05/07 71500 19/07/17 3709 11500 -7,634 3 69,000 14/12/05 100000 02/03/16 3731 31000 5,452 8 26/05/94 164000 24/08/04 3743 17/08/94 164000 14/12/04 3772 07/06/93 46000 20/10/03 3787 41,000 25/08/04 100000 09/01/15 3789 59000 43,218 16 74,000 30/12/05 132000 19/05/16 3793 58000 30,601 15 21/01/94 65950 20/07/04 3833 04/11/02 165000 20/05/13 3850 05/04/93 134950 12/12/03 3903 05/10/93 76500 24/06/04 3915 05/09/95 130000 22/06/06 3943 28/11/96 117500 01/10/07 3959 11/02/93 58750 15/01/04 3990 20,440 18/03/03 73000 06/03/14 4006 52560 44,135 13 11/04/95 120000 28/04/06 4035 10/03/93 44000 06/04/04 4045 03/05/96 70000 28/06/07 4073 24/12/98 83500 01/03/10 4085 18/07/95 154950 27/09/06 4089 16/10/98 135000 14/01/10 4108 49,000 09/08/06 77000 29/11/17 4130 28000 9,604 7 46,500 10/02/06 78000 05/09/17 4225 31500 14,042 7 20,160.00 07/05/04 64000 08/12/15 4232 43840 36,080 10 56,500 16/12/05 95000 20/07/17 4234 38500 14,805 9 10/03/98 123000 05/11/09 4258 05/06/98 300000 24/02/10 4282 05/01/94 135000 03/10/05 4289 19/11/97 58000 19/08/09 4291 06/08/96 82000 02/09/08 4410 40,000 26/07/05 67000 26/09/17 4445 27000 10,225 6 08/09/94 108000 18/01/07 4515 13/02/95 125000 02/07/07 4522 18/02/99 42500 04/10/11 4611 11/10/93 127000 07/06/06 4622 20/09/95 84000 28/05/08 4634 20,000 15/08/03 55000 27/04/16 4639 35000 25,982 8 02/02/98 53000 18/10/10 4641 28/10/93 98000 08/09/06 4698 02/09/97 97500 23/07/10 4707 29/04/94 95000 20/07/07 4830 39,000 22/07/04 71000 17/10/17 4835 32000 14,081 7 21/04/99 51000 08/08/12 4858 11/08/94 88000 04/01/08 4894 18/01/96 125000 15/06/09 4897 9,000 01/09/03 80000 28/06/17 5049 71000 66,474 14 16,800 09/07/03 79000 10/05/17 5054 62200 53,751 12 09/03/93 285000 22/01/07 5067 12,765 09/08/00 60000 13/08/14 5117 47235 40,809 9 16/07/99 51000 18/11/13 5239 25/05/93 175000 08/10/07 5249 17,000 10/06/03 78500 27/10/17 5253 61500 52,950 12 20/07/99 58000 17/06/14 5446 30/04/01 60000 19/05/16 5498 07/07/95 247500 04/11/10 5599 12/06/96 75000 19/12/11 5668 16/03/00 80000 28/09/15 5674 19/04/94 66000 01/11/10 6040 02/06/94 80000 21/04/11 6167 19/11/93 303000 05/11/10 6195 08/03/99 82000 23/03/16 6225 24/09/99 75500 13/12/17 6655 08/05/98 55500 15/11/16 6766 13/05/93 73000 23/12/11 6798 24/12/97 79500 23/02/17 7001 19/04/93 208500 20/08/12 7063 12/01/95 55000 02/12/14 7264 26/11/96 265000 17/01/17 7357 01/08/96 75000 23/10/17 7753 05/08/94 86000 05/07/16 8005 11/05/95 245000 19/04/17 8014 02/09/94 302000 20/06/17 8327 Source: Shared Data Unit, BBC Local News Partnership (Click for large) Drop in the number of assaults on mental health staff in Wrexham This article is old - Published: Thursday, Mar 14th, 2019 The number of assaults by mental health patients on NHS staff in North Wales, including those working at Wrexham Maelor Hospitals Heddfan Unit, has dropped over the last five years Assaults on staff working in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Boards Mental Health & Learning Disability services reduced by 50 per between 2013-14 and 2017-18, with a 16 per cent reduction achieved in the last year. The figures are a contrast with the NHS in England, where the results of the latest NHS staff survey shows that violence against staff has reached a five year high. The health board say the reduction is a direct result of its investment in a team of specialist nurses who work proactively with frontline staff, carers and patients to improve standards of care. BCUHB is one of only a small number of NHS providers in the UK to employ such a team on a full time basis. Central to the Positive Interventions Clinical Support Services (PICSS) approach is helping frontline staff meet the needs of their patients in the least restrictive way. The four strong team help to establish person-centred behaviour support plans for at risk patients, which take account of their individual wishes and needs as well as encouraging the involvement of relatives and carers. They also deliver violence and aggression prevention training to all frontline staff, which gives them the skills to safely deescalate difficult situations and recognise triggers which can lead to patients exhibiting challenging behaviour. Recently the health board has worked with other organisations in Wales to develop a national training package which is aimed at helping frontline staff deliver truly person-centred care. The training has been influenced by many of the best practice examples from mental health units in North Wales. BCUHBs Positive Interventions Clinical Support Service is led by Gareth Owen and Lisa Powell, Registered Mental Health Nurses who each have over 34 years experience working in acute psychiatric care. When people are acutely unwell they are potentially very vulnerable and it can be a scary and frustrating time for them, said Gareth. Only a very small number of admissions result in violent or aggressive behaviour, and the driving force behind the vast majority of assaults on staff is unmet needs whether thats a need to feel safe, have their individual wishes respected, or have their strengths valued. The better we can understand and meet our patients needs the better their outcomes will be. Were determined to build on the progress weve made in recent years because one assault on a member of our staff is one too many. We were first established as a Violence & Aggression Prevention Team, but with investment from the health board we have evolved to become much more proactive in promoting truly person centred care. We have recently changed the name of the team to better reflect the values of compassionate, dignified and respectful care which are at the heart of our mission. Steve Forsyth, BCUHBs Director of Nursing for Mental Health & Learning Disabilities said the significant reduction in assaults was testament to the dedication and professionalism of the PICSS team and frontline staff. The PICSS teams work is a wonderful example of the TODAYICAN approach which we have adopted across our mental health and learning disability services, which aims to value and make the most of the time that our patients spend with us, in order to deliver the very best outcomes. These figures demonstrate just what a fantastic job our staff do in providing truly person-centred care with the support of the PICSS team. (Click for large) Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-13 21:10:10|Editor: zh Video Player Close KAMPALA, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The deputy chief of the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has called for more international support to Uganda, which is grappling with an influx of 1.2 million refugees from neighboring countries. Kelly Clements, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees in a statement issued late on Tuesday said although Uganda has made much effort in its refugee response, it still needs support. "Uganda represents the Global Compact in action, but the country can't do it alone. More global support is needed, particularly in the areas of education, economic opportunities and the environment," she said after conclusion of her five-day visit to the east African country. According to UNHCR figures, more than half of refugee children, and over one third of Ugandan children in refugee hosting areas, are out of school. "We all want to prevent a generation of young people from being lost because they feel the future holds so little for them," Clements said. She announced that UNHCR would re-allocate 100,000 U.S. dollars to ensure young students can continue studying in secondary school in the Palorinya refugee settlement, in northwestern Uganda. The funds will cover school fees for more than 500 refugee and Ugandan youth who cannot afford to stay in school. The support, according to the refugee agency, will also help improve conditions in secondary schools and provide small, but critical supplies that can affect school attendance, like sanitary pads for female students. Uganda hosts refugees from South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Somalia and Rwanda, who are living across 30 settlements and in the capital Kampala. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-13 22:45:50|Editor: yan Video Player Close BELGRADE, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Since Tuesday night, take-offs, landings and overflights of two models of Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft have been banned in Serbia, the country's Civil Aviation Directorate announced in a press release on Wednesday. Serbia has joined a number of countries in their recent ban on the troubled aircraft after the second Boeing 737 MAX crashed in the past five months. The ban follows the decision by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to suspend all Boeing 737 MAX flights in the bloc. "Bearing in mind the safety directive issued by the EASA, the Civil Aviation Directorate of the Republic of Serbia hereby issues the emergency NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) suspending all flight operations of Boeing models 737-8 MAX and 737-9 MAX regarding take-off and landing at airports in the Republic of Serbia, including the overflights operated within the airspace of the Republic of Serbia," read the release read. On the aircraft registry of the Republic of Serbia maintained by the Civil Aviation Directorate, there are no registered Boeing Model 737-8 MAX and 737-9 MAX aircraft, it added. Serbia's public broadcaster RTS reported that only two Boeing MAX aircraft had been landing at Belgrade Airport, operated by Fly Dubai and Norwegian. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 03:07:08|Editor: yan Video Player Close SKOPJE, March 13 (Xinhua) -- North Macedonian Army and United States forces ended on Wednesday a six-day joint military exercise at Krivolak military base, east-center of North Macedonia, North Macedonia's General Staff spokesman Toni Janevski said in a press release. North Macedonia's army took part in the exercise with two 120-mm mortar units providing fire support for the U.S. infantry unit. "We are starting off with a more dynamic plan to use Krivolak base for exercises that mainly include target practices and aerial target practice using UH-40 helicopters," Janevski said. Major Goran Shutevski, deputy commander of the 2nd Battalion of the North Macedonian Army's 1st Brigade said that "our units are trained to address all challenges" Janevski said that the rest of the exercise is a solo drill of the U.S. allied forces, which will end on March 21. "This joint exercise is a preparation for the upcoming large exercise in June alongside armies of NATO members, including U.S. forces, dubbed "Decisive Strike 2019," underlined Janevski. North Macedonia is currently in the process of acceding to NATO as member state. Following Prespa Agreement with Greece in June 2018 to rename the country the "Republic of North Macedonia", the permanent representatives of 29 NATO member states signed North Macedonia's accession protocol to NATO on Feb. 6. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 03:42:18|Editor: yan Video Player Close GENEVA, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The International Labour Organization (ILO) said Wednesday that governments, shipowners, seafarer organizations, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations had taken steps to make seafaring more attractive for young people The ILO said in a statement these groups met in Geneva between Feb. 25 and March 1 to adopt the measures to improve the attractiveness of seafaring for young people. Shipping carries over 90 percent of world trade in terms of tonnage and the movement of millions of passengers. "This meeting addressed the issues and approaches needed to ensure that the future of work in the maritime shipping sector is attractive, including for women and other groups vulnerable to discrimination, and that it retains qualified seafarers," said the meeting's chairperson, Henrik Munthe, a Norwegian attorney at law. He said that without qualified seafarers, shipping, the engine of global trade, could not function. ILO said a creative approach, involving the social partners and all other relevant stakeholders, is needed to achieve both meaningful and viable solutions. The organization said that while there are many positive and attractive aspects to a maritime career, there are also challenges and issues that may dissuade young people from becoming seafarers and may cause experienced seafarers to leave the sea. The projected seafarer shortage, particularly for officers, calls for promoting good practices and addressing problem areas to ensure that there are qualified and motivated seafarers in the future. Maritime shipping, as with other sectors, is adjusting to ongoing technological developments, said the ILO. These include automation and digitalization, reduced crew sizes and the resultant potential stress and isolation, limited shore leave and changes in shipping operations and management. Developments in communication technology, such as internet access, including on the high seas, are generally positive, providing seafarers with the means to keep in contact with friends and family ashore, but these also may lead to less social interaction on board. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 04:07:22|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close Photo taken on March 13, 2019 shows the outside view of Boeing headquarters in downtown Chicago, the United States. U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing said Wednesday it has "full confidence" in the safety of its 737 Max aircraft, but it supports action to temporarily ground the entire global fleet of 737 Max "out of an abundance of caution." (Xinhua/Joel Lerner) CHICAGO, March 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing said Wednesday it has "full confidence" in the safety of its 737 Max aircraft, but it supports action to temporarily ground the entire global fleet of 737 Max "out of an abundance of caution." Boeing made the remarks in a statement issued shortly after U.S. President Trump said he was ordering grounding of Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), minutes after Trump's announcement, ordered the temporary grounding of all Boeing 737 Max aircraft operated by U.S. airlines or in U.S. territory. Boeing said it has consulted with the U.S. FAA, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and aviation authorities and its customers around the world before recommending to the FAA the temporary suspension of operations of the 371 737 MAX aircraft worldwide. "We are supporting this proactive step out of an abundance of caution. Safety is a core value at Boeing for as long as we have been building airplanes; and it always will be," said Dennis Muilenburg, president, CEO, chairman of The Boeing Company, in the statement. He also extended the deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the "two tragic accidents," referring to the Ethiopian Airlines crash on Sunday and the Lion Air crash in Indonesia in October. The two crashes, both involving 737 Max 8 jets, happened in a short span of five months and killed 157 people and 189 people, respectively. "Boeing continues to have full confidence in the safety of the 737 MAX," the statement read. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 04:22:29|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Relief efforts are underway in southern Africa after recent rains caused at least 60 deaths and affected nearly 843,000 people in Mozambique and Malawi, a UN spokesman said on Wednesday. "Our humanitarian colleagues report that flooding in Malawi and Mozambique has affected nearly 843,000 people and caused at least 60 deaths, according to preliminary reports from the respective governments," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "Both the Malawian and Mozambican governments are leading humanitarian responses," Dujarric said. "The Malawian government has appealed for support with emergency relief items, including tents, foods, medicines and helicopters for rescue operations and delivery of assistance," he said. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said a humanitarian response, search and rescue efforts and rapid needs assessments are underway in Malawi, the spokesman told reporters during a regular briefing. In Mozambique, flooding has affected more than 103,000 people, and the government there and humanitarian partners are providing assistance to affected people. Some 739,800 people in Malawi have been affected by the four days of heavy rains, OCHA said. Tropical cyclone Idai is expected to hit Malawi and Mozambique in the next few days, raising the likelihood of additional flooding, OCHA warned. Early warning messages to all vulnerable communities in Malawi have urged people to move to high grounds, avoid crossing flooding rivers, and not to seek shelter under trees or weak infrastructure, OCHA said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 05:02:39|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close Rescuers work at the site where a building collapsed in Lagos, Nigeria, on March 13, 2019. At least nine people have been killed and many others still trapped after a building which housed a school and some apartments collapsed on Wednesday in Nigeria's commercial hub of Lagos. (Xinhua/Adewale Amzat) LAGOS, March 13 (Xinhua) -- At least nine people have been killed and many others still trapped after a building which housed a school and some apartments collapsed on Wednesday in Nigeria's commercial hub of Lagos. A local rescue official told Xinhua that at least nine bodies have been discovered, and the school in the three-story building in Ita-Faji area of the Lagos Island had 172 registered pupils. Ibrahim Farinloye, coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency in Nigeria's southwest region, said it was difficult to give accurate casualty figures as the rescue operation, which he coordinated, was still ongoing. Most of the victims were pupils of the private primary school in the building, while "about 50 pupils have been rescued alive," said the official. The Lagos Island General Hospital, where most of the rescued victims were sent for treatment, has confirmed 41 people in "stable condition." The building had been marked three times for demolition, said Lagos state building officials. Pupils were in class learning at about 10 a.m. local time when the building collapsed without a warning in the densely-populated area of Lagos. Apart from the pupils, residents in the apartments of the building as well as store owners outside the building were affected. Shocked residents and onlookers, as well as panicked parents, raced to the site to help rescue efforts before the arrival of emergency workers. One weeping father was held down by friends who were consoling him on the loss of "his only son." The cause of the collapse was yet to be ascertained. Akinwunmi Ambode, the governor of Lagos state, said a thorough investigation will be launched into the incident. Building collapses often occur in Lagos as some property owners and developers do not adhere strictly to planning and building laws and regulations. In most cases, heavy loads are placed on the building and substandard materials are seen to have been used for the construction work. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 05:07:41|Editor: yan Video Player Close AMMAN, March 13 (Xinhua) -- China's State Development & Investment Corporation (SDIC) said Wednesday it is interested in investing in Jordan in several sectors including energy and infrastructure. In a meeting between Jordan's Minister of State Muhannad Shehadeh and a delegation from SDIC in Amman, the Chinese company said it is also interested in investing in fields of water, transportation and construction in Jordan. The minister said SDIC is a strategic partner for the Arab Potash Company (APC), adding that its stake in the company stands at 28 percent, which makes the Chinese company the largest shareholder of APC. The minister, who reviewed economic reforms in Jordan, highlighted Jordan's efforts in attracting investments and endorsing legislation to enhance the business environment. Representatives of the Chinese company said they are interested in exploring investment opportunities in Jordan due to the Kingdom's strategic location and attractive investment climate. SDIC is one of China's major state-owned enterprise groups with total assets of 87 billion U.S. dollars by the end of 2018. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 05:17:43|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIRUT, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The spokesperson for the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Andrea Tenenti assured Wednesday that the UNIFIL's priority is to offer maritime and land support to the Lebanese Armed Forces, local media reported. "We will continue to work with the international community to offer the needed support for the Lebanese Armed Forces," Tenenti was quoted as saying by the National News Agency. Tenenti's remarks came one day after a UN senior official called for the increase in the number and capabilities of Lebanese maritime forces which will enable the UN to gradually reduce the presence of its maritime forces in Lebanon. "The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix did not mention any attempts by the UN to reduce its operational support for the Lebanese Armed Forces," Tenenti said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 05:27:46|Editor: yan Video Player Close RAMALLAH, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian Authority (PA) Presidency slammed on Wednesday the United States for dropping the status of occupation of the Palestinian territories and the Golan Heights of Syria. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, PA presidential spokesman, said in an official statement that "the U.S. decision is a continuation of the U.S. anti-Palestinian approach and contrary to the legitimacy of all international resolutions." "The U.S. labels will never change the reality that the Palestinian territories have been occupied by Israel since 1967," Abu Rudeineh said in a statement published by the official Palestinian news agency WAFA. He added that "the Golan Heights are also territories under the Israeli occupation in accordance to the United Nations resolutions and the international law." The senior Palestinian official accused that U.S. dropping of the occupation status of the Palestinian territories "is part of the U.S. plot to pass the so-called "Deal of the Century, which aims at liquidating the Palestinian cause." The Israeli media had earlier reported that a U.S. State Department report on human rights situation in the world didn't refer the Golan Heights as an occupied area as it used to in the former reports. The Israeli media also said that the word "occupation" wasn't mentioned in the report when it mentioned the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The PA has been boycotting the U.S. administration since December 2017 when U.S. President Donald Trump declared Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and decided to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to the city last May. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 05:32:49|Editor: yan Video Player Close ADEN, Yemen, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Fighters of the Houthi group launched a missile attack against a pro-government military base in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah on Wednesday evening, causing huge blasts, a security official told Xinhua. The security source said on anonymity that "a missile fired by the Houthi rebels landed on Abu Musa Ashary army base in Alkhokha district of Hodeidah, killing two soldiers and injuring 18 others at the scene." Initial reports indicated that the Houthi-fired missile hit inside the base used by different units of the pro-government forces in Hodeidah, the source said. Witnesses told Xinhua that ambulances were seen coming out from the pro-government military base following two explosions. A statement revealed by the pro-government Giants Brigades said that four missiles fired by the Houthi group targeted the densely populated Alkhokha, causing huge blasts. In recent days, fighting between Yemen's government forces and the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels intensified in various areas of the strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeidah. The warring forces have so far failed to withdraw from Hodeidah and its southern districts in accordance with the UN-sponsored Stockholm Agreement reached last December. The deal aimed to avert an all-out offensive on the lifeline port city, which is the key entry of Yemen's most commercial imports and international aid. The Saudi-led military coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 to support the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after Houthi rebels forced him into exile and seized much of the country's north, including the capital Sanaa and Hodeidah. The four-year 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| 2019-03-14 05:42:54|Editor: yan Video Player Close RABAT, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The Executive Committee of Morocco's Independence Party hailed on Wednesday the Moroccan-Chinese strategic partnership. The party underlined in a statement following the visit of a delegation from the party to China last week "the importance of the strategic partnership between Morocco and China" established in 2016. It also stressed Morocco's proactive involvement in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative. The statement said that the visit of the party's delegation was "successful," which was marked by a fruitful meeting with Chinese business persons. The statement added that the visit was also an opportunity to learn about China's pioneering experiences in the field of e-commerce, digital administration and integrated social services projects. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 05:52:56|Editor: yan Video Player Close LISBON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Members of Portugal's Public Security Police (PSP) marched through Lisbon on Wednesday as their union chief pledged to maintain a hunger strike for as long as was necessary. Peixoto Rodrigues, president of the PSP's Unified Union, began his hunger strike on Tuesday, outside the Presidential Palace in the Belem neighborhood of Lisbon. "This is a planned and calculated action, which is not against anyone but in favor of the PSP," Rodrigues told the Lusa Portuguese News Agency. His dramatic action was timed to launch a day of protest by the majority of the PSP's 16 unions. Protesting police officers set off from the PSP National Directorate building in the neighborhood of Penha de Franca in Lisbon and marched into the town center to demonstration outside the Ministry of Internal Administration. Rodrigues and the marchers are protesting against the non-implementation of an Administrative Supreme Court recommendation that the state pay public holiday bonus payments and pay freeze losses dating back to 2005. Another police demand is for an increase in bonus pay for security force work and for an indexing system to be introduced to regulate overtime pay across the board. A further complaint relates to discrepancies in pension and social security packages that are dependent upon when officers entered service. "There are a number of claims on the table, which the Ministry of Internal Administration has been aware of since last year without responding to or opening talks," Rodrigues said. The ministry issued a statement saying it "remained open to discussing matters related to professional conditions." The march had been scheduled to feature uniformed officers, but protesters yielded to a court order that they demonstrated in plain clothes. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 07:18:17|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Facebook said Wednesday that some of its core products, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, have experienced service outages in some areas around the world. Facebook users across the globe reported problems logging into their accounts or sharing posts on its website, as some people were not able to refresh feeds or post new files. "Instagram was down for a few hours so here I am... I'm tired of waiting," said Twitter user Myrella@mkifuri in her twitter account. Facebook acknowledged the service outage in a tweet Wednesday but gave little information about the problems that happened to its apps. "We're aware that some people are currently having trouble accessing the Facebook family of apps," Facebook said. The world's largest social media network added that it focused on working to resolve the issue as soon as possible. It confirmed that the issue is not related to a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack on its platform or servers, without further specifying what has caused the service interruption. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 07:28:20|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close by Eric J. Lyman ROME, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Italy's indecision over the future of the high-speed TAV railway linking Turin and Lyon is damaging the country's image to potential investors while setting up new obstacles for when, or if, the 25-billion-euro (28.3-billion-U.S. dollar) initiative restarts. The stalled 270-km project is at the center of a row between the two political parties backing the government of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. The populist Five-Star Movement is against the project while the euro-skeptic League supports it. The Five-Star Movement is the largest party in the coalition, but is in a power struggle with the League as polls in recent months have shown the latter's support has surpassed that of the Five-Star Movement. Unable to broker a deal, Conte last week informed Tunnel Euralpin Lyon Turin (Telt), the consortium overseeing the project that it should "refrain, with immediate effect, from any additional action that may bind the Italian state legally and economically." "Italy's problems with TAV are entirely political," Flavio Chiapponi, a political communications professor in the Political Science Department at the University of Pavia, told Xinhua. "One party wants it, one doesn't, and neither wants to back down." And analysts here reckon that compromise is no easy task as both sides fear they will lose supporters if they change tack before European Parliament elections scheduled for May. "This is the first time the Five-Star Movement has tried to block a major policy initiative backed by the League," Chiapponi said. "The stakes are high for both sides." The TAV high-speed train project includes a 58-km tunnel through the Alps Mountains, potentially among the longest tunnels in the world when completed. It will speed up and strengthen ties between industrial centers on either side of the Italy-French border, reducing fuel costs and increasing efficiency. Most work on the Italian side of the project slowed dramatically in recent weeks, even before Conte's letter to Telt. Work still continues on the French side, however. Chiapponi said that the problems in Italy are already effecting diplomatic relations between Italy and other European Union states, and said that losing the tens of thousands of jobs tied to the project could be enough "to reduce Italy's ability to climb out of its economic recession." Stefano Cianciotta, president of the National Observatory on Infrastructure within Confassociazioni, a professional association, agreed. But he also said the project itself will become more difficult as time passes. "The top managers and engineers are not going to stick around to wait for the political problems in Italy to sort themselves out," Cianciotta said in an interview. "This was an interesting and challenging project that attracted some of the best leadership in Europe. But they are already leaving." Cianciotta also said the problems will make Italy a less attractive destination for investors: "These problems are telling investors there is no guarantee in Italy when it comes to government support of projects," he said. Analysts said that after the European elections, the power structure in the Conte government could be reset, making it more likely that either the Five-Star Movement or the League could change its stance on the TAV project. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 07:33:22|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close LONDON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The University of Edinburgh in Scotland, Britain, won funding of 104 million U.S. dollars Wednesday to build a super computer capable of processing 10,000 trillion calculations every second. Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond announced the funding as he unveiled his spring budget on Britain's economy to the parliament. In his statement Hammond announced funding of 264 million U.S. dollars, saying it will help maintain Britain's reputation as a pioneering and world-leading nation as it leaves the EU. The new national supercomputer will be five-times quicker than Britain's current capabilities, and thousands of times more powerful than a traditional desktop computer. It will be integral in aiding discoveries in medicine, climate science and aerospace, and will build on previous British breakthroughs in targeted treatments for arthritis and HIV. "I am told it will be capable of a staggering 10,000 trillion calculations per seconds," said Hammond. Other flagship projects are cutting-edge genetic research in Cambridge and state-of-the-art lasers in Oxfordshire. Funding of 107 million U.S. dollars will be used for state-of-the-art laser technology in Oxfordshire. Another 60 million U.S. dollars will go to support genetic research in Cambridge. "These investments will support innovators across the country to make the breakthroughs that will push biotechnology, medicine, science and aerospace forward," said Hammond. Britain's research and technology industry is worth 48 billion U.S. dollars to the British economy and employs more than 231,000 people, he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 07:33:22|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close File photo taken on June 19, 2017 shows a Boeing 737 MAX 9 at the 52nd International Paris Air and Space Show in Bourget, France. The United States is grounding all Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 aircraft, said U.S. President Donald Trump on March 13, 2019. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen) WASHINGTON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The United States is grounding all Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 aircraft, said U.S. President Donald Trump Wednesday, as it became the last major country to do so after two crashes by the model in recent months. "All of those planes are grounded, effective immediately," Trump told a press event, referring to the Boeing 737 Max variations. "The safety of the American people, of all people is our paramount concern," Trump said. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) followed up on Trump's remarks with a statement, ordering the temporary grounding of Boeing 737 Max aircraft operated by U.S. airlines or in U.S. territory. The FAA said that "new evidence collected at the site and analyzed today" led to the latest decision. "The grounding will remain in effect pending further investigation, including examination of information from the aircraft's data recorders and cockpit voice recorders," the FAA statement said. An Ethiopian Airlines plane en route from Addis Ababa to Nairobi, Kenya crashed Sunday, killing all 157 people aboard. A Lion Air crash in October in Indonesia killed all 189 people on board. Both were Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft and circumstances surrounding both crashes shared alarming similarities. It is at this point unclear what the exact causes of the crashes were, though U.S. media reported that five complaints were filed against Boeing 737 Max aircraft by pilots on a federal database months before the Sunday crash, with one pilot calling the flight manual "inadequate and almost criminally insufficient." Furthermore, Boeing said it had been developing a flight control software enhancement for the 737 MAX in the aftermath of Lion Air flight crash. The Ethiopian Airlines crash took place before the enhancement was completed. The FAA announcement, made hours after Canada announced it is pulling Boeing 737 Max aircraft from the sky, reversed the FAA's previous statements defending Boeing. Boeing said in a statement that "out of an abundance of caution," it recommended to the FAA the suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of 371 aircraft in the 737 Max category. Southwest Airlines, a major operator of Boeing 737 Max aircraft in the United States, said it would immediately comply with FAA's latest requirements by removing its 34 Max 8 aircraft from service. Prior to the announcement to ground the aircraft, Southwest Airlines had been allowing free ticket exchanges to travelers who had booked flights conducted by Boeing 737 Max 8. The news would also come as a relief for customers of American Airlines, another major operator of the aircraft that had refused to offer free ticket exchanges for those due to fly one of the aircraft. U.S. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who has called for the grounding of the aircraft since Monday, said the FAA took a right but "overdue" step, referring to the fact that the United States was the last major country to halt operation of the questioned model, despite repeated calls from U.S. lawmakers, experts, and the public in the past couple of days for the FAA to prioritize safety. "This step is right, but unacceptably overdue. Our nation should be leading, not lagging, in air safety. Strong, immediate scrutiny is necessary," Blumenthal tweeted, stressing that the U.S. public deserve to know "when this possible defect was 1st known, what will be done about it & who is responsible." Pressure had been mounting for the FAA and Boeing to halt operation of the aircraft since its latest crash Sunday. Former FAA Safety Inspector David Soucie told U.S. media that he would "definitely" ground the Boeing 737 Max if he were in charge of the FAA. "I've never, ever done this. I've never said that, 'hey, it's unsafe to fly a particular model' but in this case, I'm going to have to go there... So yeah I would watch for that airplane," Soucie warned. Professional opinions prompted U.S. lawmakers across the aisle and industry organizations to join in unison calling for the grounding of the model, urging the FAA to join other aviation regulators in prioritizing safety. U.S. Republican Senator Ted Cruz on Tuesday pledged he would hold a Congressional hearing to investigate the crashes and called for the aircraft to be grounded before the all-clear is given. Many calling on the FAA to ground the aircraft point to a growing number of international aviation regulators, including those in China, Indonesia, the European Union and Australia, that have temporarily banned operation of the aircraft, as well as an expanding list of airlines also making the move. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 07:38:24|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close NEW YORK, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Works of famous Chinese painters in different time periods are scheduled to be auctioned at Christie's and Sotheby's next week in New York city. The highlight of Christie's auction titled "Fine Chinese Paintings" is a long handscroll of poems about bamboo by the scholar-official Li Dongyang in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Measuring ten meters in length, the handscroll consists of 14 poems and essays written in standard, running, cursive, and seal scripts. Li completed it in 1516 for his nephew by marriage. Both the artist and the recipient were very fond of bamboo and often planted them together. The handscroll is estimated to be sold at a price between 800,000 U.S. dollars and 1.2 million dollars. To be held on March 19, the auction also includes several paintings from modern Chinese ink master Zhang Daqian. One of the paintings is titled "Mountain Living in Autumn" with an estimate of 200,000 dollars to 300,000 dollars. Sotheby's auction on March 22 will be led by a handscroll written by Shen Zhou in Ming Dynasty in the style of Huang Tingjian, artist and poet in the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), with an estimate of 1.2 million dollars to 1.8 million dollars. The auction titled "Fine Classical Chinese Paintings & Calligraphy" will also feature an ink and color painting on silk by Chen Hongshou in Ming Dynasty. The painting depicting lotus and rock was previously in the private collection of Zhang Daqian, and is expected to be sold at a price between 1 million dollars and 1.5 million dollars. Featuring landscapes, calligraphy, figures and floral compositions, the two sales will offer a wide range of traditional, modern and contemporary ink paintings spanning from ancient China to present day. Both auction houses are participating in the Asia Week New York this year, a 10-day event that celebrates Asian art and culture in various activities that began on Wednesday. Now in its 10th edition, Asia Week New York saw 48 international galleries, 6 auction houses and 16 cultural institutions, offering open galleries, auction sales, lectures and exhibitions. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 08:38:35|Editor: WX Video Player Close ABUJA, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday expressed sadness over the collapse of a three-storey building housing a primary school in Ita-Faji area of Lagos, which caused fatalities, particularly of small children. In a statement issued in Abuja, Buhari sympathized with the parents and relatives of the deceased and wished the injured speedy and complete recovery. "It touches one to lose precious lives in any kind of mishap, particularly those so young and tender," the statement said. The president asked the government of Lagos state, Nigeria's economic hub, "to do all that is needful so that such tragic developments do not recur in future." A local rescue official said at least nine bodies have been recovered from the rubble so far and many others still trapped after the building, which housed a school, shops, and apartments, collapsed on Wednesday morning in Lagos. The official told Xinhua that the school had 172 registered pupils, and about 50 people have been rescued so far. The cause of the collapse was yet to be ascertained. Akinwunmi Ambode, the governor of Lagos state, said a thorough investigation will be launched into the incident. Building collapses often occur in Lagos, Nigeria's economic hub, as some property owners and developers do not adhere strictly to planning and building laws and regulations. In most cases, heavy loads are placed on the building and substandard materials are seen to have been used for the construction work. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 08:48:38|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry delivers a speech at CERAWeek in Houston, Texas, the United States, on March 13, 2019. The 38th CERAWeek, which kicked off on Monday, is an annual energy meeting held by the London-based information company IHS Markit with the attendance of prominent speakers from energy, technology and financial sectors. This year's meeting was attended by more than 4,500 guests from over 70 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Liu Liwei) HOUSTON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Cooperation and competition are encouraged in energy development as well as environment protection, U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry said in Houston in the state of Texas on Wednesday. "We need more open and candid discussions. We need a healthy competition of ideas on energy and the environment," Perry said at the five-day CERAWeek meeting by IHS Markit that kicked off here on Monday. "We need to support more innovation and need to apply that innovation to expand our energy usage and create real world progress," he continued in his remarks. According to Perry, energy security should be strengthened to achieve economic security and national security. "We seek to build upon our European alliance to advance economic prosperity by strengthening energy security and promoting transparency," he noted. The 38th CERAWeek, which kicked off with the IEA press conference, is an annual energy meeting held by the London-based information company IHS Markit with the attendance of prominent speakers from energy, technology and financial sectors. This year's meeting was attended by more than 4,500 guests from over 70 countries and regions. There is a special dialogue on China as well as several discussions designed to focus on Asian and Chinese energy market since China has become one of the largest energy consumption economies in the world. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 10:29:00|Editor: Liu Video Player Close SAO PAULO, March 13 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 people were killed and many more injured in a school shooting in Brazil's largest city Sao Paulo on Wednesday. The shocking attack took place at 9:30 a.m. local time (1230 GMT) at the Raul Brasil Public School in the Jardim Emperador neighborhood of Suzano, a community located within the greater metropolitan area of Sao Paulo. Initial reports said eight people were killed, but the death toll rose as two of the people wounded and taken to hospital succumbed to their injuries. The attackers used firearms and knives, sparking a stampede as panicked students ran for cover. A bomb squad was dispatched to the school, as witnesses reported seeing the two attackers enter the premises carrying a large bundle with cables which was feared to contain explosives. Parents rushed to the school following the accident, as did Sao Paulo state Gov. Joao Doria. "These are the worst scenes I have ever seen in my life," Doria told reporters at the scene, adding the priority was to attend to the victims and their families. Military Police spokesperson Cibele da Silva said there were "several injured people who were taken to two area hospitals," some in serious condition. Nearly 1,000 students attended the elementary and middle school in the morning-and-afternoon shift. Witnesses said they saw the two attackers, believed to be former students, who arrived in a white car and shoot at a next door shop. "We were at recess, having lunch, and they began to kill a lot of people," student Rosni Grotliwed, 15, told a local TV broadcast. "We heard three shots and went out running ... I saw a lot of dead people on the floor," the student added. President Jair Bolsonaro condemned the shooting. "I offer my condolences to the families of the victims of the heartless attack that took place today at the Raul Brasil School, in Suzano, Sao Paulo. A monstrosity and cowardice without bounds," he posted online. The school shooting has shocked Brazil in the midst of a renewed debate about gun laws. Bolsonaro has recently relaxed control on gun possession citing rising crime. Brazil's worst school shooting occurred on April 7, 2011, when a former student killed 12 minors at his old school in the Realengo neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 10:44:02|Editor: Liu Video Player Close YAOUNDE, March 13 (Xinhua) -- A United Nations (UN) special representative on Wednesday assured Cameroonian authorities that "remarkable progress" is being made in demarcating the disputed Cameroon-Nigeria maritime border over the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula. "The UN is doing everything it can to continue to make progress," said Mohammed Ibn Chambas, special representative of the secretary-general and head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), in the capital Yaounde after briefing Cameroonian Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute. "We have not allowed anything to stand in its way. In spite of the rough terrain and security challenges, the work continues," Chambas added. Chambas, also chairman of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission (CNMC), stressed that good will of both countries is essential to completing the demarcation process. "The work that is left is something that can be managed as long as the good faith between the two sides remains," he said. According to the UNOWAS, the CNMC aims to facilitate the implementation of the October 2002 judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the Cameroon-Nigeria boundary dispute. Both countries claimed ownership of the more than 2,000-km maritime border over the oil- and fish-rich Bakassi Peninsula, which is located on the Gulf of Guinea. The situation escalated into military confrontation in 1993. In 2002, the ICJ court gave sovereignty over the peninsula to Cameroon. Since then, the Cameroonian and Nigerian governments have undergone tense negotiations over the control of the peninsula. Boundary demarcation is the last step in the UN-backed process to end border tensions between Cameroon and Nigeria. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 10:49:03|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Various forms of "China threat" or "China collapse" theories have been mongered by a few Western observers over the decades, but none have ever been proved remotely true. Since the founding of People's Republic of China in 1949, the country has risen to become the world's second largest economy, with its GDP now exceeding 90 trillion yuan (about 13.4 trillion U.S. dollars). It has also made tremendous progress in culture, society and other fields. Unlike the rise of a few countries that was accompanied by war and plundering of others, China has earned its development through the hard work of its own people. During the ongoing "two sessions" in Beijing, China's national lawmakers and political advisors deliberated on key issues concerning the nation's development ranging from poverty reduction to promotion of innovations and the new law on foreign investment. The government work report submitted to the lawmakers for deliberation reaffirmed China's commitment to the path of peaceful development, to mutually beneficial opening up, and to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. China will surely become stronger but not assertive, as a belief in peaceful development lies in the country's traditions and national genes. An old Chinese saying states: "A warlike country, however big it might be, is bound to perish." Throughout history, the Chinese people have believed that the strong and rich should never bully the weak or poor. In the years between the first Opium War in the 1840s, and 1949, China's leap toward modernization was disrupted several times. With deep memories of the scourge of foreign aggressions, the Chinese people have many reasons to cherish peace, and never want to see others suffer in the same way. China does not want any disruption on its journey to prosperity and national rejuvenation. Hegemony has never been and will never be its choice. Keenly aware of the value of a stable development environment, China has long contributed to maintaining peace in the region and the world, not by vague words, but by actions. From Korean Peninsula to South China Sea, or Mideast, China always stands for peaceful dialogue. Since 1990, China has dispatched 40,000 peacekeepers to around 30 UN peacekeeping operations, the most among all the five permanent UN Security Council members. It is also the second largest donor country for UN peacekeeping missions. As a firm supporter and promoter of multilateralism, China upholds an international system centered on the United Nations. Since ancient time, the Chinese people have always believed in and longed for a world of universal harmony. The building of a community with a shared future for humanity is a continuation of the philosophy in the age of globalization. The Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China in 2013, is a concrete step taken by the country to achieve common development through connectivity of infrastructure. A total of 123 countries and 29 international organizations have signed agreements with China to take part in the initiative. For those who still have doubts, it is never too late to get onboard the train of win-win cooperation. For those who stubbornly adhere to outdated zero-sum thinking, their attempt to discourage others from joining the initiative will be futile. China's development has brought, and will continue to bring huge opportunities to the world. A prosperous China will be a force for peace and development worldwide. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 10:54:04|Editor: Liu Video Player Close YANGON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar is deliberating to form coast guard in order to strengthen maritime security, Deputy Minister of Defense Rear-Admiral Myint Nwe said. The navy is currently assuming the duties pertaining to coast guard as Myanmar does not have one yet, Myint Nwe told the session of the House of Representatives (Lower House) in the capital of Nay Pyi Taw Wednesday, according to local media. When the coast guard is formed, the navy will also take the lead in forming an integrated command center consisting of experts from the Maritime Police Force, Customs Department, Immigration Department, Marine Administration Department and Myanmar Port Authority, he said. He disclosed that the navy will coordinate exchange of information between these different marine organizations and execute prompt decision to safeguard Myanmar's waters, adding that the navy will coordinate with relevant organizations at the moment for maritime security while awaiting the formation of the coast guard. The Myanmar government announced in January that it will form a coast guard to protect its 2,080-km coast line and territorial waters. According to the transport authorities, the new Myanmar coast guard will be in charge of managing offshore drilling and the building of deep-sea ports as well as maintaining the environment and protection of natural resources. Moreover, the new organization will also deal with "non-traditional maritime security threats", such as human trafficking, illegal entry, drug trafficking, and fishing activities that are deemed illegal or irregular. The move came months after a mysterious "ghost ship", which had gone missing for nine years, landed in Thongwa township, southern Yangon in August 2018, prompting the Myanmar government to begin discussions to organize a coast guard. The empty vessel flying Indonesian flag was found stranded in the Bay of Mottama of Myanmar by local fishermen with no sailors nor goods on it. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 10:59:05|Editor: WX Video Player Close MINSK, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) on Wednesday called on the conflicting parties in Donbas in eastern Ukraine to ensure a reliable and stable implementation of cease-fire. The spring cease-fire in Donbas announced to be implemented from March 8 is not being observed, Martin Sajdik, the OSCE's special envoy to Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on Ukraine, said in the Belarussian capital of Minsk, where representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the OSCE discussed pressing humanitarian issues in eastern Ukraine during their latest meeting. According to Sajdik, various working groups discussed a wide range of issues including demining, a list of prisoners for exchange, improving the capacity of checkpoints at the line of contact, restoring the water supply in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, and the payment of pensions to local residents. Data released by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry in late February showed the fightings since April 2014 between government troops and the pro-independence armed groups in eastern Ukraine had killed some 13,000 people, injured 30,000 others and displaced 1.5 million. The TCG's next meeting in Minsk is scheduled for March 27. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 11:04:07|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan attends a press conference in Yerevan, Armenia, March 13, 2019. The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said here Wednesday that the organization will do everything to help find a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. (Xinhua/Gevorg Ghazaryan) YEREVAN, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said here Wednesday that the organization will do everything to help find a solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. At a joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan in Yerevan, Miroslav Lajcak, chairman-in-office of the OSCE, affirmed the progress made for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and vowed to step up all efforts to promote a peaceful settlement of the issue. "I am convinced that all this will promote the implementation of a multilateral process of seeking a peaceful settlement of the conflict," said Lajcak, stressing that though challenges lie ahead, there is every reason to give a positive impetus to the process. The head of the OSCE also said that any change in the negotiation format for the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict must be acceptable to all sides. "I think we have spent enough time for discussing these issues, and I am confident that the Armenian government has the right formula for the continuation of negotiations in the existing format," he said. For his part, Mnatsakanyan said that Armenia is ready to cooperate with the OSCE to promote dialogue over urgent issues of the organization's agenda at all platforms. Lajcak, who is also Slovak foreign minister, started his two-day working visit to Armenia on Tuesday. Last week, he concluded his visit to Azerbaijan to mediate the decade-long Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at loggerheads over the mountainous region of Nagorno-Karabakh since 1988. Peace talks have been held since 1994 when a ceasefire was reached, but there have been occasional minor clashes in the past along the borders. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 11:34:15|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The enrolment of girls in schools in Nepal has increased over recent years, resulting in a higher number of girls and women in higher education, a senior Nepalese official said Tuesday. Speaking at the ongoing 63rd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-63) of the UN, Niru Devi Pal, president of Women and Social Committee of Nepal, said Nepal has made various efforts to advance women's rights, with the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action of 1995 as an important point of departure. The empowerment of women and girls and gender equality has changed the dynamics of human resources in the public sector and resulted in increase in the number of women in decision making roles, she said. Many women have moved away from traditional roles and more women are engaged in economic activities and have become entrepreneurs, she said. The senior official said Nepal implemented the 1995 declaration by preparing a comprehensive National Plan of Action, and the government has initiated a number of policies and programs to ensure women's empowerment and gender equality over the past two decades. Women's presence and prominence are seen in almost all the sectors including politics, economy, media, education, environment, health, and social sector, she said. There has been gradual progress in economic, social and infrastructure fronts that have a direct impact on women's wellbeing, she added. She said the achievements in various fronts have been possible partly thanks to mutual cooperation among government, private sector, civil society and development partners. She highlighted the implementation of gender responsive budget and adoption of gender responsive monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in September 1995, has been one of the most progressive blueprints produced for advancing women's rights. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 11:34:16|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close KIEV, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Wednesday that his country had received Turkish-produced Bayraktar TB2 combat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) last week, local media reported. Speaking at a meeting of the regional development council in northern Chernigiv region, Poroshenko said that the UAVs will undergo tests in Ukraine in the near future, according to the Ukrainian government-run Ukrinform news agency. In January, Poroshenko announced that Ukraine's state-owned company Ukrspecexport signed a contract to purchase Bayraktar TB2 from the Turkish company Baykar Makina. The Ukrainian media have estimated that Ukraine paid 69 million U.S. dollars for six UAVs and ammunition for them. Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV with a maximum payload of about 50 kg. It can be used in surveillance, reconnaissance and combat missions. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 11:34:17|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close NAIROBI, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Kenya and France on Wednesday signed four partnership deals, aimed at boosting bilateral ties in areas including skills and talents, universities, research and professional training, education and strategic infrastructure projects in Kenya. France is committed to working together with Kenya in several areas of mutual interest, among which are trade, investment, infrastructure, security and counter-terrorism activities, said French President Emmanuel Macron after the signing of the agreements in Nairobi. "We also want to open a new partnership on the economy; we will sign a series of new agreements in order to develop public and private partnerships," Macron told at a joint news conference with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. Macron is accompanied on his two-day state visit by a large group of businessmen and investors who will meet with government agencies and private sector players in Kenya to explore opportunities for investment. Macron's visit is the first by a French president to Kenya since the eastern African country became independent from Britain in 1963. Kenyatta said France continues to be one of the most important contributors to Kenya's tourism sector, and expressed optimism that the visit by Macron will help increase the number of French tourists visiting Kenya. "This is good for Kenya and for our development," Kenyatta said. Today, France has become Kenya's major trading partner. "My expectation is that France will grow into an even more important trading partner for Kenya as a result of this visit." The two presidents launched the Peugeot 3008 SUV, one of the models locally assembled at the Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers (KVM) in Thika, about 35 km northeast of Nairobi, by French vehicle manufacturer Groupe PSA. The assembling of Peugeot 3008 began in September 2017, and that of two additional models are scheduled to start in April and September. By the end of 2019, Groupe PSA is expected to assemble at least 1,000 vehicles in Kenya, up from the current 480 vehicles. Kenyatta said when the KVM plant is fully operational, Groupe PSA hopes to assemble at least 15,000 vehicles annually in Kenya for both the local and regional markets. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 11:39:17|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close WASHINGTON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Senate on Wednesday passed a resolution asking for an end of U.S. support for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition's war in Yemen, a move breaking from President Donald Trump's foreign policy toward the kingdom. Senators voted 54-46 to approve the resolution seeking to terminate any U.S. military involvement in the conflict without authorization from Congress. Seven Republican lawmakers joined Democrats in supporting the measure. The Senate vote came hours after the White House formally threatened to veto the resolution, arguing it was "flawed." The resolution will move to the Democrats-controlled House of Representatives, where the lawmakers are expected to pass it. The split between the Trump administration and Congress on Saudi Arabia has become more obvious in the wake of the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Turkey's Istanbul in October 2018, and a number of top Saudi officials involved in the case were arrested. The Saudi-led military coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 to support the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after Houthi rebels forced him into exile and seized much of the country's north, including the capital Sanaa and Hodeidah. The four-year 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| 2019-03-14 11:59:24|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close by Levi J Parsons SYDNEY, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The chief executive of a newly listed biotech firm in Australia told Xinhua in an interview that he hopes to bring the company's world-leading human cell and tissue transplant technology to China in a bid to help those suffering from chronic pancreatitis. Utilizing innovative 3D-V bio-printing capabilities, Matt Lehman said that Koligo Therapeutics are the only company in the world that's dedicated to the wide-spread distribution of pancreatic islets, the cells that make insulin to regulate blood sugar for treating acute pancreatitis. With China currently experiencing the fastest increasing rates of pancreatitis in the world, the debilitating and painful condition inflames the pancreas and can eventually impair a patient's ability to produce the enzymes needed to digest food. Estimated to cause approximately 130,000 deaths per year around the globe, at the moment there are limited pharmacological, endoscopic or surgical options for treatment. As a result many suffering from the illness are forced to turn to high doses of potent opioids to manage the pain. But for a growing number of patients in the U.S., where Koligo Therapeutics is headquartered, the surgical removal of the pancreas with islet auto-transplantation is becoming a more viable option for long-term pain relief. "A major challenge with transplants is rejection by the patient's body due to lack of oxygen and blood flow into the new transplanted tissue," Lehman explained. "The 3D-V bio-printing platform allows us to revascularize cell tissue in the lab, then print the revascularized material in small, biodegradable 3D spheres." "These spheres act as a temporary scaffold after implant which should allow for far fewer issues of transplant rejection." Patented and licensed by the Universities of Louisville and Arizona, initial research into 3D-V bio-printing was partly funded by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. space agency NASA. While the technology is primarily being used by Koligo Therapeutics to help those suffering from pancreatitis, the engineering of tissue products also holds huge implications for the treatment of other diseases like type 1 diabetes, liver failure, neurological diseases, as well as metabolic and genetic disorders. "Our Chief Technology Officer Stuart Williams PhD, has been working on this technology with his collaborators for decades," Lehman said. "We expect to bring our first 3D-V printed islet product into the (Australian) clinic in about two years after we finalize our production methods." "Then we aim to bring our technology and products to China in conjunction with a strong local partner." Race, gender and age affect who writes majority opinions for state supreme courts A new study provides evidence that the gender, age and race of state supreme court justices may influence whether they are asked to write the majority opinion in a case. The analysis of three years' worth of cases from the fourteen states where the opinion assignment is discretionary, just like the United States Supreme Court, (rather than being assigned randomly or on a rotation) found the following: Female justices are more likely to be assigned to write an opinion in general, but they are less likely to be selected to write the opinion if a case is considered complex. Female justices are more likely to be selected to write the majority opinion if the case raises a "women's issue," such as sexual harassment or discrimination cases. Both female and black justices are less likely to be selected to write the majority opinion as they get older while their non-minority male peers are selected for this task at higher rates with advancing age. "Majority opinion authors have significant power to shape law and policy," said coauthor Robert K. Christensen, associate professor of public service and ethics at Brigham Young University. "They become the voice of the court. We feel that society needs to understand which voices are chosen from a variety of perspectives, including demographic representation." Specific to the age finding, researchers also found female justices between 40 and 60 are less likely to be given the majority opinion assignment with each additional year in age relative to their male peers. Meanwhile, black justices become significantly less likely to receive the majority opinion assignment with each year in age starting in their mid-sixties. The researchers acknowledge that research on gender, age and race effects in state supreme courts needs to continue on a broader and more recent time frame, especially given only 6.5 percent of the judges in the data set were black (compared to 15 percent who were female). Until recently, the judiciary has generally become more diverse. This study serves as an important baseline to compare how diversity matters in our courts. In related research, the coauthors also found that some of these same demographic characteristics influence the prevalence of dissenting opinions. BYU Law professor Michalyn Steele, who was not associated with the study but teaches courses on civil rights and Federal Indian Law, said wherever there is discretion in the justice system there is a potential vulnerability to bias -- whether conscious or unconscious. "This important study shines a light on the previously obscure machinations of discretionary judicial opinion assignments and suggests that, indeed, there may be some implicit biases infecting those assignments," Steele said. "Gathering and illuminating this data is an important first step toward increased transparency to counteract the potential inherent bias in theses cases." ### Erin Kaheny, a professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, is lead author on the study. Political science professor John Szmer, from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, is also a coauthor. The data come from the Brace and Hall State Supreme Court Data Project, which includes the entirety of published state supreme court decisions for the 1995-1998 calendar years. States included in this analysis were: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Wyoming. This story has been published on: 2019-03-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Dr. David Rubinsztein to present at the 6th Aging Research for Drug Discovery Forum in Basel Thursday, March 14, 2019 - Today Insilico Medicine, a Rockville-based company developing the end-to-end drug discovery pipeline utilizing the next generation artificial intelligence, and the Scheibye-Knudsen Lab, University of Copenhagen, announce the presentation of David C Rubinsztein, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Neurogenetics, Deputy Director, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, at the 6th Aging Research, Drug Discovery, and AI Forum during the Basel Life Congress, September 10-12, 2019, Basel, Switzerland. Dr. David Rubinsztein will give a talk titled "Leucine signals to mTORC1 via its metabolite acetyl-coenzyme A" covering the mechanism for mTORC1 regulation by Leucine metabolism at the 6th Aging Research, Drug Discovery, and AI Forum. "The mechanistic target of rapamycin - mTOR complex 1 is a master regulator of cell growth and metabolism. Leucine activates mTORC1 and many have tried to identify the mechanisms whereby cells sense Leucine in this context. I will describe how the Leu metabolite acetyl-coenzyme A (AcCoA) positively regulates mTORC1 activity by EP300-mediated acetylation of the mTORC1 regulator, Raptor, at K1097. Leucine metabolism and consequent mTORC1 activity are regulated by intermediary enzymes. As AcCoA is a Leucine metabolite, this process directly correlates with Leucine abundance and does not require Leucine sensing via intermediary proteins, as has been described previously. Importantly, we describe that this pathway regulates mTORC1 in a cell-type specific manner. Finally, we observed decreased acetylated Raptor, inhibited mTORC1 and EP300 activity in fasted mice tissues. These results provide a direct mechanism for mTORC1 regulation by Leucine metabolism," said David C Rubinsztein, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Neurogenetics, Deputy Director, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Professor, UK Dementia Research Institute. "Over the last 5 years, the "Aging & Drug Discovery" and "AI for Healthcare" forums have been leading events at BaselLife, attracting hundreds of delegates from over 50 countries. This year, we are combining the 2 platforms into a 3 day-event titled "the 6th Aging, AI and Drug Discovery Forum" to explore the convergence of these 2 cutting edge disciplines. Under the program leadership of Professor Morten Scheibye-Knudsen and Dr. Alex Zhavoronkov, with distinguished scientists and industry experts in the field, we look forward to exploring breakthroughs for this great healthcare need for the planet," said Dr. Bhupinder Bhullar, Chair, Innovation Forum program committee, Basel Life 2019. "The 6th annual Aging Research, Drug Discovery, and AI Forum at Basel Life will have a fresh program featuring some of the most prominent scientists and industry players in aging and longevity research covering the theory, applications and convergence of these three exciting areas," said Alex Zhavoronkov, Ph.D., Founder, and CEO of Insilico Medicine, Inc. "Today we are very excited about announcing the talk from Professor David Rubinsztein, Cambridge University. Professor Rubinsztein continues to pioneer the field of autophagy and neurodegeneration, an area that is under tremendous growth. We are therefore very happy that he is able to add to our exciting program in Basel," said Morten Scheibye-Knudsen, MD, PhD University of Copenhagen. The 6th Aging Research for Drug Discovery Forum Basel will bring together leaders in the aging, longevity, and drug discovery field, to describe the latest progress in the molecular, cellular and organismal basis of aging and the search for interventions. Furthermore, the forum will include opinion leaders in AI to discuss the latest advances of this technology in the biopharmaceutical sector and how this can be applied to interventions. This event intends to bridge academic and commercial research and foster collaborations that will result in practical solutions to one of humanity's most challenging problems: aging. The Forum will be held in Basel, Switzerland, September 10-12, 2019. ### Contact: Ola Popova ola@pharma.ai Website: http://insilico. com/ About Insilico Medicine, Inc Insilico Medicine is an artificial intelligence company headquartered in Rockville, with R&D and management resources in Belgium, Russia, UK, Taiwan, and Korea sourced through hackathons and competitions. The company and its scientists are dedicated to extending human productive longevity and transforming every step of the drug discovery and drug development process through excellence in biomarker discovery, drug development, digital medicine, and aging research. Insilico pioneered the applications of the generative adversarial networks (GANs) and reinforcement learning for generation of novel molecular structures for the diseases with a known target and with no known targets. In addition to working collaborations with the large pharmaceutical companies, the company is pursuing internal drug discovery programs in cancer, dermatological diseases, fibrosis, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, diabetes, sarcopenia, and aging. Through a partnership with LifeExtension.com, the company launched a range of nutraceutical products compounded using the advanced bioinformatics techniques and deep learning approaches. It also provides a range of consumer-facing applications including Young.AI. In 2017, NVIDIA selected Insilico Medicine as one of the Top 5 AI companies in its potential for social impact. In 2018, the company was named one of the global top 100 AI companies by CB Insights. In 2018 it received the Frost & Sullivan 2018 North American Artificial Intelligence for Aging Research and Drug Development Award accompanied with the industry brief. Brief company video: https:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v= l62jlwgL3v8 . http://www. insilico. com About Basel Life 2019 Forum description: In this symposium, leaders in the aging, longevity, and drug discovery field will describe the latest progress in the molecular, cellular and organismal basis of aging and the search for interventions. Furthermore, the forum will include opinion leaders in AI to discuss the latest advances of this technology in the biopharmaceutical sector and how this can be applied to interventions. This event intends to bridge academic and commercial research and foster collaborations that will result in practical solutions to one of humanity's most challenging problems: aging. A panel of thought-leaders will give us their cutting edge reports on the latest progress in our quest to extend the healthy lifespan of everyone on the planet. Conference Official Website: https:/ / www. basellife. org/ 2019. html About Cambridge Institute of Medical Research (CIMR) CIMR is a unique partnership between basic and clinical research, aiming to understand the cellular basis of disease. Our goal is to create an inspiring environment in which outstanding scientists can excel. By providing state-of-the-art core facilities and support for our researchers, we foster new collaborations that spark discoveries about fundamental cellular processes and their relevance in disease. The research vision of the CIMR is centred on our strengths in fundamental cell biological processes, with particular emphasis on membrane trafficking, organelle function, protein homeostasis and folding, the cytoskeleton and autophagy. Interactions between researchers are strengthened by common interests in particular disease areas in which we have established expertise: neurodegenerative disease; haematological disorders; immunological and infectious diseases, and cancer. Institute Website: https:/ / www. cimr. cam. ac. uk/ About the Scheibye-Knudsen Laboratory The growing proportion of the elderly population represents an increasing socioeconomic challenge, not least because of age-associated diseases. It is therefore increasingly pertinent to find interventions for age-associated diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and cardiovascular diseases. Although the cause of aging is currently unknown accumulation of damage to our genome, the DNA, may be a contributing factor. In the Scheibye-Knudsen lab we try to understand the cellular and organismal consequences of DNA damage with the aim of developing interventions. We have discovered that DNA damage leads to changes in certain metabolites and that replenishment of these molecules may alter the rate of aging in model organisms. These findings suggest that normal aging and age-associated diseases may be malleable to similar interventions. The hope is to develop interventions that will allow everyone to live healthier, happier and more productive lives. Laboratory website: http://scheibye-knudsen. com/ About the University of Copenhagen With over 40,000 students and more than 9,000 employees, the University of Copenhagen is the largest institution of research and education in Denmark and among the highest ranked universities in Europe. The purpose of the University - to quote the University Statute - is to 'conduct research and provide further education to the highest academic level'. Approximately one hundred different institutes, departments, laboratories, centres, museums, etc., form the nucleus of the University. University Website: http://introduction. ku. dk/ presentation/ This story has been published on: 2019-03-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 12:04:27|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close CAPE TOWN, March 13 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's state-owned electricity utility Eskom on Wednesday warned of possible power outages in the next few days amid a worsening power crisis since February in the country. "The risk of load shedding remains high for the next few days" as its power system remains tight and vulnerable, said Eskom, which provides about 95 percent of the electricity consumed in South Africa. Load shedding could be implemented at short notice, the public utility said, noting this is a last-resort measure to protect the power system, citing possible technical breakdowns in power generating plants. "We continue to appeal to residents and businesses to use electricity sparingly during this period. Please switch off geysers as well as all non-essential lighting and electricity appliances to assist in reducing demand," said Eskom. It will continue to regularly update information about the state of its power system through various media platforms, Eskom added. South Africa has incurred an estimated economic loss of some 300 billion rand (20.8 billion U.S. dollars) due to power cuts since 2008. Last February, the heavily-indebted Eskom introduced the toughest load shedding in recent years, plunging the country largely into darkness and disrupting economic activities. Sporadic load sheddings have since followed. Eskom has been criticized for poor management and corruption blamed for a decade-old power shortage in South Africa. It is also accused of using load sheddings to blackmail the government into helping its repay its debts estimated at 420 billion rand (29.1 billion dollars) -- an appeal it has made. Photo taken on April 19, 2018 shows the construction site of Colombo Port City in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Xinhua/CHEC) by Jamila Najmuddin COLOMBO, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka looks forward to benefiting more from the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and is ready to welcome more Chinese investment into the country, Sri Lankan Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs John Amaratunga said. In an interview with Xinhua on Tuesday, Amaratunga said Sri Lanka and China shared strong relations and Sri Lanka was one of the first countries to pledge support for the Belt and Road Initiative. "To start with, Sri Lanka is fully supportive of the Belt and Road Initiative of China. We have no debate on that. We look forward to benefiting more from this policy that China has adopted," Amaratunga said. "We hope more investments will come into Sri Lanka from China. There are a lot of Chinese companies who are looking to invest here, particularly in the tourism industry. We will gladly welcome all of them and give them all the support and assistance to start their projects here which will help our economy," Amaratunga said. A key project of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Colombo Port City being constructed close to the Colombo Harbor by the China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC), has generated employment to hundreds of locals and will attract millions of dollars in investments. According to Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Port City will transform Sri Lanka's capital Colombo into a financial and trading hub. Amaratunga said a joint venture between Sri Lanka and China to develop the Hambantota Port in southern Sri Lanka had also brought in many benefits to the local economy, boosting Sri Lanka's image as a maritime hub and lifting the livelihood of many locals. "We have received much assistance from China for the development of these projects and they are now in the process of being further developed," said the minister. "Besides that there are so many other areas in which China has helped us. For example in irrigation, road development and other infrastructural development. We warmly welcome all these projects and we are grateful to the Chinese government and its people for the assistance they are rendering to Sri Lanka for its development," he added. Amaratunga said Sri Lanka looks forward to submitting new proposals at the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation which will be held in China next month. "We look forward to engaging more with the Chinese government under the BRI (Belt and Road Initiative)," Amaratunga said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 13:04:39|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close by Naim-Ul-Karim DHAKA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh has praised China's role in the country's overall development achieved so far. Praises have poured in from the Bangladeshi Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi while speaking at an an event titled Bangladesh-China Business Connections here on Tuesday. HSBC, one of the largest banking and financial services institutions in the world, organized the event, bringing together Bangladeshi and Chinese businesses and institutions along with economic, government, industry and financial services experts to share insights to help businesses advance their China-Bangladesh commercial strategy. "China has been a trusted partner of Bangladesh for a long time now under the leadership of the prime minister. Bangladesh has on board of the highway of development and China has been a key partner on this journey," the minister was quoted as saying in a statement of HSBC received here Wednesday night. According to the statement, keynote speeches explored the opportunity to invest in Bangladesh, as well as market reforms in China and the Belt and Road Initiative, which are accelerating business, trade and investment activity between the two countries. Senior Secretary of Bangladesh's Power Division, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ahmad Kaikaus said, "Bangladesh is going to be a Bright Delta for the global economy. Indeed, HSBC economists predict that by 2030, Bangladesh will be the 26th largest economy globally." To achieve the targeted 82GW of power generation by 2041, he said Bangladesh needs more than 180 billion U.S. dollars of investment. Kaikus expressed gratitude to China for its investment in Bangladesh. Chinese Economic and Commercial Counsellor in Bangladesh Li Guangjun expressed his confidence that the bilateral economic cooperation between Bangladesh and China will be explored in a more extensive way in the future. He lauded HSBC for curating a platform and content that supports closer connectivity between companies in China and Bangladesh. Tim Evans, HSBC regional head of Commercial Banking for International Countries in Asia-Pacific, said HSBC's extensive global network offers unparalleled access to high-growth markets like Bangladesh. Francois de Maricourt, chief executive officer for HSBC Bangladesh, said Bangladesh and China are rapidly growing economies with growing two-way trade ties. Photo taken on Feb. 14, 2019 shows Beng Who Cooks founder Jason Chua at his stall at Hong Lim Market and Food Centre in Singapore's Chinatown. (Xinhua/Toh Ee Ming) By Toh Ee Ming SINGAPORE, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's rich hawker culture has recently come into the spotlight, following its nomination to be inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The new breed of young and daring hawkers are reinventing the concept of the traditional Singaporean hawker fare. Hawker centers are open-air complexes that house many stalls selling a wide variety of affordably priced food, and are often located at short distances from people's dwellings. They are an important place for social interaction and community bonding and are considered a unique aspect of Singapore culture and lifestyle. Jason Chua became a hawker despite of his father's disapproval. Chua's stall is crammed amongst the maze of hawker stalls within Hong Lim Market and Food Centre in Singapore's Chinatown. Each day, Chua is on his feet for 12 hours, selling some 30 to 70 bowls of dishes daily. One of Chua's most vivid childhood memories involves his father driving him to school one morning, when he suddenly noticed that his father's hand was wrapped in a big plastic bag and blood was dripping out from it. His father, a hawker who worked at a fruit and dessert stall, had sliced the skin off his hand while cutting some pineapples. "He (said) he had no time to see the doctor and needed to go back to the stall to work. I never forgot that incident. From then on, I really respected my dad a lot," said Chua, who grew up helping his parents at the stall and cooking from a young age. When he grew up, the hardships of the trade and his parents' disapproval did not stop Chua from pursuing his passion for cooking. He went on to a culinary school and eventually set up his own hawker stall Beng Who Cooks in March 2018. Today, Chua has sustained so many knife cuts and washed his hands so frequently that he has "no more fingerprints left on his right hand." "This is why (my parents) didn't want me to work in this line, because they know how tough it is, how scary it is," he said. True to his namesake as the Singaporean "ah beng," Chua is loud-mouthed and full of cocksure swagger. The 27-year-old's arms are inked with tattoos and he constantly peppers his speech with profanities. In Singapore, an ah beng is a local slang to describe young Chinese men who are usually associated with street gangs, not highly educated, and wear loud fashion. To most people, an "ah beng is just someone with tattoos," but Chua argues, "The meaning of my beng is more than being honest and vulgar... It's more like I don't want to obey anything. I just want to have my own rules." It's clear that Beng Who Cooks is unlike the typical hawker stall. It operates on an unusual model of a changing menu every three months. Calling it an "experimental kitchen" of sorts, customers can choose from a variety of carbs, proteins, sides for their Beng Bowls, or Singaporean-style poke bowls. Season one was all about the "classic" flavors with its Beef Stew, Sweetheart Chicken Thigh, while Season two packed a spice-filled punch with the Paprika Dory, Kung-Fu Chicken and Devil's Fiery Sauce. Most recently, Season four conjured up the taste of home and a mother's cooking with dishes like the Heartwarming Chicken. Chua derives inspiration from every place imaginable from sampling eels and snakes in night markets in China's Taiwan and Thailand and talking to street vendors there, loading up on Indian spices that he was clueless about and "trying funny things at home," but nothing ended up being edible. Once, after watching the Japanese anime Food Wars, Chua tried freezing five eggs and frying them but "got scolded by his mother" after the recipe did not work. Most of the time, Chua simply improvises with the ingredients he has on hand. After discovering that a supplier had been selling him sea salt instead of the usual salt, Chua renamed the fried broccoli to the Sea Salt Broccoli, which became one of the stall's top-selling dishes. Already, Chua has earned a name for himself with his unique branding and quirky antics. His social media is filled with videos of silly pranks, and beside the stall, there is a fake movie poster of Chua and his staff pictured in the 90's Hong Kong crime film Young and Dangerous. Chua jokes that he is so used to being called the "ah beng" that he often forgets his real name. Chua dreams of one day taking over the world stage. He has already been approached a few times to open a franchise, but turned them away as he felt it was still too early. For now, the Hong Lim stall is a "gold mine" for him to dabble with new creations, while he concurrently manages its sister brand, an event-based business called Monkey Nutz that sells coconut shakes. It was named as the rest of the team are born in the year of the Monkey. "I've pledged to myself that no matter how tough it is, I will keep forcing myself to get out of my comfort zone and express my creativity," said Chua. "After all, there's no limit to ideas." Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 13:24:43|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Li Changlin (L, front), a professor at the Southwest University of Political Science and Law, attends a UN side-event as part of the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 13, 2019. Chinese delegates attending a UN side-event here on Wednesday introduced to foreign diplomats and delegates the progress in human rights promotion in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan) GENEVA, March 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese delegates attending a UN side-event here on Wednesday introduced to foreign diplomats and delegates the progress in human rights promotion in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. As part of the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the side-event was sponsored by China's Permanent Mission to the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG) and the China Society of Human Rights Studies. Yu Jianhua, head of the China's Mission to the UNOG, said at the side-event that today's Xinjiang enjoys faster development and greater stability than ever before, and all ethnic groups in the region have full protection for their economic, political, social, cultural, and environmental rights. Yet for political purposes, some have spread rumors and told lies about what happens in Xinjiang in the hope of defaming China and the Chinese government. They are doomed to failure in the face of hard facts about Xinjiang's prosperity, development, stability, and unity, Yu said. Saying that the vocational education and training centers in Xinjiang are the right choice, the Chinese diplomat stressed that China will never allow terrorism and extremism to drag Xinjiang back or to take away what the people have earned for a happy life. As a Uygur scholar living and working in Xinjiang, Zuliyati Simayi, a professor from the School of Politics and Public Administration of Xinjiang University, said at the meeting that Xinjiang has been an inseparable part of China since ancient times and everyone there is just a member of the Chinese nation. The Uygur and other ethnic groups in Xinjiang have always been members of an intimate community, making Xinjiang a place of harmony among different religions and cultures, she said. Born and raised in Xinjiang, Zhang Nan, a researcher at the Anti-Terrorism Law School of the Northwest University of Political Science and Law, introduced the Chinese policy of religious freedom at the meeting, and by giving examples illustrated the serious threat and harm of terrorism and extremism. In this context, he said, it is fully necessary and justified for the Xinjiang government to take anti-terrorism and anti-extremist measures, including vocational education and training, to protect citizens' lives and property as well as their freedom of religious belief. Li Changlin, a professor at the Southwest University of Political Science and Law, who has visited Xinjiang many times, said at the meeting that through continuous improvement of relevant legislations, China has set up an effective anti-terrorism legal system. It is a basic principle upheld by China to fight terrorism according to law, protect human rights, forbid discrimination and address both the symptoms and root cause of terrorism, Li said. He also stressed that the vocational education and training measures in Xinjiang are implemented according to legal procedures and are effective measures to eradicate the hotbed that breeds terrorism and extremism. A number of foreign diplomats who recently visited Xinjiang, including Cuba's Permanent Representative to the UNOG Pedro Luis Pedroso Cuesta, Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to the UNOG Nikita Zhukov, and Belarusian Deputy Permanent Representative to the UNOG Vadim Pisarevich, also attended Wednesday's event. By introducing to the audience what they saw and heard in Xinjiang, they all mentioned their deep impression of the prosperity and stability there. Nearly 200 diplomats from over 70 countries, officials from international organizations and representatives from relevant non-governmental organizations were present at the side-event. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 13:24:43|Editor: Liu Video Player Close WASHINGTON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday urged their country to end the 18-year war in Afghanistan, the longest conflict in U.S. history. "Soon, we will reach a watershed moment in Afghanistan, as American soldiers begin deploying to fight in a war that began before they were born," Republican senator Rand Paul and Democratic senator Tom Udall wrote in an article published on Wednesday on the website of The Atlantic, a multi-platform U.S. publisher. "We must listen to the American people, who overwhelmingly oppose endless war in the Middle East," the senators added. Paul and Udall also argued that the continued existence of U.S. troops "will not enable the Afghan people to rebuild their own nation or stabilize the central government." The two senators introduced a bipartisan joint resolution last week, asking the Pentagon to form a plan to withdraw American forces within one year. On Tuesday, the United States and Taliban wrapped up their talks in Doha, the capital city of Qatar. The U.S. State Department said later that "meaningful progress" had been made during the talks. The death toll of U.S. service members has surpassed 2,400 since the United States invaded Afghanistan in 2001. According to the statistics from the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), 2018 was the deadliest year on record for the Afghan conflict, with a total of 10,993 civilian casualties, including 3,804 civilian deaths. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 13:44:49|Editor: Liu Video Player Close SEOUL, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Two South Korean airlines, which are set to introduce Boeing 737 MAX 8 passenger jets later this year, decided to ground the planes until safety is secured, Yonhap news agency reported Thursday. The country's biggest air carrier Korean Air was quoted as saying that it decided not to fly the Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes, which saw crashes in recent months, until their safety is secured. The Korean Air originally planned to adopt the aircraft from May. It signed a contract with Boeing in 2015 to purchase 50 MAX 8 planes by 2025. The country's low-cost carrier T'way Air also decided not to operate the planes until safety is secured. It originally planned to adopt four MAX 8 jets in the second half of this year. The decisions came amid rising global concern over the safety of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes after two fatal crashes in five months. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane of Ethiopian Airlines crashed shortly after taking off from Addis Ababa on Sunday, killing all 157 on board. Another jet of the same model, flown by Indonesian budget carrier Lion Air, crashed in October last year killing all 189 passengers on board. Another South Korean budget carrier Eastar Jet decided Tuesday to ground the MAX 8 jets to alleviate public concerns about the plane's safety. The Eastar Jet was the only South Korean air carrier that owns Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes, with two of the models in its fleet. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 13:54:52|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close LILONGWE, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) has joined with Malawi in effort to contain the recent floods that have left 56 dead, according to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA). The UN took actions quickly and is working with Malawi's government through DoDMA to support a rapid needs assessment and reach those most in need with life-saving rescue and relief assistance, said a press release from the UN office in Malawi published Wednesday. "We are saddened that thousands of people have been affected by the floods and (we) express our solidarity with the government of Malawi and the victims of the floods," said UN Resident Coordinator in Malawi Maria Jose Torres in the press release. Assessment teams are expected to provide comprehensive needs analysis towards the end of the week with a focus on emergency shelters, food assistance, clean water, and protection of children, adolescent girls, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities, among others, said the UN. "The UN is working with DoDMA to expand early warning messages to all vulnerable communities for them to move to high grounds, avoid crossing flooding rivers and for them not to seek shelter under trees or weak infrastructure," said the release. Weather forecasts showed that tropical cyclone Idai is fast approaching Malawi over the next four days, and that more heavy rains and strong winds are expected in Malawi from Thursday through Sunday, raising fears of additional floods, said the UN. As the assessment of damage caused by the March 5-8 floods continues, the death toll keeps increasing. The latest number went up to 56 with three people missing, as reported Wednesday. Meanwhile, the number of injured people remains at 577. Nearly 185,000 households and approximately 923,000 people have been affected. About 16,500 households and approximately 83,000 people have been displaced. Most of them are sheltered in 187 camps that the country has established in the 14 affected districts. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 13:54:54|Editor: Yurou Video Player Close SYDNEY, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Teeming with wide-eyed travellers, surfers and bikini-clad beachgoers, Australia's Gold Coast has earned itself a reputation as one of the most idyllic, sun-drenched cities in the world. But not everything is perfect in the glamorous oceanside community. Tom Tate, the mayor of the Gold Coast, said on Thursday that the city's goose population are "too fat!" "Bread makes the geese fat, makes them lazy and sees them breed more as they know there is an abundance of food." "Get them off the carbs!" Tate urged members of the public. The harsh statements from the mayor come just one day after an announcement by the Gold Coast Council to capture and remove at least 50 geese from Waterhen Park and the surrounding Oxenford area. In recent years, the number of geese have skyrocketed sparking some concerns from members of the community. But in order to save local ratepayer funds and any relocation costs, Tate believes there is an easier answer. "Bread is bad for them, it can actually kill them so the simple solution is - stop feeding them bread," he said. "We did the same with some black swans at Robina and their numbers settled down again," he added. But while the obese geese and their lazy lifestyle does not appear to be winning them any friends in the city council's office, some residents told local media the birds are being unfairly targeted. "They're too fat, is that really why?" local bird-feeder Bradley said. "Why would they have to move, there's a big pond here. Isn't that where geese are supposed to live?" Fellow resident and keen bird-feeder Brian Davis, who walks to the park everyday also agreed. "Some of them are a bit greedy," Davis admitted. "But they've been here as long as I can remember." "They can't get rid of them, they're like family." Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 15:00:13|Editor: Liangyu Video Player Close BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Racial discrimination in the United States was worsening, according to the Human Rights Record of the United States in 2018 released by China Thursday. The report was published by the Information Office of the State Council. Systematic racial discrimination had long existed in the United States, drawing criticism from the United Nations, the report said. Minority voters were disenfranchised. African Americans became innocent victims of police shooting because of their skin color, it added. The report also said minorities suffered judicial discrimination. Racial discrimination-related hate crimes reached a record high. Anti-Semitism prevailed. The economic condition of African Americans was worrisome. Racial discrimination caused health disparities. Serious racial discrimination existed in the financial sector, according to the report. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 15:05:15|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close HOUSTON, March 13 (Xinhua)-- The Chinese natural gas sector would see increasing competition and a greater number of players in the supply side building upon the expected establishment of a unified national gas pipeline operating company, an industry insider has said. It's highly possible that China would unveil the national natural gas pipeline company in 2019 with all existing trunk gas pipelines and some LNG receiving terminals integrated into the new platform, said Chen Gang, assistant general manager with Shanghai Petroleum and Natural Gas Exchange (SHPGX), at a panel discussion of the CERAWeek conference on Wednesday. The establishment of the national gas pipeline company would make it possible to separate transmission and marketing of natural gas, Chen said. "The fair access of natural gas pipeline to the third party would have realistic foundation." Natural gas suppliers would be diversified after the separation of transmission and marketing of natural gas, said Chen, adding that the price system of natural gas would become more enriched and the trading of pipeline gas would start to take off. In the first place, all downstream players could choose from PetroChina, Sinopec Corp. or China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), according to Chen. Now Chinese state-owned oil and gas companies have an integrated business mode with PetroChina contributing to the majority of domestic gas production and sales. Chen predicted that China would have over 10 market players in the supply side, which would be a big step forward for downstream players. Chinese town gas companies could move to the upstream and international oil companies could enter Chinese downstream gas market by tapping the national natural gas pipeline company, according to Chen. Efforts would be made to step up the construction of gas infrastructure following the establishment of the national gas pipeline company, Chen added. SHPGX and CNOOC would continue to issue third-party access products with LNG receiving terminals in 2019 with a long-term contract and the spot trading mode available, said Chen. The establishment of a national oil and gas pipeline company would be subject to the reform of national petroleum and natural gas system and the proper timing of unveiling the national oil and gas pipeline company is under discussion, said Wang Yilin, chairman of PetroChina in early March. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 15:10:17|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close Vietnamese woman Doan Thi Huong (3rd L) is escorted to the court in Shah Alam, Malaysia, March 14, 2019. The Malaysian attorney-general has rejected the request to drop the charge against Doan Thi Huong, a Vietnamese woman, for the death of a man from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) at a Malaysian airport in 2017, a court was told here on Thursday. (Xinhua/Chong Voon Chung) SHAH ALAM, Malaysia, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The Malaysian attorney-general has rejected the request to drop the charge against Doan Thi Huong, a Vietnamese woman, for the death of a man from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) at a Malaysian airport in 2017, a court was told here on Thursday. Huong's counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik told the court that he was disappointed by the decision of the attorney-general. The lawyer described the decision as unfair and biased, as the two women had faced the same charges. "She is a scapegoat, her case is completely the same as Siti Aisyah, no differences," he told reporters after the hearing. "We ran the same defense, she had no knowledge or intent. Siti Aisyah could be released, so why Doan (could not)." The judge granted a request by the defense applied for the case to be postponed to April 1. Teh explained that this was for Huong to receive medical treatment as she was distressed since Monday, and was only able to sleep one hour per day. He added that the request was also in part to allow the Vietnamese and Malaysian government to discuss Huong's case and an appeal by Vietnamese side to have the charges dropped. The request to drop the murder charge against Huong came after Malaysia on Monday released Siti Aisyah, an Indonesia woman who was charged together with Huong in the case. Malaysian prosecutors withdrew murder charge against Aisyah over the death of the victim. On Tuesday, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh called his Malaysian counterpart on Tuesday, asking for Huong's release as well, according to Vietnamese media. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 15:40:22|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities have issued an orange alert for forest fires, citing drought and heat in some regions. The Ministry of Emergency Management and the China Meteorological Administration warned that parts of Beijing, Hebei, Shanxi and Sichuan will be at high risks of forest fires on Thursday and Friday, according to a statement released by the ministry Thursday. These regions have seen no effective precipitation recently with high temperatures and strong winds, bringing the danger of forest fires to the fourth level, the second-highest level of forest fire risks, according to the statement. The ministry urged emergency response measures to be put in place to prevent severe forest fires. China has a three-level warning system for forest fires, with red being the highest followed by orange and yellow. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 16:35:33|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close ANKARA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A freight train carrying fuel derailed in Turkey's capital Ankara early Thursday, with no casualty reported. The accident occurred at 1:30 a.m. local time (GMT 2230) in Sincan district of Ankara, the Demiroren News Agency reported. Four tank wagons and a locomotive derailed when the train headed for Ankara from Sincan. The reason of the accident is undetermined so far. The traffic of railway lines in the Sincan station has been closed for two hours due to the accident. The fire brigade and rescue team were dispatched to the scene. Work for reopening and restoration of the railroad operation is underway. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 16:50:41|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SEOUL, March 14 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's top nuclear envoy will visit Russia and Belgium, in which the European Union (EU) is headquartered, next week to discuss the Korean Peninsula situations with his counterparts, according to Seoul's foreign ministry. The ministry said in a statement Thursday that Lee Do-hoon, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, will visit St. Petersburg, Russia on March 19 to hold talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov. During the meeting, they will exchange opinions about the peninsula situations after the second summit between top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump, and discuss ways to cooperate for the complete denuclearization of and lasting peace on the peninsula. The second Kim-Trump summit ended without agreement in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi in late February. Lee will later head to Brussels, Belgium for his two-day visit from March 20 to the EU headquarters, where he will attend a session of the EU's Political and Security Committee and meet with Helga Schmid, secretary general of the European External Action Service. During the visit, the South Korean diplomat will make a discussion with his EU counterpart on cooperative ways for the peninsula's complete denuclearization while sharing assessments on the peninsula situations, the Seoul ministry said. Lee held talks in Washington last week with Stephen Biegun, the U.S. special envoy for the DPRK. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 18:11:18|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close SHAH ALAM, Malaysia/HANOI, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The Malaysian attorney-general on Thursday rejected the request to drop the charge against Doan Thi Huong, a Vietnamese woman, for the death of a man from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) at a Malaysian airport in 2017. Huong's counsel Hisyam Teh Poh Teik told the court that he was disappointed by the decision of the attorney-general. The lawyer described the decision as unfair and biased, as the two women had faced the same charges. The judge granted a postponement of the case until April 1. Teh said this was for Huong to receive medical treatment as she was distressed since Monday. The request to drop the murder charge against Huong came after Malaysian prosecutors withdrew the murder charge against Siti Aisyah, an Indonesia woman who was charged together with Huong in the case. Aisyah was released on Monday. On Tuesday, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh called his Malaysian counterpart and asked for Huong's release as well, according to Vietnamese media. On Wednesday, Vietnamese Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long sent a letter about the case to the Malaysian attorney-general. A Vietnamese foreign ministry spokesperson said Thursday that during contacts with the Malaysian side, including high-level ones, Vietnam has stated that the Malaysian side should ensure a "fair and objective trial and release" of Huong. "We think that the Malaysian side understands concerns of the Vietnamese officials and public opinion," spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang told reporters. "We much regret that the Malaysian court did not release Doan Thi Huong immediately," the spokeswoman said. Also on Thursday, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung met with the Malaysian ambassador to Vietnam to discuss the case of Huong, she said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 18:16:19|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close MOGADISHU, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Somali National Army (SNA) and local forces backed by international partners killed 16 al-Shabab militants in an operation in the country's southern region on Wednesday, officials said on Thursday. Abdi Nur Ibrahim, Jubaland spokesman for security told journalists that an offensive was carried out by SNA and Jubaland forces along with foreign partners in an area between Bar Sanguni and Jamame in Somalia's southern Lower Juba region. Local residents said that the two warring sides exchanged huge gunfire. "Heavily armed forces attacked al-Shabab militants in the town, both engaged fierce fighting," Dubad Ga'al, a resident told Xinhua by phone. Meanwhile, on Wednesday afternoon, Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) operating under African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) killed three al-Shabab militants and captured one in a gunfight in Somali border town of Bura Hache. Paul Njuguna, KDF spokesman, said the incident took place at about 2 p.m. as soldiers patrolled the area in the northern region. Somali security forces backed by AMISOM ousted al-Shabab from the capital Mogadishu in August 2011, but the terror group is still in control of several areas in southern Somalia and capable of conducting attacks. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 18:21:23|Editor: Lu Hui Video Player Close ASSADABAD, Afghanistan, March 14 (Xinhua) -- At least one civilian was killed and 13 others injured as a blast rocked a bazaar in Sawki district of Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province on Thursday, provincial police chief Haqnawaz Haqyar said. According to the official, an explosive device went off at a shop in the bazaar at around noon on Thursday, and preliminary reports confirmed the causalities of the blast. The official said investigation is underway and the outcome would be made public. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 18:26:25|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close YANGON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- One person was killed and 13 others were injured in a truck crash in Myanmar's Shan state, said a release of the Home Affairs Ministry Thursday. The crash took place in Aungban town in early hours of Wednesday. A truck running from Kalaw to Aungban lost control and crashed into a vehicle from the opposite direction near the milepost 78/2-3 on Pyidaungsu road, the ministry's release said. The injured which included 12 women were brought to the Aungban General Hospital. The truck driver was charged with negligent driving for the crash. Russian President Vladimir Putin (1st L) addresses the plenary session of the 4th International Arctic Forum (IAF) in Arkhangelsk, northwestern Russia, on March 30, 2017. (Xinhua/Lu Jinbo) MOSCOW, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Natural Resources Ministry said Wednesday it had compiled and sent to the government for consideration a comprehensive plan to develop the country's Arctic resources to 2030 and beyond. The plan includes 118 projects aimed at the development and processing of the mineral resource base of the Arctic zone of Russia and related infrastructure support, the ministry said in a statement. It also covers projects in the field of shipbuilding, ecology, tourism and various other sectors, compiled on the basis of proposals sent by nine northern Russian regions, government institutions, public organizations and strategic industrial companies, it said. In particular, the document analyzes the viability of more than quadrupling the cargo flow along the Northern Sea Route to 80 million tons a year by 2024 in accordance with a decree of Russian President Vladimir Putin. An increase in the projected volume of cargo traffic through the Northern Sea Route is possible with the timely commissioning of all planned coal and oil projects, as well as the implementation of a number of promising infrastructure projects, the statement said. The implementation of the plan will require 10.5 trillion rubles (160 billion U.S. dollars) of extra-budgetary investments, the statement said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 19:11:37|Editor: zh Video Player Close URUMQI, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China last year streamlined procedures, slashed electricity prices and pushed banks to issue more loans to facilitate its private sector, local authorities said. The regional department of industry and information technology said Xinjiang registered 19,000 new small and medium enterprises in 2018, creating a total of 170,000 new jobs. The past year saw 23 items removed from the list of issues requiring investors to seek government approvals, said the department. Other supportive measures include building cooperation between 23 financial institutions and eight industrial parks to address companies' difficult access to loans. The regional government also lowered electricity prices for industrial and commercial users by an average of 10 percent and offered a 30-percent discount in railway transportation fees. Private companies are prospering in multiple sectors of Xinjiang, including new energy equipment, agricultural products processing, textiles and garments. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 19:21:39|Editor: zh Video Player Close BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- China's yuan funds outstanding for foreign exchange edged down in February, according to central bank data. The funds stood at 21.2541 trillion yuan (about 3.17 trillion U.S. dollars) at the end of last month, slightly down by 330 million yuan from that of January, the People's Bank of China said Thursday. As the Chinese yuan is not freely convertible under the capital account, the central bank has to purchase foreign currency generated by a trade surplus and foreign investment in the country, adding funds to the money market. Such funds are an important indicator of cross-border foreign capital flows and domestic yuan liquidity. A similar measure of capital flow, the foreign exchange reserves reported a marginal increase to 3.0902 trillion U.S. dollars at the end of February. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 20:16:57|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the ninth round of the China-EU high-level strategic dialogue in Brussels, Belgium, on March 18, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang announced Thursday. Wang will also communicate with other EU foreign ministers at a working luncheon held the same day as a special guest. Wang will be visiting at the invitation of Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the spokesperson said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 20:16:57|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close LUSAKA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government on Thursday called for strengthened bilateral trade with Tanzania. Kayula Siame, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary said there was need for the two countries to tackle various issues affecting the smooth implementation of trade between the two countries. Speaking when her counterpart from Tanzania Joseph Buchweishaija paid a courtesy call on her, the Zambian government official raised a number of issues hindering trade between the two countries, according to a release from the ministry. She expressed concern over the accessibility of information on trade between the two countries at the Nakonde One Border Post, adding that effective communication was required to trades so as to simplify trade. She further raised concerns that the cost of doing business in Tanzania for Zambia logistic firms was too high due to transit charges levied on them and poor infrastructure and asked Tanzanian authorities to resolve the challenges in trade. On his part, the Tanzanian government official said his government will try to tackle some of the issues raised such as ensuring that English was added on all documents issued in the Swahili language. He however said Tanzania traders were also facing challenges when acquiring transit permits in Zambia. The two countries further agreed to take measures to tackle smuggling which has reached alarming levels . Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 20:16:57|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close by Ren Ke, Li Meng BERLIN, March 14 (Xinhua) -- After being taken over by a Chinese state-owned company, Germany's EEW Energy From Waste is on a steady growth track, instead of holding doubts at the beginning. With a history of over 140 years, EEW was taken over by China's state-own Beijing Enterprise for 1.4 billion euros (1.6 billion U.S. dollars) in February 2016. It was the largest Chinese acquisition of a German company at that time. "The cooperation is on a very high level. It couldn't be better," said Bernard Kemper, Chief Executive Officer of the EEW, told Xinhua in an interview. EEW, Europe's biggest company dedicated to waste incineration, has 16 incineration facilities in Germany and two in neighboring countries, with a capacity of processing around 4.7 million tons of waste per year for energy production. "If you go back to three years ago, it was a challenge for both parties. For Chinese shareholders, they need to understand the German framework and market. On the other side, EEW had a Chinese shareholder," said Kemper. But nothing had changed in EEW except gaining support from the Chinese shareholders, and vice versa. In the past three years the Chinese shareholders approved several new major projects for expansion, allowing the company to rebuild a line in Premnitz with 70 million euros and a plant near Hamburg with 115 million euros, to name a few. "The message is that, after three years of the takeover, EEW is not only willing to grow, together with the shareholder we are able to grow. The Chinese shareholder trusts the company and brings assets to the company, and they allow and ask EEW to expand its new and existing business," added Kemper. At the beginning, the staff was worried about the difference between a German company and a Chinese state-owned one, but later the concern was dispelled. "There is no difference between a German and a Chinese company in terms of management and the staff. We do the things we have to do, and nothing has changed. The staff is satisfied with this development and the status of the company," said Ronald Philipp, spokesman of EEW. As the new business is coming, so are new employment and more turnover. Kemper said the new line in Premnitz will bring 25 million euros more turnover per year, which is considerable for the quite stable industry. With a reliable Chinese shareholder, EEW is now looking for expansion in neighboring European countries, and on the other hand, with the combination of German technology and the shareholder's channel in China, EEW is now supporting two projects in China, one in Beijing's suburb and another in the coastal tourist city of Beihai in China's southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The Beihai facility, which is under construction, is designed to deal with 450,000 tons of waste per year. EEW's technicians checked the designs of the Chinese projects, and hold weekly exchanges with their Chinese colleagues. EEW is also trying to give good example for German work that could be transported to China. Beijing Enterprises' takeover of EEW came as China is focusing more on sustainable development, and it is ambitious to treat its serious environmental pollution after decades of economic growth. The Beijing Enterprises said after the takeover that it would learn Europe's advanced technology, concepts and management experience, in a bid to improve China's environmental protection industry and make contributions to the country's sustainable development. "They gave us a promise: you should grow in Europe, in a European platform, and you should support us in China on our internal projects. This is what we are doing," said Kemper. (1 euro = 1.13 U.S. dollars) Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 20:26:59|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MANDERA, Kenya, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan police on Thursday arrested four gunrunners believed to be foreigners from neighboring Somalia and managed to recover three guns and several round of ammunitions. Mohamed Birik, North Eastern regional commissioner, said the guns included two AK-47 rifles and one safety loading riffle gun. Recovered also were 60 rounds of ammunitions and three loaded magazines. Birik said the four were arrested on the outskirts of Elwak border town as they prepared to dispose the guns and the ammunitions. Birik said police acting on tip off from members of the public ambushed the four at their hideout who upon seeing the police starting shooting at them. "Then police returned fire and overpowered the suspects. One of them was slightly injured and is admitted with gun wounds at Elwak sub-county hospital under guard," Birik told journalists. He said police have launched investigation into the illicit gun trade. The government administrator said the police are likely to make more arrests and as soon as the investigations are complete, the suspects will be arraigned in court. Police and other security agencies have intensified operations along the porous border with Somalia where al-Shabab militants have been using to carry out attacks. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 20:32:01|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close by Xinhua writers Liu Yanan, Gao Lu, Liu Liwei HOUSTON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Many U.S. oil and gas companies need to adjust their business models to improve investment returns, investors and industry insiders have said at the ongoing CERAWeek conference held here. Smaller oil and gas companies in the United States have financed themselves with external borrowing from private equity and other sources of financing, which typically has a time horizon of three to five years. Under the timeline of those investments, investors are now ready to get their money back and reinvest somewhere else, said Helen Currie, chief economist with oil and gas giant ConocoPhillips. In fact, Currie noted that it's time for some companies to deliver returns to investors. As for the investments made amid high oil prices around 2013 to 2014, not much emphasis was placed on investment returns and oil and gas companies focused on increase of production instead, said Linhua Guan, vice chairman and chief business development officer with upstream player Surge Energy. As investors now intend to pull out, investment returns and free cash flow have increasing importance, said Guan. The issue has a significant impact on the U.S. oil and gas industry, which faces difficulties in getting new investments, said James Wang, principal with private equity company Ara Partners. U.S. oil and gas players need to adjust their business strategies and models in a bid to secure financing in the capital market. Investors in the oil and gas sectors find it hard to exit as a slump in oil prices in 2009 and 2015 have dented the bottom line, said Wang. A big part of the picture today is the unconventional shale world and it's quite clear that pure growth is not a great strategy today, said Osmar Abib, Jr., chairman of Global Energy Credit Suisse. "And if you pursue that strategy, you're going to lose (different) types of investors, certainly I think mostly large institutional investors," said Abib at a panel discussion. "So we're certainly going through a major period of adjustment. But we haven't done this for a long time," Abib added. However, industry insiders believe that oil and gas companies could adapt to such adjustments, and the output of oil and gas is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. U.S. oil output will continue to grow in the next 20 years, said Linda Capuano, administrator of the U.S. Energy Information Administration. "We're optimistic companies are working hard and new reserves or improved technologies would get accessible reserves," Capuano said. CERAWeek is an annual energy meeting held by the London-based information company IHS Markit featuring prominent speakers from the energy, technology and financial sectors. This year's event was attended by more than 4,500 guests from over 70 countries and regions. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 20:57:08|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BEIRUT, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Zasypkin emphasized on Thursday the importance of restoring normal official ties between Lebanon and Syria. "Lebanon and Syria should have good relations regardless of negative stances by some political parties with regard to this issue," Zasypkin was quoted as saying by Elnashra, an online independent newspaper. Zasypkin said the Lebanese should have a unified opinion regarding the nature of relations between Lebanon and Syria. "The most important thing is to take measures that are in favor of Lebanon's interests," the ambassador said. He also noted that Lebanon should play an active role in Syria's reconstruction. Some political parties in Lebanon, including Hezbollah, Amal movement, and Free Patriotic Movement, have been pushing the government into normalizing ties with Syria in a bid to solve the issue of the safe return of refugees to Syria and to take part in the country's reconstruction. However, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri said that he refuses to visit Syria or meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 21:02:08|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close RAMALLAH, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki on Thursday urged the Arab states to keep their financial promises to the Palestinian Authority (PA) to enable its work. Malki told the official Palestinian radio, Voice of Palestine, that the PA's financial situation has become a collective Arab responsibility, due to the Israeli decision to deduct millions of U.S. dollars of Palestinian tax revenues. He said that the Arab League (AL) has decided to activate the Arab financial safety network of 100 million dollars monthly to support the Palestinian people, but it has not implemented the decision. The PA faces a risk of increasing budget deficit of 700 million dollars, amid limited resources and revenues, which poses a major challenge to its ability to meet its obligations. Subsequently, the new government is expected to face a tight financial situation. The PA declared adoption of an emergency budget as it is unable to pay full salaries to its employees. Israel deducted 41.8 million Israeli shekels (11.6 million dollars) out of tax revenues it collects on behalf of the PA, based on a newly passed Israeli law to allow its authorities to deduct the amount paid to families of Palestinians who carried out "terrorist acts" against Israel. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 21:17:13|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close MACAO, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The government of China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Thursday expressed its strong opposition to the U.S. human rights reports, according to a statement by the Government Spokesperson's Office of the Macao SAR. The reports published by the U.S. Department of State made irresponsible remarks on the Macao SAR affairs that are China's internal issues, the statement said. In the past 20 years since the establishment of the Macao SAR, the principles of "one country, two systems" and "Macao people administering Macao" with a high degree of autonomy have been successfully implemented in the Macao SAR, the statement said, adding that Macao people enjoy the rights and freedom which are fully guaranteed by the constitution and the Basic Law. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 21:32:17|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close Acting Executive Director of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Joyce Msuya (L) delivers a speech at the high-level segment of the fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) in Nairobi, Kenya, March 14, 2019. Heads of states and governments on Thursday attended the high-level segment of the fourth session of UNEA in Nairobi with renewed call for adoption of sustainable practices to revitalize war against climate change, pollution and habitats' depletion. (Xinhua/Zhang Yu) NAIROBI, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Heads of State and Government on Thursday attended the high level segment of the fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) in Nairobi with renewed call for adoption of sustainable practices to revitalize war against climate change, pollution and habitats' depletion. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his counterparts from France, Sri Lanka, Madagascar and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) joined delegates to endorse bold actions required to hasten progress towards a green and sustainable future. "We must act fast to reverse environmental degradation that has been worsened by unsustainable practices," said Kenyatta, adding that habitats destruction is to blame for mounting poverty and food insecurity. Kenyatta said that policy realignment combined with investments in clean technologies and innovations is key to halting depletion of vital ecosystems like forests and fresh water bodies. The Kenyan leader had earlier co-hosted the One Planet Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron where a call for action to boost environmental sustainability was renewed. Macron in his address said that a robust multilateral system is key to boost response to environmental challenges linked to human activities. "There is need to act on plastic pollution, climate change and deforestation but a strong multilateral order is key to achieve success," said Macron. He pledged support for a pan African initiative to promote reforestation and access to renewable energy as a means to enhance climate resilience in the continent. Andry Rajoelina, President of Madagascar said that radical measures are required to halt depletion of habitats that sustain livelihoods. "Both governments and businesses should focus on ways to reorient the way we produce and consume in order to cut down on pollution and destruction of habitats," said Rajoelina. Delegates attending the five-day meeting have been discussing innovative strategies to boost the planet's health amid threats linked to rapid industrialization and population pressure. Siim Kiisler, president of the fourth session of UNEA and environment minister for the Republic of Estonia said that political goodwill is required to boost uptake of sustainable practices among communities. "The scientific evidence is there to spotlight what is required to create resilient economies and livelihoods. But political goodwill is key to boost resource use efficiency," said Kiisler. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 21:37:21|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JOHANNESBURG, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A total of 30,532 South Africans have applied to cast their vote in the country's elections at one of South Africa's 121 foreign missions, said the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on Thursday. The IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo said of those who applied, 29,334 were approved to vote in the May 8 elections abroad. He stated that there is an increase in South Africans registering to vote abroad. "In 2014 the Electoral Commission received 27,899 applications to vote outside the country of which 26,716 were approved and a total of 18,446 actually voted in the election," said Mamabolo. He stated that voters abroad would be required to present their South African identity document and a valid passport. London has the highest number of approved applications to vote, at 9,084. Dubai has the second highest number at 1,542. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 21:47:24|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close SOFIA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said here on Thursday that his country's economy needs reforms to address internal and global challenges. "Our economy faces a number of serious challenges at home and especially globally," Radev said at a roundtable meeting entitled "Towards a Competitive and Prosperous Bulgarian Economy." There is a need to restructure the economy, and it is time for important strategic decisions, Radev said at the event, which was organized jointly by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association and the Bulgarian Industrial Association. Economies based on knowledge and innovation would take the lead globally, Radev said. "Only investment in industry can ensure sustainable economic growth," he said. However, he stressed that low taxes and low-paid labor -- advantages that had been significant until a few years ago -- would no longer be sufficient to attract investors, especially strategic ones. "Today, the major topic is how the Bulgarian economy will be able to migrate to the next evolutionary stage," Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev said at the same event. Low labor costs have been a major competitive advantage for the Bulgarian economy over the last 10-15 years, but this situation will radically change after only four or five years because the growth in labor costs is higher than economic growth, Donchev said. Low labor costs "cannot and should not be a competitive advantage," he said. "High added value, innovation, digitization, knowledge-based economy. These sound good as priorities," Donchev said. However, "their adequate implementation is a little more complicated," he added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 21:47:24|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NAIROBI, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The African Development Bank (AfDB) announced on Thursday it would provide 2.5 trillion shillings (25 billion U.S. dollars) over the next five years to help in the global fight against climate change. Akinwumi Adesina, president of AfDB, said the bank currently provides 34 percent of its overall lending portfolio to projects aiming to boost the fight against climate change. Addressing at the One Planet Summit during the fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly, Adesina said there was need to create home-made financing mechanisms to enable local communities cope with climate change. Adesina said the financing required to deal with climate change should come from the private sector. He said the funds should be directed towards renewable energy solutions to enable millions of people still unable to access electricity to be connected. "Africa needs indigenous models to finance climate change," Adesina said, noting that AfDB has created the Africa Financial Alliance for Climate Change, which is meant to pool financial resources towards investing on efforts to fight climate change. Adesina said under the financial initiative, the bank is working with central banks to direct money to the climate change action. According to the AfDB, the central banks own some 1.2 trillion dollars worth of reserves which could be redirected towards renewable energy financing initiatives to help fight climate change effects. "We want countries to move away from coal power and we are investing in the green load facility to help move renewable energy," Adesina stated. The AfDB, through its Desert-to-Power Initiative, currently seeks to produce solar energy from the Sahel region, to help some 250 million people to access affordable energy. The bank aims to generate 10 gigawatts of electricity by 2025 to reach some 11 countries within the Sahel, which extends from Eritrea and Sudan in East Africa to Nigeria, Mali and Senegal in West Africa under its desert to power initiative. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 21:47:24|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close WARSAW, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Poland will continue advocating for a permanent U.S. military base for a further year, Foreign Affairs Minister Jacek Czaputowicz said on Thursday in a foreign policy address. "Poland's aspiration to become the core of NATO and U.S. military presence in the region is realistic," Czaputowicz told the Sejm (lower house of parliament) on Thursday in the presence of the Polish president and the prime minister. "Strengthening the NATO military presence on the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Alliance, especially including military cooperation between Poland and the U.S., remains our priority," Czaputowicz said. Currently, Poland hosts up to 4,500 U.S. troops: a rotational U.S. brigade of about 3,500 men near the German border; and a U.S.-led multinational group of 1,000 soldiers from the UK, Croatia and Romania, based in the north-east. Poland has been lobbying for a permanent U.S. military base on Polish soil, even offering to pay 2 billion U.S. dollars in costs. On Wednesday, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense for Policy John Rood met with Polish defense officials in Warsaw to discuss the issue of the base and troop deployment. However, the talks were not likely to result in the deployment of a permanent U.S. military base this year, Pawel Soloch, head of the Polish National Security Bureau, told the Polish portal onet.pl on Wednesday. "This is more of a longer-term commitment to the type of presence that's already in Poland, this is not a new U.S. base as some people think," a source close to the negotiations between the Pentagon and Poland told the U.S. portal Defense One. In his speech in Parliament on Thursday, Czaputowicz said that the Ministry of Defense's work on establishing a permanent U.S. base of strategic importance will continue for a further year. Curtis Scaparotti, NATO's supreme allied commander in Europe, also said Wednesday that "a mix" of permanent and rotational forces would be ideal in Poland, according to Defense One. "I am perfectly content with the large forces that are rotating today," Scaparrotti told the Armed Services Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday. But Scaparotti also said there was a role for a permanent headquarters, which would manage the flow of rotational troops and be effective at establishing relationships with allies in the region. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 21:47:24|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JAKARTA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian police have arrested five alleged members of terrorist cells affiliated to the Islamic State group in Sumatra Island of Indonesia, police officers said on Thursday. A man alias Abu Riky was arrested in Riau province, two men and two women were nabbed in North Sumatra province, the police said. All the suspects were detained after the police got information from terrorist suspect Abu Hamzah who was captured in Sibolga town of North Sumatra province earlier on Tuesday, police spokesman Brigadier General Dedi Prasetyo said. Abu Riky was involved in propaganda activities of outlawed Jemaah Anshorut Daulah (JAD), which pledged allegiance to the IS network, the spokesman said. Two other men with initials AK alias Ameng and P alias Ogel were nabbed in Sibolga town, he said. The two women with initial of R and M were members of Sibolga network which is also loyal to the IS group, chief of North Sumatra police Inspector General Agus Andrianto said. The police seized assembled bombs and 300 kg explosives at Hamzah's house in Sibolga. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 21:57:26|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close A mural titled "The Lady of Spring" made by young Palestinian girls is seen at the Nablus Girls Rehabilitation Center in the West Bank city of Nablus, on March 3, 2019. In the northern West Bank city of Nablus, young Palestinian girls are learning an art technique after being forced to drop out of school at an early age. In the workshop, Suha Tartir and Mais Abu Saa teach them how to make mosaic mural with ceramic tiles. The artwork they are working on is titled "The Lady of Spring" and embodies the hopes of vulnerable teenagers. (Xinhua/Ayman Nobani) by Fatima Aruri NABLUS, West Bank, March 14 (Xinhua) -- In the northern West Bank city of Nablus, nearly 20 young Palestinian girls were learning a new art technique after being forced to drop out of school at an early age. In the workshop, Suha Tartir and Mais Abu Saa taught them mosaic mural techniques by using ceramic tiles. The artwork of the course was a strong feminist mural titled "the lady of spring," representing the hopes of the vulnerable teenagers. Tartir, who works at the Nablus Girls Rehabilitation Center, a governmental facility that provides vocational training to young girls to replace their academic schooling with other career skills, said that the rehabilitation center provided the course to offer "a new experience to the young girls." The course on mural included teaching the techniques in raw material collection, art work concept, and ceramic and mural design. Tartir said that "our students must be able to enter the world of arts and have a new craft in hand." The girls worked twice a week to produce mural with meticulous details while turning the ceramic tiles to mosaic pieces and placing them carefully in their place on the mural, which showed a lady in a floral dress raising her hands upward as the flowers on her dress leave to become butterflies. Abu Saa, who designed the mural, overlooked the entire course and implementation of the project. "The lady's dress is unconventional. It is full of flowers and as she lifts her hands toward the sky. The flowers come up and are turned to butterflies with time. Butterflies symbolize freedom, meaning that you, as a woman, cannot stay still in your place," Abu Saa said. The mural, nearly three meters high, was finally put up at the entrance of the young girls' rehabilitation center to remind them of their mission on a daily basis. Many of the young girls came from vulnerable backgrounds that forced them to leave school including social and economic hardship. The center provided an alternative rehabilitation and education program to help the girls embrace life. Diana Dirar, 16, is one of the participants who joined the course and studied fashion design at the center. "I didn't expect that the drawing would look like this, and I didn't t sense that it would become so nice. After we put a lot of efforts into it, we see the beautiful result," she said. Dirar added that a female should work to know what she will do with her life and be able to live it the way she want. "So, the more you learn about handicrafts, the better it will be for your understanding of life." The Nablus Girls Rehabilitation Center was established over 50 years ago to serve young girls between the age of 12 and 20. It provides educational, social, psychological, cultural and professional help for them to overcome challenges. The center is now run by the Palestinian Authority's Social Affairs Ministry. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 21:57:26|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close KIEV, March 14 (Xinhua) -- About 700 international observers are expected to come to Ukraine to monitor the country's upcoming presidential elections, the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) said on Thursday. More than 240 international monitors have already arrived in the country, the SBGS said in a statement. According to Interfax-Ukraine news agency, some 800 foreign journalists are traveling to Ukraine to cover the elections. The presidential elections in Ukraine will be held on March 31 in some 29,800 polling stations in 199 electoral districts across the country. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 21:57:26|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close COLOMBO, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The state-owned Sri Lanka Ports Authority said on Thursday that it would purchase three ship-to-shore gantry cranes from China for its deep water terminal at the Colombo Port to handle bigger container ships. The Government Information Department said the government had approved a proposal by Minister of Ports, Shipping and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayaka to buy the cranes for the Jaya Container Terminal from China's Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company Limited (ZPMC). ZPMC is the world's largest container handling equipment manufacturer. The Colombo Port consists of the Jaya Container Terminal of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, South Asia Gateway Terminal of the John Keells Holdings and Colombo International Container Terminal of China's CM Port. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 22:02:28|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close MOSCOW, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Russian law enforcement officers have killed two people who were plotting a terrorist attack in the southwestern Stavropol region, the National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAC) said Thursday. When law enforcement agencies tried to stop a suspicious vehicle on the night of Wednesday, the people in the car opened fire with automatic weapons, used a grenade and tried to escape, the NAC said in a statement. Two gangsters, who were supporters of the Islamic State (IS) and were planning a terrorist attack in the region, were killed in the crossfire, it said. Weapons, ammunition and a grenade were seized at the scene. Officers are working to find possible accomplices to the suspects, it added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 22:02:29|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close BERLIN, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of Lufthansa declined by 4 percent to 2.8 billion euros (3.2 billion U.S. dollars) in the fiscal year 2018, Germany's largest airline announced on Thursday. According to Lufthansa, the decline in profits was mainly due to higher fuel costs, which increased by around 850 million euros, as well as significantly higher expenses of around 518 million euros caused by delays and flight cancellations. One-off effects from integrating aircraft of Air Berlin into the Lufthansa fleet weighed with an additional 170 million euros on Lufthansa's profits in 2018. Lufthansa had acquired several airplanes from Air Berlin, after Germany's former second largest airline filed for insolvency in 2017. Carsten Spohr, chief executive officer (CEO) of Lufthansa, emphasized that "2018 was another successful year for the Lufthansa Group in financial terms. We generated the second-best result in the history of our company." The introduction of the international financial reporting standard IFRS 15 also "burdened" total revenues of Lufthansa which moderately grew by 1 percent to a total of 35.8 billion euros. In the fiscal year 2019, Lufthansa is planning to focus on a "sustainable quality growth" and the German airline is expecting revenues to grow in the mid-single digit percentage range. In addition, cost reductions would offset increasing fuel costs, which Lufthansa expected to rise by a further 650 million euros in 2019. On Wednesday, Lufthansa announced that it would sell 6 of its 14 Airbus A380 airplanes back to manufacturer Airbus for "economic reasons" by 2023. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchasing price of the airplane and the transaction would not affect the group's earnings performance, according to Lufthansa. Following the decision by Emirates to significantly reduce its order of A380 airplanes, Airbus announced in February that it would end the production of the largest civil aircraft ever built in series. After the publication of the airline's annual results Thursday, Lufthansa shares temporarily dropped by over five percent and were by far the biggest loser in the German stock index DAX. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 22:02:30|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NEW DELH, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The first meeting on modalities and draft agreement for facilitating Indian pilgrims to visit a pilgrimage site in Pakistan was held Thursday at Attari international border between the two countries. The Indian delegation was led by S.C.L. Das, the joint secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, while the Pakistani delegation was led by Mohammad Faisal, the spokesman of the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement, and agreed to work toward expeditiously operationalizing the Kartapur Sahib Corridor, said a statement issued by India's External Affairs Ministry. It further stated that both sides also held expert-level discussions between technical experts on the alignment and other details of the proposed corridor. At the meeting it was agreed to hold the next meeting at Wagah on April 2. This will be preceded by a meeting of the technical experts on March 19 at the proposed zero points to finalize the alignment. The meeting was held in line with the two governments' decision to operationalize the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor on the occasion of 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev (a Sikh community Guru) in November. Opening of the corridor and having smooth access to the Sikh shrine in Pakistan is a long-pending demand of Sikh pilgrims from the Indian side. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 22:07:31|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close JUBA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese medical team in South Sudan launched a series of medical outreach programs in remote parts of the east African country. The Chinese medics this week camped in the eastern town of Bor, Jonglei region for a four-day medical program. Amour Rachel Pach, health minister of Jonglei, said some 800 people had turned up for the free medical services offered by the Chinese doctors on the first day, adding that the initiative would be of great help to the local population especially women and children. Since the start of 2019, the 15-member medical team in South Sudan had provided free medical care to thousands of people in central, northern and eastern parts of the country. Since 2013, China has dispatched six medical teams to work with their South Sudanese counterparts in the country's biggest referral hospital, the Juba Teaching Hospital. They also provided free medical care and surgeries in rural parts of the world's youngest nation. South Sudan's health sector remains one of the least developed in the world. The country lacks adequate medical facilities and the few operational hospitals suffer frequent power outages and under-stocking of medicine. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 22:12:35|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close Newly-appointed ministers in Sudan's new government take the constitutional oath before President Omar al-Bashir (C, Front) in Khartoum, Sudan, on March 14, 2019. (Xinhua/Mohamed Khidir) KHARTOUM, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The newly-appointed ministers in Sudan's new government on Thursday took the constitutional oath before President Omar al-Bashir. "We are convinced that this group can lead the country at this phase and bring it out of its crises," said al-Bashir when addressing the new ministers after the oath-taking ceremony at the presidential palace. Mohamed Abu Fatma, the minerals minister, expressed hope that the new government would overcome the challenges the country faces. "We wish success for this new government in performing its tasks in the economic, political and social sectors," Fatma told reporters after the ceremony. He acknowledged that the task would be difficult due to the current economic challenges. On Wednesday, Al-Bashir issued a republican decree forming a new government of 21 federal ministers and 18 state ministers. Under the decree, six ministers have kept their posts in the new government, including Fadul Abdalla Fadul, minister of the presidency, Ahmed Saad Omer, minister of the council of ministers, Al-Dirdiri Mohamed Ahmed, minister of foreign affairs, Mohamed Ahmed Salem, minister of justice, Hatim Al-Sir, minister of transport, roads and bridges, and Bahar Idris Abu Garda, minister of labor and administrative reform. Two ministers in the previous government have shifted to new ministries, including former Information Minister Bushara Gumaa Aro, who is now interior minister, and former Minister of Federal Government Bureau Hamid Mumtaz, who is now trade minister. The decree did not include the post of defence minister which is assumed by Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf, who is the Sudanese first vice-president. Al-Bashir declared a state of emergency on Feb. 22 all over Sudan for one year and dissolved the central and state governments in the wake of popular protests which erupted since last December over the deteriorating economic conditions and price hikes of basic commodities. On Monday, Sudan's parliament approved the president's declaration of the state of emergency, but reduced it to six months. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 22:17:37|Editor: xuxin Video Player Close NAIROBI, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Thursday called for better land management practices in order to safeguard marine and coastal ecosystems. Peter Thomson, UN secretary-general special envoy for the ocean, said that pollution from land based activities such as agriculture and industrial production ends up in the ocean. "Better practices on land are required in order to restore our relationship with the ocean to be one of respect and balance," Thomson said during the fourth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly underway in Nairobi. He said that better management of the marine and coastal ecosystem will also ensure that the global community achieves the sustainable development goals on the ocean. Thomson noted that stronger environmental regulations can be used to ensure that there is reduction and even elimination of all marine litter. He said that discharge of raw sewerage from both households and industries into rivers could end up in the oceans with negatives consequences for marine based species. "The growing problem of marine pollution will only be achieved through collective action by government, academia, civil society and all members of society," he added. The envoy called for a change of the current model of production and consumption that has negative impacts on the environment. Thomson revealed that most of the problems of the ocean originate from greenhouse gas emitted from land based activities. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 22:32:39|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close Li Zhanshu, executive chairman of the presidium of the second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), presides over the fourth meeting of the presidium at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 14, 2019. (Xinhua/Ding Lin) BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The presidium of the second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) decided to put a list of draft resolutions and a draft foreign investment law for vote at the session's closing meeting Friday. The decision was made at the presidium's fourth meeting Thursday afternoon, presided over by Li Zhanshu, one of the executive chairpersons of the presidium. Documents to be put for vote include draft resolutions on the government work report, and the work reports of the NPC Standing Committee, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate. Legislators will also vote on draft resolutions on the reports of the national economic and social development plan as well as the central and local budgets, and a draft decision on the resignation of an NPC Standing Committee member. Earlier on Thursday, the presidium held its third meeting and its executive chairpersons held two other meetings, which were also chaired by Li, who is also chairman of the NPC Standing Committee. At its third meeting on Thursday morning, the presidium adopted a report on the handling of the proposals raised by NPC deputies during this year's annual session. By the noon of March 11, the NPC deputies had raised 491 proposals, 487 of which were about legislation, said Xin Chunying, deputy secretary-general of the session, when explaining the report to the presidium. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 22:42:47|Editor: yan Video Player Close HANGZHOU, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese university has used a roll-call application powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to nab absentees and "harass" them back to classroom. The system named "Class Begins" features AI technology developed by Hangzhou Dianzi University, which is located in east China's Zhejiang Province. "Teachers can make class roll calls on the app, which takes less than 15 seconds. Then the system will automatically make phone calls to absent students," said Hu Haibin, deputy head of the students' affairs office at the university. "Those who skip classes receive repeated phone calls from the system, with random numbers," said Wu Yuqi, a student. "The information will also be kept on record." Once the student picks up his phone, a Siri-like voice assistant starts a lecture on college rules and regulations. "Those who skip class for 10 hours will receive a warning and those who skip over one-third of classes will not be permitted to sit the exam," the virtue assistant warns. "If the class is still going on, go attend it!" The system has proved useful. After running for two weeks, it has helped increase the attendance rate by 7 percent compared with last semester. However, Zhou Xuefang, an associate professor at the university, said the system should not be regarded as a panacea. "I prefer encouraging students' own initiative to attend class," she said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 22:47:48|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Farmer Zhao Huijie, spiced with humor when speaking at panel discussions at the second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, has a clearer vision for the development of her village. The 48-year-old woman from north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has fought for fortune for her fellow villagers after she became the village Party chief in 2009, and now for the interest of more people in rural China now that she is a deputy to the NPC. At the ongoing second session of the 13th NPC, Zhao submitted a suggestion on pollution control in animal husbandry and farming in rural areas. "Random disposal of livestock waste has not only damaged the rural environment, but also polluted groundwater," she said, advising the government to fund major livestock farms in harmless waste treatment. She also suggested the government to subsidize farmers to use degradable plastic films to protect the environment. Unlike legislators in the West who make a career of politics, NPC deputies are from all walks of life and work part-time. Of the nearly 3,000 national lawmakers, more than 15 percent are workers and farmers. Zhao, an ethnic Manchu, is also one of the 400-plus ethnic minority deputies. URBAN WOMAN'S RURAL LIFE Born into a worker's family, Zhao worked at a gold mine in the city of Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, where she got married in 1991. "He was four years older than me. I think it was a perfect match considering I am talkative, while he is quiet," Zhao said of her husband. Their daughter was born in 1992. In the same year, the gold mine went bankrupt, forcing the couple back to her husband's home in Xiaomiaozi Village. Located between two mountains with a river traversing through, Xiaomiaozi was known for its poverty back then. Shabby houses, bumpy roads and barren farmland formed the major landscape, and the only crop villagers grew was corn. To make ends meet, Zhao's husband found a job in town, and she rented a small plot of farmland at home. She had to learn how to farm from scratch, including driving a horse to plow in the field. When she was farming, she had to place her baby on the field ridge. "I didn't want to depend on my parents after getting married. If the other villagers could get used to the country life here, how could I not?" she said. In 1995, she started teaching at the village elementary school. Four years later, she was assigned to take charge of family planning and women's work in the village. "I was familiar with every household -- newborn babies, young brides marrying into our village, and the elderly," Zhao said. In 2009, she was elected unanimously as the village Party chief. As soon as she took office, Zhao was asked to attend "a meeting" in the township. "It turned out to be a training for Party chiefs of backward villages. That was shameful," she said, determined to change the situation. NEW ROAD, NEW LIFE The first thing she decided to work on was to build a concrete road, as she found corn buyers were reluctant to come due to the bumpy roads. Higher transport costs even dragged down corn prices in the village. For more than a year, Zhao visited door to door to persuade villagers to relocate to give way to the road. She talked so much that she was diagnosed with sphagitis, and had to undergo a surgery. "I liked singing in the past, but after the surgery, I could never hold a high note," she said. After the road project was completed, Zhao had a bridge built, ending the days when villagers had to trek in waters to cross the river. In 2013, when Zhao engaged herself in the bridge project, she broke her left arm and knee in a road accident. "After work, I was riding my motorcycle in the dark when a donkey rushed on to the road. I was thrown away along with the vehicle," she said. Instead of lying in bed, Zhao insisted going to the construction site on crutches, touching the villagers and drawing more and more followers. Li Yongbo, a villager who used to work in Beijing, was persuaded home and led the farmers to grow traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) such as balloon flower root, which secures three times the income of corn. According to Li, the sandy soil, big day-and-night temperature difference and easy access to irrigation made the village an ideal place for TCM plantation. The village has expanded the TCM plantation areas to more than 200 hectares now, producing more than 4,000 tonnes of TCM every year. A TCM processing workshop has been established, further doubling the income from mere TCM plantation. The per capita income of the village reached 14,000 yuan (2,087 U.S. dollars) in 2018, 10,000 yuan more than the levels of 2010. "As villagers get rich and spend more, my tiny store now can bring me more than 100,000 yuan of profit every year," grocery runner You Junguang said. Last year, Zhao was elected as a deputy to the 13th NPC. She suggested utilizing private investment in rural development. "To my delight, the Ministry of Finance replied to me, accepting my suggestion and pledging to encourage private investors to contribute to revitalizing the rural areas." Zhao said they had registered "Xiaomiaozi Village" as a brand, and were talking to a tourism company on cooperation to entice tourists with the village's Manchu and Mongolian ethnic cultures, as well as its beautiful landscape. After graduating from college, Zhao's daughter found a teaching job in Changsha City in central China in 2014. Her son is studying in a senior high school in Chifeng City. Zhao is too busy to visit them. "I feel guilty because I have rarely taken care of my kids. But I hope I can set an example for them by trying my best to do everything, be it vital or trivial, and making positive contribution to the society," she said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 22:57:53|Editor: yan Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia on Thursday launched a 5-year national strategy for combating money laundering and financing of terrorism (2019-2023), said a National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) statement. NBC's governor Chea Chanto, chairman of the National Coordinating Committee on Anti-Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (NCC), and Clive Scott, senior advisor of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), attended the launching ceremony here, with around 400 participants. The strategy aimed to serve as a comprehensive long-term roadmap to Cambodia, which enables all relevant ministries, institutions and other stakeholders to understand well their respective roles and responsibilities in contributing to strengthening the effectiveness of combating money laundering and financing terrorism in the country. "The National Strategy 2019-2023 aims to enable banking institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions to deny the use to money laundering and detecting proceeds of crime and assets that are related to financing of terrorism," the statement said. "It will ensure that law enforcement agencies work effectively together to investigate, prosecute, sanction and confiscate the proceeds and instruments of predicate and money laundering and terrorism financing offences," it said. At the event, Chea Chanto highlighted ten key strategic objectives, specific prioritized action items and timelines that relevant ministries and agencies must work jointly with private sector to ensure effectiveness of anti-money laundering and combating financing of terrorism system in Cambodia, said the statement. Minister Xu Xueyuan of the Chinese Embassy in the United States speaks at a celebration marking the 40th anniversary of sister city relationships between Chinese and U.S. cities in Washington D.C., the United States, on March 13, 2019. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) WASHINGTON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C. on Wednesday held a celebration marking the 40th anniversary of sister city relationships between Chinese and U.S. cities. "Sister cities relationship is a major channel for people-to-people exchanges and sub-national cooperation. It is an important driving force for our relations," Minister Xu Xueyuan of the embassy told the event. "Sister cities cooperation between China and the U.S. has almost developed in tandem with the overall bilateral ties," Xu said. "Over the past four decades, the number of sister provinces/states and sister cities between us has grown into 277 pairs. Following the principles of friendship, mutual benefit and practical results, the two sides have made great achievement in their trade and economic cooperation as well as people-to-people ties, with the purpose of common development and shared prosperity," Xu said. Officials of U.S. states, cities, and towns that have sister city ties with their Chinese counterparts joined the celebration, co-hosted by both the Chinese Embassy and Sister Cities International (SCI), a non-profit organization that promotes local-level ties between the United States and other countries. The establishment of sister city relationships between China and the United States started soon after the two countries established their diplomatic ties in 1979, when central China's Hubei Province and the U.S. State of Ohio, and eastern China's Nanjing city and the U.S. city of St. Louis, forged sister relationships. The event also celebrated the 40th anniversary of the China-U.S. diplomatic relations, the Chinese embassy said in a statement. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 23:23:01|Editor: yan Video Player Close LUSAKA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Zambian journalists on Thursday launched an initiative aimed at promoting a free press in the country. The Free Press Initiative Zambia is an organization formed by journalists with the objective of promoting press freedom and professionalism among media practitioners in the country. Chanda Kasolo, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary said his ministry will ensure that it creates an environment where the media could operate without any undue influence from any sector of society, including politicians. He however called on the media to be professional in the execution of their duties by strictly adhering to the ethical guidelines of the profession. According to him, it was the hope of the government that the establishment of the initiative will add value to the role of other government agencies such as the Independent Broadcasting Authority in promoting professionalism in the conduct of media institutions. The government, he said, will support the initiative so that professional media operates in a free environment devoid of intimidation and interference. Joan Chirwa, coordinator of the initiative, said the initiative will dedicate itself to promoting strengthened journalistic standards, instilling ethical reporting, responsible journalism and standing up in defense of human rights. She expressed concerns that the emergence of social media platforms has fueled unethical ways of reporting and urged journalists to go back to the basics of the profession. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 23:38:05|Editor: yan Video Player Close BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have put forward a new deployment plan for the Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)-based network to tackle China's shortage of IP addresses. Designed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), the deployment plan will help bridge the transition from the IPv4 to IPv6 network through protocol exchange, improving China's IPv6 application level. Computers, mobile phones, electronic devices and sensors that are connected to the internet need IP addresses to identify themselves and communicate with each other. IP addresses originating from the existing IPv4 network are nearly exhausted while the IPv6 network offers much higher numbers of IP addresses, which allows almost everything online. China is in urgent need of a more developed IPv6 network to support the fast development of its internet industry, including industrial Internet, the Internet of things, cloud computing and artificial intelligence. However, the adoption rate of the IPv6 network in China is less than one percent, far lower than the global average. According to experts from the CASIC, the deployment of the IPv6 network has encountered several obstacles in China, such as difficulty in transformation, long upgrade periods and the lack of a profit model. Ma Jie, with the CASIC Second Academy, which developed the deployment plan, said their technology could help realize the transition from IPv4 to IPv6 and gradually phase out the IPv4 network. IPv4 network-based cellphones can be updated to the IPv6 network through software installation. "We have also used China-developed software and hardware to strengthen the IPv6 network security system," Ma said. The deployment plan has been implemented by Guangzhou Broadcasting Network. It is also adopted in many places including Beijing, and provinces of Fujian, Zhejiang and Hebei. China in 2017 issued a plan to encourage large-scale adoption of IPv6 network. According to the plan, by the end of 2025, network and terminal devices will fully support the adoption of IPv6 in China, and it will have the largest number of IPv6 users in the world by the end of 2025. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 23:38:05|Editor: yan Video Player Close MANILA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte released on Thursday a new list of 46 politicians with alleged links to illegal drugs. Duterte read some of the names during the National Peace and Order Council meeting in Davao City Thursday night. He said the politicians on the new list were vetted and validated by authorities. The Philippine president said the Department of Interior and Local Government has filed administrative cases against the local officials. The list includes 33 local mayors, eight vice mayors and three members of the House of Representatives, most of them are running a position in the midterm elections in the Philippines. Duterte said, "An official's right to privacy is not absolute and there is a compelling reason to prioritize the state and the people." "As your president, my ultimate concern is the pursuit of order in government," Duterte said before he exposed the names of the officials. The president also said there are other local government officials with alleged links to illegal drugs trade but the government agencies needed further verification. "Let's not name the others because I'm not sure yet. Those who are facing cases are somewhat validated, we can say we have gathered enough proof," he said during a meeting with top police and military officials. It is not the first list of government officials with alleged links to illegal drug trade released by the Duterte administration. Before, Duterte already named two lists including judges, local officials and policemen. After Duterte assumed the presidency on June 30, 2016, he vowed to end the drug menace in the country. Since the current administration launched the war on drugs on July 1, 2016, the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency have arrested 170,689 drug suspects in 119,841 anti-illegal drugs operations as of January 31, 2019. Duterte recently said he intended to end the country's drug problem by the time he steps down in 2022. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 23:38:05|Editor: yan Video Player Close AMMAN, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The United States signed an agreement with Jordan on Thursday to fund the Jordanian family health services directly for the first time through U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Partnership for Health and Family Planning Program. The signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Health and attended by Ghazi Mansour Al-Zabin, Jordan's minister of health, and USAID Acting Mission Director Ralph Koehring. Representing an investment of approximately 95 million U.S. dollars for high quality family planning and immunization services, the program is a milestone achievement between USAID and the Jordanian government, the USAID said in a statement. "USAID and the Ministry of Health enjoy a longstanding partnership to improve essential service delivery for the people of Jordan. We look forward to working together on this program and building a healthy, productive, and self-reliant future for Jordan," said Koehring. The Partnership for Health and Family Planning Program will increase demand for and improve the quality of family health services. It will introduce the pneumonia vaccine into Jordan's Expanded Program on Immunization. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 23:53:10|Editor: yan Video Player Close BANGKOK, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's northern and northeastern parts have been blanketed by haze, leading to cancellations of morning flights between popular destinations until Saturday. Smog-induced poor visibility has forced Bangkok Airways to cancel its 10 morning flights between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son until Saturday. "Flights during other hours of the day can still operate as usual," the airport explained. Fine dust reached hazardous levels in many northern and northeastern provinces on Thursday, with PM 2.5 readings at 64 to 199 micrograms per cubic meter of air. The maximum safe threshold is 50 mcg. The air quality index in the famed tourist destination Chiang Mai on Thursday reached the dangerous level of 309, the highest in the country, according to the Pollution Control Department. Unhealthy levels of particulate levels were also detected in the country's central plains. Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon blamed the air pollution on forest fires, saying officials were trying to convince people not to burn-off. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-14 23:58:12|Editor: yan Video Player Close HANOI, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The Vietnamese agriculture minister on Thursday proposed burbing the African swine fever (ASF) in small-scale households, cleaning the breeding facilities and strictly managing the transport of pigs. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong made the suggestion when chairing a meeting to discuss solutions to prevent further outbreaks of the ASF, which is developing and likely to spread wildly, Vietnam News Agency reported. ASF has occurred in 17 cities and provinces in the north and so if not controlled well, it could spread to the south and become more dangerous as the region is home to key livestock localities such as Dong Nai province and Ho Chi Minh City. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly control the transport of pigs on roads to the south, the minister stressed. Director of the Department of Animal Health Pham Van Dong said as of March 14, the ASF was reported in 221 communes in 52 districts of 17 cities and provinces. The total count of culled pigs was 23,422, he said, adding that most of the ASF outbreaks were found at small-scale households. ASF has affected 21 countries so far, and there is no approved vaccine against the disease, according to the World Organization for Animal Health. ASF is a severe viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs which can be spread by live or dead pig and pork products, the organization said, noting that the ASF virus is harmless to humans, but causes hemorrhagic fever in pigs and wild boars that is almost fatal. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 00:08:15|Editor: yan Video Player Close BANGKOK, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The Public Health Ministry of Thailand has announced a ban on the sale of cigarettes in prison. The directive was published in the Royal Gazette on Wednesday. The ministry's directive invoked articles 5 and 29 of the Tobacco Control Act to declare that all prisons are categorized as places where tobacco and cigarettes cannot be sold. The ban will take effect 60 days after the directive was published in the Royal Gazette. Officials said the ban is required because prisons were regarded as state facilities and hence came within the ambit of the smoking ban. They said once sent to jail, an inmate can use this as an opportunity to quit smoking and do other useful activities such as disciplinary training or vocational skill training. Prisons nationwide were said to have a higher ratio of smokers compared to other sites and secondhand smoke also posed harm to the health of non-smoking inmates and wardens. Prisons in Thailand have since 2008 arranged cells as no-smoking zones and set up smoking areas outside the building, according to reports. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 00:08:16|Editor: yan Video Player Close BAGHDAD, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said on Thursday that Iraq is looking forward to boosting bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields with Saudi Arabia. A statement by his office said Abdul Mahdi received visiting Saudi Minister of Commerce and Investment Majid Al-Qasabi and his accompanying delegation, and the two discussed expanding cooperation in various fields. "Iraq attaches importance to the strategic relations with the kingdom and the policy of opening to neighboring countries pursued by the Iraqi government," the statement quoted Abdul Mahdi as saying. The Iraqi prime minister also expressed hopes that important agreements would be signed during his forthcoming visit to Saudi Arabia. For his part, al-Qasabi said Iraq's stability and prosperity are important for Saudi Arabia which is willing to boost cooperation in the fields of trade, oil and electricity, and to participate in the reconstruction of Iraq. Earlier in the day, al-Qasabi met Iraqi President Barham Salih and discussed the prospects of developing bilateral relations in the way that serves the interests of the two peoples. "Iraq seeks to create a system of common economic interests with the kingdom and the countries of the region in general," Salih said in a statement by his office. The relations between Iraq and Saudi Arabia have improved since Saudi Arabia reopened its embassy in Baghdad in 2016 after 25 years of closure. On Feb. 25, 2017, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir visited Iraq, which was the first time that a Saudi foreign minister had visited Iraq since 1990. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 00:13:17|Editor: yan Video Player Close BERLIN, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The number of German vehicles affected by recalls in 2018 rose seven percent compared to 2017, according to a response of the German transportation ministry (BMVI) to a parliamentary inquiry by the Green Party. The German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) ordered 383 recalls last year, which affected 3.7 million cars in Germany, according to the ministry response seen by Xinhua on Thursday. Between 2012 and 2018, the number of safety-relevant recalls, which mostly concern vehicle components such as steering, braking systems, airbags or engines, had quadrupled from 93 to 366, according to the KBA. Last year, around 3.5 million passenger cars in Germany had to be repaired because of safety problems, an increase of almost 20 percent compared to 2017. In 2012, the number was 824,000. There were many reasons for the sharp increase in recalls, said Oliver Krischer, deputy leader of the German Green parliamentary faction. "New models are being launched faster and the same parts are being used in more and more vehicles. At the same time, cost pressure is increasing among suppliers. This quickly leads to material savings or less extensive testing," Krischer commented. New cars constantly get more and more functions, including navigation systems, telephone functions and internet access, according to Germany's General Automobile Club (ADAC). "The greater the number of functions, the greater the probability of failure for the overall system," said Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, traffic scientist at the University of Duisburg-Essen. Mercedes Benz, with 972,803 recalls, and the Volkswagen group, with 859,490 recalls, had the highest number of recalls for affected vehicles in 2018, according to the KBA. The KBA specifically ordered the brands Audi, BMW, Mercedes and VW to recall more than 218,000 passenger cars last year for "emissions-related" reasons. Many German carmakers had failed to ensure the new Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) certification was installed in their fleets on time. "Particularly the recalls because of the non-functioning exhaust gas cleaning in diesel passenger cars are annoying, because the manufacturers deliberately did not install sufficient technology," stated Krischer from the Greens. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 00:23:21|Editor: yan Video Player Close NAIROBI, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank will contribute efforts to rehabilitate 85 million hectares of forests through tree planting and implementation of policies aiming to enhance the fight against climate change, the World Bank's interim president Kristalina Georgieva said Thursday. Addressing the opening ceremony of a high-level segment of UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Georgieva said the World Bank Group would walk its talk on combating climate change through investments and policies to improve health, waste disposal and carbon emission reductions. "We have to use all the tools at our disposal to fight climate change," the interim president said during the One Planet Summit where the bank announced its plans to step up its climate support for Africa. The bank announced it would avail 22.5 billion U.S. dollars for Africa through the International Development Association (IDA), its fund for poor countries, to enhance climate adaptation and mitigation for the five years from 2021 to 2025. "People across Africa are already experiencing the growing impacts of climate change. This region is particularly vulnerable to increasing floods, droughts and destructive storms," Georgieva said. The amount pledged is more than double the commitment to climate-related projects over the last five years, the bank said. The funds would help African countries manage the risks of a changing climate while unlocking new investment opportunities. The bank's private sector arms would also continue to ambitiously grow their climate activities in Africa, Georgieva said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 00:23:23|Editor: yan Video Player Close JAKARTA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian firms signed on Thursday contracts worth 130 million U.S. dollars to supply palm oil to Egypt, a senior Indonesian official said. Indonesia's state-run plantation firm of PTPN III and private firm Chita Agri Indonesia will supply up to 16,000 and 5,000 metric tons respectively each month to Egyptian importer firm Oleo Misr, said Arlinda, director general of National Export Development at the Ministry of Trade. "Indonesia's palm oil export to Egypt tends to grow every year. Through our close relations with Egypt, we are optimistic about more opportunities in the Egyptian market," she said. The MoU is highly expected to open more market for Indonesian palm oil commodities in African countries through Egypt, Arlinda said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 00:38:26|Editor: yan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday voted 420-0 on a resolution calling on the Justice Department to release Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report to the public. The non-binding resolution said there is "overwhelming public interest" to release the content of the report, which would cap Mueller's investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. "It is important that Congress stand up for the principle of full transparency," House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, who introduced the bill, told the House floor. While the Department of Justice is not obligated to release the full content of the report "except to the extent the public disclosure of any portion thereof is expressly prohibited by law," it would be under great pressure to do so as Congress holds the power to subpoena the content of the report. Mueller was tasked in May 2017 with the probe, which is reportedly in its final phase. U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly denied any collusion between his campaign and Russia in the run up to the 2016 presidential elections, and has called the probe a "witch hunt." Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 00:48:28|Editor: yan Video Player Close HARARE, March 14 (Xinhua) -- China will intensify trade and economic cooperation with Zimbabwe, and come to the country's aid after a devastating drought has left almost half of the population food insecure and requiring aid. Incoming Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe Guo Shaochun told reporters soon after presenting his credentials to President Emmerson Mnangagwa Thursday at State House that China was ready to further enhance ties with Zimbabwe. "We have made great achievements on the practical cooperation over the last few years and we are very confident that we will have more successful cooperation in the future," Guo said. "Also, we have very strong political, mutual trust. We support each other in bilateral occasions and I think we will continue with such successful cooperation in the future." Guo said. Guo said China was keen to intensify trade and economic ties with Zimbabwe to help the struggling southern African country to revive its economy. It was in this vein that China was implementing important infrastructure development projects in Zimbabwe, some of which had been completed, Guo said. Among others, China completed multi-million dollar projects in Zimbabwe over the last few years including the Kariba South Hydro Power Expansion project which added 300 megawatts to the national grid and the expansion of Victoria Falls International Airport. Last year, the Asian country also launched another project to expand the Harare International Airport as well the 1.5 billion U.S. dollars expansion of Hwange Thermal Power station by 600 MW, its biggest investment in power generation in the country so far. Guo said China will, as usual, come to the aid of Zimbabwe after the drought which will likely reduce the country's maize output by half. Farmer organizations are projecting the country will produce about 900,000 tonnes of the staple maize, down from 1.7 million tonnes harvested last year. The country requires 1.8 million tonnes of grain for both human and livestock consumption annually. The United Nations has since launched an appeal for 234 million U.S. dollars to provide food aid to about 2.2 million Zimbabweans facing hunger during the year. It estimates that about 5.3 million Zimbabweans - nearly a third of the country's population - would require food aid in 2019 due to the combination of drought and other economic hardships. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 01:03:34|Editor: yan Video Player Close BANGKOK, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A Thai court has allowed the Similan islands, famed travel destinations in southern Thailand, to limit the number of visitors to minimize environmental damages. The Supreme Court of Thailand overturned an earlier ruling of the Phuket Administrative Court that suspended a plan by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to restrict tourist number to the most overcrowded islands of the country. Last October the department unveiled plans to put a ceiling of 3,325 tourists and 525 divers per day into the national park and the visitors could not stay overnight. Tour operators petitioned the Phuket Provincial Court to lift the limitations, saying it would severely affect their businesses. In December the Phuket Provincial Court issued an injunction against the visitor limitations, but the department appealed against the ruling. The Supreme Administrative Court made the ruling public on Wednesday, saying tour operators lacked valid arguments against the attempts to curb visitor numbers to the islands. The Similan Islands National Park, 85 km northwest of Phuket, consists of nine islands known for its white coral sand beaches and crystal blue waters. The islands are home to a huge variety of marine life, among them many are rare and endangered species. Research found that sun creams worn by swimmers were having an effect on the corals, making the corals regeneration process much slower. Heavy tourism has brought damages to the islands' ecosystem. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 01:23:42|Editor: yan Video Player Close SANAA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Yemenis gathered on Thursday in the historical Old City of the capital Sanaa for the funeral of 22 people killed in the Saudi-led coalition airstrikes. According to local residents and medics, the warplanes targeted several houses in the embattled district of Kushar in the Yemeni northwestern province of Hajjah on Sunday. Lise Grande, UN humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, said the airstrikes killed 10 women and 12 children and wounded 30 others including 14 under the age of 18. "Many of the injured children have been sent to hospitals ... for treatment and several require possible evacuation to survive," Grande said in a statement. Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV, however, said the Houthis were behind the attack. The bodies were moved to Sanaa for burial because of the ongoing clashes in Kushar between the Houthi group and Saudi-allied local tribesmen. Crowds chanted against the airstrikes and Saudi Arabia which supports the fight of the Yemeni government against Houthi rebels. According to a recent report by the International Crisis Group, the fighting in Kushar erupted in January after the previously neutral Hajour tribe shifted loyalties. Hajour tribesmen set up checkpoints along a key highway and detained Houthi members, sparking the violence. Kushar is about 25 km east of Haradh, a Yemeni embattled district bordering Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is leading a military coalition that intervened in Yemen in March 2015 in an attempt to restore President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power after Houthis forced him into exile and seized much of the country's north. The four-year war has killed tens of thousands of civilians, displaced 3 million others, and pushed the country to the brink of famine. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 01:28:44|Editor: yan Video Player Close BERLIN, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The total turnover of the German consulting market increased by 7.3 percent to 33.8 billion euros (38.2 billion U.S. dollars) in 2018, according to figures published by the Association of German Consultants (BDU) on Thursday. "The great demand, especially for support in digitization issues, continues overall," said BDU President Ralf Strehlau. Demand for consultants in Germany was especially strong in the consumer goods industry - up 8.7 percent - followed by the insurance industry, with an 8.1 percent increase, according to BDU. IT security and data protection issues were the main topics keeping consultants busy in Germany in 2018, and these issues "significantly gained in relevance" after the introduction of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), said BDU. Several data scandals have also ensured a growing awareness of the need for enhanced prevention. Last year's growth could have been even higher had the consultancies found more staff. According to BDU, up to 10 percent of jobs in the industry were vacant in 2018. "The search for employees will remain the limiting factor in 2019," Strehlau told the German newspaper Handelsblatt. BDU expects the consulting industry to record almost unchanged growth in 2019 despite increasing "economic uncertainties," such as global trade conflicts or the pending withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union. The German consulting sector has recorded consistent growth over the last years and nearly doubled its total turnover since 2010. Currently, the use of consultants by Germany's government is subject to a heated public debate sparked by what has become known as the consultant affair of the country's Ministry of Defense. Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen has been accused of nepotism and misconduct in awarding contracts to external consultants. In February, a special committee was set up to investigate the accusations. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 01:28:45|Editor: yan Video Player Close BRUSSELS, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission welcomed the adoption by the European Parliament of contingency measures for a "no-deal" Brexit, the Commission said Thursday in a statement. This will help ensure that the EU is fully ready for a "no-deal" scenario on March 29, it said. The proposals adopted include ensuring for a limited period basic air, road and rail connectivity in a "no-deal" scenario, as well as allowing for continued reciprocal fishing access for EU and UK fisheries until the end of 2019 and for the provision of compensation to fishermen and operators in such a scenario. The European Union has been preparing for a "no-deal" scenario since December 2017. To date, the European Commission has tabled 19 legislative proposals. Of those, 17 proposals have been adopted or agreed by the parliament and the Council. Formal adoption of all those files by the Council will take place shortly. Two proposals are still pending. The EU's contingency measures will not -- and cannot -- mitigate the overall impact of a "no-deal" scenario, the Commission statement said. These proposals are temporary in nature, limited in scope and will be adopted unilaterally by the EU. They are not "mini-deals" and have not been negotiated with Britain, it said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 01:33:46|Editor: yan Video Player Close British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street for the House of Commons in London, Britain, on March 14, 2019. British MPs on Thursday voted to reject an amendment calling for a second Brexit referendum. (Xinhua/Han Yan) LONDON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- British MPs on Thursday voted to reject an amendment calling for a second Brexit referendum. MPs voted by 85 to 334, a majority of 249, to turn down the amendment which calls for a delayed Brexit to allow new referendum. The vote started in the House of Commons at 1700 GMT on Thursday after MPs completely rejected a no-deal Brexit at any time, further weakening the authority of British Prime Minister Theresa May and her government. Speaker John Bercow infuriated MPs by allowing the vote, drawing outcry from Brexiteers in the House of Commons. The amendment was put to vote in a bid to give the British public a second referendum on Brexit in order to break the present deadlock of the trouble process. Currently, MPs are voting on amendment to request a delay of Brexit from March 29 to June 30. British people voted in a referendum in June 2016 to leave the European Union. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 01:53:49|Editor: yan Video Player Close PARIS, March 14 (Xinhua) -- France's Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety of France (BEA) said on Thursday it had received the two black boxes of the crashed Ethiopian Airlines plane to investigate the cause of the fatal incident. "Ethiopian accident investigation team has arrived at BEA with CVR and FDR today. Coordination meetings are in progress," the investigative bureau wrote in Twitter, referring to cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, known as black boxes, from the crashed aircraft. It added that "technical work will start tomorrow" to try to read data from the flight and cockpit voice recorders. A Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane of Ethiopian Airlines crashed shortly after taking off from Addis Ababa last Sunday, killing all 157 people on board. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 01:53:49|Editor: yan Video Player Close VALLETTA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The share of foreign students attending English language courses in Malta stood at 3.4 percent of the total inbound tourists in 2018, Malta's National Statistics Office (NSO) revealed on Thursday. According to the NSO report, foreign students attending English language courses numbered 87,112, almost unchanged from that of 2017. The majority of students attending English language courses in Malta came from Italy, followed by Germany and France, which account for 48.7 percent of those students. The largest share of language students was aged 15 years or less, accounting for 34.2 percent of total students. Female students outnumbered males, and accounted for 61.3 percent of total students. The average length of stay during the year under review stood at 2.5 weeks, down by 0.3 weeks when compared to 2017. English language teaching is an important sector within the tourism industry as well as a predominant contributor to an ever-evolving education sector in Malta. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 01:53:49|Editor: yan Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, March 14 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced Thursday the appointment of Khawla Matar of Bahrain as the deputy special envoy for Syria. "The secretary-general takes this opportunity to reiterate his gratitude to Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy of Egypt for his efforts to the search for peace in Syria," according to a press note from the UN chief's office. Matar has profound knowledge of the region, the Syrian conflict, and the UN system. Her experience includes earlier assignments as the deputy head of the United Nations Development System Transition Team in New York, deputy executive secretary for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in Beirut, director of the Office of the Special Envoy for Syria in Damascus, spokesperson for the Office of the Joint United Nations-League of Arab States Special Representative for Syria, and director of the United Nations Information Center in Cairo. She has extensively written and published on regional politics and related issues, says the press note. Matar holds a PhD degree in sociology from the University of Durham in Britain. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 02:08:52|Editor: yan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Beto O'Rourke, former Democratic congressman from the U.S. state of Texas, announced Thursday that he will run for president in the 2020 election. "I am running to serve you as the next president," O'Rourke wrote in a tweet, adding that the challenges faced by the United States "are the greatest in living memory." In a video embedded in the tweet, the 46-year-old said while his wife sat beside him that he will run a "positive campaign that seeks to bring out the very best from every single one of us, that seeks to unite a very divided country." Having served as a member of the city council of El Paso, a Texas town that borders Mexico, O'Rourke said he will work to ensure that all Americans, irrespective of where they are, "can acknowledge that if immigration is a problem, it's the best possible problem this country can have." "And we should ensure that there are lawful paths to work, to be with family and to flee persecution," said O'Rourke, who was narrowly defeated when trying to replace Republican Senator Ted Cruz in the November mid-term elections. El Paso, where two Central American migrant children died in December while trying to enter the United States, has been the frontline in a partisan fight over how border security should be tackled. U.S. President Donald Trump traveled to the town on Feb. 11 to justify his claim that there is a crisis on the U.S.-Mexico border and to pitch for his promised border wall. In his announcement video made inside his El Paso home, O'Rourke also pledged to lift up the country's rural areas, "work on real justice reform and confront the hard truth of slavery and segregation and suppression," as well as "squarely confront the challenge of climate change before it's too late." The presidential contender said he will travel the country over the coming days to solicit opinions from the public as to how the challenges he mentioned above should be dealt with. He will launch his kick-off rally in El Paso on March 30. According to a CNN/Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa poll in December, 28 percent of the responders had a "very favorable" view of O'Rourke, the CNN reported Thursday. A new poll this month found that number had decreased to 19 percent, the report said. O'Rourke, father of three, was a representative in the House from 2013 to 2019, representing Texas's 16th district. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 02:33:57|Editor: yan Video Player Close RIGA, March 14 (Xinhua) -- An industrial park in the central Latvian city of Jelgava was evacuated after a major fire broke out at one of the production plants on Thursday morning, the fire service said. Firefighters were called to respond to a fire that had started in the plant of Baltic Innovation Holding which makes metal cutting equipment for rescue services and the military. The production plan is situated in the territory of NP Jelgava Business Park. The blaze at the industrial building spread quickly as a strong wind fanned the flames. Some 30 firefighters with eight fire engines were involved in the firefighting operation. It took three hours to contain the fire, representatives of the State Fire and Rescue Service informed. All people had been led out of the industrial park before the firemen arrived. Four of them needed paramedics' attention. One person was taken to hospital. "This is a large complex of buildings with a complex layout with various kinds of insulation, so the fire burned inside the walls and other structures. Of course, it caused a lot of smoke and we received calls from worried residents, but there was no serious threat," said Viktorija Gribuste, a spokeswoman for the fire service. A police investigation will be started to establish the causes of the fire. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 02:39:00|Editor: yan Video Player Close BAGHDAD, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A United Nations team tasked with investigation in crimes committed by the Islamic State (IS) group will assist the Iraqi authorities in exhuming mass graves in Iraq's northern province of Nineveh, the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said in a statement on Thursday. The UN Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Daesh (UNITAD) will commence on March 15 its assist in the first exhumation in the village of Kojo, south of the town of Sinjar, some 100 km west of Nineveh's provincial capital Mosul, where the IS group killed hundreds of Yazidis in 2014, according to the statement. Yazidis are a group of people indigenous to northern Iraq. Some of them identify themselves as ethnic Kurds, but most of them identify themselves as a distinct ethno-religious group. The UNITAD will provide guidance and support in the exhumation process that will be led by the mass graves directorate of the Iraqi martyr's foundation, the medical legal directorate of the Iraqi Ministry of Health, the statement said. "The UNITAD's priority throughout this process will be the collection of evidence in a manner that meets international standards with full regard to the rights and interests of survivors and the families of victims," the statement quoted Karim Khan, head of the UNITAD, as saying. The exhumation will be conducted with the presence of government officials, Yazidi religious leaders and community representatives, the statement said. Evidence suggests that hundreds of Yazidi villagers from Kojo, including men, boys and women, were murdered by the IS fighters in August 2014, while more than 700 women and children were abducted, according to the statement. "Women and girls over the age of nine are understood to have been forced into sexual slavery, where they suffered a wide range of violations. Boys over the age of seven are said to have been forcibly recruited and made to fight as part of the IS," the statement added. It is estimated that the community include around 500,000 Yazidis. Around 80 percent of them live in the towns of Sinjar and Bashiqa in Iraq's northern province of Nineveh. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 03:44:16|Editor: yan Video Player Close LONDON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Barclaycard announced on Thursday an agreement with China's leading third-party online payment solution Alipay to help more UK retailers accept its transactions to embrace the growing number of Chinese visitors in the country. Barclaycard, which processes nearly half of the UK's credit and debit card transactions, is already in discussions with around 70 clients interested in becoming early adopters, said a press release from the company. By accepting Alipay, the world's leading payment platform, British retailers will be able to capitalize on the growing purchasing power of Chinese tourists who prefer mobile payments to cash, it said, citing a survey that 93 percent of Chinese tourists said they would likely spend more in a store that accepted mobile payments. Rob Cameron, CEO, Global Head of Payment Acceptance at Barclaycard, said: "Our new agreement with Alipay gives retailers a vital tool to help them seize the revenue opportunity posed by the growth of Chinese visitors to the UK. At the same time, Alipay users will benefit from a more convenient and familiar in-store payments process - enhancing their overall shopping experience." VisitBritain, the UK's tourism body, is expecting 483,000 visits from China in 2019, a growth of 43 percent than the figure in 2017. Chinese visitors are expected to spend more than 1 billion pounds this year, up by 50 percent, moving it well into the UK's top 10 tourism markets. The increase in market size is also demonstrated by the fact that the number of Alipay users in the UK has doubled in the last year, according to Barclaycard. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 03:54:20|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street for the House of Commons in London, Britain, on March 14, 2019. British MPs on Thursday voted to reject an amendment calling for a second Brexit referendum. (Xinhua/Han Yan) LONDON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- British MPs on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to ask the European Union (EU) for an extension to Article 50 in the trouble Brexit process. They voted in the House of Commons by 412 to 202, a majority of 210, to request the EU agreement for delaying the Brexit until June 30. The result means a British request for the EU to grant an extension to the Article 50 negotiation period beyond March 29, when Brexit is due. The result was seen as a victory for the British government which tabled the motion, while MPs voted down a motion by the opposition Labour Party proposing to address the Brexit issue through "different approaches." Earlier, MPs rejected an amendment calling for a second Brexit referendum. It was the first time the question of a new public referendum had faced a parliamentary vote since the first referendum was conducted in June 2016. The Thursday votes came after MPs defied the British government on Wednesday and dramatically decided to rule out a no-deal withdrawal from the EU in scenes some Tory Brexiteers described as "chaotic". The vote outcomes came with only 15 days to go before Britain leaves the European Union on March 29. There has been no consensus in the British political circle on how the country will leave the regional bloc to end its 46-year-old EU membership. Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty sets out how an EU country might voluntarily leave the union. The wording is vague, almost as if the drafters thought it unlikely that it would ever come into play. Now, it is the subject of a dispute between EU leaders desperate for certainty in the wake of the Brexit vote, and Brexiteers in the UK playing for time, observers said. Also on Thursday, MPs voted by 312 to 314 to reject an amendment to give themselves time to vote on Brexit options. Before the parliament voted to seek a delayed Brexit, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Theresa May said that the government will redouble efforts to secure a Brexit deal. May's withdrawal agreement, reached by London and Brussels in November 2018, was rejected twice by the House of Commons since January. There is a chance for a third vote in the parliament. Earlier Thursday, the EU Commission said that it is up to EU leaders to consider any Brexit extension request from London, and it will take account of reasons for and duration of the proposed postponement. Source: Xinhua| 2019-03-15 04:04:22|Editor: yan Video Player Close WASHINGTON, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that all U.S. diplomats remaining in Venezuela departed the South American country on Thursday. Calling the withdrawal "temporary departure," Pompeo said in a statement released by the State Department that U.S. diplomats will continue their work from other locations. The U.S. diplomats' exit came after Pompeo announced on Monday night the decision of withdrawing all remaining U.S. personnel from its embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, within this week. On Tuesday, Venezuelan government ordered American diplomats to leave within 72 hours. The United States 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 that he was severing "diplomatic and political" ties with the United States. The Trump administration recently has kept piling up pressure on Maduro. Stiri pe aceeasi tema - The European Commission decided on Thursday to refer Romania to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to comply with EU rules to tackle industrial pollution and to adopt an air pollution control programme, according to a press release. The EU Commission explained that in the first case, - Prime Minister-designate Nicolae Ciuca told Parliament's sitting on Thursday that the Government will ensure observance of the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, and, externally, will have as strategic objective Romania's accession to the Schengen Area and consolidation the regional - La acest moment, rata de vaccinare anti-COVID in randul populatiei generale din Romania este de 39%, iar tinta este sa fie depasit procentul de 50% pana la finalul acestui an, a afirmat luni, la o dezbatere HotNews.ro LIVE , coordonatorul campaniei de vaccinare din Romania, Valeriu Gheorghita. El spune - Two lorries loaded with medical supplies and equipment from France will arrive at the Ciolpani Emergency Response Coordination and Management Centre in Romania on Thursday afternoon, according to the French Embassy in Romania. The lorries carry 13 tonnes of medical supplies and equipment, including - President Klaus Iohannis attended the European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday in Brussels, reiterating Romania's request to become a member of the border-free Schengen Area as soon as possible. The main subjects of the meeting regarded the latest developments in the COVID-19 pandemic, - The chairman of PSD (Social Democratic Party) Marcel Ciolacu reiterated on Thursday that Romania is not entering an area of stability with a minority Government. "I maintain my opinion that Romania is not entering an area of stability with a minority Government. Especially with what we have - Head of the Department for Emergency Situations (DSU) Raed Arafat said on Thursday that he did not believe that Bucharest City and Ilfov County will be locked down because of COVID-19, as proposed by the National Institute of Public Health (INSP). "If it comes to a lockdown, locking down Romania's - Romania has the potential to become an important player and a European hub in the field of energy, President Klaus Iohannis said on Thursday, at the southeastern Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant. "Romania's nuclear energy objective is primarily a strategic objective, to ensure energy security Originile globalismului Elitele lumii folosesc tot mai des cuvantul globalizare, fara a cunoaste originile sale. Ghidurile corectitudinii politice dau definitii convenabile celor care detin puterea lumii, gen: intreaga lume, privita ca o sfera adecvata, o politica de anvergura mondiala, doctrina care asigura ajutorul statelor sarace, actiunea prin care o tara sau o putere [citeste mai departe] Stiri pe aceeasi tema - The European Commission announced early this week the creation of a European newsroom that will bring together in a Brussels hub 16 news agencies from different European countries - including Romanian National News Agency AGERPRES - with the aim of improving media coverage related to the European - Turismul local este la mare cautare atat printre moldoveni, cat si printre straini. Doar pe parcursul acestui an, tara noastra a deservit peste 264 de mii de turisti, dintre care 60 de mii de conationali. - USR Turda a depus o sesizare la Consiliul National al Audiovizualului, in care a reclamat o stire difuzata pe postul local de televiziune Turda TV, in data de 6 iulie 2021, cu titlul Opozitia nu... Acesta este doar un sumar al stirilor. Vizitati siteul nostru pentru mai multe stiri complete! - President Klaus Iohannis, on Thursday welcomed at the Cotroceni Palace the European Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, with whom he discussed topics on the current agenda of the European Union, such as the vaccination process against COVID- 19, strengthening the Union's Internal Market - COD GALBEN de CEATA in Alba. Vizibilitate redusa local sub 200 m si izolat sub 50 m. Atentionari pentru soferi Judetul Alba se afla sub atentionare Cod Galben de ceata, miercuri dimineata. Pana la ora 11:00 este vizata zona joasa a judetului Alba. Se va semnala ceata care determina reducerea vizibilitatii - Codul galben este valabil pana miercuri la ora 10.00, fiind vizate zonele joase ale judetului Cluj. Se va semnala local ceata care determina scaderea vizibilitatii, local sub 200 m, izolat sub 50 m, arata ANM. - Terenuri supralicitate si preturi mari pentru petice de pamant din municipiul Buzau si din apropierepuse la cale de cel mai slab primar din toate timpurile Toma faliment si gasca penala! Vezi si in materialul VIDEO amanunte! - The states of the European Union are committing over 48 billion euros for railway projects through their national recovery and resilience plans, and Romania's metro and railway projects amount to 4.5 billion euros, the European Commissioner for Transport, Adina Valean told on Friday a press conference Open source Ukraines MIA head Arsen Avakov, who calls president Poroshenkos election grids assigned operation a meanness, promises to punish his cherished far-right National Corps for attacking Poroshenkos meeting (as part of the election campaign) in Cherkasy. Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko cannot decide who is more antipathetic Oleg Gladkovsky, leading figure of scandal on embezzlement in Ukrainian, or Denys Bihus, journalist, who revealed this major corruption scheme. The position of Vasyl Hrytsak, head of Ukraines Security Service, is still unobtrusive. How will the leaders of the law enforcement bodies behave during the elections? Now it seems that the position of forces is determined. There are security officials who are ready to support the current president Poroshenko, and there are those who are in Yulia Tymoshenkos camp. However, the whole structure is likely to be reset between the first and second rounds. Especially if the leader of the polls Zelensky is elected to the second round. It would be interesting to watch at the top officials and the law enforcers. Let us conduct a reconnaissance of the forces of the main opponents. Let us begin with the Ministry of the Interior. "Police are with the people" Ukraine has become accustomed to post-election excesses. So the question of how the security forces will behave in force majeure is more than topical. There were some cases when the police "were with the people," as well as against it. For example, the student revolution of 1990 passed without the use of violence against its participants. On the other hand, Kuchmahate campaign of 2001 (against the then-president Leonid Kuchma, -ed.) ended with the mass beatings of the Kuchmahate supporters and their conviction to long prison terms. The Orange revolution was peaceful, it was accompanied by touching fraternization with the police and carnations stuck in the shields of the law enforcers. The Revolution of Dignity was a real Bloody Winter, with the shooting of the Heavenly Hundreds and other excesses. However, it is worth noting that in this context, there is no bad or good police. There are security forces that receive an order, and there are security forces who have not received the relevant orders. In 1990 and 2004, there was no direct order to attack. But in 2001 and 2014, the end of the protests was resolved by force. What would happen this year after the CEC to announce the winner of the presidential race? No one knows the answer to this question. A certain cyclical nature of our history promises that the supposed Maidan-2019 will be bloodless. However, the experts suggested that we should step out of the paradigm of historically significant social upheavals, and consider the role of Arsen Avakov, current MIA head, from a more mundane point of view. "The police have ample opportunities during the elections because the police accompany the bulletins and the election protocols, it responds to violations of the electoral legislation, and this is the only law enforcement body beyond the presidents control," Dmytro Sinchenko, chairman of the Association of Political Sciences, assures. The position of the police in the current elections would likely be non-interference in the process and ignoring minor offenses if necessary. At the same time, however, Avakov "has something to offer, besides the influence on the Ministry of Internal Affairs: he has the opportunity to influence the decisions of the district and district commissions through controlled candidates. If we talk about the possibility of the Maidan, one can hardly expect that the next election will lead to it, because now the populations level of trust in all the candidates is too low, and the main competitors do not offer radically different directions of the states development, adds Bohdan Petrenko, Deputy Director of the Ukrainian Institute for Extremism Studies. Empty bluster The public position of Arsen Avakov himself is clear and definite: in general, he doesnt take sides with the processes but promises to punish the violators of the law. However, his official declarations always differ from his thoughts and intentions. A month and a half ago, MP Serhiy Leshchenko announced an insider dealing that Avakov was approaching with Yulia Tymoshenko, and the parties have already concluded a pact. MIA denied this, and the minister himself made an angry speech about the organization of the " electoral grids." I want to warn cunning political technologists before its too late: MIA and the National Police are carefully studying this information, we will not allow bribing the voters and buying up votes, Avakov declared. The official meant Poroshenko, thus he indicated that he himself is on the other side of the barricades. A little later, on February 10, the police actually saved the Tymoshenkos rally, isolating far-right pro-SBU (that is, pro-Poroshenko) C14 and Traditions and Order members that allegedly came to ask Tymoshenko, who ordered the murder of Ukraines anti-corruption activist Kateryna Handziuk. Still later, a bunch of Avakovs charges regarding the use of presidents electoral grids were used against Poroshenko. After that, the tone of Avakovs appeals of the chief security official became quite impudent. Whose side is he really on? The position of Arsen Avakov is currently close to a win-win. He offers his services to someone whom he considers a potential winner, but afterward he can change the position, depending on polls. But the main task of the minister is not to win the presidential elections, but the parliamentary elections. The MIA head understands that the key challenge for the Cabinet is not the election of the president, but the election of the parliament. The parliamentary coalition suggests the candidatures of the majority of the ministers, including MIA head," Bogdan Petrenko comments. This task would be much harder. If Tymoshenko wins, Avakov would preserve his the Ministers Ministrys office, and his party (National Front) would be included into Tymoshenkos future electoral list. According to rumors, Arseniy Yatsenyuk (National Front leader, Ukraines former PM, - ed.) might become the PM again. The cooperation of Tymoshenkos Batkivshchyna and the National Front is supposedly so strong that the parties are already agreeing also on amending the Constitution and announcing of a parliamentary form of government. The latter, however, looks rather dubious: everyone who has any ambitions of Tymoshenko does not believe in her willingness to voluntarily cut back long-awaited powers. So, handing out certain advances, Yulia Tymoshenko might be just bluffing. After receiving the cherished mace, the head of the Batkivshchyna party might negotiate with her fellows in a completely different tone. Moreover, Avakov is betting on Tymoshenko. Open source Does Tymoshenko know about the double (if not triple) game of her longtime comrade? Taking into consideration her political experience, most likely, yes, she knows it. But, bluffing herself, she does not interfere with bluffing others. All the president's men Unlike the Ministry of the Interior, Ukraines Security Service (or rather its head) has an extremely narrow space for maneuver. The activities of the Security Service of Ukraine in elections are far from the revolutionary Maidans. The function of the Service is cybersecurity and the neutralization of attempts at external interference. But, besides this, the acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Hrytsak, is a man of Petro Poroshenko. If the Minister of Internal Affairs is appointed by the parliament, then the candidate for the head of the Security Service of Ukraine is the presidents prerogative. So Hrytsak knows that he will not get anywhere from this boat, said Kost Bondarenko, director of the Gorshenin Institute. Hrytsak is not trying to escape from the presidential boat. His service is now actively exposing the pro-Russian agents in the Ukrainian segment of the Internet, that is, is engaged in its direct duties. The body has been accused of interception of presidential candidates; it also points to Hrytsaks faithful friendship with Petro Poroshenko. In addition, Yulia Tymoshenko has directly accused the Security Service of organizing provocations against her, pointing to the president as the customer of such actions. In a word, Bankova seems to have no reason to doubt the loyalty of the SBU. The presidential vertical also relies on a number of other power pillars. The anti-corruption departments of the National Agency for Prevention of Corruption (NAPC), National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP), although they themselves are involved in the scandals (like NABU lately). Still, they hold in their hands the fates of the candidates, having sufficient compromising evidence on each of them. Let us not forget about the Prosecutor General's Office. In fact, Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenkos support of Petro Poroshenko was successful and even more than successful. Open source Kost Bondarenko states: "Lutsenko understands that no matter how the situation develops, he will lose his current position and, most likely, will return to politics." The Attorney General does not hide such plans. In the autumn of 2018, Lutsenko said that after March 2019 he would give up his current position, go to parliamentary elections as a member of "a winning team." Whom does he treat as a winner? Obviously, the current president. (In any case, his style of communication with Yulia Tymoshenko, which can be called frankly boorish, allegedly leaves no hope that these two will ever find a common language.) But if it happens that she wins the presidential election, will Lutsenko get along with her? It is likely that yes. Read the original text at 112.ua. Ukraines Representative to the Trilateral Contact Group Yevhen Marchuk stated that Russia tried to leave when this issue was raised Yevhen Marchuk, Ukraines Representative to the Trilateral Contact Group Focus Ukraines Representative to the Trilateral Contact Group Yevhen Marchuk stated that Russia refused to discuss Ukraines demands concerning release of the Ukrainian sailors, captured in Kerch Strait last years, as Radio Liberty reported. Russian side categorically refused to discuss this issue, they have even tried to leave when I expressed Ukraines position in this regard. Yet, they stayed and listened, he said. Russia also refuses to negotiate exchange of 25 for 25 (25 Russians who serve their sentences in Ukraines prisons for 25 Ukrainians kept in Russia). The representatives of ORDLO (Separated Districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, - ed.) have no desire to discuss the prisoners exchange, we were discussing it in details before, Marchuk noted. March 7, Ukraine agreed on a new ceasefire in Donbas since March 8 at the session of the Trilateral Contact Group. The Ukrainian soldiers have downed the hostile drone in the Donbas Conflict zone near the positions of the Joint Forces Operation as the Headquarters of the operation reported on Facebook. Thus, the enemy continues to hold reconnaissance by all means, including unmanned aerial vehicles using the spring truce. The Headquarters stated that the enemy tried to use a drone of the Phantom type to specify the defense system of the Joint Forces Operations detachments in Mariupol direction. Thanks to coherent actions of the observers and calculations of the firepower, the reconnaissance task of the air spy was stopped prematurely near the position of the Joint Forces Operation in Vodyane area, the message said. The downed drone was passed to the specialists for the study of the gathered information, including ex-owners of it. Earlier the soldiers of the National Guard of Ukraine have downed the Russian drone of Eleron type at Svitlodarsk direction in the zone of the Joint Forces Operation. February 21, the drone of the OSCE mission recorded four jet military airplanes above the village of Lastochkine. This settlement is controlled by Ukraine and is located near the demarcation line, according to the website of the mission. Besides, NABU Head stated that his establishment sent information on black accounts to the U.S., yet, it did not help Clinton Artem Sytnyk, Head of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau Open source The Head of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) Artem Sytnyk stated that he helped the headquarters of the U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016, as is stated on the audio-recording provided by the Ukrainian MP Boryslav Rosenblat. A person with a voice which sounds a lot like Sytnyks says that Clinton was favorable for America and the world, and it would be better for Ukraine if she won. I helped him as well. Not him, but Hillary Internal issues are more important than external ones for Trump. Hillary is one of those politicians favorable for America and the world. It would be better for us, but what Trump does is better for Americans, Sytnyk admits. Besides, NABU Head stated that his establishment sent information on black accounts to the U.S., yet, it did not help Clinton. Their system works strictly. When I investigated black accounts, we revealed information about Robert Porter who was imprisoned. He was the head of Trumps campaign. Trump doesnt care, his system works like a clock. A week before the elections, FBI resumed investigation against Hillary. Thats why Trump won, though not easy. I dont understand why Trump struggles against FBI, when they helped him win, Sytnyk said. Today, March 14, the Ukrainian MP Boryslav Rosenblat accused NABU Head Sytnyk of leaking black accounts of the Party of Regions to the headquarters of the presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in 2016. Rosenblat gave a USB flash drive with audio records of Sytnyks conversation. The reason for the transfer of Balukh is still unknown Ukrainian political prisoner Volodymyr Balukh Krym.Realii Ukrainian political prisoner Volodymyr Balukh should arrive to the colony in Tver Oblast on March 14 as Hromadske reported citing the mother of the prisoner. Yesterday he was sent from Yaroslavl to Tver. He should be there tomorrow, Natalia Balukh said. She said that the son called to her when he was in Yaroslavl: He does not tell about himself, his heath. He only asks: Mom, how are you, what about your health?. According to the mother, Volodymyr got food and cigarettes through the human right activists. She added that she saw him twice during the period of illegal detention. The last time was in summer 2018. Earlier the lawyer of Balukh reported that he would be transferred to the remand centre where the prisoners suffer from violence. September 10, the Supreme Court of occupied Crimea controlled by the Kremlin did not grant the appeal of Volodymyr Balukhs lawyer Olga Dinze on his conditional release. It was noted that the activist participated in the session through a video conference from the remand prison. Balukh was arrested on December 8, 2016, nine days after he nailed a plaque renaming his home No. 18 to Heroes of Nebesna Sotnya St in memory of the over 100 Maidan activists who were killed during Euromaidan protests in Ukraine. He had rejected the demands of the head of the local council to remove it. During an irregular search of his home, 90 bullets and several TNT explosive devices were allegedly found in his attic. The implausibility of the charges was just one of several compelling reasons why the renowned Memorial Human Rights Centre declared him a political prisoner well before the trial. According to the Russian investigation, Viatrovych denies belonging of the Ukrainian nationalists to Waffen-SS Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has opened the criminal proceeding against Volodymyr Viatrovych, the director of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory due to the rehabilitation of Nazism as the committee reported. According to the data of the investigation in Russia, Viatrovych commits systematic denial of the facts established by the verdict of the International Military Tribunal for the court and punishment of the major war criminals of the European Axis, including the belonging of the Ukrainian nationalists of Great Patriotic War time to Waffen-SS and their participation in the war crimes against civilians starting from November 12, 2014. Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has opened the criminal proceeding due to it. Investigative Committee of Russia will not be left behind and will continue work on the detection and prevention of such crimes, each of the fact will get the comprehensive legal assessment, the message said. Earlier Viatrovych stated that the Russian sanctions against him are ridiculous as does not possess property and funds in Russia. Besides, Viatrovych supported the initiative to recognize Ukraine as the legal successor of the Ukrainian Peoples Republic (UNR). The document contains the ban for the federal department and agencies of the U.S. to carry out any actions or provide any support, which can be interpreted as contrary to the mentioned U.S. policy Open source U.S. Congress House of Representatives has approved the draft bill, which defines the non-recognition of the sovereignty of the Russian Federation over Crimea, its airspace or waters as the policy of the U.S. as the Embassy of Ukraine to the U.S. reported on Facebook. The decision was supported by 427 votes. Besides, the document contains the ban for the federal department and agencies of the U.S. to carry out any actions or provide any support, which can be interpreted as contrary to the mentioned U.S. policy. Crimea was annexed by Russia after the illegal referendum held on the peninsula in March 2014. Earlier, the Russian military captured all strategic military objects and buildings of the key authoritative bodies. Neither Ukraine nor the rest of the civilized countries recognized the results of the referendum. A number of the European and the world countries, including Ukraine, imposed the economic sanctions against Russia. As we reported, Google corporation began to show occupied Crimea as a part of Russia for Russian users. Boeing Aircraft Corporation recommended the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) the temporary suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of 371 737 MAX aircraft because of air crash in Ethiopia, as the companys statement says. The company supports the relevant decision of the management. As it was reported, the State Aviation Administration of Ukraine postponed the flights of Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Boeing 737 MAX 9 due to the crashes in Ethiopia, the accurate reasons of are still being investigated. Earlier, we reported that an Ethiopian Airlines plane flying from Addis Ababa to Kenya crashed in Ethiopia. 149 passengers and 8 crew members were on board of the Boeing 737-800 MAX. The crash occurred on March 10, at 8:44 am local time. The airline representatives said that the flight ET 302 crashed near the city of Bishoftu, 62 kilometers south-east of Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian broadcasting company, citing a source in the airlines, said that no one survived as a result of the plane crash. There are no survivors aboard the plane that was carrying passengers from 33 countries, the message says. This is the second recent crash of the latest version of Boeings workhorse narrowbody jet that first entered service in 2017. Ukraine news on 112.international The Head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) Nazar Kholodnytsky stated that he has suspended Senior Prosecutor from management in the case on corruption schemes in the defense sector. He said that during the session of the Temporary Investigation Commission, broadcasted by 112 Ukraine. I decided to suspend Senior Prosecutor of the prosecutors group from carrying out the procedural control; they basically failed the procedural control over the investigation, he said. He stated that in March 2016, National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) started an investigation of alleged violation at Kharkiv armored plant. According to Kholodnytsky, then the specialized prosecutors have found out about the activity of OptimumSpetsDetal straw company, used for the embezzlement in the defense sphere. Over half a year the case has been investigated rather fast. In April, another investigator received the case and continued gathering documents. Starting from September 2016, the investigation was suspended. For some reasons, there was no investigator, it was even proposed to pass the case to the police. In October 2017, a session on this case was held, SAP prosecutors issued instructions. According to Kholodnytsky, the instructions are being implemented. In conclusion, he claimed readiness to cooperate with the State Investigation Bureau. I stress that if there is a proceeding in State Investigation Bureau, we are ready to cooperate with the investigators for truth seeking on this case, SAP Head stated. February 25, journalist investigations Bihus.Info, Nashi Hroshi program alleged that Igor Gladkovsky, the son of close Poroshenko ally Oleh Gladkovsky, deputy secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, organized a corruption scheme to smuggle spare military-equipment parts from Russia in 2015. State defense facilities purchased the smuggled spare parts from private companies linked to Hladkovsky and his friends at highly inflated prices. Ukroboronprom state concern, which supervises defense industry production facilities, knew the origin of the smuggled parts but agreed to purchase them. Igor Gladkovsky, along with Vitaliy Zhukov (former advisor of Ukroboronprom Director, the member of supervisory council of Meridian company till 2013, former assistant of Yuriy Tereshchenko, ex-Head of State Service of export control, Oleg Gladkovskys friend, - ed.) and Andriy Rogoza (CEO of Inter Steel Ltd., - ed.) were supplying smuggled Russian components and components from the Ukrainian military units through straw companies at prices 2-4 times higher than market ones. On March 4, President Petro Poroshenko dismissed Oleh Gladkovsky, deputy secretary of the National Security and Defense Council from his post. As it was reported earlier, the investigators of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office detained the acting and former directors of the State Foreign Trade Enterprise SpetsTechnoExport on suspicion of embezzling $2,225 million, according to NABU. The searches took place at the offices and houses of the Ukroboronprom officials on March 7. Besides, the NABU has registered a new criminal proceeding after the third video on the embezzlement in the purchase in the defense sector was published by the journalists. Deputy Internal Minister Tetyana Kovalchuk and Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Joel Lion discussed solutions of issues related to the implementation of the Agreement for the exemption of visa requirements for people who use internal or official passports of Ukraine and Israel, as the press office of the Internal Ministry reported. Israeli Government is determined to protect our borders from illegal migrants, Lion said, having noted that Ukrainian law enforcers often decide not to let Israeli citizens to Ukraine. Kovalchuk stressed the aim of both of the sides to narrow down a significant number of denials of entry to Israel for Ukrainians and intolerant attitude to our compatriots from the representatives of the Israeli authorities at Ben Gurion airport. The Ambassador has pledged willingness of the Israeli side to continue seeking for mutually acceptable adequate solutions to correct the situation. Lion passed a letter to Internal Minister of Ukraine Arsen Avakov from the his Israeli colleague Aryeh Deri with an invitation to visit Jerusalem any time soon to continue the dialogue about visa-free regime launched in 2017. 96 Israeli citizens were banned from entering Ukraine since the beginning of the year. At the same time, about 500 Ukrainians were banned from entering Israel. Earlier, the Israeli Embassy in Kyiv replied to the information request by the correspondent of 112.ua news agency. The authority has cleared its position on the recent incidents with entry refusals for Israeli citizens in Ukrainian airport, namely Boryspil international airport. 'We are concerned about the situation at the airport. According to the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority, while there has been an increase of Ukrainian tourists to Israel since the establishment of the visa-free regime, there has been no increase in the number of Ukrainian citizens refused to enter Israel in the past 3 years. We work together with the Ukrainian authorities in order to diffuse this crisis'. Previously 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. 'The reason, most often, is that some of them could not confirm the goal of their visit; some don't have the return tickets or don't know where they would live', he said. The price, which lets businessmen from the authority earn a lot, is based on the gas transmission formula (gas goes from the German Dusseldorf). According to he Chairman of the Political Council of Opposition Platform For Life, this is how gas which Ukraine is allegedly importing costs $38,42 per 1,000 cubic metres Viktor Medvedchuk, the Chairman of the Political Council of Opposition Platform For Life political party 112.ua Businessmen who have the support of the current Ukrainian authority have established a scheme of gas scheme to Ukraine which let them have huge gains from the wallets of ordinary Ukrainians, as Viktor Medvedchuk, the Chairman of the Political Council of Opposition Platform For Life political party. Business people use a scheme which lets them stated that Ukraine got of the Russia gas hook. They believe it is their merit Ukraine without Russian gas for three years. Actually, they are buying gas in Sweden, German and Austrian companies. Our businessmen from the authorities are behind these companies, he stated. According to him, Russian gas is transited through Ukraine and border of Slovakia to Europe. But it is not true. Gas does not go further than the gas metering station till the moment when the price is set. The price, which lets businessmen from the authority earn a lot, is based on the gas transmission formula (gas goes from the German Dusseldorf). This is how gas which Ukraine is allegedly importing costs $38,42 per 1,000 cubic metres. Medvedchuk supposed that fair investigation of Dusseldorf+ scheme is properly investigated, resonance will be as huge as after investigation of embezzlement in Ukraines army. Authorities are trying to tell the myth about gas transit though the borders, but it is not the case in reality. It does not go further than Ukraines border. At the same time, income from such scheme makes at least $400-420 million per year. These earning which businessmen put in their pockets are passed on the tariffs which Ukrainians pay, he stressed. Thanks to such scheme, Ukraine buys gas for $300, it was $317 in November. It is about 10,3 million cubic metres per year, which are allegedly imported. There are at least $40 for each 1000 cubic metres which businessmen from the authorities make. Ukrainians pay it through tariffs of the municipal services. That is why gas prices went up to $327, and in 2019 there will be another increase. Since January 2020 up to $473, Medvedchuk noted. The politician stressed that the party and its presidential candidate Yuiry Boyko might lower gas prices and tariffs of municipal services. We can reach agreement with Russia, moreover, the current contract is expiring. We can buy gas not under the formula provided by the contract. By the way, if these was no formula, the price would be $260, taking into account the price of Brent. It this scheme is applied, the difference is huge, he told. Opposition Platform For Life is negotiating to get confirmation that Russia is ready to lower gas prices. One can buy gas for this prices after the current contract expires. I think we will have result any time soon, Medvedchuk assured. He noted that the rest of the candidates who promise to lower gas prices and tariffs does not have any levers to reach this goal, unlike Yuriy Boyko. He added that average price for gas produced in Ukraine is no more than $96,1 per 1000 cubic meters. Naftogaz buys it for $188. According to Medvedchuk, this is a scheme which lets businessmen from the authorities to get almost a 100% profitability. The report says a "sovereign, independent and stable Ukraine, firmly committed to democracy and the rule of law, is key to Euro-Atlantic security Open source NATO as confirmed Ukraines prospects to get membership in the Alliance, as the annual report of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg published on the website of the organization. In light of Ukraines restated aspirations for NATO membership, Allies also stand by their decisions taken at the Bucharest Summit and subsequent Summits, the report reads. The allies welcomed Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Ukraine and Georgia to NATO membership in the declaration of Bucharest Summit, held in April 2008, as Interfax-Ukraine reported. Today we have agreed that these states will become NATO members. The declaration also says that the action plan concerning the membership is the next step for Ukraine and Georgia towards the membership. The section of the report Assistance to Ukraine reads that a sovereign, independent and stable Ukraine, firmly committed to democracy and the rule of law, is key to Euro-Atlantic security. Since Russias illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea in 2014, NATO has stepped up political and practical support to Ukraine. This commitment was reconfirmed at the Brussels Summit in July 2018, where NATO leaders met with President Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine, together with President Giorgi Margvelashvili of Georgia, the report says. It also says that in 2018 Ukraine-NATO Commission discussed the reforms in Ukraine aimed at implementing Euro-Atlantic principles and standards against the background of Ukraines aspirations for NATO membership. NATOs commitment to assisting Ukraines security and defence sector reforms through the Comprehensive Assistance Package including 10 Trust Funds remains high, the report reads. The law on amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine on EU and NATO integration came into force on February 21. The draft law No.9037 provides the amendments to the preamble of Ukraine's Constitution, according to which, the parliament confirms the European identity of the Ukrainian nation and irreversibility of the European and Euro-Atlantic course of Ukraine. Earlier, the Parliament sent the bill on amendments to the Constitution concerning the EU, NATO integration plan with 321 votes on September 20, 2018. According to the bill, the President of Ukraine is the guarantor of the implementation of the strategic course of the state towards Ukraines full membership in the EU and NATO. In its turn, the Cabinet of Ministers provides the implementation of the strategic course of the state towards Ukraines full membership in the EU and NATO. Related video: After withdrawing candidacy in favor of Poroshenko, Serhiy Kryvonos was appointed as Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council instead of Oleg Gladkovsky Serhiy Kryvonos, the Deputy Secretary of National Security Council and Petro Poroshenko, the President of Ukraine Serhiy Kryvonos Facebook Newly appointed Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Serhiy Kryvonos published his plans at a new post. He urged the parliament to adopt the law on reforming of Ukroboronprom state concern, which supervises defense industry production facilities, and implement the principle Do not lie, do not steal, and do not let other people steal. Kryvonos stated it on his Facebook. He has written that he intends to strengthen the defense capacity system of Ukraine by the implementation of the program Five steps to the victory. According to him, the implementation of the program will allow establishing close cooperation of the defense sector and civilian society; provide the Armed Forces of Ukraine with modern hardware; bring up youth on the basis of the national idea; control and coordinate components of the security and defense sphere. For the implementation of these directions, I will appeal to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine with the request to consider and adopt the law on the reforming of Ukroboronprom as soon as possible. It will allow to organize the work of the concern maximally transparent, eliminate corruption component, restore confidence in the leadership of the concern by the citizens of Ukraine and foreign partners, Kryvonos wrote. February 25, journalist investigations Bihus.Info, Nashi Hroshi program alleged that Igor Gladkovsky, the son of close Poroshenko ally Oleh Gladkovsky, deputy secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, organized a corruption scheme to smuggle spare military-equipment parts from Russia in 2015. State defense facilities purchased the smuggled spare parts from private companies linked to Gladkovsky and his friends at highly inflated prices. Ukroboronprom state concern, which supervises defense industry production facilities, knew the origin of the smuggled parts but agreed to purchase them. Igor Gladkovsky, along with Vitaliy Zhukov (former advisor of Ukroboronprom Director, the member of supervisory council of Meridian company till 2013, former assistant of Yuriy Tereshchenko, ex-Head of State Service of export control, Oleg Gladkovskys friend, - ed.) and Andriy Rogoza (CEO of Inter Steel Ltd., - ed.) were supplying smuggled Russian components and components from the Ukrainian military units through straw companies at prices 2-4 times higher than market ones. Ukroboronprom called the investigation of the journalists on the embezzlements manipulations. On March 12, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko appointed Serhiy Kryvonos as a new Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC). He got accreditation of the Central Election Commission to cover presidential elections Oleg Slobodyan, the Spokesperson of Ukraines Border Guard Service Ukrinform A Russian journalist who represents a Canadian television company was denied entry to Ukraine, as Oleg Slobodyan, the Spokesperson of Ukraines Border Guard Service said at the briefing, Ukrainian News reported. It was noted that Russia was accredited for covering presidential elections. He is a Russian citizen, who lives in Canada and works on Canadian television. He got accreditation of the Central Election Commission, but the inspection showed that he had illegally crossed the border with annexed Crimea, Slobodyan stated. Besides, the Russian is banned entering Ukraine for three years. It was specified that in total, 800 media representatives got accreditation to cover presidential elections, 60 of them have arrived in Ukraine. As reported earlier, Ukraine told Austria that it would deny entry to veteran ORF reporter Christian Wehrschutz. Vienna has sharply criticized the decision of the Ukrainian authorities to ban the Austrian TV journalist from entering Ukraine for the period of one year. According to Wehrschutz, "a small group of people that is not happy with what we write and what problems we cover" is behind the ban of entry for him. CRF research to be presented at ACC.19 New York, NY - March 14, 2019 - Research from the Cardiovascular Research Foundation and the CRF Clinical Trials Center will be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 68th Annual Scientific Session taking place March 16-18, 2019 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. They will be presenting the latest data on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), imaging technologies, renal denervation, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Dr. Martin Leon, CRF Founder and Co-Director, Medical Research and Education, will present results of the PARTNER 3 Trial: Transcatheter or Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Low-Risk Patients during the joint ACC/NEJM late-breaking clinical trial session on Sunday, March 17 from 8:00 AM - 8:15 AM in the ACC.19 Main Tent (Great Hall). Additionally, Dr. Ajay Kirtane, Co-Director of CRF's annual scientific symposium, TCT, will be presenting six-month results of the RADIANCE-HTN SOLO trial following the addition of a recommended standardized stepped-care antihypertensive treatment to the randomized treatment on Saturday, March 17 from 9:17 AM - 9:27 AM in Room 208. CRF will also host a satellite program on the management of complex and higher-risk patients indicated for coronary revascularization prior to the start of ACC. The program, CHIP at ACC.19: Practical Strategies for Troubleshooting Complex Cases, will be held on Friday, March 15, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM at the Marriott New Orleans (Mardi Gras A-E Ballroom, 3rd floor). Case-based presentations will address treatment of calcified lesions, bifurcation disease, chronic total occlusions, in-stent restenosis, and coronary artery disease in the post-CABG setting. Expert faculty will offer insights into selecting patients and devices, optimizing technique, and overcoming difficult anatomy. Additional research from CRF and the CRF Clinical Trials Center include the following presentations: Session 1004: Characterizing Important Factors You've Chosen to Ignore in TAVR 1004-05 - Antithrombotic Therapy and Cardiovascular Risk in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation at High Risk For Thromboembolic Events After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: From the PARTNER 2 Trial Mahesh Madhavan Saturday, March 16, 2019, 10:15 AM - 10:25 AM; Interventional Cardiology Moderated Poster Theater, Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1155: Interventional Cardiology: Coronary Intervention: Left Main, Multivessel, Bifurcation 1 1155-056 / 056 - Impact of Treatment With Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors or Receptor Blockers on Revascularization After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting For Left Main Coronary Artery Disease: Analysis From the EXCEL Trial Shmuel Chen Saturday, March 16, 2019, 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM; Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1157: Interventional Cardiology Aortic Valve Disease 2 1157-065 / 065 - The Impact of Severity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: From the SAPIEN 3 Registry Tomo Ando Saturday, March 16, 2019, 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM; Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1157: Interventional Cardiology Aortic Valve Disease 2 1157-064 / 064 - Impact of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Transcatheter and Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement: From the PARTNER 2 Cohort A Trial Tomo Ando Saturday, March 16, 2019, 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM; Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1175: Non Invasive Imaging: MR 2 1175-350 / 350 - Cardiac Structural Changes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Studies Ghazaleh Mehdipoor Saturday, March 16, 2019, 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM; Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1012: CHIPs Ahoy! Atherectomy and Me 1012-07 - Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Orbital Atherectomy Preceded by OCT-Guided Stent Implantation Masaru Ishida Saturday, March 16, 2019, 4:15 PM - 4:25 PM; Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1229: Acute and Stable Ischemic Heart Disease: Therapy 3 1229-367 / 367 - Long-Term Outcomes in Asymptomatic Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Interventions For Stable Coronary Artery Disease: Analysis From a Large Pooled Randomized Trial Dataset Eisuke Usui Sunday, March 17, 2019, 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM; Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1251: Interventional Cardiology: IVUS and Intravascular Physiology 3 1251-017 / 017 - Discordance of Lipid Rich Plaque Diagnosis Between Optical Coherence Tomography and Intravascular Ultrasound Tetsumin Lee Sunday, March 17, 2019, 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM; Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1251: Interventional Cardiology: IVUS and Intravascular Physiology 3 1251-019 / 019 - The Association Between Post-Procedural Stent Asymmetry and Subsequent Stent Coverage and Neointimal Hyperplasia Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography: The EGO-BIOFREEDOM and OCT-ORION Studies Bei Zhao Sunday, March 17, 2019; 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM, Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1251: Interventional Cardiology: IVUS and Intravascular Physiology 3 1251-021 / 021 - Stent Edge Landing Zone Morphology by Optical Coherence Tomography as a Predictor of Stent Edge Neointimal Hyperplasia Sofia Karlsson Sunday, March 17, 2019; 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM, Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1256: Interventional Cardiology: Aortic Valve Disease 4 1256-063 / 063 - Low and Elevated B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Levels Are Associated With Increased Mortality in Patients With Preserved Ejection Fraction Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: From the PARTNER 2 Trial and Registries Shmuel Chen Sunday, March 17, 2019; 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM, Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1275: Acute and Stable Ischemic Heart Disease: Clinical 4 1275-388 / 388 - In Vivo Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of a Healed Plaque Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography and Its Relevance to Plaque Burden Assessed by Intravascular Ultrasound Eisuke Usui Sunday, March 17, 2019; 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM, Poster Hall, Hall F Session 408: Featured Clinical Research II: Interventional 408-10 - Blinded Physiologic Assessment of Residual Ischemia After Successful Angiographic Percutaneous Coronary Intervention - The DEFINE PCI Trial Allen Jeremias Sunday, March 17, 2019; 2:15 PM - 2:25 PM, Room 206 Session 1302: Interventional Cardiology: Aortic Valve Disease 5 1302-030 / 030 - Prognostic Implications of Discharge Patterns After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Satya Shreenivas Monday, March 18, 2019; 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM, Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1306: Interventional Cardiology: IVUS and Intravascular Physiology 4 1306-065 / 065 - Prevalence of Neoatherosclerosis in Very Late Follow-Up of Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents Zhaoyang Chen Monday, March 18, 2019; 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM, Poster Hall, Fall F Session 1306: Interventional Cardiology: IVUS and Intravascular Physiology 4 1306-070 / 070 - Predicting the Location and Morphology of Chronic Total Occlusion Proximal Cap Using Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging From a Side Branch Yongzhen Fan Monday, March 18, 2019; 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM, Poster Hall, Fall F Session 1058: Polygamy of Polymers and Stents: Reconciling Differences in Outcomes 1058-03 - Left Main- and Non-Left Main-Related Events After Revascularization: Insights From the EXCEL Trial Akiko Fujino Monday, March 18, 2019; 12:30 PM - 12:40 PM, Interventional Cardiology Moderated Poster Theater, Poster Hall, Hall F ### To learn more about CRF's research and educational programs at ACC.19, visit Booth #757. About CRF The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) is a nonprofit research and educational organization dedicated to helping doctors improve survival and quality of life for people suffering from heart and vascular disease. For over 25 years, CRF has helped pioneer innovations in interventional cardiology and educated doctors on the latest treatments for heart disease. For more information, visit http://www. crf. org . This story has been published on: 2019-03-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. According to Ukraines Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko there are no alternative ways to deliver these goods Yuriy Lutsenko, the Prosecutor General of Ukraine The Verkhovna Rada Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) blocked the supply of the details of the military use to Ukraine, as Ukraines Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko said during the session of the Temporary Investigation Commission on the investigation of deals in the national security sector, Pravda reports. Brand new Ukrainian medium-range missiles were made out of elements, which Ukroboronprom (association of multi-product enterprises in various sectors of the defense industry of Ukraine, - ed.) purchased by such schemes. Last week, FSB has blocked everything, at least those transportation schemes we know, Lutsenko said. According to him, there is no other way Ukroboronprom can get the required details. As it was reported, First Deputy Secretary General of Ukroboronprom Serhiy Omelchenko said that the enterprise did not purchase details and spare parts from Russia. As we reported earlier, Kremlin commented on the scandal with smuggling of military equipment to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The press secretary of the president of Russian Federation Dmitry Pesov claimed this to be absurd, as such equipment is under special control. February 25, journalist investigations Bihus.Info, Nashi Hroshi program alleged that Igor Gladkovsky, the son of close Poroshenko ally Oleh Gladkovsky, deputy secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, organized a corruption scheme to smuggle spare military-equipment parts from Russia in 2015. State defense facilities purchased the smuggled spare parts from private companies linked to Hladkovsky and his friends at highly inflated prices. Ukroboronprom state concern, which supervises defense industry production facilities, knew the origin of the smuggled parts but agreed to purchase them. Igor Gladkovsky, along with Vitaliy Zhukov (former advisor of Ukroboronprom Director, the member of supervisory council of Meridian company till 2013, former assistant of Yuriy Tereshchenko, ex-Head of State Service of export control, Oleg Gladkovskys friend, - ed.) and Andriy Rogoza (CEO of Inter Steel Ltd., - ed.) were supplying smuggled Russian components and components from the Ukrainian military units through straw companies at prices 2-4 times higher than market ones. Ukrainian presidential candidate Yulia Tymoshenko has initiated impeachment proceedings against Poroshenko, as his Leninska Kuznia company was involved as a straw company. Related video: Earlier it was reported that the law enforcers found listening devices near the office of the Ukrainian showman and presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelensky Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) Open source The representatives of the National Police stated that information which Security Service (SBU) officers using special technical means is not connected with any of the presidential candidates, as the communication department of the National Police reported. Police officers have defined that SBU was holding technical activities at this address, yet they are not related to any of the presidential candidates or their entourage, the message says. It was noted that the law enforcers conducted a pre-trial investigation under the criminal proceeding opened upon the fact of discovering a box with special technical means of surreptitious obtaining of information. This could indicate a possibility of illegal use of equipment and could be a signal of a crime provided by Ukraines Criminal Code (on the illegal purchase, marketing or use of special technical means of obtaining information), the message says. Earlier it was reported that the law enforcers found listening devices near the office of the Ukrainian showman and presidential candidate Volodymyr Zelensky. The serviceman was detained on March 11 in Kherson region Odesa Prymorsky District Court arrested former Ukrainian serviceman who had joined the Russian side on annexed Crimea for two months, as Radio Liberty reported. The serviceman was detained on March 11 in Kherson region. As it was reported, Ukrainian sailor from Crimea was detained in Kherson region for alleged duck-out. If his guilt is proved, he faces imprisonment for up to five years. Earlier, Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) detained Ukrainian serviceman who deserted from Ukraines Armed Forces with the intention to serve in the Russian Army. The deserter was hiding in one of the apartments in Zaporizhia city. He had weapons and falsified documents that hide his involvement in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) in Donbas. Earlier, Chief Military Prosecutors Office opened over 11,000 criminal proceedings upon desertion, abandonment of a post since 2014. courtesy of the artist Why on Earth would anyone invite a group of vicious local comedians to roast her in public? Charity, of course. More specifically, cancer. Even more specifically, ovarian cancer. This is exactly what will happen in The Roast of Holly Byrd, on Saturday, March 16 from 8 to 11pm at Dialogue Brewing (1501 First Street NW). It just seemed like the most comedian thing I could do, said Byrd, an energetic, healthy 31-year-old comedian well known on the local comedy scene. Two years ago, Byrd was not so healthy. In fact, she had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. After an on-and-off, long battle, she emerged victorious. Now, Byrd wants to help others do the same. Holly wanted to be the voice of Ovarian Cancer, but I didnt think people wanted to hear the sounds of a wailing banshee, says Albuquerque comedian Royal A. Woods, the host (roastmaster) of Byrd's roast, in an interview with Weekly Alibi. There is no cover, but donations are strongly encouraged. For a donation of your choosing, you can even grab the mic and take part in roasting Byrd, if you'd like. The comedy roast is a long-standing tradition in the world of stand-up comedy. Though human beings have, most likely, been roasting each other since the days of loincloths and hunting Sabertooth Tigers, the first documented occurrences were those of The Friars Club in the early 1920s. (The Friars Club, founded in 1904, is an exclusive New York City-based club, comprised of comedians and celebrities.) The clubs motto for roasts is "we only roast the ones we love." The tradition quickly spread and people such as Dean Martin quickly followed suit by roasting close friends and colleagues in his self-titled show. Roasting others became so popular that even politicians at the White House Correspondents' Dinner took part in comedically insulting one another. Participating comedians for "The Roast Of Holly Byrd" include: Royal A. Wood, Anthony J. Martinez, Greg Ziomek, Kevin Baca and Devin Rivera. There will also be a special burlesque performance by Mayo Lua De Frenchie. After these comedians hurl their insults at Byrd, she'll get the opportunity for a rebuttal, and she intends on being as ferocious as possible. So how did this former dancer and real estate agent get her start in stand-up comedy? Byrd had always dreamt of doing stand-up; however, she was always terrified of speaking in public. Four years ago, Byrd reached out, in frustration, to one of her closest friends, Curt Fletcher. She had grown wary of her dysfunctional marriage and mundane life as a housewife and real estate agent. After Fletcher convinced her to participate in an open mic for stand-up, the rest was history, says Byrd. It was at that point Byrd lost her mind and began to do stand-up as a career. With four open mics a week and multiple headlining shows every month, Byrd is currently one of the premiere comedians in Albuquerque. Byrd is also featured in a weekly podcast, available on Spotify, Google and Apple, called 10 Drink Minimum with Chris Burnett, Billy Bellmont and James Smiley. The podcast is proceeded by another portion of the show titled The Wavey Hour, which has inspired Tractor Brewing Company to create a similarly titled beer in honor of the show. Byrd has now set her sites on touring the country and spreading the laughs as far and wide as she can but, she'll never forget where she got her start. Albuquerque has some of the toughest crowds which is great because we [comedians] get an education, says Byrd. Shes even earned the title The Heckler Slayer from fellow comedians due to her innate ability to demolish any heckler that comes her way. So, its safe to say Byrd is well on her way to making quite the name for herself as a stand-up comedian and philanthropist. If you won't be able to attend this wonderful event, you can still donate to the fight against ovarian cancer on Byrd's website: hollybyrd.com. Rob M. The House has been working overtime to make a fool out of me. I've been dooming and glooming all over my friends' legalization dreams, but lawmakers are quickly moving to prove me wrong. Last week HB 356, the Cannabis Regulation Act, was passed by the New Mexico House in a 36 to 34 vote after receiving some major alterations that made it appear more like another bill, SB 577 (which was tabled). Democratic Rep. Javier Martinez called the bipartisan result a compromise bill. If the version that passed makes it to law, it will make it legal for anyone over the age of 21 to possess up to one ounce of cannabis as long as they have the sales receiptthe original version allowed for up to two ounces and didn't include the receipt stipulation. Another big change is the creation of a system of state-run recreational shops. The bill also protects employers who wish to maintain a drug-free workplace from discrimination claimsa concern that many business owners in the community have voiced. A tax of around 17 percent would be applied to all recreational sales. This is a very different bill from the one that was introduced, and it isn't clear if there will be more changes over the next week as we reach the end of the legislative session. HB 356 is now on its way to the Senate. If approved there, the last hurdle will be the governor's desk. If it passes, New Mexico will become the 11th state to legalize marijuana. (You might notice that I'm keeping my judgments to myself this time. I'm terrified I might jinx something. I knocked on every wooden surface I came across this morning.) On the flipside, the more conservative SB 323 just passed in the Senate with flying colorson a vote of 30 to 8. If passed into law, the bill will decrease penalties for the possession of up to a half-ounce of marijuana to a penalty assessment misdemeanorwhich is not considered a criminal convictionand a fine of $50. Penalties increase after the first half-ounce and anything over eight ounces goes back to being a felony. It's unclear if the House will take up the bill or not. More Plants, Less Problems According to NM Political Report, a letter went out last week declaring the enactment of an emergency rule change increasing the number of plants a producer is allowed to grow to 2,500. The change is only temporary until the Department of Health promulgates, within 180 days, a formal rule establishing plant count. In November, then-District Judge David Thomson of Santa Fe ruled that the 450-plant limit imposed on licensed producers did not support a statute requiring the DOH to provide an adequate supply of cannabis to patients enrolled in the program. Judge Thomson said the limit was arbitrary and not based on research. The order gave the department until March 1 to come up with a plant limit that was supported by some sort of science before the limits were made invalid. The current announcement, then, is just a tactic being utilized by the department to buy more time while they figure out a plan. Otherwise, there'd be no limit and the state would be overrun with plants. Secretary of Public Health Kathyleen Kunkel reportedly requested the change in a letter to the states Commission of Public Records, writing, In absence of an emergency rule limiting supply, and until subsequent permanent rules are promulgated and in place, [Licensed Non-Profit Producers] would have unfettered authority to grow and produce cannabis and cannabis-related products. As of last Friday, more than a quarter of the state's producers12 of 35had reportedly applied to increase their plant counts to 2,500. That alone will be a giant increase in the number of plants across the state, but it's unlikely too many more producers will be applying. Not everyone has the money, space or manpower to ramp their operations up five fold overnight. The DOH says it will have a permanent limit in place within six months. It says the decision will be easier to make once reports on producers' current plant counts come in at the end of the first quarter of the fiscal year. Governor Supports Hemp Laws Earlier this month, the House passed two hemp billsHB 581, which expands hemp production and HB 7, which creates Centers of Excellence at New Mexico institutions of higher education. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's office released a statement supporting the bills' passage. The first bill would hand regulation duties over to the Department of Agriculture, who would control licensing for the cultivation, testing and research of hemp products. The Environment Department would be in charge of licensing and regulating the manufacture and sale of hemp products made for human consumption. The second bill would set up centers at four New Mexico colleges and universities that would promote innovation in areas related to hemp production and business. Research and training will happen at these facilities with the hope of making New Mexico a magnet for hemp entrepreneurs. Centers of Excellence will truly put New Mexico colleges on the map not only nationally but worldwide, said Lujan Grisham. This bill will attract talented researchers and students and boost opportunity for our young adults seeking fruitful, exciting careers in their home state. Both bills are on their way to the Senate and seem to be doing well. 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!) Art comes to life, in more ways than one, in Hungarian director Milorad Krstics madly inspired animated caper Ruben Brandt, Collector. That the film looks like a modern art gallery in motion is no mere coincidence. The story centers on the titular Dr. Ruben Brandt (Ivan Kamaras), a world-famous psychotherapist who uses art therapy to heal his patients. Unbeknownst to the public, however, Dr. Brandt is plagued by nightmares in which figures from famous paintings attack him, biting at his flesh and clawing at his eyes. These disturbing visions have been with him since childhood. Despite his years of psychological training and mental health experience, Brandt is at a loss to stem these nightmares in his own brain. One day Dr. Brandts starkly modern clinic in the French countryside is visited by fetching cat burglar Mimi (Gabriella Hamori). Mimi was recently hired by a Mafia kingpin to steal a priceless diamond. But Mimis compulsive kleptomania compelled her to snatch a lovely fan owned by Cleopatra instead. This resulted in a rousing car chase sequence through the streets of Paris (one of the films many moments in which traditional 2D animation is morphed into 3D for some dazzling action) with intrepid insurance detective Mike Kowalski (Csaba Marton) in hot pursuit. Worried about her professional career, Mimi turns to Ruben for help. While under his carealongside a mouthy bodyguard, a two-dimensional sneakthief and a three-eyed computer hackerMimi learns of Rubens secret fears. Wanting to help the good doc, she takes a page from his own therapy book: To conquer your fear, own it. When Mimi learns hes been dreaming of being attacked by Edoard Manets Olympia (and her accompanying cat), she and Rubens other skilled patients organize a heist to steal the painting from a nearby museum. Hanging the priceless painting up on his wall, Dr. Brandt is no longer assailed by vivid hallucinations of it. There are, however, other great works of art in the world. Realizing that hes been haunted all his life by 13 particular works of art, both classical and modern, Dr. Brandt asks his four patients to join him on an epic art heist. With skill, panache and a certain sense of humor, the group starts boosting paintings by Botticelli, Gauguin, Van Gogh, Hopper, Picasso, Warhol and others from museums around the globe. Still on the lookout for Mimi, and increasingly interested in the record-breaking thefts of the mysterious Collector, Detective Kowalski closes in on Brandt and his gang of art lovers-cum-thieves. Krstic, who wrote, produced, directed and designed this entire film, renders most of the animation in a sharply defined ligne claire style of animation that owes much of its surreal punch to Picassos Cubist period. (Characters are frequently blessed with multiple or asymmetrical facial features.) Countless other styles from Early Renaissance to Pop Art poke through the films winking imagery. Art history lovers will have approximately the same level of fun picking out this films in jokes as classic animation fans did dissecting Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The specificity of the animation is a wonder to behold. What looks loose and fantastical is actually filled with sharp detail. Despite its abstraction, a Lincoln Continental is as readily identifiable as the Neon Light Tunnel (aka Michael Haydens Skys the Limit) in Chicagos OHare International Airport. Clocking in at an animation-friendly 90 minutes, Ruben Brandt, Collector inevitably gives short-shrift to what could have been deeper, more dramatic character arcs. (We learn precious little, for example, about Rubens larcenous compatriots.) It also leaves a number of storylines dangling and unresolved. (Kowalski uncovers some shocking secrets, but they have little impact on the overall plot.) But Ruben Brandt probably isnt about character and storyany more than Edward Hoppers Nighthawks is about character and narrative. Sure, there are hints of both, but its really about the technique. And Krstics technique on this film is damn near impeccable. His imitation of classic action/caper/heist cinema (everything from Rififi to To Catch a Thief to The Pink Panther to The Thomas Crown Affair to Duel) is convincingeven in animated form. And his appreciation for art is unquestionable. Like all great works of art, your appreciation of Ruben Brandt, Collector may depend on what you bring to it. Watched as a casual, technically proficient imitation of a classic, Hitchcock-style move caper, Ruben Brandt, Collector is a breezy, stylish diversion. Push past the surface and dive deep into its multiple layers (as the characters do in the films zesty Tokyo-set climax), and Ruben Brandt, Collector is a Stendhal syndrome-inducing intellectual exercise perfectly suited to discerning fans of adult animation and adventurous art lovers alike. PRINT | EMAIL | PERMALINK Reel World Funny Films ABQ Arts Hub is planning for its first annual Albuquerque Funny Fest this June 14 through 15 at the Guild Cinema in Nob Hill. Producers are currently searching for stand-up comics, improv performers and short filmsbasically anything that generates a laugh. If youve got a locally made short film youd like to submit (10 minutes max in length), you have until this Friday, March 15, to get it in to the folks at abqartshub. com/ funny. For more details contact info@abqartshub.com. Cine-Mountain The East Mountain Classic Film series continues this Saturday, March 16, from 2 to 4pm at the East Mountain Librarys Meeting Room (487 NM-33 in Tijeras). Film historian and founder of the American Vaudeville Museum Frank Cullen hosts a screening of George Cukors 1933 classic Dinner at Eight. Marie Dressler, John Barrymore, Wallace Beery, Lionel Barrymore, Billie Burke and Jean Harlow star in this ensemble comedy about an affluent couple who throw a dinner party for their wealthy friendsall of whom end up getting a bit too drunk and sharing a bit too much. Admission is free and open to the public. KiMo in the Spotlight The historic KiMo Theatre in Downtown is offering free, docent-led guided tours of the building throughout the month of March. The gorgeous, Pueblo Deco motion picture palace opened in 1927 and remains a jewel of the Albuquerque skyline. The first tour, covering both the buildings historical and architectural significance, takes place Wednesday, March 13. The next is Wednesday, March 20. Sunday, March 24, Wednesday, March 27 and Sunday, March 31 round out the available touring dates. All tours start at noon. To get one of the limited spaces on these tours, go to kimotickets.com. Showcased The New Mexico Film Foundation hosts its annual New Mexico Actors Showcase this Sunday, March 17, from 2 to 5pm at the UNM Continuing Education Auditorium (1634 University Blvd. NE). For the sixth year in a row, the nonprofit organization offers up tons of local talent live on stage. Four actors from five different age/experience categories are scheduled to perform a monologue or dialogue and be directed by an on-stage director. Local casting agents will be on hand to check out the skills on display. Awards will be handed out to the best performers at the end of the evening. If youre interested in checking out the best in local acting talent yourself, tickets are $10 at the door. Molly Mendenhall Molly Mendenhall of Four Moons Farm in Los Lunas happened upon farming. After dropping out of the University of New Mexico, where she had been studying evolutionary biology, she moved to a house in Bosque Farms where, instead of paying rent, I was planting fruit trees for the owner, she says. It was an ideal situation. Pretty soon she realized that she had a knack for growing food. In her first year as a grower, she says she convinced 10 friends to support her budding occupation by signing up for her newly formed Community Supported Agriculture cooperative (CSAs link consumers directly with local food producers). And then it just kind of spiraled, she says. I didnt think it would become a career. But perhaps she should have known better, because it seems that farming runs in Mendenhalls blood. Her great grandparents were pinto bean farmers in Moriarty (although she didnt discover that until about a year ago). Mendenhall has been managing Four Moons Farms for eight years on about five acres of landshe works one acre at her home in Los Lunas and is leasing another four in Peralta. She sells her produce at growers markets in Albuquerque and Corrales. Crop variety is a trademark of Four Moons Farm, Mendenhall says. I grow just about anything that will grow here, she says, adding that she produced about 100 different types of crops last year. I like to be as diverse as I can. She says this crop diversity aids in pest management, but it also keeps her on her toes. I would get bored if I grew the same thing over and over. She says she could have up to 50 crops in one field. Mendenhall thinks shes most known for her spring brassicasbroccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and turnips, to name a few. Most farmers here dont grow these in the spring because insect pests are more of a challenge during this time of year, Mendenhall says. But then she laughs, I think maybe smart farmers avoid those things because they know better. One of Mendenhalls goals as a grower is to improve soil health through sustainable farming practices. Pesticides and year-round farming can contaminate and deplete soil, making farmers more dependent on the same chemicals and unsustainable practices. I want to build the soil instead of degrading it, she says. Molly Mendenhall This goal comes with plenty of challenges, but she says she tries her hardest by integrating a variety of techniques. She uses locally produced compost and cover crops, and rotates her crops instead of planting the same thing in the same spot year after year. Mendenhall adds that she grows a lot of legumes, which she says feed the soil as they grow and break down. Mendenhall says that she has prioritized eco-friendly practices over the years, but at times her methods dont go hand in hand with supporting herself financially. I started farming with this ideology of wanting to be self-sufficient and emissions free, she says, noting that she even used to do all her work by hand (i.e., no machinery). Although she still feels her initial goal was noble, she says its not super practical for those who have bills to pay. There is a balance to be struck there and thats really hard. Mendenhall loves her job for a slew of reasons. On a really basic level I like the work. I like to be productive. I like to be outside and be active. I feel really lucky to get to do all those things. She also says she loves New Mexicos growing community. Mendenhall describes her fellow community farmers as selfless people who want to see others succeed. And she adds that she loves interacting with her customers on market days. New Mexicos market community is unique, Mendenhall says, because of some special programs that help people on WIC and SNAP use their benefits. Double Up Food Bucks is a program that helps make market food more affordable for people on SNAP. Those enrolled in this program can use their financial assistance at twice the value when they shop at a farmers market. Mendenhall appreciates these types of programs because everyone eats, she says, and because they give access to quality food to a greater variety of community members. Mendenhalls been selling at the Albuquerque Downtown Growers Market and Corrales Growers Market for the past five years, but now shes starting to scale up her business. Shes currently part of the Agri-Cultura CSA and says shes recently started selling to some restaurants as well. This year, shes also hiring an employee for the first time. Mendenhall says shes looking forward to learning how to manage workers and teach them about agriculture without burning them out or taking advantage of them. I want people to have a good experience with me, she says. I want the people who work for me to be able to pay their bills. Dateline: Massachusetts A man allegedly complained that his image was being used in a tech magazine article that accused hipsters of looking alikeonly to find out that he wasn't the man in the photo. Last month MIT Technology Review published an article titled The hipster effect: Why anti-conformists always end up looking the same. The piece examines the work of mathematician Jonathan Touboul from Brandeis University in Massachusetts, who has developed a society model based on the tension between conformists, who imitate the majority of those around them, and anti- conformists hipsters who presumably do the opposite. According to Touboul's theoretical mathematical model, hipster groups will act in ways that are out of phase with society's trends, but will ironically find themselves in phase with other hipstersmeaning attempts to fight conformity produce their own kind of conformity. Accompanying the article was a stock photo of a man wearing a beanie and plaid shirt. Soon after the piece was published, the MIT journal's editor-in-chief, Gideon Lichfield, tweeted that the publication had received a furious email from a man who said he was the guy in the photo that ran with the story. The man was allegedly accusing the magazine of slandering him and using his image without permission. After further research the journal's team found that the image had been taken from stock image provider Getty Images. They contacted the company and discovered that the model in the photo was not the man who had complained. All of which just proves the story we ran, Lichfield tweeted. Hipsters look so much alike that they cant even tell themselves apart from each other. Dateline: Florida An insurance company hid a $10,000 prize in the fine print of its insurance policy to encourage people to read the fine print. The Tampa Bay Times reports St. Petersburg-based insurance company Squaremouth wanted to see just how many people were actually willing to read their entire insurance policya nearly 4,000-word document. Last month the company began inserting a section into the contract which reads: In an effort to highlight the importance of reviewing policy documents, we launched Pays to Read, a contest that rewards the individual who reads their policy information from start to finish. If you are reading this within the contest period and are the first to contact us, you may be awarded the Pays to Read contest Grand Prize of ten thousand dollars. The company planned to run the contest for a year. If no one claimed the prize, it would be donated to a charity. Squaremouth spokesperson Jenna Hummer said the company estimates that only one percent of its customers read their entire policy. But only hours after the contest began, high school teacher Donelan Andrews contacted the email address. She reportedly purchased a $400 travel insurance policy and had immediately read the contract. Its always been a passion of mine to be consumer aware, Andrews told reporters. And particularly not to be taken advantage of. I even read that HIPAA document they give you at the doctors office. Hummer said the contest took several years to execute. Dateline: Oregon A man who was trapped in a snow-laden car for five days said he survived by eating packets of taco sauce. Now Taco Bell is offering him a years worth of free food. According to KATU-2 in Portland, Jeremy Taylor and his dog Ally were exploring the Oregon wilderness when his SUV became stuck in snow. They attempted to hike to get help, but he said the snow was too deep. The man did not have a cell phone or emergency supplies, reports The Associated Press. All he had were three packets of Taco Bell fire sauce and a full tank of gas. He was able to turn the heater on during the coldest hours of the night and survived by staying close to his dog for warmth. The two drank melted snow and Taylor ate hot sauce. There is onions or jalapenos or something in there. There's something that you can chew on for a quick second. And whether or not it has any nutritional value at least in your mind, it's something. After five days of being stranded, rescuers found the two and freed them. Taylor initially declined requests for interviews from the press. His aunt told reporters that he was incredibly sorry and slightly embarrassed that so many people were out looking for him. Eventually he told his story in an interview with Good Morning America. After hearing about his story, Taco Bell offered Taylor free food at its restaurants for a year. Dateline: Israel Last month an Israeli spacecraft carrying a 30-million-page archive of human knowledge was launched in a mission to land on the moon. NBC News reports the Lunar Library is considered a civilization backup, carrying more than 200 gigabytes of data including the entire English-language version of Wikipedia, tens of thousands of fiction and nonfiction books and a guide to 5,000 languages. A time capsule carrying a collection of songs, childrens drawings and writings about Israeli culture and history was also included. All of the information is etched onto 25 stacked nickel disks. Each disk is 40 microns (about 1/600th of an inch) thick. The top disk carries tiny instructions explaining human linguistics and how to build a machine that can read the information. A microscope is required to read the instructions. To make certain the disks could survive the rigors of time, an especially durable material, called Nanofiche, was created by the Arch Foundation. The material can withstand sustained heat 10 times greater than what it will experience on the moon without suffering data damage, according to its creators. The disks are expected to remain intact for more than 10 million years. Water in Espanola Drinkable Again City and state officials say they failed to warn Espanola residents about high levels of a toxic substance detected in their drinking water last year. KOB4 reports a lab found dangerously high levels of nitrate in the city's water last November, but the results never made it to officials with the city or state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say nitrates are dangerous for pregnant women and infants and can cause birth defects. Espanola Mayor Javier Martinez told reporters that the city failed to follow up when it didn't receive the test results in November. The city's Public Works Director Steven Trujillo reportedly took responsibility for the mistake, but pointed out that following up on missing results has never been part of the protocol. Trujillo said the city tested the water in January and found safe nitrate levels. City officials will be giving free bottled water to residents who are pregnant or have children under 6 months old. The NM Environmental Department's Drinking Water Bureau and the city of Espanola have implemented weekly safeguards to prevent any similar incidents form happening in the future. Armed Guards at Rio Rancho Schools Armed security guards began patrolling Rio Rancho Public Schools campuses this week. According to KRQE the school board is placing 12 armed guards across the district. The security force will primarily rotate between high school campuses, but school officials say they will be deployed at other schools as well. The guards are reportedly volunteers with backgrounds in law enforcement and the military. The officers were required to pass a competency test and undergo medical and psychological screenings before they were accepted. A recently approved measure will allow them to carry firearms while on duty on campus. School officials say they will also be introducing additional security cameras, electronic doors and improved fencing to increase the safety of students. School resource officers who are part of the Rio Rancho Police Department will also continue to be seen in schools. The NYPD Hate Crime Unit is investigating anti-Semitic graffiti that was scrawled on a poster of Ruth Bader Ginsburg inside a Brooklyn subway station this week. The graffiti was spotted at the Nassau Avenue subway station in Greenpoint on Tuesday. Local Justine Souchack posted about it on Next Door, writing: "Hey all, I hate to post about this especially since there's been so much of this lately, but I came across this on a subway ad this morning," she said. "An MTA worker washed it up but is there somewhere I could report this? It breaks my heart to see so much hate crime like this especially in a neighborhood as great as Greenpoint." @ABC7NY @CBSNewYork @NY1 @BuzzFeedNews @nytimes @wpix This desecration of the RBG's face with anti-Semitic graffiti found in the NYC Subway system - the city of acceptance and diversity, supposedly. Chevi Friedman (@Chevi_F) March 13, 2019 someone wrote "die jew bitch" with a swastika over a Ruth Bader Ginsburg ad @ NYC subway https://t.co/Vb97UTLpEW Sara Pearl (@skenigsberg) March 13, 2019 An MTA spokesperson told Gothamist, "We have zero tolerance for hate and violence and this is a horrendous example that has no place anywhere. Immediately upon learning of this Tuesday afternoon we worked with NYPD and removed it the same day. Were cooperating fully with the NYPD and other authoritiesincluding sharing any available surveillance videoto assist them with their investigation." They were criticized on Twitter for their initial reaction, and added an update around noon on Wednesday to show they were taking the incident seriously: This is the city's response to someone writing "DIE JEW BITCH" over a photo of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. @NYCMayor any thoughts? https://t.co/8FDPvPf9qS marisa kabas (@MarisaKabas) March 13, 2019 Following up with an update: that offensive imagery was reported yesterday, and our crews removed it immediately after NYPD had collected evidence for its investigation. Again, we regret that our customers were exposed to this hate speech, and thank you for notifying us. ^JLP pic.twitter.com/KlZkERBD6k NYCT Subway (@NYCTSubway) March 13, 2019 The Hate Crime Task Force said in a statement that they are "currently on scene investigating ANTI-SEMITIC vandalism at the Nassau Ave station on the G line. Thank you to all community members for alerting the NYPD." Police added, "There is no room for hate in NYC." A spokesperson for Gov. Cuomo's office said in a statement, "For the second week in a row, a symbol of hate was discovered on a New York City subway platform. We will not stand by and allow hateful and discriminatory vandalism in New York. I have directed the New York State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to provide the NYPD with any resources needed to assist in the investigation." This incident comes a week after a straphanger spotted a disturbing chalk drawing of a noose at Ft. Hamilton subway station in Windsor Terrace/Kensington area. Hate crimes and hateful imagery like this have been on the rise around NYC in the last two yearsthat includes a dramatic surge in the amount of swastikas incidents, which skyrocketed 76 percent from 2016 to 2018. In February 2018, Val Orselli secured a long-sought meeting with one of the most important decision makers in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Yorkthe head of the church's real estate division. Orselli, a project director with Cooper Square Community Land Trust, a Lower East Side housing group that develops affordable housing for low-income New Yorkers, was interested in buying the Church of the Nativity, a church on Second Avenue in the East Village that had closed in 2015. In his eyes, it was a win-win proposition: Cooper Square Community Land Trust could expand its affordable housing portfolio and build roughly 123 units for low-income seniors and families, and in doing so would continue Nativitys storied legacy of serving poor immigrant communities in New York. The land trust proposed a price of $18.5 million. Of that amount, $5 million would be paid to the archdiocese upon closing. The remainder, which would use a combination of federal tax credits and state and local funding, would be paid in installments over a 20-year period. David Brown, the churchs director of real estate, told Orselli he would get back to him. Several months later, Orselli returned to Brown's office. In a show of support, representatives of city councilmembers Carlina Rivera and Margaret Chin, as well as the Manhattan regional representative from Governor Andrew Cuomos office, accompanied him. But Brown was unmoved. The offer was insufficient, he told them. Among the sticking points was the land trusts inability to pay upfront. He told me, A dollar today is worth more than a dollar tomorrow,' Orselli recalled. Orselli took the rejection as a sign that the church, a tax-exempt institution, was more interested in getting top dollar for its property, which has been estimated as being worth as much as $50 million. I was a bit naive, he said. Referring to the land trusts pitch to do something with the property that was aligned with papal doctrines, he added, They couldnt care less. Over the course of the last year and a half, Orselli, a veteran housing activist, and other community organizers have launched a public crusade to pressure the archdiocese to stop selling its decommissioned churches to private developers. Orselli acknowledged that the archdiocese has done good for the community by building affordable housing in the city over the years. But we feel that the church should be held to a higher standard than just doing good," he argued. "It also needs to avoid doing harm. Building luxury condominiums in a community of color that will result in the displacement of people is unjust. Accounting for all the parishes, schools and other properties that fall under its jurisdiction, the Archdiocese of New York City is believed to be Manhattans largest landowner. Amid the citys real estate boom, the Catholic Church has over the years become a powerful player in the industry, cashing in on the sale of its properties to luxury housing developers and even hiring a lobbying firm to influence East Midtowns rezoning, which unlocked an estimated 1.1 million square feet of air rights at St. Patricks Cathedral potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars. As part of his campaign, Orselli has reached out to elected officials, community leaders, former members of Nativity Church and those at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer on East 3rd Streetwhich Nativitys parish was merged into and whose parish council must vote on what do with the closed church. He has even set up a table on several Sundays outside Nativity and once at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, inviting parishioners to sign postcards in support of the land trusts bid to be sent to the archdiocese. Last year, community activists and parishioners joined together in a prayer gathering followed by a march to call on the Archdiocese to let Cooper Square Community Land Trust redevelop Nativity. They capped off the protest by singing, "This Land Is Your Land." An intern at NYU's Civic Engagement Initiatives and Urban Democracy Lab turned it into a film. Attendees sit during the The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in 2016. (Flickr/governorandrewcuomo) Last month, Community Board 3 passed a resolution urging the archdiocese to declare a one-year moratorium on the disposition of Catholic Church and other religiously-owned properties"; a town hall meeting on the issue is also planned for May. Originally sponsored by the Cooper Square Community Land Trust, CB3 and elected officials, including Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, have since added their names to the event. It was the latest sign of mounting political pressure on an influential religious institution whose annual white-tie charity dinners have long drawn politicians, business leaders, and New York's elite. The development machinations of Trinity Church, the Episcopal parish whose New York real estate assets are valued at $6 billion, are well-chronicled thanks to a 2013 lawsuit by parishioners that forced the church to make its financial records public. But unlike Trinity, the Catholic Church is not obligated to reveal its land holdings. At minimum, since 2012 there have been at least eight church sales or land leases totaling $145.7 million, according to research compiled for a New York University project. Of the eight properties, six either have been redeveloped as luxury residential or are slated for that purpose. The priciest of those deals was the 2016 sale of three Chelsea properties for $50.4 million, including the Church of St. Vincent de Paul on West 23rd Street, to a hotel developer. St. Vincents parish had spent years fighting the sale, but ultimately lost an appeal at the Vaticans highest court. There are indications that the church may be headed for an even bigger sell-off. In June 2017, the archdiocese announced on its website the deconsecration of 18 churches, a move that paves the way for them to sold. Two canon lawyers told the New York Times it was the largest number of deconsecrations they had witnessed in a single day. Rebecca Amato, the associate director of NYU's Civic Engagement Initiatives and Urban Democracy Lab, said her research suggests that the church has been acting like a private property developer, liquidating assets that are not performing wellin this case, churches with shrinking parishesand selling off its holdings at peak market prices. It is not clear why the church is looking to cash in, but according to Amato, speculation has focused on the church's payouts resulting from child sexual abuse lawsuits. Those costs should only increase given the February passage of the Child Victims Act, which allows prosecutors to bring criminal charges until a victim turns 28 and assault victims to file lawsuits until the age of 55. It also creates a one-year look-back window that allows survivors to revive cases where the statute of limitations has expired. For Amato, one of the problems from the dioceses rapid divestment in New York is that it winds up exacerbating gentrification by displacing the very people, many of them low-income Hispanics, who had been Catholic Church parishioners. In November, Amato traveled to Rome for an international conference sponsored by the Vatican about the closing of churches and the growing crises around them. During the conference, Amato and housing activists seized on a statement from Pawel Malecha, a Vatican official, who at one point said, that the canonical preference is to maintain possession [of church buildings] and only exceptionally reduce a buildingto profane use and only for grave reasons. The quote was later reported in a story published in the Catholic Worker, the newspaper formed by the Catholic Church movement focused on social justice and spearheaded by New York activist and journalist Dorothy Day, who worshiped at Nativity until her death in 1980. In a December story in America magazine, a publication of the Jesuits of the United States, Day's memory was invoked by activists who oppose the sale of the church for luxury redevelopment. Ultimately, according to church law, the decision to sell Nativity must first be voted on by the parish council of Holy Redeemer. Now, however, more than one church property is at stake. The diocese has said it would seek to develop 100,000 square feet of affordable housing at another East Village shuttered property, the Church of St. Emeric, at 740 East 13th Street. Orselli responded by securing a partner for the project, Jonathan Rose Companies, a prominent affordable housing developer. But rather than build 100,000 square feet of housing, Orselli has insisted that the church allocate the entire lot for 300,000 square feet of housing. Under the land trust, all of the apartments would be reserved for very low- to middle-income individuals. Rendering of Steiner East Village, a luxury condominium project that was built on the lot of Mary Help of Christians Church. According to Orselli, the diocese has not responded. Brown did not respond to a request for comment, instead referring questions to the archdioceses spokesperson, Joseph Zwilling. In an email, Zwilling said that the Church of St. Emeric and Nativity belong to their respective parishes. He added, The archdiocese does not own either church. However, we are working with the leadership of each of the two parishes, as they consider how to proceed with the possible use, rental, or sale of the property. In the story for America magazine, Zwilling defended the church's "historic, extensive, and ongoing commitment to providing high quality affordable housing," saying that the church manages nearly 2,300 units of affordable housing in New York City. According to Bernard Connaughton, a member of the parish council at Most Holy Redeemer who wrote the Catholic Worker story about the Vatican conference, feelings among parishioners are mixed. There are some people who want to sell at market rate, and some who prefer to let Cooper Square develop it, he said, adding, I can see both sides of this. Proceeds from a sale would be divided equally between the controlling parish and the archdiocese. But it is unclear how much Most Holy Redeemer would stand to gain from the sale. The church is required to pay back money it borrowed from the diocese, mostly for capital improvement expenses. Father Sean McGillicuddy, of Most Holy Redeemer, declined to comment, referring any questions to the diocese. Although officially, the decision to sell is up to the parish, the diocese has made its preference known to those at Most Holy Redeemer, telling parishioners who have a long history of working with the community, Youve done more than your share, Connaughton said. I dont think they are being selfish," said Connaughton. "I just think they think they can use that money other ways. I think they are doing what most people would do. But another parish council member, Joanne Kennedy, said she was bothered by the decision-making process, which she said has been neither transparent nor clear-cut. Unlike parish council members at bigger and deeper-pocketed churches, those at Most Holy Redeemer are not elected, and the council's meetings are informal. According to Kennedy, the parish was told that a church sale must be signed off by five individuals: two trustees of the church, the pastor, the archdioceses real estate executive, and Cardinal Timothy Dolan. But to date, no council vote has been scheduled. Kennedy said the church, whose parishioners include a large community of working-class Hispanics, has never before taken up such a momentous issue. Up until now, votes on the council ranged from how to handle a leaking roof to deciding when to hold the parish dance. Now we are facing a $50 million decision, Kennedy said. It feels false to make an informal process bear the brunt of such an important decision. She said she felt Nativity parishioners deserved a say, but many of those churchgoers have since scattered to other parishes. A lot is riding on the deal. Once the property is sold, the parish will no longer have a stake. Back in 2012, Mary Help of Christians, a church on East 12th Street and Avenue A, was sold for $41 million. After initially proposing an 158-unit rental building with 22 affordable units, the developer changed his mind and built luxury condominiums instead. At the time, units ranged from $1.1 million for a one-bedroom to $11.25 million for a penthouse. It is the very outcome Kennedy says she wants the church to avoid. Thats the irony, she said. Why is the church declining? Its because of the rising rent and what that does to families. UPDATE: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the Archdiocese had offered Cooper Square Community Land Trust to be the developer of the Church of St. Emeric site. Cooper Square Community Land Trust said the church has not made such an offer, and has not responded to their development proposal. Also, a reference to Mary Help of Christians misstated the church name and address. It is on East 12th Street and Avenue A. A cosmic bat in flight ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT has caught a glimpse of an ethereal nebula hidden away in the darkest corners of the constellation of Orion (The Hunter) -- NGC 1788, nicknamed the Cosmic Bat. This bat-shaped reflection nebula doesn't emit light -- instead it is illuminated by a cluster of young stars in its core, only dimly visible through the clouds of dust. Scientific instruments have come a long way since NGC 1788 was first described, and this image taken by the VLT is the most detailed portrait of this nebula ever taken. Even though this ghostly nebula in Orion appears to be isolated from other cosmic objects, astronomers believe that it was shaped by powerful [stellar winds] - from the massive stars beyond it. These streams of scorching plasma are thrown from a star's upper atmosphere at incredible speeds, shaping the clouds secluding the Cosmic Bat's nascent stars. NGC 1788 was first described by the German-British astronomer William Herschel, who included it in a catalogue that later served as the basis for one of the most significant collections of deep-sky objects, the New General Catalogue (NGC) [1]. A nice image of this small and dim nebula had already been captured by the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO's La Silla Observatory, but this newly observed scene leaves it in the proverbial dust. Frozen in flight, the minute details of this Cosmic Bat's dusty wings were imaged for the twentieth anniversary of one of ESO's most versatile instruments, the FOcal Reducer and low dispersion Spectrograph 2?(FORS2. FORS2 is an instrument mounted on Antu , one of the VLT's 8.2-metre Unit Telescopes at the Paranal Observatory, and its ability to image large areas of the sky in exceptional detail has made it a coveted member of ESO's fleet of cutting-edge scientific instruments. Since its first light 20 years ago, FORS2 has become known as "the Swiss army knife of instruments". This moniker originates from its uniquely broad set of functions [2]. FORS2's versatility extends beyond purely scientific uses -- its ability to capture beautiful high-quality images like this makes it a particularly useful tool for public outreach. This image was taken as part of ESO's Cosmic Gems programme, an outreach initiative that uses ESO telescopes to produce images of interesting, intriguing or visually attractive objects for the purposes of education and public outreach. The programme makes use of telescope time that cannot be used for science observations, and -- with the help of FORS2 -- produces breathtaking images of some of the most striking objects in the night sky, such as this intricate reflection nebula. In case the data collected could be useful for future scientific purposes, these observations are saved and made available to astronomers through the ESO Science Archive ). ### Notes [1] In 1864 John Herschel published the General Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters, which built on extensive catalogues and contained entries for more than five thousand intriguing deep-sky objects. Twenty-four years later, this catalogue was expanded by John Louis Emil Dreyer and published as the New General Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars (NGC), a comprehensive collection of stunning deep-sky objects. [2] In addition to being able to image large areas of the sky with precision, FORS2 can also measure the spectra of multiple objects in the night sky and analyse the polarisation of their light. Data from FORS2 are the basis of over 100 scientific studies published every year. More information ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory by far. It has 16 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, along with the host state of Chile and with Australia as a Strategic Partner. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope and its world-leading Very Large Telescope Interferometer as well as two survey telescopes, VISTA working in the infrared and the visible-light VLT Survey Telescope. Also at Paranal ESO will host and operate the Cherenkov Telescope Array South, the world's largest and most sensitive gamma-ray observatory. ESO is also a major partner in two facilities on Chajnantor, APEX and ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, close to Paranal, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope, the ELT, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky". Links * NGC 1788 observed by the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope - https:/ / www. eso. org/ public/ usa/ images/ eso1009a/ * ESO's Cosmic Gems programme - https:/ / www. eso. org/ public/ outreach/ gems/ * Images of the VLT - https:/ / www. eso. org/ public/ images/ archive/ search/ ?adv= &subject_name= Very%20Large%20Telescope Contacts Calum Turner ESO Public Information Officer Garching bei Munchen, Germany Tel: +49 89 3200 6670 Email: pio@eso.org This story has been published on: 2019-03-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Since he was first elected mayor in 2013, Bill de Blasio has struggled to win friends in Albany. Not all of it has been his fault. Republicans in the State Senate saw in de Blasio a recalcitrant urban liberal. Governor Andrew Cuomo perceived, for a time at least, a threat. A function of this dynamic has been the citys massive school system devolving into a bargaining chip. De Blasios control of the schools seems perpetually under threat: In return for granting the mayor continued power over local education, state lawmakers have regularly demanded various concessions. For the first time in de Blasios mayoralty, Democrats now control the State Senate, and this has fueled hopes in City Hall that the haggling over mayoral control of public schools will be less contentious. Many of the Democrats represent New York City. They are not obsessed, like their Republican colleagues, with perpetually increasing the number of charter schools or carving out special exemptions for them, like free rent in public buildings. But Democrats are also asking harder questions of an arrangement that has existed since Mayor Michael Bloomberg first seized control of city schools in 2002, when he argued that the old Board of Education, rife with patronage and lacking for funds, had failed city schoolchildren. Republicans were mostly interested in embarrassing the mayor and changing the power dynamic, said David Bloomfield, a professor and education expert at Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate Center. Community-centric Democratic legislators may be more involved in changing the details of mayoral control than Republicans ever were. The process will begin on Friday when Senate Democrats hold a hearing on the future of mayoral control. This year, Senate leadership created a new committee dedicated specifically to New York City education, appointing John Liu of Queens as its chair. Liu is a former city councilmember, city comptroller, and one-time mayoral challenger of de Blasio who is expected to bring scrutiny to a school system he knows very well. No one in state government is considering not renewing mayoral control at all, as Republicans threatened in the past, before granting de Blasio single-year extensions in 2015 and 2016 and a two-year extension in 2017. (By contrast, under Bloomberg Senate Republicans who benefited from the billionaire mayors generous campaign donations extended mayoral control for as many as seven years and asked few questions.) Cuomo and Democrats in the legislature have pitched a three-year extension, which would outlast de Blasios time in office. Its possible the extension could be hammered out in this years state budget, due on April 1st. Rather, lawmakers and education advocates have zeroed in on a few key issues, including parental involvement, school discipline, and the concentration of power in the DOE. Parents need to feel their voices are being heard. My sense is theres a strong sentiment that many parents are not being heard, said Liu, who stressed repeatedly he wanted to listen to education stakeholders and not color anyones views with his own opinions. John Liu on the campaign trail in Whitestone, Queens in 2018 (Scott Heins / Gothamist) Unlike much of the rest of New York state, since 2002 the citys schools have not had elected school boards. They are instead consolidated under the auspices of the mayor, who appoints the schools chancellor and sets policy through the Department of Education. Before Bloomberg instituted mayoral control, the Board of Education ran the schools in concert with local elected school boards, with relatively little influence from the mayor. Because of the nature of mayoral control, the City Council has very little oversight over the DOE: As Bloomfield explained, the law as written views the citys education department as a single school district under the aegis of the state education department, which, in turn, grants the mayor the right to appoint a chancellor and set a budget. That means councilmembers cant pass laws governing education policy like they can for transportation or the police. Some local education advocates have criticized this City Hall-centric arrangement, with policies set chiefly by the mayor and education officials he appoints. The Panel for Education Policy, the 13-person body that approves many of the most significant spending and policy decisions at DOE, is dominated by the mayor: de Blasio appoints eight members and the five borough presidents each appoint one. Senate and Assembly Democrats plan to at least entertain the possibility of changing the make-up of the PEP by shrinking the number of mayoral appointees. I want to go into the process with as open a mind as I can, said Bronx Assemblymember Michael Benedetto, the new chair of the Education Committee in the lower chamber. Leonie Haimson, an education advocate and founder of Class Size Matters, a nonprofit that fights for smaller class sizes and more parental involvement in education, is a longtime critic of mayoral control. She is hoping state lawmakers take up the cause of municipal control, which would maintain the Department of Education while giving new oversight powers to the City Council. The DOE is not like any city agency, she said. We do need input from the City Council to provide checks and balances. Theres very little transparency. The Education Council Consortium, a group of parents and educators who serve on local Community Education Councilseducation policy advisory bodies with little formal power are likewise fighting for increased local involvement in education decisions. The ECC recently issued a resolution demanding a list of changes to the governance structure of mayoral control. The ECC wants to shrink mayoral appointments to the PEP so they are a minority, not majority, of the 13-member body, and wants a majority of those serving be parents with children in public schools. The ECC is also calling for the empowerment of local CECs so these panels can play a role in deciding co-location of schools, the selection of superintendents, and the closure of underperforming schools. Liu said he wanted more oversight of DOE when he served on the City Council, but was circumspect on whether he would put his full weight behind a municipal control push in Albany. In the Assembly, some Democrats, particularly in the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus, are reportedly dissatisfied with de Blasios stewardship with the schools and are seeking some changes to how mayoral control operates, though the criticism remains vague. One issue that may divide Democrats, especially the more left-leaning members of the Senate, is school discipline. Under de Blasio, school suspensions have plummeted, a trend cheered by progressives who point to the overwhelming number of students of color who are targeted for suspensions. Michael Mulgrew, the president of the United Federation of Teachers, has called the de Blasio administrations approachwhich prioritizes counseling and warnings over suspensionsbroken. State Senator Diane Savino, a Staten Island Democrat, and Liu recently told the New York Post they share Mulgrews concerns. But speaking with Gothamist, Liu stressed he wanted to strike a balance between teacher safety and creating police states in public schools. I want teachers, students and staff to feel safe and secure in our public schools, Liu said. I think that can be achieved without turning our schools into police states and taking measures that are penalizing and criminalizing kids in schools. However Democrats end up tinkering with mayoral control, it's becoming apparent the de Blasio administration won't breeze through the next month. Where Republicans north of the city merely saw a foil they could bully on behalf of the charter sector, Democrats in both the Senate and Assembly are paying much closer attention to how City Hall operates a school system bigger than most American cities. Frank Cali, the Gambino crime family's reputed leader, was killed outside of his Staten Island home on Wednesday night. A witness told the Daily News, "There were like six shots, and then there were three more. The man was on the ground face-up. His head was by his SUV, and the truck was open." Another neighbor thought the shots were just "fireworks."No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. Cali, 53, was apparently shot around 9:15 p.m. on the street in front of 25 Hilltop Terrace. "[H]e was ambushed by a driver in a blue pick-up truck. He was shot six times before being run over," according to PIX 11. Cali was taken to Staten Island University North hospital, where he was pronounced dead. NEW: Frank Cali was shot to death outside his SUV. Evidence markers dotting Hilltop Terrace outside the Gambino crime boss's home. @pix11news pic.twitter.com/RnrVmnj0FM Anthony DiLorenzo (@ADiLorenzoTV) March 14, 2019 The Gambinos are one of the original "Five Families" of organized crime in New York City (the others are the Bonanno, Colombo, Lucchese, and Genovese). However, their power has declined after federal prosecutions, led by Rudy Giuliani in the 1980s. According to PIX 11, "Cali had been considered a unifying figure in the crime family, in the years after John Gotti was convicted and sent to prison by cooperating mob witnesses." The Staten Island Advance has more details about Cali's standing: According to a 2008 Advance report, Cali -- who also went by Franky Boy, -- was born in Brooklyn and married into the Inzerillo family of Palermo and cultivated close ties with members of the Siderno cartel in Italy. In January 1997, an FBI agent reportedly notified Italian police of Calis distinctive standing as a member of crime families on both sides of the ocean, after he was combined into the Gambino family. Two years later, reputed Gambino soldier Frank Fappiano of Tottenville was nabbed by the feds, then gave up Calis name as a wiseguy, an Italian media outlet reported at the time. Cali was ultimately caught up in a massive mob bust nearly a decade later. Cali was charged in a massive 80-count racketeering indictment involving 62 alleged mob bosses, underlings and associates of the Gambino, Bonanno and Genovese crime families. Cali was eventually convicted of extortion in 2008, related to a plan to bring NASCAR to Staten Island. Notably, alleged acting Bonanno crime family boss John Cammarano Jr. was acquitted of racketeering on Wednesday after claiming ethnic profiling. The Post reports that Cali is the first mob boss to be killed in NYC "since a fresh-faced John Gotti ordered the murder of then-Gambino boss Paul Castellano in 1985 at Sparks steakhouse in Midtown. 'Even Gotti had more respect,' one police source told The Post. 'He did it out in Manhattan.'" Listen to WNYC's Richard Hake talk with NY Daily News reporter Larry McShane about Cali's murder: Last November, Kaji Dousa, the senior pastor at Park Avenue Christian Church, traveled to Tijuana to meet with and assist members of the migrant caravan, thousands of people who had traveled from Central America to the United States southern border with the intention of claiming asylum. Dousa was part of the Sanctuary Caravan," a project that connected faith leaders with asylum-seekers in an effort to help guide them through the asylum process. Dousa knew her work would be at odds with the Trump administrations zero tolerance approach to border crossers, as well as its continuing harassment of people intending to apply for asylum. But she never imagined that she would be placed on a secret government list that made her the subject of a lengthy interrogation, as well as flags on her travel documents that could limit her travel outside the U.S. Last Wednesday, NBC News in San Diego revealed that it had obtained a secret document containing the names of 59 individuals that U.S. Customs and Border Protection had targeted as part of Operation Secure Line, a "national security investigation" launched by the Trump administration in the run-up to the 2018 midterm elections. According to the document, these individuals were suspected organizers, coordinators, instigators and media that CBP was interested in interrogating to determine who was behind the thousands of asylum-seekers that had made their way to the southern border. After seeing initial reports about the list, Dousa called Nicole Ramos, a Tijuana lawyer with whom Dousas group had closely worked. Ramos had been on the list and had her travel to and from Mexico limited. Dousa had originally planned on calling to express her outrage that Ramos had been placed on a watch list by her own government. When she got through to her, however, she received unexpected news. She told me that she was appreciative of my support and devastated by all this, but wanted me to know that I was probably on there, too, Dousa told Gothamist. Dousa had quickly scanned the list (NBC San Diego had redacted the names and blurred the photos of those people they did not obtain consent from) and saw a photo she thought might be her, but her haircut didnt quite match. She quickly called emailed the NBC journalists in San Diego, and within what felt like two seconds, she said, they emailed her back and confirmed it, sending her the unredacted photo with a yellow X across her face. Entry of Dousa on the CBP's database of lawyers, journalists, and organizers. (Courtesy Kaji Dousa) The X signified that she had already been interviewed, and that some action had been taken to limit her travel. While Dousa had passed through the port of entry multiple times between November and December, she was only stopped and interrogated by CBP once, during her final time crossing the border on January 2nd. During that crossing Dousa was interrogated for ninety minutes, and for much of that time she was denied a phone call to let her husband and daughter, who were on the other side of the border, know where she was and what was happening. I had a friendly conversation with the CBP agent who received my global entry card, which, again, means Ive passed a certain level of scrutiny, right? said Dousa. Background checks and so forth with the U.S. government. Eventually he said he saw that my photo had crosshairs over my face and told me I had to go to this room. Dousa continued, I kept asking them, Why am I here? Can you give me any information? and they kept saying no. They were very, very rude to me. ... They pretended I wasnt even there. Initially, Dousa said, the CBP agent asked questions that seemed very simple and easy to answer. In hindsight, however, she decided he was trying to establish whether she would lie or not, because it appeared that the agent had the answers right in front of him. Soon, another agent began interrogating her about who she was working with in Mexico, to whom she spoke, and what groups she was associated with. Dousa said she didnt give very direct answers, and soon turned the tables on the agent. I said to him, Listen, I dont think the policies you enforce are just and Im trying to help you get sleep at night, Dousa recalled. I told him, I realize that most of you have been here long enough that you didnt sign up for what youre being asked to do right now. The CBP agents continued to press Dousa and asked why she was working with the caravan, which she denied doing. Instead, she told them that she was working with individuals who have very valid asylum claims, who were trying to cross into the country, which is their legal right. Dousa has not tried to cross back into Mexico since her interrogation. According to the documents, her Global Entry pass for expedited crossings, which on the border is referred to as a SENTRI pass, has been revoked, and an alert has been placed on her passport. These alerts have also been placed on the passports of other journalists and immigration attorneys, and been used to bar them from entry to Mexico by Mexican authorities. Though passports are issued by the State Department, SENTRI revocations are handled by CBP, which has a policy of not addressing specific reasons why a SENTRI would be revoked for an individual. Dousa, who told Gothamist in November that she had been inspired by Christs time as a refugee to go help at the border, remains unfazed by the surveillance she and her group have come under, both at the border and in New York City. Last week, emails revealing ICE agents closely following the communications and actions of the New Sanctuary Coalition (which launched the Sanctuary Caravan) were published by the Nation. In the past, ICE has been seen closely surveilling the groups headquarters at Judson Church. Seeing the evidence right now was both affirming in the sense that we had suspected things, but also crushing in that the government should be on my side. Im trying to protect what so many of the people who work for the government signed up for, Dousa told Gothamist. They need us to be the moral voice that says, No, you should be able to think what you think and say what you believe. I dont even have that right anymore. I possibly cant even travel outside of the country. In the first four years after Mayor Bill de Blasio took office, the number of New Yorkers stopped and frisked by police continued the dramatic decline that began the year before, when a federal judge found the practice to be racially discriminatory and ordered police reforms. But an analysis by the New York Civil Liberties Union, examining police data from 2014 to 2017, shows that even as the number of stops has dropped, extreme racial disparities continued and, in some cases, worsened. Of those people stopped citywide over the four-year period, 81 percent were black or Latino. Racial disproportionality existed in both high-crime and low-crime precincts; it occurred in neighborhoods with a majority of black and Latino residents and also, in some cases, neighborhoods that were mostly white. The numbers showed that a large majority of the time police stopped people who were not engaging in unlawful activity, given that officers neither made an arrest nor issued a summons following the stop. The significant drop in the number of stops is progress to be recognized and celebrated, said Donna Lieberman, executive director of the NYCLU. But she found the racial data troubling. The fact remains that since 2011 we have not made any progress on addressing racial disparities, said Lieberman. They persist, and that is shocking. Here are other notable findings from the data analysis: Over four years starting in 2014, police reported 92,383 stops. The combined four-year total marks a more than 86 percent decrease from stops reported in 2011 alone. Sixty-six percent of reported stops led to frisks, an act by police officers that requires additional justification, such as the officer having reason to believe the person has a weapon. But in 93 percent of these frisk incidents, no weapon was recovered. Seventy-nine percent of people stopped were neither arrested nor issued a summons. Of this group, 64 percent were frisked and 24 percent had force used against them, such as being handcuffed, as recorded on the officers stop report. Young black and Latino males, ranging in age from 14 to 24, make up 5 percent of the citys population but accounted for 38 percent of stops. These young men and boys were neither arrested nor issued a summons 80 percent of the time. The 17th precinct, which covers the East Side of Manhattan, has the lowest percentage of black and Latino residents in the city. But 74 percent of people stopped over the four-year period were black and Latino. The 44th precinct in the Bronx, which includes the area near Yankee Stadium, had the highest frisk ratewith 86 percent of stops also including frisks. The numbers analyzed by the NYCLU, which were provided by the police department, may not even accurately reflect all stops. An independent monitor of the police department, Peter Zimroth, issued a report earlier this year outlining a persistent problem of underreporting of stops and the failure of supervisors to deal with that underreporting. Phillip Walzak, a deputy commissioner at the NYPD, said the department is enhancing its auditing of stop and frisk reports to ensure accurate reporting. He also said the NYPD has implemented a new training effortnow in progressto give officers and their supervisors training on the departments stop and frisk policy. (You can refer to page 148 of the NYPD patrol guide for the departments stop and frisk guidance to officers.) "The NYPD has overwhelmingly reduced the use of stop-question-and-frisk, going from a high of 688,000 in 2011 to just 12,000 reported stops in 2018, said Walzak. This decrease reflects the deliberate shift in NYPD strategic focus over the past several years to precise, surgical targeting of crime and criminals. The result is fewer stops, and fewer arrests and summonsesall while continuing to drive crime to record low levels. Lieberman acknowledged that improving trust between the police department and communities has been a goal for both Mayor de Blasio and of Police Commissioner James ONeill. But she said efforts to address racial disparities in policing have not been sufficient. She added that, in addition to improving stop and frisk practices, more aggressive efforts must be made to end racial disproportionality in targeting low-level crime, such as turnstile jumping or smoking marijuana. This article has been corrected to reflect that the 17th Precinct cover the East Side of Manhattan, and not the Lower East Side. Yasmeen Khan is a reporter covering crime and policing at WNYC. You can follow her on Twitter @yasmeenkhan. New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Cloudy skies this evening followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight. Low 62F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Cloudy skies this evening followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight. Low 62F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. SeeHerWork(NEW YORK) -- One woman who worked in the oil and gas industry for 15 years found a common issue among women in similar fields: there is no protective clothing that helps women "fit in" in industrial careers. Jane Henry's solution was to create SeeHerWork, an inclusive clothing line designed for women in fields such as construction and engineering, helping them to feel more confident and safe at work. The "aha moment" With the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, which hit her home in Houston in 2017, Henry and her family were forced to rebuild everything. The Division I Collegiate athlete's mindset was trained "to think about safety first" with her sledgehammer in hand and three feet of mud to work through in her house. "The breaking moment was when I went to go throw a board into the dumpster," Henry told GMA. "My unisex gloves go flying with it, and the board comes back and slams my hand against the dumpster wall." Henry called this her "aha moment," especially considering she normally wears a women's large in gloves, so the fact that the unisex gloves did not fit spoke volumes. "You can't perform at that level if your clothing and equipment don't fit," Henry said. She realized that if this clothing was not available for women working in hard labor like her, she would create a company that would. SeeHerWork would be a line that would sell personal protective clothing (PPC) and personal protective equipment (PPE). No more "pink it and shrink it" According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), PPE and PPC, such as boots, gloves, pants, helmets and other items, "should be based on female measurements." Henry conducted focus groups with women in careers that focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) that are physical in nature. She realized that the PPE that was available was a prominent issue. Women handling chemicals in their jobs, for instance, were at risk of exposing themselves to harmful substances because of the way their clothing was designed. "They'll say things to me like, 'Well, I just didn't fit,'" Henry shared. "When I hear that and then I correlate it to their work wear. The men would even say they didn't look like they fit." Another response she said she often received was, "'We are tired of this 'pink it and shrink it.' We want work wear that fits.'" Women were represented in a smaller margin of employment in STEM occupations, according to a 2016 chart by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Women hold about 14 percent of architecture and engineering jobs, and just 9 percent of construction jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. "SeeHerWork's mission is about saving lives and attracting and retaining in these very lucrative, equal-pay careers that go with massive labor shortages every year," Henry said. The company sells products such as leather gloves, high visibility long-sleeved shirts, vests, backpacks, safety glasses and undergarments such as bras. This inclusive line also provides items for men, who also range in size. "You're already trying to prove yourself as a female in a male-dominated career," Vivi Rodriguez, a firefighter and paramedic, told GMA. "And it's really hard when what you're complaining about is that your pants don't fit or your gloves don't fit." Rodriguez said that when she wears clothing from SeeHerWork, she doesn't have to worry about "a glove falling off during overhaul or my clothing being see-through because I'm sweating." "I'm able to focus on the job that I'm trying to do." Paving the way for the next generation Some encouraging words other women gave Henry within these focus groups were: "'We cannot wait for this gear to come out so we can perform," she said they have told her. "We can pull up the next level, the next generation that's going to come in behind us.'" Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Presidente @MartinVizcarraC : Los alcaldes y gobernadores deben demostrar que estan comprometidos con el desarrollo de su region, articulando esfuerzos y planteando objetivos claros para generar el desarrollo que necesitan sus ciudadanos. pic.twitter.com/fB9u2WO9qz Presidente @MartinVizcarraC: Esta semana, un 96% de estudiantes empezaron sus labores escolares en todo el pais. Como Estado apoyaremos a ese pequeno porcentaje que aun no lo hace para que puedan empezar sus clases y nadie quede rezagado. pic.twitter.com/bp6NMCsKUQ According to the Head of State, the officials showed enthusiasm, commitment, and willingness during the first cabinet meeting. "The Executive Branch now aims for the future with works that generate progress and development . On the base of the first year, we will build progress and development for all Peruvians . This is like a building that must have good foundations," he expressed. Sophie Lyons Goes to the Fair A noted woman outlaw in Ann Arbor by Shayne Davidson From the March, 2019 issue We have in jail again one of whom perhaps a few here and in Detroit and Jackson have heard. Her name is Sophie Lyons, and she has been returned from the Work house for a new trial. She has already cost the county a large sum of money in the two trials she has had and the case may be taken to another court or perhaps not again prosecuted here. However it is to be hoped that no pains or money will be spared in giving this noted outlaw her just deserts. It would not be a bad reputation for Washtenaw County that it was a hard one for criminals. --Ann Arbor Courier, July 13, 1883 --- She's been forgotten now, but for years the name Sophie Lyons raised the hackles of policemen throughout the world. She was particularly unpopular in southeastern Michigan. She had an interesting history in Ann Arbor, where she was tried three times for pickpocketing a watch and chain at the Washtenaw County Fair in 1881. The fair, held in October on former farmland in what is now the north Burns Park neighborhood, gave farmers a place to display their harvest bounty and compete for cash prizes. "There were ninety entries of poultry, about sixty of sheep, 165 of fruit and sixty-five of grain and seeds," the Detroit Free Press reported. Oxen, swine, horses, "fat cattle" and steer were also on display, along with flowers, butter, cheeses, and sweetmeats. There was a hot air "balloon ascension," and purses of between $40 and $150 were offered in a variety of horse races. There was even a competition for the prettiest baby. (The infant of Mrs. George Moore of Fourth Ave. won.) The atmosphere was festive despite the cold, rainy weather that dogged the fair during its first two days. On the third day the weather improved, and the crowds swelled. Harriet Cornwell, the elderly wife of a wealthy Ypsilanti paper mill owner, attended the fair that Thursday. ...continued below... Cornwell was in the Floral Hall when a lady wearing a broad-brimmed hat with a veil stopped and asked her if she'd dropped her handkerchief. Cornwell wasn't sure, but after checking she discovered that she had. The woman offered to find it for her. Cornwell wasn't in good health, and she gladly accepted the kind offer. The woman asked bystanders to move back so she could find the hanky. After she located it and handed it to Cornwell, she left so quickly she seemed to have vanished into thin air. Cornwell didn't even get a chance to thank the veiled stranger for her kindness.It wasn't until after she got back home that Cornwell noticed her gold watch and chain were missing. She thought the watch and chain might have been stolen at the fair, so she reported it to the police. She didn't associate the loss with the woman who'd retrieved her handkerchief.---Meanwhile, superintendent Andrew Rogers of the Detroit police was busy seizing packages mailed to the home of Sophie Lyons at Fort and Twenty-third streets. Lyons had been a thorn in Rogers' side since 1877, when she was jailed for shoplifting.Born Sophie Elkin on Christmas Eve 1847, she was taught to pickpocket and shoplift as a child by her parents, who were part of New York City's criminal underworld. By the age of twelve she was in prison for burglary at the New York House of Refuge on Randall's Island. After her release from that institution she worked for Fredericka "Marm" Mandelbaum, an infamous fence. By the age of eighteen she was married to her second husband, Ned Lyons. Like all four of her "official" husbands, Lyons was also a criminal.Lyons moved to Detroit in the late 1870s, partly because of its proximity to Canada--she was able to flee there when things got unpleasant for her at home. Despite the best efforts of the police, Lyons, who had an escape from Sing Sing Prison under her belt, managed to engage in persistent criminal activity in Michigan.In 1881, she attempted to blackmail George Hendrie, the owner of the Detroit City Railway. Claiming Hendrie had been her lover and had fathered a child with her, she demanded "reparations" and threatened to go public if he didn't pay. Hendrie stubbornly refused. Lyons then tried to shoot Hendrie at his Detroit office. Fortunately she was a bad shot, and the bullet missed its target. She was charged with "shooting with intent to kill."Lyons had also accused several other wealthy Michigan men of the same thing and tried to blackmail them too, but Hendrie was the only one she'd tried to shoot. After her trial for the shooting was over, her lawyers successfully requested that the results be suppressed, but since she didn't go to prison, she must not have been convicted. Lyons always hired the best attorneys and had the money to pay them well.Rogers suspected that Lyons was also pickpocketing and shoplifting on his turf. But she was so clever that it was difficult to find any evidence against her, so he resorted to an unusual tactic. He hired a poor Detroit widow, Theresa Lewis, who was desperate for cash, to ingratiate herself with Lyons in order to gather evidence against her. Lewis became a confidential informant for Rogers.In the summer of 1881, Lewis went to Lyons' house and asked to read the Bible with her. Sophie wanted nothing to do with the Bible, but she offered to let Lewis stay as a tenant.Lewis moved in and began to spy on Lyons and report back to Rogers. She told Rogers that Lyons' housekeeper, Sarah Brew, received many packages containing stolen goods, sent to her from out of town by a "Sarah Smith" who was really Lyons. Lewis kept some of the wrappings from the packages and gave them to the police.Rogers then instructed one of his officers to intercept packages addressed to Brew at the post office. The officer seized packages sent from Cleveland that contained watches and jewelry. Lyons had told friends that she'd been in Cleveland in September to attend President Garfield's funeral.Another intercepted package was mailed from Ann Arbor. It contained Harriet Cornwell's gold watch and chain.---Lyons was charged with "larceny from the person" for the theft of Cornwell's valuables. She was placed on trial at the Washtenaw County courthouse.In order to get a conviction, prosecutors had to prove Lyons was at the fair in Ann Arbor on the day the watch and chain were stolen. This was difficult, because she wore a hat and veil wherever she went, including in the courtroom during her trials. Some witnesses were certain they had seen her in Ann Arbor. Others weren't so sure. Her attorney found several witnesses who knew her, and they testified with confidence that she'd been in Detroit the day the watch was stolen.According to the prosecutor, when the judge ordered Lyons to show her face to a witness, she "sprang like a panther, tore her wrappings from her head and face and rushed to the witness, thrusting her face close up" to the witness's face. She kept her back to the courtroom and immediately replaced the hat and veil after the witness got a look at her.Lyons was volatile in court--at times she cried, asking who would care for her five children if she went to prison. Other times she threatened violence against prosecution witnesses. She had a sharp tongue and seemed to enjoy using it.Lyons's trial attracted large crowds. Many attended hoping to hear her fling insults at Lewis, who had also been a witness against her at an earlier trial in Detroit. In that trial, Lyons had accused Lewis of stealing things from her home--so persuasively that Lewis herself was charged with theft. (She was acquitted.)In court in Ann Arbor, Lyons and Lewis even physically fought. At one point the judge ordered the two women to stand next to each other in order to compare their height. Lyons took the opportunity to bash into Lewis, sending her flying across the courtroom.The prosecution prevailed, and in March 1882 Lyons was convicted of stealing Cornwell's watch and chain. She was sent to the Detroit House of Correction--only to be released seven months later, when the Michigan Supreme Court reversed her conviction. She was tried again in Ann Arbor and convicted a second time in February 1883. She was sent to "DeHoCo" again--only to be released again when the Supreme Court overturned her second conviction that July.Her money exhausted and her health poor after two incarcerations, Lyons begged the judge to drop the charges, but he refused. Her final trial in Ann Arbor was held in March 1884. This time, she was found not guilty.Lyons had finally and definitively escaped conviction for the theft of Cornwell's valuables. However, her legal troubles weren't over yet.---She was immediately returned to Detroit, where she was held on charges related to pickpocketing in Cleveland. Lewis was also an important witness in that case--but by then, she was suffering from cancer.Lyons's lawyers got so many postponements that she still hadn't gone on trial when Lewis died in May 1886. The charges were then dropped. Lyons left Detroit and headed to other cities where she was less well known.That same year, Thomas Byrnes, the chief of detectives at the New York City Police Department, publishedIn it, Byrnes described the 204 criminals he considered to be the most dangerous individuals in America.Lyons was one of only eighteen women to make the cut. Byrnes noted in her bio that she had been recently "convicted at Ann Harbor, Michigan," but his information was already out of date.According to theand other newspapers, Lyons spent the next fifteen years shoplifting, pickpocketing, robbing banks, and blackmailing people all over the Midwest and East Coast and in Europe, but ultimately she returned to her home in Detroit. By the early twentieth century Lyons claimed she'd reformed and even published a memoir, titledThough she had given up crime, her by-then substantial fortune came partly from her earlier criminal activities. The irony of her book's title was presumably deliberate.If Lyons ever made another visit to Ann Arbor after 1884, she kept it quiet. No doubt she wanted to avoid the town where she was put on trial three times for the same crime--it was a record for her, and not one she would have bragged about. She died in 1924 at Grace Hospital after collapsing of a stroke in her home. Her cremated remains were buried next to those of her favorite child, Carleton Mason, at Detroit's Woodmere Cemetery. [Originally published in March, 2019.] Our struggle is to bring social, political, and economic justice to our nation. This is an effort of the Chicano/Mexican American Digital History Project. https://sites.google.com/site/chicanodigital/ YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. The ministry of emergency situations informs that on March 14, as of 09:00, roads are mainly passable in Armenia, reports Armenpress. The ministry says that Sotk-Karvachar highway is partly covered with clear ice. Drivers are urged to use snow tires. The Georgian authorities inform that the Stepantsminda-Lars highway is closed for all types of vehicles. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Regional Bureau for Europe invited the first high level Conference of the Asylum Systems Quality Initiative in the Eastern Europe and South Caucuses (QIEE), held in Geneva, Switzerland. Government of Armenia have been actively engaged in QIEE since 2013. Over these years, the project led to substantial achievements in the quality of asylum procedures in Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Moldova. UNHCR stands ready to continue to support the governments on working towards solutions to challenges in this sphere. During the conference, Armen Ghazaryan talked about the defense of the national security in the context of not violating the refugee defense system. Particularly, the head of the Migration Service highlighted that in this field it is of infrequent importance to apply not only the legal approach but also the political one. I want to highlight the characteristics of the national security and also mention that we continue the cooperation with the National Security Service trying to balance the national security and the defense of the refugees, mentioned Armen Ghazaryan. The head of the Migration Service indicated that there are problems in this field, such as the refugee institute is used to avoid the punishment of the committed crime. This institute is also used for the purposes of desertion and terrorism. The special territorial and political situation of the Republic of Armenia assumes serious challenges in this regard, mentioned Armen Ghazaryan. During the conference it was suggested to create united information platform and an effective institute, which will balance the solutions to those problems. In his speech the head of the Migration Service of Armenia indicated that the Refugee Convention was adopted in 1951 and the time has come to make some reforms according to the modern challenges. We should aim not to let the defense of the refugees be exploited and transformed to the trade for shelter. We should refresh the Convention, so that it considers the current dangerous risks in the world, concluded his speech Armen Ghazaryan. The conference was followed by a working lunch with participation of Volker Turk the Assistant High Commissioner for Protection. YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenian aviation authorities have banned Boeing B-737-MAX 8 and Boeing B-737-MAX 9 aircraft from its entering its airspace. Taking into account the safety notice issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency, as well as the NOTAMs banning the Boeing B-737-MAX 8 and Boeing B-737-MAX 9 aircraft from Turkish and Georgian airspace, the Armenian Civil Aviation Committee, upon studying the situation, and considering flight safety a priority, has decided to ban the operations of B-737-MAX 8 and Boeing B-737-MAX 9 aircraft in Armenian airspace from March 13th to April 13th, the committee said in a news release. Many countries have banned the aircraft from entering its airspace until further notice as safety concerns continue to mount following two deadly crashes. The move comes after the recent Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed all 157 people on board. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Ministers of the industrial sector of Eurasian Economic Union member states have held a session on March 13 in Moscow, with delegations of the Eurasian Economic Commission and governments from all member states in attendance. Armenias delegation was led by Minister of Economic Development and Investments Tigran Khachatryan, the ministry reported. Issues related to import substitution in priority economic sectors were discussed. In this context, Russias Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov expressed his countrys readiness to study concrete proposals of EEU countries. The possible participation of member states in Russias state information system in the processed industry sector was discussed, and prospects of creating a single industrial policy in the EEU were also addressed. The participants exchanges ideas over the possibilities for creating a single Eurasian trademark for certain goods for more efficient exports to non-EEU countries. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenian minister of labor and social affairs Zaruhi Batoyan met with Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Natalia Kanem, the minister said on Facebook, reports Armenpress. The minister said Dr. Kanem highly appreciated the cooperation with the Armenian government at three main directions (family planning, gender-based violence and reproductive health). I thanked the Fund for assisting in gender equality, fighting domestic violence and human rights protection, in this context recalling the adoption of the law on prevention of domestic violence and the upcoming processes aimed at improving it, Zaruhi Batoyan said. At the end of the meeting the UNFPA Executive Director invited the Armenian minister to attend the conference to be held in Nairobi, where the Fund will celebrate its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) which was held in Cairo in 1994. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. An official dinner was served on behalf of Armenias President Armen Sarkissian and spouse Nune Sarkissian Wednesday evening in honor of President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili who arrived in Armenia on an official visit, the Presidential Office told Armenpress. The Armenian President welcomed his Georgian counterpart and her delegation and stated: I am happy to host you in Armenia. The friendship of Armenian and Georgian peoples has a centuries-old origins and a history of millennia. During those centuries the two peoples have passed through huge experiments, but the common history, culture united us, and there are numerous such examples, the President said, adding that time has showed that Armenia and Georgia had had a great history of friendship, but it will also show that both states have good and friendly future. President Sarkissian said the rich cultural heritage of the two peoples has a special place in the bilateral relations. Last month we celebrated the 150th birthday anniversary of renowned Armenian poet Hovhannes Tumanyan. I want to state that Tumanyan was also honored in Tbilisi, and this is not a coincidence. Tumanyans human and poetic trace is not only in Dsegh, Yerevan and Armenia, but also in Tbilisi and Georgia. Dear Mrs. President, I am sure you know that Tumanyan had a specific sympathy towards Georgia and its people, Armen Sarkissian said, wishing peace, prosperity and all the best to the Georgian people. Let the Armenian-Georgian friendship remain uninterrupted. Let peace and welfare always spread in Armenia and Georgia and between our two peoples, he said. In her turn the Georgian President also delivered remarks, noting: Georgians and Armenians are united with the value system on which the Caucasus has been historically based. And the culture is the sector where our close relationship is seen at best. Both Georgians and Armenians are proud of Sayat-Nova, Aram Khachatryan, Parajanov, Charles Aznavour, Givi Shahnazar and other renowned Armenians. I think that in addition to further deepening the cultural ties, it is also necessary to expand the cooperation spectrum. We have a great potential to be developed and strong states. Supporting each other on this path will bring great success. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian held a farewell meeting with President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili, the Presidential Office told Armenpress. During the meeting the two Presidents summed up the results of the Georgian Presidents official visit to Armenia and agreed that Armenia and Georgia have enough common interests, great cooperation potential, as well as a great desire to constantly strengthen their friendship. The meeting was followed by a farewell ceremony for Georgias President and her delegation. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Four demonstrators have been detained in downtown Yerevan amid the ongoing protests against the City Halls dismantling of several cafes near the Opera building, Yerevan Police told ARMENPRESS. They have been taken to the downtown police station, YPD spokesperson Edgar Janoyan said. Protestors demonstrating against the Yerevan City Halls ongoing dismantling of cafes near the Opera House have blocked the Mashtots Avenue Tumanyan Street intersection in downtown. Protesters include both owners and employees of the cafes. A group of demonstrators were seen blocking the major intersection by laying or sitting in the middle of it. Yerevan police are trying to negotiate and open the street. The demonstrators are demanding the City Hall to cancel its decision, saying they will become unemployed. The City Hall had initially notified the cafes earlier in December of 2018 that the city is halting its lease contracts. Shortly afterwards, Yerevan Mayor Hayk Marutyan said that removing the outdoor venues in the area will bring back the cultural atmosphere. Addressing citizens of Yerevan, the Mayor said that today their dream of many years is being realized the surroundings of Opera are being liberated. This is the beginning of the process, this will be continuous. I thank all Yerevantsis for supporting us in this matter, we feel your support. Lets return Yerevan its cultural image, Marutyan said on Facebook. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. A Cabinet meeting was held on March 14, chaired by Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia. The meeting amended the government decision of May 5, 2011 On Enforcing the RA Law on State Pensions. In particular, as of January 1, 2018, income tax shall be substituted with profit tax in the provisions of the law relating to the pension rights of self-employed persons and notaries. A procedure has been established for granting a pension or paying the unpaid pension to persons disabled due injuries had while performing a military duty or in the exercise of special assignments during defense operations. The amendment stipulates that a written application for the appointment of his or her pension and other documents may be submitted through a proxy if a disabled person is treated at a hospital located in a foreign country. It has been established that the period during which the citizen of the Republic of Armenia was in labor relations with an international organization shall be included in the record of service, if pension payments have been made to the State budget in cases stipulated by law. It has also been established that when filing a request for pension recalculation, the pensioner only submits an application for recording the period of employment in his / her working experience; the requirement to submit a certificate of employment has been abolished. The right to receiving a pension when it has not been paid for five consecutive years will not be suspended. Those persons who have adopted a child living in an orphanage shall get the total amount of pension arrears accumulated during the childs stay in the orphanage. Highlighting the importance to the new regulations envisaged in this sphere, Nikol Pashinyan told those responsible to provide proper media coverage of the proposed amendments so that citizens could be aware of the opportunities created The Government adopted a decision on granting property, proceeding from the need to ensure further use of veterinary equipment, farm machinery, agricultural inputs and built-in irrigation systems as purchased under the Community Agricultural Resources Management and Competitiveness Program and the Second Programs loan agreements. By this decision, the veterinary equipment and tools so purchased shall be donated to the Agribusiness and Rural Development Center. The latter will hand over the property for free use to selected veterinary surgeons in communities in accordance with the requirements of the agreement. The irrigation systems will be donated to the selected communities, while the farm machinery will be provided to the relevant pasture users cooperatives. As a result, at least 20 veterinarians will have modern veterinary equipment and tools, 12 communities will be provided with irrigation systems, 19 consumer cooperatives will get free agricultural equipment. With reference to the provision of veterinary services, the Head of Government noted that it is necessary to outsource them to private entities. We need to set up veterinary centers in the regions in order to provide adequate technical and professional assistance. We need to implement state programs through these centers, because now we have two methods to work together. Excuse me for this formulation but I should state that we have one functional veterinary medicine and state-administered veterinary services with all its adverse consequences. We need to strengthen these two structures as a strategic goal. State services should be outsourced. This is a kind of financial support, and I believe that even if we do not manage to raise the cost of such services, we will a least have the opportunity to improve their quality by this method, the Premier said. Under relevant decisions, a number of companies will benefit from the VAT deferment facility and an exemption of customs duties for a period of three years. YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. The government has granted Armtex Group, a textile manufacturer, customs and tax privileges as part of a priority sector investment project. The company is granted with a 3-year delay of VAT payments and exemption of customs duties. Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investments Avag Avanesyan said that the company plans textile production in Gyumri. Armtex Group will invest more than 600,000,000 drams. 40 jobs will be created. The total volume of products will total 420,000,000 drams annually, of which 50,000,000 will be exported to Russia, while 370,000,000 in USA and Canada. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan A new film celebrates a park officialand the torture and abuse of detainees Those who are familiar with filmmaker Manoj Pandits work know he has a penchant for controversial topics. It is also no secret that he does not shy away from injecting his strong opinions into his films. YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. 16 protesters have been detained by police in Yerevan amid ongoing demonstrations organized by cafe owners and employees against the City Halls planned dismantlement of several cafes near the Opera House. 16 people have been detained at the moment, Yerevan Police Department told ARMENPRESS. Owners of the cafes had been notified about the upcoming dismantlement by City Hall earlier in 2018 December. The City Hall wants to restore the green areas near the iconic Opera House. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Ambassador to Iraq Hrachya Poladyan on March 13 met with minister of trade of Iraq Mohammed Hashim Abdul Majeed, the Armenian foreign ministry told Armenpress. The Iraqi minister said currently there are favorable conditions for recording mutual progress in the trade-economic volumes. The officials touched upon the cooperation prospects in the field of trade in the bilateral ties, outlining that the participation in business forums and economic exhibitions contribute to implementing this goal. The Iraqi minister in particular highlighted the importance of the Armenian companies participating in the Baghdad international economic exhibition to take place in October. They noted that there is a great potential to increase the trade volumes. At the meeting the sides agreed to properly prepare for the third session of the Armenian-Iraqi inter-governmental commission to take place late 2019. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Deputy prime minister of Armenia Tigran Avinyan on March 13 received the Bulgarian delegation led by minister of transport, information technology and communications Rossen Jeliazkov, the deputy PMs Office told Armenpress. The meeting was also attended by Armenias minister of transport, communication and information technologies Hakob Arshakyan. Welcoming the guests deputy PM Avinyan said holding the 8th session of the Armenian-Bulgarian inter-governmental commission is a good opportunity to give new impetus to the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. In his turn the Bulgarian minister thanked for the reception and stated that he has arrived together with the representatives of more than 30 Bulgarian companies which shows the great interest of Bulgaria towards Armenia. The officials also discussed the cooperation opportunities in the field of high technologies, in particular in digitization, cybersecurity and etc. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russia, first deputy minister of defense, met with Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces Artak Davtyan, kp.ru reported. We want to express our gratitude to you for assisting the restoration of peace in Syria. Armenia was one of the first countries that reacted to our call and actively participated in the implementation of humanitarian tasks in the territory of that country, Valery Gerasimov said. The two officials discussed issues relating to the fight against international terrorism during the meeting. Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. One police officer and one demonstrator have been hospitalized for injuries during the ongoing protests organized by cafe owners and employees against the Yerevan City Halls decision to dismantle several cafes near the Opera House. The police officer suffered an injury to the head, Chief of Staff of the Heratsi University Hospital Shushan Danielyan told ARMENPRESS. She said the protester received injuries to the abdomen. Both are in satisfactory states. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, UNDP Assistant Administrator, Director of UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, on March 15 arrives on a three-day visit to Armenia, as part of her official tour to the South Caucasus, reports Armenpress. Last month, the Parliament of Armenia approved the governments five-year program, which aims to boost economic growth, diversify the economy and make sure all citizens are able to both participate in key decisions and enjoy higher living standards. Eliminating corruption is another key priority of the government. Armenia has seen remarkable political transformation, and 5 percent economic growth in 2018. The country is facing a number of challenges, including out-migration, boosting inclusion and participation and involving the Armenian diaspora and other stakeholders in development. The objective of Ms. Spoljaric Eggers visit will be to review UNDPs partnership with the Armenian government and look at key priorities, from governance reforms following the 2018 elections, to the countrys leadership to promote innovative methods and financing for sustainable development. Together with UNDPs Resident Representative in Armenia, Dmitry Mariyasin, she will meet with Speaker of Parliament Ararat Mirzoyan, Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan, Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanian and other officials. She will also hold discussions with the UN country team, key international partners, members of business and civil society, and meet with women leaders. Mirjana Spoljaric Egger assumed her duties in October 2018. Prior to her appointment, she served as Ambassador and Head of UN and International Organisations Division of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. YEREVAN, 14 MARCH, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 14 March, USD exchange rate down by 0.60 drams to 486.75 drams. EUR exchange rate stood at 550.56 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate stood at 7.44 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 4.52 drams to 644.70 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price up by 129.91 drams to 20452.95 drams. Silver price up by 0.88 drams to 242.88 drams. Platinum price up by 156.05 drams to 13223.72 drams. YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received the representatives of Index Ventures venture capital fund - founder Nina Achadjian, Mike Volpi and Dominique Vidal, who used to work for Cisco, Amazon, Yahoo and other famous companies before. Minister of Transport, Communications and IT of Armenia Hakob Arshakyan was present at the meeting. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, the guests presented to the PM the activities of Index Ventures and their plans to make investments in Armenian start-ups. They noted that they highly assess the positive developments in Armenias IT sector and are interested in the development and expansion of cooperation. In addition to the implementation of various technological and engineering projects, the team of Index Ventures plans to present to Armenian start-ups the options to get investments at Silicon Valley and the tendencies of the technological sphere. Nikol Pashinyan welcomed the visit of the delegation led by Nina Achadjian to Armenia and their initiatives to cooperate with local companies and make investments. Pashinyan underlined that the IT sector is among the priorities of the Armenian Government and the Government strives for achieving a technology-based economy in the future. PM Pashinyan added that the Government is interested in the cooperation with Index Ventures and to discuss the proposals of implementing investment projects. The PM noted that the Government also makes consistent steps aimed at the continuous improvement of business environment. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan YEREVAN, MARCH 14, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian received Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) co-rapporteurs for the monitoring of obligations and commitments by Armenia Yuliya Lovochkina and Andrej Sircelj on March 14. The President highlighted the PACE monitoring mission in terms of strengthening democracy in Armenia and emphasized that Armenia is ready to continue open and sincere dialogue with the institution. As ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Armenian Presidents Office, Armen Sarkissian noted that the Council of Europe is an important partner for Armenia in terms of carrying out legislative reforms. He highly assessed the contribution of European institutions to the development of Armenia and strengthening of democracy. The sides also exchanged views on the role and functions of the parliament. They noted that now the opportunities and powers of the parliament have increased. The PACE co-rapporteurs expressed readiness to continue their efforts to deepen the cooperation between Armenia and the PACE. Edited and translated by Tigran Sirekanyan In the 1930s, Earhart was nothing short of a legend. She put herself into the history books as the first woman to fly solo over the Atlantic, the first woman to fly solo non-stop across the United States and the first person to fly the hazardous route between Hawaii and California. But the mystery continues to engage attention. Many people have invested much time and money in seeking to solve this enigma. From 1937 until now, aviation investigators have failed to establish any leads in the search for Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan. PORT MORESBY - While experts have done a tremendous job trying to determine what led to the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, the worlds most celebrated female aviator, there are people in the Pacific Islands who have their own ideas about what happened after her last port of call in Lae, Papua New Guinea. In 1937, Earhart and Noonan set out (for the second time) to fly around the world in a twin-engine Lockheed Electra. They left Miami in the United States on 1 June and, after scheduled stops in South America, Africa, India and South East Asia, arrived in Lae on 29 June. At Lae they had completed 35,000 kilometres pf their journey and had 11,000 kilometres across the Pacific to go. Then the aircraft vanished somewhere over the central Pacific before a refuelling stop planned for Howland Island, an uninhibited coral outcrop 2,700 kilometres south-east of Hawaii. We know that the Lockheed Electra was heavily loaded from Lae on its way to Howland Island, a journey supposed to last about 18 hours. The USA coastguard ship Itasca, patrolling off Howland Island at the time, was to provide communications support to Earhart as she neared the island. One of her last radio messages, which she repeated several times, was that she could not see the island and that fuel was running low. From this slender fragment of information have developed much speculation and many interesting conspiracy theories from credible and some incredible sources. The Nikumaroro Island theory is that Earhart and Noonan died on this uninhabited island as castaways. The discovery of 12 bones said to match those of Earhart and Noonan have undergone various scientific tests without any conclusion being reached. The theory suggests that the other bones were eaten by the coconut crabs endemic to the island. You can read more about this theory here and draw your own conclusions. Papua New Guinea has two provinces which claim to have found the remains of Earhart. In 2011, the discovery on Buka Island of a plane believed to be Earhart's was reported in the UK Daily Mail. The locals firmly believed their discovery would yield a treasure worth millions of dollars. At the time a researcher from the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery said there are strong indications that the aircraft is a Lockheed Model 10 Electra [and] the crash site is in direct alignment with Earharts flight path out of Lae, past north of Buka Island in a straight northeast direction to Howland." This further confused the Earhart story. Did the aircraft crash this early in the flight or was it closer to Howland Island? Did those last distress calls come from Nikumaroro, Bougainville or even West New Britain, where people from Kandrian are developing track to the possible crash site and building a local museum in remembrance of Earhart? Senior PNG journalist Malum Nalum wrote on his blog about the Kandrian discovery: ''Suddenly they came upon a wrecked aircraft - a twin engine, twin tailed plane much like that of Earhart. But this was 3,200 kilometers short of Howland Island. More speculation and, as PNG people would say, even a 'cargo cult' trend developing out of the Earhart mystery There are stories of an Earhart crash site in the Solomon Islands but the radio direction indicator bearing shows the Solomons are far south-east of the route Earhart took so it can be safely dismissed. The last calls from Earhart seem to confirm she had travelled the calculated distance and was near Howland Island. Her distress calls were recorded although the coastguard ship Itasca was unable to locate the aircraft. The world was building towards war in 1937 and there were military bases established across the Pacific. This had led to another theory that Earhart fell victim of pre-war tensions. Earhart's disappearance was tragedy but her legacy lives on to this day. She inspired and encouraged the inclusion of women in aviation and other pursuits. I regard as a hero, a fearless woman who was a pioneer of the aviation history. Fault line appears in the ruling party over the decision to ban Chands outfit A day after the government branded the Netra Bikram Chand-led Nepal Communist Party a criminal group and banned its activities, key leaders within the ruling Nepal Communist Party were at loggerheads, with many expressing reservations over the decision. (Getty) Online broker Halifax shut down with 12,000 investors money. The company used client money to cover its own losses. Theres now a $19.7 million shortfall of investor funds. Liquidation and court order is the only way customers and creditors will get any money back and that could take over a year. Customers of collapsed broker Halifax Investment Services will be $20 million out of pocket after the company used investment money to cover its own losses. Halifax brought in administrator Ferrier Hodgson back in November, who immediately froze $211 million of client investments and started a painstaking investigation into the financial situation. The latest update to creditors this week has revealed the company is short $19.7 million of investor funds, with a damning explanation for the gaping hole. The primary cause of the deficiency appears to be use of client monies to fund operating losses since at least January 2017, said Ferrier Hodgson. The management accounts, audited accounts and lodgements with ASIC all appear to present with accounting irregularities. The amount lost represents about 9 per cent of investors money. Ferrier Hodgson said it was co-operating with corporate regulator ASIC during its investigations and reported there seems to be violations of the Corporations Act in the way Halifax syphoned investment money to cover its own operational losses. The administrators will recommend liquidation as the only remaining option for Halifax. Also of concern is the co-mingling of investor money, with customer capital invested in one product transferred to others in an attempt to cover up losses. This mixing of client funds has made it impossible to trace back investor deposits as there is no pattern behind the transfer of funds between client accounts and Halifax executed the transfers on a as needs basis. A court order after liquidation will be the only way creditors and 12,000 investors will be paid out and that could take about a year, if not longer. Story continues Do you know more? Contact tony.yoo@yahoofinance.com Make your money work with Yahoo Finances daily newsletter. Sign up here and stay on top of the latest money, property and tech news. Now read: BREAKING: Kathmandu customer payment data HACKED Now read: STOLEN NETFLIX accounts: Sydney man faces 20 years jail Now read: Women-only rideshare Shebah is raising $3 million and women are investing Image: Australian Federal Police Two people allegedly threw hundreds of thousands of dollars of cash around their western Sydney yard and into the neighbours property when they realised the police were coming. The Australian Federal Police seized more than $600,000 during a raid on a house in Bankstown in western Sydney last month, while also arresting a 42-year-old man and a 46 year-old woman. Both of the accused now face the possibility of three years jail after being charged with dealing with money suspected of being proceeds of crime. But it seems they panicked when they found the police at their door, with farcical scenes ensuing. AFP members located Australian currency strewn across the ground and over the fence of a neighbouring property, where it had been allegedly thrown upon the arrival of police, the AFP stated. A search of the neighbouring premises revealed $602,624 AUD located in a vacuum-sealed bag. Both suspects are scheduled to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday. AFP acting commander Peter Bodel said the investigation continues into the money and the activities of the alleged crime group. Our message to organised crime groups in Australia is clear the AFP and its partners will continue to target your money and assets, seize them, and prosecute you to the fullest extent possible. The revelation comes after the AFP this week arrested and charged a Sydney man for allegedly making $300,000 through on-selling stolen Netflix and Spotify accounts. Make your money work with Yahoo Finances daily newsletter. Sign up here and stay on top of the latest money, property and tech news. Now read: $20 MILLION GONE Australian broker spent client money to cover losses Now read: This Melbourne woman made $32,000 driving a women-only rideshare car Now read: BREAKING: Kathmandu customer payment data HACKED Breakfast and lunch are supplied. Image: Supplied Australian software juggernaut Atlassian has announced a massive plan to encourage remote working, following studies confirming the productivity dividends of flexible work. The decision comes after an internal survey finding nearly all (95 per cent) of Atlassian employees would be willing to change their work practices if they could work remotely. And when Atlassian recruited for a fully remote team for the first time earlier this year, it found a 25 per cent increase in interest compared to Sydney-based roles. Related story: $30bn Aussie company gives employees free breakfast, lunch, alcohol, but NO coffee Related story: This Melbourne woman made $32,000 driving a women-only rideshare car Related story: 21 Aussie female executives share the key to success We consider ourselves to be very much in the learning phase but definitely our goal is to make this a global remote program for the company, global head of talent Bek Chee told Yahoo Finance. While the sheer magnitude of the plan is notable, the move to meet workers needs is one straight out of the classic Atlassian playbook. Its the company that provides breakfast and lunch but no coffee because it wants workers to get outside and go for a chat. The average Atlassian worker already works in several different workspaces around the office. The open-plan office has exposed ceilings and live plants to encourage creativity, and walking meetings are encouraged to get people moving. But all of these elements which contribute to make Atlassian one of the best places to work in Australia have come about due to massive amounts of research. How did they decide to do this? As Chee explained, Atlassian isnt interested in running before it can walk. Individual productivity, as you can imagine, is a really positive thing. We did a bunch of research [when looking at remote work], both externally and internally and one of the most important things that we found thats no surprise to anyone whos been trying to do remote is theres a ton of benefits, Chee said. Story continues In particular, individual productivity, as you can imagine, is a really positive thing. The average remote worker gains as much as a days extra productivity in a week. But at a team level, productivity can slump by as much as 30 per cent. How do you make sense of that? How do you decide when and how to implement it? Atlassians approach has been to watch other companies attempts to launch similar programs and learn from their success and their mistakes. And, critically, Atlassians program will not see all staff go remote. Rather, teams and individuals will be assessed to see who is best-suited to remote work, whether thats part-time remote work, flexible remote work or full-time remote work. The good news is that we have a lot of internal interest on this topic so were certainly not having to force anyones hand at wanting to go through the assessment, Chee said. The goal is that we do establish some activity and movement in Sydney first and see how much activity were getting. We know the demand is there and its just a matter of, truthfully, just being really thoughtful about it. There have been some other examples of companies who, we would say implemented a little hastily, and had to pull back on remote. We dont want to be in that situation. Hasty implementation is one of the biggest barrier to remote programs success, Chee noted. Communication and loneliness But the other major hurdle is communication, and by extension, loneliness. At the end of the day, even if you figure out all of the practical things that need to be true for us to go remote, if any individual on the team is feeling not part of the team or is feeling frustrated in the collaboration side of things, then it doesnt work, Chee acknowledged. Remote isnt for everybody: Some people have different social needs. But there are ways around this. Workers obviously dont need to go completely remote or remote at all if it doesnt work for them. And even small process tweaks can make a difference. At the end of the day, even if you figure out all of the practical things that need to be true for us to go remote, if any individual on the team is feeling not part of the team or is feeling frustrated in the collaboration side of things, then it doesnt work. For example, during meetings between remote and non-remote workers, all workers will use the cameras and screens on their individual laptop, rather than a meeting room camera. It democratises the space and it makes sure that everyone is having that same laptop experience, Chee said. So, thats something weve seen work really well because then theres not one person on a laptop with four people who are having an office chat. Instead, everybodys experiencing remote. People know the benefits and are increasingly demanding more flexibility in the workplace. But just because workers want it doesnt mean the process is easy or even right all the time. Were really trying to take a very realistic look at this and, a metaphor someone on my team used that Ill borrow is, that we sort of think of like a family. So, if someone in your family decided to move to another country, you have to make sure that it works for that person but, ultimately, if your mum moves away, that affects the whole family, right? It affects dad, it affects the kids. This is the driving message of the move, Chee emphasised. If youre gonna move someone to a remote situation or have them be working remote, it doesnt just affect that person. You really has to make sure the whole team is able to adapt to that. Were all about teams and were certainly not going to compromise the quality and health of the team. Make your money work with Yahoo Finances daily newsletter. Sign up here and stay on top of the latest money, news and tech news. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have announced they will splitting royal households from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Source: Getty The news that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are officially splitting from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was announced on Thursday meaning the royal fab four are no more. Until now, the Cambridges and Sussexes have shared one team working out of Kensington Palace where the royals also lived and while it was reported last month that brothers Prince William and Prince Harry were set to split their shared royal household, it was presumed that day-to-day communications would still operate out of Kensington Palace. However, it has now been revealed that the Sussexes have opted for their staff to be based out of Buckingham Palace instead, with the full support of the Queen. Harry and Meghan Markle themselves will also be moving out of Kensington Palace, in favour of a cottage in Windsor. Theres no denying it hasnt exactly been smooth-sailing for the fab four over the last year or so here are just a few of the signs that led up to the big split. Four royal aides quitting in less than one year Over the course of 2018 and early 2019, Harry and Meghan have said goodbye to four key royal aides in their household. Just last week, it was reported Amy Pickerill, who was appointed assistant private secretary for Meghan Markle in January last year, has resigned from her post. Amy is leaving after the arrival of the baby, a Kensington Palace source told Harpers Bazaar. Amy had originally planned on staying until at least the end of the year, but with the baby coming it makes sense to help recruit someone now who can pick up when The Duchess returns to her official work, the source added. Amy Pickerill, assistant private secretary to Meghan, is reportedly set to depart from the royal household next month. Source: Getty Meanwhile a royal insider told People, Amy is leaving on very amicable terms. They will stay in touch and Amy will remain as a personal adviser to her in the longer term, the source said. They are very close. News of the resignation comes after Harry and Meghan lost three palace aides within six months of the royal wedding in May last year. Story continues Meghans personal assistant, Melissa, resigned towards the end of 2018 with a source confirming to the Daily Mail, it was a real shock. The Duchess of Sussexs personal secretary, Samantha Cohen who worked for the royal family for over 17 years under the Queen also made the decision to leave the royal household in December last year. Australian, Samantha Cohen, who has worked for the family for 17 years, apparently handed in her resignation, just weeks after Meghans personal assistant, known as Melissa, quit. Photo: Getty Images Aussie born Samantha was reportedly tasked with teaching the new Duchess all about royal etiquette. These two resignations follow on from that of Edward Lane Fox who was essentially Harrys right-hand man, before his departure in April last year after 15 years in the role. Harry and Meghan have since recruited Hillary Clintons former campaign advisor Sara Latham, to head up their communications team. Sara Latham has been appointed to head up communications for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, reporting directly to The Queens Communication Secretary, a statement released by Kensington Palace said. Royal feud reports Rumours of a supposed feud between the Sussexes and Cambridges emerged towards the end of last year. Whether it was Harry and William supposedly having a falling out over Meghan, or Kate left in tears after a dress fitting ahead of Meghans wedding, the rumour mill was, and still has been, spinning. A report by The Sun claimed Kate chastised Meghan after she spoke rudely to royal staff. Rumours of a rift between Kate and Meghan have been rife. Photo: Getty However, in a rare move by Kensington Palace, they responded in a brief statement, saying, This never happened. There have also been claims that things between William and Harry havent been the same since his royal nuptials to Meghan last year. In a new documentary on Channel 5 in the UK, Princesses At War, royal expert Katie Nicholl weighed in on the moment Wills confronted Harry about his relationship with Meghan. Prince William reportedly expressed his concerns about how fast Harrys relationship was moving with Meghan. Source: Getty William was quite concerned that the relationship had moved so quickly, she explained. She goes on to say that William, was the only person close enough to Harry to share his worries, and claimed the 36-year-old asked his brother if he was sure about going forward with the wedding. Whilst Wills concerns were simply loving brotherly concern on his part, the royal expert explained the advice just riled Harry. Harry is hugely protective of Meghan, he saw that as criticism, he interpreted that as his brother not really being behind this marriage, Nicholl added. Harry and Meghan moving to Windsor The feud reports were circulating at the same time Meghan and Harry, 34, announced they would be moving out of Kensington Palace to Frogmore Cottage, on the Windsor Castle estate. Until now, the Sussexes have lived in Nottingham Cottage a two-bedroom house in the grounds of Kensington Palace, where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also live. The royal fab four will no longer be living at Kensington Palace together at the beginning of next year. Source: Getty Despite a $2.5m apartment which is next to door to Kate and Wills having recently completed a slick new upgrade fit for the Sussexes, the pair have chosen to move to Frogmore, which was gifted to them by the Queen. The Windsor house holds lots of sentiment for the pair, with Harry and Meghan hosting their evening wedding party there, and it was also the spot where they had their engagement photos taken. Royal household split announcement The royal family released a lengthy statement on Thursday to announce the Sussexes private office and communications team will now be base out of Buckingham Palace. The Household, which will be created with the support of The Queen and The Prince of Wales, will be established in the spring, a statement read. The Sussexes communications will now be based out of Buckingham Palace. Source: Getty The Duke of Sussex currently has his own private office, which has been supporting The Duchess since the engagement of Their Royal Highnesses in November 2017. This long-planned move will ensure that permanent support arrangements for The Duke and Duchesss work are in place as they start their family and move to their official residence at Frogmore Cottage. The Queen has given permission for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex to base their Household Office at Buckingham Palace. Their Royal Highnesses will appoint new communications staff, who will form part of the Buckingham Palace communications team and report to The Queens Communications Secretary, Donal McCabe. Kensington Palace will continue to support Their Royal Highnesses until that team is in place. Despite the split of households, we still very much hope well see the royal fab four out together because, lets face it, they really are fab. Got a story tip? Send it to lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com Want more lifestyle and celebrity news? Follow Yahoo Lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Or sign up to our daily newsletter here. Algeria's new prime minister sought to calm tensions Thursday ahead of planned demonstrations that could be decisive for the protest movement calling for President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to step down. Noureddine Bedoui was speaking ahead of the first round of Friday rallies since Bouteflika's surprise announcement earlier this week that he would not seek re-election but was cancelling April polls. The new premier warned that the situation in the North African country was "sensitive". People "must show calm and act peacefully," Bedoui said, calling for "dialogue" to resolve the situation. Bouteflika, 82, initially sparked joy among protesters when he said he would not stand for a fifth term in next month's election, but his move to cancel the vote prompted accusations of "tricks" and sparked a new round of demonstrations. Friday's protests will be a key test of whether the ailing president's manoeuvre has dampened anger on the streets. Bouteflika also said he was replacing unpopular premier Ahmed Ouyahia with former interior minister Bedoui, who on Thursday defended the postponement of the poll, seen by many as unconstitutional. "There is nothing above the will of the people," he said. - 'Heard the message' - The protest movement has been led by students, in a country where half the population is under the age of 30 and youth unemployment has spurred anger against a government seen as out of touch. Bedoui vowed to create an administration of technocrats, including young men and women. "We have heard the message of the Algerian youth," he said, adding that the new government would be revealed by next week at the latest. Bouteflika has promised a "national conference" to carry out reforms and set a date for new elections "before the end of 2019", suggesting he may stay in office for another year. Incoming Deputy Prime Minister Ramtane Lamamra, who appeared alongside Bedoui at a Thursday press conference in Algiers, told state radio the previous evening that the conference should happen "as soon as possible". "The absolute priority is to reunite the Algerians and allow them to go together towards a better future," he said. "It's not about staying in power for a few weeks or a few months more." Lakhdar Brahimi, a veteran diplomat and former UN envoy for Syria, on Wednesday denied having been appointed as head of the proposed conference. "I cannot say no (if asked to serve) but I would prefer if they find a man or a woman better than me" for the job, he said in remarks on state television. Brahimi drew attention after he paid a visit Monday to Bouteflika following the president's return from Switzerland where he spent two weeks at a hospital for medical checks. He said that Bouteflika, who uses a wheelchair and has rarely appeared in public since suffering a stroke in 2013, has a weak voice but "has regained 100 percent his intellectual faculties." Protesters fear Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's vow not to seek re-election is a ploy to extend his fourth term Algeria's Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui (R) and his deputy Ramtane Lamamra were named by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Monday A Russian cosmonaut and two US astronauts arrived Friday at the International Space Station aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft, five months after the failed launch of a rocket carrying two of the passengers. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and his Russian colleague Alexey Ovchinin, who both survived a dramatically aborted Soyuz launch last year, were joined on the smoothly-executed trip by NASA astronaut Christina Koch. The rocket blasted off without incident from Russia's Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and docked at the ISS less than six hours later, more than 400 kilometers (249 miles) above the Earth at 01:01 GMT, a few minutes ahead of schedule. During a live broadcast via high-definition cameras aboard the ISS, the mission commander Ovchinin reported that the mooring mechanism was engaged. A NASA commentator then confirmed the "capture." The liftoff was closely watched after the two men's space journey was cut short in October when a technical problem with their Soyuz rocket triggered a launch abort two minutes into the flight. Both men escaped unharmed. It was the first such accident in Russia's post-Soviet history and a major setback for its once proud space industry. Speaking to reporters ahead of their six-month mission, Ovchinin said some faulty components in the launch vehicle had been found and replaced this week. "Yesterday they found some minor malfunctions," the 47-year-old said on Wednesday. He insisted that the launch vehicle was in good shape. "There are no problems," Ovchinin said. Hague, 43, said he was looking forward to the flight -- his second attempt to get into space. "I'm 100 percent confident in the rocket and the spaceship," he said. The October abort was caused by a sensor damaged during the rocket's assembly. - 'Old but reliable' - Space expert Vadim Lukashevich said last-minute replacements were nothing out of the ordinary. "The Soyuz is an old but reliable machine," he told AFP. Russia's space industry has in recent years suffered a lot of mishaps including the loss of cargo spacecraft and numerous satellites. Ovchinin, who spent six months at the ISS during a previous mission in 2016, has been keen to play down the drama of the October emergency landing. The abort was "a little disappointing" after preparations that lasted a year-and-a-half but also "an interesting and needed experience" that tested the depth of the space programme's preparedness, he said. Koch, Hague and Ovchinin's flight was being closely watched for another reason too. SpaceX's successful test launch to the ISS of its Dragon vehicle has challenged an eight-year monopoly on travel to the space station enjoyed by Russia ever since NASA stopped launches of the Space Shuttle. Speaking to reporters, the trio and their three-man backup crew stressed cooperation rather than competition following the Dragon mission, seen by some as the dawn of an era of commercial space travel driven by businessmen such as Elon Musk who owns SpaceX. Koch, a 40-year-old space rookie, called the SpaceX success a "great example of what we've been doing for a very long time." "And that is cooperating among partners and making things that are very difficult look easy," she said. - 'First spacewalks' - There had already been one successful manned launch to the ISS since the failed Soyuz mission. The trio's arrival will return the orbiting laboratory's crew to six in all. Oleg Kononenko of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, Anne McClain of NASA and David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency blasted off to the orbiting outpost in December. During their mission McClain, Saint-Jacques, Hague and Koch are set to perform the first spacewalks of their careers. This week in a lighter moment Hague offered an insight into the specifics of personal grooming aboard the ISS. "In space, we'll use clippers attached to a vacuum device so that the hair particles don't float around or get stuck in our vent systems," he wrote on Twitter. The International Space Station -- a rare area of cooperation between Moscow and Washington -- has been orbiting the Earth at roughly 28,000 kilometres per hour since 1998. Russia's Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft carrying NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Nick Hague, with Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, blasts off to the International Space Station from the launch pad at the Russian-leased Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan NASA astronaut Nick Hague said he was looking forward to the flight Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin's spacesuit was tested before the launch This image released by NASA shows the aborted October Soyuz launch carrying Hague and Ovchinin from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The two-man crew made a successful emergency landing after an engine problem on lift-off US astronauts Christina Koch (L) and Nick Hague (R) together with Russian colleague Alexey Ovchinin blasted off on a mission to the ISS Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin insisted that the launch vehicle was in good shape EU leaders on Friday sought clarity from Britain before they consider any delay to Brexit after a series of chaotic votes by MPs just two weeks before the deeply divided country is due to leave the bloc. Quitting the EU after 46 years on March 29 remains the legal default unless EU leaders unanimously grant Britain an extension, with the issue likely to dominate a March 21-22 EU summit in Brussels. The length of any possible delay will depend on the outcome of another parliamentary vote on the twice massively rejected Brexit deal struck by Prime Minister Theresa May with EU leaders. The government said it would ask for a "technical" delay until June 30 to pass necessary legislation if MPs finally approve the deal next week. If MPs vote against it for a third time, the government has warned it will have to seek a much longer extension. "It is very clear that the next steps, the next proposal on how to move forward must come from Britain," German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert said in Berlin on Friday. - 'Try and get a deal' - French President Emmanuel Macron's office said that if the current deal is rejected again "a clear and new alternative plan" must be presented or else Britain would have to leave the EU with no agreement. The British government is hoping that talk of a long delay to Brexit will persuade hardliners in May's own Conservative Party and its ally, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), to get behind her deal. DUP MPs held talks with the government on Friday. "We have had good discussions today. Those discussions will continue over the coming period of time," the DUP's Westminster leader Nigel Dodds told reporters after the meeting. "It is incumbent on everyone to try and get a deal," including the British and Irish governments and the European Union, he said. Dodds also denied that additional funds for Northern Ireland were being talked about as an incentive for the DUP to vote for the deal: "We're not discussing cash in these discussions, this is about Brexit." Opinion polls meanwhile have shown growing support among Britons for leaving the EU without a deal, despite warnings from political and business leaders. - Need for 'clear plan' - Speaking on a visit to Paris, Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said "everyone would welcome" MPs approving the deal and Brexit being briefly pushed back to get the necessary legislation through. But asked about the possibility of a longer delay, Coveney said: "I think many EU leaders will be very uncomfortable with a long extension." After talks later with France's Europe Minister Nathalie Loiseau, he said that while he considered a no-deal Brexit "unlikely", Ireland was pushing ahead with multimillion-euro contingency plans just in case. "I think it's unlikely now because we've seen a strong majority in Westminster vote to avoid a no-deal Brexit at any point in time... and I think it's a very clear statement from the House of Commons that they will insist on taking action to avoid that happening," Coveney told a press conference. "And that is why next week is important, because it is going to result in a request for an extension of Article 50, with a view of course to avoiding a no deal." EU leaders have hinted they could support a longer delay only if Britain were to drop its red lines, particularly its insistence on leaving the EU customs union so as to pursue an independent trade policy. The UK is barrelling towards the March 29 Brexit deadline with no approved EU withdrawal agreement and a prime minister who appears to have lost control over her bickering cabinet. May struck her agreement with the EU in November after nearly two years of tortuous talks. But the deal has remained deadlocked in parliament, chiefly by disagreement over the so-called Irish "backstop" -- a measure to avoid barriers at the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Lawmakers voted against the deal for a second time on Tuesday but then voted against leaving the EU without a deal on Wednesday. On Thursday, MPs voted to ask EU leaders to simply push Brexit back in a bid to head off a hugely disruptive end to their partnership. MPs also rejected a call to hold a second Brexit referendum -- a blow to the hopes of a large number of Britons who still dream of keeping their European identity. Anti-Brexit activists fly European Union flags in a demo on the River Tyne in Newcastle, northeast England Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May seems to have lost control of her bickering cabinet If the current deal is rejected again there must be "a clear and new alternative plan" or else London can expect a hard Brexit, French President Emmanuel Macron's office said "I think many EU leaders will be very uncomfortable with a long extension," said Ireland's Foreign Minister Simon Coveney Four environmental NGOs on Thursday sued the French government for failing to uphold its commitments on fighting climate change, the latest in a series of high-profile cases that aim to force governments around the world into action. The foundation of Nicolas Hulot, a crusading former environment minister who quit President Emmanuel Macron's government last year over what he saw as its failure to green the economy, has teamed up with Oxfam, Greenpeace and "Notre Affaire A Tous" (It's Everyone's Business) in taking on the state. Over two million people have signed a petition backing the move, which follows similar cases lodged in the Netherlands, Pakistan and Colombia that yielded historic wins for campaigners. Despite Macron's promise to "make our planet great again", France's emissions in 2017 exceeded its commitments under the 2015 Paris climate treaty. "We waited a long time for a response from the government but it has announced no new far-reaching measures," said Marie Pochon, spokeswoman for Notre Affaire A Tous. "It seemed natural therefore to launch this lawsuit." The government defended itself in a reply to the NGOs in February, saying that measures taken to date were "starting to produce results". Environment Minister Francois de Rugy told a parliamentary channel on Thursday: "I understand that people want things to go faster and further on climate change, me and President Macron among them." But he argued, "no court will reduce greenhouse gases. It's a political matter first and foremost." - Cases spawned worldwide - The lawsuit filed in a Paris court asks that the government be found guilty of "failings" on climate change and forced to take corrective action. The Netherlands was one of the first countries to rule on a climate case in 2015, with a court ordering the state to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25 percent by 2020 compared to 1990 levels. The ruling was held up as a model by climate campaigners and spawned similar cases around the world. A court in Pakistan, which has been repeatedly hit by deadly floods, sided with a young farmer who sued the government for neglecting to tackle the impact of climate change on owners of farms. And in Colombia, a group of 25 young campaigners won a historic victory last year when the Supreme Court ruled that they had a right to a healthy environment and that the Amazon rain forest had a "right" to protection. Hundreds more such cases are winding their way through the courts in over two dozen countries, according to the UK-based Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment. But campaigners are not putting their trust in the courts alone. On Friday, young people around the world are being urged to take part in a school strike for climate change, spurred by the weekly protests launched by Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg six months ago. Further demonstrations are also planned for Saturday in France. Over two million people have signed a petition backing the court move in France, which follows similar cases lodged in the Netherlands, Pakistan and Colombia that yielded historic wins for climate campaigners Beto O'Rourke, a skateboarding former punk rocker feted as one of the Democratic Party's rising stars, announced Thursday he is running for president -- joining a crowded field of candidates vying to challenge US President Donald Trump in 2020. "The only way for us to live up to the promise of America is to give it our all and to give it for all of us," O'Rourke, 46, said in a video, filmed alongside his wife in their El Paso, Texas home. O'Rourke has been discussed as a potential frontrunner since dazzling the grassroots during an unexpectedly tight race last year to unseat Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz. Early Thursday, he was already taking questions from voters in Keokuk, Iowa -- following in the footsteps of other Democrats keen to raise their profiles in the state that will vote before any other in the 2020 primary process. The president's first reaction to the latest pretender to the Oval Office was typically Trumpian -- a playful but dismissive takedown of his new rival's delivery style. "I think he's got a lot of hand movement ... I said, 'Is he crazy or is that just the way he acts?'" grinned Trump, whose own oratory quirks -- including effusive hand gestures -- have been fodder for political impressionists. O'Rourke, on the other hand, has vowed to run a positive campaign that would seek to "bring out the very best from every single one of us" and unite a country riven by political, social and cultural fissures. "Man, I'm just born to be in it, and want to do everything I humanly can for this country at this moment," he told Vanity Fair in this month's cover story. Published online hours before his official announcement, it features a spread by celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz with images of O'Rourke at home with family relaxing, making pancakes, playing music and posing against the desolate Texan landscape. - Large field - O'Rourke has entered a large field of other Democrats seeking to oust Trump. They include several US senators -- Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand, Amy Klobuchar and liberal powerhouse Bernie Sanders. Former vice president Joe Biden has said he will reveal his political plans soon. To one Iowan's question on running alongside so many other Democrats, O'Rourke said it was "critically important that we not denigrate, demean any other candidate." "Any single Democrat running today... would be far better than the current occupant of the White House," he said to applause. O'Rourke, once a bassist in the moderately successful El Paso band Foss, has been tipped to quickly achieve rockstar status. But with that will come with intensifying scrutiny. As a three-term congressman, O'Rourke was politically cautious, joining the House's centrist, pro-business New Democrat Coalition. But in his Senate run, he ran an unconventional campaign, espousing progressive positions on topics such as immigration. His native El Paso, which borders Mexico's Ciudad Juarez, was recently visited by Trump for a rally filled with dire warnings about Mexican criminals and calls for bigger and longer border walls. "All of us, wherever you live, can acknowledge that if immigration is a problem it's the best possible problem for this country to have," O'Rourke insisted in Thursday's announcement video. - 'Nothing to lose' - In Iowa, he touched upon several progressive hot topics -- from universal health care and a $15 minimum wage to cannabis legalization and women's reproductive rights. Some of his strongest statements came on climate change and the Green New Deal touted by the left of the Democratic party. "I haven't seen anything better that addresses this singular crisis we face, a crisis that could at its worst lead to extinction," he said of the proposal to de-carbonize the US economy while offering universal healthcare and guaranteed employment. "Not to be dramatic, but the future of the world depends on us right now here where we are," he said. O'Rourke's 2018 campaign was time-consuming and he signaled that he felt disconnected from family -- casting doubt on a possible presidential run. But it also showed a candidate appearing to enjoy himself. He could be seen skateboarding between events. He jammed onstage with country music legend Willie Nelson, and pledged to "listen to everyone, regardless of the differences." In a new documentary on his improbable Senate campaign, "Running with Beto," O'Rourke offered sage advice for candidates like himself: "Run like there's nothing to lose." burs/oh/ska Beto O'Rourke, an ex-punk musician who sometimes went skateboarding to blow off steam on the Texas campaign trail, has been tipped to quickly achieve rockstar status with a run for president During his Senate run, O'Rourke could be seen skateboarding and jamming onstage with country music legend Willie Nelson O'Rourke factfile O'Rourke (R) walks with his wife, Amy Hoover Sanders, and his three children, Ulysses (3rd L), Henry (L) and Molly on election day on November 6, 2018 in El Paso, Texas Their last Syrian bastion is levelled and burned, they are using rifles to battle warplanes and tanks, but the hardline jihadists holding out in Baghouz are still putting up a fight. Defeat is guaranteed, but a few diehard Islamic State fighters defending the last tiny, smouldering vestige of their once-sprawling "caliphate" are refusing to surrender. The Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurdish-led outfit which has spearheaded the fight with backing from the US-led coalition against IS, say their assault is in its final hours. IS fighters are now cornered on a palm-lined bend of the Euphrates near Syria's border with Iraq, but they are still on the offensive. "They attacked on two axes, from the Euphrates river, and from the hill," an SDF commander who gave his name as Sheikh Al-Jabal says from the roof of a nearby villa used as a military position. He points to the banks of the river behind the IS encampment, about a kilometre (half a mile) away, but the view is obscured by the thick black smoke billowing out of the ruins of Baghouz. A wasteland strewn with the charred carcasses of vans, cars and water tankers lies beyond the SDF's positions, marking the edge of the handful of acres ruled by IS. Nobody seems to know how many fighters are left inside the shrinking pocket. Despite thousands of people surrendering in recent weeks, the tiny hamlet of Baghouz has released a seemingly never-ending flow of civilians and fighters. On Wednesday, after the SDF announced that another 3,000 IS members had surrendered, another contingent launched at least two counter-attacks. "They are using tunnels, they have experienced snipers," Sheikh Al-Jabal says, a walkie-talkie in one hand and another clipped to his belt. Behind him, a huge black cloud caused by air strikes on IS ammunition depots darkens the sky and engulfs the little riverside village. The fires still rage hours after the strikes, fanned by the dusty desert wind. - 'They just keep coming' - "IS had conquered vast territories in Syria and Iraq," the commander explains, referring to the jihadist's lightning cross-border assault in the summer of 2014. "They seized ammunition and weapons from the army and all of this ended up being transferred to their last bastion," he adds. "To this moment, they are refusing to let go of their dream of a state." Baghouz is the last of a string of farming villages dotting the banks of the river. All lie in ruins, their streets made unusable by huge craters and unexploded ordnance. "Chickens for sale", "Ice factory": a few wall inscriptions bear witness to daily life in what was once the very heart of the jihadists' proto-state. The past few days have followed a set pattern: the SDF on the ground and its coalition allies in the sky unleash their superior firepower on the jihadist stronghold. At dawn, guns go silent to allow for the exit of the latest batch of jihadist families, pummelled into submission by the night's deluge of fire. "We're surprised every time. We say there aren't many jihadists left... and they just keep coming out of their holes," says an SDF fighter returning from the front. At another SDF position, fighter Massino Kobane's eyes are red with exhaustion after a night of fighting. "I'm determined not go home before IS has been eradicated," says the 21-year-old, who hasn't seen his family in three years. The young Kurd took part in some of the largest battles against the jihadists, helping seize cities such as Kobane, Manbij and their main Syrian stronghold Raqa when IS was still a major force. The battle to crush the last remnant of the caliphate in the Euphrates Valley was launched six months ago. But while the outcome was never in doubt, the fighting has dragged on. Kobane hopes he will soon be able to return to his loved ones and find a job in his native city of Kobane. "Our comrades are a bit tired after all these battles," he says. Little remains of the IS "caliphate" that once spread across a territory the size of Britain, imposing a brutal form of Islamic law on millions of people The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces have spearheaded the battle against IS US-backed forces say the Islamic State group is in its "final moments" under heavy bombardment -- but its forces have hit back with a wave of suicide bombings SDF fighters have faced a barrage of IS suicide attacks as they advance into the jihadists' final pocket of territory House issues ruling to make public probe report on Tarai protest Under pressure from Madhesi parties, Parliament on Wednesday issued a ruling to the government to immediately make public the High-Level Probe Commissions report, led by Girish Chandra Lal, former justice at the Supreme Court. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has apologised to European conservative parties for calling them "useful idiots" over an anti-EU billboard campaign that could see his party ejected from the European Parliament's dominant centre-right EPP bloc. "(Orban) has sent a letter of apology to the European People's Party (EPP)," a government spokesperson told AFP Thursday. But a source close to Manfred Weber, the bloc's leading candidate to replace European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker later in the year, said more than a letter of apology was needed. "The letter and the apologies are a beginning, but they should go further. These gestures are not enough to re-establish confidence," the source said. Petteri Orpo of Finland's Kokoomus, which is opposing Orban, confirmed he received the letter, but said on Twitter, "At this point, letters will not help. Fidesz should show its commitment to the EPP by its actions." In a newspaper interview earlier this month, Orban called critics within the EPP "useful idiots" and accused them of helping the group's leftwing and liberal opponents ahead of European Parliament elections in May. "I would hereby like to express my apologies, if you found my quote personally offensive," Orban said in his letter to the Belgian Christian Democratic & Flemish (CD&V) party, which was published by the De Standaard newspaper. The letters were sent Wednesday to leaders of 13 member parties of the EPP who have proposed expelling Orban's ruling Fidesz party from the bloc, Orban's press chief Bertalan Havasi told Hungarian newswire MTI. In the letter, Orban asked party leaders to "reconsider your proposal for expulsion". While Fidesz "do not wish to change our own position... on the issue of migration, the protection of Christian culture and the future of Europe", disagreements should not be solved by expelling a party "from our political family", he said. - 'Problems not yet solved' - The controversial billboard campaign accuses Juncker and liberal US billionaire George Soros, a bete-noir of Orban, of plotting to flood Europe with migrants. Similar messages have appeared on television and internet websites while Orban has also sent letters to households nationwide that attack Juncker. Juncker did not receive a letter of apology from Orban, said European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas, adding that Juncker stood firm in his position that EPP members must respect the group's "basic values". A decision on the future membership of Fidesz will be on the agenda at an EPP meeting on March 20, according to Weber. Weber met Orban in Budapest on Tuesday and called for the populist leader to apologise for the campaign. "We had talks in a constructive atmosphere but problems are not yet solved," Weber told reporters. Weber has demanded that Orban meet three conditions for Fidesz to remain in the EPP, including withdrawing the anti-EU campaign, and apologising to EPP member parties. The anti-Juncker campaign had "created a burden and damage to the EPP," Weber said last week. Weber also wants Orban to let the CEU university founded by Soros stay in Budapest. The government said it would stop the anti-EU campaign by Friday but the messages were still visible Thursday in newspapers and on internet sites. Populist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has apologised to his conservative European peers after he dubbed them "useful idiots" during a dispute over his anti-EU campaign A man has been charged with the murder of former Commanchero bikie chief Mahmoud Mick Hawi, who was gunned down in Sydney. Jamal El Jaidi was arrested in February and charged with possessing a prohibited pistol, and has been held in custody since then. Detectives have now charged El Jaidi with murder as the 31-year-old appeared at Burwood Local Court on Thursday. A man has been charged with the murder of former Commanchero bikie chief Mahmoud Mick Hawi (pictured here in 2014) who was gunned down in Sydney. Source: AAP Mr Hawi was shot as he got into his car outside a gym in Rockdale in Sydneys south in February 2018. Detectives later discovered a firearm in a garage allegedly used to store one of the getaway cars. El Jaidi was refused bail and ordered to reappear on May 8. Pakistan and India held "very positive" talks Thursday, as the arch-rivals sat down to discuss a visa-free corridor for Sikh pilgrims just weeks after soaring tensions brought the two nuclear-armed powers to the brink of war. Officials from the two countries met in Attari, India, to discuss the details of an agreement that would allow Indian Sikhs to visit a shrine to their religion's founder in eastern Pakistan. "Both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalizing the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor," read the joint statement released by Pakistan?s foreign ministry. The two sides are set to meet again in the coming weeks to finalise the deal, the statement added. ?They were very welcoming, the whole meeting took place in a very positive environment,? added Pakistan?s foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal. Upon completion of the corridor, Indian Sikhs will be able to access the site without first having to apply for a Pakistani visa. The arch-rivals have maintained an uneasy calm since tit-for-tat cross-border air raids across their disputed Kashmir frontier in February sparked fears of wider war, with each side claiming to have shot down a fighter jet from the other side. The latest crisis was sparked by a February 14 suicide bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 40 Indian paramilitaries, and was claimed by a Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM). A pilot who was shot down over Pakistani territory was later sent back to India, lowering tensions. Islamabad has also said it is cracking down on militants inside its borders, saying that more than 100 insurgents, including many from JeM, had been detained. The talks in India come a day after China put on hold a request by Britain, France and the United States to add Masood Azhar, leader of JeM, to a UN terror blacklist. Pakistani and Indian soldiers have continued to fire over the Line of Control -- the de-facto border dividing Kashmir, killing several civilians on both sides. Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British colonial rule in 1947. Both claim the Himalayan territory in full and have fought two wars over it. Indian Sikh pilgrims on a train bound for Pakistan in 2010. Officials from both countries are meeting to discuss visa-free travel for Indian Sikh's wanting to visit Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Sikhism's founder in Pakistan Seven of the 29 NATO countries hit the alliance's defence spending target in 2018, figures showed Thursday, an improvement over the year but probably not enough to satisfy Donald Trump. The US president has repeatedly railed against European alliance members for not spending enough on their own defence, accusing them of freeloading on US military might. NATO's 2018 annual report showed sharp rises in defence spending, notably in the Baltic states and the Netherlands but economic giant Germany still lags. Apart from the US, six members hit the target of spending two percent of GDP on defence in 2018: Britain, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Though NATO countries have only promised to try to hit two percent by 2024, the failure of many to even get close to that has infuriated Trump, who has reportedly threatened to pull out of the alliance if the European allies does not boost spending immediately. Germany, Europe's economic powerhouse, has come in for particular criticism and once again it fell well short of the target. While German defence spending went up from $45 billion to $50 billion, the country's growing economy meant the figure relative to its GDP stayed flat at 1.23 percent. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Berlin's moves to increase its budget but insisted it must redouble its efforts. "Germany has after years of cutting defence spending started to increase, and actually added a significant amount of money to the defence budgets," Stoltenberg told reporters. "But I expect more. I expect further increases and Germany has made it clear they plan to further increase defence spending." - Trump outbursts - Trump's regular outbursts about European defence expenditure have caused some to question the future of the alliance, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. After the end of the Cold War military budgets in Europe steadily dwindled, but Russia's annexation of Crimea and growing assertiveness have made defence a priority once more. Stoltenberg insisted in January that pressure from Trump had led to allies spending more. The former Norwegian prime minister regularly points out that overall NATO defence spending is rising and that, by the end of 2020, allies will have added $100 billion since Trump took office in 2016. "We face a paradox: At a time when some are questioning the strength of the transatlantic bond, we are actually doing more and in more places than ever before," he said on Thursday. US military spending dwarfs that of the rest of the alliance. In 2018 Washington spent nearly $700 billion on defence, compared with just $280 billion for all the European NATO allies combined. Last month a report by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) showed that NATO's 27 European countries fell short of the two percent target by $102 billion in 2018. The IISS said European NATO members would "collectively have had to increase their spending by 38 percent" to hit the two percent target in 2018. NATO officials expected seven European member states to hit the target in 2018 but Romania fell just short on 1.92 percent because its economy grew faster than expected. Stoltenberg confirmed on Thursday that he would accept an invitation to address a joint meeting of the US Congress in early April as part of NATO's 70th birthday celebrations. NATO officials say it will be the first time an alliance secretary general has addressed both houses of Congress. NATO member states are spending more on defence but most are still well short of target, with US President Donald Trump pressing them to do more A shocking twist has emerged in the murder of Queensland woman set upon by her own daughter, who made a triple-0 call in an attempt to hide the crime. Radica Zafirovksa was bludgeoned to death with a piece of artificial timber as she slept in her bed at the family home in The Gap. A shocking twist has emerged in the murder of woman set upon by her own daughter at their home in The Gap. Source: 7 News In an unexpected turn of events, Simona recently learned she was not the womans biological daughter. The 22-year-old, a teaching student, made a panicked triple-zero call claiming intruders were in the house she shared with her mother. During the emergency call, Simona claimed she could hear footsteps from the wooden floors. Im just afraid to leave my room, she added, but it was all part of an elaborate act. Simona Zafirovksa (left) turned on her own mother Radica, bludgeoning her to death as she slept. Source: 7 News Asked if it was her mother moving around the house, Simona responded: No, no She knew it wasnt her mother moving around, because shed just murdered her. When police responded they found no signs of forced entry. The murder weapon was hidden behind a book case in the daughters bedroom, covered in fresh blood. Police found no evidence of forced entry into the home at The Gap. Source: 7 News Radica was a cleaner at the Supreme Court, where her daughter was on Wednesday convicted of her murder and sentenced to life behind bars. Simona only found out Radica wasnt her mother when police obtained her DNA as part of the legal process. The prosecution argued her motive was that she wanted to return to Macedonia to be with her boyfriend, but her mother had threatened to cut her off financially if she did. Simona Zafirovksa used this piece of artificial timber to murder her mother as she slept. Source: 7 News Simona was sentenced to life behind bars and wont be eligible for parole until 2036. She had nothing to say after the verdict, but started to weep during her sentencing. A victim impact statement from Simonas brother was read to the court, saying how much she was loved by her mother and how generous she was. Her legal team has already indicated she will be appealing the conviction. 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. Arjun Poudel is a health reporter for The Kathmandu Post. Before joining the Post, he worked for Sagarmatha Television, Naya Patrika, Republica and The Himalayan Times. Boeing is upgrading the stall prevention software on its 737 MAX, industry sources said Friday, as French investigators scoured black box data from the latest of two deadly crashes involving the aircraft in recent months. The MAX has been grounded worldwide following Sunday's Ethiopia Airlines disaster that killed all 157 on board, and the fallout has left the company, regulators and airlines scrambling to respond. Boeing will fine-tune its MCAS system -- implicated in the crash of a Lion Air 737 MAX 8 in Indonesia in October -- within 10 days, said two sources, who cautioned that the cause of the latest crash has yet to be determined. Boeing has halted deliveries of its top-selling model ahead of the software patch, which was already underway prior to the latest incident near Addis Ababa. Asked for details about the timeline for the fix, a Boeing spokesman Friday would only say it would be installed in "coming weeks." The black boxes from the Ethiopian craft, which was only a few months old and crashed minutes after takeoff, are being analyzed by the French authorities to determine the cause of the accident. An Ethiopian delegation delivered the cockpit voice and flight data recorders, which were damaged in the disaster, to France's BEA air safety agency to begin the investigation on Friday. The Lion Air crash also came just minutes after takeoff, killing 189 people, and US authorities say there is evidence of similarities between the accidents. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said findings from the crash site and "newly refined satellite data" warranted "further investigation of the possibility of a shared cause for the two incidents." Several American pilots also reported issues with the MCAS and the FAA said it had ordered Boeing to issue a fix by April. The aerospace giant held a conference call on Thursday with at least three carriers using the 737 MAX and gave them the patch, one source said, and the other airlines will get it early next week. Meanwhile, American pilots have raised questions about the training provided to the flight crews. One who flew a MAX 8 on Monday told AFP that US-trained pilots -- many of whom come from the military -- would have been able to react quickly to the MCAS flaw, if that occured in the accident last weekend. And Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger -- noted for his safe landing of a damaged plane on the Hudson River in New York without loss of life -- questioned the lack of experience of the Ethiopian first officer on the doomed flight, who reportedly had only 200 hours of flight time. "A cockpit crew must be a team of experts, not a captain and an apprentice," he said on social media. But he also worried about the lag in getting a software fix installed. "It has been obvious since the Lion Air crash that a redesign of the 737 MAX 8 has been urgently needed ... and the announced proposed fixes do not go far enough." - Boeing shares hit - Thousands of miles away, distraught families were demanding answers as they visited the deep black crater where the plane smashed into a field outside the capital, disintegrating on impact. Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's largest carrier, sent the black boxes to France because it does not have the equipment to analyze the data. The information that they contain helps explain 90 percent of all crashes, according to aviation experts. An FAA emergency order has grounded 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft until further notice, effectively taking the aircraft out of the skies globally. The move came after a growing number of airlines and countries decided not to fly the planes or ban them from their airspace until it is determined there are no safety issues. US President Donald Trump told reporters the "safety of the American people and all peoples is our paramount concern". Trump and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed exchanged condolences Friday, Abiy said on Twitter, with the US president praising Ethiopian Airlines as a "strong institution" and offering technical support. The 737 MAX series is Boeing's fastest-selling model and it is still relatively new with fewer than 500 in service. There are 74 registered in the United States and 387 in use worldwide with 59 carriers, according to the FAA. Boeing's shares have fallen 10 percent since Sunday's crash -- wiping out about $25 billion in value -- after regaining some ground Friday after report that a fix was coming soon. - 'Panicky voice' - According to the flight data recorder, the pilots of Lion Air Flight 610 struggled to control the aircraft as the MCAS repeatedly pushed the nose down after takeoff. At least four American pilots later complained of the same problem with the aircraft, according to documents reviewed by AFP on the Aviation Safety Reporting System, a voluntary incident database maintained by NASA. In two anonymous reports on flights just after the Lion Air disaster, US pilots disconnected the autopilot and corrected the plane's trajectory in response. The Ethiopian Airlines pilots reported similar difficulties before their aircraft plunged to the ground. According to The New York Times, air traffic controllers observed the Ethiopian Airlines plane "oscillating up and down by hundreds of feet" prior to the crash. Speaking in a "panicky voice," the doomed aircraft's captain requested permission to return to the airport almost immediately after takeoff as the plane "accelerated to abnormal speed," the newspaper reported Thursday, citing a person who had reviewed the air traffic communications. "Break break, request back to home," the Times quoted the pilot as saying just prior to the crash. "Request vector (direction) for landing." Boeing was criticized after the Lion Air crash for allegedly failing to adequately inform 737 pilots about the functioning of the stall prevention system. Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde GebreMariam said the doomed flight's captain was an experienced aviator with more than 8,000 flight hours. burs-ft/hs Families of victims search the site of the Ethiopian Airlines crash on March 15, 2019 Oromo women perform a traditional chant at the crash site at Hama Quntushele village, in Oromia region A man holds an Ethiopian flag as children from neighbouring Hama elementary school arrive to pay condolences at the crash site Chart showing changes in Boeing shares over the past five days. Countries that have closed their airspace and suspended flights of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft, as of Wednesday, March 13 at 1900 GMT Venezuelans resumed work Thursday after a weeklong hiatus forced by an unprecedented nationwide blackout, but President Nicolas Maduro's government faced fresh problems including a "terrorist attack" on an oil facility. Three storage tanks at the Petro San Felix heavy oil processing plant in eastern Venezuela caught fire late Wednesday, Oil Minister Manuel Quevedo told state television. There were no reports of casualties. Quevedo blamed Guaido, the head of Venezuela's opposition-ruled congress and self-proclaimed interim president backed by 50 countries, accusing him of collusion with the United States. "There was a terrorist act that we denounce at an international level," Quevedo told the VTV network. On Twitter, the minister said Guaido and the opposition were "intensifying terrorist incursions" against the state-owned oil company PDVSA to impact Venezuela's vital crude exports. "Traitors!" he wrote, adding "the US has decided to rob Venezuela of its oil resources... (and) wants blood to flow." Oil accounts for 90 percent of Venezuela's export revenues. Production has long slid, crimped by years of underinvestment and mismanagement. Stepped-up US sanctions have further trimmed exports. There was no immediate US reaction to the Caracas accusations. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement that all American diplomats had departed Venezuela on Thursday after being ordered out early this week. He also told Venezuelans in a video posted on Twitter: "We're with you, we're with interim president Juan Guaido. If you all stay the course, and I know that you will, the American people will too." The US State Department meanwhile announced that Washington has revoked the visas of an additional 340 people close to Maduro, bringing the total to more than 600 since late 2018. - Lines in Caracas - In Caracas and other cities, Venezuelans who had been prevented from working for a week because of the blackout returned to their activities as best they could after power was restored. The government called all public sector employees back to their offices, but state schools remained closed for another day. Long lines formed in the capital for the few buses running, and in front of banks. The city's subway, which usually transports two million people daily, was partly operating, and extremely crowded. The resumption marked a degree of relief after the lack of electricity, which deepened Venezuela's long economic crisis. But things were far from normal, with many shops remaining shuttered. The national industry federation Conindustria said it would take several days for some activities to come back. "During the blackout, we didn't open," Carlos Zuniga, a 23-year-old employee in a shoe store, told AFP. "Business is bad. In a crisis on this scale, people don't buy shoes when they are looking for water and food," he said. According to an economic analysis firm, Ecoanalitica, the blackout cost Venezuela $875 million and paralyzed industry, including the all-important oil sector. Maduro accused the US of causing the power outage. Experts said that was unlikely and years of infrastructure neglect and a persistent brain drain of qualified engineers was more probable. - Fraying diplomacy - The United States, Latin American countries and many European Union states recognize Guaido as the caretaker leader of Venezuela, and urge Maduro to call early presidential elections. Maduro refuses to do so. He has backing from Russia and China, which have invested tens of billions of dollars in Venezuela, as well as Cuba and Iran. In a sign of the fraying diplomacy concerning Venezuela, dozens of officials from Latin America, as well as the US, Canada and some European countries, walked out of a UN convention in Austria on the issue of drugs as Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza took the podium. A spokesperson for the US delegation said Arreaza and his team "represent the illegitimate government of Nicolas Maduro, and thus cannot be considered as speaking on behalf of the Venezuelan people." Arreaza said in his speech that the US "has threatened our people with a military aggression" and was taking "unilateral economic steps" in the form of sanctions costing Venezuela billions of dollars. Those sanctions have impacted other buyers of Venezuelan crude. India's biggest private oil refiner, Reliance Industries, told AFP on Thursday it had capped oil imports from Venezuela following pressure from the United States. "Our US subsidiary has completely stopped all business with Venezuela's state-owned oil company, PDVSA, and its global parent has not increased crude purchases," Reliance said in an emailed statement. "Reliance has halted all supply of diluent to PDVSA and will not resume such sales until sanctions are lifted," added the company, which is owned by India's richest man Mukesh Ambani. People wait in line to board a bus in Caracas, Venezuela on March 14, 2019 A woman sells fish in a street market in Caracas, where Venezuelans returned to work after a week-long blackout A man pushes a cart with coolers as Bolivarian National policemen are deployed to a subway station in Caracas, where long lines formed in the capital for the few buses running In Caracas, people began resuming normal life -- but the shuttered shops and long lines demonstrated that the recovery from a devastating blackout would take some time U.S. Rep. John Katko received more accolades Thursday for his work in Congress. The Bipartisan Policy Center presented Katko, R-Camillus, with its 2019 Legislative Action Award. The award is presented annually to six members of Congress who have served for no more than six years and "demonstrated skill and courage in the face of political challenges to confront a political problem, provided a positive tenor to the legislative process, and improved the functioning of Congress through their example," according to the center. Katko was recognized along with U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, and Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia, and U.S. Reps. Doug Collins, R-Georgia, Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, and Derek Kilmer, a Washington Democrat. Jason Grument, president of the Bipartisan Policy Center, lauded Katko for his focus on infrastructure, combating human trafficking, addressing the opioid crisis and updating the Brownfields program. "We are impressed by Representative Katko's independence and effectiveness serving the residents of central New York," Grument said. The award is the second honor Katko has received for his legislative work. Earlier this month, the Center for Effective Lawmaking, a project spearheaded by the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University, rated the central New York congressman as the fourth-most effective member of the House Republican caucus. His score was also fourth-best among all members of Congress. Katko's score was based on several factors, including the number of bills he introduced, the number of bills that passed out of committee and whether the measures were signed by the president. During the 115th Congress, Katko introduced 29 bills. The House passed 14 of the bills over a two-year period. President Donald Trump signed three Katko-sponsored measures. After being awarded the Bipartisan Policy Center's annual honor, Katko said he's "humbled to be recognized for my commitment to bipartisanship." "During a time of hyper-partisanship and gridlock in Washington, I've looked for opportunities to work across the aisle and bring together Democrats and Republicans to get things done for the good of central New York and the country," he said. Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The state Legislature is closer to preventing the construction of New York's largest trash incinerator in the Finger Lakes region. A bill approved by the state Assembly Thursday would prohibit the state from issuing permits for a trash incinerator if it's located within the Oswego River/Finger Lakes Watershed, if there is at least one landfill within a 50-mile radius of the proposed incinerator and if it would be located within 10 miles of a state Department of Environmental Conservation-designated priority waterbody. The main aim of the legislation is to block Circular enerG's plan to build a $365 million, 180-foot-tall incinerator at the former Seneca Army Depot in Romulus, Seneca County. With the incinerator, Circular enerG plans to have trash transported to the site and then burned to produce electricity. The proposed incinerator's proximity to two of the Finger Lakes Cayuga and Seneca lakes has generated much opposition to the project. There is also concern because the incinerator would be located close to the Romulus school district. "Protecting the natural resources that drive the Finger Lakes region is critical to sustaining our economic growth," said Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb, a Republican who represents a portion of Seneca County. "Our small business, viticulture and hospitality sectors rely on a high quality of life for residents and visitors alike. This bill protects the health of our natural landscape and the future vitality of the Finger Lakes region." One reason lawmakers pushed for passage of the bill is Circulr enerG sought approval through the state's Article X siting process, which is used for power plants. The state Public Service Commission is tasked with reviewing the request. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who appoints members of the Public Service Commission, announced last year that he opposes the trash incinerator project. He called it "simply not appropriate." Legislators introduced bills that would prevent trash incinerators from using the Article X siting process. But they took a different approach this year to focus on the trash incinerator project in the Finger Lakes region. Instead of a broader bill with statewide ramifications, the legislation passed by the Assembly would prevent incinerators from being constructed in the Finger Lakes Watershed. A companion bill has been introduced in the Senate by state Sen. Rachel May, a Syracuse Democrat. State Sen. Pam Helming, whose district includes all of Seneca County, is a cosponsor. The bill was reported out of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee in February. It has been placed on the calendar for a Senate floor vote. "Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, this is not a political issue," Helming, R-Canandaigua, said. "We need to continue putting the people first, not politics." Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A lands bill signed by President Donald Trump includes a provision authored by U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand study whether the Finger Lakes region should be designated as a national heritage area. Gillibrand's legislation was added to the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act. The federal natural resources bill was named in honor of Dingell, the longest-serving member of Congress who died in February. The House and Senate passed the lands package in February. The bill sponsored by Gillibrand, the Finger Lakes Heritage Area Study Act, requires the National Park Service to study whether the 14-county region should be designated as a national heritage area. The feasibility study will cover Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Livingston, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne and Yates counties. The National Park Service defines a national heritage area as a location "where natural, cultural and historic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape." There are 49 national heritage areas. Four are in New York: Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership; Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor; Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area; and Niagara Falls National Heritage Area. "I'm thrilled that we can finally begin the process of designating the Finger Lakes region as a national heritage area," Gillibrand said in a statement. "The Finger Lakes region is one of the most beautiful and breathtaking places in our state. A national heritage area designation would encourage more people from all over the country to visit the Finger Lakes region and see for themselves how beautiful the area is." Gillibrand explained that the designation could boost the tourism industry, which is already a thriving sector in the regional economy. The Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance reported that tourism in the 14-county region generated more than $3 billion in business and supported 58,242 jobs in 2017. There are hundreds of popular attractions in the region, including more than 400 historic sites and landmarks, 135 museums and 100 wineries. "It comes as no surprise to me or anyone who visits this beautiful part of our state the Finger Lakes region deserves to go through this process and be deemed as a federally recognized national heritage area, particularly as we have heard the overwhelming support from our key stakeholders," said Cynthia Kimble, president of the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance. There is no timetable for when the National Park Service will commence the study. However, the language in the law requires that a report outlining the findings and any recommendations from the interior security should be submitted to the relevant House and Senate committees "not later than three years after" federal funding is first provided for the study. Online producer Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The work of Coburn Design is all around Auburn. For more than 25 years, its clean, bold imagery has been integral to the brands of hundreds of clients. But joining the list of Coburn's current design projects is its own logo. Because after founder Laura Coburn took a position with The Inns of Aurora in September 2017, she and her trusted team felt it was time to do their own rebranding. Speaking Monday at their Genesee Street office, Coburn, Creative Director Chris Madden and Senior Designer Natalie Kimbrough said their organizational structure has changed since Coburn stopped working there full-time. She still owns the company, she said, but her work is limited to weekly check-ins. She's also available to provide advice and ideas at any time. When it comes to creative direction, though, it's Madden and Kimbrough at the helm, handling everything from Prison City's beer labels and the Finger Lakes SPCA of Central New York's website to the graphics adorning the city of Auburn's Showmobile stage. And Coburn couldn't be any more confident in her team's ability to take the company through its next 25 years, she said. Coburn started Coburn Design in her Orchard Avenue home in 1992. The Citizen's creative director at the time, she had started doing freelance design work for her clients that she couldn't do through the newspaper. She left The Citizen to focus on her new company full-time that November. After years of using part-timers, she hired her first full-time employee. Eventually, Coburn Design swelled to a staff of five. One of them was Madden, who came to the company from Scotsman Press in 2007. Then, about five years ago, Coburn and Madden decided to scale the team down, she said. "Rather than being all things to all people, we've looked at what we're really great at," Coburn said. "And we really excel at illustration and web design." With Madden handling the former and Coburn the latter, the two were able to take only the clients they were passionate about. The company maintains about 20 active ones at any given time, Coburn said, though it's worked with closer to 100 within the last three years. And because its services can be provided remotely, that client list reaches as far as California and Minneapolis. Coburn landed the Minneapolis one, she said, when a former Merry-Go-Round Playhouse intern working there found local designers too imposing. Remembering her work with the Auburn company on the theater's show logos, she contacted Coburn. Other times, Madden said, the company uses social media to tout its talents to remote clients, and Skype to stay responsive to their needs. Most of Coburn's clients, however, remain in the community. That local support has led Coburn to make giving part of the company's mission, she said. When funding fell through for a logo the King Ferry Food Pantry requested last holiday season, Coburn waived the fee. The company also feels strongly about the Finger Lakes SPCA of CNY Madden's Boston terrier, Ruby, shares his office space so Kimbrough built its website for no charge. And Coburn uses gifts to express gratitude for the longtime support of the Merry-Go-Round and, later, Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival. In 2014, the company began working with what, along with the festival, Kimbrough called one of Coburn's most exciting and high-profile clients: Prison City. Since before Dawn Schulz opened the State Street brewpub that December, Prison City has sourced almost every one of its designs from Coburn, such as menus, glassware, beer labels and more. "They have a really good knowledge of what our brand is," Schulz said. "Branding, especially in the competitive craft beer market, really makes a big difference. It makes people recognize you." Schulz also praised the clean lines of Madden's work, which demonstrates one aspect of Coburn's approach to design. All the company's visuals are easy to read and reproducible across a variety of formats, Madden said, from small website icons to large theatrical posters. Coburn added that the cleanliness and organization of those designs can inspire confidence in the people who see them. "If you're not a designer, you don't necessarily know why it's great," she said. "But there's something about it that just makes you feel a certain way." Whether it's Schulz, Brett Smock of the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival or other clients, Coburn also follows a collaborative process with them. Most give the company room to generate ideas, and as it does, clients chime in with theirs. Coburn said the company has to remain assertive, though, as sometimes clients may lack their audience's perception of the brand. The way colors work can also be misleading: A client who wants lime green, for instance, may not understand how yellow it will look on a website across Apple, Samsung and other platforms, Coburn said. Madden, who has an M.S. in graphic design from SUNY Oswego, is there to navigate clients through that part of the process. A year and a half ago, he and Coburn added a third part-time employee in Kimbrough. After interning there 10 years prior, she returned with a BFA in visual communication and design from Kent State University, plus three years of experience designing for the University of Arizona. But it was her project management background, in particular, that combined with Madden's design skills to give Coburn the confidence they could carry on the company she started. The Inns of Aurora felt the same way, Coburn said. The Aurora company had been making overtures to her for more than a year, she said, but she worried how Coburn Design would continue without her. And the Inns of Aurora, a longtime client, didn't want her at her company's expense. But the week Kimbrough arrived, the Inns of Aurora made another offer. She felt ready for a second career, Madden felt ready to lead the company and Kimbrough felt ready to go full-time. So they made the transition. And, naturally, they began working on a new logo, still in progress, to communicate it. "It was a really wonderful, natural, very smooth transition," Coburn said. "The universe provides, I've always believed. Doors open when they're meant to open." Lake Life Editor David Wilcox can be reached at (315) 282-2245 or david.wilcox@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @drwilcox. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. The Cayuga Economic Development Agency is a private, nonprofit corporation that provides free and confidential services to any entrepreneur or business within Cayuga County. Over our 10-year history, our services have grown and evolved. CEDA continues to work one-on-one with clients, but we have also been increasing the number of events we host. This helps spread the word about programs and incentives farther and faster, which can help spur more projects and help more businesses to start up and grow. At the end of January each year, CEDA hosts the Economic Forecast Luncheon, which recaps the previous year's metrics and explains noteworthy trends. This years keynote speaker was Randy Cohen from Americans for the Arts, who explained how economically impactful the arts have been in our area. Expert touts economic impact of the arts at annual Auburn luncheon AUBURN The arts are not only part of a community's economy, but their success supports jus On Feb. 26, CEDA hosted a workshop for local commercial lenders to remind them of the various programs that can be used in conjunction with a traditional loan to make the deal more viable for the lender and the borrower. We explained the two local revolving loan programs that can be applied for through CEDA when a traditional loan is not an option, or as gap financing with a larger loan. The U.S. Small Business Administration gave an overview of their Microloan, 504 Loan and 7(a) Loan Guaranty programs. Since Auburn has a population of less than 50,000, it is considered a rural community, so businesses can also consider the U.S. Department of Agricultures Business and Industry Loan Guarantee program. It is important for business owners to realize there are many ways to finance a project. CEDAs specialists are great at brainstorming and problem-solving to find the right combination of resources for a project. This event also had a special presentation by Bergmann Associates, which is the city of Auburns consultant for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Projects chosen for DRI funding are awarded a reimbursable grant, which means they do not receive any money until they have completed a portion or the entire project, and fulfilled their requirements. Most projects will require some form of interim financing to make the project move forward, so it is important for lenders to understand how they can participate in these upcoming projects. Auburn introduced to new federal tax incentive program AUBURN As an effort to get private investment flowing into low-income communities, New Yor On March 4, CEDA brought in Michael NDolo from Camoin Associates to educate businesses and potential investors about a new federal incentive program: Opportunity Zones. Cayuga County has one zone, which lies in the northwest quadrant of the city of Auburn. The program is an economic development tool designed to spur long-term, private capital investment in distressed areas by providing tax benefits to investors. The tax benefit offers an immediate deferral of capital gains tax with future deferment benefits as well, depending on how long the investment is held. The presentation was recorded and is available for viewing online. CEDAs next steps are to identify potential projects and connect them to interested investors. To begin the process, CEDA has created a map of available sites for development. The map can also include privately owned parcels available for sale. Contact CEDA to have yours added. New York state is entering the ninth round of the Consolidated Funding Application process, which compiles the majority of the states funding programs into one application. On March 11, Dan Kolinski from Empire State Development gave a presentation about the application process and outlined the anticipated ESD programs. CEDA helps local businesses identify their eligible programs and gives project-specific advice for applying. Anyone with a project that might be eligible for state funding should start working with CEDA as soon as possible. While the current round of funding has not yet been announced, we anticipate that it will start this spring. In recent years, applications have been due at the end of July. On March 21, CEDA, in collaboration with several other partners, will host Career Day in Cayuga Community Colleges gymnasium for local high school juniors. This event will highlight some of our regions largest industries, and introduce students to local career opportunities they may not be aware of or have considered. For businesses interested in attending, please contact CEDA as soon as possible. Also on the horizon for 2019, CEDA plans to host informative sessions on topics such as Historic Tax Credits for the rehabilitation and reuse of historic buildings, New Yorks Brownfield Cleanup Program to remediate contaminated sites or buildings, the Department of Labors apprenticeship programs to aid workforce development, and others as interest arises. In addition, CEDA and Auburn SCORE are planning a series of entrepreneur networking events that will take place later this year. These events will bring together entrepreneurs, potential entrepreneurs and small business service providers to meet, learn and build a more cohesive entrepreneurial ecosystem. If you or someone you know might be interested in any of these events, it is very easy to stay in touch. Subscribe to CEDAs newsletter via the link at the bottom of our homepage, cayugaeda.org, to have local economic development news delivered right to your inbox. You can also follow CEDA via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Alternatively, contact one of CEDAs specialists directly. For entrepreneurs and small businesses, contact Derek Simmonds, and for large businesses and business recruitment projects, contact me, Maureen Riester. Maureen Riester is a SCORE mentor and the Cayuga Economic Development Agency's business development specialist, focusing on bringing new business to Auburn and Cayuga County. She can be contacted at mriester@cayugaeda.org or (315) 252-3500. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 An ex-worker at Auburn Community Hospital's intensive care unit this week filed a complaint against the hospital with the state Division of Human Rights alleging sexual discrimination and a hostile work environment. The complaint, from Dan Dennis Jr., who worked as a nurse practitioner at the ICU from July 2017 to July 2018, primarily involves complaints against former ACH physician Dr. Jeremy Barnett, the same doctor accused of misconduct including behavior that endangered patients in two lawsuits already filed by former ACH doctors. The law firm representing Dennis, Gattuso & Ciotoli, of Fayetteville, is the same firm representing both doctors in those suits. Barnett no longer works at the hospital. The hospital's administration, in both a letter to The Citizen from CEO Scott Berlucchi and in prepared statements, have denied that patient care was ever compromised, and noted that the state approved a corrective plan required after a review related to Barnett's behavior. It has also characterized the lawsuits as "unproven" allegations. Hospital officials could not be reached Wednesday for comment on this story. According to Dennis' complaint, while working as Barnett's right-hand-man, Dennis said he was subjected to numerous acts of sexual harassment, unwarranted public ridicule, and demeaning conduct in the workplace, something the complaint said was never investigated or responded to by hospital administration. Instances of sexual harassment from Barnett described in the complaint include making derisive sexual remarks about patients Barnett and Dennis were treating, making unprofessional and discomforting comments about his own sex life, and spreading rumors that the pair were dating. Barnett also allegedly created a hostile work environment in which he would berate Dennis for things such as offering his own opinions on medical issues, according to the complaint. Dennis said Barnett would often fly off the handle, yell and scream, acting like a crazy person. According to the complaint, Barnett would frequently insult Dennis in front of other staff members. Dennis would also receive harassing phone calls from Barnett outside of normal work hours or at work if Dennis was away from Barnett for more than a minute or two. The complaint also alleges that hospital administrators, specifically CEO Scott Berlucchi and Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Riccio, effectively enabled Barnett's behavior by informing him when complaints were made against him and by whom. In addition to the hospital, Dennis' complaint named Berlucchi, Riccio and Barnett as defendants. Similar to the separate lawsuits from Dr. Gregory Serfer and Dr. Karen Odrzywolski, Dennis' complaint contends that administrators never responded to complaints, including those from other members of the ICU staff, or took corrective action despite repeatedly having been made aware. An August state Department of Health investigation into the hospital's handling of complaints about Barnett faulted the hospital for failing to properly respond to numerous complaints about Barnett, including reports of "near misses" with patients. The agency followed up in November and determined the hospital had corrected the issues. Barnett could not be reached for comment on this complaint. He has not returned phone calls in previous attempts to seek his response to lawsuits. The state Division of Human Rights, the agency with which Dennis' complaint was filed, receives, investigates and attempts to resolve workplace discrimination complaints. It's findings can ultimately be appealed to the state's courts. Staff writer Ryan Franklin can be reached at (315) 282-2252 or ryan.franklin@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @RyanNYFranklin Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 AUBURN One January evening, tension was in the air as a family of four watched a live-streamed city council meeting. Kristin Garland, the mother of this family had been nominated as Auburn's new part-time associate city judge. Now it was time for council to vote on her confirmation. The first vote, a "no," from the five-person council was an unsettling blow. But before the mayor cast the last vote, Garland had secured three votes a majority. Garland's confirmation had lit a fuse, causing her kids to explode as they screamed and jumped up and down. After 226 years as a municipality, Auburn had named its first female city judge. Celebrating would have to be put on hold though, as Garland was set to start her new job at 8 a.m. the next morning. Later that week, she would attend a week-long program at the New York State Judicial Institute at Pace University in preparation for the new gig. At the Judicial Institute, Garland met fellow newly-appointed judges. The class was a diverse one, comprised of a wide age range. Nearly half of the class was made of women, too. "It was really great to go down there and see people that had just been appointed and to see that they too were nervous and anxious," Garland said. Garland is a courtroom veteran with 11 years of experience. But even for her, it took some time getting accustomed to leading a courtroom. "When everybody turns and looks at you the first time you sit on the bench, you're kind of like 'Why is everybody looking at me?' And then you realize, 'It's me, I have to call the case.'" While at the Judicial Institute Garland learned how to manage different types of cases including small claims, commercial claims and even dangerous dog hearings. Despite what looks like a heavy workload, Garland looks toward the silver lining: another opportunity to learn. "Seeing different types of cases let's us get to see more people in the community and help more people in the community," Garland said. "It's given me an opportunity to study and dig into the law again." Just like anyone, Garland has faced obstacles throughout her career. But some of these obstacles are unlikely faced by men. Even now as a judge, Garland said that sometimes it's hard to be heard as a woman. Early in her career as an attorney, Garland was told by a judge that the shoes she wore were distracting. He told her not to wear them again in the courtroom. Garland said instances like this were common at the time. "While it was embarrassing to me, I didn't feel like that was wrong of him to say that to me," Garland said. "Now, cut to 12 years later, I would definitely go to the court administrator and say this judge said this. That's the difference of a decade and a half of change." For both young men and women, Garland believes today's world can be exciting, as a new generation is exposed to a society overcoming gender bias. As for the young women who continue to encounter bias, "keep going," says Garland. "Keep moving forward, and don't let people tell you that you can't" Because she's worked with a local firm and has represented a number of clients in the area, Garland isn't allowed to lead a case involving any of her clients from the past two years, according to judicial ethics. Garland also isn't allowed to to take on cases involving her husband, Nate Garland, who serves as an assistant corporation counsel for Auburn. When Nate Garland does appear in housing code cases, Auburn's other judge, Judge David Thurston, takes over. Kristen Garland returns the favor when Thurston's wife, who heads the Auburn Housing Authority appears in court. "There's only so many attorneys. There's only so many people in our legal community, and you're going to have conflicts come up, especially when people have worked with firms," Kristen Garland said. At the time of Garland's confirmation, Auburn Councilor James Giannettino said the Garlands' relationship was "irrelevant" to the council's decision. "I don't think it's fair to deny someone a job based on their spouse's job," he said. For a lack of a better term, Garland hasn't taken on any "blockbuster" cases yet. But if you ask her, she'll say that every case holds importance. "You're deciding whether or not if someone is going to spend a part of their life in jail, and that's a big deal," she said. "People don't come to court because they've had something wonderful happen to them that's just me. Every one that comes to court has a problem of some sort that they're looking to us to decide on." At the end of her six-year term, Garland said she hopes female judges are more common. In New York, as of February, there are 25 counties that lack female judges, according to New York Law Journal. While Garland is now Auburn's first female judge, Cayuga County still hasn't had a woman on the bench. Staff writer Dan Orzechowski can be reached at (315) 282-2239 or dan.orzechowski@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @OrzechowskiDan. Love 2 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. Each day, journalists throughout the country are working tirelessly to inform their readers what the government is up to. The free press is one of the most important pillars of American democracy. By reporting the truth, reporters allow the citizenry to elect leaders that represent their values and ideals and craft laws and policies that they believe in. But historically, government officials have worked overtime to keep their misdeeds, mistakes, or controversial decisions hidden from the public. Journalists often rely on whistleblowers within the government to tip them off on the decisions being made behind closed doors and give them insight into whats really going on. Last year, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Government Accountability Project released The Whistleblower Project, which told the stories of many of those brave and essential government and corporate workers. Often whistleblowers risk their careers and mental health to reveal the truth. Despite being protected by a patchwork of laws, whistleblowers at city halls, state houses, at federal agencies and on Wall Street, face retaliation from their superiors and peers. They have not been getting much support from the White House in recent years. Former president Barack Obama arrested eight people for leaking secrets under the Espionage Act. President Donald Trump has also prosecuted sources under the same law. More troubling, Trump has waged a war on the truth. Time and time again, Trump has expressed his disdain for reporters, which he famously calls enemies of the American people as well as their sources, which he refers to as leakers. The Department of Justice, under Trump, has ramped up leak investigations and his former Attorney General Jeff Sessions threatened to criminally charge people who leaked classified information. There is a reason the Trump administration has taken such a strong stance against whistleblowers. Last year, an EPA staffer exposed how Trumps former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and his aides kept secret calendars and schedules so they could hide meetings and calls with coal and oil industry representatives. Pruitt resigned following the scandal. Whistleblowers have also exposed how the administrations harsh immigration policies have harmed children, especially kids who have been detained and separated from their families. Public outcry following a media spotlight on its immigration practices prompted the Trump administration to reverse course and end its so-called zero tolerance policies. Due to these new threats, stronger laws that protect whistleblowers have become even more vital. The Society of Professional Journalists calls on Congress to pass a strong federal shield law that better protects journalists and whistleblowers. It also calls on new legislation that will better protect whistleblowers within the intelligence community, provides protections for congressional staffers, allows the Office of the Special Counsel to order Inspector General investigations, provides stronger protections for federal whistleblowers, including providing interim relief and jury trials, and consolidates the 22 different corporate whistleblower laws that are enforced by the Department of Labor. Danielle McLean is chair of the Society of Professional Journalists Freedom of Information Committee and an investigative reporter at ThinkProgress. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Justin Sullivan/Getty Images(OAKLAND, Calif.) -- A California jury awarded $29 million on Wednesday to a woman who sued Johnson & Johnson, claiming that asbestos in its talcum-based baby powder caused her cancer. An Alameda County jury in Oakland, California, held Johnson & Johnson responsible for Teresa Leavitts mesothelioma a cancer linked to asbestos exposure through her use of baby powder. It is the latest in as many as 13,000 pending lawsuits against the company related to body powders containing talc, according to the annual report the company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The largest award to date is $4.7 billion, which was awarded in July 2018. In the same filing, the company also disclosed it is being investigated by the SEC and the Justice Department for its disclosures regarding alleged asbestos contamination in baby powder. Leavitt's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Johnson & Johnson said it is appealing the Oakland jury verdict and maintains that its baby powder is safe. "We are disappointed with todays verdict and will pursue an appeal because Johnsons Baby Powder does not contain asbestos or cause cancer," the company said in a statement emailed to ABC News. "Plaintiffs attorneys have fundamentally failed to show that Johnsons Baby Powder contains asbestos, and their own experts concede that they are not recognizing the accepted definition of asbestos and are ignoring crucial distinctions between minerals that are asbestos and minerals that are not. We respect the legal process and reiterate that jury verdicts are not medical, scientific or regulatory conclusions about a product." Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Chand party warns of retaliation after government bans its criminal activities The Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal has said it will strongly retaliate if the government moves to suppress the party and its activities. SAN FRANCISCOThe Erotic Service Providers Legal Education and Research Project (ESPLERP), a sex worker activist group, has noted that a federal grand jury has unsealed a seven-count indictment against a Columbus Ohio vice officer, Andrew Mitchell, who is charged with kidnapping women "under the guise of an arrest" and forcing victims "to engage in sex for their freedom." The charges appear to be related to an ongoing investigation by an FBI Task Force into the Columbus PD's Vice Unit. Those following the Stormy Daniels saga will recall that she was arrested while performing at Sirens, an adult nightclub in Columbus last July, though charges were later dismissed, and at least one of the arresting officers was accused of having made the arrest because Daniels was then in the process of suing President Donald Trump. This is what the criminalization of prostitution does: corrupt cops, charged Maxine Doogan of ESPLERP. The Columbus PD will claim Mitchell is a single bad apple, but rape by cop is baked into the structure of how cops police prostitution. This is just the tip of the iceberg. You can look forward to more cases like this in police departments nationwide. Many sex workers perform sex work to survive or support their families. The criminalization of prostitution doesnt address workers' material needs, and makes them vulnerable to violence. Even though police brutality and harassment of sex workers is commonplace, society generally turns a blind eye. In a 2008 survey, nearly 20 percent of sex workers who were approached by police were asked for sex by the officer. In 2017, as many as 30 Bay Area law enforcement officers had sex with a teenage prostitute, some while she was still a minor. In 2018, two trans sex workers reported that officers in DC and Prince Georges County were using the threat of arrest to coerce them into having sex. The problem here is the criminalization of sex work, which encourages corruption in police departments, said Reada Wong of ESPLERP. Nobody will be safe until sex work is decriminalized, and cops cant exploit sex workers or their clients under the guise of enforcing bad laws." Police should not be wasting time arresting adults engaged in consensual sexual activities. ESPLERP applauds the efforts of Decrim NY in New York State and DECRIMNOW DC in Washington, D.C. to decriminalize sex work, and encourages legislators in all 50 states to follow suit and decriminalize sex work immediately for the publics health and safety. ESPLERP is a diverse community-based coalition advancing sexual privacy rights through litigation, education, and research. They may be supported at LitigateToEmancipate.com. Pictured, l-r: Maxine Doogan, Stormy Daniels NORTH HOLLYWOOD Calif.The popular docuseries This Giant Beast That is the Global Economy features a lengthy segment on Doc Johnson in its second episode. Available on Amazon Prime, the series is hosted by actor Kal Penn, and produced by Adam McKay, journalist Adam Davidson and actor Will Ferrell. This Giant Beast That is the Global Economy takes viewers on a comedic, enlightening deep dive through some of the most complex issues of the global economy, using a comedic spin to help illustrate financial concepts. Episode 2, titled Are Rich People Dicks or Do Dicks Get Rich, features several tales of rich dicks, rich dicks talking about how they got rich, and experts explaining how dicks can control the economy and society. The segment on pleasure products manufacturer Doc Johnson, though, showcases how, despite the fact that many people might find the idea of a dildo factory amusing at first blush, Doc Johnson is a company with a reputation for valuing the contributions of its employees, many of whom have been with the company for decades and this has been good for business. Penn narrates the segments opening by declaring, So once again, we scoured the world looking for a beacon of hope in a rich dick universe. A competitive, yet altruistic, non-zero sum symbiotic shining dick on a hill we can all look up to, as video clips of the factory play. Penn then interviews COO Chad Braverman and Anjani Siddhartha, who designs and sculpts many of the companys products. Since Doc Johnson was featured on Amazon Primes This Giant Beast That is the Global Economy, customers from all over the country have been calling and emailing in strong support of our company, and our commitment to making quality products in the USA, Braverman said. We are one of just a few pleasure products manufacturers who still make their own products in this country. Most companies, both large and small in our industry, have outsourced their manufacturing overseas. People definitely seem excited to hear that they can still buy products that are Made in Americaand were truly very proud to be making the majority of our pleasure products right here at our North Hollywood campus, in the USA since we started in 1976, and to this day. Penn discussed his visit to Doc Johnsons campus on the Kevin & Bean Show on KROQ, saying that Doc Johnson has a reputation of being really good to their employees. Theyve retained many of their employees through most of their adult lives. Its a family business, and they were saying, Look, theres a reason why we cultivate humans who we love. And the company is very well liked, theyre very well rated. On the manufacturing line, there were people around my parents age, who, with no sense of irony (which is good, because none of this should be taboo), theyre making dildos and putting them in the molds and waving them up to dry, he continued. This is actually pretty great because shouldnt we actually live in this world where these things, A., are not taboo and B., people are being paid fairly for their work? So, it was nice to spend the day with them. Amazon Prime members can view This Giant Beast That is the Global Economy at Amazon.com. CYBERSPACEIn early December, the popular social media platform Tumblrwhich had long provided one of the most welcoming online outlets for adult content and unrestricted sexual expressionannounced that starting on December 17, porn would no longer be permitted on the platform, as AVN.com reported. Tumblr CEO Jeff DOnofrio attempted to soften the blow for Tumblr users, saying in a statement that Tumblr is also a place to speak freely about topics like art, sex positivity, your relationships, your sexuality, and your personal journey. We want to make sure that we continue to foster this type of diversity of expression. But his words may have rung hollow with a large segment of Tumblr users. From December to January, total traffic to the site plunged by nearly 20 percent, according to stats compiled by the internet traffic analysis site SimilarWeb. In December, according to the SimilarWeb analysis, Tumblr received 521 million visits from internet users. But in January, that number fell to 437 million. Thats a drop of about 16 percent. But the fall continued in February, when Tumblr received 369.6 million visits, another 15 percent plungeand a drop of almost 30 percent from the start of December, days before the porn ban was announced. Is the drop in Tumblr traffic directly attributable to the porn ban? That question may not be possible to answer with certainty. But a comparison with other social media sites using SimilarWeb data appears to show that Tumblr had showed a much steeper drop in traffic than comparable platforms. Traffic to Twitter, the microblogging site that does permit posting of sexually explicit content, actually rose slightly, by about three percent from December to January, before dropping about 11 percent in Februaryfor a total decline over the two-month period of just eight percent. Reddit, the discussion-group-style social media platform that also allows adult content in certain areas, showed a pattern similar to Twitters traffic over the two-month stretch, ticking up by just one percent from December to January. Then, in February, Reddit traffic dropped 11 percent month-on-month, for a total drop of 10 percent from the start of Decemberjust one-third the size of the traffic plunge suffered by Tumblr since announcing its porn ban. A Change.org online petition posted at the beginning of December has so far collected more than 602,000 digital signatures. Photo by Tumblr, Inc. / Wikimedia Commons Public Domain CYBERSPACEAlmost exactly three decades ago, on March 11, 1989, a British computer scientist working at CERNthe European Organization for Nuclear Research, located in Switzerlandsubmitted a proposal to his boss. The computer scientist, Tim Berners-Lee, had drawn up a rough proposal for an information management at CERN using a distributed hypertext system. Berners-Lees boss scribbled a note on top of the proposal, saying simply, Vague, but exciting. Now, 30 years later, that information management system which became known as the World Wide Web, has become the most world-changing force in the global communications and culture since the invention of the telephone itself, or the invention of television. But the father of the World Wide Web is not happy with his creation, as it enters its fourth decade, calling it not the web we wanted in every respect, speaking at the [email protected] conference on Tuesday, as quoted by the Associated Press. In an open letter published on the World Wide Web Foundation site, Berners-Lee bemoaned what the web has become 30 years after he first dreamed it up. While the web has created opportunity, given marginalized groups a voice, and made our daily lives easier, it has also created opportunity for scammers, given a voice to those who spread hatred, and made all kinds of crime easier to commit, he wrote. The WWW creator went on to identify three specific areas of dysfunction that he believes must be addressed. in order for the World Wide Web to live up to its original potential. Those are: Deliberate, malicious intent. This category includes cybercrime, state-sponsored hacking, and the many forms of online harassment. System design that creates perverse incentives. In other words, advertising and economic models that reward clickbait, misinformation and disinformationand any other system in that sacrifices user value to some other incentive, such as profit. Unintended negative consequences. Even well-intentioned systems, such as online discussion groups, often go awry, and are overtaken by outraged and polarized discourse. You cant just blame one government, one social network or the human spirit, wrote Berners-Lee. Simplistic narratives risk exhausting our energy as we chase the symptoms of these problems instead of focusing on their root causes. To get this right, we will need to come together as a global web community. As AVN.com reported last year, the 63-year-old Berners-Lee has embarked on a new project, to create a new version of the web that will allow users to fully control their own data. "You should have complete control of your data, he said at the [email protected] conference. It's not oil. It's not a commodity. Finally, however, Berners-Lee sounded an optimistic note about the future of his 30-year-old brainchild. "The web is for everyone and collectively we hold the power to change it. It won't be easy," the father of WWW said. But if we dream a little and work a lot, we can get the web we want. Photo By John S. and James L. Knight Foundation / Wikimedia Commons Well done, Nervana! (Excerpt: read on Human Rights Watch, Egypt, and the Oscars) International human rights organisation Human Rights Watch (HRW) published a recent article titled: Egypt should win an Oscar for hypocrisy over praise for Rami Malek. Neela Ghosal, a senior researcher in the organisation, wrote that Egypts positive reaction to Egyptian actor Rami Malek winning the Oscar for his role in the film Bohemian Rhapsody as gay music legend Freddie Mercury of Queen, was hypocritical. Ghosal, who described Mercury as unabashedly, flamboyantly queer, cited a quote from Maleks acceptance speechin which he said, We made a film about a gay man, an immigrant, who lived his life just unapologetically himself. To support her claim that Egypt was being hypocritical, Ghosal said that if the Egyptian government and its apologists want to own a piece of Maleks Bohemian Rhapsody triumph, they should own up to the facts about the appalling treatment of homosexuals in Egypt. In her view, Rami Malek gave life, joyfully, to a queer icon, but Egypt, under President Sisi, would not allow either Freddie Mercury to thrive on its soil, or a Malek to celebrate him. Even if we acknowledge the writers view that Mercurys sexual orientation was the core part of the film, the researchers argument is still deeply flawed. Firstly, the celebration of a young man of Egyptian origin, who was passionately proud of his Egyptain roots, is not hypocritical and has nothing to do with homosexuality. Secondly, the idea that the Egyptian government has no right to celebrate Rami Maleks Oscar, unless it recognizes homosexuality is frankly absurd. By that logic, the Egyptian government must recognise prostitution, sex outside marriage, and all other taboos in Muslim societies in order to celebrate any film that addresses those issues with any degree of positivity. Perhaps the researcher did not follow the history of Egyptian cinema. For over a century, Egyptian film-makers have challenged taboos and produced daring movies about various controversial topics, including homosexuality. Films such as Cat on Fire and The Yacobian Building bluntly deal with homosexuality, and despite creating an uproar and controversy, both were eventually approved by the governent censorship authority. Furthermore, film critics and the vast majority of Egyptian audiences praised both Nour El Sherif, the main actor in Cat on Fire, and Khaled El Sawi for playing the daring roles of gay men. Along with homosexuality, Egyptian cinema has addressed other social taboos, such as sex workers, and even portrayed them as victims. Real Good Food chief financial officer Harveen Rai, who helped turn around the business, is to leave at the end of this month. The company today (13 March) said it had mutually agreed with Rai that she will step down from the board and leave in two weeks time. Real Good Food stated the move followed the recent streamlining of the company into two semi-autonomous business units cake decorations supplier Renshaw and snack bar manufacturer Brighter Foods. RGF chief executive Hugh Cawley, who is a chartered accountant, will take on financial officer duties on an interim basis, supported by group financial controller Nikki Lee, until a new group CFO is appointed. On behalf of the board, we would like to express our thanks to Harveen for her contribution to the business over the last 18 months, said RGF chairman Pat Ridgwell. She has played a key role in the turnaround, refinancing and reshaping of the group. We wish her well for all of her future endeavours. Rai, who was previously chief financial officer at Arzyta UK Holdings, joined RGF in 2017, during a troubled period that saw the departure of founder Pieter Totte and finance director David Newman. The business consequently secured new funding and sold off divisions, including Haydens Bakery and Garrett Ingredients. After announcing the sale of preserves business R&W Scott late last year, Cawley stated: This disposal, alongside those of Haydens and Garretts, marks a significant milestone in the turnaround and performance improvement programme of Real Good Food. We are now able to focus on the core continuing businesses, Brighter Foods and cake decoration, with no bank term loan and a fully funded growth plan. Defence team questions legality of charge against police officers in Nirmala case The prosecutor and defence attorneys on Wednesday argued over the legitimacy of the case lodged on March 6 by the Kanchanpur District Attorney Office at the Kanchanpur District Court against eight police officers charged with tampering the evidence in connection with Nirmala Pants rape and murder case and torturing an innocent to frame him as the major culprit. Local unit provides financial support to MBBS students Mangalsain Municipality in Achham district has provided financial assistance to three MBBS students from the municipality in the current fiscal year. Nepal Airlines to conduct first audit in six decades Beset by financial stress and prompted by government plans to bring a strategic partner, Nepal Airlines Corporation is preparing to conduct a financial audit for the first time in more than six decades BLACK REPUBLICAN BLOG - The Republican Party is the party of civil rights and the four Fs: faith, family, freedom and fairness. The Democratic Party is the party of the four Ss: slavery, secession, segregation and socialism (Quote By Author Michael Scheuer). Court releases six cops on bail in Nirmala rape and murder case The Kanchanpur District Court on Thursday ordered bail release of six police officials who were arrested on charge of evidence tampering and torturing an innocent man to extract false confession in connection to the rape and murder case of 13-year-old Nirmala Pant. Celebrities Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman were among those arrested this week in an unfolding scandal wherein rich people bribed officials at elite colleges, through an intermediary, to accept their unqualified children. The Department of Justice, however, says it won't be releasing their booking photos. The DOJ and U.S. Marshals Services say their policies prohibit releasing the photos because doing so doesn't serve the agencies' needs if the person in question has already been apprehended. In other words, putting them out post-arrest only serves the public's fascination. So what about a Freedom of Information request? The government no longer grants routine access to federal mug shots through FOIA, a decision which was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2016. Now anyone requesting a mug shot through FOIA must provide legal justification for its release that outweighs the defendant's right to privacy. The headline How to Spot a Jew graced Poland's right-wing national weekly newspaper Tylko Polska. Said headline was an angry response to a panel discussion of Poland's complicit citizenry during the Holocaust at a recent Paris conference. Newsweek: The anti-Semitic headline ran alongside the front page article complaining that speakers at last month's Holocaust studies meeting in Paris had been attacking Poland. It was printed with a photo of Jan Gross, a Polish Jew who teaches at Princeton University. Gross has regularly said that Poles collaborated with the Nazis during World War II, helping Adolf Hitler's regime murder millions of their Jewish countrymen. He has become a favored target for Polish nationalists, who rail against any suggestion of Polish complicity in the genocide. Gross was awarded the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland in 1996. However, in 2016, the nationalist Law and Justice government was reportedly considering stripping the scholar of the honor for what it considers his anti-Polish work. The government has been accused of trying to rewrite history by banning any suggestion of Polish complicity in the Holocaust. Use of the phrase "Polish death camps" to refer to Nazi-run concentration camps like Auschwitz, for example, is now punishable by up to three years in prison. Bowalley Road Rules The blogosphere tends to be a very noisy, and all-too-often a very abusive, place. I intend Bowalley Road to be a much quieter, and certainly a more respectful, place. So, if you wish your comments to survive the moderation process, you will have to follow the Bowalley Road Rules. These are based on two very simple principles: Courtesy and Respect. Comments which are defamatory, vituperative, snide or hurtful will be removed, and the commentators responsible permanently banned. Anonymous comments will not be published. Real names are preferred. If this is not possible, however, commentators are asked to use a consistent pseudonym. Comments which are thoughtful, witty, creative and stimulating will be most welcome, becoming a permanent part of the Bowalley Road discourse. However, I do add this warning. If the blog seems in danger of being over-run by the usual far-Right suspects, I reserve the right to simply disable the Comments function, and will keep it that way until the perpetrators find somewhere more appropriate to vent their collective spleen. Parsa park closes weigh bridge in buffer zone Parsa National Park on Wednesday padlocked an illegally operating weigh bridge at Simara of Bara. Pramod Mishra is a biweekly columnist for The Kathmandu Post. He is the department chair of English Studies at Lewis University in the United States. - 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." Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney. Photo: PA Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney suggested on Thursday that the European Union would likely agree to a 21-month Brexit extension, meaning the UKs departure from the bloc would not happen until the end of 2020. UK prime minister Theresa May, Coveney said, was offering a stark choice to her parliament. Either MPs back a deal by the middle of next week or the UK government will look for a much longer extension to allow Britain to re-think its approach to Brexit. Speaking on Irish radio, Coveney warned that a no-deal, crash-out Brexit could still happen by accident, even if a majority of people dont want that to happen. The legal position as of today is that Britain leaves at 11pm on the night of 29 March, he said. The UK parliament, Coveney said, will have to change the law to extend Article 50. The UK would probably get agreement from the EU on such an extension as long as there is a plan to go with that. If MPs back a deal in the coming days, the EU would facilitate a short technical extension so that Mays government could pass the necessary legislation, he said. If that does not happen and considering MPs voted on Wednesday to avoid a no-deal Brexit in any circumstances a much longer extension would be needed, Coveney suggested. If you have a long extension of Article 50, that opens up the debate in a much broader way to the overall approach that the United Kingdom takes to Brexit, and I think that may facilitate a fundamental re-think. It may not. We just dont know. He noted, however, that this would mean that the UK will be required to fully participate in the upcoming European parliament elections. If you have a long extension of, say, 21 months to the end of 2020, or whatever the period would be, well then, Britain has a legal entitlement to have representation in the European Parliament, he said. Coveney was also critical of the no-deal Brexit tariff regime announced by the UK on Wednesday, which would see tariffs introduced on many beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and dairy products. Story continues READ MORE: UK no-deal Brexit tariffs a potential disaster for Irish farming Even though the regime would have a severe impact on Irish agriculture, the announcement did not make Ireland more likely to break ranks from the European Union. It has had the opposite effect, actually. Its actually galvanised the European Union, Coveney said, noting that the plan was not workable. Even the British government themselves say that this is a very short-term arrangement, and actually whats needed in a no-deal scenario are urgent talks between the Irish government, the British government, and the European Commission to try to put something more viable and sustainable in place. Dots over the earth connecting the world Canadians are using RRSP contributions to reduce their current tax bills and set some cash aside for the golden years. One popular strategy involves owning a balanced portfolio of stocks that provides exposure to growth opportunities around the world. Owning local shares of companies in international markets can be both risky and difficult for retail investors, but there are Canadian businesses that have significant international operations and can provide investors with the desired diversification. Lets take a look at three stocks that might be interesting picks for a self-directed RRSP today. Bank of Nova Scotia (TSX:BNS)(NYSE:BNS) Bank of Nova Scotia is Canadas third-largest bank and has a substantial international presence with most of the foreign operations located in Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and Chile. These four countries are home to more than 200 million people and form the core members of the Pacific Alliance trade bloc. Bank of Nova Scotia continues to build its market share through strategic acquisitions and is well positioned in the region to capitalize on growing demand for loans and investment products as the middle class expands. The international division was the strongest performer in Bank of Nova Scotias latest earnings report and contributes more than 30% of the banks total profits. The stock appears cheap today and offers a solid 4.7% dividend yield. Brookfield Asset Management (TSX:BAM.A)(NYSE:BAM) Brookfield Asset Management owns a global portfolio of real estate, infrastructure, and renewable energy assets. Investors who dream of owning office properties and hospitality businesses in top cities around the world can get this exposure through the stock. Brookfield Asset Management has the size, contacts, and expertise to find and fund strategic opportunities that wouldnt be feasible for smaller players. Sun Life Financial (TSX:SLF)(NYSE:SLF) Sun Life owns insurance, asset management, and wealth management businesses in Canada, the United States, the U.K., and Asia. Story continues The Asian operations offer the best growth opportunity in the coming decades and Sun Life already has well established subsidiaries or partnerships in a number of key markets, including India, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The company removed market risk from the business in the wake of the Great Recession and has returned to steady dividend growth. The current payout provides a yield of 3.8%. The bottom line Bank of Nova Scotia, Brookfield Asset Management, and Sun Life are all top-quality companies with growing international businesses. An equal investment in all three would provide RRSP investors with a good base to build a diversified portfolio. More reading The Motley Fool owns shares of Brookfield Asset Management and BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT INC. CL.A LV. Fool contributor Andrew Walker has no position in any stock mentioned. Bank of Nova Scotia is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada. The Motley Fools purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool Canadas free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. Motley Fool Canada 2019 Members of the city's Sikh community were at the Calgary airport on Tuesday to welcome the first two families out of an eventual 65 who are coming to Canada as refugees from Afghanistan, where they faced religious persecution. The Manmeet Singh Bhullar Foundation is spearheading the effort to help the Sikh and Hindu families get out of Afghanistan, with support from community members and the World Sikh Organization of Canada. "Sikhs and Hindus have endured increasing religious persecution and today face a difficult if not unlivable situation in many parts of Afghanistan," the WSO said in a release. "Prior to 1992, their population numbered over 200,000; however, due to persecution and discrimination, most have been forced to flee to other countries." CBC Organizers say the plan to bring the families to Canada stemmed from the work of former Alberta MLA Manmeet Singh Bhullar. He died in a highway accident in 2015. The foundation in his name, with the support of the World Sikh Organization, has continued that work. Speaking on behalf of the foundation, Bhullar's sister Tarjinder Bhullar says the other 63 privately-sponsored families will be coming to Canada in the weeks and months ahead. "The government has helped us a tremendous deal, but it is private families that have said 'we want to step up, we want to sponsor a family, we will be responsible for them for that year of settling them and integrating them into Canadian life,'" she said. CBC Speaking through an interpreter, 10-year-old Joginder Singh said he's looking forward to getting a good education in Canada to make his parents proud. He said he's glad to be out of Afghanistan, where the Muslim majority tried to convert Sikhs like him to Islam. Excited to go to school "It feels really nice to be here," he said. The families all come from the most troubled, poverty-stricken regions in Afghanistan, according to Bhullar. Story continues Foundation volunteer Hamreet Baines, who has been helping the families as they wait in India for their turn to come to Canada, says it's a huge relief for them to get here. "They were just happy to leave Afghanistan and that their life is saved. They're happy to practise their religion, out in the open," she said. "They didn't have any human rights there. They weren't allowed to even leave their houses." Former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy will lead Canada's election observation mission to Ukraine as concerns mount that Russia may interfere in the country's democratic process, CBC News has learned. "Mr. Axworthy will head the Canadian delegation of short- and long-term elections observers deployed to Ukraine," said a release obtained by CBC News. "Together, they will observe all aspects of the presidential and legislative elections, including monitoring the participation of women, internally displaced persons and minorities in the electoral process." Axworthy, who served under former prime minister Jean Chretien, led the Organization of American States election observation mission to Peru in 2006. The release also states that Canada will provide funding to counteract the "negative impact of disinformation" in the electoral process as well as supporting electoral reform and efforts to get more women to participate in the the country's elections. The first of Canada's election monitors began arriving in Ukraine last month in a bilateral effort organized between the two countries. The crisis dates back to the Kremlin's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and its backing of Russian separatist militias in eastern Ukraine. Canada and its NATO allies consider Russia's actions, backed by President Vladimir Putin, to be a breach of Europe's borders, and have shored up the 28-country alliance's military forces in several eastern European countries. Now with a pivotal Ukrainian presidential election campaign swinging into high gear, the Trudeau government is following in the footsteps of previous Conservative and Liberal governments in sending a Canadian-led observer mission, organized between Canada and Ukraine, while also contributing to a multinational mission led by the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe. A narrow field Two proposed Russian observers were rejected by Ukraine, and the Kremlin withdrew their request to serve on the mission, said Thomas Rymer, spokesman for the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Story continues Ukraine's pro-Western President Petro Poroshenko launched his bid for a second five-year term in January. Looking to unseat Poroshenko is the opponent he defeated five years ago, opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko, a veteran former prime minister who has pledged to clamp down on graft, raise wages and lower household energy prices. Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a political novice who achieved fame as a comic actor, is also seen as a strong challenger. Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi said today Indigenous consultation efforts on the Trans Mountain expansion project are expected to wrap up within 90 days, paving the way for a new cabinet decision on the project by summer. Speaking to reporters after attending an energy summit in Houston, Sohi said the Crown consultation teams the people carrying out the government's constitutional obligation to meet with Indigenous groups affected by the project before giving it a green light are in a "strong position" to finish their work after months of meetings with First Nations and Metis groups in Alberta and B.C. Sohi said that, so far, the teams have met with over 100 different Indigenous communities. "The consultation is proceeding as we had planned. Based on the work we've done so far, and the work we will continue to do over the next few months, I feel that we are in a strong position to conclude these consultations, ensuring we have adequately fulfilled our obligation for meaningful consultations over the next 90 days," Sohi said. Darryl Dyck/THE CANADIAN PRESS Sohi has been reluctant before now to impose a strict timeline on the consultations, saying Ottawa is willing to give these teams all the time they need to carry out the court-mandated work. Now, oilpatch boosters have a clearer idea of when the years-long approval process could finally come to an end. When asked if the consultations have had any effect on the prominent project opponents among Indigenous groups, Sohi said consultants have a clear idea of the pressing issues specifically the risk of a spill in a marine environment. He said Ottawa is open to "accommodations where possible" to satisfy Indigenous concerns about the cultural and environmental impact of nearly tripling the capacity of the existing Trans Mountain pipeline. Planned work on the new pipeline was stalled last summer after the Federal Court of Appeal nullified licensing for the $7.4 billion expansion, quashed cabinet's initial approval and halted further work ordering Ottawa back to the consultation table with Indigenous peoples. Story continues The court said past consultants were glorified note-takers who documented Indigenous concerns but did little to recommend changes that might satisfy Indigenous concerns. When asked about those criticisms, Sohi said Ottawa is addressing "deficiencies" in the consultation process. The federal government has more than doubled the number of consultants working on these efforts. There are now 60 individuals on eight different teams who have fanned out to meet face-to-face with affected communities along the project's route. "All of these teams have the proper mandate to actually engage and offer accommodation. They did not have that mandate in the last round. They're properly trained and we have external expertise on the team," Sohi said, citing the government's move to hire former Supreme Court justice Frank Iacobucci as a constitutional arbiter. The Edmonton-area minister said the Crown consultants have been "empowered ... to engage in a two-way dialogue and offer accommodations." The court also demanded that Ottawa task the National Energy Board (NEB) with considering the impact that the expansion, and increased tanker traffic near the terminal in Burnaby, B.C., would have on local marine life notably the Southern resident killer whale population. The NEB completed that work last month and recommended that cabinet approve the project, clearing another major hurdle standing in the way of Ottawa approving the multi-billion-dollar project it bought last year. The regulator also imposed 156 conditions on the project (it listed 157 conditions when it first approved the project in May 2016), while also handing Ottawa 16 new non-binding recommendations it said would help mitigate marine safety risks. The 1,150-kilometre expansion project would boost the pipeline's capacity to roughly 890,000 barrels a day. It would allow Alberta's oilpatch to transport much more product to coastal B.C., where it would then be shipped to markets in Asia. Tanker traffic from the Westridge Marine Terminal would increase from about five vessels a month to one a day. With their pipeline capacity severely constrained, Canada's oil producers have long demanded a new pipeline to tidewater that would allow Canadian producers to fetch prices closer to the going world rate for oil which could in turn boost government revenue. 1. Yes. The Schlueter Group has extensive experience and contacts. Its a good investment. 2. Yes. The firms namesake has a background as a legislator and knows Killeen well. 3. No. The expenditure is a waste of money. Our lawmakers should be doing that work. 4. No. The contract should be shorter, incentivized and based on performance benchmarks. 5. Unsure. Its not always easy to quantify the outcomes of lobbying efforts. Vote View Results YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar's Rohingya militants urged their followers on Wednesday to refrain from crime in Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, following reports of killings and abductions attributed to the group, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). ARSA, which emerged with attacks on border posts in Myanmar's Rakhine state in 2016, is focused on winning rights for Rohingya, the mostly stateless Muslim minority long persecuted in Myanmar. The government calls them terrorists and says sweeping military action in the western state of Rakhine, which triggered an exodus of refugees into Bangladesh, was justified. In recent weeks, Bangladesh-based media has blamed the group for organized violence in the refugee camps, including a series of killings. The group acknowledged the violence but denied that the leadership sanctioned it. "Those people are not only going against the Bangladesh government but are also making ARSA responsible for their own crimes, the group said in a video statement posted on Twitter. And because of their activities the whole community is being defamed all over the world, the group said. ARSA expressed gratitude towards the Bangladesh government and urged refugees to refrain from any wrongdoing against authorities there, where close to a million Rohingya are living. More than 700,000 Rohingya refugees crossed into Bangladesh from western Myanmar, U.N. agencies say, after the insurgents attacked Myanmar security forces in August 2017, triggering an extensive military response. Since then, the insurgents have been blamed for sporadic attacks in Rakhine State, including an ambush on a border guard post in January that wounded six. Our activities for our legitimate rights are ongoing against the Burmese terrorist government and its genocidal military, the groups statement said, adding that attacks would continue until basic rights were restored. The Myanmar military has rejected almost all accusations of rights abuses. (Editing by Robert Birsel) Sunwing Airlines says it is "temporarily" suspending flights of its four Boeing 737 Max 8 planes. A Max 8 was the plane involved in a deadly crash in Ethiopia last weekend that cost the lives of 157 people, including 18 Canadians. Sunwing, which specializes in travel between Canada and destinations in Central and South America, said the decision to suspend the use of the Max 8 was not related to safety and was instead about "evolving commercial reasons" such as airspace restrictions imposed by some destinations. "The FAA has issued a statement of continued air-worthiness of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and we have confidence in the investigative process as well as the handling of this matter by Transport Canada and the other Canadian operators of the MAX 8," Sunwing said in a statement released Tuesday night. "We appreciate the patience of our retail partners and customers while we work to communicate these updates. We will endeavor to minimize the impact of these schedule changes." Earlier, Air Canada cancelled multiple scheduled flights to and from London after the U.K. closed its airspace to Boeing 737 Max 8s. France, Germany, Ireland and several other countries all followed the U.K.'s lead and also closed their airspace to that specific type of aircraft Tuesday. By the afternoon, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had grounded all Boeing 737-8 MAX and 737-9 MAX airplanes and banned all commercial flights of those models performed by third-country operators from EU airspace. Several airlines and civil aviation agencies in the Middle East have also suspended the use of the Max 8, including those in Turkey, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Oman. On Wednesday, Egypt and Lebanon barred the use of the plane, as did Thailand, joining a list of Asian countries, including India and China. sunwing.ca Air Canada flights cancelled Air Canada cancelled two flights on Wednesday between Montreal and the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, since it is a French overseas territory and falls under EU rules. Story continues Air Canada Flight 860 was scheduled to leave Halifax on Tuesday night, bound for London's Heathrow Airport. But early Tuesday afternoon, Air Canada changed the status of the flight on its website, showing it is now cancelled. Flight 861 from London to Halifax on Wednesday was also cancelled. The airline also cancelled Flight 822, scheduled to leave St. John's for Heathrow on Wednesday night. Flight 823 from Heathrow to St. John's on Thursday was also cancelled. Air Canada flight one of last Max 8s to leave Heathrow An Air Canada flight from Heathrow was one of the very last Max 8s to depart U.K. airspace, minutes before the ban was announced. The plane landed safely in Halifax Tuesday afternoon. Several passengers who got off that Max 8 flight told CBC News they weren't worried about the aircraft model and had no concerns about the flight. However passenger Tim Bunker, 32, said he found it "a little disconcerting." "I noticed it walking through the terminal I saw the plane out there and I was like, 'Oh. This isn't good.' In a statement, Air Canada said it was working to rebook customers on the cancelled flights as soon as possible through its Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa hubs. It also said impacted customers could rebook their flights at no added cost. The airline said it is confident in the safety of its operations and fleet. However, on Tuesday, it announced that customers "who for their own personal reasons" do not wish to fly on a Max 8, it would offer "flexible rebooking" to another aircraft, if available, space permitting. The airline asked customers to be patient with call centre staff due to a high anticipated call volume and has not responded to a CBC News query as to whether or not the rebooking is free. CBC News Grounding all planes would be 'premature' Martyn Amos, a professor in Newcastle upon Tyne in northeast England, is due to fly with Air Canada from London to Halifax on Sunday. He contacted the airline after the U.K. airspace ban was announced Tuesday about whether his flight will be changed. "They were fairly vague because obviously they're scrambling around right now trying to find alternative arrangements," he told CBC News. "They can't really give any clear indication beyond simply if your booking changes, we will send you an email." He said that prior to the airspace ban, he was concerned about the fact he was due to fly on a Boeing 737 Max 8. "The manufacturer has clearly acknowledged there's an issue with the aircraft and they're taking steps to remedy that," he said. "My personal concern was that those modifications to the aircraft would not be in place prior to my flying on Sunday." Canadian Transport Minister Marc Garneau has said it would be "premature" to ground all 41 of those planes currently owned by Canadian air carriers. He reiterated Tuesday there are no plans to follow the example of the U.K. in suspending the jet from Canadian airspace. Shortly after that statement, he tweeted he was meeting with his civil aviation expert panel to discuss the Max 8 aircraft. Canada's two largest airlines have also previously said they are confident in the safety of the aircraft: Air Canada said its 24 Max 8 aircraft have performed "excellently" and met safety and reliability standards. Calgary-based WestJet said it is "working with Boeing to ensure the continued safe operation of our Max fleet," which includes 13 Max 8s. WestJet is scheduled to use Max 8s for its seasonal routes from Halifax to London Gatwick, Glasgow and Paris starting in late April. A spokesperson for WestJet told CBC News there are currently no impacts on those routes at this time. WestJet currently uses Max 8s for some flights on routes from Toronto and Calgary to some sun destinations in Mexico and Jamaica. The aircraft also is used on some of WestJet's routes within Canada, such as Calgary-Toronto and Vancouver-Calgary. Air Canada's Max 8s are used for some flights on the Toronto-Vancouver, Montreal-Vancouver and Montreal-Calgary routes. On Tuesday, Air Canada flights from Vancouver to Los Angeles, Honolulu and Puerto Vallarta used Max 8 aircraft, along with flights from Montreal to San Francisco, Los Angeles and Martinique, and from Calgary to Palm Springs, Calif. Sunwing's Max 8s operate on routes including Calgary to Liberia, Costa Rica. Sunday's Ethiopian crash is the second such deadly incident for a Boeing 737 Max 8 model in less than six months. In October, a Lion Air plane crashed into the Java Sea just minutes after takeoff from Jakarta, killing 189 aboard. READ MORE Reuters Donald Trump's former chief of staff Mark Meadows could become the third person to face a criminal contempt https://www.reuters.com/world/us/whats-stake-trump-allies-facing-contempt-congress-2021-10-14 charge for refusing to cooperate with the U.S. House of Representatives panel probing the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, the committee said on Wednesday. Representative Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House Select Committee, said in a letter to Meadows' attorney, George Terwilliger, that Meadows - a former House member - had failed to cooperate https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/trump-ex-chief-staff-meadows-no-longer-cooperating-with-capitol-riot-panel-2021-12-07 with the panel. "The Select Committee is left with no choice but to advance contempt proceedings and recommend that the body in which Mr. Meadows once served refer him for criminal prosecution," Thompson wrote in the letter, which was released by the committee. India Gate Restaurant, a well-loved family-run staple in downtown Vancouver, is packing up after more than four decades in business. The building where the restaurant is located has stood on the corner of Robson and Seymour streets for over a hundred years. A development application was filed last month to build a 13-story office building there instead. "The new landlord gave us a letter [stating] that in the end of July 2019, we have to vacate this place," said restaurant owner Richhpal Gupta. "When I got the letter, my family and myself didn't feel good. After 41 years of running a business, all at once someone says, 'move out.' You don't know how to feel." Margaret Gallagher/CBC Gupta, who grew up in Mumbai, India, started the restaurant soon after immigrating to Canada and has been serving northern Indian cuisine to Vancouverites since 1978. His son, wife and brother-in-law also work at the restaurant. Last April, when the restaurant was celebrating its 40th anniversary, the family mentioned its concerns about being pushed out due to rising costs in the city. A year later, those worries are coming true. Gurmeet Gupta, the son who works at India Gate, said the family is hoping to find a new location for the restaurant but doubts it will be in Vancouver. "We're looking," he said. "But nothing is for sure." If they find a new location, he says it will mostly likely be in one of the neighbouring municipalities like Burnaby. CBC reached out to the development company building the new tower but has not heard back. The one-level retail building that's being torn down to build a highrise is also home to a bike shop, a picture-framing and art gallery, a cannabis dispensary and a Red Burrito chain. Ventura Cigar Company is set to release its PSyKo Seven Nicaragua. This is a cigar that comes from Indiana Ortez, the daughter of the legendary Omar Ortez. PSyKo Seven Nicaragua will become the fourth line under the PSyKo Seven brand. The cigar will officially make its debut at the 2019 Tobacconist Association of America (TAA) Convention set to open at Casa de Campo on March 17th. Indiana Ortez is considering a rising star in the cigar industry. Last year she teamed up with Ventura Cigar Company to produce the limited Fathers, Friends, and Fire cigar. Based on the success of that cigar, Ventura turned to spearhead the creation of this line. The PSyKo Seven Nicaragua is highlighted by a vintage 2007 Nicaraguan Desflorado wrapper. Desflorado is a technique that involves removing the tobacco flower, resulting in nutrients being passed to the leaves; which in turn results in more flavor. The blend features 100% Nicaraguan tobaccos. It will be available in three sizes: Robusto (5 x 50), Toro (6 x 50), and Gordo (6 x 60). Production is handled at the Ortez family factor, Agroindustrial Nicaraguense de Tabacos S.A. located in Condega. Every cigar has a story to tell, commented Indiana Ortez in a press release. Every puff from a favorite cigar is the story behind the growers, the workers, the blenders the people who have dedicated their lives to the craft. Indiana has such vision, added Michael Giannini, General Manager at Ventura Cigar Company. She has a genuine, organic understanding for the nuances of tobacco, and knows how to bring it to life so the smoke can be enjoyed to the fullest. Shes a real talent, and were so pleased to be working with her and getting her passion and story blended into our PSyKo SEVEN Nicaragua cigar. While the cigar will debut at the TAA Convention, the PSyKo Seven Nicaragua will not be a part of the 2019 TAA Exclusive Series. Instead, it will be offered on a nationwide basis. The PSyKo Seven Nicaragua joins the PSyKo Seven, PSyKo Seven Maduro, and the PSyKo Seven Connecticut as regular production lines under the PSyKo Seven brand. Michael Giannini will be a guest on Prime Time Episode 88 tonight where he will talk more about the project. Photo Credits: Ventura Cigar Company Company Throttles Up Investments from Original $10 Billion Commitment to nearly $13 Billion Over Five Years with Focus on Advancing Electrification, Creating Hundreds More American Jobs By 2021, Toyota will now invest nearly $13 Billion in its U.S. operations with plans to add nearly 600 new jobs at American manufacturing plants Hybrid versions of the popular RAV4 and Lexus ES to be produced in Kentucky for the first time Production capacity increases and building expansions at Toyotas unit plants in Huntsville, Alabama, Buffalo, West Virginia, Troy, Missouri and Jackson, Tennessee WASHINGTON (March 14, 2019) For over 60 years Toyota has been growing its manufacturing presence in the United States, and today the company announced it will exceed its 2017 pledge to invest $10 billion over five years with a new commitment to reach nearly $13 billion over the same period. Part of that commitment is seen today with an investment announcement of nearly $750 million in five different states, with more to come. The new investments include adding the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the best-selling SUV in the U.S., and Lexus ES 300h hybrid vehicle production at its Georgetown, Kentucky, manufacturing plant; expanding engine capacity at its Huntsville, Alabama, facility; doubling hybrid transaxle capacity at its plant in Buffalo, West Virginia; and a building expansion for additional castings at Bodine Aluminums Jackson, Tennessee, facility as well as additional castings at its Troy, Missouri, facility. These latest investments represent even more examples of our long-term commitment to build where we sell, said Jim Lentz, chief executive officer for Toyota Motor North America. By boosting our U.S. manufacturing footprint, we can better serve our customers and dealers and position our manufacturing plants for future success with more domestic capacity. A state-by-state look at the new investments totaling $749 million and 586 new jobs: Alabama Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama (TMMAL) $288,000,000 In Alabama, Toyotas investment will increase annual engine capacity from 670,000 to 900,000 by the end of 2021 to increase product flexibility and better accommodate market demand. New 4-cylinder and V6 engine lines will add 450 new jobs to its Huntsville, Alabama, facility, the largest hiring need in the plants history. The investment also includes a building expansion. Overall, the plant represents an investment of $1.2 billion. Kentucky Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) $238,000,000 Toyotas Kentucky vehicle plant, the companys largest globally, will begin production of the Lexus ES 300h hybrid in May 2019 with annual capacity of 12,000 units while RAV4 Hybrid production will start January 2020 with an annual capacity of 100,000 units. TMMKs 8,000 team members also build Camry, Camry Hybrid, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid and Lexus ES models with an annual capacity of 550,000 vehicles. Overall, the plant represents an investment of more than $7 billion. Missouri Bodine Aluminum Troy, Missouri $62,000,000 Investments in Toyotas Bodine Aluminum plant in Missouri will provide equipment to produce an additional 864,000 cylinder heads for Toyotas New Global Architecture (TNGA). Bodines 900 Missouri team members currently produce more than 3 million cylinder heads a year, which are made for every Toyota and Lexus manufactured in North America. Overall, the plant represents an investment of $455 million. Tennessee Bodine Aluminum Jackson, Tennessee $50,000,000 The Tennessee investment includes a building expansion and equipment to double the capacity of hybrid transaxle cases and housings to 240,000 annually. The investment will also provide equipment to produce an additional 288,000 engine blocks a year for TNGA. The plants 300 team members currently produce 1.7 million engine blocks a year, which supply every Toyota and Lexus manufactured in North America, and 580,000 transmission cases and housings. Bodine will add 13 new jobs to its facility in Tennessee. Overall, the plant represents an investment of $365 million. West Virginia Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia (TMMWV) $111,000,000 The West Virginia investment includes a building expansion and equipment to double capacity of hybrid transaxles from 120,000 units (Start of Production-2020) to 240,000 units annually in 2021. To meet the production demands, TMMWV will add 123 new jobs to its facility in Buffalo, West Virginia. Overall, the plant represents a $1.4 billion investment. Ongoing Additional Investment Todays news builds upon Toyotas already expansive presence in the U.S., which includes 10 manufacturing facilities. This past year, Toyota announced a joint venture with Mazda to build an additional plant in the U.S. The $1.6 billion joint investment will create up to 4,000 new jobs in Huntsville, Alabama, with production slated for 2021. Meanwhile, Toyotas Princeton, Indiana, plant is undergoing a $600 million transformation (previously announced) to incorporate TNGA and increase Highlander capacity by 40,000 units annually. With this, Toyota is adding 400-plus people to its team in Indiana. In Blue Springs, Mississippi, Toyota is launching the all-new 2020 Corolla on the TNGA line that included a $170 million investment and an increase of 400 jobs (previously announced). Currently, Toyota employs more than 37,000 Americans. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Email Telegram New York, March 14, 2019 Kazakhstan authorities should not contest journalist Saniya Toikens appeal of a fine imposed in response to her coverage of protests, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On March 11, police arrested Toiken, a reporter for the U.S. Congress-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys Kazakh-language service, after she interviewed protesters in the southwestern city of Zhanaozen who were demanding better jobs, according to the journalist, who spoke to CPJ, and her employer. Toiken was held in detention overnight and, on March 12, an administrative court found her guilty of refusing to follow police orders and fined her 50,500 tenges ($134), according to RFE/RL. This is the third time Toiken has been detained in the past month while covering protests in Zhanaozen, according to RFE/RLs Kazakh-language service director Torokul Doorov, who spoke with CPJ. Kazakhstan authorities should stop harassing Saniya Toiken and other journalists who report on social issues, said CPJ Program Director Carlos Martinez de la Serna. We call on the Kazakh authorities not to contest Toikens appeal and to let her work without obstruction. Toiken denies refusing the orders of police officers at the protest or when she was arrested, and told CPJ that she believes the charge to be politically motivated to create obstacles to her reporting. She told CPJ that she has 10 days to appeal the verdict, and she plans to do so. CPJs phone calls to Kazakhstans ministry of interior and the ministrys regional branch covering Zhanaozen went unanswered. Toikens previous two detentions were brief, with police questioning her over her coverage of the protests and releasing her without charges, Doorov told CPJ. Zhanaozen was the site of violent clashes between oil-field workers and law enforcement in 2011, which resulted in at least 15 deaths and the detention and harassment of many journalists in the region, as CPJ reported at the time. Welcome We are so thrilled to have you join us. We are many of the authors from Harlequin's Christian-fiction Love Inspired Imprints. We've been putting Christian romances in your hands since 1997. If you're looking for friends, family, faith, and fiction then settle back, get to know us and our books, and basically join in and have a good time. The Forum of Young Global Leaders, the World Economic Forums foundation for remarkable leaders under 40 has released the list of Individuals with grit, foresight and potential to improve the state of the world for the year 2019. Indians in the List Andhra Pradesh IT minister Nara Lokesh, BJP MP Poonam Mahajan, Xiaomi India head Manu Kumar Jain, Telangana governments Chief Innovation Officer Phanindra Sama, SaveLife Foundations Piyush Tewari and Kaleidofins co-Founder Sucharita Mukherjee are the Indians featuring in the list of Young Global Leaders 2019. The list of Young Global Leaders 2019 has more than one-half of the new women members and many of the Young Global Leaders are from emerging economies. The Young Global Leaders reflect global diversity, innovate to promote the public interest and value authentic exchanges towards public-private cooperation. The of Young Global Leaders, the World Economic Forums foundation invites them to join a five-year programme, cultivating a generosity of spirit and the recognition that the world can only mirror our hopes if we work together. The Forum of Young Global Leaders, the World Economic Forums foundation for remarkable leaders under 40, was founded to fuel new models of leadership. Young Global Leaders participate in the Annual Meeting of the New Champions, established in 2007 and known informally as Summer Davos, alongside Global Growth Companies and other delegations to the World Economic Forum. Young Global Leaders are united by the belief that the urgent problems of today present an opportunity to forge a better future across sectors, generations and borders. Afghanistan: Floods: Kandahar livestock, industry incur millions of Afghanis loss by Bashir Ahmad Naadem March 14,2019 | Source: FT LK Recent heavy rains and flash floods have caused millions of afghanis losses to the livestock and industry besides crops and residential homes in southern Kandahar province. Officials say the livestock suffered 63 million afghanis and industry 75 million afghanis loss as a result of the floods. Eng. Mohammadullah Noori, livestock promotion program in-charge at Kandahars agriculture department, told Pajhwok Afghan News that a total of 63m afghanis losses were inflicted on nomads animals and chicken, fish and bee farms in the province. He said 3,000 sheep, goats, donkeys and other animals belonging to nomads were lost to the floods in Arghandab, Zheri, Panjwai and Dand districts of Kandahar, which he said caused 45 million afghanis loss. Three of four chicken farms having 12,000 chickens in total were also lost to the floods and each farm cost 600,000 afghanis for construction. Noori said Afghan Kab, a fish farming company in Kandahar city, which exports fishes to 16 provinces of the country, was also seriously damaged. He said the company lost 100,000 baby fishes and the pool they were kept in caused the company three million afghanis loss. About damages to bee farms, he said 18 bee farms in Kandahar city and districts were seriously affected in the floods. He said 1,000 boxes of bees worth 11 million afghanis were lost to the natural disaster. Farm owners in Kandahar say they would revive their businesses if the government supports them. Fazl Ahmad, owner of Afghan Kab company, told Pajhwok that his pool containing 100,000 baby fishes was destroyed and a result his workers were rendered jobless. He said he alone could not compensate the losses he suffered and the government should help him. Ahmad said if an investor suffered losses in natural disasters, the government shall compensate 80 percent of the damage, according to the industry law. Rains and floods also caused 75 million afghanis losses to factories in Kandahars Industrial Park, leaving dozens of people jobless. Abdul Bari, head of Kandahar Industrialists Association, told Pajhwok that both factory buildings and machineries were damaged by the floodwater. Factories suffered nearly 75 million afghanis loss in the Industrial Park due to the flood. The municipality also neglected the factories protection and around 1,500 workers lost jobs due to inactivity of the factories, he said. He said they paid charges for the land and services, but received no good services they required in return. Bari also asked the government for help and said the municipality should build roads of the Industrial Park to prevent further damages in future. Haji Rahmuddin Agha, head of Afghanistan Entrepreneurs Board, said that lack of roads and bridges in the Kandahar Industrial Park made factories vulnerable to even little rainfall and floods. He also asked the government to pay attention to the issue and provide electricity to factories. He said 80 out of 220 factories were currently struggling with shortage of electricity in Kandahar. Zamarai Sargand, Kandahar municipality spokesman, said they had the plan to construct some roads in the Industrial Park with support from the World Bank in near future. He said construction of roads would cost $600,000. He added major problems of the Industrial Park would be solved with the roads construction and some other necessary services would also be provided. President Ashraf Ghani during his trip to Kandahar on Saturday announced 100,000 afghanis in emergency help to flood affected families in the province. Besides financial losses, 95 people suffered casualties, 6,000 families rendered homeless and thousands of acres of farmland damaged in recent floods in Kandahar. Sri Lanka: Arrangements made to get Sri Lankan fishermen and boats released from Maldives custody in next two days March 14,2019 | Source: Colombo Page State Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Dilip Wedaarachchi says that all arrangements have been made to get the 25 Sri Lankan fishermen arrested in Maldives and their multi-day trawlers released. State Minister Wedaarachchi informed the relatives of the arrested fishermen and the owners of the multi-day trawlers that steps have been taken to bring the fishermen within the next few days. Relatives of the fishermen who are currently being detained in the Maldives along with their boats and the owners of the boats met with the State Minister at the Ministry today and discussed the release of these fishermen. The Minister stated that the release of the fishermen was discussed with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and all possible arrangements at diplomatic level have been made. As a result of discussion held by the Prime Minister with Maldivian authorities the fisherman will be released within two days, the Minister said. Accordingly, arrangements have been finalized to get the fisherman and their vessels released by now. Maldivian authorities late last month seized two multi-day fishing vessels sailing back to Sri Lanka after engaging in fishing in the Arabian Sea along with the fish catch, the fishing gear and the fishermen on board, and two other multi-day trawlers sailing to the Arabian Sea, along with fishermen and fishing gear. Odisha: Gahirmatha may witness 2nd mass nesting of turtles this year March 14,2019 | Source: Business Standard Gahirmatha beach in Odisha's Kendrapara district, the worlds largest rookery of endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles, may witness a second mass nesting of these species in coming days, Forest officials said on Tuesday. Over five lakh turtles have so far converged on the beach for mass nesting, that commenced on February 27, said S A Mishra, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Rajnagar Mangrove (Wildlife) Forest Division. "We are hopeful of turtles en-masse arrival on the beach to lay eggs for the second occasion this year because of perfect topography of the beach," he said. "We are of the view that with the climatic condition being conducive and beach topography ideal, the turnout of these marine creatures would recur again anytime from March last week and April first week," the forest official said. Earlier on one occasion, second mass nesting of turtles had been recorded on the Gahirmatha beach. Excellent profile of the beach, strong southerly winds and atmospheric temperature ranging from 32 to 38 degree Celsius are conducive for turtles mass nesting. This year, everything was perfect leading to virtual invasion of turtles to the nesting ground. So we are optimistic that turtles would reappear on the beach for mass nesting, he said. Besides this year there was intense crackdown on illegal trawling in Gahirmatha marine sanctuary to ensure the safety of turtles. These marine species often perish after getting hit by trawler propeller or entangled in fishing nets, the official said. As many as 92 sea-worthy fishing trawlers were seized this year by patrol teams while 762 crews of trawlers were nabbed for sneaking into prohibited sea waters. Fish catch seized from intercepted trawlers were later auctioned and it fetched revenue to the tune of Rs 75 lakh, a record figure, the official claimed. The nesting ground at Gahirmatha, which recently played host to nearly five lakhs of female olive ridley turtles for their annual mass nesting, has now got elongated to 2.6 km stretch following natural accretion process. The beach at the unmanned Nasi-2 Island of Gahirmatha, now rechristened as APJ Abul Kalam Island, is providing perfect and congenial ambience for the nocturnal visitors to lay eggs because of the elongation of the beach profile. As the nesting beach is widespread in length, the marine animals get ample space to loiter around the beach to dig pits at their favoured spots and lay eggs. Its only the female turtles that virtually invade the nesting beaches usually at the dead of the night for laying eggs, the phenomenon otherwise described as 'arribada' in Spanish. After indulgence in instinctive egg-laying, the turtles leave the nesting ground to stride into the deep sea water. Hatchlings emerge from these eggs after 45-60 days. It is a rare natural phenomenon where the babies grow without their mother, said officials. licsiren/iStock(WASHINGTON) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration put out a new proposal Wednesday for how it will crack down on the "epidemic-level rise in youth e-cigarette use." But some critics say the efforts do not go far enough in preventing young people from vaping. In a statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb released Wednesday, the FDA outlined a comprehensive plan to crack down on youth access to flavored e-cigarettes. "Evidence shows that youth are especially attracted to flavored e-cigarette products, and that minors are able to access these products from both brick-and-mortar retailers, as well as online, despite federal restrictions on sales to anyone under 18," Gottlieb said in a statement. "We also continue to be concerned about cigar use among youth flavored cigars in particular which our enforcement work shows are also being illegally sold to minors," he added. "With these concerns in mind, today, were advancing our policies aimed at preventing youth access to, and appeal of, flavored e-cigarettes and cigars." Part of the proposal aimed at limiting teen access to e-cigarettes includes measures to keep them in a separate area in brick-and-mortar stores and require third-party, age- and identity-verification services when purchasing them online. "The most recent data show more than 3.6 million middle and high school students across the country were current (past 30 day) e-cigarette users in 2018," Gottlieb said. "This is a dramatic increase of 1.5 million children since the previous year." The FDA will also unveil its first television advertisement this summer aimed at educating children about the risks of e-cigarette use, according to Gottlieb. But Harold Wimmer, president and CEO of the American Lung Association, said the FDA is not doing nearly enough to address the epidemic, pointing to the fact that the FDA is cracking down on flavored tobacco products and not mint and menthol, too. "FDAs latest proposal to address the e-cigarette epidemic falls far short of what is needed to end the e-cigarette epidemic," Wimmer said in a statement. Wimmer called the FDA's efforts "half measures that will not protect our nations children from the predatory marketing practices of the tobacco industry." "Until FDA is willing to take meaningful action by removing all flavored tobacco products, including mint and menthol, from the marketplace, Americas youth remain at high risk for a lifetime of addiction to tobacco products," he added. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. At MWC 2019, we caught up with Robi Axiata's Managing Director and CEO Mahtab Uddin Ahmed to discuss the state of play in Bangladesh and the operator's position in the market. Robi has been the number two player in Bangladesh in terms of only revenue market share before the merger with Airtel. Following the merger with Airtel in 2016, we emerged as the number two player in Bangladesh in terms of subscriber and revenue market share. We currently have a subscriber market share of 30%, with revenue of US$818 million. We launched 4G in 2018 and have since taken an aggressive stand, with a 4G market share of around 50% in terms of Facebook users. What are the unique challenges that you face in Bangladesh? We have taken leadership in 4G, and we are the markets fastest growing operator however, we are still struggling in terms of profitability. In a sense we are at a break-even point, and there are multiple factors behind this; in Bangladesh, our voice rate is one of the lowest in the world and our data rate is also among the bottom few. That is a big factor, but taxation is another major issue we are in the top five highest-tax markets in the telecom sector. Of each $100 in revenue, $46 is paid to the government in different ways. The third major challenge is spectrum price if you adjust this for GDP, Bangladesh is again among the highest in the world, making our business model very vulnerable. When we were merging with Airtel Bangladesh, our profit after tax was around -10%. As of today, weve been able to break-even with the support of a one-off gain from investment disposal and were aiming to bridge the gap in the coming years driven by the increased scale of the business created by the merger. How is the government helping operators achieve profitability? The Government in February 2019 declared the leading player in the market to be a Significant Market Power (SMP), since it has more than 50% of the revenue market share. We have been lobbying this case for years, as they had gained a first mover advantage and this was the reason why we could not become profitable. We expect this new SMP decision to bring some market corrections and facilitate levelling of the playing field through differentiated & favourable pricing conditions, taxation etc. We have been in continuous dialogue with the Government; the current administration in Bangladesh has promised to look seriously into spectrum pricing. At the end of the day, unless theres a good business case, nobody is going to buy spectrum for the exorbitantly high asking price. They have realised that the last two auctions didnt work for the Government similar to the Indian market because the spectrum was overpriced. They have issued directives related to quality parameters but these wont work unless the spectrum is more affordable. For perspective, more than 40% of the spectrum in Bangladesh is sitting idle, delivering no usage value, so theres a good incentive for the Government to reconsider its stance on pricing. One approach Government is currently considering is to offer a volume discount on purchase of spectrum in bulk. Bangladesh has adopted ideas from regional neighbours without looking at the wider context for example, as opposed to the unified licensing regime, Bangladesh has split up the licensing regime, drastically limiting the scope of our operation. In India, operators are able to build their own towers or fibre, but in Bangladesh we cant lay our own fibre, cant set-up our own International Gateways and Interconnection Exchanges (the call transferring exchange for routing calls to other network operators- something that is only found in Bangladesh). Theres a lot of intervention, which has led to a fragmented licensing regime, pushing up costs and complexities of the operations. When the Bangladesh government considers spectrum price in view of Indian example, theyre not factoring in how India has crafted the regulatory regime in such a way that it delivers lower prices to operators. How can you reduce expenditure as youre deploying networks? We have been working with partners such as Huawei and other vendors to improve efficiency. Weve implemented one of their solutions for dynamic usage of the allocated spectrum and its showing good results in spectrum efficiency it can double the throughput performance. We are also improving our analytics in terms of tower planning to get better return on investment - previously, the tools available were very limited. Were now able to get a clearer picture of the number of subscribers using the Internet in order to better map an area and determine where coverage is required. There are social factors that Facebook has information about - such as which stores subscribers are using - which allow you to form a picture of spending power. They can use multiple variables and parameters to suggest places where we should invest. Vendors such as Huawei have a lot of tools which we can use in designing the best ways to place and use the spectrum, as well as manage the scarcity of it. 6-sector technology for example can be used to increase capacity by up to 40-80%, but at the cost of marginally reducing the quality. The entire market will not be so sensitive to quality people in urban areas are typically happy to spend more for quality, but in remote areas they might be happier to compromise on quality as theres often less spending power. Scarcity of spectrum is an issue but cost is the most problematic factor. Improving efficiency is therefore always a good idea even if we receive a volume discount, acquiring spectrum is still very expensive. In an urban area, making a business case for putting up a new tower or acquiring new technology from the vendor is a little easier because were able to offset that cost, but in a rural area, things can get difficult. We tried to find a rural solution with technical support from Huawei, but we are yet to find a proper business case because Bangladesh has a challenging climate situation, unlike the USA or China. But I believe a solution will come as a result of collaborative effort with our partner. Youve used digital services as a major differentiator can you tell us about this? Weve been working on financial inclusion bKash has been a big success story in Bangladesh, and when they started operations in 2010-11, their first telecom partner was Robi. Were now acting as more of a distributor and platform provider. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to offer mobile financial services (MFS) ourselves. We feel that excluding the telco sector from MFS has slowed the countrys progress towards financial inclusion. Were also working on utility bill payments, with the government gradually becoming more digitalised in these sectors, 95% of users opt for post-paid, unlike in developed markets. We are taking content to rural locations weve recently started working on digital education. Robi-10 Minute School is a GLOMO Award-winning service that weve launched it began as a sort of CSR initiative, but were getting it towards a sustainable model. In Bangladesh, there is a huge inequality between rural and urban when it comes to access to quality education. There are talents all over the country, but simply by having better access to education, people born in urban areas have higher probability of success. The scarcity of good teachers is a big issue, so were creating digital educational content through Robi-10 Minute School. Weve started digital classes to allow those in remote locations to interact with renowned teachers based in the urban areas weve trialled the scheme in some of Bangladeshs remote islands which dont have any digital access, so, if the service works there, it will work anywhere. Initial feedback is pretty encouraging. "This is a victory for progressives; this is a victory for conservatives," explained Bernie Sanders right after his War Powers Resolution passed the Senate 54-46 , all the Democrats being joined by 7 Republicans-- Mike Lee (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Rand Paul (R-KY), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Todd Young (R-IN). While the voting was taking place, Trump was screeching that he would veto it, claiming it was taking away his power as commander-in-chief. Alas, when someone gave Trump a copy of the Constitution to read, he nodded off after Article I, Section 7. For his sake and the sake of people who watch Fox Fake News, this is clause 1 of Article I, Section 8-- clear as a bell: The Congress shall have Power To... provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States. And just for good measure, here is clause 11: The Congress shall have Power . . . To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress. Bernie congratulated his colleagues and the American people: "We can finally begin the process of reasserting Congresss responsibility over war making. As every school child should know, Article 1 of the Constitution clearly states that it is Congress, not the president, that has the power to declare war." HMS takes control at German IIoT firm, WEBfactory Swedish-based HMS Industrial Networks AB, a subsidiary of HMS Networks AB, has acquired 74.9% of the shares in the German company WEBfactory, which provides Web-based software for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Founded in 1994 as a Scada system integrator, WEBfactory released its first software in 2000, and now has customers worldwide. The Buchen-based company has a subsidiary in Romania, employs 27 people, and is expected to have sales worth 2.5m in 2019. The remaining 25.1% of its shares will be retained by CEO Bernhard Bohrer, who is staying on as managing director. We are very excited to become part of HMS, says Bohrer. Together with HMS complementing industrial hardware and software technologies, we will be able to provide very attractive solutions for IIoT, ready to be integrated into any third-party IT/IIoT system. WEBfactory is best known for its i4 suite of software products which address IIoT-related issues such as data collection, analysis and visualisation. With WEBfactory, we add a very competent and future-proof software dimension to HMS offering for IIoT, says HMS Networks CEO, Staffan Dahlstrom. The i4 software products will enable a straightforward path for HMS customers and partners to realise truly smart manufacturing and services. We are also excited about the synergies that can be achieved by using our Anybus, Ixxat, Ewon and Intesis hardware products to feed data to the i4 suite from devices and machines in manufacturing sites and buildings. The i4 suite includes three main components: WEBfactory's i4 suite of products connect machines, plants, buildings and infrastructure with the digital world i4connected A flexible IIoT platform that connects plants, machines, systems and buildings digitally, enabling smart applications such as remote monitoring, predictive maintenance and energy management. KPI data from connected equipment is provided in real time, and can be processed, analysed and integrated in any IIoT/IT applications. i4Scada Web-based software that enables tailor-made data and process visualisation related to machines, production plants and building management systems. i4BACnet Web-based management and operations software for building management systems which is certified to the BACnet standard. The deal is expected to close on 1 April, 2019. Malaysia jails two Vietnamese, one for 19 years, for possessing wildlife parts Two Vietnamese men have been jailed for 19 years and six years in Malaysia for possessing body parts of threatened wildlife species. Animal conservation website TRAFFIC reported Wednesday that Tran Van Sang, was sentenced to 19 years by the Kuala Kangsar Sessions Court on 10 charges under the Wildlife Conservation Act. He had been arrested in August 2017 in Sungai Siput town for possessing 273 body parts from tigers, leopards, cloud leopards, sun bears and sambar deer. All except sambar are classified as Totally Protected Species under Malaysian law. Ho Van Kien, 40, besides a jail sentence, also received a fine of $100,000 on six charges of illegally possessing tiger, leopard and sun bear parts. He has been arrested last July in an industrial area in Kuala Lupis, Pahang State, along with five other Vietnamese. But the five have been granted discharge not amounting to acquittal by the court. At least 15 Vietnamese nationals were arrested in Malaysia for tiger-related crimes between 2016 and 2018, TRAFFIC said. Vietnam is a hotspot for illegal wildlife trafficking, with products like elephant ivory, tiger bones, pangolin scales and bear bile prized locally for decorative purposes and medicinal properties though modern science has provided no proof of their medicinal qualities yet. The Thitu Island of the Paracel Islands, as seen on Google Maps. With tensions rising over Chinese vessels approaching an island occupied by the Philippines, Vietnam has called for calm. All parties should act responsibly and avoid complicating the situation in the East Sea, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said Thursday, using the Vietnamese name for the waters. They need to comply with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) and not complicate the situation in the East Sea, she said at a press meeting. Vietnam wants that countries do not exacerbate tensions and take over unoccupied structures in the disputed waters. "Behave responsibly and contribute practically and positively to peace and stability in the region," she exhorted all nations involved. She said responsible behavior was a must as countries looked for peaceful solutions to disputes in the area. On March 5, Philippine officials said Chinese fishing boats forced Filipino fishermen to leave Thitu Island in Vietnams Truong Sa (Spartly) Islands, now claimed and occupied by the Philippines. The U.S.-based think tank Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) of the International Strategic Research Center (CSIS) said on February 7 that 95 Chinese vessels anchored close to the island on December 20. The number dropped to 42 on January 26. The Philippine government's plan to build a beaching ramp on Thitu to facilitate the transport of materials to lengthen the island's runway to accommodate larger planes. "The drop in the number of government vessels, mirroring the reduction of the militia presence, suggests Chinese forces have settled into a pattern of monitoring and intimidation after their initial large deployment failed to convince Manila to halt construction," AMTI said. The U.S. sent B-52 bomber flights over the South China Sea on March 4, saying it was part of routine missions. The U.S. Pacific Airforce sent additional two aircraft on Thursday, saying U.S. aircraft regularly operate in the South China Sea in support of allies, partners and a free and open Indo-Pacific region. At the Thursday press briefing, Hang reiterated that Vietnam has full legal grounds and historical evidence to assert its sovereignty over the Paracel (Hoang Sa) and Spratly (Truong Sa) archipelagoes. Referring to the incident when a Chinese vessel rammed and sank a Vietnamese fishing boat off the central coast last week, the spokeswoman said the five rescued fishermen are on their way back to the mainland. Vietnamese authorities are continuing to verify the incident and will ensure the legal rights and interests of these fishermen, she said. According to the Vietnam National Committee for Emergency Response, Disaster Prevention and Rescue in Vietnam, a Quang Ngai fishing vessel was sunk by Chinese ship (BKS 44101) in the vicinity of Da Loi (Discovery) Island in the Hoang Sa Archipelago on March 6. China seized the Paracel Islands from South Vietnam by force in 1974, and Spratly Islands from Vietnam in 1988. Two former cops who beat a drunk suspect to death in Can Tho last August were officially charged on Tuesday. Bui Duc Nghia, 32, and Nguyen Tuan Anh, 30, face seven to 14 years in jail under Vietnams Penal Code for the charges of "intentionally inflicting injuries." Nguyen Chi Hieu, 29, died from multiple injuries sustained while in police custody in Can Tho Citys O Mon District in August last year. Nghia and Anh were arrested two months later, after Hieus family filed a complaint and demanded a criminal investigation into his death. After an investigation, it was decided that charges would be pressed against the two former police officers for deliberately inflicting injuries that led to death. According to the indictment, the district traffic police officers asked Hieu to stop for an alcohol test after finding him driving under the influence. However, Hieu failed to submit to the test and refused to sign the police report on his violation. He was then taken to the police station where Nghia beat him ferociously for not cooperating with the police. Then, Nghia and Anh dragged him to the street and beat him up again. He returned home the next morning and complained of pain all over his body. He was rushed to the hospital where doctors said he had sustained severe injuries. He died on August 13, four days after being interrogated by the police. Several instances of suspects dying in police custody have been reported across Vietnam in recent years. Five policemen in Ninh Thuan Province last year were jailed for three to seven years for beating a male prisoner to death. In 2016, a court in Ho Chi Minh City sentenced a former traffic police officer to 12 years in prison for asking thugs to beat a traffic violator to death, following an argument. In late 2012, the World Bank released the results of a survey in which 5,460 Vietnamese respondents overwhelmingly identified the traffic police as the most corrupt group of individuals in the country. Vietnam has devised its first regimen to treat methamphetamine addicts. Photo by Shutterstock/Metamorphic Photography Vietnam has created its first regimen for treating synthetic drug addicts, and it combines medication with psychological support. The addiction in Vietnam is being treated solely with psychological methods, but the new regimen by the Health Ministry suggests that it should go along with using medication. Some medicines like D-amphetamine, methylphenidate, bupropion, mirtazapine and naltrexone can help reduce the amount of drugs used while others can prevent halluciation triggered by the drugs, it said. Doctors will use behavioral and psychological intervention and counseling, along with support from the patients family, to help users understand the harm, and the unnecessity of using drugs. The psychological treatment also aims to help them overcome discrimination. Vietnam has more than 222,000 drug addicts by the end of 2017, and an increasing number of them depend on synthetic drugs like methamphetamin, ecstasy, or ketamine, according to police figures. In Da Nang in central Vietnam, synthetic drug users account for 86 percent of drug addicts. The rate in the central province of Quang Tri is 84 percent and the southern province of Tra Vinh 91 percent. Criminal cases involving the use of drugs, specifically methamphetamine, have been prominently featured on local media recently. On Monday, a 26-year-old man murdered his parents and paternal grandmother in Saigons Hoc Mon District under the influence of methamphetamine, believing that his family was against his love for a woman. He has been arrested. Earlier this year, 8 people were killed and 8 others were injured in the northern province of Hai Duong when a truck driver rammed into a group of pedestrians walking along the National Highway 5. The driver was later found to be high on meth. Drug use is not rare among Vietnamese truck drivers with heavy workloads, people familiar with the matter have said. Last year, a 20-year-old woman was killed when a man shoved over 30 garlic cloves inside her mouth to "exorcise" her while under the influence of meth. The man was recently sentenced to 13 years in jail for his crime. Despite having some of the worlds toughest drug laws, drug trafficking and consumption have persisted and worsened in Vietnam of late. The country has become a key trafficking hub for narcotics in and around the "Golden Triangle," a lawless wedge of land straddling China, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar that is the world's second largest drug producing region. Production of methamphetamine is also skyrocketing in Southeast Asia, with prices dropping and usage expanding, according to a report by the United Nations anti-drug agency released Monday. "Data on seizures, prices, use and treatment all point to continuing expansion of the methamphetamine market in East and Southeast Asia," said Tun Nay Soe, the agency's inter-regional program coordinator. Methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth, is a central nervous system stimulant mainly used for recreational purposes as well as a second-line treatment for attention deficit disorder. Physical effects upon usage include loss of appetite, hyperactivity and irregular heartbeat, while an overdose could result in confusion, rapid breathing and brain damage. The chemicals production, distribution, sale, and possession is restricted or banned in many countries due to its placement in schedule II of the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances treaty. Malaysia has decided to proceed with the trial of a Vietnamese woman accused of murdering Kim Jong-nam. The decision has caused disappointment after the other person accused in the case, an Indonesian woman, was acquitted and set free Monday. The Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia said it regretted the Malaysian courts refusal to drop murder charges against Doan Thi Huong and set her free. "Vietnam will continue to exert increasing pressure on Malaysia to ensure a fair trial and set her free," Vietnamese Ambassador Le Quy Quynh told VnExpress. Huong, 30, and her co-accused Indonesian woman Siti Aisyah, 26, had been on trial for a year and a half on charges of killing Kim Jong-nam, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's half-brother, by smearing his face with VX poison, a banned chemical weapon, at Kuala Lumpur airport in February 2017. Both women have said that they thought they were playing a prank, and had no idea their actions would have deadly consequences. Huong burst into tears as a prosecutor announced that the attorney-general had rejected a request to free her; and that her trial would be adjourned until April 1. Vietnam regrets Malaysian rejection of appeal to free murder accused Vietnam regrets Malaysian rejection of appeal to free murder accused The Vietnamese defendant, who had to be helped out of court by two police officers following the announcement, tearfully told reporters: "I am depressed. I am innocent... I want my family to pray for me," AFP reported. Huongs lawyer Hisyam Teh Poh Teik said he would closely work with the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia to get the charges dropped. Back in her hometown in Nam Dinh Province, two hours south of Hanoi, her family was unhappy with the court decision. Huong's father, Doan Van Thanh, said: "We are very shocked, very sad and we don't understand why it turned out this way." Thanh said after the Indonesian suspect was released, he had expected that "my daughter would be set free as well." Doan Van Thanh, father of Doan Thi Huong, a suspect in the murder of Kim Jong-nam, speaks about her Thursday trial at his home in Nam Dinh Province. Photo by VnExpress/Pham Du Thanh said he felt painful watching the trial on the internet, seeing his daughter crying and not being able to be there for her. "She's too skinny now." He was in Malaysia for the first trial in early February but could not afford other trips. "Now we can only pray for the best at the next trial on April 1," said Thanh, a Christian. Huong's step-mother Nguyen Thi Vy told Reuters she had expected Huong to be able to come home after the trial today. "It's so unfair. The two of them were in this and now one got out, one cannot. Isn't that injustice?" On Monday, the murder charge was withdrawn against the Indonesian woman and she was set free, prompting the Vietnamese government to call for Malaysia to do the same with Huong, on the basis of the law and the good friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries. On Tuesday, Vietnamese Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh spoke with Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah to seek Huongs release. Vietnams justice minister Le Thanh Long also called on Malaysia to free the Vietnamese suspect on the same day. A humble Hanoi pho shop that has served only one dish for 40 years has opened a second stall in Japan. No avid pho lover in Hanoi can be unaware of a nondescript shop on Lo Duc Street. What this eatery does to a bowl of beef pho is nothing really special, but regular customers, whose numbers are constantly increasing, will tell you that the only dish they serve, pho tai lan is one of best bowls of the noodle soup you can get in the city, or elsewhere, for that matter. You have take them seriously because this eatery, Pho Thin, has been serving this single dish for 40 years, and is still going strong. Pho tai lan is different because of the way it serves its main ingredient, the beef. The beef is briefly stir-fried in a hot pan with garlic and ginger first, then served with the noodle and broth. There is no other option in this place. Just this one dish. You cannot find stir-fried pho or chicken pho. But it has never lacked customers for 40 years and has won over many foreigners as well. Some people have said that given its longevity, this eatery should be upgraded to a "proper restaurant," but most just want the flavors, taste and cleanliness maintained. They do not care about its name or its visibility. The fragrance of the broth is enough to entice them. The broth pot is always boiling from morning till the afternoon, and the aroma of star anise and black cardamom spreads in the area. The owner, Thin, said that the broth recipe is the result of a long process of learning from the past, as well as from other pho makers in Hanoi. After it is stir-fried briefly, the beef is placed in a big basket and ready to serve. A worker said it was not easy to stir-fry the beef, adding that it required skill and experience to get it just right. Side dishes served with a bowl of pho here include quay, deep fried flour sticks, and poached eggs. You pay first before eating. A bowl of pho tai lan here is more expensive than the average stall at VND60.000 ($2.5). You can order quay for VND10,000 ($0.4)/three pieces and pay the same for a poached egg. The diner has no frills, but its clean. Customers enjoy their pho sitting on wooden or plastic tools at metal tables. There are several framed black and white pictures of old Hanoi on the wall and several newspaper articles that have been written about this pho place. "This might be the most delicious dish that Ive ever tried in Vietnam. The broth is flavorful and the beef is very appetizing. I will definitely come back here," said Tibo Rivero, an American tourist. Despite its humble appearance, this eatery has gone a long way. Early this month, it opened a new chapter in its existence with a second stall in Tokyo, Japan. Not surprisingly, the initial reactions have been positive. Pigs are seen on a family farm in Xiaoxinzhuang village, Hebei province, China January 25, 2018. Phto by Reuters China has banned imports of pigs, wild boars and related products from Vietnam after a series of outbreaks of African swine fever. Chinas General Administration of Customs announced the ban on Tuesday. Between Feb. 1 and March 3, the deadly virus was found in animals in 202 households in 13 cities or provinces in northern Vietnam and north central Vietnam, including capital city Hanoi. The disease is fatal to pigs but does not affect people. The move comes as China battled its own African swine fever outbreaks, having spread to 111 confirmed cases in 28 provinces and regions across the country. Putin is preparing to travel to the region on the fifth anniversary of its annexation later this month. Russia plans to start operating two new power stations in Crimea at full capacity on March 18, five sources familiar with the plans told Reuters on Wednesday. The launch of the Sevastopol and Simferopol power stations at full capacity, which follows a partial launch last year, will coincide with the possible visit, the five sources said, Reuters reported. Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend the launch of the Sevastopol power station, the sources said. Read alsoPutin to visit Crimea to celebrate anniversary of occupation Russian media Technopromexport, the Russian company building the power stations, declined to comment. The Kremlin and Energy Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Russia began building the power stations in Crimea to provide electricity to the peninsula, but the facilities became embroiled in a row over sanctions. German engineering firm Siemens says Russia clandestinely delivered several of its turbines to Crimea despite European sanctions which ban the supply of energy technology to Crimea. Russia's energy ministry says the turbines were not from Siemens. It said they were modernised turbines that were the work of Russian specialists and Russian equipment. Ukrainian producers licensed to export fish, seafood to Hong Kong Commercial catching of fish and seafood in Ukraine in 2018 declined by 25% against 2017. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter What do you think about our new website? Share your opinion Ukraine exports over 34 mln tonnes of grain since July 1 Some 12.77 million tonnes of wheat was shipped abroad. If you see a spelling error on our site, select it and press Ctrl+Enter Nord Stream 2 poses a threat to Europe. Executive Director of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine Yuriy Vitrenko warns that if Ukraine loses its transit role, it will also forgo a security barrier to Russian aggression. "Military experts warn that if Ukraine loses its transit role, it will also forgo a formidable security barrier to the Kremlin's aggression. At the moment, Russian gas is flowing through Ukraine to Europe and European cash is flowing back keeping Russia's fragile economy afloat. If this interdependence between Russia and Ukraine was to disappear, Putin's hands will be untied," he said in an op-ed posted by POLITICO on March 14. Vitrenko warns about the threats the Russian Nord Stream 2 project poses not only to Ukraine but also to Europe. Read alsoEU confirms Nord Stream 2 threatening its internal market "We maintain that the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Germany is a 'bad deal for Europe' to quote two prominent analysts. Despite the fact that it is under construction, we are convinced that our European neighbors will eventually come to realize the scale of the geopolitical and security risks that Nord Stream 2 poses, and that this perilous project will be abandoned before it is finished," he said. Ukraine's losses from Nord Stream 2 will be significant, he said. "The loss of revenue from gas transit could wipe, as much as, 4% off Ukraine's GDP and will likely cause a recession. But as devastating as it will be, it is not the biggest risk posed by the Kremlin's politically-motivated infrastructure projects. We are talking about a dual threat to the EU and Ukraine, since those pipelines would undermine European unity and undercut fair competition," he said. Vitrenko assured that Ukraine will continue trilateral gas talks with Europe and Russia. "We will continue to take part in the trilateral consultations. Under no circumstances will we compromise our standing as a reliable partner for Europe. We are confident that Ukraine's transit infrastructure, which has sufficient capacity to cover one-third of EU's import needs, is both unique and indispensable to European energy security," he said. 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. Global Bioenergies (Euronext Growth: ALGBE) greets the proposal made by France's parliament to establish a public support programme to promote the emerging French bio-jet fuel producing channels. The draft Mobility Orientation Law includes ambitious measures for the sustainable development of different forms of mobility: road, rail, maritime and river, for example. Air transport should also be included in the law: substantial fossil energy savings could be made in this booming industry. Members of Parliament have begun to review the draft Mobility Orientation Law. Several senators wanted air transport to be addressed in the text. Among the various options that have emerged to create a more environmentally friendly air transport, biofuels are now considered as a central solution. The government has already launched a French roadmap for bio-jet fuel, and at the closing of the "National Conference on air transportation", the Minister gave the prospect of 2% bio-jet fuel in air transportation by 2025. The implementation of an on-demand support mechanism to ensure that a durable market emerges is mentioned as a prerequisite for this development. We are therefore calling on the government to specify the practical procedures tied to this support in order to instil the confidence of all the economic actors. Bernard Chaud, Director of Industrial Strategy at Global Bioenergies, said: "Our innovative solution is in sync with the principles of the circular economy. Production plants in rural areas would make it possible to directly supply multiple nearby airports, create hundreds of jobs, guarantee additional outlets for agricultural industries residues and for lignocellulosic biomass residues, and, in that way, revitalise part of the country. There are many challenges, and the economic actors need to feel confident if they are to continue investing in and building these plants; we are eager to learn the practical details of the public support for the promotion of this industry." Marc Delcourt, CEO of Global Bioenergies, said: "France is well positioned in this slot. Last year, Norway instituted the first bio-kerosene mandate in the world. This topic is also under discussion in Sweden and Spain. In the near future, all of Europe will be shifting to using bio-kerosene in civil aviation." About GLOBAL BIOENERGIES Global Bioenergies is the only company in the world to have developed a conversion process for renewable resources (residual sugars, agricultural and forestry waste) into isobutene, one of the petrochemical building blocks that can be converted into ingredients for cosmetics, petrol, kerosene, LPG and plastics. Global Bioenergies continues to improve the performance of its process, conducts trials on its demo plant in Germany and is preparing the first full-sized plant in a Joint-Venture with Cristal Union. Global Bioenergies is listed on Euronext Growth in Paris (FR0011052257 - ALGBE). Contact GLOBAL BIOENERGIES Bernard Chaud Director of Industrial Strategy Tel: +33 1 64 98 20 50 invest@global-bioenergies.com Albioma has announced that the Port Ouest installation, located in the town of Le Port in Reunion, with a power of 1.34 MWc and a storage capacity of 1.33 MWh, was put into industrial service on 20 February 2019. The installation was the winner of the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) call for tenders in 2016. Port Ouest, which was the winner of the Energy Regulatory Commission's call for tenders in 2016, is the first installation in service in Reunion relating to the production and operation of photovoltaic solar power plants with energy storage, located in areas not connected to mains electricity. In order to win the call for tenders, the designs presented to the CRE in 2015 had to be innovative, especially regarding the planned production, storage and command control components. The purchase contract signed with EDF will last for 25 years. A power plant with energy storage that is full of technological innovations, and which also fits very well into the landscape. The power plant is located in two industrial units used for port activities, with no conflict of use. With a total power of 1.34 MWc, it is equipped with Li-Lon energy storage batteries with a capacity of 1.33 MWh. As well as the power guaranteed by the batteries, this power plant will provide energy every day at peak times in the evening (between 7.00 pm and 9.00 pm); the technology used for this power plant enables the problem of intermittent production of standard solar power plants to be solved, and also stabilises and guarantees production during the day (cloudy weather and changes in the meteorological conditions), as well as improving forecasts. Furthermore, the power plant is equipped with an energy management system that informs the network operator of the power delivered in real time. Each year, Port Ouest will produce 1.9 GWh per year, which is the annual consumption of 630 households in Reunion. The leader in photovoltaic energy production overseas, Albioma has strengthened its position in France. A pioneer since 2006, Albioma is the leader in solar power overseas; Albioma is also the first French company producing solar energy that has been Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) certified three times. In December 2018, Albioma announced the acquisition of Eneco France, to strengthen its position and expansion in solar energy in France, in addition to the 8 MW already installed in the country. Albioma aims to develop innovative solar energy projects, with a target of over 80% renewable energy by 2023. Frederic Moyne, CEO of Albioma, says: "With the Port Ouest power plant, Albioma is reinforcing its place as the main producer of photovoltaic energy overseas, by building and developing innovative projects with energy storage, which provides stability to networks and speeds up energy transition." Next on the agenda: revenue figures for the first quarter of the 2019 financial year, on 24 April 2019 (before trading). About Albioma Contacts An independent renewable energy producer, Albioma is committed to the energy transition thanks to biomass and photovoltaics. The Group, which is established in Overseas France, Mauritius and Brazil, has developed a unique partnership for 25 years with the sugar industry, to produce renewable energy from bagasse, a fibrous residue from sugar cane. Albioma is also the leading generator of photovoltaic power overseas where it constructs and operates innovative projects with integrated storage capabilities. Albioma shares are listed on NYSE EURONEXT PARIS (sub B) and eligible for the deferred settlement service (SRD) and PEA-PME plans (ISIN FR0000060402 - ticker: ABIO). www.albioma.com Contacts Investor Julien Gauthier +33 (0)1 47 76 67 00 Media Charlotte Neuvy +33 (0)1 47 76 66 65 presse@albioma.com Martin Presumido (l) and Narciso Bermejo in front of El Palentino. ULY MARTIN The last time Casto Herrezuelo walked through the doors of El Palentino bar, gastronomy expert Narciso Bermejo was there to welcome him. Castro was co-owner of the bar and had been behind the counter since 1977. Alongside his sister-in-law Loli, he transformed the Madrid haunt into an icon of its time. Former owner Casto Herrezuelo. Cristobal Manuel de Casto When Casto died in February 2018 and the bar was sold, Bermejo, the creative force behind the Macera TallerBar, Nada365 bar and the gastronomical director of the 7 Islas Hotel, took over the business with hotelier Martin Presumido, who is the owner of Mama Chico restaurant. On Thursday, they will open a remodeled version of El Palentino, located on Pez street in Madrids Malasana neighborhood. And although it will offer a new menu, it will maintain the spirit of the original custodian who turned the bar into a legend with its affordable prices and authentic charm. When Casto died, there was much speculation over the bars future. His heirs sold the property for 1.3 million to an investment fund which put it up for rent. The bar was being eyed by powerful catering groups such as Restalia, which owns chains such as Cien Montaditos and La Surena. El Palentino, like a church, was not created by its walls but by its worshipers Narciso Bermejo, co-owner of El Palentino But Presumido took over the establishment within 24 hours. The probability of it opening up again as El Palentino was very low, he explains. When Presumido got into contact with Bermejo, the chef was hesitant to accept the offer. I saw it as a responsibility. For me it was simpler not to take it on because its very hard to carry on a continuous line of something that was not created, but rather just happened, he says. The inspiration for the new El Palentino came from Casto. How would he do it if he were 28 years old? What made [the bar] legendary was how everyone who went there was treated the same. Loli would deal with a movie star or a homeless person equally, explain Bermejo and Presumido. So how did El Palentino gain its legendary status? The prices, answers Bermejo, in reference to the 3 cocktails. To stay true to the spirit of the former bar, the new El Palentino will offer the same prices on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons: beers for 1.10 and pepitos de terna (beef sandwiches) for 2. Wed like to always keep it this way, but we wouldnt be able to survive financially. Renting the space costs 10,285 a month and there will be six professional bartenders on the staff. Working with artisanal spirits will allow them to offer drinks for 7 as opposed to 12. On this street you cant find anything for under 8, says Presumido, who has created a cocktail list that pays homage to the past. The food menu will include local classics such as the sandwich mixto (ham and cheese sandwich) as well as new options such as spider crab croquetas and oxtail lasagna. The food menu will have local classics as well as new options such as oxtail lasagna As for the look of the new El Palentino, the bar will switch sides for regulatory and logistical reasons. The lamps and facade will remain the same but the logo will be updated by artist Juanjo Lopez. Weve done what we could to save what was left, but its fallen to pieces. Weve come to realize that it doesnt matter, because El Palentino, like a church, was not created by its walls but by its worshipers, explains Bermejo. Photos by Jonas Bel, the photographer who spent every morning taking pictures in the bar throughout the year 2015, will be hung on the wall in tribute to the former space. El Palentino will continue to be an emblem of everyones youth, says Bermejo, because everyone at some point spent time at the bar when they were young. Or not, he clarifies. I believe its one of those places where more people say they went one time but never did. And we hope this keeps happening. If there is a goal, it is to reach the entire cross-section of society. For Bermejo, running El Palentino is not just a personal responsibility, its everyones job. To come [to the bar] and say that it is not the same is stating the obvious in an almost obscene way, but the other option was to have a huge restaurant chain put up one of their franchises here. If theres someone who was prepared to [run it] its me. And every day, Im more sure of that. English version by Asia London Palomba. The conservative Popular Party (PP) has come up with a policy that would see pregnant undocumented migrants in Spain spared expulsion from the country during their term if they opt to give up their child for adoption. In a controversial proposal for a so-called support for maternity law, the opposition party led by Pablo Casado has linked together issues of abortion, immigration and economic resources. The PP says that the law would not act as a shield for any female immigrants in an irregular situation, but that they would be expelled from the country after giving birth. We need to think about how to have more babies and not about how to have terminations PP leader Pablo Casado In the run up to the April 28 general elections in Spain, PP chief Pablo Casado has stated on a number of occasions that he would like to see the country return to the restrictive legislation on abortion that was passed in 1985, rather than the current laws. The Socialist Party (PSOE) government of Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez passed that legislation in the 1980s, which decriminalized abortion only in cases of rape, risk to the mothers health and accredited fetal deformities In 2010, under Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero of the Socialist Party (PSOE), Spain adopted legislation allowing abortion on demand during the first trimester. There was an attempt in 2013 to repeal this law, but the initiative failed to gain political traction and its main sponsor, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon of the PP, stepped down as justice minister in September 2014 as a result. Recent comments that Casado has made linking voluntary abortions with the sustainability of the countrys pension system have sparked fierce criticism, including from within his own party, sectors of which consider the abortion debate to have been solved within Spanish society. In February, the conservative leader said that his party supports a progressive pro-life culture, and warned that Spain, with its ageing population, is facing a demographic winter that will endanger the pensions system as well as healthcare and other public benefits programs. I think we need to make an analysis of what kind of society we are building, and above all, and this is something that the left is very bad at, if we want to fund pensions and healthcare we need to think about how to have more babies and not about how to have terminations, he said last month. With regard to this new proposed legislation, the PP leadership said it understands that a high number of abortions are carried out among immigrant women who have no resources. As such, Casado has sought to combine the aforementioned issues of immigration, terminations, adoptions and economic resources in a single proposal, which the party has dubbed the law to support maternity. Protecting maternity is protecting women who are mothers Marisa Soleto, director of Spains Fundacion Mujeres According to this proposal, pregnant women without residency papers who wanted to give up their child to adoption would have guarantees that they will not be deported during their term. Afterwards, were they to be picked up in a raid, or were they citizens of countries with which the government has repatriation agreements, they would be sent back to their country of origin. What would be an outrage, party sources have explained, would be to use the data that has to be supplied in the process of handing a child over for adoption as an excuse to process the expulsion of that woman. That is what we want to avoid for humanitarian reasons and for the protection of the minor and the mother. This system, the PP added, is already in place in the Madrid region where the party is in power via a protocol against the abandonment of babies. The party is yet to supply a full draft text of this proposed legislation. Spanish law already protects undocumented pregnant women, whether or not they are going to give their child up for adoption. Legislation establishes that deportation cannot be carried out when it affects pregnant women, when the measure could pose a risk to the pregnancy or to the health of the mother. Marcelo Belgrano, an expert in immigration issues, explains that the PP proposal is based on two false premises. Pregnant women are not expelled from Spain and there is no exchange of data so that a woman who starts the process of putting her child up for adoption has to fear that she will be deported when she supplies her name, he explained. Such a practice was, in fact, one of the demands of far-right party Vox during negotiations to form a government after last years Andalusian regional elections: that there be an exchange of information between different areas of the public administration such as the health system allowing the police to begin steps to expel undocumented migrants. The PP refused to agree to such a system. Marisa Soleto, the director of Spains Fundacion Mujeres (Womens Foundation), considers the proposal to be abusive, reports Pilar Alvarez. Protecting maternity is protecting women who are mothers, she said. Vladimir Nunez, a lawyer specializing in immigration, said that Casados proposal would be in conflict with article 13 of the Spanish Constitution, which guarantees all public freedoms to foreigners in Spain. PP chief Casado claims to be a victim of fake news N. J., Madrid I feel like a victim of fake news. That was the reaction on Thursday of Popular Party (PP) leader Pablo Casado, in response to the widespread criticism of his conservative groups proposal to delay deportation of pregnant migrants if they were willing to give up their child for adoption. I am a person before I am a politician, he said at an event in Valladolid on Thursday. All of the news chat shows and other parties are trying to say an outrage that I would never permit among my adversaries. They were saying that the PP wanted migrant women without papers to be protected if they decided to hand over their child for adoption. What the PP is proposing, and what is already being done in the Madrid region [where the PP is in power], is for pregnant mothers who decide to put their child up for adoption instead of abandoning it to have their confidentiality and rights guaranteed, whether they are in a regular situation or otherwise. The PP did not, as some critics claimed, propose giving women in such a situation their papers for putting up their children for adoption, but with its proposals for a maternity law, it did mix up issues that bear no relation: immigration, abortion, maternity and economic resources. The proposed legislation also sets out to protect women from something that does not currently happen in Spain, given that pregnant women are not deported, nor is their information handed over from medical staff to the police in order to proceed with deportation. Casado also claimed on Thursday, however, that part of the "fake news" regarding his statements was related to him having linked abortion and pensions. But he did, in fact, make this statement recently: "I think we need to make an analysis of what kind of society we are building, and above all, and this is something that the left is very bad at, if we want to fund pensions and healthcare we need to think about how to have more babies and not about how to have terminations." English version by Simon Hunter. Greenhouse gas emissions have fallen in the center of Madrid after City Hall launched a pioneering program on November 30, 2018 to curb air pollution and increase the space given to pedestrians. Viewed as a legacy-making project for Mayor Manuela Carmena, of the leftist Ahora Madrid party, the Madrid Central program made 472 hectares of the city center off-limits to traffic, except for local residents and public transportation. Some private vehicles can also enter the area if they are going to park in a public parking lot (see sidebar). The air you breathe in the center of Madrid is better now Environmental activist Juan Barcena According to a study conducted to measure the environmental impact of Madrid Central, emissions of nitrogen oxide (NO x ), a polluting gas released by vehicles, fell by 38% in Madrids center the first month the program was implemented, while carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions dropped by 14.2%. The study by the Technical University of Madrid, which looked at both traffic flow and car types in the restricted area, found that emissions also fell across the city, with NO x and CO 2 emissions falling by 9% and 2%, respectively, in December. There are two main factors that influence pollution: polluting gases (which go into the atmosphere) and the weather, which can either reduce pollution with favorable conditions (when wind and rain clear the air) or exacerbate it with unfavorable ones (sunny days without clouds or wind). Between November 30, 2018, and February 25, 2019, Madrid experienced 42 days of unfavorable weather, according to the national weather service AEMET. In the same period from the year before, the number was only 19. There are climatological factors that we cant influence. But the ones that we can, which are vehicle emissions, have decreased and this helps reduce pollution, explained Ines Sabanes, the local environment and mobility chief. These rigorous measures can positively affect the whole city, she added, referencing the traffic restrictions introduced under Madrid Central. Air quality in the center has also improved, with pollution falling by 8.9% compared to the historic average for the December-March period, according to measurements taken from the Plaza del Carmen monitoring station, the only one located within the Madrid Central area. There are 24 monitoring stations in Madrid and the one at Plaza del Carmen was always one of the three worst in the city, said Juan Barcena from Ecologists in Action, a collective representing more than 300 environmental groups in Spain. However, since the implementation of Madrid Central, it has become one of the top five and is only ranked behind the stations located in green areas. The air you breathe in the center of Madrid is better now. Pollution in the center has fallen by 8.9% According to Barcena, pollution has fallen more in the center than in any other place in the city. The drop is so significant that it compensates for the bad weather weve had at the beginning of the year. Pollution levels have been very high, but in Plaza del Carmen theyve improved, he said. Public transport in the city has also improved thanks to Madrid Central, said Sabanes. According to the local environment and mobility chief, Madrids public transport company (EMT) has added 25,000 more daily trips to the Madrid Central area, and 50,000 more if the whole network is taken into account. It has also improved the frequency of buses. The number of people traveling on the Metro underground rail network has also increased, while traffic on the citys popular Gran Via avenue and other streets in the area has dropped by 26%, said Sabanes. Expectations are being met, the numbers are very good. The rate at which emissions are falling is a very positive trend, which complies with what the European Union has asked of us, she explained. Improving the air quality in cities is an EU mandate, and the European Commission has set 2020 as the deadline for Madrid to meet its targets. City officials say that Madrid Central will reduce emissions by 40% as a result of eliminating through traffic and banning the biggest polluters from the area. Fines From Saturday, March 16, drivers who enter the Madrid Central zone without permission will be fined 90 (or 45 if the amount is paid immediately). Residents may enter the area in their vehicles but only park in their own neighborhood. Occasional visitors may be allowed in by residents. Non-residents whose vehicles hold CERO and ECO energy labels may also enter the area. And those with B or C energy labels may only enter to park in a private or public parking lot, not in the street. Exceptions will also be made for people with reduced mobility, ambulances, taxis, private-hire cars and delivery vans. Electric vehicles will also be allowed into Madrid Centro. English version by Asia London Palomba. Josep Lluis Trapero in the Supreme Court on Thursday. EFE The man who was in charge of the Catalan police when the regional government held an unauthorized independence referendum on October 1, 2017 has played down the forces responsibility in the events of that day. Josep Lluis Trapero, the then-chief of the Mossos dEsquadra, gave testimony on Thursday at the Supreme Court, where a high-profile trial of 12 separatist leaders is underway. Members of the former Catalan government and civil society leaders are facing charges that include rebellion, sedition, disobedience and misuse of public funds in connection with the illegal referendum and unilateral independence declaration that followed. The reason why she was offered another way out is not that the front door was deemed unsafe Josep Lluis Trapero Speaking in court, Trapero replied to criticism from other witnesses, including high-ranking officers of the National Police and the Civil Guard. The Mossos have been accused of foot-dragging on referendum day, and of failing to do their part to enforce a court order to stop the vote from taking place. Images of National Police and Civil Guard officers restraining would-be voters at polling stations on October 1, 2017 made headlines the world over. According to Trapero, at a meeting of representatives from all three law enforcement agencies it was agreed that two Mossos officers would show up at every polling station early on October 1, and that they would call the National Police and Civil Guard to request reinforcements if necessary. The Mossos were only one part of an operation in which the bulk of the officers was being provided by the other two agencies, he noted. Trapero testified as a witness at the Supreme Court, where he answered all the prosecutions questions even though he could have refused to make statements, as he is himself facing rebellion charges at Spains High Court, the Audiencia Nacional. The crowd protesting a police raid in Barcelona on September 20, 2017. The former head of the regional police force also sought to distance himself from the government headed by then-premier Carles Puigdemont. Trapero admitted that he sent his superior, the Catalan interior affairs chief, Joaquim Forn, copies of court investigations and reports, a fact that prosecutors claim is proof of connivance with the executive and its plans for secession. But Trapero said that this had always been the working method. However, the former chief of police made a point of distancing himself from the political drift that the Puigdemont administration was embarking on, and admitted that he did not feel comfortable when the former premier opted for the unilateral path toward secession from the rest of Spain. As for his political boss at the time, Forn, Trapero blamed him for a certain degree of irresponsibility when the former stated in public on the day that he was sworn into office, in July 2017, that the Mossos would obey the law and allow people to vote on October 1. Trapero said did not feel comfortable when Puigdemot opted for the unilateral path The legal representative for the far-right party Vox, which is involved in the Supreme Court proceedings as the private prosecution, asked Trapero about the events of September 20, 2017, when a large crowd congregated around the Barcelona building that houses the regional economic affairs department to protest a police raid going on inside. This day is crucial to the prosecutions claim that violence was employed or abetted by the defendants, as the rebellion charge can only be upheld if there were proven violent acts. Patrol cars were vandalized by the crowd, and a court official who participated in the search has told the court that she was too scared to walk out of the front door because of the protesters menacing attitude. This witness said that she phoned a judge to tell him to get me out of here, and the judge then telephoned Trapero to demand an immediate solution. The court official eventually left through an adjoining theater after accessing the rooftop. The reason why she was offered another way out is not that [the front door] was deemed unsafe. When I got the call from the judge, at 11 or 11.15pm, the police cordon had been ended because we had contradictory information suggesting that the operation inside was being delayed, said Trapero in court. When I talked to the judge, it was the first news I had that the operation was over. I asked for the court clerk to be offered the alternative exit. It was a matter of saving ourselves the time it would have taken to set up the cordon again. Thats the reason why she was offered an alternative way out. English version by Susana Urra. The Mariupol port has lost 33% of its fleet and up to 140,000 tonnes of exported metal products a month due to construction of a bridge across the Kerch Strait and the restrictions on passage of ship, which height exceeds 33 meters, imposed after its construction, according to a posting on the Facebook page of Ukraine's Ministry for Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP). "As a result of the construction of the Kerch Bridge, Russia restricted the height of vessels: from now on, vessels of Panamax type cannot pass through the canal. With the restrictions on the movement of vessels, the canal bottom is growing shallow and silting up," Minister for Temporarily Occupied Territories and IDP Vadym Chernysh said during his visit to Mariupol. However, he said that, despite the blockade of the Kerch Strait by the Russian Federation, the Mariupol port continues operating and remains one of the strategically important enterprises of the city. The maximum capacity of the port allows transshipment of cargo up to 21 million tonnes per year, but after the aggression of the Russian Federation in the east of Ukraine, the port's capacity decreased almost 67%. "In order to improve the situation in the ports of Mariupol and Berdiansk, several possibilities are now being discussed. One of them is the use of domestic financial resources that could remain in the ports. The EU additional funds are an equally important financial resource," the minister said. He also said that if the type of freight changes, and when the grain terminal starts to work, the completion of which is expected this year, it is worth to organize the retraining of port workers. "There is also a fundamental decision on the allocation of additional funds to finance infrastructure projects that will facilitate the work of the port. This will provide a logistics scheme that will involve several types of transport: railway, road and sea in order for the region to have raw materials for enterprises, and finished products are also shipped. Several coordinated decisions will be made with foreign partners," Chernysh added. Poroshenko to visit JFO zone in Donbas on Thursday to meet military volunteers Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has announced he will visit to the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) zone in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, on Thursday to meet with Ukrainian military volunteers. "Now I'm leaving for the front by plane from here to also visit our volunteers," he said in Kyiv, speaking on the occasion of Ukrainian Volunteer Fighter Day. He recalled that a mass volunteer movement was founded on March 14, 2014, it became "the driving force of the new Ukrainian army." According to Poroshenko, 162 volunteer fighters were given state awards, 23 of them, including Hero of Ukraine General Serhiy Kulchytsky, were awarded posthumously. The president also noted that the former volunteer divisions had been integrated into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard of Ukraine and other law-enforcement units. Almost 170,000 citizens of Ukraine joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine under a contract from 2014 to 2018, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Viktor Muzhenko has said. "Over 40,000 citizens voluntarily expressed the wish during the mobilization to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In the period from 2014 to 2018, almost 170,000 people voluntarily signed contracts with the Armed Forces," Muzhenko on Facebook on Thursday. He also congratulated Ukrainians on Volunteer Fighter Day. "People who are always ready to defend Ukraine against Russian aggression are the most important guarantee for the protection of its independence," he said. Ukraine's Minister for Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Vadym Chernysh has said that the water supply system in Donetsk region cannot be divided, and despite the difficult situation with municipal enterprise Voda Donbasu, the Ukrainian government continues supporting the enterprise, the Ministry for Temporarily Occupied Territories and IDP wrote on its Facebook page. During his visit to Mariupol, Donetsk region, the minister said that Voda Donbasu remained the only enterprise that is still under Ukrainian jurisdiction. "I want to remind you that most of the enterprises in the temporarily occupied areas, which belonged to the Ukrainian owners, were seized. The only enterprise that now has big problems, but operates under Ukrainian jurisdiction is Voda Donbasu, he said. "The occupation authorities put pressure, create obstacles for the functioning of the enterprise in the temporarily occupied area of Donetsk region," Chernysh said. The minister visited the water facilities of the city of Mariupol, which are planned to be modernized in cooperation with France to improve the supply of drinking water to the city. "The community should receive not only high-quality water, but also water that would be cheaper. The French side offered us a loan on extremely reasonable terms: a delay of 10 years, then small payments, and then the return [of the loan]. At the expense of what will the loan ne returned? Thanks to the economic the benefits that will be received by enterprises that will provide water supply services," Chernysh said. Russian investigators believe Whelan spied for U.S. special services lawyer The Russian special services are accusing Paul Whelan of spying for their U.S. colleagues, his lawyer said. "The investigators believe he was spying for the U.S. special services," lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov told Interfax. The case against Whelan is being investigated by the Russian Federal Security Service. He is charged with espionage. In the coming hours the Moscow City Court will hear the defense lawyers' appeal against the decision to prolong Whelan's arrest by a further three months. The hearing is attended by U.S. embassy official Richard Hanrahan, who is in charge of the observance the rights of U.S. citizens in Russia. Officials from the Irish, Canadian, and British embassies, who attended earlier hearings of the Whelan case, have ignored this hearing. Some 23.1% of Ukrainians polled who said they planned to vote in the first round of Ukraine's presidential elections said they would support showman Volodymyr Zelensky in the first round, Batkivschyna Party leader Yulia Tymoshenko would enjoy the support of 14% and incumbent President Petro Poroshenko 12.4%. These are the results of a survey conducted by the Sofia Social Research Center from March 4-11. According to the survey, 12% of respondents would vote for candidate from Opposition Platform For Life Yuriy Boiko, 7.4% for Civil Position Party leader Anatoliy Hrytsenko and 4.5% for Radical Party leader Oleh Liashko. The previous Sofia poll conducted from February 26 to March 4 showed support for Zelensky at 20.3%, Tymoshenko at 13.9%, Poroshenko at 13.1%, Boiko at 11.7%, Hrytsenko at 7.1%, and Liashko at 4.6%. Some 63.9% of the people surveyed said they would definitely vote, with 21.8% saying they would probably vote. If parliamentary elections were held in the near future, some 19.2% of Ukrainians would vote for the Servant of the People party led by Zelensky, 13.9% for Batkivschyna, 10.9% for Opposition Bloc For Life, 10.3% for the Bloc of Petro Poroshenko Solidarity, and 6.8% for Civil Position Party. Polls results indicate five political parties would overcome the five-percent barrier to be represented in parliament. Some 4.4% of respondents support Liashko's Radical Party, 2% would vote for the Opposition Bloc, 1.8% for the Svoboda Party, 1.2% for the Samopomich, 1.2% for the Nashi (Ours) Party, and 1.1% for the UKROP Party. The survey was conducted throughout Ukraine, except in Russia-occupied Crimea and Russia-occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Some 2,014 persons took part in the survey. The margin of error does not exceed 2.2%. By Benjamin Jumbe. Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has called on all Mayors to enact relevant policies and regulations or rules to promote sanitation improvement and compliance He made the call during a mayors dialoguewhich was also attended by the KCCA Director Public Health and Environment, All Division Urban Mayors of Kampala, Metropolitan Mayors, Authority and Division Councillors and Kampala Division Town Clerks. In his key note address, the Lord Mayor said while the city Authority has taken big strides towards citywide access to sanitation service levels, there remain some gaps in the sector that have to be tackled for a sustainable sector if SDG 6 is to be achieved. He revealed that Statistics show that the collection rate for Feacal Sludge has improved from 43% in 2016 to 50% while Solid Waste is over 50% from 35% in 2016. The Lord Mayor also urged the leaders to commit to providing Leadership in Municipalities to change the status of the communities, support citizen engagement and community awareness drives such as the Weyonje Campaign and re energize the Mayors Forum. Tusk, Poroshenko to meet in Brussels on March 20 - European Council website President of the European Council Donald Tusk and President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko will meet in Brussels on March 20. Tusk and Poroshenko have a joint dinner scheduled at 19:00 local time (20:00 Kyiv time) on March 20, according to a message in the updated Tusk's schedule, published on the website of the European Council. Tusk paid visit to Ukraine in February. Interfax-Ukraine to host press conference 'Presidential elections in Ukraine: Who Ukrainians are ready to vote for on March 31' On Friday, March 15, at 15.30, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a press conference on the subject: "Presidential elections in Ukraine: Who Ukrainians are ready to vote for on March 31." Participants include: coordinator of research projects of the Ukrainian Sociology Portal Artem Horbenko, political consultant Mykola Spiridonov, political scientist Viktor Savinov (8/5a Reitarska Street). Press accreditation and registration at the event by press cards. On Friday, March 15, at 12.30, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a press conference on the subject: "The latest forms of manipulation in sociology during the presidential election." Participants include: Director of Ukraine's Institute for Global Strategies Vadym Karasiov, expert of the Gardarica Strategic Consulting Corporation Kostiantyn Matviyenko, and Director of the Ukrainian Barometer Sociological Service Viktor Nebozhenko (8/5a Reitarska Street). Press accreditation and registration at the event by press cards. Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been sentenced to seven years in prison, local media quoted a judge as saying, but Sotoudeh's husband disputed that and said she received sentences totalling 38 years in prison. A judge at Tehran's Revolutionary Court told the semiofficial ISNA news agency on March 11 that the prominent rights defender had been sentenced to five years for colluding against the system and two years for insulting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, Sotoudehs husband, Reza Khandan, told Radio Farda that she was informed on March 9 that she had been sentenced to 33 years in prison and 148 lashes on the second charge. One of her lawyers, Mahmud Behzadi-Rad, said on March 10 that the verdict was given in absentia, without specifying when it was handed down. Sotoudeh, the co-winner of the European Parliament's 2012 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, was arrested in June 2018 and ordered to serve a five-year sentence imposed on her in absentia in 2016. International rights groups, the U.S. government, and the European Parliament have denounced the arrest of the lawyer, who in 2018 represented several of the women detained for removing their head scarves in public to protest against the countrys Islamic dress code. An outspoken critic of the Iranian establishment, Sotoudeh previously spent three years in prison on security charges after representing dissidents arrested during mass protests in 2009 against the disputed reelection of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad. She has denied all charges against her. Khandan was sentenced to six years in jail, also for security related charges, his lawyer Mohammad Moghimi and local media said in January. https://www.rferl.org/a/iranian-rights-activist-reza-khandan-gets-six-year-prison-sentence/29726991.html He later appealed the ruling and was released on bail. With reporting by AFP and AP Irans General Prosecutor says that Tehran has referred to Interpol the case of a woman in Canada accused in his countrys petrochemicals scandal and expects extradition. The news website of Irans Judiciary quotes Mohammad Jaafar Montazeri as saying that an arrest warrant for Marjan Sheikholeslami has been issued and sent to Interpol, and he hopes they will cooperate. The trial of several defendants in Tehran is underway, accused of exporting government owned petrochemicals through front companies and using the funds to make personal profits before returning it to the government. Such trades were arranged with the knowledge of the authorities through private companies to circumvent international sanctions in the past. Sheikholeslami is one of three defendants who are abroad. There are others who are in the country and attend the court sessions. They are represented by their lawyers in Tehran. Any extradition would depend on Canadian law and regulations. Mr. Montazeri seems not to be confident that Interpol can return the accused, saying that Iran faces a problem with getting extraditions from countries which have malice towards us. He also accused Canada of having turned in to a safe refuge for Iranians accused of corruption. Another Iranian, Mahmoud Reza Khavari who was accused of banking fraud also resides in Canada since 2011. An Iranian group in Canada called Iranian Canadian Congress has issued a petition asking the government to investigate Khavari and Sheikholeslami. Irans legal system is criticized by international rights organizations, the United Nations and Western government for lacking due process safeguards, lack of transparency and arbitrary verdicts. Irans Supreme Leader ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday March 14 told members of the countrys Assembly of Experts not to be at each other's throats over this or that convention or agreement. Khamenei was most probably referring to international anti-money laundering and anti-corruption conventions demanded by the international watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a multilateral agency based in Paris. FATF has asked Iran to amend its laws to ensure adequate financial standards, which President Hassan Rouhanis government and the parliament have agreed to, but the conservatives close to Khamenei have blocked two of the proposed bills. Irans hardline leader told his audience, When a certain convention or agreement is being discussed in the county, supporters and opponents should express their points of views, and the two sides should not accuse each other of camaraderie with the enemy and inflame conflict with one another. Khameneis remark about the bills comes one day after the Assembly of Experts warned about the strategic danger of accession to the conventions. Until now, Khamenei has not revealed his own position about the FATF demands, but all his conservative allies have rallied against them. The Assembly is also controlled by Khamenei. The constitutional role of the institution is to choose the Supreme Leader and supervise his work, but the Assembly has turned into a body praising Khamenei and echoing all his statement. During his remarks Khamenei repeatedly told his followers to separate their ranks from those of the enemy, adding that one should not accuse anyone who opposes him of supporting the enemies. Khameneis conservative supporters often attack other politicians or rights activists by accusations of spying and collaborating with Islamic Republics enemies. Irans Supreme Leader often uses the term enemy to mean the United States and to an extent Israel. Despite his call not to label people as collaborators, he said that those who question Islamic Republics role in the Middle East in fact are helping the enemy. He claimed that the enemy is afraid of Iran in the region. The U.S., Israel and to an extent Western Europe have expressed concern over Irans interventionist foreign policy in regional counties, such as Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan. Speaking about U.S. sanctions, Khamenei said that while the United States talks about implementing the strongest sanctions, if we mobilize maximum resources, we will inflict the heaviest defeat on America in that countrys history. Iran's leaders often use the rhetoric of mobilizing resources and relying on domestic talent to defy tough challenges, which they have largely created with their own foreign and domestic policies. Khamenei's favorite "Resistance Economy" is one slogan aimed at making the country self-sufficient, but in fact the country's economy has gone into a tailspin since the re-introduction of U.S. sanctions in 2018. Khamenei also spoke about enemys influence on cyberspace and on the countrys culture. This is also a favorite theme for the Supreme Leader and his conservative followers. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 Trend: Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 27 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said March 14, 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, March 14 By Leman Zeynalova Trend: The European Parliament has once again expressed support to Azerbaijans territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, Trend reports with reference to the recommendations adopted by the European Parliament on March 13, addressed to the Council and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. to consider the current proliferation and future threats of disinformation aiming to threaten the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all Eastern Partnership countries within their internationally recognized borders; to give priority in particular to the development of a long-term strategic approach and outreach towards Eastern Partnership countries, focusing on people-to-people exchanges, and working with existing civil society networks that already represent a source of community-based resilience, reads the document. On Dec. 12, 2018, the European Parliament by an overwhelming majority of votes (401 for, 173 against) adopted the resolution on the annual report on the Common Foreign and Security Policy, which reiterates EUs commitment to support its partners' sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Thus, the document once again expresses the EU support for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan in the framework of the settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In 2017, the declaration of the Eastern Partnership Brussels Summit contained a similar wording. 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 the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 14 By Matanat Nasibova Trend: The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has no military solution, ex-President of Moldova Petru Lucinschi told Trend on the sidelines of the 7th Global Baku Forum on March 14, 2019. "I believe that the principled position of the UN, the US and Russia, along with that of several countries that are also interested in a peaceful solution to the Karabakh problem, is needed for resolving this conflict," the former president said. As Lucinschi noted, global political challenges directly influence the settlement of regional conflicts. The ex-president went on to say that, new frozen conflicts have arisen in recent years, but global players are not taking any steps to resolve them. Global politics are formed by major powers, and, in this case, these are the 5 members of the UN Security Council and several international institutions. There are many general talks, but nobody wants to take responsibility for the fair solution of a regional problem. I personally think that steps should be taken at the level of the UN," said Lucinschi, stressing that leading international organizations of a level such as that of the UN should give their recommendations on how to resolve conflicts such as the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 14 By Rashid Shirinov Trend: Trend's exclusive interview with former President of Latvia, Co-Chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center Vaira Vike-Freiberga on the occasion of the 7th Global Baku Forum. Question: What are your expectations from the 7th Global Baku Forum to be held on March 14-16, 2019 in Baku? How do such platforms contribute to resolving problems and overcoming challenges on the international arena? Answer: Global Baku Forum is an international gathering that has been growing in size, impact and importance from year to year. Created and organized on the initiative of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and enjoying the unfailing support and high patronage of the President of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, the Baku Forum is by now well established as a premier yearly meeting place for former and current world leaders, leading thinkers and intellectuals, political analysts and commentators, heads of leading international agencies, foundations, think tanks, non-governmental organizations and journalists. A special program for talented youth from many countries has also become an integral part of the Forum program. Each year the Baku Forum has chosen a central theme of topical and world-wide importance, and this year the topic will be A New Foreign Policy. The past few years have experienced unexpected major shifts in what had long been considered as the relatively stable balance of power and influence between major world powers, as well as the political equilibrium within different political forces in many countries. A number of significant shifts in foreign policy and international relations have become apparent, which are bound to have both direct and indirect influences on all other countries, large, medium and small. The Baku Forum this year, with a rich and varied program of 10 different panels on topics of crucial importance, will offer the opportunity for major international personalities to share their insights, knowledge and understanding of various aspects of the world situation, in an atmosphere of mutual respect, tolerance and frank exchange of differing views. The views heard and expressed there will get wide international attention and distribution and the name of Baku will ring out in the world with special prestige and distinction. As someone who has been with the Baku Forum ever since its creation, I have always been impressed by the very special atmosphere of excitement, intellectual stimulation, collegiality and friendship which prevails between all speakers and Forum participants. Both the many world-famous participants who are regulars in the Baku events and those who attend for the first time, are amazed by the brilliance of Baku as a great city, the cultural riches of Azerbaijan as a country, and carry its fame back to their part of the world. For the local participants, the Forum is an opportunity to serve as gracious hosts to the rest of the world, which they have always done in a way which was deeply appreciated by all foreign participants. Q.: In July 2018, the Trading House of Azerbaijan was opened in Riga, and Latvia plans to open its trading house in Azerbaijan. What are your expectations in this regard from the trade and economic relations between the two countries? Which new spheres seem to be more promising in terms of developing the bilateral cooperation? A.: Azerbaijan is an important partner for Latvia. Relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia are developing and there is huge potential for the further development of economic cooperation. We are glad that Azerbaijan decided to open the Trading House in Riga in 2018 to facilitate trade and economic ties with Latvia. We are interested in expanding our economic ties with Azerbaijan. Our ambition is to become a leading country for ICT in the region, and we have already taken significant steps towards this goal, including significant investment in the development of the information and communication technologies sector. The Government of Latvia has adopted the concept of a Data Driven Nation. Within this framework, we are inviting our partners to cooperate in the sectors such as bioeconomy, biomedicine, smart technology and smart energy. We see a good potential for our entrepreneurs and scientists to create excellent innovations in those areas. Latvia is also interested in working together with Azerbaijan on land transport connections between Asia, Central Asia, the Black Sea countries and Northern Europe. Q.: How can the two countries expand their mutual trade? What new products can Latvia import from Azerbaijan and export to the country? A.: Azerbaijan is an important partner of Latvia in the South Caucasus. Back when I visited Azerbaijan as President of Latvia, I strongly emphasized the clear commitment of our countries to work together. During my regular visits to Azerbaijan ever since that time, I have been happy to see how well the close cooperation between our states has continued. In June 2017 Latvia and Azerbaijan signed a declaration on strategic partnership, thereby raising our relationship to a new level of quality. In 2018, the Latvian-Azerbaijani trade volume reached 19.84 million euros, which is an increase of more than 20 percent in comparison to 2017. The main categories of export goods of Latvia to Azerbaijan currently are food products, construction and building materials, wood products, chemicals, pharmaceuticals. We are constantly encouraging entrepreneurs to look for new export markets and hope that more Latvian products ranging from excellent electronic equipment to cosmetics will be available for customers in Azerbaijan. We would be glad to see Azerbaijani fruits and vegetables in our supermarkets. In April 2019, an Azerbaijani business delegation will visit Latvia, aiming to increase Azerbaijans export to Latvia, for which the potential is definitely there. Q.: What steps should the two countries take to increase the bilateral investment flow? What sectors of the economy should investments be directed to? A.: Investment is an important part of every countrys economic development. Globalization has created investments in economies around the world. We already have examples of successful investment in the areas such as wholesale trade, transportation and consulting. Latvia is interested in mutually beneficial investment exchanges. Azerbaijani business has expressed interest in developing cooperation with Latvia in the food, pharmaceutical and industrial sectors and creating agricultural joint ventures. Latvia would welcome investments from Azerbaijan in Latvias ports and logistic centers. Q.: What are the ways to expand cooperation in tourism between Latvia and Azerbaijan? Tourism in the world today has become a major sector with direct impact on a countrys economy, where people-to-people contacts are of fundamental importance. A.: We are pleased that our capital cities are linked by direct air traffic. Latvian tourists appreciate Azerbaijani hospitality and ancient culture. Latvian tourists keep returning to Azerbaijan year after year. It is also exciting to see the growth trend of tourism flow from Azerbaijan to Latvia. According to statistics, 2,358 tourists from Azerbaijan visited Latvia in 2017. Medical tourism is a high benefit product and we see a good potential to develop cooperation in this area. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @ShirinovRashid By Damali Mukhaye. Makerere University staff have attacked the vice chancellor Prof Barnabas Nawangwe for his proposal that staff who demonstrate should not be paid. Nawangwe wants parliament to come up with a law to punish such lecturers just like it is done in the United States. Speaking to kfm, the vice chairperson of the university academic staff association Edward Mvavu says Nawangwe should stop being a copycat but rather concentrate on solving the real issues that cause strikes in Universities. The permanent secretary at Ministry of education Alex Kakooza says the day to say issues of management at Makerere are under the mandate of the council and senate and the ministry only intervenes when it is a policy issues. Details added (first version posted on 10:41) Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 Trend: The 7th Global Baku Forum has kicked off in the capital of Azerbaijan under the motto "A New Foreign Policy. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is attending the opening ceremony of the forum. Prior to the event, the participants of the forum posed together for photographs. Co-chair of Nizami Ganjavi International Center Ismail Serageldin declared the forum open. President Aliyev made a speech at the event. Over 500 delegates from 50 countries attend the three-day forum. The forum features 10 sessions which will discuss global and regional issues. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 By Fakhri Vakilov - Trend: Commitment of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center towards the promotion of cross-cultural dialog and cooperation has grown and got stronger, President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella said in his message to 7-th Global Baku Forum. Ambassador of Italy to Azerbaijan Augusto Massari read the message of Italian President Sergio Mattarella to the co-chairs of the 7th Global Baku Forum. Dear participants and honorable guests. I have the honor to read the message of his Excellency Sergio Mattarella president of the Italian Republic addressed to the co-chairs of the 7th Global Baku Forum Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Ismail Serageldin the Ambassador said. Firstly, the president congratulated the co-chairs on the topic of 7th Global Baku Forum. Esteemed co-chairs, I extent to you and to the staff of the Nizami Ganjavi international l center my warmest thanks for having invited me again to the Global Baku Forum. I am not able to attend the conference, yet I would like to congratulate you on the choice of the topic New foreign policy of the world of 7th edition of this meeting, the president's message said. Mattarella stressed the framework that was designed to witness the value of mutual understanding and to promote both identity and integration. I am very pleased to notice that year after year the commitment of the Center towards the promotion of cross-cultural dialog and cooperation has grown and got stronger. This happened in the framework designed to witness the value of mutual understanding and to promote in all circumstances both identity and integration as indispensable elements over long lasting interaction among people and between countries he stated. Italian president noted the utmost importance of the Forum to prevent misconceptions, tensions and intolerance. Initiative like the one that is organized in Baku, the city I had the honor of vising in 2018 where I had fruitful meeting with president Aliyev, are of the utmost importance to prevent misconceptions, tensions and intolerance and to bring concrete proposals to the attention of those holding political responsibilities Mattarella said. Finally, Italian president referred to the efforts of both governments and representatives of civil society to design sustainable public policies and wished his best regards to the forum. The pressing challenges of our time require a truly participated reflection involving both governments and representatives of civil society in order to design sustainable public policies with a wide endorsement. I seize this opportunity to send my appreciation of your activities and to wish Global Baku form every success. I send you the best regards Sergio Mattarella underlined. VII Global Baku Forum began its work in Baku on Thursday. The forum is held with the organizational support of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and will last until March 16. The event is attended by some 450 people from more than 70 countries. The theme of the VII Global Baku Forum will be New foreign policy of the world. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, who is attending the 7th Global Baku Forum. President Aliyev and President Ghani first held a one-on-one meeting. They then were joined by their delegations for a meeting in an expanded format. The sides exchanged views on bilateral relations, as well as prospects for development of economic cooperation between the two countries. The Azerbaijani-Afghan documents then were signed. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 By Azad Hasanli Trend: Bulgaria expects to hold talks in Baku on obtaining additional gas volumes for the Balkan gas hub, Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borisov said March 14 at the 7th Global Baku Forum held under the slogan "New Foreign Policy", Trend reports. Borisov noted the importance of diversifying sources with Azerbaijani and Russian gas. Speaking about relations with Azerbaijan, Borisov noted that they are excellent. The Bulgarian prime minister expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for assistance in the restoration of the Trapezitsa Architectural and Museum Reserve in Bulgaria, including medieval churches. The Muslim country has allocated funds for the restoration of European churches, said Borisov. This shows how we can be friends with countries the religion of which is different from ours. The Bulgarian prime minister also noted that his country doesnt conflict with anyone and has wonderful relations with its neighbors. Our policy is based on the principles of good neighborliness, respect for other cultures and religions, added Borisov. The 7th Global Baku Forum kicked off in Baku on March 14. The forum organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center will last till March 16. Around 450 guests from over 70 countries are expected to take part in the forum. "New Foreign Policy" is the topic of the 7th Global Baku Forum. Panel meetings titled Role of big forces in changing global politics, Sustainable Development Challenges, Middle Eastern cooperation for security, Role of science and culture in making modern decisions and other topics will be held during the forum. One of the main meetings of the forum will be devoted to the role of young leaders in global politics. The well-known statesmen, politicians, reputable public figures are expected to participate in the forum. The incumbent heads of state and government will attend the event. The forum participants will discuss global political and economic issues, various aspects of modern international relations and other issues. Details added (first version posted on 13:24) Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 Trend: Azerbaijan believes that the latest statement by the OSCE Minsk Group is addressed namely to Armenia, said Hikmet Hajiyev, head of the foreign policy department of the presidential administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Trend reports March 14. He said that some of the opinions in the latest statement by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs also reflect the position of Azerbaijan. The statement once again clearly states that putting forward any conditions on the negotiation process or such attempts as changing the format of negotiations are unacceptable, and the negotiations should be continued in the existing format, Hajiyev noted. Details added (first version posted on 13:24) Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 By Elchin Mehdiyev - Trend: Azerbaijan believes that the latest statement by the OSCE Minsk Group is addressed namely to Armenia, said Hikmet Hajiyev, head of the foreign policy department of the presidential administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Trend reports March 14. He said that some of the opinions in the latest statement by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs also reflect the position of Azerbaijan. The statement once again clearly states that putting forward any conditions on the negotiation process or such attempts as changing the format of negotiations are unacceptable, and the negotiations should continue in existing format, Hajiyev noted. He noted that negotiations should continue in the format in which they were held. In addition, any aggressive rhetoric regarding the results of the negotiation process against the background of ongoing negotiations is also unacceptable, he said. At the same time, it is necessary to note the principles of a phased resolution of the conflict, where one of the main points includes such measures as the liberation of the territories around the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, the return of forced migrants to these territories, ensuring their security, and their fundamental basis is the Helsinki Final Act, which stresses that principle of self-determination of peoples should in no way harm the territorial integrity of states. Regarding the status of the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, he stressed that Azerbaijan is always ready to discuss this issue within its territorial integrity, and in this matter, it is necessary to again refer to the basic principles of the Helsinki Final Act. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. Details added, tile changed (first version posted on March 13, 13:51) Baku, Azerbaijan, March 13 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received co-chairs of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Ismail Serageldin, former heads of state and government, and members of the Centers Board of Trustees who will participate in the 7th Global Baku Forum, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani presidential press-service. Thanking the president for the reception, co-chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center Vaira Vike-Freiberga said they are pleased to visit Azerbaijan on the eve of Novruz holiday and hailed hospitality shown by the people of Azerbaijan. Vaira Vike-Freiberga praised the president`s attention to the activity of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center. Noting the expansion of the Center`s activity, Vike-Freiberga said that more than 500 delegates, including new members of the Board of Trustees, from 50 countries will participate in the 7th Global Baku Forum to be held on March 14-16. Vike-Freiberga underlined that participants will discuss global and regional issues during 10 sessions of the Forum to be held under the theme New Global Foreign Policy. Hailing the development of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, the president stressed the importance of the expansion of the geographical scope of the Center and the organization of events in different countries after the Baku Forum. President Aliyev described it as a sign of the growing influence of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center. President Aliyev also said that the Global Baku Forum has become an important international platform in the world and noted the significance of discussions on the issues of global importance as part of the Forum. The president pointed out that Azerbaijan will continue to support the Nizami Ganjavi International Center. On behalf of the Nizami Ganjavi International Centers Board of Trustees, co-chair Ismail Serageldin thanked President Aliyev for supporting the activity of the Center. Details added (first version posted on March 13, 13:52) Baku, Azerbaijan, March 13 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Mirjana Egger, Trend reports referring to the presidential press-service. The president hailed the UNDPs successful activity in Azerbaijan, which spans more than twenty years. President Aliyev emphasized the UNDP`s and other UN institutions support for Azerbaijan in the first years of the countrys independence. Egger described Azerbaijan as an upper middle-income country, hailing the UNDPs cooperation with Azerbaijan. She expressed the UNDPs readiness for long-term partnership with Azerbaijan in the field of economic diversification, development of small and medium entrepreneurship, and other priority areas for the country. The importance of Azerbaijans contribution to the international humanitarian projects was hailed, the issues of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UNDP in this field were discussed at the meeting. Details added (first version posted on March 13, 11:42) Baku, Azerbaijan, March 13 Trend: Azerbaijani First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva met with French Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire. Minister Le Maire underlined First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyevas significant role in the diversification of Azerbaijans economy. Expressing his readiness for joint collaboration, Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire noted that France can contribute to Azerbaijan in the field of new technologies. Pointing to Totals active role in Azerbaijan, the French minister said that they can share their experience in the areas of transport and agriculture too. He proposed to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva noted that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to economic cooperation between the two countries, pointing to good basis in this regard. Mehriban Aliyeva hailed the high level of political dialogue between the two countries, saying the current economic cooperation does not meet the real potential, and noted the necessity of the soonest implementation of specific projects. Mehriban Aliyeva pointed to the important role of the Azerbaijan-France Intergovernmental Economic Commission, and underlined the necessity of holding another meeting of the commission this year. Mehriban Aliyeva expressed hope that Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maires visit to Azerbaijan will make a significant contribution to bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The French minister praised the proposal on holding the meeting of the Intergovernmental Economic Commission this year, saying he will be able to visit Azerbaijan in May, following the elections in Europe. He noted that relations with France can make significant contribution to bringing Azerbaijan closer to the European Union and play the role of a bridge for the integration of Azerbaijan into the organization. Details added (first version posted on March 13, 11:41) Baku, Azerbaijan, March 13 Trend: Azerbaijani First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva, accompanied by Culture Minister of France Franck Riester, visited the Orsay Museum in Paris. Mehriban Aliyeva was informed about the museum. The Orsay Museum is situated on the Left Bank of the Seine. It is housed in the former railway station built between 1898 and 1900. The station was put on the supplementary list of Historic Monuments and finally listed in 1978. The museum, which opened in 1986, holds mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1915, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography. It houses the largest collection of impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces in the world, by painters including Monet, Degas and Renoir. Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 14 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: The Global Baku Forum has become a very effective platform that will develop from year to year, former president of Slovenia Danilo Turk told Trend March 14. He noted that this forum creates excellent opportunities for forum participants to exchange views on important issues of concern to the whole world. This forum is another step that has created favorable conditions for discussing foreign policy issues, added Turk. He noted that Azerbaijan is doing an excellent job of establishing a dialogue between civilizations. Azerbaijan is an Islamic country, but with very progressive approach, he said. Baku supports the restoration of Christian churches, and this contributes to the establishment of trust and dialogue between peoples. The 7th Global Baku Forum kicked off in Baku on March 14. The forum organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center will last till March 16. Around 450 guests from over 70 countries are taking part in the forum. "New Foreign Policy" is the topic of the 7th Global Baku Forum. Details added (first version posted on 16:53) Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 Trend: Moldova and Azerbaijan have formed very good bilateral relations, including economic and diplomatic ones, President of Moldova Igor Dodon told reporters at the 7th Global Baku Forum, Trend reports March 14. The president reminded that a number of agreements were signed between the countries. I would like to note that we are actively cooperating at international platforms, including those held within the framework of the CIS, added Dodon. Dodon noted that after the formation of a new government in Moldova, it will be possible to hold a meeting of the Azerbaijan-Moldova intergovernmental commission. The president of Moldova also thanked the government of Azerbaijan for financing social projects in the south of the country. Speaking about the development of bilateral cooperation, Dodon noted that there are many interesting projects that might be implemented, given Moldovas exclusive opportunities in the region, in particular, the existence of free trade agreements with the EU and the CIS countries. We propose to expand these opportunities both to the West and to the East, including Turkey, he added. Details added (first version posted on March 13, 11:40) Baku, Azerbaijan, March 13 Trend: Azerbaijani First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva met with President of the National Assembly of France Richard Ferrand. Azerbaijan's First VP also met with the head of the France-Azerbaijan Friendship Group and advisers. The Azerbaijani first vice-president then had a meeting with President of the National Assembly of France Richard Ferrand. In a meeting of Mehriban Aliyeva with Richard Ferrand, the development of Azerbaijan-France relations was hailed. Ferrand expressed his countrys keenness to develop interparliamentary ties between the two countries. He emphasized the importance of French MPs visits to Azerbaijan for raising awareness of France about the country which has a rich history and culture. Mehriban Aliyeva noted the significance of interparliamentary ties in the development of bilateral relations. She also hailed the importance of reciprocal visits. The Azerbaijani first vice-president noted that such kind of meetings create good opportunity for raising the French communitys awareness about Azerbaijan. The first vice-president pointed out the beautiful synthesis of history and modernity in Azerbaijan, the country which is loyal to national values. Mehriban Aliyeva invited Richard Ferrand to pay a visit to Baku. Ferrand accepted the invitation with great pleasure. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with President of Albania Ilir Meta, who is attending the 7th Global Baku Forum. President Ilham Aliyev thanked the Albanian President for his visit to Azerbaijan, and his participation in the 7th Global Baku Forum. The head of state described the growing number of Forum participants as a sign of the increasing influence of the event. He noted that the Forum creates ample opportunities for discussing the international issues, including the bilateral relations. Pointing to the TAP project, the head of state underlined that the construction is successfully underway and is in its final stage. President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that the project also unites the two countries and their peoples. The President noted that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to bilateral relations with Albania. Albanian President Ilir Meta hailed the importance of the 7th Global Baku Forum, underlining the events contribution to international cooperation. He thanked President Ilham Aliyev for supporting the development of bilateral relations. The Albanian President said he saw great changes in Azerbaijan. On the TAP project, the Albanian President reaffirmed that the construction work is successfully underway. President Ilir Meta expressed his countrys keenness to expand relations with Azerbaijan in various fields, particularly in tourism, as well as Azerbaijans creating domestic gasification system in Albania. The two countries successful cooperation, and their support for each other within international organizations was hailed at the meeting. The sides also exchanged views on expanding mutual trade, exploring the export and import opportunities, establishing cooperation between the business structures and a number of other issues. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sefik Dzaferovic. President Ilham Aliyev thanked Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sefik Dzaferovic for his participation in the 7th Global Baku Forum, and described this visit as a good opportunity for discussing the bilateral ties. The head of state noted that political relations between the two countries are rapidly developing. Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Sefik Dzaferovic expressed gratitude for inviting him to the Forum. Sefik Dzaferovic hailed the high level of political relations between the two friendly countries, saying they are expanding on the basis of mutual interest. He praised the bilateral cooperation as well as Azerbaijan`s support for Bosnia and Herzegovina and humanitarian projects implemented by Azerbaijan in his country. Sefik Dzaferovic underlined that as a member of the Bosnian Parliament he was personally involved in the adoption of a document supporting Azerbaijan`s territorial integrity and condemning the Khojaly genocide. The member of the Presidency invited President Ilham Aliyev to pay an official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The head of state thanked for the adoption by the Parliament of the friendly Bosnia and Herzegovina of the resolution on the Khojaly genocide. President Ilham Aliyev mentioned the fact that Baku and Sarajevo became sister cities in the 1970s, and noted the significance of cooperation among the cities, people-to-people contacts and the development of cultural and humanitarian ties. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with President of Moldova Igor Dodon. President Ilham Aliyev thanked Moldovan President Igor Dodon for his participation in the 7th Global Baku Forum. The head of state noted that the 7th Global Baku Forum is a very important platform for discussing international and regional issues. This Forum also allows us the opportunity to discuss prospects for developing our bilateral relations. President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Igor Dodon on the victory in the elections. Moldovan President Igor Dodon expressed gratitude to the Azerbaijani President for the excellent organization of the 7th Global Baku Forum. The Moldovan President described the Forum as an important platform for discussing international and regional matters. The sides had a broad exchange of views on the development of the bilateral ties in a variety of fields. They emphasized the importance of the Intergovernmental Joint Commission in developing economic and trade relations between the two countries. The two countries` successful cooperation and mutual support within international organizations was underlined at the meeting. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with President of Montenegro Milo Dukanovic. The Montenegrin President thanked President Ilham Aliyev for inviting him to the 7th Global Baku Forum, and the excellent organization of the event. He described the event as one of the important platforms for discussing international issues. The Montenegrin President hailed relations with Azerbaijan, saying the jointly implemented projects are indicative of the development of bilateral ties between the two countries. President Ilham Aliyev underlined very close political and economic relations, and praised the successful implementation of joint projects between Azerbaijan and Montenegro. The head of state hailed Montenegros participation in the meeting of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council, saying that this project will bring the two countries closer to each other. President Ilham Aliyev also pointed to the implementation of various transport projects in Azerbaijan. The head of state noted that coordination of Azerbaijans transport system with European countries and particularly the launch of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway also create ample opportunities for cooperation between the two countries. The President pointed out great potential and prospects for the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Montenegro in tourism, gas and transport areas. President Milo Dukanovic noted that Montenegro considers Azerbaijan as a friendly country, and hails President Ilham Aliyevs support for the development of relations between the two countries. President Ilham Aliyev also expressed Azerbaijans great respect for Montenegro, saying the country attaches great importance to its relations with Montenegro. The sides also discussed the strengthening of the legal and treaty base, and development of other areas between the two countries. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: The 7th Global Baku Forum dedicated to the topic "New Foreign Policy" continues with panel meetings, Trend reports March 14. The first panel meeting of the forum is devoted to the theme Role of big forces in changing global politics: China, the US, Russia and the EU. Rapid development of the Chinese economy in recent years, the fact that the country is interested in the stable development of the economy was highlighted at the panel meeting. It was noted that the economic ties between China and the EU amount to billions of US dollars. The issues of the formation of a European society and the problems encountered in this process were also touched upon. It was noted that the EU is taking important steps to solve problems, but some issues are still pending settlement, and the European countries should cooperate for this. At the panel meeting, the role of the US in ensuring peace was emphasized and it was noted that the US highly appreciates the contribution made by Azerbaijan to the restoration of peace. At the first panel meeting, the significance of the 7th Global Baku Forum was also touched upon. The 7th Global Baku Forum kicked off in Baku on March 14. The forum organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center will last till March 16. Around 450 guests from over 70 countries are taking part in the forum. "New Foreign Policy" is the topic of the 7th Global Baku Forum. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: Fruitful cooperation has been established between Bulgaria and Azerbaijan, Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borisov told reporters in Baku, Trend reports March 14. He noted that Azerbaijan and Bulgaria effectively cooperate in many areas, including tourism, cultural and other spheres. I think that this cooperation will continue to develop, he said. The Baku Global Forum makes an important contribution to the development of cooperation between the countries. The 7th Global Baku Forum kicked off in Baku on March 14. The forum organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center will last till March 16. Around 450 guests from over 70 countries are taking part in the forum. "New Foreign Policy" is the topic of the 7th Global Baku Forum. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 Trend: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with Vice Prime Minister of Romania Ana Birchall. Ana Birchall extended greetings of the Romanian president and prime minister to the head of state. She said that this meeting creates new opportunities for developing bilateral relations between the two countries. Ana Birchall noted that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Romania. The head of state asked the vice prime minister to extend his greetings to the Romanian president and prime minister. President Ilham Aliyev underlined that Ana Birchall`s personal contribution to and support for the development of ties between the two countries are highly appreciated in Azerbaijan. The head of state pointed out that there are big opportunities for further developing bilateral relations between the two countries, in particular promoting economic and trade cooperation. Ana Birchall noted that a meeting of the Intergovernmental Joint Commission last year was very fruitful, adding that this commission plays an important role in developing economic ties between the two countries. The sides also touched upon the cooperation within international organizations, and hailed the two countries` mutual support. It was also noted that the development of the transport sector was one of the key issues on the agenda of a recent meeting of foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Turkmenistan. The head of state touched upon Romania`s involvement in the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council. Ana Birchall said that during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Romania supported the expansion of Azerbaijan-European Union relations. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 Trend: A delegation led by Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Belarus Ivan Noskevich in order to further strengthen the working relations with Azerbaijani Prosecutor Generals Office has arrived in Azerbaijan, Trend reports with reference to the press service of the Prosecutor Generals Office. A meeting with the delegation was held in the Prosecutor Generals Office of Azerbaijan. During the meeting, Azerbaijani Prosecutor General Zakir Garalov told the guests about the creation of a regulatory framework for the activities of the prosecutors office as part of judicial and legal reforms carried out in the country under the leadership of the president of Azerbaijan, the comprehensive modernization of the prosecution authorities, fundamental reforms in the full reorganization of the corps of personnel, establishment of effective relations with other law enforcement agencies in order to ensure the rights and freedoms of citizens as well as other upcoming challenges. Noskevich said that Belarus attaches particular importance to strengthening cooperation with Azerbaijan in the legal sphere, and noted that there are great prospects for deepening relations between the investigation agencies of the two countries. During the meeting, an exchange of views took place on the protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens of both countries, joint fight against crime, as well as terrorism and extremism, the parties discussed effectiveness of mutual activities, both bilaterally and within international organizations, as well as improving the existing legal framework in the judicial cooperation. The issues of interest were also discussed, and confidence was expressed that mutual cooperation would continue successfully in the future as well. Following the discussions, a Cooperation Agreement was signed, defining the prospects for cooperation ties between the two state agencies. The agreement covers areas such as combating terrorism and crime, in particular its organized forms, joint cooperation in the prevention of corruption crimes, as well as crimes in the field of economics and high technology and other crimes that threaten society, and also covers information and experience exchange, legal assistance and other areas. Then the Belarusian delegation visited the General Directorate for Combating Corruption under the General Prosecutors Office. The head of the General Directorate for Combating Corruption under the Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev told the guests in detail about the creation of the necessary legal framework for the activities of the prosecutors office and the reforms being carried out, and also about the activities of the General Directorate. The chairman of the Investigative Committee of Belarus highly appreciated the events held in Azerbaijan in the fight against corruption. Noskevich noted that Belarus is interested in studying Azerbaijans experience in the fight against corruption. During the meeting, useful exchange of views on the prospects for cooperation in the fight against corruption took place. The visit of the Belarusian delegation to Azerbaijan continues. Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 14 Trend: Entrepreneurs operating in Azerbaijan's Jojug Marjanli will receive full support, said Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman of the Board of the Agency for the Development of SMEs, Trend reports referring to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Economy. According to the report, the "Friend of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)" of the Agency for the Development of SMEs under the Ministry of Economy will now provide services to entrepreneurs operating in front-line districts. Thus, on March 13, the Friend of SMEs began operating in the Fuzuli District. This is the first "Friend of SMEs" in the Upper Karabakh economic region, which will allow entrepreneurs operating not only in the Fuzuli District, but also the adjacent areas, including in the village of Jojug Marjanli of the Jabrayil District, to benefit from the services of the Agency. In connection with this, an event was held at the Heydar Aliyev Center of the city of Horadiz in Fuzuli District, with organizational support from the Agency for the Development of SMEs, with the participation of relevant government agencies and entrepreneurs. Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Economy Sahib Mammadov stressed that the development of entrepreneurship is one of the important directions of the socio-economic policy conducted under the leadership of the president of Azerbaijan, with various measures being taken and reforms being made for the development of private sector in the country. It was noted that the development of small and medium-sized businesses is one of the key directions of the Friend of SMEs, which began its activities in the Fuzuli District. Agency Chairman Orkhan Mammadov spoke about the activities of the structure and the mechanism of the Friend of SMEs. It was emphasized that the Friend of SMEs began operating in the Fuzuli District in order to support the development of entrepreneurship in the front-line districts, and to encourage the creation of new business entities in the district. This is the 13th Friend of SMEs to be opened, and it is envisaged for the network to cover all parts of the country. "Friend of SMEs" provides support at all stages of business activities, carries out activities to identify and implement initiatives, potential opportunities for businessmen, create and develop new SMEs, as well as the protection of the interests of entrepreneurs. A presentation on the Friend of SMEs was shown as part of the event. Moreover, information was provided on its activities and services that it will provide. A Q&A session was held afterwards, where questions were taken from entrepreneurs. The participants of the event were then acquainted with the office of the "Friend of SMEs" located in the Heydar Aliyev Center in Horadiz. On the same day, as part of the projects jointly implemented by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy and the Turkish Embassy in Azerbaijan, a mobile workshop was commissioned for the processing and packaging of products produced in the beekeeping farms built in the village of Jojug Marjanli, along with a mobile point of sale for the sale of agricultural products. An event was held in Jojug Marjanli in connection with this, with the participation of the Ministry of Economy, the Turkish Embassy in Azerbaijan, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), ABAD public legal entity run by the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan-Turkey Businessmen and Industrialists Public Association, entrepreneurs and residents of Jojug Marjanli. Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Economy Sahib Mammadov emphasized that Azerbaijan pays great attention to the development of the regions, and noted the importance of joint projects in the socio-economic development of Jojug Marjanli and the provision of employment for the residents of the village. The Deputy Minister also noted that the products of beekeeping farms will be processed in a mobile workshop and then packaged, being afterwards put up for sale under the "Jojug Marjanli" brand. According to him, the products will also be sold in mobile points of sale. Agency Chairman Orkhan Mammadov spoke about the work done for the development of small and medium-sized businesses. Mammadov said that the commissioned mobile honey processing workshop, commissioned by the Agency for the Development of SMEs, will provide services for the beekeeping farms in Jojug Marjanli and the nearby villages. The Agency Chairman also said that entrepreneurs operating in Jojug Marjanli will continue receiving full support. The United States on Wednesday joined Europe, China and other countries in grounding Boeing Cos 737 MAX jets, because of safety concerns after an Ethiopian Airlines plane crash that killed 157 people, the second disaster involving the 737 in less than five months, Trend reports citing Reuters. The worlds biggest planemaker is facing its most serious crisis in years, as the decades-old 737 program, one of its most reliable sources of cash and profits, takes a severe blow to its prestige. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cited new satellite data and evidence from the scene of Sundays crash near Addis Ababa for its decision to ground the planes. It was the second time the FAA has halted flights of a Boeing plane in six years. It had grounded the 787 Dreamliner in 2013 because of problems with smoking batteries. Shares of the Seattle-based company, which were up earlier in the session, fell 2 percent to $370.48. The shares have fallen about 13 percent since Sundays crash, losing about $32 billion of market value. U.S. airlines that operate the 737 MAX, Southwest Airlines Co, American Airlines Group Inc and United Airlines, said they were working to re-book passengers. Southwest is the worlds largest operator of the 737 MAX 8 with 34 jets, while American flies 24 MAX 8s and United 14 MAX 9s. Shares of Southwest fell 0.4 percent. The agency made this decision as a result of the data gathering process and new evidence collected at the site and analyzed today, the FAA said in a statement, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the planes would be grounded. This evidence, together with newly refined satellite data available to FAA this morning, led to this decision. The grounding will remain in effect as the FAA investigates. Boeing, which maintained that its planes were safe to fly, said in a statement that it supported the move to temporarily ground 737 MAX flights. Boeing has determined - out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircrafts safety - to recommend to the FAA the temporary suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of 371 737 MAX aircraft. The still-unexplained crash followed another involving a Boeing 737 MAX in Indonesia five months ago that killed 189 people. Although there is no proof of any link, the twin disasters have spooked passengers. Travel website Kayak was making changes to let customers exclude specific aircraft types from searches, and booking sites were looking to reroute passengers. The grounding was welcomed by air workers in the United States. John Samuelsen, international president of the Transport Workers Union of America, which represent aviation workers and flight attendants, said the grounding of the fleet was right both for air travelers and aviation workers. Tehran, Iran, March 14 Trend: Iran's Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Reza Rahmani has announced that Iran has lifted bans on export of some items, including baby milk powder, apples, oranges. Accordingly, milk powder exports are allowed only by units licensed by Food and Drug Organization, Trend reports citing Tasnim News Agency. Exports of wettable powder are permitted only with the permission of the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad, Rahmani said in his letter to Iran's Customs. The letter stipulated that the ban on exports of apples and oranges which was set to extent to April 4, was stopped. Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 14 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: Iran intends to expand cooperation with Azerbaijan beyond infrastructure projects, Farhad Dejpasand, Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance of Iran, told an IRIB correspondent at Bakus Heydar Aliyev International Airport on March 13, 2019, Trend reports. According to him, Iran has very successful relations with and historical ties to Azerbaijan. Mentioning that the 13th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Iran State Commission for Economic, Commercial and Humanitarian Cooperation is going to be held in Baku, the Iranian minister said that the two countries have a very good experience in the implementation of certain joint projects. "Meetings will be held with the Azerbaijani prime minister, the ministers of economy and agriculture, the chairman of the Central Bank and the head of the State Border Service," he said. Noting that discussions will be held on bilateral cooperation in the fields of money and finance, tourism, agriculture, railway, water and electricity, Dejpasand expressed hope that the visit will be fruitful. Iranian Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Farhad Dejpasand was greeted last night by Azerbaijani officials and Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Javad Jahangirzadeh. The minister will also be closely acquainted with Pirallahi Industrial Park, located in Azerbaijans Pirallahi Island. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 By Kheyraddin Nasirzade - Trend: Azerbaijan and Iran will sign an agreement on joint production of Scania buses in Azerbaijan's Hajigabul district, Azerbaijani Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev said at an Azerbaijani-Iranian business forum held in Baku, Trend reports. The minister mentioned that the country already has a joint automobile factory, Khazar, which has produced over 1,000 vehicles since the start of operations. Most of the cars produced have already been sold, the minister added. Speaking about trade relations between the two countries, the minister noted that the trade turnover of Azerbaijan and Iran grew by 74 percent in 2018. Mustafayev also commented upon the cooperation of the two countries in the field of transport. In particular, the minister noted that the international transport corridor "North-South" is of high importance for both countries. Last year, the freight traffic on this route increased by over 10 times, he said. "It shows that relations between the two countries are at a high level. Our relations in the areas of transport, industry, agriculture, tourism, transit traffic are extensive and of regional importance," Mustafayev said. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 By Fakhri Vakilov-Trend: Representatives of state institutions of Uzbekistan held a meeting with representatives of the WTO and the International Trade Center (ITC), Trend reports via Uzbek media. The purpose of the round table was to review the current legislation and practice of accession to the WTO, as well as identify the key needs of Uzbekistan determining priority areas for technical assistance in the framework of the EU-funded Project to be implemented by the International Trade Center (ITC). ITC representative, Rajesh Aggarwal stated that the expected benefits from integration into the global economy made many countries, including countries in the Central Asian region, to join the WTO. Head of the EU Delegation in Uzbekistan, Eduard Stiprais stressed that the EU has witnessed all the profound changes that have occurred in Uzbekistan over the past two years. Membership in the WTO is crucial for supporting the reforms already implemented, as well as successfully managing the future reforms. In particular, membership in the WTO will make Uzbekistan a more attractive place for investment. The round table provided interested parties with an opportunity to learn more about the activities of the WTO, the information about which was presented by the Director of the Department for the Accession of New Countries of the WTO Secretariat, Ms. Maika Oshikawa. Then, Mr. Aggarwal dwelled on the advantages of joining the WTO accessing countries by saying that membership in the WTO can serve as a tool to attract domestic and foreign investment to diversify the local production base and expand its production potential. Currently, 164 states are members of the WTO, accounting for about 96 percent of world trade. Only 3 countries of the Central Asian region Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are not members yet. For the first time, Uzbekistan submitted an application for accession to the WTO in 1994, but since 2005 negotiations have been suspended. The EU welcomed the fact that the Uzbek side is now purposefully and consistently resuming this process in order to become part of the WTO family. International Trade Center is a multilateral agency which has a joint mandate with the World Trade Organization and the United Nations through the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) that deals with operational and business-oriented aspects of trade development. The headquarters of the ITC are situated in Geneva, Switzerland. Their staff consists of approximately 300 employees spanning more than 80 nationalities. Furthermore, ITC has country-based project offices where they employ experts from the specific region. Follow author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 By Sara Israfilbayova Trend: The commissioning of the SOCAR Carbamide Plant in Azerbaijan contributes to the countrys sustainable development, Rovnag Abdullayev, president of the Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR, said. Abdullayev made the remarks in Baku at the international conference "Argus Fertilizers 2019 - Production and Logistics in the Caspian and Black Sea Region", Trend reports on March 14. "Besides SOCAR implements various energy projects both in Azerbaijan and in the region, the company also supports the development of the countrys non-oil sector," Abdullayev added. One of such steps is the construction of a carbamide plant in Azerbaijan, he said. Earlier, $80-90 million were spent on import of fertilizers every year, but now there is no need for that. He stressed that some fertilizers will be exported as the production capacity of the plant is by several times more than the domestic demand for carbamide. He added that ten years ago it was difficult to assume that Azerbaijan would act as a producer of fertilizers. Abdullayev said that SOCAR plays an important role not only for the Azerbaijani energy market, but also for the market of the entire region. Speaking about the company's activity, Abdullayev stressed that SOCAR is already a global company. "We sold only products produced in Azerbaijan in 2018, he said. Presently, the products of foreign companies have a special place in the company's trade portfolio. This trade brings more profit. Thus, the company earned 90 percent of its profit in foreign markets." The SOCAR Carbamide Plant, built on the territory of the Sumgait chemical industrial park, was commissioned on January 16. The beginning of production at the SOCAR Carbamide Plant will eliminate the need to import nitrogen fertilizers, thereby the country's foreign currency expenditure will be reduced. While using 435 million cubic meters of natural gas as raw materials, the plant is capable of producing 650,000-660,000 tons of carbamide products. About 70 percent of the production volume accounts for export. This will enable the country to receive additional income worth up to $160 million annually. The commissioning of this plant will play an important role in the development of agriculture in Azerbaijan. Carbamide fertilizers have the highest nitrogen content, therefore, they are considered the highest quality nitrogen fertilizer. The demand for carbamide is connected with its low cost, economical transportation, convenient use, which contributes to high yields in agriculture. This product is also widely used in the production of other chemicals and pharmaceutics. Presently, the SOCAR Carbamide Plant is the biggest project in the country, implemented in the non-oil sector, its total cost is about 800 million euros. The project was initially financed through the funds allocated from the state budget. During the construction of the plant, a number of international banks allocated funds in the amount of 500 million euros through the state guarantees. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @IsrafilbekovaS Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 By Fakhri Vakilov - Trend: The government of Uzbekistan supports the project of the Ministry of Energy and Industry of the United Arab Emirates and the company Mubadala Utilities for the privatization of a number of thermal power plants and the construction of new ones based on public-private partnership, Deputy Prime Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations Elyor Ganiyev said, Trend reports via Uzbek media. He said Uzbekistan is interested in cooperation in the field of renewable energy sources with the Masdar company, including the construction of a wind power plant. Major projects include the extraction and deep processing of hydrocarbons with the participation of Mubadala and the expert advice of the Abu Dhabi national oil company ADNOC. Uzbekistan is ready to provide the UAE market with food, fruits and vegetables, metallurgy, light industry products, automobiles and electrical equipment. To this end, the Uzbek side proposed to organize a joint trading house in Dubai in the coming months. Elyor Ganiyev invited companies from the UAE to invest in the tourism industry of Uzbekistan. We do not want to limit ourselves to the agreements reached. There are about 4,000 historical monuments in the country, of which 90 percent are monuments of Islamic culture. We offer to implement tourism projects and privatize existing hotels, as well as build new 5-star level hotels in the ancient cities of Uzbekistan - Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, he stressed. Further actions were taken by a joint investment company with a registered capital of $1 billion, the founders of which are the Abu Dhabi Development Fund and the Fund for Reconstruction and Development of Uzbekistan. The Fund will provide a soft loan for improving the infrastructure of Samarkand: roads and drinking water supply systems. Moreover, the construction of a hotel and a shopping center is planned in cooperation with the National Bank of Uzbekistan. Elyor Ganiyev proposed to the Emirati side to invest in projects in the Navoi and Namangan regions in the field of agriculture, the production of finished textile products and the creation of a network of hotels. --- Follow author on Twitter:@vakilovfaxri Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 By Kheyraddin Nasirzade - Trend: Azerbaijan may increase fuel exports to Afghanistan, Trend reports referring to Azerbaijan's State Oil Company. SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev and Advisor to the President of Afghanistan for Banking and Finance Ajmal Ahmadi have discussed the matter at a meeting. It was noted at the meeting that SOCAR already supplies diesel and kerosene to Afghanistan. The sides reached a primary agreement to hold meetings at the level of working groups to clarify opportunities for cooperation. Ahmadi said that Afghanistan is interested in taking cooperation with SOCAR to a new level to diversify the sources of petroleum products supply. SOCAR is the sole producer of petroleum products in Azerbaijan owning over 370 filling stations in Georgia, Ukraine, Romania and Switzerland. It is also a co-owner of the largest Turkish petrochemical complex Petkim. Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 14 By Kheyraddin Nasirzade Trend: The steps taken in Azerbaijan to introduce risk management in the field of ICT cannot be considered satisfactory, said Ali Bayramov, executive director of the Azerbaijan Accountants and Risk Professionals Association (ARPA). In an interview with Trend, he noted that in this regard, ARPA conducted numerous free trainings to inform entrepreneurs in this field about the importance of risk management. In order to improve the situation with risk management, Bayramov proposed to introduce ICT risk insurance. It will be possible to minimize the rest of the risks with the appropriate tools, he added. Bayramov also stressed the importance of risk management in terms of countering cyber threats. Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 14 By Rashid Shirinov Trend: Kazakhstan has established Kazakhstan Investment Development Fund, Trend reports via Kazakh media. At the presentation of amendments to the republican budget in the Parliament, Vice-Minister of Finance Tatyana Savelyeva said that 370 billion tenge was provided for the creation of the Fund through the allocation of a targeted transfer from Kazakhstan National Fund. She noted that the new Fund is created for the implementation of major breakthrough projects in the non-primary sector on the principle of co-investment with foreign investors. Kazakhstan plans attraction of foreign direct investment in the manufacturing industry, agro-industrial complex, innovation sector and infrastructure development (energy, transport, logistics and tourism). Kairat Aitekenov, Deputy CEO of Astana International Financial Center, in turn, said that the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Askar Mamin will head the Board of Directors of the management company of Kazakhstan Development Investment Fund. "We registered the Fund and the management company on behalf of the Finance Ministry. The Board of Directors of the management company will be headed by the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, and the Government will hold the mandate. Members of the Board of Directors will be elected by this composition and will appoint the appropriate manager," Aitekenov said. He added that the Fund's financial resources will accumulate in the accounts of the National Bank. It should be noted that in October 2018, President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev proposed to create a fund for direct investment in the non-primary sector, which would work on the principle of co-investment with foreign investors. (377.74 KZT = 1 USD on Mar. 14) --- Follow the author on Twitter: @ShirinovRashid Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 Trend: Azer Turk Bank announced the launch of a new holiday campaign Novruz presents for corporate customers!. In frames of the campaign, corporate clients will be able to open current accounts at the Bank for free. During the campaign, Azer Turk Bank offers MasterCard Debet salary cards with a service period of 3 years free of charge and in an unlimited number to all employees of their new partners within the salary cards project. Also, premium salary cards will be presented as a gift to the management of these companies. Individual entrepreneurs can also open their current accounts at Azer Turk Bank for free. The three-year MasterCard Debet cards for these customers will also be provided by the Bank free of charge. In addition, individual entrepreneurs who have opened a current account during the campaign, will receive Sahibkar Card, allowing them to hold all banking operations remotely, as a gift. Corporate customers can also receive notifications about current account transactions on their mobile phones and e-mails. The cost of the service is one manat per month. Fees for the installation and maintenance of POS-terminals are not charged during the campaign. Azer Turk Banks salary card holders can withdraw cash from their salary cards at any ATM within the country without any commission applied. The campaign is valid till April 30. More information is available at www.azerturkbank.az , the Banks corporate pages at social networks, WhatsApp (055) 7770-945, or at (012) 945 Call Center. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, March 14 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: President of South Korea Moon Jae-in will visit Turkmenistan in April 2019, Trend reports with reference to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry March 14. This issue was discussed during political consultations held in Ashgabat with the participation of Deputy Minister for Political Affairs of South Korea Yoon Soon-gu. At the meeting the sides noted a high level of relations between the countries in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres. The South Korean side noted that the development of relations with Turkmenistan is one of the priorities of the foreign policy of the South Korean president, who intends to visit Turkmenistan in the coming month, the report said. During the meeting, the draft documents supposed to be signed during this visit were reviewed. At the meeting the parties also discussed the possibility of further developing the activities of South Korean companies in Turkmenistan, which are actively involved in projects for the construction and modernization of oil refining and gas chemical complexes in the country. The sides noted the importance of the activities of the intergovernmental Turkmen-South Korean commission on trade, economic, scientific and technological cooperation, the last meeting of which was held at the beginning of the year. It was earlier reported that Turkmenistan intends to expand cooperation with the Export-Import Bank of Korea and the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation in financing the projects to be implemented in Turkmenistan by South Korean companies. Seoul hopes for partnership with Turkmenistan in such spheres as the development of gas fields, the creation of petrochemical and gas infrastructure. LG and Hyundai together with Japanese TOYO have recently implemented a project worth $3.4 billion to build a complex for the production of polyethylene and polypropylene in Kiyanly settlement. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, March 14 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: The annual exhibition of achievements of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan (UIET) will be held in Ashgabat on March 16-17, 2019, Trend reports referring to the UIET. The forum aims to provide an effective platform for the exchange of experience, the establishment of direct business contacts, the expansion of the sales market and the implementation of export offers of local producers. About 200 exhibitors announced their participation in the exhibition, including 20 private businesses that will be presenting their products and services for the first time. The exhibition will host a conference dedicated to public-private partnership on the development of innovations and the improvement of the business climate, the implementation of large projects, the creation of high-tech industries and the development of new markets. Uniting more than 20,000 businessmen, the UIET was formed in 2008. The share of the private sector of the economy in the gross domestic product (GDP) of Turkmenistan, excluding the fuel and energy complex, is currently at more than 60 percent. The Turkmen Parliament is preparing a law on public-private partnership. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, March 14 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Political consultations were held in Ankara between the ministries of foreign affairs of Turkmenistan and Turkey, Trend reports referring to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry. The Turkish side was headed by Ambassador Yonet Can Tezel and the head of the department of bilateral political relations of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, the parties touched upon the prospects for trade and economic cooperation, and the prospects of holding the next meeting of the intergovernmental Turkmen-Turkish Commission for Economic Cooperation. Regional and international issues of mutual interest were also discussed, along with issues concerning the mutual travel of citizens. Turkey is one of the largest trade partners of Turkmenistan: about 600 Turkish companies operating in trade, investment, construction, energy, transport, communications, textile and processing industries are registered in Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan exports the products of textile, energy, chemical, agricultural industries. Metals and products made of metals, household goods, equipment, building materials, electrical goods, products of chemical and light industries, food products, vehicles, and medicines are imported from Turkey. Ashgabat and Ankara expressed readiness to develop energy cooperation. Turkey declared its readiness to promote the transportation of the Caspian energy resources to Europe through Turkish territory, one of the options being the transportation along the bottom of the Caspian Sea and further across the territory of Azerbaijan. Baku, Azerbaijan, Mar. 14 By Elchin Mehdiyev Trend: The Global Baku Forum has already achieved great success, Bulgarian ex-president Rosen Plevneliev told Trend. Plevneliev reminded that both current and former heads of state and government are taking part in the forum, and an exchange of views is being held on issues important to the world. The ex-president stressed that Azerbaijan plays an important role in the region. "Azerbaijan is the herald of peace and tolerance. A fruitful exchange of views takes place during the forum. I think everyone is pleased to participate in this forum," said Plevneliev. Plevneliev added that the Global Baku Forum has achieved significant development and has become an important platform in the world. The 7th Global Baku Forum kicked off in Baku on March 14, Trend reports. The forum organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center will last till March 16. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 By Ilhama Isabalayeva - Trend: The OSCE Minsk Group should condemn the visit by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, and adopt a statement that this inflicts a blow to the negotiation process, political analyst Nazakat Mammadova told Trend March 14. She said that Pashinyans holding a meeting of the Armenian Security Council in Khankandi city took place against the background of the appeal by the OSCE MG about the inadmissibility of changing the format of the negotiations, unsuccessful visit to Brussels and large-scale military exercises conducted by the Azerbaijani army. The political analyst believes that Pashinyan wants to compensate for his diplomatic failure by holding a meeting in a foreign land. Pashinyan said that Armenia gives a guarantee for the safety of Karabakh Armenians, Mammadova noted. However, the status of the state guarantee is regulated in international law by special rules, and Pashinyans statements are nonsense, she added. Moreover, Armenia itself needs someone to give it a guarantee, because it burned the bridges with Russia, which was the main guarantor of its security, and couldnt win the confidence of the EU and the US. Under these conditions, Armenia, trapped in the grip of a political, economic and demographic crisis, has neither sufficient potential nor legal basis to be a guarantor for Karabakh Armenians. She stressed that Azerbaijan can give a security guarantee to Karabakh Armenians, because Nagorno-Karabakh is the territory of Azerbaijan. The OSCE Minsk Group should bring this to Pashinyans attention, she said. Holding a meeting by the Armenian prime minister in Karabakh against the background of exercises showing Azerbaijans military power is an attempt of unsuccessful, inadequate and pitiful demarche. 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. The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has issued red notices to locate and provisionally arrest 20 nationals of Saudi Arabia, who are believed to be linked to the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Trend reported citing Sputnik. The red notices were issued on 1 March at the request of the Istanbul Prosecutor's Office, the Turkish media specified. The journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, who worked as a columnist for The Washington Post newspaper and was a vocal critic of Saudi policies, went missing on 2 October after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Riyadh, in turn, initially denied any knowledge of the journalist's whereabouts, but later admitted that Khashoggi had been killed with a drug injection and his body had been dismembered and taken out of the consulate. Ultimately, the Saudi authorities have charged 11 people with Khashoggis murder. According to the Istanbul Prosecutors Office, the killing of Khashoggi had been pre-planned. Turkey urged Saudi Arabia to extradite the perpetrators of the crime, as well as to provide information on the location of Khashoggi's body. Iraqs state oil marketer SOMO has scrapped two joint ventures (JVs) and reduced contracts with some European customers to push its way into trading by selling more of its crude ad hoc, trading and industry sources said, Trend reports referring to Al Arabiya. After years of watching oil majors and independent traders benefit from large trading operations, state oil firms in North Africa and the Middle East have decided to grab back what they see as lost potential revenues. The main solution has been to set up JVs to learn the necessary skills, following Oman, which first teamed up with global trading firm Vitol in the last decade. Omans JV was ultimately bought out by the government. Over the last few years, Algeria, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq have also gone the JV route, while Saudi Arabia has set up a fully-owned trading arm from scratch. Kuwait has held talks with foreign firms for a JV. This is what such JVs are always aiming at. Learn from established players and set up something on its own, one of the sources said. In 2017, SOMO set up one such JV with Litasco, the trading arm of Russias Lukoil, but quit at the end of 2018, four sources said. A similar arrangement with Chinas state-run Zhenhua Oil was also axed, sources said. Neither SOMO or Zhenhua immediately responded to a Reuters request for comment. Litasco declined to comment. Separately, SOMO briefly sold cargoes on the Dubai Mercantile Exchange and via the S&P Global Platts window. The firm is now selling crude more aggressively itself. Theres about five or six of them, a European trading source said, referring to former JV employees at SOMO. All young, hungry and trained abroad. Iraqi government changes have also spearheaded the shift, according to the sources. SOMOs leadership was reshuffled in September 2017, under the previous Iraqi government. Alaa al-Yasiri replaced Falah al-Amri as SOMOs chief and became Iraqs representative on the OPEC board of governors. In October 2018, Thamer al-Ghadhban became oil minister. He has pledged to look at ways to reform the sector and has since made personnel changes in his ministry. One of the sources familiar with SOMOs thinking said the firm was looking at how best to deploy the knowledge of its seconded team - SOMO employees who had worked in the trading JVs. The state oil marketer believes it can carry out its physical trading operations alone for now. We need to re-evaluate what we gained and how to employ it in our business. We have already started with the spot tenders announced, the source said. In its relations with Russia Poland is trying to look for spheres of cooperation which will make it possible to restore cooperation in the future, Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Jacek Czaputowicz stated on Thursday in the Sejm (the lower parliamentary chamber) in the keynote speech of his ministry, Trend reports referring to TASS. "We are looking for spheres in the Polish-Russian relations where common participation may help restore cooperation," he said. The minister reiterated that "last year Polish and Russian experts prepared a didactic manual for history teachers, an agreement permitting transportations was signed, important negotiation on diplomatic immovable property started, and a visit of Russian media representatives was organized." "The regions of northeastern Poland and the Kaliningrad Region may expect financing under trans-border cooperation with a total volume of almost 60 million euros," Czaputowicz stressed. The Polish foreign minister stated again that "Russia continues aggressive policy against Ukraine." "The possible dialogue with Russia within Euro-Atlantic and European structures should depend on the execution of the postulates of the international community," he noted. The minister also called for the execution of the resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which says that Russia should give to Poland the wreckage of the government plane Tu-154 that crashed near Smolensk in 2010. American energy giant Exxon Mobil is considering entering the Israeli arena to explore for oil and gas, according to a report Wednesday, Trend reports referring to The Times of Israel. Companies officials met this week with Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz in Houston, Texas to discuss bidding for exploration rights, Reuters said, ahead of a June auction. In recent years large natural gas reserves have been discovered off Israels shores. Another US-based energy company, Noble Energy, is currently completing its rig in the Leviathan gas field, the largest reserve discovered in the country so far. It is estimated to contain 18 trillion cubic feet of gas. Natural gas from the field is supposed to pump into Israel and its neighboring countries by the end of the year. Israel already has export deals signed with Jordan and Egypt, and it aims to build a pipeline with Greece and Cyprus to carry the gas to Europe. Reuters noted that Exxon and other major energy companies have so far avoided the Israeli market, as their heavy investments in Arab states could bring them into potential conflict with the latter. However, the emerging potential of Israels offshore reserves appears to be too lucrative a business opportunity to give up (Israels warming ties with a number of Arab nations in the face of Irans regional threat may also help smooth over such concerns). According to Reuters Israel estimates its seabed contains around 75 trillion cubic feet of gas and 6.6 billion barrels of oil. Exxon Mobil is one of the worlds largest publicly traded energy companies and in 2018 was ranked #9 on Fortune Global 500, an annual list of the worlds top companies. With the expected gas boon, Israel plans to wean itself off coal and emerge as an unlikely energy exporter providing both an economic and political lift. Recently local activists have been urging Noble Energy to move its proposed shoreline gas rig farther out to sea for fear of what they call catastrophic consequences of spreading toxic water and air pollution toward their homes. Noble and the Israeli government say its an irresponsible scare campaign and have countered with an aggressive ad campaign extolling the virtues of Leviathan, which it has dubbed the national project. The United Nations instructed its travel bureaus to avoid booking the organizations personnel for flights carried out by the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that crashed in Ethiopia and Indonesia, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a briefing on Thursday, Trend reported citing Sputnik. "The instructions have gone out to all the travel bureaus not to book any UN personnel on the type of aircraft that crashed in Ethiopia," Dujarric said. "It is a standard safety procedure and follows basically decisions taken by civil aviation authorities in many countries in the world." The spokesman added that the United Nations did not have any communication with the aircraft manufacturer following the crash in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. On Monday, Dujarric confirmed that 21 UN personnel from different agencies died in Sundays air crash. The UN employees were heading to Nairobi to attend the UN Environment Assembly. The Nairobi-bound Boeing 737 MAX 8 of the Ethiopian Airlines crashed early on Sunday. All 157 people from over 30 countries who were on board were killed. The causes of the accident are yet unknown. The tragedy became the second crash of this Boeing model within just several months: another Boeing 737 MAX crashed in Indonesia back in October, killing all 189 people on board. The situation around this type of aircraft has prompted dozens of countries to either ground the plane series or close their airspace to the planes since Sunday. Baku, Azerbaijan, March 14 By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Turkey should develop the sectors of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment manufacturing, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at the opening ceremony of a new hospital in Ankara, Trend reports via Turkish media. Erdogan noted that the development of these areas will contribute to the elimination of Turkeys dependence on foreign countries in the field of medicine. The new hospital will provide services to 30,000 patients daily. The largest hospital in Europe was commissioned in Ankara on March 14, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan taking part in the opening ceremony. The hospital has 131 operating and intensive care units with 674 beds. The hospital also set up chemotherapy units with 127 beds, hemodialysis units with 38 beds and burn therapy units with 24 beds. The hospital has an ambulance department designed to provide services to 8,000 patients. The hospital also has the largest laboratory in Turkey. There are two helicopter pads on the territory of the hospital. --- Follow the author on Twitter: @rhafizoglu The United Nations will seek billions of dollars in additional aid for Syria on Thursday, seeking to overcome fatigue among donors after eight years of civil war and divisions over how to deal with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Trend reports referring to Reuters. With 11.7 million people needing emergency aid in Syria, many of those children, the United Nations is seeking $3.3 billion for victims there and $5.5 billion for refugees in the region, a similar call to 2018. We dont want the people of Syria to be forgotten at a time when the international community seems to care a little bit less, said Federica Mogherini, foreign policy chief for the European Union, the worlds biggest aid donor, which is hosting the conference with the United Nations. Its not over yet. Syria has also become the worlds largest refugee crisis, the United Nations says, with more than 5.6 million Syrians fleeing to Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt. U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, who recently visited Syria, said around 70 percent of Syrian refugees live a razor-edge existence in poverty. Despite funding by the EU, Norway and some Gulf countries, last year 65 percent of the $3.4 billion sought for people inside Syria came through. A demand for $5.6 billion for the regions refugee was 62 percent funded, the United Nations said. Donors must contend with U.S. President Donald Trumps demand that allies carry more of the burden. His government last year failed to submit a pledge, although U.S. funding commitments eventually came in, EU diplomats said. U.S. Special Representative for Syria Engagement James Jeffrey, who is expected at the Brussels conference, said in a statement that he would reaffirm U.S. support for humanitarian assistance to all Syrians. The Trump administration is discussing a thick tome of ideas with Chinese officials as the two sides seek a trade deal, with Washington expecting some elements to be resolved soon, a top administration official said, Trend reports referring to Reuters. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer had a phone call with a top Chinese official Wednesday night. I expect that something will resolve in the near future, Mnuchin said. In Kozhikode, cases were registered against 47 people, who organised protests at the Municipal Corporation Office, Kattil Peedika and Vadakara areas, under the Epidemic Diseases Act, besides slapping them with penalties. Credit: Pam StrohmBaroness will release a new album called Gold & Grey on June 14. You can download the record's first single, "Borderlines," now via digital platforms. "Our goal is, was, and will always be to write increasingly superior, more honest and compelling songs, and to develop a more unique and challenging sound," says frontman John Baizley of Gold & Grey. "I'm sure we have just finished our best, most adventurous album to date. We dug incredibly deep, challenged ourselves and recorded a record I'm positive we could never again replicate." Gold & Grey is the fifth studio effort from Baroness, and follows 2015's Purple. Before the new album arrives, you can catch Baroness on their current U.S. tour, which continues Thursday night in Anaheim, California. Here's the Gold & Grey track list: "Front Toward Enemy" "Im Already Gone" "Seasons" "Sevens" "Tourniquet" "Anchors Lament" "Throw Me an Anchor" "Id Do Anything" "Blankets of Ash" "Emmett-Radiating Light" "Cold Blooded Angels" "Crooked Mile" "Broken Halo" "Can Oscura" "Borderlines" "Assault on East Falls" "Pale Sun" Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Washington: On Wednesday, India and the US said they have agreed to build six American nuclear power plants in India, in a boost to bilateral civil nuclear energy cooperation. The two countries said this in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the 9th round of India-US Strategic Security Dialogue, co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Andrea Thompson, the US Under-Secretary of state for arms control and international security, The joint statement said "They committed to strengthening bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, including the establishment of six US Nuclear power plants in India,". India and the US signed a historic agreement to cooperate in civil nuclear energy sector in October 2008. The deal gave a fillip to bilateral ties, which have been on an upswing since. also read Australia sealed the five-match ODI series against India by defeating them by 35 runs It is to be noted that a major aspect of the deal was the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), that gave a special waiver to India enabling it to sign cooperation agreements with a dozen countries. Post-waiver, India signed civil nuclear cooperation agreements with the US, France, Russia, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Sri Lanka, the UK, Japan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan and South Korea. On Wednesday, the United States also reaffirmed its strong support to India's early membership in the 48-member NSG. Notably, China has blocked India's pending membership to the elite grouping that seeks to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on a wide range of global security and non-proliferation challenges and reaffirmed their commitment to work together to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems and to deny access to such weapons by terrorists and non-state actors. also read Kartarpur Corridor Projects conversation hold today between India and Pakistan However, on March 12, Indra Mani Pandey, India's additional secretary for disarmament and international security affairs, and Yleem D. S. Poblete, US assistant secretary of state for arms control, verification and compliance, co-chaired the third round of India-US Space Dialogue. The two delegations discussed trends in space threats; respective national space priorities; and opportunities for cooperation bilaterally and in multilateral fora. One of the famous Shivaay debutante, Sayyeshaa got married to her long-time actor-boyfriend, Arya on March 10, 2019. The wedding festivities started off with the sangeetceremony, wherein, Bollywood actor, Sanjay Dutt was the star guest. After the wedding, yesterday, on March 12, 2019, the newly-weds hosted a grand wedding reception for all their near and dear ones.For the ones who dont know, Sayyeshaa happens to be the grandniece of legendary Bollywood actress, Saira Banu. Also, Sayyeshaa is a popular name in the South industry, and she made her Bollywood debut opposite, Ajay Devgn in Shivaay. On February 14, 2019, she announced her wedding with Arya, whom she met on the sets of Ghajinikanth(2018). also read Madhuri Dixit Nene pens a sweetest wish for Aamir Khan on his birthday Announcing her marriage with her fans, Sayyeshaa had shared a note on Instagram and had written, With the blessings of our parents and family, we are delighted to share with you the most beautiful day of our lives. We are getting married this March! We seek your love and blessings in our new journey of happiness and togetherness. Sayyeshaa looked beautiful in a traditional red and golden lehenga with bridal jewellery for her wedding whereas Arya complemented her in a black and golden sherwani-salwar. Suriya Sivakumar, Karthi and filmmaker Rajsekar Pandian attended the wedding and later posed together for pictures. Here are the pictures from Sayesshaa and Aryas wedding ceremony: also read Kalank new poster out, check out Varun Dhawan as Zafar who looks fierce and fearless Earlier, in an interview, Sayyeshaa had talked about her choice of making her debut in Shivaay opposite a great cast. She had said, I do not think anyone will compare me with Erika Karr, whos the other leading lady. People ask me if I am romantically cast with Ajay-sir at all, but, for that, they have to wait and watch the film! My role is acting-oriented and is about a young Indian girl who stands on her own feet, knows exactly what she wants, and is working in Bulgaria. She supports Ajay in his troubles. Stumped? Ask us. The FYI column is designed to let readers email (to news@lufkindailynews.com) or call in (to 632-6637) questions you want answered, whether about road construction, how-to tips, trivia or other information. You do not have to leave your name. You also can use that email address or phone number to give us a news tip anonymously, if youd like. " " Dorothy Vaughan, Katherine Johnson and Mary Jackson (L-R) were "human computers" at NASA when the U.S. made some of its biggest strides in space. Bob Nye/NASA/Donaldson Collection/Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images During a winter movie season dominated by sci-fi and tales of fantasy, the true story behind "Hidden Figures" propelled three largely unknown women into public awareness, albeit 60 or so years after their heyday. The movie, released on Jan. 6, 2017, is based on the history of three black women who contributed to the United States' success in the Space Race of 19571975. All brilliant mathematicians and scientists, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson defied the societal constraints imposed upon black women of the day. Advertisement It all began in 1943, the peak of World War II, when Vaughan came on board at the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory. The lab was part of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which would later become NASA. The war effort was heading skyward, which incited a massive hiring push to meet demand for "human computers" to process aeronautical data. Hiring Vaughan and other people of color was possible thanks to an executive order President Roosevelt issued in 1941 that prohibited discrimination in government and defense jobs, and created the Fair Employment Practices Commission. Executive Order 9346, issued in 1943, expanded the commission's power to enforce nondiscriminatory hiring policy. These orders are largely seen as the first governmental acknowledgement of racial employment disparity since Reconstruction, the turbulent period after the Civil War. The Jim Crow years were still in full swing, though so the African-Americans, known collectively as the West Area Computing Unit, and white people working for on the program were segregated. Jackson joined the computing team in 1951, and Johnson followed suit in 1953. As the Space Race began to escalate after the war, so did the emphasis on aerospace data. The three women enjoyed no shortage of accomplishments, before and throughout their years at NASA. Here are five notable achievements. 1. They successfully sent astronauts into space. Katherine Johnson was a certified math genius, having graduated high school at age 14 and college at age 18. She calculated the trajectory for the spaceflight of Alan Shephard, who made history in 1961 as the first American in space. Later, when actual computers were employed to plot John Glenn's Friendship 7 mission, the astronaut specifically asked for Johnson to run the numbers by hand, so strong was his trust of her mathematical prowess. 2. Katherine Johnson helped integrate West Virginia University. In 1939, Johnson was one of three students chosen to integrate West Virginia University. A trailblazer before she joined NACA, Johnson enrolled in the traditionally white graduate program years and in some cases decades before many other universities followed suit. 3. Dorothy Vaughan was NASA's first black manager. Vaughan, the first of the trio to join NACA, so excelled as a computer that she was promoted in 1949 to manage the women of West End Computing. It was rare for a woman to achieve such a position, but for a black woman, it was practically unheard of. She ran the group for almost a decade, until segregated facilities were done away with. During her management tenure, she advocated for promotions and pay increases for her staff, as well as for white women working as computers in other groups. 4. Mary Jackson was the first black female engineer at NASA. Jackson spent two years in the computing position, but opted to work for NASA engineer Kazimierz Czarnecki when the opportunity arose. At his urging, she gained permission to join whites-only classes and enrolled in a training program that earned her a promotion from mathematician to engineer. In 1958, she became NASA's first black female engineer. 5. Vaughan sent satellites into space. After the NASA offices were desegregated and she lost her management title, Vaughan didn't slow down. She proved her scientific talent yet again by becoming a proficient programmer of FORTRAN, a computer programming language that revolutionized the speed and effectiveness of the process. Using those skills, she helped send satellites into orbit as part of the pivotal SCOUT (solid controlled orbital utility test) Launch Vehicle Program. Now That's Interesting Katherine Johnson, who died in 2020 at 101, was the last surviving member of the trio. President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the U.S., in 2015. Advertisement Originally Published: Dec 22, 2016 Compared to other animals, chimpanzees show tremendous variation across groups in their behavior - from the types of tools they use in their feeding behavior to the specific gestures they use in communication. Research in captivity suggests that chimpanzees acquire information socially, learning to do things in a certain way based on how it is done by other members of their group. Thus, much of the variation in the behavior among wild chimpanzee groups may be akin to "cultural" variation in humans. As part of an international team led by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research, Arizona State University researchers Kevin Langergraber and Kevin Lee were coauthors in a study examining the relationship between human impact and behavioral diversity in chimpanzees. This paper will be published online by the journal Science on Thursday, March 7, 2019. Unfortunately, chimpanzee populations are declining across their range in equatorial Africa due to deforestation, hunting and diseases, many of which originate in humans. Much of the empirical work and debate surrounding the loss of biodiversity has focused on declines in genetic diversity or population size. However, behavioral diversity is also a facet of biodiversity, but has not been considered as an additional concern until recently. Several international conservation organizations, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity or the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, of the United Nations Environment Programme, now call for the protection of biological diversity in its entirety, including behavioral diversity of culturally rich wildlife. Due to limited empirical data, until now it had been unclear whether behavioral diversity would similarly be negatively affected by human impact. "Chimpanzees are highly intelligent and adaptable creatures," says Lee, "and there have been various reports of chimpanzees, both in captivity and in free-living conditions, that have relatively more frequent contact with humans exhibiting some 'novel' behaviors not observed in more remote populations, but it was not clear how overall behavioral diversity would be affected." The international research team compiled an unprecedented dataset on 31 chimpanzee behaviors across 144 social groups or communities, located throughout the entire geographic range of wild chimpanzees. Though part of this information was already available in the scientific literature, the team also conducted extensive field work at 46 locations, including on a group near Langergraber's long-term research site in Kibale National Park, Uganda, while Lee led a separate team in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. The particular set of behaviors considered in this study included the extraction and consumption of termites, ants, algae, nuts and honey; the use of tools for hunting or digging for tubers; and the use of stones, pools and caves among several others. The occurrence of behaviors at a given site was investigated with respect to an aggregate measure of human impact. "We measured multiple levels of human impact, including human population density, roads, rivers and forest cover," says Langergraber. "The analysis revealed a strong and robust pattern - chimpanzee behavioral diversity was reduced by 88 percent when human impact was highest compared to locations with the least human impact." There are a number of potential mechanisms that may explain the loss of behaviors observed. As is known for humans, population size plays a major role in maintaining cultural traits and a similar mechanism may function in chimpanzees. Chimpanzees may also avoid conspicuous behaviors that inform hunters about their presence, such as nut cracking. Habitat degradation and resource depletion may also reduce opportunities for social learning and thus prevent the transfer of local traditions from one generation to the next. Lastly, climate change may also be important, as it may influence the production of important food resources and make their availability unpredictable. Very likely a combination of these potential mechanisms has caused the observed reduction in chimpanzee behavioral diversity. ### In 1949, the young biologist Victor Nigon described the reproduction of various species of nematodes, small roundworms that live in the soil in its doctoral thesis. These include Mesorhabditis belari, whose rare male specimens are required for reproduction, even though the genetic material found in sperm is rarely used by eggs. The resulting embryo produces a female, who is a clone of its mother. Seventy years later, this worm has once again drawn interest, this time from an international team led by researchers from the CNRS, l'ENS de Lyon, l'Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1, and the Museum national d'Histoire naturelle1. They confirmed Victor Nigon's initial observations, but also noted that in 9% of cases the embryo produced a male when the sperm genetic material was used after fertilization. Males can subsequently transmit their genes only to their sons, making M. belari a unique case in which males make no genetic contribution, and can instead be seen as a simple extension of females by helping them initiate the development of their eggs. If males do not transmit the genes of their mothers, then at least they must help their mothers produce as many descendants as possible. This is possible only if the sons produced by a female help her daughters produce a large number of embryos. In other words, if the males preferentially fertilize their sisters. But why would this lead to 9% males, instead of 2% or 20% for instance? By using "game theory," researchers showed that producing 9% males is a stable evolutionary strategy, as this quantity is enough to ensure that a maximum number of female descendants are produced, without wasting too many resources in the production of males whose genes have no future. Asexuality is a type of reproduction in which species consisting solely of females produce clones of themselves, as opposed to sexuality, in which individuals of the male sex enable genetic mixing with females. M. belari represents a new case, in which males can be useful to female reproduction, but with no genetic mixing. The research team will now explore how this type of reproduction emerged, and will test the long-term stability of the M. belari species through the study of its genome. ### *- In France, this research project was conducted by the Laboratoire de biologie et modelisation de la cellule (CNRS/ENS de Lyon/Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1), l'Institut de biologie de l'Ecole normale superieure (CNRS/ENS de Paris/Inserm), and l'Institut de systematique, evolution, biodiversite (CNRS/MNHN/EPHE/Sorbonne Universite). New York, NY - March 14, 2019 - Research from the Cardiovascular Research Foundation and the CRF Clinical Trials Center will be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 68th Annual Scientific Session taking place March 16-18, 2019 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. They will be presenting the latest data on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), imaging technologies, renal denervation, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Dr. Martin Leon, CRF Founder and Co-Director, Medical Research and Education, will present results of the PARTNER 3 Trial: Transcatheter or Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Low-Risk Patients during the joint ACC/NEJM late-breaking clinical trial session on Sunday, March 17 from 8:00 AM - 8:15 AM in the ACC.19 Main Tent (Great Hall). Additionally, Dr. Ajay Kirtane, Co-Director of CRF's annual scientific symposium, TCT, will be presenting six-month results of the RADIANCE-HTN SOLO trial following the addition of a recommended standardized stepped-care antihypertensive treatment to the randomized treatment on Saturday, March 17 from 9:17 AM - 9:27 AM in Room 208. CRF will also host a satellite program on the management of complex and higher-risk patients indicated for coronary revascularization prior to the start of ACC. The program, CHIP at ACC.19: Practical Strategies for Troubleshooting Complex Cases, will be held on Friday, March 15, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM at the Marriott New Orleans (Mardi Gras A-E Ballroom, 3rd floor). Case-based presentations will address treatment of calcified lesions, bifurcation disease, chronic total occlusions, in-stent restenosis, and coronary artery disease in the post-CABG setting. Expert faculty will offer insights into selecting patients and devices, optimizing technique, and overcoming difficult anatomy. Additional research from CRF and the CRF Clinical Trials Center include the following presentations: Session 1004: Characterizing Important Factors You've Chosen to Ignore in TAVR 1004-05 - Antithrombotic Therapy and Cardiovascular Risk in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation at High Risk For Thromboembolic Events After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: From the PARTNER 2 Trial Mahesh Madhavan Saturday, March 16, 2019, 10:15 AM - 10:25 AM; Interventional Cardiology Moderated Poster Theater, Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1155: Interventional Cardiology: Coronary Intervention: Left Main, Multivessel, Bifurcation 1 1155-056 / 056 - Impact of Treatment With Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors or Receptor Blockers on Revascularization After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting For Left Main Coronary Artery Disease: Analysis From the EXCEL Trial Shmuel Chen Saturday, March 16, 2019, 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM; Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1157: Interventional Cardiology Aortic Valve Disease 2 1157-065 / 065 - The Impact of Severity of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: From the SAPIEN 3 Registry Tomo Ando Saturday, March 16, 2019, 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM; Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1157: Interventional Cardiology Aortic Valve Disease 2 1157-064 / 064 - Impact of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Transcatheter and Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement: From the PARTNER 2 Cohort A Trial Tomo Ando Saturday, March 16, 2019, 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM; Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1175: Non Invasive Imaging: MR 2 1175-350 / 350 - Cardiac Structural Changes After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR): Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Studies Ghazaleh Mehdipoor Saturday, March 16, 2019, 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM; Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1012: CHIPs Ahoy! Atherectomy and Me 1012-07 - Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Orbital Atherectomy Preceded by OCT-Guided Stent Implantation Masaru Ishida Saturday, March 16, 2019, 4:15 PM - 4:25 PM; Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1229: Acute and Stable Ischemic Heart Disease: Therapy 3 1229-367 / 367 - Long-Term Outcomes in Asymptomatic Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Interventions For Stable Coronary Artery Disease: Analysis From a Large Pooled Randomized Trial Dataset Eisuke Usui Sunday, March 17, 2019, 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM; Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1251: Interventional Cardiology: IVUS and Intravascular Physiology 3 1251-017 / 017 - Discordance of Lipid Rich Plaque Diagnosis Between Optical Coherence Tomography and Intravascular Ultrasound Tetsumin Lee Sunday, March 17, 2019, 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM; Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1251: Interventional Cardiology: IVUS and Intravascular Physiology 3 1251-019 / 019 - The Association Between Post-Procedural Stent Asymmetry and Subsequent Stent Coverage and Neointimal Hyperplasia Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography: The EGO-BIOFREEDOM and OCT-ORION Studies Bei Zhao Sunday, March 17, 2019; 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM, Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1251: Interventional Cardiology: IVUS and Intravascular Physiology 3 1251-021 / 021 - Stent Edge Landing Zone Morphology by Optical Coherence Tomography as a Predictor of Stent Edge Neointimal Hyperplasia Sofia Karlsson Sunday, March 17, 2019; 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM, Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1256: Interventional Cardiology: Aortic Valve Disease 4 1256-063 / 063 - Low and Elevated B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Levels Are Associated With Increased Mortality in Patients With Preserved Ejection Fraction Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: From the PARTNER 2 Trial and Registries Shmuel Chen Sunday, March 17, 2019; 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM, Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1275: Acute and Stable Ischemic Heart Disease: Clinical 4 1275-388 / 388 - In Vivo Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of a Healed Plaque Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography and Its Relevance to Plaque Burden Assessed by Intravascular Ultrasound Eisuke Usui Sunday, March 17, 2019; 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM, Poster Hall, Hall F Session 408: Featured Clinical Research II: Interventional 408-10 - Blinded Physiologic Assessment of Residual Ischemia After Successful Angiographic Percutaneous Coronary Intervention - The DEFINE PCI Trial Allen Jeremias Sunday, March 17, 2019; 2:15 PM - 2:25 PM, Room 206 Session 1302: Interventional Cardiology: Aortic Valve Disease 5 1302-030 / 030 - Prognostic Implications of Discharge Patterns After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Satya Shreenivas Monday, March 18, 2019; 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM, Poster Hall, Hall F Session 1306: Interventional Cardiology: IVUS and Intravascular Physiology 4 1306-065 / 065 - Prevalence of Neoatherosclerosis in Very Late Follow-Up of Second-Generation Drug-Eluting Stents Zhaoyang Chen Monday, March 18, 2019; 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM, Poster Hall, Fall F Session 1306: Interventional Cardiology: IVUS and Intravascular Physiology 4 1306-070 / 070 - Predicting the Location and Morphology of Chronic Total Occlusion Proximal Cap Using Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging From a Side Branch Yongzhen Fan Monday, March 18, 2019; 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM, Poster Hall, Fall F Session 1058: Polygamy of Polymers and Stents: Reconciling Differences in Outcomes 1058-03 - Left Main- and Non-Left Main-Related Events After Revascularization: Insights From the EXCEL Trial Akiko Fujino Monday, March 18, 2019; 12:30 PM - 12:40 PM, Interventional Cardiology Moderated Poster Theater, Poster Hall, Hall F ### To learn more about CRF's research and educational programs at ACC.19, visit Booth #757. About CRF The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) is a nonprofit research and educational organization dedicated to helping doctors improve survival and quality of life for people suffering from heart and vascular disease. For over 25 years, CRF has helped pioneer innovations in interventional cardiology and educated doctors on the latest treatments for heart disease. For more information, visit http://www.crf.org. The ability to read the genome - all the DNA of an organism - has vast potential to understand human health and disease. Researchers at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and UNSW Sydney have published a method to take genome analysis 'offline', by adapting a computer algorithm that can perform accurate analysis - with far less computer memory than current programs. The scientists' algorithm may make it possible to identify infectious diseases in remote locations, or at the hospital bedside, using the computational memory of devices as small as a smartphone. They published their findings in Scientific Reports on 13 March, 2019. Genomics without borders Devices that can sequence entire genomes, such as the Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION sequencers, are small enough today to clip onto a smartphone - and have already been used to track the Ebola virus in New Guinea and the Zika virus in Brazil. Such devices are able to create over a terabyte of data in 48 hours, but their use has been limited, because comparing or 'aligning' the DNA from an unknown sample to a reference database of known genomes is computationally intensive. Until now, this process was only possible with either high performance computer workstations or an internet connection. Now, Dr Martin Smith, Team Leader of Genomic Technologies at the Garvan Institute's Kinghorn Centre for Clinical Genomics, and his team have published a computational method for how to reduce the amount of memory necessary to align genomic sequences from 16GB to 2GB, making it possible for analysis to be done on-the-spot, using the memory available in a typical smartphone. "We're focused on making genomic technologies more accessible to improve human health. They're becoming smaller, but still need to function in remote areas, so we created a method that can analyse genomic data, in real time, on just a mobile device," explains Dr Smith. Divide and conquer The team adapted the Minimap2 program, which aligns DNA sequencing 'reads' to a reference library of known genomes. The reference library is usually sorted, or indexed, which helps quickly map the sequencing reads to their corresponding positions in a reference genome. "The challenge, so far, has been that the reference index requires too much computer memory," explains Dr Smith. "We took the approach of splitting the reference library up into smaller segments, against which we mapped the DNA reads. Once we finished mapping to the smaller segments, we pool results together and tease out the noise, much like creating a panorama by stitching together smaller photos." "Other algorithms, which take a similar approach of splitting up the reference data, produce a lot of spurious and duplicate mappings - just like overlapping photos in the panorama. What we did in this study was fine-tune parameters and select the best mappings across several small indexes. This approach gave us similar accuracy as current standard genomic analyses, which previously required the memory available in high performance computers," says Dr Smith. Dr Smith's team compared the accuracy of their algorithm to standard genomics workflows. Not only did their results reproduce 99.98% of the alignments, but by using the smaller index segments the team could map an additional 1% of sequencing reads. Dr Smith is optimistic about his technology. "The potential of lightweight, portable genomic analysis is vast - we hope that this technology will one day be applied in the context of point-of-care microbial infections in remote regions, or in doctors' hands at the hospital bedside," says Dr Smith. ### Lock Her Up lop guest User ID: 453934 03-14-2019 04:06 PM Post: #6 RE: Looks like Ivanka Trump is a primary target of the investigation after all Ivanka Trump: Born to legitimize corruption and make the shoddy look cute On July 27, 2017, near the end of the one of the most compelling hearings yet on the Trump-Russia affair, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) offered an extraordinary insight. It shot through the proceedings like a comet. Corrupt kleptocrats and international criminals make themselves rich in criminality and corruption, he said. Then at some point they need the legitimate world in order to protect and account for their stolen proceeds. What? Whitehouse sketched a new bipolar world order, in which the so-called legitimate world, which includes the United States, is not at war with, but rather deeply enmeshed in, the corrupt one, where governments are built on bribery, kleptocracy, electoral fraud, slush funds, legal plunder and nepotism. Whitehouse then addressed William F. Browder, the hedge funder turned global finance reformer, who was giving testimony on foreign-agent registry violations. How good a job is the legitimate world doing about fencing off the corrupt world rather than facilitating it? Browder didnt mince words. The legitimate world, and America in particular, are failing in an absolute way, he said. The corrupt steal the money, commit their crimes and kill the people, and then come here in the legitimate world with the rule of law, with the property rights, and with all the protections and keep their money. Crooks seeking legitimacy are not fenced out in America. The U.S. is teeming with enablers champing at the bit to serve rich thugs: lawyers, lobbyists, bankers, security firms, consultants and PR people. The enabler sector now boasts several household names. Among them are the lobbyist and onetime Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, who has been indicted for financial crimes; and Trumps favorite child, Ivanka, who holds an indeterminate public-facing position in the White House or in real estate, or maybe fashion. Oh, Ivanka. Her livelihood is as opaque as her full-coverage foundation, but she plays a critical role in her fathers administration and in the broader danse macabre of corruption and legitimacy. The so-called first daughter proves that laundering applies to more than money. She washes and gilds just about everything she touches. Consider her warehouses upon warehouses of petroleum-based separates, many of them sewn for poverty pay in sweatshops. When you call this schmatte smorgasboard the Ivanka Trump Collection it does brisk business if not on Rodeo Drive, then in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. She has the same magic touch with the multitudes of flesh-and-blood rogues who flock to her for redemption. Its Ivanka who first brought Gen. Michael Lied to the FBI Flynn into the administration, according to the New Yorker; she praised him for his amazing loyalty and offered him his choice of positions at a transition-team meeting. One person present said, "It was like Princess Ivanka had laid the sword on Flynns shoulders and said, 'Rise and go forth. The laying on of that princess sword seems to be Ivankas favorite pastime. In 2006, when she was 25, she toured Moscow with Felix Sater, who in 1998 pleaded guilty to a $40-million stock fraud scheme run by the Russian mafia. She also collaborated with the Soviet-born businessman Tamir Sapir, whose top aide in 2004 pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy with the Gambino crime family. Its impossible to keep track of all the gangsters Ivanka has palled around with. But whats truly damning are the shady real-estate projects she has made rise and go forth. In 2006, she oversaw the development of the Trump Ocean Club International Hotel and Tower in Panama City. The project was connected to a Brazilian money launderer later arrested for fraud and forgery as well as a Russian investor whod previously been jailed in Israel for kidnapping. On Wednesday, a dispute between Trumps company and the buildings owner turned violent. The journalist Marcy Wheeler has suggested the fight concerns records that may show Ivanka knew the property was laundering money. Police in riot gear stormed the hotel that Ivanka once hyped as exemplary of the grandeur in which we like to enter a market. Ivanka was also a ranking official on the Trump SoHo, which has since shed the name Trump. In 2010, as ProPublica and WNYC have reported, the Manhattan District Attorneys office began building a criminal case against Ivanka and Donald Trump Jr. for using inflated sales figures to defraud prospective buyers. After receiving a visit from Trump family lawyer and campaign donor Marc Kasowitz, then-DA Cyrus Vance Jr. backed off. Just Thursday, CNN reported that FBI counterintelligence officials are investigating another Trump real-estate deal, the 63-story Trump International Hotel and Tower in Vancouver, which opened after Trump became president. Ivanka has been described as point person on the development, which features an Ivanka Trump-branded spa. No one yet knows why it caught the FBIs eye, but Ivankas long-awaited top-secret security clearance may turn on what the agents find out. When an organization exists not to build buildings but to brand them, its business is optics. And Ivanka has long window-dressed the Trump Organizations deals. She was born to make the shoddy look cute, to legitimize corruption. And if its the coverup and not the crime that will ultimately bring down the Trump syndicate, Ivanka may turn out to be the point person for its demise. On July 27, 2017, near the end of the one of the most compelling hearings yet on the Trump-Russia affair, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) offered an extraordinary insight. It shot through the proceedings like a comet.Corrupt kleptocrats and international criminals make themselves rich in criminality and corruption, he said. Then at some point they need the legitimate world in order to protect and account for their stolen proceeds.What? Whitehouse sketched a new bipolar world order, in which the so-called legitimate world, which includes the United States, is not at war with, but rather deeply enmeshed in, the corrupt one, where governments are built on bribery, kleptocracy, electoral fraud, slush funds, legal plunder and nepotism.Whitehouse then addressed William F. Browder, the hedge funder turned global finance reformer, who was giving testimony on foreign-agent registry violations. How good a job is the legitimate world doing about fencing off the corrupt world rather than facilitating it? Browder didnt mince words. The legitimate world, and America in particular, are failing in an absolute way, he said. The corrupt steal the money, commit their crimes and kill the people, and then come here in the legitimate world with the rule of law, with the property rights, and with all the protections and keep their money.Crooks seeking legitimacy are not fenced out in America. The U.S. is teeming with enablers champing at the bit to serve rich thugs: lawyers, lobbyists, bankers, security firms, consultants and PR people.The enabler sector now boasts several household names. Among them are the lobbyist and onetime Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort, who has been indicted for financial crimes; and Trumps favorite child, Ivanka, who holds an indeterminate public-facing position in the White House or in real estate, or maybe fashion.Oh, Ivanka. Her livelihood is as opaque as her full-coverage foundation, but she plays a critical role in her fathers administration and in the broader danse macabre of corruption and legitimacy.The so-called first daughter proves that laundering applies to more than money. She washes and gilds just about everything she touches. Consider her warehouses upon warehouses of petroleum-based separates, many of them sewn for poverty pay in sweatshops. When you call this schmatte smorgasboard the Ivanka Trump Collection it does brisk business if not on Rodeo Drive, then in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.She has the same magic touch with the multitudes of flesh-and-blood rogues who flock to her for redemption. Its Ivanka who first brought Gen. Michael Lied to the FBI Flynn into the administration, according to the New Yorker; she praised him for his amazing loyalty and offered him his choice of positions at a transition-team meeting. One person present said, "It was like Princess Ivanka had laid the sword on Flynns shoulders and said, 'Rise and go forth.The laying on of that princess sword seems to be Ivankas favorite pastime. In 2006, when she was 25, she toured Moscow with Felix Sater, who in 1998 pleaded guilty to a $40-million stock fraud scheme run by the Russian mafia. She also collaborated with the Soviet-born businessman Tamir Sapir, whose top aide in 2004 pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy with the Gambino crime family.Its impossible to keep track of all the gangsters Ivanka has palled around with. But whats truly damning are the shady real-estate projects she has made rise and go forth.In 2006, she oversaw the development of the Trump Ocean Club International Hotel and Tower in Panama City. The project was connected to a Brazilian money launderer later arrested for fraud and forgery as well as a Russian investor whod previously been jailed in Israel for kidnapping. On Wednesday, a dispute between Trumps company and the buildings owner turned violent. The journalist Marcy Wheeler has suggested the fight concerns records that may show Ivanka knew the property was laundering money. Police in riot gear stormed the hotel that Ivanka once hyped as exemplary of the grandeur in which we like to enter a market.Ivanka was also a ranking official on the Trump SoHo, which has since shed the name Trump. In 2010, as ProPublica and WNYC have reported, the Manhattan District Attorneys office began building a criminal case against Ivanka and Donald Trump Jr. for using inflated sales figures to defraud prospective buyers. After receiving a visit from Trump family lawyer and campaign donor Marc Kasowitz, then-DA Cyrus Vance Jr. backed off.Just Thursday, CNN reported that FBI counterintelligence officials are investigating another Trump real-estate deal, the 63-story Trump International Hotel and Tower in Vancouver, which opened after Trump became president.Ivanka has been described as point person on the development, which features an Ivanka Trump-branded spa. No one yet knows why it caught the FBIs eye, but Ivankas long-awaited top-secret security clearance may turn on what the agents find out.When an organization exists not to build buildings but to brand them, its business is optics. And Ivanka has long window-dressed the Trump Organizations deals. She was born to make the shoddy look cute, to legitimize corruption.And if its the coverup and not the crime that will ultimately bring down the Trump syndicate, Ivanka may turn out to be the point person for its demise. ATLANTA--Youth living in the slums of Uganda who are infected with both HIV and sexually transmitted infections are more likely to engage in problem drinking, according to a study led by Georgia State University. HIV prevalence among individuals living in Uganda is high (6.5 percent), and Uganda is one of the few countries where HIV rates are increasing rather than decreasing. However, HIV prevalence is even higher among youth living in the slums of Kampala. They are vulnerable because of food scarcity, lack of parental oversight and limited infrastructure. Having both HIV and a sexually transmitted infection, known as co-infection, may result in severe complications, including increased mortality, challenges with treating HIV and increased transmission of HIV. This public health matter warrants urgent attention, and it's important to identify risk factors associated with co-infection of HIV and sexually transmitted infections in Ugandan youth to reverse this trend. Overall, 13.8 percent of youth (ages 12 to 18) living in the slums of Kampala, Uganda reported having HIV and 42.8 percent reported having a sexually transmitted infection. Among those living with HIV, 72 percent reported having another sexually transmitted infection, such as herpes or syphilis. This is nearly seven times higher than co-infection percentages among people living with HIV in other areas of sub-Saharan Africa. When identifying risk factors for reporting both HIV and sexually transmitted infections, the researchers found that 32.8 percent of co-infected youth reported problem drinking and 29 percent reported participating in commercial sex work. The findings are reported in the journal AIDS and Behavior. "Our results demonstrate there is a high prevalence of co-infection with HIV and sexually transmitted infections among young, sexually active youth living in the slums of Kampala, Uganda," said Rachel Culbreth, lead author of the study and a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Public Health at Georgia State. "The findings reinforce the need for comprehensive alcohol reduction and prevention strategies. The legal drinking age in Uganda is 18, and stronger alcohol policies may prevent youth from getting HIV and sexually transmitted infections and other negative alcohol-related outcomes. Ugandan policies also don't address particularly vulnerable groups, such as youth engaging in sex work. "The results also emphasize the need for preventive strategies targeted at increasing the number of testing centers, teaching youth about how HIV is transmitted and informing youth of the health complications that result from being infected with another sexually transmitted infection." The researchers surveyed 1,134 youth (ages 12 to 18) who live on the streets or in the slums of Kampala, Uganda. The youth were asked to self-report if they've ever had sexual intercourse and if they've ever been told by a doctor, nurse or HIV counselor they have HIV or a sexually transmitted infection such as syphilis, herpes, bola bola or gonorrhea. The study was conducted in partnership with the Uganda Youth Development Link, which offers services and vocational training for vulnerable youth in the slums. "We are very grateful for our long-standing collaboration with the Uganda Youth Development Link and their executive director, Mr. Rogers Kasirye, and his great staff," said Dr. Monica Swahn, Distinguished Professor in the School of Public Health at Georgia State and principal investigator for this National Institutes of Health-funded study. "Because these results were self-reported, the youth potentially underreported HIV and sexually transmitted infection due to social desirability," Culbreth said. "So it's possible the prevalence of these infections is much higher. Despite the study's limitations, we believe the results are significant because the study is among the first to report the prevalence of co-infection with HIV and sexually transmitted infections and associated risk factors among these youth." The results also point to modifiable risk factors and possible prevention interventions that could help avoid acquisition of HIV among youth living with a sexually transmitted infection. For instance, youth who reported sexually transmitted infections were more likely to be female, reported multiple sexual partners and reported problem drinking and drinking alcohol in general. In the future, the researchers would like to use laboratory testing to confirm infection with HIV and sexually transmitted infections. ### Co-authors of the study include Swahn, Dr. Laura Salazar and doctoral student Lynnette Ametewee of the School of Public Health at Georgia State and Rogers Kasirye, executive director of the Uganda Youth Development Link. The study is funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. To read the study, visit https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10461-019-02444-5. FRANKFURT am MAIN. Franz-Ulrich Hartl from Germany and Arthur L. Horwich from the United States will today receive the 2019 Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize in the Paulskirche, Frankfurt, for their pioneering discoveries of a special form of cellular quality assurance, assisted protein folding. Since the cell cannot afford any errors in its protein inventory, it maintains a large range of folding helpers, or chaperones, that assist the proteins in rapidly achieving their correct three-dimensional conformations. "Without the right form, there is no proper function: this fundamental principle of technology also applies to cellular proteins," wrote the Scientific Council in explaining its decision. "If the three-dimensional structure is not right, the proteins will not work properly. They expose hydrophobic side chains that are normally hidden. These attract other hydrophobic side chains, become physically stuck together and contribute to protein aggregation. The cell prevents this misfolding by means of so-called chaperones or chaperonins," explained the Scientific Council. "Hartl and Horwich have elucidated and decoded key aspects of this machinery and have shown its importance for medical science. They have thus made an important contribution to our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases. Formation of protein aggregates is typical of Alzheimer's dementia, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis," said Professor Thomas Boehm in discussing the achievements of the two prize-winners. Boehm is a director of the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Freiburg and Chairman of the Scientific Council. He will present the 120,000 prize in the Paulskirche. The particular achievement of Hartl and Horwich is not only the discovery of chaperone functions but also the fact that they recognized and addressed the issue in the first place. In the 1980s no one was interested in protein folding because the process was considered as being largely understood since the Nobel Prize had been awarded to Christian Anfinsen in 1972. Anfinsen had shown that an unfolded protein could spontaneously refold into its correct three-dimensional shape in a test tube without any outside help. Basically this is right, but it isn't necessarily possible in the cell. However, at the time there was no reason to believe that the cell needed any assistance in folding. The prize-winners were surprised by a mutant yeast strain that Horwich had discovered and that the two researchers were studying together. They were able to demonstrate that this mutant strain would transport proteins in an unfolded state into one of the cell's many compartments, the mitochondria, but then failed to refold. They showed that the mutant protein is part of a folding cage, which is virtually identical in all living organisms and which requires energy to operate. This folding cage acts like a mini-test tube. The unfolded proteins, one at a time, are enclosed in the cage and are then allowed to realize their potential to fold properly on their own and without being pressured. They are not at risk of getting stuck in an energetically unfavorable and unfinished shape and ending up as protein waste. How does the folding cage recognize proteins that need support? Horwich, working together with the late structural biologist Paul Sigler, elucidated its atomic structure, showing that the inner surfaces of the cage are lined with hydrophobic side chains. These side chains reach for the hydrophobic side chains of the unfolded proteins and entice them into the cage. The cage is then capped, and the protein chain can fold undisturbed before the cap opens again. The two researchers reached this important conclusion independently by complementary approaches. In the event that the protein chain does not achieve its correct conformation in the cage, it is sequestered again through its hydrophobic side chains and is given a second chance. But the cell has additional instruments "up its sleeve". Hartl demonstrated that another chaperone welcomes the growing protein chain at the site of its synthesis and protects it so that it doesn't become entangled. If this is not enough to allow the protein to achieve its correct conformation, the protein chain is directed to a folding cage in the cytoplasm where it can reach its final shape without any disturbance. Today, the two prize-winners are working independently on the role of chaperones in neurodegenerative diseases: Horwich on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the disease of Stephen Hawkings, and Hartl on Parkinson's disease and Huntington's chorea. One approach that both of them have adopted is to try to increase the number of chaperones in the cell. The idea behind this approach is to counteract the build-up of aggregates typical of these diseases by ramping up the activity of the folding machinery. In other words, protect patients against the fatal symptoms of their disease by reducing the amount of protein waste. So far there are preclinical proof-of-concept studies, but no clinical results or therapies yet. ### Short biography of Professor Franz-Ulrich Hartl Franz-Ulrich Hartl (62) is a physician and biochemist. He studied medicine at the University of Heidelberg and completed his Habilitation in physiological chemistry at the University of Munich. After a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Los Angeles, he was appointed Professor at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and the Cornell Medical College in New York, and subsequently Associate Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Hartl has been a Director at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Munich since 1997. He has received numerous awards, including the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, considered a shortlist for the Nobel Prize. Short Biography of Professor Arthur L. Horwich Arthur L. Horwich (68) studied medicine at Brown University and specialized in pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine. He then worked at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies for three years before returning to Yale University in 1981. He has been a Professor there since 1984 and is currently at the Boyer Center for Molecular Medicine and the Department of Genetics. He has been a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator since 1990. Horwich has also received numerous awards. Some of these prizes, like the Albert Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research, he has shared with Hartl. The Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize The Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize is traditionally awarded on Paul Ehrlich's birthday, March 14, in the Paulskirche, Frankfurt. It honors scientists who have made significant contributions in Paul Ehrlich's field of research, in particular immunology, cancer research, microbiology, and chemotherapy. The Prize, which has been awarded since 1952, is financed by the German Federal Ministry of Health, the German association of research-based pharmaceutical company vfa e.V. and specially earmarked donations from the following companies, foundations and organizations: Christa Verhein Stiftung, Else Kroner-Fresenius-Stiftung, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, C.H. Boehringer Sohn AG & Co. KG, Biotest AG, Hans und Wolfgang Schleussner-Stiftung, Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, F. Hoffmann-LaRoche Ltd., Grunenthal Group, Janssen-Cilag GmbH, Merck KGaA, Bayer AG, Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, die Baden-Wurttembergische Bank, B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. and Goethe-Universitat. The prizewinner is selected by the Scientific Council of the Paul Ehrlich Foundation. The Paul Ehrlich Foundation The Paul Ehrlich Foundation is a legally dependent foundation which is managed in a fiduciary capacity by the Association of Friends and Sponsors of the Goethe University, Frankfurt. The Honorary Chairman of the Foundation, which was established by Hedwig Ehrlich in 1929, is Professor Dr. Peter Strohschneider, president of the German Research Foundation, who also appoints the elected members of the Scientific Council and the Board of Trustees. The Chairman of the Scientific Council is Professor Thomas Boehm, Managing Director at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics in Freiburg, the Chair of the Board of Trustees is Professor Dr. Jochen Maas, Head of Research and Development and Member of the Management Board, Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH. Professor Wilhelm Bender, in his function as Chair of the Association of Friends and Sponsors of the Goethe University, is Member of the Scientific Council. The President of the Goethe University is at the same time a member of the Board of Trustees. Further information You can obtain selected publications, the list of publications and a photograph of the laureates from Dr. Hildegard Kaulen, phone: +49 (0)6122/52718, email: h.k@kaulen.wi.shuttle.de and at http://www.paul-ehrlich-stiftung.de Over the last 540 million years, the Earth has weathered three major ice ages -- periods during which global temperatures plummeted, producing extensive ice sheets and glaciers that have stretched beyond the polar caps. Now scientists at MIT, the University of California at Santa Barbara, and the University of California at Berkeley have identified the likely trigger for these ice ages. In a study published in Science, the team reports that each of the last three major ice ages were preceded by tropical "arc-continent collisions" -- tectonic pileups that occurred near the Earth's equator, in which oceanic plates rode up over continental plates, exposing tens of thousands of kilometers of oceanic rock to a tropical environment. The scientists say that the heat and humidity of the tropics likely triggered a chemical reaction between the rocks and the atmosphere. Specifically, the rocks' calcium and magnesium reacted with atmospheric carbon dioxide, pulling the gas out of the atmosphere and permanently sequestering it in the form of carbonates such as limestone. Over time, the researchers say, this weathering process, occurring over millions of square kilometers, could pull enough carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere to cool temperatures globally and ultimately set off an ice age. "We think that arc-continent collisions at low latitudes are the trigger for global cooling," says Oliver Jagoutz, an associate professor in MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences. "This could occur over 1-5 million square kilometers, which sounds like a lot. But in reality, it's a very thin strip of Earth, sitting in the right location, that can change the global climate." Jagoutz' co-authors are Francis Macdonald and Lorraine Lisiecki of UC Santa Barbara, and Nicholas Swanson-Hysell and Yuem Park of UC Berkeley. A tropical trigger When an oceanic plate pushes up against a continental plate, the collision typically creates a mountain range of newly exposed rock. The fault zone along which the oceanic and continental plates collide is called a "suture." Today, certain mountain ranges such as the Himalayas contain sutures that have migrated from their original collision points, as continents have shifted over millenia. In 2016, Jagoutz and his colleagues retraced the movements of two sutures that today make up the Himalayas. They found that both sutures stemmed from the same tectonic migration. Eighty million years ago, as the supercontinent known as Gondwana moved north, part of the landmass was crushed against Eurasia, exposing a long line of oceanic rock and creating the first suture; 50 million years ago, another collision between the supercontinents created a second suture. The team found that both collisions occurred in tropical zones near the equator, and both preceded global atmospheric cooling events by several million years -- which is nearly instantaneous on a geologic timescale. After looking into the rates at which exposed oceanic rock, also known as ophiolites, could react with carbon dioxide in the tropics, the researchers concluded that, given their location and magnitude, both sutures could have indeed sequestered enough carbon dioxide to cool the atmosphere and trigger both ice ages. Interestingly, they found that this process was likely responsible for ending both ice ages as well. Over millions of years, the oceanic rock that was available to react with the atmosphere eventually eroded away, replaced with new rock that took up far less carbon dioxide. "We showed that this process can start and end glaciation," Jagoutz says. "Then we wondered, how often does that work? If our hypothesis is correct, we should find that for every time there's a cooling event, there are a lot of sutures in the tropics." Exposing Earth's sutures The researchers looked to see whether ice ages even further back in Earth's history were associated with similar arc-continent collisions in the tropics. They performed an extensive literature search to compile the locations of all the major suture zones on Earth today, and then used a computer simulation of plate tectonics to reconstruct the movement of these suture zones, and the Earth's continental and oceanic plates, back through time. In this way, they were able to pinpoint approximately where and when each suture originally formed, and how long each suture stretched. They identified three periods over the last 540 million years in which major sutures, of about 10,000 kilometers in length, were formed in the tropics. Each of these periods coincided with each of three major, well-known ice ages, in the Late Ordovician (455 to 440 million years ago), the Permo-Carboniferous (335 to 280 million years ago), and the Cenozoic (35 million years ago to present day). Importantly, they found there were no ice ages or glaciation events during periods when major suture zones formed outside of the tropics. "We found that every time there was a peak in the suture zone in the tropics, there was a glaciation event," Jagoutz says. "So every time you get, say, 10,000 kilometers of sutures in the tropics, you get an ice age." He notes that a major suture zone, spanning about 10,000 kilometers, is still active today in Indonesia, and is possibly responsible for the Earth's current glacial period and the appearance of extensive ice sheets at the poles. This tropical zone includes some of the largest ophiolite bodies in the world and is currently one of the most efficient regions on Earth for absorbing and sequestering carbon dioxide. As global temperatures are climbing as a result of human-derived carbon dioxide, some scientists have proposed grinding up vast quantities of ophiolites and spreading the minerals throughout the equatorial belt, in an effort to speed up this natural cooling process. But Jagoutz says the act of grinding up and transporting these materials could produce additional, unintended carbon emissions. And it's unclear whether such measures could make any significant impact within our lifetimes. "It's a challenge to make this process work on human timescales," Jagoutz says. "The Earth does this in a slow, geological process that has nothing to do with what we do to the Earth today. And it will neither harm us, nor save us." ### Related links Oliver Jagoutz ARCHIVE: Ancient Earth's hot interior created "graveyard" of continental slabs ARCHIVE: Study: Ancient tectonic activity was trigger for ice ages ARCHIVE: India drift ARCHIVE: India joined with Asia 10 million years later than previously thought Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an inflammatory disease of the small airways in the lungs, affects 16 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Identifying small airway disease in its earliest stages, when it is most treatable, could potentially lead to new drug therapies for those with COPD, researchers say. However, it has been difficult for physicians to identify abnormalities of the small airways non-invasively; the tiny bronchioles that are first damaged in COPD, which are less than 2 mm in internal diameter, are simply too small to be visualized on CT imaging, and are not well-reflected by pulmonary function tests. In a landmark study funded by the NHLBI, an international team of researchers led by Michigan Medicine confirmed the ability of a non-invasive imaging biomarker to identify small airway damage in COPD. In the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the researchers report on the ability of a relatively new technique, called Parametric Response Mapping (PRM), to identify small airway abnormality in COPD. Invented at Michigan Medicine, the University of Michigan's academic medical center, by Brian Ross, Ph.D., professor of radiology and biological chemistry and Craig Galban, Ph.D., associate professor of radiology, PRM is a non-invasive technique that measures lung density during inhalation and exhalation. The team examined lung tissue from patients with COPD undergoing lung transplantation as well as those with healthy donated tissue. Researchers then mapped those samples back to the CT scans taken before surgery. They confirmed that PRM was able to non-invasively identify small airway loss, narrowing and obstruction. This technical feat required the collaboration of large, multi-disciplinary teams of radiologists, pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons and pathologists in multiple locations across two countries, all activated around the clock due to the unpredictable nature of transplant surgery. Senior author MeiLan Han, M.D., a lung specialist and professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan, says, "Now we have confidence in our ability to identify airway disease when imaging COPD patients. PRM is already clinically available and used by University of Michigan clinical teams to assess patients with COPD. This is what we mean by bench to bedside medicine." While these studies were performed in patients with severe disease, in another NHLBI funded study, COPDGene, the PRM-defined small airway abnormalities have been detected on CT scans of patients with milder disease and help to predict patients who will lose lung function. Han notes, however, "We still need to validate the type of airway disease the PRM technique identifies in patients with milder disease. That type of lung tissue is more difficult to obtain, but we are working on techniques that would allow us to use smaller amounts of lung tissue to make such studies feasible." Currently, there is no cure for or way to reverse COPD. Lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking, and treatment with bronchodilators and inhaled steroids can help expand airways and reduce inflammation. Surgery to remove damaged lung tissue and lung transplantation are options for some patients with severe disease. By helping to identify patients at risk for disease progression, PRM can serve as a non-invasive measure to aid clinical trials of new therapeutics, the researchers concluded. "These results illustrate the importance of developing non-invasive techniques for improving diagnostic capabilities and advancing new therapies needed to tackle this devastating disease," says James Kiley, Ph.D., director of the Division of Lung Diseases at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. "The refinement of this and similar approaches could also advance the study of COPD at its earliest stages of development." ### Additional authors: Vasilescu DM, PhD, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Martinez FJ, MD, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY; Marchetti N, DO, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA; Galban CJ, PhD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Hatt, C, PhD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI and Imbio, Minneapolis, MN; Meldrum C, PhD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Dass Chandra, MD, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA; Tanabe N, MD, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Reddy R, MD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Lagstein A, MD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Ross BD, PhD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Labaki WW, MD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Murray S, ScD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Meng X, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Curtis JL, MD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI; Hackett TL, PhD, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Kazerooni E, MD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Criner GJ, MD, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA; Hogg JC, MD, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Funding: Han: NIH RO1 HL122328, NIH K24 HL138188; Vasilescu: Canadian Thoracic Society and Alpha-1 Foundation; Hackett: Canadian Institutes for Health Research and Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research; Curtis: Department of Veterans Affairs Merit Review I01 CX000911, NIH RO1 AI120526 and NIH R21 AI 117371; Ross: NIH R35 CA197701. The steady improvement of the performance and versatility of our electronic systems is due in large part to the scaling-down of transistors and interconnects that drive them. Components on the chips have been shrunk, stacked and more densely packed to add increased functionality without expanding the systems' small footprints. But the smaller, denser arrangements present their own set of challenges, and electronics engineers and designers everywhere are trying to find ways to overcome the resulting degradation in performance, reliability and energy efficiency. UC Santa Barbara doctoral student Junkai Jiang is one of those people, and for his work he has been awarded a prestigious Ph.D. Student Fellowship from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' Electron Devices Society (EDS). "The IEEE EDS Ph.D. Student Fellowship is one of the most prestigious awards for doctoral students working in the broad area of electron devices," said UC Santa Barbara electrical and computer engineering professor Kaustav Banerjee, who is Jiang's advisor. Junkai's achievements in his research are certainly most deserving of this honor." A leader in the field of nanoelectronics, Banerjee is internationally recognized for his pioneering work on 2D materials and electronics. Jiang joined Banerjee's Nanoelectronics Research Lab (NRL) in 2012 as a dual M.S./Ph.D. student after completing his bachelor of science degree in microelectronics at Peking University in China. "I am extremely honored to receive this prestigious award from the IEEE Electron Devices Society that recognizes technological innovations by young Ph.D. student researchers," Jiang said. "Being the only student from the entire Americas and the third student from the NRL at UC Santa Barbara to receive this award, I would like to especially thank my advisor, Professor Kaustav Banerjee, not only for his constant encouragement and support, but also for his inspirational guidance to identify and pursue cutting-edge research of the highest caliber, which helped me to progress steadily during the past several years of my doctoral research." Jiang's work centers on interconnects -- the conducting channels of electronic signal and power between and through components. Interconnects play a dominant role in determining the performance and power-dissipation of all integrated circuits, including state-of-the-art microprocessors. As the dimensions of on-chip components have scaled down and their number has increased, the conventional copper wire interconnects have also had to shrink, causing them to hit limits in terms of their ability to conduct signal and power rapidly, reliably and without interference. As a result, the systems may slow down, overheat and drain their batteries sooner than expected. The answer to this problem could come in the form of graphene, a two-dimensional form of carbon with interesting and valuable electronic properties. "My research is focused on designing and fabricating fast, energy-efficient and highly reliable on-chip interconnects and passives uniquely enabled by low-dimensional carbon nanomaterials such as graphene," Jiang explained. Graphene, with its atom-thick dimension and electronic conduction properties, has emerged as a viable replacement for copper wire interconnects primarily driven by Banerjee over the past decade. But its ability to revolutionize modern electronics is directly related to the ease of large-scale manufacture, which also is a thrust of Jiang's research. "Supported by this award, I have been working on integrating graphene in the high-volume-manufacturing friendly or 'CMOS-compatible' process and its application in demonstrating a multilayer VLSI (Very Large Scale Integrated Circuit) interconnect scheme to establish its feasibility for the semiconductor industry," Jiang added. "I offer sincere congratulations to Junkai Jiang for receiving this prestigious award, and to Professor Banerjee for the support that is indispensable to such achievement," said Rod Alferness, dean of the UC Santa Barbara College of Engineering. "Given to only a single student in the Americas and only three in the world, this award is a major testament not only to Junkai, but also to the kind of students we attract at UCSB and the pioneering spirit they bring to tackling important problems." The IEEE Electron Devices Society Ph.D. Student Fellowship Award recognizes a demonstrated ability to perform independent research in the fields of electron devices and a proven history of academic excellence. Among Jiang's other early-career accomplishments are receipt of the UCSB Graduate Division Dissertation award (2019) and the IEEE S3S Best Student Paper Award (2018). His research contributions have appeared in prestigious international journals, including Nature Electronics, Nano Letters and IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, as well as leading IEEE conferences such as the annual International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM) and the International Reliability Physics Symposium (IRPS). To allow circuit level design and optimization, Jiang also developed a SPICE-compatible compact model for graphene interconnects, which was made available to the worldwide research community via nanoHUB, a well-known educational hub for the nanoelectronics community. His model currently has over 3000 users. In 2018, Jiang was one of the key contributors to the demonstration of the world's first kinetic inductor, led by Banerjee, that overcame a 200-year old limitation of conventional inductors. ### IEEE is the world's largest technical professional organization for the advancement of technology. The Electron Devices Society (EDS), which began in 1952, is a technical society of the IEEE with more than 11,000 members worldwide. The largest-ever study of ancient DNA from the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) suggests that the Iberian male lineages were almost completely replaced between 4,500 and 4,000 years ago by newcomers originating on the Russian steppe THE University of Huddersfield's Archaeogenetics Research Group has been involved in a major international collaboration documenting the settlement of Iberia over the last eight thousand years, published on 14 March in the journal Science. The work, which involved 111 researchers from Harvard Medical School in the United States, the Max-Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Jena, Germany, and multiple groups in Spain and Portugal, included ancient DNA results from prehistoric Portugal contributed by Huddersfield's Leverhulme Trust doctoral scholar Marina Silva and her supervisory team in Huddersfield and the University of Minho in Braga. The study shows in detail how Iberia's population has changed drastically over time, from its hunter-gatherer origins before the arrival of farming 7,500 years ago, through to the medieval period and modern times. Most striking was an influx of new people during the later Copper Age, otherwise known as the Beaker period because of the ubiquitous presence in burials of large drinking vessels, from about 4,500 years ago. By the Early Bronze Age, 500 years later, these newcomers represented about 40% of Iberia's genetic pool - but virtually 100% of their male lineages. This suggests that the newcomers were mainly men, and that - somehow - they all but replaced the men living there previously, whilst the local women survived the takeover. This is an extraordinary example of sex bias - a phenomenon described previously by Huddersfield's Leverhulme Trust doctoral scholar Marina Silva for India. What is even more striking now is that both Iberia and India had a similar source - a population of early metal-using stock breeders, who lived to the north of the Black Sea on Russian steppe lands, 5,000 years ago. They fanned out in both directions, west across Europe and east into Asia, their pastoralist economy, domesticated horses and wheeled wagons giving them a crucial advantage over the indigenous farming populations. Moreover, they are also thought to have brought the Indo-European languages spoken across Europe and India today. Around 2,500 BC, the researchers found, Iberians began living alongside newcomers from central Europe who carried recent ancestry from those people on the Russian steppe. Within a few hundred years, the two groups had extensively interbred. This was beautifully exemplified at a Bronze Age site known as the Castillejo de Bonete in Spain, where a woman and man were found buried side by side. Analyses revealed that the woman's ancestry was entirely local, while the man had very recent ancestors from central Europe. "This is one of the strongest pieces of evidence in ancient-DNA research of sex bias in the prehistoric period," said Inigo Olalde, a postdoctoral fellow in the lab of David Reich at Harvard Medical School and first author of the study. Marina Silva added: "It's an intriguing situation, because the Beaker culture originated in Portugal and spread across Europe from there - but at the same time, or shortly after, men who probably spoke Indo-European languages were moving in the opposite direction. Resolving the population dynamics in western Europe during the Copper and Bronze Ages is a big step towards understanding the origins of the Celtic languages, which were spoken across western Europe before the rise of the Roman Empire." ### HENDERSON, NV / ACCESSWIRE / March 14, 2019 / New Frontier Data, the authority in data, analytics and business intelligence on the global cannabis industry, in partnership with Resource Innovation Institute and Scale Microgrid Solutions, released The Cannabis Energy Report: Current and Evolving State of Cannabis Energy Consumption. "Energy consumption and carbon emissions are critical issues for all industries, and cannabis cultivation is no exception. With an estimated 162% increase in U.S. electricity consumption from cannabis cultivation alone, not including other parts of the world, it is important that we begin to understand the environmental impact of this fast-evolving industry." With that in mind, we're highlighting a few companies that can help companies with this energy increase. CleanSpark, Inc. (CLSK) is one of the most promising. CLSK is a microgrid company, with a custom power solution developed for cannabis producers is in the right place at the right time. They have been ranked in the top 10 microgrids by Navigant Research, and in their latest press release stated, "(The company) is currently focusing our marketing efforts on the largest users in the Cannabis market, the agricultural (grow) facilities." This marketing effort should be fruitful considering their microgrid power solution for the cannabis industry cuts the monthly electricity bill of indoor grow-houses by up to 82%. CEO S. Matthew Schultz also stated, "an extended outage can even cause a full loss (of the farmer's yield), especially when the facility is growing a medically-certified crop. Energy resiliency is critical for these operations." With the microscope on these companies and how they scale, CLSK could be a major beneficiary of the rush to cannabis production efficiency. Today we are highlighting: CleanSpark, Inc. (CLSK), Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (BEP), Renewable Energy Group Inc. (REGI), Charlotte's Web Holdings Inc. (CWBHF), and Kushco Holdings Inc. (KSHB). Story continues CleanSpark, Inc. (CLSK) (Market Cap: $165.132M; Share Price: $3.98) just dropped a major update, giving shareholders guidance on several initiatives. Highlights from CLSK's latest update include: Closing a $5 million round of funding Engaging a firm to navigate the company's up listing Announced the near completion of a $900k contract to install a CLSK microgrid at a U.S. Marine Corps Base Continued progress on their $18.3 million deal with NYSE company MAC Closing of an acquisition adding $3.6 million in gross sales to CLSK's bottom line during early 2019 alone _______ Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (BEP) (Market Cap: $5.550B; Share Price: $31.04) announced that as a result of strong investor demand for its previously announced offering, the underwriters have partially exercised their option to increase the size of the offering to 7,000,000 Cumulative Minimum Rate Reset Class A Preferred Limited Partnership Units, Series 15 (the "Series 15 Preferred Units") to be offered on a bought deal basis to a syndicate of underwriters led by CIBC Capital Markets, BMO Capital Markets, RBC Capital Markets, Scotiabank and TD Securities Inc. The Series 15 Preferred Units will be issued at a price of $25.00 per unit, for gross proceeds of $175,000,000. _______ Renewable Energy Group Inc. (REGI) (Market Cap: $903.248M; Share Price: $24.18) announced that its President and Chief Executive Officer, Cynthia (CJ) Warner, will participate in a fireside conversation at the 31st Annual ROTH Conference on Monday, March 18, 2019, at 1:30 PM PT, at the Ritz-Carlton in Dana Point, California. _______ Charlotte's Web Holdings Inc. (CWBHF) (Market Cap: $1.422B; Share Price: $15.27) reported its 2018 harvested hemp results in mid-January, resulting in media attention and related momentum. Per the details of their report, the company reported more than a 10 times growth in harvested hemp compared to its 2017 growing season. The high-quality 100% U.S.-grown hemp will be processed through proprietary extraction methods to create whole plant hemp extract that will be used in Charlotte's Web products for sale in 2019 and 2020. _______ Kushco Holdings Inc. (KSHB) (Market Cap: $491.986M; Share Price: $5.59) announced that it has entered into a long-term production and distribution contract with IEKO corporation in line with the sustainability initiative that it announced previously. The agreement is for the production of biodegradable and compostable packaging products to be used in the CBD and cannabis industries. Legal Disclaimer: This article was written by Regal Consulting, LLC ("Regal Consulting"). Regal Consulting has agreed to a three-month term consulting agreement with CLSK dated 9/12/18. The agreement calls for $10,000 in cash, and 30,000 restricted 144 shares of CLSK per month. Regal and CLSK have signed an amendment to extend the contract for twelve months starting 10/10/18, and increased the cash component to $20,000 per month. CLSK has paid an additional $12,000 for services provided in November. CLSK has paid an additional $88,000 for services provided in December. CLSK has paid an additional $100,000 for services for January. CLSK has paid an additional $80,000 for services for February. Regal was paid an additional $30,000 for March services and possibly compensated more for March services in the future, at which time Regal will update this disclaimer. All payments were made directly by Clean Spark, Inc. to Regal Consulting, LLC. to provide investor relations services, of which this article is a part of. Regal Consulting also paid one thousand dollars cash to microcapspeculators.com to distribute this article. Regal Consulting may have a position in the securities mentioned in this article at the time of publication, and may increase or decrease its position without notice. This article is based on public information and the opinions of Regal Consulting. CLSK was given an opportunity to edit this article. This article contains forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any results predicted herein. Regal Consulting is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority, and does not provide or claim to provide investment advice. http://www.regalconsultingllc.com/full legal disclaimer/ Full Legal Disclaimer Click Here. Contact Information: Company Name: ACR Communication LLC. 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Chinese stocks underperformed their regional peers after the release of the weaker-than-expected industrial output data. Factory output rose 5.3% year-on-year in January and February, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported on Thursday. It was the lowest since 2002. The growth had been expected to slow to 5.5% from Decembers 5.7%. Meanwhile, fixed-asset investment improved slightly compared to the same period in 2018. The growth was 6.1% in the January-February period, marginally higher than the expected 6%. Retail sales growth in January-February came in at 8.2%, in line with growth in December and just above the 8.1% increase forecast. The data sent the Shenzhen Component down 2% at 1:51 AM ET (05:51 GMT), while the Shanghai Composite also slid 1.4%. Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index was trading near flat. Japans Nikkei 225 gained 0.5%. The Nikkei Business Daily reported on Thursday that Japan's government is considering a slight downgrade to its assessment of the economy due to slowing demand from China. South Koreas KOSPI was little changed, while Australias ASX 200 was up 0.3%. Although not a directional driver, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday offered to push back a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping until a final deal on trade is reached. We could do it either way, Trump told reporters Wednesday at the White House. We can have the deal completed and come and sign or we can get the deal almost completed and negotiate some of the final points. I would prefer that. But it doesnt matter that much. Meanwhile, comments by Gary Cohn, the former head of President Donald Trumps National Economic Council, received some focus as he said the U.S. is desperate right now to sign a trade pact with China. The president needs a win, Cohn said in an interview with the Freakonomics podcast. Story continues The only big open issue right now that he could claim as a big win that hed hope would have a big impact on the stock market would be a Chinese resolution, Cohn said of a trade agreement. Getting the trade deficit down I will never say is easy, but of the issues on the table, thats relatively easier. In the U.K., Members of Parliament will now vote again later today on whether to seek an extension to Article 50 after rejecting a no-deal Brexit. Yesterday, U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May said a no-deal scenario remains the default option after her Brexit deal suffered another defeat in the British Parliament. Related Articles Australia stocks lower at close of trade; S&P/ASX 200 down 0.32% Tencent Might Fire or Demote 10% of General Managers Amid Slowing Growth Target coffee to be all fair trade by 2022 Investing.com - Asian Equities were mixed in morning trade on Thursday after U.K. lawmakers rejected the idea of leaving the European Union without a Brexit deal to avoid the economic uncertainty and trade disruptions that it could cause. Members of Parliament will now vote again later today on whether to seek an extension to Article 50, the provision of the EU treaty under which the U.K. is withdrawing from the bloc. Yesterday, U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May said a no-deal scenario remains the default option after her Brexit deal suffered another defeat in the British Parliament. In Asia, Japans Nikkei 225 gained 0.5% by 9:40 PM ET (01:40 GMT). South Koreas KOSPI was little changed, while Australias ASX 200 was also trading near flat. Chinese stocks underperformed their regional peers as investors awaited retail sales and industrial production data from China for clues about the health of the world's second-largest economy. The Shanghai Composite and the Shenzhen Component were down 0.6% and 0.7% respectively. Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index edged up 0.1%. Although not a directional driver, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday offered to push back a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping until a final deal on trade is reached. We could do it either way, Trump told reporters Wednesday at the White House. We can have the deal completed and come and sign or we can get the deal almost completed and negotiate some of the final points. I would prefer that. But it doesnt matter that much. Earlier, the President downplayed expectations that a U.S.-China trade deal would be announced sooner rather later. He told reporters at the White House that he was in "no rush" whatsoever to make a deal with China. "Its got to be the right deal," he said. "Its got to be a good deal for us, and, if its not, were not going to make that deal. Overnight, U.S. equities markets closed higher, with energy stocks leading the gains thanks to a rally in oil prices on data showing domestic crude stockpiles unexpectedly fell. Story continues Related Articles Day Ahead: Top 3 Things to Watch FedEx cuts profit forecast again on economy, Express woes Scrap foreign ownership caps, investor group tells China Poster to Focus on Phase II Trial of MS1819-SD in Chronic Pancreatitis NEW YORK, March 12, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AzurRx BioPharma, Inc. (AZRX) (AzurRx or the Company), a company specializing in the development of non-systemic, recombinant therapies for gastrointestinal diseases, today announced a poster presentation at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association being held in Miami, Florida on March 20-24, 2019. The poster will focus on data from its Phase II study of MS1819-SD in patients with chronic pancreatitis that was completed in 2018. We are pleased to present our positive Phase II data, where we observed both clinical activity and a clear dose response, said Thijs Spoor, President and CEO of AzurRx. Our oral MS1819-SD therapy is a novel treatment for patients with gastrointestinal disorders and, based on these encouraging and positive data, we are continuing to progress our clinical trials. We are currently enrolling patients in our cystic fibrosis study, which has 10 U.S. sites initiated to date with the rest expected to be up and running in the next four weeks. We are excited about the promise of our therapy and look forward to additional data read-outs. Poster presentation details: Title: Reporting a Phase II, open-label study assessing the safety and efficacy of MS1819-SD, a recombinant lipase, for the treatment of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency Session: Poster Display, Kiosk #8 Date/Time: Friday, March 22, 2019 & Saturday, March 23, 2019 Location: Loews Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida About the Phase 2 MS1819-SD in Chronic Pancreatitis The Company previously reported the completion of this open-label, multi-center, dose escalation Phase IIa study, whose primary endpoint was to evaluate the safety of escalating doses of MS1819-SD in patients with chronic pancreatitis. The secondary endpoint for the study was to investigate the efficacy of MS1819-SD in these patients by analysis of the CFA and its change from baseline. The Company enrolled 11 chronic pancreatitis patients in France, Australia and New Zealand. During the course of the trial, patients washed-out of their standard of care treatment for EPI to establish a baseline and then were subsequently treated with escalating doses of study drug in two-week increments. Story continues Final data from the Phase IIa study show a favorable safety profile with no severe adverse events. Although the study was not powered for efficacy, in a pre-planned analysis, the highest dose cohort of MS1819-SD showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful increases in CFA compared to baseline with a mean increase of 21.8% and a p value of p=0.002 on a per protocol basis. About the Phase 2 MS1819-SD in Cystic Fibrosis The Company announced that it has dosed the first patients in the Company's Phase II OPTION study to investigate MS1819-SD in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). The Phase II, open-label, multi-center, 2x2 crossover study is designed to investigate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of MS1819-SD in a head-to-head comparison against the current porcine enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) standard of care. The primary efficacy endpoint will be a comparison of CFAs after each of the two crossover periods. Planned enrollment is expected to include approximately 30 CF patients, with the enrollment completed in mid-2019. Additional information about the ongoing OPTION MS1819-SD can be found at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03746483?term=ms1819&rank=2 About Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency: EPI is a condition characterized by deficiency of the exocrine pancreatic enzymes, resulting in the inability to digest food properly, or maldigestion. This deficiency can be responsible for greasy diarrhea, fecal urge and weight loss. There are approximately 90,000 patients in the U.S. with EPI caused by chronic pancreatitis according to the National Pancreas Foundation and more than 30,000 patients with EPI caused by cystic fibrosis according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Patients are currently treated with porcine pancreatic enzyme replacement pills. About AzurRx BioPharma, Inc. AzurRx BioPharma, Inc. (AZRX) is engaged in the research and development of non-systemic biologics for the treatment of patients with gastrointestinal disorders. MS1819-SD recombinant lipase for EPI is the Company's lead development program, and additional early stage research is being conducted for the prevention of hospital-acquired infections. The Company is headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, with scientific operations based in Langlade, France. Additional information on the Company can be found at www.azurrx.com Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain certain statements relating to future results which are forward-looking statements. These statements are not historical facts, but instead represent only the Companys belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Companys control. It is possible that the Companys actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning the Company and its business, including a discussion of factors that could materially affect the Companys financial results, including those related to the clinical development of MS1819-SD and final results of the Phase 2 study, are contained in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 under the heading Risk Factors, as well as the Companys subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or correct any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur or of which we hereafter become aware. For more information: Baker McKenzie office sign Baker McKenzie offices in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/ALM) Baker McKenzie posted solid increases in revenues and profitability in its 2018 fiscal year, with gains driven by an uptick in cross-border deal-making. For the fiscal year ending at the end of June 2018, the firm increased revenue by 8.6 percent to $2.9 billion. Profits per equity partner, meanwhile, grew 11 percent, from $1.3 million to $1.44 million. Net income jumped 7.7 percent to over $981 million, while revenue per lawyer climbed 8.5 percent to $614,000. "We had more cross-border transactions than ever before, and, critically, transactions where we were serving as lead counsel," said Baker McKenzie North America CEO Colin Murray. The firm acted as lead legal counsel to major German building materials company Gebr. Knauf KG in connection with its $7 billion acquisition of Chicago-based USG Corp., and also to Servier, a France-based independent international pharmaceutical company, on its agreement to acquire Shire's oncology business for $2.4 billion. Murray also highlighted significant demand for the firm's tax services, pointing to the effects of tax reform measures in the U.S. and other jurisdictions, and a growing number of companies using a transactional strategy as part of their tax planning efforts. Litigation, too, has been robust. "We saw more trials in a strong economy," Murray said. Murray and his colleague North America chair Duane Webber did acknowledge ebbs and flows in government enforcement efforts, both in the U.S. and elsewhere. The recent U.S. government shutdown offers one example, but diminished resources for bringing cases, both by regulators and prosecutors, is a wider issue. "That is something were hearing in all of our markets," Murray said. While the firm's overall head count stayed stable in 2018, with 4,720 lawyers last year, the size of the equity partnership dipped slightly, from 701 to 680 partners. Webber attributed the 3 percent drop to recent retirements. And while he expects the retirement trend to continue, he also anticipates the number of equity partners remaining stable or growing slightly. "Both in our promotions and in our lateral hires, were pursing strong equity partners who will continue to help us drive quality service to our clients," he said. At the end of the 2018 fiscal year, the firm converted to a black box system for equity partner compensation. Baker McKenzie brought on more than 50 lateral partners in 2018. Among the most significant additions were five California hires from Hogan Lovells, three of whom became the founding partners at the firm's new Los Angeles office, which opened last spring. The firm had been targeting Los Angeles for some time. "LA is a hotbed for disputes, perhaps more than any other place in the U.S.," Murray said. "The team hit the ground running, and they tried a significant case a couple of months ago." Thus far in 2019, the firm has been growing in New York, adding former Milbank M&A lawyer Mark Mandel along with the former co-chairman of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius life sciences practice, Randall Sunberg, and partner Denis Segota, who will operate out of the life sciences corridor in Princeton, New Jersey. Baker McKenzie is also looking to expand its footprint in London and China, according to Webber. And in September, global chairman Paul Rawlinson told Law.coms London-based publication Legal Week that it was actively looking for a merger partner in the U.S. Rawlinson remains on leave after temporarily stepping down for exhaustion in October. Webber, however, would not commit as forcefully to the prospect. "Were always with our eyes open on opportunities to provide further and broader service to our clients, through any type of acquisition or merger activity that may be identified," he said. "We don't talk about it, but we certainly consider ourselves to be part of that ongoing dialogue." Globally, the firm shuttered an office in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2018. The firm is largely satisfied with its global footprint, according to Webber. "Theres probably only one other major market wed like to be in, but were constrained now, like everyone else: thats India," he said. The Indian government and the Bar Council of India currently block foreign law firms from setting up shop in world's second largest country. The firm also announced it would be opening a legal services center in Tampa to complement existing back-office operations in Northern Ireland and the Philippines, which will open in 2020. That's alongside personnel investments in client services, highlighted by the June hire of global director of legal operations David Cambria and January's addition of director of legal project management Casey Flaherty and director of pricing strategy Jae Um. "We're doubling down on the integrated approach to delivery of our services," Webber said. And the firm is bullish about its prospects for 2019 and beyond, even in a global climate where Brexit and escalating trade tensions are immediate examples of rising unpredictability. "It's more of an uncertain time than it had been before, but that really goes to the core of what our value proposition is," Murray said. Story continues Read More Jay Jorgensen new general counsel of Coupang, an e-commerce company based in Seoul, South Korea. Jay Jorgensen, the former executive vice president and global chief ethics and compliance officer of Walmart Inc., is the new general counsel of Coupang, the largest and fastest growing e-commerce company in South Korea. Privately held Coupang, the South Korean equivalent of Amazon.com, announced the hire Thursday. Bom Kim, CEO of Coupang, said in a statement, Coupang is relentless in its pursuit of excellence, and Jay shares that commitment. His standards are remarkably high, and he has a tremendous track record. Jorgensen, who is now based in Seoul, told Corporate Counsel he actually started work Monday and is truly excited by the new job. The reason they seem like a good fit to me is I had this great experience with Walmart learning the retail space. Now Coupang is revolutionizing the retail industry in this part of the world. The new general counsel said the company really feels like a startup because it is growing so quicklyits revenue more than doubled in the last two years to nearly $5 billion in 2018. Ive done big law; Ive done big business, Jorgensen said. Now it is a great time for my wife and me to have this experience of a different culture, and of a company at a different stage in its growth. Jorgensen joined Walmart in Bentonville, Arkansas, in October 2012 as chief ethics and compliance officer, with marching orders to build a world-class compliance program. The timing was shortly after the U.S. Department of Justice opened its investigation into allegations of bribery at Walmarts Mexican subsidiary. The company is expected to settle the case this year. Jorgensen also served as a member of Walmart Foundations board of directors and executive committee, helping direct the foundations activities and establish strategies to improve sustainability and create jobs. He left the giant retailer in December. Prior to joining Walmart, Jorgensen was a partner at Sidley Austin. He also had served as a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Coupang said Jorgensen brings a wealth of international experience. This includes: Story continues His work building and leading a world-class compliance program. His knowledge of legal and retail business issues in growing an e-commerce platform. Since 2018, Walmarts e-commerce unit has increased online sales by over 40 percent. His understanding of what it takes to become a public company. It has been widely reported that Coupang is expected to make an initial public stock offering in 2019 or 2020. Coupang is one of the largest and fastest growing e-commerce platforms in the world, according to its profile on Crunchbase.com. The company prides itself on employing the newest technology to keep an obsessive focus on end-to-end customer service. For example, it delivers 99 percent of all purchases within one day. And if a customer doesnt like a product, she can simply click an app and place the product outside her door for a driver to pick up within hours. There is no need for a box, invoice or printed label. Besides its base in Seoul, the company offers international brands and is expanding beyond Korea. It already has offices in Beijing, Los Angeles, Seattle, Shanghai and Silicon Valley in California. Korea is already in the global top five e-commerce markets and expected to take over third place in a few years, right behind the U.S. and China. By David Shepardson, Richard Lough and Aaron Maasho WASHINGTON/PARIS/ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Boeing Co's 737 MAX 8 and 9 planes will be grounded for weeks if not longer until a software upgrade can be tested and installed, U.S. lawmakers said on Thursday, as officials in France prepare to begin analysing the black boxes from a jet that crashed in Ethiopia. Boeing said it had paused deliveries of its fastest-selling 737 MAX aircraft built at its factory near Seattle but continues to produce its single-aisle jets at full speed while dealing with the worldwide fleet's grounding. Investigators in France will be seeking clues into Sunday's deadly Ethiopian Airlines crash after take-off from Addis Ababa killed 157 people from 35 nations in the second such calamity involving Boeing's plane since October. Possible links between the accidents have rocked the aviation industry, scared passengers, and left the world's biggest planemaker scrambling to prove the safety of a money-spinning model intended to be the standard for decades. U.S. Representative Rick Larsen said after a briefing with U.S. aviation officials the software upgrade would take a few weeks to complete, and installing it on all aircraft would take "at least through April." He said additional training would also have to take place. Boeing has said it would roll out the software improvement "across the 737 MAX fleet in the coming weeks." Relatives of the dead stormed out of a meeting with Ethiopian Airlines on Thursday, decrying a lack of transparency, while others made the painful trip to the crash scene. "I can't find you! Where are you?" said one Ethiopian woman, draped in traditional white mourning shawl, as she held a framed portrait of her brother in the charred and debris-strewn field. After an apparent tussle over where the investigation should be held, the flight data and cockpit voice recorders were handed over to France's Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA). Technical analysis would begin on Friday and the first conclusions could take several days, the BEA said, posting a picture of the partly crumpled, orange-cased box. Story continues Nations around the world, including an initially reluctant United States, have suspended the 371 MAX models in operation, though airlines are largely coping by switching planes. Nearly 5,000 MAXs are on order, meaning the financial implications are huge for the industry. Moody's rating agency said the fallout from the crash would not immediately affect Boeing's credit rating. "We continue to build 737 MAX airplanes while assessing how the situation, including potential capacity constraints, will impact our production system," Boeing spokesman Chaz Bickers said. Boeing would maintain its production rate of 52 aircraft per month, and its newest version, the MAX, represents the lion's share, although Boeing declined to break out exact numbers. CONNECTION TO INDONESIA CRASH? The investigation of Sunday's crash has added urgency since the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday grounded the 737 MAX aircraft, citing satellite data and evidence from the scene that indicated some similarities and "the possibility of a shared cause" with October's crash in Indonesia that killed 189 people. Though it maintains the planes are safe, Boeing has supported the FAA move. Its stock is down about 11 percent since the crash, wiping more than $26 billion off its market value. It fell 1 percent on Thursday. U.S. and Canadian carriers wrestled with customer calls and flight cancellations and Southwest Airlines Co and American Airlines Group Inc, the largest U.S. operators of the 737 MAX, said they had started flying empty MAX aircraft to be parked elsewhere during the ban. U.S. President Donald Trump, an aviation enthusiast with deep ties to Boeing, said he hoped the suspensions would be short. "They have to figure it out fast," Trump told reporters at the White House. A software fix for the 737 MAX that Boeing has been working on since the Lion Air crash in October in Indonesia will take months to complete, the FAA said on Wednesday. And in what may presage a raft of claims, Norwegian Air has said it will seek compensation from Boeing for costs and lost revenue after grounding its fleet of 737 MAX. Japan became the latest nation to suspend the 737 MAX planes on Thursday. And airline Garuda Indonesia said there was a possibility it would cancel its 20-strong order of 737 MAXs. WHAT HAPPENED? Under international rules, Ethiopians are leading the investigation but France's BEA will conduct black box analysis as an adviser. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was also sending three investigators to assist. Only France and the United States have the experience gleaned from being present at almost every crash involving an Airbus or Boeing respectively. The cause of the Indonesian crash is still being investigated. A November preliminary report, before the retrieval of the cockpit voice recorder, focussed on maintenance and training and the response of a Boeing anti-stall system to a recently replaced sensor, but gave no reason for the crash. The pilot of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 had reported internal control problems and received permission to return, before the plane came down and burst into a fireball on arid farmland. (Reporting by Richard Lough, Tim Hepher and John Irish in Paris, Duncan Miriri and Aaron Masho in Addis Ababa, Jeff Mason and David Shepardson in Washington, Omar Mohammed and Maggie Fick in Nairobi; Danilo Masoni in Milan, and Eric M. Johnson in Seattle, Tracy Rucinski in Chicago, Allison Lampert in Montreal; Writing by Andrew Cawthorne and Ben Klayman; Editing by Jon Boyle, Nick Zieminski and Grant McCool) J&T Express starts PH services posted March 14, 2019 at 07:10 pm by Darwin G. Amojelar March 14, 2019 at 07:10 pm J&T Express, an Indonesian e-commerce express delivery, launched its operations in the Philippines as a part of a Southeast Asian expansion. The technology-based and internet development express company which started in Indonesia in 2015 offers 365 days of operations to serve its customers even on weekends and holidays. After just two years since its establishment, the company expanded its services across Southeast Asia to serve more customers, especially for small and medium enterprises and online businesses.As an express company, J&T Express is committed to helping our customers thrive in the e-commerce business by bringing our reliable, efficient, and fast delivery service nationwide. With Express Your Online Business as our slogan, we hope to help our customers realize a more practical and efficient express service for online business and encourage the development of our business partners to be bigger and stronger, said Dean Ding, chief executive of J&T Express Philippines. J&T Express, with its extensive network that supports delivery services within city, inter-city, inter-provincial and e-commerce customers, strengthened its operations to widen its reach across Southeast Asia. It is also present in Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand. COMMENT DISCLAIMER: Reader comments posted on this Web site are not in any way endorsed by Manila Standard. Comments are views by manilastandard.net readers who exercise their right to free expression and they do not necessarily represent or reflect the position or viewpoint of manilastandard.net. While reserving this publications right to delete comments that are deemed offensive, indecent or inconsistent with Manila Standard editorial standards, Manila Standard may not be held liable for any false information posted by readers in this comments section. On the night of Mar 13, the British House of Commons delivered another crushing defeat to prime minister Theresa May. Members of parliament voted to reject a no-deal Brexit. Whats more, a large chunk of Mays cabinet abstained from voting, leading to heightened concerns about the validity of her leadership. Meanwhile, Britains chancellor Philip Hammond indicated in his Spring Statement that May would likely have to agree to a soft Brexit. This would be necessary to break the deadlock currently plaguing the British parliament. He also warned of dire economic consequences if a hard or no-deal Brexit ensues. A soft Brexit would allow Britain to retain access to the European single market. This would protect Londons position as a global financial hub. Major multinationals would also then continue to base themselves within Britain. With a soft Brexit looking increasingly possible, it would make sense to bet on major multinationals based in Britain. May Loses Brexit Vote, Faces Dissension The British House of Commons initially voted 321 to 308 to reject a no-deal Brexit. Another vote followed and lawmakers bolstered their decision by 321 to 278, widening the slim gap to 43 votes. The governments motion stated that Britain should exit the EU without a deal on Mar 29. It would also have the option to undertake a no-deal Brexit at any other time. Of Mays ministers, 13 abstained with one voting against the party whip. Now, on Mar 14, Britains parliament will decide whether it wants to delay a Brexit beyond the original deadline of Mar 29. However, the delay will only take place if the House of Commons votes for Mays Brexit deal, a proposal which has been rejected twice. This has caused great anger among legislators keen on a Brexit as well as those supporting its softer version. Instead, Mays defeat has given rise to the feeling that a soft Brexit, where Britain retains stronger links to the EU, is increasingly a possibility. Story continues Hammond Supports Soft Brexit, Touts Benefits On Wednesday, Britains Chancellor Philip Hammond used his Spring Statement to indicate that May should now veer toward a soft Brexit. Hammond used the Spring Statement, an update on the British economy, to provide a largely upbeat picture. At the same time, he warned that a no-deal Brexit would not only result in short-term pain but could leave the country less prosperous in the longer term. In the event of a soft Brexit, goods and services would be freely traded with EU members without attracting tariffs. Exports would not be subject to border checks. Britain-based financial firms would continue to enjoy the right to sell services and operate branches in the EU. Other non-members like Norway enjoy similar freedoms and continue to have access to the European Economic Area. Further, a soft Brexit would help to release a so-called deal dividend of around 26 billion. Additionally, this would be money saved from the bills Britain currently pays to the EU. It could result in a 20 billion increase in funding to the National Health Service (NHS), according to the British government. Our Choices Mays latest legislative defeat and the rebellion among her partys ranks indicate that a tougher, hard Brexit looks increasingly unlikely. As MPs prepare to vote on delaying the inevitable, a soft Brexit would be uppermost on their minds. This would enable Britain to endure a difficult phase in its history with the least economic strife possible. A soft Brexit would allow British multinationals to retain their global headquarters within the country. It could also save the economy from most of its blushes. This is why it makes sense to invest in British MNCs. However, picking winning stocks may prove to 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. Rio Tinto plc RIO is an international mining company, headquartered in London. Rio Tinto has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and VGM Score of A. The companys expected earnings growth for the current year is 23.8%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 18.7% over the past 30 days. Smith & Nephew plc SNN is a global medical device company. Smith & Nephew has a Zacks Rank #1 and VGM Score of B. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 0.4% over the past 30 days. Endava plc DAVA provides information technology services. Endava has a VGM Score of B. The companys expected earnings growth for the current year is 32%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 4.7 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. AstraZeneca plc AZN is one of the largest biopharmaceutical companies in the world, headquartered in London. AstraZeneca has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and VGM Score of B. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 5.3% over the past 30 days. British American Tobacco p.l.c. BTI is a manufacturer, marketer and seller of tobacco products on a global basis. British American Tobacco has a Zacks Rank #2 and VGM Score of B. The company has expected earnings growth of 8.4% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 2.5% over the past 30 days. Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2018, while the S&P 500 gained +15.8%, five of our screens returned +38.0%, +61.3%, +61.6%, +68.1%, and +98.3%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2018, while the S&P averaged +4.8% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +56.2% per year. See their latest picks 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 AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Smith & Nephew SNATS, Inc. (SNN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Rio Tinto PLC (RIO) : Free Stock Analysis Report British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BTI) : Free Stock Analysis Report Endava PLC Sponsored ADR (DAVA) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Canada and the United States joined authorities around the world on Wednesday and grounded the Boeing Max 8 and Max 9 aircraft, days after the Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed 157. Transport Minister Marc Garneau announced the decision to issue a safety notice restricting commercial use of the aircraft during a press conference on Wednesday, citing new information from satellite tracking data that suggested a possible, although unproven similarity to the deadly Lion Air crash involving the same aircraft in October 2018. Transport Canadas safety notice, which goes into effect immediately, restricts all commercial passenger flights of the Boeing Max 8 and Max 9 aircraft from arriving, departing or overflying Canadian airspace. Until Wednesday, Canada and the United States were among the key holdouts that were not grounding the Boeing aircraft. Garneau said that there was absolutely no political pressure being put on Canada to keep the aircraft, which is manufactured and certified in the U.S., flying. A few hours after Canada announced the safety order, U.S. president Donald Trump said the Federal Aviation Administration will be issuing an emergency order to ground the Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 aircraft in the U.S. effective immediately. The FAA had issued statements as recently as Tuesday saying that there was no evidence that would warrant a grounding of the jet. Boeing said in a statement Wednesday it supports the FAAs decision to temporarily suspend operations of the entire global fleet 371 planes of 737 Max 8 aircraft. While Garneau cautioned that the satellite information obtained on Wednesday is not conclusive and further evidence is required to determine the cause of the crash, he stressed that Canadians need to be able to fly with confidence. There are similarities that sort of exceed a certain threshold in our minds with respect to the possible cause of what happened in Ethiopia, Garneau said Wednesday. Story continues This is not conclusive, but it is something that points possibly in that direction and that is why we are taking these measures. The safety notice will ground all Boeing Max 8s flown by Canadian airlines, including 24 jets belonging to Air Canada, 13 to WestJet Airlines Ltd. and four to Sunwing Airlines. AIRLINES SAY EXPECT DISRUPTIONS, DELAYS An Air Canada Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft is parked next to a gate at Trudeau Airport in Montreal, Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Canadas transport minister says the country is closing air space to the Boeing 737 Max 8 jet following the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines jetliner. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP) Air Canada and WestJet released a statements on Wednesday saying the airlines will comply with Transport Canadas decision immediately. According to Raymond James analyst Ben Cherniavsky, the Boeing 737 Max 8 represents about 10 per cent of both Air Canada and WestJets total fleet. Air Canada said it is working to rebook impacted customers, but given the airline flies on average between 9,000 and 12,000 passengers on 737 Max jets each day, delays in rebooking should be expected. WestJet also said the decision will impact travel plans for some guests. We ask for understanding as we work to rebook all guests affected as quickly as possible, WestJet chief executive Ed Sims said in a statement. Garneau said Canadian passengers should expect disruptions as a result of the safety notice. There is some disruption and yes its unfortunate, but we must put safety at the top of the agenda, Garneau said, adding that the Canadian airlines have been very understanding in dealing with the situation. There will be some disruption, there is no question about that, and hopefully well be able to resolve the issue in the coming weeks and get the Max 8 up and flying. But for the moment, caution has to dominate. Canada had been facing increased pressure to ground the jet, after authorities around the world announced grounding orders, including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), as well as authorities in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands. Sunwing Airlines released a statement late Tuesday that it would temporarily suspend operations of its four Boeing 737 Max 8 jets. Shares of Boeing, the worlds biggest plane maker, have fallen about 13 per cent since Sundays crash, representing approximately $32 billion in market value. Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. By Jamie Freed and Donny Kwok SINGAPORE/HONG KONG (Reuters) - Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd is "reasonably optimistic" about passenger and cargo markets this year despite recognising challenges ahead, its chairman said, after the Hong Kong airline earlier reported a profit for the first time in three years. The challenges include geopolitical discord, global trade tensions and intense competition that could dampen cargo demand as well as passenger demand particularly on long-haul routes in economy class, Chairman John Slosar said in a statement. Cathay raked in a HK$2.35 billion profit ($299.37 million) for the year ended December as it benefited from rising airfares and a turnaround plan designed to lower costs and boost revenue. The result for the year was also aided by out-of-the-money fuel hedges rolling off and was in line with Cathay's guidance for HK$2.3 billion profit issued on Feb. 20. Its projection was more than double analyst estimates at the time and sent shares soaring 9 percent on the day. The airline lost HK$1.25 billion in 2017. Cathay reported HK$111 billion in revenue for 2018, up 14.2 percent, driven by passenger and cargo businesses. This year, Cathay plans to "compete hard" by extending its route network to destinations not currently served from Hong Kong, increasing frequencies on its most popular routes and operating more fuel-efficient aircraft, Slosar said. He told reporters that the airline was in a far better position than it was 12 months ago. Since launching its revamp programme in 2017, Cathay's initiatives have included cutting jobs at its head office and overseas ports, adding more economy class seats to older Boeing 777 jets and hedging fuel for shorter periods. The airline has hedged around 30 percent of its fuel for 2019 at around $65 per barrel, Chief Financial Officer Martin Murray told reporters on Wednesday. Global crude prices are currently at around $67 per barrel. Cathay did a better-than-expected job in containing costs in 2018, Jefferies analyst Andrew Lee said in a note to clients. Story continues Cathay's shares closed 2.3 percent higher. TRADE UNCERTAINTY As one of the world's largest cargo airlines, Cathay benefited from an improving freight market in 2018. However, in January it reported a 5.2 percent fall in traffic, with the pre-Chinese New Year rush not as strong as last year. "Trade uncertainty is yet to be clear," CEO Rupert Hogg said. "Growth in online shopping in e-commerce continues ... actually cross-border air freight is the fastest growing segment. That is a big change." In the passenger market, yields, a proxy for airfares, grew by 5.7 percent last year, with South Asia, the Middle East and Africa the strongest performing markets. The carrier, which lacks a budget arm, last week said it was in "active discussions" about acquiring HNA's Hong Kong Express Airways Ltd, although an agreement has yet to be reached. Slosar on Wednesday declined to comment further. Cathay's financial results are expected to improve further this year, with 16 analysts polled by Refinitiv I/B/E/S expecting an average net profit of HK$4.5 billion. ($1 = 7.8498 Hong Kong dollars) (Reporting by Jamie Freed and Donny Kwok; Editing by Himani Sarkar) By Ron Bousso HOUSTON, March 14 (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell and its partners building a massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal in Western Canada will decide by 2025 whether to double its capacity, the head of the project said. The $31 billion LNG Canada project last October became the first major project in five years to be approved, with first exports of the super-chilled fuel planned for 2025. The second phase of the project will include two new processing lines known as trains that will double the plant's capacity to 28 million tonnes of LNG per year. Andy Calitz, LNG Canada chief executive officer, said a final investment decision (FID) on phase 2 will happen before the plant's initial production starts. "We want to take FID on phase 2 before LNG flows from phase 1. (The partners) want to have some insight overall on the project before FID," Calitz told Reuters in an interview at the CERAWeek conference by IHS Markit. Since LNG Canada was approved, LNG projects were approved in the U.S. Gulf Coast and off the coast of Mauritania and Senegal as producers expect a sharp rise in gas demand, particularly in Asia. Shell's partners are Malaysia's Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), PetroChina Co Ltd, Korea Gas Corp (KOGAS) and Japan's Mitsubishi Corp. (Reporting by Ron Bousso Editing by Marguerita Choy) * Equinor struggling to find new projects -CEO Saetre * Urges politicians to offer acreage, regulations * Equinor to bid in California offshore floating wind By Ron Bousso HOUSTON, March 14 (Reuters) - Norway's energy giant Equinor is struggling to find new renewables project to invest in, its chief executive said on Thursday, urging governments around the world to offer more opportunities. "There aren't enough projects," Eldar Saetre told Reuters in an interview at the CERAWeek by IHS Markit conference in Houston. Equinor, one of the world's largest oil and gas producers, is targeting rapid growth of its renewables business which today includes large offshore wind projects in Europe and the United States. The Norwegian firm, which last year changed its name from Statoil, plans to increase its share of spending on clean energy from 5 percent to 15 to 20 percent by 2030. Rival's Royal Dutch Shell, BP and Total are also expanding their low-carbon businesses as investor pressure rises for the industry to meet targets to cut fossil fuel burning set by the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. Critics warn that profits from renewables can often not rival those from oil and gas. Saetre said governments around the world should offer energy companies more opportunities to develop renewables projects. "We need to access projects that we don't have today ... so that's part of my call for politicians to work hard to offer acreage for solar and wind and regulations to support it." Equinor last year won a license in a large wind farm project off the coast of Massachusetts. It plans to bid for offshore floating wind farms in California planned for later this year or early 2020, according to Christer af Geijerstam, Equinor's head of wind in the United States. Floating wind is significantly more expensive than fixed turbines due to its limited use around the world but its costs are expected to decrease sharply if the technology is deployed more extensively, af Geijerstam said. Story continues Saetre called for government support to advance the technology. Floating wind "is one of the areas where governments need to wake up. It is not so obvious when you come from offshore seabed wind and that's different from floating." "We talk to governments a lot about this and tell them there is an opportunity there. We see it and they might not see it." Equinor set up offices in India, Japan, South Korea and Spain's Canary Islands in recent months to develop renewables businesses, Saetre said. (Reporting by Ron Bousso Editing by Marguerita Choy) Cebu Pacific said Thursday passenger traffic between the Philippines and Australia grew more than 50 percent as of November last year, overtaking rivals Philippine Airlines and Qantas. Data from Australias Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics showed that Cebu Pacific flew 18,971 passengers between Manila, Melbourne and Sydney in November 2018up 56 percent from the same period in 2017. A total of 48,064 passengers traveled between Manila, Melbourne and Sydney on direct connections mounted by Cebu Pacific, PAL and Qantas in November 2018, up 31.3 percent year-on-year. Cebu Pacific passengers comprised 39.5 percent of the total, while PAL garnered a 38.1-percent share. Qantas operates direct service only between Manila and Sydney. The Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics is an agency under Australias Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities. Its mandate is to provide economic analysis, research and statistics on infrastructure, transport and regional development issues for the Australian government. We have an average market share of about 40 percent for our Melbourne and Sydney routes. We are pleased with the strong reception in Melbourne for Cebu Pacific and excited that the CEB Effect of year-round low fare offerings, coupled with our promotions, provide opportunities to visit the Philippines, Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing Candice Iyog said. Cebu Pacific flies five times weekly between Manila and Sydney and thrice a week between Manila and Melbourne. Cebu Pacific said that since the launch of its Melbourne route on Aug, 14, 2018, the capacity between the Philippines and the two cities in Australia increased 32 percent while passenger volume grew 31 percent.Cebu Pacific is the only low-cost carrier with direct services from Manila to Sydney and Melbourne. Fares on CEB are up to 60 percent lower than prevailing fares of other airlines flying the same route. The BITRE report said the expansion of low-cost carriers including Cebu Pacific helped ramp-up tourist arrivals into Australia. Tourism Australia said that from January to November 2018, a total of 140,700 tourists from the Philippines visited Australia, up 11.7 percent year-on-year. Data from the Philippines Department of Tourism also show that Australia is also one of the top sources of tourist arrivals in the Philippines, with close to 243,000 Australians visiting the country in the same 11-month period, up almost 4 percent, as the country gained popularity as a tropical getaway destination, offering more scenic attractions and better value for money than Vietnam, Thailand or Bali. As more brand-new aircraft enters the CEB fleet, we are now in a position to seriously study the possibility of expanding to more destinations in Australia. We are encouraged by our performance in the Australia market. Connecting key cities such as Perth or Cairns would give more Australians easier access to the Philippines and enable more Filipino-Australians to visit family more often, Iyog said. FILE PHOTO: A canola crop used for making cooking oil sits in full bloom on the Canadian prairies near Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada July 11, 2011. REUTERS/Todd Korol/File Photo By Ben Blanchard and Tom Polansek BEIJING/CHICAGO (Reuters) - Canadian agribusiness Richardson International said on Wednesday that canola it shipped to China met regulatory requirements after a Chinese official charged that "hazardous pests" were found in samples taken recently from Canadian canola imports. Beijing this month cancelled Richardson's registration to ship Canadian canola to China, the world's top importer of the oilseed, in the latest sign of tensions between the countries, Reuters reported on Tuesday. Canada and China are locked in a dispute over trade and telecoms technology that has ensnared the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Ltd, the world's largest telecommunications equipment maker, who faces U.S. criminal charges. China foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Wednesday that customs officials had frequently discovered pests in samples taken recently from imports from Canada, which supplies more than 90 percent of Chinese canola imports. Richardson is the largest exporter of Canadian canola to China and its shipments met Chinese requirements, said Jean-Marc Ruest, the company's general counsel and senior vice president of corporate affairs. "We're firmly of the view that there was no substantiation of those allegations," he said in a phone interview. Richardson is working with the Canadian government to end China's block on its canola shipments but does not know how long the suspension will last, Ruest said. Asked about the reason for the suspension, he said: "We can only guess at this point in time. We're a prominent Canadian corporation." Beijing has previously warned of potential curbs on canola imports, citing concerns over fungus in the imports. Canola is used for cooking and as feed for animals and fish. In 2016, China tried to impose tougher standards on levels of foreign material in canola imports, which was seen by some as an effort by China to reduce high domestic stocks. Story continues "Recently China customs frequently detected hazardous pests in imports of Canadian canola, and in one company's imports the problem was particularly serious," Lu said during a regular press briefing. Lu did not identify the company but said the situation led customs to temporarily suspend imports. The latest suspension was completely "reasonable and legal" and aimed at protecting the health and safety of Chinese citizens, Lu said. Canada's agriculture minister said on Tuesday that Canada's food inspection agency had carried out further investigations in response to China's moves and had not identified any pests or bacteria of concern. ICE May canola futures fell for a second straight day, down $2.30 or 0.5 percent, to $455.50 Canadian dollars in midday trading. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard in Beijing and Tom Polansek in Chicago; writing by Dominique Patton; editing by Kenneth Maxwell and Cynthia Osterman) The Zacks Consumer Products Staples industry comprises marketers, producers and distributors of a wide range of consumer products, including personal care items, cleaning equipment, stationery, bed and bath products and household goods like kitchen appliances, cutlery and food storage among others. Some of the industry participants provide batteries and lighting products, while the space also includes food store retailers operating superstores, convenience stores, supermarkets and drugstores. Lets take a look at the three major industry themes: As the industry participants mainly provide essentials used in daily lives, demand for most of the products remains fairly stable. Thus, consumer product players are committed toward unique revenue-boosting initiatives to squeeze out more from their operations. Though demand is relatively stable, competition posed by cheaper alternatives is a concern. Industry players are focused on optimizing portfolio through acquisitions and divestitures, which enable them to increase focus on areas with higher growth potential. Also, companies are adopting prudent pricing strategies to gain market traction. Apart from this, a few companies are making efforts to fortify position through store expansion and reward programs. To keep pace with evolving consumer patterns, several players are enhancing their digital and e-commerce capacities. To this end, they are chalking out digital marketing plans and other investments to boost e-commerce sales. While these endeavors act as major tailwinds, the related costs keep margins under pressure. Also, higher advertising and other growth-related investments are threat to margins. Nevertheless, solid cost-containment and restructuring plans by companies should offer some respite. Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bright Prospects The Zacks Consumer Products Staples industry is housed within the broader Zacks Consumer Staples sector. It currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #57, which places it in the top 22% of more than 250 Zacks industries. The groups Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates encouraging near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. The industrys position in the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of positive earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Given the solid near-term prospects, we will present a few stocks that have the potential to outperform the market. But before that, its worth taking a look at the industrys shareholder returns and current valuation. Industry Lags on Stock Market Performance The Zacks Consumer Products Staples industry has lagged the S&P 500 index over the past year. However, the industry has performed better than the broader Zacks Consumer Staples sector in the same time frame. The industry has lost 1.6% over this period against the S&P 500 indexs rise of 3.8%. Meanwhile, the broader sector has fallen 5%. One-Year Price Performance Story continues Industrys Current Valuation On the basis of forward 12-month Price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, which is commonly used for valuing consumer staples stocks, the industry is currently trading at 16.29X compared with the S&P 500s 16.63X and the sectors 18.06X. Over the last five years, the industry has traded as high as 21.25X, as low as 14.19X, and at the median of 18.26X, as the chart below shows. Price-to-Earnings Ratio (Past 5 Years) Bottom Line Portfolio optimization, product launches and e-commerce developments will continue fueling sales. Also, companies in the space are likely to tide over margin woes with efficient cost-cutting efforts and restructuring plans. However, stiff competition from private players cannot be ignored. None of the stocks in the Consumer Products Staples space currently hold a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). However, we are presenting stocks which are well positioned to capitalize on opportunities. Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. (OLLI): For this value retailer of brand name merchandise, the consensus EPS estimate for the current fiscal year has remained stable over the last 30 days. This Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock has rallied almost 37% over the past year. The company has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 25%. It has an average positive earnings surprise of 7.3% for the trailing four quarters. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Price and Consensus: OLLI Edgewell Personal Care Company (EPC): The consensus EPS estimate for this Zacks Rank #2 company has been stable over the last 30 days. The manufacturer and marketer of personal care items has an average positive earnings surprise of about 25% for the last four quarters. Notably, the stock has gained close to 9% in the past three months. Price and Consensus: EPC Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB): The Zacks Consensus Estimate for this Dallas, Texas-based companys current year EPS has remained stable last 30 days. The company has an estimated long-term earnings growth rate of 5.5%. The Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company has seen its shares rise as much as 10.7% in the past year. Price and Consensus: KMB Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2018, while the S&P 500 gained +15.8%, five of our screens returned +38.0%, +61.3%, +61.6%, +68.1%, and +98.3%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2018, while the S&P averaged +4.8% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +56.2% per year. See their latest picks 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 Ollie's Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc. (OLLI) : Free Stock Analysis Report Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) : Free Stock Analysis Report Edgewell Personal Care Company (EPC) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Investing.com - Cryptocurrencies delivered a mixed performance on Thursday morning in Asia, though price movements in both directions were slight. Traditional finance players took another shot at digital assets. The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS), an international banking regulator, warned of the threat that crypto assets pose to banks and financial stability. The BCBS is a committee of banking supervisory authorities backed by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) whose members include 60 of the worlds central banks. In a warning issued on March 13, the BCBS said the continued growth of crypto-asset trading platforms and new financial products related to crypto-assets has the potential to raise financial stability concerns and increase risks faced by banks. It also noted that crypto tokens do not reliably provide the standard functions of money and are unsafe to rely on as a medium of exchange or store of value. Cryptocurrencies did not move any more than usual on the warning. On Thursday morning in Asia, Bitcoin lost 0.08%% to $3,873.1 by 11:05 PM ET (03:05 AM GMT). Ethereum dropped 0.48% to $132.15 and Litecoin slid 0.40% to $55.91, while XRP was up 1.24% to $0.31397. Crypto investors also took note of Russias adoption of new digital rights legislation, which the State Duma voted in October to enact. The new legislation stipulates how digital rights can be exercised and transferred and formulates rules for digital transactions, including contracts. State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said the digital rights law forms the basis for the development of the digital economy. Russia is embracing crypto fast. It is widely expected that a crypto bill will be adopted by the end of this month. President Vladimir Putin has ordered that crypto regulations be enacted by July. Related Articles Crypto Drops, Report Questions Trading Volumes Winklevoss Capital Partner Sterling Witzke: Dollar Is Not Designed for the Internet, but Stablecoins Are Silvergate Bank Onboarded 59 New Crypto Customers in Q4 2018 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 13, 2019) - American Battery Metals (CSE: ABC) is one of the latest new listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange, having previously traded as First Division Ventures. Michael Mulberry, President and CEO, stated: "For us at American Battery Metals this is more than just a name change. It reinforces our commitment to the new paradigm taking place in energy delivery and storage. We couldn't be more excited to be part of the green energy revolution with our two, U.S. based, energy mineral projects in very friendly mining jurisdictions." For more information, please view the InvestmentPitch Media "video" which provides additional information on the company. If this link is not enabled, please visit www.InvestmentPitch.com and enter "American Battery" in the search box. Cannot view this video? Visit: www.investmentpitch.com/video/0_qd1lm218/American-Battery-Metals-CSEABC-New-Listing The company recently signed an option with Geoxplor Corp to acquire a 100% interest in the 1,074 acre Temple Mountain Property located 34 kilometers north of the town of Hanksville in Emery County, Utah. The area was very active during WWII and continued till 1968, with historical assay data from exploration drill holes showing maximum values of Vanadium oxide of up to 4.97% and Uranium of up to 1.83%. The company also has an option to acquire a 50% interest in the Fish Lake Property, located in Esmeralda County, Nevada, approximately 45 miles south-southwest of Tonapah. Initial mapping and sampling on the property by a previous operator showed values to 600 parts per million lithium in mudstones. Clayton Valley, Nevada, about 25 miles to the east has been the historic center of Nevada lithium production from brines. The company recently raised $1.5 million from the placement of approximately 6 million units priced at $0.25, with each unit consisting of one share and one warrant with each warrant exercisable at $0.50 for 18 months. Story continues For more information, please contact Michael Mulberry, President and CEO, at 778-855-5001 or email mulberry1966@gmail.com. About InvestmentPitch Media InvestmentPitch Media leverages the power of video, which together with its extensive distribution, positions a company's story ahead of the 1,000's of companies seeking awareness and funding from the financial community. The company specializes in producing short videos based on significant news releases, research reports and other content of interest to investors. CONTACT: InvestmentPitch Media Barry Morgan, CFO bmorgan@investmentpitch.com Corporate Logo To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43382 STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Denmark's financial watchdog said on Wednesday a Danish branch of Swedish bank SEB should obtain additional information on customers associated with high money-laundering risk as part of a check-up on the bank. "The Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA) estimates that the branch's inherent risk of being misused for money laundering or financing of terrorism is normal to high in relation to the average of financial businesses in Denmark," the watchdog said in a statement. The FSA carried out its checks on the Danish branch of SEB Kort Bank AB in March 2018 and has just published its findings. SEB Kort Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SEB. The FSA said it was instructing the branch to ensure it gathered additional information on customers that the branch deemed associated with a high risk of money laundering or terror financing. The watchdog said it was also instructing the branch to make sure it was in compliance with anti-money laundering legislation. A statement from Head of SEB Kort Danmark Lars Lorenzen, provided by an SEB spokesman, said the FSA's inspection was routine and had not detected any money laundering abuses. "Since the inspection in March 2018 we have tightened our processes and controls in order to meet the Danish FSA's order, Lorenzen said. Several European banks, including Danske Bank and Sweden's Swedbank, are facing allegations of being involved in a Baltic money laundering scandal. (Reporting by Anna Ringstrom, additional reporting by Esha Vaish and Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen. Editing by Jane Merriman) The DNC's selection of Milwaukee to host the 2020 convention is the latest step in efforts to repair the damage from 2016. As the party seeks a strong challenger to Trump, it faces a delicate balancing act: please its establishment wing, satisfy its expanding base and maintain impartiality. The Democratic National Committee sent a clear message when it announced its 2020 convention would be held in Milwaukee : We don't want a repeat of 2016. That year, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton lost Wisconsin's 10 electoral votes to Republican Donald Trump marking the first time since 1984 that a GOP presidential candidate had won the state. Clinton also lost the Wisconsin primary to Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont democratic socialist who led a surprisingly strong challenge to the Democrats' presumed front-runner. Critics often blame Clinton's failure to campaign in the state for her loss to Trump in the general election. Now, as the 2020 race heats up, the Democratic Party has a made a number of changes to its strategy, rules and bylaws as it struggles to manage a primary process with an unwieldy number of candidates, including Sanders. As the party seeks a strong challenger to Trump, it faces a delicate balancing act: please its establishment wing, satisfy its expanding base and maintain impartiality. "They need to be as transparent as possible," said Doug Sosnik, a former senior advisor to President Bill Clinton, to prove "that they're being an honest broker and not leaning toward one candidate." DNC Chairman Tom Perez, who stepped in after the 2016 election, told CNBC the organization is aware of its past errors and has "passed the most wide-ranging reforms in decades." Here are the key steps the DNC is taking to repair its damage from the 2016 campaign, from blowback over so-called superdelegates to the Russian email hack. Dialing back superdelegates The DNC at its meeting in Chicago last summer changed its rules around how hundreds of party insiders known as superdelegates can influence the selection of the presidential nominee. In 2016, superdelegates, who could vote for any candidate, unlike pledged delegates, overwhelmingly supported Clinton. Sanders' supporters said the constant publicity surrounding superdelegates' intentions tainted the primary process by making Clinton appear to have an insurmountable lead in the race. Story continues In 2020, superdelegates will get to vote on the first ballot only if a nominee has already won enough pledged votes to capture the nomination. They will get to vote on subsequent rounds in the unlikely event that the primary process hasn't identified a winner. The last time a nominee didn't win enough pledged delegates on the first round was 1952. But with the possibility of more than 20 candidates in the current contest, anything could happen. Sanders in August called the move "an important step forward." He later told Vermont Public Radio, "It is absurd that ... one candidate could start with 500 superdelegates supporting her before the very first ballot in a real caucus or primary was cast," he said. "That's wrong. I think it's indefensible, and that's what the DNC concluded." Some progressives would like to see superdelegates abolished completely. "It smacks of elitism," said Cenk Uygur, founder of progressive news network "TYT" and host of The Young Turks, who supported Sanders in 2016. He says the media's relentless accounting of superdelegates pledged to Clinton skewed public perception in her favor. "I'm hoping the rule change gets rid of that," Uygur said. The party has taken other measures to democratize the primary process. It has reduced the number of caucus states from 18 to 12, and for those remaining, new requirements such as the availability of absentee ballots aim to make them more accessible. In addition, the DNC said it is encouraging states to offer same-day party switching and registration for the primaries to increase participation. Debating exposure The DNC took heat for limiting the number of debates during the 2016 primary and scheduling many of them on weekends when fewer viewers would tune in. The number eventually expanded from six to nine , but many Sanders' supporters charged the committee with trying to help Clinton by limiting exposure to his leftist message. Ahead of 2020, the DNC has scheduled a dozen debates , with the first two coming in June and July 2019. The number of participants is capped at 20 and some could be aired over two consecutive nights. The field could well exceed that tally. Already more than a dozen have jumped in, including Sanders, Sens. Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker, as well as Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper. Former three-term Rep. Beto O'Rourke joined the race Thursday. Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive front-runner in early polling, is still mulling a run. To qualify, a candidate would need to have 1 percent support in three national polls or raise money from at least 65,000 donors from 20 states and 200 unique donors in each of those states. Perez said his goals include giving the grassroots a bigger voice and reaching as many potential voters as possible, telling CNBC the "primary debate process is focused on maximizing inclusion and fairness. " Uygur would like to see even more debates. "Every time you have a debate, you are spreading the Democratic message," he said. "It's free advertising." He added that a crowded field will be good for the eventual nominee: "They'll pass the test of the primaries and be strengthened" by it. Not all observers agree. A post from Fivethirtyeight.com , a site that crunches polling numbers and analyzes data, said a crowded podium could muddy the waters, keep weaker candidates afloat for longer and hurt the party's chance of winning the general election. The analysis used the crowded 2016 Republican debates as an example. "If 2016 is any guide, unwieldy debates among lots of candidates who are polling in the low single digits won't result in a few of the strongest competitors separating themselves from the pack, which is undoubtedly what the party would prefer." One thing is nearly certain as the field continues to expand: "This will be a long primary process," said Sosnik. "A lot of states will matter." Digital upgrades The Russian email hack of 2016 and subsequent publication of those messages via WikiLeaks exposed the party's security measures and highlighted internal dysfunction that led to many of the current reforms. It also led to a federal investigation into possible collusion in the 2016 election between the Trump campaign and Russia, which in turn came under the supervision of special counsel Robert Mueller. To beef up security ahead of the 2018 midterm elections , the DNC invested in infrastructure and hired new cybersecurity staff from Silicon Valley. The DNC told CNBC it has also forged stronger ties with the FBI and other federal agencies and has implemented mandatory training sessions for staff to help them recognize phishing, which led to the 2016 hack, and other potential threats. More recently it issued a " Device and Account Security Check-list " to campaigns that recommends basic security measures like encrypting laptops, setting a login PIN for devices, beefing up passwords and using two-factor authentication. The party is encouraging individual campaigns to reach out for help and guidance as 2020 contests rev up. " We know that our adversaries are already hard at work," Perez said. "That's why our team is continually upgrading our tools and working with the entire Democratic ecosystem to improve our overall security posture." More From CNBC FILE - This Nov. 21, 2018, file photo shows President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla. A company run by a donor to Trump claimed it could provide Chinese clients with a chance to mingle and take photos with the president, along with access to his private club at Mar-a-Lago. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) A company run by a donor to President Donald Trump claimed it could provide Chinese clients with a chance to mingle and take photos with the president, along with access to his private club in Palm Beach, Florida. It remains unclear how much Li Yang charged for the services and whether she was ever hired to provide them. But the company's claims and other eyebrow-raising activity, which were first reported by The Miami Herald and Mother Jones, mark the latest in a litany of complications and ethical issues stemming from Trump continuing to own and operate a private club where dues-paying members and their guests rub shoulders with the president of the United States and his family, friends, White House staff and members of his Cabinet. The Associated Press has previously reported that aides who accompany the president on frequent trips to the club are always on alert for club members and guests with nearly unlimited access who like to buttonhole the president. They raise pet projects, make policy suggestions and share oddball ideas ranging from the benefits of nuclear-powered cars to personal plans for Mideast peace. Former administration officials have described the lengths to which aides have gone to try to run interference, including reserving the dinner table next to Trump's to keep as close an eye on him as possible and scanning guest lists for visitors who might prove problematic. Yang appears to be a relative newcomer to Palm Beach's political scene. GY US Investments LLC, a company she registered in 2017, according to Florida state documents, describes itself on a now-defunct, mostly Chinese website as an international business consulting firm. The firm "provides public relations services to assist businesses in America to establish and expand their brand image in the modern Chinese marketplace," according to a translation of the page accessed through an internet archive service. That has included, the website claims, access to presidential dinners and roundtables, White House events, photo opportunities and "VIP" activities including the "opportunity to interact with the president, the Minister of Commerce and other political figures." Story continues The site also featured numerous photographs, including a picture of Trump's Mar-a-Lago club and photographs of Yang with Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and former White House aide Sebastian Gorka. Yang is described on the website as the company's "Founder CEO," as well as a member of a "Presidential Fundraising Committee" and a "Presidential club member." Yang and the company did not respond to messages seeking comment, nor did the Trump Organization or Mar-a-Lago. The Republican National Committee said in a statement that "in order for anyone to attend an event where they will be in arm's length of the president, they must pass the Secret Service vetting process. Additionally, Trump Victory only accepts contributions from American citizens in accordance with the law. We vehemently deny any wrongdoing on the part of the RNC or Trump Campaign." Christian Ziegler, vice chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, played down the significance of the webpage and photos Yang has posted of herself with the president and other prominent Republican politicians. "Anyone can buy tickets to any event and I'm assuming that is what she had done," Ziegler said. "I've never met the lady and I could never pick her out of a police lineup." He added: "I know the media, Democrats, the left is going to try to do everything to connect her with us, but she had zero role with us. It just looks like she attended some events and took some pictures." In China, however, pictures can be an end unto themselves, giving an appearance of influence. Pictures with famous people are especially valued in the country, where personal relationships and connections carry special weight in business and politics. Mother Jones on Saturday detailed Yang's efforts to provide Chinese clients access to Trump and his circle. The Miami Herald on Saturday reported that Yang arranged for a large group of Chinese business executives to attend a paid fundraiser for Trump in New York City at the end of 2017. Only citizens and permanent residents can donate to U.S. political campaigns, and it would be illegal for foreign nationals to pay back a U.S. citizen who had purchased their tickets to a fundraiser. A Republican fundraiser told the AP on Sunday that patrons attending a Republican National Committee dinner at Mar-a-Lago last year noticed a large contingent of Chinese attendees. There was a discussion afterward about making sure they were vetted, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. The Herald on Friday also published a photo of Yang with Trump at a Super Bowl party at his West Palm Beach country club and reported on the link between Yang and the spa where New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was charged with soliciting prostitution. Yang was a former owner of the spa. Yang wasn't charged in a multiagency anti-human trafficking operation that resulted in 25 arrests, including Kraft's, and shut down 10 Asian day spas in South Florida last month. None of the spas is registered to Yang or her family. She sold the Jupiter spa to Hua Zhang around 2013. Zhang was charged with racketeering and running a house of prostitution and has pleaded not guilty. Yang's family still owns several South Florida spas. ___ Schneider contributed from Orlando, Fla. Associated Press writer Zeke Miller in New York contributed to this report. The stock market fell slightly Thursday after a healthy Wall Street lead was offset by more disappointing Chinese economic data. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slipped 15.73 points, or 0.2 percent, to 7,750.42 on a value turnover of P5.6 billion. Losers beat gainers, 107 to 77, with 49 issues unchanged. Conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei lost 2.4 percent to P61.70, while San Miguel Food and Beverage Inc. declined 3.1 percent to P104.10. First Gen Corp. of the Lopez Group fell 3 percent to P20.85, while Wilcon Depot Inc., a leading home improvement and construction material supplier, dropped 1.5 percent to P15.40. The pound, meanwhile, retreated from nine-month highs in Asia on Thursday as investors are dogged by Brexit uncertainty, while equities were mixed as a healthy Wall Street lead was offset by more disappointing Chinese economic data. In another night of drama in Westminster, MPs voted against leaving the European Union without a deal, having rejected Prime Minister Theresa Mays agreement with the bloc for a second time. The move sent the pound soaring to highs not seen since June, with most observers warning that a no-deal divorce would hammer the British economy. However, the currency retreated from those highs in Asia, with lawmakers due to vote on whether to extend the March 29 deadline for leaving. Elsewhere, Tokyo shed earlier gains to end flat and Hong Kong finished up 0.2 percent. Taipei closed in the red, though Sydney, Seoul, Singapore and Wellington were in positive territory.May has warned that if MPs do not adopt her pact there could be a lengthy delay to Brexit that would see Britain taking part in European Parliament elections in May. The Brexit soap opera continued with... parliament voting, as expected, against leaving the European Union without a deal, said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA. Sterling inevitably rose overnight as traders piled into the hope-vs-reality trade. But he added: Being irrationally exuberant on the pound could be a dangerous trade at these lofty levels in the short-term. No one has actually asked the Europeans what they want, and they may yet impose potentially unpalatable conditions as the price of an (exit) extension. On equity markets Shanghai sank 1.2 percent after figures showed factory output grew slower than forecast in the first two months of the year, while retail sales and investment were broadly in line with expectations. The tepid readings highlighted weakness in the worlds number two economy and reinforced the need for measures by the Chinese government to kickstart growth as the global economy stutters and the US trade war drags on. The data means the economy will take a longer time to bottom out as industrial production and consumption are still under pressure despite the rebound in investment, Liu Peiqian, Asia strategist at Natwest Markets PLC, told Bloomberg News. Traders will be keeping a close eye on closing remarks at the annual National Peoples Congress on Friday for an idea about leaders plans. By Ron Bousso HOUSTON (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil Corp is considering exploring for oil and gas in Israel, said a person with direct knowledge of the matter, in what would make Exxon the first oil major to operate in the country still technically at war with Gulf Arab states. A number of large gas discoveries offshore Israel and in nearby eastern Mediterranean waters in the last decade have made Israel a potentially lucrative prospect for big energy firms. The region is emerging as a new hot spot for gas exploration and production. Until those discoveries, Israel was believed to be sitting on scant oil and gas reserves. There was little reason for energy firms to explore for energy in Israel and risk complicating operations and future investments in nearby Arab countries that hold some of the world's largest energy reserves. Exxon executives held talks with Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz in Houston this week about bidding for the right to explore and pump oil from offshore blocks in an auction that Israel will hold in June, said the person with direct knowledge. Exxon, the world's largest publicly traded oil company, recently acquired a $50,000 data package from the Israeli energy ministry for the auction, the person said. An Exxon team also visited a data center set up by the ministry in Jerusalem, the source said. That center holds detailed information about the geology of the sub-sea rocks, believed to hold up to 75 trillion cubic feet of gas and 6.6 billion barrels of oil, according to estimates. Exxon declined comment. Israel's energy ministry declined comment. In February, Exxon announced a major gas discovery in Cyprus together with its partner Qatar Petroleum. That field is near two other huge gas finds in the region: Leviathan off Israel and Zohr off Egypt. The U.S. major and competitors such as Royal Dutch Shell and France's Total have avoided investing in Israel, for fear of souring relationships with the governments of giant regional oil and gas producers such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq. Those countries do not recognize Israel. Exxon is one of the biggest foreign investors in Qatar. It also has refining and petrochemical operations in Saudi Arabia, and produces oil and gas in Iraq and the United Arab Emirates. President Donald Trump has angered the Arab world and stoked international concern with changes to U.S. policy in the region, including moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged oil and gas companies to use their clout in world markets to advance the Trump administration's foreign policy agenda. That included helping the administration's efforts to isolate Israel's arch-enemy Iran, and Venezuela. (GRAPHIC: East Mediterranean gas - https://tmsnrt.rs/2O5muhW) MEDITERRANEAN GAS HUB The discovery and development of major fields off the coasts of Egypt, Israel and Cyprus have led to the development of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum, a partnership created in January between seven countries, including those three, to create a regional gas market. Steinitz met with U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry on Monday on the sidelines of an energy conference in Houston to discuss this partnership. He also held talks with his regional counterparts. "We are just at the tip of the iceberg... Israel and Cyprus are little countries, but they have a good chance to become exporters in the future," Steinitz said during a panel discussion at CERAWeek. "It's also important that we have the strong backing from the United States of America." Israel gas production is dominated today by a handful of local, Greek and U.S. companies. The country became a producer in 2013 with the launch of the Tamar field, operated by U.S. explorer Noble Energy Inc. Noble is developing the Leviathan and is scheduled to begin production later this year. Israel hopes that the coming licensing round will draw significantly larger interest than a previous round when only two companies bid amid skepticism about its ability to sell and export the fuel. Israel has signed major export deals with Jordan and Egypt over the past two years, opening new markets to companies looking to sell Israeli gas. Egypt also saw rapid growth in natural gas production following the discovery of giant fields in the Mediterranean. Several other major oil and gas companies are considering bidding in the licensing round, which closes June 17, according to the source. (Reporting by Ron Bousso; Editing by Simon Webb and Howard Goller) By Tom Sims and John O'Donnell FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The German government has pressured Deutsche Bank into merger talks with state-backed Commerzbank amid concerns for the health of the country's flagship bank, according to officials familiar with the matter. WHY IS THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT WORRIED ABOUT DEUTSCHE BANK? Deutsche, the largest bank in Germany, Europe's biggest economy, emerged unscathed from the financial crash but later lost its footing. In 2016, the International Monetary Fund called the bank the world's biggest potential risk among peers to the financial system because of its links to other banks. German officials fear that a recession or big fine, for example, could derail the bank's fragile recovery. Berlin wants a reliable national banking champion to support its export-led economy, known for cars and machine tools. Deutsche and other European banks have taken longer to recover from the financial crisis, losing ground to stronger rivals from the United States. WHY COMMERZBANK? Other than Deutsche, Commerzbank is Germany's only remaining big bank, after a series of mergers. The government holds a 15 percent stake after bailing it out during the crisis, giving it an important voice. Commerzbank, like Deutsche, has struggled to rebound, and German officials say it is vulnerable to a foreign takeover. If an international rival snapped it up, that would increase competition for Deutsche on its home turf. Berlin also wants to keep Commerzbank's specialty - the funding of medium-sized companies, the backbone of the economy - in German hands. WHAT WOULD A COMBINED DEUTSCHE AND COMMERZBANK LOOK LIKE? The merged bank would have roughly 1.8 trillion euros in assets, such as loans and investments, and a market value of about 25 billion euros ($28 billion). It would have one fifth of the German retail banking market. Together, Deutsche and Commerzbank operate 2,500 branches in Germany and employ 140,000 people worldwide. A merger puts at least 10,000 jobs at risk, according to unions. WHO IS FOR AND WHO IS AGAINST A MERGER? Proponents of a merger include the German government and U.S. investor Cerberus, which is a shareholder in both banks. Opponents include some other shareholders in Deutsche Bank and labor unions. Deutsche's chief executive officer Christian Sewing would prefer to have more time to stabilize the bank before taking on a merger, people familiar with the matter have said. WHAT IS THE STATUS OF TALKS? In February, Deutsche's management board gave Sewing the go-ahead for exploratory talks with Commerzbank, a person with knowledge of the matter said. There have been contacts among a small circle of executives. Talks could end without a deal, the person said. With the talks now out in the open, and Berlin still pushing for a deal, the companies are under pressure to figure out the mechanics of a fusion and decide whether or not it is workable. That decision is seen within weeks. WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF A MERGER? One of the biggest risks is how to fill what one German official has told Reuters will be a multi-billion-euro financial hole because a merger could trigger an adjustment to the valuation of some bank investments. Commerzbank, for example, has about 30.8 billion euros of debt securities such as Italian bonds that now have a value of 27.7 billion euros - a drop of 3.1 billion euros. A tie-up could crystallize this loss. Deutsche has such securities at market value in its accounts. The deal would make the German government a shareholder in the country's largest bank and executives would want to curb its influence. The two banks could also get bogged down with restructuring, such as integrating different technology systems, losing ground to rivals. OTHER THAN A MERGER, ARE THERE OTHER OPTIONS FOR DEUTSCHE BANK? German officials have held exploratory talks about merging Deutsche and UBS but there was little interest in Switzerland, people familiar with the matter have said. These officials believe that sticking with Deutsche's current course of cutting back costs and scaling back high-risk banking offers scant hope of a turnaround. The continued pressure from Berlin makes it harder for Deutsche to go it alone. Merging with a state-owned lender, in the officials' view, offers a safe harbor. If talks do unravel, however, Deutsche could respond to pressure from some investors to make further cuts to the investment bank, especially in the United States. DEUTSCHE GETS A LOT OF BAD PRESS. WHAT HAS IT BEEN ABOUT? Deutsche has long been unpopular with ordinary Germans because it was seen by many as a symbol of capitalist excess. Its image has been tarnished by numerous lawsuits and billions of dollars in fines. These included alleged "conspiracy" to rig the price of financial market bets and sham trades between Moscow and London that moved money from Russia abroad. In its latest financial report, Deutsche has set aside 1.2 billion euros for litigation. That is a fraction of earlier years but nonetheless more than three times its 2018 profit. WHAT IS DEUTSCHE DOING RIGHT? The bank has dealt with the bulk of legal action going back to the economic crash, and has improved its finances. Announcing the first profit since 2014 last year, CEO Sewing said the group was "on the right track". But German officials were not convinced and continued to push for talks with Commerzbank. He has now bowed to that pressure. (Reporting by Tom Sims and John O'Donnell. Editing by Jane Merriman) FAA Grounds Boeing 737 Max Jets in Reversal of Earlier Stance U.S. regulators are grounding all Boeing 737 Max jets less than 24 hours after the Federal Aviation Administration issued a statement saying there was no basis to order U.S. carriers to stop flying the airplanes. The order covers not just the Boeing 737-8 models flown by American Airlines and Southwest Airlines the type that has been involved in two accidents in five months but also Boeing 737-9s flown by United Airlines. The aircraft are similar, though Uniteds models are larger. The FAA is ordering the temporary grounding of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operated by U.S. airlines or in U.S. territory, the agency said in a statement. The agency made this decision as a result of the data gathering process and new evidence collected at the site and analyzed today. This evidence, together with newly refined satellite data available to FAA this morning, led to this decision. The FAA did not say when the ban could be lifted, but suggested it probably could last at least until investigators review the flight data recorder and cockpit voice reporter from Sundays Boeing 737 Max 8 crash in Ethiopia. The FAA last grounded a major passenger aircraft in 2013, when it barred operators from flying Boeing 787s for more than three months because of a battery issue. The FAA was the last major authority to order airlines to stop flying the Max. Others moved faster after Sunday, when an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737-8 crashed just after takeoff. By the the time President Donald Trump announced a Max ban on Wednesday, China, Europe and Canada had already closed their airspace to Boeings newest narrow-body jet. Some early-moving regulators admitted they had few specific facts suggesting the airplane was unsafe, but preferred to err on the side of caution. It is far too early to know the cause of Sundays crash, but observers have noted it may have some similarities to the Lion Air crash in October. Investigators have said a sensor failed in that crash, causing the highly automated airplane to sense it was in stall. It automatically pushed the nose down, officials said, and pilots could not recover. Story continues The United States appeared ready to buck the grounding trend with regulators, airlines and pilot unions saying they had no cause for concern. As recently as Tuesday night, the FAA told reporters it had been reviewing data and found no reason to order operators to stop flying the jets. Boeing had pushed regulators and airlines to keep flying the airplanes. But in a statement Wednesday, Boeing said it supported the governments action. Boeing has determined out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircrafts safety to recommend to the FAA the temporary suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of 371 737 MAX aircraft, Boeing said. Effect on U.S. Travelers Because the aircraft is so new Boeing only delivered its first Max in 2017 U.S. carriers dont fly many of them. So far, Southwest has the largest Max fleet with 34 aircraft, while American has 24. United has just 14. American and United have massive fleets, and should be able to continue operating close to their normal schedules even with the groundings. Including regional aircraft, American has more than 1,500 planes, while United has more than 1,300. Our teams will be working to rebook customers as quickly as possible, and we apologize for any inconvenience, American said in a statement. Southwest likely will have more trouble. It has just 750 aircraft, and its fleet had been stretched already. Southwest, which is locked in a labor dispute with its mechanics, has had far more planes out of service for maintenance than usual in recent months. Subscribe to Skift newsletters covering the business of travel, restaurants, and wellness. (Bloomberg) -- Facebook is undergoing one of its most widespread and persistent system outages, with users across the globe unable to access its social network and services from Instagram to Messenger for much of Wednesday, and into Thursday. From about noon New York time Wednesday, users encountered only partially loaded pages or no content at all, accompanied by a message saying an error had occurred. Several brand marketers tweeted that Facebooks ad-buying system was down as well. The company said it was still investigating the overall impact, including the possibility of refunds for advertisers. Ad sales are the companys lifeblood and persistent difficulties could be costly. Based on 2019 sales estimates, Facebook Inc. is projected to generate average daily revenue of about $189 million. Facebook shares were down 2.3 percent during pre-market trading at 6:51 a.m. in New York Thursday. Reports on Downdetector, a website for reporting problems on applications and websites, have ranged from troubles logging into accounts to an inability to post comments or photos. Regions affected include the New York area, parts of California and the Seattle region, according to Downdetector. Other problem locations include Japan, the Philippines, Peru and major cities in Australia. Users cited snags not only with Facebook, but also photo-sharing site Instagram, messaging tools Messenger and Whatsapp and Oculus virtual reality devices. Instagram however resumed service shortly after midnight, the app tweeted from its official Twitter account. Some users encountered a message indicating Facebook was down for maintenance. Were aware that some people are currently having trouble accessing the Facebook family of apps. Were working to resolve the issue as soon as possible, a Facebook spokesperson said. The timing of a major outage is sub-optimal for Facebook, already embattled by revelations it failed to safeguard user data or stanch the spread of hate speech, fake news and other forms of disinformation. Facebooks reputation was tarnished after its platform was used by Russian trolls to interfere in the U.S. presidential election in 2016. Story continues A U.S. Justice Department investigation into the companys data-sharing practices broadened to include a grand jury, a person with knowledge of the matter said Wednesday. The stock had climbed less than a percent to $173.37 as of the close of U.S. trading, and it has lost more than 20 percent since reaching a peak on July 25. (Updates with shares in 4th paragraph.) --With assistance from Maggie Otte. To contact the reporters on this story: Brandon Kochkodin in New York at bkochkodin@bloomberg.net;Sarah Frier in San Francisco at sfrier1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Tom Giles at tgiles5@bloomberg.net, Jillian Ward, Andrew Pollack For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. (Reuters) - The United States on Wednesday became the latest to join the long list of countries around the globe to ground Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft following Sunday's deadly plane crash in Ethiopia. Boeing has said that the investigation into the crash remains in its early stages and it has no basis to issue new guidance to operators. Here is what airlines and regulators worldwide have said: AEROMEXICO The Mexican airline said it suspended the operation of its six MAX 8 planes and those flights would be covered by the rest of its fleet. AMERICAN AIRLINES The company said it remained fully confident in the aircraft. Mechanics' union TWU has urged the company's chief executive to ground MAX 8s. AUSTRALIA'S CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY The regulator said it had suspended the operation of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to or from the country. BERMUDA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY The British overseas territory's aviation authority said it prohibited MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft from its airspace. BRAZIL'S AIR TRAVEL REGULATOR, GOL LINHAS AEREAS INTELIGENTES SA The Brazilian regulator said it was not grounding the aircraft. Gol, which operates seven MAX 8s, said it was suspending use of the aircraft. CANADA'S TRANSPORT MINISTRY, AIR CANADA, WESTJET AIRLINES Canada Transport Minister Marc Garneau said Ottawa would stop 737 MAX 8 and 9 planes from flying into, out of or over Canadian airspace. Air Canada said customers could expect delays in re-booking and in reaching its call centres. Its 737 MAX operations on average fly 9,000-12,000 passengers every day. WestJet said it is contacting impacted passengers to arrange alternate travel plans. CAYMAN AIRWAYS The airline said it had grounded both its MAX 8 jets. CHINA'S AVIATION REGULATOR The regulator grounded 96 MAX 8s including those operated by Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines. COMAIR The South African airline said it would remove 737 MAX8 jets from its schedule. It has ordered eight aircraft of this type but has only received one. Story continues EUROPEAN AVIATION SAFETY AGENCY The European Union's aviation safety agency has suspended all flights in the bloc by 737-8 and 737-9 airplanes. ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES The airline whose plane crashed on Sunday, killing all 157 on board, grounded the remaining four of its 737 MAX 8 fleet on Monday. The company's chief executive officer said Boeing should ground all of its 737 MAX 8 jets until it is established that they are safe to fly. CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF FIJI, FIJI AIRWAYS The airline and the authority temporarily grounded the carrier's two 737 MAX planes, saying they had confidence in the model's airworthiness but would suspend flights out of deference to public concern and regulatory action around the world. HONG KONG'S CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT The agency said operation of all 737 max aircraft into, out of and over Hong Kong will be temporarily prohibited. INDIAN MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION, SPICEJET, JET AIRWAYS India says it will not allow 737 MAX aircraft to enter or transit its airspace. SpiceJet, which has 12 MAX 8s and another 155 MAX planes on order, said it expects to complete the grounding of those planes on Wednesday. Jet Airways said it is not flying the aircraft. IRAQ'S CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY Iraq banned 737 MAX aircraft from entering or transiting its airspace. KAZAKHSTAN'S CIVIL AVIATION COMMITTEE Kazakhstan suspended 737 Max flights. Only one aircraft of that make is registered in the Central Asian nation, belonging to a privately-owned Scat airline. KUWAIT CIVIL AVIATION The aviation authority banned MAX 8 aircraft from its airspace, state news agency KUNA said. MACAU'S CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY The regulator says it is suspending approvals of requests by airlines to use the 737 MAX. There are no such aircraft currently registered in Macau. MIAT MONGOLIAN AIRLINES The state airline, which rented one 737 MAX from Feb. 1, grounded the aircraft. It had signed a contract to rent three Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft and was planning to rent the other two later this year. NIGERIA'S MINISTER OF AVIATION Nigeria has issued a warning to all airline operators not to operate 737, MAX 8s and 9s into and outside any airport in the country until the cause of the crashed Ethiopian Airline plane is made known, the minister said. NORWEGIAN AIR The company will temporarily ground its MAX 8 passenger jets at the advice of European regulators. It operates 18 MAX jets. Norwegian also said it will seek compensation from Boeing for costs and lost revenue. NEW ZEALAND'S CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY The regulator suspended MAX aircraft from flying to or from the country, saying Fiji Airways would be the only airline affected.] S7 AIRLINES Russian S7 Airlines said it would ground its two MAX 8 planes starting Wednesday and that the decision would not affect its flight schedules. SINGAPORE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY, SINGAPORE AIRLINES Singapore's Civil Aviation Authority suspended operations of all Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in and out of the country. Singapore Airlines said its unit Silk Air, which operates 6 MAX 8 planes, has temporarily withdrawn them from service. SOUTH KOREA TRANSPORT MINISTRY, EASTAR JET South Korea said it is conducting an emergency inspection on Eastar Jet's two MAX 8 jets. Budget carrier Eastar Jet said it would temporarily ground its two 737 MAX 8s from Wednesday. SOUTHWEST AIRLINES Southwest, the world's largest operator of the 737 MAX 8, said it remained fully confident in the aircraft and was closely monitoring the investigation, but would waive any fare-difference charges for customers who wish to switch to another aircraft. SWISS FEDERAL OFFICE OF CIVIL AVIATION The EU's suspensions of all flights by Boeing 737 MAX 8 is also valid for Switzerland, the Swiss federal office of civil aviation said. CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF THAILAND The regulator said it is suspending the use of the Thai Lion Air's Boeing 737 MAX 9 for seven days due to safety concerns. THE UNITED STATES U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States was going to order grounding of all Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9. "We are going to be issuing an emergency order of prohibition to ground all flights of the 737 MAX 8 and the 737 MAX 9 and planes associated with that line," Trump told reporters at the White House. TUI AIRWAYS Germany's TUI Group, the largest leisure, travel and tourism company in the world, said it was discontinuing all Boeing 737MAX 8 flights. TURKEY TRANSPORT MINISTRY, TURKISH AIRLINES The ministry has suspended all flights by the 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 models, Anadolu news agency said. The announcement came after Turkish Airlines said it had suspended its 12 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. UAE GENERAL CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY, FLYDUBAI The civil aviation regulator banned the operation of all MAX models in UAE airspace, Emirates News Agency (WAM) said. Flydubai, which has 11 MAX 8 aircraft in its fleet, according to Flightradar24, is the only UAE airline operating the MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft. UK CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY Britain suspended flights of the 737 MAX aircraft over its territory. UKRAINE AVIATION AUTHORITY Ukraine has suspended all flights of 737-8 and 737-9 MAX aircrafts inside its territory. UZBEKISTAN'S CIVIL AVIATION AGENCY Uzbekistan's civil aviation agency on Wednesday barred 737 Max jets from taking off or landing at local airports for one month. VIETNAM'S CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY The agency said it banned 737 MAX aircraft from Vietnamese airspace. VIRGIN AUSTRALIA The Australian airline said it would continue to work with Boeing; the airline, which does not have any 737 MAX 8 aircraft,said its first delivery was not due until November. (Compiled by Alexander Cornwell in Dubai, Chandini Monnappa and Uday Sampath in Bengaluru and Sayantani Ghosh in Singapore; Editing by Alexander Smith and Robert Birsel) ATLANTA, GA, March 11, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE GeoVax Labs, Inc. (GOVX), a biotechnology company developing human vaccines and immunotherapies using its novel viral vector platform technology, today provided an update on its progress and development programs. David Dodd, GeoVax President and CEO, commented, We continue to advance GeoVaxs development programs on multiple fronts with an expanding list of world-class government, academic and corporate collaborators, as further described in this update. I am pleased with what the GeoVax team has accomplished during 2018 and so far in 2019, but I also recognize that our constrained capital resources continue to limit our ability to meaningfully advance our products as rapidly as we would like. Going forward, we will continue to evaluate options to secure the capital needed to proceed with our business plan, especially to advance further programs into human clinical testing. We view this as critical to our overall corporate development and enhancement of shareholder value. I remain highly optimistic about the future of our company and I look forward to sharing additional news in the coming months. All of us at GeoVax wish to thank our shareholders for their continued support as GeoVax progresses toward a status of having multiple clinical programs underway, addressing various infectious diseases and cancer indications, having a capital structure that supports continued execution of our strategy and business plan. A few highlights from 2018 and early 2019 include: Immuno-oncology - A Promising and Expanding Program. We began 2018 with a single program in this area (tumor-associated MUC1 vaccines) supported by two collaborations (University of Pittsburgh and ViaMune) and that work is continuing to expand and advance. During 2018, we added four more collaborations to expand our footprint in this space -- with Vaxeal Holding SA (Cyclin B1 tumor-associated antigen), Emory University (HPV-related head and neck cancers), Virometix AG (also for HPV-related cancers), and Leidos, Inc. (multiple potential cancer targets). We believe immuno-oncology to be important for the future of GeoVax and we intend to vigorously pursue development of these programs. Raising sufficient capital will be key to rapidly advancing in this area. Story continues Defense Department Grant - Our First Entree into the U.S. Government Biodefense System. In September the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awarded us a $2.4 million grant to support our Lassa Fever vaccine program. The DoD will also fund testing of our vaccine by U.S. Army scientists at USAMRIID under a separate sub-award. This grant represented an important advance by GeoVax into the critical area of biodefense which we believe represents a significant growth area for the application of our technology and expertise. HIV Cure Program - New, Exciting Possibilities. Our collaboration with American Gene Technologies International, Inc. (AGT), for use of our vaccine in combination with AGTs gene therapy for development of a functional cure for HIV, is on track to enter a Phase 1 trial sponsored by AGT. AGT anticipates starting the trial during the second half of 2019. We are also in discussions with two other consortiums for the possible use of our vaccine in similar efforts toward developing a cure for HIV infection. We expect that one or both of these studies may begin in late 2019 or early 2020. HIV Prevention Program - Continued Progress with NIH Support. In October, positive results from HVTN 114, a phase 1 trial of our preventive HIV vaccine, were presented at the HIVR4P conference in Madrid. The clinical trial program for our preventive HIV vaccine continues to be supported by the NIH and the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN), with the next study (HVTN 132) expected to commence later this year. Furthermore, during President Trumps recent State of the Union address, he committed to pursuing the elimination of HIV within the next decade. We view our preventive vaccine developments as being critical and core to this initiative. NIH Support for our Lassa Fever and Zika Programs. In April the NIH awarded us a Fast-Track Phase I/II SBIR grant for our Lassa Fever vaccine with an anticipated total project budget of up to $1.9 million. In May we received $300,000 for the second year of the NIH SBIR grant for our Zika vaccine. Both of these grants support preclinical testing of our vaccines in non-human primates in preparation for human clinical trials. New Collaborations - New Opportunities. In addition to the new collaborations described above, we continue to work with the Burnet Institute in Australia on our malaria vaccine program and with Georgia State University on our Hepatitis B immunotherapy program. We also added new collaborations with Scripps Research, Institute of Human Virology, and the Geneva Foundation for our Lassa Fever program; and with Enesi Pharma for developing a novel vaccine delivery platform utilizing several of our vaccines. And we recently expanded our relationship with Leidos, adding a malaria program to our existing cancer collaboration. These collaborations provide multiple opportunities for success and demonstrate the high level of interest our MVA-VLP platform generates within the scientific and business development community. Scientific and Peer Recognition. We are honored that our accomplishments were recognized through our selection for the 2018 Best Biotech Vaccine Industry Excellence (VIE) Award, and a finalist for the Best Prophylactic Vaccine for our Zika vaccine candidate at the 18th World Vaccine Congress in Washington DC, as well as a finalist for 2018 Pipelines of Promise at the Buzz of BIO in Boston. Again, in 2019, GeoVax has made it through as a finalist in two categories for this years VIE Awards on April 15, at the 19th World Vaccine Congress -- for the Best Therapeutic Vaccine Award (MVA-VLP-MUC1 cancer) and Best New Vaccine Technology Award (MVA-VLP platform). This now marks two years in a row of recognition by industry peers of our continued progress in applying our expertise and technology to advance highly promising vaccines for the benefit of people worldwide. About GeoVax GeoVax Labs, Inc., is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing human vaccines and immunotherapies against infectious diseases and various cancers using its MVA-VLP vaccine platform. The Companys development programs are focused on vaccines against HIV, Zika, hemorrhagic fever viruses (Ebola, Sudan, Marburg, Lassa) and malaria. GeoVax also is evaluating the use of its MVA-VLP platform in cancer immunotherapy, and for therapeutic use in chronic Hepatitis B infections. GeoVaxs vaccine platform supports in vivo production of non-infectious VLPs from the cells of the very person receiving the vaccine. The production of VLPs in the person being vaccinated mimics virus production in a natural infection, stimulating both the humoral and cellular arms of the immune system to recognize, prevent, and control the target infection. For more information, visit www.geovax.com . Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this document are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from those included in these statements due to a variety of factors, including whether: GeoVax can develop and manufacture its vaccines with the desired characteristics in a timely manner, GeoVax's vaccines will be safe for human use, GeoVax's vaccines will effectively prevent targeted infections in humans, GeoVaxs vaccines will receive regulatory approvals necessary to be licensed and marketed, GeoVax raises required capital to complete vaccine development, there is development of competitive products that may be more effective or easier to use than GeoVax's products, GeoVax will be able to enter into favorable manufacturing and distribution agreements, and other factors, over which GeoVax has no control. GeoVax assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements and does not intend to do so. More information about these factors is contained in GeoVax's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including those set forth at "Risk Factors" in GeoVax's Form 10-K. Contact: GeoVax Labs, Inc. investor@geovax.com 678-384-7220 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/geovax-inc-/ Twitter: @Geovax_News (Adds French BEA agency comment) BERLIN, March 13 (Reuters) - Germany's Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) said on Wednesday it will not analyse the black box from the Ethiopian Airlines passenger jet which crashed soon after taking off from Addis Ababa on Sunday. "This is a new type of aircraft with a new black box, with new software. We can't do it," BFU spokesman Germout Freitag said. A spokesman for Ethiopian Airlines had said earlier that the black boxes recovered from the crashed plane, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, would be sent to Germany for analysis. A spokesman for France's BEA accident investigation agency, speaking after Germany declined to examine the boxes, said it had still not been approached about assisting the investigation. (Reporting by Douglas Busvine Writing by Paul Carrel Editing by Frances Kerry/Alexander Smith) Robinsons Land Corp., the property development arm of the Gokongwei group, said Thursday net income jumped 40 percent in 2018 to P8.23 billion from P5.9 billion in 2017, on strong revenue contribution from leasing and residential businesses. RLC said in a statement the 2018 consolidated revenues rose 31 percent to P29.44 billion from P22.52 billion a year ago, while overall earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization grew 30 percent to P16.20 billion from P12.48 billion. Investment portfolio rose 14 percent to P18.16 billion, driven by the mall and office divisions. Revenues from development portfolio also surged 72 percent to P11.28 billion, on robust sales of residential units and institutional lots. 2018 has been a banner year for Robinsons Land as both our investment and development portfolios saw robust earnings growths driven by key business strategic initiatives and strong demand from our customers and buyers, said RLC president and chief executive Frederick Go. The groups mall business which contributed 41 percent to the companys total revenues posted P11.9 billion in revenues, up 11 percent from the 2017 level. RLC opened four new shopping malls to end 2018 with 51 malls. The office division registered revenues of P4.11 billion, up 26 percent from P3.27 billion in 2017, on rental escalation and revenue contribution from new office buildings.RLC had 20 office developments with a total net leasable area of 523,000 square meters as of end-2018. The groups hotel division registered a 5-percent hike in revenues to P1.98 billion as it was saddled by the weaker sales of some of its properties, pre-operating expenses of new and upcoming hotels and higher overhead expenses. Meanwhile, the groups newly formed warehouse business under the infrastructure and integrated development division completed its first logistics facility in Sucat, Muntinlupa City with a total leasable space of 33,000 sqm. RLCs residential division posted a robust growth of 33 percent with realized revenues amounting to P8.69 billion. Sales take-up surged 49 percent year-on-year to P15.3 billion driven by new project launches. RLC also commenced pre-selling its residential development in Chengdu, China. It said 95 percent or 759 of 795 condominium units were pre-sold. The property firm said it was expecting to start recognizing revenues from the Chengdu project next year. RLC spent P23.4 billion last year. The company has 754 hectares of land bank across the Philippines. Ingevity Corporation NGVT is an attractive option for investors seeking exposure in the specialty chemical space. The company has seen its shares pop around 39% year to date. Sustained earnings outperformance, strong execution, cost discipline and organic and inorganic initiatives have contributed to the growth story of this producer of specialty chemicals and activated carbon materials. The stock is expected to continue its upward momentum based on strength in oilfield business, growth in activated carbon demand, significant synergy capture from Georgia-Pacifics asset buyout and contributions of the acquisition of the Capa caprolactone business. Let's delve deeper into the factors that make this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock a compelling investment option at the moment. Price Performance Ingevity has outperformed the industry it belongs to over the past year. The companys shares have shot up 38.1% compared with roughly 2.3% rise recorded by the industry. The company has also outpaced the S&P 500s gain of 1.8% for the same period. Strong Q4 and Upbeat Outlook Ingevity delivered strong fourth-quarter results on the back of increased volumes, better price and mix, and reduced raw materials costs. The company also benefited from the Georgia-Pacific pine chemicals acquisition. Ingevitys adjusted earnings per share for the quarter were $1.07, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 78 cents. The companys revenues rose roughly 21% year over year to $278.6 million in the quarter, also coming ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $262.4 million. For full-year 2018, the companys profits jumped roughly 34% year over year to $169.1 million or $3.97 per share. Net sales for the year went up around 17% year over year to $1,133.6 million, aided by increased selling prices. Ingevity expects sales between $1.30 billion and $1.36 billion for 2019. Adjusted EBITDA for the year has been forecast in the band of $390 million to $410 million. The company expects revenues to increase roughly 18% and earnings to rise around 25% year over year at the mid-point of its guidance factoring in its acquisition of the Capa caprolactone business. The recently completed acquisition of the Capa caprolactone business is expected to contribute to the growth of the companys revenues and earnings in 2019. Capa is a market leader in the manufacture and commercialization of caprolactone and high-value downstream derivatives. The company expects the acquisition to be accretive to its earnings and margins in the first year. Positive Earnings Surprise History Ingevity has an impressive earnings surprise history. The company has outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering a positive average earnings surprise of roughly 22.8%. Estimates Northbound Earnings estimate revisions have the greatest impact on stock prices. Stocks with rising estimates have significantly outperformed the S&P 500 index year after year. Annual estimates for Ingevity have moved north over the past two months, reflecting analysts confidence on the stock. Over this period, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2019 has increased by around 2.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2020 has also moved up 1.5% over the same timeframe. Healthy Growth Prospects Growth prospects for Ingevity appear encouraging. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings for 2019 for Ingevity is currently pegged at $4.87 per share, reflecting an expected year-over-year growth of 17.9%. The same for 2020 stands at $5.95, indicating a year-over-year growth of 22.2%. The stock also has a long-term expected earnings per share growth rate of roughly 12%, higher than the industry average of 10.8%. Revenues for 2019 are also expected to increase 19.1% year over year as the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the year is $1.35 billion. Ingevitys revenues are also expected to register a 10.2% growth in 2020. Superior Return on Equity (ROE) ROE is a measure of a companys efficiency in utilizing shareholders funds. ROE for the trailing 12-months for Ingevity is 53.2%, above the industrys level of 15.7%. Story continues Ingevity Corporation Price and Consensus Ingevity Corporation Price and Consensus | Ingevity Corporation Quote Other Stocks to Consider Other top-ranked stocks worth considering in the basic materials space include Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. KL, Israel Chemicals Ltd. ICL and W. R. Grace & Co. GRA. Kirkland Lake Gold has an expected earnings growth rate of 47.1% for the current year and carries a Zacks Rank #1. Its shares have shot up around 130% in the past year. You can see the complete list of todays Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Israel Chemicals has an expected earnings growth rate of 10.8% for the current year and carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The companys shares have gained around 18% over the past year. W. R. Grace has an expected earnings growth rate of 10.4% for the current year and carries a Zacks Rank #2. Its shares have gained roughly 17% in the past year. Today's Best Stocks from Zacks Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2018, while the S&P 500 gained +15.8%, five of our screens returned +38.0%, +61.3%, +61.6%, +68.1%, and +98.3%. This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 2018, while the S&P averaged +4.8% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +56.2% per year. See their latest picks 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 Israel Chemicals Shs (ICL) : Free Stock Analysis Report W.R. Grace & Co. (GRA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Ingevity Corporation (NGVT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd. (KL) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. By Nidhi Verma NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian state refiners will lift 8 million barrels of Iranian oil in April, a decline of about 12 percent from the previous month, industry sources said, as the nation is in talks with the United States to renew the waiver from U.S. sanctions against Tehran. The United States introduced sanctions aimed at crippling Iran's oil revenue-dependent economy in November but gave a six-month waiver to eight nations, including India, which allowed them to import some Iranian oil. India has been allowed by Washington to continue to buy about 300,000 bpd oil or 9 million barrels in a month till early May. New Delhi, Tehran's biggest oil client after China, has decided to lift lower volumes in April as a 'precautionary measure ahead of renewal of waiver,' said one of the sources familiar with the matter, without elaborating further. The United States aims to cut Iran's crude exports by about 20 percent to below 1 million bpd from May by requiring importing countries to reduce purchases to avoid U.S. sanctions, two sources familiar with the matter said. The United States will likely renew waivers to sanctions for most countries buying Iranian crude, including the biggest buyers China and India, in exchange for pledges to cut combined imports to below 1 million bpd. That would be around 250,000 bpd below Iran's current exports of 1.25 million bpd. It is not yet clear if reduced volumes of 8 million barrels a month is the new condition imposed by Washington for granting a second waiver to New Delhi from sanctions against Tehran. For March, Indian Oil Corp had placed an order for 5 million barrels, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd for 2 million, and Hindustan Petroleum Corp and Bharat Petroleum Corp for 1 million each. In April, IOC would lift 4 million barrels, while there is no change in volumes to be loaded by other companies, the sources said. India's oil ministry and IOC, BPCL, and HPCL did not respond to Reuters email seeking comment, while MRPL declined comment. (Reporting by Nidhi Verma; editing by David Evans) (Bloomberg) -- Azim Premji, the billionaire chairman of Indian conglomerate Wipro Ltd., will gift an extra $7.5 billion of the companys shares to support philanthropic activities, making it the most generous donation in the nations history. About 34 percent of shares held by companies controlled by Premji have been irrevocably renounced and earmarked to the Azim Premji Foundation, according to a statement Wednesday. With the latest move, Premji, who turned a small maker of vegetable oil into a software behemoth, has donated $21 billion of his fortune to charity. Premjis philanthropy may prompt the rich in a nation where ultra-high net worth population is expected to surge 39 percent by 2023 donate more to charity, and help pull millions out of poverty. There are a growing number of billionaires in India but its early days and we still dont see the commitments of the kind American billionaires make of giving away up to 80 percent of their wealth during their lifetime, said Govind Sankaranarayanan, a former managing director of Social Finance. Azim Premji and the Tata Trusts are the two shining lights of philanthropy in this country so far. Premjis Foundation will have 67 percent of Wipros economic ownership of Wipro, according to the statement. His foundation works directly in education and supports over 150 other non-profits serving under-privileged and marginalized Indians through financial grants. The foundation set up the Azim Premji University to develop professionals in education and related human development domains, offer degree and education programs, and conduct research. The foundation will scale up significantly in the coming years, it said in the statement. The team working in education will scale from the current 1,600 people and grant-making activities will triple. The Bengaluru-based university will expand to 5,000 students with over 400 faculty members. The foundation intends to set up another university in northern India. Story continues The 73-year-old Bengaluru-based billionaire is Indias second-richest man and ranks 51 in Bloombergs list of global billionaires. The visibly wealthly and the newly wealthy in India are clearly not as generous as the wealthy in, say, America, says Anurag Behar, chief sustainability officer at Wipro and chief executive officer of the Azim Premji Foundation. But India also has a substantial culture of philanthropy that is not conspicuous. To contact the reporter on this story: Saritha Rai in Bangalore at srai33@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Edwin Chan at echan273@bloomberg.net, Arijit Ghosh, Ravil Shirodkar For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) is teaming up with CipherTrace to monitor possible business risks to cryptocurrency businesses, MFSA announced in a press release. It hopes to protect consumers, investors and business partners from possible risks associated with crypto assets, such as money laundering and fraud. CipherTrace solutions will help with the detection of suspicious behaviours to prevent crime with the use of machine learning. Being strongly aware of the money laundering and financing of terrorism risks associated with entities operating in this sphere, the decision has been taken to engage the services of CipherTrace in order to reduce fraud and detect transactions with illegal sources of funds, said Joseph Cuschieri, MFSA Chief Executive Officer. CipherTrace Compliance Monitoring will provide the MFSA with powerful oversight tools to automate regulatory processes and audit the risk management of virtual asset businesses that are licensed in Malta. Freehold, NJ, March 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NEWMEDIAWIRE -- MEDIFIRST SOLUTIONS, INC. (MFST) (the Company or Medifirst), a provider of innovative laser technology with its FDA 510(k) cleared Infrared Time Machine TTML-8102000 Laser Thermal Therapeutic Device and a provider of Specialty Pharmacy Drug Consulting Services and Distributor of Dr. Gupta Pharma and USA Pharma CBD, is pleased to announce a company update for each division. Medical Devices Distribution As previously announced, Medifirst has been working with Antah HealthCare Group to introduce and test the FDA cleared therapeutic Time Machine Infrared Laser as a drug-free and all natural treatment for pain and inflammation. Antah HealthCare Group is one of the largest Malaysian owned healthcare marketing and distribution companies in Malaysia. Commented Medifirst President, Bruce J. Schoengood, We are very pleased to announce that after successfully testing and purchasing the Time Machine Laser, Antah has agreed to become a distributor for Medifirst. A definitive agreement is being negotiated and formalized. Regarding further international distribution, Medifirst is pleased to announce it is in the final stages of negotiation with a medical distribution company for distribution rights for its Infrared Laser for Latin America. Recent market research forecast strong growth in Latin Americas healthcare market, particularly when it comes to medical equipment and device sales. Brazil and Mexico and smaller markets like Chile, Peru, Guatemala and Costa Rica should become increasingly important players as well. Additionally, one of the major trends projected is a growing customer base for private medical services. Industry reports show that the middle class is complementing their public health coverage with a private option, so much so in fact that Latin Americas health insurance companies have the most rapid level of growth in the world, with 30% growth each year projected through 2025. Commented Schoengood, Considering its ease-of-use and affordability, we believe that our FDA cleared laser is a perfect fit for this growing market and we are excited to be introducing our laser to offer a new solution for people suffering from chronic and acute pain. Story continues Distribution Affiliates In further expanding the laser distribution, Medifirst has entered final negotiations with an affiliate healthcare company that has cutting edge healthcare products that presents a natural synergy with the Medifirst laser devices. The potential agreement would be part of a strategy to leverage each companys distribution and marketing network to the benefit of each company. Stated Schoengood, This opportunity allows both companies to expand their product lines and therefore expand their brands and products, and increase market awareness with the goal to create additional revenue streams. Although no assurance of a final agreement for these distribution deals can be made now, Medifirst is very pleased with the progress made, and anticipates further updates for both distribution agreements in the upcoming days or weeks. TMJ and Physical Therapy Medifirst has identified both Oral Surgeons/TMJ and Physical Therapy as two sectors to target in which, we believe the Time Machine Infrared Laser can be most effective. TMJ (temporomandibular joint and muscle) disorder is a medical condition which causes dysfunction and pain in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. Some of the major symptoms of this disorder are aching facial pain, tenderness or pain in jaws, pain while chewing, etc. After 1 to 3 treatments, many patients have seen very positive effects in reducing pain and inflammation for this condition. The U.S. outpatient rehabilitation/physical therapy market is estimated to be a $30 billion industry with a projected annual growth rate of five percent or higher. Given the aging and active U.S. population, the demographics favor a sustained growth in patients seeking or requiring rehabilitation services. Also, increasing numbers of Americans who engage in fitness regimens, coupled with increasing numbers of weekend warrior athletes, is driving increased demand for physical therapy and rehabilitation treatments across the U.S. We believe, the laser can be an extremely effective treatment tool for physical therapists who seek to reduce inflammation and pain affecting many of their patients. One 8 to 10-minute laser treatment does not put any additional burden on the Physical Therapist, since patients typically spend up to 90 minutes per session. Home Use With millions of people suffering from everyday pain, the Company considers home use a game changer if the laser can be proven safe and FDA cleared for home use. Working cooperatively with affiliate companies, Medifirst is expanding its scope to initiate the possibility of applying for FDA clearance for home use for its Time Machine Infrared Laser. Medifirst is pleased to announce that an IRB study for the laser for safety has been approved for home use which would have to be successfully completed in advance of a FDA submission. Additionally, working with an affiliate company, a $3,000,000 government grant to help facilitate a study for the Time Machine Laser has been submitted, although currently not approved or funded. Stated Schoengood, FDA clearance for home would potentially be one of the biggest markets we can target. We could help people suffering from pain and provide a treatment in the convenience of their home. Many people are not physically able to travel several times a week to a doctor and it can be a financial burden as well. Medifirst anticipates further updates and details regarding this study in the upcoming weeks and months. Infrared laser technology has historically shown to be effective for a wide array of conditions. Medifirst will also continue to explore and expand the wide range of conditions for which its Infrared Laser can safely and effectively be used. This expansion may involve new studies and FDA submissions that we would announce at the applicable times. Aesthetic Green 532nm Time Machine Laser The Medifirst 532nm Green Laser is designed for anti-aging and the aesthetics market. It is IRB approved and currently scheduled for FDA for 510(k) submission in 2019. We would announce the submission, which is subject to change, at the time of submission. The Time Machine Aesthetic Program was created to strip away years of aging. Treatments include sun and age spots, wrinkles, acne, hyperpigmentation, scars, skin tightening, and stretch marks. The treatments are non-invasive with no redness or swelling and no downtime for the patients. Each patient gets a customized treatment program designed to meet their specific goals and expectations. According to Global Industry Analysts Inc., the global market for aesthetic medical laser systems are forecast to reach US $10 billion by 2020, driven by the populations shift towards minimally invasive procedures, and growing awareness over the safety of laser-based procedures. USA Pharma CBD Medifirst is pleased to announce that it plans to begin stocking CBD inventory for the USA Pharma CBD for consumers and the Dr. Gupta Pharma line of premium CBD for physicians. The CBD will be sold in 30ml tincture bottles and will have various strengths. The consumer line will be marketed under the Medifirst CBD brand, USA Pharma CBD and the high strength CBD will be sold to healthcare professionals through the Gupta CBD line. In addition, Dr. Gupta has completed his flagship websites to offer medical guidance for people seeking to use CBD. https://cbdprov.cbdhealthcard.com/home This website is CBD portal for doctor education on CBD. It will include patient referrals as well. http://www.cbdhealthcard.com This website is designed to provide a CBD Health Card to all patients who use CBD. The website will both educate the consumer and to connect them with physicians for medical guidance. Medifirst recently announced that it has launched USA Pharma, Inc., its division for CBD distribution, sales and products and that it completed an agreement with Dr. Gupta Pharma LLC to distribute a line of premium CBD oils. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, not related to Dr. Gupta of CNN, is a Harvard-trained physician who specializes in the treatment of pain, has significant experience using CBD for treating pain. As the President of the American Pain Association, Dr. Gupta believes that CBD, used under the guidance of a physician, can play a significant role in reducing pain and helping to curb the opioid epidemic. Additionally, he believes CBD can play a major role in overall health and wellness but, he concedes, CBD remains underutilized as there is a substantial lack of education and stigma from public and healthcare providers with regards to the benefits of CBD. Concierge Concepts Rx. CCRX CCRX, a wholly owned subsidiary of Medifirst, is pleased to announce that it has completed negotiations and expects to enter into a definitive agreement with a local SP (Specialty Pharmacy) to become contracted with them as a partner pharmacy. The SP is licensed currently in 37 states but only markets in NJ. As part of the final agreement, CCRX would take over marketing to physicians in all other states except NJ. CCRX will do all the billing as well as collections for every referral that occurs outside of NJ. Upon completion of a definitive agreement, which is not assured at this time, Medifirst will make the appropriate announcement. CCRX is dedicated to expanding retail pharmacy into the emerging Specialty Pharmacy market and opening revenue streams to promote market competitiveness and profitability. Expertise includes: Specialty and infusion pharmacy consultants, billing expertise for Specialty Pharmacy products, third party billing provider and services, authorization analysis, experts with 60 years of combined specialty pharmacy and infusion therapy management. Industry analysts projects the total pharmaceutical industry to exceed $483 billion in 2020, with specialty pharmaceuticals making up 44% of the revenue. If these projections hold true, specialty drugs will have increased their revenues by over 5X from 20102020, growing from just 15% of the market to nearly half in that decade. About the Time Machine Laser The Time Machine Laser is the only all-in-one, affordable, FDA cleared, Infrared, 2000mW power, small, hand-held portable laser marketed for pain relief in the U.S. The Time Machine Laser, which has been extensively tested and approved by Intertek for safety and electrical standards, has the power and frequency often found in large and expensive stationary units and at a fraction of the cost. Medifirst Solutions, Inc., in response to its Premarket Notification 510(k) submission for The Time Machine Series Laser, received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market its infrared Time Machine TTML-8102000 Laser Thermal Therapeutic Device. The Laser is intended for use in temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain, stiffness, minor arthritis pain, muscle spasm, temporary increase in local blood circulation and temporary relaxation of muscles by means of topical elevated tissue temperature from infrared spectral emissions. Visit www.medifirstsolutions.com for more information. Follow on Twitter @Medi_First and for Facebook visit Medifirst Solutions. Forward-Looking Statements: The statements in this press release that relate to the companys expectations about the future impact on the company's results from new products in development are forward-looking statements, and may involve risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control. Such risks and uncertainties are described in greater detail in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Since the information in this press release may contain statements that involve risk and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the company's actual results may differ materially from expected results. We make no commitment to disclose any subsequent revisions to forward-looking statements. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of offers to buy any securities of any entity. Contact: Investor Relations Phone: (732) 786-8044 Email: admin@medifirstsolutions.com Website: www.medifirstsolutions.com Government agents arrested a Pakistani national caught in possession of questionable travel documents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1. Immigration officers placed the departing passenger Salman Khan, 25, under arrest for trying to leave the country carrying a passport with fake Philippine visa. NAIA chief immigration officer Grifton Medina said Khan is an overstaying alien in the Philippines. Our immigration officers became suspicious of his documents and his demeanor, so he was referred for secondary inspection to members of the [Bureau of Immigration] Travel Control and Enforcement Unit [TCEU], Medina said. It was during the investigation that the Philippine visa on the Pakistanis passport was confirmed to be a counterfeit by the BIs forensic document laboratory, he added. According to BI-TCEU Chief Erwin Ortanez, Khans passport also contained a fake BI departure stamp purportedly showing that he arrived in the country on Nov. 18 last year, through a fake Philippine visa that was supposedly issued last Oct. 10, 2018. The said arrival, however, was not in our travel database, which meant that he did not really arrive on that date, Ortanez said. Further investigation also showed that Khans last arrival in the country was in June 2015, making him an overstaying alien. The foreigner was brought to the BI detention facility in Bicutan, Taguig City pending his prosecution for violation of the Philippine Immigration Act.Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente reminded aliens not to try such foolish acts, saying that the BI has sophisticated equipment that can immediately detect fraudulent passports and visas, and that such attempts will immediately be caught. Late last year, three Georgians were also arrested for possession of questionable Canadian visas. The foreigners were apprehended on Nov. 11 upon arrival at the NAIA Terminal 1 on board an Etihad flight from Abu Dhabi. Investigations showed that the illegal aliens were planning to transit in Manila prior to embarking on several connecting flights to Canada. The Georgians initially presented themselves as humanitarian workers on a business vacation sponsored by an international non-government organization. But Immigration officers found out that the foreigners planned to stay in Manila for only two days, then fly to Qatar and Azerbaijan, before sneaking into Canada. Although the Georgians had valid Philippine entry visas, they were subjected to secondary inspection after immigration officers noticed irregularities on the Canadian visas attached in their passports. Immigration forensic experts certified that the Canadian visas are counterfeit, a finding which was later corroborated by Canadian embassy officials who described the travel documents as non-existent in their system. (Recasts headline, lead paragraph, adds analyst quote, details) By David Alire Garcia MEXICO CITY, March 13 (Reuters) - The finances of Mexico's national oil company Pemex are strong, the country's president said Wednesday, but added he is open to issuing some form of instrument on the local stock exchange that could provide the firm with more investment capacity. Teasing the possibility of a such an experiment, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said he did not "rule out" activity in the local market for wholly government-owned Pemex, such as issuing some form of financial instrument, but added such a move to boost the firm's available capital is not necessary. Lopez Obrador, who won a landslide election last year on promises that included strengthening Pemex, has favored public spending for the highly indebted company such as the recent authorization for a $3.9 billion capital injection from the government that included new tax relief. Ratings agencies say that is not enough to stabilize Pemex, creaking under $106 billion of debt, and have put its credit rating at one notch above junk, increasing fears of a downgrade that could raise Mexico's sovereign borrowing costs. Responding to a question at his regular morning press conference on Wednesday about whether he would consider some form of Pemex listing on the local stock exchange to allow Mexicans to invest in the state-owned oil producer, Lopez Obrador offered a small surprise. "We have healthy public finances, but we do not rule out other options, other alternatives, such as what you asked about, the possibility of investor participation bonds in the stock market," said the veteran leftist. "We won't rule that out, but there's no need for (additional) financing, Pemex has enough budget." It was not immediately clear whether the president was referring to profit participation certificates, a means of raising capital issued by companies without having to take on new owners by selling their stock. Story continues In the past, Pemex has issued local debt notes known as Cebures that are traded on the Mexican stock exchange. The government is expected to unveil additional measures next week to support the company. Without giving details, Lopez Obrador said new plans for the company would be announced on March 18, a national holiday in Mexico that commemorates the 1938 nationalization of the country's oil industry and the birth of Pemex. Analyst Jesus Lopez of Monterrey-based Banco Base said the president's plans for Pemex "for now" do not include any future dividend payments to would-be investors, but he appeared to be flirting with new tools for Pemex. "He is leaving a door open for the future," said Lopez. Lopez Obrador has doubled down on criticism of a major oil reform championed by his predecessor that ended Pemex's decades-long monopoly and paved the way for private oil companies to operate oil and gas fields on their own, deriding it as a give-away that has yet to show positive results. His energy minister said Wednesday on the sidelines of an energy conference in Houston that to date private oil firms have invested too little and moved too slowly on projects they have won at auction since the 2013-2014 reform. The finance ministry said earlier this week that $2.5 billion earmarked for a new oil refinery could be spent this year on Pemex exploration and production, comments that were later rebuffed by Lopez Obrador. Petroleos Mexicanos, as Pemex is formally known, has seen its crude production fall each year since hitting a peak of nearly 3.4 million barrels per day in 2004. Oil output currently stands at about half that, or less than 1.7 million bpd. As well as its financial debt, the 100 percent state-owned company also shoulders some $70 billion in unfunded pension liabilities. (Additional reporting by Adriana Barrera and Miguel Angel Gutierrez; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel, Susan Thomas and James Dalgleish) By Alexandria Sage SAN FRANCISCO - Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) Chief Executive Elon Musk shot back against U.S. securities regulators on Monday, arguing in a filing that his recent tweet about the electric vehicle maker's production volume did not violate his fraud settlement and he cannot be held in contempt. Musk's "single, immaterial" tweet to his more than 24 million Twitter followers claiming the electric vehicle-maker would produce around 500,000 cars in 2019 also complied with company's communication policy for senior executives, a condition of the settlement, lawyers for the Tesla chief wrote in a filing in federal court in Manhattan. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission had asked the court to hold Musk in contempt, saying his Feb. 19 tweet violated a September fraud settlement barring him from sharing material information about Tesla on social media without the company's pre-approval. "This contempt action, following Musk's sincerely-held criticism of the SEC on 60 Minutes, also reflects concerning and unprecedented overreach on the part of the SEC," the filing said. In December, Musk said in a "60 Minutes" interview that: "I do not have respect for the SEC." The settlement between Musk, Tesla and the SEC resolved an SEC lawsuit over claims Musk made on Twitter in August that he had "funding secured" to take Tesla private at $420 per share. The SEC called those tweets "false and misleading" and a go-private deal never materialized. As part of that settlement, Musk stepped down as the company's chairman and he and Tesla agreed to pay $20 million each in fines. The renewed public battle between Tesla's chief executive and the top U.S. securities regulator adds pressure on Musk, the public face of Tesla, who is struggling to make the company profitable after cutting the price of its Model 3 sedan to $35,000. Tesla has backed off a plan to close all its U.S. stores and said it will instead raise prices of its higher-end vehicles by about 3 percent on average. In the filing, Musk's lawyers said his tweet was a "proud and optimistic restatement of publicly disclosed information." Story continues Musk corrected his tweet four hours later to say that the "annualized production rate" at year-end 2019 would probably be about 500,000, with deliveries expected to be about 400,000. Moreover, Musk has exhibited self-censorship in dramatically reducing the volume of tweets since the settlement, they wrote, adding that the SEC's request, if granted, would raise free speech issues. "This self-censorship is reflective of his commitment to adhering to the Order and avoiding unnecessary disputes with the SEC," they wrote in the filing. Musk called the regulator the "Shortseller Enrichment Commission" on Twitter after the settlement, and tweeted that "something is broken with SEC oversight" just one day after the agency started pursuing the contempt order. Legal experts have said the SEC could now pursue multiple avenues, including a higher fine, imposing further restrictions on Musk's activities or removing him from Tesla's board or helm. Tesla published a new communications policy in December for senior executives as part of the settlement. It called for Tesla's general counsel and a newly designated in-house securities law attorney to pre-approve any written statements about Tesla that could be material. A disclosure controls committee, made up of board members Brad Buss, Antonio Gracias and James Murdoch, was tasked with overseeing compliance with the new policy. (Reporting by Alexandria Sage in San Francisco, and Rama Venkat and Subrat Patnaik in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Sonam Rai in Bengaluru; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli and Lisa Shumamker) The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) logo is seen outside of a branch in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, February 14, 2019. REUTERS/Chris Wattie By Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) - A federal judge in Manhattan on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit by investors that accused nine large banks, including six from Canada, of conspiring to manipulate a Canadian rate benchmark to improve profits from derivatives trading. U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres rejected racketeering and antitrust claims by the lead plaintiff, the Fire & Police Pension Association of Colorado, against Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto-Dominion Bank, Bank of Nova Scotia and other banks. Lawyers for the plaintiff did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The proposed class action concerned the alleged suppression from August 2007 to June 2014 of the Canadian Dealer Offered Rate (CDOR), a rate at which banks would lend to corporate clients using bankers' acceptances, a short-term credit instrument. CDOR, now called the Canadian Dollar Offered Rate, is calculated daily by Thomson Reuters based on rate submissions from banks. The plaintiff accused banks of manipulating CDOR to reduce interest owed to investors on CDOR-based derivatives transactions in the United States, including swaps and Canadian dollar futures contracts, and boost profit. But the judge said the alleged wrongful conduct occurred in Canada, which is not covered by the U.S. anti-racketeering law known as RICO, and the plaintiff failed to show that any rigging left it worse off. Torres also found no proof of a common profit motive among banks to suppress CDOR because they held more CDOR-based derivative contracts, under which they made interest payments, than CDOR-based loans, on which they received interest payments. Other defendants included Bank of Montreal, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, National Bank of Canada, Bank of America Corp, Deutsche Bank AG and HSBC Holdings Plc. Canadian regulators updated the CDOR-setting process after the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada in January 2013 identified "potential" for manipulation. The case is Fire & Police Pension Association of Colorado v Bank of Montreal et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 18-00342. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Richard Chang) BRISBANE, Australia, March 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orocobre Limited (ASX: ORE, TSX: ORL) (Orocobre or the Company) is pleased to announce that the updated resource estimate for the Cauchari JV property located in Jujuy Province, Argentina, has more than doubled from the previous resource announced in May 2018. The exploration program is being managed by JV partner Advantage Lithium Corp. ("Advantage Lithium") (TSX Venture: AAL) (AVLIF) who hold 75% of Cauchari. Orocobre owns 33.5% of Advantage Lithiums issued capital and 25% directly in the joint venture. Highlights Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) JORC Resources more than doubled, with 4.8 million tonnes (Mt) of Measured and Indicated and 1.5 Mt Inferred The Archibarca Area (NW Sector) is contiguous with the southern boundary of the Olaroz tenements and contains just above 1 Mt Measured Resources at an average lithium concentration of 564 mg/l; the Clay and Halite units (in the SE Sector) contain 2.3 Mt of Measured and Indicated Resources with an average Li concentration of 481 mg/l and the Deep Sand (SE Sector) with 0.4 Mt of Indicated resources at 500 mg/l lithium The result of the extended pumping tests on CAU07 in the Archibarca area and CAU11 in the SE Sector demonstrate favourable brine extractability characteristics The Phase III program has confirmed that Salar de Cauchari is a major brine basin with the resource open at depth below 600 m and to the south The brine exhibits excellent chemistry for conventional processing with the Mg/Li ratio averaging ~2.5, very similar to Orocobres Olaroz project. The new resource is based on the results of the Phase II and Phase III drilling programs. The update, prepared by FloSolutions SpA, has increased the resource to a volume of approximately 1,800 million cubic metres of brine at an average concentration of 476 mg/l lithium, for 4.8 Mt of LCE in the Measured and Indicated categories and approximately 600 million cubic metres of brine at an average grade of 473 mg/l lithium for 1.5 Mt of LCE in the Inferred category. Story continues Orocobre Managing Director and CEO Mr. Martin Perez de Solay commented, Our Joint Venture partners, Advantage Lithium have delivered a well designed and executed resource definition program that has more than doubled the total Cauchari resource. This result provides an opportunity to reassess future development options to maximise value for shareholders. The Joint Venture intends to submit a full technical report within 45 days of this announcement, in accordance with Canadian reporting requirements and the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) to support the conclusions presented here. Updated Cauchari Resource The drilling program has expanded the resource at the Cauchari Project to 4.8 Mt of LCE of Measured and Indicated Resources contained in 1.8 km3 of brine and 1.5 Mt of Inferred Resources contained in 0.6 km3 of brine. The resources have been broken into six different geological units which are classified between Measured, Indicated and Inferred resources, with the classification reflecting differences in the level of available sample information. The resource estimate is presented in Table 1 below. The key areas of the resource for future brine production are the Archibarca Fan and the SE Sector of the Project. The Archibarca Fan resource consists of 1.0 Mt of LCE as Measured Resources at 564 mg/l lithium. The Measured and Indicated Resources in the SE Sector, mostly contained in the Clay and Halite units, amount to approximately 2.3 Mt of LCE at 481 mg/l lithium. The extraction characteristics of the Archibarca Fan and SE Sector have been confirmed by the 30 day pumping tests in each area during the Phase III Program in 2018. The brine resource is calculated over the western and eastern properties of the Cauchari project and covers an area of 117.7 km2. The brine resource in the west extends from the brine level below the surficial gravels to a depth of over 400 m and is classified as Measured in the north in the Archibarca area and Indicated further south in the West Fan, with small volumes of Inferred resources in these areas. The Measured and Indicated Resources in the east extend from the phreatic brine level to a constant depth of 400 m in the Halite and Clay units. Indicated Resources in the Deep Sand unit extend to 500 m depth. Below these depths the resource is classified as Inferred, reaching a depth of up to 619 m. The Deep Sand unit remains open at depth. None of the drill holes completed to date have intercepted bedrock (basement) and the resource remains open at depth. Table 1: Cauchari Project Lithium Resource Estimate; March 2019 Measured (M) Indicated (I) M+I Inferred Aquifer volume (km3) 9.7 20.9 30.7 10.7 Mean specific yield 6% 6% 6% 6% Brine volume (km3) 0.6 1.2 1.9 0.6 Li mean grade (g/m3) 35 26 29 27 Li mean concentration (mg/l) 527 452 476 473 Resource (tonnes) 345,000 550,000 900,000 290,000 Lithium Carbonate Equivalent 1,850,000 2,950,000 4,800,000 1,500,000 Notes: 1. JORC and CIM definitions were followed for mineral resources. 2. The Qualified Person for this Mineral Resource estimate is Murray Brooker, RPGeo, MAIG. 3. Lithium is converted to lithium carbonate (Li 2 CO 3 ) with a conversion factor of 5.32. 4. Numbers may not add due to rounding. Results of the brine chemistry analysis carried out confirm the Cauchari brine is similar in composition to the brine in the adjacent Olaroz Salar from which Orocobre is successfully producing lithium carbonate using conventional lithium processing technology. Table 2 provides a summary of the Cauchari brine characteristics. There is a reasonable prospect that the Cauchari brine could be successfully processed using technology similar to the Olaroz Lithium Facility. Table 2: Cauchari brine chemistry characteristics Samples Ratio Archibarca Fan Clay East Fan Halite Deep Sand West Fan Mg/Li 2.3 2.5 1.6 2.7 2.5 3.2 SO 4 /Li 26.2 39.7 88.7 44.3 38.1 38.4 Resource Estimation Methodology The updated lithium resource estimate for the Cauchari Project is based on the results of 26 diamond holes and five rotary holes drilled between 2011 and the end of 2018. Figure 1 shows a location map of the drill holes completed during the 2011 and 2017/8 drilling campaigns and Figure 2 shows a cut-away diagram of the resource area and concentrations. Brine sample collection consisted of bailed and packer samples in the diamond holes, and packer and pumped samples in the rotary holes. More than 2,000 brine samples (including more than 300 QA/QC samples) were analyzed by Norlabs (Jujuy, Argentina) as the primary laboratory and by Alex Steward Assayers (Mendoza, Argentina) and the University of Antofagasta (Chile) as secondary QA/QC laboratories. Brine was also extracted from diamond cores (centrifuge methodology) in an independent laboratory in the USA and analysed in the Norlabs laboratory to further verify and validate brine chemistry results. HQ core was retrieved during the diamond core drilling from which more than 300 primary undisturbed samples were prepared for laboratory drainable porosity and other physical parameter determinations by Geo Systems Analysis (GSA) in Tucson, AZ. Laboratory QA/QC porosity analyses were undertaken by the DBS&A Laboratory, Core Laboratories and the British Geological Survey. The lithium resource was estimated using SGEMs software applying ordinary kriging. The resource estimate was prepared in accordance with the guidelines of JORC and Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and uses best practice methods specific to brine resources, including a reliance on core drilling and sampling methods that yield depth-specific chemistry and drainable porosity measurements. The resource estimation was completed by independent qualified person Mr. Frits Reidel of Santiago based hydrogeology firm FloSolutions with extensive experience in the estimation of lithium brine resources in Argentina. Competent Person (CP) Mr. Murray Brooker reviewed advances during the drilling programs and during the resource estimation. Figure 1: Location of Cauchari properties, drill holes and the resource area dashed line indicates the cross section in Figure 2 A map accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8a739037-5849-4bf3-9794-a9746e9fbdc3 Table 3: Location of Cauchari drill holes Exploration Hole Number Coordinates Gauss Kruger Argentine* Elevation Mean Sea Level (m)+ Total Depth (m) Sector Year / Phase of work Drilling Method Azimuth Dip Easting Northing CAU01D 3,425,589 7,378,259 3906 249 SE 2011 Diamond 0 -90 CAU02D 3,424,385 7,376,814 3907 189 SE 2011 Diamond 0 -90 CAU03D 3,421,874 7,373,649 3910 71.5 SE 2011 Diamond 0 -90 CAU04D 3,421,903 7,371,452 3909 46.5 SE 2011 Diamond 0 -90 CAU05D 3,425,500 7,374,882 3907 168 SE 2011 Diamond 0 -90 CAU06D 3,423,534 7,370,146 3909 506 SE Phase II Diamond 0 -90 CAU07R 3,421,199 7,383,985 3929 343 NW Phase II Rotary 0 -90 CAU08R 3,423,939 7,374,503 3908 400 SE Phase II Rotary 0 -90 CAU09R 3,423,783 7,377,788 3906 400 SE Phase II Rotary 0 -90 CAU10R 3,425,532 7,379,306 3906 429 SE Phase II Rotary 0 -90 CAU11R 3,421,752 7,372,569 3910 480 SE Phase II Rotary 0 -90 CAU12D 3,421,710 7,374,690 3908 413 SE Phase II Diamond 0 -90 CAU12DA 3,421,679 7,374,669 3909 609 SE Phase III Diamond 0 -90 CAU13D 3,422,774 7,376,298 3908 449 SE Phase II Diamond 0 -90 CAU13DA 3,422,747 7,376,293 3909 497 SE Phase III Diamond 0 -90 CAU14D 3,425,669 7,377,021 3908 600 SE Phase II Diamond 0 -90 CAU15D 3,419,293 7,373,397 3906 243.5 NW Phase II Diamond 0 -90 CAU16D 3,419,925 7,379,893 3905 321.5 NW Phase II Diamond 0 -90 CAU17D 3,419,965 7,387,434 3958 237.5 NW Phase II Diamond 0 -90 CAU18D 3,422,571 7,386,976 3925 359 NW Phase II Diamond 0 -90 CAU19D 3,421,819 7,369,848 3910 519.5 SE Phase III Diamond 0 -90 CAU20D 3,420,554 7,385,410 3945 390 NW Phase III Diamond 0 -90 CAU21D 3,420,311 7,382,080 3915 283 NW Phase III Diamond 0 -90 CAU22D 3,427,715 7,379,299 3913 418 SE Phase III Diamond 0 -90 CAU23D 3,419,547 7,372,053 3907 319 NW Phase III Diamond 0 -90 CAU24D 3,419,626 7,369,898 3905 352.5 NW Phase III Diamond 0 -90 CAU25D 3,427,793 7,381,272 3912 427 SE Phase III Diamond 0 -90 CAU26D 3,423,384 7,372,185 3910 617.2 SE Phase III Diamond 0 -90 CAU27D 3,426,942 7,376,023 3919 473 SE Phase III Diamond 0 -90 CAU28D 3,419,760 7,367,258 3918 303.5 NW Phase III Diamond 0 -90 CAU29D 3,420,463 7,364,858 3916 404 NW Phase III Diamond 0 -90 * Coordinates are in Zone 3 of the Argentine Gauss Kruger grid system. + Elevation determined by surveying with DGPS equipment. Figure 2: Resource model looking northwest through the SE Sector and the Archibarca area (the serrated pattern represents resource blocks along the property boundary) A graphic accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7fe79ff0-0038-4a98-bd8e-f6519db3e2c7 For more information please contact: Andrew Barber Investor Relations Manager Orocobre Limited T: +61 7 3871 3985 M: +61 418 783 701 E: abarber@orocobre.com W: www.orocobre.com https://twitter.com/OrocobreLimited https://www.linkedin.com/company/orocobre-limited https://www.facebook.com/OrocobreLimited/ https://www.instagram.com/orocobre/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuLtQ_xM61u8EFUzUa8YG_Q Click here to subscribe to the Orocobre e-Newsletter Qualified Persons/Competent Persons Statement The information in this report that relates to exploration reporting at the Cauchari JV project has been prepared by Mr. Murray Brooker. Mr. Brooker is a geologist and hydrogeologist and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr. Brooker is an employee of Hydrominex Geoscience Pty Ltd and is independent of Orocobre. Mr. Brooker has sufficient relevant experience 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. He is also a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101. Mr. Brooker consents to the inclusion in this announcement of this information in the form and context in which it appears. By Naveen Thukral SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Malaysian palm oil futures fell for a seventh consecutive session on Thursday to a three-month low, as concerns over slowing demand and rising production dragged down the market. There was further pressure on prices as Europeans reduce consumption amid environmental concerns associated with the tropical product. The benchmark third-month palm oil contract on the Bursa Malaysia Derivatives Exchange fell 1.5 percent to 2,060 ringgit ($503.91) a tonne by the midday break. Earlier in the session, the contract dropped to its weakest since mid-December at 2,057 ringgit a tonne. Global palm oil demand may suffer its first contraction in two decades during the 2019/20 crop year due to rising domestic oilseed supplies in top buyer India and slowing demand in Europe and China, industry participants told Reuters. "There is ample supply of palm oil in consuming countries, both India and China, that is why you see pressure on prices," said one Singapore-based trader. The European Commission has concluded that palm oil cultivation results in excessive deforestation and its use in transport fuel should be phased out, setting the bloc on a collision course with major palm oil producers Malaysia and Indonesia. The Commission published its criteria on Wednesday for determining what crops cause environmental harm, part of a new EU law to boost the share of renewable energy to 32 percent by 2030 and determine what are appropriate renewable sources. Palm oil may retest a support at 2,069 ringgit per tonne, a break below which could cause a loss to 2,035 ringgit, according to Wang Tao, a Reuters market analyst for commodities and energy technicals. Malaysia kept its export duty on crude palm oil for April at zero percent, according to a circular on the Malaysian Palm Oil Board's website on Wednesday that cited the national customs department. Indonesia has also set zero palm export levy for shipments in the months of March to May, finance ministry regulation released on Wednesday showed. Story continues In related oils, the Chicago soybean oil was down 0.2 percent and the most-active soyoil contract on the Dalian Commodity Exchange fell 1 percent. ($1 = 4.0880 ringgit) ($1 = 69.59 Indian rupees) ($1 = 6.71 Chinese yuan) (1 Indian rupee = $0.0144) (1 Chinese yuan = $0.1490) (Reporting by Naveen Thukral; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu) The number of Cebu Pacific Air travelers in Manila going to and from Australia continue to increase since the airline launched its Melbourne route in August 2018. Records from the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics of Australia showed that CEB alone flew a total of 18,971 passengers between Manila, Melbourne and Sydney in November last year, up by 56 percent from the same period in 2017. It also showed that a total of 48,064 passengers travelled between Manila, Melbourne and Sydney on direct connections mounted by Cebu Pacific Air, Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Qantas in November 2018, up by 31.3 percent year-on-year. For this month, CEB passengers comprised 39.5 percent while PAL garnered a 38.1 percent share. Qantas, however, operates direct service only between Manila and Sydney. BITRE is an agency under Australia's Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities. Its mandate is to provide economic analysis, research and statistics on infrastructure, transport and regional development issues for the Australian Government. We have an average market share of about 40 percent for our Melbourne and Sydney routes. We are pleased with the strong reception in Melbourne for Cebu Pacific, and excited that the CEB Effect of year-round low fare offerings, coupled with our promotions, provide opportunities to visit the Philippines, said Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing. CEB flies five times weekly between Manila and Sydney; and thrice a week between Manila and Melbourne. Since the launch of CEB's Melbourne route last Aug. 14, 2018, capacity between Philippines and these two cities in Australia has increased 32 percent, and passenger volume grew 31 percent. The airline is the only low-cost carrier with direct service from Manila to Sydney and Melbourne. Fares on CEB are as much as 60 percent lower than prevailing fares of other airlines flying the same route.The BITRE report noted that the expansion of low-cost carriers, including Cebu Pacific, have helped ramp-up tourist arrivals into Australia. According to Tourism Australia, from January to November 2018, a total of 140,700 tourists from the Philippines visited Australia, up 11.7 percent year-on-year. Data from the Department of Tourism in Manila also showed that Australia is also one of the top sources of tourist arrivals in the Philippines, with close to 243,000 Australians visiting the country for the same 11-month period, up by almost four percent, as the country gains popularity as a tropical getaway destination, offering more scenic attractions and better value for money than Vietnam, Thailand or Bali. "As more brand-new aircraft enters the CEB fleet, we are now in a position to seriously study the possibility of expanding to more destinations in Australia. We are encouraged by our performance in the Australia market. Connecting key cities such as Perth or Cairns would give more Australians easier access to the Philippines and enable more Filipino-Australians to visit family more often," said Iyog. CEB officials expect to receive 12 brand-new aircraft this year, the bulk of which are Airbus A321NEO (New Engine Option) aircraft. The airline earlier expressed interest in opening new destinations in Australia, India and North Asia as it receives the new aircraft. (Adds deadline for bids' delivery) By Tatiana Bautzer and Carolina Mandl SAO PAULO, March 13 (Reuters) - Brazil's state-controlled oil company Petroleo Brasileiro SA on Tuesday relaunched the process to allow new bids for the TAG pipeline network, two people with knowledge of the matter said on Wednesday. Petrobras, as the company is known, has finished drafting a sale contract with the winner of the first phase of the process, France's Engie SA, which is bidding with Canadian pension fund Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec. The bids in the second round, requested by Brazil's audit court, will be due on April 2, the sources added, asking for anonymity because the talks are private. The oil company had been targeting a sale of a 90 percent stake in TAG, which operates about 2,800 miles (4,500 kilometers) of gas pipelines. The pipeline operator is the largest divestiture in Petrobras' asset sales program. On Tuesday, the other two groups received the documents from Petrobras needed to offer new bids for TAG, which may be delivered over the coming weeks. The groups will not have access to the exact price offered by Engie, the sources added. Engie's bid was said to be around $8 billion, although it may also raise it in this new round. Petrobras did not immediately comment. One of the rival groups is led by Australia's Macquarie Bank Ltd, with Canada's pension fund CPPIB and Brazilian investment firms Itausa Investimentos SA and Cambuhy Investimentos Ltda. The third one is led by United Arab Emirates' Mubadala Investment Company and EIG Global Energy Partners. (Reporting by Tatiana Bautzer and Carolina Mandl Editing by James Dalgleish and Bill Berkrot) Jason Edwards, a communications professor, learned seven years too late that he didn't qualify for public service loan forgiveness. Then a surprise came. Last year, Congress authorized a $350 million "fix" to the public service loan forgiveness program, which gave him another change at applying. More challenges emerged. Then a rare, happy ending. Jason Edwards , a communications professor at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts, learned seven years too late that he didn't qualify for public service loan forgiveness. The Providence, Rhode Island, resident had been paying his debt for that long when the dreadful discovery arrived. Yet Edwards' story holds a rare, happy ending. Stay tuned. The public service loan forgiveness program, signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2007, allows not-for-profit and government employees to have their federal student loans canceled after 10 years of on-time payments. In 2013, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau estimated that up to one-quarter of American workers could be eligible for the relief. These are the public service loan forgiveness requirements. Often, if you don't meet one of them, you can make changes so that you do. Your loans must be federal direct loans. Your employer must be a government organization at any level, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization or some other type of not-for-profit organization that provides public service. By the end, you need to have made 120 qualifying, on-time payments in an income-driven repayment plan or the standard repayment plan. Yet, like tens of thousands of other people who work in public service and carry student debt, Edwards had unwittingly not met one of the technical requirements all those years. The program's problems are complex. Lenders have failed to provide consumers with full, accurate information about the option. And the student loan system is famously complicated, with some 14 ways to repay your education debt, a web of forgiveness options and a soup of wonky terms such as "forbearance" and "deferment." Story continues WATCH: Why college is so expensive in the U.S. To qualify for public service loan forgiveness, you need to be enrolled in one of a few income-driven repayment plans. Unfortunately, Edwards had been paying his loans back in an extended repayment plan , and, as a result, none of his payments had qualified. "It's painful," Edwards, 45, said. His monthly bill at the time was $421. After learning that his payment plan didn't qualify in 2015, he moved into one that did, and restarted his 10-year-journey. Then came a surprise. Last year, Congress authorized a $350 million "fix" to the public service loan forgiveness program, which offered borrowers who had been enrolled in graduated or extended repayment plans another shot at qualifying. Hoping to regain credit for those seven lost years, Edwards quickly applied. Since he'd been paying his student loans for another three years on an eligible plan, he figured he was an extra application away from being debt-free. Then another blow of bad news. Edwards said he was told by FedLoan , the designated company for the public service loan forgiveness program, that he was still short of the 120 qualifying payments needed to be approved for the fix-it fund. His own math, however, told him he actually had made more than the requisite number of payments. "I had this feeling that I was right on this," Edwards said. "I couldn't understand it." Even as Congress has poured more money into this fund to help people who've been denied student loan forgiveness simply because they'd been repaying their debt in a "wrong" plan, its reach has proved disappointing. The Education Department has received more than 38,000 requests for the fix-it fund, yet just 262 have been approved. (Although those numbers are an improvement from November, when just 26 had been approved). Edwards asked FedLoan , as well at the Education Department, to review his case. He also wrote to Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island), explaining his predicament. Finally, his mystery was solved: A few years of his payments had fallen through the cracks when his lender changed around 2011. Recently, on a crisp autumn day, Edwards was on a walk in his Providence neighborhood when he checked his student loan balance $0. "I think I yelled, 'Shut up!' and I got so excited," he said. The Education Department had finally cancelled his remaining debt (around $60,000). And he received eight refund payments totaling more than $3,000 for his overpayments. The program remains a part of Edwards's life. He blogs about public service loan forgiveness, and holds workshops at his university about the option. "It's surprising," he added, "so many people still don't even know about it." More from Personal Finance: Wealthy college scam parents may face IRS wrath That college scholarship might be taxable The 10 best private colleges for financial aid More From CNBC FILE PHOTO: A smartphones with Sprint logo are seen in front of a screen projection of T-mobile logo, in this picture illustration taken April 30, 2018. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers questioning the chief executives of T-Mobile US Inc and Sprint Corp over their planned merger sparred with each other on Tuesday over T-Mobile's executives staying at President Donald Trump's hotel where they spent $195,000 while in Washington. T-Mobile Chief Executive John Legere defended the $26 billion deal before a House subcommittee, saying the company would be better and faster at building 5G, the next generation of wireless, to compete with industry leaders AT&T Inc and Verizon Communications Inc and would create jobs while prices would not rise. But Representative Hank Johnson, a Democrat from Georgia, asked instead about Legere taking a group of executives to stay at the Trump International Hotel the day after the merger was announced last year. The hotel stay had been previously reported. Legere acknowledged staying at the hotel, telling the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee's antitrust subcommittee: "I'm a longtime Trump hotel stayer." "You see how that looks?" Johnson pressed on. "You understand the optics of that? What it looks like? It looks like what's happening is that T-Mobile is trying to curry favor with the White House." Legere said that he was unaware of any contacts between the White House and the Justice Department and Federal Communications Commission who were reviewing the deal. Representative Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat, agreed with Johnson's concerns. "It appears that you were trying to influence the merger," she told Legere. Republicans on the committee disagreed. Representative Jim Sensenbrenner, a Republican, said that where the T-Mobile executives stayed was irrelevant. "I'm kind of embarrassed sitting here listening to the line of questioning of the gentleman from Georgia," he said, referring to Johnson. Representatives Matt Gaetz and Ken Buck, both Republicans, mocked the hotel issue. "I had dinner at the Trump hotel three weeks ago," Buck said. "I wonder if I have a conflict of interest?" Legere said on Twitter on Sunday that on this trip to Washington he stayed at a different hotel. Story continues MERGER CONCERNS Two key House Democrats expressed concern about the agreement to combine the No. 3 and No. 4 U.S. wireless carriers, which was struck in April. Representative David Cicilline, chair of the antitrust panel, noted that both companies had competed hard against their bigger rivals. "I am deeply skeptical that consolidation is the path forward to lowering prices, increasing opportunity, or unleashing competition," he added. Representative Jerrold Nadler, chair of the full committee, said he was concerned about the companies' dominance of prepaid plans, usually used by people who are poorer or have bad credit. "Because the proposed transaction would also consolidate the market for these services, it may have disproportionately negative effects on low-income households," he said. To win support for the deal, T-Mobile previously said it would not increase prices for three years. Sprint said it hopes to complete the regulatory approval process by the end of June. Last month at a congressional hearing, House Democrats raised worries about the deal because the U.S. wireless market has just four main carriers. (Reporting by Diane Bartz; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Phil Berlowitz) After 15 years of waiting, 47 urban poor families from Quezon City finally got their housing titles after former President and Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo intervened to speed up the awarding process. Last Wednesday, Arroyo personally awarded Certificates of Entitlement to Lot Allocation to 47 families in Camp Atienza, in Libis, Quezon City, securing the families' land tenurial status at the socialized housing site. The 47 families were the first batch of 154 housing family-beneficiaries who have long anticipated the National Housing Authority to undertake subdivision survey and title individual lots in Camp Atienza. However, this could only be conducted once the property title is transferred from the Bases Conversion Development Authority to the NHAs name. The transfer had been stalled by a 15-year wait for the Bureau of Internal Revenue to grant an exemption to real property tax. The issuance of CELAs is therefore a watershed moment for Camp Atienza residents, who are now assured of their rights to the land they occupy. Moreover, it is a milestone in the families long road to secure land tenurial status. The Atienza Neighborhood Associations request for proclamation on housing was originally sent to Malacanang in 1993, where it gathered dust awaiting action. It was only when the Speaker took the helm as President that the request materialized. Nearly a decade after it was first sent to Malacanang, the request gathered momentum when then-President Arroyo signed Executive Order 116 in 2002. EO 116 declared large swaths of Camp Claudio in Tambo, Paranaque and Camp Atienza in Libis, Quezon City as socialized housing sites for disposition to qualified occupants. It paved the way for a memorandum of agreement to finally implement the housing project. The MOA was signed in 2006 among the NHA, the BCDA, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Local Government of Quezon City, and the Office of the Congressman of the 3rd District of Quezon City.In 2009, the BCDA conveyed the property to the NHA, the project administrator, for disposition to qualified beneficiaries. Over the course of the next eight years until 2017, the BCDA and NHA worked on the required documentation to transfer the land titles to the BCDA; amend the BDA's deed of conveyance to correct the area covered for housing from 5,340 sqm to a whopping 5,434 sqm; and finally, amend the BCDA's exemption from real property tax. The BCDA has stated that if the BIR does not approve the exemption, the BCDA will pay the real property tax so that it can secure the Certificate of Authorizing Registration, a requirement by the Registry of Deed before it can finally transfer the property in the name of the NHA. The site visit was conducted in the desire of Speaker Arroyo to see the impact of her asset reform program. In 2001, then-President Arroyo signed a memorandum directing all heads of government departments, agencies, and government owned and controlled corporations, and their instrumentalities to identify areas for socialized housing purposes. Her policy ultimately focused on securing and regularizing the land tenurial status of informal settlers occupying public lands. This prompted the BCDA to accelerate the conversion of military reservations into other productive uses such as civilian housing development. Camp Atienza is one of the 118 Presidential Proclamations on housing approved by the Speaker during her time as President. The proclamations on housing signed by Speaker Arroyo are estimated to cover over 30,000 hectares nationwide, benefiting millions of Filipinos. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, questions Timothy Sloan, CEO and president of Wells Fargo, during a Senate Banking Committee hearing Oct. 3, 2017. Photo: Diego M. Radzinschi/ALM Sen. Elizabeth Warren's call to break up tech companies by reversing merger and acquisition approvals could be a red flag for the industry's in-house counsel, accounting for extra precaution in deal negotiations. A March 8 blog post from Warren, D-Massachusetts, outlines the presidential candidate's plan to "break up the biggest tech companies." Warren said that, if elected, she would appoint "regulators committed to reversing illegal and anti-competitive tech mergers," including Facebook's acquisition of competitors WhatsApp and Instagram and Google's acquisition of Waze. "It is possible to challenge transactions that have already closed," said Mark Ostrau, a partner and the chair of Fenwick & West's antitrust and trade regulation practice group. But that doesn't mean it's easy. Both Ostrau and Neely Agin, an antitrust partner at Winston & Strawn, compared separating integrated acquired companies to "unscrambling an egg." Usually, Agin said, the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission break up finalized deals that cause competition issues but were not large enough to trigger a Hart-Scott-Rodino pre-merger filing. She noted regulators rarely reverse their decisions to approve a deal, most often in cases where companies were not fully transparent and new information emerges. Warren's plan would be unusual, but not impossible to enact. Agin said if Warren's enforcement plan ever does go into play, large tech company breakups could lead to fire sales on subsidiaries such as Instagram or Waze, with Facebook or Google forced to sell at a below-market price. The increased risk in tech industry M&As could play into future deal negotiations, according to Ostrau. "The technology industry companies have to take into account that there is a spotlight on them, and that the transactions are likely to get a lot of scrutiny," Ostrau said. "Theyll need to factor that into their risk assessment." According to Agin, there are precautions legal teams can take to avoid M&A deals ending in a fire sale and trouble with regulators. First, she said, do what's best for the customer post-mergerraising prices or cutting popular items shortly after a deal could raise red flags to regulators, especially if the deal didn't trigger an HSR filing. She noted in retroactive M&A investigations regulators are able to see the deal's impact on the market. Pre-deal investigations are based on predictions alone. If counsel are worried a proposed deal could raise antitrust concerns but doesn't trigger an HSR pre-merger filing, Agin suggested giving regulators a voluntary heads-up. "You can call and let them know, 'Hey, we're working on this transaction, it's not reportable but we'd love to come in and talk to you about it and get you comfortable,'" Agin said. "Then, if you go through that process with them and give them the opportunity to review it, rather than ducking and hoping they don't see your deal, you get a similar benefit and comfort that you would have if you had an HSR reportable deal." Read More: FTC Task Force: Will Tech Giants Face a Day of Reckoning on Antitrust? Massive $5B Fine Against Google Highlights Long-Term Shift in EU, US Antitrust Enforcement Microsoft's Brad Smith Says the Company's Antitrust Case Provides Lessons for Facebook UK prime minister Theresa May and US President Donald Trump have promoted the prospect of a new bilateral free trade deal. Photo: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images A potential US-UK trade agreement is back in the spotlight as US President Donald Trump tweeted on Thursday that the potential is unlimited for a large-scale deal between the two sides. His enthusiasm on Twitter (TWTR) failed to acknowledge the deep opposition and controversy that has already plagued these talks, which are expected to last for years. Experts told Yahoo Finance UK that the talks may not lead to any deal at all. Its already in trouble, according to David Henig, a former trade negotiator who is now director of the UK Trade Policy Project at the European Centre for International Political Economy. Right now, the way it looks, its not happening anytime soon. Just last week, former UK agriculture minister George Eustice publicly called out the US for their questionable and antiquated agricultural practices, raising the hot-button issue of chlorine-washed American chicken. The US must learn to abide by British law and British standards, or kiss goodbye to any trade deal and join the back of the queue, Eustice said in an opinion article in the Guardian. A modern trade deal is not simply about commerce, it is also about values. My Administration looks forward to negotiating a large scale Trade Deal with the United Kingdom. The potential is unlimited! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2019 The US and the UK have been discussing a potential free trade deal since July 2017. Negotiations are expected to drag on for years as the nations tussle over politically sensitive topics like food safety standards and market access for Big Pharma. Dmitry Grozoubinski, a consultant and founder of ExplainTrade.com, said the US has aggressive expectations, but could easily walk away from this deal if it doesnt extract the terms it wants. That happened when the US walked away from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal in January 2017. The US also recently called it quits on extended negotiations with the European Union on the now-defunct Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Story continues Unfortunately for the UK, the Americans are in a much stronger position. The UK government has promised its citizens that it will work to strike free trade deals with countries around the world after Britain leaves the European Union. The US which is Britains largest trading partner after the EU is under less pressure to follow through. The ability to get this deal done within the next few years all depends on how much flexibility the two parties have, Grozoubinski said. If the UK just gave in on everything, it could be done in a year. But the UK wont want to allow the US to extract too many concessions. The British government will want to protect its food standards and guard its industries from unfair competition, as well as ensure fair government procurement standards and dispute resolution policies. The US is known to move faster than other developed nations in striking trade deals. However, it could easily take two to four years to get this deal done, if its done at all, Henig told Yahoo Finance UK. Unfortunately for both sides, true negotiations can only start after the United Kingdom has finalised its future trading relationship with the EU. The timing of that is still uncertain as the Brexit divorce deadline this month is expected to be extended. President Donald Trump grounded all Boeing 737 Max airplanes within the U.S. Wednesday afternoon, reversing the Federal Aviation Administrations initial support of the aircraft. The safety of the American people and all people is our paramount concern, said Trump, announcing the emergency order from the White House. Trump added that Boeing is an incredible company working very hard to find an answer to the recent tragedies. After the Boeing 737 Maxs deadly crash on Sundayits second within six monthsthe European Union and several other countries grounded the model. Canada joined the ban on Wednesday, citing new information hinting at possible similarities between the crashes, and within a few hours, the U.S. followed suit. A statement from Boeing said that while it continues to have full confidence in the safety of the 737 MAX, the aircraft manufacturer recommended the FAA ground the fleet out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircrafts safety. A nearly brand-new Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff in Ethiopia Sunday, killing all 157 people on board. The same model crashed in a similar time frame in Indonesia last October, killing 189 people. Questions have arisen over who should analyze the black box recorders from Sundays crash: Ethiopian authorities reportedly dont want to turn the evidence over to the U.S., fearful there would be a conflict of interest in the analysis since the plane is American-made. According to Axios, Boeing builds more than two dozen 737 Max aircraft each month at its Renton, Washington, factory and has already secured more than 4,700 orders for them. Boeing shares dropped as much as 2.5% to $365.88 following Trumps announcement. Boeing has lost more than $30 billion in market value since the deadly Ethiopian Airlines crash on Sunday, according to Bloomberg. A Turkish real estate company accepts cryptocurrencies for property and has homes that cost just nine Bitcoin. Antalya Homes has sold nine properties via Bitcoin already and expects to sell more as the world increasingly turns towards crypto. Chairman Bayram Tekce said: Payment with cryptocurrency enables a more reliable and faster transaction performance without any exchange loss. By making investments in countries like Turkey, where housing is becoming increasingly valuable, investors can shift their investment to a less risky area. The firm has a special section named Pay with Bitcoin on its website for all questions related to purchasing houses with cryptocurrency. The firm sells homes in Turkey starting from 30,000 (nine BTC). Property investment In October 2018, Roy A Turkish real estate company accepts cryptocurrencies for property and has homes that cost just nine Bitcoin. Antalya Homes has sold nine properties via Bitcoin already and expects to sell more as the world increasingly turns towards crypto. Chairman Bayram Tekce said: Payment with cryptocurrency enables a more reliable and faster transaction performance without any exchange loss. By making investments in countries like Turkey, where housing is becoming increasingly valuable, investors can shift their investment to a less risky area. The firm has a special section named Pay with Bitcoin on its website for all questions related to purchasing houses with cryptocurrency. The firm sells homes in Turkey starting from 30,000 (nine BTC). Property investment In October 2018, Roy Niederhoffer, President of R.G. Niederhoffer Capital Management, announced he was selling a 10,720-square-foot, 32-foot-wide mansion for Bitcoin. The house, situated in New York, is listed for $15.9 million. Im a big believer in Bitcoin, he told Bloomberg. I really am so bullish on it, and I want to own more of it. There are many ways that blockchain can change the real estate industry by reducing the risk of fraud, eliminating middlemen, and improving cash flow management. So far, however, commercial real estate has been a slow adopter of new technologies. But as more investors, contractors, and managers see the opportunities for blockchain in real estate, the whole industry could be disrupted. Click here for five key ways blockchain is shaking up the industry. The post Turkish firm sells holiday homes in Turkey for nine Bitcoin appeared first on Coin Rivet. Despite the growing humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, America has been hesitant to use military force to oust embattled President Nicolas Maduro from power. President Trump said U.S. military intervention is an option in Venezuela as pressure mounts from Western nations for Maduro to stepdown. Certainly, its something thats on the - its an option, Trump told CBS's Margaret Brennan last month. Doug Schoen, a former White House adviser to President Clinton, told FOX Business Trish Regan that the time is coming for America to use force to restore order in Venezuela. We need to seriously consider a military intervention, he said on Wednesday. Ideally a multi-national one with substantial participation by Latin American nations. It has been over two months since the U.S., along with some 50 nations, have recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as president of the Latin American country. Although they have received bipartisan support, many of the Trump's critics have strongly opposed military intervention in the region. Power has just been restored to Venezuela after a six day blackout that left citizens without the most basic of necessities. The U.S. has led an effort to facilitate the peaceful transition of power to Guaido with targeted sanctions to cut off the Maduro regime's access to capital. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX BUSINESS APP Schoen says that may not be enough to squeeze Maduro out of power. "This is a humanitarian crisis of the worst order. The Russians, the Cubans, the Chinese are all propping up Maduro. People are dying, he said, adding that a peaceful transition may never be obtainable. "We cannot let this go on. Sanctions may well not be enough." Related Articles The European Union is satisfied with the Philippine governments explanation on the Duterte administrations campaign against illegal drugs amid criticism that it violates human rights. Presidential Task Force on Media Security executive director, Undersecretary Joel Sy Egco, said the Philippine delegation, in a series of engagements in Brussels last month, was able to assure the EU that human rights violations were not a cause for concern in the country. There were some questions raised, interaction. But at the end of the meeting, satisfied[they were satisfied], Egco said in a Palace briefing on Wednesday. Presidential Human Rights Committee Secretariat executive director, Undersecretary Severo Catura, said that for him, EU was beginning to understand how necessary the aggressive crackdown on illegal drugs is in solving the countrys drug mess. Thats why one of the tasks done by the EU delegation is to explain before the chiefs of mission what are the different accountability and mechanisms of the country in addressing these problems, Catura said. I would like to believe that theres already an appreciation of what we are doing in terms of addressing the anti-illegal drugs problem in the country, he added. Catura noted the Philippine delegations struggle to explain the drug war since critics had been inflating the number of people killed during buy-bust operations. However, he said the Philippine delegation was able to successfully clarify this. We are seeing an appreciation coming from the global community, and we see it as a very positive development, Catura said. Of course, there are still interested groups who would want to pad the figures, but then again,-explain[its easy to explain it to them and they know], he added.Catura welcomed the EUs receptiveness to listen, saying it was a good start to changing the international communitys perception of the drug war. At least theres already this large window of openness where we can talk about it, he said. Meanwhile, Catura acknowledged the remark of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet that the drug war should not be considered a model by any country. Bachelet made this statement during the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland on March 6. [On] Madam Bachelet, the mere fact that she has been able to utter that compels us to really push for the information campaign,[that should reach her], Catura said. He also emphasized that the Philippines election to another term in the Human Rights Council is a vote of confidence in the Duterte administrations human rights record. Lets just say that all efforts are works in progress. The mere fact that you were elected to a fifth term, speaks highly of what we are doing, Catura said. Of course, we are not a perfect state. There are flaws. But then again, there are success stories that we can highlight, he added. Much in the news these days. From The Air Current When Boeing set out to develop the 737 Max engineers had to find a way to fit a much larger and more- fuel efficient engine under the wing of the singleaisle jets notoriously lowriding landing gear. By moving the engine slightly forward and higher up and extending the nose landing gear by eight inches, Boeing eked another 14% improvement in fuel consumption out of the continually tweaked airliner. That changed. ever so slightly, how the jet handled in certain situations. The relocated engines and their refined nacelle shapel caused an upward pitching moment in essence, the Maxs nose was getting nudged skyward. Boeing quietly added a new system to compensate for some unique aircraft handling characteristics. The Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) was designed to address this..it is activated without pilot input and commands nose down stabilizer to enhance pitch characteristics during step turns with elevated load factors and during flaps up flight at airspeeds approaching stall. The system activates when the sensed Angle of Attack (AOA) exceeds a threshold based on airspeed and altitude. That tilts the 737 Maxs horizontal stabilizer upward at a rate of .27 degrees per second for a total travel of 2.5 degrees in just under 10 seconds. How much the stabilizer moves depends on Mach number. At higher Mach the stabilizer moves less, at slower speeds it moves more. The trim system under MCAS is not stopped by simply moving the control yoke. If the Max is at a high A0A or its sensors erroneously believe that it is the MCAS function commands another incremental stabilizer nose down command. The system can be deactivated if pilots trim the aircraft manually to override the MCASs attempt to automatically pitch the jets nose down. Boeing, however, did not widely disclose the MCAS. According to the Wall Street Journal One high- ranking Boeing official said the company had decided against disclosing more details to cockpit crews due to concerns about inundating average pilots with too much information and significantly more technical data than they needed or could digest. While the investigations are still on going, it appears pilot confusion or lack of knowledge about the manual trim may be one of the causes of the crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE The Taliban is using peace talks with the United States for "propaganda purposes, Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah told RFE/RL, urging Washington to keep troops in the country until a formal settlement that includes Kabul has been signed with the militants. Abdullah also said Afghans were "concerned" that the Kabul government has been sidelined from the U.S.-Taliban talks in Qatar, but insisted it had not caused a rift with Washington. "Unless the Afghan government has direct negotiations with the Taliban, Afghan people have the right to be concerned," Abdullah, who is the de facto prime minister in the national unity government, said in an interview with RFE/RL in Kabul on March 12. "The Taliban wants to use these peace talks for political and propaganda purposes instead of using this as a step towards peace," he added. His remarks came as U.S. and Taliban negotiators are holding talks in the Qatari capital, Doha, to end the nearly 18-year war. The current round of talks started on February 25. U.S. President Donald Trump wants to pull out the roughly 14,000 American troops in Afghanistan and has tasked U.S. peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad with reaching a settlement with the militants. During a round of talks in Doha in January, U.S. and Taliban negotiators reached the basic framework of a potential peace deal in which the militants would prevent international terrorist groups from basing themselves in Afghanistan in exchange for the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan. But Abdullah urged Washington to keep U.S. forces in Afghanistan until a comprehensive peace settlement is reached between the United States, the Taliban, and Kabul. "The Taliban wants foreign troops to leave Afghanistan," he said. "Its also the demand of the Afghan people. But our opinion, and that of the Afghan people, is that until the war is over and peace is restored, there is a need for the presence of these troops." The Taliban has refused to negotiate with the government in Kabul, saying it is a U.S. "puppet" which the militant group wants to topple. The Western-backed government in Kabul has been angered and frustrated at being sidelined at the peace talks. Abdullah said the government's absence at the talks had prompted fears in the country that "there will be a deal in which the interests of Afghans will not be considered," but denied a fallout with the countrys international allies. "The relationship between the Afghan government and our international partners is not so strained that we suspect there might be a conspiracy against Afghanistan, [especially] after so many years of [mutual] sacrifice and cooperation," he said. Abdullah also questioned the Taliban's commitment to peace, accusing the militant group of "dragging out the process." "The Taliban is propagating that they have made progress during these talks and have come to certain agreements with the United States," he said. "But then they say they need more time [before they sign a formal deal]." U.S. and Taliban negotiators are currently attempting to hammer out the details of the framework agreement reached in January. But there are disagreements over four interconnected issues, including the Taliban breaking off ties with groups designated as terrorists by Washington, the timetable of a U.S. military withdrawal, a cease-fire in Afghanistan, and an intra-Afghan dialogue that would include the Taliban and government representatives. U.S. and other foreign 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, 2001, attacks in the United States. The Sandiganbayans Fourth Division has ordered the 90-day suspension of deputy speaker and Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. in connection with the alleged anomalous bank acquisition deal made during his watch as head of the Local Water Utilities Administration. it is affirmed that this Court, by putting the accused under suspension, is merely doing what is required of it by law, the anti-graft court said in its five-page decision. The leadership of the House of Representatives shall enforce the Sandiganbayan decision. But Pichay also said that only Congress has the power to suspend its members, citing the separation of powers of Congress. Accused Pichays contention is without merit. In this case, the record show (ic) that accused Pichay is charged under three separate valid Informations with violations of Section 3 (e) of RA 3019 (anti-graft law). Significantly the suspension pendent lite of the said accused is mandated under Section 13 thereof, the Sandiganbayan said. Pichay earlier entered a not guilty plea at the Sandiganbayan on three counts of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and one count of violation of the Manual of Regulation for Banks in relation to the New Central Bank Act at the anti-graft courts Fourth Division.The charges against Pichay stemmed from LWUAs acquisition of ESBI worth P80 million. The ESBI is a local thrift bank based in Laguna jointly owned by the Forum Pacific Inc. and Wellex Group Inc. of the family of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian. Ombudsman investigators said the action of the LWUA Board of Trustees, led by Pichay, to pass a resolution on March 24, 2009 approving the acquisition of ESBI was illegal due to an absence of the requisite regulatory approvals from the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Department of Finance, and the Office of the President. Pichay is the lone elected official facing prosecution in the case. The anti-graft court earlier dismissed for lack of probable cause the same charges filed against Gatchalian and other members of his family last November. Amnesty International has accused the European Union of being "complicit" in the systematic, unlawful, and frequently violent pushbacks and collective expulsions by Croatian police of thousands of asylum seekers to neighboring Bosnia-Herzegovina, where they live in squalid and unsafe refugee camps. In a report published on March 13, the London-based human rights watchdog said that by prioritizing border control over compliance with international law, European governments are not just turning a blind eye to vicious assaults by the Croatian police, but also funding their activities. It warned of a growing humanitarian crisis on the edge of the European Union. The route through Bosnia and Croatia has become increasingly popular among migrants and refugees from countries in Asia and the Middle East including from Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan -- since Hungary erected fences along its borders. WATCH: Migrants Accuse Croatian Police Of Brutality At Border (from November 2018) While most managed to continue onward, around 5,500 women, men, and children are currently trapped in two Bosnian towns near the Croatian border -- Bihac and Velika Kladusa -- living in abandoned factories without basic amenities, Amnesty International said. For the report -- titled Pushed To The Edge: Violence And Abuse Against Refugees And Migrants Along Balkan Route -- the group said it surveyed 94 migrants stranded in the temporary accommodation camps in Bihac and Velika Kladusa between June 2018 and January 2019. Nearly all of them said that they were pushed back by Croatian police, and almost one-third of those interviewed described violence at the hands of police. Many described how they were beaten, had their documents destroyed and possessions stolen in what appears to be a systematic and deliberate policy by Croatian authorities designed to deter future attempts to enter the country, the report said. Reacting to the report, Croatian Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said that his country has to prevent illegal migration as it is at the outer border of the EU. Bozinovic alleged in a statement that migrants often "falsely accuse" police officers of violence after they are prevented from entering Croatia. The Croatian police respect the migrants' fundamental rights and dignity and allow them access to systems of international protection if required, he said. Rights groups have in the past accused Croatian police of abusive tactics, with Zagreb denying the allegations. In Bosnia, the authorities cannot offer them adequate protection or living conditions and the improvised camps are unhygienic, lacking hot water, medical care, and sufficient food, Amnesty International said. The report said that potential asylum seekers are unlikely to get their asylum claims processed in Bosnia because of bureaucratic obstacles, inadequate legal assistance, and limited administrative capacity. Amnesty International urged the EU to "decisively" call on Croatia to halt police violence at its borders and use "appropriate measures to ensure Croatia's full compliance with international and EU law." The bloc also should provide additional assistance to Bosnia to improve the conditions for transiting and stranded people in the country. With reporting by AFP and Balkan Insight Nasrin Sotoudeh, an Iranian lawyer known for defending women's rights, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term and 148 lashes, according to her husband. The charges include "colluding against the system" and "insulting" Iran's supreme leader. Amnesty International says Sotoudeh's case is part of an increasingly harsh crackdown on rights activists in Iran. ISLAMABAD -- The United States should announce a Marshall Plan for South Asia if it wants to compete with China in projecting its "economic soft power" in the region, according to Pakistan's young political leader, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. "I think (the) United States and other powers that are now considering cutting and running from Afghanistan, instead of jealously trying to undermine CPEC or the One Belt One Road should come and compete in good old-fashioned capitalism," Bhutto-Zardari, the son of slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, said in an exclusive interview with VOA's Urdu service. The Marshall Plan was a recovery plan that helped rebuild war-ravaged Europe. Bhutto-Zardari now leads his mother's Pakistan Peoples Party, which now is one of the most important opposition parties in the country. CPEC, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, is one of the projects under the One Belt, One Road, or OBOR, umbrella that connects China's Xinjiang Province to a deep-sea port in Gwadar, Pakistan. The project includes Chinese investment and loans upward of $50 billion, and infrastructure and energy projects that the Pakistani government has termed a game changer for the struggling economy. Some economists, however, have asked questions about transparency and warned of the dangers of falling into a debt trap. Pakistan is already facing a financial crisis and may have to get a bailout package worth billions of dollars from the International Monetary Fund. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned that the United States would be opposed to any IMF loans that may be used to service Chinese debt. Pakistan has denied any links between CPEC and IMF loans. Bhutto-Zardari said CPEC was a brainchild of his party, even though the government of ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took credit for the project. Bhutto-Zardari also criticized the current government of Prime Minister Imran Khan for insufficient engagement with Pakistan's neighbors. "I don't believe that they've invested or engaged appropriately with Iran. Not this government, not the last government," he said. "I don't believe that we've had proper engagement with Afghanistan. I don't believe we've had proper engagement with India. And as far as this government is concerned, I believe we could have better engagement with China." Answering a question about the recent escalation of India-Pakistan tensions, when a suicide attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that India blamed on a Pakistan-based group brought the two countries to the brink of war, Bhutto-Zardari called Pakistan's response "mature." He did, however, accuse the Indian government of using the crisis for domestic political mileage before India's parliamentary elections next month. "It was a despicable politicization not only of a terrorist attack but potential nuclear war," he said. India has long accused Pakistan of harboring groups that carry out attacks on Indian soil. The Indian government also says it has given Pakistan proof of such militants and their activities in the past but that Pakistan has never taken appropriate action. Pakistan's foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, recently said India has not provided proof that is acceptable in a Pakistani court. In a speech to parliament recently, Bhutto-Zardari also criticized what is widely believed to be a policy introduced by Pakistan's military to try to "mainstream" militant groups. Bhutto-Zardari said the idea was against the unanimous decision of the country's parliament that passed an initiative, called the National Action Plan, on how to deal with these groups. "For us to even consider mainstreaming, there has to be policy input by those who should be making policy. There have to be confidence-building measures. You have to have re-education, de-radicalization, before we talk about re-integration. And, of course, the very first step should have been de-weaponization -- none of which I believe has taken place," he said. -- Voice Of America Yes, I found a better job Yes, but I'm still looking for a new job Yes, I retired Yes, I started my own business No, I like my current job No, but I'm currently looking for a new job Vote View Results SANTA ANA, Calif. A Monument man charged with the 1973 murder of an 11-year-old girl in Southern California also faces charges of sex acts on two other girls. The Orange County District Attorneys Office on Wednesday charged 72-year-old James Alan Neal with lewd acts on two girls under 14 years old in Riverside County between 1995 and 2004. Neal was extradited from Colorado after he was charged with the 1973 murder of 11-year-old Linda OKeefe in the seaside community of Newport Beach. He is scheduled to be arraigned on March 29. He is being held without bail. OKeefe disappeared while she was walking home from summer school, and her body was found the next day. Investigators identified Neal as a suspect with help from genealogical DNA. Its unclear if he has an attorney. WASHINGTON Federal officials laid out a plan to expand commercial space travel before U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner and other lawmakers Wednesday while Colorado political leaders try to position the state to benefit from growing opportunities in the final frontier. Potentially most important for Colorado was a plan for managing space traffic described at a hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee by Kevin OConnell, director of space commerce for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Gardner, R-Colorado, is a member of the committee. OConnell said it would be the nations first comprehensive policy on space traffic management. In essence, the system would be an air traffic control system raised into Earths orbit. It would be developed jointly by the departments of defense, commerce and NASA, he said. Although OConnell did not say where the space traffic management system would be based, his description of the military part of the program bore similarities to the U.S. Space Command that operated at Peterson Air Force Base in El Paso County from 1985 to 2002. Peterson is home of the Air Force Space Command. The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act calls for re-establishment of the U.S. Space Command to lead the nations space-based military program. The annual defense spending bill did not announce a location for the re-established U.S. Space Command, which prompted the Colorado delegation to Congress and Gov. Jared Polis this week to urge the Defense Department to choose the Centennial State. In a letter to acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, the state leaders wrote, As the epicenter of national security space, Colorado is the prime location to house national efforts to ensure continued U.S. technological superiority, global leadership and capabilities in space. The U.S. Space Command in Colorado will capitalize on Colorados existing military and intelligence missions and infrastructure to swiftly and comprehensively ensure space superiority over actors like Russia and China, the letter said. Polis and the Colorado delegation invited Shanahan to visit Colorado to see its nexus of national security space, industry, workforce and innovation. More than 27,000 private sector and 28,000 military aerospace jobs are in Colorado, according to the letter. More detail for a space traffic management program can be found in a recent directive from President Donald Trump to government agencies that would participate in it. The directive orders the defense and commerce departments to provide space flight safety data to civil and commercial users by 2024. The data would be taken from newly developed sensors and analytical tools. It also would invite partnerships with allied nations and private corporations. Hazards the space traffic management system would seek to avoid include military threats and collisions between satellites and orbital debris from previous space flights. Colorado is home to much commercial space activity. Centennial is headquarters to United Launch Alliance, the governments primary launcher of satellites. Colorado also is the home of defense giant Lockheed Martins space division in Jefferson County, where the deep-space Orion crew vehicle is being developed, and a Sierra Nevada facility in Louisville where the Dream Chaser space plane is being built. Gardner, who co-signed the letter to Shanahan, asked NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine at Wednesdays hearing whether the U.S. space program was healthy enough for its plans to expand commercialization and crewed missions beyond earths orbit something that hasnt happened since the Apollo 17 mission to the moon 47 years ago. I would say we are very healthy, Bridenstine said. I would also say there is always room for more capacity. Gardner asked for assurances that U.S. industries would lead the American commercialization of space, such as spacecraft built in the United States. Bridenstine responded that he would try to ensure American leadership. The NASA administrator also discussed plans for a return to the moon, first with drones and later with astronauts for a prolonged presence. Discoveries since the manned Apollo flights of the 1960s and 1970s, such as finding large amounts of frozen water on the moon, create opportunities for a sustainable human habitation, Bridenstine said. He said he anticipated more participation from other countries for a new manned moon mission. They are extremely excited about partnering with us in these endeavors, Bridenstine told the Republican Colorado senator.{span class=print_trim} RELATED: {span class=print_trim}> {a class=tnt-asset-link href=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/colorado-companies-among-to-compete-for-next-moon-landing/article_ba912b5e-f414-11e8-835d-37d3617adf2a.html}2 Colorado companies among 9 to compete for next moon landing{/a} > {a class=tnt-asset-link href=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/colorado-built-dream-chaser-space-plane-turning-into-reality/article_cbf046f6-1f38-11e9-a296-1f85cfd23d66.html}Colorado-built Dream Chaser space plane turning into reality{/a} > {a class=tnt-asset-link href=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/us-air-force-set-to-launch-st-next-generation-gps/article_a6f9cb34-015f-11e9-9adb-eff67a9ecf0d.html}US Air Force set to launch 1st next-generation GPS satellite, built in Colorado{/a} > {a class=tnt-asset-link href=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/nasa-spacecraft-built-near-denver-arrives-at-ancient-asteroid-its/article_dfaa1be0-f7d3-11e8-9101-5f408b94babd.html}NASA spacecraft built near Denver arrives at ancient asteroid, its 1st visitor{/a} > {a class=tnt-asset-link href=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/trump-wants-a-man-on-the-moon-again-pence-tells/article_28719ee2-ff77-5614-bfa4-d335dc99d001.html}Trump wants a man on the moon again, Pence tells space summit in Colorado Springs{/a} Stuck on a six-lane parking lot for 12 hours, Margaret Radford couldnt even force her drivers door open against howling winds at times on Wednesday. Radford was one of hundreds of people stranded on Woodmen Road after a crash blocked traffic just as a blizzard packing nearly 100 mph winds roared in. A former Colorado Springs city councilwoman and utilities employee used to disasters, Radford was taken by surprise. I have never seen a storm go from nonexistent to blinding white in moments, she said. It did that. From Monument Hill to the eastern plains, police, firefighters and the Colorado National Guard were still at work Thursday rescuing drivers caught in the storm and clearing abandoned cars left frozen to highways. An El Paso County Sheriffs Office spokeswoman said scores of people were still stuck a full 24 hours after the storm slammed the Pikes Peak region. Last I heard we still had about 150 people out there, Jacqueline Kirby said. Radford, like so many others Wednesday, thought she could beat the storm, leaving her Falcon home for a quick couple of hours downtown. Balmy temperatures and raindrops gave a false sense of security, she admitted. I want it highly noted that I made a stupid mistake, she said. She got an early start and was headed home on Woodmen by 9:30 a.m. With a four-wheel-drive Subaru, snacks, water and a half tank of fuel, the drive to the northeastern suburb would be easy, even if traffic was crawling, Radford thought. Then it was all brake lights, she said. It was just before 10 a.m. when the first big wind gusts were measured at 51 mph at Colorado Springs Airport. Raindrops turned to big flakes, then to sandlike crystals. Radford was just east of Marksheffel when she was caught in the backup behind a crash. In just a few minutes, her view went from taillights to pure white. I couldnt see anything, she said. Forecasters called the storm a bomb cyclone a winter storm with a hurricane twist. Barometric pressure dropped 50 points in the Pikes Peak region as the storm passed. It hit its lowest, 976 mb, right as Radford saw brake lights. Sheriffs Office Lt. Bill Huffor said deputies spent more than a day warning drivers about the storm. But no matter how many tweets, radio broadcasts and Facebook posts the agency puts out, a singular truth remains. Anytime you have a natural weather emergency, it tends to catch people off-guard no matter how much warning we give, Huffor said. The National Weather Service put El Paso County under a blizzard warning a full day before the weather hit, but this storm was especially deceptive. Wednesday morning dawned with temperatures hanging near 50 degrees in Colorado Springs with a light rain that made the Pikes Peak region feel more like Seattle. Most days see the temperatures rise with the sun; Wednesday saw the mercury plunge, hitting freezing on Woodmen Road just as Radford came to a stop. With gridlocked traffic on her left and right, she was trapped. There was nowhere to go, she said. I couldnt get off. She called her husband Bill, a Gazette editor who decided to ride out the storm at home. Bill wrote an email to his colleagues downtown, describing the ferocity of the storm. Visibility is pretty much nonexistent on my property south of Falcon, he said. I assume our barn is still there but cant see it. A few miles from home, Margaret Radford couldnt see more than a few feet and could barely hear the guy in the minivan in the next lane when they rolled their windows down for a few shouted snippets amid the howling wind. She was dressed for the weather, with a hat, gloves and heavy coat. She ran her car enough to keep warm, but rationed her gasoline for the long wait. Her emergency gear seemed plentiful before the weather closed in. But after a few hours of waiting, she worried. Not enough, she said. You never have enough. The sun was down before there were hopeful signs. The snow was relenting. Around dusk, I started to see some activity of rescue vehicles, she said. Radford watched rescuers help those who were worse off, including a family with a baby wrapped in what appeared to be a thin blanket. There were a lot of people who really needed help, she said. As it got darker and colder, Radford regretted a forgotten decision that put her emergency kit in the back of her iced-over station wagon. There was no easy way to get to the flashlight and other gear through the drifts and ice that surrounded the Subaru. Help arrived as emergency workers cleared cars from Woodmen. Traffic started moving, and Radford joined in after freeing her car from drifts that piled up around it. But her journey came to a quick halt. As soon as I was on my way, I went right into the ditch, she said. The road, the median and the ditch were impossible to distinguish. It got worse as she waited in her now-stuck car. The gas tank ran dry. Then the battery died. She used the last few minutes of power on her cellphone to flag down passing drivers using its flashlight accessory. After 12 hours in the storm, her salvation arrived in a pickup. An airman from Peterson Air Force Base had hit the road to help his neighbors and found Radford. She only caught his first name, Mike. Radford piled into the good Samaritans truck and waited as he stopped to help others stuck on Woodmen. He eventually dropped her off with two more good Samaritans, Utilities workers Mike Myers and Keith Riley. They had spent the day helping rescue stranded drivers and picked up Radford as they ended their shift. Radford said shes humbled by her co-workers who spent the day fixing downed wires and helping those caught by the storm, like Myers and Riley. It brings me to tears when I think about the men and women who keep our lights on and keep our water running, she said. And Radford said shell never underestimate Colorados wild weather again. It went from virtually nothing to Armageddon in about 10 minutes and 10 miles, she said. I have never seen this happen. - Most area schools and many other organizations are closed or on delayed start today. Get the complete list here - Click here for the latest traffic conditions around Colorado Springs - For a broader view of highway closures around Colorado, click here - Here's the latest flight information from Colorado Springs Airport -- "The storm is over," Colorado Springs officials were touting Thursday morning, but the Pikes Peak region is still feeling the effects of Wednesday's bomb cyclone. Schools remained closed, as did city offices, and many business delayed openings as crews continued to clear blowing snow and stranded vehicles from roadways. "Our crews have been working hard all night long, coordinating with (Colorado Springs police)," the city tweeted Thursday morning, warning that thick ice and abandoned vehicles remain an issue. "The storm is over but our response is not. If you can stay home and off the roads today, please help us out." Interstate 25 remains closed for northbound traffic from Woodmen Road to Castle Rock and southbound traffic from Castle Rock to Monument. I-25 between RidgeGate and Castle Rock reopened at around daybreak. Below are photos from I-25 just north of Monument. This is why the roadway remains closed. https://t.co/KmTy0Brhgp TLMFPDPIO (@TLMFPDPIO) March 14, 2019 The interstate will not fully open until the afternoon, CDOT said. Highways 83 and 105 also remained closed with "no suitable" alternate route, it said. Monument officials warned roads are "still very nasty," and asked motorists to stay home another day. "Folks I cannot make it any clearer for you! Roadways are not passable and will not be until possibly late into the afternoon," the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District tweeted. "Allow the road crews to work dont add to the problem! Stay home!" Folks I cannot make it any clearer for you! Roadways are not passable and will not be until possibly late into the afternoon. Allow the road crews to work dont add to the problem! Stay home! @ColoradoDOT @CSP_CastleRock @townofmonument @MonumentPolice https://t.co/TH8Kt1qAup TLMFPDPIO (@TLMFPDPIO) March 14, 2019 Colorado Springs officials echoed the warning, saying additional slide-offs and crashes were impeding snow plows and efforts to clear roads and rescue stranded drivers. At one point, seven pieces of equipment were needed to help motorists stuck on a single hill in north Colorado Springs, typing up 15 percent of the 40-vehicle fleet, said Corey Farkas, city streets manager. Locally, U.S. 24 from Constitution Avenue to Limon is shut down, as is Colorado 94 from Colorado Springs to Punkin Center and Woodmen Road from Powers Boulevard to the Falcon area. The closures meant some motorists were left to spend the night in their cars, while others abandoned their vehicles to stay in warming shelters until conditions improved. An estimated 1,100 motorists were stranded across El Paso County Wednesday with hundreds more stranded along I-25, leading Gov. Jared Polis to declare a state of emergency and activate the Colorado National Guard. El Paso County Sheriff spokeswoman Jacqueline Kirby said crews were able to make significant progress, even in the dark" clearing many of those vehicles overnight, but by late Thursday morning there were still about 250 stranded vehicles that still needed to be checked along U.S. 24 and Colorado 94. The National Guard assisted emergency crews throughout the state in checking on an "unheard of" 900 stranded vehicles, Jim Reid of the Pikes Peak Region Office of Emergency Management said during a morning briefing in Colorado Springs. The Guard said it rescued 93 people and two dogs. So far, no injuries have been reported related to stranded motorists. "We had people with medical conditions but I think we were able to get them out," Reid said. Those stranded are advised to stay with their vehicle, run the engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour and make sure exhaust pipes aren't blocked. Drivers should also crack a window slightly to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Douglas County said it still had more than 150 stranded vehicles on roadways and was working to "get people from the shelters back to their cars." It reported over 700 people staying in warming shelters overnight. Roughly 10 people also stayed overnight at the Colorado Springs Airport, which opened as a warming shelter. Nearby hotels were full to capacity with travelers and airport staff, spokeswoman Aidan Ryan said. The airport provided blankets and sleeping pads to overnight guests, as did Denver International Airport. DEN team members are working hard to ensure passengers get what they need during #BombCyclone Thanks for hanging in there, travelers! pic.twitter.com/DKupKSFxbS Denver Int'l Airport (@DENAirport) March 14, 2019 Air travel remained uncertain across the region. Service resumed at Colorado Springs and Denver airports Thursday after both were shut down during the March blizzard, but some flights were still delayed or canceled. The Colorado Springs Airport had 57 flights scheduled for Thursday, more than half of which are on time, Ryan said. Twenty-one flights have been canceled and four are delayed. "We had no arrivals yesterday, so all of our planes were elsewhere," Ryan said. "We're just waiting for planes to get here so we can depart." The first flight out is scheduled for 10:56 a.m. To check your flight status at the Colorado Springs Airport click here. Denver International Airport was reporting 675 cancelations and 105 delays, mostly impacting morning flights, spokeswoman Emily Williams said. Commutes to the airport were also problematic with the main corridor between Colorado Springs and Denver shutdown. Some of the flights canceled Thursday had nothing to do with lingering bad weather. President Donald Trump and the Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday grounded the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft while officials investigate whether problems with the plane's systems contributed to deadly crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia. The order grounded more than 70 aircraft, mainly impacting American, Southwest and United airlines. The order had no impact on Colorado Springs' airport, Ryan said, but Denver averages about 27 Max 8 flights a day, a spokesperson said in an email. It's not know exactly how many flights were impacted by the order, but Southwest airlines has about 22 scheduled Max 8 flights a day at DIA, while American Airlines has four, a DIA spokesperson said. Cayman Airways operates the planes out of Denver about two times per week. Colorado Springs Utilities reported 117 outages affecting 1,300 customers across the city Thursday morning. Downed trees and limbs on power lines seemed to be a major issue, spokesman Eric Isaacson said. Here's a snapshot of our current outage map. We're still working 111 outages affecting 1,330 customers. We're hoping with improved weather conditions we'll make good progress today. #COS #cowx pic.twitter.com/anKvMqfo9J Co.Springs Utilities (@CSUtilities) March 14, 2019 Mountain View Electric Association reported 8,000 customers without power Thursday. View the utility's outage map here. Crews will be out working on lines throughout the day, but the company could not provide an estimated time for restoration, Isaacson said. Thats the frustrating part for customers who have been out so long, Isaacson said. We just ask them to be patient. The blizzard warning for northern El Paso County expired at 6 a.m., but winds between 25 and 35 mph could still cause blowing snow and hampered visibility. Gusts up to 96 mph were reported Wednesday at the Colorado Springs Airport. The strongest lingering winds will blow in northeastern Colorado Springs and on the Plains, causing blowing and drifting snow, Gazette news partner KKTV reported. Temperatures were forecast in the 30s and 40s in Colorado Springs on Thursday, with warmer weather into the 50s expected Friday and into the weekend, KKTV said. Shelters remain open at: Homeless Shelter available at Springs Rescue Mission; 5 W. Las Vegas Ave., Colorado Springs, CO The Philippine government will not cooperate with the International Criminal Court should the Hague-based tribunal throw a full-scale investigation on President Rodrigo Dutertes harsher war on drugs, the Palace maintained on Thursday. In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the ICC had no jurisdiction over the country and its matters, adding the country remained unrestrained by their rules. They dont have a jurisdiction. If they dont have jurisdiction, they cannot do anything against us, Panelo told Palace reporters. Theres no jurisdiction. Why would you cooperate with them if they dont have jurisdiction over us? Were not bound by their rules. In Cauayan City in Isabela, Duterte said if the ICC would declare him guilty of crimes against humanity due to the series of drug-related killings, he said he would be glad to go and would even be the one to put the rope around his neck. Speaking before Isabela officials and villagers during the campaign rally of PDP-Laban senatorial candidates at the Francisco L. Dy Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday evening in Cauayan City, Duterte said, For all the things that I have said, ordered and done, I am willing to put [the rope around] my neck about this. Duterte, who said last year that he would be ready to die by firing squad, had earlier ordered the withdrawal of the Philippines membership in the ICC. The withdrawal will take effect on March 17. Reiterating his stand that the ICC had no jurisdiction over him, Duterte claimed the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, was not enforceable in the country because it was not published in a government publication or any newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. Panelo, the Presidents chief legal counsel, stressed the ICC would violate its own rules if it would conduct a preliminary investigation. Under the Rome Statute, if there is a preliminary investigation or any proceeding referring to the preliminary investigation, when there is one prior to the effectivity of the withdrawal, they can still proceed with the investigation, he said.But in this particular case we said assuming we have not withdrawn, assuming they have jurisdiction, they cannot proceed because that is in violation of the Rome Statute because what did they was just a preliminary examination, not preliminary investigation, Panelo argued. Currently, the President is facing two communications related to his controversial crackdown before the international court. Since then, Duterte had neglected the authority of the ICC, arguing that the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, cannot be enforced nor imposed in the country for it was not published i a government publication or any commercial newspaper. In his speech on Wednesday evening, the President took a swipe anew at the ICC, explaining the grounds why it has no jurisdiction over him. What they did with our membership in ICC, these f****** bastards, (former President Joseph) Estrada signed it. Then it was passed to the Congress for ratification because it was a treaty. But instead of returning the copy of the treaty to the Office of the President, that will mandatorily order the publication of that law in the Official Gazette, they didnt return it, Duterte said. There was no publication. They directly sent it there and appended it to the Rome Agreement. Me, Im a fiscal. Everyday, when I face a case, I ask myself: Do I have jurisdiction to prosecute this case? Or is the court Does it fall within the jurisdiction of the court where it is being tried? he added. According to the President, under the case of Tuvera vs. Tanada, the Supreme Court ruled that a law, especially a criminal statute, must be published. If you do not publish it, there is no law at all. It is as if there is nothing in the books of the government that will bind me to a criminal case. Why will you prosecute me in a law that was not published? Duterte asked. It says that it must be published, especially if that is a criminal statute. Otherwise, if there is no publication, there is no jurisdiction. I was the only one who thought of that, he added. However, if the ICC will declare him guilty of his crimes against humanity due to the series of extrajudicial killings, the President said he would be glad to go and hang himself. Former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, a presidential candidate, is a capitalist trying to fit in with a socialist brat pack. At left, Hickenlooper appears on Joe Scarboroughs MSNBC show. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. The University of New Mexico beach volleyball team will make its third trip of the young season to Arizona, this time to Tucson and the University of Arizona. The Lobos will take their 4-6 record up against four opponents this Friday and Saturday, two of which the Lobos have already faced this season. On Friday morning at 10 a.m. MT, UNM will play Louisiana-Monroe for the second time in 2019, after losing 4-1 in the first meeting. Lauren Twitty and Dali Rosado registered the lone win for the Lobos,winning in two sets (21-15, 21-17) on court one on March 1. UNM will face North Florida later Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. MT, which will mark the first time the schools have met on the sand. Saturdays contests will be against two Arizona schools, starting with another matchup with Arizona State at 10 a.m. MT. The Lobos and Sun Devils met on the opening weekend with ASU emerging with a 5-0 win. Shortly following the conclusion of the match, UNM will close the weekend against the University of Arizona, set to begin at 1 p.m. MT. Historically, UNM is 0-8 against Arizona. The Lobos enter the weekend coming off of two, 5-0 wins, having defeated San Diego City College and Arizona Christian University in Phoenix last Friday and Saturday. Against ACU and SDCC, UNM needed just two sets to win on each court and five of those sets against ACU and four of those sets against SDCC came with the Lobos limiting their opponent to single-digit points in the set. Islamophobia and the new clash of civilisations The Muslim and non-Muslim worlds are becoming increasingly intolerant of each other Gideon Rachman It is now getting on for 20 years since the attacks on New York and Washington of September 11 2001, and the idea that international politics should be organised around a war on terror is no longer fashionable. But suspicion and hatred of the Muslim world, inflamed by 9/11, has not faded with the passage of time. On the contrary, Islamophobia, as it is often called, is now a central part of politics in most of the worlds major power centres from the US to the EU, China to India. At the same time, countries that were once seen as strongholds of moderate Islam in particular Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan are witnessing a rise in radical Islamism. The overall picture is that both the Muslim and non-Muslim worlds are becoming increasingly intolerant in their attitudes towards each other, with politicians more and more inclined to pander to fear-driven views of the world. The most startling recent development has been Chinas decision to imprison more than 1m Uighur Muslims in the northwestern province of Xinjiang in mass internment camps, in an effort to re-educate them. This policy seems to be a wildly exaggerated response to a relatively minor threat of domestic terrorism, combined with the Communist partys increasing paranoia about social, political and regional conformity. The internment process has been unfolding since early 2017 and is belatedly attracting international condemnation. A UN human-rights panel has called on China to release illegally detained Uighurs. And, this month, Turkey became the first major Muslim nation officially to condemn Beijings policy towards the community. The outside worlds slowness to respond to Chinas actions in Xinjiang stems partly from a reluctance to antagonise the emerging superpower. But it may also reflect an increasingly hostile attitude to Muslim minorities in other parts of the world. India, Asias other emerging superpower, has been governed by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata party for almost five years. BJP militants make little secret of the fact that they regard Islam as alien to India. About 14 per cent of the Indian population is Muslim, but there was not a single Muslim among the 282 BJP members elected to the national parliament in 2014. The fear of Islamist terrorism in India has surged following a suicide-bombing in Kashmir that killed 44 paramilitary police. With elections looming, an increase in communal tensions seems likely. Anti-Muslim sentiment has also flared up in Myanmar, where more than 700,000 Rohingya Muslims were forced to flee the country by army offensives, amid reports of rape and murder. Most are now living as refugees in neighbouring Bangladesh. The plight of Muslim refugees, however, is not a particularly popular cause in the west. Since 9/11, many more American civilians have fallen victim to school shootings than to Islamist terrorists, but anti-Muslim rhetoric by politicians has become more pronounced. In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, then US president George W Bush visited a mosque and asserted that Islam is peace; 15 years later, Donald Trump won the presidency after campaigning to ban all Muslims from entering the US. In recent years, Islamist terrorism has hit Europe far more frequently than the US, with France suffering particularly badly. The fear of terrorism, combined with the arrival of refugees from the Middle East and north Africa, has produced a surge in support for nationalist and Islamophobic parties. Parties that campaigned against Muslim immigration are now in government in Hungary, Austria, Italy and Poland and they are powerful opposition forces, shaping the debate, in Germany and France. The anti-Islam radicalisation outside the Muslim world is coinciding with the rise of intolerant Islamism in some Muslim countries that used to be relatively immune from that ideology. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, once lauded in the west as the model of a modernising democrat, is increasingly despotic and given to bitter conspiracy theories about the west. Turkeys secularists are on edge, fearing an Erdogan-driven effort to Islamise their country. The situation has been worsening in Pakistan for decades. Islamists are using blasphemy laws as a weapon to persecute religious minorities and political opponents. Salman Taseer, a former governor of the province of Punjab who spoke out against the blasphemy law, was assassinated in 2011. His murderer has become a hero of the Islamist movement. Imran Khan, the current prime minister, defends the blasphemy law. Campaigns against blasphemy have also become a political weapon in Indonesia, the worlds most populous majority-Muslim country. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (known as Ahok), a Christian and former governor of Jakarta, was imprisoned in 2017 after being convicted of blasphemy. Ahok was a protege of the Indonesian president, Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi. But, running scared of the rising tide of Islamism, Jokowi has selected a conservative Muslim cleric as his running mate in Aprils presidential election. In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, there were endless discussions about a clash of civilisations between the Muslim and the non-Muslim worlds. It is no longer quite so fashionable to discuss the concept. But something that looks strikingly like a clash of civilisations is emerging nonetheless. Grand Old Partisan appreciates Republican concern for the environment. This day of 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt signed an executive order creating the first National Wildlife Refuge, at Pelican Island in Florida. "It is hereby ordered that Pelican Island... is hereby reserved and set apart for the use of the Department of Agriculture as a preserve and breeding ground for native birds." In 1906, President Roosevelt issued a second executive order doubling the five-acre site to include surrounding areas. There are now five hundred sixty-two national wildlife refuges and thirty-eight wetland management districts. Here is a Video Version of this article on YouTube: https://youtu.be/a7seq91XrIs Michael Zak is author of Back to Basics for the Republican Party, a history of GOP civil rights achievement. Each day, Michael Zak's grandoldpartisan YouTube channel and Grand Old Partisan blog celebrate more than sixteen decades of Republican heritage. And, see Speech Raves for audience feedback from his presentations in thirty-one states so far. He also wrote the 2005 Republican Freedom Calendar. Clarence Thomas cited Back to Basics for the Republican Party in a Supreme Court decision. Buy the book at Amazon "This is the most amazing book about politics that I have ever read. The Overview should be required reading for anyone with even a minor interest in government. The remainder is an enthralling history lesson that I will never forget. For years, we have all been misled about the true nature of the GOP. This is the real deal! Read it and be proud!" "Michael Zak wrote the definitive history of the GOP." "Back to Basics for the Republican Party is the most significant contribution to the Republican Party in the last twenty years apart from Ronald Reagan." "Back to Basics for the Republican Party is more important to our party now than ever before." and "one of the best books I ever read" READ: DepEd condemns of Cebu student Blog Archive December (1) November (2) October (2) September (2) August (3) July (3) June (3) May (2) April (2) March (3) February (2) January (2) December (2) November (2) October (2) September (3) August (3) July (4) June (4) May (5) April (4) March (4) February (4) January (4) December (4) November (6) October (2) September (3) August (2) July (10) June (3) May (2) April (8) March (5) February (3) January (4) December (4) November (5) October (5) September (4) August (7) June (4) May (4) April (2) March (5) February (2) January (4) December (3) November (4) October (4) September (3) August (4) July (4) June (5) May (3) April (3) March (4) February (5) January (5) December (2) November (3) October (4) September (4) August (4) July (4) June (5) May (4) April (4) March (5) February (4) January (4) December (5) November (4) October (4) September (4) August (4) July (4) June (4) May (3) April (4) March (3) February (4) January (2) December (5) November (5) October (8) September (7) August (7) July (8) June (8) May (5) April (7) March (6) February (2) January (4) December (3) November (7) October (3) September (3) August (4) July (5) June (8) May (7) April (7) March (5) February (6) January (8) December (6) November (5) October (7) September (4) August (7) July (7) June (6) May (8) April (10) March (12) February (3) January (8) December (9) November (7) October (7) September (8) August (9) July (5) June (7) May (4) April (4) March (5) February (8) January (6) December (5) November (5) October (5) September (2) August (2) July (3) June (2) May (5) April (1) March (3) February (4) January (1) December (3) November (3) October (3) September (2) August (2) July (2) June (4) May (4) April (4) March (4) February (4) January (3) December (5) November (5) October (4) " " Many adults don't find out until much later that they are allergic to one food or another. twomeows/Getty Images A lot of attention has been given to the increasing number of American kids with serious food allergies, now believed to be one in every 13 children (8 percent). School cafeterias have largely banned peanut butter peanuts are one of the top triggers and savvy parents know to quiz sleepover guests on allergies to other common foods like milk, eggs or wheat. Childhood food allergies are a big deal, because a bad reaction could lead to anaphylactic shock, which if untreated by an epinephrine shot, could be fatal. But kids and their parents aren't the only ones who need to be educated about food allergies and how to respond to a severe allergic reaction. According to a new study, adults have it even worse. More than 10 percent of American adults now have one or more food allergies, according to the largest in-depth survey of the prevalence of food allergies among adults. Of the 40,000 adults surveyed, 10.8 percent were determined to have a legitimate food allergy to things like shellfish, milk and peanuts (the top three allergies), severe enough to cause telltale symptoms of anaphylaxis like hives, swelling, throat tightening and trouble breathing. And nearly half of the allergies developed as adults. "One in 10 adults with a food allergy is a lot of adults," says Dr. Ruchi Gupta, lead author of the study and director of the Science & Outcomes of Allergy & Asthma Research program at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. "This is a significant problem." What worries Gupta, a pediatrician and researcher who previously focused on childhood food allergies, is not only the surprisingly high prevalence of food allergies among adults, but the fact that only half of the adult food allergies identified by the survey had been diagnosed by a doctor. Even more alarming, less than a quarter of adults with a bona fide food allergy carried an epinephrine pen, the only way to halt a deadly reaction. Advertisement Food Allergy or Food Intolerance? Clearly more Americans need to take food allergies seriously by talking with their doctors about avoiding certain foods and having an emergency response plan in place. But a second surprising finding that came out of Gupta's study is that a separate and nearly equal cohort of American adults believe they have a legitimate food allergy, but actually don't. When asked if they were allergic to any foods, a full 19 percent of survey respondents said yes. But when prompted to list the symptoms of their most severe reactions, only 10.8 percent met the standards of a "convincing food allergy" like difficulty swallowing, chest tightening or vomiting. The rest of the respondents cited symptoms like diarrhea, belly pain and itching, which are signs of a food intolerance or other conditions, but not a true allergy. The confusion stems from a general misunderstanding of what is and is not a food allergy. For example, many Americans (31 percent according to a 2015 survey), believe that the only difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance is the severity of the reaction. Or that people with food allergies can eat small amounts of the offending food without triggering a reaction. " " This illustration shows the prevalence of food allergies among American adults. JAMA Network Open A true food allergy means that consuming any amount of the allergen, even a tiny sip or crumb, will trigger the immediate and overactive immune response known as anaphylaxis. The severity of the reaction depends on the severity of the allergy. People with a food intolerance, on the other hand, can sometimes eat or drink small amounts of the troublesome food without triggering symptoms. And even when the symptoms are at their worst, they are usually confined to the gastrointestinal tract. Gupta doesn't blame the nearly 9 percent of Americans who falsely believe they have a food allergy. In addition to food intolerances, which can make people feel absolutely lousy, there are a host of other conditions with symptoms that overlap with true food allergies. A common one is oral allergy syndrome, in which certain fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts trigger an itching sensation in the mouth and throat, and swollen lips. It looks like a food allergy, but the reaction is actually triggered by common pollen allergies and the symptoms go away quickly. But if your throat tightens and your lips blow up like balloons every time you eat a peach, you could be forgiven for thinking you had a food allergy. In the food allergy survey, Gupta and a panel of allergists were trying to be as conservative as possible when deciding if a certain bundle of symptoms qualified as an allergy, which means their figure of 10.8 percent of adults with food allergies could be low. The only way to know for sure would be to test each and every person who reported a food allergy, either through a skin prick test or the more dramatic "food challenge," in which an individual ingests a potential allergen in a doctor's office to gauge their immune response. But with a sample size of 40,000, that's not practical. Advertisement Not Sure If You Have an Allergy? See a Doctor Gupta thinks that the key takeaway from the food allergy survey is the importance of talking to a doctor to figure out if your specific set of food-related symptoms is a true allergy or something else. "Because some of [these conditions] are treatable and some of them are life-threatening, so it's important to know what you're dealing with," says Gupta. And if it turns out that you don't have a true food allergy, that's great news! It means you don't have to spend your life anxiously avoiding certain foods. "I live with this in my own house," says Gupta, whose daughter has a food allergy. "Avoiding foods is so challenging. I don't want people to live in fear if it's something that could be treatable." For example, oral food syndrome can often be avoided by cooking the offending fruit or vegetable instead of eating it raw. And people with lactose intolerance rather than a true milk allergy can enjoy lactose-free dairy products without giving up the pure joy of an ice cream cone on a hot summer day. So if you've experienced unpleasant reactions to certain foods, don't suffer in silence. Talk to your doctor or make an appointment with an allergist to get tested. Knowledge is power. Learn more about food allergies in "The Food Allergy Fix: An Integrative and Evidence-Based Approach to Food Allergen Desensitization" by Sakina Shikari Bajowala MD. HowStuffWorks picks related titles based on books we think you'll like. Should you choose to buy one, we'll receive a portion of the sale. Now That's Interesting Celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder marked by a severe intolerance to gluten, is also not a true food allergy, since the autoimmune response does not result in anaphylaxis. It still sucks, though. " " Be careful with biting down on a sandwich. You don't want to swallow a toothpick! LauriPatterso/Getty Images You might occasionally read about some person swallowing a cell phone or a pen. That's crazy! But every day, people swallow more mundane things that they shouldn't. Most "foreign-body ingestion" occurs with children under 6, who put the object in their mouths and swallow them by accident, says Dr. David Farcy, president of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM). It's a little different for adults. "In the adult population, they usually swallow the object by accidentally mixing it with their food," explains Farcy via email. In 80-90 percent of the cases (adult and children), the foreign objects pass out on their own, Farcy says, but those that don't can quickly turn into potentially dangerous medical concerns. Some things are more likely than others to wind up in your stomach, simply because they're in close proximity to your food. Here are some of the most common, but dangerous, things adults swallow by accident: Advertisement 1. Toothpicks Swallowing a toothpick is not as common as you might think, but it's a serious situation if it happens. "Toothpick ingestion is a medical emergency. Perforations of the intestine are common and the associated mortality is high," wrote a team of researchers who published a report in 2014. (They found 136 cases of toothpick swallowing in 116 publications and concluded ingested toothpicks "are a relatively rare event.") The study found that toothpicks caused gut perforation in 79 percent of the cases and death resulted in 9 percent. In 58 percent of the cases, the patient had to undergo surgery. Toothpicks can cause significant injury to the gut, resulting in sepsis or peritonitis, as well as death. Since toothpicks often didn't show up during CT scans or ultrasound, "ingested toothpicks should be kept in mind as an important differential diagnosis in patients with acute abdomen," the researchers noted in the study. Advertisement 2. Fish Bones A perfectly good filet of fish can quickly be ruined by a fish bone, particularly if it goes undetected until it's been swallowed. Indeed, fish bone foreign body (FFB) is the most commonly experienced esophageal foreign body found in adults in Asia, according to a 2016 study (in the Western world meat is the bigger danger). Compared with other foreign food bodies, like steak, fish bones are more likely to result in bleeding and/or perforation, which is why they have to come out within 24 hours to avoid serious complications. "[Swallowing fish or chicken bones] can have severe consequences because the left atrium chamber of the heart is located at the back of the heart, right in front of the esophagus, and it can be punctured by these sharp objects," emails Dr. Richard Honaker, chief medical officer of Your Doctors Online. Of course, a lot of factors can affect how a case of FFB turns out, such as the size, location where it's lodged and the amount of time since it got stuck there. If the bone is greater than 3 centimeters, it'll pose a higher risk than smaller, flimsier bones. If the bones don't come out on their own though, an endoscopy might be required. Advertisement 3. Metal Brush Bristles Swallowing one of those metal bristles from the brush used to clean the barbecue grill is fairly common. The journal Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery reported in 2016 that barbecue brushes had caused around 1,698 emergency room visits between 2002 and 2014, "Wire brush bristles are an increasingly recognized hazard that can present as a foreign body in the aerodigestive tract," noted a summary published in the journal Case Reports Otolaryngology in 2015. "Due to their small size and tendency to become embedded in surrounding tissue, these small metallic bristles present a unique operative challenge to otolaryngologists." As a result, doctors typically have a tough time visualizing and removing these bristles through less invasive means, and often have to perform full-out surgery to correct the problem. That's an awful lot of trouble to go through because of a steak or hamburger. Make sure your cookouts stay happy occasions by replacing grill brushes once a year to avoid any accidental bristle loss (Weber Gas Grills suggests the spring, when grilling season really kicks off). Now That's Interesting Coins are often swallowed by kids, but they don't do lasting damage as they don't have any sharp edges. "Coins almost always pass without causing any serious problems but parents are advised to check the stool for a few days to ensure that the coin has exited the body," says Dr. Richard Honaker. " " There are ways to lower your medical bills. Experts suggest you check them carefully and use other sources to determine if the prices are fair. Prapass Pulsub/Getty Images Sky-high deductibles, co-pays and overall health care costs leave many patients wondering if there's any wiggle room to be had with often exorbitant medical bills. Surprisingly, the same skills you probably use when haggling at the car dealership can come in handy when struggling to pay health care costs. There's no doubt that medical bills are steadily going up. The 2016 Health Care Cost and Utilization Report found major price increases in many areas, especially emergency room visits, surgical hospital admissions and administered drugs. Total spending per person in 2016 grew 4.6 percent, versus less than 3 percent growth in 2012-2014. And out-of-pocket spending is also increasing. Fortunately, it's often possible to bring a daunting dollar amount down. "You can almost always negotiate, but you must act quickly," explains financial and investments expert Wes Moss in an email interview, adding, "Burying your head in the sand as it relates to your hospital bills won't help. Your best chance to start the process happens in the first 90 days." Here are some great strategies for reducing your medical bills: Advertisement 1. Read Your Health Insurance Policy Before you go knocking down the hospital finance department's door, take a few moments to familiarize yourself with your insurance policy, which usually features a maximum out-of-pocket amount per patient. If your bill is more than your out-of-pocket max, that's a red flag, says health care claims resolution expert Marc Chapman. If however, the amount is legitimate and in line with your policy, you may get a 5 or 10 percent discount if can pay the bill in full promptly, he says. "It never hurts to ask." Advertisement 2. Look for Billing Errors Although medical bills can be long, confusing and tedious to comb through, the process can pay off. "As many as 80 percent of bills contain errors and some of them can be discovered by a patient," emails Derek Fitteron, CEO of Medical Cost Advocate. "Also review your EOB [explanation of benefits] to make sure the proper adjustments were made by the insurance company. Make sure the provider is billing only what is allowed." Health care advocate Karen Vogel suggests requesting a detailed statement from the provider that includes procedure billing codes. According to Vogel, it's not always easy to differentiate between services because many are packaged into a bundled case rate for insurance reimbursement. She recommends that people, "look for duplicates or things that simply didn't happen." In addition, she says that computer savvy individuals can use online member portals operated by insurance companies and providers to examine all bills and medical visits. You can also look at sites like FAIR Health and Healthcare Bluebook to find out what the average cost for that procedure should be. "If a hospital charged you more than what you find to be reasonable, that information can be used as leverage for getting the bill reduced," Moss says. Advertisement 3. Contact the Billing Office Once you've done your due diligence, approach the billing office first, as many facilities have staff auditors who'll check the bill for accuracy. If they tell you the bill is correct, and you don't have the funds to pay it, find out the provider's financial assistance policy, typically found in detail on their website. There's usually some kind of form to fill out to get help. "Most hospitals will not even bargain until you've filled that paperwork out," Chapman says. Once you've completed the requisite paperwork, it's time to take things next-level. "I'd recommend visiting the medical billing office of your hospital in person," Moss explains. "It's a lot more difficult to be unyielding to a personal appeal rather than a phone call or email." Whether in person, by email or on the phone, it's important to be clear in your communication. "You should be open and honest with your provider about financial difficulty," says Fitteron. "If a provider will not reduce the bill for financial hardship you can ask for a payment plan. If your financial situation is difficult enough and you are willing to provide proof of your income and assets, you can apply for charity care at most hospitals." Indeed, for qualifying people, this extra effort can really pay off. Patient advocate AnnMarie McIlwain recently managed to wipe out a client's $36,000 hospital bill following submission of her financials. Advertisement 4. Keep Fighting Vogel advises people to shoot for a 30 percent discount on their bill. However, she cautions people to get any promised reductions in writing and to move on it as fast as possible. "Don't let the bill age for more than six months as once it's turned over to a collections agency, the ability to negotiate is limited," she emails. Also, don't shy away from negotiating even if you think it's going to be an open and shut rejection. "If there are extenuating circumstances (like out of network providers in an emergency situation) a case can be made for asking for a reduction," emails Cindi Gatton with Pathfinder Patient Advocacy Group. If you decide to go full court press, take steps to prevent the bill from inflating. "If an appeal is filed, tell the provider/billing agency to put your account on hold for at least 30 days, and to block any interest charges while it's under review," Vogel explains. Successful negotiations are likely to range widely, depending on a number of factors, according to Vogel. "An academic or teaching hospital is going to charge high and negotiate less. They are supporting a huge amount of uncompensated care and complex conditions, and will be less likely to bargain," she explains. However, "a community hospital may be more sympathetic; they have different kinds of funding sources and don't want bad publicity or social media shaming." Advertisement 5. Try a Patient Advocate If you haven't made any headway with getting your billing reduced or you're aren't up to the hassle it's fine to seek the assistance of health care advocates or other independent claims professionals. "They help patients fight erroneous charges and lower medical bills," Moss says. "Most of them do charge a fee, but they are experts in fighting these charges, potentially saving you time and money and certainly the associated headaches." Some agencies will not charge you up front but will bill you a fee that is a percentage of how much they were able to save you, typically to 25-30 percent. Patient advocate AnnMarie McIlwain notes that she was able to get a client's bill at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York reduced from $600,000 to zero "through a combination of identifying incorrect coding (it was coded for a bone marrow transplant which she did not have and is enormously expensive), successfully appealing the out of network assignment and a charity care." You can visit sites like Claims.org, BillAdvocates.com or AdvoConnection to find names of people who will advocate your medical bills on your behalf. Now That's Cool Avoid some of the financial headaches that come with big medical bills by comparing hospital costs ahead of time (assuming, of course, your medical procedure is not an emergency). "The cost of treatment can vary considerably even for in-network treatment ... We have seen the price of minor surgery vary by 200 percent. If you go outside of insurance company networks or self-pay, prices can vary by 500 percent, so it is a requirement to shop around," says patient advocate Derek Fitteron. " " Many crisis hotlines now offer a text service as a way to reach younger people. ljubaphoto/Getty Images People in crisis have long been urged to pick up the phone and call a hotline, but there's a growing population who prefer to use text-based crisis services, instead. "The largest percentage of our texting messages are from male youth below the age of 17," emails Gene Dobrzynski, assistant call center director with Nevada-based Crisis Call Center, which offers both phone and text services. "My personal belief is that in general, males are nervous calling on the phone to discuss their problems. With texting, they are able to hide their emotions versus a telephone conversation." It's not just young men who texting helplines either. Forty-six percent of the people who contact Crisis Text Line are age 17 and under, and 79 percent are female, says Ashley Womble, head of communications for the organization in an email interview. In general, about 75 percent of the group's texts come from people under 25. Advertisement The Rise of Texting The added layer of anonymity in texting, coupled with the convenience factor, are big deals for people in crisis as they need to be able to take action quickly, easily and confidentially. "Texting is private, comfortable and accessible. People can send a text from anywhere, without making a sound," Womble adds. Although the voiceless option seems impersonal to some, the shift in format makes sense because a lot of users have never known life without texting, and are much more comfortable communicating that way. The use of text (also known as SMS messaging) as a general communication method experienced a tremendous increase in the early 2000s. June 2001 saw 30 million messages exchanged in the United States alone, with that number peaking in 2011 at 2.3 trillion (use of other apps for a similar purpose, like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, have kept the number from climbing). This explosion in texting inspired the social change group Dosomething.org to spin off Crisis Text Line, as members started texting to ask for help with personal issues. "In the five years since our launch in 2013, our text volume has increased each year," Womble says. "Between 6,000 and 10,000 texters contact Crisis Text Line each day." In fact, the org reports that more than 91 million text messages have been exchanged since they opened in 2013. As the means of contacting a crisis line has expanded over time, so have the reasons for using one. When the first suicide prevention center in the U.S. opened in 1958 it was focused on just that aspect of mental health. Now, Crisis Text Line and many other services advertise that counselors are available for any "painful emotion for which you need support." "Crisis Text Line is here for people of all ages who are in a mental or emotional state that has left them in a dangerous condition or unable to cope in a functional or productive way," Womble says. "We believe everyone has the right to feel supported and this is a no judgement zone. We cover a whole range of crises, from anxiety and depression, to eating disorders and bullying to suicide and self-harm." Advertisement Drawbacks to Texting The transition isn't without its challenges, though. Dobrzynski explains that it can be more difficult to assess the safety of the individual due to the lack of voice contact. "Additionally, the lack of demographic information makes it hard to assess and provide resources," he says. "The texter may not disclose their age or may inaccurately disclose their age or gender making it difficult to access needed resources." He notes that during fiscal year 2018, his crisis center answered 66,554 contacts. Most of these contacts were by telephone, but 11,407 were text messages. And that number is likely to grow. To that end, text-based counselor training is an ongoing experience, tweaked regularly to hopefully get it just right. Among the lightbulb moments for Crisis Text Line was the discovery that the most effective counselors identify texter strengths in a genuine manner, by texting affirmations like "you showed courage texting us." The group intends to continue gleaning such details to help users, while also collecting data to hopefully further mental health research efforts. They also launched CrisisTrends.org, a publicly available portal with data and trends pertaining to relevant mental health issues, such as the worst states for anxiety and the time of day in which people tend to have the most problems with stress and anxiety. Now That's Important If you're in crisis we don't care what method you use just please, reach out to someone for help. For text, send a message to 741741 from anywhere in the U.S. Or, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (you can also do online chat). The Spanish-speaking option is 888-628-9454, and the line for the deaf or hard of hearing is 800-799-4889. " " Too many photos and emails on your computer, phone or "in the cloud" can be stressful. Dan Brownsword/Getty Images At last count, my wife and I have more than 12,000 photos and 1,300 videos in our two iCloud storage accounts, plus thousands of more family photos and movies scattered across a half dozen external hard drives that may or may not be functional. I have two active email accounts with a total of more than 28,000 read messages and 6,000 unread messages. I am the owner of two free Google Drive accounts, each with a 15 gigabyte capacity, plus 2 terabytes of iCloud storage that I paid for at some point and have no idea why. I am, in other words, typical. According to a 2018 paper from Monash University in Australia, the average modern man and woman has access to 3.7 terabytes of digital storage space, either on a physical device or in the cloud. In 2017 alone, we human beings took an estimated 4.7 trillion photos on our smartphones, and Facebook uploads 300 million digital photos every day at a clip of 136,000 per second. Advertisement Powered by the availability of cheap, nearly infinite digital storage space, and an insatiable appetite for recording and sharing the minutiae of our daily lives, the digital detritus is piling up at an alarming rate. If all of our digital photos, music files, unread emails and ancient PDFs were physical objects, then we would all deserve our very own episode of "Hoarders." In fact, there's growing speculation in psychological research circles that our collective digital hoarding of countless pics, video clips and emails may produce some of the same negative effects as the real-world hoarding of old newspapers, expired cans of food and cats. Traditional hoarding disorder, first recognized as a distinct mental illness in 2013, is believed to affect 4 to 5 percent of the global population, according to the Monash University paper. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) defines hoarding disorder by several criteria, including: persistent difficulty discarding possessions, regardless of actual value urge to save items and distress associated with discarding them accumulation of possessions that renders living spaces unusable due to congestion and clutter hoarding behavior that causes "significant clinical distress" and impairment of social and work life, and poses a safety hazard The authors of the Monash University paper, define digital hoarding along similar lines, minus the physical menace of a house brimming with trash. "Digital hoarding," they write in the study, "is defined as the acquisition of and failure to discard or effectively manage digital content regardless of its use, leading to the accumulation of digital clutter." Digital Hoarding Versus Real-world Hoarding Digital hoarding is nowhere close to becoming a diagnosable mental illness like traditional hoarding disorder, but if further research establishes that digital clutter is just as damaging as the real thing, the co-authors write, it could affect "a large percentage of the world's population, leading to substantial psychological illnesses, social problems and economic losses." Clearly, there are some big differences between digital and real-world hoarding. No matter how many digital files you amass, they will never pose a physical risk to your health and well-being like a precariously towering stack of newspapers or a pile of rotting garbage in the living room. But psychology professor Liz Sillence and her colleagues at Northumbria University in the UK found that digital hoarding can be psychologically and emotionally distressing in its own right. For a 2018 paper, Sillence and her fellow researchers asked a group of 45 adults about their digital hoarding habits and identified clear signs of stress and anxiety triggered by the runaway accumulation of emails, photos, work files and more. One participant described her growing digital hoard as "stressful. Although not actually taking up physical space, it 'feels' clutter like." Another described the difficulty of trashing old files. "It would be really hard for me to delete any documents, music or photographs. Particularly photos, I love my pictures, they are one of the devices I use to pick myself up is to look over past photographs whilst listening to music. To delete any of the above would be really unnerving for me because there is a feeling of the data being lost forever." This emotional connection with digital files is a source of both comfort and anxiety, explains Sillence, much in the same way that traditional hoarders place emotional value on items that others classify as trash. "I think the relationship we can have with our 'digital stuff' can be complex," writes Sillence in an email. "Even if people felt they didn't look through their photos or songs very often, simply knowing they were there and they could look through them if they wanted to was comforting. The idea that they might have to get rid of everything or the idea that one day it might just be gone because of some sort of computer glitch caused most people to feel quite stressed." The study participants also identified a second type of stress associated with unmanageable amounts of digital files, particularly at work. A disorganized inbox or hard drive cost them productivity, which added to their anxiety. "They felt overwhelmed, lacked a clear strategy for searching and felt that it was easy to get lost in their digital files," writes Sillence. Both Sillence and the handful of other scientists who have explored the impact of digital hoarding believe we need much more research on its potential psychological impact. While it's not likely to pose an acute mental health threat like traditional hoarding, the raw number of people affected by persistent levels of digital hoarding anxiety could be staggering. Now That's an Idea Decluttering guru Marie Kondo has her own tricks for cleaning up your digital life, including a desktop folder named (what else?) "Spark Joy" and a weekly purge of her iPhone. " " Pope Francis waves to his flock as he arrives in St. Peter's Square for his weekly mass in September 2017 in Vatican City. The pope suffered a black eye after hitting his head on the Popemobile when his vehicle stopped suddenly. Franco Origlia/Getty Images They can be embarrassing reminders of less-than-graceful moments or a marks of profound pride: However you choose to view bruises, they're pretty fascinating. The variety of colorful patterns they create on the skin is reason enough to want to learn more about these weird, sometimes painful, spots that everyone has coped with at one point or another. Otherwise known as a contusion, a bruise is a mark that appears when blood is trapped under the surface of the skin. Bruises occur when some type of trauma or injury crushes tiny blood vessels (known as capillaries), but doesn't break the skin. As a result of the injury, the broken capillaries leak out red blood cells, which get trapped under the skin, collecting in a pool that forms the blue/purple/red/black blemish. "A bruise is an area of discolored skin on the body caused by a rupture of underlying blood vessels secondary to a blow or impact," explains Dr. Navya Mysore, a New York City-based primary care provider. Bruises can feel tender when they first form, and can be accompanied by some swelling. They usually take about two weeks to heal, but some bruises can last months. During the healing period, the body breaks down and reabsorbs the pooled blood that produced the mark. As this happens, the color of the bruise can fade from dark to light and take on all kinds of interesting hues along the way. Advertisement End of the Rainbow "Right after the injury, bruises are usually red or purple as it's the color of the blood that has pooled underneath the skin," Mysore says. "As the bruise heals, the body breaks down the blood that has accumulated under the skin from the broken vessels. As this happens, the bruise turns different colors varying from black, blue, green to yellow." To break that down a bit: When a bruise first forms, it's usually some shade of red, thanks to the fresh blood just below the skin's surface. It takes about a day or two for hemoglobin (the protein that transports oxygen) to start imbuing the bruise with blue, purple or even black tones. Oxygen is what gives blood that red color in the first place, so when an injury causes hemoglobin to rapidly lose its oxygen, the red tone darkens and changes. After a few more days, the mark usually fades to green or yellow before being hit with a hint of brown and fading away completely. This color change occurs as the body reuses the iron in the hemoglobin to form new red blood cells the unused, decomposed hemoglobin transforms into a green pigment called biliverdin, which then converts into a yellow or light brown-tinged compound called bilirubin. As all these products are either reabsorbed or purged from the body, the mark fades and disappears. Advertisement Who's a Bruiser? Just about everyone gets bruises, but some people are more prone to them than others. Elderly people, for example, may be more likely to bruise due to thinner skin and softer tissue. Other factors, like certain diseases, medical conditions and medications, can also increase a person's risk for bruising. So what do you do when you get a hickey, a shiner or any other form of contusion? Usually, time really does heal all wounds (eventually). "Typically, mild bruises will resolve in a week," Mysore says. "More moderate to severe bruises can take two weeks to even a month to completely resolve. If the injury is forceful you can develop a hematoma, which is a solid swelling of clotted blood within the tissues and this can take many months to resolve but they do on their own." And while there are plenty of urban myths and tales about how to magically banish bruises in a snap, the only legit healing method is to chill literally and figuratively. "Rest the injured area as much as possible and apply ice to the bruise right after the injury happens," Mysore says. And if that isn't helping things move along, try applying some heat to increase blood flow and speed the healing process up a bit. Now That's Interesting If you find yourself constantly battling bruises, you might want to talk to a doctor to investigate whether you have a nutrient deficiency. Because your blood requires vitamin K to clot properly, if you don't have enough, you might bruise more easily. Vitamin C is also important to protect your blood vessels. Milwaukee Police(MILWAUKEE) -- A Wisconsin father who allegedly abducted her 2-year-old daughter after fatally shooting her mother has been arrested, but the child has not been found, police say. An Amber Alert was issued for 2-year-old Noelani Robinson, who was last seen on Monday. At the time of the alert, she was believed to be with her father, Dariaz Higgins, 34, who police said should be considered armed and dangerous. The search began after Milwaukee police responded Monday afternoon to a shooting they say was carried out by Higgins. "We are asking Mr. Higgins to take her and drop her off some place safe -- a family member's house, a fire station, a hospital," Thomas Casper, acting captain for the Milwaukee Police Department's homicide division, said at a news conference Tuesday. Milwaukee Police Noelani's mother, 24-year-old Sierra Robinson, was found lying on a driveway outside an apartment building, police said. She had been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The other woman, a 28-year-old, was also shot multiple times and was hospitalized in unknown condition, Casper said. Higgins was arrested by the Milwaukee Police Department Wednesday afternoon, the department said in a statement. A second individual was also arrested with Higgins for "harboring and aiding a fugitive," police said. That person's name has not been released. Authorities said they continue to use all available resources to find Noelani and urged the public to be on the lookout for her. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. low READ: Government vows swift action to ease El Nino-induced water shortage READ: El Nino destroys P464-million rice, corn " " Male pattern baldness tends to follow a predictable, well, pattern. H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock/Getty Images You've seen the commercials or spotted it on your nearest and dearest the loss of hair on the front or top of a head while a fringe remains around the chrome dome. Male pattern baldness (MPB), known in scientific circles as androgenetic alopecia, is responsible for more than 95 percent of male hair loss. Indeed, MPB affects around 50 million American men, with more than half of men over 50 reporting at least some hair loss, a risk that only increases with age. So, with such a great number of people affected, why is the baldness pattern generally the same? Hair loss is complicated, and scientists are still trying to work out the bugs on why and how it happens. Pretty much all of them agree that MPB is usually genetic. Typically, loss begins above both temples, receding until a characteristic "M" pattern emerges. Often, but not always, the crown also starts to lose hair. This is likely due to changes in how the body processes certain androgens, the male sex hormones. In fact, men with MPD actually inherited a genetic sensitivity to the androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This sensitivity causes hair follicles to miniaturize, which shortens their life span and eventually leads them to stop growing hair. The areas most often affected by miniaturization are you guessed it the crown and frontal hairline. Advertisement "Many men have frontal hairline recession only. Others will have thinning in the vertex (crown) of the scalp. Many times, both happen at the same time," says Dr. Amy McMichael with the Wake Forest Department of Dermatology in an email interview. "The order is predicted by genetics and each person has slightly different genetics that determine when hair will begin to thin and how severe hair loss will be." The rest of the hair on the head is made of hardier stuff, apparently. "The reason why men do not lose hair in the posterior scalp is that these follicles are genetically programmed to be stem cells and do not shed," emails Dr. Marc Glashofer, a board-certified dermatologist and hair loss expert practicing in Northern New Jersey. "This is why hair transplants harvest the hair from the back of the scalp." Scientists are using this knowledge to develop more effective treatments to slow or stop hair loss. Currently, only two treatments are approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Minoxidil (brand name Rogaine) is applied topically, directly to the scalp to stimulate hair follicles. It has shown some success at slowing hair loss, even helping to re-grow hair. The other option is Finasteride (Propecia), which is taken orally to limit or production of the disruptive androgen DHT, which slows hair loss and promotes hair growth. The drug has had a higher success rate than minoxidil. Now That's Interesting Hair loss can and does happen to women, too. Typically, it occurs much later in life than men, usually after menopause. Rather than going completely bald, most women experience significant thinning of the hair to the point where the scalp is visible at the top. READ: Duterte holds last-ditch meet to save budget Senate President Vicente Sotto III yesterday raised the possibility of holding a special session to break the impasse over the P3.757-trllion national budget for 2019 as both chambers of Congress continued to trade barbs over alleged pork insertions. In this scenario, Presidentthat have been the bone of contention between the Senate and the House of Representatives. After that, Sotto said Congress could convene a special session to address the vetoed portions and pass a joint resolution approving a supplemental budget. We can convene even for one day for a special session and pass a joint resolution approving a supplemental budget for that particular [vetoed] portion of the budget, he added. Earlier, Sotto said the House made P96 billion in realignments even after the budget was ratified by the bicameral conference committee. House Majority Leader and Capiz Rep.. As a result, Castro said, Lacson has obviously convinced the Senate leadership [led by Senator Vicente Sotto III] to do his bidding. I would like to remind our people that the Senate has so far also failed to act on other priority legislation that forms part of the Presidents agenda. These include continuing the process of Charter change towards federalism, passing the second tranche of tax reform or [Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion 2], the traffic emergency bill and creating a new Department of Disaster Management, Castro said. Given the maneuverings of senators, Castro said, they want the President to fail. We were elected by our people to pass laws for their benefit, not to indulge in personal vendettas, and least of all to place those vendettas ahead of the job we were elected to do. Lets heed the Presidents call for all of us to do our job and do right by our people, Castro said. Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., on the other hand, lamented the decision of the Senate to restore huge allocations of previous House leaders.It pains me to hear that our senators are standing pat on their decision to go back to lump-sum budgeting rather than adopting the more transparent line-item budgeting for the 2019 General Appropriations Act, Andaya said. Despite the Presidents position, I heard from the news that the senators are standing firm on their preference for lump-sum budgeting. Their threat: approve the bicameral conference report with lump-sum funds or suffer the consequences of a reenacted budget, Andaya said. The senators, according to Andaya, suggested that Congress return to the old-mode of lump-sum budgeting during their meeting with the President last Tuesday night. One of the senators even proposed that we let the President itemize the lump-sum funds for approval in the 2019 GAA, rather than Congress doing such work. I shot down the idea outright, saying lump-sum funds are prone to corruption and are declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. The President agreed with my position, saying it was not his duty to itemize the programs and projects in the national budget, he said. Should the senators remain steadfast in defending the lump-sum funds, Andaya said this practice will remain and only the favored districts will get their share of the taxpayers money. Also on Thursday, the officer-in-charge of the Budget department, Janet Abuel, said a reenacted budget would not stop them from implementing the fourth tranche of salary increase for government workers. For this to happen, however, President Duterte must first sign an executive order covering the release of funds. READ: "Lacson delaying budget' " " Marie Antoinette's portrait here was painted by Louise lisabeth Vige Le Brun, a favorite artist. Fine Art Images/Getty Images The last queen of France's name has become synonymous with extravagance and being out of touch. But there's a lot more to Marie Antoinette than meets the eye. For instance: Advertisement 1. Her Wedding Gown Caused an Uproar. At the tender age of 14, Marie Antoinette married 15-year-old Louis-Auguste, heir to the French throne. Her silver wedding gown was adorned with diamonds, a gift from her mother Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. There was just one small problem: The dressmakers had made a mistake with her measurements, and the gown was too tight. As hard as they laced up her corset, they could not get the dress to close, and there was no time for a replacement gown. With thousands of people looking on, the young girl walked to meet her bridegroom with "a broad stripe of lacing and shift quite visible, which had a bad effect between two broader stripes of diamonds," as one wedding guest put it. And worse was yet to come. 2. The Marriage Remained Unconsummated for Seven Years. Following the wedding reception, custom demanded that a large retinue of noblemen and women helped the royal couple get undressed and into bed. Then the courtiers drew the curtains of the four-poster bed and left Marie Antoinette and Louis to get on with their "marital duties" as it were. Perhaps all that scrutiny unnerved the prince the marriage remained unconsummated for seven years, a fact that was well-known at court. Not only was Marie Antoinette frustrated at Louis' lack of interest, she was humiliated by not being able to produce an heir. Maria Theresa dispatched her son Joseph to see what could be done about the sorry situation. Whatever he told them or did must have worked because the couple later wrote to thank him. Some historians also believe Louis suffered from a condition called phimosis, which makes sex painful, and he had surgery to correct it. 3. She Never Said "Let Them Eat Cake." Although that's probably the first thing that comes into your head when you think of the French queen, there's no evidence she made that retort upon hearing her subjects had no bread to eat. For starters, the phrase "Qu'ils mangent de la brioche" literally means "Let them eat brioche," which is a rich bread made with eggs. Not a cake. Second, the phrase was first noted in a book by philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, which he attributed to "a great princess." Marie Antoinette was only 10 when the book was written, so it was likely she was not the princess he had in mind. The first time the phrase was attributed to her was more than 50 years after the French Revolution. 4. But That Doesn't Mean She Wasn't Clueless. Marie Antoinette loved to spend money, partially because she was bored, but also because she was expected to promote French fashion. Louis ascended to the French throne in 1774; Queen Marie Antoinette ordered 300 dresses per year, as well as lots of expensive jewelry. She also had a model farm built on the grounds of her palace at Versailles, where she and her ladies-in-waiting dressed up and pretended to be shepherdesses and milkmaids. The ordinary people, reeling from paying very high taxes (some of which financed the American Revolution), blamed her for their problems, even though most of the nobility were themselves against paying taxes. Advertisement 5. She Showed Great Courage in Her Last Days. On July 14, 1789, some 900 Parisian workers and peasants invaded the Bastille prison and seized a cache of weapons. On Oct. 5, a mob descended on Versailles, captured the royal family and took them to Paris. With the king paralyzed by indecision, Marie Antoinette held council with various ambassadors and ministers and wrote letters to foreign leaders begging them to invade France and rescue her family. Eventually the couple was arrested and put on trial separately. Six months after Louis' execution, Marie Antoinette was also sentenced to death. On her way to the guillotine, she rode in an open cart with thousands of onlookers jeering. Her hair was shorn and her hands tied behind her back. A priest urged courage. "Courage?" Marie Antoinette replied. "The moment when my ills are going to end is not the moment when courage is going to fail me." " " Environmentalist and author Marjory Stoneman Douglas poses in front of the house she lived in for over 70 years in Miami (without air conditioning!) It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2015. Orlando Sentinel/Orlando Sentinel/MCT via Getty Images In the weeks after the horrific Parkland, Florida school shooting, Marjory Stoneman Douglas became a household name for all the wrong reasons. But her name was given to the high school because of her legendary 50-year crusade to save the Florida Everglades. Born in Minneapolis in 1890 and educated at Wellesley College in Massachusetts, Douglas moved to South Florida in 1915 after a brief and disastrous marriage to join her father, editor and founder of a newspaper that would become the Miami Herald. She was an accomplished journalist, short story writer and an outspoken advocate for women's suffrage, anti-poverty campaigns, and ultimately the cause that would make her famous, the Everglades. Advertisement Douglas's 1947 ode to these wetlands, "The Everglades: River of Grass" was published the same year that President Harry S. Truman dedicated Everglades National Park. Long before environmental scientists fully understood the fragility and interconnectedness of the Everglades ecosystem, Douglas railed against efforts by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to drain and divert parts of the sprawling wetlands to make room for agricultural and urban development. "Marjory Stoneman Douglas rang the bell decades ago about the importance of the Everglades, the iconic beauty of the Everglades, and man's decision to chip away at it," says Eric Eikenberg, CEO of the Everglades Foundation. "She spearheaded the efforts that we continue to fight for today." Interestingly, Eikenberg himself graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 1994, although like most teenagers he didn't know much about his school's namesake. The school was dedicated in 1990 when Douglas was 100 and still going strong. With "The Everglades: River of Grass," Douglas provided a new way of understanding the 1.5 million-acre wetlands preserve. Rather than seeing it as merely a sprawling swamp, Douglas rightly described the Everglades as a massive, slow-moving river of shallow water draining north to south from Lake Okeechobee down through the sawgrass prairies and emptying into the Florida Bay. In moving prose, Douglas wrote of the hundreds of species of birds, fish and flora that thrived in the precariously balanced ecosystem of the Everglades, the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. She rightly recognized that this area was largely responsible for the rainfall in South Florida. "There are no other Everglades in the world," begins "River of Grass." "They are, they have always been, one of the unique regions of the earth; remote, never wholly known. Nothing anywhere else is like them..." A tireless and often intimidating advocate, she founded the organization Friends of the Everglades at age 79 (despite her failing eyesight) to fight a proposed jetport in the middle of the wetlands. The airport plan was scrapped and Douglas spent the rest of her life defending the Everglades. John Rothchild, who edited her 1987 autobiography "Voice of the River," described her in the book's introduction as she appeared at a public meeting in Everglades City in 1973: "Mrs. Douglas was half the size of her fellow speakers and she wore huge dark glasses, which along with the huge floppy hat made her look like Scarlet O'Hara as played by Igor Stravinsky. When she spoke, everybody stopped slapping [mosquitoes] and more or less came to order... Her voice had the sobering effect of a one-room schoolmarm's. The tone itself seemed to tame the rowdiest of the local stone crabbers, plus the developers, and the lawyers on both sides . . . The request for a Corps of Engineers permit was eventually turned down." Why the Everglades Are in Danger There are two seasons in the Everglades, the dry winter and the monsoon summer, and scientists now understand that seasonal fluctuations in water levels are key to maintaining a delicate equilibrium between competing plant and animal species. That balance has been dangerously disturbed by decades of habitat loss and shortsighted water management tactics, explains Eikenberg of the Everglades Foundation. The River of Grass is no longer a free-flowing sheet of water but sliced up and boxed in by dams and dikes. " " This image shows some Everglades channels with mangrove plants in each side. The Everglades is a natural region of tropical wetlands in Florida, comprising the southern half of a large drainage basin and part of the neotropic ecozone. Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images "Water floods some areas and you have drought in others. It's all out of whack," says Eikenberg. "That's what restoration is trying to improve." Congress passed the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan back in 2000, but the funds to implement the plan were never secured. In the meantime, Lake Okeechobee, historically the water source that fed the southward flow of the River of Grass, has become hopelessly polluted, largely by agricultural runoff. In 2016, high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen in the lake caused a toxic algae bloom that prompted the governor to issue a state of emergency. Eikenberg says that Congress will have to re-authorize funding for the restoration (it's been 18 years, after all), but that if everything goes well, the River of Grass could be restored in eight years. He believes that Douglas, who died in 1998 at the impressive age of 108, would be energized by the effort. Now That's Cool Among Douglas's many honors and awards was the Presidential Medal of Freedom conferred by Bill Clinton in 1993. In 2000, she was posthumously inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. Douglas's ashes were scattered in the Everglades National Park over the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness Area. Advertisement Originally Published: Mar 1, 2018 On a daily basis, dairies face an assortment of decisions and opportunities. Thats why many producers employ a number of service providers. The struggle is that sometimes solutions are offered before problems even arise. Over my career, I have accumulated lots of solutions, veterinarian Paul Rapnicki said as an introduction to his presentation at the Leading Dairy Producers Conference in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. In order to apply any solutions however, the problem must accurately be identified. That was the crux of the presentation given by Rapnicki who serves as a cattle technical consultant for Elanco. Problem solving is based on the scientific method, said Rapnicki. When you become involved in real problem solving, you learn that not every problem has been solved before. He shared the six steps of the scientific method applying them to farm problem solving. Make an observation. Go to the place where the problem occurs, then you can observe firsthand what is going on, talk with the front line, and clarify whats happening, Rapnicki said. Ask a question. Something like, What did I see there? Make a hypothesis. Formulate a problem statement, he said. Make a succinct and measurable statement of what is actually happening compared to what should be happening. Conduct an experiment. This is the part where you introduce solutions. Pick something that can be measured and tracked for success. Draw conclusions. Measure the success of the solutions you implement. Report your results. Tell others what you found. Sometimes its easy to identify the problem, but other times it is not. Rapnicki said the most important time spent in problem solving is done so in that time where the problem is identified and the problem statement is written. Be specific and focused on only one problem, he said. Keep it short and explain it in only one to two sentences. Do not imply the solution. To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com. (c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2019 March 11, 2019 In times of tight financials, the best dairy producers identify problems and inefficiencies before applying solutions. The key is to let nature lead the way, says Jean-Eric Paquet, the European Commission's Director General for Research and Innovation My names Will Capers. For almost nine years, Ive blogged on various topics. I blogged as Blaque Ink first, and as Brotha Wolf second. The latter had a mu... 2 years ago "We can live without electricity for weeks, even months, but not without water." "We can live without electricity for weeks, even months, but not without water." The current water shortage crisis in Metro Manila is now the subject of inquiry by Congress. Manila Water officials are blaming everybody and everything else but themselves for the scarcity of this basic need in our daily lives. We can live without electricity for weeks, even months, but not without water. Its hard to believe that the Philippines, an archipelago of 7,000-plus islands surrounded by water is suffering from shortage of this essential commodity. Middle East countries with most areas covered by desert do not have this problem. Because their leaders are creative, they haul large blocks of ice from the North Pole and ship them to water-parched countries. You may say its because they have the money from their oil fields to do so. But we also have money from taxpayers to source water from the seas and rivers in the country. I have been a lone voice in the wilderness shouting and warning about the looming water crisis but no one was listening, said Buhay Party-List Rep. Lito Atienza, the former Manila mayor and one-time Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources recalled. Now that the water crisis is real and staring us in our collective unwashed faces, everyone wants to get into the act, Atienza added. Atienza suggested that the first thing Senator Grace Poe, who heads the Senate public service committee, should ask when she opens the hearing is Nakaligo na ba kayo? Grace Poe is a reelectionist for senator and there are concerns she might use the hearing as a platform to campaign. The same thing could happen in the House hearing. Atienza urged the senators and his colleagues in the House to go the root of the problem and to legislate long-term solutions to address it instead of grandstanding.What might be considered draconian, said Atienza, is that he might file a case in the Supreme Court for the government to withdraw the licenses granted to Manila Water and Maynilad to operate for non-delivery of service. The government itself can perform this essential public service utility like in the old days of the Nawasa or the National Water and Sewerage Administration, according to Atienza. This is not going to endear him to business tycoons the Ayalas and Manny Pangilinan who operate Manila Water and Maynilad, respectively. Atienza also reiterated his call for the cleanup of Laguna de Bay as he recalled the unwarranted act of former President Noynoy Aquino to cancel the government with with a Belgian company to dredge Laguna de Bay. The Philippine government lost its P2.6 billion case and is now paying the Belgian firm billion of pesos for breach of contract. The big lake, if cleaned up, could have been a source of water for household needs. But the interests of big-time fishpen owners was taken into account more than the peoples, Lito lamented as he expressed doubts whether Senate or congressional hearings would amount to anything, He merely smiled when I mentioned the word amount, probably not wanting to make more enemies from his peers in the house. Most severely affected by the water shortage are Department of Health hospitals whose services are mostly to the poor. Handwashing with hot warm water prior to surgical operations is a requirement aside from alcohol and chemical disinfectants. Patients and nurses have to wash before and after operations and even other minor treatment of patients. Atienza noted sadly that out of the 144 billion cubic feet of water the country has, only 24 billion cu. ft is used annually by consumers. The rest is wasted, he said, citing figures at hand when he was DENR secretary. Unfortunately Atienza only had a brief stint as DENR secretary at the near end of his co-terminus appointment by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. If reelected as Buhay Party-List representative in the May 13 midterm elections, Atienza vowed he would pursue his advocacy for environment and water conservation as public service. As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ In her book, The Durable Slum," Liza Weinstein points to how informal settlements are often able to survive natural disasters and multiple city-state attempts to dismantle them. What is not often articulated in stories about slum resilience are the unsung heroes who work tirelessly, creatively, and fearlessly to improve the lives of slum residents and ensure their safety during and after disasters. Crisell Beltran, the chairman of Bagong Silangan, murdered on January 30th of this year, was one of such unsung heroes. We met Beltran on Aug. 22, 2018 during fieldwork in Metro Manila. Beltran was a petite woman with bright eyes and a soft demeanor. She smiled through most of our conversations but a few times seemed stern when talking about disaster preparedness and her vision for transforming her community. Beltran was born and raised in the slums of Bagong Silangan, which is a relocation area for informal settlers from downtown San Mateo in the province of Rizal. She had her education in the same barangay and later obtained a degree in Mass Communication from Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Beltran described her rise to local politics as a personal calling. She said, I feel its a personal responsibility to be the leader. Apart from being a leader, Beltran was a political activist, a grassroots organizer, and a change agent who turned Bagong Silangan from one of the dirtiest and most notorious slums to one of the cleanest and relatively safe places to live, work, and play. Out of 142 barangays in Quezon City, Bagong Silangan, one of the poorest, ranked sixth place for safety and cleanliness in 2018. The first five were rich subdivisions. During Beltrans eight years of tenure as chairman, Bagong Silangan was transformed into what Catherine Brinkley described as an opportunity of the commons or a place where the right of access to economic, political, cultural, and social goods were provided and expanded to a variety of people, especially to poor and marginalized women. Beltran employed several low-income women and men and ensured that they were paid a decent wage (P3,900-5,300 or roughly US$75-100 a monthtwice as much as what a typical barangay worker normally receives). She also implemented childcare programs, health services, street cleaning initiatives, and disaster preparedness and response projects. Bagong Silangan hazard monitoring and disaster response programs could rival those in industrialized nations. Their program components include: state-of-the-art CCTV monitoring and early warning systems; rescue vehicles; emergency stockpiles (which include kits for babies and children); a dedicated evacuation team; and other multi-hazard contingency plans. Describing how vulnerable her community is, Beltran said: During the rainy season, this place is like a sea. So, the people are trapped when it rains. You know, the fear, the anxiety that these people feel. They can die because of this. That is the reason why we do not stop responding. We do not mind if we get wet. My prayer is that no one will die. I dont care whether they are stubborn, they are my children. You know it is your responsibility. So, I need to get them out of that vulnerable condition. During [Typhoon] Ondoy in 2009, around 200 people died in this barangay. I was not the barangay captain yet. But since I came into this position, no one has died, because we are very persistent. These statements speak to Beltrans sense of responsibility as a leader and it also reflects her passion and motherly affection for her community. In an era when most politicians use their office for personal aggrandizement, Beltran stood out for transparency and accountability. She believed politicians should serve the people and political gains should be redirected into community prosperity. You need to serve properly with sincerity and love, not because of religion or politics but because you love the people. If there is no love, everything is meaningless. Theres also God, who guides you, Beltran said responding to questions about what influences her as a person and as a leader. Beltran believed in building bridges not walls. She did not see the need to have an entourage of security officers around her and was willing to meet anyone who needed her assistance. She found safety and confidence in her community. This was later exploited by the four gunmen who shot several bullets that killed Beltran and her driver in Silangan.Beltran was 47 years old when she was murdered. She left behind three children and three grandchildren. The reason for murder is yet to be uncovered, although media speculations suggest that it may be politically motivated or could also be due to personal conflict or land dispute. The mayor of Quezon City has offered P5 million for information leading to the identification of Beltrans killers. On Feb. 3, the four identified gunmen were caught. We note that this is a step in the right direction. However, beyond financial incentives, we demand that proper investigation be conducted. Too many unsung heroes in the Philippines die before they can reach their full potential. Beltran was running for Congress as a representative of Quezon Citys second district, where a huge slum population resides. If given the chance, she could have done more to transform the lives of these poor communities. This is not the time to look away. Impunity must not be tolerated in the case of Beltran. Her death and those of other unsung heroes are a direct assault on human rights and on the freedom of every Filipino. Above all else, public safety is a common wealth that must be protected. As the 2019 election approaches, people must not give in to cynicism and apathy but instead should engage with power to ensure that peace and justice prevails. Let justice prevail for Beltran and the vast community of slum dwellers she passionately served. Jola Ajibade is an Assistant Professor at Portland State University, Oregon. Arla Fontamillas is a researcher and independent consultant. She began by talking about the brave women across the world who have made history through their struggle for equality and liberation, including those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, before she zeroed in on the Iranian women who are fighting the mullahs and advised that there is a proud history of Iranian women leading social change. Maryam Rajavi said: Iranian women are proud to have struggled against forty years of despicable religious tyranny, since day one until now. They have produced a glorious resistance movement It is thanks to this struggle and perseverance that Womens Day for Iranian women does not only fall on March 8 but is actually marked as every single day of the calendar. She advised that March 8 is not just a day to protest against inequality, but also a day to celebrate the achievements of women who have fought for freedom and those who will continue until the fight is over. Maryam Rajavi said: In the midst of fear and silence, it is women who chant death to Khamenei in the face of the regimes agents. They lead workers protests and become the voice of teachers and retirees. They inspire youth to stand up against the regimes agents. They persevere in prisons with extraordinary courage, alongside their sisters. And, in the ranks of freedom fighters, they have established Units of Resistance. She explained that these women fight on, in spite of the Regimes push to violently eliminate all opposition, including the 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners, which included thousands of women, including the elderly, the young, and even the pregnant. Maryam Rajavi advised that the women are resisting a misogynist regime whose rule is based on the discrimination, suppression, and humiliation of women. She then began to outline the major problems facing women in Iran today. Forced veiling Maryam Rajavi reports that the mandatory hijab is a major problem in Iran, especially because women who refuse to comply are arrested or attacked by morality police. Thousands of women were arrested for protesting the sexist law. Drug Addiction Maryam Rajavi reported that the number of female drug addicts continues to rise year after year, with 50% of female prisoners between 20 to 34 years of age charged with drug-related offences. Many addicts are forced into prostitution to support themselves. Unemployment Women are not allowed to work without their closest male relatives permission and are often excluded from typically male professions. As a result of the mullahs misogynist policies, the unemployment rate for educated women has reached 78%, while the unemployment rate for women under 30 has reached 86%. Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had the nerve to claim that employment is not the main issue when it comes to women. Child Marriage The marriage of girls under 18 years of age has created a tragedy for women in Iran, Maryam Rajavi said. Homelessness There are at least 3,000 homeless women in Tehran alone, with a great number also forced to turn to prostitution. At the heart of many of these issues is poverty and at the heart of that is the Iranian Regime. In our next piece, we will look at how Maryam Rajavi advises the Regime can be overthrown by supporting Iranian women. "Its pro-growth, pro-poor, and pro-Filipino." "Its pro-growth, pro-poor, and pro-Filipino." Together with the Foundation for Economic Freedom and other organizations, I strongly support and am in complete agreement with President Duterte in his call to streamline and expedite the process of land conversion. Expediting land conversion is pro-growth, pro-poor, and pro-Filipino. It is a necessary step towards reaching our collective goals of being a high-income economy and the alleviation of poverty. Judicious and progressive utilization of land opens up vast opportunities to sustain the economy on a high growth path. Land must be devoted to its best use, one which will provide a higher yield and multiplier effect on the economy. Urbanization requires land for housing. Commercial and industrial pursuits require land, as well. To deny land for these purposes will create social and economic distortions, stunt growth, and adversely affect the quality of life of our people. I realize land is needed for agriculture, but the better approach to food security is to improve productivity with better inputs, farming methods, and support services. The answer is not more and more hectares or scale, but efficiency. In most industrialized nations, less than five percent of its people are in farming, yet they supply abundant food for domestic consumption with the surplus for export. I urge the government to free up land, particularly marginally productive and unirrigated land, for commercial, residential, and industrial purposes. Lets unlock the full potential of our economy. I ask all citizens to assist in clearing the roadblocks for land conversion by supporting President Duterte in streamlining the land conversion process. * * * It is said that civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. A savages whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of his tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men.Thankfully, the Securities and Exchange Commission has delayed the implementation of its Memorandum Circular No. 17 Series of 2018, which would have required all corporations to disclose their ultimate beneficial ownerdefined as a natural person who ultimately owns or controls, or effectively owns or controls, the corporationin their General Information Sheet or GIS. The circular is a flagrant attempt to violate our right to privacy. Not only should it be delayed, it deserves to be scrapped for being unconstitutional and anti-freedom. The right to privacy, defined by US Justice Louis Brandeis as the right to be left alone,is described by RA 10173 as a fundamental human right, equal to the other fundamental human rights to freedom, equality, religion, the right against exploitation, and the right to constitutional remedies. So sacred is our right to privacy that our 1987 Constitution prohibited the State from violating it. It is an essential part of freedom, which every individual should protect. It is as precious as the air we breathe. The SEC, however, wants us to give away our right to privacy by requiring companies to disclose information, which under the Corporation Code need not be disclosed. The SEC is not a lawmaking body. It is tasked simply to execute our laws. There is no law passed that empowers the SEC to compel companies to disclose information not required to be disclosed by the Corporation Code or any law for that matter. Clearly, the SEC has no authority to require the disclosure of the ultimate beneficial owner of all corporations. This authority is reserved for Congress alone, and if the SEC persists in imposing this circular, I have no doubt that the courts will restrain its implementation and that Congress will ever pass such legislation. And dont we trust the government? No, not always. The problem is, we dont place an infinite value on privacy. Sometimes were willing to give up some of itto friends, doctors, companies with whom we want to do business. What we really should value is the freedom to choose when well do that and when well tell people and government to butt out. [email protected] Thursday, March 14, 2019 Just Hours To Go: A Lobbyist's Lament, One Pot Bill Still Lives, GOP Senator Seeks Cover On Minimum Wage And Can Norway Show NM Something? Joe, both the House and Senate have had these signs up for a couple of weeks whenever they are on the floor. Lobbyists are no longer allowed to catch legislators on the floor like we use to before they are gaveled to order. This is what made New Mexico special and our legislators accessible. Well, its a tough sell. Feeling sorry for a lobbyist in Santa Fe is like feeling sympathy for the guy who just ran over your dog. But don't take it personal, lobbying corp. You notice how Senators this week quietly killed that bill that would have prohibited you from buying them any food or drink during the legislative sessions? They still like you--a lot. Just two full days to go in Session '19 before Saturday's noon adjournment. Here's what's catching our attention. . . Legal pot is dead but decriminalizing the possession of a small amount of the weed (up to half an ounce) is still on the table. ABQ Dem Sen, Jerry Ortiz y Pino reports; Senator Cervantes' SB323 has passed the Senate and has only one House committee referral, to Judiciary, before it reaches the floor there and is sent to the Governor. It is an improvement over what we do now, but not as broad a reform as we need if we are to have any hope of actually controlling drug use. Criminalizing it clearly hasn't worked, but decriminalizing it only does half the job: it leaves the illegal market controlled by gangs, cartels and dealers, unimpeded, free to squeeze millions in profit from New Mexicans. The state reports that the bill would reduce the number of criminal cases in the courts. In 2018, there were 2,165 cases of people charged with possessing an ounce or less of marijuana. The Cervantes bill would make it a civil not a criminal offense for possession of up to half an ounce, punishable by a small fine. That would mean a lot of low income folks would avoid spending time in jail for smoking a joint. As for the cartels, legalizing marijuana elsewhere isn't having much of an impact on them. A report HEARING FOOTSTEPS Sen. Rue At least one ABQ metro state senator is hearing footsteps behind him on the 2020 campaign trail and taking action. Republican Sander Rue was the Rue is one of three GOP metro Senators we've pinpointed as vulnerable to defeat at the hands of the Dems next year as BernCo grows increasingly blue. The others are the North Valley's Candace Gould, who has already drawn a Dem opponent, and GOP Sen. Mark Moores in NE ABQ. As for the minimum wage, it's tied up in knots as conservative Dem Senator Clemente Sanchez could not reach a compromise with the House which wants a higher boost (as does the Guv) than provided for in the Senate passed bill. The big cities already have their own minimums but outside of them the hourly wage is only $7.50 an hour and hasn't been raised in years. That's a lot of chile picking for a few dollars. Theres plenty of time for a compromise and a lot of low-wage workers are counting on one. LOOK OUT OCATE There's been nearly unanimous support for the proposal to apply the gross receipts tax to all Internet sales in the state. On-line giant Amazon already applies the tax but the House-passed tax bill applies it to all Internet sales. There is a minority view and Reader David Geary has it: Joe, you endorsed the Internet sales tax as it would level the playing field between online and local brick and mortar retailers. This view might work for metropolitan areas, like Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Las Cruces, but many New Mexicans are very rural, are on low or fixed incomes, and 40% of them are on Medicaid indicative of their precarious livelihood. Take poor car-dependent families who live in Claunch or Ocate. They must drive as long as a 2-hour round trip for even mediocre shopping. Being able to order online, and have needed items delivered to them, is a real benefit. And what would the new tax be for them? The statewide sales tax rate, or that rate plus the added local sales tax to around 8%? Ouch! Fair points, David. To answer your question, the LOOK TO NORWAY Joe, You've done a great job chronicling the changing financial fortunes in the state, thanks to the oil boom in the Permian Basin. When our bean counters look for models of what to do with this new-found and (for a change) possibly long-term wealth, we should look to Norway. Two good pieces demonstrating why are here and here. You want a dream for New Mexico? Becoming the Scandinavia of the United States. Those are good reads on how Norway, which generates $40 billion a year in oil revenue, has changed their social and economic landscape with the funds. We recommend them to our NM solons. Just one other thing, Douglas. Can we get the Scandinavian thing but keep our own weather? 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 House Judiciary has the bill on todays calendar.The state reports that the bill would reduce the number of criminal cases in the courts. In 2018, there were 2,165 cases of people charged with possessing an ounce or less of marijuana. The Cervantes bill would make it a civil not a criminal offense for possession of up to half an ounce, punishable by a small fine. That would mean a lot of low income folks would avoid spending time in jail for smoking a joint.As for the cartels, legalizing marijuana elsewhere isn't having much of an impact on them. A report here At least one ABQ metro state senator is hearing footsteps behind him on the 2020 campaign trail and taking action. Republican Sander Rue was the only R to vote in favor of a minimum wage increase bill that passed the Senate last week on a 26-15 vote. He represents ABQ's westside which is heavy with middle income families and growing more Democratic.Rue is one of three GOP metro Senators we've pinpointed as vulnerable to defeat at the hands of the Dems next year as BernCo grows increasingly blue. The others are the North Valley's Candace Gould, who has already drawn a Dem opponent, and GOP Sen. Mark Moores in NE ABQ.As for the minimum wage, it's tied up in knots as conservative Dem Senator Clemente Sanchez could not reach a compromise with the House which wants a higher boost (as does the Guv) than provided for in the Senate passed bill.The big cities already have their own minimums but outside of them the hourly wage is only $7.50 an hour and hasn't been raised in years. That's a lot of chile picking for a few dollars. Theres plenty of time for a compromise and a lot of low-wage workers are counting on one.There's been nearly unanimous support for the proposal to apply the gross receipts tax to all Internet sales in the state. On-line giant Amazon already applies the tax but the House-passed tax bill applies it to all Internet sales. There is a minority view and Reader David Geary has it:Fair points, David. To answer your question, the legislation would first apply the statewide gross receipts tax of 5.125% to on line sales but after two years the local GRT tax would also be applied. About the immense gobs of money being generated in the NM oil boom and how to best use the surpluses to move the needle in a positive direction, reader Douglas Carver writes:Those are good reads on how Norway, which generates $40 billion a year in oil revenue, has changed their social and economic landscape with the funds. We recommend them to our NM solons.Just one other thing, Douglas. Can we get the Scandinavian thing but keep our own weather?This is the home of New Mexico politics. E-mail your news and comments. (jmonahan@ix.netcom.com) Pity the Santa Fe lobbyists. In these final hours of Session '19 when the action shifts out of the committees and onto the floors of the House and Senate they have to contend with some new restrictions on access that are prominently posted outside the respective chambers. One of the smooth talking, Gucci-wearing wall-leaners says he and his brethren don't like what they see:Well, its a tough sell. Feeling sorry for a lobbyist in Santa Fe is like feeling sympathy for the guy who just ran over your dog. But don't take it personal, lobbying corp. You notice how Senators this week quietly killed that bill that would have prohibited you from buying them any food or drink during the legislative sessions? They still like you--a lot.Just two full days to go in Session '19 before Saturday's noon adjournment. Here's what's catching our attention. . .Legal pot is dead but decriminalizing the possession of a small amount of the weed (up to half an ounce) is still on the table. ABQ Dem Sen, Jerry Ortiz y Pino reports; Links HOME E-MAIL ME About Joe Google News Real Clear Politics Huffington Post Drudge Report The Politico NM TV stations Gov. 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"The Philippines has among the most restrictive markets in ASEAN." Section 19, Article XII (National Economy and Patrimony) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides: The State shall regulate or prohibit monopolies when the public interest so requires. No combinations in restraint of trade or unfair competition shall be allowed. This section is a repeat of Section 2, Article XIV (National Economy and Patrimony of the Nation) of the 1973 Constitution which provided: SEC. 2. The State shall regulate or prohibit private monopolies when the public interest so requires. No combination in restraint of trade or unfair competition shall be allowed. Despite these constitutional provisions, the Philippines never had an anti-trust or anti-unfair competition law. The result is that the Philippines has among the most restrictive markets in ASEAN, resulting in a lack of a level playing field, especially in businesses like telco (the Philippines has among the worlds slowest internet rates and the highest telco charges), retailing (foreigners must spend a minimum of P100 million per shop), shipping (it is cheaper to ship goods from Bangkok than from GenSan), airline, energy (the Philippines has among the highest priced electricity in the world), transportation, construction, and even schools (foreigners are totally banned, so Filipinos are denied access to Ivy League education). The biggest monopoly in the Philippines? The government itself. It is the countrys biggest landowner, biggest port operator, biggest banker, and biggest buyer of goods. Thankfully, government doesnt have a monopoly of stupidity. Can PCC go after the government? That would be like biting the hand that feeds you. With greater competition, according to a World Bank study, the Philippine economy could grow faster and include the poor. And also create more jobs. Some 32 million good jobs are needed immediately, including three million to employ the jobless and the seven million who are underemployed, hire 1.5 million new entrants to the labor force, and the 21 million Filipinos who are informally employed (meaning no regular jobs). Only in June 2015 when Congress enacted the Philippine Competition Act (RA 10667) and created the Philippine Competition Commission did the government start getting serious in going after monopolies, duopolies, and oligopolies and in preventing and or punishing unfair competition or combinations in restraint of trade. RA 10667 has three purposes: (a) Enhance economic efficiency and promote free and fair competition in trade, industry and all commercial economic activities, as well as establish a National Competition Policy to be implemented by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and all of its political agencies as a whole; (b) Prevent economic concentration which will control the production, distribution, trade, or industry that will unduly stifle competition, lessen, manipulate or constrict the discipline of free markets; and(c) Penalize all forms of anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position and anti-competitive mergers and acquisitions, with the objective of protecting consumer welfare and advancing domestic and international trade and economic development. Veteran pro-poor economist Arsenio Balisacan says the Philippine Competition Commission has three major pillars: 1) prevention of anti-competitive behavior and agreements; 2) prohibition of abuse of dominance of the market place; and 3) prohibition of anti-competitive mergers. Under PCCs regulations, any deal or acquisition of asset worth P1 billion must pass its approval. This threshold was later increased to P2.2 billion. If the size of acquiring party is P5 billion, the deal must also pass PCC approval. The previously low P1 billion threshold led the PCC to effectively disapprove the purchase by SM Retail of Goldilocks, a 53-year-old family-owned bakery with 600 branches and annual sales of over P5 billion. Why should PCC bother itself with cakes? What is so strategic with cakes? The conditions imposed by PCC in approving the Goldilocks deal were ridiculous. They meant SM couldnt even look into the sales, profits, inventory, baking formulas, and store locations of Goldilocks if they meant giving Goldilocks undue advantage over its competitors. If SM wants to lease space to Goldilocks for say P500 per sqm (because it owns the shop anyway), SM must give the same rate to a rival, say Red Ribbon of Jollibee Foods Corp., a company much bigger than Goldilocks. Result: SM Retail backed out of the Goldilocks buy. Another deal PCC ran after was the sale of telco assets of San Miguel Corp. to PLDT Smart and Globe Telecom. The $1-billion-plus sale was transacted in May 2017, before PCC started formal operations in February 2017. The case is now pending with the Supreme Court. PLDT Smart and Globe bought SMCs telco because they wanted to speed up the internet speeds in the Philippines. Big Business finds the P2-billion threshold too small, cumbersome and opens possibility of abuse, if not corruption. With land prices in Taguig and Makati fetching P1 million per square meter, the purchase of a Forbes house and lot could easily reach P2 billion in value. So it has to pass PCC approval. What does a house and lot in Forbes Park have to do with unfair competition? asks a worried property owner. A company tried to sell its 16-story Makati building to a retailing tycoon, an otherwise simple real estate deal. The company had to seek PCC approval for it. The agency took more than two months before giving its imprimatur. In retail, two months could be an eternity. Goods that cannot be sold in two months cost money (retail is. Fast-moving business)and opportunity. The very low thresholds for transactions that PCC must scan have overwhelmed PCC with unnecessary work. PCC had to ramp up its personnel from five to over 166 in just two years. So the agency is now populated with people, while highly qualified economists and lawyers, are fresh out of college, with little, if any, business experience. Approval becomes red tape for nothing. Businessmen want PCC to raise the threshold of deals that must seek its approval to P50 billion. How about it, Chairman Arsi? [email protected] - President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law requiring motorcycles to have larger number plates - The new number plates must be readable from afar and it will be color-coded - Those who will drive a motorcycle without a plate will face a P50,000 to P100,000 fine PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed President Rodrigo Duterte has recently signed into law a bill seeking to require motorcycles to have a larger color-coded number plates. KAMI learned that the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act aims to lessen crimes by making motorcycle plates readable. According to a report by the ABS-CBN News, the number plates will also be color-coded depending on the different regions in the Philippines. The Land Transportation Office will be issuing plates that are big enough to be readable at least 15 meters from the motorcycle. PAY ATTENTION: Forbes Top 10 Wealthiest Celebrities In 2018 The new measure also stated that the owner of the motorcycle should be registered within 5 days of purchase because if not, the owner will be facing P25,000 fine or imprisonment. Driving the motorcycles without the number plate will be fined with P50,000 to P100,000 and the owner will face imprisonment as well. PAY ATTENTION: Using free basics app to access internet for free? Now you can read KAMI news there too. Use the search option to find us. Read KAMI news while saving your data! In a report by the GMA News, the motorcycle owners should renew their registration and apply for the new larger plate on or before June 30, 2019. The LTO was given until December 31, 2019, to produce, issue, and release the new plates. POPULAR: Read more news about President Rodrigo Duterte! Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! Aquino-Falcis Controversy: Brother Speaks Up! Atty. Jesus Falcis, brother of Nicko Falcis, discloses how the controversy involving Kris Aquino and Nicko, her former project manager, has affected the life of his family. Check out all of our exciting videos on KAMI HumanMeter YouTube channel! Source: Kami.com.ph Most studies that look at whether democracy improves global health rely on measurements of life expectancy at birth and infant mortality rates. Yet those measures disproportionately reflect progress on infectious diseases such as malaria, diarrheal illnesses and pneumonia which relies heavily on foreign aid. A new study led by Stanford Medicine and the Council on Foreign Relations suggests that a better way to measure the role of democracy in public health is to examine the causes of adult mortality, such as noncommunicable diseases, HIV, cardiovascular disease and transportation injuries. Little international assistance targets these noncommunicable diseases. When the researchers measured improvements in those particular areas of public health, the results proved dramatic. The results of this study suggest that elections and the health of the people are increasingly inseparable, the authors wrote. A paper describing the findings were published March 13 in The Lancet. Tara Templin, a graduate student in health research and policy at Stanford Health Policy, shares lead authorship with Thomas Bollyky, JD, director of the Global Health Program at the Council on Foreign Relations. Democratic institutions and processes, and particularly free and fair elections, can be an important catalyst for improving population health, with the largest health gains possible for cardiovascular and other noncommunicable diseases, the authors wrote. Templin said the study brings new data to the question of how governance and health inform global health policy debates, particularly as global health funding stagnates. As more cases of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancers occur in low- and middle-income countries, there will be a need for greater health care infrastructure and resources to provide chronic care that werent as critical in providing childhood vaccines or acute care, Templin said. Free and fair elections for better health In 2016, the four mortality causes most ameliorated by democracy cardiovascular disease, tuberculosis, transportation injuries and other noncommunicable diseases were responsible for 25 percent of total death and disability in people younger than 70 in low- and middle-income countries. That same year, cardiovascular diseases accounted for 14 million deaths in those countries, 42 percent of which occurred in individuals younger than 70. Over the past 20 years, the increase in democratic experience reduced mortality in these countries from cardiovascular disease, other noncommunicable diseases and tuberculosis between 8-10 percent, the authors wrote. Free and fair elections appear important for improving adult health and noncommunicable disease outcomes, most likely by increasing government accountability and responsiveness, the study said. The researchers used data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study; V-Dem; and Financing Global Health databases. The data cover 170 countries from 1970 to 2015. There is good reason to believe that the role that democracy plays in child health and infectious diseases may not be generalizable to the diseases that disproportionately affect adults. What Templin and her co-authors found was democracy was associated with better noncommunicable disease outcomes. They hypothesize that democracies may give higher priority to health care investments. HIV-free life expectancy at age 15, for example, improved significantly on average by 3 percent every 10 years during the study period after countries transitioned to democracy. Democratic experience also explains significant improvements in mortality from cardiovascular disease, tuberculosis, transportation injuries, cancers, cirrhosis and other noncommunicable diseases, the study said. And yet, this connection between fair elections and global health is little understood. Democratic government has not been a driving force in global health, the researchers wrote. Many of the countries that have had the greatest improvements in life expectancy and child mortality over the past 15 years are electoral autocracies that achieved their health successes with the heavy contribution of foreign aid. They note that Ethiopia, Myanmar, Rwanda and Uganda all extended their life expectancy by 10 years or more between 1996 and 2016. The governments of these countries were elected, however, in multiparty elections designed so the opposition could only lose, making them among the least democratic nations in the world. Yet these nations were among the top two-dozen recipients of foreign assistance for health. Only 2 percent of the total development assistance for health in 2016 was devoted to noncommunicable diseases, which was the cause of 58 percent of the death and disability in low-income and middle-income countries that same year, the researchers found. Although many bilateral aid agencies emphasize the importance of democratic governance in their policy statements, the authors wrote, most studies of development assistance have found no correlation between foreign aid and democratic governance and, in some instance, a negative correlation. Why democracy may improve health Autocracies such as Cuba and China, known for providing good health care at low cost, have not always been as successful when their populations health needs shifted to treating and preventing noncommunicable diseases. A 2017 assessment, for example, found that true life expectancy in China was lower than its expected life expectancy at birth from 1980 to 2000 and has only improved over the past decade with increased government health spending. In Cuba, the degree to which its observed life expectancy has exceeded expectations has decreased, from four-to-seven years higher than expected in 1970 to three-to-five years higher than expected in 2016. There is good reason to believe that the role that democracy plays in child health and infectious diseases may not be generalizable to the diseases that disproportionately affect adults, Bollyky said. Cardiovascular diseases, cancers and other noncommunicable diseases, according to Bollyky, are largely chronic, costlier to treat than most infectious diseases, and require more health care infrastructure and skilled medical personnel. The researchers hypothesize that democracy improves population health because: When enforced through regular, free and fair elections, democracies should have a greater incentive than autocracies to provide health-promoting resources and services to a larger proportion of the population. Democracies are more open to feedback from a broader range of interest groups, more protective of media freedom and might be more willing to use that feedback to improve their public health programs. Autocracies reduce political competition and access to information, which might deter constituent feedback and responsive governance. Various studies have concluded that democratic rule is better for population health, but almost all of them have focused on infant and child mortality or life expectancy at birth. Over the past 20 years, the average countrys increase in democracy reduced mortality from cardiovascular disease by roughly 10 percent, the authors wrote. They estimate that more than 16 million cardiovascular deaths may have been averted due to an increase in democracy globally from 1995 to 2015. They also found improvements in other health burdens in the countries where democracy has taken hold: an 8.9 percent reduction in deaths from tuberculosis, a 9.5 percent drop in deaths from transportation injuries and a 9.1 percent mortality reduction in other noncommunicable disease, such as congenital heart disease and congenital birth defects. This study suggests that democratic governance and its promotion, along with other government accountability measures, might further enhance efforts to improve population health, the study said. Pretending otherwise is akin to believing that the solution to a nations crumbling roads and infrastructure is just a technical schematic and cheaper materials. Other researchers from the Council on Foreign Relations, as well as researchers from the University of Washington-Seattle and Bilkent University in Turkey, also contributed to the study. Funding for the research came from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Stanfords Department of Health Research and Policy also supported the work. The government of Rwanda has signed a concessional loan agreement with The Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) to finance rural electrification project in Nyamagabe and Nyaruguru Districts in the East African nation. The US$ 20 million loan will be dedicated for the supply and construction of distribution networks and meters and service cables to connect houses, commercial and public centers in Nyaruguru and Nyamagabe Districts. The project is expected to connect 13,324 households and 12,414 households in Nyaruguru and Nyamagabe respectively, thereby increasing the percentage of access to electricity in both districts. In addition, 96 productive units including primary and secondary schools, coffee washing stations, administrative units, water pumping stations, telecom towers and markets will be connected to the grid. According to the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Dr.Uzziel Ndagijimana, the project supports the national electrification strategy which is among the driving factors of economic transformation in Rwanda. This project fits with our National Strategy for Transformation which aims to increase access to electricity to 100% by 2024, Minister Ndagijimana said. As a reminder, in the last seven years, overall access to electricity in Rwanda has more than doubled from 18 percent to 44 percent at the end of June 2018. The country has also shown strong commitment to achieving universal electricity access by 2024, using a combination of on-grid and off-grid solutions like solar home systems. Your tax-deductible gift today powers our reporters and keeps us independent. We rely on you, our reader, not paywalls to stay funded because we believe important news and information should be freely accessible to all. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe The Ventura County Fire Department has determined that power lines were the cause of the Thomas Fire that ravaged the area in December 2017. The fire started amid high winds that caused parallel power lines to slap into each other, creating an electrical arc that ignited flammable bits of molten aluminum on the ground. Those in turn, ignited dry vegetation, according to a report released today. Southern California Edison owns the power lines. Being named liable for the start of the Thomas Fire, under California's laws, means the utility is responsible to pay for any damages. In this case, the cost could run into the billions. The Thomas Fire began Dec. 4 and burned for almost 40 days. It threatened the cities of Santa Paula, Ventura, Ojai and Fillmore, as well as unincorporated areas of Ventura County, before moving into Santa Barbara. Despite the efforts of nearly 9,000 emergency personnel, the Thomas Fire burned almost 282,000 acres -- that's 440 square miles. It killed one civilian and one firefighter and also destroyed 1,343 structures, mostly homes. One month later, during torrential rains, a mud flow originating with the Thomas Fire burn scar in the mountains above Montecito wiped out more homes and killed 23 people. WHY DOES IT MATTER WHO CAUSED THE THOMAS FIRE? It's all about who's responsible for the fire and who must pay the damages, which are likely to run into the billions of dollars. It's also about collecting evidence that might be used in a criminal case, if one is charged. There are two known origin points of the Thomas Fire. The newly released report says Edison's power lines were responsible for the first ignition point, in Anlauf Canyon. The utility had already said its equipment was "associated" with the second ignition point at the top of rural Koenigstein Road off Highway 150 near Santa Paula. However, that ignition is the topic of another, as-yet unreleased report. HOW DID THE FIRE START? The Thomas Fire was first reported at 6:23 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, 2017. It was a day of extreme fire danger, low humidity and strong Santa Ana winds - 80 mile per hour gusts at times. However, at the outbreak of the fire, winds were in the 30 mph and under range. The first fire started on a cattle ranch in Anlauf Canyon, above Steckel Park in the hills northeast of Santa Paula. There was a power interruption on Edison's system around 6:17 p.m. about an hour and a half after sundown. The investigators conclude that the Thomas Fire was caused by wire slap. Two energized power lines hit together, casting molten aluminum particles onto dry vegetation, setting it on fire. Edison pushes back on that conclusion. In a statement, it says it has evidence that the ignition at Anlauf Canyon started at least 12 minutes prior to the interruption on Edison's system and at least 15 minutes prior to the start time indicated by Ventura County Fire Department in its report. Edison provided this evidence to the fire investigators, however, the report does not suggest this evidence was considered, the company said. The second, separate fire was reported about an hour later off Koenigstein Road near Highway 150. WHAT HAPPENS NOW? There is a continuing investigation into whether any crimes were committed for which Edison or others could be charged. There is an enormous amount of loss of property and life in both the Thomas Fire and the Montecito mud disaster that followed. Two people died during the fire - Virginia Pasola, 70, of Santa Paula whose car crashed along Wheeler Canyon while she was escaping, and Cal Fire Engineer Cory Iverson, 32, of El Cajon, who was caught in the fire. The report refers to potential violations including manslaughter, unlawfully causing a fire, negligence, setting a forest fire, and failing to maintain the power system in a safe condition. There is an investigation underway by the state Attorney General into whether criminal charges could or should be brought, according to statements made in open court. Then there's the civil litigation side. Now that the cause has been determined by fire authorities, it moves to the courts to establish liability and the amount of damages. About 2,000 plaintiffs have already filed lawsuits naming Edison and others over their personal injuries and property losses in the two disasters. But more could come forward now that the official cause report is out. They have between two and three years to file cases. This could potentially run into the billions of dollars for Southern California Edison ratepayers, and if negligence is shown, under California law, the burden to pay shifts to shareholders, and it comes out of profit. Your tax-deductible gift today powers our reporters and keeps us independent. We rely on you, our reader, not paywalls to stay funded because we believe important news and information should be freely accessible to all. Start your day with LAist Sign up for the Morning Brief, delivered weekdays. Subscribe Residents and volunteers in Orange County's homeless shelters say the facilities are often filthy, vermin-infested, and lack basics like hot water and functioning toilets, according to a new report issued by the ACLU of Southern California. The report finds that the county's largest shelter, The Courtyard, is a regular destination for emergency personnel. Seven people have died in the shelter since it opened in 2016, a figure that doesn't include shelter residents who died either en route to or at a hospital. The allegations of disfunction at OC shelters are laid out in the ACLU's 100-page report, which also includes examples of extreme hot and cold temperatures, rain-flooded floors, and reports of sexual harassment by shelter staff. The ACLU report includes recommendations for improving shelter conditions and instituting a system of oversight. "We demand the county implement them as soon as possible," said Julia Devanthery, staff attorney with the ACLU of Southern California. The ACLU alleges some of the conditions in the shelters may violate existing housing and health laws, as well as the Americans With Disabilities Act. The group said the report is intended to spur local officials to enact changes, but didn't rule out future litigation. The County of Orange issued an initial statement in response to the report, saying county officials are "committed to ensuring our emergency shelters are safe for all our clients. Each emergency shelter has its own provider and complaint process. We work to ensure valid complaints are addressed by our service providers in a timely fashion." OC officials said they will have a further response once they can fully review the report. Appearing on KPCC's Airtalk, Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido said the city is planning to close down one of the shelters, The Courtyard. "We never wanted The Courtyard in the first place. It's an old bus terminal that has been converted to a temporary homeless shelter and that's just a disaster. The perfect gets in place of the good," he said. However, Pulido defended the city's use of the shelter. "The other alternative is they're all out in the streets, getting rained on and cold and hot and getting beaten up, all sorts of things can happen," he said. 'SO SUBSTANDARD, SO UNREGULATED' The report comes as Orange County is starting to invest more public dollars in building shelters to house the county's homeless population. A federal lawsuit prevented cities in the county from ticketing or arresting homeless for living in parks or sidewalks because they could not offer an indoor alternative, like shelter. Some cities have since settled the suit by providing shelter. "What we're seeing is many more shelters going up, and our concern is we're seeing the existing shelters so substandard, so unregulated, and frankly, so abusive, we think it's a critical time to set regulations," said Eve Garrow, homelessness policy analyst with the ACLU of Southern California . KPCC/LAist has reached out to the shelters listed in the report, which became public Thursday morning, and will update this story when they respond. KPCC/LAist has reported on conditions in Orange County and L.A. County shelters in the past. Officials have largely stressed the difficulty of running congregate living spaces for hundreds of people who often have complicated medical and mental health conditions. They've also denied allegations that homeless people's complaints are not taken seriously. In L.A. County, shelter operators said lack of funding and best practices also impeded their ability to run the best possible shelters. THE ALLEGATIONS The ACLU relied largely on interviews with and tips from dozens of people living in and volunteering in Orange County's homeless shelters. The group also used public records, like coroner reports, shelter audits, health inspections, and calls for service to emergency personnel. "We've done over seventy interviews and the same themes kept cropping up in interview after interview with people who don't know each other, who stayed at these shelters at different points in time," Garrow said. "This kind of evidence really makes us much more confident that the themes we covered in this report are valid." The allegations concern three shelters in Orange County that receive public funding---The Courtyard and SAFEPlace in Santa Ana, and Bridges at Kraemer Place in Anaheim. A sampling of the allegations made by residents of the shelters, and in some cases volunteers and staff to the ACLU of Southern California: Heat and cold. On a particularly hot day in July, a shelter volunteer took a temperature reading at The Courtyard and found it was 96 degrees inside and sun was shining onto the portable toilets used as restrooms inside. A volunteer at The Courtyard took the inside temperature on a hot day. (ACLU of Southern California) "A volunteer reported that the odor inside the toilets was so overwhelming that he worried he would pass out if he took a breath." On a cold day in January, a resident documented the temperature inside at 54 degrees. Filth . Residents report mice, bedbugs, lice, broken showers, filthy restrooms, maggots, and a lack of soap at The Courtyard. . Residents report mice, bedbugs, lice, broken showers, filthy restrooms, maggots, and a lack of soap at The Courtyard. Crowding . Residents complain of crowding at Bridges, with bunk beds stacked only a couple of feet apart and overused, unsanitary restrooms. . Residents complain of crowding at Bridges, with bunk beds stacked only a couple of feet apart and overused, unsanitary restrooms. Mistreatment of disabled residents. According to the report, staff in the shelters are unwilling or unable to make accommodations for residents with incontinence issues, which leads to unsanitary conditions. In one alleged case, a woman with large open sores on her legs urinated and defecated in her bed because she was unable to get herself to the restroom. She was allegedly kicked out of SAFEPlace for storing soiled linens under her bed. The ACLU reported she died of complications from HIV/AIDS in July. Many residents reported trying to tend to the needs of seriously disabled fellow residents who were being neglected by staff. According to the report, staff in the shelters are unwilling or unable to make accommodations for residents with incontinence issues, which leads to unsanitary conditions. In one alleged case, a woman with large open sores on her legs urinated and defecated in her bed because she was unable to get herself to the restroom. She was allegedly kicked out of SAFEPlace for storing soiled linens under her bed. The ACLU reported she died of complications from HIV/AIDS in July. Many residents reported trying to tend to the needs of seriously disabled fellow residents who were being neglected by staff. Sexual harassment by shelter staff, "ranging from unwelcome sexual advances to sexual assault, in exchange for a shelter spot." Seventeen women told the ACLU they were subject to unwelcome sexual comments about their bodies. One resident of The Courtyard, Leslie Shacklett, said a male staff member "told her that he had a car and an apartment, and offered to take her away from the Courtyard." She declined. Late one night, she said, he followed her into the restroom and watched her on the toilet before she noticed and told him repeatedly to leave. Other residents reported seeing male staff members coming out of the women's restrooms at night. Routinely, shelter residents told the ACLU of Southern California that their complaints were ignored. Others said they were scared to complain for fear of getting kicked out of the shelter and losing access to things like food, showers, and toilets--or being taken off the waitlist for permanent housing. A sign posted at SAFEPlace instructs homeless people to not complain about the shelter publicly. (ACLU of Southern California) In one case, a sign posted at SAFEPlace prohibited residents from speaking publicly about their complaints. Residents also said they didn't know where to turn with problems once the shelters' internal grievance system was exhausted. "None of the evidence we collected through Public Record Act requests or interviews suggested that county or city agencies were engaged in any meaningful enforcement of minimum health and safety standards," the report said. In the meantime, Garrow said, the health and mental health of shelter residents could deteriorate, as residents wait for months and even years in shelters, with little permanent housing available. KPCC/LAist has reached out for comment to Santa Ana's mayor, the city of Anaheim, the County Supervisors, Director of Care Coordination in Orange County and Susan Price, who oversees homeless issues. We've also contacted the organizations who run the shelters. MOVING FORWARD After KPCC/LAist reported on substandard conditions in L.A. County's homeless shelters, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors passed a measure requiring a set of uniform health and safety standards in shetlers, and stepped up enforcement efforts. The ACLU of Southern California is demanding similar steps in Orange County. Specifically, they're calling on Orange County to pass uniform health and safety standards, create a clear process for overseeing the shetlers and processing complaints, get rid of policies that don't allow freedom of movement (like leaving shelters on foot, which is prohibited by most shelters), require accommodations be made for disabled residents, and processes and protections for whistleblowers. Garrow also said the county needs to understand that homeless shelters need to be majorly improved, but also that they should be temporary destinations. "The research shows that even the best run shelter is not appropriate place for people to live for more than a few days or weeks, a few months at the most." she said. "By its nature, it deprives people of privacy, it crowds people together, many of whom have problems of their own." People catch more contagious diseases and their mental health deteriorates, she said, emphasizing that the county must ensure stays in shelters are short. "And we do that by investing in affordable housing in Orange County," Garrow said. UPDATES: 10:21 a.m.: This article was updated with comment from Orange County officials. This article was originally published at 8 a.m. READ THE REPORT NGOs: Khazaradzes statement confirms suspicions regarding signs of state capture in Georgia When speaking at a session of the Budget and Finance Committee in Parliament of Georgia, Mamuka Khazaradze, founder of TBC Bank, said that, in the run up to the second round of the 2018 Presidential Elections, he had received a letter with threats from Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Gakharia, who insisted that Khazaradze met certain demands, threatening to tarnish Khazaradzes reputation domestically and internationally had he failed to comply. Furthermore, he described as blackmail the actions carried out by the National Bank and recalled that, during a meeting with him, the National Bank president hinted at the pressure exerted by politicians and other influential persons with the aim of forcing Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze to resign from the Supervisory Board of TBC Bank. He said that the government and persons connected to it are clearly waging an orchestrated campaign, using law enforcement bodies and the National Bank for this purpose. The suspicions that such campaign is conducted are confirmed by the fact that, several days ago, the parliamentary majority refused to hear Khazaradze and Japaridze in the presence of the National Bank representatives and only agreed to give them the floor at the committee hearing after a public scandal erupted around this issue.It is worth noting that this is not the first time in recent years that businessmen are talking about pressure coming from representatives of the government or from influential persons linked to the ruling party. If we put Khazaradzes statement into a broader context, it will further reinforce the concerns we have expressed on numerous occasions regarding the signs of informal rule and a growing trend of state capture, which involves concentration of excessive power in the hands of the ruling party and informal groups of influential persons and their use of public institutions for private goals and interests.This trend is, in essence, incompatible with the principles of democratic governance and poses a threat to the constitutional order. Given this and the fact that we do not pin any hopes on the law enforcement agencies to respond appropriately to Mamuka Khazaradzes statement and conduct an unbiased investigation, we call on Parliament to establish a temporary investigative commission which will ensure that the issue is examined in detail at public sessions.In addition, in order to shed more light on the events, it is important that Mamuka Khazaradze makes public the letter that Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Gakharia sent him.Considering the significance of this issue, we are ready to meet with Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze should they wish to do so.Transparency International GeorgiaInternational Society for Fair Elections and DemocracyGeorgian Democracy InitiativeArticle 42 of the ConstitutionOpen Society Georgia FoundationCenter for Investigative Journalism and Economic AnalysisGeorgian Farmers AssociationGeorgian Institute of PoliticsGeorgia Reforms AssociatesRegional Center for Strategic ResearchGreen AlternativeSociety and BanksWorld Experience for GeorgiaAtlantic Council of GeorgiaEconomic Policy Research CenterLiberal Academy TbilisiThe Media Development FoundationGeorgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies Unajua hii Kenya iko na maneno, and we are very interesting people. These are the exact words of Deputy President William Ruto that ring true in this case of a woman/man who was arrested by police in Lamu. As the story goes, officers acting on a tip-off, arrested the suspicious individual who has been dressing in female Islamic wear a. She also claimed that her name is Farida Chemutai. However, after a search was conducted, officers were stunned to find that Farida is male. His real name is Mutuku Nzambia, a 24-year-old man from Kithuku location in Makueni. Mr Mutuku told police that he was invited to Lamu by his friend named Zainab Wambua whom he said he hasnt met ever since he arrived in the small Coastal town. The suspect has been living with a Somali male identified as Idris Kororo, who managed to escape when he spotted the police. Mutuku will remain in police custody pending multiagency interrogation. Detectives are trying to establish if Mutuku was in the process of being recruited into Alshabaab. The pics Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar met with President Donald Trump Thursday before heading to Capitol Hill to take part in the annual Washington tradition of celebrating St. Patricks Day and the relationship between the U.S. and Ireland. Varadkar's visit comes as the United Kingdom is embroiled in chaos over Brexit and Ireland's concerns over its border and trade with Northern Ireland. During his talks at the White House, the Taoiseach (Gaelic for "leader") spoke with Trump about Irelands position opposing Brexit and the current imbroglio. "As you know, he's in a very complicated position right now because of Brexit, you're going to have to tell me what's happening, and tell the world what's happening because I'm not sure anyone knows," Trump told Varadkar, before criticizing British Prime Minister Theresa May's leadership on the recent Brexit deal vote she lost by a landslide. "I'm surprised at how badly it has all gone from the standpoint of the negotiation. But I gave the prime minister my ideas how to negotiate it. I think you would have been successful," Trump said. "She didn't listen to that and that's fine. She has to do what she has to do." The president added that the two leaders would be talking about trade with the European Union, and threatened tariffs. "Were talking about trade with the European Union. Theyve been very, very tough over the years," Trump said. "If they dont talk to us, were going to do something thats going to be pretty severe economically. Were going to tariff a lot of their products." Thursday morning, Vice President Mike Pence welcomed the Taoiseach to his residence in northwest Washington for breakfast. The Taoiseach, the first of Indian-descent, and the first openly gay leader of Ireland, brought his partner Matthew Barrett to visit with the vice president, who is known for his conservative views on homosexuality. Varadkar touched on his sexual orientation when speaking at the Naval Observatory. I stand here, leader of my country, flawed and human, but judged by my political actions, and not by my sexual orientation, my skin tone, gender or religious beliefs, he said. We are all God's children," Varadkar added. Both Trump and Pence said they accepted invitations to visit Ireland at some point this year. Last year, Trump was scheduled to visit Ireland either before or after his trip to Paris. The Ireland leg of his trip was canceled. The Irish prime ministers friendly annual trip to Washington involves a visit to the U.S. Capitol for a special Friends of Ireland luncheon attended by the president, vice president, House speaker, the Taoiseach, and members of Congress. The president, who faces the potential public rebuke of his national emergency declaration in the Senate, is expected to make brief remarks. Later Thursday at the White House, the Taoiseach will present the president and first lady with a crystal bowl filled with shamrock. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. A man who was arrested on March 6 in Mandera while asking for directions to Somalia has been released. Mr Backstone Agaro, 53, had been arrested after alighting from a bus in Mandera town at about 10 pm. Authorities suspected that he was a spy for the Al-Shabaab terror group. But in a letter to a Mandera court, Mr Francis Lemusi, the head of the Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU) Mandera office, said Mr Agaro has no links to any terror cell. Police explained that Mr Agaro was only inquiring about the border to Somalia as it was his first time to Mandera and he got confused after passing a signpost marked Mandera County. He only wanted to know if he had arrived to his destination in Mandera since he saw a signpost, Mr Lemusi said in his letter to the court. Investigations conducted in two days as ordered by the court last week show that Mr Agaro could be suffering from depression after he sold all his property and gave the proceeds to a church. His family members in Nairobi recorded statements at ATPU headquarters indicating that the respondent was a member of the Ministry of Holiness and Repentance where he gave all his investments, said State counsel Mr Kennedy Amwayi. The Ministry of Holiness and Repentance is led by the controversial Prophet David Owuor who in recent times has come under fire for allegedly brainwashing a wealthy Nairobi-based lawyer and taking her property. Relatives of Mr Agaro confirmed he is a member of Prophet Owuors church to Nation.co.ke. Mr Agaro is my uncle and it is true he has been attending Bishop Owours church but his behaviour has surprised us, said Mr Kennedy Agavishi Mulombe by phone. The family member said his uncle would take all his daily earnings from his carpentry shop to the church and that he rarely eats or talks to anybody. He travels a lot on grounds that he has been sent by God to go and preach but he ends up seated lonely in many of the towns he travels to. Police at Bahati helped us take him to Mathari Hospital (Nairobi) but health workers were on strike and we returned home, said Mr Mulombe. But Mr Agaro, who told the Nation that he joined Owuors church in 1994, denied that he sold his property in order to give money to the church. MPs, parliament officials and journalists who dress inappropriately will be barred from the House, Speaker Justin Muturi has ordered. This was in response to Kisumu West MP Olago Aluoch who sought clarification after Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo wore a collarless coat to the chambers on February 20. Members debated on what constitutes appropriate dressing within parliament precincts with Speaker Muturi retreating to make a decision. He finally communicated his decision during Tuesdays plenary sitting. Members of the press and guests shall not enter the chamber, lodges, dining rooms, committee rooms when not properly dressed, said the speaker. Citing practice and precedence set by other Parliaments that Kenya borrows traditions from, Mr Muturi said members must wear a coat, long sleeved shirt, tie, socks and shoes or service uniform for men. For women, an equivalent of formality should be observed. Muturi said they should wear skirts whose slit is below the knee. I have relooked at the suit that Hon Amollo wore on that day and realised that the suit was collared but he did not have a tie, hence, was not properly dressed, Muturi added. He said the Kanzu, worn by Muslims, is allowed as long as a member wears a coat over it. Justin Muturi also dismissed members who argued that nominated MP David Sankok should be ruled out of order for his green suits. If a member still dons a coat, long-sleeved shirt, and tie, there is no need to dwell on the nature and colour of the said clothing, Muturi said. If the chair ascertains that nature and colour are meant to campaign for a cause, he may be forced to make a decision at that time. The National Assembly Speaker said the chair will not hesitate to enforce strict adherence to the rule and impose sanctions on those found in contravention. It is my considered ruling that members observe the speakers rules while in the chambers or any specified areas. RTHK: Ex-pupils kill eight at Brazil school Two former pupils shot dead eight people, most of them students and staff, at a high school near Sao Paulo on Wednesday before turning their weapons on themselves, authorities said. Military police Colonel Marcelo Sales said two assailants burst into the school grounds in the early morning, armed with a .38 caliber revolver and a "medieval weapon that looked like a bow and arrows." After shooting at students in the yard, the killers headed to the language center where several pupils were hiding and "committed suicide in a corridor," Sales said. "Eight people died at the scene, including the two assailants," a state military police spokesman said. "Two injured people died after being taken to hospital." Among the victims were two members of staff -- a counselor and a warden -- and the owner of a nearby car wash, who was shot by the attackers before they arrived at the school, said Sao Paulo's Public Security Secretary Joao Pires de Campos. All the victims died of gunshot wounds, the state military police spokesman said. Nine more people were injured in the shooting at the Raul Brasil public school in Suzano, on the outskirts of Sao Paulo in southeast Brazil. "It's the saddest thing I've ever seen," said Sao Paulo State Governor Joao Doria. President Jair Bolsonaro expressed his sympathies on Twitter to "the families of this inhumane attack," describing it as "a monstrosity and enormous cowardice." The two assailants, who were wearing hoods, were identified as former pupils aged 17 and 25. The reasons for the attack are unknown. Worried family members quickly arrived at the school alongside firefighters and security services. "I found out when my daughter called me and said: Mommy, come quickly, there are injured people, dead people," said the mother of one pupil, who gave her name only as Rosa. The attack took place during a recess period for some students, authorities said. Website UO1 said the two killers "entered the school shooting with their heads covered by a hood." Another website, G1, published a grainy video purportedly taken inside the school in which the screams of terrified pupils can be heard as they come across dead classmates. "We locked ourselves in a classroom," said Milene Querren Cardoso. "We tried to help each other until the door opened and we thought it was the criminals coming for us; but no, it was the police... and we ran out." Globonews showed video images of pupils fleeing the scene after escaping over a wall. Education Minister Ricardo Velez published a statement offering "solidarity with the parents, families and staff at the school in this moment of shock, mourning and pain." It is not the first mass school shooting in Brazil's history. In April 2011, a former pupil killed a dozen school children and injured many more before turning his gun on himself at a school in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro. Brazil is one of the most violent countries in the world, with 64,000 murders in 2017 -- a rate of almost 31 per 100,000 inhabitants, or three times higher than the level the United Nations classifies as endemic violence. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-03-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. In addition to the fact that limousine travel is very glamorous, it is also the most comfortable trip you can... President Emmanuel Macron of France Wednesday vowed to establish security and environment cooperation between his country and Kenya as he kicked off the third and last leg of his East African tour that brought him to Djibouti and Ethiopia. We want to improve cooperation in the region from the security and defense point of view, Macron said after meeting with his host President Uhuru Kenyatta. The French leader began Wednesday a two-day visit to Africas second most populated country and one of the continent fast growing economic markets. He is the first French President to visit Kenya since it gained independence in 1960. Kenya has experienced a series of terror attacks this year and over the past years from Somali-based al-Shabaab militants. In January this year, members of the militant group staged coordinated attacks that killed 14 people in capital Nairobi. Kenya is part of the UN-backed African multinational forces backing the fragile Somalian government in battle against the al-Qaeda-linked group. After meeting with Kenyatta, Macron inaugurated a new Peugeot 3008 SUV assembly plant, local media Leader Post reports. Macron said during the inauguration ceremony that through the new factory, France wants to be part of Kenyas new growth agenda. The French President who will chair on Friday the UN-backed One Planet Summit said France will work closely with Kenya on green energy. The African country delivered tremendous results in the fight against climate change, he pointed out. The One Planet Summit will gather more than 4,700 people, including heads of state, ministers and business leaders. While in Ethiopia Tuesday, Macron and his accompanying French investors agreed to help establish an Ethiopian navy. The related accords also provide for air cooperation, joint operations and opportunities for training and equipment purchases, Reuters reports. Although Ethiopia is a landlocked country since Eritrea gained independence in 1993, and although it disbanded its navy then, now, it has reconsidered its decision and tried to find in its neighborhood a naval base it can use. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said last year We built one of the strongest ground and air force in Africa we should build our naval force capacity in the future. During the visit to Addis Ababa, Macron also renewed Frances pledge to contribute to the preservation of the Lalibela churches listed as World Heritage by UNESCO. During his visit to Djibouti Monday and Tuesday, the first by a French President to the ex-colony in two decades after Sarkozy, Macron called for further economic cooperation with the African country that he branded strategic and historic partner. He also visited French troops in the country, which has also hosted US and Chinese military bases. Moroccos Bank Al Maghrib (BAM) and Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) have agreed on Wednesday in Rabat to strengthen cooperation in financial services and in enhancing investors confidence. Inked by Abdellatif Jouhari, Governor of Bank Al Maghrib, and Chief Executive of the DFSA, Bryan Stirewalt, the agreement provides for coordination and cooperation between the two sides in the supervision of banks activities overseas, including within international financial hubs such as Dubai and in Morocco. The two authorities pledge to share information on the financial soundness of the financial or credit institutions, as well as concerns arising from supervisory visits and reports. They will also cooperate closely to identify any suspected financial crime activities in banks of mutual interest, including in relation to unauthorized banking services, money laundering or any violation of financial market laws. Any imminent crisis issues involving the financial or credit companies will also be duly notified. Speaking during signing ceremony, the Governor of Bank Al Maghrib voiced commitment to upholding the highest corporate governance standards regarding activities of credit institutions in Morocco, and to supervise their international banking operations. The cooperation deal sealed with the DFSA will help enhance the regulatory controls which are necessary to curb financial crimes and to facilitate sound and orderly cross-border banking transactions, said Mr. Jouhari For his part, Chief Executive of DFSA Bryan Stirewalt stressed the importance of the accord signed with Bank Al Maghrib, saying it will drive greater transparency in relation to the functioning and operations of banks of mutual interest. By promoting stable and transparent financial services, the accord will contribute to strengthening investor confidence and promoting stronger bilateral financial services, added Mr. Stirewalt. The government of Burkina Faso has secured a $51 million deal from the European Union (EU) and the French Development Agency to support the construction of power transmission lines from Nigeria to Burkina Faso. The Dorsale Nord project features 880 km of high-voltage transmission lines from Birnin Kebi in Nigeria to Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso. According to the agreement, Nigeria will supply power production excesses, which allows deficit countries to import electricity at a lower cost. The project is part of the West Africa Power Pool, a regional power project, which aims to create a regional electricity market. The West African Power Pool is a specialized agency of ECOWAS. It covers 14 of the 15 countries of the regional economic community. Dorsale Nord will allow Burkina Faso to import 150 megawatts of power to be added to local production, which is estimated to be 50 percent cheaper than the current production cost. By 2020, Burkina Faso seeks to increase its electricity access rate from 20% to 80% as part of its National Plan for Economic and Social Development, doubling the number of customers to 1 million, and increasing installed capacity to 1,000 megawatts (MW). Dorsale Nord includes a modernization of transmission infrastructure and electrification of 150 villages around the capital city, Ouagadougou. The total cost of the project is approximately $678 million, of which 41 percent around $298 million is provided by Burkina Faso. French President Emmanuel Macron who is touring East Africa, with stops in Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya, has pledged to invest $2.8 billion in Africa by financing and supporting startups and small- to medium-sized enterprises by 2022. Macron, who started his trip to East Africa Monday, said the French government would support about 10,000 enterprises across the continent by providing credit, technical support and equity financing. The funds will be mobilized via the French Development Agency (AFD) and its private sector financing arm, Proparco. In his stop in Ethiopia, Macron said France will provide about $96 million to support the East African nations economic openness. The amount should be complemented with a $16 million technical assistance provided by the AFD. Emmanuel Macron also announced an unprecedented defense agreement with Addis Ababa. This agreement will establish a cooperation framework for establishing an Ethiopian navy, air cooperation, and the training and equipment of Ethiopian defense forces. Although Ethiopia is a landlocked country since Eritrea gained independence in 1993, and although it disbanded its navy then, now, it has reconsidered its decision and tried to find in its neighborhood a naval base it can use. Prime Minister Ahmed Abiy said last year We built one of the strongest ground and air force in Africa we should build our naval force capacity in the future. And France will contribute to building this naval force. Macron was earlier in Djibouti, a small but strategic nation that is home to the military bases of several countries including France, China and the United States. The French leader offered support to boost Djiboutis economy. The French President also vowed to improve cooperation in the region in the security and defense sectors during his talks Wednesday in Nairobi with President Uhuru Kenyatta of kenya. The French President who will chair on Friday the UN-backed One Planet Summit said France will work closely with Kenya on green energy. The African country delivered tremendous results in the fight against climate change, he pointed out. The One Planet Summit will gather more than 4,700 people, including heads of state, ministers and business leaders. Libyas House of Representatives (HoR), located in Tobruk, east of Libya, has commended Moroccos efforts to help reach a solution to the Libyan political conflict and lift the UN-imposed arm ban on the North African country since 2011. HoR President Aqila Saleh, who is attending the 14th session of the Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) held in Rabat this week, lauded King Mohammed VI for his countrys efforts to help Libya fend off its internal divisions. The African oil-rich country has slid into chaos since 2011 in the wake of Muammar Gaddafis removal in a NATO-backed revolution. The country now has two different administrations: UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) located in Tripoli and the HoR-backed administration in Beida, which is supported by the self-imposed Libyan National Army (LNA). The GNA birthed from UN-sponsored Libyan talks in Morocco, in 2015. Saleh, Libya Observer reports, also thanked Morocco for helping to lift the arms embargo on the Libyan army. The UN imposed a ban on Libya in 2011 to prevent Gaddafi from importing arms that the world organization suspected would be used to crack down on demonstrators. The United Nations Secretary Generals personal envoy for the Sahara, Horst Kohler invited all parties involved in the conflict, namely Morocco, Algeria, Mauritania and the Polisario to a second roundtable meeting in the Swiss city of Geneva on March 21-22. The news was reported by several media outlets that quoted well-informed sources in Geneva. According to these press reports, the second roundtable will take place behind closed doors, like the first roundtable, held in Geneva last December 5-6 and seeks to deepen the talks initiated then. The UN Security Council has urged in its Resolution 2440, adopted on Oct. 29, 2018, Morocco, Algeria, the Polisario and Mauritania to work constructively with the personal envoy, in a spirit of compromise, throughout the process to ensure its success. The Resolution had commended the stakeholders decision to accept the invitation to take part in the first roundtable meeting in Geneva and hailed again the relevance, seriousness and credibility of the Moroccan autonomy initiative. The Moroccan delegation to the first roundtable was led by Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and included the Permanent representative to the UN Omar Hilal, and elected representatives of the Moroccan Sahara Provinces, namely the chairman of the Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra Region Council, Hamdi Ould Errachid, and the president of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, Ynja El Khattat. At the end of these talks, Morocco conditioned its participation in Geneva II with the imperative to move the lines, in accordance with resolution 2440, putting forward the need to find a realistic and achievable political solution to the dispute. Before setting the date for the Geneva II meeting, the UN Secretary Generals personal envoy had met separately the delegations of Morocco (FM Nasser Bourita, February 27 and 28 in Paris), of Algeria (then FM Abdelkader Messahel, March 2 in Frankfurt) and that of the separatist front (Khatri Adouh). These separate informal meetings were part of the talks led by the UN envoy to prepare the second round of the quadripartite talks. While the Moroccan delegation to the Geneva II roundtable will probably be led by Bourita, it is unclear who will lead the Algerian delegation after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika replaced Foreign Minister Abdelkader Messahel amidst continuous protests and calls for regime change. A prominent guerrilla fighter and icon in modern Algeria, Jamila Bouhired, urged the Algerian youth to never give up to empty promises by the regime and stay alert to attempts at stealing their revolution. Following weeks of a peaceful struggle, unseen in history and across the globe, your revolution is now in the crossroads. Without your vigilance, it risks sliding into the catalogue of missed revolutions, Bouhired said in a letter published on EL Watan. She denounced the illegitimate character of a regime that ruled Algeria since independence after usurping power and sidelining genuine resistance figures. Never let these agents disguised in revolutionary outfits take control of your liberation momentum, she said. Bouhired also criticized French President for showing support to Bouteflikas plan which she described as a Coup dEtat, saying that France is coming to the rescue of a regime of an autocrat and his family and clan members. Bouhireds call comes as protests continue against Bouteflikas plan to extend his fourth term and postpone elections. Protesters called for a caretaker government to manage transition instead. Myopic to the aspirations of the youth, Algerias military chief Gaid Salah warned enemies of the state against sowing further unrest, while stressing that the armys relationship with the people was unshakable. If he overcomes some early tests, he could be a formidable contender. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The 2020 Democratic presidential contest obtained an intriguing new participant today as former Texas congressman Beto ORourke released a video announcing his candidacy Hes the 15th significant candidate to enter the field, and in some ways the hardest to handicap. By conventional terms, hes an odd presidential prospect: a former three-term House backbencher from Nowheresville, Texas, with no significant legislative accomplishments and just one statewide race, which he lost. He is not, unlike that other Democratic political supernova, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, beloved by some distinct ideological faction. Indeed, what he believes and stands for remains fuzzy, aside from long-standing support for marijuana legalization and a decided sympathy for the undocumented immigrants that Trump has demonized. But what the previously obscure ORourke established in his long-shot race against conservative Senate star Ted Cruz last year was a phenomenal ability to raise money in small batches, as the watchdog website Open Secrets observed: ORourke may be one of the best fundraisers running for president in 2020, spending a record-smashing $79 million in 2018. In terms of candidate spending, it was the most expensive congressional election ever He renounced corporate PAC donations and received the bulk of his funds from individual contributions, more than $36.8 million coming from small donors. His mastery of social media not only helped him raise money, but created the avid national following that made a 2020 presidential campaign possible. And all those human and financial resources depended on ORourkes preternatural gift for retail campaigning, which he demonstrated in knocking off an incumbent congressman in a 2012 primary and then against Cruz. ORourkes stump talents will now receive their acid test in the early-state abattoir of Iowa (where he is traveling this weekend), New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada. Particularly in Iowa, where other candidates had a head start in securing and organizing talent and showing the flag, he will succeed or fail in walking through some of the toughest grassroots terrain in American politics, with political media watching his every move. And he wont have long to show progress. Hes been compared so often to Barack Obama as a campaigner that if he doesnt light up Iowa like Obama did in the run-up to the 2008 caucuses, he may find himself written off as a flash in the pan. Hes already suffered significant erosion of his impressive showing in early polls by delaying his announcement (he slipped from 11 percent in December to 5 percent in early March in the authoritative Selzer poll of Iowa). And hell face another early pitfall this summer when candidate debates begin. If he doesnt sharpen his issues profile by then, or shows a lack of substantive knowledge, he could suffer the fate of fellow Texan Rick Perry in the 2012 Republican contest, which he dominated on paper until he turned in terrible debate performances. If, however, ORourke successfully deals with these initial challenges, his path to the nomination and indeed, his rationale for candidacy will become clearer. What he definitely showed in his Senate race was exceptional appeal to the two fastest-growing elements of the Democratic base, young voters and Latinos. He won a phenomenal 71 percent of voters under 30 (Hillary Clinton won 55 percent of this vote in Texas in 2016). His 65 percent of Latino voters was also an excellent showing, made more impressive by the fact that their percentage of the electorate actually rose from a presidential to a midterm contest, which is most unusual. If this translates at all to the presidential race, it could make him viable. Bernie Sanders showed in 2016 that youth voter appeal can sustain a national campaign for months. And as a Spanish-speaker with a Latino nickname, ORourkes appeal to that demographic group could be golden in the early state of Nevada, and the near-early state of California, particularly if the only Latino candidate in the field, Julian Castro, fails to get his long-shot campaign off the ground. Assuming hes still in the race after the early states have winnowed the field, ORourkes ideological indistinctness could quickly become an asset rather than a liability, just as it was for Obama in 2008. If Joe Biden again doesnt run, ORourke could pretty quickly build support among moderate voters and party elites worried about Bernie Sanderss socialist self-identification. If Biden does run, ORourkes highly conspicuous youthfulness offers a flattering contrast to the late-septuagenarian from Delaware. So long as he retains his magical fundraising touch, Beto can also stay in the contest for a long while as a potential party-unity compromise candidate. The same factors that give ORourke some traction in the nominating contest also burnish his electability credentials, which could become increasingly important as Democrats contemplate the horrors of a potential Trump victory and reflect on the lack of base enthusiasm that so damaged Hillary Clinton. As Sasha Issenberg explained recently, Betos Senate campaign succeeded in a task that Democrats often talk about wistfully: expanding the electorate by mobilizing nonvoters: [It] amounted to a massive bet on a strategy of mobilizing infrequent voters instead of trying to win over dependable ones. National campaign strategists are paying close attention to how ORourke did it: Few candidates have committed as fully, if a bit recklessly, to the belief that a monomaniacal focus on large-scale turnout is the most powerful tool Democrats have to capitalize on their latent numerical majority in the United States. Less than two months after Malitzs presentation in Austin, when the numbers came in, it was clear that Beto ORourke had managed a showing stronger than any Texas Democrat in a generation. Yes, Ted Cruzs notoriety helped ORourke mobilize supporters, just as it helped Republicans mobilize their own. But in that respect, Cruz is just a shadow of the force for galvanizing voters of all sorts represented by Trump 2020. Democrats may decide they need a candidate who knows how to maximize their own vote. There are a lot of ifs in any serious assessment of ORourkes presidential candidacy, including the possibility that if he hits a rough spot in the road his golden media image could turn dark with descriptions of him as just another white man with a skimpy resume and a sense of entitlement. His position in a field with five women has already exposed him to scrutiny over his involvement in parenting his three young children: Beto tells a coffee shop crowd that he just talked with his wife, Amy. She is raising, sometimes with my help, their three kids. Then says hes running for president for his kids, and theirs. Matt Viser (@mviser) March 14, 2019 That sort of line may not work as well as it has in the past. But if Beto ORourke has any asset for certain sure, its the ability to charm his way past the kind of misgivings that would kill other candidacies. He may need it. 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. A gun found at the home of Newtown mass murderer Adam Lanza. Photo: Connecticut State Police via Getty Images Long-frustrated efforts by the families of kids killed by gun violence to hold manufacturers responsible for their deadly wares struck at least temporary pay dirt in a Connecticut Supreme Court decision today. The court allowed a suit against the manufacturer of the weapon used by Adam Lanza in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newtown go forward despite federal statutes shielding gunmakers from liability. It vindicated a novel legal strategy involving separate state laws, as the New York Times explained: The court agreed with the lower court judges decision to dismiss claims that directly challenged the federal law shielding the gun companies from litigation, but found the case can move forward based on a state law regarding unfair trade practices. Justices wrote in the majority opinion that it falls to a jury to decide whether the promotional schemes alleged in the present case rise to the level of illegal trade practices and whether fault for the tragedy can be laid at their feet. A 2005 federal law that was a high priority for the National Rifle Association and the gun lobby generally greatly restricts suits holding manufacturers and dealers liable for the death and injury caused by guns. But there are exceptions for violations of state laws, and thats what the Connecticut court will now allow a state court trial to examine. Lawyers pointed out advertising with messages of combat dominance and hyper-masculinity that resonated with disturbed young men who could be induced to use the weapon to commit violence. Remington may never have known Adam Lanza, but they had been courting him for years, Joshua D. Koskoff, one of the lawyers representing the families, told the panel of judges during oral arguments in the case in 2017. The weapon used by Mr. Lanza had been legally purchased by his mother, Nancy Lanza, whom he also killed. Because this decision involves interpretation of a federal statute, the gunmaker will almost certainly appeal it to the U.S. Supreme Court, and Remington could also prevail at a trial, so this is just a first step toward manufacturer liability. But unless SCOTUS steps in to stop a trial, it could represent a blow to the gun industry even if it eventually wins the case, as the Hartford Courant noted: It also paves the way for the families to subpoena internal documents on how the gun companies have marketed the AR-15, which has become the weapon of choice for mass shooters. The gun manufacturers have closely guarded information on how they market the assault weapons The families goal has always been to shed light on Remingtons calculated and profit-driven strategy to expand the AR-15 market and court high-risk users, all at the expense of Americans safety. Todays decision is a critical step toward achieving that goal, [attorney Josh] Koskoff added [in a statement]. In the long-running war between the gun lobby and gun safety advocates, the Connecticut battle could possibly represent a turning point. Our Founder. Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photos: Google (San Jose); SSPL/Getty Images (Computer) San Jose, California, is (arguably) the center of the worlds technology industry. Its city council is looking to make that virtual status into a physical thing, commissioning a monument to Silicon Valley for one of its parks. New Yorks architecture critic Justin Davidson and tech columnist Max Read think its a pretty iffy idea. Justin Davidson: You first, Max: Whats your reaction? Max Read: Amusement, I guess? Far be it from me to stand in the way of rich people parting with their money to build public space or public art. But theres something funny to me about the idea of building a big monument to the idea of Silicon Valley, which I think of as a fairly non-heroic, non-monumental place of endless office parks and fleece vests and food-delivery apps. Justin Davidson: When I first heard about this, it sounded like a supremely dumb idea. I mean, doesnt Silicon Valley do enough self-congratulation already? Then I thought, well how is it different from monuments to other kinds of work: fishing in Gloucester, MA, steel in Pittsburgh, or the state-sponsored aerospace industry in Moscow, or Canadas National Mining Monument? I mean, who doesnt want a statue of heroic programmers sitting at their workstations, forearm muscles rippling toward the keyboard? Max Read: What could be more inspiring than a 9-foottall growth-development associate cast in bronze, lifting his soylent to his lips after a hard days work? Justin Davidson: Exactly. I guess what were getting at is that whatever this winds up looking like, it isnt probably cant be a monument to the foot soldiers of a revolution. Mostly because the sacrifice that was required of them was of the prosaic, non-lifethreatening variety. So what, exactly, would a monument accomplish? I guess one possibility is that its a kind of geographic branding, like the HOLLYWOOD sign. Heres a product thats everywhere and nowhere, so well put up a big sign that says no, its actually HERE! Regardless of how deceptive the choice of place might be. Max Read: Sure and it makes sense that San Jose, rather than SF or Oakland (which both have their fair share of Silicon Valley companies but also clear municipal identities), is eager to build itself an immediately recognizable object. The HOLLYWOOD sign is an interesting comparison because it didnt start as a monument to Hollywood at all! Justin Davidson: And because at this point Hollywood the industry isnt in Hollywood the place. So is there a point beyond real-estate branding? What message do you think Silicon Valley needs to communicate in physical reality that it cant do in the virtual kind? Max Read: I mean, whats the other occasion for great big monuments? Victory in war, right? The Valley has annexed huge swathes of the American economy; it stands basically peerless among American industries as a generator of wealth. At some point, if youre a leader in that conquering army, you might think you want some kind of triumphal arch or column celebrating your victory. And Ill note, too, that while the Valley generates an enormous amount of wealth, the money is going to many fewer people than it did, say, at the peak of the automobile industry. So its not like theres an enormous and growing new tech-wealth middle class to stand testament to Silicon Valleys greatness Justin Davidson: Usually, with military or political victories, theres a delay, which helps distill what the long-term meaning of that event is. That also guards against reversals or amnesia. So, for instance, the imperial-scale monument to the Risorgimento in the center of Rome was begun in 1885 as a way of pointing out that the new Italian state crushed the pope. Theres insecurity and propaganda built into triumphalism. Here youre talking about something much more abstract and multiple, which makes it difficult to boil down in a monumental idea. I mean, what was the opposition, exactly? The second point you make is about bearing witness: Do we run the risk of forgetting about Silicon Valley? Max Read: I certainly think theres a bit of insecurity built into this idea, not just because of San Joses relationship to its larger neighbors. I dont know that we run the risk of forgetting about Silicon Valley, in particular, but built into the culture of the tech industry is the idea of disruption and obsolescence: Youre only on top until someone smarter, better, faster, and younger comes along. If youre resting on your laurels, youre not doing your job! Weve mostly forgotten Friendster and MySpace, thanks to Facebook. You can see how that might bleed into thinking about monuments we should put something up now, in case Shenzhen or Lagos or Manila overtakes us. Justin Davidson: By the same token though, we run the risk face the certainty of putting up a monument to last years breakthrough. For instance, now everything is about the cloud, right? The most interesting way I can imagine to honor an industry built on insubstantial energy would be to design an equally vaporous monument. The architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro essentially anticipated the cloud when they designed the temporary Blur Building on a Swiss lake in 2002. It was constructed of tiny nozzles that created a fluctuating mist, which moved in the breeze and dissipated. You put on rain jackets to walk out on a jetty into the cloud. Max Read: See, that would be nice, but I worry that all those literal-minded engineers are going to have trouble with more conceptual ideas. That said, youre raising one of the key points: If were building a monument to something as broad and abstract as tech or even Silicon Valley more specifically what can you possibly make that would encompass all of it? Even the idea of some brawny bronze programmers doesnt necessarily fit everything into it, setting aside how much programming has changed over the last 40 years. Justin Davidson: Specifically, how can you make something fixed and permanent that encompasses constant change, fluidity, obsolescence, and ubiquity? That would be an interesting brief for the RFP (request for proposals): Design a memorial that can be updated instantly and often for as long as we choose to support it. Max Read: [laughs] Justin Davidson: At which point it will be discontinued. Max Read: Not many memorials these days require firmware updates, but theres a first for everything. Justin Davidson: The serious point there and the reason I have trouble believing that it would yield anything worthwhile is that it feels like a monument would have to be abstract to the point of near meaninglessness. Even seemingly abstract monuments like the 9/11 memorial for instance have a well-defined and often emotional impulse behind them. Grief, say. Or gratitude toward a supreme leader whos taken care of everything. I have a hard time grasping what that would be in this case. Other than, as I said at the beginning of this conversation, self-congratulation. Max Read: Well, not that it will make a good monument in most senses, but Hey, Look at Me is a very appropriate emotional impulse for Silicon Valley certainly for the social-media wing of the industry. Justin Davidson: So a multitentacled creature patting itself on the back, then. Could work. Max Read: A Monument to the Unknown Influencer. One thing that occurs to me when I think of the HOLLYWOOD sign and the charging bull at Bowling Green, which strike me as the most obvious points of comparison, is that big American industries sometimes end up with the monuments they deserve by accident. The sign is two-thirds of a broken advertisement for an exclusionary real-estate development. The bull was snuck into Manhattan at night. I dont know that I love either one, but I appreciate how closely theyve come to be associated with their respective industries. Maybe instead of trying to force a monument, the tech industry just needs to wait and see what becomes one. Justin Davidson: It also makes me wonder what ruins tech will leave behind. Its impact on what archi-folks call the built environment has been so huge but also diffuse. There are the low Silicon Valley repurposed warehouses, the Apple HQ, the info-powered skyscrapers with their huge trading floors, the post-industrial renovations, the new sidewalk scooter docks each of these is a different aspect of how tech engages with the physical world, so some truncated chunk of one of them could be techs triumphal arch. Maybe a bunch of cables hanging from a ceiling duct. Max Read: Ultimately the Silicon Valley monument may not even be in the U.S. at all the Bolivian salt flats where lithium mining for batteries is done have a pretty eerie and desolate beauty. As the world scrambles to replace fossil fuels with clean energy, the environmental impact of finding all the lithium required could become a major issue in its own right. I will say that Im hoping they make this monument, and that its visually striking, for one single reason: stock photos. As New York Magazines photo editors will tell you, its very difficult to interestingly illustrate stories about Silicon Valley. Justin Davidson: A worthy goal. Seriously, though, thats the whole project in a nutshell: finding a visual representation of this essential part of human existence that isnt really visual. Maybe its the statue at Walden Pond of Henry David Thoreau walking through the woods, checking his Twitter feed. Max Read: See, now that would encompass everything Silicon Valley means to me. This story is published in conjunction with THE CITY, an independent, nonprofit news outlet dedicated to hard-hitting reporting that gets results for the people of New York. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. Photo: Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY For years, Democrats in the state Legislature have sought to restrict state courts use of cash bail as an unbearable burden for low-income defendants, only to be rebuffed by a Republican-controlled Senate. With fresh control of the Senate, Democratic lawmakers and staff say theyve been working feverishly toward a single bill that would not only eliminate cash bail, but also attempt to minimize the number of defendants judges can lock up while awaiting trial. In lieu of cash bail, judges could impose nonmonetary conditions intended to compel a defendant to return to court, like routine check-ins with a pretrial services agency, also known as supervised release. But they would also retain power to detain defendants behind bars in some circumstances prompting concerns a bail ban could bring unintended consequences if not carefully constructed. The real risk with bail reform is that if its not done right, theres a real risk of making things worse and not better, said Democratic senator Mike Gianaris of Queens, co-sponsor of one of the measures under discussion, introduced in the Assembly by Manhattan Democrat Danny ODonnell. If pretrial detention is allowed in too many cases, too many people will be detained. Gianaris and other Democrats say theyre wary of the recent experience of California, which banned bail in 2018 but enhanced judges power to order defendants jailed while awaiting trial. Californias law is now on hold pending a voter referendum next year. Adding to the pressure is Governor Andrew Cuomo, whos pressing an April 1 deadline for a bail bill as part of a broader array of criminal-justice reforms by yoking them to the states $175 billion state spending plan. Cuomos threatening to not accept a state budget unless it includes the measures among them changes to the states laws on criminal discovery and speedy trials. Cuomo has proposed his own measure to end cash bail, which would give courts considerable leeway to detain individuals before trial. Lawmakers are discussing what standard judges should follow when determining whether someone should be detained ahead of their scheduled trial and under what circumstances they should be allowed to order pretrial detention at all. Everyone agrees that violent felonies should be included and that misdemeanors should not be included, so we start from there, said Gianaris. There are some crimes that fall into a gray area that were working through. Its the gray area that has district attorneys from around the state concerned. If someone is arrested for subway grinding or forcible touching and that person has a record of having done that in the past, thats somebody that I need to take seriously even though it may be a misdemeanor, said Manhattan district attorney Cy Vance Jr. We believe we should be able to ask for detention for those cases. Listing every statute for which a judge could order pretrial detention in the bail reform proposal could easily become unwieldy and confusing for the court, defense lawyers, and prosecutors, Vance said. I think we all need to have a certain flexibility built into a system where we eliminate cash bail so that the judges, defense, and the prosecutors can achieve the right results without necessarily being constrained by a list of 50 [statutes] that we agreed upon simply because we were compromising, Vance told THE CITY. The New York State Capitol. Photo: Mike Groll/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo DAs Demand Dangerous Option Other district attorneys, including Brooklyns Eric Gonzalez, want judges to have the power to decide whether to detain a defendant as a public-safety risk. The ability of our courts to consider the dangerousness of a defendant is essential to balancing the possible negative impacts of ending a cash-bail system, Albany County district attorney David Soares, who heads the District Attorneys Association of New York, told THE CITY. This examination is essential to public safety. Vance, Gonzalez, and Soares have been outspoken about their support for ending cash bail, sending a joint letter to Cuomo and legislative leaders earlier this month. Soares notes that many other states allow judges to detain defendants they deem dangerous. Criminal-justice advocates oppose dangerousness as a deciding factor in pretrial detention because they say it leads to disproportionately high preemptive incarceration of minorities and poor individuals. The reality is that there is no jurisdiction which has added this consideration without it leading to the very outcomes we are trying to eliminate too many people in jail and racial disproportionalities, said Nick Encalada-Malinowski, the civil-rights campaign director at VOCAL-NY, an advocacy group for low-income New Yorkers. Gianariss proposal doesnt allow judges to consider dangerousness. Instead, defendants could only be held if charged with certain felonies or with intimidating a witness, or if they persistently and willfully failed to appear in court. The governors proposal allows judges to consider whether defendants are a high risk of flight or a current threat to the physical safety of a reasonably identifiable person or persons. Whether or not to include the dangerousness standard is still subject to discussion, Gianaris said. Cuomos proposal allows judges to consider whether defendants are a high risk of flight or a current threat to the physical safety of a reasonably identifiable person or persons. Assemblywoman Latrice Walker, a Democrat from Brooklyn, likens consideration of dangerousness to the science-fiction movie Minority Report, in which police use psychics to arrest and convict individuals before they commit a crime. We want to make sure that if were reforming things we want to reform it for the better, said Walker, who last year sponsored her own bail-reform bill and is involved current negotiations. We dont want to take the law backward. Paying for Programs District attorneys say they are also concerned about the potential cost of eliminating bail particularly the expense of expanding supervised release programs that provide case management to defendants. Said Vance: Without funding supervised release, without actually addressing that issue as a budget item, I think we are not being serious because supervised release is very expensive. In New Jersey, where the pretrial jail population dropped 20 percent following the elimination of cash bail in 2017, court officials warned in a report last year that the states pretrial services program is simply not sustainable since its funding relied on court fees rather than a dedicated funding stream. In California, Governor Gavin Newsoms January budget proposal included $75 million to fund pilot programs related to pretrial decision-making in up to ten courts. Gianaris asserts that his measure would result in massive savings from individuals no longer incarcerated. The savings from not housing thousands of individuals that were now paying for on a daily basis would vastly outweigh any additional costs of setting up a conditional release office, he said. A decline in detentions doesnt guarantee cost savings. The New York City Department of Correction budget increased 7 percent, to $1.4 billion in fiscal year 2019, over a four-year period when the average daily jail population declined 16 percent, to 8,175, according to the most recent preliminary Mayors Management Report. The Cuomo administrations proposal does not include additional funding for pretrial services or supervised release programs associated with bail reform. A spokesperson for the Division of Budget projected some efficiencies at the local level but the proposal is about civil liberties and overcoming the racial and economic inequities in how people are detained and adjudicated, not to realize operating efficiencies. Dont miss out on the next big story. Sign up for THE CITYs newsletter here. Photo: Douglas Miller/Getty Images Youve tried packing cubes and rolling your shirts up Marie Kondostyle and yet, most likely, all your clothes still come out of your suitcase wrinkled when you reach your destination. Or maybe you have an important meeting right after landing, and your once-polished outfit looks rumpled after hours in economy. Like other travel dilemmas finding a bag thatll fit under the seat in front of you or trying to sleep on a transcontinental flight arriving with a suitcase full of wrinkly clothes can be solved. To avoid pricey hotel dry-cleaning services, or risky sessions with your in-room ironing board, we asked nine women in the travel business to recommend the best pieces to wear and pack while youre away. Best wrinkle-free pants for travel Eileen Fisher Ankle Length Straight Pants with Gathered Waist $238 For travel pants that are comfortable, stylish and low-maintenance, Jeralyn Gerba, co-founder and editorial director of Fathom, likes easy pieces from Eileen Fisher. Shes known for researching and developing materials that are responsible, sustainable, and high-performance while also being crazy chic, says Gerba. I love her uncrushable Tencel, a tree fiber textile produced with near zero waste the drawstring pants and blazers look really good after long-haul flights. The adjustable drawstring allows for in-flight comfort while the textured crepe lends them a sophisticated look. $238 at Zappos Buy Athleta Skyline Pant $89 A similar pair at a lower price point, these slim, drawstring pants are a favorite of Sarah Corsa, a trip designer at Journy. She likes that theyre lightweight and rarely wrinkle. Gerba also looks to Athleta for casual basics with the occasional flair, and says their athleisure pieces offer a nice alternative to the straight-up sweats uniform while traveling. $89 at Athleta Buy Outdoor Voices RecTrek Pant $98 $98 Outdoor Voices, makers of our favorite sleek and tailored sweatpants, are another frequent flier go-to for easy-to-wear pieces thatll look fresh after a long journey. Journy co-founder Leiti Hsu, calls the RekTrek pants the ultimate in comfort. She says they stay crisp from laundry cycle to laundry cycle and look way more pulled-together than yoga pants. $98 at Outdoor Voices Buy The Row Tao Straight-Leg Stretch-Cotton Pants $790 I have a few pairs of stretchy but tailored trousers from The Row that are incredibly comfortable and easy to pack, says Jen Rubio, co-founder and chief-brand officer of Away. Theyll give an outfit more polish than a jogger-type pant while still being wrinkle-resistant and non-constricting on long flights. Rubio says shell pair hers with a T-shirt and leather jacket. $790 at Neiman Marcus Buy Betabrand Dress Pant Yoga Pants $58 Based in San Francisco, the clothing start-up Betabrand sells pieces based on crowd-sourced designs, like these trouser-style pants that come highly recommended by Larissa Hayden, deputy director of events at Atlas Obscura. She likes that theyre crafted with comfort, durability, and professionalism in mind, and have all the comfort of stretchy sweats. $58 at Betabrand Buy Best wrinkle-free leggings for travel American Eagle High-Waisted Jegging $50 If youd rather go the leggings route, Melissa Hie of Girl Eat World swears these jeggings look exactly like jeans but are very stretchy and comfortable like leggings. She says, I would just pair this with a comfortable button-up shirt if I need to look somewhat put together straight off the plane. $50 at Aerie Buy Calzedonia Thermal Leather-Effect Leggings For leggings that can be dressed up, Hsu likes this expensive-looking (but actually quite affordable) faux-leather pair. Tuck them in your carry-on for a sexy go-to that [can go from] day to dinner in any city, she says. Theyre secretly lined with cozy fleece on the inside; all the better to brave your next winter dining adventure. Buy at Amazon Buy Buy at Amazon Buy Best wrinkle-free tops for travel Uniqlo Rayon Long-Sleeve Blouse From $30 Travelers love Uniqlos affordable and durable pieces for comfort and style. Hie says their button-downs are perfect for wearing with leggings to easily look put-together. And while she normally prefers natural fabrics, when it comes to travel she says, I go with polyester-blend fabrics since they dont wrinkle as much. Like polyester, rayon is far more wrinkle-resistant than cotton or linen. From $30 at Uniqlo Buy Loft Ruffle Henley Utility Blouse $50 Also polyester, but with a silky feel and sweet ruffle details, this packable top is one of Corsas favorites. It can be worn in basically any climate, for tons of occasions, she says. It never wrinkles and still looks new after years. $50 at Loft Buy Gerba calls Uniqlos warming Heattech turtleneck, an essential layering piece for cold-weather travel or even ice-cold planes, basic, but solid. In warmer climates, Stephanie Park, co-founder and vice-president of operations at Journy, likes the brands AIRism line. Not only do the breathable base layers release heat and moisture to adapt to different weather conditions, but they also remain remarkably wrinkle-free, even after long flights, she says. Theory Bringam Crepe Top $180 According to Rubio, Theorys crepe knits will never wrinkle, no matter how much of an overpacker you are, which is good news if you need to look professional right after a red-eye flight. $180 at Bloomingdale's Buy Best wrinkle-free dresses for travel Love, Bonito Elsha Camisole Dress $24 Simple, packable slip dresses were called out by several travelers as highly versatile items. Hie opts for colorful ones from Singapore-based, women-founded brand Love, Bonito. They are made out of a polyester blend and [dont] t get wrinkled even if they are straight out of the suitcase, she says. I love them because they are very basic, which means I can pair them with accessories to dress them up or down. $24 at Love, Bonito Buy Nili Lotan Silk Slipdress $545 Rubio counts her black Nili Lotan slip dress as ones of her perfect travel pieces thats practical and comfortable, yet stylish and versatile so that my look can easily transition from day to night. Shell wear it with a blazer and loafers on the plane, and switch to boots once she lands. And while it may seem like a fussy pick, Gerba says she frequently packs silk because it looks good, weighs nothing, and its wrinkles fall out easily. $545 at Nordstrom Buy Everlane The Japanese GoWeave Tank Wrap Dress From $100 For a fraction of the price, Journy trip designer Lauren Witte likes this bright Everlane wrap dress which, she says, is also made out of wrinkle-resistant fabric, and can work for both casual and dressier events. From $100 at Everlane Buy Wolford Asymmetric Dress $650 If slip dresses arent your style, Hsu says shes obsessed with Wolfords selection of stretchy dresses that roll up almost as tiny as hosiery. Since it takes up barely any space she says theyre the ideal just-in-case dresses to pack if the need to dress up arises, and she calls her simple, black sheath a lifesaver. $650 at Nordstrom Rack Buy Best wrinkle-free layers for travel Eileen Fisher Stand-Collar Open Blazer $398 Like the Eileen Fisher pants recommended by Gerba, this blazer is made of Tencel and can withstand long flights and not-so-tidy packing. Plus, as several of our travel pros noted, blazers play well with basics like lightweight tops and cami dresses, giving you some mix-and-match outfits for your journey without having to overpack. $398 at Bloomingdale's Buy A black versatile cashmere wrap is a must-have for my busy travel schedule, says Elizabeth Fuller, director of marketing and partnerships at Black Tomato. It doubles as a blanket on a chilly flight and wont wrinkle if you stow it in your carry on to go through security. She likes the very elegant. fringed Loro Piano version, but if youre on a budget, the under-$100 silk-blended wrap from cashmere startup Naadam will also do the trick. Reformation Cashmere Boyfriend Sweater $148 now 25% off $111 Like Fuller, Hsu thinks quality cashmere is a worthwhile travel investment. Compared with other fabrics, cashmere doesnt require washing all that often and is naturally temperature moderating, she says, making it a natural fit for an on-the-go lifestyle. Her favorites are classic cuts with unique details from brands like Reformation and Rag & Bone. $111 at Reformation Buy get the strategist newsletter Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Terms & Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size Article body Auburn Universitys Center for Cyber and Homeland Security (CCHS) will host Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen on March 18 as she delivers her 2019 State of Homeland Security Address. Nielsen will discuss a range of topics, including her priorities for 2019 and her vision for a safer, more secure homeland. The Monday event will begin at 10 a.m. EST in the Jack Morton Auditorium at George Washington University. A live broadcast of the event will be made available here. Frank J. Cilluffo, director of Auburns McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security and the CCHS, will moderate a question-and-answer session following the secretarys address. Cilluffo is a globally renowned cyber and counter-terrorism expert whose expertise is often cited in national media, including CBS Evening News and The Washington Post. Retired Lt. Gen. Ronald L. Burgess, Auburns chief operating officer, will welcome guests and introduce Nielsen. Burgess is a 38-year Army veteran who served three years as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Auburn is a national leader in cyber, infrastructure and homeland security, and hosting Secretary Nielsen is just another example of how Auburn inspires, innovates and transforms in areas that matter most, Burgess said. Auburns CCHS is a nonpartisan think tank developing innovative strategies to address current and future threats to the US. The center convenes leading experts and practitioners for executive-level events, publishes policy-relevant analysis and provides expert testimony to Congress on critical issues and challenges related to cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, counterterrorism and homeland security. The center is based in Washington, D.C., and drives the policy work of the McCrary Institute, which seeks practical solutions to real-world problems, underpinned by research and scholarship. The institute fuses theory with practice and policy with technology to protect and advance U.S. interests in the areas of cyber and critical infrastructure security. Its approaches and solutions are designed to enhance security across the public and private sectors. Decrease Font Size Font Size Increase Font Size Article body While most students are spending spring break free of classes and filled with fun, Auburn University veterinary students in the class of 2019 will be working fulfilling their preceptorships at locations across the U.S. and beyond as they prepare to graduate in May and begin their careers in veterinary medicine. A preceptorship is the final step in a veterinary students four-year curriculum. They have completed classroom studies and their clinical rotations. Under the supervision of practicing veterinarians, students are spending these final weeks before graduation gaining real-world experience in their chosen disciplines. The eight-week preceptorships allow students to apply what they have learned in classrooms, laboratories and clinical rotations for the eight weeks prior to graduation. The 122 students in the class of 2019 are at an exciting stage of their professional development and they have diligently labored and learned, practiced and prepared to enter this entrusted profession. As they embark on their eight-week preceptorship prior to graduating, all are excited about the next step in their professional journey, said Dr. Dan Givens, associate dean for Academic Affairs. The 122-member class selected a variety of specializations and locations for their preceptorships: 20 students are gaining professional experience in Alabama and 23 in Kentucky. The remainder are completing preceptorships in various states and some at more distant locationsincluding one student serving at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover in Germany. Brooke Barber Brooke Barber, from Frankfort, Kentucky, is pursuing her preceptorship at a veterinary hospital in New Hampshire, where she is working in a mixed animal practice. I have always pictured myself as a small animal veterinarian, Barber said. However, I spent a summer during undergrad in South Africa and will always have a soft spot for exotics and wildlife. I worked with the Raptor Team through the ZEW (Zoo, Exotics, and Wildlife) Club during vet school and loved every minute working with these species, from Red-Tailed Hawks to Eastern Screech Owls. Although from Kentucky, Barber said she chose to pursue her preceptorship in New Hampshire because she wanted to experience a different part of the country. Ive lived most of my life in the Southeast, she said. The clinic Im going to mostly works with small animals and horses, but others as well. I loved all of my equine rotations at Auburn, and I want to continue expanding my medical knowledge in this field. Douglas Hawkins Troy, Alabama native Douglas Hawkins will be serving his preceptorship at Grand Strand Animal Hospital in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a facility specializing in small animal practice. For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a veterinarian, Hawkins said. My grandfather and father were and are veterinarians who graduated from Auburn Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine. Hawkins recalls vivid and fond memories assisting both in their veterinary work in the field. He said he most enjoys working in small animal medicine, surgery and preventative medicine. He chose to pursue his preceptorship at the Myrtle Beach hospital because he had worked there two summers earlier. It is a great place, Hawkins said. The clinic and staff were wonderful, and I felt that it would be a great place for me to learn with a multitude of cases to see and treat. Wesley Clendinen Wesley Clendinen, from Tallahassee, Florida, is staying closer to Auburn for his preceptorship. He will be serving at the Dadeville Animal Clinic, a small animal practice located in Dadeville, Alabama. The clinic has the perfect balance of consistent case load while also presenting opportunities for in-depth discussion of difficult cases with the doctors, Clendinen said. Clendinen said he particularly is interested in veterinary surgery, and he believes that the Dadeville clinic will provide him with broader experience in that area. Periodically, a retired Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine faculty surgeon will assist with particularly complicated procedures. Im excited to have an opportunity to assist with those, Clendinen said. Students are required to choose a host practice that is at least 30 miles away from the Auburn campus for their preceptorships. Practices undergo a rigorous evaluation process before they are approved to host a preceptor student. Applications are reviewed by a committee to ensure that they meet the high standards of practice that the college requires. Once accepted, practices can continue to host students for four years before repeating the application process. The college also strives to ensure that the experiences which students gain during their preceptorships impact the future direction of the college. The class of 2019 will complete their preceptorships in early May, when they will return to the Auburn campus for debriefing to discuss all of their prior educational experiences, including their preceptorships. The class will subsequently participate in commencement ceremonies on Monday, May 6, at 6 p.m. in Auburn Arena. 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. SpiceJet cancelled around 35 flights on Thursday following the government's decision to ground all Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft operated by Indian airlines, Civil Aviation Secretary PS Kharola has said. The secretary said that Thursday will be a "challenging" day as SpiceJet that flies about 30-35 flights out of 520 odd flights everyday will have to cancel them owing to the ban on the 737 Max 8 aircraft. Kharola highlighted that the airline has been told that the flights should be cancelled in sectors that have multiple flights. He further said that SpiceJet has given assurance that if the airport has only its flights, it will not go "unserviced" due to the aircraft ban. SpiceJet has also set up a special cell to monitor and address passenger grievances as well as inform passengers well before any flight cancellations or other adjustments, the secretary told PTI. Also Read: US joins queue of nations grounding Boeing 737 Max jetliners He said that the ministry requested the airline that in case it is not able to adjust or accommodate passengers, other airlines should come forward and help carry these passengers based on their existing agreements with SpiceJet. Operators have also agreed not to indulge in "predatory pricing", the secretary told the news agency. As regards to lifting the ban on 737 MAX 8, DGCA chief BS Bhullar said that it will depend on inputs from various agencies but will not happen anytime soon. He stated that other airlines, apart from SpiceJet, have been requested to keep fares reasonable as the DGCA will track fare levels regularly. The budget carrier which operates around 500 flights daily is the only airline running Boeing 737 MAX 8 at present and is the most affected as it has 12 Boeings in its fleet. The airline had cancelled 14 flights on Wednesday following the grounding of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft by the Indian aviation watchdog DGCA. "Of the 76 planes in our fleet, 64 aircraft are in operations and we are confident of minimising the inconvenience to our passengers and attain normalcy in our operations," SpiceJet said in a statement Wednesday. Also Read: Boeing 737 Max 8 planes: Most countries stop flying the jet after Ethiopian Airlines crash, but not India "We are evaluating options for augmenting capacity in the coming days through a mix of additional flights and aircraft inductions. We are sure that our operations will be normal very soon," it added. The budget carrier also said that the affected passengers have either been accommodated on alternate flights or are being offered an option of a full refund, changing the flight/date of travel, or even change the destination (to nearest alternate airport), all this without any cancellation charges or an fare difference. Also Read: Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft to stop operations in India by 4 pm today: DGCA official The DGCA on Tuesday had announced its decision to "immediately" ground the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft by airlines operating in India. The order came following the Ethiopian airlines plane crash that claimed 157 lives including 4 Indians. The airline The Boeing 737 Max plane crashed roughly six minutes after an early morning take-off around 8.44 am local time from Bole International Airport, Addis Ababa on its way to Kenya's capital Nairobi. According to air traffic monitor Flightradar24, the plane had manifested unstable vertical speed soon after taking-off and crashed near Tulu Fara village outside the town of Bishoftu, around 50 km south of Addis Ababa. Also Read: SpiceJet cancels 14 flights, offers full refund after DGCA bans Boeing 737 Max 8 (With inputs from agency) A foot overbridge near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station collapsed on Thursday. Reports suggest that five people have perished in the foot overbridge collapse, and around 30 people have been injured in the accident. The injured are being rushed to hospitals as rescue operations are underway. The foot overbridge connected CSMT platform 1 north end with BT Lane near Times of India building. Follow BusinessToday.In Live blog for more details about the foot overbridge collapse in Mumbai: 10:07 pm: "Ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each will be given to the families of those who died in the incident. Compensation of Rs 50,000 each will be given to the injured and state government will provide for their treatment," Fadnavis further added. 09:58 pm: "The bridge was found in a structural audit conducted after a similar incident last year and minor repairs were prescribed. Such an incident raises question over the structural audit too. An inquiry will be conducted," Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said while talking to reporters after the Mumbai foot overbridge collapse. 09:48 pm: "Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the foot overbridge accident in Mumbai. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wishing that the injured recover at the earliest. The Maharashtra Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected," PM Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter after the Mumbai foot overbridge collapse. Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the foot overbridge accident in Mumbai. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wishing that the injured recover at the earliest. The Maharashtra Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected. - Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 14, 2019 09:33 pm: The number of injured has risen to 36, including two critical injuries, ANI reported. 09:27 pm: Five people have died in the foot overbridge collapse near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the foot overbridge accident in Mumbai. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wishing that the injured recover at the earliest. The Maharashtra Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected. - Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 14, 2019 09:22 pm: "The bridge needed minor repairs, the work for which was underway. It will be probed why the foot overbridge was not closed till the work was completed," Maharashtra minister Vinod Tawde told reporters. The state will provide for the treatment of the injured, he further added. Maharashtra Minister Vinod Tawde: The state will provide for the treatment of the injured...We will give further update to you as and when we get information. https://t.co/ajojZvoh63 - ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 09:12 pm: Spoke to BMC Commissioner and Mumbai Police officials and instructed to ensure speedy relief efforts in coordination with Railway Ministry officials, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis posted on Twitter after the Mumbai foot overbridge collapse. Pained to hear about the FOB incident near TOI building in Mumbai. Spoke to BMC Commissioner and @MumbaiPolice officials and instructed to ensure speedy relief efforts in coordination with @RailMinIndia officials. - Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) March 14, 2019 09:07 pm: Most of the debris from the Mumbai foot overbridge collapse has been cleared. Nobody is trapped under the collapsed bridge. 08:56 pm: Four people reported dead in the Mumbai foot overbridge collapse. The death toll is expected to rise. 08:53 pm: In a statement after the Mumbai foot overbridge collapse, Ministry of Railways said it was a BMC foot overbridge and the Railways is extending its full support in rescue operations with personnel and doctors. 08:44 pm: Death toll in Mumbai foot overbridge collapse rises to three. #UPDATE: Death toll rises to 3 in the Mumbai bridge collapse incident where a portion of foot over bridge near CSMT railway station collapsed. 34 people are injured in the incident. The death toll is likely to rise. pic.twitter.com/UTYVwyKY7f - ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 08:38 pm: At least 34 people are reported to have sustained injuries in the foot overbridge collapse near CSMT railway station in Mumbai. The injured are being treated at St George Hospital and GT Hospital. Mumbai: Visuals from St George Hospital where some of the people, injured in foot over bridge near CSMT railway station collapse, have been taken. 34 people are injured, 2 people dead. pic.twitter.com/G3vIrPU8yE - ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 08:34 pm: Reports suggest that 10-12 people are still trapped in the debris from the foot overbridge collapse near railway CSMT station in Mumbai. 08:32 pm: One team from NDRF's Regional Response Centre (RRC) in Mumbai has been rushed to the spot 08:31 pm: Two women have lost their lives in the foot overbridge collapse. 08:28 pm: Those injured in foot overbridge collapse have been rushed to St. George and GT Hospital for medical attention. 08:23 pm: Visuals from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station, where a foot overbridge collapsed today, resulting in several injuries. #WATCH Mumbai: A foot over bridge near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station has collapsed. Multiple injuries have been reported. pic.twitter.com/r43zS5eA0l - ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 08:13 pm: Senior officials have reached the spot of foot overbridge collapse near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Traffic has been diverted. I think people must get their facts right in this whole UEW brouhaha and save the discourse from distortion of facts in issue. The case Kofi Supi Kwayera took to court never included anywhere in their reliefs an order for the dismissal of Avoke. Avoke was dismissed by the governing council clothed with the powers to do so under Act,2004(Act 672) on allegations of procurement infraction. You cannot accuse a lawyer of meddling in the administrative functions of an organisation only because he opted to represent his client in court as a citizen of Ghana. The recent scuffles in UEW is not and cannot be as a result of SUPI KWAYERA's suit that only challenged the existence of a Governing council on the basis that, extending their mandates by the previous government was unconstitutional Indeed Prof.Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang on the floor of the house admitted such an error when the Hon.Member of parliament for Effutu argued that,the decision to extend the governing council's mandates was contrary to law. The issues we are talking about started in 2014. Anybody who tries to blame Hon.Alex Afenyo Markin in respect of this current brouhaha on UEW might be naive or has not followed the issues very well. Again,the feeble claim that,he is meddling in the affairs of the university is laughable and a mockery of ones intelligence. How can merely representing a client in court to challenge the existence of an unconstitutional governing council and certain injurius decisions of UEW be termed as interference or meddling? The issue at stake borders on capricious and unlawful dismissal of senior lecturers by Anthony Aful Broni which has forced students to enter the street to demonstrate against such a decision. Again why should any one in his reasonable mind blame the Hon.Member for this callous and unreasonable move by the VC which has sparked fire On campus? Was their dismissal letter signed by the VC or the HOn.Member for which he should be blamed? When a bauxite company was not paying tax to the good people of Ghana for over 20years, he single handedly proceeded to the high court and got a favorable order which inter-alia directed the Ghana Revenue Authority to make a retrospective calculation of taxes forfeited by the company. Why didnt same people accusing him today of meddling in the affairs of Uew accuse him of meddling in the affairs of the bauxite company? When a winneba Assembly man was unlawfuly disqualified from contesting assembly elections by the EC,why didnt people accuse him of causing troubles or meddling in the affairs of the EC when he represented his client at the supreme court to quash the decision of the EC? Why should he be blamed for representing a client in court to challenge unlawful existence of a governing council which action triggered a subsequent reconstitution of the governing council of the various universities? let's be real and argue on the principles of common sense and logical reasoning. He cannot be blame for the current impasse on campus,if there is any one to be blamed,certainly the very person whose immaturity and vindictive approach to issues on campus which has resulted all these controversies is the one to be blamed and not Hon.Alex Afenyo Markin. some of us supported Aful Broni but his vindictive approach to issues on campus is arbitrarily capricious and unlawful...He should do the needful and resign to save his reputation Dawda Eric(Equity) UEW Alumnus 13th March,2019 [email protected] Source: Dawda Eric/[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 Ghana is gradually winning the war against Glaucoma, as more people are now reporting in health care facilities across the country for testing, diagnoses and treatment of the disease. Mr Harrison Kofi Abutiate, the National President of the Glaucoma Association of Ghana, made this known at the press launch of the annual World Glaucoma Week in Accra on Wednesday. He said the progress made, so far, was an indication of the positive impact created by the persistent awareness campaigns by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and its partners over the years. He said the success story was, however, being deterred by the high cost of treatment for glaucoma, and commended the government for heeding to the Associations request for the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on the cost of glaucoma drugs. Mr Abutiate pleaded that the move should be extended to affect all medications, equipment and consumables for the holistic management and eradication of the disease. Glaucoma is an eye condition distinguished by a loss of vision resulting from damage to the optic nerve, due to the difficulty in maintaining a normal flow of fluid through the eye, and this results in a rise of the pressure inside the eye which, could damage the optic nerve leading to irreversible blindness. He said the World Glaucoma Week would be commemorated nationally on the theme: Green = Go Get Your Eyes Tested for Glaucoma: Save your Sight. Activities for the Week include radio and television talk shows, free public eye screening at the Osu Ebenezer Presbyterian Church on Saturday, March 16, 2019, from 0900 to 1400 hours, as well as in various health facilities and communities across the country. He said the annual awareness creation and outreach programmes by stakeholders involved in eye care, had gone a long way to arrest what would have been an epidemic in the country. Mr Abutiate commended the stakeholders including the Ministry of Health (MOH), the National Eye Care Secretariat, Ophthalmological Society of Ghana (OSG), Optometrist Association of Ghana, Ghana Ophthalmic Nurses Group, Rotary Clubs, and Lions Club for the support. However, that notwithstanding, there was still more to be done as the national statistics on glaucoma were still high and unacceptable, with over 700,000 Ghanaians living with glaucoma, of which half did not know they had the condition, and 60,000 were already blind from the disease, he said. Mr Abutiate said family history, aging, short sightedness and increased pressure in the eye were major risk factors, but most cases did not have any symptoms at the initial stages, which made early reporting of all eye diseases as critical as regular or annual screening. He said glaucoma continued to be the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally, second to cataract, and undoubtedly Ghana was one of the highest-ranking countries in the world affected. Global awareness remained the biggest contribution towards the provision of appropriate education, he said, and appealed to the media and private sector to support the awareness creation and the sustenance of free public eye screening for early detection, diagnoses and treatment. Ms Tina Mensah, the Deputy Minister of Health, who launched the Week, said an estimated 900,000 Ghanaians would be living with glaucoma by 2020 and more would become blind from the condition. She said the rising statistics was worrying and called for improvement in data capture and strengthened partnerships for glaucoma prevention. We need to strengthen Primary Health Care management of eye care to enable us to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and reduce glaucoma, which needed urgency, purpose and leadership, she said, adding that government had promised to make that work. She urged all eye care facilities in the country to open their doors to the public for free screening and refer to appropriate specialists for treatment. Dr Naamuah Tagoe, a Consultant Optometrist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, and Chairperson of the Ophthalmological Society of Ghana, said an estimated 76 million people, globally, were suffering from glaucoma as at 2015, with nearly three million of them going blind, and this was an alarming increase of about 20 million since 2010. The figure, she said, had risen to nearly 80 million people worldwide with glaucoma, out of which close to 11 million were already blind, and eight out of every 100 Ghanaians aged 30 years and above, and nine of every 100 Ghanaians, aged 40 years and above, having glaucoma. She said the OSG would continue its partnership with the Glaucoma Patients Association to champion the cause of eliminating challenges including the late presentation by patients due to low awareness and the silent nature of the disease (painless loss of vision). Also contributing are the high cost of treatment, distance to health care facilities for treatment, abuse of drugs (steroids), and the low acceptance of glaucoma surgery despite its proof as one of the most effective treatment options in Africa. Dr Tagoe urged the Government to add more effective glaucoma drugs onto the National Standard Drug List and set up a Body within the MOH to champion awareness as country could be sitting on a Blindness Time Bomb. She said the prevalence of glaucoma could only be held in check through improved screening and effective treatment strategies. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Government officials, policy makers, public and private actors from across the world will gather from 18 to 22 March in Accra, Ghana for the 2019 Africa Climate Week (ACW 2019). In Accra, representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the World Bank, will join investors and other key stakeholders to discuss how to advance national climate action plans, also known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The event will showcase the role of future carbon markets in enhancing climate action towards the goal of sustainable development and seek to facilitate implementation of African countries NDCs under the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change and SDG 13 (climate action), among other Goals. One of the highlights of ACW2019 will be the Ghanas NDC Investment Forum organized by the Government of Ghana and UNDP in collaboration with UNFCCC. The aim of the two-day forum is to discuss how to crowd-in private sector investment for climate projects in Ghana that are financially viable, and to present potential projects to deliver the climate solutions that Ghana pledged in their NDCs. Africa Climate Week will lay the groundwork for the upcoming UN Secretary-Generals Climate Summit scheduled to take place during the 73rd General Assembly in September 2019. 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 Management of Ethiopian Airlines in Ghana has commended the Government and the People of Ghana for the support it has received during this period of Pain. The President of Ghana Nana Akuffo Addo was among the first Global leaders to send a message of Condolence to the People of Ethiopia on the Crash of the B737-8 Max. Mrs Genet W. Michael, the General Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Ghana appreciated the warmth and the empathy the Airline has received from Ghanaians who have supported the Airline over the Years. "I have felt the traditional Ghanaian hospitality and love a lot during this moment of grief. I am really grateful to the good people of Ghana, she added. She said Ghana has been one of its strong partners in Africa and we have served the market with the new Airbus A350 for the past year and do promise to always stand by Ghana as they have stood with us" After the Crash on Sunday, March 10, management of Ethiopian Airlines grounded all B737-8 Max in its fleet until Further Notice. The Airline has been operating in Ghana, since 1960 and has been serving the Ghanaian route with the B787 Dreamliner and now uses the Airbus A350. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Criminal Division of the Accra High Court has granted bail to Gregory Afoko, one of the suspects alleged to have killed the Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alhaji Adams Mahama, in 2015. Afoko was admitted to bail in the sum of Ghc500,000 with two sureties, one of who must be justified, reports Grsphic Onlines Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson. As part of the bail conditions, the court, presided over by Mr Justice George Buadi, also ordered Afoko to report himself to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service every two weeks. The bail was as a result of a bail application filed by Afokos lawyers. Afoko is currently facing committal proceedings at the District Court. That was after the Attorney- General (A-G) filed a nolle prosequi to discontinue with his trial at the High Court which started in 2016 following the arrest of the other suspect, Asabke Alangdi. Background Alhaji Mahama suffered severe bodily injuries after a substance suspected to be acid was allegedly poured on him in front of his house in Bolgatanga on May 20, 2015. He later died from the injuries at the Bolgatanga General Hospital. Afokos trial started in 2016 and was nearing completion after the prosecution and the defence had closed their cases. On January 26, 2019, Afoko closed his case after he and his brother, John Ishmael Afoko, had testified. The prosecution, led by a Chief State Attorney, Mr Matthew Amponsah, had called 14 individuals as prosecution witnesses. Subsequently, the presiding judge, Mr Justice Lawrence Mensah, directed the two parties to file their written addresses. Nolle prosequi However, on January, 28, 2019, the A-G filed a nolle prosequi to discontinue the trial following the arrest of the other suspect, Asabke Alangdi, who had been on the run since the incident occurred in 2015. Afoko and Alangdi were then put before the Accra Central District Court on provisional charges of conspiracy to commit murder and murder for committal proceedings, which are a prelude to the trial at the High Court. 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 The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has condemned an alleged firing of warning shots and tear gas on students at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) Campus in their bid to restore sanity by pushing back protestors. In a statement copied to Peacefmonline.com, the union believes that in ensuring law and order the Police must take professional actions that will not harm or lead to injury of students but actions that will encourage Students to have trust in the security agencies in this country. The union has therefore condemns any form of lawlessness been perpetrated by the student and calls for calm. Read full statement below The National Union of Ghana Students wishes to condemn the alleged firing of warning shots and teargas on students at the University of Education Winneba (UEW) in their bid to restore sanity by pushing back protestors. The union believes that in ensuring law and order the Police must take professional actions that will not harm or lead to injury of students but actions that will encourage Students to have trust in the security agencies in this country. The union condemns any form of lawlessness been perpetrated by faceless people on the University of Education Winneba Campus and calls for calm. NUGS believes that the rules and regulations that govern the University must be well protected to prevent anarchy and chaos on the development of academics in the country, and condemns any person who will want to put the law into their own hands. The union also calls on the Ministry of Education in Charge of Tertiary Education, the authorities of University of Education, Winneba, the Students' Representative Council, the local NUGS Secretariats to continuously work at bringing an end to the unnecessary brouhaha that has been affecting academics on the development of Education by students on the campus. Signed Kobby Otchere Marfo Press and Information Secretary, NUGS [email protected] Tinkaro Asare Osei President, NUGS Source: Josephine Acheampomaa/Peacefmonline/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) has made what it says is the biggest narcotics bust in the countrys history with the interception of 5,851 compressed slabs of what is suspected to be cannabis at the Tema Port. The illicit drug, which has an estimated street value of 29.2 million, was concealed in boxes of yams ready to be shipped to the United Kingdom (UK). Two suspects, Dominic Kojo Amenyo and Osae Akotua, both freight forwarders at the Tema Port, have been arrested in connection with the case. A third suspect, whose name was given only as Bright, also a freight forwarder, is on the run and an intensive search has been mounted for his arrest. The names of the companies involved in the abortive export of the yams and the cannabis have, however, been withheld for security reasons. Intensive search The Executive Secretary of NACOB, Mr Francis Torkornoo, told the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday that the interception of the drug was the result of a collaboration between the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Port Police at the Tema Harbour. He said on Thursday, March 7, 2019, Customs officials at the Tema Yam Park where all yams to be exported were kept for Customs checks before export became suspicious when large quantities of boxes containing yams were brought for export to the UK. Collaboration Being suspicious that some of the boxes might contain concealed drugs, Mr Torkornoo said, the Customs officials called NACOB officials operating at the Tema Port for assistance to open some of the boxes for checks. When the first box was opened, it contained yams that had been packed, but when the yams were removed one after another, the officials detected that underneath the box was a compressed substance wrapped in yellow cellophane. Following the detection of the substance, he said, all the other boxes of yams were opened and searched and, in the process, 5,851 compressed slabs of leaves suspected to be cannabis were found. Freight forwarders The executive secretary said the two freight forwarders who were handling the shipment of the yams were immediately arrested by the NACOB officials, who handed them over to the Tema Port Police for further investigations. On interrogation, he said, Amenyo claimed that he was doing his usual rounds at the port when Osae, a colleague clearing agent, called him to assist him in the processing of large quantities of yam to be exported to London. Amenyo explained further that he did not know who the real exporters or owners of the large boxes were because he just went to the Yam Village to assist Osae, who was his friend, and that they had been helping each other whenever the need arose. Compressed substance For his part, Osae claimed that another freight forwarder by name Bright had called him to come and handle the processing of the documents for him, since he (Bright) had another job to attend to, and that he had no idea that the boxes were filled with a compressed substance. Mr Torkornoo said one compressed slab of cannabis weighed one kilogramme and its street value in the UK was 5,000, making the value of the 5,851 slabs 29.2 million. The two freight forwarders are currently assisting NACOB in its investigations, while an intensive search has been mounted to arrest all those behind the shipment, especially the exporters of the yams. 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 Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Minister for Food and Agriculture, (MOFA) Wednesday stated that Ghana does not need Genetically Modified foods because it can rely on other productive means to ensure food security. We have not maximized the use of our traditional techniques, such as cross-breeding, budding and grafting, for production, besides, the citizens have expressed their aversion to GM foods, the Minister declared. Dr. Akoto was responding to questions, after he had read his speech, at the maiden regional meeting, in Accra, of Country Directors of West and Central Africa of the World Food Programme (WFP). One of the directors wanted to know if Ghana would consider the integration of GMOs; following The Ministers address, which highlighted the successes being chalked under the flagship Government intervention, Planting for Foods and Jobs and the plans to include other modules. The World Health Organisation defines GM foods as organisms plants, plants or micro-organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and or natural recombination. The debate on GM foods continues as proponents say it provides the way to significantly increase yields and control diseases and pests. However, critics believe they present risks to human health and safety and as well as interference to the natural environment. Dr Akoto said Ghanas food sufficiency situation was manageable, with the Government importing occasionally when there was drought to complement local output. Hybrid seeds, for instance, the Minister said, could give 40 bags of grains per acre, which was 10 times what the GMOs could produce, adding that 11 percent of farmers also used improved seeds and fertilizer to improve their yields. Additionally, Ghanaian universities had developed enough methods of improving the Agricultural sector, which were yet to be utilized, thus, GMOs was not imperative. In his address, he explained the Planting for Food and Jobs programme was to address the challenges in the sector and motivate young people to embrace agricultural production as a business. Two years into the programme, there was a significant bumper harvest, which was bringing down food prices, while the level of imports was declining. In 2018 Ghana exported some food products to Burkina Faso, Cote dIvoire, Togo, Niger and others, he stated. The Government will ensure the bumper harvest becomes an annual event as it promotes food security, annual nutrition and economic independence, among the populace. The four modules being introduced are: Green House Villages, Planting for Export and Rural Development, Rearing for Food and Jobs and Farm Mechanization. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The President HE Nana Akufo-Addo has in fulfillment to his promise to introduce new legislation to deal with political party vigilantism, ordered the Attorney-General to draft a bill as soon as possible. This directive was contained in a reply to the second letter from the NDC's Chairman, Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, over the partys reservation to the approach in dealing with the menace of party vigilantism as suggested by the President. The NDC is asking for CSOs, ECOWAS, AU and other international bodies to mediate a meeting between the two major political parties in their bid to end party vigilantism that has become a national concern. Though both parties are ready to meet, they have not agreed on the mode. A situation that is forestalling the process. Below Is The Full Statement This is to acknowledge receipt of your most recent letter, dated 11`" March, 2019, and thank you for its contents. My response to it is in two parts. Firstly, I note that you have, quite properly, given a copy of it to the Chairperson of the New Patriotic Party, Mr. Freddie Blay. I have asked him to respond to its contents, since he is the rightful person to speak directly for the New Patriotic Party, and I expect that he will do so promptly. Secondly, since the constitutional responsibility of maintaining law and order in our country is that of the Executive, i.e. the President of the Republic, I have, in line with my pronouncement to Parliament during the message on the State of the Nation on 21' February, 2019, instructed the Attorney General, without prejudice to the outcome of the engagement, if any, between the NPP and NDC, to prepare and submit to Parliament, as soon as possible, specific legislation to deal with the phenomenon of vigilantism, and provide appropriate sanctions against its occurrence. I believe that the parliamentary process of enactment affords sufficient space for any citizen to make an input or contribution to the enactment of a good and effective law, whose implementation will enable us rid our nation of politically-related violence, a development that can only inure to the benefit of Ghanaian democracy and to the preservation of law and order. Once again, I thank you for the expression of your commitment to ending the vigilante phenomenon in Ghana. Find attached in pfd a copy of his reply. Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Oregon State University will host the first Phish Studies academic conference in Corvallis, Oregon on May 17-19, 2019. The conference will showcase research about Phish, its fans, and culture. A wide variety of disciplinary approaches will be represented, featuring scholars from across the country. Registration is open and a tentative list of presentations is available now. Stay tuned for announcements about schedule details and special guests. There are a number of ways that you can support the conference and growing field of Phish Studies: 2019 Ryan Kerrigan Register ASAP: Are you presenting? Attending the event as an audience member? Register now. Organizing an academic conference takes an enormous about of time, effort, and money. Early participant registration is essential for the planning and budgeting of a successful event. You can also take advantage of the early bird registration rate. Participate in the Exhibition Fair: Are you an artist or business owner? Register as a vendor to display, promote, and sell your work in our Conference Exhibition Fair, located in the OSU Memorial Union, seconds away from the room in which presentations will take place. Sponsor a conference event: You can promote your business and support Phish Studies scholarship by sponsoring an art exhibit, poster session, or reception at the conference. Make a tax-deductible donation: If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to support the event and help create a registration scholarship fund for students and underemployed scholars, you may do so via the OSU Foundations website. The form is prepopulated with the information necessary for our staff to process and earmark your donation for the Phish Studies conference. Spread the word: Share conference information on social media. Tell friends and colleagues who might be interested about the event. Help us identify potential sponsors. This conference is the first of its kind. The event will offer unique scholarship, networking, and educational opportunities for participants. Some examples include: Fan scholars will have the professional opportunity to combine their expertise in and passion for Phish. Student scholars will receive professional mentoring and close-up encounters with faculty research. Revised versions of selected presentations will be published in an edited volume following the conference. The success of this first conference will legitimize the field of Phish Studies within academia and facilitate future growth in this new and exciting area of scholarship. With your help, the tree of knowledge in our souls will grow. By Luciane Noronha M. de Oliveira During the 2013 pre-general elections rallies, foreign policy was not one of the main topics for Narendra Modi. However, after nearly 5 years of tenure, it is safe to say that he was one of the most important prime ministers of Indias post-independente period when it comes to global affairs. The perception of a gap in the foreign policy agenda during electoral campaigns soon proved itself wrong, and Modi managed to become one of the worlds most influentional leaders. New Delhi managed to stenghten its ties with the Americas and Europe and bolstered its presence and policies towards Africa and the Asia-Pacific regions. Yet, Indias regional security environment did not significantly improve in the last five years. Between 2014 and 2015, Modi made efforts towards improving Indias confidence among SAARC countries. During the 18th SAARC meeting held in Kathmandu (2014), South Asian leaders showed optimism regarding what seemed to be New Delhis new regional approach. By emphasizing peace, prosperity and conectivity as common interests among neighbors, Modi sent a conciliatory message back then. Despite the ongoing conflict in Kashmir, Indo-pakistani relations also seemed to be somewhat improving. In later 2015, the Indian prime minister made a surprise visit to Islamabad and met his former counterpart, Nawaz Sharif. The unexpected gesture lighted a spark of hope in international media about the possibility of dialogue between both countries. But just as it happened several times throughout Indias post-independente history, the optimism would not last long and the regional environment would soon again take a downturn. By 2016, South Asian countries would grow suspicious over Indias actions towards them. The first country was Nepal, which elected a Communist Party leader after controversial polls which resulted in the pro-India groups defeat and the subsequent economic blockade imposed by New Delhi. This move was seen as external interference and the relations between both countries deteriorated. China ended up being the big winner, as Nepal broke the monopoly of Indian companies in several strategic sectors and opened up for more Chinese investments in energy and infrastructure projects. Indias relations with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives were also damaged as these countries accused New Delhi of trying to interfere in their domestic politics. Ever since 2016, the Maldives has been stuck in a political crisis after Mohammed Nasheed, the first domcratically elected President of the country, was arrested by his predecessor, Abdulla Yameen. Ever since the coup, Yameen grew estranged from New Delhi and opened up for Chinese influence over the Island. In the case of Pakistan, the Kashmir conflict started once again to heat up after the Uri attacks, in September 2016, claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The event took place just two months after the killing of insurgent Burhan Wani and the subsequent protests against Indian soldiers in the state. The attack on security forces in two decades made India call off the 19th SAARC meeting, which was scheduled to take place in Islamabad that year. Ever since these events, India has intensified its military campaigns in Kashmir through surgical strikes against insurgent camps and relations with its historical rival have gone from bad to worse. In February this year, a new attack in Pulwama the worst in two decades has added up to the current tensions between the two countries and caused fear amongst international media considering their (increasing) nuclear arsenals. Historically, regional security has been a major challenge for Indias foreign policy. Throughout much of the post-independence period, New Delhi has been accused of either meddling in its neighbors internal affairs or not acting properly as a regional power under emergencies, such as in the early withdrawing from Sri Lankas Civil War, in 1987, which resulted in the new offensives of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) against the government and the continuation of war. The critical point lies on the fact that ethnical affinities among South Asian countries has resulted in internal turmoils for India when regional tensions soar. In 1971, public opinion pressured Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to intervene in the Bangladeshi Liberation War due to the large number of bengalis who were crossing the Indian border to escape from the conflict. In 1987, South Indians did the same and New Delhi ended up sending its Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) to Sri Lanka. As aforementioned, the early withdraw of IPKF sparked anger from the South Indian tamil population, resulting in Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhis assassination by a member of LTTE in 1991. More recently, the Pulwama attack occurred at a delicate time for Narendra Modi, as the next general elections are coming. Scheduled to take place between April 11 and May19, the urge for a strong response against a national security threat tends to put pressure on Indias next actions, which can be already seen by the intensification of military operations in Kashmir and the strong tone adopted by Indian Modi regarding Pakistan and its colluding with Taliban groups. Moreover, with two major attacks occurring during his office and the suspension of SAARC meetings since 2016, many will question if Modi could actually be a strong leader to deal with Indias most immediate area of interest. If in 2014 charisma was one of the factors that helped Narendra Modi win the elections, this time the voters will take into account what was actually accomplished in the last 5 years. In this case, a perception of threat posed by Indias neighbors in the face of the same ad hoc responses could hamper his re-election campaign. To become a global power, New Delhi should first be able to project power effectively in the regional level. Kathmandu, Nepal: The Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, H. E. Mr. Masamichi Saigo handed over embankment along the Kali Gandaki River Bank to the Ward No. 2, Gharapjhong Village Municipality. Under the agreement the Embassy of Japan provided grant assistance of USD 90,296 (about NPR 9.2 million) under the Japanese Government's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). The project supported the construction of a 420 meter long embankment along the bank of the Kali Gandaki to prevent erosion of adjacent land. The embankment protects land near the school grounds and nearby agricultural plots. The embankment is expected to contribute towards the safety of students and villagers and also protect fields from further erosion. Marpha is a village in Mustang District that is a famous stop-over for trekkers heading to Jomson, Muktinath, and beyond to Lo Manthang in Upper Mustang, and around the Annapurna range. Marpha is very well known in Japan since Ekai Kawaguchi, a Japanese Buddhist monk, stayed in the village in the early 1900s to learn about the local culture and language. The Embassy of Japan believes that the project can contribute towards conserving land and building a safe environment for students. It also hopes that the assistance will contribute towards further strengthening the bilateral relationship between Japan and Nepal. NEW DELHI: Officials from India and Pakistan met Thursday amid easing tensions to discuss opening a visa-free border crossing to allow pilgrims to easily visit a Sikh shrine just inside Pakistan. Indias External Affairs Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said the talks started after a Pakistani delegation crossed over to the Indian side. Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal is heading the Pakistani delegation. Instead of visas, the two countries plan to give special permits to devotees to access the shrine, the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistans Narowal border district. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikh religion, had settled in what is now Pakistans Kartarpur, where he spent the last 18 years of his life. The shrine was built after Guru Nanak died in 16th century. The shrine is visible from the Indian side of the border. Indian Sikhs often gather on bluffs to view the site from the Indian side. Its unclear how long the construction of a border corridor would take or when the crossing will actually open. Tensions between India and Pakistan flared last month after a suicide attack killed 40 Indian paramilitary soldiers in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir. The Indian air force launched an airstrike inside Pakistan, saying it was targeting militants it blamed for the bombing. Pakistan retaliated and said it shot down two Indian air force planes. One pilot was captured and later released. India says it lost only one plane. Tensions have eased since. Kathmandu, Nepal: The Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, H. E. Mr. Masamichi Saigo, signed a grant contract for the installation of an oxygen generation and distribution system for the District Hospital in Dhankuta. The grant contract was signed between the Embassy of Japan and Dr. Amitabh Thakur, Medical Superintendent of the hospital. The Project for the Installation of an Oxygen Generation and Distribution System for the District Hospital in Dhankuta is funded under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of the Japanese Government. The total grant assistance is USD 88,118 (approximately NPR 9.9 million). The project will support the installation of an oxygen generation and distribution system inside the premise of the hospital. The system enables patients to obtain oxygen from a mask that is connected to the pipeline on the wall of each treatment/ operation room. Currently, patients have to pay for an oxygen cylinder that comes from larger cities such as Dharan or Biratnagar. Sometimes, cylinders are not available due to stock scarcity. As the cylinders are big and heavy, this hampers patients to obtain the necessary oxygen promptly and safely. After the implementation of the project, patients will not have to prepare an oxygen cylinder themselves, but can be provided hygienic oxygen comfortably. The system will also support doctors and nurses who give treatment to emergency patients and patients in the operating theater through the timely provision of oxygen. The Embassy of Japan expects this project will improve the medical services provided at the hospital and enhance the health of people living in the area. The Embassy also hopes the assistance will further strengthen the bilateral relationship between Japan and Nepal. Kathmandu, Nepal: The Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, H. E. Mr. Masamichi Saigo, signed a grant contract for the construction of a school building for specialized courses in agriculture at Shree Nepal Rastriya Tribhuwan Secondary School, Gulmi District. The grant contract was signed between the Embassy of Japan and Mr. Tej Bahadur Mahat, Principal of the school. The Project for the Construction of Classrooms for Specialized Courses in Agriculture in Gulmi District is funded under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of the Japanese Government. The total grant assistance is USD 78,671 (approximately NPR 8.8 million). The project will support the construction of one school building where students from Grades 9 to 10 can learn practical knowledge about agriculture and its management. Approximately 90 percent of the population in Gulmi District is engaged in agriculture, however, the productivity and profitability is not remarkable. Therefore, the young generation tends to go abroad. According to the Census conducted in 2018, Gulmi District generates the largest number of migrant workers. In order to improve the situation, Shree Nepal Rastriya Tribhuwan Secondary School planned a curricula of specialized courses in agriculture. The curricula offers full-time courses for students of Grades 9 and 10. The courses are comprised of diverse subjects such as animal husbandry, sericulture, farm land management, agricultural processing, etc. Mr. Atsushi Takahashi, a JICA Volunteer who has been working in Gulmi District since 2017, also assisted the formation of the project. With the implementation of the project, the school aims to attract the young generation to the field of agriculture. Youth in rural areas tend to think that farming does not guarantee a stable income. However, the courses will try to shed light how to generate profit from daily agricultural activities and revitalize the district. The Embassy of Japan expects this project will improve the lives of local farmers in Gulmi District and also promote the countrys rich agricultural resources. The Embassy also hopes the assistance will further strengthen the bilateral relationship between Japan and Nepal. Soyuz MS-12 completes ISS mission The three new members of Expeditions 59 and 60 aboard the International Space Station blasted off from Baikonur in Kazakhstan, including a cosmonaut and an astronaut who five months earlier made a dangerous suborbital flight and an emergency landing after an accident with their rocket. Aleksei Ovchinin and Nick Hague from the ill-fated Soyuz MS-10 mission, this time accompanied by NASA astronaut Christina Koch, lifted off aboard Soyuz MS-12 on March 14, 2019, at 22:14 Moscow Time (3:14 p.m. EDT, 19:14 GMT) and successfully entered orbit around nine minutes later. Previous mission: Soyuz MS-11 The Soyuz MS-12 crew during training inside the Descent Module of the flight-worthy spacecraft on Feb. 27, 2019, (left to right): NASA astronaut Christina Hammock-Koch, Roskosmos cosmonaut and Soyuz commander Aleksei Ovchinin and a NASA astronaut Nick Hague. Soyuz MS-12 mission at a glance: Crew at launch Aleksei Ovchinin (Roskosmos), Christina Hammock-Koch (NASA), Tyler "Nick" Hague (NASA) Crew at landing Aleksei Ovchinin (Roskosmos), Tyler "Nick" Hague (NASA), Hazzaa Ali Almansoori (UAE) Spacecraft designation Soyuz MS-12, 11F732 Production No. 742, ISS mission 58S Launch vehicle Soyuz-FG No. Ya15000-070 Launch Site Baikonur, Site 1, Pad No. 5 Launch date 2019 March 14, 22:14:08.175 Moscow Time (actual); 22:14:09 Moscow Time (planned) Docking date and time 2019 March 15, 04:01:43 Moscow Time (actual); 04:07 Moscow Time (planned) Docking destination ISS, Russian Segment, MIM1 Rassvet, nadir port Landing date 2019 Oct. 3, 13:59 Moscow Time Mission duration 203 days (planned as of Feb. 25, 2019) Crew call sign Burlak (barge hauler) From the publisher: Pace of our development depends primarily on the level of support from our readers! Not knowing when to return? In various iterations of the ISS flight manifest, the launch of the Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft was successively penciled for March 7, March 14 and March 1, 2019. In the fall of 2018, there were plans to include a commercial passenger from the United Arab Emirates, UAE, in the crew of Soyuz MS-12 then planned for liftoff on April 5, 2019. After nearly 10 days aboard the station, the UAE citizen would return to Earth aboard the Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft on April 16, 2019, or six months after that ship's launch on Oct. 11, 2018, with Russian cosmonaut Aleksei Ovchinin and the American astronaut Nick Hague onboard. The third seat on Soyuz MS-10 during its launch was occupied with cargo and it would be available for the return trip of a commercial passenger. However, that schedule was derailed by the failed launch of Soyuz MS-10. Within a month after the botched flight on Oct. 11, 2018, Roskosmos re-assigned Ovchinin and Hague from Soyuz MS-10 to Soyuz MS-12 and NASA added Christina Hammock-Koch to the newly formed crew. At the time, the launch of Soyuz MS-12 was scheduled on March 1, at 03:42 Moscow Time, and its return on Oct. 3, 2019, after a record-breaking 216 days in orbit. In turn, the launch of an UAE citizen was moved to the Soyuz MS-15 flight in the Fall of 2019, but only on the condition that one of the crew members from Soyuz MS-12 would remain on the ISS into 2020 and thus free its seat aboard Soyuz MS-10 for a return ride after a short visit in the Fall of 2019. Surprisingly, the decision about which out of three crew members would volunteer for what was likely to be a nearly year-long flight would not be publicly announced until after the launch of Soyuz MS-12. Technically, Ovchinin was prepared to stay aboard the ISS for a year, but it would also mean that no Russian cosmonauts, normally trained to pilot Soyuz, would be onboard the spacecraft during its return to Earth. According to the schedule approved on Feb. 25, 2019, Soyuz MS-12 was set to depart on March 14, 2019. The same document planned the return date of the spacecraft on Oct. 3, 2019, after a 203-day mission. However, the exact crew for the return trip of Soyuz MS-12 was not officially made at the time and consultations between Roskosmos and NASA were ongoing. Roskosmos also said that along with the crew, Soyuz MS-12 also carried 126.9 kilogrmas Launch campaign In the meantime, active launch preparations for the launch of Soyuz MS-12 began at the processing complex of RKK Energia at Site 254 in Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. On Feb. 18, 2019, the company announced that air leak tests of the Soyuz MS-12 with helium-air mixture inside of an upgraded vacuum chamber had been completed. The vehicle was then returned to its processing rig, where it was being connected to its ground diagnostic equipment, RKK Energia said. On February 26, the primary and backup crews flew to Baikonur to undergo the final phase of their training, this time with the flight-worthy spacecraft. The primary crew included Aleksei Ovchinin, Nick Hague and Christina Hammock-Koch. Their backups were Roskosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Skvortsov, European astronaut Luca Parmitano and NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan. The day after their arrival, the crews put on their flight suits and sat inside Soyuz MS-12, familiarizing themselves with the actual flight hardware and going over their flight program. On the same day, the mission management gave the green light for the fueling of the spacecraft, which was completed on March 2. On March 4, Soyuz MS-12 was integrated with an adapter ring which serves as an interface with its Soyuz FG launch vehicle. Then, on March 6, specialists conducted the final inspection of the spacecraft before it was rolled inside its protective fairing. On March 10, both crews sat inside Soyuz MS-12 for the final time, before three of them would board it on the launch pad. The payload section, including the spacecraft, was then transferred to the launch vehicle assembly building at Site 112, where it was integrated with the third stage of the Soyuz-FG rocket and the Emergency Escape System, SAS. The resulting upper composite was then connected to the already assembled cluster of the first and second stage boosters. The rollout of the launch vehicle with the spacecraft to Site 1 in Baikonur took place on the morning of March 12. During the integrated tests on the pad, specialists discovered a problem in the avionics unit of the flight control system built by GNPP Kommunar in Kharkov, Ukraine. In a rare and little-known cooperative effort between the two former Soviet republics, the joint Russian-Ukrainian team worked to resolve the problem. Thanks to some extra time built into the processing schedule on March 13, the specialists were available to replace the affected component without delaying the planned launch. Soyuz MS-12 enters orbit A Soyuz-FG rocket with the Soyuz MS-12 transport spacecraft lifted off as scheduled from Site 1 in Baikonur on March 14, 2019, at 22:14 Moscow Time (3:14 p.m. EDT). Propelled by the simultaneous thrust of the four engines of the first stage and the single engine of the second stage, the rocket headed east to align its ascent trajectory with an orbital plane inclined 51.6 degrees toward the Equator. Slightly less than two minutes into the flight, the ship's emergency escape system was jettisoned, immediately followed by the separation of the four boosters of the first stage. Almost exactly 40 seconds later, the payload fairing protecting the spacecraft in the dense atmosphere split into two halves and fell away. The second (core) stage of the booster continued firing until 4.8 minutes into the flight. Moments before the second stage completed its work, the four-chamber engine of the third stage ignited, firing through a lattice structure connecting the two stages. Moments after the separation of the core booster, the tail section of the third stage split into three segments and separated as well. The third stage continue firing until the command to cut off its engines 8.7 minutes into the flight at 22:23 Moscow Time (3:23 p.m. EDT). Launch timeline of the Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft according to Roskosmos. Soyuz MS-12 arrives at ISS After reaching orbit, the Soyuz MS-12 was in a position to follow a six-hour, four-orbit rendezvous profile with the ISS. An automated docking of the spacecraft was planned at 04:07 Moscow Time on March 15 (9:07 p.m. EDT on March 14). Soyuz MS-12 was expected to berth at the nadir (Earth-facing) port of the MIM1 Rassvet module, a part of the Russian Segment of the station. According to NASA, Soyuz MS-12 successfully completed six engine burns before starting the final approach to the station. According to the Russian mission control, the final rendezvous timeline on March 15 was as following: 02:00:58 Moscow Time: The beginning of autonomous rendezvous; 02:31:58 Moscow Time: Activation of the Kurs rendezvous system aboard the Zvezda Service Module, SM; 02:32:58 Moscow Time: Activation of the Kurs rendezvous system aboard the Soyuz MS-12; 03:46 - 03:51 Moscow Time: The flyaround of the station; 03:51 - 03:56 Moscow Time: Station-keeping; 03:56 - 04:06 Moscow Time: Final approach; 04:06:52 Moscow Time: Docking. However, during the actual rendezvous, the flawless performance of the spacecraft allowed to cut the station-keeping period and to begin the final approach around five minutes ahead of schedule. According to the mission control in Korolev, the actual docking was achieved at 04:01:43 Moscow Time and the the hard mate between the two spacecraft was confirmed at 04:07:30 Moscow Time with the closure of the hooks of the docking port on the transport ship. The moment of docking of Soyuz MS-12 at the ISS was considered the official beginning of Expedition 59 aboard the outpost, instead of a traditional start of a new long-duration shift with the departure of a previous crew. This break with tradition was apparently prompted by the Soyuz MS-1o launch accident which delayed staffing the station with its complete six-member crew and delaying the official start of Expedition 59. According to the mission in Korolev, post-docking operations aboard Soyuz MS-12 were planned along the following timeline: 04:02 - 04:50 Moscow Time: Closing of hooks on the MIM1 (Rassvet) docking port; Checks of hard mate and pressurization in the modules of the spacecraft; transfer into the Habitation Module; 04:50 - 06:05 Moscow Time: The removal and drying of pressure safety suits; checks of pressurization in the docking port; 06:05 - 06:35 Moscow Time: Equalization of pressure between the station and the transport spacecraft; Opening of the hatches; TV broadcast about the arrival at the station. The hatch opening between the newly arrived transport and the ISS was scheduled for 06:10 Moscow Time on March 15 (11:10 p.m. Eastern Time on March 14), but it actually took place around three minutes earlier. According to the February 25 schedule, the Soyuz MS-12 was expected to stay at the station for 203 days until the beginning of October, however the spacecraft is likely to carry back to Earth only two of three crew members who rode it into orbit. At a pre-flight press-conference on March 13, Aleksei Ovchinin said that the decision would be made shortly after their launch about who would be staying aboard the station beyond the scheduled landing date for Soyuz MS-12 on October 3, in order to make a seat available for the return of a commercial passenger from the United Arab Emirates scheduled to arrive at the station aboard Soyuz MS-15 on September 25. At the post-docking press-conference in Russia on March 15 (Moscow Time), NASA Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations William Gerstenmaier announced that US astronauts Christina Koch and Andrew Morgan would stay longer aboard ISS to allow Roskosmos to implement its planned commercial mission. Cosmonauts conduct a spacewalk On May 29, 2019, Russian cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko (from the Soyuz MS-11 crew) and Aleksei Ovchinin (from the Soyuz MS-12 crew) conducted a six-hour one-minute spacewalk (Extra-Vehicular Activity, EVA) on the exterior of the Russian Segment of the International Space Station, ISS. The opening of the EVA hatch took place at 18:42 Moscow Time (11:42 a.m. EDT), marking the start of what was scheduled to be a six-hour-long excursion. During the spacewalk, US astronaut Christina Koch was in charge of airlock operations on the interior side of the station. Details inside Soyuz MS-12 returns to Earth Members of the Soyuz MS-12 crew during the landing phase of its mission pose for cameras aboard ISS a couple of days before their scheduled return to Earth on October 3, 2019 (left to right): Aleksei Ovchinin, Hazzaa Ali Almansoori and Nick Hague. After more than half a year in space, the Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft left the International Space Station, ISS, in the early hours of October 3, 2019, and land in Kazakhstan several hours later. During the trip back to Earth, the crew of Soyuz MS-12 included two of its original members Aleksei Ovchinin and Nick Hague, who rode the vehicle into orbit 203 days earlier. They were accompanied by a commercial passenger from the United Arab Emirates, UAE, Hazzaa Ali Almansoori, who arrived at the station aboard Soyuz MS-15 on September 25, 2019, and was completing an eight-day mission. Ovchinin was in the center seat of the Descent Module, with Hague to his left and Almansoori in the right seat. In preparation for landing, the traditional change-of-command ceremony took place aboard the station on October 2. During the event, Aleksei Ovchinin, representing Expedition 60 transferred command of the outpost to Luca Parmitano, leading Expedition 61. According to mission control in Korolev, preparations for undocking were planned along the following timeline: 07:25:00 Moscow Time (00:25 a.m. EDT): Hatch closure; 07:35-08:35 Moscow Time (00:35-1:35 a.m. EDT): Hatch seal checks, suiting up; 08:35-09:21 Moscow Time (1:35-2:21 a.m. EDT): Transfer to Descent Module, closure of the hatch between the Descent Module and the Habitation Module; 09:21-09:47 Moscow Time (2:21-2:47 a.m. EDT): Pressure suits leak checks; 09:47-10:20 Moscow Time (2:47-3:30 a.m. EDT): Seal checks in the hatch between the Descent Module and the Habitation Module. According to NASA, the hatches between the ISS and Soyuz MS-12 were closed on October 3, 2019, at 07:20 Moscow Time (12:20 a.m. EDT). The weather at the landing site was near perfect with clear sky and temperature of around 62F degrees, NASA said. Soyuz MS-12 undocked from the nadir (Earth-facing) docking port of the MIM1 Rassvet module, a part of the Russian Segment of the ISS, on October 3, 2019, at 10:37:30 Moscow Time (3:37 a.m. EDT), NASA confirmed. At the time, the two spacecraft were flying at an altitude of 260 miles over Eastern Mongolia. Around three minutes after the physical separation between the two spacecraft, the Soyuz performed an eight-second separation burn with its small thrusters to increase its distance from the ISS. Deorbit and landing After a 2.5-hour autonomous flight, which took the transport ship around 62 miles away from the station, Soyuz MS-12 fired its main engine to perform the deorbiting maneuver starting at 13:06 Moscow Time (6:06 a.m. EDT) on October 3, 2019. The maneuver lasted 4 minutes 42 seconds slowing down the vehicle by 128 meters per second. As the spacecraft began its descent from orbit, the Descent Module, carrying the crew separated from the Habitation Module and the Instrument Compartment at 13:34 Moscow Time (6:34 a.m. EDT). The Descent Module then entered dense atmosphere and conducted aerodynamic braking before deploying its parachute system for a 15-minute final descent. The landing of the Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft took place as scheduled in Kazakhstan, 147 kilometers from the town of Dzhezkazgan, on October 3, 2019, at 13:59 Moscow Time (6:59 a.m. EDT) or 1 hour and 58 minutes before the local sunset. According to search and rescue teams, which quickly reached the landing site by helicopters, the Descent Module ended up on its side after the touchdown, but the crew was feeling well. According to the Russian mission control, Soyuz MS-12 was to land at a point with coordinates: 47 20' North latitude and 69 35' East longitude. The actual landing site was reported to be at 4724'04.44" North, 6934'14.1" East or 146 kilometers southeast of Dzezhkazgan and 7.6 kilometers north of the projected point. After the landing, all three crew members were transferred by helicopter of the Russian search and rescue service to an airfield near the city of Karaganda in Kazakhstan, which served as the main base for recovery operations. There, Hague boarded a NASA plane bound for Houston, while Ovchinin and Almansoori flew to the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center near Moscow. The undocking of the Soyuz MS-12 from the ISS marked the official end of the 60th long-duration expedition aboard the outpost and the start of Expedition 61. Led by Parmitano, the six-member crew also included Russian cosmonauts Aleksandr Skvortsov and Oleg Skripochka, as well as US astronauts Christina Koch, Jessica Meir and Andrew Morgan. During their stay aboard the ISS, Soyuz MS-13 and Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft docked at ISS served as lifeboats for all six members of Expedition 61. Soyuz MS-12 planned landing timeline on October 3, 2019: Event Moscow Time UTC EDT Hatch closure between Soyuz MS-12 and ISS 07:15 04:15 12:15 a.m. Mission control in Houston shuts down rotary joints on solar panels on US segment 09:08 06:08 02:08 a.m. Undocking from ISS 10:37:30 07:37 3:37 a.m. Braking engine firing begins 13:06 :19 10:06 6:06 a.m. Braking engine firing ends 13:11:01 10:11 6:11 a.m. Soyuz module separation 13:34 :12 10:34 6:34 a.m. Entry interface and start of plasma regime 13:37:03 10:37 6:37 a.m. Main parachute release 13: 45:24 10:45 6:45 a.m. Landing 13:59:45 10:59 6:59 a.m. Soyuz MS-12 crews: Primary crew Backup crew Aleksei Ovchinin (Roskosmos) Aleksandr Skvortsov (Roskosmos) Christina Hammock-Koch (NASA) (up only) Luca Parmitano (ESA) Nick Hague (NASA) Andrew Morgan (NASA) Hazzaa Ali Almansoori (UAE) (down only) Next mission: Soyuz MS-13 [Statements from IndustriALL and from Human Rights Watch about the loss of jobs by thousands of garment workers after the strikes of January 2019 in Bangladesh] (1) IndustriALL Bangladesh unions call to reinstate over 12,000 retrenched garment workers 08.03.2019 In a letter to the Minister of labour and employment on 5 March, the IndustriALL Bangladesh Council (IBC) demanded immediate intervention of the government to withdraw false cases, free the imprisoned and reinstate all dismissed workers in the backdrop of mass protests for wage hike across readymade garment manufacturing units. Over a hundred workers were imprisoned, over 12,000 were retrenched and cases were filed against over 5, 000 workers in the aftermath of workersa protests against a meager wage hike in December 2018 to January 2019. Despite both the government and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) assured that no vindictive actions would be taken in the aftermath of the protests, workers have faced severe repression. Employers of 107 readymade garment units used this opportunity to punish innocent workers for participating in union activities, as most of the dismissed workers are plant level trade union activists and union members. About 2, 500 workers were dismissed at the East West Group and Abonti Color Tex factories. On 26 February, a total of 300 workers at Garib&Garib Company Limited were fired without receiving two monthas wages. Employers are using a database of over 3.5 million garment workers, collected and maintained by the BGMEA to blacklist dismissed workers and union activists from getting jobs in a new company. After the Rana Plaza collapse in 2013, it was difficult identify workers as no credible record was maintained and a database was created for a record of workers - This is now also being used for blacklisting workers. Many companies have published photos and names of retrenched workers on their website, making it difficult for them workers to find alternative employment. Valter Sanches, IndustriALL Global Union general secretary, says: aWe are deeply concerned over the continuing violations of workersa rights in Bangladesh. It is unacceptable that the employers are continuing to be active agents of persecution; the government and multinational brands cannot remain quiet accomplices and need to take immediate action. We stand in solidarity with our affiliates in Bangladesh, in their fight to defend workersa rights.a Salauddin Shapon, secretary general of IBC, says: aBangladesh garment workers are facing unprecedented repression. Employers are targeting union activists and dismissing workers at will. Many are arrested on false charges and large numbers of workers fear arrests. 2The use of the database, created with the good intent, to blacklist workers must end immediately. The government must act immediately and release the imprisoned, reinstate the retrenched, and stop repression and harassment of workers.a (2) Human Rights Watch March 5, 2019 Bangladesh: Investigate Dismissals of Protesting Workers Unions Claim at Least 7,500 Dismissed Arbitrarily From Work, Others Targeted in Violent Police Raid (New York) a Bangladesh authorities should immediately investigate garment worker and union leader allegations of arbitrary dismissals and false criminal cases following a recent protest demanding a wage hike, Human Rights Watch said today. Global garment brands sourcing from Bangladesh should investigate these allegations and call for an end to all forms of intimidation of workers. After strikes in mid-January 2019, union leaders have reported at least 7,500 garment workers were dismissed from their jobs. Some of those dismissed were accused of vandalism and looting, but the allegations appeared broad and vague. At least 29 criminal cases have been filed naming 551 individuals, as well as over 3,000 unidentified people, leaving workers at risk of being arbitrarily accused in one of these cases at a later date. Over 50 workers have been arrested, 11 of whom were denied bail. aBangladesh has made international pledges to ensure worker safety and protect their rights, but is falling short of its commitments when workers strike to demand a livable wage,a said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. aFactories in Bangladesh should not use false criminal complaints and mass terminations to stifle workersa collective action.a Over 50,000 garment workers in Dhaka, Ashulia, Narayanganj, Savar, and Gazipur districts participated in wildcat strikes in mid-December and again in mid-January, protesting wage changes that went into effect December 1, 2018. In December, union leaders said that government officials had threatened them in public and private settings that they would be arrested or disappeared if the protests continued ahead of the December 30 general elections. When protests were organized again in January, Bangladesh police used water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets against them, witnesses told Human Rights Watch. One worker was killed and over 50 injured. Human Rights Watch interviewed eight witnesses to the police violence, fourteen dismissed workers, and three union leaders, and also reviewed lists of fired workers and dismissal notices posted on the factories. Itas grotesque to imagine police raiding homes and indiscriminately shooting rubber bullets, but that is exactly what Bangladesh authorities have resorted to. Phil Robertson Deputy Asia Director On January 8, Sumon Mia, 22, was shot and killed during the protests by the police, said a witness whose name, like those of other people interviewed, has been withheld for his protection. A colleague of Miaas told Human Rights Watch that he and Mia were returning from their lunch break when they got caught in the protests: aPolice started shooting and the workers started running away, so Sumon and I started running and suddenly Sumon was shot in his chest and he fell down. I fled.a Later I found Sumonas body lying in the road. The police didnat even take his body.a Also on January 8, police raided the Savar neighborhood outside Dhaka where many workers live, seeking people who had participated in the protests. A bystander said she was shot as she stood at her darkened window on the second floor of her building. She told Human Rights Watch: aThe police were raiding house to house and when they were heading toward our house, I heard them firing. I heard six rounds of firing. Two hit my glass window and one went through, hitting my lower abdomen.a They were just shooting randomly.a H&M released a statement on February 7 calling for arespectful negotiation and peaceful dispute resolution,a and regular revision of the minimum wage level in Bangladesh. H&M also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with factory management, associated trade unions, and worker representatives to ensure that adocuments and agreements that have now been signed are acknowledged and approved by all parties, outlining valid information, and appropriate grounds for termination of employmenta for the workers who were dismissed from the three factories that produce for H&M. The use of criminal complaints against large numbers of aunknowna people is a common abusive practice in Bangladesh, allowing the police to intimidate and threaten virtually anyone with arrest, repeatedly re-arrest detainees even though they are not the named accused in the cases, and thwart bail. Union leaders told Human Rights Watch that many workers were in hiding out of fear of arbitrary arrest under these unnamed cases. Human Rights Watch has documented previous use of this technique. That union leaders and workers are in hiding demonstrates the chilling effect such a practice has on freedom of association and other basic rights. Brands sourcing from Bangladesh like H&M, KiK, Tchibo, Lidl, Mango, Next, Matalan, VF, Takko, ALDI, Marks & Spencer, Esprit, Walmart, JCPenny, and Tesco have the responsibility to respect and protect workersa rights. They should call for an end to dismissals based on the exercise of basic rights and other forms of intimidation. aItas grotesque to imagine police raiding homes and indiscriminately shooting rubber bullets into the workersa neighborhood, but that is exactly what Bangladesh authorities have resorted to,a Robertson said. aThe Bangladesh government should instead demonstrate to the international community a and the customers of its US$36 billion garment industry a that it is serious about committing to workersa rights and safety.a Strikes and Aftermath The Bangladesh garment industry employs about four million workers and is the second-largest garment exporter worldwide, after China, generating exports of about US$36 billion. Roughly 83 percent of Bangladeshas export earnings come from clothing sales abroad, and the industry wields considerable power. But the countryas dismal labor rights record is marked by persistent abuses including government intimidation of unions and poor fire and building safety. December and January Strikes Over 50,000 garment workers went on strike from December 6 to 12, 2018, and January 6 to 13, 2019, following a December 1, 2018 increase in the minimum wage from 5,300 taka (US$63) to 8,000 taka (US$96) per month. Workers and union leaders who had campaigned for a minimum monthly wage of US$193 contended that the wage increase essentially only applied to entry-level workers, and that there were only marginal increases for other workers. Police used excessive force following the strikes. In response to the protests, the government formed a tripartite committee to review garment worker wages, and on January 13 announced modest increases for lower and mid-range worker grades, although the minimum wage of 8,000 taka (US$96) per month remained unchanged. But when workers tried to return to work, they were met with mass dismissals and arrests. Excessive Use of Force On January 8, as many as 10,000 workers blocked the roads in the Baghbari area of Hemayetpur in Savar, north of Dhaka. At approximately 8:30 a.m., police fired rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse the crowds. Once the crowds were dispersed, at approximately 9:30 a.m., police raided homes in the nearby neighborhood where many garment workers live, shooting at residents with rubber bullets. Human Rights Watch interviewed eight people who were present during those raids, including four who were shot and injured by rubber bullets. Their names have been withheld for their protection. One of the landlords in the neighborhood told Human Rights Watch: I have rented 12 rooms here to garment workers. On that day [January 8], all of them went to their factories and then came back before 8.30 a.m., saying that the factory work was suspended since many workers were striking. Then suddenly I saw from the rooftop of my house that police were raiding every house, and I could hear shooting. Then they entered my house, kicked down the doors of every room, and broke the windows searching for the garment workers. Later, I found two of my tenants were shot in the leg. One of the tenants who was shot said that when the police banged on his door, he aopened the door because my 8-year-old son was crying out of fear from the banging on the door and my wife was asking me to open the door because [I am a Line Chief supervisor], not a worker, so the police would understand that I would not attend the protest.a When he opened the door and showed the police his ID card, he said, they seemed convinced. But then another police officer kicked him, alleging that he had hurled bricks at the police during the protest. When he fell to the ground, the officer kicked him again and shot him in the leg with rubber bullets at close range. The worker said that it cost 90,000 taka (US$1,072) to remove the bullet from his left leg, nearly a yearas wages under the new wage increase. The other tenant who was shot spoke to Human Rights Watch while he was being treated at Enam Medical College & Hospital. He said that he was shot in his right thigh by the police through his window when he refused to open the door. He later left the hospital and fled to his home village, fearing police would come for him again. A woman who is not a garment worker was shot while she was standing at her window on the second floor of the building where she lives: The police were raiding house to house, and when they were heading toward our house, I heard them firing. I heard six rounds of firing. Two hit my glass window and one went through, hitting my lower abdomen.a I was standing behind my window. The glass of my window is not transparent, so there is no way they could have identified me standing there on the second floor. They were just shooting randomly, and thus I was hit with their bullets. This is really inhuman. Her husband wants to file a case against the police, she said, but she does not want to for fear of retaliation from the police. Retaliatory Firing, Blacklisting of Factory Workers At least 7,500 workers so far have been fired following the January 2019 strikes, according to information from labor groups that Human Rights Watch reviewed. Agence France-Presse quoted an unnamed senior police officer saying that factories had adismissed 4,899 workers due to the unrest.a Workers arrived at their factories to find notices posted on the gates with their photograph, name, unit, personal details, and the notification that they were suspended for their involvement in vandalism of the factory. Human Rights Watch photographed some of these notices, none of which provided an account, let alone evidence, of what the worker allegedly did that implicated them in vandalism, but instead included only broad, vague allegations addressed to a group of workers. These retaliatory dismissals and suspensions appear arbitrary. Union leaders estimate that over 1,700 of the suspended workers are currently blacklisted from working at other factories. The unions said they based their estimates on accounts of workers who, learning that they had been fired, sought employment at other factories but were turned away because their status had been shared among manufacturers. One worker who said he had been blacklisted told Human Rights Watch: a[The wage reform had] increased my salary by no more than 300 taka [less than US$3.50 per month], but the termination affects my whole family. Most of the people you are talking to here are the breadwinners of the family.a He added: aItas not like we will get another job in another factory. The factories know that the workers who are terminated were terminated because they took part in the protest.a Under international human rights law, any penalties for participating in an illegal strike should be proportionate to the offense or fault committed. Human Rights Watch considers dismissal for exercising the right to strike a disproportionate disciplinary sanction. The International Labour Organization (ILO) considers sanctions for participating in strikes acceptable only when national law itself is consistent with international standards on freedom of association. The ILO committee charged with interpreting the application of the international labor standards, the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations, has stated that asanctions for strike action, including dismissals, should be possible only where strike prohibitions are in conformity with the principles of freedom of association.a The committee has repeatedly held the Bangladesh Labour Act to be in violation of ILO conventions on freedom of association and collective bargaining. While the right to strike is not absolute in international law, and thus may be subject to certain restrictions, the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association has amade it clear that [the right to strike] is a right which workers and their organizations (trade unions, federations and confederations) are entitled to enjoy,a and that any restrictions on this right ashould not be excessive,a and that the alegitimate exercise of the right to strike should not entail prejudicial penalties of any sort, which would imply acts of anti-union discrimination.a Arrests Human Rights Watch is aware of 29 criminal cases naming 551 workers and at least 3,000 unnamed accused in relation to the strikes. Union leaders told Human Rights Watch that as of March 4, 52 workers had been arrested, 11 of whom had been denied bail and remained in detention. At least two workers were being held on attempted murder charges under Penal Code section 307, which carries a life sentence. A woman who has been working in the garment sector for the last four years was named in one of the criminal cases. She told Human Rights Watch: aI was so surprised to see my name in the case. Many officials in the factory know me very well, and they know I wouldnat join any protest or vandalize the factory property. But still I am named as accused.a Union leaders also told Human Rights Watch that workers reported being approached by representatives of ayellow unionsa a that is, unions set up or controlled by the employer to prevent the establishment of a genuine trade union a and being pressured to sign a template document stating that they accept responsibility for the protests and damage to the factories. They were told that if they signed this letter and submitted it to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), they would receive one monthas notice and get their back wages, essentially trying to get workers to admit guilt to get pay owed to them, even if they had not engaged in any vandalism. If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE). President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Moon Jae-in on March 14 arrived in Cambodia, the last leg of his tour of three Southeast Asian countries. During his three-day visit to Cambodia, President Moon will hold talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to discuss measures to expand cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure and other fields. The two leaders will attend a bilateral business forum during which Moon is expected to deliver a speech. On March 16, the RoK President will leave for home after visiting the UNESCO-recognised Angkor Wat temple complex in the northwestern province of Siem Reap. Earlier, President Moon visited Brunei and Malaysia in an effort to realise a policy to improve the relations between the RoK and ASEAN nations. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang's Regular Press Conference on March 14, 2019 2019/03/14 At the invitation of Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will travel to Brussels for the 9th round of China-EU High-Level Strategic Dialogue on March 18 and will have talks as a special guest with his counterparts at the luncheon of foreign ministers of EU member states on that day. The China-EU relations enjoy sound momentum of growth as evidenced by deepening practical cooperation across the board and dynamic cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The two sides have carried out effective coordination and cooperation in international affairs and global governance, and share common position and aspirations in upholding multilateralism and opposing unilateralism and protectionism. China and the EU established the High-Level Strategic Dialogue mechanism in 2010 and have held eight rounds of dialogue since then. During State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to the EU this time, he will co-chair the 9th round of China-EU High-Level Strategic Dialogue with High Representative Federica Mogherini, deliver a brief speech and interact with his counterparts at the luncheon of foreign ministers of EU member states. China and the EU will exchange in-depth views on China-EU relations, major international and regional issues and other issues of mutual concern. The two sides will explore ways to step up dialogue and cooperation in various areas, enhance mutual understanding and trust, work for continuous progress in China-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and make contributions to world stability and development. At the invitation of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin of the Republic of the Philippines will visit China from March 18 to 21. Q: It is reported that during press interviews, some former Australian government officials and diplomats called on the Australian government to view China's rise in an objective manner. They believe that instead of containing China, Australia should develop its relations with China in ways that contribute more to its environment and interests. What is your comment? A: We have noted relevant reports. I want to reiterate that a sound and stable China-Australia relationship serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples. We hope that the Australian side will heed these objective and rational voices inside Australia and work with China to move forward the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership on the basis of mutual respect and equality. Q: The 2018 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices released by the US Department of State again criticized China's human rights situation. What's your response? A: Just as in the previous years, the China-related content of this year's report is full of ideological bias, confounds right with wrong in disregard of facts, and makes unfounded accusations against China. We firmly oppose it and have lodged stern representations with the US side. The Chinese government attaches great importance to protecting and promoting human rights. Since the establishment of the People's Republic of China, in particular over the past four decades of reform and opening-up, remarkable progress has been made in China's human rights cause. On this topic, the Chinese people have the best say, and our achievements are there for all to see. We will continue to forge ahead on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics and make new strides along the way. We urge the US side to take off its tinted glasses, abandon the cold-war mindset and ideological prejudice, view China's human rights situation in an objective and fair manner, and stop using this issue to interfere in China's internal affairs. We also advise the US to reflect upon its own human rights situation at home and deal with its own issues first. Q: State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi mentioned steps "monitored in a way agreed to by the parties" when taking a question related to the Korean Peninsula on the margins of the Two Sessions. Could you please further clarify on that? Is that about the Six-Party Talks? In addition, he mentioned "jointly working out a general roadmap". So could you please identify who will jointly work out such a roadmap and what the general roadmap refers to? A: Since the DPRK-US summit in Hanoi, we have stated for many times China's observations on the Korean Peninsula situation and general propositions on the settlement of this issue. We believe that peaceful settlement through political dialogue is the only way out. The key is to accommodate all parties' legitimate concerns in a balanced manner, and advance the denuclearization process and the establishment of a peace mechanism on the Peninsula in parallel. As the Peninsula issue has dragged on for decades, there are differences and mistrust between parties, which calls for a framework to ensure the process is advanced effectively. I have noted that reporters from the ROK have more than once mentioned the Six-Party Talks in our press conferences. China believes that the Six-Party Talks is a good framework and it has played a good role in the past. Under the current circumstances, a framework accepted by all needs to be determined by relevant parties to further advance the denuclearization process and the establishment of a peace mechanism on the Peninsula. Q: Yesterday China put on a technical hold in the 1267 Committee of the UN Security Council on the listing of Masood. Can you give us a reason why China for the fourth time has resorted to such a move? A: The 1267 Committee of the UN Security Council has clear criteria for the procedures to list terrorist organizations or individuals. China is conducting a comprehensive and in-depth review on the listing request put forth by the relevant countries. We still need more time and that is why we decided to put a technical hold on it. It complies with the rules of procedure of the 1267 Committee. We hope that relevant actions taken by the 1267 Committee will help countries concerned to settle their issues through dialogue and consultation and avoid adding more complex factors to regional peace and stability. China will continue its communication and coordination with all relevant parties in a constructive and responsible way to properly settle this issue. Follow-up: Considering the earlier three times, this time it is different because it happened after the Wuhan Summit between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After the Wuhan Summit, there were great expectations for friendly relations between the two countries. How could this be seen by India because there is a great deal of concern about China repeatedly blocking this? A: Since last year, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Modi have held four meetings. After the Wuhan Summit, China-India relations did register notable improvement and development. Upholding such sincerity and based on the important consensus reached by the two leaders, China would like to work with India to advance and deepen China-India relations. It serves the common interests of the two sides. By putting a technical hold on the listing of Masood at the 1267 Committee, China aims to get more time for the Committee to review this issue and for all parties to engage in consultations and create a favorable atmosphere. In the long run, it will help ease tension and maintain stability in the region. If this issue is to be resolved fundamentally and in a sustainable way, we need a solution agreed by all. China will continue to step up communication and coordination with all relevant parties including India to properly settle this issue. Q: I'd like to ask you again about the State Department report. A US official said that the US has not seen such practices of China on its Muslim minorities since the 1930s. What is China's response? A: Government officials need to exercise discretion and prudence when making remarks. Q: An official of the US State Department yesterday called on all Muslim-majority countries to condemn China's treatment of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. Has China officially protested about that to Washington? A: If the official you talked about carefully reads the resolution adopted in the foreign ministers' meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation not long ago, she will know her position is just opposite to that of the Muslim countries. Q: The youngster who carried out the Pulwama attack was born and raised in Kashmir and he was subject to torture while detained by Indian troops. Kashmir is a disputed territory under UN resolution and the people of Kashmir have been granted their right to self-determination and they are fighting for that. Moreover, according to media reports, the Indian opposition leaders have accused Indian ruling party to play up this Pulwama issue and escalate tension with Pakistan just to take a political mileage in the forthcoming general election. What is your comment? A: China's position on Kashmir is consistent. It is a issue left over from the past between Pakistan and India. China hopes the two sides can properly settle this issue and relevant issues through friendly consultation. Q: Nayib Bukele, the president-elect of El Salvador, has said that he has not made up his mind on the country's relationship with China. He said that China is not showing El Salvador respect, is meddling in the democracies of other countries and is not playing fair at trade. I wonder what is your response? A: When developing relations with countries including El Salvador, China always follows the basic principle of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, which I believe you as reporters and all countries are well aware of. We never intimadate or threaten other countries. The diplomatic relationship between China and El Salvador was established on the basis of the one-China principle. It is consistent with the trend of the times, conforms with international law and basic norms governing international relations, and serves the fundamental interests of our two countries and peoples. Such bilateral relationship, upright and aboveboard as it is, has no under-the-table deals or tunneling practices. China has fully respected the will of El Salvador and had in-depth communication with all relevant parties and people from all sectors in the country while advancing the bilateral relations. The establishment of diplomatic relationship between China and El Salvador is hard-won and should be cherished by both sides. China respects the choice of Salvadoran people. As El Salvador is a sovereign state, with more in-depth knowledge of China and our bilateral relations, I believe Mr Bukele will independently make the right choice that serves the greater good of international relations and responds to the trend of the times. China honors principles,commitments and responsibilities. Following the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, we look forward to working with Mr Bukele and the government under his leadership to steer clear of external disturbances, step up practical cooperation in various areas, and advance our bilateral relations in a sound and stable manner. It will help Mr Bukele and his government to develop El Salvador's economy, improve its people's wellbeing and deliver benefits to them. Q: According to US reports, the US on Monday warned Germany not to use Huawei equipment on its 5G network. Otherwise the US could reduce its intelligence exchanges with Germany. Do you have any reaction to this? A: Lately there have been multiple threats made by some people in the US to Germany on its 5G network building. As you may have noted, such threats have triggered strong dissatisfaction among German people. Germany is a sovereign state and an important country in Europe. As Chancellor Angela Merkel publicly stated, Germany has defined its own standards and will reach all decisions independently and responsibly. We believe a minimum level of respect, in the very least, is needed in state-to-state relations. ANNAPOLIS (March 13, 2019)Eligible students could register at their high schools to vote under bills making their way through the state House and Senate. House bill 423, sponsored by Delegate Ariana Kelly, D-Montgomery, and Senate bill 934, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Waldstreicher, D-Montgomery, would allow students and teachers at public and private high schools who meet the requirements for voter registration to do so at their respective schools. Each school would designate faculty or staff members to distribute and collect voter registration materials. Those materials would be then submitted to the appropriate state election official within five days of receiving them. According to Child Trends, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research center, 51 percent of young adults ages 18-24 registered for the 2016 presidential election. Thirty-nine percent voted in the election. A House committee heard testimony Tuesday on the bill. An amendment passed that would limit the distribution of application materials to once per school year, before or on Voter Registration Day, which falls on the fourth Tuesday of September. Kelly said the legislation was brought to her by Montgomery County school advocates who were interested in increasing youth-voter turnout. Nick Asante, a sophomore at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, Maryland, joined Kelly on a panel at the hearing and pointed to week-long registration drives last year in Montgomery County high schools that registered hundreds of high school students. "These drives sparked a sense of civic duty among students all over the country and reinforced the notion that anybody can make a difference," Asante said. "This sets students on the path to future civic engagement, a fundamental aspect of our democracy." A Senate committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on its version of the bill on Thursday. Camila Diaz Cordova, a 29-year-old asylum seeker and sex worker, was beaten to death weeks after being deported from the U.S. back to El Salvador. Cordova applied for asylum in 2017 to escape death threats from a gang called Barrio 18, according to Reuters. When she was deported back to El Salvador, she went back into sex work and was eventually kidnapped and beaten, according to Cordovas friend. She died in the hospital on Feb. 3. We demand that the authorities investigate, clear up the case and find those responsible, regardless of who they are, Rainbow Trans director Monica Linares told Reuters. In 2018, a total of 19 homicides were reported on transgender women in El Salvador, according to rights groups. Researchers say these numbers are likely underreported. (Via Youtube) (WB) In the aftermath of President Trumps State of the Union pledge to eliminate new HIV infections by 2030, his newly unveiled budget request for the U.S. government provides additional funds for domestic HIV/AIDS programs in contrast to earlier proposals that sought to cut those programs but related international programs are facing cuts. The fiscal year 2020 budget requests a $300 million increase in funds to combat HIV/AIDS, but also seeks to roll back Medicare and Medicaid programs on which many people with HIV/AIDS rely and continues the proposed steep cuts to U.S. initiatives seeking to fight the global epidemic. On Monday during a conference call with reporters, a senior administration official said the $300 million would go a long way to being able to end the epidemic through increased testing and the actual provision of life-saving medication to that population. The bulk of the $300 million figure is an additional $140 million requested for HIV prevention at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, which is a 19 percent increase in its overall budget from fiscal year 2019. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the money is the first big increase in funds for the agency in two decades. The rest of the $300 million includes an additional $70 million for the Ryan White Health Care Program, which provides health care to low-income people with HIV. Thats a 3 percent increase from fiscal year 2019. Additionally, the request includes $50 million for community health centers at HRSA for expanded PrEP services and $25 million to screen for HIV and treat Hepatitis C. The $50 million for HRSA is notable because it can provide PrEP services, which Ryan White is barred from providing by statute, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Carl Schmid, deputy director of the AIDS Institute and co-chair of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, told the Washington Blade the $300 million figure represents a commitment to end HIV, which is a departure from last year. Instead of seeing budget cuts, were seeing increases in several programs, Schmid said. (Deputy Director of the AIDS Institute and Co-Chair of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, Carl Schmid, image via Facebook) In terms of domestic spending, the request stands in contrast to the first two budget requests from the Trump administration, which sought reductions to the initiatives. The first request sought massive cuts in both domestic HIV/AIDS programs, although the cuts in the second request were smaller. Congress ended up disregarding those requests and maintaining funds for the programs. The Trump administration now seeks increases as opposed to cuts in the aftermath of announcing a plan to end new HIV infections by 2030. The initiative will focus on 48 counties as well as D.C. and San Juan in addition to rural areas in seven states places where new HIV infections are happening at the highest rates. Jen Kates, director of global health and HIV policy for the Kaiser Family Foundation, said the increases for CDC and Ryan White would be a good start to implementing the plan. Ryan White and CDC have really seen no increases for quite a while, particularly CDC, so in the context of those HIV specific efforts that the federal government has, it could make a difference for those programs, Kates said. If targeted appropriately as they say theyre going to do, using the right public health inventions as they say theyre going to do, it could being to sort of catalyze some change. But Kates cautioned this budget represents only the first year of proposed funds to end new HIV infections by 2030 and that goal will require a sustained effort. This is supposed to be a multi-year initiative, so its important to see what will happen in Year Two and Year Three, Kates said. Will there be additional funding requested? I think thats the intention. So, from that more HIV specific and more narrowly focused perspective, its important for new investments. But while the budget request seeks additional funds for these HIV programs, it also requests cuts in others, including a $63 million cut to the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) program and a $27 million cut to Housing for Persons with Disabilities. Moreover, Schmid said the $50 million requested for HRSA for PrEP work isnt new money for the program and instead is existing funding for community centers. That is not new funding, Schmid said. That looks like its current funding. And thats something that we will want to change. We dont want to take existing money from the community health centers. We want new funding, so well be asking Congress for that. The budget request also calls for $6 million for the National Institutes of Health to conduct HIV research, but Schmid said thats not new funding and actually a cut. (Director of Global Health and HIV policy for the Kaiser Family Foundation, Jen Kates, image via C-SPAN) The most compromising cuts suggested in the budget for people with HIV/AIDS are not in HIV-specific programs, but general health care programs for the American public on which many people with HIV/AIDS rely. Despite Trumps campaign promises not cut to Medicare and Medicaid, the budget calls for a $845 billion reduction in Medicare and seeks major changes to Medicaid by turning it into a block grant program and eliminating the Medicaid expansion under Obamacare. An estimated 25 percent of people with HIV receive care from Medicare and an estimated 40 percent people of people with HIV receive care under Medicaid. With respects to the cuts to Medicaid, Schmid said the proposed changes would hurt people with HIV. The modeling to eliminate new infections by 2030, Schmid said, was based on the assumption the Medicaid expansion would remain in place for states that have gone that route, so a rollback of that expansion would change plans. This is a change, Schmid said. That was not considered in these new cutsIt was not considered in the modeling, and so, thats another question that we need to ask HHS. Also of concern to observers is the proposed cuts for the global programs confronting HIV/AIDS, including PEPFAR, the Bush-era program that seeks to deliver antiretroviral therapy to countries, where the epidemic is raging, such as Africa, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria. For PEPFAR, Trumps budget would provide $3.35 billion for bilateral efforts, which is $1.35 billion and 29 percent below current levels. For the Global Fund, the budget seeks $958.4 million, which is also 29 percent below current levels. For the next Global Fund replenishment, the budget proposes $3.3 billion over three years, compared to $4.3 billion in the last round under the Obama administration, according to Kaiser Family Foundation. The proposal will match $1 from the United States for every $3 from other donors. Previously, the ratio was $1 from the United States for every $2 elsewhere. The cuts are consistent with earlier budget proposals from the Trump administration, which also called for major cuts to HIV programs. But Congress for fiscal year 2019 actually increased funding instead by $50 million, marking the first time in seven years global programs experienced an increase, according to the New York-based Health Global Access Project. (PEPFAR logo, via PEPFAR) A senior administration official defended the proposed cuts to the global HIV/AIDS programs via an email to the Washington Blade, asserting the administration remains on track to reach goals. The Budget fully funds implementation of PEPFARs bilateral HIV/AIDS Strategy that maintains all patients currently on antiretroviral treatment and assists 13 countries to achieve epidemic control by 2020, the official said. The U.S. will remain the largest donor by far. The reduction reflects FY-2019 funding levels in excess of the strategys need. Combined with this carryover, the Budget fully funds the strategy. For the Global Fund, the official said the 1 to 3 ratio for donations would encourage other donors to make contributions to the program. The budget offers to match $1 for every $3 contributed by other donors to the multilateral Global Fund (which also funds HIV/AIDS), providing a $1.1 billion contribution in 2020 and up to $3.3 billion over the three-year replenishment period, using unmatched funds appropriated by the Congress for 2019 from the last replenishment, the official said. This new match will further challenge other donors to make new commitments to fighting the three diseases funded by the Global Fund. Kates said whether the United States can maintain global goals under PEPFAR with this funding request remains an open question. I would want to see the empirical evidence. It doesnt seem like it would really be possible to do that, Kates said. So, just objectively, I havent modeled, but an over $1 billion cut from the PEPFAR budget would get to epidemic control in these 13 countries seems like a stretch, honestly. For the Global Fund, Kates said the idea the United States can achieve the same goals with a 1 to 3 ratio for donations is also dubious. The U.S. has been able to leverage its investment to the Global Fund to get more, Kates said. The way the administration is sort of approaching this next pledge period is to actually say its going to pledge less money, not more or not even the same. The idea that thats going to leverage more funds is not clear to me. At the end of the day, the budget will have to go through Congress, which controls the purse and has the final say on the funds levels for these programs. Based on lawmakers rejections of cuts proposed in earlier budgets, Schmid was confident Congress would reject them again in addition to providing the additional funds requested by the administration. Its a Republican Senate, but to get anything done on the budget they need Democratic support, and so anything on the budget in the Senate, even though its Republican controlled has been bipartisan, Schmid said. Theyve done all their spending bills in a bipartisan fashion. Schmid said the budget is definitely on track to eliminate new HIV infections by 2030, with the caveat the proposed cuts to HOPWA, Medicaid and Medicare would be harmful. Kates said the money Trump proposed in the request is just a start in meeting the ambitious goal for eliminating new HIV infections by 2030. Its just Year One, Kates said. It would really depend on how the resources are actually deployed and what happens in the future years of this initiative. Its a start. Even if gets approved, its a start, but its too early to say. Cory Stratton will be in the sulky Saturday (March 16) at Meadowlands Racetrack, but it is a seat he plans to take less often as he focuses on building his own training stable. The 26-year-old Stratton, the younger brother of driver Jordan Stratton, started his barn in 2018 after spending several years helping manage other stables and working for other trainers. He has 10 horses and is based at the Mark Ford Training Center, not far from his Middletown, N.Y., home. Stratton was the Monticello-Goshen chapter of the U.S. Harness Writers Associations Amateur Driver of the Year in 2010 and its Rising Star Award winner in 2012. He was driving at Monticello Raceway this year but stopped last month to focus on training. I enjoy driving, but it came down to turning down more horses or giving up Monticello, Stratton said. I just enjoy training more. I enjoy working with them all week and when they do well you know youve accomplished something. Its nice to see your horses do good. Stratton was working for trainer Travis Alexander when he decided to branch out. Another conditioner, Peter Tritton, helped Stratton get started by recommending him to an owner that had asked Tritton to train one of his pacing mares. I didnt want to extend my stable, Tritton said. I said (Stratton) would do a really good job. Hes a hard worker. I know hes got ability. I told people I think hes worth a chance. Hes young and keen and he does the work himself. Its always good to help the young people in the sport. Id recommend him to anyone looking for a trainer. The seven-year-old mare sent to Stratton, Best Of Jenna, won eight of 25 races with him last season and has added two more victories this year. Shes kind of a nice mare, said Indianas Jacob Graber, who helped his son, Mark, find Best Of Jennas new trainer. Shes had some issues; shes hard to deal with. I didnt know Cory from Adam, but (Tritton) told me Cory would do a good job. He told me that if Cory cant get the job done nobody else will, and he was right. Were very pleased with Cory. There are other people in my area that notice that too. Cory is a nice guy and his brother Jordan is too. Theyre very nice people. Stratton credited his dad, Dave, brother Jordan, Tritton and Alexander as influences on his career. I was happy working for Travis, it was good to work under him, but everybody wants to be their own boss, Stratton said. When the opportunity came up I wasnt passing it up. My dad was a really good trainer so I learned a lot from him. Peter Tritton has helped me out. He is one of my go-tos and hes a great guy as well. Having Jordan drive for me has definitely helped as well. Without him I wouldnt be where I am. Stratton won 17 of 66 training starts last year and $191,441 in purses. He entered Thursday with five wins in 34 races this season. Id like to keep growing, keep succeeding and doing well, Stratton said. Mark Graber is a great owner and he really helped me. Without Peter Tritton and him getting me going again it would have been difficult. They sent me some quality horses. Obviously it would be nice to have some stakes horses down the road or some sire stakes. But Im happy just racing at the big tracks and doing well. Im hands on, I work with the horses every day. I race them where they can win, in the right conditions. Im not afraid to ship them around if I have to. If theyre not racing good somewhere, Im not afraid to take them somewhere else and freshen up their attitude. Im not afraid to try things. Stratton will drive Swift As A Shadow, a horse he co-owns, on Saturday at the Meadowlands. He starts from post 10. The horse drew the 10 hole, but hes been razor sharp, Stratton said. He kicks home good, so Ill hope that the cover flow is good and hell sprint home pretty good. On Friday (March 15) at the Big M, five-year-old pacer On Cruise Control makes his second start for Stratton after arriving from Canada. The horse is the 7-2 second choice on the morning line in a GSY Amateur Series event. He wasnt that great in his first start, but he was off a couple weeks, Stratton said. He should be all right in there. I dont see why he cant do good. It could be a pretty good weekend. Regardless of what happens this weekend, Stratton is happy with his career decision. Im loving it, he said. Im enjoying the ride. Hopefully it never ends. (USTA) Meghan Mahowald, known professionally as MEGG, said she hopes to make the event an annual tradition, with proceeds going to a different local foundation every year. Wipro announced the launch of its Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Kochi, India. The CoE marks Wipros commitment to developing innovative IIoT solutions that span across the technology stack for its customers in the industrial manufacturing, automotive, healthcare and pharmaceutical, consumer products and goods, and utilities space. Leveraging artificial intelligence, blockchain and robotics, the lab will develop Proofs of Concept (POCs) and market-ready IoT solutions in an iterative agile development model. Sivasankar, IT Secretary, Government of Kerala,who inaugurated the centre said, Congratulations to Wipro on setting up an IIoT lab in Kochi. Kerala has focused on technologies, which are critical to the Industry 4.0 concept and IoT is an integral part of this proposition. The State has endeavoured to address skill-related issues in emerging technology areas including IIoT by fostering a vibrant hardware-based start-up ecosystem and a skilling framework that connects technical institutions. With the rollout of the Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON), the ambitious fibre2home/enterprise/institution network in the next 18 months, local economy stakeholders will increasingly benefit from IoT deployments. So, Wipros decision to set up its third global IIoT lab in Kerala is a timely one and I hope it grows into a major development centre in a short period of time. Separately, Wipro hosted a two-day hackathon on Industrial IoT from March 12 to March13 at its Kochi development centre, which saw active participation from leading engineering colleges in Kerala. Wipro will extend pre-placement offers to the winning participants in the final year of their engineering degree course while those in the penultimate year of their degree program will receive internship opportunities. The new hires will join Wipros IIoT research and development team in Kochi. Jayraj Nair, Vice President & Global Head IoT, Wipro Limited said, We are proud to launch our Industrial IoT Centre of Excellence in Kerala, our third such centre after Mountain View, California and Bangalore. Over the years, Kerala has grown into a technology hub that offers access to a dynamic talent pool with an aptitude for new-age technologies. IoT presents a huge opportunity for industries in a hyper-connected world and we are confident that our end-to-end services and offerings will help our clients leverage IoT as part of their digital transformation goals. By combining its services and offerings across engineering, analytics, consulting and applications with domain expertise in specific industry verticals, Wipro offers comprehensive engineering solutions for IoT adoption. These range from sensors, connectivity, edge computing, storage, artificial intelligence, machine learning and analytics. Wipro also leverages its partnership ecosystem, which spans across edge, connectivity, application enablement platforms, applications, business solutions, infrastructure, and cloud partners to ensure the best outcome for its clients IoT programs. Richwood, TX (77531) Today Overcast. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Overcast. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Paris, TX (75460) Today Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. The sextoy market is growing quite rapidly in India right now. Although it is not a big trend, it is a hot topic on the internet as it is secretly expanding its market. In this article, we will focus on sextoy and introduce recommended sextoy for Indian beginners of sextoy by gender. India, the birthplace of the Kama Sutra, is very strict about sex. Also, premarital sex is basically not allowed. Therefore, there are many people who are sexually restricted. But what happens when you continue to be sexually restricted? Frustration may build up and you may end up taking your sexual stress out on your partner. If you are able to adopt sextoy in a timely manner, you can get rid of those problems. I want to have more exciting sex than Im having now. I want more variation in masturbation I want to get even stronger pleasure than I do on my own. If you have any of these problems, please stay with me until the end. What is sex toys for Indian? Sextoy, as the name implies, is a toy used during sex and masturbation. It is a generic term for vibrators, Egg-vibrators, Electric massagers, dildo, handcuffs and condoms. They are used to make regular sex more exciting or to make masturbation more pleasurable. Because sextoy is very stimulating, it can help you to get rid of the problems and frustrations of being in a rut of sex with your partner for a long time, or if you are unhappy with the lack of pleasure in sex with your partner. The ability to satisfy your desires with movement, texture, and size, which cannot be done by a normal human being, can help you to be satisfied with sex and, as a result, improve your relationship with your partner. It is also said to help improve sexual dysfunction (inability to get an erection or ejaculate) and difficulty in feeling during sex (insensitivity), which is attracting more attention than in the past. In recent years, the demand for sextoy has increased due to the spread of smartphones and the Internet and the increasing number of people using online shopping. Even those who are concerned about the appearance of sextoy (and find it difficult to purchase) can now easily obtain it by using mail order. In the case of online shopping, most of the stores have taken steps to ensure that the contents of the products delivered to you are not revealed, so you can purchase them without your family members knowing. Until a while ago, you had to go to the store where the adult goods were sold to buy them, so it was quite a hurdle to overcome. Also, many people may have an image that sextoy is somehow embarrassing to own. But nowadays, some of them are so stylish and cute that you cant believe they are sextoy at a glance. More and more people are using them for travel and outdoor use because they are not too bulky and are suitable for carrying around. Sextoy situation in India Before introducing the recommended sextoy for Indians, lets talk about one of the sextoy situations in India in recent years. In India, due to the high concentration of population, the following six cities have particularly high sales of sextoy in India. Mumbai Kolkata Bangalore Delhi Chennai Hyderabad These cities account for roughly 70 percent of sextoy sales in India. In the future, the percentage of sextoy use will gradually increase in other cities in India as well. If you never talk about sextoy publicly, that girl in your neighborhood might be a sextoy user too. If you are interested in sextoy, you dont have to suppress your desire for it. What are Sextoys for beginner? Among all sextoys, sextoy for beginners are vibrators, dildo, masturbators, Sex Lubricants, and condoms. Sex Lubricants and condoms, which are familiar to people who have had sex, are also a great beginners sextoy. I will explain the details of each toy later, but there are many sextoy products that are painful to use and can only be used after some anal expansion. I assume that the Indian readers of this article are people who have not had much experience with sextoy. If such people use professional sextoy suddenly, they are at risk of injury or trauma. Therefore, to introduce sextoy, you need to start with a beginners version and gradually become familiar with it. Advantages of using sextoy for Indians There are three advantages of using sextoy for Indians You can masturbate in a wide variety of ways. Can have stimulating sex Can develop new sexual zones If you try to masturbate with your own fingers or hands, it tends to be a pattern. However, with sextoy, you can easily masturbate in a variety of ways. You will definitely be fascinated by the attraction of new stimulation. Also, your daily sex life will be more exciting than ever. There are many things in sextoy that are visually stimulating and give you a strong and intense feeling of pleasure. This allows you to see your partners promiscuity in a way that you wouldnt normally see it. When you are in a relationship, sex with your partner may become a pattern, but it can also eliminate these problems. It can also lead to the development of new sexual zones (which is the training of sexual stimulation to allow you to feel orgasms). For more information on the development of new sexual zones, see the following articles [Women's Erogenous Zone]How to find and develop, 7 hidden sexual zones !![In India] In this issue, we will dissect the female erogenous zone! ..." Many of you may be like that. Men, in particular, shou... Thus, the use of sextoy can only be a good thing for the men and women of India. Sextoy for beginner men in India So, lets continue with the recommended goods for Indian sextoy beginners. For ease of understanding, we will introduce them by gender. Lets start with the men! The following five goods are recommended for novice Indian sextoy men Masturbator Cock rings Love Doll Sex Lubricants Toys for the prostate Lets check each one in detail. Masturbator The masturbator is a sextoy for men that elaborately reproduces a womans vagina, mouth, and anus, and is one of the most popular sextoy products. It is used by men to masturbate, and it is popular because it provides stronger stimulation and pleasure more easily than using hands. Most are made of good quality silicone, and their softness is something that cannot be achieved with ones own hands. They can provide stronger pleasure than a real womans vagina, so be careful not to overuse them. (You wont be able to have an orgasm in a womans vagina anymore.) Again Male masturbators are a wonderful toy. I do not need any favourite timing, bothersome bargaining. You do not have to worry too much. Revolutionize your masturbation time! ! ! Made in Japan is a wonderful kinky toy.#sextoysindia #SexToyIndia #Japanhttps://t.co/4k70QGzoTP pic.twitter.com/tRVdxTKPpa SEXToys India PR (@SextoysIndia) November 12, 2018 Some of them are disposable, while others can be washed and used over and over again, so its fun to buy a few to use depending on your mood. If you want to know more about masturbator, please click here Really pleasant male masturbation and how to do it Are you in a rut with your daily masturbation routine? I'm going to show you five ways men masturbate that you might ... [For Beginners] How to choose and use a male masturbator without fail Gentlemen.Have you ever used a masturbator? The person who sees this article is probably the one who has not experien... Cock Ring A cock ring is literally a ring-shaped sextoy that is worn on a mans penis. It maintains an erection by binding the penis with a ring of rubber and blocking blood flow. It is sometimes used as an accessory to be worn on the penis, and may be made of metal or plastic as well as rubber. In some cases, cock rings have parts or vibrators attached to them that stimulate the vagina, so they kill two birds with one stone, giving a woman pleasure while maintaining an erection. Cock rings are also sometimes used to treat erectile dysfunction. It can help with erectile dysfunction, where the penis doesnt get hard when you get an erection or doesnt last long when you try to insert it. Men who are prone to breakage or who are unsure of the hardness and size of their erections can use a cock ring to increase the size of their penis and maintain an erection for a longer period of time. Cock rings vary in price from around RS700 to over RS2000 with a vibrator function. Some of them do not fit your penis, so you should check the size of the cock ring before you buy. You should know the size of your partners or your own penis when it is erect. [Penis enlargement] What is a cock ring? Types and usage Cock rings can make your penis bigger and harder. It also makes sex with women more fulfilling and increases your sat... Love Doll Love dolls, also known as Dutchwives, are dolls with the appearance of a woman who can experience simulated sex. There are dolls that look like a woman, but they have no face and only have their breasts and lower torso cut off, and some dolls are so realistic that they can actually be mistaken for real women. Some expensive dolls can cost more than 1 million yen, and the quality of the doll is easily influenced by the price. The higher the price, the higher the quality of the doll will be, the closer it will be to the real woman, and the cheaper the doll will be, the less elaborate it will be, making it look like a real doll! Something is wrong! That is also true. You cant go wrong if you choose a balance between price and taste. There are stores that allow you to make custom-made love dolls, so you can create a girl of your choice. You can make a girl of your choice. You can start with inexpensive love dolls at first, and once you get used to it, you can try custom-made love dolls. If you want to know more about Love doll, please click here Thorough explanation of the charm of sex dolls! Have you ever heard of sex dolls that are used primarily for pseudo-sex purposes? It is a doll that is quite close to... Sex lubricants Sex lubricants are used as a substitute for lubricating fluid during sex or as a lubricant for men to use masturbator rules. It is not uncommon for women to have difficulty getting wet, depending on their physical condition, or to have difficulty getting wet due to their constitution. Forcing the penis into the vagina at such times can cause painful intercourse. There are various types of Sex Lubricants, some with a warming effect, some with a cooling effect, and some with a scent. Changing the Sex Lubricant used during play is recommended as a good sex accent. If you want to learn more about Sex Lubricants, click here. What is sex lubricant?Explain the difference and usage of each ingredient The word "sex toy" may seem like a hurdle to overcome, but lotion is actually one of the most familiar sex toys. Many... Toys for the Prostate Another sextoy for men is prostate toys. The most famous prostate toys include Enemagra, which was originally a prostate massager developed by an American urologist to treat an enlarged prostate line. Modern prostate toys are imitations of Enemagra that have spread as sextoy for men. Many people think of prostate toys as being used by gay men, but in fact they are often used by straight men. What is the prostate? The prostate is an organ found only in men. It is a walnut-sized organ located deep in the pelvis, just below the bladder, and its primary role is to protect and nourish sperm. You cannot touch the prostate gland from outside the body, but you can touch it by inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus. By inserting a finger or sextoy through the anus and touching the prostate and developing it, you can feel intense orgasms. Orgasms felt in the prostate are mainly dry orgasms, which are orgasms that do not involve ejaculation. (You can also feel orgasms with ejaculation through prostate stimulation.) The prostate is called the male G-spot, and dry orgasms can be much more intense than ejaculation. Therefore, men who are able to develop a prostate can become addicted to the pleasure. sextoy for beinner women in India The following are the recommended goods for Indian women who are new to sextoy. The following three are recommended for use by women who are new to sextoy. Vibrator. Dildo Electric Masserger Lets check out what each one is in detail. If you want to check out womens toys, click here. [BEST25]Sex Toys for Women in IndiaThat Can Help You Have an Orgasm There are many women who pretend to feel orgasm during sex. But don't worry, you don't have to pretend to feel orgasm... Vibrators A vibrator is a sextoy that vibrates with an Egg-Vibrator to provide stimulation and is often referred to simply as a vibrator. Some vibrate as well as rotate, and there are many variations of sextoy. It is quite a popular sextoy, and is well recognized by people who do not know much about sextoy. Its usage is similar to that of a massager, but it is more compact and easier to carry than a massager, and many of them look as cute as a lipstick or a macaroon, so they are popular among women. For a while, a famous influencer on twitter said, This is good! You may have heard of the topic of this article by introducing the recommended vibrators. Vibrators are great for women to use on their own, but they are also recommended for men who have difficulty satisfying women with sex. Since it is powered by electricity, it is far less tiring than moving your hands by yourself. This makes it easier to satisfy a woman with sex because you can caress her for longer than usual. Vibrators are mainly used on the female side, but they can also be used on men. When used on men, they are used to attack the nipples and glans, and in both cases it is recommended to wear a condom for hygiene reasons. Introducing how to use the vibrator, its purpose, and how to choose it! Vibrator uses the vibrations caused by the rotation of the motor to provide stimulation. It is one or two of the most... Dildo A dildo is a model sextoy made to mimic a male penis. It can be made of silicone, elastomer (think of it as a material similar to PVC), metal or glass. A dildo can be used by a man for his female partner during sex, or by a woman for masturbation to get pleasure from it. They are mainly inserted into women, but some can be used in the male anus as well. It is sometimes used synonymously with vibrators, but the vibrator is not the same thing as a vibrating device. A model of a penis that does not vibrate is a dildo. Some of them have suction cups that can be attached to the floor or wall so that you can enjoy realistic masturbation without using your hands. For fun, there is a dildo made in the shape of your partners penis. This one is also popular as a gift, and if youve been together for a long time and are having trouble finding a gift for your partner, you might want to pick one. To learn more about dildo, please click here. What is Dildo: Orgasms with Dildos for Men and Women A dildo is a model of a male organ that is used by women for masturbation and by men to stimulate the prostate gland. Th... Electric Masserger A Electric Masserger is a hand-held electric massager, also known as a handheld massager, and can usually be purchased at electronics stores. It was originally designed to relieve stiff shoulders and back pain, so the hurdle of buying one in a physical store is quite low. Many people may have seen or used it in some form or another, as it is often installed in leisure hotels. Such a massager is highly recommended for beginners because it is easy for women to get pleasure from it when they use it during masturbation. It is larger than Egg-Vibrator and vibrations are stronger than those of Egg-Vibrators and vibrators, so even just hitting the clitoris can give you a great deal of pleasure. For those women who have never had an orgasm during sex with their man, the massager may be a good way to get a feel for what it feels like to have an orgasm. It looks and feels like an electric massager, so you wont have to feel awkward if your roommate finds out. If you are in a rut of having sex with your partner, if you want to feel an orgasm through masturbation, or if you are thinking of using a sextoy, why dont you try it from a simple massager? To learn more about Electric Masserger, click here. What is a massager? Introducing types, selection methods, and usage Originally, the Magic-wand vibrator and the massage machine were sold as a home massage machine used for the back and th... How to choose a sextoy for Indian Now that weve covered the different types of sextoy, heres how to choose one. Especially if you are trying sextoy for the first time, pay attention to the following three points: Does the size fit you (the partner)? Does the size fit you (your partner)? Is the environment able to produce sound without problems? Price range First of all, the choice of size is quite important. Most sextoy are used against or inserted into the genitals, but the genitals are very delicate organs for both men and women. For this reason, using an inappropriate size may cause damage. Secondly, the environment should be able to produce sound without problems. Some sextoys not only wear, but also rotate and vibrate. Its easier to get pleasure from something that moves than something that doesnt, but the fact that it moves means that the internal rotors make some noise. If you live in a house with thin walls or if you have roommates, you may not be able to concentrate because of the noise, so it is best to choose one that is silent or has a low noise level. Especially in India, where many people live with their families, it is very important that you dont have to worry about sound when you use it. Finally, there is the price range. The price range of sextoy ranges widely, from around RS500 at the cheapest to RS10,000 or more at the highest. Its good to consider how much money you can afford and how much you want to buy. Do you want your family to not find out about sextoy? I live with my family and want to use sextoy without them finding out! If you are a man, you should buy a camouflage sextoy that does not look like a sextoy at first glance. For men, there are many masturbators that do not look like a sextoy, and for women, there are vibrators that only look like cosmetics. If you choose such a type, youll be safe in case your family members find out. How to buy sextoys in India The best way to purchase sextoy is through online shopping. For more information on how to purchase sextoy, please see the article below. Sextoy is one of them. Therefore, you can easily get sextoy in India by using online shopping. SexToysINDIA is a long established and stable sextoy store and you can have sextoy delivered to any place in India. They also offer cash on delivery, so those who are worried about shopping with a credit card do not have to worry. Of course, the latest security is in place, so your information will not be taken out when you use your credit card. To begin with, many people may be concerned about whether they are legally allowed to purchase sextoy. ikmAs it turns out, its not illegal. Right now, it is not open to the public because the Indian adult market is still in the development stage, but it will gradually spread from now on. Take advantage of sextoy and open the door to new pleasures and culture. Cautions for Indians using sextoy When using sextoy, keep the following three things in mind Keep sex toys clean Watch out for electrical leakage Beware of the heat generated by the body while using a sex toy As I mentioned earlier, many sextoy products are used for the delicate zone. Therefore, it is most important to keep the sextoy itself clean. It is very important to keep the sextoy itself clean, because if a slight scratch is created by friction, bacteria can enter and breed there. It is safe to wear a condom when using the masturbator, just in case. In addition, many sextoy devices are powered by a power source, so if they are not waterproof, there is a possibility of electric shock or malfunction due to wetness. Some may even develop heat during continuous use. If the fever becomes too much, you may get burned, so be careful. If you get a fever during use, stop driving the sextoy immediately and refrain from using it. You will enjoy sex more if you keep it safe and use it correctly. Summary What did you think? In this article, we have introduced the recommended sextoy for the beginners of sextoy in India. The sextoy market is growing rapidly in India and it will continue to grow steadily in the future. As India is a rather closed-minded country, it can be difficult to be open about ones sexual habits and values. However, being faithful to ones desires by properly dissolving ones sexual desire is very effective for ones physical and mental health. If this is your first time to learn about sextoy, or if you are interested in using sextoy, why not give it a try? Indian Sextoys for ur best! will introduce you to sextoy and other trivia about sextoy, sexuality, and sexuality for men and women. I want to read more! If you think its a great idea, please bookmark it. For Subscribers Basketball season opens; Aberdeen Central girls host Cobblers, Raiders Here's what to know before Aberdeen boys and girls opening high school basketball games this weekend. As a city on an interstate crossroads, less than a days drive from the southern border, Albuquerque can expect to see even more asylum-seekers bused in as shelters, charities and churches in El Paso run out of room to house them, said Mayor Tim Keller in a noon news conference held with the CEO of Catholic Charities, Archbishop John Wester of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and a representative from Congresswoman Deb Haalands office. This is happening all across the country and we are expecting hundreds more to come, Keller said. We get very short-term notice as a city and as organizations. There is no answer about when or exactly how many are coming. About 300 men, women and children seeking asylum in the United States were brought to Albuquerque from El Paso over the weekend. They were put up in hotels throughout the city before taking buses or planes to meet up with their sponsors, oftentimes relatives, around the country. The asylum-seekers had all been processed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the adults were wearing ankle monitors. By Wednesday night, most had already moved on and the city said only 16 people seven families remained in Albuquerque. These asylum-seekers are not staying here permanently; they are usually here for a few days and then they are going on to the next stop, Keller said. Keller said that since the news broke about the migrants arriving in Albuquerque, the city has gotten hundreds of calls, emails and questions from people wanting to help. The effort is funded by donations and volunteers, not city or taxpayer money. Keller said its preferable for the asylum-seekers to stay at hotels, but if too many arrive or if funding dries up, the city will consider setting up shelters. Catholic Charities, other religious and secular groups, and service providers have been organizing volunteers and collecting donations to help feed and clothe the asylum-seekers for the remainder of their journey. The University of New Mexico Hospital staff also went to the hotels to treat them for the flu, colds or other ailments. From our tradition, especially with our faith and our testaments, the Old Testament the New Testament, we see constantly God cares for the poor. He cares for the vulnerable, God cares for those who are in need, Archbishop Wester said. So when Bishop (Mark) Seitz from El Paso called me almost a month ago now and said, Can you help?, of course we said yes. SANTA FE Legislation aimed at making New Mexico a national player in the hemp industry is on its way to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. House Bill 581, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Derrick Lente of Sandia Pueblo, would regulate the production, research and manufacturing of hemp and similar products. In New Mexico and across the country, Lente said in a written statement, hemp is a burgeoning industry with the potential to create new, good-paying jobs and bring millions of dollars to our economy. This legislation is the result of bringing all stakeholders together including farmers, tribal nations, state agencies, and private organizations to bring forward new ideas for economic opportunities, Lujan Grisham has urged lawmakers to pass the bill. WASHINGTON Another massive study has discovered no causal connection between the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine and autism. This time, the studys cohort consisted of every child born in Denmark from 1999 through December 2010 more than 650,000 children. The conclusion? The study strongly supports that MMR vaccination does not increase the risk for autism, does not trigger autism in susceptible children, and is not associated with clustering of autism cases after vaccination. So the arriving children of an entire country stand witness against a destructive but durable myth. Yet the question remains: Can you kill a myth with a study? Measles is the purest of test cases. It is one of the most contagious viruses known to man, Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health told me. The measles vaccine is one of the most effective vaccines known to man 97 percent effective. And, historically, measles is one of the great killers of children. Yet, there is a reluctance on the part of some parents to give the vaccine to their children. This just makes no sense if you just think about it for a second. But there is the rub assuming a second of thought. For some on the left and right, the general revolt against authority has become a revolt against the medical profession. This may be motivated by suspicion of pharmaceutical companies and the business of medicine. Or by a resentment against governmental compulsion. In a recent hearing on vaccines, Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., admitted the medical value of vaccines but added, I still do not favor giving up on liberty for a false sense of security. What Paul a part-time ophthalmologist but full-time libertarian crank calls a false sense of security is technically known as herd immunity. This is the level of vaccine coverage at which transmission of a pathogen becomes very difficult in an entire population of people. Achieving that level 93 to 95 percent for measles not only protects the health of a community, it protects those who really cant be vaccinated for medical reasons such as immune system problems or infants to whom the measles vaccine is not given until later. Paul is engaged in a particular type of fallacy. He is applying standards of political philosophy to a scientific field. Opponents of vaccination claim what they call medical freedom. But that is like asserting religious liberty in the realm of chemistry. These fields employ different categories of knowledge. The scientific method is oriented toward an objectively discernible reality in a way that political philosophy is not. There is no lab test proving John Lockes politics superior to Karl Marxs politics. But this was exactly what Marx claimed in developing his scientific socialism. He imagined that history moves in a scientifically evident pattern, which left no room for minority rights. Those who employed Marxism most rigorously saw resistance to oppression as opposition to a law of nature. Paul is making a category error in the other direction. Epidemiology is a scientific discipline. And public health is the application of this discipline to a community of human beings. It really doesnt matter what John Stuart Mill or Ayn Rand had to say about herd immunity. Given the nature of the measles virus, 93 to 95 percent of a human population needs to be covered for a community to be protected. If purely voluntary methods produce that level of coverage, that is fine. If the needed level can only be achieved by requiring vaccinations for all public school children, that is also fine. If the zombie apocalypse comes, even more stringent health measures might be justified. The protection of human life is ultimately a moral commitment. But the methods to ensure public health are well established, and should be calibrated in order to achieve a scientifically definable public good. Those methods, like good surgery, should be minimally invasive. But the goal is not up for democratic grabs, and has no partisan definition. Politics does make a huge difference to public health in one way. When politicians give legitimacy to dangerous and disproven scientific theories as both Paul and President Trump have done on vaccinations they are encouraging a lower level of coverage, which makes a higher level of compulsion necessary. So it is the vaccination skeptics who are making intrusive public health methods more likely. That just makes sense, when you just think about it for a second. Michael Gersons email address is michaelgerson@washpost.com. (c) 2019, Washington Post Writers Group Its a fight you might not even know is happening. But its real, every time a news reporter pushes back against a stonewalling government spokesperson. Every time an advocacy group like the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government sheds light on legislation that could result in increased government secrecy. Every time someone goes to the local courthouse to ask for records. Whenever people demand access to public information, theyre fighting for the public. Saturday marks the end of Sunshine Week, a nationwide initiative to shine a light on government transparency issues. Taxpayers fund government, which in turn should serve and be accountable to the taxpayers. Government business is everyones business, and laws like the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act protect our right to demand proof that bureaucrats are doing their jobs and spending our tax money properly and wisely. State legislators barreling toward the end of both Sunshine Week and the annual legislative session Saturday would do well to take a step back from bills even well-meaning ones that could rattle confidence in New Mexicos dedication to transparency. One example is Senate Bill 259. Titled Disclose Finalists For Appointive Positions, it would be one of the largest rollbacks to public access in IPRAs history. Advocates have time and again had to fight and litigate to protect the publics right to know who is applying for public jobs positions you and I are paying for. This bill which has been passed by the Senate and is swiftly winding its way through the House shrouds in secrecy the hiring process for high-powered executive positions like school superintendent and city manager. New Mexicans would only learn the names of the three finalists for these positions. Proponents say the change is necessary to attract better talent. But such a change prevents the public from being able to answer such questions as: Did the candidate pool contain more qualified women? Did it contain candidates of color who were overlooked? Under this bill, well never know. And some anti-transparency bills have already made it to the governors desk. One such bill is House Bill 370, the Criminal Record Expungement Act, which has been touted as a way to allow reformed criminals to put their pasts behind them. The American Civil Liberties Union, often a champion for government transparency, supports the measure, viewing it through the lens of compassion for people whose criminal records can hurt their ability to find jobs and housing. But among the crimes that would be hidden by the bills broad brush strokes are some first-degree felonies like armed robbery, drug trafficking and some domestic violence crimes. The bill would create public safety risks by putting innocent parties in the dark: potential employers, neighbors and significant others. So this Sunshine Week, lets celebrate our right to public information and recognize the importance of keeping our government working by the people and for the people. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal The hefty $7 billion budget plan that is looking to boost New Mexico spending primarily for public schools includes funding for school administrator raises, which could result in thousands of dollars worth of pay hikes for top personnel. The legislation, which is for the fiscal year that starts in July, sets aside $37.7 million for districts to provide an average 6 percent salary increase for all other employees who are not teachers, principals and assistant principals. That could apply to superintendents and central office staff. The bill sets aside other moneys for teachers and principals. Bill Valdes, chief of staff for House Appropriations and Finance, said when the bill was crafted, superintendents and school chiefs were not the focus. Yet, the way it is written, the central office positions are included in the pay bumps, legislative staff and Senator Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, told the Journal. We didnt specifically discuss superintendents, Valdes said about crafting that section of the bill. While he said he was unsure about district superintendents because they are on contract, he said they could apply. He added the bills intent is ultimately for all school personnel to see a raise and its up to the districts Boards of Education to implement that. If the districts superintendents and other central administrators were to get a 6 percent raise, it would mean thousands of dollars in pay bumps. For the superintendent of Santa Fe Public Schools Veronica Garcia, who makes $184,500, a 6 percent raise looks like a roughly $11,000 increase. For Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Raquel Reedy, the increase would be closer to $15,000 because her salary is $248,727. Reedys contract was approved in December and it included an $8,000 salary increase, which the district said at the time was to mirror raises other APS employees got that fiscal year. The intent is for all school employees to get at least 6 percent, thats the intent of the House, Valdes added. The bill which had originally been approved by the House made it through the Senate on Wednesday with amendments. Lawmakers have stressed the need to boost teacher salaries, and the bill that passed both chambers includes about $84 million to fund raises for teachers and principals. The original budget bill passed by the House called for at least 6 percent raises for teachers and principals, but the Senate has pitched an average of 6 percent raises, instead. During Wednesdays debate on the Senate floor, Sen. Bill Soules, D-Las Cruces, questioned why the Senate had changed the budget language on the teacher pay raises, suggesting it could lead to some teachers getting raises that are smaller than 6 percent. In response, Senate Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith, D-Deming, said a debate over how to best issue such raises has been playing out for years. When push comes to shove, superintendents would prefer an average over a set amount, Smith said. These raises are separate and prior to any pay tier bumps. Valdes noted it will be up to local districts to decide how the raises are implemented. Albuquerque Teachers Federation President Ellen Bernstein, who will be the first to say that school staff should make more money, said her objection with the raises in the bill is that it uses the same proposed percentages across the board from bus drivers to administration. She argued positions like education assistants and cafeteria workers should get a bigger raise than department chiefs, and one thats higher than 6 percent, noting that education assistants, for instance, are among the lowest paid school workers. I dont think anybody who works as a public servant in our school should make less than poverty level wages, she said. According to Albuquerque Public Schools data, the average education assistant in that district makes $16,523 a year. Bernstein said she doesnt necessarily disagree with higher-ups getting a boost. I have a hard time begrudging them a raise just like everybody else this year. Except, I wish that (the Legislature) would stop appropriating exact percentages that are the same for the highest paid and the lowest paid, she said. But she also noted, under the Senates proposal, districts would have the flexibility to pay attention to the lowest paid people as there is some leeway in the bill on how they implement the raises. Valdes echoed this, saying the way the Senate proposal is drafted could create several scenarios. On average means its possible some will get 8 percent and some will get 4 percent or any range of those numbers, he said. Bernstein said much is still in flux, and its hard to say how districts will handle the raises when the time comes. This was also the sentiment of local school districts. SFPS spokesman Jeff Gephart said the district would need to wait until a bill is officially signed by the governor and until the state Public Education Department gives guidance before it can say how the pay increases would play out. Similarly, APS Board of Education President David Peercy said it would be premature for the district to weigh in before things are official. And Rio Rancho Public Schools is watching the progression of the budget, but said there havent been discussions on how the funds would be allotted. Journal Capitol Bureau Chief Dan Boyd contributed to this report. Two tornadoes caused destruction across southeast New Mexico with one touching down in Chaves County, and another in southern Eddy County. The Tuesday twisters were the result of a powerful storm system moving through the central United States, causing extreme weather throughout the country. Extreme weather warnings continued in the following days, as motorists were urged to stay off the roads and thousands of residents lost power. While no injuries or major damage was reported from the tornado in the Loving area of Eddy County, the one that touched down in Dexter damaged homes and displaced residents, with some minor injuries reported. What happened in Dexter? A tornado ripped through Dexter and Hagerman Tuesday night in southern Chaves County, causing significant damage to some homes in the area. About 10 homes were damaged, including a mobile home, and minor injuries were reported, said Todd Shoemake of the National Weather Services Albuquerque office. He said the tornado touched down at about 6 p.m. and was on the ground for less than 10 minutes southwest of Dexter. It then lifted off at the southern edge of Dexter, he said, and headed northeast toward Texas. It looked like a pretty large tornado, Shoemake said. Our survey team is assessing the damage. Michael Waide, assistant librarian at the Hagerman Public Library, spotted the tornado near his house. It was scary, he said. It was unbelievable. Im so glad nobody got hurt. It was just awful to see that tornado. Shelter set up for displaced residents Despite the storm, Waide reported to work Wednesday at the Lindell Andrews Community Center where the American Red Cross set up an evacuation center for Hagerman and Dexter residents affected by the twisters. We have a basic shelter set up for a small community, said Robert Barber, public information officer for the American Red Cross. We have a dormitory set up. We have a common area and an area where we serve food and a registration area. Barber said the center could hold about 100 people. Weve worked out arrangements for local vendors and through the (Pecos Valley Baptist Association) disaster relief team to provide meals, he said. Barber said Wednesdays high winds prevented people from doing major clean up work. The shelter will be in place, he said, as long as it takes to get these people settled. The ones that have signed in today (Wednesday) are out doing things. Some of them have jobs and some of them have to carry on with life. They will be back tonight, he said. Barber said volunteers from the Red Cross and Hagerman covered shifts at the shelter. He said the Red Cross could use some clothes and hygiene products. What we dont use, we will leave with the community, through the (Hagerman) Police Department and they can continue to have those items, Barber said. Once the shelter shuts down, Barber said the Red Cross will continue helping those who lost their homes. Its not just close the shelter and leave town. We will be here to provide them with some emergency assistance with lodging right away and those things to help them plan their recovery, he said. Thousands without power Xcel Energy, a main power provider for the region reported thousands of outages throughout New Mexico and Texas Wednesday afternoon after high winds damaged power lines and other facilities. About 18,000 outages were in Texas, and 6,000 were reported in New Mexico. Xcel spokesman Wes Reeves said at about 1 p.m. that the company was working up to 500 outage events in Texas Panhandle, Texas South Plains and eastern New Mexico regions. We are calling in contract crews to help us work these outages. As I get more details, I will pass them along, he said. We urge customers to watch for downed lines and stay away from them. Assume any line on the ground is still energized. Customers experiencing an outage or downed power line were asked to call Xcel at 1-800-895-1999 to report outages or downed lines. Outages can also be reported at xcelenergy.com or on Xcels app. Artesias Central Valley Electric (CVE) provides power for residents in Hagerman and Dexter. Leah Boone, customer service representative for CVE, said members of the rural electric cooperative were updated through social media of potential outages. By the evening we had the high winds and the tornado touched down in the Dexter area, she said. We had most of our men working until the wee hours of the morning and we found out in the middle of the night, part of the outage was Xcel Energys transmission line. So that held us up from completing all the tasks we needed to do in a quick manner. It was probably around 1:30 a.m. (Wednesday) most of the power was back on. Have tornado photos or a story to tell? Email achedden@currentargus.com. Loving tornado A tornado was also confirmed at about 5 p.m. Tuesday in the Loving area in southern Eddy County, but storm conditions began to clear by about 7 p.m. with minimal damage, said Eddy County Emergency Manager Jennifer Armendariz. Julie Phillips, meteorologist with the National Weather Services Midland office said the tornado was confirmed south of Malaga, and tore down power lines along U.S. Highway 285. We havent had much damage, she said. It seemed like it stayed in open field, mostly. She said radar data showed the tornado developed west of U.S. 285, and moved northeast. It crossed 285, but no damages or injuries were reported, thankfully, she said. The storms that led to the tornadoes were part of a large storm system impacting almost all of the central U.S., Phillips said. She said its causing blizzard conditions in the north, and heavy winds and rain throughout the southern portion of the country. The storms that we had are part of of a very large system thats affecting almost all of the central United States, she said. The high winds will stick around this evening, but theyll die down tomorrow. Armendariz said a storage building belonging to Occidental Petroleum was blown over at about 8:30 p.m., and risked entering roadways on National Parks Highway. The road was blocked off near Carlsbad, Armendariz said, for a short period of time. It blew completely over, she said. We were afraid it would blow into the highway. Were still doing an assessment. Other than some telephone poles in rural areas, Armendariz said damage was minimal the morning after the storms. She asked anyone who had damage to their property to email photos to Armendariz at jarmendariz@eddyoem.com. If you have damages to report, Id like a picture to be sent to me, so we can do an assessment, she said. A Hazardous Weather Outlook for Eddy and Lea counties, the Guadalupe Mountains and parts of West Texas went into effect Tuesday at about 1:30 p.m. and expired at midnight. At about 7:20 p.m., the National Weather Services Midland Office reported the storm had begun moving east out of Eddy County and into neighboring Lea County and Hobbs. Lawmakers offer support New Mexico House Republicans expressed support for an emergency disaster declaration for areas of southern Chaves County affected by Tuesdays storm, per a news release. An emergency declaration means those first responders helping us overcome this tragedy will be able to get the support they need quickly, said Artesia State Rep. Jim Townsend (R-54). We will continue to push for assistance to help everyone in need. Representatives expressed support for an emergency declaration from the county commission and the Governor to free up funds to help the victims of the storms,read the release. We want to do all we can to help those affected by these awful storms, said Rep. Candy Ezzell (R-Roswell). We will support local leaders in any way to ensure state resources are available to help. This is when our community steps up and helps their neighbors who have been hit the hardest. Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter. Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546, MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMicahe on Twitter. Sign up for an online subscription today. Its only a few dollars a month. 2019 the Carlsbad Current-Argus (Carlsbad, N.M.) Visit the Carlsbad Current-Argus (Carlsbad, N.M.) at www.currentargus.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. A few weeks ago, Otero County joined 29 other counties in declaring itself to be a Second Amendment Sanctuary county. Otero County and others have made this move to protest legislative actions they feel may infringe on peoples right to bear arms. Joining the chorus Tuesday evening, the Alamogordo City Commission voted unanimously to declare itself a Second Amendment Sanctuary city at its regular meeting. I asked for this item to be placed on the agenda, so we could discuss it, I know it was a little bit rushed but the (2019 New Mexico Legislative) session ends (March 16), Alamogordo City Commissioner Josh Rardin said. I felt that it was more important we address this issue or show support for Otero County or whatever the commission feels, prior to the session ending. Theres some bills that arent in the best interests of the people of New Mexico. The symbolic declaration is a resolution and not a law. Theres a little bit of a misconception with whats going on here, Alamogordo Mayor Richard Boss said. Basically, what were doing with a resolution is only a symbolic gesture. Our police force is going to have to enforce the laws of the state of New Mexico Whatever we do tonight, (APD) is going to have to enforce the laws of the state of New Mexico. APD Chief Brian Peete agreed with Boss and added that he expects a constitutional challenge to firearm legislation signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. Grisham has already signed into law one of several gun control bills introduced this legislative session. The law is intending to close a loophole for firearms sales in New Mexico by requiring background checks to be conducted on people who want to purchase from vendors online, at gun shows and other venues where sellers may not have a federal license. Grisham is also expected to sign into law a measure to keep people from possessing a firearm if they are under permanent protective orders for domestic violence. An additional initiative, still in debate, deals with the paperwork involved when authorities confiscate firearms. Peete says he does not have the resources such as personnel or space to store confiscated firearms to enforce some of these bills and said the bills do not come with a funding mechanism. This is going to be a reaction enforcement thing for APD, Peete said. Domestic violence bill The crowd Tuesday was so large, it spilled into the municipal courtroom next to the commission chambers. Most in attendance spoke in favor of the city become a Second Amendment Sanctuary and much of the talk centered on the bill concerning protection from domestic abusers. Peete said of the 15 domestic violence-related murders in Alamogordo from 2010-2018, 5 involved a firearm. We need to remember that the terror of domestic violence is real, Peete said. It has affected almost everybody in this room (City Commission Chambers) at some point in time, whether directly or indirectly. We have to seek ways to limit, in my opinion, access to firearms to criminals, those with violent tendencies and those with significant mind-altering mental illnesses. But we have to be very responsible, diligent and maintain peoples inalienable rights to the Second Amendment. City Commissioner Al Hernandez said he was a victim of domestic violence 35 years ago and the weapon was a vehicle. The problem is not the guns. The problem is domestic violence. The problems run far deeper than anything else,Hernandez said. Hernandez sees the proposed legislation as an easy way out. I didnt get shot, I was run over by a car and my ex-wife is still allowed to drive, Hernandez said. I got nothing but a bad back. He said his ex-wife remarried a police officer and later served in the Marine Corps. Its not the gun, its society, Hernandez said. Its not just with domestic violence, its with a lot of other stuff. Thats what we need to work on. Not take away amendment rights. Its working with each other. Become better people and not just show up when its in your backyard. Kay Gomolak of local domestic violence organization Center for Protective Environment, or COPE, was the only person to speak against the sanctuary resolution. She supports legislation seeking to limit firearm access to domestic abusers. This legislation attempts to address a serious and real threat. Its language is consistent with federal law already in effect, Gomolak said. If you pass this resolution, will you not enforce this law? I understand that there are questions about weapons storage for law enforcement and concerns for their safety if they must enforce this law. However, lets not forget that any action taken would be because there was a very real danger presented to the court and validated through due process by the court. If this situation is dangerous for law enforcement, what do you think its like for victims of domestic violence and for their children? Gomolak ended by suggesting that Alamogordo become a Domestic Violence Victim Sanctuary city. Public comment included statements from Republican Congressional candidate Yvette Herrell, Otero County Sheriff David Black, APD Officer Roger Schoolcraft and others. The sole Democrat on the Board of City Commissioners, Nadia Sikes, had some things to say about the resolution and her stance on the subject. I appreciate your opinions. I appreciate your feeling that theres a sanctity in the Second Amendment that we dont want to violate. I appreciate that, Sikes said. Im not a gun hater. I just believe that some of this gun violence needs to stop and what were doing is grasping at straws trying to pass legislation that could potentially help a little bit. But obviously its not something that we here in Otero County really want to consider at this time. So, know that I support the commission. I support wherever we go with this. When the time came for the final vote, the resolution passed unanimously and the crowd gave a standing ovation. The Associated Press contributed to this story. 2019 the Alamogordo Daily News (Alamogordo, N.M.) Visit the Alamogordo Daily News (Alamogordo, N.M.) at www.alamogordonews.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. LAS CRUCES, N.M. The New Mexico State Police received a call at about 8 a.m. on Feb. 27, to assist Border Patrol and Dona Ana County Sheriffs Office with a vehicle that bypassed the Border Patrol checkpoint by driving northbound in the southbound lanes of I-25. Border Patrol initiated a pursuit on the vehicle and were quickly joined by Dona Ana County Sheriffs Office deputies. At around 8:04 a.m. the suspect vehicle stopped on the west shoulder of southbound I-25 around mile post 37. The suspect vehicle was occupied by three individuals, the male suspect driver, later identified as James Kirkland,39, of Kingman, AZ, his wife (victim) and their seven-year-old son. Once the vehicle stopped, his wife immediately ran from the vehicle. James Kirkland then armed himself with a firearm and barricaded inside the vehicle, holding his son hostage. New Mexico State Police Officers arrived on scene and began negotiating with Kirkland to get him to peacefully surrender and release his son. During the negotiations Kirkland made several statements toward officers indicating he was going to kill his son and then himself. He also placed his son between himself and officers. During the standoff, NMSP Officer Robert Ramirez arrived and heard the other officers negotiating with Kirkland. Kirkland was standing on the other side of his vehicle. Officer Ramirez took cover on the passenger side of a Border Patrol unit. He reported the suspect was defiant and not cooperating with commands. Officer Ramirez saw feet on the ground and determined they belonged to Kirkland. Officer Ramirez communicated via radio with a Border Patrol helicopter overhead who informed him the suspect had a rifle. Officer Ramirez then got into position and shot the suspect in the right foot. Other officers and deputies on scene immediately rushed in to remove the child from the scene and to secure and render aid to Kirkland. The child was safely rescued, and Kirkland was airlifted to an area hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The child, wife, and officers were uninjured. After Kirkland was transported by EMS helicopter, and the child and mother were safe, State Police Investigations Bureau agents learned that Kirkland and his wife were under investigation by the Livingston Parish Sheriffs Office for an incident that occurred in Louisiana. Agents learned the wife indicated to her employer that she had been kidnapped by Kirkland. Her employer called Louisiana detectives who were able to trace her phone to north of Las Cruces, NM. New Mexico officers and deputies involved in the incident were unaware of the investigation and incident in Louisiana. On February 28, 2019, Kirkland was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center on the following charges: kidnapping,abuse of a child,aggravated assault, aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer, battery against a household member, interference with communications, reckless driving and careless driving. Kirkland could also face possible federal charges. The child was placed in CYFD custody and the female victim received medical treatment for conditions not related to this incident. Officer Robert Ramirez, assigned to the State Police Uniform Bureau, has been employed with the New Mexico State Police for 3 years 6 months of service. State Police Investigations Bureau agents continue to investigate this case with no additional information currently available. 2019 The Deming Headlight (Deming, N.M.) Visit The Deming Headlight (Deming, N.M.) at www.demingheadlight.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Las Cruces police say a thief took a 5-year-old girl for a ride Thursday morning after swiping a car with the child in the back seat. The child is safe and at home after the hour-long ordeal that touched off around 7 a.m., when the car was left running at a home on Thomas Drive, according to the Las Cruces Police Department. The young girls mother went back into her home for a moment, police said in a news release. When she returned, her car and daughter were gone. Officers immediately began searching the area and issued a Be On the Lookout alert for other law enforcement agencies to keep their eyes peeled. Around 8 a.m., a New Mexico State Police officer saw the car going east on Interstate 10 toward El Paso and followed it until it exited near Anthony, the release reads. The State Police officer engaged in a relatively slow-speed pursuit before the car stopped on Stern Drive and West Berino Road. The driver, 35-year-old Victor Castillo, was taken into custody and the girl was found inside the car. She showed no signs of physical injury. Castillo, who lives in unincorporated Dona Ana County, is charged with a third-degree felony count of child abuse and one fourth-degree felony count of unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, Las Cruces police said in a Thursday afternoon case update. Police also said Castillo was had been arrested at the CVS pharmacy on North Main Street, after officers were called there on a shoplifting complaint. Castillo was arrested on two bench warrants for failure to pay fines. Police said he was booked into the Dona Ana County jail at 5:39 a.m. and released on bond about 12 hours later. The Thursday morning incident allowed the police department to serve up these reminders: refrain from leaving vehicles unattended while warming up. Children should never be left unattended in a vehicle. And, without question, children should never be left unattended in a running vehicle. Detectives are investigating a double shooting Monday night that left a woman dead and man injured in northeast Albuquerque. Albuquerque police spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said 36-year-old Genie Trujillo died on Tuesday at the hospital. The male subject, who also suffered a gun shot wound, is still in the hospital, he said. Gallegos did not identify the man has not been identified and his condition is unclear. Police responded to the shooting in the 500 block of Texas NE around 4 p.m. Officers found a man and Trujillo shot at a nearby apartment. Gallegos said nobody has been charged in the shooting and it is unclear who was the offender or what led to the shooting. The incident is under investigation, he said. Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed legislation Thursday creating a Cabinet-level department that will oversee and coordinate New Mexicos push to expand prekindergarten and other early childhood programs. The governor called it a historic moment after years of debate inside the Capitol. She signed Senate Bill 22 as her 3-year-old granddaughter sat in her lap, surrounded by parents, children, legislators and advocates. The No. 1 priority in this state has to got to be the opportunity, well-being and education of our children, Lujan Grisham said. The new Early Childhood Education and Care Department will handle a variety of services including home-visiting programs for new parents, pre-K and child care now spread across four other state agencies. The goal is to improve efficiency, accountability and coordination. The legislation underwent a variety of changes as it bounced from one committee to another, but it ultimately won bipartisan support in each chamber of the Legislature. It passed the Senate 39-2 and the House 47-8. Approval comes as New Mexico ramps up spending on early childhood programs, from about $137 million in the 2012 budget year to $313 million this year. Lawmakers have turned to the early childhood services as a critical component of state efforts to improve the public education system and break the cycle of poverty. The bill was jointly sponsored by Sen. Michael Padilla, D-Albuquerque, and Rep. Linda Trujillo, D-Santa Fe. This is probably the biggest thing that New Mexico has done to eliminate and quash poverty in the state in decades, Padilla said. He also credited Lujan Grisham for helping secure passage of the legislation. In a formal executive message last month, she encouraged senators to pass the measure. Lujan Grisham, a Democrat who took office Jan. 1, said she expects the new job to attract candidates from across the country. In addition to a Cabinet secretary, an assistant secretary will be hired to focus on providing services in Native American communities and working with tribal governments. The legislation appropriates about $1.25 million to help establish the new department. Opponents of the bill questioned whether a new department was necessary. MAGALIA, Calif. - Two people are in the hospital with serious injuries after they were attacked by a pack of vicious dogs in Magalia. Butte County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a call just at 8:54 a.m. on Thursday morning in the area of Rosewood Drive in Magalia. A neighbor reported that there was a vicious dog attack and there could be as many as three victims. When deputies arrived, they found a neighbor with serious injuries who was later transported to the hospital. During the attack, the Butte County Animal Control Officers were in court with the dogs' owner, 64-year-old Peter Ricca of Magalia, regarding earlier complaints about the dogs. Animal control seized nine dogs who will be guaranteed to determine whether they have any associated health issued. Four other dogs were quarantined on the scene under the care of the owner. Deputies learned that a second victim had already been transferred to the hospital and was in surgery for several major injuries and numerous minor injuries due to dog bites. The incident is under investigation by the Butte County Sheriff's Office and Butte County Animal Control. Anyone with information is asked to call the Butte County Sheriff's Office at (530) 538-7321. SACRAMENTO, Calif. The California Charter School Association recognized the Butte County Office of Education with a special Hart Vision Award for its support of charter schools during the Camp Fire. CCSA presented the award during its 26th annual conference in Sacramento Tuesday. CCSA annually gives Hart Vision awards to organizations with outstanding records of leadership in public education. Established in 1995, the award honors Gary K. Hart, retired California State Senator, author of California's landmark public-charter-school legislation and former California Secretary of Education. In its press release, CCSAA stated that it's proud to dedicate a special one-time award of "Authorizer of the Year" to the Butte County Office of Education for its support of six charter schools that were displaced for destroyed by the Camp Fire. BCOE has a long history with charter authorization, beginning with BCOE's Learning Community Charter School over 20 years ago. Barbara Mandelbaum, Butte County Superintendent of Schools, Mary Sakuma and Michelle Zevely, BCOE Assistant Superintendent of Student Programs and Educational Support, were present to receive the award at the CCSA Conference. CHICO, Calif. She has been described by students as very nice and upbeat. Others say they are impressed with her willingness to join students for on-campus activities. They are talking about Chico State President Gayle Hutchinson. Her reputation has been built during a lifelong academic career. A level of trust and respect amongst students and staff has been carved out in three years of leadership at Chico State. President Hutchinson says the University is an incredible institution, with faculty and staff working hard to make sure students are cared for and feel as if they belong. She says she wants every student to have the opportunity to be successful. It was July 1, 2016, that President Hutchinson took the helm of the University, in what she describes as a dream job and something she has always wanted to do. Hutchinson says she came to Chico in 1990 and instantly fell in love with the area. She says her motto is to help people strive to reach their potential with the idea that they can reach for the stars and achieve anything they want. In describing the education students receive at Chico State, the Hutchinson says it is second to none. Everything we do, we win awards for because were very good. Were better than very good; were outstanding! she said. "I came here in 1990, I fell in love with Chico at first sight. I've always had the motto that I help people strive toward their potential with the idea that they can reach for the stars and achieve and nothing makes me happier than to be around students." Hutchinson says Chico State is a strong economic driver for Butte County and the region, and her vision for the future is to build on that reputation. She says it is important for the University to be a good neighbor and partner to local businesses and the community. She encourages the broader community to draw on the strengths the University offers not only in education but also as scholars and innovators through enterprise, business, education and service. Hutchinson says her goal is to have the world recognize Chico State as one of the premier academic locations not only in California but also, in the nation. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on Congress and President Donald Trump's proposed border wall (all times local): 2:50 p.m. In a stunning rebuke, the Republican-controlled Senate has voted to terminate President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. The Senate voted 59-41 for a resolution to halt Trump's emergency order. Trump has promised to veto it, and it is unlikely that Congress will have the votes to override him. Yet the vote represents a remarkable break between Trump and Senate Republicans. It's the first time Congress has used its power to reject a presidential emergency order. Trump wants to use his declaration to steer $3.6 billion more to border barriers than lawmakers approved. He had warned Republicans to stick with him on the vote. He said doing otherwise would be siding with Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. But several Republicans defied that warning. Trump wants to steer $3.6 billion more to border barriers than lawmakers approved. The move is also being challenged in court. --- 2:44 p.m. The Senate is poised to reject President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, with several Republicans joining Democrats in opposing Trump's use of executive power. Enough senators have voted "yes" to pass a resolution Thursday terminating Trump's emergency order. The vote is still ongoing. The resolution has already cleared the House, so it will soon head to Trump's desk. He has promised to reject it by issuing what will likely be his first veto. It is unlikely that Congress will have the votes to override him. Thursday's vote would be the first time Congress has rejected a presidential emergency under the 1976 National Emergency Act. Trump wants to use his declaration to steer $3.6 billion more to border barriers than lawmakers approved. --- 10:55 a.m. Republican Sens. Mitt Romney and Sen. Lamar Alexander have endorsed a resolution passed by the Democratic-controlled House to block President Donald Trump from using emergency powers to fund his long-promised U.S.-Mexico border wall. That brings to seven the number of Republicans who have announced they will cross Trump on a vote expected for Thursday afternoon, ensuring the measure will pass. Romney was the GOP's 2012 presidential nominee and a sometimes critic of Trump; Alexander is among the senior guardians of the Senate as an institution. Lawmakers oppose Trump's action because they see the power of the purse as Congress' prerogative. Romney said that "this is a vote for the Constitution and for the balance of powers that is at its core." Trump has promised to veto the measure and is sure to be sustained by his House GOP allies. --- 10:35 a.m. President Donald Trump is urging Republican senators to support his emergency declaration for border funding and says any efforts to change the national emergency law should come later. Trump tweeted Thursday as the GOP-led Senate appeared set to approve a resolution blocking the border emergency he declared to steer more money to his border wall. Trump stressed that he will not immediately take up proposals to amend the national emergencies law, which some Republicans have been pitching as a way to limit defections in Thursday's Senate vote. Said Trump: "If, at a later date, Congress wants to update the law, I will support those efforts, but today's issue is BORDER SECURITY and Crime!!! Don't vote with Pelosi!" --- 7 a.m. President Donald Trump is renewing his threat to veto a congressional resolution revoking his declaration of an emergency at the southern border. Trump had declared an emergency to try to circumvent Congress to access more money for his promised border wall. The Senate is scheduled to vote Thursday on the resolution, with many Republicans expected to join Democrats in disapproving the declaration. Trump tweeted early Thursday about "the big National Emergency vote today" in the Senate. He said, "I am prepared to veto, if necessary," and called the situation at the border "a National Security and Humanitarian Nightmare." Trump has not yet vetoed a bill. Overturning a presidential veto requires a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate, but there aren't enough votes to do so on the border resolution. --- 12:12 a.m. The Republican-led Senate is set to deal President Donald Trump a rebuke on his declaration of a national emergency at the Mexican border. The only remaining question is how many GOP senators will join Democrats in defying him. Republicans say Thursday's showdown vote will result in Congress sending Trump a resolution blocking the border emergency he proclaimed last month to steer an extra $3.6 billion to building barriers. The Democratic-controlled House approved the measure last month. Senate approval would force Trump to use a veto to protect his "Build the Wall" mantra over objections from his own party. The vote also forces many GOP senators into a difficult box: defy Trump or assent to an emergency declaration that many lawmakers think goes too far. SHASTA AND BUTTE COUNTIES, Calif. - Both the Shasta County and Butte County District Attorneys disagree with the decision made by Governor Gavin Newsom to temporarily ban the death penalty in California. Butte County Three people have been convicted of death row crimes in Butte County, including: Lee Max Barnett Steven Crittenden Dannie Hillhouse District Attorney Mike Ramsey said he is disappointed in Governor Newsom's decision to go against what the people want. Voters acted to keep the death penalty three times. "I think the death penalty helps deter people from doing violent crimes and I think it's important that we keep the death penalty," said Brian Holcombe, a resident in Butte County. "I voted to keep the death penalty. I think it's wrong to put a moratorium on what we voted on." Ramsey also expressed some concern for the language of the Governor's order. "All of those people who would be on death row, and this is where it's confusing, does it mean that he's changing their sentence from death to life without possibility?" Ramsey said. "Or to some other sentence which would them allow them at some point to be out? We don't know." Ramsey said he believes in the death penalty but he argues for that sentence sparingly. He also said that this order could make the state less safe. Shasta County Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett is also speaking out against the Governor's decision. Shasta County currently has eight inmates on death row, including: Tomas Cruz Todd Jesse Garton Thomas H. Lenart Milton Otis Lewis Robert E. Maury William A. Proctor Charles D. Riel Scott Paul Varner Bridgett said she stands behind the sentences of every one of the inmates and she's disappointed in the Governor's decision. "I certainly am not supportive of the decision that he made," she said. "I think it's contrary to the will of the people, not only in Shasta County, but just statewide. This has gone before the voters and they have clearly and overwhelmingly said that they want to continue to have the death penalty in the state of California." In Tehama County, there is one inmate on death row, Andrew Mickel. A jury convicted Mickel of killing Red Bluff police officer Dave Mobilio in 2002. See a breakdown of county numbers below. This will continue to be updated as information comes in. REDDING, Calif. - Shasta College is celebrating the addition of two new structures to help with fire training. The college unveiled the training towers in a public ceremony on campus Thursday morning. The specialized fire training towers will allow trainees to learn new skills. The construction of the towers was made possible through support from the community. "Through the passage of Measure H, we have the funding to do this and confidence of the community to do that vote and we are excited to have our first major project completed," said Joe Wyse, president of Shasta College. Measure H gave the Shasta-Tehama-Trinity Joint Community College District the ability to secure $139 million in general obligation bond funding to focus on public safety. By Azernews By Laman Ismayilova With many breathtaking and incredible historical sites, Azerbaijan is richly endowed with numerous historical attractions. Chirag Gala monument is a must to visit for a curious travelers while being in country's Shabran region. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order regarding measures to carry out restoration and conservation work at Chirag Gala monument. Under the presidential order, 2 million manats will be allocated to the Ministry of Culture for the restoration and conservation work at Chirag Gala monument. The legendary fortress, which means lamp castle in Azerbaijani is a ruined ancient fortress overlooking the Caspian coastal plains north of Baku in Azerbaijan. The fortress was used as a defense for Guba khanate in the 18th century. The location of the fortress makes it absolutely impregnable. Five times the Mongolian armies tried to captivate it but did not succeed. Alexander the Great, the Huns and the Arabs couldnt invade the fortress as well. More than 1,500 years ago, this tower was used as a signal point. The fortress was part of the system of the Caspian watch-observation structures. When the enemy approached, a fire was lit on it. The fire was visible for hundreds of kilometers. Another point was in Derbent. If there was a fire there during the invasion of the invaders, they did the same in the Chirag Gala fortress. The flames were visible in Baku, so that all the northern borders were under control. Chirag Gala is built of roughly treated river stones. The thickness of the defensive wall is two meters. There is a cliff behind the fortress. RED BLUFF, Calif - Red Bluff Police arrested two teenagers after they said the two threatened another student. Officers said the incident happened Wednesday morning at Vista School. A 12-year-old female student told the school resource officer that the two boys, ages 13 and 14, threatened her on social media. She said the boys sent her a photo of them holding guns, threatening to shoot her. Officials arrested one student at school and the other in his home. No guns were found in both instances. Stay tuned for updates. ---Stopping time with photography is magic, says Keziban Barry But working in motion has, she adds, opened new creative doors and business opportunities. Its so funny to think back how video has become such an integrated part of our lives, and it will continue to do so, she says. Just a few years ago, when I first started in video, it was wasnt what it is now. I spent a lot of time learning it by trial and error making a lot of mistakes and getting egg on my face. But now Im getting hired for video projects, and I think Im only now understanding how it works. Barry specializes in fashion editorial and architectural work. She also creates short video pieces, sometimes in tandem with commercial photography shoots and sometimes as personal projects. All her work is distinguished by its sensitivity to mood and expression. An example is Barrys still series Eye Travels (below), which, noted Creative Boom in 2016, features images that are based around the theme of a woman wrapped in nostalgia and solitude, trying to pry open a new life for herself. The series was also included in the American Photography 32 annual. Keziban's artwork captures the light of an individual, the essence of a moment and the narrative of a life, noted the website. Being self-taught, she developed her style by taking inspiration from her academic and global upbringing. She infuses her work with fashion, literary, cinematic, musical and historical references to help capture the 'just before' and 'just after' mise-en-scene of a momentous action. Photography came to Barry early in life. Her family traveled extensively and cameras became a tool for her to document places shed been and experiences shed had. In high school and college at Georgetown University she continued her travels though study-abroad programs. That sort of morphed into taking workshops and classes in photography, she says. One of her study programs took Barry to Seville, Spain, where, as it happened, Magnum photographer Alex Majoli was leading a workshop. His ability to work as both a photojournalist and to shoot fashion and commercial work was a big influence on me, says Barry. Following that experience, Barry interned at National Geographic Traveler magazine. She also interned for a filmmaker who was working on a documentary about the 1979 Iranian hostage crisis. After college she moved to New York, where she worked for two years as an assistant photo editor at National Geographic Adventure magazine, followed by a stint as photo editor and in-house photographer at Art & Auction magazine. By 2011 she was ready to start the life of a freelancer. I said, Okay, Im doing this, Im going off on my own, she recalls. It was a learning experience. I took some classes, including a course at the International Center of Photography with Amy Arbus, which was awesome, and started to learn what my aesthetic is. Below are some samples of her commercial photography work. About five years ago, a former colleague at National Geographic Adventure gave Barry some advice that would shape her career. She was the one who said you really need to start shooting video," says Barry. "She said, 'Its going to change the industry.' Today, after a few years of coming to grips with ever-changing digital technology and the expanding array of video gear available to photographers, Barry has settled into a new creative identity. I think Im part of this new generation or group of hybrid photographer-directors, she says. The hybrid nature of her work cuts both ways Barrys photography has a cinematic feel, while her motion work is suffused with a photographers eye for light. Depending on the client, I may be shooting both stills and motion, so I try to light my sets with continuous light, she says. But I also get hired for just my video. Perfect Man magazine hired Barry to create a series of fashion images and the video below: That was a fun project where I worked with the creative director of Perfect Man, and he gave me full creative rein. Usually with a client you have to approach a project with a storyboard and everything planned out, but this came together differently, says Barry. Im pretty driven by music I have an easier time understanding a story when I have a musical reference. I grew up playing violin at a young age, and I learned by the Suzuki method, by listening. It was interesting to me when I started editing videos that this musical language was so deeply part of me. I think the more I do video, the more I love it because it feels like a more holistic story, emotionally. Another of her videos is called Paris Coquette. One of my best friends is a kind of influencer, and we have been shooting together for a while. So for this we were in Paris, and she had this beautiful apartment and made this piece. I think it speaks to a base of creativity and allowing yourself to have a fun time and play. And in the edit we brought in elements of voices and used the audio as part of the story. It looks like it was more expensive to make than it was. This video, like most of Barrys, was shot with a Sony a7R III and a DJI Ronin S stabilizer. (The Perfect Man video, however, was shot with a RED cinema camera. Another of her videos, titled Telephone, was done as a personal project inspired by the master of suspense, director Alfred Hitchcock. I wanted to explore working more with actors, and this was done with an actress friend of my, Jacqueline Byers, says Barry. Left to my own devices, I can go dark and weird. I came up with a script in which she was a paranoid-schizophrenic sex worker. Jackie was up for anything. It was actually a lot of fun. This video, which was shot with the RED camera, also makes effective use of audio. I think with scary movies, its often the sound that is scary, Barry says, so this also is about the idea of audio as an underlying current of video that I really love exploring The A-2 bomber jackets of World War II aviators tell stories. For instance, the jacket worn Captain Stephen M. Hoza was decorated with an elaborate painting of a black-and-brown bird cradling a large yellow bomb. Inside the jacket, Hoza, who served with in the 94th Bombardment Group of the Eighth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress unit in England and died in 2010, had sewn a religious icon. When I saw that, I realized that even captains prayed, says John Slemp, an Atlanta-based commercial photographer specializing in aviation imagery. Slemp, who is a PPD reader, came across Hozas jacket while working on a personal project. For the past several years, he has been locating vintage jackets worn by World War II aviators, which very often featured hand-painted images symbolizing missions flown, unit crests, enemy aircraft shot down, and more. The multitude of designs and colors created is mind-boggling, says Slemp. He ended up titling his project "Even Captains Prayed," reflecting the daunting odds against survival the aviators faced. Early on in the war (in 1942, on into 1943), there were no mission quotas to reach before one could go home, and casualties (killed, wounded, or captured) were as high as 70% in the Eighth Air Force flying out of England, he writes in his project statement. The painted jacket became much needed morale boosters. They gave the men an identity and bond common only to them, Slemp notes. The jacket of Captain Stephen M. Hoza Slemp, a U.S. Army veteran whose father was a career soldier, began thinking of photographing the jackets after seeing a series of pictures of vintage motorcycle jackets taken by photographer Dan Winters. They were beautifully photographed in a simple yet timeless manner on a white light box, shot from overhead with a 4x5 camera, he says. It occurred to me that this light box technique had never been used (to my knowledge) on WWII bomber jackets. Besides, I had always been interested in the art of the jackets, and thought it would be a good approach to recording the texture, color, and wear of the jackets. Today, vintage A-2 jackets are coveted by collectors, historians, and others. There are very passionate jacket nerds (my term) that can look at a jacket and tell you the maker and date it was manufactured, the thread count used, how the cut of the various jackets differ, and even who manufactured the zipper! Woe be to they that create a poor imitation and call it original, Slemp notes. He began locating jackets through friends at a local Experimental Aircraft Association chapter in Lawrenceville, Georgia, just outside Atlanta. Slemp then decided to email a few of his first photographs to Dorothy Cochrane, a curator at the Smithsonian Air & Space museum. I had no expectations, but 58 minutes later I received an email from their Aviation Clothing Collection curator, Dr. Alex Spencer, who mentioned that they had 15 jackets that might work for the projectand when could I be there? So, I was off and running, he recalls. He has since worked with a number of other institutions, as well as families of aviators who learned of his work through social media and veterans organizations. He has also added portraits and interviews with surviving World War II aviators. My original goal was to photograph 50 jackets, and to date, 123 have been photographed. Another road trip is planned this spring through the midwest to photograph a couple dozen more, he says. Jacket of Captain Everett Graves, B-24 Liberator Pilot Jacket of WWII Mustang Pilot Paul Crawford Jacket of B-26 Flight Engineer and Gunner Jack Nabors The setup Slemp uses to photograph the jackets is not, he notes, very complicated. He uses a piece of white 44 feet plexiglass lit by two strip lights placed on the floor beneath to isolate the jackets in a field of white. Two pieces of plywood support the plex at the top and bottom, with a small post placed in the center to prevent sagging. The surface of the jacket is lit using a Profoto Beauty Dish, with white fill cards on three sides, noted Pixsy recently. Slemp shoots the jackets from atop a six-foot ladder with a Phase One 645DF medium-format camera coupled with a Leaf Credo 60 digital back. The jackets are lightly stuffed (if allowed) with bubble wrap, so that they have a bit of form to them, notes Slemp. This also allows for more control of hot spots and gives the jackets a bit of depth. I generally shoot at f/16, and the files from the Leaf Credo back are simply gorgeous, not to mention their 350MB (16 bit) file size allows for large prints. Flight jacket of A.B. Clement, B-24 top gunner (front) Flight jacket of A.B. Clement, B-24 top gunner (back) The A-2 jacket of Bob Mitchell, Jr., who flew 38 combat missions The large file size was important to me, as was investing in the medium-format system, because a coffee-table book is planned, as are print sales, and perhaps a traveling exhibition too, says Slemp. See Slemps work at his website and at Instagram. Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier? Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News N Augusta Breaking News Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up! Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page. Just before midnight Tuesday, the Aiken Legislative Delegation took a step forward in the fight to keep the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam. The South Carolina House of Representatives passed a budget proviso that would prohibit the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control from using funds to approve the licensing, permitting, authorization or certification related to the new Savannah River Bluff Lock & Dam so as to maintain the current water level, according to an email from Rep. Bill Taylor, R-Aiken. Rep. Bill Hixon, R-North Augusta, said the delegation is trying to stop the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from tearing down or changing the Lock and Dam, saying North Augusta should remain "South Carolinas Riverfront, not South Carolinas creek front." +4 CSRA officials react to Savannah River drawdown The Savannah District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held a drawdown simulation of the "Our Legislative Delegation has supported the city from day one in our fight to maintain the river as an asset to the quality of life our residents enjoy," said North Augusta Mayor Bob Pettit. "This is a positive step in making sure the Corps of Engineers recognizes the State of South Carolina has an important role to play in the process to reach a final decision on the fate of the Savannah River pool between the cities of North Augusta and Augusta." Hixon and state Sen. Tom Young, R-Aiken, have met with the Corps and Gov. Henry McMaster regarding the issue, and Hixon said Tuesday, he and Young had a conference call with city leaders and staff members of both U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson. Hixon mentioned the drawdown simulation the Corps held in February and the results, which included boat docks with no water underneath and low water levels. All of our investment there with the ballpark and hotel and subdivisions along the river, no one wants to live like that, he said. Hixon said Graham is arranging a meeting with the head of the Corps of Engineers, and that a member of U.S. Sen. Tim Scotts staff was in North Augusta on Wednesday touring the river. Pettit said the city continues to be engaged with Graham, Scott and Wilson. "They saw what our riverfront will look like if the option selected by the Corps is constructed, and not a single one liked that outcome. We appreciate their support as they, and we, consider possible future actions," Pettit said. More action is coming that would complement Tuesdays proviso, as well, Hixon said. Our state is actively involved in this, he said. +2 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers addresses Lock and Dam situation at workshop Residents and leaders from both sides of the Savannah River had a chance to speak with the U Pettit said he hopes the united front of North Augusta, Aiken County and Augusta-Richmond County will cause the Corps to realize the rock weir is untenable. "The simulated drawdown surely must have caused the Corps to realize they badly underestimated the impact upon our communities. With all the expertise at its disposal, the Corps has to come up with a better idea," Pettit said. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is tasked with providing fish passage for sturgeon along the Savannah River, and have introduced a plan that, if approved, would replace the Lock and Dam with a fixed rock weir. The project is in the public comment stage now until April 16. Comments can be submitted on the Corps' website. Trend's exclusive interview with former President of Latvia, Co-Chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center Vaira Vike-Freiberga on the occasion of the 7th Global Baku Forum. Question: What are your expectations from the 7th Global Baku Forum to be held on March 14-16, 2019 in Baku? How do such platforms contribute to resolving problems and overcoming challenges on the international arena? Answer: Global Baku Forum is an international gathering that has been growing in size, impact and importance from year to year. Created and organized on the initiative of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and enjoying the unfailing support and high patronage of the President of Azerbaijan, His Excellency Ilham Aliyev, the Baku Forum is by now well established as a premier yearly meeting place for former and current world leaders, leading thinkers and intellectuals, political analysts and commentators, heads of leading international agencies, foundations, think tanks, non-governmental organizations and journalists. A special program for talented youth from many countries has also become an integral part of the Forum program. Each year the Baku Forum has chosen a central theme of topical and world-wide importance, and this year the topic will be A New Foreign Policy. The past few years have experienced unexpected major shifts in what had long been considered as the relatively stable balance of power and influence between major world powers, as well as the political equilibrium within different political forces in many countries. A number of significant shifts in foreign policy and international relations have become apparent, which are bound to have both direct and indirect influences on all other countries, large, medium and small. The Baku Forum this year, with a rich and varied program of 10 different panels on topics of crucial importance, will offer the opportunity for major international personalities to share their insights, knowledge and understanding of various aspects of the world situation, in an atmosphere of mutual respect, tolerance and frank exchange of differing views. The views heard and expressed there will get wide international attention and distribution and the name of Baku will ring out in the world with special prestige and distinction. As someone who has been with the Baku Forum ever since its creation, I have always been impressed by the very special atmosphere of excitement, intellectual stimulation, collegiality and friendship which prevails between all speakers and Forum participants. Both the many world-famous participants who are regulars in the Baku events and those who attend for the first time, are amazed by the brilliance of Baku as a great city, the cultural riches of Azerbaijan as a country, and carry its fame back to their part of the world. For the local participants, the Forum is an opportunity to serve as gracious hosts to the rest of the world, which they have always done in a way which was deeply appreciated by all foreign participants. Q.: In July 2018, the Trading House of Azerbaijan was opened in Riga, and Latvia plans to open its trading house in Azerbaijan. What are your expectations in this regard from the trade and economic relations between the two countries? Which new spheres seem to be more promising in terms of developing the bilateral cooperation? A.: Azerbaijan is an important partner for Latvia. Relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia are developing and there is huge potential for the further development of economic cooperation. We are glad that Azerbaijan decided to open the Trading House in Riga in 2018 to facilitate trade and economic ties with Latvia. We are interested in expanding our economic ties with Azerbaijan. Our ambition is to become a leading country for ICT in the region, and we have already taken significant steps towards this goal, including significant investment in the development of the information and communication technologies sector. The Government of Latvia has adopted the concept of a Data Driven Nation. Within this framework, we are inviting our partners to cooperate in the sectors such as bioeconomy, biomedicine, smart technology and smart energy. We see a good potential for our entrepreneurs and scientists to create excellent innovations in those areas. Latvia is also interested in working together with Azerbaijan on land transport connections between Asia, Central Asia, the Black Sea countries and Northern Europe. Q.: How can the two countries expand their mutual trade? What new products can Latvia import from Azerbaijan and export to the country? A.: Azerbaijan is an important partner of Latvia in the South Caucasus. Back when I visited Azerbaijan as President of Latvia, I strongly emphasized the clear commitment of our countries to work together. During my regular visits to Azerbaijan ever since that time, I have been happy to see how well the close cooperation between our states has continued. In June 2017 Latvia and Azerbaijan signed a declaration on strategic partnership, thereby raising our relationship to a new level of quality. In 2018, the Latvian-Azerbaijani trade volume reached 19.84 million euros, which is an increase of more than 20 percent in comparison to 2017. The main categories of export goods of Latvia to Azerbaijan currently are food products, construction and building materials, wood products, chemicals, pharmaceuticals. We are constantly encouraging entrepreneurs to look for new export markets and hope that more Latvian products ranging from excellent electronic equipment to cosmetics will be available for customers in Azerbaijan. We would be glad to see Azerbaijani fruits and vegetables in our supermarkets. In April 2019, an Azerbaijani business delegation will visit Latvia, aiming to increase Azerbaijans export to Latvia, for which the potential is definitely there. Q.: What steps should the two countries take to increase the bilateral investment flow? What sectors of the economy should investments be directed to? A.: Investment is an important part of every countrys economic development. Globalization has created investments in economies around the world. We already have examples of successful investment in the areas such as wholesale trade, transportation and consulting. Latvia is interested in mutually beneficial investment exchanges. Azerbaijani business has expressed interest in developing cooperation with Latvia in the food, pharmaceutical and industrial sectors and creating agricultural joint ventures. Latvia would welcome investments from Azerbaijan in Latvias ports and logistic centers. Q.: What are the ways to expand cooperation in tourism between Latvia and Azerbaijan? Tourism in the world today has become a major sector with direct impact on a countrys economy, where people-to-people contacts are of fundamental importance. A.: We are pleased that our capital cities are linked by direct air traffic. Latvian tourists appreciate Azerbaijani hospitality and ancient culture. Latvian tourists keep returning to Azerbaijan year after year. It is also exciting to see the growth trend of tourism flow from Azerbaijan to Latvia. According to statistics, 2,358 tourists from Azerbaijan visited Latvia in 2017. Medical tourism is a high benefit product and we see a good potential to develop cooperation in this area. https://www.aish.com/h/purim/t/Ilhan-Omar-the-Benjamins-and-Purim-Today.html The Purim storys warning of enemies who seek our destruction assumes such powerful relevance today. George Eliot is credited with saying, History repeats itself. Mark Twain sharply improved on it with his observation that history doesnt repeat itself but it does rhyme. No matter how much things may change, one constant always remains: the Hamans of the world, the Jew haters who seek to destroy, to murder and to bring to an end all Jews, from young to old, are somehow forever with us. It was foretold in the Torah. In the first battle against Amalek, prototype of the anti-Semite throughout the ages, we are informed that although the Jews won the fight, Joshua only weakened our enemy. Amalek survived. He continues to plague us in many disguises masks which have become part of Purim ritual to remind us that people often conceal their true intentions under the guise of noble goals even as they plot the genocide of our people. What happened in Shushan is the story of our people throughout the ages. It isnt just ancient Persia, the persecutions and the pogroms of the Middle Ages or even the Holocaust of the 20 th century. Tragically it is the story once again of our own times. Not only Persia/Iran but sophisticated France, cultured England, educated Europe and the rest of the civilized world are again proving the truth of Elie Wiesels insight that the only thing we have learned from history is that we do not learn anything from history. As we recall the Purim story once again, its warning of enemies who seek our destruction assumes such powerful relevance even here in the United States today. Let me remind you a little bit about the Jews in Persia of old. When King Achashverosh celebrated his ascent to the throne he threw a huge party to which all were invited. Jews were welcome guests. The drinking was in accord with peoples different faiths. In retrospect, a bill decrying hatred against any and all minority groups would almost certainly have passed in the Persian Congress. Yet it only took a short while for Haman to turn his strategy of genocide into national policy. What was the key to Hamans success? His speech is recorded in the Megillah: And Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people scattered and separate among the peoples throughout all the provinces of your kingdom, and their laws differ from [those of] every people, and they do not keep the king's laws; it is [therefore] of no use for the king to let them be (Book of Esther 3:8). The Jews have dual loyalty! That is their crime. Ilhan Omar didnt invent the brilliant lie. Its always been Amaleks secret weapon. Hitler knew it. Stalin knew it. Read the Torah on the way in which Pharaoh was able to turn the Egyptians against the Hebrews the same Egyptians who had been saved by the wisdom of Joseph and you will find the similar strategy: He said to his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more numerous and stronger than we are. Get ready, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they increase, and a war befall us, and they join our enemies and wage war against us and depart from the land (Exodus 2:9 10). Winston Churchill famously said, A lie gets halfway around the world before truth puts on its boots. The lie of Jewish dual loyalty is perpetuated by the Hamans of history even as Jews wherever they reside prove the truth of the promise given by God to Abraham that I will bless those who bless you. Purim, happily, is not merely the story of anti-Semitism; it is the biblical record of a major victory over a nefarious anti-Semite. And perhaps the most ironic part of the story is a truth made famous these past few weeks by a contemporary Jew hater. Ilhan Omar is right; Its all about the Benjamins. For Omar the Benjamins a reference to American hundred- dollar bills was her despicable insinuation that Jews, as the forged Protocols of the Elders of Zion long ago put it, control the world behind the scenes with their money. For the Book of Esther, the Benjamin was revealing to us at the outset that Mordechai was Ish Yemini, from the tribe of Benjamin. And why was that so significant? The rabbis explain that was the reason Mordechai was able to counter Hamans libel and to demonstrate to us throughout the ages how best to overcome our enemies. While others bowed down to Haman, Mordechai refused. It was a trait he inherited genetically. The rabbis tell us that when Jacob met with his brother Esau he bowed down to him. According to some commentaries, it was a sin for which he would be held accountable. And 11 of Jacobs sons bowed down as well. Only Benjamin, who was not yet born, did not bow. And so Mordechai, a direct descendent of Benjamin, maintained the tradition of his ancestor. Aware of the threat to their survival, Jews need to put aside their differences and unite in the face of a common enemy. The man who would not bow down to an enemy in humble submission is the one who encouraged Esther to similarly stand proudly and firmly, without embarrassment or fear, and speak up on behalf of our people. Who knows, he told her, if not for a time such as this have you been placed in this position of rulership. Mordechai and Esther are the heroes of the Purim story because they refused to cower before those who sought to destroy our people. They spoke out against their Haman with all of their strength. Its all about the Benjamins and those who refuse to remain silent when enemies again plot the final solution for Israel and for our people. Maybe it isnt a coincidence that all this is happening at the very time Jews around the world are celebrating Purim. History records not only the recurring story of anti-Semites and anti-Semitism. It also confirms the Divine intervention that has invariably assured our survival. And this miracle in the one biblical book in which Gods name isnt mentioned even once is a miracle we desperately need today: The miracle of Jews, aware of the threat to their survival, who put aside their differences, united in the face of a common enemy, and collectively recognize that it mustve been for a time such as this that we are given the opportunity to partner with God. Testifying before Congress today, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford said the Pentagons proposed 2020 budget will support an enduring presence of US troops in Iraq thats slightly less than the forces that are on the ground right now. Why it matters: The comments from Marine Gen. Dunford, the US militarys top officer, indicate the US plans to let Iraqi forces carry a larger load in the future as they clean up the remnants of the Islamic State (IS), which appears set to morph into an insurgency. But that doesnt appear to gel with President Donald Trumps remarks last month that the United States would keep troops at Iraqs Al Asad Air Base to watch Iran. Those comments sparked a firestorm in Iraq, where US troops are stationed at the invitation of the government in Baghdad. Dunford said in a prepared statement that the United States plans on leveraging a relatively small footprint of US forces to enable local partners throughout the world. Light footprint: While lawmakers honed in on questions about Trumps border wall and reported plans to start charging US allies for American troops and bases, Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said in written testimony that the Pentagon is preparing to slim down its troop presence in the Middle East. We have shifted our posture in key regions, taking initial steps to economize for sustainable missions in the Middle East and South Asia to prepare for the possible high-end fight of the future, the acting defense chief said. Experts have cited the recent deployed THAAD missile defense battery to Israel as an example of this model. The Pentagon calls that game plan dynamic force employment, deploying troops and assets in surprising places to keep Iran and other US adversaries guessing. Whats next: Dunford said the United States and Iraq will have to seek a new negotiation about the status of US troops in the country. US forces are currently there under the authority of the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, which covers the fight against terrorism, and Baghdad's request for US help countering IS (also known as ISIS) in 2014. As the Iraqi government settles and were prepared to enter into a conversation about what our reliable partnership will be moving forward, he said, then our secretary of state and secretary of defense will work out the exact numbers to meet the requirements that the Iraqi security forces will still have to ensure the lasting defeat of ISIS, which is still our collective focus. Know more: Read Pentagon correspondent Jack Detschs latest on the Defense Departments request to cut funds for the fight against IS. -Jack Detsch In an unusual development, a judge in Tehran has sentenced prominent and aging political activist Abolfazl Ghadyani to copy three books by hand while serving his prison term. The 74-year-old Ghadyani, who has been tortured and imprisoned both under the former shah and after the 1979 Revolution for his political activism, had been charged with insulting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and spreading propaganda against the establishment. Iranian media reported on March 11 that Ghadyani had been given a three-year prison term. Two days earlier, his son announced in a tweet that the veteran activist was additionally sentenced to copy by hand three books. They are "The Story of Winter," a memoir of Iran-Iraq war prisoners by Saeed Akef; "The Story of Sistan," a book by Reza Amirkhani about Khamenei's visit to a poor province; and a book on Khamenei's views on "knowing the enemy," which is presumably a collection of the leader's speeches on the issue. Akef and Amirkhani are both novelists and generally categorized by their peers and the public as strongly committed to the values of the Islamic Revolution, namely those close to the establishment's. Amirkhani, a top-selling successful writer and literary editor, has, however, in recent years distanced himself from the hard-line camp in the country. "The Story of Sistan," which is among his early works, is an account of a visit by Khamenei to the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan. Amirkhani, who accompanied the leader during the 10-day visit, registered his observations of the ayatollah's historic trip to the underprivileged province. The sentencing of an outspoken critic of Khamenei to copy by hand the entire texts of these three books appears to be designed to better familiarize him with the literature that serves the ideals and principles of the Islamic Revolution. But not all state organs are onboard with the punishment. Indeed, the unusual verdict has even been criticized by the Office for the Preservation and Propagation of the Works of Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, which publicly declared that "using works related to the Supreme Leader as punishment for a convict is tasteless." The criticism came after Amirkhani similarly denounced Ghadyanis sentence on his official Telegram channel (Ermia.ir) March 10. "First of all, books should not be read on the order of a judge. A book is read properly only when the reader chooses it of his/her own volition," the novelist wrote, adding, "If in the verdict, the book had been simply recommended for reading, I would not have bothered to criticize. but copying by hand?!" A convict's must-read book Iran has in recent years increasingly seen the phenomenon of judges issuing "alternative sentences" (ahkam-e jaygozin), presumably to help reduce the number of inmates in notoriously crowded prisons. While the unusual sentence against Ghadyani has stirred loud criticism, there was recently a similar incident in the holy city of Qom, where a judge sentenced a university student to study "On Highs and Lows of Our Time" ("Az Sard va Garm-e Rouzegar") an autobiography by prominent dissident journalist Ahmad Zeidabadi. The student had been charged with buying and selling long-range two-way radio sets online, for which he received a 30-day jail term. But Judge Mohammad Javad Rahsepar suspended the sentence and ordered the unnamed student of electrical and telecommunications engineering to instead buy and study Zeidabadi's popular autobiography. Following the nationwide protests in the aftermath of the disputed 2009 presidential elections in Iran, Zeidabadi and scores of other Reformist journalists and activists were arrested and spent years behind bars. A winner of numerous awards in journalism, Zeidabadi who has also been barred from political activism for life assessed the verdict rather positively in a post on his Telegram channel March 1. "Some friends have urged me to express my views or at least my feelings about the recent verdict by a judge in Qom that has been widely commented on in social media. The fact is that the incident has just very little to do with me and has a lot to do with the judge who has issued the sentence," Zeidabadi wrote. He further added, "It is, however, clear to me that the judge has issued the verdict out of goodwill, and out of his interest in 'On Highs and Lows of Our Time,' possibly to attract the attention of a generation that is hurriedly seeking easy and offbeat shortcuts to achieve its goals to the fact that life requires incessant efforts, strong motivation and a firm willpower to fight various problems." In Iran, which has a population of over 82 million, book printings commonly fall within the range of 2,000 to 5,000 copies. Could this apparent new tendency among judges to define a punitive function for literature positively impact the country's struggling publishing industry? President Hassan Rouhani became the first sitting Iranian president to meet with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the most senior Iraqi Shiite leader, when he visited the holy city of Najaf on March 14. The meeting took place on the final day of his three-day tour of Iraq. The historic meeting received widespread coverage by Iranian newspapers and was well received by both conservative and Reformist media. Hard-line and conservative outlets alike hailed Rouhani's cooperation with Iraq which shares political, religious and cultural ties with Iran rather than Europe or the United States. The hard-line Kayhan reported that Rouhani's trip "had a clear message to those who sanction" Iran. The message, according to Kayhan, was that "no one is capable of economically blockading a powerful country like the Islamic Republic of Iran." The headline: "America's anger with the president's productive trip to Iraq." It also compared President Donald Trump's secret visit to Iraq, in which he did not meet with Iraqi officials, to Rouhani's tour, in which he met with a broad range of Iraqi figures. Reformist media outlets praised Rouhani's ability to strengthen ties with a neighboring state. Etemad Daily covered the meeting above the fold, with a picture of Sistani facing Rouhani and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, with the headline in large print, Meeting in Najaf. Also at the meeting was Mahmoud Vaezi, the presidents chief of staff. The photos of the meeting and the president walking up the alleyway to meet Sistani quickly went viral on social media. Reformist Arman Daily also covered the meeting on the front page, with the same picture and the headline, Meeting of the moderate president with a moderate marja. The headline can be taken as a rebuke of some reactionary clerics who have been opponents of the president. The Arman article stated, Ayatollah Sistani, because of the character and position he has, invites few people to visit with him. The article continued that Sistani and Rouhanis moderate views regionally and internationally played a large part in securing the meeting. A number of articles, including an interview with Hujjat al-Islam Mohsen Gharavian, stated that Sistanis meeting confirmed the presidents moderate policies both politically and religiously, at home and abroad. Given Sistanis role in unifying Iraq, the article stated that he can play a significant role in improving Tehran-Baghdad ties. Mohammad Taghi Moybedi, a member of the Assembly of Qom Seminary Scholars and Researchers, told Arman, The position of Rouhani compared to others who had wanted to meet with Sistani is that Rouhani is a cleric, indirectly addressing reports that former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was believed to have sought a meeting with Sistani but was rebuked. On regional issues, Moybedi added, At a critical situation when Saudi Arabia is trying to create distance between Iraq and Iran, the meeting was a necessity. Sistani is wise and determined that a meeting could neutralize the enemys plans. A number of analysts, including Gharavian, also stated that the meeting with Sistani was an indirect message to Saudi Arabia that Iran-Iraq ties would remain strong. According to a statement released by Sistanis office, Rouhani informed Sistani of the results of the negotiations with Iraqi officials and agreements in expanding ties. According to the president, Iran seeks to expand trade from $12 billion to $20 billion a year. Sistani also welcomed steps to increase and strengthen relations between Iraq and its neighbors, the mutual interests of both countries and respect for governments and non-interference in each others domestic affairs. According to the statement, Sistani also thanked the friends of Iraq in helping fight the Islamic State, which took over large parts of Iraq in June 2014. The Islamic Republic of Iran was one of the first countries to provide assistance and arms to both the central government in Iraq and also Kurdish forces. On Iraqs biggest challenges moving forward, Sistani counted corruption, improving public services and keeping arms only in the hands of state bodies. Hassan Rouhanis state visit to Iraq was a success for the Iranian president. In terms of political and economic cooperation, multiple memorandums of understanding were signed to facilitate commerce, investment, logistical connections as well as travel between the two neighbors. Additionally, an important joint declaration has spelled out mutual commitment to implementing the 1975 Algiers Agreement and related annexes, which deal with sensitive and festering issues such as border demarcation. These are major strides for Rouhani. However, the crowning achievement was his unprecedented March 13 audience with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf the first time that a sitting Iranian president has met with the top cleric. Sistani welcomed any step to strengthen relations between Iraq and its neighbors as per mutual interests and on the basis of respecting the sovereignty of states and non-intervention in internal affairs." He also "expressed the necessity for balanced and moderate regional and international policies in this region to avoid further tragedies and damage." To understand the significance of this meeting, it is necessary to consider Sistanis influence in Iran. Last year, there were reportedly 110,000 seminary students in Iran, mainly concentrated in the holy city of Qom. According to Sistanis office, 49,000 students at 300 seminaries in Iran received stipends from the grand ayatollah in 2013: 35,000 of them in Qom, 10,000 in Mashhad and 4,000 in Isfahan. Of note, many seminary students receive stipends from multiple clerical authorities. Moreover, there are students in Iran who receive no stipends at all. As such, it can be reasonably assumed that a significant proportion of Iranian seminary students receive direct funding from Sistani, who although long based in Iraq is an Iranian national. These networks have the capacity to be of major influence in Iran, where the prevailing Guardianship of the Jurist system despite only demanding political and not religious allegiance from the public relies on religious legitimacy. Shiite Muslims tend to follow religious authorities for guidance on how to lead their lives in accordance with the faith. These senior jurists are referred to as maraji al-taqlid ("sources of emulation"). To fund charity and scholarship, they collect khums a 20% wealth tax as well as donations from believers. While there are no official statistics on how many followers each marja has, one groundbreaking study sheds some light on this topic. A team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology surveyed thousands of Iranian and Iraqi pilgrims who attended the Arbaeen pilgrimage in 2015. The annual event attracts millions of pilgrims. Those Iranians who make the trip to Iraq should not be construed as representing the average Iranian. Yet it is useful to consider that the distribution of Reformists vis-a-vis conservatives among Iranian respondents was more or less equal. Moreover, 19% of Iranian respondents were from Tehran, 12.2% from Isfahan and 11.28% from Qom; the respective figures for Irans population are 16.2%, 6.5% and 1.53%. Just over 60% of surveyed Iranian pilgrims said they emulate Khamenei, 20% followed Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi and 15% followed Sistani; 80% of Iraqis said they emulate Sistani. But when it comes to paying khums being mindful that around half of interviewees declined to respond only 22% of the Iranians said they pay it to Khamenei while the figure was 9% for Makarem Shirazi. In contrast, 11% of Iranian respondents said they pay their khums to Sistani, while 46% of surveyed Iraqis paid the wealth tax to him. What does this data tell us? There are of course many dimensions to consider including the consideration that religious pilgrims do not represent the broader public, particularly in Iran. Yet four broad assumptions can reasonably be drawn: Sistani has a sizable and committed following in Iran. If one wants to successfully govern Iraq, one needs Sistanis blessing. If one wants to successfully operate in Iraq, one needs Sistanis blessing. Taking into account Sistanis rejection of theocracy, his blessing can also be paramount at times when it is expedient to win over the Iranian middle class and other strata of society who tend to be less wedded to the concept of the Guardianship of the Jurist. Indeed, there is a plethora of empirical data to provide evidence for all of the above. Whether it is the government in Baghdad or even US and Iranian authorities, each has learned and accepted the necessity of avoiding opposition from the supreme religious authority in Najaf. Sistanis paramount (and extra-constitutional) influence in Iraqi politics has been evident whether with reference to his call for participation in the electoral process in the aftermath of the US-led invasion, his views on prime ministers or even the fight against Islamic State. This influence has extended to Iranian politics, where various factions have vied for his support to boost their standing and political capital at home particularly at times of crisis. For instance, Sistani declined to meet with conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2005-13) during his visits to Iraq including in 2008, the first such trip by an Iranian president. In contrast, former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a senior moderate politician who was long the patron of Rouhani, secured an audience with Sistani when he visited Iraq in March 2009. In the summer that same year, various factions in Tehran sought to convince the grand ayatollah to back them as the Islamic Republic was mired in its worst internal turmoil since the 1979 revolution in the aftermath of the disputed re-election of Ahmadinejad. In one leaked US State Department cable, a figure close to Sistani claimed that the top cleric said he had received letters from all the main parties in the factional conflict in Iran "asking me to say what they like." Sistani ultimately remained neutral, likely partly motivated by a desire to avoid potential spillover from such a posture. Sistanis careful preference for pro-reform forces in Iran is also seen in his close relationship with Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who has since taking office in 2013 been granted several audiences with the supreme religious authority. In his first visit as foreign minister, Sistani, according to one source, said to Zarif, I have read most of your book Mr. Ambassador, and I value your experience and consider you deserving of your position as the foreign minister. Iraq was notably Zarifs first destination after being named chief diplomat. In another sign of Najafs influence in Iranian politics, it should not be ignored that one of the most well-connected and powerful figures in Iran is Sistanis personal representative, Ayatollah Jawad Shahristani. Whether it came to negotiations over who would lead the government in Baghdad or popular mobilization in the fight against the Islamic State, Shahristani has played a paramount role with access to the top leadership in Iran that is probably beyond the reach of most Iranian Cabinet members. The influence that facilitates these powerful action channels stems partly from the complexities of familial (and political) ties: Shahristani is a son-in-law of Sistani; Shahristani also is father-in-law of Ali Khomeini, a grandson of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini the founder of the Islamic Republic. Against this backdrop, the supreme religious authoritys decision to grant Rouhani and Zarif an audience informs Iraqi leaders that they must engage with the Rouhani administration, even if they rely on support from rival centers of power in Tehran, such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Moreover, Rouhanis achievements this week ought to have made it clear to the Trump administration and its Arab allies that Iran will neither abandon nor be kicked out of Iraq, although this should not be interpreted as Baghdad siding with Tehran over Washington. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the meeting between Rouhani and Sistani has provided the Iranian president with a much-needed injection of political capital at a time of crisis at home. Indeed, Rouhani has faced relentless sniping from his hard-line foes, who have been revitalized by the Trump administrations withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. While Rouhanis trip to Iraq was not planned overnight, his agenda was likely impacted by present power dynamics in Tehran and Sistanis apparent preference for moderation and reform in Iran. This point has not been lost on rivals of the Iranian president, as seen in the initially highly polarized domestic coverage of his audience with Sistani. Thus, as Rouhani and Zarif maneuver to reassert their authority over the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic, there are several indicators to look for when it comes to their command of the regional files. These include the potential of a visit to Syria in the near future, which would also be a first for Rouhani as president. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani concluded his three-day trip to Iraq, departing from Najaf airport on the evening of March 13. On his last day, he met with Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. During the meeting, Sistani highlighted the importance of respecting Iraqi sovereignty. Iraq faces three important challenges: fighting corruption, improving services and keeping weapons in the hands of the state, Sistani told Rouhani, according to a statement issued by Sistani's office. Sistani welcomed any steps to strengthen Iraqs relations with its neighbors, but affirmed that they should be based on respect for the sovereignty of the countries with no interference in domestic affairs. Sistani also stressed the necessity of adopting moderate regional and international policies in this sensitive region to avoid disasters for its nations, referring to the escalating hostility between Iran and Saudi Arabia that shakes the region at times. This is the first time that Sistani has met with an Iranian president. He is known for having a good relationship with Iranian Reformists, and met with prominent Reformist leader Hashemi Rafsanjani in 2009. He also met several times with the current Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif. However, Sistani has kept a clear distance from Iran's hard-liners. He refused to meet with former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during his trips to Iraq in 2008 and 2013. In addition, he refused to meet with Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, former chairman of the Iranian Expediency Council, who was sent to Najaf as a special envoy of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Sistani has long been rejecting Iranian interference in Iraq, stressing the importance of a civil state in Iraq based on a transparent democratic process. He also rejected on several occasions any foreign interference in the Middle East, whether from regional forces or international powers. He has highlighted the great sacrifices that Iraqis offered to their country and the region in the war against the Islamic State. On his recent trip, Rouhani also met with Shiite Grand Ayatollahs Muhammad Saeed al-Hakim, Mohammad Ishaq al-Fayyad and Bashir al-Najafi. In addition, Rouhani met dozens of Shiite tribal leaders in Karbala. The Iranian foreign minister also met Shiite tribal leaders during his visit to Iraq in January. Iran is trying to expand its influence in Iraq outside of the state to preserve its interests in Iraq. Rouhani's trip brought great benefits to Iran at a time that its economy suffers significantly from US sanctions. The final joint statement of the two countries highlights what was agreed, including waiving visa fees between the two countries from April onward, expressing agreement on the 1975 Algiers Agreement, dredging Shatt al-Arab, connecting the railway system between both countries in order to secure Irans connection to Syria via Iraq and several other economic agreements. Iran also received $200 million from Iraq for part of its debt to Iran for the import of electricity and gas. Millions of Iranians visit Iraq annually to make a pilgrimage to the Shiite holy shrines in Karbala, Najaf, Kadhimain and Samarra. Iraq will lose roughly $250 million for waiving visa fees. Yet as Rouhanis extensive meetings showcased Tehrans push to court various Iraqi segments, Washington was quick to denounce the visit. US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook slammed Rouhanis visit to Iraq, questioning the motive of the visit. When President Rouhani comes to Iraq, you have to question the motive, Hook said in an interview with US-based Arabic channel Al-Hurra. What Iran would ultimately like to see happen is Iraq turn into a province of Iran so that they can create a military highway across the northern Middle East that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps can use to ferry missiles and weapons. Hook threatened that the United States will sanction any sanctionable behavior, adding that the United States has made an exception for Iraq to import electricity and gas from Iran for a short time. In his recent visit to Iraq, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed Iraqs energy independence, as the Donald Trump administration strategy to counter Iranian influence in Iraq. Yet Iraqi officials say Washingtons hardline anti-Iran stance has upped the pressure on Baghdad. Raid Fahmi the leader of Iraqs largest parliamentary bloc, Sairoon, and former minister of science and technology said Iraq is under great pressure from the United States to abide by sanctions against Iran, but Iraq refuses to join any camp against another. Iraq wants to preserve a good relationship with all parties, especially its neighbors. Referencing this US policy and sanctions on Tehran in a TV interview, he lamented that the repercussions of this situation dont just impact Iran, they also impact Iraq. The recent developments of Iran-Iraq ties indicate that the US strategy to counter Iran in Iraq has not been successful. The main reason behind the failure of the US strategy is that Iraq heavily relies on Iran for most of its imported electricity, gas and food. While the United States has sent delegations from major energy companies to discuss means of increasing electricity production, potential steps couldnt match the amount imported from Iran. Moreover, these initiatives haven't moved toward practical efforts that actually respond to Iraq's needs. In addition, the political stability of Iraq is dependent on Iran. Iranian influence on most of the Iraqi political parties helps Iraqis to resolve their disputes and work together. Almost all Iraqi governments after 2003 were formed with Iran's political assistance and intermediation. In fact, the United States has not offered alternative support to Iraq to encourage and enable it to distance itself from Iran, which has exploited this vacuum to expand its influence significantly in Iraq. In an interview with Iraq's Al-Ahd TV channel, prominent Iranian diplomat Amir Mousavi said that Rouhani's visit signified a dramatic transformation in Iran-Iraq relations, as the economic and security relations between the two countries has become a strategic comprehensive relationship. Finally, the question remains whether Iraq will be able to avoid a clash with the United States and other rivals of Iran in the region, such as Saudi Arabia and Jordan, by seeking to expand economic cooperation with them as well. ERBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan It has been nearly a year and a half since the Iraqi Kurds held their referendum on independence. The fallout from the referendum, which faced stiff opposition from Baghdad, the United States, Turkey and Iran, has been devastating. Iraqi forces have driven Kurdish forces out of the disputed territories, most notably the oil-rich province of Kirkuk. The Iraqi Kurds have yet to form a regional government since the September parliamentary elections, but they have reached an informal agreement to make Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani the new president of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, replacing his uncle Massoud Barzani, who stepped down after the referendum. Relations with Baghdad, Turkey and Iran are beginning to thaw, but problems remain. Meanwhile, the future of the Kurds in Syria hangs in the balance as the United States continues to flip flop on its Syria policy. Al-Monitor spoke with Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani at his headquarters in Erbil on a wide range of domestic and regional issues. The following is a transcript of the interview, edited for clarity. Al-Monitor: My first question is, after this turbulent period during and in the aftermath of the September 2017 referendum on Kurdish independence, how are your relations with Baghdad? Have you been able to overcome some of your differences and establish a good working relationship with the government in Baghdad? Barzani: To be sure, we went through a difficult patch following the referendum. It was probably one of the toughest periods that we experienced since 1991. But we were able to resolve some of our problems with the former government, with former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, such as lifting the embargo on our airspace and the closure of the airports. And we had the opportunity to participate in the Iraqi national elections. We had substantial success as the Kurdish bloc, but the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) is the No. 1 party in terms of seats in the Iraqi parliament. Obviously, this outcome proved that the political situation in Kurdistan and the contribution of the political parties in Kurdistan is still important to Iraq. And particularly those who were banking on the assumption that the KDP would be marginalized were proven wrong. The KDP clearly remains a power to be reckoned with. We have also participated in the formation of the government in Baghdad and we are active in the government. We see a willingness on the part of the present Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi to be more approachable. But the fact remains that the system in Iraq does not revolve around a single individual. There are many other actors and elements. But I can say wholeheartedly that the relationship that we currently enjoy with Baghdad is far better than it used to be. Al-Monitor: Could you give us any examples? Barzani: We suffered and went through four difficult years. We were stuck in a deep, long, dark tunnel. Now we see light at the end of the tunnel. We have been able to strike a compromise on the budget. It may not be the exact outcome that we desired, but we have come to some understanding. Al-Monitor: So are you getting your 17% share of the budget as was originally agreed upon? Barzani: Look, the budget issue became highly politicized and kind of a stumbling block for the [Iraqi] prime minister to get hung up on 17% or any percent for that matter. Thats why we negotiated something that could work for both sides. We had to be pragmatic. This is a cooling down period with Baghdad. But that is not to say all of our problems are resolved. This is a temporary formula that allows us to address the problem of unpaid salaries of government employees. The salary issue has at least been fixed. We will have a whole year to discuss all the details of the budget before the draft national budget for the next fiscal year is drawn up. We want to avoid quarrels. Al-Monitor: With salaries being paid, the economy must be picking up then? Barzani: Yes, God be praised the economy is improving. You can feel it when you go downtown, to the bazaar. Some of the infrastructure and other projects that were stalled due to the financial crisis have resumed. We owed money to many private companies and private sector banks. We have started paying them back. This is all good news. We have agreed on the customs fees with Baghdad. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is harmonizing customs fees with the central government. Al-Monitor: Does this apply to the Khabur border crossing with Turkey as well? Barzani: Yes, everywhere. We are all Iraqis and the border problem has been solved. There were many checkpoints between the borders of KRG territory and those of the central government territory. Now they removed these checkpoints and by removing these checkpoints they facilitated trade. Al-Monitor: When you speak about the boundaries of KRG territory, those have changed since the referendum. Iraqi forces have moved into all of the disputed territories, including Kirkuk. Can we talk about the current status of these disputed territories? Now what? Barzani: The term is quite clear: disputed territory. This means it does not fully belong to them. Who controls these territories is a different matter. But this does not alter the fact that they remain in dispute. When I spoke to Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, I told him that if we are to have a stable Iraq and resolve our differences, the two key issues that need to be addressed are the revenue sharing arrangements between Baghdad and the KRG, and the disputed territories. Of course, there are other problems, but we need to concentrate on these first. Al-Monitor: As president of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, will that be one of your priorities? Barzani: Absolutely. I travel to Baghdad constantly and I was there only two weeks ago. Al-Monitor: Can we say you are the person that is now running that relationship? Barzani: Yes, of course. Solving these two issues will be one of my top priorities as president. You mentioned Kirkuk. If we have a revenue sharing agreement and the KRG gets its fair share, the matter of which part of Kirkuk belongs to whom will automatically be clarified. Al-Monitor: Do you still believe that Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution, which calls for a referendum on the disputed territories, needs to be implemented? Barzani: Yes, of course. Al-Monitor: Does the Iraqi prime minister understand that? Barzani: Look, there is no other politician in Iraq who understands, who fully absorbs the Kurdish issue as well as Mahdi does. Al-Monitor: Why is that? Barzani: Because hes been with us for many years. Hes been with us since the 1980s. He was a warrior, part of the opposition, alongside us. We cooperated with his fellow fighters. Ive known him since I was a kid. Hes a friend and hes willing to address our problems and we sincerely hope that he will continue to do so. Al-Monitor: But you also said that the system in Iraq does not center on individuals, that there is a system. Iran appears to figure prominently in that system. Iran is a very influential player in Iraq, would you agree? Barzani: For sure Iran has an important role in Iraq. Relations between Iran and Iraq cannot be reduced to simple bilateral ties. Iran and Iraq have a very long common border. Relations between the two countries are complex and multilayered. There are religious dynamics, social dynamics and trade. Around 45% of Iraqs electricity comes from Iran. Trade between Iran and Iraq is about $11 billion. Al-Monitor: What do you do when the president of the United States tells you to stop that trade? Doesnt that place you in a very awkward position? Is the KRG formulating its own policy on this or is it coordinating with Baghdad? Barzani: There is a great deal of cooperation with Baghdad on this issue. Baghdad says there needs to be certain exemptions on certain items, for instance on the electrical supply and the natural gas that is purchased from Iran. The formula for this is that payments for these services should be made in Iraqi dinars rather than in dollars. Iran has agreed to this formula. And we consider the decisions made by Baghdad to be binding in this regard. Al-Monitor: How are the Americans reacting? And how much does their reaction matter, given the deep bitterness felt by the KRG over Washingtons perceived failure to prevent Iraqi forces from moving into the disputed territories after the referendum? Barzani: The whole issue of our differences over the referendum is behind us now. We cannot look at this from just one side, from solely our side. They were also clear about their position, that they did not support the referendum. As far as US sanctions are concerned, we will simply comply with whatever decisions are made between Washington and Baghdad. Full stop. Al-Monitor: Your other big, important neighbor is Turkey and they too were fiercely opposed to the referendum. How are your relations with Ankara? Barzani: If you consider the period during and after the referendum, there were several critical levers Turkey could have used against us and we are deeply grateful that they chose not to. They neither sealed our borders nor turned off the pipeline that carries our oil to export terminals in Turkey. Relations are now good between us, they have improved. Al-Monitor: Turkey seems to be much more active militarily here now, attacking the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) with airstrikes and causing civilian deaths. There have been loud protests against Turkey by the local population because of this. You seem to be stuck in this perennial position of being caught between Turkey and the PKK. As future president, are you interested in trying to help revive peace talks between Turkey and the PKK? Barzani: Just a reminder, I was present at the inauguration ceremony last year of [Turkish] President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. And that was the first step in our post-referendum thaw. I have always said this very openly and explicitly, the PKK is providing the pretext for Turkish intervention. We cannot accept that the Kurdistan region is used as a safe haven for such groups to operate against our neighbors. So we need to recognize Turkeys legitimate security concerns. However, this situation has persisted for quite some time. It's clear that a purely military solution will not provide a lasting solution. At the end of the day, there needs to be dialogue. In the past we were able to talk Mr. Erdogan, both when he was prime minister and now the president, to help create an atmosphere that would allow the peace process, for dialogue to start. We also convinced the other side [the PKK] that peace and dialogue were the only realistic ways forward. Al-Monitor: And you continue to believe that dialogue, peace talks have to happen with this group, the PKK? Because President Erdogan appears to have ruled out any further talks with them and talks of engaging with other non-terrorist Kurds. Barzani: If the aim is to resolve this issue fully, this groups need to be engaged. Al-Monitor: And should the imprisoned PKK leader, Abdullah Ocalan, be part of that? Barzani: Without question. He should be one of the key interlocutors. Al-Monitor: But in the meantime the Americans are trying, supposedly, to separate the PKK from their partners in Syria, the Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) and its political arm, the Democratic Union Party (PYD). They are trying to get both of these Syrian Kurdish groups to disavow and sever all ties with the PKK leadership in the Qandil Mountains and to persuade the Turks that they can get along with the Kurds in Syria and all live together happily ever after. Is this realistic? Barzani: I dont believe so. The Kurdish forces currently dominating northeastern Syria have strong links and ties with the PKK and all their instructions, orders are being given by Qandil. Al-Monitor: We are hearing that the Americans have sought your support in separating the YPG from Qandil. Is that true? Barzani: No. But the Americans have asked us to encourage these groups to develop positive ties with Turkey. Al-Monitor: What is your advice to the Syrian Kurds? Should they be talking to the Syrian regime? Barzani: I believe the Kurds of Syria should try to find a solution within the framework of a united Syria. They should be engaging in dialogue and negotiations with the regime. Al-Monitor: They should ignore the Americans who are telling them not to do that? Barzani: It's not a matter of ignoring the Americans. The Americans said their presence in Syria was related to defeating the Islamic State. That was the original purpose for their intervention. The reality is that the regime is still there and that the Kurds of Syria should be talking with the regime in order to gain certain rights. Al-Monitor: Is President Bashar al-Assad prepared to give them any rights? The PYD and YPG leaders I spoke to say no. Barzani: Currently the regime feels that it has the upper hand, but the reality is that there is still a lot of instability in Syria. The minute the government regains sovereignty over all of Syria there will be more stability and the regime will feel confident enough to give the Kurds their rights. The regime will need to deal with the reality that the Kurds are there, that they exist and they have power, they control territories and they have to find the way to solve their problems with the Kurds. Al-Monitor: Given the level of distrust between the sides, who can be the guarantor of any deal between the Kurds and the regime? Is there a role for you to play? Barzani: For us to a lesser extent, we are ready to step up to the plate. But this role can be played even more effectively by the Russians. It's important for all of us to have a stable neighbor such as Syria, but it's especially important for Russia. They are very clear on this point. Their strategy is geared toward securing a stable Syria. They can be key players in negotiating a settlement between the Kurds and the regime. Al-Monitor: The Russians are becoming rather influential players here in Iraqi Kurdistan, as well with Rosneft buying a majority stake in the oil pipeline to Turkey. Barzani: In economic terms, we do enjoy good relations with the Russians and they have invested a substantial sum of money here and they will continue to do so, OK? We are in the process of expanding ties. Al-Monitor: And the Americans arent upset? Barzani: Our ties with Russia are in the private sector. They are ready to invest and it's of benefit to us. Al-Monitor: Getting back to Syria, some of the Kurdish officials I spoke to in Syria agreed with you, saying their relationship with the Americans had been beneficial, but that, at this point, the benefits were beginning to be outweighed by the costs. Barzani: Yes, the problem derives from the fact that the United States has never been very clear about its strategy, its policy in Syria. And this is why the Kurds will probably not wait for too long and they recognize the American presence for what it is, a temporary one. Al-Monitor: The fear, though, is that once the Americans pull out, Turkey will intervene militarily against the YPG in Syria. This may have consequences for the KRG, too, with a fresh influx of Syrian Kurdish refugees fleeing Turkish forces. Barzani: Turkeys security concerns are legitimate and need to be taken very seriously. But having a large Turkish military presence in that region will not provide any solutions. I believe our Kurdish brothers in Syria have behaved negatively toward Turkey. If you look at the background, at the start, Turkish policy was not anti-Kurd in Syria. Their concern was about the PKK and, sadly, our Kurdish brothers in Syria did not hesitate to provoke Turkey on this particular issue. The Turks were prepared to open the border crossing with the PYD, but on the sole condition that they remove the PKK flag, that was back in 2014. And get this, even when we, the KRG, were not enjoying good relations with the PYD [and its former co-chair] Saleh Muslim, the Turks offered to mediate between us and the PYD to improve our ties. And I told them I cannot participate in any such meeting and that I would send [senior KDP official and current Iraqi finance minister] Fuad Hussein instead. In response they did the opposite and went to every extreme to provoke the Turks. For Turkey it's a national security issue and how can they tolerate nearly their entire border to be controlled by the PKK? We need to hear both sides. Al-Monitor: Finally, when are we going to see a government being formed in the KRG? What is holding this up still? Barzani: We are in intense talks with the [main opposition] Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and at the same time negotiating with [the opposition Change movement] Gorran. But the death of [former PUK and Iraqi president] Jalal Talabani has complicated things within the PUK. There are now many different factions within the PUK and we are having to negotiate with all of them and this is clearly a problem. But we have agreed on a framework of how to work together. The fight now is within the PUK over who gets what position. They feel the KDP has given Gorran too much and that they deserve more. Of course, the PUK will remain as a partner and we are pretty confident that we will soon be forming a government. Al-Monitor: Can we say, though, that at the end of the day, your uncle Massoud Barzani [former president of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and current president of the KDP] remains the real boss? Barzani: Of course! He is the one person who cannot be removed from the scene! By Trend Azerbaijan believes that the latest statement by the OSCE Minsk Group is addressed namely to Armenia, said Hikmet Hajiyev, head of the foreign policy department of the presidential administration of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Trend reports March 14. He said that some of the opinions in the latest statement by the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs also reflect the position of Azerbaijan. The statement once again clearly states that putting forward any conditions on the negotiation process or such attempts as changing the format of negotiations are unacceptable, and the negotiations should be continued in the existing format, Hajiyev noted. Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said Feb. 26 that Iraq had received 250 Iraqi Islamic State (IS) fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). He further stated that Iraq intends to try them according to the local Iraqi laws. On Feb. 24, the media wing of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense justified the agreement with the SDF, stating that by receiving the detainees, Iraq has guaranteed that the SDF will not be able to release them. In addition to the 250 Iraqi IS fighters, Iraq also received 30 foreign fighters and 500 additional Iraqi detainees from the SDF. Iraqi President Barham Salih announced Feb. 25 that Iraq will also try 13 French IS fighters who were arrested in Syria. Salih did not rule out the possibility of the death penalty. According to Human Rights Watch, this marks "the first transfer of foreign [IS] suspects to be publicly recognized by the Iraqi government, and also comes after many European governments have refused to bring home and prosecute their nationals who joined [IS]." Iraqi officials have repeatedly tried to justify to the public their motives for accepting IS fighters. Yet public skepticism and fear of returning fighters in Iraq is high, as many Iraqis especially minority sects who were victims of IS terrorism fear Iraq will become a safe haven for IS fighters. On March 1, a special Yazidi committee called for investigations into the detained IS fighters, seeking information about their countries of origin in order to request compensation from those countries. Parliamentarian Rehan Ayoub, a Christian, said, Iraq will not be a new home for foreign IS fighters. Many Iraqis fear that the fighters will escape from prison, as happened in 2013 at Abu Ghraib. Popular pressure on Iraqi officials regarding the fate of the IS fighters has intensified, prompting Chief Justice Faiq Zaidan to meet with judges who specialize in counterterrorism on Feb. 28. They discussed the measures to be adopted when dealing with individuals accused of terrorism who have been deported from Syria to Iraq. Head of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service, Mustafa Kadhimi, also discussed the issue of detained IS fighters with Zaidan. Former judge Ali al-Tamimi told Al-Monitor that, according to the Supreme Judicial Council, Iraq will try IS members depending on the location of the crime or territorial jurisdiction, in compliance with Article 53 of the code of criminal procedure. Article 53 states that if a crime is committed partially or entirely in Iraq by a citizen or a foreigner, Iraqi law applies to it, even if the crime is committed abroad Syria, in this case as long as it has effects on Iraqi security. He continued, In case the foreign criminals are not terrorists and did not commit a crime in Iraq, their trial would not be within Iraqi jurisdiction. As for those who committed terrorism, which is what applies to IS members, even if they are foreigners, they would be tried in Iraq because their crimes committed abroad have had effects on the sovereignty and security of Iraq and its citizens. National Wisdom Movement parliamentarian Abbas Srout told Al-Monitor, There is a distinction between the Iraqi authorities accepting and trying IS members and the authorities letting IS members take Iraq as a refuge. He said, Iraqis categorically refuse turning their country into another Guantanamo or a home for terrorists and their families. Fatah parliamentarian Fadel Jaber told Al-Monitor that he expects "a quick trial for IS members. He said, The Iraqi people refuse turning their country into a temporary detention center for the involved states. Even though Iraqi authorities have affirmed their commitment to give the accused IS fighters a fair trial, Human Rights Watch expressed concern. The group stated that the detainees are at risk of torture and unfair trials in Iraq. Ali al-Bayati, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told Al-Monitor, These members are linked to dangerous gangs that destroyed people and places. Demanding a fair trial for them is not only asked of Iraq but of other democratic countries. The crimes of IS members were not personal but linked to organizations, external funding and arms, and international coordination," he said. "This is why they are considered international crimes. Yet Iraq has not signed the Rome treaty." Bayati said there are two options for the detainees. "The first is to try them individually based on the Iraqi penal code. It would be practical, yet the parties that supported and funded them would not be held responsible. The second option would be establishing a special Iraqi tribunal, supported by the international community, which would investigate the crimes of IS. It would try IS, reveal facts and have international trial competence. Different countries have to finance this tribunal and the expenses of keeping IS members and their families in Iraq. Fatah parliamentarian Hanin Qado told Al-Monitor, "The Iraqi government intends to revoke citizenship for any Iraqi citizen who was involved with IS," though "different Iraqi political parties are still debating this idea." It is clear that Iraqis were shocked by the news of IS fighters returning to Iraq. Despite the reassurances provided by the government and security officials, Iraqis still fear a secret deal to bring back IS in Iraq. Israeli publicists are unlikely to advise their celebrity clients to post thoughts like those TV presenter and model Rotem Sela shared with her 800,000 or so followers: When will anyone in this government tell the public that this is a country of all its citizens, and all people are born equal. The Arabs are also human beings. Sela hit the keyboard after watching a March 9 television interview with Culture Minister Miri Regev on Meet the Press. Regev, Sela wrote, is sitting and explaining to Rina Matzliah that the public needs to beware, because if Benny Gantz is elected, he will have to create a government with the Arabs. Rina Matzliah is silent. And I ask myself: why doesnt Rina ask her in shock: And whats the problem with the Arabs??? Dear God, there are also Arab citizens in this country. Wonder Woman Gal Gadot and actress Maya Dagan were quick to fire off messages of support for Sela, even as social media was flooded with predictably furious reactions against Sela and her friends. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joined in, naturally. Dear Rotem, he wrote in an Instagram post designed to set her straight. An important correction: Israel is not a state of all its citizens. According to the nation-state law we passed, Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people and not anyone else. Netanyahu is right. That is what the nationality law that Netanyahu and his government pushed through last year stipulates, along with additional anti-democratic legislation such as a law overriding Supreme Court rulings and another allowing Israel to expropriate private Palestinian land in the West Bank and legalize Israeli settlements built on it. Netanyahu explained that his Likud party merely sought to hone the central issue of these elections its either a strong right-wing government led by me, or a weak left-wing government led by Yair Lapid and Gantz, with the support of the Arab parties. Netanyahu went on to declare that the centrist Blue and White Party led by Lapid and former military chief Gantz will be unable to form a coalition government after the April 9 elections unless they have the support of the Arab parties, threatening, as usual, that such a government would undermine the security of the state and its citizens. Polls indicate that Gantz and Lapid will indeed require Arab support to forge a stable majority coalition. The claim that such a government would harm state security and its citizens is obviously a load of incitement and propaganda. The only senior Jewish politician to express public support for Sela was Tamar Zandberg, chair of the leftist Meretz. Blue and White's leaders are are avoiding the discussion. The Blue and White platform merely states that the nationality law enshrined Israels status as the nation-state of the Jewish people, where it has uniquely realized its right to national self-determination. The platform also promises to enshrine in constitutional legislation the principle of equality in the spirit of Israels 1948 Declaration of Independence. The platform document says nothing about inviting Israeli citizens of Arab origin to form an inseparable part of their state. President Reuven Rivlin is not running for re-election. He has severed himself from his mother ship, the Likud, whose leader has forgotten what it means to be an ethical Jew and a decent human being to paraphrase Netanyahus infamous claim that leftists have forgotten what it means to be Jewish. I refuse to believe that there are parties that have given up on the idea that Israel is a Jewish democratic state, a democratic and Jewish state in the same phrase, said the president, speaking on March 10 at a Hebrew University conference marking the 40th anniversary of the Israel-Egypt peace treaty. The states top citizen lamented the completely unacceptable discourse regarding Israeli-Arab citizens taking place these days during the dizzying election campaign. With all due respect, the president is not accurate. The racist discourse is not a recent phenomenon. Racist sentiment has been trickling down into Israeli society ever since Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman and others of their ilk appeared on the political scene in the 1990s. In March 2016, representatives of the American Pew Research Center presented Rivlin with the findings of a comprehensive survey showing that 79% of Israeli Jews think the countrys Jewish majority should receive preferential treatment. The survey, conducted in Israel in 2014 and 2015, found that almost half the Jews polled support the transfer of Arab citizens out of the country. The idea that the State of Israel could be a democracy only for its Jewish citizens is unconscionable and we must find a way to address this, he said at the time. I call on all the countrys leaders to come to their senses and change their discourse toward Arab citizens, he added. The Israeli coalition parties responded by adopting the nationality law. Nonetheless, there was a bright spot among the pages of the survey: Most Israeli Jews (76%) believe Israel can be a Jewish and democratic state at the same time (compared with 64% of Arab citizens, who believe the opposite is true). This view held by most Jews is enshrined in a landmark 1996 Supreme Court ruling against the disqualification of the Arab Taal party from running for election. Our view is that the determination that the State of Israel is 'a state of all its citizens' does not deny the existence of the State of Israel as a Jewish state, Justice Mishael Cheshin wrote in his ruling. And if someone claims that Israel is not a state of all of its citizens? Can it be argued that the State of Israel is a state of only a portion of its citizens? Cheshin asked. The principle of equality also applies on election day, which is why the interviewers failure to ask Regev the obvious question Whats the problem with the Arabs? was so pertinent. A pervasive insensitivity makes us forget the most basic questions and ignore many injustices. We must also not forget the glaring absence of women in senior positions, especially since Tzipi Livni was deposed from the Zionist Camp, that has left high-level discourse and decision-making an all-male domain. A whole generation of children grew up in our country without hope for peace, Sela wrote in response to her critics, promising to keep expressing her views without fear. This view that a democratic state belongs to all its citizens must be a guiding light for all Israelis as they enter the ballot box on April 9. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a rich record of outrageous pronouncements against Israels Arab citizens. On Election Day 2015, for example, he warned, "Arab voters are heading to the polling stations in droves, boosting his support among those horrified at the idea that Arab citizens vote. These days, Netanyahu appears to have outdone himself in anti-Arab rhetoric twice in the past week again in the midst of an election campaign, just like in 2015. On March 9, television presenter and model Rotem Sela, angered by a minister who warned that the governments political rivals would join forces with the Arab parties, wrote a post demanding to know when will someone in this government convey to the public that Israel is a state of all its citizens. Netanyahu responded: Israel is not a state of all its citizens. According to the nation-state law we passed, Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people and not anyone else. Two days later, during a live event on his Likud partys propaganda webcast, Netanyahu took it up a notch. The Arab citizens have 22 nation-states around us, they do not need another one, he said. Netanyahu was responding to Facebook viewer Ajed Kamal Abu-Assi, a member of the Druze minority who had served in the Israeli military, who asked how the prime minister could consider him a citizen with equal rights in light of the nationality law. On March 12, Netanyahu boasted of the ties he had recently forged with six Muslim Arab states that he did not name. However, even as Netanyahu was engaged in constructive diplomacy, he was voicing destructive rhetoric against the states Arab citizens, drawing angry condemnation by the foreign minister of the UAE, possibly one of the six Muslim states to which Netanyahu referred. Not only are PM Netanyahus comments that Israel is not a state for all its citizens repugnant, but they provide vindication sought by extremists. The road to peace is further undermined by this shameful approach, tweeted Anwar Gargash. Netanyahus claim that Israeli Arabs could seek their nationality in 22 Arab states is identical to the rhetoric favored by Israels radical right. Knesset member Ahmad Tibi compared Netanyahus comments to those of ultra-nationalist Rabbi Meir Kahane, whose Kach party was outlawed in the 1980s. With side-by-side photos of the two, Tibi juxtaposed Netanyahus 2019 statement with Kahanes in the 1980s: The Arabs have 22 states and we only have one state, and I have no intention of losing this state. Kahane, we should remember, urged the government to transfer Israels Arab citizens to Arab states in order to safeguard Israels Jewish identity. Netanyahu has a deeper connection to the US than I do to Yemen or Mauritania, Tibi said in an interview with Al-Monitor this week. Tibi regards Netanyahus comments as far more egregious than Kahanes, not only because he is a serving prime minister, but also because of the words they do not need another state. Even for Netanyahu, this is a high level of incitement, Tibi argued. Knesset member Ayman Odeh also lashed out at Netanyahu, retweeting the words of another poster: This is our homeland and we have no other homeland. We, Arab citizens, did not come here on a plane or a boat; we came from our mothers wombs. My grandfather was born here in 1860, my father was born in 1902 and I was also born here, Abdulbast Salameh, mayor of the Arab town of Qalansuwa, told Al-Monitor. This is my homeland, this is my state, and all our lives throughout generations, we wanted to, we yearned, to live in peace with the Jews, he said. The anti-Arab rhetoric so prevalent in this election campaign has generated great frustration among members of the country's 21% Arab minority. Many members of his community consult with Salameh on how to respond and he tries to calm them down and assure them that better times will follow. You Jews have a saying I like to quote, he said. It goes like this: By three things a man is known: by his cup, by his pocket and by his anger. Netanyahu is angry because of the criminal investigations against him, because of the generals running against him, and he knows that whenever he is stressed out, he can incite against the Arabs and you Jews will vote for him. We have nothing to do with his investigations, but he uses us as an attack tool. Its not new, but each time its sharper and causes greater pain. Salamehs angry townspeople have a hard time accepting the explanation that Netanyahus stress over his legal woes makes him say things that undermine their rights, their belonging to the state in which they were born and their desire to become part of Israeli society. Qalansuwa is located near the major Sharon District Jewish towns of Netanya and Kfar Saba. According to the mayor, its residents have a greater desire to fit into Israeli society than do residents of Arab towns such as Sakhnin and Umm Al-Fahm that are farther away and surrounded by other Arab localities. Qalansuwa also has fewer religious Muslim residents and the impact of the Islamic Movement is barely felt there. Many of Qalansuwas 22,000 residents live in poverty. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, the town only collects local taxes from 5.8% of households. The way residents see it, in addition to their daily struggle to eke out a living and obtain reasonable services, they also have to suffer incitement by the prime minister. If Netanyahu claims they have 22 other nation states, what will residents of the neighboring Jewish towns tell them? Salameh says he was not surprised by the lackluster response on the part of Likud rivals to Netanyahus words. The attitude of the Blue and White Party led by Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid, as well as that of the Labor Party, is to distance themselves from Arab voters so as not to give Netanyahu any cause to attack them and accuse them of being overly leftist, which could scare off moderate right-wing voters, he said. Tibi said in a Walla news site interview that Sela, who spoke out against the trampling of Arab rights, has far greater courage than the three army chiefs who have been silent on the issue. He was referring to the three former chiefs-of-staff at the helm of the Blue and White Party. Surprisingly, Salameh does not regard their silence as a problem. They know that if they say they are in favor of the Arabs, he will attack them. This will strengthen Netanyahu and weaken them. Therefore, they chose to shut up. They dont want to lose and they dont want to provide him with additional ammunition against us and them. Young Arabs have become used to such incitement, he claimed. Asked whether his attitude is not overly forgiving, the mayor responded: Im a realist. One of Jerusalems great archaeological wonders, long closed to the public, may soon be open to visitors for the first time since it was excavated in the 1970s. The New Church of the Theotokos, commonly referred to as the Nea Church, was a large Byzantine church constructed in sixth-century Jerusalem that has sat in ruins for a thousand years. Byzantine Emperor Justinian I ordered the construction of the church in A.D. 534 as part of a vast imperial construction campaign, which was considered an engineering triumph by contemporary and modern historians but has been ignored by the general public. When it was first constructed, the Nea Church was a massive edifice, rivaling the nearby Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the holiest site in Christendom, where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and buried. Both churches appear on the Madaba Mosaic, a sixth-century map depicting Jerusalem, in Jordans Church of Saint George in Madaba. Emperor Justinians chronicler, Procopius of Caesarea, said the emperor built the church with which no other can be compared, and detailed how Justinian gave orders that it be built on the highest of the hills, specifying what the length and breadth of the building should be. Now, almost half a century after Israeli archaeologists plumbed its depths, a group of activists is pushing for the church's restoration and opening to visitors. Emek Shaveh, an Israeli nongovernmental organization that defends the cultural heritage of all faiths in Israel, petitioned March 3 the quasi-governmental Company for the Reconstruction and Development of the Jewish Quarter, which manages the Nea Church ruins, to make the site presentable and safe for visitors and open the churchs gates to the general public all week long. Although the company describes the Nea Church as a unique architectural monument in Jerusalem, most of the enormous site has remained closed to visitors since Nahman Avigad's archaeological excavations ended in 1981. Avigads study of the site was part of a large number of excavations carried out by Israeli archaeologists in the Jewish Quarter after Israel captured Jerusalem's Old City in the 1967 war. Unlike other discoveries, such as a Roman-era neighborhood and marketplace and ancient fortifications, the Nea Church was never developed for tourists. The church complex included a hostel for Christian pilgrims to the holy city, a monastery and a hospital. Like King Herods Temple Mount, atop which the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque stand today, Justinian had massive stone vaults constructed to provide the church a level foundation. These were plastered over and used as enormous underground cisterns. Archaeologists discovered a Greek inscription exalting the emperor inside the cisterns. This work too was donated by our most pious Emperor Justinian, through the provision and care of Constantine, most saintly priest and abbot, in the 13th year of the indiction, reads the inscription that is now found in the Israel Museum. Trying to enter the churchs ruins today is no simple task, which required wrangling with the Jewish Quarter development companys bureaucracy. Only a tiny section of the church a portion of its northeast apse is open to the public, and there is little information for prospective visitors to make the necessary arrangements or find the entrance. Visiting the apse requires coordinating a visit with the company between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays and retrieving a key from the companys unmarked office in the Old City. The entrance to the apse is situated inside the courtyard of an ultra-Orthodox kindergarten across the Jewish Quarter from the office, requiring navigation through the labyrinthine alleys of Jerusalems Old City and correctly identifying the entrance. Inside is a chamber containing a few photographs of the Nea Church excavations overlooking a low wall, a small remnant of the once magnificent building. The Nea Churchs subterranean vaults remain closed to the public but are tantalizingly visible from a park abutting the Old City walls. A third section of the church is fenced off, though a break in the fence allows the adventurous to venture inside the crumbling remains. But Daniel Shukrun, secretary of the Company for the Reconstruction and Development of the Jewish Quarter, told Al-Monitor that the Nea Church vaults are presently unsafe for the general public. In late 2017, the company conducted a major clean-up operation inside the subterranean chambers to clear out years of accumulated bat droppings and refuse, but the area remains unsuitable for tourists, he said. The sanitation problems were so severe down there that we couldnt even understand what we were up against, he added. Nonetheless, Shukrun said that in light of Emek Shavehs petition, the company has gotten the ball rolling on evaluating a development plan for the Nea Church ruins. He cautioned that while the company is interested in developing the church, and the wheels are now in motion, the Nea Church restoration project would cost an enormous, as yet indeterminate sum. The first thing we intend to do over the course of 2019 is to commission a comprehensive preservation survey, Shukrun said. Then we will see where things lead. CAIRO March is truly a month for Egyptian women. While the world celebrates International Women's Day on March 8, Egyptian Women's Day falls on March 16, when women took to the streets in the first mass demonstration against British colonialism during the revolution of 1919. Maya Morsy, the head of the National Council for Women, announced that a special event, "16 days of Egyptian Women: The Origins of the Tale," would kick off March 1 and continue until March 16 to commemorate 100 years of women's political struggle in Egypt. The event will raise awareness of women's struggle regarding political and social issues through seminars, lectures and artistic presentations in coordination with the Ministry of Culture. Although 100 years have passed since the revolution of 1919, women still struggle for equality. In parliament, quotas are in place that ensure women's presence, as stipulated in the 2014 constitution. Egyptian women are in need of a long-term strategy to offer empowerment on the political, social and economic levels. The National Council for Women announced such a strategy in 2017, with a vision toward 2030, which has garnered the support of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Nevertheless, why are so many measures in place to guarantee the participation of women in the political arena? One would think that 100 years of political struggle would be enough to guarantee women a presence without the need for special measures. Wageeh Abdel Sadeq Atiq, a history professor at Cairo University, told Al-Monitor that Egypts constitutions have long restricted women opportunities for empowerment. The six constitutions issued between 1923 and 2012 never ensured women's rights, he said. The 1923 and 1930 constitutions prevented women from running [in the elections] and holding leadership positions," he said. "While the other constitutions provided for equality between men and women, [they did not provide for] an adequate representation of women, which the 2014 constitution [did]. Atiq said that women are trained and prepared for leadership and parliamentary positions within political parties, but that these parties are vulnerable and ineffective. Between 1919 and 1953, the political parties were too preoccupied with their conflicts with each other and subsequent defections from the large parties," he said. "For instance, the Wafd Party, which was one of the largest parties at the time, witnessed three major defections. Atiq said that following the overthrow of King Fuad II in 1953, the "Egyptian regime dissolved all political parties and banned the establishment of new ones until 1971. He added, Since 1971, Egypt has never had a serious partisan experience. The proof is that there are only 244 deputies in the current parliament who are affiliated with political parties. Over 100 political parties in Egypt won only around 43% of seats. Baha al-Din al-Ghamri, a political science professor at Port Said University, told Al-Monitor that the Egypt's historical political unrest has disrupted women's progress. Decision-makers in Egypt did not focus on empowering women between 1919 and 1956, as they were too busy with Egypt's independence from the British occupation," he said. "They were then preoccupied with the defeat in the June 1967 war and with how to liberate the Sinai Peninsula from the Israeli occupation until 1973. Ghamri pointed out that between 2011 and the last quarter of 2015, Egypt did not elect any houses of parliament except for one in 2012 that was dissolved because of the unconstitutionality of the law governing its election. Over 10 governments were formed during that period, he said, which meant that the government's average duration was no more than six months, and decision-makers believed it was politically inappropriate to give priority to empower women. Mervat Tallawy, former secretary-general of the National Council for Women and chairwoman of the Arab Women Organization, told Al-Monitor that religious and social reasons, not political ones, are behind the need for laws and strategies that empower women. According to social and cultural traditions, many Egyptians perceive women as unqualified to lead and represent the Egyptian people, especially in Upper Egypt and the countryside, she said. This social and cultural misconception was even more deeply rooted with the rise of extremist Islamic movements, such as the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafist groups," she said, citing the establishment of the Muslim Brotherhood in 1928. She pointed to a decline in the Brotherhood after 1955, "when former Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser captured the majority of the group's leaders after they attempted to assassinate him. Tallawy said extremist groups re-emerged in 1970, when Egyptian President Anwar Sadat pardoned many of their leaders and allowed them to return to political and social work. In 2013, the armed forces ousted Brotherhood-affiliated President Mohammed Morsi, following the June demonstrations against him. The state banned the group once more and prosecuted its leaders on charges of inciting and carrying out terrorist operations. More women are in leading political positions than ever before in Egypt. There are 89 female members of parliament, the highest figure in Egyptian history, and eight women hold ministerial positions. Tallawy praised the National Council for Women and Sisi for their efforts to empower women, though she said Egypts religious discourse and discriminatory cultural and social traditions against women need to be altered for the situation to truly change. Atiq said that revamping political parties would be a real guarantee that women would be empowered. Ghamri stressed the need to maintain political stability to allow a greater opportunity for empowerment. Palestine's new prime minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, has an impressive background, and he will need all of his experience to succeed at the very challenging position he was entrusted with March 10 by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. When the Madrid Peace Conference was about to be launched in 1991, the Palestinian leadership looked for a person who could head a high-level team to ensure everything was prepared and there were no political traps being placed for the Palestinian delegation. After consultations, the local leadership and the PLO decided to send Mohammad Shtayyeh, who was then dean of students at Birzeit University (1991-93), holder of a Ph.D. from the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex in Brighton, England (1989), and a respected leader of the first intifada, which had begun in 1987. Shtayyehs responsibility in the 1991 Madrid talks was to establish parameters for negotiations with Israeli counterparts. Since then, Shtayyeh has been a member of the Palestinian delegation during the Washington talks, the talks that followed the Madrid Conference on the interim agreements, and all final-status negotiations, including the most recent talks, initiated in 2013 by then-US Secretary of State John Kerry. Shtayyeh has also participated in the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee to coordinate donor support for Palestine and he heads the delegation for multilateral talks with the Regional Working Group concerned with solving problems related to regional trade, finance and infrastructure. As secretary-general of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission, Shtayyeh concluded in 2005 an agreement with Israel concerning cooperation on conducting Palestinian presidential and legislative elections. After the establishment of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in 1995, Shtayyeh helped set up and has headed the Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction, and headed the board of trustees of the Arab American University based in Jenin and Ramallah in the West Bank. Of all these positions, however, the most important is his membership on the powerful Fatah Central Committee, to which he was elected in 2009. Shtayyeh will need all his networks and contacts from the first intifada days until now, especially as a key member of the Fatah leadership. Since the establishment of successive Palestinian governments, the powerful Fatah movement has tried to stay out of the government so as not to dilute its aim as a national liberation movement. But the current situation is different. The challenges facing Palestinians on both the political and economic fronts require a government that has political power and the ability to make tough decisions that might not be very popular. Perhaps the most urgent issue facing the Shtayyeh administration will be how to handle the major drop in revenues due to Israel's unilateral decision to withhold some of the Palestinian tax money Israel collects on the border to which the Palestinian government responded by refusing to accept anything less than what is mandated by the Declaration of Principles (Oslo Accords). The second most urgent political issue will be how to handle the expected US peace plan, a deal that will most likely fall well below the minimum compromise acceptable to Palestinians. Al-Monitor has learned that Jordanian officials, including the king, have advised the Palestinian leadership to wait five minutes before saying no to the expected plan which will probably be revealed after the April 9 Israeli elections. The Jordanian advice is that a delay in rejecting it will put the Israeli government in a dilemma, and thus avoid making the Palestinians look like they are the rejectionists. Abbas has given Shtayyeh a seven-point letter of assignment. The letter calls on Shtayyeh to prioritize national unity; legislative elections, and support to victims of the Israeli occupation, including families of prisoners and martyrs, and the injured; to strengthen Palestinian steadfastness; to defend Jerusalem; to accelerate the national economy; and to strengthen private-public partnership. Jamal Zakout, a political aide to former Prime Minister Salam Fayyad (2007-2013), told Al-Monitor that while national unity and elections are unlikely, it's important that Shtayyeh doesnt fall into a trap. The trap would be if he is unable to hold elections in Gaza and the West Bank, including Jerusalem, [and so then holds them] only in the West Bank. This would further deteriorate the already-splintered Palestinian people, Zakout said. Shtayyeh has the support of the Fatah movement and this could help him if he has any future clashes with Abbas, who until now has been able to make the government do what he wants. Shtayyeh is shrewd enough to be able to finesse issues without forcing a confrontation. But with Fatah behind him, he will at times be able to act independently of the Palestinian president. Shtayyeh, 61, represents for the first time in modern Palestinian politics the generation of the first intifada. He has a lot going for him and has tremendous support from the Palestinian public and from activists throughout Palestine. He has to be wise and smart in how he conducts himself so that he doesnt burn up all the support he currently has. This means that he must be totally honest with the people about the challenges facing Palestinians and find ways to include the public in any major decision that needs to be made on economic or political fronts. A political government headed by a Fatah Central Committee member will have the power and ability to make some tough but necessary decisions. If Palestinians are made to feel that these decisions are in Palestine's best interest, they will support him even while biting their tongues. If they are ignored, he will quickly lose public support. Moscow is keeping an eye on Algeria as that country's political leadership undergoes major changes forced by massive but peaceful demonstrations against a fifth term for President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The largest protests against him attracted millions of people living in the largest cities, including Algiers, Constantine, Oran, Bejaia, Blida and Jijele, as well as tens of thousands of Algerians living abroad. Algeria is one of Russias most significant trade partners in the region. From 2014-2018, Russia was Algeria's top arms supplier, providing 66% of Algeria's armament imports. That's no small figure, as Algeria was the world's fifth-largest weapons importer during that period. Russia and Algeria are also important strategic partners, as provided for under a 2001 agreement. Al-Monitor has been keeping track of the relationship since 2017. Algeria, which had grown fairly quiet in recent years, has seen a surge of civil activity since the aging president stated his intention to run for re-election. Though he apparently retracted that statement in recent days, many protesters remain unconvinced that he indeed will step down, despite questions about his health at age 82. Bouteflika stayed at a Swiss hospital from Feb. 24 to March 10, though officially he was just undergoing "periodic medical checks." Bouteflika has been avoiding public appearances for a long time This, however, did not stop him from trying to smooth things over with protesters. In a March 3 letter released to the media, Bouteflika promised profound political reforms if he were re-elected. In another letter, published March 7, he congratulated Algerian women on International Womens Day. But on March 11, he addressed the nation again, this time announcing he had given up the idea of running. He canceled the elections that had been set for April 18. Bouteflika dissolved the government, appointed a new prime minister and suggested holding an inclusive national conference to draft profound political reforms. The conference is supposed to achieve its goals by the end of 2019; after that, the results of its work will be put to a vote in a referendum and only then would elections take place. But the public's initial enthusiasm gave way to the realization that Bouteflika had basically prolonged his fourth term for at least 1 to two years. The protests continued this week. These conditions are evidence of a split within the Algerian elites. The protesters have a wide pool of supporters, including a great variety of opposition factions from radical left to Amazigh (Berber) and Islamist movements. These include, on one hand, entities that earlier were considered government puppets, and on the other hand, executive administrators such as city mayors and leaders of influential public organizations such as the Algerian National Organization of Moujahidines veterans of the war for independence. Even the powers that supposedly are bound to be fundamentally opposed to the protesters are commenting on the situation with significant caution. For instance, Gen. Gaid Salah, considered the strongest leader among the security forces, said March 10 that the army has the same vision of the future as the Algerian people and will fulfill its duty to secure elections and the Algerian peoples right to express their will safely and freely. However, he also expressed concern that some actors, both foreign and local, might try to misuse the situation against Algerians by destabilizing the country. In a March 13 speech, he highlighted this potential threat again. The foreign actors, for their part, tend to be approaching the situation quite carefully. France had supported Bouteflikas plan, causing harsh criticism from the Algerian opposition. President Emmanuel Macrons attempts to moderate the position of his country so far haven't been effective. At the same time, the United States voiced its support of the people's right to protest peacefully. Moscow has observed the events with great attention, but waited to make any official statements on the situation. Considering that Russias influence in the region has grown significantly in recent years, it sought a well-calculated reaction. The prevailing narrative in the Russia-language media, however, views the protests in Algeria through the lens of a belated Arab Spring and draws parallels with the 2011 uprisings in Egypt. The Russian Foreign Ministry didn't comment on the situation in Algeria until March 12. "We perceive the events in Algeria as a strictly domestic affair in a Russia-friendly country. With that, we hope that the existing problems will continue to be settled in a constructive and responsible manner in the framework of a national dialogue oriented toward stability and further advancement of political and socio-economic transformations in the interest of Algerian people," ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. It's true that in recent years, the international community has generally viewed Russia as a conservative nation tending to back up existing political regimes and to object to revolutions and mass protests. This is obviously proved by the Kremlins consistent stance toward the color revolutions in post-Soviet countries, the turmoil in Syria and, in recent months, in Venezuela. Moscows actions, however, are more nuanced than this. For instance, Russia, unlike France, refused to support Zin el-Abidine Ben Ali in the first days of the Tunisian revolution of 2011, Hosni Mubarak during the Egyptian uprising or Moammar Gadhafi during the conflict in Libya even though the Russian public rooted for the latter almost unanimously. The 2018 unrest in Armenia was met with similar restraint. In general, the Kremlins discontent seems to be caused not by mass protests themselves, but rather by foreign intervention into the political process, both explicit and disguised, on one hand, and events spiraling out of legal boundaries on the other. Considering that the nature of the situation in Algeria makes it likely to stay within these boundaries, it's quite possible for Moscow to maintain its reserved stance. Moreover, in this particular case, Russias objectives seem to be the same as those of Europe and the United States to enable a peaceful political process. This would allow Algeria to maintain its partnership with Moscow and successfully implement existing contracts. Though the situation in Algeria may develop in a variety of ways, the country, as viewed by Russian experts, retains the potential to demonstrate its regionally unique capacity for peaceful internal democratization and to emerge from its roots and refuse to revive previous authoritarian tendencies while also maintaining stability and constitutional order. Moscow is now tasked with finding scenarios to minimize the risks of political chaos, uncertainty and violence. The Senate voted 54-46 today to end US support for the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels, the third time Congress has done so since December. The resolution is but the latest bipartisan rebuke of Saudi Arabia over the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. It now goes to the Democratic-controlled House, where its expected passage would mark the first time Congress has successfully used the 1973 War Powers Act to try to curtail a foreign military intervention. Liberal Democrats hope to set an expansive precedent that would maximize Congress power to curtail US military activity abroad. We have the opportunity to cast the historical vote which will end the most horrific war on the planet right now, where 85,000 kids have already starved to death, and stop following the lead of a despotic, murderous regime in Saudi Arabia, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., the resolutions author, told reporters before the vote. Lastly and not leastly important, the United States Congress is going to reassert its constitutional responsibility over issues of war that has been abdicated to presidents Democrats and Republicans for too many years. Sanders, a candidate for the 2020 presidential election, teamed up with House counterparts in the Congressional Progressive Caucus to introduce the legislation in 2017. The caucus initially emphasized that the resolution would end US midair refueling for Saudi coalition warplanes, which the Donald Trump administration ended last year shortly after Khashoggis murder. But lawmakers insist the resolution would also require Trump to end intelligence sharing and targeting support for the Saudis by defining those activities as hostilities under the War Powers Act. They argue that US logistical support for the Saudis makes Washington a belligerent party in the conflict. The Saudi coalition has come under intense scrutiny for bombing civilian targets, including schools and funerals. The Trump administration declined to certify last month that the Saudis were undertaking efforts to reduce civilian casualties despite a congressional mandate do so as a condition for resuming US assistance. But when the House passed the resolution last month, an amendment offered by Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., exempted intelligence sharing from the bill. That amendment ultimately passed 252-177 with the support of 57 Democrats despite the Congressional Progressive Caucus efforts to whip votes against the amendment. The Senate unanimously agreed to retain similar language today by voice vote with an amendment from Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., hoping that it would help ease rapid passage in the House. Frankly if it had come up to a vote I probably would have voted against it, Sanders told Al-Monitor at a press conference after the vote. But I think the language of the Rubio amendment is in fact something that the president already has the authority to use, so we didnt think it was a big deal. Republican leaders argue that the resolution is too broad and sets a precedent allowing any lawmaker to force a vote to end military cooperation arrangements and US security assistance to any country. We should think twice about undermining those very partners whose cooperation we need for our own security, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said on the Senate floor ahead of the vote. We should not use this specific vote on a specific policy decision as some proxy for all the Senates broad feelings about foreign affairs. Concerns about Saudi human rights issues should be addressed with the administration and with Saudi officials. The White House has threatened to veto the bill, arguing that US support for the Saudi coalition does not amount to hostilities. Although Congress doesnt have a veto-proof majority, Sanders capitalized on the anti-Saudi sentiment sweeping Capitol Hill to secure seven Republican votes for his resolution. Remember, were only getting a couple of Republicans and theyre voting with us as a matter of conscience, said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who co-sponsored the Sanders bill along with Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah. But even Democratic leaders backing the bill reject more liberal Democrats expansive view of the War Powers Act. As a legal matter, I do not believe that American military forces are engaged in hostilities in Yemen, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said in a statement upon announcing support for the resolution last year. ALEPPO Turkey has reopened the Bab al-Salam/Oncupinar border crossing with Syria to Turkish truck traffic, effectively cutting half a workday off some truckers' delivery times. Turkish trucks had not entered Syria through the gate for nearly eight years for security reasons following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war. On March 5, Turkish authorities gave trucks laden with goods the green light to cross into Syria's Aleppo province via the Bab al-Salam/Oncupinar crossing. Their cargoes now can be driven through the Syrian area controlled by the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA). Previously, once Turkish trucks reached the crossing, their goods were transferred onto Syrian trucks. Turkey's official news provider, Anadolu Agency, reported that about 50 Turkish trucks crossed the border March 5. Anadolu quoted a truck driver as saying, We had [previously] unloaded trucks in the buffer zone to be loaded onto Syrian trucks, but now we cross the border and unload the trucks directly where we need to. The alternative to this unloading-loading process had been to use al-Rai crossing, which allowed trucks to enter Syria, but this then required a lengthy drive to reach their destinations in al-Bab, Azaz, Marea and other FSA-controlled areas. Anadolu quoted a Turkish official in the transport sector as saying, Thanks to the opening of [Bab al-Salam/Oncupinar crossing] for direct transit, the drivers and transport companies can shorten their distance and time. We needed four hours to reach Azaz, and now it only takes us 15 minutes. Not everyone is pleased with the change, however. The development has angered Syrian truck drivers, owners of shipping companies and employees. Mohamed al-Taweel, an official at an Aleppo freight company, told Al-Monitor that the old system of transferring cargo from Turkish to Syrian trucks "required frequent unloading and loading [and] provided job opportunities for hundreds of Syrian workers" as well as drivers. "They now believe the decision to allow Turkish trucks to cross poses a threat to their livelihoods. Dozens of drivers and owners of Syrian shipping companies took to the streets of Azaz to protest the decision March 5. Similar protests organized the next day in the city of al-Bab demanded that Turkish and Syrian officials reconsider the decision. Truck owner Sultan Fayez told Al-Monitor he believes the change will prevent hundreds of Syria families from covering living expenses and will contribute to rising unemployment in Aleppo province. Each truck supports about three families, and there are hundreds of trucks in the ... area that will be put out of work, Fayez added. Bab al-Salam crossing administrators are trying to reassure truckers and workers that they will not all lose their jobs that only a few will be affected. The administrators also say that Turkey's decision will have a positive impact on residents in Aleppos countryside as the prices of goods will decrease due to lower transport costs. Ibrahim Derbala, director of the commercial office of the Azaz local council, told Al-Monitor, Allowing Turkish trucks to cross into the countryside of Aleppo is good and has positive repercussions for the people of the area in terms of lowering shipping costs and consequently lowering the prices of imported goods. This was one of the traders demands and it has been met. Brig. Qassem Qasim, director of the Bab al-Salam crossing, told Al-Monitor, Some Turkish trucks are still unloading their cargo inside the crossing, and the goods are loaded onto Syrian trucks to enter into Syria. A large part of the goods imported from Turkey are shipped to areas controlled by the regime and the Syrian Democratic Forces. Turkish trucks are prevented from entering these areas, so it is up to Syrian trucks to transport the goods. He added, Syrian truckers and workers still have opportunities. The decision did not deprive them of their jobs. Only a small group is affected. Truckers whose trucks are not registered with the regime [still] cannot drive to areas under its control." Like Derbala, Qasim noted, Allowing Turkish trucks into Syria ... contributes to reducing the prices of many goods and foodstuffs imported from Turkey, including iron, cement, biscuits, canned goods, electrical equipment, clothing, textiles and others. For example, the price per ton of cement is now at $45 [23,000 Syrian pounds], but before Turkish trucks were allowed in, it was $55. This $10 difference amounts to the cost of unloading Turkish cargo and loading it back again on Syrian trucks. Qasim added, Around 20 Turkish trucks used to enter the commercial area at the crossing per day. Now, 100 trucks make it into Syrian territories every day as more traders are looking to enter the goods from Turkey through the crossing. Donald Trump administration officials today told US and foreign businesspeople that legal trade with Iran already severely restricted by sanctions is likely to constrict further as the first anniversary of the US exit from the 2015 nuclear deal approaches. At a meeting on Sanctions: A Key Foreign Policy Tool that filled an auditorium at the State Department, US officials asserted that sanctions on Iran were strategic in nature and aimed at specific and narrow goals, in the words of David Peyman, the deputy assistant secretary of state for counter threat finance and sanctions. But those goals, according to Peyman and Brian Hook, the departments special representative for Iran, still require a 180-degree change in Irans regional and defense posture. While Hook said the list of 12 demands put forward by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last year is not unrealistic, Iran has shown no interest in coming back to the table as long as Washington remains out of the nuclear deal. Peyman made clear that the many rounds of sanctions the US has imposed since May on Irans oil and financial sectors are only the beginning. Companies still working with Iran should know that the rules may change and may change quickly, he said. Tomorrow, next week or next month you may find yourself conducting business that may be legal today that isn't in the future." Hook told the audience that the sanctions already imposed on Iran since May were the largest in history and covered 850 individuals and entities as well as entire sectors of the Iranian economy. Our sanctions are back in place. Theres more to come, he said. He described Iran as the most significant threat in the Middle East now that the Islamic State has been defeated in Iraq and Syria. While Hook claimed US officials do not want to hurt the Iranian people, several members of the audience expressed concern over the administrations lack of clarity over how to sell Iran food and medicine, which are theoretically exempt from sanctions. I find it troubling, one sanctions lawyer told Al-Monitor, speaking on condition of anonymity. It seems as if that is what they should be working on. Unable to find European financial institutions willing to accept payments for food and medicine sold to Iran, Europeans have created a so-called Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to process trade, beginning with unsanctioned goods. But the mechanism has yet to become operational and it isnt clear whether it will also face US penalties. Asked specifically about the SPV, Bradley Smith, deputy director of the US Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control, was noncommittal. We have to wait and see, he said. Peyman, who was a sanctions adviser to the hawkish group United Against Nuclear Iran before coming to the State Department, was more critical. I dont think were keen on folks using the SPV, he said. US officials warned the audience that it was difficult for foreign businesses to avoid contact with sanctioned entities such as Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Hook said between 50% to 70% of the Iranian economy is controlled by the IRGC. Smith said that it was not sufficient for businesses to know their customers but that they also needed to know their customers' customers to avoid indirect contact with sanctioned entities. Facing so many difficulties trading with its former partners in Europe and Asia, Iran is increasingly turning to neighbors to make up for the $10 billion in revenue Hook asserted had been lost in the past year from lower oil exports alone. On a three-day trip to Iraq this week, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani focused on promoting commercial ties between the countries, which were bitter rivals before the US overthrew Saddam Hussein's regime in 2003 and enabled the countrys Shiite majority to take power. Rouhani spoke of increasing bilateral trade from $12 billion this year to $20 billion. Although the United States encouraged Iraq to reduce trade with Iran, the Trump administration has given Iraq waivers to continue to import Iranian natural gas, which provides 40% of the electricity for the country. Any move to severely restrict Iran-Iraq commerce could destabilize Iraq and contradict other US foreign policy goals. The Trump administration also hopes to keep a lid on oil prices to avoid hurting the US economy, which is slowing down after a boost from last years tax cuts. Waivers were granted in November to eight countries to continue to import limited amounts of Iranian oil and need to be renewed by May. Hook promised more unspecified cuts to Iranian oil exports, which have already dropped by a million barrels a day. But US officials will have to take into account the fact that Venezuela, which produces a heavy crude similar to Irans, is also being sanctioned as the United States tries to overthrow the regime of President Nicolas Maduro. Elizabeth Rosenberg, a former Treasury Department official who now directs the Energy, Economics, and Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, told Al-Monitor that while many of the topics are familiar, the Trump administration message to those who work on sanctions compliance issues has become massively more politicized." By Azernews By Abdul Kerimkhanov Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan continues to amaze with his statements. The Armenian leader stubbornly tries to prove that he is a unique supporter of peace in the region and is ready to take necessary steps in this regard. Recently, Pashinyan shocked with his words that the preparation of Azerbaijani society for peace should be carried out with the participation of the authorities of not only Azerbaijan but also Armenia. Unfortunately, he did not clarify exactly how he is going to prepare society for peace, and what his participation implies. Afterwards, he left a record in his microblog on Twitter about his readiness to continue negotiations with Azerbaijan. Remarkable, quite recently Pashinyan argued that he could not negotiate with Baku, but after the meeting of the Armenian Security Council in the occupied territories, the statement has been amended. Now it is interesting what he is going to have a dialogue with the Azerbaijani people if he denies the need to fulfill the fundamental principle of conflict resolution - the return of the occupied territories? Has something changed in this matter after the meeting in occupied Khankendi? If not, Azerbaijan has nothing to talk about with Yerevan. Azerbaijan will discuss all other issues only after the resolution of this main issue, which is stated in the statement of the Minsk Group co-chairs statement, but ignored by Armenia. By the way, Pashinyans illogical maneuvers are not only surprising Azerbaijan. Russian political scientist, Stanislav Tarasov considers, there is a steady feeling that Pashinyan is maneuvering, trying to play the Karabakh issue in his own interests. The reason for the appearance of illogical statements by Pashinyan is quite understandable. He also expressed himself peacefully at the beginning of his Premiere term. Having approved his power, Pashinyan spoke in a completely different way, putting the negotiation process at a dead end and making the co-chairs really outraged. That seems to make the co-chairs make an unprecedented statement, in which they specifically indicated to Armenian Prime Minister that the format of the negotiations would not be changed. If this statement were not, there would be no desire for a dialogue with the Azerbaijani people, there would be no assurances of readiness to continue negotiations with Azerbaijan. Pashinyan was simply afraid that the stubbornness and the undermining of the peace process would deprive him the possibility for maneuver. Today, he still claims that the issue of participation of illegal Karabakh regime in negotiations is actual, but adding that this is not an ultimatum. Such a change indicates to an understanding that it will not be possible to continue to deceive the whole world. At the joint briefing in Yerevan with Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on March 13, Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak once again touched on the topic of the format. Lajcak noted that Armenia should determine the format of participation in the negotiations on Karabakh, acceptable to all parties. "There is a whole process that is carried out within the framework of established traditions and can achieve certain results. Of course, the Armenian government should decide the format, but any possible change in the format of negotiations should be acceptable to all parties," said Slovak FM. With this statement, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office consolidated the relevant statements of EU officials, voiced during Pashinyans visit to Brussels. Lajcak has drawn a line under the discussions on the topic, and now Yerevan will have to apply for sympathy either to the UN Secretary General himself or to the presidents of the co-chairs countries. Although, they are unlikely to want him to sympathize. ISTANBUL Turkey fired back at the European Parliament after it called for the suspension of membership negotiations over its human rights record, calling the resolution worthless and discriminatory and sounding an alarm about right-wing populism taking root in Europe. On Wednesday, the Strasbourg-based assembly approved a report that said Ankaras failure to protect rights and the rule of law and its transition to an executive presidential system last year that concentrates power in one mans hands meant that the membership process should be frozen. The vote is only advisory, and it is up to European governments to decide whether to shelve the talks. But it was still a sharp rebuke of Turkey, whose long-running bid to join the affluent bloc has been bogged down for years over its slow pace of reforms, a lack of a settlement on Cyprus and Europes reluctance to admit a populous Muslim nation. Turkey began formally negotiating its entry into the EU in 2005. We are concerned for the EUs future and our common values now that extreme right and left-wing currents have begun to hold sway over the EP, turning the report into an exclusionary, discriminatory and populist text that does not reflect reality, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement. This advisory decision is meaningless for us. The measure was adopted with 370 votes in favor, 109 against and 143 abstentions. Conservative members failed to add language that went further and called for the termination of Turkeys membership process. EU membership remains a strategic goal for Turkey, the Foreign Ministry said, calling on Europe to improve dialogue and relations with Turkey. It also questioned the timing of the vote, noting that it coincided with another election campaign in Turkey and the eve of a key meeting taking place in Brussels after a four-year hiatus. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will meet Federica Mogherini, the EUs top diplomat, and Johannes Hahn, the commissioner for enlargement, in Brussels on Friday for a Turkey-EU Association Council Meeting, the two sides top decision-making mechanism. They are expected to discuss changes to the customs union that governs trade between the EU and Turkey, as well as lifting visa restrictions on Turkish citizens. The council last met in May 2015. Ankara and Brussels have sought to repair relations damaged in the aftermath of a failed 2016 military coup in Turkey and an ensuing crackdown that has jailed tens of thousands of people. Europe is Turkeys biggest trading partner, and it needs foreign investment amid a sharp economic downturn. For its part, Europe relies on Turkey for security and help in stemming irregular migration to the continent. Omer Celik, Turkeys former chief negotiator with the EU and now spokesman for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), said in a series of tweets that the resolution is null and void, worthless and disreputable." We return this report back to you. You may found a European Museum of Racism and Islamophobia and hang this report of yours on its gate. So that you will remember how you surrendered Europe to racists step by step, Celik said. But the body insisted its vote was a defense of its commitment to basic rights and freedoms. It said in a statement that years of severe political and democratic backsliding in Turkey were behind its decision and accused the government of restricting basic human rights, including the role of civil society and the press. Turkey is the worlds biggest jailer of journalists and rated not free by Freedom House. If the EU takes its own values seriously, no other conclusion is possible than to formally suspend the talks on EU integration. Our repeated calls to respect fundamental rights have fallen on deaf ears in Ankara, Kati Piri, the European Parliaments rapporteur on Turkey who drafted the report, said in the statement. I realize that stopping the accession talks is not a step which will help Turkeys democrats. For that, the EU leaders must use all possible tools to exert more pressure on the Turkish government, she said, urging more EU funding be directed to civil society groups, journalists and human rights defenders. Improvements Turkey has sought in the customs union, such as access to other markets with which the EU has free trade agreements and removing tariffs on Turkish agricultural products, should be conditional on Turkey improving its human rights record, Piri said. One opposition politician in Turkey blamed the government for wrecking Turkeys EU membership aspirations but also accused Europe of insincerity. Our relationship with Europe shouldnt be only economic, it should include rights and the law, said Sezai Temelli, who leads the leftist Peoples Democratic Party, which has seen thousands of its activists, lawmakers and mayors jailed in Turkey since 2016 on terrorism-related offenses. Amid so many rights violations in Turkey, so much unlawfulness, [Europe] has been arm in arm with the government, turning a blind eye in its bargain over refugees," Temelli said. This resolution should be corrected. Both Turkey and the EU need to rebuild relations based on justice and human rights. The standoff between Turkey and the United States over Ankaras decision to purchase Russian S-400 missile-defense systems is coming to head and pointing to a fresh crisis in Turkish-US ties. Many expect Turkeys deployment of the S-400s to rekindle the debate on whether President Recep Tayyip Erdogans Turkey belongs in the Western alliance. The ultimate decision on the S-400s rests with Erdogan, as the sole authority in Turkey today, and he appears determined to go ahead with the deal concluded with Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin. There is no point in discussing this anymore because we have concluded the deal with Mr. Putin and Russia, Erdogan said in a jointly televised interview with Turkish channels last week. There is no turning back because such an immoral move would be unseemly. If we make an agreement, we stand by it, he said. His remarks also appeared to target the United States, which Ankara accuses of reneging on commitments to Turkey on many issues. Meanwhile, Washington has started to underline that if Ankara goes ahead with the S-400 purchase, it will not get advanced F-35 fighter jets, and also lose its chance of purchasing Patriot anti-missile systems from the United States. A day before Erdogans comments, Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, who is NATOs supreme allied commander and also commands US forces in Europe, told the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington that the sale of F-35 jets to Turkey should be stopped if Ankara goes ahead with the S-400 deal. Scaparrotti pointed out that the S-400s were not interoperable with NATO systems and would pose a problem for the security of the F-35. My best military advice would be that we dont then follow through with the F-35 flying it or working with an ally that is working with Russian systems, particularly air-defense systems, with one of our most advanced technological capabilities, Scaparrotti said. Vice President Mike Pence also issued a dire warning in February during the Munich Security Conference, saying the United States would not stand idly by while NATO allies purchase weapons from our adversaries. Turkey is a program partner in the F-35 project and plans to purchase 100 of the jets. Lockheed Martin, the projects prime contractor, has said, Turkish industries are eligible to become suppliers to the global F-35 fleet for the life of the program. In an interview with editors from the official Anadolu Agency on March 7, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar underlined that Turkey had fulfilled its financial commitments to date regarding the F-35 program and said that its exclusion from the program would be illegal and immoral. A few hours after Akars remarks, Pentagon spokesman Charles Summers repeated Washingtons position and warned Ankara of "grave consequences" if it insisted on the S-400 deal. These consequences, he said, would include exclusion from the F-35 project and the acquisition of Patriot systems. Ankaras says it was forced to turn to Russia for the S-400s because of foot-dragging by Washington regarding the supply of Patriot systems to Turkey. The Turkish side also argues that the S-400 is one of the best missile-defense systems available today, and stresses that Washington cannot prevent Ankara from meeting its security requirements as it sees fit. Ankara also emphasizes that the deal with Russia involves joint production and technology transfer, which it says Washington has been reluctant to provide. Bora Bayraktar, a foreign policy commentator for the Hurriyet Daily News, argued that there was no genuine effort by Washington to contribute to Turkeys defense, other than threats of not delivering the F-35 fighter jets whose productions financial burden Turkey is sharing. How can Turkey trust this supplier, who is threatening not to deliver F-35s, and buy Patriots after canceling its purchase of the Russian S-400s? The answer is clear: Turkey cannot trust and depend on the US under these circumstances, Bayraktar wrote, echoing Ankaras official thinking. Fact and fable, however, have become mixed in this debate, especially with regard to the claim that the S-400 deal includes technology transfer to Turkey. This contract does not involve technology transfer. Turkey will need Moscows consent even for software modifications or additions. The system will come as a closed box," Burak Bekdil, a Turkish defense industry expert, told Al-Monitor. In his Diplomatic Opinion blog, retired Ambassador Ali Tuygan said that while Turkey may have a point with regard to the price and technology-transfer aspects of Western defense systems, it is hard to imagine that Russia would be more generous towards Turkey in defense technology transfer than Ankaras NATO allies. Sinan Ulgen, a visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe in Brussels, said the S-400 cannot be used as a missile-defense system by Turkey, because only a system that is integrated with NATO capabilities can be used as such. In that case, the S-400 must be evaluated as an air-defense system [against aircraft] and not as a missile-defense system, Ulgen told the daily Haberturk in an interview. Ulgen said that in an ideal world, Turkey should buy the S-400 for air defense and the Patriot for missile defense. Indicating, however, that there is no such ideal world, Ulgen said Turkey had to make its preferences according to the alliance it belongs to. Retired Ambassador Yusuf Buluc, for his part, said the S-400s and the F-35 jets are mutually exclusive systems and added that the US threat to withhold the supply of the F-35 to Turkey is very real. It is unlikely that Washington will allow the F-35 to be deployed in Turkey when the S-400s' advanced capabilities included monitoring and gathering information about this state-of-the-art jet, Buluc told Al-Monitor. Many analysts say the S-400 deal has more to do with politics than strategic or military thinking. Turkey will hold local elections in two weeks that Erdogan is desperate to win. He has been utilizing unrestrained nationalistic language to garner votes and has also been using the S-400 issue in this context. Erdogan is also trying to present an image of defiantly standing up to US threats, which he undoubtedly assumes will go down well with Turkey's predominantly anti-American electorate. The fear, however, is that this will undermine Ankaras position in NATO and be detrimental to Turkeys long-term security interests, as there is little chance that Turkey could enter into an alliance with Russia that could replicate the NATO one. Hakan Aksay, an expert on Turkish-Russian ties, said Moscow sees Turkey as a partner of convenience rather than a potential strategic partner. Aksay also doubts that the S-400 deal would involve technology transfer to Turkey because the Russian side is also concerned that NATO will gain access to S-400 technology through Turkey. Aksay, basing his argument on commentary in the pro-government Russian media, said, Putins Russia is not interested in seeing Erdogans Turkey as a close ally. The Russian media underline that Turkey is a partner today, the emphasis being on today, and argue that Ankara could change position in the future, because it has done so in the past, especially after Turkey downed a Russian fighter jet in 2015, Aksay said on the T24 news portal he writes for. Aksay said, Russia sees Turkey as a country that has to remain in the Western alliance in order to help it destroy that alliance. He said he believes Putin could accept a decision by Turkey to cancel its S-400 order regardless of the financial cost this may incur if the Kremlin can get something in return from Ankara, especially in Syria. Ulgen said that if Turkey is excluded from the F-35 program, which it is also involved in as a supplier, this would have a cost for the program, which would have to find new suppliers to replace Turkey. Information supplied by Lockheed Martin, however, shows clearly that Turkey would be the bigger loser because F-35 industrial opportunities for Turkish companies are expected to reach $12 billion. In addition, Turkey would have to find a replacement for the advanced F-35s it expects to purchase in order to provide for its security for decades to come. In the end, Ankara may have merely replaced its dependence on the United States with a growing dependence on Russia, a country that it is also at odds with over issues of critical importance to it, most notably in Syria. With the support of the Saudi-led Arab coalition in Yemen and the legitimate government, the Hajour tribes are battling the Houthis in the northern province of Hajjah near the Saudi border. On March 4, the coalition carried out its sixth landing, dropping weapons, ammunition, food and medical supplies in support of the Hajour tribes in Hajjah province. The coalition has been launching airstrikes against the Houthis in this battle while Yemen's legitimate government army troops are advancing on the ground. The battles between the Houthis and the Hajour tribes are taking place within the Fifth Military Regions geographical scope. On March 1, the legitimate government decided to provide the Fifth Military Region with reinforcements from other military areas to support the Hajour tribes. The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, have taken over, since they invaded the capital Sanaa in September 2014, most Yemeni provinces in record time. However, they have so far been unable to wrest control of Hajour in the Keshar district of Hajjah province. Hajour falls within a Zaidi area and the Houthis are Zaidis. Hostilities flared up between the Houthis and the Hajour tribes after the tribes captured Houthi fighters in the tribal territory. The incident escalated in early February into an ongoing fierce battle. The battle of Hajour may extend to the Huth triangle south of Saada province and cut off the main road linking it with Sanaa. The Houthis would almost be completely trapped in Saada, their stronghold. The distance between Hajour and the city of Houth that links Sanaa to Saada is only 50 kilometers (31 miles). This prompted the Houthis to mobilize their ground forces, heavy weapons and Katyusha rockets artillery in this battle. Fahed al-Sharafy, adviser to the information minister in the legitimate government, told Al-Monitor, The Houthis are attacking the Hajour tribes since these tribes took a patriotic position rejecting the Iranian project and refusing the return of the Yemeni Imamate rule. He compared the Houthis to the Imamate regime against whom the Yemenis revolted on Sept. 26, 1962. Stressing the importance of the Hajour battle, Sharafy pointed to the complex topography of the region and its connection to the neighboring tribal areas, describing the battle as the internal revolution of the tribes of the north. With more support from the legitimate government and the Saudi-led Arab coalition, the Hajour tribes can clear more than 10 mountainous districts in Hajjah province of the Houthis, he added. The Hajour tribes will be backed by the tribes of Hached and Bakil in Amran province. Tribal uprisings would reach Saada, Sanaa and Dhamar at such high tempo that the Houthis would not be able to keep up. According to Sharafy, the Hajour tribes are so far winning this round. The battle will not be the joyride that the Houthis have imagined. The Houthis future is at stake, especially if the legitimate government and the Arab coalition rush to offer full support to the Hajour tribes. A security source told Al-Monitor that the Islah party has been and continues to provide its supporters in Hajour with money and weapons, especially in the past few months. A military source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, Arms were and are still being delivered to Hajour from the Fifth Military Region in [the city of] Midi controlled by the legitimate government. A Saudi local source told Al-Monitor, The Salafist and Wahhabi seminaries are mobilizing money for a campaign under the slogan Support Hajour. Ahmed Jarib, a member of the Houthis' political bureau, told Al-Monitor, The Saudi-led coalitions failure to achieve any military progress on the various fronts in Yemen pushed it to ignite the battles in Hajour. He pointed out that Riyadh tried to exploit the situation of Hajour, from where hundreds of Salafists hail. The war [the Houthis are fighting] is not against the tribes of Hajour, but rather against a rebel faction loyal to the Saudi [coalition] in Yemen. The coalition is trying to portray what is happening in Hajour as a fight between a nation on one side and a community on the other, he said. Jarib added, The battle of Hajour is crucial given that this area is located in the center between the provinces of Hajjah, Saada and Amran. Meanwhile, a tribal source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that the Houthis are seeking to hold a long truce in Hajour. The source noted, however, that the Hajour tribes completely reject the idea of a truce. They believe a truce would be a period of downtime for the Houthis who would exploit it to launch their attack. The Houthis have opened a second front on the borders of Aflah Ash Shawm district south of Hajour to besiege and pressure Hajour. Ahmed Karhash, a military expert and former commander of the northwestern region where Hajour is located, told Al-Monitor, Battles erupted mainly because the Houthis fear the Hajour tribes would align with the legitimate government forces coming from Midi in northwestern Yemen. He said that the battle will militarily undermine the Houthis control on Hodeidah, noting, The Hajour tribes are a serious and strong resistance force deep inside the control areas of the Houthis." Karhash added, It is still early to talk about the gains and losses of the two parties. But a preliminary reading of the results indicates that the Houthis are losing morally since their reputation has been tarnished among the tribes. The result of the battle highly depends on the potentials and capacities of the Hajour fighters. The forces of the legitimate government and the Arab coalition are backing these fighters with supplies and airstrikes. But their assistance, however, remains limited. He continued, If the resistance in Hajour withstands, Qaflat Othor district in the province of Amran will be next in line to revolt since it is tribally and historically predisposed to do so. If this happens, the ensuing repercussions would adversely strategically affect the Houthis. So far the odds are in favor of the Houthis. However, the battle in Hajour will be a long-drawn-out war of attrition since the battleground is overly sensitive to tribalism. This battle will undermine the Houthis influence in general and will continue to be a future threat to them. The tribes that the Houthis once bet on for support in their battles could now turn against them. Former AT&T Alabama President Fred McCallum will serve as the interim president and CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance, the organization announced today. McCallum, a former BBA chairman, is taking over for Brian Hilson, who announced last month he was stepping down as President and CEO, effective March 29, to take another economic development position in the state. Hilson had been with the BBA since 2011. McCallum will oversee daily operations of the BBA during the search for a permanent president and CEO, which is being conducted by the organizations Executive Committee. He was an active member of the BBAs Public Policy Committee and served in volunteer roles during the creation of the BBA in 2009 and in its first strategic plan, Blueprint Birmingham. McCallum said hes excited to return to the BBAs work. My priorities will be to ensure that the BBA remains focused on growing jobs in the Birmingham region and that we are meeting the needs of our investors," he said. "This is a transformative time for Birmingham and the BBA, as we recognize our 10th year of helping our region grow. A graduate of Auburn University and the University of Alabama School of Law, McCallum retired in August 2017 after a 30-year career with South Central Bell, BellSouth and AT&T. He served as president of AT&T Alabama for the last nine years of his career. Most recently, McCallum served as vice chair of the Education and Workforce Development Committee for Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfins transition team. He currently serves on the boards of Coca-Cola Bottling Co. United, Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, Southern Museum of Flight, The Club Board of Governors and the Harbert Center Foundation. He has also held volunteer and leadership positions with the Business Council of Alabama, the Birmingham Education Foundation, the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama and the United Way of Central Alabama, among other organizations. We are proud to have Fred join the BBA in this transitional time, Nancy Goedecke, 2019 BBA chairwoman said. His leadership and prominence in the business community both local and statewide will ensure the BBA remains on solid ground during the search for a permanent CEO. We are confident Fred will set a strong example of collaboration and cooperation for the organization moving forward. Alabama inventor Ray Carney thinks he has the best ornamental plant stand money can buy. He also happens to have a story that busts a lot of stereotypes about what a modern startup entrepreneur looks like. Carney isn't a hipster sipping espresso as he networks in a gleaming business incubator. He'll turn 75 later this year. He's got a successful business career behind him and could have sailed off into an easy retirement, maybe whiled away his time traveling with his wife, Janie. "I'm a blessed man," he says. "She knows how I am. I come from the old school, where you don't sit on your ass. I'm not an ass-sitter. I like challenges, and this is a challenge." "This" is a new company, The Plant Tree. A whole family of products has come to life in an industrial building near Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, where Carney and two employees manufacture, market and ship his products. The Plant Tree is an impressively versatile system. Its components slip together and depending on how a user arranges them, it can stand in the open, against a wall or in a corner. Its gently curving arms can support hanging plants or cradle small pots in hoops. The stands can stand on a floor or be driven into the ground outdoors. They can be mounted to a deck or hang from a ceiling. Separate brackets allow the same arms to be put on walls, fences or other surfaces. "When I call it the world's most versatile plant system, I'm not lying," Carney says. "Because it is. There's nothing like it on the market. You can find something to hang plants on, you can find something to put potted plants on." But when it comes to finding something that can handle a combination of plants in so many possible configurations, he thinks The Plant Tree stands alone. It has taken a long time to get to this point. Carney is a Mobile native who started an ironworks business, Southern Ornamental Security, in the 70s. It started out making items such as burglar bars to go over the windows of homes. To understand just how old-school his business roots are, consider that the company also did business as AAA Ironworks -- A legacy of the era in which having a name that started with AA or AAA or AAAA put you at the top of the alphabetical listings in the Yellow Pages. One day in the '80s a lady came in and asked if he could make a plant stand, so she could keep hanging plants in her apartment. When he said it wasn't economical to make one, she offered to buy five -- so he made those plus an extra one that he put in his showroom. Another visitor who had a side business selling plants in New Orleans' French Market saw it and asked him to make some more. He did, and they sold a few. But it was big and heavy, welded together so there was no way to break it down for shipping or moving. If you bought one, you needed a pickup to carry it home. The wheels were turning. Carney knew he needed a more flexible way of putting the stands together. He came up with the idea at the heart of The Plant Tree: a complex extruded aluminum collar that fits around the central tube and holds everything else. A user can slip in a bracket and tighten a setscrew and the stand is ready for business. Carney found a place in Gulfport that could do the extrusion. He pitched his product to a chain of stores based in Louisiana and came out with a $20,000 contract. To fulfill it, he needed to figure out how to paint aluminum, so he built his own powder-coating booth and oven. And he had the thrill of seeing his vision hit the sales floor. "It's quite a thing when you go into a store and see a product, your idea going from an idea to the marketplace," Carney says. "Not many people can do it. It's quite expensive." There was a fly in the ointment. Carney felt like the stores where using his stands to sell plants but weren't doing a very effective job of marketing the stands themselves. That might have been remedied, but he soon faced a bigger setback: His building burned. Re-establishing the ironworks after that disaster in the late '80s meant putting the plant stand sideline on ice, and there it stayed. A few years ago Carney turned the ironworks over to his son Ryan. With time on his hands, he found his mind turning back to that sideline. His career left him with a very good idea what it would take to launch a whole new manufacturing company, and the confidence he could manage it. It also left him with a pragmatic awareness of the amount of aggravation and heartbreak that might be involved. But he couldn't leave it alone. "I call it unfinished business," he says. He refined his design, making it almost entirely out of aluminum so that a full kit weighs about 14 pounds. "That means a little old lady can pick it up and move it around," he says. "And it's rust-free." He embraced modern marketing tools. He has a website and a marketing video. He has specialized tablets that show that video to passersby, so that shoppers never again see the plants and overlook the stand. Hes excited by the possibilities of social media. Hes absolutely thrilled that rather than having to grab a napkin and sketch out what hes talking about, he can just bring out his smartphone and show people. "It's a different world out there," he says. "Well, really and truly the reason I come back and put all this money in here and all this stuff together was because of the times." He's undaunted by the "pages and pages" of plant stands you'll find if you search on Google or Amazon. He thinks his made-in-the-USA product stands out. "It was a good idea then, I think it's still a good idea," he says. "I think man, I've come a long way," he says. "I'm the inventor, the marketing company, the manufacturer of it. I've got the whole shooting match. But if I didn't believe in it, I wouldn't have done this." "There's no outside investors, it's all my money sitting here." The future is wide open. Carney plans to sell his stands locally at the Providence Hospital Foundation's Festival of Flowers. A day after providing a tour of his facility, he was due to travel to Chicago for a meeting with a distributor. He can envision selling it on QVC or even going on "Shark Tank." "I'm not ready for that yet," he said. But he thinks he's got a product with international potential. Thats my goal. Not the country, the world. Im not thinking small with this, he said. "I really had it made," he says of the quiet retirement he isn't having. "But if you believe in yourself and you believe in the product " He pauses. "You're only gon' be here a little while," he says. "It's been a journey, and life ain't nothin' but a journey." Full information on The Plant Tree can be found online at https://theplanttree.com/. Basic kits are $185 and $199.99; complete kits, which include an automatic watering system, are $270 and $285. Wall-mount bracket kits are $35 and terra cotta pot brackets are $6. A man was shot and killed Wednesday night in a drive-by shooting in southwest Birmingham the fourth shooting in the city in the past few hours. Authorities received a report of a person shot around 7 p.m. at 626 Delta St., according to Birmingham Police Sgt. Johnny Williams. The victim, whose name was not released pending family notification, died after being transported to UAB Hospital, Williams said. Lt. Chris Hays identified the victim as a black male. Police said the suspect, who was not in custody as of 9:35 p.m., fired shots from a vehicle as it drove by the scene. The investigation was ongoing as of that time. The incident was one of four shootings reported in Birmingham in the late afternoon and night. Two separate shooting occurred a little before 5 p.m. One man was shot and another was pistol-whipped on the 7300 block of Oporto Avenue in east Birmingham. The shooting victim was shot in the neck and taken to UAB Hospital with undisclosed injuries. The assault victim was also taken to the hospital; his condition was not known. Also around 5 p.m., a man was shot in the parking lot of a daycare on Third Avenue West in a case of mistaken identity. Police said the gunman was looking for a particular person who the shooter thought would be at the Kids First Developmental Academy. The victim was in stable condition. And around 6:30 p.m., police received a call of a person shot on the 1500 block of Pearson Avenue Southwest. Authorities could not locate the victim, who fled the scene. Injuries to the victim were believed to be non-life-threatening. Three Alabamians were killed and two others were injured in a head-on crash in Georgia on Tuesday afternoon, according to local media reports. Georgia Highway Patrol officials said Destiny Cagle, 23, of Bryant, Zachary Evans, of Henagar, and Nathan Smith, 20, of Higdon, were killed, according to WTVC News Channel 9, an ABC affiliate in Chattanooga. The crash happened around 3 p.m. on Georgia Highway 301 in Dade County, which is just across the state line from northeast Alabama, according to WDEF News Channel 12. Cagle was driving a 2017 Chevrolet Camaro that crossed the center line and hit a 2009 Nissan Sentra driven by Evans, WTVC reported. Georgia Highway Patrol investigators havent yet said what caused the crash. The body found Tuesday night in a northeast Alabama creek has been identified as Koy Jacob Spears, a teen who was swept away in floodwaters nearly three weeks ago. An autopsy was performed earlier today on Spears body, but DeKalb County Coroner Tom Wilson said a cause of death hasnt yet been determined. That could take a while, Wilson told AL.com Spears had been reported missing since the night of Feb. 22 when a vehicle was swept off a road in Bucks Pocket State Park. Two other people were rescued and taken to the hospital that night, authorities said. Fishermen found Spears body on Tuesday in the area of South Sauty Creek near Morgans Cove boat ramp, said Capt. Gary Buchanan, of the Alabama marine patrol division. Several law enforcement agencies have searched for Spears body since the teen disappeared. Because of flooding and unusually high water levels, water searches were suspended at several points during the nearly three weeks since his disappearance. Crews have searched from the air and along the creek bank. Spears was from Geraldine, a tiny town in DeKalb County. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has issued an emergency alert for a 14-year-old girl reported missing in Madison County. Paxton Marie Glenn was last seen on Tuesday getting in a van outside the Sparkman ninth grade building on Ford Chapel Road, according to the Madison County sheriffs office. Lt. Donny Shaw said investigators believe Glenn voluntarily walked out of school and got in the vehicle around 2:15 p.m. Glenn was last seen getting into this van, authorities said. Glenn is described by authorities as a white female with brown hair and brown eyes. Shes 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs about 90 pounds, according to state law enforcement records. Glenn was last seen wearing gray or black sweat pants and carrying a light blue back, according to the sheriffs office. Investigators are actively working the case, Shaw said. Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at 256-533-8820. 24/7 information may be provided by calling 2567227181. pic.twitter.com/M5az3yuQAw Madison Sheriff AL (@mcsosheriffAL) March 13, 2019 Updated at 6:31 p.m. with a photo of the van. The graduation rate for students with disabilities in the class of 2017 reported to federal education officials was not accurate, according to the Alabama State Department of Education. The correct graduation rate for students in special education is 65.3 percent, according to Assistant Superintendent Tony Thacker, down from 74.1 percent reported previously. In 2016, that rate was 54.1 percent. "It was a coding error," Assistant Superintendent Tony Thacker said. "It was essentially one word and one column that was out of place." The results of the month-long investigation were released during the March 14 Alabama State Board of Education work session in Montgomery. Thacker said the number of students in special education first reported included all graduates who received special education at any point during their K-12 education. That number included more than 3,600 students who were no longer in special education when they graduated and was reduced from 8,765 to 5,180 after correcting the error, he said. No graduation rates for any other subgroup was impacted by the error, Thacker said. There was a problem with how a computer update was applied in July 2017, officials said, that resulted in the loss of more than 800 columns of student data statewide, he said. The state department had to perform triage to get that data back in order for schools to be ready to open for the 2017-18 school year, Thacker said. During that period of time, he said, the personnel that were implementing the recommendations from the federal education's Office of Inspector General as to how to ensure school districts were submitting accurate graduation rate data were pulled away to help with that emergency. "When [information systems] personnel were able to return to the new cohort portal, there had been a substantial break in time," Thacker said. As they completed work on the new verification system, an error was made, he said, causing the program to count and report "all students that had ever been identified as opposed to just the ones with active" individualized education programs. The 2017 rates will be recalculated and reposted, Thacker said, but not until the 2018 graduation rates, due to federal officials on March 15, are certified and submitted. Each local district did certify that the 2017 rates were correct, Thacker said. Students in special education have been counted accurately in the 2018 graduation rates, Thacker said. State Superintendent Eric Mackey told board members that verifying student data submitted by local school systems has been complicated because about 50 school districts house all of their own student data. In 2020, Mackey said, the state will switch to a new student information data system, centrally-located at the state department of education. "Once we switch to the new system, it will greatly alleviate these kinds of problems in the future. Last year, federal education officials asked Alabama education officials to explain both the percentage increase in the 2017 graduation rate and how the sheer number of students with disabilities grew, and no evidence exists that state officials provided a response. Federal education officials have said they are still waiting on a response. A recent federal report ranked Alabama high schools among the most efficient in the nation, claiming the fourth highest overall graduation rate, 89 percent, for the class of 2017. Intense competition, followed by capital requirements and profitability pressures, is the main concern for insurers in the GCC countries, according to Moody's 2019 annual survey of the chief financial officers (CFOs). Intense competition, followed by capital requirements and profitability pressures, is the main concern for insurers in the GCC countries, according to Moody's 2019 annual survey of the chief financial officers (CFOs) of twelve leading GCC insurers. "Competition, driven by overcapacity in the insurance GCC market, has now come top of the industry's list of concerns for two consecutive years," said Mohammed Ali Londe, assistant vice president and analyst at Moody's. Key points: In Moody's 2019 survey, over 40 per cent of respondents cited intense competition as the sector's main challenge New regulatory capital requirements and profitability pressures are the next greatest challenges The share of respondents expecting industry consolidation as a result of stricter capital requirements rose to 33 per cent from 25 per cent in 2018 Low oil prices have receded sharply relative to 2018, in a sign that acceptance of current more subdued oil market conditions is growing The majority of respondents expect demand for personal lines P&C insurance to remain broadly unchanged, but for prices to deteriorate Significant exposure to investment-grade bonds and for technology to continue to be a strategic priority for insurers as they attempt to improve operational efficiency and profitability. TradeArabia News Service State Rep. Lynn Greer, a Republican from Rogersville, filed a bill this month in the Alabama Legislature called the Alabama Church Protection Act. It was previously introduced in the State House of Representatives in 2018. It would add churches to the 2006 Stand Your Ground law, allowing churchgoers to defend themselves with guns at church. I think its a good idea, said Birmingham attorney Eric Johnston, president of the Southeast Law Institute, who specializes in church-state issues. Small churches dont have the budgets to have a policeman. Greer said he proposed the bill at the request of a church in his district after shootings in other states. Greers district probably has about 200 churches with only 20 to 30 members, Johnston said. All hes saying is you authorize someone in the church to have a weapon, Johnston said. Theres not enough deputies to go to all those churches. The bill proposes that church members can use deadly force to defend themselves, and would be presumed justified if they believe someone is about to harm people in attendance at a church. This bill would provide that a person is not criminally liable for using physical force, including deadly force, in self-defense or in the defense of another person on the premises of a church under certain conditions, the bill says. Members of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America opposed the bill in a public hearing last year. A number of people bring a gun to church anyway, Johnston said. When theyre getting ready for church, they get their Bible and their gun. Last year, the House Judiciary Committee approved the bill, but it never made it out of the Legislature. The shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas on Nov. 5, 2017, brought renewed attention to the issue of church shootings. More than 91 people have been killed in at least 22 church-related shootings since 1999, with at least 8 shooters then killing themselves also. Three deadly shootings in 2017 made it the deadliest year for killings at U.S. churches. But it has been a recurring problem, from seven dead at Wedgewood Baptist Church in Texas in 1999 to nine killed at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., in 2015. Jussie Smollett pleaded not guilty to 16 felony counts Thursday morning in Cook County, Illinois, the Associated Press reported. The 36-year-old Empire actor was indicted last week for allegedly lying to Chicago police about a hate-crime attack and had been charged with disorderly conduct for filing a false police report. Though Smollett appeared in court Thursday, his lawyer, Tina Glandian, entered the plea on the actor's behalf, according to the AP. Judge Steven Watkins, who was assigned earlier Thursday as the trial judge, set Smollett's next court date for April 17. Smollett, who is black and gay, told police in January that he had been attacked late at night in the Streeterville neighborhood by two people who yelled racist and homophobic slurs, hit him, wrapped a rope around his neck and poured an unidentified chemical substance on him. He said at least one of them had invoked President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan by yelling "This is MAGA country" during the attack. Soon after the alleged incident was made public, police confirmed that the FBI would be assisting in the investigation and that Smollett had earlier received a threatening letter at the Chicago studio where the Fox drama is filmed. Several celebrities and advocacy organizations had rallied behind Smollett, expressing sympathy for him after he told "Good Morning America's" Robin Roberts in mid-February that he would "never be the man that this did not happen to." But the tide began to turn just days later, when police announced that the trajectory of the investigation had changed, and that Smollett would be treated as a suspect. The actor was arrested Feb. 21, and police said at a media briefing that Smollett had faked the attack because he was "dissatisfied" with his salary for playing Jamal Lyon on "Empire." Prosecutors claimed during a hearing that same day that Smollett had paid two brothers - Abimbola "Abel" Osundairo, who worked as a stand-in on the Fox drama, and Olabinjo "Ola" Osundairo, an extra - to stage the attack. Smollett has maintained his innocence, and one of his lawyers called the 16-count indictment "redundant and vindictive" in a statement to The Washington Post. "Jussie adamantly maintains his innocence even if law enforcement has robbed him of that presumption," the lawyer, Mark Geragos, said last week. Smollett chose to appear at a brief hearing at Cook County criminal court earlier this week, during which Judge LeRoy K. Martin Jr. reportedly ruled to allow cameras in the courtroom on Thursday but clarified that a trial judge would make the final decision. Glandian said she would welcome cameras because "demonstrably false" evidence has been presented against her client. "We welcome cameras in the courtroom so that the public and the media can see the actual evidence and what we believe is the lack of evidence against Mr. Smollett, and we look forward to complete transparency and the truth coming out," she said at a news conference earlier this week. It was unclear Thursday if cameras had been allowed inside the courtroom. A small group of fans rallied in support of Smollett outside the courthouse Thursday. Several people could be heard chanting "We are here today to support black people," "We are here today to support LGBTQ people" and "Justice for Jussie" as the actor arrived and walked into the building wearing a dark gray coat and sunglasses. Smollett's arraignment hearing followed the midseason premiere of "Empire," which resumed Wednesday. Smollett's character appeared in several emotional scenes, and social media users found irony in one that showed Jamal performing at his former high school: "I don't know if y'all been reading the blogs and all that foolishness, but it's kind of been a tough week," Smollett's character tells the crowd. Wednesdays episode, the 10th in the shows 18-episode fifth season, was filmed before Smolletts legal troubles. But the Fox dramas executive producers said in a statement last month that the actors character would be removed from this seasons final two episodes to avoid further disruption on set. A Decatur man is accused of assaulting a 10-year-old with a blunt object, causing multiple head wounds, authorities said. Milton Young Doggette, 27, is held in the Morgan County jail with bail set at $250,000 on a charge of first-degree assault, records show. Decatur police officers were called Tuesday evening to investigate an assault on the 1200 block of Freemont Street Southwest. A 10-year-old was flown to Childrens of Alabama hospital for treatment of multiple head wounds, said Decatur police spokeswoman Emme Long. Police said the child is expected to survive. During the course of the investigation it was determined that Milton Young Doggette had assaulted (the child) with a blunt object, said Sgt. Mike Burleson in court records. Police havent said what the blunt object was. Doggette was arrested on Wednesday. A special condition of the Defendants bond is that he refrain from any contact with the victim, the victims family, the residence of the victim, or any other place where the victim/victims family are present, Morgan County Judge Charles Elliott wrote in an order. Long said Doggette is an acquaintance of the victim. If convicted, Doggette faces up to 20 years in prison. Whether youre a math whiz or struggle with 2 + 2, you can still celebrate Pi Day 2019. March 14 or 3.14 is Pi Day, a time set aside to recognize the mathematical symbol that represents the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, or approximately 3.14159. According to the day's organizers, Pi is a constant number, meaning that for all circles of any size, Pi will be the same. It's been calculated to more than 1 trillion digits beyond its decimal point, though it continues infinitely without repetition or pattern. The first Pi Day was organized in 1988 at the San Francisco Exploratorium when physicist Larry Shaw had the idea to celebrate the day by marching around a circle and then eating some pies. The U.S. government recognized March 14 as National Pi Day in 2009. Today, Pi Day is celebrated with some good deals on all sorts of pies. Always check with your favorite location to make sure they are participating. Here are some of the best deals, discounts and bargains for Pi Day: Blaze Pizza Enjoy custom built, artisanal pizzas for $3.14. The deal is available on Blaze Pizza app. Alabama locations are in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. Bojangles Bojangles is celebrating National Pi Day with three Sweet Potato Pies for $3.14. Cheddars Scratch Kitchen Order one homemade chicken pot pie and get a second one to take home. Cicis Pizza Cicis is celebrating Pi Day with a special offer of $3.14 for the adult buffet with the purchase of an adult buffet and large drink with coupon. Hungry Howie's Get a medium one-topping pizza for $3.14 with the purchase of any Howie Bread at regular menu price. Promo code 19PI required; carry out orders only. Kroger Select pies are on sale for $3.14 at Kroger. Pieology Buy one Artisan Thin Pizza get a second for $3.14 on Thursday. Pie Life Rewards members making a purchase on Pi Day will get $2 off their next order. Whole Foods Get $3.14 off select pies. Congressman Mo Brooks would easily defeat Roy Moore in a head-to-head battle for the U.S. Senate, according to a new poll. A poll by the conservative group Club for Growth shows Brooks would defeat Moore by 20 points in a hypothetical primary matchup. Brooks was the choice of 52 percent compared to Moores 32 percent and the 16 percent who were undecided. Brooks did even better among those who were more familiar with the candidates. Among respondents who said theyd heard of both men, Brooks outpolled Moore 56 percent to 29 percent. Among those who said they had an opinion of the candidates, Brooks was the choice for 61 percent compared to 27 percent for Moore. Brooks has not said if he plans to run against current Senator Doug Jones in 2020. Jones, a Democrat, defeated Moore, a Republican, in December 2017 after a contentious campaign that included allegations that Moore had improper sexual contact with girls in the 1970s. Bradley Byrne, Brooks fellow Republican on the Alabama Congressional delegation, has announced his intention to seek the Senate seat. The Club for Growth polling clearly shows Mo Brooks is the best choice to defeat Roy Moore. Other candidates, including Bradley Byrne, would present a greater risk that Moore could win, Club for Growth Action President David McIntosh said. Mo Brooks would be a fighter for economic freedom and represent Alabamians well in the US Senate. The survey was done for Club for Growth by WPA Intelligence. The poll has a total sample size of 501 respondents and a margin of error of 4.4 percent. Paxton Marie Glenn, a 14-year-old reported missing in Madison County, has been found Thursday evening by federal and local law enforcement officials. Glenn was found in Decatur, said Madison County sheriffs Lt. Donny Shaw. Shes OK, Shaw said. Shes safe. Glenn had been missing since Tuesday afternoon when she walked out of Sparkmans ninth grade building on Ford Chapel Road. Authorities said she voluntarily left school with someone she met on social media. Surveillance video showed Glenn getting into a van outside the school around 2:15 p.m. Further details werent immediately available. Updated at 7:26 p.m. to show Glenn has been found safe. In an effort to help stop poverty, Toyota on Wednesday announced a $1 million donation to a national organization. The proceeds will be earmarked to benefit north Alabama and Washington D.C., according to the announcement. Toyota donated the money to National Center for Families Learning, a national non-profit organization fighting poverty through education solutions for families. NCFL, a long-time favorite charity of Toyotas, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. With the latest donation, Toyota has given $50 million to NCFL over the past 28 years. According to the announcement, 420 Toyota Family Learning Centers have helped more than 4.5 million parents and children across the U.S. Education is key to a successful career, Toyota Motor North America CEO Jim Lentz said in the announcement. I have seen the impact of NCFLs two-generation literacy model, where children and their parents inspire each other to learn, and were proud to help further the great work of this organization. Toyota began production in 2003 at a motor manufacturing facility in Huntsville and the plant has expanded to create about 1,500 jobs. The $1.6 billion Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA (MTMUS) plant in Huntsville broke ground late last year with production expected to begin in late 2020 or early 2021. NCFL will coordinate the family literacy programs in each of the receiving communities, partnering with local groups, according to the announcement. What a great way for our 30th anniversary to be celebrated, NCFL founder and CEO Sharon Darling said in the announcement. Toyotas support is much more than just writing a check. They have been hands-on with our family literacy programs since day one. And for a company to be engaged with a non-profit for nearly three decades says everything about Toyotas determination to make a difference. President Donald Trump approves. As Toyota announced a massive expansion at five locations across the country on Thursday the largest of which is taking place in Huntsville -- Trump tweeted out his congratulations. The president also tied the expansion back to the recently updated trade agreements between the U.S., Mexico and Canada in blowing up the arrangement known as NAFTA. The new trade agreement, yet to be approved by Congress, is the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). "Congratulations Toyota! BIG NEWS for U.S. Auto Workers! The USMCA is already fixing the broken NAFTA deal," Trump's tweet said. Congratulations @Toyota! BIG NEWS for U.S. Auto Workers! The USMCA is already fixing the broken NAFTA deal. https://t.co/f9iHprPk5B Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2019 Trump made his comments in retweeting a Toyota tweet about the expansion. In Huntsville, Toyota announced Thursday the creation of 450 news jobs at the motor manufacturing facility as well as a $288 million expansion. Nationwide, Toyota announced a $13 billion expansion with $750 million designated for locations in Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri and West Virginia in addition to Huntsville. These latest investments represent even more examples of our long-term commitment to build where we sell, Jim Lentz, chief executive officer for Toyota Motor North America, said in the announcement. By boosting our U.S. manufacturing footprint, we can better serve our customers and dealers and position our manufacturing plants for future success with more domestic capacity. Morris Dees the high-profile founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery has been let go, the organization announced Thursday. SPLC President Richard Cohen announced Dees termination but did not provide a reason. A statement from the organization said it is committed to ensuring the "conduct of our staff reflects the mission of the organization." The SPLC, he added, "is deeply committed to having a workplace that reflects the values it espouses - truth, justice, equity and inclusion, and we believe the steps we have taken today reaffirm that commitment." Who is Morris Dees? A native of Shorter in Macon County, Alabama, Dees is the co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center. According to the center, its mission is to fight hate and bigotry and seek justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Dees earned undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Alabama. While at UA, he witnessed the turmoil surrounding the integration of the university, incidents he said stayed with him throughout his life. After entering private practice in Montgomery in the 1960s, Dees became interested in civil rights after reading an autobiography of famed attorney Clarence Darrow. Dees and fellow attorney Joseph Levin Jr., ,along with civil rights activity Julian Bond, formed the SPLC in 1971. The SPLC became well known for taking on hate groups, including the Klu Klux Klan. In one of his highest profile cases, Dees represented the mother of Michael Donald, who was lynched in Mobile in 1981. Donalds mother, Beaulah Mae Donald, represented by Dees, was awarded a $7 million settlement from the United Klans of America, an award that essentially bankrupted the group. Dees actions against racial groups, as well as SPLCs watch list of hate groups, has made him the target of threats through the years. In 1983, Deess law office was set on fire. Dees has written several books, including A Lawyers Journey: The Morris Dees Story; Gathering Storm: Americas Militia Threat; Hate on Trial: The Case Against Americas Most Dangerous Neo-Nazi. The University of Alabama School of Law currently awards the Morris Dees Justice Award in his honor. In 1991, a television movie, Line of Fire: The Morris Dees Story told of the attorneys battles against hate groups. Two more Alabama prison inmates are dead, one who took his own life, and another killed by a fellow prisoner. The Alabama Department of Corrections on Thursday announced the deaths of Rashaud Dederic Morrissette, 24, and Quinton Ashaad Few, 27. Morrissette, who was serving a three -year sentence on a third-degree burglary conviction in Mobile County, was found unresponsive in a housing area about 11:45 a.m. Friday. ADOC spokesman Bob Horton said medical staff performed CPR on Morrissett but were unable to revive him. Authorities are not releasing additional details of the incident pending an ongoing investigation and an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Few, Horton said, is the victim of a homicide that happened Tuesday at Bibb County Correctional Facility in Brent. The slaying happened about 2 p.m. Few, serving a 20-year sentence for 2019 conviction on first-degree robbery, was stabbed to death. Terence Griffin, 31, has been identified as a suspect in the stabbing. Griffin, who is serving a life without parole sentence on a 2011 murder conviction in Tuscaloosa County, now faces a capital murder charge. Griffin pleaded guilty in 2011 to the 2008 killing of 33-year-old Rodrecus McGhee, court records show. Griffin was initially charged with capital murder in McGhees death which happened during a robbery of drugs and money. London-based New World Capital Advisors (NWCA), a specialist merchant banking and investment firm, has announced a strategic investment in IslamicMarkets, a leading financial intelligence, e-learning and investment platform. Launched last year, IslamicMarkets offers industry-led learning, financial intelligence and connects investors to opportunities across the global Islamic economy, estimated to be worth $3.8 trillion by 2022. NWCA believes that the platform will become a critical piece of the financial infrastructure serving the Islamic economy, similar to the role that Bloomberg plays in conventional financial services. This comes as interest in Islamic finance continues to grow amongst investors from both OIC and non-OIC countries, with London and Kuala Lumpur emerging as centres of excellence for Islamic finance - both locations are of strategic importance to NWCA and IslamicMarkets, with both groups planning their expansion into the region in 2019. NWCA research highlights the following drivers behind the Islamic economy: Demand for Islamic financial services: Total Islamic banking assets have reached over $2.2 trillion, with average growth in core markets being 1.9X higher than that for conventional banking. Demand for compliant products: With ~1.7bn Muslims worldwide (approx. a quarter of the global population), 62% of which are under the age of 30 and a rapidly rising middle class, demand for convenient and accessible tools for financial services that are aligned with their values is growing. On a macro level, Islamic economies are some of the fastest growing economies globally. Indonesia alone will need to spend $500 billion on infrastructure over the next five years, representing a unique opportunity for the Islamic finance industry. Zeiad Idris, co-founder of NWCA, said: The Islamic economy is the emerging market of the next decade and we expect the market to continue to flourish. Through this investment, we not only want to be exposed to this growth, but play a big part in making it happen. Adam Sadiq, co-founder of NWCA added: Despite continued year-on-year growth, the true potential of the Islamic economy has been held back due to a lack of clear, consistent and powerful insights. By creating a gateway for all market participants to research, share and connect on live opportunities, this platform will revolutionise Islamic finance and establish confidence in the market, supporting the fast growing Islamic Fintech ecosystem. Shakeeb Saqlain, CEO of IslamicMarkets, commented: We are delighted to have NWCA on board as our partner. This will enable IslamicMarkets to build the worlds leading Islamic Fintech platform, driving innovation across the Islamic finance industry. In the last two years alone, IslamicMarkets has created the largest ecosystem of professionals and institutions in the Islamic economy, with over 250,000 users. NWCAs focus on being a highly strategic partner to its portfolio companies will allow us to catalyse on the momentum we have developed to date. NWCA seeks to bring traditional merchant banking principles to new markets. It specialises in complex investment opportunities that are often overlooked by the bulge bracket banks and asset managers, taking long-term stakes in businesses with high-growth potential where it can add value by providing strategic advice and access to key markets across the globe. TradeArabia News Service Birmingham police officers and a tracking dog named Saby are being credited for saving a 90-year-old woman found in a creek bed near her home after she was reported missing. Loudell Hubbard vanished from her Killough Circle home off Five Mile Road in eastern Birmingham late Monday night. When she hadnt been found by mid-morning Tuesday, the Birmingham Police Departments SRT K9 team was brought in to do its thing. Officers Dustin Brock and Richard Wright, along with Brocks K9 Saby, began the search at rear of Hubbards home, which sits on wooded land. They saw a gate it appeared she had gone through, said Sgt. Charles Newfield who, along with other officers, was at the scene. They worked their way from there to the back of the property. Saby quickly picked up Hubbards scent. As they were working their way back up to the front of the property, they saw her up ahead in a creek, Newfield said. She had apparently wandered away from her home the previous night without her cane or walker and had fallen in the creek bed, trapped there all night. She had crawled about 30 yards trying to get out, but she just couldnt go any further, Newfield said. Hubbard was conscious and alert. She was cold and thirsty, Newfield said. If we had had heavier rain or if it had been colder, we could have had a bad outcome. Newfield said one of the officers had a blanket in his vehicle, and they all carry bottled water with them. They quickly wrapped her up and medics transported her to St. Vincents East. Newfield said 99 percent of the teams assignments involve hunting down criminals. All on the scene Tuesday are thankful this task had a happy ending. We all have grandparents. Its one of those times where they realize they truly made a difference, he said. Had they not found her, you may have a different narrative. Shes safe and sound. These guys arent seeking fame or fortune, Newfield said of the officers. This is just what they do. Authorities are searching for family members of three men found dead in Jefferson County last week, including one who was found skeletonized in the bed of his home. The bodies of all three men are ready to be released for burial but the Jefferson County Coroners Office has been unable to locate their next of kin. Foul play is not suspected in any of the deaths. The body of 71-year-old Ebrahim Azizi Kolahi was discovered shortly after 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6, in the Center Point Area. Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates said Kolahis home in the 200 block of 25th Avenue N.E. had been sold through foreclosure. A contractor hired by the new owners showed up to do a post-sale inspection The house was locked, and they had to force their way inside. It was then they discovered Kolahi dead. Yates said investigators have been able to determine that Kolahi was last known to be alive in April 2018. He had lived alone at the home since his wife died in April 2007. Authorities believe a female family of Kolahi may live in the Jasper area, but they have been unable to find her. Efforts to find any other family members have failed. James A. Clifton, a 66-year-old former Yellow Cab driver, was found dead March 7 in the east Birmingham motel where he had been living. Clifton was living at the Bama Motel in the 6700 block of First Avenue North. His body was discovered at 11:36 a.m. and he was pronounced dead a short time later. Yates said all of Cliftons past addresses are at motels or hotels. Friends told authorities they did not know Cliftons family. He could possibly have a sister living in Tuscaloosa. Curtis Lee Wilkerson, 66, was found dead March 8 on a loading ramp in downtown Birmingham. Authorities believe he was living under a cardboard box in the 1200 block of Third Avenue North. He was found dead about 7:30 a.m. that Thursday. A nearby worker had seen him alive there about an hour earlier. He later noticed that he had not moved in about an hour and called 911. Yates said Wilkersons last known address was a homeless shelter in Washington, D.C. Family members for any of the men are asked to call the coroners office at 205-930-3603. An investigation is underway after a man was shot late Wednesday afternoon outside a Birmingham daycare. The shooting happened shortly before 5 p.m. outside Kids First Developmental Academy 630 Third Avenue West. Birmingham police spokesman Sgt. Johnny Williams said the suspect, who is not in custody, went to the daycare earlier looking for a particular person who he thought was at the facility. He then returned and shot the victim in a case of mistaken identity. The victim had no association with the daycare, Williams said. The victim was taken to the hospital with gunshot wound to the back. He is reported to be in stable condition. The shooting is one of at least two, and possibly three, that took place almost simultaneously Wednesday afternoon. A man was shot in the neck and another pistol-whipped in an eastern Birmingham neighborhood and police were also responding to a possible shooting on the citys west side. This story will be updated as more information is released. In a major shift in direction, NASA wants to give the first mission of the Space Launch System (SLS) to commercial rockets, Administrator Jim Bridenstine said Wednesday. The goal is to get back on track, Bridenstine told a Senate committee. Bridenstine said NASA found out last week that SLS faces another delay from the original plan to launch for the first time in 2020 on a flight called Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1). The rockets development is being run by NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. If I tell you and others were going to launch in 2020, around the moon, which is what EM-1 is, I think we should launch around the moon in June of 2020, Bridenstine said. And I think it can be done. NASA is now studying whether to send its first Orion crew capsule and first European Service Module into space on a big commercial rocket, launch a second heavy-lift rocket to put an upper stage into orbit around the Earth and then dock those two together to throw around the moon the Orion crew capsule with the European Space Module, Bridenstine said. Watch the video below or click here. The Orion conversation starts around minute 20. I want to be clear, Bridenstine said, We do not right now have an ability to dock the Orion crew capsule with anything in orbit. So, between now and 2020, we would have to make that a reality. This is 2019, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss>) interjected, laughing. Yes, sir, Bridenstine replied. Heres the glory of the US of A. We have an amazing capability that exists right now that we can use off the shelf to accomplish this objective. He apparently was referring to 2014, when a Delta IV Heavy rocket built by United Launch Alliance in Decatur, Ala., launched a test Orion capsule on a four-hour experimental trip around Earth. Bridenstine said SLS remains a critical piece of what the United States needs to build, because of what it will be able to lift. But the agency is just now understanding how difficult this project is and that it is going to take some additional time, he said, adding that second launch of Orion with a crew should still belong to SLS. The idea of using commercial boosters quickly met with skepticism from U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. While I agree that the delay in the SLS launch schedule is unacceptable, Shelby said, I firmly believe that SLS should launch the Orion. Groups across the country are helping Lee County animals find their forever homes after last weeks tornado. After the deadly tornado ripped through Lee County on March 3, leaving 23 dead and dozens injured, the Humane Society of the United States contacted several humane societies across the nation to ask for help. According to the Oregon Humane Society, they were asked by HSUS if they could take any of the 150 pets who were being evacuated from Lee County shelters. OHS sent a member of their admissions team to Lee County to help prepare the animals for transportation. Sunday-- one week after the fatal storm-- OHS and seven other northwest animal shelters waited for the plane to arrive. There was a great camaraderie among the group a wonderful testament to the collective compassion in the Northwest. As the plane touched down the group erupted in applause, a news release from OHS stated. Of the 150 animals on the flight, OHS received 47: 17 dogs and 30 cats. Back at OHS, the pets were checked in, given a quick assessment and settled in for the night on soft beds in their kennels. On Monday afternoon some will begin the last leg of their journey to an adoptive home. The OHS website will post these pets as they become available for adoption, the release said. According to the Nashville Humane Association, their organization received 21 cats and dogs affected by the tornado from HSUS. Those animals will be up for adoption soon, the group said on Facebook. They have been through a lot. So theyve been through a tornado, Nashville Humane Association Executive Director Laura Charvarria said. One of the shelters, Southern Souls, the tornado touched down actually in their backyard, so they experienced that, on top of, they just went through a 6 hour drive from Alabama to Tennessee, so that is extremely stressful on the animals." You can learn more about the animals and see when they are up for adoption in Oregon here and in Nashville here. Both shelters are accepting donations. See full coverage of the March 3, 2019 storms here. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, a Democrat representing Alabamas 7th Congressional District, today introduced legislation to reduce nationwide physician shortages by increasing the number of Medicare-supported residency positions. Sewell, along with co-sponsor Rep. John Katko, a Republican from New York, introduced the Resident Physicians Shortage Act to support an additional 3,000 positions each year for the next five years, a total of 15,000 residency positions. To become a practicing doctor in the U.S., medical school graduates must complete a residency program. A cap on the number of residents funded by Medicare the primary source of payment for residents has limited the expansion of training programs and the number of trainees, Sewell said. This week, medical students across the country will celebrate their match into physician residency programs, but many of their peers will be left without a residency due to the gap between students applying and the number of funded positions, Sewell said. At the same time, the United States faces a projected shortage of up to 120,000 physicians by 2030. We need to act now to train more qualified doctors. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the United States will face a physician shortage of between 42,600 and 121,300 physicians by 2030, Sewell noted. Increasing the number of Medicare-supported residency positions means increasing the number of trained doctors to meet growing demand, Sewell said. It also means giving hospitals and health centers the tools they need to increase access, lower wait times for patients and create a pipeline of qualified medical professionals to serve Americans health needs. Dr. Will Ferniany, CEO of the UAB Health System, expressed his support of the bill. UAB Medicine is supportive and thankful for Representatives Sewell (D-Ala.) and Katkos (R-N.Y.) support of increasing the training programs for physicians with the reintroduction of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2019, Ferniany said. Alabama and many states have critical shortages of physicians that this act will significantly address. Without this additional support UAB Hospital and other hospitals in Alabama will be unable to meet our physician needs. Katko said its an issue worthy of bi-partisan support. Im proud to introduce this bipartisan measure to help hospitals in Central New York and nationwide recruit and retain medical residents, Katko said. Our nation faces a dire physician shortage, and we need to do more to allow teaching hospitals and academic medical centers to train more healthcare professionals. This measure adds more residency spots to Medicares Graduate Medical Education (GME) program to train emerging physicians and ensure communities nationwide have better access to care. Dr. Darrell G. Kirch, president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges, said he supports the bill. As the United States faces an unprecedented shortage of more than 121,000 primary care and specialty physicians by 2030, the AAMC greatly appreciates Representatives Sewell (D-Ala.) and Katkos (R-N.Y.) commitment to address the physician shortage and applauds their reintroduction of the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2019, he said. This bipartisan legislation recognizes that physicians are a critical element of our health care infrastructure, and would make a strategic investment in the health care workforce by providing a measured increase in federal support for physician training. The legislation would also improve access to critical physician services as it requires half of all the new positions be dedicated to shortage specialties, as well as incentivizes training in VA medical centers, community and outpatient settings, and rural hospitals. We are committed to working with Reps. Sewell and Katko, and all members of Congress, to alleviate the doctor shortage for the benefit of all Americans. Saudi-based Tabia Holding Company said it has won approval from the kingdom's Capital Market Authority (CMA) to increase its capital from SR1.5 billion to SR1.6 billion ($399 million to $426 million) for its major expansion moves. These funds will be used for acquiring all the shares of the minority shareholders in Al Aqeeq Real Estate Development Company (totalling 8.10 per cent) besides a strategic 12.65 per cent stake in Arab Resort Areas Company (ARAC), stated Tabia Holding Company in its filing to the Saudi bourse Tadawul. Al Aqeeq Real Estate Development Company is one of the leading real estate companies in the kingdom with interests in several fields including project development, sale and renting of buildings besides managing, operating and maintaining residential and commercial centres, hotels, and furnished apartments. It is also involved in general contracts for construction of buildings, roads and bridges. ARAC operates a group of hotels and resorts located in the most attractive areas in Saudi Arabia, such as ARAC Taiba Suites Tower in Madinah and ARAC Al Ula Resort in the historical area of Madaen Saleh. Recently, the company had purchased 8,759.43 sq m of land on Al Andalus Road in Jeddah and is planning to build a five-star hotel and serviced apartments. Tabia said the capital boost will be done through issuing of a total of 10.4 million ordinary shares.-TradeArabia News Service Volunteers teach people how to behave with elephants used to migrating through forest that now hosts refugee camps. Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh At least once a year, the Asian elephants living in southern Bangladesh migrate eastwards, passing through the forest that straddles the border with Myanmar. Because this area is sparsely populated, the elephants usually encounter little trouble beyond a few run-ins with local farmers when their crops are trampled. Now, however, the worlds largest refugee camp sits in the middle of their migration path. Since August 2017, more than 700,000 Rohingya have fled their native Myanmar amid a violent crackdown by the Myanmar army. A mostly Muslim minority, they have been persecuted for years. While around 300,000 Rohingya were already living in Bangladesh, having fled Myanmar during other crackdowns in the 1970s and 1990s, the most recent exodus is of an unprecedented scale. In a matter of weeks, much of the forest in the border area, between the towns of Coxs Bazar and Teknaf, was torn down and replaced by a sea of tarpaulin shelters. Now home to around one million people, the Rohingya refugee camps are densely populated. Problems include disease, overcrowding, a lack of sanitation and vulnerability to natural disasters. The sudden emergence of a camp in what was once forest has also created problems for local wildlife. Perhaps no animals have been more affected than the elephants. This camp didnt happen gradually, says Raquibal Amin, Bangladesh representative for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there was no time for elephants to adjust. Between 35 and 45 elephants are trapped in Bangladesh, unable to follow their usual migratory route into Myanmar around 15 percent of Bangladeshs entire elephant population, according to the IUCN. Elephants have genetic memories, says Amin, so they follow the same path, again and again, generation after generation. As a result, elephants are still trying to follow their usual migratory route through the refugee camp often with dire consequences. Since September 2017, 14 Rohingya have been killed by elephants. Others have been injured. The elephant tusk force demonstrates to their community how not to react if an elephant comes into the camp [Susannah Savage/Al Jazeera] Finding a way to allow the elephants to pass through while preventing further casualties has proven challenging. IUCN and UNHCR, the UN agency for refugees, say a corridor between three and four kilometres wide would need to be carved out through the camp, requiring at least 24,000 shelters be moved. Thats a logistical issue, not to mention an ethical one, says Amin. It would involve clearing more forest for those people to move to, creating another environmental dilemma. Even if the corridors location was altered to avoid such an upheaval for the refugees, another hurdle remains. The border between Myanmar and Bangladesh is lined with barbed wire now, and there are landmines, too, it seems, says Amin. We heard that two elephants have died already because of landmines. The IUCN and UNHCR have attempted to broker a deal between the governments of Bangladesh and Myanmar to find a way to let the animals cross. Elephants are a non-politically sensitive issue, after all, says Amin. But so far, they have been unsuccessful. Rohingya children learn about elephants by singing songs and making elephant masks [Susannah Savage/Al Jazeera] The number of elephant deaths has plummeted from 13 between September 2017 and February 2018 to just one in the past year, even though the number of times elephants attempted to enter the camp has remained high. This is thanks to the aptly named elephant tusk force pun intended, says Chris Melzer of UNHCR. 181218233254118 Comprising a passionate group of Rohingya refugees, the group is trained by UNHCR and IUCN to respond safely to elephants in the camp. Their success is remarkable, says Melzer. Watchtowers built throughout the camps are manned around the clock by two members of the tusk force. Equipped with torches and megaphones, these volunteers sound the alarm and alert the other members of their team if they spot an elephant. The most important thing, says Mohamad Saddiq Hossain, one of the tusk force leaders, is not to intimidate the animal. Instead of throwing sticks or confronting the animal aggressively, which might antagonise the elephant, the volunteers use lights and sounds to gently push the elephant back. Mohamad Saddiq Hossain, a leader in the elephant tusk force, says he his proud to be working with UNHCR and IUCN to protect his community [Susannah Savage/Al Jazeera] The elephant is very, very intelligent, says Amin. The trick is to change your tactics, to keep them guessing all the time, rather than be predictable. Soon, tusk force members plan on introducing new flashing lights to do just this. Another element of the volunteers work is educating community members about elephants and what to do if one comes into the camp. One way is by staging a drill using a puppet elephant created for this purpose. The brightly coloured life-size puppet, steered by three puppeteers, charges into the camp from the nearby trees, accompanied by elephant sound effects. In the first run-through, the tusk force volunteers run around wildly, shouting and screaming and throwing objects, showing onlookers what not to do. In the second demonstration, they calmly form a line and slowly approach the elephant with their torches. The puppet itself is a masterpiece, says Melzer. People recognise the tusk force because of their t-shirts and often approach them for help or to report an elephant sighting [Susannah Savage/Al Jazeera] The whole community built the puppet, which was designed by Bangladeshi artist Kamruzzaman Shadhin. This helps connect the Rohingya many of whom never encountered elephants in Myanmar to the animals. The frame was made of bamboo and built by the men in the community. The women sewed their own used clothes to make a patchwork for the elephants skin. Rohingya children, too, are learning about their big-eared neighbours. Elephants are our friends, dont kill elephants, show them their way, they sing at a learning centre as volunteers show them how to make elephant masks and teach them facts about the mammals. The message is coexistence, says tusk force leader Hossain. Like the rest of the group, he takes his work seriously. It makes me very happy to know that the camp residents almost one million people depend on us, he says. They can sleep well at night, knowing that if an elephant comes, well be there. We feel proud to protect their lives. With the demand for recognition of the Golan Heights annexation, Netanyahu is one of many circling war-torn Syria. As the beginning of the endgame on Syria commences, Israel is signaling its intention to join in the feasting on Syrias decaying sovereignty demanding international recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights captured from Syria in the June 1967 war. The occasion for this demand was an extraordinary cabinet session in on the Golan plateau the first ever where, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus reckoning, 50,000 Israeli settlers reside. I chose to hold this festive cabinet meeting on the Golan Heights in order to deliver a clear message, Netanyahu declared at the outset of the meeting. The Golan Heights will forever remain in Israels hands. Israel will never come down from the Golan Heights. This Israeli message bears repeating, particularly now when the parties to the war in Syria are jockeying for advantage in the first stages of the diplomatic battle to end the war and to design Syrias future. Netanyahu, no less than the multitude of players circling around the decimated Syrian state, is determined to place its maximal demands on the diplomatic agenda now being fashioned in Washington and Moscow. The Golan Heights annexation It is significant that Netanyahu set out this demand for international recognition of the Golan Heights annexation without addressing the larger question of a peace treaty with Damascus, which has always been part of the broader diplomatic context in which negotiations over the Golan Heights have been held. ALSO READ: The Moscow-Jerusalem axis over Syria Syria, of course, is hardly able to consider engaging in negotiations over the Golan Heights future. Nor is there much evidence that any Syrian party to the war is prepared to recognise Israeli sovereignty. Both opposition leader Riad Hijab and Syrias Bashar al-Jaafari found themselves in unusual agreement on their adamant rejection of Netanyahus provocative declaration. A view of the Syrian village of Hadar on the Israel-Syria border in the Golan Heights [EPA] In any case, Netanyahu is hardly concerned about Syrias views on the matter. He is aiming at different and in his view, more decisive audience altogether. Not Syrian or even Arab, but American and especially Russian. On the day before the cabinet meeting on the Golan Heights, Netanyahu put forward the broad menu of Israels demands on Syria in a conversation with US Secretary of State John Kerry. I told the Secretary of State that we will not oppose a diplomatic settlement in Syria on condition that it not come at the expense of the security of the State of Israel; ie, that at the end of the day, the forces of Iran, Hezbollah and [ISIL] will be removed from Syrian soil. The time has come, he continued, for the international community to recognise reality, especially two basic facts. One, whatever is beyond the border, the boundary itself will not change. Two, after 50 years, the time has come for the international community to finally recognise that the Golan Heights will remain under Israels sovereignty permanently. The cold shoulder presented by Washington could not have surprised Netanyahu ... Wide range of demands Washington, at least publicly, did not address the wide range of demands Netanyahu outlined, preferring to reiterate Washingtons long-standing view that the Golan Heights is not part of Israel. The cold shoulder presented by Washington could not have surprised Netanyahu, where frustration with the Israeli leader runs deep. Indeed, it is Moscow, where Netanyahu went on April 21, rather than Washington, that looms largest in the Israeli premiers considerations about protecting and advancing Israels interests in Syria. This has most notably been the case since the decisive Russian intervention on behalf of the Assad regime last year, and it will feature prominently in Netanyahus current round of discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The critical nature of the Israel-Russian entente on Syria was addressed by the Minister of Transportation Yisrael Katz who explained that: Coordination of steps between us and Russia allows Israel to defend these interests without fear of Russian intervention, and it is extremely important not only in near, but in the long run We need to remember that we have interests relating to the Golan Heights, and it is good that, in the case of a settlement in Syria, we have the ability to effectively communicate with Russia. ALSO READ: The Six-Day War, 48 years on In contrast to this delicate and effective dialogue, relations with Washington remain hostage to the clash resulting from Washingtons acknowledged failure to do anything in the last eight years to slow the advance of Israels settlement and occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Today, Washington contents itself with heartfelt lamentations, most recently articulated by Vice President Joe Biden, about the course Israel has chosen and a policy agenda that focuses on the slim reed of what used to be called economic peace. Kerry recently explained this policy: I do think it is possible to get something started, get something moving in which you could lay out a vision for where youre going and perhaps get the parties together and have some understanding, some confidence-building measures. You could have some efforts, for instance, in the West Bank on Area C, which is the area controlled by Israel in its entirety and begin to build up Palestinian capacity. I think you could do more on security more on economic development. You could build a horizon where there are some expectations for what has to be achieved that begin to quiet things down and give people some confidence or hope that there is, within that framework, the kernels of possible negotiations. I dont think you can just plunk down and start to negotiate tomorrow, but I do think there are definitive steps that could be taken. And we have what? nine, 10 more months, and I think President Obama will always welcome something thats real. This shortcoming is all the greater because of the spectacular failure of the Obama administrations initial demand for a complete settlement freeze. The patent first established during the Obama administrations diplomatic offensive on Palestine grandiose American statements lacking any real strategic sense or commitment to their implementation is now playing out in Syria, as well. Geoffrey Aronson writes about Middle Eastern affairs. He consults with a variety of public and private institutions dealing with regional political, security, and development issues. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. Today, Saudi Arabia once again committed to abolishing the male guardianship system. In a statement before the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, the Saudi authorities responded to the recommendations made as part of its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in November 2018. Among the recommendations accepted by the state were those of 18 countries calling for the abolition of the male guardianship system. This marked the second time in six years that Saudi Arabia has made such a pledge before the HRC. What is needed now is increased international pressure to ensure that these are not just hollow words. Under the male guardianship system, women are legal minors and need the permission of a male relative in order to travel, obtain passports, get married, work, and study abroad, among other restrictions. The system was thrown into the spotlight recently when teenager Rahaf Mohammed fled the country due to alleged abuse from her family. In Saudi Arabia, many women and girls remain trapped in abusive environments, unable to seek protection without the consent of a male relative. Trial of womens rights activists 181129113259702 Loujain al-Hathloul was in the process of setting up a domestic abuse shelter at the time of her arrest by the Saudi authorities in May 2018. A passionate defender of womens rights, Loujain also campaigned for the lifting of the ban on women driving. When this ban was lifted in June 2018, many commentators across the globe hailed the move as a momentous step forward for gender equality in Saudi Arabia. However, the majority of the activists who campaigned tirelessly on this issue are now in prison, simply because they called for more substantive reforms, including an end to the male guardianship system. Loujain is one of eleven womens rights activists, including Aziza al-Yousef and Eman al-Nafjan, whose trials began yesterday. While the female human rights defenders were initially told they would be tried before Saudi Arabias terrorism court, in what was perhaps a response to international pressure, on the evening of March 12, their families were informed that their cases would be moved to the Criminal Court in Riyadh. During the hearing on Wednesday, the defendants were denied access to lawyers, and independent monitors were barred from the courtroom. They were charged with crimes that fall directly under their right to freedom of expression, including contacting enemy groups- in reference to their cooperation with the UN human rights mechanisms. According to article six of the Cybercrime Law which has been used to prosecute the activists and has received wide criticism for its use to silence peaceful dissent they could face up to five years in prison. Repeated Saudi commitments The prosecution of womens rights activists and severe lack of gender equality persists despite commitments made during Saudi Arabias 2013 UPR to dismantle the system of male guardianship, as well as increased international pressure in the aftermath of the extrajudicial killing of Jamal Khashoggi. The particularly strong set of recommendations made to Saudi Arabia during its 2018 UPR have been followed by a resolution by the European Parliament and an historic statement led by Iceland and supported by 35 other HRC member states, calling on Saudi Arabia to release arbitrarily detained womens rights activists. It is within this context of mounting international pressure that today, Saudi Arabia accepted a recommendation made by Spain to abolish male guardianship over women, words echoed by Iceland, Sweden, Slovenia, Switzerland, and New Zealand, among others. However, as is typical of Saudi Arabias selective approach to its international human rights obligations, it also rejected a recommendation from Germany to [i]immediately release all human rights defenders, in particular women, as well as a recommendation from Iceland to [i]mmediately end the ban and criminalization of protests and unconditionally release anyone imprisoned solely for exercising their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, including women human rights defenders. While the international community is finally beginning to wake up to the dire human rights situation in Saudi Arabia which will hopefully lead to more states putting human rights before trade deals it must be made clear that the inconsistencies in the states approach to its rights obligations will no longer be tolerated. It is only through fully implementing the UPR recommendations to which the state committed today that Loujain, Eman, Aziza, and other womens rights activists will be freed and their vision of equal rights for all in Saudi Arabia will be achieved. For as Loujains brother Walid wrote on International Womens Day, standing with Loujain means getting one step closer to gender equality. The imperative is now on the international community to ensure that Saudi Arabias actions speak louder than its words. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Bahrain has won a new international accolade after being ranked second on the 10 Best Places for Women to Work list prepared by Forbes, the American business magazine. According to the list, 66 per cent of women in Bahrain were satisfied with their career prospects while mens percentage was 62. The percentage was internationally second best, reported BNA citing the US magazine report. The best place went to the Czech Republic where women rated their career prospects at 73, while the men's percentage was 63. Taiwan came third, followed by Norway, Denmark and Luxemburg. Women in the kingdom enjoy an advanced status thanks to a high level of education and openness among the people and to the intense efforts exerted by the Supreme Council for Women, the official entity in charge of promoting the status of women and empowering them politically, socially and economically, stated the report. In December, Bahrain became one of the few countries worldwide where the speaker is a woman after MP Fawzia Zainal was voted in by the lawmakers. In February, and in another first for women, Ahdeya Ahmed was elected the first president of the Bahrain Journalists Association (BJA), the report added. Bahrain has been globally recognised as a top destination, leading several international surveys within communities of expatriates about the place to work or live. Last year, InterNations, a global information site for people who live and work abroad said Bahrain leads the list of the best destinations for expatriates for the second year thanks to great results for working abroad and the ease of settling. The kingdom, home to people from more than 160 nationalities, was particularly applauded for working abroad and the ease of settling in, topping both categories and family life. On February 6, the government of the Central African Republic (CAR) and 14 armed groups signed a long-awaited peace agreement aiming to end the countrys devastating civil war. While the deal was celebrated as an important step towards peace both in CAR and abroad, now many Central Africans are asking themselves: is this the peace they have been waiting for? This is not CARs first peace agreement. In fact, several deals have been signed and eventually collapsed in the last few years. While there are reasons to be optimistic that this time will be different, it is important to be clear-headed about the challenges that lie ahead. Much depends on how the agreements many compromises are interpreted and implemented. One compromise in particular justice for human rights abuses will require creative thinking as the peace process moves forward. Dealing with justice was a difficult component of the peace talks mediated by the African Union. A cloud of uncertainty hung over the outcome until the very last day. In fact, the text of the peace agreement only became known after it was leaked on February 8, two days after the President, Faustin-Archange Touadera, formally endorsed the document. Many worried that the government was reluctant to admit that it had agreed to a broad-based amnesty for the countrys armed groups, depriving Central African victims of the opportunity to seek justice in court. These concerns proved misplaced. The peace agreement makes no direct mention of amnesties, and it reaffirms that impunity is a core cause of the crisis in CAR. This is in and of itself a significant achievement given that amnesty was reportedly a non-negotiable demand of various armed groups. And yet there remains room for concern. Beyond token invocations of the fight against impunity, the agreement says very little of substance about justice for serious crimes. Notably, it does not mention trials of perpetrators before the Special Criminal Court, a hybrid court that the CAR government helped bring into existence in 2015 and which finally launched investigations in October 2018. This is surprising, given that the government had, until very recently, emphasised that prosecutions of serious crimes were an essential component of the peace process. The new peace agreement seems to place the emphasis elsewhere. Adopting the language of pardons and reconciliation, it requires a Truth, Justice, Reparations and Reconciliation Commission (TJRRC) to be established within 90 days of the agreements adoption. The short timeframe will certainly ensure minds concentrate on getting the commission up and running, but it leaves very little time for public and expert consultations. There is clearly a risk that the new TJRRC will be unresponsive to the needs and expectations of ordinary Central Africans. More worryingly, an Inclusive Commission will operate while details of the TJRRC are hashed out. Tasked with examining tragic aspects of the CAR conflict, the Inclusive Commission has been empowered to recommend action in matters of justice. Some fear that the peace agreements vague language on justice foreshadows further compromises on human rights abuses. It is unclear whether the Inclusive Commission, which is composed of just eight government representatives and five armed group members, has enough legitimacy and public support to shape the public debate on justice in CAR. These developments may signify a broader policy shift in the Central African governments handling of armed groups. Human rights groups worry that although the peace agreement makes no explicit mention of amnesty, pardons and reconciliation will be understood as an alternative to prosecutions. In fact, according to Human Rights Watch, some armed groups view the peace agreement as a de facto amnesty, and have warned that they will withdraw from the peace process if their members are arrested. This is worrying. It suggests that there remain fundamental differences of opinion about the relationship between peace and justice in CAR. Much will depend on the resilience of civil society organisations, which have advocated on behalf of victims, as well as the international community. It is critical that the new truth and reconciliation commission finds creative ways of moving the discussion forward. How this will be done remains unclear at this stage, but the government and armed groups must find a way to share power and deal with past grievances without undermining Central Africans aspirations for justice. One thing is certain: if there is to be a sustainable peace, various controversial topics arising from the recent peace deal will have to be decided in the next few months. As noted last month by the outgoing United Nations Special Representative, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, the peace agreement was a necessary and decisive step but the most difficult part is still to come. Justice is just one component of the peace process, but how the government and the armed groups handle this issue is likely to determine the future of peace in CAR. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance. Security Council says status of the Golan will not change after Netanyahu vows it will remain part of Israeli territory. The UN Security Council has rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus claim that the annexed Golan Heights in Syria would for ever remain under Israeli control. The 15-member council agreed on Tuesday that the status of the Golan, which Israel seized from Syria in 1967, remains unchanged, Chinese Ambassador Liu Jieyi, who holds this months council presidency said. Liu recalled a 1981 resolution which states that Israels decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights was nul and void and without any international legal effect. Liu said that the Council members expressed deep concern over Netanyahus remarks from earlier this month that the Golan Heights will remain in the hands of Israel for ever. Israels response Israels UN Ambassador Danny Danon issued a statement rejecting the council complaint. Holding a meeting on this topic completely ignores the reality in the Middle East, he said. While thousands of people are being massacred in Syria, and millions of citizens have become refugees, the Security Council has chosen to focus on Israel, the only true democracy in the Middle East. Its unfortunate that interested parties are attempting to use the council for unfair criticism of Israel. Netanyahus April 17 declaration came on the occasion of the first Israeli cabinet session on the Golan since the area was seized from Syria in a 1967 war and annexed in 1981. Israels annexation of the Golan has never been recognised by the international community. Past US-backed Israeli-Syrian peace efforts were predicated on a return of the Golan, where some 23,000 Israelis now live alongside roughly the same number of Druse Arabs loyal to Damascus. Liu said the council supported a negotiated arrangement to settle the issue of the Golan. At least five Afghan soldiers were killed in what was supposed to be a precision air attack by US forces. Authorities are investigating an errant raid by the United States forces on an Afghanistan military base in the southern part of the country. The attack killed at least five Afghan troops. The soldiers were killed by friendly fire on Wednesday in what was supposed to be a precision air attack by US forces supporting Afghan soldiers battling armed fighters near Tarin Kot in Uruzgan province. The Afghan defence ministry said earlier that the fatalities were the result of a miscommunication between Afghan troops on the ground and forces in the air. The ministry did not provide further details. On Thursday, Obaidullah Barakzai, a legislator from Uruzgan province, told The Associated Press that Afghan soldiers inside the base in Tarin Kot believed a darkened convoy approaching the base was the Taliban not US and Afghan forces and opened fire, invoking a blistering retaliation. The Taliban often travel in convoys with no vehicle lights on, Barikzai said. 190313071443630 The Taliban control vast areas of Uruzgan province, and Afghan security forces had been on alert that an attack could be coming. A US air-to-ground attack was called in to aid the convoy when it came under fire. Barikzai said it hit the Afghan army base, located less than 4km from the governors house, but other reports said the strike hit outside the post, which had recently been moved from one location to another. The US military said it responded to incoming fire on Afghan and US forces on the ground and attempted to come to their defence by conducting a precision air attack. Barikzai said many of the wounded in the deadly incident were in critical condition, but did not provide details. Analysts say presidents concessions are an attempt to buy time, will thousands of demonstrators accept it? President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced he would not be seeking reelection, but it didnt take long for high hopes to fade and disillusionment to set in. At first, it seemed as if the ailing Bouteflika, who suffered a stroke in 2013, was conceding to popular protests against his bid for a fifth term in office. For weeks, hundreds of thousands of Algerians had converged on the streets, angry over Bouteflikas plan to extend his 20-year rule. But no sooner had the celebrations erupted than the sweet taste of victory quickly turned sour. While the president was withdrawing from the race on Monday, he had also decided to delay the long-awaited poll. In response, thousands of Algerians rallied in cities across the country to denounce what they saw as the governments attempt to illegally extend the octogenarians hold on power. In a video that has since gone viral, a reporter for the Arabic service of Sky News was interrupted by an angry passer-by shortly after Bouteflikas announcement was made. We are not congratulating one another, he said, denying what the journalist had said moments earlier. Its not true, we want all of them to leave. Others on social media joked wryly that they would now have to change their slogans from No to a fifth term, to No to an extended fourth term. Promising economic and political reforms starting with an immediate cabinet reshuffle Bouteflika suggested holding a national dialogue conference to bring together various political parties and civil society actors. The goal of the gathering would be to devise a new constitution to be submitted for a referendum by the end of the year. Calls for another Friday of demonstrations, the fourth since protests broke out on February 22, quickly began to make the rounds on social media. Winning time, appeasing protesters Analysts said the measures were an attempt by the government and a shadowy clique that surrounds Bouteflika to appease the protesters and buy time. I think it is a tactic by the presidents entourage to win more time and manage the transition, said Youcef Bouandel, a political science professor at Qatar University. Here I do not mean a transition to an open and democratic regime, but a transition from President Bouteflika to another person capable of keeping the status quo. The proposal was reminiscent of a similar offer made only a week earlier, suggesting that, if reelected, the president would organise a national dialogue conference, change the constitution, and call an election within a year an election, in which he would not run. Two new figures, however, were brought in to help with the transition: Ramtane Lamamra named to the deputy prime minister position that was created by presidential decree on Monday and Lakhdar Brahimi, both former foreign ministers. In their first media appearances since their appointment, both Lamara and Brahimi said they were appealing to the peoples good sense and encouraged them to engage in dialogue with authorities. In sharp contrast to previous government statements where the outgoing Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia suggested Algeria could turn into the next Syria, Lamamra insisted, Syria and Libya made mistakes that we will not make. We will not fall [victim] to this cycle of violence, the former ambassador to the United States told state radio. Brahimi, one of the architects of the 1989 Taif agreement, which brought the Lebanese civil war to an end, was just as conciliatory in his remarks. This is a big turning point for Algeria, we must all work together, he said on state television. How Algerians will react to these two seasoned statesmens advances remains to be seen, but if social media is any indication, Brahimis role in mediating the crisis is proving to be divisive. In December, Brahimi, who is known to be a close confidant of the president, told French publication Jeune Afrique that nobody really contested Bouteflikas rule. I hope Algerians remember them more for their diplomatic careers and roles in international mediation than for the current choices they are making, wrote Khaled Drareni, journalist and founder of the Casbah Tribune newspaper, on Twitter. Opposition unyielding Members of the opposition, who days before the protests failed to agree on a candidate to take on Bouteflika, have, in their overwhelming majority, rejected the presidents proposal, saying it constitutes a gross violation of the Algerian constitution. In a joint statement on Wednesday announcing their rejection of the initiative, they called on honest and rational members of parliament to resign. Even the Islamist Movement of Society for Peace (MSP), which had suggested earlier that the election be postponed, changed its mind. Habib Brahmia, spokesperson of the opposition Jil Jadid party, said protesters, and by extension opposition parties, were unlikely to take up the governments offer because they felt the balance of power had shifted. Algerians were not fooled, they understood the plot, Brahmia told Al Jazeera. They also understood that their voice counts. They have no intention of getting robbed of their revolution. Ali Benflis Bouteflikas former prime minister in the early 2000s who later ran against him told Al Jazeera that notwithstanding parliamentary approval, the only time a sitting president can extend his term is if the country is in a state of war. 190312082928684 I would imagine that the government would be forced into making more concessions later this week, said Michael Willis, a professor of modern Maghrebi politics at Oxford University. They may move back on that [recent decision] or they move the deadline for Bouteflikas withdrawal to six months, and maybe keep on making minor concessions. But I dont think thats going to work. Students across the US plan to walk out of school in support of Green New Deal and broader international mobilisation. Alexandria Villasenor, barely a teenager but old enough to be profoundly scared for the future, has jump-started the climate struggle in the United States. For 14 weeks, through frigid temperatures, the seventh grader nicknamed Lexi has walked out of class every Friday and demonstrated on a bench by the United Nations Secretariat building in New York City. As cofounder of Youth Climate Strike US, she has organised a mass walkout for Friday. The centrepiece is an 11-minute strike at 11am (16:00GMT) to emphasise that in 11 years the world risks exceeding the temperature limit cited by scientists, beyond which the effect of global warming will become catastrophic. Every Friday [since August], folks have been protesting, mostly in Europe and Australia, said Villasenor, 13, whose hooky-for-a-cause partners are Haven Coleman, 12, in Denver, and Isra Hirsi, 16, in Minneapolis. In demanding that the government declare a national emergency on climate change, the trio will join tens of thousands of students on Friday across about 100 countries. The US has already seen the viral successes of activist youth, mostly affiliated with the Sunrise Movement, who repeatedly stormed the halls of Congress, doing sit-ins outside the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, standing down Senator Dianne Feinstein, and swarming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. But this will be the first time that US young people participate en masse in Fridays for Future protests begun by 16-year-old campaigner Greta Thunberg. The Swedish activist gained global attention by riding the rails to Davos, Switzerland, to lecture global economic barons, in addition to her speeches at the European Union and the COP24 climate summit. Greta is supportive of strikers all over the world, said Villasenor, who is coordinating with the Scandinavian activist and was inspired by her protests after devastating summer wildfires in northern Europe. Her message just resonated with me. My generation is impacted the most Villasenor moved from northern California to New York with her parents last year, so her mother could study climate science at Columbia University. When back on the West Coast over the Thanksgiving holiday in November to visit family in the city of Davis downwind of the Paradise wildfire she experienced an Air Quality Index of 350. She told Al Jazeera that breathing the worst air in the world was the pivotal moment for her climate activism. People were collapsing on the pavement from smoke inhalation, said Villasenor, who was forced to stay inside for days due to severe asthma. The hospital beds were all filled up. My generation is impacted the most, she said. Some of my peers at school dont understand, but Im trying to educate them. Were putting pressure on world leaders because we dont have time to wait. We wont stop making noise until we get the necessary climate action, said Villasenor, adding that the Green New Deal is one of the only proposals to meet the necessary standard. That resolution aims to wean the US off fossil fuels and launch a massive public works programme. In preparation for Fridays events, she and a few dozen other young students gathered at New York Universitys engineering lab last weekend to make posters and to strategise. Highlighting their grassroots, no-holds-barred approach, their freshly painted signs read: Save Our Ocean, Face Facts, You Change the World, and Were Melting, Act Now! Alex Serio, spokesperson at March for Science NYC, which organised the gathering, said that because the previous pie-in-the-sky goals of the climate change movement were not tethered to actual proposals on the table, the Green New Deal offers a great shot at moving policy. Although her organisation is nonpartisan, Serio said: In this era, science has to choose a side, and we choose the side that votes for science. March for Science has been holding annual marches around Earth Day since 2017. The group, which includes university students and professionals, advocates increased government funding for science and full acceptance of the scientific consensus on climate change. The bogeyman to me After 22-year-old college student Justine Berfond finished making a colourful poster for the upcoming event, she said: Ever since I was a kid, climate change was the bogeyman to me. Berfond is a volunteer with Sunrise Movement NYC, and says she is motivated to change the conversation about how we better our society. This is a social and political issue of justice, she says. Sunrise Movement is one of several groups bringing out young people to rallies and demonstrations. They may go by a variety of names and mobilise around slightly different themes, but their goals and tactics are overlapping. Miles Goodrich is the New York State director for the Sunrise Movement, which has organised hubs at several colleges in the New York City area that will join Fridays walkout. The young people in this country have existed in a permanent state of crisis, and not only because of climate change, said Goodrich. Political crises and financial crisis have plagued our generation. Elected officials, the putative adults in this room, have failed, he told Al Jazeera. So, the politicisation of millennials and Generation Z is inevitable, and ultimately good. Im doing my best to help shepherd it. Goodrich said that the upsurge in youth activism following the Parkland school massacre in February 2018 had a significant effect on his groups popularity. Many of the Sunrise founders had already cut their teeth in politics, he said, with the fossil-fuel divestment movement. The 25-year-old activist also said that the traditional left had failed to grab national attention around the climate issue. But Sunrise has been able to cast a wide net, attracting interest from union, healthcare, and immigrant rights groups. Climate change is affecting all of us. This cant just be environmentalists or elite college students, he said. We found a frame that everybody could get behind because its going to require everybody. The protesters want a national emergency to be declared on climate change [Ben Piven/Al Jazeera] Under no illusion that the Republican-controlled Senate or Republican President Donald Trump will get behind the Green New Deal, the Sunrise Movement is laying the groundwork for the 2020 elections, which they hope will usher in new legislative and executive partners for transformative action. The group says its role is to convince voters and earn a mandate to tackle the problem. They reject austerity policies and the idea that anyone should have to choose between clean air and affordable healthcare. And Fridays strike is a chance for Sunrise, which has recently developed organisational heft across the country, to test its strategy for expanding the youth climate fight. Americans overwhelmingly support the Green New Deal and taxing the rich, said Goodrich. Reality is on our side. Northern Irelands Public Prosecution Service will make its decisions on the Bloody Sunday killings public at 11:00 GMT. Northern Irelands Public Prosecution Service will announce on Thursday whether it will seek prosecutions over the so-called Bloody Sunday killings in 1972. Thirteen civilians died when British soldiers fired into a crowd of demonstrators. Families of the victims will be told if any of the former soldiers, now in their 60s and 70s, are to face charges shortly before the news is made public. Al Jazeeras Sonia Gallego spoke to relatives of some of the victims in the city of Londonderry. India and US sign a deal on closer security and civil nuclear cooperation after two days of talks in Washington. The United States and India have agreed to strengthen security and civil nuclear cooperation, including building six US nuclear power plants in India, according to a joint statement. The agreement came on Wednesday after two days of talks in Washington between Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Andrea Thompson, the US undersecretary of state for arms control and international security. They committed to strengthen bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, including the establishment of six US nuclear power plants in India, the joint statement said. It gave no further details of the nuclear plant project. The two countries have been discussing the supply of US nuclear reactors to India, the worlds third-biggest buyer of oil, for more than a decade. But a long-standing obstacle has been the need to bring Indian liability rules in line with international norms, which require the costs of any accident to be shouldered by the operator rather than the maker of a nuclear power station. Stalled work Pittsburgh-based Westinghouse has been negotiating to build reactors in India for years. The project was thrown into doubt when Westinghouse filed for bankruptcy in 2017 after cost overruns on US reactors. Canadas Brookfield Asset Management bought Westinghouse from Toshiba in August 2018. Last April, Westinghouse received strong support from US Energy Secretary Rick Perry for its India project, which envisaged the building of six AP1000 reactors in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The agreement to build the reactors, announced in 2016, followed on from a US-India civil nuclear agreement signed in 2008. India plans to triple its nuclear capacity by 2024 to wean Asias third-largest economy off polluting fossil fuels. Last October, India and Russia signed a pact to build six more nuclear reactors at a new site in India following summit talks between their leaders in New Delhi. The US report said treatment of Chinas Muslims is one of the most serious human rights violations in the world today. Chinas foreign ministry said on Thursday a US State Department report critical of its human rights record was filled with ideological prejudice and groundless accusations. The US report slammed human rights violations in China, saying the sort of abuses it had inflicted on its Muslim minorities had not been seen since the 1930s. 190313070439477 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo highlighted abuses in Iran, South Sudan, Nicaragua and China in the departments annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, but told reporters that China was in a league of its own when it comes to human rights violations. Today, more than one million Uighurs, ethnic Kazakhs, and other Muslims are interned in re-education camps designed to erase their religious and ethnic identities, he said. Michael Kozak, head of the State Departments human rights and democracy bureau described abuses of Chinas Muslim minority in the Xinjiang region. Rounding up, in some estimations in the millions of people, putting them into camps, and torturing them, abusing them, and trying to basically erase their culture and their religion and so on from their DNA. Its just remarkably awful. It is one of the most serious human rights violations in the world today, he said. For me, you havent seen things like this since the 1930s, he said, apparently referring to the policies of persecution in Hitlers Germany and Stalins Soviet Union. International scrutiny China had initially denied the existence of the camps, Kozak said, adding that its current justification that they were for voluntary labour training does not match the facts. But at least were starting to make them realize there is a lot of international scrutiny on this, he said. Xinjiang Governor Shohrat Zakir said on Tuesday that China was running boarding schools, not concentration camps, in the countrys far western region as the US ambassador for religious freedom called the situation there completely unacceptable and said sanctions against Chinese officials under the Global Magnitsky Act remained a possibility. 190305161300369 The administration of President Donald Trump has weighed sanctions against senior Chinese officials in Xinjiang, including Chen Quanguo, the Communist Party boss there who, as a member of the powerful politburo, is in the upper echelons of Chinas leadership. Beijing has warned of retaliation if Washington were to target Chen and the administration has yet to act despite complaints from US lawmakers. The State Department report said Chen had replicated in Xinjiang policies similar to those credited with reducing opposition to Communist Party rule in Tibet, where he was previously stationed. The report said that in the past year, China had significantly intensified its campaign of mass detention of members of Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang. It said authorities there were reported to have arbitrarily detained between 800,000 and possibly more than two million Uighurs, ethnic Kazakhs and other Muslims in camps, with the aim of erasing religious and ethnic identities. The report says children of the detained have been placed in orphanages or boarding schools, or child welfare guidance centres, where they were forced to shout patriotic slogans, learn Mandarin Chinese, and answer questions about their parents religious beliefs and practices. It said it did not know how many children were affected. Other countries rebuked Iran also came in for harsh criticism while rival Saudi Arabia, cited for many identical domestic rights abuses as well as the murder of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi, was given easier treatment. Pompeo said the Iranian government had killed more than 20 people and arrested thousands without due process for protesting for their rights continuing a pattern of cruelty the regime has inflicted on the Iranian people for the last four decades. Tehran was also cited for contributing to rights abuses in Syria through its support for President Bashar al-Assad, and in Yemen for backing the Houthi rebels battling for control of the country. In the Western Hemisphere, Venezuela and Nicaragua came in for strong criticism for extrajudicial murders, disappearances, torture by security forces and denial of basic freedoms. Pompeo assailed Nicaragua for the governments use of snipers and live ammunition to repress protests that the report says left at least 325 persons dead and more than 2,000 injured last year. First air strikes in weeks kill civilians, including children, in last rebel-held province, Syrias Civil Defence says. The death toll in Syrias northwestern Idlib province has risen to 15 following Syrian government forces launched air strikes in the rebel-held area, the Syria Civil Defence said on Thursday. Along with artillery barrages, Russian warplanes attacked central Idlib and its rural outskirts with four air raids on Wednesday, resulting in the casualties that included eight children, the Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, said. The attacks, which wounded 49 civilians, targeted the al-Kaseeh neighbourhood, damaging residential buildings, according to the White Helmets, which added that a search-and-rescue operation was under way. The raids raged in the area of Al-Kaseeh in Idlibs center, causing extensive damage to civilian facilities and residential buildings. #WhiteHelmets #Syria #Idlib pic.twitter.com/7tjOMQyWjf The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) March 14, 2019 Government air raids have killed at least 138 civilians this year. Idlib is largely controlled by Hayet Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, which on Thursday vowed to retaliate against the Syrian government forces and their Russian allies. Government forces have stepped up attacks on the last rebel-held bastion Baghouz since January 2019, despite it being under the so-called de-escalation zones aimed at shoring up ceasefires. Last September, Russia, along with Turkey which backs opposition groups in Idlib, agreed to create a demilitarised zone that put on hold an offensive on Idlib which was dubbed dumping ground for evacuees who fled government offensives in other parts of the country. The 15-to-20km-wide zone agreed upon by Ankara and Moscow was meant to allow for the withdrawal of all radical fighters from Idlib, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the time, referring to HTS, who remain to be the dominant force in the province. The last rebel-held enclave in Syria is currently home to nearly three million people, half of whom are internally displaced, and encloses what was once a major commercial highway linking Syria to Turkey and Jordan. Civilians are bracing themselves for an offensive that humanitarian workers worry could drive millions of refugees into neighbouring Turkey, which already hosts more than three million Syrian refugees. Syria has only just begun to emerge from a devastating conflict that began in 2011, when Syrian President Bashar al-Assads government cracked down on demonstrators amid a peaceful uprising. Since the devastating conflict began in 2011, more than 450,000 Syrians have been killed and over six million displaced, according to the United Nations. Opposition in Colombia accuses president of breaching the constitution, as he tries to change the peace deal with FARC. Colombians have rallied in defence of a peace accord with FARC rebels. They say President Ivan Duque is trying to undermine the peace process, threatening to plunge the country back into violence. Al Jazeeras Alessandro Rampietti reports from Bogota. DP World Berbera has achieved another milestone for Somaliland, commissioning the first mobile harbour cranes (MHCs) at the Port of Berbera this month. The introduction of the MHCs is a landmark development by DP World Berbera, as the port will for the first time offer shoreside crane support, substantially improving vessel operations, said a statement. The $12 million investment on the three new cranes will double productivity at the port, significantly reducing vessel turn-around time and stabilising operations during monsoon season as well as providing safer and more secure conditions at the port, it said. Suhail Al Banna, chief executive officer and managing director of DP World Middle East and Africa, said: The three mobile harbour cranes currently being commissioned are strategically important for the development of the Port of Berbera. They will enable more ships to be served at and ultimately increase the flow of trade to both the country and the region. As construction work for the expansion of the port progresses, we are witnessing a transformation in the capacity of this major infrastructure asset, benefiting people both here and across the Horn of Africa, he said. DP World Berbera provides an effective alternative gateway to international markets and is proving beneficial to the people of Somaliland, he added. The investment in the new cranes is the latest in a series of improvements to the Port of Berbera. Since 2017 DP World Berbera has introduced state-of-the-art container handling equipment, vehicles and systems as part of its push to modernise the historic port. In 2019, DP World also launched the Zodiac Terminal Operating System, Oracle Finance System, and Maximo Enterprise Asset Management System to deliver faster and better services for shipping lines. DP World Berbera staff are being trained to operate the cranes in Dubai as part of the local talent development program that provided training to more than 2700 Somalilanders in 2018, it stated. TradeArabia News Service Saudi Arabias human rights record has come under intense scrutiny since the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Members of the US Congress, activists and families of detainees have slammed Saudi Arabias human rights record while urging the United States government to take action. The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year and the ongoing detention of rights activists were the main issues on the table at the press conference organised by Human Rights Watch (HRW) in Washington on Thursday. Accusing the Saudi government of submitting dissidents to torture, harassment and smear campaigns, Amy Hawthorne, deputy director for research at Washington-based NGO Project on Middle East Democracy, stressed the need for the US to take a strong stand in defence of human rights. These efforts are part of [Saudi Crown Prince] Mohammed bin Salmans attempt to impose harsh authoritarianism, to consolidate power and to punish and inflict harm on Saudis who are working peacefully to improve and better their society, said Hawthorne. These human rights abuses are bad for Saudi Arabia and theyre bad for the United States, she said, adding that Saudi rulers are counting on us to be silent and are counting on impunity from us. Criminal enterprise Saudi Arabias human rights record came under intense scrutiny following Khashoggis murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. The gruesome killing loomed large over Thursdays proceedings, with Hawthorne describing it as one event in a deeply disturbing wave of violent repression against a wide range of Saudis: peaceful activists, business people, intellectuals, Saudis of all backgrounds and stripes. US Senator Patrick Leahy commended Khashoggis bravery in criticising Saudi Arabia before accusing the Saudi government of behaving like a criminal enterprise. The former prosecutor compared the brutality of Khashoggis murder to atrocities committed by former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (also known as ISIS or ISIL). Leahy went on to highlight the case of Walid Fitaihi, a US-Saudi citizen who has been imprisoned in the kingdom for more than a year, apparently without charges or a trial. Fitaihi, a doctor, has said he was among those held at the Ritz Carlton hotel in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and that he was tortured. We are here to speak clearly, unambiguously and directly to the government of Saudi Arabia: release Dr Fitaihi now, said Jim McGovern, a Massachusetts senator. We are here to put the Saudi government on notice, to let them know that we are watching and that we will not remain silent. Jailed female activists During the press conference, attention was also drawn to 10 womens rights activists, who stood trial on Wednesday. Over the last two years, weve seen a significant increase in human rights violations inside Saudi Arabia [] weve seen an increase in allegations of torture, weve seen an increase in the severity of the allegations of torture and weve also seen, really for the first time, the allegations of irregular detention, said HRWs Andrea Prasow. Prasow praised the US government for passing a bill on Wednesday to halt military support to the Saudi-UAE coalition in the war in Yemen, but said more needed to be done to prevent a return to business as usual. Al Jazeeras Mike Hanna, reporting from Washington, said the fact that the press conference took place in the US Congress was a sign of the deep concerns among US politicians regarding Saudi Arabia. There has been a complete divide between the Congress and the Trump administration on this entire issue and, importantly, it is a bipartisan issue within Congress. Its not just Democrats calling for action to be taken against Saudi Arabia, it is Republicans and Democrats very clearly making this a bipartisan issue, he said. US Congress rejects Trumps emergency declaration to spend $8bn to build a wall along its border with Mexico. Washington, DC The US Senate has voted 59-41 to reverse President Donald Trumps emergency declaration to spend $8bn to build a wall on its border with Mexico. The vote on Thursday set up the first veto showdown of Trumps presidency and a major political issue for the 2020 election. Despite last minute personal appeals from Trump and a White House lobbying campaign, 12 Republicans broke with the president to join the Democrats in voting against the wall. The margin, however, fell short of what would be needed to override a Trump veto which the US president is likely to do, according to his tweet sent a few minutes after the Senate decision. VETO! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2019 Building a wall to stop migration from Mexico was Trumps signature campaign issue during his presidential election campaign in 2016. It was also at the core of the constitutional standoff between Trump and Congress that led to a 35-day government shutdown earlier this year. The presidents emergency declaration is an end run around Congress, plain and simple, said Senator Tom Udall, a Democrat from New Mexico, one of four US states that border Mexico. I am here to tell you there is no national security emergency along the border in New Mexico. Immigration has been a long-running, unresolved political issue in the US since a bipartisan immigration reform bill that was passed by the Senate in 2013 but failed in the House of Representatives because of Republican opposition. Eleven million immigrants from Mexico and other countries are currently living in the US without proper authorisation, according to estimates by the Pew Research Center, a non-partisan organisation in Washington, DC. Since October 1 last year, US Customs and Border Patrol has apprehended 268,000 persons trying to cross the southwest US border. We have failed to protect our border as any sovereign nation must and our people are dying because of it, said Senator Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican. The president has declared a national emergency because of this crisis. Yet, the administrations sensible long-overdue efforts to secure the border have been met only by howls of outrage from the Democratic party. Republicans who voted against Trump cited the US Constitutions assignment of authority over spending to Congress, not the president, and argued that shifting funding away from military construction projects already approved by Congress would have negative consequences. Do we want the executive branch now or in the future to hold the power of the purse, a power the framers deliberately gave to the Congress, said Senator Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, who voted with Democrats against the president. Trump sought to label opponents of the wall as elitists, out of touch with real peoples concerns and weak on undocumented immigration. The president and his allies argue that the situation at the southern border presents a humanitarian and security crisis. Trump has adopted a zero tolerance policy at the border, leading to family separations and detentions of as many as 15,000 children. The president is operating within existing law and the crisis on the border is all too real, Senate Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. Trump declared a national emergency on February 15, invoking powers delegated by Congress to the president under the National Emergency Act of 1976. He designated construction of the border wall as a military project, allowing him to raid six billion dollars in funds from already approved military construction projects. An additional $600m would come from a drug forfeiture programme. Congress already approved $1.375bn for border barriers after the government shutdown. A coalition of 16 states, including California, Nevada and New Mexico, sued the president and his administration on February 18 in San Franciscos federal court, arguing the president does not have the power to divert the funds against the will of Congress. The case is likely to end up in the US Supreme Court. Instead of accepting that we live in a democracy and he is not a monarch, instead of accepting that in a democracy there are two other co-equal branches of government that can constrain his actions, the president has decided to ignore the Constitution and the will of Congress and go it alone, said Senator Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat. The House of Representatives voted 245-182 to overturn Trumps emergency declaration on February 26. The Senates action today sends the resolution to the presidents desk. Polls show most Americans do not support Trumps plan, although sentiment is sharply divided along partisan lines with most Republicans supporting the president. Sixty-four percent said the country is on the wrong track and 51 percent said they oppose Trumps emergency declaration, according to a February 15-19 poll of 1,914 voters by POLITICO/Morning Consult. During the 2016 campaign, Trump had repeatedly claimed that Mexico would pay for the wall. He was unable to secure the funds when Republicans controlled both chambers of Congress from 2017 to 2018. Pneumonic plague is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria, usually found in small mammals and their fleas. A deadly form of plague has broken out on Ugandas border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and several people are thought to have died of the disease, the World Health Organization said earlier this week. The agency praised Ugandan health workers for vigilance and prompt action in spotting a suspected outbreak of pneumonic plague, which the WHO says is usually fatal unless detected early and treated with antibiotics. Ugandas health ministry reported two probable cases of the illness in Zombo district on March 5 after a 35-year-old woman died and her 23-year-old cousin reported similar symptoms, the WHO said in a report. Further investigation revealed the dead woman had lived in Atungulei village in the DRCs Ituri province, and her 4-year-old child had died days beforehand. Seeing that she was ill at her childs burial, her relatives took her to Uganda for treatment. The cousins symptoms raised suspicions of plague and a preliminary rapid diagnostic test was positive for the disease. Results on additional specimens sent to Ugandas Plague Laboratory in Arua were pending. The patient was steadily improving, the WHO report said. Some 55 people, including 11 health workers and people who took part in the dead womans funeral, had been identified as high-risk contacts and were being monitored. Three other people reportedly died of similar symptoms in the DRC, the WHO said, and local authorities were investigating. Felix Ochom, an epidemiologist with WHO, told Al Jazeera that while the outbreak is cause for concern, it is under control. From the Ugandan side, we are working closely with the Ministry of Health and the district health authorities in Zombo district, he said, speaking from Kampala. It is treatable and the suspected case we identified in Zombo district is undergoing treatment and improving quite steadily. Situation stable on the Ugandan side Plague is endemic in the DRC, Madagascar and Peru, according to the WHO. Congolese health authorities are already fighting a major outbreak of Ebola further south in Ituri and North Kivu provinces. Ochom said that conflict and the outbreak of Ebola on the DRC side would further complicate an already difficult situation, in contrast, the situation on the Ugandan side is quite stable. Pneumonic plague is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria, usually found in small mammals and their fleas. Humans can be infected through flea bites, unprotected contact with bodily fluids or contaminated materials, and the inhalation of droplets or small particles from a patient with pneumonic plague. US Secretary of State says Washington remains committed to supporting opposition leader Juan Guaido over Nicolas Maduro. The United States has withdrawn all remaining diplomatic personnel from its embassy in Caracas as the crisis in Venezuela deepens. Today, all US diplomats remaining in Venezuela departed the country. I know it is a difficult moment for them, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Thursday. He said the US remains committed to supporting opposition leader Juan Guaido, who wants to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and hold elections. US diplomats will now continue that mission from other locations where they will continue to help manage the flow of humanitarian assistance to the Venezuelan people and support the democratic actors bravely resisting tyranny, Pompeo said. All remaining U.S. diplomats in #Venezuela have departed for the time being. We remain firm in our support for Venezuelan people and @jguaido and look forward to returning to a free & democratic Venezuela. #EstamosUnidosVE Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) March 14, 2019 A convoy was seen leaving the US embassy in Caracas on Thursday morning and the American flag was no longer flying outside. Pompeo tweeted earlier this week that the diplomats would be withdrawn because they had become a constraint on US policy. The Venezuelan government disputed Pompeos account, saying it had instructed the US diplomats to leave. The embassy closure is set to worsen already tattered relations with US President Donald Trump, who has not ruled out military intervention to overthrow Maduro as Washington monitors rapidly unfolding events in the oil-rich but crippled South American nation. The US has already imposed sanctions designed to choke off Venezuelan oil sales, the lifeblood of the leftist government in Caracas. The country began returning to normal on Thursday following a near-total weeklong blackout that the government has blamed on what it calls sabotage encouraged by the US. Since January, the US, Canada and several European countries have called on Maduro to step down. They and others now recognise Guaido, the leader of the countrys opposition-controlled legislative body, as Venezuelas rightful interim president. Maduro, however, maintains the backing of around 50 United Nations-member countries, including Russia, China and Turkey. Senior US official says the change in description does not mean a change in their policy regarding the Golan Heights. The United States no longer refers to the Golan Heights as an Israeli-occupied territory in its latest annual human rights report, published on Wednesday, though the State Department insists the wording change doesnt mean a policy change. The report now calls the area the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. When asked about the change on such a sensitive Middle East subject, a senior US official told reporters in Washington: Theres no change in our outlook or our policy vis-a-vis these territories and the need for a negotiated settlement there. This, by the way, is not a human rights issue, its a legal status issue, said Michael Kozak of the State Departments Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. What we try to do is to report on the human rights situation in those territories, and so youre just trying to find the way of describing the place that youre reporting on, he said. And occupied territory has a legal meaning to it; I think what they tried to do is to shift more to just a geographic description. Another semantic change that appeared in last years report showed up again this year, with a section titled Israel, Golan Heights, West Bank and Gaza, instead of its previous Israel and the Occupied Territories heading. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, said that the US dropping the term occupation from the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the Syrian Golan Heights is a continuation of the hostile approach of the American administration toward our Palestinian people and is contrary to all UN resolutions. He stressed, These American titles will not change the fact that the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967 and the occupied Arab Golan are territories under Israeli occupation in accordance with UN resolutions and international law, Abu Rudeinah said, as reported by Palestinian news agency Maan. Al Jazeeras Rosiland Jordan said that the Occupied Territories term stems from a number of UN resolutions. Both human rights groups and journalists are raising questions about whether the Trump administration is trying to stay on the right side of the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel by removing this language, she said, speaking from Washington, DC. Defying international consensus US President Donald Trump, who has shown robust support for his countrys close ally Israel, recognised Jerusalem as the countrys capital in 2017, defying international consensus and much to the chagrin of Palestinian leaders, who view Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. Israel seized much of the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War and then effectively annexed it in 1981, a move that was never recognised by the international community. Israel and Syria remain technically at war after the 1973 War, though a demilitarised border zone established through an armistice had long been relatively calm until the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011. Influential Trump ally US Senator Lindsey Graham said on Monday during a visit to the Golan Heights with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would push for US recognition of Israels sovereignty over the strategic region now and forever. Last month, US Senators Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton and Congressman Mike Gallagher introduced legislation in the House of Representatives and the Senate to recognise Israels sovereignty over the occupied Golan. The Republican companion bills have seven co-sponsors in the Senate and 23 co-sponsors in the House. All are Republican. Both pieces of legislation have been referred to the respective foreign affairs committees. Flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder from crashed Boeing 737 MAX 8 sent to Paris for detailed analysis. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia The black boxes from the Boeing 737 MAX 8 that crashed on Sunday in Ethiopia have been sent to France for analysis, Ethiopian Airlines said on Thursday. An Ethiopian delegation led by Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has flown the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) to Paris, France for investigation, the airline said in a statement. Ethiopia said on Wednesday it will send the FDR and the CVR to France because the east African country lacks the facilities to carry out the detailed analysis required to determine the cause of the deadly disaster. The devices from the US made aircraft will be analysed by Frances BEA air accident investigation agency. Analysts backed the decision by Africas biggest airline to send the black boxes to France. To send the data recorders to the USA would be to allow a party with a vested interest to be a judge in its own case, Awo Allo, a lecturer in law at Keele University in the UK, said. Boeing is more than just a company for the US and Ethiopia cannot reasonably expect a judicious outcome from a US investigation, Awo added. Flight ET 302, heading to Nairobi from Addis Ababa, crashed about 50km outside the Ethiopian capital six minutes after taking off. All 157 people on board 149 passengers and eight crew died in the crash. Previous incident The crash was the second involving a Boeing 737 MAX 8 model in five months. In October, Lion Air Flight 610 crashed in Indonesia 10 minutes after take-off, killing 189 people. The cause of that accident is still under investigation. Before Sundays disaster, more than 370 jets of the model were in operation. Following the latest crash, the European Union and several countries banned the 737 MAX aircraft from their airspace. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered the temporary grounding of all 737 MAX aircraft operated by US airlines or in US airspace on Wednesday. The US, home of Boeing the worlds largest aircraft maker was one of the last countries where the plane model was still allowed to operate. According to flight tracking website, FlightRadar24, all Boeing 737 MAX jets have now been grounded. Meanwhile, Boeing recommended a temporary suspension of the entire global fleet of 737 MAX aircraft on Wednesday. Following Wednesdays announcement, Boeing shares fell by nearly three percent. The aircraft makers stock has gone down by at least 13 percent since Sunday. Students march from White House to Capitol Hill calling on politicians to pass bills to end gun violence in the US. Washington, DC Hundreds of students have staged a school walkout and marched from the White House to Capitol Hill to demand stricter gun control laws. On Thursday, politicians who strongly support gun-control reforms joined the students who descended to the capital from over a dozen high schools in the Washington, DC, Maryland and northern Virginia-area. Show me what democracy looks like, 16-year-old Sofia Hidalgo from Albert Einstein High School in Maryland chanted as she marched past Trump International Hotel on her way to Capitol Hill while others booed at the hotel. This is what democracy looks like, protesters shouted. Hidalgo, who plans to go to Florida when she finishes her schooling, has been actively involved in protests against gun violence after the 2018 Parkland shooting in Florida left 17 people dead. While mass shootings have plagued the US for years, the Parkland shooting marked a pivotal moment as students-turned-activists led a nationwide movement to end gun violence. We are privileged, we are here in the capital where the politicians we are trying to convince are as well. They are right next door, she said holding up a banner that read: Arms are for hugs. Since the Parkland shooting, her school as many others across the United States have taken extra precautions to keep unauthorised people off their grounds, including installing extra hallway doors and key access for school-building entry. Schools have also held regular active shooter drills and lockdowns in which students are taught to hide in their classrooms and keep quiet. {articleGUID} A school is a place we should learn and not hide under our desks, said 17-year-old Cammy. Weve had enough, we are students and we shouldnt feel scared in schools. If [politicians] will not make the change, then we will. Sage Spalter, an 18-year-old student at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Maryland, said she walked out of class in the morning to come to the Capitol to show her support. She said she wanted to see the Senate pass the S.42 Background Check Expansion Act, which would help ensure background checks in all states for those who attempt to buy a gun. Students observe 17 minutes of silence outside the White House in honour of the 17 lives lost in the Parkland shooting last year [Ola Salem/Al Jazeera] Second school walkout Thursdays march was the second school walkout following the Parkland school shooting. Last year, the global March For Our Lives, held on March 24, saw millions of people protest across 800 cities. Under the banner #NeverAgain, protesters called for a ban on assault weapons, a halt to the sale of high-capacity magazines, tightening of the background-check process, the limiting of firing power on the streets, the disarming of domestic abusers and an end to gun trafficking. The same demands were made on Thursday. Some progress has been made over the past year. After pressure from activists, a number of companies, including First National Bank and Enterprise, ended their partnerships with the National Rifle Association (NRA). On the political front, US President Donald Trumps administration moved to ban bump stocks, a device that allows a semi-automatic rifle to fire at the rate of a machine gun. More than a dozen states are also set to review their gun-safety laws this year. While Hidalgo is happy her state has passed red-flag laws and banned bump stocks, she wants to see gun control laws rolled out at the federal level to feel as safe in Florida as I would here. {articleGUID} Activists at the forefront of the gun-ownership battle echoed the protesters calls. Since Parkland, a website that has been documenting child victims of gun violence in the US, recorded 1,200 children killed by a gun over the past year more than 80 of whom were under the age of three. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded 39,773 gun deaths in 2017 across the country, an increase of more than 1,000 from the year before. More than 300 mass shootings defined by the FBI as an incident in which four or more people are killed were recorded in 2018, including in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Thousand Oaks, California; and Annapolis, Maryland, according to the Gun Violence Archive. Keep fighting We see you, Democratic Congressman Ted Deutch, who represents an area of Florida, including Parkland, told protesters from a podium outside of Capitol Hill on Thursday. You should be in school, but you cannot be in school, you have to be here, he added. Its not too much to expect to be safe in school every day. He applauded the students for staging the walkout, adding their continued organisation helped ensure a democratic majority in the House of Representatives. {articleGUID} Keep fighting, keep speaking, I am so proud, unbelievably proud to be your partner in this fight, he added. We told this generation that the future is in their hands and they listened. I am so proud of @MoCo4Change and Maryland students for leading the march against gun violence for coming to our front door to say #EnoughIsEnough https://t.co/0d0HJxyoyW Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) March 14, 2019 After the Democrats took the House in November, they passed gun control bills last month a first in many years. The two bills would toughen background checks for gun purchases. Both bills, however, are expected to face opposition in the Republican-majority Senate and the White House. Some Republicans in the Senate are closely allied to the NRA and gun-rights voters. Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad group claimed the deadly bombing in Kashmir last month that left 40 Indian troops dead. India said it was disappointed by Chinas move to once again stall its bid to blacklist Masood Azhar, the leader of a Pakistan-based armed group that claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing in Kashmir last month. The February 14 attack that killed at least 40 paramilitary troops was the deadliest in Kashmirs 30-year-long armed rebellion and brought the nuclear-armed rivals, India and Pakistan, to the brink of war. Although the suicide bomber was a native of Indian-administered Kashmir, the attack was claimed by Masood Azhars Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), an organisation Pakistan claims it has banned. China on Wednesday put on hold a request by Britain, France and the United States to add the leader of JeM, Azhar, to a UN sanctions blacklist which would subject him to a global travel ban, an assets freeze and an arms embargo. 190215061851082 One of Pakistans closest regional allies, China has blocked three previous attempts by India to blacklist Azhar and said it needed more proof and time to examine the sanctions against the JeM chief. Chinas move has put a technical hold on Indias bid that could last up to nine months. In a statement, the Indian foreign ministry said it was disappointed by the outcome, adding it would continue to pursue all avenues to make sure terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on Indian citizens are brought to justice. Although Azhar himself has escaped attempts to designate him a global terrorist, the group he heads was added to the UN terror list in 2001. Happymon Jacob, associate professor of diplomacy and disarmament studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University, told Al Jazeera from New Delhi that there are economic as well as strategic reasons behind Chinas decision. China has to make a choice between two most important allies in the region, Pakistan and India. Pakistan is more important to it than India. China has great investments in Pakistan, he said. In the long run, China has its own reasons to worry about some of these groups [like Jaish-e-Mohammed]. But in the short term, Masood Azhar or Jaish-e-Mohammed do not pose a threat to China directly. So they are looking at the short-term picture. Great Wall of China Chinas decision was the top news across Indian media on Thursday, with the Indian Express headlining its report: Jaish chief gets Great Wall of China. Indias main opposition leader Rahul Gandhi used the opportunity to mock Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking re-election in a national ballot starting next month. 190301115237414 Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India, Gandhi tweeted, referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Competitors for supremacy in the region, China and India have long-standing territorial disputes but Modi and Xi have tried to patch up ties, banking on their personal chemistry to smooth over differences. Chinas move on Azhar also triggered a storm of anti-Chinese sentiment on Twitter with #BoycottChinaProduct attracting hundreds of tweets. China is Indias biggest trading partner, but the trade imbalance is skewed heavily in favour of Beijing. Angry Afghans demand justice for the girl who was abducted and later killed after a failed ransom bid. Enraged Afghans took to social media on Wednesday to demand severe punishment for the kidnapping and killing of a six-year-old girl in the capital, Kabul. Kidnapping has become more frequent in conflict-ridden Afghanistan in recent years, with Afghans of all income levels, as well as foreigners, potential targets. The interior ministry said the girl, named Mahsa, was abducted on Sunday, her captors demanding a ransom of $300,000. Kabul police later arrested two men in a raid and released a video clip showing the pair, in their 20s, apparently confessing to the crime. They said in the video that they had picked up the child on a motorcycle, took her to a rented room and, when the ransom failed to arrive, they killed her. The rcnt kidnapping and murder of a 6 year old girl in Afghanistan cannot be categorised as an action of a human but rather an action committed by monsters only. Severity in punishment must be carried out and complusory steps initiated as soon as possible. #___ zabi (@zabiys) March 14, 2019 Afghans took to social media to voice their outrage over the girls murder. A spokesman for President Ashraf Ghani said the killing deeply saddened him. London-based human rights organisation Amnesty International also condemned the brutal killing. Kidnappers and killers of this innocent angel girl #Mahsa, deserve a tit for tat response by her mother and or the public. Why wasting public money in Courts on the two who confessed suffocating Mahsa. #Capitalpunishment by #Public or her #Mother pic.twitter.com/474EOvtWrE Pamir Patang (@pamirpatang) March 14, 2019 We are horrified to hear the news of a 6-year-old girls murder in Kabul. Afghanistans children must be protected at all costs, Amnesty said on Twitter. This month, the US embassy posted a security alert warning that US citizens were priority kidnapping targets of both armed groups and criminal gangs. Aircraft involved in two fatal crashes since October to be grounded until software upgrade installed, legislators say. US legislators said after a briefing with the acting head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Thursday that Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 9 planes will remain grounded for weeks at a minimum, until a software upgrade could be tested and installed in all of the planes. FAA Administrator Dan Elwell told reporters on Wednesday the software update will be ready within a couple of months after regulators around the world grounded the plane following the second fatal crash of the 737 MAX 8 since October. 190314085809289 The FAA said on Monday it planned to require the upgrade, which it termed design changes, by April. An FAA spokesman confirmed on Thursday that the FAA will not unground the aeroplanes until the software patch is approved and installed. The software patch may not be enough to allow the planes to be ungrounded depending on the findings from the ongoing investigation into the crash of Ethiopian Airlines 302 that killed 157 people on Sunday. World is looking to the FAA Boeing declined to comment, but said on Monday it would roll out the software improvement across the 737 MAX fleet in the coming weeks. Representative Rick Larsen said after the briefing the software upgrade would take a few weeks to complete and installing on all aircraft would take at least through April. He said additional training would also have to take place. Larsen, the top Democrat on the Houses aviation subcommittee, said despite the fact that the FAA was the last major regulator to ground the plane, the rest of the world is looking to the FAA to lead the effort on the fix and to make a decision about ungrounding the aeroplanes. Representative Peter DeFazio, the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said the software upgrade will result in the aeroplanes behaving more like older versions of the 737. The upgrade will revise an automated protection system called the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS, which come under scrutiny in Octobers fatal Lion Air crash in Indonesia. 190312134422968 After the pilot has tried to correct, the MCAS is going to not keep repeating itself, which is what it does now. It keeps triggering automatically and the pilot has to do it again, DeFazio said, unless it is manually disengaged by the pilot. It will essentially shut itself off. The upgrade will address if there is a disagreement between sensors, DeFazio said. Legislators noted that there have been no confirmed incidents in 50,000 North America flights with the 737 MAX 8 and questioned if training by carriers abroad was an issue. Prysmian Group, a global leader in the energy and telecom cable systems industry, is showcasing its latest innovations in quality, future-proof networks at FTTH Conference 2019, taking place in the Netherlands. The event which opened on March 12 will conclude later today (March 14), in Amsterdam. The group will present for the first time to the European market its 6,912 fibre MassLink Cable with FlexRibbon Technology, meeting the highest fibre count within the industry, after its debut last week at the OFC Conference and Exhibition 2019 in San Diego, CA, in the US. The 6,912 fibre FlexRibbon provides an ultra-compact outside plant cable design that contains 6,912 bend-insensitive fibres, with a cable diameter small enough to fit into a 50.8mm duct. By using FlexRibbon technology, ribbons are rolled up and packed together in small diameter sub-units, still providing the advantages of mass fusion splicing. Originally designed for use by hyper-scale data-centre customers, 6,912 fibre MassLink has potential uses in all telecom markets. With this amount of fibre in a single cable, this product design provides installers and splicers with craft friendliness and superior fibre management. The addition of the 6,912 fibre cable further expands Prysmians portfolio of MassLink Fibre Cable with FlexRibbon Technology, which includes also 1,728 and 3,456 fibre count FlexRibbon products, fitting into a 31.75mm and 38.1mm duct, respectively. Philippe Vanhille, executive vice president telecom business at Prysmian Group, said: Being partner of choice for main telecom operators, our company supports its customers in the realisation of some of their most important projects where quality of products and innovative cabling solutions are fundamental to meet the increasingly demanding needs of modern broadband networks. We therefore confirm our commitment to constantly investing in our optical fibre and cable capacities to support our customers in developing new reliable and cost-effective broadband networks, Vanhille added. Prysmian Group will be Platinum Sponsor at this years Conference, and at its stand P06 will also be displayed the companys full offer for optical connectivity solutions providing flexibility in design, simple modularity for upgrading and superior quality performance for all cable management needs. Moreover, the company will showcase the Karona Overblow System enabling the installation of high density optical fibre cable into pre-existing sub-ducted routes, containing already existing legacy cable, and its portfolio for multi conductor FTTA hybrid cables for mobile applications. Live cable jointing demonstrations will also be available throughout the day. TradeArabia News Service Flooding in Malawi kills at least 56 and affects hundreds of thousands of others as a new storm approaches. The death toll inflicted by floods in Malawi has risen sharply to 56 following search-and-rescue missions in the most remote affected areas. Powerful tropical storm Idai is poised to bring more rain and flooding to the country, which is already reeling from recent weather. Thousands of flood survivors are sleeping on the floor in a half-finished hospital in Makina village, Zomba southern Malawi, one of the areas worst hit by flooding. Their homes and belongings were swept away by rushing water. Four days of non-stop rainfall swelled the Phalombe River until it burst through a long dyke built last year for protection. The water spread across a large area until it reached surrounding villages. Inhabitants say the water rose quickly, surprising them in the middle of the night. They were woken by barking dogs and the screams of others. 190314055357028 Dorica Mateba, 83, said her granddaughter carried her on her back through waist-deep water to a boat, which took her to safety. I have lost everything such that only these clothes I am wearing now are my only possessions, nothing else, Mateba told Al Jazeera. So far, no aid had arrived. Zione Phiri, a mother of five who also lost everything in the flooding was concerned her children would get malaria because there were no mosquito nets. Mateba and others were sleeping on bare floors without blankets. In Bangula camp, 200 kilometres south of Zomba, in Nsanje on Malawis southern tip, there were no toilets, sparking concerns about disease. Flood survivors said the only help they had received had been beans on Monday. Malawis Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) said on Wednesday a total of 922,945 people have been affected and of these, 82,725 people have been displaced from their homes. Most are living in 187 camps. There are also 557 recorded injuries while three people have been reported missing. Apart from destroying lives, crops and property, the floods affected electricity generation, causing blackouts in the commercial city of Blantyre. Some roads and bridges were also washed away, cutting off road access to some areas. In those areas such as Makhanga in Nsanje and East Bank, the government is relying on a Malawi Defence Force (MDF) helicopter to rescue the injured and distribute food supplies to survivors. At least 56 people have been killed in the floods in Malawi [Al Jazeera] Approaching cyclone Tropical cyclone Idai beings new threats. As of Thursday morning, winds accompanying the storm were sustained at 195 km/h, gusting to 240 km/h, making it equivalent to a Category 3 hurricane. Currently, the centre of Idai is still in the warm open waters of the Mozambique Channel, approximately 200 kilometres east of Beira. The storm will continue to track west towards the coast and is expected to make direct landfall late Thursday. It will bring more rain and storm surges to already waterlogged areas of the region. Malawi has been hard-hit by flooding, leaving tens of thousands homeless [Kandani Ngwira/Al Jazeera] Wilson Moleni, principal secretary and commissioner at DoDMA said the government is prepared and has put in place measures to minimise casualties to human life and property when the cyclone arrives in Malawis territory. First of all, we know the cyclone will hit in the low areas close to Mozambique where there are already floods. So we have told people not to return to their houses until the cyclone is over. We have told them to evacuate from the low areas and remain upland. Apart from that, the MDF chopper will be on standby to rescue those trapped in difficult circumstances. In the event that the chopper does not fly due to bad weather, we have sourced 10 boats that are on standby to be operated by MDF personnel for search and rescue missions, he said. Aid in short supply President Arthur Peter Mutharika, who is seeking a second term in office in general elections in April, has been travelling in flood-affected areas since Tuesday. He assured those affected that the government will assist them and provide for their needs until their lives are back to normal. Aid has been slow to arrive in camps in remote districts [Screengrab/Al Jazeera] Organisations such as Save the Children, the World Food Programme, and Malawis Red Cross said they were on the ground assisting people. Red Cross spokesman Felix Washoni said his organisation was already operating in six affected districts, complementing the governments efforts in assisting survivors with fast-cooking food items, blankets, nets, tents and kitchen utensils. We are aware of the potential for disease outbreaks, this is why we are bringing mosquito nets, chlorine water treatment equipment, and we are also constructing temporary toilets, he said. There are still many areas we need to reach because there are 187 camps across the affected districts. We are also administering First Aid to the injured and assisting in camp set-up and management. So far, South Africa is the only foreign government assisting Malawis flood survivors. A team of medical experts arrived in Malawi on Wednesday and are in the field to assess the needs of the people before aid arrives. Kandani Ngwira reported from Bangula and Makina, Malawi Mexican government said it is launching a search for 19 migrants who were pulled from a bus last week by armed men. Mexicos government is trying to find 19 asylum seekers who are thought to have been abducted from a bus in the northern border state of Tamaulipas. Prosecutors and state and federal police will participate in the search, according to the National Search Commission for Missing Persons. Al Jazeeras David Mercer reports from Mexico City. Karen state farmers speak to Al Jazeera about losing their land. Rights groups are calling on Myanmars government to scrap a new land reform law they fear could leave millions of people with nowhere to call home. The new law would require people in some regions to apply for permission to use the land they are working or living on. Activists call it a land grab that makes criminals of innocent communities. Al Jazeeras Alexi OBrien reports. US-led alliance taking fears over Chinese firms possible role in 5G networks very seriously, secretary-general says. NATO is weighing up whether to take action in response to security concerns about Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei amid US concerns over the companys relationship with Beijing, the head of the military alliance said. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said some of the US-led alliances 29 members were concerned about the possible role of Huawei in the new 5G communications infrastructure. NATO takes these concerns very seriously, Stoltenberg told reporters at the press conference which was called to mark the release of the NATO chiefs annual report. We are now consulting closely on this issue, including on the security aspects on investments in 5G networks, he added. 190307181920819 Stoltenbergs comments come amid a ramped-up effort by Washington to lobby its allies to shun Huawei, the worlds biggest producer of telecoms equipment, as they upgrade to next-generation 5G mobile networks. This upgrade to the existing 4G systems is expected to deliver enhanced speed and security to mobile internet users, enabling near-instantaneous connectivity, wider coverage and new types of machine-to-machine communication. Most countries are unlikely to roll out the technology before 2020, according to a recent study by the US-based Eurasia Group consultancy firm, but China is pushing ahead with efforts to launch it this year. Europe mulls Huawei action US President Donald Trumps administration has attempted to persuade its allies against using Huawei and other Chinese vendors in the development of new 5G infrastructure, suggesting they are subject to a National Intelligence Law that requires the countrys organisations and citizens to collaborate in espionage efforts by Beijing. Last August, Trump signed a bill barring government agencies from using certain telecommunications and surveillance products from Chinese suppliers, including Huawei. Huawei, which has repeatedly denied allegations it is involved in espionage on behalf of the Chinese government, announced last week it was suing the US over the ban, arguing the move was unlawful and restricted it from engaging in fair competition. Australia and New Zealand, part of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network, which also includes the US, Canada and the UK, have also put restrictions on Huaweis access to their markets. But the USs European allies, including the UK, have so far stopped short of rolling out bans. On Wednesday, German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer warned against excluding the company from participating in the construction of the countrys 5G network, saying such a move would leave a mark on economic development. Seehofers comments came a day after German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Berlin would consult Washington over using Huaweis technology. On Monday, The Wall Street Journal reported Washington told Germany it would share less intelligence with its security agencies if the countrys wireless network uses Huawei to upgrade to 5G. Doan Thi Huong is the last person facing charges for the 2017 killing of the North Korean leaders half-brother. Shah Alam, Malaysia The attorney general is pushing ahead with the trial of a Vietnamese woman, Doan Thi Huong, in the murder of Kim Jong Nam despite the unexpected decision this week to free her co-accused. The prosecution told the Shah Alam court on Thursday that the attorney general had considered all reasons but 30-year-old Doans trial for killing the half-brother of North Koreas leader would proceed. The prosecutor did not elaborate. Indonesian Siti Aisyah was freed on Monday after the prosecution suddenly withdrew the charge against her. She is now back in Indonesia. Doans lawyers said they were deeply disappointed with the decision and the attorney general had a moral obligation to explain the reasoning, given the international nature of the case. They added that they would make a second representation to the attorney general. Doan is a scapegoat, said lead defence lawyer Hisyam Teoh Poh Teik. Her case is the same as Siti Aisyahs. There are no differences, similar evidence and the same defence. If Siti Aisyah can be released then why not Doan? Nationwide manhunt Doan and Siti, 27, were charged with the murder of Kim Jong Nam in the concourse area of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport by smearing his face with a toxic nerve agent. The court had ruled last August that there was sufficient evidence for the case to proceed. The murder of Kim Jong Nam triggered a nationwide manhunt and diplomatic crisis. Four men from North Korea who were suspected of being behind the attack fled Malaysia the day Kim was killed, leaving Doan and Siti Aisyah the only two people in custody in relation to the crime. Hisyam earlier told the court the attorney generals decision not to drop the case against Doan was perverse, adding it did not speak well of Malaysias criminal justice system. Shes not there Doan arrived in court looking worried. Her lawyers said while she was happy that Siti Aisyah had been released, she was now feeling depressed and had slept for no more than an hour over the past three nights. Given her mental and physical condition, the judge accepted her lawyers assertion that Doan was in no condition to take the stand and give evidence in her own defence, agreeing to postpone the case until April 1. The way I see it shes not there physically or mentally, the judge said, having met her in chambers prior to the start of the hearing. I think she must be given the opportunity to be treated by a doctor. Vietnams Ambassador Le Quy Quynh attended the hearing and said the government was doing all it could to secure Doans release. Vietnam will request Malaysia to give fair treatment to Huong and release her as soon as possible, he told reporters as he left the court. Doan bowed her head as she was escorted back to prison by armed police. Tricked Hisyam has argued that Kims killing was politically motivated and his clients behaviour after his death showed she did not realise what she was doing. Both women maintain they were tricked into carrying out the attack, which they thought was part of a TV reality show. Officials in South Korea and the United States say North Korea was behind the assassination. North Korea denies the claim. Doans lawyers said CCTV video showing Doan walking up behind Kim and putting her hands over his face should have no bearing on the attorney generals decision because both women were mounting the same defence and it had already been decided to free Siti Aisyah. We hope the attorney general review the evidence and review the decision, said defence lawyer Naran Singh. More so in this case because two people were charged, but it was withdrawn against one but not against the other. Explosions, sirens heard in Tel Aviv area after two rockets were reportedly launched from besieged Gaza Strip. The Israeli army has said at least two rockets were fired towards Israel, triggering rocket sirens in the Tel Aviv area on Thursday. The Israeli military said its Iron Dome missile defence system intercepted one of the rockets, while another landed in an open area, Israeli daily Haaretz reported. Israeli television reported explosions and sirens being heard. An Israeli military spokesman said the incident was under investigation. Israels Channel 10 news, citing anonymous military officials, said the rockets were Iranian-made Fajr rockets, and that there were no reports of injuries. In Gaza, there was no immediate claim of responsibility. Al Jazeeras Harry Fawcett, reporting from West Jerusalem, said the Israeli army confirmed it detected two rockets from Gaza. The leadership of Hamas has gone underground, expecting an Israeli retaliation anytime soon, Fawcett said, adding that some sort of retaliation is absolutely inevitable. [Israeli] Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is already at the defense ministry in Tel Aviv to chair an emergency meeting with senior military figures to map out a response, Fawcett said. Sirens were last activated in Tel Aviv two years ago, but it had been a false alarm. Tel Aviv has not been attacked by rocket or missile fire since 2014, when the Israeli army launched an assault on the besieged Gaza Strip, which is administrated by Hamas. Cross-border violence has increased in recent days with Israels military saying it carried out air raids on a compound belonging to Hamas after explosives attached to balloons were launched from the coastal enclave towards Israel. Last week, Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian man and wounded more than 40 as thousands protested near the Gaza Strips perimeter fence. Palestinians have staged weekly protests near the border with Israel as part of the Great March of Return protests. According to the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, 267 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since March 30 last year. Most of the Palestinians killed during the demonstrations were shot in weekly clashes, but some have been hit by Israeli tank fire or air raids. Israel has accused Hamas of using the demonstrations as cover for infiltrations and attacks, but rights groups and Palestinians say the protesters have posed little threat. Thursdays incident comes weeks before Israel prepares to hold parliamentary elections on April 9. The head of the Saudi human rights commission said on Thursday that the kingdom was bringing those accused over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi to justice and rejected an international investigation into the case. Three dozen Western countries, including all 28 European Union members, called on Saudi Arabia last week to cooperate with a United Nations-led investigation into the murder of Khashoggi, a critic and Washington Post columnist. He was killed by Saudi agents October 2 at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul Bandar bin Mohammed al-Aiban told the UN Human Rights Council that those on trial for the heinous crime and unfortunate accident had attended three hearings so far with their lawyers present. He gave no names or details. The Saudi public prosecutors spokesman said late last year that 11 Saudis had been indicted and referred for trial over the case, with authorities seeking the death penalty for five. Some Western governments have accused Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of being implicated in the murder. The Saudi government has denied any involvement by the crown prince. Justice in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia operates pursuant to international law and it does so in all transparency, Aiban told the Geneva forum during a review of Saudis rights record. He said the kingdom would not accept what he termed as foreign interference in its domestic affairs and judicial system. Agnes Callamard, UN investigator on extrajudicial executions, said that Saudi officials have not responded to requests to cooperate with her investigation into the murder. Lack of confidence in Saudi narrative Speaking from Geneva, Al Jazeeras Neave Barker said that there has been a change in mood from the Human Rights Council towards Saudi Arabia. Theres a real frustration against many members of the council that for far too long Saudi Arabia has been able to bury accusations of civil rights abuses using whatever diplomatic support it can get from its partners within the council to obfuscate and avoid dealing with things head-on, he said. But given the immense pressure that it is now facing, Saudi Arabia has fewer places to go but is doing its best not to answer the questions that are being asked of it. The kingdom seems to be raising more questions rather than providing any concerted idea of what exactly has happened when it comes to bringing the alleged perpetrators to justice, Barker continued. Human Rights Watch official John Fischer told Al Jazeera that there remained many unanswered questions, including who ultimately was responsible for Khashoggis death, who ordered it, and how high up it went. What weve seen from the outset since this whole saga became public is a series of obfuscations and denials by Saudi Arabia, in some cases where their accounts simply do not fit the facts, Fischer said. So, it is very difficult to have confidence in their narrative and thats why we are calling for an independent international inquiry, so that the international community can rightfully ascertain the facts for itself. We call upon Saudi Arabia as a member of UN Human Rights Council to cooperate with the councils own mechanisms including the special rapporteur (Agnes Callamard) and ensuring they are willing to allow her access and to give her whatever information she needs in order to conduct that independent inquiry, he added. But President Trump vows to veto the move as pressure intensifies on UAE-Saudi coalition to end the devastating war. Washington, DC The US Senate voted 54 to 46 to block further involvement by the US military in the war in Yemen, where bombings by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, conducted with US weapons, are blamed for causing mass civilian deaths, starvation, and the spread of disease. We have the opportunity to take a major step forward in ending the horrific war in Yemen and alleviating that terrible, terrible suffering being experienced by the people in one of the poorest countries in the world, Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, said. There is no secret as to why there is a cholera epidemic. Its because the Saudis bombed the water treatment facilities so the water isnt clean any more, said Senator Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat. Aid groups estimate that as many as 60,000 civilians have been killed in the war and as many as 85,000 children starved to death. The Senate action sends the resolution back to the House of Representatives, which is expected to approve it a second time after having voted 248 to 177 on February 13 to approve the measure. The resolution is being brought forward under the War Powers Act of 1973, a Vietnam War-era law that asserts Congresss authority over the deployment of US military power. We have been supporting and in some case actively participating in this war, said Senator Mike Lee, a Utah Republican. Veto threat The Trump White House has threatened to veto the joint House and Senate resolution if it reaches the presidents desk. Officials assert the US needs a free hand to support Saudi Arabia in a regional conflict with Iran while pushing for a diplomatic resolution to the Yemen conflict. Congress would need two-thirds majorities in both chambers to override a presidential veto and have the resolution take effect. So far, backers lack sufficient votes in both the House and Senate to do so. Republican leaders supporting Trump argued that US legislators concerns about the killing of Saudi journalist and US resident Jamal Khashoggi should be addressed separately. Concern about Saudi Arabias human rights issues should be addressed to the administration and Saudi officials, said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican. Thats what I have chosen to do and what I have asked others to do. The resolution would harm bilateral relationships in the region and negatively affect our ability to prevent the spread of violent extremist organisations such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) group, the White House said. The Trump administration argues that, by directing the military to support a US ally, the president is acting within his constitutional authority. The presidents senior advisers would recommend he veto the joint resolution, the White House Office of Management and Budget said in a statement of administration policy. Republicans further warned the measure could lead to US casualties in Saudi Arabia if it prevented the US military from sharing intelligence on the targeting of population centres by Houthi missiles. Peace talks United Nations special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, met with US senators behind closed doors on March 11. The UN-led peace talks are our best hope going forward, and congressional actions may influence critical peace negotiations, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, an Idaho Republican, said in a statement afterwards, supporting the Trump administrations position. Others took a different view of Griffiths briefing. Senator Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, said he was surprised Griffiths did not urge the Senate to refrain from advancing the resolution. Those of us who went to the hearing Monday afternoon fully expected him to tell us, Heres why I think your resolution is a bad idea. He didnt say that. We asked him directly. He did not say, Please dont vote for this resolution on Yemen. In fact, he said some things that I was very surprised that he said, Kaine told Al Jazeera. Griffiths informed senators the Houthis have legitimate issues with the Saudi-backed Yemen government that need to be addressed, and further military action would not advance either sides interest. He also said the only viable solution in Yemen is a political settlement, according to Kaine. Congress is increasingly frustrated with the Trump administrations handling of the US relationship with Saudi Arabia. Killing Khashoggi A bipartisan group of senators led by Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey introduced a bill on February 7 that would impose sanctions on members of the Saudi royal family and others for the killing of Khashoggi. Republican senators Lindsey Graham, Susan Collins and Todd Young are co-sponsors. US intelligence agencies have concluded Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was involved in Khashoggis killing. Trump has refused to respond to demands from Congress that the US reach a determination on Prince Mohammeds role and impose sanctions under US human rights law, the Global Magnitsky Act. All of the evidence suggests that the Saudi crown prince was directly responsible for that murder, Sanders said. The Trump administration has not provided senators with any information about meetings Trumps son-in-law and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner had with Prince Mohammed in Riyadh in late February. Kushner had visited a number of Middle East countries seeking support for the USs plan for Israel and the Palestinians. Asked whether senators had been briefed on the White Houses discussions in Riyadh, Kaine told Al Jazeera: No we have not. Not about Khashoggi. Not about Yemen. Not about discussions about nuclear technology transfer. We have no information. The House Oversight Committee has demanded documents from the White House on plans to sell nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia. MPs will vote on Thursday on whether to delay Brexit by extending Article 50, but the decision is not unilateral. London, United Kingdom After rejecting Prime Minister Theresa Mays Brexit deal with the European Union for the second time in two months, MPs have now voted against a no-deal Brexit. However, the vote on Wednesday does not altogether rule out the UK crashing out of the European Union. A no-deal Brexit would remain the default option under Article 50, the part of the EU treaty that sets out the rules for leaving the Union. May suffered another resounding defeat when the second meaningful vote on Tuesday ended in the withdrawal agreement being voted down by a margin of 149. The last-minute assurances May had secured from EU leaders on Monday night did not prove enough to persuade the Eurosceptic wing of her own party and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of Northern Ireland, whose votes May depends on. May had been trying to secure legally binding changes to the backstop, a protocol in the withdrawal agreement regarded as an insurance policy to keep an open border in the island of Ireland. Hardline Brexiters argue the backstop would bind the UK to the EUs trade rules indefinitely, and the DUP doesnt want to see Northern Ireland treated differently from the rest of the UK. On Wednesday, the government whipped its parliamentarians against its own motion in a bid to overturn a vote for an amendment that rules out a no-deal Brexit under any circumstances. It failed, facing a number of abstentions and one resignation. Despite the vote against a no deal, all options remain on the table for how Brexit might resolve. Delaying Brexit MPs will vote on Thursday on whether they wish to delay Brexit by extending Article 50. But the decision is not unilateral. Any request for an extension would have to be unanimously approved by the 27 remaining EU member states. The next opportunity to do that will be at the European Council meeting on March 21-22, just a week before the Brexit deadline. The options before us are the same as they always have been, said the prime minister in a speech after the vote on Wednesday. She added that MPs now have two choices: either vote for a deal or face an extension that would likely go beyond the European elections on May 23 to 26, which would mean the UK would have to take part in them. An amendable motion tabled by the government for Thursday suggested that if MPs were to vote for a deal by March 20, the prime minister would seek a one-off, technical extension until June 30. It also noted that if a deal is not agreed, the EU is highly likely to require a clear purpose for any extension, not least to determine its length. Former UKIP leader and Brexit architect Nigel Farage, now a member of the EU Parliament, called on the EU to veto any extension so that both you and we can get on with the rest of our lives. He made the statement at the European Parliament after its lead Brexit spokesman, Guy Verhofstadt, expressed concerns a long extension could lead to the European elections being hijacked by the Brexiters. No deal A hard Brexit remains the default option until a deal is agreed, or Article 50 is revoked. While Wednesdays events make it highly unlikely it will happen on March 29, the option remains. Fears for the consequences of a no-deal Brexit on British businesses, as well as on UK and EU citizens, have increased since Mays deal was defeated two months ago. Businesses, particularly smaller ones, have admitted theyre not ready. 190313131636062 Our no-deal preparations are now more important than ever before, said the EUs chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, in a tweet after the second meaningful vote. Brexiters hold the view that no deal is better than a bad deal. Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson said on Tuesday that leaving without a deal is the only safe route out of the EU. The threat of a no-deal Brexit has been key to Mays negotiating strategy with the EU. PMs deal or another? The prime minister wants a third meaningful vote to take place by March 20 in a last-ditch bid to get a deal over the line before the Brexit deadline. The threat that Brexit may not happen at all may persuade hardline Brexiters who have voted against the deal to finally back it. The opposition Labour party is likely to seek to hold indicative votes on Brexit options. The prime minister said the choice was between her deal and no deal. In the last 24 hours parliament has decisively rejected both her deal and no deal, said Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Wednesday. In the days that follow, myself, the shadow Brexit secretary, and others will have meetings with members across this House to find a compromise solution that can command support in the House. New referendum Corbyn announced two weeks ago that his party is committed to backing a second referendum. What options would be on the ballot papers would have to be established by parliament, but they could include remaining in the EU, leaving without a deal, or a number of withdrawal options, including Mays agreement. 190302102323640 A second referendum would have to gain parliamentary approval, and at the moment it remains unclear if there is a majority for it. Some Labour MPs from leave-voting constituencies would side against it. General election Corbyn called for a general election after the deal was defeated again on Tuesday. However, he also said the opposition was ready to work with the government to reach a consensus on a deal. If that is the route the prime minister decides to pursue, it would be hard for her to keep her party together, according to John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University and senior research fellow at NatCen Social Research. While May said during her speech to the Commons that MPs will now have to make choices as to whether they want no Brexit, a second referendum, or a different deal, what she did not indicate is what, if anything, the government might do to enable the house to make that choice, said Curtice. What would be crucial is what amendments will be put down on Thursday to begin opening up that process, Curtice told Al Jazeera. The preconditions for a general election might then arise if the government finds itself being obliged by the House of Commons to pursue a policy direction that the [Conservative] party can no longer cohere around. And, therefore, basically the administration collapses, said Curtice. As Parliament appears to be increasingly taking control, the question is whether that scenario is approaching. The latest air raids threaten the 2018 Sochi agreement which established a de-escalation zone in the area. Syrian government forces have bombed residential areas in southern Idlib province, the first time the city has been targeted since the de-escalation agreement was reached between Turkey and Russia in 2018. Attacks in the region have escalated in recent days, as Bashar al-Assads government intensifies pressure on one of the countrys last rebel strongholds. The death toll from air raids on the city of Idlib on Wednesday rose to 17. Al Jazeeras Hoda Abdel Hamid reports from Gaziantep, on Turkeys border with Syria. DP World, a global operator of shipping terminals based in Dubai, has recorded strong financial results for the year ended December 31, 2018 revenue grew 20 per cent. Announcing the 2018 results, the Dubai group said its adjusted ebitda increased 13.7 per cent with adjusted ebitda margin of 49.7 per cent, delivering profit attributable to owners of the company, before separately disclosed items, of $1.27 billion, up 5.1 per cent, and EPS of 153 US cents. On a like-for-like basis, the revenue grew 4.2 per cent, adjusted ebitda increased by 6.6 per cent with adjusted ebitda margin of 54.1 per cent , and earnings attributable to owners of the company increased 7.6 per cent. Commenting on the results, Group Chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said: "This robust performance has been delivered in an uncertain trade environment, once again highlighting the resilience of our portfolio." "We have made good progress in delivering on our strategy of strengthening our portfolio to become a global solution provider and trade enabler with approximately $2.5 billion worth of acquisitions announced in the year," noted Bin Sulayem. "These acquisitions offer strong growth opportunities and enhance DP Worlds presence in the global supply chain as we continue to diversify our revenue base and look at opportunities to connect directly with the owners of cargo and aggregators of demand," he stated. "Going forward, we aim to integrate our new acquisitions and drive synergies across the portfolio with the objective of removing inefficiencies in global trade, improving the quality of our earnings and driving returns," he added. The Dubai group said the capital expenditure of $908 million was invested across the portfolio during the year, below the groups guidance of approximately $1.4 billion in 2018. In 2018, gross global capacity was at 90.8 million TEU, while the consolidated capacity was put at 49.7 million TEU. According to DP World, the acquisitions of Drydocks, DMC, CWC, Cosmos Agencia and Unifeeder were performing in line with expectations and have led to increased contribution to its revenue line. "We expect capital expenditure in 2019 to be up to $1.4 billion with investment planned mainly into UAE, Posorja (Ecuador), Berbera (Somaliland), Dakar (Senegal) and Sokhna (Egypt)," said Bin Sulayem. DP World continued to invest in solution providers and acquired the integrated multimodal logistics player Continental Warehousing Corporation (CWC) in India, Cosmos Agencia Maritima in Peru, and the Unifeeder Group in Denmark, which operates the largest container common user feeder and growing shortsea network in Europe. The company has also announced the acquisition of the pan-European logistics business, P&O Ferries. "Aside from our investments in solution providers, we won a 30-year concession for the management and development of a greenfield port project at Banana in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We announced the acquisition of two ports in Chile8, which will allow us to serve cargo owners at five major gateway terminals in the west coast of South America," remarked Bin Sulayem. "We have also consolidated our position once again in Australia8, where there is an opportunity to expand beyond the ports into logistics," he added. Impressed with the results, the DP World board has recommended increasing the dividend by 5 per cent to $365.9 million at 43 US cents per share, which is in line with past policy of maintaining a payout ratio of approximately 30 per cent, said Bin Sulayem. "The board is confident of the companys ability to continue to generate cash and support our future growth whilst maintaining a consistent dividend payout," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Rights groups say there were record number of police killings and racial violence in the Brazilian city in 2018. Sao Paulo, Brazil It took nearly a year for Brazilian police to make an arrest in the murder of black activist and Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco. Police said on Tuesday they had arrested two former police officers over the murders of Franco and her driver, Anderson Gomes. According to investigators, the two former officers drove up beside the vehicle where Franco, Gomes and the councilwomans press secretary were waiting on March 14, 2018, and shot Franco and Gomes dead. Franco, who was a lesbian, regularly denounced police brutality, especially in the favelas where she was raised. She also called for the rights of women and the LGBT community. In announcing the arrests, prosecutors agreed with the familys suspicions that Francos murder was politically motivated. It is undisputed that Franco was killed because of the political causes that she defended, the prosecutors office said in its report. The activists murder prompted massive nationwide protests against police violence and racism and sparked a national Black Lives Matter movement. But a year later, rights groups and Francos supporters say not much has changed, and in some cases has only gotten worse. Marielles death shouldve translated to bigger protections for women, LGBT, black and poor communities, but it didnt, said Maria Laura, director of Human Rights Watch (HRW) in Brazil. Laura added that rights abuses and executions committed by police contribute to a cycle of violence in the city. Record number of killings According to HRW, there were 1,530 police killings in Rio de Janeiro last year, the largest number ever recorded in the city. Although Laura said, many deaths are legitimate many are executions. Rio police did not respond to requests for comment. This year, several police shootings in the citys favelas have caused outrage among many Brazilians. In late January, residents of one favela said two people were killed by snipers shooting from a nearby police tower. Police said no sniper operation was ordered and opened an investigation, as did the prosecutors office. 190113111823106 About three weeks later, a police raid in the Fogueteiro favela killed 13 people the majority of whom were from the same family. In a statement, police said it responded with fire after being shot at first. Last week, a video showing a police helicopter showering the Complexo de Alemao favela with bullets went viral. Police said it was conducting a drug bust but did not clarify if the helicopters fired live ammunition. Police also said no injuries were reported There is a latent impunity for crimes in general in Brazil, but especially for homicides and even more for homicides committed by police officers, Laura told Al Jazeera. She added that HRW frequently registers other abuses by security forces, including shootings at close range, torture, beatings and a lot of mishandling in investigations, such as messing with the crime scene, placing the gun in the dead persons hand, and failing to talk to witnesses or to collect evidence. Responding to similar allegations made by HRW last year, the citys secretary of state for safety at the time said it has as its main guidelines, the preservation of human life and dignity, controlling crime rates and the qualified and integral action of its police. It added most gun-seizing operations happen after an intense shooting that ends, often victimising police and residents. Historically Raull always tried to control the black, poor communities. Today the war on drugs is their excuse for the violent control of our bodies.] In 2017, there were a record 63,895 homicides nationwide. About 70 percent of those victims were black, according to the Brazilian Forum for Public Safety (FBSP). The favela communities are some of the most affected. 190312133816788 In an attempt to curb violence in the country, the government, under the administration of former Brazilian President Michel Temer, deployed a military intervention in Rios favelas for most of 2018. Shootings and drug busts became an almost daily reality for residents. Although the government considered the operation a success, most Rio residents said not much changed, according to a poll by the Brazilian Forum for Public Safety. The same study revealed that almost one-third of those surveyed had been caught in the middle of a shooting during the intervention. Wilson Witzel, Rio de Janeiro states governor, declined to respond to Al Jazeeras request for comment, but after winning the election last year, he pledged to slaughter criminals. He told local media in January organised crime can no longer have the freedom to carry weapons of war and be treated romantically as people who didnt have opportunities. Franco was important voice Raull Santiago, resident and community leader of Complexo do Alemao, said he believes most police aggression is motivated by racism and prejudice. Historically they always tried to control the black, poor communities. Today the war on drugs is their excuse for the violent control of our bodies, he told Al Jazeera. He added the only dialogue the government offers is through the barrel of a gun. Santiago explained that is why Franco was so important. Because she was a black, lesbian favelada woman occupying a space of power that was always taken by men and who dared to speak up. I believe thats why she became a target, he said. People gather in Lapa neighbourhood, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil during a demonstration calling for justice over the murder of Marielle Franco [File: Carl de Souza/AFP] Francos life like many others living in Rio was affected by the flaws in public security but also by the powerful and dangerous armed groups. They control 25 percent of the citys territory, where more than two million people live, according to the Globo news channel. These armed groups extort residents for access to basic resources such as water, electricity, internet or security and they coordinate with state forces such as the military, police forces and even politicians. 180321114024253 Its like the state is just a regulating agency that outsources territorial control and management of public services to these criminal groups, said Jacqueline Muniz, anthropologist, and researcher at the Federal Fluminense University (UFF). Security in Rio is governed by fear and not against it, she told Al Jazeera. The price to pay for this are the lives of black, poor communities, and [for them] these lives are cheap, she said, referring to both residents and police officers who often come from the same communities they patrol. Send a message Relations between government agents and criminal groups are not new in Brazil or Latin America, but the suspects in Francos case have been linked to the most powerful figures in the country. In January, police said they believed a gang headed by Adriano Nobrega, a former police officer who was distinguished by Flavio Bolsonaro, a senator in Rio de Janeiro and the son of right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro, was involved in Francos shooting. Nobregas wife and mother had also been members of Flavio Bolsonaros staff. And one of the men arrested on Tuesday in connection with Francos murder lives in the same compound as one of Jair Bolsonaros houses. Anielle Silva (L), sister of activist Marielle Franco, cries at a memorial in Rio de Janeiro [File: Diego Herculano/AFP] Jurema Werneck, director of Amnesty International in Brazil, said she believed Francos case could be an opportunity for the new government to take a stance against violence. This is their moment to send a message to the Brazilian society that the killing of human rights defenders is not tolerable, she told Al Jazeera. Marielles murder was also because she fought against [police corruption]. It was an attempt to silence her and the social movement that demands a society with no violence, she added. Thats why its so crucial to find justice, so the government can show this cannot go on. Russia may soon find it impossible to pursue a policy in Syria that accommodates Israel as well as its enemies. The push from liberals to legalize recreational marijuana is a smashing success. Full steam ahead, carefree and without looking back, states and cities controlled by Democrats are on a high, stoned with excitement as they celebrate the legalization of recreational pot in their jurisdictions. From Washington to Vermont, California to Maine, Nevada to Michigan, Oregon to Massachusetts, Hawaii to Alaska and Colorado, and soon New Jersey and many other states and cities, progressives are gloating about their accomplishment. Let's take a closer look as liberals blindly jump aboard the marijuana bandwagon and not a word of concern is to be heard. Many of those who have lobbied for the legalization of marijuana have employed a racial argument, claiming that too many minorities are incarcerated for illegal marijuana possession and use. My response is, so what? Since when did the fact that a certain group has broken the law render that law wrong and subject to being rescinded? Proponents of legalizing pot also argue that even when the number of marijuana-related 911 calls about minorities and whites is equal, the percentage of minorities arrested for marijuana is many times higher than the percentage of whites arrested for marijuana, and it is therefore time to do away with the "discriminatory" marijuana laws. Again, so what? If there is an unfair disparity, let the police enforce the law and arrest an equal number of whites for marijuana. To conclude that racial inequality should result in doing away with the law lacks all sense of reason and is downright outrageous! It is interesting that those advocating for the legalization of recreational marijuana seem to be living in a cloud, oblivious to the history of marijuana laws and the serious health and safety concerns. Since the early 20th century, the majority of countries in the world have enacted laws against marijuana, proscribing the cultivation and sale of cannabis, the source plant of marijuana. In the U.S., going back 110 years, cannabis was deemed illegal in numerous states as a poison, a habit-forming substance, and a narcotic. This was followed by decades of state and federal laws criminalizing cannabis and marijuana use and sale, similar to other illegal drugs. The legislative history of these laws points to the hazardous and mind-altering effects of cannabis and marijuana. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration documents: About 1 in 6 people who start smoking marijuana in their teens will become addicted. Smoking marijuana interferes with learning and memory, increasing the risk of poor grades and dropping out of school. Research shows it can lower your I.Q. if you smoke it regularly in your teen years. Marijuana affects certain skills required for driving reaction time, alertness, concentration, and coordination. According to a national survey, more than one in eight high school seniors admitted driving under the influence of marijuana in the two weeks before the survey. The National Institute on Drug Abuse further addresses the effects of marijuana, enumerating: changes in mood impaired body movement difficulty with thinking and problem-solving impaired memory hallucinations (when taken in high doses) delusions (when taken in high doses) psychosis (when taken in high doses) The NIDA further writes: Marijuana also affects brain development. Researchers are still studying how long marijuana's effects last and whether some changes may be permanent. Please see this NIDA document, which spells out many of the serious health effects of marijuana use: Breathing problems. Marijuana smoke irritates the lungs, and people who smoke marijuana frequently can have the same breathing problems as those who smoke tobacco. Marijuana smoke irritates the lungs, and people who smoke marijuana frequently can have the same breathing problems as those who smoke tobacco. Increased heart rate. Marijuana raises heart rate for up to three hours after smoking. This effect may increase the chance of heart attack. Marijuana raises heart rate for up to three hours after smoking. This effect may increase the chance of heart attack. Problems with child development during and after pregnancy. Marijuana use during pregnancy is linked to lower birth weight and increased risk of both brain and behavioral problems in babies. Marijuana use during pregnancy is linked to lower birth weight and increased risk of both brain and behavioral problems in babies. Intense nausea and vomiting. Regular, long-term marijuana use can lead some people to develop Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome. This causes users to experience regular cycles of severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration, sometimes requiring emergency medical attention. Regular, long-term marijuana use can lead some people to develop Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome. This causes users to experience regular cycles of severe nausea, vomiting, and dehydration, sometimes requiring emergency medical attention. Temporary hallucinations. Temporary paranoia. Worsening symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Marijuana use has also been linked to other mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among teens. And the CDC warns: Smoked cannabis has many of the same cancer-causing substances as smoked tobacco. Due to the risks it poses to lung health, experts strongly caution against smoking cannabis and tobacco products. It is beyond hypocritical that the same liberals who are at war with the tobacco and drug industries have mindlessly joined and have actually become the most powerful marijuana lobby in the United States. Progressive politicians advocate for legalizing recreational marijuana, willfully oblivious to all health and societal concerns. And of course, although it is not politically correct to say so, it is known that the country's minority populations will suffer the most by the pot liberalization drive, yet again bearing the brunt of counterproductive progressive policies. Why in the world has the Left gone bonkers in its pursuit to legalize recreational marijuana? It is obviously not in the best interest of anyone, except for cannabis farmers, and liberals are traditionally not friends of the farming industry. What is going on? The answer points to an insatiable quest for a permissive society intoxicated with pleasure and unbounded, instant gratification of the mind and flesh. Good values, hard work, and self-discipline have become four-letter words, and they are put down and delegitimized by the contrived cards of racism and infringement on human rights. This is the same warped, progressive mindset that declares that it is acceptable and good to murder babies (i.e., abortion at will, even when the fetus poses no physical risk to the mother), as such practice which frees people of the burden of children is somehow justified as a health concern and an inalienable right of the mother. Liberal society's pursuit of unbridled indulgence and absolution from responsibility is showcased by the marijuana debate, as what is proven to pose substantial health and safety risks to users and third parties is brainlessly legalized by the same people who claim to be most interested in protecting society. It is not at all different from a conservationist lobbying for the right to light forest fires and to obliterate natural habitats. The hypocrisy stares us in the face, while its advocates push forward without addressing any of the very real concerns. As an Orthodox Jew, I am compelled by the approach of the Purim holiday to draw a correlation between the biblical story of Esther and modern events. As explained by a great rabbinic sage quoted in my previous article on this subject, one of the lessons of Purim is how a liberal society that seeks unbounded self-gratification gives way to a tyranny. Such transpired in the dominion of Persia's King Ahasuerus, in which an excessively permissive society was easily overtaken by a maniacal despot. Only through a return to divine morality can goodness be restored. Avrohom Gordimer is chairman of the Rabbinic Circle at Coalition for Jewish Values, a public policy institute reflecting traditional Jewish thought. He serves on the editorial board of Jewish Action magazine; is a staff writer for the Cross-Currents website; and is a frequent contributor to Israel National News, Yated Ne'eman, and a host of other publications. He is a member of the Rabbinical Council of America and the New York Bar, and he works as an account executive at a large Jewish organization based on Manhattan. France's President Emmanuel Macron is facing a dilemma with Algeria. To act or not to act is the fence he uncomfortably sits on. Here's the story. Eighty-two-year-old Abdelaziz Boutefilka, the president of Algeria, had a serious stroke six years ago and because of it seldom appears in public. He has now announced that he will not run for his fifth five-year presidential term. On the surface, this is a major victory for the Algerian street, which sees the regime as corrupt and has been demonstrating both in Algeria and France for him not to run. At the same time, Boutefilka said the election scheduled for April 18 will be postponed. Instead, he's calling for a constitutional conference to form a new republic. No date has been set for the delayed election. Critics fear that this is a subterfuge by the ruling party to allow it to install a handpicked successor for Boutefilka and thus sidestep democracy. Algeria is already a volatile mix without this political uncertainty. Half of the country's 42 million population is under 30 years old, and most have no jobs or even prospects of one. The only option for a better life is emigration, and that would be to France. As a legacy of the French colonization of Algeria and the Algerian War of Independence (19541962), France has a special relationship with Algeria. Because of that, France has approximately 3 million Algerians with either French or French-Algerian dual citizenship. There are several problems with free elections, though. The Algerian army fought a bitter war against Islamists in the 1990s, leaving some 200,000 dead. Since then, the military mostly has been used to suppress political expression. The generals may not respond well to a strong showing by an Islamic party. And then there's the ruling class. Will it go along with the structure of this "new republic"? And as always, can the Arab street be depended on to vote intelligently and establish a legitimate republic? Maybe when pigs fly. Algeria is ripe for destabilization. Writing in the New York Post, Benny Avni asks if Algeria might not become the next killing field in Arabia. If it does, the Algerian people will bear the brunt of the chaos. Think civil war. But unlike Las Vegas, what happens in Algeria does not stay in Algeria. Should things go south for this populous (current estimate: over 42 million) North African country, France, because of its close proximity and its relationship with Algeria, will be a casualty, too. Source. Oil and gas are Algeria's main exports, with 90% going to Western Europe. Turmoil in Algeria would disrupt this trade and aggravate Europe's energy supply. Worst of all is that Arab immigration would spike. Many of those coming would surely include Islamic fanatics, some of them drawn into Algeria from other Islamic countries in order to gain entry into France. Source. This is the very last thing France needs. As Charles de Gaulle reportedly said in 1959: "you could mix Arabs and French together, but like oil and vinegar in a bottle, after a while they would inevitably separate." This is why sections of France have turned into separate Muslim entities. A great influx of more Arab immigrants would be like feeding the tumor that is already apt to kill France. The official party line from France is that it supports Algerian self-determination and free elections. Don't believe it. Emmanuel Macron, for all his faults, is not as hopelessly naive as Germany's Angel Merkel, who actually put out the welcome mat for immigrants from North Africa and the Middle East. The French know that if the Pandora's box is opened in Algeria, it will unleash an unimaginable wave of immigration. Pragmatically speaking, it's far better dirtying one's hands to manipulate a strongman into the presidency than that. That's Macron's dilemma to stand aside like a good liberal democrat and let things take their course or to interfere. Macron can be expected to want to have his cake and eat it, too. He'd attempt that by posturing a hands-off policy while working behind the scenes for stability at whatever cost. Can he pull it off? Whether he can or can't, does it even matter in the long run? No matter what, Algeria cannot be expected to grow a robust economy and society capable of providing jobs and a decent standard of living for its everyday citizens. As such, the welfare state of France and its relatively soft life will continue to attract the growing Algerian underclass as a flame does moths. As for France and the rest of Western Europe, although they have the actual ability to stop unwanted immigration cold, they show no signs of mustering the will to do so. This cannot end well. Speaker Pelosi and her party are no longer on the same page. Mrs. Pelosi's recent revelation that she's not for impeachment directly contradicts the political priorities of many if not most on the American left. Recent actions by House Democrats make this clear. By most indications, number one on the progressive agenda is not national security, the economy, jobs, health care, education, abortion, or even the climate. The highest priority for many congressional Democrats and their base is the impeachment of President Trump. As Byron York noted last week: [Rep. Jerrold] Nadler's talk with ABC was the clearest indication yet that Democrats have decided to impeach Trump and are now simply doing the legwork involved in making that happen. And that means the debate among House Democrats will be a tactical one what is the best time and way to go forward rather than a more fundamental discussion of whether the president should be impeached. On Monday morning Nadler released a list of 81 names of Trump associates from whom the Judiciary Committee is requesting documents in what Nadler called "the first steps of an investigation into the alleged corruption, obstruction, and other abuses of power by President Trump, his associates and members of his administration." Other House Democrats are sending similar messages. Nadler and his impeachment allies are in this position only because Democrats wrested control of the U.S. House from Republicans last November. With one seat in North Carolina still pending, in the 2018 midterms, the Democrats had a net gain of 40 seats, giving them a total of 235 in the U.S. House. According to Ballotpedia's election accounting, there were 82 so-called "battleground" U.S. House districts in the 2018 midterms. Of these 82 districts, 46 changed party hands. The Democrats flipped 43 House districts, while the GOP flipped only three. To give a better picture of the partisan swing that occurred in the 2018 midterms, examine the Cook Partisan Voter Index (CPVI; a nice table is here). According to the CPVI, after the 2018 election, only one district (New York 24) rated D+3 or higher belongs to Republicans. On the other hand, 22 districts rated R+3 or higher are now occupied by Democrats. (Recall that the Democrats needed to flip 23 seats to gain control of the U.S. House.) The Democrats won nine districts that were rated R+6 or higher. In other words, Democrats won more than a few seats in solidly Republican districts. In case you've forgotten Mrs. Pelosi seems not to have Democrats did gain control of the U.S. House not by promising, pledging, or even hoping to impeach President Trump. They could not have flipped as many GOP-leaning districts as they did with such a message. Democrats gained control of the U.S. House by talking down impeachment, dismissing impeachment, or ignoring it altogether. According to my research, of the 43 seats they flipped, only one victorious Democrat California's Harley Rouda made impeachment a priority of his winning campaign. Other than Rouda, even just days before the 2018 election, as the prospects of Democrats retaking the House grew, I couldn't find another Democrat in those 43 races who was openly talking about impeachment. In fact, among such candidates, virtually without exception, impeachment was discussed only when the media brought it up. The battleground districts won most easily prove this the best. For example, Democrat Susan Wild won Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district (rated D+1 by the CPVI) by 10%. According to The Washington Post, in late August, in a piece that notes how Democrats "are avoiding the word" ("impeachment"), Wild declared, "I don't want to see a two-year distraction." She added, "I think, honestly, impeachment proceedings would obviously derail getting other things done in Congress." In the same piece, the Post notes that a day after Michael Cohen surrendered to the FBI and pleaded guilty to eight criminal charges, Wild "did not issue so much as a tweet" to mark the event "joining other Democrats in swing districts with her silence." Jeff Van Drew (D) won New Jersey's 2nd district (rated R+1) by 7.7%. In late August of 2018, Van Drew spoke of working with President Trump. In an interview, he declared: [I]f Donald Trump is right about an issue that is going to affect my people in my district or in my state or in the United States of America, I will say he's right[.] ... If Donald Trump was or any president was guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors, and all a number of serious issues, then you have to look at that. But, I'm certainly not going there in my mind thinking, "Gee, I want to impeach Donald Trump. That's what my job is." It is not. California's 25th and 49th districts (rated "Even" and R+1, respectively) were won by Katie Hill (D) and Mike Levin (D) by 8.8% and 12.8%. As the Washington Free Beacon reported in early September of 2018: California billionaire and political activist Tom Steyer has scheduled an October fundraiser for 9 Democratic challengers for seats in the U.S. House, most of whom have been silent on Steyer's pet issue of impeachment. ... Records searches for five of the nine candidates turned up no comment or position offered on the idea of impeaching President Trump[.] ... Those candidates and their corresponding house district are Jessica Morse (CA-04), Josh Harder (CA-10), T.J. Cox (CA-21), Katie Hill (CA-25), and Mike Levin (CA-49). In early October of 2018, in a debate, Levin declared, "I do not seek impeachment." Just a week out from the election, Katie Hill believed that "[t]alk of impeaching President Donald Trump is a waste of time until Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation is completed." "Let's wait on Robert Mueller" was a common theme from battleground Democrats. Jason Crow (D) beat five-term republican Mike Coffman in Colorado's 6th district (rated D+2) by 11.2%. Just over a month prior to the 2018 election, The Colorado Sun reported: Crow isn't fully embracing calls from some in his party to seek Trump's impeachment at least not yet. He says he wants to see what Special Counsel Robert Mueller digs up in his investigation into possible Trump campaign collusion with Russia. Just days from the 2018 election, New Jersey's Mikie Sherrill who won NJ-7 (rated R+3) by 14.7% joined her New Jersey battleground colleagues in calling for restraint on impeachment. She declared, "Congress should support Special Counsel Robert Muller's investigation and allow him to finish his work." There are dozens of similar examples. I chronicle all of the flipped seats here, including Democrats in what were deemed hotly contested U.S. House races, and their campaign positions on impeaching President Trump. What's more, even Democratic leadership including Mrs. Pelosi were not fond of talking about impeachment while they were trying to take back the U.S. House and Senate. With the Mueller investigation looking more and more like a dud and the Russia-Trump collusion farce being exposed for what it really is, many Democrats now want to target President Trump's finances as a means of impeachment. "Impeachment is the only answer," says Maxine Waters right, because nothing else has worked so far. If collusion has truly collapsed, to pivot to Trump's finances as an attempt to remove him from office only makes Democrats appear as if their mouths remain filled with sour grapes over the 2016 election. A seasoned politician such as Mrs. Pelosi knows this all too well. Thus, avoiding impeachment is not a matter of President Trump not being "worth it." It's simply a matter of election math and politics. Speaker Pelosi may need to conduct some tutorials. Trevor Grant Thomas at the Intersection of Politics, Science, Faith, and Reason. www.trevorgrantthomas.com Trevor is the author of the The Miracle and Magnificence of America. IEC Telecom Group, a leading global provider of managed network communication solutions, along with its partners showcased a range of solutions and announced new initiatives at an ongoing event in Dubai, UAE. The Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development Conference and Exhibition (Dihad) 2019 which opened on March 12 will conclude later today (March14), at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre. The event was held in order to support the Middle Easts relief efforts in the humanitarian sector. Offerings included innovative services for e-learning, e-health as well as the first truly global on-the-move broadband service, said a statement from organisers. According to UNHCR, more than 65 million people continue to live as refugees or are internally displaced, uprooted from their homes in search of safety, and often struggling to access even basic means for survival. Broadband connectivity today plays a critical role in creating new opportunities and in accelerating innovation for this sector. Connectivity to enable aid workers in remote areas to communicate with family and friends as well as to provide refugee camps with essential education or health support is a critical component of managing crises which more often than not, occur in underdeveloped regions or areas where terrestrial infrastructure is damaged or unavailable. Moreover, the provision of digital healthcare is an essential component of meeting the immediate needs of the humanitarian sector. In fact, the telemedicine market in MEA was estimated at $2.19 billion in 2015 and is projected to reach $3.67 in 2020. To meet these essential requirements, IEC Telecom Group and YahClick (powered by Hughes) have partnered together at Dihad to present YahClick Enterprise solutions aimed at supporting Middle East users with e-health, e-learning, and other critical humanitarian needs. YahClick satellite broadband can have a positive impact on previously unconnected and under-served communities, extending various economic and social benefits, as well as providing them with basic services such as education and healthcare. The technology allows for cost-effective, highly reliable and easily deployable communication services. Some examples are emergency communications such as ordering urgent food supplies or submitting security reports, setting up the digital infrastructure in rural areas, including commerce, healthcare and general governmental support, data collection and analysis in both ongoing support and emergency response and much more. The YahClick Enterprise e-learning solution brings affordable education into the heart of rural communities providing an opportunity for students in remote areas to access the same resources as their peers in more developed regions. It also gives an opportunity for teachers to access quality and up-to-date education materials and gain access to peer-to-peer transfer of knowledge. E-learning concept can bring educational benefits with no physical boundaries as well as social and economic value by reducing costs for disseminating course materials, saving on teachers and students travel and much more. The YahClick Enterprise e-health solution is a high quality, affordable platform that enables health entities to revolutionise their healthcare delivery, easily and effectively. It opens opportunities for doctors, hospitals and pharmacies to provide patients with remote telemedicine consultations, schedule appointments and provide a diagnosis amongst other critically important services. Samer Bazyan, vice president Middle East and North Africa (Mena), YahClick, said: Providing quality education and healthcare in remote or rural locations is a massive challenge. However, with our company and its solution partner providers, we are now able to give access to quality education and healthcare services where its needed the most. As a result, clinics and healthcare providers in rural locations can have access to experienced doctors and specialists based in cities within the country, or anywhere in the world, he added. YahClick recently expanded its coverage across Africa, following the launch the Al Yah 3 satellite. Al Yah 3 has expanded YahClicks Ka-band coverage to an additional 19 new markets in Africa, reaching more than 60 per cent of the population. At Dihad, IEC Telecom and Iridium also presented to the humanitarian community MissionLink, a new Iridium CertusSM land mobile terminal developed by Thales. The MissionLink delivers global L-band satellite broadband capabilities helping critical missions to stay connected at all times, even when on the move. The Iridium Certus broadband service is the first truly global broadband service delivering reliable L-band broadband connectivity and high-quality voice service to all industry verticals, including the land-mobile market. It creates a connected vehicles environment, allowing drivers to maintain capabilities like real-time vehicle tracking and immediate transmission of telematics information, while supporting internet, phone and email requirements. The solution offers a smooth broadband connectivity experience that can be configured to automatically switch between Iridium Certus or local cellular infrastructure. Unlike geostationary networks with limited global reach and bulky terminals, the unique architecture of the Iridium constellation, featuring 66 interconnected low-earth-orbit satellites, enables global coverage and creation of cost-effective, highly mobile, small-form-factor antennas and terminals. Josh Miner, vice president, land-mobile line of business at Iridium, said: Iridium Certus brings global connectivity for the first time to organisations and individuals constantly on the move. Together with the Thales MissionLink terminal and cellular modem, the service will smoothly transition between satellite and cellular networks, positively impacting the humanitarian efforts in the region. World class partners like IEC Telecom are instrumental in helping bring this next-generation technology to the people who will benefit from it most, and were excited to continue our strong relationship into the Iridium Certus era, he added. Nabil Ben Soussia, managing director at IEC Telecom Group, said: "Solutions, like YahClick Enterprise, Iridium Certus that we have recently unveiled together with our partners, not only enhance relief and rescue operations, but also provide additional services that are easy to put in place such as e-health, e-learning, centralised logistics, better reporting, 24/7 emergency support and more." "Users from humanitarian missions, public safety and government sector, oil and gas, mining and other industries will be able to experience the new level of mission-critical mobile capabilities regardless of their location, terrain and weather conditions they work in," he added. TradeArabia News Service It seems that all we hear about these days in both Democrat and Republican circles is the colossal rift unfolding in plain view between the radical socialists and moderate Democrats in Nancy Pelosi's House and party. The concern among Democrats and wishful thinking among Republicans is that this will divide the Democrats, making a Trump victory in 2020 a certainty. National Review's Jay Cost agrees about the divide and maintains in his "Radicalism Is on the Rise among Democrats" that Democrats were able to achieve considerable political success in the postworld war years into the 21st century, by keeping "radical [socialist] forces at bay" and putting in place more palatable policies that allowed them to "share the bounty of capitalism in a more egalitarian manner." Using the example of choosing Cold War hawk and interventionist Harry Truman over Henry Wallace as Roosevelt's V.P. in 1944, Cost suggests that even a Democrat like Obama really wasn't the radical we thought he was, but is more in the tradition of moderates before him like Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy, Carter, and Clinton. According to Cost, these moderates split the ideological baby by reaping the benefits of capitalism and then redistributing those benefits through socialist tax and economic policies. In short, they had a balanced mix of foreign and domestic policies that kept radicals (like Bernie Sanders) on the fringe and out of everyday politics. I'm not going to dispute Cost's analysis of American political history, but this notion that liberals like Sandy O and Bernie are somehow more extreme than Pelosi and Obama, or past progressive players like Wilson and Roosevelt, is simply wishful thinking on the part of two groups of people. One group is made up of NeverTrumps and liberals, who want conservative voters to believe that the DNC is splitting to the point of self-destruction, in the hopes that they will get cocky about Trump's re-election chances, driving down their participation in the 2020 campaign and turnout on Election Day. This is a kind of perverse way of suppressing the pro-Trump conservative vote in 2020. The second group comprises conservative pundits and pols who really hope to see the same kind of establishment-radical schism in the DNC and Pelosi's Congress that the Republicans had, have, and just can't seem to shake in their own party. Such a split would fracture the left-wing vote and could lead to a resounding Trump victory and second term. The problem is that this assumes that the right side of the equation can unite and coalesce around Trump, and there is no rational reason to expect this to happen short of a miracle. At the very least, the thinking is that if the DNC is as divided as the GOP, neither party will have a distinct advantage over the other, and the election will be determined by the far left, far right, independents, and undecideds, and that puts it in anyone's camp giving Trump a better chance than they believe he would otherwise have. But the fact is, there really isn't a GOP-like schism in the DNC, and Nancy Pelosi has not lost control of the House. There are no differences among last century's progressives; so-called moderate Democrats like Kennedy and Clinton; '60s pinko-hippies like Sanders and Warren; limousine liberals like Obama, Pelosi, and Schumer; and today's latte liberals like Ocasio-Cortez. They all share the same ideology and goals. They glorify progressive policies based on socialist and Marxist ideals and openly seek to change America from a free market to a government-controlled economy. They seek to strip capitalism down to its barest bone, redistribute wealth and income, impose ever higher taxes. They will rename and reprogram welfare into universal basic income and Medicaid, Medicare, SCHIP, and Obamacare into universal health care. They encroach on people's choices, education, families, speech, religion, and commerce with increased government controls. They seek open borders to continue whittling away at the culture and economy, rendering white supremacist-nationalist-colonialist-imperialists irrelevant, giving the land back to indigenous groups to make up for past ills, reparations for descendants of slavery...and on and on. How easily we forget that Obama's "fundamental transformation" of the U.S. was 100% in line with progressives before him like Wilson and Roosevelt. Pelosi, Schumer, and Reid implemented liberal policies to further his agenda. At all points along Obama's arc of history, the justice he sought was economic justice (taking from the 1% and giving to the 99%) and social justice. The only difference among the Pelosi and Ocasio-Cortez/Sanders Democrats is one of tactics. In order to achieve their socialist objectives, the Pelosians do things incrementally, often behind the scenes, and talk like moderates while implementing radical legislation. The Ocasio-Cortez/Sandersans lay it all on the line, hide nothing, and say exactly what they intend to do. But the goals are the same, the ideology identical. Even the path to reach their goals is the same. They just differ slightly on approach do we tell them we're screwing them or make it all look nicely packaged...and screw 'em? Cost says the liberal explanation of what they've been doing goes something like this: "if you're not doing too well, we will help you; if you're doing really, really well, we're going to ask you to pitch in a little more; if you're doing all right, we'll leave you alone." Not quite. It's more like this: if you tell us you are not doing well, we will provide for you as needed, without asking any questions. If you're doing really, really well, we are going to forcibly confiscate your income, wealth, and property and give it to others we deem more worthy. If you're doing all right, we'll leave you alone until we need more from you to help those in the first category who can no longer be helped by those who were formerly in the second category." I don't think there are too many Democrats out there past or present who would find anything wrong with this characterization. If you are a free-market, freedom-loving constitutionalist, you'll find that radical. Cost makes the same mistake we hear on the news every night, distinguishing between old school Democrats and radicals like Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, who, he says, "seem intent on disrupting life for every American, in fundamental ways" as if the "moderates" have a different agenda! But the truth is, the Democrats are united on disrupting life for every American, in fundamental ways, and thus are all radicals. It's just that some of them wear the smiley face better than the others. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr. Is President Putin diabolically smart or simply a psychopath? Perhaps he is both, because by his direct action, the world is now a much more dangerous place as the former KGB officer creates a nuclear doomsday scenario backed by real Russian naval capabilities: Russia is said to have built a new 100-megaton underwater nuclear doomsday device, and it has threatened the US with it. The device goes beyond traditional ideas of nuclear war fighting and poses a direct threat to the future of humanity or life on Earth. Nobody has ever built a weapon like this before, because there's almost no military utility in so badly destroying the world. From Business Insider: The weapon is said to use a warhead, perhaps the strongest ever, designed to come into direct contact with water, marine animals, and the ocean floor, kicking up a radioactive tsunami that could spread deadly radiation over hundreds of thousands of miles of land and sea, and render them uninhabitable for decades. Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, previously told Business Insider that rather than a first- or second-strike weapon, he sees Russia's new torpedo as a "third-strike vengeance weapon" designed to shatter NATO. In "Reagan One," there was an early concept guiding our now emerging Space Command. It was called the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), often mocked as "Star Wars." High Frontier was a plan initiated by the late Army lt. gen. Dan Graham, which became SDI and was focused on defending against ICBMs with nuclear warheads inbound to strike America. During the Cold War, there was an intellectual school of thought that became our strategic doctrine, called MAD, or Mutually Assured Destruction. It was a doctrine focused on a nuclear exchange action/reaction cycle, looking at surviving a first strike to then launch a devastating retaliatory second strike. The great image in those days between the U.S. and the allies on one side and the USSR on the other was "two scorpions in a bottle." Each side could destroy the other. MAD was the guiding principle of the scientist who ran the U.S. WWII Manhattan Project that developed the atomic bombs that ended the war against Japan. "We may be likened to two scorpions in a bottle, each capable of killing the other, but only at the risk of his own life." J. Robert Oppenheimer But a very smart Army officer, the late Lt. Gen. Danny Graham, USA (ret.), took real issue with the" MAD deterrence" concept and made a significant intellectual step in advocating for a "High Frontier," which eventually became the U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense Organization. Lt. Gen. Graham nailed his quest to defend all Americans by making it family-personal and based his logic on his extensive military combat experience. No better compliment to his life's work could be captured by President Reagan. "As you know, Dan, you and I were talking about missile defense before you set up High Frontier in September of '81[.] ... You and a small group of dedicated, determined people helped us move the SDI concept over all the roadblocks put up by people of less vision and belief in American capacity. God bless you!" President Ronald Reagan, March 1993 Dan's strategic war-fighting brilliance was taking the next step away from MAD, and his vision shines through in a paper he delivered to then-CIA director William Casey in the early first term of President Reagan. It was approved for release by the CIA in 2009. We adopted this doctrine (MAD) in the mid-sixties and followed it in both our force structure and arms-control efforts. The Soviets did not. As for their nuclear offensive systems, the Soviets have shown their disdain for the MAD theorists' insistence on "second strike" forces only. They have concentrated enormous energies to create first and third strike forces instead. This was written almost four decades ago. Note his emphasis on "third strike forces." Ironically, with real life imitating art, the fantastic movie Dr. Strangelove telegraphed the idea of a "Doomsday Gap." The movie was great fun but had an important point, made by the late actor Peter Sellers playing Dr. Strangelove, who commented on the Russian Premier's creation of a "Doomsday Bomb" designed to destroy the world: "The whole point is lost if you keep it a secret." Today, right now, President Putin is not keeping the possible end-of-life nuclear-armed sub force secret. In fact, just the opposite: He is bragging about that capability and stating his intention to use it as needed. In addition to the U.S.'s current robust debate about looking to the heavens in the creation of Space Command, more resources should be immediately given to the United States Navy Anti-Submarine forces (ASW). Nuclear-tipped ending-all-life torpedoes launched from the deep are now the most pressing clear and present danger facing America, full stop. My personal take is that the Russians could get sub skippers adept enough to take a sub into the deep and also morally blind enough to actually launch an end-of-the-world "third strike." Or maybe they would just screen for true psychopaths. Somalia-born congresswoman Ilhan Omar has made more waves in two months than most members of Congress do in a lifetime. Indeed, were it not for the equally telegenic congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Omar would be the clear frontrunner for the Democrats' rookie of year honors. To her dubious credit, Omar has not only mastered English in her relatively short stay in this country, but mastered Valley Girl English. Her lilting syntax makes her frequent anti-Semitic tropes seem less barbed than intended. To explain her concern about the "Benjamins" Jews are allegedly distributing to buy pro-Israeli policy, Omar told a small crowd at a D.C. bookstore, "I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is OK for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country." The foreign country Omar had in mind, of course, was Israel. As shall be seen, however, the idea of a dual allegiance does not offend her. What offends Omar and others like her on the Left is an allegiance to, or any kind of affection for, Israel. In her book, dual allegiances are fine. Omar herself made the case for the phenomenon in a speech she gave during the 2016 election cycle to a group reportedly called the "Revolution Somali Youth League." Although the video of her speech has been seen fewer than 9,000 times, it is well produced and readily accessible on YouTube. The most intriguing part of the speech begins at about the 45-second mark. "In 2016, this election cycle, and you guys have the ability to make an impact on where our nation is headed, not only here in the United States but even in our nation back home. Right?" "Our nation back home?" Even the most ardent American Zionist would shy from language that conflicted. Omar continued, "You have to make sure you are preparing yourself and that you are gaining enough knowledge to be able to transfer some of that." Indeed, she makes America seem like little more than an academic refueling station. This may explain why she pushes forcefully in this speech for free college educations. George Orwell described "doublethink" as "the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them." To Omar, though, these thoughts are not really contradictory. As she sees it, the most ruthless and oppressive force in the Middle East is simply not worthy of allegiance. To quote Orwell again, "[f]reedom is the freedom to say that two plus two make four." Omar and her friends on the left have sacrificed that freedom. To regularly accuse the most enlightened country in the Middle East of being the most oppressive is to insist that two plus two equals five. California Governor Gavin Newsom, who will sign an executive order halting executions in his state, became the president's Twitter target as Donald Trump turned his fire on the governor for his shortsighted decision. Newsom cited his "moral conflict" with the death penalty as his reason. Fox News: The order will halt all executions performed at San Quentin State Prison while Newsom, a Democrat, is governor but leaves all convictions intact. A future governor can undo the order. "The intentional killing of another person is wrong. And as governor, I will not oversee the execution of any individual," Newsom said in a prepared statement obtained by the Southern California News Group. Newsom has been a vocal opponent of the death penalty and has argued it is susceptible to human error. Many have criticized the death penalty as being racially biased and too expensive. Since 1973, 164 prisoners nationwide have been wrongly convicted and freed from death row, according to the Los Angeles Times. Trump mentions what Newsom forgot in his "moral conflict." Defying voters, the Governor of California will halt all death penalty executions of 737 stone cold killers. Friends and families of the always forgotten VICTIMS are not thrilled, and neither am I! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2019 Certainly, some of the victim's families agree with the governor. But many more do not. Sacramento Bee: Disgusting. Appalling. A punch to the gut. Law enforcement leaders and family members waiting to see their loved ones' killers put to death reacted with these sentiments and others Wednesday to Gov. Gavin Newsom's announcement that he was effectively scrapping California's death penalty and granting reprieves to more than 700 death row inmates. "It's just an open wound that never heals," said Richard Mobilio, whose 31-year-old son David, a Red Bluff police officer, was gunned down in an ambush in 2002 and who has been waiting for the killer to face execution since the 2005 conviction in the case. "We're not forgivers and forgetters in this regard," Mobilio said. "I hate to be so obviously a case of 'vengeance is mine,' but I have to be honest with you ... I want to see him pay the penalty." Mickel is now 40, and Mobilio said Wednesday that he still holds out hope that the inmate may someday face execution under a different governor. "If there is a prospect that he pays that penalty, I fully support it," he said. "Whatever it takes legislatively or through whatever vehicles there might be." Marc Klaas, whose 12-year-old daughter Polly was kidnapped from her Petaluma home and murdered in 1993 by Richard Allen Davis, had a similar reaction. "Obviously, I'm appalled," Klaas said as he was conducting a series of media interviews about the governor's decision. "I'm appalled by him doing that, and I've got plenty of reasons." Newsom's order runs counter to a 2016 referendum that was approved by California voters to speed up executions. So Newsom has put his own personal "moral conflict" with the death penalty ahead of the wishes of California residents. The people, in their collective wisdom, have expressed unmistakable sentiment in favor of the death penalty. Newsom has not only thumbed his nose at the voters, but turned his back on the families of murder victims. But what's that compared to all the political goodwill he'll get from liberals and black activists? His personal feelings on the morality of the death penalty aside, Newsom has made a political calculation that voters who oppose this move will forget about it before he runs for re-election. Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has won the Big Innovation Award from the US-based Business Intelligence Group for its virtual service that answers customer queries using artificial antelligence (AI). Rammas is available 24/7 in Arabic and English on Dewa's website, smart app on iOS and Android, Facebook page, Amazon's Alexa service, Google Assistant, and robotics. Dewa launched Rammas in 2017, becoming the first government organisation to launch an instant chatbot services to communicate with customers using AI. The second phase of the service, launched in 2018, added several enhancements and new features to strengthen service quality and increase Rammas' scope to include additional categories, including customers, contractors, consultants, suppliers and government organisations as well as job seekers, scholarship students, and student training programme participants. Dewa also added more information to its database. The second phase of the service has now been integrated with Dewa's SAP system to facilitate transactions such as bill enquiry and payment, tracking application status, new connection requests by contractors and consultants, job enquiries, and job applications. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa, said: We launched the Rammas service to implement ambitious national strategies and plans within our framework to achieve the objectives of the UAE Centennial 2071. This also supports the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy to create a productive, creative, and innovative environment, through the investment and application of AI technologies and tools. We aim to reshape the future of utilities around the world by supporting innovation and making it a cornerstone for continuous improvement. This will enhance Dewas competitiveness, keep pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and take advantage of disruptive technologies such as AI, drones, 3D printing, blockchain technology, and the Internet of Things (IoT) among others, added Al Tayer. "Dewa has been a pioneer in supporting innovation in the UAE and Dubai, in line with the UAE National Innovation Strategy, which aims to make the UAE among the most innovative countries in the world. Dewa also supports the Dubai Innovation Strategy to make Dubai the world's most innovative city, and the Dubai 10X initiative, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to make Dubai a city of the future, putting it 10 years ahead of other global cities. Dewa raised the importance of innovation in its strategic plan, added goals that focus on anticipating the future, innovation, and the happiness of all customers as well as institutionalised innovation across all its sectors and operations. "Rammas is characterised by its immediate response to customer queries and its ability to learn and understand their needs according to their enquiries. Rammas analyses queries based on available data and information and takes action to accurately answer them, which helps in conducting customer transactions easily. Rammas has received over 1,900,000 enquiries through different channels since its launch, at the rate of more than 2,600 enquiries per day, resulting in savings of up to Dh31.3 million ($8.5 million)," said Al Tayer. Al Tayer noted that Dewa is the first entity to reach 80 per cent adoption of its smart services in 2017, ahead of the deadline set by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to reduce the number of visitors to government offices by 80 per cent by 2018, furthering its pioneering role by reaching 93 per cent in 2018. Dewa continues its success by topping the Happiness Index in the large Dubai Government Entities category, with a 95 per cent happiness level, according to Smart Dubai's Happiness Index, for the second year in a row. TradeArabia News Service Android Q is apparently going to bring the Screen Recording feature more into the foreground, judging by the inclusion of a screen recording flag found in the recent Android Q beta release. As 9to5Google reports, the feature is hidden inside Developer Options and needs to be enabled manually as opposed to having its own shortcut/toggle, but once enabled, it seems to work as intended. The way the flag can be enabled could change by the time Android Q will be ready for a public release, but only time will tell whether this feature will make it to the final build. Some early features in Android beta dont make it all the way to the final release and given that Google only recently launched the first Android Q beta build for the Pixel range of smartphones, the changelog will remain subject to change until later this year. Even more so given that the new screen recording feature is fairly hidden. The way to access it at this time is by opening the Settings app, navigating to Developer Options, Feature Flags, and the Debugging section, and finally enabling the settings_screenrecord_long_press flag. Users can then long-press the power button to summon the power menu which now contains a Screenshot button. Long-press that and users can choose between a couple of options before starting a new recording, such as show taps and record voiceover. The recording process can then be stopped from the Notification shade. Advertisement How is this different from earlier screen recording? Screen recording has a fairly long history in Android OS. The feature initially became available with Android 4.4 KitKat but only through third-party apps which required devices to have root access. In the majority of cases this meant that the feature was not available out of the box when purchasing a KitKat-powered phone, nor was it easily accessible via third-party solutions. Screen recording got native support from Google through an updated API with the release of Android 5.0 Lollipop in 2014. The changes to the API meant that third-party developers could now take advantage of the screen recording capabilities built into the firmware, and their applications would no longer require root access. Advertisement This was a considerable step in the right direction, as Android smartphone users could simply download a screen recording third-party app from the Google Play Store without having to worry about rooting their devices. But although screen recording has been baked into Android OS since 2015, Google has yet to provide a screen recording first-party solution. This could change in Android Q as the OEM is seemingly creating UI elements around the OS default screen recording capabilities. As yet theres no easy way to enable screen recording without accessing Developer Options but once the flag is enabled the UI element for starting and stopping a recording become apparent. Sure, the design might change over time but these are just minor details and if Google decides this should become a main feature in Android Q then additional UI elements could be created around it. Advertisement Android Q Beta 1 is now available for eligible users for the entire Pixel smartphone series. A few more beta releases are expected to hit the waves over the coming months until Google will be ready to officially introduce the new firmware along with its final name. Googles next Android OS update, Android Q, has now officially entered its beta period and revealed its initial timeline for subsequent releases moving through the expected final release of the firmware in Q3 2019. As always, new SDKs and other updates, emulators, and APIs will be added or altered throughout, beginning with Beta 1 which kicks off testing today. Based on the timeline graphic included with the launch of the beta, there will be at least one other update to the program via Beta 2 in early April, leading up to Beta 3. The latter of those appears to be slated for release during or just after Googles annual I/O Developers Conference, taking place from May 7 through May 9. Beta 4 is slated to follow just behind that in early June. That is expected to be among the most impactful updates to the program, bringing final APIs and official SDK as well as Google Play publishing. Advertisement Finalizing Android Q After Beta 4, the timeline provided by Google begins to break down and the stretch of time between that beta update and Beta 5 increases substantially. Thats mostly because the later phases will involve much deeper fine-tuning and represent the portion of development where things are finalized for consumer-readiness. Betas 5 and 6 are noted as being set aside as release candidates for testing. Beta 5 will land sometime in the third quarter in the lead-up to launch followed within relatively short-order by Beta 6. The final release to the Android Open Source Project and Android ecosystem, in general, will happen later in the year, in the third quarter. That will mark the point at which Android OEMs can begin finalizing their own take on the OS for release to various third-party devices. Advertisement Googles annual hardware event typically takes place late in the year, with last years gathering taking place in early October. So, if Googles timeline holds up, the update to Android Q should be ready just in time for the next generation of Google handsets. Whats arriving in Beta 1 As mentioned above, the first of the Android Q beta software iterations has already begun rolling out to testers, bringing a significant level of change across the board. That is available for all Google Pixel-branded handsets, including 2016s original Pixel device. Advertisement Among bigger changes included with Beta 1 is the implementation of faster sharing, camera app improvements, folding gadget support, and adjustments in favor of privacy. Of those, privacy will probably be the most important for the majority of users, given controversies in data collection, storage, and breaches witnessed across the tech industry beginning in 2017. The improvements in privacy start with more granular control over location tracking. Rather than only being able to grant an app permission to gather the information in a binary way, users will be able to assign permission in three stages including never, only when the app is running in the foreground or all of the time. Runtime permissions will enable control over file sharing too and apps will be required to use the system-level file picker to ensure that access is only granted to exactly the files users want to share. Chrome 73 for desktop recently launched with a variety of great new features and now there appears to have been at least one less reported inclusion too the addition of DuckDuckGo as a default search engine option. The new option wasnt found in Googles reported changes but applies to over 60 global market regions. That includes the US, UK, and Canada. Users who want to adjust the search engine option can find DuckDuckGo under the settings menu in the three-dot menu at the top-right-hand side of the UI. In Settings, thats found under the Search engine subheading and can be changed using either the top, drop-down menu or by clicking Manage search engines and then clicking the three-dot menu next to the DuckDuckGo option. The Make default option will need to be clicked in the resulting menu. Avoiding penalties Advertisement Google didnt advertise the addition of the option with the update of this release but thats not necessarily surprising, given the history between the two search providers. DuckDuckGo is a privacy-heavy search engine that provides a diverse array of related options, the vast majority of which are turned on by default to protect the user. Its also one of the companies that publicly came out in favor of recent fines faced by Google over its apparent anti-competitive practices in Android. The historic fine faced by Google amounted to approximately $5.05 billion in penalties after the European Commission determined that Googles promotion of its own applications including search and Chrome in Android was monopolistic. DuckDuckGo supported the decision with statements indicating that the fines were a long time coming since the behavior has been ongoing for years. Advertisement At the time of that fine, near the middle of 2018, the US-based search provider denied the allegations and planned to fight back against the EU-based decision. That decision applied to Android but with this latest change to Chrome in desktop version 73, Google appears to be working to avoid future problems with regulators with regard to search engine options that are provided on its desktop solution. Theres no guarantee that will actually work since the company isnt exactly telling everybody about the change. Advertisement What exactly is DuckDuckGo? DuckDuckGo is, as already noted, a search engine alternative to Google search that focuses chiefly on privacy. That means it doesnt track a users clicks or personal data and it doesnt store any private data either. It isnt as popular or widely known as Google, with only around 800 million queries per day as of late 2018 a 33-percent growth from the previous year. DuckDuckGos growth is further spurred on by its third-party mobile browser offering, which adheres to the same basic tenets, blocking cookies and other tracking components. Advertisement Googles decision to make the addition of DuckDuckGo as an option a quiet one may be somewhat understandable in light of the fact that advertising such as is in place in Google search is its primary money-making business. Thats unlikely to sit well with those opposed to Googles practices though since it also means many users may not have noticed the buried option to change the default search engine to DuckDuckGo on their own. It isnt immediately clear whether the addition will extend to Chromebooks when the update to Chrome 73 begins rolling out to that platform but theres a good chance the option will be available there as well. Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei attacked the United States technology security policy that set Washington on a war trail against the Shenzen-based company as the conglomerate found itself in the middle of trade tensions between the White House and Beijing. In this weeks interview with CNN, Mr. Ren called President Donald Trump close-minded and intolerant, arguing the stateside allegations of Huawei equipment posing a security risk are entirely baseless. The 74-year-old took a dig at the U.S. avoidance of Huawei-made hardware, noting how that practice didnt make its infrastructure invincible and asserting its frivolous for it to tell its allies their networks will be safe if they do the same. The current administrations unwillingness to accept Huaweis investments, i.e. allow its desired expansion into the U.S. wireless segment is standing in the way of another century of American prosperity, Mr. Ren said poetically. Advertisement The former official of the Peoples Liberation Army a part of his background that makes Western intelligence agencies suspicious of him to this date insisted that despite being annoyed, hes not concerned about Washingtons ongoing lobbying efforts aimed at convincing the likes of Canada, Germany, and South Korea to stop buying Huaweis technologies. He maintained Huawei is not a threat and the U.S. cannot prove otherwise, which is exactly the fact the company aims to bring into the public spotlight with its recently filed lawsuit against the federal government. At the same time, Mr. Ren claims hes also not concerned about his daughter, Meng Wanzhou, whos been under house arrest in Canada since December as the U.S. is trying to extradite her, having already filed charges on the counts of wire fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracies to commit both. Justice will prevail, or should at least; thats the abridged version of Mr. Rens stance on the matter. His 47-year-old daughter is believed to be a big miss for the worlds largest manufacturer of telecom equipment. Besides serving as its CFO for around a decade, shes also one of the four chairpersons of its board as of a year ago. The next hearing in her extradition case is scheduled to take place on May 8. The Canadian Justice Department already confirmed the countrys judicial system can extradite her, i.e. the government wont stand in its way as it doesnt believe Ms. Meng is being held for political reasons, which is the bulk of her defense argument, the latest development in one of the most bizarre tech-related legal clashes in recent memory. Advertisement The questions (suspiciously) no ones asking The arguments MR. Ren laid out in his latest interview are far from novel; both him and many other Huawei officials most prominently, consumer electronics unit CEO Richard Yu circulated them in the past, demanding proof of any large-scale wrongdoing that would be indicative of an actual security threat being posed by the company. The fact that top Huawei executives are consistently being given a platform to spread that corporate message in the West without being directly challenged is a testimony to how tight of a ship its PR operation is and also doesnt reflect well on the media outlets interviewing them; it doesnt take a lot of effort for those arguments to fall apart the first question no one is asking is on what basis can Huawei claim China doesnt have the authority, ability, or both (its both) to compel it to yield data on its foreign customers and actively spy one them under the pretense of national intelligence gathering clearly codified in publicly available laws. Advertisement Even if Huaweis track record with cybersecurity and doing business in a law-abiding manner was stellar since the 90s and it isnt the U.S. and its allies are looking to put the company in a figurative quarantine due to the potential of what could happen otherwise, not what happened in the past. Not only is that action based on strong precedent in the U.S. but is actually explicitly allowed by a number of laws, all of which make Huaweis recent lawsuit unlikely to go anywhere. If Huawei and China, who continue to claim they arent directly affiliated despite the former financing an internal committee tasked solely with government-related affairs for many years now, truly believe the opposition theyre facing in the West is a competition issue, they should first allow the likes of Ericsson and Nokia into their backyard, and then complain about unfair practices if European and American nations continue to block their investments. Naturally, that will never happen; China seemingly only acknowledges capitalism and free-market principles when it comes to its exports, whereas imports are off limits. Then theres its long history of facing accusations of intellectual-property theft thats a beast of its own and spans numerous companies, some of which are now even owned by Chinese entities (e.g. Motorola). Advertisement Android Headlines reached out to Huawei with some of these and other related questions on several occasions over the course of the last year, starting last spring when it conducted an investigation into the companys long history of issues with the U.S. government and American companies. Sometimes, it didnt hear back from the firm; at other times, it was told to expect answers that never arrived. Samsung has said that its working on a display with 100-percent screen-to-body ratio and without any stopgaps such as punch-holes, notches, or bezels. The companys R&D group vice president, Yang Byung-duk said that Samsung wants to make a full-screen smartphone with a hidden, fully-functional front camera. This will be achieved by embedding cameras and all the other sensors beneath the display. As good as the technology sounds, do not expect it to make a debut anytime soon as Yang said that it will not be possible to make such a display in the next couple of years. This means that it could be years before Samsung finally perfects such a design and commercializes it. Samsung was reportedly never a fan of notches and with the Galaxy S10 series, the company introduced its Infinity-O Display, which has a pinhole to house the selfie camera. The company says that it was challenging to punch a hole into the display and while it does consider the Infinity-O Display a milestone, it eventually wants to come out with a perfect full-screen device. Huaweis Nova 4 also has a hole-punch display but the screen is LCD not OLED. Advertisement In October 2018, during a presentation, Samsung revealed its plan to maximize screen estate by the use of technologies such as in-display fingerprint scanner, embedded camera, in-display speakers, and haptic display technology. In-display fingerprint scanners are now an indispensable part of high-end smartphones and the Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 Plus also come with ultrasonic fingerprint readers. The company is also working on a sound emitting display and it might make a debut with the Galaxy Note 10. Dubbed Crystal Sound OLED, it would be similar to what was seen on the LG G8 ThinQ and would dispel the need for a physical speaker. With those two technologies presumably under the belt, Samsung would now have to work on placing camera beneath a display. This is going to be no easy feat as the company would have to make sure the camera works properly and its performance its not affected in any way by its placement. Of course, Samsung could always rely on pop-up cameras in the meanwhile to maximize screen estate, but elevating cameras are not considered durable. While its anybodys guess when Samsungs perfect display would be ready, the company doesnt have a stellar record of adopting new technologies. That being said, analysts think the Galaxy S10 Plus has benefited considerably because of features such as the in-display fingerprint sensor and this might push the company to speed up its work and come out with such a display sooner than expected. The smartphone industry has slowed down considerably in the last few years and new technologies can help OEM boost sales. Advertisement Samsung is not the only company envisioning a full-screen smartphone. Apples chief design officer Jony Ive said back in 2016 that he wants an iPhone that looks like a single sheet of glass. Other manufacturers, such as Vivo, are trying to do away with ports and buttons. Depending on how fast the industry moves, future smartphones will look more like slabs with no protruding sensors or design elements. Now that the Android Q Beta 1 release has launched, stock wallpapers and ringtones from the update are beginning to leak out online, cueing users into what they can expect with the new gadgets. There are a total of 15 wallpapers on the visual side of the equation and 65 tones in all, and those can are available for download via downloadmirror.co. Not all of those are new but each is, as might be expected, extremely well-made. For wallpapers, several of the returning designs are fairly obvious since theyre the same landscape-style wallpapers introduced in the last generation. The returning wallpapers each bear the word preview in their names, indicating that when they land they will likely retain their live wallpaper effects. The most obvious new additions on that front nearly look as though they could have been put together by Vincent van Gogh, with swirling lines that glow with a sleek, oily style. Advertisement On the ringtone side of things, there are 12 alarms, 15 notifications, 12 ringtones, and 26 tones for various UI and system software-related events such as the gadget being plugged in or to indicate a low battery. A Dock tone Buried amongst the notification sounds under the ui label, at least one new tone stands out as something that may be completely different from those seen before in Android. Dubbed Dock, the OGG file is a short-burst, low-toned rolling ring sound that could easily be related to a feature recently spotted in the internal code for Android Q. Advertisement The code ties into a desktop mode that works in a way thats similar to Samsungs DeX but apparently via a simplified USB-C to HDMI output at the system level. The mode essentially scales the UI for use on a larger display, moves some elements around for a more Chrome OS- or PC-like feel, and allows custom desktops for different tasks. If that survives the entire beta run to appear in the final variant of Android, it could lead the OS in a much more productivity-first direction. It may also point to support for a wider variety of outputs on the next Pixel-branded handset since the current generation doesnt even support display output capabilities. Not full size yet? Advertisement The incoming wallpapers are each scaled to a somewhat lower resolution that might be expected if they are intended for use on a modern flagship or even a modern mid-range smartphone. Thats not to say that any of the wallpapers look bad, by any stretch of the imagination. But they are at a lower 1080 x 1920 resolution. That should still mean the wallpapers are usable in the short-term before the official launch of Android Q although the examples below are further scaled back to save space but they arent going to look spectacular on more high-definition panels. Higher-resolution variants may or may not release as the OS is finalized. The ringtones, conversely, seem to be about as high-definition as theyre going to get, ringing through clearly with precise tones. In terms of the audio itself, Google seems to be taking a step back for more relaxed tones, even in areas where the sounds are definitively urgent. Zubin Karkaria, chief executive officer of VFS Global, was named CEO of the Year in the Professional Services category at the 2019 Indian CEO Awards by the CEO Middle East Magazine, held in Dubai last month. Professional Services CEO of the Year category received interest from over hundreds of impressive companies across the UAE. A panel of 15 editors and reporters scrutinised each entry before selecting a winner. Karkaria was recognised for his leadership of VFS Global, as well as his commitment to innovation and efficiency. As CEO, he is working to bring commercial innovation into VFS Globals services to better serve customers. The company is also investing in technology, machine learning and AI to transform what is essentially a manpower outsourcing business to a tech-heavy delivery model of services. I am honoured to be named the Professional Services CEO of the Year, said Karkaria. I accept the award on behalf of all employees at VFS Global who are committed to the highest standards of business excellence and customer service. This award also highlights VFS Globals commitment to continuous innovation in services and in developing new solutions and through its focus on technology and security. Karkaria pioneered the visa outsourcing concept by launching VFS Global in 2001, and subsequently led it to become a global leader. Today, VFS Global is the trusted partner of 62 client governments, operating 2,992 application centres with operations in 143 countries across five continents and over 191 million applications processed as on January 31. - TradeArabia News Service Verizon has announced that it will officially be launching its truly mobile 5G service in both Chicago and Minneapolis on April 11, with initial support for the service arriving first on Motorolas Moto Z3. Users will need to pick up a Verizon-exclusive 5G moto mod for the modular device to gain access to the next-generation network and will need a compatible postpaid unlimited service plan. Exact details regarding service areas that will feature 5G connectivity havent been provided just yet. The carrier does indicate that only select portions of its overall service area will have the tech ready to go. Users will need to pay an addition $10 per month regardless of whether they access the service via a Verizon Go Unlimited, Beyond Unlimited, or Above Unlimited plan too but the first three months will be included for free. Preorders for the 5G moto mod will open up on March 14 and those who activate a new line of service can get the Moto Z3 at no cost when they pick up the mod on that date. The mod itself will be available for just $50, with Verizon listing that it has a retail value of around $349.99. The handset can also be had on a payment plan for $10 per month. Advertisement The Moto Z3 The free device in question, launched in late 2018, isnt necessarily a flagship handset but it comes very close. The Moto Z3 packs in the previous generations octa-core Snapdragon 835 backed by 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. Power is provided via a 3,000mAh battery coupled with support for Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 or Motorola TurboPower standards. Thats all packed into a metal frame sandwiched between Gorilla Glass panels for a splash-resistant but not waterproof design. On the front, just above the 6-inch Super AMOLED Full HD+ display panel, Motorola has included an 8-megapixel selfie-snapper. Around the back, users get dual 12-megapixel sensors in a horizontal configuration. Advertisement The device supports moto mods, of course, meaning theres more than just 5G to be had with a relatively easy swap of the module for those times when a service area for the new networks is just out of reach. You probably wont be able to get 5G yet with this promotion but its coming If users leave Verizons Verizons 5G Ultra Wideband service area while using the new 5G moto mod with the Moto Z3, service will automatically kick back over to the much more widely available 4G LTE on offer from the carrier. Thats good news because the total coverage area is not going to be vast at first launch. Advertisement If the area covered by Verizons previously launched, more home-centric 5G is any indication, the coverage could actually be downright paltry. Shortly after that network launched in regions of Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, and Sacramento, it was discovered through internal network maps that only select neighborhoods were actually covered. That could ultimately be the case with this initial offering as well. Regardless, Verizon says its 5G service will continue to steadily launch in new areas over the course of 2019. The current plan is to turn service on in more than 30 US cities by the end of the year. So the total area covered by next-gen networking should at least begin to grow once the company has begun diving into its rollout. Posted on: March 14, 2019 4:53 PM Women are playing a key role in reconciliation in remote areas of northern Argentina, as this feature, which was first published in the June 2017 edition of Anglican World magazine, explains. Mision La Paz is a village in the Chaco forest of northern Argentina. It sits on the banks of the River Picomayo, which forms the border with Paraguay. When the gospel reached this remote area, there were a number of warring tribes Wichi, Chorote, Chulupi as well as hostile white settlers. A mission was started which incorporated all these groups and a few years ago a group of women, from the different ethnic groups, took the initiative to start visiting other villages and sharing their faith as Bishop Nick Drayson of the diocese of northern Argentina explains. They took the name the Deborahs as a reminder that sometimes they cant wait for the men to take the lead! The local area is still one of much conflict, especially over land rights. The Anglican church has been deeply involved in advocacy in support of the indigenous movement Lhaka Honhat (Our Land) which has managed to broker a deal between white settlers and the government to agree on a shared use of the area of forest along the river and inland which is their traditional hunting ground. The Deborahs major on supporting families, which are under great threat as their culture is eroded. The Deborahs are just one example of local women finding their voice and organising themselves into action. More broadly across the diocese, the Mothers Union has recently enjoyed dramatic growth. AMARE (the Argentine branch of the Mothers Union) has grown from 50 members to more than 1,000 members in a few short years. AMARE (which stands for Anglican Womens Group Renewed in the Spirit) has given a voice and an identity to women in a culture which does not value them highly, as well as equipping them to put love into action in practical ways, says Bishop Nick. Susana, a Toba woman who recently became a member, described the change she has experienced: I used to stand at the back of church so I could get away quickly, and never wanted to take part. But now I am involved in praying for others and occasionally leading, since I have experienced Gods love for myself. Bishop Nick, whose wife Catherine helps co-ordinate AMARE, adds, It has been so important for the women to discover a rule of life which involves not just meeting together but both practical action, and biblical preparation. Founding women of AMARE: Catherine Le Tissier, Mirna Paolo, and Alberta Cristano. Photo: Church Mission Society Catherine says that as AMARE met the local women, they learned about their concerns for their families. We saw the reality: the lack of parental leadership and their confusion as they faced so many dramatic changes. Their once well established, simpler way of life has been eroded by western influences, leaving them on the margins of society. For generations these hunter-gatherers lived relatively untouched in the Chaco forests. However, today many have moved to towns and live off government subsidies. There are few jobs and little incentive to work, and this often leads to alcoholism. Those who remain are threatened by deforestation as the agricultural industry clears massive pieces of land to grow soya. Western education occupies so much of the childrens time that parents rarely teach life skills to their children, such as hunting or fishing, although some mothers do pass on artisanal skills. The towns are home to other problems such as racially-motivated violence, drug use and prostitution. Whereas the indigenous culture valued family time in the evenings, the availability of electricity means television and internet have replaced this. Parents are finding themselves de-skilled and with little to fall back on. In AMARE, women are encouraged to make a commitment to practical ways of showing love in the family, church and community. Some women visit and pray for the sick, minister in other communities and share with their families what they have learned. Some are involved in childrens or youth work and some younger people read the Bible to the elderly. Many offer hospitality. Some groups help their pastor or clean their church. Some are involved in helping those with marital or family problems and some groups have raised funds for building or repairing a church or visitors room. Catherine has watched as women have found a new voice: AMARE gives them a sense of belonging, purpose and identity in Christ, as members of the Anglican Church and also of the MU worldwide, she says. AMARE brings the women of the four different indigenous groups and the Spanish speakers together, uniting people across the diocese. We are seeing a shift from them being the receivers, the poor, the oppressed, to being women with something to give. There are certainly many challenges with 150 churches spread out over an area the size of France, all wanting visits. Many of these villages are off the beaten track; when it rains, the roads become impassable, and in the dry season the sand makes progress impossible, says Catherine. Often, it is just plain risky. When a truck full of women and I visited a local Toba community, a mighty storm and heavy flooding meant that I alone could not have got us out. The prospects of either sleeping on the church floor for the next week or getting stuck trying to get home were not attractive. We were so grateful that God had a back-up plan in the shape of a local Toba lorry driver who fought the elements to get us home. Catherine says that because of AMARE, there is a quiet revolution taking place. The churches have tended to wait for mission partners to fulfil this role of visiting, encouraging and teaching but with AMARE this is changing as local women are becoming empowered to lead. Posted on: March 14, 2019 11:06 AM The British international affairs organisation FIRST has given its 2019 Responsible Capitalism Advocacy Award to Archbishop Thabo Makgoba for his work in establishing a trust to combat poverty and promote educational skills. The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, collected the award on Archbishop Thabos behalf from the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, during a reception in the historic Lancaster House in London, a former royal palace. Responsible Capitalism is an initiative of FIRST, an organisation which aims to enhance communication between leaders in industry finance and government worldwide and to promote strategic dialogue. The main 2019 Award for Responsible Capitalism was presented to Guy Singh-Watson, Founder of Riverford, a company he developed to serve more than 50,000 customers a week, maintaining throughout his core belief that organic food should be accessible to all, and in so doing setting ethical and moral standards, and waging a successful war against the over use of plastic in favour of recyclable packaging. The award to Archbishop Thabo was in recognition of his work to establish a family trust, the Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Development Trust, to address the key issues of poverty, inequality and unemployment which are persistent in South Africa and providing educational opportunities and nurturing skills and entrepreneurial talents that have enabled young people to prosper and, in prospering, benefit their local communities. He was nominated by the South African High Commissioner to the UK, Nomatemba Tambo. In a message read to the gathering by Dr Idowu-Fearon, Archbishop Thabo said he was deeply grateful for the honour. Although I do not feel deserving of the award, I humbly receive it on behalf of the many in South Africa and on our continent who suffer because these who should be speaking up are either silent or their voices are inaudible, he said. If you speak to the poorest of the poor on our continent, you are likely to hear that responsible capitalism is a contradiction in terms. The poor see, touch and smell economic development around them but their lot deteriorates daily. The poor suffer most from a lack of proper sanitation and potable water, from poor education and health services, from a lack of access to land and credit and from the effects of climate change. And they often lack the tools to articulate their hearts' desires and their longing for an economic order that is just and develops everyone. Yet in my experience the poor are more welcoming, more generous, more forgiving and more resilient than those who have means. I like to think I have made some small contribution through my church, through a family development trust and through my involvement in what we call the courageous conversations programme, which brings together business leaders, trade unions, community leaders, faith leaders and government to wrestle together to find answers for the common good to our most burning economic and social issues. Despite those efforts, I nevertheless feel I do not deserve the award and I have to repent the occasions on which I have walked past the poor and the suffering, immune to their plight and to the persistence of intergenerational poverty. I urge all of you gathered here, listening to Archbishop Josiah, to spare a thought for these people and to be inspired by the examples of those who established this award and by the efforts of those who have received it in the past. In addition to Archbishop Thabos Advocacy Award, two other people received FIRST Awards at the event: Vakhtang Butskhrikidze, Chief Executive of TBC Bank, based in Tbilisi, Georgia, received his award for promoting Responsible Capitalism in Adversity; and Lourdes Maria Mena de Guerra, Founder of the El Salvador-based Lula Mena fashion chain, which supports female artisans while being committed to being eco-friendly, producing innovate handmade fair trade products, and working for the empowerment of women in at- risk areas, received the SME Dahrendorf Responsible Capitalism Award. Posted on: March 14, 2019 3:40 PM The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has warned against cultural imperialism and called for Christians to be sensitive and seek genuine dialogue when witnessing to those of other faiths. He made his comments when delivering the annual Deo Gloria Lecture, hosted by the London School of Theology, at Lambeth Palace last night (Wednesday). The Archbishop warned against making evangelism a product in a marketplace or an expression of cultural superiority. The Deo Gloria Lecture is an annual event run by London School of Theology in partnership with the Deo Gloria Trust. Previous lecturers have included Professor Alister McGrath, Canon Andrew White, Canon J John, Eugene Cho, Shane Claiborne and Heidi Baker. We need to be ready: ready to speak, to share. This is hope for the world, Archbishop Justin said in his lecture. But let that witness be seasoned with gentleness and respect. He highlighted several challenges with evangelism in the context of religious diversity and called on Christians to tell people about Jesus without demeaning the other persons faith. Let us never be guilty of demeaning the light that others have, just show them something of the light you know, he said. Lets tell people about Jesus and witness to what he has done for us, without feeling the need to presume to tell others what is wrong with their faith. He also stressed the need to listen to people of other faiths. Lets be honest: how much of our evangelism is monologuing?, he asked. Any credible witness requires us to be in dialogue with the other. He also said many white British Christians need to be conscious of their colonial history and how it has impacted other faiths in Britain today. How are British Christians heard when we talk of the claims of Christ by diaspora communities who have experienced abuse and exploitation by an empire that has seemed to hold the Christian story at the heart of its project?, he said. He continued: We are not contradicting any of the claims we make about the centrality of Jesus Christ to the whole of creation, our commitment to him as the source of all salvation, by recognising that other traditions offer people encouragement, community and even deep wells of spirituality. But we may find our understanding challenged and enriched. Evangelism, he said, is about relationship and love not about building a power base or ensuring the survival of the Church. This is why so many religious groups rightly complain of being targeted by Christians, he said. Its one thing to feel a calling to share your lives with a particular culture or people. Its another thing altogether to see their value only as would-be Christians. How do we express our love for others in witness so that they understand that we care for them even if they make no decision to follow Christ? Posted on: March 14, 2019 3:02 PM The Bishop of Mauritius, former Primate of the Indian Ocean Ian Ernest, has been made Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK). The award is the highest rank or distinction of Mauritius honour. The Award was made by President Barlen Vyapoory on the advice of the countrys Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth; and announced on 12 March, the National Day in Mauritius. This years celebrations marked the 51st anniversary of the nations independence. Bishop Ian is now entitled to use the prefix The Honourable, and the post-nominal initials GCSK. In a letter to Bishop Ian, President Vyapoory said: I congratulate you upon your elevation to the rank of Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK) on the occasion of the National Day Celebrations 2029. I am delighted that your distinguished contribution in the religious and social fields has been recognised. The National Day announcement included two further GCSKs: Judge Deviyanee Beesoondoyal, Chair of the Independent Police Complaints Commission; and Judge Abdurrafeek Hamuth, for distinguished service in the legal field. Following decisions in some 42 countries to ban flights by Boeing 737 MAX jets, the US relented and grounded the aircraft on Wednesday, prompting Boeing to recommend temporary suspension of the operations of the entire global fleet of 371 aircraft. Boeing said it continues to have full confidence in the safety of the 737 MAX. However, it took the decision - out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircrafts safety- after consultation with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and aviation authorities and its customers around the world. Despite clamouring by pilots, flight attendants, consumers and politicians from both major parties to ground the planes in the US, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had been resolute, saying on Tuesday that it had seen no systemic performance issues that would prompt it to halt flights of the jet, reported The New York Times. However, on Wednesday, Canadian and American aviation authorities said they were grounding the planes after newly available satellite-tracking data suggested similarities between Sundays crash in Ethiopia and one involving a Boeing 737 Max 8 in Indonesia in October, the report said. The safety of the American people and all people is our paramount concern, US President Donald Trump was quoted as telling reporters in the White House in making the announcement. On behalf of the entire Boeing team, we extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in these two tragic accidents, said Dennis Muilenburg, president, CEO, chairman of The Boeing Company. We are supporting this proactive step out of an abundance of caution. Safety is a core value at Boeing for as long as we have been building airplanes; and it always will be. There is no greater priority for our company and our industry. We are doing everything we can to understand the cause of the accidents in partnership with the investigators, deploy safety enhancements and help ensure this does not happen again, he added. As part of efforts to boost tourism in the emirate, the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced a reduction in tourism and municipality fees for hotels in the UAE capital, said a report. In line with the governments accelerator programme 'Ghadan 21', the initiatives will decrease tourism and municipality fees for hotels in Abu Dhabi, exempt long-term hotel guests and visitors from daily municipality fees, as well as increase investments in attracting tourists, said a report in WAM. To give hotel owners access to more capital to reinvest in their businesses and growth, DCT Abu Dhabi is implementing a series of fee reductions, including reducing the overall tourism and municipality fees for hotels in Abu Dhabi from 10 percent to 5.5 per cent (tourism fees from six percent to 3.5 per cent, and municipality fees from four per cent to two per cent). The tourism and municipality fee reductions are estimated to increase available capital for hotels by Dh1 billion ($272.2 million) over the next three years, the report said. It is also reducing the daily municipality fee from Dh15 ($4) to Dh10 ($2.7) for each hotel room, and removing all tourism and municipality fees on any tourist attraction tickets sold by the hotels. DCT Abu Dhabi also announced that long-term visitors in hotels - 30 or more consecutive nights - will be exempted from the daily municipality fee to encourage extended stays at hotels. It is also changing the frequency of fee collection from monthly to semi-annually, giving hotel owners access to more capital to help with continual improvements and the quality of their offerings. To support the Abu Dhabi Tourism sector in attracting more visitors, DCT Abu Dhabi will invest directly Dh500 million ($136.1 million) in promoting Abu Dhabi in major tourism target markets globally. In 2018, Abu Dhabi achieved a record of number of visitors and hotel guests, with a 3.94 per cent increase in hotel guests compared to 2017. Over the year, more than 10 million visitors arrived in Abu Dhabi from around the world, it said. In the last quarter of 2018 the PP and Ciudadanos were the two political parties that received the most airtime on TV3s news programmes [TV3 is the main channel of Catalan public TV]. That is the conclusion reached by the CAC Catalonias media watchdog in its report on political pluralism for that period, a quarter which saw the first anniversary of the independence referendum, a Spanish cabinet meeting in Barcelona on December 21 and ongoing talks between the Catalan government and its Spanish counterpart to establish a framework for dialogue. According to the survey, the PP got 9.9 per cent of the total airtime given to political party news on TV3s daily news programmes, while Ciudadanos share was 9.7 per cent. They were followed by PDECat and Junts per Catalunya (a combined 7.8 per cent), ERC (7.6 per cent), the PSC (6.4 per cent), Catalunya en Comu plus Podemos (5.6 per cent), and the CUP (2 per cent). Vox, [Spains far-right hopeful], got 2.5 per cent of the overall airtime on TV3s scheduled news programmes. However, the governments were the political actors that received the most attention: the Catalan executive led by Quim Torra had the floor 21.2 per cent of the time and PM Pedro Sanchezs, 14.6 per cent. As a matter of fact, the two governments were the political bodies that received the most attention on the news programmes of the five radio and TV networks monitored by the CAC (TV3, Catalunya Radio, RAC1, 8TV and TVE Catalunya). Out of the political parties, the PP topped the chart in all but TVE (where it came second after Ciudadanos), with 14 per cent on 8TV and 11.3 per cent on RAC1. Ciudadanos, led by Albert Rivera, ranked second on 8TV and RAC1 (both Grup Godo private media outlets) as well as TV3, but dropped to the fourth place on Catalunya Radio, trailing behind PDECat/JxCat and ERC. Catalonias CAC began publishing quarterly reports on pluralism at the beginning of 2018. Prior to that reports had been written on a monthly basis. The previous survey (May through August 2018) had also indicated that, out of all the political parties, the PP and Ciudadanos were the ones that received the most airtime on TV3, the Catalan public broadcaster. Catalunya Radio is the most plural news outlet In terms of the political actors (parties and governments) that received airtime from news outlets in Catalonia, Catalunya Radio recorded the highest number: up to 33 different groups featured on their news bulletins. TV3 came second, with 30, followed by RAC1 (28), 8TV (27) and TVE Catalunya (22). The CAC report points out that news programmes on the Catalan Public Broadcasting Corporation [CCMA in Catalan] are longer than on the other media, so it is easier to include a wider range of political voices. On this point, CAC councillor Daniel Sirera cast a separate vote against the report because, among other reasons, he felt that you cannot argue that TV3 is the outlet that offered the widest range of views in that period, unless you put that statement into its proper context. Sirera mentioned that TV3 devotes more airtime to news than the other networks and he remarked that every news organisation monitored for the report allows every political actor represented in the Catalan parliament to voice their views. Sirera added that it is wrong to claim, as you might conclude by reading the report, that the other news outlets studied are less diligent when it comes to guaranteeing political pluralism. Mr Sirera went on to say that, among the political groups that have spoken on TV3, there were a member of CORI, an independent MP in the Valencian parliament and another in the European parliament, plus a representative of EAJ-PNV [a Basque nationalist party]. As for interviews with political leaders in the last quarter of 2018, it was TV3 that broadcast the highest number, covering the broadest political spectrum: 233 interviews with representatives of up to 35 different political groups, with the Catalan government receiving the most attention (40), as well as the political parties: ERC (21), PDECat/JxCat (21) and CUP (18). Catalunya Radio interviewed 119 politicians from 23 different groups and RAC1 aired 119 interviews with 24 political actors, followed by news channel 3/24 (102 interviews with 23 groups), 8TV (62/19) and TVE Catalunya (20/13). The CAC has also studied the political debates broadcast in this period and it has concluded that Catalunya Radio held the largest number (10) and with the widest range of political actors (12), followed by TV3 (10 groups in 6 debates) and 3/24 (a single debate with MPs of the seven groups that are present in the Catalan chamber). TVE Catalunya only offered a single face-off debate between Ciudadanos and the PSC, while 8TV and RAC1 held none at all. Another aspect included in the report is the number of events held by parties or political institutions that were broadcast live (wholly or in part) by every news organisation. 3/24 and TV3 are, by far, the clear leaders in this category, with 237 and 138 events respectively. In both cases Catalan government events predominated, followed by those held by the Spanish government, the Spanish parliament and the Catalan chamber. As for the political parties, Ciudadanos tops the chart, with 14 broadcasts on 3/24 and 7 on TV3. In that time, the Smithsonian 19 museums including the Cooper Hewitt design museum in New York and the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) and National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC, along with the National Zoo lost an estimated 1 million visitors. Although national museums (except the Cooper Hewitt) offer free entry, the Smithsonian lost an estimated $3.4m in gross revenue from its gift shops, concessions and IMAX film screenings. The Art Newspaper As more corporations and real estate developers across the country turn to murals to hawk their products, controversy follows. In New York City, for instance, Target had to apologize for a mural it installed inside a new store in the East Village. While the mural was designed as an homage to the neighborhoods history as a home to punk rockers and struggling immigrants alike, it drew criticism for making light of the gentrification that had transformed the neighborhood. In These Times 11 Best Affordable Whiskeys Bartender-Approved: Budget Whiskeys The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service. If youre a fan of spirits, you know that whiskey is an extremely complex category. From bourbon to rye, Irish to Scotch, those new to whiskey can find themselves feeling overwhelmed. On top of wading through the river of different styles, there are also various levels of aging to consider. Some say that when it comes to whiskey, older is always better, hence why the older varieties generally come with an intimidating price tag. While its true that whiskey needs a bit of time in the barrel to transform from a moonshine-like substance to the golden liquid you know and love, the idea that you need to shell out the big bucks for great whiskey is false. You could spend the equivalent of your monthly (or yearly income, in extreme cases) on purchasing a rare bottle, but you really dont have to. There are myriad bottles of high-quality whiskey available for all budgets. To ensure you find the gems amid the affordable options, we checked in with some experts (read: bartenders) to get their take on the top budget-friendly whiskeys of all styles. RELATED: Five Things You Should Never Do When It Comes to Bourbon Ideal for drinking neat or in a classic cocktail such as the old fashioned, Belle Meade bourbon Classic Sour Mash Straight whiskey typically costs about $40 and is very well balanced. It has a nice balance of warm baking spices in the nose, caramel and maple syrup in the body, with deep stone fruit flavors that are lifted by hints of citrus and followed by a smooth finish, says Sean Stewart, partner at Stay Golden in Nashville. $34.19 - $99.99 at Drizly.com Typically priced around $30, Powers Gold Label, an Irish whiskey, is a great budget buy. Its aged in ex-bourbon barrels and has loads of tropical fruit notes, spice, and is balanced by sweet malt, says Logan Demmy, bar manager at The Citizens Trust in Columbus, Ohio. Ive always found Irish whiskeys to be the divine balance of oaky American whiskeys and dry single malt. $14.99 - $59.99 at Drizly.com The Stillhouse is a great sipping whiskey for those on a budget. The liquid, which is rested in coffee beans as a final step of distillation, opens up nicely with a single rock or a splash of water making it simple and convenient while still finishing soft on the palate, says Chris Adams, bartender at YNK Irvine in Los Angeles. Lets be honest, this brand represents a great time. $15.99 at Drizly.com Priced just above the $20 mark, the Old Overholt rye is used as a house spirit at a lot of bars but is often overlooked for at-home mixology. Its easy to drink on its own, as well as being complex enough to add into cocktails such as a boulevardier or an old fashioned, says Thom Neil, beverage director at The Ribbon Midtown in New York City. I have worked with hundreds of other bottles of whiskey, yet Old Overholt always seems to find a spot on my liquor shelf. Don't let the old-style label deter you from this excellent rye. $21.99 at Drizly.com RELATED: Best Rye Whiskeys for Midwinter Drinking This Scotch whisky falls at a slightly higher price point than some of the other varieties on this list, but it is still relatively affordable, often available between $75 to $90. I love the Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask. Its a Speyside Scotch whisky finished in rum barrels, which really brings a unique tropical character to the spirit, explains Adam Peabody, head bartender at LondonHouse in Chicago. Upfront its all honey and heather as you might expect, but the finish is silky smooth with a touch of Caribbean spice and pineapple. For around $2 to $3 a pour, you cant beat it.. $72.99 at Drizly.com Known as the good stuff, Templeton rye typically falls within the $30 to $40 price range. Templeton rye is hands down the best rye in its price range or any other for that matter, argues Chad Berkey, owner of the cordova Bar in San Diego. Big spice and smooth sweet finish make this the perfect whiskey for sipping or mixing. $31.99 at Drizly.com Ideal for novice whiskey fans and experts alike, the Weller falls just under the $100 mark, but this bourbon is worth every penny. My recommendation for affordable, approachable, and extremely sought-after whiskeys is Weller. Weller Antique 107 and Special Reserve are the original heated bourbon whiskeys, explains Andrew Holmes, director of food and beverage at The Keep in Columbus, Ohio. Antique 107 provides a great balance of sweet and heat from the mash [the mix of grains]. If youre lucky enough to find the Weller 12-year ... buy it! $99.99 at Drizly.com The George Dickel No. 8 is great for those seeking an easy-to-drink, reasonably priced whiskey. The Tennessee whiskey has a beautiful charcoal mellowing, with aromas of light caramel and wood, says Dave Whitton, owner of Prank Bar in Los Angeles. The finish is smoky and has hints of maple and buttered corn. Its my go-to whiskey. $38.99 at Drizly.com RELATED: Best High Roller Bourbon Bottles Four Roses Yellow Label proves you can get tasty whiskey for less than $30. At Sundry and Vice, we're located right in the heart of bourbon country so we tend to favor the local juice, notes Jack Keane, bar manager at Sundry and Vice in Cincinnati. We have Four Roses Yellow Label in our well [house variety] because it's inexpensive and delicious. $29.99 at Drizly.com Great in an old fashioned with cherry or cherry bitters, Eagle Rare bourbon typically hits the $30 price point. My go-to is Eagle Rare. Ive recommended it several times for those looking for a good, affordable whiskey. Ive never had a complaint, says Sean Brown, bar manager at Brack Shop Tavern in Los Angeles. Its a nice, smooth 10-year bourbon, and at 90 proof, has a little bite to it. Find out more at Drizly.com Retailing for less than $30, Old Grand-Dad is a beloved by many bourbon fans. Old Grand-Dad 114 is full-bodied and hits your nose and palate with a blend of bold spices, vanilla, and oak. It's a strong whiskey and not necessarily the smoothest of choices, which makes it great for sipping, explains Shane Nasby, pitmaster at HoneyFire Barbeque Co. in Nashville. I enjoy it on the rocks or with a splash of water, as it needs to open up a bit for my preference. It's definitely one of my favorite bourbons in a budget-friendly price range. Find out more at Drizly.com As you can see, fantastic whiskey doesnt have to come with an exorbitant price tag. Keep these varieties in mind and youll have a great drink without having to dip into your spending money too much. You Might Also Dig: Want more stories like this? Subscribe to AskMen's The Daily Dispatch newsletter! AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service. To find out more, please read our complete terms of use. Bugatti Launches $34,000 Car Fit for Kids Bugatti Rolls Out a $34K Mini Car for Kids and Adult Drivers Bugatti is known for providing some of the best cars in design and beauty. Its also well-known for creating some of the most expensive cars globally. Now, with the right amount of cash, enthusiasts can not only splurge on their own French masterpiece, but they can also pick one up thats fit for the kids: To celebrate Bugattis 110th anniversary, the lux car manufacturer unveiled its Bugatti Baby II a 3/4-size replica of the Bugatti Type 35. The smaller vehicle is suitable for both adult and child drivers. RELATED: 20 Best Supercars As you might guess, it comes equipped with everything a child and even many adults could want in a luxury ride. With two electric power modes, the Bugatti Baby II can reach speeds up to 28 mph in adult mode. If the driver isnt yet ready for the top speed, there is also a child mode that tops out at 12.4 mph. Of course, once Junior is ready, parents can completely remove the speed limitations with a speed key similar to the one the Bugatti Chiron uses to reach 261 mph. The Baby II also includes features such as an aluminum dashboard, leather seat, and a Bugatti instrument panel. This isnt the first Bugatti designed for kids. The Baby I, of which there were only 500, was sold between 1927 and 1936. This model was originally built for founder Ettore Bugattis youngest son, Roland, in 1926. Although the half-scale Type 35 was just a gift for the tykes fourth birthday, the Bugatti Baby ended up becoming an official vehicle. Also as part of its 110th-anniversary celebration, Bugatti recently created the La Voiture Noire, which ended up selling for an astonishing $18.5 million. While the price tag for the La Voiture Noire might be out of most peoples budgets, at $34,000, the Bugatti Baby II might be within reach, even if it is a toy meant for children. If youre thinking about picking up a Bugatti Baby II for your kids (or yourself), you should know that, like the original Baby I, only about 500 cars will be created in a strictly limited edition. Slots are reserved on a first-come, first serve basis. You Might Also Dig: MGallery, a collection of boutique hotels, has marked its debut in the capital city of Qatar with the opening of the Alwadi Hotel Doha. The hotel was inaugurated with a prestigious ribbon-cutting ceremony in the presence of French ambassador to Qatar, Franck Gellet; Engineer Saad Ebrahim Al-Muhannadi, Msheireb Properties Board Member (developer and owner of the hotel); Ali Al-Kuwari, acting CEO, Msheireb Properties; Mark Willis, CEO Accor, Middle East & Africa; and Dominic Arel, general manager of Alwadi Hotel Doha. The new hotel is located within Msheireb Downtown Doha, a vibrant new retail, commercial and residential development. Located just 15 minutes from Hamad International Airport, and 10 minutes from West Bay, the hotel meets the needs of business and leisure travellers alike. Al Kuwari said: We are honoured to see Msheireb Downtown Doha become home for the first MGallery hotel in Qatar. This partnership and collaboration reflects the trust of prestigious, international hospitality brands in our developments world-class infrastructure and services. I wish them all the best and I am certain that their hospitality expertise will be a positive turning point for the industry in Qatar. Willis commented: We are excited to debut the MGallery brand in Qatar. Each boutique hotel in the MGallery collection tells a unique story and perfectly blends modern design with local history and heritage. The opening of the Alwadi Hotel is the result of a growing demand from travellers for hospitality concepts which offer unrivalled experiences, catering to both business and leisure needs. The hotel comprises 213 rooms and suites, each with thoughtful amenities, inspiring patterns and a vibrant colour scheme to bring a touch of heritage to its contemporary design. Both Souq Suites and the Royal Suite offer balconies with views overlooking Souq Waqif, while the Superior, Deluxe and Executive rooms offer spectacular views of the West Bay skyline, which comes alive at night. All rooms feature the hotels unique cocoon MyBed concept, as well as special products and amenities for female travellers chosen as part of the brands Inspired By Her concept, which include medium- and small-sized bathrobes, smaller slippers, Emergency Kits, luxury special treatments in M|Spa, a sleep menu, and Inspired By Her beverages. This is all part of the brands commitment to providing more thoughtful and attentive services and experiences to female travellers. Ten guest rooms have been specially designed to accommodate guests with special needs, including braille communication tools. The hotel has three world-class restaurants, two bars and a lobby tea lounge and terrace to offer a memorable experience to guests. Inviting scents of classic local dishes, from the best Arabian seafood to the taste of fine international flavours, envelop discerning diners amid the soft sounds of traditional music creating a delightful atmosphere. Alwadi Hotel Doha features M|Spa, which encompasses five treatment rooms, a steam room and sauna as well as a relaxation area for rejuvenation and comfort. Alongside, M|Fit, the hotels fitness centre, is furnished with the latest Technogym equipment and infused with natural light. The hotels spectacular ballroom, offering natural daylight, accommodates up to 415 guests and features elegant touches inspired by traditional local crafts. Five state-of-the-art fully-equipped meeting rooms provide smaller meeting spaces suitable for small workgroups and closed-door meetings. To celebrate the opening, Alwadi Hotel Doha MGallery is introducing a special offer for its guests to experience the signature Memorable Moment, where guests can embark on a once-in-a-lifetime treasure hunt around the historical Souq Waqif with surprises along the way, followed by a unique cooking class of a local dish with the hotels chef. - TradeArabia News Service Costcos Taco Bites Are Practically Pizza Rolls Is It a Pizza or a Taco?! Costcos New Snacks Are Basically Both High school kids, college students, and fans of bite-sized snacks the world over might agree that the king of the convenience food world are pizza rolls. Now, there's a new contender for the crown, and it may surprise you. Theyre not pizza rolls theyre Vegetable Taco Bites. Costco is leading the charge in selling the new munchies from snack company Snakmandoo. According to Delish, these small, savory pockets contain black beans, corn, cheese, and peppers. In other words, theyre like tacos in a pizza crust. Snack traditionalists might be a bit skeptical of the switch from pizza roll to a veggie taco pocket, but the company also offers other options, many of which are meatier. However, social media users also seem excited to try the new taco bites. After being profiled by popular Instagram account @Costco_doesitagain, several commenters could hardly restrain themselves from gushing over the snack bites. One user wrote, welp looks like another Costco run sometime soon! preceded by two heart-eyed emojis. A second social media user quipped, I hope our Costco has them! They look so good on the box, trailed by grinning emojis. The comments section of the post profiling the 90-count box of taco bites was largely filled with complimentary remarks Besides the new taco bites, it looks like Snakmandoo might be trying to corner the market on diverse frozen hor 'd oeuvres with a decidedly global appeal and ethnic flair. In addition to the vegetable taco bites, the company also offers General Tao Bites, complete with chicken and vegetables in a sweet and sour sauce. Butter Chicken Bites are also on the menu, and includes Indian flavors such as curry sauce. Further, Vietnamese Style Bites include a bit of tamarind, and Tandoori Lime Bites blend citrus and lime. Whether or not these 21st-century snack foods will replace pizza rolls, chicken nuggets, TV dinners, and other long-time favorites remains to be seen. The combination of a trendy design aesthetic, quality ingredients, and word of mouth may be what is needed to launch the new veggie taco bites and the other varieties right onto a plate near you. You Might Also Dig: Man's Oral Sex Skills Lead to Woman Suffering Stroke An Intense Orgasm Landed a Lady in the Hospital Sex can be a complicated thing, but for the most part, its rarely dangerous. However, for a British couple, oral sex resulted in a life-threatening situation that landed one of the two people involved in the hospital for 15 days. According to a report by Dr. Jonathan Holmes and Dr. Yunus Gokdogan in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), an unidentified 44-year-old woman of West London lost consciousness, suffering a transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) while receiving oral sex. She was out cold for approximately two to three minutes when the man became concerned about the state she was in. He brought her to the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London emergency room, relaying to the doctors that during oral sex, he noticed his partners body going stiff. According to the woman, she had a headache, with pain rating a six out of 10. RELATED: Your 101 Guide to Passing Female Anatomy With Flying Colors Based on these details, the doctors suspected that the woman had suffered a seizure. However, after inspecting the situation further, they determined that she had suffered a reflex-mediated syncope. In non-scientific terms, thats a blackout that occurs when there is suddenly a lack of blood to the brain. The woman lost consciousness at the point of nearing orgasm from receiving oral sex, leading to an aneurysm and subarachnoid hemorrhage, which is a type of stroke. While this might seem like a strange and unlikely situation, BMJ researchers said that orgasms causing a stroke can actually occur more often than youd think due to the increase in blood pressure upon climax. Activities that involve sudden increases in blood pressure and sexual activity is well described as a precipitant, it says in the report. Studies with intra-arterial monitoring during coitus demonstrate that during sexual activity blood pressure, as well as heart rate, is very labile, with particular rises during orgasm. Although this occurs more often with people engaging in penetrative sex, the authors point out that oral sex could still have a similar effect. Older studies with [artery] monitoring during coitus demonstrate that during sexual activity blood pressure, as well as heart rate, is very [liable to change], with particular rises during orgasm, it says. The womans treatment included an endovascular coiling a catheter used to transmit a small coil which seals the aneurysm from blood flow. According to the BMJ report, there have been numerous cases of TLOC that have varied in seriousness from benign to fatal. Fortunately, after a 15-day stay, the woman was released from the hospital and suffered no further problems. You Might Also Dig: By Auqib Javeed, TwoCircles.net Srinagar: The Election Commission of Indias announcement that they are not going to hold Assembly election in the state of Jammu and Kashmir right now has left the regional parties fuming,l. However, the parties here have nevertheless started preparing for the Lok Sabha elections, scheduled to be held from April 11 in 7 phases. Almost all political parties barring Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has expressed their displeasure for not holding the state assembly elections simultaneously, however Political experts in Kashmir believe that the decision might help former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in gaining the ground for the assembly elections. Support TwoCircles The ex-CM has been left with limited options ahead of coming elections and has now started to pick up different issues for her electoral gains. Sources said Mufti has asked for party carders to gear-up for Lok Sabha elections. There are 6 seats for Lok Sabha for the state: 3 from Kashmir valley, 2 from Jammu and 1 from Ladakh. In 2014, the PDP won all the 3 seats of Kashmir valley, while BJP won the 3 seats including one from Ladakh. Sources said except North Kashmir PDP is yet to announce candidates for rest of the state but has asked workers to reach out to masses and prepare for the upcoming election. With an eye on polls, Mufti has threatened to launch an agitation until the ban on Jamaat-i-Islami is not revoked. Last week, she led a massive protest rally in Anantnag district against the Centres ban on Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) for allegedly having close ties with militant outfits and demanded revocation of the decision. Her Party workers also protested in many districts of the state. Ever since the centre decided to ban JeI, she has been speaking against the move, saying that the ban is an Act of Vengeance by the Centre. However, experts in the Valley see this as a mere political gimmick to hoodwink the common masses of Kashmir ahead of upcoming elections. Prof. Noor Ahmad Baba, a political scientist at the Central University of Kashmir believes that the PDP is trying to rehabilitate her party because of the setbacks received during her tenure. Baba says Mufti wrongly believes that Jamaat followers might vote for her in the upcoming elections and she is trying to impress them. But this time that maybe not the case keeping in view of the situation that PDP has created in last 4 years, Baba says. Noted political analyst Sheikh Showkat Hussain says that Mehbooba Mufti is trying to stay relevant as she has lost ground in the Valley. He doesnt believe that this might help her. According to sources, Jamaat has a cadre base of around 6,000 members in the state. It also runs a network of schools, orphanages, relief organisations and other social institutions. It is believed that Jamaat carders helped Peoples Democratic Party in 2002 Assembly elections- allegations that are denied by Jamaat leaders from time to time. However, sources in Jammat privacy to TwoCircles.net said some supporters of Jamaat helped the PDP led by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to power. However, this step was taken to defeat the National Conference (NC) whom Jamaat had opposed from the beginning. When we look into History, Jamaat has suffered huge damage..its members were targeted by both Govt. and its militia knows as Ikhwan. Houses were burned; members were killed, tortured and disappeared for just being with Jamaat. Most of the damage was done when National Conference was in power, so in order to get some relief, we pushed Mufti Sayeed to power and it was a mutual understanding, said a cadre of Jamaat-i-Islami who wished to remain anonymous due to security reasons. He further says it didnt help them and they realise that they are no different from other mainstream parties. And if you see presently how Mehbooba is protesting against Jamaat ban she thinks that she might get sympathy from our carders but that will not be the case, he adds. Er. Rasheed, a firebrand politician and an independent legislator from North Kashmir, says that she has lost credibility and thus beating drums in the Valley for electoral purposes. Why doesnt she take all the regional parties on board and meet Prime Minister Modi for revocation of the ban, if she means business? She is doing this to gain the lost ground, he said. PDP spokesperson Najmu Saqib argued that protesting against Jamaat ban has nothing to do with upcoming elections and that opposition is creating a false narrative which is not based on facts. It was during the National Conferences rule that Jamaat members were beaten, arrested and forced to migrate. NC workers burned houses of hundreds of workers, they would be without electricity, roads and other basic faculties and when Mufti sahib came into power they were living a dignified life, Saqib says. He said Jamaat is a legitimate organisation and they are not protesting for electoral purposes, adding, every party in Kashmir knows that people belonging with Jamaat-i-Islami dont believe in the election process and they dont vote. By Ram Puniyani Gimmicks are a part of Modis style of politics. Rather they form the core of his strategies. His act of washing the feet of five sanitary workers and then tweeting it, came as another such act. Irritated by this, many a social activist responded through tweets. Bezwada Wilson, convener of Safai Kamgar Sangthan, our fighter against manual scavenging, tweeted 105 people killed in sewer and septic tanks in 2018 alone. He kept mum. Now washing feet. Justice not rituals, Mr. PM! What a pity! As a CM, he spiritualized shit cleaning, now as PM glorifying injustice. this act is against Baba Saheb Ambedkars mission jhaadoo chhodo kalam pakdo(leave the broom, pick up the pen) #StopKillingUs. And further: Clean your mind not our feet, Mr. PM! Highest form of humiliation. 1.6 lac women still forced to clean shit, not a single word in five years. What a shame! he continued in his tweet. Support TwoCircles This, in a way summed up the pain and anguish of the victims of caste system in this brutal form. Sitaram Yechuri points out that despite the death of 105 workers in sewers and septic tanks in 2018 & 11 in 2019 alone, nothing has been done to redress the grave situation despite Court Orders. He said that photo shoots with multiple cameras only rub salt into the wounds of those suffering historical injustices, Similarly CPI(ML) liberation draws our attention to another aspect of the problem, PMO India, its your job to ensure sanitation workers are paid dues, end manual scavenging & sewer deaths. Instead you are striking poses washing their feet! A sanitation worker died in #KumbhMela2019 due to negligence, will you speak on that? As such, while washing the feet of these workers, a sort of glorification of the system is being done. The people who work as sanitation workers in India are not heroes but victims. Another set of data tells us that 2014 to 2016, at least 1,327 sanitation workers died across India as they were sent into sewers without any safety equipment. Death alone is not true reflective of this ignominy. Manually cleaning excreta is a terribly degrading and humiliating work. It strips away a persons humanity. The very existence of hereditary castes of sanitation workers is a dark blot on India. Even countries poorer than India have abolished this horrid practice. The reason it persists in India for so long can best be understood from the values and mindset of people like Modi and his parent organization, the RSS. Modi in his book Karmyoga (2007) states, Scavenging must have been a spiritual experience for the Valmiki caste. At some point of time, somebody must have got the enlightenment that it is their [Valmikis] duty to work for the happiness of the entire society and the gods; that they have to do this job bestowed upon them by the gods; and that this job of cleaning-up should continue as an internal spiritual activity for centuries. This should have continued generation after generation. It is impossible to believe that their ancestors did not have the choice of adopting any other work or business. This spiritual experience is reserved for the Valmikis, a sub-caste among Dalits, which has been condemned to scavenging jobs for centuries. The functions of the caste are being glorified and propagated even today in subtle ways. The deeper goal of RSS, Modis parent organization is to maintain the status quo as far as caste system is concerned. One of the major reasons for formation of RSS was the rising assertion of Dalits, inspired by Joti Rao Phule and Bhimrao Ambedkar. Dalits had started non Brahman movement in 1920s in Vidarbha region. This upsurge among Dalits disturbed the upper caste; who rallied around to form RSS in 1925. RSS leader Golwalkar regards Manusmriti as a glorious book that gave laws to the Hindu society. Ambedkar on other side burnt the same book as a symbol of caste oppression and gender hierarchy. Manual scavenging in its present form should have been abolished long ago. This practice was officially supposed to have been banned in 1993 by the Government of India. Official lapses and apathy apart, the surveys by the activists working against this practice show that even now lakhs of scavengers are still facing ignominy and nearly 95% of these workers are women. These scavengers are the untouchable section of dalits, who have been trapped in this occupation. The States have not taken any action to abolosh this practise. Even in 1999-2000 many a State did not not even think of this as somethng that needs to go. It is in this light that the social action group Safai Karmachari Andolan which is campaigning against manual scavenging gave a call for abolition of this atrocity by the end of 2010. The system of manual scavenging began in early India, well justified by caste system and continued in medieval times as well. While the Muslim kings did introduce different techniques at places, for water based disposal of excreta. But those playing communal politics, try to propagate that since the Muslim women wore Burqua, they could not go out to the jungles, they introduced manual scavenging. This is another way of putting the blame of internal problems to external sources. This is far from true. Observation and research into the Mughal forts sanitation system shows that they had small outlets in the bathing rooms of Mughal forts which were used as toilets. The waste from these toilets was carried by gravitational force to the ramparts with the help of water. This technique has been seen in the Red Fort in Delhi, in the palaces of Rajasthan, in Hampi, Karnataka and in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. We should collectively strive towards abolishing manual scavenging and restore the dignity of those who are forced into this slavery. Australias most innovative legal firms will soon be celebrated, with entries now open for Australasian Lawyers Innovative Firms report. The report will showcase Australian law firms leading the charge in change and innovation and highlight outstanding work with pioneering technology, the implementation of inventive team structures, or fresh approaches to service delivery. The special report gives firms a valuable opportunity to stand out among peers and demonstrate their competitive advantage. Exclusive marketing collateral and promotional opportunities await successful firms. Hey everyone, After 13 months, my American husband's offshore provisional 309/100 partner visa has been approved. We're very excited, but also embarrassingly unsure of what happens now. We're both still residing in the U.S. and will need to be here until at least October, 2019 when he finishes his contract with NASA. Our main questions are: - Is he required to enter Australia by 5th July? Can he just visit, or does he have to relocate? -What is the significance of 12th March, 2024? Is that the deadline to move? We're confused that the first entry is required by 5th July, but he must not arrive later than 12th March, 2024. It seems contradictory. -If he must enter Australia by 5th July, do I, the Australian sponsor, have to go with him? -What happens upon his first visit to Australia? Does he need a tourist visa, or does he use this visa and go through extra processing at customs? How does that first entrance into Australia work and what paperwork is needed? -What is the next step and what's needed to move onto the permanent resident visa? Sorry if some of these questions are silly and redundant. I couldn't see any recent threads concerning this. Thank you so much! Ryan Bauhaus as a school lasted until the 1930s, but its ideas lived on into the next century, and its influences are to be seen in all aspects of human life, including in car making.As a means to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Bauhaus style, 99designs, a website that specializes in designing anything from logos to book covers decided to launch a competition aimed at finding new ideas in for existing logos.The task was simple: design iconic images of more or less famous brands, incorporating the name of the company into the drawing and at the same time staying true to the core principles of Bauhaus: simple geometry, and the use of the movements love for the colors yellow, blue and red.What resulted is an extremely large collection of logos, most of them belonging to the great names of our time: Facebook, Microsoft, Instagram, Google or Dominos.A few of the participants ventured though in reimagining logos used by some of the worlds largest carmakers, but also by more recent entries to the market.In the gallery above you have ideas of how the visual identity of Mercedes-Benz BMW or Jeep might have looked like hadn't the Gestapo close down Bauhaus schools and deem the movement to be un-German.The logos you see in the gallery above are just a few of the over 1,500 entries received by 99designs. You can have a look at them all by accessing this link As a side note, the winning logo of the competition is a reinterpretation of the one that identifies Adidas as one of the worlds premiere shoes and clothing manufacturers. It too can be found in the gallery above. Good value or not, Peugeot is serious about entering the United States with a selection of compact and mid-size models, including the 3008. Under the Push to Pass business plan, Groupe PSA wants to come back to this part of the world in fewer than 10 years, selling cars by 2026.When we launched the 3008, the feedback we got, including from California, was - wow, this car is super, chief executive officer Jean-Philippe Imparato told Automotive News Europe on the sidelines of the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. More than 265,000 examples of the 3008 were sold worldwide in 2018, representing a 17-percent increase over the previous year.The 5008 pictured in the gallery is the larger sibling, featuring two more seats and more cargo capacity. The 508 sedan and station wagon are also expected to arrive in the United States, but nothing is set in stone for the time being.Our image in the U.S. is neutral to favorable, said Carlos Tavares, the head honcho of Groupe PSA. On the other hand, dont forget that badge-engineered Opel models brought to the United States didnt fare too well with discerning customers.Under General Motors, Opel brought the Insignia as the Buick Regal. As for the other side of the story, the Ampera-e isnt anything more than a Chevrolet Bolt with a different logo in the United Kingdom and rest of Europe.Tavares told Automotive News the French automaker wouldnt build plants in the United States before they could be supported by sales volumes. A sensible approach considering the costs implied, but on the other hand, this also happens to be the best plan to minimize collateral damage in the case Peugeot doesnt do well in the U.S. market.Now heres the curious part. Nor will PSA invest heavily in building a dealer network. Reading between the lines, Peugeot is playing the premium card with potential customers while saving as much money as possible. Well take our time because its all about upside, concluded Tavares. The Sant'Agata Bolognese toy also likes to act like a dragon and we've now brought along a brief adventure that sees the Superveloce Jota putting on quite a show.Thanks to the piece of footage at the bottom of the page, you'll get to see the V12 monster demonstrating that the first part of "internal combustion engine" is relative.And since the Raging Bull is animated by a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter heart, the soundtrack of the stunt is just as impressive as the visual side. Thus, we're inviting you to turn up the volume before reaching for that "play" button.Speaking of the Aventador SVJ, we'll remind you the Roadster incarnation of the 770 hp beast was just one of the machines the Italian automotive producer displays at the Geneva Motor Show (for the record, the Geneva display car comes dressed in a splendid shade called Bronzo Zenas ).The Swiss event also sees Sant'Agata Bolognese introducing the Huracan Evo to the world. In fact, the mid-cycle revamp for the company's V10 toy has already been spotted out in the wild - we brought you a pair of photos portraying a Lamborghini Huracan Evo dressed in Giallo Inti yesterday.The Geneva Motor Show also brought us a preview for what could be Lamborghini's return to the front-engined Grand Tourer genre. We're referring to the Italdesign DaVinci , a concept car that stole our heart. And here's to hoping the thing makes it into production, with or without the Lamborghini badge. For drivers in Cooper City, Florida, theres still hope car thieves will steer clear of them, thanks to Broward County Deputy George Wentland. Hes personally trying to prevent vehicle burglaries by checking every car he comes across himself.Speaking to Local 10 , Wentland stresses that about 80 percent of all car burglaries happen because the owners forgot to lock the doors. A simple gesture of locking a car could save a lot of trouble, and Wentland wants to be proactive about fighting crime.Every time he does his rounds, when hes not answering emergency calls, he walks by peoples homes and checks every door on their vehicle. When he finds one that is unlocked, he actually takes the time to ring the door and inform the owner of their oversight. Hows this for going beyond the call of duty?We've had issues here in the past, the deputy says for the media outlet. You leave your car unlocked, the likelihood of car burglary very good. Eighty percent of our burglaries are caused by people not locking their doors in their cars. So it's not people smashing though a window. It's a crime of opportunity.Though checking car doors is not something you often hear cops do as part of their daily rounds, Wentland doesnt see it as something extraordinary. Prevention always beats fighting crime, and he is doing whatever he can to leave a mark. This is my community and I want it to be safe. And I don't want people's cars broken into, he says for the news station.That said, remember: lock your car doors tonight and dont leave valuables in sight. During his 2018 meetings with Donald Trump in Singapore and Mike Pompeo in Pyongyang, Kim Jong Un and his entourage were seen traveling in style inside a number of luxury cars, including Mercedes-Benz Lexus , and Rolls-Royce . Cars the dictator shouldnt have had.Ever since he got it into his head that a powerful nuclear arsenal will prevent Western powers from invading his famine-stricken paradise, Kim Jong Un and the entire North Korea are subject to heavy sanctions imposed by the international community.Yet the very computer-savvy and street-smart North Koreans have always managed to circumvent these sanctions, and have always been able to keep living standards for high-ranking party officials at more than decent levels.When it comes to luxury cars, the UN is looking into how Kim Jong UN was able to purchase them, and one of the organizations panels has got in touch with the makers of the said cars to get to the bottom of it all.According to France 24 , citing an AFP report, Rolls-Royce has already identified the Phantom used by North Korean officials as having been produced between 2012 and 2017. The Mercedes cars were originally shipped to Hong Kong to a Chinese businessman, and Toyota said it had not violated sanctions to deliver Lexus cars to Pyongyang.Neither of the three car companies has any ideas how Kim Jong Un got his hands on them.Its likely though that the car affair will become secondary to more pressing matters. On Monday, the UN released a report showing how North Korea broke sanctions when it comes to the import of oil and coal, and even export of weapons.The UN accuses North Korea of using ship-to-ship transfers conducted at sea, changing the original destination of the transport. ATP Flight School has announced that it has accepted delivery of eight Piper Archer TX aircraft. According to the school, the Archers will be going into service at ATPs Dallas location in order to support the Envoy Air Cadet Program. Through the Cadet Program, American Airlines subsidiary Envoy Air offers financial assistance and a spot in a new-hire class for ATP Flight School students who successfully complete program requirements. ATP became an official Envoy Cadet partner in July 2018. ATP has placed over 500 pilots with Envoy Air and has the most pilots enrolled in the Cadet Program, said ATP President Justin Dennis. We are proud to make this investment to support our students and instructors success and to support the pilot supply for Envoy and American. The new aircraft, which are all equipped with Garmins G1000 NXi, are part of a deal for up to 100 Archers announced by Piper and ATP last year. The school is scheduled to take delivery of an additional 22 Archers during 2019. ATP Flight School currently operates a fleet of more than 360 aircraftincluding 114 Archersfrom 37 flight training centers across the U.S. By Dolly Arjun for TwoCircles.net Indian Muslim Relief and Charities (IMRC), a US-based non-profit that supports projects for Muslims and other minorities in India, hosted their 8th annual New England fundraiser dinner at Doubletree Hotel in Burlington, Massachusetts USA on March 9, 2019, raising over $200K. The money will go to support emergency relief for natural disasters, a feeding program, medical care, and education support from elementary to university level. In addition to Indian Muslims, Muslims of different descent attended the sold-out event featuring Mehdi Hasan, British political journalist and author, as the keynote. Three youth began the event with Quran recitation after which the President and Vice President of IMRC New England, Munaf Shaikh and Imtiaz Iqbal welcomed everyone to the event. IMRCs project work was highlighted including a new clinic that will be built in Hyderabad, India. Data was presented showing the need for education support as only 13% of Scheduled Caste, 4.8% of ST and 4.5% of Muslims are enrolled in colleges across India. Support TwoCircles Hasan began his remarks by bringing attention to Palestine and Kashmir noting that while Palestine gets more attention, Kashmir is amongst the most densely militarized zone in the world with 1 solider for every 8 Kashmiris, occupied both by Indian and Pakistani forces. Seven hundred thousand Kashmiris have been killed since the 1970s with rampant on-going sexual assault of thousands of Kashmiri women. He then shifted to the similarities between Modi and Trump stating, both are narcistsand cant tolerate dissent, that both discourage freedom of the press, and while Modi is trying to build a Hindu nation, Trump is trying to build a White Christian nation. Both are authoritarians and want to be dictatorsboth like Hitlerand both have a disdain for minorities, especially Muslims. The uniting strategy of both Islamophobic leaders is to other Muslims in the respective countries. He concluded these remarks by stating Trump and Modi are the beneficiaries of long-standing Islamophobia in both countries and not the cause of it. He went on to add that while both national leaders utilize the language of genocide, Modi may be more dangerous given he is a (mentally) stable genius whereas Trump is unhinged. Modi has already presided over a mass massacre of Muslims with no repercussions; in addition, despite being banned from the USA as a result of those crimes he was elected prime minister and the ban subsequently lifted with support from American politicians. Hasan concluded his remarks by encouraging everyone in the room to contribute positively to these issues by working together with other oppressed minorities such as Jews and Christians and refrain from partaking in discriminatory behavior, giving money to organizations such as IRMC, breaking myths and stereotypes by building relationships with people outside the community, educating ourselves, and becoming politically engaged. Following Hasans speech, Farooq Ansari facilitated the donation collection starting with a goal of $250K and successfully motivating the audience to meet the target. The night ended with a Question and Answer session and dinner. Multiple audience members asked about the process of youth engagement in political spaces in the US which Hasan encouraged. Hasan also advocated speaking about Kashmir in terms of human rights violations given the precarious situation this can put Indian Muslims in when advocating for Kashmiris. He also added that the world should prioritize the voices of Kashmiris. Image: ET302 Flight Data Recorder BEA The FAA has uncovered new information from the wreckage of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 concerning the aircrafts configuration just after takeoff that, taken together with newly refined data from satellite-based tracking of the aircrafts flight path, indicates some similarities between the ET302 and [Lion Air] JT610 accidents, according to the emergency order issued by the agency on Wednesday grounding all 737 MAX aircraft. The order (PDF) went on to say that further investigation is needed to understand and address the possibility of a shared cause. As previously reported by AVweb, more than 42 other countries have now grounded or banned the MAX due to the accidents, including most recently Russia and Japan. Adding to similarities with the Lion Air accident, Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said that the pilot of Flight 302 reported flight control problems to ATC and asked to return to the airport prior to the crash. The airline also reported that it had complied with an emergency AD for the MAX issued in November that required revising certificate limitations and operating procedures to provide flight crews with runaway horizontal stabilizer trim procedures and that its crews had received further training on the MAX after the Lion Air crash. A spokesperson for aircraft tracking and surveillance system company Aireon told AVweb that their satellite-based ADS-B tracking system was able to capture information associated with Flight 302. The company said that they cant comment on potential causes of the accident but have provided the data transmitted from the flight to authorities to support the investigation. More information is expected to be available soon as the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder recovered from the crash arrived in Paris, France, on Thursday for analysis by the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA). Depending on the damage sustained by the recorders, the organization believes it might take several days to get the first readings from the data recorders. According to BEA, it is holding coordination meetings with investigation partners on Thursday afternoon and technical work on the recorders will begin on Friday. Along with an Ethiopian delegation led by the countrys Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), the NTSB has sent a team to France to assist with the downloading and analysis of flight recorder data. Mary Grady, one of AVwebs longest-serving, most dedicated and respected contributing editors, died at her home in Warwick, Rhode Island, on March 12 after a long illness. Mary was one of the founding members of the internet experiment that became AVweb and continued as a key staff writer until her health challenges prompted a leave of absence earlier this year. She worked for AVweb for 20 years and wrote thousands of articles. To the best of anyones recollection she never missed a deadline. Mary had a quiet strength in her professional skills, but also in the way she carried herself, said Tim Cole, AVwebs editorial director. When deadlines loomed or big, late-breaking stories came knocking, Mary was the calm, reliable, get-it-done pro in the eye of the storm. We depended on her for everything, and will go forward trying to live by her example. In her long career, she covered the full gamut of aviation stories from balloons to supersonic aircraft and did so with precision, clarity and balance. She was especially interested in new innovations that made aviation more accessible, safer and more environmentally responsible. She also covered aviation for Robb Report. Mary was born in Providence, the capital of her beloved Rhode Island, in 1955 and spent most of her life there, most recently at her home a few steps from Narragansett Bay. She was a passionate environmentalist and was an adjunct professor of geography and environmental science at Rhode Island College. In her other journalism career, Mary won numerous awards for environmental reporting and was the author of three books. But journalism was just an expression and outlet for Marys passion to learn, discover, explore and teach. After graduating college in Rhode Island, she obtained a Masters Degree in Geography in Hawaii. She obtained her balloon and private pilot certificates and worked as an instructor on both in California and Florida. She was also a sailing instructor on the Tall Ship Rose, a replica of an 18th century Royal Navy frigate. Private services are planned. President Donald Trump has announced the issuance of an emergency order grounding all flights of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in the U.S. as of Wednesday afternoon as a result of the crashes of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on Sunday and Lion Air Flight 610 last October. The president said he has spoken with Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, FAA Acting Administrator Dan Elwell and Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg and they are in agreement with the action. The FAA confirmed that it is ordering the temporary grounding of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operated by U.S. airlines or in U.S. territory due to new evidence collected at the site and analyzed today [] together with newly refined satellite data available to FAA this morning. Any plane in the air will go to its destination and thereafter be grounded until further notice, said Trump. Pilots have been notified, airlines have been all notified. Airlines are agreeing with this. The safety of the American people and all people is our paramount concern. Boeing also issued a statement saying that although it still has complete confidence in the aircrafts safety, it decided to recommend to the FAA the temporary suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of 371 737 MAX aircraft in order to reassure the flying public and out of an abundance of caution. MAX jets have also been grounded by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and in at least 42 countries including Canada, China and Ethiopia. According to the FAAs statement, the aircraft will be grounded pending further investigation, including examination of information from the aircrafts flight data recorders and cockpit voice recorders. Teams from the FAA and NTSB are onsite in Ethiopia assisting with the Flight 302 accident investigation. Watch AVweb.com for continuing updates. You've probably never heard of Wayne Messam, mayor of Miramar, Florida. But that's not stopping him from forming an exploratory committee to run for president. Details: Messam was just re-elected as mayor last night, a victory that is one factor in his decision to move toward a presidential bid, according to an advisor for his campaign. His team often refers to Messam as a "dark horse" candidate, but they're banking on a path to victory through appealing to black voters in southern states like Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia and both of the Carolinas. Why it matters: The 2020 presidential field is wide open for Democrats, and in some ways this could be the most pure nominating contest we've had since there's no clear frontrunner or pre-ordained "establishment" candidate sure to become the nominee. But that doesn't mean it'd be easy for Messam to rise to the top, especially with so many well-known senators already in the race. Interestingly, his team which includes some folks who helped Andrew Gillum's gubernatorial campaign, per Buzzfeed is using FiveThirtyEight's model to predict their success and map a potential path to victory. His campaign argues that he could appeal to all 5 categories of potential constituencies: party loyalists, the Left, millennials and friends, black voters and Hispanic voters, which FiveThirtyEight writes sometimes includes Asian voters. What they're saying: Washington is not working for the American people, and these big issues need fresh eyes and bold ideas from someone closer to the people, so our voice can be heard," Messam said in a statement to Axios. "I do not believe that the best ideas come from Washington." While his policy details as a potential presidential candidate haven't been fleshed out, a campaign advisor pointed me to his record on: Gun safety (he sued the state of Florida over gun violence and pushed for gun-free zones). Immigration (he proposed making Miramar a "safe zone" for undocumented immigrants). The environment (he joined other mayors in vowing to uphold the pillars of the Paris Climate Accord). The economy (he owns a construction firm). Go deeper: Wayne Messam: Everything you need to know about the candidate Amazon lobbied more federal entities last year than any other public U.S. company, pressing its case throughout the government at a time when its power and reach is under a magnifying glass. Expand chart Data: Federal lobbying disclosures; Get the data; Interactive: Lazaro Gamio/Axios Why it matters: The sprawling nature of Amazons lobbying operation is a reflection of its vast business. What began as an online retailer is now a behemoth that touches healthcare, cloud computing, media and the transportation sector and the regulatory challenges it faces are just as complex. The bottom line: In its filings last year, Amazon disclosed lobbying 40 different federal entities on 21 different general issue areas. Amazon's total number of federal entities lobbied was higher than any other public company's, according to data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics. (The group's totals also include forms filed by individual outside lobbyists on behalf of the companies.) Among public companies, Amazon ranked below Alphabet, Bayer, DowDuPont and Parker Hannifin on the total number of issues lobbied, according to the group's data. Yes, but: The issue codes used in Amazon and everyone else's lobbying disclosure are very broad, often encompassing several major issues in one category. And there can be discrepancies in how different companies fill out their disclosure forms. Methodology: Every quarter, Amazon must file a form listing every federal entity it contacted on different issues. This graphic shows 518 different disclosures made by Amazon last year across four different quarters, organized on one side by type of issue and on the other by the type of entity lobbied. For example: When Amazon talked to the U.S. Senate about transportation in all four quarters, it generated four entries. When Amazon talked to the U.S. Senate about transportation in all four quarters, it generated four entries. That does not mean Amazon only talked to someone in the Senate about transportation four times. Each quarterly disclosure could indicate repeated contacts. The big picture: Of course, Amazon advocates on a host of traditional tech and telecom issues, like net neutrality and data breach standards. It has also been locked in a battle with competitors over a Pentagon cloud computing contract. But its lobbying records also show a company with interests in regulatory fights around food, drugs and transportation. Amazon lobbied last year on self-driving car and drone issues, a sign of its investments in autonomous delivery of customers' packages. A growing player in the grocery business, Amazon lobbied on a forthcoming pilot program to allow online grocers to participate in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, as well as on the standard for labeling bioengineered food. It advocated around a law that banned "gag clauses" that had prevented pharmacists from telling patients when paying cash would be cheaper than using their insurance. Amazon bought the online pharmacy PillPack in 2018. "When you put all these data points together, [Amazon] looks like a giant squid with many arms busy reconfiguring nearly every corner of our economy and our laws. This is one reason monopoly power is a problem," said Stacy Mitchell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and a prominent critic of the company. "Left unchecked, these giant corporations inevitably begin to govern us. It should be the other way around." Amazon's statement: Amazon provides a wide range of products and services for our customers, and were always looking for ways to innovate on their behalf. Our Washington, D.C. team is focused on ensuring we are advocating on issues that are important to policymakers, our employees and our customers. Go deeper: Bloombergs Naomi Nix goes inside Amazons political battles last year Republicans and Democrats staged a rhetorical war over climate change on the Senate floor yesterday, but it was just a theatrical preview of more consequential battles to come. Where it stands: Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants to put his opponents in a political bind over the Green New Deal resolution, which has uncertain Democratic support. Democrats are countering with attacks on GOP rejection of mainstream climate science and what they call the party's absence of effective ideas. ABC News captures the action here, and Politico breaks down what's going on in this story. The big picture: 2 things on my radar look at questions that will confront lawmakers if a window for actual legislation opens post-2020 election. 1. A Columbia University energy think tank published a new paper that offers a framework for considering policies that are either complementary or redundant with a tax on emissions from fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes. They found "complementary" policies to a potential carbon tax include... Ending fossil fuel subsidies. Regulating emissions that aren't covered by the tax. Appliance energy efficiency standards. Public investment in low-carbon infrastructure. Funding for technology R&D. They found the "redundant" policies include... Regulation of emissions already subject to the tax. Other fuel taxes. State-level carbon pricing. Between the lines: Keeping costs in check while maximizing emissions cuts is part of the debate on policy. Politically, there's a school of thought that says if there's ever going to be a big climate deal, it would involve a carbon tax tethered to paring back regulations. Those are two pillars of the plan from the Climate Leadership Council and its advocacy offshoot, which are backed by some oil majors and other big companies. But that said, the energy on the left has moved away from emphasis on pricing as a primary tool, which brings me to... 2. The filibuster battle is heating up. What's happening: The Associated Press' Elana Schor reports that some liberal advocates are using the Democratic primary fight to argue that big things like Medicare for All can't happen with a 60-vote threshold. Some of the field is supportive or leaning towards agreeing the filibuster should be killed, while others want to keep it or, like Sen. Kamala Harris, are conflicted. Why it matters: Even if Democrats take full control of Washington, nobody thinks they'll have close to 60 Senate seats. This can't be untethered from climate. A number of candidates are supporting the GND concept and calling for aggressive policies. What's next: If Washington Gov. Jay Inslee's climate-focused presidential run gains traction, this could come up even more. He wants to see the filibuster done away with, and a campaign aide tells me it's something he'll keep talking about. Go deeper: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal gets first fight in Senate In launching their next startups, a growing number of founders are choosing to forego the San Francisco Bay Area and its sky-high rents and intense competition for engineering talent. Instead, they are setting up shop in places like Austin, Seattle and even New Mexico. Why it matters: As technology becomes a growing part of the economy, Silicon Valley can't and probably shouldn't be home to most new startups. When Jeff Haynie started has last company, Appcelerator, he moved from Atlanta to the Bay Area because he felt he needed to be close to other startups and those who fund them. But, when he was starting his latest venture, Pinpoint, he decided to leave the Bay Area and set up shop in Austin, Texas. The bottom line: Haynie is not alone. While specific numbers are hard to come by, Bloomberg Beta partner Roy Bahat said he is definitely seeing more entrepreneurs with Bay Area ties setting up shop elsewhere. He highlighted the trend in a series of tweets back in February. A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. "Youve got to do your tour of duty in the Bay Area but once you have, you have your network and people are willing to write you a check," says Mark Johnson, former CEO of Zite, whose current startup, Descartes Labs, is based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Our thought bubble: This kind of story is often framed as a tug of war between Silicon Valley and the rest of the country. But Silicon Valley isn't going any where, and for every startup or founder who leaves the Bay Area, someone else graduates from Stanford or wants to move here. This is about tech becoming a bigger part of the overall economy. Where to go: As for which cities will benefit, Bahat said to look at where Google, Apple and others are setting up shop. "If you want to see where founders of the future will go, look at where today's successful companies are opening new offices," he said. "Every hire in one of those offices could be tomorrow's extraordinary founder." That means cities like Seattle, Portland and Austin that already have their share of tech growth but also emerging tech hubs like Atlanta, Northern Virginia and Indianapolis. Driving the trend: There are a variety of reasons why those founders leaving the Bay Area are doing so. For some, it's the cost of labor and housing, while for others it's for more personal reasons. For Johnson, it made sense to be in New Mexico, because that's where the technology the company is built on was developed. Descartes Labs uses satellite imagery to find patterns using an approach developed at Los Alamos National Laboratories. Johnson worried about hiring, but says that he finds lots of good talent "not the people Google would have found, but the people Google should have found," he said. Yes, but: While there are plenty of people with technical skills, one thing there is a lack of outside the Bay Area are the people who really know how to scale a fast-growing tech company.Johnson, who is in the midst of spending a month back in San Francisco, said he always imagined the company would eventually move back to Silicon Valley, but that being in New Mexico is now a core part of the company's identity. President Trump's former director of the National Economic Council Gary Cohn let his feelings about the president's tariff battle with China be known in an interview on Freakonomics Radio released Wednesday night. "When you put tariffs on goods that people in the United States consume every day, it's a consumption tax. So all the tariffs did is they made products that Americans were going to buy more expensive. And in fact we got the final trade data numbers ... And lo and behold [in 2018], we hit an all-time record-high trade deficit globally, and with China." "Tariffs don't work. If anything, they hurt the economy because if you're a typical American worker, you have a finite amount of income to spend. If you have to spend more on the necessity products that you need to live, you have less to spend on the services that you want to buy. And you definitely don't have anything left over to save. "So we should try and make the goods as cheap as possible. And we don't produce the goods in the United States; we import the goods from other countries. And if we could produce the goods as cheaply as other countries do, we would produce them in the United States." Cohn also said Trump is desperate right now for a trade agreement with China. "The president needs a win. The only big open issue right now that he could claim as a big win that hed hope would have a big impact on the stock market would be a Chinese resolution. Getting the trade deficit down I will never say is easy, but of the issues on the table, that's relatively easier. Getting the intellectual property, the forced technology transfer and the market access much more difficult." Cohn talked about why he joined the Trump administration, but refused to answer questions about journalist Bob Woodward's book in which he is quoted calling Trump a "professional liar" and a "f--king a--hole." Cohn says the two still talk regularly. The Open Society Foundations is investing $42.5 million over five years in Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and Muslim, Arab and South Asian (MASA) communities, Axios has learned. Why it matters: The foundation says they are some of the largest grants given in the space. The money will be used for nonpartisan efforts, and more direct advocacy by organizations dedicated to and led by these minority communities which have historically received little philanthropic support. Reps. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), ranking member on the House Oversight Committee, and Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) plan to send a letter to chairman Elijah Cummings Wednesday afternoon urging him to refer Michael Cohen to the Justice Department for a perjury investigation. The backdrop: Cohen testified before the committee last month that he had "never asked for, nor would [he] accept, a pardon" from the president. Trump later tweeted that Cohen had "directly asked" him for a pardon. Late last night, Cohen attorneys Michael Monico also sent a letter to Cummings, clarifying that Cohen never asked President Trump to grant him a pardon, despite Trump tweeting that Cohen had "directly asked" for one. Cohen's attorney Lanny Davis told Axios Cummings later responded in a statement: Our practice on this Committee is to give witnesses an opportunity to clarify their testimony, and that is what Mr. Cohen has done. I do not see the need for further actionat least at this time. However, I understand that Mr. Cohen may have answered more detailed questions on this same topic the day after our hearing when the Intelligence Committee had him in for a closed session. We will review that transcript when it becomes available and determine whether any additional steps are required." Davis also issued a statement: Mr. Cohens letter to the Chairman last night addresses the issue raised by Mr. Jordan. As the letter stated, Mr. Cohens testimony was truthful. The letter provided greater time frame context for that testimony. Isnt it interesting that neither Mr. Jordan nor any Republican on the committee has ever mentioned the hush money check signed by President Trump, shown on TV during the hearing, proving that the president committed a felony as part of the Stormy Daniels illegal hush money scheme? Federal prosecutors have stated that scheme was directed and coordinated by President Trump. Why does Mr. Jordan ignore this? The Senate voted on Wednesday 54-46 to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen, likely setting up the first veto of President Trump's presidency. Why it matters: The bill is a rebuke of Trump's foreign policy amid broader pushback over his defense of Saudi Arabia, whose role in the conflict has been under heightened scrutiny since the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The war waged by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has resulted in the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with an estimated 80% of the population in need of some sort of aid or protection. Details: The bill, co-sponsored by Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), leans on the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which states that if American troops are entangled in "hostilities" overseas "without a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization, such forces shall be revoked by the President if the Congress so directs by concurrent resolution." This is the second time the GOP-led Senate has passed the bill, though it wasn't taken up by the House in the last Congress. The big picture: As the New York Times' Catie Edmondson notes, the passage of the Yemen bill one day before the Senate is expected to pass a resolution disapproving of Trump's border emergency "sets up something of a one-two punch for senators hoping to defy the president." The companies backing smart city technologies, surveillance and autonomous vehicles are among the most powerful entities on the planet, led by larger-than-life CEOs and worth hundreds of billions of dollars. The catch: But the testing grounds for their innovations are second-tier cities. Desperate to compete with coastal superstars for jobs and talent, these smaller-fry metros like Tempe, Arizona, and Kyle, Texas are offering themselves up to these companies as living labs. The ultimate payoff for these cities can be meager: Mere morsels, or, often nothing. "Theres a huge asymmetry in power and knowledge," says Jake Dunagan of the Institute for the Future. By the numbers: Since the financial crash, big metros like Boston, New York and San Francisco with populations over 1 million and massive company headquarters have vacuumed up 72% of the country's employment growth, per Brookings. big metros like Boston, New York and San Francisco with populations over 1 million and massive company headquarters have vacuumed up 72% of the country's employment growth, per Brookings. Smaller cities, home to between 50,000 and 250,000 people, have seen just 6%. 50,000 and 250,000 people, have seen just 6%. The average GDP per capita in superstar cities is $68,000, according to McKinsey Global Institute. In many of the second-tier cities, the range is in the $20,000s and $30,000s. Not all cities that arent coastal superstars are suffering. A handful of up-and-comers with hefty population growth, like Nashville and Austin, are thriving alongside the superstars. Austin hosts major campuses of Amazon, Google, Apple and Facebook. And Nashville was a secondary winner of the HQ2 pageant, gaining 5,000 jobs. But most of the second tier is like Shreveport, Louisiana, a city of about 200,000 near the Texas border. It's dreaming of high-paying tech jobs and satellite campuses, seeing an Amazon HQ2 or Foxconn as the only way to grow materially. "It's so important to leverage technology to be more important and stand out and to compete with the bigger cities," says Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins. Effectively locked out of the bidding for prized Big Tech campuses, second-tier cities have found themselves the venues for experiments. One of their principal roles: tracks for the nascent driverless car industry. Uber set its self-driving cars loose in Tempe. In March 2018, one of them struck and killed a pedestrian. Last week, Arizona prosecutors declined to press charges against Uber. Arizona has the most lax AV regulations in the country, as it attempts to brand itself as a hub for the technology and scoop up future jobs, says Axios autonomous vehicles reporter Joann Muller. in the country, as it attempts to brand itself as a hub for the technology and scoop up future jobs, says Axios autonomous vehicles reporter Joann Muller. A separate negligence lawsuit has been filed against Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey by the family of the woman killed. The Texas cities of Kyle and Orange last year saw different consequences of being a tech company's lab when they let in Vigilant Solutions, a firm that makes automated license plate readers. The company offered the readers, which police officers use to nab speeders, for free, but insisted that the cities sign non-disparagement agreements preventing them from saying anything negative about the tech. the readers, which police officers use to nab speeders, for free, but insisted that the cities sign non-disparagement agreements preventing them from saying anything negative about the tech. On top of that, Texas police gave Vigilant access to the data for "nearly unlimited commercial use," writes the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Several Florida cities started testing Harris Corp.'s StingRay, a cellphone surveillance device, in 2014 and signed airtight NDAs. The agreements were so strong that police officers lied to judges about how they caught suspects to keep StingRay a secret, reports Wired. The companies did not respond to requests for comment. Go deeper: Small cities, big companies On Monday, Iran's Supreme Leader and Commander-in-Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei presented Major General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force (IRGC-QF), with the order of the Zulfiqar the country's highest military decoration, and one that hasn't been awarded since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Why it matters: Despite not having fought a conventional war since 1988, Iran is involved in countless Middle Eastern conflicts, supporting, arming, or financing forces in its "axis of resistance." Leading this axis, and often beside its forces on the battlefield, is Soleimani. Background: Soleimani rose to prominence during the 19801988 Iran-Iraq War. He was appointed to lead the IRGC-QF sometime in the late 1990s, and was promoted from the rank of Brigadier General after a decade at the helm. The U.S. Treasury has designated Soleimani under multiple authorities since October 2007. Details: The order of the Zulfiqar reportedly dates back to 1921/1922. Only 13 Iranians in history have received the award for valor. Soleimani is the first designated terrorist to join their ranks. Zulfiqar, which means "spine cleaver" in Arabic, is the name of the fabled cleft sword of Ali ibn Abu Talib, the first Imam of Shi'ism and the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad. Iran has named several military platforms after the Zulfiqar, including a short-range ballistic missile, a battle tank, and a battle rife, just to name a few. What they're saying: Awarding the medal, Khamenei asked God to grant Soleimani "martyrdom in the end," but "of course not any time soon." Several other Iranian officials have since congratulated Soleimani. What to watch: While Washington has long focused on who might be Iran's next Supreme Leader, less attention has been paid to who might be the next IRGC-QF Commander. Behnam Ben Taleblu is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Armenian lawmakers have allowed owners of already purchased right-hand drive vehicles to import them to Armenia within the next several weeks. A relevant amendment to the law banning the import of such cars was passed unanimously in the first reading on Wednesday. It will be in effect until May 1 and will apply to about a thousand right-hand drive cars purchased until December 30, 2018 and waiting to be cleared through customs. The move comes as a concession to a large number of importers who claimed to have been misguided on the application of the April 2018 ban that they say they thought was supposed to be a temporary one. Like most countries of the world Armenia uses right-hand traffic which requires steering wheels to be on the left side of vehicles. Nevertheless, Armenian authorities have not prevented imports of a growing number of right-hand drive cars over the past decade. According to the Armenian traffic police, there are presently 32,000 such cars in the country. Most of them are cheap second-hand vehicles manufactured in Japan. Police officials say they cause a disproportionately large share of traffic accidents. Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technologies Hakob Arshakian made it clear in parliament today that this is the last concession of the government concerning the ban on the import of right-hand drive cars and such cars purchased after December 30, 2018 will not be allowed for import. As for the right-hand drive cars already in use, the minister said that there will be no obstacles in terms of their continued use. Naira Zohrabian, a member of the opposition Prosperous Armenia Partys (BHK) parliamentary faction, was injured during a scuffle between police officers and a group of citizens protesting the dismantling of cafes in Yerevans Liberty Square on Thursday, her colleague Arman Abovian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. When the police-people scuffle began it happened so that the crowd moved backed and Ms. Zohrabian fell. I pulled her out, but her foot was injured. She suffered quite a shock. Its clear that Ms. Zohrabian was quickly taken away from here, Abovian said. At least one protester and one police officer were briefly hospitalized and treated for injuries sustained in another clash earlier today. A group of owners and employees of cafes situated near the Opera House in central Yerevan briefly blocked traffic in a nearby street protesting the municipal authorities decision to dismantle commercial facilities in the area. The police said 16 protesters were briefly detained for not complying with police officers lawful demands. The dismantling of two cafes began on Wednesday and continued today with the use of heavy equipment. The activities were temporarily halted after protesting citizens obstructed the work of the demolition excavator before resuming again. Municipal authorities insist that the green zone around the Opera House, one of the landmark buildings in central Yerevan, should not be overburdened with commercial property. In a Facebook post earlier today Mayor Hayk Marutian vowed continuous efforts to recover Yerevans cultural features. He thanked the citys residents for being next to the authorities in this matter and said that we feel your support. Lawmaker Abovian said that the goal of Zohrabians and his presence at the scene was to ensure dialogue and mutual respect between the opposing sides in the standoff. The United States has praised Armenia for reforms in a number of areas, including the holding of elections with respect for fundamental freedoms and fighting systemic government corruption. A U.S. Department of State report on human rights practices for 2018 also referred to other developments in Armenia over last year, including a renewed investigation of the 2008 post-election crackdown. [Prime Minister Nikol] Pashinians government gave new impetus to accountability for the events surrounding the aftermath of the 2008 presidential election, in which eight civilians and two police officers were killed, the report says, noting that former president Robert Kocharian is among high profile suspects in the criminal cases launched by the Special Investigation Service. The U.S. Department of State cites Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic as noting the steps taken by the Armenian government to finally establish responsibility for the 10 deaths, but stressing that this should be done carefully and in strict adherence to the principles of rule of law, judicial independence, transparency and guarantees of fair trial, in order to dispel any accusations of alleged revenge politics or selective justice. In previous years reports the U.S. Department of State usually criticized the Armenian government for systemic corruption, violence against journalists and the opposition, violations of the freedoms of speech and assembly, arbitrariness of law-enforcement bodies and electoral fraud. This time the report says: The new government launched a series of investigations to prosecute systemic government corruption, and the country held its first truly competitive elections on December 9. As an example of combating corruption the report cites the first criminal case of illicit enrichment in which Vachagan Ghazarian, the longtime chief bodyguard of former president Serzh Sarkisian, was arrested after law enforcement personnel found more than one million dollars in cash in a nightclub owned by his wife. It is mentioned in the report that according to the prime ministers anticorruption adviser, between May 7 and August 10, law enforcement bodies and tax services uncovered violations in the amount of 41.7 billion drams (almost $87 million), constituting damages to the state, embezzlement, abuse of official duty, and bribes. Headline cases included tax underpayments and unexplained wealth on the part of parliamentarians, well-connected political figures, or their respective business holdings. In one illustrative case, according to the government, the Yerevan City supermarket chain, affiliated with member of parliament Samvel Alexanian, was found to have underpaid tens of millions of dollars in taxes. After the change of government in Armenia the U.S. Department of State also observes positive changes in terms of political freedoms and rights in the South Caucasus country. Before the May change in government, there were numerous reports of authorities tapping telephone communications, email, and other digital communications of individuals the government wanted to keep under scrutiny, including human rights defenders, activists, and political figures. According to some human rights observers, authorities maintained dossiers of activists, political figures, and others that were used to exert pressure on a person. Following the velvet revolution, many activists and human rights defenders expressed their belief that they were no longer under surveillance, the report reads. The report notes that following the velvet revolution, many judges released from pretrial detention many suspects in politically sensitive cases. According to human rights groups, since no other circumstances had changed in their cases, this was an indication that, before the April/May events, judicial decisions to hold those suspects in detention, instead of on bail were politically motivated. In the section on Political Parties and Political Participation it is said: The law does not restrict the registration or activity of political parties. Prior to the velvet revolution, however, authorities suppressed political pluralism in other ways. While political pluralism expanded after the May change in government, observers noted increased radicalization in society, reflected most acutely in social media, that shrank the space for criticism of the new government, since any dissent was labeled as counterrevolutionary by Civil Contract supporters. Some opposition political actors alleged that the new government directed public pressure against them. In terms of freedom of expression, the U.S. Department of States report says that before the velvet revolution, the government exerted economic pressure on media outlets for favorable and uncritical coverage. After the May change in government, the media environment became more free as some outlets began to step away from self-censorship; however, some still refrained from critical comments of the new government not to appear counterrevolutionary According to some media watchdogs, public television continued to present news from a pro-government standpoint. In the past the U.S. Department of State cited serious concerns of human rights activists about deaths in the army and dubious investigations with alleged use of torture to extract evidence. This time, according to the report, the Special Investigation Service has instituted criminal proceedings over one such case. According to Peace Dialogue [human rights organization] his was the first case in recent years when, parallel to the investigation of a death in the armed forces, a criminal investigation was opened to assess possible violations of the law by the investigative body, the report says. The U.S. Department of State report says that the Armenian authorities are now more open in terms of holding accountable police officials and other representatives of the law-enforcement system. Lieutenant-general Levon Yeranosian, the former chief of the internal police troops, faced charges of exceeding official authority committed with violence and leading to grave consequences for his role in the violence against protesters, the report says, reminding also that on May 13, the Special Investigation Service charged the commander of the Yerevan Police Department Escort Battalion, Armen Ghazarian, with torture for his role in the June 2017 police beatings of four members of the armed group Sasna Tsrer during an altercation. The most controversial area in which the U.S. Department of State observed no changes is the judicial system. The report notes: Although the law provides for an independent judiciary, the judiciary did not generally exhibit independence and impartiality. After the May change in government, distrust in the impartiality of judges continued, and some human rights lawyers stated there were no legal safeguards for judicial independence. Attorneys reported that in the past, the Court of Cassation dictated the outcome of all significant cases to lower-court judges Many observers blamed the High Judicial Council [headed by former Constitutional Court chair Gagik Harutiunian] for abuse of power and for appointing only judges who were connected to the previous ruling party. Attorneys also stated the HJCs control of the appointments, promotions, and relocation of judges weakened judicial independence, the report reads. By Trend Over the past 24 hours, Armenian armed forces have 27 times violated the ceasefire along the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said March 14, 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 By Leman Mammadova Baku hosted an international conference entitles "Argus Fertilizers 2019 - Production and Logistics in the Caspian and Black Sea Region" on March 14. The conference focused on challenges and prospects of SOCAR Carbamide Plant in Sumgayit, Azerbaijans entry into the international fertilizer market, ammonia and urea markets in the Caspian and Black Sea regions, premium export routes for Caspian fertilizer producers, requirement for new transshipment capacities, Azerbaijans agricultural industry and others. Addressing the conference, President of the Azerbaijani state oil company SOCAR Rovnag Abdullayev said that the commissioning of the SOCAR Carbamide Plant in Azerbaijan contributes to the countrys sustainable development. Besides SOCAR implements various energy projects both in Azerbaijan and in the region, the company also supports the development of the countrys non-oil sector, Abdullayev added. One of such steps is the construction of the carbamide plant in Azerbaijan, he said. Earlier, $80-90 million were spent on import of fertilizers every year, but now there is no need for that. He stressed that some fertilizers will be exported as the production capacity of the plant is several times more than the domestic demand for carbamide. The head of the company noted that ten years ago it was difficult to assume that Azerbaijan would act as a producer of fertilizers. Abdullayev said that SOCAR plays an important role not only for the Azerbaijani energy market, but also for the market of the entire region. Speaking about the company's activity, Abdullayev stressed that SOCAR is already a global company. In the past, we sold only products made in Azerbaijan, but now the products of foreign companies occupy a special place in the company's trade portfolio. This trade brings more profit. Thus, the company earned 90 percent of its profit in foreign markets, he said. Director of the SOCAR Carbamide Plant Khayal Jafarov said that construction of the carbamide plant will minimize the import of urea fertilizers. He noted that about 90 percent of the carbamide produced in the world is used in agriculture, adding that it will be the same in Azerbaijan. Jafarov said that since the mid-20th century, Azerbaijan has become one of the main players in the chemical industry in the former USSR, especially in the production of fertilizers. Production ceased as the USSR was collapsed. However, considering the centuries-old agricultural traditions in Azerbaijan, the government decided to build a carbamide plant, the director of the plant noted. He stressed that the plant was built under two state programs. The first is the Food Security Program of Azerbaijan. Within its framework, one of the main tasks was to minimize the import of urea fertilizers, he said. He noted that the second program is the Industry Development Program. Jafarov stressed that SOCAR Carbamide Plant will start export of fertilizers in May of this year. He noted that up to 500,000 tons of carbamide will be exported per year, adding that most of the products will be supplied to Turkey. "We also plan to enter the markets of the Black Sea and Mediterranean countries," said Jafarov. Director said that Samsung Engineering Co., Ltd. will complete the transfer of the carbamide plant of Azerbaijan SOCAR in May, and the transfer process will begin in April of this year. He also added that the total cost of the carbamide plant is 780 million euros. "The financing was initially carried out from the budget allocations. 197 million euros was allocated from the budget. KEXIM Bank allocated 251 million euros, Societe Generale (France), "Deutsche Bank"(GErmany) and "UniCredit" (Austria) allocated 249 euros. SOCAR allocated 80-85 million euros," he said. On March 15, a visit will be organized to the production site of SOCAR Carbamide Plant. SOCAR carbamide plant, built on the territory of the Sumgayit chemical industrial park, was commissioned on January 16. The beginning of production at the SOCAR carbamide plant will eliminate the need for import of nitrogen fertilizers, thereby the country's foreign currency spending will decrease. By using 435 million cubic meters of natural gas as a raw material, the plant is capable of producing 650,000-660,000 tons of carbamide. Moreover, 70 percent of the production is envisaged for export, which will enable the country to receive additional income worth up to $160 million annually. Carbamide fertilizers have the highest nitrogen content, therefore, they are considered the highest quality nitrogen fertilizer. The commissioning of this plant will play an important role in the development of agriculture in Azerbaijan. The demand for carbamide is connected with its low cost, economical transportation, convenient use, which contributes to high yields in agriculture. This product is also widely used in the production of other chemicals and pharmaceutics. Presently, SOCAR carbamide plant is the biggest project in the country, implemented in the non-oil sector. The South Korean company Samsung Engineering Co., Ltd., has provided engineering, procurement, construction and pre-commissioning services for the plant. Opening up a very good prospect for Azerbaijan to increase the inflow of foreign currency into the country, commissioning of the SOCAR Carbamide Plant is an important step towards increasing Azerbaijans high-tech export. --- Leman Mammadova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Leman Mammadova The intensification of economic relations between Azerbaijan and Iran helps to achieve real results. The local auto making industry has already seen the practical outcome of this fruitful cooperation. Azerbaijan-Iran Business and Investment Forum was held in Baku on March 14. Speaking at the event, Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev said that Azerbaijan-Iran relations are developing dynamically every year. The minister also underlined that this cooperation has been developing in many areas, including transport, transit, agriculture and tourism, and favorable conditions have been established for businessmen. Mustafayev said that Azerbaijan and Iran will sign an agreement on the establishment of a joint venture for the production of Scania buses in the Hajigabul industrial quarter. The minister recalled that the country already has a joint automobile factory Khazar, which has produced more than one thousand cars since the start of operations. Most of the cars produced have already been sold. The joint Azerbaijani-Iranian plant Khazar in the Neftchala industrial park opened on March 29, 2018, during a two-day visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Azerbaijan. Speaking about the trade relations of the two countries, the minister noted that the trade turnover of Azerbaijan and Iran increased by 74 percent last year. Mustafayev also touched upon the cooperation of the two countries in the field of transport. Minister particularly noted that the North-South international transport corridor is of high importance in relation to two countries. Last year, the freight traffic on this route increased by more than ten times. This shows that relations between the two countries are at a high level. Our relations in the areas of transport, industry, agriculture, tourism, transit traffic are extensive and of regional importance, the minister added. Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance of Iran Farhad Dejpasand noted that Azerbaijan and Iran have great potential for expanding ties in the field of water and air transport. Dejpasand stressed that Iranian market is fully open for Azerbaijani investments. He noted that the best option for expanding cooperation between the two countries is to create joint ventures. Noting that the trade turnover between the countries increased by 74 percent in 2018, the minister added that there is great potential for the development of these ties. Dejpasand underlined that relations between Iran and Azerbaijan are developing at a very high level, today there is also the possibility of cooperation in the financial and banking sectors. The Azerbaijani-Iranian relations have developed and reached a new stage over the past four years as a result of mutual efforts. So far, more than 150 documents have been signed between our countries. More than 1000 Iranian companies registered in Azerbaijan in industry, construction, services, communications, trade, transport, agriculture and other spheres. Iranian investments in Azerbaijan reached $3.4 billion. According to the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan, trade with Iran in 2018 amounted to $446 million, $31.23 million of which accounted for the export of Azerbaijani products to Iran. The trade turnover between the two countries is planned to reach $2 billion in short term perspective. Reaching $2 billion milestone in trade turnover within 7-8 years can be seen as success for both countries. Iran sees Azerbaijan as a hub to reach larger regional markets. The cooperation on transportation between Iran and Russia through Azerbaijan is crucial in the realization of the International North-South Transport Corridor project. In the framework of the North-South transport corridor, Azerbaijan, Iran and Russia signed an agreement in 2005 on the construction of 375 km long Astara-Rasht-Qazvin railway. It envisages the construction of a new railway line in Iran, which will connect Astara, Azerbaijan to the Iranian cities of Astara, Rasht and Qazvin as well as the reconstruction of an existing railway in Azerbaijan. The railway between Astara regions of Azerbaijan and Iran has been completed. The foundation of the Rasht-Astara railway is not yet laid. On March 6, 2019, the opening ceremony of the Qazvin-Rasht railway was held in Irans Gilan Province. Azerbaijan and Iran share common values, history and traditions that bound them. The two countries are eager to develop their non-oil economy, integrate regional transport networks and boost mutually advantageous business projects in order to stimulate trade volume. --- Leman Mammadova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova The Turkish Embassy in Azerbaijan has hosted an event timed to Novruz holiday. The heads of diplomatic missions of Turkic-speaking countries attended the event, Trend Life reported. The guests enjoyed national sweets and dishes, objects of national applied art and musical instruments of various nations. The event participants familiarized themselves with the traditions of celebrating Novruz in different countries. Turkish ambassador to Azerbaijan Ercan Ozoral expressed his gratitude to the guests for participating in the festive evening and to Ambassador of Tajikistan to Azerbaijan Rustam Soli for the valuable initiative to hold the event. It was noted that the Novruz holiday unites peoples in the name of peace and prosperity. The holiday is associated with the arrival of spring, the awakening of nature, a symbol of moral purity, unity and mutual assistance. Ambassador of Tajikistan Rustam Soli noted the importance of holding an event to further develop ties between peoples and cultures, strengthen friendship and fraternal relations, promote the unique and ancient traditions of Novruz, and wished everyone happiness and prosperity. UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Azerbaijan Ghulam Isakzai stressed that the Novruz holiday brings people joy, bright hopes and peace. It is a symbol of the unity of countries and traditions, represents all the richness of the peoples' customs. Azerbaijan's Culture Minister Abulfaz Garayev emphasized that Novruz is one of the most ancient, beloved and cheerful holidays in Azerbaijan, which absorbed the traditional values of the Azerbaijani people is fast approaching. It was noted that on September 30, 2009, Novruz was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and from this time March 21 has been declared as the International Day of Novruz. Then the guests took part in the festivities - dances around the traditional Novruz bonfire, watched the performances of art masters, tried national sweets at the tea ceremony. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The Armenian leadership, holding a meeting of the country's Security Council in Nagorno-Karabakh, is trying to hide its problems, political analyst Arzu Naghiyev told Trend. Naghiyev said that recent steps taken by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan are inadequate. "Since the beginning of the conflict, so far, Armenia has never held any meetings of the Security Council outside the country. This time the meeting of the Council under the leadership of Pashinyan was held on the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, in Khankendi," Naghiyev noted. The political analyst stressed that this step of Pashinyan is a move that is designed for both domestic and foreign policy. "Because, in April, it is one year since Pashinyan came to power. He should speak regarding the ongoing domestic and foreign policy. It is known that the arrest of the former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan, the stagnation of the economy and other issues put Pashinyan in a hopeless situation. In this situation, what will the Prime Minister report on? This means that the "Karabakh card" will be played again. Pashinyan and his team, using this card, strive to calm both their citizens and the separatist regime," he added. The analyst noted that there are a number of aspects. "Following the recent statement by co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group that the format of negotiations on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is unchanged, the Armenian leadership went to Nagorno-Karabakh to discuss this issue. Moreover, Pashinyan has repeatedly stated that he is the Prime Minister of Armenia, and no representative of the separatist regime established in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan will allow him to speak on their behalf. Therefore, he allegedly went to Khankendi to get a mandate on this matter. And how is it that the Armenian soldiers are doing military service in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, continue their aggressive policy towards Azerbaijan? If it were as Pashinyan says, Armenian soldiers should have been withdrawn from Nagorno-Karabakh," the analyst added. The political analyst noted that Azerbaijan will always strive to ensure its territorial integrity and continue negotiations to resolve the conflict. The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts. The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Laman Ismayilova With many breathtaking and incredible historical sites, Azerbaijan is richly endowed with numerous historical attractions. Chirag Gala monument is a must to visit for a curious travelers while being in country's Shabran region. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order regarding measures to carry out restoration and conservation work at Chirag Gala monument. Under the presidential order, 2 million manats will be allocated to the Ministry of Culture for the restoration and conservation work at Chirag Gala monument. The legendary fortress, which means lamp castle in Azerbaijani is a ruined ancient fortress overlooking the Caspian coastal plains north of Baku in Azerbaijan. The fortress was used as a defense for Guba khanate in the 18th century. The location of the fortress makes it absolutely impregnable. Five times the Mongolian armies tried to captivate it but did not succeed. Alexander the Great, the Huns and the Arabs couldnt invade the fortress as well. More than 1,500 years ago, this tower was used as a signal point. The fortress was part of the system of the Caspian watch-observation structures. When the enemy approached, a fire was lit on it. The fire was visible for hundreds of kilometers. Another point was in Derbent. If there was a fire there during the invasion of the invaders, they did the same in the Chirag Gala fortress. The flames were visible in Baku, so that all the northern borders were under control. Chirag Gala is built of roughly treated river stones. The thickness of the defensive wall is two meters. There is a cliff behind the fortress. --- Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Azerbaijani First Deputy Minister of Defense, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Colonel-General Najmeddin Sadikov left for Moscow, Russia, Trend reports referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry on March 13. Sadikov will take part in the meeting of the Committee of Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces of the CIS member-states on March 14. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mehriban Aliyeva has sent a letter of congratulation to His Holiness Pope Francis on the anniversary of his Papal Inauguration. In her letter, First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva hailed the high-level relations between Azerbaijan and the Holy See, expressing hope that bilateral cooperation will continue to contribute to the strengthening of interreligious and intercultural dialogue and protection of the global cultural heritage. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Commitment of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center towards the promotion of cross-cultural dialog and cooperation has grown and got stronger, President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella said in his message to 7-th Global Baku Forum. Ambassador of Italy to Azerbaijan Augusto Massari read the message of Italian President Sergio Mattarella to the co-chairs of the 7th Global Baku Forum. Dear participants and honorable guests. I have the honor to read the message of his Excellency Sergio Mattarella president of the Italian Republic addressed to the co-chairs of the 7th Global Baku Forum Vaira Vike-Freiberga and Ismail Serageldin the Ambassador said. Firstly, the president congratulated the co-chairs on the topic of 7th Global Baku Forum. Esteemed co-chairs, I extent to you and to the staff of the Nizami Ganjavi international l center my warmest thanks for having invited me again to the Global Baku Forum. I am not able to attend the conference, yet I would like to congratulate you on the choice of the topic New foreign policy of the world of 7th edition of this meeting, the president's message said. Mattarella stressed the framework that was designed to witness the value of mutual understanding and to promote both identity and integration. I am very pleased to notice that year after year the commitment of the Center towards the promotion of cross-cultural dialog and cooperation has grown and got stronger. This happened in the framework designed to witness the value of mutual understanding and to promote in all circumstances both identity and integration as indispensable elements over long lasting interaction among people and between countries he stated. Italian president noted the utmost importance of the Forum to prevent misconceptions, tensions and intolerance. Initiative like the one that is organized in Baku, the city I had the honor of vising in 2018 where I had fruitful meeting with president Aliyev, are of the utmost importance to prevent misconceptions, tensions and intolerance and to bring concrete proposals to the attention of those holding political responsibilities Mattarella said. Finally, Italian president referred to the efforts of both governments and representatives of civil society to design sustainable public policies and wished his best regards to the forum. The pressing challenges of our time require a truly participated reflection involving both governments and representatives of civil society in order to design sustainable public policies with a wide endorsement. I seize this opportunity to send my appreciation of your activities and to wish Global Baku form every success. I send you the best regards Sergio Mattarella underlined. VII Global Baku Forum began its work in Baku on Thursday. The forum is held with the organizational support of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center and will last until March 16. The event is attended by some 450 people from more than 70 countries. The theme of the VII Global Baku Forum will be New foreign policy of the world. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has met with President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, who is attending the 7th Global Baku Forum. President Aliyev and President Ghani first held a one-on-one meeting. They then were joined by their delegations for a meeting in an expanded format. The sides exchanged views on bilateral relations, as well as prospects for development of economic cooperation between the two countries. The Azerbaijani-Afghan documents then were signed. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Bulgaria expects to hold talks in Baku on obtaining additional gas volumes for the Balkan gas hub, Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borisov said March 14 at the 7th Global Baku Forum held under the slogan "New Foreign Policy", Trend reports. Borisov noted the importance of diversifying sources with Azerbaijani and Russian gas. Speaking about relations with Azerbaijan, Borisov noted that they are excellent. The Bulgarian prime minister expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for assistance in the restoration of the Trapezitsa Architectural and Museum Reserve in Bulgaria, including medieval churches. The Muslim country has allocated funds for the restoration of European churches, said Borisov. This shows how we can be friends with countries the religion of which is different from ours. The Bulgarian prime minister also noted that his country doesnt conflict with anyone and has wonderful relations with its neighbors. Our policy is based on the principles of good neighborliness, respect for other cultures and religions, added Borisov. The 7th Global Baku Forum kicked off in Baku on March 14. The forum organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center will last till March 16. Around 450 guests from over 70 countries are expected to take part in the forum. "New Foreign Policy" is the topic of the 7th Global Baku Forum. Panel meetings titled Role of big forces in changing global politics, Sustainable Development Challenges, Middle Eastern cooperation for security, Role of science and culture in making modern decisions and other topics will be held during the forum. One of the main meetings of the forum will be devoted to the role of young leaders in global politics. The well-known statesmen, politicians, reputable public figures are expected to participate in the forum. The incumbent heads of state and government will attend the event. The forum participants will discuss global political and economic issues, various aspects of modern international relations and other issues. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Azerbaijan and Bulgaria are planning a joint production of bulletproof vests, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov told reporters, Trend reports. The prime minister added that Azerbaijani and Bulgarian companies are negotiating on the creation of a joint venture for the production of bulletproof vests. -- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Russias Rossiya-24 TV channel has broadcast a special program dedicated to the upcoming meeting of the OPEC Monitoring Committee to be held in Baku on March 18, Trend reports. Called Baku barrel, the program provided an insight into the history of oil industry in Azerbaijan, and the role of the Azerbaijani oil in victory in the WWII. The program also featured Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs remarks about OPEC+ agreement that he made in Davos. Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov highlighted Azerbaijan`s commitments under OPEC+ agreement as well as cooperation with Russian companies, while SOCAR Vice-President for Marketing and Investment Elshad Nasirov spoke about the company`s global projects. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Leman Mammadova Caspian Drilling Company Ltd (CDC) and Norwegian Equinor ("Equinor Azerbaijan Karabakh BV") signed a contract on drilling operations. The contract was signed by CDC CEO Farid Akhundov and Country Manager at Equinor Fawad Quraishi, Report informs referring to Caspian Drilling. According to the terms of the contract, CDC will drill two wells in the Karabakh field, where Equinor, being the project operator, plans to develop the field together with the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR). Equinor and SOCAR hold equal shares in the project on development of Karabakh field. Drilling of the first well will begin after reactivation of the Dede Gorgud semi-submersible drilling rig. The plant will be reactivated by CDC specialists at the company's marine base. The completion of the reactivation and the start of drilling will approximately come in the third quarter of 2019. As of 30 May 2018, SOCAR and Equinor signed two important agreements. The first agreement is a risk-service agreement on the Karabakh field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, while the second agreement - a production sharing and exploration agreement on the Dan Ulduzu, Ashrafi and Aypara promising structures. The agreements envisage a 50/50 share distribution. Expectations regarding the oil and gas reserves of the Karabakh field are great. The Karabakh oil and gas field, discovered in 2000, is located 130 kilometers to the east of Baku. The sea depth in the field varies in the range of 250-450 meters. The initial oil reserves of the field are estimated at 100 million tons. The recoverable reserves of the Karabakh field are estimated at 16 million tons of oil and 28 billion cubic meters of gas. The sea depth in the area of the field is 180 meters. About 60 percent of work on the new offshore platform for the Karabakh field have been completed. The first product from the Karabakh field is expected in 2020-2021. CDC was established in 1996 between the SOCAR (55%) and Santa Fe (45%) on the basis of a world-famous USSR Offshore Exploration Drilling Company (OEDC) to perform drilling operations in the Caspian region and follow up an execution of Product Sharing Agreement in Azerbaijani Sector of Caspian Sea. It should be reminded that Norway's Statoil oil and gas group changed its name to Equinor on May 16, 2018. The company owns 7.27 percent of the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli (ACG) bloc development project in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea and 8,71 percent in the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC), the main export route for ACG oil. Equinor is also cooperating with Azerbaijan in the development of renewable energy sector. Recently, Energy Ministry of Azerbaijan and Equinor signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the cooperation on renewable energy. --- Leman Mammadova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @leman_888 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend The 5th Meeting of the Turkic Council Education Ministers will be held on March 15 in the capital of Kyrgyzstan Bishkek, Trend reports via a message by the Turkic Council. The meeting will be hosted by Gulmira Kudaiberdieva, Minister of Education and Science of Kyrgyzstan, and attended by the Deputy Education Minister of Azerbaijan Mahabbat Valiyeva, Vice-Minister of Education and Science of Kazakhstan Rustem Bigari, Deputy Minister of National Education of Turkey Mustafa Safran, as well as the State Secretary for Education of the Human Resources Ministry of Hungary Jozef Bodis, President of Turkic Academy, Professor Darkhan Kydyrali, high level government officials and representatives from the embassies of the member states. The meeting will be moderated by the Secretary General of the Turkic Council Baghdad Amreyev. Heads of delegations will review the work done in the education since the last meeting in June 2017. The agenda of the meeting includes the activities in the framework of the Turkic Council Turkic University Union, educational exchange program (development training) for education professionals of the Turkic Council the member states, third Student Exchange Programs among secondary and high schools, and establishment of sister school relations among the secondary and high schools of the member states. Prior to the ministerial meeting, the 7th Meeting of the Senior Officials of the Education Ministries will be held. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Rufiz Hafizoglu - Trend: Turkeys political circles do not consider the US as the countrys reliable partner in recent years as Washington does not fulfill its partnership obligations to Ankara. In fact, there has been great tension in relations between Turkey and the US over a number of issues recently. One of the reasons for this tension is the acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense systems by Ankara. The issue of supplying the S-400 air defense systems to Turkey was repeatedly discussed in late 2016 and in early 2017, as well as during the meetings between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that the S-400 air defense systems will be deployed from October 2019. The supply of the S-400 air defense systems to Ankara cost $2.5 billion, head of the Rostec state corporation Sergey Chemezov said in December 2017. Turkey is the first country, a NATO member, which will receive the S-400 air defense systems from Russia. But, apparently, the acquisition of the S-400 air defense system is not in Washingtons interests. The US is actively trying to prevent Turkey from buying the S-400 air defense systems from Russia. In particular, Washington warned Ankara that in case of buying the S-400 air defense system from Moscow, the US may refuse to sell F-35 fifth-generation fighter aircraft to Turkey. But what makes Turkey buy the Russian air defense systems? Firstly, Turkey needs to intensify security as the US, Germany and the Netherlands took out their air defense systems from the country in 2015, which forced Ankara to look for an alternative. Secondly, as opposed to Russia, the US refuses to provide Ankara with the technical characteristics of the US Patriot air defense system. Moreover, Turkey intends to further begin joint production of the S-400 air defense systems with Russia, while Washington does not provide Ankara with such an opportunity. Another important factor is that the purchase of the US Patriot air defense systems costs Turkey more expensive than the Russian C-400 air defense systems and Washington does not offer Ankara to purchase weapons on credit. These are the main obvious reasons of acquiring the Russian S-400 air defense systems by Turkey. Taking all this into account, one can say that it will be difficult for Washington to convince Ankara to refuse to buy the Russian air defense systems, even if sanctions are applied. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov After the meeting with Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, Armenia's head of state Arman Sargsyan made an unconvincing impression, which can be explained by lack of diplomatic ability. At a joint press conference with Zurabichvili, who is visiting Yerevan, Sargsyan tried to explain how the occupation of Georgian territories differs from the occupation of Azerbaijani territories and got confused. Sargsyan said thoughtfully that conflicts and problems in the region are not the same. Therefore, the bases for their resolution should not be the same. At the same time, I personally believe that the settlement should be exclusively peaceful, said the Armenian president. Sargsyan also noted that in the case of Karabakh, a peaceful settlement should be based on the right of nations to self-determination. Different conflicts have different solutions and this is an axiom. In fact, the essence of the conflicts is identical. Both in Georgia and Azerbaijan, they have a pronounced territorial and separatist character, and separatists of Karabakh or Abkhazia are the fruits of one field. If Armenia believes that the occupation of the Georgian territories is one thing and the occupation of the Azerbaijani territories is something different, then why does Yerevan regularly vote in international organizations against the legitimate rights of the Georgian people? By this way, Yerevan proves that it is against the territorial integrity of Georgia. In principle, it is perfectly normal for the country occupying the territory of a neighboring state. The exploits committed by Armenians in Abkhazia during the years of war are well known. The present claims of the Armenian nationalists on Abkhazia liberated from the Georgians are also known. It is not a secret that Armenians tried so hard not for the Abkhazians prosperity, but for the sake of expanding the habitat of their own ethnic group. Georgians remember well Battalion named Baghramyan, Armenian separatist unit that distinguished itself by the most terrible atrocities against the Georgian civilian population, especially in Sukhumi. Moreover, Armenian gangsters are proud of the murders of Georgians in Abkhazia. Armenians fought in other separatist formations, thanks to which tens of thousands of Georgians were killed and more than 300,000 expelled from their homes. Today, some pro-Armenian media sound demands for the separation of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia in accordance with the Karabakh scenario. Moreover, Armenia regular votes at the UN General Assembly against the repatriation of Georgian refugees to Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions. It turns out that Armenian nationalists consider Georgians to be naive, and are sure that they will remain unpunished. By the way, Zourabichvili has a different approach towards the issue of territorial integrity. During a recent visit to Baku, she touched on this topic, which caused great displeasure of the Armenian side, where they even demanded clarification from her. As Zourabichvili noted, conflicts and violation of territorial integrity are a tragedy of both Georgia and Azerbaijan. Thus, by her statement, it becomes clear who is in fact an occupying country. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have built a solid foundation of sovereign statehood and are looking to the future with confidence. In Kazakhstan, the deputies of the Senate at the plenary meeting adopted the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan on ratification of the framework agreement of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on cooperation in the field of energy, reports Bnews.kz. The parties will cooperate in the oil and gas industry, petrochemical and electric power industry. Kazakhstan within the framework of this Agreement plans to export up to 5 million tons of oil per year to Uzbekistan. The relevant Agreement was concluded in Tashkent on September 16, 2017. "The agreement is aimed at strengthening friendly relations between the two countries. It encouraging cooperation in the oil and gas sector, oil and gas chemistry and power generation, uninterrupted supply of natural gas to the southern regions of Kazakhstan, as well as mutual interest in developing the transit potential of the gas transportation system of the parties to the Agreement," reminded the Committee of the Kazakh Senate on economic policy, innovative development and entrepreneurship. The Agreement also provides for the establishment of a coordinating council that will regulate and control the timely implementation of all norms of the Agreement. "The agreement regulates that the Kazakh side, prior to the commissioning of the Shymkent-Jizzak trunk oil pipeline, taxing oil transportation services through the trunk pipeline with a value-added tax at a zero rate. At the same time, for the purpose of returning the value-added tax in accordance with the tax legislation of Kazakhstan, transportation services oil through the trunk pipeline is considered by the Kazakh side as an international shipment," added the Committee. As the Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan Kanat Bozumbayev reported in late February, Kazakhstan delivered more than 260,000 tons of oil to Uzbekistan over 2018. "Kazakhstan is ready to continue to supply oil to Uzbekistan from its own resources through the Kenkiyak-Kumkol pipeline and further with transhipment to the railway tank at Shagyr station. Currently, the tariff for this route is $ 25.12 per ton," the minister said. Diplomatic relations between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan were established on November 23, 1992. Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan currently experience a rise in mutual economic ties. In January-June 2018, the trade turnover between the two countries increased by 52 percent, with Uzbek exports growth of 48 percent. Over 200 companies with Kazakh capital currently operate in Uzbekistan. The countries agreed to take further measures to ensure the growth of trade turnover to $ 3 billion in 2018 and $ 5 billion by 2020. The countries also intend to increase the number of rail, bus and air communication between two states. Kazakhstan exports to Uzbekistan petroleum and their products, the milling industry, grains, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, products of inorganic chemistry, food products. Uzbekistan exports to Kazakhstan energy sources (gas), cotton fiber, chemical products and plastics, fertilizers, fruits and vegetables and other types of goods. Uzbek investments in Kazakhstan for the past 10 years amounted to $ 31.3 million, half of which falls for 2016. Kazakh investments in Uzbekistan totalled $ 114.4 million in the past decade. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov Located in Central Asia, Uzbekistan is endowed with rich hydrocarbon resources. The country has developed a program for the oil and gas industry development until 2020. The program provides for an increase in hydrocarbon reserves in 2014-2020. The increase in reserves of natural gas should reach 485.5 billion cubic meters. Epsilon Development LLC, a U.S. company, began gas production at the Talimarjan field in Kashkadarya region. It is reported that the expected daily debit of blue fuel will be 250,000 cubic meters per day. According to local media, the American company began developing the Talimarjan gas field in February of this year. Gas will be sold in the domestic market of Uzbekistan. Epsilon Development is expected to invest $ 5.2 billion in gas production in Uzbekistan. Earlier, the American company announced that it will produce gas at fields that are difficult to develop and which require significant costs in the Surkhandarya and Fergana regions. In the next two years, the United States wants to invest $ 2 billion in the development of gas fields in these regions. According to the State Investment Committee of Uzbekistan, in recent years $11.8 billion have been invested in the country. As many as 73 percent of this amount was invested in the oil and gas sector. Epsilon Development LLC is a vertically integrated natural resource project development company engaged in the exploration, acquisition, development and production of oil and natural gas reserves and resources. With primary operations within the Republic of Uzbekistan, the companys hydrocarbon reserves and resources are extracted through repeatable drilling programs on multiple deep & horizontal wells located throughout vast terrain inside several different license areas. Epsilon's Executive Leadership and Management team bring unrivaled operations and limited recourse project finance experience on Oil & Gas projects throughout Central Asia with a niche specialization on natural resource project development in Uzbekistan. Diplomatic relations between the United States and Uzbekistan were established on February 19, 1992. Thanks to active cooperation with American companies, two countries managed to increase the bilateral trade by almost two times and bring it to $332 million in January-September 2018. Currently, more than 200 enterprises with the participation of U.S. companies are successfully operating in Uzbekistan. American capital took part in the creation of 25 enterprises since the beginning of 2018. Uzbekistan has signed a trade and investment framework agreement with the United States and other Central Asian countries establishing a regional forum to discuss ways to improve investment climates and expand trade within Central Asia. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Trend Uzbekistan will establish cooperation ties with partners from Azerbaijan in the field of tourism, the ambassador of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan Sherzod Feyziev said at an event jointly organized by the Uzbek embassy in Baku and Azerbaijani travel agency My Travel, Trend reports on March 13. The purpose of the event was to demonstrate the ongoing large-scale reforms in the tourism sector in Uzbekistan, to inform about the rich history and unique culture of the country and talk about opportunities for tourists. The diplomat said that there were large reforms carried out in Uzbekistan in the last two years, which affect almost all spheres of society. "The field of tourism and everything related to this sector are recognized by the state as a priority, which has been given the status of a strategic sector of the economy. As part of the realization of existing potential, 55 regulatory documents regulating tourism were signed in just the past two years." These documents identify priorities for solving the problems accumulated in the industry, increasing tourism potential, including the promotion of pilgrim tourism, as well as the provision of many benefits and preferences for market participants, according to Feyziev. "The revolutionary step was the decision related to the establishment of a visa-free regime for citizens of most countries of the world, simplification of the procedure for issuing, as well as the introduction of electronic visas. Thus, from 2018, citizens of 64 states can visit Uzbekistan without visas, citizens of 101 states arriving in transit are allowed visa-free entry and temporary stay and citizens of 127 states have the opportunity to receive e-visas, the term of which is 2 working days," said the envoy. He went on to add that Uzbekistan is located in the heart of Central Asia and has tremendous opportunities in the tourism field. "Uzbekistan has 7,300 objects of cultural heritage, which is over 90 percent of all historical monuments in the region (more than 4,000 archaeological sites and 2,000 architectural objects). Over 500 of them are included in tourist routes. Monuments in Bukhara, Samarkand, Khiva and Shakhrisabz should be mentioned among the main gems." The implementation of a large number of events increased the attractiveness of Uzbekistan for tourists, according to Feyziev. "If in 2017, 2.6 million tourists entered Uzbekistan, in 2018 their total number increased to 5.3 million people (an increase of 99 percent). By 2025, the number of tourists is expected to increase to 9 million." A huge number of world-class travel agencies and magazines highly appreciate the development of tourism in Uzbekistan, he said. Among them are such giants as Travel + Leisure, National Geographic, Gallup, Solo Travel Safety Report, Lonely Planet, added the diplomat. He pointed out that a great role in the development of tourism in Uzbekistan will play the establishment of cooperation ties with partners from Azerbaijan. The first step in this direction should be the establishment of cooperation of the Embassy with the company My Travel, he said. As a result of the meeting, the parties signed the Work Plan for 2019. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A meeting within the framework of world ATM Congress 2019 in Madrid was held between representatives of Azeraeronavigation Air Traffic Control Department (AZANS) and delegation of EUROCONTROL, headed by Joe Sultana, Director of Airspace Management Center in Europe (Network Manager Operations Centre NMOC). Issues were raised about further cooperation between EUROCONTROL and AZANS, as well as the role of Azerbaijan as a strategic partner of EUROCONTROL and a connecting hub in the planning of air traffic flows. The necessity of signing the agreement between AZANS and EUROCONTROL for the use of Airspace Efficiency, Strategy and Development Center (ASEC) as a regional facilitation center in the planning of air traffic flows in case of unforeseen circumstances in air traffic was noted at the meeting. This issue became more topical after the events on the border of Pakistan and India on February 27-28, 2019, when Pakistan closed its airspace. During this period, the need for efficient air traffic flow management has greatly increased. World ATM Congress is the world's largest international air traffic management exhibition and conference attracting about 10.000 people each year. Azeraeronavigation Air Traffic Control Department (AZANS) under Azerbaijan Airlines provides safety of flights in the Republic of Azerbaijan's airspace. During the daily period AZANS supports more than 500 flights, 300 of which are transit flights over Azerbaijan. EUROCONTROL is an intergovernmental organization with 41 Member States and 2 States with special agreements. Together with its partners, EUROCONTROL intends to create a Single European Sky, ensuring the efficiency of air traffic. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz By Abdul Kerimkhanov The richest cultural and historical heritage of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan create a favorable basis for enhancing the cooperation of the parties in the field of tourism. Uzbekistan will establish cooperation ties with partners from Azerbaijan in the field of tourism, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan Sherzod Feyziyev said at a joint event organized by the Uzbek embassy in Baku and the Azerbaijani travel agency "My Travel", Trend reports on March 13. To a considerable extent, the development of tourism in Uzbekistan will be facilitated by the establishment of cooperation ties with partners from Azerbaijan. The first step in this direction should be the establishment of the Embassys cooperation with "My Travel," with which a work plan for 2019 was signed. The purpose of the event was to demonstrate the ongoing large-scale reforms in the tourism sector in Uzbekistan, providing information about the rich history and unique culture of the country, as well as opportunities for tourists. The last two years large reforms have been carried out in Uzbekistan, which affect almost all spheres of society. The area of tourism and all areas related to this area are recognized by the state as the most important priority, which has been given the status of a strategic sector of the economy. In the framework of the existing potential implementation, only in the past two years, 55 regulatory documents regulating the sphere of tourism were signed. These documents identify priorities for solving the problems accumulated in the industry, increasing tourism potential, including the promotion of pilgrim tourism, as well as the provision of many benefits and preferences for market participants. The revolutionary step was the decision related to the establishment of a visa-free regime for citizens of most countries of the world, simplification of the procedure for issuing, as well as the introduction of electronic visas. Thus, citizens of 64 states can visit Uzbekistan without visas, citizens of 101 states arriving in transit are allowed visa-free entry and temporary residence, citizens of 127 states have the opportunity to receive e-visas, the consideration period of which is two working days from 2018. Uzbekistan is located in the "heart" of Central Asia and has tremendous opportunities in the field of tourism. The country has 7,300 cultural heritage sites, which is more than 90 percent of all historical monuments in the region (more than 4,000 archaeological sites and 2,000 architectural sites). More than 500 of them are included in tourist routes. Monuments in Bukhara, Samarkand, Khiva and Shahrisabz should be mentioned among the main pearls. The implementation of a large number of activities contributed to a sharp increase in the attractiveness of Uzbekistan for tourists. If in 2017, as many as 2.6 million tourists entered Uzbekistan, in 2018 their total number increased to 5.3 million (a 99 percent increase). By 2025, it is expected that the number of tourists will increase to 9 million. A huge number of world-class travel agencies and magazines highly appreciate the development of tourism in Uzbekistan. Among them are such giants as Travel + Leisure, National Geographic, Gallup, Solo Travel Safety Report and Lonely Planet. Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan were established on October 2, 1995. At present, over 30 companies with Uzbek capital operate in transit, trade, industry and service sectors in Azerbaijan. Today, Uzbekistan supplies vehicles to Azerbaijan, non-ferrous metals, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, electrical and mechanical appliances, agricultural products. It also provides transportation, tourism and other services. Azerbaijan exports mechanical equipment, confectionery, various organic and chemical compounds, tanning and coloring extracts to Uzbekistan. --- Abdul Kerimkhanov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @AbdulKerim94 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Oil prices edged higher on Tuesday, supported by signs of tightening global supply after a Saudi official said the kingdom plans to cut oil exports in April, while the U.S. government reduced its forecast for domestic crude output growth. As Reuters writes in the article Oil edges higher on cuts to Saudi exports, oil prices edged higher on Tuesday, supported by signs of tightening global supply after a Saudi official said the kingdom plans to cut oil exports in April, while the U.S. government reduced its forecast for domestic crude output growth. Crude has been supported since the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, including Russia, returned to supply cuts as of Jan. 1. The group, known as OPEC+, agreed to reduce supply by 1.2 million bpd for six months. Saudi Arabia has voluntarily cut its supply by more than the deal requires and in April will keep output well below 10 million bpd, the Saudi official said - less than the 10.311 million bpd the kingdom had agreed to pump. On Sunday, Saudi oil minister Khalid al-Falih said it would be too early to change OPEC+ output policy at the groups meeting in April. The United Arab Emirates in February exceeded its OPEC target for oil output cuts, achieving 119 percent of its goal, the countrys energy minister said on Tuesday at an energy conference. A host of involuntary supply curbs in OPEC members, caused by unrest in Libya and U.S. sanctions on Iran and Venezuela, have also boosted prices. In addition, Venezuelas state-run oil firm PDVSA has been unable to resume crude exports from its primary port since a power outage last week, people familiar with the matter said on Monday. In the United States, domestic crude production is expected to grow more slowly than previously anticipated in 2019, averaging about 12.3 million bpd, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said. Part of the pushback against OPEC+ efforts has been this idea of unrelenting growth in U.S. oil production, primarily shale. The EIA report reined some of that in, and the report was supportive in that respect, said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital LLC in New York. However, the EIA cut its 2019 world oil demand growth forecast by 40,000 bpd to 1.45 million bpd. U.S. crude inventories fell by 2.6 million barrels in the week to March 8 to 449 million, the American Petroleum Institute industry group said on Tuesday. Analysts had expected an increase of 2.7 million barrels. President of the Russian State University for the Humanities, member of the Council of the Russian Historical Society (RHS) Yefim Pivovar told Vestnik Kavkaza about the RHS projects. - What kind of projects is the Russian Historical Society working on? - We have many such projects, and I will tell you only about those that evoked a wide response. There were many projects related to the centenary of the beginning and end of the First World War. Through the Russian Historical Society's efforts a monument to soldiers of the First World War was erected on Poklonnaya Hill. Many works have been published related to the history of the war, which grew into the history of revolution and civil war in our country. The second project - a century of 1917-1920 events in Russia - was in the focus of many exhibitions, international conferences, publications, forums, which were held under the auspices of the Russian Historical Society. Now, work is under way on the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the countries of Eastern Europe from fascism. This coincides with other anniversaries - the start of the Second World War in 1939, the background of those events, the Munich Agreement. Under the auspices of the Russian Historical Society, a number of exhibitions dedicated the Munich agreements were prepared. We are also faced with the task of holding the next anniversary of Victory. There are still a number of projects associated with our great writers - Pushkin, Krylov, Turgenev. The 2019th is declared the Year of the Theater, so we will also pay attention to the history of theater. Everything that I have mentioned will be implemented in several areas. These are international conferences, meetings with colleagues from other countries, activities of international commissions and bilateral commissions. We have a lot of historians, archivists, so we will hold various documentary and art exhibitions, museum exhibitions. We will publish monographs, collections of documents. Many documentary collections and unique publications received the support of the Russian Historical Society or were initiated by it. We work in areas into which historians are somehow 'drawn': these are universities, including the Russian State University for the Humanities, archives, museums, libraries, and schools. The Russian Historical Society holds contests among history teachers, supports contests among schoolchildren. Now, we are engaged in the preparation of two important events - the dictation dedicated to the Victory and the historical dictation. Now the programs of these two events, which will be implemented this year, are being developed. - What projects does the Russian Historical Society implement together with the CIS countries? - The priority projects include the study of foreign countries in the post-Soviet space, diasporas, of the Eurasian project. The Department of History of the CIS countries at Moscow State University and the Department of Post-Soviet near abroad studies of RSUH operate thanks to the support of RHS. The Institute of Post-Soviet and Interregional Studies of the RSUH holds a number of seminars and conferences, supported in the CIS countries - Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Moscow with the involvement of our colleagues from these countries, they are supported by RHS grants. With Azerbaijan, we are preparing a special volume titled 'Azerbaijan studies'. I hope that it will be ready by the end of this year, and we will present it both in Moscow and Baku. We want to do this in Moscow in December, and in Baku in January next year. The book will have a whole section devoted to the relations of Russian and Azerbaijani economies. It will also have sections devoted to the history of the Azerbaijani oil industry, the history and culture of Azerbaijan from ancient times to present day, in addition, there will be a whole range of materials devoted to modern political life in Azerbaijan, the republic's foreign and domestic policies. Kern's economy by the numbers In an event replete with charts and figures, a few numbers stood out at Wednesday's Kern County Economic Summit: 2 to 2: The percentage rate at which the U.S. economy will likely grow this year, according to Beacon Economics founder Christopher Thornberg and Bank of America Private Bank executive Charles Simonds. 39.8: The percent rate of payroll growth in the southern Central Valley between 1995 and 2015, according to Thornberg, who said the Bay Area's corresponding rate during that time was 23.6 percent, while that of Los Angeles was 27 percent. 53: The percent of Kern residents who can afford to buy a home in the county, as compared with 28 percent statewide, according to the California Association of Realtors. John Cox can be reached at 661-395-7404. Follow him on Twitter: @TheThirdGraf. Sign up at Bakersfield.com for free newsletters about local business. Turkey's Foreign Ministry said that the European Parliament's vote was "meaningless" for Ankara and described it as "far from objectivity". "European Parliament's stance against Turkey should be to promote ties, interaction and dialogue between Turkey and EU," Anadolu Agency cited the ministry as saying. On March 13, the European Parliament voted against Turkey's EU accession negotiations and called on the European countries to formally suspend the process. A total of 370 members of the EP voted in favor of the decision to suspend Turkey's EU negotiations while 109 voted against and 143 abstained from voting. Turkey's ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party spokesman Omer Celik said that the European Parliament's vote to suspend Turkey's EU accession process is "worthless" for Turkey. "This disrespectful decision shows European Parliament's far-right ideological tendency," he wrote on Twitter. Gary Fountain, For the Chronicle / Gary Fountain/For the Chronicle Gary Fountain, For the Chronicle / Gary Fountain/For the Chronicle Gary Fountain, For the Chronicle / Gary Fountain/For the Chronicle 6th Annual Celebr8ion of Beer 8th Wonder Brewerys birthday bash will feature live music, food trucks and plenty of fun. When: 2-10 p.m. Saturday Where: 2202 Dallas Details: $35-100; 8thwonder.com NEW FILMS: 'Captive State,' 'Wonder Park' Flea by Night Market features vintage, handmade, recycled, repurposed and renewed goods for sale, as well as live music and food trucks. When: 6-10 p.m. Saturday Where: Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney Details: discoverygreen.com Elias String Quartet: Purcell, Britten, Schubert Performance will include Fantasias by 17th-century English composer Henry Purcell and Quartet No. 2 in C Major, Op. 36 by 20th-century composer, conductor and pianist Edward Benjamin Britten, along with String Quartet in A Minor, D. 804, Rosamunde by Franz Schubert. When: 7:30 p.m. Monday Where: The Menil Collection, 1533 Sul Ross Details: $60; dacamera.com Tour de Houston Annual bike ride to raise funds for citys reforestation efforts. When: 7:30 a.m. Sunday Where: Hermann Square at City Hall, 901 Bagby Details: $20-$45; houstontx.gov/tourdehouston Noon Lecture Giant: The Making of a Legendary American Film Don Graham, professor from the University of Texas at Austin, will share stories from his book about the film Giant. A narrative of the making of the classic film, marking the rise of America as a superpower, the ascent of Hollywood celebrity and the flowering of Texas culture as mythology. When: Noon- 1 p.m. Thursday Where: The Heritage Society Museum, 1100 Bagby Details: $5; heritagesociety.org Hanif Abdurraqib Author will discuss and sign Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to A Tribe Called Quest. When: 7 p.m. Thursday Where: Brazos Bookstore, 2421 Bissonnet Details: brazosbookstore.com SPRING GUIDE: If it's spring, it's time for an outdoor festival guide Keels & Wheels Uncorked A fundraiser event for Todays Harbor for Children. Guests are invited to sip, eat and mingle alongside radio host Sam Malone and retired American astronaut Walter Cunningham. When: 7-10 p.m. Thursday Where: Lone Star Flight Museum, 11551 Aerospace Details: $75-$100; keels-wheels.com/content/uncorked_event/uncorked_event St. Patricks Day Events St. Patricks Day Festival Three-day festival features crawfish, live music and green beer. When: 3 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday Where: Pub Fiction, 2303 Smith Details: facebook.com/events/333214117301256 Lucky Charm 5K A 5K run at Mos Irish Pub, followed by a post-race party with food, drinks and music. When: 7:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday Where: Mos Irish Pub-Katy, 23511 Interstate 10 W., Katy Details: $15-$45; facebook.com/events/1242146599272384 St. Patricks Day Weekend A parking lot party with live music, bagpipes, green beer and BBQ. When: 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday Where: Pimlico Irish Pub, 810 Waugh Details: facebook.com/events/324968378128168 McGonigels Mucky Duck Enjoy Irish food, drinks, bagpipers and live music while the little ones enjoy a tea party and arts and crafts. When: 11 a.m. Saturday and noon Sunday Where: 2425 Norfolk Details: $15-$75; mcgonigels.com AT HOUSTON'S WORTHAM THEATER: Ukulele Orchestra is no joke. See for yourself 60th Annual St. Patricks Day Parade St. Patricks Day celebration will begin with a parade and continue to Market Square Park with food, lawn games and free live music from local Celtic rock band Murder the Stout. When: Noon Saturday Where: Begins on Congress Details: marketsquarepark.com Luck of the Irish Boat Ride Enjoy light bites and tasty brews from Saint Arnolds Brewery on a boat tour around Houstons historic waterway. When: 6-7:30 p.m. Saturday Where: Allen's Landing, 1001 Commerce Details: $40; buffalobayou.org/event/luck-of-the-irish-boat-ride-2 St. Patricks Day Festival 2019 Event features three stages of live music, costumes, bagpipers, food trucks and green beer. When: 9 a.m. Saturday Where: Luckys Pub, 801 St. Emanuel Details: $10-$100; facebook.com/events/542572879571440 St. Patricks Day Party Event features live music, beer games, special stout beers, commemorative glassware, food and the annual Donegal Beard Growing Competition. When: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday Where: Saint Arnold Brewing Company, 2000 Lyons Details: saintarnold.com/st-patricks-day-party Poitin Irish Feast A family-style Irish feast of food, dessert and cocktails. When: 6 p.m. Sunday Where: Poitin Bar & Kitchen, 2313 Edwards Details: $80; poitinhouston.com PREVIEW: Find fun things to do and see around Houston in our weekly Preview newsletter. Subscribe here. Just last November, Beto ORourkes surprisingly robust but ultimately failed Senate campaign resonated with a slim majority of Jefferson County voters. So when the former El Paso congressman announced Thursday that he will run for president, local Democratic Party leaders got excited all over again. Hes a friend to this area, county Democratic Party chairman Cade Bernsen said. It would be great for him to be president. Im confident he wouldnt forget Southeast Texas. And that could pay off down the road, Bernsen said, perhaps during recovery from the regions next natural disaster. ORourke stayed in touch with him and a few other Southeast Texans during Tropical Storm Harvey and visited peoples homes in the aftermath to understand the destruction first-hand, Bernsen said. But he didnt want cameras or reporters to document the visits, something thats stuck with the local party leader. He did all that stuff outside of the camera shots, Bernsen said. He was not coming down and doing fake photo ops and doing all that stuff for campaign purposes. He wanted people to know he was authentic and actually cared about the area. Jefferson County Clerk Carolyn Guidry, the countys highest-ranking Democrat, considered ORourke a wonderful candidate for Senate and noted that he doesnt meet strangers, a trait that goes far in this area. But Guidry said shell wait to predict his level of success in Southeast Texas until he gives more detail on his presidential platform. ORourke won 50 percent of Jefferson Countys votes in the Senate run, compared to incumbent Republican Ted Cruzs 49.5 percent. The local difference locally was less than 500 votes. ORourke ultimately lost to Cruz by 2.6 percentage points. With nearly a year until the presidential primaries, ORourke and others in the already crowded Democratic field of candidates will have many obstacles to overcome in pursuit of the partys nomination. But he already has enough momentum to catch the attention not only of politicians but also political scientists. ORourke is a candidate that can generate enthusiasm from Democrats in a way that not many other Democrats can, said University of Houston political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus. Despite the fact that there are so many candidates running, hes the kind of candidate that inspires people. Rottinghaus said President Donald Trumps low approval rating with independent voters could be key for an ORourke victory, should he win the partys nomination. If its the case that independents come out in big numbers and Texas Democrats also rally around ORourke, it could be a game-changer for the Democrats and its all because of Donald Trumps unpopularity, he said. Cruz was unpopular, but that was intensified by Donald Trump being in the White House. ORourke may have a legitimate shot at winning over Jefferson County voters, but its unclear how hell fare with more progressive voters across the country. While in Congress, he joined the New Democratic Coalition, considered a more centrist group than the Congressional Progressive Caucus. He also was one of just 28 Democrats in 2015 to give then-President Barack Obama authority to fast-track negotiations for international free trade deals. He also has not been for Medicare-for-all policies similar to what U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and other Democrats in the field have expressed support for. Even if ORourke loses the Democratic primary, Rottinghaus said his intent to run and the energy its likely to create in the party will be felt down the ballot with wins for Democrats in local races, similar to what was seen in 2018. His decision translates to identifying volunteers and financial targets and encouraging good, qualified candidates to run, he said. There was a slate of good candidates that ran in 2018 that wouldnt have if they didnt sense there was some value in running. Thats what ORourke can once again provide. Rottinghaus said state residents should also be prepared to be inundated by even more political advertisements as candidates fight over a state he says nearly counterbalances California in Electoral College votes and could be at play for the first time in some two decades. Jeremy Wallace of the Houston Chronicle contributed. kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/KaitlinBain The man shot by Hardin County sheriffs deputies during a domestic disturbance call Sunday morning has been identified as Michael Terrell McCray, 27, of Sour Lake, the Sheriffs Office said in a news release. A 4-year-old girl shot in the same incident has been released from the hospital, Sheriff Mark Davis added Wednesday. Deputies were called to a home in the 14700 block of Atlantic Road shortly before 10 a.m. Sunday. An earlier news previous release said they found McCray there and learned that a sexual assault had just occurred. The initial release said McCray ran from authorities, drove away and tried to hit the deputy on his way out, before he rammed a patrol car. RELATED: Domestic violence call leads to car chase, 2 shot McCray was then pursued by a second deputy along Texas 105, before returning to the house on Atlantic, the news release said. Once back at the home, McCray reportedly tried to break down the door to get to the woman and children inside, the release said. This prompted the deputies to opened fire, striking McCray and hitting the 4-year-old girl in the leg, according to Davis. McCray remained in a guarded hospital room on Wednesday in stable condition, Davis said. McCray is charged with attempted capital murder of a police officer, evading arrest with a motor vehicle and violation of a protective order, according to the release. Davis said more charges are expected to be filed. The Texas Rangers are investigating the deputies use of force. haley.bruyn@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/HaleyWrites._BE Egypt could replace Austria as the venue for the OPEC-non-OPEC meeting on April 17-18, Egyptian minister of petroleum and mineral resources Tarek El Molla said on the sidelines of the CERAWeek conference in the US city Houston. "Yes, of course, [Egypt is] considering [hosting OPEC-non-OPEC meetings]. Definitely. We are welcoming," El Molla said, when asked whether Cairo considered hosting OPEC-non-OPEC meetings. "It will be our pleasure and honor to welcome the OPEC and non-OPEC countries," Sputnik cited him as saying. OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo said on Monday that Vienna would host the upcoming 17-18 April meeting between OPEC member states and non-cartel producers, as planned. He added that he could not currently say whether Cairo could host future OPEC-non-OPEC meetings. Egypt has the status of an OPEC observer nation. Tarek El Molla said that while Egypt was now considering cutting its oil production, it would not be easy for the country to make this step. An Atlanta teen has pleaded guilty in the 2017 deaths of three pedestrians in Georgia, where two of them were trying to escape Hurricane Irma in Florida. News outlets reported 19-year-old Zoe Reardon was placed on probation for three years and ordered to complete 240 hours of community service after the crash in Woodstock, northwest of Atlanta. WSB reports Reardon's attorney said the girl did not want to put the victims families through a trial. She could have faced 36 months behind bars. NO CHARGES: Texas grand jury clears deputies who fatally shot suspected car thief, 6-year-old boy Twenty-eight-year-old Kaitlin Hunt, 3-month-old Riley Hunt of Port St. Lucie, Florida, and 61-year-old family friend Kathy Deming died after they were hit by Reardons Jeep. Riley Hunt died the night of the Sept. 9, 2017, crash. The adults died several days later in a hospital. Reardon has maintained she never saw the group crossing the road and her defense insisted it was not a case of distracted driving. Still, victims' loved ones asked the judge to hand down the harshest sentence possible. Its ridiculous to say they walked out in front of you. That didnt happen, and you know it didnt happen, said Kathys widow, Mike Deming, during an impact statement. ARRESTED: Graphic video shows local assault suspect strip naked on car Shes a student at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Judge Alan Jordan is allowing her to check in with her probation officer from Texas. Youre pretty young, Jordan told Reardon during sentencing. Youve got a lifetime ahead of you. I expect this is something youre going to have a hard time dealing with the rest of your life. Reardon apologized in court Monday. I want to take this opportunity to say how truly sorry I am, she cried. The staff of the Armenian National Assembly will have to pay fines for being late and leaving their workplaces before the due time, Harparak newspaper reports. The fine sum will be taken from their salaries. Head of the parliament staff Tigran Galstyan said that the permitted undue tardiness is maximum 15 minutes. This means that it is necessary to come into work no later than at 9:15 and leave the workplace no earlier than at 18:00. Otherwise, it will be necessary to submit a written explanation of tardiness to avoid deductions from wages. The size of the tardiness fine is not set yet, ARKA reported. The parliament personnel enter the building by using special identification cards, which fix the time of arrival and departure. A delegation of 12 French politicians has arrived in Crimea to attend celebrations marking the fifth anniversary of Crimeas reunification with Russia, a senior local lawmaker Alexei Chernyak said. "I have just welcomed a French delegation of 12 people at Simferopols airport. It is led by Thierry Mariani. Leonid Slutsky, chair of the [Russian] State Duma's Foreign Affairs Committee arrived with them," he said. Chernyak views the French politicians visit to Crimea as a milestone event. "It is a very significant visit, some sort of recognition. Let it be within peoples diplomacy, but it is the recognition of Crimea," TASS cited Chernyak as saying. According to him, the French delegations visit proves that "Crimea belongs to Russia and no sanctions can frighten [us]. Foreigners understand this and come here," Chernyak stressed. "It is of importance that the people have come who are convinced that the events which took place five years ago were legitimate and these issues are not a matter for discussion." DALLAS (AP) Dr. Albert Karam knows how important vaccines are for children. He's seen firsthand how immunizations virtually eradicated measles, the disease that made him seriously ill as a child in the 1960s. While sick with measles, he recalled, he screamed and cried whenever someone turned on the lights, and his skin darkened from hemorrhaging. "I never, ever, ever want to see another measles case again," he said last month at a news conference highlighting the importance of immunizing children. READ ALSO: First measles case diagnosed in San Antonio Karam's Dallas pediatrics office has a policy of not taking unvaccinated patients. It's something he firmly believes in he said he can't risk unimmunized children spreading illness to infants too young to have been inoculated. He has had the policy since he started his practice in 1985, he said. Now, he sees more of his peers turning away unvaccinated patients a policy that gained acceptance by the American Academy of Pediatrics a few years ago. See the most unvaccinated places in Texas in the slideshow above Dallas-area pediatricians tell The Dallas Morning News they've found that more and more parents want to be certain their children won't be in a waiting room with children who haven't had their shots, especially in light of recent measles outbreaks around Texas. Some pediatricians have long-standing policies of not accepting patients who refuse to vaccinate their children. The website of Pediatricians of Dallas, where Dr. Chafen Hart practices, includes a strongly worded policy stating that its doctors may ask parents to find a new health care provider if they refuse to vaccinate their children. By not inoculating their children, the policy reads, parents are "taking selfish advantage of thousands of others who do vaccinate their children." Hart said the policy, which has been in place about 10 years, is strongly worded because the office's pediatricians passionately believe that vaccinating children is the right thing to do. She said she believes more doctors are adopting similar policies because "more patients are also demanding that we do." And while ready availability of Pediatricians of Dallas' policy on its website helps vaccine-conscious parents select an office, it also serves as a warning to anti-vaxxers that they're not welcome. Karam said parents who use his practice rarely refuse to vaccinate their child, perhaps because he's gained a reputation as a doctor who won't tolerate it. Plus, the anti-vaccine crowd can easily go online to find lists of doctors who are not "vaccine friendly." Some physicians accept unvaccinated families with an expectation that they'll be able to change their mind over time, said Dr. Jason Terk, a pediatrician with Cook Children's in Keller who is chair of the Texas Medical Association's Council on Legislation. RELATED: Texas No. 1 'hotspot' for vaccine exemptions The Texas Medical Association doesn't have a policy on whether doctors should or shouldn't dismiss families that refuse to vaccinate, but Terk said he has had a policy against accepting unimmunized patients for years "since before it became popular," he joked. "My first duty is to the patients who currently exist in my practice, and I have to be able to provide them with an environment that is safe," he said. Lately, he said, many more prospective patients are asking whether his practice takes unvaccinated patients before they decide to commit to a pediatrician. "The tide is sort of turning toward people who really want practices who they know are going to be safe places to go," he said. Doctors disagree Before 2016, the American Academy of Pediatrics discouraged dismissing families that refuse to vaccinate. But that changed after pediatricians spoke out, asking for the academy to support pediatricians who bar unvaccinated patients, said Dr. Sean O'Leary, who serves on the academy's committee on infectious diseases. Now, the American Academy of Pediatrics' official stance is that physicians "may consider dismissal of families who refuse vaccination as an acceptable option," but they shouldn't make that decision lightly or without respecting the parent's point of view. When O'Leary discussed years ago with his colleagues what their policy would be on accepting unvaccinated patients, they decided to allow them at their practice. But that conversation could've gone differently "if we had a bunch of parents in our practice saying, 'I like you guys and all, but if you're going to accept nonvaccinators in your practice ... I'm going to find a practice that doesn't,'" O'Leary said. O'Leary, who along with his colleagues published a 2015 paper examining characteristics of physicians who dismiss families for refusing vaccines, said there can be disagreements among doctors about how to handle these situations. Some doctors, including Karam and Hart, will agree to take on parents who want their child's immunizations to be spread out over a certain period of time. Karam said there's no truth to the idea that the vaccine schedule recommended by medical officials "overwhelms" a child's immune system, but he's willing to work with those parents. "That's not ideal, but it's better than nothing," he said. "I can live with that. We're going to get them vaccinated and safe." Other doctors won't allow departures from the vaccine schedule. Some will only turn away new patients who refuse to immunize, and some will take it a step further and dismiss existing families if they won't vaccinate their children. But some doctors disagree, arguing that what is best for the children is to keep them in the practice, where the pediatrician can ensure they still get proper care and work to persuade the parents to vaccinate their children, O'Leary said. "We don't really know when parents are sort of confronted with this policy," he said. "Do they go ahead and decide to get the child vaccinated, or do they just not end up seeing a pediatrician?" To O'Leary, there's no clear answer on whether physicians should ban unvaccinated patients from their practices. He said he's seen people "in good conscience" make decisions on both sides of the issue. Where does vaccine hesitancy come from? Experts say the anti-vaccine movement began with the publication of a now-discredited study by former doctor Andrew Wakefield that linked the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine with the development of autism in children. READ ALSO: One Texas city has the lowest rate of measles vaccinations among young children The study was retracted in 2010, but the damage had been done, said Dallas County's new health director, Dr. Philip Huang. "There was a good decade over a decade of misinformation out there that spread and propagated and magnified," Huang said. Anti-vaccine propaganda spreads easily on social media platforms such as Facebook, where The Atlantic found that seven anti-vax pages were responsible for the spread of 20 percent of the top 10,000 vaccination posts on the platform from January 2016 through February. Pinterest recently cut off search results for the words "vaccine" and "anti-vax" in an effort to stop the spread of misinformation, according to The New York Times. Search for those words on the app, and nothing shows up. When Hart sees vaccine-hesitant parents, particularly those influenced by misinformation they've seen online, she'll often share a story about vaccinating her own children, she said. "I have a little bit of a pedestal I get on, because my oldest is autistic, and when he was diagnosed I had my second child," she said. "I still vaccinated her exactly according to the CDC schedule, because I felt that strongly that vaccines had nothing to do with my son's diagnosis." Hart said she's able to counsel most of those parents and convince them that they should vaccinate. But she deals with the questions constantly. She said every two to three days, she'll interact with a parent who either wants to forgo vaccines entirely or wants to space out vaccinations rather than follow the recommended schedule from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite disagreements over vaccines and even disagreements among pediatricians on whether they should treat unimmunized patients, doctors stressed that there's a common goal between physicians and parents: to do the right thing for children. "Pediatricians are doing their best they went into the specialty to take care of children," O'Leary said. And he said parents, whether they want to space out vaccinations or go without them, truly believe they're doing the right thing for their child. "They're doing it based on misinformation and myths, but they're doing what they think is best," he said. Measles in Texas Texas has already seen 11 cases of measles this year, including one in Collin County and one in Denton County. He said we're a "victim of our own success" when it comes to measles. Before the vaccine was developed, 450 to 500 people died every year from the highly contagious disease. After the vaccine, deaths from measles dropped dramatically. Because the vaccine was so effective, there's been a drop in public consciousness of the severity of measles, he said. Huang said Dallas County has room for improvement when it comes to vaccine coverage: 65.6 percent of children in the county are up to date on immunizations, per data from a 2017 survey. That highlights the importance of making sure children get vaccinated, he said. "The consequences can be very severe, and people forget about how severe they used to be," Huang said. Bob Sanborn, president and CEO of Children at Risk, a nonprofit that advocates for children, attributed the return of measles to more kids not being immunized against the disease. When parents pay attention to anti-vaccine misinformation, they're "dead wrong," he said at a news conference in February. "If someone has misled you to say that your children are not safe if they take a vaccine, of course as a parent you want to listen, because you want your children to be safe," Sanborn said. "But what we're here to say is you've been misled if you believe this, and it's your duty as a parent it's your duty as a Texan, in a sense not only to immunize your own children, but to make sure that all children are safe," he said. ___ Information from: The Dallas Morning News, http://www.dallasnews.com This is an AP Member Exchange shared by The Dallas Morning News. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has met with President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, who is attending the 7th Global Baku Forum. First, the sides held a one-on-one meeting. They then were joined by their delegations for a meeting in an expanded format. The sides exchanged views on Azerbaijani-Afghan relations, as well as prospects for development of economic cooperation between the two countries. After which bilateral documents then were signed. Dean Crooks shouldnt have sought the post of Orange County judge unless he was prepared to fully commit to this important responsibility. He clearly didnt have what it takes for a position of this magnitude, and residents need a real leader at the top of county government. In reading his resignation letter to Commissioners Court on Wednesday, Crooks lamented that the debate over the size and scope of tax incentives to lure a potential chemical plant to town has become argumentative and ugly. No one likes that, but if you run and win office, you have to understand that it can get rough at times. Quitting at the first major confrontation is bizarre and indefensible. Crooks is out of the picture, but the challenge facing the county remains. It must pursue the Chevron Phillips plant in a responsible way, neither giving away too much nor conceding too little. A $5.6 billion plant would be huge for Harris County. For Orange County, struggling for years with flat population and economic growth, it would be a game-changer. The county should not let this prize slip away because of political bickering. That doesnt mean tax abatements should be rubber-stamped. They should be thoroughly debated every time they are proposed. The process can operate to the advantage of big companies and at the expense of residents and smaller businesses. County officials must keep this in mind even though the competition for a plant like this can be fierce. Louisiana, for example, will offer 10 years of abatement for almost any big project. Company officials know that these incentives are out there, and you cant blame them for going after them. The only real way to change this dynamic would be with state or federal laws that limited tax abatement to economically distressed areas, but thats not on the horizon. Orange County has to play the cards that are dealt now to the maximum benefit for its residents. The plant would be a good fit for Orange County, complementing Chevrons existing operation on FM 1006 to produce ethylene, the building block of most plastics. It could bring 300 to 500 good-paying permanent jobs to the county, a boost that would be invaluable. The hundreds of construction jobs would also bring a lot of spending money into the county. Opportunities like this come by once in a generation, if that. There has to be a fair agreement that would put it in Orange County. County officials should craft the best one possible and present it to Chevron Phillips. Here are four joint venture ASCs opened or announced in February: Steamboat Springs, Colo.-based providers UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center and Steamboat Orthopaedic & Spine Institute are collaborating on an orthopedic ASC project. Raleigh, N.C.-based Compass Surgical Partners opened Skyway Surgery Center in St. Petersburg, Fla., in partnership with a group of independent neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons and pain management specialists. New York's Public Health and Health Planning Council approved OrthoNY, Albany ENT & Allergy Services PC, and St. Peter's Hospital's plan to build an $8.4 million outpatient surgery center. All organizations are based in Albany, N.Y. Boston-based Brigham Health and South Weymouth, Mass.-based South Shore Health System are collaborating on a medical building development as part of a $1.6 billion redevelopment in Quincy, Mass. Two Kansas hospitals owned by Kansas City, Mo.-based EmpowerHMS have closed in recent weeks with little notice to employees or local officials, according to KCUR. Horton (Kan.) Community Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital, closed March 12. The hospital, which faced financial challenges for months, was nearly 30 days behind on payroll when it shut down. Horton Community Hospital closed just weeks after Oswego (Kan.) Community Hospital abruptly shut down. In a statement announcing the closure, the board said Oswego Community Hospital wasn't bringing in enough revenue to cover payroll and other expenses. A spokesperson for Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt told KCUR that Horton Community Hospital is being investigated by the attorney general's office. The Kansas attorney general has also launched an investigation into Oswego Community Hospital, according to The Morning Sun. Until recently, Horton Community Hospital and Oswego Community Hospital had been owned and operated by EmpowerHMS. In January, EmpowerHMS transferred management of 13 of its hospitals to Miami-based iHealthcare, according to KCUR. However, EmpowerHMS is still responsible for fulfilling the hospitals' financial obligations, including payroll and other operating expenses. More articles on healthcare finance: Trinity Health posts $301M loss in first half of fiscal year Private equity pushes into healthcare: 11 latest deals Financial troubles force Oklahoma hospital to hold food drives to feed patients Community Medical Center Long Beach (Calif.), which closed July 3, is on track to reopen after city council members approved an interim lease and tentative operating agreement March 12, according to local television station NBC4. The agreement comes after months of negotiations between the hospital's operator, Molina, Wu, Network, and the city of Long Beach. The two parties had been in exclusive negotiations since June over the lease agreement for Community Medical Center's property. A key sticking point that delayed an agreement surrounded who will pay to retrofit the hospital to meet California's seismic standards. Under the new agreement, the network and city will jointly operate the hospital as a public-private partnership, according to NBC4. Brandon Dowling, communications director of Pacific6 Enterprises, which is part of the network, told NBC4 that MWN will provide up to $25 million in initial costs to retrofit the hospital so it can reopen. The city also agreed to pay up to $25 million. Mr. Dowling said the network has also agreed to pay up to an additional $40 million for deferred maintenance, necessary equipment, operating capital and any additional seismic retrofit costs. Community Medical Center is expected to reopen with about 200 employees. It will feature a full-service emergency room, outpatient surgery department, radiology services, a behavioral health unit and a gastrointestinal lab. Mr. Dowling said the network plans to hire many staff who previously worked at the site. More articles on healthcare finance: Medicare public option would 'compound financial stresses' of hospitals, industry report says Most Trump Medicare cuts would affect health providers not seniors, analysis shows Progress slow in adopting population health finance models, survey finds About 12 a.m. EST, Facebook users were able to regain access to their social media accounts after a 14-hour outage, according to CNN. The outage was the longest in Facebook's 15 years, USA Today reports, and it spanned across the social network's family of sites, including Instagram and WhatsApp. On March 13, Facebook users began reporting problems at 11:56 a.m., according to Buzzfeed News. Facebook officially filed a bug report at 3:32 p.m., citing "increased error rates." "We are currently experiencing issues that may cause some [application programming interface] requests to take longer or fail unexpectedly. We are investigating the issue and working on a resolution," the report said, according to Buzzfeed News. In a tweet, Facebook attributed the outage to a "service configuration change." "Yesterday, as a result of a server configuration change, many people had trouble accessing our apps and services. We've now resolved the issues and our systems are recovering. Were very sorry for the inconvenience and appreciate everyones patience." Some users saw "required maintenance" messages during the outage. Others were simply unable to access Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp for hours. Quickly, rumors began to swirl that the outage was caused by a distributed denial-of-service attack, which occurs when hackers flood a company's network. Facebook denied the rumors in a tweet that "the issue is not related to a DDoS attack," according to CNN. Facebook has not released additional information about the outage. Network intelligence company ThousandEyes suggested the outage was internal. "We saw '500 internal server errors' from Facebook. Given the sheer scale and continuous changes that these web scale providers are constantly making to their applications and infrastructure, sometimes things break as a result of these changes, even in the most capable hands," Alex Henthorn-Iwane, ThousandEyes' vice president of product marketing told Buzzfeed News. Editors note: Beckers updated this story at 1 pm CST to include the tweet from Facebook about the cause of the outage. Subra Sripada brings years of health IT leadership experience to his role as executive vice president and CIO of Southfield, Mich.-based Beaumont Health. Mr. Sripada previously served as CIO and chief administrative officer at Beaumont Health System, Beaumont Health's previous organization before merging with Oakwood Healthcare in Dearborn, Mich., and Farmington Hills, Mich.-based Botsford Health Care in 2014. Prior to joining Beaumont in 2008, Mr. Sripada gained business strategy experience after serving in a leadership role with PricewaterCoopers, a global management consulting firm. In the position, Mr. Sripada consulted on health IT and business strategy in both the U.S. and internationally. He is also a member of the College of Health Information Management Executives. Mr. Sripada earned his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Osmania University in Hyderabad, India, and his master's degree in industrial and systems engineering from Manhattan-based Kansas State University. Here, he discusses how he allocates Beaumont Health's IT budget and the artificial intelligence project he's excited to explore in 2019. Editor's note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length. Question: What does your health IT budget look like this year? Is it trending up or down over previous years? Subra Sripada: As part of our merger, we consolidated our core systems and rationalized the application portfolio along with eliminating duplicative infrastructure. This resulted in reductions to our budget. Now that most of these efforts are behind us, our budget is at a reduced run rate. While the overall spend has flatlined, we budget synergies each year with which we accommodate year-over-year cost increases to the IT budget. Q: How are you allocating the budget? What difference is there this year compared to previous years? SS: We made significant investments in consolidating our core systems in the past three years along with cybersecurity. While we still have some consolidation activity underway, our investments are focused on those components that drive enhancements to our care model and help us on our journey of being the best at delivering patient and family-centered care. Q: What projects are you most excited about for 2019? SS: In 2018, we worked with an AI and machine learning startup company to automate discovery of savings opportunities in drug use. The pilot was successful beyond our expectations, and we are now gearing up for a full-scale deployment. Piloting the use of this AI/ML platform to our population health efforts for more effective pattern recognition, and thereby effective care management, is an exciting prospect we will be exploring in 2019. Additionally, we launched a unified communications tool at our second largest hospital in 2018. The goal was to enable more real-time communications and collaboration among care teams. Our solution offers patient information, patient alarms, central telemetry monitoring unit alerts and texting and voice capabilities through shared smartphones. We have also adopted the use of [bring your own devices] for communication devices that care givers use. Nurses also use these devices for selective documentation along with using the phones as scanners for bar code medication administration. I am excited to roll this out to the rest of our hospitals in 2019. CIOs' growing involvement with company business strategy has supported the increase of mergers and acquisitions among global enterprise software companies, according to The Wall Street Journal. In 2018, disclosed deals for enterprise software firms totaled $182.2 billion, according to acquisition advisory firm Hampleton Partners' recent analysis, The Wall Street Journal reports. Five of the most expensive transactions in 2018 included IBM's $34 billion acquisition of open-source cloud software vendor Red Hat and the nearly $7 billion athenahealth acquisition by Veritas Capital, a private equity firm, and Evergreen Coast Capital, an affiliate of hedge fund Elliott Management. The increasing number of mergers and acquisitions is a result of a "buy rather than build approach" that IT and software companies have taken on to enhance their services, according to the report. The approach has been driven by the evolving CIO role, Chris Pick, chief marketing officer of technology for Apptio, a business management software company, told The Wall Street Journal. CIOs' preference to work with fewer technology vendors to develop more strategic partnerships adds to the increase of M&A activity. Additionally, the executives' expertise in IT services makes them valuable when it comes to combining IT function and business strategy during the M&A process, Mr. Pick said. CIOs can help post-transaction because "organizations need to quickly understand what they have, where it is, who is using it, what vendors are involved and how to optimize the new portfolio," Mr. Pick told The Wall Street Journal. To view the full report, click here. Mike McBride, president and CEO of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System in Baton Rouge, La., is no longer employed with the organization, according to The Advocate. Four notes: 1. Mr. McBride had served in the organization's top post for a little more than a year. 2. A spokesperson for the system told The Advocate that "[Mr. McBride] and the sisters had a different approach to leading the ministry." The five-hospital system is guided by the Franciscan Sisters. 3. Prior to joining the health system in 2018, Mr. McBride was senior vice president and president of suburban hospitals at CHI St. Luke's Health in Houston. 4. Richard R. Vath, MD, the system's chief transformation officer, will replace Mr. McBride as interim leader of the organization. Last month, Dallas-based Baylor Scott & White Health and Houston-based Memorial Hermann Health System called of their merger, which would have resulted in a 68-hospital system. That is one of several hospital mergers that, at some point in their lifetime, were called off in the past year. Seven hospital mergers called off since March 2018, beginning with the most recent: 1. Centura Health, Community Hospital call off merger talks Community Hospital in Grand Junction, Colo., and Centura Health in Centennial, Colo., discontinued merger discussion in March, roughly four months after signing a letter of intent to combine their organizations. Although the organizations ended formal merger discussions, they remain open to exploring ways to partner in the future. 2. Illinois hospitals end merger talks Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka, Ill., and Riverside Healthcare in Kankakee, Ill., ended merger discussions in February. However, officials said they would continue to collaborate on ways to best serve patients in Iroquois County. 3. Baylor Scott & White, Memorial Hermann end merger talks Baylor Scott & White Health and Memorial Hermann Health System decided to discontinue merger discussions in February, roughly four months after signing a letter of intent to combine their organizations. Baylor Scott & White and Memorial Hermann did not cite a specific reason for ending merger talks. "Ultimately, we have concluded that as strong, successful organizations, we are capable of achieving our visions for the future without merging at this time," the systems said in a joint statement. 4. Maryland hospitals call off merger negotiations Baltimore-based LifeBridge Health and Elkton, Md.-based Union Hospital of Cecil County ended merger negotiations in December 2018. Uncertainty about Union Hospital's future revenue under Maryland's hospital reimbursement system was the primary reason merger talks ended. 5. Cone Health, Randolph Health merger is off Asheboro, N.C.-based Randolph Health and Greensboro, N.C.-based Cone Health ended their merger plans in May 2018. "This was a difficult decision, but one that we believe to be in the best long-term interests of Cone Health," Cone Health CEO Terry Akin said in a press release issued May 31. "After much consideration, we found that combining our organizations would require that many current and future Cone Health priorities and projects would need to be scaled back or put on hold. Cone Health's overall strategic commitments and our current competitive environment do not give us the latitude to move forward with Randolph health at the present time." 6. Rush axes merger with 272-bed Chicago hospital Rush, an academic health system in Chicago, and Evergreen Park, Ill.-based Littler Company of Mary Hospital and Health Care Centers canceled their merger plan in April 2018. The organizations mutually agreed to back out of the nonbinding agreement they entered into in October 2017. 7. Atrium Health suspends merger negotiations with UNC Health Care Charlotte, N.C.-based Atrium Health and Chapel Hill, N.C.-based UNC Health Care suspended merger discussions in March 2018. "We have agreed that the best path forward for both organizations is to identify specific opportunities to work together, as we have previously, to improve healthcare across the state and region," UNC Health Care said in a statement to Becker's Hospital Review on March 2, 2018. "Though we will not form a joint operating company, UNC Health Care and Atrium Health will continue to partner on important issues such as improving rural health care and expanding medical education." More articles on healthcare industry transactions: Rennova acquires Tennessee hospital Bankrupt California hospital chain closes $235M sale CHS sells 4 South Carolina hospitals for $176M Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) conducted today massive exercises, involving combat drones flying over the Persian Gulf waters. A total of 50 domestically-built versions of the U.S. RQ-170 Sentinel stealth drones and a number of other combat and assault unmanned aerial vehicles took part in the drills, Mehr News Agency reported. The drones have reportedly taken off from the bases as far as 1,000 km away from the operation zone to hit the target. On 22 February, the Iranian Armed Forces conducted massive naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz that lasted for three days. The manoeuvres covered a total area of 2 million square km across the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean. Humana agreed to pay $500,000 to settle a lawsuit that accused the health insurer of pregnancy discrimination, according to Business Insurance. Humana was sued by a former regional executive who accused the health insurer of violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination and the New Jersey Family Leave Act. After the birth of her child, plaintiff Kate Jenkins took a leave of absence from Humana from November 2014 to Jan. 12, 2015, according to the complaint cited by Business Insurance. Upon her return, Ms. Jenkins claimed her supervisor canceled appointments with her. She was then terminated Jan. 29, 2019, for allegedly violating Humana's policies. The settlement was announced March 8, according to the report. More articles on payers: Kaiser, Moda health plans post multimillion-dollar losses in 2018 5 BCBS plans to combine: 8 things to know Payers drag feet on prior authorization reform, physicians say Minnesota senators advanced a bill that proposes to maintain subsidies for health insurers for three years, according to the Duluth News Tribune. Under the bill, Minnesota would continue to run its reinsurance program. The reinsurance program allows the state to offset costs that health insurers incur when they take on pricier claims. The bill's supporters argue health insurers need to know if the reinsurance program will still be in place to ensure they can accurately set rates for next year. However, opponents of the proposal say Minnesota should quit subsidizing health insurers, and argued the program was intended to be temporary when it launched two years ago. Forty-eight former and current employees at Columbus, Ohio-based Mount Carmel Health System are under review as part of an internal investigation after allegations that a physician ordered fatal doses of pain medication for nearly three dozen patients. In February, Mount Carmel confirmed William Husel, MD, ordered excessive doses of painkillers for at least 34 near-death patients in intensive care. After learning of the medication incidents, Mount Carmel fired Dr. Husel and sent details of its internal investigation to authorities. "Out of an abundance of caution, we have removed all colleagues who were associated with medication administration for an impacted patient," Mount Carmel President and CEO Ed Lamb said in a March 13 statement. "In total, 30 colleagues are on administrative leave, and 18 no longer work for Mount Carmel many of whom left years ago." Mount Carmel also reported the 48 staff members' names to relevant nursing and pharmacy boards. However, Mr. Lamb noted the health system is reviewing employees' actions on a case-by-case basis. "Placing colleagues on administrative leave does not reflect final judgment on their actions," he said. "After a thorough review of each colleague through our fair and just culture process, we anticipate some colleagues may return to work at the appropriate time." Along with placing some colleagues on administrative leave, the health system also named new interim clinical leaders for Columbus-based Mount Carmel West, where Dr. Husel practiced, and its intensive care unit. Michael Bolognesi, MD, became the 29th American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons president at the AAHKS Board of Directors' meeting in Las Vegas. Five insights into Dr. Bolognesi: 1. Dr. Bolognesi holds several titles at Durham, N.C.-based Duke University, where he is a professor of surgery, the chief of the adult reconstruction and the division's fellowship director. 2. He earned his medical degree from and completed his residency at Duke, before completing a fellowship at Salt Lake City-based University of Utah. 3. Dr. Bolognesi is an avid researcher, studying total joint replacement, unicompartmental arthroplasty and revision joint replacement procedure outcomes. He's also an inventor working on technologies to advance the those specialities. 4. He has served AAHKS in many capacities, working on the publications, membership and programs committees. 5. Dr. Bolognesi is a past Journal of Arthroplasty guest editor. The Humanologi Foundation, founded by spine surgeon Steven M. Reich, MD, is partnering with the American Medical Student Association on several initiatives to address physician burnout, centraljersey.com reports. Six things to know: 1. Dr. Reich practices at Affiliated Orthopaedic Specialists in North Brunswick and Manalapan, both in New Jersey. He and his wife established The Humanologi Foundation to promote empathy and compassion in healthcare, and Dr. Reich currently serves as the chair of the American Medical Student Association Advisory Council. 2. To ensure that more students are able to access education and training, Dr. Reich's alma mater, New York City-based Albert Einstein College of Medicine, will provide AMSA membership to all medical students as well as other educational resources, training and programming. 3. The Humanologi Foundation will underwrite a significant portion of the fee associated with a self-awareness assessment, which is available to association members via AMSA. 4. Healthcare advisory firm J3Personica designed the assessment to allow medical students to gain insight into their own tendencies and behaviors in order to better manage stress and develop strategies for career success. 5. The Humanologi Foundation will also fund competitive scholarships for students to participate in the Save a Child's Heart program, which provides heart surgery for children from developing countries, and Shalva, a disability rehabilitation, research and inclusion program for individuals with developmental disabilities. Click here to learn more about the foundation. Russia and Turkey are discussing a "coordination centre" to better manage their operations in Syria's rebel-controlled Idlib province, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said. The minister said that the two sides are determined to expand cooperation in the area, especially after a new agreement was signed with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu early March. "This agreement made things more clear and made it easy to patrol the areas. Now, we are working on a joint coordination center with Russia," Anadolu Agency cited Akar as saying. His remarks came as yesterday Russia hit Idlib in coordination with Turkey, targeting drones and weapons stores of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadists, intended for use in an attack on a major Russian air base near the Mediterranean coast. The call from businesses in Northern Ireland since the vote to leave the EU referendum has been for an end to uncertainty. But now uncertainty has been replaced by hard facts about how much worse it could really get in the event of a no-deal. The plan for avoiding a hard border is to allow for the unhindered, tariff-free flow of goods from the Republic into Northern Ireland on a temporary basis. The Government also published tariffs for products coming into the UK after Brexit, which would apply until a permanent arrangement is in place. The arrangement on the island of Ireland is the UK doing what it can to avoid having to impose checks on the border on goods entering Northern Ireland from the Republic. But while it's positive news for the continued flow of goods across the border out of the province, it places Northern Ireland business and farmers at a distinct competitive disadvantage. Businesses in the Republic will be able to sell goods tariff-free into Northern Ireland but the same will not apply to goods going the other way. The EU will not allow Ireland to reciprocate the arrangement which the UK has presented as a member of the trading bloc cannot set its own trade policy. Government officials acknowledged that businesses and farmers in NI could end up worse off. If the plan is a scare tactic to encourage MPs to vote in favour of the withdrawal agreement if it comes back before the House of Commons for a third time, business in Northern Ireland will not be happy to have been deployed as cannon fodder. But some, including Esmond Birnie, the senior economist at the Ulster Business School, said there could be a potential gain to consumers in Northern Ireland from tariff-free status being extended to a wider range of goods. He said businesses in Northern Ireland which process goods and materials brought over from the border from the Republic could also benefit. And in theory, a dairy business in Northern Ireland could be at a competitive advantage when it comes to winning business in Great Britain, compared to a business in the Republic which will face tariffs. But the Ulster Farmers' Union said it could see no upside to the plans: "The risk is farming becomes a secondary industry in Northern Ireland rather than primary, which has a significant knock-on effect for the rest of NI's economy, especially in rural areas." Andrew Ingredients is a wholesaler in Lisburn that supplies bakery ingredients into the Republic and Britain. The company was founded in 1945. For its director John Graham, the proposals for avoiding a hard border by lifting tariffs for goods coming into Northern Ireland from the Republic are simply "ugly". It imports its supplies from Britain and the European Union, so will face tariffs on its imports. The company employs around 33 people, selling ingredients to the Irish baking industry to customers of all sizes. As a local firm supplying into the Republic, Mr Graham doesn't have much time for the plans announced yesterday, even if the aim of avoiding a hard border is laudable. "I would say it's ill-conceived," he said. "I think that the idea is to try and keep a soft border in Ireland, which is a good thing. But without the reciprocation from the EU to have the same tariff regime for Northern Ireland companies into the south, it's pretty ugly. It's a disadvantage to northern companies." And he disputed the idea that the plan brought only advantages to companies in the Republic. He pointed out that some of the end-products made there for Northern Ireland could be made from goods imported from Britain, and were therefore subject to tariffs. "From the manufacturers' point of view, it's not fair. It's not the right solution," he added. "It's a bit of a false choice and we shouldn't be made to choose between it. It doesn't make sense for UK or EU not to have a deal or a trading relationship. That's what I think should happen. I don't know what the shape of a deal would be, but this is not the way to go, without reciprocation from the EU trade." Brexit is the biggest factor impacting on the confidence of estate agents, according to a survey today citing the UK's exit from the EU as one of the biggest challenges facing the housing market. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Ulster Bank Residential Market Survey for February 2019 revealed that 70% of surveyors in the province regard Brexit uncertainty as the biggest stumbling block for the sector. A lack of stock, quoted by 40% of respondents, and affordability (20%) were also cited as the main issues affecting the industry. Simon Rubinsohn, RICS chief economist, said: "Although activity in the housing market continues to be weighted down by the lack of available stock, changes in the tax regime affecting property, and affordability; feedback to the latest RICS survey makes it pretty clear that the ongoing uncertainty around how Brexit will play out is the critical factor influencing both buyers and sellers. And with little sign that the issue will be resolved anytime soon, it could prove to be a challenging spring for the housing market and the wider economy. "It is clear from professionals working in the market that this environment requires a greater degree of realism from those looking to move. A reluctance from some vendors to acknowledge the shift in the balance of power in the market will compound the difficulty in executing transactions." While the report revealed that NI's "relatively buoyant housing market" has continued to show signs of a slowdown, the province still remains better off than other regions of the UK. The results for February 2019 said Northern Ireland still reported the strongest balance across the UK regions in both categories. The latest Land and Property Services house price figures showed that house prices in NI grew at the highest rate of any other region in the UK in the last year. It said prices in NI increased by 5.5% in the year to December 2018. This compares with a UK average of 2.5%, the UK's lowest annual rate since July 2013. And it revealed at the end of 2018, the average house price in NI was 136,669 while the UK average was 230,776. When broken down, figures showed that Belfast experienced the highest increase in house prices at 7.7% and Mid and East Antrim the lowest at 1.6%. Samuel Dickey, RICS residential property spokesman for NI, said: "As the end of March draws closer, there is clearly some uncertainty, and unsurprisingly, there is some evidence of this in surveyors' near-term expectations. "Despite this though, it is encouraging that surveyor feedback suggests a more positive 12-month outlook and indeed the Northern Ireland housing market currently appears more resilient than other United Kingdom regions." Terry Robb, head of personal banking at Ulster Bank, added: "The Northern Ireland housing market is currently relatively upbeat when compared to other parts of the UK. "However, in the current climate, some buyers and sellers may be erring on the side of caution, seen for instance in the lower levels of new instructions. "Mortgage demand though remains relatively strong, and we continue to see good interest from potential homebuyers and movers." Financial markets are underestimating the risk and potential impact of a hard Brexit, even with just 15 days to go before the UK could crash out of the European Union, the deputy governor of the Irish Central Bank has warned. Ed Sibley, the Central Bank deputy governor responsible for prudential regulation, said Irish banks that came through the crash were now strong enough to withstand what he said could be a major shock. But he added: "As it stands, I don't think a hard Brexit is fully priced in, so there would be inevitably some market dislocation if that's where we emerge in a short number of weeks, or if there is a short delay to that. "That's not to say an economic downturn in the UK and Ireland wouldn't be painful and difficult, but its not to my mind of a scale that would cause us - across the system - financial stability issues." Mr Sibley has ruled himself out of replacing Philip Lane as Central Bank Governor when he goes to the ECB in May. The regulator, who is from England and watching Brexit unfold from Dublin, said: "I am deeply saddened by it (Brexit). I think it is entirely regrettable, albeit understandable in some respects. I think it is to the detriment of the UK and to the detriment of the EU and it's really unfortunate that Ireland is going to suffer collateral damage as a result." However, he thinks the fallout from a hard Brexit would not be made worse by contagion in the banking system looping back into the economy. "That is based on not just the work of the last three years, when we've done a lot of specific work on Brexit, but on the work of the last decade," he said. "One can never be 100% there isn't something that is going to cause a problem, but my view, based on all the work we've done, the analysis we've done and the interventions we've made, is that the financial system shouldn't be a cause of further problems. "It should be operating to continue to serve the needs of the economy and customers, albeit given the level of market disruption that I think a hard Brexit could cause - because it is not priced in - it will be bumpy. "But bumpy in a way that is not catastrophic, as we have seen here before." He said that the bigger issue for Ireland will be the wider economic impacts, including on some vulnerable sectors such as agri-foods and traditional manufacturing that are heavily reliant on exports to the UK. "What I have been very much focused on is to make sure, as much as we can, to mitigate the risks to the financial system, so that the system - as I touched on earlier - is resilient enough to withstand the shock of a hard Brexit and resilient enough to serve what will be acute needs of the economy and customers in that scenario rather than being an extra headache or a cause of problems," Mr Sibley said. A decade ago the global financial crisis triggered a so-called 'doom loop' between banks, the real economy and national governments. "We are in completely different circumstances for the domestic banks than we were a decade or so ago in terms of the level of capital that is in the system. There is three times as much - or more than three times as much - in terms of risk-weighted assets," said Mr Sibley. "Their funding profile is much more deposit-funded than on the wholesale and short-term markets - and so much less vulnerable to a shock - and their business models are different. "They are heavily concentrated in property but more mortgages than commercial real estate, as was the case." Belfast City Council has granted planning approval for 123 new homes in the city, including three modern apartment complexes south of the city centre. The developments, passed by councillors on Tuesday evening, include a 5m apartment project on the site of a derelict former Northern Bank on the Lisburn Road and a similar development to turn a former Belfast School of Music building on Donegall Pass into 23 apartments. In both cases, the old buildings - the former bank at the junction of Tates Avenue and the 19th century school building on Apsley Street known at Porter's Annex - will be demolished. The planning committee also approved 38 new apartments on the Ormeau Road and 39 dwellings in north Belfast. The 7m apartment project brings the total investment on the Ormeau Road by Bristol-based Barnett Developments to 19m. The decision to develop Porter's Annex sees Music Hall Services Ltd finally succeed in securing planning approval. The company, which acquired the site for around 140,000 at auction in 2016, failed on two previous efforts to get its proposal past Belfast City Council and the Planning Appeals Commission. The company has now been given the go-ahead to demolish the two-storey structure and build an apartment building over three and four storeys containing 23 flats. Recommending approval, city council planning officials said: "The approved development will bring a disused unit into use, which will in turn create jobs and investment." On the Lisburn Road, another site which has been vacant for more than a decade is set to be given a new lease of life. The former Northern Bank is to be redeveloped by Clear Rosemount. Its directors include Colin Johnston, who heads the Clear Healthcare pharmacy group. The developers have said they expect between 40 and 50 jobs to be created during the construction phase. The new five-storey building will also bring three new cafe and retail units to the Lisburn Road. In the north of the city, Ballyclare property firm Beechview Developments has been given planning permission to build 30 semi-detached and nine detached houses at Thornberry Road, close to Ligoniel Road. The company is headed by well-known developer Bryan Orr. Chechen leaderships approach to addressing the issue of writing off gas debts in court is not correct, Russian Minister for North Caucasus Affairs Sergei Chebotarev said. "Im aware of the Chechen leaderships arguments and why it is trying to resolve the problem in such a cardinal way. However, this approach does not look correct to me. A dispute between economic entities is not something out of the ordinary, but still such matters are beyond the range of competences of a district court," TASS cited him as saying. The minister recalled that there are local groups managing the fuel and energy complex, which the regional leaders are in charge of. "Thats where the corresponding decisions are to be made. Thats the place where disputes are to be taken instead of litigation in district courts," he believes. "Grozny argues that the mammoth retail debt was accrued during the second military campaign. When the war was over, the Chechen authorities suddenly discovered that the retail consumers owe an awful lot for gas. Then there followed speculations about the statute of limitations, which had long expired," Chebotarev added. Toyota has revealed the UK price and spec for its Camry model, a Ford Mondeo-rivalling large quality saloon. It heralds the end of a 14-year gap as the Camry name returns to the UK and Ireland despite the fact that it was a very well-known brand in these islands in the 1980s and 90s. Despite its (rather inexplicable) absence from these shores, the Camry is actually the worlds best-selling saloon. Toyota pulled the Avensis saloon from the UK market last year due to falling sales, so the return of the Camry is no surprise. The bigger, more luxurious and more technologically-advanced Camry is expected to perform better against big beasts like the all-conquering Ford Mondeo. This is a competitive segment, not least because of its attractions in the important fleet and business markets. At 4885mm long, 1845mm wide and 1445mm tall, the Camry is around the same length as the BMW 5 Series. One big innovation is that UK Camrys will only be offered with hybrid powertrains, a move similar to that offered by sister company Lexus ES model, which competes directly with the BMW 5 Series. With full details still to be announced, we do know that the Camry will be offered for sale in the UK from 29,995 when it goes on sale next month. First deliveries are expected in July. Toyota describes the Camry as a self-charging hybrid saloon. Its the eight-generation model to bear the Camry name, and will, initially at least, be available in two equipment grades Design and Excel. On-the-road prices are 29,995 for the Design version and 31,295 for the Excel. The cars are well specced for the price. The Design model comes as standard with 17-inch nine-spoke alloy wheels, leather upholstery, LED headlights, dual-zone automatic air con, smart entry and push-button start, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. Theres also heated and power-adjustable front seats with lumbar support, seven-inch TFT multi-information display and Toyota Touch 2 multimedia system with seven-inch touchscreen, navigation, Bluetooth and DAB. Toyota Safety Sense active safety systems are also included in the package, comprising Pre-Collision Safety system with pedestrian detection, Adaptive Cruise Control with full speed range following, Lane Departure Alert with steering assist, Road Sign Assist, Sway Warning and Automatic High Beam. The Camry Excel builds on this specification with 18-inch 20-spoke alloys, LED fog lights, LED dual-beam projector headlights, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, wireless charging tray, Intelligent Clearance Sonar and Lane Change Assist. There are five body colour options at launch, including new Platinum White Pearl and Graphite Shadow shades. Camrys hybrid system features a new 2.5-litre self-charging hybrid powertrain that combines fuel efficiency, low emissions and quiet operation with more power and greater responsiveness. It delivers 215bhp/160kW and CO2 emissions from 98 to 101g/km, according to model grade, with combined cycle fuel consumption from 50.5 to 53.3mpg (according to much stricter WLTP data). Toyota retailers are accepting orders for the new Camry from 1 April, with sales and customer deliveries from 1 July. The decision to revive the Camry brand in the UK is interesting. Sales of the Avensis had dipped significantly in the UK, and Toyota obviously believes it has the brand power and customer loyalty to compete in a higher segment. The Camry has sold in impressive numbers around the world including in Europe, the US and Australia since it first emerged in Japan in 1982. The name, incidentally, is an English approximation of the Japanese word for crown, which is part of a long tradition of Toyota names linked to royal titles - for example the Corolla (small crown) and Tiara. The sister of a young man killed on Bloody Sunday said she will fight to her dying day to get justice. Kate Nash described Thursday's announcement of the decision to prosecute one soldier for the murders and attempted murders of six people as the worst day since Bloody Sunday. While the families described as a victory the decision to prosecute one soldier they said it was a "terrible disappointment" others were not also facing court. "I was so positive this morning when I set out - very nervous, very agitated because it was a really important day and I expected to get a letter and get a prosecution," said Kate. "My heart is broken. It is the worst day since Bloody Sunday." Kate's brother William was 19 when he was shot dead by a member of the Parachute Regiment at a rubble barricade on Rossville Street. "My brother who I loved very much, he was a good fella," continued Kate. "He was only 19, had everything to live for and I will continue to work for him until I get justice, or until I die". Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Families of those who were killed hold a press conference inside the Guildhall in Londonderry after the Public Prosecution Service announced that one solider will face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell on Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PA Families of those died march through the Bogside in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, ahead of the announcement as to whether 17 former British soldiers and two former members of the Official IRA will be prosecuted in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PA Relatives and supporters of the victims of the 1972 Bloody Sunday killings hold images of those who died as they march from the Bogside area of Derry. (Photo by Paul FAITH / AFP)PAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Families of those died march through the Bogside in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, towards the Guildhall ahead of the announcement as to whether 17 former British soldiers and two former members of the Official IRA will be prosecuted in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PA Families of those died march through the Bogside in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, ahead of the announcement as to whether 17 former British soldiers and two former members of the Official IRA will be prosecuted in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PA Families of those killed during Bloody Sunday march through Bogside on March 14, 2019 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Today, the Public Prosecution Service will announce whether or not the soldiers accused of murdering the civilians killed on Bloody Sunday will face prosecution. Families of those killed gathered outside The Museum of Free Derry, yards from where the killings took place, before marching to the city centre hotel to hear the announcement. Getty Images Families of those died march through the Bogside in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, towards the Guildhall ahead of the announcement. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Families of those died march through the Bogside in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, towards the Guildhall ahead of the announcement as to whether 17 former British soldiers and two former members of the Official IRA will be prosecuted in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PA Families of those died march through the Bogside in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, towards the Guildhall ahead of the announcement as to whether 17 former British soldiers and two former members of the Official IRA will be prosecuted in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PA Families of those killed during Bloody Sunday march begin their march on March 14, 2019 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Getty Images Politicians Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill (left), Elisha McCallion, MP for Foyle, (centre) and SDLP's Colum Eastwood (right) join families before a march through the Bogside in Londonderry, in Northern Ireland, ahead of an announcement over the prosecution of 17 former British soldiers and two former members of the Official IRA in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PA Families of those who died march through the Bogside in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, ahead of an announcement over the prosecution of 17 former British soldiers and two former members of the Official IRA in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PA Families of those killed during Bloody Sunday march begin their march on March 14, 2019 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Getty Images Bloody Sunday / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Families of those who were killed hold a press conference inside the Guildhall in Londonderry after the Public Prosecution Service announced that one solider will face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell on Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. Read More Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service on Thursday announced the decision to take one soldier to court over the Bloody Sunday killings of 1972. Know as Soldier F, he will face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell. Read More Sixteen other veterans and two ex-members of the Official IRA, all of whom were investigated, will not face prosecution. Thirteen civil rights demonstrators were shot dead on January 30 1972, on one of the most notorious days of the Northern Ireland Troubles. The Public Prosecution Service said there was sufficient evidence to bring a prosecution of one soldier and its decision did not undermine the Saville Inquiry. Director of public prosecutions Stephen Herron said: It has been concluded that there is sufficient available evidence to prosecute one former soldier, Soldier F, for the murder of James Wray and William McKinney, and for the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick ODonnell. In respect of the other 18 suspects, including 16 former soldiers and two alleged Official IRA members, it has been concluded that the available evidence is insufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction. In these circumstances the evidence Test for Prosecution is not met. The landmark Saville Inquiry concluded in 2010 that all those killed or injured were innocent. After the findings of the Saville Inquiry Prime Minister David Cameron issued an official apology in the House of Commons for Bloody Sunday, describing the killings as "unjustified and unjustifiable". Edmund Graham, a beef farmer on the southern side of the border, is already counting the economic impact of Brexit. With beef farmers you might say Brexit has happened already with the cuts in beef prices, says the father-of-three who is raising his family just a mile from Monaghan town. Beef farmers are already on their knees and cant bear any further blows. Edmund, who has been farming for 40 years, questions who is going to bear the costs of the potential tariffs. If it is pushed back on the primary producer then it is curtains for us all. He also feels it may lead to a rise of smuggling. With 500 cattle aged up to two years, Edmund has been taking cuts of up to 200 (171) a head since November. Edmund, who is the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) beef chair, transports animals for slaughter to Foyle Meats in Donegal via Northern Ireland. Would I be able to get my produce up through Northern Ireland to go to the factories? he questions. Otherwise, it means an extra three hours to drive the lorry on main roads via Sligo. President Donald Trump said he was surprised how badly Brexit has been handled and warned that another referendum would be unfair. Speaking in the Oval Office alongside Irish premier Leo Varadkar, Mr Trump said Brexit was tearing a lot of countries apart. The president, who earlier set out his hopes for a large scale US-UK trade deal, added that Im not sure anybody knows what was happening with Brexit. Mr Trump was speaking in the Oval Office after greeting Mr Varadkar. Its a very complex thing right now, its tearing a country apart, its actually tearing a lot of countries apart and its a shame it has to be that way but I think we will stay right in our lane, Mr Trump said. The US president again claimed Theresa May had ignored his advice on how to handle the talks. The Prime Minister has previously revealed that Mr Trump told her to sue the EU and not go into negotiations. Mr Trump said: Im surprised at how badly its all gone from the standpoint of a negotiation. I gave the Prime Minister my ideas on how to negotiate it and I think you would have been successful. She didnt listen to that and thats fine shes got to do what shes got to do. I think it could have been negotiated in a different manner, frankly. I hate to see everything being ripped apart now. On the prospect of another referendum, he said: I dont think another vote would be possible because it would be very unfair to the people that won. Theyd say What do you mean, youre going to take another vote? So that would be tough. I thought it would happen, it did happen, and both sides are very, very cemented in. Its a tough situation. Its a shame. There was no reason for that to happen. They could have had the vote and it should have gone smoothly and unfortunately it didnt. Expand Close Donald Trump was hosting Leo Varadkar in the White House when he made his comments on Brexit (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Donald Trump was hosting Leo Varadkar in the White House when he made his comments on Brexit (Brian Lawless/PA) With MPs considering seeking to extend Article 50, the US president said Brexit was likely to be delayed. I think they are probably going to have to do something because right now they are in the midst of a very short period of time the end of the month and they are not going to be able to do that. Mr Trump said he would like to see the whole situation with Brexit work out, adding we are talking with them about trade and we can do a very big trade deal with the UK. Turning to Mr Varadkar, he said: Leo, Im sure you agree on that. Would you like to express your feelings on Brexit? Maybe I shouldnt let you do it, Ill just get you in trouble. Mr Varadkar replied: We have a different opinion, Mr President. I regret that Brexits happening. The U.S. is issuing an emergency order grounding all Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9 aircraft "effective immediately," in the wake of the crash of an Ethiopian Airliner, U.S. President Donald Trump said. "All of those planes are grounded, effective immediately," the AP cited the U.S. leader as saying. Trump said any airplane currently in the air will go to its destination and then be grounded. He added all airlines and affected pilots had been notified. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has ordered the temporary grounding of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operated by U.S. airlines or in U.S. territory. On March 10, the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX aircraft crashed near Addis Ababa killing all 157 people onboard. On 29 October 2018 a Lion Air Boeing MAX aircraft crashed in Indonesia killing all 189 people onboard. Security forces veterans convicted of Troubles-related crimes would eligible to apply for early release, the Secretary of State has indicated. Karen Bradley said "anyone" convicted of such an offence and serving their sentence here would be covered by the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, which allowed hundreds of terrorists to walk free after serving just two years behind bars. Ms Bradley's statement, in answer to a question in Parliament, comes ahead of an announcement today on whether the soldiers involved in the Bloody Sunday killings will face court action. Prosecutors will confirm whether 17 ex-soldiers and two former members of the Official IRA will face charges over the violence, in which 13 civil rights protesters were killed and a fourteenth died later. Conservative MP Julian Lewis asked for clarification of the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 in a written question to Mrs Bradley, specifically asking whether the two-year cap applied to members of the armed forces, police and security services. Mrs Bradley replied: "Under the early release scheme that formed part of the 1998 Belfast Agreement and was given legislative effect by the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998, qualifying prisoners may apply for early release (subject to certain conditions) after they have served two years in prison. "Currently, anyone convicted of Troubles-related scheduled offences and serving their sentence in Northern Ireland would be eligible to apply to the scheme. "Release is on licence, such licence being subject to revocation for non-compliance with certain conditions, as has happened in a number of cases. When a licence is revoked, an individual is liable to be returned to prison to serve out their original sentence. "The provisions set out in the draft Northern Ireland (Stormont House Agreement) Bill, on which we recently consulted, would amend the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998 to extend this two-year accelerated release scheme for Troubles-related offences to those serving sentences in Great Britain. "The Sentences Act does not cover offences committed before August 1973, so the Bill proposes to extend the release scheme to cover the start of the Troubles. "The Government has no intention to extend early release to offences committed after the date of the Belfast Agreement in April 1998. There is no proposal in the consultation to do this and the Government is not contemplating it. "The legacy consultation concluded in October and we expect to finish our analysis of the 17,000-plus responses shortly. It is right we take the time to consider each response fully and I will set out the next steps in this process as soon as I can." Meanwhile, a Ministry of Defence (Mod) plan to cover the legal costs of soldiers who may face criminal charges over Bloody Sunday has sparked anger among the families of those who died. John Kelly, whose brother Michael (17) was the youngest person killed on Bloody Sunday, said it was "scandalous" for the MoD to fund people facing charges. However, East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell said it was right for the MoD to provide money for the case. "It would be totally unfair to ask soldiers to pay for their own legal costs when even Lord Saville, whose inquiry these prosecutions are based on, is indicating he hadn't envisioned prosecutions," he said. Families of those who were killed hold a press conference inside the Guildhall in Londonderry after the Public Prosecution Service announced that one solider will face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell on Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. Mickey McKinney looks at a photo on the wall of the Museum of Free Derry (Liam McBurney/PA) Mickey McKinney remembers waving his older brother goodbye just hours before he was shot (Liam McBurney/PA) The families of those killed on Bloody Sunday have said that they feel vindicated by the decision to charge a soldier with killings, but that their fight for justice is not over yet. John Kelly, who's 17-year-old brother Michael was killed in Londonderry in January 1972, said that there was "terrible disappointment" among the families that only one soldier was being charged. 'Soldier F' will face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell. Sixteen other veterans and two ex-members of the Official IRA, all of whom were investigated, will not face prosecution. Read More Mr Kelly said that despite the disappointment there was a sense of victory for all the families. "Their victory is our victory, to deny people their human rights is to challenge their humanity," he said, quoting Nelson Mandela. Expand Close Eight of those killed during Bloody Sunday (top row) Patrick Doherty, Bernard McGuigan, John Duddy and Gerald Donaghey, (bottom row) Gerard McKinney, Jim Wray, William McKinney and John Young (Bloody Sunday Trust/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Eight of those killed during Bloody Sunday (top row) Patrick Doherty, Bernard McGuigan, John Duddy and Gerald Donaghey, (bottom row) Gerard McKinney, Jim Wray, William McKinney and John Young (Bloody Sunday Trust/PA) "We've walked a long journey since our fathers and brothers were murdered." He said that there was a "long legacy of hurt and injustice" in Derry following Bloody Sunday and said that the actions of paratroopers that day "prolonged the conflict" "The full cost cannot be measured in the suffering of those killed that day, but those who suffered because of it," Mr Kelly said. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Families of those killed during Bloody Sunday march through Bogside on March 14, 2019 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Today, the Public Prosecution Service will announce whether or not the soldiers accused of murdering the civilians killed on Bloody Sunday will face prosecution. Families of those killed gathered outside The Museum of Free Derry, yards from where the killings took place, before marching to the city centre hotel to hear the announcement. Getty Images Families of those died march through the Bogside in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, ahead of the announcement as to whether 17 former British soldiers and two former members of the Official IRA will be prosecuted in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PA Families of those died march through the Bogside in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, towards the Guildhall ahead of the announcement. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Families of those died march through the Bogside in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, towards the Guildhall ahead of the announcement as to whether 17 former British soldiers and two former members of the Official IRA will be prosecuted in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PA Families in the Bogside (Niall Carson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images Families march through the Bogside in Londonderry (Niall Carson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images John Kelly whose brother 17 year old Michael was killed in Derry on Bloody Sunday (Liam McBurney/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Families of those killed during Bloody Sunday march through Bogside on March 14, 2019 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Today, the Public Prosecution Service will announce whether or not the soldiers accused of murdering the civilians killed on Bloody Sunday will face prosecution. Families of those killed gathered outside The Museum of Free Derry, yards from where the killings took place, before marching to the city centre hotel to hear the announcement. He said that the fight for justice was not yet over and that families would pursue other legal avenues to get justice. "This is not the end of it, we will continue on and hopefully get the rest of the perpetrators brought to justice," Mr Kelly said. "There are legal means to bring them to justice, the campaign is not finished yet." Mickey McKinney, whose brother Willie was shot dead, said that "everyone deserves justice, including those whose loved ones were murdered by the British state". He said it was "disappointing" for families who had not received news of prosecutions. "We are mindful of those families who received that news today, and believe me, there are many," Mr McKinney said. "For us here today it is important to point out that justice for one family is justice for all of us. "We would like to remind everyone that no prosecution, or whenever it comes to it no conviction, does not mean not guilty. It does not mean that no crime was committed. It does not mean that those soldiers acted in a dignified and appropriate way. "It simply means that if these crimes had been investigated properly when they happened, and evidence gathered at the time then the outcome would've been different." Another member of the families said that the Bloody Sunday campaign had now achieved its three aims, the overturning of the Widery Report and a new independent inquiry, the acknowledgement of the innocence of those killed and the prosecution of those responsible. Arlene Foster has promised to tell influential US decision-makers that there is more to politics in Northern Ireland "than just another tired call for a divisive border poll". Mrs Foster, who is currently on a trip to Washington DC, was due to meet Richie Neal, the chairman of the House of Representatives' Ways and Means Committee, yesterday. Today, she will attend the Speaker's Lunch before an engagement at the White House. Speaking from Washington, Mrs Foster said: "It is vital that Northern Ireland's unionist voice is heard in Washington. "There is a great deal of focus on Northern Ireland currently as we move towards the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union. I will be briefing people about how we are striving for a sensible deal which works for every part of the United Kingdom, as well as our neighbours in the Republic of Ireland. "It is important that Dublin and Brussels are in deal-making mode." As politicians from Ireland head to Washington for the annual events linked to St Patrick's Day, Mrs Foster said it should have been a week "where the voice of a functioning Northern Ireland Executive (is) heard". She added: "Whilst Sinn Fein focus on a narrow agenda in Northern Ireland, I will be relaying the frustration amongst people of all backgrounds about a lack of devolution. "It is important that decision-makers within the United States hear more than just another tired call for a divisive border poll." As part of his annual St Patrick's Day visit, the Taoiseach attended a lunch at the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC. Leo Varadkar also said people who advocated for Brexit had been "chasing unicorns" for a "very long time". "As we head into the next few weeks, it should be blatantly obvious that unicorns only exist in fairy tales," he told reporters at the event. "I would say to people who advocated Brexit, is this really what they wanted? Protectionism, borders, tariffs, restrictions on trade? Is this really what Brexit was all about? "And for those who voted against the withdrawal agreement on the basis that they feared that Northern Ireland would be treated differently as a result of the backstop, it must be evident to them now that it's the UK Government's intention to treat Northern Ireland differently." A former GAA treasurer accused of abusing 12 people is to be questioned further by police after another complainant came forward, a court heard yesterday. The details emerged when Thomas McKenna (58) appeared via video-link at Newry Magistrates' Court. A detective constable revealed that as well as further allegations being made by another complainant, officers who examined seized devices have identified other potential victims. The detective constable, in conjunction with the PPS, asked for McKenna to be produced to court on the next occasion as he faces further police interviews over the new allegations and forensic evidence. Outlining how there had been progress on the forensic examinations of body samples, the officer in charge of the "complex" investigation told the court: "Another victim has come forward and spoken to us as well and there are potential other victims in the images who have been positively identified, so we need to speak to them (to record their statements)." Charged over two indictments, McKenna, whose address was given as care of Maghaberry Prison, is accused of the sexual abuse of 12 people over an almost 30-year period. On one set of charges, he is facing 10 offences against three males, including five counts of sexual assault, three counts of indecent assault and single counts of buggery and attempted buggery. On a second indictment, McKenna faces a total of 17 charges alleged to have been committed between 1988 and his arrest in August last year. They include two counts of buggery against persons aged over 16 without consent and two gross indecency offences, one of which was against a child. The defendant is also charged with sexual assault, voyeurism and eight counts of indecent assault, along with making and possessing indecent photographs of children. The retired postman, who was treasurer for Crossmaglen Rangers, is further alleged to have interfered with mail during his time of employment. Previous courts have heard that the investigation involves people who claim McKenna either sexually abused them or took photos and videos of them without their permission. Police searches led to the recovery of devices said to contain 43,000 still images and 8,000 short video clips - some allegedly taken covertly. In court yesterday, a detective constable described how the seized devices go through three stages of examination - an initial triage stage by detectives before being moved to the cyber crime department and then the child internet protection team. He confirmed to Deputy District Judge Steven Keown the items "are at the third stage", but he added there was no target date for the final reports. The judge also enquired about the samples that had been sent to the forensic science agency and asked if all the offences were historic in nature. Confirming they were "body samples," the detective constable told the judge: "It began as a historical investigation. "There's been a period of about 30 years of offending, but we believe the most recent assault is June 2018." Defence solicitor Gerald Traynor asked the police for a timetable of the handling and progress of the seized items. "I assume that's for the purpose of a bail application," asked the judge. Mr Traynor replied: "Yes... my conclusion from all of this is that the matter has now stalled." Remanding McKenna back into custody, Judge Keown ordered him to be produced to court on April 10. British veterans have said the ex-paratrooper being prosecuted over the Bloody Sunday shootings is one soldier too many. Known as Soldier F, he will face charges for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick ODonnell in Londonderry in 1972. Sixteen other veterans and two ex-members of the Official IRA, all of whom were investigated, will not face prosecution. But former Grenadier Guard Alan Barry, who founded the Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans group, said Soldier F was being thrown under a bus. The Government will urgently reform the system for dealing with legacy issues. Our serving and former personnel cannot live in constant fear of prosecution.Gavin Williamson The 54-year-old, who served in Northern Ireland in the 1980s, said: Its very one-sided. No soldier should be charged. It happened 47 years ago, a line in the sand needs to be drawn and people need to move on. Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, veterans are being left open to prosecution while terrorists have been cleansed of their past crimes. Its all about appeasement: appeasing the IRA, appeasing Sinn Fein, and if that means throwing one or two veterans under a bus then thats what theyll do. He was speaking outside the Supreme Court in London on Thursday, where around 40 supporters of 77-year-old former soldier Dennis Hutchings had gathered. Mr Hutchings is facing prosecution over the fatal shooting of John Pat Cunningham during Northern Irelands Troubles. Conservative MP and former British Army officer Johnny Mercer tweeted it was ironic that Dennis is back in court today, adding it was a genuine disgrace and stain on this Nation that this process continues. Ironic that Dennis is back in court today. This is some of our veterans's every day, not just today. It is a genuine disgrace and stain on this Nation that this process continues https://t.co/D9bp7V6vu5 Johnny Mercer (@JohnnyMercerUK) March 14, 2019 Mr Mercer also tweeted that the Bloody Sunday charges brought against Soldier F were the result of an abject failure to govern and legislate, on our watch as a Conservative administration. When I speak of a chasm between those who serve and their political masters in this country, I mean this, he added. One banner outside the Supreme Court read: Our veterans fought for you, our veterans died for you, now its your chance to fight for us while another urged stop the witch-hunt now an expression used by several supporters. Former Coldstream Guardsman Vern Tilbury, 58, accused the country of spitting on its veterans and said the Government looked upon former soldiers as collateral damage. Ex-Artillery Sergeant Maurice Durward, 78, who spent 22 years in the Army, said he would not encourage his grandson to sign up because of the betrayal of politicians. Mr Mercer also criticised as utterly meaningless an announcement by Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson. Mr Williamson said the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was working to drive through a new package of safeguards to ensure our armed forces are not unfairly treated. He added: And the Government will urgently reform the system for dealing with legacy issues. Our serving and former personnel cannot live in constant fear of prosecution. The MoD will support soldier F and pay his legal costs, Mr Williamson added. The issue of a future amnesty for veterans remains an issue of intense controversy in Northern Ireland. Last year, the Government angered some of its own backbenchers and Mr Williamson when it did not include a statute of limitations on prosecutions of ex-service personnel among proposals for dealing with Northern Irelands toxic past. Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley said such a measure would be unacceptable, because it would also have to cover terror suspects accused of historic crimes. The prospect of a statute of limitations met with vocal opposition in Northern Ireland. Both Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists voiced concern, as did the Irish Government and representatives of the victims sector. The DUP and some military veterans in Northern Ireland made the point that any such statute would, by law, have to be extended to also cover former paramilitaries something they branded unacceptable. Thirteen civil rights demonstrators were shot dead on January 30 1972 on one of the most notorious days of the Northern Ireland Troubles. The Government has backed down over fast-tracking controversial Northern Ireland legislation that makes huge cuts to Renewable Heat Incentive subsidies. It had originally planned to force the Northern Ireland (Regional Rates and Energy) (No 2) Bill through the House of Lords in a single day as it needed to be on the statute book by the end of the month. But in the face of concerns raised over scrutiny, more time is to be made available for "further discussion and reflection". Labour's shadow Northern Ireland secretary Tony Lloyd had described it as "an abuse of the process of this House". Lord Empey had argued there had been "a pattern developing" where almost every piece of Northern Ireland legislation was subject to a process which meant it being fast-tracked. He also referred to objections raised by MPs "that no scrutiny of any significance was being provided". Peers heard ahead of the second reading of the Bill today that a number of amendments had been put forward which will now be considered next Tuesday. Changes to the controversial RHI scheme would mean annual returns for the most common boilers being reduced from 13,000 to 2,000 from April 1. Speaking in the Lords on earlier this week, DUP peers lined up to criticise the RHI scheme, which was the responsibility of DUP ministers, including party leader Arlene Foster. Lord Browne of Belmont said: "I do not know anyone that can say this scheme has in any way been a success. In fact, the way in which it was set up and ultimately abused by some was disgraceful." He pointed out many people had "genuinely entered into the scheme in good faith". Fellow DUP peer Lord Hay of Ballyore said the scheme was "flawed from day one". He added: "It is a tragedy. Unfortunately, there will be a number of people out of pocket in all of this." The scheme was closed to new entrants in 2016 after claims the tariffs were overly generous, and the controversy around how it was handled at Stormont led in part to the collapse of the Assembly. The Government has argued the subsidies need to be cut to comply with state aid rules. Failure to do so would mean the RHI scheme having to close completely because it would be in breach of EU law. Government chief whip in the Lords Lord Taylor of Holbeach said on Tuesday that although the Bill was urgent, "we will ensure that proper time is made available for consideration." Opening the second reading debate, Northern Ireland Minister Lord Duncan of Springbank said: "Without legislation there would be no legal basis to maintain the payments to participants in this scheme." Acknowledging the rates were "significantly lower" than previous tariffs, he added: "The European Commission is clear. The tariff rate cannot deliver a return higher than 12% per annum. "These tariffs, and indeed this scheme, are not without controversy." Families of those died march through the Bogside in Londonderry (Niall Carson/PA) One Army veteran a former lance corporal in the Parachute Regiment known only as F is to be prosecuted for two murders and four attempted murders on Bloody Sunday. Here are some of the key questions on the landmark announcement by Northern Irelands Public Prosecution Service (PPS). Were prosecutors able to rely on the testimony and findings of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry? No. The long-running probe by Lord Saville ran under the terms of the Tribunal of Evidence Act 1921. As such, it was not bound by strict rules of admissibility of evidence that criminal proceedings are governed by. So while Saville may have reached certain conclusions about the soldiers, the PPS could not rely on the same evidence for criminal proceedings and effectively had to prove the cases afresh. Explaining why 18 suspects avoided prosecution, the PPS repeatedly highlighted this issue stressing that evidence given to Saville, sometimes by the soldiers themselves, was inadmissible. Expand Close Lord Saville chaired the Bloody Sunday inquiry, looking into the events of 1972 (PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lord Saville chaired the Bloody Sunday inquiry, looking into the events of 1972 (PA) Can the families challenge decisions not to prosecute? Yes. All families have the right to formally request a review of a PPS decision not to prosecute. If that independent assessment of the decision does not recommend a reversal, there are other legal options. Bereaved relatives could ultimately challenge the decisions in the High Court by way of judicial review. What next for Soldier F? An official summons to appear before a district judge will be served. When he receives that letter, proceedings become active. The case will then progress through the magistrates court before a decision is taken on whether it will be passed to the crown court for trial. Experience with the Northern Ireland legal system would suggest it could be many months, potentially years, before the cases comes to trial. Where would a potential trial be held? While family members might like to see Soldier F brought back to Londonderry to face justice, security concerns would likely prevent the trial being heard in the citys Bishop Street courthouse a building targeted by a dissident republican car bomb earlier this year. Belfast Crown Court is a more realistic venue. This is where other major Troubles related cases are held. The building is linked to a local police station, making it easier to transport high-profile defendants to court. Will there be a jury? This is a timely question. For decades, any cases linked to the Troubles have been held without a jury. A judge instead decides guilt or innocence in proceedings formerly known as Diplock trials. However, another military veteran who is facing a conflict-related attempted murder charge 77-year-old Dennis Hutchings is currently challenging the decision to sit without a trial in the UK Supreme Court. The judgment in that case may well impact whether Soldier Fs trial will be tried by judge or jury. Will the soldiers identity be revealed? Anonymity orders covering the 17 soldiers and two suspected Official IRA men were imposed during the Bloody Sunday inquiry and remain in place. The decision on whether Soldier Fs identity will continue to be kept from the public will be addressed during the future court proceedings. In respect of other cases, some veterans have retained their anonymity, others have not. If convicted, would Soldier F be eligible for a reduced sentence, like paramilitaries found guilty of Troubles-related offences? Security forces veterans are eligible to apply for early release. Anyone convicted of a Troubles-related offence and serving their sentence in Northern Ireland would be covered by the terms of the controversial element of the 1998 Good Friday (Belfast) Agreement, which enabled hundreds of convicted terrorists to walk free on licence after serving two years behind bars. As it stands, the scheme would not include Bloody Sunday, as it only covers offences committed between 1973 and 1998. But legislation proposed by the Government to give effect to a range of new legacy mechanisms set out in the 2014 Stormont House Agreement includes a provision to extend the early release scheme to cover offences committed before 1973, changing the start date to January 1968. So, if that becomes law, anyone convicted of an offence related to Bloody Sunday (January 1972) would be covered by the early release scheme. Those proposals, which have been subject to a recent public consultation, would also extend the provision to those serving sentences in Great Britain. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) How much evidence did the PPS examine? The Police Service of Northern Ireland murder probe was launched in 2012 and the first soldier was arrested and questioned in 2015. The first police evidence files were passed to prosecutors in November 2016. Additional files were handed over in March and September 2017. In total, they included 668 witness statements. Also numerous photos, video and audio evidence. A total of 20 suspects were interviewed 18 soldiers and two Official IRA men. One of the veterans died last December so the PPS consideration of his case was discontinued. Four other soldiers included in the Saville Report died before the police had completed their investigation. The evidence files given to the PPS accounted for 40 lever arch files, containing a total of 20,000 pages. The PPS also examined the full Saville Report 5,000 pages and 100,000 pages of additional underlying material spanning the years 1972 to 2010, including the 1972 Widgery Report. So, 125,000 pages all together. What about other legacy cases? Is there a disproportionate focus on investigating security force members, as some claim? In the last eight years, the PPS has taken prosecutorial decisions in 26 other cases related to the Troubles. Thirteen of those related to alleged offences involving republican paramilitaries, with eight prosecutions taken. Eight of the 26 cases related to alleged loyalist paramilitary activity, with decisions to prosecute in four instances. Three cases involved former soldiers, with prosecutions mounted in each one. Two cases involved police officers and both resulted in a decision not to prosecute. Could there be a future amnesty for veterans? This remains an issue of intense controversy in Northern Ireland. Last year, the Government angered some of its own backbenchers, and Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, when it did not include a statute of limitations on prosecutions of ex-service personnel among proposals for dealing with Northern Irelands toxic past. Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley said such a measure would be unacceptable, because it would also have to cover terror suspects accused of historic crimes. The prospect of a statute of limitations met with vocal opposition in Northern Ireland. Both Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionists voiced concern, as did the Irish Government and representatives of the victims sector. The DUP and some military veterans in Northern Ireland made the point that any such statute would, by law, have to be extended to also cover former paramilitaries something they branded unacceptable. Mr Williamson is still considering the potential of a statute of limitations for ex-service personnel focused on overseas conflicts, including Iraq and Afghanistan. Victims campaigners insist such measures must not include Northern Ireland. A Dublin art gallery owner has called for a ban on selling Nazi memorabilia in the UK and Ireland. (Julien Behal/PA) A Dublin art gallery owner has called for a ban on selling Nazi memorabilia in the UK and Ireland. Oliver Sears (50), the son of a Holocaust survivor, wrote to Bloomfield Auctions in Belfast on Monday to object to the planned sale of a dinner set belonging to Adolf Hitler. He has now praised it for its decision to cancel the auction and said selling such items for profit should be outlawed. "It's a good day, I am pleased that people occasionally stop and think. My view is that this trade shouldn't be legal anywhere," he told the Belfast Telegraph. Selling Nazi memorabilia is legal in the UK and Ireland but has been banned in several European countries. Read More In 2017 Mr Sears spoke out against another auction house in Dublin for selling Nazi memorabilia. He sent his Bloomfield letter on to the owner Ian Whyte but said "the silence has been deafening". Mr Whyte said he opposed a ban and that sales should be judged individually. Having lost several family members during the Holocaust, Mr Sears said it was still a "living and breathing" issue for his family. "My father lost his grandparents in Auschwitz," he said. "My mother Monika, who's still alive, was in the Warsaw ghetto and was put on a train bound for Treblinka but was thrown off it by her mother as a small child. "Her father was taken away and murdered at the beginning of the war, so it's still really close for us." Active in Holocaust awareness education, Mr Sears said he has frequently been trolled on the internet with anti-Semetic abuse using Nazi imagery. Mr Whyte noted that the sale of Nazi memorabilia was not illegal in Israel or the United States. "We have a democracy here so if somebody got MPs or TDs to agree to a ban then fine, I'm not sure it's the right thing to do. "A lot of people selling items like this need the money. There's also collectors who have built things up over the years, so I would view each case on its merits." Secretary of State Karen Bradley has paid tribute to members of security forces who "served with courage and distinction" in Northern Ireland, just hours after it was announced a former soldier would face prosecution over killings on Bloody Sunday. On Thursday, the Public Prosecution Service announced it will pursue charges against one member of the Parachute Regiment over the events on January 30, 1972, when 13 civil rights marchers were shot dead by soldiers in Londonderry. The PSNI probed 17 soldiers over the killings, but the PPS said there was no grounds for prosecution in all but one case, leading many families "devastated and disappointed" over the decision. Read More Michael McKinney, whose brother William was killed, said: "If there had been a fairer decision this could have been the end of the campaign but this has been a slap in the face, it's very, very disappointing." 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 The Bloody Sunday families carried a banner reading towards justice as they marched to Londonderrys Guildhall on Thursday (Niall Carson/PA) John Kelly comforts Alana Burke PA Wire/PA Images Families embraced after the march (Niall Carson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images A minutes silence at the Guildhall (Niall Carson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images Families of those killed in Bloody Sunday speak to the media at the Guild Hall. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Relatives march to the Guildhall (Niall Carson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images Relatives of those who died on Bloody Sunday after hearing the prosecution decision (Niall Carson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images (PA Graphics) Press Association Images Families march through the Bogside in Derry (Liam McBurney/PA) PA Wire/PA Images John Kelly whose brother Michael was killed on Bloody Sunday (Niall Carson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images James Wray (left) and William McKinney, who died on Bloody Sunday (PA/Bloody Sunday Trust) PA Wire/PA Images The Bloody Sunday Memorial in Derrys Bogside (Liam McBurney/PA) PA Wire/PA Images Mickey McKinney looks at a photo on the wall of the Museum of Free Derry (Liam McBurney/PA) PA Wire/PA Images A mural in Derry depicting Dr Edward Daly during Bloody Sunday in January 1972 (Liam McBurney/PA) PA Wire/PA Images Families of those died march through the Bogside in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, towards the Guildhall ahead of the announcement as to whether 17 former British soldiers and two former members of the Official IRA will be prosecuted in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA John McKinney holds a picture of his brother, William, as the families of those who died march through the Bogside in Londonderry, in Northern Ireland, ahead of an announcement over the prosecution of 17 former British soldiers and two former members of the Official IRA in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA Families of those died march through the Bogside in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, towards the Guildhall ahead of the announcement as to whether 17 former British soldiers and two former members of the Official IRA will be prosecuted in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Families of those died march through the Bogside in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, towards the Guildhall ahead of the announcement as to whether 17 former British soldiers and two former members of the Official IRA will be prosecuted in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Retransmission, amending byline. Politicians Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill (left), Elisha McCallion, MP for Foyle, (centre) and SDLP's Colum Eastwood (right) join families before a march through the Bogside in Londonderry, in Northern Ireland, ahead of an announcement over the prosecution of 17 former British soldiers and two former members of the Official IRA in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA Families of those who died march through the Bogside in Londonderry, in Northern Ireland, ahead of an announcement over the prosecution of 17 former British soldiers and two former members of the Official IRA in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA Families, relatives and supporters of those who died march through Londonderry, in Northern Ireland, ahead of an announcement over the prosecution of 17 former British soldiers and two former members of the Official IRA in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE Bloody Sunday Trust undated handout photos of (top row, left to right) Patrick Doherty, Bernard McGuigan, John "Jackie" Duddy and Gerald Donaghey, (bottom row, left to right) Gerard McKinney, Jim Wray, William McKinney and John Young who were killed on Bloody Sunday. Northern Ireland's Director of Public Prosecutions has announced that a solider will face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Thursday March 14, 2019. Thirteen civil rights demonstrators were shot dead on January 30 1972, in Londonderry on one of the most notorious days of the Northern Ireland Troubles. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Bloody Sunday Trust/PA Wire PA Families, relatives and supporters of those died gather outside the Guildhall in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, after the announcement from the Public Prosecution Service that one former paratrooper, soldier F is to be charged with two murders and four attempted murders during Bloody Sunday in Londonderry in 1972. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Families, relatives and supporters of those died gather outside the Guildhall in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, after the announcement from the Public Prosecution Service that one former paratrooper, soldier F is to be charged with two murders and four attempted murders during Bloody Sunday in Londonderry in 1972. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Supporters hold a posters of Edward Heath former British Prime Minister and General Sir Michael David Jackson outside the city hotel Londonderry, Northern Ireland ahead of the announcement as to whether 17 former British soldiers and two former members of the Official IRA will be prosecuted in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Linda Nash whose youngest brother William Nash died on Bloody Sunday with Eamonn McCann outside the city hotel Londonderry, Northern Ireland ahead of the announcement as to whether 17 former British soldiers and two former members of the Official IRA will be prosecuted in connection with the events of Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA L-R Gerry Duddy, Mickey McKinney, John Kelly and the families of those who were killed hold a press conference inside the Guildhall in Londonderry after the Public Prosecution Service announced that one solider will face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell on Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA John Kelly comforts Alana Burke who was injured on Bloody Sunday reacts during the press conference at the Guildhall in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, after the announcement from the Public Prosecution Service that one former paratrooper, soldier F is to be charged with two murders and four attempted murders during Bloody Sunday in Londonderry in 1972. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA L-R Linda Nash, holds an image of their brother William Nash who was killed on Bloody Sunday, and Kate Nash holds an image of their father Alex Nash who was wounded on the day inside the Guildhall in Londonderry after the Public Prosecution Service announced that one solider will face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell on Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA A woman listens on during a press conference inside the Guildhall in Londonderry after the Public Prosecution Service announced that one solider will face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell on Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA Relatives of those who died march to the Guildhall in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, after the announcement from the Public Prosecution Service that one former paratrooper, soldier F is to be charged with two murders and four attempted murders during Bloody Sunday in Londonderry in 1972. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA Two woman watch on as families of those who were killed hold a press conference inside the Guildhall in Londonderry after the Public Prosecution Service announced that one solider will face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell on Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972.PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA Families of those who were killed hold a press conference inside the Guildhall in Londonderry after the Public Prosecution Service announced that one solider will face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell on Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA Relatives of those who died on Bloody Sunday leaving a briefing with DPP Stephen Herron at the City Hotel Londonderry, Northern Ireland, after the announcement from the Public Prosecution Service that one former paratrooper, soldier F is to be charged with two murders and four attempted murders during Bloody Sunday in Londonderry in 1972. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Niall Carson/PA Wire PA SDLP leader Colum Eastwood (left) and new Fine Gael MEP candidate Mark Durkan attending a press conference inside the Guildhall in Londonderry after the Public Prosecution Service announced that one solider will face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell on Bloody Sunday in the city in January 1972. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday March 14, 2019. See PA story ULSTER Sunday. Photo credit should read: Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA John Teggart from the Ballymurphy Families speaks with Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill and SDLP's Colum Eastwood at the City Hotel in Derry. Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker L-R Jean Hegarty, sister of Kevin McElhinney, John Wray, brother of James Wray, and Paddy Nash, brother of William Nash, stand for a minute's silence with the families of those who were killed, ahead of a press conference inside the Guildhall in Londonderry. Liam McBurney/PA Wire PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Bloody Sunday families carried a banner reading towards justice as they marched to Londonderrys Guildhall on Thursday (Niall Carson/PA) On Thursday evening, Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley issued a statement commending the "courage and distinction" of soldiers who served in Northern Ireland. She said: "We are indebted to those who served with courage and distinction to bring peace in Northern Ireland, and I have the deepest sympathy for the suffering of the families of those who were killed on Bloody Sunday and all those who lost loved ones during the Troubles. "Everyone agrees that the current process for investigating the past in Northern Ireland needs to be reformed. "That is why we need to get the institutions to investigate the past set up quickly and completed as soon as possible. We Will set out how we intend to move forward shortly. "As this is now an ongoing legal matter, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further." Many commenting online have criticised Ms Bradley's statement for being "poorly misjudged". Earlier this month, the Secretary of State faced calls to resign after she told the Commons that killings carried out by the security forces "were not crimes", but rather actions of those "fulfilling their duties in a dignified and appropriate way". She later tried to clarify her comments before making an apology the following day. On Monday, she issued an apology to the House of Commons for her "deeply insensitive" remarks. "What I said was wrong, it was deeply insensitive to the families who lost loved ones in incidents involving the security forces," she said. "I have apologised unreservedly for the offence and hurt that my words caused." Leading criminal suspects - including alleged IRA terrorists who are being held in the Republic on European extradition warrants - will have to be set free in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the Home Secretary has been warned. Sajid Javid has been told that there are "no legal fixes" to avoid the temporary release of prisoners being held in the Republic on European Arrest Warrants (EAWs) if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal. Lawyers have also warned Mr Javid that it is highly likely that some suspects may use their release to flee the country, helped by the lack of immigration controls between the UK and Ireland. "The Home Secretary has been told there is no legal remedy to avoid the temporary release of suspects being held on EAWs in Ireland," UK government sources said. A number of suspects could benefit from the legal lacuna caused by a no deal. Among those awaiting extradition is Hyde Park bombing suspect John Downey who is in the process of being extradited to Northern Ireland to face charges over the alleged murder of two soldiers in 1972. The news of possible releases emerged just days before hundreds of ex-soldiers will learn today whether they will face murder charges for their role in Bloody Sunday. The nightmare scenario of suspects going free will come about because a no-deal Brexit will instantly remove the legal basis for the European Arrest Warrant, causing Irish authorities to fall back on the much more cumbersome 1957 European Convention on Extradition. British officials hope that in some cases, those released from EAWs could be rearrested quickly under the 1957 convention, perhaps even at the prison gates, but accept that this will not be possible in all cases. No-deal would not affect prisoners who are serving sentences for other crimes, as their detention is not reliant on the EAWs. South Africa: National Assembly approves Division of Revenue Bill The National Assembly has approved the Division of Revenue Bill and the Financial Matters Amendment Bill. The Division of Revenue Bill provides for equitable division of funds raised nationally among the national, provincial and local spheres of government for a particular financial year. It also provides for determining each provinces equitable share of the provincial share of revenue and for any other allocations to provinces, local government or municipalities from the national governments share of revenue. Also specified are the conditions of those allocations. The 2019/20 Bill reprioritises existing funds to ensure economic growth and inclusivity. The Standing Committee on Appropriations, in its report agreeing with the Bill, also drew attention to several issues. These include the capacity of provincial and local government to spend conditional grants (about which it expressed concern), increasing numbers of municipalities in financial distress, increasing adoption of unfunded budgets and declining unqualified audit opinions. Financial Matters Amendment Bill The Financial Matters Amendment Bill makes amendments to the Insolvency Act of 1936, the Military Pensions Act of 1976, the Banks Act of 1990 and the Government Employees Pension Law of 1996. It reflects amendments, which the Standing Committee on Finance proposed, to the Bill introduced in the National Assembly on 31 January 2019. Insolvency Act Amendments to the Insolvency Act amend regulation of over-the-counter derivative markets, in line with G20 commitments. South Africa is part of the G20, which, after the 2008 global financial crisis, agreed to strengthen regulation of over-the-counter derivatives by September 2019. The amendments are to ensure that creditors who enter into derivative contracts and exchange collateral will be able to keep the proceeds during insolvency. Domestic banks will continue to enter into over-the-counter derivative transactions with their foreign counterparts and systemic risk will be reduced and financial stability maintained. The amendments also provide for a process when creditors realise security in terms of a master agreement and for a power for the Master of the High Court to deal with disputes about trustees preferences, Parliament said in a statement. Military Pensions Act Amendments to the Military Pensions Act recognise all types of relationships, including life partnerships, to qualify for benefits and to ensure gender neutrality. This is in keeping with the Constitution. Banks Act The Banks Act amendments provide for State-owned companies, meeting the requirements of the Banks Act, to apply for authorisation to establish a bank. This requires such a State-owned company first to get approval of the Minister of Finance, acting in concurrence with the Minister for the particular State-owned company. It also requires that the assets of the State-owned company, its holding company and, if applicable, the holding company of that holding company, must exceed its liabilities. Municipal-owned companies may not apply for authorisation to establish a bank, Parliament explained. Government Employees Pension Law Amendments to the Government Employees Pension Law address prejudice affecting divorced public servants because of the current interest-accumulating debt approach. The reduction of pensionable service approach, which most pension funds adopt, will replace this. The Bills will now go to the National Council of Provinces for consideration. To read the report, starting from page 4, click https://www.parliament.gov.za/storage/app/media/Docs/atc/c3e9d8df-a5cf-44b1-b949-8c4ffa11d376. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-03-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Tariffs designed for implementation of CPTPP Updated: 15:05 - 14/03/2019 Processing Tra catfish for export at Southern Fishery Industries Co. Ltd., in Can Tho City__Photo: Vu Sinh/VNA , , , , The Ministry of Finance (MOF) has submitted to the Government a draft decree on the Preferential Export Tariff and Special Preferential Import Tariff which is designed for Vietnam to implement its commitments under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in the 2019-22 period.The proposed Preferential Export Tariff covers 519 tariff lines, with the average duty rate to be truncated step by step to 19.1 percent, 17.4 percent, 15.7 percent and 14.1 percent in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively.Goods exported to Mexico would be entitled to preferential export duty rate from the first year of the duty reduction roadmap, meanwhile exports to Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore would enjoy duty preferences from the second year.To be eligible for preferential export duty rates under the CPTPP, goods must be accompanied with transport documents and import declarations showing the destination lying within the territories of the above countries. In case of failure to produce these documents, ordinary duty rates would apply.If the preferential export duty rate applicable to a goods item is lower than that prescribed for such item in Decree 125 of 2017, the preferential export duty rate would apply. As for items not listed in the Export Tariff attached to Decree 125 and items liable to a preferential export duty rate equal to or higher than the rate specified in Decree 125, the preferential export duty rate would not apply.Goods exported from the domestic market to the countrys non-tariff zones would not be entitled to preferential export duty rates, according to the draft.The draft also draws a Special Preferential Import Tariff with 10,216 tariff lines with 8-digit headings and 1,442 tariff lines with 10-digit headings. The average duty rate would be 9.1 percent in 2019, and then gradually cut to 7.7 percent in 2020, 6.3 percent in 2021, and 4.8 percent in 2022. The roadmap for implementation of the Special Preferential Import Tariff would be similar to that applicable to the Preferential Export Tariff. Particularly, goods imported from Vietnams non-tariff zones into the domestic market would be entitled to preferential duty rates from the second year of the duty reduction roadmap.The MOF also introduces a list of used cars subject to tariff quotas and their special preferential import duty rates under CPTPP.- Irish premier Leo Varadkar has said that Ireland and the US have further to go in building countries that reflect all men and women in society. The Taoiseach was speaking at the Ireland Funds dinner in the National Building Museum, Washington DC, in a night to celebrate visionary women. Mr Varadkar is in the US capital as part of his St Patricks tour. In recent years we have smashed stereotypes in both our countries, the old image frozen in time of what a leader is supposed to look like in politics, in business, in professions and in sport has been slowly chipped (away) and at long last confined to the dustbin of history, he said. Expand Close Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (right) with Congressman Richard Neal (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (right) with Congressman Richard Neal (Brian Lawless/PA) In its place we hold up a mirror that more closely reflects women and men in our societies. People who look like you and me. We still have further to go. Sometimes it requires defiance and sometimes acts of imagination. I believe we must first imagine the kind of society that we want to live in and then work to achieve it. At this years American Ireland Fund evening were celebrating great Irish American women. An honour to be speaking again this this years event pic.twitter.com/UocPfhUTJT Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) March 14, 2019 We cant rely on others to change the status quo, we have to do that for ourselves. At Wednesday nights dinner, Congressman Richard Neal said that women in the US and Ireland have prominent roles in business, arts and government. The event recognised four women including United States senator Jeanne Shaheen, Tyrone native Sarah Friar, the chief executive of social networking service Nextdoor, Norah ODonnell, the co-host of CBSs This Morning, and Gail Slater, who is special adviser to Donald Trump. Mr Neal said: Thankfully women now occupy prominent roles in business, arts and in government in both the United States and in Ireland, north and south. Ireland is very fortunate to have two extraordinary women serve as presidents, which were Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese. Expand Close Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during his visit to the US (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during his visit to the US (Brian Lawless/PA) All our incredible honourees this evening are women who are outstanding visionary leaders. Women have come a long way in both the US and Ireland, but there is still a long way to go. The Ireland Funds executive director Caitriona Fottrell paid tribute to those who support the philanthropic organisation. She said: Whats really exciting on a night that celebrates visionary women is how many of the organisations, going right back to very beginning when we were funding tiny communities groups in Northern Ireland right up to some of the largest and creative organisations we support today, how many of those organisations have been led by visionary women, so this is a theme. We are excited and energised by the transformation those organisations are bringing about and yet every year even better ones come forward. A Northern Ireland woman is urging people to "share their spare" and donate an organ as World Kidney Day 2019 is marked. Lesley Bratty from Newtownards, Co Down, donated her kidney as a living donor in an operation carried out at Belfast City Hospital last year. Read More The 37-year-old is speaking out about her own experience to encourage others to be come living donors. She said too many people are needlessly losing their lives as they wait for a transplant. "There are currently nearly 5,000 people waiting for a kidney in the UK, and around 250 people die each year in need of one," she said. "With so much news about the new opt-out system around deceased donation, I'm using the opportunity of World Kidney Day to remind people that they do not have to be deceased to donate, they can potentially help someone now. "I am a great believer in the notion that we are here to try to make a positive impact on the world, no matter how small, and this was something I could do to make the world a better place." Lesley joked that it got her out of the housework for a few weeks. Bob Wiggins from UK charity Give A Kidney said the benefits of living kidney donors extends beyond those who are the recipients. "Many people still don't know that any healthy adult can volunteer as a living donor and more than 700 people in the UK have now donated one of their healthy kidneys to a stranger, changing hundreds of lives for the better," he said. He added that when one person offers to donate a kidney, it has the positive impact of encouraging others to also become live donors. He explained: "Someone stepping forward to donate in this way can potentially trigger up to three transplants, so kidneys from donors like Lesley are incredibly valuable. "Together this group of donors has already saved the NHS tens of millions of pounds over the cost of keeping the recipients of their kidneys on dialysis treatment." A kidney from a living donor remains the very best treatment option for most patients with diseases of the organ. A volunteer donor - which can be any healthy adult - goes through a thorough assessment over several months to ensure they are fit and healthy and that the risk to them is as low as possible. If approved, they are matched with a suitable high priority recipient from the transplant waiting list. Further information can be found at www.giveakidney.org Chief Inspector Pete Montgomery speaks to the media about murder of Alice Morrow Detectives investigating last weekend's death of east Belfast woman Alice Morrow (53) last night charged a 42-year-old man with her murder. He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court this morning. The mother-of-three was found dead in her flat at Whincroft Way in the Braniel estate on Sunday night. Police said a domestic motivation is their main line of enquiry. Detective Chief Inspector Pete Montgomery, who is leading the probe, made a further appeal for information yesterday. "My thoughts today are very much with Alice's family and friends, who are trying to come to terms with their loss," he said. "She was a mother-of-three, a grandmother-of-three and a sister. "On Sunday, March 10, at 11.15pm the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call from Alice's home at 14C Whincroft Way in Belfast. On the arrival of paramedics and police Alice was found dead in her bedroom. "I believe that she may have been murdered sometime between noon and 8pm that day. "The investigations are ongoing at this time. However, I know that at 8.45pm on Saturday, March 9, Alice travelled from the direction of the Belvoir area of Belfast to the Ballyduff area in Newtownabbey, where she visited friends. "She drove her car in both directions, a Silver Peugeot 106, registration FCZ 1913. "She was last seen on CCTV at 2.52am at Brackenvale Eurospar on Saintfield Road, where she purchased a number of items and then headed in the direction of Belfast. I believe she went home." DCI Mongomery made a number of new appeals to help trace Alice's last movements. "Did you see Alice on Saturday in her car in the Belvoir area or in the Ballyduff area?" he asked. "Did you see her on Sunday March 10? If so, where? She may have been walking her two Jack Russell dogs in the area around her home. "Was she with anyone or did you talk to her? "Did you see anyone enter or leave her home at 14e Whincroft Way on Sunday? "Did you hear or see an altercation in her home, 14e Whincroft Way, on Sunday? I would appeal to anyone who has any information, no matter how insignificant they think it is, to contact us. "Your information could be key in bringing Alice's murderer to justice. "Alice died due to injuries sustained in an assault. Domestic motivation is certainly one line of enquiry." When asked about house searches in the Belvoir and Cregagh areas, DCI Montgomery confirmed that a number had been carried out in relation to the killing. Neighbours described the victim as quiet, friendly and someone who "kept herself to herself". It is understood she had lived in her second-floor flat with a partner for around three years. Detectives can be contacted on 101, quoting reference 1345 10/03/19. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. A man was remanded in custody today charged with murdering a grandmother in east Belfast. Alice Morrow's body was discovered in her flat at Whincroft Way on the Braniel estate last Sunday. William Stephen Hutchinson, 42, appeared before Belfast Magistrates' Court to face allegations that he murdered the 53-year-old. Hutchinson, of Kilbroney House in the Greenway area of the city, stood head bowed during the brief hearing. Handcuffed and dressed in a grey tracksuit, he nodded to confirm that he understood the charge against him. Members of the victim's family were in attendance, remaining silent in the public gallery. An investigating detective said he could connect Hutchinson to the alleged offence. Defence solicitor Michael Madden put no questions to the officer. "There is no application for bail," the lawyer added. With police following a number of lines of enquiry surrounding the killing, no further details were disclosed on court. Deputy District Judge Joe Rice remanded Hutchinson in custody, to appear in court again by video-link on April 5. Meanwhile, police have made further appeals in an attempt to help trace Ms Morrow's last movements. The mother-of-three and grandmother of three was last seen on CCTV at 2.52am on Sunday at Brackenvale Eurospar on the Saintfield Road. Detectives believe she may have been murdered sometime between 12 noon and 8pm that day. Those who place their trust in paramilitaries over the police have been warned that "they don't offer their services for free". A new survey commissioned by the Department of Justice found that around one in 10 in loyalist or republican areas claimed paramilitaries made them feel safer. Foyle SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said the groups should be called out as gangsters who exploited their communities. And East Belfast DUP MLA Joanne Bunting said those who refused to move away from paramilitarism should face the full weight of the law. The Perceptions of Paramilitarism in Northern Ireland is the first in-depth survey of attitudes towards terror groups here. It showed 10% of those in loyalist areas and 11% in republican areas felt paramilitaries kept them safe, compared to 5% across Northern Ireland as a whole. In January the UVF was linked to the murder of east Belfast loyalist Ian Ogle, and the New IRA set off a car bomb in Londonderry. Paramilitaries have also been responsible for 94 so-called punishment attacks in 2016/17, and are making 300 people homeless each year due to intimidation. Mr Durkan said: "We talk about paramilitary organisations, but we're really talking about gangsters. That's how we should start describing them; they claim to protect the community but in many cases they exploit them. "They don't offer their services for free. Someone might think they did them a good turn, but one day a knock will come to the door to have the favour returned." He added frustration over delays in the justice system and paramilitaries creating "no go" areas for police was prolonging the problem. "You also have more and more disaffected young people, failed by society, so when they are offered a chance of belonging to something they can be easily led and manipulated," he said. Some 81% of people disagreed that they kept areas safe. Almost a third (32%) of those who live in loyalist areas felt paramilitaries had a controlling influence, with 24% in republican areas feeling the same, compared with 14% across the province. And 29% of those living in loyalist areas and 24% living in republican areas think that paramilitaries create fear and intimidation, compared with 15% generally. Ms Bunting said: "Whilst a small number of people may mistakenly believe that paramilitary groups keep their area safe, it is very clear that many more people feel they attempt to control communities and create fear and intimidation. "What is common across all communities, however, is that the vast majority of people want to see our society rid of these groups." The Department of Justice is leading a programme agreed by the former Executive to tackle the problem. Some 50m has been pledged between 2016-21 to address aramilitarism, criminality and organised crime. The Paramilitary Crime Task Force has seen the PSNI work with Revenue and Customs and the National Crime Agency. Anthony Harbinson of Tackling Paramilitarism said the report would increase understanding of the impact of such activity. He added: "Most people do feel safe living in their areas and feel protected by the law and justice system, but there are some parts of Northern Ireland where this is a real challenge and it is important to recognise and address this. "The Tackling Paramilitarism programme is aimed at ensuring we can all live in a society where citizens and communities feel safe and confident, where the public support and have increasing confidence in the justice system and where paramilitarism has no place." Heartbroken family and friends of a Co Armagh schoolgirl who died suddenly last month will honour her memory today by attempting a world record. Maddy-Leigh Harbinson (11), from Collingdale in Lurgan, passed away at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital on February 18. She had unknowingly developed Type 1 diabetes that resulted in multiple organ failure. Maddy-Leigh had just started Year Eight at Lismore Comprehensive School in Craigavon last September. The Lismore school community will attempt a world record for the largest human pi symbol to mark today's date. The event is taking place on a day that celebrates the mathematical symbol. The current world record is 847 people, achieved in Portugal in March last year, but organisers believe they can smash this number. In partnership with Maddy-Leigh's family, the record attempt will also be raising awareness and funds for Diabetes UK. Maddy-Leigh's death is still being mourned by her devastated parents, Sabrina and Colin, and her brother, Tristen, along with her wider family circle and friends. "We are delighted and overwhelmed that Lismore Comprehensive is attempting a world record in memory of Maddy-Leigh," Sabrina said. "We are pleased that Lismore is also raising awareness about Type 1 diabetes and the potential life-threatening risk it poses." Sabrina urged other parents and family members to know what symptoms to look for but to also be aware that not every child who develops Type 1 diabetes will outwardly show the common signs. She said: "Maddy-Leigh only had a few minor symptoms, but nothing that would suggest Type 1 diabetes, with some symptoms the complete opposite. "This made it impossible for us to realise Maddy-Leigh had developed Type 1 diabetes. While this is a very rare case, we would ask other parents to be vigilant and would like more testing to be done on children to check for diabetes. "If your child is ill, please ask your GP to do a finger prick test to check for diabetes. It only takes a few seconds and could save lives. "When a child develops diabetes, it happens very quickly and rapidly, so it's important to act quickly. "We would like to take this opportunity to thank family, friends, Lismore Comprehensive and the wider community for their support at this very difficult time." Lismore principal Fiona Kane said Maddy-Leigh's sudden but peaceful death over the mid-term break in February had a devastating impact on the whole school community. She added: "Maddy-Leigh's friends asked us on the first days back to school following the mid-term break if we could fund-raise for Diabetes UK. "The maths department, who are organising the world record attempt, thought we could possibly link the two, and the entire pupil population - over 1,200 pupils, as well as a number of staff - will be participating in the world record attempt. "As the whole school community is involved, we thought it would be a prominent way to honour Maddy-Leigh's memory. "If anyone would like to make a donation to Diabetes UK NI, they can do so by visiting the school." Police have ruled out foul play in the death of Co Armagh man Aidan McCabe. His body was discovered in a property in the Acorn Hill area of Bessbrook on Wednesday, March 13, sparking a murder investigation and the arrest of six people. However, following a post mortem on Thursday, police confirmed they were no longer treating his death as murder. Detective Chief Inspector Eamonn Corrigan said: "Six people - including three women, one aged 39 and two aged 22, and three men aged 41, 43 and 52 - that were arrested yesterday by detectives investigating the death have been released unconditionally. "The 39 year old woman was then re- arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. She has been released on bail pending further enquiries." Politicians across Northern Ireland have paid tribute to the Bloody Sunday families on a day of mixed emotions as the prosecution of one soldier was announced. One paratrooper, 'soldier F' will face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell. Expand Close Relatives and supporters of the victims of the 1972 Bloody Sunday killings hold images of those who died as they march from the Bogside area of Derry. (Photo by Paul FAITH / AFP)PAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Relatives and supporters of the victims of the 1972 Bloody Sunday killings hold images of those who died as they march from the Bogside area of Derry. (Photo by Paul FAITH / AFP)PAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images Read More Sixteen other veterans and two ex-members of the Official IRA, all of whom were investigated, will not face prosecution for their actions in Londonderry on January 30 1972. Sinn Fein deputy leader Michelle O'Neill paid tribute to the families and their "long, painful" campaign for justice. Bloody Sunday was a massacre of innocents. Todays decision does not change that," Ms O'Neill said. 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 Scenes from 'Bloody Sunday' in Londonderry, Northern Ireland Paddy Doherty, who was killed on Bloody Sunday. 30th January 1972: An armed soldier and a protestor on Bloody Sunday when British Paratroopers shot dead 13 civilians on a civil rights march. Frederick Hoare A young Fr Edward Daly carries a blood-soaked hankie as he leads a group of men trying desperately to carry John 'Jackie' Duddy to safety. Duddy (17) was the first fatality of Bloody Sunday after being shot from behind by paratroopers A young Fr Edward Daly carries a blood-soaked hankie as he leads a group of men trying desperately to carry John 'Jackie' Duddy to safety. Duddy (17) was the first fatality of Bloody Sunday after being shot from behind by paratroopers Bloody Sunday A scene showing a British paratrooper near Glenfada Park in Derry where Bloody Sunday took place. Hugh Gilmore (third left) seen clutching his stomach as he is shot during Bloody Sunday. PA William McKinney, killed on Bloody Sunday. Lt Col Derek Wilford, the former commander of the members of the Parachute Regiment involved in the Bloody Sunday shootings PA A protest parade in was staged in Londonderry in January to mark the 40th anniversary of Bloody Sunday Hugh Gilmore who was killed on Bloody Sunday. Bloody Sunday Trust Michael McDaid who was killed on Bloody Sunday. Bloody Sunday Trust Bloody Sunday: Up to 20 soldiers still face being formally questioned by police for alleged murder, attempted murder or criminal injury during the notorious incident Fred Hoare Soldiers taking cover behind their sandbagged armoured cars during Bloody Sunday PA Lord Chief Justice, Lord Widgery in his room at the Old Bailey as he looks through his report on the "Bloody Sunday" shootings PA Jim Wray who was killed on Bloody Sunday. Bloody Sunday Trust John Young who was killed on Bloody Sunday. Bloody Sunday Trust William McKinney who was killed on Bloody Sunday. Bloody Sunday Trust Kevin McElhinney who was killed on Bloody Sunday. Bloody Sunday Trust Gerard McKinney who was killed on Bloody Sunday. Bloody Sunday Trust Gerald Donaghey who was killed on Bloody Sunday. Bloody Sunday Trust Alana Burke who was eighteen when she was run over by an armoured personnel carrier on Bloody Sunday. Bloody Sunday. January 1972 Patrick Doherty who was killed on Bloody Sunday. Bloody Sunday Trust Bloody Sunday. Funeral. Mrs Ita McKinney, 9 months pregnant cries behind the hearse carrying her husband James from St Mary's, Creggan. 2/2/1972. Michael Kelly who was killed on Bloody Sunday. A man receiving attention during the shooting incident in Londonderry, which became known as Bloody Sunday Bloody Sunday. 30/1/1972 Bloody Sunday. 30/1/1972 Bloody Sunday. 30/1/1972 JAMES WRAY IN HIS HOME IN THE BOGSIDE DERRY HOLDING THE COAT WITH BULLIET HOLES IN THAT HIS SON ALSO CALLED JAMES WRAY WAS KILLED ON BLOODY SUNDAY The start of a grim day in Derry. Civil Rights marchers make their way through Creggan. They defied a Government ban and headed for Guildhall Square, but were stopped by the Army in William Street. 31/1/1972 Bloody Sunday 1972 Linda Nash carries flowers with the number 14 inscribed during yesterdays annual Bloody Sunday Parade in Derry. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 29.1.12 Martin McKeown A memorial to those killed on Bloody Sunday in the Bogside area of Derry The memorial to the 14 people who died on Bloody Sunday in Derry rises from among the sea of umbrellas as all the families came together in an ecumenical service. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Civil Rights mark.The service included contributions from Father Michael Canny and Reverend David Latimer, left. Picture Martin McKeown. Inpresspics.com. 29.1.12 Martin McKeown / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Scenes from 'Bloody Sunday' in Londonderry, Northern Ireland There is of course huge disappointment that only one former soldier has been charged with two counts of murder and four attempted murders. We share that disappointment and the sense of incredulity at this decision, given the clearly established facts about the actions of the British Army on Bloody Sunday." SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said that the lack of prosecutions was not a vindication of the actions of the British Army on Bloody Sunday. This campaign for truth, justice and accountability has been met with prevarication, equivocation and obstruction at every level. In sharp contrast, the unshakable dignity and solidarity of the families has been immense," the Foyle MLA said. As Mayor of Derry, I walked proudly with the Bloody Sunday families as we received the Saville report. We will continue to stand with them as they campaign against the heinous wrongs that have been committed against them and against our community." DUP Foyle MLA Gary Middleton said it had been a day of mixed emotions both for the families, but also for the soldiers. "I do recognise there is a huge amount of disappointment from the families' perspective but also a lot of relief from the soldiers' perspective in terms of the fact they will have been living in fear over the past number of years," Mr Middleton said. "We need to ensure there is a balance in terms of prosecution of soldiers and prosecutions of terrorists. That is something we need to take a step back on and say can we honesty say there has been fair treatment of not only terrorists who received comfort letters but those who served in the armed forces?" UUP MLA and former British Army soldier Doug Beattie reacted to the prosecutions on Twitter, saying "there are no winners here. Just victims". "It's important to remember their families today," he wrote. TUV leader Jim Allister said that his thoughts were with the "innocent victims of terrorism". The pursuit of soldiers while terrorists continue to go scott free is now very much part of the rewrite of history," the North Antrim MLA said. Alliance leader Naomi Long said it was a day for "sympathy with the families and for respect for due process and the rule of law." Green party leader Clare Bailey said that the Bloody Sunday families deserved "access to justice after decades of denial". The South Belfast MLA called for a "comprehensive and independent process" to be set up to deal with Troubles legacy issues. In the Republic of Ireland, Tanaiste Simon Coveney said his thoughts were with the families of the victims of Bloody Sunday. "Every civilian who died or was injured on Bloody Sunday was an innocent victim who posed no danger to anyone," the Irish Foreign Minister said. "A decision has been made today to pursue a prosecution and it is very important that no one prejudice that process." Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said that it was not a day for "knee jerk reactions" and that it was "crucial" that legacy issues were dealt with by both the Irish and British Governments. He said that despite the lack of evidence "other mechanics can assist the families if both governments could agree to establish them". Notwithstanding the families inevitable disappointment today, the prosecution of Soldier F is significant given the denial of the British government for many years," Mr Martin said. The families of the victims should be honoured for their determination, dignity and continued bravery on behalf of those who were so brutally murdered and they will continue to be supported. The leader of Sinn Fein and Northern Irelands police chief have held a frank and constructive meeting. Mary Lou McDonald and George Hamilton had a conversation in Washington DC on Thursday to discuss their dispute over the Chief Constables potential successor. It comes after Mrs McDonald said she would not have confidence in any current member of the PSNI senior command team replacing Mr Hamilton when he retires in the summer. A spokesman for Sinn Fein said Mrs McDonald raised the issue of the failure of the PSNI to disclose information about historical killings to Northern Irelands Police Ombudsman. He said the Sinn Fein president had raised her concerns about the matter to Mr Hamilton. It was a frank meeting but it was a constructive meeting as well, the spokesman said. Expand Close Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has met George Hamilton (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has met George Hamilton (Brian Lawless/PA) The big issue and where there is agreement here is that we need to remove legacy policing from contemporary policing. The PSNI confirmed the meeting took place. Speaking ahead of their meeting, Mrs McDonald said: We are going to meet to discuss primarily issues around dealing with legacy, the PSNI disclosing and co-operating with the police and the ombudsman and other bodies, and I think we will have a frank conversation. My interactions with George Hamilton have always been open and direct and I imagine that tomorrow (Thursday) will be no different. The Sinn Fein spokesman said Mrs McDonald also raised her concerns about a police probe into Belfast journalists Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffery at the meeting. The award winning journalists were arrested last year ago over the alleged theft of confidential material from the offices of the Ombudsman, Dr Michael Maguire. The material relates to a police investigation into the murder of six men in Loughinisland. The Sinn Fein presidents remarks about the next chief constable triggered a furore last month. Mr Hamilton responded in robust terms, accusing her of poor leadership and suggesting she had contaminated and interfered with the selection process. Mrs McDonalds assertion, from which she has not resiled, came after she met bereaved families caught up in a controversy involving the PSNIs failure to disclose documents about killings to the Ombudsman. The PSNIs oversight body the Northern Ireland Policing Board is responsible for appointing the chief constable. Ordinarily, a Sinn Fein appointee would be on a board panel made up of party political and independent board members which makes the decision. That practice was thrown into doubt following Mrs McDonalds remarks, for a time raising the prospect of a panel without Sinn Fein representation, or without any political appointees at all. But, after taking legal advice, the Policing Board ultimately decided to press ahead with a panel featuring political representatives, including Sinn Fein. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald attends the American Ireland Gala Fund dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington DC during his visit to the US. The leader of Sinn Fein and Northern Irelands police chief are to meet on Thursday for a frank conversation. Mary Lou McDonald and George Hamilton, who are in Washington DC this week, will discuss their dispute over the Chief Constables potential successor. It comes after Mrs McDonald said she would not have confidence in any current member of the PSNI senior command team replacing Mr Hamilton when he retires in the summer. Speaking ahead of their meeting, Mrs McDonald said: We are going to meet to discuss primarily issues around dealing with legacy, the PSNI disclosing and co-operating with the police and the ombudsman and other bodies, and I think we will have a frank conversation. My interactions with George Hamilton have always been open and direct and I imagine that tomorrow (Thursday) will be no different. Mrs McDonald and Mr Hamilton both attended the Ireland Funds dinner in Washington on Wednesday evening. The Sinn Fein presidents remarks about the next chief constable triggered a furore last month. Expand Close PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton at the Ireland Funds dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington DC (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton at the Ireland Funds dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington DC (Brian Lawless/PA) Mr Hamilton responded in robust terms, accusing her of poor leadership and suggesting she had contaminated and interfered with the selection process. Mrs McDonalds assertion, from which she has not resiled, came after she met bereaved families caught up in a controversy involving the PSNIs failure to disclose documents about historical killings to Northern Irelands Police Ombudsman. The PSNIs oversight body the Northern Ireland Policing Board is responsible for appointing the chief constable. Ordinarily, a Sinn Fein appointee would be on a board panel made up of party political and independent board members which makes the decision. That practice was thrown into doubt following Mrs McDonalds remarks, for a time raising the prospect of a panel without Sinn Fein representation, or without any political appointees at all. But, after taking legal advice, the Policing Board ultimately decided to press ahead with a panel including political representatives, including Sinn Fein. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow in Northern Ireland this weekend. A warning for snow will be in place from 4am until 9pm on Saturday. A Met Office spokesperson said that "a spell of snow may bring some travel disruption, especially over higher ground". Revellers will be hoping that the weather doesn't affect the St Patrick's Day celebrations on Sunday. "A developing area of low pressure is expected to track across Northern Ireland on Saturday," a Met Office spokesperson said. "As this runs into colder air, snow is likely to develop, particularly in any heavier bursts of precipitation. "The largest snowfall amounts will be confined to higher ground, with the potential for 10-20 cm of snow above 350 m. Between 100 m and 350 m elevation, a mixture of rain, sleet and snow is more likely, but there is potential for accumulations of 2-5 cm, and a small chance of 10 cm should the precipitation be heavy enough to maintain snow for a longer duration." Former British soldier Dennis Hutchings has been charged over the fatal 1974 shooting of a man in Northern Ireland (Gareth Fuller/PA) In the last eight years, Northern Irelands Public Prosecution Service has taken prosecutorial decisions in 26 cases related to the Troubles, and three of these involve soldiers. The three cases which are currently live include that of Dennis Hutchings, 77, who has denied a charge of attempted murder over the death of John Pat Cunningham in 1974. The 27-year-old, who had learning difficulties, was shot in the back as he ran away from an Army patrol near Benburb, Co Tyrone. Mr Hutchings has contended it was never his intention to kill or injure Mr Cunningham, but that he was firing warning shots to get him to stop. Expand Close Aidan McAnespie, 23, was shot dead in Aughnacloy, Northern Ireland, in February 1988 (PA) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Aidan McAnespie, 23, was shot dead in Aughnacloy, Northern Ireland, in February 1988 (PA) In a separate case, two former paratroopers are to stand trial charged with murdering an Official IRA man in Belfast. The former soldiers, who cannot be identified, allegedly killed Joe McCann in Belfast in April 1972. The defendants, now aged in their 60s, are known only as Soldier A and Soldier C. They were granted temporary anonymity at an early stage amid fears that identification could put their lives at risk. McCann was shot in disputed circumstances near his home in the Market area. In the third case currently before Northern Irelands courts, a former soldier has been charged over the death of Aidan McAnespie, 23, in Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone, in February 1988. Former Grenadier Guardsman David Jonathan Holden, 48, has been accused of gross negligence manslaughter. Mr McAnespie was on his way to a local GAA club when he was shot by the soldier. Mr Holden has claimed his hands were wet and his finger slipped on the trigger of his heavy machine gun. The PPS is still considering whether to prosecute one further case which involves members of the military. The United States and Ireland are bound together with ties of kinship and friendship, US president Donald Trump has said. Mr Trump described the relationship between the two countries as strong and resilient during an event in Washington DC attended by Irish and Northern Ireland politicians. During the Speakers Lunch at the Capitol Building, Mr Trump also reassured Irish premier Leo Varadkar on the ongoing Brexit debate saying it will all work out. The annual lunch was hosted by House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Capitol Hill and included a number of Irish political representatives as well as Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Today, we welcome Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar to the U.S. Capitol for the annual Friends of Ireland Luncheon. https://t.co/XeB6SybNka Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) March 14, 2019 US vice-president Mike Pence, DUP leader Arlene Foster and Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald was also in attendance. Speaking about his earlier private meeting with Mr Varadkar, the US president said: We discussed a lot of things, in particular we talked about Brexit, something that turned out to be a little more complex than they thought it be. But it will all work out, everything does, one way or the other. Youve got a very interesting view on it, and I appreciate you letting me know whats going on over there. (Its) a very tough situation. Expand Close Mr Trump spoke during the lunch (Brains Lawson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mr Trump spoke during the lunch (Brains Lawson/PA) He added: The United States and Ireland are bound together with ties of both kinship and friendship, a really great friendship. Today, our relationship is as strong and resilient as the great Irish people are strong and resilient. Mr Varadkar thanked the Friends of Ireland caucus in Congress for the vital help in protecting the Good Friday Agreement. The organisation was founded by Irish-American politicians to support peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Mr Varadkar added: The Irish people have always had a dialogue with the American people. It is genuine, it is warm, and it has stood the test of time. Expand Close Mr Varadkar presents Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi with a copy of a letter signed by more than 300 congressman written in 1937 to congratulate Ireland on its new constitution (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mr Varadkar presents Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi with a copy of a letter signed by more than 300 congressman written in 1937 to congratulate Ireland on its new constitution (Brian Lawless/PA) Your political and civic leaders of all parties and backgrounds helped shape the country that Ireland is today. And I want to say on behalf of the Irish government and behalf of the Irish people, that we thank the Friends of Ireland caucus in Congress for their vital help at this critical time to protect the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement and ensure there is no return to a hard border on the island of Ireland, whatever happens with Brexit. Madam Speaker, President Reagan once said that a people free to choose will always choose peace. He was right, and I know the land of liberty will continue to protect that fundamental freedom. Great opportunity to speak with @realDonaldTrump & @VP Mike Pence during a lunch hosted by @SpeakerPelosi on Capitol Hill. Great commitment amongst the US administration to help Northern Ireland. . . Also invited them to @royalportrush for The Open 2019. pic.twitter.com/HhsbtDA5Yk Arlene Foster #WeWillMeetAgain (@ArleneFosterUK) March 14, 2019 Mrs Pelosi praised the bond the two countries share. This has been a tradition where we dispense from our differences, whether it is political or whether they are competitive in any other way, and where we come together and celebrate, she said. Here in America we take great pride in Irish heritage that millions in our country claim. As we celebrate our common heritage we also look to the future and work to continue peace in Northern Ireland. If former soldiers are told today that they will face trial over their role on Bloody Sunday, there could be disruption similar to the flag protests of 2012, an Army veteran has warned. Alan Barry is the founder of the Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans group. He said that if ex-paratroopers are told they are to be prosecuted, his organisation will "block roads and cause major disruption". Thirteen people died when soldiers opened fire on civilians during a civil rights march in Derry in January 1972. Another man died later from his injuries. In 2010 the Saville Inquiry exonerated all the victims and said the soldiers had lost control. Prime Minister David Cameron issued an apology in the House of Commons on behalf of the state, saying the killings were "unjustified and unjustifiable". This morning 17 former paratroopers will find out if they are to be charged in relation to the shootings. Mr Barry said that if the soldiers are to face court "you can guarantee a ferry load of us will be on our way and there will be roads blocked and major disruption". "I think everyone knows what the outcome of today's proceedings will be," he said. "We are holding a protest outside in Parliament Square in London this morning and we will be calling for national street protests. "We will be calling on people with like-minded views to join us. If a paratrooper is appearing in court there will be hundreds of veterans outside. There is no way we will stand for this. "We will also be holding street protests in Northern Ireland and we will be marching on Stormont. We will be blocking roads and causing major disruption to infrastructure. "None of us wanted to go to Northern Ireland in the first place. We were sent there to do a job and now they are dragging us back to face prosecutions. "If a paratrooper has to face this then you can guarantee that a ferry load of us will be there and we will cause problems." A vigil has taken place in Belfast following news that one soldier will be prosecuted over the 1972 Bloody Sunday shootings in Londonderry. Thirteen civil rights demonstrators were shot dead on January 30 1972, on one of the most notorious days of the Northern Ireland Troubles. Around 100 people gathered at the former site of the Andersonstown police station on Thursday evening to stand in solidarity with the Bloody Sunday families. Expand Close Belfast Lord Mayor Deirdre Hargey during the vigil in West Belfast (Niall Carson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Belfast Lord Mayor Deirdre Hargey during the vigil in West Belfast (Niall Carson/PA) Many held black flags and pictures of people who had been killed on Bloody Sunday as well as in a 1971 shooting in west Belfast known as the Ballymurphy massacre. Read More West Belfast MP Paul Maskey, Lord Mayor Deirdre Hargey, former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly were among those in attendance. Mr Maskey said they were standing in solidarity with the Bloody Sunday families. Speaking at the vigil, Mr Maskey said the decision to prosecute only one soldier over Bloody Sunday was wrong. The Bloody Sunday families have shown determination and dignity over the past 47 years that has been remarkable, he said. We are proud to stand in solidarity with them this evening. The British state must be answerable for the crimes it has committed in Ireland. He continued: The Bloody Sunday families are continuing on their journey for justice and Belfast will stand with them, the message to the British Government and its forces is very clear, justice will prevail. Expand Close Pictures of Bloody Sunday victims James Wray and William McKinney were held up (Niall Carson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Pictures of Bloody Sunday victims James Wray and William McKinney were held up (Niall Carson/PA) Briege Voyle, whose mother Joan Connolly was one of 10 people, including a priest, shot dead at Ballymurphy in 1971, also addressed the vigil. She paid tribute to the dignity of the Bloody Sunday families following the devastating announcement that just one soldier will be prosecuted. They are heartbroken but they were dignified as they have always been, as we have always tried to be, we have followed them in their footsteps, she said. We will be there standing by the Bloody Sunday families as they are there with us. We will get there us fighting Irish will fight them all the way to the High Court if we have to. It came hours after Northern Irelands Public Prosecution Service (PPS) announced that a former paratrooper, known only as soldier F, will be charged with two murders and four attempted murders. He will face charges for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick ODonnell in Londonderry in 1972. However, the PPS said 16 other former soldiers and two suspected ex-members of the Official IRA, all of whom were also investigated as part of a major police murder probe, will not face prosecution. Relatives of those who died reacted with a mix of vindication, disappointment and defiance. While welcoming the news for the six families directly impacted by the decision to prosecute Soldier F declaring that a victory the campaigners said they would keep fighting for the other dead and injured. The property on Fountain Terrace in Convoy, Co Donegal, where two pensioners died Gardai are investigating if an elderly couple died after suffering injuries in separate falls in their bedroom. The bodies of (76) were found by a relative at their home in Convoy, Co Donegal yesterday. The couple were well known in the area and had returned from the UK to live there almost 10 years ago. The alarm was raised at around 1.30pm and gardai attended the scene immediately. The house was sealed off and a full forensic investigation was carried out. Donegal county coroner Dr Denis McCauley also attended. The bodies were removed and post mortem examinations are to take place at Letterkenny University Hospital. The course of the Garda investigation will be determined by the autopsies' findings. A Garda source said that there was no sign of trauma to the couple and no indications of a break-in to the white-washed terraced home on the outskirts of the village. County councillor Liam Doherty, a relative of the late couple, said the deaths appeared to have been accidents. He said: "I have spoken to gardai and they do not believe there was a break-in or any form of gas poisoning or anything like that," he said. "It's just one of those tragic situations and it's very difficult for the family at this time." Cllr Doherty said it would appear that the couple may have suffered falls in the bedroom of their home. "My sister found the couple and I was next there at the scene. Margaret took a fall. "It seemed Margaret had come out of her bed and fell and possibly hit her head on the dresser. He added: "I was in with them yesterday evening. "Different people called in every day, to see what they needed. It's just so tragic, they're gone. I looked at Pat's hand, you could see the way he was lying, he was trying to help Margaret." Two people have been arrested in Portugal under a European Arrest Warrant (Niall Carson/PA Wire) A man and a woman have been arrested in Portugal under a European arrest warrant. Gardai said the man, aged in his 30s, and the woman, aged in her 20s, were detained in relation to the seizure of about 187,000 euro worth of cannabis in Co Cork three years ago. The arrests were made in Lisbon on Wednesday following a raid on a house in Dunmanway on January 18 2016. Officers from the West Cork drugs unit discovered cannabis herb and cannabis plants at the property. Previously, four men and a woman had been arrested and detained at Bandon and Bantry garda stations in relation to the case but they were later released without charge. A file was prepared for the DPP. The man and the woman detained in Portugal were brought back to Ireland to face charges. They are being detained at Bandon garda station and were due to appear before Bantry district court on Thursday afternoon. One man has already been before the courts in relation to the matter. Another European arrest warrant remains outstanding. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (right) in conversation with DUP leader Arlene Foster at the Ireland Funds gala dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington DC (Brian Lawless/PA) Arlene Foster has said her party is committed to working hard for a Brexit agreement, but denied the government's tariff plan for a no-deal treated Northern Ireland differently to the rest of the United Kingdom. The DUP leader acknowledged there were differences, but said that constitutionally and economically Northern Ireland remained within the UK. "From a constitutional and economic point of view we remain very much within the UK in a no-deal scenario," she told the BBC. Our difficulty with the backstop is that it separates us out from the rest of the UK. Read More Northern Ireland would be 'Wild West of UK' with tariff-free Brexit access from Republic Ed Curran: Brexit has left unionists and nationalists more divided than ever "We have never said there should be difference in terms of Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK but what we can not have is economic and constitutional differences." There was anger mixed with bemusement on Wednesday when the government announced its tariff plan for day one in the event of a no-deal. While goods would be able to move from the Republic to Northern Ireland without tariffs, there would likely be charges imposed from the other direction. At every other entry point to the UK, there would be tariffs imposed. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar described it as ironic as it treated Northern Ireland differently, which had been the problem with the agreed position between the EU and the prime minister. Business groups said the proposals would make Northern Ireland the "wild west of the UK". After another devastating day in the Commons for Theresa May, with her own cabinet ministers defying the whip to vote against her, there have been reports the DUP could be considering a shift in its position at Westminster. "We are working very hard with the government to get a deal so we leave the EU with a deal," Arlene Foster said. "The important thing is Northern Ireland is not left behind. That we leave altogether, that we have that constitutional and economic integrity for the UK. "And we have long said that Stormont should play a role in this. We wanted Stormont to have a meaningful say in Brexit and we still believe that to be the case." After the Commons voted to take a no-deal off the table in a non-binding vote, Mrs Foster was resolute it could not be an option. "If you take it off the table then you weaken your hand and we believe that is wrong. In such a high stakes negotiation you should try and have as strong a hand as you possible can. "We are still working to get a deal and that is the important issue." On goods passing into Northern Ireland with no tariff, yet the potential of charges for Northern Ireland business going the other way, Arlene foster said it was a "recognition of the scale of the market". "We have a very small market in European terms when you look at it compared to the whole of the single market of the EU. "Northern Ireland to the Republic and the Republic to Northern Ireland is actually a minuscule part of that. "We have always said if people have a mind to find those ways to deal with theses situations but unfortunately there has not been a willingness to find the way. "A paper was put forward on technology solutions and trusted traders and small business exceptions which was rejected. "It is not a huge issue people have made it into a huge issue, let's be sensible let's get a deal and lets make it work for everybody. "People need to hold their nerve." Prime Minister Theresa May in the House of Commons on Wednesday (UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor/PA) Business leaders welcomed MPs vote to reject a no-deal Brexit under any circumstances but urged the Government to turn it into action. The pound appeared to rise significantly after the vote on Wednesday as fluctuations in Sterling were driven by politics instead of economics, according to one expert. MPs have voted in the interests of businesses and households by voting to rule out leaving the European Union without a deal, according to the City of London Corporations policy chairwoman Catherine McGuinness. The move is a victory for common sense, she said. Ms McGuinness added: Crashing out of the European Union without a deal would be an unprecedented act of self-sabotage. But in order to stave off this costly economic own goal, Parliament now needs to act swiftly to make todays rejection of no-deal a reality by voting to extend Article 50 and give breathing room for a solution to be found. She also urged the EU to be pragmatic in its response and agree to an extension, adding: Business needs certainty to thrive. Parliaments decision to reject a hugely damaging no-deal Brexit is a victory for common sense. MPs have rightly voted in the interests of businesses and households by taking a step away from the brink. Article 50 now needs to be extended to give time for a solution to be found. Catherine McGuinness (@City_McGuinness) March 13, 2019 Dr Adam Marshall, director-general of the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC), warned a messy and disorderly exit from the EU is still a clear and present danger. He added: The reality is that without action, businesses still face an uncontrolled exit that they neither want nor are ready for. Its all well and good that Parliament has said it doesnt want a no-deal exit but without concrete action its gestures are meaningless for business. Extending Article 50 is now a necessity but its no silver bullet for businesses, many of whom fear endless uncertainty. A deadline that is continuously pushed back isnt a deadline, its an invitation to cancel investment, stop hiring or move UK operations somewhere else. It's all well and good that Parliament has said it doesnt want a no-deal exit, but without concrete action, its gestures are meaningless for business. A messy and disorderly exit on March 29th is still a clear and present danger. #Brexit @britishchambershttps://t.co/E1Fr2ilIr5 Adam Marshall CBE (@AJBMarshall) March 13, 2019 Leaving the EU without a deal would be an unforgivable act of economic and social self-harm, according to Hugh Savill, director of regulation at the Association of British Insurers (ABI). He added: It is now essential that this is put on a firm, legislative footing. Given how much time is left, an extension to Article 50 seems inevitable and is certainly preferable to no-deal by accident. Stephen Phipson, chief executive of manufacturing organisation Make UK, welcomed the vote result wholeheartedly. He said: We hope the Government listens and finds a way to make this opinion legally binding. It is then imperative that Government and Parliament work together to quickly identify a sensible and pragmatic pathway for the future that ends the damaging uncertainty causing havoc to business. Dean Turner, UK economist at UBS Wealth Management, said the pound had built on gains made earlier on Wednesday. He added: But be in no doubt that the Brexit process remains extremely fluid, with many twists and turns ahead. First World War Private John Trickett and the lucky penny credited with saving his life when it took the impact of an enemy bullet. (Hansons/PA) A lucky penny which deflected an enemy bullet during the First World War One saving a soldiers life is set to be sold at auction. Private John Trickett would have been shot in the heart if the bullet which still left him deaf had not struck the coin in the breast pocket of his uniform. Instead, the round ricocheted through his ear, leading to his honourable discharge from the Northamptonshire Regiment in 1918. Minted in 1889, the dented penny is due to be sold next week by Derbyshire-based auction house Hansons. The firms militaria expert, Adrian Stevenson, said: It looks to me like a pistol bullet hit the penny at close range. Ive come across many stories of random objects saving soldiers lives but Ive never seen anything like this before. Soldiers used to keep objects in their breast pockets in an attempt to protect themselves from enemy fire and explosions. Its likely John Trickett kept the penny there on purpose. When the bullet hit the coin, it ricocheted up through his nose and went out through the back of his ear. It left him deaf and disabled but still alive. He was honourably discharged from the Northamptonshire Regiment on September 7 1918, shortly before the 1914-18 war ended. Its strange to think that, but for that penny, his children would not have been born and I wouldnt be hereMaureen Coulson, Pte John Trickett's granddaughter The penny is part of a collection of war-related ephemera belonging to Pte Trickett, including his British War Medal and Victory Medal. The items are being sold by Pte Tricketts granddaughter, Maureen Coulson, from Duffield, Derbyshire. The 63-year-old said: Everyone in our family saw the penny and heard the story of how it saved my grandfathers life his two brothers, Horace and Billy, both died in the First World War. My granddad was born in 1899 and would have been around 19 years old when the incident happened. It damaged his left-hand side and left him deaf in his left ear. It also affected his balance. He was a great big guy from a Lincolnshire farming background but as soft as a brush. He worked with horses back home and couldnt bear to see the way they were treated on the battlefield. After returning from the conflict, Pte Trickett married Mrs Coulsons grandmother, and they had eight children. He then worked as a postmaster, and as a switchboard operator at Barnburgh Colliery in South Yorkshire, but died at the age of 63 after collapsing at work in 1962. Mrs Coulson said: I remember him well. Its strange to think that, but for that penny, his children would not have been born and I wouldnt be here. Mr Stevenson said: I hope a keen militaria collector will buy and treasure these items. The penny is a poignant reminder of the fine line between life and death, particularly in wartime. Ive heard about random objects deflecting bullets to save lives before but, until now, Id never had the opportunity to see and examine them myself. Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond leaving the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London after MPs have supported the amended Government motion which rejects a no-deal Brexit at any time and under any circumstances by 321 votes to 278, majority 43. (Victoria Jones/PA) It is certain that MPs will vote on Thursday to authorise Theresa May to seek a delay to Brexit, Chancellor Philip Hammond has said. And European Council president Donald Tusk indicated that the EU may be ready to offer a lengthy extension to negotiations if the UK wants to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it. The Chancellor denied being at odds with the Prime Minister, after he called for Parliament to seek a consensus solution to Brexit and to explore other options if her deal is voted down for a third time next week. But Labour called on him to join them in cross-party talks on finding a compromise which can command the support of Parliament, after Mrs Mays authority was severely dented by three defeats in the space of 24 hours. Mr Hammond is the most prominent of a group of Cabinet ministers suspected by Leave-backing Tories of being prepared to accept a softer form of Brexit. During my consultations ahead of #EUCO, I will appeal to the EU27 to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its #Brexit strategy and build consensus around it. Charles Michel (@eucopresident) March 14, 2019 There have been calls for the removal of four Cabinet ministers, Greg Clark, Amber Rudd, David Gauke and David Mundell, and several of lower rank who failed to vote with the Government on a motion ruling out a no-deal Brexit. Work and pensions minister Sarah Newton quit the Government to vote for the motion. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) But Mr Clark told ITV1s Peston that the decision to whip the vote was made very late in the day without collective discussion, and the abstainers believed they were acting completely in accordance with long-standing Government policy. Mr Hammond said there was confusion around the vote and told Sky News: I dont expect there to be mass sackings as a result of last night. There were suggestions as Mrs May went down to a 43-vote defeat on Wednesday that ministers had been assured they would not face repercussions for defying the whip. But one abstaining minister told the Press Association: I wasnt told anything other than to vote against the amended motion. And health minister Stephen Hammond said he had received no assurances he would keep his job. Expand Close Business Secretary Greg Clark (Victoria Jones/PA PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Business Secretary Greg Clark (Victoria Jones/PA MPs will vote on Thursday on a Government motion proposing to seek a delay in the date of Brexit from March 29 to June 30 if the Commons approves Mrs Mays Withdrawal Agreement in a third meaningful vote by next Wednesday. But the motion warns that if the deal, already rejected by 230 votes in January and 149 this week, fails again, the UK may have to accept a longer extension and take part in European Parliament elections in May. Senior ministers were meeting for a special political Cabinet at 10 Downing Street as debate gets under way in the Commons. Conservative MPs have been granted a free vote on the motion, but it remains unclear whether they will be whipped to oppose amendments designed to pave the way for a second referendum or block a so-called Peoples Vote. A cross-party amendment tabled by prominent backbencher Sir Oliver Letwin, Hilary Benn and Yvette Cooper calls for indicative votes to be held on March 20, to allow the Commons to demonstrate what kind of deal it will support ahead of a Brussels summit the following day. Labour has tabled an amendment demanding an extension to provide Parliamentary time for this House to find a majority for a different approach. Any extension must be approved unanimously by the 27 remaining EU states, and Austrian foreign minister Karin Kneissl said there could be some problem in obtaining this if it took Brexit beyond the date of elections. Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney told RTE radio: If you have a long extension of, say, 21 months to the end of 2020 whatever the period would be then Britain has a legal entitlement to have representation in the European Parliament and so must take part in EU elections. Mr Tusk said he would appeal to leaders at the European Council summit to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it. Philip Hammond urged hard Brexiteers to consider backing Theresa Mays deal when it returns to the Commons. I understand why they may not find the Prime Ministers deal perfectly in line with their view of the optimum future relationship, he told Sky News. But it is clear the House of Commons has to find a consensus around something, and if it is not the Prime Ministers deal, I think it will be something that is much less to the taste of those of the hard Brexit wing of my party. And he added: I am very happy with the Prime Ministers deal. I would be delighted if a consensus emerges behind the Prime Ministers deal over the next day or two. But I think we also have to explore other options for Parliament to express a view about how we resolve this impasse. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) Labours shadow chancellor John McDonnell urged him to get involved in talks on a compromise option. Mr McDonnell told Sky: Philip Hammond said he was opposed to no deal and was interested in compromise. We are saying to Philip Hammond You said yesterday you and other MPs in your party are looking for compromise. Join us now in working through that compromise, because we think MPs, in the interests of the country, will put party politics aside and do that. Mr Hammond told the Today programme that the Government would continue to try to build support for Mrs Mays deal, but added: Whatever happens, if we dont get the deal through in the next couple of days, the Prime Minister has to go the European Council next week and seek an extension of time Im certain that she will be mandated by Parliament today to seek an extension of time. And the European Union is going to ask us What do you want this time for? What is the process now? and the House of Commons, if it cant agree the deal over the next few days, has to decide what the answer to that question is. There will be fewer local voices on radio in Scotland as a result of Global Radios plans to centralise programming, MSPs have been told. It was announced in February that local programming at the networks stations Capital, Heart and Smooth would be significantly reduced, with several shows axed and replaced with a new UK-wide breakfast programme hosted by Roman Kemp. Des Clarke, who has hosted the breakfast show at Capital Radio for a decade, will move to Heart Scotland while his co-presenters, Steven Mill and Amy Irons, have also departed. Global Radio has said it will retain regular Scottish news bulletins throughout weekdays, with some drive-time shows, from 4pm to 7pm, also retained. But all local and regional weekend programming will end. Big news. It's all change at breakfast. Starting April 8th, Capital Breakfast with @RomanKemp will be the new sound to your mornings each weekday from 6AM. @VickNHope and @SonnyJay join Roman to bring you the world's biggest stars and hottest gossip. pic.twitter.com/CAPIW9uxAS Capital Scotland (@CapitalScotland) March 11, 2019 At the Scottish Parliaments Culture Committee on Thursday, MSPs told Global Radios chief strategy officer Will Harding that much of their reason for tuning into programmes is to hear Scottish voices. Committee convener Joan McAlpine asked whether bosses had considered basing their programming in Scotland, as opposed to London where Global Radios headquarters are located. Mr Harding said such a move had not been considered, adding the location of studios is not the top factor in determining whether listeners choose to tune in. Mr Harding said: The location of the studios and the location of the presenters comes quite low down the list of factors that our listeners tell us influences their choice of radio station. I am absolutely, quite clearly, not going to argue the point that if the show is coming from somewhere outside Scotland, that is being broadcast across the UK, clearly in that show is less of a local voice. Mr Harding also said a decision on reducing the number of staff had not been taken lightly. He said that following implementation of the changes, the number of presenters across Heart and Smooth who are counted as freelancers would reduce from six to two. Mr Harding added that the employee headcount in Scotland, which currently stands at 34 excluding presenters, would be reduced by one, although he said the organisation is currently in consultation on the changes. The number of broadcast centres in England are to be reduced, however centres in Scotland and Wales are expected to remain. I think we need to step back and look at all of the opportunities that listeners have, Mr Harding said. What we must, as an industry, offer our listeners is choice and in offering that choice, we must have flexibility. If we dont offer choice, the reality is that listeners will go elsewhere. It is absolutely right that we are held to account for delivering local content, but we have to focus on the local content that really matters, that listeners value and that delivers real public value. The DUP's 10 Westminster MPs voted against the Government's motion to delay Article 50 on Thursday evening. The party, who are propping up Theresa May's Government, joined 188 Conservative rebels in voting against the motion, which passed by 412 votes to 202 - a majority of 210. Even the Prime Minister's own Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay, who opened Thursday's debate and commended the motion to the house, voted against it. In the end, it was Labour's backing that saw the Government secure a rare victory in the long-running Brexit saga. The vote came after Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement was rejected for the second time on Tuesday and MPs voted the following day to rule out a no-deal Brexit. Only a refusal by the leaders of the 27 remaining EU states to grant the UK an extension at a Brussels summit next week could now preserve March 29 as Brexit Day. Mrs May has made clear that she will press her Agreement to a third "meaningful vote" in the Commons by March 20 in the hope of securing the support of MPs who rejected it by 230 votes in January and 149 earlier this week. If she succeeds, she will go to Brussels next Thursday to request a short delay to a date no later than June 30, to give herself time to pass legislative changes necessarily for a smooth and orderly Brexit. But if her deal is rejected for a third time, she believes any extension would have to be far longer and would involve the UK taking part in European Parliament elections in May. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) Read More Cabinet Office minister David Lidington told MPs that in this case, the Government would stage two weeks of debate following the March 21-22 summit for the Commons to try to establish a majority around a different plan. In statement a spokesman for the European Commission said: We take note of tonights votes. A request of an extension to article 50 requires the unanimous agreement of all 27 member states. It will be for the European Council to consider such a request, giving priority to the need to ensure the functioning of the EU institutions and taking in account the reasons for and duration of a possible extension; President (Jean-Claude) Juncker is in constant contact with all leaders." Earlier European Council president Donald Tusk indicated that the EU may be ready to offer a lengthy extension to negotiations if the UK wants to "rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it". Here's what happened in the House of Commons: George and Amal Clooney and Nice Nailantei Lengete were honoured for their humanitarian work (David Cheskin/PA) George and Amal Clooney have been presented with an award in Scotland in recognition of their work to safeguard human rights. The actor and his wife, an international human rights lawyer, were handed the honour by Scotlands First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, at the Peoples Postcode Lottery Charity Gala in Edinburgh. The couple, representing the Clooney Foundation for Justice, also received a cheque for 1 million, raised by the players of Peoples Postcode Lottery, during the event at the University of Edinburghs McEwan Hall. It is understood the money will help fund TrialWatch, a project run by the foundation, which now plans to increase its monitoring of trials in countries where human rights are at risk. During the gala event, the pair were interviewed by broadcaster Natasha Kaplinsky and spoke about the need to protect and enhance human rights. Amal Clooney said: The scale of the problem can seem enormous, and the stories you hear unfathomable, and you think: how do you begin to confront something like that. Its individuals who can make a difference in even the most grim circumstances. George Clooney said: This is a spectacular organisation. This is a really special thing. You look around the room and see a hundred people who are doing amazing things its an honour to be part of this. He added: If you end up getting lucky, then you should share that luck. Ive always felt that. Expand Close The Clooneys were interviewed about their work at the event (Chris Watt/PA) Chris Watt Photography / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Clooneys were interviewed about their work at the event (Chris Watt/PA) Following the interview, the Clooneys were presented with their awards by the First Minister. Ms Sturgeon said: Amal and George Clooney are worthy recipients of these Postcode Hero Awards which recognise their outstanding commitment to improving peoples lives and ensuring some of the most vulnerable people in our world get the justice, opportunities and support that they need. This funding from Peoples Postcode Lottery will support the Clooney Foundation for Justices powerful work to advance justice for marginalised or persecuted groups, refugees and displaced children. Womens rights campaigner, Nice Nailantei Lengete, was also presented with a Postcode Hero award in recognition of her work to end female genital mutilation among Maasai communities in Kenya. Arriving at the event earlier, George Clooney posed for photographs and signed autographs for fans before heading into the gala. Expand Close The event marked a return to Edinburgh for the actor (Andrew Milligan/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The event marked a return to Edinburgh for the actor (Andrew Milligan/PA) Asked how it felt to be in the Scottish capital, Clooney declared: Its great. Thanks for the weather, its nice out. Asked about the award for their humanitarian work, the filmmaker told reporters: Weve got a lot of work to do, you know. Were constantly trying to succeed. Its a long, long process, so wish us luck. The Gravity stars return to the city comes after hundreds of people turned out to welcome him when he visited homelessness campaigners Social Bite and the headquarters of the Peoples Postcode Lottery in Edinburgh in November 2015. The annual Peoples Postcode Lottery Charity Gala is a celebration of the work done by the charities which are supported by the lotterys players. In total, players have raised more than 400 million for charities and good causes since 2005. Ministers have praised climate strikers who are walking out again on Friday (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Ministers and MPs have issued a video supporting young people staging school strikes as part of a global day of youth action on climate change. In the video released ahead of Fridays strikes, Environment Secretary Michael Gove tells the students walking out of lessons and lectures to call for urgent action on cutting emissions: Dear school climate strikers, we agree. Collective action of the kind youre championing can make a difference, and a profound one, he says. Organisers of the Youth Strike 4 Climate say events will take place in more than 100 towns and cities from Penzance to Aberdeen on Friday, in the second walkout for climate action in the UK. Driven by what students say is an alarming lack of government leadership on climate action, the strikes are part of a global day of walkouts and demonstrations by young people in more than 100 countries. They have been inspired by teenager Greta Thunberg, who protests every Friday outside Swedens parliament to urge leaders to tackle climate change. Organisers here say they expect attendances to be larger than the first UK strike on February 15, which saw thousands of students defy headteachers and politicians to ditch lessons for demonstrations. Some politicians and school leaders criticised young people for taking part in the education strike on February 15, but their action was backed by other MPs, academics and environmental campaigners. Mr Gove says the transition to a clean economy will require us to change the way in which our energy is generated, change the way in which our homes are built, change the way in which our land is managed and farming operates. But that change is absolutely necessary, he says in the new video, published via the Conservative Environment Network. Elsewhere in the video Tory MPs highlight action the Government is taking on climate change, but acknowledge more needs to be done. Energy and Clean Growth Minister Claire Perry says: This Government has committed to setting a net zero emissions target, so that we are no longer adding harmful emissions to the climate. Together, we can stop climate change. Other political leaders have also backed the climate strikers. Thank you for standing up against climate change. You shouldnt have to pay the price for the mistakes of previous generations. Id be delighted to meet you, hear your message and to discuss how we can work together to protect our planet. https://t.co/aM10cl00br Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) March 14, 2019 In a tweet Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: Thank you for standing up against climate change. You shouldnt have to pay the price for the mistakes of previous generations. Id be delighted to meet you, hear your message and to discuss how we can work together to protect our planet. The Scottish Government has given aid for flood relief efforts in Malawi (Marys Meals/PA) The Scottish Government has announced 175,000 funding to support relief efforts following deadly floods in Malawi. Severe flooding in the south of the African country in recent days has affected nearly a million people. At least 45 people are reported to have died, while tens of thousands have been displaced. The cash will help secure clean water supplies and treat contamination. Environment Secretary @strathearnrose on @scotgov's commitment to support emergency relief work in the south of Malawi, where severe flooding has affected nearly a million people. pic.twitter.com/5dy8Np3Fe3 Net Zero Scotland (@ScotGovNetZero) March 14, 2019 Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: First and foremost, I know the people of Scotland will join the Scottish Government in sending our thoughts and prayers to the growing number of people in southern Malawi whose lives have been affected by this devastating flooding particularly those who have, tragically, lost a family member. We have close links with the people of Malawi and, since news of the flooding broke, we have been in contact with International Development and Climate Justice Fund partners on the ground to identify how the Scottish Government can best support emergency relief efforts. The funding we have announced today will go to the heart of addressing the urgent issues being faced. It will enable our HydroNation programme experts, who are in the region right now co-ordinating relief efforts, to continue to deliver emergency action targeting the most at-risk water supplies. A man is in hospital after being stabbed in the back and leg during an attempted murder in Glasgow. The 24-year-old was walking along Sword Street in Shettleston, in the citys east end, at 1.25am on Thursday when he was attacked by two men. He was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary with stab wounds and is in a serious but stable condition. A 24-year-old man sustained serious stab wounds after being attacked by two men armed with large knives in Sword Street around 1.25am this morning. He was taken to hospital for treatment. If you have any information which can assist the enquiry please get in touch via 101. Greater Glasgow Police (@GreaterGlasgPol) March 14, 2019 Detective Constable Eilidh Marshall said: Im appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed the assault to get in touch. If you have any information about the identity of the two men responsible I would urge you to contact me at Shettleston police office. Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident 0152 of March 14, or to anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. MPs have voted to delay Brexit beyond the scheduled date of March 29 amid dramatic scenes in the House of Commons. The vote came after Theresa Mays Withdrawal Agreement was rejected for the second time on Tuesday and MPs voted the following day to rule out a no-deal Brexit. A motion in Mrs Mays name, authorising the Prime Minister to request an extension to the two-year Article 50 negotiation process, was passed by 413 votes to 202 a majority of 210. But Downing Street sources accepted that significant numbers of Conservative MPs had opposed the PMs proposal, saying this was a natural consequence of Mrs Mays decision to offer a free vote on an issue where many have strongly-held opinions. Only a refusal by the leaders of the 27 remaining EU states to grant the UK an extension at a Brussels summit next week could now preserve the totemic date of March 29 as Brexit Day. Mrs May has made clear that she hopes to bring her Agreement back to the Commons by March 20 in the hope of securing the support of MPs who rejected it by 230 votes in January and 149 earlier this week. Aides declined to name a date for the third meaningful vote. If she succeeds, she will go to Brussels next Thursday to request a short delay to a date no later than June 30, to give herself time to pass legislative changes necessarily for a smooth and orderly Brexit. But if her deal is rejected for a third time, she believes any extension would have to be far longer and would involve the UK taking part in European Parliament elections in May. Cabinet Office minister David Lidington told MPs that in this case, the Government would stage two weeks of debate following the March 21-22 summit for the Commons to try to establish a majority around a different plan. Ministers met for a reportedly testy political meeting of Cabinet ahead of the votes, at which Mrs May was said to have berated four senior colleagues who defied the Tory whip to abstain in the no-deal vote. A Downing Street source characterised the exchange as productive, open and honest, adding that Cabinet collectively agreed to redouble their resolve in working to deliver on the result of the referendum to leave the EU by securing support for a deal. Mrs Mays official spokesman said: The Prime Minister absolutely wanted and strived for the UK to be leaving the EU on March 29. Everything she had done since she entered office was intended to deliver that. She didnt want there to be an extension and brought forward the Withdrawal Agreement twice. Parliament chose to reject that deal and we now have to confront the difficult position that decisions taken by Parliament have left us in. What we now intend to do if at all possible is to secure a deal which allows us to ask only for a short technical extension which would allow us to have left the EU by June 30. Expand Close Donald Trump in the Oval Office meeting Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (Brian Lawless/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Donald Trump in the Oval Office meeting Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (Brian Lawless/PA) European Council president Donald Tusk has indicated that the EU may be ready to offer a lengthy extension to negotiations if the UK wants to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it. But any extension must be approved unanimously by the EU27, and Austrian foreign minister Karin Kneissl said there could be some problem in obtaining this if it took Brexit beyond the date of elections. A spokesman for the European Commission said it takes note of tonights votes, adding that president Jean-Claude Juncker was in constant contact with all leaders. Earlier, MPs decisively rejected an attempt by the Independent Group to secure a second referendum on Brexit by 334 votes to 85. Mr Bercow sparked fury among Brexiteers by selecting TIG MP Sarah Wollastons referendum proposal for debate, while blocking another amendment which sought to rule out a second public vote. And by the far narrower margin of 314-312, they voted down a cross-party bid for Parliament to seize control of the Brexit process. The cross-party amendment, tabled by MPs including Labours Hilary Benn and Yvette Cooper and Tory Sir Oliver Letwin, would have forced a set of indicative votes to determine the preferred Brexit outcome of the House of Commons. A Labour amendment demanding an extension to Article 50 withdrawal negotiations to provide time to find a majority for a different approach was also defeated.The votes came as US President Donald Trump said Brexit was ripping Britain apart and warned that another referendum would be unfair. Prime Minister Theresa May during the Brexit debate in the House of Commons MPs have voted to delay Brexit beyond the scheduled date of March 29 in dramatic parliamentary scenes which saw the Conservative Party split down the middle. More than half of Tory MPs including seven Cabinet ministers, at least 33 other ministers and whips, and five party vice-chairs voted against Theresa Mays motion to put back the date when Britain leaves the EU. Chief Whip Julian Smith abstained, with sources suggesting he did so in order to be able to broker peace going forward. Among those voting in the opposite lobby to the Prime Minister was Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay, who had opened debate on the motion on behalf of the Government. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) Others included Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, Leader of the Commons Andrea Leadsom, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liz Truss. Ms Mordaunt said: Tonight I voted against delaying Brexit, but the Parliament agreed to an extension. It must be a swift one, with purpose. We must deliver the result of the referendum, and hurry up about it. Tonight I voted against a delaying Brexit, but the Parliament agreed to an extension. It must be a swift one, with purpose. We must deliver the result of the referendum, and hurry up about it! Penny Mordaunt (@PennyMordaunt) March 14, 2019 Downing Street sources denied that Mrs May had lost control of her Cabinet or her party, insisting that the results were a natural consequence of the Prime Ministers decision to offer a free vote on an issue where many hold strong views. At a special political Cabinet meeting shortly before the votes, the Prime Minister is understood to have berated four ministers for defying the whip by abstaining the previous night when MPs voted to rule out a no-deal Brexit. But Downing Street indicated that the four Greg Clark, David Gauke, Amber Rudd and David Mundell would not lose their jobs. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) A number 10 source characterised the exchange as productive, open and honest, adding that Cabinet collectively agreed to redouble their resolve in working to deliver on the result of the referendum to leave the EU by securing support for a deal. The vote to delay Brexit came after Theresa Mays Withdrawal Agreement was rejected for the second time on Tuesday and MPs voted the following day to rule out no-deal. A motion in Mrs Mays name, authorising the Prime Minister to request an extension to the two-year Article 50 negotiation process, was passed by 413 votes to 202 a majority of 211. Mrs Mays plans for delay were backed by 112 Tories, 236 Labour MPs and 65 other opposition MPs and independents. She was opposed by 188 Tories and all 10 of her DUP allies, as well as Labour MPs Stephen Hepburn, Kate Hoey and Graham Stringer and independent Frank Field. Only a refusal by the leaders of the 27 remaining EU states to grant the UK an extension at a Brussels summit next week could now preserve the totemic date of March 29 as Brexit Day. The result was welcomed by business, with Josh Hardie of the CBI saying it showed there is still some common sense in Westminster. But it was denounced by the Leave Means Leave campaign, whose vice-chairman Richard Tice said it was time for new leadership which would deliver departure on World Trade Organisation terms. MPs are out of touch with the mood of the people, who want to leave on March 29 with a clean WTO Brexit, said Mr Tice. They lack courage and belief in our great nation. Mrs May has made clear that she hopes to bring her Agreement back to the Commons by March 20 in the hope of securing the support of MPs who rejected it by 230 votes in January and 149 earlier this week. Aides declined to name a date for the third meaningful vote. If she succeeds, she will go to Brussels next Thursday to request a short delay to a date no later than June 30, to give herself time to pass legislative changes necessary for a smooth and orderly Brexit. But if her deal is rejected for a third time, she believes any extension would have to be far longer and would involve the UK taking part in European Parliament elections in May. Cabinet Office minister David Lidington told MPs that in this case, the Government would stage two weeks of debate following the March 21-22 summit for the Commons to try to establish a majority around a different plan. Mrs Mays official spokesman said: The Prime Minister absolutely wanted and strived for the UK to be leaving the EU on March 29. Everything she had done since she entered office was intended to deliver that. She didnt want there to be an extension and brought forward the Withdrawal Agreement twice. Parliament chose to reject that deal and we now have to confront the difficult position that decisions taken by Parliament have left us in. What we now intend to do if at all possible is to secure a deal which allows us to ask only for a short technical extension which would allow us to have left the EU by June 30. I voted against a delay to Brexit. As a delay was passed by Parliament, I want to see deal agreed ASAP so we can minimise to short, technical, extension. #brexit #getonwithit Liz Truss (@trussliz) March 14, 2019 European Council president Donald Tusk has indicated that the EU may be ready to offer a lengthy extension to negotiations if the UK wants to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it. But any extension must be approved unanimously by the EU27, and Austrian foreign minister Karin Kneissl said there could be some problem in obtaining this if it took Brexit beyond the date of elections. Irish premier Leo Varadkar said: I think we need to be open to any request they make, listen attentively and be generous in our response. This matter will be now discussed further at next weeks European Council meeting and hopefully we will have more clarity from London in the meantime about their intentions. A spokesman for the European Commission said it takes note of tonights votes, adding that president Jean-Claude Juncker was in constant contact with all leaders. Earlier, MPs decisively rejected an attempt by the Independent Group to secure a second referendum on Brexit by 334 votes to 85. And by the far narrower margin of 314-312, they voted down a cross-party bid for Parliament to seize control of the Brexit process. The cross-party amendment, tabled by MPs including Labours Hilary Benn and Yvette Cooper and Tory Sir Oliver Letwin, would have forced a set of indicative votes to determine the preferred Brexit outcome of the House of Commons. A Labour amendment demanding an extension to Article 50 withdrawal negotiations to provide time to find a majority for a different approach was also defeated. The votes came as US President Donald Trump said Brexit was ripping Britain apart and warned that another referendum would be unfair. MPs wait for the result of an amended motion on rejecting leaving the EU with no deal. Michael Gove leads the debate for the PM after she lost her voice Northern Ireland's business leaders have expressed relief at the House of Commons vote to take a no-deal Brexit off the table. And they called on Parliament to today support a motion to extend Article 50 and delay Brexit. In two separate votes last night MPs opposed leaving the EU without a deal. Although the votes are not legally binding, the Prime Minister noted there was a "clear majority" against no-deal. She is now expected to bring her Brexit plan to the Commons for a third time next week. Read More Speaking in Washington, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that if the UK wanted to change its mind over Brexit it would be welcomed back like the "prodigal son" with "open arms". The Commons will today vote on a two-month extension to Article 50. But Theresa May warned that if her deal isn't approved, a longer extension will be needed and that will require Britain to take part in May's EU elections. "I do not think that would be the right outcome, but the House needs to face up to the consequences of the decisions it has taken," she said. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Mrs May had repeatedly offered a choice between her deal and no-deal, adding: "In the last 24 hours Parliament has decisively rejected both." He continued: "Parliament must now take control of the situation. Myself, the shadow Brexit Secretary and others will have meetings with members across the House to find a compromise solution that can command support." There were chaotic scenes in the Commons as the Government tabled a motion to prevent a crash Brexit on March 29. Before MPs voted on the Government's motion, they supported an amendment tabled by Labour MP Yvette Cooper rejecting a no-deal Brexit under any circumstances by 312-308 votes. Tory whips then ordered their MPs to vote against the Government's own motion, despite having previously promised a free vote. The Government motion, as amended, was passed by 321 to 278 votes. A total of 13 Government ministers - including Amber Rudd, David Mundell, David Gaulke and Greg Clarke - defied the whips by abstaining. Work and Pensions Minister Sarah Newton resigned after voting for the proposal. Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Ann McGregor said: "NI Chamber welcomes the result of the vote. However, a disorderly withdrawal from the EU is still a clear and present danger. "The vote is not legally binding and only relevant if it is followed up with legislative action by the UK Parliament. The reality is without concrete action, businesses still face an uncontrolled exit that they don't want nor are ready for." She added: "Extending Article 50 is now a necessity, but it brings a fear of endless uncertainty for businesses. Our members need a clear timeline for what happens next." Retail Northern Ireland chief executive Glyn Roberts said the Commons vote brought "some degree of certainty" for business. "A no-deal exit would cause untold damage to cross-border shopping and to border town economies, and would doubtless lead to a considerable increase in illegal cross-border trade where an impractical 'honour-based' system of duties had been proposed by the UK ," he said. Ulster Unionist leader Robin Swann said it was "no way to run the country" with a "chaotic atmosphere" around every Commons vote and Parliament should have had such discussions two years ago. He said that a no-deal would be "wholly detrimental" to Northern Ireland. "I'm a proud unionist and I want to see my country and its people prosper. I don't want to see anything done that would undermine the Union," he added. Alliance deputy leader Stephen Farry has said the Commons' rejection of a no-deal Brexit must be followed by a second referendum. "Voting to take a no-deal Brexit off the table is necessary but not sufficient," he said. "A no-deal outcome would be a disaster for the UK as a whole, but a catastrophe for Northern Ireland, so it is right to rule it out. However, delay for delay's sake, and in particular to cover up the inability of the House of Commons to agree on anything, doesn't really take us too far forward. "The clearest and most democratic way forward is a people's vote, including both the Prime Minister's deal and the Remain option. This needs to be tested in Parliament as a matter of urgency." Dr Farry said he was "appalled" that DUP MPs voted to keep no-deal on the table. "This is utterly reckless and irresponsible. The notion of keeping this back for some future negotiation is entirely self-defeating," he said. "A no-deal harms the UK far more and the UK has no leverage." Green Party leader Clare Bailey welcomed Parliament's vote but voiced concern that it was a narrow victory. "The Commons vote provides a crumb of comfort for the people of Northern Ireland during what has been a really disconcerting week," she said. "I am concerned that the vote was so narrow and so that many MPs are prepared to support a no deal Brexit. "That includes 10 DUP MPs who clearly had their fingers in their ears today as our business community detailed the devastating consequences of a no deal Brexit." MPs also voted by 374 to 164 to reject a plan to delay the UK's departure for two months so that there can be a "managed no-deal" Brexit. The Malthouse Compromise was supported by the DUP and European Research Group. A no-deal Brexit plan to have tariff-free movement of goods from the Republic into Northern Ireland to avoid a hard border will make us the "Wild West of the UK", it has been claimed. The Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) said the proposals, if implemented, would leave many food firms here just weeks from going bust. The Government released the proposals for avoiding a hard border after MPs rejected the Prime Minister's withdrawal agreement for the second time on Tuesday night. Officials said the plan was "strictly temporary" and "unilateral" to protect the unique circumstances here and avoid a hard border. It would be implemented "unless and until" a trading agreement could be agreed between the UK and EU. The Government said it would not introduce any new checks or controls on goods moving from the Republic in a no-deal scenario. Tariffs also announced by the UK yesterday which will be levied on imports from the EU and the rest of the world would not apply to such goods coming from the Republic across the border. The Government said it recognised that businesses and farmers would have concerns about the impact of the approach on their competitiveness. It added that the measures only mitigated the impacts of Brexit within the UK's control and did not set out the position on goods moving from here to the Republic. That will be a matter for the EU to decide, as the Republic alone, as a member of the bloc, will not be able to reciprocate on the UK's arrangement. Seamus Leheny of the Freight Transport Association said the plan was not good for the status of Northern Ireland. It was at risk of becoming a hub for smuggling as firms used it as a means of tariff-free access to the British market. "You create this place almost like the Wild West, you become that neighbour from hell, both for the EU and Great Britain," he claimed. Northern Ireland Retail Consortium director Aodhan Connolly called the plans "a mess" and echoed the claim of Mr Leheny. "The Government and the EU must see that this is simply now a mess. This will affect Northern Ireland's reputation as a serious trading area, effectively turning us into the Wild West of the UK. This proves yet again we need a deal." NIFDA chairman Declan Billington said the tariffs that would apply to local food producers sending goods to the Republic put its members at a disadvantage. "We reckon the businesses that can't actually access their export markets, and in particular the farmers, after a couple of weeks will run out of money. "Processors who find that there is more milk in the market than they can process, but they can't actually export it to the markets they had - what are they going to do? "We're talking about businesses surviving a matter of weeks in the worst case scenario." CBI NI regional director Angela McGowan said the plan would lead to a hard border as the EU would have "no option" but to impose tariffs on goods coming from the UK. "The Government's proposals are confused at best, disingenuous at worst. There are serious questions over deliverability, and potentially consequences for the island of Ireland on smuggling and tariff proposals. This latest proposed tariff scheme would leave Ireland with no option but to apply EU tariffs on all goods coming from the UK and therefore would require substantive checks to take place at the Irish border. Therefore, this desperate and ill-thought through trade measure will create all the conditions for a hard border in Northern Ireland." But Ulster University Business School economist Dr Esmond Birnie called the plans a positive move on the way to free trade. He said lifting of tariffs on a wide range of imports UK-wide would make goods cheaper for consumers. The percentage of goods coming in to the UK from overseas, including the EU, which would be tariff-free would go up from 80% to 87%. However, while all EU imports into the UK are currently tariff-free, that would drop to 82%. Dr Birnie added: "Of course local businesses have legitimate questions about the 'process' side of all of this, but as in the rest of the UK it is worth emphasising the potential gain to consumers in Northern Ireland and also to businesses here which process goods and materials brought over the border from the Republic of Ireland." Veteran Dennis Hutchings arrives at the Supreme Court, London, for the latest hearing in his challenge against the decision to hold his trial over an incident in Northern Ireland during the Troubles without a jury. He is accompanied outside the Supreme Court by members of the Justice for NI Veterans and their founder Alan Barry. Veteran Dennis Hutchings arrives at the Supreme Court, London, for the latest hearing in his challenge against the decision to hold his trial over an incident in Northern Ireland during the Troubles without a jury. He is accompanied outside the Supreme Court by members of the Justice for NI Veterans and their founder Alan Barry. A former soldier facing prosecution over a shooting during Northern Ireland's Troubles has gone to the UK's highest court in a bid to have his trial heard by a jury. Dennis Hutchings, 77, a former member of the Life Guards regiment, is charged in relation to the fatal shooting of a man with learning difficulties. John Pat Cunningham was killed in disputed circumstances in Co Armagh in June 1974. The 27-year-old was shot in the back as he ran away from an Army patrol. His family contend that he ran across a field because he feared men in uniform. More than 40 years on, a case was brought against Hutchings after Northern Ireland's attorney general asked prosecutors to review the case. Hutchings, from Cawsand in Cornwall, is due to stand trial in Belfast charged with attempted murder and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. He denies the charges. He has now gone to the Supreme Court in London to challenge a decision by prosecutors that his trial will be heard by a judge alone, rather than by a jury. Supporters from campaign group Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans clapped and cheered as Hutchings arrived at the court on Thursday morning. Hutchings thanked his supporters and said: "Victory for veterans, that's what we want." Speaking outside court, Hutchings said he was "a bit nervous, obviously, although I don't think we will get a decision today". He said he was "reasonably confident" he would win his case, but added: "I just don't trust the system anymore." Hutchings said: "The thing is whatever decision we get in here today affects every service person. "If I win, for instance, they will then have a choice between having a judge-only trial and a jury trial; 99.9% of service people will want a jury trial." Pointing at the nearby Houses of Parliament, Hutchings added: "These people sent us there to do the job. Yes, things happened. "They called it the Troubles because it's easier to call it the Troubles. It wasn't the bloody Troubles, it was a war, as simple as that." His barrister, James Lewis QC, told five Supreme Court justices that the principle of "procedural fairness" required Hutchings to be "afforded an opportunity to make representations" about whether to hold a non-jury trial. Mr Lewis added that "in order to make meaningful representations, he needs a gist or summary of the material" considered by prosecutors. The Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland can direct a defendant be tried by a judge alone, in what was formerly known as a Diplock court, where a charged offence was "committed to any extent ... as a result of, in connection with or in response to religious or political hostility". Prosecutors concluded that, in Hutchings' case, there was "a risk that the administration of justice might be impaired if the trial were to be conducted with a jury". But Mr Lewis said the connection to "sectarian violence as required" by the law was "too remote". He added: "The offence must have occurred due to political or religious hostility (directly or indirectly) and that cannot apply to the security services who were there to uphold law and order and so were not engaging in any such acts (directly or indirectly)." But Gerald Simpson QC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland, said in written submissions that the decision to direct a non-jury trial was "inconsistent with an obligation to allow representations to be made". He added that Hutchings' contention that the shooting did not relate to "religious or political hostility" effectively "ignores the reality of the situation which prevailed in Northern Ireland in 1974". The Supreme Court has reserved its decision to a date to be fixed. A giant human shamrock has been created in Londons Trafalgar Square. A crowd of more than 200 volunteers, and one dog, gathered by Nelsons Column to take part in the stunt to mark upcoming St Patricks Day. The event came as London prepares for a three-day St Patricks Day Festival. Julie Wakley, Tourism Irelands Head of Britain, said: Our aim is to bring a smile to the faces of Londoners and to convey the message that Ireland offers the warmest of welcomes and great fun, as well as wonderful scenery and heritage. Expand Close (David Parry/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (David Parry/PA) More than 50,000 people are expected to attend a parade on Sunday led by actor James Nesbitt. Police shared images of the bears on their Facebook page (Massachusetts State Police/PA) A section of road in the US was shut down on Thursday while wildlife officials moved a family of bears which had made a den on the central reservation. Massachusetts police shut down a stretch of Route 2 in Templeton while environmental police tranquillised the mother bear and relocated her and her cubs to a safer location in a nearby forest. Nothing but the bear necessities, said police, explaining the situation in a statement on Facebook. Nothing but the bear necessities This morning, all traffic on Route 2 in Templeton was stopped, to allow Massachusetts... Posted by Massachusetts State Police on Thursday, March 14, 2019 Thank you all for bearing with us, while we had traffic stopped to allow this to happen, they added. Authorities say the bears had to be moved as a precaution to ensure their own safety as well as the safety of motorists. Route 2 is a four-lane road and was shut down for about 45 minutes. State police tweeted that everything went beary well with the move. Probably overshadowed by yesterdays revelations about the discovery of the sunken wreck of the U.S.S. Wasp, comes news from Australia that the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) has successfully re-flown one of their four Lockheed P2V Neptunes at their main facility in Albion Park, New South Wales. The aircraft, former Royal Australian Air Force SP-2H (P2V-7) A89-273, had been down for overhaul for well over a year, so it is great to see her back in the air again almost certainly the only currently active Neptune on the planet right now! While we dont have any still images of yesterdays flight, HARS did post the video of the event below on their Facebook page. A89-273 is one of at least four Neptunes on the books with HARS. While two of these are likely always going to be static examples (SP-2H A89-272 & P2V-5/7 A89-302 at HARS satellite facility in Parkes), there is also a former French Navy example, P2V-7 Bu.147566, which the museum rescued from Tahiti in the mid 1980s. This Neptune has been under on-again, off-again resurrection for much of the past two decades at Albion Park, 566 should fly again before too long. On another note, HARS is also gaining currency with their relatively recently arrived Lockheed SP-3C Orion at Albion Park. This aircraft, former RAAF A9-753, was formally delivered to HARS in November, 2017, and the museum team has been slowly building up to the point where they can fly the aircraft under the museum banner, which will make it the only museum in the world with an airworthy P-3! HARS expects both the recently re-flown Neptune and the Orion to fly at air shows this year! Many thanks indeed to our long-time antipodean correspondent Phil Buckley for providing the photographs in this piece. He has been of immense help over the years! A mechanical digger operates at the scene of the plane crash as relatives of victims mourn (Mulugeta Ayene/AP) Flight data recorders from an Ethiopian Airlines plane which crashed in the African country have arrived in France for analysis. The black boxes arrived as frustrated relatives of the 157 people killed in the crash stormed out of a meeting with airline officials in Addis Ababa. Sundays crash was the second fatal flight for a Boeing 737 Max 8 in less than six months. More than 40 countries, including the US and Britain, have now grounded the planes or refused to let them into their airspace. Expand Close (PA Graphics) Press Association Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp (PA Graphics) After holding out for several days, the US Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency order grounding the planes on Wednesday, saying they had new satellite data and evidence that showed the movements of the Ethiopian Airlines plane were similar to those of Lion Air Flight 610. That flight crashed into the Java Sea off Indonesia in October, killing 189 people. Officials at Lion Air have said sensors on their plane produced erroneous information on its last four flights, triggering an automatic nose-down command that the pilots were unable to overcome on its final voyage. Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said its pilots had received special training on how to deal with that problem. In addition to the basic training given for 737 aircraft types, an additional training was given for the Max version, he said. After the Lion Air crash, questions were raised, so Boeing sent further instructions that it said pilots should know. He said he is confident the investigation will reveal that the crash is not related to the safety record of Ethiopian Airlines, widely seen as the best-managed in Africa. Firm answers about what caused the crash could take months. The French air accident investigation authority, known by its French acronym BEA, said it will handle the analysis of the flight data recorders retrieved from the crash site. The BEA has experience with global air crashes, and its expertise is often sought whenever an Airbus plane crashes because the manufacturer is based in France. A BEA official said that the recorders have already arrived in France but gave no timeframe on how long the analysis could take. In Addis Ababa, about 200 angry family members of crash victims left a briefing with Ethiopian Airlines officials, saying the airline has not given them adequate information. Officials said they have opened a call-in centre that is open 18 hours a day to respond to questions, but family members said they are not getting the answers they need. People from 35 countries died. At the crash scene in Hejere, about 31 miles from Addis Ababa, growing numbers of family members have arrived. Blue plastic sheeting covered the wreckage of the plane. Expand Close A family member puts a photo on flowers at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash (Mulugeta Ayene/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A family member puts a photo on flowers at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash (Mulugeta Ayene/AP) The 737 Max was supposed to boost Boeings fortunes for years to come, but instead the groundings will have a far-reaching financial impact on Boeing, at least in the short term, said John Cox, a veteran pilot and CEO of Safety Operating Systems. In addition to the planes that have been grounded, there are more than 4,600 Boeing 737 Max 8 planes on backlog that are not yet delivered to airlines. There are delivery dates that arent being met, theres usage of the aircraft thats not being met, and all the supply chain things that Boeing so carefully crafted, Mr Cox said. If they cant deliver the airplanes, where do they put the extra engines and the extra fuselage and the extra electrical components? Impacted airlines also may come knocking on Boeings door claiming damages. Norwegian Airlines said it would pursue reimbursement from Boeing for lost business and if other carriers follow suit, that could be costly. The US Federal Aviation Administration was under intense pressure to ground the planes and resisted even after Canada relented on Wednesday and agreed to bar the Max from the air, leaving the US almost alone. The agency, which prides itself on making data-driven decisions, had maintained there was nothing to show the Boeing jets were unsafe, and flights continued. But President Donald Trump, who announced the grounding, was briefed that same day on new developments and it was determined the planes should be grounded, the White House said. Boeing issued a statement saying it supported the FAAs decision even though it continues to have full confidence in the planes safety. The force of the arrow pierced the residents mobile phone (NSW Police/PA) A man in Australia had a lucky escape when an arrow fired at him was blocked by his mobile phone. Police say the 43-year-old man arrived at his home in Nimbin, New South Wales, to find another man, who he knew, already on his property. The second man was armed with a bow and arrow, so the resident lifted his mobile phone to take a picture. A police statement read: Its alleged the man fired the arrow at the resident which pierced through the mans mobile phone. The man escaped with only a cut caused when the force of the arrow knocked his phone into his chin. Police were called and arrested a 39-year-old man, who faced multiple charges including being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence. Donald Trump did not answer when reporters asked if there would be consequences for Republicans who voted against him (Evan Vucci/AP) The Republican-run Senate firmly rejected US President Donald Trumps declaration of a national emergency at the south-west border on Thursday. They set up a veto fight and dealt him a conspicuous rebuke as he tested how boldly he could ignore Congress in pursuit of his highest-profile goal. The Senate voted 59-41 to cancel Mr Trumps February proclamation of a border emergency, which he invoked to spend 3.6 billion dollars (2.7 billion) more for border barriers than Congress had approved. Twelve Republicans joined Democrats in defying Mr Trump in a showdown many Republican senators had hoped to avoid because he commands die-hard loyalty from millions of conservative voters who could punish defectors in next years elections. With the Democrat-controlled Houses approval of the same resolution last month, Senate passage sends it to Mr Trump. He has shown no reluctance to casting his first veto to advance his campaign exhortation Build the Wall, which has prompted roars at countless rallies. Approval votes in both the Senate and House fell short of the two-thirds majorities needed to override. VETO! Mr Trump tweeted minutes after the vote. Though Mr Trump seems sure to prevail in that battle, it remains noteworthy that members of both parties resisted him in a fight directly tied to his cherished campaign theme of erecting a border wall. The roll call came just a day after the Senate took a step toward a veto fight with Mr Trump on another issue, voting to end US support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalitions war in Yemen. In a measure of how remarkable the confrontation was, Thursday was the first time Congress has voted to block a presidential emergency since the National Emergency Act became law in 1976. At the White House, Mr Trump did not answer when reporters asked if there would be consequences for Republicans who voted against him. Presidents have declared 58 national emergencies since the 1976 law, but this was the first aimed at accessing money that Congress had explicitly denied, according to Elizabeth Goitein, co-director for national security at New York University Law Schools Brennan Center for Justice. Mr Trump and Republicans backing him said there is a legitimate security and humanitarian crisis at the border with Mexico. They also said Mr Trump was merely exercising his powers under the law, which largely leaves it to presidents to decide what a national emergency is. The National Emergency Act gives presidents wide leeway in declaring an emergency. Congress can vote to block a declaration, but the two-thirds majorities required to overcome presidential vetoes make it hard for lawmakers to prevail. The resolution passed by a vote of 54 to 46, with seven Republicans breaking with Mr Trump to back the resolution (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Bernie Sanders, Chris Murphy and Mike Lee meet before holding a news conference on the Senate vote (J Scott Applewhite/AP) The US Senate has voted to end US support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalitions war in Yemen, bringing Congress one step closer to a unprecedented rebuke of President Donald Trumps foreign policy. Politicians have never before invoked the decades-old War Powers Resolution to stop a foreign conflict, but they are poised to do just that in the bid to cut off US support for a war that has triggered a humanitarian catastrophe. The vote puts Congress on a collision course with Mr Trump, who has already threatened to veto the resolution, which the White House says raises serious constitutional concerns. The measure was co-sponsored by Senator Bernie Sanders and Senator Mike Lee. Next, it will move to the Democratic-controlled House, where it is expected to pass. Expand Close Bernie Sanders, Chris Murphy and Mike Lee meet before holding a news conference on the Senate vote (J Scott Applewhite/AP) AP/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bernie Sanders, Chris Murphy and Mike Lee meet before holding a news conference on the Senate vote (J Scott Applewhite/AP) The resolution passed by a vote of 54 to 46, with seven Republicans breaking with Mr Trump to back the resolution: Sensators Susan Collins of Maine, Steve Daines of Montana, Mike Lee of Utah, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Todd Young of Indiana. The bottom line is that the United States should not be supporting a catastrophic war led by a despotic regime with an irresponsible foreign policy, Mr Sanders said on Wednesday from the Senate floor. He said a vote in favour of the measure would begin the process of reclaiming our constitutional authority by ending United States involvement in a war that has not been authorised by Congress and is unconstitutional. In its statement threatening a veto, the White House argued the premise of the resolution is flawed and that it would undermine the fight against extremism. US support for the Saudis does not constitute engaging in hostilities, the statement said, and the Yemen resolution seeks to override the presidents determination as commander in chief. By defining hostilities to include defence cooperation such as aerial refuelling, the White House statement said, the Yemen resolution could also establish bad precedent for future legislation. Today the Senate took back its constitutional responsibility to authorize waran authority that belongs to Congress alone, not the presidentby moving to end the catastrophic war in Yemen. This is an historic day. https://t.co/omfrciqIBY Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) March 13, 2019 Mr Trumps support for Saudi Arabia has been a point of tension with Congress since the killing of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year. Politicians from both parties have criticised Mr Trump for not condemning Saudi Arabia strongly enough for the killing. Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell addressed those tensions when he urged his colleagues to oppose the measure. We should not use this specific vote on a specific policy decision as some proxy for all the Senates broad feelings about foreign affairs. Concerns about Saudi human rights issues should be directly addressed with the administration and with Saudi officials, Mr McConnell said from the Senate floor. (The Yemen resolution) seeks to override the president's determination as commander in chiefWhite House Mr McConnell argued the Yemen resolution will not enhance Americas diplomatic leverage and will make it more difficult for the US to help end the conflict in Yemen and minimise civilian casualties. Senator James Risch, who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, argued that US support for the Saudi-led coalition helps facilitate peace talks and withdrawing from the conflict would delay an eventual political settlement. We need to stay engaged (in Yemen) with the limited engagement weve had, Mr Risch said. A similar resolution to end support for the Yemen war passed the Senate in December, but it was not taken up by the then Republican-controlled House. Approaching its fifth year, the war in Yemen has killed thousands and left millions on the brink of starvation, creating what the United Nations called the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. Senator Chris Murphy said before the vote that the resolution will be seen as a message to the Saudis that they need to clean up their act. We are made weaker in the eyes of the world when we willingly participate in war crimes, when we allow our partners to engage in the slaughter of innocents, Mr Murphy said. The scene of the explosion at University Street, Belfast, that killed Peggy Whyte in 1984 On September 5, 1972, I was walking to school from the lower Ormeau Road to St Mary's Christian Brothers' grammar school at Barrack Street. I was 15 years old exactly, it was my birthday. At 8.45am a UDR patrol pulled up in front of me at the top of Ireton Street between Botanic Avenue and Wolseley Street in south Belfast. After a few minutes when they established my identity and the Christian names of both my parents, Margaret and Isadore, I felt dark clouds coming down quickly. A young member of this regiment then casually put a pistol at my mouth, told me to open wide, the way a dentist tells you to do it, and called me a "Fenian b******". It's hard to believe that, until that day, I didn't really know what the word Fenian meant, and as for the word b******, well never let your mother hear you say such profanity. My mother Peggy Whyte was murdered by the UVF in April 1984. She was from the Markets area of Belfast. My late father was called Isadore, the patriot saint of Barcelona, I have since learnt. Both were decent people, not unlike your ma and da or that favourite auntie who gives you a few shillings on the sly. It appeared that the name Isadore had provoked some members of the UDR to believe my father was from Italy and a Catholic, he was the latter but not the former. Rasharkin is nowhere near Italy, I am reliably informed. I believe on that day childhood innocence evaporated in the hatred that I felt from these public servants, tattooed, smelling of alcohol and, of course, in the main from the unionist community. The years that followed, 1973 to 1994, are well documented in any history book involving the Anglo-Irish conflict. On a macro level this part of Ireland imploded and on micro level thousands of families just like ours, the Whytes of 139 University Street, fell victim to bile, toxicity, hatred, prejudice, and straightforward no nonsense discrimination. So, what was the nature of this hatred? It involved endless raids on our home, direct job discrimination, specifically in the public sector, repetitive harassment at road blocks and of course the usual expected sectarian filth from those who should have been protecting us. I often wonder if the parents of these protectors felt proud of their children. As you read this I suspect many thousands of people can identify with the general story. Don't get me wrong, I cared little for the UDR or the RUC. To me they were the armed wing of unionism - crass, rude, a permanent embarrassment and an occasional disgrace to any civilised liberal democracy, paid to intimidate, suppress and humiliate Catholics. Over the years I met a few decent cops, and I must say in many ways this state has been good to me - three university degrees, a solid job, children educated. As my late mother would say: "Ten family allowances. You couldn't find a better place to have a family." It is in the context of this brief experience that I, Jude Whyte, a member of the victims' forum for eight years, have come to the conclusion that as we sit here, nearly 50 years since this conflict broke out, that we are no further on in building a united society, in resolving our ethnic differences, or in simply tolerating the diversity that this small place manifests in everyday life. The vast majority of us live apart, are educated apart, play different sports, go to different places on holiday, and somewhere deep in our heart, no matter who we meet or where, an awful thought goes through one's head: "I wonder are they one of us, or one of them." This takes me to the point of legacy and dealing with the past. Can we as a society go forward if we don't deal with the outstanding issues of collusion and the inescapable fact that this state and some of its paid employees are guilty of murder of unarmed civilians, both Catholics and Protestants, men and women, even our children. There will be, in my opinion, no meaningful legacy or investigations by this state of the actions of many of its military and civilian employees. The reasons are very simple. I apologise in advance to victims. The truth is hard to write. 1: There is no political will or agreement on the nature or cause of this conflict. 2: The UK is the strongest multicultural liberal democracy on Earth. In order to defend those values it - without apology or explanation - went outside the rules and values of law and order to defend itself. It asked its security forces to defeat an enemy within at any cost. The next insurgency will be met with an equally vicious counter-insurgency from the security forces, its gangs and counter gangs. It is beyond any rational argument that people will be prosecuted for defending their realm. Let's face it, who will defend the realm in 10, 20 or 30 years' time from Isis if we prosecute members of the security forces now? 3: Even if point one was agreed, the collective power of 18 MPs in Westminster is irrelevant in matters of national security. Seven of the 18 do not take their seats. 4: The process for discovery of documents will always be hindered by national security, which is an all-embracing spurious term to block any serious investigation into state murder. It also is used to deny people who served time in this conflict access to a variety of jobs, travel and other services. 5: The collective will in Westminster and in Dublin is a line in the sand that must be drawn, these events put into the dustbin of history. Both Governments have the power to do this under various pieces of legislation, for example offences against the state and anti-terrorist legislation. 6: The current generation, that is anyone over the age of 45 like me, if the truth be told, are all recovering to various stages from our own trauma. Hence our objectivity, rationale and ability to openly analyse events is lost. I consider myself a recovering bigot who will take years of extensive exposure to decency to finally sleep at peace in my bed, if ever. I am bitterly sorry for places like Ballymurphy, the New Lodge Road massacre, Kingsmills, as well as hundreds of lesser-known individual murders that will remain unsolved, unaccounted for, and except for the families involved, unknown to the outside world. My late mother is one victim among thousands, 53 years of age, a grandmother at the time. She then had two grandchildren, and she now has 27. I can't bring her back, I can't bring her relatives back, and eight long, dreary years on the Victims and Survivors Forum has taught me that we live in the most hate-filled, hateful, poisonous society, totally a place apart from the real world. I believe the best we can hope for is to live in parallel universes of barely tolerating each other. It's time to move on, it's time to forgive. If the dead could speak to us now, they would say "forgive". DUP acquiescing to a withdrawal agreement containing a backstop in exchange for republicans delaying a vote on unity could be a get-out-of-jail card all-round, argues Tom Kelly. Standing on the terrace of the House of Commons on Tuesday, an ominous downpour dampened the enthusiasm of the parliamentarians gathered to celebrate the annual St Patricks Day champ reception. Even the presence of a gaily dressed Sue Pollard couldnt lift spirits. The mood seemed aptly captured at the end of the reception with a beautiful rendition of the ballad The Parting Glass. Someone should give the Prime Minister the lyrics of the song, as she reflects on her pork-barrel politics: Of all the money that eer I spent/I spent it in good company/And all the harm that eer Ive done/Alas, it was to none but me/And all Ive done for want of wit/To memory now I cant recall/So fill to me the parting glass/Good night and joy be with you all. Its hard not to admire the sheer resilience of the Prime Minister; her voice croaked, her face haggard, with the look of sleeplessness etched on her brow and under her eyes. And yet she went on, even though humiliated again. The DUP deal is a Faustian pact, which allows it to choose the survival of the Government over Mrs May. Mays bung to the DUP was not spent in good company, as the ballad says, but the rest of the song is apt, because of all the harm that she has done, the worst has been to her. And it was all done for the want of wit. Political wit, that is. Instead of reaching out to the centre-ground to find consensus, Mrs May lurched to the Right and tried to placate the ERG and the DUP. Brexit is an existential (but self-inflicted) threat for which there was no planning. Just like war, it required the talents of all parliamentarians willing to work in the national interest. Mrs May scorned that approach and opted for a foot-bath with piranhas. These days DUP MPs strut the corridors of Westminster like the cock of the walk. To think these hallowed halls, which once echoed to the strides of great Anglo-Irish parliamentarians such as Burke, Grattan and even Carson, are now reduced to the foot-stomping of Campbell, Wilson and Paisley. On Monday evening the Labour Party Irish Society held its annual St Patricks Day celebration. This writer was among the speakers. I reminded the audience that the Good Friday Agreement was not an end, but a work in progress. Proof of that is the sheer number of paramilitary punishment beatings, shootings and nefarious activities which still persist. Well over 100 per year. The facts are that loyalist paramilitaries have killed over 35 people and that dissident republicans remain an active threat to prison officers and the police. Northern Ireland is immeasurably better off since the Good Friday Agreement, but the sheer scale of what went before has immunised us to the extent of violence that still persists. We are still a place apart, still fragile. Migrant communities are under significant threats and pressures from paramilitaries. Those most in denial over these facts are unionist politicians. They ignore the warnings from the police and Chief Constable. They share platforms with those close to paramilitaries, who are still carrying out illegal activity. They scorn anyone who suggests that a hard border would lead to a return to violence, though are equally supportive of border checks being taken away from the border areas to the relative safety of unionist areas. The political instability is self-evident. Stormont is moribund over equality issues that Scottish or Welsh Conservatives and unionists wouldnt blink over. Of course, no unionists were present to hear any of this just Labour MPs, their supporters, expat Irish and some Sinn Fein MPs. Yes, in the midst of the current political turmoil, Sinn Fein MPs do attend fringe events, drinks receptions and watch House of Commons proceedings from the TV screens in their Westminster offices. Its easy to understand why Joe Brolly castigated them for not taking their seats. After all, its like togging out in your Manchester United top with tickets for Old Trafford, only to opt for watching the match in the nearest pub to the stadium. Sinn Feins partial presence at Westminster adds to the theatrical nature of the political shenanigans, because it is in the audience, not the auditorium. Much of the political debate on the withdrawal agreement has focused on the backstop, which the DUP has attempted to turn into a new shibboleth. Its nothing of the sort, but the DUP, like Sinn Fein, needs to steer its electorate deeper into the respective silos. Now that Parliament has voted to reject a no-deal scenario and today is likely to back an extension of Article 50, the grip of the DUP and ERG loosens on this Government. The password is now compromise. Parliament will seek to assert consensus and, by doing so, asserts its own sovereignty over a Government that has lost authority. By and large, Sinn Fein has stood in the wings, enjoying the chaos. The referendum results of 2016 had hardly been counted when the Sinn Fein leadership claimed the vote was proof that the time had come for a border poll. This wasnt just a contentious claim; it was also untrue. Unionists, like the majority of those who voted Remain, voted to stay in the EU. No more, no less. It was wrong to misappropriate the votes for a question not asked. From there on, the referendum result here was used to bludgeon the DUP for its failure to recognise equality issues. The backstop remains the focus of debate in Parliament, because it makes some political unionists queasy. Yet the same backstop actually delivers the key ask from the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland: ie that things stay the same, or nearly the same. As Sinn Fein doesnt take its seats, it has no leverage at Westminster. But given that it invested so much in the call for the border poll, it should consider taking the high ground and rule out a border poll for 10 years after withdrawal from the EU. This would mean that the earliest a border poll could be called would be 2031; by then, those arguing for it would have properly developed their arguments for a united Ireland and, if the predicted changes in the demographic profile of Northern Ireland occurs, then the demand could not be reasonably refused by any future Secretary of State. The Good Friday Agreement only provides for a border poll if such evidence suggests its required and no one in the lifetime of this current Government (2022) is going to grant such a request. Furthermore, a second border poll would be even further away, because again the Good Friday Agreement states another poll cant take place for at least seven years (not every seven years, as is being claimed by some). Sinn Fein, therefore, should unilaterally offer to remove the threat of a border poll in exchange for an acceptance by unionists of a withdrawal agreement that includes the backstop. This may be the get-out-of-jail card needed for all. It may also provide the catalyst for talks and the return of Stormont. The EU would almost certainly welcome such a home-grown initiative as a positive sign from local parties towards the maintenance of peace. After all, the EU is, first and foremost, an institution for and of peace. Tom Kelly is a writer and commentator A Rohingya man and children walk through a field in the Jamtoli refugee camp in Ukhia, Bangladesh, Nov. 27, 2017. The militant Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) must stop targeting fellow Rohingya who have fled violence in Myanmar and found haven in Bangladesh, a Southeast Asia-based human rights organization said Thursday. Fortify Rights urged ARSA, a shadowy insurgent group of ethnic minority Rohingya Muslims active in northern areas of Myanmars Rakhine state, to stop committing atrocities and called for bringing those who commit crimes to justice. When Rohingya militants abduct, torture, and threaten Rohingya civilians, they mirror the Myanmar Army, said Matthew Smith, chief executive officer of Fortify Rights. Perpetrators of these crimes should be held accountable in fair and impartial trials, he said, according to Radio Free Asia (RFA), a sister entity of BenarNews. The statement comes on the heels of ARSAs own message to its members and refugees to refrain from crimes, such as fighting, killing, etc., released Tuesday as a video on Twitter. The militant group acknowledged that criminal activity was occurring in camps, but claimed no responsibility for them, saying the perpetrators are not only going against the Bangladesh government, but are also making ARSA [look] responsible for their own crimes. A spate of attacks on Myanmar border guard posts by ARSA on Aug. 25, 2017, triggered a campaign of violence by Myanmar forces targeting the Rohingya, including killings, torture, rape and village burnings in Rakhine that drove more than 700,000 Rohingyas into Bangladesh, where they remain in refugee camps. U.N. officials have blamed Myanmars army for atrocities, with one report saying that that military leaders should be prosecuted for genocide. But the U.N. report says ARSA also committed serious human rights abuses. Fortify Rights statement described how militants believed to be associated with ARSA have in recent months abducted Rohingya refugees targeting women, aid workers and their family members, religious leaders and others for speaking out against ARSA, or for being suspected informants for authorities in either Bangladesh or Myanmar. One woman identified as an aid worker told Fortify Rights last month she had witnessed the torture of her husband. I was taken to a mountaintop away from my [neighborhood] block to a makeshift mosque. I was taken by an unknown man. On the way, I was crying once we got to the mosque, I saw my husband and many other men being tortured they were being kicked and punched One of the men told me, You see how we torture the men? If you work [outside the home], we will do the same to you. This woman resigned from her position out of fear, the report said. Rohingya women have a right to work without fear of reprisals, Smith said. Women are indispensable to the community in terms of aid and advocacy and their work and rights should be protected. The statement also detailed how ARSA last month called a meeting in the camps and claimed to have abducted and killed a religious leader who had been missing since July. It threatened those in attendance with death if they refused to support ARSA. Fortify Rights said that threatening refugees to sow fear as a means of garnering support was a common tactic of ARSA, listing several other incidents where the militant group had done this. The NGO urged supporters of ARSA and other militant groups in Bangladesh to stop all illegal activity as stated in ARSAs video message, and recommended that the Bangladeshi government and the United Nations provide protection to relatives of refugees that have been targeted by ARSA. Bangladeshi authorities should investigate crimes in the camps and work with the Rohingya community to prevent further crimes, Smith said. The authorities are well aware of their duty to protect refugees. The community needs to know that the Bangladesh authorities will protect them too. A Bangladeshi minister responded to ARSAs video message by reiterating Dhakas rejection of the group. A section of Rohingya community has been involved in criminal activities. So, they resort to killing and other crimes. What we always say, ARSA has no foothold in Bangladesh, Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told BenarNews. A security analyst speculated that ARSA was trying to use the video messages to improve its image for any future political talks. There is no guarantee that ARSA posted the videos. But ARSA would be benefit if the Rohingya people can stay in Bangladesh for long, said retired Maj. Gen. Abdur Rashid. The call to refrain from committing any crime in Bangladesh is probably a strategy to earn sympathy of the local host community, he said. Possibly ARSA has been trying to cover up its terrorist image with the aim of making it a political force in future. Kamran Reza Chowdhury and Sharif Khiam contributed to this report from Dhaka. Defendants Syamsul Arifin (left) and Agus Satrio stand during their sentencing at the West Jakarta District Court, March 14, 2019. An Indonesian court on Thursday sentenced a married couple to prison for their roles in suicide bombings last May on three churches and police headquarters in the countrys second largest city, Surabaya. The couple and a third defendant were the first suspects to be convicted in connection with last years attacks, which authorities blamed on Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), an Indonesian militant network affiliated with the extremist group Islamic State (IS). Judges at the West Jakarta district court found Agus Satrio Widodo, 35, and his wife, Damayanti, guilty of being involved in a criminal conspiracy and aiding criminal acts of terrorism. Agus was chairman of the Jombang branch of JAD, the court found. The bombings were the work of JAD and designed to create the atmosphere of terror, presiding Judge Agus Setiawan ruled. The defendant Agus, as the chair of JAD in the Jombang area, cannot be absolved from them. In a separate development on Thursday, police said they had found and confiscated hundreds of kilos of explosives from two homes, including a house where a woman and her 2-year-old child died when she detonated a bomb in North Sumatra province the previous day, police said. In the West Jakarta courtroom, Agus was sentenced to eight years and his wife was sentenced to three years and four months following the trial that began in November 2018. In addition, Syamsul Arifin, who was tried in the same courtroom at the same time, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for inciting followers to attack police and the military, and for organizing militant training. Police identified him as the head of JAD in Blitar regency in East Java province. Surabaya is the provincial capital. The prosecutor had sought 12 years in jail for Agus and five years for his wife, but the judges said their expressions of remorse were mitigating factors. The couple shook the judges hands after the verdict was read out loud but neither commented. The couple was linked to the series of attacks in May 2018, when two families, including children as young as 9, carried out suicide bombings on three churches and a police station in Surabaya, killing themselves and 15 bystanders. The next night, three members of a family died when their bomb exploded during a police raid on a Surabaya apartment, bringing the death toll to 28. Bomb-making materials On Thursday, police announced they had confiscated 300 kilos (661 pounds) of bomb-making materials including from the house where a woman killed herself and her child on Wednesday. Officers identified the woman as the wife of a suspected JAD militant named Husain (alias Abu Hamzah), who was arrested Tuesday for allegedly plotting to attack police targets. National police spokesman Brig. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo said Husain had been a member of the militant group for six years and had been trained to build bombs. Materials found at Husains house included five pipe bombs, four gas cylinders and 100 kg (220 pounds) of flash powder, Dedi said. In total there were 300 kilograms. Some have been destroyed, some have been secured for the purpose of the investigation, Dedi told BenarNews, adding that the materials could be used to create powerful bombs. Police anti-terrorism unit Densus 88, meanwhile, was hunting for people suspected of providing money to Husain to buy the explosives, Dedi said. Al Chaidar, a terrorism analyst, questioned whether Husain and his alleged accomplices belonged to JAD. He said they were members of Jamaah Anshar Daulah Khilafah Nusantara, which was formed in 2016 and is affiliated with IS. The group has an estimated 900 members across Sumatra, he said. They were indoctrinated by Bahrun Naim through a number of channels on Telegram (messaging service) and other social media outlets. Plans for this attack might have been aimed at proving their existence, the analyst based at Malikul Saleh University told BenarNews. Bahrun Naim, an Indonesian militant who fought with IS in Syria, was killed by U.S. forces in June 2018. Stanislaus Riyanta, a security analyst at the University of Indonesia, said Husains alleged plots likely were not linked to a presidential election scheduled for April 17. The setbacks suffered by IS in Syria have triggered its sympathizers to take action in their respective countries, he told Benar. Also on Thursday, a suspected militant identified by authorities only by his initials, R.G., and whose alias is Abu Riky, was arrested in Rokan Hilir regency on Sumatra island, Dedi said. The suspect had allegedly posted about terrorist events on social media platforms including WhatsApp, and had sent messages inciting people to commit terrorism. Members of a hazardous-materials team use a hose to remove possible chemicals in the clothes of students in Johor Bahru, March 11, 2019. Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Thursday he would not declare an emergency, although the army announced that it had deployed a team in Johor state where authorities shut down dozens of schools after toxic waste sickened 2,775 people. State authorities ordered 111 schools to close Wednesday after hundreds of students and teachers were rushed to area hospitals following their exposure to toxic fumes from chemicals illegally dumped into a local river. We do not have to declare an emergency, do not have to evacuate people, Mahathir told reporters. But we need to be careful and those who are in charge of maintaining this situation must be prepared to handle any problems that occur. Mahathir spoke to journalists after receiving a briefing from local authorities about the dumping of toxic waste in the Kim Kim River in Pasir Gudang, an industrial town about 330 km (206 miles) southeast of the capital Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysian Army said in a statement that a 25-member team of specialists and paramedics had been deployed to the crisis area to assist the state government in ongoing clean-up efforts. During the past few days, a total of 2,775 people have complained of breathing difficulties, dizziness and vomiting after inhaling toxic fumes, state officials said. State-run news service Bernama quoted Environment Minister Yeo Bee Yin as saying that rain could have caused the contamination to spread despite efforts to contain it. Local reports said the river waste could have contained chemicals that were used to dissolve metal at a scrapyard and a chemical factory. Shahruddin Jamal, chairman of the states health, environment and agriculture committee, said charges were being prepared against the owner of a recycled-tire factory who was arrested last week. Three suspects have also been arrested and detained, police said. Meanwhile, Singapores Civil Defense Force and the National Environment Agency said they had determined that no toxic elements had penetrated the island city-states water system and no anomalies had been detected in air quality. Johor state, in southern Peninsular Malaysia is separated from the Lion City by the Strait of Johor. We understand that the clean-up operation by the Malaysian authorities is in progress. The affected area is outside of the Johor River catchment, and there is no impact on Singapores water supply, the agencies said in a joint statement. An elementary school pupil reacts to receiving a measles vaccine administered by the local health office in Dagupan, Philippines, Aug. 2, 2017. Millions of children younger than 5 are at risk of contracting measles in the Philippines where the disease already has killed 286 people, health workers warned Thursday. Richard Gordon, chairman of the Philippine Red Cross, said the number of fatalities is 42 percent higher this year than for all of 2018, when 202 deaths were recorded across the archipelago. We are in the grip of a measles outbreak that, tragically, is hitting the very young hardest, Gordon said, adding 110 babies younger than 9 months have died since January. The Red Cross has been crucial in restoring peoples confidence in vaccines, which makes it easier now to convince parents to get their children vaccinated. But we are aiming for a 100 percent immunization rate, he said. Three regions around Manila accounted for most of the cases recorded from Jan. 1 to March 2, the governments health department said. With the estimated number of children younger than 5 who have not been vaccinated against the disease estimated at 3.7 million, Gordon said many remain vulnerable. Health experts estimate that every person sick with the measles could infect up to 18 others. Previously, health officials blamed the rise in measles cases to a vaccination scare in late 2017. At the time, French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi Pasteur admitted that its dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, could cause side effects which could lead to severe dengue to those injected with it even if they had no prior infections. The government suspended using Dengvaxia, but paranoia over vaccines has persisted. Health workers said many families, particularly in slums around Manila, did not participate in the government-sponsored vaccination programs for their children, leading to the measles explosion. Chris Staines, head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the Philippines, expressed concerned for the country. With experts warning that the outbreak could last for months, potentially not stabilizing until May, many more lives are at risk. This is a preventable tragedy, Staines said. We have no time to lose and no time to be complacent. We need to support Philippines Red Cross staff and volunteers today in their life-saving actions. He said 13,500 children have received vaccinations, but stressed the number should be increased. UNICEF and the World Health Organization last week reported a total of 18,553 measles cases in the Philippines that resulted in the 286 deaths. The organizations said 60 percent of infected patients were not vaccinated. Jeoffrey Maitem in Cotabato City, Philippines, contributed to this report. Updated at 12:13 p.m. ET on 2019-03-14 The Philippine government said Thursday it would not cooperate should the International Criminal Court (ICC) push through with a formal investigation into President Rodrigo Dutertes anti-drugs campaign that has killed thousands. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said that as far as Manila was concerned, they cannot do anything against us. He said the case in Manila was different from Burundi, which also quit the ICC but was still being investigated because a case against the landlocked African nation had already been filed before it left the court, which is based in The Hague, Netherlands. The ICC, which was set up 16 years ago to prosecute those behind the worlds worst atrocities, had said that it found reasonable basis to believe that Burundi state agents launched widespread attacks against local civilians. The situation in the Philippines is different because we said that under the Rome Statute, if there is a preliminary investigation or any proceeding referring to the preliminary investigation, when there is one prior to the effectivity of the withdrawal, they can still proceed with the investigation, Panelo said, referring to the treaty that established ICC. They dont have jurisdiction. If they dont have jurisdiction, they cannot do anything against us, he told reporters. We are not bound by their rules. Panelos statement came hours before Duterte released a list of 43 politicians who were running for local posts in May and who, according to the president, were allegedly involved in drugs. Duterte released the names in a publicly televised speech in his southern hometown of Davao city. "So I will just be clear that the last remaining years of my office will be the most dangerous years for a person into drug trafficking," Duterte said. "My decision to unmask theses drug personalities was anchored on my trust in the government agencies who have vetted and validated the narco-list," he said. Duterte said administrative cases had already been filed against those in the list by the interior department at the state ombudsman's office. The government's anti-money laundering council would also conduct investigations "the results of which will aid us in filing airtight cases against them," the president said. He said there were others in his list, which he said were compiled and vetted by drug enforcement and police officials. In August of 2016, just two months after he assumed the presidency, Duterte publicly named 150 judges, police and military personnel as well as local government officials whom he said were involved in drugs. At least a dozen mayors and seven deputy mayors named in that list had been killed either in gun battles with police or were assassinated by unknown gunmen described as vigilantes. One of those mayors gunned down was killed inside his jail cell, after he had already surrendered, while another was felled by an assassin during a flag-raising ceremony. He released the list a day after criticizing his political opponents for calling for an ICC investigation. You sons of bitches, you can never acquire jurisdiction over my person, Duterte said. Not in a million years. He said that the treaty that the government signed previously did not go through proper procedures, therefore was invalid. Duterte won the presidency three years ago on a promise to rid the country of criminality. The brash president vowed to go after drug addicts and dealers, and policemen under his watch lost no time in launching a deadly crackdown. Since then, more than 5,000 suspected drug addicts and dealers have been killed in what authorities had described as legitimate shootouts during law-enforcement operations. Rights groups said that the figure could be more than four times that number. The police have also been accused of summarily killing suspects. In a report it published in January, New York-based Human Rights Watch said that the drug war expanded to areas outside Manila in 2018, including the nearby suburbs of Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and the cities of Cebu and General Santos in the central and southern Philippines. The president is facing two complaints before the ICC. The first was filed by a former policeman and a self-confessed assassin who alleged that Duterte ordered the killings of criminals and opponents, when the president was the longtime mayor of southern Davao city; and a second case, filed by relatives of eight people killed in the drug war. CORRECTION: An earlier version wrongly stated that the ICC was based in Geneva. Moncks Corner, SC (29461) Today Mostly cloudy. High near 65F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Mostly cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy late. Low around 55F. Winds light and variable. There is no question that generous giving is a cornerstone of the Christian faith, and that there is great joy in giving. We are all blessed by the giving of others, and we are all blessed to give. For example, I have been in drive-through lines where the person in front of me pays my bill, and I in turn decide to pay the bill of the person behind me. It then becomes a long line of giving and receiving, a display of kindness to others we dont even know. Even a simple cycle of giving such as this can unite a community and bring a smile to our faces. Throughout the centuries, Christians have given generously and sacrificially for the cause of the Gospel. Christians have funded schools, charities, and hospitals. Christians have given time and treasure to rebuild cities after floods and fires. Christians have given faithfully to their local churches, to missionaries, to neighbors in need, and have given consistently in ways that others will never know. Following the lead of our Savior who gave all on our behalf, Christians are a giving people. But how much does the Bible say we should give? Is there a specific amount, or a set rule that we are required to follow? Does our salvation itself hinge on the amount of money we give, and where we give it? Does God really threaten to curse us if we dont give a certain amount in a certain way? The good news for us is that the answer is extraordinarily simple: we are required to give nothing, yet it becomes our desire to give everything. You Get What You Give Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 2 Corinthians 9:6 Giving benefits the one who gives the gift and the one who receives the gift. Some have misread this verse to mean that those who give much financially will in turn be rewarded with much financially. This is wrong thinking and sets up a kind of giving in order to get more back scheme. God will certainly bless our giving beyond all we ask or imagine and simultaneously provide for our each and every need. Yet our blessing comes not from a financial return, but by the act of giving itself which grows us and draws us closer to Christ. There are no records of the apostles, or Jesus himself for that matter, living lives of wealth and comfort because of their giving. God is the Greatest Giver Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 2 Corinthians 9:10 God is the greatest giver. He gives us all things, and without Him we are and have nothing. Just like a seed that brings forth a larger harvest than expected, when we give generously we can expect to see a harvest of blessing come from it. God will grow us in righteousness as we give in faith, and will use any gift we give to do more than we could ever imagine. We should seek such a harvest of righteousness above any material wealth. We also dont give to receive accolades for our generosity. In Matthew 6:3, Jesus tells us to give so that your right hand does not know what your left hand is doing. Our reward for giving comes from God, not from the accolades of others. There is nothing wrong at all with being thankful for one who gives generously, but that is not why we give. We give out of love of others and love of Christ. God Loves a Cheerful Giver Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 God loves a cheerful giver! This is a beautiful thought because of what Paul says (give cheerfully) and because of what he doesnt say (give a certain amount). God doesnt desire our giving to be done begrudgingly or under compulsion. Should you be pressured to give a certain amount (or else!) then there is something very wrong and very non-Scriptural happening. That giving has gone from being a joy to a burden. Giving never, ever comes from guilt, obligation, or compulsion. Giving is not some religious tax that Christians are required to meet. Jesus came to push aside that kind of giving, and to fulfill it with something better. Matthew 11:30 tells us that His burden is light. Jesus is not the heavenly IRS. His desire is not to place a burden on us by demanding a certain amount of giving and punishing us if we dont meet it. He gave freely to us on the cross, continues to give freely to us daily in all the blessings of life, and in response we give freely as well. The Truth about Tithing Any conversation about Christian giving will involve tithing. Tithing is beneficial, and is a method of giving that can provide structure and personal accountability. One verse that is regularly used when discussing tithing is Malachi 3:9-10, You are under a curseyour whole nationbecause you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the LORD Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. The problem with this verse is that, taken out of context, it becomes legalistic and can cause unnecessary fear and pain in the lives of believers. God will indeed open the floodgates of heaven and pour out blessing on cheerful givers! But if God truly has plans to curse the God-fearing members of His Church because they are not tithing according to this verse in Malachi, why in the world do Paul and the other New Testament writers fail to mention it? Giving is Good. Legalism is Bad. The New Testament writers had many opportunities to teach and require percentage giving, yet they don't do it. They instead encouraged believers to give all they had to God and to others. The old law required giving 10% of the harvest to the theocratic government of Israel. It was used to care for the Levites who served in the temple and as a gift to God. The concept was one that said, tithe to the Temple and do what you will with the rest. In Christ, we no longer live under a 90/10 arrangement, but prayerfully give God 100% of all we are and all we have - all the time. Christ came to fulfill the Law, and everything, including each breath, is from Him and belongs to Him. From our perspective, sometimes our giving may look like a lot, sometimes it may look like a little. But when we give as God leads, we may never know the full extent of how our gifts are used for Him. Giving is an Act of Worship Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of Gods mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Godthis is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1 Since we are not required to give a certain amount, what does that mean if we dont give at all? The key to giving is to do so cheerfully as an act of sacrifice and an act of worship. We should give sacrificially as we feel led by God and allow Him to use our giving to bring about a great harvest in the lives of others and in His church. The pattern of Christian giving is not one of box-checking and obligations. It is a daily lifestyle of kindness and generosity flowing from the Spirit which dwells within us. When we give to our church, it is because that is where God has led us and we want to be a part of the good work he is doing there. If we simply give an obligatory dollar amount on Sundays, but then walk out and live ungrateful lives Monday through Saturday because we have met our obligation, we have missed the point entirely. God deserves all we are, not just a dollar amount once a week. The bottom line is that we are to give cheerfully and generously, as we feel led in our heart to give. When we truly do this, it causes us to stay in tune with the Holy Spirit and focused on where God would have us use our offerings for his glory and not our own. For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, and any gift that we could give to Him in return is a mere token of thanks for the eternal gift He has given us. Just like those cars in the drive through line, in life we will find ourselves both giving and receiving. We give because everything we own and everything we are is a gift from God. We give because there is a joy that we can only know when we give as God lead us to. We give because giving makes us more like Christ. And we give because sometimes we will know what it is like to be in dire need and receive graciously from others, and it is an unspeakable joy to give as has been so generously given to us. Jason Soroski is a homeschool dad and author of A Journey to Bethlehem: Inspiring Thoughts for Christmas and Hope for the New Year. He serves as worship pastor at Calvary Longmont in Colorado and spends his weekends exploring the Rocky Mountains with his family. Connect on Twitter, Instagram, or at JasonSoroski.net. Photo credit: GettyImages/Hakase Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, my coming interviews with former President Donald Trump Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices For Immediate Release, March 14, 2019 Contact: Emily Jeffers, (510) 844-7109, ejeffers@biologicaldiversity.org Lawsuit Launched to Protect Arctic Habitat of Endangered Ice Seals WASHINGTON The Center for Biological Diversity filed a notice today of its intent to sue the National Marine Fisheries Service to compel the designation of critical habitat in Alaska for two ice seal species. Both bearded and ringed seals are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act because their Arctic sea-ice habitat is melting. As these ice seals homes melt away, the Trump administration has to give these animals the protection the Endangered Species Act requires, said Emily Jeffers, a staff attorney with the Center. With the Arctic warming at twice the global warming rate, ringed and bearded seals urgently need our help. Separate oil-industry challenges to protection for bearded seals and ringed seals were rejected by the federal courts last year. But the Trump administration hasnt taken the legally required steps to protect their habitat. The Center first petitioned to protect both species in 2008, and the Obama administration listed the seals in 2012. Ice seals are vulnerable to oil spills and the impacts of climate change. The Trump administration is currently pushing to expand offshore oil drilling in the Arctic and onshore fossil fuel production in the Western Arctic and the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. Bearded seals, known for their mustachioed appearance and elaborate courtship songs, give birth and nurse their pups on pack ice. The rapid loss of that ice jeopardizes their ability to rear their young and is lowering the abundance of the seals food on their shallow foraging grounds in the Bering Sea. Ringed seals, which are covered in dark spots surrounded by light grey rings, give birth in snow caves built on top of the sea ice. Global warming is reducing the amount of snowpack, causing caves to collapse and leaving pups vulnerable to death by freezing or from predators. Plants and animals with federally protected critical habitat are more than twice as likely to be moving toward recovery than species without it, a Center study found. Designating critical habitat for the seals does not affect subsistence harvest of the species by Alaska natives. For Immediate Release, March 14, 2019 Contact: Michael Robinson, (575) 313-7017, michaelr@biologicaldiversity.org Trump Administration Proposes Ending Gray Wolf Protection Across United States Plan Would Allow Trophy Hunting Nationwide, 60-day Comment Period Opened WASHINGTON The Trump administration today released its plan to strip gray wolves of Endangered Species Act protection across the lower 48 states. If finalized, the proposal would allow trophy hunting and trapping of wolves in the Great Lakes states. It would completely halt recovery of wolves in most of the wolfs former range. The administration is only providing the public 60 days to review the complex proposal. No public hearings are set, and the proposal provides virtually no information on the peer-review process for this proposal. This cowardly and undemocratic effort to delist wolves shows the Trump administration has already decided to approve trophy hunts, said Michael Robinson, a senior conservation advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity. Trump and his Interior Department are dead set on appeasing special interests that want to kill wolves, but well stop them. Congress stripped wolves in Idaho and Montana of protections in 2011, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stripped protection from Wyoming wolves in 2017. This led to the killing of thousands of wolves and halted further recovery in these states. The Fish and Wildlife Service also stripped protection from gray wolves in the Great Lakes region in 2011, allowing trophy hunting and trapping seasons in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, but the courts restored protection in 2014. Gray wolf numbers in these states have only recently recovered to pre-hunt numbers. Nationwide, they remain at only about 5 percent of their historic abundance. Hunts will start anew if the Trump administrations proposal is finalized. Well go to court to stop the Trump administration from prematurely stripping wolves of the lifesaving protections that rescued them from the brink of extinction, Robinson added. The livestock industry and trophy hunters want wolves dead, but well make sure the feds fulfill their obligation to restore wolves across the country. Background In December the Center for Biological Diversity and the Humane Society of the United States petitioned the Fish and Wildlife Service to maintain protection for gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act. Before that, in November, the Center sued the Service for violating the Endangered Species Act by never providing a comprehensive recovery plan for gray wolves nationwide. If successful, that lawsuit would mean that wolves must remain federally protected until the Service implements a national recovery plan. The company announces Launch@LabShares competition giving away a free, One-Year Membership worth $50K. LabShares Newton, a laboratory incubator for emerging biotechnology and life science companies has unveiled its newly expanded co-working lab and office space. LabShares is a fully equipped shared laboratory for early-stage research companies seeking a collaborative, cost-effective, and entrepreneurial working environment. Mayor of Newton Ruthanne Fuller and John Hallinan, Chief Business Officer at MassBio, attended the reception and ribbon cutting ceremony at LabShares to mark this important occasion. LabShares launched near capacity in October 2018. Due to high demand for affordable, shared office and lab space, the company embarked on a plan to double the size of its footprint to 12,000 square feet, expanding the facility to support up to 30 companies. LabShares fully-permitted, professionally maintained facility provides turnkey access to cutting-edge lab instrumentation and equipment so members can immediately start scientific experiments. Basic administrative support, shipping and receiving, access to conference rooms, a fully-stocked kitchen, and other office park amenities, including a fitness center with showers, indoor bike storage, a cafe and free parking, are all included in a single monthly fee. Members include: AffyImmune Therapeutics, Abcuro Inc., ArrowDots BioMedicals, Extend Biosciences, Harbour Biomed, Siamab Therapeutics, and JA Bio. LabShares is committed to creating a dynamic community for life science start-ups in Newton, said Jeff Behrens, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of LabShares. Our goal is to provide a cutting-edge lab and work space at a cost-effective price, and to offer the necessary services, resources, professional development, and networking opportunities to provide a foundation for biotech start-ups to thrive. As vacancy rates for biotech lab and office space continue to fall and rents continue to rise in Cambridge, emerging companies are looking elsewhere for space. With our recent expansion, LabShares is uniquely positioned to meet this growing demand. To mark the occasion, LabShares has announced a new pitch competition called Launch@LabShares. Together with the support of two sponsorsDT Ward PC, an intellectual property law firm, and Faber Daeufer & Itrato PC, a life-science focused law firmLabShares is giving away a free, one-year membership valued at $50,000 to an emerging biotech company. The winner will have access to shared office and lab space for one scientist as well as all resources and amenities at LabShares. Added Mr. Behrens, We are excited to offer a year-long membership to a biotech start-up through our Launch@LabShares contest and help support new and emerging companies in the space. We hope that LabShares will become a central part of the growing life science ecosystem. With this goal in mind, we are also rolling out a monthly lunchtime speaker series to provide members with a forum for information exchange and to learn about industry best practices. The Lunches@LabShares speaker series provides networking and professional development opportunities to its members and covers best practices and hot topics in life sciences. Speakers include biotech executives, investors and service providers. The lunchtime speaker series will be held at LabShares. Free lunch will be provided. A limited number of spots will be made available to the broader biotech community. LabShares Newton is an office and laboratory incubator for emerging biotechnology and life science start-ups. The shared space provides a collaborative, affordable and entrepreneurial research environment for early-stage companies in a convenient location close to Cambridge and Boston. LabShares has developed a state-of-the-art facility that is fully permitted and professionally maintained and offers a variety of support services and amenities. Under this collaboration, HitGen will apply its advanced technology platform, based on DNA-encoded library design, synthesis and screening, to discover novel leads for SPARC China based biotech company HitGen Ltd. and Sun Pharma Advanced Research Company Ltd. (SPARC) has announced a research collaboration to identify novel small molecule leads for targets of interest. Under this collaboration, HitGen will apply its advanced technology platform, based on DNA-encoded library design, synthesis and screening, to discover novel leads for SPARC. Dr. Jin Li, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of HitGen said, We are delighted to enter into collaboration with SPARC, a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Mumbai. This collaboration further emphasizes the role of HitGen in the rapidly developing field of DNA-encoded chemistry. We will work closely with SPARC scientists to generate novel leads for their innovative research programs to address unmet medical needs. Anil Raghavan, CEO of SPARC said, We believe HitGens unique DNA-encoded library based screening platform combined with SPARCs in-house research expertise, shall accelerate our drug discovery efforts. We look forward to collaborating with HitGen to bring innovative medicines for patients with serious medical conditions. Under the terms of the agreement, HitGen will receive upfront payment and will be eligible for certain milestone payments. Dr Shiladitya Sengupta from Harvard Medical School joins as Chairman of the board along with Dr S V Mahadevan from Stanford University Medical as member of the Board Indias leading innovative med-tech company, Axio Biosolutions, is all set to step up its US launch plans with the announcement of its top-notch Scientific Advisory Board. As the first-ever Indian company to get USFDA clearance for a haemostat, Axio is well poised to disrupt the wound care industry globally. The Bengaluru-based enterprise has appointed Dr Shiladitya Sengupta, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, as Chairman, and Dr S V Mahadevan, Professor of Emergency Medicine at Stanford University, as member of its Scientific Advisory Board. The appointments are a testament to Axios unwavering commitment to bring the latest scientific and technological innovation into the wound care and surgical market. An alumnus of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, where he received the Geeta Mital Gold Medal, Dr Sengupta serves as Assistant Professor of Health Sciences and Technology at MIT, and principal investigator at the Dana- Farber Cancer Institute, Boston. After completing his PhD at Trinity College, University of Cambridge (where he was a Nehru Scholar as well as a British Chevening Scholar) and a fellowship in Biological Engineering from MIT, Dr Sengupta joined the Harvard faculty. The co-founder of Akamara Therapeutics (hitherto Invictus Oncology), Vyome Biosciences, Mitra Biotech and Cerulean Pharma Inc. (served on the Scientific Advisory Board), Dr Sengupta, has also co-chaired the Center for Regenerative Medicine at the Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston. He has been the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the TR35 Innovator Award by MIT Technology Review magazine; the Era of Hope Scholar Award and the Innovator Collaborative Award from the US Department of Defense; the Coulter Foundation Career Award; and the Shakuntala Amir Chand Award from the Indian Council for Medical Research. Axios other notable appointment, Dr S V Mahadevan, Professor of Emergency Medicine at Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, brings critical expertise of over 23 years in emergency medicine to the Scientific Advisory Board. The founding chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Stanford (2015-17) and founding Director of Stanford Emergency Medicine International (2000-2015), Dr Mahadevan currently serves as both the Director of Global Affairs and Strategy for Stanford Medicine as well as the Director of South Asia Outreach, Center for Asian Health Research and Education (CARE). Dr Mahadevan has received numerous esteemed teaching awards throughout his illustrious career, and is the lead editor of the textbook, An Introduction to Clinical Emergency Medicine, which won the 2006 American Medical Writers Association Award in the Physicians Category. Currently, he is a teaching physician at Stanford Health Care. Know Your Kidney Number clinic will help people get an assessment of their kidney health and also ways to take care of it. On the occasion of World Kidney Day, Bengaluru based BR Life SSNMC Hospital has launched Know Your Kidney Number clinic, an exclusive kidney health screening clinic to create awareness on kidney health. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is the sixth fastest growing cause of death globally. However, many tend to ignore kidney related health issues since it does not show any symptoms in the initial stages. Know Your Kidney Number clinic will help people get an assessment of their kidney health and also ways to take care of it. Know your kidney number clinic will commence in the hospital from March 14- 31, 2019 and will cater to everyone who will visit the hospital to know more about their kidney health. Urine and Creatinine tests are offered along with hemoglobin, calcium, phosphorus and uric acid tests, and ultrasound test if required, for further investigation. Consultation and treatments are offered based on the problems the patients are facing. Speaking on the increasing kidney problems, Dr. Manjunath, Nephrologist, BR Life SSNMC Hospital said, Diabetes and Hypertension are the biggest reasons for kidney problems in our country. These lifestyle diseases account for 40 60% of Chronic Kidney Diseases. The rising lifestyle problems among youngsters have resulted in increasing kidney issues at a younger age. Lesser fluid intake, increased alcohol consumption and smoking are also adding to the existing problems to increase kidney disease incidence. It is important for everyone to be aware of their kidney health. A simple change in lifestyle can make your kidney health better. Also, on this event, BR Life SSNMC Hospital has launched I LIVE ON campaign to encourage people to come forward and pledge to donate their organs. I LIVE ON is an online platform to pledge organ donation initiated by BR Life SSNMC Hospital. The process of registration for organ donation is made simple and easy with this portal. In the wake of huge problems faced by the people in terms of organ donation and transplant, especially in case of kidney, , BR Life SSNMC Hospital has taken this initiative to create awareness and influence donors to pledge on donating their organs. Speaking on the I LIVE ON Campaign, Col Hemraj Parmar, Group CEO, BR Life said, There is a wide gap between the number of organs available and transplants awaited. According to Ipsos MORI research, organ donation rate in India is around 0.34 per million, which is abysmally low compared to other developed countries like Spain (36), Croatia (35), USA (27.02). More Indians should be aware of the donation process and must come forward to pledge their organs for donation. A donor can save as good as 8 lives by donating various parts of the body once deceased. I am hopeful that with I Live On campaign, we will be able to raise awareness about organ donation and get more people to pledge their organs. This will have a positive impact on the healthcare industry in India. Currently, less than 10 such cases have been successfully transplanted in the world so far A 13-year-old-girl from Mauritius, suffering from rarest of the rare Complement Deficiency genetic disease, C1q deficiency since the age of 2, became the first teen in Asia suffering from this complex condition to receive a bone marrow transplant. Girl was suffering from repeated skin rashes and kidney ailments for over a decade and also developed difficulty in walking and stiffening of lower limbs. Until the transplant, Ciara was on multiple immune-suppressants to control the autoimmune condition Systemic lupus erythematosus and was being treated with over 10 different medications for her severe skin disease, kidney disease and pulmonary hypertension. Not just she was wheelchair bound, but also had very high risk of permanent renal failure till the Pediatric Immunology department at Aster CMI Hospital diagnosed her to have a very rare genetic disease complement C1q deficiency as confirmed by the genetic studies conducted at the hospital. She was advised to undergo a bone marrow transplant and her father was found to be a full HLA match. He donated his bone marrow to Ciara and the teen has been cured to lead a normal life now. Currently, she is under medications and would require close follow-up for the next six months. Efforts taken by the hospital to help the family raise a large sum worth Rs. 26.5 lakhs through a crowd funding platform played a vital role in making the successful transplant possible. Currently, less than 10 such cases have been successfully transplanted in the world so far. The first one was conducted in UK in 2014. The transplant was carried out by the joint efforts of Dr Sagar Bhattad, Consultant, Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Dr Stalin Ramprakash and Dr CP Raghuram, Consultants, Pediatric Hematology and BMT, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore. While speaking about the rarity and complexity of such cases during the event, Dr Sagar Bhattad, Consultant, Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Aster CMI Hospital said: We may have come across families who say My child has been unwell for years. He/she falls sick very often, has been admitted thrice/many times in various hospitals and is not growing well. Some of these families may have children with problems in the immune system. These children get hospitalized on several occasions. They are treated with variety of antibiotics. However, one wonders why should a child fall repeatedly ill? The caregivers do not find a proper answer to their ongoing problems, despite consultations from several doctors. Majority of such children suffer from a dreaded group of diseases called Primary immune deficiency diseases. Unfortunately, physicians and pediatricians are not well versed with these diseases and this may result in undue delay in the diagnosis. Though considered to be rare diseases, our hospital is witnessing 3-4 new children every month who are diagnosed to have an Immune Deficiency. We strongly believe that this is only the tip of the iceberg and several thousand children will continue to suffer without being diagnosed unless we increase awareness about these diseases amongst doctors and public, added Dr Bhattad. He is also the first DM super-specialist in Pediatric Immunology in the country and a gold medalist for research in C1q deficiency lupus. Dr Nitish Shetty, CEO, Aster CMI Hospital, said: It is a great pleasure to see a young life from another country getting a new bloom in India, thanks to the hard work and efforts of our doctors. We are glad to have a dedicated Immunology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit (BMT) recognized as the center of excellence by FPID for treating those suffering from very rare, complicated genetic anomalies, the treatment and awareness of which is not available everywhere and among everyone. We strive to create benchmarks in the immunodeficiency treatment as we have done across other segments and hope to save many precious lives in years to come. Dr Stalin Ramprakash, Lead Pediatric BMT expert at Aster CMI Hospital said, Transplants in children with severe autoimmune diseases and Immune deficiencies are much more complex than transplants for other conditions (thalassemia, leukemia). These children often present with serious infections and internal organ damage, making the treatment more challenging. Our BMT team is well versed in handling such cases and presence of a dedicated Pediatric Immunologist and relevant laboratory facilities helped make this treatment possible. The Pediatric Immunology Department at Aster CMI is recognized as Foundation for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (FPID) center of excellence in the field of Primary Immunodeficiency (PID). FPID is an international organization based in US that supports the education, early diagnosis, genetic counseling, therapy, and research of PID in both India and the US. It recognizes institutes for its capacities in the diagnosis and treatment of such challenging cases. Dr Sudhir Gupta, Founder of FPID, said: Though PIDs are 4 times more common than haemophilia, twice common as cystic fibrosis, and almost as common as multiple sclerosis, yet very few people and physicians know about PIDs. Therefore, there is a great need to educate the population in general regarding warning signs of PIDs, and practicing physicians to diagnose and treat these patients to prevent complications and death. In India, there are very few institutions where patients with PIDs are diagnosed or treated; the majority of patients remained undiagnosed and die, contributing in part to Indias high infant mortality rate. FPID supports research and treatment of several needy patients at these centres of excellence. As per a research conducted worldwide, 1 in 2,000 children suffer from an immune deficiency. If these figures are extrapolated to the city of Bangalore, around 5,000 children will have immune deficiency disease. Human Capital Expertise Creative Capital For Diverse Cultures Strategic Brand Empathy and Execution Strong financial management, Financial Fundraising Capability and Revenue Model Understanding Deep technological Expertise Deep Specialists in Execution Areas Youthful and Vibrant Progressive Diversity For the above-mentioned reasons, we have searched the industry for the best and appointed the following individuals:With just over 16 years as a Marketing Communications Strategist, Tumi Rabanye has served on both the client and agency side; serving in telco, broadcast and parastatals. From an agency perspective she's led strategy on portfolios that include the energy sector, oil and gas, election and broadcast content development.Tumi's current phrase is, "The only constant these days is disruption", therefore communications has an even more important role to play in navigating the exponential changes experienced by most sectors.Lebo has worked in various industries including FMCG, Banking, Construction and Advertising. She recently vacated her role as the Group HR Director at Joe Public; a role she held since 2013, to run her own consulting company called Cardinal Point.Since 2016 she has served on the board of the Association of Advertising and Communication, giving her an in-depth understanding of this industry in South Africa.Lebo is an independent thinker and is able to carefully and honestly articulate herself. She takes a keen interest in developing and maintaining relationships, as this is crucial to balancing commercial and people priorities, which she does with ease.Thibedi Meso holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design, which he packed away without a second thought when he discovered his love for copywriting. Since then, hes had the pleasure of building an impressive portfolio of work on brands such as Standard Bank, Mazda, Discovery Life, M-Net, Metropolitan and OLX, to name a few.Before his appointment as Executive Creative Director at Brave Group, Thibedi was a Lead Creative Director at Black River FC.He is driven by the desire to exceed expectations of the Brief. He always looks for opportunities to create memorable work that connects brands with people and believes in striving to create work worth remarking about.And it is key to also mention other key appointments within the last 12 months.Born in Zambia, Musa Kalenga is an enthusiastic entrepreneur who is passionate about using technology to empower the digitally invisible.As CEO and Founder of Bridge Labs, Musa addresses the problem of gaining access to appropriate online tools for entrepreneurs and small to medium businesses (SMBs) by building mobile platforms to support growth in emerging markets.As a respected thought leader in the marketing industry, Musa advises on digital marketing strategy for businesses with his Marketing in a Digital World Executive Programme.A seasoned entrepreneur, Chartered Accountant, and operator of growth businesses, Andile is invested in and serves as Chairman of The House of Brave, a full-service marketing agency based in Johannesburg, South Africa.Khumalo is the former Managing Director of POWER 98.7 and former COO of MSG Afrika, whose subsidiaries include radio stations POWER 98.7, Capricorn FM, The Communications Firm, a PR and events agency, and television production firm, Quizzical Pictures.A former investment banker with Investec Corporate Finance, Andile is a former member of the Takeover Regulations Panel, a previous director of South African Airways, the former President of the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa (ABASA), and a former member of the FSBs Directorate of Market Abuse.Karabo Songo is a serial marketing entrepreneur with business interests that focus on the advertising and marketing industry. With management experience that ranges from information technology firm empowerment deals, hospitality/leisure and marketing investment, he has come to make a success of several marketing/communications agencies with varied interests in the industry value chain and various corporate local and global clientele.As part of contributing to the industry direction and driving thought leadership, he sits on various industry boards including Association for Communication and Advertising in SA (ACASA) and IAB South Africa. He has also been recognised by several organisations through various business nominations and awards.His passion is to be able to build innovative marketing businesses and brands within Africa with a difference and grow entities into profitable assets for shareholders.Rob is a quintessential full-service marketing strategist, having honed his considerable skills as a Planning Director at blue-chip agencies across a variety of disciplines, including business-to-business marketing, product innovations, 360-degree communication campaigns and training. His experience has spanned across both national and international clients and across various industries, seeing the hugely successful launch of Miller Beer into the South African market, the relaunch and name conversion of Ego to Axe deodorant, and the creation of SuperSports Lets Play social responsibility programme, amongst many others. Robs multiple Apex Awards for advertising effectiveness bear testimony to his razor-sharp strategic skills and insights, which he also employs as a part-time lecturer and academic author.In conclusion, the minds are a future fit team that will introduce a new way of thinking and execution. This job expired on 15 May 2019. 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 The number of violent incidents being reported at health-care facilities in the Prairie Mountain Health Region is up. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/3/2019 (1001 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us The number of violent incidents being reported at health-care facilities in the Prairie Mountain Health Region is up. However, Steve Geletchuk, manager of emergency preparedness and security services for Prairie Mountain Health, said that doesnt necessarily mean that there is more hospital violence just that more instances are more being reported. Steve Geletchuk "Theres an increased awareness to violence through staff training, through the provincial workplace violence prevention program," Geletchuk said. "Staff are receiving the training of how they should react and respond, so theyre definitely reporting incidents now, which is requiring followup, and investigation and management." Earlier this week, the province announced they would be conducting a review of security services at health-care facilities in Manitoba, in response to a rise in meth-related violence. The review will look at current levels of staffing and training standards currently in place, and create a plan to ensure safety of those visiting and working at hospitals, a press release from the provincial government said. A security review is just putting a bandage on the problem, and is not addressing what needs to happen, local addictions services advocate Kim Longstreet said. There needs to be another place for meth addicts to go. "People who are experiencing psychosis or whatever theyre doing when using meth should not go to an ER," Longstreet said. "They shouldnt then put them out into the general waiting room with everybody else who are also agitated about the long waits." A spokesperson with Prairie Mountain Health said statistics for the number of violent incidents at hospitals in the region were not "readily available," although Geletchuk noted anecdotally that there has been an increase. Brandon Police Service did not get back to The Sun before press time on the number of times they are called to the Brandon Regional Health Centre for violent situations. In violent situations, hospital security will assess the situation and attempt to de-escalate verbally, Geletchuk said. From there, as necessary, they will escalate the response to ensure the safety of themselves, staff members, people seeking care at the health facility and the individual causing the disruption. Security have had training so they know what options they can use to de-escalate the situation to prevent further violence. In some incidents, he said patients will not have control over their actions, such as a person with dementia or other medical conditions. Security will also work with the hospital staff to try to make sure that anyone who is in need of medical attention receives the care that theyre there for. Right now, they dont have a timeline as to when the review will be completed, but Geletchuk said they are ready for whenever it is. "I look forward to seeing the recommendations or changes that they have that could help us improve the safety for everybody." Currently, Prairie Mountain Health has security at three health facilties in the region Brandon, Dauphin and Swan River. However, Geletchuk said they are able to deploy resources to other rural sites if necessary. Brandon East Progressive Conservative MLA Len Isleifson said he believed the review was necessary, but that it might not make sense to place security at all of the hospitals in the region. "I think you we need to be practical as well," Isleifson said. "Does it warrant putting a full-time security officer in there unless theres other duties for them to do? I mean, thats a lot of resources youre tying up." The increase in reported violent incidents could be caused by a number of different factors, said Isleifson, who used to work with Prairie Mountain Health as the regional manager of security services. "I would not say that its strictly because of the increase in meth, although Im sure that plays a part in it as well," he said. "But hes absolutely right people are reporting more incidents now than they have before." mverge@brandonsun.com Twitter: @Melverge5 The move by the Pallister government to close down the Manitoba Curriculum Support Centre was criticized by the NDP on Wednesday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/3/2019 (1001 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Advertisement Advertise With Us The move by the Pallister government to close down the Manitoba Curriculum Support Centre was criticized by the NDP on Wednesday. The centre provides learning tools for educators free of charge, including games, posters and videos, and is slated to close this spring. Lonnie Patterson The decision was also frowned upon by the Manitoba Teachers Society. The society was not informed or consulted about the decision, they said in a press release, calling it "an act of bad faith." The centre is moving to an online model. The current model sees a low volume of approximately 14 teachers per day, whereas the online version will be easily accessible to teachers across Manitoba, a government spokeswoman said. Services for students with visual impairments will still be accessible at 1181 Portage Ave. in Winnipeg, but the remainder of the materials will be distributed to educational partners which may include libraries, school divisions, First Nations and post-secondary institutions. Len Isleifson The government will provide an online resource locator, the spokeswoman said, and educators will be able to reach out to the library that has the item theyre looking for to find out if its available. Participating libraries may provide delivery services, she said. The centre is set to close April 1. It doesnt make sense for the province to close it when theyve just launched the K-12 review of the public education system, said Lonnie Patterson, who will be putting her name forward for NDP nomination in Brandon East for the next provincial election. "You would think that resource and whether or not it needed changes or anything like that would have been part of that review," Patterson said. "Not just something that was closed, it seems to me, without consultation with teachers at all." Patterson also said she was disappointed the government made the decision before the end of the current school year, and that it seems strange to take a resource away from teachers in April. She was also concerned that the online model wouldnt be helpful to people who live outside of urban areas with more limited internet access. However, more and more people are getting better access all the time, Brandon East Progressive Conservative MLA Len Isleifson said. "They are getting internet in different areas, theres always talk about new towers going up," Isleifson said. "There are areas of Manitoba that dont have access that were working on, but I still think its the right move." The move is a step forward, he said, adding that it doesnt take away from the program, but enhances it. It moves the centre into a day and age where accessibility is important. "A lot more people are getting onto the internet nowadays, (and) this is going to provide that access to more people." mverge@brandonsun.com Twitter: @Melverge5 Details are emerging on the 18 Canadian victims of an Ethiopian Airlines plane crash in Addis Ababa that left 157 people dead. Here is what we know so far: Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Details are emerging on the 18 Canadian victims of an Ethiopian Airlines plane crash in Addis Ababa that left 157 people dead. Here is what we know so far: Ameen Noormohamed: A Toronto Muslim organization identified the 72-year-old member of their community as a victim of Sunday's plane crash in Ethiopia. The Ismaili Centre said Ameen Noormohamed lived in the Toronto area. "We understand that members of the deceased's family have made their way to Kenya and are in the midst of making arrangements," the centre said in a statement. Dawn Tanner: Tanner, an Ontario high school teacher with a passion for volunteering, was on her way to visit friends in Kenya. Cody French said his mother, who worked with the Grand Erie District School Board, had previously done community work in small villages to help "homeless and vulnerable children." "Mom, I can't begin to explain how much I miss you and how different life will be without your beautiful laugh and your tight hugs," French wrote in a Facebook post also penned on behalf of his brother. "I just want you to know that both Hunter and I are so proud of you, for helping out the vulnerable and for pursuing your dreams." The Grand Erie District School Board said Tanner worked as the department head of special education at the Hagersville Secondary School near Hamilton. It said she also volunteered a couple of nights a week at a homework support centre for Indigenous students and had taught at a school in an Indigenous community before joining the Grand Erie board. Rubi Pauls: Nine-month-old Rubi was travelling to Kenya with her family to meet her grandfather for the first time. Her 34-year-old mother, seven year-old brother, four-year-old sister and 60-year-old grandmother were on the flight with her. Rubi was the only Canadian citizen in the family. Her grandfather, Quindos Karanja, said the family was on its way back to Kenya from Ontario to visit him for Easter. He said his daughter, Carolyne Karanja, had been excited to go back home but had said she had a "bad feeling" before the trip. "It's just hard to accept that this has happened," he said in a telephone interview from Kenya. "I feel so much loss. And pain. I'm lonely." Ashka Dixit, Anushka Dixit, Prerit Dixit, Kosha Vaidya: The family of six from Brampton, Ont., was planning to visit Kosha's birthplace in Kenya, said her brother, Manant Vaidya. He said his 37-year-old sister hadn't visited Kenya for decades. Her daughters, 14-year-old Ashka and 13-year-old Anushka, were looking forward to going on a safari, he said. The other family members on the trip were 45-year-old father Prerit Dixit, 71-year-old grandfather Pannagesh Vaidya and 63-year-old grandmother Hansini Vaidya. Manant said his parents were from Gujarat, India, but they lived in Kenya for three or four years. The family later returned to India. Kosha moved to Ontario in 2004 after marrying her husband, who already lived in Canada. The girls were strong students and enrolled in specialized science and technology courses, Manant said. Ashka was also known for her singing voice, while Anushka was talented in dance and was learning a traditional Indian form called khattak. Prerit worked as a medical lab assistant for LifeLabs and also held a job at Ontario's Ministry of Health. Kosha used to work for the Canadian Hearing Society, said Manant. It was not immediately clear if Pannagesh Vaidya and Hansini Vaidya were Canadian citizens. Pius Adesanmi: Adesanmi was a Nigerian-born professor in the Department of English Language and Literature and the Institute of African Studies at Carleton University in Ottawa. He was a "towering figure in African and post-colonial scholarship," said the school's president, Benoit-Antoine Bacon. Adesanmi was the winner of the inaugural Penguin Prize for African non-fiction writing in 2010. Mitchell Dick, a Carleton student in communications, said Adesanmi was "extremely nice and approachable," and stood out for his passion for African literature. Angela Rehhorn: Angela Rehhorn, 24, was an enthusiastic conservation volunteer from Orillia, Ont., who was developing a citizen science project on bat conservation. The Canadian Wildlife Federation says she had recently participated in its Canadian Conservation Corps, a volunteer program for Canadians ages 18 to 30. She was on her way to participate in the United Nations Environmental Assembly in Nairobi as part of the UN Association of Canada's Canada Service Corps Program, it said. Rick Bates, CEO of the Canadian Wildlife Federation, said in an interview that Rehhorn was a well-liked "outdoors girl" who was also a great leader. "She was full of excitement and the optimism of youth and wanting to change the world and work on changing the world. And that's what she was doing," Bates said. Rehhorn recently completed a bachelor of science at Dalhousie University and was "thrilled" to take part in the conservation corps, the federation said. Her experience took her to Alberta where she went backpacking in Kananaskis this fall, then to Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island for her field training. At the time of her death, Rehhorn had just finished volunteering her time to do species surveys and was especially interested in expanding her experience working in the marine environment, the federation said. Stephanie Lacroix: Stephanie Lacroix was passionate about youth education and life skills development in both Canada and southern Africa. Lacroix was working with the United Nations Association in Canada to help engage young Canadians in the UN's work to grow global citizens as a project officer with the association's Canada Service Corps, her LinkedIn profile says. She graduated in 2015 with an honours degree in International Development and Globalization from the University of Ottawa. She was a board member of the African Community Fund for Education Canada and previously volunteered with Free the Children. Her mother Sylvie Lamarche Lacroix of Timmins, Ont., confirmed her death in a Facebook message. In an interview, Jasveen Brar said she met Lacroix at COP24 in Poland. "She was a mentor to me and the two other guys that were selected for the conference. Since the COP, we kept in touch over email, where she offered me lots of advice about my career and life, she really was a star," Brar said. Darcy Belanger: Parvati.org, a not-for-profit conservation group, says the former Edmonton resident was its founding member and director of strategic initiatives. Belanger's LinkedIn profile says he was working as a United States director of professional development with PCL Construction in Denver. Parvati says Belanger had taken time off from PCL and was travelling to Nairobi for the United Nations Environment Assembly. The organization said he was a champion of the Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary or MAPS because he realized the importance of the Arctic Ocean in balancing global weather patterns. MAPS declares the entire Arctic Ocean north of the Arctic Circle a protected area, the group said in a statement. "Admired for his courage, outstanding achievements, and noble qualities, Darcy was a hero in every sense of the word," Parvati said. "He was passionately devoted to the protection of all life through the realization of MAPS." Micah Messent: Messent was an environmentalist from British Columbia who expressed his joy on social media at being able to attend the fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi. In an Instagram post, he said he had been selected by the United Nations Association of Canada to attend the assembly and was travelling to Kenya where he would "have the chance to meet with other passionate youth and leaders from around the world and explore how we can tackle the biggest challenges that are facing our generation." "I'm so grateful for this opportunity and want to thank all of the people in my life who have helped me get this far." Prof. Laurie Meijer Drees taught Messent at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo and said he was committed to being a role model for Indigenous youth and was regarded as a trailblazer among his classmates and the faculty. "He was a bright light among all of those bright lights," she said. "He was very enthusiastic, a bright young scholar, very committed to the environment and the land." Drees said Messent was part of a group of about a dozen Indigenous Studies students who wanted to make the world a better place. The First Nations Leadership Council said Messent was a member of the Red River Metis Nation in Manitoba and was raised as the youngest of five siblings in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. It said he had plans to return to school in the future to pursue a law degree. Peter deMarsh Described by a longtime family friend in New Brunswick as a dedicated community activist, deMarsh also travelled the world as chairman of the International Family Forestry Alliance. The international group, based in Luxembourg, represents more than 25 million forest owners worldwide. Genevieve MacRae recalled how deMarsh and his wife Jean Burgess helped establish the Taymouth Community Association in central New Brunswick more than a decade ago. "Peter and his wife Jean made a pretty powerful team," said MacRae, a friend of deMarsh's since her childhood. "They were always looking for how to improve the lives of the people around them." MacRae said deMarsh was a pillar of the Taymouth community. "He was warm, funny, passionate you always felt listened-to with Peter," MacRae said. "He was an intense person, except that doesn't signify the warmth that was behind it all ... It's a monumental loss for our community." Felix Montecuccoli, a board member with the International Family Forestry Alliance, said in an email that police shared the news of deMarsh's death with his family late Sunday. DeMarsh was en route to Nairobi, where he and Montecuccoli had planned to attend a workshop on financing for small farms. The CEO of the Forest Products Association of Canada, Derek Nighbor, issued a statement describing deMarsh as a life-long advocate for the Canadian forest sector. Amina Ibrahim Odowa and her daughter Sofia Faisal Abdulkadir: The 33-year-old Edmonton woman and her five-year-old daughter were travelling to Kenya to visit relatives. Her brother, Mohamed Hassan Ali of Toronto, said he had planned to travel with them but had to cancel last week. "(She was) a very nice person, very outgoing, very friendly had a lot of friends," he said. A family friend said Odowa had lived in Edmonton since 2006. Derick Lwugi: An accountant with the City of Calgary, Lwugi was on his way to Kenya to visit both his and his wife's parents. "His mom was not feeling well," Lwugi's wife, Gladys Kivia, said in a brief interview from Calgary. The couple have three children, aged 17, 19 and 20, all of whom live at home. The family has lived in Calgary for 12 years. Lwugi's neighbours in the southeast suburban neighbourhood of Mohogany said they would honour him with a ribbon campaign in the Kenyan flag's colours of red, black and green. Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said on Twitter he was "crushed" by news of Lwugis death. Jessica Hyba Hyba's Facebook page says she was born in Ottawa and pursued a career in international aid work. She worked for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as an public relations officer, based in Mogadishu, Somalia. Prior to that, the UNHCR said Hyba worked for CARE Canada. That agency issued a statement saying she had worked in Indonesia as part of the emergency response to the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. "We remember her fondly as a dedicated humanitarian and loving mother," CARE Canada said on their website. Danielle Moore: A 24-year-old marine biology student from Winnipeg, Moore graduated from Dalhousie University in Halifax in 2017. She posted on Facebook on Saturday morning that she would be travelling to Nairobi for the United Nations Environment Assembly. "Over the next week, I'll have the opportunity to discuss global environmental issues, share stories, and connect with other youth and leaders from all over the world," she wrote. "I feel beyond privileged to be receiving this opportunity." Colby Deighton, who dated Moore for four years and was still a friend, said he has many fond memories of her. "Danielle was fearless, she had an insatiable curiosity and kind of an unbelievable capacity to do whatever she wanted to do," he said. "She was always looking for opportunities and not just for herself, but she would regularly send people job opportunities or ideas that related to her friend's interests or programs they might want to apply to because it reminded her of them. "She would often tell me that her dream job was to work in a school and be a guidance counsellor." Prof. Kim Davies, her honours thesis adviser at Dalhousie, said Moore was an exceptional student. "She excelled at her studies, she was a kind and friendly person, and she was deeply devoted to environmental and human rights causes," Davies said in an email. Davies said after graduating from Dalhousie, Moore returned to Manitoba where she worked for several non-governmental organizations, including the Canada Learning Code, a group dedicated to improving the accessibility of educational and technological resources for Canadians. The professor confirmed Moore's work was recognized by the United Nations, which is why she was invited to be a delegate to the environmental assembly. Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version had an incorrect spelling for Amina Ibrahim Odowa's last name. OTTAWA - A $200-million component of the settlement for abuses at federally run schools for Indigenous children should help address the long-term pain of male survivors, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett said Thursday after a regional chief sounded the alarm this week about a lack of supports aimed at Indigenous men and boys. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/3/2019 (1001 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Crown-Indigenous relations Minister Carolyn Bennett speaks during an Indian Day school litigation announcement in Ottawa, Tuesday, March 12, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld OTTAWA - A $200-million component of the settlement for abuses at federally run schools for Indigenous children should help address the long-term pain of male survivors, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett said Thursday after a regional chief sounded the alarm this week about a lack of supports aimed at Indigenous men and boys. Nearly 200,000 Indigenous children attended more than 700 "Indian Day Schools" beginning in the 1920s. Unlike children at residential schools, day-school students got to go home at night, but many endured trauma, including, in some cases, physical and sexual abuse. On Tuesday, as the government announced plans to compensate people who attended the day schools with payments of up to $200,000, a regional chief for the Assembly of First Nations spoke candidly about the abuse he endured. Roger Augustine, who began attending a day school near Miramichi, N.B. at age six and is now regional chief for New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, said he is "very concerned" about other men living with the aftereffects of abuse. He said he was bullied and beaten up constantly as a day-school student. There is increased awareness about the "very important" issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women after years of public indifference, he said, but he remains worried about young Indigenous men and boys who do not feel they can speak about what happened to them. "They're out there, lost," he said. "They don't even know where they are going to get their food to eat that night." Discussions led by survivors such as Augustine give men and boys permission to seek help, Bennett said Thursday in an interview, noting the federal government heard similar concerns during sessions held ahead of the inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. "I think these conversations are now becoming more out in the open," Bennett said, point to the documented links among abuse and shame, substance abuse, violence and incarceration. Many day-school students had no idea they were being mistreated as children, Augustine said. "A lot of us, a lot of young people don't know what it was, at the time, that was happening to them," he said. "They didn't know what they were faced with." Bennett said Thursday she was moved by Augustine's story and pointed to the $200-million investment the government is making in a "settlement corporation" for healing, education, and legacy projects in honour of day-school victims, which should include help for men who suffered and are suffering. On Wednesday, a group representing Indigenous day-school victims issued a statement expressing concerns about the compensation process, including that it believes each claimant should be allowed to choose a lawyer to assist him or her. In Halifax on Thursday, Bennett said survivors felt strongly they should not need lawyers to navigate the settlement process and they did not want to be retraumatized by a complex claims process. "This isn't about defending yourself it's a paper exercise," Bennett said. "Anyone who writes in their application about physical or sexual abuse will receive what they are entitled to." For his part, Augustine said his healing will never be over. "You never stop," he said. "PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and all the other things that you talk about, you grow up with it, you live with it and it never ends." with files from Michael MacDonald in Halifax Follow @kkirkup on Twitter. VANCOUVER - Growing up in a small, remote First Nations community in northwestern British Columbia, Jarett Quock found he faced racism and stereotypes from non-Indigenous people whenever he left the reserve. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/3/2019 (1001 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Indigenous Guardians receive training in land stewardship at Dechenla in the traditional territory of the Ross River Dena Council, along the border of the Northwest Territories and the Yukon as shown in this undated handout image. More than 40 Indigenous communities in Canada have launched guardian programs, which employ local members to monitor ecosystems and protect sensitive areas and species. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Valerie Courtois *MANDATORY CREDIT * VANCOUVER - Growing up in a small, remote First Nations community in northwestern British Columbia, Jarett Quock found he faced racism and stereotypes from non-Indigenous people whenever he left the reserve. The treatment took a toll on him, damaging his pride in his Tahltan Nation roots. It was only after he began work as an Indigenous guardian monitoring the effects of climate change on his territory that he recovered his confidence. "Being a guardian has helped me so much on a personal level," Quock, 31, said in an interview. "Being able to go out there and connect to the land and connect to the people and having that sense of pride when you go home has helped me overcome a lot of obstacles in my life." More than 40 Indigenous communities in Canada have launched guardian programs, which employ local members to monitor ecosystems and protect sensitive areas and species. At a national gathering in Vancouver this week, guardians raised alarm about environmental degradation and climate change in their territories. A massive wildfire swept through Quock's community of Telegraph Creek last August, destroying 21 homes and damaging many others. Climate change was partly to blame for the rapid spread of the flames through tinder-dry vegetation, said Quock. "By the middle of July, we had our green leaves already turning brown. It was so hot with no rain," he said, adding that the fire first broke out near a swamp that would typically have been moist enough to allow firefighters to contain the blaze. "It shouldn't have gotten that big." Quock helped design the community's first guardian program, which involved helping conservation officers monitor licensed hunters. He also launched an education program aimed at stopping garbage dumping and unnecessary burning in camps, he said. The program has since grown from being focused mostly on hunting to more of a land stewardship program, monitoring water quality, protecting caribou and removing problem wildlife, he said. A major focus is monitoring the effects of climate change, Quock added. In addition to the rapid spread of last summer's wildfire, he has seen caribou altering their migration routes and dwindling numbers of certain species of animals. Indigenous communities are often the first to experience the impacts of climate change, said Terry Teegee, regional chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations. "We sustain ourselves off the land, so if there are issues such as declining populations of caribou, moose and what have you, we're certainly the first to know and also be affected by issues of climate change," he said. In northern B.C., a mountain pine beetle outbreak led to forests strewn with dead wood, which along with last summer's hot and dry conditions helped fuel the worst wildfire season on record in the province, Teegee said. "It's quite frightening," he said. "I think it really requires action, not only by people that are watching what's happening on the land, the guardians, but also by governmental policies and commitment to living up to the Paris climate change accord." Environment and Climate Change Canada provided $25 million in the 2017 budget for a four-year Indigenous guardians pilot program to provide communities with greater opportunities to be responsible for stewardship of their traditional lands, waters and ice. The pilot program aims to inform a potential National Indigenous Guardians Network. "Indigenous communities are deeply connected to the land and understand the importance of acting now to protect Canada's environment and conserve biodiversity," said Environment Minister Catherine McKenna in a statement last fall. "The work we do together today will ensure a healthier environment for the generations that follow." So far, the ministry has funded 28 projects across Canada, including one in Iqaluit that monitors vessel traffic and its effects on Arctic waters and wildlife, and another in Dease Lake, B.C., that observes woodland caribou seasonal movements to address climate change concerns. Indigenous people have always been guardians of their territories, but a more formal movement has been developing over the past 30 years, said Valerie Courtois, a member of the Innu community of Mashteuiatsh in Quebec. Courtois is also director of the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, which hosted this week's gathering in Vancouver with the B.C. Assembly of First Nations and Environment and Climate Change Canada. She said the federal government saw an opportunity to meet some of its own goals by supporting guardianship programs. "They have responsibilities around species at risk. They have a duty to consult," she said. "Those are significant challenges but also significant opportunities for the future of our country and we've demonstrated how an initiative like guardians is going to contribute." OTTAWA - After initially refusing, Netflix has agreed to remove images of the 2013 Lac-Megantic disaster from its blockbuster film, "Bird Box." Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/3/2019 (1001 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Smoke rises from railway cars that were carrying crude oil after derailing in downtown Lac Megantic, Que., on July 6, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson OTTAWA - After initially refusing, Netflix has agreed to remove images of the 2013 Lac-Megantic disaster from its blockbuster film, "Bird Box." "Netflix and the filmmakers of 'Bird Box' have decided to replace the clip," a spokesman for the streaming company said in an email to The Canadian Press. "We're sorry for any pain caused to the Lac-Megantic community." People in the Quebec town and across the province were shocked after learning in January that footage from the derailment and explosion that killed 47 people was used in the drama starring Sandra Bullock. Demands that the brief scene be removed came from politicians at all levels, including Lac-Megantic Mayor Julie Morin. Morin said she is satisfied with Netflix's decision. "Yes, there was a delay, but I think in the end, what's more important for me, is that we have a solution to this situation we felt was important to settle," she said in an interview. Quebec Culture Minister Nathalie Roy wrote to the company Jan. 18 calling for it to take out footage of the burning town. The company apologized and promised to do better, but until now it had refused to edit the film. Three months later, Netflix has decided to change course. Morin said the film industry needs to reconsider its use of stock footage. "I think it's important for the industry to reflect on this," she said in an interview. "It appears that has happened in this case." In a written statement, Roy said "the gesture was long sought by Quebecers." The House of Commons adopted a motion Jan. 29 demanding Netflix remove the images and compensate the town. The NDP's Pierre Nantel introduced the motion with the support of Conservative MP Luc Berthold. Nantel said Thursday that the incident shows it is time for streaming services to be subject to "our laws and the jurisdiction of the CRTC." Federal Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez said he is pleased that Netflix has changed its tune. "My heart goes out to the people of Lac-Megantic. I perfectly understand their dismay at the use of footage of the tragedy," he said in an emailed statement. "The company has taken the good decision by stepping back and removing this footage from its movie." The Canadian Press learned that the footage will be removed from the film within the next two weeks. Producers of the Netflix science fiction series "Travelers," which used footage of the derailment to depict a nuclear attack, agreed in January to remove it from the episode in question. MONTREAL - Its 2017 "rejuvenation" did nothing to avert last October's election disaster, but the Parti Quebecois says a new plan to modernize itself will be different than all previous attempts. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. MONTREAL - Its 2017 "rejuvenation" did nothing to avert last October's election disaster, but the Parti Quebecois says a new plan to modernize itself will be different than all previous attempts. This time around, "everything is on the table," 32-year-old party president Gabrielle Lemieux said Wednesday even the PQ name and logo. The only thing not up for discussion, she said in an interview, is the party's central purpose: making Quebec a country. Newly-elected member of the legislature for Marie-Victorin, Catherine Fournier, centre, is escorted to her seat by Parti Quebecois Leader Jean-Francois Lisee, right, and party whip Carole Poirier, as the legislature resumes for its spring session, Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at the legislature in Quebec City. Fournier, a 26-year-old lauded as the future of the PQ, quit Monday to sit as an independent. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot But the future of the party of Rene Levesque seems more uncertain than ever. Catherine Fournier, a 26-year-old lauded as the future of the PQ, quit Monday to sit as an independent, burning bridges as she left. "There are too many Quebecers who no longer listen to us," she said in an interview on the TVA network. "There is no room for renewal. And even if that happened, I don't think Quebecers would believe us." Her departure left the PQ with the fewest seats of any party in the legislature, just nine out of 125. It also fed rumours she was plotting to form her own party, or had come under the spell of another big name in the sovereigntist movement, economist Jean-Martin Aussant, who tried and failed to win a Montreal riding for the PQ in October. Fournier denies she wants to start a new sovereigntist party, and Aussant wrote on Facebook Wednesday that he did not "hypnotize" her. Her decision nonetheless triggered reflexes the PQ has become known for: infighting and public bickering. Interim party leader Pascal Berube and Aussant got into a Twitter fight Tuesday, invoking past PQ leaders to challenge each other's sovereigntist credentials. Berube has since deleted the conversation. Quebec Premier Francois Legault on Wednesday briefly waded into the politics of his former party. "I don't really want to get involved," he told reporters. "Obviously, there is a difficult situation because of sovereignty. People don't want to hear about sovereignty, but at the same time it's the main purpose of the party." Lemieux, the party president, was reluctant to comment on why the PQ is more prone to public infighting than other parties. "I'm probably not the best person to explain the reasons, the causes, and the consequences of all that," she said. But she was adamant the party's plan for a "new PQ" will make a difference. Delegates at an upcoming party convention March 23-24 in Trois-Rivieres, Que., will vote on the proposal to relaunch the party. Lemieux said if it passes, the PQ will begin consultations on how to redefine its message, change how leaders are selected and implement other measures, such as ways to ensure parity between men and women candidates. "This is the first time that we will be able to make changes that are that big," Lemieux said. But what's unclear is if the party is capable of changing. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, who ran unsuccessfully for the PQ in the October election, was tasked by former PQ leader Jean-Francois Lisee in 2016 to come up with a plan to "rejuvenate" the party. He criss-crossed the province and produced a report in 2017 with 108 recommendations. But St-Pierre Plamondon, who now works at a law firm, wrote on Facebook Tuesday that his initiative was "sabotaged" by people inside the party. He said Fournier was very involved in the project and "saw the numerous times the project was sabotaged ... the multiple efforts from the party to derail this effort by young people. Today, some of the authors of that sabotage are calling for the renewal of the PQ." Aside from all the public squabbling, the PQ also has to confront political reality. The governing Coalition Avenir Quebec has taken votes from the PQ's centre and right-leaning flank, while Quebec solidaire has successfully positioned itself as the left-of-centre choice for progressive voters. Lisee, in an upcoming book on the election loss, laments how the sovereigntist movement is divided. "The fragmentation of our forces is the best guarantee of success for our opponents. It's math," he writes. The title of his book translates roughly as 'Who Wants the End of the Parti Quebecois?' Lost in the PQ's internal and external struggles is the fact that past PQ governments played a large role in shaping the modern Quebec state. It was the PQ that introduced subsidized daycare, for example, allowing a generation of women to enter the workforce. The PQ under the late premier Bernard Landry had the vision to introduce tax credits to video game and other technology companies and is credited with helping to diversify Quebec's economy after the decline of the pulp and paper industry. "It's important to remind ourselves of these things," Lemieux said. "And I think the steps we are putting together is a way to build on the strength of the past and at the same time, to radically rethink some other elements." VANCOUVER - A Vancouver private school has concluded its investigation after an indictment alleged that businessman David Sidoo paid someone to take a high school graduation exam on behalf of his oldest son in 2012. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. VANCOUVER - A Vancouver private school has concluded its investigation after an indictment alleged that businessman David Sidoo paid someone to take a high school graduation exam on behalf of his oldest son in 2012. Sidoo was charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud in Massachusetts as part of a prosecution by United States authorities of an alleged college admissions scam involving dozens of accused people. The indictment released Tuesday alleged Sidoo paid $200,000 in total for someone to take the SAT on behalf of both his sons, and that he also paid an undisclosed amount for someone to fly to Vancouver and take the high school exam. St. George's School says a review of its records from 2012 indicates no school or provincial exams were written at the school by the student in question on or around the date referenced by the indictment. Sidoo is CEO of Advantage Lithium and a former Canadian Football League player for the B.C. Lions and Saskatchewan Roughriders who is also known for his philanthropic causes in the province. Sidoo's legal team also released a statement on Wednesday saying he intends to plead not guilty at a court appearance in Boston on Friday. "David Sidoo's children have not been accused of any impropriety and have achieved great accomplishments in their own right," the statement adds. "We urge the media to recognize that Mr. Sidoo is presumed innocent and that he intends to appear in court Friday, plead not guilty, and exercise his right to defend himself against the current accusation." WEYBURN, Sask. - A Saskatchewan mayor says no offence was intended when Weyburn city council rejected a care home for people with disabilities this week, in part due to concerns it would drag down property values. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A larger example of a new home recently constructed on Creekside Terrace in The Creeks, a new neighbourhood in Weyburn, Sask., on Thursday, March 14, 2019. The Creeks was to include a home for people with mental and physical disabilities, which was rejected by city council. Letters sent to the Weyburn city council outlined on behalf of The Creeks residents' voiced concerns about parking, safety and the potential impact to property values. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michael Bell WEYBURN, Sask. - A Saskatchewan mayor says no offence was intended when Weyburn city council rejected a care home for people with disabilities this week, in part due to concerns it would drag down property values. "The intention of our decision at that time ... was not to offend any groups or individuals within our community, but to respect the existing process," Marcel Roy said Wednesday. "Certain statements were made by councillors during the regular council meeting on Monday that we feel, as council, do not appropriately reflect our values." The proposed home in The Creeks neighbourhood was to accommodate no more than four adults with mental or physical disabilities, with two to three staff working on rotation around the clock and three off-street parking spots. But Roy said there was "tremendous pushback" within the neighbourhood, and council had to balance that feedback against the need for more accessible housing. Coun. Brad Wheeler told Monday's meeting that a lot of people bought homes in The Creeks for more than $700,000, but might have changed plans if they knew a group home was going in. "It kind of dashes the dreams and hopes of the people that live there currently," he said. "I know it's not politically correct to say there's a stigma attached to it, but there is ... I feel bad that that's the case, but these people have invested a lot of money into their dream homes, their retirement homes and to have the provincial government come in and pick a lot directly across from them, I don't think that was the best choice." Late Wednesday afternoon, Wheeler issued a written apology for his remarks and the hurt they have caused. He asked for forgiveness. "As an elected representative for this community, I failed miserably at relaying a message on behalf of the residents of the Creeks and for that I apologize to my neighbours," he wrote. "After listening to the statements I made on Monday, I recognize why there are people upset with me, and rightly so. The statements I made are not the sentiments of the residents in the Creeks development, nor do they reflect mine. I spoke against my better judgement and sincerely wish I hadn't. "I am truly sorry for the comments I made." Saskatchewan Social Services Minister Paul Merriman said he was disappointed at what happened. "This is not the Saskatchewan that I know," he said in Regina. "This is not how communities openly welcome people into their communities, no matter what their ability is." Merriman said it would be a last resort for the province to overrule the city's decision. "I would want to sit down and communicate with them first. I don't want to get heavy-handed on this." Former premier Brad Wall said the decision by Weyburn city council must be changed. "Saskatchewan has worked hard to provide dignity, care and quality of life through more group home spaces to our most vulnerable fellow citizens," Wall wrote in a post on Twitter. "In turn, they bring dignity and care to any neighbourhood." Roy said the city would work with the Weyburn Group Home Society and province to look at other locations for the home. Colin Folk, the society's executive director, said he didn't wish to comment on Wheeler's remarks, as he didn't hear them first-hand. He said there are 11 people on the wait list to get into such a group home and about double that on the "emerging needs" list, which refers to youths who will need a supportive place to live as adults once they finish school. "This would be a home for adults to have equal rights, equal opportunity and equal inclusion in our community ... and just opportunity to live the best life possible." The development manager of The Creeks said it supports the care home. "We feel this project perfectly complements the neighbourhood and allows all individuals within the care home to be part of a safe and growing community," Doug Rogers, president of Terra Developments Inc., said in a release. By Lauren Krugel in Calgary, with files from Stephanie Taylor in Regina REGINA - Saskatchewan's Appeal Court has reserved it decision on the province's challenge of a ruling that prohibits funding of non-Catholic students attending separate schools. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. REGINA - Saskatchewan's Appeal Court has reserved it decision on the province's challenge of a ruling that prohibits funding of non-Catholic students attending separate schools. A judge ruled in 2017 that provincial funding for non-minority faith students attending separate schools infringed on equality rights and religious neutrality. The government contends that Catholic and public schools are both part of the education system and religious neutrality should mean providing funding for public education for all. On Wednesday, the Good Spirit School Division argued in support of the 2017 ruling. It says public schools have a mandate to accept and accommodate all students and Catholic schools do not. Lawyers for the government have said legislation that sets out the rights of separate schools doesn't draw a link between attendance and religion. (CTV Regina, The Canadian Press) TORONTO - A 72-year-old Toronto man was identified Wednesday as one of the Canadian victims of the plane crash in Ethiopia. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 13/3/2019 (1002 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. TORONTO - A 72-year-old Toronto man was identified Wednesday as one of the Canadian victims of the plane crash in Ethiopia. The Ismaili Centre said Ameen Noormohamed was on board the Ethiopian Airlines plane that went down on Sunday moments after takeoff from Addis Ababa, killing all 157 passengers and crew. Nine month old baby, Rubi Pauls, front, her grandmother Ann Wangui Karanja, left to right, brother Ryan, 7, sister Kerry, 4 and mother Carolyne Karanja are seen in this undated handout photo. Nine-month-old Rubi was travelling to Kenya with her family to meet her grandfather for the first time. Her 34-year-old mother, seven year-old brother, four-year-old sister and 60-year-old grandmother were on the flight with her. Rubi was the only Canadian citizen in the family. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO,Quindos Karanja *MANDATORY CREDIT* "We understand that members of the deceased's family have made their way to Kenya and are in the midst of making arrangements," the centre said in a statement. Noormohamed, who lived in the Toronto area, was one of 18 Canadians who died in the crash. The youngest was a nine-month-old baby girl the only Canadian citizen in her family who was travelling with her mother, grandmother and two older siblings to meet her grandfather in Kenya for the first time. Rubi Paul's grandfather said he was struggling to accept the devastating loss of much of his family. A Brampton, Ont., family was also mourning six of its members who had been on their way to enjoy a safari in Kenya. Two teen sisters 13-year-old Anushka Dixit and 14-year-old Ashka their mother, Kosha Vaidya, 37, and father, Prerit Dixit, 45, were killed. The girls' grandparents, who were believed to be Indian citizens, were also killed in the crash. A Hamilton-area family, meanwhile, was mourning a special education teacher who had a passion for volunteering with the vulnerable. Cody French said his mother, Dawn Tanner had been travelling to visit friends in Kenya. A number of other victims had been travelling to a United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi when their Ethiopian Airlines flight went down. Micah Messent, Danielle Moore and Angela Rehhorn and Darcy Belanger were all slated to attend the conference through various humanitarian or conservation organizations. Other victims included Stephanie Lacroix, who was working with the United Nations Association in Canada, and career aid worker Jessica Hyba, who was employed by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Forestry advocate Peter deMarsh of New Brunswick, Carleton University literature professor Pius Adesanmi, Calgary accountant Derick Lwugi, and a mother and daughter from Edmonton Amina Ibrahim Odowa and five-year-old Sofia Faisal Abdulkadir were also killed in the crash. Ethiopian authorities have said it will take several days to identify the remains of the victims. Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version had an incorrect spelling for Ibrahim Amina Odowa. HALIFAX - Nova Scotia paramedics are being so overworked it's become a public safety issue for the province, their union told a legislature committee Thursday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 14/3/2019 (1001 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Paramedics are seen at the Dartmouth General Hospital in Dartmouth, N.S. on July 4, 2013. The union for Nova Scotia's paramedics says its members are being overworked to the point that it's a public safety issue for the province. Union business agent Mike Nickerson told the legislature's health committee today that paramedics are logging overtime hours ranging from one to six hours per shift, something he says "is just not safe." THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan HALIFAX - Nova Scotia paramedics are being so overworked it's become a public safety issue for the province, their union told a legislature committee Thursday. Mike Nickerson, business agent for union local 727, told the health committee that paramedics are logging one to six overtime hours a shift, which he said "is just not safe." "Paramedics are tired, they're hungry and they are feeling the pressure of a busier system," said Nickerson. "Something needs to be done and it needs to be done now." While the situation is complex, Nickerson said the biggest problem is the offload delays at many overcrowded hospital emergency departments, due to a lack of acute care beds. "If we can fix the offload delays somewhat, then a lot of these other issues that our members are facing will fix themselves," he said. The union also told the committee that bottlenecks created by the offload problem and the use of ambulances for non-emergency calls have cut into response times. Union CEO Terry Chapman said the standard response set in 1997 was eight minutes and 59 seconds, and now many call responses are much longer. Those standard times can vary from 15 minutes outside the city to 30 minutes in rural areas. "One case that I actually witnessed in this city (Halifax) was 58 minutes," said Chapman, who called that unacceptable. NDP committee member Tammy Martin got a dramatic response when she asked Chapman what happens on busy days when the nearest ambulances are long distances away. "You wait," said Chapman. "So my loved one has just had a cardiac arrest," stated Martin. "You wait with a person who will probably be non-living when they (paramedics) arrive," Chapman said. Chapman said 30 more ambulances would help, but 210 more paramedics would be needed to staff them. He said something has to change. "Historically there has always been random occurrences where there has been offload delays and crews were delayed at hospitals. But never to this degree and never where 60 or 70 per cent of our staff are tied up at any one time," he said. Jeff Fraser, director of provincial operations for Emergency Health Services (EHS), said he believes patient handoff times are gradually beginning to improve. "I expect within the next three months we will begin to really feel some marked improvements," said Fraser. However, Fraser said none of the province's largest emergency departments are currently meeting the standard patient handover time of 20 minutes. Tim Guest, vice-president of health services with the Nova Scotia Health Authority, said under a pilot project at the Dartmouth General Hospital, a two-nurse handover team looks after patients until they are seen by doctors, freeing up paramedics. Guest said that project has been expanded to the hospital in Kentville, N.S. However, he said it requires space to house patients, which not every hospital ER has. "So we are looking at different strategies in different units in order to enable us to do that," Guest said. Guest said a Health Department directive means handover policies have to be in place by mid-April, with some additional time to implement them. Meanwhile, a U.S.-based consulting firm is expected to present its review of the current EHS model to the Health Department this spring. The province hired Fitch and Associates to look at ways to provide an "efficient, effective and sustainable'' emergency medical system for the next 10 to 15 years. Fraser said there would be "no way" the offload issue wouldn't be raised as a challenge by the review. "The good news is, by the time that report comes we should be well into some of these changes that are really beginning to happen," he said. Ryanair is to rebrand its Polish flight services as Buzz later this year. It will, effectively, add a fourth brand to the airline's group network alongside its main Ryanair fleet; Austrian carrier Laudamotion which it recently acquired in full; and Ryanair UK which came into being after the airline took a new UK operating licence allowing it to continue flying in and out of Britain after Brexit. Author Danielle McLaughlin plans to immerse herself in writing after winning one of the worlds most lucrative literary awards. From Donoughmore, Co Cork and UCCs writer-in-residence, Ms McLaughlin is the third Irish writer in four years to win the Windham-Campbell Prize worth 146,000. Her debut short story collection, Dinosaurs on Other Planets published in 2015 just a few years after she had to give up practising law following ill-health, was selected. It was cited by judges for stories that capture the beauty and brutality of human relationships, imbuing them with near-magical qualities rooted in the details of everyday life in a manner both wry and resonant. Ms McLaughlin was on a trip to Copenhagen with her family to mark her 50th birthday when the phone rang and she discovered she had won. And it came at a time when Ms McLaughlin was beginning to question whether she should return to law. It was like a miracle, she said. I was experiencing a bit of a wobble, psychologically, in my writing life. In a sense, it was like an answer to a question I had started asking myself. The Windham-Campbell prizes are among the richest literary prizes in the world. Eight authors, who write in English, are selected as winners each year to call attention to literary achievement and to allow them to focus on their work independent of financial concerns. A lot of the writing life involves working on projects that not only dont earn any money but are loss-making. So this kind of support is immensely important, Ms McLaughlin said. The prizes were established in 2013 after the writer Donald Windham left his estate to Yale University. He had struggled financially during the early part of his career but had long wanted to create a literary award. Authors are nominated and judged anonymously, so they dont know they are in the running until the winners are notified out of the blue by the prize director Michael Kelleher. Ms McLaughlin co-hosts with Madeleine DArcy, the Fiction at the Friary free monthly event in Cork. The Council of Europe has expressed serious concerns at the delay in setting up the Historical Investigations Unit and other legacy institutions in the North. In a review of the implementation of judgements from the European Court of Human Rights, the Coe's committee of ministers said it was imperative that British authorities find a way to ensure effective investigations in legacy cases. Commenting on last month's landmark UK Supreme Court decision in the Finucane case, the Coe also said it had asked the British government to provide a response to it regarding the judgement by June 21. The UK Supreme Court ruled that the British government had not complied with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights to hold an effective investigation into the murder of solicitor Pat Finucane in February 1989. The 47-member international organisation also expressed serious regret that investigations and related litigations in a range of cases had still not been completed. In a statement, the committee of ministers said: The deputies reiterated their serious concerns about the delay in the establishment of the Historical Investigations Unit and other legacy institutions and underlined that, notwithstanding the complexity of the broader political picture, it is imperative that a way forward be found to enable effective investigations to be conducted, particularly in light of the length of time that has already passed since these judgments became final and the failure of previous initiatives to achieve effective, expeditious investigations. It noted the public consultation on draft legislation regarding the establishment of the Historical Investigations Unit and three other legacy institutions set out in the 2014 Stormont House Agreement concluded in October 2018. It said the consultation had drawn a large number of responses, including from victims groups and civil society organisations. The committee noted with satisfaction the authorities indication that they remained committed to the establishment of those institutions to deal with the legacy of Northern Irelands past and that it hoped to present amended legislation to Westminister in the near future. The committee strongly encouraged the authorities to act on this commitment, to provide an estimated timetable for the next steps and to ensure that the legislation introduced to parliament would guarantee the Historical Investigations Units independence in both law and practice. It said the plans should enable the unit to conduct effective investigations which are sufficiently accessible to the victims families and in full compliance with Article 2 of the Convention. On the Finucane case, the statement said: The deputies recalled also the committees decision of December 2015 in relation to the Finucane case to resume consideration of the reopening of individual measures once the domestic litigation has concluded; noted in this respect the judgment of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom of 27 February 2019; invited the authorities to provide their response to the judgment by 21 June 2019. - You can read the full Coe statement here. The family of murdered student Jastine Valdez will hear details of events leading up to her death at an inquest later this year. Her parents Tess and Danny Valdez were present as a date for the hearing was scheduled at Dublin Coroners Court. The 24-year-old student was abducted in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow on May 19 2018. Inspector Frank Keenaghan of Bray Garda Station applied to Deputy Coroner Dr Crona Gallagher for a date for hearing for the inquest. A previous inquest hearing heard Miss Valdez died of asphyxia. She had taken the 5.40pm bus from Bray to Enniskerry and arrived in Enniskerry village around 6pm on the date of her death. She was abducted on broad daylight on a busy road at 6.20pm. A witness who saw her being forced into the boot of a Nissan Qashqai rang 999. Her body was discovered shortly before 3pm on May 21, 2018 in dense woodland at Rathmichael, south Dublin. Previously, the hearing heard that Danny and Tess Valdez travelled to the city morgue on May 22 to identify their daughters remains. A statement from Danny Valdez was read out in court. He said he travelled to Dublin City Morgue with Garda Patrick Mackey of Bray Garda Station. There I saw my daughter Jastine and I identified her as my daughter, Mr Valdez said in his statement. The formal identification took place in a viewing room at 6.10pm. A post-mortem conducted by Deputy State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan gave the cause of death as asphyxia. Deputy Coroner Dr Crona Gallagher adjourned the inquest for a full hearing to take place on November 4 2019. A fresh appeal is being made for help finding a teenager missing from her Dublin home for over a fortnight. Julianna Moore Gita was last seen at her home in Hartstown on February 25. Gardai are liaising with local schools in Swords, Co Dublin and Ashbourne, Co Meath after a fight broke out between two groups of young people last Friday. The majority of the people involved appear to have travelled from Swords to Ashbourne by bus. Gardai have arrested a man and a woman as part of a European Arrest Warrant in Portugal. The man in his 30s and the woman in her 20s are wanted in connection with the seizure of around 187,000 worth of cannabis herb and cannabis plants in Dunmanway, Co Cork on January 18, 2016. In 2016, Gardai from the Divisional Drugs Unit in West Cork carried out a search at a house in Dunmanway, Co Cork, and found the grow house. Four men and a woman were arrested and detained at Bandon and Bantry Garda stations before being released without charge. A file for the DPP was prepared. Yesterday, detectives from the Divisional Drugs Unit in West Cork executed a European Arrest Warrant on the man and woman in Lisbon, Portugal. They have since been brought to Bandon Garda Station and are due to appear before Bantry District Court at 2pm today. The Irish Government has said its thoughts "are with the families of those who were killed and injured" by the Bloody Sunday shootings after just one of 16 soldiers were told they face criminal charges over what happened. In a deeply controversial decision this morning, the UK's Public Prosecution Service said a soldier given the identity soldier F would be charged for the 1972 killings of 14 unarmed civilians during a civil rights protest in Derry. However, the PPP said 15 other soldiers also implicated in what happened would not face criminal charges. The decision has led to polarised opinions underlining the extremely sensitive nature of the shootings and their consequences. In a statement this afternoon, the Irish Government said its thoughts "are with the families of those who were killed and injured". "The Irish Government has noted the announcement today by the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland that following a PSNI investigation, one former soldier will be prosecuted for the murder of James Wray and William McKinney and for the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick ODonnell on Bloody Sunday in 1972. "Our thoughts are with all the families of those who were killed and those injured on Bloody Sunday, for whom today will be another difficult and emotional day. "The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is keeping in contact with the families at this time on behalf of the Government. "All victims families deserve, and must have access to, effective investigations into killings that took place, and have the opportunity to find justice in accordance with the law and regardless of the perpetrator." Relatives march to the Guildhall (Niall Carson/PA) In a similar statement, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin acknowledged families will be disappointed at the PPP decision, but emphasised how they are showing "great dignity". There will be a lot of families today extremely disappointed following the publication of the PPS Report today, but they continue to show great dignity. The PPS report will have to be studied very carefully and today is not a day for knee jerk reactions as it is crucial that legacy issues are dealt with in detail by both the Irish and British governments. Since the murder of the 14 people in 1972 the journey to this point has been a long and tortuous one. Indeed, it took many years for the British government to eventually acknowledge state involvement in any murders. This process has been very worthwhile so that the people who were murdered are never forgotten and also to inform all people on this island of the bitter history of Northern Ireland before the Good Friday Agreement was finalised in 1998. It is clear from what Mr Stephen Herron said that the PPS had difficulties considering evidence that was not admissible due to the strict rules and he also added that the rules on probability are greater than standard criminal cases. This is why other mechanisms can assist the families if both governments could agree to establish them. Notwithstanding the families inevitable disappointment today, the prosecution of Soldier F is significant given the denial of the British government for many years. The families of the victims should be honoured for their determination, dignity and continued bravery on behalf of those who were so brutally murdered and they will continue to be supported," Mr Martin said. A minutes silence at the Guildhall (Niall Carson/PA) Sinn Fein deputy leader Michelle O'Neill echoed the comments, saying the verdict does not change the fact Bloody Sunday was "a massacre of the innocents". "The decision to prosecute just one ex soldier does not change the fact that Bloody Sunday was a massacre of innocents. On behalf of Sinn Fein I want to pay tribute to the Bloody Sunday families whose long, painful campaign for truth and justice has been a source of inspiration for so many. Your determination and your dignity over the past 47 years has been remarkable and Sinn Fein has been proud to stand with you throughout that time. It is because of your tireless efforts over many decades that the truth of what happened on Bloody Sunday is now known throughout the world. Bloody Sunday was a massacre of innocents. Todays decision does not change that. There is of course huge disappointment that only one former soldier has been charged with two counts of murder and four attempted murders. We share that disappointment and the sense of incredulity at this decision, given the clearly established facts about the actions of the British Army on Bloody Sunday. But even the fact that one former soldier is to face trial is a significant achievement. I also commend the dignity and solidarity shown by the families today in response to the decision. As they said themselves, justice for one family, is justice for them all. Families embraced after the march (Niall Carson/PA) We are mindful also that the British military and political establishment of the time have never been held accountable for their role in Bloody Sunday and the subsequent Widgery cover-up. That is as wrong now as it was then. The British State must be answerable for the crimes it has committed in Ireland. And it is appalling that the British Defence Secretary announced today, in response to this decision, that his Government intends to amend the legacy system to protect former state forces. That is typical of a government that continues to cover up its role in the conflict here and still delays the establishment of the Legacy mechanisms agreed in the Stormont House Agreement. For now though, this is a day to commend and offer our ongoing solidarity to all the Bloody Sunday families and campaigners. Your strength and your remarkable achievements have been a source of hope for so many still fighting for truth and justice. Today is another step forward in your ongoing struggle. A High Court judge has decided to take no further action against two lawyers whom he had accused of using litigation as a strategy in a bid to stop the deportation of a Polish criminal whom they represented. Mr Justice David Keane said there were serious failings concerning the bringing in March 2016 of an ex-parte, one side only represented application on behalf of Thomas Bebenek. These lead to the immigration and asylum system being undermined and the High Court's scarce resources being taken up with a wholly unsubstantiated case that was entirely without merit. Were it not for the principle of equality before the law, he believed it would have been appropriate to admonish both lawyers, even after taking into account mitigating factors, including junior counsel's apology and lack of experience, and the fact neither lawyer had ever come to the adverse attention of the court before or since. He was taking no further action on the basis of equality before the law as underlined by another High Court judge's observation that deficiencies in the making of ex-parte applications are "sufficiently frequent" as to make it inappropriate to criticise any one lawyer. He also said he accepted the solicitor's undertaking not to seek any costs of the proceedings from Bebenek, which made it unnecessary for him to consider whether those costs should be disallowed. His decision arose from an earlier judgment of June 2018 in which he found the lawyers and Bebenek had used litigation as a strategy or tactic to delay deportation for long enough so a new deportation order would have to be made which could again be challenged in the courts. He said both lawyers had failed to properly inform the court of the relevant law concerning the case which was their obligation as officers of the court, particularly in a complex area such as immigration law. He later heard submissions from legal representatives for both lawyers on 10 questions raised by the judge in regards to the lawyers conduct. On behalf of the solicitor, he was told there had been a "systems failure" within her then practice and she has taken steps to ensure no repeat of what had occurred. There was no intention to mislead the court in the matter, it was submitted. On behalf of the junior counsel, who in 2016 was in his second year at the bar, the judge was told he accepted a mistake was made, had apologised to the court and the matter should go no further. In his further judgment today, Mr Justice Keane said the solicitor had provided "no satisfactory explanation" about how, despite her office having received a letter from Bebenek on March 2, 2016, and despite 21 phone calls and three video-link conferences between Bebenek and her office from February 1 to March 16, 2016, she professed to have had no meaningful interaction with him before taking "urgent" instructions from his partner on the morning on March 16, 2016, when the ex-parte application was made. He also noted the junior counsel, who in 2016 was in his second year of devilling with a master, had said he had the necessary professional competence to deal with the matter as the Code of Conduct of the Bar of Ireland allowed devilling barristers to accept instructions on their own behalf. The junior counsel did not address another provision of the code which provides barristers should decline to act in a matter if they receive instructions they believe to be beyond their competence, the judge said. The case arose from an urgent ex-parte application to prevent Bebenek's deportation arising from previous convictions. He received notification of his deportation in June 2015 while serving an 18-month prison sentence for theft. On March 16, 2016, the day he was due to be released from prison and deported, his lawyers got a stay on the deportation order. Mr Justice Keane said Mr Justice Max Barrett would not have granted the stay had he been told the full facts, including that Bebenek was in jail and had been given reasons for his deportation. Following the stay and his release from prison, Bebenek disappeared and later returned to Poland himself, rendering the action moot or pointless. Former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain says that the British government needs to act and recognise that the prosecutorial route wont work when it comes to legacy issues. Does this really get us anywhere? he asked on RTE radios News at One. He pointed out that of 2,000 cases investigated there had been just 17 prosecutions and only three convictions. The victims and their families deserve justice. It was a peaceful civil rights march and they just opened fire, he said of the Bloody Sunday killings. The families need to find the truth in another way. It has become apparent, he said that pursuing the legal route is not going to bring closure. There are lots of vested interests in this. You cannot have the Defence Secretary and Boris Johnson saying it is wrong to prosecute soldiers, but that others could be prosecuted. It has to be done in an even handed way. Mr Hain pointed out that security forces would have better records than paramilitaries so it would be difficult to be even handed. It is always going to be imbalanced. The government simply needs to act. Latest: Michael Finucane disappointed only one soldier is to be prosecuted for Bloody Sunday: Mr Finucane, son of murdered Belfast solicitor Patrick Finucane, told RTE radios Today with Sean ORourke show that he was eager to read the full details of the DPPs decision. Maybe the decision will not go unchallenged, he added. It is not entirely clear what the DPPs decision means, he said. Mr Finucane said he was disappointed at the response of the UKs Ministry of Defence that it plans to offer full legal support for Solider F. It is really disappointing that people within the British establishment are displaying such a one-sided view. He asked why they did not look at the impact of the actions of soldiers in Northern Ireland and the atrocities in which they had been involved. The failure to deal with legacy issues does not inspire confidence. The way in which legacy issues and the manner in which controversial incidents have been handled in parts of Ireland have been glossed over and brushed under the carpet by parties of the British State says solicitor and civil rights activist Michael Finucane. It is the great untreated wound of the conflict. Meanwhile, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said today is not a day for "knee jerk reactions". There will be a lot of families today extremely disappointed following the publication of the PPS Report today, but they continue to show great dignity. The PPS Report will have to be studied very carefully and today is not a day for knee jerk reactions as it is crucial that legacy issues are dealt with in detail by both the Irish and British governments. Since the murder of the 14 people in 1972 the journey to this point has been a long and tortuous one. Indeed, it took many years for the British government to eventually acknowledge state involvement in any murders. This process has been very worthwhile so that the people who were murdered are never forgotten and also to inform all people on this island of the bitter history of Northern Ireland before the Good Friday Agreement was finalised in 1998." He described the decision to prosecute Soldier F as "significant". Notwithstanding the families inevitable disappointment today, the prosecution of Soldier F is significant given the denial of the British government for many years. The families of the victims should be honoured for their determination, dignity and continued bravery on behalf of those who were so brutally murdered and they will continue to be supported. Tanaiste Simon Coveney described those who died on Bloddy Sunday as "innocent victims". Every civilian who died or was injured on Bloody Sunday was an innocent victim who posed no danger to anyone. My thoughts are with all of their families right now. A decision has been made today to pursue a prosecution and it is very important that no one prejudice that process. Simon Coveney (@simoncoveney) March 14, 2019 Additional reporting by Digital Desk and PA Earlier: 'Undue significance' attached to Bloody Sunday, says DUP MP Update 11.52am: Gregory Campbell MP for the DUP in the city has said that undue significance has been attached to Bloody Sunday. Undue significance has been attached to what was a tragedy, but the context must be established, he told RTE radios Today with Sean ORourke show. The context in which the soldiers were deployed on that day must be clarified, he said. The soldiers believed they were going into a demonstration that was likely to turn violent. I was there as a teenager that day as petrol bombs rained down, as shops and soldier were attacked and police were killed. There was violence for weeks, thats why they were deployed. There was no inquiry into the deaths of the police officers. Mr Campbell said that it had been fairly clear that there was going to be a prosecution. The Saville Inquiry had not taken the circumstances under which the British soldiers were operating in the Bog Side. The decision to prosecute compounded the imbalance of the legacy of the past he added. If there was specific information on any person that was likely to lead to a prosecution then that should go ahead, no matter what the length of time. He said he was an ardent advocate for that. There would not have been an inquiry if there had not been political pressure. He said he had warned that neither the Saville Inquiry, nor the apology by David Cameron would put a line underneath it. I told them, you are fools if you believe this is the end. There wont be an end until there is prosecution. Denis Bradley, the former vice-chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, who was a priest in Derry on Bloody Sunday says he is annoyed at the words of the DPP when announcing that one soldier is to be prosecuted. Saying that there was not enough evidence for prosecution was almost an insult to the many people who were witnesses that day had given evidence, he told RTE news. Whether that is true legally it is not what goes into peoples hearts. People are going to feel this is a bad day for the DPP and that this is a bad day for justice. Mr Bradley said that legacy issues should not be dealt with by the judicial process. Its not a good system, it seldom ends up with the conclusions and closure that people seek. The Saville Inquiry had been closer to providing what people needed because it was about truth, it wasnt necessarily about prosecutions. It was about learning the truth, he added. We have to learn from this. The one thing people will take from the DPPs decision today is that a prosecution will take place. That wrong was done that day, that people were murdered that day, that people were killed on their own streets that day. Families gathered to give their reaction in Derrys Guildhall. John Kelly, whose 17-year-old brother Michael was killed, said many had received a terrible disappointment. But he welcomed the positive news for the six families impacted by the decision to prosecute soldier F. Their victory is our victory, he said. We have walked a long journey since our fathers and brothers were brutally slaughtered on the streets of Derry on Bloody Sunday, over that passage of time all the parents of the deceased have died we are here to take their place. Mr Kelly highlighted there were legal means of challenging the decisions not to prosecute. The Bloody Sunday families are not finished yet, he said. Mickey McKinney, whose brother Willie was shot dead, said: Everyone deserves justice, including those whose loved ones were murdered by the British state. He said it was disappointing for families who had not received news of prosecutions, saying: We are mindful of those families who received that news today, and believe me, there are many. But he added: For us here today it is important to point out that justice for one family is justice for all of us. He said: We would like to remind everyone that no prosecution, or whenever it comes to it no conviction, does not mean not guilty. It does not mean that no crime was committed. It does not mean that those soldiers acted in a dignified and appropriate way. It simply means that if these crimes had been investigated properly when they happened, and evidence gathered at the time then the outcome wouldve been different. Families sing We Shall Overcome, a song that was frequently sung during civil rights marches in the 1970s pic.twitter.com/YhHf8sKKL3 Rebecca Black (@RBlackPA) March 14, 2019 Solicitor for a number of the Bloody Sunday families, Ciaran Shiels, said: This is a remarkable achievement by the families and victims of Bloody Sunday. Notwithstanding the unprecedented attempted political interference with the independence of the judicial process, the families have not only succeeded in consigning the Widgery report to history, and securing the complete vindication and declaration of innocence of all of the victims of Bloody Sunday through the Saville Inquiry, they have now secured the prosecution of Soldier F for the murder and attempted murder of six innocent people. We are disappointed that not all of those responsible are to face trial. We will give detailed consideration to the reasons provided for decisions not to prosecute the other soldiers, with a view to making further submissions to the Prosecution Service and we shall ultimately challenge in the High Court, by way of judicial review, any prosecutorial decision that does not withstand scrutiny. Founder of the Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans group Alan Barry said: Its one soldier too many as far as were concerned. Its very one-sided. No soldier should be charged. It happened 47 years ago, a line in the sand needs to be drawn and people need to move on. Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement veterans are being left open to prosecution while terrorists have been cleansed of their past crimes. Former Grenadier Guard Mr Barry, 54, who served in Northern Ireland in the 1980s, went on: Its all about appeasement: appeasing the IRA, appeasing Sinn Fein, and if that means throwing one or two veterans under a bus then thats what theyll do. Its a disgrace. How old is he? Hell be in his 70s. I want to know why the IRA arent being prosecuted. Former Coldstream Guardsman Vern Tilbury, 58, accused the country of spitting on its veterans. Mr Tilbury, who served in West Belfast in 1978-79 and 1982, said: This government is looking at us veterans as collateral damage. Were just a thorn in their side. How many more of us are going to have to go through it? After the announcement that a soldier would face murder and manslaughter charges over Bloody Sunday, Conservative MP and former British Army officer Johnny Mercer tweeted that it was the result of an abject failure to govern and legislate, on our watch as a Conservative administration. An abject failure to govern and legislate, on our watch as a Conservative administration. When I speak of a chasm between those who serve and their political masters in this country, I mean this. https://t.co/vNlWVHvvCc Johnny Mercer (@JohnnyMercerUK) March 14, 2019 The British Prime Ministers official spokesman said: Clearly, we are indebted to those who served with courage and distinction to bring peace to Northern Ireland. The welfare of our former service personnel is of the utmost importance and we will offer full legal and pastoral support to anyone affected by todays decision. We recognise the suffering of anyone who lost loved ones during the Troubles. As this is now an ongoing legal matter, it would be inappropriate to comment further. Additional reporting by Digital Desk and PA A 35-year-old man has been charged with burglary over the theft of the mummified head of a 800-year-old "Crusader" knight from a church in Dublin. The Crusader was decapitated at the crypt in St Michan's Church, Church Street, sometime over the weekend of February 23 and 24 last and was taken along with another skull. The break-in was discovered on February 25 when a guide was about to open the church for visitors, but discovered the head of the Crusader had been severed from its mummified body and was missing. On March 5, investigating gardai from the Bridewell station recovered the head of The Crusader and another skull that had been taken from the crypt. Brian Bridgeman, with an address at Kings Inns Street, Dublin 1, was brought to appear before Judge Michael Walsh at Dublin District Court today. Evidence of arrest, charge and caution was given by Garda Niall Cadden. The man, who has not yet indicated how he will plead, made no reply when charged, the court heard. The defendant is charged under Section 12 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act that while trespassing at St Michans Church he committed theft, at time between February 23 and February 24 last. Judge Walsh asked Garda Cadden if the case related to recent matters he had read about in the newspapers. Garda Cadden confirmed it did and the court heard directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions were awaited. He also objected to bail. Legal aid was granted following an application by defence solicitor Eoin Lysaght who asked the court to set bail. Judge Walsh agreed to grant bail in the defendants own bond of 200 of which 100 must be lodged before he can be released with conditions that he must reside at another address furnished to the court, sign on daily at Blanchardstown Garda Station, obey a 10pm 6am curfew and be contactable at all times by mobile phone. The man, who remained silent during the hearing, was remanded in custody with consent to bail on these terms and will face his next hearing on March 21 at Cloverhill District Court. Last week another man, in his 20s, was arrested as part of the investigation but he was later released without charge. Update March 14: Karen Joseph Holland has been found safe and well. Gardai have thanked the public for their help in this matter. Earlier: The parents of a 35-year-old man who is missing since yesterday are said to be concerned for his safety. Karen Joseph Holland is missing from Lucan and was last seen on the morning of March 11. Mr Holland is described as being approximately 5 6 tall with short brown hair and a beard. When last seen he was wearing a hi-vis vest below-waist workmans jacket and/or a camouflage jacket, blue Jeans and t-shirt, black runners, and carrying a blue/black backpack. Gardai are seeking the publics assistance in locating Mr Holland. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lucan Garda Station on 01 6667300, The Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station. Broadcaster Miriam O'Callaghan claims she has been defamed in a series of "false" and "malicious" adverts containing her image and name that have appeared on social media. The High Court heard that Ms O'Callaghan intends to seek damages over the advertisements that first appeared on social media platforms Facebook and Instagram in May 2018. The adverts contain various misleading and defamatory headlines wrongly suggesting that Ms O'Callaghan has left her job with RTE's Prime Time. The court heard Ms O'Callaghan has "nothing to do" with the adverts, which are linked to offers for skincare products. She is most distressed at being associated against her will with what has been described as "a scam product," the court heard. She claims that persons, whose identities remain unknown to her, have placed these adverts in order to exploit the trust placed in her by the Irish public and have damaged her good name and reputation. It is claimed that the paid for adverts, known as "targeted advertisements" appear on social media users' newsfeeds, and are designed to encourage the user to click on the adverts. Those who click on the adverts are offered various skincare products, which are falsely stated to be owned or endorsed by Ms O'Callaghan. The pages also wrongly state that she has left her position in RTE to focus on the promotion of the skincare range, it is alleged. It is also claimed that users who avail of an offer of free trials of the skincare products have reported they had money debited from their bank accounts which they did not authorise. It is claimed that individuals have contacted Ms O'Callaghan complaining that they have been victims of this alleged false advertising, and have had to cancel bank cards after ordering the free trial. Ms O'Callaghan wants a permanent injunction restraining the publication of the adverts, as well as damages for malicious falsehood, unlawful appropriation of personality, various breaches of her constitutional rights and defamation. The Court heard she intends to bring proceedings against both Facebook, which owns Instagram, and those persons behind the adverts. Ms O'Callaghan's lawyers say that at present they do not know who is behind the adverts. As a result, Ms O'Callaghan's lawyers have brought a motion against Facebook Ireland seeking an order directing it to provide her with information that identifies or may assist in identifying those who have placed the ads on Facebook. At the High Court today the broadcaster secured permission from Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds to serve short notice of its proceedings, seeking information about those who paid for the adverts, against Facebook Ireland Ltd. Permission was granted on an ex-parte basis. The Judge said she was satisfied to grant the order and said she accepted the urgency of the application. Adverts appeared with increased frequency Seeking the order Paul O'Higgins SC for Ms O'Callaghan said his client was seeking an order known as a 'Norwich Pharmacal' order against Facebook aimed at obtaining information about those behind the adverts. Counsel said his client requires the names of those behind the adverts so she can bring a defamation action against them within the required 12 month period. Counsel said last June his client's solicitor Mr Paul Tweed wrote to Facebook seeking to have the adverts immediately removed. Last August Facebook Ireland said in an email the material had been removed. Counsel said that did not happen and within weeks of receiving that assurance from Facebook, his side wrote back stating the adverts were still appearing, and that Ms O'Callaghan's complaints were not being appreciated nor appropriately addressed. The also sought information about those behind the adverts from Facebook Counsel also said the adverts appeared with increased frequency between December 18 and January 19. Counsel said that solicitors for Facebook informed Ms O'Callaghan's lawyers that it required a court order to assist with the request to identify and provide information about the advertisers. As a result, Ms O'Callaghan seeks orders seeking information from Facebook about those behind what counsel said are defamatory of the broadcaster and misleading the public into buying the alleged scam product. The matter will return before the court next week. One former paratrooper is to be prosecuted for two murders and four attempted murders on Bloody Sunday, Northern Irelands Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has announced. The veteran, known as Soldier F, will face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick ODonnell in Derry in 1972. Sixteen other former British soldiers and two suspected ex-members of the Official IRA, all of whom were also investigated as part of a major police murder probe, will not face prosecution, the PPS said. Thirteen civil rights demonstrators were shot dead on January 30, 1972, on one of the most notorious days of the Troubles. Northern Irelands director of public prosecutions Stephen Herron said: It has been concluded that there is sufficient available evidence to prosecute one former soldier, Soldier F, for the murder of James Wray and William McKinney, and for the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick ODonnell. In respect of the other 18 suspects, including 16 former soldiers and two alleged Official IRA members, it has been concluded that the available evidence is insufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction. In these circumstances the evidence Test for Prosecution is not met. Relatives of the Bloody Sunday families were visibly upset after learning of the prosecution decisions at a city centre hotel this morning. As well as the 13 who died on the day, 15 others were shot and injured. One of the injured died months later from an inoperable tumour and some consider him the 14th fatality. The soldiers were members of a support company of the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment. Prosecutors had been considering evidence in relation to counts of murder, attempted murder and causing grievous injury with intent. The Irish Government has "noted" today's announcement by the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland in a statement. "Our thoughts are with all the families of those who were killed and those injured on Bloody Sunday, for whom today will be another difficult and emotional day. "The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is keeping in contact with the families at this time on behalf of the Government. "All victims families deserve, and must have access to, effective investigations into killings that took place, and have the opportunity to find justice in accordance with the law and regardless of the perpetrator." Bloody Sunday helped galvanise support for the Provisional IRA early in the Troubles. An image of Father Edward Daly waving a bloodstained handkerchief as he tried to help a victim to safety went around the world. A public inquiry conducted by a senior judge shortly after the deaths was branded a whitewash by victims families and a campaign was launched for a new public inquiry. Relatives sought to right the wrongs of false claims that their loved ones had been armed. A fresh probe was eventually ordered by then British prime minister Tony Blair in 1998. A decade-long investigation by Lord Saville of Newdigate concluded that the troops killed protesters who posed no threat, and seriously criticised the decision to send them into the Bogside estate in vehicles. Following the inquirys conclusion in 2010, then British prime minister David Cameron said the killings were unjustified and unjustifiable. A murder investigation by the PSNI followed the 195 million inquiry and files on 18 soldiers were submitted to prosecutors in 2016 and 2017 for consideration. One has since died. Four other British soldiers included in the Saville Report died before police had completed their investigation. Papers before prosecutors included 668 witness statements and numerous photos, video and audio evidence. - Press Association Protesters carrying coffins draped with the flags of Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan have gathered outside Leinster House to urge Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to tell US president Donald Trump to stop invading other countries amid talk of a Venezuelan intervention. The small protest, which was organised by the Workers Party, took place at lunchtime on Thursday at the same time as Mr Varadkar was in the Oval Office in the White House. A 14-year-old boy's prosecution will be transferred to the Circuit Court for trial after three men were beaten unconscious during a series of robberies in Dublin within the space of an hour. The boy, who cannot be named because he is a minor, was charged with carrying out four robberies of men in their 20s, on November 15, in 2018, in the south-side of the city. They happened at Temple Bar Square, Grafton Street, Montague Street, and St Stephens Green. One of the victims, a Saudi student doctor was unable to attend his graduation ceremony the following day as a result of his injuries, the Dublin Childrens Court heard. Refusing jurisdiction, Judge Flann Brennan held today that the case was too serious for the Childrens Court. The Director of Public Prosecutions' office had also recommended the boys case should be sent forward to the Circuit Court, because the level of violence was outside the norm. The boy, who is in care, was re-admitted to bail pending the preparation of a book of evidence. Earlier, defence solicitor Brian Keenan said the boy was apologetic and wanted to plead guilty. In an outline of the allegations for the judge to consider jurisdiction, Garda Fionnuala Lawlor said the first incident happened just before 1am on Montague Street in Dublin 2. The Saudi final-year medical student who was about to graduate from the Royal College of Surgeons had been out socialising and had just left a night club. It was alleged the boy and another youth attacked him with punches and kicks. Witnesses tried to intervene but could not stop the attack. It was alleged the 14-year-old boy punched and kicked the man and picked up items that fell out of his pocket. The student was kicked in the head and when he got to his feet he leaned against a car at which he was punched again by another person. The court heard the boy was seen kicking him in the head rendering him unconscious. The student's wallet was stolen and he suffered a fractured nose. Garda Lawlor said the student had spent seven years studying in the Royal College of Surgeons and was unable to attend his graduation ceremony the next day. Due to his injuries which could require further treatment he was also unable to return to Saudi Arabia for a family party to celebrate finishing college. Fifteen minutes later a German man, who lives in Ireland, was set on at St Stephens Green. He was struck in the back of his head by the defendant, Garda Lawlor said. The teen and another suspect walked in front of the man to distract him at which point a third accomplice ran up and punched him in the head, knocking him unconscious. His phone fell out of his hand. The man also received a number of kicks and punches to his head, and the boy rifled through his pockets. He was taken to hospital and he suffered a broken nose, swollen lip, bruised hand, temporary bleeding in his eye and a scar was left on his face. The third incident happened minutes later at Grafton Street. Garda Lawlor told the court the teenager acted alone and frog-marched a man to two ATMs where he was forced to withdraw money. The victim was terrified the teen was going to smash my teeth in and gave the boy his PIN and bank card. He was also punched in the head and the teen kept a firm grip on him as he was made withdraw money, it was alleged. At 1.47am it was alleged the fourth man, who had been out with workmates, was knocked unconscious after the boy and another person robbed him. The boy punched the man and also tried to hit members of the public who tried to intervene, the Childrens Court heard. The victim received another blow from one of the teens accomplices and was left lying on the ground requiring medical assistance, Garda Lawlor said. The teen also went though his pockets. Pleading for the case to stay in the juvenile court, the boys solicitor Brian Keenan asked the judge to note the boys young age. The teen had been in care for a number of years and had a difficult background. Alcohol and drug abuse were linked to the boys offending though he had no prior criminal convictions, the solicitor said. The boy has been attending addiction treatment and was in education. Mr Keenan said the boy intended to plead guilty and he was instructed to issue an apology to the four victims on behalf of his client who remained silent during the hearing. A social services report was handed in to the judge and a further report from the boys guardian ad litem was furnished. Security camera footage of the robberies was shown to the judge. Judge Brennan noted the boy was going to plead guilty but refused jurisdiction. The teen is facing four counts of robbery under Section 14 of the Theft and Fraud Act. He has bail terms to reside at a care home, not drink alcohol or take drugs and to have no contact with another male. He also has to abide by a 9pm to 6am curfew. However, the terms were broken on a litany of dates and bail was revoked two weeks ago but he was released again today. A Co Limerick hair salon owner alleged to have told an employee I know - your arse is fatter after being told by the employee that she was pregnant has been ordered to pay 20,000 compensation in a pregnancy discrimination case. In the case before the Labour Court, the court has ordered Teresa Cross (Shanahan) of Crocs Hair & Beauty of Clarina, Co Limerick pay former employee, Helen Ahern 20,000 after finding that Ms Cross treated Ms Ahern in a discriminatory manner because she was pregnant. The award more than triples the 6,000 award made to Ms Ahern by a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) Adjudication Officer and that decision was appealed by Ms Cross and the scale of the award was appealed by Ms Ahern. In the case before the Labour Court, Ms Cross denied that she made the I know - your arse is fatter remark when Ms Ahern informed her that she was pregnant in February 2015. Ms Ahern's baby was due in December 2015. However, in her findings, Caroline Jenkinson at the Labour Court found that the evidence tendered by the two witnesses for the employer was unsatisfactory and lacking in candour in many material respects. Ms Jenkinson stated that by contrast the court found that Ms Ahern gave honest evidence to the best of her recollection. Ms Jenkinson stated that where there is conflict in that evidence tendered on behalf of the employer and that tendered by Ms Ahern, the court prefers the evidence tendered by Ms Ahern. In the case, counsel for Ms Ahern, Michael Purtill BL (instructed by solicitor, Frances Twomey) contended that Ms Ahern was discriminated against on the gender ground when Ms Cross reduced her hours of work during her pregnancy and her job was advertised when she was on sick leave while pregnant. On April 29, 2015, Ms Ahern went on pregnancy-related sick leave as she was suffering from morning sickness. Evidence put forward on behalf of Ms Ahern alleged that on July 25, 2015 when she informed her employer that she would be returning to work from sick leave, her employer said that she was not reliable. Ms Ahern alleged that Ms Cross told her that in any event, as she would be commencing maternity leave before Christmas she would have to be replaced and that it was too much hassle. Ms Ahern stated that Ms Cross then offered her four hours work per day. Mr Purtill said that Ms Ahern was at a loss of her earnings from July 2015 until she went on maternity leave in November 2015, and she could not go back to work for her employer after her maternity leave, due to the breakdown in trust. Ms Ahern terminated her own employment at the salon on May 26, 2016. Ms Cross denied that Ms Ahern was subjected to any form of discrimination. She told the hearing that she has operated the salon since 2010 and has had a number of employees who were pregnant and availed of maternity leave. Ms Cross said that at the material time of Ms Aherns claim, there were a number of employees out on maternity leave or on sick leave. Ms Cross said that when Ms Ahern went on sick leave during her pregnancy, she worked around her and did what suited Ms Ahern. Ms Cross said that on occasions she had to close the salon due to staff shortages at this time. In her findings, Ms Jenkinson said that the court was satisfied that Ms Ahern was both fit and anxious to return to work when she attended the salon on July 25, 2015. Ms Jenkinson said that it is not disputed that Ms Ahern was not offered her normal working hours and that instead she was offered reduced hours on her return from pregnancy related sick leave and this is verified by the text messages exchanged on July 29, 2015. Ms Jenkinson stated that the court was satisfied that the hair salons efforts to seek a new employee when Ms Ahern was ready to return to work following pregnancy related illness and yet only offering her four hours, undermines the employers credibility. In her ruling, Ms Jenkinson stated that the award of compensation should be increased to 20,000 for the effects of the discrimination suffered by Ms Ahern. The Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney has warned that a crash out by the UK from the European Union could still happen by accident or default. The legal position remains that the UK will leave the EU at 11pm on March 29th, he said. If that position is to change then legislation will have to be introduced and passed in Westminster. He told RTE radios Today with Sean ORourke show that a no deal scenario would be a lose for everyone. Europe wants a deal, added Mr Coveney. Across Europe the position is not viewed as the EU versus the UK. Most countries have the objective to have the closest relationship possible with the UK. We all want close trade, political and security relationships with the UK. An extension of Article 50 would open up the Brexit debate in a much broader way he said and could facilitate a major rethink. Ireland needs to be very careful not to be viewed as trying to tell the UK what to do, he warned. We are negotiating a withdrawal agreement that protects Irish interests and recognises Britains red lines and accommodates them. Its about compromise. Brexit is still a very unclear process, he said and Ireland has to prepare for a no deal Brexit just in case. Even if its a slim possibility, we have to be ready. Ireland will not object to a lengthy extension, added Mr. Coveney. Brexit has been going on for years now and still we havent got past Stage 1. Agreeing to the withdrawal agreement is just the start of it. There would still be a transition period of between two to four years which will allow businesses to react and face the new realities. On the same programme Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen said he was deeply disappointed that so many of his party colleagues had tried to take no deal off the table. There was still lots of dealing to be done, he said. To my mind the withdrawal agreement as worded is a bad deal. He said he will continue to vote against the agreement. He warned that the DUP is also against the withdrawal agreement and without their support the government could fall. That could happen. A special needs assistant who is paraplegic following a road accident has urged the Supreme Court to overturn a decision that she cannot resume work at a special needs school. Marie Dalys case will be a benchmark concerning the right to work of persons with disabilities and the extent of the obligations of employers to facilitate that, Cliona Kimber SC, for the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IRHEC), told the five-judge court. The Commission is involved as an assistant to the court on legal issues and Ms Kimber made various submissions, including concerning the importance, as emphasised in the Irish Constitution and EU law, of the link between work and human dignity. She urged the court to adopt a social, not a medical, model of disability and to see the workplace as somewhere to be adapted to the human person, not the other way around. Ms Daly and Emily Logan, chief commissioner of the IRHEC, were in court today. Having heard submissions from all sides, the five-judge court reserved judgment. The appeal centres on the interpretation of Section 16 of the Employment Equality Act 1998, enacted to give effect to the 2000 EC Directive on equal treatment in employment and occupation. Section 16 provides an individual does not have to be recruited, promoted or retained in a position if they will not, or cannot, undertake the duties attached to that position. It also provides for employers to make reasonable accommodation to enable disabled persons to access employment unless that would impose a "disproportionate burden on the employer. Ms Daly was employed from 1998 by the Nano Nagle School in Listowel, Co Kerry, which provides services for 77 children with physical intellectual and behavioural challenges. In 2010, she suffered serious injuries in a road accident, leaving her confined to a wheelchair due to paraplegia. When she sought in 2011 to return to work at the school, it had her assessed by an occupational physician and occupational therapist. It was concluded she was unable to perform seven of 16 identified duties of a SNA. The therapist recommended she could act as "a floating SNA" but there was no such position at the school and it was refused funding for one. The occupational physician later advised she was unfit to return to work. The Labour Court later awarded her 40,000 compensation after finding the school construed its duty under Section 16 too narrowly and was obliged to fully consider the redistribution of tasks among all the SNAs to relieve Ms Daly of those duties she was unable to perform. The Court of Appeal later ruled the Labour Court's construction of Section 16 was not correct and held Section 16 did not require an employer to retain an individual who could not perform the essential functions of a position. Ms Daly secured a further appeal to the Supreme Court. Today, her counsel Oisin Quinn SC argued the Court of Appeal decision should be set aside for reasons including the schools argument it could not reorganise arrangements so as to allow Ms Daly resume work had not been thoroughly tested. If an employer sets their face against a thorough examination of reorganisation, that must be a breach of the duty to provide reasonable accommodation, he argued. The evidence established Ms Daly can work with moderately disabled children, he said. One-third of the schools pupils are classified as having a moderate disability and she could thus work with them. He also disputed that the 16 duties identified for a SNA are all essential. Marguerite Bolger SC, for the school, argued the accommodation being sought by Ms Daly was not reasonable and would impose a disproportionate burden on the school as an employer. An employer cannot be expected to accommodate a person who cannot carry out the duties of the particular position, she submitted. Ms Daly is undoubtedly not fit to discharge nearly half of the duties of a SNA and cannot, for example, run after a child who is acting out, she said. Brexit and strengthening Irish-American relations will dominate todays meeting between Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and US President Donald Trump at the White House. They will hold a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office, before the annual St. Patricks Day Celebration reception and shamrock presentation ceremony. The Taoiseach has a packed schedule today in Washington, with two trips to the White house, a breakfast with the Vice president, lunch on Capitol Hill and the annual bowl of shamrock ceremony. All eyes will be on the Oval Office, where he will hold a bilateral meeting with Donald Trump. Brexit will be raised, with the Taoiseach saying he intends to raise any future trade deal between the US and the UK and urging no trade deal be done with the UK that would ever undermine the peace process. He says protecting peace and the values of the Good Friday agreement post-Brexit will be crucial. "We're not asking anyone here in America to take sides between the UK, the European Union and Ireland. We know that they will want to negotiate a free trade agreement with the UK into the future," he said. "We also want to negotiate a free trade agreement between the US and the EU and would like to do that before there is any agreement with the UK. "We will be saying to them of course that the Good Friday Agreement has to be paramount, the peace process has to be paramount." He will also raise the plight of the undocumented Irish in America. Before that, Leo Varadkar will attend a breakfast with US Vice-President, Mike Pence. Mr. Pence, who has been criticized for his controversial views on LGBT issues, last year extended an invite for both the Taoiseach and his partner, Matt Barrett to visit his Washington residence. Thats an invite the couple are taking up this morning. "He's going to be at the breakfast tomorrow, he was able to get the time off work and make the journey so he'll be taking up the invitation from Mike Pence," Mr Varadkar said. Three Irishmen who allegedly ran a roof fixing scam targeting pensioners in Sydney have been arrested trying to flee Australia. James O'Driscoll, 20, and Johnny Baker, 22, appeared before Sutherland Local Court today charged with defrauding a 72-year-old man out of AUD$42,000 (26,000) after offering to do roof repairs. Neither of the Irishmen applied for bail and both cases were adjourned until March 29. A third Irish national, also aged 20, was arrested at Sydney airport by police on March 7 attempting to board a flight to the UK. He has not yet been named but is due to appear before Sutherland Local Court in Sydney tomorrow. Australian police have released a video and photos of one of the Irishmen being arrested at the airport who is seen attempting to cover his face. The three Irishmen were arrested by a special task force Strike Force Denain which was set up to investigate a series of alleged frauds targeting elderly home-owners. According to New South Wales Police, on March 7 a 20-year-old Irish national, bound for the United Kingdom, was arrested at Sydney Airport by Australian Federal Police. Police allegedly discovered large amounts of cash and jewellery in the arrested mans luggage and he was placed into custody Australian police arrest one of three Irishman allegedly involved in a roof fixing scam at the airport. Photo: New South Wales Police Force He was charged with aggravated break and enter and denied police bail. Detectives quickly established that an alleged scam was underway and would continue the next day at a home in Bexley, a suburb in southern Sydney. Its alleged the detectives made contact with the home-owner, a 72-year-old man, and warned him he was the victim of an alleged scam. Following further inquiries, at 8.20pm on Saturday March 9, police arrested a 22-year-old man at Sydney Airport as he tried to board a flight to Qatar. A search of his luggage allegedly uncovered a large amount of cash and jewellery. He was charged with fraud and dealing in proceeds of crime; and refused police bail. A 20-year-old man was arrested by Australian Federal Police at 10am on Monday March 11 at Melbournes Tullamarine airport as he tried to board a flight to Shanghai in China. Sydney detectives flew to Melbourne and late on Wednesday successfully applied for his extradition to New South Wales. He was taken to Kogarah Police Station in south Sydney and charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception. Police have confirmed they are hunting for a fourth alleged offender involved in the roof scam which targeted vulnerable elderly people. Detectives are also liaising with other police commands and Victoria Police in relation to similar alleged fraud offences involving elderly victims. Criminal proceedings have been instigated in relation to the death of a four-month-old baby from Co. Mayo. A coroner was told that proceedings are underway with a trial expected to take place in April next year. Baby Joshua was born on August 30, 2016, and died on January 1, 2017. The infant's address was given as Barley Hill, Bohola, Co. Mayo. Previously, the inquest heard that a "large volume of medical evidence" was being considered in relation to the infant's death. Investigating gardai submitted a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions and charges were directed. Previously at Dublin Coroners Court Superintendent Tom Calvey described the case as "complex". Its a complex investigation. The DPP will have to consider a large volume of medical evidence, Supt Calvey said. The baby boy's life support machine was switched off at Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin on January 1, 2017. Baby Joshua was pronounced dead at 12.44pm by Dr Helen Daly. Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin where the baby boy's life support machine was switched off The infant was formally identified by his mother to Garda Nicola Dolan of Ballyhaunis Garda Station at the hospital on the same day. An autopsy was carried out by State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy and she gave the cause of death as head trauma. Deputy Coroner Dr Crona Gallagher adjourned the inquest until after all criminal proceedings are complete. US president Donald Trump has threatened to slam new tariffs on the EU unless it changes its trade policies with Washington, writes Juno McEnroe in Washington DC. Welcoming Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to the White House, Mr Trump confirmed that he would travel to Ireland and that he would also consider appointing a new US peace envoy to the North. Taking questions from the Irish media about Brexit and trade, Mr Trump said he did not think that the UK should have a second referendum ass he criticised the handling of the vote outcome. He said the EU was unwilling to negotiate with the previous Obama administration. They are willing to talk to us and if they don't talk us and if they don't talk to us we are going to do something that is pretty severe economically, we are going to tariff a lot of their products coming in because the European Union treats us very very unfairly, I have to say that. Mr Trump also confirmed he would coming at some point during the year to Ireland. He had a warm spot for Doonbeg and Ireland was a special place. Earlier, US vice president Mike Pence confirmed he was also making plans to visit Ireland. Mr Trump answered a number of questions around Brexit, trade, the next presidential election and his emigration policies. He also said that he would consider appointing a new peace envoy to the North. When asked about the Irish Examiner about this, he responded: We may very well be doing that. Video: Political Corespondent Juno McEnroe. Mr Varadkar told the president that the two differed on Brexit and that he wanted to speak to Mr Trump about the Good Friday Agreement among other issues. Mr Varadkar also thanked the president for intervening in protecting jobs in a factory in the west of Ireland and saving hundreds of jobs when sanctions against Russia previously threatened its closure. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has told US president Donald Trump that making America great again does not mean forgetting or losing sight of what makes it great already, writes Juno McEnroe in Washington DC. In his speech to mark the presentation of the shamrock bowl to Mr Trump and his wife Melania, Mr Varadkar reflected on America's history, its economic bonds with Ireland, and inspiring figures who have changed the world. Discussing past US presidents with crowds at the traditional St Patrick's Day celebration ceremony in the White House, Mr Varadkar also praised his host: Your ambition is to make America great again, and we can see the results today. The American economy is booming. More jobs. Rising incomes. Exactly what you said youd do. Nonetheless, he stressed the importance of American values, to the congressmen, business leaders, and Irish and American officials in the packed room. However, I believe the greatness of America is about more than economic prowess and military might. It is rooted in the things that make us love America: your people, your values, a new nation conceived in liberty. The land and the home of the brave and the free. Video by political correspondent Juno McEnroe in Washington DC. Finishing a packed day which included the Speakers lunch in Capitol Hill and breakfast earlier at the vice president's residence, the Taoiseach praised American values that had inspired generations. The promise of America inspired those seeking liberty and freedom around the world, including in my own country. The Taoiseach also added: "And we know and trust, that making America great again will not mean forgetting or losing sight of what makes it great already. Video by political correspondent Juno McEnroe in Washington DC. "People around the world have been inspired by America and have travelled here to make them their own. And people came, including millions from Ireland who were among the hands that built America. The Irish Examiner has also confirmed that President Trump has personally intervened in the Irish visa scheme ahead of fresh attempts to get it agreed. Government sources confirmed that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been told that congressman Richard Neale will reintroduce the E3 scheme and has said so to senate minority leader Chuck Schumer. It is understood that President Trump has also personally spoken to senator Tom Cotton who previously blocked the scheme. The visa scheme is currently only open to Australians. Leo Varadkar will travel to Chicago tomorrow to continue his US visit to mark St Patrick's Day celebrations. Latest:A fisherman whose body was recovered from the shoreline at Killybegs in Co Donegal today was originally from Co Cork. The man, who was in his 50s, worked on a Cork-based boat which had docked in the Donegal fishing port. The man's body was recovered at 2pm, a short time after he had been reported missing. The Harbour Office in Killybegs were alerted to the missing man and they contacted the Killybegs Coastguard and the gardai. Gardai and the coastguard recovered the man's body on the shoreline in the Benroe area. The man's remains were removed to the Mortuary at Letterkenny University Hospital where a post mortem is due to take place tomorrow. A Garda spokesman said the scene has been preserved for a technical examination. The man's name has not yet been released until all his relatives have been informed. A full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man's death has been launched. However, sources say the death is being treated as a tragic accident. Earlier (6:17pm): The body of a West Cork fisherman has been recovered from the water in Killybegs Harbour in Co Donegal. It is understood the local coastguard unit was alerted to the body by the Harbour office around 1pm. The local Killybegs Coastguard Unit launched and recovered the body of the man from the water. The operation is still ongoing and a full investigation into the cause of the death has been launched. However, it is believed the death is being treated as accidental. Irish actor Pat Laffan, who played Georgie Burgess in The Snapper and Pat Mustard in Father Ted, has died aged 79. Laffan was best known for his portrayal of Craggy Islands smooth-talking milkman in the Channel 4 sitcom. Laffan appeared in almost 40 films (Niall Carson/PA) A statement from his representative said: It is with tremendous sadness that we here at the Lisa Richards Agency can confirm Pat Laffans passing today. Pat was one of the very first clients of the agency but much more than that, he was a close friend, a mentor and a hugely important supporter of the companys founders Lisa and Richard Cook and for many of the staff of the agency who had the pleasure to represent and work with him over the last almost thirty years. It continued: All here will remember him first and foremost as our friend and mentor and we will miss him terribly. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Laffan was a member of the Abbey Theatre Company throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He took up the role of director at the Peacock Theatre, and directed in the Gate Theatre between 1979 and 1982. He also appeared in the BBC sitcom EastEnders and in the RTE medical drama The Clinic. Very sad to hear that Pat Laffan has passed away. His career at the Abbey started in 1961 and spanned five decades. He will be sorely missed. He is pictured (centre) in one of his earliest appearances here in The Enemy Within in 1962. pic.twitter.com/F1zOdtBK0E Abbey Theatre (@AbbeyTheatre) March 14, 2019 The Abbey tweeted: "Very sad to hear that Pat Laffan has passed away. His career at the Abbey started in 1961 and spanned five decades. He will be sorely missed. He is pictured (centre) in one of his earliest appearances here in The Enemy Within in 1962." Irish actor Pat Laffan has passed away. Over the years, Pat was an incredible force in the Irish theatre community and was no stranger to the Gate throughout his prolific career as an actor and director. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/f9LGqDWRt1 Gate Theatre (@GateTheatreDub) March 14, 2019 The Gate Theatre also paid tribute, saying: "Over the years, Pat was an incredible force in the Irish theatre community and was no stranger to the Gate throughout his prolific career as an actor and director. Our thoughts are with his family and friends." Father Ted creator Graham Linehan tweeted: "Just heard the sad news that Pat Laffan who played Pat Mustard in Father Ted has died. Rest in peace, Pat, a pleasure to work with you." The Gaiety School of Acting said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing today of our board member, the respected actor Pat Laffan. The director, founder, board, staff and students of the Gaiety School of Acting express their sincere sympathies to Pats family and friends. "Pat was a former member of the Abbey Theatre Company in the 60s and 70s and Director of the Peacock Theatre in the 1970s. He also directed in the Gate Theatre from 1979 to 1982. Pat will be remembered for his performances in films such as Warhorse, The Queen, Intermission, The Snapper and The General, and on television in The Clinic, Eastenders and Father Ted. "Thank you Pat for playing such an important role within the GSA for many years, for the myriad memorable performances across stage and screen, and for being a great friend to the School. "Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam. May he rest in peace." PA & Digital Desk Paisley Park survived a last-flight blunder to justify favouritism and record a fairytale success for his connections in the Sun Racing Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham. Emma Lavelle's seven-year-old - whose owner Andrew Gemmell has been blind from birth - had enjoyed a perfect season to date with four impressive victories which saw punters send him off at 11-8. With confidence building behind former champion hurdler Faugheen in recent days, however, and Ruby Walsh having him in the perfect position throughout, Paisley Park faced his toughest test to date. As he has in the past, Paisley Park had got a little outpaced with a mile to run, but just like in the Cleeve Hurdle, he came charging around the outside to take over from Sam Spinner, a 33-1 chance this year having been sent off favourite 12 months ago. With Faugheen now running on empty in third it looked a foregone conclusion, but with a length lead approaching the last, Paisley Park launched himself at it, managing to stay on his feet before winning by two and three-quarter lengths. The story of his owner has been well told in the build-up to the meeting and hot on the heels of Bryony Frost bringing the house down aboard Frodon in the Ryanair Chase, the Cheltenham crowd welcomed home another popular winner. Gemmell said: "It's wonderful - fantastic. I can't believe it's happening. "He isn't big, but he's in the Baracouda mould. He hits that flat spot and then comes again." Lavelle said of her winner, whose life had been threatened by an attack of colic two years ago: "He's delivered for us the whole season and he's done it again. I'm thrilled. "He was a bit further back that I expected but, but the man in charge (Corkman Aidan Coleman) knew what he was doing. There are so many people behind this horse and I think they just blew him up the hill. "I think it's probably unlikely he'll go chasing (next season). He's good, so let's enjoy him over hurdles and he's only seven. I'm just delighted he's done it and he's a young horse going forward. "I have no idea if he'll run again this season - I'm not even going to think about that. "He's banged his knee a little at the last, so we'll get him home and see how he is and decide." She added: "We're going to enjoy the moment. I can't say quite how bad our hangover is going to be in the morning!" Jedd O'Keeffe, trainer of Sam Spinner, said: "Things have not gone right for one reason or another and it was great to see him back to his best. That was probably just about his best. "He was beaten by a very good horse that has been very well trained. We did it the hard way and he was brave, so I am just thrilled. We would be thinking of Liverpool, hopefully conditions will come up our way, but I expect Paisley Park will be going there as well." Willie Mullins was proud of Faugheen's effort in defeat. He said: "Coming down the hill I thought, 'wow this is on', but age just probably caught up with him and he might have liked the ground a bit softer, but that is the way it is. "Just before the turn from Sam Spinner pulled out that bit more and he couldn't go with him. "Bapaume stayed on well for fourth, so we are delighted with him. He will go to Punchestown and maybe have a novice chase career next year. "I'd imagine Faugheen will go to Punchestown and he might go on to France. He is still a very good horse. I've not discussed anything, but I would imagine he will go to Punchestown. Clive Palmer's wife Anna says her husband was just being comical when he told lawyers for liquidators of one of his businesses that he was her puppet. Anna Alexandrova Palmer, a chartered accountant and lawyer, faced the Federal Court in Brisbane on Thursday to answer questions about her role as a former director of one of her husband's companies, Mineralogy. Anna Palmer, the wife of Clive Palmer, is giving evidence at the public examination into the collapse of Queensland Nickel in 2016. Credit:Darren England/AAP Her appearance was required as part of an ongoing dispute between Mr Palmer and liquidators for his Queensland Nickel refinery in Townsville, which collapsed three years ago. During questioning by lawyers for liquidators in May 2017, Mr Palmer told the Federal Court his wife controlled their finances. Travellers who want to experience 'the Bali of old' will be able to four times a week after AirAsia revealed a new weekly flight schedule between Perth and Lombok. The airline will fly to the island directly east of Bali on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from June 9, adding 77,000 seats to its Australian services every year. AirAsia hopes Lombok will become the new Bali. Credit:Shutterstock The new flight is a part of an Indonesian government push to create '10 new Balis' and boost tourism on the island that was devastated by last year's earthquake. AirAsia Indonesia chief executive Dendy Kurniawan said the company saw the potential of Lombok's beaches, dive spots and mountain areas as a tourism drawcard. Airlines, which have 350 of the planes in their fleets, have also begun to demand compensation for their losses during the grounding. It costs an estimated $US1 million to lease a replacement jet for three months. "It's quite obvious that we will not take the cost related to the new aircraft that we have to park temporarily," said Bjorn Kjos, chief executive of Norwegian Air, which had to take 18 of the planes out of service after an order from European regulators on Tuesday. "We will send this bill to those who produce this aircraft." Boeing could also face lawsuits from the families of passengers who died in the disasters. The Dreamliner had battery problems but never crashed. A company the size of Boeing will probably be able to absorb such costs. Boeing, an aerospace giant that builds commercial and military aircraft, makes more than $US100 billion in revenue a year. The bigger challenge for Boeing is how it will handle future orders. If deliveries are delayed because the plane needs to be redesigned, the manufacturer is likely to have to offer discounts to carriers with orders. Loading There is also a broader risk that, if the passenger backlash to the MAX lasts, the manufacturer could lose some corporate customers in the long run. Such a shift would give an advantage to its European rival Airbus, which makes a similar fuel-efficient plane, the A320neo. But it's unlikely that airlines will cancel their MAX purchases outright. Carriers typically put down a deposit of around 20 per cent for their orders on the $US120 million plane, which is paid out over time. It can be difficult to get out of those commitments without solid evidence that there's a structural problem with the aircraft, airline executives and analysts said. Duopoly with yearlong backlog Even if customers could walk away from their Boeing orders without losing money, they probably wouldn't. The aircraft manufacturing business is essentially a global duopoly. And Airbus has a yearslong backlog. "I don't think anyone will abandon them," said Jonathan Ornstein, chief executive of Mesa Airlines, who operated a fleet of 737s in his previous role at the helm of Virgin Express, a European airline. Ornstein called Boeing "customer-centric" and said he expected that the company would bend over backward to maintain its rapport with carriers. "The manufacturers do not pull up the bridge across the moat when this happens," Mr Ornstein said. "It's much more of a co-operative relationship." The most significant fallout may be from the new scrutiny over the manufacturer's relationship to its regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration. On Wednesday, top US Congress Democrats with oversight of the agency said that they would begin a thorough review of the process used to determine the airworthiness of the 737 MAX. Loading "There must be a rigorous investigation into why the aircraft, which has critical safety systems that did not exist on prior models, was certified without requiring additional pilot training," said Republican congressmen Peter DeFazio of Oregon and Rick Larsen of Washington. Favourable treatment from regulators? "The narrative that's out there right now is that Boeing might have gotten favourable treatment from the FAA," said Mr Aboulafia, the analyst. "That's not good." Through a program established in 2005, Boeing and other aircraft manufacturers have been able to choose employees to help certify their planes for regulatory compliance. The program is meant to help the FAA stretch its limited resources. But critics say that system gives too much authority over the process to Boeing. "It has become a largely self-certified system," said Mary Schiavo, the former inspector general of the Transportation Department. Over the past several days, unions representing pilots and flight attendants have been raising the alarm over potential conflicts in the regulatory process that could put their members at risk. "The FAA has got to stop treating the airlines and manufacturers as their clients and get back to doing their job with oversight for the American people," said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants. Dennis Tajer, a spokesman for the American Airlines pilot union and a 737 pilot, said his members had long been concerned about the minimal training required for pilots to become qualified to fly the MAX models. Citi maintained its recommendation on Domino's Pizza Enterprises saying while the parliamentary inquiry into the Franchising Code of Conduct was likely to place pressure on earnings for franchisors, it could gift Domino's a greater market share in pizza. "Domino's has 43 per cent share of the takeaway pizza market in Australia," said analyst Craig Woolford. "Other franchisors may exit the market if the cost of compliance rises too far." While the broker noted that compliance and administrations costs were likely to rise and the talent pool of franchisors set to shrink, they noted Domino's recent store openings have come from existing franchisees and added they expected that trend to continue. Citi maintained its target price of $45.60 on Domino's Pizza Enterprises, at a 10.5 per cent premium to its Wednesday close price. Despite the British Parliament voting against leaving the European Union without a deal, the situation still cannot be ruled out entirely, with the vote not binding by law. If another deal cannot be reached by March 29, the UK would still leave the EU without a deal. Although the result is unlikely, it cannot be ruled out entirely with Theresa May's latest deal failing to muster anywhere enough support from MPs earlier in the week. The most likely result from here is Britain requesting an extension of the scheduled March 29 departure date, however the 27 EU members would have to agree to the extension and it remains unclear just how long the extension would be. US crude The price of oil rose on Wednesday after the US Energy Information Administration reported an unexpected drop in US crude inventories. The price of West Texas Intermediate crude rose 2.4 per cent to $US58.26 a barrel. The EIA's latest Short-Term Energy Outlook also revised down output estimates, its first downward revision in six months. The previous report said it expected US crude production to average 12.41 million barrels per day but the administration is now expecting an average of 12.3 barrels per day, a 0.9 per cent reduction in its forecast. US crude oil production was slightly lower in February from January, falling to 11.9 million barrels per day. Euro The euro has rebounded from a near two-year low last week, rising 1.4 per cent against the US dollar in the last seven days. The euro has been rising alongside the British pound on more positive news coming from the ongoing Brexit negotiations and even the rejection of the latest Brexit deal did little to move the euro. Eurozone industrial production figures on Thursday were strong than expected, adding to the euro's gains. Industrial production rose 1.4 per cent for the month of January against expectations of a 1 per cent lift and rebounding from a 0.9 per cent decline in December. Thursday will go down as a day of shame for the $170 billion franchise sector and the regulators. After a year-long inquiry into franchising, the jig is finally up. A bipartisan parliamentary report has called for a massive overhaul of the sector to fix entrenched cultural problems, an imbalance of power and systemic conflicts that have caused misery to thousands of gouged franchisees and tens of thousands of ripped off workers. The Age and Sydney Morning Herald uncovered wrongdoing at the 7-Eleven franchise. The 354-page report doesnt hold back on the regulators, saying the current environment has manifestly failed to deter systemic poor conduct and exploitative behaviour and has entrenched the power imbalance. It is a withering indictment of a sector that has been allowed to do the wrong thing by its franchisees for years. Western Australia's Environmental Protection Authority has sensationally withdrawn its controversial zero carbon emission guidelines and promised to restart consultation following a government-hosted industry roundtable on Thursday. The meeting in Perth was led by WA Premier Mark McGowan and included high-level representatives from oil and gas giants Shell, Santos, Chevron, Woodside and industry groups. Chevron Australia's managing director, Al J. Williams, arrives at WA's Parliament House for a meeting with Premier Mark McGowan and other LNG company bosses. Credit:Philip Gostelow The authority's proposed guidelines, issued on March 7, would have required any project with direct carbon emissions above 100,000 tonnes a year to offset it through environmental projects. Analysts had warned the policy could delay major LNG projects and a deliver a wider hit to the gas industry worth up to $US10 billion ($14.2 billion). Shortly after Thursday's meeting, Mr McGowan rang the environmental authority imploring it to revisit the guidelines. In August 2018, a Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia found that Mr Paul Skene, a "casual" dump truck operator who had been sacked, was entitled to be back-paid annual leave under the Fair Work Act for the two odd years he had worked for the employer. That decision has made employers angry, and there is now legislation before Federal Parliament trying to fix the "mess" of casual employment. But what is all the fuss about? The "casual" problem in Australian labour law is an enduring one about the conflict between different sources of rights that employees have. The Federal Court's decision to pay a truck driver annual leave has alarmed employers who may potentially face huge claims for back pay. Credit:Bloomberg When employees are hired, the question of whether they are hired ongoing or "casually", where there is no promise of more work, comes down to how a court interprets their contract. Danielle Villafana-Pore and her classmates are among tens of thousands of students who will be skipping half a day of school on Friday to demand more action on climate change, despite warnings that schools may take disciplinary action against absent pupils. Students and staff from a number of universities are also expected to attend Friday's strike, to be held at Sydney Town Hall from midday. Students Manit Anand, 14, Meg Raven, 15, and Danielle Villafana-Pore, 15, will strike on Friday for climate action. Credit:Jessica Hromas The University of Sydney has confirmed it won't penalise anyone who misses class to support the action and has told staff not to hold assessments during the rally. "I'm striking because I feel like I owe it to the generation after me, the earth is not single use, we only have one and we need to preserve it," said Danielle, 15, who is in year 10 at Fort Street High School. Martin Shaw has lost count of the number of times he has been asked in the past 36 years to reveal the identities of the three figures in his painting. Each time he has politely refused. Titled Three Well Known Australians, the work depicts three stick-figure-style characters set against a yellow background. Martin Shaw's interactive exhibition invites viewers to engage by guessing who the three figures are. Credit:James Brickwood The whole point of the image is the public response, with viewers asked to guess the figures' identity and record their thoughts in a yearbook. The parents of missing girl Madeleine McCann say a Netflix documentary about their daughter's case could "hinder the search". Madeleine, 3, went missing while she and her family were on holiday in Portugal in 2007. The UK investigation into what happened to her remains open. Her parents have vowed to never to stop searching for their daughter. A photo of Madeleine McCann when she was three years old released by the McCann family in 2007. Credit:AP The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann, a true crime doco in the same vein as Netflix hits Making a Murderer and Abducted in Plain Sight, is tipped to land in the UK on Friday, and claims to include testimony from more than 40 "experts" close to the 12-year-old case. The documentary is likely to claim that Madeleine was abducted and kept alive to be trafficked out of Portugal, according to British tabloid The Sun. Rachael Scharrer, 38 Rose Bay, NSW Rachael Scharrer and her partner Bachir. When Rachael Scharrer's marriage began to have a negative impact on her two children, she made the decision to leave and never look back. "Life was so much easier. We enjoyed emotional stability, financial certainty and we created a child-friendly home." Despite developing a positive and independent life for herself and her children, Rachael never gave up on love. "I knew that I wouldn't be alone forever. However, I didn't want to bring someone into my complicated and tumultuous divorce. I was content to focus on the children." As a result, Rachael steered clear of dating sites and instead she developed her business concept, Divorce Answered, an online resource to help people navigate their way through separation and divorce. She required a web developer to launch the business and reached out to a referred contact. Loading "I met Bachir at a local cafe where I discussed with him my challenges and vision for Divorce Answered." As the pair spent more time together their business relationship began to change into something more. "I knew that I didn't want to be manipulated or fooled again. I also knew that it was important to take things really slowly. We understood the challenges before us and could see a great life together." Rachael says it takes two whole people to make a partnership work, and that the pair share a love that is uplifting and equal. "I am proud of who Bachir is, I don't need to make excuses for his behaviour and I have full trust in him. "Previously," she adds, "I was in a relationship that was oppressive and controlling. One of the greatest differences that I enjoy now is that when we disagree, which isn't often, Bachir and I can have a civil and respectful conversation. I don't have to second-guess myself. "I am in a more liberating relationship and feel more fulfilled and supported." Rachael says the experience of divorce can be a transformative one, from which you can choose to be a victim or thrive. "True love is empowering. When you find the right relationship, it isn't hard, forced or difficult. "You can be the authentic version of you and nothing you say or do will be used against you. I am now able to be me without reservations." TINDER MATCH Bronwen Lane, 46 Brighton East, Vic Bronwen Lane and her partner Soledad. When Bronwen met a tall, dark, handsome man with a wonderful personality, she thought all her dreams had come true. And they had. The pair went on to marry and are very much in love. "I didn't find true love until my 40s, and it's everything I had ever dreamed of and better," she says. But Bronwen's story deviates from the usual script it came in the wake of a messy divorce and, following that, pregnancy as a single woman. Bronwen was 20 when she married her first husband in Scotland. "There was bad behaviour emotional abuse is what they call it now. He didn't support my study, there was restriction of my finances, who I could spend time with, verbal abuse and other things. I was 29 when I ended the marriage and 33 when we divorced." Bronwen says the experience left her feeling liberated but also scared and broken. After falling pregnant during a relationship soon after her divorce, she found herself alone. Later, as a single mum with a two-year-old daughter, she decided it was time to test a range of online dating sites. "I tried them all with varying degrees of success. But it wasn't until I downloaded Tinder that I met my husband, Soledad. He was the third person I swiped right on. "We started chatting and really, we've never stopped. We had one of those first dates that was just easy and we both knew something special was happening." Bronwen says although they both had somewhat complicated pasts involving children, they believed their blossoming relationship was how things were meant to be. "It was funny and exciting and we were just obsessed with each other. It felt like we would conquer anything together, like we had met each other's kindred spirit." Loading With four children between them, Bronwen and Soledad welcomed each other as a package deal. "I went from a family of two to a family of six and we see the children as 'ours'. It doesn't matter that we didn't conceive them together; we have four children and we don't call them steps, they are just our children." Bronwen says without her failed marriage she would not have found the type of love she'd always longed for. "It's the best thing. My husband makes me feel adored, cherished, loved. My first marriage taught me about everything I didn't want. "My second marriage gives me everything I want and more unconditional love. I feel like the luckiest woman on the planet to have met my soul mate." OFFICE ROMANCE Katrina Bart, 50 Newcastle, NSW Katrina Bart and her second husband Chris. When Katrina left her first husband, she said to friends: "If I ever talk about getting married again, shoot me." She's now been married for more than 20 years to her second husband, Chris, following an unexpected connection. "I know I'm loved. We talk, we love to be together and we work together which not many people can do!" At just 15 years of age, Katrina met her first husband at a church group. The pair began dating a year later and were married when Katrina turned 18. "Being so young, you don't realise that you're not really suited in any way," says Katrina. "He was stubborn and I suppose I am too, to be honest. He just stopped doing anything in the relationship, he wasn't attached physically or emotionally." Katrina was 26 when she decided to call it a day. "We had marriage counselling but nothing changed and I didn't want our son to grow up thinking that this was what a relationship looked like." While Katrina knew leaving was the right thing to do, making it happen proved difficult. "It's hard to actually decide to end a relationship. It's not how you wanted things to be or how you thought that they'd turn out." But once the decision was final, Katrina says a weight was lifted from her shoulders. She happily accepted that her future may be one of contented independence, with love the furthest thing from her mind. "Because my self-esteem was shot, I wasn't really thinking about ever finding anyone. In a way I didn't care I just wanted to be with my son and make things as easy for him as possible." Loading Katrina soon found herself doing office work for the ex-husband of one of her cleaning clients. "We got along like a house on fire! I'd heard horror stories from his wife, but didn't find him like that at all. We really got on well same sense of humour and outlook on life. It was really easy to be together at work." Things soon moved from friendship to romance and despite some hurdles relating to former partners, the pair stuck together and continue to support each other through all the ups and downs. "We're each other's support team and we have each other's backs." Katrina says finding love after a failed relationship is possible and in her case, the love she found postdivorce was more real than anything she had before. "I think a relationship breakdown makes you realise what you don't want in a relationship, and what you're not going to put up with." The ACT government is considering introducing planning rules to stamp out sexualised advertising, amid a war of words with construction giant Geocon over its controversial marketing campaigns. The move comes despite the national advertising standards bureau last year finding Geocon's campaigns had not breached Australian guidelines, even finding some of its material depicted woman as confident, comfortable and aspirational. Protesters objected to Geocon's representation of women on its advertising materials. Credit:Dion Georgopoulos Planning Minister Mick Gentleman said the government was exploring how the development application process could be used to regulate commercial advertising, including on hoardings and site fencing, to "improve standards and prevent sexist advertising". Territory plan rules governing signage were also being reviewed, with an announcement on any changes expected within weeks. A former ACT police officer believed his family was in danger when he allegedly impersonated his neighbour and called in a noise complaint, a jury has heard. William Stuart Anson Bonner, 56, is charged with the unauthorised access of data and dishonestly influencing a public official. It is alleged Mr Bonner, while on duty as a police officer, accessed the internal police database to find information about his neighbours and then impersonate a neighbour while calling in a noise complaint. The alleged offence came after months of tension between Mr Bonner's family and their neighbours who regularly threw all-night parties and allowed several dogs to bark constantly. Mr Bonner's defence team did not argue that he did not commit the acts, but are relying on two defences to the charges that it was an emergency situation and that he was acting in the defence of his family. A very happy marriage No law firm merger is a bed of roses just ask the TressCox survivors at HWL Ebsworth, the few remaining Curwood partners at Stronger. Together McCabe Curwood, and the Herbert Smith Freehills refugees over at White & Case. But are there internal issues now at play at King & Wood Mallesons, almost seven years after the merger of storied local outfit Mallesons Stephen Jacques with Chinese giant King and Wood? The collapse of KWMs European operation two years ago is continuing to cause problems, the latest progress report showing legal costs are now more than three times the initial $1 million estimate, with 159 creditors. One senior partner at a rival firm said when asked about tensions at KWM: It wouldnt surprise me. Nearly two-thirds of Australians view immigrants as a national strength, the second biggest share among the worlds top migrant destination countries. A survey of 18 nations which together host more than half the worlds immigrants found 64 per cent of Australians think migrants have made the country stronger because of their work and talents. Only Canada had a higher share at 68 per cent, the survey by the Washington-based Pew Research Centre shows. Australia is one of the worlds most vibrant and tolerant multiracial and multiethnic societies. Credit:Simon O'Dwyer In Australia, 31 per cent viewed migrants as a burden to the country because they take our jobs and social benefits the equal third lowest share out of the 18 nations included in the study. In the worlds six largest migrant receiving countries - US, Germany, UK, France, Canada and Australia a majority viewed immigrants as a strength rather than a burden. Each of those countries hosted more than 7 million immigrants in 2017. Police have charged a man with murder after an axe attack in Sydney's south-west overnight. About 8.45pm on Thursday, emergency services were called to Sydney Luker Road, Cabramatta West, after reports of a car crash and two men fighting. Its alleged the driver deliberately hit another man with his car before getting out and repeatedly striking him with an axe. A 59-year-old man was found with an axe wound to the head, and died at the scene. Like most six-year-olds, Frank Burrowes was a bit of a silly billy. As he wrote to his father somewhere in the trenches of northern France in 1918 the young boy got cheekier, with his jokes revealing the toll of the separation on the Rooty Hill family. Six-year-old Frank Burrowes sent this letter to his dad at war. The writings progressively got sillier, reflecting the family's separation. Credit:Louise Kennerley Initially Frank stuck with convention and began his letters, "Dear Dad". Soon he was writing to "Dear hansom", before moving on to "dear old, old, old, I forget your name" in October 1918 as the months apart increased. The letters from Frank and his sister Ruth are part of a rare collection included in a new exhibition at the State Library of NSW opening on Saturday that illustrates the impact of the war on children. Parts of Sydney's CBD will be locked down to traffic on Friday as students take to the streets to protest against inaction on climate change. Park Street will be closed between George and Elizabeth streets from 1pm, while parts of Elizabeth, Castlereagh, Pitt and Druitt streets will also be closed. Thousands of students protested in Martin Place regarding climate change policy in November last year, and will gather again in Sydney on Friday. Credit:Nick Moir "Traffic is expected to be heavier than usual on nearby roads including Market Street, King Street, College Street and Macquarie Street," the Transport Management Centre said. The protest gathering will begin at noon at Sydney Town Hall before the march starts about 1.15pm, moving to Hyde Park. Spectacular creations will be popping up all around town as the new event Curiosity Brisbane combines art and science into a trail of discovery. A series of 15 installations featuring immersive, interactive and multi-sensory elements will stretch across Brisbane from South Bank to New Farm from March 15 to April 3. Brisbane Powerhouse artistic director Kris Stewart, the inaugural guest director of Curiocity, said the event is designed to spark conversation, as well as a little civic pride. The "Scatter" installation from the upcoming Curiocity art and science event Theres a lot of opportunities with the river and the weather, the canvas you can place and event like this one, which frankly you dont get with other cities, he said. Brisbane greyhound trainer Claude Dacey has pleaded guilty to using prohibited substances on dogs, including an excessive amount of cobalt. Mr Dacey has been disqualified for nine months after facing the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission stewards on Wednesday. Prohibited substances in five samples from greyhounds when they raced in Brisbane, Capalaba and Ipswich in October and November last year. Credit:AP This comes after analysists found prohibited substances in five samples from greyhounds when they raced in Brisbane, Capalaba and Ipswich in October and November last year. Three positive Phenobarbitone samples were returned for the greyhounds Nikki Nettle, Power Service and Jeannie Dreaming and two positive cobalt samples in excess of the prescribed threshold were found in Nikki Nettle and Power Service. Brisbane's limited industrial land is under pressure from multiple sectors, and needs to be protected to sustain industry jobs, a Brisbane City Council report says. Industry accounts for 15 per cent of the city's jobs but industrial-zoned land supporting major businesses is often re-zoned for residential use, particularly along the Brisbane River. Brisbane's industrial sector needs better support to continue its growth, according to a new council report. Credit:Tammy Law As the city's formerly industrial centre becomes increasingly residential, Brisbane's major industry areas - both inner-city and further afield - need to change, the council's Brisbane Industrial Strategy 2019 says. "Although these precincts are generally well supported by infrastructure, there are opportunities available to promote and consolidate them," the report notes. South-east Queenslands policy paralysis on replacing rail crossings has been shown up by a 2012 engineering report, which shows both major political parties have almost ignored its recommendations. In the nearly seven years since the Deloitte Access Economics report was compiled for Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads, only one of the six high-priority rail crossings it identified has been replaced. Shared funding to replace rail crossings in Queensland is on the agenda for SEQ City Deal talks. Credit:Peter Stoop This comes as a statement of intent could be signed in Brisbane on Friday between the three levels of government for a future south-east Queensland City Deal, which ties the different levels of government to funding promises over 15 or 20 years. In 2012, Deloitte Access Economics recommended six open level crossings in Greater Brisbane to be replaced as a high priority for the Department of Transport and Main Roads: Detectives have laid more charges after two puppies were stolen during a break-in on Brisbane's northside earlier this month. A second man has been charged after both puppies were found last week - one at a fish and chip shop in Virginia and the other during a police raid on a Stafford unit. The Maltese-shih tzu cross puppies were examined at the vet and given the all-clear after being recovered by police. Credit:Queensland Police Service The 32-year old man was charged with burglary, receiving tainted property and fraud. He was set to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday. Ben Alex Worgan, 23, was charged with burglary and animal cruelty last Friday and appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court the next day where he denied stealing the dog. By West Kentucky Star Staff Mar. 13, 2019 | 08:32 AM | BOAZ A Graves County man is facing a long list of charges after a report of shots fired Tuesday night in the Boaz area led to a pursuit. The Graves County Sheriff's Office says deputies responded around 10:20pm to the 400 block of Boaz Cemetery Road for a domestic-related complaint where a gun was reportedly discharged inside the home. Deputies say 25-year-old Ryan Long of Boaz was involved in a verbal argument with his mother and siblings. Deputies said Long retrieved a rifle from a vehicle and returned inside with the rifle and fired one round into the ceiling. Long left the home armed with the rifle. Multiple agencies tried to locate Long in surrounding counties. Late Tuesday night, Graves County deputies were told that a McCracken County sheriff's deputy was in pursuit of Long on Oaks Road heading south toward Graves County. Graves County deputies intercepted the pursuit on KY 348 West heading west to KY 1684. Long continued to flee from deputies until stopping back at the home on Boaz Cemetery Road where he was taken into custody. Long was arrested and lodged in the Graves County Jail. He's charged with four counts of wanton endangerment, four counts of menacing, fleeing or evading police in a motor vehicle, four counts of wanton endangerment of a police officer, reckless driving, driving on a DUI-suspended license and tampering with physical evidence. The University of Queensland has purchased a large office block in Toowong, formerly Allianz offices, easing pressures on its St Lucia campus during a five-year capital works program. The 74 High Street property in the heart of Toowong is bordered by the rail line, and has 4000 square metres of net lettable area. The 74 High Street Toowong property was sold to the University of Queensland. A high foot and vehicle traffic area, the High Street office block sits on 1827 square metres and has a 43-car basement parking area. The property sale was negotiated by Knight Frank targeting local and interstate buyers. A former Victorian upper house MP has resigned from the Greens, saying the party is "too toxic". Samantha Dunn, who represented Eastern Metropolitan Region from 2014 until last November, posted to her Facebook page on Thursday announcing her resignation because she could no longer accept the culture in the party. "The Greens are distracted by populism, self interest, power, ego, narcissism, megalomania, appealing to narrowcast demographics and virtue signalling while exercising that old war strategy of divide and conquer," she wrote. In happier times: (from left) Greens Sue Pennicuik, Samantha Dunn (who quit the party on Thursday), Nina Springle, Samantha Ratnam, Ellen Sandell. campaign in October 2018. Credit:Benjamin Preiss "Aversion to conflict resolution means that tensions fester, no one is ever pulled up for poor behaviours, the behaviours escalate and become legitimised because no one ever says no or stop it or that's inappropriate." The names were too much for European senses, and William Lonsdale, first official representative in Victoria, wrote it as "Dandenong." It meant Big Hills, or Lofty, and was officially applied to several natural features the hills, the creek running through the plains from the foothills to the sea, and to the village that grew on the banks of the creek. Lonsdale Street in Dandenong, 1999. Credit:Joe Castro There is a legend that an aborigine finding a bag of lime, and, cooking it, disgustedly declared the concrete "No good damper." The word he is alleged to have used was Dandenong, but there is no substance for that, although there may have been in the legend. A roadside inn named "No Good Damper" stood near Oakleigh for some years from the early 1840's. The loudest lament of the hostess was that she could not keep the kangaroos from her patch of pumpkins and cucumbers. ANOTHER contradiction is that only a small slice of the original shire of Dandenong becomes the city of Dandenong. The rest is now the shire of Spring Vale and Noble Park, created in 1955. Earlier, in 1920, Carrum was cut from the shire of Dandenong to become the borough of Carrum, now a city. Historically, Dandenong became a district roads board in 1857 and a shire in 1873. At one time it covered 52 square miles. As a city it will embrace 14 square miles. Because of its size, its creation as a city was agreed by special act of Parliament, the maximum area for executive proclamation being nine miles. Baby food is labelled at the Heinz Dandenong factory in 1969. Credit:The Age Archives A third contradiction is that many of the great secondary industries that have made Dandenong's name in the past few years are not actually sited within the boundaries of the municipality, but are in the neighbouring municipalities of Spring Vale and Noble Park, Berwick and Mulgrave. But that takes nothing of glamour from the town that has been known for many years as the gateway to Gippsland. Truly so, as any proud citizen will tell you, for the mountains and their foothills come to Dandenong town on the one side and the flat sea plains on the other, joining exactly at the bridge over the creek, and all roads, railways and other routes to Gippsland from Melbourne, or any other part of Victoria, must pass through the town now to become a city. That was always so, the name being all embracing, and its meaning and value to Gippsland that of a parent and a guide. THE first white man to pass over the creek, herding cattle, was probably John Highett who continued on to "sit down" and founded the suburb that bears his name. Then came the five brothers Huffy, who pastured their cattle in the Dandenong foothills and across to Cranbourne where for a time one of them kept an inn. Joseph Hawdon was the first to "sit down" along the swampy creek. He stayed for a little while, then sold his stock to William Lonsdale, who built a sod hut on the site of Dandenong for his overseer, Alfred Langhorne. That was in 1837. It was the beginning of the village, and the nucleus of the district's development. Soon, the plains and the foothills pastured stock, housed timber getters and paling splitters, and small farms began producing potatoes and other vegetables for the Melbourne market. Among the men who took over all or part of Lonsdale's Waterholes station were Edward Wilson, who became owner of the "Argus" and built its fortunes; Dr. Farquhar McCrae, whose descendants gave Australia some fine writers, poets and artists; John Helder Wedge and his brothers; and Rev. James Clow, the first ordained clergyman to preach a sermon in Melbourne. James Clow was a Scotsman who served some years with the East India Company as their Presbyterian pastor at Bombay. Inspectors check Holdens coming off the assembly line at the GMH Dandenong plant, 1974. Ill-health compelled retirement and he came to Melbourne in March, 1838. He was at Dandenong from August. 1838. His station was called Corhanwarrabul, from one of the peaks of the Dandenongs Here he pastured cattle and bred horses. MOST courageous of the early Dandenong settlers was Mrs. Madeline Scott. She arrived in Melbourne with her husband, Alexander Scott, and young family in 1839, and a few months later they took over a cattle run on the western side of the creek. Before they could occupy it Scott died. His widow trekked to the station with her youngsters, and carried it on for some years. The station was in thick timber, and Mrs. Scott hired timber cutters and sawyers to fell trees and cut them into building slabs, sleepers, palings and paving blocks. The gold rushes passed Dandenong by; development was quiet, slow. Large holdings became farms for dairying and crops. In 1884, with its population 300, the town became a market for Gippsland stock. The first market was capable of holding 100 head of cattle, 100 sheep, and had four yards for pigs. Its revenue 10 years later, when the shire took control, was 112. Today, Dandenong's dairy cattle market is the largest in Australia. The trend is amazing. In 1921 the yardings totalled 28,635 head of cattle, 14,837 calves and 10,334 pigs. The figures for 1957-58 were 97,187 head of cattle, 106,376 calves and 68.037 pigs. New modern markets and selling pens are now being built near the railway on the Cheltenham road on 65 acres. The cattle selling section is completed, and the second section for sheep, pigs, calves and poultry is now in hand. The total cost, together with land value is estimated at 250.000. EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction. It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict. The jail where convicted child sex offender George Pell will serve out his six-year sentence is yet to be decided. After Wednesday's sentence, Pell was returned to the maximum security Melbourne Assessment Prison in West Melbourne while Corrections Victoria decides on the most appropriate place for the cardinal to be imprisoned. An artist's sketch of George Pell at the County Court on Wednesday. Credit:AAP Corrections does not comment on individual prisoners, however prisoner placement is determined based on a number of factors, including age and health needs. EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction. It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict. The judiciary's sensitivity to media criticism and mistrust of jurors' impartiality has led some judges to grant suppression orders inappropriately, according to a retired judge. Justice Frank Vincent, whose 2017 government inquiry into suppression orders in Victoria was highly critical of the system, said after George Pell was sentenced this week that the relationship between the media and the courts had become "toxic". The relationship recently reached boiling point when Victorias Director of Public Prosecutions, Kerri Judd, QC, threatened to lay criminal charges against dozens of journalists including three at The Age for contempt of court, claiming reports that appeared soon after Pells conviction for child abuse violated a suppression order over proceedings. Justice Vincent refused to comment on the appropriateness of the suppression order in the Pell case the verdict of which was widely shared on social media and foreign news sites out of respect for presiding judge Peter Kidd. A siege is unfolding in Melbourne's north on Friday morning. Heavily armed police are on the scene in Darebin Road, Northcote, The Age was told. A Victoria Police spokeswoman would only describe it as an "ongoing operation". Traffic diversions are in place on Darebin Road between Wales Street and St David Street. Our emergency departments are working extremely well Minister for Health Roger Cook The minister told Parliament he accepted it was hard working in emergency departments, but claimed "our emergency departments are working extremely well". WAtoday has previously reported on concerns over the dramatic increase in ambulance ramping hours and violence and aggression in the hospital's emergency department. The government would continue to work with staff to make sure that they were supported, Mr Cook said, but he did not accept the information provided by Dr Allely in the email. "I reject the idea that somehow we are facing some sort of crisis," Mr Cook said. "Quite frankly I understand why the opposition is onto this issue because it has nothing else." Tomorrow: WAtoday takes you inside the waiting room North Metropolitan Health Service chief executive Robyn Lawrence said activity in the ED had increased by 39 per cent since 2008 but they had also increased clinical staffing to meet this demand. "Compared to 2008, there are currently 20 more doctors and 28 more nurses employed in the SCHG emergency department today," Dr Lawrence said. However Australian Medical Association WA president Omar Khorshid disputed this, agreeing with Dr Allely that staffing levels had not increased and business cases to enable the hospital to reach safe staffing levels had been repeatedly knocked back. He said it appeared the Minister had been misled. Dr Khorshid said there had been some staff increases in 2008, but for the decade between 2009 and 2019 there had been no increase in doctor or nurse numbers in the SCGH emergency department, aside from unfunded intern positions not normally considered a productive staffing resource. On Tuesday Dr Khorshid offered Premier Mark McGowan some advice via social media, saying Mr McGowan should listen and respond to senior doctors when they tell him lives are at risk. "The system is under stress and its not just staff who suffer," Mr Khorshid said on Twitter. "Help us help our patients." Mr LEstrange in Parliament on Wednesday noted Dr Khorshids public plea, asking Mr McGowan when he would act and make sure hospitals are "properly resourced". A day after the original question about SCGH ED had been asked in Parliament, Mr McGowan replied "as I understand it, there was some reference" to the hospitals ED but although activity had increased, clinical staffing had increased to "meet demand." 'No need to intervene' Mr LEstrange also asked the minister if he would "immediately intervene" to address ward bed shortages and emergency department staffing. Mr Cook refused, saying public hospitals remain well funded, comparatively to their needs. "If there is a need to increase those staffing levels, the health service providers go to the Department of Health and they renegotiate the contract between them and the Department of Health," the minister, who has the power to direct the department, said. "I am advised that there has been no reduction in staffing. "I believe that, as one of our older hospitals, SCGH is one hospital that we are increasingly looking to for redevelopment, because, ultimately, it will become more and more constrained because of the age of the infrastructure. "But we continue to do a good job. "I remind all members that our emergency departments are the best in the country." Mr LEstrange told WAtoday the Minister was in denial if he thought it was not his responsibility to step in and address the "concerns of his experts." Labor's state government Health Minister is responsible to the people of WA for our public health sector Opposition spokesman Sean L'Estrange "WA's EDs continue to struggle to meet nationally agreed four-hour maximum wait times for patients; ambulances are now regularly ramped up outside EDs, and unable to hand over their patients to ED staff within 20 minutes, because EDs are full," he said. Other limited tender contracts involve private health provider Pacific International Hospital, Queensland construction company Construct, and security firm C5 Management Solutions. 'I suspect there are some inflated quotations' The $82 million paid to NKW means that it is costing Australian taxpayers just under $1400 per person per day to feed and house 209 asylum seekers at camps at West Lorengau Haus and Hillside Haus. In one of the emails obtained by The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, the Bank South Pacific manager responsible for the NKW account assured colleagues that one of the reasons his client was no longer a credit risk was because Australia was paying the companys invoices without question. Photos from West Lorengau on Manus Island show the area of the new camp under construction. Credit:Refugee Action Coalition "Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection are paying every invoice I suspect there are some inflated quotations and invoices," the manager wrote in November 2017. Loading The emails give a breakdown of NKWs costings and show the Australian contract will generate a huge profit, potentially running into tens of millions of dollars. One email states landowners would receive less than $30,000 per month for the lease of camp sites while NKW would be paid more than $500,000 per month by Home Affairs for access to the sites. The leaked emails show Home Affairs directly approached NKW in early September 2017 just days after a planned Manus Island building project involving Toll Group was abruptly cancelled by the Australian government. NKW was the only company approached to provide catering and site management services. The leaked emails show Home Affairs advanced more than $5 million to NKW between September and November 2017. But a proper contract between Home Affairs and NKW was not signed until well into 2018. The governments Austender website shows the initial contract was valued at $21.8 million for two months' work. The Australian government has been booted out of the Naval Base in Manus and are desperately in need to accommodate their guests. NKWs financial controller Chris Kolomaga But it was then increased by $49 million and then another $10 million, with the contract extended until the end of June 2018. Bank South Pacific emails show NKW was regarded as a "watchlist client" at the time it was approached by Home Affairs in September 2017 because of its existing debts. The promise of a lucrative Australian government contract was viewed by senior Bank South Pacific managers as a game-changer for the struggling company. "Appears the Australian Government has thrown our watchlist client, NKW Holdings Ltd, a much-needed lifeline," wrote one manager. Another manager from the bank's credit department agreed, writing "this does effectively throw a lifeline to this company". 'Manus Island has turned pear shaped' Toll, which reportedly had a substantial workforce and supplies ready for deployment on Manus Island, was given a payout of $9 million. Home Affairs has never publicly explained why the Toll contract to extend the East Lorengau transition centre was cancelled. NKW filled the breach by sourcing a disused camp from a local company for about $1.5 million and reviving an existing facility that was built to house participants in an abandoned Australian Federal Police training program. These sites became known as West Lorengau Haus and Hillside Haus. Sources involved in offshore detention have told The Age and Sydney Morning Herald that procurement officials within Home Affairs were upset by the way the NKW contract was entered into, with the departments operations command directing that it be done as one of a number of non-competitive limited tenders. This appears to be at odds with a promise by Home Affairs to improve procurement practices after a scathing 2016 Auditor-General's report on its management of offshore detention-related contracts. The documents show that NKWs financial controller Chris Kolomaga forwarded a letter of intent from the Australian government to senior Bank South Pacific managers just four days after Tolls contract to build extra accommodation at East Lorengau was cancelled by Home Affairs. "The Australian government has been booted out of the Naval Base in Manus and are desperately in need to accommodate their 'guests'," Mr Kolomaga wrote. "We have the only solution and as a matter of convenience theyve asked us to build another 300-man camp." The emails indicate Bank South Pacific played a crucial role in advising NKW how to structure its contracts with Home Affairs. This appears to be because the bank planned on keeping a large portion of the Australian payments to NKW to recover its debts. "Client was burnt by the Australian government last time and Im insisting on a binding construction contract and contracts over post-construction services," wrote a bank manager in an internal email. The emails show diverging views within Bank South Pacific about how much money to advance to NKW ahead of it signing a contract with Home Affairs. A senior credit department officer cautioned "this is not a straightforward proposal" because the "whole Manus Island issue is turning pear shaped". The regional processing centre on Manus Island closed in October 2017 following a ruling by the PNG Supreme Court a year earlier that Australia's policy of detaining asylum seekers was illegal because it breached their personal liberty. 'Source documents' The Age and Sydney Morning Herald revealed last month that Home Affairs was desperate to find contractors on Manus Island after the PNG government pulled out of taking over running asylum seeker facilities and contractual arrangements in mid-2017. Paladin, which had won a PNG-run tender for garrison services at Manus Island before the Peter ONeill-led government withdrew from its arrangement with Australia, had just six days to submit its bid to Home Affairs. Loading Home Affairs has used the exceptional circumstances created by the decision by long-standing major Manus Island contractor Broadspectrum to stop all offshore detention work in October 2017. But Broadspectrum had publicly announced its departure from this line of work a year earlier. NKW has undergone significant expansion off the back of the Australian contract, growing its workforce to more than 800 people. NKW chief executive Marlen Brunskill said while he could not comment on any speculation about inflated contracts by Bank South Pacific staff, every invoice submitted was accompanied by source documents. Mr Brunskill said NKW had never been pressured by any PNG politician or official for kickbacks from the Home Affairs contract. "Contracting Papua New Guinean companies in Papua New Guinea ensures most of the profits are apportioned in Papua New Guinea to Papua New Guineans and this includes landowners," he said. A spokesperson from the Department of Home Affairs said NKW were selected due to their experience in the industry in delivering site management and facilities management services. "The Department administers a contractual Performance Management Framework to ensure that NKW Holdings Ltd is accountable and delivers services to refugees and non-refugees as per the contractual requirements," the spokesperson said. "The Department is confident in the management of the NKW Holdings Limited procurement process and ongoing contract management of the PNG Site Management Services Contract." Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has warned the "idiocy" of a renewed fight over coal-fired power among federal MPs is damaging the chances of NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian as she fights the knife-edge state election. Several NSW ministers, including the leader and deputy leader of the Nationals, also blamed ongoing instability in Canberra for undermining the state campaign at a critical time. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says Canberra is damaging the NSW government. Credit:Janie Barrett Mr Turnbull said it was "obvious" ongoing distractions and infighting within the Coalition - such as fresh talk of challenge to Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack's leadership of the Nationals - was hurting the Liberal government's hopes of holding power at the poll in just nine days. "You havent worked out how damaging it is? Clearly all of the distraction from the feds is unhelpful. Thats obvious," he told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age in Bondi Junction. Scott Morrison has a favourite way to urge Australians to scoff at everything they hear from Labor, but his warning about his enemies now applies just as much to his friends. Youve always got to look at what people do, not just what they say, the Prime Minister has said in the past. Almost everything possible went wrong for Scott Morrison this week. Credit:AAP Morrisons government has just had a horror week by that measure. Forget the assurances about being able to win the May election. Judged by their actions, not their words, many of the Liberals and Nationals have given up on victory and decided their only hope is to save their own skins. The argument about coal pitted Nationals against Liberals over whether to put taxpayer money into building a coal-fired power station in Queensland, then Nationals against Nationals and Liberals against Liberals. It was a free-for-all. Of the works of this mind history is the record. Its genius is illustrated by the entire series of days. Man is explicable by nothing less than all his history. Without hurry, without rest, the human spirit goes forth from the beginning to embody every faculty, every thought, every emotion, which belongs to it in appropriate events. But the thought is always prior to the fact; all the facts of history preexist in the mind as laws. Each law in turn is made by circumstances predominant, and the limits of nature give power to but one at a time. A man is the whole encyclopaedia of facts. The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn, and Egypt, Greece, Rome, Gaul, Britain, America, lie folded already in the first man. Epoch after epoch, camp, kingdom, empire, republic, democracy, are merely the application of his manifold spirit to the manifold world. Ralph Waldo Emerson By the way his essays are fabulous Just as we are, because it has to be, our ending is additionally written in the seeds of our time.for another will inevitably have its time in history and everything that we try to do, to prevent the ineluctable, will do naught except hasten the end of many innocent lives and not advance the humans to a higher level of existence I would like to see the US go out with dignity and not ignominy.for we can have many good years still and just help the world to advance and stop trying to hold things at our status quo But.it starting to look like no one is in charge in the Western Empire By god: Who is in charge of making coffee? Open mouth and insert foot Pompeo.you just declared that the US is going to twist arms and legs until the US gets her way and using oil, gas, democracy and or anything we so desire to do to get our way.as a weapon Some nations are using their energy for malign ends and not to promote prosperity the way we do here in the West, Pompeo said. Were not just exporting American energy. We are exporting our commercial value system to friends and partners. The more we can export free enterprise, rule of law and transparency the more successful the United States will be and secure the American people will be. Source: Pompeo vows to use booming American energy to curb malign regimes Were not just exporting American energy. We are exporting our way of thinking and if you do not like it, Who cares? There, I corrected it for you Pompeo Russia is busy getting ready for the US to attempt such a thing (China is also!) I have talked before about the subject of submarines being built by Russia Russian #Navys latest strategic submarines, Kniaz Vladimir & Kazan, will join the fleet by the end of 2019. The ships will determine the future of Russias submarine fleet and increase the countrys defence potential, as well as strengthen @Russia position in the worlds oceans pic.twitter.com/tkeG6e5xe2 Russia in USA (@RusEmbUSA) 13 2019 . I have talked several times about the Russian shipyards are running non-stop building warships/submarines and Ocean multi-purpose system Status-6 (Kanyon)Status-6 is designed to defeat important fleets, ports of the enemys economy in the vicinity of the coast and cause unacceptable damage to the countrys territory by creating zones of extensive radioactive contamination that are unsuitable for military, economic and other activities in these zones for a long time. Status-6 is capable of destroying the Navy bases or carrier-based strike groupsStatus-6 is a remotely controlled automatic underwater robot carrying up to a 100 megaton-class nuclear weapon possessing computer intelligence and capable of acting independently at a distance of several thousand kilometers from the carrier. The maximum speed of the device allows you to escape from any existing enemy torpedo. The choice of speed and drone maneuvering exercises independently. (I understand that steady 55 knots and faster for a short burst)Status-6 refers to deep-sea uninhabited underwater vehicles (NPA), which can dive to a depth of 1000 meters and is a large high-speed torpedo with an atomic reactor and a huge nuclear warhead Source: Status-6 (Kanyon) Stop poking the Bear | Windows to Russia and My grandma would have said, You want it done? Do it yourself! She also would have said, You cant trust a snake! Russia has been building ship/submarine after ship after ship. They have opened new ship yards and reopened old ones. These shipyards have been running 24-7 and are still running 24-7. Just like the factories to build weapons and supplies for her armies. Russia is getting ready for war and this is sad, for Russia and China which have been literally the only one of this geopolitical western created mess, that have been saying, Lets get along and work things out! Source: Project 11711 large landing ship Ivan Gren | Windows to Russia and Russia just floated out its Nuke beast the Soviet Sub called; TK-208 Dmitry Donskoy with 20 nukes at 200 warheads total. This sub has been completely reconditioned and is fully operation at a much more deadly level than in the Soviet times. This sub alone only needs to be 1500 kilometers away from your (US as example) shore to empty the original 13 American Colonies of lifehttps://thebarentsobserver.com/en/security/2017/04/worlds-biggest-nuclear-submarine-show-off-baltic-seaThis sub came out for a reason and will now slink around waiting to see if America tries to start a war? A war that America can not finish. It can stay under water for 4 to 5 months at a time. Good luck in stopping her payload if you start something. They will get the missiles off, even as they die I know and have been in war and men will do what is right, when an aggressor tries to hurt the Mother Land. By the way! Russia has lots and lots of nuke subs and they will all be headed to retaliate if attacked As of right now Russia has at least 1000+ nukes; sub based and all able to reach anywhere in the world. All as a surprise when they show up Source: Desperation; Thy name is Western Empire | Windows to Russia I have a whole bunch more articles about the submarine world of Russia I see that everyday, the USA is threatening some country (sometimes more than one, sometimes many countries at once). Be they the declared evil ones and or be they so called allies No one is safe when an Empire is trying to stay relevant and the thrashing and whining is expected. But seriously America, you need to grow up Pompeo vows to curb malign regimes such as Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and many more The way I see it Pompeo: The only malign regime in the world right now? Is the USA The rest of us just wanna get on with life WtR Three billion dollars the Coalition government has hoarded in a locked box since committing it to the East West Link toll road more than five years ago could be freed up for other projects if Labor wins government. Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten said he would speak with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews about the best use of the $3 billion, which the Commonwealth holds in a contingency fund. Mr Shorten stopped short of guaranteeing he would release the funds. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten during an announcement on Canberra's light rail. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The Coalition has dangled the $3 billion at any future Victorian government that commits to the 18-kilometre road project, which Labor infamously dumped at a cost to taxpayers of more than $1 billion in 2015. The fire safety engineering firm found by a tribunal to be most to blame for a 2014 flammable cladding blaze in Docklands also signed off on Neo200, the Spencer Street apartment tower that caught alight in February. Last month the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found that safety engineering company Thomas Nicolas, whose sole director is Con Nicolas, was responsible for the largest portion of the almost $6 million it will cost to reclad the Lacrosse apartment tower on Latrobe Street. The Neo200 blaze on Spencer Street on February 4. Credit:Simone Fox Koob That building started to burn about midnight on November 24, 2014, when it caught alight due to flammable cladding the same type as in Londons deadly Grenfell tower fire. In the Lacrosse fire, French backpacker Jean-Francois Gubitta left a cigarette burning on the balcony of the two-bedroom apartment he shared with five other people. Unlike Western democracies, countries like Russia and China reject the notion of the internet as a space for open communication and see instead certain information as a threat to the state or society. The understanding paves the way for both censorship online and the use of information as a weapon. The differing views of the primacy of "cyber security" versus "information security" have been at the heart of an East-West stalemate on internet governance at international forums for years. The Indonesian government is already suspicious of online communication, and has a poweful Information and Electronic Transactions law, which is meant to protect against defamation and uphold decency, but which has been used to jail people expressing critical views. The parties discussed the possibilities of using Russian solutions in the field of information security. Infowatch statement Infowatch, a data leak protection company, offers defence against "internal threats" through traffic and personnel monitoring, protection against "external threats" online, and protection against "information attacks." Ashmanov is considered an important figure within Russia on the issue of information and technology both because of his professional background and his writings on the subject. He warns that the lack of "digital sovereignty" can lead to the "loss of sovereignty in general". "The struggle against the attempts of states to build information sovereignty will be conducted mainly by the US/West," Ashmanov claimed in a 2013 presentation. The main tool and argument, he claimed, was "freedom of speech" which undermines local sovereignty. An Indonesian youth browses his Facebook page at an Internet cafe in Jakarta. Credit:AP Ashmanov's company Ashmanov and Partners developed an anti-spam module for Kaspersky Lab that was then used to analyse social networks. A separate company, Kribrum, which provides this service, is jointly owned by Ashmanov and Natalya Kaspersky. Its offerings are marketed through Infowatch. Ashmanov is also thought to have influenced the thinking behind Russias Doctrine of Information Security, published the same year that Russian-backed trolling and social media manipulation disrupted the US election in support of then-candidate Donald Trump. The doctrine describes a policy of defending the Russian state and society against internal and external information threats and suggests a remedy would be to develop a national system of the Russian internet segment management. Brussels-based Marta Barandiy of Promote Ukraine has studied Russia's information influence on foreign states. Credit:Mirina Gergelova In February, Russia flagged plans to temporary disconnect from the internet. Comment from Infowatch and Ashmanov and Partners has been sought. Infowatchs Indonesia announcement comes after the company opened an office in Kuala Lumpur in 2017 to sell information security services in Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. The company has investment funding from the Russian state for its expansion into the region which has been underway since 2012. According to a 2015 presentation, Ashamov said he believes "digital sovereignty" is comparable to other notions of national sovereignty. At the time, he said only the United States has "full digital sovereignty", while the rest of the world, including Russia, were catching up. "South-east Asia and the Arab world lack human and technological resources to build their own digital sovereignty components themselves," he said in the three-year-old presentation. People watch last month's second presidential debate on the street in Jakarta. Credit:Bloomberg Ashamov has also discussed the use of vbrosy, or controversial ideas seeded into online debate to blunt it or distract the public. While its unclear to what extent Ashmanovs ideas drive Infowatchs expansion into the region, there does appear to be a link between the ideas and commerce, says one expert. I believe that his own ideology of sovereignty has great impact on the products he creates, said Marta Barandiy, of Promote Ukraine, by propagating this ideology he creates demand for his products. Barandiy, who is studying the influence of Russias information activities on foreign states, says the degree to which both Ashmanov and Kaspersky are the inspiration or the executives behind the concept of information (internet) sovereignty of Russia remains unclear. However, Ashmanov would be at or near the nexus of Russian strategic thinking on information war, Barandiy says. In addition to the high-profile battle over technological pre-eminence between China and US, Russian tech companies also present a challenge to Western democracies. Kaspersky Lab, which Natalya helped develop with ex-husband Eugene and led until 2007, was blocked in 2017 from providing services to US government agencies amid fears it could aid Russian espionage. Washington: A Polish-language weekly, Only Poland, was reportedly spotted at Poland's Parliament on Wednesday with a front-page offering to inform readers "How to spot a Jew." Listed were markers such as "Names, anthropological features, expressions, appearances, character traits, methods of operation" and "disinformation activities." Poles gather in Warsaw on Sunday to watch the official ceremony marking both the end of WWI and Poland's Independence Day. Credit:AP The list of supposedly Jewish traits was accompanied on the front page by a headline reading "Attack on Poland at a conference in Paris," a reference to a Holocaust conference held in Paris last month. The article ran with a photo of Jan Gross, the Polish and Jewish Princeton scholar who wrote Neighbours: The Destruction of the Jewish Community in Jedwabne, Poland, the seminal text on a massacre of the Jewish people of Jedwabne by their non-Jewish neighbours during the Nazi occupation in Poland. And by the end of it they had achieved almost nothing, spraying words into the void. It was another marathon session in the Commons on Thursday (London time), with insults flying as everyone blamed everyone but themselves for the wretched state of Brexit. London: The British Parliament has done again what it does best: put off any useful decision on Brexit. If I am honest, all this just reminds me of the Muppets, he said. It is that moment when Gonzo, I think it was*, sings The Windmills of Your Mind. As he sings and runs faster and faster, with his legs wheeling like the Isle of Mans coat of arms, he becomes wilder and wilder and goes out of control. We are like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel, never ending or beginning on an ever spinning reel. It is just going on and on and on, and every two weeks we come around on the merry-go-round and we make the same speeches all over again, and we still ride our own hobby horses. Frankly, it is not doing us or the nation any good medically or emotionally. Bryant had put an amendment before the Commons, trying to head off the by-now almost inevitable third vote on Mays EU divorce deal, the deal that refuses to die despite receiving more mortal wounds than Monty Pythons Black Knight. In the end, Bryant didnt even ask for his own motion to be voted on. He apparently decided there was no point. That vote is expected on Monday or Tuesday. Loading The Commons has rejected the deal twice, in historic defeats for the government. But the government hopes that the prospect of a long delay to Brexit may persuade wavering Brexiters to back Mays deal. There are reports they are even prepared for a fourth vote should they lose the third by a small margin. The divorce deal, technically the Withdrawal Agreement agreed between the UK government and the EU in November, was designed to settle debts, separate EU and UK laws, keep the Ireland border free of new checkpoints. Its aim was to provide a long, smooth transition into the post-Brexit world for business and industry while a new trade and customs relationship is negotiated. It was voted down by an alliance of Labour, who believe Brexit should be on different terms, and Brexiters who fear that a 'backstop' insurance policy to keep the Irish border free of checkpoints could leave the UK indefinitely trapped in the EU's customs union. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves the Houses of Parliament in London. Credit:PA But if Brexit takes place without a Withdrawal Agreement in place it will trigger a period of economic harm and chaos at the UK borders that will hurt thousands of British businesses. We will either deliver on the result of the [Brexit] referendum or we enter into a sustained period of uncertainty, Lidlington warned. That long delay could do real damage to the publics faith in politics and trust in our democracy, he said. Debate on the vote saw MPs on all sides criticise their opponents for frustrating progress. Labours Lucy Powell said the governments management of Brexit had been compared to the Muppets, but she preferred to think of it as "the last scene of Thelma and Louise" with Theresa May in a starring role driving her country off a cliff. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May at center right front row, speaks to lawmakers in the House of Commons. Credit:AP Tory eurosceptic Sir Christopher Chope said asking for a Brexit date extension would be an "act of national humiliation" and a "gross betrayal" of the people who voted for Brexit in 2016. Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay accused Labour of "shredding the votes of 17.4 million people in this country with his turning his back on the referendum". It was a good night for the May government, which won a series of votes beating back attempts to change the course of Brexit. Loading A vote on an amendment calling for another Brexit referendum was defeated by 334 votes to 85. Labour had ordered its MPs to abstain, and 'People's Vote' campaign groups had also declined to support the amendment, judging that it was not yet the right time to push for a new referendum. Labour MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan said a vote on a referendum on Thursday would wont work - itll ruin our chances of success. Labour front bencher Ruth Smeeth resigned from her post in order to vote against a second referendum, one of 18 Labour MPs to do so, and 25 Labour MPs also defied orders and voted in favour of the referendum. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said after the vote that his party supported a public vote at a later stage "as a realistic option to break the deadlock". Another amendment vote, on a push for parliament to wrest control of Brexit by denying the government control of parliamentary business and holding a series of 'indicative votes' to establish an alternative way forward, was defeated by the narrowest margin, 314 votes to 312. After the vote Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said all MPs "have a responsibility to work together to find a solution to the crisis facing this country". May had to accept that her deal, as well as a 'no-deal' Brexit, were no longer viable options, he said. Earlier, US President Donald Trump pointed out that May had ignored his advice on how to manage Brexit. Frank Cali, the reputed boss of the Gambino crime family whose deep ties to the Sicilian Mafia made him a figure of influence and power in both New York and Sicily, was fatally shot on Wednesday night outside his home in Staten Island, New York, police said. Francesco "Franky Boy" Cali. At around 9.15pm, Cali, 53, was in front of his red-brick colonial style home in the Todt Hill neighbourhood when he was approached by a blue pickup truck. Known as "Franky Boy", the Gambino boss was reportedly shot six times in the chest and run over by the truck, as first reported by the New York Daily News. Police said that a suspect sped off in the truck, WNBC reported. Cali's death marks the first time in 33 years that a crime family boss was fatally shot in New York City. In a statement, an official with the New York Police Department's 122nd Precinct, which covers Staten Island, said authorities responded to a 911 call at 9.17pm of an assault involving Cali. The address given on Hilltop Terrace near Four Corners Road, by the Richmond County Country Club, matched Cali's address, according to public records. Latest News ANZ makes another rate hike New highest fixed among Big Four as 40pts added to 4 and 5 year rates UBank sets cheapest ever interest rate Despite widespread rises, digital lender slashes 20pts for lowest ever advertised rate Yesterday, a big four bank announced it was suspending the demerger of its wealth management and mortgage broking businesses slated to occur this calendar year, in order to better address the recommendations from the royal commission. Following the news, a spokesperson at Commonwealth Bank (CBA), provided further clarification to Australian Broker on the pragmatic and realistic decision to halt the split. He explained that the reason CBA didnt give a timescale on the demerger is that a degree of uncertainty remains, especially following the royal commission. He elaborated to say the deal is "very much on hold" and that whether it would be back on the table in 2020 or 2021 would be "very difficult" to predict. Apparently CBA remains "committed" to the demerger but has acknowledged that it could be revised. To illustrate the point, the spokesperson cited the sale of Colonial First State Global Asset Management (CFSGAM) to Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation last year. The total cash consideration of the transaction was $4.13bn, and CFSGAM was pulled from the entities included in the scheduled demerger. CBA's spokesperson said that the bank would be duty bound by our shareholders and customers to give real consideration to such a definitive and attractive offer. However, a statement from Aussie Home Loans said the suspension of preparations around the demerger is indefinite. The CBA-owned brokerage currently operates 225 franchise stores and counts more than 1,000 brokers in its network. According to CEO James Symond, CBAs announcement doesnt impact [Aussies] focus on [its] customers, brokers and team members. We remain fiercely independent in our operations and approach to providing outstanding customer outcomes and it is worth noting that 66% of the loans provided by Aussie in 2018 were with lenders outside of the big four banks. We will continue working on our strategy towards building a safer and stronger Aussie, he added. Several months ago, CBA announced that Jason Yetton and Andrew Morgan were to head the new wealth management and mortgage broking entity NewCo, as CEO and CFO respectively. At the moment, nothing has changed in regards to Jasons or Andrews position because weve still got to manage those businesses. For the time being, theyve still got roles to play in making sure that we run those businesses for the benefit of the consumers, customers, and shareholders, said CBA's spokesperson. Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC Its a dog-eat-dog world. A bizarre new play will use a terrifying landscape of cannibals and flesh-eating canines to examine the selfishness of human relationships. The Dog, The Night, and The Knife, written by the German playwright Marius van Mayenburg and translated into English by Maja Zade, will have its United States premiere at the Irondale in Fort Greene on March 15. It tells the story of M, a woman who finds herself pursued through a brutal dystopia where time is stuck in the middle of the night, according to its director. The play is her journey through the night where shes being hunted and chased by blood-thirsty creatures and trying to survive and trying not to become one of them, said Yuri Kordonsky, who also teaches directing at Yale. The main character must fight her way through a world of people infected by what the playwright calls the hunger, who are driving to hunt and consume their loved ones, reflecting the selfish nature of real-life human relationships, said Kordonsky. The inhabitants of the world are hungry, which manifests in the desire to eat the person you love. Its about relationships and how selfish and possessive and consuming they might be, he said. Almost everything we can love has an element of possession and consuming, and the pure act of generous love is an extremely rare thing in this world. Ms journey seems hopeless until she meets the character Younger Sister, and the two break the rules of the plays bleak universe by falling in love in a selfless way, the director said. They discover that relationships can be something else, giving rather than taking, he said. The plays nightmarish landscape is also occupied by ravenous stray dogs, played by human actors. Rather than make the thespians crawl on all fours and bark, Kordonsky and his team bridged the gap between man and beast more subtly. We work on movements that might be reminiscent of dogs in their movement, some vocal techniques the actors use that remind you of howling and barking, Kordonsky said. The play is violent, but the director said his rendition will not be gory. Instead, the violence is portrayed in a more abstract way, which could be even more unsettling to the audience. Theres knives and multiple stabbings going on, bleeding wounds. We take this rather metaphorically nothing that we put on stage is graphic or gory, he said. Its a story that unsettles you and should disturb. Kordonsky and his partners from the production company Just Toys were captured by the plays visceral power, he said, even though it was difficult to decipher. The pieces abstract nature became an appealing challenge to the team, according to the director. There was a combination of a sense of very strong and attractive mystery, the gut visceral feeling that its good, and the challenge to understand it on an intellectual level, he said. But this is exactly when you know that you have to do a play. When you know exactly from the beginning how to do a play, theres no point in doing it. The Dog, The Night, and The Knife, at Irondale [85 S. Oxford St., at Lafayette Avenue in Fort Greene, www.irond ale.org , (718) 4889233]. March 15April 6; Mon, WedSat at 7:30 pm. $30. Reach reporter Kevin Duggan at (718) 2602511 or by e-mail at kdugg an@cn gloca l.com . Follow him on Twitter @kduggan16. Department of Health officials on Thursday announced that leaders of five Williamsburg yeshivas violated an emergency order prohibiting non-vaccinated students from attending school amid a growing outbreak of the measles, which already infected at least 21 youngsters at a sixth yeshiva after educators let a sick kid in class. The citys chief physician reiterated the importance of inoculating children against the potentially fatal illness, warning that the disease will continue to claim new victims while Kings County youngsters remain unvaccinated. As the citys doctor, and a pediatrician, I am very concerned that children without the measles vaccination are at unnecessary risk for serious, and potentially fatal symptoms related to measles, said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. The outbreak is not over, and we will continue to see additional cases as long as unvaccinated students are not properly excluded from attending school. The five new offending yeshivas include: Bnos Square of Williamsburg at 382 Willoughby Ave. between Bedford Avenue and Spencer Street. Bnos Chayil at 712 Wythe Ave. between Keap and Hooper streets. Bnos Chayil at 345 Hewes St. between S. Fifth Street and Broadway. Tuferes Bnos at 585 Marcy Ave. between Myrtle and Vernon avenues. Sieche Kinder at 808 Myrtle Ave. between Marcy and Nostrand avenues. And in addition to finding unvaccinated students, city health inspectors found kids infected with measles in classrooms at three of the five. Health Department officials slapped all of the schools with a commissioners order, which could lead to fines if the yeshivas staff do not follow the so-called exclusion order issued in December to stem the spread of the disease. It is currently too early to tell whether the schools indiscretions led to any additional measles cases, according to Health Department spokesman Michael Lanza, who said the audits that uncovered the violations occurred last week. Thursdays announcement came weeks after city health officials revealed that educators at Williamsburgs Yeshiva Kehilath Yakov on Wilson Street allowed a mini outbreak to plague the school, by permitting an unvaccinated, pre-symptomatic student infected with the virus to attend class. The borough-wide measles outbreak which officials traced to a Brooklyn resident who contracted the virus in October while visiting Israel, where the illness infected more than 1,000 people has spread to some 157 local victims, including 137 children, all of whom are members of the Orthodox Jewish community, according to Lanza. The highly contagious airborne pathogen produces symptoms including fever, cough, and a runny nose, and can cause diarrhea, ear infection, pneumonia, encephalitis, and death with about 1 of every 1,367 kids infected dying due to fatal complications from measles. Symptoms can appear anytime from seven to 21 days following exposure, according to the Health Department. Sign up for our PoliticsNY newsletter for the latest coverage and to stay informed about the 2021 elections in your district and across NYC Hes giving up a stolen house for the big house. A judge on Wednesday sentenced an East Flatbush man to as many as nine years behind bars for forging a deed in order to steal his elderly neighbors house. Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun sentenced 37-year-old Winston Gregory Hall months after a jury convicted him of second-degree grand larceny and other charges in October following a trial last year during which Hall, whom officials released without bail after his arrest, went on the lam, forcing the jurors to convict him in absentia. The punishment is a fitting penalty for the two-time law-breaker, whom cops caught up with two months after his conviction when they stopped him for a traffic violation on a Kings County street, according to Brooklyns top prosecutor. This defendant twice showed a disregard for the rule of law, first by stealing his neighbors house, and then absconding during his trial, said District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. Hes now been held accountable. Hall in April 2015 established the Winston Gregory Hall Express Trust, naming himself as the sole trustee, and later that month forged a phony deed transferring ownership of his 84-year-old neighbors E. 49th Street home to his trust, according to prosecutors, who said the victim lived with family in faraway New Jersey at the time. The defendant then filed the fake deed, along with other forged tax documents, with the New York City Registers Office one month later, but when investigators contacted the victim, she told them she never knew Hall and never signed documents transferring her home to his trust, prosecutors said. Gonzalez said his office will continue to crack down on property thieves like Hall whom the jury also convicted of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing in order to protect local homeowners from their predatory practices. This case is part of my continuing commitment to ensuring justice for Brooklyn homeowners, who are all too often the target of unscrupulous individuals, he said. As part of the partnership, LV= GI will establish a team of Data Scientists and Data Engineers, who will be based at the university campus within the School of Engineering and Computing. Working together, teams from LV= and the University of Bristol will carry out research and development projects to better understand the possibilities presented by machine learning and AI. Collaborating with researchers from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Law, the team will also work to better understand the societal challenges and opportunities of digital technologies. Staff from the insurer will help supervise student projects, supporting young data scientists, as well as carrying out lectures to students and staff. Internships will also be available at the company, and work with University staff to explore development of a co-designed MSc programme. As one of the UKs top 10 Universities and a top five UK university for research, the University of Bristol boasts strong data science credentials. It works closely with the Jean Golding Institute for Data Science and Data Intensive Research and is a key member of the Alan Turing Institute for Data Science and AI, as well as having other industry and societal partners. The University was recently awarded ten EPSRC funded Centres for Doctoral Training - several of which incorporate data science research and training. Bristol and Bath are also home to the largest number of digital and data workers outside of London. Commenting on the partnership, Steve Treloar, LV= GI CEO, said: Were incredibly proud to help play a part in developing the data scientists of tomorrow. The University of Bristol is one of the best in the country with exceptionally strong expertise in the fields of data science and digital, so were excited to see what we can learn from one another and the synergies we can make. As an industry, its absolutely crucial that we recognise the dramatic leaps that technology has made in the past few years, and look at how we can harness that for the ultimate benefit of our customers. We are confident that this tie-up with the University of Bristol will be hugely beneficial for both parties and were excited to see what comes from it. Professor Guy Orpen, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for New Campus Development added: We are delighted to develop this exciting multi-disciplinary relationship with LV=GI. The innovative nature of the relationship, spanning multiple faculties, research and teaching will provide an invaluable forum for tackling some of the greatest societal and economic problems of our time. Our students and staff will have a fantastic opportunity to work with and learn from an innovative sector leader. The partnership will be a key component in fulfilling our vision as we develop a world-class venue for research, partnership and innovation at our new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus. 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 Supreme Court on Thursday asked former promoters of Fortis Healthcare, Malvinder Mohan Singh and Shivinder Mohan Singh, to come up with a concrete plan as to how they planned to pay Rs 3,500 crore to Daiichi Sankyo. The top court asked the two brothers to consult their financial and legal advisors and give the plan by March 28 on how they planned to comply with the decree against them that requires them to pay the said amount. It is not about individual honour. But it doesnt look good for the countrys honour. You were the flag-bearers of the pharma ... Parliament has voted against leaving the European Union without a deal. Having lost a second vote on her withdrawal agreement on March 12, May agreed to let MPs vote on whether they would accept leaving the EU without a deal on March 13. They voted 321 to 278 against no deal under any circumstances. Some would say this vote is meaningless. Regardless of what the MPs say, the clock keeps ticking down to the UK leaving automatically on March 29. However, the vote is far from meaningless. It signifies that a majority in parliament understands that no deal is ... Deliveries of Boeing's best-selling 737 MAX jets were effectively frozen on Wednesday, though production continued, after the United States joined a global grounding of the narrowbody model over safety concerns, industry sources said. The 737 MAX is banned from flying in most countries across the world following an Ethiopian Airlines crash on Sunday that killed all 157 people on board. It was the second deadly incident for the relatively new Boeing model in five months. Airlines, aircraft industry experts and financiers said that although the ban would theoretically not ... US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he was in no rush to complete a trade pact with China and insisted that any deal include protection for intellectual property, a major sticking point between the two sides during months of negotiations. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping had been expected to hold a summit at the president's Mar-a-Lago property in Florida later this month, but no date has been set for a meeting and no in-person talks between their trade teams have been held in more than two weeks. The president, speaking to reporters at the White House, said he ... Chief of Army Staff Bipin Rawat was conferred with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal by President Ramnath Kovind on Thursday for distinguished services. The medal was presented to Gen. Rawat at a Defence Investiture Ceremony held in Rashtrapati Bhavan. Army's Sepoy VrahmaPal Singh and CRPF jawans Rajendra Nain and Ravindra Babban Dhanwade were decorated with the Kirti Chakra, India's second highest peacetime gallantry award, posthumously. Major Tushar Gauba of 20 Jat regiment was conferred with the Kirti Chakra for killing three terrorists in close combat along the Line of Control in Kupwara sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Twelve officers and jawans from the Army and CRPF were also decorated with the Shaurya Chakra, the third highest peacetime gallantry award. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman were present on the occasion. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Marvelites, brace up, Marvel has finally released a brand new trailer of 'Avengers The trailer features almost every superhero that the fans were eagerly waiting to see, including Captain America, Thor, Black Widow, Iron Man, Hawkeye and Ant Man. The trailer gives a solemn recap of the earliest days of the franchise to show just how far the heroes have come, which is enough to give the fans some real 'End Game' vibes. The 2.23 minute-long video is a perfectly comprised version of what is expected to come in the big finale of the classic franchise. In the trailer, the superheroes can be seen repeating that they will do "whatever it takes" to save the world they call home and undo the damage that Thanos has done to it. While the heroes unite to fight against the common enemy, Thanos, on the other hand, remains surprisingly absent from the trailer. In the trailer, the makers have also revealed new slick, white Avengers uniforms. Captain America and Iron Man can be seen leading the heroes into the Quantum Realm, dressed in their brand new suits. The trailer successfully makes the fans nostalgic and excited at the same time, leaving them wanting for more. While the video gives a sneak peek into each and every remaining character, it does it without giving anything away. The first trailer of the fourth and much-awaited instalment of Avengers, 'Avengers: End Game' was released in December. 'Avengers: Endgame' will feature a stellar star cast which includes, Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Josh Brolin, and Chris Pratt. The film also marks the final film within the Marvel Cinematic Universe's current generation, which comprises 22 films, including 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' and the upcoming Captain Marvel. It will also be the last Marvel movie for some of the key actors, including Chris Evans as Captain America. The film is all set to hit the theatres on May 3, 2019. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court-appointed mediation committee for resolution of the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute, held its first sitting here on Wednesday and heard all parties who attended the proceedings. The panel, headed by former apex court judge F M ibrahim Kalifulla, directed that there should not be any reporting of the mediation proceedings in the print or other media, pointing out the views expressed by the top court last week. Besides Justice Kalifulla, the other members of the committee are Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and senior Madras High Court advocate Sriram Panchu. The panel said on Wednesday, "The Chairman and the members of the mediation committee appointed by Hon'ble Supreme Court of India for resolution of Ramjanmabhoomi/Babri Masjid dispute had assembled for the first meeting at 10.30 a.m. at Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, to start the mediation proceedings. Notices had been issued to all the parties to the different Civil Appeals pending in the Hon'ble Supreme Court and to their advocates as well. The Committee heard all the parties who attended the proceedings." "'We are also of the view that the mediation proceedings should be conducted with utmost confidentiality so as to ensure its success which can only be safeguarded by directing that the proceedings of mediation and the views expressed therein by any of the parties including the learned mediators shall be kept confidential and shall not be revealed to any other person," the committee said in its order. It directed that there should not be "any reporting of the mediation proceedings in the print or other media". On March 8, the Supreme Court referred the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case for court-appointed and monitored mediation. "We have considered the nature of the dispute arising. Notwithstanding the lack of consensus between the parties in the matter, we are of the view that an attempt should be made to settle the dispute by mediation," a five-judge Constitution bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said in its order. The bench, which also comprised Justices S A Bobde, D Y Chandrachud, Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer, said that the mediation proceedings will be held in Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh and the state government will provide the mediators all facilities. The bench was hearing appeals against the September 30, 2010 verdict of the Allahabad High Court which ordered a three-way division of the disputed 2.77 acres of the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya between the Nirmohi Akhara sect, the Sunni Central Wakf Board, Uttar Pradesh and Ramlalla Virajman. Section 89 states: "Where it appears to the court that there exist elements of a settlement which may be acceptable to the parties, the court shall formulate the terms of settlement and give them to the parties for their observations and after receiving the observations of the parties, the court may reformulate the terms of a possible settlement and refer the same for (a) arbitration; (b) conciliation; (c) judicial settlement including settlement through Lok Adalat; or (d) mediation. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Azim Premji Foundation plans to set up a university in north India and scale up its network of institutions at the district and state levels to improve school system on a continued and sustained basis, a senior foundation official said on Thursday. The philanthropy's field-work has been in some of the most disadvantaged parts of the country to improve the quality and equity of public (government) system. All this work has been in partnership with various state governments. "The field work is spread across Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Puducherry, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh along with some work in the northeastern states," said the official, a day after Wipro Chairman Azim Premji announced to give 34 per cent more shares of the company worth Rs 52,750 crore to support philanthropic activities. With endowment corpus of Rs 1.45 lakh crore, the Azim Premji Foundation in India has an overarching vision to contribute to developing a just, equitable, humane, and sustainable society. To enable this, it works directly in and supports other non-for-profits working in some specific areas through multi-year financial grants which help create tangible improvements in the lives of deeply disadvantaged, under-served and marginalised sections of the society. "In the past five years, these grants have supported more than 150 organisations engaged in a range of domains. Over the next several years, the activities are expected to scale up significantly," said the official. The foundation has also set up Azim Premji University in Bengaluru to develop outstanding professionals in and other related areas of human development. The university offers various kinds of degree programmes, education programmes and conducts research in various fields. It offers post-graduate programmes (MA education, MA development, LLM and MA (Public Policy) and undergraduate programmes (BA, BSc, and BSc B Ed). "The team driving the field work will go up from the current 1,600 people, while the university will expand to have 5,000 students with 400 faculty members across multiple programmes," said the official. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP on Thursday lashed out at Congress president Rahul Gandhi for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi "weak" and saying that he is scared of Chinese President Xi Jinping. A day after China blocked a proposal at the United Nations Security Council to declare JeM chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist, Rahul Gandhi said "Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NoMo's China Diplomacy: Swing with Xi in Gujarat, Hug Xi in Delhi and Bow to Xi in China." Referring to Rahul's tweet, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad while addressing the media asked, "Why is Rahul Gandhi in a celebratory mood when the country stands pained in this kind of move by China." Prasad, reacting to the charges, said Rahul should have used his proximity with China to influence its decision to designate Masood Azhar as a terrorist. "You enjoy a very close relationship with China. If you have such good relations with China at least you could have used that proximity to persuade China to allow the resolution," Prasad suggested. Prasad also took a jibe at Rahul by saying that he has forgotten that China had blocked Masood Azhar's listing as global terrorist once in 2009 when the Congress was in power. "Rahul has forgotten that China had blocked Masood Azhar's listing as global terrorist once in 2009 when the Congress was in power." Prasad added, "The BJP would like to highlight today that would the Congress party adopt a different voice even in case of a cruel killer and a global terrorist like Masood Azhar?" Referring to Rahul's tweet, the BJP leader said that Rahul needed to learn that foreign policy was not run on Twitter as it is a serious and sensitive subject. "Mr Rahul Gandhi as per your own utterances you enjoy a close relationship with China. You visited the Chinese embassy when Doklam tension was high. When you went to Mansarovar you publically claimed that Chinese people were keen to see you off, permission denied by the Government of India. When you went to Mansarovar you publically said that you are in touch with the many ministers. So, if you are so much close to Chinese establishments, then you could have used that proximity to persuade China to take a stand against Masood Azhar. Why you did not?" he added. For the fourth time in the last ten years, China on Wednesday blocked a proposal by the US, the UK and France, among others, to enlist Pakistan-based Azhar as a global terrorist. India expressed disappointment over the development but vowed to continue to pursue "all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens" are brought to justice. "The ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee (1267 Sanctions Committee), upon completion of the no-objection period on 13 March 2019, was not able to come to a decision on the proposal for listing Mohammed Masood Azhar Alvi under the UN Sanctions regime, on account of a member placing the proposal on hold," said a statement issued by the External Affairs Ministry. The statement did not identify the "member" of the UNSC which put the proposal on hold but sources said it was China. "We are disappointed by this outcome. This has prevented action by the international community to designate the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a prescribed and active terrorist organization which has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 14 February 2019," the MEA statement said. "We are grateful for the efforts of the Member States who moved the designation proposal and the unprecedented number of all other Security Council members as well as non-members who joined as co-sponsors," it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Brainwonders, the expert in the science of Dermatoglyphics and the only U.S Patented DMIT Company, has extended the DMIT test to corporates to help them with their recruiting, management and training needs and has tied up with 16 companies in the initial phase. The patented DMIT (Dermatoglyphics Multiple Intelligence Test) offered by Brainwonders helps to discover the inborn intelligence of each child to give concrete future career choices, has already made its mark in the education field. The latest to join the DMIT trend are working professionals as well as HR teams who are using it to define career choices as well as for finding the right candidate for a job and accurately discovering employees' potential for professional development. The scientific DMIT test helps employees boost their careers by learning about their workplace behaviour, their interests and competency areas and ways of improvement. This arms them with the best career options and recommendations on how to excel in their chosen field. The DMIT goes beyond the facets of personality, learning style, brain dominance, multiple intelligence profiles and career growth to tap into more abstract concepts like pragmatism, creativity, stability, communication, motivation, group orientation etc. It can also be used for senior managers to understand their leadership style and growth potential. "Research shows that low job satisfaction in the 20s and 30s can have a negative impact on mental health in 40s and beyond. Brainwonders provides an opportunity for working professionals to use our services to boost their career by learning about their workplace behaviour, their interests and competency areas and ways of improvement. Many HR professionals are turning to Brainwonders DMIT to recruit and manage the best employees and orient them towards growth. The giant responsibility of choosing and training the perfect employee to handle the job responsibilities and push them beyond that is efficiently eased by the DMIT reports and the team of Brainwonders", said Manish Naidu, CEO and Founder, Brainwonders. With 107+ centres Pan India, Brainwonders is connected with 230+ schools and colleges across India. Brainwonders has a huge team of expert clinical, counselling and career psychologists. They are closely connected with Cambridge International Examination and Association of Heads of Anglo-Indian Schools and have provided their service to their members as well. Brainwonders is the first and only company in Asia to have tied up with Professor Lin who holds the only U.S Patent for Dermatoglyphics Technique. The DMIT software provides a complete, auto-assessment interface that is uniquely adaptive, intuitive and responsive to any child's unique needs and skill-sets. . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China is in a "league of its own" when it comes to human rights violations, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said on Wednesday while criticising Beijing for human rights violations and deterioration of conditions. Releasing the State Department's annual human rights report titled - 'Country Reports on Human Rights Practices', Pompeo alleged that China intensified its crackdown on detaining Muslim minority groups at "record levels". "There's China, which is in a league of its own when it comes to human rights violations. In just 2018, China intensified its campaign of detaining Muslim minority groups at record levels. Today, more than 1 million Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, and other Muslims are interned in reeducation camps designed to erase their religious and ethnic identities," Pompeo said. The report highlighted the Chinese government's systematic internment and possible abuse and torture of as many as two million Uyghur Muslims in northwestern Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region in 2018, South China Morning Post reported. It slammed China for restricting freedom of speech and allowing or committing violence against religious and ethnic groups. "Official repression of the freedoms of speech, religion, movement, association, and assembly of Tibetans in the Tibet autonomous region (TAR) and other Tibetan areas and of Uygurs and other ethnic and religious minorities in Xinjiang worsened and was more severe than in other areas of the country," the report said. The report found that the Chinese government during 2018 "significantly intensified its campaign of mass detention of members of Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang". It underlined that Chinese authorities "have arbitrarily detained 800,000 to possibly more than two million Uygurs, ethnic Kazakhs, and other Muslims in internment camps designed to erase religious and ethnic identities". The report also noted China's human rights abuses including unlawful killings by the government, forced disappearance, torture, arbitrary detention, harsh and life-threatening prison and detention conditions, according to South China Morning Post. "International media, human rights organisations, and former detainees reported security officials in the camps abused, tortured, and killed some detainees," it further noted. In August last year, a United Nations human rights panel expressed grave concerns that there were credible reports that China was holding a million Uyghur Muslims in mass detention camps in Xinjiang province. Several international human rights organisations have accused China of cracking down on the Uyghurs by sending them to mass detention camps, interfering in their religious activities and sending the minority community to undergo some form of forceful re-education or indoctrination. However, Chinese authorities claimed that the camps are "educational training centres", and are needed to clamp down on terrorism and separatist and extremist activities. Furthermore, the report highlighted that "members of the minority Uyghur ethnic group reported systematic torture and other degrading treatment by law enforcement officers". The US co-hosted an event with Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom at the United Nations in Geneva to raise awareness regarding ongoing and egregious human rights abuses in Xinjiang, where more than one million Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and other members of Muslim minority groups have been detained since April 2017, the State Department said in a release. "The United States strongly encouraged the UN and the High Commissioner for Human Rights to make these abuses a priority. Government officials, expert panelists, and survivor testimony highlighted the magnitude and severity of the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Xinjiang," it added. Participants also considered next steps the international community could take in addressing the situation in Xinjiang, the statement further said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Thursday attacked the Centre for releasing Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar in 1999 during BJP-led NDA government's regime. "Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad, your BJP government handed over Mazoor Azhar to Taliban and also gave million dollars to them. Would you say something on this," Singh tweeted. He also asked Prasad to question Prime Minister and Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval over the intelligence failure in the Pulwama terror attacks. "Have you questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NSA about the Gross intelligence Failure during the Pulwama attack because of which 44 CRPF personnel lost their lives. If your BJP government had not released Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar during the Kandhar hijack, the attack on the Parliament in 2002 and the Pulwama attack could have been averted," Singh said in his next tweet. Earlier Singh had sparked controversy by terming the Pulawama terror attack 'an accident'. He said after the Pulwama "durghatna" (accident) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) strike, "sandeh" (doubt) is being expressed in some foreign media reports following which "vishwasniyata" (credibility) of the government is under question. In another tweet, Singh had questioned the outcome of the air strike and demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come clear on the same. "Prime Minister, some ministers of your government say 300 terrorists killed, BJP president says 250 are killed, Yogi Adityanath says 400 people were killed and your minister SS Ahluwalia says that no one died. And you are silent about this issue. The country wants to know who is a liar here," he had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday supported the plea of Rajiv Saxena to become an approver in AgustaWestland case. "He will be very useful. That is why supporting his plea," said ED in the court while supporting Saxena's plea. He is an accused in AgustaWestland case. The businessman has filed a plea in the court to turn an approver in the case. Following the arguments, Special CBI judge Arvind Kumar has slated the matter for consideration on March 25. Last week, Saxena, a co-accused in the case, recorded his statement before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Samar Vishal during an in-chamber hearing under Section 306 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). The entire proceeding lasted for nearly three hours. On February 27, Saxena had moved an application before Special CBI judge Arvind Kumar to become an approver in the case. He had told the court that he was not under any pressure and that no assurance was given to him, neither any sought from him. The ED is being represented by Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh and advocate Naveen Matta, while senior advocate Geeta Luthra and advocate Shivani Luthra are defending Saxena. Dubai-based businessman was extradited to India on January 31 in connection with the Rs 3,600 crore deal for the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland. Saxena was allegedly operating a number of bank accounts in Switzerland in which huge amounts of money were deposited, according to a government dossier. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States has said that the failure to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist "runs counter" to Washington and China's goal of regional stability and peace. "As UN Sanctions Committee deliberations are confidential, we don't comment on specific matters, but we will continue working with the Sanctions Committee to ensure that the designations list is updated and accurate," said a US Embassy spokesperson here on Thursday. "With respect to China, the United States and China share a mutual interest in achieving regional stability and peace, and a failure to designate Azhar runs counter to this goal," the spokesperson further said. US' observation comes close on the heels of China, in the United Nations Security Council, blocking the proposal of the United States, France, and the UK to put dreaded terrorist Masood Azhar on the UN terror blacklist. JeM, a Pakistan-based terror outfit headed by Azhar, has carried out many deadly terror attacks in India including Pulwama terror attack on February 14 in which 40 jawans of CRPF were killed. JeM also carried out the attack on Parliament in 2001, and Punjab's Pathankot airbase in 2016. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The bishop of Balanga issued a circular that will come into force on Easter Sunday. The goal is to eliminate fixed fees for liturgical services across the country by 2021, 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christian missionaries. Manila (AsiaNews/CBCP) More and more Filipino bishops are scrapping the arancel (fee) system for the services offered by the Church such as funerals, memorial Masses, weddings, confirmations, etc. In its lieu, the faithful are encouraged to donate what they can. The latest to do this is Bishop Ruperto Santos of Balanga who ordered the end of fees for funeral masses and blessings in his diocese as of 21st April, Easter Sunday. The decision by the Diocese of Balanga comes in response to appeals by Pope Francis, who since his election has called for a "poor Church for the poor". The Pope, who is marking the start of the seventh year of his pontificate today, has repeatedly pointed out that the sacraments are a gift from God and asked churches to celebrate the rites for free. According to Mgr Santos, the move was necessary to help people already grieving by their loss. Financial obligations from the perspective of the Church are not of prime importance and must not be a burden to them, he noted. For this reason, he ordered the priests of his diocese not to demand fees for funeral Masses and memorial chapels. The Church "can be open for their free will to give or donate to the Church, he explained. The Philippines is Asias most Catholic country. The first bishop to drop fees for religious services was Mgr Socrates Buenaventura Villegas, archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan, in 2015. Instead of fixed rates, he wanted the spirit of stewardship (Pananabangan) to come into play. This means that parishes will just accept whatever parishioners can offer. Fr Roy Bellen of the Manila archdioceses communications office said the goal is to end the arancel system by 2021, the fifth centenary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines. This hopefully can be a gauge of the faithful of their change of paradigm in support the Church rather than thinking of buying the sacraments from the Church, he said. Archbishop of Erbil: Iraq's Christians Need to Thrive, Not Just Survive Bashar Warda, the archbishop of Erbil's Chaldean Catholic Church, speaks to Rudaw at the Cathedral of Mar Yousif, Ankawa, Erbil on March 13, 2019. ( Robert Edwards/Rudaw) Iraqi Christians were forced to flee their towns and villages across the Nineveh Plains and from the city of Mosul in the summer of 2014 when Islamic State (ISIS) militants launched a lightening campaign through the region. The jihadists gave Christian residents of their newly conquered territories three options: convert to Islam, pay a heavy religious tax, or die. The majority chose to flee, taking refuge in the Kurdistan Region. Thousands flocked to Ankawa -- a predominantly Christian neighbourhood in the north of Erbil city. Here, churches like Mar Yousif opened their doors, becoming makeshift camps until the government and aid agencies stepped in to build facilities for the displaced. Since the liberation of Mosul and the Nineveh Plains from ISIS control in 2017, Christian families have faced a new dilemma: should they go back and try to rebuild their homes destroyed in the fighting, emigrate abroad, or start over in the Kurdistan Region. Bashar Warda, the archbishop of Erbil's Chaldean Catholic Church, believes Christianity can only survive in its diminished state in Iraq if displaced families are offered housing assistance. Earlier in March, Rudaw reported on the case of dozens of Iraqi Christian families living above Neshtiman Bazaar, near Erbil's historic citadel. They have been living there rent-free for several years thanks to the charity of the building owner Nizar Hanah. However, since the liberation of their towns and villages, Hanah has requested the families move on -- raising fears they could be left homeless. Speaking to Rudaw on Wednesday at the Cathedral of Mar Yousif, Ankawa, Bishop Warda explained how the church has supported families like those living above Neshtiman Bazaar and what donors can do to help rehouse them. Rudaw: What will happen to the families living above Neshtiman Bazaar? Bishop Warda: From day one of arriving here we really worked hard to take care of these cases on a large scale and in a smaller case. Neshtiman camp was one of the issues we were really grateful to Mr Nizar Hanah who offered the whole building to be used and for the first year and a half there was no charge at all for electricity, water, everything was for free. When the liberation started last year, we approached him to give us more time, and he said yes, fine, no problem, I'm not considering [eviction] until the time will be right. Then he asked us to leave the building in January, and I told him no, that's not good, because most of these families have children and these children are in schools so it is better to finish, and he says fine, no problem. To be fair to the man, he did all he can. To say that those families have no chances to return, it's not true, because there are empty houses in Bartella, we have empty houses also in Qaraqosh, we have also some empty houses in Karemlash, so there are empty houses. But the other side of the story is most of those people have also already found a job here, and to find a job means they are settled. Travelling every day from Bartella or Qaraqosh would be a really costly one. Here it's much cheaper, in that it is in the heart of the city. There are other people who are from Mosul, which means it would be extremely difficult for them to go home. That's why we are offering alternative houses in Bartella. We spoke with Father Benham Benoka and he said "I have so many houses I could arrange." Why are these homes empty? So these are people who have left and are not going back? We have 6,000 families who have left the country from Nineveh Plain and their houses are empty. Six thousand families left to Australia, Canada, America, and there are still lots of them still waiting in Lebanon and Jordan and Turkey, not the mention those who made it to Germany. So yeah, we do have so many houses empty. So it's not about people who are refusing to go back -- no. Actually all the people who have houses in Nineveh Plain, they've made some arrangement. Having said that, we are approaching the NGOs, like Catholic NGOs who used to help us during the time of displacement. The problem is everyone is focusing on Nineveh Plain. Everyone is focusing on building and rebuilding, and reconstruction, and the renovation of the burned houses. And that's why we are unable until now to really do something about that. The houses is one issue. The people we spoke to at Neshtiman, they were also saying it was a question of security, and a question of infrastructure, and a question of public services. And also in other areas that have been liberated. We have 8,000 families already in Nineveh Plain. So when you have 8,000 families in Nineveh Plain with churches, sisters, priests and bishops there, it means you have to bear with the community that is there. I mean, if we are talking about an area where no one has made a decision to go, ok, I'll give them all the rights to say that. But when you have 8,000 families already in Teleskof, Bartella, Bashiqa, Karemlash, and Qaraqosh, well here we could say, ok, we live as a community there. We know public services are not good. That was even before 2014. Security, we haven't heard any incidents so far. Yes, it's still a disputed area, which we are also working with the politicians, parliamentarians, to solve it peacefully, because we've said it quite clearly that any military clash that happens in this area, this would mean the end of the Christians in the area. We said it quite clearly. So we are fully aware of the situation of the Nineveh Plain. The churches here in Ankawa were celebrated for the role they played [in the 2014 displacement] ... I'd like to know a little more about your role ... what the churches are still doing to support this community. Well, here in Ankawa, little. Because since the time of the liberation and since the period of time when families have started to go back all the focus of the church and the NGOs, Catholic NGOs, is on rebuilding and reconstruction. We managed to get 2 million euros to rebuild Teleskof in which 1,100 families are settled now in Teleskof. Another $2 million from the Knights of Columbus to Karemlash, in which Karemlash is being rebuilt and over 360 families are there. Church in Need and Knights of Malta with the help of the German government are working on rebuilding Qaraqosh with L'Auvre d'Orient from France. There are so many people. So, the efforts of the church is to find enough subsidies really for this. Unfortunately, here in Ankawa, although we have around 2,000 families who are still in and out between here and Nineveh Plain, we stopped the housing program, food program, medical program, all of these which were provided for free for three years, has been stopped, because there's lack of funds on this. Everyone is focusing there. Nothing in Mosul, as a city, no. I did see that the community is recovering somewhat, the Assyrian community. I was there with Francois Hollande the other day. We visited an Assyrian church that looked like it had been completely refitted. But the congregation did seem very small. Extremely early days. We will not, as a church, we will not endanger our people for any principles. No. Because their life, their dignity is more important than having a piece of land there in Mosul. I mean, what for? Some of the people we spoke to as well, the key things were the cost of living in Erbil. If they were to look for somewhere else to live here, who are thinking Ankawa seems the natural place to go, the rent here is extremely high. This touches on another point -- that Ankawa is known in all of Iraq as being this Christian neighbourhood. But the likes of myself arriving here: expats, other immigrant workers from around the world, the price of rent going up, do you think that maybe the cultural makeup of Ankawa itself is beginning to change and to move away from Christianity? No, and in a way you see these rents make an income for certain families. It's not a luxury style of living, it's just that life is expensive here in Erbil, it's not easy. When you go shopping... And don't forget the economic crisis hit also the Christians as well as everyone, but it feels on minorities more. Hopefully now when the salaries are back again, there will be more income, more jobs. You know, before 2014, 900 young people were every day travelling from Qaraqosh to here to work in Erbil, because there was a lot of work. Everything collapsed at the end of 2013, beginning of 2014, and that's what's really bad. But it's part of making income. Yes we know the fact that lots of hotels, lot of restaurants, all of these will change also the style of Ankawa, but on the other hand now we have around 7,000 Christian families in Ankawa. It's the largest Christian enclave in the Middle East. It's not easy when you are surrounded by crisis, inevitable crisis in the region around you, Turkey, Baghdad, everything. All of these political disputes surrounding Iraq will make its effect on Iraq and also it will be felt on us. But, as I told you, we as a church keep the families of Neshtiman in our mind and hopefully we will be able one day to convince some of the donors to contribute at least paying partially some of the rent and stuff like that because if they come and rent here for $300 or $400 or probably more, at least find a way of really helping them in that. So really they face three options. They are supported to afford to live in Ankawa, they are encouraged and empowered to move into empty homes in Bartella, Qaraqosh, or they have to rely on the IDP camps. Yep. IDP camps are not a long term solution. We don't like it. Is the KRG doing enough to move this forward, and is Baghdad helping enough? The KRG have said it from the beginning that the economic crisis has hit the economy badly. Over 1,400,000 IDPs already from Anbar and Saladin and all of Mosul, and don't forget these people from Syria. But, during the crisis, the government themselves were quite helpful, facilitating all of the logistics. Because we as a church for example built 14 schools, and with the help of the government of Erbil made it quite easy for us really to cross all of these bureaucratic [hurdles]. And when we had the head of the educational department Mr Fahim Babakar [it] was quite a help for us. Yes, so the government with its limited resources, I would say yes, they were a big help. Really, without their support and pushing of issues, many cases were difficult to be passed. My final summing up question -- it's a leading question, because you've given me a very optimistic picture I think overall, but answer as you wish. Is Christianity as a surviving, lasting minority in this region, is it doomed, long term? Well, I would say yes. And Ankawa would be the last place for the Christians in Iraq. I would say that. We will still have Christians here and there, but as a strong community I would say Ankawa. And that's why we have to think long term not just of a survival plan but a thrival plan. Thinking of a good infrastructure like schools, hospital, universities, some good business coming to encourage Christians really to stay and thrive and to contribute in that. And you have the support of the government for that case, which is needed. Health Ministry on Thursday stated that it is taking stock of the public health measures for controlling West Nile Virus in Kerala. Union Health Minister JP Nadda is closely monitoring the situation and has spoken to the Health Minister of Kerala in this regard, said officials. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also been alerted and a close watch is being maintained at the Central and state level. West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne disease. So far there are no reports of the virus spreading to other parts of the country, the Health Ministry noted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and Pakistan on Thursday agreed to work "expeditiously" to operationalise Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and decided to hold a meeting of the technical experts on March 19, which will be followed by another round of talks on the issue on April 2. "The first meeting to discuss the modalities and the draft Agreement for facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib using the Kartarpur Corridor was held today at Attari, India in a cordial environment. Both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalizing the Kartapur Sahib Corridor," read the statement. "It was agreed to hold the next meeting at Wagah on 2 April 2019. This will be preceded by a meeting of the technical experts on 19 March 2019 at the proposed zero points to finalize the alignment," further read a statement. An eighteen-member Pakistani delegation arrived in India on Thursday. The Indian delegation was led by S.C.L. Das, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Pakistan delegation was led by Mohammad Faisal, DG (SA and SAARC) of Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affair Meanwhile, The Indian delegation is scheduled to visit Islamabad on March 28, according to Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Kartarpur Corridor is a long pending demand of Indian devotees which have been a matter of discussion since 1999 when Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Lahore. It also figured in discussions in composite dialogue, where Pakistan was asked to make Kartarpur part of 1974 protocol as one of the holy shrines in 2005, sources said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and the United States have asked Pakistan to take "tangible and irreversible" action against the terrorist groups emanating from its soil. The two sides also said that Pakistan should deny "safe haven" for the terrorist groups to "launch cross-border attacks", according to a press statement issued by the Indian Embassy here after a meeting between Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and US National Security Advisor John Bolton on Wednesday. "Both underlined the importance of Pakistan taking tangible and irreversible action against terrorist groups based in territories under its control and denial of safe haven for these groups to launch cross-border attacks," the statement said. A tweet by Bolton following the meeting said that the US stands "shoulder-to-shoulder" with India in the fight against terrorism. "Met with Indian FS Gokhale to advance progress on the U.S.-India strategic partnership & our shared vision for the Indo-Pacific, as well as reiterate that the U.S. stands shoulder-to-shoulder with India in the fight against terrorism," the tweet read. China on Wednesday blocked a proposal in the UN Security Council to enlist Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. In another statement on Wednesday, the Embassy said India and the US agreed to establish six American nuclear power plants in India. Giving a boost to bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, the agreement came after the ninth round of India-US Strategic Security Dialogue, which was co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Gokhale and US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Andrea Thompson. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and the United States on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to work together to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems and to deny access to such weapons by terrorists and non-state actors. The agreement was reached during the ninth round of the India-US Strategic Security Dialogue held here. The Indian delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, while the US delegation was led by Andrea Thompson, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. "The two sides exchanged views on a wide range of global security and non-proliferation challenges and reaffirmed their commitment to work together to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems and to deny access to such weapons by terrorists and non-state actors," according to a statement by the External Affairs Ministry. The US also reaffirmed its strong support of India's early membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group. "They committed to strengthen bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, including the establishment of six US nuclear power plants in India," the MEA said. On March 12, Indra Mani Pandey, Additional Secretary for Disarmament and International Security Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and Dr Yleem DS Poblete, US Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, co-chaired the third round of the India-US Space Dialogue. Both sides discussed trends in space threats, respective space priorities and opportunities for bilateral cooperation and in multilateral fora, the external affairs ministry said. "Now there is a big challenge in front of India to teach a lesson to China which has done protection of a monstrous terrorist like Masood Azhar by standing with Pakistan at the international level. To teach a lesson to China, the most effective weapon is to boycott Chinese products. China does around Rs 20 lakh crore business with India. It is afraid of its economic loss more than war as it understands the language of economy more. That is why I would urge the people of India to 100 per cent boycott Chinese products," Ramdev told ANI here. "If you will do this, then not just China, but the whole world will get to know the power of India... If we will boycott them, then China will have to think on which side it stands. The money we give to China is given to the American Army by them and from there it goes to the terrorists, who buy bullets from them and do attacks like Pulwama. The bullets bought from your money kill your jawans. We need to think about this. If we will boycott them, then China won't be able to protect Pakistan, its Army and terrorists. We need to boycott countries like China and people who support terrorists in India," he added. Resonating similar sentiments, Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal told ANI, "China has exposed itself by the double policy that it has shown by trying to block Masood Azhar being branded as a global terrorist. I am shocked by this. China is speaking Pakistan's language. Now the time is right for 1.3 billion people of India to give a befitting reply to China by not allowing a single Chinese product at our homes. Indians should express anger by boycotting Chinese products." The call for boycotting Chinese goods comes after it once again blocked on Wednesday a proposal in the UN Security Council to enlist Masood Azhar as an international terrorist despite his outfit carrying out the ghastly Pulwama terror attack. This was the fourth time when China used the technical hold to block the proposal, which is being pushed by other permanent members of the UNSC, particularly the US, Britain and France. India expressed disappointment over the development but vowed to continue to pursue "all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens" are brought to justice. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Talks have begun between India and Pakistan to discuss and finalise the modalities for the Kartarpur Corridor here on Thursday. An eighteen-member Pakistani delegation arrived in India on Thursday. Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan to India, Syed Haider Shah on Wednesday had said the two neighbouring nations will discuss the visa-free access to the corridor. The Indian delegation is scheduled to visit Islamabad on March 28, according to Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Amid the heightened tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad, India said that talks on the Kartarpur Corridor are in no way a resumption of bilateral dialogue with Pakistan. "It (Kartarpur Corridor talks) is not a resumption of any bilateral dialogue. It is related to the emotions and sentiments of Indian citizens of Sikh faith and our decision to meet (Pakistan) reflects our strong commitment to operationalise the Kartarpur Sahib corridor on the occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji and also to meet the long-pending demand of Indian citizens of Sikh faith to have easy and smooth access to the holy gurudwara, Kartarpur Sahib," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar stated at a media briefing last week. . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) One of the leading brands in the water purifier industry, Kent RO Systems Pvt. Ltd. has been bestowed with the Best Domestic Water Purifier Award 2018-19 for its RO+UV+UF technology at the Water Digest Water Awards organized at The Lalit, New Delhi. Water Digest Water Awards backed by the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and UNESCO, is a prestigious domestic water award with the vision to awaken the 'Eco-Consciousness', it is an eminent platform to appreciate the outstanding and exceptional accomplishment in the environment sector. With the key focus on people, innovations, and processes that contribute to the sustainability of water resources, it honours the Organizations/NGOs/Corporate that has worked to ensure that the efficient use of water resources are registered in the mind of people and industry. "It gives me immense pleasure to see so many people put their valuable trust in us. Our objective has always been to touch lives with the way we curate technology, and such recognition only boosts us to continue it over and over again. Kent has become the first choice when people think of a water purifier and winning awards like these just reflect on the kind of quality that we intend to provide to our users. I want to extend our gratitude to people for this hearty acceptance, and we aim to ensure safety from water-borne diseases as we have always done", said Dr Mahesh Gupta, Chairman, Kent RO Systems Pvt. Ltd. Reverse Osmosis (RO) removes the all pollutants and contaminants from water, UV also known as Ultra Violet Radiation kills bacteria and virus and Ultra Filtration, an additional layer of security which works without electricity, filters remnants of microbial bodies. Thus, a combination of all three provides multistage purification which makes the water 100% safe and pure. Kent RO Systems has been awarded various prestigious recognition and accolades over the past years, including Organization of the Year Awards 2017, Best Domestic Water Purifier Award 2016-17, Asia's Most Promising Brand 2016 and many more. This story is provided by NewsVoir. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three persons including BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sampatiya Uike's son, Satendra were arrested from Mandla in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday for allegedly possessing heroin, police said. All three were arrested while police during an inspection seized 41 packets of heroin containing total 3.380 grams of heroin from them. Apart from Satendra the other two have been identified as Shahrukh and Abhishek. 17 packets of heroin were seized from Satendra while 10 packets were recovered from Shahrukh and the rest from Abhishek, police said. RRS Parihar, SP, said, "Total seizure of 3.380 grams of heroin has been done. On Wednesday driver of one white Honda Brio car sped his vehicle on seeing the police following which we gave chase and on checking the car we recovered the drug." A case under relevant sections has been registered against the accused and further investigation is underway. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A federal judge on Wednesday added another 43 months to the jail term of US President Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign chairman Paul Manafort, which means the 69-year-old will now serve an overall seven-and-half-year of prison term. A visibly distraught and quiet Manafort appeared before District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson for the second sentencing. Describing himself as a changed man, Manafort regretted the crimes he committed and the pain caused to his family during the hearing. "I am sorry for what I have done and for all of the activities that have gotten us here today. I know that it was my conduct that brought me here today. For that, I am remorseful," he was quoted by The Hill as saying. Manafort will be given credit for the nine months he has already spent in jail, which means he will spend less than seven years in prison. On March 8, Manafort was awarded 47 months in prison and was convicted on charges of stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into alleged interference by Russia in the 2016 presidential election and potential collaboration between Trump campaign and Moscow. Last year, Manafort was convicted on charges of tax fraud, bank fraud and failure to report foreign bank accounts. He also failed to pay taxes on millions of dollars in income he earned from Ukrainian political consulting. Manafort agreed to cooperate with the ongoing investigation into Russian meddling probe in the 2016 polls. He had pleaded guilty to criminal charges that he cheated Internal Revenue Service, violated foreign lobbying laws and tried justice. According to reports, Manafort's cooperation in the investigation shaved off a potential 10-year prison sentence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BSP chief Mayawati and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav met on Wednesday to discuss the poll strategy for the upcoming elections, according to a source. The meeting which lasted for about an hour and a half might have witnessed talks about seat share and other relevant strategies for elections. On Tuesday the BSP supremo had said, "BSP-SP alliance is working with respect and is considered as 'first and perfect' in UP, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh. This alliance is capable of defeating BJP and bringing about societal changes which are needed for interest." Incidentally, the meeting of the BSP and SP leaders came after Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid a visit to Bhim army chief Chandrashekhar Azad in a Lucknow hospital earlier on Wednesday. Azad was hospitalised after he complained of high blood pressure and fell unconscious while he and his supporters were being taken into police custody for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct. Earlier, SP and BSP, while announcing their alliance, said they will contest 37 and 38 seats, respectively, in the upcoming polls. The two parties had also agreed not to field candidates from Rai Bareli and Amethi, currently represented by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi, respectively. In Uttar Pradesh, the highest number of Lok Sabha seats is at stake. Congress has decided to contest all 80 seats after the party was not made a part of the SP-BSP alliance. The Congress leadership had said that they will fight the Lok Sabha polls with 'full force' in Uttar Pradesh. It is worth mentioning that Congress fought Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in alliance with SP in 2017. However, the BJP had registered a landslide victory. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Increased Fears for Christians in Iran There are increased fears over the safety of Christians in Iran following the arrest of three more worshippers in Rasht, Gilan Province, during what activists describe as an "ongoing official campaign of repression" against the religious minority. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), an advocacy group, explained that some of those arrested for merely practising their faith are from the Church of Iran, one of the largest evangelical church movements. On February 23, two men - identified as Babak Hosseinzadeh and Behnam Akhlagh - were arrested by security forces while attending a church service. Another man -- identified as Mehdi Khatibi -- was arrested that same day following a summons from the secret police. This brings the total number of Christians arrested in Rasht alone since the beginning of the year to six, following the arrests of Hossein Kadivar (Elisha) and Khalil Dehghanpour on January 29 and Pastor Matthias Haghnejad on February 10. Pastor Haghnejad, who was leading a service when arrested by the Revolutionary Guards, has been arrested and tried multiple times since 2006, in Rasht, Shiraz, and Karaj. It is not clear why Iran began this latest crackdown on Christians, but the mullahs have expressed fears in the past that the spread of Christianity could well lead to the downfall of the Mullahs. CSW's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said this is "a heightened campaign of repression that has seen Christians receiving excessive charges and sentences merely for exercising their right to manifest their religion in private and in community with others and in a peaceable manner". He advised that Iran's punishment of Christians violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Iranian constitution. He urged Iran to release the detained Christians immediately and unconditionally. These developments came at the same time that a Christian woman, Shamiram Issavi, launched an appeal against a five-year jail sentence for "acting against national security", imposed against her and postponed in January 2018. Observers explain that the presiding judge, Ahmad Zargar, seemed confused about the details of her case and ruled that her next hearing would take place after Persian New Year, alongside that of her husband, Pastor Victor Bet-Tamraz, and three Christians who were sentenced alongside him. The three congregation members converted from Islam to Christianity. Issavi and Tamraz, a well-known ethnic Assyrian pastor, were the leaders of the Assyrian Pentecostal Church of Shahrara before it was forced to close in March 2009. Tamraz was given a ten-year sentence in July 2017, alongside two congregation members, Kavian Fallah-Mohammadi, and Hadi Asgari, while a third person, Amin Afshar-Naderi, was given an additional five years for "insulting the sacred". Issavi and Tamraz's son, Ramiel Bet-Tamraz, was sentenced to four months in prison for "spreading propaganda against the system" through "membership of illegal house churches", but is appealing his conviction. Wahid Sheikh, a school teacher acquitted in the 2006 Mumbai terror blasts case is now offering people free legal advice. Sheikh arrested in connection with the 2006 Mumbai terror blasts case was acquitted of all charges in 2015 when trial concluded. After his acquittal, he resumed his teaching profession and also obtained a law degree. "I started pursuing LLB while in jail as I felt it is needed to fight my case. Now, I offer free legal aid to those who need it," says Sheikh. He had even penned a book documenting his prison experience. "Begunah Qaidi," (Innocent Prisoner) which he wrote while he was in prison was brought out in 2016 by a Delhi-based publisher in two languages--Hindi and Urdu. Sheikh expects that the book and his experiences will help other innocent people who are jailed for no reason. Sheikh has completed his law degree but being a teacher in a government school, he is not allowed to practice law as per the norms laid down by the Bar Commission of India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "I have seen some media is twisting my comments made in an interview. Here is what I said - it may seem to some people that Mr Modi is stronger on terror but I think this is a poll gimmick more than anything else," Dikshit tweeted. "I also added that security has always been a concern and Indira ji has been a strong leader," she said in another tweet. When asked by ANI to clarify on her remarks, Dikshit said, "If something is taken out of context, I can't say." Earlier, in the interview to senior journalist Vir Sanghvi for CNN-News18 whose excerpts were aired by the channel, she said, "Manmohan Singh, yes, I agree with you, was not as strong as and as determined as he (Modi) is. But there is also a feeling that he is doing it all for " She was responding when told that after the Indian air strike at Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror camp in Balakot in Pakistan on February 26, Modi would argue that when things like Mumbai attacks happened (in 2008), "we did nothing in return whereas he has offered a strong basket of response." Dikshit, a former three-time Chief Minister of Delhi, was also asked to comment on the mood of security after the air strike and that "people will look to Mr Modi because he is a strong leader." In response, she countered, "What do you mean by security?" Singhvi said according to Mr Modi, it would mean going to other person's house and teaching him a lesson. To this, Dikshit said, "I want to ask you a counter question. Has there been any time that security of this country has not been taken care of, even during Indira ji's time? After the air strike, Modi has been questioning why the then UPA government did not respond as strongly after November 2008 attacks, in which 10 Pakistani terrorists targeted a number of places in the financial capital of India, and killed 166 people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India cannot have a dialogue with Pakistan unless the neighbouring country takes action against terror groups operating from its soil, External Affair Minister Sushma Swaraj has said. Speaking at an event here, Swaraj said on Wednesday, "We do not want talk on terror, we want action on it. Terror and talks cannot go together. We are ready to engage with Pakistan in an atmosphere free from terror." "Some people say (Pakistan Prime Minister) Imran Khan is a statesman. If he is so generous then he should hand over JeM chief Masood Azhar to India. Let's see how generous he is," she said. "Pakistan needs to control the ISI and its army who are bent on destroying the bilateral relations time and again," she said. Swaraj's remarks came hours before the deadline to raise objection to the listing of a proposal to declare Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Azhar as a global terrorist before the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council. For the fourth time in the last ten years, China on Wednesday blocked the proposal moved by the US, France and the UK, among others, on February 27. Terming the UNSC a "non-effective organisation", Swaraj said that it does not reflect today's "geopolitical reality". "We all know that the UNSC is the non-effective organisation in today's world. The entire world is in turmoil, not just the Middle East, but the organisation is unable to do anything. Because it does not reflect the geopolitical reality." "India is not a part of the organisation (as a permanent member). India was not even independent at the time of the United Nations formation. So tell me, the kind of organisation which does not reflect today's geopolitical reality will solve the world problems," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government on Thursday urged the Supreme Court to remove from the review petitions the leaked pages of the secret documents related to the Rafale fighter jet deal, claiming privilege. During the hearing on petitions seeking review of the top court's earlier order which gave a clean chit to the government in the fighter deal, Attorney General KK Venugopoal said the documents cited by the petitioners were the stolen ones. "State documents can't be published without explicit permission," he said. Venugopal maintained that the security of State supersedes everything. The apex court's bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, asked the government's top advocate, "What privilege do you claim? They have already produced them in court." Upon hearing the Attorney General's submissions, the Chief Justice asked him to file an affidavit claiming the privilege. The bench, which also included Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and KM Joseph, reserved its order on the privilege issue. Petitioner Prashant Bhushan said the intentions of the government are "mala fide" as he argued that sharing of the said documents did not compromise the nation's safety and security. "The intention was not to harm security or defence services. Virtually these documents were published and are in public domain for a long time. Section 123 of the Indian Evidence Act refers to prevent those documents which are not in the public domain. But these documents were already in the public domain," he contended. "The CAG report submitted by the government itself contains all details of as many as 10 defence deals. It is untenable on their part to now claim the privilege. Rafale is the only case where they redacted pricing details," Bhushan said. He said the government had itself leaked some of the documents containing notings by the then Defence Minister (Manohar Parrikar). "Violation of procedure may have been done but no issue of safety and security been compromised at all as alleged by centre," the petitioner said. Bhushan also referred to a 2014 order in the 2G case in which the court had asked him to disclose the source of information but the apex court had later recalled its order on disclosing source of the information. "The Supreme Court had accepted entry registers of former CBI Director Ranjit Sinha in 2G and Coal Block cases without insisting on the petitioner to reveal how the registers were obtained," he argued. Bhushan also submitted to the SC that there is no need for disclosing the source. He said that disclosing the source was not a necessity, as and when matters of public interest are there.Another petitioner Arun Shourie also argued that, "If AG said that the documents were stolen and photocopied, then it proves that the documents were genuine." During today's hearing, one of the petitioners in the case, Manohar Lal Sharma also questioned as to why no FIR has been registered under the Official Secrets Act if the documents are classified. Earlier on Wednesday, the government had filed a fresh affidavit in the apex court in the Rafale case, saying that "unauthorisedly-accessed" documents related to "internal secret deliberations" had been presented in a "selective" manner to mislead the court and amounted to damaging security. The Ministry of Defence sought dismissal of both the review petition and the miscellaneous application in the matter while contending that "it has become imperative for the Union of India to seek removal of these documents from the record of the Review Petition and Miscellaneous application filed by the petitioners". It told the court that the documents attached by the petitioners in the Rafale review case are sensitive to national security and relate to war capacity of the combat aircraft. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A special NIA court on Thursday adjourned the Samjhauta blast case. It will now come up for hearing on March 18. Earlier in the day, Momin Malik, the counsel for Pakistani Rahila Wakil, said that no guilty will be spared and no innocent will be punished in the case. "As an Indian lawyer, I wish to assure that if I feel Aseemanand is not guilty, he won't be punished. No guilty will be spared and no innocent will be punished. I have all the records. I just want everything to be crystal clear," he said while speaking to media. Giving details of the incident, he reminded that 10 of the 68 people who died in the blast were Indians. "Six of them were civilians while four were Railway personnel," he said. "There is no provision of the time limit in Section 311 of the CrPC, 1973. At every stage of the trial we can file prosecution," he claimed. On Monday, the NIA court had reserved the order in the case for March 14 after a Pakistani filed an application on Monday stating that she wanted to place 'additional evidence' on record. "An application was moved by a Pakistani national, Raheela Wakil, stating she wanted to produce her witnesses. Her father had died in the blast. But, we had issued a number of summons to the Pakistani nationals. They were intimated as well, but no one came to the court to give their responses," advocate SC Sharma had told reporters after the hearing on Monday. Alleging that the Pakistani nationals were trying to derail the case, he said, "This motive of moving the application towards the fag end will be taken up in the next hearing. The application is likely to be dismissed. Court has asked that Pakistani (Raheela Wakil) to file a written reply that why it should not be dismissed. A date after 14th March's hearing will be given for the verdict." On February 18, 2007, an explosion had occurred in Samjhauta Express in Haryana's Panipat district, claiming the lives of around 68 people. Out of the deceased, 33 male, 19 female, 10 male children and six were female children."Two unexploded bombs were also recovered from the site," the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had said. "This terrorist act was committed by using Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) along with the highly inflammable substances, which caused blasts and consequent fire in the compartments of the train no. 4001 UP Attari (Samjhauta) Express at Panipat, Haryana," the charge sheet read. "The Samjhauta Express (Attari) train blast case of 18.02.2007 was a "dreadful terrorist act" in which two powerful bomb blasts were carried out by a group of people in pursuance of a criminal conspiracy with an intent to kill people and further to threaten the unity, integrity, security and sovereignty of India and to strike terror in the people of India and in a foreign country," the charge sheet said. The charge sheet alleged that all the accused were agitated and perturbed over the attacks on Hindu temple sites and towns by the Islamic terrorist groups. In order to retaliate to such attacks, the accused persons conspired to target the Muslim population. Accused Rajendra Chaudhary conspired, planned, executed the attack along with other suspects. They planted bombs in the Samjhauta Express train along with other co-accused persons on February 18. The investigation clearly established that the blasts which took place in Samjhauta Express, Mecca Masjid, Ajmer Sharif were carried out by the accused persons in pursuance to a criminal conspiracy. The NIA filed the first charge sheet before a special CBI court in Panchkula in 2011 and named five major accused namely Naba Kumar Sarkar alias Swami Aseemanand, Sunil Joshi alias Manoj Joshi alias Guruji, Ramchandra Kalsangra alias Ramji alias Vishnu Patel, Sandeep Dange alias Parmanand and Lokesh Sharma alias Kalu. While in 2012, a supplementary charge sheet was filed against two people, namely Kamal Chauhan alias Badrinarayan alias Vijay, and Amit alias Ashok alias Prince. In the following year, in another supplementary charge sheet, the premier investigators of terror crimes named another accused Rajendra Chaudhary alias Samunder alias Laxman Das Maharaj. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The countdown has begun for the Paharganj - The little Amsterdam of India's release after the poster of the movie was released on 12th March. Movie trailer launched today after trending on Twitter, IMDb as one of the most anticipated movies in recent times. The music of the movie was released digitally by Sony Music India and 'Kyun Dil Mera' by Mohit Chauhan and the title track garnered 5.5+ million views on YouTube alone. The songs are streaming on all the music platforms. The trailer begins with things looking dark for Laura Costa while she deals with the missing case of her love Robert. As she begins her search in the lanes of Paharganj, she declares that "the place is complicated." She adds that "I will never be able to find you like this." In parallel, there is a telling shot of police dealing with a murder declaring that the suspects belong to a part of international hippie conspiracy. Another shot shows the police decoding Robert's last known location. While another shows Tomar being accused of threatening to kill Robert while Tomar laughs maniacally. Is Robert Alive or is he the murder victim? "I will not leave India without Robert," says Laura as the trailer ends. Will Laura find him despite being misled in the twisted lanes with their forbidden stories. The trailer looks up and coming with the promise of 'Expect the unexpected'. Witness the mystery unfolds on April 12 in cinemas near you. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "Manmohan Singh, yes, I agree with you, was not as strong as and as determined as he (Modi) is. But there is also a feeling that he is doing it all for politics," the senior Congress leader said in an interview to Vir Sanghvi for CNN-News18 channel. She was responding when told that after the Indian air strike at Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror camp in Balakot in Pakistan on February 26, Modi would argue that when things like Mumbai attacks happened (in 2008), "we did nothing in return whereas he has offered a strong basket of response." Dikshit, a former three-time Chief Minister of Delhi, was also asked to comment on the "mood of security" after the air strike and that "people will look to Mr Modi because he is a strong leader." In response, she shot back, "What do you mean by security?" Singhvi said according to Mr Modi, it would mean going to other person's house and teaching him a lesson. To this, Dikshit said, "I want to ask you a counter question. Has there been any time that security of this country has not been taken care of, even during Indira ji's time? After the air strike, Modi has been questioning why the then UPA government did not respond as strongly after November 2008 attacks, in which 10 Pakistani terrorists targeted a number of places in the financial capital of India, and killed 166 people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After having talks with senior Congress leaders Ahmed Patel and Ashok Chavan, the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) will wait till Thursday evening before deciding whether to be a part of NCP-Congress alliance or not in Maharashtra, said Raju Shetti on Thursday. Shetti, president of SSS, confirmed to ANI that he has agreed to wait till Thursday evening after senior Congress leaders requested him to do so. A meeting of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee is slated to be held on Thursday where the issues related to the ensuing Lok Sabha elections will be discussed. Commenting on his two-day ultimatum to Congress-NCP over seat sharing, he said: "I should get at least two seats. When I was in the BJP, we got three seats. In the Congress, I should get at least two seats, if not three." The three seats are-Wardha, Buldhana, and Hatkanangale, the seat which Shetti himself represents in the Lok Sabha. In Maharashtra, 48 Lok Sabha seats are at stake. However, Shetti reaffirmed that he will not go with the BJP. "I can contest elections alone, but I will not go with the BJP," he said. The Congress is reportedly willing to give only one seat to the SSS but at the same time is not willing to disappoint the regional party given Shetti's clout among farmers of the state. On Tuesday, Raju Shetti gave a two-day ultimatum to Congress and NCP to decide his party's demand for three Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. "SSS is prepared to contest 15 constituencies if we have to contest alone," he said Tuesday. He, however, added that everyone should come together to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "but the Congress and NCP do not seem to be serious." The Election Commission of India on March 10 announced the schedule for 17th Lok Sabha election, which will be held in seven phases, beginning April 11. The final phase of voting will take place on May 19. The counting of votes will be done on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tamil Nadu Bishops' Council wrote to State Election Commission seeking change in Lok Sabha poll date in the state and Puducherry which falls on April 18, citing the clash of dates with 'Maundy Thursday', a public ceremony on the Thursday before Easter. In a letter written to Commission, Bishops' Council stated that polling date (April 18) coincides with Maundy Thursday and it would not be conducive for the people of the Christian community. This comes after, an all-party delegation on Tuesday demanded date change of Lok Sabha election in Tamil Nadu, which is scheduled to take place on April 18, in view of Chithirai festival from April 8 to 22. The Election Commission had announced the schedule for Lok Sabha elections. The dates for the seven phases are April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19. Counting of votes will be done on May 23. Earlier, some leaders had also raised objections over the clash of the ensuing Lok Sabha elections with the holy month of Ramzan. However, the Election Commission of India (EC) had said that it has excluded the date of the main festival and Fridays from the poll schedule but a full month cannot be excluded. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aamir Khan, during an interactive session with media on Thursday, reacted on Kangana Ranaut accusation that Aamir did not supporting her recent release 'Manikarnika Soon after her first movie as a filmmaker hit the theatres across the country, Ranaut launched open attacks on B-town celebrities for not getting what she described as support for her films and allegedly ganging up against her. Apart from directly attacking actors like Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor, the actor also reportedly expressed her displeasure over Aamir not attending the trials of her films. When asked to comment, the 'Thugs of Hindostan' actor in his signature calm demeanour said, "Oh she was upset with me? Why? She didn't say anything to me. I will ask her when I meet her" Aamir Khan said this during a press meet especially organised to celebrate his birthday with the media. It has become a ritual for the actor to start his birthday, every year, by cutting a cake with wife Kiran Rao and media at his residence in Mumbai's Bandra. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Protest erupted near Sri Lankan Embassy against Sri Lankan Government here on Thursday for dragging the investigation on the war crimes that took place in the south-Asian island nation in 2008. The protesters demanded the Indian government to take the issue in the United Nations (UN) council to take immediate action against Colombo. The protest was organised by Ezha Tamilar Vaalvurimai Kootamaipu, and VCK party leaders including Thirumavalavan, Thyagu, Kolathur Mani participated in the protest. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The British Parliament on Wednesday voted to reject a no-deal Brexit, which allows the United Kingdom to leave the European Union without any agreement.Amid uncertainty over the UK's status of leaving the EU, British lawmakers voted to rule out a no-deal Brexit by 321 to 278. A vote is slated to take place on Thursday evening on whether to delay the withdrawal process beyond the March 29 deadline, British Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed. The British parliamentarians also rejected an amendment which sought to delay Brexit until May 22 for further preparations to take place with an aim to alleviate the impact of a possible no-deal Brexit if no agreement was reached, CNN reported. May warned that if the British Parliament cannot reach an agreement, the prospects of UK leaving the EU will be longer and urged the lawmakers to support a deal "in the coming days," so that her government can allow the withdrawal process to delay for a short period of time. "Such an extension would undoubtedly require the UK to hold European Parliament elections in May 2019. I do not think that would be the right outcome. But the House needs to face up to the consequences of the decisions it has taken," she was quoted by CNN as saying. The British Parliament on Tuesday rejected May's Brexit deal for a second time, tossing the UK into the unknown, 16 days before it is due to split from the EU. Even after May secured further guarantees from Brussels over its most controversial elements the House of Commons voted by 391 to 242 to reject the deal. Earlier, May had managed to secure "legally binding changes" to "strengthen and improve" Britain's Withdrawal Agreement from the EU, according to Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington. The British Prime Minister, who dismissed the prospects of a second Brexit referendum, has been pushing for the Brexit deal to be accepted by the UK Parliament. She has repeatedly stated that "this is a Brexit that delivers." The Leader of the Opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, has time and again labelled it as a "botched deal", having previously announced his Labour Party's intent of holding a public vote to avoid a "damaging Tory Brexit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The British Parliament on Thursday voted in favour of delaying the Brexit process beyond the scheduled date of March 29 and overwhelmingly rejected a call for a second referendum, plunging the country into political chaos. The vote to delay the UK's exit from the European Union was passed by 412 votes to 202 in the House of Commons, which means the British parliamentarians acknowledged that more time is required to break the deadlock, amid the uncertainty surrounding the country's status in leaving the European bloc. The motion now instructs British Prime Minister Theresa May to seek an extension to Article 50, the legal process under which the UK is leaving the European Union. Unanimous approval is needed from the remaining 27 EU member countries if there is a delay beyond March 29, CNN reported. May is likely to seek the extension at a European Council summit in Brussels on March 21, after her controversial deal was rejected by the House of Commons for the second time on Tuesday. Apart from this, British lawmakers rejected a motion to support a second referendum on Brexit by 334 votes to 85. The vote was indicative and would not have been legally binding if it was passed in the House of Commons, according to CNN. The parliamentarians also narrowly rejected an amendment giving the British Parliament power to take control of the Brexit process from May's administration. The vote was dismissed by 314 votes to 312. The motion would have given the lawmakers, instead of the British government, the opportunity to control the parliamentary agenda, which includes negotiations on Brexit without a time limit. British lawmakers on Wednesday voted to reject a no-deal Brexit, which allows the UK to leave the EU without any agreement. The motion was rejected by 321 votes to 278. May had earlier warned that the Brexit process could be delayed longer if her agreement was rejected for the third time. If that happens, it would force the UK to elect members to the European Parliament in the elections slated to be held in May. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The United States on Thursday sent three officials to France to assist with the investigation of the black boxes retrieved from the Boeing 737 Max 8 plane of Ethiopian Airlines that crashed with 157 people on board. Sputnik cited a statement released by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), saying, "The US National Transportation Safety Board is dispatching three investigators to France on Thursday to assist with the downloading and analysis of flight recorders from the Boeing 737 MAX 8 that crashed Sunday near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia." On Thursday, the black boxes reached France's BEA (Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety) air accident investigation agency, where the analysis of the recorded data will be conducted. The French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) will download the flight data recorder and cockpit recorder in support of the Ethiopian Airline investigation, the statement added. "Yes, the devices have been at BEA since 1 p.m. [local time, 12:00 GMT]," a BEA representative confirmed. Questions regarding the safety of the widely used Boeing 737 MAX 8 rose after the jets of the said make were involved in two air crashes in the last five months. On March 10, flight number 302 of the Ethiopian Airlines crashed a few minutes after takeoff from Adis Ababa, killing all 157 people on board. An aircraft of the same make was also involved in the Lion Airlines plane crash in the Java Sea near Jakarta, Indonesia last year. Here too, the aircraft crashed a few minutes after taking off, claiming the lives of all 189 people on board. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A day after China blocked a proposal at the United Nations Security Council to declare JeM chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said "weak" Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "scared" of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Taking to Twitter, Gandhi wrote, "Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India." For the fourth time in the last ten years, China on Wednesday blocked a proposal by the US, the UK and France, among others, to enlist Pakistan-based Azhar as a global terrorist. Later addressing a fisherman parliament in Thrissur in Kerala, he accused the Prime Minister of not doing enough for the uplift of the poor, fishermen, farmers and small businessmen. "Our Prime Minister is not concerned about the welfare of the poor, fishermen, farmers and small businessmen. He is only concerned about businessmen like Mehul Choksy, Nirav Modi and others. His philosophy is different from mine. I am here to uplift the poor and other weaker sections of the society but the Prime Minister only wants to help crony capitalists," he said. Gandhi also said if voted to power, the Congress party will set up a central ministry for fishermen. "I want to give you your own amplifier so that when you feel something, your voice is immediately heard in Delhi. In my view, there is only one amplifier that will solve your problem, that is your own ministry in Delhi," the Congress president said when asked about the measures his party will take to protect fishermen from the Sri Lankan Navy. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sub-Committee reviewed the major developments on the global and domestic fronts that impinge on the financial stability of the country A meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) was held today in Mumbai. Shaktikanta Das, Governor, Reserve Bank of India, chaired the meeting. The meeting was attended by the members of the Sub-Committee - Subhash Chandra Garg, Finance Secretary, Ministry of Finance; Injeti Srinivas, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs; Dr. Krishnamurthy Subramanian, Chief Economic Advisor, Ministry of Finance; Dr. S. C. Khuntia, Chairman, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI); Hemant G Contractor, Chairman, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA); Deputy Governors of the Reserve Bank - N. S. Vishwanathan, Dr. Viral V. Acharya, B.P. Kanungo and Mahesh Kumar Jain; Dr. Shashank Saksena, Secretary, Financial Stability and Development Council; and Dr. Deepak Mohanty, Executive Director of the Reserve Bank. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) was represented by G. Mahalingam, Whole Time Member, while Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) was represented by Dr. Navrang Saini, Whole Time Member. The Sub-Committee reviewed the major developments on the global and domestic fronts that impinge on the financial stability of the country. The Sub-Committee discussed ways to address challenges pertaining to the quality of credit ratings; and interlinkages between housing finance companies and housing developers. The Sub-Committee also deliberated on interlinking of various regulatory databases and National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI). Further, the Sub-Committee reviewed the functioning of State Level Coordination Committee (SLCCs) in various States / Union Territories (UTs), activities of its various Technical Groups, and a thematic study on financial inclusion and financial stability. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Infosys announced that it will be opening a new Digital Innovation Center in Bucharest, Romania at an event attended by local government officials and university representatives. The center will focus on developing offerings for clients based on cutting-edge digital technologies including Cloud, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Infosys will invest in training programs for both its current employees and new hires. These training programs will focus on several key competencies including user experience, Cloud, Big Data, digital offerings, core technology skills and computer science skills. Infosys also plans to open a new Cyber Defence Center in Bucharest this summer. The Center will provide end-to-end 24/7 cybersecurity services to help European and global clients progress on their digital transformation journey. Services include cyber forensics, ethical hacking, security analytics, threat detection and response. The center in Bucharest will be vital to delivering services across the European region, given GDPR and other country-specific data regulation requirements. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lupin has received a letter from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) classifying the inspection conducted at the company's Mandideep (Unit 1) facility in December 2018 as 'Official Action Indicated' (OAI). The USFDA has stated that this facility may be subject to regulatory or administrative action and that it may withhold approval of any pending applications or supplements in which this facility is listed. There are no new drug master files (DMF) and Abbreviated New Drug Applications (ANDA) pending review or approval from the Mandideep (Unit 1) facility and the company does not believe that this classification will have an impact on disruption of supplies or the existing revenues from operations of this facility. The company is in the process of sending further updates of its corrective actions to the USFDA and remains hopeful of a positive outcome. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 13 March 2019. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries said that its wholly owned subsidiary has increased its shareholding in PJSC Biosintez, Russia, by purchasing 33,958 shares (30221 ordinary shares and 3737 preferred shares) equivalent to 11.86% of PJSC Biosintez under mandatory tender offer. Post completion of this purchase of shares, the total holding of wholly owned subsidiary company increased from 85.10% to 96.96% in PJSC Biosintez. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 13 March 2019. Alembic Pharmaceuticals announced that a meeting of the NCD committee of the company will be held on Tuesday, 19 March 2019, to consider allotment of unsecured listed redeemable non-convertible debentures (NCDs) of upto Rs 150 crore on private placement basis under tranche III. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 13 March 2019. Bajaj Consumer Care said it has engaged the services of Bain & Company. Bain, the renowned global management consultant, has helped many FMCG companies in India develop and execute winning strategies to grow their businesses. Bain will help the company in formulating a front-end strategy for growth and also help in implementing it. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 13 March 2019. GE T&D India announced that it has been awarded a technology-driven grid modernization project by Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (RRVPL), as part of the utility's roadmap to implement grid initiatives and augmenting renewable energy in the state. Smart Transmission Network and Asset Management System (STNAMS), RRVPL's state-of-the-art power transmission roadmap, was designed to integrate large-scale renewable energy and support managing existing and future power structure. GE's Advanced Energy Management System (AEMS) will serve as a foundation for RRVPL's roadmap and enable the utility to alter production levels based on demand. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 13 March 2019. Star Cement has received Rs 115.18 crore towards its freight subsidy claims from the Central Government and a further amount of Rs 42.55 crore is expected to be received within a week's time. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 13 March 2019. HCL Technologies (HCL), a leading global technology company, announced the acquisition of Strong-Bridge Envision (SBE), a digital transformation consulting firm with offices in Seattle, Denver, Atlanta, and New York City. With this acquisition, SBE will become part of HCL's global Digital and Analytics business (HCL Mode 2 services). Strong-Bridge Envision, headquartered in Seattle, WA, is a digital consulting firm specializing in customer experience strategy, business transformation, and change management. The announcement was made after market hours yesterday, 13 March 2019. Wipro will be watched. Azim Premji, chairman of Azim Premji Foundation, announced after market hours yesterday, 13 March 2019, that he has increased his commitment to philanthropy, by irrevocably renouncing more of his personal assets and earmarking them to the endowment, which supports the foundation's philanthropic activities. He has done this by additionally earmarking all economic benefits for philanthropic purposes, in approximately 34% of the shares in Wipro (current market value Rs 52,750 crore/$7.5 billion), held by certain entities controlled by him. This action is in addition to his earlier donations to philanthropy, which included Wipro's shares, as well as other assets owned by him. With this action, the total value of the philanthropic endowment corpus contributed by Premji is Rs 1,45,000 crore ($21 billion), which includes 67% of economic ownership of Wipro. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Voltas has launched its new Brand Shop - Shalimar Marketing, in Jalandhar's premier shopping area. The brand store features a well-designed and visually appealing display of new range of Voltas and Voltas Beko' products, comprising Air Conditioners, Air Coolers, Commercial Refrigerators, Water Dispensers, Water Coolers, Refrigerators, Washing Machines, Microwaves and Dishwashers. Conveniently located in the heart of Jalandhar, the new brand shop would enhance Voltas' brand experience and visibility. The Brand Shop is being launched to meet the growing expectations of consumers in a major city like Jalandhar, with technologically advanced Home Appliance line up of Voltas Beko. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Can Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hope for a resounding third anniversary celebrations of his government two days after the results of the Lok Sabha polls are announced on May 23? This is the question that has been making the rounds immediately after the April 11-May 19 polls were announced. Kerala will will vote on April 23 to elect 20 Lok Sabha members. State CPI-M secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan is pretty confident that given the performance of the Vijayan government and the manner in which the Union government under Narendra ModiA had treated Kerala, the party will be able to put up a stellar performance similar to that in 2004, when the Left won 18 of the 20 seats. "We are expecting a similar performance this time and we were able to announce our candidates first and all of them are busy in their campaign. The morale of our cadres is also high," said Balakrishnan. LDF convenor A. Vijayaraghavan, a former member of both the upper and lower houses of parliament, said things have reached a stage where across the country, several Congress legislators have crossed over to the BJP at some point of time. "To take on the BJP, what are needed are lawmakers who can be trusted that they will always be there to take on the BJP. For that, the best bet is always the Left forces. Hence the need of the hour today is more of Left members should be there in Delhi when we supported the first UPA government. Also, there was a responsibility that we undertook for the good of the people," Vijayaraghavan added. One of the major issues that both the Congress-led UDF and the BJP-led NDA will be campaigning against the Left would be the manner in which the Vijayan government handled last year's apex court verdict that allowed women of all ages to enter the famed Sabarimala temple. Vijayan knows well that if the result goes in the CPI-M's favour, then he will no doubt be the most powerful leader in his party. If not, given the precarious position his party is in West Bengal and Tripura, it could well be the beginning of its demise. In the 2014 polls, the CPI-M had nine Lok Sabha members country-wide, with five of them from Kerala and two each from West Bengal and Tripura. Overall, Kerala's CPI-M led Left Democratic Front had sent eight MPs to the Lok Sabha - one from the CPI and two Left-supported independents). The Congress-led UDF won 12 seats. Knowing very well that the CPI-M in Kerala has a tough task ahead, the party began its campaign in style by announcing the entire list of 20 candidates even before the Election Commission announced the poll dates. Fourteen of them will contest on the CPI-M symbol while two would be fielded as LDF- supported independents. The remaining four seats have gone to the CPI leaving the rest of the eight allies without a single seat. The list of candidates looks very strong as the CPI-M has fielded what it considers the very best, including incumbents P.K. Sreemathi (Kannur), M.P. Rajesh (Palakkad), P.K. Biju (Alathur) and A. Sampath (Attingal). P. Karunakaran, who has completed a hat-trick of wins from Kasargode has been dropped and former party legislator K.P. Satish Chandran has taken his place. The two Left-supported Independents, ace comedian Innocent (Chalakudy) and Joyce George (Idukki) have also been renominated. The seriousness that Vijayan and the CPI-M are giving to the polls can be seen from the fact that six legislators, including two from the CPI-M - A. Pradeep Kumar (Kozhikode), A.M. Arif (Alappuzha) - and Left-supported independent legislator Veena George (Pathanamthitta) are all contesting on the party symbol. V.N. Vasavan, a former legislator, has been fielded from Kottayam, while two former Rajya Sabha members, P. Rajiv (Ernakulam) and K.N. Balagopal (Kollam) are also in the fray, as is Students Federation of India President V.P. Sanu (Malappuram). The biggest surprise in the list is party veteran and former legislator P. Jayarajan, who has previously been jailed in two murder cases. He will contest from the Badagara seat. State Congress President Mullapally Ramachandran, a veteran seven time MP who has decided against contesting this time, has slammed the selection of the hugely-tainted Jayarajan. "What's the message that the CPI-M is trying to send across by fielding such a person? This shows the pathetic situation they are in and shows a complete lack of confidence," Ramachandran said. Statistically, the LDF has 91 seats in the 140-member assembly and the Congress-led UDF 47 seats. The BJP has one seat and one seat is vacant. However, the voting pattern in Kerala is vastly different in the parliamentary and assembly polls. Thus, it could go either way for the CPI-M. (Sanu George can be contacted at sanu.g@ians.in) --IANS sg/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) When US Ambassador Kenneth I. Juster no longer saw the radiant blue Indian-style murals in his official residence, the Roosevelt House, that he had seen during his 2001 visit to India, he commissioned the works of art again. Unveiled on Thursday, the Blue Room at the Roosevelt House now shows recreated works by American artist Karen Lukas, who had initially done them in 1995 at the invitation of then Ambassador Frank Wisner and his wife Christine de Ganay. "When I first visited Roosevelt House in 2001, I remember vividly the murals in this dining room and how beautiful they were," Juster, who had then been Under Secretary in the US Commerce Department, said. The story of the first painting -- and removal -- of the Indian murals started in 1995 when Lukas suggested a way to honour India's artistic excellence to then ambassador's wife. Completely taken by the amazing arts and crafts and having visited villages where courtyards and walls were painted with the most beautiful traditional designs, Lukas set to paint the Rajasthan-inspired designs over the course of several months in 1995. It was not known when and why they had been removed. "When I came here as Ambassador in 2017, I was disappointed to see that the murals had been plastered over and the walls were bare white," Juster said, adding that he tried locating the artist who had originally done them. Lukas says that Ambassador Juster understood the respectful message of her painting and wanted to "recreate that beautiful space". Unfortunately, she had destroyed her original stencils, but she was able to recreate her design and work with a design company in New York named EverGreene. The Blue Room, which serves as the dining hall, supplements the historical section that shows photographs of different points in the US-India relationship in the House's main hallway. "Then, in the public living room and library, we have American artists on display. Then I thought it made sense in the dining room to restore the Indian art displayed in the murals," the US envoy said. Roosevelt House, designed by architect Edward Durell Stone with a vision that fused US and Indian architectural influences, now boasts of a room full of blue Indian motifs. The restoration was supported by the American Chamber of Commerce in India, the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, and the US-India Business Council and co-ordinated by the Fund to Conserve US Diplomatic Treasures Abroad, a public-private patnership with the US Department of State and its Office of Cultural Heritage. --IANS sj/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP on Thursday formed a three-member committee to select candidates for the 17 seats it is contesting in Bihar in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The election committee includes state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nityanand Rai, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and state Agriculture Minister Prem Kumar. The committee, formed at a meeting held at the party headquarters, has been told not to deny party tickets to any Union Minister from Bihar, BJP sources said. Senior BJP leader and Bihar Minister Nand Kishore Yadav told the media that the list of selected candidates will be sent to the BJP Central Election Committee for final approval. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will announce names of candidates for all the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state before March 21. The BJP is contesting 17 of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. According to the seat-sharing formula decided by the alliance, the BJP and the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) will contest 17 seats each, while the remaining six seats will go to the Ram Vilas Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). --IANS ik/rtp/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least four persons were killed and another 30 injured, including some critically, when a portion of a overhead pedestrian bridge outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus came crashing down on Thursday. The victims included three women and a man. Two of the women were identified as Apoorva Prabhu, 35, and Ranjana Tambe, 40, while the third was unidentified. The man was Zahid Siraj Khan, 32. The tragedy which shocked Mumbaikars occurred around 7.35 p.m. as the foot over bridge was reportedly overloaded with commuters hurrying to their homes, the BMC Disaster Control said. Connecting the CSMT's suburban platform No. 1 with the B.T. Lane near The Times of India Building and the Anjuman-e-Islam School, it was used by thousands of daily commuters rushing to catch the local trains on Central Railway and the Harbour Line. The injured have been rushed to the St. George Hospital and G. T. Hospital, besides Sion Hospital, said officials. On account of the debris, the peak hour traffic towards Byculla and Dadar and beyond was diverted, creating massive snarls across south Mumbai. This is the third major foot over bridge tragedy in Mumbai in the past 18 months. A foot over bridge at the Elphinstone Road railway station crashed on September 29, 2017, killing 29 commuters. The second occurred on July 3, 2018 when a portion of the foot over bridge crashed on the railway tracks near Andheri station, killed at least one and injuring many more. After the two previous tragedies, the BMC, the Railways and other agencies had carried out a survey of all new and old railway bridges, flyovers, and foot over bridges, to ascertain any dangers and take preventive measures. Officials claimed that the bridge that crashed on Thursday was found to be sturdy and only needing a few minor repairs. Politicians from several parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Shiv Sena, the Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party and others rushed to the site and activists helped in the rescue operations. --IANS qn/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least five people were killed on Thursday in an explosion of a pipeline that links the gas network from Mahshahr city to Ahvaz city in Iran, the state media reported. Six other people were injured in the explosion, Ahvaz Governor Jamal Alami Nisi told IRNA news agency. He said four cars exploded in the incident as he ruled out the possibility of any sabotage act, saying that the leaks in the worn-out pipeline was the cause of explosion. Ahvaz is the capital of oil-rich Khuzestan province on the border with Iraq. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A total of 50 countries, including the US, has either grounded or banned the Boeing 737 Max 8 planes following the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines plane of the same model that killed all 157 people on board earlier this week. US President Donald Trump spoke to the media before the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday grounded all Boeing 737 Max jets in the country, CNN reported. "I didn't want to take any chances. We didn't have to make this decision today," Trump said. "We could have delayed it. We maybe didn't have to make it at all. But I felt it was important both psychologically and in a lot of other ways." Trump said his decision was fact-based, even as he admitted it was made partly with regard for the mental well-being of American travellers. "The safety of the American people, of all people, is our paramount concern," he added. Of the more than 370 Boeing 737 Max jets in global fleets, 74 are flown by US airlines, according to the FAA. Those include United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. Mexico also took action against Boeing 737 Max 8 planes on Wednesday evening, just hours after the US' decision to suspend the planes' operation inside the country. The General Directorate of Civil Aviation said they were banned until further notice to "guarantee the safety and confidence" of aircraft flying in Mexican airspace. On Thursday, South Korea and Thailand joined the list of countries that have suspended operations of the planes South Korea's largest airline, Korean Air, announced it would be putting on hold plans to introduce Boeing 737 Max 8s into their fleet. Thailand's Civil Aviation Authority announced all operations of Max 8 and Max 9 planes would be temporarily suspended until midnight on March 20. Some of the other countries that have moved to ground the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft include India, China, the European Union, the UK, Canada and Australia. Meanwhile, the black boxes from the Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 will arrive in Paris for analysis on Thursday morning, a vital clue into what caused the Nairobi-bound aircraft to crash six minutes after take-off from Addis Ababa. The French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) will conduct the investigation into the recorders but a spokesman for the bureau said they wouldn't be announcing the results. "Only the Ethiopian authorities will report on the progress of the investigation. There will be no press conference," a BEA spokesman told CNN. Sunday's crashcame less than five months after a Lion Air Boeing 737 Max 8 - the same type of plane - plunged into the Java Sea minutes into the flight from Jakarta, Indonesia, killing all 189 people on board. Both planes were new, delivered from Boeing just months before their doomed flights. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Officials from India and Pakistan on Thursday held "detailed and constructive" discussion on the Kartarpur corridor which will enable pilgrims from India to travel to the Sikh shrine inside Pakistan through a dedicated corridor. The meeting took place exactly a month after the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF troopers were killed. "Both sides held detailed and constructive discussion on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalizing the Kartapur Sahib Corridor," a joint press statement issued after the meeting on Thursday said. The first meeting to discuss the modalities and the draft agreement for facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib using the Kartarpur Corridor was held on Thursday at Attari, India, in a cordial environment, the statement said. The Indian delegation was led by S.C.L. Das, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Pakistan delegation was led by Dr Mohammad Faisal, DG (South Asia and SAARC) of Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Both sides also held expert-level discussions between the technical experts on the alignment and other details of the proposed corridor," the statement said. It was agreed to hold the next meeting at Wagah on April 2. This will be preceded by a meeting of the technical experts on March 19 at the proposed zero points to finalize the alignment. The 18-member Pakistani delegation arrived at Attari near Amritsar via the Attari-Wagah joint check post land border on Thursday morning to finalise modalities of the corridor to the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara. "Commitment to fulfil a dream!" is how Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Raveesh Kumar referred to the crucial dialogue on Twitter, once the meet kicked off. Officials of the MHA, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), National High Authority of India and other related departments represent the Indian side at the talks. India has made it clear that the meeting was in no way a resumption of a bilateral dialogue. "It is not any resumption of bilateral talks, let me make it very clear that it is not in any way a resumption of a bilateral dialogue," the MEA spokesperson said earlier. The Ministry has said the issue relates to emotions and sentiments of the Indian citizens of the Sikh faith and its decision regarding the meeting reflects a strong commitment to operationalise the corridor on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. Sources said security aspect was of paramount importance and there will be no dilution in that. India is wary of the Pakistan establishment's direct and indirect support to pro-Khalistan elements who would like to take advantage by reaching out to pilgrims from India. They have also said that Pakistan will also be conveyed that places of pilgrimage should not be used for separatist propaganda by anti-India elements. India is keen for visa-free access to the pilgrims to the historic Sikh shrine across the border. Officials from both sides were also expected to discuss the alignment of the project as there is some mismatch in the coordinates. "Continuing with our spirit of constructive engagement and flexibility and in line with our sincere efforts to deescalate the situation for regional peace and stability," Faisal told Pakistani media before leaving for India for the talks. He said that this was the first in a series of meetings. "We hope this initiative of the Prime Minister (Imran Khan) will not only facilitate Sikhs, especially from India, but will be a step forward in the current direction from conflict to cooperation, animosity to peace and enmity to friendship," he added. The Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara in Narowal district of Pakistan's Punjab province, located 4.5 km from the border near the Dera Baba Nanak town in Punjab's Gurdaspur district, is significant for the Sikh community as it is here that Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev spent 18 years of his life and is his final resting place. The governments of India and Pakistan are trying to facilitate the travel of pilgrims to offer prayers at the gurdwara -- a demand made by the Sikhs for the past over 70 years. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has demanded "passport and visa-free 'khule darshan' for pilgrims".The union government has already announced the setting up of a Rs 190-crore state-of-the-art Passenger Terminal Building Complex at Dera Baba Nanak, with its design inspired by the symbol "Khand", which symbolises values of oneness and humanity. It will cater to about 5,000 pilgrims per day with provision to cater to additional 10,000 pilgrims during festivals. --IANS js/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three more persons, including Telugu film comedian Surya Prasad, were arrested on Thursday in the murder case of Florida-based NRI businessman Chigurupati Jayaram, police said. Besides Prasad, the police also took Kishore and Anji Reddy into custody. Deputy Commissioner of Police A.R. Srinivas told reporters that they have almost completed the investigations into the case. He said the investigations revealed that Jayaram's niece Shikha Chowdary had no role in the murder. According to police, main accused Rakesh Reddy had hatched a conspiracy to extort money from Jayaram. Surya Prasad and Kishore brought Jayaram to his house in posh Jubilee Hills and it was here that the businessman was murdered. Anji Reddy reached Rakesh Reddy's house after the murder but did not inform police. On allegations that Rakesh Reddy spoke to couple of police officers after the murder, the DCP said they were conducting investigations. He said while Rakesh Reddy had relations with politicians but there was no evidence of any political involvement in the crime. The body of Jayaram, 55, who was director of Coastal Bank, was found on the back seat of his car off the national highway near Nandiagama close to Vijayawada on January 31. Jayaram, also a Managing Director of Express TV, a now defunct Telugu channel, had come to Hyderabad from the US a few days earlier. The crime was first investigated by the Andhra Pradesh Police, which arrested Rakesh Reddy and his security guard. The case was later transferred to Telangana after it was revealed that Jayaram was murdered at a house in Hyderabad and his body was dumped in Andhra Pradesh. Jayaram's wife Padmashri has also demanded a probe against Shikha, who was allegedly in a relationship with Rakesh Reddy. She had said that after the murder, Shikha barged into their house in Jubilee Hills and that some key documents and valuables were found missing subsequently. --IANS ms/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The African Development Bank (AfDB) announced on Thursday it would provide 2.5 trillion shillings ($25 billion) over the next five years to help in the global fight against climate change. AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina said the bank currently provides 34 per cent of its overall lending portfolio to projects aiming to boost the fight against climate change. Addressing the One Planet Summit during the fourth session of the UN Assembly, Adesina said there was need to create home-made financing mechanisms to enable local communities cope with climate change. He said the financing required to deal with climate change should come from the private sector and the funds should be directed towards renewable energy solutions to enable millions of people still unable to access electricity to be connected, Xinhua news agency reported. "Africa needs indigenous models to finance climate change," Adesina said, noting that AfDB created the Africa Financial Alliance for Climate Change, meant to pool financial resources towards investing on efforts to fight climate change. Adesina said under the financial initiative, the bank was working with central banks to direct money to the climate change action. According to the AfDB, the central banks own $1.2 trillion dollars worth of reserves which could be redirected towards renewable energy financing initiatives to help fight climate change effects. "We want countries to move away from coal power and we are investing in the green load facility to help move renewable energy," Adesina stated. The AfDB, through its Desert-to-Power Initiative, currently seeks to produce solar energy from the Sahel region to help some 250 million people to access affordable energy. The bank aims to generate 10 gigawatts of electricity by 2025 to reach some 11 countries within the Sahel, which extends from Eritrea and Sudan in East Africa to Nigeria, Mali and Senegal in West Africa under its desert to power initiative. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Afghanistan's northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif observed a shutdown on Thursday as armed supporters of a powerful former Governor clashed with government forces over the appointment of a new provincial police chief. The central government cleared the appointment of Abdul Raqib Mubariz as the new police chief of Balkh, replacing Gen. Akram Sammeh, amid worsening security situation in the northern province, Efe news reported. "In order to improve the security situation of Balkh, it was decided to bring change in police leadership," the Interior Ministry said in a statement. But the decision was objected by former Governor and powerful warlord Atta Muhammad Noor, who is also Chief Executive of the Jamiat-e-Islami political party, and holds great sway in Balkh province. Mazar-e-Sharif is the provincial capital of Balkh. "I call upon on all residents of Mazar-e-Sharif to stay indoors. Shops and markets must be kept shut until further notice," Noor said in a statement on social media. He alleged that the Presidential Place in Kabul had plotted against him and "brought the war to Mazar-e-Sharif", indicating that there is an all-out war between him and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. "Now that they raided our people, we are ready for every kind of sacrifices to defend the lives and properties of our people," Noor said, referring to the appointment of the new police chief, who arrived in the city, accompanied by special police forces. As Mubariz tried to enter inside the police headquarters, Noor's supporters blocked him and attacked his security forces with arms. Interior Ministry spokesperson Nasrat Rahimi said that one policeman was injured in the clash. He added the police arrested 25 people before the new police chief and his personnel entered the headquarters. Rahimi said special police forces were deployed across the city as a precautionary measure. Saleh Muradi, a provincial council member, said that the situation remained tense as all shops and offices were closed. He said gunshots were heard around the police headquarters. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday told a Delhi Court that it supported Dubai-based businessman Rajiv Saxena's plea seeking to become an approver in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case. Special Public Prosecutor D.P. Singh told Special Judge Arvind Kumar that the agency had examined Saxena's statement and that he would be an important witness in the case. The court listed the matter for March 25. United Arab Emirates security agencies picked up Saxena from his Dubai residence on January 30 and extradited him to India the same night. He was granted bail on medical grounds last week. The ED did not oppose his bail application. According to the ED, Saxena, in connivance with lawyer Gautam Khaitan, provided the global corporate structure that laundered money for payment to various political leaders, bureaucrats and Indian Air Force (IAF) officials in order to influence the contract for supplying 12 VVIP helicopters in favour of AgustaWestland. --IANS akk/ksk/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Air passengers might continue to face the grim prospect of high airfares and fewer flight choices as several airlines have cancelled operations for a number of reasons, including the grounding of the Boeing 737-MAX aircraft. Industry insiders on Thursday pointed out that with no short-term relief in sight, some sectors will continue to see a rise of more than 100 per cent in last minute bookings. "With no short term relief in sight. Passengers can expect the trend of high airfares to last about a month's time. Passengers should book their tickets in advance," ixigo Co-founder and CEO Aloke Bajpai told IANS. "With an unprecedented number of planes now grounded due to various factors, reduction in seat capacity has led to an increase in fares overnight. Last minute airfares on Wednesday increased to more than 100 per cent on some key routes like Delhi-Mumbai, Mumbai-Chennai, Mumbai-Kolkata and Mumbai-Bengaluru as compared to same time last year." As per ixigo, spot fares for Mumbai-Chennai touched Rs 26,073, as opposed to Rs 5,369 the same time last year. "High airfare patterns are expected to continue in the short-term with Holi and summer school holidays round the corner, resulting in increased demand," Bajpai said. According to Sharat Dhall, COO (B2C) Yatra.com, civil aviation regulator DGCA's decision to ground the Boeing 737-MAX aircraft has resulted in a fairly significant impact on air fares for immediate travel on certain key routes. "While overall fares were already on the rise by 15-20 per cent, we have noticed a variable pattern in spot fares with spike in fares on routes such as Mumbai-Hyderabad, Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi-Kolkata. "With current increase in load factors, this reduction in capacity, we expect the airfares to rise further in the short to medium term," Dhall said. Operations of airlines like SpiceJet and Jet Airways have been hit due to the government's decision on Wednesday to join a global grounding of 737-MAX aircrafts following a crash in Ethiopia. In India, SpiceJet and Jet Airways operate 17 Boeing 737-800 MAX aircraft -- Spice (12) and Jet (5). A part of Jet's fleet has already been grounded due to other reasons. The grounding led SpiceJet to cancel 14 flights on Wednesday. This number is expected to touch 32 on Thursday. Sources in SpiceJet said that the airline has rejigged its network to bring down cancellation by optimum usage of its existing fleet of 64 planes, route rationalisation and clubbing of flights. Apart from SpiceJet, financially challenged Jet Airways has already grounded four more aircraft over non-repayment of dues to lessors, taking the total to 32. The company in BSE filings has said that 19 aircraft were grounded in February over non-repayment of dues to lessors, while 13 others were grounded this month, taking the total to 32. The Jet Airways Group operates a fleet of 123 aircraft. However, around 50 of the full service carrier's planes are said to be non-operational due to a host of reasons, including lack of spare parts. Budget carrier IndiGo is going through massive turbulence on account of pilot shortage, leading to a truncated flight schedule. The airline said earlier that 30 of its flights that have been affected represent only 2 per cent of its network. It has decided to curtail its schedule till March 31, by about 30 flights a day. "As a proactive measure, IndiGo has decided to continue its curtailment until the end of March. This measure has already been implemented and passengers informed," the airline said in a statement. "These medium term cancellations have been made to minimise the impact on passengers as alternative travel options have been offered well in advance. The operations will be normalised by the start of the summer schedule." For sometime now, Air India has grounded 17 aircraft due to technical reasons. The national passenger carrier has also cancelled several international flights on account of low passenger yields on the sectors which include Delhi-Madrid. The airline said that 6 international flights from Delhi to places like Birmingham have been cancelled. On Wednesday, the government had advised domestic airlines not to go in for predatory air fare pricing as several 737-MAX aircraft were grounded due to safety reasons. Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola said: "We have advised the airlines... that they should not use it (grounding) as a reason to jack up their fares." "They have promised they will go as per normal routine. DGCA has just said that it will be monitoring all the sectors very closely." --IANS rv/sn/pgh/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Ajit Singh will address first joint rally in Uttar Pradesh on April 7, leaders said on Thursday. "The joint rallies of the BSP-SP-RLD will start in a phases manner in the state after Holi," a senior SP leader told IANS. He said the joint rallies of the three parties will kick off from the first day of Navratra in western Uttar Pradesh. "Mayawati, Akhilesh and Ajit Singh will address their first joint rally in Deoband area of the Saharanpur district of the state," he said. The party leader said that several such joint rallies will be organised in various parts of the state. The SP, BSP and the RLD have announced to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in alliance against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) had won 73 out of 80 seats in the state in 2014, while the SP won five, the Congress two and the BSP scored nil. --IANS aks/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP President Amit Shah on Thursday thanked former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit for her comments that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was not tough on terrorism. Shah's comments came even after Dikshit denied making those comments. "Thank you Sheila Dikshit ji for reiterating what the nation already knows but the Congress party is never ready to admit," Shah said in a tweet. "Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit reportedly said, "Manmohan Singh, yes I agree with you, was not as strong and as determined as he (Modi) is," he added. The three-time Chief Minister said this when asked to respond on the criticism that the UPA government did not do much after the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. She added, "but there is also a feeling that he is doing all this for " --IANS bns/vin/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Even if the world were to cut emissions in line with the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement, winter temperatures in the Arctic would rise three to five degrees Celsius by 2050 and five to nine degrees by 2080, devastating the region and unleashing sea level rises worldwide, a new report by the UN warned on Thursday. Rapidly thawing permafrost could even accelerate climate change further and derail efforts to meet the Paris Agreement's long-term goal of limiting the rise in global temperature to two degrees Celsius, warns the report titled "Global Linkages -- A graphic look at the changing Arctic". By 2050, four million people and around 70 per cent of today's Arctic infrastructure, will be threatened by thawing permafrost. Other environmental pressures on the Arctic identified by the paper, released at the ongoing United Nations Assembly here that will conclude on Friday, include ocean acidification and plastic pollution. "What happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic," UN Environment's Acting Executive Director Joyce Msuya said. "We have the science; now more urgent climate action is needed to steer away from tipping points that could be even worse for our planet than we first thought." Even if global emissions were to halt overnight, winter temperatures in the Arctic would still increase four to five degrees Celsius by 2100 compared to the late 20th century, the study said. This increase is locked into the climate system by greenhouse gases already emitted and ocean heat storage. Arctic societies now must respond to climate change through suitable adaptation actions. Arctic Indigenous peoples already face increased food insecurity. "The urgency to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement is clearly manifested in the Arctic, because it is one of the most vulnerable and rapidly changing regions in the world," Finnish Minister Kimmo Tiilikainen said in a statement. "We need to make substantial near-term cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, black carbon and other so-called short-lived climate pollutants all over the world." The impacts globally would also be huge. From 1979 to the present, Arctic sea ice is estimated to have declined by 40 per cent. Climate models predict that, at the current rate of carbon dioxide emissions, Arctic summers will be ice-free by the 2030s. The melting of the Greenland ice cap and Arctic glaciers contribute to one-third of sea level rise worldwide. Even if the Paris Agreement is met, Arctic permafrost is expected to shrink 45 per cent compared to today. Globally, these frozen soils hold an estimated 1,672 billion metric tonnes of carbon. Increased thawing is expected to contribute significantly to carbon dioxide and methane emissions. (Vishal Gulati is in Nairobi at the invitation of UN Environment. He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in) --IANS vg/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Stardom costs a celebrity their privacy but it's a very small price to pay, says actor Arjun Kapoor, who has been dogged by wedding rumours. Social media has been abuzz about Arjun's rumoured relationship with actress Malaika Arora, who have become a paparazzi favourite in the Indian showbiz world. Does he find it stifling that he is constantly under watch? "Not really... It is a very small price to pay. At the end of the day, for what I have gained out of being an actor, somebody who is known across the country and the world, it's a small price. And people like to know how we are. They like to be surprised how normal we are, they like to know our idiosyncrasies. It doesn't really bother me," Arjun told IANS. "If anyone says 'mujhe meri privacy chahiye (I want my privacy)' then you are in the wrong profession. Because you sell that the day you become recognisable," he added. The 33-year-old actor said one can pick how much information to share in the public domain. "It's your choice how much you put out there or yourself and your availability. Today you have a lot of control over as to how much you want people to know about your life. Speculation and gossip is a part of it. I am not the first actor or the last. Our entire tribe is immune to it... Because it is the nature of the business," he said. On rumours that he may wed Malaika soon, Arjun said: "When there is something to talk about, you will all know." The actor is excited to have been roped in as the brand evangelist for the second edition of Belvedere Studio B, a property that celebrates the spirit of creative collaboration. On the Bollywood front, Arjun has an interesting slate of work including "India's Most Wanted", "Panipat" and "Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar". Over the last few years in the Hindi film industry, Arjun has portrayed different characters in films such as "Finding Fanny", "Gunday", "Half Girlfriend", "Ishaqzaade", "Ki & Ka", "Mubarakan", "Namastey England" and "2 States". "I feel humbled," he said, adding: "Success and failure is a part of life at the end of the day. We all actors have our highs and lows, ups and downs and good Fridays and bad ones, but what keeps going is... if you keep your head down and listen to your audience for the love and affection you get." Arjun believes the audience gives an indication for the kind of films they want to see him starring in. "They (audience) give you signals what they like you to do and what they don't. Social media also helps... That's what has kept me going. Connect with the audience today is rare. In a population of a billion plus, I am fortunate that I actually have a connect," he added. (Durga Chakravarty can be contacted at durga.c@ians.in) --IANS dc/rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday rejected an Islamic State (IS) bride's request to return home, saying she had to face the consequences for her actions. "They have to take responsibility for those decisions to join up with terrorists who are fighting Australia. I'm not going to put any Australian at risk to try to extract people from those situations," he told the media here. In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) from a refugee camp in Syria, the woman said she wanted to return to Australia because her two sons have fallen ill and her daughter was malnourished, Xinhua news agency reported. "Both of my kids are sick. My daughter is very malnourished, she's very skinny," she said. "My daughter needs milk and I don't have money to buy her milk. I don't know what to do now. I want to go back to my country. I think everybody's asking for that because I'm an Australian citizen." Morrison said "they (the parents) have placed their children in this horrendous position... I think the children are innocent victims in the terrorist acts of their parents". "There is a process for us to deal with them under Australian law, and they will face the full force of Australian law should they be in a position to seek to come back," he added. According to data released by the Australian Department of Home Affairs in February, the fate of up to 100 Australians who left the country to join the IS remains unknown. Two days ago, Canberra rejected calls from the US to "take responsibility" for its home-grown IS fighters, citing advice that it would be "very dangerous" to repatriate them. The bride's case is similar to that of Shamima Begum, a 19-year-old British IS bride whose newborn son died in a Syrian refugee camp earlier this month. Prior to her son's death, Begum appealed to the British government to allow her back into the country but the government instead cancelled her citizenship. An American woman who went to Syria has also had her citizenship revoked. --IANS ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress on Thursday demanded action against Odisha Health Minister Pratap Jena for allegedly saying that his party would give money to voters. They requested the Election Commission (EC) to debar Jena from contesting elections in the state for violating the model code of conduct. Addressing a meeting in Salepur area of Cuttack on Wednesday, the Health Minister allegedly said the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) would give Rs 35 lakh in cash to the panchayat and Rs 15 lakh to the booth, which would give maximum number of votes to local BJD candidate Prasant Behera. A delegation of the state BJP submitted a memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Thursday and demanded action against Jena for the bribe statement. State BJP vice-president Sameer Mohanty said they apprised the CEO about the violation of the model code of conduct by Jena and demanded his prosecution under the Indian Penal Code. Besides, the Cuttack district unit of BJP filed an FIR against Jena at Salepur police station. Congress media cell chairman Satya Prakash Nayak said the Minister tried to lure voters by saying that panchayats, which would give the maximum number of vote to local BJD candidate will get Rs 35 lakh each. He demanded that the Election Commission initiate strong action against the BJD Minister and urged not to allow Jena to contest elections. --IANS cd/pgh/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A former British soldier will be prosecuted over the Bloody Sunday shootings in Northern Ireland in 1972, prosecutors said on Thursday. The man, identified only as "Soldier F", faces two murder charges and four attempted murder charges over the incident in Londonderry on January 30, 1972, when 13 people were shot dead at a civil rights march in the city, which is also known as Derry. Director of Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS), Stephen Herron, said in a statement: "It has been concluded that there is sufficient available evidence to prosecute one former soldier, Soldier F, for the murder of James Wray and William McKinney; and for the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell." The PPS said there was not enough evidence to prosecute 16 other British soldiers and two men from the Official Irish Republican Army, an armed group classified as a terrorist organization, who were also involved in the case, Efe news reported. The decision was announced to the families of those killed in a private meeting on Thursday. Herron said: "I am mindful that it has been a long road for the families to reach this point and today will be another extremely difficult day for many of them. We wanted to meet them personally to explain the prosecution decisions taken and to help them understand the reasons." "I wish to clearly state that where a decision has been reached not to prosecute, that this is in no way diminishes any finding by the Bloody Sunday Inquiry that those killed or injured were not posing a threat to any of the soldiers." The day became known as Bloody Sunday, one of the tragic days of the Northern Ireland Troubles. "We recognize the deep disappointment felt by many of those we met with today. As prosecutors we are required to be wholly objective in our approach. However, that does not mean that we do not have compassion for all those who are affected by our decisions," Herron said. The Northern Irish conflict began in the 1960s and lasted until 1998 when the international Good Friday Agreement helped put an end to the violence. The early 1970s saw the deadliest years of the Troubles. More than 3,000 people died during the conflict between unionist paramilitaries from largely Protestant areas, who identify as British, and republican militias from largely Catholic areas, who sought a re-unified Ireland. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Trinamool Congress (TMC) celebrity candidate Nusrat Jahan on Thursday hit back at social media trolls for targeting her, describing these as "uncultured". Jahan has been named as the TMC candidate from the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat in North 24 Parganas district along with fellow Bangla film actor Mimi Chakraborty, who has been fielded by the party from the Jadavpur constituency. However, the announcement of their names on Tuesday was followed by a barrage of distasteful comments on social media, along with memes of their pictures and videos. "I think this is the change that we are trying to bring about. Trolling is a new way of demeaning women. We want women to be given more respect," said Jahan. "I don't know who these people are and why they indulge in such online abuse. I think they are simply uncultured. If they knew how to respect their mothers and sisters, they would've respected us as well," she said. Asked about the challenges in her political foray, the 28-year-old said: "During the film promotions, it is our job to reach out to the people. As a political leader, I will have to ensure their welfare as well." --IANS bnd/ssp/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi's youth can connect with India's traditional classical music in an upcoming 'Dilli Durbar organised by Dilli Gharana. Featuring India's most renowned classical maestros like Birju Maharaj and Iqbal Ahmed Khan, the two-day 'Durbar' will take place at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) here on March 16 and 17. The musical extravaganza is an attempt to reintroduce classical music to the youth. "I had the great privilege to learn music under the great maestros of Indian classical arts; they not only taught us the art but also imbibed in us the great Indian culture and traditions. "Being the flag-bearer of Dilli Gharana, I feel that I must now pass on my learnings to the younger generation to refine their sensibilities and to cultivate their taste for these finer things in life," Dilli Gharana doyen and the founder of the festival Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan said in a statement. The event will also feature Shovana Narayan (Kathak); Ustad Rashid Khan, Wasifuddin Dagar and Ashwini Bhide Deshpande (classical vocals); Ustad Shahid Parvez (sitar), Ustad Asghar Hussain (violin). Also lined up are film industry personalities like Kailash Kher, Javed Ali and Piyush Mishra, and younger practitioners of classical music traditions. Visitors can look forward to performances on Hindustani classical music vocals; Kathak, classical and carnatic music instrumental, workshops and lectures and discussions, amalgamation of Ghazal and Dastangoi as well as Sufi Jugalbandi, Sufi Qalam, and Qawwali. Bands A R Divine, Fusion Band by Gharana Unplugged and Sufi Rock by Rocknama will also perform. Lovers of food from the streets of Old Delhi can also make a beeline to the fest, which has a 'Dilli 6 Food Festival' curated by cultural non-profit Purani Dilli Walo Ki Baatein. An exhibition of musical instruments and a culture bazaar are also planned. This inaugural edition of Dilli Durbar will be in collaboration with Sursagar Society, Ameer Khusro Institute of Music and DG Productions. The timings are from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Entry is free. --IANS sj/ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress on Thursday blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modis foreign policy vis-a-vis China yet again blocking the bid to designate Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. With China for the fourth time putting on hold the proposal against Azhar in the UN Security Council, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said it was a major setback for the global fight against terrorism and "reaffirms Chinese position of being an inseparable ally of terrorism's breeding ground Pakistan". "The present situation also arises out of failure of a weak-kneed Modi government, bending over backwards before China over last 5 years, which has culminated into the present state of things where the Chinese have blocked Masood Azhar's declaration as an 'international terrorist', without any reason and only to please its ally Pakistan. "Will Modi answer to the nation as to why he became 'Maun Modi' (silent) as India's interests were repeatedly compromised?" asked Surjewala, questioning the Prime Minister's silence on China building a full-fledged military complex in Doklam, near the Indian Army posts. "China intruded into the Siliguri Corridor through South Doklam, it built China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) worth $54 billion connecting Gwadar Port in the Arabian Sea to China with a base for Chinese submarines. "China conducts mining on Arunachal border and attempts to build tunnels, it upgrades air base near Sikkim, blocks India's membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group asking for parity with rogue Pakistan. But our Prime Minister continues to maintain a stoic silence," added Surjewala. Earlier, Congress President Rahul Gandhi called Modi "weak" and "scared" of Chinese President Xi Jinping. --IANS and/ksk/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress is facing dissensions in several states ahead of Lok Sabha elections and is yet to firm up alliances in crucial states like Bihar even as the first phase of Lok Sabha elections is less than a month away. The dissensions are coming in the way of party's efforts to build a narrative against the BJP-led govenrment. Tom Vadakkan, a well-known party leader, who has been a loyalist of Nehru-Gandhi family and handled the party's media department when Sonia Gandhi was the party chief, joined the BJP on Thursday. In Maharashtra, Sujay Vikhe-Patil, son of leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, has also joined the BJP. Madan Bhosale, a former MLA and son of former Pradesh Congress Committee chief Prataprao Bhosale, joined the saffron party some days ago. In Gujarat, three Congress MLAs - Vallabh Dharaviya, Purshottam Sabariya, Jawahar Chavda - joined the BJP ahead of crucial meeting of Congress Working Committee in Ahmedabad earlier this week. In Karnataka, where Congress has been facing internal troubles, one of its MLAs Umesh Jadhav has joined the BJP. The Congress has not been able to firm up a 'mahagathbandhan' (grand alliance) in Bihar amid reports of differences with Rashtriya Janata Dal over seat-sharing. Voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections is due on April 11. NCP leader Sharad Pawar's sudden decision not to contest elections is also being interpreted in terms of the prospects of the NCP-Congress alliance in Maharashtra. Congress has had talks with the NCP on sharing seats, but the alliance has not been able to accommodate some other significant players. Prakash Ambedkar's Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh and Swabhimani Paksha of Raju Shetty are likely to contest separately causing a division in opposition votes. The Congress appears to be in a dilemma over AAP's keenness for a tie-up in Delhi to take on the BJP. The party has been ruling out a tie-up but its leaders are still seeking feedback from party workers if they should go for seat sharing. The party also faces a tough task in Uttar Pradesh where it is out of the opposition alliance of Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal. Congress is in talks with National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir, but there has not been any formal announcement of the alliance. --IANS ps/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) There seems no end to the setbacks for main opposition Congress in Telangana as yet another party legislator on Thursday decided to switch loyalty to the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). K. Upender Reddy, who represents the Paleru Assembly constituency in Khammam district, called on TRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao and expressed his desire to join the ruling party. Upender Reddy is likely to make a formal announcement in a day or two. The development came a day after senior Congress leader and former Home Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy called on TRS President and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao. Sabitha, an MLA, is understood to have decided to switch the loyalty to the TRS along with her son Karthik Reddy. Four Congress legislators have defected to the TRS this month. If Sabitha and Upender Reddy go ahead with their plans, the opposition party's tally in the 119-member Assembly may come down to 13. --IANS ms/rs/pcj/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a unique initiative to connect with voters for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will travel from Prayagraj to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency Varanasi from March 18 to 20. According to Congress leaders, Priyanka will take a boat ride from Prayagraj on March 18 to reach Varanasi on March 20. In fact, the party's state unit has approached the election commission to seek a permission for Priyanka's boat ride. The party assured the poll panel that it will comply with the model code of conduct. Priyanka will address people at several places during her three-day journey, they said on Thursday. Since her appointment as the Congress General Secretary and in-charge for Uttar Pradesh (East) on January 23, the party workers have been pressing her to contest from Varanasi. However, the Congress which released its two lists for 27 of 80 seats, has not announced her as a candidate for the 2019 elections yet. According to party leaders, the Congress, through the boat ride, wants to highlight Modi's failure in cleaning the river Ganga in the last five years, and the pain of people residing along the river bank. Priyanka is seen as a turn-around leader for the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, where the party has been out of power for the last 29 years. Through the boat ride campaign, the party wants to revive itself in eastern Uttar Pradesh which earlier remained its stronghold. In 2014 elections, the Congress had won only two seats of Amethi and Rae Bareli, represented by Congress President Rahul Gandhi and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, respectively, while the BJP had won 71 seats. --IANS aks/vin/ (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 Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its judgment on the plea seeking to fix accountability of the Maharashtra government, on account of inconsistent stand taken by it from time to time, on the scrapped Dabhol Power Project that was set up by the Enron Power Corporation. The bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Sanjiv Khanna reserved the order after Maharashtra government told the court that it was collecting information on the officers who were conversant with the project and had dealt with it. The court in the last hearing of the matter on February 14 had sought the assistance of these officers, who might have retired, but were conversant with the scrapped project that turned out to be a drain on the exchequer. Telling the court that it was yet to receive instructions from the state government whether it was inclined to inquire into its alleged inconsistent stands taken from time to time, Maharashtra counsel Nishant Katneshwarkar, however, said that whatever the court decided would be acceptable to them. Earlier, senior counsel Rajeev Dhawan, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae, referred to then Home Secretary Madabv Godbole Committee's 2001 report pointing out that the failure of the government was across the board, both in administration and policies -- both at the level of Maharashtra government and the Central government. Prashant Bhushan appearing for petitioner Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) referred to the Godbole committee report to contend that there were lapses, both at the level of politicians and the officers, and it should be inquired into. He said that it should also be inquired whether lapses were wilful and intentional, or just negligence. The court by its May 2, 1997 order had said the CITU petition raised two questions -- validity of the project and the contract known as Dabhol Power Project, and the accountability of the Maharashtra government, particularly on account of the inconsistent stand taken by it from time to time. In the same order, the court had said it was not in public interest to reopen the question of validity of the project and awarding of contract, as the same was considered on several occasions in earlier PILs. However, the Supreme Court order had said it was in public interest to consider the second issue relating to the accountability of the Maharashtra government, particularly on account of inconsistency in its stand. --IANS pk/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) To assess preparedness for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission on Thursday decided to send a high-level team led by Deputy Election Commissioner Sudip Jain to West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and Manipur from March 16 to 19. The move comes a day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) urged the poll panel to declare West Bengal a "super-sensitive state". The delegation would visit West Bengal on Saturday, Tripura on Sunday, Assam on Monday and Manipur on Tuesday. On Wednesday, a BJP delegation, led by Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and comprising Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and J.P. Nadda and party General Secretaries Bhupender Yadav and Kailash Vijayvargiya, met Election Commission officials and demanded that West Bengal be declared a super-sensitive state due to its "history of violence". It also urged the poll panel to deploy central forces in the state for "free and fair" conduct of elections and also demanded withdrawal of former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar from election duty. The BJP has been trying to improve its position in the state where it has mostly been a fringe player ever since its inception in 1980. Till date, the BJP has bagged Lok Sabha seats in the state only thrice - one in 1998, two in 1999 (both in alliance with the Trinamool) and two in 2014 (by fighting alone). West Bengal has 42 Lok Sabha seats. --IANS vv/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday moved a court here, seeking custodial interrogation of corporate lobbyist Deepak Talwar in a case related to the purchase of 43 aircraft by Indian Airlines in 2005. ED's Special Public Prosecutors D.P. Singh and Nitesh Rana told Special Judge Santosh Snehi Mann that custodial interrogation of Talwar is necessary to ascertain the money trail and to take the investigation to a logical conclusion. The prosecutors have requested the court to issue a production warrant against Talwar, who is in judicial custody in another money laundering case related to his suspected role in the irregular seat-sharing on Air India's profitable routes with some international airlines. The court will hear the matter on Friday. The ED is also probing various other cases related to money laundering against Talwar who was deported from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on January 30. --IANS akk/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 100 economists and scientists on Thursday expressed concerns over "political interference" in the estimation of statistical data in India and urged for institutional independence of statistical institutions. A statement signed by as many as 108 experts said that economic statistics is a public good and necessary for policy-making in democracies for informed public discourse. They said the involvement of NITI Aayog and the removal of back series GDP data from the website of the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) damaged the integrity of NSSO and the Central Statistics Office (CSO). They said NITI Aayog is a statistical body and does not have any expertise in statistical data collection. They said that India's statistical institutions never faced political influence and enjoyed high-level of reputation due to the integrity of their data for many years, which is now being ruined. The experts urged professional economists and statisticians to raise their voice against the tendency "to suppress uncomfortable data" and force the government to restore the integrity of Indian statistical institutions and their estimated data. The appeal comes in the backdrop of recent controversy of NSSO withholding employment data. The signatories of the statement include include Rakesh Basant of Indian Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad), Satish Deshpande from Delhi University, Hema Swaminathan (IIM, Bangalore), Rohit Azad (Jawaharlal Nehru University), R. Ramakumar (TISS, Mumbai), University of Massachusetts at Amherst's James Boyce and Emily Breza from Harvard University. --IANS rrb/sn/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) face the grim prospect of high airfares and fewer flight choices as several airlines have cancelled operations for a number of reasons, including the grounding of the 737 MAX aircraft. Industry insiders on Thursday pointed out that some sectors have shown a rise of more than 100 per cent in last minute bookings. "With an unprecedented number of planes now grounded due to various factors, reduction in seat capacity has led to an increase in fares overnight. Last minute airfares on Wednesday increased to more than 100 per cent on some key routes like Delhi-Mumbai, Mumbai-Chennai, Mumbai- and Mumbai-Bengaluru as compared to same time last year," said Co-founder and CEO Aloke Bajpai. "Spot fares for Mumbai-Chennai are touching Rs 26,073, as opposed to Rs 5,369 the same time last year. High airfare patterns are expected to continue in the short-term with Holi and summer school holidays around the corner, resulting in increased demand." According to Sharat Dhall, COO (B2C) Yatra.com, civil regulator DGCA's decision to ground the 737-MAX aircraft has resulted in a fairly significant impact on airfares for immediate travel on certain key routes. "While overall fares were already on the rise by 15-20 per cent, we have noticed a variable pattern in spot fares with a spike in fares on routes such as Mumbai-Hyderabad, Mumbai- and Delhi- "With the current increase in load factors, this reduction in capacity, we expect the airfares to rise further in the short to medium term," Dhall said. Operations of airlines like and have been hit due to the government's decision on Wednesday to join a global grounding of 737-MAX aircraft following a crash in In India, and operate 17 737 800 MAX aircraft -- Spice (12) and Jet (5). A part of Jet's fleet has already been grounded due to other reasons. The grounding led to cancel 14 flights on Wednesday. This number is expected to touch 32 on Thursday. Apart from SpiceJet, Jet Airways, which faces financial challenges, has already grounded four more aircraft over non-repayment of dues to lessors, taking the total to 32. The company in BSE filings has said that its 19 aircraft were grounded in February over non-repayment of dues to lessors, while 13 aircraft were grounded this month, taking the total to 32. The Group operates a fleet of 123 aircraft. However, around 50 planes are said to be non-operational due to a host of reasons, including a lack of spare parts. is going through massive turbulence on account pilot shortage, leading to a truncated flight schedule. The said earlier that 30 of its flights that have been affected represent only 2 per cent of its network. It has decided to curtail its schedule till March 31, by about 30 flights a day. "As a proactive measure, has decided to continue its curtailment until the end of March. This measure has already been implemented and passengers informed," the said in a statement. "These medium-term cancellations have been made to minimise the impact on passengers as alternative travel options have been offered well in advance. The operations will be normalised by the start of the summer schedule." For some time now, has grounded 17 aircraft due to technical reasons. On Wednesday, the government had advised domestic airlines not to go in for predatory airfare pricing as several 737-MAX aircraft were grounded due to safety reasons. Civil Secretary said: "We have advised the airlines... that they should not use it (grounding) as a reason to jack up their fares." "They have promised they will go as per normal routine. has just said that it will be monitoring all the sectors very closely." About 40 farmer unions, led by Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), on Thursday demanded the government walk out of the negotiations over the RCEP free trade agreement, saying it would be disastrous for the domestic agriculture sector if the pact comes through. Any attack on the food sovereignty and farmers' rights will be met with resistance, they warned. The 16-member Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) bloc that includes India, China, Australia and ten ASEAN counties among others are negotiating over issues related to goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation, competition and intellectual property rights. Addressing a press conference, BKU general secretary Yudhvir Singh said: "The RCEP will remove tariffs on 92 per cent of traded commodities and open the floodgates to cheap imports, destroying India's already stressed farm sector." "Countries like Australia are looking to dump their surplus produce like sugar, wheat, and dairy, and permanently conquering India's massive markets through RCEP is a huge aim for them," he said. The unions claimed that the RCEP will reverse the trend of India traditionally being protectionist towards the farm sector and fundamentally shift policy design towards corporate profits rather than livelihood of Indian farmers. B Nagendra of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha said: "RCEP will manipulate our seed laws; it will strengthen the power of seed companies and their patents while restricting farmers freedom to save and exchange as they have done for centuries." Vijay Jawandhia of Kisan Sanghatan, Sellamuthu of Tamilaga Vivasaiyagl Sangham, C.K. Janu of Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha (AGM) are among the leaders who addressed the conference. --IANS spk/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four Georgian nationals were arrested by the Goa Police for breaking into a house in the coastal village of Siolim and stealing cash and valuables to the tune of Rs 6 lakh, an official said on Thursday. The accused were identified as Iura Pirelli (42), Lasha Gurchiani (46), Konstantinos Chkhaidze (46) and Irakli Tamliani (33), police inspector Navlesh Dessai told reporters. "The accused were arrested for breaking into the residence of Maria Fernandes of Siolim area and stealing cash and valuables, which include gold ornaments," Dessai said, adding that all the stolen property has been recovered. Instruments used for the break-in including electric grinders, hammers and hydraulic cutters were also seized from them, police said. Last month, a Russian national believed to be involved in a series of burglaries, including an ATM break-in and theft, was arrested by the North Goa district police. --IANS maya/rs/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) France will commit 500 million euros more to the International Solar Alliance (ISA), President Emmanuel Macron said at the third One Planet Summit on reversing climate change, here on Thursday. Macron also declared creation of a 10 million euros facility to protect the biodiversity in Africa. "The best response to the climate change is not words but actions. The world could no longer be content with words," Macron said at the summit. "We can no longer be content with words. We know, and for a long time," he said. The ISA is an initiative by India and France to accelerate the technology-driven renewable energy transformation of the world's electricity markets. With the backing of nearly 121 member-countries rich in solar energy, 50 have, so far, ratified the ISA Framework Agreement. ISA became a treaty-based inter-governmental international organisation on December 6, 2017, registered under Article 102 of the United Nations Charter. "I don't believe in the desperate camp or the cynical camp. We are part of the determined camp. We need to put biodiversity at the heart of each of our actions," the French President said. This was the first regional edition of One Plant Summit, co-chaired by Macron and his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta, and also the World Bank and United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed. Focusing on Africa's environmental challenges, the summit was held on the sidelines of the Fourth UN Assembly that saw assembly of over 4,700 delegates, comprising tech experts, academics, scientists and civil society activists from 170 countries here. "Our youth says, 'You are not going fast enough.' She is right to get impatient, because we were too late. We make new commitments and invent a new model together," said Macron, who reached Kenya on Wednesday in the last leg of his tour of three East African countries. The French President asked, "Is it necessary to replicate the model of 20 years ago to bring energy to all the villages in Africa? The answer is no." "We must change our model and put the at the heart of the market economy. We must put the fight against global warming and biodiversity at the heart of each investment, business choices, the choices of our countries and our cities. I will take all my share," Macron said. "The One Planet Summit is a way to collectively organise our action and to create a coalition of initiatives, actions, transformations," he said. World Bank Group Interim President Kristalina Georgieva said Africa had so much potential for renewable. "It's also here we see the most dramatic effects of climate change. We must urgently invest in adaptation at the same time we support the shift to low carbon growth." The World Bank Group is stepping up its climate support for Africa. It will provide $22.5 billion for Africa for climate adaptation and mitigation for 2021-2025. This is more than double the commitment to climate-related projects over the last five years. The funding is part of the World Bank Group's '2025 Targets to Step Up Climate Action', launched in December 2018 during the UN's Climate Change Conference in Poland. It will help African countries manage the risks of a changing climate, while unlocking new investment opportunities. (Vishal Gulati is in Nairobi at the invitation of UN He can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in) --IANS vg/rs/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The UK will provide free sanitary products to high school students in a fully funded government programme, the media reported. Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond said on Wednesday that the sanitary products will be available to secondary school and college students, who are typically between the ages of 11 and 18, reports CNN. The programme, which will be developed by the Department for Education, will be implemented in the next school year, Hammond said. In December 2017, a survey of 1,000 women and girls in the UK, carried out by charity Plan International UK, revealed that 10 per cent had been unable to afford sanitary products, while 15 per cent had "struggled" to afford them and 12 per cent used makeshift sanitary protection. The same month, more than 2,000 people protested at Downing Street as part of the #FreePeriods campaign, started by Amika George, an 18-year-old Indian-origin activist from the UK, in order to secure free sanitary products for school students. The Scottish government launched a similar programme in August 2018, announcing a $6 million fund to give students at schools, colleges and universities access to free sanitary products. Scotland was the first in the world to offer free sanitary products to all students. Earlier this month, National Health Services England said it would provide free sanitary products to hospital patients who needed them, after a report by the British Medical Association found that 42 per cent of hospital trusts and health boards in the UK did not offer free sanitary products or provided only a limited amount. --IANS ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Meeting US leaders in the wake of the Pulwama suicide attack and the regional tensions arising from it, India's Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale has evoked Washington's firm resolve to stand "shoulder-to-shoulder" with New Delhi in fighting terrorism. As they sought to advance India-US strategic partnership, terrorism was a focus of the talks he had with Secretary of State Michael Pompeo, National Security Adviser John Bolton and other administration officials and Congressional leaders during his three-day visit to Washington that ended on Wednesday. Bolton tweeted after their Wednesday meeting: "The US stands shoulder-to-shoulder with India in the fight against terrorism." Giving the same message, Pompeo spoke of "the importance of bringing those responsible for the attack to justice and the urgency of Pakistan taking meaningful action against terrorist groups operating on its soil," a State Department spokesperson said. The strategic partnership is being built around the "shared vision" for the Indo-Pacific region, as Bolton put it. President Donald Trump wants India to play a major role in the region where he sees the two countries as bulwarks of democracy against China's dominance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cautiously embraced the role without making it appear a direct challenge to China. India and the US have also stepped up multilateral cooperation with the other two major democracies in the region, Australia and Japan. The US and India affirmed "the importance of joint leadership to strengthen the rules-based order" in the region and acting "in conjunction with other Indo-Pacific partners", said a joint statement issued after the Foreign Office consultations he held with David Hale, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. After meeting Gokhale, Brad Sherman, the chairman of the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and Non-Proliferation said that they discussed US' role in India-Pakistan relations. During the India-Pakistan crisis that followed the February 14 Pulwama attack by the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group, Pompeo, who was in Hanoi for the US-North Korea summit, worked the phones with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in an effort to tamp down the rising hostility. He pressured Islamabad to release Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan after his MiG-21 was shot down in an air skirmish to cool the tenions. Sensing that Pakistan's role in supporting terrorism would figure in Gokhale's meetings, Qureshi called on Bolton on Monday and assured him that "Pakistan would deal firmly with all terrorists and will continue steps to de-escalate tensions with India". Pompeo also sent a clear signal to China against blocking UN sanctions against JeM chief Masood Azhar. He said that such an action would go against the Washington-Bejing mutual interest of ensuring regional stability. Two areas of discordance between India and the US also emerged during the meetings. Preoccupied with trade imbalances, Trump recently ended some trade preferences for India under the General System of Preferences and lashed out at tariffs and restrictions on American imports to New Delhi. Pompeo, according to his spokesperson, called for "joint efforts to expand bilateral trade in a balanced and reciprocal manner". In response, Gokhale "underscored the significant reduction in trade deficit in the last three years and conveyed India's willingness to remain engaged with the US for a meaningful and mutually acceptable package on trade issues", the Indian embassy said. Another was Pompeo's request to Gokhale for joining the boycott of Venezuelan oil to pressure President Nicolas Maduro to step down in favour of opposition leader Juan Guaido backed by Washington. India is a major buyer of oil from the South American nation and shows no signs of ending the purchases. Nuclear energy cooperation was an area of trade and economy in which there was progress. A joint statement issued after the Ninth India-US Strategic Security Dialogue led by Gokhale and Andrea Thompson, the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, breathed new life into plans for set up six nuclear power plants in India. "They committed to strengthen bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, including the establishment of six US nuclear power plants in India," it said. Even though the India-US civil nuclear cooperation agreement is more than 10 years old, the power plants it envisaged have yet to take shape as they first had legal hurdles and then the American company ran into financial difficulties that may now have been resolved. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis) --IANS al/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aiming to make the web a better place by protecting users from misleading and inappropriate ads, on Thursday announced it banned 2.3 billion misleading ads that violated its advertising policies in 2018 and introduced 31 new policies. In its 2018 "Bad Ads Report", the Internet giant said six million bad ads were banned everyday. ( View the entire report here) "At Google, we take our responsibility to help create a healthy and sustainable advertising ecosystem that works for everyone, seriously. Our ads are meant to connect users with relevant businesses, products and services; but bad ads ruin the experience. "We, at Google, have been working towards protecting the users, advertisers and publishers by investing significant technological resources," Scott Spencer, Director of Sustainable Ads, Google, said in a statement. Through its "Bad Ads Report", the tech titan shares key actions and data to keep the ecosystem safe through its policies across platforms. "This will continue to remain our top priority as bad ads pose a threat to users, Google's partners, and the sustainability of the open web itself," Spencer added. The company also identified and terminated almost one million bad advertiser accounts, which is nearly double the amount that were terminated in 2017. Nearly 734,000 publishers and app developers were terminated from the ad network and ads were removed completely from nearly 1.5 million apps. also took more granular action by taking ads off nearly 28 million pages that violated the publisher policies. (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.) Raising questions over its future plans in the hardware business, Google has reportedly told several employees in its laptop and tablet division to find other roles at the company. According to the Business Insider, the move is aimed at trimming Google's "Create" division which manufactures the Pixelbook laptop and Pixel Slate tablet, among other products. Other hardware teams at Google develop Pixel smartphones, "Home" smart speakers and Wearables. "According to one source, the Create hardware team had a abunch of stuff in the works' and that the cutting the number of hardware engineers and programme managers on the team will likely apare down the portfolio' of products," the report said on Wednesday. The affected workers have been told to seek temporary roles within other Google or Alphabet teams. A Google spokesperson declined to comment on the development. Google Pixelbook is a "Chromebook", running on Google's Chrome OS software and is only capable of using Internet-based applications. Google's first Pixel device, the Chromebook Pixel laptop, was announced in 2013. --IANS na/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel led Formula One (F1) drivers in paying tribute to race director Charlie Whiting, who died on Thursday morning aged 66. The Federation International de l'Automobile's F1 director suffered a pulmonary embolism three days before the inaugural race of the 2019 season in Melbourne, Formula One said in a statement. At a drivers' press conference at the circuit at Albert Lake Park, Hamilton and Vettel paid tributes to Whiting, who was responsible for driver safety and rule enforcement, reports Efe news. "I've known Charlie since I started in 2007", Hamilton said. "Obviously incredibly shocked this morning to hear the sad news. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. What he did for the sport, his commitment, he really was a pillar Such an iconic figure within the sporting world, and he contributed so much to us. May he rest in peace," he added. Vettel, who is again expected to be leading the pack chasing reigning world champion Hamilton, said he was still in shock following the news. "I was as shocked as we all are, still now, when I heard the news this morning, especially because I spoke to him yesterday and walked the track for the first couple of corners together with him. It's difficult to grasp when somebody's just not there anymore", the Ferrari driver said. "I've known him for a long time and he was sort of our man, our drivers' man. Obviously there's regulations and all that and then there's us and he was the middle man. He was someone you could ask anything, at any time. He was open to everyone, any time his door was always open. "All our thoughts are with him and especially his family in these difficult circumstances," he added. --IANS kk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Anik Duttas Bengali film "Bhobishyoter Bhoot" allegedly disappeared from theatres in Kolkata on February 16, a day after being duly censored and released. The director questions why must he need to appeal for his fundamental right to self expression. Excerpts from the interview: Q. On March 10, the entire Bengali film fraternity marched with you in solidarity. A. Not the entire fraternity. Some were scared, others are beneficiaries of the government's largesse. No one can be 'close' to political power. Only beneficiaries. Q. I can only recall the case of the film "Kissa Kursi Ka", which disappeared after it was apparently burnt during the Emergency? A. Well, my film was not even touched by the censor board. They passed the whole film without any cuts. Q. It has been a month since the film disappeared. What are your hopes now? A. We have taken legal route. That has been taken care of by my producers from Delhi in the Supreme Court. Some kind of a lawsuit has also been filed in the Kolkata High Court by a film viewer... That apart, I keep hearing loud whispers and rumours which I largely ignore. Also, I have political elements who approach me and my producer with offers to buy out the entire rights to my film. These are elements I am trying to stay away from. Q. What would you like now? A. We would like the film to be back in the theatres because that is our fundamental right. In the meanwhile, the film has already been restored in smaller cities of Bengal. Outside India, my film is the largest Bengali profit-earner ever. With the all-India release there is a little bit of a hitch since, the film's distributors are the same people who have violated the contract. Q. Have you heard from the higher authorities who have apparently pulled down your film? A. Not directly. But I keep hearing things from here and there. I get advise to seek the Chief Minister's intervention. I am told she is very fond of people falling on their knees and pleading so she can show her magnanimity. But why should I appeal for my fundamental right to self expression? No, I won't appeal. I'll demand for my right to have my film restored in theatres. This lady MP indicated to me that I should emulate this woman whose interests were shut down until she publicly sucked up to the Chief Minister, after which her interests were restored. But I am not a person to do something like this. Q. In fact, you had taken on Mamata Banerjee at a film festival where you said the festival was more about gloryifing her than about cinema? A. Yeah. I'd presume that did not go down very well with her. It had created a huge uproar in the social media. The mainstream media and newspapers had kept quiet then as they've kept quiet now when my film has disappeared from theatres. If it wasn't for the social media, my case wouldn't even be known. And this isn't an isolated instance of Kolkata's mainstream media ignoring injustice for the sake of their interests. Q. Would you say Mamata Banerjee controls the media? A. If you look at the Bengal film industry, it is completely taken over by them (Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress), particularly the mainstream Bengali industry. The various film federations in Bengal are filled with politicians who know nothing about cinema. My film unit was repeatedly threatened by police and political elements while shooting "Bhobishyoter Bhoot". Q. How did the ruling party get to know the content of your film? A. You have to share your script with some people and one of them must have tattled. We had to shoot the film secretly, guerrilla style. The police realized what was being done to my film. They would warn us about the dangers. Even now the police are helpless. When stalwarts like Soumitra Chatterjee and Buddhadeb Dasgupta gathered at a particular spot in Kolkata to protest (in solidarity), that spot was declared closed for public meetings by the government as it was going to be beautified (laughs). Q. This sounds extremely authoritarian? A. Everyone talks about authoritarianism at the Centre. But what is going on in Bengal is even worse. There are spineless people everywhere. To her vote-bank, it clearly doesn't matter whether she is a despot. Q. What is the solution? A. The solution to me was making a political satire. I used cinema as a tool of protest. But look at what has happened. --IANS skj/rb/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government on Thursday said it has dispatched a multi-disciplinary Central team from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to assess the spread of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Kerala. The Health Ministry decision came after a seven-year-old boy from Malappuram district was reportedly diagnosed with WNV -- a mosquito-borne disease mostly reported in the US. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda has reviewed the situation with Secretary Preeti Sudan and has directed for all support to be extended to Kerala for the prevention and management of the disease, the Union Ministry said. Nadda is closely monitoring the situation, it added. "The NCDC Central team includes Doctors Ruchi Jain RHO Trivandrum, Suneet Kaur, Assistant Director NCDC, E. Rajendran Entomologist NCDC Calicut and Binoy Basu, EIS Officer, NCDC. The team will support the state health authorities in managing the disease," the Ministry said in a statement. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also been alerted and a close watch is being maintained at the Central and state level. There are no reports of the spread of the virus to any other part of the country. West Nile fever is spread by Culex mosquitoes and the infection could be confirmed only if the second samples test positive. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, vomiting, occasionally a skin rash on the body, and swollen lymph glands. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says the WNV is transmitted to humans through bites from mosquitoes which get infected when they feed on infected birds. --IANS som/rtp/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With the extension of winter and timely rains in early March providing a conducive climate for wheat production, the total output is expected to touch 105 million tonnes this year. Ironically, farmers are worried as higher production means lower returns, going by past experience. Higher availability of wheat stocks in the government pool at 23.9 million tonnes in February this year against 17.5 million tonnes in the like month last year has led to growing concerns on the approach of the Food Corp of India (FCI) to procurement this year. Farmers in the major wheat producing states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have had unpleasant experiences in the past when they failed to get Minimum Support Prices (MSP) fixed by the government. Nazer Singh, a farmer from Punjab, said the crop remuneration had always been a problem but it worsened in 2016 - the year high-value currency was demonetized. "Although the government announces the MSP, we hardly get it if we have to sell it in the open market. In case, the government's procurement centres do not open on time, we are forced to sell at prices fixed by traders," said Nazer Singh, who cultivates six acres of land in Bareta in Mansa district. "Now, we have heard wheat output will be higher this time. It may translate into a drop in prices." Many farmers had complained of receiving a lower price in the market than the MSP of Rs 1,735 per quintal last year. This year, the MSP has been increased by Rs 105 to Rs 1,840 per quintal. According to government officials, wheat harvesting has begun in some areas of Madhya Pradesh and will begin accelerating to its peak from the first week of April across the country. Farm activist Kedar Sirohi said better remuneration could be expected this year as per current market dynamics but may drop if traders changed their strategies later. "Farmers do not get appreciation for their work. We expect the production and quality will be better this time. However, we are not sure about guaranteed good returns since this depends on how traders make purchases. It is a tragedy," Sirohi said. Also, the government may not want wheat prices to go up during election time, he added. Farm analyst Devinder Sharma said that more the farmers produce, the lower is the income they can expect, which makes it imperative to cut down production in order to get right price. "The government does not procure the harvest in time, leaving the fixation of prices to the market forces. Farmers must stop intensive farming as an increase in productivity means dip in their income," he said. "They must reduce their output by at least 10 per cent if they want remunerative prices. It is not anti-national. They are fighting for their survival." Farmers must look for alternative source of income by making optimum use of land and resources they have, Sharma added. G.P. Singh, Director, Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR), said the long-cherished dream of 100 million tonnes plus production is set to happen this year. An important constituent of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the IIWBR is a nodal agency for research activities on wheat and barley in the country. "As the winter extended and rains occurred in the first week of March, there will be conducive climate during ripening process, which means higher production," Singh told IANS. "We are hopeful that the total output this year will touch 105 million tonnes." However, as per the second advanced estimates released by the Agriculture Ministry last month, the total wheat output is pegged at 99.12 million tonnes. India stands second in wheat production in the world at 12.05 per cent, as per the Food Ministry data. Last year, domestic production was 97.11 million tonnes and about 35.8 million tonnes was procured by the government agencies. (Saurabh Katkurwar can be contacted at saurabh.k@ians.in) --IANS spk/vm/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The West Bengal CID has seized huge cache of explosives, including electric detonators and gelatin sticks, in West Bengal's Bankura district, a senior officer said on Thursday. The explosives were recovered during a raid in Kastora village of Bankura district on Wednesday night. Deputy Inspector General of West Bengal CID Nishad Parvez said 52,500 pieces of electric detonators, 106 carton of gelatin sticks, 6,650 kg of ammonium nitrate were seized during the raid. "Also, an SUV car and a motorcycle, suspected to be used by the perpetrators have been seized," Parvez said. He said the seized items were procured from Odisha, Telangana and Jharkhand, and were likely to be used in illegal stone quarry. "No one has been arrested so far. The raids are still on," he said. --IANS mgr/pgh/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With both the BJP and Congress stressing on "winnability" of candidates in the Lok Sabha battle, Rani Mala Rajyalakshmi Shah, the saffron party's first woman MP from Uttarakhand, is facing stiff resistance from her party leaders. Shah won the Tehri parliamentary constituency with nearly 200,000 votes in 2014. However, former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and Mussoorie MLA Ganesh Joshi are frantically lobbying for a ticket from the seat alleging that Shah had not been active in her constituency in the last five years, BJP sources said. Shah recently met the party's top leadership to stake claim to the Tehri seat and register her protest against leaders who have launched an allegedly sinister campaign against her on various channels, including the media. Shah is the daughter-in-law of late Maharaja Manvendra Shah, the last king of Tehri between 1946 and 1948, when the estate acceded to India. He was also an eight-times MP from Tehri. After his death in 2007, the Maharaja's son Raja Manujendra Shah contested and lost the by-election to Bahuguna, who was then in the Congress. Having won the seat twice in 2007 and 2009, Bahuguna says he has already proved his "winnability". However, Bahuguna joined the BJP in 2016 after revolting against the Congress along with nine other party MLAs in his failed attempt to bring down the Harish Rawat government. BJP sources said the names of both Shah and Bahuguna are doing the rounds as top contenders for the Tehri seat, putting the state party leadership in a fix. State BJP President Ajay Bhatt indicated that in all probability, Shah would get the ticket this time. The state leadership is sending names of five probables from Tehri to the BJP's Central Election Committee to take a final call on the ticket. Shah's name figures in this list along with Bahuguna and Joshi, the sources said. --IANS str/rtp/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Asserting that the much-touted PM-Kisan scheme will not help ease the agrarian distress, the All India Coordination Committee of Farmers' Movement (ICCFM) on Thursday asked political parties to include farmers' demands in their election manifestos. It has prepared an 18-point demand list for political parties to take help from. The ICCFM, an umbrella organisation of 40 smaller farmers bodies, including Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU), Kisan Sangathan, Tamilaga Vivasaiyagl Sangham, Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha, stated this at the end of its two-day meeting here. Addressing reporters, BKU general secretary Yudhvir Singh said, "We have nothing to do with who forms the government after the Lok Sabha elections. We just want the new government to implement our demands." The farmers said the government should implement the Swaminathan Commission's recommendation of the 50 per cent profit over the input cost based on the 'C2' formula to ensure remunerative crop prices. "If remunerative prices are guaranteed, there will not be any demand for loan waiver," Singh said and added the Rs 6,000 direct income support to small and marginal farmers was insufficient. "The Rs 6,000 assistance is nothing. We want the government to give an additional income support of Rs 10,000 per acre a year to each farmer," Singh said and. The charter of demands also includes at least Rs 5,000 monthly pension for farmers after the age of 60 years. The organisations also sought criminal action against traders who violate the minimum support price (MSP), to ensure remunerative prices. Vijaya Jawandhia of the Kisan Sangathan said the PM-Kisan Scheme was launched only after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost elections in three Hindi heartland states last year. "(Prime Minister) Narendra Modi has no feelings for farmers," he said. --IANS spk/rtp/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ph.D researchers from India, who wish to work in the UK, have reason to cheer as they are now exempt from the annual visa cap for entry in that country. The announcement was made by the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Phillip Hammond in his Spring Statement speech on Wednesday. Currently, Ph.D level workers who apply for the Tier-2 work visa, have to contend with an annual cap which only allows 20,700 visas annually, leaving them with a slender chance of getting inside the UK. This will change when the new decision is implemented from autumn, beginning September, the Chancellor said. ".... (A) key pillar of our plan is backing Britain to remain at the forefront of the technology revolution that is transforming our economy. "And to support that ambition, from this Autumn we will completely exempt PhD-level roles from the visa caps," Hammond said in his budget update speech. The present visa cap was implemented in 2011 to check migration to the country. Over the years however, the cap has been viewed as counterproductive by policymakers, who feel it unduly deprives the country of useful, qualified workers from other nations. The highest number of those applying under this visa category -- skilled worker visa -- are Indians. In fact, their number is more than the number of people migrating from rest of the countries combined. The decision will also have a bearing on the non-Ph.D workers, who will benefit from the space freed by the Ph.D candidates, autumn onwards. The present cap of 20,700 for this visa will stay till 2021, when it will be completely abolished, according to the UK government. The news was welcomed by UK universities, who are key employers of international researchers. "This is fantastic news for Indian researchers, who would like to work in the UK, and for UK universities -- who thrive on bringing together a diversity of brilliant minds from around the world. "Many of the UK's leading researchers, in fields ranging from bio-mechanics to gender politics, come from India. Outside of Europe, India is the third largest country of origin for academic staff in the UK," Director of Universities International, Vivienne Stern, told IANS in an e-mail interaction. The UK is likely to leave the European Union on March 29, as per the deadline set earlier. The country will follow the current set of rules in immigration till December 2020. The UK government last year exempted nurses and doctors from the annual Tier-2 visa cap, after witnessing a surge in the numbers of these professionals applying to work in the UK. "As recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee, we will not impose a cap on the numbers of skilled workers, to ensure the brightest and best who wish to come to the UK do so, and employers have access to the skills that add most value to the UK economy," the white paper, published last December, said on the post-Brexit policy on immigration. (Vishal Narayan can be contacted at vishal.n@ians.in) -- IANS vn/rtp/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rome, March 14 (IANS/AKI) Italy's populist government has set up a task-force as part of its preparations for the UK's possible exit from the European Union on March 29 without a deal, Foreign Minister Enzo Moaovero Milanesi said on Thursday. "The task-force's role is to coordinate all ministries concerning relations with the EU, he told lawmakers from the lower house of parliament's foreign and European affairs committees. In the event of a no-deal Brexit, citizens' rights and financial and trade issues with be priority areas for member states, Moavero said. The EU is preparing norms "which will be immediately and directly applicable" if Britain leaves the EU without a deal, and these will not need ratification by national parliaments, he added. Britain's parliament on Wednesday rejected the prospect of withdrawing from the EU without a deal. Although the motion carries considerable political force, it may not prevent a no-deal Brexit as March 29 remains the day enshrined in law that Britain will leave the EU. Ahead of another vote in the British parliament Thursday on seeking a delay to the UK's scheduled withdrawal from the European Union, Moavero said he did not oppose an extension of Brexit. "The decision on whether to grant the UK an extension of Article 50 needs to be discussed at government level but my view is that we should agree to this," he told MPs. All 27 EU members would have to agree to an extension of Article 50, the section of the bloc's Lisbon Treaty that sets out what happens when a country decides that it wants to leave, Moavero pointed out. "This would need to have a purpose, however," he said. A second referendum on Brexit and fresh elections are also possibilities that "cannot be ruled out," Moavero said. If British lawmakers vote on Thursday to extend Brexit, a formal request for could be made and approved at an EU leaders' summit scheduled for March 21-22. --IANS/AKI vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Details emerging from Pulwama mastermind Maulana Masood Azhar's interrogation report -- when he was in Indian captivity for five years -- reveal that like 26/11 perpetrator David Coleman Headley, he too roamed around India without any fear. On exiting IGI, like Headley, he too was driven to the Ashok Hotel slapbang in the middle of LBZ and the heart of India's diplomatic community (Headley had stayed at the Mumbai Taj and got GPS coordinates for all the locations for 26/11). The Jaish supremo arrived in India on a Portuguese passport in 1994. Over the next 15 days, he stayed at Hotel Janpath, then Karol Bagh and visited Darul-uloom Deoband in Saharanpur and Lucknow. Masood Azhar arrived from Dhaka, and when questioned by immigration that he didn't look like a Portuguese referring to his passport, he claimed he was a Gujarati by birth. The report says: "I spent two days in Dhaka and thereafter travelled to Delhi by Bangladesh Airlines (Biman), reaching the IGI Airport in early hours of January 29, 1994. The immigration officials at IGI commented that I did not look like a Portuguese but when I replied that I was a Gujarati by birth, he did not hesitate to stamp my passport. I hired a taxi and asked (the driver) for a good hotel. I was taken to the Ashok Hotel in Chanakyapuri where I stayed." At Saharanpur, Azhar reportedly stayed for the night at a mosque of Tabligh-ul-Jamat and he did not reveal his true identity. On January 31, 1994, he returned to Delhi by the same car after staying overnight at Khan Ji of Maulana Masir-ul-ullah Khan at Jalalabad. This time he stayed at Hotel Janpath located near Connaught Place. He flew onwards to Srinagar on February 9, but before that, decided to visit Maulana Abu Hassan Nadvi alias Ali Mian in Lucknow. Unable to make his tryst with this person, he returned once again to Delhi but stayed at Hotel Sheesh Mahal in Karol Bagh. In all Delhi hotels, Azhar registered himself in the assumed identity of Portuguese national Vali Adam Issa. "In Delhi, on February 8, 1994, I visited the Centre of Tabligh-ul-Jamat at Nizamuddin, but did not meet any particular person. I had also purchased 12 compasses (to give direction of Mecca) from Nizammudin to offer them as gift to militants in the Kashmir valley," he revealed to interrogators. On February 10, he was taken to a place called Matigund where all Pakistan/PoK terrorists congregated. "They (the terrorists) were happy about my visit and merger of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami. I had taken their addresses and letters so that I can communicate their welfare to their families on return to Pakistan," he told the interrogators. While returning from Matigund, accompanied by Afghani and another person who was armed and had a wireless set, the car developed a snag and stopped. Then Azhar and his accomplice boarded a three-wheeler and proceeded to Anantnag. After travelling for about 2-3 km, the autorickshaw was stopped by Army personnel which led to an exchange of fire. "Farooq started running and opened fire which was returned by the Army men. Farooq managed to escape but I along with Afghani was arrested," he told his questioners. He was housed at the Kot Bhalwal Central Jail in Jammu. For the infamous IC-814 exchange, the dreaded Azhar was freed from Indian captivity in 1999 along with two other terrorists. Since then, he has made it his business to target India, he was the brains behind the December 13, 2001 Parliament attack. --IANS prs/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A social media campaign against Japanese employers forcing women to wear high heels to work has drawn support from tens of thousands of people, including over 15,000 signatures on an online petition on Thursday. Yumi Ishikawa, a 32-year-old actress and model, started the protest movement by tweeting a message in January about suffering from wearing heels every day, which has received around 100,000 likes or retweets, reports Efe news. "I want to lose the custom that a woman must wear heels and pumps at work some day. Why do I have to work while my feet hurt," she tweeted. Following the huge wave of support, she created the hashtag #KuToo -- a mixture of "kutsu" (shoe in Japanese) and "kutsuu" (pain), and a play on the universal #MeToo movement. Many women responded with messages describing their own experiences and expressing similar complaints, with some of them even posting pictures of sores on their feet caused by wearing heels on a daily basis. Ishikawa then started a petition on Change.org with an aim to get support against firms differentiating between genders while establishing rules of etiquette for employees, and ending the custom of women having to wear high heels due to their detrimental impact on health and productivity. The campaign, started a week ago, has received a promising response with more than 15,000 signatures -- well on its way to the target of 25,000. Most companies and public organisations in Japan have a dress code requiring its employees to wear a suit and dark-coloured shoes for men, and skirts and heels for women. However, a growing number of firms are relaxing the norms on grounds of comfort. --IANS ksk/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Kerala police on Thursday registered an FIR against three Congress legislators, likely to be named Lok Sabha candidates, on a complaint of sexual misconduct filed by Saritha S. Nair. Nair, an accused in the multi-crore solar energy investment scam, has charged Ernakulam Congress legislator Hibi Eden with rape and former state Ministers Adoor Prakash and A.P. Anil Kumar of outraging her modesty. The FIR has been filed in a special court set up to fast track cases against legislators. While Eden is likely to be fielded from the Ernakulam Lok Sabha seat, Prakash is being considered for either Attingal or Alappuzha, and Anil Kumar may get a ticket from Alathur. Eden termed the FIR a ploy to sully the image of the Congress and its candidates. "It is an issue for them to use politically," he said. Kochi-based solar company Team Solar Renewable Energy Solutions, floated by Nair and her live-in partner Biju Radhakrishnan, was accused of duping investors of crores of rupees for a solar power project. The scam dogged the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government in 2013 with allegations that Nair could hoodwink investors because of her proximity to the Chief Minister's office. Then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's private secretary Tenny Joppan was also arrested in the case. --IANS sg/rtp/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Malaysian prosecutors on Thursday rejected an appeal to drop a murder charge against one of the two women accused of using the deadly nerve agent VX to murder North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's half brother, just days after allowing her co-defendant to walk free. The decision means that Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam will remain as the only suspect in the case still behind bars, CNN reported. Huong was one of two women charged with the February 2017 murder of Kim Jong-nam, an offence punishable by hanging. The other, Indonesian national Siti Aisyah, was freed on Monday in a surprise ruling. Prosecutors did not reveal why they rejected Huong's appeal but let Aisyah go free. Huong's legal team had petitioned prosecutors to release her on the same grounds as Aisyah, arguing it would be unfair to free one of the co-defendants but not the other. However Huong told the media through an interpreter that she wasn't bitter Aisyah was freed and she was not. "God knows me and Siti Aisyah didn't do anything," she said. Hanoi's Ambassador to Malaysia Le Quy Quynh told CNN that the Vietnamese Justice Minister had sent a letter to Malaysia's attorney general requesting Huong's release. He said Hanoi would again request that Malaysian authorities treat Huong fairly and release her "as soon as possible." Judge Azmi Ariffin adjourned court on "humanitarian grounds", saying Huong appeared "not well". The next hearing will take place on April 1. Four North Koreans who fled Malaysia for an unknown destination shortly after the assassination were also charged in absentia with the murder. The Interpol has issued red notices asking governments to send them back to face trial. North Korea has consistently denied involvement in the killing, though US, South Korean and Malaysian authorities have said Pyongyang was responsible. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Sri Lanka's Justice and Prison Reforms Ministry on Thursday declared open the second special high court to try bribery and corruption cases in the island country. The Justice Ministry said the aim of the special court was to clear the backlog of high-profile cases, Xinhua news agency reported. The special court will hear cases involving money laundering, bribery and large financial crimes, dishonest misappropriation of property and criminal breach of trust by public servants. The government opened the first special high court in July 2018. A third special high court is also expected to be opened by September. Last year, the Sri Lankan Parliament approved the setting up of three special high courts with 119 legislators voting in favour and 52 against. --IANS soni/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Film: Milan Talkies; Starring Ali Faizal, Shraddha Srinath, Ashutosh Rana, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Sanjai Mishra; Director: Tigmanshu Dhulia Rating: ****(4 stars) "I've heard," says the inexperienced lover-boy, that in the beginning of a romance there is a lot of sex. And then it wears down to just once in a while on Karwa Chauth or whatever. Hearing Ali Fazal drawl these words of artless candour in the projection room of a single-theatre in Allahabad, is a pleasure beyond measure. Milan Talkies a spiffily written expertly enacted small town hormonal romance with the juices trickling down its frames. It conveys just the right ingredients of smothered passion and unabashed swagger to make the proceedings pungent and real. In fact the writing (Dhulia and Kamal Pandey) is much cleverer and wittier than what it seems. There is exchange at a crucial point in the narration where a character asks the hero's friends "a butcher by profession" "Tu itna PAK-PAK kyon kar raha hai?" All through the playing-time of this tightly-wound but loosely-structured love story I was sure of one thing. That this is Tigmanshu's most accomplished work since "Paan Singh Tomar" smartly written, wisely punctuated and sharply cut, it does everything right even the characters go horribly wrong in their judgement. Watch the magnificent Ashutosh Rana bellow against destiny when he curses the day he married off his daughter to an impotent goonda. It's a moment of reckoning in a film that revels in revelations, none surprising but all delightful. There is no doubt on our minds that the small-town lovers would be finally united in true blue filmy fashion in this film filled with filmy characters, none more filmy that wannabe filmmaker hero's father played with sassy self-mockery by director Tigmanshu Dhulia. The director plays the hero's father as a man lost in the movies of the 1970s not quite connected with the real world outside and henceA frozen in a childlike state of existence. It's a fascinating study of how Hindi cinema impacts and influences smalltown lives, done with dollops of brusque humour and tongue-in-cheek drama. Till midpoint Dhulia builds the budding romance between Ali Fazal and debutant Shraddha Srinath (both charming, together and apart though neither is as exceptional as the supporting cast) like scenes borrowed from the collective consciousness of a film-obsessed society. But beneath the vigorous filminess there is the underbelly of societal maladies represented in the clash between the heroine's conservative father and loutish husband. The two roles are brilliantly manoeuvred by Ashutosh Rana and Sikandar Kher into areas of darkness and then steered expertly back into the orbit of light. But do not confuse the light for lightness. For, even as the romance grows in the second-half into a Devdas-remixed, that core of buoyant rumination courses through the film's veins imbuing the central romance with energy and grace. Milan Talkies is a delightful watch, much of its joy derived from packing in tropes and clich's Afrom Hindi films and re-packaging them with renewed vivacity. No assessment of this tender tale told in loops of hectic reconnaissance can be complete without a mention of Sanjai Mishra's role as Usman the film projectionist at the eponymous Milan Talkies where a very crucial part of the romantic reunion unfolds. Mishra plays a kind of reluctant sutradhaarA who becomes a pivotal character in a romance played out with spectacular ebullience in Allahabad where goons masquerade as moral police, castrating Romeos to protect the Juliets, and provincial filmmakers dream of making it big in Bollywood. Just like Tigmanshu Dhulia himself the boy from Allahabad who made it big in Bollywood. Milan Talkies tells us it is okay to dream of creating your own Mughal-e-Azam in real and real life. Because you never know who is watching. (Subhash K Jha can be contacted at jhasubh@gmail.com) --IANS skj/vin/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least five persons were killed and another 30 injured, including some critically, when a portion of a overhead pedestrian bridge outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus came crashing down on Thursday. The victims included three women - Apoorva Prabhu, 35, Ranjana Tambe, 40, and Bhakti Shinde, 40. The two men killed were identified as Zahid Siraj Khan, 32 and Tapendra Singh, 35. The incident - the third footbridge collapse in the city in the last 18 months - occurred around 7.35 p.m. as the bridge was reportedly overloaded with commuters hurrying to their homes, the BMC Disaster Control said. Connecting the CSMT's suburban platform No. 1 with the B.T. Lane near The Times of India Building and the Anjuman-e-Islam School, it was used by thousands of daily commuters rushing to catch the local trains on Central Railway and the Harbour Line. The injured have been rushed to the St. George Hospital and G. T. Hospital, besides Sion Hospital, said officials. Politicians from several parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Shiv Sena, the Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party and others rushed to the site and activists helped in the rescue operations. Officials claimed that the bridge was found to be sturdy after a recent structural audit and only needed a few minor repairs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep anguish over the deaths and said the Maharashtra government is providing all possible assistance to all those affected. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal expressed "sincere condolences to the family of the victims" and said the railway doctors and personnel are assisting the local authorities grapple with the tragedy. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said he was "pained" to hear of the tragedy, and spoke to BMC Commissioner Ajoy Mehta and Mumbai Police and instructed them to ensure speedy relief efforts. On the other hand, former Union Minister Milind Deora said it was absolutely unacceptable that the bridge collapsed just six months after a structural audit and demanded a case of murder be lodged against the BMC officials responsible for this negligence. Maharashtra Congress President Ashok Chavan also demanded stringent action against the officials responsible for negligent administration which cost five human lives. NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik condoled the deaths and wished speedy recovery to the injured. A foot over bridge at the Elphinstone Road railway station had crashed on September 29, 2017, killing 29 commuters, while on July 3, 2018 when a portion of the foot over bridge crashed on the railway tracks near Andheri station, killing at least one and injuring many more. After the two previous tragedies, the BMC, the Railways and other agencies had carried out a survey of all new and old railway bridges, flyovers, and foot over bridges, to ascertain any dangers and take preventive measures. On account of the falling debris, peak hour traffic towards Byculla and Dadar and beyond was diverted, creating massive snarls across south Mumbai. Rail traffic remained unaffected. Work on removing the debris was on in full swing and the traffic was expected to be restored on the D. N. Road towards north Mumbai shortly, an official said. --IANS qn/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his government's achievements over the last five years, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday said Modi has demonstrated his tireless persistence, proving that he "makes it possible" to create a new India. He said many India observers across the world have "marvelled with India's pace of taking decisions and implementing them" and that is why the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chose the slogan "Modi hai to mumkin hai" (Modi makes it possible) for the forthcoming elections. Listing his government's achievements, he said India has been the fastest growing major economy in the world for the last five years without any increase in taxes. "From rural sanitation and roads to highways, Ujjwala scheme, ensuring healthcare to millions of Indians through Ayushman Bharat, financial inclusion of crores of people through Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana, to facilitating crores of self-employment by Mudra Yojana have shown a turnaround in last five years," he said in a Facebook post. "In a historic move to benefit unorganised sector labour, including farmers, the Modi government has now ensured Rs 3,000 pension where the government contributes 50 per cent. Direct income support to farmers of Rs 6,000 per year is another historic action of the govt led by Narendra Modiji," he added. Jaitley added that it is for the first time that a 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker sections of non-reserved categories has been given in public employment and educational institutions. "The socio-economic policies of Modi government in the last five years have benefited every Indian," he said. "India's stand against terrorism has earned it international support and with the surgical strikes of 2016 and air strikes of 2019, it has been demonstrated that India is willing to adopt unconventional methods of attacking terror at the point of its origin. This evolves New India," he added. Jaitley asked if any government had achieved more despite having the same governmental machinery, political system and implementation instruments at its disposal. "It is both the motivation and the leadership which made the vital difference. It is precisely for this reason that India will witness an election where the people will get an opportunity to endorse Prime Minister Modi's leadership, decisiveness, integrity and performance." --IANS vv/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Conference said on Thursday that it will not send any delegation to meet the Election Commission observers in Srinagar as the party's demand for simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections remained unchanged. A senior leader of the NC, who was supposed to join the party delegation scheduled to meet the three observers on Thursday, said: "Our party has decided not to call on the observers. "NC's stand that both the Lok Sabha and the Assembly elections should be held together has already been conveyed to the Election Commission during their visit to the state last time. "Our stand on this remains unchanged and as such there is no need to meet the observers again on this issue," the party leader told IANS. A three-member team of observers including Noor Muhammad, a retired IAS officer, A.S. Gill, former IGP, CRPF, and Vinod Zutshi, former Deputy Election Commissioner, is visiting the state to explore the possibility of holding the Assembly elections as early as possible. Informed sources said the possibility of holding the Assembly elections before this year's Amarnath Yatra was also being discussed. The observers are meeting representatives of political parties. They will also interact with authorities in various districts in addition to their scheduled meetings with the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police. --IANS sq/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh got nostalgic about his debut film "Johnny Gaddaar" while shooting for a sequence of his upcoming thriller "Bypass Road". The sequence, shot last week, took him back to a Juhu bungalow in Mumbai where the actor had shot for Sriram Raghavan's "Johnny Gaddaar", which released in 2007. "It was walking down memory lane for me during the shooting of 'Bypass Road'. I had shot in Ashish Bungalow for my debut film 'Johnny Gaddaar' but since it was almost 12 years ago, I didn't recognise the bungalow from the pictures. I was totally surprised when I found out and it brought back so many memories," Neil said in a statement. He essays the role of a paraplegic in "Bypass Road", which marks the directorial debut of his younger brother Naman Nitin Mukesh. Neil has turned a writer and a producer with the film. "Naman was a child back then and used to visit me on the set and now he is in charge of the set. I am sure Sriram will be thrilled to hear about this since he is someone both Naman and I look upto as an inspiration," he added. Neil continued: "I also wielded the camera for a scene in the sequence. I have operated the camera before, but not for Naman's film so that was a welcome change. It was a three-camera set-up so while the cinematographer and his assistant had taken over two of them, and the action director was managing another part of the sequence, I took over the third camera." It also stars Adah Sharma, Gul Panag and Rajit Kapur. The film is a thriller drama, which is jointly produced by NNM Films and Madan Paliwal of MIRAJ. Opening up about the location, Naman said: "It's an action sequence involving a chase and we had a couple of locations in mind, when the production team brought pictures of this Juhu property. In fact both the scenes in 'Johnny Gaddaar' and 'Bypass Road' are the pre-interval scenes at the very same location." --IANS sug/nn/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The head of New York's Gambino crime family, Frank Cali, has been shot dead outside his home here, the police said. Cali, 53, was found with multiple gunshot wounds to the torso in the New York borough of Staten Island on Wednesday, the NYPD said. The incident is said to be the first targeted killing of a mob boss in the city since 1985, the US media reported. A law enforcement official told CNN that the victim was a high-ranking member of the Gambino organized crime family and was believed to be the acting boss. The Gambino operation is said to be one of the five historic Italian-US mafia families in New York. According to witnesses, the unidentified killer fled the scene in a blue car. They said Cali's killer shot him at least six times and then ran him over before fleeing the scene. The police said the motive was not known. Cali had been considered a unifying figure in the years after then-Gambino boss John Gotti, "Dapper Don", was convicted of murder and racketeering in 1992 and sent to prison for life, CNN affiliate WPIX reported. Cali was the first New York crime family boss shot in 34 years, according to WPIX. In 1985, the Gambino family's Paul Castellano was shot dead as he arrived at Sparks Steakhouse in Manhattan -- a killing organized by Gotti, authorities said. Gotti, who then assumed control of the family, reportedly watched the action from nearby with his eventual underboss, Sammy "the Bull" Gravano. But Gravano later testified against Gotti, leading to the latter's 1992 conviction in five murders -- one of several major convictions that thinned the Mafia ranks in the 1980s and 90s. The police said there were no arrests in the Wednesday killing and the investigation was ongoing. --IANS soni/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) National carrier Air India has cancelled several international flights on account of low passenger yields on the sectors which include Delhi-Madrid. In a late Wednesday night development, the airline said 6 international flights from Delhi to places like Birmingham have been cancelled. "Due to operational reasons..Air India flights are suspended w.e.f March 16, 2019 till further notice," the airline said in a statement. Route rationalistion is one the key programmes that the airline's management is running to reduce cost and infuse efficiency. However, the development comes even as other airlines like SpiceJet cancelled flights, which has sharply pushed up airfares. --IANS rv/sn/pgh/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court on Thursday told Fortis's Shivender Singh that since he has come back from 'sanyas', he should focus on paying along with his brother Malvinder Singh Rs 3,500 crore awarded to Japanese drug maker Daiichi Sankyo by a Singapore-based arbitration tribunal. "Now you have come (back) to world, then pay", said Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi who along with Justice Deepak Gupta and Justice Sanjiv Khanna told both the brothers to inform the court how they are going to secure the arbitration tribunal award. Initially senior counsel Fali Nariman appearing for Daiichi told the court that Malvinder Singh has said that he was anxious to pay his dues and Shivender Singh has said, "I have become a 'sadhu' and taken 'sanyas' and I don't want to do anything now." However, when senior counsel P.S. Patwalia told the court that he has come back to world, CJI Gogoi said, "Now you have come to the world, then pay." Patwalia appeared for Shivernder Singh Both Malvinder Singh and Shivender Singh were asked to give plan for securing the Singapore-based arbitration tribunal's award asking them to pay it Rs 3,500 crore in a dispute relating to Japanese drug maker Daiichi Sankyo's acquisition of their family pharma company Ranbaxy. Telling the two brothers, who are otherwise at loggerheads, to unite on the issue and give a plan for securing the award, the bench reminded them of their legacy of being the flag-bearer of the health sector and asked them to honour the award. Both Malvinder Singh and Shivender Singh were present in the court in pursuance to March 14 order of the court directing their presence. The court asked them to remain present in the court on March 28, the next date of hearing. Reminding Malvinder Singh and Shivender Singh of their obligation to secure the award, the court told them: "Once the award is passed, you have to honour it (award). It (not doing so) does no good to the country. You were once the flag-bearer of the country in health sector. Pay your debts and come out of it." Daiichi Sankyo has moved the top court contending that the two brothers have sold their stakes in Fortis Health Care to Malaysia's IHH Health and were also liquidating their other assets to escape the liability to pay Rs 3,500 crore arbitration award to Daiichi. "How do you intend to pay in the event of an order upholding the arbitration award?" the court asked Malvinder Singh, telling him that his brother has "renounced" the world and had "nothing to do with it". Finding Malvinder Singh not forthcoming with the response, CJI Gogoi told him: "If you are not prepared to answer, don't answer, because all that you say will be recorded." The court told Singh brothers that they can take time to "reflect, look into their accounts and seek legal advice. Then court then adjourned the hearing till March 28. Directing the next hearing on March 28, CJI Gogoi said, "This is first time you are coming to court. Let the next appearance be the last one." As Court asked which date they would like to come prepared with the plan to secure the award, senior counsel Harish Salve, appearing for Malvinder Singh, said since Nariman is senior-most, let him suggest the next date. "Thankfully, I am only the senior-most and not the debtor," Nariman said amid laughter. --IANS pk/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As airlines continued to cancel more flights on Thursday, passengers took to the social media to vent their ire. On the second straight day, 32 SpiceJet flights were axed on Thursday following the grounding of its 737-MAX aircraft. The budget carrier said: "Due to cancellations and rescheduling of some of our flights, we are expecting high traffic at all customer touch points leading to longer wait time. We request you to be patient, we are doing out best to assist all of you." But passengers were not mollified. They voiced their displeasure on the social media. A Vijay Kasar tweeted: "... No responsibilities taken by SpiceJet for few passengers who have somehow not checked Junk SMS & emails from airlines informing rescheduling and left stranded with kids. #Disgusting." Another passenger, Vijaybahu Joshi, urged Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu to force Spicejet to issue refunds. Another twitter handle @NamishSir said: "@flyspicejet Please let us know in early hours if the flight SG-746 is cancelled, so that I can plan alternate options. It's already delayed 2 hours due to 'operational reasons'" On Wednesday, the airline cancelled 14 flights after all Boeing 737-MAX aircraft were ordered to be grounded in India following the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines plane of the same model that killed all 157 people on board. The government has told domestic airlines not to go in for predatory air fare pricing and keep passenger comfort in mind. Operations of airlines like SpiceJet and Jet Airways have been hit hard as Spice uses 12 Boeing 737-MAX planes and Jet 5. Even otherwise, Jet has been grounding planes for many reasons. Around 50 of its planes are said to be non-operational. Pilot shortage has forced IndiGo to truncate its flight schedule. --IANS rrb-rv/rs/mr/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an excellent actor who could be quite successful if he tried his skills in Bollywood. Gehlot was addressing a gathering in Laxmangarh. This was the first public gathering of the Congress party in Rajasthan after the model code of conduct for mthe general elections came into force. Targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party, Gehlot said the BJP has been running away from the real picture. "You must have seen in films how actors play different roles. There are cameras too, but they do not reflect the real life picture," he said. "Modiji is doing acting since the last five years," he added. "Our PM promised that he will bring back black money but not a single penny has come in. He promised to generate two crore jobs every year, but that too failed," Gehlot said. He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot and state party in charge Avinash Pandey. --IANS arc/rs/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Leaders of BJP's Tamil Nadu unit believe the Pollachi sexual abuse-cum-blackmail case will not have an impact in the Coimbatore belt even as the Opposition is trying to take political advantage of the sordid episode. Agreeing that people are upset at the sexual abuse of girls in their region, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Thursday said the DMK and its allies are trying to gain political mileage, but it may cut no ice with the public in Coimbatore. The BJP is part of the AIADMK-led alliance in the state for the Lok Sabha elections. The party is hoping to contest the Coimbatore Lok Sabha constituency in the general elections. "There is silent anger in the hearts of Pollachi people. Even students while protesting had said they will show their anger in the voting booth if the culprits are not brought to book at the earliest, while the victims' identities are to be protected," a Coimbatore resident told IANS. "The DMK is giving a political colour and the people understands the politics behind it," Vanathi Srinivasan, General Secretary, Tamil Nadu unit of BJP, told IANS. "We have made representations to the police to protect identities of the victims of sexual abuse. The government is taking action, like detaining the four arrested under the Goondas Act and transferring the probe to CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation)," she said. Srinivasan said she was shocked to hear about the crime as Pollachi is a small town with lower crime rate. A lawyer by profession, she said the family members of the victims should extend support to them. The party's state OBC Morcha chief S.K. Kharventhan said the opposition was trying to spoil the goodwill earned by Palaniswami in this belt. "Chief Minister K. Palaniswami has gained good name by laying the foundation stone for the long-pending Athikadavu-Avinashi drinking water-cum-irrigation scheme," Kharventhan told IANS. Kharventhan said the sexual abuse-cum-blackmail must have been going on for a long time, going by the number of videos that are said to be shot. It's believed about 1,600 videos have been shot by the culprits. He said it was the AIADMK that protested first demanding action against the culprits. "The opposition is trying to gain political advantage and is not concerned about the impact it would have on the victims," Kharventhen said. On Wednesday, a former AIADMK MP K.C. Palanisamy told IANS: "The Pollachi sexual assault case will have its impact not only in the Pollachi Lok Sabha constituency but also in the neighbouring seats like Coimbatore, Erode, Nilgiris and Tiruppur." According to him, the people of the area believe in self-respect and "will not go easy on this sordid episode in the polls," he said. --IANS vj/pgh/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi "weak" and "scared" of Chinese President Xi Jinping, provoking an angry reaction from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Gandhi hit out at Modi a day after China blocked the naming of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the United Nations. "Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NaMo's China Diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat 2. Hug Xi in Delhi 3. Bow to Xi in China," Gandhi said on Twitter. On Wednesday, the UN Sanctions Committee could not come to a decision on naming the JeM chief as a global terrorist after China put the proposal on hold. India expressed its disappointment at the outcome. Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad took exception to Gandhi's comment and slammed him for criticising the Modi government over China opposing the move. "Why is Rahul Gandhi in a celebratory mood when India stands 'pained' by China blocking Masood Azhar's name in the UNSC? I know your tweet must have become news in Pakistan. These days you feel very happy seeing your name in Pakistan (media) headlines," Prasad said. Referring to Rahul Gandhi's visit to China embassy during Doklam tension and his Mansarovar visit, the BJP leader said if the Congress President is so much close to Chinese establishment, he should have used that proximity to persuade China to take a stand against Masood Azhar. "Why you didn't?" Prasad asked, adding whether the Congress would adopt a different voice even in the case of a cruel killer and a global terrorist Masood Azhar. The BJP leader asked Gandhi whether he had said the same thing when China blocked the move in 2009 when the Congress ruled India. "It is the result of your (Congress) legacy that China is a member of the (UN) Security Council," he said, referring to then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's diplomacy of the 1960s. He said this time, France, America and Britain brought the proposal to declare Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. "Except for China, all other countries supported the proposal. China's step has pained India and its citizens," Prasad added. Hitting out at Rahul, Prasad said foreign policy is a serious and sensitive subject and not determined by tweeting. "Mr Gandhi, do you understand that by this statement today you are seen to be in close proximity to Masood Azhar? Your tweet will be read today in Jaish-e-Mohammad office and will be shown to others. I regret to say with great degree of agony today that the Congress' commitment in the fight against terror is becoming suspect," Prasad said. --IANS bns/nir (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) - the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's economic wing - on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "retaliate" against China for blocking the UN resolution to declare Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. In a letter to the Prime Minister, the SJM requested him to withdraw most favoured nation (MFN) status from China, impose more restrictions on Chinese products and to take immediate action to raise tariff duties on all Chinese imports. Noting the "whole nation is in anger against China" over its protection to Azhar, the SJM's All India Co-convener Ashwani Mahajan termed China's action "highly deplorable" and "against the global struggle on terrorism". "This is the time to make use of all possible measures, diplomatic and economic, to make China conscious of the repercussions of its irresponsible action," he said in the letter. Mahajan said the time has come to withdraw the MFN status from China, as the government has already done in case of Pakistan and impose further restriction on Chinese products, especially telecom, electronics and defence equipment, due to security concerns. The SJM leader said that there is need to work harder to discourage Chinese imports as the group's research reveals that the average tariff being applied on Chinese imports is much lower than bound tariff rates on various commodities. "The government needs to take immediate action to raise tariff duties on all Chinese imports to discourage Chinese imports. China, which is already under economic stress, thanks to trade war initiated by US and other trade partners of China, will definitely realize the implications of unjust action of protecting terrorists. This action of India will help our and global fight against terrorism," Mahajan said in the letter. He said India has been importing more than $76 billion worth of goods from China and has been running huge trade deficit, which is impacting Indian economy in general and manufacturing in particular. "It is appreciable that in the past, the government has adopted various measures to curb Chinese imports by way of anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, increase in tariffs, imposition of tariffs and invoking reciprocity clause to stop Chinese companies taking infrastructure projects in India," he said. --IANS bns/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government may initiate a barter trade arrangement with Venezuela to prevent disruption of oil supplies from the Latin American country following threats from the United States to extend Iran like sanctions there as well. Diplomatic sources said that a mechanism akin to Rupee-Rial trade between India and Iran is being looked at where Venezuela will be paid in rupee in the branch of an Indian bank for its oil, while this money can be used by Venezuela to import food and other essential items from India. Venezuela is the fourth-largest oil supplier to India after Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran. It accounted for about 11 per cent of India's oil supplies in 2017-18, supplying close to 18 million tonne (MT). India imported 155 MT of oil in 2017-18. The imports are expected to hit over 170 MT in FY19. "India and Venezuela discussed the mechanism to continue the oil trade at last month's Petrotech meeting in Delhi. This is being further discussed at official level so that a payment mechanism around Indian rupee is operationalised," said an official source privy to the development. The total trade between India and Venezuela currently stands at about $6 billion and is heavily tilted in favour of the Latin American country due to oil imports by India. The main items of Venezuelan imports from India include pharmaceutical products, machinery, organic chemicals, cotton, iron and steel and vehicle parts. Diplomatic sources quoted earlier said that oil-for-medicine or oil-for-food deal has been a non-starter, as in the past Venezuela has favoured bilateral deals with Indian pharmaceutical companies rather than locking supplies of medicines with oil exports. This experience has not been a happy one for Indian companies such as Novartis and Dr Reddy's, who also faced payment issues earlier there. But now with Venezuela itself facing severe shortages, India sees an opportunity to re-start talks on barter trade arrangements. It is worth noting that India's trade deficit with Iran narrowed when the latter was on sanctions, as Iran felt compelled to use up its rupee reserves. India's experience in rupee-rouble trade with the erstwhile Soviet Union has also been good. The US is likely to disapprove of such efforts, but India also does not want to lose yet another oil-rich nation from its import list that could have a bearing on its energy security. The US is seeking to cut off Venezuela's oil revenue as part of its efforts to build pressure on President Nicolas Maduro to step down. The US has recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as the head of state. The sanctions mean that anyone using the US banking channels or having big presence in the US and also continuing to deal with Venezuela will also face restrictions. In view of this, Indian buyers such as Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy (formerly Essar Oil) have already expressed their concern. These company are big importers of oil from Venezuela. In fact, Reliance Industries accounted for 80 per cent of Venezuelan oil imports to India in 2018 at 2,70,000 barrels a day. But the company sources said it has decided to cap oil purchases from Venezuela in view of the sanctions. Alternate payment mechanism in rupee and barter trade arrangement is expected to keep oil flowing from the Latin American country even with hardening of US sanctions. (Subhash Narayan can be contacted at subhash.n@ians.in) --IANS sn/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Samsung Electronics Co. on Thursday said it will push to put cameras and sensors beneath the screens of smartphones to create "perfect full-screen" devices. The South Korean tech giant said its Infinity-O Display, used in Galaxy S10, is a "milestone" for its display technology, although going forward, it will showcase a "full screen" look for upcoming smartphones. "Punching a hole in the OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display is a very challenging technology," Yang Byung-duk, Vice President of Samsung's Mobile Communication R&D Group Display, said in a briefing, Yonhap news agency reported. "We tried the technology for Galaxy's 10th anniversary model and think the strategy worked as a result." "Galaxy S10 is the only smartphone that has a hole in OLED display itself," Yang pointed out. "Hole display is not one of the design options, but it is a noteworthy achievement in terms of the display technological advances." Samsung's ultimate goal is create a smartphone with all of sensors embedded beneath the screen. "Though it wouldn't be possible to make (a full-screen smartphone) in the next 1-2 years, the technology can move forward to the point where the camera hole will be invisible, while not affecting the camera's function in any way," he said. Yang said the company is also considering development of Crystal Sound OLED display, which can make the screen double as a speaker. LG Electronics Inc. adopted a similar technology in its latest smartphone, G8 ThinQ. Galaxy S10's Infinity-O Display puts a front-facing camera in a punch-hole in the main display itself, doing away with the bezel and notch to provide users with the best viewing experience for. The flagship smartphone also features the world's first ultrasonic fingerprint reader on the screen, ditching the physical pads located in various places on previous devices. --IANS ksc/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Key security-oriented intergovernmental body, the OSCE, has urged for ensuring a reliable and stable truce in Ukraine as the March 8 ceasefire was not adhered to, media reported. Data released by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry in late February showed the fightings since April 2014 between government troops and the pro-independence armed groups in Donbas have killed some 13,000 people, injured 30,000 others and displaced 1.5 million. The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe special envoy to Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on Ukraine, Martin Sajdik, said on Wednesday the spring cease-fire in Donbas announced to be implemented from March 8 is not being observed. Representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the OSCE discussed pressing humanitarian issues in eastern Ukraine during their latest meeting here on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported. The TCG's next meeting in Minsk is scheduled for March 27. On Wednesday at the TCG meet, the issues thrashed included demining, a list of prisoners for exchange, improving the capacity of checkpoints at the line of contact, among others. --IANS in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US Republican-led Senate has voted to end Washington's support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen in a rebuke to President Donald Trump's continued backing of the Kingdom monarchy despite growing frustration among lawmakers with its actions on the world stage. The bipartisan vote on Wednesday was 54 to 46 and marked the second time in months when the Senate rejected the US' continued participation in Saudi Arabia's bombing campaign against Yemen's Houthi rebels, waged in the name of holding back Iran's expansion in the region, the Washington Post reported. In December, the bill on pulling US forces from the military conflict was stalled in the then Republican-led Congress. The Saudi-led war, which at times targeted civilian facilities and prevented aid shipments from getting to Yemenis, had been faulted by human rights organizations for exacerbating what the UN called the world's "worst humanitarian catastrophe". The Senate resolution, an unprecedented attempt to curtail presidential powers, sought to end the US military involvement in the conflict within 30 days. Trump has vowed to veto the resolution if it passed through the Democrat-led House. "We should not be associated with a bombing campaign that the UN tells us is likely a gross violation of human rights," Senator Chris Murphy said on the Senate floor. The war in Yemen started in 2015 and has left thousands of Yemenis dead and millions more starving. The US sells weapons used by the Saudis and its military provides logistical and intelligence support to the coalition for drone strikes. Many US lawmakers have taken issue with the number of civilian deaths in Yemen's conflict and have been calling for an end of US military support ever since the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul last October. The Senate earlier blamed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the death of the journalist and expressed concerns over Trump's lax response on the issue. Trump has described Saudi Arabia as a vital ally and resisted calls for sanctions against the Kingdom's leadership over the killing. Wednesday's resolution will be considered in the now Democrat-led House of Representatives. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is living his Indiana Jones moments while trying to uncover a secret in Dubai. SRK features in a series of videos, which are part of Dubai Tourism's #BeMyGuest campaign. #BeMyGuest features a series of films across social media and online platforms, highlighting Dubai's iconic locations and sites. Throughout the campaign Shah Rukh lives his Indiana Jones moments, reaching out to his fans across the world, seeking their help in solving clues, and inviting them to find what other fantastic experiences await them, in Dubai. In the latest video, he is seen interacting with a boy, who translates an inscription on a box. It reads: "Where the sea is built on land, stories will appear from the sand." Shah Rukh is then seen narrating the story to his friends. "We had reached La Mer," he says. Glued to his story, one of his friends says: "That means the sea." SRK replies: "Exactly... the sea built on land. What I didn't know then was that he (the boy) was leading me straight to the next clue." SRK is then seen chasing the boy who leads him to a woman. She says: "There are three hidden coins in Dubai. Find them and you will uncover a secret as old as Dubai itself." SRK then wonders why it came to him. The woman just smiles and tells him to stay hydrated. Reaching out for his drink, he finds a key in it. He uses it to open a box with a piece of cloth. Then he rubs the cloth on the sand. It reads: "In the jewel of the ocean, they fall from the sky." One of his friends asks him: "Where is this in Dubai?" Shah Rukh simply tells him to guess. --IANS nn/rb/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan, who was considered close to party leader Sonia Gandhi, on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Vadakkan said he was deeply hurt at the way the Congress questioned the integrity of the armed forces after the suicide bombing at Pulwama led to India-Pakistan tensions. "I gave my prime of life to the Congress. But dynastic is now at its zenith in the party... There's no place in it for self-respecting people," he said. --IANS bns-vn/mr/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A black South African TV and radio presenter has claimed that he was the victim of a racially motivated attack after stopping to help a group of white people whose car had overturned. Samora Mangesi tweeted photos of the injuries he sustained in the alleged assault in Johannesburg which he said happened last week. The TV host claimed that he and his two female friends were called "monkeys", the BBC reported on Thursday. "On Friday night I was the victim of a racially motivated attack. After stopping to check on a group of young white people whose car had overturned, they called my friends and I 'monkeys'. When we engaged them on why we were being called such, they beat me up until I was unconscious," Mangesi claimed in a Twitter thread on Wednesday. "Even whilst I was being put in the ambulance, one of these guys tried to run my friend over with his bakkie and the paramedics had to intervene." Mangesi was knocked unconscious after he was allegedly kicked and punched, suffering injuries to his face, cuts inside his mouth and bruising along the left side of his body, the report said. In the days following the attack, Mangesi said his memory was "very sporadic". "As much as they say I was awake, I don't remember being in the ambulance, arriving at the hospital nor much of the treatment." Mangesi said he thought about "letting it go and just continuing with my life", but later reported the incident to the police. News of the assault sparked anger on local social media and calls for a police investigation, the BBC said. --IANS soni/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nasrin Sotoudeh was sentenced to 38 years in prison and 148 lashes. The woman is guilty of spreading information against the state, espionage and insults to Khamenei. NGOs and activists speak of a "shocking" sentence. Disputes over the sentence: a judge speaks of seven years in prison, pending appeal. Tehran (AsiaNews / Agencies) - An Iranian court has sentenced a lawyer and human rights activist to 38 years in prison and 148 lashes. She has been at the forefront in recent months in defending those who fought against the mandatory veil. The family members of Nasrin Sotoudeh, who was indicted for offenses related to national security, reported the sentencing. However, there are conflicting sources about the real extent of the sentence: a judge of the Islamic Revolutionary Court speaks of seven years in prison, awaiting the appeal process. NGOs and pro-human rights activists speak of a "shocking" sentence imposed on a leading personality of the country, awarded prizes and honors for her professional activity in the past. Sotoudeh is famous for representing women who protested against the obligatory hijab and for having fought against the death penalty. Yesterday in a long post on social media, her husband confirmed the verdict, after talking to her on the phone from prison. According to the activists of Center for Human Rights in Iran, she is accused of spreading information against the state, espionage and insulting the supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Nasrin Sotoudeh is one of seven lawyers and human rights activists arrested in Iran last year. Before her detention, last June she defended a group of women imprisoned for appearing in public without the mandatory veil, a legacy of the 1979 Islamic revolution and punishable with prison under the penal code. The woman has to face nine different charges, in the context of two different trials, one of which took place in her absence. The judges imposed a long detention and flogging as an accessory penalty. In the past, Nasrin Sotoudeh was arrested and imprisoned between 2010 and 2013 for her political activity (propaganda against the state and attacks on national security). The woman has always rejected the accusations, in the past and still today. On 26 October 2012, the European Parliament awarded her - along with director Jafar Panahi - the Sakharov prize, the EU's highest honor in terms of human rights. In her professional activity, the lawyer assisted prominent Iranian dissident and opposition figures, including journalist Isa Saharkhiz, Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi and the head of the National Democratic Front (party banned by Tehran ) Heshmat Tabarzadi. Opposition leaders came down heavily, here on Thursday, on the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government for revealing the identity of a Pollachi sex abuse victim. The government in its order transferring the Pollachi sexual abuse-cum-blackmail case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had mentioned the name of a victim. DMK President M.K. Stalin said as per the Supreme Court's directives names of sexual assault victims should not be revealed. Stalin said the government in its order transferring the case to the CBI had not only mentioned the girl's name but also the college in which she is studying. The DMK leader said it is a blatant violation of the rule by the AIADMK government so as to prevent other girls from lodging a complaint and also to save the culprits. Condemning the state government for revealing the name, Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran said after this other victims would be reluctant to lodge a complaint. Meanwhile, the Crime Branch-Crime Investigation Department (CBCID) that is probing the case questioned the family members of the main accused Thirunavukkarasu. --IANS vj/rs/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) probing a money laundering case against corporate lobbyist Deepak Talwar has found incriminating documents suggesting he allegedly used funds received by his front entities in Singapore to buy commercial properties in the national capital. A senior ED official involved in the probe said after his deportation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on January 30, Talwar had revealed during questioning that he had received around Rs 350 crore in several bank accounts. The official said Rs 200 crore was allegedly received in a bank account of one of Talwar's company in Singapore and Rs 90 crore in an NGO named Advantage India. According to an Income Tax Department report, the bank statements of Talwar's companies showed that $9.6 million was paid by Qatar Airways, $9.8 million by Air Arabia and $10.01 million by an individual to his company's Singapore bank account. The ED official said Talwar was using the money received from the foreign companies to invest in commercial properties in Delhi, including a hotel. The official said the agency carried out searches at several places in Delhi, including a hotel and an IT company, which led to the recovery of a private server located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. He said the server helped the ED track the money trail as it had details of communications and emails exchanged by Talwar. The official, however, refused to share when the raids at two locations in Delhi and one in Noida were carried out. Talwar had fled to Dubai after Indian agencies started probing his role in concealing the income of over Rs 1,000 crore as well as facilitating aviation contracts during the UPA regime. Talwar is being probed for his suspected role in irregular seat sharing on Air India's profitable routes with some international airlines. The ED probe against Talwar is based on four FIRs related to the Air India-Indian Airlines merger, purchase of 111 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus at Rs 70,000 crore, alleged deliberate ceding of profitable routes and schedules to private airlines, and opening of certain training institutes with foreign investment, based on the CBI FIR filed in May 2017 on the Supreme Court's directions. He is accused of brokering aviation deals, getting government approval for foreign companies and securing favours for clients using his ties with UPA functionaries. However, Talwar is not named as an accused in the Air India deal case registered by the CBI. In May 2018, the ED had searched nine places in Delhi and Haryana to gather evidence against Talwar. The CBI and the ED had earlier also registered an FIR against Talwar and an NGO, Advantage India, for alleged violation of Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA) involving over Rs 90 crore. --IANS aks/rtp/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tihar Jail officials on Thursday submitted a report in a Delhi court stating that alleged AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal middleman Christian Michel is allowed to walk inside the prison and meet inmates. The jail authorities handed over a list of facilities being provided to Michel inside the prison. A jail official told Special Judge Arvind Kumar that Michel is allowed to access the canteen and denied the middleman's allegation that he was being kept in isolation. The official also explained that the middleman has been kept in a separate cell due to security reasons. The jail authority also submitted a hard disk to the court with CCTV footage that contained visuals from March 8 to 12, which showed Michel accessing the facilities. Michel's advocates Aljo K. Joseph and Vishnu Sankar has requested the court to shift the British national from an isolation cell to a normal cell in jail number 7, where white-collar accused are housed. The matter would come up for hearing next on Saturday. The court had on March 5, directed Tihar Jail authorities to shift Michel to Jail number 1, 3 or 4, which are meant for keeping undertrials. Michel was extradited to India on December 4, 2018 from the United Arab Emirates. The Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate had filed charge sheets in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case, naming Michel and others as accused. --IANS akk/in/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leaders in Kerala on Thursday said the departure of Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan is a non-issue for the party. Congress spokesperson Joseph Vazhakken said that as far as the party in Kerala was concerned, Tom Vadakkan was never involved at any level in the state. "We have only seen Vadakkan on TV channels. In Kerala he has had no space or role. His leaving is not going to affect us in any manner," Vazhakken told the media. Congress Secretary and former MLA P.C. Vishnunath said he failed to understand the noise over Vadakkan joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "Vadakkan is one person who will not be able to make any impact even in a local body in Kerala. Who is he after all? Our only plea to the BJP is to see that they retain him forever. The Congress in the past has seen several similar opportunists and their going makes no impact at all," said Vishnunath. Vadakkan, who hails from Thrissur in Kerala, had ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls tried to use his influence in Delhi to get a Lok Sabha seat from Thrissur but Congress leaders and activists thwarted his attempt. But Kerala BJP President P.S. Sreedharan Pillai said that many more Congress leaders were expected to join the party. "Vadakkan is just one. You just wait and see, more are coming. But I will not reveal who they are," said Pillai. Vadakkan told the media that he was deeply hurt at the way the Congress questioned the integrity of the armed forces after the suicide bombing at Pulwama led to India-Pakistan tensions. "I gave my prime of life to the Congress. But dynastic is now at its zenith in the party... There's no place in it for self-respecting people," he said. --IANS sg/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Protesting against China blocking India's bid to have Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations (UN), the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Thursday called its members to boycott Chinese goods in the country. "We are launching a national campaign asking traders not to buy or sell any Chinese products, especially ahead of the festival of Holi," CAIT National Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said. The traders' body has asked its members to burn Chinese products on March 19 to mark their protest and has also urged the government to levy high customs duty on all Chinese imports. China should suffer for shielding Pakistan's anti-India activities," said Khandelwal. China on Wednesday vetoed India's fourth attempt at the UN to declare Masood Azhar a global terrorist. India's attempts to impose sanctions against the Pakistan-based terrorist came after a suicide attack orchestrated by the JeM in Kashmir's Pulwama district killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. --IANS bdc/rtp/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The #Trashtag challenge is neither silly nor dangerous, still is finding traction among the netizens around the world. Whats more, the challenge to the bored teens after thousands of shares and likes on the social media is being hailed as a 'worthwhile challenge on the internet. Those clued in on the #trashtag challenge say that the globally trending hashtag has been around since 2015 started by outdoor gear company UCO. Indians have been associated with it since the early days. Afroz Shah, a Mumbai-based lawyer, used the hashtag to encourage citizen's participation in the cleaning up the dirty Versova Beach and was bestowed the Champion of the Earth award by the United Nations. In its present avatar, the hashtag got viral on the internet when Bryon Roman, according to media reports, about a week ago posted his challenge on his Facebook page. He posted, "Here is a new #challenge for you bored teens. Take a photo of an area that needs some cleaning or maintenance, then take a photo after you have done something about, and post it. Here are the people doing it #BasuraChallenge #trashtag Challenge, join the cause. #BasuraChallengeAZ ." The challenge requires the participant to clean up a public space, post pictures of before and after on the social media and nominate others. Given that initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Missions have led to public discourse on cleanliness, the Indians have taken to the #trashtag challenge in a big way. Here is a few samples of what the Indian twitteraties have to say: "#SwachhIndia #SwachhBharat #CleanIndiaMission started by @narendramodi @BJP4India for India has taken the form of a global movement with #trashtag #TrashChallenge Now that's the impact of our @PMOIndia #LokSabhaElections2019 proud of @PMOIndia #NaMoAgain" tweets @coolshekh "Don't know anyone has put this on news or not, but India needs the #trashtag challenge to trend. Would you mind spreading the word...??" tweets @NidhiKesharwan5 "Not Just Another Dumb Challenge: #TrashTag Challenge Is Motivating People To Pick Up Trash" tweets @JaagoInd "Can you call "mother earth" it is emergency hide us in your lap Why spoil earth Your trash belongs to you Now or never if we don't step up We'll be lost forever 1 in 8 deaths in India is due to air pollution (12.5%) #trashtag #pollution #HumanityFirst #climatechange #challenge" writes @muzamilamin32 "If #India #teens start doing this for #cleanearthchallenge #trashtag !! I bet it will be clean in a day!!! I am very #positive about it!!! #letsdothis #LetsStartRight #challenge #IndiaUnites #youngindiarising #WorldsBest #Saveplanetearth #biodiversity" tweets @NandiniRawat. --IANS vijay/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump is "desperate" to reach a trade deal with China and is being ill-served by protectionist advisers who have left the White House "living in chaos" on major decisions, his former top economic adviser Gary Cohn has said. In an interview to Freakonomics, a public radio show and podcast, the former President of Goldman Sachs said that the US President "needs a win" and expects a China deal to boost the stock market, which has treaded water for the past year. Cohn, 58, served for 14 months as Trump's Director of the National Economic Council. His comments came after the President said at the White House on Wednesday that he was "not in a hurry" to reach a deal with Beijing and said "there's always a chance" the talks could fail. The President, however, expressed an eagerness to host a signing summit at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida for Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Washington Post reported. Trump had in February expressed optimism about the prospects for a trade agreement with China after he delayed a scheduled increase in tariffs on Chinese imports. He said he was delaying an increase from 10 per cent to 25 per cent in the tariffs his administration levied earlier on $200 million in Chinese products. The hike was scheduled to take effect from March 1. Cohn cast doubt on Trump's ability to obtain fundamental changes in China's state-led economic system, one of his core negotiating objectives. "I think market access, the Chinese will give because they've been close to giving it for a while. But how are we going to stop the Chinese from stealing intellectual property?" he said. "How are we going to stop them from copyright infringement? What is the enforcement mechanism and what are the punitive damages if they don't stop?" The US has proposed enforcing any agreement via 18 annual meetings with Chinese officials, backed by the threat of unilateral American tariffs, according to chief US trade negotiator Robert E. Lighthizer. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer said that Trump should "have the guts to walk away" if the Chinese don't offer significant concessions. A self-described "globalist" in a nationalist White House, Cohn argued against the President's enthusiasm for imposing tariffs on products such as solar panels and steel, according to the Post. But he said he was bested by White House adviser Peter Navarro and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, the administration's leading protectionists. Cohn resigned in March 2018, shortly after Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. He said he supported the President's desire to crack down on unfair Chinese trade practices, but said tariffs "don't work". As evidence, he pointed to last year's record $891 billion trade deficit in merchandise and the record $419 billion gap in trade with China, the Post said. "So tariffs were used as the threat. Did it hurt the Chinese at all? We had record trade deficits," Cohn said. --IANS soni/nir (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With China blocking India's bid to list Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, the call for banning Chinese products has renewed in India with yoga guru Ramdev and Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy leading the charge on Twitter. "Along with China, we should politically, socially and economically boycott people of all other countries that support Masood Azhar. The economic boycott is more powerful than the war as China purely understands the business language," Ramdev, who is also the founder of Patanjali Ayurved, said in a tweet in Hindi on Thursday. Meghalaya Governor Tathagata Roy lost no time in joining the chorus for boycotting Chinese products soon after China vetoed sanctions against the JeM chief. "For the fourth time communist China blocks UN move to ban Masood Azhar. And to think that Jawaharlal Nehru had jumped about all over the place demanding a permanent seat for this China in the UN Security Council," he tweeted. China-based companies dominate the smartphone market in India and also in several other product categories. "I uninstalled #TikTok and I urge every nationalist Indian to #BoycottChineseProducts for good and teach these Chinese traitors a lesson for life," wrote another user. --IANS gb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A late evening fire at a well of the ONGC Ahmedabad asset on Wednesday claimed the lives of two contractual workers while four others sustained severe burn injuries, official sources said on Thursday. "A fire broke out around 2030 hours in an ONGC well at Nandej (Well #6) near Ahmedabad while workover (repair and maintenance) operations were being carried out," the Oil & Natural Gas Corp said in a statement. While the company drafted a team of officials to provide medical aid and four fire tenders to control the fire, five fire tenders from district fire services were deployed. While one of the deceased was charred in the fire, another worker succumbed to injuries early on Thursday morning. "Four other contractual workers who were afflicted with severe burn injuries are being treated at a hospital in Ahmedabad," the release said. Ahmedabad asset has over 2,500 wells, of which half are operational currently. The ONGC was inquiring the cause of the fire. --IANS desai/mr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two members of Sohail Saifi gang, accused of robbing Rs 31 lakh from two persons and attempting to kill them, were arrested from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, a police officer said on Thursday. "Rizwan, 23, and Shadab, 32, -- residents of Meerut and Delhi's Jamia Nagar, respectively, -- were arrested on Wednesday, when a Crime Branch team headed by ACP Sandeep Lamba raided their hideout on a tip-off," Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) Rajiv Ranjan said. "The accused are active members of the Sohail Saifi gang. They were involved in an attempted murder and robbery in Pandav Nagar on February 21. They had shot at and robbed two friends carrying Rs 31 lakh cash from Kashmeri Gate to Noida," Ranjan said. Another gang member, Naushad had last year opened fire in the office of a builder in the Jama Masjid area when he refused to pay extortion money. Two persons suffered bullet injuries in the incident," he said. A hunt is on to nab the gang's other members. --IANS sp/rtp/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A UK airline has apologised to a 21-year-old woman for threatening to offload her from a flight for wearing "inappropriate" attire, the media reported. Emily O'Connor, who was travelling on a Thomas Cook Airlines flight from the UK's Birmingham Airport to Tenerife in the Canary Islands on March 2, said the cabin crew told her that her clothing was "causing offence", CNN reported on Wednesday. Her outfit consisted of a crop top and high-waisted pants. O'Connor said she had worn the outfit through the airport and was only told to cover up upon entering the plane by the cabin crew. She said the flight manager, along with four other staff, asked her to put on a jacket or be removed from the plane. On Wednesday, Thomas Cook Airlines said it had apologised to O'Connor and the its cabin services director had spoken to her "to find out more information" about the incident, CNN said. "We are sorry that we upset O'Connor," the airline said in a statement. "It's clear we could have handled the situation better. "In common with most airlines we have an appropriate attire policy. This applies equally to men and women of all ages without discrimination. Our crews have the difficult task of implementing that policy and don't always get it right." The airline's clothing policy stipulates that customers wearing "inappropriate attire (including items with offensive slogans or images) will not be permitted to travel unless a change of clothes is possible. --IANS ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The slow-moving US plans to set up six nuclear power plants in India have received a boost as the two nations reiterated their commitment to strengthen security and civil nuclear cooperation during the 9th India-US Strategic Security Dialogue. A joint statement issued on Wednesday after the dialogue, where the Indian side was headed by Foreign Secretary Vijay K. Gokhale, said that Washington "reaffirmed its strong support of India's early membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group". "They committed to strengthen bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, including the establishment of six US nuclear power plants in India," it added. The statement also said that both countries declared their "commitment to work together to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems and to deny access to such weapons by terrorists and non-state actors". The US delegation to the dialogue held in Washington was led by Andrea Thompson, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. The statement seeks to breathe new life into expected results of the civil nuclear cooperation agreement between the two countries, which have failed to live up to the hopes since it was signed in 2008 during the Prime Ministership of Manmohan Singh and the Presidency of George W. Bush. The law limiting civil liability for nuclear damages from the plants passed in 2010 was meant to overcome a stumbling block for US companies to set up nuclear power plants in India. However, financial problems of the US company Westinghouse that had agreed in 2016 to build six plants in Andhra Pradesh put the plans on hold when it went into bankruptcy the next year. Now owned by Brookfield Asset Management, the US-based Westinghouse has received the backing of the Trump administration for the project and US Energy Secretary Rick Perry promoted it during a visit to India last year. India has ambitious plans to increase its nuclear electric generation capacity to meets its growing needs with clean energy. Russia is the leading player in the nuclear power sector in India. Ahead of the dialogue, the third round of the US-India Space Dialogue was held on Tuesday at which the two countries "discussed trends in space threats, respective national space priorities, and opportunities for cooperation bilaterally and in multilateral fora", the statement said. Indra Mani Pandey, India's Additional Secretary for Disarmament and International Security Affairs, and Yleem Poblete, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, co-chaired the meeting. Also on Tuesday, Gokhale and David Hale, the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs held India-US Foreign Office Consultations. A statement issued after the meeting by the State Department said that they affirmed "the importance of joint leadership to strengthen the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region". "Recognising that the US and India share complementary visions for the Indo-Pacific, they agreed to deepen cooperation toward their joint goals in the region, including in conjunction with other Indo-Pacific partners," it added. The discussion between the two diplomats also covered the situations in areas of importance to the US -- North Korea, where last month's summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on denuclearisation failed; Iran, where Trump has pulled out of the multinational denuclearisation agreement and imposed sanctions on Tehran, and Venezuela, where the US has recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as its president and wants Nicolas Maduro to step down following elections marred by irregularities. Trump wants India to play a major role in the Indo-Pacific region where the two countries act as bookends of democracy, a task Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cautiously embraced without making it appear a direct challenge to China. India and the US have also stepped up multilateral cooperation with the other two major democracies in the region, Australia and Japan. (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed on Twitter @arulouis) --IANS al/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jordan Peele's horror film "Us", written and directed by him, is scheduled to release across theatres in India on March 29. Set in the present day, "Us" from Monkeypaw Productions, stars Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o as Adelaide Wilson, a woman returning to her beachside childhood home with her husband, Gabe (actor Winston Duke), and their two children (actors Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex) for an idyllic summer getaway. Haunted by an unexplainable and unresolved trauma from her past and compounded by a string of eerie coincidences, Adelaide feels her paranoia elevate to high alert as she grows increasingly certain that something bad is going to befall her family. "The idea for this movie came from a deep-seated fear in doppelgangers," Peele said in a statement. "I love doppelganger mythologies and the movies that have dealt with them, and I wanted to make my offering to that pantheon of 'evil-double' films. I was drawn to this idea that we are our own worst enemy. "That's something we all know intrinsically, but it's a truth we tend to bury. We blame the outsider, we blame 'the other'. In this movie, the monster has our faces." --IANS nn/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A US State Department report has labelled journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder a human rights violation committed by Saudi Arabian government agents, but has made no mention whether Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman played a role in the Washington Post columnist's death. The annual report, details human rights abuses around the world, under a mandate set by Congress in foreign aid and trade laws. It was released on Wednesday, CNN reported. The State Department's top human rights official declined to say what role, if any, the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) assessment of the case played in the account of Khashoggi's death. The CIA had concluded that the Crown Prince, also known as MBS, directed Khashoggi's murder, according to multiple lawmakers briefed by the agency's Director Gina Haspel. Ambassador Michael Kozak of the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour did not answer when asked why the report failed to mention Bin Salman in connection to Khashoggi's death, instead talking about an ongoing Saudi investigation and saying, "we're sort of in the middle of that movie". He also refused to say whether the State Department had reviewed the CIA assessment on Khashoggi's killing. "I'm not going to give you an answer about Saudi," Kozak said. "But I can say that we, I mean, we routinely review intelligence information as part of our daily job." In its account of Khashoggi's death, the State Department report said that Saudi government agents "carried out the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the consulate of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul, Turkey, on October 2." Khashoggi was a fierce critic of the Crown Prince. Saudi Arabia's King Salman "pledged to hold all individuals involved accountable, regardless of position or rank" and 11 suspects had been indicted by the Kingdom's public prosecutor's office, the report stated. The Saudi government has not publicly named any of those 11 suspects or provided any detailed account of where its investigation stands. "In other cases, the government did not punish officials accused of committing human rights abuses, contributing to an environment of impunity," the report said. Kozak defended the omission of the Crown Prince's name in connection with Khashoggi. "We can all have our suspicions or speculations, but our effort is fact-driven rather than opinion-driven." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo singled out four countries - Iran, South Sudan, Nicaragua and China - in brief remarks on the report. China "is in a league of its own when it comes to human rights violations," Pompeo said. He pointed to the Chinese government's repressive campaign against Muslim minority groups. "Today, more than 1 million Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs and other Muslims are interned in re-education camps designed to erase their religious and ethnic identities," he said. "The government also is increasing its persecution against Christians, Tibetans and anyone who espouses different views from those of government - or advocates change in government." --IANS soni/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Virtually blaming NCP chief Sharad Pawar for Sujay Vikhe-Patil joining the BJP, Congress' Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil on Thursday threatened that he would not campaign for the alliance partner in Ahmednagar. In the first reaction after his son walked over to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena alliance, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said he was pained by Pawar's utterances targeting his father, the late Union Minister Eknathrao alias Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil. "In view of this, I shall not campaign for anyone in Ahmednagar," he told the media here, implying he would not campaign against his son and the probable BJP nominee for the Ahmednagar Lok Sabha constituency. On Wednesday, Pawar said the seat had gone to the NCP quota after the defeat of Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil and he would not part with it at any cost. "I am distressed by Pawar's comments on my deceased father. He has so much animosity against my father even now. After this, there's no question (of campaign) now. Even if I campaign, fresh suspicions would be raised," Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said. He added that it was wrong to say he struggled for his son, since Sujay took his decision (to join BJP) independently and keeping in mind the alliance norms, he exercised restraint in his comments. Referring to the statements by his political rival and former minister Balasaheb Thorat that the Congress "did a lot for the Vikhe-Patil family", Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil demanded to know whether "he (Thorat) was bigger than the Congress". Amidst speculation about his resignation after Sujay's decision which left the Congress embarrassed, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said he has left everything to the party high command. --IANS qn/ksk/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party is set to inaugurate its new war room for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. However, the day the bhoomi poojan was scheduled, journalists were told that the event had been postponed till April and the war room in its Delhi state office on Pandit Pant Marg would be inaugurated during Navaratri as it was more auspicious. Insiders, however, said the party had chosen the first date, assuming that the Delhi polls would be held in the first or the second phase. But when the Election Commission announced that Delhi would, ... Expressing concerns over "political interference" in influencing statistical data in India, as many as 108 economists and social scientists Thursday called for restoration of "institutional independence" and integrity to the statistical organisations. Their joint statement comes in the backdrop of controversy over revision of gross domestic product (GDP) numbers and withholding by the They said that for decades, India's statistical machinery enjoyed a high-level of reputation for the integrity of the data it produced on a range of economic and social parameters. "It (statistical machinery) was often criticised for the quality of its estimates, but never were allegations made of political interference influencing decisions and the estimates themselves," they said in an appeal. They have appealed to all professional economists, statisticians and independent researchers to come together to raise their voice against the tendency "to suppress uncomfortable data" and impress upon the government to restore access and integrity to public statistics and re-establish institutional independence. The signatories include Rakesh Basant (IIM-A), James Boyce (University of Massachusetts at Amherst, US), Emily Breza (Harvard University, US), Satish Deshpande (Delhi University), Patrick Francois (University of British Columbia, Canada), R Ramakumar (TISS, Mumbai), Hema Swaminathan (IIM-B) and Rohit Azad (JNU). The economists and social scientists said it is imperative that the agencies associated with collection and dissemination of statistics like the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and the Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) are not subject to political interference and their work, therefore, enjoys total credibility. "Lately, the Indian statistics and the institutions associated with it have, however, come under a cloud for being influenced and indeed even controlled by political considerations," the statement said. Citing an instance wherein the CSO revised upward growth estimates for 2016-17 (the year of demonetisation) by 1.1 percentage points to 8.2 per cent, the highest in a decade, they said: "This seems to be at variance with the evidence marshalled by many economists". The statement also expressed concern over withholding of Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) of and news reports that the PLFS of 2017-18 will be scrapped altogether by the government. Two members of the Statistical Commission (NSC), including the acting chairman, subsequently resigned because they felt the was delaying the release of the report, though the NSC itself had officially cleared it, they added. The 108 experts, from across the globe, further said that in fact, any statistics that cast an iota of doubt on the achievement of the government seem to get revised or suppressed on the basis of some questionable methodology. "This is the time for all professional economists, statisticians, independent researchers in policy regardless of their political and ideological leanings to come together to raise their voice against the tendency to suppress uncomfortable data..." they said. The experts also called for impressing upon the government authorities, current and future, and at all levels, to restore access and integrity to public statistics, and re-establish institutional independence and integrity to the statistical organisations. The reputation of India's statistical bodies in the country and globally is at stake, they added. The first meeting of officials of Pakistan and India to finalise the modalities of the landmark Kartarpur Corridor, held in the shadow of escalating bilateral tensions, was "construcirve" and the discussions were held in a "cordial environment", the Foreign Office said here. India and Pakistan last year agreed to open a special border crossing linking Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur - the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev - to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district. The meeting took place in Attari on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border, amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama terror attack by a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed on February 14. Commenting on the meeting, the head of the Pakistani delegation and the Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Dr Mohammad Faisal said the deliberations were constructive. "Pakistan Kartarpur Delegation returns after constructive discussion in a cordial environment," he tweeted. "First #Pakistan-#India Joint Press Statement after a long time," Faisal noted. Both delegations held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalising the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, the joint statement said. Both sides also held expert level discussions between the technical experts on the alignment and other details of the proposed corridor. It was agreed to hold the next meeting at Wagah on April 2. This will be preceded by a meeting of the technical experts on March 19 at the proposed zero points to finalise the alignment of the corridor, it said. Last November, India and Pakistan agreed to set up the border crossing linking Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district. Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four km from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Crime Branch of Kerala Police has filed an FIR against three Congress legislators, who are also Lok Sabha ticket hopefuls, over complaints of sexual exploitation and rape by a prime accused in the multi-crore 'solar scam'. One of legislators said the FIR was a ploy to dent his image ahead of the general elections. In the FIR filed on March 12, Congress MLA from Ernakulam, Hibi Eden, MLAs and former state ministers Adoor Prakash and A P Anil Kumar have been charged with rape and outraging modesty of the complainant, a top police official told PTI. The woman and her co-accused had allegedly duped several investors of crores of rupees by offering to set up solar panel units for them. The BJP had earlier described the solar scam as the "biggest sex-cum-bribe" scandal that has "shocked" the nation. In a letter to the then city police commissioner on July 19, 2013, the woman had levelled charges of sexual misconduct and corruption against several Congress and UDF leaders, including former chief minister Oommen Chandy, some of his ministers and two former Union ministers. The FIR has been filed in a special court in Ernakulam district set up to fast track cases against legislators. Eden's name is in the reckoning for the Ernakulam Lok Sabha seat, while Prakash is being considered for either Attingal or Alappuzha constituency. Eden told media that the FIR was a ploy to tarnish his image ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Adoor Prakash and A P Anil Kumar were not immediately available for comments. The Kerala High Court had on March 11 dismissed a plea seeking expeditious probe against Chandy in connection with the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five persons, including three women, were killed and 31 injured after major portion of a foot overbridge near a busy train station in south Mumbai collapsed Thursday evening, officials said. The bridge, which connected the area near the Times of India building with the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station station, was commonly called 'Kasab bridge' as the 26/11 Mumbai attack terrorist passed through it during the strike. All the injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals, a disaster management cell official said. Just after the incident, Mumbai Police had tweeted: "Foot over-bridge connecting CST platform 1 north end with B T Lane near Times of India building has collapsed. Injured persons are being shifted to hospitals. Traffic affected. Commuters to use alternate routes. Senior officers are on spot." The deceased were identified as Apoorva Prabhu (35), Ranjana Tambe (40), Bhakti Shinde (40), Zahid Shiraj Khan (32) and T Singh (35), said police spokesperson Manjunath Shinge. Prabhu and Tambe were staff members of the G T Hospital, the official said. The tragedy comes eight months after another bridge collapsed in suburban Andheri, in which five persons were killed. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the family of the deceased and said a high-level committee will probe the circumstances under which the 40-year-old over-bridge collapsed. "The injured persons will get Rs 50,000 each and the government will bear the cost of their treatment," Fadnavis said, adding that officials found responsible for the incident will be booked. "I have ordered a high-level inquiry into this unfortunate incident which puts a question mark over the authenticity of the structural audit of bridges carried out across the city," he added. A 45-member team of the National Disaster Response Force has been rushed to the site for rescue operations. An eyewitness said the over-bridge was being used by pedestrians even as repair works happened in the morning. Several motorists were also under the bridge when it came down, which led to an increase in the number of injured, an official said. "Fire brigade personnel reached the spot immediately and rescue work is in full swing. We have appealed the motorists to avoid the D N Road to JJ Flyover section," he said. Another eyewitness said most of the victims were walking on the overbridge on their way to the CST station when it collapsed. "Thankfully, when the bridge collapsed, it was red signal at the nearby road, otherwise several people would definitely have been crushed under the rubble," said a taxi driver, who luckily escaped the tragedy. Soon after the disaster, elected representatives and local party leaders rushed to the spot amid raging political blame-game. Arvind Sawant, the local MP from the Shiv Sena, dubbed the incident as most unfortunate and said, "This ill-fated bridge was placed under the minor-repairing after the audit of all the bridges in the city. Action will be initiated against the responsible officials." Local BJP MLA Raj Purohit also visited the spot and demanded immediate action against the engineer who had declared the bridge as "safe". "Strictest action should be taken against the engineer who declared this bridge as safe and he should be arrested right now. He is responsible for the entire disaster," he said. Local Shiv Sena corporator Sujata Sanap said she had alerted concerned officials about the unsafe structure, but they did not act in time. Speaking to reporters, she said, "I have been pursuing the issue of this unsafe bridge since long and also wrote so many letters to officials but they were ignored." The bridge collapse will be jointly probe by the BMC and Central Railways officials, said Vinod Tawde, District Guardian Minister of Mumbai. "I have discussed the issue with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as well as with CR General Manager D K Sharma, BMC chief Ajoy Mehta and joint police commissioner (L&W) Deven Bharti. The railways and the BMC will jointly inquire the accident," Tawde told reporters. "The audit report of the BMC had found a need of minor repairs to the bridge," he said. Meanwhile, Congress leader Milind Deora said murder charge should be slapped on structural auditors who inspected the bridge and the BMC officers who appointed them. "I demand that structural auditors who carried out the inspection and structural audit of the bridge be booked under IPC section 302 (murder)," he said. "Mumbaikars feel very much unsafe in the city, considering the frequent incidents of bridge collapses," the former MP said. "I am not politicising the issue, but hollow promises are not going to serve the people anyway. This is failure of the government and the system," he added. Social activist Anil Galgali demanded that all the bridges, inspected by the engineers who had declared the ill-fated bridge as safe, be re-inspected. "This incident puts a question mark over the competence of engineers and structural auditors who inspected bridges in Mumbai. They should be prosecuted and blacklisted," Galgali said. On July 3 last year, portion of a road over-bridge had collapsed in suburban Andheri. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal had then announced a joint safety audit of all 445 bridges in Mumbai as part of efforts to improve safety. Following the order, the railways, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the IIT-Bombay had conducted the safety audit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Six persons were killed and 31 injured after section of a foot overbridge near a busy train station in south Mumbai collapsed during evening rush hour on Thursday, officials said. The bridge, which connected the area near the Times of India building with the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station, was commonly called 'Kasab bridge' as the 26/11 Mumbai attack terrorist passed through it during the strike. The injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals, a disaster management cell official said. Just after the incident, Mumbai Police had tweeted: "Foot over-bridge connecting CST platform 1 north end with B T Lane near Times of India building has collapsed. Injured persons are being shifted to hospitals. Traffic affected. Commuters to use alternate routes. Senior officers are on spot." The deceased were identified as Apoorva Prabhu (35), Anjana Tambe (40), Bhakti Shinde (40), Zahid Shiraj Khan (32), Tapendra Singh (28) and Mohan, said the disaster management cell of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Prabhu and Tambe were employees of the G T Hospital, the officials said. A case has been registered against officials of Central Railway and the BMC in connection with the incident, police said. "We have registered an offence under section 304A (causing death by negligence) of the IPC at the Azaad Maidan police station," said Manjunath Singe, spokesperson of the Mumbai Police. Civic authorities started dismantling the remaining portion of the overbridge late Thursday night. Additional Municipal Commissioner of the BMC, Vijay Singhal, said the remaining portion of the damaged bridge is being dismantled manually. He said action will be taken against the firm that conducted the structural audit of the bridge. Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner (Law & Order), told PTI that police "will, for sure, launch an inquiry into the incident". The tragedy comes eight months after another bridge collapsed in suburban Andheri, in which five persons were killed. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the family of the deceased and said a high-level committee will probe the circumstances under which the 40-year-old overbridge collapsed. "The injured persons will get Rs 50,000 each and the government will bear the cost of their treatment," Fadnavis said, adding that officials found responsible for the incident will be booked. A 45-member team of the National Disaster Response Force was at the site. An eyewitness said the over-bridge was being used by pedestrians even as repair works were ongoing. Several motorists were also under the bridge when it came down, which led to an increase in the number of injured, an official said. "We have appealed the motorists to avoid the D N Road to JJ Flyover section." Another eyewitness said most of the victims were walking on the overbridge on their way to the CST station when it collapsed. "Thankfully, when the bridge collapsed, it was red signal at the nearby road, otherwise several people would definitely have been crushed under the rubble," said a taxi driver, who luckily escaped the tragedy. Faizan Ahmad, who witnessed the incident, said it appeared as if a powerful bomb went off. "The dust and cries of the victims filled us with fear and we soon realised that a bridge has fallen." Manish Jha, a reporter with a Hindi daily, had a lucky escape. "It looked like I had near death experience. The moment I walked on the bridge, I felt its floors vigorously swaying," he said. Amid tragic scenes, some people were seen taking selfies with the debris of the bridge in the background. Lawmakers and local party leaders rushed to the spot as political blame-game ensued. Arvind Sawant, the local Shiv Sena MP, said, "This bridge was under minor-repairing after the audit of all bridges in the city. Action will be initiated against the responsible officials." Local BJP MLA Raj Purohit also visited the spot and demanded immediate action against the engineer who had declared the bridge as 'safe'. "He should be arrested right now. He is responsible for the entire disaster." Local Shiv Sena corporator Sujata Sanap said she had alerted officials about the structure, but they did not act in time. "I have been pursuing the issue of this unsafe bridge for long and also wrote so many letters to officials but they were ignored." The collapse will be jointly probed by BMC and Central Railways, said Vinod Tawde, District Guardian Minister of Mumbai. "I have discussed the issue with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as well as with CR General Manager D K Sharma, BMC chief Ajoy Mehta and joint police commissioner (L&W) Deven Bharti. The railways and the BMC will jointly inquire the accident," Tawde told reporters. Congress leader Milind Deora said murder charge should be slapped on auditors who inspected the bridge and the BMC officers who appointed them. "Mumbaikars feel very unsafe in the city, considering the frequent incidents of bridge collapses," the former MP said. "I am not politicising the issue, but hollow promises are not going to serve the people anyway. This is failure of the government and the system," he added. In July last year, portion of a road over-bridge had collapsed in suburban Andheri. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal had then announced a joint safety audit of all 445 bridges in Mumbai. Following the order, the railways, the BMC and the IIT-Bombay had conducted a safety audit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AAP's Patiala (rural) unit president was shot at by unidentified assailants in Punjab's Tarn Taran district on Thursday while he was trying to prevent them from kidnapping a girl, police said. Some car borne youths tried to kidnap a girl in Patti. Chetan Singh (52) successfully foiled their attempt, Inspector General of Police Surinder Pal Singh Parmar said. The girl confirmed this in her statement to police. The assailants fired at Singh and a bullet hit him near the neck, Parmar said. The AAP leader was shifted to Amritsar hospital where his condition was stated to be stable, he added. Parmar said a delegation of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) met him and demanded immediate arrest of the kidnappers. Police said investigation is underway in the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court Registrar General on Thursday objected to a plea of Abhay Singh Chautala, son of former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala, seeking transfer of a disproportionate assets (DA) case against him to some other judge. The registrar general informed the Delhi High Court that the DA case involving Abhay is pending before a special judge who was designated by the high court to deal with cases pertaining to MPs and MLAs on orders of the Supreme Court. Abhay has claimed that he apprehends he would not get a fair trial if his case continues to be presided over by the special judge. Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal was informed by advocate Viraj Datar, representing the high court's administration, that if the court decides to transfer the case, another judge would have to be designated to specially deal with it. "It (Filing of plea) has been done to overcome the sessions court," Datar said. The counsel said the court to deal with the matters of involving MPs/ MLAs was set up by a special notification and there is only one judge each at sessions court and magisterial court to hear them. On being asked whether the district judge concerned would be able to deal with the transfer application, Datar said the district judge will not have the power to do it as the special court was set up by the high court on the administrative side on the orders of the apex court. The court asked the counsel to seek further instructions from the registrar general on the issue and listed the matter for hearing on March 18. The court had on Wednesday issued notice to the CBI and the registrar general on the petition. The high court, in its Wednesday order, had also said that since the DA case was listed before the special CBI judge on Thursday, both Abhay and the agency "shall seek joint adjournment". Advocate Amit Sahni, appearing for Abhay, had told the high court that it was within its inherent power to transfer the DA case from one special court to another. Special public prosecutor Rajdipa Behura, appearing for the CBI, had contended that the transfer petition "was a total abuse of process of law and has only been moved to delay the trial". Abhay has said the DA case be withdrawn from the special CBI judge hearing it presently and be assigned to someone else. The petition has also sought calling of the case records, claiming that it would allegedly reveal deliberate deletion of the deposition of one of the prosecution witnesses. The CBI had lodged the DA case against Abhay on a complaint of Congress leader Shamsher Singh Surjewala. Surjewala had alleged that Abhay had amassed wealth worth several times more than his income. According to the CBI, Abhay owned assets worth over five times his income of Rs 22.89 crore as per income tax records during the 2000-2005 period. It has claimed to have found Rs 119.69 crore worth of assets. The CBI had also alleged that he possessed assets exceeding his legal income by 339.27 per cent. His legal income between May 1993 and May 2006 was Rs 8.17 crore, but had acquired assets worth Rs 27.7 crore, it had alleged before the trial court. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thirty-one militants, many of them believed to have been Al-Qaeda fighters, have been killed in airstrikes in south-eastern Afghanistan, officials said Thursday. The strikes were carried out in Ghazni province late Wednesday, where the defence ministry said they targeted a "base" belonging to the militants. "Qari Aref, one of the facilitators (for Al-Qaeda) was transferring these 31 terrorists, including nine suicide bombers, in several cars when targeted by airstrikes and eliminated," the ministry said. It described the fighters as all belonging to the Middle Eastern jihadist group, although a spokesman for the Ghazni governor said fighters from the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani network were also present. The defence ministry did not specify who carried out the airstrikes. Only Afghan and US forces in Afghanistan conduct airstrikes. The Ghazni governor's spokesman, Mohammed Aref Noori, said the strikes had been carried out by US forces, but there was no immediate confirmation of his claim. Al-Qaeda is still believed to be active in parts Afghanistan and Pakistan, where some of its surviving leadership such as Ayman al-Zawahiri are thought to be hiding. While still regarded as a threat by Afghan and US officials, the group has not been able to conduct major attacks in Afghanistan or repeat the spectacular success of the September 11, 2001 attacks by hijacked airliners on New York and Washington. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tihar jail authorities Thursday denied before a Delhi court the accusations of torture levelled by Christian Michel, the alleged middleman arrested in AgustaWestland chopper scam case. The authorities also told Special Judge Arvind Kumar that the accused was granted all the facilities according to the jail manual. The official appearing for the jail also submitted before the court a hard disk containing the CCTV footage, saying it showed that the accused was allowed to walk, access canteen and meet other inmates. Special Public Prosecutors D P Singh and N K Matta, appearing for the CBI and the ED respectively, told the court that the accused was a foreigner and was brought through extradition. "There is a responsibility of the country to ensure his security as per the treaty," the counsel said. The court had on March 11 allowed the ED to quiz Michel inside Tihar jail after the agency's lawyer Samvedna Verma told the court that new facts have emerged in the case which needs his questioning. The court will now hear the matter on March 16. On March 12, Michel told the court that former CBI special director Rakesh Asthana met him in Dubai and threatened to "make his life hell inside jail" here if he did not toe the line of the agency. "Sometime back Rakesh Asthana met me in Dubai and threatened that my life would be made hell in the jail and that's what is going on. My next door inmate is (gangster) Chhota Rajan... I don't understand what crime I have committed to be put along with the terrorists and those who have killed several people," he said. The jail authorities said Michel was shifted to high-risk prison considering threat to his life. Michel was arrested by the ED on December 22 last year after his extradition from Dubai. The court previously lashed out at the jail authorities for failing to justify the shifting of Michel to a high-security cell in isolation, saying it will start an inquiry if it does not get a proper response. Michel is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the Rs 3,600 crore chopper deal scam by ED and Central Bureau of Investigation. The others are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Air India Thursday announced that it is combining the Mumbai-New York flight with its Mumbai-Newark flight from March 16 to May 31 "due to operational reasons". As Pakistan has kept its airspace closed since the Balakot air strike by the Indian air force on February 26, Air India's expenditure on flights to Europe and the US has increased significantly. On Wednesday, Air India had announced it is suspending its flights on the Delhi-Madrid and Delhi-Birmingham routes from March 16 "till further notice" due to "operational reasons". In a tweet on Thursday, the national carrier said the combined flight AI144 will depart from Newark at 2.15 pm (local time), make a stop in New York, and then arrive at the mumbai airport next day at 2.10 pm (local time). The combined flight AI191 will depart from the Mumbai airport at 1.30 am (local time), make a stop in New York, and then arrive at Newark airport at 8.15am (local time), Air India said in its tweet. On Wednesday, the national carrier had said that AI135 Delhi-Madrid flight and AI136 Madrid-Delhi flight would be suspended from March 16, 2019, till further notice. It added that AI113 Delhi-Birmingham flight and AI114 Birmingham-Delhi flight would be suspended too. The airline said that AI117 Delhi-Amritsar-Birmingham flight and AI118 Birmingham-Amritsar-Delhi flight would also be suspended too. The airline had also offered full refund to customers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Farmers' body ICCFM Thursday said political parties should include various demands, such as Rs 5,000 monthly pension and an additional income support under the PM-Kisan scheme, in their election manifestos. The All India Coordination Committee of Farmers' Movement (ICCFM) also demanded that family members of the farmers who committed suicide should be rehabilitated and at least one family member should be given a government job. The Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be held in seven phases starting from April 11. The Model Code of Conduct has already kicked in and the political parties are busy finalising candidates and the election manifestos. The ICCFM comprises major farmer bodies such as such as Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS), Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam (TVS) and Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha (AGM). "We have 18 key demands and we want all the political parties to include in their election manifestos with clear mandate of timeline when they would implement," Yudhvir Singh of ICCFM told reporters. He said the direct income support of Rs 6,000 per hectare (comprising 2.5 acres) being offered in three instalments in a year to small and marginal farmers under the PM-Kisan scheme is insufficient and does not cover everyone. "We want the government to give an additional income support of Rs 10,000 per acre per year per farmer to all farmers across the country," Singh told reporters. Small and marginal farmers should also be given a pension of at least Rs 5,000 per month after the age of 60, he added. Among other demands, ICCFM wants the government to fix minimum support price (MSP) based on the formula suggested in the Swaminathan report to ensure 50 per cent profit over the cost of the production. It should be ensured that the crops should not be purchased below MSP under any condition. There should be a provision of penalty if this is not followed by the agriculture mandi, it said, adding that there should also be a guarantee from the government for 100 per cent procurement of all crops. On crop loan, the farmers' body said there should be an "unconditional" waiver of all types of loans of all farmers, including tenant ones. "Nearly 80 per cent of loans to the farmers is from the nationalised banks. All types of loans to the farmers (nationalised banks/cooperative banks) should be waived, within 6 months of coming into power," it noted. ICCFM demanded tweaking of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bhima Yojana (PMFBY) to ensure the entire premium is paid by the government, payment of sugarcane arrears, free electricity for irrigation via tube wells, specific social security scheme, and linking of MGNREGA to agriculture. Among others, the ICCFM demanded zero goods and services tax on all equipment used in agriculture, detailed action plan for protection from wild and stray animals, non-eviction of indigenous people and forest dwellers, and keeping agriculture out of WTO. It also demanded a white paper on all the free-trade agreements signed by India and how it has performed, special session in Parliament on agricultural issues and lift ban on diesel vehicles older than 10 years used in agriculture. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully test fired indigenously developed, low weight, Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile for the second time on Thursday in the ranges of Rajasthan desert, a statement said. The missile is incorporated with advanced features including state-of-the-art Imaging Infrared Radar (IIR) Seeker with integrated avionics, it said. The first test was conducted on Wednesday. "In both the missions, the missiles hit the designated targets precisely at different ranges. All the mission objectives have been met," the statement said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jammu and Kashmir BJP Thursday alleged that Mehbooba Mufti carried out anti-national activities and promoted a pro-Pakistan agenda in the state as the chief minister of the BJP-PDP government, and demanded she be probed and tried for treason. BJP spokesman Brig (Retd) Anil Gupta, whose party was an ally in the government headed by Mehbooba, alleged that as the CM she played divisive and communal in Jammu and pursued the agenda of separatists in Kashmir. "It was for this reason that she held the Home portfolio (as well) and did not even have a Minister of State despite the state being infested with terrorism," he charged in a statement. Mehbooba served as the first woman CM of the state from April 4, 2016 to June 19, 2018 before the BJP pulled out of the alliance, citing discrimination with the Jammu and Ladakh regions. "While she was wearing the mask of a nationalist and occupied the highest chair in government, she actually was betraying the nation by carrying out anti-national activities and compromising the national interests," Gupta said. He also said when it became obvious she was playing a "double-game", the BJP lost no time to "disgrace her by withdrawing from the coalition". He said her role in the killing last year of journalist Sujaat Bukhari also needs to be investigated as he reportedly met her a couple of days earlier and apprised her of the threat to his life. Referring to the statements of the PDP chief allegedly boasting about preventing the Centre from acting against the Hurriyat and the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), forcing the release of first-time stone pelters and cessation of military operations during 'Ramzan', Gupta said it was a clear cut case of "betrayal" of faith the Union government imposed in her as the Chief Minister of a state. After the Centre banned the JeI, Mehbooba had said, "We had not allowed the BJP to do whatever it is doing now. But unfortunately there is no one to stop them (now)." The BJP spokesman added, "A thorough investigation should be held on her role as a chief minister and the harm she has done to the nation. Based on the findings of the investigation, she should be tried for treason," He also claimed that Mehbooba confessed she obstructed the Centre from acting against the Hurriyat and the JeI. "If a leader like Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah (the National Conference founder) can be tried for treason, what prevents a similar action against Mufti," Gupta asked. He claimed Mehbooba has time and again confessed her role in promoting pro-Pakistan separatist agenda in the state while she was the CM and betrayed the oath of loyalty and secrecy. "While in Jammu, she was busy playing divisive and communal by attempting to break centuries old brotherhood, bonding and bonhomie between the Gujjars and Dogras, in Kashmir she was relentlessly working for JeI and pursuing the agenda laid down by Hurriyat," he alleged. Ever since its inception, he said, the JeI has been promoting a pro-Pakistan agenda and questioning the state's accession to India. "It is also responsible for encouraging separatism and terrorism with Hizbul Mujahideen as its armed wing. The JeI is a fascist-religious organisation which proudly proclaimed 'Azadi Barai Islam' (Freedom based on Islamic principles) as its motto on its website," the BJP leader said. He alleged Mehbooba also confessed she did not act against JeI leaders despite instructions from the Centre based on intelligence inputs on their "anti-national activities". "Most of her senior party colleagues were also surprised by her dual face and deserted her soon (after the BJP quit the alliance)," Gupta claimed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Assam Rifles has rescued a woman kidnapped by NSCN(IM) cadres and apprehended two members of the outlawed extremist outfit, an official said here Thursday. A quick reaction team of the paramilitary force rescued the woman from a school building in New Wangparal village in Chandel district of Manipur. She was kidnapped on Tuesday. On receiving specific information that two armed NSCN(IM) cadres were holding a blindfolded woman in the school building, an Assam Rifles battalion immediately launched a search and rescue operation on Wednesday, the official said. "Taken by surprise, the armed NSCN(IM) cadres fired on the troops and fled from the site," the official said. The securitymen chased and captured them. The two cadres were handed over to the Chandel district police. "An FIR was lodged against the cadres for kidnapping, attempt to murder and under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act for being in possession of restricted-calibre weapon and ammunition," the official said. The cadres were identified as self-styled Lt Colonel Justin Khapai and self-styled Sergeant Korungthang of NSCN(IM). Search operations are on to apprehend some other NSCN(IM) cadres involved in the kidnapping of the woman, the official added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Several women organisations Thursday accused the Narendra Modi government of not doing much for the safety of women and said atrocities on them have witnessed a spike under the BJP dispensation. The organisations said the BJP and the fascistic RSS have been unleashing terror by spreading caste and communal hatred while violence and mob lynching has become the order of the day. They said self appointed 'cow-vigilante' groups are having a free rein and are roaming scot-free after killing people with impunity. They (cow-vigilante' groups) have taken the law into their own hands and have derived tacit support from their political masters and the minorities, Dalits and women are their special targets, they said in a statement. "The MNREGA wages are pending for two years. Hundreds of women are still waiting for it to be passed. MNREGA was basically for the poor people who can do work on daily wages". "The much-bruited Nirbhaya funds lie largely unutilised. The fund is being diverted at another projects which was meant for the rehabilitation of the violence victims," said Mariam Dhawale, general secretary of All India Democratic Women's Association at a conference here. She added that the women's organisations will initiate a campaign to raise the voice of oppressed women ahead of the upcoming election. The statement, said attacks on Dalits across the country have increased by 40 per cent between 2012 and 2015 while rapes of Dalit women have grown from 1,349 in 2010 to 2,326 in 2015. According to data from 2016, no redress has been found in 90 per cent cases of crimes against Dalits and Adivasis, it added. "In the presence of the government which was emphasising on 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao', the sex ratio was reduced to 49 per cent from 50 per cent". "Pakistan and Ram Mandir have become the main issues for the upcoming elections instead of the women security," said Ritu Kaushik from All India Mahila Sanskritik Sangathan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A hotel in Delhi's posh Chanakyapuri area, which houses the diplomatic enclave, was the first stop of Masood Azhar, the founder of Jaish-e-Mohammad, when he first arrived in India in January 1994 and dodged immigration officials' queries about his Portugese passport by claiming he was a "Gujarati by birth". The Pakistan-based terrorist, who was arrested in Jammu and Kashmir within the next two weeks, had also stayed in capital's hotel Janpath and visited Lucknow, Shahranpur and Islamic seminary Darul-uloom Deoband, according to his interrogation report. Azhar, whose JeM was responsible for a series of terror strikes in India including the attack on Parliament in 2001 and a CRPF convoy in Pulwama last month, had arrived in India on a fake Portuguese passport after visiting Bangladesh. "I spent two days in Dhaka and thereafter travelled to Delhi by Bangladesh Airlines (Biman), reaching the IGI Airport in early hours of January 29, 1994. The Immigration officials at IGI commented that I did not look like a Portuguese but when I replied that that I was a Gujarati by birth, he did not hesitate to stamp my passport. "I hired a taxi and asked (the driver) for a good hotel. I was taken to the Ashok hotel in Chanakyapuri where I stayed," according to the interrogation report available with the security agencies here. During the night, Azhar told his interrogators, that he rang one Ashraf Dar, a Kashmiri, who came to the Ashok hotel along with Abu Mehmood, a member of terrorist group Harakat ul-Ansar. "I expressed my desired to visit Deoband to pay obeisance at the graves of Deobandi intellectuals. As such Ashraf Dar escorted me in his Maruti car, accompanied by Abu Mehmood to Deoband. We stayed in Darul-uloom Deoband for the night. After offering prayers at Deoband, next morning we went to Gungoh and then proceeded to Saharanpur," the report said. At Saharanpur, Azhar stayed for the night at a mosque of Tabliq-ul-Jamat and at none of these places, he had revealed his true identity. On January 31, 1994, he came back to Delhi by the same car after staying overnight at Khan Ji of Maulana Masir-ul-ullah Khan at Jalalabad. On reaching Delhi, Azhar stayed at hotel Janpath located near Connaught Place. Since his flight to Srinanagr was booked for February 9, he decided to visit one Maulana Abu Hassan Nadvi alias Ali Mian at his madrassa in Lucknow. Accordingly, Azhar went to Lucknow in a bus on February 6 or 7, 1994, where again he did did not disclose his identity. As he could not meet Ali Mian and another another person whom he intended to meet, Azhar returned to Delhi by bus. This time, he stayed at hotel Sheesh Mahal in Karol Bagh. In all Delhi hotels, Azhar registered himself in the assumed identity of Portuguese national Vali Adam Issa. "In Delhi, on February 8, 1994, I visited the Centre of Tablig-ul-Jamat at Nizamuddin but did not meet any particular person. I had also purchased 12 compasses (to give direction of Mecca) from Nizammudin to offer them as gift to militants in the Kashmir valley," he told the interrogators. After his arrival in Srinagar on February 9, 1994, Ashraf Dar escorted him to Madrasa Qasmian in Lal Bazar where a room was arranged for him. Later in the evening a militant, Sajjad Afghani, came to meet him along with his deputy named Amjad Bilal of Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami, who was armed. Next morning, on February 10, he was escorted by Afghani to a place called Matigund where all Pakistan/PoK terrorists gathered. "They (the terrorists) were happy about my visit and merger of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami. I had taken their addresses and letters so that I can communicate their welfare to their families on return to Pakistan," he told the interrogators. While returning from Matigund, accompanied by Afghani and one Farooq, a militant of Matigund area, who was armed and had a wireless set, the car developed some trouble and stopped. Then Azhar and his accomplice boarded a three-wheeler and proceeded to Anantnag. After travelling for about 2-3 km, the auto rickshaw was stopped by the Army personnel, according to the report. "Farooq started running and opened fire which was returned by the Army men. Farooq managed to escape but I along with Afghani was arrested," he told the interrogators. Azhar was freed from an Indian prison in 1999 along with two other terrorists in exchange for passengers of an Indian Airlines aircraft which was hijacked and taken to Kandahar in Afghanistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An investigation into celebrated photographer Shahidul Alam was suspended by a Bangladesh court Thursday, after his arrest last year on controversial charges for criticising the government attracted global outrage. Alam was arrested in a midnight raid in August and held under draconian internet laws which critics say have been wielded by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to stifle dissent and harass journalists. The award-winning photographer was charged with making "false" and "provocative" statements in a televised interview, offences carrying a maximum 14 years in jail. He was jailed for 107 days -- the photographer said he was badly beaten while in custody -- and denied bail four times before being freed in November. His lawyers said Thursday the investigation into Alam, 63, was suspended by the High Court for three months -- a first step toward charges being dropped. Bangladesh's attorney general said the government would appeal the decision. "We will do that as soon as the court resumes next week," Deputy Attorney General Moklesur Rahman told AFP. Alam's detention sparked global outrage and became a closely watched freedom of speech case. It also shone a spotlight on the laws used to charge him, legislation that rights groups say has given authorities free rein to curb freedom of expression. That internet legislation he was charged under was replaced in October by the Digital Security Act, which critics said was even more repressive. Alam's legal team successfully argued their client's case had been handled incorrectly. "The case was filed under an abolished law," Sara Hossain, one of Alam's lawyers, told AFP. The photographer's arrest triggered international protests -- with rights groups, Nobel laureates and academics calling for his release -- and followed a series of mass rallies this summer after two teenagers were killed by a speeding bus. The massive protests evolved into broader demonstrations against Hasina, who has jailed her political opponents and journalists critical of her rule in the South Asian nation of 160 million. Hasina won a third consecutive term in December when her Awami League won 288 seats in the 300-seat parliament in a vote married by allegations of vote rigging. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The West Bengal government on Thursday signed a wage agreement with the jute industry to ward off an impending strike in the mills, officials said. The agreement, which was signed late on Wednesday, came into effect from Thursday, Labour Minister Malay Ghatak said. As per the fresh agreement, new workers would get a maximum of Rs 385 per day, from the existing Rs 257. In January this year, the state government had raised the wages for new joinees to Rs 327 a day as interim relief. A worker is also entitled to get Rs 385 a day if his attendance is at least 24 days in a month, failing which the wage would be reduced to Rs 370 a day. "This is a good wage agreement. Our government has given a better deal to the workers compared to the previous Left Front regime," Ghatak said. The new deal came in the backdrop of an indefinite strike call from March 15 by trade unions demanding wage revision and implementation of Minimum Wages Act, among others. As many as 21 trade unions, barring Indian National Trinamool Trade Union Congress, had called the strike. However, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), stayed away from the fresh wage agreement terming it as "anti worker". "The state government has budged before the jute mills management and forced an anti-worker wage agreement which is not acceptable to us. We have not ratified the deal," CITU backed Bengal Chatkal Mazdoor Union secretary Anadi Sahu said. Out of the 21 trade unions, six Left Front-supported trade unions have not signed the agreement. Major unions, including the Congress-backed INTUC, BJP's BMS, and Trinamool Congress' INTTUC have signed the agreement. "There is merely a Rs 2 per day hike for the 2.5 lakh existing workers, which is just not acceptable," Sahu said. He also said that the Left-backed trade unions and four other unions have called for a one-day token strike. Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA) sources said if the Left trade unions do not become a signatory to the wage agreement, smooth functioning will be affected in many mills. IJMA had earlier cited rising cost, cheap Bangladeshi imports and the onslaught of the plastic industry in packaging as causes for inability to pay more to the workers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The West Bengal government has signed a wage agreement with the jute industry to ward off an impending strike in the mills, officials said Thursday. The agreement. which was signed late on Wednesday, came into effect from today, Labour Minister Malay Ghatak said. As per the fresh agreement, new workers would get a maximum of Rs 385 per day, from the existing Rs 257. In January this year, the state government had raised the wages for new joinees to Rs 327 a day as interim relief. A worker is also entitled to get Rs 385 a day if his attendance is at least 24 days in a month, failing which the wage would be reduced to Rs 370 a day. The new agreement came in the backdrop of an indefinite strike call from March 15 by trade unions demanding wage revision and implementation of Minimum Wages Act, among others. As many as 21 trade unions, barring Indian National Trinamool Trade Union Congress, had called the strike. However, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), stayed away from the fresh wage agreement terming it as "nti worker". "The state government has budged before the jute mills management and forced an anti-worker wage agreement which is not acceptable to us. We have not ratified the deal," CITU backed Bengal Chatkal Mazdoor Union secretary Anadi Sahu said. Out of 21 trade unions, 6 left Front backed trade unions have not signed the agreement. But other major trade unions including the Congress-backed INTUC, BJP's BMS, and Trinamool congress trade union INTTUC have signed the agreement last night, he said. "There is merely a Rs 2 hike per day for the 2.5 lakh existing workers which is just not acceptable to us," Sahu said. He said the CITU will soon announce its next course of action. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over two months after the murder of former Gujarat MLA Jayanti Bhanushali, former BJP leader Chhabil Patel, a prime accused in the case, was arrested as soon as he landed at the Ahmedabad international airport on Thursday morning, officials said. The arrest was made the Gujarat CID-Crime. Talking to reporters, Director General of Police, CID-Crime Ashish Bhatia said, Patel admitted that he played a key role in the conspiracy to kill Bhanushali, his political rival. Patel had fled to Muscat in Oman a week before Bhanushali was murdered. While Bhanushali was shot dead in a moving train on January 8 (this year), Patel had fled to Muscat on January 2. Thereafter, Patel went to the US on January 10 and lived with his daughter in New Jersey, Bhatia said. "Patel was arrested from the Ahmedabad airport as soon as his flight from New York landed here early today morning. He confessed to us that he played a key role in the Bhanushali murder case. He revealed how he contacted sharp shooters and conducted a recce of Bhanushali," Bhatia said. He said, more details will emerge once they secure his remand after he is produced before the court. The CID had earlier arrested five persons- Patel's son Siddharth, two sharp shooters and two caretakers of Patel's farmhouse in Kutch district, Bhatia said. According to him, around three accused in the case, including a woman named Manisha Goswami, are still at large and yet to be arrested. Both Bhanushali and Patel had represented Abdasa seat in Kutch district as legislators. "Rivalry between Patel and Bhanushali led to the latter's murder. Patel was particularly upset after a rape complaint was registered against him in Delhi a few months back. He secured anticipatory bail in that case. Patel feared that he may have to go to jail in some other case," Bhatia said. According to the official, Patel possibly decided to come back and face arrest due to the pressure following the arrest of his son. Bhanushali, a former BJP MLA and former vice-president of Gujarat unit of the BJP, was shot dead in a moving train near Samakhiyali station of Kutch district on January 8. He had represented Abdasa Assembly constituency in Kutch from 2007 to 2012. Patel, a Congress candidate then, had defeated him in the 2012 Assembly election. Within two years, Patel switched sides and joined the BJP, but lost the bypoll for that seat in 2014. In 2017, the party chose Patel over Bhanushali for the Abdasa seat, but lost to a Congress candidate. As per the case registered with the Railway police of the CID, Patel allegedly held Bhanushali responsible for his defeat in 2014 and 2017 and had a grudge against him. The slain leader's nephew Sunil Bhanushali, who is the complainant in the case, alleged that to end his uncle's political career, Chhabil Patel and others made a CD, which showed him (Jayanti Bhanushali) in a compromising position with a woman. When Bhanushali refused to retire from political life as allegedly demanded by Patel, the latter hatched the murder conspiracy, the complaint said. Jayanti Bhanushali had stepped down as Gujarat BJP vice president in July last year after a woman accused him of rape. The Gujarat High Court had quashed the case after the woman withdrew her complaint. Patel was also suspended by the BJP after his name surfaced in the murder case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thursday said that it has roped in Telenor's Malaysian unit former CFO Nakul Sehgal as Corporate Chief Financial Officer, to look after fund raising of the company and Africa IPO. He will report to Chairman "Over the years, Bharti has always attracted the best of talent from across industry verticals and geographies. I am confident that Nakul's vast experience within the financial and commercial domain will add value to the group," Mittal said in a statement. Sehgal will be the key interface between the corporate office and operations. He will lead the investor relations and group taxation functions, monitor investments across geographies and work closely with both Airtel and Airtel Africa, the statement said. He will also be actively involved with initial public offer (IPO) and fund raising at Airtel India, it added. A Chartered Accountant from and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from State Board of Colorado USA, Sehgal has over 17 years of international professional experience. His last assignment was with the Group, where he worked for eight years in various senior level positions across geographies including In his last role he was the chief financial officer at Digi.com Berhad- a subsidiary of Norwegian firm in Organisations working for the welfare of Bhopal gas tragedy victims on Thursday demanded that the government revise the data on disaster-related deaths and injuries. These NGOs have claimed that recent scientific studies showed Bhopal was still reporting deaths and diseases linked to the gas leak. In the world's worst industrial disaster, over 15,000 people were killed after methyl isocyanate leaked on the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984 from the pesticide plant of Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) in the city. More than five lakh people were affected due to the toxic leak. The NGOs demanded that the central and state governments revise figures of deaths and illnesses caused by the disaster before the curative petition for additional compensation is heard by the Supreme Court next month. They said the promises by some parties of Rs 5 lakh compensation to each victim cannot be fulfilled unless the central and state governments present correct figures of deaths and injuries before the apex court. "In December 2018, we requested the Centreto direct the chemicals and fertilisers ministry to amend the curative petition topresent death and illness figuresin accordance with scientific facts and official records," Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh chief Rashida Bee said. She claimed there was no progress on it so far. Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha president Nawab Khan said in January this year they wrote to the state government listing documentary evidence pointing towards "deliberate attempts" to mislead the SC on the number of deaths and injuries in the disaster, but nothing was done. Bhopal Group for Information and Action's Rachna Dhingra said it was frustrating to correspond with "apathetic governments" over the matter. Nausheen Khan of the NGO Children Against Dow Carbide said they were yet to get an appointment with the chief minister to discuss the issue. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The opposition "Mahagathbandhan" (Grand Alliance) in Bihar will announce its candidates for the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state on Sunday, a senior Congress leader said here on Thursday. Bihar Congress campaign committee chairman Akhilesh Prasad Singh, however, did not reveal how many seats the respective constituents of the grouping are going to get. "Our talks were held in New Delhi. Top leaders of the Congress and alliance partners were present. RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha and HAM president Jitan Ram Manjhi were there. Things are falling in place well. We will announce our candidates on March 17," Singh told reporters. Singh dismissed reports that the HAM chief was sore over not getting a "respectable" share of seats and that was why he returned to the city a day ahead of schedule. The Congress leader and Manjhi were in the same flight to reach here from Delhi. It was speculated that Singh was rushed to Patna by the Congress high command to assuage Manjhi who has been blowing hot and cold for quite some time over the number of constituencies he wanted for his party. "Nobody is angry. All have been taken on board and things are being settled amicably. All Grand Alliance constituents will fight as a team and we will win all the 40 seats in the state," Singh asserted. He also dismissed reports that former Bollywood set designer Mukesh Sahni, whose Vikassheel Insaan Party is the latest entrant into the "Mahagathbandhan", was unhappy at being reportedly sidelined in the seat-sharing arrangements. "When the seats are announced, you will see for yourself that nobody has been left behind," Singh said. Meanwhile, when reporters approached Manjhi with queries, he said with a smile: "There is no anger or dissatisfaction. We will work together to ensure the defeat of the BJP-led NDA." The former Bihar chief minister has convened a meeting of the parliamentary board of his party, which was founded in 2015 after he quit the JD(U) after being forced to step down and pave way for the return of Nitish Kumar. Manjhi's son Santosh, also the HAM's national general secretary, issued a statement attacking JD(U) leader RCP Singh for his statement that there was "no entry" in the NDA for the former Bihar chief minister who had quit the BJP-led coalition a year ago. "(RCP) Singh is talking rubbish. Nobody is interested in returning to the NDA. The JD(U) leader was once considered the number two in the party. Now he should worry about the diminution of his own stature following the entry of Prashant Kishor," Santosh said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday demanded the resignation of three ministers of the Imran Khan government, who he alleged have close links with the banned terror outfits. He also termed the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) action against the two main opposition parties, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the PPP as "political engineering". Bilawal, addressing a press conference here, alleged that the three ministers were known to have close links with the banned outfits. "The three federal ministers are hands-in-glove with the terrorists. I don't want to disclose their names, but will do so if the government fails to take action against them," he said. Pakistan is under intense international pressure to reign in terror groups in the country after the Pulwama terror attack. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP kick-started its Lok Sabha campaign in Kashmir Valley with a meet at the Sher-e-Kashmir Park on Thursday. The 'Shakti Kendra Sammelan' was presided by the party's national vice-president Avinash Rai Khanna. The agenda of the meeting was to strengthen ground-level organisation by holding several such meetings in the state, which has six Lok Sabha seats. The party had last month launched a programme to meet workers in clusters of two or three constituencies across the country. In Jammu, BJP president Amit Shah addressed workers of two constituencies. Khanna said the party hopes to win over 400 seats in the upcoming general election on the basis of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's name and the performance of his government. "Last time our mission was 272-plus seats. This time BJP's aim is 400-plus seats. We fought the last election on Modi's name, this time we will fight it on his name as well as on the basis of the work he has done. In the past five years, we have done things that previous governments could not get done in the previous 60 years," Khanna said. The BJP leader asked the party workers to become active and go all out while preparing for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Khanna said Modi's vision is to develop Jammu and Kashmir as a tourist hub and for that the party is committed to take several development measures in the state. "The flow of tourists in the state will directly benefit everybody from cab driver to hotelier here," he said. He asked the party workers to work hard to ensure the party's victory on all six parliamentary seats in the state. Talking to reporters later, Khanna said the party also wanted assembly polls in the state along with the parliamentary election, but the decision to not hold simultaneous polls was of the Election Commission and the party had no role in it. Asked about National Conference president Farooq Abdullah's remarks that the Balakot strikes were done keeping Lok Sabha elections in mind, Khanna said it was unfortunate. "Opposition parties across the country supported the move. It is unfortunate that he says one thing in Kashmir, another in Jammu and something else in Delhi. This decision (air strikes) was taken in the interest of the country and for the first time, the army was given a free hand to decide the timing and nature of the retaliation. This is not an election issue, this is a concern of national security and the strength of the nation," he said. Indian Air Force carried out strikes on terrorist camp in Pakistan's Balakot after the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed in February. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said Thursday the BJP cannot claim to have been tough on terror as Prime Minister Narendra Modi "surrendered" to China on Masood Azhar. He also said the NDA government had given Pakistan a "big victory" by not conducting the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir simultaneously with parliamentary polls. "PM Modi surrendered to China on Azhar and surrendered to Pakistan & its proxies by delaying elections in J&K. How can the BJP claim to have been tough on internal security and tough against terror?" Omar, the vice-president of the NC, wrote on Twitter. He targeted Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad over his remarks on Congress president Rahul Gandhi who had criticised the prime minister for being "scared" of Chinese President Xi Jinping. "Mantri jee, your Government gave Pakistan a small victory when you postponed the Anantnag by-poll in 2017 and a big victory now that you've failed to conduct assembly elections. If anyone is giving Pakistan a reason to celebrate it isn't @RahulGandhi. Look closer to home sir," the former chief minister said. China on Thursday defended its fourth "technical hold" on the designation of Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, saying the move would give it time for a "thorough and in-depth assessment" of the case and help the parties concerned to engage in more talks to find a "lasting solution" acceptable to all. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi has accused the BJP of trying to create a 'hyper nationalistic environment' ahead of the Lok Sabha polls only to distract people from the issues of unemployment, agrarian crisis and what he called 'massive failures' of the Modi government. The comments by Gandhi come against the backdrop of indications that the BJP may use the Indian Air Force(IAF) strikes on terror group JeM's largest training camp in Balakot in Pakistan on February 26 after the Pulwama attack as a central plank of its election campaign. A JeM suicide bomber attacked a CRPF convoy in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14 killing 40 jawans. Describing the upcoming elections as all about making a choice between India of Mahatma Gandhi and that of his assassin Nathuram Godse, Rahul Gandhi also alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi generates 'hate' and that his brand of was 'hateful' with consequent costs. In Gandhi's view, a majority for the Congress-led UPA coalition is a certainty and that his party will do much better than expected. Congress' tally of 44 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls was an all time low for the party. "The hyper nationalistic environment the BJP is trying to create, where anyone who disagrees with the BJP is branded anti-national, is only to distract from the issues of unemployment, agrarian crisis, violence and the massive failures of the government on practically every front," Gandhi told 'The Week' magazine in an exclusive interview on Wednesday. The BJP has criticised opposition parties for demanding evidence for the impact of the airstrikes on the camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) while its president Amit Shah said the IAF's operation showed that India is "secure under the strong and decisive leadership" of Modi. Gandhi answered questions on topics ranging from the controversial Rafale jet deal and the state of the economy to the focus of the Congress manifesto and emergence of a grand opposition alliance to take on the BJP. The Congress chief claimed that the Rafale deal is the "tip of an iceberg" and that actually what Modi has done is that he has systematically handed over massive amount of defence funds to his friends. "And you will see, this stuff will come out, sooner rather than later, hopefully. But this is not just one deal that we are talking about. There are multiple deals where we suspect that this has happened. But again no investigation, questions," he said. Stating that the job situation and agriculture are in tremendous crisis, Gandhi said one can't have a country that is divided, which is full of hate, and get the levels of economic growth that the country requires to generate a huge number of jobs. "Mr Modi generates hate. So his mechanism of is hateful. And that has its costs." To a question on the Congress' promise of minimum income guarantee being touted as a game changer, Gandhi said he does not think that this alone has the power to transform the country, but under the current circumstances and the level of pain India is feeling, it is a requirement. "It's an idea on an unimaginable scale that we have been working on for a long time now. The idea is that no Indian should live below a certain income level," he added. Gandhi said going beyond minimum income guarantee would mean tackling the job crisis on a war footing. "We have some interesting ideas in our manifesto on entrepreneurship and how we will treat small and medium industries and the type of freedom we will give them. To transform India we also have to free the financial institutions from the clutches of crony capitalists," he said. On his prime ministerial prospects if all goes well for the Congress, Gandhi said it is for the country to decide whether he will get the top post but asserted his job right now is to make sure that the ideological fight against BJP that is going on now is won by 'the Uniters'. "Broadly .. the entire coalition is standing against Mr. Narendra Modi and the BJP. And we have an understanding with our partners in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Assam. Those alliances are firmed up," he said. Asked about the BJP's assessment that voting the party out will lead to chaos, economic deceleration and weakness in national security, Gandhi said the idea that Modi is imposing order on India is 'ridiculous'. "I don't understand how demonetisation was imposing order, when it was absolute buffoonery....Imposing a five-tiered GST on India, what type of order are you talking about? We don't want that order." Admitting that the previous UPA government was unable to do enough to resolve the job crisis, Gandhi said what Modi has done is to aggravate the situation by introducing demonetisation and the GST and allowing industrialist Anil Ambani style 'crony capitalism' to run rampant. "The country is looking for leadership, but what it gets are inane, meaningless slogans from the PM - Make in India, Startup India, these are the expressions of a man bankrupt of ideas," he said. Gandhi alleged that Modi takes India's most negative aspects, fear, hatred and anger and magnifies them, while Mahatma Gandhi took our most powerful aspects, love compassion and non-violence and magnified them. "On one side, you have the idea of Godse, that if you don't like something you put three bullets in its chest and on the other, you have the idea of Gandhiji, where even if someone puts three bullets in your chest you won't hate them. "This is the greatness of our country and this is what this election is about. This is not a personal battle, I have no animosity towards the PM, but see him as an expression of India's weaknesses, anger and hatred," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Using new video and material technology, radiant blue Indian-style murals have been recreated in the dining room of the Roosevelt House, the official residence of the US Ambassador to India, the embassy here has said. US Ambassador Kenneth Juster unveiled the iconic 'Blue Room' at a function held here Wednesday. The murals were originally created in 1995 by Karen Lukas, an American artist who found inspiration in the people and traditional arts of Rajasthan, at the invitation of the then ambassador Frank Wisner and his wife Christine de Ganay. Lukas carefully painted the designs over a course of several months, the embassy said in a statement. Roosevelt House itself has been the official residence of the US Ambassador to India since 1961, and was designed with a vision that fused US and Indian architectural influences. The architect, world-renowned Edward Durell Stone, developed ideas for the exterior from his travels through India. "Upon taking up his position as the US Ambassador to India in November 2017, Ambassador Kenneth I Juster no longer saw the radiant blue Indian-style murals in the dining room that had been there during his visits to Roosevelt House when he had been Under Secretary of Commerce, 2001-2005," the statement said. Researching the history of the murals, the Ambassador learned that they were done by Karen Lukas. "Last year, Ambassador Juster got in touch with the artist to see if she could recreate her work. She offered to reproduce the designs based on her records. Using new video and materials technologies developed since the creation of the original work, Lukas and the firm EverGreene Architectural Arts were able to create the new Blue Room at Roosevelt House," the US embassy said. Funding for this restoration project was provided by the American Chamber of Commerce in India, US-India Business Council and the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, and coordinated by The Fund to Conserve United States Diplomatic Treasures Abroad, a public-private partnership with the US Department of State and its Office of Cultural Heritage, it added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The black box flight recorders from the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that crashed in Ethiopia were flown to France Thursday for analysis as the ban on the model went worldwide after President Donald Trump added the US to countries that have grounded the aircraft. France's BEA air safety agency confirmed it has received the recorders from the plane that crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa on Sunday, killing all 157 people aboard. BEA investigators will try to remove information from the cockpit voice and flight data recorders, which were damaged in the disaster. The information that black boxes contain about what the pilots and plane were doing help explain 90 per cent of all crashes, according to aviation experts. On Wednesday, US authorities said new evidence showed similarities between the Ethiopia crash and that of a Lion Air flight in Indonesia in October that claimed the lives of 189 people. The Federal Aviation Administration said findings from the crash site near Addis Ababa and "newly refined satellite data" warranted "further investigation of the possibility of a shared cause for the two incidents". An FAA emergency order grounded 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 aircraft until further notice, effectively taking the aircraft out of the skies globally after a growing number of airlines and countries had decided not to fly the planes until it was ascertained there are no safety issues. Trump told reporters the "safety of the American people and all peoples is our paramount concern." The US action came after many airlines around the globe voluntarily took the model out of service and many countries banned it from their airspace. FAA acting chief Daniel Elwell said the agency has been "working tirelessly" to find the cause of the accident but faced delays because the black box flight data recorders had been damaged. The new information shows "the track of that airplane was close enough to the track of the Lion Air flight... to warrant the grounding of the airplanes so we could get more information from the black boxes and determine if there's a link between the two, and if there is, find a fix to that link," Elwell said on CNBC. Boeing's shares have sunk 10 per cent since Sunday's crash, wiping out more than USD 20 billion off the company's market value. Boeing chief Dennis Muilenburg said he supported the US decision "out of an abundance of caution" but continued to have "full confidence" in the safety of the plane. The company continues its efforts "to understand the cause of the accidents in partnership with the investigators, deploy safety enhancements and help ensure this does not happen again," he said in a statement. The MAX series is Boeing's fastest-selling model, but it is still relatively new with fewer than 500 of the aircraft in service. There are 74 of the planes registered in the United States, and 387 in use worldwide with 59 carriers, according to the FAA. The accounts of the recent crashes were echoed in concerns registered by US pilots on how the MAX 8 behaves. At least four American pilots made reports following the Lion Air crash, all complaining the aircraft suddenly pitched downwards shortly after takeoff, according to documents reviewed by AFP on the Aviation Safety Reporting System, a voluntary incident database maintained by NASA. In two anonymous reports on flights just after the Lion Air disaster, pilots disconnected the autopilot and corrected the plane's trajectory. One said the flight crew reviewed the incident "at length... but can't think of any reason the aircraft would pitch nose-down so aggressively." It was unclear if US transport authorities review the database or investigate the incidents. However, the FAA said this week it had mandated that Boeing update its flight software and training on the aircraft. Questions about the Lion Air crash have honed in on an automated stall prevention system, the MCAS, designed to automatically point the nose of the plane downward if it is in danger of stalling. According to the flight data recorder, the pilots of Lion Air Flight 610 struggled to control the aircraft as the MCAS repeatedly pushed the plane's nose down following takeoff. The Ethiopian Airlines pilots reported similar difficulties before their aircraft plunged to the ground as they tried to return to the airport. Boeing was criticised after the Lion Air crash for allegedly failing to adequately inform 737 pilots about the functioning of the stall prevention system. Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde GebreMariam said on Sunday said the captain on the flight, Yared Mulugeta Getachew, 29, was an experienced aviator with more than 8,000 flight hours. Andrew Hunter, a defence industry expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said that while Boeing and the FAA had good track records on addressing safety concerns, sometimes the combination of automated systems and humans did not work smoothly. "It is hard to get a system to work seamlessly with human beings," he told AFP. "The fact the system was fighting the pilot was not an unintended consequence," because it should counteract a pilot error and correcting this is "challenging". In Ethiopia, distraught families wept and lit candles on Wednesday as they visited the deep black crater where the plane smashed into a field, disintegrating on impact. The Ethiopian Airlines plane was less than four months old when it went down six minutes into its flight to Nairobi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A powerful explosion ripped through a crowded market in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province on Thursday, killing two persons and injuring seven others. According to officials, the bomb blast took place in Panjgur district's Chitkan market. "Two people were killed in the blast on the spot and seven others injured," they said. The deceased were in a car which caught fire after the blast, the officials said. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Last month, many incidents of violence and terrorism reported form Balochistan. On February 24, at least one person was killed and 18 others injured in a bomb blast in Dera Murad Jamali. On February 17, four soldiers were killed in an ambush by terrorists in Goran, some 70 kms from Panjgur district. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A former British soldier was charged with murder on Thursday over the 1972 Bloody Sunday killings, one of the darkest chapters in the Northern Ireland conflict. The ex-paratrooper, identified only as Soldier F, was charged with murdering two people and the attempted murder of four others in what was an early turning point in the history of the Troubles, three decades of deadly sectarian unrest. British troops opened fire on a civil rights demonstration in Derry, Northern Ireland's second city, killing 13 people on January 30, 1972. A 14th victim later died of his wounds. Soldier F was one of 17 British veterans who had faced investigation, plus two alleged Irish Republican Army (IRA) paramilitaries, but he was the only one charged. Relatives of the victims looked visibly upset after learning that there would only be a prosecution over two of the deaths. "The Bloody Sunday families are not finished yet," said John Kelly, whose 17-year-old brother Michael was killed. He raised the prospect of a legal challenge against the decisions not to prosecute others. "We have walked a long journey since our fathers and brothers were brutally slaughtered on the streets of Derry on Bloody Sunday," he said. "The dead cannot cry out for justice; it is the duty of the living to do so for them." A 12-year public inquiry -- the biggest investigation in UK legal history -- concluded in 2010 that British paratroopers lost control and that none of the casualties had been posing a threat of causing death or serious injury. Police then launched a criminal investigation and handed files to Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service state prosecutors in November 2016. PPS director Stephen Herron announced the charging decisions on Thursday. The relatives of those killed walked together from a memorial in Derry to hear the prosecutors' decision first in private. Herron said: "There is sufficient available evidence to prosecute one former soldier, Soldier F, for the murder of James Wray and William McKinney," and the attempted murders of four others. "In respect of the other 18 suspects, including 16 former soldiers and two alleged Official IRA members, it has been concluded that the available evidence is insufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction." Bloody Sunday remains a hugely politically sensitive incident. The British Parachute Regiment opening fire on a civil rights march in the majority Catholic area of the Bogside in Derry helped galvanise support for the Provisional IRA early in the Troubles. A photograph of a Catholic priest waving a bloodstained handkerchief as he tried to help 17-year-old victim Jackie Duddy to safety became a defining image of the incident. British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said the defence ministry would provide Soldier F with full legal and welfare support. "We are indebted to those soldiers who served with courage and distinction to bring peace to Northern Ireland," he said. "Our serving and former personnel cannot live in constant fear of prosecution." The decision infuriated some former British troops who were sent on active duty in Northern Ireland. "It's one soldier too many as far as we're concerned," said Alan Barry, 54, who founded the Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans group. "It's all about appeasement... and if that means throwing one or two veterans under a bus then that's what they'll do." Following the public inquiry's findings in 2010, Britain's then-prime minister David Cameron issued a formal state apology for the killings, calling them "unjustified and unjustifiable". Explaining the decisions, PPS director Herron said much of the material available to the inquiry was not admissible in criminal proceedings. A decision not to prosecute "in no way diminishes any finding by the Bloody Sunday Inquiry", he explained. Jackie Duddy's brother said the room "just went silent" when the relatives were told of the decision. "It was like getting stabbed in the back again." Mickey McKinney, whose brother William, aged 27, was shot in the back, stressed: "Justice for one family is justice for all of us." The Irish government said that all victims' families deserved "access to effective investigations into killings" and "the opportunity to find justice... regardless of the perpetrator. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Wednesday that it would again approach the state juvenile board with necessary evidence to seek the custody of the grenade thrower who was arrested in connection with the Jammu bus stand attack last week. The juvenile board had earlier rejected medical reports suggesting the teenager allegedly involved in the grenade attack was in fact an "adult" and had asked police to submit all relevant documents to establish his age. The reports of the bone and teeth tests conducted on the accused showed that he aged around 19 and based on the report, police had sought a 10-day remand which was rejected by the board. "We will project our case afresh with all documents and proof, including the doctor's report," Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu, Tejinder Singh told reporters here. The teenager was nabbed immediately after he allegedly threw the grenade at the Jammu bus stand that left two people dead and 29 injured on March 7. While according to the medical tests he's aged around 19, one set of documents recovered from him shows that he turned 16 on Tuesday and another shows that he's 14. During his initial interrogation, the 'juvenile' had said that he was paid Rs 50,000 by a Hizbul Mujahideen militant to carry out the grenade attack. Replying to a question about the board rejecting the medical report, the SSP said: "We are going to present our case before the board with all the documents and proof which have been collected, including the doctor's report, so that they can take a call." He said police are taking various steps to prevent such type of attacks in the city in the future. "The daily footfall at the bus stand is around 10,000. So, we are working on developing and improving intelligence network to ensure safety and security of people," the officer said adding the main focus is on intelligence gathering and being "pro-active". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Gujarat in India, Gujrat in Pakistan; Hyderabad here and also there; Delhi Gate in Lahore and Lahori Gate in Patiala. Then there is the favourite sweetmeat of many Indians, the Karachi halwa, while the Pakistanis relish Bengali samosa. Some names have withstood the uneasy decades since Partition, standing out like little beacons of oneness in a landscape fraught with hostility but also hope between two neighbours sharing a border and age-old cultural ties. India-Pakistan, locked into a hyphenated relationship of a shared history and a divided present, is not just about rift but also about the many vestiges of unity that have survived seven decades. It's about the names of streets, shops, monuments, food and more, say historians and others on both sides of the border. With the recent escalation in tensions following the Pulwama terror attack, this legacy has come under increasing strain. The spotlight of unwelcome attention fell on the Karachi Bakery in Ahmedabad and Bengaluru after the February 14 strike, which prompted the first aerial combat between the two countries since 1971 and led to the capture of an IAF pilot by Pakistan on February 27. Abhinandan Varthaman was released almost three days later on March 1. The managements of the two stores were told by vigilantes to hide Karachi', Pakistan's buzzing commercial centre, from their signboards. Forced to show their Indianness, they also put up a tricolour along with posters reading that the brand established in 1953 is "absolutely Indian by heart". The ripple effect of fear could be seen in other cities, including in the national capital, particularly the historic walled city. "All I can tell you is that we are as Indian as anyone standing or doing business in the street out here. Anyone judging our loyalty for this nation by the name of my shop, which is there for over good 50 years now, is despicable," said an Old Delhi based trader. Scared that he'll be the target of vigilante groups, he spoke on the condition of anonymity. Changing existing names alluding to Pakistan is neither nationalism and nor an act of valour, said experts. "India has Gujarat (state), Pakistan has a district in Punjab called Gujrat. There is a city called Hyderabad in Sindh. India, too, has Hyderabad. Even surnames such as Bajwa, Sethi, Rathore, Chaudhry etc. are used by several people from both countries. We cannot change geography or erase the shared past," Amit Ranjan, editor of the recently released book "The Partition of India", told PTI. Recounting many delicacies, places and shops named after cities in Pakistan, cultural historian Sohail Hashmi said many places "predate Partition" and the creation of Pakistan. "There is a locality in Paharganj called Multani Dhanda -- now Multan is in Pakistan -- it predates the creation of Pakistan. Just because the part of India is now Pakistan, these places have to change their name now? We must understand that people carry place names with them when they migrate. "... Also, there is a specific kind of halwa, which is known wherever it is made as Karachi halwa only. What are you going to do with it, call it Delhi halwa or Patiala halwa?" he asked, referring to the gelatinous sweet made usually of cornflour, sugar and water and quite different in texture from other halwas'. A quick search on food app Swiggy in New Delhi showed up over 15 restaurants offering dishes such as Chicken Peshawari, Chicken Lahori, Pakistani Chicken Biryani, Paneer Tikka Multani; and a casual stroll in the by-lanes of Old Delhi was enough to come across shops and places named after Pakistani cities. This is a part of the subcontinent's intangible history that nothing can erase. Flagbearers of the deep cultural ties on the other side of the border include Madras Jewellers with branches in several cities and Karachi's Delhi Colony. There is also the upscale Bombay Chowpatty restaurant with branches in Lahore, Islamabad, Gujrat, Faisalabad and Karachi. "There is also Amritsari Sweets in Lahore, while Bengali samosa in Islamabad is supposed to be the best samosa in town. In Lahore, there is Delhi Darwaza while in Islamabad there is a restaurant by the same name that serves the best nihari in the city. These are just a few that I know from the top of my head," Haroon Khalid, the Pakistani author of "Imagining Lahore", told PTI in an email conversation. According to Altaf Hussain Para, the Srinagar-based author of The Making of Modern Kashmir, the anger has its roots in the emergence of a new cult of "muscular nationalism" being seen in India for the last few years. "...Expression of anger through street justice against Pakistan backed terror is dangerous," he said. Khalid, who denied any recent incidents of backlashes in Pakistan over "Indian names", said the Pakistani state is now "increasingly conscious of its soft image". He also referred to the recent sacking of Pakistan's Punjab province information and culture minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan for making anti-Hindu remarks. Giving his perspective, Hashmi was also clear that he is no fan of the Pakistani state and their way of doing things. "The mobs there (in Pakistan) are doing their work, their focus is not on the names right now, they might shift to this tomorrow and these fellows (mobs in India) might shift to some other agenda. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Centre on Thursday defended in the Supreme Court its decision to issue electoral bonds saying it aimed at ensuring "enhanced accountability" and pushing electoral reforms "to defeat the growing menace of black money". In an affidavit, filed in a writ petition of CPI(M) and its general secretary Sitaram Yechury, the Centre said the electoral bonds were introduced on January 2, 2018 to promote transparency in funding and donation received by political parties. These can be encashed by an eligible political party only through their authorised bank accounts. "Keeping in view the emergent need to ensure that there is enhanced accountability and electoral reforms to defeat the growing menace of black money, especially when the country is moving towards a cashless-digital economy, the legislature has adopted a conscious legislative policy culminating in the introduction of the electronic reforms," the Centre's affidavit said. It added that the electoral bonds do not have the name of the donor or the receiving political party and only carry a unique hidden alphanumeric serial numbers as an in-built security feature. Only a political party, registered under Section 29A of the Representation of People's Act, 1951 and which has secured not less than 1 per cent of the votes polled in the last general election to the Lok Sabha or the Legislative Assembly, will be eligible to receive the bond, it said. "A non-KYC compliant Application or an Application that doesn't meet the requirements of the scheme shall be rejected," it said. The Centre denied that the amendments and the notification issue by it seek to create "an anonymous and secretive mechanism for increasing the wealth of political parties". It also denied that they are "arbitrary in nature or brings in unreasonable restrictions on the freedom to information regarding the identities of persons or corporations making contributions to political parties". The government further stated that the scheme envisages building a transparent system of acquiring bonds with validated KYC and an audit trail. "Besides, a limited window and a very short maturity period shall make any misuse improbable. Donors, who buy these bonds, their balance sheet will reflect such donations made. The electoral bonds will prompt donors to take the banking route to donate, with their identity captured by the issuing authority. This will ensure transparency, accountability and a big step towards electoral reform," it said. The government sought dismissal of the petition filed by the left party saying there is "no invidious or arbitrary discrimination, and there has been no violation of any fundamental right of the Petitioner". On February 2, last year, the apex court had sought the Centre's response on a plea by the CPI(M) and Yechury terming the issuance of electoral bonds by the government as "arbitrary" and "discriminatory". The plea has claimed that government's decision entitles political parties to receive unlimited donations without recording its source. Challenging the Centre's decision, the CPI(M) said that the amendments in the Finance Act, 2017, jeopardise the very foundation of Indian democracy and it would lead to greater political corruption. The petition claimed that the introduction of electoral bonds by the Finance Act by which details of donations made to political parties are not reported or recorded by the parties and whose purchasers' identity remains hidden from the public realm is the creation of an "obscure funding system" which is unchecked by any authority. It sought striking down of amendments made through the Finance Act, 2017 and the January 2, 2018 notification issued by the Ministry of Finance, whose cumulative effect is that political parties are entitled to receive unlimited donations from individuals and corporations, including loss-making and foreign corporations, without having to record or report the sources of such funding. The NDA government had announced electoral bonds in the earlier budget, claiming that the scheme would clean up political funding. The move was resisted by opposition parties. The Election Commission of India had also expressed its reservations initially. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A central team has been sent to Kerala, where a seven-year-old boy has reportedly tested positive for vector-borne West Nile virus, to review the situation and also help the district administration in its prevention and management. The virus is transmitted to humans through a mosquito bite and is mostly reported in North America. Affected people complain of fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, occasionally skin rash and swollen lymph glands. The boy from Malappuram district is undergoing treatment at the Kozhikode Medical College hospital. A health ministry statement said the Centre is closely monitoring the situation and Union Health Minister J P Nadda has directed for all support to be extended to Kerala for prevention and management of the disease. Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan spoke to Additional Chief Secretary Rajeev Sadanandan in Kerala and took stock of public health measures for controlling the spread of the virus, the statement said. The Health Ministry has dispatched a four-member multi-disciplinary central team from National Centre for Disease Control. The team will support the state health authorities in managing the disease. The Indian Council of Medical Research has also been alerted and a close watch is being maintained at the central and state levels, the statement said. "There are no reports available so far about the spread of this virus in other parts of the country," it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China on Thursday defended its fourth "technical hold" on the designation of Pakistan-based as a global terrorist, saying the move would give it time for a "thorough and in-depth assessment" of the case and help the parties concerned to engage in more talks to find a "lasting solution" acceptable to all. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. The Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee members had 10 working days to raise any objections to the proposal. Just before the deadline ended, China put a "technical hold" on the proposal seeking "more time to examine" it. The proposal was the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist. Asked why China once again resorted to block the move, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a media briefing here that Beijing's decision is in line with the rules of the committee. China "sincerely hopes that relevant action taken by this committee will help relevant countries to engage in dialogue and consultation and prevent adding more complicated factors into regional peace and stability," he said. "As to the technical hold at the 1267 Committee our action is to make sure that the committee will have enough time to study the matter so that the relevant sides will have time for dialogue and consultation," Lu said. "Only a solution that is acceptable to all sides could fundamentally provide a chance for a lasting solution to the issue. China is ready to communicate and coordinate with all sides including India to properly handle this issue," he said. The Security Council 1267 Committee has clear standards on the procedures of designating terrorist organisations and individuals, Lu said. "China conducts thorough and in-depth assessment of these applications and we still need more time, so that is why we put forward the technical hold," he said. India Wednesday expressed disappointment soon after China put a technical hold on designating Azhar. The External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi said India will continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that leaders of terror groups involved in heinous attacks on Indian citizens are brought to justice. "This has prevented action by the community to designate the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a proscribed and active terrorist organization which has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14," the MEA said. Without naming China, it said the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee was not able to come to a decision on the proposal for listing Azhar on account of a member placing the proposal on hold. To another question on the Wuhan summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping last year to improve the bilateral relations, Lu said, "Xi and Modi met four times. Particularly Wuhan summit made great progress. China is full of sincerity and ready to work with India to build on the consensus of our leaders for greater progress in the bilateral relations." On the Kashmir issue, Lu said China's position on it is clear and consistent. "This is an issue that is left over between India and Pakistan. We hope that the two sides will engage in friendly dialogue consultation and solve this issue and other related issues," he said. Meanwhile, commenting on China's move blocking Azhar's terror listing at the UN, Chinese analysts said that Beijing needs solid proof to back the proposal. Long Xingchun, non-resident fellow of Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China, told state-run Global Times that China is concerned about the recent attacks in Kashmir and feels sympathetic toward the victims but "this will not alter China's consistent stance toward the status of Azhar". "If India cannot offer new evidence, China will not change its position. If China does, it will be a repudiation of its previous stance and leave the impression that it was deliberately blocking India's bid in the past. This will have a much wider impact on China's diplomacy," he said. Zhang Jiadong, director of Centre for South Asian Studies, Fudan University, said: "China's position on Azhar is consistent as India failed to provide updated evidence. China and India should eye the bigger picture and prevent differences over concrete issues coming in the way of bilateral relations; otherwise, it will hurt the interests of both countries, especially India". Liu Zongyi, senior fellow of Shanghai Institutes for Studies, said whether to list Azhar as a global terrorist has been a long-lasting dispute between China and India. In 2017, New Delhi's demand was partly behind the Doklam standoff. "If New Delhi succeeds in having both JeM and its leader blacklisted, Islamabad would be branded as a state sponsor of terrorism and isolated on the stage. This is what India wants to pursue till the end," he said. China's growing presence in the northern part of the is a challenge for India but New Delhi is keeping a close eye on the deployment of Chinese ships and submarines in the region, Admiral has said. Admiral Lanba, who is on a four-day visit to Britain, also said that no nation has invested as much as in shipbuilding. The growing presence of the Chinese navy in the where it already acquired a logistic base at Djibouti has aroused concerns in India besides acquisition of the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka on a 99-year lease. has maritime disputes in the East Sea with Japan and, stakes claim on 90 per cent of the South China Sea, where Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims. "No nation has invested as much as China in shipbuilding. It is a challenge; we keep a close eye on their presence and deployments... it is here to stay," he said during a conversation at the Institute of Strategic Studies here on Wednesday. Admiral Lanba described China's growing presence in the as a challenge on which India is keeping a close eye. He referred to the presence of an estimated six to eight Chinese naval ships in the northern part of the Indian Ocean at any given time as well as submarines. Admiral Lanba, during a discussion on 'Martime strategy and its contribution to the Indo-Pacific and global commons', said India sees "no post-Brexit challenges" but only opportunities for greater synergies with the UK in naval cooperation. "Over the years, our multi-faceted bilateral relations have grown from strength to strength to a sustained and mutually beneficial friendship. We have a common perspective on maritime challenges and agree to developing a cooperative framework to face them," Lanba said. "The maritime bonds between our two countries have been further cemented to a deepening defence cooperation. Konkan, the bilateral naval exercise, is the cornerstone of our maritime cooperation and the UK has been a preferred port of call whenever we operate in the northern Atlantic," he said, adding that one of India's ships will head to the UK later this year to participate in the Konkan 19 exercise. First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sir Philip Jones hailed the leadership role played by the Royal Navy alongside the Indian Navy. "There are obvious similarities between our two navies - a shared outlook, common goals, very clear intentions for the future, reflected in ambitious shipbuilding programmes and maritime innovation programmes. "Britain and India are both in the list of top 10 economies and those powerful economies are built on a bedrock of global maritime trade," he said. Lanba will also hold talks with the UK Chief of Defence Staff as well as visit the Naval Base in Portsmouth for a tour of the HMS Queen Elizabeth carrier as part of the India-UK Carrier Capability Partnership. Britain is likely to exit the 28-member European Union (EU) on March 29 following a referendum in favour of Brexit by nearly 52 per cent to 48 per cent in June 2016. However, the process has not been smooth with embattled Prime Minister Theresa May suffering yet another crushing Parliament defeat over Brexit when MPs overwhelmingly rejected her plan to quit the EU, plunging the country into a further period of political uncertainty just 17 days before its divorce from the bloc. China should promote trade with India through border areas, including Arunachal Pradesh, by involving local inhabitants that would reduce military confrontations between the two countries and improve bilateral relations, a Chinese legislator suggested. An Ran, a professor at South China University of Technology in Guangzhou of Guangdong Province, who is also a deputy of the country's parliament, National People's Congress, said China should allow residents in the border areas with India to trade to improve China-India relations, reduce military confrontations which would benefit the local inhabitants. The proposal was based on field work conducted by a group of researchers from Yunnan University in Southwest China, state-run Global Times reported. Yunnan Province borders the Tibet region, India, Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar. Professor Guo Jianbin, the group's team leader, said his team visited Tibetan counties like Lhozhag, Lhunze in Shannan Prefecture and Medog and Zayu in the city of Nyingchi, closer to Arunachal Pradesh last year and found that residents in the border areas are not allowed to cross the McMahon Line freely. However, in some areas, some residents, mainly those from the Lhoba ethnic minority group, have crossed the "McMahon Line, drawn by British in 1914 and visited the other side. China do not recognise McMahon line, which India recognises as its boundary. It claims the north-eastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as part of Southern Tibet. The India-China border dispute stretches across 3,488 kms. Both sides have held several rounds of talks through their Special Representatives to resolve the issue. "We found that the villages in the border areas have wide roads and a clean environment. If China allows residents living on the other side to trade, all these achievements and developments will help better unite the residents in border areas," Guo said. Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of International Relations, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the move could help deepen understanding between China and India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Enforcement Directorate told a Delhi court on Thursday that it has no objection if Rajeev Saxena, an alleged middleman, is allowed to turn approver in the AgustaWestland money laundering case. Special Judge Arvind Kumar reserved for March 25 the order on whether to allow him to turn approver and become a witness in the case. ED's Special Public Prosecutors D P Singh and N K Matta submitted that Saxena's turning approver would be very useful for the agency in the case. The court had granted bail to Saxena on a plea moved by his lawyer Shivani Luthra, after the agency did not oppose the application. "We are supporting Saxena's plea to become a witness. He has shown his inclination since the beginning to help in the investigation. He deserves the pardon as sought by him. We vehemently support his plea because it will help us in my case," ED's advocate Samvedna Verma told the court. Saxena had recorded his statement during in-chamber proceedings on March 6 after which the court sent the copies of his statement to the special judge hearing the case. The court had granted him bail on medical grounds after the perusal of reports submitted by AIIMS. Saxena, director at two Dubai-based firms -- UHY Saxena and Matrix Holdings -- is one of the accused named in the charge sheet filed by ED in the Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland deal scam. 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 charge sheet. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Researchers at IIT Guwahati, IIT Mandi and IISc Bengaluru have developed a climate change vulnerability map for 12 Himalayan states in India that will help prioritise resource allocation to address these vulnerabilities. The exercise is unique because for the first time all the 12 Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) States have used a common framework resulting in the production of comparable state level and within state, district level vulnerability maps, the team said in a statement. The need for such an exercise is due to the fact that IHR is one of the most sensitive regions to climate change and variability, the project investigators said. Most parts of the region underwent significant long-term changes in frequencies and intensity of extreme temperature and rainfall events over the last decades, they said. Such comparable vulnerability assessments are useful for officials, implementers, decision makers, funding agencies and development experts, to have a common understanding on vulnerability. The maps will enable them to assess which states in IHR are more vulnerable, what has made them vulnerable and how the government might address these vulnerabilities. The results were presented here today during a workshop organised by Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati and Indian Institute of Technology Mandi with support from Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru, Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). "Based on the common methodology, we came up with a state level vulnerability assessment for the IHR and organised training workshops for the state level officials to carry out district level assessments in all 12 IHR states," the investigators of the project said. "Such a coordinated approach and enhanced cooperation between states in the IHR and the departments within the states are assumed to improve resilience to climate change because several adaptation interventions will require coordinated efforts across administrative boundaries," they said in a statement. The 12 states include Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and the hilly districts of West Bengal, and Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Thursday accused the Congress-led Rajasthan government of not providing requisite information about farmers eligible for the Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojna. Under the scheme, farmers having not more than two hectares of land will get Rs 6,000 per year directly into their bank accounts. The Union minister of state for agriculture said the farmers of Rajasthan would have got the first installment of Rs 2,000 by now if the state government had provided the required information. It is unfortunate that the Congress government in the state, which came to power by promising farmer welfare, did not provide data on farmers eligible for the scheme. This government has caused loss to farmers, Shekhawat said at a press conference here. The minister said that the first installment has already been deposited in the bank accounts of 2.75 crore farmers across the country. More than 50 lakh small and marginalised farmers in Rajasthan would have directly benefitted through the scheme. The state government just had to give data of eligible farmers to the Centre. But, it is unfortunate that it deprived the farmers of their right, he claimed. Shekhawat, however, said that most of the data on nearly 1 lakh farmers sent by the state government could not be verified due to various discrepancies. The state government did not send the data after re-verifying, he claimed. He said that details of only 27,000 farmers could be verified, but the first instalment of Rs 2,000 could not be deposited in their bank accounts due to model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress Thursday held the BJP-led Central and state governments responsible for the Mumbai bridge collapse, which has killed at least five people, saying they are "criminally culpable" of inaction and also demanded the ouster of Railway Minister Piyush Goyal. Congress president Rahul Gandhi offered condolences to the families of those killed in the incident and prayed for speedy recovery to the injured. "I am saddened on hearing the of the Mumbai foot overbridge collapse. I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have died. I pray that injured get relief soon," he said in a Facebook post in Hindi. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said he was deeply saddened to learn about the Mumbai bridge collapse where several people are still reportedly trapped under the debris. "Modi Government and Maharashtra government are criminally culpable for inaction leading to repeat tragedies - 29/9/2017 - Elphistone Stampede. 3/7/2018 - Andheri Bridge Collapse. "Railway Minister's tall claims of audit have failed time and again. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal must resign or be sacked," he said on Twitter. He offered condolences to the families of the victims and expressed hope that the administration will take swift action and provide urgent medical help to the injured. Five people were killed and 29 injured after a major portion of a foot overbridge near a train station in south Mumbai collapsed Thursday evening, officials said. The bridge which connected the area near the Times of India building with the iconic CSMT station was commonly known as 'Kasab bridge' as the 26/11 Mumbai attack terrorist passed through it during the terror strike. All the injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals, a disaster management cell official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In an embarrassment to the Congress, Tom Vadakkan, once seen as a key aide of Sonia Gandhi, joined the BJP on Thursday, saying he was "deeply hurt" over the opposition party's stand post-Pulwama terror strike, and that his decision was "not about ideology but patriotism". Jolted by the surprise announcement, the Congress was quick to dismiss Vadakkan's criticism of the party saying that till now he used to "abuse" Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and hoped that all his "desires may be fulfilled" in the BJP. Vadakkan, who joined the saffron party in the presence of Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and later met its president Amit Shah, said, "I am deeply hurt and that is why I am here." Claiming that the Congress questioned the integrity of the armed forces, he said, "the attack by Pakistani terrorists on our land and the reaction by my party was sad indeed. It hurt me deeply when the integrity of armed forces was questioned. That is precisely the reason why I am here. It is not about ideology but about patriotism." "If a party takes a position which is against the country then I had no other option but to leave it," the 60 year old leader told reporters after joining the BJP. In an apparent attack on Rahul Gandhi for his leadership skills, Vadakkan said he has served the party for two decades but it has now resorted to a practise of "use and throw" which is not acceptable to a self-respecting worker. Criticising the Congress, the leader from Kerala said dynastic has reached its zenith and the party workers dont know whom to listen to and who is the "power centre". Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vadakkan said he believes in his development narrative. According to sources, Vadakkan was not given Lok Sabha tickets by the party in 2009 and 2014 and was not happy with the treatment meted out to him. There are indications that the BJP may field the former Congress spokesperson from a seat in Kerala in upcoming general elections. Reacting to Vadakkan joining the BJP, Surjewala, at a press conference, said: "Our best wishes to him." On Vadakkan citing dynastic and the Congress's stand on the Pulwama terror attack and India's retaliatory strikes as his reasons for quitting, Surjewala said every person who leaves a party to join another "searching for a better future" has to say something. "Till now he used to abuse Modi, so what is the opinion of Modi ji and Ravi Shankar ji on that," he said. "We were very pained at his departure. We hope whatever his desires are, they are fulfilled in the BJP," Surjewala said. Interestingly, Vadakkan had recently tweeted, "Once you join BJP all your crimes are cleansed" while replying to a tweet that raised questions on why former TMC leader Mukul Roy, who joined the BJP, was not being questioned anymore for his alleged involvement in the Sharada Chit fund scam. Asked about his tweet and other previous remarks against the BJP and its leadership, Vadakkan said, they were made as a spokesperson of the Congress and he was only saying what he was asked to say by the party. "I had been saying a lot of things as a spokesperson, which I am supposed to say on the party's line. I stand by what I have said as a spokesperson of the Congress. But, now I am a free man. I am now able to speak openly and freely. I am the individual what I am now," he told PTI. Vadakkan also praised the RSS, saying that organisation has been "misunderstood" by highlighting its remarks selectively. After Sonia Gandhi assumed the leadership of the party, Vadakkan became an integral part of the Congress' media management team. However, he was sidelined and though he was a spokesperson under Rahul Gandhi's leadership, he never wielded any influence in the party's media department in the recent past. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (ANSA) - Brussels, March 14 - Italy had the largest drop in asylum requests of all European Union countries in 2018, down 61% on 2017 figures, while requests across the EU dropped by 11% overall, according to Eurostat. Despite the fact that Germany saw an 18% drop in asylum requests, it remained the highest country in the EU for asylum requests, at 28% overall. France was second at 19%, followed by Greece at 11%, Spain at 9%, Italy with 8%, and Great Britain at 6%. The top three nationalities seeking asylum in the EU were Syrians (14%), Afghanis (7%), and Iraqis (7%). A total of 580,800 asylum requests were filed in the EU in 2018, an 11% decline on the 654,600 requests made in 2017. Requests in 2018 were less than half of the peak during the height of the migrant crisis in 2015, when 1,256,600 requests were filed. That brings the current level of international protection requests in the EU to the pre-crisis level of 2014, Eurostat said. Italy received 49,200 requests, Germany received 161,900 requests, France received 110,500 requests, and Spain received 52,700 requests. Italy had 77,400 fewer requests in 2018 than in 2017, followed by Austria (down 49%, -11,100); Sweden (down 19%, -4,100); and Germany (down 18%, -36,400). Asylum requests rose in Cyprus (+70%), Spain (+60%), Belgium (+29%), the Netherlands (+27%); France (+20%), and Greece (+14%). The countries that received the most requests proportionally based on population were Cyprus (a record with 8,805 requests per million residents); Greece, Malta, and Luxembourg; while those that received the least were Slovakia (28 per million residents), Poland, Hungary, Estonia, and Latvia. Italy came in 13th place among EU countries (813 asylum requests per million residents); Germany had 1,954, France had 1,644, and Spain had 1,130. Italy was the second-highest EU country for pending asylum requests at the end of 2018 (103,000, 12% of the EU total), following Germany (384,800, 44% of the EU total). Spain was third with 78,700 pending requests, 9% of the EU total, followed by Greece with 76,300 requests, also 9% of the EU total. In Italy in 2018, asylum seekers came mainly from Pakistan (7,315 requests out of 49,165 overall, 15%), Nigeria (5,140, 10%), and Bangladesh (4,160, 8%). Veteran Congress leader Tarun Gogoi Thursday said the party will benefit from the anti-Citizenship Bill sentiment in Assam after the AGP's "betrayal", and it hoped to win at least 10 of the 14 seats in the state in the Lok Sabha polls. The former Assam chief minister claimed that the alliance between the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will not help either. People know that the BJP is "anti-Assam" and the AGP is now exposed as a "shameless and double-standard party". Addressing a press conference here, Gogoi said the BJP and the AGP had formed an "opportunistic alliance" as none of them has the capability to win alone. The AGP had severed ties with the BJP-led government in Assam in January to protest the Centre's decision to ensure the controversial bill's passage in the Lok Sabha. It returned to the NDA fold after a meeting between AGP president Atul Bora and BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on Tuesday. "The AGP rejoining the BJP shows a kind of opportunistic which is very rare in the Assamese history. It proves that the three AGP ministers cannot live without power. They have got the taste of power and money," Gogoi said. Now people believe that only the Congress can save 'jati-mati-bheti' (community, land, homeland), he said. Securing 'jati, mati and bheti' was the BJP's slogan during the 2016 Assam Assembly election, after which the Gogoi-led Congress government was ousted from power. As the AGP is now with the BJP, the Congress will get all the support due to its strong stand against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, Gogoi said. The bill seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India. It was passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8 but could not be passed in the Rajya Sabha. It is set to lapse on June 3 when the term of the present Lok Sabha ends. The contentious bill had triggered huge protests in the northeastern region as indigenous people feared that if enacted, the law would endanger their identity and livelihood. Asked how many seats the Congress hopes to win in Assam, the three-time chief minister exuded confidence that his party "will get not less than 10 seats in Assam". At present, the Congress has three Lok Sabha MPs from Assam. Gogoi also hit out at Meghalaya's ruling National Peoples Party (NPP), dubbing it as the BJP's 'B' team. "The NPP said it will put up candidates in all the 25 seats in northeast. What is he (NPP chief Conard Sangma) trying to do? This will only help the BJP by cutting some opposition votes," he said. The Congress leader rejected the idea of an alliance with the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) led by Badruddin Ajmal. Assam will go to polls in three phases on April 11, 18 and 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The IAF and security agencies have completed a nearly two-week-long debriefing of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who spent around 60 hours in Pakistan after being captured during a dogfight on February 27, officials said. They said the IAF pilot's medical treatment has also concluded and he will go on sick leave for at least three weeks before resuming duty. A medical board to be constituted by the IAF will review medical fitness of Varthaman to help the IAF top brass decide whether he can return to fighter cockpit as desired by him, they said. Varthaman underwent the debriefing sessions by the security agencies as part of a cooling down process. He was captured by the Pakistani Army on February 27 after his MiG-21 Bison jet was shot down in a dogfight with Pakistani jets during an aerial combat. He downed an F-16 fighter of Pakistan before his plane was hit. Varthaman was released on the night of March 1 by Pakistan. In the national capital, the IAF pilot was first taken to the Air Force Central Medical Establishment, a compact and specialised medical evaluation centre for aircrew of all the three services. Later he was brought to the Army's Research and Referral hospital. After he was captured, Varthaman showed courage and grace in handling the most difficult circumstances for which he was praised by politicians, strategic affairs experts, ex-servicemen, celebrities and people in general. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa met Varthaman separately on March 2 during which he apprised them about the mental trauma he was subjected to during his captivity in Pakistan. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after Indian fighters bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp near Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. Pakistan retaliated by attempting to target Indian military installations the next day. However, the IAF thwarted their plans. The Indian strike on the JeM camp came 12 days after the terror outfit claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir, killing 40 soldiers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Aayog vice-chairman on Thursday underlined the need to mobilise funds from all sources especially corporates to achieve the (SDGs). Kumar further said the focus should be on 'conscious capitalism' wherein corporates go beyond chasing bottomline and focus on ensuring maximum social return. "If corporates can make SDGs as part of their business model, I think that what will really help," he said at an event organised by the Development Programme (UNDP). The SDGs, otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call by the UNDP for action to end poverty, protect the planet, improve health, education and ensuring that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. In 2015, had established 2030 as a critically important horizon for 17 "We want to mobilise all types of financing for funding our development ... we can mobilise resources for priority areas like dealing with problems relating to undernourishment of children, environment and water," Kumar said. The Facility (SFF) was launched Wednesday by Achim Steiner, UN under-secretary general and administrator of the UNDP. At the launch event, Steiner had said that is pivotal to UNDP's shared ambition to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Innovative through structures such as guarantees, social insurance, social impact bonds and impact investments, holds the key to unlocking private investment capital for the SDGs, particularly in a middle-income country like India, he had added. The SDG Facility leverages a strategic multi-stakeholder partnership with leading institutions in the ecosystem to tap into resources and agility of the private sector to solve some of today's most pressing challenges. The SFF is a platform that will incubate innovative financial instruments aligned to the SDGs that will catalyse funding for improved social and developmental outcomes in The Facility is an initiative of UNDP in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), firm and Social Finance India, a TATA Trusts backed not-for-profit. The CPI has decided to contest 55 seats in 24 states in the coming Lok Sabha elections, party General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy said Thursday. "The CPI has decided to contest 55 seats in 24 states in the parliament elections. Selection of candidates is over in 19 constituencies. In the remaining constituencies, (electoral) agreements have not been reached," he told reporters here. The party would soon announce the candidates, he said. Reddy urged the electorate to vote for Left parties and help increase their strength in Parliament. Left parties have effectively raised voice against corruption, black money and misuse of power by the Centre in the Parliament and in favour of the poor, middle classes and others, he said. Noting that Left parties were entering into electoral understanding with parties having secular and democratic policies, Reddy said in Odisha, the CPI inked a poll pact with the Congress and decided to contest three assembly seats and one Lok Sabha segment. While talks have not been concluded with the Congress in West Bengal, they are underway in Maharashtra, he said. Pitching for holding assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, he said, though the situation was tense there, it was necessary that normalcy be restored by bringing a democratic government. The CPI also demanded that VVPATs be counted in Lok Sabha constituencies, where the victory margin was around 5,000 votes, he said. Referring to Election Commission's advisory to political parties not to use images of Defence personnel during campaigns, the senior CPI leader said advisory is not enough. "They should ban it," he said. BJP was trying to cash in on the sacrifices of the martyrs, he alleged. Alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was spreading misinformation that opposition sought proof for the air strike carried out in Pakistan, Reddy said nobody questioned it. "Even Shiv Sena which is an NDA partner, also demanded transparency. They also wanted to know exactly how many people died.. Narendra Modi is lying that opposition parties are against the Army and in favour of Pakistan," he said. CPI Telangana state secretary Chada Venkat Reddy slammed the ruling TRS for allegedly encouraging defection of MLAs from opposition parties. He was referring to some Congress MLAs announcing their decision to join the TRS, recently. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A debt-ridden policeman allegedly hanged himself to death at his house in Amravati district of Maharashtra, apparently as he did not get salary for two months and was unable to send money to his son studying in Pune, police said on Thursday. Assistant sub-inspector of police (ASI) Ramsingh Gulabsingh Chavan, 56, committed suicide on Monday in Chaparashipura locality in Amravati city, an official said. Police recovered a suicide note later, in which Chavan has blamed Amravati police commissioner and deputy police commissioner for the drastic step. "In the note, he also asked his family members not to perform the last rites until an offence is registered against the officers," he said. Chavan, who served in the police force for at least 35 years, was posted at Kotvali police station, he said. "In 2014, he had met with an accident while on duty and had been undergoing treatment for it. He had resumed his duty in December 2018," the official said. However, he had allegedly not submitted his medical documents, due to which his income tax worth around Rs 51,000 was deducted, he said. In the suicide note, Chavan said that he did not get salary for the last two months, he said. The suicide note further said that during the period of treatment, the medical board had granted him time to rest, but despite that the police commissioner did not release his salary, the official added. According to the official, Chavan's suicide note also mentioned that he was taking the extreme step as he was not able to send money to his son studying in Pune and because he was reeling under debt. "We have registered a case of accidental death and a probe is underway," the official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US Senate dealt a stinging bipartisan rebuke of Donald Trump's foreign policy and his alliance with Riyadh, voting to end support for the bloody Saudi-led war effort in Yemen. By a 54 to 46 tally, lawmakers in the Republican-controlled chamber approved on Wednesday a historic curtailment of presidential war powers, citing congressional authority under the decades-old War Powers Resolution to direct Trump "to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting the Republic of Yemen." The text now heads to the Democrat-led House of Representatives, which approved a similar measure that stalled earlier this year, and which is likely to pass the latest effort. The White House has threatened a veto. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 45-year-old woman from Delhi underwent a record third kidney transplant at a hospital here, proving true the adage 'No matter how hard life is, don't lose hope'. Ekta Kalra has undergone three kidney transplants since 2001, the latest being in November 2018. According to doctors performing multiple transplants in a patient, the task is very challenging as with every transplant, the surgery gets more and more dangerous as the potential for complications increases. It was Kalra's third transplant and the patient was much older, making the potential for complications far more, Sandeep Guleria, senior consultant, General Surgery, GI Surgery and transplantation at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said. In the case of Kalra, it was her husband who donated his kidney to save her life this time. Even though they were ABO incompatible, which means that their blood group did not match, the doctors took the challenge and performed the highly complicated transplant successfully. A routine check-up in 1996 had revealed that Kalra's kidneys were shrinking. She was 23 then and had just got married. She was diagnosed with Glomerulonephritis, a type of disease in which the part of kidney which filters blood (called glomeruli) becomes damaged. Since then, she has been battling with the disease. Initially, she explored various Ayurvedic treatments to treat her condition, but there was no relief and the creatinine levels in her blood continued to rise. In December 2000, she had to start regular dialysis as her kidneys were no longer functioning properly. Kalra underwent her first kidney transplant in 2001 where her elder sister Anshoo Walia donated her kidney. For more than a decade, the donated kidney served Kalra well, but the life of a donated organ is limited, Guleria said. By 2014, she again started facing kidney problems. "By the time we found out that her first kidney was failing, it was too late to start her on dialysis. Her health was deteriorating fast, so we opted for a pre-emptive transplant. This time, her other sister, Ritu Pahwa, donated a kidney," Guleria said. A few days after her second transplant, while she was still in ICU, she started complaining of severe stomach pain. It was found that she had gangrene of intestine for which we had to do an immediate major abdominal surgery to save her life. "This was while she was still recovering from her second kidney transplant and it made her quite weak," he said. Unfortunately, the second kidney was functional only for about four years after which it started failing. It was a case of acute antibody rejection of the transplanted organ, in which Kalra's own immune system started attacking the kidney, Guleria said. "There were only two viable options for her at that time - either live on dialysis for the rest of her life or undergo another kidney transplant. Kalra chose the latter and this time her husband, Tarun came forward to donate his kidney. "We counselled the family about the various risks involved with this surgery, after which they gave us the consent to go ahead. Their blood groups did not match so to overcome the ABO incompatibility, we did numerous plasma exchanges. The first two transplants took about three hours, but the third transplant took five-and-a-half hours since the third operation was technically more difficult," he said. Guleria said, "Her body is responding well to the new kidney and we hope that this time it will last for the rest of her life. Surviving three kidney transplants takes an incredible amount of strength, endurance and faith." She was under observation for the last four months. "For a layman, two kidney transplants is rare. But the doctor explained that kidney transplant is possible even for the third time and one can lead a normal life after that. Since he had already performed the kidney transplants twice on me before, I had full faith in him. "Even after the third transplant, the precautions I have to take are the same as before. The food I eat has to be hygienic and freshly prepared. Eating outside should be avoided, and it is essential to have medicine on time," she added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former BJP leader and founder of the Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan (DSS) Choudhary Lal Singh Thursday said the demand for a CBI probe into the rape and murder of a minor girl last year would be the core issue of his party in the Lok Sabha polls. Singh had launched the DSS on July 22 last year to mark the 100 days of his campaign in support of the demand for a CBI probe into the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl from a nomadic community in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir. Body of the minor was recovered from a forest on January 17, 2018, a week after she went missing from the forest area while grazing horses. "The demand for CBI probe will be the core issue of this election...we will continue to strive for the probe and take the agitation to its logical conclusion because the incident has put a question mark on secularism in Jammu and image of Dogras," Singh said. Singh was addressing a well-attended rally at Kootha Morh near the scene of the last year's crime. The DSS has announced Singh as its candidate from Kathua-Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha constituency. The Crime Branch of J&K Police, which investigated the case, arrested eight people, including the alleged mastermind Sanji Ram, in connection with the case which is presently being heard on daily basis in a court in Punjab under the supervision of the Supreme Court. According to the charge sheet, the girl was allegedly raped in captivity in a village temple and was kept sedated for four days before being bludgeoned to death. Singh, along with his colleague Chander Prakash Ganga, had resigned from the previous PDP-BJP government on April 13 2018, after uproar over his participation in a rally allegedly in support of the accused. He said the CBI probe into the case was a must to give justice to the deceased girl and restore the confidence of the general public of the Jammu region. "The need for such a probe is also important because different agencies were used to investigate this case and finally a fabricated case was presented in the court," Singh alleged. Seeking support of the people for his party in the forthcoming general elections, he urged them to give a befitting reply to the "Kashmiri centric politicians and their cohorts in Jammu who were responsible for maligning the image of Dogras". Without naming anyone but apparently referring to the BJP, Singh said the self-styled leadership of Jammu always sold the interest of Jammu for the "political consideration" and the present leadership both in Jammu and in New Delhi has broken all records. "The agency which was sent from Srinagar Crime Branch with a clear cut mandate of making it a hate crime and tarnishing the image of Dogra community and their revered places of worship. "I am surprised to hear that how a crime of this nature can be committed in a 'Devesthan' (temple) for days together? If it happens like this the need for the CBI inquiry becomes must," he said. While addressing to the family of Sanji Ram, the former minister said, "I will fight till my last breath to see that justice is done to the poor soul and in no circumstances any innocent should be persecuted." "This is the time when all Dogras will teach a lesson to all those leaders who remained mute spectator to the humiliation which we faced in the infamous case across the country," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Beto O'Rourke, a skateboarding former punk rocker feted as one of the Democratic Party's rising stars, announced Thursday he is running for president -- joining a crowded field of candidates vying to challenge Donald Trump in 2020. "The only way for us to live up to the promise of America is to give it our all and to give it for all of us," O'Rourke, 46, said in a video, filmed alongside his wife in their El Paso, Texas home. O'Rourke has been discussed as a potential frontrunner since dazzling the grassroots during an unexpectedly tight race last year to unseat Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz, his charismatic stump performances and message of inclusion turning heads in Washington. On Thursday morning, he was already taking questions from voters in Keokuk, Iowa -- following in the footsteps of other Democrats keen to raise their profiles in the state that will vote before any other in the 2020 primary process. He has vowed to run a positive campaign that would seek to "bring out the very best from every single one of us" and unite a country riven by political, social and cultural fissures. "You can probably tell that I want to run," he told Vanity Fair in this month's cover story, featuring a photography spread by Annie Leibovitz. In the article, published online hours before his official announcement, O'Rourke acknowledged his ambition for the top job -- although he stopped short of confirming his run. "Man, I'm just born to be in it, and want to do everything I humanly can for this country at this moment," he said. O'Rourke has entered a pool of 14 other Democrats seeking to oust Trump. They include several US senators -- Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand, Amy Klobuchar and the leader among current candidates, liberal powerhouse Bernie Sanders. The last main piece of the 2020 election puzzle on the Democrats' side is former vice president Joe Biden, who has said he will reveal his political plans soon. To one Iowan's question on running alongside so many other Democrats, O'Rourke said it was "critically important that we not denigrate, demean any other candidate." "Any single Democrat running today... would be far better than the current occupant of the White House," he said to applause. O'Rourke, a bassist in the moderately successful El Paso band Foss who became known for going skateboarding to blow off steam on the Texas campaign trail, has been tipped to quickly achieve rockstar status. But that will come with intensifying scrutiny from the media, Democratic power brokers and donors, as well as voters. As a three-term congressman, O'Rourke was more politically cautious, joining the House's centrist, pro-business New Democrat Coalition. But in his Senate run, he ran an unconventional campaign, espousing progressive positions on immigration and health care, while traveling to every county in strongly Republican Texas in a bid to heal political divisions. In Thursday's announcement he broadened his political vision with promises to prioritize criminal justice reform and tackle climate change. On immigration -- one of the most divisive issues of Trump's presidency -- O'Rourke called for legal paths for immigrants "to work, to be with family and to flee persecution." His native El Paso, which borders Mexico's Ciudad Juarez, was recently visited by the president for a rally filled with dire warnings about Mexican criminals and calls for bigger and longer border walls. "All of us, wherever you live, can acknowledge that if immigration is a problem it's the best possible problem for this country to have," O'Rourke insisted. O'Rourke's 2018 campaign was time-consuming and he signaled that he felt disconnected from family as a result. "My family hasn't seen me," he told Oprah Winfrey in February. "I haven't been there for them." His disappointment about his narrow defeat was clear when he embarked on a low-key road trip and blogged about the experience, writing on January 16 that he has been "in and out of a funk." But it also showed a candidate appearing to enjoy himself. He could be seen skateboarding between events. He jammed onstage with country music legend Willie Nelson, and pledged to "listen to everyone, regardless of the differences." In a new documentary on his improbable Senate campaign, "Running with Beto," the rising star offered sage advice for candidates like himself: "Run like there's nothing to lose. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Differences among senior Delhi Congress leaders over the issue of a possible tie-up with AAP in Delhi in the Lok Sabha elections surfaced on Thursday with the party's Delhi unit chief Sheila Dikshit questioning the move to seek opinion of party workers through a mobile app. In the survey, through the recorded voice of AICC incharge of Delhi unit PC Chacko, opinion of 52,000 Delhi Congress workers, registered on party's Shakti app, were sought. They were asked if they favoured an alliance with AAP in Delhi. Dikshit questioned the move by Chacko and former Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken, saying it was "overriding" the decision taken against the alliance by Rahul gandhi. "There should be no confusion. Our stand remains what it was," she said referring to her meeting with Rahul Gandhi earlier this month after which she had said there was unanimity in the party against alliance with the AAP in Delhi. The survey concluded on Thursday with Maken saying it was backed by Congress President Rahul Gandhi. "This is Rahul Gandhi's decision.It is under the direction of Rahul ji that this referendum, in a way, is being done. So, if anyone is questioning in the Congress, the decision of Rahul ji, I think its wrong," Maken told reporters. He said the Shakti app is used by Rahul Gandhi and PC Chacko does not have the phone numbers of 52,000 workers. "It is on the directions of Gandhi only that Shakti app is being utilised. The app is controlled by data department which comes directly under Rajul Gandhi," he said. The former Delhi Congress chief also expressed surprise on opposition to the survey. The Delhi Congress leaders however sought to downplay the matter saying "difference of opinion" was a sign of healthy democratic system in the party". "It is only logical that people have different opinion on some issue. It is a sign of healthy democratic system in the party," said Delhi Congress working president Rajesh Lilothia. With the announcement of date of Lok sabha polls in Delhi, the issue of alliance between the two parties has taken centre stage, although both sides have yet to reach to any conclusion on the issue. Delhi will go for polls on the seven Lok Sabha seats on May 12. In a convention of Delhi's booth level workers, Gandhi had said that it was up to them that the party would win all the seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (ANSA) - Rome, March 14 - Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said Thursday that the memorandum of understanding that the government is set to sign in relation to China's Belt and Road Initiative is not set in stone. "We are reading it," the League party leader told a press conference in the Lower House. "But the memorandum is not a sacred script. It can be amended. It can be improved". The government's plan to sign up for the massive infrastructure project, a sort of Silk Road for the modern world, when Chinese President Xi Jinping visits this month, looks set to go ahead after after Premier Giuseppe Conte and other senior members of the executive met President Sergio Mattarella on Wednesday. The United States has expressed concern about Italy signing up for it. Indeed, the State Department on Wednesday told Italy to "rigorously" evaluate the risks of dealings with suppliers linked to foreign governments before taking any decisions concerning key infrastructure, such as the 5G network. But the Italian officials stressed that the memorandum Italy is set to sign does not concern 5G and the commitments are not as weighty as those inked by many of the 13 other States that have reached similar agreements with China. "The new Silk Road should absolutely not be seen as a new geopolitical alliance," Deputy Premier and Labour and Industry Minister and 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Di Maio said. "It is a memorandum that I will sign as industry minister and it will be useful for the ports of the south," he said. Diplomats Thursday walked out of a UN convention on drugs addressed by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza, saying his government was illegitimate and did not represent the country. Dozens of officials from Latin America, as well as the US, Canada and some European countries, including France, left the room in protest as Arreaza took the podium for the meeting of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna. "The members of the Venezuela delegation here today represent the illegitimate government of (Venezuela's President) Nicolas Maduro, and thus cannot be considered as speaking on behalf of the Venezuelan people," a spokesperson of the US Mission to International Organizations said in a statement after the walk-out. Multiple diplomats, including from Latin America and Europe, had staged a walk-out late last month during an Arreaza address to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, when he called for direct talks between Maduro and US President Donald Trump about the country's crisis. Arreaza said in his speech in Vienna Thursday that the drug epidemic could only be combatted multilaterally, adding that US "unilateral economic steps" have cost the country billions, diverting funds from the fight against drugs. "Today the multilateral model (of world affairs) is under threat and the situation of Venezuela is an example of this... The government of the US has threatened our people with a military aggression, with a use of force violating the UN charter," he said. The CND started meeting Thursday to discuss the world drug problem. In Venezuela, widespread anger against President Nicolas Maduro has deepened due to an unprecedented nationwide power blackout. Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido -- who is recognised as interim president by more than 50 countries -- vowed this week to oust Maduro "very soon". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Election Commission (EC) Thursday deployed divisional commissioners as 'Accessibility Observers' to make sure that polling is accessible to the voters at the field level. Voters have the right to exercise their franchise and the Accessibility Observers would oversee effective implementation of all instructions of the EC for free and fair polling, sources at the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said here. To ensure transparency regarding functioning of EVMs in the coming Lok Sabha election, mock poll was arranged during the day at different stages of preparation of the electronic voting machines, the sources said. Deputy Election Commissioner Sudeep Jain will meet representatives of all recognised political parties of the state on Saturday. Jain will also hold a meeting with district election officers, superintendents of police and police commissioners to review the poll-preparedness. The sources said the EC's 'cVIGIL' app, through which voters can lodge any poll-related complaints to the EC, has so far registered 351 complaints of violation of model code of conduct in the state and they were being looked into. West Bengal will go to seven-phase polling beginning April 11. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Archaeologists have unearthed evidence of the earliest large-scale celebrations in Britain -- with people and animals travelling hundreds of miles for prehistoric feasting rituals near the world-famous monuments of Stonehenge and Avebury. The study, led by Cardiff University in the UK, is the most comprehensive to date and examined the bones of 131 pigs, the prime feasting animals, from four Late Neolithic (2800-2400 BC) complexes. The four sites -- Durrington Walls, Marden, Mount Pleasant and West Kennet Palisade Enclosures -- hosted the very first pan-British events, feasts that drew people and animals from across Britain, researchers said. The results, published in the journal Science Advances, show pig bones excavated from these sites were from animals raised as far away as Scotland, North East England and West Wales, as well as numerous other locations across the British Isles. The researchers believe it may have been important for those attending to contribute animals raised locally at their homes. The origins of people that took part in rituals at these megalithic monuments and the extent of the population's movements at the time have been long-standing enigmas in British prehistory. "This study demonstrates a scale of movement and level of social complexity not previously appreciated," said Richard Madgwick, from Cardiff University. "These gatherings could be seen as the first united cultural events of our island, with people from all corners of Britain descending on the areas around Stonehenge to feast on food that had been specially reared and transported from their homes," Madgwick said in a statement. Representing great feats of engineering and labour mobilisation, the Neolithic henge complexes of southern Britain were the focal point for great gatherings in the third millennium BC. Pigs were the prime animal used in feasting and they provide the best indication of where the people who feasted at these sites came from as almost no human remains have been recovered. Using isotope analysis, which identifies chemical signals from the food and water that animals have consumed, the researchers were able to determine geographical areas where the pigs were raised. The study offers the most detailed picture yet of the degree of mobility across Britain at the time of Stonehenge, researchers said. "Arguably the most startling finding is the efforts that participants invested in contributing pigs that they themselves had raised. Procuring them in the vicinity of the feasting sites would have been relatively easy," Madgwick said. "Pigs are not nearly as well-suited to movement over distance as cattle and transporting them, either slaughtered or on the hoof, over hundreds or even tens of kilometres, would have required a monumental effort," he said. "This suggests that prescribed contributions were required and that rules dictated that offered pigs must be raised by the feasting participants, accompanying them on their journey, rather than being acquired locally," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The three special observers, who were appointed by the Election Commission to suggest when assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir can be held, interacted with representatives of various political parties here on Thursday. The three observers -- Noor Mohammed, Vinod Zutshi and A S Gill -- Thursday reached Srinagar for a two-day visit to assess the situation in Jammu and Kashmir on real time basis to enable the poll panel take a call on holding assembly elections in the state, officials said. They also met the officials of the state government to get a briefing on the security situation for holding elections in the state. The team will hold similar interactions with representatives of political parties and officials in Jammu on Friday, the officials said. While announcing the schedule for the Lok Sabha elections on Sunday, the poll panel had said that assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be held simultaneously due to security concerns flagged by the Centre. Representatives of the PDP, Congress, BJP and other parties met the observers, while the National Conference (NC), CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) chairman Hakeem Mohamad Yaseen and Democratic Party Nationalist (DPN) president Ghulam Hassan Mir boycotted the meeting. The NC decided not to meet the EC observers, saying the party has nothing more to add to its demand of having simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls in the state. "We have already put forth our position about holding the assembly polls in the state before the full Election Commission last week. There is nothing new to say about the issue," Tarigami, Yaseen and Mir said in a joint statement issued here. Jammu and Kashmir is under the President's Rule since 19 December 2018. The PDP-BJP government in the state fell on 19 June 2018 after the national party pulled out of the coalition. Since the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has been dissolved, the Election Commission is bound to hold fresh polls there as well within a six-month period, which will end in May. Almost all political parties in Kashmir have advocated holding the state assembly polls simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Enforcement Directorate Thursday moved a Delhi court seeking orders to arrest lobbyist Deepak Talwar in a fresh case related to the purchase of 43 aircraft by erstwhile Indian Airlines from Airbus Industrie of France in 2005. The agency moved the plea before special judge Santosh Snehi Mann, who directed Tihar jail authorities to produce Talwar Friday. Talwar is currently in judicial custody in a separate case related to negotiations to favour foreign private airlines, causing loss to national carrier Air India. In the present case, special public prosecutors D P Singh and Nitesh Rana told the court that Talwar's custody was required to unearth the entire criminal conspiracy related to the money laundering in relation to the purchase. The court will hear the matter Friday. According to the ED counsel A R Aditya, the case was filed against Indian Airlines officials and other unknown persons, "alleging that the officials, by abusing their official position as public servants in conspiracy with Airbus Industrie and caused undue pecuniary advantage to Airbus Industrie and caused corresponding undue loss to the government exchequer in carrying out the purchase of 43 aircraft by Indian Airlines from Airbus Industrie, France". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Enforcement Directorate Thursday moved a Delhi court seeking orders to arrest lobbyist Deepak Talwar in a fresh case related to the purchase of 43 aircraft by erstwhile Indian Airlines from France's Airbus Industrie in 2005. The agency moved the plea before special judge Santosh Snehi Mann. Talwar is currently in judicial custody in a separate case related to negotiations to favour foreign private airlines causing the loss to national carrier Air India. In the present case, special public prosecutors D P Singh and Nitesh Rana told the court that Talwar's custody was required to unearth the entire criminal conspiracy related to the money laundering in relation to the purchase. The court will hear the matter Friday. According to the ED, the case was filed against Indian Airlines officials and other unknown persons, "alleging that the officials, by abusing their official position as public servants in conspiracy with Airbus Industrie and caused undue pecuniary advantage to Airbus Industrie and caused corresponding undue loss to the government exchequer in carrying out the purchase of 43 aircraft by Indian Airlines from Airbus Industrie, France." "The cabinet committee on economic affairs/empowered group of ministers had approved the purchase of 43 Airbus Aircraft in 2006 and the purchase price per aircraft was fixed with the condition that Airbus will establish training and MRO Centre worth USD 175 million (around Rs 1000 crore). "However, purchase order was placed for supply of 43 aircraft by fraudulently deleting the said condition. Deletion of those conditions for establishing MRO and training centre has resulted in undue benefit of Rs 1000 crore to Airbus which should have been reduced from agreed purchase price of aircraft fixed by the government of India," the ED said. It told the court that the conduct of Talwar was non-cooperative towards the investigation and he would not appear before investigating authority in the present probe unless he is compelled by law to do so. In the first case, the ED alleged that Talwar acted as a middleman in negotiations to favour foreign private airlines causing the loss to national carrier Air India. It told the court that it was trying to find out the names of officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, National Aviation Company of India Ltd and Air India, who favoured foreign airlines, including Qatar Airways, Emirates and Air Arabia, by making national carrier, gave up profit making routes and profit making timings. "It has been alleged that officials of Ministry of Civil Aviation, NACIL, Air India, by abusing their official positions as public servants and receiving illegal gratification, in conspiracy with other public servants, private domestic and foreign airlines, made the national carrier gave up profit making routes and profit making timings of Air India in favour of national and international domestic and foreign private airlines. "This resulted in a huge loss of market share to the national carrier and also led to pecuniary benefits to private domestic and foreign airlines," the ED had told the court. Talwar was picked up by Dubai authorities in January in connection with the Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland VVIP choppers money laundering case and deported to India. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday cautioned Delhi BJP workers against being lax ahead of the Lok Sabha polls and asked them to ensure new voters were added to the electoral rolls. Addressing BJP workers, the union minister said the atmosphere was good for the party as "people believe the country is safe under Modi-ji" but there was no room for them to be lax. "You should keep repeating that 'if we have to be secure, you have to elect Modi-ji'. If Delhi relaxes, due to any reason, the country will get the message that the party is not active," she said. She said the workers should ensure new voters were enrolled. "It is important to get new voters added. It is our responsibility to get the millennials, who were born after 2000, added. There is scam in the voter registry by the Aam Aadmi Party but I won't talk about it. But (remember) it is our responsibility to get new voters added," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The European Parliament on Thursday failed to back the launch of trade talks between the EU and the United States, dealing an unexpected blow to efforts to avert a trade war. Pursuing a limited trade deal was the central part of a truce agreed in July when European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and US President Donald Trump pledged no new tariffs following those on steel and aluminium. That announcement allowed the two sides to reduce tensions at a time when Trump threatened to impose steep duties on European automobiles -- a threat he has renewed in recent weeks. MEPs meeting in the eastern French city of Strasbourg on Thursday failed to pass an approval of an EU mandate, after a rebellion by lawmakers changed the wording of the text. In the final tally, 223 voted against the recommendation to start the talks and 198 in favour, with 37 abstentions. The European Parliament only has an advisory role with regard to the EU's negotiating mandate, but it will have the final say once an agreement has been concluded. "We have taken note of the vote, on the draft EU-US negotiating directives. We await the outcome of the discussions in Council," a spokesman for the European Commission, the EU executive, said. "The Commission will of course involve the European Parliament throughout in this process," he added. The European Council represents member states. The setback in parliament comes as debate over the contours of the deal already underlined deep transatlantic divisions, with the US insisting that farming be included -- an idea rejected by the EU. But powerful Germany deeply wants the deal in order to placate Trump and avoid the auto tariffs that would punish the country's cherished exports, a prospect Chancellor Angela Merkel has labelled "frightening". France however is dragging its feet, fearing that entering trade negotiations with Trump could fire up domestic opposition just months ahead of European elections, set for May 22 to 26. Paris is especially wary after the failure of talks on TTIP, a far more ambitious transatlantic trade plan, which stalled amid fears a deal with Washington would undermine EU food and health standards. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US shares a mutual interest with China in achieving regional stability and peace, and a "failure" to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist would run counter to this goal, a spokesperson in the American embassy said Thursday. The comments, seen as veiled criticism of Beijing, came a day after China blocked listing Azhar as global terrorist by the sanctions committee of the UN Security Council. The spokesperson said Washington will continue to work with the UN sanctions committee to ensure that the designation list is "updated and accurate". "As the United Nations sanctions committee deliberations are confidential, we don't comment on specific matters, but we will continue to work with the sanctions committee to ensure that the designation list is updated and accurate," the official said. "With respect to China, the United States and China share a mutual interest in achieving regional stability and peace, and a failure to designate Azhar would run counter to this goal," he added. On Wednesday, China put a "technical hold" on the designation of Azhar as a global terrorist, saying the move would give it time for a "thorough and in-depth assessment" of the case and help the parties concerned. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. The Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee members had 10 working days to raise any objections to the proposal. Just before the deadline ended, China put a "technical hold" on the proposal seeking "more time to examine" it. The proposal was the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist. "Our views on Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) and its founder Masood Azhar are well known. JeM is a United Nations-designated terrorist group. Azhar is the founder and the leader of JeM, and he clearly meets the criteria for designation by the United Nations," the US Embassy official said. He said the JeM has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks and is a threat to regional stability and peace. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) - Former champions Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal edged closer to a blockbuster semi-final showdown at the ATP Indian Wells Masters with brisk fourth-round wins. World number two Nadal on Wednesday overpowered Serbian qualifier Filip Krajinovic 6-3 6-4 to book his quarter-final berth in one hour and 26 minutes. Federer, seeking a record sixth title in the California desert, needed just 64 minutes to get past Britain's Kyle Edmund 6-1 6-4. Nadal said his performance on a windy stadium court wasn't as good as his 6-3, 6-1 third-round win over Argentine Diego Schwartzman. But he was more than a match for 113th-ranked Krajinovic, breaking him early in each set and saving the only break point he faced. Nadal, who lifted the Indian Wells trophy in 2007, 2008 and 2013, is in the last eight for the first time in three years after missing last year's edition, skipping both Indian Wells and the Miami Masters with a hip injury. He next will take on 13th-ranked Russian Karen Khachanov, who beat world number nine John Isner 6-4 7-6 (7/1). Khachanov produced just one ace to the big-serving American's 12 but stretched his record over Isner to 4-0. Fourth-seeded Federer, fresh off his 100th career title, looked poised to finish off Edmund in less than an hour. But the Swiss great had to fight off three break points as he served for the match, just a small speed bump in a match that he took charge of early. "He didn't have the best start, so that cost him the first set," Federer said. "Second set, it was definitely better. I think he probably struggled throughout a little bit. He never really got going. "Conditions are tough with the glare, and the jump of the ball it's sometimes hard to find the rhythm and timing." Federer will fight for a semi-final berth against 22-year-old Pole Hubert Hurkacz. Hurkacz, ranked 67th in the world, sent 25th-ranked Canadian Denis Shapovalov packing 7-6 (7/3) 2-6 6-3. Although he'll be an overwhelming favorite against Hurkacz, Federer said he wouldn't take a semi-final meeting with Nadal for granted. "I hope I can get there," Federer said, "but I'm not going to underestimate Hubert." - Kecmanovic capitalizes -==========================A day after world number one Novak Djokovic tumbled out of the third round, 19-year-old Miomir Kecmanovic kept the Serbian flag flying. Kecmanovic became the first lucky loser to reach the last eight at Indian Wells since the ATP's Masters 1000 series launched in 1990. Kecmanovic, ranked 130th in the world, had taken the first set against Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4 when the 74th-ranked Japanese retired because of injury. Kecmanovic, who gained entry to the second round when fifth-seeded Kevin Anderson withdrew with an elbow injury, is in his first ATP quarter-final. Kecmanovic is the last teen left in the men's draw, after the departure of 19-year-old Shapovalov. At the other end of the age spectrum, 40-year-old Croatian Ivo Karlovic's run came to an end with a 6-4 6-3 loss to 25-year-old seventh seed Dominic Thiem. Thiem needed less than an hour to subdue the 89th-ranked Karlovic, surrendering just seven points on his own serve and punishing Karlovic's second serve. Thiem said putting 87 percent of his first serves in play was key in his first meeting with Karlovic. "I felt pretty confident on my own service games. That's what I transferred also to the return games," he said. "I made two breaks in the right moment I would say." Thiem will next face either 18th-seeded Frenchman Gael Monfils or unseeded German Philipp Kohlschreiber, who stunned world number one Novak Djokovic 6-4 6-4 on Tuesday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (ANSA) - Rome, March 13 - The European Parliament on Thursday voted a League amendment to a resolution on Nicaragua calling for the extradition of former Red Brigades (BR) terrorist Alessio Casimirri, convicted in the 1978 kidnapping and murder of Christian Democrat statesman Aldo Moro. The amendment passed by 219 votes to 108 with 33 abstentions. The resolution is not binding and national authorities will have to decide what to do, sources said. Casimirri has for years been living in Managua where he owns a restaurant. "We are firmly convinced that criminals who have fled abroad should return to Italy and serve their sentences," League leader Matteo Salvini said. "We are working on several fronts and I hope that in Europe too they will share our government's battle". photo: Casimirri in 1988 Two contractual workers were killed in a fire at an ONGC well near here, the company said Thursday. A fire broke out around 2030 hours on Wednesday at Nandej well when repair and maintenance operations were being carried out by chartered hire Workover Rig Akash 4, it said in a statement. Nine fire tenders -- four of ONGC and five from district fire services -- were deployed and the fire was completely extinguished in less than an hour. "Unfortunately two contractual workers have lost their lives in the incident. While Sanjay Mahendra Singh, 25, was brought dead (at hospital on Wednesday), Shahjad Alam Ansari, 27, succumbed to the injury at 0700 hours today (Thursday)," it said. Four other contractual workers with severe burn injuries are being treated at a hospital here. "While reasons behind this accident are being enquired into, ONGC is committed to provide all support as per its policy to the bereaved families as well as the ones who have suffered burn injuries," it said. (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 Friday the petitions filed by RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav seeking bail in three cases related to the multi-crore fodder scam. A bench headed by chief justice Ranjan Gogoi will hear Yadav's petition challenging the January 10 verdict of the Jharkhand High Court, rejecting bail to him in these cases. Yadav is lodged in Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The fodder scam related to fraudulent withdrawal of government funds from the treasuries of various districts of undivided Bihar in the 1990s when RJD was in power and Yadav the chief minister. Yadav was lodged in Ranchi jail in December 2017 in these cases. In the High Court, the RJD supremo had cited old age and poor health for grant of bail. Yadav, 71, said he was suffering from diabetes, blood pressure and other ailments and that he had already obtained bail in one of the fodder scam cases. He has been convicted for fraudulent withdrawal of money from Deoghar, Dumka and two Chaibasa treasuries. He got bail in one of the two Chaibasa-treasury related cases. He is currently facing a fifth case pertaining to Doranda treasury. The RJD chief has been undergoing treatment at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi. The over Rs 900 crore fodder scam related to fraudulent withdrawal of money from treasuries in the Animal Husbandry department in early 90s when Bihar and Jharkhand were one state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four Georgian nationals were Thursday arrested for allegedly breaking into a house at Siolim near here and stealing Rs 9 lakh from there, police said on Thursday. Anjuna police arrested Kinstantin Chkhaidze (46), Lura Pirelli (42), Lasha Gurchiani (46) and Irakli Tamliani (33) for the crime, inspector Navlesh Desai said. "The accused stole cash and gold worth Rs 9 lakh after breaking into the house owned by Maria Fernandes at Siolim village. All the accused were arrested within five hours of filing of the complaint by the house owner," he said. According to Desai, the accused were staying at Arpora beach village, 10 kms away from Siolim. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Central Information Commission has directed the Ministry of Urban Development to furnish records of about 3,000 displaced people from Pakistan who have been given land to settle in the national capital. Information Commissioner Bimal Julka also directed that the list of allottees and the criteria adopted for such allotment be placed on the website of the ministry. The Urban Development Ministry had told the Commission that it does not have any digitised records of displaced people from Pakistan who have settled in the national capital and were allotted lands here. The matter came before Julka after an applicant filed an appeal against the ministry for not furnishing response to his queries seeking details of people from Pakistan who were given settlements in Geeta colony. "In its reply, the respondent (MoUD) explained that the original policy may have been evolved by MHA and thereafter the subject matter for allotment of land to the displaced individuals was handed over to MoUD," Julka noted. He also pointed out the only explanation given in the reply was that it pertained to a 'third party' without clearly specifying the provision under Section 8 (1) of the RTI Act, 2005 to deny the information. "Neither the respondent present during the hearing nor the CPIO responding to the RTI application could justify their positions as to how the disclosure of information would be in contravention to any of the provisions enshrined under Section 8 of the RTI Act, 2005," he said. Citing order from the Delhi High Court, Julka said the ministry is required to provide justification or establish the reason why such exemption was claimed. "Moreover, as per the provisions of Section 7 (8) (i) of the RTI Act, 2005, where a request for disclosure of information is rejected, the CPIO shall communicate the reasons for such rejection, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP in Goa has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a public meeting in the state and also lined up a number of senior party leaders for campaigning for the next month's Lok Sabha elections. Voting for the two Lok Sabha seats in Goa will be held on April 23. By-elections to three Assembly constituencies - Shiroda, Mandrem and Mapusa - will also be held the same day. "We have invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a public meeting in Goa during the second week of April. "We are waiting for his confirmation after which the exact date will be finalised," Goa BJP president Vinay Tendulkar told reporters here Thursday. He said senior BJP leaders, including Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and Smriti Irani, will address election rallies in the coastal state. Tendulkar said the BJP will re-nominate both its sitting Members of Parliament Shripad Naik (North Goa) and Narendra Sawaikar (South Goa). He said the BJP's Central Election Committee will meet in New Delhi on March 18 to formally announce their candidature. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A special court in Gujarat's Banaskantha district has sentenced a school teacher to 10 years in jail for raping a 14-year-old girl student two years ago. Additional Sessions Judge P T Patel, designated to hear cases under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, held Chandu Bhagora (30) guilty under section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code and under the POCSO Act. The court also slapped a fine of Rs 11,000 on Bhagora. Terming the crime as a "black spot" on the civil society, the court observed that the accused has tarnished the "pious relationship" between a teacher and a student. The incident took place in a village near Deodar town in August 2017. The victim, a class VIII student then, studied in the same school where Bhagora taught. The girl was on her way to school when Bhagora kidnapped her and took her to an isolated place, where he sexually assaulted her, the prosecution said. Her family lodged a complaint after she narrated her ordeal to her parents, Deodar's Additional Public Prosecutor D V Thakor said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) American cult bike manufacturer on Thursday said it aims to further consolidate its position in the over 1,600-cc segment in India, which it currently dominates with over 90 per cent market share. The company launched its 1200-cc model Forty-Eight Special in India priced at Rs 10.98 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) here. It currently has four models in its big bike (over 1,600-cc) portfolio in the country. "We definitely will be consolidating in the big bike segment," India Managing Director Sajeev Rajasekharan told PTI. Sales in the 1,600-cc plus bike segment in India currently stands at over 600 units annually. Rajasekharan said last few years have witnessed consistent growth in terms of big bikes; and the company has been able to maintain its leadership position. "We expect the market to grow from this year as the trends have been positive. More models are there and road infrastructure has been improving. There is more awareness and all these factors will trigger further growth in the market," he added. Last year, had reported sale of over 3,000 units in the country. The company's bikes are priced between Rs 5.33 lakh (Street 750) and Rs 50.53 lakh (CVO Limited). When asked about the time-frame for introducing small capacity bikes in India, Rajasekharan said there is "not much to share on that". Last year, Harley-Davidson had announced plans to develop a 200-500 cc motorcycle through a strategic alliance in Asia which will be used to primarily fuel its growth in India. On introducing its Livewire electric bike, he said, "We would launch it in the US and Europe; and when infrastructure is ready, Harley would look at spreading out to other markets as well." He said that there is a lot of emphasis on electric mobility in India and the company is very happy with the positive changes that are happening to get the environment more conducive for launch of such vehicles. The company Thursday also introduced an updated version of its touring bike Street Glide Special priced at Rs 30.53 lakh. Commenting this new edition, Rajasekharan said the bike now comes with an upgraded 1,868-cc engine and other accessories. The model is one of the three touring models that Harley-Davidson sells in country right now. Other two have already been updated and launched. Commenting on company completing ten years in India, Rajasekharan said this "is just the beginning as we remain the cruiser of choice for many riders. With the all-new Forty-Eight Special, the company takes its motorcycle line up in the country to 17 models". Over the past ten years one of every two big bikes sold in the country has been a Harley, he added. Elaborating on company's plans for the current year, Rajasekharan said Harley would add two more dealerships during the course of the year taking the total count to 33 from current 31 outlets. "We also plan to add three lifestyle stores taking the count to 10. In the tenth year of operations in India we will have 43 touch points in all," he added. The Allahabad High Court Thursday ordered the Uttar Pradesh government and its Excise Department to enforce the ban on surrogate advertisement of liquor on TV and in cinema halls, newspapers and other mass media. The bench of justices Sudhir Agarwal and Ajit Kumar passed the order on a plea by the president of a voluntary organisation Struggle Against Pain. The bench also directed the excise and police departments to take appropriate action to ensure prohibition of any such 'surrogate advertisement'. The petitioner sought enforcement of the ban, annexing with his petition various surrogate advertisements of liquor in magazines and newspapers. The petition pointed out that though the advertisements were ostensibly for publicity of music CDs and drinking glasses, the name of these products were written in very small font and were hardly visible. The advertisement, however, carried bold logos of various popular brands of liquor without using the word "liquor" to escape punishment under the law, the petition pointed out. The petitioner claimed that the liquor manufacturers and their vending firms spend huge amount of money on these advertisements to encourage the sale and consumption of liquor and succeed in their design. Some liquor companies which were made parties to the petition, defended the practice claiming that they also produce other products like soda and glasses under the same brand name and the law does not ban their advertisements. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) HDFC Capital Advisors and realty firm Tribeca Thursday announced a Rs 500 crore fund for development of mid-income housing projects in Mumbai and Delhi-NCR. The projects will be developed by Tribeca, which is developing two Trump Tower projects in Kolkata and Gurugram. HDFC Capital Advisors, which is the real estate-focused fund management arm of HDFC Ltd, and Tribeca said the platform will invest Rs 500 crore through a combination of debt and equity. This is probably for the first time, HDFC Capital has set up a platform with new age developers like us. We have already identified our first project in Gurugram where around 600 flats would be constructed, Tribeca MD Kalpesh Mehta told PTI. The company has already tied up with a local developer who owns the land. This project would be developed at a construction cost of around Rs 300 crore, he said. HDFC Capital has already put in Rs 135 crore as debt in this first project. This platform will leverage Tribeca's asset light model of acquiring projects from existing developers through Joint Venture' and Development Management' structures. Housing remains a crucial need in India and the demand for housing is expected to grow substantially with increased urbanisation. HDFC's endeavour is to participate in the huge opportunity of mid income and affordable housing in the country, HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh said. HDFC is committed to partner with developers who are aligned with its vision and values, he said. We are happy to announce this investment with Tribeca, a new generation developer. This association will help address the demand-supply gap in affordable housing and will ensure that flexible financing is provided to quality developers, Parekh said. Tribeca is a new age developer that is bringing a fresh perspective to this industry. We are looking forward to back them to create what we believe will become a scalable platform, Vipul Roongta, managing director and CEO of HDFC Capital Advisors said. HDFC Capital manages two affordable housing funds--HDFC Capital Affordable Real Estate Fund I and II--which collectively have a corpus of around USD 1 billion. Tribeca is currently developing five projects with a total value of Rs 6,500 crore across Mumbai, NCR and Kolkata. Tribeca pioneered the branded residential business in India through a partnership with the Trump Organisation and made India, a country with the largest number of Trump branded properties outside of North America. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Writer Anjum Rajabali says Shah Rukh Khan backed out of astronaut Rakesh Sharma's biopic "Saare Jahan Se Achha" as he was shaken up by the failure of "Zero". There were reports that Shah Rukh was sceptical to venture into another space film after "Zero", which had its character travel to Mars for love and hence quit "Saare Jahan Se Achha". At a panel discussion at FICCI Frames, Anjum, however, said the space angle was not the reason for the superstar to leave the film. "If you're asking me, there was a problem with the script (of 'Zero'). Himanshu (Sharma, the writer) is a very talented person but things go wrong sometimes. "I don't think he said no to 'Saare Jahan Se Achcha' because of the space (angle). I think he's also pretty shaken up, he was banking a lot on that," Anjum said while moderating a panel discussion 'Screenwriters: The Creative Force Powering Indian Cinema's New Surge'. Anjum said asking question about "Saare Jahan Se Achha" was "dukhti rag pe haath rakhna" (hitting a raw nerve) but made an observation about how often makers blame everything else but the script when a film fails. "This whole practice and culture of postmortem, of analysing what went wrong hasn't really caught on. What happens then is, there are knee-jerk reactions rather than responses even from the makers," he said. " Oh, it (the failure) could be because of the space and hence we put two into two together. Oh it's because the time wasn't right, nobody wants to see a star in a disabled person's role.' It could also well be that there was a problem with the DNA of the script." Anjum, who has penned films like "Ghulam", "The Legend of Bhagat Singh" and "Raajneeti", said a writer should also be involved in this "honest introspection to be able to determine where did things go wrong." "Most of the times, when a film doesn't connect in spite of the fact that the idea was good, director was talented and the stars were attractive, it's because the script has gone wrong. That's where we need to be investing in. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The search and rescue operation for soldiers trapped by an avalanche in Himachal Pradesh's tribal Kinnaur district was called off after the bodies of the last two missing soldiers were recovered on Thursday, a defence spokesperson said. Naik Videsh Chand, Rifleman Arjun Kumar and four other jawans of the 7 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles were buried under the avalanche at Shipki La near the Sino-India border on February 20. Chand and Kumar's bodies were recovered on Thursday morning, 23 days after the incident. The bodies were taken to Pooh from where they will be sent to their native places. The body of Chand, from village Thrauna in Nirmand tehsil of Kullu district, will be moved to Jhakri in the evening, he said adding that Chand's last rites would be performed Friday morning. The body of Kumar, from village Kattal Brahamana, Hira Nagar, in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, will be airlifted by an advanced light helicopter (ALH) to Janglot Friday and then it would be sent by road to his native village, he said. Earlier the bodies of four jawans were recovered on separate days. Havaldar Rakesh Kumar's body was recovered on the day of the avalanche, while the bodies of Riflemen Rajesh Rishi and Govind Bahadur Chhetri and Nitin Rana were recovered on March 2, 4 and 9 respectively. About 400 personnel and several residents of Khab village carried out the search and rescue operation despite adverse weather conditions, the official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The West Bengal CID has seized a huge cache of explosive materials from a village in Bankura district during a raid, a senior officer said on Thursday. Acting on a tip-off, a CID team raided the village under Saltora Police Station in the district, and seized around 106 cartons of gelatin sticks weighing 2,650 kg, 6,650 kg of ammonium nitrate sacks and 52,500 pieces of electric detonators, on Wednesday night, he said. A four-wheeler and a two-wheeler have also been confiscated. "The seized items were procured from Odisha, Telangana and Jharkhand, and were meant to be used in illegal stone quarry. We are conducting an investigation," the officer added. The Kolkata Police had last week seized nearly 1,000 kg of potassium nitrate -- also used in making explosives -- from Chitpur area of the city. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hundreds of men, women and children trudged out of a remote eastern Syrian village Thursday where the Islamic State group has been making a suicidal last stand against advancing US-backed forces. All that remains of a sprawling cross-border "caliphate" the jihadists declared in 2014 is a battered riverside camp in the village of Baghouz near the Iraqi border. The Syrian Democratic Forces, and warplanes of a US-led coalition backing them, have rained fire on the enclave since Sunday, blitzing thousands of IS members into surrender. Hundreds more followed on Thursday, slowly walking up the orange cliff overlooking the smouldering IS encampment in a bend of the Euphrates River, an AFP reporter there said. Under the drizzle, men with thick beards struggled on crutches, while women stumbled under the weight of bags stuffed full, one with a toothbrush poking out of a back pocket. Children followed, covered in dust and hair in disarray. When they saw the journalists, some started crying. Most of the men appeared to be wounded. One man had an eye patch, another his arm in a sling. Many, including the children, appeared to be foreigners. A black man held up his hands to hide his face. SDF spokesman Mustefa Bali said they were leaving after an "intensive offensive" on their last scrap of land by the Euphrates the night before. "A large number of ISIS fighters and their families started to surrender to the #SDF since this morning," he said in English on Twitter. Hardliners inside the pocket have been hiding underground from air strikes by a US-led coalition, and unleashing suicide bombers on advancing forces. A spokesman for the Kurdish units inside the village of Baghouz earlier Thursday said this was slowing progress. "Those who stayed inside are mostly suicide bombers blowing themselves up, which is impeding the advance," said Jiaker Amed, a spokesman for the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG). SDF spokesman Adnan Afrin said his forces had stopped eight suicide bombers from reaching their targets since Wednesday. Thousands of IS family members, as well as suspected fighters, have poured out of the shrinking pocket in Baghouz in recent weeks. Since the offensive resumed on Sunday, 3,000 IS members have surrendered, according to the SDF. About 60,000 people have streamed out of IS-held territory since December, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says, around a tenth of them suspected jihadists. The exodus has sparked a humanitarian crisis in Kurdish-held camps for the displaced, where women and children have arrived exhausted after weeks of siege. These include the wives and children of alleged foreign jihadists, hundreds of whom are being held by the Kurdish forces. Save the Children said Thursday more than 3,500 foreign children from more than 30 countries were estimated to be living in camps in northeast Syria. Of these, over 2,000 are younger than five, it said. The UN humanitarian coordination office OCHA says new arrivals are in a worse state than in previous weeks, but there is hardly space for them at the main camp. "The conditions within Al-Hol camp are over-crowded, uninhabitable and threaten human dignity and life, with people forced to sleep on the ground during... rain and low temperatures," it said. The International Rescue Committee says 120 people -- mainly young children -- have died on their way or after arrival. At the height of its rule, IS implemented its brutal interpretation of Islam on millions in territory the size of the United Kingdom across Syria and Iraq. It churned out violent propaganda to attract foreign recruits. Syria's Kurds have repeatedly called for foreign government to repatriate the IS suspects they hold, but they have mostly been reluctant. Since starting with the brutal repression of protests against President Bashar al-Assad, Syria's civil war has killed more than 360,000 and displaced millions. A conference in Brussels this week seeks to help donors drum up $9 billion to help Syrians uprooted by the war. Assad's forces control almost two-thirds of the country. But the northwestern bastion of Idlib held by Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate, as well as a large swathe of the oil-rich northeast controlled by the SDF, remain beyond his reach. Air strikes by regime ally Russia killed 17 civilians in Idlib on Wednesday, according to the Observatory, which relies on sources inside Syria for its information. It said they were the first such raids on the region since a Russian-Turkish buffer zone deal in September aimed to protect it from a massive regime assault. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has apologised to European conservative parties for calling them "useful idiots" over an anti-EU billboard campaign that could see his party ejected from the European Parliament's dominant centre-right EPP bloc. "(Orban) has sent a letter of apology to the European People's Party (EPP)," a government spokesperson told AFP Thursday. In a newspaper interview earlier this month, Orban called critics within the EPP "useful idiots" and accused them of helping the group's leftwing and liberal opponents ahead of European Parliament elections in May. "I would hereby like to express my apologies, if you found my quote personally offensive," Orban said in his letter to the Belgian Christian Democratic & Flemish (CD&V) party which was published by the De Standaard newspaper. The letters were sent Wednesday to leaders of 13 member parties of the EPP who have proposed expelling Orban's ruling Fidesz party from the bloc, Orban's press chief Bertalan Havasi told Hungarian newswire MTI. In the letter, Orban asked party leaders to "reconsider your proposal for expulsion". While Fidesz "do not wish to change our own position... on the issue of migration, the protection of Christian culture and the future of Europe", disagreements should not be solved by expelling a party "from our political family", he said. The controversial billboard campaign accuses European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and liberal US billionaire George Soros, a bete-noir of Orban's, of plotting to flood Europe with migrants. Similar messages have appeared on television and internet websites while Orban has also sent letters to households nationwide that attack Juncker. Juncker did not receive a letter of apology from Orban, according to European Commission spokeswoman Margaritis Schinas. He said Juncker stood firm in his position that EPP members must respect the group's "basic values". A decision on the future membership of Fidesz will be on the agenda at an EPP meeting on March 20, according to Manfred Weber, the bloc's leading candidate to replace Juncker later in the year. Weber met Orban in Budapest on Tuesday and called for the populist leader to apologise for the campaign. "We had talks in a constructive atmosphere but problems are not yet solved," Weber told reporters. Weber has demanded that Orban meet three conditions for Fidesz to remain in the EPP, including withdrawing the anti-EU campaign, and apologising to EPP member parties. The anti-Juncker campaign had "created a burden and damage to the EPP," Weber said last week. Weber also wants Orban to let the CEU university founded by Soros stay in Budapest. The government said it would stop the anti-EU campaign by Friday but the messages were still visible Thursday in newspapers and on internet sites. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan will have better relations with its neighbours including India after the upcoming general elections, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday, claiming that Islamabad has taken the first step on a new path to peace and progress. Recently, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in February 14. Khan, who announced visa reforms at a ceremony here, said that Pakistan is confident today that it has taken the first step on a new path to peace and progress. "Pakistan will have better relations with its neighbours including India after the end of their elections. "We will have good relations with all our neighbours and a peaceful Pakistan will be a prosperous Pakistan," he said as he announced major visa reforms, including online visa issuance facility, to attract tourists and investors. The elections in India will begin on April 11 and polling would be held over seven phases through May 19, followed by counting of votes on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and Pakistan Thursday agreed to work towards expeditiously launching the Kartarpur corridor, a decision taken at a meeting held after the recent escalation in tensions between the two countries. The first meeting between the two sides to finalise the modalities for the proposed corridor linking Gurdaspur in Punjab with the Sikh shrine in Pakistan's Kartarpur took place in a cordial environment, a joint statement said. The two delegations met on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border. India has sought visa-free access to the Kartarpur shrine, and suggested that 5,000 pilgrims be allowed to visit every day. There should not be any additional encumbrances in the form of any additional documentation or procedures, S C L Das, joint secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs who headed the Indian team, told reporters. He said as a first step, the two sides agreed that the passport shall be the identification document for the pilgrims. Islamabad is expected to respond to Indian suggestions at the next meeting, scheduled for April 2 at Wagah on the Pakistan side of the border. Technical experts from both sides will meet earlier, on March 19. Kartarpur Sahib marks the place where Sikhism's founder, Guru Nanak Dev, spent the final years of his life. India hopes that the special border crossing for pilgrims will open before his 550th birth anniversary in November. "The first meeting to discuss the modalities and the draft agreement for facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib using the Kartarpur Corridor was held today at Attari, India, in a cordial environment," the joint statement issued after the meeting said. "Both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalising the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor," it said. The meeting took place amid heightened tensions between the two neighbours following India's air strike on a terrorist training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, in retaliation to a JeM attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama that killed 40 jawans. An Indian official told reporters in Attari that the meeting did not mark the resumption of the dialogue with Pakistan. The 20-member Pakistani team was headed by Mohammad Faisal, Director General (South Asia and SAARC) of Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On his return, Faisal tweeted,"Pakistan Kartarpur Delegation returns after constructive discussion in a cordial environment." From our side, we have pressed for at least 5,000 pilgrims per day to be allowed to visit the holy shrine in the initial phase, the Indian delegation leader said. This will include not only Indian nationals but people of Indian origin as well, Das added. India has asked Pakistan to allow pilgrims to travel on foot, if they wish. It also urged that another 10,000 pilgrims be allowed access on festivals like Baisakhi and Gurupurab. India plans to create infrastructure for that number on its side of the corridor, the Pakistani team was told. Last November, India and Pakistan agreed to set up the new border crossing. Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the border. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had on November 26 laid the corridor's foundation stone in Gurdaspur. Two days later, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone at Narowal, 125 km from Lahore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Thursday said India and Pakistan were holding talks on Kartarpur corridor but the people of Jammu and Kashmir were bearing the brunt of the hostilities between the two countries. "This is what we have been talking about that why is it only that Jammu and Kashmir bears the brunt whenever there are hostilities between India and Pakistan. If Kartarpur is opening, Wagah is open, (then why) the Poonch-Rawalkote is closed, Uri-Muzaffarabad road was closed," she told reporters here. India and Pakistan held their first meeting Thursday to finalise the modalities for the corridor linking Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistani town of Kartarpur with Gurdaspur district in Punjab. Mehbooba said the PDP wants that assembly polls be held as soon as possible in the state. "Our party's stand is clear that elections should take place and take place sooner. People are facing tremendous difficulties -- when there are arrests going on and hardships in every way. The polls should take place soon and a government be formed," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India and the US said they have agreed to build six American nuclear power plants in India, in a boost to bilateral civil nuclear energy cooperation. The two countries said this in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the 9th round of India-US Strategic Security Dialogue, co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Andrea Thompson, the US under secretary of state for arms control and international security, on Wednesday. "They committed to strengthen bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, including the establishment of six U.S. nuclear power plants in India," the joint statement said. India and the US signed a historic agreement to cooperate in civil nuclear energy sector in October 2008. The deal gave a fillip to bilateral ties, which have been on an upswing since. A major aspect of the deal was the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), that gave a special waiver to India enabling it to sign cooperation agreements with a dozen countries. Post-waiver, India signed civil nuclear cooperation agreements with the US, France, Russia, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Sri Lanka, the UK, Japan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan and South Korea. On Wednesday, the United States also reaffirmed its strong support to India's early membership in the 48-member NSG. Notably, China has blocked India's pending membership to the elite grouping that seeks to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on a wide range of global security and non-proliferation challenges and reaffirmed their commitment to work together to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems and to deny access to such weapons by terrorists and non-state actors. On March 12, Indra Mani Pandey, India's additional secretary for disarmament and international security affairs, and Yleem D. S. Poblete, US assistant secretary of state for arms control, verification and compliance, co-chaired the third round of India-US Space Dialogue. The two delegations discussed trends in space threats; respective national space priorities; and opportunities for cooperation bilaterally and in multilateral fora. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Top industry and research bodies from India and Malaysia reached an understandingThursday to take their manufacturing to the next level of automation with the help of robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning and Internet of Things. An agreement to this effect was signed between engineering exporters' body EEPC India and the Malaysian Automotive, Robotics and IOT Institute (MARI) at the International Engineering Sourcing Show (IESS), which opened here. Briefing media, MARI CEO Madani Sahari said the industry and trade bodies of the two countries would facilitate joint efforts for technology development and adoption, adding, both nations have high level of capabilities in automotive sectors. He said India can access the entire ASEAN market, leveraging Malaysia. The MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) between EEPC India and MARI recommends investment in robotics, automotives and related areas and would encourage and identify companies from their respective countries for joint ventures. EEPC India Chairman Ravi Sehgal said, with the US and several countries in Europe becoming restrictive, India has to look for alternate avenues of trade and investment and Malaysia is the best fit in this direction. As a Partner Country, Malaysia has fielded a strong presence at the IESS with over 100 Malaysian companies reaching out to their counterparts in India and other parts of the world. Moreover, Malaysia has reached an understanding with EEPC India, the organiser of the flagship programme, supported by the commerce ministry, for being the Partner Country for three years. Over 400 delegates from 52 countries are attending the IESS -VIII, with 300 exhibitors. Tamil Nadu is hosting the event for the third time in a row. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indians are among the largest group of professionals set to benefit from a new UK government plan to remove any limit on the number of PhD-level work visas to be granted. UK Chancellor Philip Hammond announced on Wednesday in a Budget update, referred to as the annual Spring Statement, that from later this year all such highly-qualified roles will be exempt from any cap on the numbers that can apply and come to work in Britain. "[A] key pillar of our plan is backing Britain to remain at the forefront of the technology revolution that is transforming our economy. And to support that ambition, from this Autumn we will completely exempt PhD-level roles from the visa caps," Hammond said in his speech in the House of Commons. "From Autumn 2019, PhD-level occupations will be exempt from the Tier 2 (General) cap, and at the same time the government will update the immigration rules on 180-day absences so that researchers conducting fieldwork overseas are not penalised if they apply to settle in the UK," he added in his statement. According to the most recent UK Home Office data, Indians form the largest chunk of highly-skilled professionals within the Tier 2 (General) category of work visas, accounting for 54 per cent of all such visas granted in 2018. Indian nationals also marked the largest increase in the grant of Tier 2 visas last year, up by 6 per cent at 3,023 more visas compared to the previous year. The UK government's latest PhD-level visa exemption was welcomed by UK universities, who are key employers of international researchers. "This is fantastic for Indian researchers who would like to work in the UK, and for UK universities who thrive on bringing together a diversity of brilliant minds from around the world," said Vivienne Stern, Director of Universities UK International, the main representative body for UK higher education institutions. "Many of the UK's leading researchers, in fields ranging from biomechanics to gender politics, come from India. Outside of Europe, India is the third-largest country of origin for academic staff in the UK," she said. Universities UK International said that despite making up only 0.9 per cent of the global population, the UK is responsible for 15.9 per cent of the world's most highly-cited research articles. "The achievements are made possibly as a result of the international community of researchers that work at and with UK institutions," Stern said. The new announcement comes soon after doctors and nurses were removed from the cap to address shortages in the state-funded National Health Service (NHS) last year. Currently, only a limited number of visas are issued every year under the Tier 2 skilled worker section of the visa system. The government's latest announcement is seen as the first step towards the complete removal of a cap on visas for skilled workers in 2021, when a new immigration system comes into force. "We already issue more skilled worker visas to Indian nationals than to the rest of the world combined, and I am delighted to see many Indian students coming to study at our world-class universities," UK immigration minister Caroline Nokes had said following a Migration Dialogue with Indian government officials in January this year. "Under the new system, operating from 2021, we will always be open to the brightest and best from India, who wish to come to live and work in the UK," she said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Are you lost in the wild? Sorry, but the page you're looking for has not been found Try checking the URL for errors, goto home or try to search below. BEIRUT - Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri asked for 2.9 billion dollars in aid from international donors at the Syrian conference in Brussels on Thursday, to face the emergency caused by the presence of about a million Syrian refugees in Lebanon, said Lebanese media. Hariri emphasised the need to resolve the Syrian refugee crisis in the region by ensuring their "safe return to the mother country according to international law and accords". About a million Syrians have been in Lebanon since 2011. According to the UN, about six million Syrians have fled their home country, which officially enters its ninth year of civil war on Friday. The Lebanese population numbers just under four million. The BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit on Thursday nominated three leaders as state spokespersons and assigned important posts to several other members, who joined the party recently. The Lok Sabha election is scheduled to begin on April 11 and will continue till May 19. Polling in the state will be held in five phases. The appointments were made by BJP state president Ravinder Raina after consulting other senior party leaders, according to a press release. The three new spokespersons are -- Lt General (retired) Rakesh Sharma, Abhinav Sharma and Ashwani Chrangoo.They all joined the party recently, it said. The former army officer has also been appointed as in-charge for a party committee on defence and security issues, the release said, adding that Chrangoo, who is a prominent Kashmiri Pandit leader, is the spokesperson for the party on Kashmir affairs. It said Abhinav Sharma has been also given the post of member in the election management committee. Former legislators Gharu Ram, Pawan Gupta and Baldev Sharma, and a former minister Bhushan Dogra were appointed as members of the state BJP working committee, the release said. It said former chief engineer Sat Pal Manhas and party leaders Darshan Singh Thakkar, Raman Suri, Nitish Mahajan, Ravi Kumar Bakshi, Abhijeet Jasrotia, Bodh Raj Rao and Jagdish Raj Bhagat are also part of the committee. On July 16 last year, the party had announced a new team of office-bearers which included 11 vice-presidents, three general secretaries and 10 state secretaries. The state BJP unit had also appointed its chief spokesperson and 10 state spokespersons . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India Thursday asked Pakistan to ensure that the Kartarpur Sahib pilgrims are not subjected to the Khalistani separatist propaganda with the neighbouring country promising that it will not allow any such activity, an MEA official said. The Pakistan gave the assurance Thursday during a meeting of officials from the two countries on the proposed Kartarpur Sahib corridor. India also said this meeting should not be seen as resumption of dialogue between the two countries. "The matter (pro-Khalistan propaganda) has been part of discussions in which our concerns were shared with Pakistani side and we have asked them to ensure that no such activity should take place which goes against the faith of pilgrims," MEA Joint Secretary Deepak Mittal told reporters. "The Pakistani side told us that they would not allow their land for any such activity. We have, however, expressed our concern," he said The Ministry of External Affairs official was replying to a question on the promotion of pro-Khalistan propaganda in Pakistan and Referendum 2020, a campaign for a separate nation of "Khalistan", run by a US-based outfit "Sikhs for Justice". Replying to another question, Joint Secretary S C L Das of the Ministry of Home Affairs said New Delhi's expectations were made clear to the Pakistani delegation. "The meeting in no way amounts to resumption of bilateral talks. The position on dialogue is very clear -- terror and talks cannot go together," he said. Das said there were no handshakes at the meeting, held amid heightened tension between the two countries after the Pulwama attack. "This in no way signifies the normalisation of relations. We have made it amply clear directly and indirectly," he added. The meeting was only in the context of Kartarpur Sahib corridor aimed at providing pilgrims smooth and easy access to the historic shrine, said Mittal. On a question on possible infiltration into the corridor, risking the security and safety of devotees, Das said security concerns will remain paramount. "We are very conscious of this aspect. It was a formal part of the agenda and the draft agreement prepared by us. We are trying to provide for an 'escalation mechanism' should such a thing still happen," said Das. The MHA official said an assurance has been given by the other side that the clearance to visit shrine will be done within seven days after an application is made for the purpose. Another MHA official said Pakistan would make arrangements to ferry the pilgrims on its side as the shrine is 4.5 km from the border in Pakistan. "We demanded that the pilgrims do not have to bear any extra cost," MHA Joint Secretary Nidhi Khare said, adding the pilgrims cannot stay for night at the Gurudwara premises and have to return the same day. It was the first meeting between the two sides to finalise the modalities for the proposed corridor linking Gurdaspur in Punjab with the Sikh shrine in Pakistan's Kartarpur. It took place in a cordial environment, a joint statement said. The Union Cabinet on November 22 last year had decided to build the passage from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district to the International Border. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "Game of Thrones" star Kit Harington will debut as the host of "Saturday Night Live" in the April 6 episode, NBC announced. According to EW, the actor will be joined by Sara Bareilles, who will serve as musical guest. Harington's hosting duties come ahead of the much anticipated April 14 premiere of the HBO fantasy drama's final season. "The Favourite" star Emma Stone will emcee the April 13th episode, with popular South Korean boy band BTS attached to perform. This will be Stone's fourth stint at the "SNL". The late-night stand-up show had previously announced that "Killing Eve" star Sandra Oh is set to host the March 30 episode, to be joined by Australian music group Tame Impala. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BMC Thursday told the Bombay High Court that due process of law has been followed before allotting land in central Mumbai to set up a memorial for late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation also said the land was allotted at a "nominal" rate of Re 1 for a lease period of 30 years and that such allotments had been made in the past for setting up of memorials of revered persons. The civic body filed its affidavit on Thursday before a bench of Chief Justice N H Patil and Justice N M Jamdar, in response to two petitions filed by activist Bhagwanji Rayani and NGO Jan Mukti Morcha, challenging the government's decision to convert the Mayor's bungalow in Shivaji Park into a memorial for the late Shiv Sena supremo. The petitions were filed in April 2017 when the government had proposed to set up the memorial. The BMC affidavit filed by Parag Masurkar, assistant commissioner (estate), claimed that as per amendment to section 92 (dd-1) of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, the civic body chief can grant lease of any property/land owned by the BMC to any person/trust at a nominal rate of Re 1 per year. "The plot in question at Shivaji Park has been allotted to the Balasaheb Thackeray Rashtriya Smarak Trust at a nominal rate of Re 1 per year for a lease period of 30 years considering the aims and objectives for social and public purposes," the affidavit said. The corporation, in its affidavit, added that this was not the first time such a decision was taken and that in the past land was leased at nominal rates to public trusts for setting up of memorials of revered persons. "The allotment in favour of the Balasaheb Thackeray Rashtriya Smarak is valid and legal and done after following due process of law," the affidavit said. The government's counsel Milind Sathe on Thursday told the court that such decisions of the state government cannot be questioned by way of a public interest litigation before the court of law. "Unless there is violation of law or rules, the state government's decision to set up a memorial for a revered person cannot be put under judicial review," Sathe said. The bench posted the petitions for hearing after two weeks. The petitions challenged the government's decision allocating Rs 100 crore budget for the memorial. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The AAP will fight the Lok Sabha polls on the issue of full statehood and it is "late now" for talks on an alliance in Delhi, a senior party leader said Thursday, a day after the Congress sought views from its workers on a possible tie-up with the ruling party here. The general election is going to start on April 11 and will continue till May 19. Polling on seven seats in Delhi will be held on May 12. The BJP had won all the parliamentary seats in the national capital in 2014. Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Gopal Rai questioned the official stand of the BJP on the issue, saying the saffron party's leaders are giving conflicting statements on the matter as they are "rattled by the AAP's movement towards attaining full statehood" for Delhi. He made the remark referring to different media reports. Rai quoted from a media report in which Union Minister Vijay Goel has reportedly said the BJP is in favour of full statehood but it is not possible if the city has a chief minister like Arvind Kejriwal. He also referred to another media report in which Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari allegedly said that full statehood would not be part of BJP's manifesto. "What is BJP's official stand on granting full statehood to Delhi. We want an answer on that. On one hand, Tiwari says it will not be granted to Delhi while Goel says full statehood would not be given as long as Kejriwal is the chief minister," Rai said. The AAP has declared its candidates for six of the seven seats in Delhi. On an alliance with the Congress in Delhi, Rai said "There is a very big challenge in front of the country and it is late now (for an alliance). After the official statement of the Congress, AAP thought if Congress is moving towards helping BJP, we need to stop the BJP and based on that we announced our candidates and launched our campaign following that." "So, AAP has moved ahead with the agenda of full statehood and alliance is not an agenda for the AAP," he told reporters. On Wednesday, the Congress sought views from its workers on a possible tie-up with the Kejriwal-led AAP. The Congress through its Shakti app uploaded an audio clip by senior leader PC Chacko, asking party workers in Delhi about their views on an alliance with AAP, a senior Congress leader said. In the message sent to the party workers through its mobile application, the Congress is trying to untangle the contentious issue of alliance with AAP, he added. According to sources, Kejriwal met senior party members after the Congress sought views through the audio clip. It was decided in the meeting that now the AAP would react only when the Congress gives an official proposal for alliance, sources said. AAP leader Sanjay Singh said the Congress is in a "confused state". "I think the Congress is in a confused state and they are not able to decide when or what decision should be taken. The biggest challenge in front of the country is stop the of hatred by the BJP. "Congress' priority should be how the country should be protected from the country. But the Congress is giving different statements," he said. There has been a flip-flop over alliance between the Congress and AAP in Delhi. Earlier, Delhi Congress Chief Sheila Dikshit, after a meeting with Congress president Rahul Gandhi, had claimed that there is unanimity against alliance with the AAP. Sources said the grand old party is ready for alliance if the AAP agrees to leave New Delhi, Chandni Chowk and North West seats for the Congress. On Wednesday, Kejriwal had proposed an alliance with the Congress in Haryana, saying his party needed no partnership in Delhi. Rai said the AAP is going full throttle on the issue and the movement towards it started on Wednesday when Kejriwal burnt the 2014 manifesto of the BJP in which they promised full statehood to Delhi. "Now, the MLAs will burn BJP manifestos in their respective constituencies on March 15 (Friday) and ward in-charges will do the same on March 17 (Sunday)," he said. On Wednesday, Kejriwal had said the upcoming polls will be fought on the issue of full statehood. He had criticised Modi for not fulfilling this promise as mentioned in BJP's 2014 manifesto. "It amounts to cheating. They (the BJP) should come clean," Kejriwal had said. He had said once Delhi attains full statehood, AAP will ensure that women roam freely even at night and the party will also give 85 per cent reservations to local people in jobs and colleges. Kejriwal also referred to the sealing of shops earlier this year and said the party would have halted the process within five minutes. On the issue of alleged harassment of call centre employees hired by the AAP to inform citizens about voter deletion, Singh said an AAP delegation led by senior party leader Manish Sisodia will meet the Election Commission at Nirvachan Sadan on Friday. Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls scheduled to begin on April 11, the Election Commission had directed the police to take "necessary action" against people making "misleading" phone calls about the city's electoral rolls. An FIR was also filed in this matter. A BJP team also held a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora and alleged that the AAP was behind such phone calls. Meanwhile, the AAP leaders asserted that they were responsible for hiring the call centre employees and the police should question the leaders instead of these workers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A late winter storm on Wednesday caused widespread flooding and snarled travel in the Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado and Wyoming, forcing evacuations in some areas. Blizzard conditions and flooding closed numerous roadways in the region. Nearly 1,400 flights were canceled at Denver airport, where all runways were shut down. Colorado declared a state of emergency and National Guard troops were activated. National Guard troops in Nebraska were put on alert for possible activation, as emergency officials braced for the storm to intensify overnight there. "This has the potential to be a very severe weather event," Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts said. "We're already seeing flooding in a number of communities and evacuations in several communities." Colorado was walloped by heavy snow and high winds gusting to as much as 90 miles per hour -- leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power, according to the Denver Post. Schools, businesses and government facilities were closed in Wyoming, according to the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, which itself was forced to shut down because of the weather. Officials in Nebraska said they expected flooding there to worsen -- potentially to record levels. "It is an unprecedented event today," said Kyle Schneweis, Nebraska's director of transportation. "Just today we're facing blizzards, white-out conditions, flooding, dense fog, and each of those pose a unique risk," he said. An area north of Omaha was evacuated as floodwaters topped a levee, according to television station KETV. The National Weather Service also predicted river flooding from rain and snowmelt in parts of Iowa, which could last into the weekend. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With his exit from the BJP appearing imminent, disgruntled leader Shatrughan Sinha on Thursday launched a stinging attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying it was high time that "a new, better leadership" took over. The Patna Sahib MP, who is expected to announce his next political destination, predictably in the opposition 'Mahagathbandhan' next week, came out with a flurry of tweets flaying Modi for not having held a single press conference in his five-year-long tenure and urged him to "come out with all your black, white and grey shades". "Now that dates have been announced, Sir, ab toh kum se kum ek press conference kar dijiye. A free and fair session, not choreographed, researched or rehearsed and without the press known for Raag Darbari and Sarkari mindset. You shall go down in history as the only PM in a democratic world who has not had a single Q and A session during his tenure," Sinha tweeted. "Dont you think it is high time and the right time, before the government changes, that a new, better leadership takes over. And you should come out with all your black, white and grey sides," he said in another tweet. The actor-turned-politician also attacked the PM for having "announced 150 projects in UP, Benares and other parts of the country in the last week/month of your term". "Technically speaking it may not be against the code of conduct, but certainly it seems to be too little and too late jumlas. Still, wishing you all the best in spite of your looking London and talking Tokyo attitude and your shoot and scoot behavior. Jai Hindi," Sinha said in his final tweet. Having been with the BJP since the 1990s, Sinha had served as a minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government and is serving his second consecutive term as MP from Patna Sahib. He has been sore over being sidelined in the party, which he has repeatedly described as "one man army and two-man show", a reference to Modi and his confidant Amit Shah-BJP president. Having shared the stage with opposition leaders of all hues, Sinha insists that "location will be the same, situation may be different" implying that he will seek re-election from Patna Sahib albeit as candidate of a different party. Sinha, who is likely to be fielded by the Congress or the RJD, has indicated that the same would be announced by March 22. The BJP is yet to announce its candidate for Patna Sahib. Negotiations are on with its ally, the JD(U), as the party headed by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is reportedly keen on contesting at least one of the two seats in Patna district. In 2014, the BJP's Ram Kripal Yadav had won Pataliputra defeating JD(U)'s Ranjan Yadav. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday paid rich tributes to those killed in police firing on this day in 2007 at Nandigram during an anti-land acquisition movement that catapulted the firebrand Trinamool Congress supremo to power in West Bengal. Fourteen persons were killed in police firing on a demonstration against land acquisition on March 14, leading to a nationwide outrage and the Calcutta High Court 'suo motu' ordering a CBI investigation into the incident. Offering her "Heartfelt tribute to all those who lost their lives," she said in a social media message, adding that "Farmers are our pride and our government is working for their all-round development." "On this day, in 2007, innocent villagers were killed in firing at Nandigram. Many bodies could not be found. It was a dark chapter in the history of the State," she said in a tweet message. "In memory of those who lost their lives in Nandigram, we observe March 14 as Krishak Dibas (Farmers Day) every year and give away the Krishak Ratna awards," Banerjee said. Banerjee, who had spearheaded campaign against acquisition of arable land for setting up industries at Nandigram and Singur by the then CPI(M)-led Left Front government in the state, reaped rich dividends in the 2008 panchayat elections with the TMC winning 50 per cent seats. Following the year-long Nandigram movement, that had started with the death of six protesters in firing by alleged CPI(M)-sheltered goons on January six, 2007, the TMC gained huge political ground in the state, where the Left Front was in power since 1977. Banerjee, who went to Nandigram several times to lead the protests despite violent attempts to stop her, was the lone winning candidate of her party in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. TMC went on to win 19 seats in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections and wrested power from the Left in the state in 2011 Assembly elections. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 42-year-old man travelling to Bahrain has been arrested at the Delhi airport for allegedly carrying 45 kg of prohibited wooden logs in his baggage, a senior official said Thursday. He said Mohammed H Rehman of Assam was intercepted by the CISF security personnel at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and a search of his bags led to the recovery of 'agarwood', a wood used in making incense and perfume. The wood is banned for export under the Wildlife Act, he said. Rehman was handed over to customs authorities along with 45 kg of the recovered wood that is estimated to be worth about Rs 2.25 crore. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A huge cache of Maoist-related materials, including items used in making home-made bombs, was recovered following a gunfight between security forces and Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Kabirdham district Thursday, police said. The encounter, which may have caused casualties among rebels, took place in the morning near Amlidar village in the Bhoramdeo wildlife sanctuary area, when a joint team of security forces was out on an anti-Naxal operation, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Durg range) Ratanlal Dangi told PTI. Acting on a specific tip-off, the combine squad of the Special Task Force (STF), the Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) and the district force had launched the operation in the interiors of Bhoramdeo bordering Madhya Pradesh, he said. When the patrolling team wascordoning off forests around Amlidar, located around 150km from the state capital Raipur, a group of armed rebels opened fire on them, prompting security forces to retaliate, the DIG said. Maoists soon fled into deep forests taking advantage of rough terrain, Dangi said. Later, a huge cache cache of naxal-related materials, including commodities of daily use, a pressure cooker used in making IEDs (improvised explosive devices), ration items and medicines were recovered from the spot, he added. "Bloodstains were found at the spot indicating some ultras may have been injured or killed in the gun-battle", the DIG said. "No harm was reported to security forces in the action," he added. According to the police, anti-naxal operations have been intensified in the insurgency-hit districts of the state in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Chhattisgarh, which has 11 Lok Sabha seats, will vote in three phases - on April 11, April 18 and April 23. Kabirdham district, which falls under the Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha constituency, will go to polls along with two other seats - Mahasamund and Kanker - during the second phase on April 18. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BRUSSELS - Luca Visentini, general secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), said seven pan-European trade unions representing millions of European workers will support protests on Friday against climate change. A youth movement organised by Greta Thunberg has planned 727 separate protest actions for Friday across Europe. On Friday, the seven unions will hang a banner in front of the International Trade Union House in Brussels reading "No Jobs on a Dead Planet - Workers Support Climate Action". The seven unions include, among others, European workers in energy, construction, services, food, tourism, and transport. "The unions strongly support the call by youth to urgently and more ambitiously face the topic of climate change," Visentini said. The movement calls for respecting the Paris Agreement as well as reaching "zero emissions" by 2050. (BSP) president Mayawati Thursday gave final touches to the list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections and discussed other important electoral issues at a party meeting here. The BSP president held a meeting with important district and division-level leaders in Uttar Pradesh, a party release issued here said. According to it, names of party candidates and other important electoral and political issues were discussed at the meeting. The decisions taken at the meeting will be carried forward after discussions with the top leadership of alliance partner Samajwadi Party (SP), the release said. According to the feedback received during the meeting, the appeals of BSP and SP leaders have had a good impact on the people, it said. Workers of all the three parties in the alliance, including the Rashtriya Lok Dal, have gotten into election mode, setting aside their differences. After taking the feedback, Mayawati directed her partymen to ensure strict compliance with the model code of conduct. She also directed BSP workers to ensure that birth anniversaries of party ideologues Kanshi Ram and Bhimrao Ambedkar on March 15 and April 14 respectively are observed in accordance with the poll code. According to the release, Mayawati asked party workers and leaders to work wholeheartedly to ensure the victory of the BSP-SP-RLD coalition, the release said. ALSO READ: Setback for Congress as key Sonia Gandhi aide Tom Vadakkan joins BJP The SP and the BSP have stitched together an alliance in Uttar Pradesh, keeping the Congress out, though the two parties decided not to field any candidates in Rae Bareli and Amethi, the traditional strongholds of the grand old party. Of the 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state, the SP will contest 37 and the BSP 38, leaving three for the Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and two for Sonia Gandhi (Rae Bareli) and Rahul Gandhi (Amethi). Mayawati cautioned the leaders that the BJP will "use all tricks" to win the elections and said the BSP-SP coalition has emerged as a strong alternative in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh. She said that there was also a need to keep an eye on the EVMs. The BJP turned out to be a master of failed promises, she alleged, adding the saffron party had tried to bring "achche din" only for itself, leaving the common people "high and dry". Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress has given Priyanka Gandhi the charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Jyotiraditya Scindia western Uttar Pradesh. Both the leaders Wednesday visited ailing Bhim Army chief and Dalit leader Chandrasekhar Azad in a Meerut hospital after the Congress was snubbed by Mayawati when she ruled out any alliance with the grand old party anywhere in the country for the Lok Sabha polls. The AAP has already set its agenda of fighting the upcoming elections on the issue of full statehood and it might be late now for talks on an alliance in Delhi, a senior party leader Thursday said a day after Congress sought views from its workers on a possible tie-up with the ruling party. On Wednesday, the Congress through its Shakti app uploaded an audio clip by All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge PC Chacko, asking party workers in Delhi about their views on an alliance with the AAP, a senior party leader said. In the message sent to the party workers through its mobile application, the Congress is trying to untangle the contentious issue of alliance with AAP, he added. Reacting to the move, senior AAP leader Gopal Rai said talks on alliance might be late now. "There is a very big challenge in front of the country and it is late now (for an alliance). After the official statement of the Congress, AAP thought if Congress is moving towards helping BJP, we need to stop the BJP and based on that we announced our candidates and launched our campaign following that. "So AAP has moved ahead with the agenda of full statehood and alliance is not an agenda for the AAP," he told reporters. According to sources, AAP chief and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal met senior party members after Congress sought views through the audio clip. It was decided in the meeting that now the AAP would react only when the Congress gives an official proposal for alliance, sources said. Senior party member Sanjay Singh said Congress is in a "confused state". "I think the Congress is in a confused state and they are not able to decide when or what decision should be taken. The biggest challenge in front of the country is stop the of hatred by the BJP. "Congress' priority should be how the country should be protected from the country. But the Congress is giving different statements," he said. There has been a flip-flop over alliance between the Congress and AAP over an alliance. in Delhi. Earlier, Delhi Congress Chief Sheila Dikshit, after a meeting with Congress national president Rahul Gandhi, had claimed that there is unanimity against alliance with the AAP. Sources said the grand old party is ready for alliance if the AAP agrees to leave New Delhi, Chandni Chowk and North West seats for the Congress. On Wednesday, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal had proposed an alliance with the Congress in Haryana, saying his party needed no partnership in Delhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot Thursday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems more like a Bollywood actor than a politician, who "worked less and did jugglery more". He claimed that constitution and democracy "will be in danger" if the BJP is voted to power again. At a public meeting here, Gehlot said, "He (Modi) seems more like a Bollywood actor than a politician. He worked less and did jugglery more, because of which country has to suffer a deep crisis. BJP has forgot all the promises it made before the 2014 Lok Sabha polls." He said Sikar district strongly supported the Congress in the assembly elections, which ultimately led to the formation of the party's government in Rajasthan. So it is only right to launch state Congress' election campaign for Lok Sabha polls from here, Gehlot said. Accusing the BJP and RSS of spreading rumours on social media, he claimed that they were hatching a conspiracy against the Congress, whereas people of the country have made up their mind to vote for the grand old party. Rajasthan Congress president and Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot said the people of Shekhawati region will remove the BJP from power at the Centre just what it did in the state. Congress general secretary and state in-charge Avinash Pandey, Rajasthan health minister Raghu Sharma, education minister Govind Singh Dotasara, former assembly speaker Deependra Singh Shekhawat and former Union minister Subhash Meharia also addressed the public meeting. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man, hailing from Madhya Pradesh, was killed when he was hit by a speedy car on Jammu-Pathankot highway in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said Thursday. The police, however, traced the car within hours of the incident and arrested its driver, a police spokesman said. In a hit-and-run case, he said the car on its way to Jammu crushed to death Ramu, 24, on the highway near his rented accommodation at Gurah Mundian village of Hiranagar Tuesday. After receiving the information, a police team rushed to the spot and found the man dead. An alert was flashed to all the checkpoints along the highway and finally police managed to locate the car involved in the accident, the spokesman said. Its driver, identified as Amit Gupta of the Channi Himmat area of Jammu, was arrested and vehicle seized, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bombay High Court Thursday said a "high level of tolerance" displayed by Mumbai residents has allowed the local civic body to be apathetic towards the poor condition of roads. A division bench of Chief Justice N H Patil and Justice N M Jamdar expressed displeasure over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) ignoring its orders on the issue of potholes and bad condition of roads in the metropolis. The bench noted that till date the civic body has failed to comply with several court orders on the matter. The court was hearing a bunch of petitions about increasing number of accidents and deaths of motorists due to pothole-ridden roads in the city. "We do not see compliance in major issues," Chief Justice Patil said. The authorities seem to have a "very insensitive approach", he said. "Providing good roads to its citizens is the basic duty and courtesy of the civic body," he added. The court said monsoon will soon arrive in the city and before that the corporation should be ready with its plans for disaster management, drainage systems and other problems encountered during rains. "It is not that the corporation is not aware of all these issues and what steps should be taken, but they (BMC) also know that people here tolerate everything," Chief Justice Patil observed. "The tolerance level of people of this city is very high. They will tolerate this too," he added. BMC counsel Anil Sakhare said the corporation has taken several steps to address the issue of bad roads and potholes. The court later posted the petitions for further hearing next week. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As clouds of acrid, black smoke belched above the flames engulfing an artisanal oil field in central Myanmar, prospectors from nearby hillsides arrived in droves, hoping for riches from a fresh line of black gold. "The fire's a really good sign -- it means there's lots of oil here," Khin Maung Htay tells AFP as he scouted around the site just hours after the blaze was extinguished. "There were 600 barrels of oil a day coming out." The fields near Minhla, north of Yangon, are Myanmar's equivalent of the American Wild West, where informal oil entrepreneurs scramble from site to site in the hope of striking lucky. It is a hard way to make a living. A forest of temporary "derricks", three legged pyramids made from metal or bamboo stretching 30 feet or more into the air, covers the hillsides. A pulley at the top of each well supports a drill that can plunge more than a kilometre into the ground. Each is manned by a team working round-the-clock, often caked in black, viscous grime as they wait for a potentially lucrative spurt of oil. "It's like the lottery," shouts Than Moe over the deafening noise of generators powering the field's hundreds of drills. As he cooks up some rice for his crew of seven, he explains that setting up a drilling operation can set you back more than $60,000. "But if we strike oil, we can get that back in one day." The teams live right next to the wells in bamboo huts and tarpaulin tents offering some protection from the searing heat. Many even bring their families along for their nomadic life. Children run around the hillsides dodging motorbikes and trucks transporting barrels of oil, while a handful of restaurants and tea shops serve the transient population of several thousand. The weekend's blaze extinguished, some trudge knee-deep through a river of oozing filth, overspill from the wells mixing with water left behind by fire trucks, scraping up any oil they can salvage. People here dismiss the risks involved. "The fires aren't dangerous. They happen all the time," one man says without giving his name. "We're just worried about losing money. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A National Conference leader was shot at on Thursday by suspected terrorists in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. Mohammad Ismail Wani was shot at in Thajeewara area of the district in south Kashmir, a police official said. Wani was rushed to a nearby hospital, which referred him to a hospital in Srinagar, the official said. "My @JKNC_ colleague Mohd Ismail Wani, block President Bijbehara block in South Kashmir of has been shot & injured. He has been referred to Srinagar. Praying for his recovery," party's vice-president Omar Abdullah tweeted. Further details are awaited. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hitting back at the Congress, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Thursday said first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was the "original sinner" who favoured China over India for permanent membership into the United Nation Security Council. This comes within hours of Congress President Rahul Gandhi terming Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "weak" and "scared" of Chinese President Xi Jinping after Beijing blocked a UN resolution to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist. "The original mistake, both on Kashmir and China, was committed by the same person," said Jaitley while quoting a letter written by Nehru to Chief Ministers on August 2, 1955. Jaitley, who heads the publicity committee of the BJP for the ensuing general elections, has quoted a part of the letter. "Pt. Nehru's infamous letter to Chief Ministers' dated August 2, 1955, states 'Informally, suggestions have been made by the United States that China should be taken into the United Nations but not in the Security Council, & that India should take her place in the Security Council. "..We cannot, of course, accept this as it means falling out with China and it would be very unfair for a great country like China not to be in the Security Council," he said in a series of tweets. Taking a jibe at Rahul Gandhi, Jaitley asked, "Will the Congress President tell us who the original sinner was?" India's bid to designate the chief of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed as a global terrorist suffered a setback with China putting a technical hold on a proposal to ban him following the Pulwama terror attack. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UNSC was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the JeM killed 44 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian Coast Guard ship "Veera", the third in the series ofnew generation OffshorePatrol Vessels (OPVs) acquired by the Indian Coast Guard, arrived at its base port hereThursday. 'Veera',which meansbrave,is commanded by Commandant GD Raturi and has a compliment of 12 officers and 91 men, a Coast Guard release said. After commissioning, expected in mid April, the OPV would be deployed for coastal and offshore patrolling, policing maritime zones of the country, control and surveillance, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations with limited wartime roles. On arrival in Vizag, a ceremonial reception was extended to the ship, the release said. The vessel equipped with ultra-modern navigation and communication systems is the third in the series of the seven ships being built indigenously by the Larsen and ToubroShipbuilding under a contract it had signed with the Defence Ministry in March, 2015. The 97m long, 15m wide ship can attain a sustained speed of up to 26 knots. The OPV is built with Integrated Platform Management System to enable special control capabilities generally integrated in larger warships like frigatesand destroyers, the coast guard said. The vessel, fitted with front propulsion pods for providing an ability of high manoeuvrability, is capable of operation in maritime zones of India, including island territories, and equipped to handle helicopter operations. Presently, Indian Coast Guard fleet in Andhra Pradesh has 14 ships/boats. With the commissioning of Veera, scheduled for mid April, it will emerge as a stronger and potent force to address the emerging security challenges along the Eastern Coast of the country, the release said. The ship on joining Coast Guard Fleet . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Prime Minister and JDS supremo H D Deve Gowda Thursday announced the candidature of Nikhil, son of Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, from the party bastion of Mandya Lok Sabha constituency. "After consulting with all our legislators, our party chose Nikhil as JDS candidate from Mandya Lok Sabha constituency," Gowda said at a party rally in Mandya, about 90 km from here. Kumaraswamy said Nikhil was interested to serve the people of the constituency and added that party leaders would ensure his victory in the elections. Countering BJP's allegations that he was promoting his family by using his official position, Kumaraswamy said he was not working for monetary gains but for the people of the state. "Karnataka and people are my assets, not money. I am not keen on making monetary gains," he said. Kumaraswamy said farmers across the state have benefited from the farm loan waiver scheme implemented by his government. Prajwal Revanna, son of Gowda's elder son and PWD Minister H D Revanna, is contesting from the party stronghold of Hassan Lok Sabha constituency, which the JDS chief had represented. The Congress will contest 20 seats and JD(S) eight in the Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka under a deal finalised by the two ruling coalition partners on Wednesday after weeks of haggling. UN says 18 mn people in Syria need humanitarian aid Lawcock says hopes to reach 6 bn dollars in donations (ANSAmed) - BRUSSELS, MARCH 14 - The UN undersecretary for humanitarian affairs, Mark Lawcock, said there are nearly 12 million Syrians in the country and about six million refugees in neighbouring countries who continue to need aid, food, water, shelter, healthcare, and more. Lawcock spoke upon his arrival Thursday at the third EU-UN conference on Syria in Brussels. "Last year our appeals for Syrians raised six billion dollars," Lawcock said. "We hope to receive new generous donations. If we can get near to or even get more than the six billion dollars we raised last year, it will be a good day," he said.(ANSAmed). The Election Commission Thursday informed the Madras High Court it was not possible to postpone the Lok Sabha elections, scheduled for April 18 in Tamil Nadu, in southern districts of the state, as requested through a PIL. The petition said the polling date clashed with a famous festival here that draws lakhs of people and hence would affect polling percentage. When the Public Interest Litigation came up for hearing before the Madurai bench of the high court, the counsel appearing for the State Chief Electoral Officer told Justices N Kirubakaran and S S Sundar the poll duration could be extended by two hours but postponement was not possible. The bench said it was not convinced by the EC stand and directed the CEO to file a counter affidavit Friday. The petitioner, advocate Parthasarathy, sought change of polling date in five southern districts, including Madurai, citing the two-week long "Chithirai festival" of the ancient Goddess Meenakshi Amman temple, which runs from April 8 to April 22 with two key events slated for April 17 and 18. He said lakhs of people from five southern districts would converge in this temple town for the festival and it would affect the polling percentage in the region. Earlier, the bench asked the counsel for the CEO whether it would be possible to hold the elections on April 18 when the festival was on. The counsel submitted the poll duration could be extended by two hours but it was not possible to postpone the election either in the entire state or these southern districts as April 19 was a public holiday. The Madurai District Collector had Wednesday stated that lakhs of people would visit the city for the key events of the festival here from April 17 to 19. On April 18, when the car festival will be held, the event would be witnessed by an influx and exit of around two lakh people, he had said. The Police Commissioner also said three lakh devotees from all over the state would visit the temple city during the three days. He has also said 59 polling booths were located in the Chitrai Street, through which the Meenakshi Amman temple car would traverse. The petitioner said he had sent a representation to the EC through the district collector. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Bombay High Court on Thursday said the state has been reduced to a "laughing stock" by adopting elementary methods in probing rationalist Govind Pansare's killing. A bench of Justices S C Dharamadhikari and B P Colabawalla summoned Maharashtra Home Department's additional chief secretary on March 28 to explain the cause of the slow progress made in the case. "Let the state feel some pressure. It must face consequences some day. For most often, the police gets away. No memos are issued, no explanations sought," the bench said. "If crimes will be probed only after the court's intervention...If in matter after matter, judiciary is the only saviour, then it is a tragedy. What message are we sending to the society?" the judges asked. They were irked after reading a progress report, submitted in a sealed cover by Maharashtra CID's Special Investigation Team (SIT), in the Pansare case. As per the judges' observations made in an open court, the SIT submitted, among other things, that in order to trace two absconding accused persons in the case, it questioned their relatives. It also submitted that one of the absconding accused owned an immoveable property in the state and, therefore, the SIT visited the place to trace his whereabouts. The bench, however, said the SIT must realise that after four years since the crime was committed, it was unlikely the accused would stay somewhere within the state, or close to the crime spot. "What stops them from going and hiding anywhere across the country? Merely because someone owns a property doesn't mean he will stick around in that area. The accused can seek shelter anywhere in the country. The elementary steps you are taking to nab the accused have reduced you to a laughing stock," the bench said. "Because of you, the public has a perception that some people can get away, remain uninvestigated only because they enjoy a certain patronage," it said. It said a "progressive state" such as Maharashtra must feel proud of its thinkers and rationalists. "The state can't be a silent spectator. This is not a movie that you (police, probe agencies) come after everything is over. And if you (politicians) can't protect your people, then do not contest elections," the bench said. The bench also directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), probing the 2013 killing of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar, to "tie-up all lose ends" in its investigation without further delay. The CBI submitted before the HC on Thursday that while the shooters in the Dabholkar case were traced, arrested and the charge sheet was filed, it required some time to probe some additional issues, like arms and weapons used by the accused. Pansare was shot at on February 16, 2015, in Kolhapur and succumbed to his injuries a few days later on February 20. Dabholkar was shot dead on August 20, 2013, in Pune while on his morning walk. The CBI and the state CID are probing the killings of Dabholkar and Pansare, respectively. The high court has been hearing a plea filed by the family members of Dabholkar and Pansare seeking a court- monitored probe in both the cases. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maharashtra DGP Subodh Kumar Jaiswal Thursday said the police department was all set to ensure the smooth conduct of Lok Sabha elections scheduled to be held next month. He was talking to reporters here after holding a meeting with Aurangabad Police Commissioner Chiranjeev Prasad and other senior officials over the poll-preparedness. "The police force is alert and has made all preparations for the Lok Sabha elections. In case of sensitive areas, extra police force will be deployed," he said. Jaiswal said there was no shortage of police personnel and the department could tackle any situation. When asked about the intelligence inputs about internal sabotage, the DGP said, "Yes, we have received an alert about terrorism." On being asked whether the arrest of nine members of an ISIS-inspired group in January this year was done under any pressure, he replied in the negative. Replying to a query related to the policemen being caught in corruption cases, he said, "We have given a very clear message that such malpractices would not be tolerated at all. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Poland's powerful Catholic church on Thursday published a report admitting that nearly 400 of its clergy had sexually abused children and minors over the last three decades, reflecting findings published last month by a charity focused on abuse in the church. The Polish Bishops' Conference said in its report that it found 382 clergy sexually abused a total of 624 victims, including 198 under 15 years of age and 184 adolescents between the ages of 15 and 18. The statistical report which covers the period between 1990 and 2018, did not include the names of perpetrators. "We know that this is still only the tip of the iceberg," Jesuit Adam Zak, the Polish episcopate's coordinator for child protection and youth, told reporters at a press conference in Warsaw. "The church must be impeccable and firm in stigmatising evil. But it must... also show mercy to the perpetrators if they strive for internal transformation, if they regret (their actions)," Archbishop Marek Jedraszewski told journalists in Warsaw. Archbishops speaking at the conference insisted that paedophilia was not limited to the Catholic Church and that the majority of abuse took place in families. "Nevertheless, even if there were just one victim (of clerical) abuse, this can only bring pain and shame," Polish Primate, Archbishop Wojciech Polak, told reporters. In February, a charity supporting victims of paedophile priests in Poland released a groundbreaking report documenting nearly 400 cases of sex abuse by clergymen in the staunchly Catholic country. Activists from the "Be Not Afraid" foundation presented the 27-page document to Pope Francis at a gathering of the world's top Catholic bishops at a Vatican summit tackling clerical sex abuse. Liberal opposition politician Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus, who was a key figure in the creation of the victims' report, on Thursday said that the Polish church's report "spat in the face" to victims. "Today the Episcopate... defended itself as an institution, defended the perpetrators, and did not stand on the side of the victims," she said, adding that the church failed to address the issue of compensating victims. The foundation's report documents details the cases of 85 priests convicted of paedophilia, another 88 whose alleged abuse has been exposed by the media and 95 others accused by alleged victims. The report also names 24 Polish archbishops and bishops accused of covering up abuse. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Madras High Court Thursday declined to order a court-monitored CBI probe into the Pollachi sexual harassment case, citing the Tamil Nadu government order transferring the sensational case to the central investigating agency. A group of women lawyers made an urgent mention before the first bench of Chief Justice VK Tahilramani and Justice M Duraiswamy, requesting the court to take suo motu cognisance of the incident, which has created outrage, and order a court-monitored CBI probe. Pointing out that the state government has already decided to transfer the case to CBI, the bench refused to interfere. The lawyers sought the court's intervention in view of the sensitivity of the issue and to ensure a free and fair investigation. After assigning the case pertaining to the sexual harassment of a 19-year-old woman by a gang in the Coimbatore district to the CB-CID on March 12, the state government has issued an order for a CBI probe in the wake of allegations that several other woman had been assaulted. The gang of four men had on February 12 allegedly tried to strip the woman inside a car near Pollachi, over 500 km from here, and had recorded the act and blackmailed her using the visuals. The victim, who managed to free herself, lodged a complaint with the police on February 24. The case assumed political overtones since a local functionary of ruling AIADMK allegedly attacked the victim's brother. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) AGP founder president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, who is opposed to the alliance of his party with the BJP, Thursday alleged that a conspiracy was on to remove him from the state so that a section of party leaders can continue to work against Assam's interests. Rumours are being spread that he would be appointed as governor while his wife Jaishree Goswami Mahanta will be elected to the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha, the former two-time chief minister claimed at a press conference here. "No party leader has discussed these issues either with me or my wife. This is a political conspiracy to remove me from the scene. This is an attempt to malign me and present me as an opportunist," he said. Mahanta asserted that his opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was not aimed at getting the posts of the party president, chief minister or governor. "I only wanted to protect the interest of the people, to ensure the implementation of the Assam Accord and keep the regional character of the party unblemished," he said. "I cannot think of betraying the people of Assam and destroy the regional character of AGP by joining hands with communal and anti-Assam forces," Mahanta said. The AGP had severed ties with the BJP-led government in Assam in January to protest the Centre's decision to ensure the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill's passage in the Lok Sabha. It returned to the NDA fold after a meeting between AGP president Atul Bora and BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on Tuesday, ahead of the Lok Sabha election. The Bill seeks to provide Indian citizenship to non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after six years of residence in India. The contentious bill had triggered huge protests in the northeastern region as indigenous people feared that if enacted, the law would endanger their identity and livelihood. Mahanta said an alliance with the BJP is not acceptable as the party has vowed to go ahead with the Bill if returned to power after the coming Lok Sabha election. He claimed that the AGP's executive committee had earlier passed a resolution opposing alliance with the BJP and had constituted a 10-member committee to explore possibilities of alliances with other parties. "I was also a member of the Committee but barring one, I was not invited to any meeting. The decision to restore the alliance with BJP was undemocratic and was taken by a handful of leaders," the AGP leader said. He claimed there was widespread resentment within the party following the leadership's decision to ally with the BJP and leaders of several district and panchayat committees of the AGP have threatened to resign. Mahanta demanded that an emergency meeting of the party be called and the decision to ally with BJP be withdrawn to strengthen the AGP. "As the founding president, I appeal to all who had left the party due to differences to forget the past and return in this hour of crisis to protect the interest of the Assamese people," he said. The AGP cannot function according to the wishes of a handful of leaders but the "party must be kept alive in the interest of Assam and Assamese people, Mahanta added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's proposed visit to Uttar Pradesh on Friday to formally kick off the party's poll campaign from Allahabad has been postponed, the party's state unit chief Raj Babbar said Thursday night. "There were some problems regarding the travel plan because of which the visit has been postponed for now," he said. Babbar had this evening had said that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was likely to take the river route from Allahabad to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency Varanasi on Friday and offer prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple in the holy city. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra would formally kick off the party's poll campaign from Allahabad on Friday and is likely to take the river route to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency Varanasi. Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar said office bearers of the state unit of the party discussed the details of her programme, which will be declared Friday after seeking certain official clearance. "Congress national general secretary in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanaka Gandhi Vadra is arriving here tomorrow," Babbar told reporters here. A senior leader said she will begin her campaign from Allahabad, the birthplace of the first prime minister and her great grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru, from where she may take the river route to Varanasi. "She may take the river route to reach out to the poor people, especially those residing on the river banks, and who have been continuously facing hardships for the past 30 years," Babbar said. In Allahabad, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is also likely to visit the historic Anand Bhawan, the erstwhile ancestral home of the Nehru family, now dedicated as a museum housing the personal belongings of Jawaharlal Nehru and his father Motilal Nehru. The buzz in Congress circles is that she may take the river route to Varanasi via Mirzapur. She may offer prayers at Maa Vindhayavasini temple in Mirzapur and Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An alleged racially-motivated attack by a group of white people who beat up a black South African TV presenter trying to help them after a road accident has sparked outrage on social media. The incident occurred last week when Samora Mangesi, who presents a lifestyle show for the South African Broadcasting Corporation, said he and some friends pulled over to help after a car overturned on a road in west Johannesburg. "On Friday night I was the victim of a racially motivated attack," the 26-year-old wrote on Twitter on Wednesday, sharing pictures of his injuries. "They called my friends and I monkeys. When we engaged them on why we were being called such, they beat me up until I was unconscious." The tweet sparked fury among his followers, who shared the post more than 3,700 times. "They kicked me on the ground after one of them had hit me on the back of the head," wrote Mangesi who sustained cuts, bruises and grazes on his face and body. Race relations remain tense in South Africa 25 years after the end of white-minority apartheid rule. "Rainbow nation is a myth," tweeted one user called @IamTrevorWest, while another, @PMG_Financial, tweeted his outrage at being "bullied in our own country". Mangesi said he had filed a complaint with the police. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hariri asks for nearly 3 bn in aid for Syrian refugees To face emergency of a million civilian refugees in Lebanon (ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, MARCH 14 - Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri asked for 2.9 billion dollars in aid from international donors at the Syrian conference in Brussels on Thursday, to face the emergency caused by the presence of about a million Syrian refugees in Lebanon, said Lebanese media. Hariri emphasised the need to resolve the Syrian refugee crisis in the region by ensuring their "safe return to the mother country according to international law and accords". About a million Syrians have been in Lebanon since 2011. According to the UN, about six million Syrians have fled their home country, which officially enters its ninth year of civil war on Friday. The Lebanese population numbers just under four million.(ANSAmed). A passenger bus carrying a wedding procession was torched by the workers of a radical Maoist party in Western Nepal protesting against the government's move to ban their party. The cadres of CPN-Maoist led by Netra Bikram Chand, a faction of the previous Maoist party, torched the bus after the passengers were taken out of the vehicle in Badaipur of Kailali district, police said. The bus was completely damaged in the incident. Three persons were taken into police custody while they were trying to stop vehicles. Major cities of Nepal were partially affected as the CPN-Maoist enforced a nation-wide strike after the government decided to put a ban on the party. The Nepal Communist Party was formed after the then Maoist Party broke-off into groups. The government after a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday banned the radical Maoist party after it carried out a series of bomb attacks in the capital Kathmandu. The government said that the Chand-led group was engaged in criminal activities by detonating bombs at infrastructure projects and disturbing peace and security. The announcement was made after the government's efforts to hold talks with the party failed. One person was killed and two others injured last month when the Communist Party of Nepal, led by the former Maoist guerrilla, detonated a bomb outside the office of a telecom company in Kathmandu. Maoist rebels fought an armed insurgency against state security forces between 1996 and 2006 that killed more than 16,000 people. A peace accord was signed in November 2006. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not saying a word against China for blocking Masood Azhar's listing as a global terrorist because he was "scared" of its president Xi Jinping, prompting the BJP to retort why the Congress president was in a "celebratory" mood when India was in "pain". Rahul Gandhi's criticism of Modi came a day after China for the fourth time blocked a bid in the UN Security Council to designate Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief Azhar as a "global terrorist" by putting a technical hold on the proposal. The Chinese move was termed as "disappointing" by India. "Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NoMo's China diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat. 2. Hug Xi in Delhi. 3. Bow to Xi in China," Gandhi said on Twitter, referring to unprecedented welcome provided by Modi to Chinese president Xi during his India visit in 2014. As Congress leaders, including Gandhi, used the Chinese action to take a swipe at Modi, the BJP hit back, saying they will be "happy" for giving headline to Pakistani media. "Why is Rahul Gandhi in a celebratory mood when the country stands pained with this attitude of China," senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said at a press conference, claiming that Gandhi with his comments is seen to be "in close proximity with Azhar Masood". Prasad asked why Gandhi had not made any comment when China had blocked a bid on the same grounds in 2009 when the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government was in power. "Rahul Gandhi's tweets must be headline in Pakistan and will be circulated in JeM office with much merry", the Union minister said, adding that it will perhaps make the Congress leader happy. The Union minister said Gandhi had spoken about meeting Chinese ministers and that the Chinese embassy in India had wanted to see him off when he flew for his Mansarovar pilgrimage last year. However, the permission for which was denied by the government. Taking a swipe at Gandhi, Prasad said,"If you enjoy such good relations with China, then you should have used your proximity to persuade that country to back the proposal at the UN." Earlier, Congress' chief spokeserson Randeep Surjewala also slammed the government, and said it was a sad day in the global fight against terrorism. "China blocking Masood Azhar's designation as global terrorist reaffirms Chinese position of being an inseparable ally of terrorism's breeding ground-Pakistan," he said. Surjewala asked whether the Prime Minister will answer to the nation why he became 'maun Modi' (silent Modi) as India's interests were repeatedly compromised. The current situation is an outcome of the "weak-kneed Modi government, bending over backwards before China" over the last five years, the Congress leader claimed. In his press conference, Prasad blamed the Congress for China becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council which gives it the power to veto any move in the global body. Quoting from a book, 'Nehru- The invention of India', written by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, the BJP leader said it has been written that India's first prime minister played a role in China becoming a permanent member of the UNSC. India under Modi will continue to fight a decisive battle against terrorism, he asserted, adding that the BJP is "pained" if the Congress and Gandhi are happy with the Chinese action. "India and Indians are hurt with the Chinese decision," he said. Foreign policies are not run from Twitter, the BJP leader said, targeting Gandhi over his comments on the Masood Azhar issue. India under Modi has tried to mend fences with China but has been resolute in its fight against terrorism, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi Thursday met with the family members of three slain Youth Congress activists allegedly killed by CPI-M workers and assured they will get justice. Gandhi visited the homes of Kripesh and Sarath Lal, who were hacked to death last month in Kasaragod district, and met with the family members and consoled them. "My promise to them is no matter what happens, they will get justice. We will ensure that whoever has done this will be punished. I understand the situation right now. Let me assure those people who had done this, that justice is going to come to them," Gandhi told the media after visiting Kripesh's house at Kalyot in Kasaragod district. Kripesh's father said Gandhi had assured them that a CBI probe would be ordered into their deaths. According to sources, during his visit to Sarath Lal's family, Gandhi reportedly told the family that the All India Congress Committee has been viewing the incident seriously and promised all possible help to them. The Youth Congress workers were allegedly hacked to death by assailants on February 17 as they were returning after a function. Earlier, Gandhi spent around half an hour with the parents and sisters of slain activist Shuhaib at the Kannur international airport and extended the party's support to them, party sources said. Senior Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Mulapally Ramachandran were among those present during the meeting. Party sources said the Congress chief, who arrived on a day's visit to the state to officially kick start the party's Lok Sabha poll campaign, wanted to meet the family of Shuhaib, an alleged victim of political rivalry, despite his hectic schedule. An active party man hailing from Mattannur near Kannur, Shuhaib, 29, had served as the Mattannur block Youth Congress secretary. He was hacked to death on the night of February 12 last year allegedly by CPI(M) activists. A number of ruling party activists were arrested later in connection with the murder. The opposition Congress-led UDF and Subhaib's family members had demanded a CBI inquiry into the killing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress chief Thursday lashed out at Prime Minister and said unlike him and his party, the BJP, the Congress listens to everyone and does not impose anything upon the people. Addressing a massive 'Jana Maha Rally' of Congress workers, Gandhi kick-started the state-level campaign of the party for the Lok Sabha polls. Hitting out at Modi, the congress president said the job of the Prime Minister was not to impose his 'Mann ki Baat' but to listen to the Mann ki Baat' of the people. Gandhi alleged that Modi had destroyed all institutions of the country. "So the man who imposes his Maan Ki Baat is attacking all the institutions in this country one after another," he said. "The Congress does not want to impose anything on this country. The Congress party wants to listen to what the people have to say and act accordingly. That's why the doors of Congress party is open to everyone. Congress party really does not mind what religion you belong, which language you speak, what ideology you follow. ALSO READ: Setback for Congress as key Sonia Gandhi aide Tom Vadakkan joins BJP That is not an issue to the Congress. We listen to everyone," Gandhi said. He also referred to farmer suicides in Kerala and said when farmers ask for loan waivers, Prime Minister and Finance minister Arun Jaitley "laugh at them." Earlier in the day, Gandhi accused Modi of ignoring voices of farmers, fishermen and small businessmen and claimed the BJP-led NDA government listened only to industrialists like Anil Ambani and Nirav Modi. Gandhi visited the families of Kripesh and Sarath Lal, the two youth Congress activists who were brutally killed allegedly by CPI(M) workers last month. He also met the parents of slain youth Congress worker Shohaib at Kannur airport. Ltd Thursday said it will sell its entire stake in Delhi- Toll Roadway to Singapore-based Cube Highways for Rs 3,600 crore, following which the Anil Ambani led company's debt will be reduced by 25 per cent to less than Rs 5,000 crore. (RInfra) has entered into a pact with Cube Highways in this regard. Cube Highways and Infrastructure III Pte Ltd is a Singapore-based company formed by global infrastructure fund - I Squared Capital and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the The transaction is in line with Reliance Infrastructure's strategic plan of monetising non-core business and focus on major growth areas like engineering & construction (E&C) business. today announced the signing of Definitive Binding Agreement with Cube Highways and Infrastructure III Pte Ltd for the sale of its 100 per cent stake in Delhi- (DA) Toll Road Private Limited, the company said in a statement. "The total deal enterprise value is over Rs 3,600 crore. In addition, NHAI claims of Rs 1,200 crore to be filed by DA Toll Road Pvt Ltd will flow directly to Reliance Infrastructure," the company added. said, it will utilise the proceeds of this transaction entirely to reduce its debt. "After the completion of the transaction for Delhi- Toll Road, the debt of will reduce by 25 per cent to only less than Rs 5,000 crore," the company said. The transaction is subject to all requisite permissions and approvals, it added. Reliance Infrastructure's special purpose vehicle (SPV) DA Toll Road Private Limited operates the 180-km long six-lane road that connects the national capital with Agra on (NH) 2. "The profitable project has witnessed impressive revenue growth of 25 per cent in FY18," the company said. The tolling operation for the heavily-trafficked project started in October 2012 and has a concession period till 2038. is one of the largest infrastructure companies, developing projects through various Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) in several high growth sectors such as power, roads and metro rail in the infrastructure space and the defence sector. Also, it is a major player in providing Engineering and Construction (E&C) services for developing power, infrastructure, metro and road projects. The company through its SPVs has executed a portfolio of infrastructure projects such as a metro rail project in on build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) basis; and eleven road projects with total length of about 1,000 kms on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis. Former IPS officer Pankaj Kumar Chaudhary, dismissed recently by the state government, Thursday said he would contest the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. "I will contest election from one of the Lok Sabha seats in western Rajasthan. I am not going before the people with any big promise or equation but would work with a feeling to keep the nation first. I will work for the women empowerment in western Rajasthan, Chaudhary told reporters at a press conference here. He also said he has moved the Central Administrative Tribunal challenging the state government's order dismissing him. The CAT has issued notices to the state and the Centre in the matter. The controversial Rajasthan-cadre officer was dismissed on March 6 for allegedly having an extramarital relationship, which, as per his dismissal order, violated rule 3 (1) of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968. Forty four-year old Chaudhary, who hails from Varanasi, has been the superintendent of police of Jaisalmer between Feb and July 2013 and Bundi between January and September 2014 and had courted controversies during his tenures in both the districts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Akshay Kumar, whose "Kesari" is based on the Battle of Saragarhi, says it is sad that the story has not been made into a film until now. The Battle of Saragarhi was fought between the British Indian army's Sikh Regiment and Afghan tribesmen on September 12, 1897. Saragarhi was a tiny village in the then North-West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan). The British Indian contingent comprised 21 Jat Sikh soldiers of the 36th Sikhs who were stationed at an Army post and were attacked by 10,000 to 12,000 Afghans. Led by Havildar Ishar Singh, the Sikhs chose to fight to the death, in what is touted by some military historians as one of history's greatest battles ever fought. "The Battle of Saragarhi ranks second when one would search about the top battles ever fought by India. Sadly we haven't made a film on it and not many people know about it. I also did not know much about it in detail, but I learnt a lot of things while working on the film," Akshay said in an interview. "It is fascinating that these people had the chance to run away but they didn't. They were aware that they will not win this battle but still chose to fight," he added. Akshay said he considers himself lucky to have had the chance to play Havildar Ishar Singh. Talking about the action scenes in "Kesari", Akshay said, "There is a technique called Gatka, which is popular in Sikhs. We had to do that in this film. I know martial arts so I had to make some efforts to do it. I had to learn some techniques. It was a new genre of action for me. It was a different kind of fight." Some crucial portions of the film were shot in Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh and Akshay said it was difficult to shoot there because of the temperature. "The kind of terrain we shot the film was difficult... There is less oxygen in Spiti Valley. Besides, the pagdi (turban) that I wear in the film weighs one and half kg and the sword was of 6-7 kg but in reality their sword was 25-30 kg. The film is not shot on real locations but this place where we shot matched the era of 1897." The film will arrive in theatres on March 21. It is produced by Akshay's Cape of Good Hope Films and Karan Johar's Dharma Productions and Anurag Singh has directed the film. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) ROME - Algeria's new prime minister, Noureddine Bedoui, is calling on opposition parties to dialogue and said the new "technocratic" government will be "open to all" and that its term will last no longer than one year, according to local media. Bedoui was unexpectedly named prime minister on Monday by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, following the former prime minister's resignation in the wake of mass protests in the country against Bouteflika's intention to run for a fifth presidential term, which he has since dropped. Bedoui said the "inclusive" national conference's procedures for deciding the elections will be established by the executive branch. The Supreme Court Thursday asked former Ranbaxy promoters Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh to apprise it how they propose to comply with the Rs 3500 crore arbitral award passed against them by a Singapore tribunal. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Googi asked the Singh brothers, who were present in the court, to consult their financial and legal advisors and give a concrete plan on how they will comply with the tribunal's order. "It is not about individual honour but it doesn't look good for the country's honour. You were the flag bearers of the pharmacare industry and it doesn't look good that you are appearing in court," the bench also comprising justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna said. The bench asked the Singh brothers to appear before it on March 28 and submit the plan, saying "hopefully it will be the last time you are appearing in the court". The apex court was hearing the plea of Japanese firm Daiichi Sankyo which is seeking to recover Rs 3,500 crore, awarded to it by a Singapore tribunal in its case against Malvinder and Shivinder Singh. The Japanese firm, which has filed the contempt plea against the Singh brothers in the apex court, has said that it was promised some shares of Fortis Healthcare by them. The apex court had earlier refused to pass any interim order on pleas relating to the sale of controlling stakes of Fortis Healthcare to Malaysian IHH Healthcare Berhad. The top court, on December 14 last year, had ordered status quo with regard to the sale of controlling stakes of Fortis Healthcare. "Status quo with regard to sale of the controlling stake in Fortis Healthcare to Malaysian IHH Healthcare Berhad be maintained," the bench had said. The top court had also issued notices to the Singh brothers asking them to explain as to why contempt proceedings be not initiated against them for allegedly violating its earlier order by pledging the shares. The board of Fortis Healthcare had approved in July a proposal from IHH Healthcare to invest Rs 4,000 crore by way of preferential allotment for a 31.1 per cent stake. The Malaysian IHH Healthcare Bhd became the controlling shareholder of Fortis Healthcare Ltd by acquiring a 31.1 per cent stake in the company. Daiichi had bought Ranbaxy in 2008. Later, it had moved the Singapore arbitration tribunal alleging that the Singh brothers had concealed information that Ranbaxy was facing probe by the US Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Justice, while selling its shares. Daiichi had to enter into a settlement agreement with the US Department of Justice, agreeing to pay USD 500 million penalty to resolve potential, civil and criminal liability. The company had then sold its stake in Ranbaxy to Sun Pharmaceuticals for Rs 22,679 crore in 2015. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Supreme Court Thursday asked former Ranbaxy promoters Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh to submit a concrete plan for paying Rs 3,500 crore to Daiichi Sankyo as directed by a Singapore tribunal. The top court asked the Singh brothers to consult their accountants as also financial and legal advisors and apprise it by March 28. The Japanese firm has filed a contempt plea against the Singh brothers, saying that it was promised some shares of Fortis Healthcare by them and sought the recovery of Rs 3,500 crore as directed by the tribunal. Calling them "flag bearers" of the Pharmacare industry of the country, a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that it does not look good that they are in the court. "It is not about individual's honour but it doesn't look good for the country's honour. You (Singh brothers) were the flag bearers of the pharmacare industry and it doesn't look good that you are appearing in court. Pay your debts and come out of this," said the bench, also comprising justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna. It asked them to appear before it on March 28 and submit the plan, saying "hopefully it will be the last time you are appearing in the court". At the outset, senior advocate Fali S Nariman, appearing for Daiichi, said in its reply that Malvinder claimed he is honest and bona fide and would pay the outstanding at the earliest. He added that the younger brother Shivinder, on the other hand, has stated that he has taken 'Sanyas' (renunciation) and become a 'Sadhu' (monk) and has nothing to do with the company. The bench asked the duo, present in the courtroom, to come forward and said, "tell us that are you not obliged under the law to comply with the award". Both the brother's nodded in their reply and Malvinder Singh said that he would pay the outstanding as early as possible. To this, the bench observed that one brother says he has renounced the world and the other says he is running the company. "Then show us, I am all the bona fide and tell us how you would comply with the award," it addressed Malvinder. "If you have a decree pending against you, then renouncing the world would not matter to us," the court said, turning to Shivinder. Senior advocate P S Patwalia, appearing for Shivinder said "he has now come back to the world on December 17". The bench then told Shivinder that "your lawyer says you have come back to the world, now that you have come back to the world, please tell us how you plan to comply with the award". The bench said that perhaps it is the first time they have appeared before the Supreme Court, to which both the brothers applied in affirmative. "You both consult your accountants, financial and legal advisors and tell us by March 28, how you plan to comply with the award. Hopefully it will be the last time you are appearing in the court," the bench said and asked them to remain present in the court on the next date of hearing. The apex court had earlier refused to pass any interim order on pleas relating to the sale of controlling stakes of Fortis Healthcare to Malaysian IHH Healthcare Berhad. The top court, on December 14 last year, had ordered status quo with regard to the sale of controlling stakes of Fortis Healthcare. "Status quo with regard to sale of the controlling stake in Fortis Healthcare to Malaysian IHH Healthcare Berhad be maintained," the bench had said. The top court had also issued notices to the Singh brothers asking them to explain as to why contempt proceedings be not initiated against them for allegedly violating its earlier order by pledging the shares. The board of Fortis Healthcare had approved in July a proposal from IHH Healthcare to invest Rs 4,000 crore by way of preferential allotment for a 31.1 per cent stake. The Malaysian IHH Healthcare Bhd became the controlling shareholder of Fortis Healthcare Ltd by acquiring a 31.1 per cent stake in the company. Daiichi had bought Ranbaxy in 2008. Later, it had moved the Singapore arbitration tribunal alleging that the Singh brothers had concealed information that Ranbaxy was facing probe by the US Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Justice, while selling its shares. Daiichi had to enter into a settlement agreement with the US Department of Justice, agreeing to pay USD 500 million penalty to resolve potential, civil and criminal liability. The company had then sold its stake in Ranbaxy to Sun Pharmaceuticals for Rs 22,679 crore in 2015. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The on Thursday said it will hear on March 25 a plea seeking a direction that field candidates with graduation as minimum qualification, and are below the age of 75 years. A bench headed by Chief Justice listed the petition filed by lawyer Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay for hearing before an appropriate bench. "List the matter on March 25, 2019 before an appropriate bench as per the roster," said the bench, also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna. The apex court was hearing a PIL filed by Upadhyay seeking various directions, including setting up of special courts to try criminal cases involving lawmakers. Upadhyay, in its fresh interim plea had said imposing a condition during election to prevent parties from fielding illiterate candidates was a "reasonable restriction", keeping in mind the concessions and privileges enjoyed by MLAs, MLCs and MPs. The plea had said the functions performed by legislators are vital to democracy and there is no reason why they should be held to lower standards than municipal councilors and gram pradhans. "In many states, candidates for municipal councilor and gram pradhan certainly would not be considered at all if they are illiterate," the plea had said. If a person, who is going to make laws and amend the Constitution, is not educated enough to understand the "pros and cons of the laws", then it would be "disastrous", it said. "It is true that even if a person went through higher education, he can still be unsuitable to be a legislator, but to have a legislator who didn't even go to college or university in the 21st Century is unfathomable. Do we, as a country, wish to be represented by a dumbfounded persona that can't find the exit or well-spoken and expressed figure that can handle any situation that arise at the moment?" it had said. Besides setting up of special criminal courts for lawmakers, the PIL has also sought a life-time ban on politicians convicted in cases. (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.) Security forces are in hot pursuit of Ismail Bhai, alias 'Lambu', a Pakistani terrorist belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammed who is believed to have fabricated the improvised explosive device (IED) used in the February 14 attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama that left 40 personnel dead, officials said. The officials said Ismail Bhai, according to intelligence agencies, infiltrated into Kashmir in December last year and has been moving around in the most-volatile Tral area, 46 km south of Srinagar. There were intelligence inputs in December about the presence of a Pakistani terrorist, whose height is over 6.5 feet, and the same was corroborated by police informers. He has been moving around the axis of Tral-Pulwama-Awantipura, considered a Jaish-e-Mohammed-dominated belt, the officials said. In the past, search-and-cordon operations were launched to nab him but he managed to give security forces the slip, a senior police officer said. According to investigations so far, Ismail has been sent by the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group to fabricate IEDs, besides brainwashing new recruits for becoming potential 'fidayeens' (suicide attackers), they said. The officials said the IED used in the February 14 terror strike could have been fabricated by Ismail Bhai with the help of locals. Tral, a town of Pulwama district known for hot springs, has emerged as the breeding ground for terror groups as well as safe haven for those infiltrating from across the border. Ever since the militancy started in Kashmir Valley in 1990s, Tral township did not see much of crackdowns as it was used by terrorists as a transit point to slip into various places of south Kashmir. However, after the death of Burhan Wani, poster boy of Hizbul Mujahideen terror group, in July 2016, the town has virtually turned into a hub of militant activities. This year, according to the officials, 49 terrorists were gunned down across the valley, out of which 10 were in Tral. Sunday last, two terrorists, including Mudasir Ahmed Khan, who was alleged to be the mastermind of the February 14 terror strike, were killed in the Tral area. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Shiv Sena on Tuesday asked ally BJP to be cautious while inducting leaders from opposition parties, saying doing so may pose problems in future. The remark came two after after senior Maharashtra Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil's son joined the BJP. Hitting out at opposition parties, the Sena also referred to a recent blog post of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which he alleged that Congress and corruption were "synonyms". "The incoming from the Congress and NCP may be seen as beneficial today, but it can cause problems in future, we have this experience. Today, people are coming because there is power. When there is none, they will find other relations," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'. It recalled that Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil was once a Shiv Sainik and the Sena had simultaneously given ministerial berths to him and his father in the state and central governments, respectively. "But he turned against us when our government went out of power. As leader of the opposition, he did not behave like one. Even when in power, he did not take firm stands (on various issues) like the Sena did. On the contrary, he used to oppose us," it said. The situation today is such that people are asking him to resign on moral grounds, said the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in Maharashtra. "These are households which do not believe in a specific ideology. They turn in the direction where the wind is blowing," the Marathi publication said. Earlier, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil had expressed disappointment over the NCP's refusal to exchange the Ahmednagar Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra with the Congress. The senior Congress leader's son, Sujay Vikhe Patil, joined the BJP on Tuesday in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Fadnavis said his party's parliamentary committee will recommend his name for the Ahmednagar Lok Sabha seat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Republican-run Senate firmly rejected President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the southwest border, setting up a veto fight and dealing him a conspicuous rebuke as he tested how boldly he could ignore Congress in pursuit of his highest-profile goal. The Senate voted 59-41 to cancel Trump's February proclamation of a border emergency, which he invoked to spend USD 3.6 billion more for border barriers than Congress had approved. Twelve Republicans joined Democrats in defying Trump in a showdown many GOP senators had hoped to avoid because he commands die-hard loyalty from millions of conservative voters who could punish defecting lawmakers in next year's elections. With the Democratic-controlled House's approval of the same resolution last month, Senate passage sends it to Trump. He has shown no reluctance to casting his first veto to advance his campaign exhortation, "Build the Wall," which has prompted roars at countless Trump rallies. Approval votes in both the Senate and House fell short of the two-thirds majorities that would be needed for an override to succeed. "VETO!" Trump tweeted minutes after the vote. Trump has long been comfortable vetoing the measure because he thinks it will endear him to his political base, said a White House official, commenting anonymously because the official wasn't authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Though Trump seems sure to prevail in that battle, it remains noteworthy that lawmakers of both parties resisted him in a fight directly tied to his cherished campaign theme of erecting a border wall. The roll call came just a day after the Senate took a step toward a veto fight with Trump on another issue, voting to end US support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalition's war in Yemen. In a measure of how remarkable the confrontation was, Thursday was the first time Congress has voted to block a presidential emergency since the National Emergency Act became law in 1976. Even before Thursday's vote, there were warnings that GOP senators resisting Trump could face political consequences. A White House official said Trump won't forget when senators who oppose him want him to attend fundraisers or provide other help. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on internal deliberations. At the White House, Trump did not answer when reporters asked if there would be consequences for Republicans who voted against him. "I'm sure he will not be happy with my vote," said moderate Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, a GOP defector who faces re-election next year in a state that reveres independent streaks in its politicians. "But I'm a United State senator and feel my job to stand up for the Constitution. So let the chips fall where they may." Underscoring the political pressures in play, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., one of the first Republicans to say he'd oppose Trump's border emergency, voted Thursday to support it. Tillis, who faces a potentially difficult re-election race next year, cited talks with the White House that suggest Trump could be open to restricting presidential emergency powers in the future. Tillis wrote in a Washington Post opinion column last month that there'd be "no intellectual honesty" in backing Trump after his repeated objections about executive overreach by President Barack Obama. Still, the breadth of opposition among Republicans suggested how concern about his declaration had spread to all corners of the GOP. Republican senators voting for the resolution blocking Trump included Mitt Romney of Utah, the party's 2012 presidential candidate; Mike Lee of Utah, a solid conservative; Trump 2016 presidential rivals Marco Rubio of Florida and Rand Paul of Kentucky and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, a respected centrist. Republicans control the Senate 53-47. Democrats solidly opposed Trump's declaration. Presidents have declared 58 national emergencies since the 1976 law, but this was the first aimed at accessing money that Congress had explicitly denied, according to Elizabeth Goitein, co-director for national security at New York University Law School's Brennan Center for Justice. Trump and Republicans backing him said there is a legitimate security and humanitarian crisis at the border with Mexico. They also said Trump was merely exercising his powers under the law, which largely leaves it to presidents to decide what a national emergency is. "The president is operating within existing law, and the crisis on our border is all too real," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Opponents said Trump's assertion of an emergency was overblown. They said he issued his declaration only because Congress agreed to provide less than USD 1.4 billion for barriers and he was desperate to fulfil his campaign promise on the wall. They said the Constitution gives Congress, not presidents, control over spending and said Trump's stretching of emergency powers would invite future presidents to do the same for their own concerns. "He's obsessed with showing strength, and he couldn't just abandon his pursuit of the border wall, so he had to trample on the Constitution to continue his fight," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A high-level team of the Election Commission led by a deputy election commissioner will be in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and Manipur in the coming days to assess poll preparedness, official sources said Thursday. The decision to send Deputy Election Commissioner Sudip Jain comes a day after the BJP urged the poll watchdog to declare West Bengal a "super sensitive state". Jain will lead the team to West Bengal on Saturday, Tripura on Sunday, Assam on Monday and Manipur on Tuesday to assess election preparedness in the four states. While Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal are spread across all the seven phases, they will be held in two phases each in Tripura and Manipur and three in Assam. The sources in the poll panel said that the chief electoral officer of West Bengal has also been asked to file a report on the actual ground situation. The BJP had on Wednesday also demanded that central forces be deployed at all polling stations in the state. Briefing the media after meeting EC officials, Law Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad had said, "We have requested the Election Commission that the state of West Bengal should be declared as super-sensitive. And have also demanded that central forces should be deployed at all polling booths in the state." He said the party also requested the poll panel to transfer those police officers whose electoral impartiality is questionable as well as the withdrawal of former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar from election duty. The BJP is trying to make inroads into Trinamool Congress' bastion of West Bengal which has 42 Lok Sabha seats. In 2014, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) won 34 seats, the Congress four, while the BJP and CPI(M) bagged two seats each in the state. Slamming the BJP for moving the poll panel, Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee alleged the saffron party was trying to hide behind central forces as it can't win any seat in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seven members of a gang, who had robbed bathroom fittings including brass taps worth over Rs 1 crore from a company here earlier this month, have been arrested, police said Thursday. All stolen items have been recovered and the police have found involvement of a security guard working in the Sector 63-located company in the case, a senior official said. "Bathroom fittings worth Rs 1.15 crore were stolen from the company on March 3. All stolen products have been recovered and seven accused, including the leader of the gang, have been arrested," Senior Superintendent of Police, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Vaibhav Krishna said. "They had committed the robbery with the help of the security guard of the company who facilitated them in getting away with the bathroom fittings. He was a member of the gang himself who had joined the security of the company about 10 days prior to the heist," he said. "He had joined the company to explore the location and on the intervening night of March 3 and 4 had got other security personnel sloshed after which the gang decamped the company with bath fittings including costly brass-made taps," the SSP said. On Thursday, the gang was on its way to Delhi where it had planned to sell-off the products, but was held on a tip-off at T P Nagar in Sector 65 by a team from Phase 3 police station and the special Star-1 squad, he told reporters. A canter truck that was used for transporting the products has been recovered and impounded, Krishna said. The accused have been identified as gang leader Kuldeep Kumar Tomar, Deepak Tomar, Rakesh Kumar, Irfan Khan alias Raju, who worked as the security guard in the company, Babu, Neeraj Kumar and Pankaj Kumar, police said. They have been charged with IPC sections 420 (fraud), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 457 (tress-passing), and related offences, they said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 38-year-old alleged sharpshooter of Neeraj Bawana gang, who carried a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head, was arrested on Thursday after a brief shootout in Rohini's Bawana area, police said. The accused has been identified as Raj Kumar alias Bhamba, a resident of Ishwar Colony, Bawana. He was wanted in six cases, they said. Information was received on Thursday that Kumar would come to Prahladpur area to meet some of his associates. Thereafter, a trap was laid, the officials said. At around 5 am, a motorcycle was spotted coming from Ram Chowk side. The driver was signalled to stop but he tried to speed away, a senior police officer said. A chase ensued and the accused opened fire at the police team. Police retaliated and a bullet hit Kumar in the right leg, following which he was arrested, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said. During interrogation, Kumar disclosed that he started working for the gang after he failed to return some money which he had borrowed from Pankaj Bawana, the brother of Neeraj Bawana, the DCP said. Kumar was involved in several murders and extortions in outer Delhi as well as the Rohini court complex, Yadav said. Police seized a semi-automatic pistol with three live cartridges and a motorcycle from him. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) One Tajik was killed and 11 injured in clashes with Kyrgyz citizens over a road project at the disputed border between the Central Asian countries, Tajikistan said Thursday. A group of Tajiks were on Wednesday protesting Kyrgyzstan's plans for the project when "the Kyrgyz opened fire" and started throwing stones, Tajikistan's border service said. Thirty people from Tajikistan were taken hostage, the service said in a statement. Kyrgyzstan's border service did not confirm the death of the Tajik citizen or the hostages claim. It said "about 50 Kyrgyz citizens and 70 Tajik citizens" had thrown stones at each other Wednesday but did not say whether shots were fired. Flare-ups are common at the border, where large areas are not demarcated and competition for scarce land and water pits ethnic groups against each other. Tajikistan said Kyrgyzstan is building a road in the disputed region "in violation of the bilateral intergovernmental protocol". Both Muslim-majority Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan were part of the Soviet Union, and border disputes worsened when the USSR fell apart in 1991. Kyrgyzstan said it was in talks with its neighbour about reopening two roads in the area that closed following the violence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkey says European parliament resolution 'worthless' EP calls to suspend accession talks, Erdogan cites EU far-right (ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, MARCH 14 - Ibrahim Kalin, a spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said Thursday that the European Parliament's non-binding resolution calling for the suspension of Turkey's EU accession talks is "for us null and worthless". Kalin said European far-right movements have shown their prejudices with a report that contains "baseless affirmations". "The contents of the 2018 report on Turkey by the European Parliament is an attempt to damage joint efforts to give a new boost to EU-Turkey relations," Kalin said. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in a statement that Strasbourg's decision is "nonsense". "The European Parliament's approach to Turkey should be that of promoting relations, interaction, and dialogue between Turkey and the EU," the statement said. "Turkey expects the new European Parliament, which will be formed following elections in May, to adopt a constructive approach to EU-Turkey relations in the near future, to make skilled and objective decisions, and to stimulate the process of integration between Turkey and the EU," the statement said.(ANSAmed). Tata Motors-owned (JLR) has initiated a voluntary recall of around 44,000 cars in the over higher than certified levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The UK-based luxury car-maker said on Thursday that it will contact the owners of the affected vehicles to arrange for free-of-charge repairs after regulators found 10 models were emitting more of the greenhouse gas than they had been certified to emit. " is conducting a voluntary recall following the identification of CO2 performance variability with certain Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles fitted with 2.0L diesel or petrol engines," a statement said. "Affected vehicles will be repaired free of charge and every effort will be made to minimise inconvenience to the customer during the short time required for the work to be carried out," the statement noted. The repairs could include software updates as well as physical alterations, with some Range Rover Evoque models possibly requiring new tyres. The UK's Vehicle Certification Agency found 10 models for the Land Rover and Jaguar brands were emitting more greenhouse gases than had been certified initially. then informed the country's Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which handles recalls, of the findings. The recall will affect versions of the Land Rover Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover Sport, Velar and Evoque made between 2016 and 2019. Jaguar models affected include the E-Pace, F-Pace, F-Type, XE and XF. While most affected models run on petrol, some diesel models are also part of the recall. The European Commission's rapid alert system warned that JLR's cars "may emit excessive levels of CO2 and may not conform with the certified condition". All European vehicle manufacturers are under pressure to reduce the average emissions of their new cars from 118.5g of CO2 per kilometre to less than 95g by 2021. While the recall is not expected to have a major financial impact on the company, it comes at a time when Britain's largest carmaker has already been battling Brexit-related headwinds for the automotive industry. Earlier this year, it had confirmed job cuts of around 4,500 amid sluggish global sales. has the largest number of retailers for its cars in Europe, with around 800 outlets across 42 countries. Its CEO, Ralf Speth, has repeatedly warned the government against a bad Brexit deal, which could cost the company billions per year. Andhra Pradesh MLC Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy Thursday resigned from the ruling Telugu Desam Party reportedly because he was denied ticket for the Ongole Lok Sabha seat in the April 11 election and announced he would join the opposition YSR Congress. Reddy previously served as Ongole MP as a member of the Congress. He had quit Congress in 2014 and joined the TDP, but lost in the then Lok Sabha elections. He was subsequently made a member of the Legislative Council. Our family has a special attachment with late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. In deference to the wishes of my well-wishers and supporters, I have decided to join the YSR Congress, Reddy announced in Ongole, after sending his resignation letter to the TDP state president K K Venkata Rao. Reddy is said to be upset after TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu chose Environment Minister Sidda Raghava Rao for the Ongole parliament seat. Interestingly, Rao himself was unwilling to jump into the Parliament election fray but Naidu was said to have prevailed upon him. Still, uncertainty looms over the TDPs choice for the Ongole seat. In the run up to the simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and the state assembly, three MPs, three MLAs and an MLC have so far quit the TDP to join the YSRC, even as both parties are struggling to finalise candidates for the polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Thursday issued fresh summons to moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq to appear for questioning at the probe agency headquarters in connection with a terror financing case, officials said. According to the notice, the Mirwaiz has been asked to appear at the National Investigation Agency (NIA) headquarters in New Delhi on March 18, the agency officials said. The NIA had on February 26 carried out searches at premises of separatist leaders, including the Mirwaiz, in connection with the case related to financing of terrorist and separatist groups in Jammu and Kashmir. The NIA team, accompanied by police and CRPF personnel, searched residences of some of the separatist leaders, including the Mirwaiz, Naseem Geelani and Ashraf Sehrai, the chairman of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat. The houses of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Yaseen Malik, Shabir Shah, Zaffar Bhat and Masarat Alam were also raided. Barring the Mirwaiz and Sehrai, all other leaders were jailed for some time. The NIA had questioned two maternal uncles of the Mirwaiz -- Maulvi Manzoor and Maulvi Shafat -- and his close aides last year. Both Manzoor and Shafat are retired senior government officers. He had been asked to appear before the NIA on March 11 but the Mirwaiz had expressed his inability to join the investigation in the national capital fearing for his security in view of "conditions of hostility". "Under the prevailing conditions of hostility wherein there is a threat to the personal safety of my client, it becomes unwise for my client to travel to Delhi," counsel for the Mirwaiz, Aijaz Ahmad Dhar, had said in a letter to the NIA. If the NIA wants to question the Mirwaiz, it can do so in Srinagar and he is willing to cooperate as "he has nothing to hide", the letter had said. The lawyer had said his client was not acquainted with the subject matter of the FIR referred to in the NIA's notice and added that the notice to the separatist leader appears to have been issued on the basis of "fallacious assumptions and misinformation solely aimed at maligning the Mirwaiz". On his client's stand on the Kashmir issue, the lawyer said it has always been clear. "He has always stated that the Kashmir issue is a political and human issue which needs political resolution either through implementation of UN resolutions or through dialogue amongst the three stakeholders -- India, Pakistan and people of Jammu and Kashmir," the counsel of the Mirwaiz said The NIA probe seeks to identify the chain of players behind the financing of terrorist activities, pelting of stones on security forces, burning down of schools and damaging of government establishments. The case names Hafeez Saeed, Pakistan-based chief of Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD), the front for banned Lashker-e-Taiba, as an accused, besides organisations such as the Hurriyat Conference factions led by Geelani and the Mirwaiz, Hizbul Mujahideen and Dukhtaran-e-Millat. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thailand's junta chief batted away criticism of a controversial cybersecurity law on Thursday, saying it would not be used to "tap phone calls". The country's rubber-stamp parliament passed the bill on February 28, triggering pushback from rights groups and companies worried about privacy breaches. Thais go to the polls on March 24 in an election that could see a junta-aligned government come to power, and with it more controls on freedom of expression. The new bill allows authorities to seize any computers or devices without a court warrant if there are "critical threats" to cybersecurity, which a committee determines in cases of "reasonable suspicion". The Asia Internet Coalition, an industry association representing companies like Google and Facebook, warned the law was too broadly worded and could give the government sweeping powers to snoop on user data. But junta leader Prayut Chan-O-Cha, who seized power in 2014 and is standing for civilian premier in the election, tried to allay those fears in remarks to investors in Bangkok. "When I talk about cybersecurity, don't get this confused with human rights," the gruff general said, adding that the law was meant to boost online business security. "No one will tap phone calls of others," he said. "It's about the protection of businesses... because there could be huge fraud or illegal businesses." Since it came into power, the junta has tried to stifle online dissent even as biting satire poking fun at the generals flourishes on the web. Prayut -- now attempting to remake his image via Instagram and Facebook to show off a softer, more people-friendly side -- said the government now has "decreased power" thanks to social media. "We cannot control public opinion now that social media controls (it) and everyone has access," he said. But Amnesty International's Thailand campaigner Katherine Gerson said the cybersecurity law represents "a threat to freedom of expression and privacy". "Thai authorities have a track record of invoking 'security' to allow criminal proceedings against people who did nothing more than peacefully speak their mind," Gerson told AFP. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thousands of people Thursday took out a protest march demanding resumption of iron ore mining industry, which came to a standstill in March last year. Nearly 7,000 people took part in the protest march which began from Campal ground in the city and culminated at historic Azad Maidan. Those dependent on the mining industry participated in the protest under the banner of Goa Mining People's Front (GMPF). The iron ore mining activity in the state has been on hold since March 16 last year after the Supreme Court quashed the second renewal of 88 mining leases. The GMPF has been agitating demanding amendment in mining laws for the resumption of mining operations in Goa. A delegation of GMPF also submitted a memorandum to Chief Secretary Parimal Rai on Thursday. Addressing the mining dependents, GMPF chief Puti Gaonkar said the state government can work out a solution with the intervention of the Supreme Court. "The Goa government can file an affidavit before the Supreme Court for consideration of Goa, Daman and Diu (Abolition and Declaration of Mining Leases) Act 1987, with prospective effect. This will also help the leases to get prolonged life till 2037," he said. Gaonkar said the state should appoint a senior counsel to represent it in the apex court, instead of Additional Solicitor General Atmaram Nadkarni, who is currently representing the state government. In August 2018, the Goa Legislative Assembly had passed a resolution seeking Centre's intervention in resumption of mining activity. A delegation of mining dependents, along with MPs from Goa, had met BJP chief Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi seeking their help to resolve the crisis. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After its spokesperson Tom Vadakkan joined the BJP, the Congress on Thursday dismissed his criticism of the party saying that till now he used to "abuse" Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a huge embarrassment to the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Vadakkan, once a key aide of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, joined the BJP and attacked his former party for its stand on the Balakot air strikes. Vadakkan, who joined the saffron party in the presence of Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, and later met its president Amit Shah, said, "I am deeply hurt and that is why I am here." "Our best wishes to him," Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said when asked about Vadakkan joining the BJP. Asked about Vadakkan citing dynastic and the Congress's stand on the Pulwama terror attack and India's retaliatory strikes as his reasons for quitting the party, Surjewala said every person who leaves a party to join another party "searching for a better future", has to say something. "Till now he used to abuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi, so what is the opinion of Modi ji and Ravi Shankar ji on that," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TMC leader and four-time legislator from West Bengal Arjun Singh Thursday joined the BJP, giving a boost to the saffron party's prospects in the state for the Lok Sabha elections. Singh joined the BJP in the presence of party general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and West Bengal BJP leader Mukul Roy here. Addressing the media at the BJP office, Singh said he was shocked at Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's comments on the Pulwama terror attack. "I gave 30 years to Mamata Banerjee. I was shocked at her comments on the Pulwama terror attack. Her statement has shaken the country. "When the Indian Air Force carried out the strike, she demanded the body count of terrorists. If a leader does not have national interest on her mind then she cannot do any good to her voters," Singh said. The four-time MLA from Barrackpore is likely to contest on a BJP ticket in the Lok Sabha polls against TMC heavyweight Dinesh Trivedi, sources said. They added that Singh was upset with Banerjee for not giving him a ticket. "Earlier the TMC used to stand for Maa, Mati, Manush, now it is only money, money and money," Singh said attacking Banerjee. Singh is the latest entry into the BJP from the TMC. Earlier, expelled TMC MP Anupam Hazra joined the saffron party. The BJP is aiming to get a sizeable number of seats in West Bengal in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Trinamool Congress' four-time legislator Arjun Singh Thursday joined the BJP, giving a boost to the party's prospects in the state ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Singh joined the BJP in presence of party general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and senior state BJP leader Mukul Roy in the national capital. However, the TMC refused to give much importance to Singh's switch-over and challenged him to seek a re-election from his Assembly seat Bhatpara in North 24 Parganas district on a BJP ticket. Addressing the media at the BJP office in Delhi, Singh said he was shocked at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's comments on the Pulwama terror attack. "I gave 30 years to Mamata Banerjee. I was shocked at her comments on the Pulwama terror attack. Her statement has shaken the country. "When the Indian Air Force carried out the strike, she demanded the body count of terrorists. If a leader does not have national interest in her mind then she cannot do any good to her voters," Singh said. Singh is likely to contest the Lok Sabha polls from the Barrackpore seat against TMC heavyweight and former railway minister Dinesh Trivedi, sources said. He was upset with Banerjee for not giving him a ticket from the seat, they said. "Earlier the TMC used to stand for Maa, Mati, Manush, now it is only money, money and money," Singh said in a brazen attack on Banerjee. Singh is the latest entry into the BJP from the TMC. Earlier, expelled TMC MP Anupam Hazra joined the saffron party. The BJP is aiming to get a sizeable number of seats in West Bengal in the Lok Sabha polls and party chief Amit Shah had set a target of 22 of 42 constituencies in the state. "Arjun Singh has been in touch with BJP leaders for quite some time. It hardly matters whether or not he is with us. What matters in the TMC is Mamata Banerjee," TMC's North 24 Parganas district president Jyotipriyo Mullick told PTI. "If he has guts, he should resign and seek re-election from his Bhatpara Assembly seat. I can assure you, he will lose his deposits," he said. The Bhatpara Assembly seat falls under the Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency, which is currently held by Trivedi. Mullick this evening held a meeting with TMC councillors of the Bhatpara Municipality, presently chaired by Singh, to ensure that they do not switch-over to the BJP. Singh was at loggerheads with Trivedi, a two-time MP from Barrackpore. He had even told Banerjee that renominating Trivedi from Barrackpore would affect the party's prospects in the election. But the Trinamool Congress chief went ahead and re-nominated Trivedi. Singh had expressed his anger against the TMC while speaking to reporters on Wednesday. Singh, once considered to be close to former CPI(M) MP from Barrackpore Tarit Baran Topdar, has been game-changer for the TMC in several elections, from panchayat polls to parliamentary battles, due to his local connections and strong booth management skills. Singh has influence over several Assembly seats in the North 24 Parganas district, which has a significant number of Hindi-speaking voters. Reacting to Singh's defection, Trivedi said it will not have any impact as he is confident of winning the elections for the third time. Senior Congress leader and MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told PTI that the TMC is getting the "dose of its own medicine". "It was the TMC which started this dirty game of poaching opposition MLAs in Bengal. Now, history is repeating itself. I would call it poetic justice," he said. A total of 17 MLAs of the Congress and three of the Left Front had switched-over to the TMC since the 2016 state polls. CPI (M) state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra said the TMC and the BJP are two sides of a same coin. "There is no difference in the brand of both the parties practice," Mishra said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A team of scientists from Philippines visited Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) here to explore the possibility of developing a joint research project in digital agriculture. The main focus of the visit was to discuss research collaboration between TNAU and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), on Remote Sensing-Based Information and Insurance for Crops in Emerging Economies (RIICE) and other international agriculture research initiatives. Tri D Setiyono, Cluster Leader, Geospatial Science & Modeling, IRRI, accompanied by Dr JS Prasad, Retd IRRI Scientist from Hyderabad, held a meeting recently with scientists from various departments in TNAU, a release said Thursday. Setiyono organised a Seminar on "Crop monitoring strategies through remote sensing and crop modeling" and interacted with scientists and students. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Traders' body CAIT Thursday said it will launch a national campaign to boycott Chinese goods "to teach a lesson to China" after Beijing once again blocked a bid in the UN Security Council to designate Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), which claims to represent seven crore traders, said that trade associations across the country will burn a "Holi of Chinese goods" on March 19, ahead of the festival. The bilateral trade between India and China rose by 18.63 per cent year-on-year and reached USD 84.44 billion in 2017. But the trade deficit with China continued to remain high at USD 51.75 billion during the year. The bilateral trade hit the historic high, notwithstanding bilateral tensions over a host of issues, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, China blocking India's efforts at UN to designate JeM leader Azhar a global terrorist, Beijing blocking India's entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Doklam standoff. For the fourth time, China blocked a bid in the United Nations (UN) Security Council to designate Azhar as a "global terrorist" by putting a technical hold on the proposal on Wednesday, a move India termed as disappointing. Now the time has come when China should suffer due to its proximity with Pakistan in terms of providing all kinds of assistance, including finance and such resources, which are used against India, CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said. CAIT also demanded the government levy customs duty of 300-500 per cent on the import of Chinese goods. In its national campaign, CAIT said, it will also rope in national organisations of transport, consumers, small industries, farmers, hawkers and other sections. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a JeM suicide bomber killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Donald Trump sharply criticized Britain's handling of negotiations over leaving the European Union, saying the talks have been bungled and that the debate was dividing the country. "I'm surprised at how badly it's all gone from the standpoint of a negotiation," he said Thursday. Trump, who holds himself up as a master deal-maker, said he had given Prime Minister Theresa May his ideas on how she could negotiate a successful deal for leaving the 28-member group of nations. But "she didn't listen to that and that's fine. I mean she's got to do what she's got to do," he said at the White House as he welcomed Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar for an early St. Patrick's Day celebration. "I think it could have been negotiated in a different manner, frankly," Trump said. "I hate to see it being, everything being ripped apart right now." Trump spoke hours before British lawmakers voted to delay Brexit for at least three months. Britain's exit from the EU had been scheduled for March 29. The motion commits May's government to seek an extension until June 30 if Parliament approves a U.K.-EU withdrawal deal next week. Trump predicted later Thursday that the situation eventually would work itself out. The president said he and Varadkar discussed the issue during their Oval Office meeting. Varadkar opposes Britain's EU exit and expressed concern about how such a move would affect Northern Ireland. "We talked about Brexit, something that's turning out to be a little more complex than they thought it would be," Trump said at an annual Capitol Hill luncheon for the Irish hosted by the House speaker. "But it'll all work out. Everything does. One way or the other, it's going to work out." Varadkar was returning to the White House for an evening reception and the presentation of a bowl of shamrocks to Trump. The openly gay prime minister and his partner, Matthew Barrett, started the day as the breakfast guests of Vice President Mike Pence, a conservative Christian who opposes gay rights. Trump was at the Capitol just hours before 12 GOP senators broke ranks and voted to reject his declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump had taken that step so he could spend money that lawmakers refused to give the administration specifically to build a wall there. The Democratic-run House, led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, voted last month to block the declaration. Pelosi used the luncheon to make a pointed plug for immigration after just she had just described the annual event as "a tradition where we dispense with our differences, whether they're political or whether they're competitive in any other way." Speaking about the contributions of Irish-Americans, Pelosi quoted Republican President Ronald Reagan as saying U.S. leadership would be lost "if we ever close the door to new Americans." Then she told the bipartisan luncheon: "You can applaud if you want. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump warned the European Union on Thursday of consequences that will be "severe economically" if Brussels fails to enter trade talks. The comments came after the European Parliament on Thursday failed to back the launch of trade talks with Washington, dealing an unexpected blow to efforts to avert a trade war. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on auto imports, which would hit German carmakers especially hard. Pursuing a trade deal was the central part of a truce agreed in July when Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker pledged no new tariffs following the US tariffs on steel and aluminum. "The European Union treats us very, very unfairly," Trump told reporters at the White House. "They're willing to talk to us. If they don't talk to us we'll do something that will be severe economically. We'll tariff a lot of their products coming in." But he added, "It will probably work out. They're negotiating." Juncker is working with the European Council on the parameters for negotiations with the United States. While the parliament only has an advisory role, the setback underlines deep transatlantic divisions: Washington insists the talks include agriculture, but the EU has steadfastly refused. Powerful Germany deeply wants the deal in order to placate Trump and avoid the auto tariffs that would punish the country's cherished exports, a prospect Chancellor Angela Merkel has labeled "frightening." France is dragging its feet, fearing that entering trade negotiations with Trump could fire up domestic opposition just months ahead of European elections, set for May 22 to 26. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Political circles here were agog with speculation on Thursday about senior BJP leader Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri's son Manish Khanduri joining the Congress and the party going to field him as its candidate from Pauri Lok Sabha seat currently held by his father. As per speculation doing the rounds, Manish Khanduri is likely to join the Congress at its forthcoming rally here on March 16 which will be addressed by party president Rahul Gandhi. However, party sources neither confirmed nor ruled out the possibility, saying there are several names and it will have to be seen which of them is finalised. When told about the possible development, BJP state president Ajay Bhatt said Manish Khanduri is not a party member and so it doesn't matter where he goes. However, Bhatt rubbished Congress claims about the likelihood of some BJP leaders joining the Congress at Gandhi's rally. "Not a single BJP leader is joining the Congress at its rally on March 16," he said. It will be Gandhi's first rally in Dehradun after the announcement of the Lok Sabha poll schedule. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In yet another day of hyper activity in the House of Commons, British MPs will return on Thursday to debate and then vote on delaying the March 29 Brexit Day deadline that was set in motion after the UK voted to leave the European Union (EU) in a referendum in June 2016. The latest vote follows a decisive rejection by Parliament on Wednesday night to rule out leaving the EU without any deal, in two separate votes. British Prime Minister Theresa May soldiered on amid a further blow to her leadership and told the Commons that leaving the 28-member economic bloc without any deal in place by March 29 remains the default option unless a new vote calls for a delay and then the EU accepts such an extension. Meanwhile, May will also make a third attempt to get her withdrawal agreement passed through, after it was rejected by huge margins in two previous votes in January and then again earlier this week. "If the House finds a way in the coming days to support a deal, it would allow the government to seek a short limited technical extension to Article 50 to provide time to pass the necessary legislation and ratify the agreement we have reached with the EU," May said in her Commons statement on Wednesday night. "But let me be clear, such a short technical extension is only likely to be on offer if we have a deal in place," she said, in a kind of ultimatum to MPs to reconsider their stance on voting for her Brexit deal with the "legally binding" changes to the controversial Irish backstop clause. She warned that Parliament will have to accept that, if it is not willing to support a deal in the coming days, and as it is not willing to support leaving without a deal on March 29, then it is suggesting that there will need to be a much longer extension to Article 50. Such an extension would require the UK to hold European Parliament elections scheduled for May, which she dismissed as not the "right outcome" as it would put Brexit itself in jeopardy. As things stand, MPs are set to vote on a government motion on Thursday evening seeking a one-off extension of the Article 50 Brexit mechanism until June 30. Among the amendments to be considered, the MPs will also decide whether to have a deal in place by March 20 so that the European Council at its meeting the following day can agree to the short extension. However, if May's deal fails to clear Parliament for a third time by next week, the chances are that the European Council will demand a much longer extension in order to work on alternatives. The Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which twice refused to back May's deal in the Commons over fears of the backstop dividing Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK, is due to hold talks with the government to see if a solution could be found allowing its MPs to support the PM in a future vote. A DUP spokesperson said they wanted to find "a sensible deal for the entire UK and one that works for our neighbours in the Republic of Ireland". Any breakthrough with the DUP could effectively translate into more support from hard-Brexiteers for May's controversial withdrawal agreement, which she insists remains the only viable option on the table as the Brexit deadline looms. On another dramatic night in Westminster on Wednesday, the Commons first voted on an amendment to reject the UK exiting the EU without a deal under any circumstances, by a margin of four. That meant the government's original motion which had stated that the UK should not leave the EU without a deal on 29 March was changed at the last minute. The development put Theresa May in a quandary as she had wanted to keep no-deal on the table beyond the March 29 deadline and ordered Conservative MPs to vote against the government's own motion. However, that move failed and resulted in a fresh Commons humiliation for May as her party members and ministers defied her orders, with some ministers abstaining instead of voting against the motion. The updated motion, to reject a no-deal Brexit under any circumstances, was passed by 321 to 278, a majority of 43. However, that vote is effective only if another vote calls for an extension and the EU agrees. "The legal default in EU and UK law is that the UK will leave without a deal unless something else is agreed. The onus is now on every one of us in this House to find out what that is," May told MPs through a lingering sore throat. Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has called for the Parliament to now take control of the Brexit process. The party has also withdrawn an initially declared plan of putting May's withdrawal agreement to the people through a second referendum and demanded a general election instead. Meanwhile, on the EU side, European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted he would "appeal to the EU27 to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it". A European Commission spokesperson said: "There are only two ways to leave the EU: with or without a deal. The EU is prepared for both. "To take no deal off the table, it is not enough to vote against no deal - you have to agree to a deal. We have agreed a deal with the Prime Minister and the EU is ready to sign it." All eyes continue to be on the House of Commons this week as MPs continue to muddle through the various permutations of Britain's exit from the EU. The one thing that now looks most likely is some sort of a delay to the the March 29 exit deadline. However, as has been the case throughout the Brexit negotiations process, no outcome can be ruled out until the very last minute. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) British lawmakers on Thursday voted to seek a delay to the March 29 deadline for the UK to exit the (EU) by 412 votes to 202, but rejected an amendment to the motion that sought to hold another referendum during the delayed period. British Prime Minister must now seek a one-off extension from the EU, initially until June 30, because according to the motion passed by the House of Commons any time-frame beyond that would mean the UK joining in the European Parliament elections scheduled for the end of May. May is now expected focus on pushing her controversial withdrawal agreement through for a last-ditch Commons vote next Tuesday, before she heads for a European Council meeting in Brussels on Wednesday to try and meet EU demands of a good enough reason to consider an extension to the Article 50 mechanism. "MPs have voted in favour of the government's motion to extend Article 50 and delay beyond March 29. The government will now seek permission from the EU to delay beyond this point," a government statement said. "The motion states that Article 50 will be extended until June 30, if MPs approve the Prime Minister's deal by March 20. If an agreement on a deal is not reached by the March 20, the government will seek a more substantial extension, but the EU would have to agree to this and set the terms," it added. In the lead up to the main vote on the motion seeking a Brexit delay from the EU, the MPs voted on a series of amendments tabled by different sections of the Commons in an attempt to influence the course of Brexit going forward. It began with an amendment by the newly-formed Independent Group MP Sarah Wollaston seeking a delay to Brexit for a new referendum, which was rejected emphatically by 334 votes against as opposed to 85 in favour. The UK had voted to leave the EU in a referendum in June 2016. Another key amendment was tabled by Opposition Labour Party MPs Hilary Benn and Yvette Cooper seeking to wrest control of the Brexit process from the Conservative Party led government with a vote designed "to enable the House of Commons to find a way forward that can command majority support". It was aimed at enabling Parliament to debate the next steps on Brexit next Wednesday but was defeated very narrowly by two votes 314 votes to 312 marking an important moral victory for May to keep control of Brexit. Yet another amendment, tabled by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, sought to reject May's strategy for the Brexit negotiations by seeking to "provide parliamentary time for this House to find a majority for a different approach", which also failed to pass with only 302 votes for and 318 votes against. A final complex vote, which sought to give Commons Speaker John Bercow the chance to block the British PM from bringing her twice-rejected withdrawal agreement back for a Commons vote next week, was pulled at the last minute, leaving the withdrawal agreement open to one last shot at a Parliament vote next week. The latest vote follows a decisive rejection by Parliament on Wednesday night to rule out leaving the EU without any deal, in two separate votes. Meanwhile, May will also make a third attempt to get her withdrawal deal pass through, after it was rejected by huge margins in two previous votes in January and then again earlier this week. "If the House finds a way in the coming days to support a deal, it would allow the government to seek a short limited technical extension to Article 50 to provide time to pass the necessary legislation and ratify the agreement we have reached with the EU," May told the Parliament on Wednesday night. "But let me be clear, such a short technical extension is only likely to be on offer if we have a deal in place," she said, in a kind of ultimatum to MPs to reconsider their stance on voting for her with the "legally binding" changes to the controversial Irish backstop clause. The Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which twice refused to back May's deal in the Commons over fears of the backstop dividing Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK, is due to hold talks with the government to see if a solution could be found allowing its MPs to support the PM in a future vote on her withdrawal. A DUP spokesperson said they wanted to find "a sensible deal for the entire UK and one that works for our neighbours in the Republic of Ireland". Any breakthrough with the DUP could effectively translate into more support from hard-Brexiteers for May's controversial withdrawal deal, which she insists remains the only viable option on the table as the Brexit deadline looms. Meanwhile, on the EU side, European Council President tweeted he would "appeal to the EU27 to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it". A spokesperson said: "There are only two ways to leave the EU: with or without a deal. The EU is prepared for both. To take no deal off the table, it is not enough to vote against no deal - you have to agree to a deal. We have agreed a deal with the Prime Minister and the EU is ready to sign it. The UN Secretariat has informed the members of the Security Council Sanctions Committee that "China has placed a hold on the proposal to list Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, just one hour before the deadline. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaida Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by the three Permanent Members of the Council, France, the UK and the US on February 27. More than a dozen member states had co-sponsored the proposal. A note by the UN Secretariat to the members of the 1267 ISIL and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, seen by PTI, said that "the Secretariat wishes to inform the members of the Committee that China has placed a hold on the proposal from the US, the UK and France to "add an individual, Mohammad Masood Azhar Alvi" to the ISIL and Al Qaida Sanctions List. The hold by China on the proposal will be valid for up to six months and it can be extended for another three months if a Committee member asks for additional time to consider the proposal. "Big,small & many...1 big state holds up, again ...1 small signal @UN against terror. Grateful to the many states - big & small - who in unprecedented numbers, joined as co-sponsors of the effort," Syed Akbaruddin, India's permanent representative at the United Nations, tweeted. In New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs expressed disappointment at the outcome, saying this has prevented action by the international community to designate the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a proscribed and active terrorist organisation which has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14. India said it was grateful for the efforts of the Member States who moved the designation proposal and the unprecedented number of all other Security Council members as well as non-members who joined as co-sponsors. After being moved in the Sanctions Committee, the proposal had been under the no-objection period and Committee members had a period of 10 working days to raise any objections to it. The no-objection period deadline was to end 3 pm Wednesday (12:30am IST). But at around 2 pm, just one hour before the expiry of the deadline, China informed the Committee it was putting a hold on the proposal. A UN diplomat told PTI that Beijing wanted "more time to examine" the proposal. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Unaccounted cash of over Rs 28 lakh was seized in Arunachal Pradesh during the past two days, including Rs 15.60 lakh from the state capital alone, police said Thursday. The wads of cash were seized from various checkpoints at Naharlagun, Itanagar and Nirjuli, in the run-up to the polls where the model code of conduct is in place. In East Siang district, Rs 10.72 lakh has been seized from various places, police sources said. Similarly, Rs 1.80 lakh was seized at Seppa, the headquarters of East Kameng district. Itanagar Superintendent of Police Tumme Amo said that police also seized eight guns, 15 live rounds of ammunition and 20 local doas in the state capital. The seized arms and ammunition were deposited at police station, Amo said adding, many posters and banners defacing the town and public properties were also removed by police. A meeting to discuss income tax surveillance was convened here Wednesday which was attended by Additional Director of income Tax (Investigation) Mridul Kumar Das, who is also the Nodal Officer (Income Tax) for North East India, state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Kaling Tayeng said. The meeting was also attended by IGP Sunil Garg, secretaries and directors besides deputy commissioners and SPs, Tayeng said. The state will go to simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls on April 11 and counting of votes will be held on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Responsible member-states of the Security Council may be forced to pursue other actions if China continues to block moves to designate Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, diplomats at the UN's principal organ have warned. They spoke on condition of anonymity to give a sense of the feeling of the other members of the Security Council after China on Wednesday put a technical hold on the proposal to designate Azhar as a global terrorist. China has in the past blocked India's bids to get Azhar listed as a UN-designated global terrorist thrice. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) killed 44 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. "If China continues to block this designation, responsible member-states may be forced to pursue other actions at the Security Council. It shouldn't have to come to that," a Security Council diplomat told PTI in an unusual tough warning to China. India has expressed disappointment over China's decision but said it will "pursue all available avenues" to bring to justice terrorist leaders involved in attack on Indians. "This is the fourth time that China has placed a hold on this listing. China should not prevent the Committee from doing the job the Security Council has entrusted it to do," another security council diplomat told PTI. "China's move to hold the listing is inconsistent with its own stated goals of combatting terrorism and furthering regional stability in South Asia," said the diplomat, requesting not to be named given that the deliberations of the UN sanctions committee are confidential, thus preventing member-countries from talking about it in public. The second diplomat also slammed Pakistan for depending on China to protect terrorist groups and leaders that operate from its soil. "Pakistan has quite often depended on China to protect it from the listing of Pakistan-based terrorist groups and individuals in the UN 1267 sanctions committee," the diplomat said. "The case for designating Masood Azhar the leader of a group the UN already calls an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organization is undeniable," the diplomat said. On Tuesday, the Trump administration said that Azhar meets the criteria to be designated as a "global terrorist" by the UN. "Our views on Jaish-e-Mohammad and its founder are well known. The JeM is a UN-designated terrorist group," State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino told reporters. "Azhar is the founder and the leader of the JeM, and he meets the criteria for designation by the United Nations. The JeM has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks and is a threat to regional stability and peace," Palladino said. The State Department referred to this statement on Wednesday when asked about the latest developments in New York. I would say that the United States and China share a mutual interest in achieving regional stability and peace, and that a failure to designate Azhar would run counter to this goal, Palladino said. Congressman Brad Sherman described the Chinese move as unacceptable. "Once again, China has blocked the UN from imposing sanctions on Masood Azhar, the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, which carried out the Pulwama attack in India in February. This is unacceptable," he said. "I urge Beijing to allow the UN to place sanctions on Azhar, the leader of a UN-recognized terrorist organization," Sherman said. Several American think-tank members slammed China for its decision to delay the Azhar listing. "Today, China doubled down on a very bad bet. It blocked yet another round of UN sanctions on Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar weeks after the group claimed credit for the deadliest terror attack in Kashmir," Jeff Smith from the Heritage Foundation said. "This one won't be undone by another romantic stroll through Wuhan," he said, referring to a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in April last year. "Not entirely unexpected, but nonetheless a slap to India's face after last month's bloody suicide-bombing in Kashmir. Also raises serious questions about the benefits of Modi's photo-op diplomacy with Xi Jinping," tweeted Sadanand Dhume from American Enterprise Institute. Jagdish Sewhani, the president of 'The American India Public Affairs Committee', said the decision of China is a blatant abuse of the veto power that it enjoys as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. "China today stands exposed as the only supporter of Pakistan's State sponsor of terrorism. We Indian-Americans have decided to hold peaceful demonstrations outside the Chinese embassy and consulates in the US and urges the people of Indian origin and friends of India across the world to do the same in their countries as well," he said. "We are planning to reach out to members of the Congress and the US government to bring to their notice the outrageous Chinese move in this regard. We urge the Trump administration to explore the possibilities of other measures inside the UN Security Council to designate Masood Azhar as a global terrorist," he said. Sewhani asked Indian Industrialists to say no to business with China. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Responsible member-states of the Security Council may be forced to take "other actions" if China continues to block moves to designate Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, diplomats at the UN's principal organ have warned. The senior diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity to give a sense of the frustration of the other members of the Security Council after China on Wednesday put a technical hold on the proposal to designate Azhar as a global terrorist. China has blocked four bids in 10 years to get Azhar, a blue-eyed boy of Pakistan's spy agency ISI, listed as a UN-designated global terrorist. Azhar masterminded many audacious attacks on India, including the 2001 Parliament strike and the recent Pulwama carnage in February that pushed both India and Pakistan to the brink of war. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. "If China continues to block this designation, responsible member-states may be forced to pursue other actions at the Security Council. It shouldn't have to come to that," a Security Council diplomat told PTI in an unusual tough warning to China, a close ally of Pakistan. India has expressed disappointment over China's decision but said it will "pursue all available avenues" to bring to justice terrorist leaders involved in attack on Indians. "This is the fourth time that China has placed a hold on this listing. China should not prevent the Committee from doing the job the Security Council has entrusted it to do," another Security Council diplomat told PTI. "China's move to hold the listing is inconsistent with its own stated goals of combatting terrorism and furthering regional stability in South Asia," said the diplomat, requesting not to be named, given that the deliberations of the 1267 Al Qaeda UN Sanctions Committee are confidential, thus preventing member-countries from talking about it in public. The second diplomat also slammed Pakistan for depending on China to protect terrorist groups and leaders that operate from its soil. "Pakistan has quite often depended on China to protect it from the listing of Pakistan-based terrorist groups and individuals in the UN 1267 sanctions committee," the diplomat noted. "The case for designating Masood Azhar the leader of a group the UN already calls an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organization is undeniable," the diplomat said. On Tuesday, the Trump administration said that Azhar meets the criteria to be designated as a "global terrorist" by the UN. "Our views on Jaish-e-Mohammad and its founder are well known. The JeM is a UN-designated terrorist group," State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino told reporters. "Azhar is the founder and the leader of the JeM, and he meets the criteria for designation by the United Nations. The JeM has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks and is a threat to regional stability and peace," Palladino said. The State Department referred to this statement on Wednesday when asked to comment on the latest developments at the United Nations. "I would say that the United States and China share a mutual interest in achieving regional stability and peace, and that a failure to designate Azhar would run counter to this goal," Palladino said. Congressman Brad Sherman described the Chinese move as unacceptable. "Once again, China has blocked the UN from imposing sanctions on Masood Azhar, the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, which carried out the Pulwama attack in India in February. This is unacceptable," he said. "I urge Beijing to allow the UN to place sanctions on Azhar, the leader of a UN-recognised terrorist organisation," Sherman said. Several American think-tank members slammed China for its decision to delay the Azhar listing. "Today, China doubled down on a very bad bet. It blocked yet another round of UN sanctions on Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar weeks after the group claimed credit for the deadliest terror attack in Kashmir," Jeff Smith from the Heritage Foundation said. "This one won't be undone by another romantic stroll through Wuhan," he said, referring to a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in April last year. "Not entirely unexpected, but nonetheless a slap to India's face after last month's bloody suicide-bombing in Kashmir. Also raises serious questions about the benefits of Modi's photo-op diplomacy with Xi Jinping," tweeted Sadanand Dhume from American Enterprise Institute. Jagdish Sewhani, the president of 'The American India Public Affairs Committee', said the decision of China is a blatant abuse of the veto power that it enjoys as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. "China today stands exposed as the only supporter of Pakistan's State sponsor of terrorism. We Indian-Americans have decided to hold peaceful demonstrations outside the Chinese embassy and consulates in the US and urges the people of Indian origin and friends of India across the world to do the same in their countries as well," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said the UPA government did not take adequate steps after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and that there would have been more deterrence against such terror strikes had it been proactive. Addressing the Delhi BJP workers, she asked them not to be affected by questions raised on the Balakot air strikes and urged them to be on the "offensive" rather than being "defensive" in dealing with the issue. The minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always talked about zero tolerance policy against terrorism. "Whatever had to be done after 26/11 Mumbai attacks was not done by the previous government. Had it been more proactive, there would have been more deterrence," she said. Attacking those questioning the IAF air strikes on terror camps in Balakot, Sitharaman said even during the time of Kargil war, Pakistan did not accept those people who laid down their lives for them and their bodies were buried in India as the neighbouring country did not even claim them. "You should not expect Pakistan to give proof or accept their terrorist centre was attacked by us. I am not citing any numbers, but you should not expect they will accept any numbers. They will never accept," she said. The BJP leader added even when 26/11 attacker Ajmal Kasab was caught red-handed, Pakistan never accepted that he was their national. On the Pulwama terror attack, she said the government waited for 10-12 days and after getting intelligence inputs that suicide bombers were set to launch attacks again, the air force struck their camps in Pakistan. "...we waited for 10-12 days for Pakistan to take action against terrorists, to get them to vacate their properties, to demolish their buildings, but they did nothing," she said. "They were not those camps that were close to the border, but those that were deep inside their territory and we attacked them. We had intel-based information and that is why we went. We did not go to wage a war," Sitharaman asserted. Hitting out at the Congress for attacking the BJP over the release of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar after the hijack of an Indian Airlines flight in 1999, she said the decision to free him was taken at an all-party meeting. She also questioned the previous governments for not taking any action against Azhar when he was lodged in jail in India from 1994-1999. "You tolerated that terrorist. There was an all-party meeting at the time of Kandahar hijack and it was decided that he would be freed to secure the release of more than 160 passengers who were on board the hijacked flight," the defence minister said. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been targeting the BJP and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval over the release of Azhar in 1999. On Tuesday, Gandhi ridiculed Doval by saying that he had "escorted" Azhar to Kandahar in a special aircraft in 1999. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A close aide to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani sparked a diplomatic spat with the United States by offering tough criticism of Washington's talks with the Taliban. The advisor, Hamdullah Mohib, on Thursday took particular aim at US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and his personal "ambitions" in Afghanistan. "We don't know what's going on. We don't have the kind of transparency that we should have," Mohib, Afghanistan's national security advisor, told some media during a visit to Washington. "The last people to find out are us." Mohib was "summoned" by the US undersecretary for political affairs, David Hale, who rejected the comments made by the Afghan official "criticizing the US approach to reconciliation," State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said. At issue are the direct talks between the US government and Taliban negotiators that began last summer in Doha. The latest round wrapped up Tuesday. After previous rounds of talks, Khalilzad typically travelled to Kabul to brief Afghan officials -- but not this time. On Tuesday, he came straight back to Washington. That raised hackles in the Afghan capital. Afghan officials are not taking part in the talks, as the Taliban insurgents have consistently refused to sit across the table from members of a government they consider to be a US puppet regime. Beyond Khalilzad's possible lapse in diplomatic decorum by not briefing Kabul, Mohib lambasted US intentions, in a rare outburst. "We like to hear that progress is made. But what is it?" Mohib said. "Our understanding is if there is a deal, it's a bad deal." On Tuesday, Khalilzad said "real strides" had been made but no agreement was reached on a timetable for a troop withdrawal. He spoke of an agreement "in draft" on the issues of counter-terrorism assurances from the Taliban and troop withdrawal, but stressed that nothing was finalized. For his part, Mohib said it was possible that the Taliban were simply trying to gain legitimacy in the eyes of the Americans after more than 17 years of war. As for Khalilzad, who was born in Afghanistan, Mohib recalled that the US envoy "wanted to run for president twice, in 2009 and 2014." "Knowing Ambassador Khalilzad's own history, personal history, he has ambitions in Afghanistan," he said. "The perception in Afghanistan, people in the government think that perhaps, perhaps all this talk is to create a caretaker government of which he will then become the viceroy," Mohib charged. "He is ostracizing, alienating a very trusted ally and partner. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Trump administration used an annual human rights report to call out on Wednesday over the October killing of U.S.-based journalist The State Department annual global human rights report said The Washington Post columnist was killed by agents of the kingdom, a close US partner, while he was inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. It drew no conclusion as to who was responsible, despite the belief of intelligence agencies and lawmakers that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the murder. The report noted Saudi Arabia's Public Prosecutor's Office indicted 11 suspects and said 10 people were under investigation but has not released more information. "At year's end the PPO had not named the suspects nor the roles allegedly played by them in the killing, nor had they provided a detailed explanation of the direction and progress of the investigation," it said. The report added that the murder was one of several instances in which "the government or its agents engaged in arbitrary or unlawful killings" and contributed to "an environment of impunity" in the country. It also cited a range of other human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia, including the arrest of at least 20 prominent women's rights activists, executions for nonviolent offenses, forced disappearances and torture of prisoners. The report noted some gains in the monarchy, including that women were allowed to vote and run as candidates in municipal elections for the first time. Khashoggi had been living in Virginia in self-imposed exile as he wrote columns critical of the Saudi government under the crown prince, the de factor leader. His killing caused tensions to soar between the U.S. and the kingdom, with members of Congress saying they believed the crown prince was behind the operation, an allegation the Saudi government has denied. President Donald Trump has been reluctant to place blame on a country that is central to his Middle East policy. In presenting the report, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US "will expose violations of human rights wherever they occur." He did not mention Saudi Arabia, but made clear the Trump administration will deal with foreign countries no matter how poor their rights record to advance national interests. "The policy of this administration is to engage with other governments, regardless of their record, if doing so will further US interests," Pompeo said. In addition to Saudi Arabia, the report pointed out abuses committed by NATO ally Turkey. Turkey arbitrarily arrested tens of thousands of lawmakers, lawyers and journalists for alleged terrorism ties or legitimate speech and did not look thoroughly into abuse allegations. "The government continued to take limited steps to investigate, prosecute, and punish members of the security forces and other officials accused of human rights abuses; impunity for such abuses remained a problem," the report said. Human rights groups lambasted the report as inadequate even with Pompeo's qualification that the administration must work to promote US national interests. The United States has voiced disappointment at the failure of Muslim nations to jointly take a stand against China's treatment of its Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang province. "We are, I can say, disappointed about the lack of response from members of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation), and the lack of outspoken concern," said US Ambassador Kelley Currie, who heads the State Department's Office of Global Criminal Justice. Currie was speaking to reporters ahead of a US-sponsored event at UN headquarters in Geneva focused on allegations of mass-internment of Uighurs in China's restive Xinjiang province. While she applauded Turkey for its recent strong criticism of China's treatment of its Muslim minorities, she said Washington had hoped the IOC would have collectively condemned the situation in Xinjiang as it has done regarding rights abuses against Muslims in Myanmar and Syria. A statement from OIC foreign ministers earlier this month failed to reflect concern about the situation, she said, describing this as "disappointing and frustrating". Her comments came as Washington released its annual human rights report, in which it maintained that China had "significantly intensified its campaign of mass detention of members of Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang". "Today, more than one million Uighurs, ethnic Kazakhs and other Muslims are interned in re-education camps designed to erase their religious and ethnic identities," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said as he introduced the report. During the event in Geneva, Currie and other speakers, including experts and an alleged former detainee in a Xinjiang re-education camp, made similar charges, eliciting a strong reaction from a Chinese diplomat in the room. "We strongly object to this anti-China side-event sponsored by the US mission," said the diplomat, who didn't give his name, charging that the event was "obviously driven by a political agenda". "There are no so-called concentration camps in Xinjiang," he said, reiterating Beijing's claims that it is combating separatism and religious extremism through vocational education. One of the speakers, Adrian Zenz, a China security expert at Germany's European School of Culture and Theology, meanwhile charged that China's so-called vocational training centres were "a mask for an unprecedented campaign of coercive social reengineering". "What we are witnessing in Xinjiang is nothing less than a systematic campaign of cultural genocide," he said, warning that other regions with large Muslim minorities could soon suffer a similar fate. Xinjiang "is like a testing ground", he told AFP. The event, which was also backed by Britain, Canada, Germany and the Netherlands, took place on the sidelines of the UN Human Rights Council and not before the main UN rights body itself. The administration of US President Donald Trump decided to slam the door on that council last year. One of the panellists, John Fisher, who heads Human Rights Watch's Geneva office, suggested Washington was partially to blame for the lack of broader international condemnation of the situation in Xinjiang. "One of the challenges is that the main state that has been willing to stand up to China in the past no longer engages with the Human Rights Council," he said. "There is a gap of leadership. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The USFDA has imposed Import Alert on the drugs being manufactured at a facility owned by Hospira Healthcare India, a Pfizer company, in Tamil Nadu after the regulator found lapses with regard to good manufacturing practice (CGMP) regulations during an inspection. "FDA placed your firm on Import Alert 66-40 on August 1, 2018. Until you correct all violations completely and we confirm your compliance with CGMP, FDA may withhold approval of any new applications or supplements listing your firm as a drug manufacturer," FDA said in a letter to the drug maker. The US Food and Drug Aadministration (USFDA) conducted inspection from March 27 to April 3, 2018. "The critical data integrity breaches identified in our inspection also raise serious concerns regarding the validity of all results reported by your quality control laboratory. We acknowledge your decision during the inspection to suspend release of drug products until the data integrity issues are thoroughly investigated," the regulator said. The multinational pharma major earlier in January said it planned to shut down its manufacturing units in Chennai and Aurangabad in the current fiscal due to "very significant long-term loss of product demand." The plants had been part of its acquisition of US-based Hospira in 2015. The methods, facilities, or controls for manufacturing, processing, packing, or holding do not conform to CGMP, and the drug products manufactured are adulterated within the meaning of section 501(a)(2)(B) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), 21 U.S.C. 351(a)(2)(B), the FDA said in its warning letter. Failure to correct these violations may also result in FDA continuing to refuse admission of articles manufactured at the plant into the United States, it added. The Irungattukottaiplant manufactures generic injectable cephalosporin, penems, and penicillin for the US, EU and rest of the world markets. It also produces branded Maxipime. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A "terrorist attack" ruptured storage tanks at a heavy oil processing plant in eastern Venezuela, Oil Minister Manuel Quevedo said Thursday, blaming the United States and opposition chief Juan Guaido. No casualties were reported in the incident that occurred late Wednesday at the Petro San Felix facility located on the outskirts of the Venezuelan city of Barcelona in which three tanks caught fire. Quevedo blamed Guaido, the head of Venezuela's opposition-ruled legislature and self-proclaimed interim president backed by 50 countries, accusing him of collusion with the United States. "There was a terrorist act that we denounce at an international level," Quevedo told state television network VTV. He singled out a US senator, Marco Rubio, whom Caracas considers to be a leading politician in the US policies against Maduro's government. On Twitter, the minister said Rubio "ordered more violence in Venezuela." Guaido and the opposition, he said, were "intensifying terrorist incursions" against the state-owned oil company PDVSA to impact Venezuela's vital crude exports. "Traitors!" he wrote, adding "the United States has decided to rob Venezuela of its oil resources... (and) wants blood to flow." Oil exports account for 90 per cent of Venezuela's export revenues. Production has long slid, crimped by years of under-investment and mismanagement. Stepped-up US sanctions have further trimmed exports. An unprecedented nationwide blackout that lasted nearly a week dealt further damage, affecting most of the one million barrels of oil a day Venezuela still manages to produce, according to the economic analysis firm Ecoanalitica. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior Congress leader M Veerappa Moily said on Thursday his party did not want the SP-BSP-RLD alliance to lose in Uttar Pradesh and that it may enter into an understanding with the 'ghatbandhan' in segments in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. He said the Congress has chosen to fight the polls in Uttar Pradesh, an electorally crucial state with 80 seats, on its own strength after the SP-BSP offered it only two seats. "For a national party like the Congress, we cannot take like that (the offer of only two seats). That is why we are putting up candidates," Moily told PTI in a telephonic interview. "And while putting up candidates, there may be seat understanding even without 'ghatbandhan'. You will see that trend. Wherever we (Congress) are interested...they (SP-BSP) are interested to defeat the BJP, there may be an understanding. "We do not want our (SP-BSP-RLD) 'ghatbandhan' people to lose. That kind of an understanding will take place between the Congress, BSP and SP," the former chief minister of Karnataka said. Asked if the Congress would support the SP-BSP-RLD alliance where his party was not strong in Uttar Pradesh, he said, "Yes, this understanding will take place during the elections." SP chief Akhilesh Yadav recently remarked that the Congress was very much in the SP-BSP-RLD alliance and two seats were being left for it. BSP supremo Mayawati had on March 12 announced that her party would not have an election tie-up with the Congress in any state. Meanwhile, Moily also claimed that there was "rethinking" in the party on not having an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi. "We are rethinking, why not to align (with AAP) keeping in mind the broader picture of opposition unity," he said. The Congress leader dismissed suggestions that the opposition unity was not happening at "desired levels" to take on the BJP-led NDA, saying pre-poll alliance was not possible in states such as Kerala. "We (Congress) are fighting against the Left parties in Kerala...pre-election unity is not possible at all (there). We are likely to be with them...Leftists in West Bengal, there the pre-election scenario is different. "All opposition parties are united against one common enemy -- that is the BJP," Moily said. Asked how many seats the Congress will win in the Lok Sabha elections, he said it would be "definitely 150-plus". He termed as "excellent" Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's first public speech in Ahmedabad on March 12 after assuming charge as Congress general secretary. "She has been taking a lot of interest in selection of candidates and also in canvassing; it (her entry into active politics) will definitely make Congress more strong," the former Union minister added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi Thursday hit out at Prime Minster Narendra Modi after China again blocked a UN resolution to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist, alleging that the PM was "weak" and "scared" of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Congress termed the development at the UN as a sad day in the fight against terrorism. India's bid to designate the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief as a global terrorist suffered a setback with China on Wednesday putting a technical hold on a proposal to ban him following the Pulwama terror attack. The party alleged that a "weak-kneed Modi government's failed jhoola (swing)- diplomacy' has hurt India's national interests" and that the BJP had let Azhar off the hook again. It also asked Modi what was the use of his "swinging" with Xi. Gandhi attacked the prime minister and said he has not spoken on China blocking the resolution in the UN Security Council (UNSC). "Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NoMo's China diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat. 2. Hug Xi in Delhi. 3. Bow to Xi in China," he said on Twitter. Slamming the government, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said it was a sad day in the fight against terrorism and asked Modi whether he will answer to the nation on why he became "maun Modi' (silent Modi)" when India's interests were being compromised. "China blocking Masood Azhar's designation as a global terrorist reaffirms China's position of being an inseparable ally of terrorism's breeding ground-Pakistan," he said. "Sadly, Modiji's foreign policy has been a series of diplomatic disasters," the party spokesperson said. He alleged that the current situation is an outcome of a "weak-kneed Modi government bending over backwards before China over the last five years". This has "culminated into the present state of things where the Chinese have blocked terrorist Azhar's declaration as an international terrorist, without any reason and only to please its ally Pakistan," Surjewala said. He alleged that Modi remained silent when China built a full-fledged military complex in Doklam only 10 metres from Indian Army posts and intruded into the Chicken Neck-Siliguri Corridor through south Doklam. China built the China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC), worth USD 54 billion, through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Balochistan to connect the Gwadar Port to China, but the BJP remained quiet, Surjewala alleged, claiming that the party was also silent on China mining on the border with Arunachal Pradesh and attempting to build tunnels. The Congress leader also asked why the prime minister was not questioning China on it upgrading an air base on the border with Sikkim. China opposes India's membership in the UN Security Council and recently it "firmly opposed" the prime minister's Arunachal Pradesh visit.It has violated Indian airspace in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh several times in the past five years, but Modi has been silent, he alleged. "With China having blocked our bid to designate Azhar a global terrorist, the question on every Indian's mind is, what was the use of all the swinging with Modi and President Xi," the Congress said on its official Twitter handle. The "terrorist responsible for such bloody murders is let off the hook again by the BJP," it claimed. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UNSC was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the JeM killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. The Congress has also been attacking the BJP over Azhar's release in the 1999 Kandahar hijacking case, with Gandhi asking Modi to tell the nation that it was a BJP-led government which released the terrorist from an Indian jail in that year. He has also alleged that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, a top intelligence official back then, had "escorted" Azhar to Kandahar where he was handed over to terrorists. Azhar and two other terrorists, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar and Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, were released from Indian prison in 1999 by the then BJP-led government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in exchange for the passengers held hostage on board IC-814 flight hijacked to Kandahar in Afghanistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court Thursday asked Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) why it was not providing details of procedure followed for poll expenses of elected members of the varsity's students' union before 2018. Justice Yogesh Khanna, who had earlier asked the JNU to apprise the court of the procedure followed in previous years, said, "You (varsity) have not brought what procedure was followed for last two years." The court was hearing a plea by Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union (JNUSU) challenging the varsity's decision to not notify the elected office bearers and barring them from performing their duties for not providing separate bills of their individual poll expenses. "You (varsity) are not notifying them, you are not allowing them to work. What is this going on," the court asked. The judge reserved the order on the point of whether to issue notice on the petition and said, "I am not saying anyone can bypass the Lyngdoh committee recommendations. Let's see what can be done in this peculiar situation." The JNU, represented by central government standing counsel Monika Arora and advocate Kushal Kumar, told the court that as per Lyngdoh committee recommendations poll expenses have to be furnished within 15 days of declaration of the results, but the JNUSU office bearers gave a collective bill of 19 candidates who had contested under one banner for different posts. "There was a clear notice by the university asking them to give the poll expenses. Reminder was also given to them. From the collective bill, we could not make out who spent how much. They said 19 candidates ran a combined campaign so they had spent together," Arora argued. She said the JNUSU office bearers never approached grievance redressal committee with their issues and they directly came to the high court which is wrong. When the court asked whether the university has any problem if the JNUSU is now asked to go to committee to resolve the issue, JNU counsel said its been nearly six months since the declaration of poll results. Senior advocate Akhil Sibal, representing the JNUSU and its office bearers, said the court had asked the varsity to come back with instructions on a certain point but they have come back with empty hands. He said the management had neither objected to in previous years when individual poll expenses were not provided nor nullified the elections and this is for the first time that they are asking for bills. When the court asked what is the procedure of nullifying the elections, the varsity's counsel said they have not nullified the polls, they have just not notified them. The court had earlier said that the matter should have been first placed before the grievance redressal committee. Instead, the Dean of Students took a decision in a meeting to not notify the elected office bearers and to bar them from attending meetings of various student committees and councils, the court observed. "How could the dean take a decision? It should have been placed before the grievance redressal committee first," the judge had said and added "you (JNU) should have followed the procedure you have laid down". JNUSU president N Sai Balaji and other office bearers, in the petition, have said that they are aggrieved by the "arbitrary and illegal acts" of the university and dean of students in illegally obstructing their participation in the various committees/councils set up under the JNU Act, 1966, statutes and ordinances citing the specious reason of non-issuance of the requisite notification. The petitioners are the elected office-bearers of the JNUSU for the academic year 2018-2019 and had won the elections conducted on September 14, 2018. The plea has sought a direction to JNU to declare the petitioners to be elected office bearers of JNUSU. It has also sought a declaration that the Dean of Students has no powers under the Lyngdoh Committee Recommendations to recognise/de-recognise/nullify the elections to JNUSU which are held annually at the university. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP Thursday hit back at Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, asking why he is in a celebratory mood whenever India is in pain, hours after he attacked the government over China blocking a UN resolution to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist. Earlier, Gandhi slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming he was weak and scared of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said,"Why is Rahul Gandhi in a celebratory mood when country stands failed by this attitude of China?" "Your tweet would be shown in the office of Jaish-e- Muhammad with much merry...I ask with great pain today that what is the Congress's commitment today to fight against terror," he said addressing a press conference. He said Gandhi's tweet must be headline in Pakistan. "You feel very happy seeing your in Pakistan," Prasad claimed. He said that if Gandhi has such good relations with China, why doesn't India benefit because of it. "As per your utterances, you enjoy a close relationship with China...when you went to Mansarovar, you said you are in touch with Chinese officials...so why could not you persuade China to take action Masood Azhar," he asked. Prasad said foreign policy is a sensitive subject and it cannot be determined on Twitter. "The Congress has ruled country for 55 years...so we expected that the party would have given you correct advice regarding foreign policy. Generally, there is one line among all political parties regarding foreign policy," Prasad added. The Congress chief attacked on Wednesday morning attacked the prime minister and said he had not spoken on China blocking the resolution in the UN Security Council. "Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India," he tweeted. "NoMo's China Diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat 2. Hug Xi in Delhi 3. Bow to Xi in China," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP on Thursday dubbed as "celebratory" chief Rahul Gandhi's remarks in which he attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he was "scared" of Chinese President Xi Jinping after Beijing blocked designation of JeM chief as global terrorist. The party also asked why he had not made any comment when had blocked the move on the same grounds in 2009 when the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government was in power. "Why is in a celebratory mood when the country stands pained with this attitude of China," BJP leader and Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told a press conference, claiming that Gandhi with his comments is seen to be "in close proximity with Azhar Masood". The BJP's reaction came after Gandhi questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on again blocking the UN resolution on Azhar. Gandhi had tweeted, "Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when acts against India. NoMo's China diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat. 2. Hug Xi in Delhi. 3. Bow to Xi in China." Prasad said India has tried to mend fences with China, an apparent reference to Modi's outreach to the country, but it will remain steadfast in its fight against terrorism. He noted that the proposal to list Masood as a global terrorist for the first time was backed by three permanent members of the UN Security Council and co-sponsored by other members and claimed that it was a big "diplomatic victory" for India as it showed that the world stands with it on its fight against terrorism. This is the fourth time that such a move was made in the UN and blocked by China on "technical" grounds, he said, adding that similar moves were also made in 2009, 2016 and 2017. Rahul Gandhi's tweets must be "headline news" in Pakistan be circulated in JeM office with much merry, Prasad said, adding that it will perhaps make him happy. The Union minister said Gandhi had spoken about meeting Chinese ministers and that the Chinese embassy in India had wanted to see him off- permission for which was denied by the Indian government- when he flew for his Mansarovar pilgrimage last year. "If you enjoy such good relations with China, then you should have used your proximity to persuade the country to back the proposal in the UN," he said, attacking Gandhi. Quoting from a book, Nehru- The invention of India, written by MP Shashi Tharoor, Prasad said it has been written that India's first prime minister played a role in China becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council. India under Modi will continue to fight a decisive battle against terrorism, he asserted, adding that the BJP is "pained" if the and Gandhi are happy with the Chinese action. "India and Indians are hurt with the Chinese decision," he said. Foreign policies are not run from Twitter, the BJP leader said, targeting Gandhi over his response on the issue. Yellow Tie Hospitality is planning to open 60 outlets of various restaurant brands under its portfolio in India by the end of 2019, a top company official said Thursday. Currently, the company has 50 operating outlets across over 15 cities in India. "We plan to add 60 more operating outlets in India by the end of this year, taking our total number to 110 outlets," Yellow Tie Hospitality Founder Chief Executive Officer Karan Tanna told PTI. The company manages successful restaurant brands through efficient franchising management, he added. "For the new restaurants that we will be opening this year, apart from deepening our presence in the locations we are already present, we are looking at places such as Varanasi, Udaipur, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Indore, Nagpur, Nashik and Kochi, among others," Tanna said. The company currently has 12 brands including Genuine Broaster Chicken, Dhadoom, Umraan Regional, Billboard, Wrapchic, Teddy's, Wok This Way, Just Falafel, Chachago, Twist of Tadka, BB Jaan and Bombay Blue in its portfolio under the franchise model, he added. "Bombay Blue was recently acquired by us from Everstone Capital. We have also launched a restaurant incubation centre," Tanna said. The company will also soon launch its new brand 'Yellow Food District' and is entering the food court management segment, especially in greenfield projects and in tier-II and tier-III cities, he added. The first exclusive Yellow Tie branded food court will be launched in Sonipat in April, Tanna said. The company also has a big research and development centre in Mumbai, and its focus is on standardisation of food across all the outlets, he added. When asked about investments the company plans to make for the expansion, Tanna said: "Our investments are mainly on brand building, software, raw material supply, menu engineering, training and marketing." Founded in 2015, Yellow Tie Hospitality is also planning to enter foreign market going forward. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bangladesh's jailed former prime minister Khaleda Zia on Thursday filed a plea in the Supreme Court, challenging a High Court verdict that enhanced her punishment to 10 years imprisonment from five years in a corruption case. In the petition, Zia, 73, prayed to the apex court to suspend her punishment and grant her bail in the Zia Orphanage Trust Corruption case. The Appellate Division is yet to fix any date for hearing the petition. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party chief is serving a 10-year term in a special structure of the old Dhaka Central Jail. Her party suffered a miserable defeat in the December 30 elections bagging only six seats in 300-seat parliament. The ex-premier's conviction on a charge of moral turpitude debarred her from contesting the polls. "The lower court sentenced Zia to five years in jail in the case, but the High Court passed an order doubling the jail term in the case (and) therefore we filed the appeal seeking stay order on effectiveness of her punishment and her bail," Zia's lawyer Kaisar Kamal told newsmen. The lawyer claimed that the High Court unfairly, unjustly and unreasonably enhanced Zia's punishment while she did not commit any corruption. Zia landed in jail after a court on February 8 last year gave her a five-year prison term on charges of embezzling foreign donations meant for an orphanage, named after her husband and BNP's founder slain president Ziaur Rahman, during her 2001-2006 premiership. Following a petition filed by Anti-corruption Commission, the High Court on October 30 last year increased the punishment of Zia to 10 years imprisonment from five years in the graft case. Zia facing several other pending criminal and graft charges as well and legal process are underway to initiate her trial in those cases as well. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The government has released pending dues of Rs 171 crore to cash-strapped Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) for paying outstanding salaries to its employees for the month of February, a senior official said. While, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will use its internal accruals to clear salary dues of around Rs 850 crore by March 20. The state-owned telephone operators had failed to pay salaries to their employees for the month of February, according to employees'representatives. BSNL Chairman and MD Anupam Shrivastava said the company was envisaging internal accruals of around Rs 850 crore this month which would all be used to disburse pending salaries to employees. BSNL has 1.76 lakh employees across India and MTNL has around 22,000. Also Read: Govt releases Rs 171 cr pending dues to MTNL for paying salaries to employees "There will be no pending amount following this disbursal," Shrivastava told PTI. BSNL has informed its employee representatives that the salaries will be paid by March 20. BSNL spokesperson Sanjay Kumar Sinha said "the salaries of BSNL employees in Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala and BSNL Corporate office (excluding senior officers and board members) have already been released." A senior Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said that MTNL has been granted Rs 171 crore on March 12 as part of an internal settlement. Both BSNL and MTNL have been ailing owing to the decisions taken by the government in the past due to high revenue to debt ratio as a large number of DoT employees have been transferred to these PSUs and the allocation of expensive spectrum for mobile services without giving them any choice. Also Read: BSNL fails to pay salaries for the first time; 1.76 lakh employees affected As a result, both companies have approached the government for relief and partial equity investment in line with industry practice to be able to compete in the highly competitive Indian telecom market. The PSUs have south permissions from the government to monetise their land assets as well as support for the voluntary retirement scheme for its employees. MTNL is anticipating that asset monetisation and other measures can help it a great deal to pare its debt of around Rs 19,000 crore. BSNL with the lowest debt of Rs 14,000 crore amongst all telecom operators has sought 4G spectrum across India through equity infusion of Rs 7,000 crore to help it compete in the market. Also Read: BSNL gives missed calls to its employees Online insurance startup Acko General Insurance has raised $65 million from Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal, RPS Ventures led by Kabir Misra (former Softbank Managing Partner), and a new investor Intact Ventures which is the corporate venture arm of Canada's largest property and casualty insurer Intact Insurance, it announced in a release on Wednesday. The general insurance company got the funding in its Series C round that also saw participation from existing investors such as Amazon, Accel Partners, SAIF Partners and TechPro Ventures which is the family office of Hexaware founder Atul Nishar. Avendus Capital was the advisor to Acko in this deal. Also Read: Flipkart CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy bets on B2B space with Moglix With this latest round of fund infusion, Acko's total funds raised now stand at $107 million. The amount invested by Binny Bansal is reportedly to the tune of $25 million. The online insurance startup had also raised $12 million in 2018 in Series A funding led by Amazon. The company in 2017 had raised $30 million - one of the highest seed funding in the Indian startup ecosystem from Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan, Narayanan Murthy's Catamaran Ventures, Accel Partners and SAIF Partners. "We are excited to put the company on a rapid growth trajectory with this round of funding. Insurance is a capital-intensive sector and as we grow, we will be raising more capital in compliance with the guidelines of the regulator," Acko founder Varun Dua said in a release. Also Read: Flipkart co-founder Sachin Bansal invests Rs 650 crore in Ola "Technology-led insurance is expected to play a significant role in the growth of the underpenetrated insurance sector in India. Acko is the pioneer of digital-native insurance and I am delighted to partner in its exciting growth journey," Binny Bansal too stated. The insurance startup was founded by Dua in 2016 offering insurance products to digital savvy customers. A major fire incident late Wednesday evening at an oil well of ONGC at Nandej near Ahmedabad claimed two contractual workers' lives and left four others severely injured, the oil and gas firm said in a statement Thursday. "While Sanjay Mahendra Singh, 25, was brought dead, Shahjad Alam Ansari, 27, succumbed to the injury at 0700 hours today. Four other contractual workers who were afflicted with severe burn injuries are being treated at a nearby hospital in Ahmedabad," ONGC said. The fire broke out at around 8:30 Thursday evening, while the contractual workers were carrying out repair and maintenance work over Rig Akash 4. Nine fire tenders were rushed to the site and were able to extinguish the fire by 9:20 pm. Also Read: Government pushes IOC, ONGC to pay second interim dividend after facing revenue shortfall "Unfortunately, two contractual workers have lost their lives in the incident. While Sanjay Mahendra Singh, 25 brought dead, Shahjad Alam Ansari, 27 succumbed to the injury at 0700 hours today. Four other contractual workers who were afflicted with severe burn injuries are being treated at a nearby Hospital in Ahmedabad," the ONGC said in its release. The reason why the fire broke out is yet to be ascertained. Meanwhile, the company has said that it will provide all possible support to the bereaved families as well as those injured in the incident as per its policy. Also Read: ONGC Q3 net profit jumps 65% to Rs 8,263 crore; board announces interim dividend "The senior officers from ONGC Ahmedabad Asset including Asset Manager, Crisis Management Team, HSE( Health, Medical, and Environment) Security and Medical services had immediately rushed to the spot to take all possible measures to bring the fire under control," the ONGC said in its statement. It further added that the state administration including police and fire services rendered all their support to bring the situation under control. The Supreme Court on Thursday gave former Fortis promoters, Manvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh, two weeks to think about their plans to pay Rs 3,500 crore to Daiichi Sankyo as part of an arbitration award passed against them by a Singapore tribunal. The Singh brothers appeared before a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi in a case filed by the Japanese drugmaker to explain the sale of Fortis Healthcare to IHH and the arbitration award case. During the hearing, senior lawyer Fali S Nariman, who was representing Daiichi, said that while Malvinder claimed he was trying to pay off all debts, Shivinder had become a ''sadhu" (a sage). "It is not about individual honour but it doesn't look good for the country's honour. You were the flag bearers of the pharmacare industry and it doesn't look good that you are appearing in court," the bench, also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, said. The bench further asked the Singh brothers to appear before it on March 28 and submit the payment plan. The bench said that "hopefully it will be the last time you are appearing in the court". Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh had lost an appeal filed before a Singapore court in Daiichi Sankyo arbitration case in December 2018 where they had argued against the $500 million (Rs 3,500 crore) arbitration award against them. The High Court of Singapore had dismissed the plea to stay a Singapore tribunal arbitration award in favour of Japanese pharmaceutical major and reserved its verdict. Back in 2016, the Singapore International Arbitration Centre had ordered the Singh brothers to pay $500 million for concealing information about alleged suppression of facts at Ranbaxy Laboratories when its shares were sold to Daiichi Sankyo for $4.6 billion in 2008. The case involved some 20 Ranbaxy shareholders who had sold a controlling stake in the multi-national pharmaceutical company to Daiichi. ALSO READ: Singh brothers fight in the open; Malvinder says younger brother Shivinder physically assaulted him ALSO READ: The Baba, Singh Brothers and the Squandered Rs 225,00,00,00,000 Expressing concerns over "political interference" in statistical data in India, as many as 108 economists and social scientists on Thursday called for restoration of "institutional independence" and integrity of statistical organisations. Their appeal comes against the backdrop of controversy over revision of gross domestic product (GDP) numbers and withholding employment data by the NSSO. They said that for decades, India's statistical machinery enjoyed a high-level of reputation for the integrity of the data it produced on a range of economic and social parameters. "It (statistical machinery) was often criticised for the quality of its estimates, but never were allegations made of political interference influencing decisions and the estimates themselves," they said in an appeal. They have appealed to all professional economists, statisticians and independent researchers to come together to raise their voice against the tendency "to suppress uncomfortable data" and impress upon the government to restore access and integrity to public statistics and re-establish institutional independence. The signatories include Rakesh Basant (IIM-A), James Boyce (University of Massachusetts at Amherst, US), Emily Breza (Harvard University, US), Satish Deshpande (Delhi University), Patrick Francois (University of British Columbia, Canada), R Ramakumar (TISS, Mumbai), Hema Swaminathan (IIM-B) and Rohit Azad (JNU). Commenting on the statement, P C Mohanan, who resigned as acting chairperson of the National Statistical Commission, said that it is a timely message and political parties should take notice of sentiments expressed by the economists. "The message is very timely and relevant in the backdrop of the recent issues and the concerns expressed by these eminent people...It is important that political parties take notice of this,"Mohanan told PTI. The economists and social scientists said it is imperative that the agencies associated with collection and dissemination of statistics like the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) are not subject to political interference and their work, therefore, enjoys total credibility. "Lately, the Indian statistics and the institutions associated with it have, however, come under a cloud for being influenced and indeed even controlled by political considerations," the statement said. Citing an instance wherein the CSO revised upward GDP growth estimates for 2016-17 (the year of demonetisation) by 1.1 percentage points to 8.2 per cent, the highest in a decade, they said: "This seems to be at variance with the evidence marshalled by many economists". The statement also expressed concern over withholding of Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) of NSSO and news reports that the PLFS of 2017-18 will be scrapped altogether by the government. Two members of the National Statistical Commission (NSC), including the acting chairman, subsequently resigned because they felt the NSSO was delaying the release of the report, though the NSC itself had officially cleared it, they added. The 108 experts, from across the globe, further said that in fact, any statistics that cast an iota of doubt on the achievement of the government seem to get revised or suppressed on the basis of some questionable methodology. "This is the time for all professional economists, statisticians, independent researchers in policy regardless of their political and ideological leanings to come together to raise their voice against the tendency to suppress uncomfortable data..." they said. The experts also called for impressing upon the government authorities, current and future, and at all levels, to restore access and integrity to public statistics, and re-establish institutional independence and integrity to the statistical organisations. The reputation of India's statistical bodies in the country and globally is at stake, they added. ALSO READ: India's unemployment rate hit four-decade high of 6.1% in 2017-18, says NSSO survey ALSO READ: NSSO report citing unemployment rate at 45-year high not final, says Niti Aayog After China blocked India's bid to declare Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist, netizens are calling for a boycott of Chinese products in India. China is one of the biggest trading partners of India and exports everything from mobile phones to cosmetics. Many Indian Twitter users are saying China should be taught a lesson for supporting Pakistan. Rajya Sabha member Subramanian Swamy, in his tweet, said India was paying the price of gifting UNSC seat to China in 1950. "The cost of freeing Azharin 1999 is now haunting us. The cost of gifting UNSC seat to China in 1950 is haunting us today," he said. The.cost of freeing Azharin 1999 is now haunting us. The cost of gifting UNSC seat to China in 1950 is haunting us today. The cost of filing an illegal petition in UN on J&K is bleeding us everyday. Learn to introspect before blaming others. There are no free lunches - Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) March 14, 2019 A Twitter user urged people to use products from any country apart from China. "Buy Samsung Mobile or Indian brands' smartphones and other goods instead of Chinese ones. At least this we can do to show our protest against China's anti-India attitude," he tweeted. "My humble request to every Indian. We must retaliate on China for this act... every rupee will be saved by this act will be your contribution to nation and tribute to our soldiers," tweeted another user. Another user urged the Indian government to recognise Tibet and Taiwan as independent countries immediately to retaliate China's reluctance on Masood Azhar. China blocks India's bid to designate JeM Chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist in the United Nations Security Council 1267 list. pic.twitter.com/rtQJQqNOWj - ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2019 However, some users said people it would be difficult to avoid Chinese products completely. "Irony is this hashtag (#BoycottChineseProducts) trend will be done from Chinese made mobile phone. No country on earth can afford to ban Chinese products as of today," said a user. Another user said rather than becoming "keyboard warriors", people should show real patriotism and stop using Chinese mobile phones. "Hold on guys, throw your Oppo smartphones first...ask your players not to wear Chinese company sponsored T-shirts." Some people sought more clarity on how they could boycott the Chinese products and what the government could do to prevent the sale of such products in India. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. India expressed disappointment soon after China put a technical hold on designating Azhar, but said India would continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that leaders of terror groups involved in heinous attacks on Indian citizens are brought to justice. Edited by Manoj Sharma Also read: Ban Chinese goods: Can India do to China what China does to other countries? Talking on 'India's World: Modi Government's Foreign Policy', External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has said India can only have good bilateral relations with Pakistan if it takes action against terror outfits burgeoning on its soil. She said, "Why did the Pakistani military attack us on behalf of JeM? You not only keep JeM on your soil, but fund them and when the victim country retaliates, you attack it on the terror outfit's behalf". "If Imran Khan (Pakistan prime minister) is so generous and a statesman, he should give us Masood Azhar", she said. "The foreign policy of the current government was based on national interests was based on national interests", said the External Affairs minister. Menawhile, the Congress party slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his foreign policies after China used its veto power in blocking the designation of JEM Chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist. She stated India could not have good bilateral relations with Pakistan if its army and ISI were bent on destroying the relations time and again. Asserting that "talks and terror cannot go together", she said India could not have a dialogue with Pakistan if they did not act upon the terror groups on its soil. "We do not want talk on terror, we want action on it. Terror and talks cannot go together", she said. Recently, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj was invited as the 'Guest of Honour' to attend the foreign minsters' meet of the Organisation of Islamic Corporation (OIC) States, in Abu Dhabi. In a major diplomatic victory to India, she stated how every religion dictates love and compassion and not terrorism or violence. "The fight against terrorism is not a confrontation against any religion. It cannot be. Just as Islam literally means peace, none of the 99 names of Allah mean violence . Similarly, every religion in the world stands for peace, compassion & brotherhood", the External Affairs Minister had said. (Edited by: Nehal Solanki) Also read: No dialogue with Pakistan before action on terror outfits: Swaraj The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections are likely to happen ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra beginning July 1, according to a report. "The general consensus is that the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections can be held with adequate security deployments before this year's Amarnath Yatra which begins on July 1," sources told IANS. The sources further said, "There has been a re-thinking on holding the state Assembly polls. Three observers appointed by the Election Commission (EC) are arriving here today (Thursday)." The sources also added that the team will meet political parties' representatives, district level officers, the Chief Secretary of the State and the Director General of Police. Also Read: No Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir now, only Parliamentary polls: CEC Sunil Arora The EC visit to Jammu and Kashmir is taking place just five days after the Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora announced that the Assembly polls will not be held along with the Lok Sabha polls slated to happen in five phases in the state. The sources stated that during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik in New Delhi, it was decided that the security concerns of the state could be addressed after the voting ends on May 19. All political parties except Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have criticised the decision to delay the Assembly polls blaming the government for deliberately doing it as "it is enjoying power through bureaucracy in J&K." Also Read: Lok Sabha Election 2019: Election to be held in 7 phases, results to be declared on May 23 Former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took to Twitter to lambast Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that he had "consciously disenfranchised" the people of the state by not holding the two elections simultaneously. Dear @narendramodi Sahib, it is good to see you appealing to famous people to increase voter turnout however at the same time your government has consciously disenfranchised people in J&K by not holding Assembly elections on time. - Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 13, 2019 The EC had on March 10 announced the dates for Assembly polls in four states, however, it did not give any dates for J&K on account of security reasons which was also denounced by People's Democratic Party Chief Mehbooba Mufti, who labeled the decision as a sign of the Union government's "sinister designs". In a setback to the Congress party, senior leader Tom Vadakkan joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday. He was officially inducted to the party in presence of Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Tom Vadakkan said he was not happy with the way Rahul Gandhi-led party reacted after the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. He said he was left with no option to leave the party after its position on the terror attack. "I left Congress party because when Pakistani terrorists attacked our land, my party's reaction to it was sad, it hurt me deeply," he said. After the Election Commission announced the poll schedule, both the Congress and BJP have officially launched their poll campaigns, with Rahul Gandhi doing several rallies in Kozhikode today. Catch all the live updates on Lok Sabha elections 2019 at BusinessToday.In live blog. 7.46pm: Election Commission of India debriefed the Observers that are going to be going to be deployed during the upcoming 2019 Lok Sabha elections and other state assembly elections. These officers will be appointed as General, Police and Expenditure Observers. 6.29pm: Over 10 opposition parties have moved the Supreme Court requesting that 50 per cent votes are verified by paper trials before the results of 2019 Lok Sabha elections are declared. 6.27pm: Political worker Ismail Wani shot by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, reported ANI. He has been admitted in a hospital in Srinagar. 5.40pm: Congress and JD(S) to adopt give-and-take policy for seat sharing in Karnataka during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, says Siddaramaiah. 5.00pm: A team of Election Commission officials is set to visit West Bengal, Tripura, Assam and Manipur from March 16-19 to review poll preparedness in these states. 3.55pm: NCP announces first list of candidates for Lok Sabha Elections 2019. NCP announces a list of candidates for #LokSabhaElections2019 including Supriya Sule from Baramati, Sanjay Dina Patil from Mumbai North East, Anand Paranjpe from Thane, Sunil Tatkare from Raigad. Mohammad Faisal from Lakshwadeep. - ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 3.50pm: We don't want SP-BSP-RLD 'ghatbandhan' to lose in Uttar Pradesh in the upcoming Lok sabha elections, says Congress Veerappa Moily. 3.45pm: Mayawati cautioned partymen that the BJP will 'use all tricks' to win the elections. She also said to keep an eye the EVMs to her party workers. 3.40pm: The decisions taken at the meeting will be carried forward after discussions with the top leadership of alliance partner Samajwadi Party. 3.35pm: Ahead of Lok Sabha election, Mayawati gives final touches to list of BSP candidates. BSP president Mayawati held a meeting with important district and divisional level leaders in Uttar Pradesh. 3.30pm: 'Till now he used to 'abuse' PM Modi'- After Tom Vadakkan joined the BJP, the Congress dismissed his criticism of the party saying that till now he used to 'abuse' Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 3.15pm: SP-BSP to have joint election rallies during the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. In Uttar Pradesh, SP-BSP will have joint election rallies during the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, said former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav Read @ANI story | https://t.co/wKTNn779ev pic.twitter.com/w7Z7MgWueo - ANI Digital (@ani_digital) March 14, 2019 3.05pm: 'Dynastic politics has reached its zenith in Congress,' says Tom Vadakkan. 3.00pm: In an apparent attack on party chief Rahul Gandhi's leadership of the Congress, Vadakkan said he gave the party two years of his life but it has now resorted to a practise of "use and throw". 2.55pm: The BJP may field Vadakkan in the Lok Sabha elections from a seat in Kerala, reported by PTI. 2.34pm: "If a political party takes such a position that is against the country then I'm left with no option but to leave the party," says Tom Vadakkan. Tom Vadakkan: I left Congress party because when Pakistani terrorists attacked our land, my party's reaction to it was sad, it hurt me deeply. If a political party takes such a position that is against the country then I'm left with no option but to leave the party. pic.twitter.com/8oZYoFRGx4 - ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 1.32pm: Bihar BJP election committee is ogranising a meeting in Patna. 1.00pm: Trinamool Congress MLA Arjun Singh (in center) joins Bharatiya Janata Party. The seat-sharing deal between grand alliance members in Bihar has been "almost finalised" and the Congress is likely to contest 11 seats in the state, sources said. Intensive negotiations were held among grand alliance constituents here as top leaders of the formation sought to settle the issue of seat-sharing for the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state. "The seat-sharing deal has been almost finalised. The RJD has agreed on 11 seats for the Congress," a senior Congress leader said on condition of anonymity. All parties in the grand alliance will be given full respect and the decision would be announced in the next few days, the leader said. The RJD will get the lion's share of seats - about 20, sources said. The general election is scheduled to begin on April 11 and will continue till May 19. Polling on the different seats will be held in Bihar in seven phases. The 'mahagathbandhan', as the grand alliance is called, comprises old allies like the Congress and the RJD, besides new entrants such as Upendra Kushwaha's RLSP, Jitan Ram Manjhi's Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), Sharad Yadav's Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) and the Vikashsheel Insaan Party (VIP), a fledgling outfit floated by former Bollywood set designer Mukesh Sahni. The RJD had fought 27 seats in the 2014 general elections, though it managed to win only four. Also read: Lok Sabha elections 2019: PM Modi urges top politicians, Bollywood celebrities, business leaders to strengthen voter awareness Also read: 2019 Lok Sabha elections: 5 things Election Commission has introduced for free and fair polls A tea stall in Pakistan is cashing in big time on IAF pilot Abhinandan's popularity to attract customers. A poster of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman with a special message in Urdu saying 'Aisi Chai Ki Dushman Ko Bhi Dost Banaye' (Tea so fine, it makes even an enemy a friend) at this tea vendor's booth somewhere in Pakistan has gone viral on social media with netizens going gaga across social media platforms. This Pakistani uncle has got some serious marketing skills. The small roadside tea stall has a banner with the following text: 'Khan's Tea Stall - A tea that makes foes turn into friends' with the image of Indian Air Force pilot #Abhinandan - #IAF pic.twitter.com/ldQVG6brI7 - Wajahat Kazmi (@KazmiWajahat) March 12, 2019 Marketing level : Tea is fantastic Fantastic #Abhinandan #PakistanZindabad pic.twitter.com/chKgTnRn9Q - (@kabariawala) March 12, 2019 This self-promotion of a Pakistani tea seller to boost his profits manifests the interest the IAF pilot has generated amongst people in the two countries. Social media user are also marveling at the vendor's marketing skills. The picture on the poster is a grab from one of the videos of IAF pilot Abhinandan where he is sipping on some tea after being captured by Pakistani army. He thanks the army officials for the hot tea. Also Read: Ejection from a fighter jet: What are the risks? Abhinandan was captured from Horra'n village (barely 7 Kms from the LoC) in Bhimber district of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) after ejecting from his jet which caught fire in a dogfight with Pakistani fighters on February 27. The Wing Commander was released two days after being held in captivity. Also Read: IAF pilot Abhinandan choked, beaten, sleep deprived as Pakistan tried to extract sensitive info: report In yet another attempt to shield terrorists based in Pakistan, China has blocked India's bid to declare Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist for the fourth time. This has happened despite India's huge diplomatic pressure to ban the JeM chief, who is the mastermind behind the ghastly suicide bomb attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 44 CRPF jawans dead. After the February-14 Pulwama terrorist attack, the US, the UK and France had moved the United Nations (UN) to declare Masood a global terrorist on February 27. However, China has again chosen to side with its "all-weather friend" Pakistan, citing it wanted a solution (of the conflict in J&K) "acceptable to all". Countries all over the world had supported India's fight against terrorism after the Pulwama attack, following which 11 countries had co-sponsored the move to ban his organisation. Except China, all member countries of the UNSC had supported the move. India had also got support from all the European countries in the Security Council and four other prominent nations outside the UNSC. The signals from Beijing were that they are "consistent" on their position and they wanted a solution "acceptable to all". It was becoming clear which way they were headed, reported India Today. Meanwhile, India has expressed "disappointment" over China's move to rally behind those are spreading terror activities in India. "We are disappointed by this outcome. This has prevented action by the international community to designate the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a proscribed and active terrorist organization which has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 14 February 2019", said a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. The government also supported the countries that came out in India's support after the terrorist attack. "We are grateful for the efforts of the Member States who moved the designation proposal and the unprecedented number of all other Security Council members as well as non-members who joined as co-sponsors", said MEA statement. The government said it would continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who were involved in heinous attacks in India were brought to justice. Though Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, after the Pulwama attack, had vouched for peace and stability in the region, he seems to have shied away from taking the first step that could have shown the country's seriousness to fight terrorism. "Big, Small & Many...1 big state holds up, again ...1 small signal @UN against terror. Grateful to the many states - big & small - who in unprecedented numbers, joined as co-sponsors of the effort," Syed Akbaruddin, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, in a tweet said. In 2009, India moved a proposal by itself to designate Azhar. In 2016 again India moved the proposal with the P3 - the United States, the United Kingdom and France in the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee to ban Azhar, also the mastermind of the attack on the air base in Pathankot in January, 2016. In 2017, the P3 nations moved a similar proposal again. However, on all occasions China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, blocked India's proposal from being adopted by the Sanctions Committee. An assets freeze under the Sanctions Committee requires that all states freeze without delay the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of designated individuals and entities. The travel ban entails preventing the entry into or transit by all states through their territories by designated individuals. Under the arms embargo, all states are required to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale and transfer from their territories or by their nationals outside their territories to the designated individuals and entities. Manoj Sharma with agency inputs Also read: Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar is alive: Pakistani media All options open for India, if Pakistan carries out another terror strike: sources The YES Bank share price rose in trade today after Deutsche Bank raised price target for the stock projecting better outlook for the private sector lender. YES Bank share price rose 4% to 254 level compared to the previous close of 244.35 on BSE. YES Bank share price has been rising for the last two days and gained 6% during the period. YES Bank share price has fallen 21.46% during the last one year and gained 37.80% since the beginning of this year. Deutsche Bank said things are falling in place for the private sector lender. It sees likely softer earnings for the bank, but their quality is set to improve. RBI fines SBI, ICICI, 17 other banks for non-compliance in SWIFT operations The brokerage also expects corporate loan growth to slow down to 12-15%, even as retail/SME should grow at 40-50% helping to rebalance portfolio. Net interest margins are expected to hold up well for the lender. The stock can be bought with a target price of Rs 300. Interestingly, global financial services firm CGS-CIMB Securities too has given a target price of Rs 300 for the private sector lender. In the beginning of March, CGS-CIMB Securities said concerns over asset quality and top management have decreased. Additionally, NIL divergence report of RBI and appointment of MD & CEO will result in a re-rating since valuations are attractive at 1.5 times FY20 forward price to earnings /book value. YES Bank's new MD and CEO Ravneet Gill also took charge from March 1 for a tenure of three years. Since then, the stock has gained 7% on BSE. RBI slaps penalties worth Rs 71 crore on 36 banks, including SBI, ICICI, for non-compliance of SWIFT norms On February 14, the RBI cleared the bank of any disparity in reporting of the bad loan data. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) assesses compliance by banks with extant prudential norms on income recognition, asset classification and provisioning (IRACP) as part of its supervisory processes. Since then, the stock has risen from 221 level to 254 level logging a 14.93% rise in the share price of the private sector lender. "As part of this process, Yes Bank has received the risk assessment Report for 2017-2018. The report observes NIL divergences in the bank's asset classification and provisioning from the RBI norms," the bank said. Later, RBI warned YES Bank of regulatory action for disclosure of nil divergence report in violation of the confidentiality clause. Following the announcement by the private lender on February 14, that the RBI's Risk Assessment Report (RAR) had not found any divergence in asset classification and provisioning for 2017-18, the stock price for the bank skyrocketed 30 per cent. On February 15, the bank disclosed the RBI had criticised the lender saying it was an attempt to "mislead the public" and the RAR had "identified several other lapses and regulatory breaches". Edited by Aseem Thapliyal Investors in India's first REIT (real estate investment trust) by Blackstone-backed Embassy Group can expect 14 per cent returns over a five-year horizon, making it a more lucrative asset class compared to debt funds, fixed deposits and gold. Embassy Office Parks plans to raise Rs 4,750 crore through its 33 million sq ft commercial portfolio following the listing next week. Read More: BSNL, MTNL to clear February salaries of employees as govt releases pending dues "In India, the projected five-year returns on commercial assets is an optimistic 14 per cent largely because Grade A commercial real estate has been on a protracted winning streak since 2017. Commercial real estate withstood the vagaries of the various reforms much better than the residential asset class," says Shobhit Agarwal, MD and CEO of Anarock Capital. While debt funds are known to give about 10 per cent returns over a five-year horizon, the figure for fixed deposits is seven per cent. And although stock markets can also generate returns upwards of 15 per cent during a bull run, the associated risks are very high. REITs are a more stable investment option. For Smaller Investors In the US, smaller investors account for 25 to 30 per cent of REIT participation from 50 per cent about a decade ago. "In India, we can reasonably start with at least 15 to 20 per cent of participation by smaller individual investors. All of this certainly bodes well for both FIIs and smaller investors focused on REITable commercial real estate," Agarwal adds. REITs or real estate investment trusts work like a mutual fund by pooling funds from investors and investing them in rent-generating properties, mostly commercial (office, shops, malls and hotels). SEBI requires Indian REITs to be listed on the exchanges to make an initial public offer to raise money. The minimum subscription amount for REIT has been reduced from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 50,000, making it easier for small investors to participate. Agarwal says for retail investors in India, the listing will unveil more robust investment avenues. "Also, depending on its success, REITs could further percolate down to other asset classes namely retail, logistics etc. which will not only bode well for the overall real estate sector in the country but also entice investors to penetrate into other niche segments," he added. India advantage Anshuman Magazine, Chairman & CEO, India, South East Asia, Middle East & Africa, CBRE, says India offered major advantages such as a wide variety of quality assets, sustained government support in easing regulations, a wide investor base, and opportunities for capital appreciation, among others. Moreover, office segment has been growing fast in the Indian real estate, with leasing touching a record high of 46.8 million sq ft in 2018, says a report by Knight Frank India. This makes the sector attractive to investors. Magazine says globally, REITs have a proven and successful track record in several Asian countries such as Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, and Hong Kong. "In 2017 alone, total acquisitions undertaken by REITs in APAC crossed $20 billion, with an approximate share of 15 per cent in the overall commercial real estate acquisitions undertaken in the region," he points out. "In the first half of 2018, REIT acquisitions touched $10 billion, accounting for a share of 17 per cent in the overall investment volume in the region during the period," he adds. REITs are also likely to be more successful than infrastructure investment trusts or InvITs due to the difference in the two investment options. Capital appreciation in Invits is limited as assets like roads, do not appreciate with time. However, cash flows are certain. But in REITs, there is also capital appreciation of assets over a period, ensuring a steady cash flow for investors. Also Read: Massive fire kills two, injures four at ONGC oil well near Ahmedabad SC gives Singh brothers two weeks to come up with plan to pay Rs 3,500 crore to Daiichi Sankyo 14 Mar 2019, 11:27 AM Azim Premji commits Rs 1.45 lakh crore, 67 per cent stake in Wipro to philanthropy Wipro chairman Azim Premji is set to give serious competition to two of the world's richest and most active philanthropists, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, by increasing his commitment towards philanthropy. He has earmarked 34 per cent of Wipro shares worth Rs 52,750 crore (USD 7.5 billion) held by certain entities controlled by him for philanthropic activities. This is in addition to his earlier donations. With this, the total value of the philanthropic endowment corpus contributed by Premji is Rs 1.45 lakh crore. HDFC Bank hits 52-week high, crosses Rs 6 trillion market cap mark The market capitalisation of HDFC Bank crossed Rs 6 trillion mark for the first time ever, after shares of the private sector lender spiked to an all-time high on Wednesday. Driven by heavy volume, shares of HDFC Bank rose as much as 2.87 percent in intra-day trade to hit 52-week high of Rs 2,233, surpassing its previous high CBI seeks more details from Facebook, Cambridge Analytica over theft of Indian users' data The Central Bureau of Investigation has approached Facebook and Cambridge Analytica for further details after receiving their response over alleged data theft. The probe agency had sought answers from the two companies over charges of illegally harvesting Indian users' data from social media platforms. China blocks India's bid to declare JeM chief Masood Azhar global terrorist for fourth time In yet another attempt to shield terrorists based in Pakistan, China has blocked India's bid to declare Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist for the fourth time. This has happened despite India's huge diplomatic pressure to ban the JeM chief, who is the mastermind behind the ghastly suicide bomb attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 44 CRPF jawans dead. After the February-14 Pulwama terrorist attack, the US, the UK and France had moved the United Nations (UN) to declare Masood a global terrorist on February 27. However, China has again chosen to side with its "all-weather friend" Pakistan, citing it wanted a solution (of the conflict in J&K) "acceptable to all". Boeing 737 Max won't be allowed in Indian airspace; airlines brace for flight cancellations The Civil Aviation Ministry has closed the Indian airspace for Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. The decision was taken during an emergency meeting of Indian airlines with the Civil Aviation Secretary yesterday. SpiceJet, which has 12 Boeing 737 Max 8 planes in its fleet, cancelled 14 flights yesterday. Pakistan Air Force jets detected close to LoC, Indian air defence systems on high alert Indian air defence systems reportedly detected Pakistan Air Force jets near Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. Radars on Indian side picked up two fighter jets going supersonic over Pakistan occupied Kashmir just 10 kilometers from the LoC in Poonch sector on Tuesday night. The three wings of Indian defence forces - Army, Air Force and Navy - have been in a heightened state of preparedness over the past few weeks Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Autonomous driving expert Dr. Wu Xinzhou has officially joined China-based EV startup XPENG Motors as vice president of autonomous driving R&D, the startup announced on March 14. Dr. Wu will be in charge of the holistic technical roadmap planning, business and team management for the startup's self-driving R&D arm in the U.S. and China and directly report to He Xiaopeng, chairman and CEO of XPENG Motors. According to published records, Wu Xinzhou received the bachelor degree from Tsinghua University in 1998, the master and Ph.D. degrees from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2000 and 2004, all in electronics engineering. Before joining XPENG Motors, he had been working at Qualcomm for over a decade, specializing in autonomous driving solutions based on the computer vision, deep learning, targeted positioning and in-depth coupling of sensors. Besides, he also has rich working experience in vehicular research, wireless communications and IoV (Internet of Vehicles) industries. XPENG Motors announced on February 21 that Mr. Miyashita Yoshitsugu had joined as the Senior Director of Production Quality, responsible for quality management of its production. A leading expert in the field of lean production, Mr. Miyashita worked in Toyota Motor Corporation as a quality engineer for nearly 40 years, serving as the Director of the Quality Assurance and Quality Management Departments of GAC Toyota Motor Co. Ltd. Another senior executive joining the startup in 2019 is Li Pengcheng, former co-founder of Youcheyihou.com, a car media platform providing small program, mobile app services and e-commerce for car supplies. He is appointed as general manager of brand public relations. He is responsible for businesses of brand strategy, public relations, socialized marketing as well as originality of brand image. Toyota is offering massive discounts on its cars and SUVs to push sales as the financial year draws to a close. Toyota dealerships are reportedly offering discounts on vehicles that the Japanese carmaker makes in India, like its sedans Yaris, Corolla Altis and Etios, MPV Innova Crysta, SUV Fortuner, Etios Liva, and SUV Fortuner. The offerings by the company which are brought in as completely built units, like the Camry Hybrid, Prius, Land Cruiser and Land Cruiser Prado have been left out of the scheme. Toyota Yaris, the mid-size sedan, comes with the biggest discount. Dealerships are offering a discount of Rs 1.35 lakh on the 2018 model of Yaris, whereas the benefits worth Rs 50,000 can be availed on the purchase of its 2019 variant. Corolla Altis, another sedan from the Toyota line-up, comes with a discounts and benefits adding up to Rs 1.3 lakh. During the discount season, select dealerships are offering benefits worth up to Rs 45,000 on Toyota Fortuner, the much-popular SUV from the company. On the other hand, the equally popular MPV Toyota Innova Crysta can be bought with benefits up to Rs 60,000. The entry-level mid-size sedan, Toyota Etios, also comes with several benefits. Dealers are offering benefits up to Rs 55,000 on the purchase of the car. Toyota Etios Liva, the hatchback avatar the Etios, comes with benefits worth Rs 35,000. ALSO READ: Honda recalls 1 million cars in the US with defective airbags Air fares have started rising as several airlines such as SpiceJet, IndiGo and Jet Airways face disruption in flight operations due to a number of reasons, including the grounding of 737-MAX aircraft. Air fares for last minute bookings have risen more than 100 per cent, according to reports. Boeing 737 Max 8 ban: SpiceJet cancels 35 flights; sets up passenger complaint cell "With an unprecedented number of planes now grounded due to various factors, reduction in seat capacity has led to an increase in fares overnight. Last minute airfares on Wednesday increased to more than 100 per cent on some key routes like Delhi-Mumbai, Mumbai-Chennai, Mumbai-Kolkata and Mumbai-Bengaluru as compared to same time last year," Aloke Bajapi, CEO and co-founder, ixigo told IANS. "Spot fares for Mumbai-Chennai are touching Rs. 26,073 as opposed to Rs. 5,369 the same time last year. High airfare patterns are expected to continue in the short term with Holi and summer school holidays round the corner, resulting in an increased demand." Operations of airlines like SpiceJet and Jet Airways have been hit due to the government's decision to join a global grounding of 737-MAX aircraft following a crash in Ethiopia. SpiceJet cancelled around 35 flights on Thursday following the government's decision to ground all Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft operated by Indian airlines. US joins queue of nations grounding Boeing 737 Max jetliners The airline had cancelled 14 flights on Wednesday following the grounding of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft by the Indian aviation watchdog DGCA. The DGCA on Tuesday had announced its decision to "immediately" ground the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft by airlines operating in India. The order came following the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash that claimed 157 lives, including 4 Indians. Meanwhile, Jet Airways share has grounded four more aircraft, taking the number to 32 which is more than a fourth of its fleet due to non-payment of dues. Till date, 32 Jet aircraft have been grounded due to non-payment of lease rentals. Economy carrier IndiGo has been hit by pilot shortage, leading to truncated flight schedule. The airline has said that 30 of its flights which have been affected by the shortage represent only 2 per cent of its network. Boeing 737 Max 8 planes: Most countries stop flying the jet after Ethiopian Airlines crash, but not India It has decided to curtail its schedule till March 31, by about 30 flights a day. "As a proactive measure, IndiGo has decided to continue its curtailment until the end of March. This measure has already been implemented and passengers informed," the airline said in a statement. "These medium term cancellations have been made to minimise the impact on passengers as alternative travel options have been offered well in advance. The operations will be normalised by the start of the summer schedule." Edited by Aseem Thapliyal The Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) has requested e-taliers in India to stop selling mobile phone signal boosters as it is illegal to sell them without having proper license. These signal boosters and repeaters also cause interference with existing air waves and impact the overall cellular network quality. A mobile phone signal booster is a repeater system that makes use of an amplifier to add gain or power to the reception in different directions. The use of these external boosters is to receive and transmit signal to a cellular tower with greater power and sensitivity. Usually the logarithmic decibel (dB) gain is never below 7 dB and can go over 10 dB gain. The main purpose of these signal boosters is to take the existing cell phone signal around your office or home and amplify it. After the amplification, the signal is re-broadcasted to the area with weak signal. However, it is important to register the signal booster devices with the cellular carrier. Also, under the Indian Wireless Telegraph Act 1933, these booster or repeaters fall under the category of wireless devices and hence require a licence. Possession of such devices is illegal without a licence and is a punishable offence under the Act. "Despite clear provisions of law and specific directions from DoT prohibiting possession and sale of such equipment operating in licensed spectrum bands without obtaining requisite permission from DoT, your platform continues to sell such boosters/repeaters," COAI said in the letters to the e-commerce platforms according to the Mint. Earlier in the Lok Sabha on January 2, Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha had said that ecommerce platforms have been asked to comply with the statuary norms. "A total of 101 notices have been issued to entities or individual users of unauthorized boosters and 63 such boosters have been confiscated and deactivated," Sinha had said in the Lok Sabha. The price of mobile signal boosters can range from Rs 1,000 to Rs 25,000 or more. These devices create interference in the existing frequency band and lead to performance degradation, misinterpretation, or loss of information. Edited By: Udit Verma Also Read: WhatsApp image search feature may help you find if the picture is fake or real More than 20 lakh Paytm users contributed Rs 47 crore towards the CRPF Wives Welfare Association for the brave hearts who lost their lives in the Pulwama attack on February 14. The company handed over the cheque to Manu Bhatnagar, President of CRPF Wives Welfare Association. Between 15th February and 10th March, more than 20 lakh Paytm users came forward and contributed to express their solidarity with the forces. Paytm had collaborated with CRPF Wives Welfare Association (CWA) to collect the fund and allowed patrons to contribute money through the Paytm mobile app and website. The collected amount would go to the corpus fund of the CWA. The contributors to the fund were only required to enter their name and PAN card number to avail tax benefits under Section 80G. All donations made via the app were exempted from transaction fees. "Our prayers are with the jawans and the families affected by this attack. Our hearts go out to those who have suffered an unimaginable loss due to this. We, at Paytm, are committed to assist the families of our jawans in this hour of need by giving them a helping hand. We would like to thank our users who came forward and helped contribute Rs 47 Crores for this cause", said Kiran Vasireddy, COO Paytm. Earlier, Paytm had also made a similar effort for providing relief to Kerala flood victims. The digital wallet company had then helped to collect Rs 30 crore from 12 lakh users. The collected amount was donated to Kerala Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund. Edited By: Udit Verma Also Read: Looking for customised investment options? Paytm Money's latest launch may suit your needs Also Read: Paytm's new loyalty program will manage your Zomato Gold, Uber, Gaana subscriptions Ireland's gross domestic product grew 6.7% in 2018, making it the European Union's fastest-growing economy for the fifth consecutive year, although the figures were flattered once again by statistical distortions. The relevance of using the conventional measure for economic performance as an accurate measure for such an open economy diminished when 2015 GDP growth was adjusted up to 26% after a massive revision to the stock of capital assets. Such distortions, related to Ireland's large cluster of multinational companies, boosted the figures again early last year and meant growth for the year as a whole came in just below the inflated 7.2% posted in 2017. Still, a range of other more stable data from employment to retail sales point to very strong growth in the real economy and the statistics office has begun to phase in new measures which strip out some of the distorting globalised activities. One such measure, modified domestic demand, expanded 3.3% and should be regarded as an important indicator of changes in underlying demand last year, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) said in a statement. GDP expanded by 0.1% on a quarterly basis from October to December, compared with 0.9% in the previous quarter. The annual growth cut Ireland's debt as a percentage of GDP to around 68%, Michael Connolly, senior statistician at the CSO told a news conference. Ireland's central bank forecasts that GDP growth will moderate to 4.4% this year if Britain leaves the European Union with an agreement but eke out growth of 1.5% if its nearest neighbour crashes out of the bloc without a deal. (Reuters) Source: www.bussinessworld.ie news, latest-news Good morning, Canberra and happy Friday! Today is March 15, which means it's the Ides of March, so it wasn't a great day for Julius Caesar. Back on topic now, we're heading for a partly cloudy top of 26 before tops of 23 and 24 degrees over the weekend, with a shower or two on Saturday. Perfect weather for tonight's AFLW match between Geelong and GWS at Manuka, but hopefully that rain is finished before Skyfire tomorrow! Let's look at what's making news today. The ACT government has promised to fix issues that have come out of its vacancy tax, which which resulted in the removal of a longstanding exemption that stopped developers being hit with land tax for two years. But that has come too late for pensioner Robert Triggs, who was slugged with the tax after he'd bought an apartment off the plan, even though he was living in it. Katie Burgess has the full story here. While Labor backbencher Michael Pettersson is moving ahead with his plan to legislate cannabis for personal use in the ACT, he's got some advice from jurisdictions that have done it before. The Vermont Coalition to Regulate Marijuana, an advocacy group from the US state where the ACT bill is based on, said the ACT needs to address issues around drug-driving as part of the legislation. Katie Burgess explains here. It's a sight you often see in big cities, but I hadn't seen any charity collectors in Canberra until this week in Fyshwick. The collectors are employed, not volunteers, and they are paid 40 per cent of what they collect. They are working for a not-for-profit called UrCommunity, aiming to provide cheap food for people who otherwise might not be able to eat. Steve Evans has all the detail here. If you feel like taking your beloved canine for a sunny walk at the Yarralumla dog park, soon you'll notice more actual sun. More than a dozen dead pine trees are being removed from the Yarralumla Dog Park, to make way for new breeds and, hopefully, more sunlight. The park, on the edge of Westbourne Woods, was made up of Pinus radiata, a common, fast-growing pine with a relatively short life-span. Sally Pryor explains how it will all work here. One of the best thing about sport is a rivalry that goes so deep, you don't even know why you hate the other team, you just hate 'em. The charged stadium, the feeling that the win is worth more than just a place on the ladder - what an atmosphere to make your debut in. Two locals from the Gungahlin Eagles, Tom Ross and Mack Hansen will debut for the Brumbies against the Waratahs tonight as part of seven Canberra juniors to be picked. Chris Dutton has all the selection (and rivalry) news here. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/359eac56-d2f8-48aa-b479-1e4e27b9d742/r0_320_6000_3710_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg news, latest-news ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry has backed students planning to walk out of their classrooms on Friday to demand action on climate change, saying governments should not stand in the way of young people being heard. At midday, Canberra students will join tens of thousands across Australia and the world in the second School Strike 4 Climate march, after protests around the country made headlines last November. In striking, they defied the orders of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has called for less activism and more learning in schools, and stepped into a storm of criticism led by some Coalition MPs. But, four months on, students are expecting an even bigger turn out at more than 50 Australian rallies, including up to 2000 students at the Canberra event in Garema Place. On the eve of the strike, Ms Berry said the ACT government, which plans to switch the territory to 100 per cent renewable energy by next year, strongly believed in student agency and supported their right to take action. "This issue is clearly something that students and young people are passionate about, as we all should be," she said. "Participation in activism such as the climate strike is a learning experience in itself. School and education doesnt just happen in the classroom." NSW Labor leader Michael Daley has also thrown his support behind the strike as a demonstration of young leadership and the democratic right to protest. But Premier Gladys Berejiklian has slammed his position as "appalling", warning it is inappropriate for a politician to encourage children to miss school for any reason. Busy making signs ahead of the strike, 14-year-old Maanha Manzur from Harrison School said she was tired of excuses from leaders. The strike last year drew attention, but this time, she said, they wanted action. "We want to stop Adani's [Carmichael] coal mine, we want an end to new fossil fuels, and 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030 [Australia-wide]," she said. Almost every year of her life has now ranked among the 20 hottest on record but Maaha said she learnt little about the science and speed of global warming at school. "It's the greatest threat to our generation but no one talks about it," she said. "We don't want our futures to have a question mark." One of about 15 teenage organisers of the ACT strike, Maanha will walk out of school at 10am on Friday. She brushed off cynicism about who was behind the protests ("Us!") and calls to keep politics out of schools, saying it was education that had motivated students to act in the first place. "We've connected the climate dots now," she said. At Mary Mackillop College, 15-year-old Olivia Boddington said it was terrifying that she and her younger sisters would not get a say in their future until it was too late. Olivia only heard about the first strike as it lit up news bulletins that evening in November but said this time ACT schools were supporting kids wanting to get involved. "Some of the younger kids are particularly passionate," she said. More than 800 academics and a number of unions including the Australian Education Union have also backed the strike. The ACT education directorate confirmed students would not be penalised or stopped from attending the rally, but stressed they would still need approval from their parents or carers and encouraged parental supervision during the protest. The directorate had not been told of any issues or concerns during the last strike, a spokeswoman said. While posters have been displayed across schools by students in the lead-up to the strike, it is understood teachers have been advised not to actively encourage strikers. "But schools have been so supportive," Maanha said. "Especially my science teacher." The global school strike movement was inspired by 16-year-old Swedish student Greta Thunberg who began camping out the front of her own country's parliament each Friday to demand climate change action in September. Greta continues to strike regularly and says her grades are still strong. /images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/decad463-fc1b-4e73-907a-659a11dc714e/r0_218_4256_2623_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg 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. A career in the defence forces surely stands as one amongst the prestigious positions in the country. The officers in the defence forces not only enjoy the highest degree of respect in the society but also find adventurous and challenging tasks at the workplace. Every year, youngsters queue up to join the Indian Armed Forces, which consist of four professional uniformed services - The Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. Apart from the Indian Armed Forces, various paramilitary organisations also extend their help whenever required. Indian Navy is a well-balanced force among the Indian Armed Forces and always put its best foot forward to increase the role of women in the Navy. While many women aspirants are often confused regarding the entry, we have decided to display the most important information regarding the entry of eves to the Indian Navy. How To Become A Sailor In The Indian Navy Vacancies For Women In Indian Navy Aspirants have to note that the Indian Navy is not offering any special status to women candidates. Women have to compete with male candidates on an open merit system in Short Service. The selection of the candidates will be purely based on merit in the Services Selection Board. The Government of India has also approved the Permanent Commission for women in Law, Education and Naval Architecture Cadre. The most important point women aspirants should remember is the service conditions will remain the same for both men and women officers. How Can Women Join Indian Navy Indian Navy recruited women only in the Armed Forces Medical Service till 1992. It started inducting the women as Short Service Commissioned Officers from July 1992. Here are the branches/ cadres/ specialisations women can join in the Indian Navy. Naval Architecture Candidates must possess at least 60% marks in BE/B.Tech in Mechanical/ Civil/ Aeronautical/ Metallurgy/ Naval Architecture. The age in years is 19 to 25. Observer The minimum age is 19 years and maximum age is 24 years. Candidates must have BE/B.Tech degree in any discipline with Physics and Mathematics in Class 12. Education Candidate age must be between 21 and 25 years. A second class Master's degree of a recognised university in Physics or Mathematics is required. One should possess a Master's degree in Physics and have studied Mathematics at least at the subsidiary level at the degree standard and those possessing. (or) A degree in any of the disciplines - Mechanical Engineering/ Electrical Engineering/ Computer Science/ Technology. (or) A postgraduate degree in Humanities (Economics/ History/ Political Science). Logistics /Works For Logistics Cadre: Candidates must have BE/B Tech in any discipline/ MBA/ B Sc/B Com/B Sc(IT) with first class. PG Diploma in Finance/Logistics/Supply Chain Management/Material Management or MCA/ M Sc (IT) with first class. For Works: BE/B Tech(Civil)/B Architect For Catering: M Sc(HM)/ MBA(HM)/ B Sc or BA with first class and PG Diploma in HM. Candidates minimum age is 19 years and maximum age is 25 years. Law The minimum age should be 22 years and maximum age is 27 years. Candidates should possess a degree in Law qualifying them for enrolment as advocates under the Advocates Act, 1961. ATC Candidates minimum age is 19 years and maximum age is 25 years. BE/B.Tech degree in any discipline with Physics and Mathematics in Class 12. Pilot General The age limit is 19 to 24 years. Aspirants should possess BE/B.Tech degree in any discipline with Physics & Maths in 12th standard. CPL Holders Candidates who hold a valid and current CPL issued by DGCA (India). The age limit is 19 to 25 years. Naval Armament Inspectorate (NIA) The maximum age is 25 years and minimum age is 19 . Aspirants should possess BE/B Tech in Electrical/ Electronics/ Mechanical/ Production/ Instrumentation/ IT/ Chemical/ Metallurgy/ Aerospace Engineering. How To Become A Pilot In Indian Air Force Zurich Canada has a new head of property. A veteran of AIGs Lexington Insurance Company joined Sompo International Holdings Ltd. as a senior vice president. Hiscox appointed a new head of Product Innovation and Development in the U.S. *** Former RSA exec Yvonne Steiner has been named head of Property for Zurich Canada. Steiner will be a member of the Zurich Canada executive team and will report to Zurich Canada CEO Saad Mered. Her first day at Zurich will be April 15. Steiner will tasked with leading the management of a diverse set of first-party insurance portfolios, driving profitable underwriting results, developing a customer-led mindset, leading innovation and proposition evolution, and creating sustainable talent management strategies for Zurich Canadas Property unit. She will lead a team of market-facing underwriters in commercial property, energy, construction and marine. As well, she will also work closely with other Zurich Canada executives to coordinate effective execution of portfolio management, distribution management, risk services and claims management. Steiner comes to Zurich with nearly 20 years of diverse experience in brokerage operations, risk management and underwriting. Most recently, she was RSAs head of Global Specialty Lines, Canada. Previously, she held positions of increasing responsibilities at Finning International and GCAN Insurance Company (formerly Gerling Global) and Swiss Re. During her 11 years at Swiss Re, Steiner worked in the international market while based in Zurich and led the property and energy team while in Canada. *** Sompo International Holdings Ltd. said Steven Grippo has joined Sompo Pro as a senior vice president. where he will lead the units U.S. Architects & Engineers practice. Sompo Pro offers a broad array of primary and excess liability coverage tailored to a range of professional services classes. Grippo brings to Sompo International nearly 30 years of experience as a professional liability underwriter serving architects, engineers, design professionals and complementary areas. He reports to Daniel Wadley, executive vice president, Sompo Pro and is based in the companys Boston office. Grippo joins the company from AIGs Lexington Insurance Company, where he served as product line manager responsible for underwriting the companys Architects & Engineers Professional Liability business in the Northeast U.S., Canada, CorRisk SME segment and National Branch Wholesale platform. He also led Lexingtons Architects & Engineers Risk Management service offerings. Before AIG, Grippo served as Employment Practices & Fiduciary Liability Product line leader for Travelers Casualty & Suretys Boston office and as a senior bond underwriter for Aetna Property & Casualty. *** Hiscox appointed Jennifer Nierenberg Metzger as head of Product Innovation and Development in the U.S. Metzger will be based in New York and report to Eric Micheals, Hiscox USAs chief underwriting officer. Metzger will lead the design and construction of new insurance products and enhancements to Hiscoxs portfolio of specialty risk products and services in the U.S. Metzger joins the international specialty insurer with over 20 years of experience in insurance and litigation. She most recently worked as a director at Nationwide in its Professional Liability and Specialty Programs underwriting group, where she was responsible for managing new program development and onboarding. Before Nationwide, Metzger served as a senior claims counsel at CNA, where she was also the technical lead for matters involving banks and insurance companies. Sources: Zurich Canada, Sompo International Holdings, Hiscox USA Photo: The Canadian Press Finland's Prime Minister Juha Sipila arrives to announce his cabinet's resignation, in Helsinki, Friday. Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila's centre-right government resigned Friday after the governing coalition failed to agree on and push through a planned social and health reform. "I take the responsibility for the failure. It has been a huge disappointment to me," Sipila told a news conference, according to public broadcaster YLE. He added that the reform "had been one of our most important projects." Finland's President Sauli Niinisto accepted Sipila's resignation. The prime minister, who came to power in May 2015, will continue to serve in a caretaking role. The move comes week before Finland holds parliamentary elections on April 14 to renew Finland's 200-seat Eduskunta assembly. The government's resignation would not change the timetable for next month's elections, the justice ministry said. The planned health care reform was meant to tackle an aging population, improve efficiency and reduce public spending by 3 billion euros ($3.4 billions) by 2029. Successive governments have so far failed to accomplish the reform. Sipala's three-party governing coalition held 123 out of 200 seats in parliament. The coalition included his own Center Party, the National Coalition Party and the small populist Blue Reform Party, once part of the euroskeptic True Finns. Last year, the latter broke up into two parties after internal divisions over tighter immigration policies. Finland is due to take over the European Union's rotating presidency on July 1. Al Khalij Cement to supply oil well cement to Qatar Petroleum 14 March 2019 Al Khalij Cement Co has signed a three-year agreement for the supply of oil well cement to Qatar Petroleum. The deal was signed at an event marking the launch of Qatar Petroleum's Tawteen programme, which has been designed to improve the supply chain of the countrys energy sector. "We are delighted to have been selected by Qatar Petroleum for the supply of oil well cement. This represents an endorsement of the high-quality standards of our production facility. This special type of cement is a true Qatari product as the production process begins with limestone, which is the main ingredient for cement, extracted from Qatari soil," said Abdulla Bin Nasser Al Misnad, chairman, Qatari Investors Group. Published under Iran set to export over 14,000t of cement to Somalia 14 March 2019 Over 14,000t of cement is set to be exported from Irans southern island of Qeshm to Somalia, according to Iran Daily. "A 14,500t cargo of bagged cement produced in Qeshm will be exported to Somalia on a Tanzanian ship named AMINA-H," said Pejman Bahrami, deputy head for maritime transport and port affairs, Qeshm Free Zone Organization. The loading of the bagged cement began on Tuesday and will take 4-5 days. The order comes as country officials recognise the need to reduce dependency on oil revenues. Published under Whale Rock Cement starts sourcing local clinker 14 March 2019 Namibia's Whale Rock Cement, producer of the Cheetah Cement brand, has started to source clinker locally after initially sourcing it from Egypt, according to Zedekias Gowaseb, company chairman. "The clinker we import was from Egypt, that is no secret," said Mr Gowaseb. "From December 2018 we have already started to produce clinker from the Whale Rock mine," he added. Currently, the companys cement products do not use the seal of approval from either the Namibia Standards Institute or South African Bureau of Standards. However, both agencies are now reportedly carrying out an audit, with testing expected to take another 45 days. Once accreditation is received, Whale Rock will begin exports to local markets. "We are looking at the southern Africa market, currently we are busy expanding to Mozambique, Congo and Ivory Coast," said Mr Gowaseb. Published under A Pikeville man has been charged with killing two people at Crossville and wounding two others.. John Fields, 47, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder. Fields is being held in the Cumberland County Jail on a $5,000,000 bond. He is due in court next Tuesday. The body of Lowell Chip Simmons II, 47, of Brewer Road, Crossville, was found on Critter Creek Road. The body of MaKayla Laray Manning, 23, of Vandever Road, Crossville, was found at 2593 Vandever Road. The two individuals found wounded at 2593 Vandever Road and transported to UT. Medical Center were Joseph Manning, 39, of Vandever Road, Crossville, and Eleashea lne Curry, 42 of Bee Hive Lane, Crossville. The bodies of the murder victims have been sent for autopsies to determine the cause of death. At approximately 5:58 p.m. Cumberland County deputies were dispatched to Critter Creek Road regarding a call from a concerned citizen about finding a body. Deputies arrived on the scene and discovered a body in a trash pile on a vacant lot. The scene was secured and investigators from the Cumberland County Sheriffs Office and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation were sent to the scene to conduct an investigation. Then at approximately 10:30 p.m., another call came in concerning a shooting in the 2500 block of Vandever Road. Cumberland County Sheriffs Deputies arrived and discovered multiple victims that had been shot at the scene. The Tennessee Highway Patrol and Crossville Police Department also responded to the scene to assist the on-scene units. Cumberland County Sheriffs Investigators and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation arrived and began to conduct the investigation. Law enforcement units discovered two victims at the Vandever Road scene that were wounded and one deceased. One body was found at the Critter Creek Road address. Cleveland State is a finalist in the College System of Tennessee's first Statewide Outstanding Achievement Recognition (SOAR) celebration March 19-20 in Nashville. The two days of activities will include judging and a dinner for finalists in each of the SOAR Award individual categories; a Student Honors Luncheon honoring members of the Phi Theta Kappa All-Tennessee Academic Team and the National Technical Honor Society, and the annual Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Day on the Hill. It will culminate Wednesday evening, March 20, with the SOAR Awards Dinner, when the Students, Faculty and Staff Members of the Year award winners and the College of the Year will be announced. Philanthropy and volunteer awards will also be presented. The mission of our College System and each of our community and technical colleges is the success of all our students and the development of Tennessees workforce. Its appropriate that we recognize the outstanding students and the outstanding faculty and staff members on our campuses who work with students daily to help them succeed, said TBR Chancellor Flora W. Tydings. The SOAR Awards Dinner will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. March 20 at the DoubleTree Hotel Downtown Nashville. Nikki Burdine, co-anchor of WKRN-TVs Good Morning Nashville, will serve as master of ceremonies, and Tennessee Higher Education Commission Executive Director Mike Krause a member of the Board of Regents is the keynote speaker. College of the Year finalists are Cleveland State Community College, Pellissippi State Community College and theTennessee College of Applied Technology at Elizabethton. They were selected through a review of institutional data on three key metrics: performance improvement, overcoming obstacles and program expansion. Eighteen finalists for the individual awards advanced through college- and regional-level competitions in East, Middle and West Tennessee to reach next Tuesdays final interviews with a panel of judges. One winner in each the three categories for the Community Colleges and for the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) for a total of six individual award winners will be announced at the awards dinner Wednesday evening. Finalists for the individual awards are: Community College Student of the Year/Program of Study: James Fry, Chattanooga State Community College, History Elizabeth Claire Mason, Motlow State Community College, General Studies/Biology Celeste Riley, Southwest Tennessee Community College, Education TCAT Student of the Year/Program of Study: Hannah Bland, TCAT Newbern, Cosmetology Dawn Varney, TCAT Shelbyville, Industrial Electricity Tiffany Nicole Wingo, TCAT Chattanooga, Medical Assisting Community College Faculty Member of the Year/Teaching Subject: Cynthia Abadie, Southwest Tennessee Community College, Economics Tera Howerton, Walters State Community College, Agriculture Girija Shinde, Volunteer State Community College, Biology Human Anatomy & Physiology TCAT Faculty Member of the Year/Teaching Subject: William Durden, TCAT Memphis, Automotive Technology Rebecca Russell, TCAT Knoxville, Cosmetology Shera Wilson, TCAT Murfreesboro, Surgical Technology Community College Staff Member of the Year/Title: John Adcox, Northeast State Community College, Veterans Affairs Specialist/School Certifying Official Sherry Baker, Dyersburg State Community College, Mental Health Counselor/ADA Coordinator Jonathan Graham, Motlow State Community College, Tennessee Promise Director TCAT Staff Member of the Year/Title: Chris Edmonds, TCAT Morristown, Business & Industry Coordinator Amy Stephens, TCAT Ripley, Academic & Student Support Associate Laura Travis, TCAT Dickson, Academic Affairs/Health Careers Coordinator All finalists will be interviewed by panels of judges on March 19, make a group visit to the new Tennessee State Museum in the afternoon and be recognized at the SOAR Finalists Dinner that evening. March 20 activities include: Childrens Hospital at Erlanger will participate in the third annual Childrens Hospitals Week, March 18 through 24. Childrens Hospital at Erlanger is one of 170 member Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) across North America participating in the week-long initiative. Each year, Childrens Hospitals Week celebrates miracle stories like local Miracle Child, Drew. Three-year-old Drew was born with Prune Belly Syndrome, a condition in which babies are born without their abdominal muscles, along with other urological abnormalities. Drew underwent surgery at three months old and then again at 15 months old, where he spent 34 days in the Childrens Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for recovery. Drew continues to face health challenges and receives follow-up care at Childrens Hospital at Erlanger. "Childrens Hospitals Week is all about helping kids and ensuring childrens hospitals have the funds they need to care for more than 10 million kids a year," officials said. "This weeklong campaign, March 18-24, includes various fundraising and awareness efforts, initiated by CMN Hospitals, member hospitals and corporate partners to help shine the light on the importance of donations and celebrate the network of people dedicated to helping kids thrive." Area residents can support their local CMN Hospital, Childrens Hospital at Erlanger through the following Childrens Hospitals Week activities March 18-24: Visit local Panda Express, Speedway or Elders Ace Hardware locations to make a donation to Childrens Hospital at Erlanger and receive a Childrens Hospitals Week bandage. Tune in to the Childrens Hospitals Week Live-athon Wednesday, March 20, at 8 p.m.: The live event will feature appearances by various celebrities and 10 kids who represent the 10 million kids treated annually at Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals throughout the U.S. and Canada. Catch the action at Facebook.com/CMNHospitals. Start a Facebook fundraiser. Help raise critical funds for Childrens Hospital at Erlanger. Visit https://cmnhospitals.org/how-to-successful-fundraiser/ to get started. Wear a bandage. Show your support for childrens hospitals by wearing a bandage of your choice, taking a photo, and sharing it with the #ChildrensHospitalsWeek hashtag. All funds raised locally through this years Childrens Hospitals Week will support Childrens Hospital at Erlangers efforts to continue to provide specialized, pediatric care to the region. "Childrens Hospital at Erlanger thrives on the support of generous donors in our community; including Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals programs like Childrens Hospitals Week," officials said. "These donations have helped provide specialty care and equipment in a pediatric-centered environment. Most recently, these funds have supported the creation of the Childrens Kennedy Outpatient Center." Leadercast is the worlds largest one-day leadership conference, broadcast LIVE from Atlanta and simulcast to hundreds of locations around the world on May 10. This year marks the nineteenth year of the annual leadership conference and the seventh year that the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the event at First Baptist Church Cleveland, 1275 Stuart Road. Sponsorship packages remain available for Leadercast, including lead sponsorships that provide a company with on stage commercial time and exhibit space at the event, along with a corporate table for eight. Limited corporate tables of eight are available for $650. Floor seats are available at $89 per seat; stadium seats are $79. Breakfast, lunch as well as networking included. For sponsorship information, call the Chamber office at 423-472-6587. To purchase a ticket or group tickets to Leadercast Cleveland, visit www.clevelandchamber.com and refer to the May 10 calendar event. About the conference: The theme of this years conference is Leading Healthy Teams. What does it mean to lead a healthy team? How can you be empowered in your own leadership? What qualities do you hope to embody as a leader? In 2019, the Leadercast Live stage will bring together experts in leadership and organizational health who will answer these questions and help attendees master the art and science of developing and leading healthy teams. Companies with ideals of improving peoples lives at the center of all they do outperform others by 400%. More than 70% of people consider an organizations environmental and/or social impact when deciding where to work. Employees that feel they are working towards a good cause show increased productivity by up to 30%. People who are able to make a social or environmental impact on the job are more satisfied by a 2:1 ratio. Leadercast Live will allow attendees and viewers to improve their own personal leadership journey with tips for self-evaluation and self-growth. Top leadership experts will inspire local participants, and the more than 100,000 people who will attend the event live in Atlanta or at hundreds of other simulcast locations in more than 20 countries. The leadership experts speaking this year are: Gayle King, CBS This Morning co-host and editor-at-large of the award-winning O, the Oprah Magazine. Patrick Lencioni, author and CEO of the Table Group, dedicated to helping improve teamwork and employee engagement. Dr. Caroline Leaf, holds a Ph.D. in communication pathology and a bachelors in logopaedics, specializing in cognitive and metacognitive neuropsychology. Marcus Samuelson, acclaimed chef behind many restaurants worldwide. Crowned champion of television shows Top Chef Masters and Chopped All-Stars. Juliet Funt, CEO of a training and consulting firm that helps organizations, their leaders and their employees flip the norms of business in order to reclaim their creativity, productivity and engagement. Andy Stanley, a best-selling author, considered one of the most influential speakers in America Ginger Hardage, after an illustrious 25 years, recently retired as Senior VP of Culture and Communications at Southwest Airlines. Now, Ginger helps organizations harness the power of culture and brand identity. Craig Springer, influential pastor and leader oversees operations in more than 6,000 churches and 450 prisons throughout the country, and helps mobilize more than 50,000 volunteers and 350,000 participants in the U.S. and more than 1.5 million globally. Carla Harris, vice chairman, managing director and senior advisor at Morgan Stanley, responsible for increasing client connectivity and penetration to enhance revenue generation across the firm. Tripp Crosby, back as host of Leadercast live, bringing laughter and energy to the stage. Lee University will welcome bioethics lawyer Nikolas T. Nikas for his presentation, Who's Your Daddy? Human Cloning, Animal-Human Hybrids & 3-parent Embryos (what every student should know about law, morality, science, and the Brave New World). The lecture will take place Friday, March 22, at 5:30 p.m. in the Science and Math Complex Lecture Hall, Room 255. Bioethics touches upon areas of law and public policy, managing to evoke both hopeful anticipation and considerable anxiety within many, said Dr. Mark Scully, assistant professor of political science at Lee. Mr. Nikas has been deeply involved in the American legal and political work in this area, helping to create model legislation for state legislatures and assisting in crafting of amicus briefs for the Supreme Court. His experience and training mean that he will be able to offer a clear-sighted evaluation of the philosophical challenges in the rapidly evolving world of medicine, technology, and ethics. Mr. Nikas has worked as a lawyer, policy and legal consultant, and public speaker in bioethics law and policy since 1992. He is president, co-founder, and general counsel of the Bioethics Defense Fund, a public interest organization focusing on bioethical topics, and has addressed issues such as abortion, healthcare rights of conscience, human cloning, and end of life. He has been admitted into the Arizona State Bar, the U.S. District Court of Arizona, the U.S. fifth, eighth, and ninth circuit courts, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He has testified in the Senate regarding abortion and first amendment rights, and also consulted with state legislators and members of the presidents staff for bioethics during the Bush Administration. Mr. Nikas received his Juris Doctorate from Arizona State University College of Law and holds his Master of Arts in political theory and Bachelor of Arts in government and international relations, both from the University of Notre Dame. The Friday event is free, non-ticketed, and everyone is welcome to attend. For more information about this event, contact mscully@leeuniversity.edu Ivanka Trump grew up the apple of her daddys eye and an important part of his wallet and the family business. Her birth name is Ivana Marie, nicknamed Ivanka to avoid confusion being named after her mother. She was b orn Oct. 30, 1981, making her 37 years old. She is the middle child of Donald J. and Ivana Trump. Brother Donald Jr. is four years her senior and Eric is not quite three years younger than his sister. Their parents divorced in 1992. Ivanka has been married to Jared Kushner since 2009. They have three children. Early years in business Ivanka Trump | Alexandra Beier/Getty Images Following her graduation cum laude from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Economics, Ivanka Trump worked briefly for a business firm outside of the family, Forest City Realty Trust, a real estate investment company. But in 2005, she went to work for her father as Executive Vice President of Development & Acquisitions of the Trump Organization. Developing the Ivanka brand Two years later and wanting to get a foothold in the fashion industry Ivanka partnered with Dynamic Diamond Corp. to develop her own line of jewelry. She opened her first retail store on Madison Ave. in Manhattan to sell her line. It was later moved to a larger location in the Soho district until 2015 when it closed. Her next retail store opened in Trump Tower in 2016. But her jewelry wasnt limited to the one shop. It was being sold in various jewelry stores throughout the U.S. and Canada as well as the Middle East including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Her brand expanded to include clothing, shoes, and handbags sold through high-end department stores. Although, that was short lived with stores dropping the lines in early 2017, claiming poor sales performance. It should be noted that Ivankas interest in fashion probably came from her mother who was a model in Czechoslovakia, as well as a businesswoman. Ivanka also modeled during weekends and holidays during her high school years. Getting to the White House In 2016 Ivanka took on the role as being a spokeswoman for her fathers campaign for president all the while subtly or not so subtly promoting her fashion brands. The morning following her introduction of her father during the 2016 Republican National Convention, a post was made to her official Twitter account, Shop Ivankas look from her #RNC speech, with a link to Macys which sold the dress she had been wearing. On a 60 Minutes interview with the family following her fathers election, she wore a bracelet which was then marketed through an e-mail blast. Shes not the only Trump to promote the Trump brand during and following the election. A presidential advisor Upon her fathers election to the presidency, Ivanka along with her husband, Jared, followed her father to the White House to work, albeit without pay, as a Senior Advisor, although she has differing views with some of his agenda. She has said she doesnt consider herself a Republican or Democrat and at the time of the New York primary in 2016, she was registered as an Independent. In Jan. 2017, Ivanka resigned from her work with the Trump Organization. In July 2018, she stated she was closing the doors of her fashion company wanting to turn her focus on public policy. It is unclear to most of us just what Ivankas role is in the West Wing. She has a controversial high-level security clearance and appears in many meetings with her father. But, is it wanting prestige and power for her husband that shes really after? A January article in The Atlantic points in that direction. Oddly, given her insistence on being a thoroughly modern woman, she wants greater power for her husband, who is Trumps very opposite: personally disciplined, loath to speak in public, willowy, deeply committed to making his one marriage last, Caitlin Flanagan wrote. Whats Ivanka doing now? In Feb. of this year, Ivanka took on the portion of Assemblywoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Green New Deal regarding American jobs during an interview on The Next Revolution with Steve Hilton. I dont think most Americans, in their heart, want to be given something, she said. People want to work for what they get. So, I think this idea of a guaranteed minimum is not something most people want. One thing is sure, we can expect more controversial remarks and actions from the countrys first daughter. Anyone whos into true crime documentaries probably knows the story of Steven Avery. The Netflix documentary Making a Murderer was released in 2015, but people are still talking about the main subject of the show, convicted murderer Steven Avery. The big question on everyones mind: Did Avery really kill Teresa Halbach? There are plenty of people fans, family members, and even Steven Averys new lawyer who fervently believe Avery was wrongly accused. Now that Avery won the right to appeal, theres a chance he could get out of prison in 2019. Will DNA evidence exonerate Steven Avery for the second time in his life? Steven Avery | Making a Murderer via YouTube Why did Steven Avery go to jail the first time? Before the Netflix documentary aired, most people outside of Manitowoc County, Wisconsin didnt know the name Steven Avery. But since people started discovering his story, Avery hasnt just become a source of national speculation hes also one of the most notorious wrongfully convicted criminals ever. Whether or not Avery murdered Halbach, Steven Avery has already gone to prison and been released for a crime he definitely didnt commit. In 1985, a woman named Penny Beerntsen was brutally attacked and sexually assaulted while she was out for a jog. Steven Avery, who was then 23 years old and had already been in trouble with the law for minor offenses, was arrested after Beerntsen picked him out of a photo lineup. A jury found him guilty despite an appalling lack of evidence. Steven Avery ? | Netflix via YouTube Avery served 18 years of a 32 year prison sentence before DNA evidence proved he never committed the crime. Avery filed a lawsuit against the county sherriffs department and then they arrested him for murder. Will DNA evidence free Avery again? Plenty of people believe that Steven Avery was targeted as a suspect in the Halbach murder because of the pending $36 million lawsuit against Manitowoc County. But the case isnt as simple as the documentary Making a Murderer makes it appear. There are plenty of conflicting pieces of evidence that make it hard to determine what really happened. One person who passionately believes in Steven Averys innocence? His new lawyer, Kathleen Zellner. Shes convinced that bone fragments discovered on the Avery property could be the key to proving her clients innocence. How could DNA testing on the bones help? Well, Zellner explained that the State fought [the] idea of [Teresa Halbach] bones being in the Manitowoc County Gravel Pit. This key piece of evidence helped the State win the guilty conviction. If the DNA testing proves who the bones belong to, it could change everything. It may even lead to the guilty conviction being overturned. Will Steven Avery get out of jail again? Prison | Netflix via YouTube Kathleen Zellner is fighting for her client and firmly believes DNA evidence is the key to setting him free again. The deeper we dig into the Avery conviction, the more evidence we uncover of his innocence. It does not matter how long it takes, what it costs or what obstacles we have to overcome our efforts to win Mr. Averys freedom will never stop, she said on her website. Netflix has dropped a trailer for The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann, its highly anticipated new true crime series about the three-year-old British girl who vanished in 2007. The entire eight-episode show will be available to watch March 15. The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann explores the still unsolved mystery of what happened to Madeleine, who disappeared while on vacation with her parents in Portugal. Its directed by Chris Smith, who also was behind the camera for the streaming services recent doc Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened. Netflix calls it the worlds most famous missing child case McCanns disappearance is the worlds most famous missing child case, according to Netflixs trailer for the series. Soon after McCann went missing from her room at the Praia de Luz resort in Algarve, Portugal, the media latched on to the case. The public became and to a large degree, still is obsessed with finding out what happened to the little girl. The famously aggressive British tabloids were relentless in covering the story. [T]he 3-year-olds face was everywhere a picture could ever be replicated, writer Sophie Gilbert recalled in a recent article for The Atlantic. But despite a lot of theories and several suspects, Madeleine was never found, and no one was ever charged in relation to her disappearance. What we know about the case A missing person poster for Madeleine McCann | Steve Parsons PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images McCann disappeared on May 3, 2007, from the apartment where she was sleeping with her two-year-old twin siblings. Her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, were having dinner with friends at a restaurant about 180 feet away from the apartment. The parents reportedly checked on the children throughout the evening until they discovered that Madeleine was missing at about 10 p.m. Initially, Portuguese police considered Kate and Gerry McCann suspects in their daughters disappearance. Their theory was that Madeleine has been killed accidentally and that her parents had disposed of her body to cover up the incident. The couple was eventually eliminated as suspects. The McCanns hired private investigators to look into the disappearance of their daughter, and eventually the British police also got involved. Among the theories about what happened to Madeleine are that she was abducted during a burglary gone wrong, taken by child sex traffickers, or wandered off on her own and was killed. What to expect from the Netflix documentary The eight-hour series goes beyond the headlines and takes a unique look at the facts of the case as well as its impact on media standards around the world, according to Netflix. Filmmakers drew on new interviews with more than 40 contributors, 120 hours of interviews, archival news footage, and reenactments to put together the series. The goal, executive producer Emma Cooper told the Atlantic, wasnt to solve the case or present a new theory for what happened to Madeleine. Instead, they felt it was time to look at the case closely and forensically, in a way that had never been laid out. In addition to looking in to the facts of Madeleines disappearance, the show also examines the way the case was treated in the media. The Guardian reported that the documentary relies heavily on interviews from officials in Portugal who originally investigated the case. Journalists who covered the story, a man who was identified as a possible suspect, and friends and associates of the McCanns also spoke to filmmakers. Madeleines parents werent involved with the documentary Kate and Gerry McCann pose with an artists impression of how their daughter might look at the age of nine in 2012 | Leon Neal/AFP/GettyImages Two people viewers wont be hearing from directly in the series are central to the case: Madeleines parents. The McCanns declined to participate, they explained in a statement shared on the website FindMadeleine.com. We are aware that Netflix are planning to screen a documentary in March 2019 about Madeleines disappearance. The production company told us that they were making the documentary and asked us to participate. We did not see and still do not see how this programme will help the search for Madeleine and, particularly given there is an active police investigation, could potentially hinder it. Consequently, our views and preferences are not reflected in the programme. The Disappearence of Madeleine McCann is streaming on Netflix beginning March 15. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! The Duggar family is best known for being one of the largest families in the country. But with 19 kids, some of them were bound to end up living farther away than others. Jinger Duggar, who is currently married to husband Jeremy Vuolo, doesnt actually live anywhere near where she grew up. She and Vuolo live together in Laredo, Texas with their young daughter, Felicity. But why did Duggar move so far away from home? Jinger Duggar, second from left, with some of her sisters. | Ida Mae Astute/ABC via Getty Images Duggar and Vuolo met through Jessa Duggar and Ben Seewald Duggar met her husband almost by accident. Her sister, Jessa Duggar, was visiting Texas with her husband, Ben Seewald, and the two were looking for something to do that night. A friend told them that someone named Jeremy Vuolo who was hosting a church fellowship at his home that night. Although the Seewalds didnt know Vuolo, they were certain they would fit in and enjoy a night of discussing the Lord. After they all met, the Seewalds kept in touch with Vuolo, and eventually, he got word that he shared the same values with Jinger Duggar. He instantly wanted to get to know her. Vuolo didnt meet Duggar for a while, since they didnt live near each other Although Vuolo knew he wanted to pursue something with Duggar, things didnt get to that point for a few months because Vuolo was living in Texas many miles away from Duggars hometown of Arkansas. But after the two attended a mission trip to Central America together, Vuolo confirmed that he wanted to be in a relationship with her. He asked for Jim Bob Duggars approval, and the two began a courtship. Between falling in love quickly and living so far away, they didnt wait long to get married. They only courted for about a month. When they got married, Duggar agreed to move to Texas with her new husband Vuolo is a pastor at Grace Community Church in Laredo, Texas, and when the two tied the knot, Duggar agreed to uproot her Arkansas life and plant new roots in Texas. The couple lived in an apartment at first, but when they were getting ready to start a family, they moved into their first home. Duggar is the first of the children to move so far away, but it hasnt affected her time on the show. However, it was probably a major lifestyle change for her, considering she spent so much time in Arkansas. She was homeschooled and attended a church nearby, so Arkansas is pretty much the only place she was very familiar with. Duggar still returns to her Arkansas hometown to spend time with her sisters Duggar might have moved far away, but she hasnt forgotten about her family or where she came from. She still goes to visit her parents and siblings. And now that she has a young daughter, her family wants her to come visit even more (because who wouldnt want to spend time with her absolutely adorable little girl?). There have reportedly been rumors that Duggar and Vuolo might move to California, but regardless, Duggar hasnt forgotten about her Arkansas roots. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! To many, shell always be Aunt Becky from Full House. But to Hallmark Channel viewers, actress Lori Loughlin is best known for starring in the romantic period drama When Calls the Heart and in many of the networks made-for-TV movies, including Homegrown Christmas and Every Christmas Has a Story. She also plays Jennifer Shannon in Garage Sale Mystery, which airs on Hallmarks sister network Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Lori Loughlin in When Calls the Heart | Andrew Chin/Getty Images Loughlin is a big star in the Hallmark universe, which has some wondering how the squeaky-clean network is going to deal with the scandal shes currently embroiled in. The actress was arrested Wednesday for her role in a college admissions bribery scheme. Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli allegedly paid $500,000 to ensure that their two teenage daughters would gain admission to the University of Southern California as recruits for the crew team, even though neither was involved in the sport. Hallmark says its monitoring developments Loughlin was reportedly filming a new installment of Garage Sale Mystery in Vancouver when news of the scandal broke Tuesday. She flew home to Los Angeles, where she was taken in to custody. So far, Hallmark hasnt had much to say about the Loughlin scandal. Crown Media Family Networks is aware of the situation and is monitoring developments as they arise, spokeswoman Pam Slay told the New York Daily News in a statement. What fans have to say about the scandal While the network stayed mostly mum, Hallmark fans didnt hesitate to weigh in on the scandal enveloping Loughlin. Overall opinions were split on whether the network should cut ties with the actress or give Loughlin another chance. Replace her on the show and move on. She no longer fits the image of the Hallmark Channel, wrote one fan on the channels Facebook page. Other fans tweeted that the actress should be fired. What about those who work hard for their achievements?? Lost all respect for Lori, commented another on Instagram. While some were eager for justice, others preached forgiveness. Can we just all understand that what lori did was wrong but we need to be able to forgive, wrote whencalls_theheart_fan on Instagram. We are all humans and we all make mistakes. What Loughlins arrest means for When Calls the Heart Lori Loughlin| Gary Gershoff/Getty Images When Calls the Heart fans are already coping with the exit of one popular character, Jack, who died at the end of Season 5. Now, some are worried that Loughlins personal troubles will lead to another shakeup on the show, where she plays Mayor Abigail Stanton. One possible issue was whether Loughlin would be able to leave the U.S. to work in Canada, where the show is filmed, while the case against her proceeds. But when she appeared in court on March 13, a judge reluctantly agreed to give her permission to go to Canada for work, Variety reported. Im not comfortable giving her a passport for that kind of travel, Judge Steve Kim said, though he agreed she would be allowed to leave the country as long as the court was informed of where she was going and how long she would be gone. Kim also set the actresss bond at $1 million, and she was released after posting bond. Loughlin faces up to five years in prison if found guilty. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! Faraday Future (FF) announced on March 13, 2019 ( Los Angeles time) that it is seeking the sale of its 900-acre parcel located in North Las Vegas, Nevada. The parcel is partially improved, and 700 acres have been fully graded. The sale is the result of the ongoing optimization of business strategies at FF including global reorganization, R&D resource integration and a reduction of its non-core assets. FF's operations strategy has changed since the 2015 purchase of land in the Apex Industrial Park in North Las Vegas for a planned manufacturing facility. Instead, FF is shifting the production location for its flagship FF 91 luxury EV to a manufacturing facility in Hanford, California. Construction build out on this property began in late 2017. As an existing plant, the Hanford manufacturing facility is a turnkey property situated between Los Angeles and Silicon Valley the two largest EV markets in the U.S. offering existing infrastructure, easy access to railway transportation, potential talent pool and a faster pathway to production than the Las Vegas property allowed at the time. Based on FF's manufacturing strategy, the Hanford facility is expected to be an ultra-high-end electric vehicle manufacturing facility, equipped with leading technology applications and FF's UP2U (user planning to user) concept, where FF users can participate in the holistic production process. FF is appreciative of the City of North Las Vegas and its partners in Nevada for their continued support throughout this process. FF seeks to raise substantial capital in 2019, bring the 1,050-horsepower FF 91 to market as soon as possible and continue preparing the subsequent mass-production FF 81 for its introduction. Both companies have failed to pay salaries of their employees for last month, according to employees' representatives. PSUs have approached the government for relief and partial equity investment in line with industry practice to compete in the market. New Delhi: The government has released pending dues of Rs 171 crore to cash-strapped MTNL for paying February salaries to employees, a senior official said. On the other hand, BSNL will clear salary dues of around Rs 850 crore by March 20 from its internal accruals. Both companies have failed to pay salaries of their employees for last month, according to employees' representatives. BSNL Chairman and MD Anupam Shrivastava said the company expects internal accruals of around Rs 850 crore in this month and the entire amount will be used for disbursal of salaries. "There will be no pending amount following this disbursal," he said. The company has informed its employee representatives that the disbursal of salaries would be made by March 20. BSNL spokesperson Sanjay Kumar Sinha said the salaries of BSNL employees in Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala and BSNL Corporate office (excluding senior officers and board members) have already been released. A senior DoT official said MTNL has been provided with Rs 171 crore on Tuesday as part of internal settlement. Both BSNL and MTNL have been ailing due to decisions taken by the government in the past including transfer of large number of DoT employees to these PSUs and allocation of expensive spectrum for mobile services without giving them any choice. BSNL has 1.76 lakh employees across India and MTNL has around 22,000. It is estimated that 16,000 MTNL employees and 50 per cent of BSNL employees will retire in the next 5-6 years. The PSUs have approached the government for relief and partial equity investment in line with industry practice to compete in the market. Both firms have sought permissions to monetise their land assets as well as support for voluntary retirement scheme for its employees. MTNL, which operates in only Delhi and Mumbai, expects that asset monetisation and other measures can help the company is doing away with the debt of around Rs 19,000 crore. BSNL, which has the lowest debt of Rs 14,000 crore among all telecom operators, has sought 4G spectrum across India through equity infusion of Rs 7,000 crore to help it compete in the market. First man recognized as 'nonbinary' in US regrets taking hormones, warns against trans 'sham' CP Reporter | 14 March, 2019 by Brandon Showalter The first man in the United States to be legally recognized as "nonbinary" now says it was a "sham," and notes that mainstream media and LGBT organizations treat him as though he does not exist. In a Monday article in the Daily Signal, Jamie Shupe, a man who recently desisted back to his biological sex, explained that four years ago he wrote about his decision to live "authentically" as the woman he said he always had been in The New York Times. Three years ago, he asserted he was nonbinary neither male nor female and was allowed to identify as such by the state of Oregon. He was the first person in the United States where a "third" sex was formally designated on his legal documents. "Now, I want to live again as the man that I am," Shupe wrote Monday, elaborating that while he took hormones and participated in "medical transgenderism" for several years, he never had surgery to remove his genitals and today considers himself lucky. "But that's not to say I got off scot-free. My psyche is eternally scarred, and I've got a host of health issues from the grand medical experiment," he said. Shupe went on to detail how the transgender community billed life as the opposite sex as wonderful and fulfilling when in fact it only made him more miserable. His confusion was compounded by medical professionals who now write letters saying their gender-confused patients were essentially born in the wrong body, a notion government agencies and courts of law have validated. In a Wednesday interview with The Christian Post, when asked what he would tell young people who have begun believing they are transgender or nonbinary, Shupe said he knows they have been led to think that gender identities are real but they are not. "To the children, I say: I understand that you are reluctant to take the advice of older people and would prefer to test things out yourself, but you can't walk this harm back. You only have one body. You only have one reproductive system. Please don't ruin it chasing the fantasy that you are something other than your biological sex," Shupe said. "While your suffering is real, a gender transition is not the answer to your problems. Right now there is no reward for being the person who resists succumbing to gender dysphoria. That's going to change and you should be proud to be a part of that change." He added that he would tell parents that he knows how much gender clinicians have scared them by claiming their options are their child's suicide or a gender transition. "I understand how your child has learned to weaponize suicide because I've been taught that too. I understand how precious your children are, because I have one of my own. Never in a million years would she get my help or support to transition. When therapists or doctors warn that your child should not go through the wrong puberty, you must ask how the child could possibly know that their puberty was wrong without experiencing the one their body is supposed to naturally have," he said. "If you want to help your child learn their way out of gender ideology, they must be taught to understand sex stereotypes and not be raised with rigid boundaries." Parents must understand that gender dysphoria is always part of a co-morbid mental illness, he stressed, adding that "countless" children have been lost despite giving them access to hormones and surgeries. "That's because they do not fix the underlying problem." The medical and societal horrors of being transgender are far worse than being gay, he continued, particularly since being gay does not involve hormones and surgery. He believes children should not be made to feel that sexual orientation must be "made straight by a gender change" because of their parents' beliefs. The real root of Shupe's distress was sexual abuse from a male relative when he was a child and severe beatings from his parents, he explained Monday. "I now have irreversible breast growth. I have a number of health complications from this. I now have bone density problems. I've had kidney problems. And at one point my mental health was so destabilized by the hormones that I had two stays in a psychiatric ward because of it," he said in a Monday interview with Fox News' Laura Ingraham. Read more from "First man recognized as 'nonbinary' in US regrets taking hormones, warns against trans 'sham'" on The Christian Post. Once For All Christian Examiner Contributor | 13 March, 2019 by Mark Klages By all accounts, this year's Oscars were standard "Hollywood love thyself" fare. One notable exception is the conduct of renowned director Spike Lee, who tried to storm out of the theater after losing to "Green Book," but was forced to return to his seat. Spike Lee, who identifies as Christian yet rejects the idea of God, is representative of typical Christianity in these United States. Folks, if my last statement offended you, just ask yourself how Christians in America are categorized. As my pastor stated recently, here are the top five answers Survey Says! Christians are anti-abortion, anti-choice Christians are anti-drug, including medical marijuana Christians are against pornography Christians are against adultery Christians reject liberal thinking Casting Crowns said it well in their song, "Jesus, Friend of Sinners" when they sang, "No one knows what we're for only what we're against when we judge the wounded, What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did" (Hall, Mark and Matthew West. Come to the Well. 2011.) Sure, it's a song verse, but they ask a really good question. What if we stopped being against everything and actually did what Jesus called us to do? (Matt 22:37-39) So, here's my stab at what that list would look like if we actually did what Jesus said. Christians love God the Father, Son, and Spirit, and their fellow man Christians give freely, understanding everything they have comes from God Christians forgive, understanding that they themselves were first forgiven before they even recognized their error Christians are joyful, even in the face of overwhelming odds Christians are accepting, realizing that the standard for measurement is Jesus That is what the list should look like. Like it or not, the world associates Christians more with the behavior of Spike Lee than Tim Tebow. For the world, Tebow is an anomaly and Lee is the norm. Do you disagree? Ask your non-Christian friends how many Tim Tebows vs. how many Spike Lees they know. I think you might be surprised. So then, how do we practice what we preach? Start by loving your neighbor. Treat him or her the way you want to be treated. For you politically-minded Christians, that means understand AOC and Tlaib, listen and love them even if you disagree with them. Don't seek to destroy them, seek to witness to them. Jesus did. Jesus took 39 lashes, three nails, and crown of thorns and yet He still loved all sinners enough to die once for all of us (Heb 10:14). Try that as a standard of judgment. Mark Klages is an influential contributor, a former US Marine and a lifelong teacher who focuses on applying a Christian worldview to everyday events. Mark blogs at https://maklagesl3.wixsite.com/website under the title "God Provides where Hate Divides," with a heart to heal social, political, relational, and intellectual wounds through God's divine love and grace. Mark can also be found on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-klages-04b42511/. MOSCOW (RNS) Authorities in Vladivostok, the largest city in far eastern Russia, are planning to erect a gigantic statue of Jesus Christ on a site once designated for a monument of Vladimir Lenin. The statue, which has not yet been approved by the Russian Orthodox Church, is to be 125 feet high the same height as the Christ the Redeemer monument in Rio de Janeiro, according to blueprints made public by Vyatsky Posad, a Russian Orthodox Christian center. The statue will stand on top of a hill looking east over the Pacific Ocean. Soviet authorities issued orders for the construction of a 98-foot-high bronze statue of Lenin at the site in 1972. Another statue, of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, was planned to be built on a neighboring hill. But construction hitches meant the plans were repeatedly postponed, before eventually being scrapped altogether in 1990. Supporters of the Jesus statue are enthusiastic, despite the lack of details about the project. Descriptions of the statue as a symbol of the unity of the Russian people that would bless ships leaving and arriving in the port city were later deleted from the Vyatsky Posads website, for reasons that remain unclear. Attempts by Religion News Service to contact the Vyatsky Center for comment were unsuccessful. Other Russian media outlets, however, have published blueprints for the project, and plans for the statue were openly discussed at a meeting at the proposed site in late February attended by Oleg Kozhemyako, the regional governor; Ali Uzdenov, a vice president of the Russian business conglomerate Sistema; and Gennady Tsurkov, the head of the Vyatsky Posad center, which is connected to Iliy, an influential monk who is spiritual adviser to Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. Tsurkov, in an interview with Russias Govorit Moskva radio station, said the statue project had been inspired by Iliy. He really wants to put up a statue of Jesus Christ as a protector of our Russia from the east, Tsurkov said. He says, we need to make it higher (than the statue in Rio). Tsurkov clarified that while the statue itself would be the same height as the Christ the Redeemer monument, it would also stand atop a 98-foot-high pedestal. Altogether, it will be 68 meters (223 feet), he said. Tsurkov said that private investors would fund the construction of the statue but that total costs had yet to be finalized. Kozhemyako said a small chapel that could hold up to 30 people would also be built close to the statue. Delegations will just arrive, go in, and light a candle, the regional governor said, according to online footage of the on-site discussion. Online opinion has been almost entirely negative. Is there nothing else for us to spend our money on? wrote Svetlana, on a forum for residents of Vladivostok. Wed be better off spending the money on hospitals, schools, roads Others on the same forum suggested the project could be part of a money-laundering scheme. Roman Lunkin, a religion analyst at the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow, told RNS that it was not certain that the Russian Orthodox Church would approve the project, because the proposed design was more in keeping with Roman Catholic statues and monuments. There is a tradition in Orthodoxy of putting up crosses, but not statues, he said. With the Russian Orthodox Church closely aligned with the Kremlin, Lunkin explained, the project contained a political-patriotic element that apparently underlines what President Vladimir Putin has described as the religious values that bind modern Russia. This huge statue of Christ is proposed to act as a kind of border post in Russias far east to guard our motherland, Lunkin said. He also criticized comments attributed to Ilya, the patriarchs spiritual adviser, about making the statue larger than its counterpart in Brazil as an ill-considered attempt to demonstrate Russian greatness to the entire world. The construction of a massive statue of Christ in Vladivostok would also neatly symbolize Russias startling transformation from an officially atheist state in the Soviet era, which ended in 1991, to todays Christian-majority country. Around 80 percent of Russians currently identify as Orthodox Christians, including Putin, a former KGB agent. Few, however, attend church services or observe religious fasts. The Vladivostok statue wouldnt be the first time that a Christian structure has been built on the site of a monument to Lenin. In 2000, Moscows Christ the Saviour Cathedral was consecrated at a location within sight of the Kremlin towers, replacing a previous cathedral building that was demolished on Stalins orders in 1931 to make way for a planned 1,000-foot-high Palace of Soviets. The palace, which would have been the worlds tallest building at the time, was to have been topped by a colossal statue of Lenin. Construction was postponed and then later scrapped with the outbreak of World War II. Its not only in grandiose architecture that Lenin and Jesus compete in todays Russia. Gennady Zyuganov, the leader of the modern-day Communist Party, frequently compares Lenin to Jesus Christ and has claimed the Soviet Union was an attempt to establish Gods kingdom on earth. READ THIS STORY AT RELIGIONNEWS.COM Article originally published by Religion News Service. Used with permission. Photo courtesy: RNS/Vyatsky Center Jonathan Full didnt hesitate before choosing to pay for the meals of 11 servicemen and women at a local Chick-fil-a in Durham, North Carolina, choosing to honor his late stepbrother who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The mans brother, Stephen Full, told the story on Facebook, sharing his pride in his brothers kind gesture. Many on social media have responded to Jonathans generosity, and his desire to raise awareness of PTSD among veterans. [My] message to them was to reach out to their fellow servicemen and help anyone with PTSD because I just lost my brother to it, Jonathan Full told Yahoo Lifestyle. It was a way for me to express my gratitude for what they do and help me grieve for my brother, And [I wanted to] give back to them for what burdens they will now carry for life to help us. It was a normal day in March, when Jonathan, who works as an equipment technician, and his brother, Stephen Full, took their children to Chick-fil-A to give their wives time to shop, CBS News wrote. Two servicemembers entered the restaurant and went to order their meals. Jonathan immediately got up and went to pay for their meal, wrote Stephen on Facebook. Little did he know, about 9 more walked in lol. He didnt even bat an eye and asked everyone in line to allow the 9 come to the front of the line. While Jonathan Full was with the soldiers, Stephen said he took the opportunity to explain to his son and nephew how it was Jonathans honor to be able to buy them a meal and say thanks for our freedom and thanks for keeping us safe, Stephen Full told Yahoo Lifestyle. This is how good starts, with teaching our kids and showing them how to show respect and honor, he said. As he paid for their meals, in remembrance of our late brother Joshua who suffered mentally from severe PTSD, he asked them to reach out to anyone they knew with PTSD and try their best to get them the help they needed. We thanked them for their service and left. Taught our boys to take care of the people that take care of us. Please share this, in expanding efforts for PTSD support for the men and women that fight for our country every day, wrote Stephen, in the conclusion of his story. Facebook responses have shown the extent to which this act of kindness has touched onlookers. One of the servicewomens partners, who Jonathan Full purchased a meal for, responded with thanks. We both serve I the military and understand the struggles our brothers and sisters in arms face, she said. Even those small gestures mean so much. Were terribly sorry for your loss. Through the praise, the Full brothers hope that people ultimately remember to take care of the people who take care of us with their lives. I want serviceman and women to know that PTSD is not always visible. Please, please talk to someone, said Stephen to Yahoo. I know you are broken, but we can put the pieces back together and get you fixed, make you whole again. Photo courtesy: Getty Images/Tom Pennington/Stringer A leading pro-life leader is criticizing House and Senate Democrats for promoting a bill that would protect kittens in research experiments from harm, days after the same Democrats opposed a bill that would protect human babies who survive abortion. Sen. Jeff Merkley, a Democrat from Oregon, introduced the Kittens In Traumatic Testing Ends Now Act, on March 7, which would halt experiments within the U.S. Department of Agriculture that cause pain to kittens. A USDA laboratory breeds kittens and euthanizes them when the experiment is complete. Nearly 3,000 kittens have been used in research since 1982, according to one USDA administrator. The KITTEN Act will protect these innocent animals from being needlessly euthanized in government testing, and make sure that they can be adopted by loving families instead, Merkley said in a press release. Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, noted that Merkley had voted days earlier against a bill that would require medical care for babies who survive abortion. It was known as the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Ridiculous doesnt begin to describe a party that tells America to back away from the tables of crying newborns while it rushes to the rescue of kittens instead, Perkins said in his Wednesday Washington Update. I suppose we should also tell firefighters when they run into burning houses to look for the pets first? After all, on the Democrats sliding scale of wantedness, shouldnt we find out how loved someone is before we decide if theyre worth saving? Perkins called it one of the sickest ironies no one is talking about. Maybe the DNCs strategists are out to lunch, or maybe the Left really is this shameless, but I cant wait to see some of these politicians standing on debate platforms next year telling the American people that when it comes to protecting living things: We chose cats over kids, Perkins said. Sen. Cory Booker (N.J.) -- who is running for president -- is another Democrat who supported the kittens act but opposed the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. The Kittens In Traumatic Testing Ends Now Act has Republican supporters, too, including GOP Rep. Brian Mast of Florida. Yet Mast is listed as a co-sponsor of the House version of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Michael Foust is a freelance writer. Visit his blog, MichaelFoust.com. Photo courtesy: Kote Puerto/Unsplash This article was adapted from episode four of The Way to Glory. Each week on The Way to Glory, we take a fresh look at a character from The Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan's 300-year-old masterwork. Subscribe now in iTunes, Google Podcasts, or Spotify. Do you have a boring testimony, one that cant compare to the man in your Bible study who was saved out of sex, drugs, and rock n roll? Or have you noticed how the same types of faith stories seem to become books? Often people believe the quieter entrances into Christianitygrowing up in a faith-filled home, being taught the Scriptures, formative years spent in a healthy churchsimply arent interesting. At times, those with boring testimonies may wonder if theyre really saved or if their faith matters as much as the faith of Christians converted from R-rated lives. Their PG-testimony feels shallow, so they wonder if their beliefs run shallow, too. Readers of The Pilgrims Progress can feel this way about the journey of Christiana, Christians wife, and their sons. These characters seem to come by faithfulness more easily in Part 2 than Christian did in Part 1. They walk paths a bit less rocky, lacking the action and intrigue that keeps readers entertained in the first half. But Christianas story is not a boring one; rather, her journey methodically and patiently fashions a link of generational faithfulness, just as Christians journey has broken chains of generational sin. Dr. Joel R. Beeke joined us this week on The Way to Glory to discuss the differences in Christian and Christiana, specifically in terms of Christianas relationship with Great Heart, who plays the role of a pastor, counselor, and friend. Dr. Beeke is president and professor of systematic theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, a pastor of Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has written, co-authored, or edited 100 books including A Puritan Theology, Living for the Glory of God: An Introduction to Calvinism, and Meet the Puritans. Beekes love for The Pilgrims Progress started in childhood when his father read the book aloud to their family every Sunday night. He didnt just read, Beeke says, but rather he pastored them through the storyallowing his children to interrupt with questions and taking time to explain various characters, events, and themes in gentle ways. In this, Beekes father was much like the kind and courageous Great Heart. "Great Heart is a stand-in for a pastor, spiritual mentor, or spiritual friend, Beeke says. Hes someone who has enough space in his heart to make room for other people. He goes out of his way to make sure that those people are doing okay. What I really love about him is his other-centeredness. Jesus says that a pastor is someone who loves his sheep so much he's willing to lay down his life for them. And that's what Mr. Great Heart seems to be. As their journey winds near Doubting Castle, Great Heart leads Christianas four sons and Old Mr. Honest in an attack against Giant Despair and Diffidence. The band of pilgrims gather their courage to defeat this darkness because they are inspired by Great Hearts admonishment to eliminate despair and doubt before any other unsuspecting victims, much like Christian and Hopeful, are enslaved in its chains. With that sense of purpose, they brazenly knock on the castle door. "It is I, Great-heart, one of the King of the Celestial Country's conductors of pilgrims to their place; and I demand of thee that thou open thy gates for my entrance; prepare thyself also to fight, for I am come to take away thy head, and to demolish Doubting Castle." Now, Giant Despair, because he was a giant, thought no man could overcome him; and again thought he, "Since heretofore I have made a conquest of angels, shall Great-heart make me afraid?" So he harnessed himself with his armor, and went out. He had a cap of steel upon his head, a breastplate of fire girded to him, and he came out in iron shoes, with a great club in his hand. Then these six men made up to him, and beset him behind Beeke examines the spiritual metaphor in the text: Your pastor is supposed to help you fight your doubts and fears and cling to God's promises. They help set their people free through faithful preaching, teaching, shepherding, and pastoral guidance, like Mr. Great Heart. Great Heart acts as Christianas friend and protector, offering her physical defense and spiritual guidance, all while eliminating or lessening many of her trials before she can even acknowledge them. He equips their group to go on the offensive, just as we often must do in the Christian walk. And he cares not only for her family, but for others around them as well, as we see in Great Heart bringing Old Mr. Honest along in the battle. When Diffidence, the giantess, came up to help him, old Mr. Honest cut her down at one blow. Then they fought for their lives, and Giant Despair was brought down to the ground, but was very loath to die. He struggled hard, and had, as they say, as many lives as a cat; but Great-heart was his death, for he left him not till he had severed his head from his shoulders. Old Mr. Honest kills Diffidence. Great Heart kills Giant Despair. And the band of victors takes to destroying Doubting Castle so that the pilgrims who come behind them will not face captivity. Patterns of Faithfulness Then they fell to demolishing Doubting Castle, and that, you know, might with ease be done, since Giant Despair was dead. They were seven days in destroying of that; and in it of pilgrims, they found one Mr. Despondency, almost starved to death, and one Much-afraid, his daughter: these two they saved alive. But it would have made you wonder to have seen the dead bodies that lay here and there in the castle-yard, and how full of dead men's bones the dungeon was. While this battle scene pulses with vibrancy and excitement, much of Christianas journey is far quieter. She has had the privilege of spiritual mentorshipof being led and loved by Great Heart as she pursues a faithful life. Because of this, she avoids many of the difficulties Christian experiences, and she does not drown in guilt when she errs. Perhaps Great Hearts greatest aid to Christiana is his counsel and care that remind her that she belongs to God, grace abounds, and she is victorious because of Jesus. Genuine pastoring, shepherding, and counseling alter the lives of believers in transformative, God-glorifying ways. When pastors and mature Christians take on the role of caring greatly for those around them and choose to live as though this life is not meant to be experienced individually but communally, hearts are strengthened and those deep bonds begin to echo the Trinity. Because of the love of God, untethered by time, goodness and faithfulness burrow into the soil, waiting to bloom in the generations to come. While many of us may not be pastors, we all have people in our lives in need of care and counsel. We may be parents, teachers, managers, co-workers, colleagues, friends, or neighbors. In every relationship, we have the opportunity to live as Great Heartfull of the knowledge of God, convinced of the his sufficiency, and intent on speaking and serving in such a way that, as far as it depends on us, generations to come will be blessed and not cursed. These relationships often seem small and perhaps even boring. Explaining Bible stories as our children smack Goldfish, praying with our friends, and lingering in the front yard to talk to a neighbor all feel more tiresome and tedious rather than triumphant. But the beauty of living pastorally isnt in the huge moments, for very rarely will we get to storm the doors of Doubting Castle with others. Beauty is seen in faithfully walking alongside people as love and care incarnate, just like Great Heartand just like Jesus. Whether your story is one of transgressive glitz and glamour or pastoral care and lifelong, mundane faithfulness, you can emulate Great Heart by encouraging others, testifying to the truth, and cultivating relationships. Patterns of faithfulness may feel rote or unimportant, but those disciplinesreading Scripture, praying, serving, worshipingprovide opportunities to invite others into our lives. And when the time comes to destroy doubt, diffidence, and despair, those patterns of love and care have prepared us to gather our group and fight together. The Way to Glory is produced by CT Creative Studio in partnership with our sponsor Revelation Media and their upcoming movie, The Pilgrim's Progress, in theaters Easter weekend. Al Mohler explains why he didnt sign John MacArthurs anti-social justice statement Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler explained why he did not sign last summers John MacArthur-led statement condemning evangelicals' embrace of social justice as dangerous to the Gospel. Mohler, an influential voice in conservative evangelicalism who frequently voices his opinions on current events through his daily podcast, took part in a panel discussion last week at the 2019 Shepherds Conference at MacArthur's Grace Community Church in California. During the panel discussion moderated by Grace to You Executive Director Phil Johnson, Mohler and other panelists on stage were asked why they didnt sign The Statement on Social Justice & the Gospel. The statement spearheaded last year by the 79-year-old MacArthur claimed that social justice values borrowed from secular culture are currently undermining Scripture in the areas of race and ethnicity, manhood and womanhood, and human sexuality. The statement seemed to challenge the embrace of social justice causes by influential institutions such as the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and The Gospel Coalition. Are you not concerned about the liberalizing drift [of the social justice movement] and all the rhetoric that goes along with that? Johnson, who has worked for MacArthur for decades, asked Mohler. Mohler, who didnt sign the statement last year, didnt seem too pleased with the question. He stated that he took a bit of offense to the question because he has laid out his concerns with the political left and cultural Marxism over his 30-plus years in ministry. When it comes to concerns about the evangelical left, I have been quite vocal. Anyone who knows the conversations among evangelical leaders knows exactly where I am on these issues, Mohler responded. How best to articulate that concern in this particular moment, that is not easy. I have tried to help interpret these issues as clearly and biblically and charitably as I can. [I] am afraid we are going to lose an enormous number of evangelicals to various kinds of the social gospel because that is a lot easier to find satisfaction in than evangelism. When directly asked why he didnt sign, Mohler explained: I want to be very honest. You have known me for a long time. So you know of my concerns. I am having before God trying to address those concerns the way I think best consistent with 35 years of public ministry, Mohler said. I was not particularly appreciative of being handed a statement. Mohler stressed that when it came to the statement, he had no opportunity to offer any particular consultation or suggestion. It is not pride of authorship but I am just reluctant to sign onto anything that is not creedal and confessional that doesnt express exactly how I want to say something, Mohler explained. Not signing should not be interpreted as a rejection of common concern. I dont think that is fair. During the panel, MacArthur, who will step down as president of The Masters University in California in May 2020, stated that he is not trying to pick a fight with his friends on the stage who didnt sign his statement. I got a lot of heat from people on the internet, MacArthur said of the response to last years statement. I said, look these are my friends. These are men I love. These are men who serve Christ. They have given their lives to him. God has given each of you guys a formidable place in the kingdom and you all had an impact on my life. . I dont fight my friends. Why would I do that? I dont want to become an island. My enemies have already eliminated me, if I get rid of my friends, I may have nobody but Phil. SBC pastor repents for not taking action, says fired music minister had multiple victims Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Just over a week after a Southern Baptist Convention committee determined that six of 10 churches did not need further inquiry regarding their handling of sexual abuse, Pastor Rodney Brown, leader of one of the six churches, repented and apologized for not earlier firing a staff member alleged to have abused several children because the staffer was a friend. Recently I have come to realize that I failed my duty as pastor in not taking action against an individual who had been accused of child abuse in the past at another church. This was because of my longstanding friendship with the accused, Brown, who leads Trinity Baptist Church in Ashburn, Georgia, said in a statement to The Christian Index last Thursday. Other victims have now come forward naming this person and he has admitted to assaulting several young people many years ago. I now realize that what I first thought was an isolated incident was much more. I should have understood that earlier and not doing so was a great mistake on my part. I cannot apologize enough for my actions, Brown said, noting that the staff member has since been fired. Although there has never been any known abuse at Trinity, the person accused has been terminated from the staff at Trinity. He was also asked to immediately resign his church membership, which he did. He has been directed not to return to Trinity." Last month, SBC President J. D. Greear named Trinity Baptist Church among 10 churches he argued should face inquiries into whether they concealed sexual abuses or knowingly hired sexual predators. Brown had previously told the Baptist Press, that the now fired staffer had confessed he had molested a young teen decades earlier and had repented. Church leaders came back to me and said, Rodney, the man says hes repented, Brown told BP. Were not his judge. Weve not seen anything to indicate any of this at our church. David Pittman is one of the men who says he was abused by the staffer identified by the Houston Chronicle as a music minister more than 30 years ago. Pittman has been trying to get justice for himself and the other victims for the last 13 years and he said he felt vindicated by the recent firing. The SBC, he told the Chronicle, needs to understand the difference between child protection and risk management, because they seem to be more concerned with insurance policies than with the souls of the children and the lives that could be damaged. Im hopeful for the first time in decades that we can meet with them and they can hear what needs to happen for children to be better protected and for survivors to be listened to, he said. Pittman said the fired music minister abused him in the 1980s at a different church near Atlanta and the trauma forced him to turn to drugs and alcohol. When he came forward with the abuse in 2006, Pittman said police told him it was too late to press charges but he has continued to advocate for justice by contacting schools where the fired minister worked as a substitute teacher. He also reached out to others who alleged abuse at the ministers hand as well as the SBC and churches associated with him. He said he lost hope that any action would be taken against his alleged abuser until Greears short-lived recommendation to investigate Trinity and other churches on the SBCs watchlist. He was floored when the SBC Executive Committee bylaws workgroup stated in a report that for six of the 10 churches, they found no evidence, based on the information they were given, of them showing disregard or indifference for sexual abuse. I looked at my wife and told her I cant do this, he said. I cant give myself hope because theyve lied and failed and theyve said the right words before and then they failed again. In his apology, Brown also referenced Pittman and the other victims. I have injured the victims of the accused by my actions, especially Mr. David P, who brought this to my attention. I have spent much time before God repenting for my actions. I now ask David P and the other victims for forgiveness for my acting so irresponsibly, Brown said. I also must ask Southern Baptist Convention President Dr. J.D. Greear and the SBC in general, along with the Georgia Baptist Convention, to forgive my actions. I have acted irresponsibly toward them in the past few weeks and I truly express my deep sorrow for that. I pray we can heal and become stronger in the protection of our children, he continued. My greatest failure during this time has been to the God I serve who gave His Son for me. This situation has greatly changed my thinking as pastor. I realize that friendship can never override the duties God has given me to protect those we serve in His name. My prayer is for Gods mercy and healing for the victims of these terrible acts and for any churches affected. Bringing back the Kashmiri flavour and adding a distinct innocent charm, 'Bumro' from Notebook is all things sweet. Mumbai: Bringing back the Kashmiri flavour and adding a distinct innocent charm, 'Bumro' from Notebook is all things sweet. The makers of Notebook have added a contemporary touch to the folklore. The song is sung by Kamaal Khan and composed by Vishal Mishra. The video makes you weak in knees with the adorable innocence and playful equation between Zaheer Iqbal and the kids. Rebuilding the school located amidst the lake, 'Bumro' has the actors shaking a leg on the peppy number. Sharing the song on social media SKF tweeted, "The fun-filled tunes, that will leave you hooked! 3rd song of #Notebook, #Bumro out now." As the film is set in Kashmir, the makers couldn't resist to include the popular Bumro song. Featuring the kids along with Zaheer Iqbal with a hook step in the song After Nai Lagda and Laila, Bumro is the third song from the film. Notebook takes the audience on a romantic journey back in time against the backdrop of Kashmir, raising the question, can you fall in love with someone you never met? The glimpses of the trailer which showcases Kabir talking about his love for Firdaus has already taken the internet by storm with its unconventional love story dated back to 2007. Notebook has been shot in the exquisite valleys of Kashmir bringing the authentic love story of two lovers Firdaus and Kabir, along with a strong support cast with the child artists, who play a vital role on the story. Helmed by Nitin Kakkar, Notebook is presented by Salman Khan Films and is a Cine1 Studios Production. It is produced by Salma Khan, Murad Khetani and Ashwin Varde and is all set to hit the screens on 29th March 2019. Morgan Freemans Story of God explores archaeology and Jesus as God Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Warning: This article contains spoilers. The divinity of Christ will be highlighted by Morgan Freeman on national television Tuesday. The third season of National Geographic's "The Story of God with Morgan Freeman" premiered this month and in episode two, airing Tuesday night, the Academy Award-winning actor embarks on a journey to discover the gods among us, where he highlights evidence that early Christians recognized Jesus as God. Freeman kicks off the episode reminding viewers that the role of God has followed him as an actor throughout his 50-year career. But now hes taking viewers through those various deities that some believe walked the earth. Jesus is not the only example of human incarnation of God. The Egyptian pharaohs, the emperors of the Inca were all considered divine. Makes you wonder, why do people want to see God walk among us? Freeman says in the show. The actor then journeys to discover how different faiths see God taking human form. There is one God on the earth whose followers number in the billions, Freeman says before talking about Jesus Christ. The episode starts with a visit to Bethlehem at the Church of the Nativity, where a Franciscan priest takes Freeman to the supposed spot where Roman emperor Constantine's mother, Helena, believed Jesus was born. He then travels to an Israeli prison where there was a discovery of ancient archaeological evidence. I needed to understand when Jesus the preacher, Jesus the rabbi came to be seen as divine Jesus, Freeman says of his reason for traveling to this prison in Israel. There, he is given access to an archaeological discovery so important that it was completely barricaded. In 2005, archaeologists discovered proof of the first time Jesus was hailed a God on the grounds of this high-security Israeli prison in Megiddo. Scholar of comparative religion Dr. Yanatan Moss was in charge of giving Freeman a tour of the excavation. The site was discovered to be a Christian prayer hall with a mosaic on the floor which honored Jesus. The writings on the ground revealed that a female follower of Jesus dedicated a table (altar) to the God, Jesus Christ. As suggested by the letters of the Apostle Paul many of the early church leaders were women, Freeman explains when discovering that the mosaic features a woman's name. Moss explains, In the early centuries because Christianity was an underground, counter-cultural movement it was often the people who were in a subjugated position in society who accepted Christianity earlier than people in position in power. This site would seem to give us the voice of these ancient Christian women and what they believe about Christ, Its explicitly stated here, the people living here in this village in the third century they understood Christ to be divine. Christ as God, Freeman echoes. The incredible discovery of the ordinary house floor revealed that 1,800 years ago Christians gathered there to worship Jesus as God. That is a belief Christians around the world hold to this day, hailing the Messiah as one of the three persons in the Trinity Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Freeman then answers his question from earlier in the program. The dominant voice being women played a part in transforming Jesus the rabbi, Jesus the prophet, into Jesus the God, God made flesh, he says. I would argue this transformation that has given Christianity its longevity. Billions of souls follow the teaching, not of a man but of God. God on earth. Freeman further examines other gods among us, who frequently come and go. He visits a Kumari deity, a young girl who reigns as a Hindu goddess, a medium, the Rastafarian leader Haile Selassie and more. Season 3 of Story of God with Morgan Freeman features six episodes that take viewers on an interfaith journey around the globe, traveling to 30 different cities of historical and anthropological importance, including Jerusalem, Kathmandu, Jericho, Rome, Bethlehem, Paris, Prague, Hanoi, Toronto and Lourdes. "The series filmmakers met with 13 religious experts, eight priests, three druids, three shamans, one imam, one rabbi, one former executioner, one nun, two 'living goddesses' and hundreds of monks. The series interviews believers of many faiths including Christians, Jews, pagans, druids, Muslims, Hindus, Jains, animists, Buddhists and agnostics, the shows synopsis reads. Visit National Geographic for more information on The Story of God with Morgan Freeman. Covenant Seminary distances itself from Revoice conference Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A theologically conservative seminary affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America recently stated that it will not be supporting the Revoice conference. The first annual Revoice conference, which centered on giving support to gay Christians who want to adhere to biblical sexual ethics, was held in St. Louis, Missouri, last year and drew criticism from some conservative Christians who argued that it was advancing an LGBT agenda and promoting the idea that sexual orientation is fixed. Jay Sklar, vice president of Academics at Covenant Theological Seminary and a professor of Old Testament, was one of the speakers at the 2018 Revoice gathering. Clarifying the seminary's stance in a video released last week, Covenant President Mark Dalbey stated that his school will neither support this years Revoice conference nor will any of its staff take part. As to the Revoice conference, Covenant Seminary does not endorse, promote, or have a role in the Revoice conference. We do not agree with all of the views that were shared or taught at the Revoice conference, Dalbey said. Covenant Seminary does not advocate for queer theology, Covenant Seminary does not teach that a person should identify as a gay Christian, and Covenant Seminary will not have any of our faculty speaking at the 2019 Revoice conference. Dalbey took issue with individuals he did not name who had, as he put it, engaged in slanderous attacks against his seminary over the Revoice controversy. Much of what is being said about Covenant Seminary is sinful, slanderous, violation of the ninth commandment which teaches in the Larger Catechism that we should promote and preserve the good name of our neighbor and ourselves when necessary, he stated. Denny Burk, professor of Biblical Studies at Boyce College and a critic of Revoice, celebrated the Dalbey statement. I was really grateful to read a strong and clear statement about human sexuality from the President of Covenant Theological Seminary, wrote Burk. Last year, Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Louis hosted the Revoice conference, a gathering of a few hundred LGBT individuals in churches who adhere to biblical standards of sexual ethics. Revoices official mission statement was to "encourage, support, and empower gay, lesbian, and other same-sex-attracted Christians so they can experience the life-giving character of the historic, Christian sexual ethic." While Revoice organizers supported the traditional biblical teaching of marriage and sexual ethics, some argued that the conference pushed an LGBT agenda in churches at the expense of sound Christian teaching. Covenant found itself in the crosshairs of the debate when Sklar agreed to be a speaker. Last year, Dalbey released a statement defending Sklars decision to speak at Revoice, while reaffirming his seminarys stance on biblical sexual ethics. To say, I am a Christian who struggles with 'x' kind of ongoing temptation to certain kinds of sin, is part of the testimony of ones sanctification but is not the foundation of who we are in Christ, stated Dalbey last year. In all of life, we must hold faithfully to the Bibles teaching as we reach those who do not yet know Jesus and as we help those who do to remain faithful to him. Pushing back against Revoice, a conference called "God's Voice" was held in February with speakers such as Stephen Black opposing the label "LGBT Christian." Revoice is scheduled to have its second conference in St. Louis on June 5-8. FDA cracking down on online mail-order abortion pills Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Food & Drug Administration recently sent warning letters to businesses that are selling abortion pills online that the federal entity deemed unapproved and mislabeled. The FDA sent a warning letter last week to Aid Access, a website that claims to provide safe abortion pills for women, girls and trans men. Signed by Thomas Christi, director of the Office of Drug Security, Integrity, & Recalls at FDA, the letter says that the website has introduced misbranded and unapproved new drugs in interstate commerce in violation of federal law. Two specific examples cited by the FDA were the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol, which were labeled unapproved, adding that they are not generally recognized as safe and effective for their labeled use. Aidaccess.org facilitates the sale to U.S. consumers of unapproved mifepristone in a regimen with unapproved misoprostol labeled for the termination of pregnancy, states the letter. No approved applications pursuant to section 505 of the FD&C Act are in effect for this product. Accordingly, its introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce violates sections 301(d) (21 U.S.C. 331(d)] and 505(a) (21 U.S.C. 355(a)] of the FD&C Act. Another warning letter was sent last week to Rablon, an online pharmacy network that oversees several websites including some that sell abortion pills. According to the letter, also signed by Christi, Rablon offered a product known as an Abortion Pill Pack," which included both mifepristone and misoprostol tablets. Because the Abortion Pill Pack product contains prescription drugs intended for a condition that is not amenable to self-diagnosis and treatment by a layperson, adequate directions cannot be written such that a layperson can use the product safely for its intended use, reads the FDA letter. By offering this drug for sale to U.S. consumers, Rablon is causing the introduction of a misbranded drug into interstate commerce in violation of section 301(a) of the FD&C Act [21 U.S.C. 331(a)]. Both entities were told by the FDA to immediately cease providing the online abortion pills, being told to contact the FDA office within 15 days of receiving its warning letter. Dr. Randall K. OBannon of the National Right to Life Committee supported the FDAs action, saying in a statement released Tuesday that it showed there are still people at the FDA who look at the evidence and see drugs that come with serious risks and require, at a minimum, professional medical management. They also recognize that in their zeal to push these do-it-yourself abortions, these advocates have incautiously partnered with shady or sloppy foreign pharmaceutical companies who manufacture and ship drugs of which the FDA cannot guarantee the purity or safety, stated OBannon. That they come without instructions or without clear safety warnings is reason enough for the FDA to halt the import of these drugs. Launched last year, Aid Access had reportedly shipped abortion-inducing drugs to approximately 600 women within its first six months of operation. The FDA began investigating Aid Access last year, noting that mifepristone, which is also called RU-486 or Mifeprex, is not allowed for sale online. First man recognized as 'nonbinary' in US regrets taking hormones, warns against trans 'sham' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The first man in the United States to be legally recognized as "nonbinary" now says it was a "sham," and notes that mainstream media and LGBT organizations treat him as though he does not exist. In a Monday article in the Daily Signal, Jamie Shupe, a man who recently desisted back to his biological sex, explained that four years ago he wrote about his decision to live "authentically" as the woman he said he always had been in The New York Times. Three years ago, he asserted he was nonbinary neither male nor female and was allowed to identify as such by the state of Oregon. He was the first person in the United States where a "third" sex was formally designated on his legal documents. "Now, I want to live again as the man that I am," Shupe wrote Monday, elaborating that while he took hormones and participated in "medical transgenderism" for several years, he never had surgery to remove his genitals and today considers himself lucky. "But thats not to say I got off scot-free. My psyche is eternally scarred, and Ive got a host of health issues from the grand medical experiment," he said. Shupe went on to detail how the transgender community billed life as the opposite sex as wonderful and fulfilling when in fact it only made him more miserable. His confusion was compounded by medical professionals who now write letters saying their gender-confused patients were essentially born in the wrong body, a notion government agencies and courts of law have validated. In a Wednesday interview with The Christian Post, when asked what he would tell young people who have begun believing they are transgender or nonbinary, Shupe said he knows they have been led to think that gender identities are real but they are not. "To the children, I say: I understand that you are reluctant to take the advice of older people and would prefer to test things out yourself, but you can't walk this harm back. You only have one body. You only have one reproductive system. Please don't ruin it chasing the fantasy that you are something other than your biological sex," Shupe said. "While your suffering is real, a gender transition is not the answer to your problems. Right now there is no reward for being the person who resists succumbing to gender dysphoria. That's going to change and you should be proud to be a part of that change." He added that he would tell parents that he knows how much gender clinicians have scared them by claiming their options are their child's suicide or a gender transition. "I understand how your child has learned to weaponize suicide because I've been taught that too. I understand how precious your children are, because I have one of my own. Never in a million years would she get my help or support to transition. When therapists or doctors warn that your child should not go through the wrong puberty, you must ask how the child could possibly know that their puberty was wrong without experiencing the one their body is supposed to naturally have," he said. "If you want to help your child learn their way out of gender ideology, they must be taught to understand sex stereotypes and not be raised with rigid boundaries." Parents must understand that gender dysphoria is always part of a co-morbid mental illness, he stressed, adding that "countless" children have been lost despite giving them access to hormones and surgeries. "That's because they do not fix the underlying problem." The medical and societal horrors of being transgender are far worse than being gay, he continued, particularly since being gay does not involve hormones and surgery. He believes children should not be made to feel that sexual orientation must be "made straight by a gender change" because of their parents' beliefs. The real root of Shupe's distress was sexual abuse from a male relative when he was a child and severe beatings from his parents, he explained Monday. "I now have irreversible breast growth. I have a number of health complications from this. I now have bone density problems. I've had kidney problems. And at one point my mental health was so destabilized by the hormones that I had two stays in a psychiatric ward because of it," he said in a Monday interview with Fox News' Laura Ingraham. "Ranking the harms is hard, but the worst is probably a split between the breast growth and the bone density issues. I've been diagnosed with osteopenia," he said to CP Wednesday, when asked which health problems have been the most difficult to endure. "I'm way too young for that and being so active it now scares me about breaking a bone while exercising. Likewise, going out in public I'm now overly self-conscious about my chest. My situation is pretty severe gynecomastia on an obviously male body. Fear of the unknown isn't good either. I remain concerned about what damage I've done internally that hasn't yet surfaced." Shupe told Ingraham Monday that he was previously a transgender "media darling" but the political left has completely silenced voices like his and now do not want to even acknowledge that he exists because he no longer supports transgenderism. He praised conservatives as the only group who will give people like him and others who object to trans-activism a platform, mentioning a January panel at the Heritage Foundation which featured exclusively leftist, radical feminist, and lesbian perspectives against transgender medicalization and pending legislation, the Equality Act, that would enshrine "gender identity" into federal civil rights law. The bill is now being considered in Congress and is expected to pass the Democratic-controlled House. Having had the experience of going from being a virtual nobody to somebody on the world stage, Shupe told CP that one of the most profound things he has learned in his journey through gender ideology and now desisting is how many purportedly mainstream media outlets used him to advance their preferred political agenda. "As long as you are speaking the language they want to hear, you have a place on their pages. The moment you disagree or stop speaking that language, they replace you with a new voice. We are creeping ever toward a world where vast wealth controls not only the media, but its message and who sees that message. This isn't going to end well," he said. "Suppose I was a billionaire and I bought up all the dictionary companies. And I then had the staff change the definition of the things I didn't like, such as making the word gender mean sex," he said of what his experience has taught him about how much of journalism functions. Shupe is not religious but notes that he thinks about faith daily and respects people of faith because he considers it the "least harmful coping mechanism known to mankind." "People suffering from gender dysphoria are taught that they must succumb to its ravages. 'It's transition or die,' they are told. It's shocking that few doctors don't instead advise them to meditate, pray, or seek solace in a faith or religious community," he said. "The military taught me that I must be strong and persevere through even the worst challenges or obstacles to win wars. The transgender community teaches failure and the doctors reward it." Shupe has become friends with Sex Change Regret founder Walt Heyer, a man who once identified as a woman and has since desisted and is now a believing Christian. "The LGBT community uses Heyer's faith to attack him and discredit him as a religious nut. These same critics can't say that about me, can they? People of faith are my allies in this fight," Shupe asserted. Kenyan pastor who ministers to ex-Muslims beaten with clubs, hospitalized Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A pastor in Kenya who disciples former Muslims in their walks with Christ was beaten unconscious by a group of angry Muslims and hospitalized last week. Morning Star News reports that a pastor on the outskirts of Garissa near the border of Somalia suffered a broken femur (thighbone) and other injuries last Friday night when he was attacked by a group of men while on his way home from a prayer gathering in Garissa. The pastor, only referred to by the first name Abdul, claims to have been beaten by men with wooden clubs and essentially left for dead. Although he didnt recognize his attackers, they are reported as being several Somali Muslims. The pastor, who came to Christ about seven years ago, is 30 years old and is a father of three children ages 8, 5 and 3. According to Morning Star News, an independent nonprofit news organization that covers Christian persecution across the globe, Abdul is the leader of an underground church made up of 30 former Muslims whom he disciples in small groups. He explained that even though he tried to keep his missionary movements secret, Muslim extremists were still able to find out about his ministry. The pastor claims one of the attackers told him: We have been following your movements and your evil plans of changing Muslims to Christianity. Immediately several assailants began hitting me with wooden clubs, and I became unconscious, the pastor recalled. I woke up and found myself surrounded by neighbors. I was rescued by the neighbors who found me in a pool of blood. Abdul was taken to the hospital in Garissa, the capital city of Garissa County in the eastern part of the country. Since it is near the border of Somalia, the city is predominantly ethnic Somali. Abdul said that in addition to the pain in his thigh, he has pain in his waist, back and near the ankle of his left leg. Im almost unable to bear the pain. My family is in great fear, and Christians have located us to another place, he was quoted as saying. Our prayer, for now, is to get a safe place for my family. My life and that of my family is at stake. While Kenya is ranked 40th on the Open Doors USAs 2019 World Watch List of countries with the greatest levels of Christian persecution, Somalia is ranked third. An estimated 99 percent of Somalis are Muslim and the country is home to one of the worlds most brutal Islamic extremist groups: al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab has carried out a number of deadly attacks against Christians in eastern Kenya. In 2015, the terrorist group killed at least 147 people, most of whom were Christians, in an early April massacre at Garissa University. Survivors have said that the militants let some Muslims live but killed those who were Christian. The group also made headlines in 2014 when it killed 28 Christians riding on a bus in Kenya. A similar bus attack occurred in 2015. In 2017, the group was reported to have killed seven Christians when it went door-to-door in Kenya checking the identification of residents. Last February, al-Shabaab killed three Christians during a raid on a primary school about 100 miles from Kenyas border with Somalia. Last September, al-Shabaab executed two Christians riding on a bus headed to Garissa. As they did in previous attacks, the group forced bus passengers to show their identity cards to prove whether or not they had a Muslim or Christian name. Al-Shabab regards Christians with a Muslim background as high-value targets, an Open Doors factsheet explains. Believers who left Islam to follow Jesus are often killed on the spot when discovered. Al-Shabab has continuously expressed its desire to eradicate Christians from the country. In Kenya, Open Doors explains, those who convert to Christianity face a constant threat of attack from their closest relatives as al-Shabaab has infiltrated some locales to spy on Christians. NAE passes resolution on pastor sex abuse, calls on churches to thoroughly vet all hires Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The National Association of Evangelicals released a resolution advising churches to take greater measures to screen and vet staff and volunteers in light of numerous reports of sexual abuses committed by pastors and staff nationwide. The NAE board of directors approved a resolution at its semiannual meeting on March 7 called A Call to Sexual Purity and Child Protection. The statement laments the violation of trust by pastors who have sexually abused church members, in particular children. The resolution comes over a month after the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News released a detailed report outlining how there have been about 700 victims of alleged sexual abuse by 380 Southern Baptist leaders and volunteers nationwide since 1998. The resolution also comes as one of the largest megachurches in the nation is facing scrutiny over the fact that four former volunteers were charged with sex crimes against minors, including one daycare volunteer who assaulted at least 14 children in a church daycare bathroom. NAE is an association of over 40 evangelical denominations, and 45,000 churches, schools and organizations worldwide. Jesus spoke in graphic terms about how God views such offenses: If anyone causes one of these little ones those who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea, the resolution states, quoting Matthew 18:6. Whistleblowers who bring these violations to light perform an important service to the church and to our society. According to outgoing NAE President Leith Anderson, many churches and ministries already have systems in place to address sexual misconduct and abuse. [B]ut this resolution reminds us to do all we can to prevent these horrors and to protect and support victims, he said in a statement. The NAE board of directors is calling on all church leaders affiliated with the network to do multiple things. Among those is a call for churches to thoroughly vet all staff hires through rigorous background and reference checks. Church leaders should also screen and provide child protection training to all volunteers that have access to children. Church leaders should also establish a confidential third party mechanism for receiving reports of sexual abuse in their church and ensure that all members of the church community know how to properly report a concern. Once concerns are reported, NAE is calling on church leaders to investigate reports promptly and thoroughly without any defensiveness. Along with taking decisive disciplinary action when sexual abuse allegations have been corroborated, the NAE resolution urges church leaders to offer pastoral care and support the victims that have been affected. The resolution also calls for every congregational leadership body to adopt its Code of Ethics for Congregations and their Leadership Teams. The code calls on leadership teams to train pastors, staff, and volunteers on methods of preventing abuse, especially to children. The code presses churches to establish a system of church discipline to punish members who continue to engage in sinful behavior after attempts at restoration have failed. NAEs new resolution also calls on every pastor to sign and follow the NAE Code of Ethics for Pastors. That code calls on pastors to avoid sinful sexual behavior, resist temptation and identify a personal counselor who can minister to the pastor when needed. As well, the code calls for pastors to address misconduct of other clergy members directly or by contacting appropriate supervisors to whom that pastor is accountable. According to the resolution, complacency is not an option for pastors and churches when faced with such evil. No leader should assume that sexual misconduct and child abuse occurs only in other churches or denominations, the resolution argues. Every church needs clear policies that are consistently implemented to prevent abuses and to deal decisively with any violations of trust in full cooperation with the legal authorities. In light of the #MeToo movement, there has been a concentrated effort to expose the sexual abuse crimes committed by pastors and clergy. Last year, a grand jury in Pennsylvania released a report outlining how leaders of the Roman Catholic Church in Pennsylvania covered up sexual abuse committed against children by more than 300 priests throughout a 70-year span. That report led to other states investigating Catholic clergy sex abuse that has taken place in their borders. In May 2017, Pope Francis acknowledged that the Vatican had about 2,000 cases of sex abuse on backlog. A Gallup poll released this week finds that more than one-third of American Catholics have questioned whether to remain in the Catholic Church as a result of the sex abuse scandal. However, support for the church was greater among Catholics who attend mass weekly. As for evangelicals facing their own sex abuse crisis, a summit was held last December at the evangelical Wheaton College in Illinois to talk about sex abuse in the church. The one-day event featured a number of prominent faces within evangelicalism. Among those to speak at the conference was Nancy Beach, the first female teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church. Last year, the Chicago-area megachurch saw the resignation of its longtime pastor, Bill Hybels, after he was accused of decades of sexual misconduct. Beach warned attendees about unchecked power in their church hierarchies. She admitted that she was part of Hybels inner circle. "The irony is that I knew that this leader was responsible in many ways for opening up doors of opportunity for me and I was benefiting from the refracted light," Beach said, according to the Daily Herald. "So I ask you if you're in the inner circle of a leader, are you in any way complicit in allowing a pattern of abuse or abuse of power to continue?" Last year, the Southern Baptist Convention, which is not part of the NAE, passed a new resolution on abuse at its annual meeting in Dallas, Texas. Last month, the president of the convention called for an evaluation of 10 churches highlighted by the newspapers' investigation in Texas. But days later, six of those 10 churches were cleared of acting indifferently toward abuse. Pastor Rodney Brown, who leads Trinity Baptist Church in Ashburn, Georgia, one of the six churches cleared of wrongdoing, apologized and repented. He admits that he failed his duty as pastor by "not taking action against an individual who had been accused of child abuse in the past at another church." "This was because of my longstanding friendship with the accused, Brown said in a statement to The Christian Index last Thursday. Social media the most common thing given up for Lent this year: poll Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment As part of the observance of Lent, many American Christians are logging out of Facebook and Twitter, opting to give up social media more than any other thing, according to a recent survey. Every other year, the website DecisionData.org takes a poll of Americans to see what they are giving up for Lent, a season on the liturgical calendar that ends with Easter Sunday. In a poll of 586 American adults whose findings were released Tuesday, the website found that social media was the most common thing given up, with 21 percent of respondents naming it. In second place was alcohol at 18 percent and third place was chocolate/sweets at 13 percent. The rest of the list was soda/coffee (11 percent), junk snacks and fast food (8 percent), pornography (6 percent), marijuana and tobacco (4 percent), and other (7 percent). Religious or not, Lent can be a great time of year to give up a distraction and refocus on other things that might be more important in our lives, noted DecisionData.org. While popularized in religious circles, Lent is spreading into the secular world, as more people participate in the fasting of some specific thing over the 40 days that lead up to the Easter holiday. When the website last did its Lent poll in 2017, alcohol had topped the list at 20 percent, junk snacks was second at 15 percent, and social media was at third with 14 percent. In 2017, DecisionData.org explained that while alcohol had been at the top of the list before, most notably is the rise in social media on the list of things people are giving up. Situated between Ash Wednesday and Easter, Lent lasts for 40 days plus Sundays to mirror the length of time Jesus Christ spent fasting in the wilderness, as described in Matthew 4:1-11. Jennifer Eivaz, pastor at Harvest Christian Center in Turlock, California, believes many Christians do not fast largely because they are not taught to. But the Bible calls believers to fast. She also maintained that while it's helpful to fast technology, biblical fasting requires giving up food. Earlier this month, Village Church Pastor Matt Chandler encouraged Christians to give up food for Lent in order to "orient their hearts around the betterness of Jesus above earthly pleasures." Not all food but, but maybe that's breakfast, or maybe that's lunch, or something like that, explained Chandler, noting that fasting has traditionally been associated with Lent. We want to set aside a good gift from God in the gift of food, the provision of that food, the gift of the taste of that food, the joy that comes from that food. Education Sec. will no longer enforce restriction on religious organizations providing equitable services Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Calling the restriction unconstitutional, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy Devos said Monday that her agency will no longer enforce a restriction that bars religious organizations from providing contract-based equitable services such as special education and tutoring solely due to their religious affiliation. Speaking at the Council for American Private Education State Directors Annual Meeting, Devos saida provision in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which governs the nations elementary, middle and high schools, was also unconstitutional. The ESEA requires that school districts offer low-income or vulnerable students who attend private schools the same services, such as special education, tutoring or mentoring, that their public-school counterparts get. The law requires that those contractors, however, be independent of any religious organization. Devos concluded after consulting with her legal team that the restriction on religious organizations in providing services run counter to the 2017 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc. v. Comer. In that case, it was found that the state of Missouri had unconstitutionally engaged in religious discrimination when it denied a church-run preschool publicly funded tire scraps for its playground. The Trinity Lutheran decision reaffirmed the long-understood intent of the First Amendment to not restrict the free exercise of religion, DeVos said in a statement. Those seeking to provide high-quality educational services to students and teachers should not be discriminated against simply based on the religious character of their organization. It was noted that the education agency would continue to enforce all other applicable provisions of federal law ensuring that school districts hire contractors that are independent of the private school for which they are providing services and that the educational services and other benefits being provided by contractors are secular, neutral and non-ideological. Devos sent a letter on Monday to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the California Democrat, and several other congressional leaders outlining her decision, The New York Times reported. Democrats are also reviewing its legality. House Democrats are carefully reviewing the legality of the administrations new policy, Joshua Weisz, a spokesman for the House Education Committee, told the Times. Elizabeth Hill, a spokeswoman for DeVos, told Education Week that the recent decision "is further evidence of the secretary and the administration's commitment to making sure that schools are not discriminated against based on their religious affiliation." Jeff Simmering, director of government relations for the Council of the Great City Schools, argued that the decision is likely to be challenged. "I'm not saying it's incorrect, but it's a jump in legal logic to go from saying it's OK to provide funds to a contractor who is going to resurface a private school playground to a contractor that's going to provide instructional services," he said. "I'm sure we will all have an opportunity to think long and hard" about the impact of that, "because I'm sure it's going to be challenged." Church and state separation advocates such as Maggie Garrett, vice president for public policy at Americans United for Separation of Church and State, argued that the decision is cause for concern. "Betsy DeVos is neither the Supreme Court nor Congress. She does not get to unilaterally declare that a statute is unconstitutional, especially with a provision that is designed to protect church-state separation, a bedrock of our democracy," she told Education Week. "Trinity Lutheran was an incredibly narrow decision that was about providing playground material to a church not about providing educational services to impressionable young schoolchildren." Republican Sen. James Lankford from Oklahoma said, meanwhile, that the move was a great one for the faith community. Great news for the faith community. Thank you to @usedgov for protecting religious liberty, he tweeted Tuesday morning. Galen Carey, vice president of government relations for the National Association of Evangelicals, agreed. Organizations shouldn't be disqualified from serving on an equal basis just because of their religious views. Grateful the federal government is (finally) recognizing this. Thanks to @SenatorLankford for his support, Carey tweeted. Planned Parenthood has no right to perform abortions,' Ohio can defund: 6th Circuit Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned an earlier ruling against an Ohio law that strips Planned Parenthood and other abortion clinics public health funding. In a split en banc ruling, the federal appeals court has seemingly paved the way for the Buckeye state to no longer give tax dollars meant for non-abortion public health matters to organizations that perform abortions. The majority of the court ruled that the Ohio law, passed in 2016 to mandate that the Ohio Department of Health refuse funding to any entity that performs elective abortions, was not unconstitutional. The court reasoned that abortion organizations do not have a due process right to perform abortions. The majority opinion, written by George W. Bush-appointee Judge Jeffery Sutton, even cites the U.S. Supreme Courts ruling in the 1992 case of Planned Parenthood v. Casey in which the nations high court ruled that a state cant place an undue burden on a womans right to get an abortion. Todays plaintiffs do not have a Fourteenth Amendment right to perform abortions, the court ruled. The Supreme Court has never identified a freestanding right to perform abortions. To the contrary, it has indicated that there is no such thing. Any doubt about the point is confirmed by the debate at hand in Casey, the opinion adds. The abortion providers claimed that a Pennsylvania law, requiring them to inform their patients of the abortion procedures details and alternatives at least 24 hours beforehand, violated their patients due process rights and their own due process rights that arose from their relationship with patients. The plurality rejected both claims. Abortion rights do not arise from the provider-patient relationship [o]n its own, the Court reasoned. The ruling comes after a three-judge bench from the Sixth Circuit ruled last year that the Ohio law would make it harder for women to access health care services. In Tuesdays majority ruling, Sutton argued that the Ohio law actually makes health care programs available to every woman, whether she seeks an abortion or not. Nor, on this record, has there been any showing that the Ohio law will limit the number of clinics that offer abortions in the State, the opinion states. A review of the Supreme Courts decisions in the area fails to reveal a single one in which the plaintiff obtained relief based on a restriction of unprotected activity. Sutton also shot down Planned Parenthoods claims that clinics would be forced to stop providing abortions in order to receive government funding by noting that affiliates from both Planned Parenthood entities involved in the case testified that they would forgo government funding in order to continue performing abortions. The majority opinion also notes that the only other appellate circuit in the U.S. to squarely address the issue reached the same conclusion. The opinion is referencing the Seventh Circuits 2012 ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Commissioner of Indiana State Department of Health. That case dealt with a similar funding law in Indiana. The first step in any unconstitutional-conditions claim is to identify the nature and scope of the constitutional right arguably imperiled, the Seventh Circuit opinion states. A dissent was authored by judge Helene N. White, a fellow George W. Bush appointee. White claimed that the ruling gives the government the authority to impose almost any condition it wants on abortion providers just as long as the providers continue to perform abortions. [T]he Supreme Court has never suggested that a party that could prevail in challenging a direct regulation is nevertheless powerless to challenge a law that attempts to achieve the same result by imposing a condition on unrelated funding, White argued. This type of assault on a constitutional right is precisely the type of harm the unconstitutional-conditions doctrine is meant to protect against. As Politico reports, four of the 11 judges who sided with Ohio in the ruling were appointed by President Donald Trump. Additionally, Eric Murphy, an attorney who argued on Ohios behalf, was appointed to the Sixth Circuit and was confirmed in early March. Ohio Right to Life, a state-level pro-life organization that was a major supporter of the 2016 law, celebrated the ruling. Thanks to this very encouraging decision, Ohioans of conscience won't have to worry about whether their tax dollars are going towards abortions, Ohio Right to Life President Michael Gonidakis said in a statement. The courts ruling was also praised by Catherine Glenn Foster, president and CEO of the national pro-life organization Americans United for Life. AUL filed an amicus brief in the case. As the full Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has made clear today, Planned Parenthood, Americas biggest abortionist, has no constitutional right to offer women abortions, nor to receive public taxpayers dollars for doing so, Foster stressed. AUL applauds the courts strong denunciation of Planned Parenthoods Big Lie that it represents the best interests of women when it advocates for the kind of unlimited abortion on demand that New York recently adopted. And we look forward to a similar conclusion by the federal courts affirming this Administrations decision to keep Title X funds out of the hands of abortionists like Planned Parenthood. Last month, 22 states, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the American Medical Association sued the Department of Health and Human Services for passing a similar rule that prohibits clinics from performing abortions if they wish to receive Title X Family Planning Program funding. Ex-SBTS prof. accused of 'grooming' former student in decade-long abusive relationship Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A former Southern Baptist Theological Seminary student has come forward to detail how former professor David Sills, who resigned last year, engaged in an inappropriate and "abusive" sexual relationship with her that lasted for over a decade. Jennifer Lyell, who now works as an executive for LifeWay Christian Resources, posted a confession online last week claiming how Sills, who has been married for 30 years and has three grandchildren, sexually abused her and even groomed her from the time she was a master of divinity student until just a few years ago. In her post, the 41-year-old Lyell said that the tenured professor of missions and cultural anthropology first sexually acted against her during a mission trip in 2004. She stated that the pattern continued and escalated for more than a decade following that trip. Sills resigned from the Kentucky-based school last May shortly after Lyell presented her claims to SBTS President Albert Mohler. But at Lyells request, SBTS, the flagship seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention, did not make the details behind Sills resignation public at the time. Lyell explained that she decided to go public with her story after hearing that Sills was appointed to serve as a missionary with a mission agency not affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Individuals who knew her story alerted that particular mission agency to the details behind Sills resignation from SBTS and Sills is no longer listed as a missionary for that organization. If I were not to come forward with this letter, a church or ministry who receives Dr. Sills CV and does an internet search for him would have no way to know the truth behind his resignation, she wrote. There are plenty of reasons to stay silent in a situation such as this. But we must not be silent. We must clearly tell the truth so that our churches and ministries are safe and as pure as they can be. Lyell wrote that she first shared her story with her boss at LifeWay and then with Mohler. She praised SBTS for acting swiftly after she contacted Mohler. According to Lyell, the reason she waited so long to come forward with her claims is because she was afraid that her coming forward could cause collateral damage impacting people she loved. By the time Lyell had come forward publicly with her story, she had been in counseling for over two years. The reason that a professor was able to continue grooming and taking advantage of his student was because I became like part of his family. This wasnt by accident; I believe it was by design, Lyell wrote. Having known that I experienced sexual abuse growing up, Dr. Sills assured me that the first incidents that happened on that mission trip werent really my fault as I naturally felt even though I had not initiated them and was shocked as the actions took place. He explained they were because of what happened to me when I was a child. He said that he could fix it by me becoming part of his family and then once I was part of his family, that sort of thing would never happen again, she continued. I now wonder if the only reason that a family relationship was ever presented as an option was to ensure I wouldnt tell what had happened in those first instances. Lyell built a strong relationship with Sills family over the years as she spent many of her weekends and holidays with them. [I] became an aunt to their grandchildren, and their grown children became like siblings to me, she wrote. It looked idyllic on the surface. Except the pattern of inappropriate sexual activity continued throughout the relationship. Lyell wrote that when she presented her claims to Mohler, she also shared the responsibility" for being compliant at times and for idolizing the idea of a whole family. I protected [the family] despite what was happening within it, she wrote. I am not a sinless victim. But I am a victim nonetheless. Upon hearing Lyells claims last May, SBTS immediately took action. Sills admitted to engaging in inappropriate sexual activity and tendered his resignation. "She relayed to me what had happened to her. And so, we invoked our policies and procedures," Mohler told The Christian Post in a phone interview. "Dr. Sills was out of the country traveling internationally. And we met with him within hours of his arrival back in the United States since our policies call for an immediate conversation." As a result of the conversation upon Sills' return, Mohler said "he was no longer a member of the faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary from that time." Mohler assured that he stands behind Lyell and her statement. He said that he is "brokenhearted over the reality" of the situation. "I think she was courageous in making those statements and I think it sets an example for how others should also demonstrate an equal courage," Mohler said. "So I want to make very clear that I stand with her in that statement." According to Baptist Press, Lyell was involved in the relationship with Sills from the time she was 26 until she was 38. The outlet additionally reported that Sills has also resigned as a trustee of the SBC International Mission Board and his position on IMB's presidential search committee. Sills is also an author. InterVarsity Press, which published one of Sills' books, removed Sills' biography page from its website and the webpage for Sills book Changing World, Unchanging Mission: Responding to Global Challenges. Based on the credible [Baptist Press report], which I learned of on Friday evening, we suspended inclusion of Sillss book on our site as we did more investigation, InterVarsity Press Publisher Jeff Crosby told CP in an email. As of earlier today, we declared his one IVP title (in both print and digital formats) as out of print. Sills local church, Ninth & O Baptist Church in Louisville, confirmed to Baptist Press that Sills is no longer a member and that the church acted swiftly and firmly after hearing the accusations. At SBTS, Mohler assured that the institution's biblical and moral standards "aren't up for any renegotiation." "We hold unquestionably to a biblical standard of sexual morality and personal morality and we expect that of any who would teach but also even as students. So that's not up for renegotiation," he explained. "[O]ur policies and procedures work and we work hard to make certain that they are up to date with best practices. Anytime time you have to invoke these procedures is heartbreaking but simultaneously necessary." The meeting was also attended by Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Mr Sarma. Guwahati: Two months after a bitter divorce over the controversial citizenship amendment bill, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the BJP reunited on Wednesday and entered into an alliance for the 14 Lok Sabha seats in Assam. Though a formal announcement of the seat-sharing formula is still to be made, sources in the BJP-led alliance said that the ruling BJP would contest 10 Lok Sabha seats while the AGP will get three seats Koliabor, Barpeta and Dhubri and the BPF would contest Kokrajhar seat. Informing that three AGP ministers who had submitted their resignation from the BJP-led coalition state government had not only withdrawn their resignation but rejoined office immediately, Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters, After a prolonged discussion, the BJP and the AGP have decided to work together in the coming parliamentary elections in Assam to defeat the Congress. The Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) will be the third partner in the alliance. The decision was taken at a meeting of senior AGP leaders, including party president Atul Bora, former minister Keshav Mahanta and others with BJP general secretary Ram Madhav on Tuesday night, sources said. Mr Bora reiterated, The decision to join the alliance was taken in the interest of the state and to ensure the defeat of Congress in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. The meeting was also attended by Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Mr Sarma. However, AGP stalwart and two-time chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta was not present in the meeting. Mr Sarma said that a seat-sharing arrangement has also been finalised but will be announced after the meeting of the BJP parliamentary board on March 16 in New Delhi. We and alliance partners the AGP and the BPF have created a consensus on seat-sharing arrangement. It will be announced by our central party leadership, said Mr Sarma. The Assam deputy chief minister also clarified that neither the BJP nor the AGP have diluted their stand on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, which has lapsed in Parliament on March as it could not get the Rajya Sabhas nod. We are committed to re-introduce this bill in the next Parliament session but in between we will have two-three months time in which we have decided to create a consensus on the issue, said Mr Sarma who was flanked by the AGP president. Mr Bora, who also called on Mr Sonowal, said, We have renewed our ties on the request of the central BJP leadership. Seat-sharing details will be announced later. The AGP and BJP had fought the 2016 Assembly polls in alliance and had wrested Assam from the Congress, which had ruled the state for three consecutive terms since 2001. However, relations between the two parties soured over time and the regional party snapped its ties with the BJP this January following differences over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016. Mr Mahanta has been opposed to the idea of returning back to alliance. In my view we should have gone to Lok Sabha elections on its own to strengthen the party network at the grassroots, said Mr Mahanta. The decision of AGP has also surprised many civil society groups and students body, which had praised the AGP for taking a bold decision on citizenship bill. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Today, March 14, 2019, marks our 43rd anniversary, and outside of the gift of salvation, Nancy is the greatest gift God has given to me. I am eternally grateful. We met in 1974, both of us just 19. Two-and-a-half years earlier, in late 1971, as a 16-year-old, heroin-shooting, LSD-using, Jewish hippie rock drummer, I had been dramatically born-again and was now on fire for Jesus. Nancy, who is also Jewish, was a hardcore atheist when we met in 1974, and its a providential miracle that she ever stepped foot in the little church I was then attending. Interestingly, when she saw me in the front of the building, her immediate thought was, I could never go out with someone like that. Hardly love at first sight! But we chatted after the service, I continued to share the gospel with her, and not long after, the Lord drew her to Himself. One week later, we were going together, and one week after that, we were in love and knew that we would spend the rest of our lives together. She has been my best friend since 1974 and my bride since 1976, the mother of our two wonderful daughters and the grandmother of our four amazing grandchildren (and yes, the mother-in-law of our two terrific sons-in-law!). I can honestly say that she is just what I need in a wife, and without her, I would not be where I am today. First, she is completely unimpressed with my accomplishments. I could write one book a week and she would shrug her shoulders. I could speak to a crowd of one million people and it would not get her attention. In fact, if I told her, Honey, Ive been writing day and night and finished this new book in record time, her response would be, You obviously havent been spending much time in prayer. The only thing that matters to her is that I walk closely with the Lord and live a life full of His Spirit. What matters to her is that Im like Jesus. And if Im really walking with Him in real, consistent, intimate communion that will be manifest in every area of my life. Second, Nancy is a total truth teller. She doesnt mince words (were both New Yorkers, so thats a factor too), and she shoots entirely straight. When our daughters were teenagers, they would ask her, Mom, does this outfit make me look fat? She would reply, Yes, which was not the answer they were looking for. Her advice to them was simple: If you dont want to know my opinion, dont ask. To flatter with empty words is not in her vocabulary. One time, I sent her the opening pages of a brand new book I had just started, and I was really excited about it. What a compelling introduction this will be, I thought to myself. She sent it back with these words written on the first page, in large red letters: Total fail! Thats my bride! When I told her I was sure the content was good, she replied, Maybe so, but not for the opening pages of the book. Upon reflection, I realized she was right (as she is about most things almost all the time, at least when it comes to matters between us). I made the adjustments, and the book was all the better for it. Third, she is one of the most compassionate people I know, often praying with tears for people who are hurting. Sometimes she has even cried herself to sleep, so deep was her burden. This has challenged me to go deeper and to care more. Fourth, she puts few demands on me, having no problem with me traveling around the world to speak and to minister. In December I was in India, then Italy in January, Israel in February, and, if I get my visa in time, Nigeria this month. In addition, there were many stateside trips as well, some of them on very short notice. But she has never had any problem with my travel schedule, as long as Im focused when Im home, and she kept our house in order when our kids were younger and living at home with us. She knows Im engaged in Gods work, and as long as we stay connected, shes perfectly happy to be alone when Im away. I dont take this for granted. Fifth, shes very forgiving. She has forgiven people who hurt her deeply and forgiven me for my many lapses, like promising her Id take care of something, only to forget (just to mention one of my more common failings). As long as I own up to my mistakes honestly and quit making silly excuses, she will immediately forgive. Sixth, shes incredibly loyal. She is my friend for life, and thats that. And if she believes something is right, nothing can move her and no one can intimidate her. Of course, like every human being on the planet, she has her flaws. But when I think of my life and the person God would choose for me, it is Nancy, without a doubt. As she is quick to affirm, I could have made a real mess of things without her. (Said with a smile.) Happy 43rd Anniversary! China vows to rid Christianity of 'western' influence: 'One more Christian, one less Chinese' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A Chinese official who heads state-sanctioned Christian churches in China has vowed to rid Christianity in the country of any Western imprint, calling for further sinicization of religion. In a speech on Monday, Xu Xiaohong, head of the National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Churches in China, identified what Beijing perceives to be problems with Christianity in the country, including infiltration from abroad and private meeting places, the South China Morning Post reports. [We] must recognize that Chinese churches are surnamed China, not the West, Xu told delegates to the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The actions by anti-China forces that attempt to affect our social stability or even subvert the regime of our country are doomed to fail, he said. Xu pointed out that because Christianity was spread to China at a time when Western powers were invading the country, the religion will always be connected to the West. Western influence, he said, made the churches in China to want to stay independent and focus on themselves. 'Therefore, people often say: "One more Christian, one less Chinese, Xu said, according to Xinhua News Agency. For individual black sheep who, under the banner of Christianity, participate in subverting national security, we firmly support the country to bring them to justice, he declared. Introduced by President Xi Jinping in 2015, China's "sinicization campaign" seeks to bring religions under the officially atheist partys absolute control and into line with Chinese culture. In his speech, Xu hailed earlier attempts to sinicize Christianity in the country, including the Boxer Rebellion of 1900 and the anti-Christian movement of 1922-1927. Both events were characterized by violence against Christianity and resulted in a large number of deaths among Christian missionaries. We all know very well that in comparison to other religions, Protestantism in China carries a heavier historical burden and faces greater pressure from reality in its push for sinicization, Xu said, adding that Christianity in China must rid itself of all imprints of a foreign religion and establish its own Chinese theology. According to a five-year plan to sinicize Protestant churches released by the Chinese religious authorities, efforts to make the faith more Chinese included a rewrite of the New Testament using Buddhist scripture and Confucian teachings to champion socialist ideals. "There are outlines that the new Bible should not look westernized and [should look] Chinese and reflect Chinese ethics of Confucianism and socialism," Bob Fu, founder of ChinaAid, previously told The Christian Post. "The Old Testament will be messed up. The New Testament will have new commentaries to interpret it." Additionally, all Christian churches must be approved by the government, with their activities strictly regulated and monitored. Christians who do not comply with government demands continue to be arrested for worshiping according to their faith. Recently, Chinese authorities arrested just over 40 Christians worshiping in homes after the closure of Chengdus Early Rain Covenant Church. Their arrests came after over 160 more arrests of church members were made last year. Last Friday, the Trump administrations top religious freedom official, Sam Brownback, declared during a speech at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Hong Kong that the Chinese government is at war with faith. Its a war they will not win, Brownback said, according to reports. The Chinese Communist Party must hear the cry of its people for religious freedom. Brownback warned that the Chinese government is trying to make sure religious minority groups are brutally and forcefully controlled. Somehow, men and women of faith are viewed as a threat to the Chinese Communist Party, he said. It is clear that Chinas misguided and cruel policies in Xinjiang are creating resentment, hatred, division, poverty, and anger. Egypt legalizes 156 church buildings; about 3,000 more awaiting approval Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Egyptian government legalized 156 more Christian churches and church-affiliated buildings last Tuesday as it continues to slowly make its way through thousands of applications from churches seeking legal recognition. The 156 new church buildings approved by the federal government last week bring the total number of church buildings that have received legal status to 783 since the passing of a 2016 law regulating church construction. The buildings were approved by a special government committee headed by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Cabinet spokesperson Nader Saad told Egypt Today. Although 783 churches have received legal status since the passing since 2016, over 3,700 church buildings are waiting for approval in the Muslim-majority nation. The 2016 law is the nations first law ever providing specific rules for the construction of Christian churches. At the time, some believed the law would make it easier for Christians to renovate churches while critics feared it could give too much power to local governments to deny church construction. According to International Christian Concern, a U.S.-based nonprofit that monitors the persecution of Christians across the globe, the churches that have thus far received approval by the Egyptian government are ones that operated illegally prior to 2016 in buildings that have already been constructed. ICC is concerned about reports suggesting that government approval of projects to build entirely new church buildings have slowed considerably. Last April, Egypts former Prime Minister Sherif Ismail called for the church legalization process to be sped up. His call came as only 219 church buildings had been approved at that point. Last October, it was reported that only 340 out of 3,730 applications had been approved. This meant that nearly 3,400 church buildings were still left waiting for approval two years after the church construction regulation was passed. Some Christians see the legalization of 783 churches as an improvement. Others, however, point to a contradictory narrative, ICC notes. For example, the government will not approve new churches, but will build the largest church in the Middle East in a location where no Christians live. Last December, the government committee approved 168 other churches and church buildings. Egypt ranks as the 16th worst country in the world when it comes to the persecution of Christians, according to Open Doors USAs 2019 World Watch List. In Egyptian society, Islamic culture fuels discrimination and creates an environment causing the state to be reluctant to respect and enforce the fundamental rights of Christians, an Open Doors fact sheet reads. Though President [Abdel Fattah] el-Sisi has publicly expressed his commitment to protecting Christians, his governments actions and extremist groups continued Christian persecution attacks on individuals and churches, leaving Christians feeling insecure and extremely cautious. Christians in Egypt have faced severe persecution at the hands of Muslim extremists affiliated with the Islamic State that have led to several killings over the last several years. At least seven were killed and 20 others were injured when suspected Islamic State militants attacked buses leaving a desert Monastery near Minya last November. That attack mirrored a similar attack that occurred in 2017 on a bus near the same monastery. Twenty-nine people were killed in the 2017 attack, which was also claimed by the Islamic States affiliate group in Sinai. That group has also claimed responsibility for deadly church bombings that occurred in December 2016 and January 2017 as well as other attacks against Christians in Egypt. Family continues ministry of missionary killed in Africa 3 years ago; 1,000 kids helped Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Its been over three years since American missionary Michael Riddering was among dozens of Christians killed by al-Qaeda in West Africa. But today, his ministry to the orphaned and poor there continues with national partners and the help of his family. In 2011, Riddering, along with his wife, sold all their possessions in the U.S. to run an orphanage and womens crisis center in West Africa operated by an American mission group called Sheltering Wings in West Africa. He was killed when gunmen opened fire on a coffee shop just minutes after Riddering arrived in January 2016. Riddering was driving a ministry van on his way to pick up a group of about 15 missionaries at the airport. But since their flight was late, he decided to get some coffee. Minutes after arriving at the cafe, the attack began and 28 people were killed. "One of the things that my brother said is that if God is for you, who can be against you," Jeff Riddering, the pastor of Gateway House of Prayer in Sunset Hills, Missouri, said. He paraphrased Philippians 1:21, which states: "to live is Christ and to die is gain." The organization Riddering worked with, Sheltering Wings, partners with churches by sending missionaries to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed to the world. The orphanage serves hundreds of children. But Sheltering Wings helps educate over 1,000 children through its $35 per-month sponsorship program. The program provides children with school fees, supplies, daily meals at school or semi-annual food and goods distribution as well as basic medical care. A total of 468 children are given a free education at Sheltering Wings Christian School, while other sponsored children go to public schools and have their education paid for by their sponsors. According to Sheltering Wings, sponsoring a child is a tangible way to show Gods love to a child in need as sponsorships reach the vulnerable children by giving them the opportunity to be educated, learn about Gods love, and to grow up healthy, all things that are critical in helping children escape extreme poverty. [Sheltering Wings sponsorship programs] make it so [the children] dont become a burden to their extended family but even a blessing, Jeff Riddering explained. People have the entire courtyard with food and different things like that. It becomes a blessing and almost an honor to be a sponsored child in the courtyard because Sheltering Wings comes in every month. Because of that child, they bless the entire courtyard. A courtyard is a term used to describe a group of homes that are associated with the same family. In many cases in Muslim-dominant cultures, a courtyard encompasses a man, his multiple wives, their offspring, and other relatives. The womens crisis center that is also operated by Sheltering Wings assists women who might have been kicked out of their courtyards for somehow bringing shame to the family. Some examples include having sex out of wedlock or even being raped. When the women and her children are kicked out of the courtyard, they have no place to go. But at the Sheltering Wings womens crisis center, the women can receive job training and are eligible to receive microloans to help them get on their feet. Sheltering Wings also has a widow sponsorship program beginning at $20 per month. Sheltering Wings also has a ministry to the widows there, Riddering explained. Maybe they are elderly women no longer being cared for by their extended family. Sheltering Wings also partners with well-drilling organizations to help bring clean water to impoverished communities. As for Jeff Riddering, he lives in St. Louis, Missouri. But he has also made a decision to begin his own ministry to help the church in West Africa. This decision has weighed on Ridderings heart since he saw his slain brother in a dream several months after his death. I saw him coming through these double doors. He comes up to me and I say, Michael, how can you be here? You are dead, Riddering recalled. He kind of smiled and said, Jeff, continue my ministry. It was only four words. Ridderings new ministry will be called My Brothers Keeper. The ministry will assist the Assemblies of God denomination in accomplishing its vision. Without them, Sheltering Wings couldnt have done it, Riddering said. The workforce is African. All the school teachers, they are all African. All the Christians there are from the Assemblies of God denomination. There are over 200 churches that are Assemblies of God churches. What we have is an opportunity to help the Assemblies of God accomplish their mission, he added. We want to facilitate their vision to become missionaries themselves, not missionaries outside of [West Africa] but to the unreached people in [West Africa]. Riddering said that he will be working to raise funding to help plant between 10 to 15 new churches in West Africa this year. [I]f God is asking me to go, then I will not be afraid, Riddering explained. The reason why we want to go to [West Africa] is [because I felt] we were called to this area, Riddering said. What we are seeing right now is a revival type thing that is on the cusp of happening. My Brothers Keeper Ministries is also the title of Ridderings book My Brothers Keeper: The Surprising Story of a Modern-Day Martyr. The book tells the story of Michael Ridderings unlikely transformation from an alcoholic yacht broker to a missionary in a desert African nation. Riddering recalled the day that his brother called him on the phone to tell him about a conversation he had with Jesus. His life radically changed at that point. His children, his wife, and all the people in the church, they just couldnt even recognize him, Riddering said. He was just anti-social but then all of a sudden he has home groups at his house and he gets baptized. The pastor thought it was such a moving moment, they made him the person that did the rest of the baptisms for the church. He became the youth pastor of the church. He oversaw the food distribution stuff. One time, he joked about it. I'll do anything God wants. I will move to Africa. The move to Africa came about seven years after Michael Riddering was saved, his brother explained. When he was there, he helped tens of thousands of people make decisions for Christ, Riddering said. He was only there for five years before he was killed. Michael Ridderings adopted daughter has followed in her fathers footsteps. The last trip I was on she came up to me and said, Uncle Jeff, my girlfriend here lives in a small village. We would like to go to that village, Jeff Riddering remembers. I got two vans and loaded them up and brought them over to this village. In four hours, they said, of about 300 people, 111 made decisions for Christ and 56 said they were interested but couldnt make a decision at that time. That doesnt happen in America yet. In some ways, I believe that it will. Archbishop of Canterbury warns British Christians against cultural imperialism British Christians need to be sensitive to their country's colonial past and how this might affect their witness in communities that once belonged to the Empire, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said. Delivering the annual Deo Gloria Trust lecture at Lambeth Palace on Wednesday night, Archbishop Justin Welby suggested that for some people, the British Empire may appear to be at odds with the message of the Christian faith it brought with it. He encouraged British Christians to be aware of how they might come across when sharing their faith with diaspora communities. 'How are British Christians heard when we talk of the claims of Christ by diaspora communities who have experienced abuse and exploitation by an empire that has seemed to hold the Christian story at the heart of its project?' he said. Addressing evangelism more generally, he said it was important that all Christians let their witness be 'seasoned with gentleness and respect', and listen as much as they speak. It was also important, he suggested, to recognise the good that other people bring to the table. 'Let us never be guilty of demeaning the light that others have, just show them something of the light you know,' he said. 'Let's tell people about Jesus and witness to what he has done for us, without feeling the need to presume to tell others what is wrong with their faith.' He continued: 'Let's be honest. How much of our evangelism is monologuing?' 'Any credible witness requires us to be in dialogue with the other.' The Archbishop said it was not a contradiction for Christians to present the Gospel faithfully while at the same time being ready to learn from people who belong to different faiths. 'We are not contradicting any of the claims we make about the centrality of Jesus Christ to the whole of creation, our commitment to him as the source of all salvation, by recognising that other traditions offer people encouragement, community and even deep wells of spirituality,' he said. 'But we may find our understanding challenged and enriched.' He concluded by saying that evangelism was at its heart about building relationships of love, not power, with other people. It was also, he said, not about 'ensuring the survival of the Church' as he warned that some people might be put off if they felt they were just a 'target' for conversion. 'This is why so many religious groups rightly complain of being 'targeted' by Christians,' the Archbishop said. 'It's one thing to feel a calling to share your lives with a particular culture or people. It's another thing altogether to see their value only as would-be Christians. 'How do we express our love for others in witness so that they understand that we care for them even if they make no decision to follow Christ?' As the war in Syria enters its 9th year, what will it take to heal the wounds? The devastating conflict in Syria is entering its ninth year. The country has been shattered, countless lives have been lost, and a decisive intervention by Russia has seen the regime of President Bashar al-Assad more firmly entrenched than ever. And still the conflict is not over: as the remnants of Islamic State are besieged in a tiny enclave in the north of the country, Syria's Kurds are squeezed between a hostile Turkey on one side and a resurgent Assad on the other. Whether they can trust their unpredictable American allies is open to question. The humanitarian cost of this fruitless war is immense, with nearly 12 million Syrians either refugees in other countries or internally displaced in Syria itself. Five million of them are children. A donor conference in Brussels the third since the conflict began is aiming to raise funds for long-term support. Among those attending is Christian charity World Vision, which works with refugees and IDPs and brings huge expertise to the table. World Vision stressed the problems caused by the destruction of infrastructure, the need to support those who chose to return to Syria, the need to educate children and provide psycho-social support for those who have been traumatised, and provide humanitarian access on the basis of need. Christian Today spoke to Marc-Andre Hensel, director of World Vision's Syria response. 'We're looking at a [refugee] population of 12 million people, 6 million inside Syria and 6 million outside,' he says. 'A huge percentage of these are children.' Around a third of them of school age were still unreached, he says. 'They go into street labour, they have no education, they make early marriages. Forty per cent of them are aged between 15 and 17. At this age young people need purpose and a future.' For this, he says, they need formally recognised educational qualifications 'something in their hands that they can use'. 'This generation will go back and rebuild Syria. This is about much more than providing them with food and water it's about providing them with hope for the future.' One of the main needs, he says, is to help host countries Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey because the structures to support such vast numbers of refugees are simply not there and local communities can become resentful. 'It's not just handing aid out, it's about the whole context a family lives in. It all needs to be taken care of, including the host communities. Then there is a much higher rate of acceptance.' And it's important to realise that the picture is very complex, he says. 'The country is broken. Only a fraction of refugees say they would return now. Ninety per cent say they would go back "when the time is right", but the opportunities, the services everything has to be in place.' Long-term planning is crucial, and so is adequate funding. 'We need to understand that this is not about six or 12 months of programming,' Hensel says. 'We need to be a lot more innovative and allow for new approaches.' And in Jordan, funding levels are falling and civil society organisations are not getting the money they need to carry out their work. After the two previous funding conferences, pledges were made to provide millions of dollars to support Syrian refugees. However, there is a huge gulf between those pledges and what the UN estimates it will actually cost to meet the humanitarian needs. In 2018 the UN requested $3.4bn for work inside Syria, of which 65 per cent was funded. The $5.6bn requested for refugees in the surrounding countries was only 62 per cent funded, so 2019 began with a shortfall. The pledges made at this week's conference already total hundreds of millions of dollars. The US has pledged another $397 million. Kuwait has pledged $300 million. In total, estimates are that as much as $7 billion might have been raised. UN emergency relief chief Mark Lowcock said today: 'That is a very significant result and if that is where we end up at the end of the day we will be pleased.' Yet even this is less than the 8.8 billion the UN has estimated it needs: $3.3 billion to help those displaced inside Syria and $5.5 billion for refugees and host communities in neighbouring countries. And if fighting continues or worsens, for instance in Idlib province where airstrikes have targeted armed opposition groups, the situation will deteriorate even further. Many parts of Syria are calmer than they were. But the conflict has left the country shattered, and reconstruction will take decades. During that time, those at the sharp end will be the charities and humanitarian workers who will work to mend what's broken and who desperately need the tools to do their job. How North Korea's food shortages are stunting children's growth An Open Doors eyewitness has confirmed widespread reports of the effects lack of food is having on children's growth in North Korea. North Korea is intolerant of religion and many Christians are interned in labour camps where conditions are extremely harsh. The economy has been badly damaged by years of mismanagement and international sanctions aimed at putting pressure on the country over its nuclear ambitions. The Open Doors souce said: 'Not too long ago I met a North Korean refugee family in China. Their children were the ages of my children at the time nine and six or so it seemed. I couldn't have been more wrong. They were 14 and nine. But their growth was stunted because they had been malnourished their entire lives.' The North Korean state determines what food rations its citizens will receive. Another source inside North Korea told Open Doors: 'Recently, North Korean citizens were asked to donate money towards several construction projects. In the meantime, often we don't get any food rations, even though we're at the end of the winter, which always means that there are a lot of food shortages. The situation of the powerless North Korean citizens is getting worse.' The North Korean government itself announced recently that daily rations would have to be cut from 550 to 300 grammes. According to the UN, North Korean food production in 2018 fell to its lowest level for over a decade, and an estimated 11 million North Koreans nearly 44 per cent of the population are undernourished. 'Widespread under-nutrition threatens an entire generation of children,' said Tapan Mishra, the UN resident coordinator in North Korea. During the 1990s, the great famine in North Korea forced many to risk the perilous trip across the border in search of food. Many North Koreans defected in search of a new life. The number of people who starved to death in the famine is not known; estimates vary between 240,000 and 3,500,000. Studies comparing the height of North Koreans and South Koreans have shown that their growth was seriously affected by this famine. German researcher Daniel Schweendiek analysed 2002 data and found that pre-school children in North Korea were up to five inches shorter than their South Korean contemporaries. Other studies of young adults who would have been affected by lack of food during their growing years put the difference at between 2-4 inches for men and 1.6-2.5 inches for women. An Open Doors expert said: 'From a region we cannot disclose we received a report that the prices of food products continue to rise. A large portion of the harvest goes directly to the government and what remains is too little for most people to survive.' A kilo of rice costs more than twice the average monthly salary of a North Korean. Open Doors workers smuggle in enough food to keep 60,000 secret Christians alive in North Korea. They also smuggle in much-needed medicines, along with Bibles and Christian literature. North Korea remains number one on the Open Doors World Watch List, as it has done every year since 2002. Anyone who dares to believe in a higher authority than the Kim family is considered an enemy of the state. Open Doors estimates that there are between 200,000 and 400,000 secret Christians in North Korea. Of those, between 50,000 and 70,000 Christians are imprisoned in labour camps. Things got cosmic Wednesday night at RodeoHouston. And 74,161 people were into the groove, man. The big number is no surprise. Classic rock has always had its place at RodeoHouston. It is a surprise, however, that Santana is just making its debut this year. THEIR TURN: Rodeo Rockstar crowns future singing superstars The band led by Carlos Santana is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the "Supernatural" album and the 50th anniversary of its legendary Woodstock performance. The show opened with video of muddy fans at Woodstock before kicking into the fiery punch of "Soul Sacrifice" and "Jin-go-lo-ba." RodeoHouston has likely never experienced anything quite like it pounding bongos, shaking maracas, rhythmic clapping and chanting. The band featuring vocalists Andy Vargas, Ray Green and drummer Cindy Blackman Santana is in terrific shape. (She's been married to Carlos Santana since 2010.) They turned every song into a declaration. Green took the lead on "The Game of Love." It was missing Michelle Branch's sweetness but still fired up the crowd. Vargas, who has been with Santana for almost two decades, doesn't command the songs so much as pay reverence, never overstepping the original constructs that made them classics. And he did a pretty good Fher Olvera on "Corazon Espinado." JEFES: Los Tigres del Norte break Cardi B's RodeoHouston record "Oye Como Va" came with a quick bit of guitar choreography. New song "In Search of Mona Lisa" fit in perfectly alongside "Evil Ways" and "Black Magic Woman." And "Toussaint L'Overture" was, in a word, epic. "Love, Peace and Happiness" was the perfect close to a show full of those vibes. We dug it, man. Joey Guerra writes about music and pop culture for the Houston Chronicle. He will be writing about every single RodeoHouston concert. Follow him on Twitter. Send him news tips at joey.guerra@chron.com. EDITOR'S PICKS: See the best photos from Day 16 of RodeoHouston Santana RodeoHouston setlist "Soul Sacrifice" "Jin-go-lo-ba" "Evil Ways" "A Love Supreme" "Black Magic Woman" "Oye Como Va" "The Game of Love" "In Search of Mona Lisa" "Maria Maria" "Foo Foo" "Corazon Espinado" "Toussaint L'Overture" "Are You Ready" "Smooth" "Love, Peace and Happiness" See More Collapse 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. Mufti on Wednesday reiterated that result-oriented dialogue with all stakeholders is the only way forward to make peace in restive J&K permanent. Srinagar: Former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti claimed on Wednesday that it was during the PDP-BJP government that her coalition partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had wanted to declare Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir an unlawful association and also launch a crackdown on Hurriyat Conference and other separatist leaders but I put my foot own and didnt allow it to happen. While speaking at a PDP workers rally in northern town of Bandipora, Ms. Mufti said, BJP wanted to crackdown on Jamaat-e-Islami and suppress the Hurriyat leadership through NIA (National Investigation Agency) raids. However, my government did not allow the saffron party to do it. She claimed that the BJP wanted that the NIA should raid the homes of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and other separatists but her government opposed such a move. The PDP leader also said that she forced the BJP to have ceasefire in Kashmir for, at least, one month last year but militants did not respond positively to it. Militants were not supportive when I forced BJP to have ceasefire for Ramzan. I wanted to have dialogue with separatist leaders and even a Parliamentary committee visited Kashmir in 2016 but they (separatists) shut their doors on it, she said. She added that the Centre also appointed Dineshwar Sharma as interlocutor to have dialogue with the separatist leadership but again it did not support him. The NIA which is probing an alleged terror funding case had on February 26 raided the homes of the Mirwaiz, Muhammad Yasin Malik , Shabir Ahmed Shah, Muhammad Ashraf Sahrai, Nayeem Geelani (elder son of separatist patriarch Syed Ali Shah Geelani) and Zaffar Akbar Bhat. The NIA asked the Mirwaiz and Mr. Geelanis younger son Syed Naseem Geelani to appear before it in New Delhi on March 11 for questioning. But the Mirwaiz refused to obey the call, on the plea that he cannot travel out of the Valley due to conditions of hostility. Earlier the government withdrew security cover to eighteen separatist leaders and activists including the Mirwaiz. Mr. Malik has since been detained under the States stringer Public Safety Act (PSA) and lodged in Jammus Kot Balwal jail. The Home Ministry had on February 28 banned Jamaat-e-Islami for the next five years after declaring it an unlawful association, having potential to disrupt the unity and integrity of the country. Prior to the move, more than 250 activists including the entire leadership of the 70-year-old socio-religious and political organisation were detained by the police. The arrest spree has continued. Ms. Mufti on Wednesday reiterated that result-oriented dialogue with all stakeholders is the only way forward to make peace in restive J&K permanent. She said, PDP has always been a staunch advocate of political process for the resolution of Kashmir and has been asking the Government of India to hold meaningful dialogue with Hurriyat Conference, Pakistan and with other stakeholders, she said. She asserted, This muscular approach and political patch work will not take us anywhere as this has been tried for many decades and hasnt yielded any positive outcome. She further said, It is unfortunate that some people still believe in the efficacy of these methods and are trying to repeat the old mistakes which will be meaningless and will prove counter-productive. A home cooked meal doesn't have to mean pot roast or meatloaf. At a South by Southwest event held at the Hotel Saint Cecilia in Austin on Friday, 85 members of the media, plus influencers and foodies, sat down to enjoy a luxurious six-course dinner catered by ITK Restaurant Group. After feasting on upscale dishes, including black garlic winter squash risotto, ginger halibut ceviche and herb-infused tenderloin with raspberry-lavender demi, much to their surprise, it was revealed that the ritzy dinner party was actually catered by San Antonio-based grocery retailer, H-E-B, according to a press release from company representatives. The entire meal boasted delicious creations made with recipes available in the grocery store chain's "In the Kitchen" content series, Chief Merchant Officer Martin Otto said in the release. Making the big reveal at the end of the evening were Otto, along with a team of H-E-B chefs who carried out shopping baskets filled with ingredients used to prepare the six-courses. Photos: Celebrities, political heavyweights spotted in Austin for South by Southwest 2019 "Through this unveiling, we wanted to demonstrate anyone can host this same culinary experience at home with access to the extraordinary ingredients and services from H-E-B," Otto said in the release. H-E-B, celebrating its 114th anniversary, operates 400 stores in Texas and Mexico with sales of $25 billion. Marcy de Luna is a digital reporter specializing in social media, the famous, and food. You can follow her on Twitter @MarcydeLuna and Facebook @MarcydeLuna. Read her stories on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | Marcy.deLuna@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message The cost of living is steadily increasing in Texas and Houston, encouraging potential homebuyers and renters to find cheaper housing in the suburbs. According to a previous Chronicle article, it is about $9,000 cheaper for Americans to live in the suburbs rather than the city. In Houston, it's about $5,368 cheaper. The winning artworks of the 2019 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's School Art Program raked in some serious cash at the Rodeo Art Auction this week. Out of 648 entries into the program, 72 were chosen as winners and were auctioned off March 10 at the NRG Arena Sales Pavilion. Of those 72 selected entries, two students from Pasadena ISD took the top two highest honors in the competition. Pasadena ISD student Hector Maldonado's artwork "After the Storm Comes a Calm" was dubbed the 2019 Grand Champion Work of Art, and Pasadena ISD student Melissa Sosa's piece, "Wouldn't Change a Thing" was named the 2019 Grand Reserve Champion Work of Art. Maldonado's artwork - which he said he added details to up until the night before the contest deadline - earned a Rodeo record when it sold for $240,000 at the auction. "I wanted it to be perfect," Maldonado told the Chronicle. RODEO ART CHAMP: Last-minute entry snags top prize at Rodeo art auction Maldonado's perfectionist nature worked in his favor considering his win earned him a scholarship of up to $38,000. The Grand Reserve Champion Work of Art done by Sosa sold for $180,000. Last year, the two top winning artworks were sold for a $225,000 and $150,000 each, according to the HLSR website. Sosa and Maldonado's pieces earned the highest bids at the auction, but students' other artworks also sold for some hefty price tags, ranging from as high as $75,000 to $5,000. If you missed the artworks while they were on display in the Hayloft Gallery at the Rodeo, click through the photos above to see the stunning works of art and how much they sold for at auction... 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 Enterprise Products Partners CEO Jim Teague said Wednesday that a flood of oil, natural gas and other petroleum products could soon overwhelm ports in Houston and Corpus Christi. Speaking at the CERAWeek by IHS Markit conference, the pipeline CEO said the volumes of product moving to the Gulf Coast for export were increasing at a fast clip. Bidding documents to build the first new refinery in Mexico in decades could be released as soon as next week, Mexican Energy Minister Rocio Nahle said during a visit to Houston. Speaking at CERAWeek by IHS Markit on Wednesday afternoon, Nahle said Mexico has a severe dependence on foreign fuels and now imports 80 percent of its gasoline and diesel. Appointed by President Andres Manuel Lopez-Obrador and taking office in December, Nahle said the administrations goal is to increase production at six aging refineries owned by Mexicos state-run oil company Pemex and to build a new refinery that will process up to 340,000 barrels of crude oil per day. MARATHON CEO: Venezuelan oil sanctions not a big hit for U.S. refiners Maintenance contracts to get the six aging refineries back up to 70 percent processing capacity will be issued later this year but President Lopez-Obrador could personally announce the bidding documents for the new refinery as soon as next week, Nahle said. We have six years to work on this, so well have to work rapidly and quickly, Nahle said. The more one waits on a project, the more it costs. We want to develop it as soon as possible. Under Mexican law, a president serves a single, six-year term. The government, she said, expects to receive bids from most experienced refinery builders around the world and will move quickly in awarded the contract. We will be selecting the best from among them, Nahle said. One of the goals of the refinery contracts, Nahle said, is to make gasoline prices more affordable. Gasoline prices in Mexico are typically higher than those in the United States. Some have turned to fuel theft, which has caused accidents that claimed hundreds of lives over the last 10 years. FUTURE OF SHALE: Early goings or seventh inning? As part of its historic 2014 energy forms, Mexico removed state price controls on gasoline and diesel and it also opened its market to foreign ownership and competition. Before the reforms, all gas stations in Mexico could only sell Pemex-branded gasoline and diesel but that has changed. In addition to Mexican-owned companies such as Oxxo opening gas stations that compete with Pemex, a number of foreign companies such as ARCO, BP Chevron, Shell, Exxon and Sunoco are now selling gasoline and diesel under their own brand names south of the border. Nahle assured that free-market prices for gasoline and diesel will remain and that fuel contracts signed under the previous administration will still be honored. Here in the United States, if the price of oil goes down, so does the price of gasoline but in Mexico, its not that way, Nahle said. Its that way because we have not maintained a stable and competitive market. It lacks flexibility and thats a responsibility of the state. Thats something that were fixing. Its priority for our government. The chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Neil Chatterjee said he is in talks to open a regional office in Houston. Chatterjee, speaking Thursday at CERAWeek by IHS Markit, an energy conference in Houston, said Texas plays an important role with regards to LNG permitting, and that he's in discussions with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner to open a regional office in Houston. Houston companies are leading the development of LNG export terminals along the the Gulf Coast and elsewhere. "The type of expertise to (review LNG permits) is here in Houston," he said. "A Houston office makes a lot of sense." LNG has become a major topic for the commission after it recently cleared the construction of the Calcasieu Pass LNG export terminal in Louisiana after commissioners were divided on the climate impacts of LNG infrastructure. The division had threatened to delay billions of dollars worth of LNG projects. Chatterjee, during a luncheon speech, reiterated his conservative approach to regulations, saying that FERC's role is sometimes to "simply get out of the way." He also spoke at length on cybersecurity, saying he believes regulators and Congress need to focus on threats to the nation's pipeline system as well as legal challenges to infrastructure. Chatterjee said natural gas pipelines are critical to U.S. security and that the commission is very focused on security standards for the nation's pipeline network. The commission plans to host a conference with the Department of Energy and the Transporation Security Administration on the topic of security at the end of the month, he said. "America's critical infrastructure is increasingly under attack," he said. Chatterjee said he met with TSA in January about pipeline cybersecurity and that it's an issue that Congress has rightly been focused on as of late. But another threat to natural gas infrastructure is in the courts, Chatterjee said. Lawsuits by environmental groups and communities that don't want pipelines in their backyard are an increasing legal challenge for regulators in making sure permits can withstand "sophisticated" legal challenges by "well-meaning people," he said. RELATED: FERC chair says power market shifts "vexing" Chatterjee spoke of diversifying the energy mix but emphasized putting competition first, and finding ways to keep prices low for consumers as new renewable technologies come online. "The increasing reliance on electric infrastructure and expanding threats to the grid, (makes us) take a closer look at if we're doing enough to protect ourselves," Chatterjee said. "Solar and wind has the potential to fundamentally alter the way we consume energy." Last year was a tough one for the solar power industry when foreign tariffs were imposed on solar cells and modules, cancelling projects as costs were set to soar. But the industry predicts better days are ahead, anticipating solar installations will more than double during the next five years. In a report sponsored by the energy research firm Wood Mackenzie and the solar trade group Solar Energy Industries Association, Texas is in a particularly sweet spot, adding the second most solar capacity last year with nearly 1,000 megawatts. Only California added more at 3,395 megawatts. All seats were taken in the large activity room at the Friendswood Library where the approximately 75 visitors to the Wednesday evening program ventured to the library to watch a free performance by American Classical guitarist Peter Fletcher. Fletcher is based in Detroit and New York City and performs over a 100 concerts per year. His music appears on the Centaur Records and Tower Hill record labels where his recordings have been critically acclaimed. A veterinary clinic in Santa Fe tied to embattled veterinarian Todd Michael Glover was raided by law enforcement Wednesday. Glover, 36, is facing one count of first-degree rape and three counts of sexual battery in Louisiana. He is allowed to run the Santa Fe Animal Hospital, which he owns, but is barred from treating animals or prescribing medication. BREAKING NEWS UPDATES: Get your Houston breaking news alerts delivered to you Wednesday's raid was a search warrant executed by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and the Galveston County Sheriff's Office. The Texas Rangers and troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety also helped during the raid, according to Texas DPS Sgt. Stephen Woodard. BACKGROUND: Santa Fe veterinarian's license suspended after being accused of rape The reason for the raid was not immediately clear, although documents from Glover's recent license suspension might shed some light. In a order filed in January, authorities with the board alleged Glover did not keep proper records of several controlled substances used to treat pet ailments, including ketamine, tramadol and diazepam. He's also accused of prescribing Adderall to pets, including his own and pets of his employees, when it may not have been necessary, according to the order. His attorney previously told the Houston Chronicle that Glover is appealing the decision to temporarily revoke his license. Glover was arrested Dec. 26 at his residence in Hitchcock on the out-of-state charges. The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners suspended his license in January as the Louisiana case continues. 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 A medical review board in future will assess medical fitness of Wing Commander and decide when he can resume his ops as fighter pilot. On March 4, IAF Chief Air Marshal BS Dhanoa clarified that Varthaman will fly an aircraft again after he is declared fit. (Photo: File) New Delhi: The debriefing of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has been completed by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and other agencies, according to sources. A medical review board in the near future will assess the medical fitness of the Wing Commander and decide when he can resume his operations as a fighter pilot, the sources said. The sources added that Wing Commander Varthaman will now go on sick leave for a few weeks on the advice of doctors of Armys Research and Referral Hospital. Varthaman was chasing Pakistani jets on a MiG -21 Bison fighter plane in Jammu and Kashmir on February 27 and crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) where his aircraft was shot down during the fierce dogfight. He ejected safely and was taken into custody by the Pakistan Army when his parachute drifted and fell inside the PoK. He was released on March 1 after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on February 28 announced to release him as a peace gesture. Earlier sources said that Wing Commander Varthaman had informed the top brass of IAF that he was subjected to a lot of mental harassment, though he was not physically tortured by Pakistan military authorities. On March 4, IAF Chief Air Marshal BS Dhanoa clarified that Varthaman will fly an aircraft again after he is declared fit. Gary Fountain, For the Chronicle / For the Chronicle Gary Fountain, For the Chronicle / For the Chronicle/Gary Fountain Lester Smith, Houston oilman and well-known philanthropist, died Thursday. He was 76. Lester, who was born in Wharton on Aug. 16, 1942, died peacefully in his sleep, said family representative Trish Morille. Smith was a two-time cancer survivor, having battled prostate and bladder cancers, and a double-lung transplant recipient. He served as Chief Executive Officer of Smith Energy Company and was also a partner of SG Interests, an oil and natural gas exploration and production business. Together with wife Sue Smith, the couple has given more than $150 million to various local organizations, both through their eponymous foundation and personal donations. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Best Dressed Luncheon and the Smiths' $1 million challenge The Smiths have given transformational gifts (of $1 million or greater) to Baylor College of Medicine, Harris County Hospital District Health Clinic, Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, Holocaust Museum Houston, Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services, Texas Children's Hospital, March of Dimes and Stages Repertory Theatre. Lester Smith's final public appearance was for Stages' 2019 gala in late February. There, he surprised business partner and fellow wildcatter Russell Gordy with a $2.5 million check to complete The Gordy, the equity theatre's new 66,850-square foot campus in Montrose. Earlier this year, the Smiths issued a matching challenge to the 2019 Houston Chronicle Best Dressed Luncheon and Neiman Marcus Fashion Presentation benefiting the March of Dimes. If the luncheon is able to raise a $1 million, the Smiths will donate an additional $1 million to the March of Dimes. The luncheon is March 28 at the Post Oak Hotel. Giving is part of Lester's legacy, Morille said. In October, he and Sue raised $83 million during Texas Children's Hospital's "Legacy of Motown" gala, currently the highest-grossing single-event fundraiser in Texas' history. MOST FASCINATING: The Smiths were one of Houston's most fascinating, controversial and notorious headliners of 2018 The Smiths were also professional ballroom dancers. Their Memorial-area home famously boasts one of the city's few private ballrooms. Lester Smith is survived by his wife and two children, Stuart Smith and Shelly Hendry. Funeral services are pending. 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. Nurses dedicate their lives to providing patients the best care possible. This is difficult work that many Hispanic nurses experience every day as they mitigate obstacles to care facing our communities. The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) represents over 110,000 Hispanic nurses across the U.S. and our members prioritize our role to improve access and advance care solutions for all patients. However, a mandatory action proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) could endanger the progress made by reducing care options and limiting access to Medicare Part B medicines. Physician-administered medicines, covered under Part B, treat life-altering conditions such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions. Patients living with these conditions often require specific regimens tailored to their individual needs. The Part B reimbursement system ensures providers can offer a range of drug options to treat their patients more effectively. The proposed CMS demonstration would change how providers are reimbursed for Part B medications in favor of an International Pricing Index (IPI) model which determines price on amounts paid in selected foreign countries. This plan ignores the fact that many of these countries have socialized health care with bureaucrats dictating price and coverage, significantly reducing patient choice and access to newly developed drugs. Every year, Carol Ann Demaret prepares a speech to give to each class of children at David Elementary. In her talk, she recalls memories of her son, David Vetter. He would have been 48 years old this September, Demaret said. David, who was well known as the Bubble Boy, died in 1984 when he was 12 years old from complications with a genetic immune disorder that required him to spend much of his life in a sterile bubble, isolated from all potentially life-threatening germs. Though its sometimes emotional to talk about David, Demaret said she never wants to forget about her sons life. Demarets discussion with the elementary school children happens in the week leading up to the David Dream Run hosted by David Elementary. The 26th annual event, which is a one-mile run and 5K run/walk, is to be held March 30 this year beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Woodforest Bank Stadium in Shenandoah. We want the children to know and remember all of their lives that as children, they are helping other children just like them. And the fact that David was a child, it all seems to come together for them in their sweet little minds, Demaret said. On HoustonChronicle.com: Legacy of Houston's first 'Bubble Boy' helping children born decades later The event honors Davids life and legacyall proceeds raised benefit the David Clinic at Texas Childrens Hospital The Woodlands and the David Center at Texas Childrens Hospital downtown, which were established after Davids death for all children born with faulty or compromised immune systems to be diagnosed and treated. I know (David) would be very pleased to know that the physicians are treating severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) babies or patients with faulty or compromised immune deficiencies with the same care and compassion as they did David, Demaret said. Want to get involved? Register for the event or learn more here. See More Collapse Davids doctor, William Shearer, was at the helm of this initiative. He also helped to promote newborn screenings to more quickly identify those born with the same disease David had. Shearer passed away last October. The Dream Run helps to continue this work. Demaret has never missed a run and said many of Davids family members come out to the event to honor his memory. Its a proud thing for his family to behold. Our son David wanted to help and was able to help his physicians learn more about defects in the immune system, and were overwhelmed with joy and thankful for our community that continues to honor that, Demaret said. She added that the Conroe Independent School District was instrumental in educating David during his life, as teachers would visit him twice a week for tutoring. So, its only fitting that the district and David Elementary are still active supporters. Tamara Herod is this years event coordinator. She said the most thrilling part of being involved is watching the kids understand Davids legacy and how they can help today. They know that theyre helping other kids. They know the money donated to the David Center will be helpful for other kids in the community, Herod said. Several community figures are to speak at the event, including CISD superintendent Curtis Null, Shenandoah Mayor Ritch Wheeler and Congressman Kevin Brady. Its a fun, exciting and inspirational family event that the whole family can participate inIts a big reminder of how special this event is to have (Davids) memory carried on, Herod said. jane.stueckemann@chron.com he Montgomery County Sheriff's Office A pair of 16-year-old twin sisters ran away from their Willis home in late December and have been spotted throughout southeast Texas counties, according to the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office. Kendall and Kelsey Clark are not in immediate danger, but the two have been seen in Montgomery, Harris and Colorad counties. Kelsey Clark is described as having shoulder-length blond hair and is 5 feet, 5 inches tall. Kendall Clark is described as having red hair and is 5 feet, 3 inches tall, according to information in the press release. The Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission got the green light to place a sign and 13 flags at Interstate 45 and Texas 105 as part its effort to build a new memorial for Montgomery County veterans. The state-owned 10-acre site, which was cleared by TxDOT in 2012 for the construction of retention ponds, will be the home of the new multimillion dollar Montgomery County Veterans Memorial. Tommy Woolley, director of capital projects and transportation, told the council during its Wednesday workshop meeting because the city has an agreement with TxDOT to maintain the property, to allow any improvements, the city would need an amended or a new agreement with the state. (TxDOT) wont process the permit unless the city executes this agreement with them, Woolley said. Mayor Toby Powell said the sign and flags will be an asset to the area. They are doing this the right way, Powell said. Its an asset to our veterans and the veterans deserve it so we never forget what they fought for. Everything we have today is because of them. Councilman Duane Ham echoed Powell. Im excited about (the memorial), he said. I cant wait to be done. A feasibility study is currently underway for the project. The agreement comes on the heels of the MCVMC celebrating the opening of Freedom Boulevard last month that will provide access to the new memorial. The $1.2 million road connects with the Interstate 45 service road and continue east around the Montgomery County Library and connects with FM 2854. The two-lane concrete road provides access to the new Montgomery County Veterans Memorial and the Spirit of Texas bank complex. The project was a collaborative effort between the city of Conroe, Montgomery County and the Spirit of Texas bank. While the road was originally dubbed Veterans Memorial Park Drive, retired USMC Cpl. Jimmie Edwards III, who has spearheaded the relocation of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park near the Montgomery County Library, suggested Freedom Boulevard since Veterans Memorial is widely used. Edwards began the mission to relocate the park about two years ago. His goal is to improve the park, which has 166 names of local men killed in action during their military service. The $8 million project has gained the support of all the cities in the county along with local and state leaders. Edwards along with the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission is continuing to raise funds for the project. No completion date has been released. cdominguez@hcnonline.com A new 67.8-acre development has been proposed for the city of Montgomery that may lead to annexation, a lift station relocation, as well as changes related to drainage and traffic. City officials said the proposed The Woods of Town Creek Development would be located behind NAPA Auto Parts, north of Texas 105 and Westway Drive with 44 acres in Montgomery city limits and the remainder outside the city limits in its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction. Annexation would be required to serve the tract and also the portion that is in the city is zoned R-1 residential, the proposed land use is all single-family residential so the new portion would need to be zoned R-1 as well, Chris Roznovsky with Jones and Carter said. The Montgomery Council unanimously accepted a feasibility study on Tuesday for the development, which is being proposed by the owner Chris Cheatham with Stephen Grove as the developer. Not present were Mayor Sara Countryman and Councilmembers Jon Bickford and Rebecca Huss. The vote allows the development to go through options and discuss cost sharing. The development will still need to go through a process and appear for the council at future meetings for approval. Theres a lot going on with this tract in general with the flood plain, the size, the relocation of the lift station, the upfront cost of that lift station is a whole lot higher than you would expect for a 200-home development, but its the regional aspect of it and the cost sharing, and the long-term that makes the most sense for the city and likely the developer to reach a regional agreement, Roznovsky said during the presentation of the study. The proposed plan is to build 200-220 single-family homes on 50-foot lots, which would also require variance as the city currently has a 75-foot requirement. Roznovsky said on the citys future land use plan that provides general guidelines for the city, this area was designated as a high-density residential, which means less than 9,000 square-foot lots. Based on the developers estimates, he said the approximate sales price of each home would be approximately $220,000. It would be constructed in multiple phases over about a five-year period. The proposed development results in an increase in assessed valuation of $37 million and additional tax revenue to the city of approximately $140,600 annually, Jones and Carter information stated, according to a feasibility report. An extension of public utilities and relocation of Lift Station No. 5, which is located off of Texas 105. The city currently has the production and wastewater treatment capacity to serve the tract, however Jones and Carter said the city needs to continue to aggressively plan for expansion of city facilities to meet future demands. The developer will be responsible for the cost of the public and private utility extensions necessary to serve the tract; and, will need to pay the water and wastewater system impact fees totaling $771, 468. Jones and Carter is recommending relocating lift station 5 at an estimated cost of $791,000 so the entire tract can be served by the new location and also to serve a larger area that extends south of Texas 105 and north to Lone Star Parkway. As part of the Sanitary Sewer Master Plan, the lift station 5 was determined to require significant repairs and rehabilitation to improve its reliability and functionality at an estimated cost of $450,000. Jones and Carter said the city should consider entering into a development agreement to explore the sharing of the cost of the relocated lift station, along with the cost of upsizing certain public water and sanitary sewer lines within the development. Drainage and detention ponds improvements were also discussed for the tract, which is located adjacent to a major tributary of Town Creek with an upstream drainage area of approximately 500 acres of primarily undeveloped land. It may be advantageous to consider more of a regional detention area because this directly flows down by the sewer plant, by the propane tanks, where we have the recurring issues when it rains and water there might be a more regional (detention) solution that can be further developed and shared with on this piece, Roznovsky said to mitigate increased runoff from the tract but improve upon the existing drainage downstream. Based on the number of single-family lots proposed, Jones and Carter estimates the development will generate approximately 2,000 total trips per day and is recommending the city require the Developer to perform and submit a full traffic impact analysis showing the developments impact on the surrounding roadways. The traffic analysis must be submitted to the city for review and approval prior to approval of construction plans. Jones and Carter stated the city will need to work with the Developer and TxDOT to assess the potential for accommodating the new thoroughfare within the proposed land plan. The developer will also need to obtain TxDOTs approval for the connection to Texas 105 prior to approval of construction plans by the city. mellsworth@hcnonline.com With an unassuming but inviting storefront just north of Conroe, a Willis couple is tackling the controversial benefits of Cannabidiol and filling a growing demand for the product while educating consumers to its benefits and its legality. Better known as CDB oil, Joel and Jennifer Harris, who opened Your CBD Store, 1140 FM 3083 just off Interstate 45 last month, said they are believers in their product and hope they can provide an alternative for those suffering with chronic ailments. However, Jennifer knows there are many skeptics about CBD oil. All of our products are zero THC, Jennifer said. I think that is important to know right off the bat. All of our products have third party testing. Jennifer said a code on the product will take a customer to view those results online. Thats really important, she said. According to www.healthline.com, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), are two natural compounds found in plants of the Cannabis genus. CBD is found primarily in extractions from the mature stalks of the hemp plant and sold in gels, gummies, oils, supplements, extracts and more. THC is the main psychoactive compound in marijuana that gives the high sensation. In Texas, CBD oil without THC is legal. People need this, Jennifer said. For Jennifer, the decision to open her own store and learn more about CBD came from a family member and trying the product herself. CBD has changed my life, Jennifer said. I am more mobile and Im not depressed anymore. In October, Jennifer traveled out of state to visit with family, including niece who was opening her own store. I stopped by to support her and hear her spiel, she said, adding she knew nothing about CBD at the time. She gave me a sample; I was there for eight days and by the end of the eight days I was a different person. It was just amazing to me and I came home and said I think we are going to do this. But the path to opening her own store in Montgomery County wasnt easy. It was difficult to find a (space) that would allow CDB, Jennifer explained. We had six or seven places we had high hopes of getting but they would come back and say we just arent sure about CBD. But her search efforts paid off when her current leasing company responded that it was looking to lease to a CBD oil business. I said thank Jesus, she said. Lets get this going. In addition, Jennifer contacted the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office to make sure she knew its stance on CBD. Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon said he had no concerns about products developed legally. The District Attorneys Office will accept charges in any CDB oil case in which we have sufficient proof or evidence that the CBD oil is likely to contain THC or derived from an illegal source, Ligon said. Moving forward, Jennifer said she is actively looking for a doctor locally to be a part of small seminars at her store to allow the public to come and learn about CBD and its benefits. Jennifer said anyone who wants to begin taking CDB products should check with their doctor first. Thats the idea, to be able to have something where people can ask questions and be positive they are getting the right information, Jennifer said. Jennifer said her store will be expanding its product line in the next few months are well. For more information about the product, visit www.cbdrx4u.com. cdominguez@hcnonline.com The story of an enormous wolfdog named Yuki is taking the internet by storm and bringing awareness to a great cause. According to Shy Wolf Sanctuary, it was 2008 when they got a call from a man saying his 8-month-old pup "was much larger than he had anticipated it growing, and that he couldnt handle the dog." Just one day later, the owner dumped Yuki at a kill shelter, which in turned reached out to Shy Wolf. "We stepped in and provided a home for him and he has been with us ever since," volunteer Brittany Allen told Bored Panda. "His DNA testing came back as 87.5 percent gray wolf, 8.6 percent Siberian husky, and 3.9 percent German shepherd." Yuki's story began to go viral in February of this year after a picture of him looking particularly huge was posted on Reddit. Allen said while she is 5-foot, 4-inches tall, Yuki is not quite as large in person as he appears in the picture, weighing about 120 pounds. However, she insists the viral image is not photoshopped. She recently shared a picture captioned: The face we make when people say Yukis picture is photoshopped Its just his fat angle guys. We all have one." "Yuki is very much a 'ham' and loves to be the center of attention," according to the Shy Wolf Sanctuary website. "He has shown us that he doesnt like to hear 'NO,' doesnt like to be restrained or controlled in any way and does have a number of triggers. Volunteers need to be able to read his body language and react quickly as he doesnt always give a warning when 'Mr. Hyde' is going to appear." Now 12 years old, Shy Wolf recently learned Yuki has terminal blood cancer. "Yuki has been fighting it for quite a while now and is persevering, so it is business as usual while we enjoy our time with Yuki. When the day comes that he starts showing symptoms we will, as we always do, make the right decisions for Yukis quality of life, Jeremy Albrecht said. Yuki and lots of other animals have been given a loving home by Shy Wolf Sanctuary, which was founded in 2001. The center provides sanctuary and rehabilitation to wild and captive bred wolves, and other exotic animals on a 2.5-acre property in Naples, Florida. They take in 60 captive-bred or rescued animals every year. Click here to follow Shy Wolf on Facebook and here to visit their website. Swaraj questioned Paks retaliation to Indian air strikes in Balakot when, she said, India had specifically targeted the terror outfit JeM. The external affairs minister said India can have a good relationship with Pakistan, provided the neighbouring country 'takes action against terror groups on its soil'. (Photo: File) New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday said India cannot have dialogue with Pakistan unless the neighbouring country acted against terror outfits on its soil, asserting that talks and terror cannot go together. Talking on Indias World: Modi Governments Foreign Policy, she stated that Pakistan needs to control the ISI and its army who are bent on destroying the bilateral relations time and again. We do not want talk on terror, we want action on it. Terror and talks cannot go together, she said. Swaraj also questioned Pakistans retaliation to the Indian air strikes in Balakot when, she said, India had specifically targeted the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Why did the Pakistani military attack us on behalf of JeM? You not only keep JeM on your soil, but fund them and when the victim country retaliates, you attack it on the terror outfits behalf. If Imran Khan (Pakistan prime minister) is so generous and a statesman, he should give us Masood Azhar, she said. The external affairs minister said India can have a good relationship with Pakistan, provided the neighbouring country takes action against terror groups on its soil. On her invitation to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting, she said India avenged the humiliation meted out to it 50 years ago by becoming the guest of honour at the OIC meet this year. In 1969, India was humiliated when it was not allowed to participate in the meeting even after reaching the venue after Pakistan protested against Indias then foreign ministers participation. But now, 50 years later, it was India that was on the seat of the guest of honour, while Pakistans seat was empty, she said. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had expressed reservations about the invitation to Swaraj for the OIC meeting, and later decided to boycott the meeting of the 57-member Muslim grouping held earlier this month. Talking about the foreign policy of the current government, Swaraj said it was based upon the two principles of national interest supreme and world is our family. People often ask us what we get by our frequent travel to countries. I want to tell them we do not travel to have fun, we travel to build our relationship with other countries and it is because of our ties with these countries that we were able to rescue 7,000 people from Yemen. The strength of our bilateral ties was also reflected in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) elections, she said. I have seen the strength of this relationship time and again, the senior BJP leader said, adding that at the ministerial level, Indian leaders have visited 189 out of 193 countries. Swaraj added that the countrys global profile has improved in the last five years. For the sixth time, the state of Texas is set to execute convicted killer Larry Ray Swearingen, a Willis man convicted of slaughtering Montgomery County college student Melissa Trotter before dumping her body in the Sam Houston National Forest. In the two decades he's been on death row, the 47-year-old former mechanic has repeatedly professed his innocence while narrowly avoiding the gurney again and again. Once, he won a stay over a clerical error. Other times, it was questions about everytsanhing from autopsy evidence to entomology that helped him avoid the Huntsville death chamber. But in February - weeks after getting back results from a monthslong DNA-testing process that failed to turn up new information in the case - prosecutors filed a motion asking for an Aug. 21 execution date. NOTHING NEW: DNA test results released in death row inmate's case Judge J.D. Langley greenlit the request - the state's ninth in the case - on Tuesday, a move likely to set off a flurry of last-minute appeals. "We've already proved that Larry Swearingen didn't commit this crime and the forensics have just been ignored," said defense attorney James Rytting. "We continue to find serious problems with the technical and scientific evidence used to convict him." Specifically, he said, the cell phone evidence "was complete junk - and we're going to demonstrate it." He also called into question other forensics, including fiber analysis and the use of torn pantyhose from near Swearingen's home that the state said matched material from the crime scene. "The doubts will be there forever, like another Cameron Todd Willingham," Rytting said, referencing a controversial 2004 execution. But Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon does not share that uncertainty. "We're cautiously optimistic that this execution date will go through," he said Wednesday. "However, given the nature of death penalty litigation and appeals it would not be unusual for last minute writs to be filed." Now Montgomery County's only death row prisoner, Swearingen was sentenced to die in 2000, two years after the slaying that landed him behind bars. Weeks before Christmas 1998, Trotter and Swearingen were spotted in the library at Montgomery Community College. They left together, and it was the last time anyone saw the 19-year-old alive. Hair and fiber evidence later showed the teen had been in Swearingen's car at some point before she vanished. DIVERS CALLED IN: Investigators comb lake for new evidence in Swearingen case During trial, Swearingen's wife testified that she came home that evening to find the place in disarray - and in the middle of it all were a lighter and cigarettes believed to belong to Trotter. It could have been the sign of a struggle, but Swearingen later filed a burglary report, saying his home had been broken into while he was out of town. That afternoon, he placed a call routed through a cell tower near FM 1097 in Willis - a spot prosecutors say he would have passed while heading from his house to the woods where Trotter's decomposing body was found 25 days later. Crime scene investigators recovered biological material from the scene - but there was never any conclusive link to Swearingen. Instead, he was convicted and sentenced to death based on what courts later described as a "mountain" of circumstantial evidence. For years, defense lawyers fought for DNA testing in the case. Finally, both sides came to an agreement in 2017. In the months that followed, experts analyzed cigarette butts from the crime scene, hair and some of the slain teen's clothing. But most of the aging evidence didn't turn up any male DNA at all, and the cigarettes only returned DNA from the hunters who discovered the girl's body. Though the testing agreement came weeks after a last-minute stay of execution, it wasn't the long-standing questions over DNA that in 2017 saved him from the death chamber. Instead, it was a clerical error - and an alleged death row confession plot. That fall, Swearingen made national headlines as the result of a scheme hatched with serial killer Anthony Shore. Shore, who has since been executed, was allegedly planning to wrongly confess to Trotter's slaying in the final minutes before his death. But authorities got wind of the supposed plan, and called off Shore's execution date to investigate further. The former tow truck driver was executed in early 2018. The Lone Star State has executed two men so far in 2019, and another five death dates are on the calendar. 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. Amy O'Rourke will likely stay by her husband's side on the campaign trail in his bid for the 2020 presidency. While the former Texas senate candidate absorbs the attention, Amy O'Rourke touts her own achievements in the public sector. Before meeting Beto in 2004 on a blind date in Juarez, Mexico, she focused on helping young schoolchildren in Guatemala City, where she taught kindergarten at Colegio Americano de Guatemala, according to the El Paso Times and a bio on her nonprofit's website. ALREADY CATCHING HEAT: O'Rourke draws fire for wife remark Armed with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Williams College in Massachusetts, she implemented a dual language model in which all local students were taught using both English and Spanish, according to her biography. She returned to El Paso in 2004, where she continued to focus on educational gaps in the region, her bio said. She began working with a nonprofit that helped create an elementary dual-language charter school in a historic Hispanic neighborhood. She served as the school's first superintendent, the El Paso Times reported. RELATED: 'Beto's dog 4 prez': Social media ready to send O'Rourke's pooch Artemis to the White House Eventually, she served as president and owner of Stanton Street Technology, a company Beto founded in 1999 that develops website and computer software. Amy took over as president and owner from 2013 to 2017, when she sold her stake in the company, according to the El Paso Times. More recently, Amy O'Rourke worked as a director at CREEED, a nonprofit that supports educational initiatives for El Paso public school students. >>> Click through the slideshow to see more interesting facts about Amy O'Rourke. Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com | NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here. Houston area schools reported more than 7,000 fights during the 2017-2018 academic year. 223 Harris County schools reported ten or more fight incidents occurred between students during that period, according to Texas Education Agency Record. In total, 7,084 Fighting/Mutual Combat incidents took place at those 223 schools. In addition, 258 middle and high schools in Harris County were not counted in the finally tally of fighting incidents because they recorded fewer than 10. STAAR TESTING: Wording of test questions catches lawmakers' scrutiny Of the 29 school on this list (there were several ties), 19 of them were middle schools. That includes junior highs and intermediary schools. Chron.com reached out to the school districts with campuses on the list for comment. However, many of them are closed for Spring break and did not respond. Spring ISD had the most combined middle and high schools on the list. A spokesperson for the district replied that after conferring with one of their data analysts, "Spring ISD feels as though it has thoroughly followed and executed its disciplinary policies." A TEA spokesperson told Chron.com that school districts are required by law to submit data to the agency. The individual districts are responsible for collecting their own data. TEA said it does have a compliance overview system in place to confirm the accuracy of any data that is submitted to the agency. The TEA also provides the districts guidelines to follow and interpret. Schools are expected to follow the same guidelines, regardless of the size of its enrollment. However, the TEA spokesperson said "It can be difficult to compare campuses, districts, or regions with each other because they may vary by many factors, including the size and makeup of student populations." RELATED: How good is your hospital? New report rates Houston hospitals from worst to best 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. Homicide detectives believe a young man who was dropped off at a free-standing emergency room in Spring Branch with a fatal gunshot wound was shot inside a hotel off the Northwest Freeway. The man, believed to be in his late teens, was shot around 10:30 a.m. inside a second-story room at the Red Roof Inn along the Northwest Freeway near Hollister, according to Houston Police Department Homicide Detective Ken Fregia. A San Antonio man was arrested after his wife found a hidden recording device in her bedroom three weeks after the couple separated, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. Ricky Wray, 38, was arrested Monday on suspicion of invasive video recording, jail records showed. 3 1 of 3 Colleen Lastrapes / Colleen Lastrapes Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Sienna Plantation / Sienna Plantation Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Big crowds turned out for pint-sized fun at the March 2 Spring Fling Toddler Fair in Sienna Plantation, with 3,000 people attending the free, annual event. Headlining the event was AndyRoo, a.k.a. Andrew Karnavas, who has performed on Radio Disney AM 1590 and at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, PBS Kids show at SXSW and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo with Radio Disney on the Kids Country Stage. Other activities included the Sienna Super Kid Toddler Zone featuring giant ball pits, toddler-sized rings and Texas Tumbling Tours as well as a pony carousel, camel rides, swings, a Big Top play land, inflatables, a photo booth and face painting. Government sources said that security considerations (for the pilgrimage) are always a national concern and that there would be no dilution. New Delhi has also proposed that a technical level discussion on the alignment of the corridors be held on the same day on the sidelines of this meeting. New Delhi: At the Indo-Pak talks on the Kartarpur Sahib corridor project in Attari in Punjab on Thursday, India is expected to ask Pakistan for visa-free access for Indian Sikh pilgrims to the historic Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara and nudge Islamabad to not use the Kartarpur shrine for propaganda on Khalistan. Three months after the two countries agreed on the project, the talks come amid heightened tension between the two neighbours following Indias airstrike on a terrorist training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Pakistans subsequent retaliation. India is keen to send a large contingent of pilgrims across the border in Pakistani Punjab in November this year for the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism and the first Guru of the Sikhs. During the discussions, New Delhi is also expected to make it clear to Islamabad that Indian Sikh pilgrims should not be harassed during the pilgrimage by pro-Khalistan elements. India wants its pilgrims to be insulated from any propaganda by Khalistani separatists, to prevent a repeat of incidents last year when there were reports that pro-Khalistan banners were shown to a group of Indian pilgrims while they were on their way to two Sikh shrines. Government sources said that security considerations (for the pilgrimage) are always a national concern and that there would be no dilution. The (security) arrangements (for the pilgrimage) will be fool-proof and intrusion-free, said a government source. He said India and Pakistan would try to resolve the mismatch arising from both sides proposing different border crossing points for the pilgrims. Both sides are expected to discuss Kartarpur draft agreement and the alignment of corridors being built by both sides. New Delhi has also proposed that a technical level discussion on the alignment of the corridors be held on the same day on the sidelines of this meeting. India is already working on creating facilities for the corridor on its side from Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur to the International Border with all modern amenities to facilitate movement of upto 5,000 pilgrims daily who will cross over into Pakistani Punjab. The proposed infrastructure on the Indian side will include a 16,000 sq. metres state of the art passenger terminal building complex which will be a fully air-conditioned and equipped for seating 2,000 pilgrims and other amenities including kiosks, washrooms, first-aid medical facilities, snack counters and VIP lounges. The design for the complex is inspired by the symbol khanda which stands for values of oneness and humanity, sources said. The Indian government has identified 50 acres of land for the corridor on its side. Meanwhile, in response to claims that some designs in the complex may be lotus-shaped, sources said all the designs in the complex would represent the rich Indian cultural heritage. In a statement issued earlier, the MEA said, In keeping with the Governments decision to operationalise the Kartarpur Corridor on the occasion of the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji and meet the long pending public demand to have easy and smooth access to the holy Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib, the first meeting between India and Pakistan to discuss and finalise the modalities for Kartarpur Corridor would be held at Attari-Wagah (Indian side) on March 14. It may be recalled that Pakistan had last month proposed different border-crossing coordinates from the one that India has proposed for the pilgrimage. The two sides will start discussions on what the final border-crossing coordinates will be. Pakistan had announced in January that it had shared the draft agreement with India to facilitate the visit of Sikh pilgrims. Congress allies viz. the DMK, VCK, MDMK and the left parties as well have been insisting upon the convicts release. Chennai: Congress president Rahul Gandhi threw cold water on the hopes of Arupthammal, mother of Perarivalan and scores of others, that he would come out with a strong statement in support of the release of the seven convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. But contrary to expectations, he made a distinction between personal issue and rule of law and said the law should take its course. We are quite forgiving people and we dont have hatred or animosity towards anyone. This (assassination of his father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991) presents two issues me and my family, which is personal; and the legal aspect. Law should take its own course. Whatever the course will be, we will be happy with it, he told reporters here on Wednesday on the emotive issue, before leaving for Nagercoil to launch the UPA poll campaign. Several agitations were held in various parts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring Puducherry, too, by Arputhammal, along with members of various political parties and civil society, demanding Governor Banwarilal Purohit to order the release of the seven life convicts in the former Prime Minister assassination case. The convicts: Nalini, Murugan (Nalinis husband), Santhan, A.G. Perarivalan, Robert Payas, S. Jayakumar and Ravichandran, have spent the last 28 years in prison. The State government had on Sept. 9, 2018, recommended the release of all the convicts under Article 161 of the Constitution. Congress allies viz. the DMK, VCK, MDMK and the left parties as well have been insisting upon the convicts release. They have been accusing the ruling AIADMK and BJP-led government at the Centre of inaction on the issue. BROOKLYN NXIVM President Nancy Salzman pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of racketeering conspiracy, making her the first person convicted in the Justice Department's criminal prosecution of the Colonie-based organization's leaders. Salzman, 64, who appeared in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, faces 33 to 41 months in prison as a result of the conviction, and a maximum fine of $250,000 plus possible restitution and forfeiture. There was no public disclosure in court of whether Salzman has agreed to cooperate in the ongoing investigation by the Justice Department, which last year brought charges against Salzman as well as her daughter Lauren; NXIVM co-founder Keith Raniere; television actress Allison Mack; Clare Bronfman, the organization's operations director and an heiress of the Seagram's liquor empire; and Kathy Russell, a longtime bookkeeper for NXIVM. Salzman's plea came as the government filed a superseding indictment on Wednesday against the five remaining defendants. The new indictment severed Nancy Salzman from the case and added seven additional charges, most that center on Raniere's alleged sexual contact with at least two underage girls. The new racketeering charges include multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography, and one count of visa fraud. If convicted of the child exploitation charges, which the government said are buttressed by electronic messages, photographs and witness accounts, Raniere faces a minimum of 15 years in prison. READ MORE TIMES UNION COVERAGE OF NXIVM. In the courtroom on Wednesday, Salzman broke down as she apologized to her daughter and her parents while pleading guilty. "It has taken me some time and some soul-searching to come to this place," she said. " ... I still believe some of what we did was good." Salzman admitted to conspiring to commit two criminal acts: hacking into email accounts of the group's enemies who were not named in court and altering a videotape of NXIVM instructional sessions during a federal civil lawsuit that pitted the group against the Ross Institute, which is operated by cult tracker Rick Ross, who works to alert the public to the dangers of cults. NXIVM sued the Ross Institute in 2003 after it published excerpts from a NXIVM training manual that had been provided by an insider who had signed a non-disclosure agreement. Courts initially determined the institute's quotations were covered by the fair use doctrine; the suit was dismissed in 2017. The government's computer-hacking allegation is not the first time leaders of NXIVM have been accused of illegally monitoring email accounts. The Times Union first reported in 2015 that Bronfman had been accused of conspiring with Raniere to secretly implant a "key logger" virus on the computer of her father, Edgar M. Bronfman Sr., who died in December 2013. The alleged hacking of Edgar Bronfman's computer was apparently carried out so that the NXIVM associates could monitor his emails, including his exchanges with world leaders and then-U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton. Last July, federal agents in Albany arrested Salzman and her daughter along with Russell. Bronfman was taken into custody that same day by federal agents in New York City. Raniere and Mack were arrested a year ago. A criminal trial is scheduled to begin April 29 in Brooklyn. The 30-page, 11-count indictment filed this week honed the government's case against the remaining defendants, adding the sexual exploitation and child pornography charges. One of two racketeering counts in the indictment lists 14 separate criminal acts, ranging from conspiracy to commit identity theft to money laundering. The new indictment also includes the initial charges leveled against the defendants last year, including extortion, sex trafficking, harboring of aliens for financial gain, forced labor, various conspiracy charges and wire fraud. The indictment seeks forfeiture of a Halfmoon townhouse that Raniere had called "The Library" and allegedly used as his private "sex lair," as well as more than $520,000 in cash that was seized last year from Nancy Salzman's Halfmoon residence. According to a person familiar with the case, Salzman's attorney Robert Soloway did not inform Raniere's attorneys that Salzman would be pleading guilty before the news was first reported Tuesday afternoon by the Times Union. The charges allege some of the defendants took part in recruiting and grooming sexual partners for Raniere, and of using "harassment, coercion and abusive litigation to intimidate and attack perceived enemies and critics of Raniere." A court filing from prosecutors on Tuesday outlined how Salzman and other co-defendants "were aware of and facilitated Raniere's sexual relationships with two underage victims ... (including) a 15-year-old girl who was employed by Nancy Salzman and who 10 years later became Raniere's first-line 'slave'" in a secret club he had created to groom women to have sex with him. The new indictment said Raniere's illegal sexual contact with one of the minors identified only as Jane Doe 2 took place in 2005. Prosecutors contend Raniere had formed the secret club, known as "Dominus Obsequious Sororium," which means "Master Over the Slave Women." The women in the group, they said, were lured into the club by other female NXIVM members including Mack, who considered Raniere her "grand master." According to the charges, the women were required to provide "collateral" sometimes damaging information about family members or close-up photographs of their genitalia in order to join. If they tried to leave, they were threatened that their collateral would be released. While Raniere's attorneys have characterized the allegations of his sexual relations with the 15-year-old girl as "inadmissible, unreliable, rank hearsay," prosecutors countered that their evidence includes "dated images of the victim, constituting child pornography, that were created and possessed by Raniere and electronic communications between the victim and Raniere reflecting their sexual relationship and indicating that it began when she was 15 years old." "As to Raniere's relationship with the second victim, the evidence demonstrates how members and associates of the enterprise were directed and expected to recruit and groom sexual partners for him ... (and) the government intends to introduce direct evidence, including witness testimony," the filing states. Prosecutors have described NXIVM as having been run as a type of pyramid scheme, noting the organization's leaders encouraged "associates and others to take expensive NXIVM courses, and incur debt to do so, as a means of exerting control over them and to obtain financial benefits for the members of the enterprise." The indictment of Raniere and his longtime confederates was a crippling blow to an organization that took shape in the Capital Region in the late 1990s. Under the direction of Raniere and Salzman, who had touted NXIVM's training curricula as a way for participants to improve their lives, the organization quietly built a following that included actors as well as the wealthy and politically powerful. NXIVM, which has been described by some experts as a cult, also developed a reputation for aggressively pursuing critics and defectors who broke from its ranks. The organization has been accused of using litigation to punish defectors who have criticized Raniere, the organization, or its training methods. NXIVM required its employees and devotees to sign non-disclosure agreements that were often used as weapons in their litigation against defectors or critics. Raniere remains in custody at a federal detention facility without bond. The other defendants have all been released on conditions that include home confinement. On Wednesday, Salzman and her attorneys left the courthouse without taking questions from reporters. She is scheduled to be sentenced on July 10. The proposal was the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist. New Delhi: Confirming Indias worst fears at the UN, China once again on Wednesday vetoed and put on hold a proposal at the UN Security Council to list Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammeds (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. Responding to the Chinese veto, India, in a late night reaction, said it was disappointed by the outcome. The proposal was the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist. New Delhi said that Beijings move has prevented action by the international community to designate the chief of JeM, a proscribed and active terrorist organisation which has claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14. India also said it would pursue all available avenues to bring terrorists to justice. The developments are being seen as a setback to India and Sino-Indian ties and also a major victory for Chinas all-weather friend Pakistan. India did not directly refer to China by name in its reaction. In a statement late on Wednesday night, the MEA said, The ISIS (Daesh) and Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee (1267 Sanctions Committee), upon completion of the no-objection period on March 13, 2019, was not able to come to a decision on the proposal for listing Mohammed Masood Azhar Alvi under the UN Sanctions regime, on account of a member placing the proposal on hold. The MEA added, We are grateful for the efforts of the member states who moved the designation proposal and the unprecedented number of all other Security Council members as well as non-members who joined as co-sponsors. We will continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens are brought to justice. China had earlier on Wednesday hinted that it may once again block the move, saying only the solution that is acceptable to all sides is conducive to resolve the issue. Observers also point out that this is another indication that Beijing does not want to jeopardise the huge financial investments it has made in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as also the goodwill it has in Pakistan. China had in the past few years too blocked the move by India and powerful western nations the US, UK and France to get Azhar listed as a designated terrorist under the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council (UNSC). The US, UK and France had again moved a resolution at the UNSC following the Pulwama attack to get Azhar banned by the UN. Of the UNSC P-5 countries US, Russia, UK, France and China that enjoy the veto power it was China alone which had been blocking these efforts. A man brought an AK-47 to his son's middle school in Florida on Monday, according to a Palm Beach County School District report. Christopher Freeman, 28 of West Palm Beach, was arrested at Bear Lakes Middle School around 4 p.m. after an incident at the school involving his son. Freeman told school police he had received a FaceTime phone call from his son during school hours. Freeman told police that when he answered the phone, his son was crying and told him a teacher had "slammed him," according to Freeman. While speaking with his son, Freeman observed his son being grabbed by an adult and stated that he saw "his son's phone flying from his son's hand." According to the report, Freeman stated he was very upset and headed straight to the school to check on his son. When Freeman arrived at the school, he threatened violence to school officials because of what happened to his son, according to a Palm Beach County School District report. School district police immediately arrested Freeman. The school was secured after police placed the school on a Code Red lockdown. Police say the gun was loaded with one round in the chamber. The magazine has a 30-round capacity and appeared to be fully loaded, according to police. Freeman appeared in court Tuesday morning and his bond was set for $75,000. He was ordered to stay off the grounds according to court documents. Freeman was also ordered to wear a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office ankle monitor. His next scheduled court appearance is April 4. A message was sent by phone to parents who have children at the school: Good afternoon Bear Lakes Middle School parents. This is principal Kirk Howell with an important message. This afternoon, our school was placed on lockdown after a parent became hostile in our front office. Once School Police was notified, it was discovered that the angered parent was in possession of a hand gun. School Police immediately confiscated the gun, and the inidividual will face criminal charges. The parent never brandished the gun or threatened the office staff with it at any time. I want to thank the quick action of our own school police, in cooperation with the West Palm Beach Police Department, for their cooperation in removing this individual from our campus. Once the parent was removed, our campus returned to an "All Clear" for a regular dismissal. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school at 561.615.7700. Vadra, 47, has held several meetings with party workers in UP since her formal entry into politics last month. New Delhi: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will not contest the coming Lok Sabha elections and will focus on the partys campaign, said agencies and television reports quoting sources amid a buzz that she could be the Congress challenger against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi. In order to concentrate on the campaign and her new responsibility as general secretary, she will not be contesting in this election, said television reports quoting Congress sources. They added that she would play an active role and help her mother and brother in their constituencies as well as help other congress candidates in the state. Ms Vadra has been helping her brother and party president Rahul Gandhi and mother Sonia Gandhi in their constituencies Amethi and Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh for more than a decade. After the Congress announced that she would join politics and appointed her as general secretary incharge of East Uttar Pradesh along with Jyotiraditya Scindia, who was given the responsibility for West UP, there was intense speculation that she would contest polls. All talk about her taking over Rae Bareli from mother Sonia Gandhi, who has been unwell for a while, was cast aside when the Congress announced its first list of 15 candidates earlier this month, naming Mrs Gandhi. The list confirmed that UPA chairperson is not retiring just yet. Ms Vadra, 47, has held several meetings with party workers in UP since her formal entry into politics last month. She delivered her first speech anywhere outside the Gandhi family strongholds on Tuesday as she addressed a rally in Ahmedabad in Gujarat after attending a Congress Working Committee meeting. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Lynk & Co, a Chinese-Swedish automotive brand owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, prepares to unveil the Lynk & Co 02 PHEV, 03 PHEV and 03 Performance at the Auto Shanghai 2019 next month, according to a China's media outlet. The patent images exposed before show that the Lynk & Co 02 PHEV displays a striking resemblance to the fuel-burning version, while adds a charging port on the left fender. Such facilities as front- & rear-view radars, adaptive cruise control system and optional types of sunroof will be offered based on different variants. Lynk & Co 02 The interior of the 02 PHEV is rarely changed compared to the fuel-powered version. Occupants can see a center console leaning towards the driver's position and a large-sized touch screen inside the vehicle. Under the hood is a turbocharged plug-in hybrid powertrain that is comprised of a 179hp 1.5-litre engine and an electric motor, the same as the Lynk & Co 01. The fuel consumption reported to the MIIT is 1.7L per 100km. The Lynk & Co 03 PHEV also largely retains the exterior design of its fuel-burning version. As to the side profile, it features a style of hatchback which is characterized by the C-pillar's radian. The L-shaped taillights are still used at the rear end, giving the PHEV its distinct profile. It packs an exhaust layout with single pipe on each side. Lynk & Co 03 The 03 PHEV's interior presents an iconic design of Lynk & Co family as well. Above the center console display are two rectangular air-conditioning outlets adorned with chrome elements. It will possess such facilities as electronic parking brake and AUTOHOLD automatic parking system. The new PHEV measures 4,657mm long, 1,840mm wide and 1,460mm tall with a wheelbase spanning 2,730mm. The powertrain of the 03 PHEV is as same as the 02 PHEV. The automaker previously disclosed that two Lynk & Co 03-based performance models dubbed PERFORMANCE and HALO will be released in the future. The PERFORMANCE, carrying a 254hp 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, is likely to be the one that heads to the Auto Shanghai. Highlighting the divide created by the current government, Rahul Gandhi said that there is an ideological battle going on in India. Chennai: Asserting that law must not be applied selectively, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said that PM Modi too should be probed for alleged corruption in the Rafale deal just as his brother-in-law Robert Vadra is under investigation for alleged money laundering and land deals. I will be the first person to say it... Investigate Robert Vadra but also investigate Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said at a lively interaction with students of Stella Maris College for Women here on Wednesday. Call me Rahul instead of sir, makes me more comfortable, said the Congress president, when the first question was posed to him by a student at the gathering, which largely involved an interaction through a question-answer session. How many times have you seen the Prime Minister of India standing in the middle of 3,000 women like this? Have you seen the Prime Minister of India like this, being open to any question from anybody? he asked, in an obvious attempt to show his USP. He understood his audience well and spoke about specific topics like women empowerment and the education system in the country, said Karishma Angela Vincent, a third-year student. He also promised that 33 per cent of government jobs at all levels will be reserved for women if the Congress comes to power. Frankly, I dont see enough women in leadership positions. This a starting point and we cannot have women empowerment in India without a change in attitude and there is a lot to change with this attitude, he said. Further highlighting the divide created by the current government, Rahul Gandhi said that there is an ideological battle going on in India. The religious, cultural divide is clear, he said and underlined the fact that the idea of nationalism in the country is being defined by two ideology. One is a unifying ideology which says that all people of the country should live together and shouldnt be dominated by one idea. The other ideology the other is that of the Modi Government. If one defies them, they are termed anti-national, he said and the ideological shift is harm to development, Karishma said. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, third-year sociology student Abhinayaa Sampath said that the question was a follow-up after a slew of them on demonetization and the recent Pulwama attacks. Rahul Gandhi was speaking about how money is abused in the hands of the rich. Through that, many more questions, including the one on Robert Vadra was shot at him, to which he replied that everyone should be investigated with such ease, she said. These matters are now subject of an internal enquiry which commenced on February 28, the affidavit said. New Delhi: On the eve of a crucial hearing on the Rafale jet deal, the Centre on Wednesday urged the Supreme Court not to rely on the photocopy of the documents attached in the review petitions as these are sensitive to national security and those who conspired in photocopying the secret papers have committed theft and put the security in jeopardy by leaking them. Defence secretary Sanjay Mitra, in a brief affidavit filed on Wednesday, said Those who have conspired in this leakage are guilty of penal offences including theft by unauthorised photocopying and leakage of sensitive official documents affecting national security. The unauthorised photocopying of such documents has adversely affected the sovereignty, security and friendly relations with foreign countries, the Centre said, urging the Supreme Court that these documents be removed and review petitions dismissed. The documents presented by the petitioners are failing to bring out how the issues were addressed and resolved and necessary approvals of the competent authorities taken. The selective and incomplete presentation of the facts and records by the petitioners are intended to mislead this court into deriving wrong conclusions, which is very damaging to national security and public interest, said the affidavit. The Centre said that since the review petitions against the judgment dated December 14, 2018 (giving clean chit to the Rafael deal) had been widely circulated and are available in public domain, the same are available to the enemy/our adversaries and this puts national security in jeopardy. The ministry said an internal inquiry, launched on February 28, is in progress over the leakage of sensitive documents and it is of utmost concern to find out where the leakage took place. The affidavit filed by the ministry said documents attached by the petitioners - former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie as also activist advocate Prashant Bhushan relate to war capacity of combat aircraft. The ministry said secrecy was envisaged in various agreements that the Centre had entered into with France and others concerning matters of national security. Last week the attorney general K.K. Venugopal asserted that the documents attached by advocate Prashant Bhushan which were published by a newspaper were stolen materials and should not be taken on record. Later, the A-G clarified that documents were not stolen but only photocopied and leaked. The Centres present affidavit maintained that the documents were photocopied and removed. The Centre said, It is of utmost concern to the Central government to find out where the leakage took place so that in future the sanctity of decision-making process in governance is maintained. The petitioners are using unauthorisedly accessed documents with the intention to present a selective and incomplete picture of internal secret deliberations on a matter relating to national security and defence. In this context, the performance audit report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Capital Acquisition in Indian Air Force is already presented to the Parliament, the ministry said. These documents belong to a class, which the government is entitled to claim privilege under Section 123, 124 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, (which says no one shall be permitted to give any evidence derived from unpublished official records relating to any affairs of the state). Therefore, the petitioners have no authority whatsoever to produce the same before this court without the explicit permission of the government, the affidavit said. Rahul also said economic growth is directly related to the mood of the nation and one cannot expect it to happen in a negative and fearful atmosphere. Chennai: Launching the UPAs campaign for Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for splitting India into two one belonging to jet-setters and the other where youth have no jobs, farmers have no future and people suffer severe pain. He also promised 33 per cent reservation in government jobs for women and reforms in the goods and services tax (GST) if the party-led UPA wins the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. During his day-long events in the state, including a rally at Nagercoil, the first after inking a pact with the DMK, and interaction with students of Stella Maris College for Women in Chennai, Mr Gandhi raised the issues of unemployment, corruption, joblessness, farmers plight and the BJPs attack on institutions and Tamil culture. He also said economic growth is directly related to the mood of the nation and one cannot expect it to happen in a negative and fearful atmosphere. The Congress president accused Mr Modi of splitting the country into two nations one belonging to the super rich flying around in their aircraft and making crores of rupees for doing nothing and the other India wherein youth have no jobs, farmers no future, where people are in severe pain. Invoking Tamil pride, Mr Gandhi accused Mr Modi of remote controlling the AIADMK government, failing to bring the promised development to the state and the rest of India, and trying to destroy Tamil culture by imposing the RSS brand of polity. Taking on the BJP over corruption, Mr Gandhi asserted that law must not be applied selectively and that if his brother-in-law Robert Vadra can be probed for any alleged irregularities so can be the Prime Minister for his alleged role in the Rafale jet deal. Mr Vadra is being probed in connection with a money laundering case related to purchase of assets abroad and a land case in Rajasthans Bikaner district. Mr Gandhi said that Mr Modi had claimed he wanted to be chowkidar and not Prime Minister. But asfter saying that, the chowkidar gave `30,000 crore to Ambani, he alleged. The Prime Ministers entire foundation is built on lies, he said and quoted Tamil saint poet Tiruvalluvar, Terming Mr Modis ambitious programmes like the Make in India, as flop shows, the Congress chief sought to woo Tamil voters by announcing that after UPAs victory the Made in China labels on all products mobile phones, shirts and so on will then be replaced by Made in Tamil Nadu. This would generate millions of jobs for the youth who are currently jobless as the UPA government would make available ample bank credit to young entrepreneurs, he said. Mr Modi flayed Mr Modi for making false statements on growth and dared him to explain to the people. How come the Prime Minister never does any press conference? he asked in Chennai. Observing there were not many women in leadership positions, Mr Gandhi said if his party comes to power it will reserve 33 per cent of all government jobs at the national level for women. One of the things that we have decided that in 2019 we are going to pass the womens reservation bill in Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabhas and we are also going to reserve 33 per cent of all government jobs at the national level for women, he said. Candidates from major political parties including the BJP and the Congress in Tamil Nadu will be contesting for 39 constituencies on April 18. Four people are in jail on capital murder charges after allegedly burglarizing a Mount Houston-area house and killing the homeowner last year. Donnie P. Loring, 19, is the latest person to be arrested in the death of 25-year-old Jessie Renteria on Aug. 9. Renterias girlfriend told investigators that she awoke to gunfire around 11:35 p.m. that night at the home in the 11000 block of United. BREAKING NEWS UPDATES: Get your Houston breaking news alerts delivered to you Three masked men had broken in and fired several shots, killing Renteria, deputies said. He died in the kitchen of the home. The robbers ransacked the house as one of the attackers held the girlfriend at gunpoint, according to the Harris County Sheriffs Office. RELATED: Harris County Precinct 5 Constable's Office seeks brazen daytime burglar Loring was charged and arrested with capital murder on Wednesday. Arthur Sanders, 26; Qwadrean Barnes, 30; and Frank Garcia, 35, had already been booked in the Harris County Jail. Garcia is being held in lieu of posting $200,000 bond, and the other three suspects are being held without bond. Garcia has at least two prior convictions in Harris County, including robbery in 2005 and aggravated assault of a family member in 2012. At the time of the deadly shooting last year, Garcia was wanted after forfeiting bond on a marijuana possession charge. Sanders, of Pasadena, has two prior misdemeanor convictions, including burglary of a vehicle in 2014. NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here. A Russian spacecraft transporting NASA astronaut Nick Hague to the International Space Station launched flawlessly Thursday -- no small feat, given the aborted launch of a different spacecraft he was aboard last year. Strapped into the Russian Soyuz on Thursday alongside Hague were Russia's Alexey Ovchinin and NASA's Christina Hammock Koch. The trio were expected to reach the space station Thursday night. Waiting to greet them were the three astronauts living in the orbiting laboratory, including NASA's Anne McClain. "Today's launch to finally bring Hague and Ovchinin to the station has also brought an air of anticipation here at the launch site -- an exercise in reprieve rocketry," NASA spokesman Rob Navias said via a livestream from Kazakhstan, where the Soyuz spacecraft are launched. LAUNCH ABORT: American, Russian astronauts safe after emergency landing of Soyuz MS-10 In October, Hague and Ovchinin were robbed of their chance to live on the space station after the Soyuz transporting them there had to make an emergency landing because of a rocket booster failure. Of Koch joining the team this time around, Hague said: "We're stronger together. We're fortunate to have her as part of the crew." NASA has relied on Russia to transport its astronauts to the space station since 2011, when the Space Shuttle program was shuttered. Commercial vehicles being built by SpaceX and Boeing are meant to alleviate that reliance, but those programs are behind schedule. Earlier this month, however, SpaceX successfully completed a test flight of its Crew Dragon spacecraft, sending it to the space station and back without humans on board. It was the first flight of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, and SpaceX officials hope to launch a crewed mission to the space station in July. NOT WORRIED: NASA astronaut Nick Hague confident in Russian systems ahead of February launch to space station The October abort was Russia's first in 35 years and many officials deemed it a success: Hague and Ovchinin were safe and in good condition. But some space experts questioned whether Russia's space program was up to snuff, especially because the aborted launcht was preceded by the discovery of an air leak-causing hole in a different Soyuz docked to the space station in late August. Russian officials in November announced that the failed launch was the result of a malfunctioning sensor that caused the first and second stages of the rocket launching the Soyuz to collide, breaking the second stage and forcing an emergency landing. CULPRIT DETERMINED: Malfunctioning sensor on Russian spacecraft headed to ISS caused aborted launch The sensor was damaged, Russian officials said, during the rocket's assembly in Kazakhstan. The cause of the hole still is unknown. Gary Jordan, a spokesman at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, said Thursday that Russia has not released any investigation findings. SAFE AND SOUND: NASA astronaut Anne McClain arrives at International Space Station via Russian Soyuz Hague and Koch are members of the 2013 astronaut class. On March 29, Koch and McClain will take part in the first all-female spacewalk in NASA's history. They will make upgrades to the exterior of the station. Alex Stuckey writes about NASA and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey. As he launches his campaign for the White House, Beto ORourke is certainly not the frontrunner for the Democratic Partys presidential nomination. But he is unquestionably in the upper tier of an already crowded race, early polling has shown. While former Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders remain solidly in the top two spots in polls of most of the early voting states, ORourke is among a handful of top contenders that already have name recognition and fundraising ability for a national campaign. In Iowa, The Des Moines Register and CNN released a poll in December showing ORourke in 3rd place behind Biden and Sanders. In New Hampshire, which holds its primary just a week after Iowa, ORourke has been between fifth and sixth place in February polls. If he can reproduce the energy he had in the U.S. Senate race, hell be in the top tier, said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University. Standing in ORourkes way will be more than a dozen Democrats who are already campaigning and its not entirely clear where hell fit in politically. For subscribers: Beto ORourke is running for president Even before ORourke announced his campaign, some Sanders supporters were already debating if the ORourke who ran against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018 is really enough of a progressive for todays Democratic Party. Early polls show Sanders and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., are largely seen as the most progressive candidates in the race. In one University of New Hampshire survey released on the last day of February, Sanders was considered the most progressive among 44 percent of respondents. Warren was the choice of 10 percent. ORourke was way back and the choice of just 2 percent of registered voters in the poll. There are other progressive hurdles for ORourke to overcome. Democratic insiders note that the El Paso native never joined the Congressional Progressive Caucus where more liberal members of Congress convene. Instead, he was part of the New Democratic Coalition, a group that is often viewed as more centrist in its thinking. ORourke also has some key votes that have stirred some left-leaning Democrats. In 2015, he was one of just 28 Democrats to vote to give then-President Obama fast track negotiating authority for international free trade deals something Sanders and other progressives have opposed. And while O'Rourke has endorsed a single-payer health care system, he has not been for the type of "Medicare-for-all" that Sanders and others Democrats in the field are supporting. Related: Beto ORourke unveils plan for citizenship for Dreamers, millions more That is not to say ORourke doesnt have appeal with progressive groups. MoveOn.Org is a prime example. That group in 2016 pushed Warren run for the White House. When she refused, MoveOn played a key roll in elevating Bernie Sanders. Yet in a straw poll of MoveOn members in December, the former El Paso Congressman was the choice of almost 16 percent of respondents. Biden was second at just under 15 percent, followed by Sanders at 13 percent and California U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris at 10 percent. And ORourke has already rolled out one of the most liberal immigration reform proposals. Not only has he proposed granting citizenship to so-called Dreamers, who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children, hes called for extending it to their parents as well. And hes called for a pathway to citizenship for another potential million people in the country living in the shadows. Even if the far left doesnt completely embrace ORourke, it doesnt mean his path to the center is clear. ORourke has famously talked about courting GOP votes in even the most conservative places in Texas and made his bipartisanship a core piece of his campaign for office. Other Democrats are also taking centrist positions. Already, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former governors like John Hickenlooper of Colorado and John Delaney of Maryland have pitched themselves as unifiers who are trying to rise above partisanship a theme ORourke rode to the closest U.S. Senate race in Texas in 40 years. Justice Gogoi asked the SG as to what the Centre and Assam was doing to prevent the infiltrators from getting merged with the local populace. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked Centre and Assam described as joke the steps taken so far by the authorities in tackling the menace of external aggression in Assam through large-scale influx of illegal migrants. A three-judge Bench comprising the Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjay Kishan Kaul expressed dissatisfaction over the steps taken in the last few years to check the entry of illegal migrants asked the Centre and Assam to explain measures on how to put an end to this menace. The CJI told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta State of Assam is facing external aggression. We would like to know what steps Government of India had taken to meet the external aggression. We want to know how you are going to tackle the problem? You are treating the issue as joke. The court also sought the following details from Assam government for the past 10 years relating to: number of persons declared as foreigners by the various foreigners tribunals; number of persons who are detained in the detention centres and the number of persons so far sent back to their countries of origin after being declared foreigners. Further, the state has to furnish information as to whether the existing foreigners tribunals are adequate, or specify the precise number of additional tribunals required, which shall be filed in the form of an affidavit before the next date of hearing. The court passed the directions while dealing with a PIL filed by former civil servant Harsh Mander bringing to the courts notice the alleged prolonged incarceration of hundreds of illegal migrants in detention centres. During the resumed hearing the CJI was critical of the Solicitor General when he informed the court that roughly there are about 50,000-60,000 illegal migrants in Assam and 800 of them are presently in various detention centres after being declared illegal foreigners by the various tribunals. Justice Gogoi asked the SG as to what the Centre and Assam was doing to prevent the infiltrators from getting merged with the local populace. The CJI then pointed out that in December 2014, the apex court had already ruled that large-scale influx of illegal migrants into Assam amounted to an External aggression. The bench was upset that the Assam government could not provide basic details to the court as to actual number of illegal foreigners into the state, the number of foreigners tribunals, and the total number of cases pending before them. The CJI told the SG How serious Assam government is to deal with the issue? Prashant Bhushan counsel for Harsh Mander submitted that the government could consider subjecting the illegal foreigners to GPS monitored bracelets to keep a track on their movements without putting them into detention camps. The Bench posted the matter for further hearing on March 27. NRC deadline July 31: Meanwhile another Bench headed by the CJI said it was determined that the final NRC would be published by the authorities as per the deadline of July 31, 2019. It said after the conclusion of the election process, the State Coordinator for NRC Prateek Hajela would be free to seek and deploy adequate number of personnel for competing the NRC work so as to meet the July 31 deadline fixed by the court. Today Attorney General K.K. Venugopal informed the court that the Centre had agreed not to disturb the 67 companies of central forces deployed in the state of Assam. The will continue to be employed for the NRC work in terms of the apex court February 5, directions, the AG said. On February 5, the court had come down heavily on the Ministry of Home Affairs for its perceived efforts to destroy the ongoing preparation of final NRC exercise in Assam, as it refused to entertain Centres plea for suspending the process by two weeks for the ostensible purpose of deploying 167 companies of central police forces in the state across the country during the ensuing general elections. Former El Paso Congressman Beto ORourke, the Texas upstart who seized the nations attention in an audaciously close Senate run against conservative icon Ted Cruz, announced in a video message that he will jump into the 2020 presidential race. Amy and I are happy to share with you that Im running to serve you as the next president of the United States of America, ORourke said from his living room in El Paso with his wife Amy by his side. The long-anticipated announcement adds ORourke to a crowded field of Democrats vying to take on President Donald Trump, with whom he has repeatedly clashed over the administrations hardline policies on border security, asylum and immigration. This is a defining moment of truth for this country and for every single one of us, ORourke said. The challenges that we face right now, the interconnected crisis in our economy our democracy and our climate have never been greater and they will either consume us or they will afford us the greatest opportunity to unleash the genius of the United States of America. ORourkes announcement comes as he heads to Iowa on Thursday for three days of campaign events. He said on March 30, he will be back in El Paso for an official kickoff event. Over the coming days Im going to travel this country and listen to those who I seek to serve, to understand from your perspective how we can best meet these challenges, he said. As he did in his surprisingly close loss to Cruz, ORourke signaled that the fuel for his presidential campaign will be grassroots organizing, small-dollar donations, social media savvy, and a personal charisma that supporters liken to Bobby Kennedy or Barack Obama. For subscribers: ORourkes late decision to run for president could reshape the Democratic primary In some respects, ORourkes signature opposition to a wall - he has even talked about taking down some barriers around El Paso - could position him as the Democrat who presents the starkest contrast to Trump. Immigration and border security are also the ground where Trump prefers to campaign. In his campaign announcement, ORourke listed a set of ideals he is fighting for that includes his vision for immigration. We can invest in the dignity of those who work and those who seek to work, he said. We can ensure that every single American can see a doctor and be well enough to live to their full potential. And all of us, wherever you live, can acknowledge that if immigration is a problem it is the best possible problem for this country to have and we should ensure that there are lawful paths to work, to be with family and to flee persecution. ORourke harkened back to his campaign for the U.S. Senate, pledging to campaign with an uplifting message. This is going to be a positive campaign that seeks to bring out the very best from every single one of us; that seeks to unite a very divided country, ORourke said. The Congress chief attacked the prime minister and said he had not spoken on China blocking the resolution in the UN Security Council. Gandhi has also alleged that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, a top intelligence official back then, had 'escorted' Azhar to Kandahar where he was handed over to terrorists. (Photo: File) New Delhi: As China again blocked a UN resolution to designate JeM chief a global terrorist, Congress president Rahul Gandhi Thursday hit out at Prime Minster Narendra Modi, saying he was weak and scared of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Congress chief attacked the prime minister and said he had not spoken on China blocking the resolution in the UN Security Council. The party accused the BJP of letting Masood off the hook again and also questioned Modi what was the use of "swinging" with Xi. "Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NoMo's China diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat. 2. Hug Xi in Delhi. 3. Bow to Xi in China," Gandhi said on Twitter. Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NoMos China Diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat 2. Hug Xi in Delhi 3. Bow to Xi in China https://t.co/7QBjY4e0z3 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 14, 2019 The Bharatiya Janata Party countered Gandhi attempting to put the onus of the Chinese action at the UNSC on Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of the country. The party alleged that Nehru gifted China a seat at the UNSC giving the country leverage over India. China wouldnt be in UNSC had your great grandfather not gifted it to them at Indias cost. India is undoing all mistakes of your family. Be assured that India will win the fight against terror. Leave it to PM Modi while you keep cosying up with the Chinese envoys secretly, the BJP said on Twitter. China wouldn't be in UNSC had your great grandfather not 'gifted' it to them at Indias cost. India is undoing all mistakes of your family. Be assured that India will win the fight against terror. Leave it to PM Modi while you keep cosying up with the Chinese envoys secretly. https://t.co/lAyp12CXBD BJP (@BJP4India) March 14, 2019 India's bid to designate the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief as a global terrorist suffered a setback with China on Wednesday putting a technical hold on a proposal to ban him following the Pulwama terror attack. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UNSC was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the JeM killed 44 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. "With China having blocked our bid to designate Masood Azhar a global terrorist, the question on every Indian's mind is, what was the use of all the swinging with Modi and President Xi," the Congress said on its official Twitter handle. "A terrorist responsible for such bloody murders is let off the hook again by the BJP," it claimed. Congress' chief spokeserson Randeep Surjewala said it was a sad day in the global fight against terrorism. "China blocking Masood Azhar's designation as global terrorist reaffirms Chinese position of being an inseparable ally of terrorism's breeding ground-Pakistan," he tweeted Wednesday. Read: Cong attacks PM Modi as China blocks move on Masood Azhar "Sadly, Modiji's foreign policy has been a series of diplomatic disasters," the party spokesperson said. The Congress has also been attacking the BJP over Azhar's release in the Kandahar hijacking case. Gandhi has asked Modi to tell the nation that it was a BJP-led government which released Azhar from an Indian jail in 1999. Gandhi has also alleged that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, a top intelligence official back then, had "escorted" Azhar to Kandahar where he was handed over to terrorists. Azhar and two other terrorists, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar and Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, were released from Indian prison in 1999 by the then BJP-led government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in exchange for the passengers held hostage on board IC-814 flight hijacked to Kandahar in Afghanistan. Founded in 1850, Rustenburg, South Africa is the largest and most populous city in the countrys North West province. Local tourist attractions include Sun City, the Valley of Waves, and the Rustenburg Nature Reserve. Home to one of the two largest major platinum mines in the world, Rustenburgs mineral deposits have led to rapid economic growth and urban expansion, making it one of the fastest growing cities in South Africa. In 2017, Rustenburgs Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached USD 4.42 billion (ZAR 63.8 billion), accounting for 21.1 percent of GDP for North West province, and 1.28 percent of GDP for South Africa. The mining industry accounted for 74.6 percent of the citys GDP. Rustenburg Vision 2040 The First Step to Intelligence Platinum mining is projected to decline after 2040. To ensure the citys long term vitality and citizens' living quality, in 2014 the Rustenburg Local Municipality (RLM) began to formulate the Rustenburg Vision 2040, with the goal of becoming a world-class city where all communities enjoy a high quality of life a city that is interconnected, energetic, healthy, green, friendly, secure, smart, prosperous, efficient, and sustainable. The first phase is focused on addressing the citys biggest challenges. The number one challenge was public safety. Rustenburgs population has increased by more than 400 percent in the past decade, and the urban proportion of the population for the greater Rustenburg area has risen sharply to over 75 percent. This has led to a large wealth gap and a rate of high unemployment, which in turn has led to increased rates of crime. The citys law enforcement capabilities have been limited to insufficient policing resources (such as video surveillance), and a lack of effective administrative and emergency response measures. The second challenge is inadequate city resource management. Public utilities like water, electricity, and transportation were difficult to manage, which led to 40 percent of Rustenburgs water usage and 18 percent of its electricity consumption being unaccounted for. Additional risk exposures include insufficiently secured reservoirs, warehouses, and other urban assets. The operating costs of public utilities remain high. Old buses were still in use with low management efficiency. RLM also lacked online self-service channels for its customers. Rustenburg also lacked the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructures needed to support economic and social development, which kept the Internet penetration rate low. An inefficient transportation network and obsolete payment system caused longer commutes. The third challenge is the citys economic dependence on a single industry. Rustenburg is highly dependent on platinum mining, with more than 50 percent of the citys population engaged in the industry. Platinum price fluctuations have an immediate and direct impact on the local economy, which in turn highlights the limited social capital and digital technologies which could be used to promote the innovation. The Rustenburg Smart City project aimed to address these challenges using digital information technologies. By improving public safety and civic participation, this project will enhance living standards and facilitate enterprise development. To effectively build Smart Rustenburg, RLM cooperated with multiple companies such as Electronic Connect, an ICT and financial technology company in South Africa; Huawei, a leading global ICT infrastructure provider; Sanchuan Wisdom Technology, a manufacturer of water meters and water supply systems; and Xiamen Lenz Communication, a solution provider for intelligent transportation systems. The Rustenburg Smart City project aims to develop the economy, enhance citizen participation, improve public safety and transportation, expand the scope of government services, and implement digitalized public utilities through leading technologies, Rustenburg Mayor said. Electronic Connect is a mobile payments service that was founded by Telkom SA in 2006 in cooperation with bank technology experts. It is in our DNA to build and operate smart cities, Electronic Connect CEO Zamo Mthiyane said. We hope to work with partners like Huawei to make Rustenburg a smart city through continuous innovation and feasible solutions. Unified Digital Platforms: Cornerstones of a Smart City Huawei uses new ICT to build city nervous systems that integrate the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, video cloud technology, Geographic Information Systems (GISs), and converged communications technologies through a digital platform to share fundamental Smart City resources. In addition, Huawei cooperates with partners to build platform ecosystems that support both urban governance and innovation. Currently, Huaweis Smart City Solution has served more than 160 cities in more than 40 countries, which has provided extensive Smart City construction experience that is being leveraged to help Rustenburg. Huawei collaborated with Electronic Connect to discuss Smart Rustenburgs top-layer design and business model, as well as its feasibility and sustainability. The overall architecture of Smart Rustenburg includes: Unified digital platforms: Cloud, IoT, GIS, and big data Unified city operations: Intelligent Operation Center (IOC) the citys brain Unified data transmission systems: Based on a micro-service architecture Unified IoT networks: Individual IoT and broadband networks The unified IOC displays the citys key operation data. City managers can assess the citys overall status in a timely manner, monitor traffic and key facilities in real time, and coordinate with related departments. The unified big data platform summarizes and analyzes all data in real time during business operation, improving decision-making efficiency by more than tenfold. The unified data transmission system and IoT network collect data, reducing data collection time from three days to one hour. Data sources include smart streetlights, smart water and electric meters, smart parking, public Wi-Fi, smart buses, and billing and payment systems. The unified cloud platform carries all data and intelligent services, and the IoT platform manages IoT devices in a unified manner. Efficient Governance for Public Safety Advanced communications, surveillance, video analysis, and identification systems will reduce police response time and improve department collaboration to quickly resolve criminal cases and effectively reduce crime rates. IOC Data from various sources (such as video surveillance, smart meters, and streetlights) can be integrated to visualize city operations, improve the citys emergency response capabilities, and promote data-driven intelligent city management and decision-making. Data from various sources (such as video surveillance, smart meters, and streetlights) can be integrated to visualize city operations, improve the citys emergency response capabilities, and promote data-driven intelligent city management and decision-making. Intelligent monitoring Artificial Intelligence (AI) HD cameras process videos automatically, which enhances police efficiency. Based on deep learning, the system automatically identifies suspects (according to gender, height, and clothing characteristics) and traffic violations (according to vehicle type brand and model). Artificial Intelligence (AI) HD cameras process videos automatically, which enhances police efficiency. Based on deep learning, the system automatically identifies suspects (according to gender, height, and clothing characteristics) and traffic violations (according to vehicle type brand and model). Data mining and application The big data platform analyzes data, checks the data against black/white lists, and finds linkage of big video data created by multiple cameras. In addition, the platform supports video synopsis, quick searching, and map tracking functions to display the status of emergency resources like humans, vehicles, and materials on the map in real time. Rustenburgs crime rate is expected to decrease nearly 50 percent year-over-year after project implementation. In this way, Smart Rustenburg will attract more investments and allow its citizens to live and work in peace. Effective Public Resource Management IoT and integrated payment platforms will help reduce Rustenburgs overall public utility costs. Fully connected, Rustenburg will provide urban IoT innovation and Internet access services for everyone. Rustenburgs IoT platform will connect and manage all sensor devices in the city. Based on Huaweis eLTE-IoT and EC-IoT networks, all smart devices within the city will be connected. Smart light poles and IoT nodes will cover the entire city. In addition, the IoT platform will spawn innovative applications and public services, which will enable effective public resource management and lower operating costs. IoT-based smart water and electric meters will give RLM 100 percent billing accuracy and implement pre-payment, cutting water loss nearly in half. Public utility payment rates will increase from 60 percent to more than 95 percent through mobile payments. Integrated smart streetlights can combine cameras, environment sensors, and Wi-Fi, which are ideal carriers for enabling smart cities. Smart streetlights send real-time sensing data to the back end management system via the IoT network. Multiple functions like real-time status monitoring, intelligent tuning, and fault detection save electricity, reduce power consumption, enhance maintenance efficiency, and improve lighting rates. Power consumption is estimated to be reduced by nearly 50 percent. Smart parking will improve efficiency and boost fee collection rates, which will increase municipal revenue. Free public Wi-Fi will reduce the digital divide by allowing the less fortunate to access to the Internet and enjoy the benefits of a smart city and a digital economy. The integrated payment application system will connect intelligent services such as enterprise, transportation, digital payments, taxi systems, and water and electricity. A centralized billing solution connects customers to utility companies, and supports multiple payment methods, anytime and anywhere. Residents can pay water and electricity bills online, saving 90% of time, and mobile payment is used to increase the public utility payment success rate from 60% to 95 percent% or higher. In addition to public utilities, mobile payments can be implemented in shopping malls, supermarkets, and small businesses to increase payment efficiency by 90 percent. In addition, taxi and bus fares can be paid through electronic cards. Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) can use online payments to promote e-commerce. At present, Smart Rustenburg has developed and pioneered multiple new applications like VAYA TAXI, which provides ride-sharing services. A comprehensive entrepreneurial platform has been built to connect SMEs, citizens, and governments, and additional efforts will be made to build a digital economy and innovative ecosystems in the near future. Rustenburgs digitalization has facilitated free Internet access in poor areas, and the creation of two companies (Ontiretse and TNF9) in related industries has provided more than 1,500 jobs. The connectivity, productivity, and participation of Rustenburgs citizens has been improved, and the citys diversifying economy and increasing employment rate will stabilize its society. Nearly 15,000 enterprise customers and 80,000 residents will be served by the early stages of the Rustenburg Smart City project. In the future, more than 600,000 citizens will enjoy the benefits of a smart city and a digital economy. Mineral resources may become exhausted, but the gold mines of intelligence will survive as long as Rustenburg perseveres. Smart Rustenburg will be a demo site, said Mthiyane. Other cities in South Africa will quickly become smart cities by implementing similar digital platforms and technologies. In addition, all industries can benefit from the digital platform (the IoT, cloud, big data, and video surveillance). Other African cities can also take Rustenburgs practice as an example of how to better connect municipal institutions, enterprises, and residents, for a better future. Fabulous Success in Exploration According to IDC research, one-fourth to one-third of the value generated by a typical oil and gas exploration and production companys annual activities is owed to data. Lundin Norway is no exception. New Reservoir Simulations Need More Data Storage Data is one of the most valuable resources in a smart world, and the volume of data collected in the oil and gas industry is growing exponentially. With target exploration fields shifting from conventional to unconventional areas from land to sea, and even polar regions the explorers are becoming increasingly dependent on IT. More data requires better data mining utilization, which results in a higher likelihood that an organization will find oil resources and control the market. In order to obtain more data and generate more profit, Lundin Norway has adopted new reservoir simulation technologies that overcome many of the technical and environmental difficulties faced by offshore exploration, which in turn improves mining efficiency. New technologies generate high volumes of data. Lundin worried its current storage architecture cannot meet its fast growing data storage requirements. In addition, 60 percent of Lundins data is cold data. The scalability of earlier storage system on the live network was insufficient and did not support tiered storage; the result was that all the companys data was stored on expensive SAS disks, which resulted in high Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Further, new reservoir simulations require high-performance computing clusters. The scope of work was linked to the following objectives: Lower costs; Apply robust, secure, flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solutions; Meet future storage needs; Coexist with cloud services. Fully Symmetrical, Distributed File Storage Solutions Huawei has cooperated with industry partners to launch ICT solutions that cover upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors for combining digital production with safety control and improved productivity. Huaweis oil and gas solutions have been applied in 45 countries and regions around the world and serve fourteen of the top 20 global oil and gas companies. Lundins CIO and his team came to appreciate Huaweis attention to the companys pain points with solutions for their fast-growing data storage demands. The flexible scale-out architecture of the OceanStor 9000 meets all future requirements for storage expansion, and includes the InfoTier function that separates the processing and storage for large amounts of cold data on a live network. Located in Lysaker, near Oslo, Lundins primary datacenter (LDC3) has the rack space available to co-locate the new Network Attached Storage (NAS) platform with the current storage solution. The OceanStor 9000 fully symmetrical distributed file storage systems supports high-performance read/write access, smooth scale-out from three to 288 nodes, up to 100 PB of capacity in a single file system, and includes Huaweis proprietary InfoTurbo acceleration technology for up to 2.5 GB/s bandwidth over a single client. As a result, OceanStor 9000 systems support simplified management and maintenance, and eliminate data silos caused by multiple namespaces. The capacity and performance characteristics of Huaweis OceanStor 9000 are designed to alleviate all customer storage concerns. At the same time, the OceanStor 9000 InfoReplicator system provides data protection for erasure codes that are set and controlled at the directory level. Folders or files can be replicated between multiple OceanStor 9000 storage systems through IP links over Local Area Networks (LANs) or Wide Area Networks (WANs). The storage system supports and configures remote replication in case data cannot be recovered for any reason. Remote replication requires data consistency based on snapshots in addition to full and incremental replication that are scheduled to operate automatically. The Lundin project requires a Recovery Point Objective (RPO) time of one day, with a minimum RPO time of 30 minutes. Tiered Storage for Deep Exploration The OceanStor 9000 InfoTier Dynamic Storage Tiering (DST) feature stores and migrates files between devices with different performance levels according to file properties. In this way, InfoTier enables user-specific processing speed and capacity assignments for ensuring optimal space utilization, enhanced access performance, and reduced deployment costs. The tiered-storage features of the Huawei OceanStor 9000 solution specifically addresses Lundins requirement to manage hot and cold data separately, improve storage efficiency and data analysis, and boost processing performance. The migration of to the new system would be completed in three months. Not only did the OceanStor 9000 deployment succeed in avoiding daily penalties, the project was completed in only half the time. Huawei and the OceanStor 9000 are benefitting the company in the following ways: Termen extins: OHCHR Moldova: Apel deschis pentru aplicatii din partea OSC-urilor pentru a beneficia de suport in desfasurarea activitatilor de advocacy la nivel international in contextul celui de-al treilea ciclu de EPU a R.Moldova Patel had fled to Muscat in Oman a week before Jayanti Bhanushali was murdered. Ahmedabad: The Gujarat crime branch team on Wednesday arrested BJP leader Chhabil Patel for the murder of the partys state unit vice-president Jayanti Bhanushali, his political rival, in January. Chhabils son Siddharth was arrested earlier. Chhabil Patils is the fifth arrest in the case. Bhanushali was shot dead near Samkhiyali in Kutch district on board the Sayajinagari Express on the night of January 7, when he was travelling to Ahmedabad from Bhuj. The police arrested two shooters, Shashikant Wagle and Shaikh Anwar, after preliminary investigations. Both of them were found to have stayed at a farmhouse owned by Chhabil Patel. A lookout notice was issued for Chhabil Patel, who went abroad on January 2, about five days before the murder. He flew to the US to stay with his daughter. He was arrested on his arrrival to the city on Wednesday. Based on information that he was returning to India, we detained him at the airport, DIG Ashish Bhatia told mediapersons. Another accused, Manisha Goswami, is yet to be arrested. Patel was elected twice as MLA, both times on a Congress ticket. In 2002, he defeated former chief minister and BJP candidate Suresh Mehta from Mandvi and won in 2012 from Abdasa constituency against Bhanusali. He switched over to the BJP thereafter and lost the bypoll against Congress heavyweight Shaktisinh Gohil by a narrow margin of 764 votes in 2014. Patel suspected the role of Bhanushali in the defeat. Patel helped Manisha Goswami, who was in jail on a case filed by Bhanushalis nephew Sunil, in coming out of the jail. Patel and Goswami allegedly entered into a conspiracy and she levelled sexual harassment charges against Bhanushali. Besides, a divorcee from Surat alleged Bhanushali had raped her, but took back the charges. I owe a lot to cable news. When I saw the coverage of the Gulf War on CNN in 1991 it changed my whole understanding of everything. Peter Arnett was on the roof of the Al Rasheed Hotel, describing what it looked like when American bombs exploded in Baghdad. Sometimes wed be shown footage of precision bombs from the bombs-eye view. We, the viewing public of the United States, were the bomb. The whole thing was wrong and horrible. Horrible, obviously, because it killed human beingssoldiers on a highway of death and civilians in their beds in a country we didnt understandand horrible also because, as we discovered later, it created a specific kind of rage, a fiercely focused, retributive rage. Things that blow up from the air make groups of people really mad. The rage of the bombed lasts for years and years. I learned about war from CNN and I became a pacifist. I also stopped watching cable news altogether, because it made me crazy. Until now, when a nice editor asked me to write about CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News. Well, OK, I thought, let me give it a go. The year 1991 was a long time ago. Maybe everythings different. There was a problem, which was that my wife and I didnt actually have a TV. Wed given ours to my mother-in-law, who lives in a retirement home. She watches PBS: Amanpour & Company, Paul Simon singing The Sound of Silence, and British comedy shows with loud laugh tracks. Sometimes the staff at the retirement home turns it to Fox News, but we turn it back. My wife and I still watch TV, of course, but we watch TV on a laptop, using Netflix. Is there anything better than watching reruns of Friends on Netflix? I dont think so. So I had to buy a TV, which I did, for $150a beautiful 24-incher. The cable guy came a week or so later and hooked us up. He had a few things to say about the news shows. He didnt like Donald Trump, he said, but he didnt like the way CNN and MSNBC were using anything and everything to bring him down, either. It took me a few days to work up the nerve to turn the TV on for more than a few minutes at a time. When I did, there in front of mealong with the ads for Gold Bond Lotion and Gortons fish sticks and the worlds best pillow from MyPillow.com and the Funeral Advantage program and Sheex, which are a new kind of sheet with a 30-night guarantee, and the Shark vacuum cleaner, which can vacuum up potato chips on a couch, and the Ozempic injection device, which lowers your blood sugar and is not a weight loss drug and allows you to be a happy fireman or farmer againalong with all these interesting and revealing ads (ads are themselves news, after all) was something momentous and fascinating. It was the memorial service for George Herbert Walker Bush. The very person who had gotten us into the Gulf War was the person who was now being mourned. I watched, and was sad. Any life that ends, anywhere on the planet, leaves a ghostly trail of grief in the world. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Bush was loved by many patriotic people, and Im sorry hes gone, because with him goes another piece of the living past. The fact that hed been in charge of a good deal of destructive international meddling as head of the Central Intelligence Agencythat hed launched a military attack on Panama City to get rid of Manuel Noriega, a dictator who had been on the CIA payroll; that hed sent warplanes into Iraq, destroying the country and setting in motion a generation of international turmoilwas immaterial for the moment. Here on TV was a heavy coffin with a formerly living person in it, being slowly walked down the steps of the Capitol Building, held by men in uniform, step by step. And CNN, normally so talkative, said nothing. There was just the flag-wrapped coffin, the uniformed men, the synchronized downward steps, and the music of the military band. The Bush family was lined up near the hearse. Wolf Blitzer, who had gotten his start by narrating the bombing of Bushs Gulf War, was silent. Jake Tapper was silent. Finally, Blitzer spoke. Another very, very moving ceremony at the US Capitol honoring the 41st president of the United States. The casket is now on that presidential hearse. He described what was to come at the National Cathedral. What works on television is moment-to-moment political scrimmaging between war hawk Democrats and war hawk Republicans. Then Jake Tapper spoke. What a sad but also odd moment this must be for President George W. Bush, one of only two men in the history of this nation to have served as president after his father served as president, he said. Not only is he going through what must be a heart-wrenching experience, helping to bury the man who he revered so much, he is also getting a glimpse of what his funeral will be like. Very few Americans will have the opportunity to be honored in such a way, with a state funeral such as this one. And he is seeing how heand obviously President Obama, President Clinton, and others, not to get too macabrebut the send-off that they will all experience. Not to get too macabre. Those words stuck in my head. Later that morning, when all of the living former presidentsBarack Obama, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Jimmy Carterwere seated in the front row of the cathedral with their wives, some announcer again noted that these men were being given a foretaste of what was in store for them. This is what an American presidential funeral looks like. This is what life after death looks like. Carter seemed sad and a little lost. Was he sad because he knew that his national security advisor, Zbigniew Brzezinskithe father of Mika Brzezinski, costar of MSNBCs Morning Joe with her husband, Joe Scarboroughbegan the program of arming and indoctrinating right-wing religious fanatics in Afghanistan as a way of pushing Russia out? Was he regretting that his administration had set in motion a giant, spreading tide of terror in the Middle East? Probably not. He has done many good things in his life as well. I looked at Obama. In his last year in office, his administration dropped more than 26,000 bombs on six faraway countries. Was he thinking, on this day of public mourning, of how many civilians hed killed, how many drone assassinations hed ordered? And Hillary Clintonwas she thinking about her own ill-fated intervention in Syria as secretary of state, her covert arming of the rebel factions, beginning in 2011, which fueled yet another war? And what about Bill Clinton and his years of harassment strikes on Iraq, his unconscionable sanctions, the aerial chaos he unleashed on Belgrade? What about George W. Bush, who took advantage of 9/11 to unleash the furies on Afghanistan and Iraq? Did any of them regret what theyd done? I doubted it. Bush wept for his fathermovinglybut in that cathedral, filled with Washingtons finest, nobody was weeping for the millions of families who have suffered as a result of what America has become under their leadership: a monstrous, amoral, bipartisan, deficit-financed engine of international provocation and precision-guided mayhem. And then Donald and Melania Trump arrived. They found their seats at the end of the pew. Trump was a bulky presence, radiating truculence, with a mouth expression that seemed modeled not on Benito Mussolini but on Mr. Toad of The Wind in the Willows. From the presidents seated alongside him Trump had inherited air wars and semi-covert interventions all over the Middle East and Africa. Hed moved quickly to make everything worse by appointing James Mattis as his defense secretary. Marine General Mad Dog Mattis, as his colleagues sometimes call him, who held high military commands under George W. Bush and Barack Obama, and had served on the board of General Dynamics, a defense contractor, was best known for saying, in 2005, that its fun to shoot some people and that killing enemies was a hell of a hoot. According to Esther Schrader and Tony Perry of the Los Angeles Times, a clip of these remarks was cheered by troops in Iraq when it was played on CNN. In Iraq last year, under General Mattiss annihilation plan for the Islamic State, Mosuls Old City was blasted to ruins, and Raqqa, in Syria, suffered the same fate. Civilian death rates doubled. These fearsome urban attacks received minimal coverage on cable news, however. Obsessed with the seemingly daily updates in the Stormy Daniels story or the impeachment potential of the Russia investigation, the American media is paying even less attention now to a topic it never focused on with much zeal, Margaret Sullivan wrote in The Washington Post last March. Why so little coverage? Because the reality of permawar is tiresome. It doesnt work well on cable. It becomes unmentionable, embarrassing, almost taboo. Somewhere off in the distance, American hardware is again blowing up a neighborhood and wailing, rocking parents are holding dead children in their arms. Its been going on for so long, under the Bushes, Clinton, Obama, and now Trump, that it simply doesnt register. Small sites like TomDispatch and Antiwar.com try to get word out, as do larger outfits such as Reuters and The Intercept, but most people arent paying attention. What works on television, for a larger audience, is the moment-by-moment political scrimmaging between war hawk Democrats and war hawk Republicans, the incessant flag-flappery of support for the troops, the perpetuation of the fiction that the United States, as a political power, is a force for good in the world, when it so obviously isnt. Whats actually on cable these days is a bizarre legalistic death battle. Cohen, Manafort, Flynn, Butina, Mueller, Giuliani, et al. We arent debating whether Trump has been responsible for the deaths of innocents, because everyone knows that he ispresidents and collateral damage go hand in hand. If Trump goes to prison, it will not be for child murder, but for distributing hush money to silence former mistresses and for taking bribes and for engaging in back channel machinations with Russia. Whatever it takes, I suppose, but I have to agree with my cable guy: theres something unseemly about the means employed. Fox News is addictive and awful: choirboys gone to seed and womens dresses with weird portholes at the shoulders or at the cleavage. The anchors jeer smilingly at ideas that any sensible person of generous mind can see make sense. Quick clips of closed-circuit footage of humans with darker skin doing bad things are injected into the river of commentarymug shots includedto create little mental firecracker pops of righteous wrath among the pickup-truck crowd, along with funny attacks on progressive causes by rightist comedians who love steak and country music. Fox & Friends is a hot mess of clean living and white-right American self-deception, and I cant watch it for very long without feeling queasy. But its an easy mark. CNN, with its glass-topped tables crowded with center-right commentators perched on high stools, and its appealing specials on kindly geniuses like Gilda Radner, is much better than Fox, though still at times heartbreakingly wrong. John Berman is quick on his feet, and Don Lemons delivery, with dramatic pauses and piercing lets get real eye contact, is sometimes remarkably strong. And then there are voices of reason soaring in from deep time: for instance, John Dean, of Watergate fame. Hes good. MSNBC, though, has the sharpest news anchors and reporters and guest experts. Hallie Jackson and Ari Melber seem like genuine human beings trying to think things through. Sometimes, watching MSNBC, listening to all the fine points of analytical commentary, I have been thrilled by the level of legal insight. But other times, it feels like Im watching a pack of hungry dogs circling around some giant blundering pachyderm, tearing out hunks of flesh and splattering the screen with blood and saliva. On the night of George H.W. Bushs funeral, Lawrence ODonnells The Last Word on MSNBC was about the eulogy by Alan Simpson, a former senator. Bush never hated anyone, Simpson had said. He knew what his mother knew and my mother always knew: Hatred corrodes the container its carried in. This is a Chinese proverb (although Simpson didnt give the Chinese credit), and its true. Cable news, because theres so much of it, because its always on the prowl for new outrages and trespasses, because lurid headlines are always creeping, creeping across the bottom of the screen, feeds hatred, and feeds on hatred, and thereby corrodes the American brain. On December 19, President Trump did one small good thing: he announced that troops were leaving Syria. (Intermittent bombing and lethal droning, presumably, would continue.) Mattis promptly announced his resignationthank goodnessreleasing a letter about how important it was to be clear eyed about our enemies Russia and China. Instantly, MSNBC and CNN had all sorts of national security experts on to extol Mattiss wisdom and attack child leader Trumps single positive presidential act. Later, after the dustup, Trump, our most devoted consumer of cable news, tweeted that the pullout was going to happen slowly. Its all a game. People seem to crave a ludicrously evil enemy, like Uncle Joe Stalin, like the Penguin on the old Batman shows. Trump is perfect for that role. But the enemy is not Trump (or Putin, or Stalin, or the Penguin), its us. Weve got to figure out a way to live less intrusively on this gorgeous, multilingual, fast-melting, parti-colored planet. We need news that helps us do that. Ive learned a lot from journalist-historians like Tom Engelhardt, Nick Turse, and Ann Jones, and from the hardworking people at Common Dreams, edited in my own beloved state of Maine. Time to turn the TV off nowmute the animatronic moving mouths of the opinionators. Cable news overpoliticizes usat least, it overpoliticizes me. It turns me into somebody I dont recognize: a frowny, beard-plucking, wave-whitened, despair-darkened ancient mariner. I did, however, enjoy the ad for Gortons fish sticks. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Nicholson Baker is the author of many books, including his most recent, Baseless: My Search for Secrets in the Ruins of the Freedom of Information Act. With membership and subscription programs playing an increasingly important role in media business models, many publishers seem to be trying to get to know their readers better. The New York Times, for example, has started asking its readers to tell the paper a bit more about themselves, using a web form posted at its Reader Center. The Times asks readers to share their name, email address, phone number, Twitter and Instagram handles with the paper, as well as their age, occupation and hometown. It goes on to ask readers to share their race and religious background, their ethnicity and gender, how they identify politically, and whether they are married, single, divorced, childless, and so on. A disclaimer at the bottom in small print says the Times may use the details provided to verify readers identities and to contact them for stories, and also notes that if the Times publishes content submitted by a reader, it might include their name and/or location. In explaining the rationale for asking for this kind of personal information, the Times notes that it has used reader input to produce better journalism, including stories about a teachers strike that included content provided by readers, and a story about how evangelical millennial readers viewed the US midterm elections. The Reader Center itself is also a relatively new thing, launched in 2017 after the Times announced a renewed focus on reader engagement (although it somewhat paradoxically shut down its public editor position at the same time). ICYMI: The FBIs secret investigation of a journalist The paper tries to assuage any concerns about personal data going astraysomething many Facebook users are probably hyper-sensitive about in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal and other data breachesby noting that any information provided through the form will only be used for journalistic purposes. A separate statement of reader submission terms says personal information will not be used or disclosed for marketing purposes (although readers do give the Times a perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive worldwide license to use, copy, transmit, adapt, modify, publish, and create derivative works from any content they provide). The Times is hardly the only publisher asking readers for more information about themselvesa number of newspapers and publishers in both the US and Europe also do this, in part because they want to build stronger relationships with their readers, and to be able to personalize the content they share. Some publishers such as De Correspondent, the Dutch member-financed site that just launched an English-language version, rely heavily on their readers for content and in some cases even get their members to write stories and analysis pieces for the site. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Although the reasons given by the Times and others for accumulating personal details make sense, it remains to be seen whether readers will see these requests as friendly, or overly intrusive. While the media likes to write about how aggressive Facebook and other web companies are about harvesting personal information, almost all digital publishersincluding The New York Timesemploy their own data-mining techniques, and in some cases use dozens of third-party tracking cookies, pixels, and other tools to harvest data about reader behavior, location, and browsing habits. This is done for advertising purposes, of course, while the information readers might provide through the online form is intended for journalism, but whether readers will appreciate the distinction remains to be seen. ICYMI: BuzzFeed reporter discusses controversial scoop Heres more on reader tracking, data and engagement: Twice the tracking : A 2015 study of ad tracking found that browsing news-related websites actually exposes readers to more than twice as much data tracking as they would experience on non-news websites. The surprising extent to which news organizations subject readers to third-party tracking deserves closer attention, the study said. Predictive models : The Wall Street Journal recently announced it is hiring more than 35 editorial staff for several newly created departments, including teams devoted to reader engagement and audience data. It said the latter would help develop new metrics, as well as predictive models that could give different users the experiences they want. In person is better : Media researcher Nicole Blanchett Neheli says that while data from automated tracking can be useful in getting to know your audience, publishers also need to use feedback mechanisms, including in-person interaction, because that leads to conversations about what matters, and what should matter, to specific communities. No more tracking : Earlier this month, the Indiana-based alternative paper Nuvo made a radical move to becoming more reader centered when it shut down its print operation, donated the brand to a non-profit foundation and announced that it would give up advertising revenue and become completely reader-funded. Other notable stories: First Look Media, the Pierre Omidyar-backed entity behind The Intercept, is laying off 4 percent of its staff, including its research team, and is shutting down the Snowden archive, according to a report from The Daily Beast. Filmmaker Laura Poitras, who helped start First Look, said she was sickened by the decisions. Jason Rezaian, the former Tehran bureau chief for The Washington Post who was jailed in Iran on espionage charges, says the US is failing Mexican journalist Emilio Gutierrez Soto, who was forced to leave his country in 2008 after receiving death threats due to his reporting, and has been trapped in immigration limbo ever since. Meredith McCarroll writes for CJR about the upcoming movie based on author JD Vances book Hillbilly Elegy , and wonders whether the film version of the controversial autobiographical novel will do good things or bad things for Appalachia. Residents of the area, she says, are concerned that it could become another Deliverance . The Information reports that sources close to Vice Media say the company is looking to raise a new round of financing that will bring in up to $200 million, which it hopes will give it enough time to become profitable. The company recently laid off 10 percent of its workforce after missing its revenue targets. A feature in The Hollywood Reporter looks at Fox News commentators who have been forced to disclose their compensation after getting jobs in government, and notes that salaries range from a low of $31,336 for Georgette Mosbacher (now ambassador to Poland) to a high of $569,423 for John Bolton, Trumps national security advisor. Julia Thomas writes at the Nieman Lab about how independent media in Zimbabwe have turned to WhatsApp as a primary method of distribution . The app has come to fill the void that traditional/mainstream media was not able to fill, in terms of distributing alternative views on issues and policies, said a Zimbabwean university professor. Facebooks fact-checking project has received its share of criticism in the past, but Poynter says that the program has convinced at least one prominent fake-news publisher to take down hoaxes after they have been fact-checked, and the groups network of sites have also started adding large disclaimers saying they are satire. The staff of Gimlet Media, a podcasting company started by two public-radio producers that was recently acquired by Spotify for $230 million, are forming a union, BuzzFeed reports . A number of digital news outlets have unionized over the past year, but Gimlet is the first audio-focused publisher to do so. The ACLU has published thousands of pages of documents it obtained from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency under the Freedom of Information Act, which show that ICE allows employees to access a controversial license plate database that civil liberties advocates say is overly invasive. A Reuters Institute study shows that in the three years since the publication of the Panama Papers, almost 20 percent of countries and agencies affected have made substantive regulatory or legal changes, but it also notes that there has been a backlash against journalists in 17 percent of the countries studied. Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg. Late one Wednesday night, in October 2016, The New York Times received a letter from longtime Trump attorney Marc Kasowitz. Referencing a story from the day prior, about two women who said they had been sexually assaulted by the would-be president, Kasowitz accused the newspaper of libel and threatened to sue. He demanded that the Times retract the story and issue an immediate apology. It took David McCraw, the newsroom lawyer at the Times, about 45 minutes to write a response the following morning, in between a meeting about physical security at the Timess headquarters and another about a lawsuit in Texas. In his reply, McCraw first disputed Kasowitzs definition of libel, explaining that the Times could not possibly tarnish Trumps reputation on the matter of his treatment of women any further than Trump had tarnished it himself. He defended the diligence of the Timess reporting and made the case that the story was a matter of great public importance. If Mr. Trump disagrees, McCraw concluded, if he believes that American citizens had no right to hear what these women had to say and that the law of this country forces us and those who dare to criticize him to stand silent or be punished, we welcome the opportunity to have a court set him straight. ICYMI: The FBIs secret investigation of a journalist Because the Trump team had made its letter public, McCraw thought it best for the Times to return the favor in kind; his reply was published on the Timess website, as well as in the Friday morning paper. It was just 17 sentences long, but the letter would make a minor celebrity of McCraw in the coming days. In the Times newsroom, reporters and editors gave McCraw a standing ovation. Megan Twohey, one of the reporters whose story McCraw had defended, printed and taped the letter up on her refrigerator at home. To have our lawyer write something like that was incredibly reassuring and inspiring, Twohey says. Newsroom lawyers tend to occupy an unsavory place in journalism mythology. Stereotypically, theyre the ones who fret incessantly, move to kill stories, and swoop in at the eleventh hour to tell reporters, No. At the Times, McCraw is known for taking the opposite approach. He lets reporters know what the law prohibits, and he does everything he can to keep them out of trouble. But more often than not, in McCraws view, the law should open doors to stories, not keep them shut. If I start with, How am I going to get this published? as opposed to, How am I going to keep us from getting sued? I find we end up in a much better place, McCraw says. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Over nearly 17 years at the Times, McCraw has developed a rare trust in the newsroom. Though he is also a vice president in his role, multiple reporters described McCraw to CJR as one of us, explaining that they were more likely to run into McCraw eating oatmeal in the employee cafeteria or wandering the newsroom than to have to seek him out on an upper floor of the building. On a walk of the newsroom with McCraw, on a recent weekday afternoon, reporters approached, notebooks in hand. Some had questions that McCraw fielded off the top of his head. Most just wanted to say hello. McCraw, who is 64, grew up in rural Monticello, Illinois, the son of two veterans who had both served in Europe in World War II. It was a conservative upbringing, at a time when many Democratic leaders were winding up in prison; and from an early age, it impressed McCraw to see journalism serve as a natural counterbalance to corruption. A distrust of power is the ultimate conservative value, McCraw says. It used to be, at least. In high school, McCraw attended a speech by Peter Arnett, the famed Vietnam war correspondent, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Listening to what the reporters were going through to overcome disinformation coming from the Pentagon and military commanders, I found that really inspiring, McCraw says. McCraw studied journalism at University of Illinois, and worked as a copyeditor before getting a second degree and, eventually, becoming a journalism professor at Marist College in Poughkeepsie. To advance in academia, McCraw was advised that he would need another advanced degree; a dean at Marist suggested law. As it happened, McCraw had never really thought much of himself as a reporter; he liked writing, but he was shy and always anxious on the phone. The law proved an unexpected fit. In 2000, when he got wind that an in-house job had opened at the New York Daily News McCraw jumped at the opportunity. Two years later, the newsroom lawyer at the Times, Adam Liptak, decided conversely that he wanted to become a journalist. At 48 years old, McCraw was hired. It was a thrilling time to be a lawyer to journalists, McCraw recalls. In the wake of the September 11th attacks, the New York City Fire Department had commissioned an oral history project to capture the raw testimonies of hundreds of firefighters, paramedics, and others. McCraw, along with another Daily News veteran at the Times, Jim Dwyer, lobbied for those records to be made public, but the Bloomberg administration refused. Some at the Times worried about the optics of pressing further, particularly at such a sensitive time. But McCraws brief stint at the Daily News had left him a pugilistic disposition towards city government. So, we sued the city, McCraw says. In 2005, after several rounds of litigation, the Times won access to over 12,000 pages of the oral histories, as well as written logs of calls placed to the citys emergency dispatch system on September 11th, which provided powerful and moving accounts of the events of that day. ICYMI: BuzzFeed reporter discusses controversial scoop As the US drove headlong into a global war on terror, it was McCraw who notarized the paperwork for a generation of reporters who would embed with military units in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere. McCraw says he viewed it all through outside eyes, with a sense of amazement. I thought, These are the people who are going to tell this story to the world, from a place thats hard to imagine. In the years since, McCraw has helped guide the Times through legal minefields including reporting on Harvey Weinstein, the Snowden disclosures, Stuxnet, a joint US-Israeli program designed to sabotage Iranian nuclear facilities which would lead to one of the largest federal leak investigations in US history, and the recent social media privacy scandals. Freedom of information suitsless common in the early aughts but a matter of routine todayhave led to high-profile government disclosures about the messaging machine that helped the military sell its war in Iraq and the exposure of troops in that war to chemical weapons, and, more recently, the opulent tastes of key Trump administration officials. In Obamas eight years in office, the Times lodged over 30 freedom of information lawsuits against the administration, more than any other media organization. Fox News was second, with five. Reporters often bring McCraw in near the beginning of a reporting project. In the spring of 2017, when national security correspondent David Sanger, with William Broad, prepared to publish a story about a classified US program scuttling North Korean missile tests, it was not clear how the new Trump administration might respond to such a sensitive expose. To mitigate the reporters legal jeopardy, McCraw came up with an idea to publish a second story, Sanger says, compiling details of the secret program which were contained in years of unclassified policy documents, budget requests, and speeches. If the administration called foul, the idea went, the Times could simply point to already-public information which, in aggregate, told the same story. In the end, even as Trump railed on Twitter against leaks and leakers, the story flew without incident. Im not sure, without Davids help, that we would have wound up as safe as we did on that, Sanger says. One of McCraws biggest priorities in recent years has been physical safety at the Times. In years past, he routinely intervened with angry callers and letter-writers to the newspaper. (Getting a call from a lawyer was usually enough to help people step back from the line, he says.) But as the national discourse has toxified, calls and messages to the Times have become both more numerous and more threatening. Of late, McCraw has helped coordinate the development of a hotline for Times employees who receive threats, aided employees in filing reports with the police, and in some cases commissioned security audits at reporters homes. Why it would fall to a newsroom lawyer to take point on security matters is somewhat an accident of history, McCraw explains. In 2008, when a Times reporter was kidnapped in Afghanistan, McCraw emerged as a person with both the trust of the newsroom and the know-how to quickly leverage corporate resources; he was a natural, if unexpected, fit for the role of crisis response manager. We were also dealing a lot with government and law enforcement, McCraw says. It seemed like a lawyer should know how to do that. Another kidnapping in Afghanistan followed shortly thereafter, and in 2011 four Times reporters were detained in Libya. McCraw does not profess to be an expert, however. With threats today intensifying as much at home as abroad, McCraw has moved to professionalize security at the Times and has helped lead the search for a full-time security director. More than most in the media industry, McCraw was reluctant to declare a state of emergency when it came to Trumps attacks on the press. Over the past decade and a half, he had learned the power of the First Amendment; he was sure it would prove resilient to Trump, too. First Amendment lawyers are historically alarmists, McCraw says. We believe in slippery slopes. But I really thought peoples concerns were overstated. As the attacks continued, however, both real and rhetorical, McCraw realized that there was far more at stake than legal precedent. The power of the press comes from having people read, believe, and act, he says. If you break that down, youre in a very dangerous place. As the only in-house lawyer to the newsroom, including for Times bureaus worldwide, McCraw is always on-call. He wakes before 5am and immediately sets to work responding to emails. Most days, he arrives to the Times by about 7:30am, a quiet hour which gives McCraw time to writea defense in a lawsuit, for examplebefore the pace in the building picks up. He also teaches law classes at Harvard and NYU. The release this week of his book, called Truth in our Times, adds one more thing to McCraws pile. It all leaves McCraw with little time for himself. He follows the Yankees closely. He reads when he has the time. He used to attend competitive Scrabble tournaments around the countryfor a while, he averaged 370 points per game. If the hustle bothers McCraw, it doesnt show. This is something worth being tired for, he says. ICYMI: Media Matters protests as Fox News makes pitch to advertisers Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Andrew McCormick is an independent journalist and former CJR Delacorte Fellow. His work has appeared in the New York Times, The Atlantic, the South China Morning Post, and more. Follow him on Twitter @AndrewMcCormck. RENO, Nev. The state of Nevada is asking a federal appeals court to order the U.S. government to remove weapons-grade plutonium that was secretly trucked to a site near Las Vegas last year until the court decides whether the move was legal. The request comes in an increasingly combative legal battle over the highly radioactive material the state says poses a danger to health and safety. Its the first time the state specifically has asked to have the plutonium removed from the Nevada National Security Site. A federal judge in Reno denied a related motion seeking to block any shipments pending the outcome of an appeal before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Miranda Du ruled the matter was moot given the plutonium already had been shipped from South Carolina and the U.S. Department of Energy says no additional shipments are planned. Lawyers for the state argue in a new filing Monday that the federal government cannot be trusted. They say removal of the plutonium is the only way to protect Nevadas rights. While the federal district court feels it can rely on the assurances of the U.S. Department of Energy, experience tells us otherwise, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford said in a statement. The state filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Reno in November after the Department of Energy completed an analysis in August concluding it had the authority to ship one metric ton (2,204 pounds) of plutonium from South Carolina to Nevada. The Department of Energy said no additional environmental review was needed because it was complying with a 2017 court order to remove the material from South Carolinas Savannah River site by Jan. 1, 2020. It also argued it couldnt disclose any of the top-secret details of the shipment to protect national security. On the same day the judge denied Nevadas request to block any shipments because any potential harm was speculative, the Department of Energy disclosed it already had shipped the plutonium. Nevada lawyers said last week in court documents that the stealth truck shipment increased residents radiation exposure to the equivalent of getting 100 to 200 chest X-rays annually for three years. They said in Mondays new urgent request to move the shipment was made without warning state officials or emergency responders. Compounding the deception, DOE neglected to inform the district court during the evidentiary hearing that the plutonium was already in the state, the lawyers wrote. The district court mistakenly found that DOEs covert shipment cannot be undone, they said. Given DOEs deceitful tactics, only an injunction will protect Nevadas sovereign interests. A Department of Energy spokeswoman declined comment on Tuesday. Agency officials have until April 1 to file their initial response to the appeal. Given DOEs earlier lack of candor about the shipments status, neither Nevada nor the court can trust DOEs representation that it will not ship more plutonium to the state, the states lawyers wrote Monday. They said the Department of Energy hasnt provided any explanation for abandoning its original plan to transport a full metric ton (2,204 pounds) to Nevada. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- Domestic violence, Francis Court: A man was arrested for domestic violence March 5 for an incident involving his 18-year-old daughter. He said he had been disciplining his daughter because of her grades. The incident was reported by the girls mother, who called from California. Identity theft, Telhurst Road: A resident said March 1 that an unknown person had used her identity online to fraudulently obtain financing through Nordic Track in the amount of $4,339. No suspects have been identified. Domestic violence, Genesee Road: A resident reported March 3 that he father of her unborn child had assaulted her at her home the previous night after she attempted to end their relationship. She said the Richmond Heights man, 23, is aware of her pregnancy. Burglary, Lawnway Road: A woman reported just after midnight March 4 that she had arrived home to see a vehicle speed off from in front of her house and someone run off from behind her home. She said she found her roommates bedroom window open and the curtains pulled aside. Nothing was missing from the house and no forced entry was detected. Lost property, Warrensville Center Road: A woman reported March 4 that she had lost her cell phone at Walmart. A case attached to the phone contained $12 cash and a debit card. Surveillance video was reviewed, but it could not be determined what had happened to the wallet. The woman canceled her phone service and debit card. Fraud, Westdale Road: A woman, 82, was a victim of a scam reported March 6 in which she received a phone call from someone stating her Social Security card had been compromised and she needed to send $7,000 to have a new one issued. She sent the unknown caller $2,000 worth of gift cards, which were immediately used at a Target store in New York. No suspects were identified. Theft of vehicle, Cedar Road: A resident reported at 1:50 p.m. March 5 that her vehicle had been stolen from her driveway while it was left running with the keys in the ignition. Theft, Cedar Road: A woman reported March 6 that she had $115 taken from her wallet while at Bob Evans. She said the wallet was turned in by a customer, but there was no money inside it. Animals, East Antisdale Avenue: A resident said March 5 that a neighbors dog is aggressively charging at the fence that separates their properties and she is concerned it will break through and attack her dog. She said she has left notes with the Grosvenor Road neighbor to discuss the matter, but has received no response. An officer tried unsuccessfully to contact the resident. The matter was turned over to the animal warden. Drug abuse, South Green Road: A South Euclid man, 24, was cited for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia after his vehicle was stopped March 6 for a traffic violation. Found property, Prasse Road: A resident turned over a firearm and ammunition he found while cleaning out the house of a deceased relative. He asked that police take possession of the items. Identity theft, Langerdale Boulevard: A resident said March 7 that someone had fraudulently used her identity to secure housing at an unknown housing complex. She learned of the fraud when she applied for an apartment in Cleveland Heights and was told she already had an apartment elsewhere. See more South Euclid news at Cleveland.com/Lyndhurst-south-euclid. If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page. BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- For just over two hours Wednesday night (March 13), about 50 Beachwood residents gathered to discuss mostly what they dont like about a proposed plan to make road design changes to the area of Richmond Road and Chagrin Boulevard. The city held the public meeting so that residents could have the design changes explained and give their opinions about them. Mayor Martin Horwitz, who hosted the meeting, said the city has an opportunity to gain an Ohio Department of Transportation grant in the amount of $9 million to help implement the changes, but the decision on whether to seek the grant must be made soon, before the late April cutoff date arrives for submitting an application. The plan is designed to improve traffic flow and safety. If Beachwood were awarded the grant, it would pay up to $4 million as its share of the project, which would get started in three or four years. A team of representatives from the city's engineering firm, GPD Group, explained the project, which would involve these changes: The plan would provide for specific turning lanes on southbound Richmond Road, at the Chagrin Boulevard intersection. So that motorists dont have to jockey for position after making a left turn from Richmond onto Chagrin to try and get onto the Interstate 271 northbound and southbound entrance ramps, the right -- or western -- turning lane would take motorists directly, without stopping, to the I-271 southbound entrance ramp, while the left -- or eastern -- turning lane would take drivers directly, without stopping, across the Chagrin Boulevard/I-271 bridge, to the northbound ramp. A curb would separate the lane leading to the northbound I-271 ramp from other ramps on the bridge. GPDs Kevin Westbrooks said that signage would be posted above each southbound Richmond Road lane at the intersection, letting motorists know in which lane they need to be in order to get where they want to go. A westbound lane would be added to the Chagrin Boulevard bridge. A 200-foot-long lane would be added on eastbound Chagrin Boulevard, just west of Richmond Road. Entry to and exit from Bryden Road would be allowed only by right turn, so that a left turn from northbound or southbound Richmond Road wouldnt involve crossing over lanes of oncoming traffic. Per ODOT grant requirements, the shared traffic signal at Bryden and the entrance to Corporate Park across Richmond Road would be eliminated. A good deal of conversation Wednesday night took place about the Bryden Road situation. Several Bryden residents were present and expressed concerns about the right-turn-only proposal and the removal of the traffic light. "We should not be penalized because we live on that street (Bryden) just because Chagrin and Richmond are crowded," said Helen Marks, who said she has lived on Bryden since 1971. Halburton Road resident Jerry Moss said he wants the traffic signal to remain, as it offers an opportunity for motorists coming off Bryden to head north or south onto Richmond Road. Without the light, several Bryden residents wondered how they would be able to cut into traffic to get into the Richmond Road turning lane to turn left onto Chagrin. Bryden Road is used as a cut-through street by many motorists seeking to drive from Green Road to Richmond Road without having to deal with the traffic lights on busy Chagrin Boulevard. Said Horwitz: Bryden Road is the number one traffic complaint Ive got since I became mayor last year. Im seriously considering putting speed bumps on Bryden. As is the case at such public meetings, residents have differing opinions. While some residents liked the idea of speed bumps, the last speaker of the evening implored Horwitz not to install speed bumps, because of the wear and tear it would cause to Bryden residents cars. A Halburton Road man complained that, with the right-turn-only policy, after getting off I-271, instead of merely taking Richmond Road to Bryden and then to his street, he would have to travel more than a mile out of his way west on Chagrin to Green Road, to eventually get to Halburton. Westbrooks said 49,530 cars per day passed through Chagrin Boulevard in Beachwood each day in 2015, a number that is projected to increase to 53,200 by 2042. He said that the segment of Chagrin just west of Richmond Road is ranked by ODOT as the 16th worst segment of road in Ohio in terms of safety, and that 311 accidents occurred at the intersection in 2011 -- a figure that increased to 466 by 2017. Residents showed little objection to the work that would take place on the bridge, but some, like Richmond Roads Mike Burkons, said work to alleviate traffic on the bridge wont be of much help if Chagrin Boulevard east of the bridge -- in Woodmere, Orange and Pepper Pike -- isnt widened to better allow traffic to flow. City Engineer Joseph Ciuni and Horwtiz said they have talked with officials in Woodmere, Pepper Pike and Orange about what can be done. Horwitz said it would be impossible for Woodmere to widen Chagrin Road because it would have to use land that is now business frontage. "Any type of widening would wreck their business district," Horwitz said. Other ideas were presented, as well. One man suggested allowing no left turn onto Chagrin from Richmond. This would force cars to go straight, or south, on Richmond Road to the less congested Harvard Road I-271 ramps. The same man also offered an idea that would have an overpass at the Richmond-Chagrin intersection, allowing Richmond to pass under Chagrin. Horwitz said he proposed that idea a few years ago, but that it was not considered by City Council. Horwitz said the project is being examined because of the opportunity to get $9 million in state funding to make it come about, but added that it will be up to City Council to decide if the grant would be sought. Council is expected to meet in committee March 18 to discuss the plans and residents comments from Wednesday. Council will likely see and vote upon legislation seeking the grant at its April 1 meeting. The deadline to get Beachwood's request for funding to ODOT's local office is April 20. The plans are to be posted on the Beachwood city website today (March 14). MORELAND HILLS, Ohio -- Fraud, Winterberry Lane: A resident reported his suspicions on March 4 that his identity may have been compromised after he received a ransom-ware email from an unknown source requesting payment in bitcoin. If the bitcoin was not sent, the victim was told that his personal information would be shared with the criminal element. The email also included some passwords of his that confirmed a breach into his personal accounts. Key Bank then notified him that his account was being frozen due to suspicious activity, including nine trips to various Kroger supermarkets in Texas -- generally at around $1,900 a pop -- along with two trips to Walmart at about $2,400, for a total of $20,680. The victim later learned that one of his credit card companies had been compromised, and additional attempts to open fraudulent accounts with American Express and Capital One had been turned away because of an alert he posted with Credit Karma. The Financial Crime Unit at Key Bank is investigating. Driving under suspension, SOM Center Road: After a patrol officer noticed a light come on inside a passing 2001 Honda Civic that looked to be a cellphone late on March 11, a registration check showed a suspended license for the driver, a Maple Heights woman, 18, who was stopped near Stonewood Drive. Animal complaint (miscellaneous), Murwood Drive: Shortly after 8 a.m. March 8, a resident received his final verbal warning for dogs at large, meaning that the next infraction will result in a citation. If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page. UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Child endangering, Traymore Road: Just before 1 p.m. March 10, officers were dispatched to a home on a report that two young children, one of whom is autistic, had been left unattended outside. The childrens mother would not answer the door and allow them back inside. Police investigated and charged the mother, 37, with three counts of child endangering. Child endangering, Cedar Road: At about 3:05 p.m. March 10, police received numerous complaints about a 2-year-old child and a dog in a parked car without an adult present. Police investigated and learned that the childs father, a Cleveland Heights man, 29, had left his son and dog in the car while he shopped at Whole Foods, 13998 Cedar Road. The man was charged with child endangering and was released. Marijuana possession, Washington Boulevard: At 9:50 a.m. March 5, police conducted a traffic stop of a car that did not have working brake lights. During the stop, it was discovered that the driver, a South Euclid man, 23, was in possession of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia. The man was cited for the lack of brake lights and on the possession charges. Driving under suspension, Cedar Road: At 4 p.m. March 5, police stopped a car due to license violations. The driver, a Cleveland Heights man, 20, was cited for driving under suspension and operating a vehicle without a valid license. The cars plates were confiscated and the car was impounded. Theft, Miramar Boulevard: At 4:20 p.m. March 5, a teacher at Wiley Middle School, 2181 Miramar Blvd., reported that her iPhone, valued at $600, had been stolen from her purse in her classroom. The phone was found on March 6 via the Find My iPhone app and returned to the teacher. Psychiatric situation, Cedar Road: At 7:40 p.m. March 5, police and fire units responded to a call of a man lying on the ground. Responders were told that the man may possess a weapon. A butter knife was found up the sleeve of the South Euclid man, 21. Also in the man's possession was a neon-colored Nerf gun. The man was taken to the hospital for psychiatric evaluation. Theft, Cedar Road: At 1:30 p.m. March 6, loss prevention at Target, 14070 Cedar Road, reported that they had detained a man for the theft of $158 worth of merchandise. The Cleveland man, 50, was charged with theft, then taken to the hospital after complaining of illness. Driving under suspension, South Green Road: At 8:30 a.m. March 8, an officer stopped a car that was traveling 30 mph in a 20 mph school zone. The driver, a Cleveland Heights woman, 27, was cited for speeding, driving with a suspended license, driving without a valid license and obstructing official business. The womans car was impounded. Theft, Warrensville Center Road: At 2:30 p.m. March 8, loss prevention at Macy's, 2201 Warrensville Center Road, reported the theft of $168 worth of clothing. The suspect, a Bedford man, 31, was able to flee from security. Although the suspect has been identified, he has yet to be charged. The man is also accused of trying to conduct the fraudulent return of $108 worth of clothes. Theft, Warrensville Center Road: At 5 p.m. March 8, Macy's security detained a Cleveland man, 21, for stealing perfume worth $907. Theft, Warrensville Center Road: At 5:25 p.m. March 8, Macy's security detained two women for stealing merchandise worth a total of $218. Charged with theft were Cleveland women, ages 21 and 25. Gunshots fired, Cedar Road: At 5:15 p.m. March 9, a man phoned the UHPD to report that the car he had been driving had been shot at multiple times while in the street. Police are investigating. Domestic violence, Raymont Boulevard: At 8:50 p.m. March 9, police arrested at a home a University Heights woman, 31, for domestic violence. Theft, Cedar Road: At 10:30 p.m. March 10, loss prevention at Target notified police about a male shoplifter. The suspect, 29, of Las Vegas, was charged with the theft of merchandise valued at $182. OVI, Saybrook Road: At 11:45 p.m. March 10, police were dispatched to the intersection of Silsby and Saybrook roads, where a car had struck a tree. The driver, a University Heights man, 45, was found to be intoxicated and was charged with OVI. If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page. In 2014, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) won 34 seats, the Congress four, while the BJP and CPI(M) bagged two seats each from the state. New Delhi: The BJP Wednesday urged the Election Commission to declare West Bengal as a "super sensitive state" to enure fair Lok Sabha polls there and demanded that central forces be deployed at all polling stations in the state. A BJP delegation including Union ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Nirmala Sitharaman, J P Nadda and party's general secretaries Bhupender Yadav and Kailash Vijayvargiya met top officials of the poll body and apprised them of their demands. Briefing the media after the meeting, Prasad said, "We have requested the Election Commission that the state of West Bengal should be declared as super-sensitive. And have also demanded that central forces should be deployed at all polling booths in the state." He said the party has also requested the poll panel to transfer those police officers whose electoral impartiality is questionable as well as the withdrawal of former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar from election duty. The BJP is trying to make inroads into TMC's bastion state (West Bengal) which has 42 Lok Sabha seats. In 2014, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) won 34 seats, the Congress four, while the BJP and CPI(M) bagged two seats each from the state. The state assumes importance for the saffron party as it aims to win a sizeable number of seats there. The BJP delegation also alleged that Congress chief Rahul Gandhi broke the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and complained to the poll panel regarding the same. "The party has requested the Election Commission to take action against Rahul Gandhi for levelling unverified allegations against the prime minister yesterday in Ahmedabad, where the model code of conduct is already in effect," Prasad said. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The military veteran who shot and killed a woman in 2016 while he was in the throes of paranoia-fueled delusion was ordered Thursday to spend the rest of his life in a secured mental health facility. Judge Kathleen Ann Sutula found 32-year-old Matthew Desha not guilty by reason of insanity on charges of aggravated murder and other charges in the Aug. 27, 2016 killing of Deborah Pearl. A psychologist testified at a hearing Thursday that Desha, who has been treated for post-traumatic stress disorder and believes the Illuminati, God and Satan are constantly intervening in his life and his criminal case, did not know the wrongfulness of his actions when he killed the 53-year-old mother of three. Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Anna Faraglia asked Sutula to find Desha not guilty by reason of insanity and order him to spend what he would have spent in prison, life without parole, at Northcoast Behavioral Health Center. Sutula granted the request, and called the case one of tragedy on both sides." Desha ran a red light in his Jeep on Som Center Road and struck Pearls car about 7:30 a.m. as Pearl drove to work. Deshas Jeep flipped upside down, and witnesses said he got out of his truck with the rifle and shot Pearl as she held her hands up in the air, prosecutors said. He shot at other cars as they passed, prosecutors say. Desha was arrested later that day and has been jailed on $1 million bond ever since. Aileen Hernandez, a doctor in the courts psychiatric clinic, testified Thursday that Desha had long suffered from mental illness after he returned from overseas tours with the U.S. Marines. Desha also abused hallucinogenic drugs, which worsened his condition, she said. Desha was set off the morning of the attack by a TV commercial for microwaves, and believed that someone was trying to kill his father through his microwave, Hernandez said. He rushed off to his car and drove around looking for people involved in the conspiracy to take his fathers life, she said. He ran a red light and crashed into Pearls vehicle, and believed that Pearl and four men in another car were trying to stop his mission to save his father. He opened fire on them. Deshas lawyer, Tom Shaughnessy, said that Desha joined the military when he was 17 years old and came back a different man. There is no greater tragedy than what occurred here. Mr. Desha took the life of an innocent citizen, the citizen of the same country that Mr. Desha swore to fight to protect, Shaughnessy said. Pearls son, Dariel Pearl, thanked Faraglia and other members of the prosecutors office for their support through a difficult time. To comment on this story, please visit Thursdays crime and courts comments page. Correction: A previous headline on this story misidentified the city in which the shooting occurred. AKRON, Ohio Three people were wounded Tuesday night in unrelated shootings, with one of the victims in critical condition, according to police. The critically wounded 25-year-old male reportedly was shot at about 11 p.m. on the 1500 block of Hillcrest Street, just south of Interstate 76 in the Summit Lake neighborhood. The victim was not at the scene when officers arrived, who later learned he had been dropped off at Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital with a wound to the stomach. Further details on the shooting were not released and police have made no arrests. Officers were called to the 400 block of South Hawkins Avenue in the Wallhaven neighborhood at about 6 p.m. in which a 17-year-old suffered a minor back wound from a shooting, police say. The victim was treated at Akron General Hospital. Police have no suspects. At 7:30 p.m., an argument over chicken resulted in a man being shot in the shoulder, according to police. The 57-year-old victim tells police he lives in a rooming house on West Dalton Avenue with the suspect. The unidentified suspect was cooking chicken in the kitchen area when the victim ate two pieces, angering the suspect, police say. The suspect grabbed the victim by the throat and threw him to the floor, police say, then fired one shot, striking the the victim in the shoulder. The victim was treated at Akron General Hospital. Police say no charges have not yet filed charges against the suspect. All of the shootings remain under investigation. Anyone with information can call detectives at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2TIP, or the Summit County Crimestoppers Inc. at 330-434-COPS. People also can text TIPSCO with tips to 274637 (Crimes). Callers can remain anonymous. If youd like to comment on this story, visit Wednesdays crime and courts comments section. CLEVELAND, Ohio Cleveland police solved just over half of murder cases last year, the third year in a row that the solve-rate hovered around 50 percent. Detectives solved 61 of 120 cases that the city counts among its homicides, according to the citys records. The 2018 rate is below the national homicide solve-rate of 61 percent reported by the FBI for 2017. Of the 374 murder cases in Cleveland since the beginning of 2016, 178 remain unsolved, according to the records. Cleveland Police Patrolmens Association President Jeff Follmer said the low homicide-solving rate is caused by a lack of manpower and cooperation from witnesses. They were so short staffed for so long, Follmer said. And when you dont get witnesses cooperation, that delays cases. Cleveland police spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia said the 50-percent mark for 2018 was due in part to a string of homicides at the end of year. Eighteen people were killed in the final two months of the year, including a triple homicide 15 minutes before the year ended. The rush of new cases in a short time span makes it difficult on detectives trying to track down leads in different cases at the same time, she said. Its not a fast process, Ciaccia said. Ciaccia said the department doesnt keep year-end statistics, so comparing the year-over-year progress is difficult. Homicides rates are fluid for calendar years because detectives keep probing cases that can takes months or years to finish. When detectives solve cases from a previous year, that shows up on the previous years tally, not the current year, Ciaccia said. Those statistics show that investigators solved 57 percent of homicides in 2016, and 53 in 2017. Ciaccia said those numbers however dont indicate a drop in homicides being solved. For example, she said police at the end of 2016 had solved 51 percent of that years murders. After detectives solved a few of the cases from 2016 in the ensuing years, that number increased to a 57 percent solve rate. The rates are higher for years past because the detectives have had more time to work on them, where were only in the first quarter of the year, Ciaccia said. For 2016, weve had years to go back over those cases. Cleveland battling low solve rates for years The low homicide solving rate in Cleveland been an issue for several years. A 2016 report by the Washington D.C.-based Police Executive Research Forum that looked at the homicide unit blamed not the individual detectives, but a lack of staffing and resources. It suggested 75 changes, including adding more homicide detectives to handle an increasing case load that included unsolved homicides piling up from previous years. The study pointed out that in 2012 the department had 19 detectives and solved 77 of 100 homicides. The number of detectives dropped to 14 in 2017, despite topping 100 homicides in each of the years since 2012. Mayor Frank Jackson in 2017 called the increasing number of unsolved cases unacceptable after it dipped to 47 percent halfway through that year. Since, the department has taken several steps to help solve more violent deaths. Jackson announced a homicide task force to include an FBI analyst dedicated to the homicide unit. More homicide detectives expected for 2020 Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams in November 2018 appointed four district detectives to the homicide unit for three months while making his selections for who to appoint to fill vacant positions, the first time the department has added temporary detectives to the homicide unit. Once that three months ran out, three district detectives were moved to the homicide unit. The city now has 16 homicide detectives, two sergeants and a lieutenant. It expects to add another sergeant to the unit next week. Ciaccia said the proposed staffing plan for 2020, which needs to be approved by City Council, includes three more detectives in the homicide unit and four more officers in the homicide task force. Cleveland police reported a decrease in murder cases from 2017, when there were 130, to 120, in 2018. That number differs from homicide cases counted by the medical examiner, which includes fatal police-involved shootings and justified homicides. That total will be closer to 129 after the medical examiner is finished conducting autopsies, according to a count by cleveland.com using police and medical examiner data. There have been 19 homicides so far in 2019, according to Cleveland police records. There were 23 homicides at this time last year, according to city records. CLEVELAND, Ohio City Councilman Ken Johnson said he drove 625 miles in his East Side ward in December to inspect abandoned houses and vacant properties on behalf of taxpayers. So, he asked council to reimburse him for $341 for his driving. He also asked to be reimbursed for an additional $439 worth of gas he said he used traveling in his ward. This is all contained in Johnsons most recent expense reports, which I reviewed as part of my series on the ways the councilman has succeeded in getting council to reimburse him for the $1,200 maximum each month for more than a decade. But this time, I was pleased to discover that council staffers have begun to question Johnson about some of his expenses. VaKedia Stiggers, councils chief financial officer, flagged numerous problems with his December expense report and asked in multiple emails for documentation to back up his claims. For instance, she said that Johnson could not claim mileage reimbursement and gas reimbursement for the same trips. (You can read the emails and Johnsons expense reports below.) Stiggers also noted that the vehicle odometer readings Johnson submitted didnt follow those submitted for the previous month. So, she asked him to identify the vehicles used in December and who drove them. In addition, she asked him for a mileage log because the one Johnson submitted didnt detail the locations visited and the specific purpose of each visit. Johnson submitted a list of abandoned and vacant properties in his ward as his log. He also said a total of three vehicles were used for the month and they were driven by himself and two others -- his council assistant, Garnell Jamison, and city recreation department employee Darian Johnson. (Darian once lived with Johnson. And years ago, Johnson helped Darian change his legal surname to match his.) Its unclear from the December expense records released by council who visited what properties and when, or if Johnson ever provided such detail. And left unanswered: Did Johnson produce a report based on all the time and expense he dedicated to the effort to review homes? Johnson was not happy about all the questions from council. I talked to the council president last night and it is perfectly permissible for me to submit mileage and gas receipts for three different vehicles, he wrote to Stiggers. I explained that to you twice before. Ill be down later this morning to explain it to you again. Johnson should hold his contempt. Hes earned every bit of scrutiny with his ever evolving attempts to wring from taxpayers the $1,200 maximum monthly reimbursement allowed by council. Note to Johnson: The expense allotment is not an entitlement. For more than a decade, Johnson was reimbursed $1,200 every month for undefined ward services performed by Robert Fitzpatrick, a city worker who also once lived with Johnson. Council told Johnson last fall that the expense is no longer reimbursable because the payments to Fitzpatrick run counter to an Ohio Ethics Commission ruling that says public employee cant typically receive a second paycheck from the same public employer. After that, Johnson started submitting reimbursement requests for hundreds of miles he said he drove for ward business. For instance, he reported in November that he drove 700 miles within ward. (He provided little detail and yet council reimbursed him.) He also starting submitting receipts for gas he said was used in equipment needed to cut grass for seniors in his ward and to clear vacant lots. And he started turning in receipts for home-office expenses. Johnson has largely continued receiving the maximum $1,200 reimbursement every month. Other council member do not, according to a recent review of all council member expenses. After the back-and-forth with Johnson over his December report, the city reimbursed him $1,036 for the month, $164 less than the maximum allowed. In his January expense report, Johnson again changed things up. He asked the city to give $800 a month from of his expense allotment to Jamison as a salary supplement. Its a legal arrangement some other council members employ and one that the citys payroll department manages. Johnson also claimed $265 in business expenses for the month, including the cost of his phones and the $58 the city charges Johnson each month to use the recreation center named after him as his ward office. (The city only started charging him rent after I pointed out that other council members did not have such access to recreation centers.) I tried asking Jamison about his new pay raise. He hung up on me -- after declaring that he will never talk to me and that I should never call him again. With Johnsons blessing, Jamison used to moonlight full time at the Buckeye Shaker Square Development Corporation, a neighborhood group that works in the ward. For years, Johnson supported the organization with federal grant money that he controlled. But the city of Cleveland cut off the organization last summer for failing to provide an independent audit of its finances. As a result, the group was forced to lay off Jamison and others. Johnson did not respond to a call or email seeking his input on his latest expenses. Hes been avoiding me for months. Id love to hear from him. Until then, Ill let his preposterous expense reports do the talking for him. COLUMBUS, Ohio Its been a long-standing debate in Columbus. But opponents of Ohios requirement that drivers get a front license plate on their vehicles feel they may be finally be gaining traction. The current version of the state transportation budget, which cleared the Ohio House earlier this month, contains a provision that would eliminate the requirement for Ohio drivers to display a front license plate on their cars or trucks. The debate which in large part pits auto dealers and car enthusiasts on one side and law enforcement on the other has been a familiar one in the Ohio Statehouse in recent years. Im tired of the debate, to be honest with you, said State Sen. Jay Hottinger, a Newark Republican. This is my 25th year here, and I think this is the 12th time weve had this discussion. State Rep. Anthony DeVitis, a Summit County Republican who has previously and unsuccessfully introduced similar proposals, said hes optimistic that the license-plate provision will survive a review from the Ohio Senate, which currently is debating the transportation budget. One of the challenges I think that was being considered before was whether it would clear the Ohio Senate, DeVitis said. I think the chances are better than theyve been in the past. Its gone further than it has in the past, and were concerned, said Jay McDonald, state legislative chairman for the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, a major police union. The arguments for and against the front license-plate requirement are pretty simple. On the side that wants to rid of it, DeVitis and others say that its a costly and cumbersome requirement for car dealers and drivers, especially considering that all the states that border Ohio require only a rear license plate. Zach Doran, president of the Ohio Auto Dealers Association, said the requirement is particularly challenging for dealerships near any of Ohios state borders. He also said modern cars increasingly have technology in their front bumpers that makes it difficult and costly to bolt in a license plate. You dont have to buy an exotic or expensive vehicle to be proud of the type of automobile you own, Doran said. I think theres a reason that manufacturers dont have license plates on any of their cars in commercials. They think it looks better. On the other side is law enforcement, which has successfully argued for years that having a front license plate doubles the chances police have in identifying a driver whos committed a crime. In testimony to state legislators, they have recounted instances of cases being solved thanks to a front license plate being captured on camera or seen by a police officer. In my city, in Marion, Ohio, we pulled over a car for no front plate, and found a murder victim in the back of the car, said McDonald, the police union official. Theres example after example. Think of hit-skips. Think of robberies. Think of a call where a police officers driving north and a bad guys driving south, and we get a glimpse of a license plate. That doesnt happen if theres no front plate. Opponents also have said cutting the front-license plate requirement might result in a flood of license plates hitting the black market, which criminals could use to conceal a stolen vehicle. Police groups have mobilized to testify in state Senate committee hearings, hoping to garner enough votes to block the measure as they have in the past. Cutting the front-license plate requirement would save Ohio (but not Ohio drivers) an estimated $1.5 million a year in reduced plate-stamping costs, Doran said. Proponents have suggested the money could be used to save Ohio drivers in registration fees or fund state police, but the current version of the transportation budget has no such requirement. Thirty-one U.S. states and the District of Columbia require two license plates, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. DeVitis, the Summit County state lawmaker, said hes found no hard data showing a correlation between requiring two license plates and crime rates at the state level. All of the surrounding states seem to police just fine with one plate, DeVitis said. I think we have law enforcement officers who are very well equipped to do their jobs, and equally as well as our neighbors are. COLUMBUS, Ohio- The Ohio Senate passed a bill Wednesday afternoon that would ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected -- which would be one of the nations strictest bans on the procedure. Senate Bill 23 -- sponsored by Sen. Kristina Roegner, a Hudson Republican passed the chamber largely along party lines, 19 to 13. HB 23 now heads to the House. Reogner, in her remarks to Senate colleagues, alluded to the goal of abortion opponents to overturn the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case of Roe v. Wade. Reogner said that courts, guided by standards created in Roe v. Wade, restrict abortion based on the viability of a fetus. But she said viability is a moving target because it varies based on the part of the world where a pregnant woman lives or the point in time when advancements in medical technology occurred. And we need a new standard," she said. "The heartbeat bill provides a sensible solution. Abortions could be banned as soon as six weeks into a pregnancy, when heartbeats are sometimes detected. Thats before some women know theyre pregnant. People would violate SB 23 if they performed an abortion when a fetal heartbeat has been detected or if they performed an abortion without determining whether there is a heartbeat. They could be charged with a fifth-degree felony, which can carry a penalty of six to 12 months behind bars and a $2,500 fine. Physicians and other medical providers can additionally face civil lawsuits and sanctions on their licenses by the State Medical Board of Ohio. There are exceptions if a woman is at risk of dying or could sustain an irreversible impairment of a major bodily function which bill opponents called too burdensome. Cases of rape and incest There are no exceptions if a pregnancy is the result of a rape or incest. How a human is conceived doesnt make it any more or less human," said Roegner, the sponsor. Sen. Nickie Antonio, a Lakewood Democrat, sponsored an amendment allowing exceptions in the cases of rape, incest or mental health of the woman. It failed. Sen. Sandra Williams, a Cleveland Democrat, sponsored an amendment requiring mandatory health insurance coverage for maternity services. If a woman is forced to carry a child by Ohio, she should get maternity care. That also failed. Before voting against the bill, Sen. John Eklund, a Republican from Geauga County, said there was no way he could support it because it lacked exceptions for rape and incest. I continue to believe all abortion is wrong, wrong because in every case the victim is innocent," Eklund said. But in cases of rape or incest, certainly there is more than one victim. The mother is in a very real sense a victim. And I believe that mother ... faces...a deeply, deeply moral dilemma that Im not altogether sure the legislature should be making for that mother. Republicans joining Eklund in opposing the bill were Sens. Matt Dolan of Chagrin Falls, Nathan Manning of North Ridgeville, and Stephanie Kunze, of Columbus suburb Hilliard. Legislations history Former Gov. John Kasich twice vetoed heartbeat bills that the Ohio General Assembly sent to his desk. He said that he didnt think they would be upheld in the courts. Ohio, as the losing party, would have to pay the attorneys fees of the prevailing parties, he said. Ohio Right to Life, the states leading anti-abortion group, opposed or was neutral on past Ohio heartbeat legislation, saying that it would be struck down and a setback for its cause. But with new members on the U.S. Supreme Court, it now supports HB 23. But Gov. Mike DeWine promised during his campaign that he would sign a heartbeat bill. That could set Ohio up for a legal battle that abortion opponents hope could end up before the U.S. Supreme Court, where Roe v. Wade could get tossed. Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof said a lot of thought was put into the bill, and it could go to the high court. I think if you shy away from things just because there might be litigation we would not have seen the re-prioritization of the funds that we did a number of years ago that the 6th Circuit upheld yesterday," he said. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a state law that would defund Planned Parenthood. Non-binding resolution The Ohio Senate also unanimously passed a non-binding measure, Senate Resolution 41, urging Congress to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. The federal legislation, sponsored by Nebraska Republican Sen. Ben Sasse, prohibits doctors and others from failing to exercise the proper degree of care in the case of a child who survives an abortion or attempted abortion. Ohio Senate Democrats called a recess and left the chamber for several minutes. They returned and joined Republicans in voting for it. During a Tuesday committee meeting, Democrats argued the Ohio bill was not necessary because protections already exist in federal law. WASHINGTON, D. C. - Ohio GOP Sen. Rob Portman on Thursday voted to reject the national emergency that President Donald Trump invoked to secure funds to build a wall along the nations southern border after Congress refused to provide the money he sought. Although he backs Trumps border wall, Portman joined group of Republicans who expressed constitutional concerns over Trumps decision to usurp Congress power of the purse through the emergency declaration. Portman said Trump could get the money he needs from several other sources - such as a treasury forfeiture fund and the Defense Departments counter-drug account - without declaring an emergency. I will vote to support the disapproval resolution, Portman said in a speech on the Senate floor. I continue to hope the president uses the funds he has available to him without creating a bad precedent. The Senate adopted the measure in a 59 to 41 vote, with backing from 11 other Republicans including Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania, Roy Blunt of Missouri, Marco Rubio of Florida, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Mitt Romney and Mike Lee of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine. The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives approved the measure last month. Trump has said he will veto the legislation, and its not likely there will be enough votes in either legislative body to override it. Portman said the precedent Trump set through the inappropriate emergency declaration opens the door for future presidents to implement just about any policy they want and to take funding from other areas Congress has already decided upon without Congress approval. He said a future president could use the unlimited power of the emergency declaration to seize industries or control means of communication, or to say climate change is a national emergency and use emergency authorities to implement a Green New Deal. Earlier this week, Lee introduced a Portman-backed measure that would have left Trumps current presidential emergency intact but ended future presidential emergency declarations after 30 days unless Congress agreed to extend them. On Wednesday, Lee announced hed vote to terminate the emergency declaration because the White House said it would not support that bill. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had described it as legislation to give President Trump a pass" and said the House would not consider it. Unfortunately, it appears the bill does not have an immediate path forward, so I will be voting to terminate the latest emergency declaration," said a statement from Lee. "I hope this legislation will serve as a starting point for future work on this very important issue. The Presidents decision to go around Congress and take funding away from our military to support his vanity project is reckless and irresponsible. Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) March 14, 2019 Ohio Democratic Sherrod Brown was a vocal critic of Trumps actions, calling them a manufactured emergency over an unnecessary wall. After the vote, he released a statement that called upon his Republican colleagues to help override Trumps anticipated veto. He said theres never been a situation in the past where a president asked for funding, Congress refused to provide it, and the president declared a national emergency to spend the money anyway. The Presidents decision to go around Congress and take funding away from our military to support his vanity project is reckless and irresponsible, said Brown. Instead of building a wall, we should be passing legislation to protect pensions for millions of workers and retirees, bring down the cost of prescription drugs, and rewrite the tax code to put hardworking Americans first. After Congress failed to provide $5.7 billion that Trump sought to build barriers along the U.S. border with Mexico, Trump declared a national emergency on Feb. 15 to justify redirecting $3.6 billion in military construction money and around $3.1 billion from counternarcotics programs and asset forfeiture money towards wall construction. We have an emergency of people pouring into our country that we dont want -- criminals, smugglers, Trump said. We have drugs pouring into our country. We cant have it. The Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate - Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California and Chuck Schumer of New York - called the declaration unlawful, and said it was a "power grab by a disappointed President, who has gone outside the bounds of the law to try to get what he failed to achieve in the constitutional legislative process. A vote for todays resolution by Republican Senators is a vote for Nancy Pelosi, Crime, and the Open Border Democrats! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2019 The Presidents actions clearly violate the Congresss exclusive power of the purse, which our Founders enshrined in the Constitution, said a statement the pair released. "The Congress will defend our constitutional authorities in the Congress, in the Courts, and in the public, using every remedy available. The White House countered that President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama used the emergency declaration process to undertake more than 18 different military construction projects between 2001 and 2013. Because the measure did not pass the House or Senate by the two thirds majority required to override a veto, Trumps veto would likely kill it. I dont think it survives a veto; we have too many smart people that want border security, so I cant imagine it could survive a veto, Trump told reporters when the measure was introduced. But I will veto it, yes. CLEVELAND -- It was the same question asked a hundred different ways: Why dont you sit down with me and talk about your life? What never changed was Sam Millers answer. No. Why are you trying to get me in trouble? Miller wanted no part of a book about his life. Not even an authorized biography. Not even with the promise of an embargo until his death. News of that death arrived at 5:04 a.m. on March 7. It came in an email from Albert Ratner, the most loyal friend the 97-year-old Miller ever had, his onetime brother-in-law and partner of nearly 75 years at Forest City Enterprises. Sam died last night. In my more than 49 years of reporting on Cleveland, Sam Miller was the most fascinating, complicated, memorable person to enter my life. He was brilliant, tough and streetwise. In business and in life - he played for keeps. And in real estate, politics, philanthropy, inner-city Catholic schools and almost every Jewish cause imaginable, Miller was a larger-than-life figure. He had legions of admirers. He had enemies. He had secrets. Theyre in the grave with him right now. Well never know details of all the problems Miller made disappear for his company and friends, of the work he did for Israeli intelligence, of those trips to Russia. But the obituary and other pieces published by cleveland.com and the Plain Dealer captured much of what we know of a life that earned so much attention. In 2007, a panel of seven prominent professional and amateur historians assembled by The Plain Dealer named Miller and Ratner among the 25 most influential persons in Cleveland history. And a 2013 interview with Miller added to the story of his memorable journey. The embargoed interview, filmed by Steven Hacker Productions in Beachwood, was part of an oral history of Ratners also remarkable 91-year life. I have seen parts of it. During that session, Miller, the son of Russian immigrants, said his English was so poor when he began attending school that he and his parents were required to take nightly English lessons at a library branch on Woodland Avenue at East 57th Street. He was a quick study. A little more than a decade later, Miller was an honors student at Harvard, on his way to earning two degrees. In 1943, Miller went to war, enlisting in the Navy. I was so upset with Hitler, hearing stories about people being put in furnaces. Why the Navy instead of the Army? I didnt want to die in the mud. In 1945, Miller married Ruth Ratner, Alberts sister, and began work in the family lumber business. By 1948, Forest City Materials owned three lumber yards, employing many Holocaust survivors and offering generous discounts to war veterans. It was around then Miller had an idea. He wanted to take advantage of the postwar housing boom, buying up little lots in places like Maple Heights, Parma, and Brook Park. When we started building houses in Brook Park, there were 700 people there, he recalled. When we were done, there were 35,000." The housing business was a cash cow. Not many years earlier, Miller helped pay for college by delivering dentures for $6.92 a week. Now he was becoming a wealthy man. And, over time, Forest Citys real estate reach expanded to retail and commercial ventures throughout the country. Last year, the era ended. The company was sold to Brookfield Asset Management for $6.8 billion. Miller always argued Tom Brokaw got it wrong, that the greatest generation was the one before him. It was all those fathers and mothers who came to New York with 30 cents in their pockets, living for weeks in the bowels of merchant marine ships, he said. The immigration official at Ellis Island couldnt understand my father, so he told him, Your name is now Miller because my name is Miller. By the 1990s, when Mike White was mayor, the son of that renamed man was the most powerful person in town. Every year, Miller and his second wife, Maria, hosted a themed ball at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The guest list read like a Whos Who of the citys business, civic and political leadership. Miller not only knew everything happening in Cleveland, he also knew why it was happening. One of Millers great loves was the Cleveland Clinic. When he had health issues and he had a few the Clinic took great care of him. Over time, he took care of the Clinic. For nearly 25 years, he called me every morning. When the conversation ended, I always knew more than when it began. Sometimes he even shared a few of those secrets. Most he kept to himself. Sam Millers life story was the best book well never read. Brent Larkin was The Plain Dealers editorial director from 1991 until his retirement in 2009. To reach Brent Larkin: blarkin@cleveland.com Have something to say about this topic? Use the comments to share your thoughts. Then, stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the Follow option at the top of the comments, and look for updates via the small blue bell in the lower right as you look at more stories on cleveland.com. Rotunda Rumblings Road to ruin: Republican Gov. Mike DeWine told the cleveland.com/Plain Dealer editorial board Wednesday that the House version of the proposed gas tax doesnt come close to adequately addressing Ohios road crisis, cleveland.coms Seth Richardson reports. If they pass the House bill, were going to end up with the worst of all worlds, DeWine said. Opportunity knocking: DeWine continued his daily sneak peeks into his upcoming state budget plan Wednesday, unveiling a proposed 10-percent income tax credit for investors in so-called opportunity zones. As cleveland.coms Robin Goist writes, Ohio has 320 such zones, which were created by the federal government in 2017 to offer federal tax incentives. Get the lead out: DeWine has also released details about his plan to combat lead poisoning in Ohio. As The Plain Dealers Brie Zeltner and Rachel Dissell report, families earning up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level ($103,000 for a family of five) who remove lead-based paint from their homes and rental properties could receive a tax credit of up to $10,000. The governor also wants to hire more workers to assess and address lead hazards in homes. Second look at Ohio jails: DeWine also said Wednesday hes seeking a review of the states jail inspections process after wide discrepancies were found in reports about the Cuyahoga County Jail, where eight inmates died last year, reports cleveland.coms Adam Ferrise. Based on what that [review] shows, I will take action beyond that, the governor said. Heartbeat to the House: One of the countrys strictest abortion bans is on its way to becoming law in Ohio, cleveland.coms Laura Hancock writes. Senate Bill 23, which passed the Senate Wednesday and is headed to the House, prohibits abortions when a fetal heartbeat has been detected, which can be as soon as six weeks into a pregnancy, before some women know theyre pregnant. The bill could end up before the U.S. Supreme Court, lawmakers said. What happens now: House Speaker Larry Householder told reporters Wednesday he expects to begin committee hearings on SB23 next Tuesday, then likely hold a floor vote on it in mid-April, before lawmakers leave for their week-long spring break. Its the holiday season: State Rep. Niraj Antani, a Dayton-area Republican, has two new bills to expand Ohios sales-tax holiday. As cleveland.coms Jeremy Pelzer reports, one bill (co-sponsored by Democrat Casey Weinstein) would create a new weekend sales tax holiday in early March for energy-efficient appliances. Antanis other bill would expand Ohios existing back-to-school tax holiday and make sales of laptops and tablets eligible for the tax break. Going digital: Citizens would be able to more easily find out whos donating to local elected officials and candidates, under a bill introduced Wednesday in the Ohio Senate. Senate Bill 107, introduced by state Sen. Michael Rulli, would allow county boards of election to accept digital (and searchable) campaign finance reports. Currently, statewide campaigns are required to file electronic reports, but county boards of election can only accept paper records, which may or may not end up being posted online. The measure is backed by Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who unsuccessfully pushed for a similar bill while in the state Senate in 2017. Borderline emergency: Ohios Rob Portman is among a group of U.S. Senate Republicans who have co-sponsored controversial legislation that would leave President Donald Trumps current presidential emergency intact. But, as cleveland.coms Sabrina Eaton explains, it would also automatically end future presidential emergency declarations after 30 days unless Congress extends them. Portman hasnt said how hell vote Thursday on a House-passed resolution that would overturn the emergency Trump declared to fund a U.S.-Mexico border wall. Student aid: Portman and Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown introduced legislation Wednesday to allow students who have experienced homelessness to claim the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) if theyre enrolled in college full-time, Eaton reports. Brown also highlighted legislation he backs that would offer federal grants to help public-college students graduate debt-free. He said the program would be paid for by wiping away the presidents tax cuts. Making the grade: Portman and all 12 U.S. House Republicans from Ohio received a perfect score on key votes from the Family Research Council, one of the most socially conservative organizations in Washington, writes Jack Torry of the Columbus Dispatch. Meanwhile, Brown and Ohios four Democrats in Congress each received zeroes. Second time around: Trumps budget request for next year includes $120.9 for a new building at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, according to the Dispatchs Jessica Wehrman. Its the second request Trump has made for the NASIC expansion the first request, for $61 million, was approved by Congress, but the president now wants to divert $3.6 million of that money toward building his border wall. Artificial Intelligence: Portman and Democratic U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich of New Mexico on Wednesday announced formation of a bipartisan Senate Artificial Intelligence Caucus, aimed at connecting legislators and congressional staffers with industrial, academic and government experts in the field. A statement from Portman said the caucus will ensure that Congress is home to the substantive conversations necessary to make responsible policy about emerging technology and ensure AI works for, and not against, American citizens and U.S. competitiveness. Not messing around: U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the longest serving woman in U.S. House history, testified Wednesday that partisan gerrymandering has made a mess of Congress and has harmed the country, the Associated Press reports. Kaptur, a Democrat, represents the district famously dubbed the Snake by the Lake. She testified via video on the final day of testimony in a federal lawsuit in Cincinnati challenging Ohios congressional map as unconstitutional. Tougher crowd: With JobsOhio creator John Kasich out of the governors office, a number of top state officials all Republicans are moving to increase oversight over the states private economic development nonprofit. Earlier this week, Auditor Keith Faber announced JobsOhio agreed to disclose full employee compensation details. Now, as the Dispatchs Jim Siegel reports, Senate President Larry Obhof and Householder are also casting a critical eye at JobsOhios assertion that, as a nonprofit, it shouldnt be subjected to the same scrutiny state agencies receive. Nan vs. the Klan: The city of Dayton has asked for a court judgment allowing authorities to stop a Ku Klux Klan-affiliated group from holding a rally in the citys downtown if things get out of hand, according to the Dayton Daily News Cornelius Frolik. While the Honorable Sacred Knights of Indianas rally is being allowed to take place on First Amendment grounds, Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley said the city wants to ensure it can stop the May 25 rally if it becomes military-like or a public nuisance. Candidate search continues: The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has met with state Rep. Brigid Kelly and Hamilton County commissioner/ex-state Rep. Denise Driehaus about challenging Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot next year, reports Jason WIlliams of the CIncinnati Enquirer. Williams reported earlier that the DCCC was also talking to Air Force vet/2018 legislative candidate Nikki Foster about running. Shhh: State officials work to find a new lethal-injection protocol for executions is being done mostly in secret, as pharmaceutical companies are increasingly insisting that their drugs not be used to kill people, according to the Dispatchs Marty Schladen. JoEllen Smith, spokeswoman for the states prisons agency, said she cannot comment further because of pending litigation, though she didnt respond when asked the legal rationale behind that explanation. Full Disclosure Five things we learned from the April 9, 2018 ethics disclosure of state Rep. Dave Greenspan, a Westlake Republican: 1. His only stated income in 2017 was his legislative income of $65,476. 2. Greenspan or members of his immediate family reported owning several related businesses, including Green Elk Consulting Services, Green Elk Real Estate and Green Elk Real Estate Maplewood. 3. Greenspan also was manager for the Friends for the Community Foundation, a nonprofit he created to support public safety programs and other services around the Westshore area. 4. Besides his equity ownership in Green Elk Consulting Services, Greenspan had investments with the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and Ohio Deferred Compensation. He also owned stock in Innovative Devices, Inc., a Bedford Heights company that sells a 3-D computer mouse called the Mycestro. 5. He was compensated $5,177.12 by the Ohio House for mileage between his home and Columbus. Other travel reimbursements he received included $1,642.17 from Ohio Jewish Communities, Inc. and $133.40 from the Ohio House GOPs campaign arm. On The Move Tim Biggam, a former top aide to ex-Gov. John Kasich, has been hired as director of government relations for The Montrose Group, a Columbus-based development lobbying firm, according to a release. Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Brian Perera, Ohio State Universitys assistant vice president for state relations and a longtime Ohio Senate budget director, and Erik F. Yassenoff, a former Upper Arlington City Council member and 2018 state legislative candidate, to the Sunset Review Committee. Rick Platt, president/CEO of the Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority, is DeWines first appointment to the JobsOhio Board of Directors. Platts term, however, ends this July. Straight From The Source Watching him campaign, it does strike me that he could campaign in all 88 Ohio counties and break through with people. I think people are too quick to make a set of assumptions about one candidate and assume that others couldnt do it. - Ohio Democratic Party David Pepper, speaking to The Atlantic about ex-Vice President Joe Bidens chances of winning the 2020 Ohio Democratic presidential primary. The Atlantic story argues that while many tout Bidens support among white blue-collar workers, theres no proof that they will actually vote for him. Capitol Letter is a daily briefing providing succinct, timely information for those who care deeply about the decisions made by state government. If you do not already subscribe, you can sign up here to get Capitol Letter in your email box each weekday for free. COLUMBUS, OhioLocal governments in Ohio would no longer be able to ban residents from raising chickens, goats, rabbits and other animals in their backyards, under legislation re-introduced in the Ohio House. Under House Bill 124, residential property owners would be allowed to keep small livestock unless neighbors file a complaint about the noise or smell they create, or if theyre found to live in inadequate housing or unsanitary conditions. The bill would allow up to 20 chickens, 20 rabbits, and three goats per acre of land. (Roosters, known for their loud crowing, are specifically not included on the list.) A number of local governments around Ohio have prohibited raising such animals in residential areas, including West Chester township near Cincinnati, Perrysburg near Toledo, and the Dayton suburb of Beavercreek. State Rep. Tom Brinkman, the sponsor of HB124, said in an interview that he introduced the measure after hearing from some constituents upset that they couldnt raise chickens in their yards. Goats, rabbits, and other small livestock were also included in Brinkmans bill, he said, because they were mentioned in draft language that the Cincinnati-area Republican borrowed from the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, a nonprofit group that advocates for small farmers. Proponents of the bill say it would help city-dwellers who live in poorer neighborhoods far from a supermarket (a so-called food desert") get access to fresh eggs and goat milk. Also, Brinkman said, Its a freedom thing, a live and let live thing. Brinkman introduced a similar bill last legislative session, but it remained cooped up in the House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. Brinkman blamed opposition from then-committee chair Brian Hill, some chatter about the risk of spreading bird flu, and session ending before he could rally enough support. This time around, Brinkman said hes flexible about changing the bill to address any concerns raised by other lawmakers though he added that he doesnt want the legislation to only cover chickens. Id hate to throw the goats overboard, Brinkman said. The new House Agriculture Committee Chair, Republican Kyle Koehler of Springfield, said in an interview that the committee will hear out the arguments for the bill. But, Koehler said he has some issues with the legislation, including concerns that it would violate local governments home-rule authority. Koehler, who lives on an 18-acre farm, added that hes skeptical of the argument that the bill would allow low-income Ohioans to get fresh eggs and milk, given how expensive it is to raise such animals. If youre having trouble finding fresh eggs, wait until you try to find chicken feed, or goat feed, or bedding for all these animals or cages to hold them, Koehler said. Koehler said he moved from an urban neighborhood in Springfield to the country 20 years ago specifically so he could raise livestock. Theres a reason people live in the city. Theres a reason people live in the country, he said. "There are places in the country for people to do this, and I think thats an option that they need to look at. Its not the first time Ohio lawmakers have moved to regulate backyard chickens. A 2016 bill, appropriately passed during lame-duck session, prohibits chicken owners from allowing their birds to wander onto a neighbors property. The comments by Rahul came against the backdrop of indications that BJP may use the IAF strikes in Balakot for its election campaign. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has accused the BJP of trying to create a 'hyper nationalistic environment' ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. (Photo: File) New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi has accused the BJP of trying to create a 'hyper nationalistic environment' ahead of the Lok Sabha polls only to distract people from the issues of unemployment, agrarian crisis and what he called 'massive failures' of the Modi government. The comments by Gandhi come against the backdrop of indications that the BJP may use the Indian Air Force (IAF) strikes on terror group JeM's largest training camp in Balakot in Pakistan on February 26 after the Pulwama attack as a central plank of its election campaign. A JeM suicide bomber attacked a CRPF convoy in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14 killing 40 jawans. Describing the upcoming elections as all about making a choice between India of Mahatma Gandhi and that of his assassin Nathuram Godse, Rahul Gandhi also alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi generates 'hate' and that his brand of politics was 'hateful' with consequent costs. In Gandhi's view, a majority for the Congress-led UPA coalition is a certainty and that his party will do much better than expected. Congress' tally of 44 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls was an all-time low for the party. "The hyper nationalistic environment the BJP is trying to create, where anyone who disagrees with the BJP is branded anti-national, is only to distract from the issues of unemployment, agrarian crisis, violence and the massive failures of the government on practically every front," Gandhi told 'The Week' magazine in an exclusive interview on Wednesday. The BJP has criticised opposition parties for demanding evidence for the impact of the airstrikes on the camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) while its president Amit Shah said the IAF's operation showed that India is "secure under the strong and decisive leadership" of Modi. Gandhi answered questions on topics ranging from the controversial Rafale jet deal and the state of the economy to the focus of the Congress manifesto and emergence of a grand opposition alliance to take on the BJP. The Congress chief claimed that the Rafale deal is the "tip of an iceberg" and that actually what Modi has done is that he has systematically handed over a massive amount of defence funds to his friends. "And you will see, this stuff will come out, sooner rather than later, hopefully. But this is not just one deal that we are talking about. There are multiple deals where we suspect that this has happened. But again no investigation, questions," he said. Stating that the job situation and agriculture are in tremendous crisis, Gandhi said one can't have a country that is divided, which is full of hate, and get the levels of economic growth that the country requires to generate a huge number of jobs. "Mr Modi generates hate. So his mechanism of politics is hateful. And that has its costs." To a question on the Congress' promise of minimum income guarantee being touted as a game changer, Gandhi said he does not think that this alone has the power to transform the country, but under the current circumstances and the level of pain India is feeling, it is a requirement. "It's an idea on an unimaginable scale that we have been working on for a long time now. The idea is that no Indian should live below a certain income level," he added. Gandhi said going beyond minimum income guarantee would mean tackling the job crisis on a war footing. "We have some interesting ideas in our manifesto on entrepreneurship and how we will treat small and medium industries and the type of freedom we will give them. To transform India we also have to free the financial institutions from the clutches of crony capitalists," he said. On his prime ministerial prospects, if all goes well for the Congress, Gandhi said it is for the country to decide whether he will get the top post but asserted his job right now is to make sure that the ideological fight against BJP that is going on now is won by 'the Uniters'. "Broadly the entire coalition is standing against Mr Narendra Modi and the BJP. And we have an understanding with our partners in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Assam. Those alliances are firmed up," he said. Asked about the BJP's assessment that voting the party out will lead to chaos, economic deceleration and weakness in national security, Gandhi said the idea that Modi is imposing order on India is 'ridiculous'. "I don't understand how demonetisation was imposing order when it was absolute buffoonery...Imposing a five-tiered GST on India, what type of order are you talking about? We don't want that order." Admitting that the previous UPA government was unable to do enough to resolve the job crisis, Gandhi said what Modi has done is to aggravate the situation by introducing demonetisation and the GST and allowing industrialist Anil Ambani style 'crony capitalism' to run rampant. "The country is looking for leadership, but what it gets are inane, meaningless slogans from the PM - Make in India, Startup India, these are the expressions of a man bankrupt of ideas," he said. Gandhi alleged that Modi takes India's most negative aspects, fear, hatred and anger and magnifies them, while Mahatma Gandhi took our most powerful aspects, love compassion and non-violence and magnified them. "On one side, you have the idea of Godse, that if you don't like something you put three bullets in its chest and on the other, you have the idea of Gandhiji, where even if someone puts three bullets in your chest you won't hate them. This is the greatness of our country and this is what this election is about. This is not a personal battle, I have no animosity towards the PM, but see him as an expression of India's weaknesses, anger and hatred," he said. COLUMBUS, Ohio President Donald Trump is planning to come to Ohio on Wednesday, according to sources with knowledge of White House travel plans. Trump is scheduled to visit the General Dynamics tank manufacturing plant in Lima before heading to Canton later in the day for a private fundraiser for the Trump 2020 re-election campaign at the Brookside Country Club in Canton. Among those in attendance at the fundraiser will be Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, RNC Finance Chairman and Chicago Cubs co-owner Todd Ricketts, Ohio Republican Party Chairman Jane Timken and Cleveland-area businessman Jim Wert, the Trump campaigns 2020 finance chairman in Ohio. Tickets for the Canton fundraiser start at $2,800 for entry to a reception; a photo opportunity with Trump costs $15,000, and dinner costs $50,000 per person or $70,000 per couple, according to an invitation obtained by cleveland.com. Its not yet known if Trump will host a public rally while he is in town. He last appeared in Ohio in November, when he held a rally at the IX Center in Cleveland the night before the Nov. 6 election. Rob Secaur, executive director of the Ohio Republican Party, declined to comment. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a wind advisory Thursday for parts of Northeast Ohio. The advisory is in effect through 12 a.m. Friday for Cuyahoga, Lorain, Erie, Huron, Richland and Ashland counties, among others. Expect south winds of 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph, NWS said. A storm system is also moving across Ohio on Thursday afternoon and will bring thunderstorms, hail and possible tornados. 3.14.19: Stay weather aware today! Severe storms possible after 4pm. Review safety plans and look to https://t.co/BhX8IiyFBH for the latest forecast information. Share with local friends. #ohwx #pawx pic.twitter.com/vZqty74ikQ NWS Cleveland (@NWSCLE) March 14, 2019 There is a slight risk for severe storms in areas east of Interstate 71, including parts of Cleveland and Akron, but strong wind gusts are possible outside of the storms, NWS said. Strong winds may blow down branches, trees and power lines. Scattered power outages are possible, NWS said. Drivers should use caution, especially those in high-profile vehicles. A week-long cultural fest is held in Delhi to celebrate French as a quality language. French lovers dominate the national capital for next few days with Francophone Festival that began on March 13. Its getting the city into a French mood with its exhibitions, film screenings, theatre, live music and the much-awaited Francophone Mela. Organised by Alliance Francaise de Delhi, Semaine de la Francophonie or the Francophonie week opened with a tete-a-tete with Canadian author Frederick Lavoie on countering fake news and literary journalism as a tool to counter it at the M.L. Bhartia Auditorium. Frederick Lavoie The festival offers back-to-back film screenings and the inauguration of an exhibition. Participants can watch a Canadian drama film Mommy which debuted at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival and won the Jury Prize, followed by another Canadian movie Origami, which revolves around an art curator who discovers his ability to travel back in time following a traumatic event. In the evening, Alliance Francaise de Delhi, with the support of Raza Foundation, is also be organising an exhibition titled Back from France Living Outlines, retelling the India-France-India story through the artworks of Reji Arackal. The exhibition inaugurated on March 14 will be on view till March 28, every day, at the Gallery Romain Rolland. The Francophonie Week is the festival of the French language and cultures of the French-speaking countries, which is celebrated every year in the middle of March across the world since 1988. This will be a one of its kind experience for all those who know no bound when it comes to adapting and enjoying different cultures, especially the French one, director of Alliance Francaise de Delhi Jean-Francois Ramon said. French is the sixth most widely spoken language in the world, the third language for business, spoken by more than 300 million people on five continents, and also is known as the language of diplomacy. French is one of the three procedural languages of the European Union, along with English and German, and the sole language used for the deliberations of the Court of Justice of the European Union. On the third day of the festival - March 15 French accordionist Noe Clerc along with an Indian Classical vocalist Ujwal Nagar and percussionist Zaheen Khan will present various shades of sound from the musical series of Alliance Francaise de Delhi [InChorus] to the visitors at the M.L Bhartia Auditorium from 6.30 p.m onwards. [Inchorus] is a cycle of musical meetings organised by Alliance Francaise de Delhi in collaboration with a young organisation called Kalasetu, for the promotion of South Asian Traditional Performing Arts and exchanges between Indian and French artists. It is a platform to promote young promising musicians of all genres, both Indian and French through residencies, concerts and workshops. The festival will culminate on March 16 with the Francophonie Mela - held from 10 am till 8 pm - which will witness representatives from different Francophone countries gather at one place, animating stalls all over Alliance Francaise de Delhi, and sharing information about their cultures accompanied by delicious food from all over the world. The festivities will begin with various competitions organized for Delhi schools students followed by a theatre play in the afternoon by Alliance Francaise de Delhis theatre group. On this occasion, an opportunity called AFDs got talent will also be given to the students of Alliance Francaise de Delhi to showcase their talent at their best. The celebrations will conclude in the evening with an acrobatic performance titled Via A fusion of Chinese Pole and Kalaripayattu by an Indo-French performing group at 5:30 pm followed by a French DJ night by DJ Roli. Now it is being said that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will neither contest a Lok Sabha seat nor campaign outside Uttar Pradesh. After its surprise victories in the three North Indian states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in December, the Congress should have dominated the political narrative. It could have flaunted the alternative policies pursued by its newly-minted state governments to address agrarian distress, youth unemployment, the closure of small businesses and the communal polarisation created by the BJP. None of that has happened so far. With barely a month left before polling begins in the Lok Sabha elections, it is hard to say whether the Congress Party has improved its electoral prospects for the Lok Sabha even in these three states. On the other hand, the ruling BJP appears to have gained an edge over it. Aware that its revolutionary initiatives such demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) would not win any votes, the BJP decided to contest the 2019 polls on a platform of ultra-nationalism after the Pulwama terrorist attack and the airstrikes on Balakot deep inside Pakistan. The Congress Party instead of questioning the security failures of the Narendra Modi government and its disastrous Kashmir policy, found itself precisely where the BJP wanted it to be, at the tail end waving the tricolour and singing hosannas to the armed forces. By the time it had recovered its act, the public mood had already been hijacked. Earlier on, the Congress had tried to create a narrative of party renewal with Priyanka Gandhi Vadras debut in politics. However, that initiative seems to be have been frittered away. There is no evidence of a Priyanka wave in Uttar Pradesh. Her first rally scheduled for Lucknow was bombed out by the airstrikes on Pakistan. It was cancelled as a gesture of giving priority to national security over partisan interests. However, it was never rescheduled and Priyankas public appearance remained in abeyance till her somewhat underwhelming speech in Gujarat, where the party is bleeding MLAs. Now it is being said that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will neither contest a Lok Sabha seat nor campaign outside Uttar Pradesh. This sends out the signal that the Congress is playing a defensive game. Given the caste combinations in UP, the partys gains there can only be marginal. Priyanka Gandhi will undoubtedly be given credit for any gains the party makes in UP over and above the two pocket boroughs of Amethi and Rae Bareli. However, one wonders whether this is the most effective use of her charismatic and fresh political persona. If the Congress were to use her for campaigning in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh as well, she would pose much more of a challenge to the BJP. As it is there is no way that the BJP can retain the 62 out of 65 seats in these three states, a vigorous campaign by the Congress by playing its trump card would ensure that the BJP is virtually decimated there. There is every danger that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may then turn out to be a wasted bullet by a party short on ammunition. The Congress is woefully short on nationally recognisable campaigners. Besides Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and now Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, it hardly has any effective campaigners. One could argue that the BJPs sole effective campaigner is Narendra Modi. But then the party has a largish bench strength of excellent campaigners who can be brought forward in an emergency. Lacking a similar bench strength, to take on the BJP the Congress ought to make strategic use of campaigners like Priyanka Gandhi. While the BJP meticulously stitched together its alliances by cajoling and persuading its estranged allies, the negotiations of the Congress with potential allies verge on brinkmanship. The Congress wasted the advantage it had in the Northeast where almost all the political parties were ranged against the BJP on the Citizenship Amendment Bill. Now all of them are back with the BJP! The failure of the Congress high command to prevent the division of anti-BJP votes in Delhi by forging an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party points to the lack of political acumen in the party. After a series of flip-flops, now the party cadre is being asked to vote on whether to reopen alliance talks through the specially designed Shakti Android App. The shortsightedness of the Congress is astounding in the face of sure annihilation if the BJP returns to power. Why else would the party in Maharashtra not accommodate Prakash Ambedkars Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh and Raju Shettys Swabhimani Paksha? It knows that their candidates will cut into the Congress vote. Congress president Rahul Gandhi should have taken a few lessons out of his mother Sonia Gandhis book. In 2004, she went to the homes of all major Opposition leaders, even walking on foot as she did when she visited Ram Vilas Paswan, and persuaded them to contest in alliance with the Congress. It is true that in 2019, the failure to form an Opposition alliance cannott be blamed on the Congress alone. The obduracy of Mayawati may be due to factors other than the Congress. But Congress leaders also failed to demonstrate that they were willing to subordinate their egos and interests to enable an alliance with her as well as other leaders. However, alliances are not the only problem for the Congress. Surely it needs slogans other than Chowkidar chor hai and it does it seem to have a media plan and is yet to hire a media agency. Like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah have been doing, its leaders should have fanned out across the country holding rallies to mobilise support even before the election schedule was announced. So far only Rahul Gandhis rallies are being scheduled, but just one leader cannot help it win the elections. The Congress Party has clearly been slow off the block in preparing for the coming general election. It has not displayed even a small fragment of the political energy that the ruling BJP has summoned despite the public mood being critical of its governments performance. The Congress is mistaken if its feels that voters will bestow victory on it because of anti-incumbency. They need to be persuaded. Financial news have been "correctly" dominated by the Federal Aviation Administration's order that Boeing 737 Max jets be grounded in the United States after two of the planes were involved in fatal crashes in less than five months, CNBC's Jim Cramer said Wednesday. The "Mad Money" host addressed questions he has been asked about how the event could affect the stock. Shares of the airplane manufacturer saw a 0.46 percent bump during the session, but he said it's "too soon" to assess the impact. But Cramer isn't giving up on the company. "I have total confidence in the Boeing company to get to the bottom of this and to restore any trust lost in the company," he said. "If that's enough, you should buy it." Hear Cramer react to Boeing's woes here Time for munchies Kraft and Heinz products Scott Olson | Getty Images Innovative companies have been some of the biggest winners when the stock market rises and it's a theme that established names should take note of, Cramer said. All of the major markets made gains during the sessionthe Dow Jones Industrial Average added about 148 points, the increased 0.7 percent to top 2,800, the Nasdaq closed up 0.7 percentpowered by the tech and semiconductor sectors. Facebook, Google-parent Alphabet, and Amazon with their targeted ads have disrupted traditional advertising and ad-supported media, which is getting behind subscription models and paywalls, Cramer said. Financial technology stocks like Visa, PayPal, and Square, among others, are changing the way people bank and manage their money, he added. "Trying to reinvent your business has its risks, but standing still may be an even dicier proposition," the host said. "You either disrupt or you get disruptedthe companies that do nothing have the stocks that should be sold." Click here to find out how Cramer suggests Kraft Heinz cleans out the fridge Leaving the house for TJ Maxx The reflection of shoppers are seen in a window at a TJ Maxx store in Peoria, Illinois. Daniel Acker | Bloomberg | Getty Images Amazon has been ripping through traditional retail, but TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods' parent company TJX hasn't lost much of a beat, Cramer said. The bears have been skeptical about the sustainability of the company's business model, but TJX is adding more brick-and-mortar locations and investing little online, he said. The stock plummeted after it delivered good quarterly results with shaky guidance last November, but it turned out that there was nothing to fear, he added. Cramer thinks there's a chance that investors could pull the trigger and buy the stock. Find out when to buy TJX here Getting in the cloud Dell CEO Michael Dell speaks during an interview with CNBC on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, July 2, 2018 Brendan McDermid | Reuters Dell Technologies is no longer just a PC company now that it is equipped to help companies adapt to the future of technology and focused on being inclusive of people that have been left out, CEO Michael Dell told CNBC Wednesday. The information technology corporation, which began trading publicly again in late December after a nearly five-year hiatus, has adopted a new purpose since acquiring majority stakes in VMware, the former EMC Corporation, and Pivotal Software in recent years. We "really have positioned ourselves as a company that can help our customers with the digital transformation: their journey to the cloud, and modernizing their IT environments, their workforce environment, and also IT security," he said in a sit-down interview with Cramer. Get more on the conversation here How far can Wells Fargo's rebound go? Wells Fargo CEO Tim Sloan testifies before a House Financial Services Committee hearing titled: "Holding Megabanks Accountable: An Examination of Wells Fargo's Pattern of Consumer Abuses" in Washington, March 12, 2019. Erin Scott | Reuters Wells Fargo CEO Tim Sloan faced the House Financial Services Committee and its Chairwoman Maxine Waters on Tuesday. Cramer pointed out that members of the committee questioned the banker's integrity and sincerity as he defended the institution's clean up following the fake account scandal. But the stock barley took a hit, the host said, and it's up more than 8 percent this year. Has the smoke cleared on Wells Fargo? Listen to Cramer's thoughts here A man walks through light rain in front of the Hey Google booth under construction at the Las Vegas Convention Center in preparation for the 2018 CES in Las Vegas, Nevada, January 8, 2018. Steve Marcus | Reuters Cramer loves Apple, Facebook, and Alphabet, but the host said he's a bit nervous about the stocks' multiple expansions. That's when investors pay more for the same amount of earnings, he explained. Cramer thinks the stocks fell too low in the fourth quarter, but he said he winces about the recent action. Apple and Alphabet are up about 15 percent this year and Facebook is up more than 32 percentbut there hasn't been much major development in either of the companies. Stocks shouldn't rally only on "hope," he said. Get Cramer's full insight here Cramer's lightning round: I'm not betting against this guy Director of the National Economic Council Gary Cohn arrives before a joint news conference of President Donald Trump and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy at the White House, September 26, 2017. Joshua Roberts | Reuters Former White House chief economic advisor Gary Cohn lashed out at some of his former colleagues, charging in a radio interview that the U.S. is losing the trade war as administration officials pursue a strategy that hasn't worked. Cohn, President Donald Trump's first director of the National Economic Council, specifically pointed his finger at Peter Navarro, who serves as director of the National Trade Council, and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross for drawing the country into a misdirected tariff battle. "Tariffs don't work. If anything, they hurt the economy because if you're a typical American worker, you have a finite amount of income to spend," the former Goldman Sachs executive told "Freakonomics" radio in an interview broadcast Wednesday. "If you have to spend more on the necessity products that you need to live, you have less to spend on the services that you want to buy." When interviewer Stephen J. Dubner suggested that all other economists except for one Navarro would agree on that point, Cohn said, "There's only one in the world. That we know of." Peter Navarro, director of the National Trade Council, right, and Wilbur Ross, U.S. commerce secretary, arrive to a presidential memorandum targeting China's economic aggression signing with U.S. President Donald Trump, not pictured, in the Diplomatic Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, March 22, 2018. Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images Among the other revelations from his time in the White House, Cohn said a tipping point for him leaving was a meeting Navarro and Ross secretly set up with heads of the steel and aluminum industry to notify them that the administration was planning to levy tariffs on imports of the metals. "What happened in the White House is we got to a point, unfortunately, where one or two people decided that they were going to no longer be part of a process and a debate," he said. Asked to confirm that it was Navarro and Ross who set up the meeting, Cohn said, "Yes. Those are the two people. When the process breaks down, then you're, sort of, in my mind, living in chaos. I don't want to live in a chaotic organization." 'The president needs a win' Cohn served in the post from the beginning of the Trump administration in January 2017 until April 2, 2018. Chief among his achievements was the passage of the biggest tax cut in U.S. history that slashed the corporate rate from 36 percent to 21 percent and redrew the individual income tax brackets to give lower earners double the standard deduction. However, he also had several high-profile disagreements with the administration, including one point where he nearly resigned following Trump's comments on a deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Former Democratic Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke laughs as with Oprah Winfrey presses him to make the announcement that he is running for president during a live interview on a Times Square stage at "Oprah's SuperSoul Conversations from Times Square," Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, in New York. Beto O'Rourke seems to be everywhere. But many voters still have no opinion of the newest Democratic presidential candidate. The former congressman from Texas launched his presidential bid on Thursday morning. The fanfare surrounding his announcement echoed the media frenzy seen during his upstart run for Senate in Texas against Republican Sen. Ted Cruz last year a race O'Rourke lost by about 2.5 percentage points. The magazine Vanity Fair released an O'Rourke cover story Wednesday night with images from famed photographer Annie Leibovitz. Cable networks MSNBC and CNN carried O'Rourke's comments from his first official campaign stop in Iowa on Thursday morning. The ex-House member has enjoyed a level of celebrity rarely seen for a politician who represented a small corner of Texas. Even so, he has some work to do to become as well-known in key states as top-tier Democratic presidential candidates such as former Vice President Joe Biden and Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. That's not necessarily a bad thing for O'Rourke as he tries to take on President Donald Trump in next year's election. Forty-three percent of Democratic primary voters say they have a favorable view of O'Rourke, versus 9 percent who say they see him unfavorably, according to a Morning Consult poll taken last week. But 49 percent of those polled responded that they either have not heard of him, or know of him but have no opinion. (The numbers add up to 101 percent, which appears to be a result of rounding.) In the key early caucus state of Iowa, 36 percent of likely Democratic caucusgoers said they are not sure how they view O'Rourke, according to a Des Moines Register poll earlier this month. Meanwhile, 56 percent of registered voters from all parties in the general election swing state of Florida said they have not heard enough to have an opinion of O'Rourke, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday. For comparison, here is the percentage of respondents to the Quinnipiac survey who said they did not know enough to form a view of other Democratic candidates. It includes the net favorability ratings for each candidate in Florida, which is the percentage of respondents who say they have a favorable view of the candidate minus the percentage who say they hold an unfavorable opinion. O'Rourke does have better name recognition than some contenders, such as Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. O'Rourke 56 percent (-5 net favorability) Biden: 14 percent (+14 net favorability) Sanders: 12 percent (-12 net favorability) Warren: 28 percent (-18 net favorability) Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif.: 46 percent (-7 net favorability) Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J.: 48 percent (-10 net favorability) Gillibrand: 67 percent (-12 net favorability) Klobuchar: 72 percent (-5 net favorability) O'Rourke's relative anonymity gives him one advantage over some of his better-known rivals. He has more opportunities to define himself positively to voters, said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University poll. Voters have largely baked-in views of prominent figures such as Biden, a former vice president, and Sanders, who ran a highly publicized campaign against Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary. O'Rourke has a chance to define himself to 2020 voters. Of course, Republicans will also try to create their own version of O'Rourke which poses risks for him as more voters develop an opinion of him. "What you've got now is a race to define Beto O'Rourke," Brown said. "Either Trump's going to define him or Beto is going to define him, essentially." The Republican Party started that effort on Thursday morning. It shared a Twitter graphic outlining what it called "some of what you need to know about the left's lovable loser, Beto O'Rourke." "Best known for losing an election, after which he spent months on widely-mocked road trip to find himself," the GOP list concludes. GOP O'Rourke tweet CNBC's Ashley Turner contributed to this report The Morning Consult poll includes 15,226 registered voters with a margin of error of plus-or-minus 1 percentage point. The Quinnipiac University poll surveyed 1,058 Florida voters with a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3.7 percentage points. The Des Moines Register results cited included 401 voters likely to attend the Democratic caucuses, with a margin of error of plus-or-minus 4.9 percentage points. Subscribe to CNBC on YouTube. An American Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8, on a flight from Miami to New York City, comes in for landing at LaGuardia Airport in New York, March 12, 2019. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday joined dozens of other countries' regulators in ordering airlines to ground new Boeing 737 Max planes, citing evidence linking a deadly crash of one of them in Ethiopia over the weekend to a similar fatal flight in Indonesia in October. (You can find more detail on why the planes were grounded here.) That has left airlines scrambling to rebook passengers and reassign planes. The three U.S. airlines United, American and Southwest that have recently added the planes to their fleets, and have more on order, said they will rebook or waive ticket-change fees and fare differences for travelers affected by the FAA's order, which went into immediate effect. American Airlines, which has 24 Boeing 737 Max planes in its fleet of nearly 1,000 aircraft, said it was ferrying those planes to be parked until the FAA order is lifted. It operates about 85 flights out its 6,700 flights a day using the Max. Routes with multiple flights each day, where passengers can more easily be rebooked to another time, are likely to take the biggest hit. Travelers who aren't booked on the Max may also be affected as airlines deploy their planes to cover other routes with less frequent service. United Airlines has 14 of the Boeing 737 Max 9s, a larger model, in its fleet. The airline said it expects minimal disruptions from the issue, but it will work with customers if their flights are canceled. Southwest Airlines flies 34 Boeing 737 8s that service about 4 percent of its daily flights. The carrier does not charge travelers to change their trips, but said passengers booked on canceled Boeing Max flights won't have to pay the difference in fares to change their dates if it's within two weeks of their original departure. Acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan and Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, give testimony on the Department of Defense budget posture in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2020 and the Future Years Defense Program at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, March 14, 2019. WASHINGTON America's top two defense officials slammed Google's work with China on Thursday saying it has "indirectly benefited" Beijing's military. "We watch with great concern when industry partners work in China knowing that there is that indirect benefit," Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. "The work that Google is doing in China is indirectly benefiting the Chinese military," Dunford said. "The way I describe it to industry partners is, 'look we're the good guys and the values that we represent and the system we represent is the one that will allow and has allowed you to thrive,'" he said. Dunford's comments come in the wake of the tech giants' decision not to pursue some of the Pentagon's lucrative contracts while considering projects in China. In October, Google said it would no longer compete for the Pentagon's Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure, or JEDI, cloud computing contract, an award that could be worth $10 billion. Google said that the contract may conflict with its corporate values. In addition, the company also said it would not renew a Pentagon contract that analyzed aerial drone imagery for the military. Meanwhile, it was revealed last year that the tech giant was studying the idea of working with the Chinese government on "Project Dragonfly," a censored search engine that would block certain sites and search terms. More recently, after pushback from politicians and activists, Google said it had dropped those plans. Read more: Senator slams Google's censored search engine work in China But Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai has said the company will continue to invest in China while also considering projects with the U.S. government. Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, also speaking before the Senate committee, echoed concerns that China has gamed American innovation. "$5 trillion of their [China's] economy is state-owned enterprises. So the technology that has developed in the civil world transfers to the military world, it's a direct pipeline. Not only is there a transfer, there is systemic theft of U.S. technology that facilitates even faster development of emerging technology," he said. "The talent is in this country, we need to use the talent in this country and the talent in this country needs to support our great power competition," Shanahan added. The criticism comes as the U.S. trade battle with China marches on, with intellectual property theft proving to be a major sticking point between the world's two largest economies. U.S. officials have long complained that intellectual property theft has cost the economy billions of dollars in revenue, thousands of jobs and threatens national security. "If China successfully captures these emerging industries of the future, America will have no economic future and its national security will be severely compromised," White House trade advisor Peter Navarro said in June. For the Pentagon, there is no better example of Navarro's comments than the most expensive U.S. weapons system: the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. California Senator Kamala Harris arrvies for a rally launching her presidential campaign on January 27, 2019 in Oakland, California. Noah Berger | AFP | Getty Images The Democratic National Committee sent a clear message when it announced its 2020 convention would be held in Milwaukee: We don't want a repeat of 2016. That year, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton lost Wisconsin's 10 electoral votes to Republican Donald Trump marking the first time since 1984 that a GOP presidential candidate had won the state. Clinton also lost the Wisconsin primary to Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont democratic socialist who led a surprisingly strong challenge to the Democrats' presumed front-runner. Critics often blame Clinton's failure to campaign in the state for her loss to Trump in the general election. Now, as the 2020 race heats up, the Democratic Party has a made a number of changes to its strategy, rules and bylaws as it struggles to manage a primary process with an unwieldy number of candidates, including Sanders. As the party seeks a strong challenger to Trump, it faces a delicate balancing act: please its establishment wing, satisfy its expanding base and maintain impartiality. "They need to be as transparent as possible," said Doug Sosnik, a former senior advisor to President Bill Clinton, to prove "that they're being an honest broker and not leaning toward one candidate." DNC Chairman Tom Perez, who stepped in after the 2016 election, told CNBC the organization is aware of its past errors and has "passed the most wide-ranging reforms in decades." Here are the key steps the DNC is taking to repair its damage from the 2016 campaign, from blowback over so-called superdelegates to the Russian email hack. Dialing back superdelegates The DNC at its meeting in Chicago last summer changed its rules around how hundreds of party insiders known as superdelegates can influence the selection of the presidential nominee. In 2016, superdelegates, who could vote for any candidate, unlike pledged delegates, overwhelmingly supported Clinton. Sanders' supporters said the constant publicity surrounding superdelegates' intentions tainted the primary process by making Clinton appear to have an insurmountable lead in the race. In 2020, superdelegates will get to vote on the first ballot only if a nominee has already won enough pledged votes to capture the nomination. They will get to vote on subsequent rounds in the unlikely event that the primary process hasn't identified a winner. The last time a nominee didn't win enough pledged delegates on the first round was 1952. But with the possibility of more than 20 candidates in the current contest, anything could happen. Sanders in August called the move "an important step forward." He later told Vermont Public Radio, "It is absurd that ... one candidate could start with 500 superdelegates supporting her before the very first ballot in a real caucus or primary was cast," he said. "That's wrong. I think it's indefensible, and that's what the DNC concluded." Some progressives would like to see superdelegates abolished completely. "It smacks of elitism," said Cenk Uygur, founder of progressive news network "TYT" and host of The Young Turks, who supported Sanders in 2016. He says the media's relentless accounting of superdelegates pledged to Clinton skewed public perception in her favor. "I'm hoping the rule change gets rid of that," Uygur said. The party has taken other measures to democratize the primary process. It has reduced the number of caucus states from 18 to 12, and for those remaining, new requirements such as the availability of absentee ballots aim to make them more accessible. In addition, the DNC said it is encouraging states to offer same-day party switching and registration for the primaries to increase participation. Debating exposure The DNC took heat for limiting the number of debates during the 2016 primary and scheduling many of them on weekends when fewer viewers would tune in. The number eventually expanded from six to nine, but many Sanders' supporters charged the committee with trying to help Clinton by limiting exposure to his leftist message. Ahead of 2020, the DNC has scheduled a dozen debates, with the first two coming in June and July 2019. The number of participants is capped at 20 and some could be aired over two consecutive nights. The field could well exceed that tally. Already more than a dozen have jumped in, including Sanders, Sens. Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker, as well as Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper. Former three-term Rep. Beto O'Rourke joined the race Thursday. Former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive front-runner in early polling, is still mulling a run. To qualify, a candidate would need to have 1 percent support in three national polls or raise money from at least 65,000 donors from 20 states and 200 unique donors in each of those states. Perez said his goals include giving the grassroots a bigger voice and reaching as many potential voters as possible, telling CNBC the "primary debate process is focused on maximizing inclusion and fairness." Uygur would like to see even more debates. "Every time you have a debate, you are spreading the Democratic message," he said. "It's free advertising." He added that a crowded field will be good for the eventual nominee: "They'll pass the test of the primaries and be strengthened" by it. Not all observers agree. A post from Fivethirtyeight.com, a site that crunches polling numbers and analyzes data, said a crowded podium could muddy the waters, keep weaker candidates afloat for longer and hurt the party's chance of winning the general election. The analysis used the crowded 2016 Republican debates as an example. "If 2016 is any guide, unwieldy debates among lots of candidates who are polling in the low single digits won't result in a few of the strongest competitors separating themselves from the pack, which is undoubtedly what the party would prefer." One thing is nearly certain as the field continues to expand: "This will be a long primary process," said Sosnik. "A lot of states will matter." Digital upgrades Reflections of pedestrians on an electronics stock indicator at the window of a securities company in Tokyo, Japan. Asia Pacific markets traded mixed on Thursday after data showed growth in China's industrial output fell. Overnight, British lawmakers rejected the idea of leaving the European Union without a Brexit deal in place. The Nikkei 225 in Japan gave up its gains to finish flat at 21,287.02 while the Topix index fell 0.24 percent to 1,588.29. In South Korea, the Kospi wavered between gains and losses to close up 0.34 percent at 2,155.68. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was down 0.22 percent in afternoon trade. Chinese mainland shares withdrew as the Shanghai composite fell 1.2 percent to 2,990.68 while the Shenzhen composite tumbled 2.311 percent. Data on Thursday showed China's industrial output growth fell to a 17-year low in the first two months of the year, according to Reuters. That further pointed to an economic slowdown in the world's second-largest economy. But investments picked up pace as the government fast-tracked more road and rail projects, the news agency added. Beijing has already pledged hundreds of billions of dollars in tax cuts and infrastructure spending to support the flagging economy. The on-shore yuan traded at 6.7134 to the dollar at 2:44 p.m. HK/SIN after the People's Bank of China set the day's yuan midpoint at 6.7009. China's central bank allows the currency exchange rate to rise or fall 2 percent from the midpoint rate. Australia's benchmark closed up 0.3 percent at 6,179.60. WASHINGTON Now that Beto O'Rourke has jumped into the 2020 presidential race, voters nationwide will get to know where the young Texas Democrat stands on the issues. Though O'Rourke, 46, only narrowly lost the race he ran in 2018 against Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in deep red Texas, it was a huge win for Democrats and progressives looking for a successor to President Barack Obama: a charismatic, affable candidate able to excite young voters and grassroots activists. "This is a defining moment of truth for this country, and for every single one of us. The challenges that we face right now; the interconnected crises in our economy, our democracy, and our climate have never been greater," he said in his 2020 announcement. "And they will either consume us, or they will afford us the greatest opportunity to unleash the genius of the United States of America." But while O'Rourke may have seemed to many like a dyed-in-the-wool liberal while he was running a strong Senate race against a former Republican presidential hopeful, his voting record in Congress more closely resembles that of Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a self-styled moderate, than it does that of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who describes himself as a democratic socialist. In a 2020 Democratic primary field that's currently awash in candidates each looking for a way to claim the mantle of "most progressive," it's unclear precisely where O'Rourke would fall. But it surely wouldn't be on the far left. WATCH: Democrats' plans to tax the rich Not that liberal Despite O'Rourke's status as the darling of grassroots liberal activists and college kids, in reality, most of his policy positions look a lot like Obama's, which puts them and potentially him, to the right of big portions of a Democratic primary electorate that has been lurching left in the past two years. For instance, O'Rourke backs comprehensive energy reform and renewable incentives, but not a strict road map to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, like the one contained in the so-called Green New Deal proposal. He also aims to offer universal health coverage to all Americans, but, he says, he's not exclusively wedded to a single-payer, "Medicare-for-all" system favored by most Democrats on the left. BETO TWEET O'Rourke also backed increased funding for Pell Grants and student loans, but he has yet to explicitly endorse the type of tuition-free college model that his fellow 2020 hopeful, Julian Castro, called for in January. CNBC reached out to O'Rourke's camp for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. So where does O'Rourke stand out in the crowded 2020 field? Market-based solutions Plenty of prominent voices on the left regard O'Rourke's moderate voting record and his reluctance to vilify Wall Street as fatal flaws. In a recent column titled, "Why this progressive Texan can't get excited about Beto O'Rourke," Washington Post columnist Elizabeth Bruenig captures this liberal skepticism of the Texas lawmaker. "We still have time to pick a politician with a bold, clear, distinctly progressive agenda," Bruenig writes. "Beto is a lot like Obama, true; it's perhaps time for left-leaning Democrats to realize that may not be a good thing." In recent weeks, however, signs have emerged that O'Rourke may have decided to embrace his centrism, instead of trying to match the righteous indignation at big business that's become so closely associated with candidates like Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. "I'm a capitalist. I don't see how we're able to meet any of the fundamental challenges that we have as a country without, in part, harnessing the power of the market," O'Rourke told reporters recently in El Paso. I'm a capitalist. I don't see how we're able to meet any of the fundamental challenges that we have as a country without, in part, harnessing the power of the market. Beto O'Rourke "Climate change is the most immediate example of that. If you're going to bring the total innovation and ingenuity of this country to bear, our system as a country, our economy, is going to have to be part of that," he said. O'Rourke's comments represented a break with the Democratic Party's left wing, which supports the idea of radically restructuring how markets work, especially energy markets. More importantly, in terms of the primary, it signaled that O'Rourke intends to fashion himself as a sort of anti-Sanders a champion for capitalism, albeit a much more tightly regulated version than the one espoused by the Trump administration. It's also important to hear what O'Rourke isn't saying. He doesn't rail against the evils of Wall Street, a subject area in which Warren tops her rivals, both in expertise and in passion. And he doesn't vilify "billionaires" the way Sanders does when, for instance, the Vermont senator tells crowds that the "system is rigged" and "this country just does not belong to a handful of billionaires." It remains to be seen, though, how much further O'Rourke intends to go in order to differentiate himself from rival Democrats. But already, he appears to be staking out economic ground so far unclaimed, and rejecting some of the party's more polarizing rhetoric. Asked at a December town hall in Texas if he considered himself to be a "progressive," O'Rourke replied: "I don't know." Criminal justice reform Much of O'Rourke's 2018 Senate platform was focused on criminal justice reform, a prominent issue in a state that operates the largest prison system in the nation. But many of his proposals could easily be translated onto the national stage, where they would likely galvanize support among young people, and among minority communities that are disproportionately affected by mandatory minimum sentencing laws. According to his 2018 campaign website, O'Rourke proposes to: End the current system of bail bonds that punishes people for being poor End the practice of private and for-profit prisons that cost more, have the perverse incentive to send more people to jail, and have demonstrably higher levels of violence End the U.S. government's war on drugs End the federal prohibition on marijuana Criminal justice reform is also an issue that is growing in popularity with voters in both parties, a trend borne out by the recent passage of the First Step Act by GOP controlled House and Senate chambers, with the backing of President Donald Trump. Immigration WASHINGTON Texas Democrat Beto O'Rourke opened his presidential 2020 campaign on the trail in Iowa, a key state caught in the middle of the trade battle between the U.S. and China. While O'Rourke on Thursday said President Donald Trump had a "legitimate" cause to challenge China over its perceived gaming of the international trade system, O'Rourke said he was going about it the wrong way. "We want him to be successful in this, but as I was reminded by a fellow Iowan, when have we ever gone to war, including a trade war without allies?" O'Rourke said at a coffee shop in Keokuk, Iowa, hours after he officially launched his bid for the White House. "When have we first alienated every single trading partner we have, as this country has done under Trump's leadership, before confronting one of the largest economies in the world today, one of the largest markets for soybeans for corn for what we produce in Iowa and Texas and around the country?" Read more: 'I'm a capitalist': Beto O'Rourke's view of markets puts him on the right in the 2020 Dem field He added: "Let's make sure we hold other countries of the world accountable, but let's not do it at the expense of our farmers, our growers, our producers, those who are fundamental to the success of the U.S. economy." The Iowa caucuses are the first contests of the presidential election season, so O'Rourke, like his rivals in the 2020 race, is eager to make a good impression on voters in the state. Iowa is also a swing state in the general election. The state voted for Republican Donald Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton in 2016 after voting for Democrat Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012. The trade war with China, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the biggest issues in the state. The world's two largest economies have exchanged tit-for-tat tariffs on billions of dollars of goods, slowing global economic growth and disrupting supply chains. China placed tariffs on U.S. soybeans, corn, wheat, fresh fruit, as well as hefty import taxes on American pork products, which now exceed 70 percent. What's more, nearly $20 billion in U.S. agricultural exports went to China last year, with soybeans accounting for more than half of that amount. The U.S. market sold approximately 33 million tons of soybeans in 2017 to China, which is a little over a third of the beans imported by the Asian country. Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig told CNBC in a September interview that the trade disputes would inevitably harm Iowa's corn and soybean harvest since about one-third of Iowa's soybeans go to China. In addition, Iowa is also a major producer of pork and sold $1.1 billion in pork products last year. "Our farmers understand that there are issues that need to be resolved, particularly with China. But there is no doubt that the retaliatory tariffs are impacting our marketplace and that's impacting our producers negatively," Naig said in an interview in September on CNBC's "Closing Bell." On Wednesday, President Donald Trump said he was in no rush to come to a trade deal with China and gave no indication of when he would meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. "I'm in no rush. I want the deal to be right ... I am not in a rush whatsoever. It's got to be the right deal. It's got to be a good deal for us and if it's not, we're not going to make that deal," Trump told reporters at the White House. Trump decided in February that he would not increase tariffs on Chinese goods at the beginning of March. CNBC's Jeff Daniels contributed to this report. Nationalism had become sanctified in the lexicon of not only Indias political leaders but also its intellectual elite. Netaji said his army would join in the assault even though his soldiers had barely one bullet each and little to eat. (Photo: File) Many years ago, while researching the World War II Battle of Kohima, I had travelled to Moreh on the India-Myanmar border in Manipur. Friendly border guards allowed me to cross over to the Myanmar side from where a road ran to Mandalay. A few kilometres from the border checkpost is a small hillock where I was told Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army (INA) had rested before moving towards India. The year was 1944; and the Japanese Army, after having swept across Southeast Asia, now exhausted and short of supplies, planned a bid on the well-stocked British garrison at Imphal. Netaji said his army would join in the assault even though his soldiers had barely one bullet each and little to eat. He rightly believed that Indian soldiers joining the fight against their British masters would shake the foundations of colonial rule in India and force London to concede independence. Standing somewhere near that hill, on February 4 that year, Subhash Chandra Bose exhorted his troops: There, there in the distance beyond the rivers, beyond those hills, lies the Promised Land, the soil from which we sprang the land to which we shall now return. Hark, India is calling, Indias metropolis is calling, three hundred and eighty million of our countrymen are calling. Blood is calling blood The road to Delhi is the road to freedom Chalo Dilli! I could not help the goose bumps recalling those lines on that lonely hillock in Myanmar. That was the event that had electrified a nation and sent shivers down the spine of the British Empire. The Japanese and the INA were badly defeated in the Battle of Imphal. Thousands perished as Manipurs rice fields turned red with those killed in the bombings by the Allied forces. But the Empire was shaken. A secret military memo written by the head of the British Indian Army a couple of years later warned: If it became impossible to rely on the Indian Army, British troops in or within easy reach of India would not suffice to maintain law and order throughout India. A top secret British Cabinet note further noted: The Cabinet Mission have proposed that an emergency plan should be worked out in consultation with GHQ India for the removal of United Kingdom civilians from India in view of the very considerable risks to which Europeans may be exposed The Cabinet Mission had also pointed out that it would be very helpful if immediate steps could be taken to expedite the passage of women and children in India now awaiting return to the United Kingdom. The wheel had turned, and the idea of nationalism had electrified a once enslaved people. Nationalism had become sanctified in the lexicon of not only Indias political leaders but also its intellectual elite. Since then, though, it has been a steady slide downhill. We have finally reached a point today where nationalism is suspect in many quarters, equated with jingoism, war-mongering and right-wing politics. This development is both regrettable and dangerous. Regrettable because nationalism is the basis that binds together our disparate nation with its multitudinous socio-ethnic groups, cultures and beliefs. Novelist Salman Rushdie had once said of the idea of India: It may be the most innovative national philosophy to have emerged in the post-colonial period. It deserves to be celebrated because it is an idea that has enemies, within India as well as outside her frontiers, and to celebrate it is also to defend it against its foes. The nation state in one form or the other has proved indispensable so far in history for the perpetuation of a civilisation. When the nation state perishes or atrophies, so does the civilisation, its culture and everything else associated with it. Take the case of Afghanistan and parts of northwest Pakistan, which was once a flourishing Buddhist kingdom called Gandhara. A series of invasions culminating with Islamic rule both destroyed the kingdom and its associated civilisation. All that remains today is a small museum at Takshila (Pakistan), and the machine-gunned ruins of the Bamiyan Buddhas. Demeaning or opposing the idea of nationalism is also dangerous as then the latent sentiments associated with it is invariably usurped for narrow partisan purposes. This is precisely what has happened in recent times with the BJP and its leader, Narendra Modi, projecting themselves as the sole custodians of nationalism. The Opposition has lost it, failed to judge the popular pulse and forfeited an essential aspect of the collective consciousness. Political leaders such as Mayawati, Akhilesh Yadav, Mamata Banerjee and others who aspire to national power have reduced themselves to being champions of narrow notions of caste, race and parochialism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has waded into the gulf with gusto and even taken the fight to the Congress Party, which was once the heir of the nationalist movement. Half-truths and ahistorical claptrap are being employed to project Jawaharlal Nehru, the father figure of the Congress Party and dynasty, as the root of all national evil, even though in truth he was the one responsible for fixing the firm foundations of an electoral democracy. Nehru was at the helm of affairs when things could have gone horribly wrong as it did in neighbouring Pakistan and many an emerging republic. Nehru also transformed rural India by abolishing zamindari, land revenue and implementing a host of other reforms which constitute the basis of our agrarian system. The countrys industrial base, heavy industries included, were also the results of his policies. Did Nehru err at times? Of course he did, as have most political leaders. But it would be ridiculous to blame him for all the countrys present-day ills, just as it would be absurd to claim that the economy has been destroyed only because of demonetisation. The Congress Party, instead of reinforcing its legacy as the champion of nationalism, has abandoned it, thereby ceding the nationalistic space to its rival, the BJP. The countrys liberal elite are guilty of the same mistake, thereby allowing the concept of nationalism to be abused by the right-wing fringe of hyper-nationalists and rabble-rousers. This is tragic. For nationalism, in the ultimate analysis, cannot be the sole preserve of any one party or leader; it is a gift bequeathed equally to all Indians; it is also the unshakable foundation of our freedoms. On Thursday, Beto O'Rourke finally made his 2020 plans official, potentially setting him on a path to become America's first punk-rock president. In the months since Beto came up short in a bid for the US Senate, the Texas politician never left the spotlight, whether he was drawing massive crowds or sitting down with Oprah Winfrey. O'Rourke, 46, experienced a meteoric political rise despite losing a close race against Ted Cruz for one of Texas' two U.S. Senate seats in 2018. Just two years ago, you probably would have had no idea who O'Rourke was unless you happened to live in El Paso, Texas, where he served three terms in the House of Representatives. But his grassroots campaign that inspired a strong turnout among Texas Democrats in the 2018 midterm elections and his ability to connect younger voters spurred many of his supporters to call for O'Rourke to make a run at the White House a call he finally answered this week with a cover story in Vanity Fair announcing his presidential ambitions. "I want to be in it," O'Rourke tells Vanity Fair about the much-hyped 2020 presidential race. "Man, I'm just born to be in it, and want to do everything I humanly can for this country at this moment." Over 25 years ago, though, O'Rourke was just another Ivy League student with a predilection for skateboarding, long hair and reportedly punk bands like Jawbox and Fugazi. Born and raised in upper middle-class family in El Paso, O'Rourke (whose full name is Robert Francis O'Rourke, though he goes by the common Spanish nickname for people named "Roberto") went to college in New York City at Columbia University, where he majored in English and graduated in 1995. At Columbia, O'Rourke was not particularly engaged in politics, according to some of his former classmates, and he instead spent much of his time rowing for the school's heavyweight crew team and playing music. While at Columbia, O'Rourke played bass in a punk band he formed called Foss, which played small gigs across the United States and Canada during his summer break. In 1993, Foss self-released an album called "The El Paso Pussycats." Rolling Stone even put a track from the album online last year and the Texas GOP tweeted a copy of the album's cover, seemingly to mock O'Rourke, though the move backfired. GOPTWEET One of O'Rourke's Foss bandmates, Cedric Bixler-Zavala, later won a Grammy in 2008 with the band Mars Volta and told the Dallas Observer in 2017 that O'Rourke was a mentor: "The way I make art, I learned it from Beto." The tail and a next generation winglet of a A Boeing 737 MAX 8 are pictured at Boeing Field after its its first flight on January 29, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has paused delivery of 737 Max airplanes due to the temporary grounding by the Federal Aviation Administration, the company announced Thursday. "We continue to build 737 Max airplanes, while assessing how the situation, including potential capacity constraints, will impact our production system," the company said. This comes after the Trump administration joined dozens of countries around the world in grounding all Boeing 737 Max jets in the U.S. on Wednesday, citing links between two fatal crashes. A software fix in the plane could take as long as six months, a Bank of America analyst Ronald Epstein said Thursday. "Once Boeing identifies the issue on the 737 Max, the most likely scenario, in our view, is that the company will take about 3-6 months to come up with a fix and certify the fix," Epstein said in a note. Boeing's stock has been volatile on the news, and is down more than 11 percent for the week. An American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 flight from Los Angeles lands at Reagan National Airport shortly after an announcement was made by the FAA that the planes were being grounded by the United States in Washington, March 13, 2019. "Once Boeing identifies the issue on the 737 MAX, the most likely scenario, in our view, is that the company will take about 3-6 months to come up with a fix and certify the fix," the bank's analyst, Ronald Epstein, said in a note Thursday. Boeing earlier this week said a software change is in the works as well as updates to pilot manuals and training and the Federal Aviation Administration said it would mandate those changes by April. The software fix that Boeing said it is working on for its 737 Max jets could take as long as six months, according to Bank of America. The FAA on Wednesday grounded all Boeing 737 Max jets in the U.S., citing links between two fatal crashes. The turnaround came after dozens of countries grounded the planes, tanking the stock more than 11 percent this week, on pace to post its biggest weekly decline since 2008. Bank of America kept its buy rating and $480 price target on Boeing as the bank believes the investigation would have a "definitive timeline" as the recovery of the black boxes is already underway. This would significantly reduce the uncertainty around Boeing and the 737 Max model, the bank said. The two black boxes from the Boeing 737 Max 8 that crashed Sunday in Ethiopia were being taken to Paris for investigation. "We would expect Boeing to continue to produce the 737 at the current rate of 52 per month in order to minimize disruption in the supply chain. Boeing may have to carry inventory in its balance sheet of about $5.5bn per quarter. We would expect working capital to improve as the aircraft begins delivery again," Epstein said. The bank predicts that the rentals Boeing would have to pay for alternative airlines would cost the company $500 million or 88 cents per share in the first quarter. WATCH: Airlines should recover quickly from 737 Max grounding "Brexit could adversely affect U.K., regional (including European) and worldwide economic and market conditions and could contribute to instability in global financial and foreign exchange markets, including volatility in the value of the British Pound and Euro," Salesforce wrote in the filing. Salesforce disclosed in its annual filing last week that it is moving away from a "U.K.-centralized European structure" and investing in other European cities like Dublin to mitigate the impact of Brexit on its business. Salesforce books most of its European revenue in British Pounds as its U.K. subsidiary plays a central role in the region, but it will now allow its other European offices to recognize revenues in local currencies to reduce exchange rate volatility, it said. The U.K.'s increasingly messy attempt to withdraw from the European Union, called Brexit, is creating uncertainty for U.S. tech companies, who are starting to warn investors about possible fallout. Salesforce is part of a growing number of tech companies addressing the potential impact of Brexit, a move that could add significant uncertainty to businesses in Europe. Although British lawmakers are once again expected to vote to delay Brexit, which is scheduled for later this month, more investors are asking about its future risk. In the past three months, 93 earnings calls of the S&P 500 companies addressed Brexit and its potential impact, according to FactSet. Among those are some of the largest companies, including Facebook, Cisco and Walmart. While most companies were cautious with their answers, sharing very little detail, some companies were more upfront about it. Expedia, for example, said it's seen a drop-off in U.K flight bookings due to "uncertainty around Brexit." Booking Holdings, the owner of a group of travel sites including Priceline.com, also said Brexit is creating a "tremendous amount of uncertainty." Facebook's CFO David Wehner also said during January's earnings call that macroeconomic concerns, like Brexit, are a "risk on top of other issues" facing the company. Other companies tried to play down Brexit's effect on its business. HPE CEO Antonio Neri said demand was "very steady" throughout the quarter, highlighting double-digit sales growth in the U.K. Walmart's CEO Doug McMillon said he's "impressed" with his U.K. team's performance, while Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins said he's been "amazed at the resilience" he's seen from employees around the world. It's unclear why Salesforce decided to share more details about Brexit's potential impact. The company generates less 20 percent of revenue from the European region, a smaller share than companies like Facebook or Cisco, who get about a quarter of their sales from Europe. Salesforce's representative wasn't immediately available for comment. Still, Salesforce said it's already "evaluated and started to implement initiatives," as it sees "significant uncertainties" arising from Brexit's outcome. "We recognize that there are still significant uncertainties surrounding the ultimate resolution of Brexit negotiations, and we will continue to monitor any changes that may arise and assess their potential impact on our business," Salesforce said in the filing. WATCH: UK parliament approves motion seeking delay of Brexit U.K. lawmakers voted in favor of seeking a delayed departure from the EU for at least three months, marking another step in a political crisis that has ripped through the heart of Westminster. Members of Parliament (MPs) voted 412 to 202 for an extension of Article 50 which sets out the EU departure process beyond its current March 29 deadline. The vote Thursday evening was nonbinding, however, and the EU will have to agree to a delay. Brussels has already said Britain needs to justify requesting such an extension. The vote completes a dramatic trilogy of events this week which have added yet more confusion into the whole Brexit process. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal suffered a second humiliating defeat as it was voted down by a majority of 149 votes. Then on Wednesday, U.K. lawmakers rejected the idea of leaving the bloc without a withdrawal agreement in place. The main motion Thursday evening was tabled by May and her government and its passing was a rare piece of good news for the U.K. leader during a difficult week. The exact wording meant that lawmakers backed an extension until June 30 if Parliament approves the government's Brexit deal by March 20. The motion was in danger of being radically altered by a series of amendments, which would have frustrated May's government once again. U.K. politicians narrowly voted against a senior opposition MP's amendment which would have allowed lawmakers to take control of the parliamentary business and potentially hold votes that test out different Brexit options, undermining May's control of the situation. Sterling was unchanged after the result. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May speaks in Parliament, following the vote on Brexit in London, Britain, March 13, 2019, in this screen grab taken from video. U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May hopes it will be a case of third time lucky next week, when the embattled Conservative Party leader brings her Brexit deal to Parliament yet again. May has already warned MPs (Members of Parliament) that if her deal fails to get enough parliamentary support, a lengthy delay to the Brexit process might be necessary. No date has yet been scheduled for the third so-called "meaningful" vote. However, the government motion states it must take place before March 20. On Thursday, the House of Commons is due to vote on whether to ask the EU for permission to delay Brexit beyond 29 March. It comes after U.K. lawmakers rejected the idea of leaving the bloc without a Withdrawal Agreement in place on March 29. Westminster also narrowly backed an amendment that rejected a no-deal Brexit in any circumstance. The approved motion to block a no-deal Brexit which refers to the so-called "cliff-edge" scenario where Britain leaves abruptly on March 29 with no 21-month transition period and is forced to revert to WTO trading rules was not legally binding. But, given the amendment passed, thanks to a large rebellion by members of May's own Conservative Party and cabinet, analysts at Citi said it "severely undermines" her authority and could potentially trigger another wave of ministerial resignations. Facebook is facing a criminal probe into data-sharing deals it arranged with at least two other technology companies, the New York Times reported on Wednesday. At least two companies that make smartphones and other devices have received subpoenas from a New York grand jury related to how they used Facebook user data that they received under deals with the social networking company. The companies were not named in the report. These deals, which have mostly been discontinued, allowed people to access their Facebook accounts, or specific Facebook features, on platforms from other companies, including Blackberry and Windows Mobile phones. In exchange, the platform providers got data about the users necessary to make these functions work. However, users did not always know the extent of the information collected and shared, according to the Times. Facebook defended the deals after a Times report in December, noting that the data was shared to provide users with specific features not for advertisers and that they were publicized and scrutinized at the time. Former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke speaks to a crowd of marchers during the anti-Trump 'March for Truth' in El Paso, Texas, on February 11, 2019. One of former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke's supporters from his 2018 Senate campaign has been reaching out to top Democratic Party donors to see if they will back him to run for president in 2020. Louis Susman, former U.S. ambassador to the U.K. and a lead bundler for Barack Obama's first presidential campaign, has been speaking with political financiers from across the country, including those in the financial industry, to see if they will invest in O'Rourke's campaign, according to people with direct knowledge of the outreach. The former Obama backer has put together a string of senior party donors who are willing to contribute to the former congressman's presidential operation, said the people, who declined to be named due to the conversations being deemed private. In an interview with CNBC, Susman says the people he's talked to about donating to the campaign are "family and friends." He added "everyone is excited to go," while noting he's been in touch with O'Rourke's campaign and coordinating his efforts with them. He declined to say who these donors are or which industry they are from. "Whatever I do, I do it in coordination with the campaign," Susman said. He said there's no discussion about him becoming a campaign finance chairman and he has not recently spoken with O'Rourke himself. He's confident the former Texas Senate candidate will be successful in the fundraising circuit. "I don't think, whether it's through large bundlers or small donors, that he's going to have a tough time raising money," Susman said. He also did not rule out holding fundraisers for O'Rourke, noting "everything is in the planning stages." "The team is focused on these four days in Iowa, and everything is going to develop from there," he added and then abruptly ended the phone call. Meanwhile, his daughter, Pfizer executive Sally Susman, is supporting another 2020 hopeful: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York. She's hosting a fundraiser for Gillibrand in March at her home, and tickets range from $1,000 to $2,700. CNN first reported in December that Louis Susman was planning to support O'Rourke's candidacy if he ran for president. A spokesman for O'Rourke did not return repeated requests for comment. O'Rourke officially launched his campaign for president on Thursday and declared he would be following the same pledge he made when he ran for a Senate seat from Texas in 2018: He will not accept contributions from political action committees, corporations or any special interests. He did not rule out receiving the backing of wealthy financiers like Susman, who currently is a senior advisor to behemoth asset management firm Perella Weinberg Partners and investment firm Atlas Merchant Capital. Susman was a contributor to O'Rourke's failed Senate bid, in which he lost to Ted Cruz by just under 2 percentage points. He wrote a $2,700 check to O'Rourke's campaign in March 2018. O'Rourke finished the 2018 election cycle raising $80 million with almost half of the contributions coming from supporters who gave $200 or less. For O'Rourke, having Susman on his side could prove to be a difference maker, especially in appealing to donors who are willing to write the larger checks. "Here's what Beto doesn't know: if the contributions he got in Texas will translate into a presidential race. He doesn't know that," said a Democratic donor who's heard Susman's pitch for backing O'Rourke. "He can't just rely on that if he really wants to win," this source added. Before becoming Obama's ambassador, Susman bundled at least $500,000 during Obama's first run for president in 2008, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics. He was also the national finance chairman for John Kerry's 2004 bid for president. Generali's net-profit last year rose 9.4 percent to 2.31 billion euros ($2.61 billion), broadly in line with analysts' forecasts. Operating profit stood at 4.86 billion, slightly above expectations. "Our plan has been working, so we've been able to reach technical excellence, a very good combined ratio despite many losses and we were also able to continue the shift towards capital light product," he said. "So, at the end we are able to close this plan in very good conditions." Speaking to CNBC's Julianna Tatelbaum on Thursday, CEO Philippe Donnet said the firm had been working "with great discipline" over the past three years on implementing its strategy. As it published its full-year earnings Thursday, Generali said it was also well positioned to achieve the targets in its 2021 business plan. Italy's top insurer Generali raised its dividend for 2018 after beating its business plan targets and posting growth in net and operating profits. Europe's third-largest insurer said it would pay a dividend of 0.90 euros per share, up from the previous year's 0.85 euros. When it came to a potential European slowdown in 2019, however, Donnet said Generali was not concerned. He explained that people sought out the solutions Generali provided whether the economy was booming or lagging. "Our business is very resilient, because when people do invest and the economy is growing, the property and casualty business is growing," he said. "But when people do not invest because the economy is not growing, the life insurance business and asset management is growing." However he noted heavy competition in its domestic market, especially with motor insurance, adding that it was "challenging." "In Italy and France, by the way, we had to face very important claims ... which obviously had a significant impact on the operating result," he added. Donnet also claimed that Generali's 59 billion euros in Italian BTPs was not a concern to investors. "(Investors) do not struggle any more on this we have demonstrated that we have a strong capital position. We have further increased our solvency ratio by 9 percentage points, so our exposure to BTPs is no longer an issue," he told CNBC. Generali has reserved up to 4 billion euros for acquisitions and growth as it looks to asset management and high-margin business in Latin America and Asia. Clarification: This story has been updated to reflect that Donnet claimed that Generali's 59 billion euros in Italian BTPs was not a concern to investors. The headline has also been changed on this story to more accurately reflect Generali's earnings release. Greece's financial crisis is still hurting the hopes and dreams of the people that live in the Mediterranean nation. The country has been in economic turmoil for most of the last decade. Years of financial mismanagement alongside a culture of clientelistic politics, where goods and services were exchanged for political support, culminated in a long-term recession. "I still think the crisis exists. It's more than in one field now, (it's) not only (a) financial crisis, but it's a crisis of our values I don't think it's better now it is really a stressful period for Greece," Stavros Dimopoulos, a 23-year-old university student told CNBC in Athens. Different governments in Greece borrowed above the country's capacity and its public debt pile became so high that in 2010 investors were no longer willing to keep on financing the Greek government. The end result: George Papandreou, the prime minister at the time, saw no other way out but to ask for a bailout without even consulting with other European leaders. What followed were years of dramatic negotiations with European partners, where top politicians pulled all-nighters in search for a solution that would avert Greece's exit from the EU. Rescuing Athens was critical to the survival of the euro area, but also to avert serious ruptures in global markets, including on Wall Street. The first bailout program in 2010 was followed by two others. This meant that from 2010 until August 2018, the country relied on international creditors to keep its finances afloat totaling eight years of political and social unrest. Since August, the Greek government has tried to show that austerity is over, by providing additional funds to the lower and middle classes. But ordinary Greeks told CNBC they haven't seen a massive difference in their lives. "We love our city, we love our weather, we love the Greek people, but we are scared and afraid in a way, because the situation is not that good," Dimopoulos said about him and his friends. "We have to try harder and harder to make our own money Sometimes we are talking (about going) abroad: If it is going to be better for us to leave Greece or if it is going to be better to stay in Greece and try harder. It is in our minds." You risk losing your house if you don't have enough money to pay the taxes. Nikolas One of the most concrete consequences of the crisis is the number of young people that have left the country. In 2016, about 20,000 people aged between 25 and 29 left Greece. About 14,000 others aged between 20 and 24 also left the country in the same year, data from analytics company Oxford Analytica showed. These figures are roughly twice as much as they were prior to 2010. "Some kids are educated, and they don't find jobs, so they are going to (the rest of) Europe, which is a loss for Greece. But we hope they come back again in 20 years," 57-year-old Nikolas told CNBC in the famous shopping parade Ermou Street. At its worst moment in 2011, the Greek economy contracted 9.1 percent. It managed to recover slightly by 2014, but returned to recession the following year amid a political crisis and an unsuccessful end to its second bailout program. 2019 is expected to be the country's third consecutive year of growth, at a pace of about 2.2 percent. Still, this growth doesn't seem to be making ordinary Greeks happy about the economy. Nikolas complained there hasn't been a significant improvement for people and there's still way too many taxes. "Some people have good jobs if they are in the civil service, but the others are suffering, they are paying like 85 percent taxes, which is very hard to get by. You risk losing your house if you don't have enough money to pay the taxes," he said. "(the) long term is hard, we just have to smile, pretend." Corporate tax in Greece is currently 28 percent and the highest level of income tax is 45 percent for those earning above 40,000 euros a year ($45,000). But citizens are still taxed 22 percent for the first 20,000 euros they earn in a year and 29 percent for anything between 20,000 euros and 30,000 euros. The standard value-added tax on goods is 23 percent. "I don't think the problem of Greece are the taxes, the problem of Greece is the structure of the economy, the way Greek companies are working and that the majority (of them) are too small. Without big companies we cannot improve our economy," Kostas, a 45-year old man told CNBC in the streets of Athens. "There is an improvement in the economy, but if you are at the bottom You cannot go even worse," he said. Effie, a fashion designer, also told CNBC in Athens that there has not been a significant improvement in the economy. "The problem is that there are many people that don't have work," she said. Greece's unemployment rate is still the highest in the euro zone. At the end of 2017, the unemployment rate stood at 21.5 percent, compared to an average of 9.1 percent for those countries that share the single currency. Youth unemployment in Greece since 2007 An extension of the doctrine of hot pursuit that has considerably subverted the laws of warfare, this theory keeps the danger of war alive. AS the tension between India and Pakistan eases, it is time to reflect on the great folly and the horrible catastrophe even a short war between them would have been. It is also necessary to realise that peace cannot be taken for granted; it will have to be secured through a properly planned campaign. When the two South Asian neighbours embarked on a collision course, the international community became afraid of a nuclear conflict perhaps to a greater extent than the people of the two countries, especially their rulers. This was because the danger of nuclear weapons being used is greater in South Asia than anywhere else in the world. The reason is, firstly, that unlike older nuclear powers, who could fight with conventional weapons for considerably long periods, the South Asian rivals might exhaust their conventional war capacity soon after the beginning of hostilities and come under pressure to use the ultimate weapon in their respective arsenals. Secondly, old scenarios of nuclear war involved countries situated long distances away from each other and neither side was likely to be affected by the fallout from its use of nuclear devices. But in South Asia, whoever uses a nuclear bomb against its next-door neighbour will cause its own people almost as much loss and suffering as it might inflict on the rival party. Thus, while extolling the value of nuclear weapons as a deterrent to external aggression, the hazards of possessing them must not be ignored. The world cannot ignore the verdict of history that wars do not solve any problem. Instead, they often create problems more intractable than the ones they are supposed to solve. Fortunately, both countries realise not only the unaffordable cost of a full-scale war but also the fact that neither side is in a position to obliterate the other. This is a more effective insurance against war than anything else. Therefore, the present Indian government is relying on the theory of surgical strikes to force Pakistan into submission. An extension of the doctrine of hot pursuit that has considerably subverted the laws of warfare, this theory keeps the danger of war alive. Even if surgical strikes do not escalate into a wider conflict, they ought to be rejected on moral grounds because of the possible harm to innocent human beings. A surgical strike imposes no additional costs on the aggressor while the cost of the preparedness the victim country must maintain is quite substantial. The one positive result of the latest spell of tension in relations with India is the beginning of action against the already proscribed militant outfits that should have accompanied the launch of the National Action Plan in 2014, if not earlier. This should reduce Prime Minister Narendra Modis ability to act on the surgical strike theory because he derives strength for his bellicose posturing from the international communitys uneasiness with Islamabads reluctance to deal firmly with militant organisations. This is particularly true about groups that defy restrictions on them by operating under new banners and continue their anti-Pakistan activities without camouflage. The policy of taking the initiative for building peace without wailing for reciprocity by India that the Pakistani Prime Minister has adopted must be supported. The campaign against all organisations suspected of any links with terrorist activities will need to be carried to its logical conclusion. In this regard, it is wrong to attribute the international communitys criticism of Pakistans odd relationship with jihadist outfits wholly to Indian instigation. Above all, the people of this country must satisfy their own conscience that they are firmly opposed to every form of terrorism. The latest round of heightened confrontation between Pakistan and India has again confirmed the view that neither country can pay the cost of suspended hostilities, that is, absence of conflict without peace. Perhaps Pakistan is more vulnerable in this regard than India. There is no doubt that Pakistan will have to meet the cost of the recent vigil by curtailing development and social welfare projects. This drain on the countrys resources can be stopped only by pushing for peace with all the neighbours. An extremely important lesson from the recent confrontation is that the media in both countries fostered blind jingoism. Unfortunately, the media is no longer strong and honest enough to defy the slogan my country right or wrong. Yet it should not be unmindful of the disservice it does to its own people by beating the drums of war louder than the national propagandists. At least media persons should not forget that neither Pakistan nor India can alter the fact of geography, and that the peoples of the two countries cannot forever live in mutual hatred and acrimony. National causes can be upheld by journalists without playing second fiddle to warmongers. By arrangement with Dawn Former Maryland congressman John Delaney speaks to guests at the Marion County Democrats soup luncheon at the Peace Tree Brewing Company on February 17, 2019 in Knoxville, Iowa. John Delaney doesn't need the donations. But he needs the donors. The former Maryland congressman, who is running for the Democratic nomination for president, will personally donate $2 to charity for each new donor who contributes to his campaign, according to an announcement posted online Thursday. His campaign said the unusual arrangement is designed to meet a rule established by the Democratic National Committee this cycle, which requires candidates to have 65,000 donors from 20 states to appear in official debates. Candidates can also qualify for debates by drawing 1 percent support or more in at least three polls. The arrangement showcases the rush for small-dollar donors this cycle, which has been marked by the widespread rejection of big money groups and large corporate donors. While candidates such as Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke have proven they have the ability to attract huge sums from large numbers of grassroots donors, Delaney has so far run a campaign funded largely by himself. According to records available from the Federal Election Commission, Delaney has loaned or contributed more than $4.5 million to his own campaign. Delaney, who co-founded two publicly traded companies, is estimated to be worth more than $90 million, according to a 2018 Wealth of Congress report produced by Roll Call. The Delaney campaign said that contributions will go to one of 11 preselected organizations, including Planned Parenthood, the Environmental Defense Fund and the Human Rights Campaign. The so-called Delaney Debate Challenge will apply to the next 100,000 new donors, according to the campaign. "This prevents the media and DNC from picking your 2020 Democratic candidate for you," Delaney wrote in a post on Twitter. (That tweet said that Delaney would donate $2 for every $1 from a new donor. A spokesperson for Delaney clarified that Delaney will donate $2 to charity no matter how much the donor gives.) Delaney tweet So far, Delaney has spent heavily on a strategy that appears reliant on a surprise performance in Iowa, where his campaign has a deep presence. Delaney, who announced his campaign in 2017, has announced plans for six offices in the state. While it is still early in the race, Delaney's prodigious spending has so far not had a notable impact on national polling. In a recent survey of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, Delaney was the favorite of zero percent of respondents. The DNC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Former advisor to US President Donald Trump, Roger Stone, waves as he arrives for a court hearing on March 14, 2019, in Washington DC. A federal judge on Thursday set a Nov. 5 trial date for President Donald Trump's longtime political ally and self-described dirty trickster, Roger Stone. Judge Amy Berman Jackson said in Washington, D.C., district court that she expects the trial will last "at least" two weeks, NBC News reported. Stone was arrested in late January in a predawn FBI raid at his Florida home. He was indicted by special counsel Robert Mueller's prosecutors on seven criminal counts, including lying to Congress and obstructing a House investigation into Russian interference during the 2016 presidential election. Stone is alleged to have lied about his interactions with whistleblower organization WikiLeaks, which published a trove of Democratic officials' emails in the run-up to the 2016 election. Mueller has accused Russian intelligence agency hackers of stealing the private messages from the Democratic National Committee. Stone has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Jackson also laid out a schedule ahead of the trial: The next status hearing will be held in April 30, and a pretrial conference was set for Sept. 17. The status conference followed a period of contention between Stone and Jackson regarding his gag order in the case. The judge had issued a partial gag on Stone and his attorneys to keep them from making statements to the media that could prejudice the case against him. But Jackson greatly tightened Stone's muzzle after the longtime Republican operative an Instagram post of Jackson's face next to what appeared to be a rifle scope's crosshair. After Jackson strengthened Stone's gag order, she learned that Stone re-released his book "The Myth of Russian Collusion," which contains a newly written introduction that criticizes Mueller and his probe of Russian election meddling and possible Trump-campaign collusion. Trump has denied any wrongdoing, and has slammed the probe as a politically motivated "witch hunt." At the hearing Thursday, Jackson said she didn't "intend to dwell on" the issue of whether stone had violated his gag order. "He was aware at the time the order was issued that there was a publication," she said. "They tried to get on top of the issue thereafter." A day before scheduling Stone's trial, Jackson sentenced Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign chairman, to nearly four years in prison on separate charges lodged by Mueller. This is breaking news. Please check back for updates. Billionaire hedge fund manager Ken Griffin said Amazon's decision to pull out of New York City is "heartbreaking," and the political climate "dramatically" reduced his interest in moving the headquarters of his financial firm to the city, according to a Bloomberg report. "I'm a bit frustrated by the political winds in the city over the last two months. Amazon opting out of New York is heartbreaking," Griffin said Thursday on Bloomberg Television. Griffin runs Citadel, a giant financial firm with vast trading operations and a hedge fund unit that manages more than $30 billion. Griffin told Bloomberg after the broadcast interview that Amazon's decision has been "a huge backtrack" in the company's internal planning and the political environment in New York has "dramatically" damped his interest in moving. "Because when you bring a firm that is such a great user of technology into your city, it's not just about the success story of Amazon, it's about the fact that you now have a tech magnet that creates an entire ecosystem of success stories around it," he said on the TV interview. The billionaire investor said he has been debating making New York his primary home and moving Citadel from Chicago after buying a $238 million penthouse overlooking Central Park, the most expensive home ever sold in the U.S. "I'm actually in New York every single week ... we pay the New York investment banks roughly $1 billion a year in revenues. This is my second home in some sense ...The apartment presents the possibility that it might be home for me and Citadel could be headquartered in New York one day," Griffin said. Amazon reversed its plan to build headquarters in the Long Island City neighborhood of Queens following mounting opposition. Local and state leaders had voiced significant opposition after New York City and state had offered the company performance-based incentives amounting to nearly $3 billion. Read the original Bloomberg story here. The JeM has already been proscribed as an international terrorist group by the UN. China once again blocked the listing of specifically anti-India terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammeds founding chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist in the UN Security Council on Wednesday. Earlier, it had done so in 2009, 2016 and 2017. The difference this time is that the move in the UN against Azhar came immediately after the JeM attack in Pulwama in which over 40 CRPF jawans were killed. JeM had flagrantly claimed credit for the assault, which led to a limited military exchange between India and Pakistan as India dropped bombs on a Jaish facility inside Pakistan, attracting in response intrusion into its airspace by its revanchist western neighbour. This has underlined the risk of regional peace and stability being threatened by actions initiated by Pakistan-based terror organisations which are widely seen as being nurtured by Pakistans military machine. Beijing has shown yet again by vetoing the anti-Azhar move in the UNSC that it is not especially worried about the possibility of regional peace being jeopardised, or even about the free run that terrorists enjoy with Pakistans blessings provided that terrorists do not pose threats within its own territory. Pakistan goes out of its way to ensure this. In the light of the present goings-on, it is hard not to see Beijings action in the wider dynamics of regional affairs. From Beijings perspective, this involves continuing with its objective of the containment of India in the company of Pakistan, which of course hosts the JeM and its top leaders and looks to their political comforts. There is another factor in addition. Lately, Chinas burgeoning infrastructure investments in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which culminates in a military port for China in Gwadar has cemented the Islamabad-Beijing axis against India. The JeM has already been proscribed as an international terrorist group by the UN. As such, it is logical that Azhar, its founder and leader, also be brought under restraint by the UN. This would have happened 10 years ago if China had cooperated at that time. It is the only holdout in the entire UN system which has given succour to a terrorist, and is prepared to earn the opprobrium of the world community in doing so. The resolution against Azhar in the UNSC was led by France, the United States and Britain, and was co-sponsored by as many as 13 nations, among them key European powers as well as Saarc members Bhutan, Bangladesh and the Maldives. But Beijing remained unmoved. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinas President Xi Jinping had held an informal summit at Wuhan in China in April 2018 in which they had agreed to be mindful of one anothers core concerns. For India, this expectation has clearly not been met. After Beijings latest intervention in favour of a an international terrorist, New Delhi has rightly asserted that it would seek to use all means available to bring Azhar to justice. The video is in color and explicit. It shows hours and hours of male customers having sex with masseuses inside a South Florida massage parlor. Police installed hidden cameras inside the business to capture prostitution on tape. And the police action is legal. The footage, obtained by CNBC, is from a 2015 South Florida massage parlor investigation where police installed hidden cameras after hiring a locksmith to get inside the business in order to capture prostitution taking place in the rooms. The spa later shut down after police charged dozens of customers. Police were able to install hidden cameras after obtaining a special warrant. The technique was used recently in a sweeping human trafficking investigation in South Florida in which New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was among those charged. In the investigation, hidden cameras were used to capture Kraft on video inside the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida, police records show. Kraft, 77, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of solicitation. Robert Kraft, chairman and chief executive officer of New England Patriots David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images "From the attorney general of the state of Florida to other law enforcement agencies that have contacted us, and me personally, the question is, how in the world did you do this?" Martin County Sheriff William Snyder told CNBC. The answer: delayed-notice search warrants, better known as sneak-and-peek warrants. The warrants allow law enforcement to secretly install cameras inside private businesses to monitor illegal activity. In the human trafficking investigation that ensnared Kraft, Florida police have made more than 300 arrests in Martin, Indian River and Palm Beach counties. Hidden cameras were installed in five of the eight spas under investigation, police said. 2015 hidden camera police footage inside a Florida day spa Source: Police surveillance video "From the inception of the investigation, it was clear to us that unless we were able to get inside the massage parlor and actually see what was going on, we would never be able to affect what I've been calling from the very beginning a rescue mission of the women that we thought were being trafficked," Snyder said. He said detectives conducted extensive surveillance outside the spas and gathered evidence to get a judge to allow the sneak-and-peek warrant. "So once we had all the information, we had the evidence and we had a mound of evidence prior to the court-ordered surveillance," he said. "We took that information and went to a judge. And there was no other way to complete this investigation without having the court order in place. And so the judge gave us the order, we installed the cameras, and as a result, we did find that it was an active, ongoing criminal enterprise in that massage parlor." Martin County detectives posed as employees of other occupations to get access to the massage parlors to install hidden cameras, Snyder said. "We did not go in as law enforcement, and did not do any covert breaking and entering. Everything was a ruse," he said. Detectives monitored the video on flat-screen TVs inside a secure room in the sheriff's office. Details about how Jupiter police entered Orchids of Asia Day Spa to install hidden surveillance cameras were revealed in three search warrants related to the case unsealed on Friday. Martin County Sheriff William Snyder Source: CNBC "A tactical ruse was conducted at the target business to remove the current occupants and install covert video surveillance equipment," according to the court documents. Once the two women inside the spa went outside, detectives installed the surveillance cameras inside four massage rooms and in the lobby. The owner of the spa arrived at the business while police were installing the cameras, one of the warrants said. It said the owner could see what was happening because she had her own cameras installed inside and was monitoring them on her mobile phone. Sneak-and-peek history Sneak-and-peek warrants have been used since the 1970s. They were formalized as part of the USA Patriot Act, which "established a uniform nationwide standard for use of delayed-notice search warrants to ensure an even handed application of Constitutional safeguards for all Americans," according to a 2004 Department of Justice report. Court data analyzed by CNBC show that 46,603 sneak-and-peek warrants nationwide were granted between 2006 and 2016. The use of the warrants has been steadily on the rise, the data showed. In 2006, only 75 granted requests were issued. By 2016, that number had risen to 9,140 more than a 12,000 percent increase. Florida ranks as number seven for states with the most search warrants granted, with a total of 1,514 during that 10-year period. California was at the top of the list, with 5,084. The numbers from 2016 are the most recently available data, which was compiled from the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. Mike DeMarcus, owner of Law Enforcement Training Associates Source: CNBC Mike DeMarcus, a retired Florida detective who owns the Atlanta-based Law Enforcement Training Associates, said very few of the thousands of law enforcement personnel his instructors have trained ever heard of the sneak-and-peek warrants. "Of all the people that we've ever trained, we've never had any detective from the federal side or the state side that have come in and said they've been part of a sneak-and-peek warrant," DeMarcus said. Hidden cameras in a spa are rare He said many of the warrants issued around the country were likely used to put surveillance trackers on a vehicle. The data show drug investigations generated most of the warrants with sex crimes only accounting for a small amount. And using hidden cameras in a massage parlor case is even rarer, DeMarcus said. "As far as getting into whether it's a residence or a business, you're going to have a couple people that are experts, as far as getting in, and maybe a locksmith," he said. "It could be an alarm person, who needs to go in and shut down an alarm, or possibly it's a storefront. And if the lock can't be defeated, then you might have to hire a window person to come in, remove a window and allow the surveillance team to go inside and install their equipment." He said police also have a variety of ruses available such as emptying a business over a supposed suspicious package. This may be critical in a massage parlor investigation where the employees may actually live on the premises. "The videos or the surveillance will show that it may be all of the employees. It may be one of the employees," he said. "But it is going to actually record the sexual act." "These videos will show acts of prostitution occurring inside the business. A variety of different actions," he added. "So the video does actually show that there is sexual activity going on inside these businesses." Privacy issues Jonathan Witmer-Rich, a law professor at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University, has spent years researching delayed-notice search warrants and their potential implications. "Covert searching definitely raises some serious privacy concerns," Witmer-Rich said. Cleveland-Marshall law professor Jonathan Witmer-Rich Source: CNBC One major concern, said Witmer-Rich, is that the warrants are at odds with the Fourth Amendment. That guarantees American citizens "the right of people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures." "Just the fact that the government is in your house, or in your business, and you don't know that they're there, is a real privacy invasion," Witmer-Rich said. "The whole idea of the Fourth Amendment is that some places in our lives, we can retreat back to our homes. We can relax. We can be ourselves and the government's not in there, they're not watching us. A covert search warrant really changes that calculus." Witmer-Rich also said that using video surveillance to catch customers soliciting prostitution, a misdemeanor, is tangential to proving human trafficking, a felony. "Recording the sex acts themselves doesn't really get you the evidence you need for human trafficking," Witmer-Rich said. He said the Supreme Court has never taken a case deciding the constitutionality of sneak-and-peek warrants. The court ruled, though, in a 1979 case involving the theft of stolen goods meant for interstate commerce, that covert entry is constitutional in some circumstances. The Fourth Amendment does not prohibit per se a covert entry performed for the purpose of installing otherwise legal electronic bugging equipment, the court found. The court also ruled in a 1990 drug case that delaying notice of a search warrant is permissible if there is "good reason." Use of warrants questioned John Wesley Hall, a former president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, said sneak-and-peek warrants can be a valuable tool, but that law enforcement officials need a strong case to use them. "It's really '1984,' except that you don't know the camera is there," said Hall, who wrote a book called "Search and Seizure" and maintains a blog on the Fourth Amendment. The scene outside Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida, where New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is alleged to have solicited prostitution, is pictured on Feb. 22, 2019. Barry Chin | Boston Globe | Getty Images Buy-and-hold billionaire Ron Baron said Thursday that the economic and political system in the United States works well, but also contended the extremely wealthy should pay higher taxes. The founder of Baron Capital, which has $28.3 billion in assets under management, said that capitalism works for people if "they are educated and are able to take advantage of the system." "I don't think it's fair for people not paying taxes who are earning a great deal of money," Baron told CNBC's "Squawk Box." "I do think it's fair for people like me paying 50 percent in taxes." He suggested that if he were really worried about the amount of taxes he's paying that he "could live in Florida and pay a 30 percent tax." Baron currently lives in New York City. He also has a sprawling estate in the Hamptons on Long Island, where the Big Apple elite escape the hustle and bustle of the city. However, Baron wasn't always rich. He grew up in and around the New Jersey beach city of Asbury Park. His parents were government workers. On Capitol Hill, Democrats such as Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are pushing the wealthy to pay their "fair share of taxes." Warren, who is running for president in 2020, is proposing an additional 2 percent tax every year on households with assets over $50 million and 3 percent on households with assets over $1 billion. Ocasio-Cortez, a self-described democratic socialist, wants a 70 percent marginal tax rate on income above $10 million. Baron who has a net worth of $2.2 billion, according to Forbes has made a fortune by doing extensive research, buying the stocks of what he feels are undervalued companies, and keeping them for an average of about 14 years. Asked whether he's concerned about Democratic policies that could impact his wealth, Baron said his life goals are not "to make money so I can spend" on different things. "I wanted to build a business that's going to last to be able to provide services to individuals who are going to be able to take care of their families." Senator Kamala Harris, a Democrat from California, speaks during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, March 7, 2019. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., on Thursday welcomed Beto O'Rourke's announcement that he has officially launched his run for president. "As far as I'm concerned, the more the merrier," Harris, who launched her presidential campaign in January, said on MSNBC. There is an "embarrassment of riches" among the Democrats who are running for president, she added when asked about O'Rourke's candidacy. Yet she also appeared to take a subtle dig at O'Rourke, a former three-term congressman who hasn't fully fleshed out his policy proposals for the presidential race. The California senator, who was elected to the Senate in 2016, stressed that voters will be focused on whichever candidate has a "proven record of producing" results. "I think that there is no question, everybody in our country has a lot at stake in the outcome of this race," Harris said. "People care about the issues that wake them up in the middle of the night, and they want to know that we have a plan for it." She used the airtime to then lay out her middle-class tax plan. Last year, Harris introduced her $500-a-month proposal, which would grant $6,000 a year to families earning less than $100,000 a year, and $3,000 annually to individuals earning less than $50,000. The grants would come in the form of tax breaks. However, the nonpartisan think tank Tax Policy Center says it is unsure how Harris would pay for the tax credits, as her current proposals would come up short. Harris has also supported Sen. Bernie Sanders' "Medicare-for-all" proposal and is a co-sponsor of the Green New Deal proposed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass. O'Rourke has so far emphasized a hopeful message and his personal story rather than hard policy proposals. He has tended to seek more middle ground on issues, while the Democratic 2020 field has been leaning increasingly toward the left. On Thursday morning, though, he said that he hasn't "seen anything better" to deal with climate change than the Green New Deal. O'Rourke, a Texas Democrat who made headlines and became a social media sensation last year when he narrowly lost his Senate race to Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, declared he was running for president Thursday morning. The former congressman raised more than $80 million in donations for his Senate campaign. According to a Monmouth University poll, Harris is trailing fellow candidates Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., in the Democratic primary. The three senators fall behind former Vice President Joe Biden, who has hinted at a presidential run, in the poll. O'Rourke is No. 6 in the poll, following Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J. The Senate voted Thursday to block President Donald Trump's national emergency declaration over the southern border, a sharp bipartisan rebuke of the president's flex of executive power. The chamber comfortably passed the measure in a 59-41 vote. Twelve Republicans who worried about executive overreach supported it in an embarrassing blow to the president. Trump plans to reject the bill, which the Democratic-held House has already passed. In one tweet after the vote, he simply said, "VETO!" In a subsequent message, he said he looks "forward to VETOING the just passed Democrat inspired Resolution," thanking Republicans "who voted to support Border Security and our desperately needed WALL!" Donald Trump tweet Donald Trump tweet 2 The veto would be the first of his presidency. Neither chamber appears to have enough support to overcome Trump's opposition with a two-thirds majority vote. It is unclear now if House leaders will push for a vote to override the president's veto. Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Texas Democrat who introduced the House resolution, told reporters Thursday that he will push for another vote even though it will be "very tough" to reach a veto-proof majority. He called it a "consequential constitutional vote." Trump publicly lobbied the GOP to support his declaration in recent days. Republican lawmakers who voted to terminate Trump's action voiced concerns not only about presidents circumventing Congress' appropriations power, but also the prospect of Democratic administrations declaring emergencies on other topics in the future. Jason Edwards and his wife, Amber, and his son, Robbie Source: Jason Edwards Jason Edwards, a communications professor at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts, learned seven years too late that he didn't qualify for public service loan forgiveness. The Providence, Rhode Island, resident had been paying his debt for that long when the dreadful discovery arrived. Yet Edwards' story holds a rare, happy ending. Stay tuned. The public service loan forgiveness program, signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2007, allows not-for-profit and government employees to have their federal student loans canceled after 10 years of on-time payments. In 2013, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau estimated that up to one-quarter of American workers could be eligible for the relief. These are the public service loan forgiveness requirements. Often, if you don't meet one of them, you can make changes so that you do. Your loans must be federal direct loans. Your employer must be a government organization at any level, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization or some other type of not-for-profit organization that provides public service. By the end, you need to have made 120 qualifying, on-time payments in an income-driven repayment plan or the standard repayment plan. Yet, like tens of thousands of other people who work in public service and carry student debt, Edwards had unwittingly not met one of the technical requirements all those years. The program's problems are complex. Lenders have failed to provide consumers with full, accurate information about the option. And the student loan system is famously complicated, with some 14 ways to repay your education debt, a web of forgiveness options and a soup of wonky terms such as "forbearance" and "deferment." WATCH: Why college is so expensive in the U.S. To qualify for public service loan forgiveness, you need to be enrolled in one of a few income-driven repayment plans. Unfortunately, Edwards had been paying his loans back in an extended repayment plan, and, as a result, none of his payments had qualified. "It's painful," Edwards, 45, said. His monthly bill at the time was $421. After learning that his payment plan didn't qualify in 2015, he moved into one that did, and restarted his 10-year-journey. Then came a surprise. Last year, Congress authorized a $350 million "fix" to the public service loan forgiveness program, which offered borrowers who had been enrolled in graduated or extended repayment plans another shot at qualifying. Hoping to regain credit for those seven lost years, Edwards quickly applied. Since he'd been paying his student loans for another three years on an eligible plan, he figured he was an extra application away from being debt-free. Then another blow of bad news. Edwards said he was told by FedLoan, the designated company for the public service loan forgiveness program, that he was still short of the 120 qualifying payments needed to be approved for the fix-it fund. His own math, however, told him he actually had made more than the requisite number of payments. "I had this feeling that I was right on this," Edwards said. "I couldn't understand it." Even as Congress has poured more money into this fund to help people who've been denied student loan forgiveness simply because they'd been repaying their debt in a "wrong" plan, its reach has proved disappointing. The Education Department has received more than 38,000 requests for the fix-it fund, yet just 262 have been approved. (Although those numbers are an improvement from November, when just 26 had been approved). Getty Images President Donald Trump meets with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, March 14, 2019, in Washington. President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he hopes Boeing's 737 Max jets will only be grounded "for a short period of time." Trump's remarks in the Oval Office came less than a day after the Federal Aviation Administration grounded all of those planes in the U.S., based on what it said was new evidence collected from two recent 737 Max jet crashes that killed hundreds. "I hope it's going to be for a short period of time," Trump told reporters during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at the White House. "The biggest thing is, they have to find out what it is. I'm not sure that they know, but I thought we had to do it, we had to take a cautionary route," Trump said. Trump echoed acting FAA Administrator Daniel Elwell, who told reporters on a call Wednesday that he hopes "all parties will work very hard to make this grounding as short as possible so that these airplanes can get back up in the sky." Lawmakers on Capitol Hill said after an FAA briefing Thursday that the grounded planes will not be back in the air for at least "weeks" or until upgraded software has been sufficiently tested and installed in all of the Max 737 models. The U.S. made the decision on Boeing's 737 Max 8 and Max 9 planes after several countries grounded the aircraft. Trump is a vocal supporter of Boeing and its CEO, Dennis Muilenburg, and continued to praise the American manufacturer Thursday. "It's a great company, it's a truly great company, and hopefully they'll figure it out very quickly," Trump said. "It's a big decision. It's also one of our largest exporters, one of the truly great companies of the world. They have to figure it out fast. They know that. They're under great pressure." U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and members of their delegation hold a dinner meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi and Chinese government representatives at the end of a G-20 summit in Buenos Aires, on Dec. 01, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he was in no rush to complete a trade pact with China and insisted that any deal include protection for intellectual property, a major sticking point between the two sides during months of negotiations. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping had been expected to hold a summit at the president's Mar-a-Lago property in Florida later this month, but no date has been set for a meeting and no in-person talks between their trade teams have been held in more than two weeks. The president, speaking to reporters at the White House, said he thought there was a good chance a deal would be made, in part because China wanted one after suffering from U.S. tariffs on its goods. But he acknowledged Xi may be wary of coming to a summit without an agreement in hand after seeing Trump end a separate summit in Vietnam with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un without a peace deal. "I think President Xi saw that I'm somebody that believes in walking when the deal is not done, and you know there's always a chance it could happen and he probably wouldn't want that," Trump said. China has not made any public comment confirming Xi is considering going to meet Trump in Florida or elsewhere. The president, who likes to emphasize his own deal-making abilities, said an agreement to end a months-long trade war could be finished ahead of a presidential meeting or completed in-person with his counterpart. "We could do it either way. We could have the deal completed and come and sign, or we could get the deal almost completed and negotiate some of the final points. I would prefer that," he said. The U.K.'s competition watchdog should examine the dominance of tech companies like Facebook and Google in digital advertising "as soon as possible," Britain's finance minister said. In his Spring budget statement to the Parliament on Wednesday, U.K. Finance Minister Philip Hammond urged the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to launch a review of Britain's digital advertising market, citing concerns that digital platforms are stifling competition. "I am today writing to ask whether the CMA Board would prioritise a decision on whether to take forward a market study into digital advertising market, as soon as you consider it possible to do so, and come forward with recommendations," Hammond said in a letter to the CMA also sent on Wednesday. Hammond welcomed the findings of a U.K. government report published on Wednesday that recommended Britain's competition rules "must be updated for the digital age." The 150-page report stopped short of calling for a break-up of big tech but found companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon, Apple and Microsoft are stifling innovation and limiting consumer choice. If you wanted a job with Microsoft at the height of the personal computer revolution, you only needed to display two qualities at least, that's what Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates told NBC's "Today" show in 1989. Gates, who was then just 33 years old and still CEO of the tech giant, told NBC's Jane Pauley that job candidates' age and experience were less important than their enthusiasm for work and their belief in making computers more accessible for the average person. "Well, we'll hire people at any age as long as they're super energetic and they want to make personal computers easier to use," Gates says before admitting that most new Microsoft employees were on the younger side. "But, we end up hiring mostly people right out of college or business school." Of course, new hires also needed "to be smart before they come in," Gates adds, but Microsoft also wanted bright, but malleable, candidates who could be easily trained. "We give them a lot of training on the job, we put them right to work," he says. "But, no, we don't expect that they know a lot about [the work] before they get there." In other words, in 1989, Microsoft didn't exactly expect every job candidate to be as adept at writing software as the company's co-founders Gates and Paul Allen developed the programming language software that launched Microsoft in 1975. New hires were expected to be smart, enthusiastic and ready to learn. Gates also tells Pauley why the company was headquartered in the Seattle area instead of Silicon Valley. First, said Gates, "I grew up in Seattle, so as soon as my company had over 20 people, I decided to move it back here." (He and Paul Allen co-founded the company in Albuquerque, New Mexico.) But also, "in California, in Silicon Valley, ... a lot of things happen but the rumor mill makes it hard to keep secrets and employees switch from company to company," he says. In Seattle, "we're able to keep our secrets and, you know, be really on our own," Gates says in the interview. Today, Gates is 63 years old and the world's second-wealthiest person with an estimated net worth of $98 billion. And while Microsoft had a little over 4,000 total employees in 1989, the company now employs nearly 135,000 people worldwide. What's more, with Microsoft now worth almost $880 billion in market value, the competition to get hired at the company is fiercer than ever, with millions of applicants each year. Last year, the company told CNBC Make It that, depending on the position being sought, Microsoft asks job candidates to provide examples of their work experience, often including showing off their coding skills or sharing a creative portfolio. One thing that hasn't changed is that Microsoft still wants passionate candidates who are willing to learn on the job. The company told CNBC Make It that it screens prospective hires looking for "a strong desire to learn, high intelligence, a passion for technology and an entrepreneurial spirit." Don't Miss: What Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates was doing at 20 years old Like this story? Subscribe to CNBC Make It on YouTube! China for the fourth time blocked a UN move to designate Masood Azhar as 'global terrorist'. Except for China, which wields veto power in the Security Council, all other UNSC members were on board with the move before the al-Qaida (1267) Sanctions Committee. (Photo: AP/File) Washington: Outraged by China blocking for the fourth time a move to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist, responsible UNSC members warned they "may be forced to pursue other actions" at the Security Council if Beijing continued with this policy. "If China continues to block this designation, responsible member-states may be forced to pursue other actions at the Security Council. It shouldn't have to come to that," a Security Council diplomat told PTI in an unusual tough warning to China. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity to give a sense of the feeling of other members of the Security Council after China blocked the move to designate Azhar a global terrorist. Beijing previously put a technical hold on similar proposals at the UNSC thrice. In the aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attack, three permanent members of Security Council the US, France and the UK had moved a resolution to designate Azhar a glocal terrorist. Except for China, which wields veto power in the Security Council, all other UNSC members were on board with the move before the al-Qaida (1267) Sanctions Committee. India has expressed disappointment over China's decision but said it will "pursue all available avenues" to bring to justice terrorist leaders involved in attack on Indians. "This is the fourth time that China has placed a hold on this listing. China should not prevent the Committee from doing the job the Security Council has entrusted it to do," another security council diplomat told PTI in response to a question. "China's move to hold the listing is inconsistent with its own stated goals of combatting terrorism and furthering regional stability in South Asia," said the diplomat, requesting not to be named to speak frankly, given that the deliberations of the UN sanctions committee are confidential, thus preventing member-countries from talking about it in public. The second security council diplomat also slammed Pakistan for depending on China to protect terrorist groups and leaders that operate from its soil. "Pakistan has quite often depended on China to protect it from the listing of Pakistan-based terrorist groups and individuals in the UN 1267 sanctions committee," the diplomat said. "The case for designating Masood Azhar the leader of a group the UN already calls an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organization is undeniable," the diplomat said. On Tuesday, the Trump administration had said that Azhar meets the criteria for designation by the United Nations. "Our views on Jaish-e-Mohammad and its founder are well known. JeM is a UN-designated terrorist group," State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino told reporters. "Azhar is the founder and the leader of JEM, and he meets the criteria for designation by the United Nations. JEM has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks and is a threat to regional stability and peace," Palladino said. The State Department referred to this statement on Wednesday when asked about the latest developments in New York. I would say that the United States and China share a mutual interest in achieving regional stability and peace, and that a failure to designate Azhar would run counter to this goal, Palladino said. Congressman Brad Sherman described the Chinese move as unacceptable. Once again, China has blocked the UN from imposing sanctions on Masood Azhar, the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, which carried out the Pulwama attack in India in February. This is unacceptable, he said. I urge Beijing to allow the UN to place sanctions on Azhar, the leader of a UN-recognized terrorist organization, Sherman said. Several American think-tank members slammed China for its decision delaying the Azhar listing. Today, China doubled down on a very bad bet. It blocked yet another round of UN sanctions on Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar weeks after the group claimed credit for the deadliest terror attack in Kashmir, Jeff Smith from the Heritage Foundation said. This one won't be undone by another romantic stroll through Wuhan, he said, indicating that such a move by Beijing would only escalate the tension between India and China. Not entirely unexpected, but nonetheless a slap to India's face after last month's bloody suicide-bombing in Kashmir. Also raises serious questions about the benefits of Modi's photo-op diplomacy with Xi Jinping, tweeted Sadanand Dhume from American Enterprise Institute. Rep. Maxine Waters, the California Democrat who runs the powerful House Financial Services Committee, called for the removal of Wells Fargo CEO Tim Sloan after news that he received a $2 million bonus as part of his 2018 pay package. The San Francisco-based bank disclosed Sloan's compensation late Wednesday, revealing that the executive got a 5 percent increase in total pay to $18.4 million, including the $2 million bonus, for his work in 2018. "It is outrageous and wholly inappropriate that the bank has rewarded Mr. Sloan with a $2 million bonus for 2018," Waters said in an emailed statement. She pointed out that last year, "federal regulators and authorities capped the bank's growth and fined the bank more than $3 billion for offenses such as improperly charging customers auto insurance and mortgage fees." Bazaar Corporate Radar | Feb 22, 2021, 12:00 AM IST 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. The near-consensus across Colorados political spectrum is that campaign finance is a problem in need of reform. Here are eight views on how to do that. Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday. Just before the deadline ended, China put a 'technical hold' on the proposal seeking 'more time to examine' it. The proposal was the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist. (Photo: File) Beijing: China on Thursday sought to defend its fourth technical hold at the UN Security Council to block the designation of Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, saying it would help the parties concerned to engage in more talks to find a "lasting solution" acceptable to all. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. The Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee members had 10 working days to raise any objections to the proposal. Just before the deadline ended, China put a "technical hold" on the proposal seeking "more time to examine" it. The proposal was the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist. Asked why China once again resorted to block the move, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a media briefing here that Beijing's decision is in line with the rules of the committee. China "sincerely hopes that relevant action taken by this committee will help relevant countries to engage in dialogue and consultation and prevent adding more complicated factors into regional peace and stability," he said. "As to the technical hold at the 1267 Committee our action is to make sure that the committee will have enough time to study the matter so that the relevant sides will have time for dialogue and consultation," Lu said. "Only a solution that is acceptable to all sides could fundamentally provide a chance for a lasting solution to the issue. China is ready to communicate and coordinate with all sides including India to properly handle this issue," he said. India Wednesday expressed disappointment soon after China put a technical hold on designating Azhar. The External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi said India will continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that leaders of terror groups involved in heinous attacks on Indian citizens are brought to justice. "This has prevented action by the international community to designate the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a proscribed and active terrorist organization which has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14," the MEA said. Without naming China, it said the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee was not able to come to a decision on the proposal for listing Azhar on account of a member placing the proposal on hold. To another question on the Wuhan summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping last year to improve the bilateral relations, Lu said, "Xi and Modi met four times. Particularly Wuhan summit made great progress. China is full of sincerity and ready to work with India to build on the consensus of our leaders for greater progress in the bilateral relations." On the Kashmir issue, Lu said China's position on it is clear and consistent. "This is an issue that is left over between India and Pakistan. We hope that the two sides will engage in friendly dialogue consultation and solve this issue and other related issues," he said. You must be logged in to participate in the Show Me the Errors contest. The Chinese government uses a "technical suspension" to gain another nine months. The United States, Britain and France - under pressure from Delhi - wanted the Pakistani Islamic radical to be included in the list of terrorists worldwide. This would have allowed the freezing of his assets. New York (AsiaNews / Agencies) - For the fourth time in a few years, China has blocked a UN Security Council request to include the name of Masood Azhar in the list of terrorists worldwide. He is the head of the Pakistani fundamentalist Islamic group Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) who on February 14 carried out the bloody attack against soldiers of the Indian army in Kashmir, killing 44. The attack brought India and Pakistan to the brink of a new war. The request was rejected yesterday during a council meeting in New York. The initiative was promoted by the United States, France and Great Britain - under pressure from the Delhi government - which had filed the motion on February 27th. Chinese diplomats have rejected the request shortly before the deadline by placing a "technical suspension" that extends the decision for another nine months. The Chinese delegation says it has not had enough time to examine the request and considers its veto a "responsible attitude". For its part, the government of India has condemned the Chinese position and states that "it will do everything necessary to bring the terrorist leaders involved in hateful attacks against our citizens to justice". The inclusion of Azhar on the UN list of "sponsors of international terrorism" would have allowed the freezing of the assets of the group, an embargo on travel and buying weapons. Previously, Beijing blocked the vote on Azhar on three occasions: 2009, 2016 and 2017. According to experts, the Chinese veto has rescued Beijing's interests in Pakistan. On the contrary, if the Chinese government had succumbed to international pressure, it could have paid dearly for the decision on the New Silk Road's infrastructure on Pakistani soil. Tata Group-Singapore Airlines JV Vistara gets approval to fly on international routes The Indian government has given approval to Tata Group-Singapore Airlines JV Vistara to fly on international routes. It is the first private airline being allowed to do so under the recently amended rules. P S Kharola, Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation, said, Vistara has been given permission to start its international operations. Vistara has become the seventh Indian carrier to fly overseas. Photo courtesy: Wikipedia The Indian government changed the 5/20 rule in 2016 which stipulated that an airline must complete five years in operation and have 20 planes in its fleet to fly on international routes. Now, the rule has been amended to 0/20. Vistara started flying on January 9, 2015 and has over 20 planes in its fleet. It requested Indian government to start flights on international routes. The government set up a Group of Ministers (GoM) committee to examine the request and now it has given the clearance to Vistara. With the governments nod, Vistara has become the seventh Indian carrier to fly overseas. Currently, six carriers including Air India, AI Express, Jet, IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir fly abroad, with Go starting those flights only last October. Notably, the other Tata JV airline, AirAsia India completes five years this summer and will then fly abroad as it was not considered under the amended 0/20 due to a number of cases filed against the airline. Sources point out that Vistara will likely to start international flights with service to Colombo. However, specific details will be revealed later as Vistara is working with the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation on the modalities. Brexit Crisis 1) Plot to delay Brexit as the Commons votes against no deal Rees-Mogg explains why the vote changes nothing Daily Express How Europe reacted to MPs rejection of no-deal Daily Telegraph EU reiterates that it is ready to sign the deal Daily Express Sturgeon threatens bid for Scottish referendum amidst the chaos The Scotsman A plot to delay Brexit by up to two years was underway on Wednesday night after four Cabinet ministers betrayed Theresa May by helping to kill no deal for good. Brexit will be delayed until June 30 even if MPs can be persuaded to back a deal next week. If a deal is rejected again a much longer delay will be inevitable, Mrs May warned The Government lost the vote by 321 votes to 278, forcing Mrs May to give MPs a vote on delaying Brexit on Thursday evening. Mrs May said MPs would be able to vote on Thursday for a short, sharp three-month delay, dependent on them voting for a deal on or before March 20. Daily Telegraph >Today: Brexit Crisis 2) Cabinet defiance signals collapse of Mays authority Remainer ministers who defied Theresa May and helped stop a No Deal Brexit used the code word tally-ho! before they helped inflict a humiliating defeat on the Prime Minister in the Commons last night, it was revealed today. Brexiteers are furious the gang of four rebel cabinet members Scottish Secretary David Mundell, Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd, Justice Secretary David Gauke and Business Secretary Greg Clark have not been sacked after they refused to support Mrs May. Claire Perry, who attends Cabinet, also abstained on the motion. Last night Mrs May was humiliated as her own motion to keep No Deal on the table was hijacked by Remainers who then used it to demand No Deal is killed off forever. A Tory rebellion led by 17 members of the Government who defied a three-line whip helped Labour inflict a Government defeat by 321 votes to 278. Daily Mail Cabinet defiance signals collapse of Mays authority The Times Prime Minister urged to sack Remainer rebels The Sun Jenkyns confronts Clark for defying the whip Daily Express More: Hammond adds to pressure on May to back soft Brexit FT Chancellor offers 26 billion inducement for smooth departure The Sun Comment: Hammonds plan may rest on an undeliverable Brexit Torsten Bell, Times Red Box Editorial: May has lost control of her Cabinet, Party, and Parliament The Times >Today: Brexit Crisis 3) Did Barwell contradict whips and tell ministers to abstain? The day the Cabinet splintered Daily Mail Downing Street was on Wednesday night at war with its own whips after ministers were allowed to defy an order to effectively support a no-deal Brexit One source said the order came from Gavin Barwell the chief of staff to the Prime Minister. Downing Street refused to comment and Mr Bowie could not be reached. Among those who abstained were Cabinet ministers Greg Clark and David Mundell, as well as ministers Claire Perry, Tobias Ellwood, Stephen Hammond, and a whip Mike Freer. A furious Tory MP said: A Government that cannot dispense with the services of the likes of Tobias Ellwood without risk is a Government that needs to be put out of its misery. PoliticsHome >Today: ToryDiary: Commons sketch: May is now well enough to be angry Brexit Crisis 4) Deal is reportedly back from the dead after compromise talks Senior Tory Eurosceptics believe they and the Democratic Unionist party could be persuaded to back Theresa Mays Brexit deal if Geoffrey Cox, the attorney general, gave clearer legal advice about how the UK could withdraw from an international treaty. It is understood the DUP is back in talks with senior government figures about what it would take for them to back Mays deal at a third Commons vote. A party source said: Channels are open. The majority of Eurosceptic MPs from the European Research Group (ERG) voted against Mays revised deal, defeating it for a second time, because Cox advised there was only a reduced risk that the UK could be trapped indefinitely in the Northern Ireland backstop and therefore a customs union with the EU. The Guardian Prime Minister pushes ahead with plans for third vote FT and Brussels backs her Daily Mail but will Bercow even allow one? Sky News More: Brexiteers could back deal if legal advice clearer The Guardian Baker says how ERG will continue to push for March 29 exit Daily Express May issues final warning to rebels The Guardian Editorial: If it fails a third time, were at Brussels mercy The Sun >Today: >Yesterday: Video: WATCH: Ici Londres We cannot carry on offering the same deal to a Parliament that has rejected it, Hannan argues Brexit Crisis 5) Vienna waits for you. Coxs new solution to the backstop problem. Warning that no-deal plan could turn Ulster into smugglers paradise The Sun Varadkar says UK would be welcomed as prodigal son The Times Farage gears up to save Brexit Daily Express Under a potential deal the government would legislate to give parliament the power to unilaterally pull out of the Irish backstop should MPs determine it had become permanent. Mr Cox would also issue supplementary legal advice making clear that if the backstop became permanent then that would constitute a fundamental change of circumstance under the Vienna Convention. Mr Cox made this statement in the Commons on Tuesday. It was deliberately repeated by Mr Barclay but it was not included in Mr Coxs official written advice. A senior Brexiteer said that the DUP and many in the ERG could have voted with the government on Tuesday had Mr Cox referenced Article 62 of the convention in his official advice. Asked why he had not, they replied: Incompetence. The Times Comment: May forces the fantasists to face harsh realities Robert Shrimsley, FT There may be life in the deal yet Martin Kettle, The Guardian Rees-Mogg is in denial about how his tactics put Brexit at risk Andrew Pierce, Daily Mail >Today: Henry Newman in Comment: Why the revised deals changes to the backstop are significant and offer Britain a route out Brexit Crisis 6) As the Commons votes on extension, will it try to wrest control of Brexit? Although Mrs May wants MPs to back her deal, opposition Labour and pro-EU Conservative MPs will seek to prove there is a Commons majority for an alternative soft Brexit plan, including a customs union with the EU and single market membership. Although Downing Street does not favour indicative votes in the Commons next week to test support for a Brexit Plan B, it is likely to be imposed upon a prime minister who has lost control of Brexit. Philip Hammond, the chancellor, has been calling for a cascade of votes for other options, one cabinet minister told business leaders on Wednesday. Downing Street hopes that if the Commons signals support for a much softer Brexit such as seeking status similar to Norway, which is not an EU member but is in the single market it could scare hardline Eurosceptic MPs into backing down and finally supporting Mrs Mays deal. FT MPs plan for force indicative votes The Guardian SNP minister under fire for calling Tory MPs traitors The Scotsman Comment: Sooner or later, MPs have to stop saying no Maddy Thimont-Jack, Times Red Box >Yesterday: Video: WATCH: Crying wolf Clarke on the mistakes that Cameron and Osborne made Brexit Crisis 7) Brussels will tell May to ask for a long extension Barnier advocates tough line on delay FT Tell us what you want or we wont agree, EU insists The Times Prime Minister warns of long postponement The Sun Brexiteers lobby for European veto of extension The Guardian Brussels will tell Theresa May to ask for a lengthy extension to the Brexit negotiations at an EU summit next week, as attitudes towards the weakened prime minister harden after her latest defeat. Somebody must tell her the truth, said one senior EU source, asking for a short extension is simply pre-programming no deal Brexit for the summer. After MPs voted to take no deal off the table on Wednesday night, Mrs May said she would hold another vote on her discredited deal on the eve of a crunch EU summit where leaders would decide on a British request to extend the deadline beyond 29 March 2019. If her deal is passed on March 20, the day before the summit, she would ask for a shorter extension until June 30. If it falls the request would be for a longer period. Daily Telegraph More: UK faces taking part in EU elections FT as officials work on contingency plans The Guardian >Today: >Yesterday: Michael Tomlinson MP in Comment: The Prime Minister must stick to her word. We must vote this evening to leave the EU on March 29 Brexit Crisis 8) Will Labour back a second referedum? A cross-party group of Brexiteers will today try to rule out a second EU referendum for good by pushing a vote on it in Parliament. A mixture of Tory, DUP and Labour MPs are acting to try to spike the guns of the Peoples Vote campaign before its MP supporters are ready to act It also emerged last night that Jeremy Corbyn has watered down Labours support for a second referendum after saying his party no longer backs one on Mrs Mays deal. His spokesman said Tuesdays Commons defeat meant it was no longer a credible option to put to a referendum. Amid further confusion over Labours position on a second referendum the spokesman said Labour would only back a referendum that had gained the backing of the Commons. And Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer said backing one depends on discussion across the House. The Sun Corbyn sets new course as he calls for cross-party consensus The Times Labour leader says Commons must take control Daily Mail >Yesterday: Video: WATCH: Leaving without a deal could be terminal for British manufacturing, says Starmer George Eustice: Why its vital to rule out re-running the 2016 vote We must have no deal on the table John Penrose MP, The Sun Prime Minister is responsible for losing control of Brexit Nick Timothy, Daily Telegraph Future exam question: where did May go wrong? John Kampfner, Times Red Box Prime Minister could be losing her way to victory Sebastian Payne, FT She links like a head prefect, not a prime minister David Aaronovitch, The Times Its time May went Quentin Letts, The Sun MPs say Bloody Sunday prosecutions would be shameful Of course, every one of us would rather leave the EU in an orderly way with an agreement in place than without one, but if Brussels is unwilling to agree something that Parliament can accept then we have to be ready to leave first and talk afterwards if the Brussels are unwilling to agree something that parliament can accept. Many of those who insist that we must take no deal off the table actually have a very different agenda, which is to force a second referendum and reverse the decision to leave the EU altogether. There is no point in having a second referendum if Parliament lacks the integrity to honour the first, however. It would send an appalling message that the politicians think they know best and that the people must vote again until they give the answer MPs want. Daily Telegraph Prosecuting British army veterans who were involved in Bloody Sunday would be shameful, MPs have said before an announcement on whether criminal charges will be brought. The Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland will reveal today whether it is to prosecute any of the 17 veterans under investigation for the deaths of 13 civilians in Londonderry 47 years ago. The families of the victims will be informed before the decision is made public. On January 30, 1972, a protest against internment turned violent when British soldiers opened fire on the crowd and shot dead 13 people.,, A 200 million inquiry into the killings, which lasted 12 years, was conducted by Lord Saville of Newdigate. It led to an apology in 2010 from David Cameron, then the prime minister, who declared that the killings were unjustified and unjustifiable. The Times Ex-servicemen to learn their fate News Letter Comment: A shameful turn of events Leo Docherty MP, Times Red Box News in Brief: Stephen Greenhalgh was the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime in London, and also served as Leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council. At the weekend, Shaun Bailey, our Conservative Mayoral candidate, called for action, not blame in his article for the Daily Telegraph. This followed on from Sadiq Khan who blamed the massive hole caused by government cuts for the fact that there are fewer police officers on Londons streets in 2019 than any time since 2003, despite the population growing by over a million. When Boris Johnson and I left office in May 2016, crime in the capital had fallen dramatically since 2012. Total recorded crime was down ten per cent, neighbourhood crime was down 18.4 per cent, compared to an 11 per cent reduction in the rest of England and Wales. The number of murders had fallen from 144 in 2008 to 111 in 2015. Sadly under Khan, London is now at a 10 year high for murder and violent crime, whilst knife crime is at now an all time high. So what are the actions that the Mayor should take to tackle the rising tide of violence and the knife crime epidemic in London? I believe that a can do Mayor should develop clear principles for policing. He should develop a Police & Crime Plan that challenges the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) to drive down levels of crime and also challenges Londons Criminal Justice System (CJS) to improve. Finally, the Mayor must use his Mayoral heft to manage the performance of the MPS as well as Londons CJS. Principles Frankly, I cannot detect any underlying principles that underpin the current Mayors approach to policing. Khan campaigned on reducing Stop and Search further but now seems calling for more intelligence led, targeted Stop and Search which does not provide the top cover for the Met police to ramp up the use of this tactic. Furthermore, Khan is a past master at buck passing and PR but this is no substitute for solid principles. I outlined my five principles for policing in a speech that I gave at the ACPO conference on 18th June 2014 entitled Principles for Policing in Austerity. Sadly my speech has seemingly been removed from the City Hall website. Here are the five principles that enabled Johnson to cut knife crime by a third, gun crime by half, and high volume victim-based neighbourhood crimes by nearly 20 per cent, whilst keeping police officer numbers at around 32,000 despite shrinking police budgets: Reduce, Release, Reform. Our guiding philosophy for the policing budget challenge that we faced in London were the three Rs. We reduced the overhead in policing. Police staff numbers had grown substantially in the boom years and spending more than we needed to on the civilian support services was not sustainable. We released nearly 1 billion from the sale of under-utilised police buildings which allowed us to modernise the remaining estate including a new HQ at Curtis Green, new training facilities at Hendon, and forensic science labs and control room at Lambeth. A staggering 370,000,000 was raised from the sale of New Scotland Yard for investment in modernising the Met, including equipping officers with the latest technology such as tablets and Body Worn Video. Lastly we reformed policing by changing the rank mix ratio so we had more bobbies than ever (26,000) and fewer supervisors and police chiefs. This meant that we can get more officers to the frontline and honour Johnsons pledge to deploy an extra 2600 police into neighbourhoods. Find time to prevent crime. The Met receives 5.25 million calls for service, handles 750,000 crimes and arrests 250,000 people every year with all the risk that entails. However, we always believed that policing our capital city needed to be more than just responding to crime. Preventing crime is the smart way to fight crime. Under Johnson, Londoners homes and property became much safer. Burglary fell by 26 per cent between 2012 and 2016 to its lowest level since 1974. Crime prevention tactics such as the use of traceable liquids, cocooning an area after burglary incident, predictive policing for the deployment of neighbourhood officers and electronic tagging of repeat offenders really played their part in this success. Compete or commercialise all support services for the police. We encouraged the police to embrace private enterprise and use competition as a way to drive down the cost of support services. We did not believe that it was right that as much as 1 in every 3 is spent on supporting the first public service to do its job. We believed that competitive tendering of policing support services was a moral imperative not an unfortunate by-product of austerity. Every pound spent on support services that cost too much, is a pound not spent on frontline delivery for the public. Decentralize and empower. We believed that the police should decentralize both decision-making and budget responsibility to designated leaders who needed to have full authority but also be held to account for performance. You cannot command and control everything from the HQ. Commissioner Dick must trust her Commanders. Her officers need to stay in the same role for more than six months, ideally two to three years, if individuals are to be held to account and strong relationships built. Collaborate and integrate at the local level. The best problem-solving involves really good collaboration with partners and we encouraged the Met to integrate some services with other local public services by pooling budgets at the neighbourhood level. This does mean that sometimes the police will have to follow rather than lead. Tackling gang violence was a key Mayoral priority and police enforcement efforts paid off. Shootings came down by almost half and stabbings came down by a third under Johnson since the Trident Command was launched. But we recognised the need to get better at prevention and diversion, with an effective gang exit offer. The police need to play their role, but they cannot convene local authorities and other statutory agencies or monopolise engagement with the communities that are affected by gang violence. They cannot lead diversion work in schools even if school safety officers are part of that work. And they simply are not present in childrens centres or family intervention with troubled families where prevention efforts need to start. Prevention and diversion of gangs is an area where the Mayors Office for Policing And Crime (MOPAC) should take the lead. The police have to be round the table and they have a critical role in preventing violence, but they cannot always lead. In fact really effective schemes like the Integrated Gangs Unit in Hackney have strong police involvement but are led by council staff, alongside probation. Police and crime plan The single most important document that the Mayor with the help of the Deputy Mayor for Policing & Crime produces is the Police and Crime Plan at the start of their term of office. It is instructive to compare the first Police and Crime Plan for London produced by Johnson in March 2013 with Mayor Khans Police and Crime Plan. Johnson set out a clear mission and priorities for policing and crime reduction in the capital over the period from 2013-2017. At the heart of the first Police and Crime Plan was the Mayors 20:20:20 challenge to the Metropolitan Police Service to: Cut neighbourhood crime by 20 per cent. The Mayor challenged the MPS to reduce certain crime types, violence with injury, robbery, burglary, theft of and from motor vehicles, theft from the person and criminal damage as a marker of anti-social behaviour. These crimes were known as the MOPAC 7 and all were victim-based offences. Crimes that were typically only discovered by the police such as possession of offensive weapons and drugs offences have been excluded as decreases in these crimes could have indicated reduced police activity rather than less criminal activity. Increase confidence in the police by 20 per cent. Johnson set out an ambitious challenge to the MPS to renew the relationship between the police and the public in the capital by increasing confidence, as measured by the Crime Survey of England and Wales. Cut costs by 20 per cent. Johnson did not pass the buck or reach for the nearest bleeding stump. Instead he set out a clear intent that the MPS make best use of its budget and provide a more effective service for Londoners, whilst ensuring the best possible value for taxpayers money. Alongside his challenge to the MPS, Johnson set out ambitions for improvement in the wider CJS in London to cut court delays in court by 20 per cent, improve compliance with community orders by 20 per cent, and bring down reoffending by young people leaving custody by 20 per cent. In particular, Johnson led concerted efforts to tackle prolific offenders, who commit a substantial proportion of crime in the capital and placed a severe burden on the CJS. In contrast Khans Police and Crime Plan is feeble. There is no 20:20:20 challenge for the Met police or Londons CJS. Instead priorities replaced the hard targets and the call for devolution of Londons CJS has disappeared to make way for a focus on harm/vulnerability which Khan identifies as a big problem but doesnt propose to measure! A can do Mayor would scrap this toothless plan and replace it with a plan that implements the measures that are needed to curb the violence on the streets of London. This would include a Budget Plan to increase police officer numbers by ten per cent to an all-time high of 33,000, a commitment to move 3000 officers into those areas of London blighted by violence and a plan to ramp up Stop and Search dramatically to over 500,000 a year. The Mayor should also commit to the widespread rollout of portable scanners to help the police to take the knives off the streets. Mayor Khan also needs to learn the real lessons from Glasgows Violence Reduction Unit. The key to stopping the disease, in the first instance, was the widespread use of Stop and Search combined with the use of Group Violence intervention where the community challenges the violent gangs to put away the offensive weapons or face the judicial consequences. Preventative policing with officers using the new Knife Crime Prevention Orders in conjunction with GPS tagging is another tactic that should be employed widely in the knife crime hotspots. Only once the disease is stopped, should the Mayor focus on ensuring that there are no new outbreaks of the disease. That is the essence of the public health approach to violence reduction. Performance Managing the performance of the Met police should be a key task of the Mayors Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC). Johnson agreed the target to cut neighbourhood crime by 20 per cent over four years with the Commissioner whilst enjoying a curry at the Cinnamon Club. Then the MPS performance in cutting crime was scrutinised at quarterly public MOPAC Challenge meetings chaired by Johnson. Other meetings focused on the levels of public confidence in Londons first public service and the use of intrusive tactics such as Taser and stop and search. Through a range of innovative approaches to data, academic evidence, community engagement and transparency we were able to hold both the MPS and Londons CJS to account on behalf of all Londoners. By failing to establish a performance framework in his Police and Crime Plan, Khan is not in a position to replicate this approach. A can do Mayor needs to focus on the three Ps if he wants to take action to tackle the rising tide of violence in London. None of those Ps stands for PR! May keeps control of the negotiation. She fends off Benn, Letwin, Cooper and company by two votes 314 to 312 Theresa May has not necessarily fended off indicative votes which would open the way to Norway Plus and a Second Referendum being considered. After all, David Lidington indicated earlier this afternoon that the Government itself would provide such votes in some circumstances. What she has done is prevent Hillary Benn, Yvette Cooper, Uncle Oliver Letwin et al from seizing control of the Commons timetable and therefore in effect of the negotiation. Key to her victory is yesterdays Remainer / Soft Brexit Cabinet and other rebels falling into line after a Party backlash today. The Prime Minister has lived to fight another day. This result gives her a Parliamentary breathing-space which will allow her to prepare to bring her deal back next week, if thats ruled to be in order, for Meaningful Vote Three. Verdict of the Star Chamber under Sir William Cash MP on the UK-EU Political Agreement 13 March 2019 Sir William Cash MP Suella Braverman MP Robert Courts MP Nigel Dodds MP David Jones MP Dominic Raab MP Michael Tomlinson MP Dr TD Grant Martin Howe QC Barnabas Reynolds Summary of our Conclusions 1. Yesterdays documents considered individually and collectively do not deliver legally binding changes to the Withdrawal Agreement (WA) or to the Northern Ireland/Ireland backstop Protocol (the Protocol). They fail to fulfil the commitment made by government to the House in response to the Brady amendment to obtain legally binding changes to the withdrawal agreement. 2. They do not provide any exit mechanism from the Protocol which is under the UKs control. Any exit by the UK from the Protocol cannot take place without the agreement of the EU and therefore the position remains as set out in paras 14-16 of the Attorney Generals advice dated 13 November 2018 that the Protocol will endure indefinitely until a superseding agreement takes its place, and that the WA cannot provide a legal means of compelling the EU to conclude such an agreement. 3. The suggestion that bad faith by the EU could provide a legal route for the UK out of the Protocol is not credible in practice within any determinate or reasonable timeframe. The AGs advice at para 29 was that demonstrably bad-faith conduct on the part of the EU would be highly unlikely; all they would have to do to show good faith would be to consider the UKs proposals, even if they ultimately rejected them. The threshold for demonstrating bad faith before an international tribunal is very high, and nothing in the documents make this a credible possibility. 4. The UK could not unilaterally disapply the Protocol by alleging bad faith, but would be bound to submit the dispute to arbitration under Part 6 of the WA, and would need a prior finding by the panel of breach on the part of the EU in order to invoke the right under Art.178(2) of the WA to suspend (not terminate) provisions of the WA or Protocol. Any arbitration would be at best a lengthy and uncertain procedure which under Art.174 requires a reference to the ECJ of any questions of EU law involved. Even if the arbitration panel found in favour of the UK, para 14 of the Joint Instrument confirms that it would not enable the UK to exit the backstop. 5. The Attorney Generals further advice today (12 March 2019) indicates at para 17 that there is a reduced risk of the UK being trapped in the Protocol but this is caveated by the words at least in so far as that situation had been brought about by the bad faith or want of best endeavours of the EU. We consider that the prospects of such findings against the EU are remote, and note that at para 10 the AG only goes so far as to say that it is arguable that the UK could secure termination of relevant obligations under the Protocol. Such faint and remote prospects of escaping from the Protocol do not materially change the position the UK would find itself in if it were to ratify the WA. We agree with the AGs final para 19 that the legal risk remains unchanged that if through no such demonstrable failure of either party, but simply because of intractable differences, that situation does arise, the United Kingdom would have, at least while the fundamental circumstances remained the same, no internationally lawful means of exiting the Protocols arrangements, save by agreement. Our supporting reasoning We have been asked to address issues arising from the latest combined UK-EU withdrawal documentation, comprising the 26 November 2018 draft Withdrawal Agreement with its backstop Protocol and the Political Declaration, and to assess the impact (if any) of the three subsequent documents produced on 11 March 2019. We shall address the implications of this combined package of documents in the context of the Brady amendment to a motion of the House of Commons on 29 January 2019 that requires the Northern Ireland backstop to be replaced with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border; supports leaving the European Union with a deal and would therefore support the Withdrawal Agreement subject to this change. In particular we shall consider the degree of certainty we believe the latest package of documents achieves in ensuring the Northern Ireland backstop will be replaced with alternative arrangements, either before or after it comes into force. The problem to be addressed 1. Introduction On 29 January 2019, the House of Commons passed the Brady amendment. It inserted the following text into the Houses motion: and requires the Northern Ireland backstop to be replaced with alternative arrangements to avoid a hard border; supports leaving the European Union with a deal and would therefore support the Withdrawal Agreement subject to this change. In responding to the Houses approval of the Brady amendment, the Prime Minister said: We will now take this mandate forward and seek to obtain legally binding changes to the withdrawal agreement that deal with concerns on the backstop while guaranteeing no return to a hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. Our task is therefore to analyse the subsequent arrangements negotiated between the UK and the EU, and (1) to assess whether and if so to what extent they amount to legally binding changes, and (2) to consider whether they deal with the Houses concerns about the backstop as expressed in the Brady amendment. 2. Replace, or change, the backstop? The Brady amendment refers to the backstop being replaced, while the Prime Ministers response refers to unspecified changes to the withdrawal agreement. The backstop (formal title, the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland) is physically attached to the text of the Withdrawal Agreement (WA) and, by virtue of Art.182 WA, shall form an integral part of this Agreement. It follows that on the wording as it stands, the Protocol stands equally with the main WA text as part of the legally binding international treaty which would be concluded if the WA is approved and ratified. The terms of the Brady amendment would be satisfied by a change to the WA which consists of removing the current Protocol and replacing it with text setting out alternative arrangements. Since this is not being done, it needs to be considered whether any changes to the WA will achieve by alternative means the effect intended by the House in the Brady amendment. A change to the WA which gives the UK the legal right to prevent the backstop Protocol coming into effect would achieve the same effect as the Brady amendment, since the UK could then effectively insist on alternative arrangements regarding the NI border. A change to the WA which gives the UK a legal right to exit the Protocol after a period of time is not equivalent to the Brady amendment, in view of the negative effects on the UKs constitutional integrity and on its international trade policy of being trapped in the backstop for that period of time. On the other hand, a lock-in to the backstop for a limited period is clearly better than the indefinite lock-in which could happen under the current text. However, a limited period is not being stipulated or even attempted by the latest arrangements. 3. The central problem: indefinite lock-in if there is a stalemate in negotiations According to Art.184 of the WA and Art.2(1) of the Protocol, the EU and the UK will use their best endeavours to conclude an agreement on the future relationship between the UK and the EU before the end of the transition period. If such an agreement is concluded by then, it is envisaged that it would supersede the Protocol and prevent its backstop provisions coming into effect. Further, if the Protocol does come into effect, there is a review mechanism under Art.20 of the Protocol by which the UK/EU Joint Committee can decide that the Protocol is no longer necessary if alternative arrangements are put in place. However, each of these routes out of the backstop Protocol requires the agreement of the EU. A superseding agreement obviously requires the EU to agree it. The review mechanism requires that the EU and UK should decide jointly that the Protocol should no longer apply. This means that the EU member of the Joint Committee has a veto. The Protocol itself in Art.1(4) and its recitals says that it is intended to apply only temporarily. But the problem is, despite this expression of intention and the expression of the parties best endeavours to reach a replacement agreement, if the parties fail to agree then the backstop Protocol would come into force and will endure indefinitely. The Attorney-Generals letter of advice to the Prime Minister dated 13 November 2018 is attached for reference, as well as his latest letter of 12 March 2019. In paras 12-16, headed The indefinite nature of the Protocol, he explains with clarity why, despite the references within the text to its intended temporary nature and to the intention of the parties to supersede it with another agreement, it will kick in and then stay in force unless and until there is a joint agreement to supersede it. He concludes at 16: 16. It is difficult to conclude otherwise than that the Protocol is intended to subsist even when negotiations have clearly broken down. The ordinary meaning of the provisions set out above and considered in their context allows no obvious room for the termination of the Protocol, save by the achievement of an agreement fulfilling the same objectives. Therefore, despite statements in the Protocol that it is not intended to be permanent, and the clear intention of the parties that it should be replaced by alternative, permanent arrangements, in international law the Protocol would endure indefinitely until a superseding agreement took its place, in whole or in part, as set out therein. Further, the Withdrawal Agreement cannot provide a legal means of compelling the EU to conclude such an agreement. [emphasis in original text] After considering the review mechanism in the Protocol (now in Art.20 but in Art.19 of the draft at the date of his letter), the Attorney-General reaches the following conclusion: 30. In conclusion, the current drafting of the Protocol, including Article 19 [now 20], does not provide for a mechanism that is likely to enable the UK lawfully to exit the UK wide customs union without a subsequent agreement. This remains the case even if parties are still negotiating many years later, and even if the parties believe that talks have clearly broken down and there is no prospect of a future relationship agreement. The resolution of such a stalemate would have to be political. 4. Consequences of lock in The existence of the Protocol and the fact that it will automatically come into force in default of an alternative agreement being reached with the EU will profoundly affect the negotiating position of the UK. This is because the prospect of being locked in to the Protocol if agreement is not reached will impel the UK to make concessions in its negotiations with the EU in order to avert the adverse consequences of failing to reach agreement of the Protocol then coming into force at the end of the transition period. Thus the Protocol with its lock-in risk will gravely undermine the negotiating position of the UK as compared with a scenario where the Protocol were replaced in accordance with the Brady amendment or the UK had a unilateral right to withdraw from it. This is because the consequences of the Protocol coming into force are asymmetric in the extreme. For the UK, a failure to conclude an alternative agreement would result in the whole UK being locked into a customs union with the EU with no say on external tariff policy or on the EUs external trade agreements which the UK would be obliged to implement. In addition, the whole would be subject to a range of level playing field obligations. A particularly damaging obligation is to have to apply EU State aid law as it dynamically evolves, while having no political representation on the EU Commission and without the political influence to prevent these wide-ranging and highly discretionary rules being deployed in a way which damages the UK economy. (The State aid rules would be applied directly by the Commission in Northern Ireland and under Commission supervision in the rest of the UK.). In addition, the application of the Protocol regime to Northern Ireland would violate the principle of democratic consent (which is enshrined in the Belfast Agreement) and have damaging constitutional and political consequences, as we outline in a later section. From the EU27 perspective, the consequences of the Protocol coming into force are very different. The Protocol would guarantee continued tariff-free access for EU27 producers of goods into the UK market. In addition, and by contrast with the scenario if the UK were to conclude a Free Trade Agreement with the EU and operate an independent global trade policy, the Protocol guarantees that the UK must maintain the tariff barriers mandated by the EUs Common External Tariff against competing third country imports. Therefore the Protocol locks in the EU27s large surplus in trade in goods with the UK, which has grown to 95bn in 2017 from rough balance in 1998. In addition, since EU27 goods exports to the UK are heavily concentrated in high tariff sectors, the Protocol guarantees that EU27 producers will continue to be able to export their goods to the UK at above prevailing world prices behind the shield of the Common External Tariff. Given this apparently strong economic incentive for the EU to push the UK into the backstop Protocol and keep it there, the adequacy of the legal arrangements has to be assessed on the assumption that the EU may use all the levers that are legally open to them (and without needing to engage in bad faith) either to push the UK into the Protocol, or to force the UK in lieu into an agreement which is similarly beneficial to the EU and as detrimental to the UK as the Protocol. Unless the UK has a legally secure route out of the deadlock problem, its negotiating position will be fatally undermined. Finally, it is far from clear that the UK would escape from the backstop Protocol even by concluding a replacement long term trade agreement with the EU. Assuming that such an agreement would have a conventional termination clause of say 12 months notice, we see nothing that prevents the EU from requiring that the UK agree that the Protocol or something like it should come back into effect in the event of the long term relationship agreement being terminated. Therefore if the Protocol is once agreed without a legally enforceable exit route for the UK, there is a very high risk that it will become a permanent liability of the UK. 5. Binding nature of the Protocol under international law A number of suggestions have been in circulation that the UK might be able to escape from the Protocol in the future despite the lock-in problem identified in the Attorney-Generals advice. These suggestions are (1) that the UK could leave the Protocol in the future because one Parliament cannot bind its successor, (2) that the UK could simply breach and repudiate the Protocol and take the consequences, and (3) the UK might be able to escape from the Protocol because of various arguments arising under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT). We note that none of these points appears in the Attorney-Generals letter of advice, which concludes that the only way out of the Protocol is political i.e. ultimately by agreeing terms which are acceptable to the EU. We infer that the Attorney and the Governments other legal advisers did not (rightly in our view) regard any of these points as providing a secure or credible route of escape from the backstop, in the face of the EUs refusal to agree terms within the treaty which would give the UK that right. (1) One Parliament cannot bind its successor This suggestion is based on a misunderstanding of the relationship between domestic law and international law. The doctrine that one Parliament cannot bind its successor is a principle of the UKs internal constitutional law. As a matter of internal law, an Act passed by one Parliament cannot prevent the next Parliament from repealing it. However this doctrine has no application to international law obligations under treaties. Under international law, States are bound by treaties which they conclude regardless of changes of government or legislature. Even if there is a revolution and the whole constitution is overthrown, the State continues to be bound by treaties validly concluded by the previous regime. Although the backstop Protocol is very unusual or probably unique in treaties of this kind in having no conventional termination clause, if it is concluded under the authority of the present Parliament it will continue to bind the UK under future Parliaments. (2) Just breach the Protocol and face the consequences The second suggestion simply to breach the treaty faces severe problems and should be regarded as unrealistic in view of the legal, constitutional and practical problems that would arise. The UK has a good reputation for adherence to treaty obligations. That reputation is important for our credibility, particularly in entering into new trade agreements, and it would be gravely damaged by repudiating a lawful treaty. In addition, a treaty breach could give rise to retaliatory action by the EU which would be rendered lawful by a UK treaty breach. Title III of Part 8 of the WA empowers an arbitration panel to rule whether a party has breached the WA and, if so, what reparation is due. Unlike more limited international dispute settlement procedures seen in other treaties, it gives an arbitration panel on-going oversight of its rulings, including the power to levy lump sums or penalty payments if the UK failed to comply with a ruling (Art.178(1)), and it would give the other party (the EU if the UK were to repudiate the Protocol) the right to suspend the observance of its own obligationsthat is to say, effectively to offset the injury by means of self-help (Art.178(2)). The exercise of a perfectly lawful right to terminate the EU treaties under Art.50 has engendered great opposition. A proposal to repudiate a legally binding treaty in breach of international law would be likely to generate opposition which is even greater, and those who think that such a course of action is a credible option need to consider how realistic is it that they would overcome such opposition. The difficulties of breaching the Protocol at the international level are increased by Art.4 of the WA, which requires that the provisions of the WA (including the Protocol) and of EU law which are applied to the UK under the WA must be given direct effect and must have supremacy over conflicting UK law. It requires in terms that UK courts must have the power to disapply inconsistent or incompatible domestic provisions. The Bill which implements the WA will, in order to implement Art.4, have to contain clauses which produce the same effect as subsections 2(1) and 2(4) of the European Communities Act 1972. It has been well known from the Factortame case onwards that those provisions empower and require UK domestic courts to disapply even Acts of Parliament if they are incompatible with EU law. In addition, preliminary references to the ECJ will continue across the board under the WA in respect of the transition period and will continue indefinitely in respect of Northern Ireland under the backstop Protocol. Therefore those who contemplate a treaty breach as a way out the Protocol need to factor in a likely scenario in which any legislation purporting to authorise such a breach would be challenged in the courts and possibly referred to the ECJ for a binding ruling, as well as or in the alternative to being submitted to an arbitration panel under Part 8 of the WA. Both the ECJ and the arbitration panel have similar powers to order reparation and lump sums or penalty payments for breach of their rulings. Payment of such sums would be a legal obligation under international law. (3) Vienna Convention* arguments Art.60(3)(b) VCLT recognises the right of one party to a bilateral treaty to terminate or suspend its operation if there is a breach by the other party of a provision of the treaty which is a repudiation of the treaty or a violation of a provision essential to the accomplishment of the object or purpose of the treaty. It has been suggested that if a replacement agreement for the backstop Protocol cannot be negotiated in a reasonable period, then that would be evidence of a breach by the EU of its obligation to use best endeavours in good faith to negotiate such an agreement. This argument faces a number of severe problems. First, it would not be enough for the UK to assert that there was such a breach the UK would have to persuade an arbitration panel to make a finding that there was a breach by the EU, or risk a finding by the panel that the UK was in breach if the UK chose to act unilaterally. In coming to its decision, that panel would be obliged under Art.274 of the WA to refer any questions of EU law to the ECJ for decision and would be bound by the ECJs ruling. So, for example, if the EU were to say that alternative arrangements suggested by the UK were unsuitable because they would conflict with EU law or were not compatible with EU single market rules, it would be the ECJ rather than the independent panel which would be the effective decision maker. As we explain below, the obligation of good faith itself could be seen to be a matter of EU law whose meaning requires to be determined by the ECJ. (The VCLT is probably, as a strictly formal matter, inapplicable to the WA, which is an agreement between the UK and the EU, a non-State entity. However, the VCLT is generally regarded as codifying pre-existing customary international law and hence the same result is likely whether or not the VCLT as such applies.) Secondly, the obligation to negotiate in good faith rests not just on the EU, but on the EU and UK together. If negotiations break down, it cannot be assumed that one party, the EU, is the one at fault. It could equally be the fault of the UK. An obligation to negotiate in good faith is not the same as an obligation to reach an agreement, and does not require the negotiating party to set aside its own fundamental interests in order to do so. Most likely, if an agreement is not reached, it would be classed as a case where, as contemplated by the Attorney-General in paragraph 13 of his letter of 13 November 2018, parties, pursuing their best endeavours in good faith, are simply unable to agree a superseding agreement within a reasonable time, or indeed at all. Thirdly, the argument that a State or international body has not acted in good faith is inherently a difficult one, which would require clear and convincing evidence of improper motive and wilful intransigence (again quoting the Attorney-General at paragraph 29). A second argument is that the UK has an implied right of withdrawal from the backstop Protocol under Art.56(1)(b) VCLT. This Article however only applies to a treaty which contains no provision regarding its termination and does not provide for withdrawal. However, Art.20 of the backstop Protocol could be said to contain an express provision for its termination via the bilateral review mechanism (which gives the EU a veto), and the EU would certainly argue that Art.54 VCLT rather than Art.56 applies to it. Under Art.54, withdrawal may take place only with the consent of the parties, or in accordance with the provisions of the treaty in this case, via the review mechanism. The EU would also argue that in any event the backstop Protocol is not an instrument which by its nature implies a right of denunciation or withdrawal, in view of their understanding of its relevance to the Irish border and the Belfast Agreement. So the argument that Art.56 VCLT is applicable cannot, in the face of the EUs likely counter arguments, provide to Parliament any assurance that this could provide a unilateral route out of the backstop. Thirdly, suggestions have been made that it might be possible for the UK to escape from the backstop in the event of a negotiating deadlock because that would be a fundamental change of circumstances under Art.62 VCLT. However, for Art.62 to apply, the change of circumstances has to be not foreseen by the parties when the treaty is concluded, and plainly the deadlock problem has been foreseen. Further, it is doubtful that the deadlock problem is a change of circumstances at all, since these are normally taken to be changes of circumstances external to the treaty and not just matters which arise from the operation of the agreed treaty terms. Moreover, the EU might well say that the Protocol is an agreement relevant to an international boundary such that, as reflected in Art.62(2)(a) VCLT, the UK may not invoke fundamental change of circumstances as a ground for termination or withdrawal. In conclusion, none of the Vienna Convention arguments provide a robust or probably even credible alternative to securing changes to the treaty which would secure the UKs right to escape from the Protocol. 6. Constitutional impact of the Protocol within Northern Ireland The December 2017 Joint Report of the negotiators included the following paragraph, which complemented the preceding para 49 on alignment of customs and single market rules: 50. In the absence of agreed solutions, as set out in the previous paragraph, the United Kingdom will ensure that no new regulatory barriers develop between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom, unless, consistent with the 1998 Agreement, the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly agree that distinct arrangements are appropriate for Northern Ireland. In all circumstances, the United Kingdom will continue to ensure the same unfettered access for Northern Irelands businesses to the whole of the United Kingdom internal market. Under the backstop Protocol, regulatory barriers will be created between Great Britain and Northern Ireland in important respects. Although GBs external tariffs will be aligned with EU tariffs and there should no tariffs on goods passing between GB and NI, GB and NI will be under different regimes for customs administrative purposes and this means (as pointed out in the Attorney-Generals letter at para 7), customs declarations will be required for goods passing from GB to NI. Furthermore, the rules of the EU single market on goods and related areas will continue to apply within Northern Ireland. This means the goods from GB which do not comply with EU single market rules, as they stand now or as they are altered by the EU in future, will be prohibited from entering NI and administrative controls will be needed to enforce these restrictions. We note that if the WA is concluded, both the above restrictions will be imposed by the UK Act of Parliament which implements the WA without the consent of the Northern Ireland Executive or Assembly, either now or in the future. In addition, the Protocol applies a huge range of EU single market regulations and directives to Northern Ireland which are listed out over 68 pages in Annex 5 (the 68 pages are the list of the titles of these rules, not the rules themselves). These rules are applied to Northern Ireland (but not Great Britain) by Arts.6(2) and 10 of the Protocol. Broadly speaking these are all the rules of the single market relating to the placing of goods on the market and the processes and procedures they must undergo before being placed on the market, and rules relating to movement of goods (such as rules on live animal exports), but also include connected matters such as EU legislation on intellectual property (Annex 5, para 45), and an eclectic collection of additional legislation such as, for example, Council Regulation (EC) No 2182/2004 of 6 December 2004 concerning medals and tokens similar to euro coins (para 47). In addition, the EUs legislation relating to VAT and excise duties will continue to apply in Northern Ireland but not in the rest of the UK (Art.9 and Annex 6). This means for example that Northern Ireland would be restricted from introducing a lower VAT rate to encourage tourism, even if such a rate were brought in elsewhere in the UK. Under the Protocol, the single market and tax rules must apply in Northern Ireland very much in the same way as EU law now applies in the UK as a Member State. As explained above, Art.4 of the WA requires the UK to legislate to make these provisions of EU law supreme over UK law (including Acts of Parliament) in UK courts. The supervisory powers of the EU Commission and other institutions and the jurisdiction of the ECJ (both in direct actions and in preliminary references) will continue to apply in Northern Ireland, just as if it were still part of an EU Member State: see Protocol Art.14(4). These provisions mean that the UK Supreme Court will plainly not be supreme when it comes to dealing with these areas of law within Northern Ireland. It will be required to refer any issues of EU law to the ECJ and will be bound by the ECJs ruling. And the Protocol obliges the UK to apply all these legal rules not as they stand today but as they are amended or replaced from time to time by the EU (Art.15(3)). The same applies as regards judgments of the ECJ: the UK will be bound by future judgments of the ECJ when interpreting these EU rules, as well as by judgments given before we leave (Art.15(4)). These provisions mean that the people of Northern Ireland will be subjected to binding changes in the laws which apply to them, with no possibility of democratic consent either via the Westminster Parliament or via the Northern Ireland Assembly. This imposition of laws on Northern Ireland without the consent of the people of Northern Ireland either to the laws themselves or to the process by which they will be imposed on Northern Ireland represents a clear breach of the principle of consent enshrined in the Belfast Agreement. Where the EU introduces a new directive or regulation in one of the fields where EU laws apply within NI, the EU will notify the Joint Committee under Art.15(5) of the Protocol. The Joint Committee can then take a decision to add the new piece of legislation to the Protocol and it will then take effect within Northern Ireland. In theory, the UK could veto the adoption of the new act because decisions of the Joint Committee have to be taken by consensus of both the UK and EU representatives. However, if this is done, the EU then becomes entitled to take appropriate remedial measures. This is very similar to the mechanism which applies to the EEA states under the EEA Agreement, and the threat of remedial measures by the EU has in practice induced the EEA States to adopt all new EU legislative acts: after a period of resistance, Norway was compelled to abandon its opposition to the Postal Services Directive in 2014. So, although there is a theoretical right for new EU laws not to apply within Northern Ireland under the Protocol, in practice both Northern Ireland and potentially the UK as a whole would be subject to the threat of retaliatory action by the EU. An important aspect of our consideration of the proposals to be negotiated with the EU is how far they go to remedy the non-compliance with paragraph 50 of the December 2017 Joint Report and the breaches of the principles of democratic consent under the Protocol. It seems to us that the documents negotiated on 11 March 2019 do nothing to address the issue of the need for democratic consent of the people of Northern Ireland to the EU laws that will apply to them under the Protocol. Our assessment of the 11 March 2019 documents On 11th March the Government published a Political Agreement with the EU comprising three new documents additional to the draft Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration of 26 November 2018: (a) a joint instrument relating to the draft Withdrawal Agreement; (b) a unilateral declaration by the UK in relation to the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol; and (c) a joint statement supplementing the Political Declaration. Each is claimed to be intended to provide greater legal certainty that the UK is not bound permanently by the Northern Ireland backstop, nor trapped in a customs union with the EU. None of these documents seeks to address any other concerns with the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration. Basic problem with the New Documents We consider that the New Documents are largely focussed on dealing with the wrong alleged problem, which is that of the EU employing bad faith in order to trap the UK in the backstop. In seeking to address this alleged problem, the New Documents entirely fail to deal with the real problem, which is that of the UK being indefinitely trapped in the backstop because the EU acting in good faith or at least not in a way which can credibly be proved to amount to bad faith fails to offer terms which are acceptable to the UK and the negotiations then break down. This problem good faith deadlock is the real risk both in our own view as set out in section 5(3) above and is also the risk identified in the Attorney-Generals letter of 13 November 2018. His letter of 12 March 2019 reaffirms the existence of that same risk in his concluding paragraph 19: 19. However, the legal risk remains unchanged that if through no such demonstrable failure of either party, but simply because of intractable differences, that situation does arise, the United Kingdom would have, at least while the fundamental circumstances remained the same, no internationally lawful means of exiting the Protocols arrangements, save by agreement. Again as we point out in section 5(3) above, the EU is entitled to use the negotiating leverage available to it to advance its own interests without that being in bad faith or in breach of best endeavours. The criteria for a review under Art.20 of the Protocol on superseding the backstop are extremely broad and vague, being that any replacement arrangements must address the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland, maintain the necessary conditions for continued North-South cooperation, avoid a hard border and protect the 1998 Agreement in all its dimensions. (Art.1(3) of Protocol). These criteria involve wide questions of political judgement, quite apart from and on top of operational judgements of, for example, whether or not proposed replacement customs procedures would be effective in safeguarding the EU single market from entry of non-conforming or non-tariff bearing goods. This means that a refusal by the EU to agree replacing the backstop could be based on wide grounds involving subjective judgement which it would be quite impossible to demonstrate were being advanced by the EU in bad faith. The New Documents do not even address this real problem. Instead, they seek to divert attention from that problem by elaborately purporting to strengthen a potential bad faith argument. Legal Status and Effect of the New Documents (a) Joint instrument relating to the draft Withdrawal Agreement (the Joint Instrument) Purpose and Extent of Joint Instrument This instrument is a joint document which is intended to interpret the WA and Protocol. It is possible for parties to treaties to enter into supplemental documents which interpret treaties in particular by providing a clearer meaning for treaty provisions which are vague or unclear. However, such interpretative instruments cannot alter or contradict the underlying treaty, or create new substantive provisions . The document explains its interpretative purpose in the last paragraph on page 1 which concludes that it has legal force and a binding character. However, it is vital to appreciate that this phrase is preceded by the words To this effect, which refer back to the interpretative nature of the document. Accordingly, it has limited binding character, only to the extent of interpreting and not changing or contradicting the WA or Protocol. The statement made in the Prime Ministers letter to Members of Parliament of 12 March 2018 (The Choice Today) that We have secured legally binding changes, with comparable legal weight to the Withdrawal Agreement is manifestly incorrect in two regards. First, neither this instrument nor the other New Documents produce legally binding changes to the WA or Protocol; secondly, an interpretative instrument is clearly not of comparable weight to the treaty which it interprets. Provisions of the Joint Instrument Para 4 records that the parties consider that, for example, a systematic refusal to take into consideration adverse proposals or interests, would be incompatible with their obligations of good faith to replace the Protocol. This merely reiterates the position under international law and was fully taken into account in the AGs advice of 13 November 2018 when he concluded that it was very unlikely that the EU would put itself in breach of its good faith obligations. We consider this point further in the next section. Para 7 records an agreement to establish a negotiating track for replacing the customs and regulatory alignment in goods elements of the Protocol with alternative arrangements. This does not expand the UKs rights beyond the existing Political Declaration, which states that such alternative arrangements will be considered. This means that the EU can quite lawfully and in good faith consider such arrangements and find them wanting. It does not even contain an in principle acceptance of such alternative arrangements by the EU. Once we had ratified the WA and Protocol, the legal position would be that the UK would be entirely dependent on the goodwill of the EU to approve any such arrangements and their refusal to approve them would in practice be likely to be unchallengeable by any legal process. It should also be noted from the footnote that such arrangements would not replace Articles 11 onwards of the Protocol, which include State aid control by the Commission (Art.12). None of the other provisions of the Joint Instrument in our view produces any material change in the impact of the WA or the Protocol. It largely consists of selectively reiterating points which are within the text or are obvious from the text, rather than resolving any ambiguities. (b) Unilateral declaration by the UK in relation to the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol (the Unilateral Declaration) Role and Application of Unilateral Declaration (UD) We consider this Unilateral Declaration to be entirely worthless. There are, putting it at the lowest, considerable doubts as to whether and when a unilateral statement by one party to a treaty can affect its meaning if that statement is not acknowledged or adopted by the other treaty party: it could be regarded as just the UK talking to itself. But even assuming in its favour that this document could in principle produce some legal effect, analysis of its content shows that it does nothing but reiterate the existing position under the WA. The second paragraph states that the objective of the Withdrawal Agreement is not to establish a permanent relationship, but notably precedes that with the words subject to Article 1(4) of the Protocol. Article 1(4) of the Protocol contains the following last sentence: The provisions of this Protocol shall apply unless and until they are superseded, in whole or in part, by a subsequent agreement. This paragraph of the UD therefore simply re-iterates what is already in Art.1(4) of the Protocol but in a misleading way in which the last sentence, which formed the bedrock of the Attorney Generals advice, is omitted but is replaced with a reference which produces the same legal effect as if that sentence had been starkly re-iterated in the text of the UD. We cannot understand what diplomatic purpose is served by this paragraph, and must regrettably conclude that it has been couched in a way which will mislead an unwary reader. The third paragraph of the UD purports to record the UK governments understanding of the position if it is not possible for the parties to conclude an agreement which replaces the Protocol in whole or in part, due to a breach of Article 5 by the Union. Article 5 WA is the obligation of good faith. Therefore this paragraph is limited to circumstances where the EU has acted in bad faith, and has no application to the far more likely circumstance in which the parties simply cannot reach agreement and the UK is locked in indefinitely. As regards the bad faith scenario, the paragraph then merely reiterates the remedies available to the UK in such circumstances without expanding them. As we have already pointed out, the UK would need to establish bad faith in front of an arbitral tribunal, which would be a Herculean task rendered more difficult and longer by the probable need for a reference by the arbitrators of points of EU law to the ECJ under Art.174 of the WA. It is strongly arguable that the meaning of good faith and best endeavours are points of EU law in the context of the WA and Protocol, in which case the ECJ would need to rule on the extent to which those concepts under EU law might differ from their meaning under international law. Even if the UK were successful in establishing bad faith, remedies under the WA disputes process would be limited to partial and proportionate suspension of parts of the treaty obligations, and would not amount to an exit from the backstop Protocol. We expand on this point below. We can see no legal or diplomatic purpose that is served by the inclusion of this Unilateral Declaration. Regrettably we conclude that it has been generated for home consumption and its purpose is to obscure rather than elucidate the true position under the WA and Protocol. (c) Joint statement supplementing the Political Declaration (the Joint Statement) The Joint Statement is a non-binding statement of intent in connection with the non- binding Political Declaration. Possible Registration with UN It has been suggested that the Joint Statement be registered with the United Nations. The implication appears to be that such a registration will establish that the Joint Statement is a legal binding instrument and not a mere political declaration. Article 102(1) of the UN Charter provides that [e]very treaty and every international agreement entered into by any Member of the United Nations shall as soon as possible be registered with the Secretariat and published by it. However, neither an omission to register an instrument nor the fulfilment of the registration requirement is conclusive as to the character of the instrument as legally binding or otherwise. To determine the character of an instrument, one must refer to its terms. It is the terms, not the formalities of registration (or their omission), that matter. This point is reflected in international practice, for example in the 1994 judgment of the International Court of Justice in Qatar v. Bahrain, ICJ Rep. 1994 at pp. 121-22 (paras. 27-29); and in UK practice under the Budapest Memorandum concerning Ukraine in 2014. Ability to Withdraw from the Northern Ireland Backstop Meaning of Best Endeavours In the Joint Instrument the parties seek to clarify the meaning of best endeavours in their obligation to conclude, by 31 December 2020, an agreement which supersedes the Protocol in whole or part. As noted above, it is unclear whether the term best endeavours is already or may become a matter of Union law whose meaning would be determined under the Withdrawal Agreement by the ECJ. If it were so, the effect of the clarifications in the Joint Instrument would need to be seen in that context. Whilst they may be given some form of effect by the ECJ that effect could, in the experience of the UK with that court, be highly uncertain and may not be in accordance with the expectations of a UK reader. The comfort sought to be provided by the Joint Instrument takes examples often at extremes, which are unlikely to be applicable. For instance, it says a systematic refusal to take into consideration adverse proposals or interests, would be incompatible with their obligations under Article 2(1) of the Protocol [best endeavours to conclude an agreement superseding the Protocol in whole or part] and Article 5 of the Withdrawal Agreement [obligations of good faith and to take appropriate steps to fulfil the agreement, without prejudice to the (uncertain) application of Union law.] (Para 4, Joint Instrument). It is almost inconceivable that the UK would be able to demonstrate a systematic refusal to take into consideration adverse interests incompatible with the parties best endeavours obligations, with all the uncertainties that concept imports. The extreme improbability of an arbitral finding of a breach of good faith is well illustrated by the International Court of Justice case Whaling in the Antarctic (Australia v. Japan). Japan was permitted by the Whaling Convention to hunt whales for scientific purposes (Art. VIII), but was hunting them and selling the meat at a fish market. The ICJ would not hold Japan to be acting in bad faith. There are statements made about the swift commencement of negotiations (para 5), speedy work (para 6), a negotiating track (para 7), a high level conference (para 8) and extraordinary high level conferences (para 9). None of these have much legal import, as paragraph 8 indicates when it states that the UK may request an extension of the transitional period. The interpretation of best endeavours has received little attention from the ECJ, rendering it an uncertain concept that is open to all manner of interpretation. Protection of UK Territorial Integrity The Joint Instrument notes it intends to protect the territorial integrity of the UK (para 2), but the provisions of the Protocol entail significant encroachments on UK territorial integrity, with a commercial border across the Irish Sea. The Protocol covers numerous areas, including the rights of individuals, a single travel area, a single customs territory, technical assessments, registrations, certificates, approvals and so on, VAT and excise, agriculture and the environment, single electricity market and state aid. The provisions on state aid, for instance, significantly hamper UK competitiveness. They are to be given a dynamic meaning determined from time to time by the ECJ, and state aid is to be controlled either directly by the European Commission (Northern Ireland) or indirectly (Great Britain). This means the Withdrawal Agreement package comprises a semi-permanent trade agreement, with many concessions already having been made in favour of the EU. Similarly, the EUs much prized provisions on geographic indicators apply until such time as a free trade agreement is entered into between the UK and EU. Until that time this key point of leverage is conceded to the EU. The Joint Instrument seeks to provide some comfort that the Protocol cannot be applied indefinitely (para 12). However, this comfort is limited. The assertion is that the good faith etc obligations under Article 5 of the Withdrawal Agreement and the best endeavours obligation under Article 2(1) of the Protocol should be interpreted such that it would be inconsistent with their obligations if either party acts with the objective of applying the Protocol indefinitely. It is wholly implausible that evidence would come available that the EU would act with such a demonstrable objective. If disputed the matter goes to the dispute resolution mechanisms, but as above it is quite possible that the determining law would be said to be Union law and reference is made as to its application to the ECJ. It is also to be noted that the dispute resolution mechanics are to be slowed down by a process of prior consultations with the Joint Committee (para 13). It is only when the arbitration panel makes a ruling and there is persistent failure by a party to comply with that ruling, and thus persistent failure by that party to return to compliance with its obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement that remedies and only temporary remedies at that are to be provided. Ultimately after this process, the UK would have the right to enact a unilateral, proportionate suspension of its obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement other than the provisions on the rights of former EU citizens unless and until the [EU] has taken the necessary measures to comply with the ruling of the arbitration panel. Such a step may expose the UK to damages claims from commercial parties under international arbitration. The Unilateral Declaration seeks to add weight to the conclusion that the Withdrawal Agreement as a whole will not be indefinite. However, as set out above, this is a document refers to but does not set out Article 1(4) of the Protocol, which states that the provisions of this Protocol shall apply unless and until they are superseded, in whole or in part, by a subsequent agreement. The Unilateral Declaration therefore has no impact in respect of the principal matter at hand, that is the permanency of application of the Protocol for Northern Ireland. The Unilateral Declaration then seeks to record the UKs understanding of the best endeavours obligation in Article 2(1) of the Protocol if it is not possible for the parties to conclude an agreement superseding the Protocol in whole or in part. If but only if that situation was brought about by bad faith on the part of the EU, the UK states its belief that it can instigate measures that could ultimately lead to disapplication of obligations under the Protocol, in accordance with Part 6 Title III of the Withdrawal Agreement or Article 20 of the Protocol. However: The subsequent agreement could only replace the Protocol in part and still satisfy Art.2 There is no time period for the disapplication The UK only states that obligations under the Protocol will be disapplied not all obligations, appearing to affirm that some of the Protocol could endure indefinitely The UK reaffirms (unnecessarily, if the whole Protocol were to fall away) its new obligations to the EU, entered into pursuant to the Withdrawal Agreement, to uphold its obligations under the 1998 Agreement in all its dimensions and under all circumstances and to avoid a hard border on the island or Ireland. The 1998 Agreement is therefore then buttressed, for ever, by obligations to the EU, potentially including obligations to persons across the UK, EU and beyond pursuant to Article 4 of the Withdrawal Agreement. This is inappropriate as the scope of the obligations under the 1998 Agreement are relevant only to the UK and the Republic of Ireland. When the declaration states that Article 1(4) of the Protocol makes clear a permanent relationship under the Protocol is not the parties intention, whilst that is true for the first sentence of Article 1(4), as already discussed it is far from true for the third sentence of that same Article. This states [t]he provisions of this Protocol shall apply unless and until they are superseded, in whole or in part, by subsequent agreement. Quite apart from the fact that such an inconsistency illustrates the dangerous paucity of drafting of the Withdrawal Agreement, such that the UK is not in a position to be certain what it has agreed to, the Attorney General himself placed weight on this provision in determining that the backstop was permanent in his letter to the Prime Minister of 13 November 2018. The drafting of this supposed clarification hardly gives confidence as to the conviction as to the outcome ostensibly desired. Political Declaration The Joint Statement seeks to reassert the link between the Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration (para 2). It states a shared ambition to have a future relationship in place by the end of the transition period (para 3). Notably, it does not indicate what that future relationship might be. Many in the UK regard it as a free trade agreement with collaboration on security and other such matters. However, there are aspects of the Political Declaration which are seriously damaging for future UK interests and where therefore an enhanced linkage between the WA and the PD would damage UK interests. Particular points of concern are: Para 23 on tariffs. This is incompatible with the future conclusion of a conventional Canada-style Free Trade Agreement between the UK and the EU, because of its reference to a single customs territory and to the absence of origin controls. The EU could use this paragraph as a lever to deny the UK the right to negotiate an FTA to replace the backstop. Para 124 on disputes and enforcement. This states that the long term agreement should contain arrangements for disputes and enforcement based on the WA; hence the role of the ECJ in Art.174 of the WA would become a permanent feature of the future relationship between the UK and the EU. Because the UK has sold the pass on this issue in the PD, the EU could insist on the UK having to succumb to this perpetual ECJ jurisdiction as part of the price of being let out of the Protocol. Indeed, the EU would undoubtedly argue that the UK is in breach of its own best endeavours in good faith obligation if it fails to submit to such a clause. Para 75 on fishing. This states that the parties should establish a new fisheries agreement on, inter alia, access to waters and quota shares. The EU could insist on the UK succumbing to what is in substance the continuation of the Common Fisheries Policy, failing which the EU would be entitled to refuse to let the UK out of the backstop Protocol. The remainder of the Joint Statement is a statement of warm intent, which is not justiciable or binding. Most notably this includes the self-described commitment to work at speed on a subsequent agreement that establishes by 31 December 2020 alternative arrangements to the Northern Ireland backstop. Various further aspirations as to how this work will proceed are then set out in paragraph 6, but these are just that and non-binding. Annex: Summary of Key Sovereignty Issues with the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration Legal Status The Agreement, once entered into, cannot be exited except by subsequent agreement with the EU. Although Parliament cannot bind itself within the UKs territory, the UK can bind itself internationally by Treaty, ceding governance to the Treatys provisions and those empowered to interpret and apply them in many instances the ECJ. Payment The Agreement provides for an uncapped and uncertain payment liability for the UK to contribute to EU liabilities, determined ultimately by the ECJ. Citizens Rights Ex-EU citizens in the UK continue to have EU rights, interpreted by the ECJ. These may diverge from the UKs future choices of entitlements for all UK citizens, which would create two classes of UK citizens. The Agreement gives numerous direct entitlements to citizens, corporates and others across the EU, which they can claim under the wording of the Agreement, as interpreted by the ECJ through the EU doctrine of direct effect (in Article 4). The precise extent and content of this commitment is extremely unclear and is in the hands of the ECJ. It overrides any conflicting UK legislation and is to be implemented directly into UK law and enforced by UK administrative bodies and Courts. Transitional Period There is a transitional period, extendable until an unspecified date, under which the EUs laws apply but without governance rights for the UK. There is no provision adjusting eg State aid provisions so as clearly to allow the UK to protect its service industries from a potential no-deal outcome after that period. By contrast, some member states appear already to believe they can protect their industries from such a no deal outcome. The Backstop The Agreement provides for a rudimentary trade deal on goods, leaving Northern Ireland in elements of the single market and customs union unless agreed otherwise, and applying some of these provisions to mainland Great Britain. There is no binding trade deal on the services sector, which represents 80% of the economy. Unless a replacement trade deal is agreed: The Northern Ireland single market and customs union laws in goods, with partial application to mainland Great Britain, will apply indefinitely. Certain checks will be required across the Irish Sea, eg customs declarations for GB goods going to NI. Goods that do not meet EU requirements cannot enter NI. NI will be economically part of the EUs single market in goods. EU State aid law will apply in the UK, as interpreted by the ECJ from time to time and administered directly (for NI) or indirectly (for GB) by the European Commission. This already governs UK tax policy and could prevent deregulation. It could be expanded further by the ECJ. Existing EU laws on social and environmental policy will apply, regardless of any changes in circumstances or subsequent political wishes. The EUs much-prized protections on geographical indicators ie product descriptions for EU goods such as champagne etc continue to apply. There is no enforceable requirement for the EU to agree a reasonable trade deal replacing these provisions. Who Decides What The Agreement Means? The ECJ is deferred to in interpreting many aspects of the Withdrawal Agreement, directly or indirectly. The drafting is extremely unclear in many areas, leading to uncertainty and unpredictability as to what the UK is agreeing to, and allowing for significant ECJ discretion. This is inconsistent with normal Treaty practice where an independent arbitral body holds the parties to their word. The ECJ is a politicised court which interprets and makes law according to perceived EU purpose underpinning the provisions. Its judgments can be highly unpredictable. For instance it interpreted the original free movement of workers as free movement of all people. It has also marginalised agreed legal text, introduced in 1993 partly at the behest of the UK, intended to devolve decision-making back to the member states from the EU (through the doctrine of subsidiarity). Henry Newman is Director of Open Europe. The Brexit options are narrowing. Yesterday evening, Parliament gave a definitive verdict against No Deal. While nothing has yet changed in statute, the Government has now accepted that the Commons is opposed to leaving the EU without an agreement. Later today, MPs will debate a new motion on delaying Brexit, for which there seems to be a majority. With the path to a No Deal Brexit disappearing, Eurosceptic critics of the deal should look again at Theresa Mays deal and, in particular, at the reassurances and clarifications she obtained at Strasbourg on Monday night. The package agreed at Strasbourg came just hours before the second meaningful vote on Tuesday. As Paul Goodman observed, MPs were being bounced, and needed a day or twos deliberation to weigh up the effect of any legal changes. Jacob Rees Mogg sagely suggested in advance of the vote that delay would have been sensible because if people feel that they have been bounced, hurried and harried, their natural instinct is not necessarily to cave in, but to stiffen their resolve. The Government, however, pressed ahead to another defeat (although they did persuade various influential backbenchers to back the deal including, most notably, David Davis). The fate of the Prime Ministers deal seemed sealed when the Attorney Generals legal advice was published. To Geoffrey Coxs credit, he refused to bend his advice to political expediency. But his stark final paragraph kicked away the ladder that some erstwhile critics of Mays deal were halfway through climbing down. And, crucially, his line that a legal risk remained unchanged the United Kingdom would haveno internationally lawful means of exiting the Protocols arrangements, save by agreement distracted attention from a far more significant change outlined in his advice. Eurosceptic critics of the deal have long been rightly concerned that the UK could be trapped in the backstop if the European Union refused to negotiate in good faith. These fears were exemplified by a threat which Emmanuel Macron made in November that the EU would use the backstop as a lever to extract concessions from the UK. He strongly implied that the UK would be forced to remain for the long term in a customs union unless it conceded on the future relationship, fishing rights and so on. This tallied with reported comments made by Sabine Weyand. The changes agreed at Strasbourg on Monday night addressed that important concern. As the Attorney General himself noted in Paragraph 17 of his legal advice, the Strasbourg package of changes reduce the risk that the United Kingdom could be indefinitely and involuntarily detained within the Protocols provisions at least in so far as that situation had been brought about by the bad faith or want of best endeavours of the EU. The risk that remains unchanged as per the concluding Paragraph 19 of his legal advice is a separate legal concern that is, that the UK is unable to put forward any workable solutions to the Irish border. In that case, the backstop would remain binding under international law, unless fundamental circumstances changed. But Eurosceptic critics of the deal are rightly convinced that a combination of technology, alignment, cooperation and facilitation can resolve the Irish border issue, as long as the EU does not arbitrarily refuse to engage with whatever the UK puts forward. In addition, the final paragraph of Coxs advice notes that were the UK trapped in the backstop and there to be a fundamental change of circumstances, the UK could suspend or even exit the backstop under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. A new legal opinion published by Guglielmo Verdirame QC a professor of International Law at Kings College, London sets out a number of important points which may have been lost or not fully appreciated in the noise of interventions and commentary of the last hours. Together with Professor Richard Ekins and Sir Stephen Laws, Verdirame had already written, in a paper published by Policy Exchange back in December, that, even before Mondays changes, the UK would have had arguments in the event of the backstop becoming a trap. His opinion now reinforces the interpretation that the Strasbourg package has further improved the UKs legal position. Crucially, Verdirame argues that: the risk of the backstop being used as leveraging for the next phase of the negotiations to lock the EU into a backstop-like arrangement indefinitely has receded significantly. In particular, it would be clearly incompatible with its obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement, [backstop] Protocol, and Joint Instrument , for the EU to adopt a negotiating stance that boils down to the position that only backstop 2.0 can replace the current backstop. For similar reasons, it would be inconsistent with its obligations for the EU to adopt a stance that reflects the position attributed to President Macron, i.e. that the UK would have to pay a price (e.g. in terms of access to fisheries) to leave the backstop. The UK should indicate, in no uncertain terms, that it would regard an approach by the EU to negotiations on such basis, or on the basis of the leaked Weyand memorandum from last November, as incompatible with the EUs obligations under the WA [Withdrawal Agreement] /Protocol and, more so, as clarified and amplified in the Joint Instrument . Moreover, contrary to views that circulated on Tuesday, Verdirame explains, it is incorrect to say that a dispute about whether the EU has acted in good faith in seeking to replace the backstop would end up being determined by the European Court of Justice on behalf of the arbitration panel. There has, he suggests, been a great deal of confusion about what the concept of good faith means in this context perhaps due again to the limited time that people had to reflect on these documents and to predictable attempts by those interested in stopping Brexit in creating a nothing has changed narrative. To be clear: to win a hypothetical case against the EU for breach of the best endeavours in good faith obligation, and of the separate obligation to implement the Withdrawal Agreement including the backstop in good faith, the UK would not have to demonstrate bad faith on the part of the EU in the English law sense of dishonesty, fraud or deceit. In one of the cases cited by Verdirame, the most important international judicial body, the International Court of Justice, said: The principle of good faith obliges the Parties to apply it [the Treaty] in a reasonable way and in such a manner that its purpose can be realised. This means the EU could not merely sit back, wait for UK proposals on avoiding the backstop and then reject them all. It would have to be not only reasonable in considering UK proposals, but also proactive in advancing its own solutions, which could not amount to as Verdirame puts it just backstop 2.0, that is something which for all intents and purposes replicates the backstop. So as a result of the Strasbourg package, the EU could not simply insist that it could only replace the backstop with something that looks like a backstop, swims like a backstop and quacks like a backstop i.e. a customs union. Critics of the Prime Ministers deal understandably felt they had far too little time to consider the legal implications of the changes secured at Strasbourg. Those changes were less than many MPs had hoped to see. The EU has refused to move to a proper time limit or a clear unilateral exit mechanism. But just because Brussels wouldnt move all the way, oesnt mean that what they offered wasnt significant. Key EU member states strongly resisted the Commissions move to make the commitments offered in a letter exchange back in January fully legally-binding. They did so because they knew that they strengthened the UK position. Amidst the maelstrom of Tuesdays Brexit drama in Westminster, it was easy to miss the reaction of the Irish opposition. Fianna Fails Brexit spokesperson, Lisa Chambers, noted that there had been changes and that we have come a long way from a bullet-proof, rock-solid, cast-iron backstop. Where we have landed is with a package of legally-binding guarantees agreed at Strasbourg which substantially shift the UKs position regarding the backstop. Neither the EU or the UK side now have quite what they want both positions are sub-optimal. But many of the legal risks for the UK have been substantially reduced, although not entirely eliminated. At a certain point in any negotiation or any decision the question must focus on the politics, not just the law. We are now there. Garvan Walshe is a former National and International Security Policy Adviser to the Conservative Party. He runs TRD Policy. A fresh rumour gathers strength in Brussels. People who had lost hope, in the EU itself and (it is said) some member states, have started to think that Brexit could be defeated. I use the word advisedly: not stopped defeated. They hope for a long extension, enough for another referendum in which, they imagine, anti-Brexit forces would be successful. Nothing will have pleased them more than Geoffrey Coxs legal opinion that any changes to the Withdrawal Agreement the Prime Minister negotiated to the withdrawal agreement were cosmetic. In law, Cox was right. The agreement was not renegotiated. As Gil Scot Heron might have put it: You will not be able to amend, brother You will not be able to seek new alternative arrangements You will not be able to lose yourself in arbitratino Skip out below a Unilateral Declaration Because the agreement will not be reneogiated. The reasons the agreement will not be changed provide the honourable case for Brexit. This is an argument stripped of scare stories about straight bananas or unelected bureaucrats who turn out on closer inspection to be elected parliamentarians. The honourable Brexit cause doesnt need to drum up fears of a unitary superstate. Even the hybrid form of government into which the EU is evolving is not something it thinks Britain should be part of. We have our own history, looking outward across the seas to the island chain of our formal colonies to which we sent millions of emigrants Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States, and from which, research from the Henry Jackson Society has found, the British would be happy to accept increase immigration. And Im sure this is the Brexit that my Brexiteer friends wanted when they campaigned to leave. They want a free and independent Britain making its own way in the world again. They didnt think this country a mean-spirited nation unable to absorb newcomers, whovve done so much to make the country what it is. They dont want to withdraw from the West: Britains strong armed forces should be a pillar of the alliance system. These are all honourable goals, and this Brexit is an honourable cause. Yet if the EU is a political union, and Britain to be outside it, that changes the balance of power on our continent. A single economic superpower about the same size as the United States, with Britain to one side. A single entity capable of defending its interests, and those of its members against countries, like the UK, that have chosen to be on the outside. These are the consequences of leaving. Dont think, as Remainers often do, that the EU is nice. Honour knows that actions have consequences, and its necessary to bear them. This includes the reversal of the traditional balance of power between Ireland and the UK. This will have effects on Northern Irelands future. In finance, technology, and defence procurement, Europes rules will be set by the EUs members and not by Britain. Thats the consequence of leaving the price of freedom if you will. Because honourable countries face up to the consequences of their actions. They dont, like dilatory schoolboys late with their essays, simply ask for more time. A short extension to Article 50 wont serve any purpose whatsoever; while a long one, which the EU would only grant to hold a referendum, risks Brexits defeat. Parliament however is in dilatory schoolboy mode. It voted today on a motion to propose the oxymoronic managed no deal. It voted on a standstill agreement that the EU will not accept. It may eventually vote on whether to have a referendum, but only after the withdrawal agreement has been gone through. It may also vote on whether to pursue a Norway-style Soft Brexit, even though that requires the deal that it has just rejected to be approved. It may also vote for an essay extension. What unites them all is that they avoid the choice on offer: this deal, No Deal, or No Brexit. And Parliament, having voted on Tuesday against the deal a second time, today voted against no deal and against no Brexit too. Having eliminated all other options, well be exactly back to where we started: trying to Brexit without accepting the consequences of Brexit is the only thing that can command a consensus across the Commons. Parliament seems unable to adjust itself to the central fact of a Brexit deal: it needs to be agreed with the EU, and the EU wont agree anything that doesnt involve Britain taking the consequences of its own decision to leave. The fact is that the deal on the table, which allows for a wide variety of outcomes to be negotiated over the next four years, is as good as its going to get. If you want to leave the EU, take this deal ,and start shaping Britains new phase of independence. Give yourselves a Brexit with honour. If you dont, you could end up with a long extentsion and another referendum. If that happens, theyll be cheering in Brussels, not Britain. Hunt squares off with Sturgeon over independence vote It looks as if there may be a fresh confrontation between the British and Scottish governments over the prospect of a second referendum on Scottish independence. Yesterday the Scotsman reported that Nicola Sturgeon has said she intends exercise an apparent mandate she has to hold so-called indyref two in response to the chaos engulfing Westminster over Brexit. But the constitution as a policy area is reserved to London, and earlier this week Jeremy Hunt made it very clear that the Prime Minister has not changed her mind about refusing permission to hold another vote. According to the Daily Express, he said: The answer of course would be no for the very simple reason that we think the Scottish Government should be focusing on the concerns of Scottish voters. This prompted fresh disarray in the ranks of the SNP after the First Minister was forced to slap down her deputy, Keith Brown, for suggesting that the Scottish Government might organise an illegal plebiscite without Westminsters authorisation. For the moment the Nationalists have confined themselves to tabling a pro-independence amendment to Tuesdays vote. Another SNP politician was forced to apologise this week after branding Scottish Conservative MPs traitors for not backing the Nationalists over Brexit. In a further blow to Sturgeons ambitions, a poll this week suggests a hardening of attitudes on the unionist side: one in three Scots reportedly believe that there should now never be another referendum on independence. Tory MPs attack prospect of Bloody Sunday prosecutions MPs have criticised the Government as prosecutors prepare to reveal whether charges will be laid against a number of ex-servicemen over the events of Bloody Sunday almost 50 years ago. They claim that allowing prosecutions to be brought against Army veterans would be shameful, according to the Times, raising concerns about the ability to try the men fairly half a century on from the events in question. Conservative MPs named include Richard Benyon, himself a former officer, and Leo Docherty, who this morning penned a piece for the Times Red Box setting out his objections. He argued that: if a prosecution goes ahead it will be motivated not by new evidence, new testimony or anything else that would lead to a more meaningful trial but by nationalist sentiment in the legal system in Northern Ireland that seeks political retribution above all else. He also, inevitably, highlighted the contrast between the treatment of ex-servicemen and the so-called comfort letters de facto pardons issued to known IRA terrorists, one of which collapsed the trial of the Hyde Park bomber. All of this come as Gavin Williamson, the Defence Secretary, announced earlier this week that new protections being introduced to protect soldiers would come (sadly) too late to shield veterans who served in Northern Ireland. However, the Sun reports his making combative comments about the need to focus on the future of Ulster. Elsewhere, John McDonnell conceded that his past support of the IRAs terror campaign may have helped to fuel sectarian violence. Scottish Labour avoids split by equivocating on Brexit re-run After last weeks public row over the apparent censoring of Peoples Vote campaigners, this week Labour appear to have managed to avoid a full-on confrontation over their Brexit policy. The party formally backed a second referendum at their conference this week but without giving much indication that they are amount to stage a serious push for one, according to the Financial Times. In this Scottish Labour, which is apparently largely autonomous on policy even when it comes to reserved issues, seems to be taking its lead from Jeremy Corbyn, who is himself formally committed to pursuing another vote but doesnt seem to be letting it trouble him overmuch. Ulster Unionist leader launches stinging attack on DUP Robin Swann, the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, made any prospect of unionist unity seem rather distant this week as he opened up on the Democratic Unionists, according to the News Letter. Speaking at the UUPs annual general general meeting in Belfast, the MLA accused his partys dominant rivals of neglecting their duties towards good governance in Northern Ireland and gerrymandering local government boundaries, adding: At the party conference in October past, I said that there was a battle to save the Union from the DUP. I cannot say my view has changed. With the DUP at the helm, pro-Union politics lies in the gutter. Meanwhile Sam McBride reported that Karen Bradleys conduct in the House of Commons had stripped the last fig leaf away from the reality of un-scrutinised civil service rule in the Province. He wrote that the Northern Irish Secretary is consistently using fast-track procedures to pass Northern Irish business through the House with minimal time for scrutiny. This is putatively to give the devolved institutions as much time as possible to get back on their feet and take the decisions themselves, but given the complete lack of activity on that front it looks increasingly like a ruse to allow Bradley to avoid scrutiny which she appears ill-equipped to withstand. All of this come as the Irish Independent reports the Prime Minister threatening direct rule for Northern Ireland in the event of a no-deal exit. Given that the DUP have been calling for it for over a year, it isnt much of a threat. The Commons votes to extend Article 50. The Government no longer supports leaving the EU on March 29. The Governments extension motion passes by 412 202. If it is backed up by legislation, the UK will no longer leave the EU on March 29 (assuming the EU plays ball). Theresa Mays plan is now to get her deal through by means of a Meaningful Vote Three next week and then seek a short extension until June 30. That could happen. However, it is arguably just as likely that a Brexit which is extended will turn out to be a Brexit that never happens. Some will say that this is the day on which Brexit died. On which the politicians failed the people and deliberately defied the referendum result. And they may be right. Either way, those 202 MPs will mostly be Conservatives. We gather that Steve Barclay, Liam Fox, Liz Truss and Gavin Williamson plus half the whips office opposed the Governments motion. Full division list of Conservatives who voted for and against extension coming. In the months of January and February industrial production was 5.3%. Unemployment has also increased by 5.3%. Experts await reforms that leadership has yet to set. Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - In the first two months of 2019 the Chinese economy has slowed down again, and industrial outout has fallen to a 10 year low. Data published today by the National Bureau of Statistics shows that in January and February industrial production grew by 5.3%. In December it was 5.7%. It is the lowest in the last 10 years,when growth was 5.1% in March 2009 . On the back of this unemployment has also increased: in the January-February period it registered a 5.3%; in December it was 4.9%. The country's economic growth slow down is due to the reduction in government subsidies and control to reduce debt, as well as the US tarriff war. Last year economic growth fell to 6.6%, the lowest value in 28 years. In the working document presented to the National People's Congress, underway in Beijing, Premier Li Keqiang predicted a growth of 6-6.5% this year and said that China should be prepared to "fight hard battles" in the economy. He also listed a series of measures to reduce the tax burden on companies, however according to many experts, the Chinese economy needs structural and political reforms, which the leadership is not launching (revision and thinning of state industries; equal treatment of private and public, foreign and local, etc. ..). 03/14/2019 Photo (c) ymgerman - Getty Images Check Point, a security research team, discovered this week that more than 200 apps on the Google Play store were spreading SimBad adware before they were removed. The apps contained malicious code buried inside a software development kit (SDK) and were downloaded almost 150 million times globally. The adware was dubbed SimBad because it affected mostly simulator games, like Snow Heavy Excavator Simulator, Ambulance Rescue Driving, and Fire Truck Emergency Driver. A full list of the infected apps can be viewed here. The researchers said the Android apps in question were capable of phishing, showing ads, and exposing users to other malicious applications. Google pulled the apps from its Play Store after being notified by Check Point. However, the security company noted that SimBad already has the infrastructure to evolve into a much greater threat. Vulnerable to ad fraud Problematic apps have been able to infiltrate Googles Play Store more easily than Apples App Store because Googles review process is less stringent. Google has said that its continuing to make improvements in its ability to keep bad apps out of its Play store. Last month, the company said it had fixed vulnerabilities in more than 75,000 apps in 2018, up 70 percent from 2016. The tech giant said it was able to remove 99 percent of harmful apps before they had been installed. We have this fantastic technology and it works 99.99994 percent of the time. But its never perfect, Google VP and Head of Security for Google Play Dave Kleidermacher told TechCrunch. Google said it takes instances of bad apps and malicious developers extremely seriously, and will continue to innovate our capabilities to better detect and protect against abusive apps and the malicious actors behind them. In a separate report released Wednesday, Check Point noted that adware can often be hidden in the SDK. The firm said it found that an SDK hidden on 12 apps has been stealing contact information from up to 111 million devices in China. "Before integrating SDKs into their mobile applications, developers need to be aware of potential risks of undocumented and malicious behaviors implemented in third party SDKs," Check Point said. 03/14/2019 Photo (c) Shunyu Fan - Getty Images President Trump -- in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation -- issued an emergency order on Wednesday that calls for a nationwide grounding of Boeings 737 MAX aircraft. The grounding impacts all U.S. airlines, or those in U.S. territories, and will remain in effect pending further investigation, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The safety of the American people, of all people, is our paramount concern, Mr. Trump told reporters at the White House. The move reverses a previous decision by U.S. regulators on the heels of deadly crashes involving the same model planes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. Even though aviation regulators from more than 40 countries had banned flights involving the MAX, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hesitated to make that move, saying it had witnessed no systemic performance issues that would precipitate the agency to call off flights involving the jet. Boeing agrees with the move Boeing said that it supports action to temporarily ground 737 MAX operations, in comments to ConsumerAffairs. Boeing continues to have full confidence in the safety of the 737 MAX. However, after consultation with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and aviation authorities and its customers around the world, Boeing has determined -- out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircrafts safety -- to recommend to the FAA the temporary suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of 371 737 MAX aircraft. We are supporting this proactive step out of an abundance of caution. Safety is a core value at Boeing for as long as we have been building airplanes; and it always will be. There is no greater priority for our company and our industry. We are doing everything we can to understand the cause of the accidents in partnership with the investigators, deploy safety enhancements and help ensure this does not happen again, Boeing said. What carriers fly the Boeing 737 MAX? There are three domestic commercial carriers -- Southwest, American, and United -- that currently have the Boeing 737 MAX as part of their fleet. Southwest has 34, American has 24, and while United doesnt use the MAX 8, it does have 14 MAX 9 models. In ConsumerAffairs research, we found that Air Lease Corporation leases the 737 MAX to other carriers such as Spirit and Frontier. ConsumerAffairs reached out to Air Lease for specifics on what airlines it leases the MAX to that might be impacted by the grounding, but had not received comment by press time. Below are statements from the three affected commercial carriers on the grounding of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Southwest Airlines As the investigation of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 progresses, we are staying in close contact with Boeing, the FAA, and other airlines to learn the cause of the accident, a Southwest spokesperson told ConsumerAffairs. We operate 34 MAX 8 aircraft in our fleet of more than 750 Boeing 737s. We remain confident in the safety and airworthiness of the MAX 8. We dont have any changes planned to our MAX 8 operations. Additionally, we are not issuing refunds of non-refundable fares, but we are working with customers individually who wish to rebook their flight to another aircraft type. United Airlines Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our customers and employees, wrote United Airlines. As we have said since Sunday, we have been in close contact with investigators as well as Boeing to share data and fully cooperate with regulatory authorities. We will comply with the FAA's order and will ground our 14 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. We will remain in close contact with authorities as their investigation continues. Since Sunday, we have been working diligently on contingency plans to prepare our fleet to minimize the impact to customers. Our Boeing 737 MAX aircraft account for roughly 40 flights a day and through a combination of spare aircraft and rebooking customers, we do not anticipate a significant operational impact as a result of this order. We will continue to work with our customers to help minimize any disruption to their travel plans. American Airlines Earlier today the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) informed us that based on new information, they are grounding the United States Boeing 737 MAX fleet out of an abundance of caution, American Airlines told ConsumerAffairs. American Airlines has 24 aircraft affected by this directive. We appreciate the FAAs partnership, and will continue to work closely with them, the Department of Transportation, National Transportation Safety Board and other regulatory authorities, as well as our aircraft and engine manufacturers. Our teams will make every effort to rebook customers as quickly as possible, and we apologize for any inconvenience. How to find out if youre scheduled to fly on a 737 MAX To see if your flight is one of the grounded 737 MAX on American, Southwest, or United, its best to visit your booking site and look for any related updates. Many times that information is right on the flight information available for print or viewable on a clickable tab (e.g. Aircraft Information). Its possible that if you were booked on a MAX, you may have been rebooked on another plane or, perhaps, another flight because of a change in the number of available seats from one model to another. Make sure you note any changes in seat assignments, departure times, connections, and arrival times in those cases. If you cant find the necessary information on the airlines website, the airlines all post toll-free numbers where you can get the answer you need. Its important to remember that airlines can change flights at anytime, so double-checking the situation at the airport will not only ensure youre on the right flight but probably relieve you of a little stress. All nine pastoral sectors of the capital met for catechumens decisive call and presentation, including members of the communities in Bati and Tropeang Kragnoun, who recently welcomed their first baptised. Mgr Schmitthaeusler told them not be afraid to bear witness!" Phnom Penh (AsiaNews/EdA) During the Mass on the first Sunday of Lent, 10 March, the Vicariate of Phnom Penh celebrated the decisive call and presentation of the 154 adults who will receive baptism on Easter night. Representatives from all nine pastoral sectors of the capital took part in the service officiated by the Apostolic Vicar, Mgr Olivier Schmitthaeusler, They include members of young Catholic communities in Bati and Tropeang Kragnoun, in the southwestern province of Takeo, on the border with Vietnam, who welcomed their first baptised only recently. Stressing the "great joy" of the whole vicariate, Mgr Schmitthaeusler in his homily stated that "each of the called adults met Jesus in a personal way, welcomed and supported by the Christian community". The apostolic vicar personally knows the path of faith of many of them, which in some cases took more than ten years. The prelate invited the catechumens to "be proud of becoming sons and daughters of God, with the certainty that God is with you and loves you infinitely, without limits." "Be disciples and friends of Jesus, he told them, and apostles, witnesses of the Good News, in deed and in truth. Our society needs small lights. You are this salt, this light and this ferment in the human dough. Don't be afraid to bear witness!" The support of the whole Catholic community will be fundamental for the newly baptised. Hence, the apostolic vicar of Phnom Penh appealed to the priests, godparents and those who have already received baptism. "Be close to your catechumens. Love them and accompany them. Enlighten them, so that they may see another Christ in you. For this is a mission that the Church entrusts to you through your ministry and which must be the priority in the coming weeks. Be the Church that welcomes the future baptised, who will be full members of our family and open the doors of your heart to the cries and miseries of our society. Your witness as Christians will be truer and more effective than any beautiful words about the mission. If not, our Church will be a Church of good intentions and not bear fruit." As the "Church of Phnom Penh, we are proud of the mission received, said Mgr Schmitthaeusler in concluding. [W]e are up to this mission. I pray to God to bless us and keep us in his peace, so that we may live in him and bear witness with fervour to this love that burns [in us] and sends us into the world. (Photo credit: EdA) 100% Website caranddriverthef1.com uses latest and advanced technologies like: Boostrap. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 365236 bytes (356.68 kb uncompressed) and 60277 bytes (58.86 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2020-06-13, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 100% Website corona-fishing.pl uses latest and advanced technologies like: JQuery. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 89509 bytes (87.41 kb uncompressed) and 12019 bytes (11.74 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-02-24, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 73% Website maxisshop.com uses latest and advanced technologies like: Php. It supports HTTPS. The main html page has a size of 29647 bytes (28.95 kb uncompressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2020-07-19, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 100% Website praca-w-pracy.pl uses latest and advanced technologies like: JQuery and Php. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 37134 bytes (36.26 kb uncompressed) and 7735 bytes (7.55 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-09-01, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. 60% Website reformasmicroex.com uses latest and advanced technologies. It supports HTTPS. The main html page has a size of 9350 bytes (9.13 kb uncompressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-11-20, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. According to investigators, a truck dumped toxic waste into the Kim Sungai River. 166 people hospitalized, nine are in intensive care. It is not clear what type of poisonous gas is responsible for the intoxication. Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Ministry of Education of Malaysia has ordered the closure of all 111 schools of Pasir Gudang, in the southern Johor State, after the discovery of chemicals in the Sungai Kim Kim river. At the moment, there are no deaths but 506 people are victims of methane poisoning. Of these, 166 are hospitalized and nine are receiving treatment in intensive care units. While investigations into the incident are proceeding, the authorities arrested three men for dumping toxic waste in the water. One of the suspects will soon be tried for violating environmental laws. According to investigators' initial reports, a truck is believed to have dumped toxic waste in southern Johor state last week, releasing dangerous fumes over a large area and causing widespread poisoning symptoms such as nausea and vomiting among the population. It is not yet clear which type of poisonous gas is responsible for intoxication. The Minister of Education, Maszlee Malik, yesterday arranged for the closure of 43 schools in the area, but then announced the total block of the lessons. After denying the death of a student, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad urged citizens to take preventative measures such as using masks. Two schools - the Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Pasir Putih and the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Pasir Putih closed to the public on 7 March, after students and employees inhaled methane fumes from chemicals illegally discharged into nearby Sungai Kim Kim. In the following days, while the police arrested the three suspects, at least 82 people were hospitalized or requested treatment. On 11 March, a second wave of methane poisoning took place a few hours after the two schools reopened. On the evening of two days ago, the authorities closed 13 other schools of Pasir Gudang, as hundreds of people reported symptoms of intoxication. Mohammad Hamdan Wahid, director general of the Johor fire department, said the second wave of poisoning "would never have occurred if the discharged chemicals had been removed immediately". The official reports that the authorities did not dispose of the chemicals after concluding that they were no longer reactive and claims that the costs of the operations affected the decision. The arrested include Loujain al-Hathloul, who fought for the right of women to drive and the end of male protection. In recent weeks fierce social media campaigns against the defendants. The protection of a lawyer in the courtroom is denied. Families report violence and abuse in prison. Riyadh (AsiaNews / Agencies) Almost one year after their arrest, the trial of 10 women for their struggle for human rights and greater civil liberties opened in Saudi Arabia yesterday. The defendants include the 29 year old Loujain al-Hathloul, a leading figure in the struggle for the right to drive and in the fight against male guardianship, in prison since May last year. On the eve of the trial in the country there was a violent media campaign (pro-government) and on social networks against el-Hathloul and other activists. Many slammed the activists as "betrayers" of the values of the kingdom, for having had "contact" with "foreign parties". According to reports from Alqst, a Saudi human rights organization based in the United Kingdom, the defendants are accused under regulations concerning cyber crimes. In recent weeks, many NGOs and activists around the world have called for their release. On 8 March last 36 nations at the UN Human Rights Council criticized Riyadh for human rights violations, with a particular reference to incarcerated women. An absolute first which shows a growing pressure towards the the so-called reforms promoted by 33-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as part of his Vision 2030 programme. The arrests of senior officials and business people last year, the crackdown on activists and critical voices, the war in Yemen with its civilian victims, children included, and the assassination of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi cast a dark shadow on Saudi Arabia. Along with Loujain al-Hathloul, other prominent Saudi activist figures have appeared in the courtroom yesterday including Aziza al-Yousef, Eman al-Nafjan and Hatoon al-Fassi. Local sources told Alqst that the Riyadh Criminal Court has opened three different proceedings; women face up to five years in prison and have so far been unable to benefit from the defense of a lawyer. Most of the charges are based on "alleged confessions" related to "contacts" between women "and pro human rights organizations". Close relatives were able to attend the hearing; on the other hand, access to foreign and diplomatic journalists was prevented. The Gulf Center for Human Rights warns that women will not benefit from a fair trial and expresses "deep concern" about their state of health. Some of them, in fact, would have been tortured in these months of preventive detention with lashings, electroshock and sexual abuse. In recent years, Russian President Vladimir Putin has aggressively pursued reunification of the Soviet bloc. He has annexed Crimea, infiltrated Eastern Ukraine, and crept into the republic of Georgia. He is not only provoking the people of Eurasia, but also his strong-armed policies are causing concern around the world. According to a Gallup poll, the public has consistently ranked Russia as the United States second greatest enemy since 2015.1Newsfeeds swirl with questions about his intentions, but perhaps we should ask ourselves this question: What does the Bible say about modern Russia? Russias Intentions Approximately 2,500 years ago Ezekiel predicted specific events that will occur in Russias future. Chapter 38 of his self-titled book begins with a long list of nations that will attack Israel. None of these nations are called Russia; that name is not found anywhere in the Bible. However, the reference to Rosh in verse 2 is a shortened version of the word Russia. This can be determined linguistically and geographically. The Bible describes Rosh as being far to the north of Israel, which was the reference point for Ezekiels original audience. Russias Inner Circle One name on Ezekiels list, Gog, is the name of a national leader. We find this in Ezekiel 38:1-2, Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. So, Gog is the prince of Rosh, or we would say the leader of Russia. One other word that we need to understand is Magog. That word is not found anywhere except in the Bible, and Ezekiel tells us that this name refers to an alliance of nations. If you trace it back in history, you will notice that Magog is a land surrounding Russia, filled with a lot of different-sounding places. In the Jeremiah Study Bible, there is a note about these nations being called the stan nationsKazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and, perhaps, even Afghanistan. These are all the nations that used to be part of the Soviet Union. In the End Times, the book of Ezekiel prophesies that the king of Russia is going to bring this alliance together. The Bible lists many other nations that will form an alliance with Russia, and I address those in The Book of Signs. For now, we will focus on Russia and the nations of the former Soviet Union. It is enough to know this coalition is larger than the former bloc: it encompasses several nations in the Middle East and northern Africa. This sounds menacing, and it is. But notice what the Lord says in Ezekiel 38:3, Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh. Verse 16 tells us that God not only anticipates this aggression, but He will also orchestrate it: I will bring you against My land. Why would He do that? So that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes. Even rogue nations are under the authority of Almighty God, and they serve His purposes. Russias Invasion Before Russia attacks Israel, three requirements will have to be met. Understanding these requirements helps us anticipate the timing of the attack. First, Israel must be present in her land. For over two thousand years, the Jewish people were scattered all over the world, living among Gentiles, because there was not a Jewish nation. In 1948 that changed. The nation of Israel was reborn, and many Jews returned to their homeland. So the first prerequisite for the invasion of Russia has already been fulfilled. Israel occupies her land. Second, Israel must not only be present in her land; she must be prosperous in her land. Ezekiel prophesied that when the Jewish people return to their homeland, God will bless them beyond anything they have known in their history. Ezekiel 36:11 describes Israels wealth this way, I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bear young; I will make you inhabited as in former times, and do better for you than at your beginnings. The modern fulfillment of this prophecy is evident in Israels thriving economy, which has been ranked as the worlds third most innovative, behind Finland and Switzerland and just ahead of Japan and the United States. Modern Israel is a center of innovation and entrepreneurship, which means the second prerequisite to Russias invasion has been met. Third, Israel must be at peace in her land. If you visit Israel today, you will see people with guns slung over their shoulders everywhere you go. They are always on alert because they know they could be attacked by their neighbors at any moment. Ezekiel 38:11 describes a markedly different Israel, [Gog] will go up against a land of unwalled villages; [Gog] will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, having neither bars no gates. When Russia attacks Israel, the nation will be disarmed! That is difficult to imagine. This radical shift in Israel, when she will lower her defenses, will occur at the beginning of the Tribulation or just before it. At the time of the Rapture, the Antichrist will make a seven-year deal with Israel in which he will promise to protect the nation. Israel will become dependent upon the Antichrist, disarm her army, and devote all her energy to increasing her wealth. The nation will be defenseless against the northern coalition. We do not know when Israel will make this pact with the Antichrist because we do not know when the Rapture will occur. Matthew 24:36 makes that clear. However, we can be certain this army will come against Israel when the nation is present, prosperous, and peaceful in her land. The norths invasion of Israel is not going to happen in the immediate future, but perhaps sooner than we think. Finish this article and read more about biblical signs of the End Times at David Jeremiahs Living in the Age of Signs website. 1Gallup,https://news.gallup.com, Russia,https://news.gallup.com/poll/1642/russia.aspx, accessed on February 6, 2019. 2Paul Muggeridge, These Are the Most Innovative Countries in the World, World Economic Forum; July 9, 2015;https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/07/these-are-the-most-innovative-countries-in-the-world. Photo Credit: GettyImages/Sergei Malkov Vantage Deluxe World Travel has confirmed that Vantage Cruise Lines will take delivery of the new Ocean Explorer in March of 2021. The ship is one of SunStones Infinity-class newbuilds being built in China. In its inaugural year, the five-star Ocean Explorer will navigate worldwide with 20 itineraries beginning in Asia, through Europe, a transatlantic passage to North America, down to Central and South America, and make its way down to Antarctica, providing true synergy between luxury travel and expedition cruising, the company said. We are thrilled to add this new small ship ocean cruising vessel to our fleet, and to surround our Vantage travelers in ultimate luxury as they explore their dream destinations, said Henry R. Lewis, Founder & Owner, Vantage Deluxe World Travel. The Ocean Explorer will be a ship that caters to those who appreciate relaxed casual luxury, but who also enjoy the thrill of exploration and adventure. Theres an old expression that says, when it rains it pours. This has never been more true than the current impact of digital transformation on security teams charged with protecting IT and OT networks. Todays CSOs and CISOs find themselves at a crossroads in the transition of their role within an organization. They not only serve as security experts, but also guide business decisions in order to ensure that security is woven into the expanding infrastructure. The challenge is that this has to be accomplished effectively, efficiently, and comprehensively as there are simply not enough skilled cybersecurity professionals to address the expanding, convergence driven security challenges. At the same time, the unprecedented proliferation of IoT devices challenges security solutions to identify, secure, and monitor more devices and higher volumes of traffic than ever. Coincidently, this challenge is even broader as networks are expanding into new ecosystems, such as multi-cloud, mobility, and SD-WAN. Further complicating the security challenge is the fact that much of the security technology currently in place simply doesnt scale into these new environments. In spite of these expanded challenges, IT teams are required to extend and expand security into these new domains without leaving gaps in policy implementation or enforcementwhile simultaneously not overburdening the limited IT resources that are available. The rapid expansion of the attack surface exacerbates the demand on security professional and presents a scenario where dropping the ball on security is most likely to happen. At the same time, the demands of the new and evolving digital economy compounds the implications due to a lapse in security. Adversaries and motivated cybercriminals deploy increasingly sophisticated attacks to accomplish extortion, espionage, and even sabotage. The Security Implications of Converging IT and OT Nowhere are the implications of these security challenges more apparent than in the convergence of OT and IT networks. For many cyber physical organizations, OT is the fuel that drives the success of the business. Manufacturing floors, assembly lines, inventory management, and production lines provide the goods and services that consumers demand. It is imperative in todays digital marketplace to be able to respond to consumer demand as quickly as possible, so many organizations are looking to implement IT efficiencies and solutions into a network environment that traditionally runs in isolation. Convergence is clearly a double-edged sword. Failure to integrate IT and OT environments means that production lags behind demand and market share can be quickly lost to competitors that are simply more nimble. On the other hand, failure to take the wide range of security issues into account when converging these two very different networks and networking philosophies can result in catastrophic network failures that can cost millions in lost productivity and inventory. Contrasting IT and OT System Values A significant component of the challenge is that IT and OT networks are founded on very different, and often highly contradictory priorities. IT networks generally follow the well-established Confidentiality/Integrity/Availability (CIA) model. The emphasis in on ensuring the confidentialityof critical data, transactions, and applications, maintaining network and data integrity, and only then ensuring the protected availabilityof networked resources. These priorities tend to be the basic building blocks of any security strategy. Conversely, OT networks depend upon and operate with an exactly inverted model. The safetyand availabilityof resources is the topmost priority. Assembly lines, furnaces, generators, and other large systems simply should never go offline. Monitoring critical systems, such as pumps, valves, and thermostats is essential since any system errors can translate into huge financial loss, and pose catastrophic risk to the life and well-being of workers and communities. The integrityof those systems is the 2ndhighest OT system priority. As a result, systems that are functioning as designed are rarely patched, updated, or changed. The operative model is, if it aint broke, dont fix it. In most instances, devices such as HMI workstations or controllers may operate without changes for years or even decades because taking them offline can impact availability. For example, a total retest of the OT system is required when hardware or software changes are executed. Confidentiality, the third component of the OT value model receives far less attention. OT networks have historically addressed this element by simply being air-gapped from the IT network and the Internet. Within the network itself, however, most OT environments were designed around implicit trust. It is not unusual for an Engineer to be able to control any Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) (devices that control manufacturing processes such as assembly lines or robotic devices) anywhere in the OT network using a single laptop. This enables services for requirements like the rapid troubleshooting of issues happening anywhere in the plant or factory. Conclusion Converging IT and OT environments is essential for many organizations to compete effectively in todays digital economy. But unless great care is taken and the needs of the OT environment are fully understood, a broadened attack surface will be available to adversaries. Both criminally motivated and nation state driven cyber actors will accomplish a wide array of attack scenarios that can result in great consequence to include lost revenue, impacted brand reputation, significant damage to physical plant, and even worse lost lives. The necessity for action to protect critical infrastructure and specifically converged cyber physical assets is an absolute imperative on a global scale. Rethinking and implementing a strategy that enforces a designed-in cybersecurity framework will enable OT system owners to confidently move forward in a digitally transformed business while sustaining safe and continuous operations. Read more about the unique challenges of securing Operational Technology (OT) environments and how Fortinet can help. Learn more about the threat landscape for OT environments in our latest Threat Landscape Report. Douglas Healey / Bloomberg FuelCell Energy marks its 50th anniversary on Thursday, with the company the oldest, continually operating fuel cell manufacturer in the world. Founded in Danbury in March 1969 as Energy Research Corp., FuelCells devices create electricity by a chemical process, akin to a battery but requiring a steady supply of hydrogen as fuel. Fuel cells do not produce noxious emissions like traditional power plants, qualifying them for green energy subsidies from governments. BRIDGEPORT A Bridgeport police officer called for all officers to respond after shots were reportedly fired in the area of Essex Street and Horace Street Thursday afternoon, according to dispatch reports. Police spokesman Terron Jones confirmed that a report of shots fired in the area had been received. No further information was immediately available. South Africa: Gauteng Health hard at work to address surgical backlog In a bid to address surgical backlogs, Gauteng Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa has sent a letter of request to facilitate a handover of the site where Soshanguve District Hospital will be built. Once built, the hospital is set to alleviate a backlog at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH). This initiative will enable the hospital to reduce backlog of surgical procedures and help more patients who are awaiting their turn to be operated, especially in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cardiothoracic Surgery and Orthopedics departments, said the MEC. According to the MEC, the Soshanguve District Hospital is progressing slowly due to land issues. In the interim, the department has collaborated with private hospitals to make use of their theatres as their theatre time is accommodative. The department is working in partnership with the private sector, through the Hospital Association of South Africa, particularly Mediclinic, who have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the department, and already the collaboration has been successfully tested and ready to be expanded. Private hospitals will provide theatre time mainly with the department having to supply consumables and the workforce for these operations. Im happy that our management, specialists, registrars and nurses are happy about this arrangement and are also prepared to make the intervention work best for their patients, said MEC Ramokgopa. Of the four central hospitals Steve Biko, DGMAH, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) and Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital the program will prioritise the two situated in townships being DGMAH and CHBAH. The population in Gauteng over the past 25 years of democracy has doubled and patient visits have more than tripled. The over 40 Primary Health Care facilities and seven hospitals constructed in this period have proved not enough to meet demands. The progress being made with the Polokwane Academic Hospital will both help the patients from Limpopo access specialized quality services closer to home and on the other hand relieve the high demand on DGMAH, said MEC Ramokgopa. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-03-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. by Stephen Gill The writer is a pacifist poet. Born into a Christian family, he recounts his personal rediscovery of faith, after a past of full of doubts and spiritual pain. Born in what is now Pakistan, he experienced the division of his family. Today he lives in Canada, where he encountered various religions, until he realised that only Christ is the Prince of peace". Cornwall (AsiaNews) Stephen Gill, an Indo-Canadian pacifist poet, describes his conversion to Christianity like a new birth as a believer in Christ. He spoke about it during an exchange with one of his graduate students, who asked him about the origins of his family's Christian faith and his age. On this last point, he said that his "age has nothing to do with my writing." On the first, he delved into his life story, marked by doubts about religion and the pain for a family split by the partition between India and Pakistan. Gill was born in Sialkot, now in Pakistani Punjab, before the division of the British Raj. He spent his childhood with his family in New Delhi, far from relatives who stayed in Pakistan. The Hindu-Muslim violence of that time, which also forced thousands of Christians and Parsees to flee, profoundly left its mark on him. For years, he was a restless soul in a never-ending search for inner peace, the same peace which he put into words in his compositions. In all, he has written about twenty books, including collections of poems, short stories and literary criticism, in more than a thousand publications. He has been the subject of at least 12 critical studies. A graduate of Ansted University, he writes mainly in English but his poems are also in Urdu and Hindi. He is a member of the Writers Union of Canada and a fellow at the European-American University. He received numerous awards, including the Sahir Award of Honour from the Indian Sahir Cultural Society, and the Plaque from the World Council of Asian Churches (Canada). Gill says that since childhood he has always been searching for God and for this reason, he looked at different religions. None fully satisfied him. In the end he came to realise that it is Christ who quenches his "thirst", in particular the "thirst for peace". Below is his story published on the Pakistan Christian Post. My life is an open book, and I want to keep it this way. Concerning my religious inheritance, my mother used to tell me about our relatives. According to her my grand-parents were Christians, and also my great grand- parents. It seems that my great grant parents became Christians because of their contacts with missionaries. It seems that missionaries arranged the education of my mother for teaching profession at primary level. I met only my grand- mother for a few days when I was in my childhood. My maternal uncles and others were farmers. Unfortunately, I do not remember their names. This story is from my mothers side. I do not know anything from my fathers side, except that my grand- parents and great grand- parents were also Christians and farmers. I have some knowledge of my mothers sisters and her brothers. I met my fathers only brother a couple of times. He was in military. I do not remember much more than that. I dont know how he went to military and anything else. I remember that physically, he was very strong. He lived mostly in a village and was of fair complexion, as my father was. Though I was born in a Christian family I had my doubts. I used to think that why Christians are persecuted everywhere. There must be something wrong with Christianity. I left Christianity for years and remained a nominal Christian with doubts when I was in Canada. Before dwelling on doubts and my apostasy, I would like to make it clear that I did not study Christianity in any religious institution, where I could solidify my inherited faith. I did not move in Christian environment either. At home, we did not study the Bible and prayed, except attending Catholic Church service on most of the Sundays. We did not have special celebrations on Christmas and Easter. Most of our relatives were Christians, but they lived far and after partition they were left in Pakistan. What I want to say here is that I have not inherited any strong Christian background and influence. I write in the preface to Songs Before Shrine about those days of my growing in New Delhi: For us children there were no aunts, no uncles, no cousins to greet and be greeted on weekends, because they lived now on the other side of the imaginary line that was drawn by religious robots. Years later when my mother told us about our relatives, we used to listen as if they were fairy tales. (viii). As a result, I began to read religious literature to find out if Christianity was really bad. There had been times when I began to hate all religions. I began to be more sympathetic to the Marxists and Socialists because of their antipathy to religion. I was so much frustrated seeing sufferings and the suffering of my family for no reason that I became an atheist. About the environment in which I had to live, Dr. P.C.K. Prem in his article in An Interpretation of the Mind and Art of Stephen Gill, edited by Dr. Anuradha Sharma and released by Sanbun Publications in 2011, says: The poet is relentless in describing atrocities and mind-boggling pictures of brutalities committed during those days of communal hatred... As expected, the poet is deeply hurt and wounded as he was also the worst sufferer during those dark days. He raises reasonable questions. Why acts of barbarity and terror take birth and men suffer from obsessive depravity? (p. 140) I moved in the company of Marxists and atheist, read their literature and attended their gatherings. I found a good collection of literature on atheism. Somehow my father came to know my interest. In my absence, one day, he burnt those leaflets and books, and watched my movements to keep me away from the company of atheists. I was not a fully committed atheist as I was not a fully committed Christian either. Logically, I was still thirsty. My interest in peace continued even with more vigour. I started though gradually coming back to God but my quest for a religion that showed the way to peace never slowed down. As a result of my prayers to God and even otherwise some miracles began to happen in my life. The main miracle was getting out of India that was certainly impossible. In Canada, I began to take interest in Jewish, Buddhist, Bahai and Muslim religions even more. There was a time when I contacted Jewish clergy to follow their religion. Bahai began to appeal to my intellect because of their solution to problems in a peaceful way. I discussed and studied their literature and approach to peace. I still have a good collection of books on Bahai faith. Eventually, I became a Bahai and received a card of my membership. Gradually, I came to know they do not encourage their members to participate in political activities. Good Bahais do not use their right to vote. They believe that the political systems are corrupt and therefore abstinence from political activities is the way to defeat this system. I fully agreed with their view, but not with the method of pacifism they use. For this and other reasons I left these good people. However, I continued my search for the faith that has the key to peace and also to unconditional love. I continued my search not to become a religious preacher. My goal was to convince my own intellect. Eventually my studies convinced me that the teachings of Christ is the way to achieve peace and this way to achieve peace is the way of the Almighty. Because Christs way is the way of the Almighty, and because of his spotless practical life, Christ is called the Prince of Peace. Instead of calling myself a Christian I began to call myself a follower of Christ. I became a born-again follower of Christ because of my studies and mystical experiences. After studying the life and teachings of Christ closely for decades and objectively I can say that Christ is the embodiment of unconditional love and unconditional love is the mother of the peace that is beyond human understanding. I would like to add that Gospels in the Bible mention that wise men from the East came to honour Jesus at his birth. As per legends, one of these men was from India. I would like to add further that according to some scholarly papers, books and doctoral dissertations, Vedas prophesize the birth of Jesus. As a son of India, it was not difficult for me to accept Christ as the Prince of Peace. In Indian thoughts, Om Shanti Shanti Shanti Om, and in Christianity, God is the King of peace. In addition to this, I am a confirmed supporter of the ideology of live and let live. It is also an Indian thought. In Cornwall Seeker of January 28, 2018, Melanee Morin, a scholar, says that Although he was born in Sialkot, now in Pakistan, the main themes that run through all of Gills work are the embodiment of Canadian values: peace, tolerance, and freedom. These values are the embodiment of Indian values, particularly the ideology of live and let live. These are the pillars of Christian values. As far as my age is concerned, I would appreciate if you would not let me bring it to the public domain. Moreover, my age has nothing to do with my writing. GREENWICH About 300 Greenwich High School students walked out of their classes at 10 a.m. Thursday to protest gun violence and call for better gun safety measures, one year after the school shooting in Parkland, Fla., mobilized a generation of students to take it on themselves to bring about change. On March 14, 2018, one month after the Parkland massacre, 1.6 million students walked out of classrooms nationwide. But since then, the conversation about gun safety has dwindled, said GHS senior Lucy Fulton outside the school Thursday. School shootings still happen, said senior Gigi Imperatore, president of the Young Democrats club at GHS who helped organize the event. On the day of the walkouts last year, GHS students held a school-sanctioned anti-gun violence event in the student center, closed to the media. That was followed by a walkout in April, on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School murders. The April demonstration, also part of a nationwide youth presentation, lasted 20 minutes. Some students prolonged the protest following the march, receiving detention. This year, Imperatore, her vice president and the Young Democrats club adviser met with Interim GHS Headmaster Rick Piotrzkowski prior to the demonstration. Piotrzkowski reminded the students they would receive a cut for walking out. Participating teens said the absent mark was a small price to pay. Students really care, they really want to come speak out, Imperatore said. Sophomore Gigi Barter heard about the walk-out on Instagram, despite the worldwide blackout on Instagram and Facebook on Wednesday that Imperatore feared would decrease turnout. Marching in the crowd of classmates, Barter said gun violence needs to end now. She pinpointed the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown as the moment that hit home for her. Seeing little kids die and no one doing anything about it and then going into high school, it was scary, Barter said. Students carried signs with slogans such as End Silence, End Gun Violence and Fear has no place in our schools. They gathered in the courtyard and then took a lap around the outside of the building, loudly chanting This is what democracy looks like, Hey hey, ho ho, the NRA has got to go and other messages as they marched beneath a sunny sky. In all, the protest lasted about 20 minutes. Sophomore Celeste Walstrom-Vangor said she wished the topic of gun violence and gun control came up more in the classroom. People dont have enough information, she said. If they did, she reasoned, more students would probably have joined the walkout. Imperatore of the Young Democrats, stressed the importance of opening the march to everybody, no matter their political alignments, because the issue affects all students. The students also disagreed with calls from some to arm teachers as a way to combat possible gun violence. Giving teachers guns adds gas to the fire, said Charlotte Imperatore, Gigis younger sister. The student walkout in Greenwich came one day after U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal (both D-Conn.) unveiled a proposal to extend gun-purchase background checks to sales of ammunition. Connecticut already requires background checks for ammunition purchases. The bill is called Jamies Law, after Jamie Guttenberg, one of 17 killed in the shooting at Parklands Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School a year ago. jo.kroeker@hearstmediact.com BRIDGEPORT The city is moving forward with a sidewalk repair program awarded to a firm named in a subpoena related to an ongoing FBI probe. G. Pic and Sons Construction bid in 2017 on the pilot program that covers half the costs of repairing hazardous private sidewalks if the property owners agree to pay the balance. The city budgeted $3 million for the shared-expense initiative. With over $2.45 million left, according to municipal documents, the Public Facilities Department is asking the City Council to approve $182,586 Bridgeports share for 38 sidewalk upgrades. G. Pic is one of three local contractors listed in a subpoena issued in early February. Federal agents investigating allegations of illicit scrap metal sales and no-bid contracts involving Public Facilities have subpoenaed four years worth of documents and communications related to G. Pic, Vaz Quality Works and Seaview Equipment. None of the three companies has been accused of wrongdoing. Still, Mayor Joe Ganims administration recently delayed the long-awaited, $500,000 state-funded improvements to Fairfield Avenue in Black Rock because Vaz was awarded that bid in January. But rather than similarly hit pause on G. Pics sidewalk work, council members are moving to authorize the expense. On March 4, the full council forwarded the list of 38 pending sidewalk repairs to its Public Safety Committee, which unanimously approved them the following evening. The repairs will be back before the full council Monday for a final vote. According to the Public Safety Committees meeting minutes, no one present raised any questions about the FBI investigation or about G. Pic, including Council President Aidee Nieves. Nieves, however, did tell Public Facilities officials she wanted a full report on the program to gauge its success. Nieves said Thursday that she was initially in favor of pausing G. Pics sidewalk contract. But, she said, because the list of proposed repairs exists, Bridgeport could be successfully sued if the city does not act and someone trips or is otherwise injured on one of the included sidewalks. We can be held liable because we were put on notice something was defective and we didnt do anything about it, Nieves said. She added, however, that once this pending work is completed, the contract should be rebid. Councilman Kyle Langan, a Public Safety Committee member who admitted he had not considered the FBI probe when voting on the sidewalks last week, said he now believes the program should be paused. Any company thats named in these subpoenas, although innocent until proven guilty, we have to do the responsible thing ... until we find out what actually happened, Langan said this week. Too expensive? The sidewalk cost-sharing initiative was created by the Ganim administration in 2016 as a temporary pilot program that would expire once the $3 million was spent. Bridgeport is covered with miles of broken sidewalks and has the authority to force homeowners to make repairs, but has rarely done so. Meanwhile, many residents wrongfully assume all sidewalks are the citys responsibly, and City Hall gets sued when someone falls on a damaged section. So the Public Facilities department suggested offering homeowners the incentive of paying for half the work and providing the contractor, in this case G. Pic, which also has the contract to fix the sidewalks on public property. Property owners that do not participate or do not repair their hazardous sidewalks on their own face property liens. When the cost-sharing proposal was originally presented to the council, then-Deputy Public Facilities Director Joe Tiago was overseeing sidewalk work in the city. Ganim fired Tiago in February, following an internal review of anonymous allegations that Public Facilities workers were selling scrap metal for cash the same allegations the FBI is also probing. The mayor has not specified what Tiago did wrong, and Tiagos union is fighting the termination. Tiago has a financial relationship with the owners of Vaz Quality Works and has hired a criminal defense attorney. The FBI investigation aside, the shared-expense sidewalk effort has been criticized for other reasons. Langan and Councilman Peter Spain have questioned whether it forces property owners into expensive, but not necessarily urgent, repairs. The majority of the properties on the current list of 38 repairs are being charged in the $1,500 to $3,500 range. A few are closer to $6,000 and $9,000, with Success Village Apartments responsible for $75,627 worth of sidewalk upgrades. If anyone says anything about your sidewalk it is on the slate for repair and you only have two options at that point - repair it yourself or get into the (shared expense) program, Langan said this week. Ive gotten complaints in terms of people not having the means or the desire at that moment to repair their sidewalks (or) complaints (the damage) was this one area, and the city gave a quote for all the way to the end of the property. Spain recently contacted the Public Cacilities Department after a constituent complained that they called City Hall simply to learn about the sidewalk program and then received an order to make the repairs. Spain acknowledged the sidewalk in question might need some repair but the situation is not dire or an emergency. Also this week, a local contractor who did not want their name published told Hearst Connecticut Media that they recently provided a price quote to a property owner on the list of sidewalk repairs currently before the council. This contractors quote was significantly cheaper, the contractor said, and they wondered why the city was using only G. Pic for the work. Councilwoman Eneida Martinez, whose East End district includes some lower-income neighborhoods, said Thursday that she too has heard from a local contractor claiming he could offer more affordably price sidewalk repairs. The city sidewalk pilot program was initiated to help homeowners in hardship, not screw them over, Martinez said. Adding she too was concerned about G. Pic being named in the federal subpoena, Martinez said let the homeowner get three estimates and give (them) to the city. Martinez added that small, minority-owned businesses should be encouraged to participate. Police on Thursday discovered the Virginia-based database that hosts much of the nations license plate recognition systems is available to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, as reported earlier in the week by the American Civil Liberties Union. For up-to-date information on public policy issues, sign up for the CT Politics newsletter. Police officials in Westport and Fairfield said they do not use the system to spy on residents, or even record peoples race or ethnicity, as alleged by the ACLU report. They continue to keep using the system. But Wethersfield Police Chief James Cetran said after learning there was an option to share the information with ICE, he withdrew his town with a click of a computer mouse. I have no problem sharing our data with other police departments, Cetran said in a phone interview. We can uncheck those that we dont want to share with. Cetran noticed ICE was listed as receiving his towns data, confirming the ACLU report. Although I know its perfectly legal, for political expediency, we are no longer sharing with them. It was my discretion. Cetran, president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, said the group is allowing local police departments to decide for themselves whether to remove ICEs access to their data. Eight law enforcement entities were listed by the ACLU as having relationships with ICE, including Fairfield, Westport, Stratford, Norwalk, Trumbull and Southern Connecticut State University. Westport officials said Thursday the firm Vigilant Solutions Inc. makes the towns license plate reader (LPR) data available to 500 other law enforcement agencies. The LPR system in no way provides the officer information as to the immigration status, race, gender, sex, name of the person operating the vehicle, or the owner information of the vehicle, nor does it record any of this information, said Westport Police Chief Foti Koskinas in a statement. Vigilant Solutions, the vendor from whom we purchased the system and with whom we have a contract, manages and stores the minimal data collected. He said the data has a proven record in helping fight crime, and the town is confident that federal compliance standards are being met. We always attempt to balance the safety of officers and citizens with privacy. Information sharing and communication amongst law enforcement agencies is critical to that safety, Koskinas said. Fairfield Capt. Robert Kalamaras agreed. The Fairfield Police Department currently owns and operates License Plate Reader (LPR) technology which data is managed and stored by Vigilant Solutions, he said in a statement. These devices have served hundreds of police agencies across the United States, including Fairfield, to ensure the safety and security of our citizens. While there has been some scrutiny as to the privacy rights of individuals, the LPRs do not provide the officer with race, gender, ethnicity, or immigration status from the information provided by the registration plate. He stressed the crime-fight ability of the system The Fairfield Police Department takes privacy rights very serious and seeks to find a balance between ensuring peoples constitutional rights, and the use of the LPR data to solve crimes and maintain the security of our community, Kalamaras said. In Trumbull, Police Chief Michael Lombardi said Thursday the LPR technology has been responsible for investigating a robbery and assault in a local park; and a bank robbery. The LPR has been a valuable tool, not only for identifying the everyday violations that are a danger to the motorists on the streets of Trumbull, but for those very serious crimes where we need every means possible to assist in keeping our neighborhoods safe, Lombardi said, adding the Hearst Connecticut Media report of the ACLU findings provides inaccurate and misleading statements. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT BRIDGEPORT An individual was shot near Terrace Circle Thursday afternoon. Police spokesman Terron Jones said the department received a report of shots fired near Terrace Circle. A victim was reportedly transported to the hospital with what appeared to be a non-life-threatening wound, Jones said. No further information was immediately available. The matter remains under investigation, Jones said. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com Christian Abraham / Christian Abraham BRIDGEPORT Two men were arrested after allegedly stabbing a woman following an argument at a Bridgeport restaurant March 3, according to police and a report from News 12. Kenny Guzman-Martinez, 29, allegedly held the woman down as Guadalupe Martinez-Trejo, 30, stabbed her multiple times at Main Port Fish and Chips on North Avenue, according to News 12. A former Lyft driver has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for raping a female passenger. News outlets report 40-year-old Jerome Antonio Booze was convicted Monday of raping the passenger while taking her home in 2016. Dadra and Nagar Haveli (Dnh) and Daman and Diu are both former Portuguese colonies. The local Christian community is made up of about 100 thousand faithful. In all, there are 13 churches. Secretary of the Catholic bishops: " I hope that the majority community will once again stand by us and nullify the discriminatory acts of a small fundamentalist divisive people." New Delhi (AsiaNews) - For the first time in the country's history, two Indian territories have abolished Good Friday as a national holiday. These are Dadra and Nagar Haveli (Dnh) and Daman and Diu, both former Portuguese colonies on the west coast of the country. For Msgr. Theodore Mascarenhas, general secretary of the Indian Bishops' Conference (CBCI), "is very sad". He told AsiaNews: " This is very very sad. A clear discrimination is being practiced by the Administrator. We appeal to all including the Administrator of these centrally administered territories to respect the sentiments of the people and to avoid their divisive methods". The bishop goes on to explain that the cancellation of Good Friday as an official state holiday is even more serious because "only two Christian feasts are public holidays. Earlier there was an attempt to declare Christmas as Good governance day". Christians, he adds, "are a small minority in the area. But that is exactly the reason why their rights must be respected". Specifically, the local authorities downgraded the Type 1 celebration of official holidays published in the Gazette (Schedule 1 of Public Holidays) to Type 2 in the restricted category (Schedule 2 Restricted holiday category). This means that while previously banks, schools and public offices remained closed, from now on employees will have to request leave. The Christian community residing in the two former colonies is composed of about 100 thousand people; in Dadra and Nagar Haveli there are seven churches, in Daman and Diu four. The faithful learned of the removal of the holiday, as preparations began for the Good Friday party, which this year is celebrated on April 19th. In the same period there will also be general elections for the re-election of the Government and the Lower House of the Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha). The vote in the two territories is set for April 23rd. Local Christians do not understand the reasons that prompted the authorities to cancel the holiday and for this they protest: priests and religious leaders have written an appeal to the district magistrate and the central government. " I have also written to the Union Home Minister Mr. Rajnath Singh - declares Msgr. Mascarenhas - to intervene and withdraw this notification. I hope he listens to us as people both Christians as well as others are very upset over the notification". In the past, the secretary of the Catholic bishops remembers, "there was a similar attempt: the government wanted to declare Christmas only as Good Governance Day [always celebrated on December 25th, but to remember the day of birth of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee - ed.] It failed because the majority community stood by us. I hope and pray and I am quite confident that the majority community will once again stand by us and nullify the discriminatory acts of a small fundamentalist divisive people ". A Connecticut state lawmaker is fighting to eliminate religious exemptions for vaccines, and a local university is blaming a dead student for choking during a school-sponsored eating contest. These stories and more are today's top headlines in Connecticut. Read on for more. A democratic lawmaker has vowed to force a vote to eliminate religious exemptions for vaccines for school children. Contributed Photo State Rep. Matt Ritter said, "I will do everything in my power to make sure there is a vote." There is currently no legislation explicitly eliminating the religious exemption. That means lawmakers would have to use another unrelated bill as the vehicle and add new language on the floor, meaning the conversation may extend into next year. Susan R. Bonnell/TAPinto Clark Caitlin Nelson choked to death on pancakes during an on-campus, school-sanctioned pancake eating contest for charity at Sacred Heart University in March 2017. Her parents have filed a wrongful death suit, but the school says it was the student's fault. A court filing says her "injuries and damages were caused in whole or in part by Caitlin Nelson's own carelessness and negligence." / And police departments in several towns in Connecticut have been sharing information with federal immigration officials, possibly in violation of the law. According to the ACLU, Police in Fairfield, Westport, Stratford, Trumbull and Norwalk have been assisting U.S. Immigration officials, providing the locations of residents as part of a nationwide mass-surveillance program. Get top headline local news right on your Amazon Alexa device when you enable the Connecticut Post skill. by Thanh Thuy The trial of the young Catholic woman will resume tomorrow. All the relatives are gathered in prayer, her mother said. The other defendant has been released. Both have the same defence argument: They were duped by North Korean agents. Hanoi (AsiaNews) Vietnam has called on the Malaysian government to release oan Thi Huong (pictured), a 30-year-old Vietnamese woman held in connection with the murder of Kim Jong-nam, half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Two days ago, the Shah Alam High Court released Siti Aisyah, an Indonesian woman also accused of the assassination. Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, spoke with his Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah yesterday, noting that senior leaders and the people of Vietnam were paying close attention to the trial. Vietnam asked Malaysia to ensure a fair trial and free Vietnamese citizen Doan Thi Huong, the government said. In a separate statement on Wednesday, Vietnamese authorities also said that Justice Minister Le Thanh Long had sent a letter to Malaysias Attorney General, Tommy Thomas, asking Malaysia to free Huong. The murder took place on 13 February 2017 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. oan Thi Huong and Siti Aisyah were taken into custody three days after the assassination. After their arrest, the two women claimed that they were duped by some North Korean agents, who got them involved in what they thought was a television prank. I dont know what will happen to me now. I am innocent, please pray for me!" Huong said on the day of Siti Aisyahs release. The young woman was born into a Catholic family from Nghia Binh, a town near Nan inh City (northern Vietnam). Fr Ph Xm Xuan Thi, a priest from Phuong Lac parish, said that the accused's father turned to him "for help and pastoral advice". According to Fr Thi, "in the parish no one has anything negative to say about the young woman, except perhaps that she doesnt come home very often." The trial against her will resume tomorrow. Meanwhile, family members continue to clamour for her innocence. "I don't think my daughter is capable of committing such a crime," said oan Van Thanh, the defendants 65-year-old father. "I don't sleep at night because of anxiety over the verdict. My daughter was deceived. I love her, but now I can't do anything," said Nguyen Thi Vy, the young womans mother. "All the relatives are gathered in prayer, so that my daughter will soon be reunited with our family." In an op-ed published in American Banker, NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger called on lawmakers to ensure fintech firms are subject to the same data security and consumer protection standards as credit unions. While this new and budding industry presents opportunities and innovations, ill-supervised and under-regulated industries can present sizeable risks for consumers and the financial marketplace as a whole, wrote Berger. Berger noted that while fintechs have greatly increased their footprint in our society, their data security standards are less rigorous than traditional financial institutions nor are they supervised in the same manner. On the other hand, he argued that credit unions go to great lengths to ensure their products are in compliance with the law, meet all supervisory guidelines and adhere to necessary consumer protections. A former COO will be sentenced in July for embezzling more than $465,000 from a New York credit union. Suzanne Silva, 35, of Carle Place, N.Y., agreed to plead guilty Wednesday to one felony count of embezzlement, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Richard P. Donoghue, said. For more than seven years while she was a supervisor and COO at the $33 million Winthrop-University Hospital Employees Federal Credit Union in Mineola, Silva spent the stolen funds on Caribbean cruises, travel to Cancun and thousands of dollars a month on Amazon and Etsy, according to court documents. Silva joined the credit union in 2002, became a supervisor in July 2011 and was promoted to COO in February 2017. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released an updated version of her housing legislation Wednesday, a version of the bill that reflects significant engagement between CUNA, leagues, credit unions and Warren. Unlike the previous version, the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act of 2019 would not require credit unions to comply with the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The bill was introduced Wednesday, as more than 5,200 hundred credit union leaders are in Washington, D.C. for the CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference and their subsequent visits on the Hill to each Congressional office. This bill is a shining example of 360-degree advocacy in action, said CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle. When Senator Warren initially planned to expand CRA and place onerous and duplicative regulations on credit unions, we collaborated with League partners and the Senator to show the many ways that credit unions have been fulfilling requirements to support underserved communities for well over two decades. Recognizing the power that credit unions bring these communities, Senator Warren pivoted to instead codify into law the regulations that have been dictating our actions for many years. We look forward to working with the Senator and other likeminded lawmakers to ensure that credit unions are able to continue serving these communities for the foreseeable future. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia -- When bombs started falling around her in the ISIL-controlled territory in Syria, Lidia decided it was time to leave. For the first time in more than four years, the 29-year-old Malaysian longed to return home. The Mandarin-speaking medical lab technician disappeared from the Southeast Asian nation with her infant son and husband in October 2014 to travel secretly to Syria. Two weeks ago, she sent a text message to her father in the southern state of Johor to tell him she had fled the territory of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) and asked him to help her return to Malaysia. "I never lost hope that one day Lidia would tell me she wants to come home," her father, a Johor-based businessman who declined to be named, told Al Jazeera on phone. Lidia is one of the 13 Malaysians now wanting to come home as an offensive by the United States-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) enters its final stage in the last ISIL enclave in the village of Baghouz in eastern Syria, and the authorities are working out how to repatriate them. "We are trying to bring them home yes, it includes Lidia. But you know, the situation is difficult as it involves many parties from different countries," Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, head of counterterrorism for Special Branch, the intelligence arm of the Malaysian police, told Al Jazeera. Interrogation and rehabilitation While some countries are attempting to strip former fighters and their families of citizenship and prevent them from returning, Malaysia says citizens will be allowed to come back, provided they comply with checks and enforcement and complete a one-month government-run rehabilitation programme. "Not everyone will be detained but all returnees will be interrogated," Ayob said. "We will conduct thorough checks and investigation on each returnee. We bring in clerics and psychologists to evaluate their ideology and psychological make-up. "We will compare intelligence which we received from friendly foreign services. If there is evidence that a returnee was involved in ISIL's militant activities, he or she would be charged in court," Ayob added. To date, 11 Malaysians have returned to the country. Eight were charged in court and convicted, all of them men. The other three were one woman and two children aged three and five. "The woman underwent a rehabilitation programme and has now returned to her kampung [village]," Ayob said. "She continues to be monitored." Even though ISIL has all but collapsed in Iraq and Syria, there are Malaysians who are still willing to fight for the group, according to police. "We are keeping an eye on them," Ayob said. "Those who cannot go to Syria are now setting their sights on Mindanao in southern Philippines where militant groups there have links to ISIL." Meanwhile, 51 Malaysians remain in Syria, including 17 children, according to Ayob. 'Lesson' learned Lidia's journey out of ISIL territory was arduous. She walked for five days from the town of Mayadin in the district of Deir Az Zor together with her two sons, aged two and four, to reach a Kurdish-controlled camp in Hasakah. "She travelled with another Malaysian named Aisyah to al-Hol camp in Hasakah," her father said. "She has food and shelter. But the place is not comfortable for her and her sons. She wants to return home as soon as possible," he added. "She has registered herself with the Red Cross." Thousands of wives and children of ISIL fighters have fled to al-Hol camp as the "caliphate" crumbles. Already more than 62,000 people are crowded into the camp, with more expected to arrive in the coming days, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In the past four years, Lidia has maintained sporadic communications with her father through WhatsApp. He had no inkling she was leaving for Syria shortly after she gave birth to her first child in 2014, and only got to see his grandson three times in Malaysia before he was taken out of the country. "It was her husband who brought her there. She did not understand what ISIL was back then," he said. After her first husband died, Lidia refused to return home despite her father's pleas. She then remarried. Her second husband was also killed. "I believe she now wants to return home because both her husbands are dead," said her father. Lidia is among 102 Malaysians known to have left the country to live in the group's so-called Islamic State. Some 40 were killed fighting in Syria and Iraq; nine were suicide bombers. Having discussed her case with the Red Cross in Kuala Lumpur, Lidia's father expects it will be some time before she can return. "I met another father at the Red Cross," he said. "He told me his daughter is at a camp in Syria. It has been a year and she is still there." As for Lidia's father, he just wants his daughter home and to see his grandsons. "Let her experience under ISIL be a lesson to her," he said. "Now it is proven that Malaysia is better than the caliphate. Now she can make the comparison." Seven Springs to be sold Sevens Springs officials have announced that Somerset County's three ski resorts will be sold this winter. DELAWARE A firefighter in Delaware, who also volunteers in Chester County, was injured battling a house fire on Thursday morning. Good Will Fire Company of West Chester said on social media that member David Smiley Jr., was the injured firefighter and the members are asking for prayers for his recovery. Smiley, who works with Minquas Fire Company No. 1 of Delaware in New Castle County, responded with his crew to a house fire where officials said a firefighter called a Mayday over the radio for assistance as a firefighter in distress. According to Minquas of Delaware, that firefighter was transported to Christiana Hospital and later transported to Crozer Chester Medical Center for treatment of burns sustained. We would like to thank the companies who have been providing coverage of our area and thank those who have reached out offering support, Minquas of Delaware said on its Facebook page. The Smiley family said that during the operation of the house fire that the floor collapsed and David Smiley Jr. fell through the floor from the second floor to the first floor. According to his family, he sustained second and third degree burns on approximately 10 percent of his body, including on his ankles, hands, neck, ears, stomach and back. David is in for a long road of recovery, The Smiley family said. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Campaigners for a memorial to more than 22,000 British servicemen who fell in the liberation of France were jubilant yesterday as the appeal backed by the Daily Mail and its readers received its largest single donation to date: a magnificent 1million. As a result, the memorial fund has now reached a grand total of 1.5million. And like those Allied forces landing on the Normandy beaches in 1944, this fund just keeps on going. A donation of 1million was received from the family foundation of Michael Spencer, the financier and businessman, above. With 7.5million still required, the trustees are keen to build on the great momentum generated by this latest outpouring of support [File photo] Speaking on behalf of the surviving Normandy veterans and the families of those who gave their lives, George Batts, patron of the Normandy Memorial Trust, told the Mail: Bloody marvellous! This is just fantastic. Yesterdays donation of 1million was received from the family foundation of Michael Spencer, the financier and businessman. It followed a pledge of 250,000 from another (as yet unnamed) philanthropist, matching the 250,000 already given by generous Mail readers. With the 75th anniversary of the greatest assault in history fast approaching, the dwindling band of liberators are determined to make amends. Above is how the memorial will look Mr Batts and his comrades have been urgently trying to raise the 9million needed to complete the spectacular memorial planned for a panoramic site overlooking the beaches where thousands of British troops stormed ashore on June 6, 1944 D-Day. A total of 22,442 sailors, soldiers, airmen and medical staff under British command were killed in the relentlessly violent 77-day battle which followed the landings. Yet Britain remains the only Allied nation without a national memorial to its fallen in Normandy. With the 75th anniversary of the greatest assault in history fast approaching, the dwindling band of liberators are determined to make amends. Their prospects have been greatly improved by the response of Mail readers and of philanthropists like Mr Spencer. I am so pleased and proud that my family is supporting this immensely important national monument, he said last night. The men who gave their lives on D-Day ensured the freedom of Europe and all our freedoms. Seventy-five years later, it is completely right that the nation remembers and thanks them and marks their sacrifice by supporting the Normandy Memorial Trust. It is very gratifying that the Daily Mail has backed the fundraising campaign with such passion and commitment and that their readers have so far donated a wonderful 250,000 towards the memorial. My hope is that still more readers will give generously and that others will follow my familys lead. The site stands above Gold Beach at the heart of what was the British sector. It also overlooks the remains of the great Mulberry Harbour defences which protected the Allied beachhead. There will also be a separate memorial to the estimated 20,000 French civilians who lost their lives in the liberation With 7.5million still required, the trustees are keen to build on the great momentum generated by this latest outpouring of support. Last night the trusts chairman, Lord Ricketts, urged more people to follow suit. Michael Spencer and the Daily Mails readers have led the way, said the former diplomat. We are enormously grateful for their generosity. We hope that others will now help us to create a truly fitting memorial to the 22,442 men and women who did not make it home in the summer of 1944. We owe them so much. The memorial will stand on more than 50 acres of open land purchased by the trust at Ver-sur-Mer. The site stands above Gold Beach at the heart of what was the British sector. It also overlooks the remains of the great Mulberry Harbour defences which protected the Allied beachhead. In the five weeks since the start of the campaign, the trustees and veterans have been bowled over not just by the donations of every size but also by the messages and letters accompanying them. Above is how the memorial will look It will be engraved with the names of every one of those who gave their lives in the liberation, whether they died in battle or in the many tragic accidents of war which accompanied the most ambitious operation in our military history. There will also be a separate memorial to the estimated 20,000 French civilians who lost their lives in the liberation. In the five weeks since the start of the campaign, the trustees and veterans have been bowled over not just by the donations of every size but also by the messages and letters accompanying them. Many have donated in memory of a much-loved father, brother or uncle who made the ultimate sacrifice. Others have given in memory of a loved one who set sail for Normandy but did make it home. If my father had not survived Sword Beach, I would not be here today, wrote one pensioner 70 years young from Ayrshire, enclosing a donation of 50. I hope it helps. It all helps. And there are just under three months to go before the veterans gather on D-Day dawn itself to inaugurate the first phase of this much-needed tribute to those we can never fully repay. For many years, governments of every hue have taken a personal interest in our health and well-being to such an extent that the term nanny state was coined. We are instructed to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day. Official literature is full of advice about the desired daily intake of beans and pulses. So far as alcohol is concerned, the recommended weekly limit has been significantly reduced. A few years ago, Britains chief medical officer, Sally Davies, even suggested that one glass of wine a day can put you at risk of cancer. According to a major study by the University Medical Centre of Mainz in Germany, air pollution is killing 64,000 people a year in Britain. Globally, it is believed to cause more deaths than smoking. A major culprit of air pollution in our large cities (most of which routinely exceed EU air quality limits) are diesel cars. Stock image Less controversially, perhaps, successive governments have sought to reduce smoking by slapping such hefty taxes on a packet of cigarettes that only the rich or feckless can continue with the habit. Maybe we should all be grateful for this well-intentioned advice and cajoling. I suppose it is preferable to have rulers who would like to keep their citizens alive rather than to kill them off. Except that this appears not to be the case. Despite constantly nagging us to eat and drink the right things, and, of course, to exercise as much as possible, the State is quietly dispatching more people than it saves. More charitably, one might say that it is sitting ineffectually on the sidelines as we drop like ninepins. According to a major study by the University Medical Centre of Mainz in Germany, air pollution is killing 64,000 people a year in Britain. Globally, it is believed to cause more deaths than smoking. In Britain, about half the grisly toll is attributed to deaths from heart and artery disease. Respiratory problems caused by toxic air are said to account for most of the remaining fatalities. Before we proceed any further, I should issue my own health warning. We should be wary of studies which produce exact numbers in cases that are difficult to prove. How can the boffins in Mainz be certain that the deaths they cite are not at least partly caused by other factors than pollution? That said, other reputable authorities have come up with similar figures, though not so high. A 2016 report by the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health conjectured that air pollution in Britain was responsible for 40,000 deaths a year. 'As far as alcohol is concerned, the recommended weekly limit has been significantly reduced. A few years ago, Britains chief medical officer, Sally Davies (pictured), even suggested that one glass of wine a day can put you at risk of cancer' In other words, researchers in Mainz are not wildly out on a limb. Moreover, though you may accuse me of naivety, I am inclined to place a good deal of credence in the findings of a major German university. So lets go along with the figures. Arent they shocking? And yet, as I say, governments which admonish us about the perils of smoking and of drinking fall strangely silent when it comes to the dangers of inhaling noxious air. One explanation, I suggest, is that they are aware they are responsible for a significant proportion of this lethal pollution. A major culprit in our large cities (most of which routinely exceed EU air quality limits) are diesel cars. That they are death-traps can scarcely be denied. They spew out much more nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide than petrol cars, both of which gases can be damaging, and more than 20 times the number of particulates the minute particles that penetrate lungs, brains and hearts. Until recently, we were actively encouraged by officialdom to buy diesel cars. The reasoning was that they create less carbon dioxide the great contributor to global warming than the petrol engines which it was intended they would supplant. This is one of the great scandals of our time. For, as long ago as 1993, a report by the Department of the Environment conceded the potentially deadly effects of diesel vehicles. A few years ago, an anonymous former senior civil servant who worked for the Department of Transport in the Nineties revealed that diesels were promoted by government in the belief they would cause more deaths in the short-term but fewer in the long-term. It took nearly two decades before the really harmful nature of these engines was fully publicised. Result: a collapse in diesel sales and economic calamity for motor manufacturers. For, as long ago as 1993, a report by the Department of the Environment conceded the potentially deadly effects of diesel vehicles. It took nearly two decades before the really harmful nature of these engines was fully publicised. Result: a collapse in diesel sales and economic calamity for motor manufacturers. Stock image Of course, the current Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, and his senior officials cant be personally blamed for what has happened. But there is no question that government bears a historic responsibility. Who picks up the tab? Why, the hapless owners of diesel cars who discover that their value has plummeted. In some London boroughs they are also in the firing line for extra parking charges. Meanwhile, from April 8, owners of diesel cars manufactured before 2015 hardly ancient will have to pay a supplement of 12.50, in addition to the Congestion Charge every time they are used in the capitals so-called Ultra Low Emission Zone. Only much older petrol cars will be liable. Without doubt the motivation namely to reduce harmful air pollution is welcome. But isnt it interesting that the poor motorist has to pay for a problem that was largely created by government? Of course, the current Environment Secretary, Michael Gove (pictured), and his senior officials cant be personally blamed for what has happened. But there is no question that government bears a historic responsibility. There are other areas where officialdom has contributed to the problem of toxic air. For example, power stations burning wood pellets receive hundreds of millions of pounds in subsidies, though these pellets cause air pollution and may be as damaging as the coal which they replaced. Its true Mr Gove is on the case, and recently suggested that wood-burning power stations could be phased out. As part of his Clean Air Strategy, wood-burning stoves may be targeted (another cost lumped on the unfortunate consumer) while manufacturers will be told to reduce emissions from scented candles, carpets, laminate flooring and glues. The fact remains that this Government, like previous ones, seems far more concerned with the prospective threat of climate change than the real-and-present danger of air pollution, which is killing 64,000 people a year, if those researchers at Mainz are to be believed. In his Spring Statement yesterday, the Chancellor pleased environmentalists by designating a further 445,000 sq km around distant Ascension Island as a marine protected area. Great, as far as it goes. Philip Hammond also seemingly proscribed gas boilers in new homes from 2025, which suggests that consumers will have to use ground source heat pumps, which (surprise, surprise) are at present far more expensive. Climate change lobbyists will be delighted, since gas boilers produce carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming. They also cause some air pollution, though are much less harmful than diesel engines. But there was little or nothing in Mr Hammonds statement to suggest that the dangers of air pollution are viewed by the authorities as an urgent threat to our health and well-being. Nanny will continue to urge you to eat your five portions of fruit and veg a day. She will wag her finger at you if you enjoy a second drink. But when it comes to deadly particles swirling around our homes and in our streets, she sings an entirely different tune. There are phases of everyday life so fleeting that they catch on, and then pass by, unchronicled. For instance, when did people start, and then stop, saying Absolutely instead of Yes? And when and why did the current fad begin for filling sentences with No problem and Literally? When did middle-aged men start shaving their heads? Ive always imagined it was a practice made popular by Ross Kemp, when he played Grant Mitchell in EastEnders. Or was if before then? These are topics that history books rarely touch on. When did it become the norm for dog owners to pick up their dogs messes in plastic bags? Im sure this never happened 30 years ago, yet today it is obligatory. The double-kiss is another mystery. For years a single kiss sufficed, but then, overnight, the double-kiss was all the rage, and to go back to giving someone a single kiss suggested you were barely on speaking terms. The Beatles are said to have popularised the informal man hug in 1967 which has taken over from the firm handshake, recognised around the world as the most basic form of greeting And what of the current vogue for instant christian names? Among men in the Thirties, it was considered odd even for close friends to address one another by christian names. In 1933, two mountaineers, Eric Shipton and Bill Tilman, shared a small tent in the Himalayas. After a month, Shipton suggested that they stop calling each other by their surnames. Are you suggesting that I should call you Eric? replied Tilman. Im afraid I couldnt do that. I should feel such a bloody fool. But these days christian names are in such immediate use that conductors on trains introduce themselves over the intercom as Tim or Brian: you would probably have to apply for an injuction in order to discover their surnames. The man-hug is another interesting case. If they touched each other at all, men always used to shake hands. Anything more would seem outlandish. Goodbye to the firm handshake and hello to the man-hug. Craig Brown breaks down social trends and how much they have changed in 30 years But nowadays, the plain handshake is regarded as cold and distant, and man-hugs are all the rage. In the same way, saying How do you do? now appears as antiquated as saying Verily or Forsooth. When did the man-hug begin? I suspect that even the most diligent historian or sociologist would find it hard trace its origins. One of the reasons I like to read diaries is that they provide clues for answering these questions. In 2001, the playwright Simon Gray mentioned in his diary that he had been to a dinner in the West End of London. There was a lot of kissing, the women kissing the women, the men kissing the men, he complained, adding ...this male cuddling is a new fashion, probably come over from New York or Russia, and I really dont like it, really rather hate it, especially when they have beards... theyre rough on my skin, and probably full of food and insects, and theyre smelly, but I see no way of repelling them unless I take to dribbling into them or blowing my nose over them, and word gets around that Im to be avoided. The double-kiss is another mystery. For years a single kiss sufficed, but then, overnight, the double-kiss was all the rage, and to go back to giving someone a single kiss suggested you were barely on speaking terms This suggests to me that it was around the turn of this century that the man-hug became de rigueur. But then last week I came upon a description of a much earlier man-hug. Derek Taylor was the press officer for The Beatles. In his autobiography, published in 1983, he recalled arriving at Heathrow Airport in 1967, having spent a couple of years in Los Angeles. To his astonishment, he is greeted by John, George and Ringo with man-hugs. Noticing Taylor recoil, John admonishes him, explaining: This is the new thing! You hug your friends when you meet them and show them youre glad to see them. Dont stand there shaking hands as if everyones got some disease! Get close to people! Back then, The Beatles were at the cutting-edge of contemporary manners, and would obviously have been among the pioneers of the man-hug. Yet John Lennon called it the new thing, which implies that there were quite a few other fashionable people doing it too. Thirty-four years later, however, the beady-eyed Simon Gray, who often mixed with fashionable writers and artists, was still describing it as a new fashion. Why on earth did it take such a long time to catch on? Usually calm and dignified, Jacob Rees-Mogg, the high priest of the Tory Brexiteers, was visibly taken aback when told by an interviewer on Tuesday night: Historians will look back on this as the night you lost Brexit. Gulping for air, Rees-Mogg, who disloyally led a failed coup attempt against Theresa May in December, said: I dont acknowledge that. He then told his interrogator, the BBCs Andrew Neil, that the March 29 exit date from the EU was still achievable. However, most sane people disagree. Indeed, most sane people dont understand how hardline Brexiteers such as Rees-Mogg can have behaved as they have done and risk having no Brexit at all. The multi-millionaire Somerset Tory and his fellow European Research Group (ERG) members with about 50 Tory MPs have consistently portrayed themselves as guardians of a pure and uncompromising Brexit. Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg raises a point of order in the House of Commons after MPs voted to reject leaving the EU with no deal. Critics say that the constant placed on the Prime Minister by Rees-Mogg and members of the European Research Group may have scuppered an orderly Brexit But by voting against the Prime Minister, they now face their worst nightmare: Brexit being cancelled. Certainly, it will be delayed. For last nights crushing Commons vote means the ERGs beloved No Deal Brexit is in ruins after being rejected by MPs in any circumstances. Not for nothing have the ultra-Brexiteers been likened to lemmings running off a cliff edge. Even after last nights key vote, Rees-Mogg, in full lemming mode, claimed: We are ruled by law, not through arbitrary motions in the House of Commons. The law still says we leave on March 29. But James Cleverly, the Tory deputy chairman, is clear that the ERG has shot itself in the foot. The ERG may have missed the best and last chance to deliver Brexit, he said. Quite rightly, the ultra-Brexiteers will get the blame as the saboteurs whove caused this national crisis, rather than the Tory Government for failing to deliver. How galling for them, too, that the person who triggered the amendment kicking No Deal into oblivion was former Labour Cabinet minister and die-hard Remainer Yvette Cooper. For years, Miss Cooper has been Mrs Mays nemesis. As chairman of the Commons home affairs select committee, the wife of Ed Balls has perpetually tried to blame Mrs May for a series of government embarrassments when she was Home Secretary such as the treatment of the Windrush generation and police cuts. Remainer Yvette Cooper was the MP that triggered the amendment which has now removed the No Deal option from Mrs May's negotiation strategy. It is still possible to leave the EU without a deal if EU countries refuse to agree any terms with the UK It was significant, too, that Miss Cooper put forward the amendment which had been formulated by former Tory chairman Dame Caroline Spelman whose initiative Rees-Mogg sneeringly described last night as a mere motion. So what are Rees-Mogg and his not-so-merry band playing at? If they had voted for the Governments deal on Tuesday, there was a possibility that a form of Brexit could have been achieved although, admittedly, one not as tungsten-tipped as they want. The ERG is pinning its hopes on the current political paralysis meaning that Britain will leave the EU in 15 days with No Deal and on World Trade Organisation terms. But last nights vote makes that a pipe dream. One senior ERG member said stubbornly: The legal default position remains that we leave on March 29 and if there is no withdrawal treaty agreed by Parliament, we leave with No Deal. But they are misguided. After last nights Commons vote, the Government can change the March 29 exit date by using a legislative device called a statutory instrument as long as the other 27 EU countries agree. For his part, Rees-Mogg is aghast at the prospect of MPs taking control of the Brexit or No Brexit process from the Government. In response, hes suggested the Queen could use a precedent set in the reign of William IV to close Parliament down. Jacob-Rees-Mogg MP (centre) and other members of the European Research Group (ERG) who favoured a No Deal Brexit over relatively softer terms being proposed by Mrs May. The ERG is pinning its hopes on the current political paralysis meaning that Britain will leave the EU in 15 days with No Deal and on World Trade Organisation terms He says: In 1832, there was an occasion when it was thought necessary that the King might have to come in person to dissolve Parliament. If the King turns up in person to prorogue [close down] Parliament, any discussion stops straight away. This idea from the man mocked as the Honourable Member for the 18th Century was greeted with derision. Two hours before Tuesdays Commons vote, the ERG had held a private meeting in Parliament to discuss tactics. One of the most passionate speeches came from former Brexit Secretary David Davis who said he feared that a defeat for Mrs May would plunge the country into a period of uncertainty which could result in Britain staying in the EU. He urged ERG members to vote for the deal. David hates Mrs Mays deal, but he hates even more the idea that the Brexiteers kill off Brexit, said a MP who was present. Some heeded Davis and, like him, voted for the deal. While 39 MPs switched sides, a hard core of 75 ultra-Brexiteers refused to budge. One ERG member said: I cant vote for the deal ever, because its worse than staying in the EU. No wonder I heard one Tory MP referring to ERG members as block-headed ideologues. Neil Findlay, Labours EU spokesman in the Scottish Parliament, called them eejits, rogues and galoots. Lord Finkelstein, a Conservative peer who voted Remain, has said: All they had to do was vote for the deal and Brexit would have been secure. Now, it isnt. Undaunted, Rees-Mogg is continuing to defy logic, saying: Only if Brexit is at risk altogether will we consider voting for what is still a bad deal. But the brutal truth is that Brexit is now very much at risk. The ERG faces a simple choice: back Mrs Mays deal or the Government will seek a long extension that includes Britain taking part in the elections for the European Parliament in May. Not exactly what Brexiteers expected after their referendum triumph! Surely Rees-Mogg wont want The man who killed Brexit as his political epitaph? The prosecution of Soldier F on two counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder in 1972 is an ugly scam, one which has everything to do with politics and nothing to do with justice. It is a farce driven by the Governments cowardly impulse to appease the Irish Republican movement, which, for cynical ends, wants to rewrite the history of the Troubles and downplay its own central role in the bloodshed. In allowing this to go ahead, the British state has committed a judicial aberration, turning morality on its head. The Warrenpoint convoy attack in 1979 left 18 dead. A destroyed British Army lorry is pictured after the roadside blasts Lets not forget that in the same year, the Derry Brigade, led by Martin McGuinness, murdered 27 people. Yet the memory of their atrocities has faded. The state will for political purposes seek to show that Soldier F left barracks with the intent of murder. Of course, the IRA has long admitted that every one of its 27 victims were hunted down like animals in carefully planned murders. But they are not in the dock. While genuine terrorists walk free, those who served their country and sought to defend the public find themselves in court. As someone who grew up in Belfast at the peak of the Troubles, and witnessed the carnage inflicted by the paramilitaries, I am repelled by this politicised witch-hunt. The 1974 Birmingham pub bombings left 21 dead. Firemen are pictured sifting through the debris in the city centre I served as an officer in the Royal Irish Rangers, during which I did four tours of duty in Northern Ireland, as well as fighting in Kosovo and both Gulf Wars. The idea that the heroism, self-sacrifice and discipline I saw first-hand should now be denigrated is utterly repugnant. By allowing this grubby saga to continue, the British state is colluding with the Republican propaganda machine rather than healing the wounds of the violence. What makes the episode particularly absurd is that there is no chance that the prosecutions will succeed. The actions are bound to fail in securing any convictions because no court will be able to give the veterans a fair trial. This is for two reasons. Firstly, given the long passage of time, memories will have faded and witness statements become unreliable. But more importantly, it will be impossible for any trial to be held in a spirit of calm and independence, free of any prejudice. There has been a deluge of books, films, newspaper columns and documentaries about Bloody Sunday, many of them whipping up emotions against the British army. The conventional narrative of British oppression was further fuelled by the long-running inquiry under former Justice of the Supreme Court Lord Saville. His conclusion was that the paratroopers had lost control on the day, were solely responsible for the civilian deaths, and had engaged in a cover-up to hide the truth. Instead of indulging in this cruel judicial pantomime, the Government should go after the real perpetrators of terrorist incidents, many of whom are known to the authorities. Massacre: The minibus from which Protestant workers were taken and shot in Kingsmill, which left 10 dead Why has legal action not been taken against the Birmingham pub bombers who killed 21 people in 1974, or the Republican paramilitaries who organised the Warrenpoint massacre in 1979 that left 18 British soldiers dead? Why has the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland failed to prosecute the killers who carried out the Kingsmill atrocity in 1976 in County Armagh, when ten Protestant workers were hauled from their minibus, lined up and then shot? These dreadful murders were carried out by the Provisional IRA, declared a 2011 report by the Historic Enquiries Team. Yet nothing has been done by the British state about them. That is partly because the present Conservative Government is so weak and distracted. Bogged down by Brexit and without a Commons majority, Ministers are vulnerable to the machinations of the Republicans. In turn, Sinn Fein is trying to gain political ground by distancing itself from the IRAs record of lethal sectarian violence, which still alienates large sections of the electorate in both Northern and Southern Ireland. Sinn Fein achieve their goal by portraying the security forces as the real architects of the Troubles through their campaign of state-sanctioned murder and bullying. The prosecution of the paratroopers is the jewel in the crown of this deceitful exercise. But it is a travesty of history to try to put the blame on the British. Responsibility for the overwhelming majority of violence in the Troubles lies with the Republican and Loyalist paramilitaries. According to the most authoritative estimates, less than 0.5 per cent of the questionable killings in Ulster during this period were perpetrated by police officers or soldiers. The Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley got in trouble last week when she said that killings by the security forces were not crimes but were carried by people acting under orders and under instruction. She may have expressed herself clumsily, but she was, in essence, right. The paratrooper accused of two killings Soldier F is accused of murdering James Wray and William McKinney, and the attempted murder of Joseph Friel, Patrick ODonnell, Joe Mahon and Michael Quinn. They had joined thousands on the civil rights march through Londonderry. At the citys IRA-dominated Bogside district a barricade was manned by the Royal Green Jackets. Warzone: Soldiers behind an armoured barricade in Londonderry on January 30, 1972 The Army had never imposed itself on Bogside and, for troublemakers among the largely peaceful crowd, it was going to be an afternoon of throwing stones and sticks at their barricade. But behind the line of Green Jackets were the crack soldiers of the Parachute Regiment, called out from their base in Belfast to ensure order. The men of 1 Para were never going to act like Aunt Sallies as rocks and stones rained on them, their commanding officer said memorably later. Joe Mahon, now 63, was shot in the hip, while Joseph Friel, 67, was shot in the chest William McKinney, 27, left, was killed, and James Wray, 22, was shot twice Patrick ODonnell, left, was wounded, while Michael Quinn, 64, was shot in the face Soldier F fired 13 rounds of live ammunition as part of a tight-knit squad of four soldiers the others known as E, G and H who by their own admission were responsible for half the deaths that day. At the Saville Inquiry in 2003, he admitted killing four people although he denied murder, saying they were armed. Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, however, the evidence given to the inquiry was not admissible. It means Soldier F has not been charged in relation to three of those deaths over lack of other evidence but he does face trial over the fourth, Mr McKinney, 27. Advertisement In contrast, British troops were discharging their duty to uphold order and defend the public, often in the toughest circumstances. Republican posturing will do nothing for bereaved families of the Bloody Sunday victims. All the political agitation over the incident has not brought them any financial compensation, with most of their public funds having been swallowed up by lawyers fees at the Saville inquiry. As for the British Army, I do not share the dark forebodings of Lord Ramsbotham military assistant to the chief of the general staff at the time of the shootings who warned about the impact of prosecutions on army recruitment. Our armed forces remain one of the finest fighting units in the world, with a sense of duty and discipline that is far greater than all the shenanigans of the politicians. British and Irish recruits will continue to join up, going on to serve heroically. What will undoubtedly be lost is the soldiers sense of trust in politicians and their bureaucratic leadership. They will be infused with the wariness that at any time they could be thrown to the judicial wolves simply for carrying out their orders. I recall during the second Gulf War in Iraq in 2003 how I told other senior officers that, in the event of legal trouble, they should privately hire their own lawyers because the Ministry of Defence ones could not be trusted. Such suspicions will greatly intensify if the prosecutions proceed. If we had a government that really cared about the welfare of its servicemen and women, this fiasco would have ended long ago. Ever since the death of their mother, they have been linked inextricably, not just in the public consciousness but across the royal stage. As boys, William and Harry were inseparable, finding solace in one another as they coped with the shattering loss of Princess Diana and later sharing in each others dreams and successes as adults. Williams marriage to Kate eight years ago contributed barely a quiver to this remarkable relationship as two became three. The arrival of the Cambridges children George, Charlotte and Louis served only to strengthen the fraternal bonds. A split in the family: Kate, William, Harry and Meghan. This week, both women put on an impressive show of companionship and friendliness at the Commonwealth Day service When Meghan arrived with her Hollywood glamour the threesome became the Fab Four, as popular as any pop group but dusted with the magic of royalty. But now with the news that the brothers are to set up their separate households there is a parting of the ways. Many will seize on the split as evidence of a so-called froideur not just between the sisters-in-law but also between William and Harry. In fact, the ending of a double act which has not only helped bring stability to the monarchy but showered it with popularity has been inevitable from the moment it was announced that the Duchess of Sussex was pregnant. The creation of separate courts reflects the boys changing responsibilities. It is the clearest sign yet that William is destined for the throne and thus inevitably pushing his brother to the margins of royal life. It happens to every generation. Nearly 40 years ago, it happened to Prince Andrew. For the first 22 years of his life, he was a heartbeat away from the crown as next in line after his brother Prince Charles. Then, when the Prince and Princess of Wales began their family, his importance receded. By the time Andrew married and had children, he had been relegated down the line of succession. Harry, meanwhile, will complete his departure from Kensington Palace his former childhood home, dont forget by establishing his court at Buckingham Palace, removing himself completely from his brothers sphere [File photo] But with William and Harry it was somehow different. Their closeness in age meant that they were often seen together. Then there was the unique way in which they were raised. Diana refused to allow the usual protocols of favouritism to take root. She instructed courtiers, servants and other members of the Royal Family that the boys were to be treated identically. She insisted that when important photographs were taken of future king William, his younger brother was also in the picture. She even made a point of bringing Harry to Williams first day at Eton so they could be photographed together and he wouldnt feel left out. Diana was anxious for Harry to be included in everything. She wanted him to avoid the traditional fate of the second-son spare in the Royal Family left without a significant role while both position and estate (income from the Duchy of Cornwall as Prince of Wales, and from the Crown Estates as sovereign) went to the first-born son. When she learned that the Queen Mother treated William more favourably, she asked her, forcibly, not to. Such a determinedly modern approach to parenting helped ensure that when the boys faced the terrible tragedy of her death in Paris 22 years ago, they had each other to rely on. It has been that way ever since. Until now. Inevitably, the split will be seen with sadness. As William and Harry or just the boys they have been indivisible and the public have loved this royal double act. But the fact is, this separation had to happen sooner rather than later. As the Queens reign nears its end and Prince Charles prepares for the throne, William, with Kate at his side, has to make a great leap forward. There can only be one Prince of Wales. It is not a role that can be shared. William, after all, is going to be top dog. We might have expected their break to have come sooner last May for example, when Harry and Meghan were married. But they found three were better as four and the wow factor of two glamorous young royal couples convinced aides that it was worth persisting with for a little longer. Diana was anxious for Harry to be included in everything. She wanted him to avoid the traditional fate of the second-son spare in the Royal Family But with Meghans pregnancy and the Sussexes planned move to Windsor, a formal split became imperative. It will, of course, raise questions about what really is going on between Kate and Meghan, against the backdrop of reported tensions. This week, both women put on an impressive show of companionship and friendliness at the Commonwealth Day service. It was designed as much as anything to dispel those rumours. But issues surrounding Meghans troubled relationship with her father, and the controversy over a US magazine interview in which the duchesss friends sought to set the record straight, will only add to speculation about this split. The separate courts will mirror their divergent interests. Williams key staff have a background in government and it represents a coming of age for the prince, who will be 37 in June. Harry, meanwhile, will complete his departure from Kensington Palace his former childhood home, dont forget by establishing his court at Buckingham Palace, removing himself completely from his brothers sphere. It is a sign that he is following in the footsteps of Princess Anne, Prince Edward and Andrew, who, in earlier times, ensured their independence from their elder brothers influence. For William, the future is assured. Harry, however, is at something of a crossroads. He has been here before, of course when he quit the Army but this time he has a wife at his side and is about to become a father. It will now be up to him to forge a royal role beyond the shadow of his big brother. A woman is raising her best friend's two young daughters while she serves 13 years for murdering their father following a blazing row. Heather Savage, from Liverpool, found herself in this difficult position when her best friend since childhood Farieissia 'Fri' Martin was convicted of killing her partner Kyle Farrell. When Fri was arrested in 2014, Heather was one of the only people who knew the extent of the abuse she'd suffered and offered to foster her little girls, reports Marie Claire. Heather said she'd known about her friend's abusive relationship with Kyle, 21, but kept quiet when Fri 'begged' her not to tell anybody. Although Fri, then 22, and Kyle had broken up a few times, Heather said they kept on getting back together. She explained how, when outgoing Fri enrolled at performing arts college, Kyle 'would wait outside for her so that she didnt walk past any lads on the way home.' Heather said that her friend Fri, pictured, used to be outgoing but her partner was controlling and would wait outside college for her so that she didnt walk past lads on the way home' Heather also claimed that Kyle would join the girls at the pub and flood Fri with texts when she was away from home, but Fri made her promise not to tell 'about the violence.' When Fri was 19 she became pregnant and Heather said she saw an angry Kyle 'kick her in the stomach' while they were walking down the street. She told Marie Claire: 'Fri fell into the road in front of oncoming cars, and a big scene kicked off with me shouting at Kyle. I took Fri to hospital, but she didnt tell doctors the truth.' After their second daughter was born, Heather said her best friend started meeting her with bruises on her face and saying she'd hit herself 'on the oven door.' By now Heather was training to be a dental nurse but was constantly worrying about her best friend. Early on 21 November 2014, a shocked Heather was told that Fri had been arrested after killing Kyle when they'd got into an argument after a night out. She said: 'Fri had grabbed a kitchen knife from the counter and shouted at him to get off. It was a single stab to his heart.' Kyle Farrell, 21, was stabbed once in the chest during a row and later died in hospital. According to Heather Savage, Farrell was 'violent' and once kicked his pregnant partner in the stomach After a trial at Liverpool Crown Court, Fri was sentenced to 13 years in prison and her children, just one and two years old at the time, were taken into care. The court heard how Fri had come home to her flat at 4.30am after drinking half a bottle of brandy at a friend's house. Kyle had been looking after their two children while she was out, and accused her of seeing other men when a row ensued. There had been verbal and physical abuse from both sides in the past The couple had a turbulent relationship with Fri having previously accused Kyle of having affairs with other women and even fathering a child by one of them. Fri admitted their rows would regularly become violent - and she often refused to stay in the house with the children. During the case, Fri initially falsely claimed her boyfriend had been knifed to death by an intruder, but later said she stabbed him in self-defence. Just 24 hours before his death, Kyle sent text messages to his girlfriend threatening to smash her TV and bed after she went shopping and left him at home. Fri, pictured, had split up with partner Kyle multiple times and they had two daughters together. She killed her 'violent' partner with a single stab wound to the chest Fri before she was jailed. Her case has now been taken up by campaign group Justice for Women, who help support women who have been killed by violent partners Fri told the court that during their argument Kyle grabbed her by the throat in the kitchen and she grabbed the knife. After Fri was jailed Detective Chief Inspector Natalie Perischine told the BBC: 'It was unfortunately sometimes a volatile relationship, and our investigation established that there had been verbal and physical abuse from both sides in the past.' After a year of her best friend's daughters being with a foster family, Heather offered to care for them. She said: 'Ive known them since they were born, so theyre like my nieces. Those girls are my life now.' Heather still takes the young girls to visit her best friend every month and said they know their daddy is in heaven and their mother in prison, which they call 'the castle.' Fri's case has now been taken up by campaign group Justice for Women, who help support women who have been jailed after killing violent partners. Kyle, pictured, had been looking after his and Fri's two children while she was out on the night he was killed A police investigation found Fri and Kyle, pictured, had a volatile relationship and that 'there had been verbal and physical abuse from both sides in the past' Justice For Women said: 'Fri was a young woman who experienced appalling abuse at the hands of her partner Kyle, but this was not explored in court nor was her mental health assessed. 'Through cases such as Fri's and Emma-Jayne Magson's we hope to not only see these murder convictions overturned but to also see a greater understanding of domestic abuse within the criminal justice system. 'Justice for Women and Fri's legal team have submitted grounds to appeal sentence and conviction. Her application to appeal was unfortunately turned down by the single judge last month. 'This was the same judge who also turned down Sally Challen's application. Our next step is to submit grounds to a panel of three judges. 'We hope to draw public attention to Fri's case in much the same way as we have Sally Challen's case.' Emma-Jayne Magson was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison, to serve a minimum of 17 years, after stabbing her partner in Leicester in 2016. Justice For Women campaigned on her behalf and November 2018 an appeal was made against her conviction. She is now waiting for a hearing date. Sally Challen lashed out at her husband Richard, 61, at their 1million Surrey home, bludgeoning him with a hammer more than 20 times and was jailed in 2011. Earlier this month the mother-of-two's legal team told the Court of Appeal that a 2015 change in the law that makes exerting 'coercive or controlling behaviour' a criminal offence should now be taken into consideration. The court ruled in favour of Challen and she will now be allowed to challenge her sentence of life with a minimum of 18 years. A YouTuber was shocked after she thought a man online was sending her money to only instead receive an incredible burn. Ali Resuta, 21, is a college student at the Arizona State University in Phoenix who often posts vlogs following her life with her friends at school. The woman joked about how a man named Patrick brought an 'end to [her] YouTube career' after he thought up a hilarious insult about the content Ali created with her friends. Aspiring: Ali Resuta, 21, attends Arizona State University in Phoenix and often posts vlogs on YouTube with her friends at college Curious: One man named Patrick reached out to Ali on Twitter to ask for her Venmo. She gave it to him because in the past men have randomly sent her money Incredible: But Patrick instead requested she send him money to make up for the fact that he spent '3:44 of [his] life' watching one of her videos Funny: Ali shared the interaction on Twitter with others and joked it was the 'end of my YouTube career' The interaction between Ali and Patrick started after he messaged her through Twitter to ask for her Venmo handle. The mobile payment app allows for people to send money people directly from their bank account to the receiver's bank account. Throwing shade: After Ali posted the interaction online, it was shared more than 33,000 times with others Speaking to Buzzfeed, Ali admitted strangers who follow her on social media have previously sent her money for no reason at all. 'Men are weird and I've gotten a considerate amount of money from random dudes on the internet for no reason whatsoever,' she told the online site. 'So, as you could see in the screenshot, I got pretty excited because I thought I was about to get some money.' Ali asked Patrick why he wanted to know her Venmo, and he responded because he 'just watched your vlog'. The Venmo request ended up being not quite what Ali expected after Patrick requested $5 from her instead of sending money. In the caption of the Venmo request, Patrick wrote: '3:44 of my time' He was referencing the length of the vlog he watched from Ali and how he wanted the time spent watching the video in the form of money. Funny: The college student then started to receive Venmo requests from other men jokingly saying she owed them money Fan: People online reacted to the savage burn and called it 'f***ing hilarious' True: But one person was quick to point out that Patrick's time was probably not worth as much as he claimed Can't get enough: People loved the creativity behind Patrick's 'savage' burn Supported: Ali also received money from some men who said Patrick was 'dumb' for his burn Broadcast: One person wanted to know why Ali decided to post her shame for everyone to read about on Twitter Fair point: But another commenter pointed out how now Ali's Venmo was blowing up, so she could actually profit off of the interaction 'I knew he was just kidding and not actually trying to be mean,' she told Buzzfeed. Ali decided to share the interaction on her Twitter page so she and her friends could laugh about the burn 'because I joke about becoming YouTube famous all the time.' The college student even captioned her tweet, 'This is the end of my YouTube career.' People loved the burn so much that the tweet was shared more than 33,000 times after first being posted on Thursday. Commenters called the burn from Patrick 'savage as hell' and 'f***ing hilarious'. Ali admitted she has now received other trolling requests on her Venmo page by people saying she also owes them money for their time. But she also received $5 from a guy who thought Patrick was 'dumb' for his burn. Guests have shared snaps of the very worst things they've spotted in hotels - from parody CPR instructions to a shower with a door to the outside corridor. Disgruntled travellers from around the world shared their snaps on social media in a gallery that was later compiled by Bored Panda. Even those who splashed out on high-end stays were left disappointed, with one being put in a 'courtyard' view room that overlooked a carpark. Here, we round up some of the best examples - and they'll make you want to check the reviews before you book your next break... Disgruntled travellers shared their snaps on social media in a gallery that was later compiled by Bored Panda. Pictured, one guest was disturbed to find the sheets hadn't been changed One guest staying in a hotel in Thailand was baffled when they came across the CPR instructions in their accommodation, which was filled with sexual references One guest requested to have a balcony but was mortified when they had to walk through the bathroom and shower area to get onto the stand Another health and safety sign puzzled residents as they pointed to a fire exit, which was just a brick wall Artwork found in the breakfast area of a hotel has been likened to pubic hair found down the shower plug by residents While a framed canvas hanging above a toilet in a hotel bathroom has been likened to fecal matter by a bewildered guest A separate guest noticed a sign to the toilet was not all as it seemed. The label appeared to have braille, but on closer inspection the sign was in 2D and not raised to help those who are visually impaired One guest requested to have a view of the 'courtyard', but was disappointed to find their room overlooked the car park and neighbouring hotel named Courtyard A separate guest was promised an infinity pool with incredible views of the area, but was displeased when they were met with a small pool that resembled a jacuzzi A resident who checked into a hotel did not know what to do when the toilet was metres away from the toilet roll holder, although the two are usually within reaching distance of one another Numerous holidaymakers were stunned to find essential health and safety elements were not up to scratch. One traveller who ventured to Thailand noted the CPR emergency procedure was mocked in their hotel, as it described mouth to mouth resuscitation as 'Kiss sensually! The victim is us unconscious. Now's your chance!', after inviting people to 'blame someone else' and check out the patient's chest. A separate site, in California, had two exit signs pointing in the direction of one another, although there was no emergency door or stairwell to use if in an emergency but just a brick wall in the space. A string of other resorts have an issue with braille, with one hotel including the ADA compliant sign on top of a bumpy surface, which will prove problematic when distinguishing between the material and the braille alphabet. While a bathroom sign in a different location features the dots on their sign, but on closer inspection the sign is not raised to be identified by those who are visually impaired. But another hotel made it difficult to even spot the room numbers as the gold wallpaper camouflaged the perspex directions. A common issue hotel guests found were notes from former guests alerting them to the lack of hygiene at their stay. One found a note warning them the bed sheets had not been washed and changed. The note read: 'If you're reading this, they didn't change the sheets.' While a different guest at a separate resort was repulsed to find a note in the pocket of the hotel's complimentary dressing gown stating a previous customer's bottom had been all over it. A major tick box for customers often includes a balcony, or at least view of the surroundings, but that is not always delivered as some jetsetters have found. For one looking forward to views over the courtyard during their stay, overlooked the car park, while a separate person found the door to their hotel balcony was through the bathroom, which could prove very problematic if someone is in the shower. First impressions go a long way for some residents, and phallic artwork in hotels over the world has left a lasting memory on a selection of guests. One resident was stunned to find a mural in the breakfast area with what has been described as 'shower drain pube collection' by the guest. An observant guest at another hotel noticed their quote on the wall had not been completed as 'sample your text here' was emblazoned all over the room. Attention to detail is key especially when a sink does not match up to the tap to drain away the water, which left one customer baffled, but not as stumped by a separate guest who did not have a sink at all. Infinity pools are highly sought after by those looking for luxury on their vacation, but one guest was mortified when the feature turned out to be no bigger than a jacuzzi, while another hoping to work out in the state of the art fitness suite was met with a basic exercise bike in the room with a hob and microwave. A couple who left the UK to sail around the world for a couple of years in 2011 have revealed why theyre still going and have got married and had three children along the way. Jess Lloyd-Mostyn, now 36, from London, had never even set foot on a boat when she joked to her then boyfriend James, now her husband, that they should buy a yacht and circumnavigate the globe. However, less than a year and a few sailing courses - later, the couple left Falmouth and set off for the adventure of a lifetime that would see them visit 36 countries and cover 26,000 miles in eight years and they have no plans to come home for good. Indigo playing chase with Rocket. Jess Lloyd-Mostyn, 36 and her husband James, 48, decided to leave everything behind in 2011 and buy a bought to sail the world. But the couple did not let their traveling lifestyle mess up their plan of starting a family Jess carrying baby Rocket. The couple's first baby was born in Mexico after Jess went into labour during a six-hour bus ride en route to the birthing centre The couple's first child, Rocket, making her first step as a baby. The couple bought a 42ft Crossbow 42 that needed a lot of work and sailed away back in 2011 They left their careers Jess as an artist and James, 48, as an architect with four degrees between them and rented out their London house and a flat, to help fund the trip, using the money they had saved to build an extension to buy a 35,000, 42ft Crossbow 42 that needed a lot of work. Not only did Jess who suffers with seasickness - and James fall in love with their new way of life, which has seen them visit, among others, the Caribbean, Tahiti, New Zealand and Fiji, they decided to start a family on board. Two years after setting sail, Rocket, now five, was born in Mexico after Jess went into labour during a six-hour bus ride en route to the birthing centre, Indigo, three, was born in a house-sit in New Zealand in 2015, and Autumn was born during a visit back to London last year. Jess and James now homeschool their two eldest children, but they dont follow a curriculum and instead focus on interest-based learning. James, 48, testing Indigo's harness. Indigo was born in a house sit in New Zealand in 2015. The couple homeschool their children on the boat Talking about their decision to set sail, Jess explains: Neither of us had any real reason to leave; our jobs, home and friendships were all ticking along quite contently. We were visiting family in Cornwall and were having a lovely cliff-top walk. I looked out to sea and sighed wistfully and said do you know what darling, we could just buy a boat and sail around the world. And he laughed at me which was quite right as Id never even been on a sail boat when I said it. It was a year later that we left. We left thinking that the challenge we had was to sail around the world in roughly two-and-a-half years and then return to London, our heads full of experiences. Rocket, five, with new born Autumn and Indigo, three. Jess and James thought they would be back in London two years after sailing off, but they haven't settle anchor yet Jess said that 'boats are really baby proof' and that her children had 'life jackets rather than cribs and buggies' After crossing the Atlantic and enjoying several months in the Caribbean we reached Panama, where we decided to start a family. Jess admits that not many people who go sailing around the world decide to have a baby while sailing and carry on. The couples first child was born in Mexico after they agreed not to risk sailing across the Pacific Ocean while Jess was pregnant. They had planned it so that they would arrive at the birthing centre in Guadalajara with plenty of time before Jesss due date. However, when Jess stepped on board the bus for the six-hour journey travelling 300 miles inland, she went into labour. She said: It wasnt until I was lying on the floor of the aisle of the bus on a towel going oh my god that I thought this is really happening. James and Indigo meeting some locals on a canoe. Jess said the couple is very eco-friendly and use cloth nappies for that reason, adding that living on a boat had made them more 'environmentally aware'. We managed to make it to Guadalajara and were in a taxi and Im on all fours when I heard a police car the taxi had flagged us down a police escort and we ran through every red light in the city, and we made it to the centre on time. Jess had a natural birth and Rocket was born three weeks early weighing just 5lbs 2oz, but healthy. So they spent five weeks in a hostel in Mexico before their families arrived to see the new arrival. Mexicans have a tradition where the baby and mother dont leave the house for the first 40 days and we were out and about on day two and nobody had seen a baby out and about, Jess said. Mexican men are soppy as hell, they really value family there. It was fathers and grandfathers and young men stopping us in the streets and saying oh my goodness, what a gorgeous baby you are so blessed. Indigo riding the boom. Jess admitted that sailing with both a toddler and a newborn was interesting It was then time to get back on board their yacht, sailing from Mexico to New Zealand with their eight-month-old new addition on board, exploring all the South Pacific islands in between. The first passage to the Marquesas in French Polynesia was 26 days and 2,850 miles although Jess admits for long stretches at sea, they do hire crew to come on board with them. So how did they adjust to being a family of three with a very young new crew member? Jess behind the helm. The mother-of-three admits although they have mortgages on both properties, by being mindful of how they spend their money, they have actually managed to save cash while theyve been away Jess, who says she gets on very well with James and they never argue, said: Boats in general are very baby-proof from the start. No cupboards or drawers can open or fly out at sea so they all already have safety catches. Plus there werent any sharp edges to begin with so the transition to a family home has been very easy. There are some people who think a sail boat is really unsafe for a child. But on a good day, our sail boat averages five miles an hour. There are kids in cars in motorways every day. Obviously learning to swim is of paramount importance to us. Our kids had life jackets rather than cribs and buggies. It doesnt mean you get nonchalant about any of the safety kit. Its just very different kit from your average baby in London. One of the things that having a baby on board made Jess and James think about was the amount of rubbish they produce. Already very eco-friendly, choosing to mainly sail by wind power rather than using the boats motor, the couple had to think about the babys waste and how to deal with it. Jess said they decided to use cloth nappies for that reason, adding that living on a boat had made them more environmentally aware. Rocket at the helm. Jess said the family spend their time exploring different countries, kayaking, doing yoga or swimming As well as earning money from renting out their house and a flat they have together, Jess and James also write a blog to keep their family updated, and make some extra cash along the way with freelance writing and photography, which they also share on Instagram. Jess admits they live very frugally, and will make things like bread and cake from scratch. She admits although they have mortgages on both properties, by being mindful of how they spend their money, they have actually managed to save cash while theyve been away. The initial outlay for the boat and its repairs and everything to get them started was around 60,000. She says the living costs vary wildly from place to place, but they spent just over 20,000 a year, which includes all their living costs. A map of Jess, James and their children's travels. The family are currently in London but plan on resuming their travels in April and sail to Malaysia They also review products for the boat and the babies, and champion eco-minded solutions. Jess said: Weve never had a cot or a buggy we had to figure out what works in our world. Thats how we got involved with Sleepyhead. On the boat, theres no room for a cot, we wanted to co-sleep with our baby and we felt with a Sleepyhead we could do this safely. Jess said the family spend their time exploring different countries, kayaking, doing yoga or swimming. It was en route to New Zealand that Jess and James decided to get married just 16 hours before tying the knot. The boat at Anchor in Bay of Islands in New Zealand. It was en route to New Zealand that the couple decided to try for another baby But instead of having the lavish white-sand nuptials everyone back home expected the couple to have, they opted for a simple and humble ceremony in Fiji in 2014 that set them back a mere 18. Their daughter Rocket was their only guest, and she slept through the whole thing!. It was also en route to New Zealand that the couple decided to try for another baby. Jess said: When we started sailing with a baby its relatively straight forward, and its all lovely and static. We left Mexico with Rocket when she was just eight months old it was our biggest crossing with 28 days at sea. She got her crawling down when we were on that crossing. Had her first birthday in Bora Bora, started walking in the Kingdom of Tonga. I now identify all these child milestones with where we were. Rocket as a baby playing with a tiny globe. Rocket is sitting on the boat's main table, which the family's dining room table 'but its also our painting table our making table its where they are learning as they are home schooled' Its strange because that whole transition period of going from crawling to walking coincided with us saying lets do it again. The couple decided to do a house sit in New Zealand around Jesss due date. However, the location was quite rural and the birthing clinic was undergoing renovations, which meant Jess would need to make her way to the nearest hospital more than an hour away. With a toddler, the couple decided not to risk it, and Jess opted for a home birth instead. Their son Indigo was born in a waterbirth in the bathroom in the house sit with Jess deciding not to have any drugs. It felt amazing, Jess said. Im not a tough cookie, but I did it without any medical set up. It was an incredible rush of hormones and endorphins and I felt like I could do anything. Jess admits that sailing with both a toddler and a newborn was interesting. We had a toddler who was walking and questioning and asking and engaging with the sailing and not a static passenger. So we had a lot of time cruising around New Zealand, adapting to things like harnesses for them if they were in the cockpit when we were under way. Jess explains that although they were sailing around as a family of four, the boat never felt cramped. It has two double cabins, a single studio thats used as a workshop for boat projects, a main living space, and a galley, which has a really well-thought-out space that allows us to eat like kings. James climbing the mast. The couple decided to get married en route to New Zealand in 2014 and tied the knot in Fiji... 16 hours later And although the couple didnt set off with the intention of having children on board, the space works amazingly well. Also on board they have a dinghy, a two-man kayak and an inflatable paddle board. Jess says rather than having a rigid routine, much of sailing life is lazing at anchor by a fab beach somewhere or youre at a harbour getting to know the local community and customs. The family have spent lots of time on land, exploring different countries, and the children often make friends with other local kids. And she says her children do get an education. Jess added: Our main table is our dining room table but its also our painting table our making table its where they are learning as they are home schooled. The boat is incredibly stimulating. Lets say youre in French Polynesia studying French foreign policy; lets look at while sharks and rays; lets look at the geography of how an atoll is formed. Its a never-ending source. Rather than following a curriculum, we go with interest-based learning and its something thats only come about recently formally. We try to always make things relevant to our lives. So its not lets sit down and have a maths lesson. Its we need to bake some bread today so how do we do that, how much flour do we need how much water do we need. Its not a move against the standard education system. Any form of education that involves two parents who are totally engaged with it will hopefully be a positive thing. The couple headed back to London to complete an extension on their house and Jess gave birth Autumn in October The family of four then set sail from New Zealand back to the South Pacific and onward into South East Asia. They planned their third child and left their boat in Indonesia to head back to London to complete an extension on their house and Jess gave birth to a baby girl they named Autumn in October last year. They plan to set sail again next month and say they currently have no plans to return to normal. Jess said: Some people work their whole lives to get a retirement together, that they maybe also dont get to have. Were greedy in terms of the amount of time we get all together as a family. We want to be together Its utter chaos at times but its a really fulfilling chaos, and to me thats worth the career we dont end up having or the pots of money we dont end up making. Most people work really hard to have that two-week holiday of the year that we have all the time. So whats next? Jess says the family will spend some time getting back to our usual life of turquoise water and swimming with rays and then head to Malaysia and Thailand after leaving the UK in April. But she admits they might not always stay at sea. It would most likely to be planning how to we get hold of a school bus and convert it and drive around South America. Or finding ourselves a plot of land and build a tree house there. Gaslighting: its the term used to describe psychological manipulation that causes a person to question their sense of reality and sometimes even their sanity. It owes its origin to the 1944 film Gaslight, about a manipulative husband who tries to convince his wife she is going mad, and it has recently received a lot of attention as part of the wider issue of coercive control within relationships (which became an offence in the UK in 2015). Yet the effect of gaslighting was something I came to appreciate only after I wrote a blog on the phenomenon on a psychology website. To my surprise, it received several million hits. Dr Stephanie Sarkis says the term given to psychological manipulation that causes a person to question their sense of reality is gaslighting, she advised on how to spot the behaviour After the post, the number of calls and emails I received which mentioned gaslighting escalated rapidly. It was clear this topic had struck a chord and many, many people were affected. But this sort of behaviour isnt isolated to abusive partners or close family members. One unexpected place gaslighters thrive is the school gates, a highly competitive environment for parents which can bring out the manipulative side of people who always like to be on top. Heres how to spot the signs of a school gate gaslighter. Beware endless empty compliments You might think theres no such a thing as an unwelcome compliment. But a gaslighter is someone who wants to gain your trust quickly so they can inveigle their way into your life and flattery is a highly effective way of doing this because we all love being made to feel good about ourselves. So beware the overly chummy mum at the school gate who says she loves your style, or makes a point of complimenting your hair or your great parenting skills. Praise is lovely when youve had a haircut or you are showing off a new bag or coat but if youve just thrown on the same scruffy pair of jeans you wore yesterday and run a brush through your hair, then you should be suspicious of such empty flattery. Of course, some people are naturally effusive, but with a gaslighter it wont feel authentic. Experienced manipulators use flattery to make you feel special so you let your guard down. Dr Stephanie warns against parents who enjoy gossiping about teachers and fellow parents, gaslighters thrive on negativity and the misfortune of others (file image) They thrive on misfortunes . . . Gaslighting friends are like emotional vampires, you feel exhausted after spending time with them because they always focus on lifes negatives yours and other peoples. If you suspect a person might be a gaslighter, consider how they talk about others. Do they seem to obsess over their misfortunes? Well-balanced people rarely focus only on negatives, they make sure to mention positive qualities of peoples lives, too. . . . And exploit your insecurities Because gaslighters relish misery, they dont mind listening to you when you share details about areas in your life that have caused difficulty in the past or arent going well now. This isnt out of genuine interest for your troubles, but so they can use it against you later so youll blame yourself when things go wrong. For example, if your children start getting into trouble at school, they might say: Oh, perhaps its because you and your husband had that bad patch last year. The psychological expert revealed gaslighters don't want you to have other friends who could possibly flag their behaviour (file image) Dont get sucked into bad gossip Beware the school mum who wants to confide malicious tittle-tattle about teachers or other parents. Though most of us cant resist a gossip, a gaslighters intention is to make you complicit in their manipulation. They like to stir up trouble and be at the centre of any drama but youre the one likely to end up in trouble. Perhaps theyll mention you when spreading rumours, or they hope that if they confide in you, youll share sensitive information they can use against others. Other friends will be pushed out A gaslighter doesnt want you to have other friends. Youre less likely to question their behaviour if you havent got others around highlighting how difficult they really are. To isolate you they will try to monopolise your time and make sure you go together to school social events. A fondness for fake criticisms Gaslighters seem to be particularly fond of passing on criticism about peoples parenting abilities, according to victims. Dr Stephanie says gaslighters are fond of passing on criticism about the parenting abilities of others (file image) They might tell you that so-and-so doesnt like the way you discipline your children, or that another person thinks you spend too much money on your children at Christmas. In my experience, these digs are likely to be false theyre bait to draw you in and lead you to doubt yourself. If someone you suspect is a gaslighter hints that others have been bitchy about you, dont take the bait. Just saying OK with a neutral tone should be enough to stop them. Youll always be in their shadow This type of person thinks they are perfect, so naturally they assume their children can do no wrong, either. They will stop at nothing to see them succeed. These are the parents who move their childrens projects to the front of a display so theyre more likely to be noticed and even remove other childrens work. And gaslighters will assume that if their child is not doing well at school, its because the teacher isnt very good, not because their child is lacking ability or not working hard enough. They wont celebrate your childs successes, either they dont want your child to be doing better than theirs. They want you always to be in their shadow. Cuts and bruises blamed on you Sadly, its not uncommon for gaslighters to accuse other adults of harming their children, even though children pick up scrapes in the rough and tumble of play. Dr Stephanie revealed that gaslighters blame other adults for any harm to their child even if it comes from playing (file image) As Rosa, a 34-year-old mother, told me: My seven-year-old daughter had her friend over to play one day. I knew the girls mum was manipulative and I had really distanced myself from her. That night, I got a call from the little girls mother, who was very angry. She accused me of not watching the kids properly, and said her daughter now had bruises on her arm. The only way to deal with these situations is not to have the child around again dont even give them a lift in your car. A constant run of bad luck When you share responsibilities with a gaslighter, its funny how often things go wrong for you. In the context of school, I often hear from women who have had to share the role of class parent representative with a gaslighter. Theyd discover the other person had undermined them to the teacher, perhaps suggesting they had too much on to be involved in organising activities, or hinting that they were unreliable. People who arent used to dealing with this behaviour struggle because they dont believe someone could behave so badly. Sadly, all too often they can. Adapted by Clare Goldwin from Gaslighting: Recognise Manipulative And Emotionally Abusive People And Break Free by Dr Stephanie Sarkis, published by Orion Spring at 14.99. Dr Stephanie Sarkis 2019. To order a copy for 11.99 (offer valid until March 21, 2019; P&P free on orders over 15), visitmailshop.co.uk/books or call 0844 571 0640. A mother has shared an image of her daughter's shocking X-ray to warn other parents about the dangers of playing with coins. Allie Norman, 33, from Rupanyup, Victoria, recalled the terrifying moment her three-year-old started choking after swallowing a 10 cent coin, and was then rushed to hospital for emergency surgery. Allie said she gave her daughter Tilly a 10 cent coin to play with while she was having her carpets cleaned at a rental. Allie Norman recalled the terrifying moment her three-year-old (pictured) started choking after swallowing a 10c coin, and was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery She has shared an image of her daughter's shocking X-ray to warn other parents about the dangers of playing with coins (pictured) Tilly (pictured) ended up in the hospital when the coin got stuck in her oesophagus and doctors had to conduct emergency surgery Because there were no toys to play with and Tilly had never put anything in her mouth before, Allie didn't think much of giving her a coin to toss around the verandah. But within minutes, this all changed - as Tilly started choking and coughing, having swallowed the coin. 'I heard her choking and gagging, so I asked her if she had swallowed it,' Allie told FEMAIL. 'When she nodded and asked for a glass of water, I gave her one and even that didn't help. She was crying and dribbling - it wouldn't go down.' Allie (pictured with Tilly) only gave her daughter a 10 cent coin to play with because there was nothing else and she had never put anything into her mouth before When she called the Nurse On Call about Tilly (pictured), Allie was prompted to call the ambulance as they feared the worst While Allie was terrified, she said she also wasn't sure what to do. 'I didn't know if calling the ambulance was a silly idea, as you hear of toddlers swallowing things the whole time and then them coming out the other end,' she said. 'But I rang the Nurse-On-Call for advice, who said we should call an ambulance immediately after she heard Tilly had been coughing. 'I didn't realise it was life threatening.' Within 10 minutes, Tilly (pictured) and Allie were off to the emergency department of Wimmera Base Hospital in an ambulance - doctors swiftly conducted an X-ray Within 10 minutes, Tilly and Allie were off to the emergency department of Wimmera Base Hospital in an ambulance. After doctors conducted an X-ray, they saw that the coin was 'the width of Tilly's spine' and it was stuck in her oesophagus. 'When we all saw the X-ray, we were shocked,' Allie said. 'If it had been in a different place, it could have blocked her airwaves and she could have died.' Paramedics swiftly conducted surgery, while Allie waited terrified outside for her little girl. 'I just kept thinking I could have lost her,' she said. The mother and daughter returned home at 6pm that evening, with Tilly back in good spirits. 'She was quite happy to have two lots of jelly and ice cream,' Allie said. 'I told her that this was serious and the coin could have killed her, but she still went into kindergarten yesterday and took the "lucky coin" with her.' Now, Allie (left) is sharing the photo of the X-ray (right) to warn parents about the dangers of their children playing with coins What should you do if your child swallows something? * Children sometimes swallow things such as coins, small toys or beads. * Most objects that children swallow are harmless, and are passed through the digestive system and out with the faeces (poo) without any problem. * Sometimes, swallowed objects get stuck in the oesophagus (food pipe) and may not pass into the stomach. In these cases, a doctor will need to remove the object. * If you think a child has swallowed a button battery, go to your nearest hospital emergency department or call an ambulance immediately. Do not induce vomiting. Source: Royal Children's Hospital Advertisement Speaking previously to Daily Mail Australia, Mackay Base Hospital doctor Andrew Giles said he has known children to swallow batteries, wire, glass beads, zippers and drink can tops. 'Every year more than 40 children are seen for accidental swallowing incidents at Mackay Base Hospital,' he said. 'Objects children have swallowed include batteries, Lego, wire, glass beads, coins, a zipper pull and ring top off a drink can.' Now, Allie is sharing the photo of the X-ray to warn parents about the dangers of their children playing with coins. 'Just because your child hasn't put something in their mouth before, it doesn't mean that they won't do it this time,' she said. 'I would also warn any parent to ring the ambulance, even if you're not sure. It's better to be safe than sorry.' A British student was left reeling after watching a 'nervous' teenage girl take part in her first adult film with 20 masked strangers. Anna Adams, 23, visited a pornography set in Madrid as part of an investigation into the booming industry, and was shocked and upset by the 'exploitative' nature of the filming process. Along with Ryan Scarborough, 28 and Cameron Dale, 21, Anna visited the studio of Ignacio 'Torbe' Allende Fernandez, nicknamed 'the King of Spanish Porn', who has produced over 1,000 adult movies and whose website boasts 250,000 visits a day. Appearing on new BBC Three series Porn Laid Bare, feminist student Anna raised concerns over the safety of the 19-year-old Russian woman who was taking part in her 'first gang bang' just one week into the job. In his studio, Torbe shoots two or three graphic sex scenes, known as bukkakes, per week, during which young girls are expected to perform sex acts on up to 100 men over the course of several 'sessions'. Anna grew concerned for the safety of a 19-year-old Russian woman (pictured) who is taking part in her 'first gang bang' just one week into the job and did not share her name A masked man undressing ahead of a bukkake, during which young girls are expected to perform oral sex on up to 100 men over several 'sessions', in a studio in Madrid One session alone will earn the actress 3,000 (2,560), amounting to 9,000 (7,684) per week, while the men are often unpaid volunteers taking part 'just for fun'. 'They get very nervous in the beginning,' Torbe says of the young actresses, 'because they see a lot of guys' - but he insists the women can stop at any time they want. The notorious producer says he takes an 'old school' approach to the porn industry, and sees it as his job to educate the '95 per cent' of actresses he encounters who are young and inexperienced. While the women are paid actresses, the men approach Torbe themselves and some have been taking part in bukkakes for up to 15 years. Torbe invites the trio to watch him filming the 'gang bang' featuring the Russian teen and ten men, most of whom are masked. Unidentified men strip off before filming begins. Anna is shaken by what she sees, telling cameras: 'The impression that I'm getting is that this is kind of quite exploitative' Men are masked and sometimes unpaid. While the women are paid actresses, the men approach producers themselves and some have been taking part in bukkakes for up to 15 years The Spanish producer, who describes the sex act as 'making love', says of the masked men: 'We work with people who don't want to be famous. They just [do] this for fun. They don't want [their] family to recognise them.' Despite her initial nerves, the young Russian woman eventually enters the studio and stands in the middle while three men take it in turns to perform sex acts on her. But Anna is shaken by what she sees, telling cameras: 'It's a really really seedy place. The impression that I'm getting is that this is kind of quite exploitative. It's not really porn, it seems to be men coming here to have sex with a woman who gets paid.' Her co-star Ryan adds: 'It's upset me, because I watch a lot of porn, to come to a place like this and to see how seedy and how dirty this place is. It's just freaked me out.' Anna expresses her concerns to the young actress. It comes after a survey suggested almost a quarter (23 per cent) of people aged 18-25 who watch porn think they might be addicted Inside his office, student Anna (left) Anna tells producer Torbe her concerns that the young woman seems 'a bit scared' - but he laughs it off, insisting the woman is 'enjoying' filming Film crews visited the studio of Torbe (pictured), nicknamed 'the King of Spanish Porn', who has produced over 1,000 adult movies and whose website boasts 250,000 visits a day Afterwards, Anna shares her concerns that the young woman seems 'a bit scared' - but producer Torbe laughs it off, insisting the teen is 'enjoying' filming the sex scene and is free to leave the set at any time. Speaking to the actress, Anna says: 'You say you're OK, but I'm just worried. 'As a young woman I'm worried that when we leave, you're here, and you're the only woman and there's all these men and I'm just worried about you.' The three-part series follows six young Brits with different attitudes to pornography as they undertake a journey to explore the ethics of porn in Spains booming sex industry. Anna Adams, 23, visited a pornography set in Madrid as part of an investigation into the booming industry, and was shocked and upset by what she saw. Frequent porn user Ryan (pictured) was also upset by what he saw, saying: 'It's upset me, because I watch a lot of porn, to come to a place like this and to see how seedy and how dirty this place is. It's just freaked me out' BBC Three's Porn Laid Bare is three-part series following six young Brits as they undertake a journey to explore the ethics of porn in Spains sex industry. In episode one, Anna (third left), Ryan (third right) and Cameron (far right) visited Torbe's notorious studio in Madrid Spending three weeks on a variety of pornographic sets across a spectrum of genres, the group explore how porn has shaped their own views of sex, whilst asking tough questions about porn that many believe demeans women and minorities as well as promoting violence and unsafe behaviour. It comes after a new survey suggested that almost a quarter (23 per cent) of people aged 18-25 who watch porn think they might be addicted. The survey of over 1000 people, carried out online by Deltapoll for the BBC Three documentary, showed that over three quarters of young men (77 per cent) and nearly half of young women (47 per cent) admitted to watching pornography within the last month alone. Porn Laid Bare is available on BBC Three from Thursday 14th March Advertisement The Guinness was flowing at Cheltenham today as St Patrick's Thursday saw racegoers have a craic-ing time getting into the Irish party spirit. Fashionistas have battled against gale force winds all week, with many revellers clinging to their hats and clothing as they entered the race track. Morning showers gave way to cloudy skies this afternoon, with the gusty wind still making a nuisance of itself around the track. But it wasn't enough to put some determined fashion fans off risking floaty skirts and daringly short hemlines. Female revellers ditched the pints in favour of champagne as they partied the afternoon away at Cheltenham A cheeky reveller nicked a policeman's hat to pose for a picture, while the copper seemed more than happy to join in the festivities Ladies (right) dared to bear on day three of the Cheltenham competition, while another knocks back the beer as she enjoys the afternoon sunshine Here come the girls! Revellers get into the Irish party spirit as they arrive for St Patrick's Thursday at Cheltenham Festival today Racegoers certainly weren't afraid of wearing vibrant hues Phwoar-leaf clover: These fine fillies went all out to celebrate the St Patrick's theme on day three of the races at Cheltenham A family day out! This glam trio (left) look raring to go, with father and son clearly taking style inspiration from the surrounding Gloucestershire countryside. Meanwhile this lady (right) was a vision of elegance in emerald green The wind was still playing havoc with punters, blowing this lady's locks out of place Blustery blondes! These perfectly coiffed racegoers didn't let the windy conditions dampen their spirits on Thursday Big celebrations: A lucky racegoer celebrates as his horse romps to victory in one of the afternoon races at Prestbury Park Time for a selfie! One woman wearing a figure-hugging dress couldn't resist taking a snap as she arrived at Prestbury Park The Guiness was already in full flow as the gates opened at 10:30am, with these racegoers dressing to the theme Stylish revellers were out in force, with many opting to honour the Irish theme with emerald green outfits, novelty tights and shamrock accessories. Ladies Day yesterday saw the return of the #ColourMeMarch competition, where for the first time male as well as female racegoers were encouraged to add a splash of colour to their outfits. Punters today were delighted to see Paisley Park romp to victory in the Sun Racing Stayers' Hurdle. Two years ago the race horse, owned by former shop steward Andrew Gemmell who has been blind since birth, nearly died from a serious illness. But the seven-year-old made a miraculous recovery, going on to win all four of his races this season, including Grade One successes at Ascot and Cheltenham. Zara Tindall (left) and Dolly Maude (second right) cheer on the horses in the opening race of today's schedule at Cheltenham Zara and Mike Tindall returned for day three of the festival, having attended every day so far. Zara wore a coat by Pip Howeson and an eye-catching hat by upcoming London milliner Bundle MacLaren Rod Stewart and wife Penny Lancaster were in attendance at today's races, with the Loose Woman looking chic in a brown fur coat and feathered trilby Cheers! Rod Stewart and wife Penny Lancaster kicked the day off with a glass of bubbles in their private box Gone with the wind! Glamorous Penny Lancaster appeared to struggle with the elements as she took in the racing action Actor Ray Winstone arrives at Cheltenham today, dressed up for the occasion in a brown suit and hat, plus a green shirt and tie and sunglasses A group of friends get into the party spirit as they pose for a snap in the grounds of Prestbury Park this morning Georgia 'Toff' Toffolo also returned for another day of racing, this time rocking an oversized tweed coat and silk paisley patterned scarf The blustery conditions didn't stop this reveller having a good time (left) while another hung on to her hat. Meanwhile one appeared to have sun in her eyes as she strutted into the course Bryony Frost rode to glory in the Ryanair Chase aboard Frodon, becoming the first woman to ride a Grade One winner at Cheltenham History is made on day three as a female jockey rides into the history books... It's been a magical day of racing at Cheltenham so far, with history made in the Ryanair Chase event. Bryony Frost secured her place in the record books by becoming the first female jockey to ride a Grade One winner at Cheltenham, romping home aboard Frodon and thrilling the crowds at Prestbury Park. She told ITV Racing: 'My god, he jumps and just at that minute when he got overtaken, most horses would quit, but he grabbed me by the hands and said, "Don't you dare give up, don't you dare not send me into the last - I want this more than you, now come on, where are you". 'Just look at what he's done there - deny that he just loves racing. He's unbelievable. He just made the dream come true, it's just incredible. He will deserve every single high five, pat and carrot.' Just over an hour later jockey Lizzie Kelly followed suit, winning the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase aboard Siruh Du Lac. She said: 'His jumping is so good that I could let him really roll. My god he jumps, he's an absolute monster.' The curtain-raiser JLT Novices' Chase was won by Defi Du Seuil, ridden by Barry Geraghty. Sire Du Berlais took gold in the Pertemps Network Hurdle, and Paisley Park, ridden by Aidan Coleman, delighted onlookers as he won the Sun Racing Stayers' Hurdle. The National Hunt Breeders Supported By Tattersalls Mares' Novices' Hurdle was won by Eglantine Du Seuil. Bryony Frost celebrates victory in the Ryanair Chase aboard Frodon during St Patrick's Thursday of the 2019 Cheltenham Festival Advertisement Owner Andrew Gemmell, who has been blind since birth, celebrates with a trophy after his horse Paisley Park won the 3.30 Sun Racing Stayers' Hurdle For the third day running the stormy weather showed no sign of letting up, with fashionable revellers battling against the elements Nailing it: One stylish punter opted for multicoloured nails with a Peaky Blinders-style flat cap, while her pal was decked out in green and white tartan This unlucky reveller appeared to have lost one of her overshoes on the way in Double parked: The booze was flowing this afternoon, with one racegoer opting for a two-at-once approach A craic-ing good effort! Many Cheltenham fans adopted the traditional St Patrick's Thursday dress code The wind continued to make a nuisance of itself at Cheltenham, with one unfortunate reveller suffering a 'Marilyn moment' Seeing red: A gang of lads put their best foot forward in matching red trousers, with many sporting flat caps as a nod to the countryside event Sheltering from the elements: A group of older racegoers kept warm with thick tweed coats, hats and scarves Start 'em young! One mother appeared to let her child enjoy a sip of Guinness as St. Patrick's Thursday got underway Things are going to get messy! These ladies have already been hitting the gin and tonics as they rocked up for a day of festivities Check these girls out! This quartet all opted for check jackets and blazers - with one going the whole hog with a matching skirt Top hats and trilbys were the order of the day, with one (left) opting for bright red headgear and another going for leopard-print Many ladies went for bold, block colours and structured beret-style hats with feather and bow embellishments This fella will be hoping he has the luck o' the Irish in the races today, which get underway after lunch One reveller (left) has given up on her high heels already, while another looked stylish in a grey check tuxedo dress and over-the-knee black boots Backed a winner? Dressed casually in black jeans, one racegoer was spotted celebrating at the racing action got underway Sportsmail's racing expert Robin Goodfellow dishes out his tips for day three 13:30 JLT Novices' Chase Best bet: Kildisart 9-1 Next best: Mengli Khan 14-1 14:10 Pertemps Network Hurdle Best best: First Assignment 11-1 Next best: Nothwhatiam 12-1 14:50 Ryanair Chase Best best: Monalee 4-1 Next best: Road to Respect 9-2 15:30 Sun Racing Stayers' Hurdle Best best: Paisley Park 15-8 Next best: West Approach 22-1 16:10 Brown Advisory and Merriebelle Plate Chase Best best: Spiritofthe Games 8-1 Next best: Janika 9-2 16:50 National Hunt Mares' Hurdle Best best: Epatante 9-4 Next best: Posh Trish 6-1 17:30 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Race Best best: Rogue Angel 20-1 Next best: Any Second Now 9-1 Advertisement Racing fans watched the heartwarming moment Gemmell, who relies on radio commentaries and tannoys for racing updates, and trainer Emma Lavelle got their fairytale ending as they lifted the trophy following jockey Aidan Coleman's spectacular ride. History was also made when Bryony Frost becoming the first female jockey to ride a Grade One winner at Cheltenham, romping home aboard Frodon and thrilling the crowds at Prestbury Park. On Day One, Espoir D'Allen, rode by jockey Mark Walsh, defied the odds to beat favourite and two-time winner Buveur D'Air to take gold in the Champion Hurdle. And there was a photo-finish yesterday in the Coral Cup Hurdle, with Altior clinching the win over Sceau Royal by a whisker. Bright colours were certainly the order of the day, with one racegoer (left) opting for a mustard yellow suit and another (right) sporting bold green trousers Time for a selfie: Two glamorous revellers pose for a photo, showing off their stylish trilbys with feather embellishment A leggy racegoer (left) opted for tight leather trousers and knee-high boots, while two ladies wore matching boots and scarves as they arrived at the event. Jade Holland Cooper (right), dressed in a Holland Cooper full length camel trench coat, clearly came prepared for something with a large Louis Vuitton holdall A jolly reveller arrived in an emerald green suit with a jacket and tie emblazoned with four-leaf clovers, while another painted his face in colours of the Irish flag This stylish trio pouted for the cameras as they showed off their pins in short skirts and tight leather trousers A 21-year-old woman who was almost thrown off a holiday flight for dressing 'inappropriately' has divided This Morning viewers, after she was interviewed wearing the same outfit. Emily O'Connor , 21, from Birmingham, hit the headlines yesterday after she revealed that she was asked to 'cover up or leave' while boarding the Thomas Cook flight to Tenerife on March 2nd - because she was wearing a black crop top and orange trousers. The airline has since apologised for the incident. However, after Emily appeared on This Morning to discuss the ordeal and robustly defend her clothing choice, many viewers took to social media to say the trainee accountant should have covered up. Appearing alongside Emily was social commentator Liz Brewer, who agreed with the airline's initial stance and said Emily was wearing what clearly looked like a 'bra' and that she had 'demeaned herself' by wearing it. Scroll down for video Emily O'Connor , 21, from Birmingham, offered her version of events on This Morning today, telling viewers that she should be allowed to wear what she likes in public, saying she chose the crop top because she was 'hot' while boarding her flight to Tenerife Social commentator Liz Brewer offered an opposing view to Emily, telling the 21-year-old she was 'demeaning' herself by appearing in public wearing such a garment Brewer told This Morning: 'This is not a crop top, this is a bra', trying to physically show viewers the back of Emily's garment The outfit that left Thomas Cook Airline staff threatening Emily with being thrown off the plane on the tarmac on Birmingham on March 2nd Emily passionately defended her decision to wear the outfit while boarding the flight for a holiday on the Canary Island - and said a poll that she'd put online since the incident had seen 85 per cent of 47,000 people agreeing that the airline was wrong to question her outfit. She told presenters Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield she was happy to have received an apology, saying: 'It's the principal. I wasn't wearing a jacket because I was hot. 'There was a man wearing a vest and shorts a few rows back and no-one was saying anything to him about his clothes.' The trainee accountant also revealed that she had gone through security and passport control and 'no-one' had asked her to cover up until she got on the plane. Holly defended Emily's decision to wear the crop top, which she bought in Zara, telling Brewer: 'It's in fashion at the moment' 'It's the principal!' Emily was flying to Tenerife on 2 March when she claims Thomas Cook staff told her crop top and trousers were 'causing offence' to other passengers (pictured here after landing in Tenerife). The airline has since apologised The trainee accountant said she had gone through security and passport control and no-one had asked her to cover up...until she got on the plane Well done! On social media, Emily was praised by others for 'sticking to her guns' and not letting others dictate what she should wear in public She explained: 'The first lady [on the plane] said I needed to cover up, that I was dressed inappropriately. I said I was happy to do that but could you show me where it stipulates that in your policy'. The pre-departure discussion escalated, with Emily revealing she even stood up and asked fellow passengers if her attire was offending them - and no-one said it was. After she was told she would have to leave the plane, Emily eventually put on her jacket but said she was 'shaking and upset'. She added that she wore the same outfit on the journey back to Birmingham, and had 'no complaints'. On the daytime show, Brewer told Holly and Phil that the outfit was 'demeaning' and wearing it was 'undoing the good work woman had done for decades'. Emily, pictured alongside Liz Brewer on This Morning said she was determined not to budge, saying: 'It's the principal. I wasn't wearing a jacket because I was hot' Brewer was also adamant that the crop top, from Zara, was actually a 'bra' and on Twitter, many agreed. @MichpixLondon wrote: '#ThisMorning that's not a bra silly woman!!! There's nothing wrong with that outfit and good for her for sticking to her guns!' @Shannon_Leech agreed, saying: 'That is NOT a crop top!! What she is wearing is a BRALETTE i.e A BRA! You wouldn't be happy if a bloke was sat on a flight with just his boxers on!' According to Thomas Cook's clothing policy, which appears in the travel group's in-flight magazine, 'customers wearing inappropriate attire (including items with offensive slogans or images) will not be permitted to travel unless a change of clothes is possible.' Other This Morning viewers praised her for taking a stand. @jackjuniper wrote: 'She wouldnt have seen the terms and conditions in the in flight magazine before shed have got on the plane! Completely agree with Emily! #thismorning' Emily said that she wore the same outfit on the journey back from Tenerife to Birmingham (pictured boarding the flight home) and had 'no complaints' from Thomas Cook staff, who she described as 'friendly' Emily has won support of social media users including reality star Gabby Allen after tweeting about her ordeal this week Emily (far left) enjoying dinner with her friends in the Canary Island holiday destination earlier this month. She said she was told Thomas Cook were conducting a 'formal investigation' Emily (second left) on a night out with friends. She jetted to Tenerife earlier this month but claims she was left 'physically shaking' after staff told her to 'cover up' her outfit In a statement issued on Wednesday, the travel group apologised but pointed to its 'appropriate attire' policy which appears in its in-flight magazine. Emily, who says she was wearing a 'summer top' from Zara, has won support of social media users including reality star Gabby Allen after tweeting about her ordeal this week Speaking about her ordeal yesterday on Twitter, Emily said: 'Flying from [Birmingham] to Tenerife, Thomas Cook told me that they were going to remove me from the flight if I didn't "cover up" as I was "causing offence" and was "inappropriate". 'They had four flight staff around me to get my luggage to take me off the plane. 'I informed the staff that there is no "appropriate wear" policy stipulated online. I stood up on the flight and asked if anyone was offended, no-one said a word. Emily (pictured in a recent Twitter photo) said she was left shaken by the incident. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the travel group pointed to its 'appropriate attire' policy Thomas Cook's clothing policy Advertisement 'To top it off they allowed a man [to] hurl abuse at me whilst the flight manager and four air staff stood and said nothing.' She added: 'I wore this through the airport [security, passport control etc], boarded the plane, [was] told to cover up by the greeting staff. 'I was physically shaking, and they could see that, yet they continued to sexualise me and ridicule me. It was the worst experience of my life.' Responding to her initial tweet, Love Island star Gabby Allen wrote: 'It's safe to say, I will never fly with Thomas Cook again.' Speaking to MailOnline about her ordeal, Emily said: 'They said they would investigate but [I have] heard nothing back really. 'I contacted them this morning where they said they are doing a formal investigation into the flight staff.' Emily (pictured in a social media snap) has won support of social media users including reality star Gabby Allen after tweeting about the incident this week Dr Pimple Popper removes a gigantic lipoma from a man's arm in tonight's stomach-churning episode of the TLC show. Leonard, 54, from North Carolina, reveals he has been living with the 'chip on his left shoulder,' for the best part of 11 years. The alarming growth, which Leonard reveals grew from the size of an egg to the size of a 'boobie' has a massive open wound on it, and looks almost as though it is trying to break through his skin. Having lived with the lump on his arm for more than a decade, watching it slowly swell in size day by day, he finally decided to get it checked out - however there is one catch: Leonard is terrified of doctors. 'It puts tears in my eyes,' says Leonard of the growth. 'It smells bad all the time. It started smelling like a rotten deer head, but now it smells like 10 dead rats.' Leonard, 54, from North Carolina, has his gigantic lipoma (pictured) removed in tonight's episode of TLC show, Dr Pimple Popper The growth is located at the top of Leonard's arm, and he reveals that it started out as just as small bump, before growing to the size of a 'boobie' Dr Sandra Lee describes the growth as 'crazy looking' and is particularly concerned the 'rolled border and redness in the center' means it could be potentially dangerous Leonard also admits that the enormous bump, which weighs around 3lbs, causes him a lot of pain and constantly gets in the way. 'Yes, it hurts. It feels like two pairs of pliers grabbing my skin and ripping it apart very slowly,' he says. Due to his chronic fear of doctors, Leonard has put off seeking proper medical attention for over a decade. 'It's still in my head that I've got to be at that doctor's office,' he explains. 'I know there's been sick people, it's all enclosed. I'll feel safer cutting it off with a chainsaw than going to the doctor.' But Leonard is fully aware that if he is to receive the treatment he's desperate for, he's going to have to face his fears. As his friend Sharon puts it: 'I'm just scared that if he don't get it taken care of, it's going to seriously kill him. I don't see any other alternative here.' The expert says the alarming growth, which resembles a 'boob,' looks like it's trying to break through Leonard's skin Pictured, the multi-lobulated mass gets extracted from Leonard's arm in gruesome scenes not for the fainthearted (pictured) After biopsy results confirm Leonard's bump is a non-malignant lipoma, the expert pimple popper is finally able to go ahead with the grim removal But even just keeping Leonard in the surgery waiting room is a challenge, as he tries to walk off on numerous occasions. 'I definitely see patients who have a fear of doctors but Leonard is the worst I've ever seen,' admits Dr Sandra Lee. 'I pride myself at being really good at calming my patient's nerves but Leonard is another level. I really have to watch what I say because any wrong movement I make and he could be out of the door.' And things don't get easier for Leonard during his first appointment with Dr Sandra Lee, who brings him down to Earth with the news that the lump could be cancerous. 'I've never seen anything like this,' she explains. 'It's crazy looking. Why has it got this rolled border and redness in the centre. This is really concerning to me and makes me think this could be much more dangerous.' She adds: 'It might be a lipoma but why is it mad and open and why wouldn't it heal? The fact it's moving independent to you makes me think it could by a type of skin cancer.' Dr Sandra Lee numbs the area on Leonard's left arm before cutting the mass out of his left arm (pictured) The professional uses her fingers (above) to move inside the open wound as it's 'blunt' and 'safer' compared to some medical equipment While many viewers will be left feeling queasy after tonight's episode, Dr Sandra Lee instead describes the lipoma (pictured) as 'cute like a flower' and 'really pretty' But, on Leonard's return to the surgery a few weeks later, the biopsy result reveals that his bump is a non-malignant lipoma. Finally happy to operate, the expert numbs the area before cutting the enormous, multi-lobulated mass free from his arm. 'I'm going to use my finger to move around in here,' Dr Sandra Lee tells him. 'You know, it's pretty cute. It's like a flower. It's really pretty.' And while Leonard is delighted with the results, Dr Pimple Popper is pretty pleased with herself, too. 'Leonard's lipoma slipped out nice and easily, it really was the best case scenario,' she enthuses. 'I think I relaxed him a little. Maybe he even likes doctors just a little bit.' Dr Pimple Popper airs at 9pm tonight on TLC An adventurer who spent 60 days sleeping rough on Britain's streets for a new television programme has revealed he invited a homeless man he met on the show to live with his family. Ed Stafford, a former army captain and amazon trekker, spent two months being homeless in Glasgow, Manchester, and London for Channel 4's new show, 60 Days on the Streets. The 43 year-old adventurer has now revealed that while sleeping rough in London, he met former boxer and painter and decorator Mike, who looked after him and even let him sleep in his doorway. Ed Stafford (pictured), a former army captain, spent two months being homeless in Glasgow, Manchester, and London for Channel 4's new show, 60 Days on the Streets After finishing the programme Ed decided to return the favour, and asked Mike to move in to the guest room in the Leicestershire countryside home he shares with wife, fellow adventurer Laura Bingham, and their son Ran. Mike earns some money by carrying out painting and decorating in the house for the couple and will hopefully have earned enough he will be able to move into his own place once the job is done. Ed told The Mirror: 'I saw a lot of myself in him. I liked his cheekiness and his sense of mischief. 'He doesn't always play by the rules. I knew he was a painter and decorator, and we had work to do in our house, so I thought I'd return the favour he gave me... After finishing the programme Ed decided to return the favour, and asked Mike to move in to the guest room in the Leicestershire countryside home he shares with wife, fellow adventurer Laura Bingham, and their son Ran (Ed, Laura and Ran are pictured) The 43 year-old adventurer has now revealed that while sleeping rough in London, he met former boxer and painter and decorator Mike, who looked after him and even let him sleep in his doorway 'I don't want to be seen as some Florence Nightingale figure. I just thought we could give him some respite from sleeping on the streets and we had some work for him to do.' He found that as well as gaining 11lb because passers-by kept giving him fast food, sandwiches, and burgers, he could also make up to 200 a night. Around 4,000 to 5,000 people sleep on the streets each night, according to magazine Big Issue, which tries to help homeless people by asking them to sell its publication. Ed lived homeless on the streets of Manchester (pictured), Glasgow, and London for Channel 4's series 60 Days on the Streets Ed Stafford has done several other survival series including 'Walking the Amazon', where he avoided snakes, roasted monkeys, and met people that live in the rainforest while walking the length of the river It also said that 78,930 people were in temporary accommodation, meaning families are in shelters, hostels, B&Bs, and refuges, among others. Shelter UK, a charity that campaigns to help homeless people, said one in every 200 people in the UK is homeless, or 320,000 people. The adventurer holds the Guinness World Record for being the first person to walk the entire length of the Amazon river. The program will air tonight at 9pm on Channel 4. A dominatrix who spent $15,000 creating a dungeon in her home claims she is being hounded out by disapproving neighbors who say the business attracts 'sickos' to the area. Charlotte Taillor, 30, has given over two floors of her townhouse in the Bed-Stuy region of Brooklyn, New York, to her BDSM parlour. She claims the dungeon has a strictly 'no sex' policy and is simply about being kinky and having fun, however, her neighbors aren't happy about the disruption. Business! Charlotte Taillor, 30, created a BDSM parlour in her two-story townhouse in Brooklyn, New York, after moving to the area in November 2018 Yikes: The dominatrix spent a total of $15,000 transforming the apartment into a BDSM parlor, which she insists has a 'no sex' policy Risque! Charlotte says the dungeon is simply for 'being kinky' and 'having fun', as she explained that the parlor's purpose is to let people explore their 'kinks' Woah! Charlotte, who wanted to create a community centered around a kinky culture, said her dungeon contains a number of items including a throne, a crucifix and 'hundreds of sex toys' Conflict: Charlotte's neighbors have complained about her business, saying that it attracts 'weirdos' and 'perverts' to the area Charlotte's neighbors claim her business is damaging the area and that strange men are constantly hanging around in the street. The 30-year-old says her customers are being harassed - and has no option but to move home. She said: 'This isn't a sex club like what some of the neighbors are suggesting. Sex never happens here, this is just a place to be kinky and have fun. Creepy: A neighbor of Charlotte's said the 30-year-old's business attracts 'creepy' men 'We're all about empowerment and people being free to express their kinks. 'We primarily teach men and women about BDSM and how to better understand their lovers and themselves, but we're being labelled as perverts for that. 'I've spent $15,000 on this dungeon and moving is not going to be easy,' she added. Charlotte explained that her dungeon contains a number of items including a throne, a crucifix and 'hundreds of sex toys'. She said, despite already kitting the dungeon out, if her neighbors don't want her there, she will have to leave. One of Taillor's biggest critics is her neighbor Laurie Miller, 58, who has lived in the Bed-Stuy region of Brooklyn for more than 40 years. She said: 'This is a residential street and now we have weirdos and perverts hanging around the block waiting to go in there for whatever it is they do. 'I don't care how people get their kicks, they can swing from the ceilings for all I care but I don't want a business like this on the street where I live. 'It may be a prejudice of mine, but once this doesn't get them off, what are they going to do, snatch a kid or a woman off the street? Details: The 30-year-old, who held a 'spanksgiving' event for Thanksgiving last year, said she has 'hundreds' of sex toys throughout the dungeon Learning: Charlotte uses her dungeon to hold 'classes' that are aimed toward teaching women more about their sexuality Disappointed: The dominatrix said it is a 'shame' that her neighbors have reacted negatively to her business, as she said she wants to feel included in her community Solutions: Charlotte (pictured at a community meeting) has no choice but to move house and relocated her BDSM parlor to another place, after neighbors voiced their opinions She added: 'I mean some of these guys are really creepy-looking and that's what really bothers me. 'Some of them send your spidey senses tingling, so I just have one thing to say to Miss Taillor and that is Bye Felicia,' Laurie added. Taillor moved to the neighborhood in December 2018 with the hope of building a community centered around a kinky culture. Help: Charlotte has set up a GoFundMe page to help her cover the costs of moving her BDSM parlor But tensions quickly escalated and she has now resigned herself to leaving the neighborhood. She said: 'It's such a shame because we love our neighbors and want to be a part of any community we are in. 'Last year we held a 'Spanksgiving' event and so many people came along to find out what we are about. 'I just wish the members of this community would come along to see what we do instead of leaving threatening notes on our door and yelling at my customers forcing us to cancel workshops. 'Many of the classes we teach are donation based - it's just for women who want to find out more about their sexuality,' she added. But Laurie, who Taillor claims regularly yells at her customers and scares them away, has said she will not stop until the dungeon is gone. 'As far as I'm concerned this will all be over when she gets off our block,' Laurie said. 'Until then I'll be letting the sickos know that they are not welcome here,' she added. Charlotte launched a Go Fund Me account to help with her moving costs. She says that generous subs and doms from around the world have already donated over $5,000 to help her pay for a new dungeon in another neighborhood. A bizarre post on Facebook has gone viral after a woman cheekily tried to sell her leftover Chinese takeaway for a fiver. Rebecca Webb, from Devonport, in Plymouth, shared a picture of her order saying it had only been 'sat there for a few hours' and she'd paid 'well over 39 for it.' Although she didn't advertise the contents of the containers, she did post pictures of three plastic boxes, two tubs and a bag of prawn crackers - as the remaining food for sale. However Rebecca later revealed there were four 'undipped' chicken balls, an 'untouched' chicken curry and 'half a bag of cold chips' included in the bundle, reports Plymouth Live. Rebecca Webb, from Devonport, in Plymouth, pictured, jokingly shared a picture of her leftover Chinese takeaway asking if anyone would like to buy it for 5 Rebecca shared a picture of the containers saying it had only been sitting 'for a few hours' She even offered to deliver the dinner saying: 'Can deliver for small free need to walk my dog anyway. Let me know.' The post was later shared on Facebook group U Ok Hun? and has received more than 500 comments. Some were confused at why the woman would want to sell on her leftovers and others joked that there wouldn't be any meat left in the boxes. One joked: 'Why don't they have it for breakfast like a normal person???' Dozens of people questioned why the food was being sold and laughed at the listing online Another said: 'Bet all the chicken has been picked out. It'll all be sauce and veggies.' Other hungry jokers asked if she'd send the food to France, or even Australia. Rebecca later told the i newspaper that her sale didn't go as plan and no one bought it, revealing: 'I had it for my tea last night. 'I was selling due to eating too much prawn toast and satay chickenwas so full. There was house special rice, chips, crispy chilli beef, chicken balls, chicken curry.' Regular people who want to stay at the new Edition hotel in Times Square will have to shell out at least $500 a night for the privilege but not Kendall Jenner. On Tuesday, the 22-year-old was actually paid to hang out at the newly-opened Marriott property for the evening, to the tune of a quarter of a million dollars. According to Page Six, she, Cara Delevingne, 26, and Hailey Baldwin, 22, each got paid at least $250,000 to attend the hotel's opening bash, and were seen at the hotels Terrace Restaurant to work for their money. Money, honey! Kendall Jenner, Cara Delevingne, and Hailey Baldwin each got paid at least $250,000 to attend a hotel opening on Tuesday Must be nice: They went to the opening of the Edition hotel in Times Square and were seen at the hotels Terrace Restaurant Filthy rich: Kendall has been known to rack up big appearance and Instagram fees The hotel opening was certainly star studded, including a performance by Diana Ross at the hotels Paradise Club. Also spotted at the venue were Suki Waterhouse (who sang), Elsa Hosk, Joan Smalls, Andy Cohen, Cuba Gooding Jr., Harry Brant and Ellen von Unwerth, and Peter Brant Jr. Though it's unconfirmed whether the other celebrities were paid appearance fees, Kendall, Cara, and Hailey certainly seem to have rake in the cash. In fact, other sources indicated to Page Six that their fees were actually even higher, and may have gone up to $2 million. Kendall turned up in a snakeskin print mini dress, which showed lots of thigh and also featured a plunging neckline that tipped to her stomach. Long legs: Hailey Baldwin was seen dressed up and enjoying the event Lucky ladies: Though Cara brought home a paycheck, it's unclear if other guests like Elsa Hosk got similar appearance fees Model moments: Joan Smalls was also among the guests, and she posed with Kendall and Hailey at the party Hailey also wore an incredibly short dress, this one sparkly with an equally low neckline. Cara donned a sexy black cutout number, Elsa wore a navy pinstripe suit, and Joan sizzled in a silk green dress. Kendall was spotted leaving in the early hours of Wednesday morning, having changed into pants and sneakers. The party certainly seems to have been a rager as Hollywood and the New York City glitterati turned out to celebrate the new luxury hotel. Edition Times Square has 452 guest rooms, with suites going for up to $2,735 a night. There's a fitness center, a performance venue, a nightclub and rooftop terraces, and six 'dining experiences' by Michelin-starred Chef John Fraser. But it is in Times Square, a neighborhood that tourists flock to but most locals avoid like the plague. The A-list opening night may have been part of a strategy to bring New Yorkers in to the club and restaurants. Wow! Other sources indicated to Page Six that their fees were actually even higher, and may have gone up to $2 million Rubbing elbows: Kendall and Hailey pose with hotelier Ian Schrager 'The real question is, "How do you train a New Yorker to stop being prejudiced about this area?" chef Fraser asked in an interview with Bloomberg. 'Theyve come around to Bushwick, the Financial District, even the Upper West Side but Times Square is the last place to be accepted.' Whether Kendall, Hailey, and Cara will get New Yorkers flocking to Midtown has yet to be seen, but they certainly benefited from the night out. Kendall has certainly been raking in big bucks for appearances for years. And frequently, she doesn't even have to go anywhere to get money for supporting a brand. As of December 2017, Kendall was thought to be making $300,000 per sponsored Instagram post. It is not known whether posting on social media was part of the payment for each model, however Cara has since shared a sponsored post on her Instagram account, using the hashtag #ad to indicate that it was paid for. Hailey meanwhile shared a picture from the event that showed her posing with model Joan Smalls, however she did not use any form of sponsored hashtag. She did tag both the Edition Hotels group and the Times Square Edition. In 2018, Forbes reported that she was the highest-paid model in the world, having made an estimated $22.5 million that year. A California jury on Wednesday awarded $29 million to a woman who said that asbestos in Johnson & Johnson's talcum-powder-based products caused her cancer. Mother-of-two Teresa 'Terry' Leavitt was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2017, and her doctors say she is not expected to live past 2020. Leavitt believes her cancer was caused by Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder and Shower to Shower - another powder containing talc sold by J&J in the past - which she used in the 1960s and 1970s. On Wednesday, a California jury concurred. The verdict, in California Superior Court in Oakland, marks the latest defeat for the healthcare conglomerate facing more than 13,000 talc-related lawsuits nationwide. J&J said it would appeal, citing 'serious procedural and evidentiary errors' in the course of the trial, saying lawyers for the woman had fundamentally failed to show its baby powder contains asbestos. The company did not provide further details of the alleged errors during the trial. 'We respect the legal process and reiterate that jury verdicts are not medical, scientific or regulatory conclusions about a product,' J&J said in a statement on Wednesday. The verdict, in California Superior Court in Oakland, marks the latest defeat for the healthcare conglomerate facing more than 13,000 talc-related lawsuits nationwide The New Brunswick, New Jersey-based company denies that its talc causes cancer, saying numerous studies and tests by regulators worldwide have shown that its talc is safe and asbestos-free. The lawsuit was brought by Leavitt was the first of more than a dozen J&J talc cases scheduled for trial in 2019. The nine-week trial began on January 7 and included testimony from nearly a dozen experts on both sides. TALC'S HEALTH RISKS Talc and asbestos are often mined together from metamorphic rocks, particularly in North Carolina, Alabama, Vermont and northern Italy. But while talc is used for the skin, thanks to its moisture-absorbing properties, asbestos was used for insulation. Non-contaminated talc is completely safe. But if it is tainted with asbestos, that's the danger. Asbestos is made up of six minerals that form together as crystalline fibers. The minerals on their own aren't dangerous, but together they are a recognized carcinogen. About 8 out of 10 people with mesothelioma have been exposed to asbestos. When asbestos fibers are breathed in, they travel to the ends of small air passages and reach the membranes of the thorax and lunges. They can cause inflammation, scarring, damage cells DNA, cause changes that result in uncontrolled cell growth. If swallowed, these fibers can reach the abdominal lining, where they can cause mesothelioma. Ovarian cancer is the other cancer type at the heart of the J&J cases. It is one of the most mysterious cancers, and it's not clear why asbestos travels to ovarian tissues, but it is well-documented. Advertisement The jury deliberated for two days before delivering its verdict, which was broadcast online by Courtroom View Network. Jurors found that J&J's talc-based products used by Leavitt were defective and that the company had failed to warn consumers of the health risks, awarding $29.4 million in damages to Leavitt and her husband. The jury declined to award punitive damages. 'Yet another jury has rejected J&Js misleading claims that its talc was free of asbestos,' said Moshe Maimon, a lawyer for Leavitt, in a statement on Wednesday. 'The internal J&J documents that the jury saw, once more laid bare the shocking truth of decades of cover- up, deception and concealment by J&J.' Leavitt's was the first talc case to go to trial since Reuters on December 14 published a report detailing that J&J knew that the talc in its raw and finished powders sometimes tested positive for small amounts of asbestos from the 1970s into the early 2000s - test results it did not disclose to regulators or consumers. Leavitt's trial originally included J&J's talc supplier, Imerys Talc America, a unit of Imerys SE, as a co-defendant. California Superior Court Judge Brad Seligman, who oversaw the trial, told jurors in February that the company was no longer part of the case after it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection under the weight of the talc litigation, which stayed lawsuits against it. While earlier talc lawsuits alleged talc itself causes ovarian cancer, plaintiffs' lawyers have more recently focused on arguing asbestos contamination in talc caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, a form of cancer linked to asbestos exposure. In 11 cases so far alleging asbestos contamination in talc, three have resulted in wins for plaintiffs, awarding damages as high as $4.69 billion in a July 2018 multi-plaintiff ovarian cancer verdict. J&J won three other cases and another five ended in hung juries. J&J has appealed all of the plaintiff verdicts, and the company said it is confident the verdicts would be overturned on appeal. A mother-of-two who was left with a paralysed face and arm after having a stroke claims it was caused by her contraceptive pill. Issy Fox, 28, had been taking the Pill for three months before she had the stroke and says doctors couldn't find any other explanation. She noticed something was wrong when her words came out as a mumble, one of her shoulders 'slumped' and her arm was too weak for her to lift it. After being rushed to A&E in an ambulance phoned by her mother, who witnessed the event in horror, Ms Fox feared she would end up permanently paralysed or dead. She has since recovered, except for some numbness in her face, but has renounced hormonal contraception forever, choosing instead to stick with condoms. Issy Fox, from Crewe in Cheshire, had a stroke in February and she believes it was caused by her contraceptive pill, which she had only been taking for three months Ms Fox was taken to hospital in an ambulance after she started mumbling when trying to speak and she lost the ability to move one of her arms properly 'All the blood tests and heart tests showed no other reason for the stroke,' said Ms Fox, from Crewe in Cheshire. 'There was nothing in the family. My heart rate was fine, my blood tests were fine. 'That's the only thing [doctors] can conclude that had changed in my life was me taking the pill. I had to come off it straight away.' The NHS acknowledges taking the combined pill can raise the risk of a blood clot because oestrogen increases the number of clotting agents in the body. But it says the risk is 'very small' and doctors will do tests to determine whether a woman is likely to develop a blood clot before prescribing them the Pill. If a blood clot moves and blocks a blood vessel supplying the brain it can cause a stroke. 'What they think happened is that the blood clot moved at some point,' Ms Fox said. 'Which meant the damage I had was quite minimal considering the type of stroke.' Ms Fox said the stroke, which happened in February, had a huge emotional impact on her as well as causing physical damage. 'At first I just felt shock. I was dealing with the physical side effects such as dealing with the paralysed hand, the paralysed face, the fatigue. 'Now it's more the mental side effects. It has been a real struggle emotionally. There was a lot of anger, and "why me?" and stuff like that. 'Now it's just a case of going forward and doing what I can.' She became so fearful after the first stroke that, despite being put on blood thinning medication and stopping her pill, she wanted her mother, Rhiannon, 51, or partner Luke Connolly, 28, by her side at all times. Ms Fox, pictured with her partner Luke Connolly and their son, Freddie, said the stroke had a huge emotional impact as well as causing physical damage (pictured before the stroke) Ms Fox felt her shoulder 'slump' and her left arm became weaker than the other doctors told her she had had a stroke (pictured in hospital) CAN THE CONTRACEPTIVE PILL CAUSE A STROKE? The NHS lists stroke as a potential side effect of taking the contraceptive pill but says the risk is 'very small'. Doctors intending to prescribe the Pill are expected to carry out tests and decide whether a woman is likely to develop blood clots or have a stroke if they start taking it. Researchers from Loyola University in Chicago last year published a study confirming the link between the two but saying only the risk of a stroke caused by the brain's blood supply being blocked by a clot. Blood clots may be more likely in women taking the pill because oestrogen a main ingredient of contraceptives boosts the number of clotting substances in the patient's blood. This raises the risk of a clot forming anywhere in the body and, if it becomes dislodged and travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke. Advertisement 'I had had this perfectly normal day,' Ms Fox said. 'I don't work on Fridays so I spend that time with my little boy. This time my mum was off work so we went to lunch at a local pub. 'We came home and sat down and the next thing was that I couldn't speak. I tried to get my words out but I was stammering on my words. 'I've forgotten what it was but I was saying a word beginning with "p" and to me it sounded like I was going "p-p-p". 'But my mum said my whole face just dropped and I was going "mmurgh". I couldn't make any sound. 'She said to me "what are you doing?" and I said, "I don't know, I don't feel well". She thought I was being silly, which wouldn't be out of character.' Ms Fox then started to become more unwell, with one of her arms going weak and her heart rate rising. 'My shoulder slumped and I couldn't get my words out again and told [mum] I don't feel well,' she said. 'She said, "are you having a stroke?" and I said, "I think so". And she called an ambulance. It was really quick, it was within seconds that it happened. 'The paramedics did some tests and said can you smile I couldn't can you lift your arm into the air. I could but one was significantly lower [than the other]. 'I couldn't grip and my heart rate was too high, and they sent me off to hospital. It was very dramatic.' Ms Fox said she had been spending the day with her mother, Rhiannon, and her son (pictured) when the stroke happened. She said: 'My mum said my whole face just dropped and I was going "mmurgh". I couldn't make any sound' Ms Fox, pictured in hospital with her partner, Luke, has since made a good recovery and regained the use of her hand, although she still suffers with some numbness in her face Ms Fox said as the day wore on her right arm became completely paralysed, which she called a 'cause for concern'. But as her hand has since returned to full strength and, despite some numbness in her face and what she describes as a 'crooked' smile, she has recovered quickly. However, her ordeal has put her off hormonal contraception for good. Ms Fox had already tried the injection, which she claims left her infertile afterwards and needing medication to be able to conceive, and the coil, which allegedly perforated her uterus when it was being put in. 'Now I'm just not using any hormonal contraception ever,' Ms Fox said, explaining the experience has destroyed her faith in the contraceptive pill 'We were thinking of giving it another year and trying for another baby but now its a case of we don't know if we'll be able to have children again,' she said. 'I was on the injection a few years ago and that made me infertile. I had to go through fertility treatment to get pregnant. 'I don't really have much faith in contraception anyway. Now I'm just not using any hormonal contraception ever. 'I went for a coil fitting in October and it accidentally perforated my uterus which caused a massive bleed, so I had to go to hospital. I'm completely put off the coil now.' Ms Fox added: 'That would be the most logical and sensible solution to go for. But I'm just not interested at the moment. 'Condoms will do, and we'll just have to be extra careful. I'm just glad I'm alive and we'll have to be sensible.' Ms Fox is now running a 5K to raise money on March 24 as part of the Stroke Association's Resolution Run series. A brother and sister with cystic fibrosis could die if they share toys due to the risk of infection, their parents have revealed. Sienna Woods, two, and Noah Woods, one, are unable to kiss each other - but the adorable siblings are difficult to keep apart. Their mother Shelby Woods, 25, from Burscough, Lancashire, has to rigorously clean everything with disinfectant and can't allow her children to play in sandpits. Cystic fibrosis (CF) sufferers are a danger to each other due to cross-contamination of bugs they grow in their own lungs. The incurable condition affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, clogging them with thick, sticky mucus. Sienna Woods, two, and Noah Woods, one, who both have cystic fibrosis, are unable to share toys or kiss each other due to the dangers of cross-contamination Mother Shelby Woods, 25, from Burscough, Lancashire, has to rigorously clean everything Sienna and Noah were each diagnosed with CF shortly after they were born Ms Woods said: 'It's so difficult to stop Sienna and Noah being together. It makes me sad that they can't be so affectionate with each other. 'We allow them to hug but they're not allowed to kiss because of the cross-infection risk. There's a possibility they won't get be able to fight it and could actually die. 'If Sienna is playing with a toy we have to make sure Noah doesn't pick it up and disinfect it before he does. Sienna and Noah were each diagnosed with CF - a debilitating, life-shortening condition - shortly after they were born. More than 10,000 people in the UK have it and there's currently no cure. Half of the people in the UK with it will die before they're 31. Receptionist Ms Woods said they were shocked when they found out Sienna had CF three weeks after she was born, having been unaware there were any carriers in her family. Ms Woods said if one of the children is playing with a toy, it must be disinfected before the other child picks it up. The children pictured at home People with cystic fibrosis (CF) are normally kept apart due to the danger of cross-contamination of bugs they grow in their own lungs CF affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, clogging them with thick, sticky mucus They were told Noah had a 25 per cent chance of having it - before discovering he, too, did have the condition. CF patients grow different bacteria in their lungs which are usually harmless to people who don't have CF, though they can be harmful to those who do. Although coping well on a daily basis, the problems occur when the children get sick - struggling with wet coughs that bring up mucus. They have to take around eight different medicines a day and make regular visits to the hospital as well as having daily physiotherapy. Ms Woods said: 'They have separate branded drinks bottles, separate cutlery and bowls when they eat. 'I have to watch them constantly. They're not allowed to play in sandpits or jump in puddles because of the risk of spores. WHAT IS CYSTIC FIBROSIS? Cystic fibrosis is caused by a faulty gene that a child inherits from both carrier parents. The gene, known as the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), is responsible for controlling the movement of water in and out of cells. The fault leads to the mucus produced throughout the body becoming thick and building up in the lungs and digestive system. Classic complications of the condition, which tend to present in infancy, include chronic infections, breathlessness, digestive problems and even infertility. There are approximately 30,000 cases of CF in the US and nearly 11,000 people in the UK are known to suffer. No cure currently exists and figures suggest half of sufferers will die before they're 31. Source: The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Advertisement The children have to take around eight different medicines a day and make regular visits to the hospital as well as having daily physiotherapy Ms Woods, a receptionist, with a picture of Sienna when she was in hospital as a baby. She was diagnosed with CF three weeks after birth Ms Woods said she is fighting a daily battle for her children. Pictured, Sienna as a baby 'They're getting to that age where they want to have a sleepover but we can't allow them to share a bedroom which is really upsetting. 'I also try and keep them really clean. I bathe them in the morning separately and then again in the evening to make sure any bugs are washed off.' Ms Woods said she is too scared even to book a summer holiday as she doesn't like to plan too far ahead. She said: 'With CF you fight daily battles so having to fight this one as well it's exhausting. 'Their life expectancy is between 35 to 40 years but we don't know from one day to the next what might happen. 'They could be fine and then the next day their lung capacity could drop and that could be it. 'We try not to plan too far ahead - only a week or two. I wouldn't think about booking a summer holiday in case something happened.' Ms Woods said both children are a match for the drug Orkambi often labelled a 'wonder drug' that stop the clock on many CF patients' lung deterioration - the main cause of death for those with cystic fibrosis (CF). Despite being approved by the European Medicines Agency three years ago, the life-changing drug is still not available in the UK. Ms Woods said she doesn't book summer holidays for her children as she doesn't plan more than two weeks in advance, taking each day as it comes Ms Woods, pictured putting a chest wall oscillation machine vest on Noah to help with his condition, is calling for the 'miracle cure' drug Orkambi to be made available in the NHS If Orkambi were available on the NHS Sienna could have had it six months ago and Noah in June this year. The drug could stop the deterioration of CF patients' lungs Ms Woods said it upsets her that her children are sociable but are restricted WHAT IS CYSTIC FIBROSIS? CF is one of the UK's most common life-threatening inherited diseases and affects over 9,000 people in the UK. It's caused by a faulty gene carried by around one in 25 of the population. If two carriers have a child, the baby has a 1 in 4 chance of having Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus. This makes it hard to breathe and digest food. Each week, five babies are born with Cystic Fibrosis and two young lives are lost to the disease. However, improvements in treatments mean half of people with CF will live past 41-years-old. Advertisement The NHS is in deadlock with US pharmaceutical company Vertex who is demanding 104,000 per year per patient for the drug. If it were available on the NHS, Sienna could have had it six months ago and Noah in June this year. Ms Woods said: 'My kids are babies so we have more time, but there are CF teens who dying waiting for this drug. 'We're really hoping they're able to come to an agreement and make a deal. 'It would make a massive difference as far as their lung function is concerned. 'It could put a halt on damage to their lungs and help keep them healthy as well as keep the condition at bay in the hope that they may one day find a cure.' Following a meeting with the Health Select Committee, NHS England, NICE and Vertex are due to meet next week in the hope an agreement can be made. Ms Woods said: 'Your whole life changes when you have a baby never mind a baby with CF. It can be difficult to come to terms with. 'They both cope with it really well, they're both really bubbly children even if they're unwell and are in hospital. 'They love to play and talk to people. It definitely upsets me more than them.' Ms Woods and her ex-partner Martin Woods, 34, are one of many families urging the NHS and drug company Vertex to come to an agreement about the price of Orkambi A spokesperson for NHS England said: 'We understand how difficult it must be for families affected by cystic fibrosis and that is why it is vital that Vertex re-engages with the NICE process. Understandably families are calling for this company to make Orkambi affordable and accessible.' Meindert Boysen, director of NICE's Centre for Health Technology Evaluation, said: 'NICE remains committed to working with Vertex and NHS England to find a solution that will allow patients in the NHS in England access to Orkambi, and other cystic fibrosis drugs, at a fair price that reflects their value to patients.' Rebecca Hunt, corporate affairs international at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, said: 'We are committed to working with all parties to make our potentially life-changing medicines available to people living with cystic fibrosis in England as quickly as possible. 'To this end, Vertex, NHS England and NICE have agreed to meet again next week to continue discussions. A grandmother claims she isn't bothered by a 'heavy' tumour engulfing one side of her face. Aline Cerqueria Leite, from Tres Rios, Brazil, has neurofibromatosis, an incurable inherited condition which caused the tumour. The mother-of-three recently found out the mass has spread to her spread to her eyes, nose and the back of her mouth. She has had many small operations over the years to manage the growth, but now, doctors have said surgery is too risky and could rob her of her eyesight. NF1 affects one in 3,000 people in the UK and 100,000 people in the US to some extent, causing a variety of disabilities, skin changes and growths. Aline Cerqueria Leite from Tres Rios, Brazil, has neurofibromatosis, an incurable inherited condition which has caused a large tumour to grow on the left side of her face The grandmother remains unbothered by the 'heavy' tumour which is currently inoperable The tumour has been slowly distorting Ms Cerqueria Leite's face since she was three years old, being managed by minor surgeries over the years Ms Cerqueria Leite's tumour is known as a plexiform neurofibroma, a complex mass of connective tissue that has grown along the nerves in her face. The tumour has been slowly distorting Ms Cerqueria Leite's face since she was three years old. She said: 'The syndrome makes my face a bit heavy but the rest is okay, not bad. It doesn't bother me much. 'My face was much bigger. In total I underwent 14 surgeries. The last one stopped my face from dropping again.' Ms Cerqueria Leite was preparing herself for her first surgery in seven years, to reduce the bulk of the tumour and lift her mouth and ear. But after travelling 124miles (200km) to Rio, she was told that her tumour had spread to her optic nerve. Ms Cerqueria Leite was hoping to have surgery again for the first time in seven years. But the doctor said the tumour had spread to her eyes, nose and jaw, making it too risky to cut out Ms Cerqueria Leite, pictured with her family, remains optimistic about her condition Ms Cerqueria Leite was hoping the surgery would reduce the size of the growth and lift her mouth and ear. She has had 14 surgeries to control the dropping of her features Ms Cerqueria Leite's tumour is known as a plexiform neurofibroma, a complex mass of connective tissue that has grown along the nerves in her face WHAT IS NEUROFIBROMATOSIS? Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common genetic condition that affects one in 3,000 people in the UK to some extent. It's caused by a genetic mutation that affects nerve tissue growth. Around half of cases are inherited from a parent and the other half occur spontaneously. Early symptoms include flat brown birthmarks, and lumps and bumps in unusual places. It is also associated with mild learning difficulties, although most people with NF1 are otherwise healthy and live to a normal life expectancy. There is no cure, however, surgery can be performed to remove the benign growths. Source: The Neuro Foundation Advertisement Any invasive surgery could risk her losing her sight, which doctors believed was not worth it. Dr Joao Gabriel Daher, who inspected her tumour, said: 'It is [also] invading the nasal cavity. It has extended into the jaw. 'It is very wide and infiltrative. At this moment, it's not practical to cut it out.' The doctor has decided to monitor the growth of Ms Cerqueria Leite's tumour to understand how it is developing. Ms Cerqueria Leite is determined to enjoy her life, especially with two grandchildren. She said: 'It wasn't what I expected. But I've not lost hope. I continue on, firm that I will make it.' Her daughter, Ana, added: 'I am proud of her for being the mother she is for doing what she does for us. 'Also, because she joins us to have fun and takes each day as it comes. 'And for never giving up the fight for herself or for us.' Body Bizarre is on Saturdays at 10pm on TLC UK. An Indian man has died after reportedly suffering an allergic reaction during a hair transplant. Shrawan Kumar Choudhary underwent the procedure at a private clinic in Mumbai, according to local reports. The 43-year-old, who ran a logistics firm, died the day after the 12-hour procedure, The Times of India reports. Shrawan Kumar Choudhary underwent the procedure at a private clinic in Mumbai, according to local reports (file photo) Mr Choudhary, who allegedly had not told his family about the procedure, paid 500,000 rupees (5,400) for the hair transplant. The doctor who treated him told police he asked for 9,000 grafts in one sitting - three times more than recommended. It is currently unclear whether Dr Vikas Halwai, the dermatologist who treated Mr Choudhary, agreed to the request. However, Dr Halwai did admit to police that Mr Choudhary began to develop his complications after 3,700 grafts. The hair transplant began last Thursday evening, after Mr Choudhary underwent checks. It is thought these were standard safety tests. WHAT IS ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK? Anaphylaxis, also known as anaphylactic shock, can kill within minutes. It is a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction to a trigger, such as an allergy. The reaction can often be triggered by certain foods, including peanuts and shellfish. However, some medicines, bee stings, and even latex used in condoms can also cause the life-threatening reaction. According to the NHS, it occurs when the immune system overreacts to a trigger. Symptoms include: feeling lightheaded or faint; breathing difficulties such as fast, shallow breathing; wheezing; a fast heartbeat; clammy skin; confusion and anxiety and collapsing or losing consciousness. It is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. Insect stings are not dangerous for most victims but a person does not necessarily have to have a pre-existing condition to be in danger. An incremental build-up of stings can cause a person to develop an allergy, with a subsequent sting triggering the anaphylactic reaction. Advertisement By 2.30am on the Friday, he started to suffer from neck pain. Dr Halwai claimed he dished out painkillers and antibiotics. Mr Choudhary was then whisked away to Global Hospital, Parel, when he began having breathing difficulties. He died on Saturday at Hiranandani Hospital, after his friend took him there on Friday. Mr Choudhary's death has been listed as accidental by the local police force, however a probe has been launched to get to the bottom of it. No cause of death has yet been found. However, The Times of India claim doctors have said a severe allergic reaction - known as an anaphylactic shock - is the most likely explanation. The Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons in India claimed only a 'few' hair transplant patients will suffer breathing difficulties. A spokesperson for the body said: 'Patients often try to pressure doctors to cover large areas in one sitting. 'We do not plan more than 2,500-3,000 grafts in one sitting and make sure it is completed in six to eight hours. 'Prolonged time and extended anaesthesia can compound problems.' One hair clinic in the UK states the maximum daily yield of grafts is up to 3,000. The Association of Hair Restoration Surgeons in India revealed Dr Halwai had been doing transplants for the last eight years. Dr Anil Garg, a member of the body, said: 'Number of hours depending on individuals capacity and may not pose a direct risk to life.' However, he said the surgery can prove risky if not performed in a sterile condition. No allegations were made about the cleanliness of Dr Halwais clinic. Dr Kapil Bhargava, consultant dermatologist & British Skin Foundation spokesperson, told MailOnline: 'This is an exceptional case. 'The cause of his death needs to be investigated to determine if it is related to the procedure, the medications given or another cause e.g. a pre-existing condition exacerbated by the stress of a prolonged procedure. 'It is important to remember that all surgical procedures, including cosmetic procedures, carry risks and further risks may arise when treating complications.' Greg Williams, hair transplant surgeon and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, added: 'Like any surgical procedure, there are significant complications that can occur during or after hair transplant surgery such as anaphylaxis or life threatening infections. 'Incidental events such as strokes and heart attacks can also occur. 'In this case, until the results of the post mortem are released, any assumptions on the cause of death would be speculative.' Young adults in the US are increasingly in a state of mental health crisis, a new report suggests. Between 10 and 13 percent of young adults in the US now say they have experience some form of mental health issue - ranging from intermittent psychological distress to symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts. These rates mark increases of between 47 and 71 percent in the last decade, depending on the category of issue. And the new American Psychological Association study's lead author believes that cultural trends may be to blame. Depression, psychological distress and suicidal thoughts are all increasing at alarming rates among young adults, a new survey reveals - and the trend may be unique to their generations Genetics predispose some to mental health disorders more than others, but the world we live in very much influences our mood and deeper psychology. Many psychologists suspect that the technology that keeps us all connected through screens - but not in person - may be in part to blame. Foremost among them is lead study author Dr Jean Twenge, a San Diego State University professor whose book 'iGen' examines this issue. 'Cultural trends in the last 10 years may have had a larger effect on mood disorders and suicide-related outcomes among younger generations compared with older generations,' she said. She's not alone. Many experts have noted the tendency of the increase in mental health issues, bullying and cyberbullying to mirror rises in smart phone use. For example, in 2005 - two years before Apple launched the iPhone that began the shift in our device landscape - 8.7 percent of adolescents reported symptoms consistent with major depressive disorder. By 2017, that number had jumped up to 13.2 percent - an increase by more than half. Young adults between 18 and 25 saw an even sharper rise in depression, with 63 percent more feeling hopeless and down in 2017 than in 2009. Debilitating in its own right, depression is also a risk factor for suicide and suicidal thoughts. Between 2008 and 2017, the number of 18- to 25-year-olds who struggled with suicidal thoughts or 'other suicide-related outcomes increased by 47 percent. And within a month of the 2017 survey, 13.1 percent of young adults said they had experienced 'serious psychological distress' - an alarming 71 percent increase over the 2008 rate. The new survey's results are a sharp contrast to mental health trends among older adults, says Dr Twenge. 'These trends are weak or non-existent among adults 26 years and over, suggesting a generational shift in mood disorders instead of an overall increase across all ages,' she explains. 'These results suggest a need for more research to understand how digital communication versus face-to-face social interaction influences mood disorders and suicide-related outcomes and to develop specialized interventions for younger age groups. 'Young people can't change their genetics or the economic situation of the country, but they can choose how they spend their leisure time.' She advises limited screen time and more sleep for teens and young adults, emphasizing the need to keep smartphones away from the bed. 'Overall, make sure digital media use doesn't interfere with activities more beneficial to mental health such as face-to-face social interaction, exercise and sleep,' said Dr Twenge. The whooping cough vaccine may be dwindling in effectiveness because the bacteria has mutated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns. Researchers looked at laboratory samples of patients who had the infection between 2000 and 2013. They found that the bacteria that causes the disease, Bordetella pertussis, underwent genetic changes in the last decade. This means that the current available vaccine matches an 'older version' of the disease, reported NBC News. While the team insists the vaccine is still the best protection against the condition, they hope the findings, published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, will help researchers develop a better, more effective vaccine. Researchers from the CDC say the bacteria that causes whooping cough, Bordetella pertussis, underwent genetic changes in the last decade (file image) Usually, whooping cough is reported in singular cases. However, several states, have reported school-wide outbreaks this year. The Los Angeles Times reported that 30 students at the prestigious Harvard-Westlake School fell ill with whooping cough, part of a larger outbreak of 50 cases in the LA-area. And, just 100 miles south, officials in San Diego County have confirmed at least 70 cases of pertussis, according to KGTV. Meanwhile, at least 36 cases have been confirmed, mostly among young children, in school districts in South Dakota. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a respiratory tract infection that is highly contagious. When someone coughs, sneezes or talks, infected droplets are sprayed into the air, where other people can inhale them and are then infected. In serious cases, sufferers experience bouts of coughing that end with a 'whoop' sound when a breath is taken. The first symptoms usually resemble those of a cold or flu including coughing, runny nose and a fever. However, after one to two weeks, sufferers experience severe coughing fits due to mucus blocking the airways, which can last up to 100 days. The best protection against whooping cough comes from the DTaP vaccine, which also protects against diphtheria and tetanus. It is given as a series at two months, four months, six months, 15 to 18 months, and then four to six years. The CDC recommends children between ages 11 and 12 receive a booster with a similar vaccine called Tdap. Prior to the vaccine's introduction in the 1940s, about 200,000 children contracted whooping cough every year with about 90,000 dying. According to the CDC's latest figures, nearly 13,500 cases were reported in 2018 with about 10 deaths. But, even after a child receives all five doses, the DTaP and Tdap vaccines are between 80 and 90 percent effective, lower than the rates for other vaccine-preventable diseases. This is why the concept of 'herd immunity' is so important when it comes to preventing the spread of whooping cough. 'Herd immunity' occurs 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. 'The pertussis vaccine is not optimal,' Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, told NBC News. 'We're making the best use of the vaccine, while we're frantically doing research to make a better one.' The new report comes as the US battles an outbreak of another highly contagious childhood disease: measles. Since the start of 2019, the CDC has confirmed 228 cases in 12 states. Federal health officials say the spread of misinformation online about vaccines are to blame for the outbreaks. Heartbreaking footage has captured the moment a father was given the devastating news he has an incurable brain tumour. Geoff, whose last name is unknown, was rushed to Royal University Hospital in Stoke with an excruciating headache. Doctors feared it was a stroke. Scans showed a white mass on his brain but his doctor initially had no idea what it could be and warned it may be something 'very bad'. A consultant then had to dish out the worst possible news to Geoff, leaving his family who were sitting with him in complete silence. Geoff, whose last name is unknown, was rushed to Royal University Hospital in Stoke with an excruciating headache. Doctors feared it was a stroke In a private meeting, the consultant said: 'There is only a very short list of things that this could be. And the highest likelihood is that it is a tumour.' But Geoff said: 'I've had a good life. So that's it, ain't it.' TV cameras captured the emotional moment in a hard-hitting new documentary, which aired on Channel 5 last night. The four-part series - shown after the watershed - reveals what really goes on at the hospital, one of just 22 specialist trauma centres in the UK. Geoff was admitted for treatment, after being rushed in an ambulance to hospital with excruciating head pain that left him semi-conscious. The doctor treating him begs Geoff to open his eyes, to allow him to a shine a light and inspect for any signs of brain death. His family were invited in by medics to try and calm him down. They revealed he hadn't been well all morning before they dialled 999. Medics first feared Geoff had suffered a stroke or bleeding on his brain. A CT scan then showed a small but 'nasty' mass on the organ. Scans showed a white mass on his brain but his doctor initially had no idea what it could be and warned it may be something 'very bad' A consultant then had to dish out the worst possible news to Geoff, leaving his family who were sitting with him in complete silence The neurosurgeon then explained they could offer him an operation to try and prolong his life by cutting out some of the mass Pictured, the scans of Geoff's brain, showing the incurable brain tumour The doctor told his family: 'The scan is not good, at the moment there is something there. But I don't know what it is yet. It doesn't look like a bleed at all. 'I don't know what it is. I can't tell you at the moment but it could be something that is very, very bad.' While explaining that Geoff was being given steroids to calm down his brain swelling, the doctor told the family a neurosurgeon would look at his case in greater detail. One of Geoff's family member asked if he going to die. Being brutally honest, the doctor replied that there was 'always a possibility'. The TV crew also managed to capture the meeting between Geoff and the neurosurgeon, who said the easiest way to talk to Geoff was to show him the scans. He revealed that an MRI scan of Geoff's brain made it much clearer that the mass was abnormal, before saying it was likely to be a tumour. The neurosurgeon then explained they could offer him an operation to try and prolong his life by cutting out some of the mass. Geoff agreed to the procedure and, when asked if he was happy to go under the knife the following day, he said: 'Just get on with it'. Upon finding the firm mass responsible for Geoff's headache, the consultant said: 'It's definitely a tumour, there's no doubt about it.' A five-year-old girl who was shunned as a monster has had her 'piercing silver' eyes removed. Chris and Eryn Austin were drawn in by their daughter Primrose's striking eyes when they adopted her from an orphanage in China in 2016. Children 'screamed and ran away' from Primrose, whose sight was impaired due to untreated childhood glaucoma. Eight months ago, Primrose began to experience eye pain so agonising she would sweat profusely, cry for 16 hours a day and refuse to eat. But incredibly, after the decision to remove her eyes, Primrose has shown dramatic improvements, and was walking again within two days. Primrose Austin, who was adopted from an orphanage in China in 2016, had striking silver eyes due to untreated childhood glaucomas Doctors decided to remove Primrose's eyes (pictured, in hospital) after she began to experience agonising pain. She has shown dramatic improvements Parents Chris and Eryn Austin, 34 and 35, from Buford, Georgia, who always knew they wanted to adopt, were drawn in by Primrose's striking eyes. Pictured, the family including siblings Madelyn, nine, and River, seven, with Primrose, now five Mrs Austin, 35, a full-time carer for her daughter, said: 'It was like living in a constant nightmare, not knowing whether she would be okay. 'Kids call her a "monster" and run away screaming and crying. But she is beautiful even with her eyes looking different.' Mr and Mrs Austin, from Buford in Georgia, first saw a picture of Primrose in 2014 and brought her home two years later. They needed to teach her to sit-up, hold her head, feed and even understand what affection was. The couple were told by the orphanage that Primrose was potentially deaf and blind due to untreated congenital glaucoma. Symptoms of childhood glaucoma include enlarged eyes, cloudiness of the cornea, and sensitivity to light. Medics discovered that a rare 6p25 deletion syndrome had caused the congenital glaucoma, and that Primrose could only sense light. She also was found to have learning disabilities, a lack of muscle tone and other problems. Mrs Austin said: 'We knew she had glaucoma and was possibly deaf, but she had a very rare genetic syndrome that wasn't discovered until later.' Primrose had laser treatment to reduce the pressure building-up behind her eyes and tubes put in her ears to help her hear more. But in August, she began to show worrying signs that baffled doctors. Mrs Austin said: 'We were talking about life or death for Primrose, she was severely and critically ill. Symptoms of childhood glaucoma include enlarged eyes, cloudiness of the cornea, and sensitivity to light US medical teams discovered that a rare 6p25 deletion syndrome had caused the congenital glaucoma, and that Primrose could only sense light Mr and Mrs Austin filling out paperwork to adopt Primrose Mr and Mrs Austin had to teach Primrose everything from holding her head to accepting affection as she had previously been in an orphanage 'Doctors tried to eliminate her source of pain one by one, we were at the point where they had worked through most of the causes. 'It was an excruciating experience for us all, she was drenched in sweat, her body was dealing with such intense pain and her nervous system was going nuts. 'She was hurting herself by not eating or drinking, I had to forced liquids into her mouth with a syringe to keep her hydrated.' The period, which the family call the '76 days of crisis', ended in the removal of her eyes, when an MRI scan revealed the extent of damage to the Primrose's eyes. Primrose had suffered a build-up of pressure and a retinal detachment in one eye while the other shrank to half its size - forcing surgeons to remove the optic tissue from both. Mrs Austin said: 'It was a heart-breaking decision to have her eyes removed but was 100 per cent the right thing to do. 'We never imagined two weeks later how much she would have progressed. 'It was a miracle. Two days after she was standing up for the first time in months, was smiling and has made progress in other areas. Primrose had suffered a build-up of pressure and a retinal detachment in one eye while the other shrank to half its size - forcing surgeons to remove the optic tissue from both Primrose was discovered to have learning disabilities, a lack of muscle tone and other problems due to rare 6p25 deletion syndrome In August, Primrose began to experience pain so agonising that she would sweat profusely, cry for 16 hours a day, and refuse to eat After the decision to remove her eyes, Primrose has shown dramatic improvements, and was walking again within two days. Pictured, at home learning to walk with her father 'It's like a whole new world is coming and it feels really good and positive, we think we will see a lot of changes in her. 'Teaching the world she is worthy is the hardest part as we are a society obsessed with perfection.' This month she will undergo more work on her eyes as well as taking moulds of her eye implants ready for painted lenses later this year. 'After the moulds are taken of her eyes sockets this month, she will have painted shells that will include a pupil and coloured iris. 'Now she is starting to communicate in a new and different way, she will always have to approach life differently, but we have now removed the source of her pain. 'If she never really talks or speaks, we will find other ways to communicate with her, we will teach her sign language or figure something else out. 'She has started to use her forefingers and thumb to pinch her snacks, which she couldn't do before, and suddenly is now sleeping through the night.' Mr and Mrs Austin knew years before that they wanted to adopt a child and they say it has been a 'beautiful and rich experience'. They hope Primrose's biological parents can one day be at ease knowing their daughter is safe, happy and in a loving home. Stephen Hannan, clinical services director at Optical Express, said: 'The girl has the appearance of silver eyes due to changes in the outer window of the eye, known as the cornea. 'These changes are as a result of her congenital glaucoma, a condition which leads to raised intraocular pressure.' The UK is breaking UN rules by not giving free NHS treatment to undocumented migrant children, according to experts. A group of seven academics, including a Public Health England spokesperson, say the health service must change track and improve its care for children. As many as 65,000 children who were born in the UK may be being denied free NHS care because of a 'hostile environment' policy, their editorial said. All children should be given good quality health care regardless of their immigration status, according to article 24 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (stock image) Writing in the journal the Archives of Disease in Childhood today, the group of experts from English universities warned the country is breaking the UN's convention on children's rights. Article 24 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child says governments must give all children good quality health care. But the researchers led by Dr Neal Russell, an expert in child health at St George's University in London, say the UK isn't doing this because it charges undocumented migrant families for care. The charging is part of the Government's 'hostile environment policy', a set of laws designed to make it difficult or unappealing for illegal immigrants to stay in the UK. But the prospect of medical costs may drive families with a legitimate right to care away from NHS hospitals, the experts said, putting children's health and wellbeing at risk. 'Restricting healthcare access is clearly detrimental for health outcomes,' they wrote, 'but also child safeguarding. 'NHS charging may exacerbate destitution and vulnerability of families while simultaneously creating barriers to identifying children at risk via healthcare contact.' Undocumented migrants are charged 150 per cent of the cost of NHS treatment to other foreign visitors. WHAT WAS THE WINDRUSH SCANDAL? The Windrush Scandal happened in 2018 and was a high-profile example of how undocumented migrants are left with fewer rights than native Britons. It concerned migrants from British territories in the Caribbean who arrived in the UK before 1973. Many of the migrants travelled using their parents' passports and were never formally nationalised in the UK. In 1973 the UK brought in a law requiring migrants to prove they had lived in the country beforehand in order to qualify for citizenship. Then decades later, in 2010, the Home Office destroyed thousands of landing cards which documented migrants' arrival dates. In a crackdown on illegal immigrants the Government demanded immigrants provide proof they had lived in the UK before 1973. Those who couldn't were and this is what caused the scandal threatened with deportation, or in some cases actually deported from the UK despite having lived her for most of their adult lives. Home Secretary at the time, Amber Rudd, resigned when victims of the scandal came forward and it was made public last year. Advertisement Non-EU migrants living in the UK now have to pay 400 per year for access to NHS health care, though paying for individual treatments may cost far more. Giving birth in an NHS hospital, for example, costs 6,000 per delivery for an undocumented mother, and more if there are complications. Undocumented migrants are not all illegal the term also includes people who can't prove their immigration status, victims of slavery and trafficking, and people who have not yet been granted or have been refused asylum. There are an estimated 600,000 undocumented migrants in the UK, with 120,000 of them children and 65,000 of them born in the UK. Children born in the UK to undocumented parents cannot become citizens until they are 10 years old, so they may be affected by the law, too. And the experts say in their report that if someone owes more than 500 to the NHS they will be reported to the Home Office after two months. 'Families may face legitimate concerns that seeking care for their sick child may result in immigration enforcement such as detention, deportation and even family separation,' they said. And they added the Windrush scandal in which Caribbean migrants who had lived in the UK for decades were threatened with deportation sets an example of how documentation can be flawed. 'The Windrush scandal highlighted publicly how changing residency rules, combined with reduced NHS entitlements, can also lead to misclassification of status and denial of NHS care,' the report added. The experts who wrote the piece alongside Dr Neal are: Dr Lisa Murphy (Public Health England), Dr Laura Nellums (St George's University), Dr Jonathan Broad, Dr Sarah Boutros, Dr Nando Sigona (University of Birmingham) and Dr Delan Devakumar (UCL). Amazon has removed listings for two books that claim parents can 'cure' autism by feeding their children toxic chemicals. The paperbacks - 'Healing the Symptoms Known as Autism' and 'Fight Autism and Win' - were pulled from sale worldwide on Wednesday. It is the latest step by a major tech company to get a handle on misinformation and pseudoscience online, following moves by Facebook and Pinterest to curb unsubstantiated anti-vaxxer content. The two newly-banned books told parents of kids with the congenital condition, including camel milk, electroconvulsive therapy, veganism, yoga and sex, Wired found. There is reason to believe these wild, dangerous, stigmatizing suggestions were not falling on deaf ears. Though there is no cure for autism, the CDC estimates around a third of parents of children with autism have tried discouraged treatments. One in 10 try techniques that could be life-threatening, the agency believes. In the book 'Healing the symptoms known as autism' parents are instructed on how to make chlorine dioxide, a type of industrial bleach, Wired reported 'Fight Autism and Win' promotes feeding children a medicine called DMSA which is used to treat lead poisoning and the FDA has warned against using without medical supervision In 'Healing the Symptoms', the authors reportedly tell the reader how to make chlorine dioxide, a solution sometimes called Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS). MMS is claimed to have health benefits but none are proven and it is, in reality, is a disinfectant unfit for human consumption. Chlorine dioxide is used to disinfect drinking water, to clean electronic circuit boards and to bleach paper and fabrics. CAN AUTISM BE CURED? Autism is a life-long condition which children are born with and it cannot be cured. Around one per cent of people in the UK have autism, and different people are affected by it in different ways and to varying levels of severity. The condition is more common among boys and men than it is in females. Although symptoms very between people, typical signs of autism include difficulty with social interactions, rigid and sometimes obsessive habits and interests, or sensitivity to some lights and sounds. The exact cause of autism is unknown, but it is believed to be triggered by genetic factors. There were once claims the MMR vaccine could cause the condition but these have been proven to be completely false. Treating someone with autism involves managing symptoms and helping them to feel comfortable in their day-to-day life, but this varies widely depending on people's individual conditions. Source: NHS Advertisement The US's Food and Drug Administration in 2010 specifically warned people not to drink MMS, which it called 'an industrial bleach that can cause serious harm to health'. The FDA said anybody who had any MMS which is wrongly claimed to be able to treat acne, cancer, flu, HIV and hepatitis should throw it away immediately. Its release read: 'This mixture produces chlorine dioxide, a potent bleach used for stripping textiles and industrial water treatment. 'High oral doses of this bleach, such as those recommended in the labeling, can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and symptoms of severe dehydration.' In its 'Customers who viewed this item also viewed' section beneath the listing for 'Healing the Symptoms', Amazon recommends chlorine dioxide water purifying drops. Wired even invented a fake e-book to sell on Amazon and, despite it being seven pages copied from a Wikipedia entry, it was accepted within two hours. The fake book was titled 'How To Cure Autism: A guide to using chlorine dioxide to cure autism' and Amazon allegedly suggested it use the keywords 'autism cure' to market the book. Wired removed the book as soon as the advertising campaign was approved, and confirmed it didn't sell any copies. 'No responsible retailer should be giving a platform to people who promote dangerous products to vulnerable families,' said Jane Harris, director of external affairs at the National Autistic Society. 'We must do everything we can to protect people from charlatans and quacks.' The book 'Fight Autism and Win', Wired said, instructs parents to give their children a medicine called DMSA, which is used to treat lead poisoning. The FDA has also told people not to administer this themselves after a five-year-old autistic boy died when he was given it in 2005. 'Fight Autism and Win' suggests children be given a solution every four hours for three days once a week. DailyMail.com has contacted both books' authors for comment. Amazon declined to comment. Dr Michael Sharpe (pictured) says he has quit studying chronic fatigue syndrome after being the subject of online trolls Scientists' work may be published in journals mostly read by their peers - but that doesn't protect them from the attacks of trolls on social media and beyond. Dr Michael Sharpe, an Oxford University professor of psychological medicine, has told Reuters that he was so thoroughly inundated with hateful comments, emails and tweets that he has decided to quit his research focus area altogether. Dr Sharpe is one of the few scientists who has focused his research on chronic fatigue syndrome - also known as ME/CFS - and published research that suggested the poorly-understood condition might improve with talk therapy and exercise. But many some who suffer from the disease, as well as some who study it, have objected to his research, particularly the PACE trial, one of the largest projects on ME/CFS to date, which suggested that exercise and talk therapy may help treat it. Critics saw the exercise component as flying in the face of the diagnostic criteria of their disease, and the therapy portion as dismissing ME/CFS as a mental health issue. Many went beyond questioning the research, however, calling Dr Sharpe and his colleagues 'charlatans' and worse. And that's not to mention the countless vitriolic emails that inundated Dr Sharpe's inbox. Some activists are calling for review and replication of Dr Sharpe's research - a valuable way of settling scientific disputes. Trolls like Twitter user qua sar have attacked Dr Sharpe with expletives. After a Reuters article on the abuse Dr Sharpe has taken came out, he pointed out that the tone of tweet was hostile On the other hand, trolls - including Russian bots in some cases - have fueled dangerous crusades like the anti-vaxxer movement that has made measles a public health threat in the US. And their social media aggression may be scaring scientists away from doing research in some of the areas it's needed most, like ME/CFS. Dr Sharpe, according to his own Oxford University profile, focuses on complementary psychiatric care for patients with medical conditions. 'My research aims to understand the psychiatric aspects of medical illnesses and their treatments, to develop novel interventions for these that are integrated with medical care and to evaluate these in rigorous clinical trials,' he writes. That, he says, was the goal of the now-infamous (in small circles) PACE trial. Dr Sharpe and his colleagues recruited 641 patients for the trial - a sizable sample. PACE stands for 'Pacing, graded Activity and Cognitive therapy: a randomised Evaluation,' meaning that, in addition to the standard medical care they received, a portion of the patients got talk therapy, exercise routines or adaptive pacing. After a year, patients that were engaged in exercise or talk therapy rated their fatigue lower and their physical functioning higher than patients who did neither of those things. Patients who did adaptive pacing - which encourages people with ME/CFS to push themselves to do just as much as they can, but not too much - fared no better. The study called both talk therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT) and exercise 'safe' and quantified their effects as 'moderate.' But both interventions bump up against sensitivities of ME/CFS. The diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS are: struggling to engage with activities the person did before falling ill for at least six months; symptoms that get worse after physical, mental or emotional exertion; poor sleep and problems with cognitive function; and/or heart rhythm and blood pressure changes when moving from sitting to standing. One Stanford University geneticist, who has become an ME/CFS researcher since his son suddenly developed the condition, Dr Ronald Davis, noted that the PACE study claimed that physical activity made the condition better - but the criteria for the condition state that exertion makes it worse. Dr Ronald Davis (right) now studies ME/CFS. His son, Whitney Dafoe (left) suffers such severe chronic fatigue he can't leave bed. Dr Davis has criticized Dr Sharpe's study 'There is a lot of hostility on social media about the idea of this sort of treatment,' Dr Sharpe told Daily Mail Online. But to Dr Sharpe, the implications of his research have been warped and weaponized against him. 'Some people think that if this type of treatment works, it means that they weren't really ill in the first place,' he says. 'I think that's wrong. We know that these sorts of rehabilitation treatments are effective for fatigue in people with cancer and neurological diseases - that doesnt mean that people with these conditions dont have a real illness. 'But some people find the idea that these treatments work unacceptable and they try to discredit both the research and the people doing it. 'This leads to a lot of hostile and abusive messages including threats of violence towards me and my colleagues and attempts to have us de-registered as doctors.' In other words, cancer patients often feel fatigue, but the fact that exercise helps them feel less fatigued doesn't mean they don't still have tumors. Perhaps more problematically, many ME/CFS patients are dismissed by doctors and the public alike, as having a psychological rather than physiological problem. So when members of the ME/CFS community saw a study suggesting, essentially, that if they would only exercise and go to therapy they would get better, it flew in the face of everything they knew and experienced of their own illness. A review of Sharpe's research found that while CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and gradually increased exercise could indeed offer greater improvement than management strategies without them (often consisting of simply resting to avoid worsening symptoms), it was 'better' compared to a low 10 percent chance that treatment would help to begin with. So began the barrage of criticisms, wishes for Dr Sharpe's career to come to a fiery end, and assertions that his work was misleading, bad science. A Twitter user simply called Sharpe a 'charlatan,' implying his research was not valid Many of the most outspoken and irate Twitter users and email senders were people who themselves have ME/CFS. And they've just continued. Dr Sharpe says he would no more dismiss a cancer patient's tumors and discourage them from chemo if exercise helped them feel better day-to-day than he would give that advice to a ME/CFS patient. Despite calls for it to be removed from the Lancet journal, where the PACE study was initially published, the PACE trial still stands. 'All research has limitations. One of the strategies of people who are against this type of treatment is to take small limitations and suggest they are fatal flaws,' Dr Sharpe says. 'We dont know what the cause of CFS/ME is, as we dont with many illnesses. There might be a number of different causes. But that shouldnt stop us researching treatments that might help. 'There are treatments that can help people with CFS and some people want to try these - its a great shame that the disinformation spread by a minority risks people not having the option to try these treatments if they want to.' But Dr Sharpe will no longer be among those exploring these treatments. He has decided to set aside his chronic fatigue research for good after years of online beratement. On the other hand, science needs to be questioned and patients need to be part of the discussion. 'It would be good if we could find a better way to use social media to achieve this. In the meantime I think its really important for people with medical conditions to be involved in the design of studies of new treatments - we did this in the PACE trial,' Dr Sharpe said. But in the meantime, he hopes that scientific organizations will step in and take up for researchers who are being chased away from their own work. BOOK OF THE WEEK MANUAL FOR SURVIVAL: A CHERNOBYL GUIDE TO THE FUTURE by Kate Brown (Allen Lane 20, 432 pp) At a checkpoint on the border between the U.S. and Canada in 2017, American homeland security agents stopped an articulated lorry for a routine check. Running a Geiger counter over its trailer, they were alarmed to discover a radiating mass was pulsing inside. This could be the border patrols worst nightmare: a dirty nuclear terrorist bomb. But when they inspected the contents, all they found was fruit. The radiation came from a crateload of blueberries, picked in Ukraine. Since official U.S. government thresholds for permissible radiation in fruit are surprisingly high, the cargo was deemed safe and the lorry was waved on its way. But some of the blueberries were in fact way above official levels and therefore not safe at all. Kate Brown investigates the worst atomic disaster in human history Chernobyl, and its aftermath in a gripping new book To understand why is to discover that 70 years of atomic tests and nuclear accidents have flooded markets around the world with toxic food. Kate Browns painstaking investigation into the Chernobyl disaster and its aftermath might be the most plausible conspiracy theory youll ever read. Manual For Survival argues that presidents, military chiefs, government mandarins and official scientists have all failed to face a basic truth for decades: nuclear radiation is really poisonous. That ought to be obvious to anyone, but, rather than deal with the facts, those in charge have buried their heads in the sand and refused to take any responsibility. The pretence began with Hiroshima, and the first of two atomic bombs dropped on Japan at the end of World War II. Concerned that nuclear radiation would be condemned as a type of chemical warfare, and thus morally repugnant, American General Leslie Groves, head of the Manhattan Project, which developed the atomic bomb, told journalists that it was simply a very powerful conventional weapon which inflicted serious burns over a wide area. Even American army medics were fed this lie. They were baffled that U.S. troops doing reconstruction work in Japans devastated cities continued to suffer unexplained burns symptoms, we now know, of radiation poisoning. The explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant near the city of Pripyat, in Ukraine, on April 26, 1986, was the worst atomic disaster in human history, equivalent to four Hiroshimas. Kate spent four years conducting research on the nuclear power plant explosion which took place in Ukraine during 1986 (pictured: gas marks left after the disaster at the abandoned city of Pripyat) The book describes it vividly the thick concrete walls wobbled . . . the blast tossed up a concrete lid the size of a cruise ship . . . plant worker Sasha Yuvchenko watched a blue stream of ionising radiation careening towards the heavens. According to official Soviet figures at the time, the death toll was 54 a gross underestimate made up of mostly firemen and soldiers who sacrificed their lives to get the blaze under control. Brown reveals that Soviet doctors advised workers on nuclear clean-up duty at Chernobyl to drink vodka throughout the day. It stimulated the liver to cleanse the body of radiation, they said. Her research, conducted over four years and drawing on 27 archives in Europe, the U.S. and the former Soviet Union, estimates the actual death toll at up to 150,000 in Ukraine alone over the past 30 years. Even today, the Russian government does not acknowledge this, and there have been no official investigations. Many were children. Thyroid cancer in young people was rife after Chernobyl, a medical fact that even the Politburo in Moscow could not fully explain away (though the official version was that fewer than 100 children were affected and they were easily cured). Kate speculates that radiation poisoning from nuclear leaks and explosions could be responsible for the rising incidence of cancers and auto-immune diseases (pictured: Pripyat) Very high levels of radioactive iodine were among the toxins released in the blast. The human body craves iodine, which is absorbed through the thyroid gland; children process it especially quickly if their levels are low. So, one simple remedy, effective if not failsafe, would have been for the government to issue safe iodine supplements to everyone at risk. This wasnt done, partly because almost no one in the Soviet Union, from the Kremlin down to the local hospitals, had any idea how to deal with radiation poisoning. After all, its effects had always been downplayed, ever since Hiroshima. And they still are downplayed. When the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was hit by a tsunami in 2011, causing a meltdown in three reactors, the Japanese response was as inadequate as the Soviet governments 25 years earlier. Safe iodine, for example, was not distributed. The leaves that fell in Ukraines capital Kiev in autumn 1986 ought to have been treated as hazardous nuclear waste and buried. The soil had absorbed so much radiation that a government pamphlet suggested, in a low-key way, that mushrooms should not be eaten. MANUAL FOR SURVIVAL: A CHERNOBYL GUIDE TO THE FUTURE by Kate Brown (Allen Lane 20, 432 pp) The meat from cattle, sheep and pigs fed on local vegetable produce was also dangerously radioactive. But rather than waste so much food, the Soviet ministry decided to send it off across the USSR, so that every citizen shared in the tribulations of Chernobyl by consuming a small, safe amount of irradiated meat. Thats Communism in action. It might seem so callous as to be unthinkable. But Brown warns that the same thing still happens with much food that reaches the West. After Chernobyl, radiation spread on the wind. It was quickly detected as far away as Sweden. And it lingered. Today, much agricultural land in Ukraine and beyond is still affected. And so is the produce. But why waste it? If a batch of fruit is hot, it can be mixed with other fruit until the overall radiation reading is within so-called safe limits. Thats how a consignment of blueberries could be mistaken for a dirty bomb. The author speculates that radiation poisoning, not only from Chernobyl but from numerous other nuclear leaks and many hundreds of atomic explosions, may be responsible for the rising incidence of cancers and auto-immune diseases. Few people on earth have escaped those exposures, she concludes. This book doesnt have all the answers. It does, however, ask the right questions. The biggest of all is: why does no one want to face the lessons of Chernobyl? Japanese vehicle maker Toyota has come up with an ingenious plan to deal with the rise in thieves stealing cars. The firm, which produces the new Corolla at the Burnaston plant in Derbyshire, has patented the design for a fragrance dispense that - when the vehicle is broken into - can turn into an anti-theft device. It can detect when the vehicle has been accessed by a criminal. And when it it releases a toxic spray of tear gas into the cabin to immoblise the thief. Eye-watering car security: Toyota has issued a patent for a feature that can detect when one of its vehicles is being stolen and releases tear gas into the cabin The feature was discovered by Australian website WhichCar. The patent was issued by the Japanese car brand in August 2018 and was recently published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The system is a new mode of anti-theft device designed to tackle vehicle crime, which has increased in recent years due to a spate of keyless thefts using remote technology to access vehicles. According to the patent drawings revealed, the feature operates as a conventional fragrance system under normal operation. The system can identify when the vehicle owner is approaching the car by their smartphone and spritzes the interior with perfume before they enter and begin their journey. Sounds pleasant enough, right? The patent drawings show that the fragrance dispenser can identify when the owner's phone is in close proximity. When it does, it releases a spritz of perfume into the vehicle However, if the immobiliser is triggered and the signal from the key isn't identified, the dispenser fires out a dose of tear gas to stop the car thief in their tracks However, if an 'illegitimate engine start' is identified the system turns nasty and gives a would-be thief a face-full of tear gas to deter them from taking the car. It does this by triggering the immobliser which can only be deactivated by having the vehicle's key in close proximity. If the key isn't with the occupant inside the car and no signal can be located, the dispenser releases the potent spray. Tear gas is a chemical weapon that causes severe eye and respiratory pain, skin irritation, bleeding, and even blindness. In the eye, it stimulates the nerves of the lacrimal gland to produce tears and is often used by police to break-up riots There is no guarantee that the anti-theft system will make it into Toyota vehicles in the future, though it presents an ingenious solution to rising car crime While it might be a legitimate patent, there's no guarantee that this sort of system will go into production vehicles. That's especially the case with security designs that can cause significant harm to a high-spending Toyota customer if the feature malfunctions - because nothing says lawsuit like being pepper-sprayed by the car you've just bought for 30,000. However, with the rise in organised criminal gangs taking high-value vehicles from owners' driveways without them ever noticing, this has the potential to become an eye-watering feature for the future. The City watchdog may ban investment platform 'exit fees' as it seeks to increase competition between providers for ordinary investors' pots. Exit fees imposed on customers who want to move their money to another platform have long been identified as significant concern because some see them as impeding fair competition by trapping customers. The Financial Conduct Authority announced plans for a crackdown, saying that while competition is 'generally working well' some consumers and financial advisers can find it 'difficult to shop around' and switch to another platform. Andrew Bailey is chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority. The cost involved, driven in part by exit fees as well as difficulties switching between unit classes in funds were pinpointed as the main concerns. An investor with 20 holdings in their stocks and shares Isas could end up paying 25 per investment or 500 in total in transfer fees to move their portfolio from the biggest DIY investing platform Hargreaves Lansdown. Other investment platforms charge similar amounts, although the second largest Interactive Investor has scrapped exit fees. To address this, the FCA said it is consulting on new rules which will allow customers to switch platforms and remain in the same funds without having to sell off their investments first or pay high exit fees. Ultimately, it said that this could lead to them being axed altogether. The FCA said: 'In the IPMS Final Report, we state our view that a ban on platform exit fees is likely to be appropriate as a measure to reduce consumer harm. The regulator will weigh up feedback it receives between now and 14 June 2019 before settling on a final ruling. The proposed clampdown on these fees would apply to all investment platforms and other firms offering a comparable service to retail clients. Some platforms have already seen the writing on the wall and begun to reduce or remove exit fees. Christopher Woolard, executive director of strategy and competition at the FCA, said: 'While the market is working well for most of its consumers, the package we've announced today should make it less expensive and time-consuming for investors to shop around and move to the platform that best meets their needs. 'As part of that, we believe it is right that we restrict exit fees, so people can move their money freely.' Homebuyers are 'getting on with their lives' claim experts as new figures show the housing market took a surprisingly positive turn into the new year. Figures from trade body UK Finance have revealed there were 4.6 per cent more first-time buyers taking out mortgages in January than there were in the same month last year. This amounts to roughly 25,100 new first-time buyer mortgages. On top of this, some 25,300 homemover mortgages were also completed in the month, 2.8 per cent more year-on-year. Remortgaging has dropped as more homeowners are now looking to move house instead Andrew Montlake, director of mortgage broker, Coreco, said: 'Rarely has the gulf between the Westminster bubble and the rest of the country looked so large. 'As MPs tie themselves in knots, the mortgage market has been quietly getting on with business as usual. 'Two things are clear from January's strong mortgage lending data the dream of owning a home continues to burn brightly for thousands of would-be buyers, and lenders have responded in kind.' New RICS figures don't look so positive The numbers come on the same day as survey data from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors which by contrast point to a rapidly deteriorating housing market. According to the latest figures from RICS, house price growth is at its weakest since 2011. Andrew Montlake, director of broker, Coreco Demand reportedly fell for the seventh consecutive month with the pace of decline accelerating, while the average time taken to sell nationally is the joint longest average for the past two years. On top of this, new buyer enquiries, agreed sales, and new instructions all dropped for the sixth month in a row. However, the UK Finance figures document the number of mortgages approved in January 2019 - these are likely to have been loans that were applied for back in October 2018. The RICS figures meanwhile provide a good indicator for what is likely to happen next in the property market - the number of properties available to purchase today will have an effect on the number of mortgages approved in three to four months' time. Mark Harris, chief executive of mortgage broker SPF Private Clients, said: The year has got off to a remarkably good start on the lending front despite ongoing political uncertainty. 'Clearly, people have had enough with situations they cant control and are getting on with their lives. Lenders are keen to lend and rates are extremely competitive. Several lenders have trimmed rates this year in an effort to encourage more business, while innovative tweaks here and there are increasing as an alternative to offering the cheapest rate in the market.' The figures also suggested that landlords are continuing to leave the market as tax changes eat into profits. There were 5,500 new buy-to-let home purchase mortgages completed in January 2019, 1.8 per cent fewer than in the same month a year earlier. However, the rate of decline is less than in January 2018, when UK Finance reported a 5.1 per cent year-on-year fall in the number of buy-to-let home purchases. A federal judge, citing an 'unprecedented measles outbreak' in suburban Rockland County, New York, has denied a request to let 44 unvaccinated children return to school. Parents of students in the Green Meadow Waldorf School in Chestnut Ridge had sued the county health department after they were told in December that they would not be allowed to enter the school. The parents say none of the school's excluded children have contracted measles amid the county's outbreak, which started last fall. The outbreak has mostly affected the Orthodox Jewish community in Spring Valley, Monsey and New Square. Parents of students in the Green Meadow Waldorf School (above) in Chestnut Ridge were told by a judge on Tuesday that they could not return until they were vaccinated 'Preventing my child from being with his class, his teacher, his classroom, has had a significant social and psychological impact,' one parent of a 4-year old preschooler, who declined to give her name, told the Journal News. 'He is confused, given his young age, about why he isn't allowed on his campus,' she said, her voice wavering. A lawyer for the parents, Michael Sussman, criticized the judge's decision to deny a temporary injunction that would have allowed the children back in classes. On the same day, pediatric organizations expressed support for state legislation that would allow minors to get vaccinated without parental consent . The legislation's Democratic sponsors say too many parents believe unsupported online claims that vaccines are unsafe. Since October last year, the number of people infected during the outbreak reached a staggering 145. The shocking outbreak led to state officials frantically trying to contain the situation and led to schools imposing rules that pupils be vaccinated against the virus. A Swedish schoolgirl climate change campaigner has been put forward for the Nobel Peace Prize by three Norwegian socialists. Greta Thunberg, 16, has been hailed by Freddy Andre Oevstegaard and two other members of the Socialist Left Party for her cause to stop climate change, which 'will be the cause of wars, conflict and refugees.' Mr Oevstegaard added: 'Greta Thunberg has launched a mass movement which I see as a major contribution to peace.' Ms Thunberg encouraged students to skip school to join protests demanding faster action on climate change, as her message spread from Sweden across the continent. Greta Thunberg is seen on stage as she takes part in a protest calling for urgent measures to combat climate change, in Hamburg, Germany earlier this month Ms Thunberg speaks to thousands gathered on the streets of Hamburg to hear her message on March 1 Icon: A carnival float depicts the school strikes 'Friday for Future' with Greta Thunberg during the traditional carnival parade in Dusseldorf, Germany Ms Thunberg tweeted her happy reaction today as it was revealed she had been nominated for the prize Ms Thunberg tweeted, 'Honoured and very grateful for this nomination (love heart emoji),' to her 261,000 followers on Thursday. The green activist has been to rallies across the continent to promote her message on climate change and inspired worldwide protests. Six months ago as an unknown 15-year-old Ms Thunberg camped outside Sweden's parliament next to a hand-written sign: 'SCHOOL STRIKE FOR CLIMATE'. Since then she has gone global, striking a chord with younger people disillusioned by the perceived slow progress of the adult world in halting climate change. On Friday, thousands of students are expected to demonstrate in more than 100 countries in what activists say could be a milestone moment in a grassroots campaign to push world leaders into doing more. Ms Thunberg delivers her speech during a session of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in January Ms Thunberg speaks to the press as she is surrounded by Belgian school skippers in Brussels last month Ms Thunberg and German activist and organiser Luisa Neubauer (left) march with high school students against global warming at a Fridays for Future demonstration in Hamburg 'We are only seeing the beginning,' Ms Thunberg tweeted recently. 'I think that change is on the horizon and the people will stand up for their future.' Any Norwegian legislator can nominate somebody for the Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee doesn't publicly comment on nominations, which for 2019 had to be submitted by February 1. A romantic boyfriend in the Dominican Republic came up with an elaborate plan to ask the love of his life to marry him. Cellphone footage, filmed by friends of the unnamed man, shows him and his girlfriend together when he is suddenly arrested by National Police agents in the city of Moca, and loaded him into the back of their vehicle. His girlfriend was left distraught, and quickly jumped on the back of a friend's scooter to follow the police to the station. Little did she know that the arrest was all a rouse and the cops were in on the scheme. Cops in the Dominican Republic arrested a young man (pictured) a part of plan to get engaged The young man (pictured) was released after he was arrested in the city of Moca The video picks up again after a short while, when the police vehicle has pulled over and allowed the boyfriend to get out - ring in hand. When his emotional partner pulls up on the scooter, he dropped to one knee. Realizing it had all been an elaborate stunt, his girlfriend looks both relieved and overwhelmed. Meanwhile her boyfriend, patiently waiting in his knee, waited for her to get off the scooter and walk over to him, before he popped the magic question. The answer was an obvious yes. The cute couple sealed the deal with a big hug and a kiss. Girlfriend (pictured as a passenger on the scooter) was surprised to see her boyfriend after he was arrested But she (right) was even more surprised, and shocked, when he (left) dropped to a knee A woman (right) held a banner that read: 'Do you want to marry me?' Fox News salaries for ten current and former members of the Trump administration who were paid network contributors have been revealed. Given his fierce loyalty to Fox News, it's no surprise that the president has used the network as a recruiting ground for team Trump. Once they've been tapped to join the Trump administration, appointees are required to reveal how much they were paid to appear on Fox News shows in financial disclosures, several of which were revealed on Wednesday by The Hollywood Reporter. The disclosures ranged from $569,423 for John Bolton, the current national security advisor, to a meager $4,320 for Seb Gorka, a former deputy assistant to President Trump. Fox News salaries for ten current and former members of the Trump administration who were paid network contributors have been revealed. National Security Advisor John Bolton (above) is at the top of the list, having raked in $569,423 during his time at the network Heather Nauert earned $485,000 working on Fox & Friends (left) up until 2017. She left the contributor gig to become Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (right) Former Massachusetts Sen Scott Brown raked in $175,000 while working for Fox News between May 2013 and 2017. Brown, who is now US Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, is seen above (center) during a Fox News segment prior to Trump's election Anthony Scaramucci pocketed $88,461 as a contributor on Fox Business before he forfeited that slot to become White House communications director - a job he held for just 11 days Behind Bolton's whopping contract was Heather Nauert, who earned $485,000 during her time with Fox & Friends. She left the contributor gig in 2017 to become Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, and recently had to withdraw her nomination for US Ambassador to the UN when it was revealed she had hired a nanny who wasn't legally authorized to work in the US. In third was former Massachusetts Sen Scott Brown, who raked in $175,000 while working for the network between May 2013 and 2017 before leaving to take a job as US Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. Anthony Scaramucci pocketed $88,461 as a contributor on Fox Business before he forfeited that slot to become White House communications director - a job he held for just 11 days. US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell (left) made $80,000 in three and a half years with Fox News before he left in December 2016. Treasury department spokesman Tony Sayegh (right), who was hired as a Fox News contributor in 2013, earned $72,851 through 2017 Former Deputy National Security Advisor KT McFarland (left) earned $63,518 while working for the network from 2010 to 2017. New York business executive and current Ambassador to Poland Georgette Mosbacher (right) was paid $31,336 At the bottom of the list was Trump's former deputy assistant Seb Gorka, who earned $4,320 while serving as Fox's 'counter-terrorism strategist' for three weeks in January 2017 Below him was current US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell, who made $80,000 in three and a half years with the network before he left in December 2016. Treasury department spokesman Tony Sayegh, who started appearing on the network back in 2009 before being hired as a contributor in 2013, earned $72,851 through 2017. Former Deputy National Security Advisor KT McFarland earned $63,518 while working for the network from 2010 to 2017. New York business executive and current Ambassador to Poland Georgette Mosbacher was paid $31,336. At the bottom of the list was Gorka, who earned just over four grand while serving as Fox's 'counter-terrorism strategist' in the three weeks before Trump's inauguration in January 2017. Another former member of team Trump, recently-ousted White House communications director Bill Shine, raked in a salary of $1,460,000 while co-president of Fox News. The network declined to comment on how contributor salaries are determined, but a source told The Hollywood Reporter that lower-profile figures are initially paid per-appearance, along with a small retainer for agreeing to stay exclusively on Fox News. If the audiences respond well to their appearances, the figures are offered a more official contributor slot with an annual fixed fee. Jetstar is offering travellers free return flights from New Zealand to selected domestic and international locations as the airline holds a short 48-hour sale. The budget airline's 'return for free' promotion kicked off at 12.01am on Thursday and will end at 11.59pm on Friday. Travellers have been warned to get in quick to ensure they don't miss the chance to book their dirt cheap holiday to Australia, the Cook Islands or across New Zealand. Australians looking to holiday around the South and North Island can make use of the deal by booking return domestic flights within New Zealand. Jetstar is offering travellers free return flights from selected domestic and international locations as it holds a short 48-hour sale (pictured: Rarotonga, Cook Islands) Savvy flyers could book a winter getaway on the ski fields by booking return flights from Wellington to Queenstown (pictured) for $73 between July and August Kiwis can hop across to Sydney from Christchurch for just $183 return or could enjoy the sun in the Rarotonga from Auckland for $209 return. They can also travel across New Zealand at discounted prices with nine domestic locations included in the promotion. Selection of 'return for free' promotion: Christchurch to Sydney from $183 Auckland to Rarotonga from $209 Auckland to Dunedin from $85 Wellington to Queenstown from $73 Auckland to Melbourne (Tullamarine) from $205 Auckland to Sydney from $194 Christchurch to Gold Coast from $194 Queenstown to Melbourne from $255 Advertisement Eligible travellers must be flying from New Zealand and must book return flights within selected dates. The available dates for return travel are May 1 to June 27, July 24 to September 26 and October 16 to December 4. Savvy flyers could book a winter getaway on the ski fields by booking return flights from Wellington to Queenstown for $73 between July and August. This is the second time Jetstar has slashed prices in New Zealand since Air New Zealand announced it was cutting entry-level airfares on 41 domestic routes by up to 50 per cent in February. Jetstar responded a few days later by releasing 75,000 fares for $25 one-way. Tobacco giant Philip Morris will stop selling cigarettes in New Zealand in favour of new nicotine technologies. The company is focusing its attention to IQOS products - a device which heats up a tobacco stick and releases nicotine, without burning it. The company wants New Zealand's government to give them tax breaks for their 'smoke free' nicotine devices, which they believe will encourage addicts to stop smoking, newsnow reported. New Zealand wants to be completely smoke-free by 2025. However, the Philip Morris' New Zealand General Manager James Williams told TVNZ 1's Breakfast program they will be removing all cigarettes from shelves with or without the tax break. Tobacco giant Philip Morris is going to stop selling cigarettes in New Zealand (stock image) The company is looking at focusing its attention to IQOS products - which is a device that heats up a tobacco stick but doesn't burn it, and releases nicotine (stock) Mr Williams said the company will focus on the IQOS products which are claimed to be a healthier alternative. 'I think we just need to clarify that we don't need any special treatment from the government - we'll exit cigarette sales irrespective of what happens and we'll comply to all the regulations that get set,' Mr Williams told the program. 'The regulations that are currently in New Zealand are not suited for these products, and the government's recognised that.' New Zealand is the first country trialing this and Australia could soon be next if the government lifts its ban on electronic cigarettes. A report by the McKell Institute revealed that Australia is missing out on the ' huge public health opportunity' to reduce the harm cigarettes by having the ban on electronic cigarettes. Australia is one of 30 countries where electronic cigarettes are illegal. He said the reason they won't be removing all cigarettes off the shelves right now is because it's a 'very complex issue' (stock) Mr Williams said the reason they won't be removing all cigarettes off the shelves right now is because it's a 'very complex issue'. They said they want lower taxes for vaping products which could help them remove the cigarettes off the shelves quicker. 'Everybody knows that cigarettes are addictive, so if we remove our products, effectively, consumers will move to an alternative cigarette,' he said. 'I think the bigger opportunity is to provide consumers a better choice of safer alternatives. An Australian rabbi was pushed to the ground outside court by the brother of accused paedophile principal Malka Leifer. Adam Segal was supporting Leifer's alleged victims when he confronted psychiatrist Brian Trappler after the extradition hearing in Jerusalem. Appearing in court on Wednesday, Dr Trappler said Leifer, 54, is unfit to face trial in Australia on charges of child sex abuse and rape. However, Dr Trappler's integrity was called into question after it was revealed he wrote on Facebook in 2017 that Leifer was innocent. Outside court Mr Segal asked Dr Trappler if the girls were liars. 'You called them on Facebook liars,' Mr Segal said. Australian Rabbi Adam Segal (left) confronted psychiatrist Dr Brian Trappler (right) in court Mr Segal is then pushed by Leifer's brother in which he responds 'don't push me, you'll be arrested my friend' Mr Segal is then pushed by Leifer's brother to which he responds, 'don't push me, you'll be arrested my friend.' Dr Trappler says he didn't call the girls liars but Mr Segal replied, 'No you did on Facebookare you worried about the welfare of the girls? As they continue walking towards the exit of the court, Mr Segal stands in front of the psychiatrist trying to stop him from exiting. As they continue walking towards the exit, Mr Segal stands in front of the psychiatrist trying to stop him from exiting Dr Trappler then tells Mr Segal to 'move away' before the rabbi is aggressively pushed by Leifer's brother. He then falls backwards on the pavement and drops his glasses before security intervenes. Mr Segal is aggressively pushed before he falls backwards onto the pavement outside court After hitting his head Mr Segal drops his glasses before security intervene and direct Dr Trappler to another door Leifer fled to Israel in 2008 to avoid facing the sexual abuse charges. Dassi Erlich and her two sisters Nicole Meyer and Elly Sapper allege they were sexually abused by Leifer at Melbourne's ultra-orthodox Jewish Adass Israel Girls School between 2003 and 2006. Leifer, who has always asserted she is mentally unfit to stand trial, has been captured in more than 200 hours of footage visiting shops and socialising with others in Immanuel, Israel. 'She was claiming that she was, in the lawyer's words in Israel, a ''sack of potatoes''. She was claiming that she wasn't able to understand what was going on, she wasn't able to have basic human interactions; she needed a carer for her daily living,' Ms Elrich said. Former female school principal Malka Leifer (pictured) was declared unfit for court by Dr Trappler On Wednesday Dr Trappler's integrity however was questioned by the judge due to his previous proclamation of Leifer's innocence. 'She never committed the crime she was accused of,' Dr Trappler wrote on Facebook, according to The Australian Jewish News. Ms Leifer fled to Israel in 2008 and has been fighting extradition since 2014. She's wanted on 74 counts of child sex abuse As petitions were being delivered to force the Israeli government to follow up on Leifer's alleged crimes and have her extradited to Australia, Dr Trappler declared the women calling for her to face trial were not 'frum,' or devout Jews. He called the women, particularly those allegedly abused by the former principal at the ultra-orthodox Adass Israel School in Melbourne, a 'lynch mob.' He further stated the Jewish women were committing a crime by reporting to secular authorities. After Wednesday's hearing, Manny Waks, CEO of Kol V'oz, an organisation preventing sexual abuse in the Jewish community, said Dr Trappler had no credibility as a witness. 'Today's hearing should have lasted no more than a few minutes. 'The prosecution should have presented the judge with Dr Trappler's previous absurd public statements regarding this case and the judge should have dismissed Dr Trappler as a witness,' Waks told AAP Ms Erlich and Ms Meyer have travelled to Israel specifically to attend the closed court, now in it's 48th hearing. A public protest was held outside court to show support for the sisters. The large crowd of supporters held signs reading 'you're not alone,' referring to Leifer's victims, and chanted 'we want justice.' Dassi Erlich thanked everyone for showing up and supporting them. 'Thank you for letting us know we are not alone, we feel your support, it is because of your support that we can continuing doing this ... continue fighting for justice and ensure this abuser is not on the streets anymore,' Erlich told the crowd. A woman believed to be an ISIS bride who fled Melbourne to fight in Syria and boasted about being thirsty for Australian blood has demanded to be let back in to the country. Zehra Duman left Melbourne aged 19 to join the terror group in 2014 - but is now thought to be in a Syrian refugee camp, desperate to come home. In an interview with an American humanitarian worker, a woman who refused to confirm her identity but is believed to be Duman said: 'I want to go back to my country. 'I think everybody's asking for that because I'm an Australian citizen.' Zehra Duman left Melbourne aged 19 to join the terror group in 2014 but is now thought to be in a Syrian refugee camp, desperate to come home. Pictured: The woman thought to be Duman in full Islamic dress holding her daughter alongside aid workers In an interview (pictured) with an American humanitarian worker, a woman who refused to confirm her identity but is believed to be Duman said: 'I want to go back to my country' In 2015, a Twitter account believed to be run by Duman under the name Umm Abdullatif showed pictures (above) of ISIS women carrying assault rifles and standing next to luxury cars In one of her tweets, Duman boasted about her and American jihadi brides being thirty for Australian and American blood The mother-of-two young children said she understood Australians would be angry with her but insisted: 'My kids have a right to be treated like normal kids.' The defeat of ISIS last year has displaced thousands of jihadi brides, many of whom are now in refugee camps in Syria. Hundreds of babies have died and the woman said her two-year-old son and six-month-old daughter are sick and malnourished. Duman (pictured) hit headlines in Australia when she fled to Syria in 2014 'I have no money, I'm not allowed to have money, they don't give us food here and they don't let us contact our families,' she said in a video at Al Hawl refugee camp that was sent to the ABC. 'I understand the anger that they have towards a lot of us here, but the kids don't need to suffer.' The woman, 24, claimed she has been trying to leave ISIS for two years but could not because she had no money and would get killed if she were caught. Duman, a former student at Isik College Keysborough, hit headlines in Australia when she fled in 2014 to marry Mahmoud Abullatif, a former Melbourne party boy-turned Muslim extremist. Her father, Davut Duman, said his daughter, who became a successful ISIS recruiter, had been 'brainwashed' and that he desperately wanted her home. When Abullatif died in battle five weeks after their wedding, Duman remarried and had two children with her second husband who also later died. In 2015, a Twitter account believed to be run by her under the name Umm Abdullatif showed pictures of ISIS women carrying assault rifles and standing next to luxury cars. In 2015, photographs (above) posted to a Twitter account believed to be hers showed several women standing under an Islamic State flag In one photo (above) women reclined against a clean white BMW M5, wielding machine guns and dressed from head to toe in black Islamic dress Using social media to recruit other brides, Duman boasted about having a BMW M5 in the land of Sham (Syria) In one tweet, Duman said: 'US + Australia, how does it feel that all 5 of us were born n raised in your lands, & now here thirsty for ur blood?' Photographs posted to a Twitter account believed to be hers showed several women standing under an Islamic State flag. They reclined against a clean white BMW M5, wielding machine guns and dressed from head to toe in black Islamic dress. In one tweet, Duman said: 'US + Australia, how does it feel that all 5 of us were born n raised in your lands, & now here thirsty for ur blood?' Another image of five women standing under an Islamic State flag was captioned: 'Can't mess with my clique. From the land down under, to the land of Khilafah. Thats the Aussie spirit.' Duman married Mahmoud Abullatif (pictured), a former Melbourne party boy-turned Muslim extremist. Australian-born jihadist: Mahmoud Abdullatif (pictured) was reported dead in January 2015 and was praised by his late wife Zehra Duman on social media In other tweets (above), Duman called for violence against 'kuffars', or non-Muslims Shortly after boasting about the expensive vehicle, Duman became defensive on social media and said 'no one is trying to be flashy'. 'The m5 was driven here from france (sic) and is meant to be sold here. Chill n stop (judging). No one is trying to be flashy in sham (Syria).' The account also featured pictures of so-called 'Playboy Jihadi' Abdullatif in which she described him as her 'beautiful husband'. Daily Mail Australia reported in January 2015 that Duman congratulated her late partner for his death after he was killed. 'You won the race!' she tweeted, describing him as a 'green bird' - the term used to describe a so-called martyr. In other tweets, Duman called for violence against 'kuffars' or non-Muslims. 'Stab them and poison them. Poison your teachers, go to haram restaurants and poison the food in large quantities,' she wrote. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has pushed back against the Australian ISIS bride's pleas for help. Mr Morrison declared he would not put any Australians at risk by helping home-grown extremists wanting to come home from the Middle East. Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured) has pushed back against the Australian ISIS bride's pleas for help Mr Morrison said it was a 'great tragedy' Islamic State sympathisers had dragged their children into war zones. 'They have placed their children in this horrendous position,' he told reporters in Melbourne on Thursday. 'They have to take responsibility for those decisions to join up with terrorists who are fighting Australia. 'I think the children are innocent victims in the terrorist acts of their parents,' Mr Morrison said. 'If you're coming home, you're coming home to face the full force of the law. The great tragedy is how children get caught up in the crimes against Australia of their parents.' Airline passengers were treated to free hamburgers from their pilot after being stuck waiting for take off for more than four hours. Matthew Hoshor, ordered 70 burgers for his passengers aboard the Mesa Airlines flight to Houston from Tulsa, Oklahoma on Monday when a weather delay kept their plane grounded. One of the passengers, Sam Walker, thanked Hoshor by tweeting a photo of him that has since gone viral. 'Were currently 2.5 hours into a delay leaving Tulsa on @united and our Captain, Matthew just ordered every single person on the plane lunch from Fat Guys Burger Bar. Good people and customer service do still exist!' Walker tweeted. United Airlines flight 6329 passenger Sam Walker tweeted a photo of pilot Matthew Hoshor on Monday after he bought burgers for all the passengers during a major weather-related delay The flight was operated by United Express, a regional division of United Airlines. And United replied to the Walker's tweet, taking full advantage of the positive publicity. 'Hey, Sam. How awesome!' the company tweeted. 'We're glad to hear the crew took care of you today. We'll pass along your praise to our teams.' United Airlines replied to passenger Sam Walker's viral tweet on Monday Hoshor and Walker's flight was stuck on the tarmac in Tulsa for four hours and 41 minutes before it took off, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware. Their plane landed in Houston five hours late. Thanks to Captain Hoshor, however, his passengers didn't endure their delay on an empty stomach. United Airlines expressed their own gratitude for Hoshor's service on Tuesday 'We take great pride in our crewmembers and always appreciate passengers positive feedback,' Mesa Airlines spokesman Jack Hellie told USA Today in a statement. An Australian-Lebanese man accused of plotting an ISIS terror attack on an Etihad plane has been granted bail in Lebanon. Amer Khayat, 41, from Sydney, was one of a group of men arrested for their alleged role in a 2017 plot to blow up an Abu Dhabi-bound flight from Sydney by hiding bombs in a meat grinder and Barbie doll. Khayat, who has pleaded not guilty, appeared in a military tribunal in Beirut on Thursday where a decision was expected to be made in his case. Brigadier General Hussein Abdallah, however, agreed to delay the verdict in light of new documents obtained from the Australian Government. The government had previously refused to cooperate in the case, in fear it would lead to the death penalty. Amer Khayat, 41, from Sydney, appeared in a military tribunal in Beirut on Thursday where he was granted bail, in light of new documents pertaining to his case Khayat (not pictured) 41, was one of two men arrested for their alleged role in a 2017 plot to blow up an Abu Dhabi-bound flight from Sydney by hiding bombs in a meat grinder and Barbie doll. His brother Tarek, an ISIS commander (pictured) was sentenced to death last year Abdallah said he would wait for the documents which could hold 'positive' information pertaining to Khayat, ABC reported. 'We shall wait for these documents as they could be positive for Amer Khayat. We all want to know the truth,' he said. Khayat has maintained his innocence claiming he had no knowledge of the terror plot and said he is confident the documents will set him free. 'I am innocent and unfairly detained,' he said. His lawyer, Jocelyn Adib Al Rah Khayat requested bail for her client on Thursday and he is expected to be released in two days. 'He will get out and be more than happy. Of course he will be banned from travelling to Australia before his trial is over [but] he can attend his hearings as a free person and wait for the Lebanese judiciary verdict,' she said. Khayat was accused of aiding his brother, Tarek Khayat, 46, an ISIS commander, in the foiled terror plot in July 2017. Tarek admitted to being a financial officer for the Islamic State in Raqqa, Syria, and was ordered to face death by hanging last year. He is currently jailed in Baghdad. The attack would have killed the 400 passengers and crew within 20 minutes (stock photo) The two bombs were allegedly discovered when one of the accused was having his hand luggage checked and the check-in clerk informed him that he was not allowed a second hand bag. It was alleged the two explosives were in the separate bags, one in a Barbie doll, and the other inside a meat grinder. If the alleged plot was successful, it would have killed the 400 passengers and crew within 20 minutes of the flight, according to reports. It has been further alleged the men were relying on insider information at Sydney Airport to successfully bring the bombs past security check points. A terrifying crocodile that menaced an entire island community for over six months has finally been captured. The rogue four-metre, 600kg reptile killed dozens of dogs and nearly attacked a fisherman in the Apsley Strait, Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory. Local feared that children might be attacked as the crocodile started to venture closer to barbecue facilities near the water. The four-metre, 600kg saltwater crocodile (pictured) has killed dozens of dogs in Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory A Tiwi Land Ranger managed to trap the saltwater crocodile on Wednesday after six months of preparation and immediately called Outback Wrangler Matt Wright. 'It had a crack at one fisherman on the beach, that's when it started to get a bit serious; it stalked him on the beach and started to come up the beach at him,' Mr Wright told ABC News. Tiwi Land Ranger Willie Rioli said large crocodiles like this are often caught on the island - usually twice a year. 'Sometimes the bigger ones like today can get a bit dangerous, but sometimes you get those two-metre ones who are just as cheeky as the four-metre ones it's not all about size,' he said. The crocodiles are an important part of Tiwi culture and locals even have a dance which represents the animal. Outback Wrangler Matt Wright (pictured) was contacted by the ranger once the crocodile was captured 'We're about respecting crocodiles here, we're not about culling them or destroying them,' Mr Rioli said. Nearly the entire community of Wurrumiyanga showed up to see the crocodile being taken away. It was going to spend some time in a police cell before being transported away but police didn't want it there. The crocodile has since been sent back to Darwin and will be rehomed at the local crocodile farms as part of breeding stock. A Tiwi Land Ranger managed to trap the saltwater crocodile on Wednesday after six months of preparation Pool safety camera vision is at the centre of a case against a young swimming teacher accused of sexually abusing two little girls in his care. Kyle Daniels, 20, has been charged with having sexual intercourse with an eight-year-old girl and inappropriately touching another girl, aged six. Police said the alleged offences took place during lessons at the Mosman Swim Centre, on Sydney's affluent Lower North Shore, in February. Daily Mail Australia can reveal detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad have obtained CCTV from inside the swim centre which will be used as part of their evidence against Daniels. Daniels appeared in Manly Local Court on Wednesday and was refused bail until his next appearance on March 20. Scroll down for video Police have obtained pool safety camera vision to assist in their case against swimming coach Kyle Daniels (pictured with his father) who is accused of sexual offences at a Mosman pool Kyle Daniels (above) is accused of sexually assaulting two young girls, aged six and eight, during their swimming lessons Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad arrested Daniels at his Balgowlah home on Tuesday It is understood the two alleged victims complained to their parents about Daniels, and police were informed. Specialist child abuse detectives spent a month gathering evidence, including CCTV, before Daniels was arrested at his family's Balgowlah home on Tuesday. He was charged with two counts of intentionally sexually touching a child under the age of 10 and having sexual intercourse with a child under 10. Police allege Daniels sexually touched a girl, 6, during a swimming lesson on February 2. Then on February 14, he allegedly had sexual intercourse with another girl, 8. Police said the two girls are sisters. Daniels' parents were in court to support their son during his brief mention. A letter from Mosman Ezyswim said Daniels had been suspended when the girls' parents first reported the allegations in February, and that all employees had current working with children checks. 'We are extremely distressed by this situation and will keep customers up to date when more information comes to hand,' the letter said. Daniels (pictured after his arrest) did not apply for bail on Wednesday and it was formally refused. His lawyer indicated to the court they may apply next week Kyle Daniels' parents leave Manly Local Court on Wednesday following their son being charged with three child sex offences The offences took place at Mosman Swim Centre, where Daniels worked casually for two years Daniels did not apply for bail and it was formally refused. He has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance on May 8. However, his lawyer indicated to the court Daniels would make an application for bail next week. In addition to the charges, police took out an Apprehended Violence Order against Daniels on behalf of his victims. Under the order, Daniels is banned from going anywhere near Mosman Swim Centre. Pictures on his social media accounts show Daniels was a student at Knox Grammar, and a talented swimmer. He is currently studying at the University of Sydney. A Knox Grammar yearbook shows Daniels was a prefect at the prestigious school he attended from 2014 to 2016. He represented the school in swimming, water polo, rugby and football. A blurb next to his school photograph in the yearbook also praises his academic excellence. Daniels was a prefect at Sydney's prestigious Knox Grammar School, where he attended for two years Neighbours and friends said they were struggling to comprehend the serious allegations against Daniels. The swim school where Daniels worked has so far declined to comment on the allegations but is helping police with their inquiries Employees at Mosman Swim Centre declined to comment on Daniels charges on Thursday, and requests to EzySwim, who run the school, have gone unanswered. At the cafe outside the swim school, owner Gerard said Daniels was friendly and was from a good family. 'Lovely boy, always polite,' he said. '[The charges were] such a surprise for everybody. 'He's from a good family, I just hope they survive what they are going through.' A neighbour in Balgowlah said the Daniels family were private people and had moved into the street a few months ago. 'They're respectable people, there's no problem there at all,' she said. 'The parents come and go together every morning... I hope they are okay. I hope the boy is okay and it all gets sorted out.' Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec said Daniels had been a causal instructor at the swim school for two years. Daniels (right) pictured at a Knox Grammar School function with his parents Det. Supt. Kerlatec said detectives would rely on other evidence as well as the statements of the two alleged victims. 'These young, brave kids put their hands up to mum and dad and said 'something happened,' he told reporters on Wednesday. 'That is exceptionally brave.' The swim centre said it had suspended Daniels's employment before police laid charges. On the website, the swim centre says it has 'a state-of-the-art, indoor, heated, 25 metre pool that is open to all members of the community'. Boeing claimed it recommended that the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily ban all 737 Max aircraft from U.S aviation space 'out of an abundance of caution.' However the U.S. aerospace manufacturer said that it is still confident in the aircraft's safety. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he is to ground all Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 aircraft. Boeing claimed it recommended that the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily ban its 737 Max aircraft from U.S aviation space 'out of an abundance of caution.' Pictured is an American Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 pulls into its gate at Miami International Airport The European Union, China, and Australia, among other countries, have grounded the Boeing 737 Max 8. Trump said he made the decision following conversations with Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg and acting FAA administrator Dan Elwell after 'new information' and 'physical evidence' emerged on tragic incidents involving the Max 8 aircraft. An Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed Sunday, shortly after taking off from Addis Ababa. All 157 people on aircraft perished. A Lion Air flight on a 737 Max 8 crashed in October in Indonesia, taking the lives of its 189 passengers and crew, too. Airlines have been notified that the Boeing Max aircraft are being taken out of circulation temporarily, and they are in agreement with the decision, Trump claimed. In a statement Boeing said: 'Boeing continues to have full confidence in the safety of the 737 Max. 'However, after consultation with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and aviation authorities and its customers around the world, Boeing has determined out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircraft's safety to recommend to the FAA the temporary suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of 371 737 Max aircraft.' Dennis Muilenburg, president and CEO of The Boeing Company, extended his sympathies to the families of people who had died in accidents involving the Boeing Max planes Any Max 7 or Max 8 plane that is currently in the air will be allowed to land, and then the planes will be grounded until further notice, Trump said in a surprise announcement Dennis Muilenburg, president, CEO, Chairman of The Boeing Company, extended his sympathies to the families of people who had died in accidents involving the Boeing Max planes. He added: 'We are supporting this proactive step out of an abundance of caution. Safety is a core value at Boeing for as long as we have been building airplanes; and it always will be. 'There is no greater priority for our company and our industry. 'We are doing everything we can to understand the cause of the accidents in partnership with the investigators, deploy safety enhancements and help ensure this does not happen again.' Boeing said it made the recommendation and supports the decision by the FAA. Boeing's shares shot back up after it released the statement, and the company was on track to close higher than it opened late Wednesday afternoon. President Trump says he is grounding all flights on the Boeing Max 8 and Max 9 - 'effective immediately' - in an emergency order of prohibition Airline pilots on at least two U.S.-flown Boeing 737 Max 8 planes had reported that the automated system caused the aircraft's nose to tilt down sharply and suddenly after take-off. The pilots said they were able to recover quickly following the aggressive dive - descending as fast as 1,500 feet per minute - by disconnecting the autopilot. However, the tilting problem did not appear related to the new automatic anti-stall system that's suspected of contributing to the deadly Indonesia crash on that aircraft model in October. The pilot reports were filed last year in a data base compiled by NASA. They are voluntary safety reports and do not publicly reveal the names of pilots, the airlines or the location of the incidents. More than 35 of the Boeing Max 8 and Max 9 planes were still in the air when Trump said he was grounding them as soon as they arrive at their destinations A breakdown of how many Boeing 737 Max 8 planes are in operation in different countries The Boeing Max 8 jet is now at the center of a growing global ban after more than 40 countries grounded the model following the second fatal crash in five months. American Airlines and Southwest Airlines operate the 737 Max 8, and United Airlines flies a slightly larger version, the Max 9. All three carriers vouched for the safety of Max aircraft on Wednesday before Trump's ban. It's unclear whether the two plane tilting reports led to any actions by the FAA or the pilots' airlines. An Ethiopian pilot who saw the crash site minutes after the disaster on Sunday said the plane appeared to have 'slid directly into the ground' In one report, an airline captain said that immediately after putting the plane on autopilot, the co-pilot called out 'Descending,' followed by an audio cockpit warning, 'Don't sink, don't sink!' The captain immediately disconnected the autopilot and resumed climbing. 'With the concerns with the MAX 8 nose down stuff, we both thought it appropriate to bring it to your attention,' the captain wrote. 'Best guess from me is airspeed fluctuation' due to a brief weather system overwhelming the plane's automation. Five people have been found dead inside a home after the house was found on fire in the Berkshires region of western Massachusetts. Fire crews responded to reports of a house fire in Sheffield, Massachusetts at around 7.50am on Wednesday, finding one body initially and then four others during a secondary search. The home was fully engulfed when fire crews arrived, taking nearly an hour to extinguish and allow for the searches. Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington would not specify the causes of death or answer reporters' questions at a press conference, saying only that the investigation was 'complicated.' Fire crews arrived around 7.50am on Wednesday to find the home fully involved. After putting out the blaze they found one body initially and four others during a secondary search In addition to fire crews, multiple criminal forensic units were spotted at the scene 'This is an ongoing, extensive investigation with multiple local and state agencies, including the State Police,' Harrington said, according to the Berkshire Edge. In addition to local fire crews, spotted at the scene were several specialized criminal forensic units with the Massachusetts State Police. They included the Crime Scene Services Section, forensic scientists assigned to the Crime Laboratory, and the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section. The fire occurred on the 1300 block of Home Road, a thinly settled country route. The road will be closed off through Thursday as the investigation continues, officials said. District Attorney Andrea Harrington, center, refused to answer reporters' questions and would not reveal a preliminary cause of death. She says merely that the investigation is 'complicated' Berkshire County Sheriff Department officers close off the road on Wednesday in Sheffield to a home where investigators work at the scene of a house fire that killed five people The identity, ages and genders of the five deceased individuals have not yet been released. According to public records, the land where the fire occurred is owned by Luke Edward Karpinski and Justine Wilbur. Karpinski and Wilbur purchased the lot that the home was later built on in June 2016 for $105,000, records show. Federal records show that a Luke E. Karpinski is employed as a Patent Examiner at the Patent and Trademark Office in Sheffield, with a salary of $109,116 in 2017. A Justine M. Wilbur works as a patent attorney with Hoffman Warnick in Albany, New York, about 50 miles from the home, according to the firm's website. The law firm did not immediately return a message seeking comment from DailyMail.com on Wednesday evening. A 20-year-old man has died after falling from the tray of a moving ute. The Melbourne man was sitting on the tray cover of a white Commodore ute when he fell on Sunday, police said. The vehicle was travelling on Cambridge Way, in Campbellfield, Melbourne's northern suburbs, when the young man tumbled to the ground at about 6pm. A 20-year-old man has died after falling from the tray cover of a white Commodore ute (pictured) He was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries on Sunday evening. He died in hospital on Wednesday night. The 19-year-old Broadmeadows man who was driving the ute was uninjured. He was arrested by police but was released pending enquiries. The cause of the crash is being investigated by Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives. An unfortunate kitten has been rushed into emergency surgery after it swallowed a Coles Stikeez collectable. The cat's owner, identified only as Lisa, said she noticed the cat was vomiting and quite lethargic and subsequently rushed her pet to the vet. 'I knew straight away that something wasn't right,' the veterinary nurse told Today Tonight. Lisa identified the warning signs and rushed the cat to emergency surgery - which saved its life but cost over $3,000 Lisa was able to save her cat but still had to pay around $3,000 in vet bills, although she said she had pet insurance. The cat lived because the symptoms were noticed early on, a factor that vet and Sydney University lecturer Dr Anne Fawcett said is crucial to survival. 'The procedure can be very complicated and very expensive,' she said. Dr Fawcett said incidents like this are very common in young animals and unfortunately she see's one to two cats die every year from swallowing foreign objects. Coles said the Stickeez are clearly labelled and are not appropriate for children under three Young animals and toddlers are naturally very curious and she said during this period it is very common them to consume potentially fatal objects. Early intervention is critical Dr Fawcett said, with vets often able to save the animal from suffering and an expensive operation 'It is quite common for them to ingest sewing needles, we see cats that eat plastic bread ties, hair ties, rubber bands, string, the corner of a yoga mat, liquid paper, a two-dollar coin and batteries.' The objects block the intestine and leave the kitten unable to digest food. Dr Fawcett encourages people to take their animals to hospital as soon as they notice a change in behaviour. 'Often if people bring in the animal early we can get the animal to throw it up which can save an expensive operation and a lot of suffering for the animal,' she said. 'Kittens need supervision and if you do need to check the room and think about what they can get to.' Coles said in a statement: 'Each pack of Stikeez is clearly labelled with appropriate warnings in accordance with safety labelling guidelines. 'In addition we have clear signage at the check outs for customers reminding them that Stikeez are not suitable for children under three years of age,' it said. A teenager has been charged over the alleged sexual assault of a woman at a busy train station. The 26-year-old woman was allegedly attacked at Flinders Street train station, Melbourne, at about 6.50pm on January 19. Two men approached the woman as she left the station before one of them allegedly touched her inappropriately from behind multiple times. Scroll down for video A teenager has been charged over the alleged sexual assault of a woman at a busy train station (pictured, police released CCTV footage of a man they hoped would be able to help with enquiries following the alleged sexual assault on January 19) The pair then reportedly fled toward Swanston Street. Police later released images and CCTV footage of the alleged incident in an attempt to track down a man they believed could assist with their enquiries. A 19-year-old man from Wallan - a town 45km north of the CBD - was promptly charged with two counts of sexual assault. The man has been bailed and will appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on May 30. The Senate has voted to end U.S. support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalition's war in Yemen, bringing Congress one step closer to a unprecedented rebuke of President Donald Trump's foreign policy. Lawmakers have never before invoked the decades-old War Powers Resolution to stop a foreign conflict, but they are poised to do just that in the bid to cut off U.S. support for a war that has triggered a humanitarian catastrophe. The vote puts Congress on a collision course with Trump, who has already threatened to veto the resolution, which the White House says raises 'serious constitutional concerns.' The measure was co-sponsored by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Sen. Mike Lee, R- Utah. Next, it will move to the Democratic-controlled House, where it is expected to pass. U.S. Senators voted Wednesday to end U.S. support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalition's war in Yemen, defying the wishes of President Trump From left, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, meet before holding a news conference on the Senate vote on ending U.S. support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalition fighting in Yemen, at the Capitol in Washington, on March 13, 2019 The resolution passed by a vote of 54 to 46, with seven Republicans breaking with Trump to back the resolution: Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Steve Daines of Montana, Mike Lee of Utah, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Todd Young of Indiana. 'The bottom line is that the United States should not be supporting a catastrophic war led by a despotic regime with an irresponsible foreign policy,' Sanders said on Wednesday from the Senate floor. He said a vote in favor of the measure would 'begin the process of reclaiming our constitutional authority by ending United States involvement in a war that has not been authorized by Congress and is unconstitutional.' In its statement threatening a veto, the White House argued the premise of the resolution is flawed and that it would undermine the fight against extremism. U.S. support for the Saudis does not constitute engaging in 'hostilities,' the statement said, and the Yemen resolution 'seeks to override the president's determination as commander in chief.' 'By defining 'hostilities' to include defense cooperation such as aerial refueling,' the White House statement said, the Yemen resolution could also 'establish bad precedent for future legislation.' Trump's support for Saudi Arabia has been a point of tension with Congress since the killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year. Lawmakers from both parties have criticized Trump for not condemning Saudi Arabia strongly enough for the killing. The war in Yemen has left thousands dead and millions on the brink of starvation The United Nations has called the war the world's worst humanitarian crisis Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., addressed those tensions when he urged his colleagues to oppose the measure. 'We should not use this specific vote on a specific policy decision as some proxy for all the Senate's broad feelings about foreign affairs. Concerns about Saudi human rights issues should be directly addressed with the administration and with Saudi officials,' McConnell said from the Senate floor. McConnell argued the Yemen resolution 'will not enhance America's diplomatic leverage' and will make it more difficult for the U.S. to help end the conflict in Yemen and minimize civilian casualties. Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, argued that U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition helps facilitate peace talks and withdrawing from the conflict would delay an eventual political settlement. 'We need to stay engaged (in Yemen) with the limited engagement we've had,' Risch said. A similar resolution to end support for the Yemen war passed the Senate in December, but it was not taken up by the then Republican-controlled House. Approaching its fifth year, the war in Yemen has killed thousands and left millions on the brink of starvation, creating what the United Nations called the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said before the vote that the resolution 'will be seen as a message to the Saudis that they need to clean up their act.' 'We are made weaker in the eyes of the world when we willingly participate in war crimes, when we allow our partners to engage in the slaughter of innocents,' Murphy said. Borce Ristevski's daughter Sarah was 'blindsided' by his sudden guilty plea to the manslaughter of her mother, Karen, after close to three years of his lies. Daily Mail Australia understands the couple's only daughter, Sarah, was surprised by the sudden guilty plea and hadn't expected it. In the latest twist in the long-running case, Borce sensationally pleaded guilty to the Melbourne shop owner's killing on Wednesday afternoon. Miss Ristevski was not present at the court during the pre-trial hearing. She wasn't allowed to be, as she had been listed as a prosecution witness in her father's trial. Since her mum's disappearance, Sarah has had to endure the loss of one parent, the callous betrayal of her father, and the public's macabre fascination with the case. Scroll down for video Borce Ristevski (right) has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter death of his wife Karen (centre), bringing the depth of his betrayal of his wife and daughter Sarah (left) into stark relief Ristevski was a pallbearer at the funeral of his wife - who he has now confessed to killing Sarah Ristevski led the procession at the funeral, holding a framed picture of her shop owner and fashion designer mum Sources with knowledge of the situation said '(Miss Ristevski) did not' anticipate the plea. Borce's sudden confession came after a Victorian Supreme Court judge ruled that crucial prosecution evidence of Borce's 'murderous intent' was inadmissible. Crown prosecutors hinged their murder charge on evidence about Borce's behaviour after Karen's disappearance in mid-2016. Karen's body, found wedged between two logs in a national park months after she vanished, was too badly decomposed for there to be a conclusive cause of death. Borce's manslaughter plea means he will avoid a life sentence, the maximum penalty for a murder charge. His trial was supposed to start today. The plea is the beginning of the end of the circus surrounding the Ristevski family, from which Sarah has suffered the most. In a haze after her mother's disappearance, Sarah had to stand by her father during a public appeal for information in mid-2016. It was then that the first questions were bluntly raised about Borce. 'Did you kill Karen, Borce?' a TV reporter asked the family patriarch. Borce did not answer. Television reporter Cameron Baud (right) boldly asked Borce Ristevski if he had killed Karen, bringing a media conference to a tearful end The media conference came to a swift, teary end. In private, Mr Ristevski blamed police for trying to 'pin' the crime on him, a court heard. After nine agonising months of mystery, Sarah's mother's body was found at the Mount Macedon Regional Park in February 2017. She mourned her mother at a funeral service attended by her father, listening as the crowd were regaled with tributes about the 'close' family unit. Borce acted as pallbearer and buried Karen at a cemetery in Williamstown, near one of the couple's favourite spots. The heat on Mr Ristevski began to escalate as time went by. He was hounded by the press. His own lawyer described him as the 'prime suspect' in Karen's killing. He was convicted in the most brutal court - that of public opinion. Borce was charged by police in December 2017. Karen Ristevski's body was found by horticulturalists at this site in early 2017 Borce Ristevski seen this week arriving at the Supreme Court complex in Melbourne Through it all, Miss Ristevski kept mum, confiding only in a small circle of family and friends. Last year, the young lady appeared in court at Borce's committal as a witness called by the prosecution. She made her first detailed public remarks about the case. Miss Ristevski told the court her mother tended to raise her voice in arguments and her dad was a 'calming influence'. 'Dad was always the calm one,' she said. The couple would often argue over their fashion boutique Bella Bleu, she said. The chain was struggling. Reports claimed Sarah did not make eye contact with her father, who was visibly emotional, during the hearing. The Crown prosecutor Matt Fisher was adamant Karen's death had been no accident. 'Something happened in the house,' he told the court. Sarah, after appearing at court 'The accused man engages in behaviour soon after he has either killed her or caused her serious injury.' Sarah admitted in court that her father's behaviour 'didn't make sense' in the days after her mother vanished. She questioned him about why his phone was switched off, the committal hearing was told. As read by Mr Fisher in court, Sarah said to Borce: 'You were out of the house for two hours. 'Your phone is off for two hours... They pinged you on the Calder (Freeway).' Borce responded: 'That's what they are trying to plant out there, Sarah.' 'That doesn't make sense,' Sarah said. 'Nothing makes sense because they're making it up as they go,' he replied. Miss Ristevski has resented the public fascination with her family's case. At the court hearing, Miss Ristevski said she had been 'basically stalked' by the media over the course of the hearing. She looked over at the assembled news reporters and said: 'Thanks for that'. The terrible spectacle surrounding her family will soon be over. Borce Ristevski will face a sentence of up to 20 years' imprisonment for Karen's death. Australia's minimum wage will be the highest in the world if Labor wins the next election and implements a new 'living wage'. Opposition leader Bill Shorten has supported a proposal made by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) to increase the wage minimum by $43 a week. The ACTU wants a 6 per cent increase to $762.20 a week up from $719.20 this year, to be increased to $852 a week within the next two years. That would be equal to 60 per cent of the median full time wage. Australia - currently ranked third behind Luxembourg and the Netherlands - would then have the highest minimum wage among OECD countries. The ACTU wants wages to increase to $852 a week within the next two years, which would make Australia's minimum wage the highest in the world OECD statistics reveal the Australian minimum wage is currently US$427.59 per week, not far behind Luxembourg at US$457.25 per week . There are 2.23 million Australians earning the minimum wage. 'The economy isn't working in the interests of everyone,' Mr Shorten said on Thursday while pushing for a wage increase. 'Australia is seeing record lows in wages growth, stagnant real wages and cuts to penalty rates.' Top five minimum wages 1. Luxembourg $457.25 per week 2. Netherlands $435.21 per week 3. Australia $427.59 per week 4. Germany $414.32 per week 5. Belgium $405.70 per week Source: OECD 2017 (US dollars adjusted for purchasing power) Advertisement 'While the balance is tipped away from working Australians, we are going to see more people forced into situations where they will have to take a second job.' But not all businesses think this idea is practical, and say it could result in higher prices. Council of Small Business Australia CEO Peter Strong said: 'A lot of small businesses would need to retrench by cutting down hours or letting staff go.' 'We're not against pay rises. This isn't a war between employers and employees. Staff know to have a job the business needs to be profitable.' Bill Shorten has supported a proposal made by the Australian Council of Trade Union to increase the wage minimum by $43 a week Firms selling junk food are exploiting regulatory loopholes to advertise products to millions of children online, experts warn. Food companies are fuelling the obesity crisis by using increasingly sophisticated methods to influence youngsters on the internet, according to a report by the World Health Organisation. In 2017 the Advertising Standards Authority banned junk food adverts from being shown when children make up 25 per cent or more of the audience. The rules encompass all types of media, but academics believe it is simple to get around them online because it is impossible to monitor who is viewing the content. Firms selling junk food are exploiting regulatory loopholes to advertise products to millions of children online, experts warn. Stock image of a woman with junk food. Food companies are fuelling the obesity crisis by using increasingly sophisticated methods to influence youngsters on the internet, according to a report by the World Health Organisation. Stock picture New marketing tactics include adverts in online games, witty viral campaigns on social media and product placements on YouTube videos seen by millions of children. Dr Joao Breda, WHO Europe programme manager for nutrition, physical activity and obesity, said: If you look at the marketing restrictions there are lots of loopholes. It is a wonderful world for marketeers. He said current regulations are now obsolete, adding: We are using the wrong ammunition for a very significant problem. Social media platforms make our restrictions void. Pressure is growing for tighter regulations on the food industry after years of voluntary agreements which have failed to tackle the obesity crisis. A third of children and two-thirds of adults in Britain are now overweight, contributing to soaring rates of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. In 2017 the Advertising Standards Authority banned junk food adverts from being shown when children make up 25 per cent or more of the audience. Stock image A senior adviser to Public Health England yesterday called for junk food companies to be banned from all marketing activities until they can prove their adverts are not reaching children. Professor Nick Sheron said: They claim to be regulating themselves, they claim to restrict their marketing to this mythical 25 per cent market share but they dont have the data to do that. So they cant even comply with their own self-regulation. Dr Mimi Tatlow-Golden, a lecturer in child psychology at The Open University, said junk food firms and the advertising industry have made a big show of restricting TV adverts, but that this is eliminating marketing where most children are not. She added: If you talk about targeting children, its very easy for them to say, We are not targeting children, we are just sending these messages to people who like Ariana Grande. We know almost nothing and the people who are running the systems know everything. This is the kind of war we are in. A spokesman for the Advertising Standards Authority said: Were monitoring childrens exposure to age-restricted online ads as part of our pro-active enforcement. Facebook blamed a 'database overload' for the most severe outage in its history today after normal service was restored globally following 14 hours of problems. Social media users in parts of the US, Europe, South America and Japan were worst hit by the problems which also affected its apps Instagram and WhatsApp. All of the networks appear to now be working again, and staff at the California-based company denied it was targeted by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. The last time Facebook was disrupted to a similar extent was in 2008, when the website had 150m users - compared to around 2.3billion monthly users today. Outage hotspots for Facebook are shown in the map above - with the US and Europe badly hit A source told NBC Bay Area its database was 'overloaded', adding: 'We are racing to spin up new machines as others go down. Mostly resolved... but it takes time.' Issues with accessing the website began last night and by this morning most users had their service restored, although some people could still not log in. Facebook, which gets much its revenue from advertising, was still investigating the overall impact today 'including the possibility of refunds for advertisers'. A Facebook spokesman tweeted shortly before 6pm last night: 'We're aware that some people are currently having trouble accessing the Facebook family of apps. 'We're focused on working to resolve the issue as soon as possible, but can confirm that the issue is not related to a DDoS attack.' Facebook insisted it had not been targeted by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack Facebook has not yet provided a further update, but at 4.40am Instagram tweeted an image of Oprah Winfrey screaming and said: 'Anddddd... we're back.' Social media users flocked to Twitter to complain about the outage, with more than a third of affected Facebook users reporting a 'total blackout.' Others said they could not refresh the News Feed or log into their accounts. Similar problems cropped up on Facebook Messenger at roughly the same time. Meanwhile Instagram users reported being unable to refresh the feed, log in, or access the desktop site, while Messenger users were not receiving messages. Many people said they turn to Twitter to check if other websites are down, noting that the platform is always 'standing strong' despite service issues elsewhere. Others took the opportunity to joke about Facebook's recent privacy scandals, with one saying: 'Pages won't load. I'm sure they're busy loading new algorithms to sell your data and spy on you better and more efficiently.' Facebook users expressed their outrage on Twitter with the #facebookdown hashtag. 'Ya'll, I haven't gotten my daily dosage of dank memes and I think that's why I'm cranky. #FacebookDown,' user Mayra Mesina tweeted. In a DDoS attack, hackers use computer networks they control to send such a large number of requests for information from websites that servers that host them can no longer handle the traffic and the sites become unreachable. 'I survived the great social media outage of 2019': Celebrities, politicians, and even Denny's post hilarious memes and crack jokes on Twitter after Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp ALL went down for at least eight HOUR By Anneta Konstantinides For Dailymail.Com The world had to go on without Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp yesterday, and even celebrities couldn't help but panic a little. Hollywood took to Twitter along with thousands of people across the globe to complain or crack jokes about the social media outage. Bachelor star Colton Underwood called out Instagram for shutting down on the very day he was allowed to publicly flaunt his new relationship following the show's finale. 'Yo @instagram I just went public with my girlfriend last night and I have to post a few more pictures of us to be annoying/show her off,' he said, referring to Bachelor winner Cassie Randolph. 'Can you fix yourself soon?' he added. Mindy Kaling, who has long been active on Twitter, hoped that the Instagram and Facebook outage would win her some new fans. Bachelor star Colton Underwood called out Instagram for shutting down on the very day he was allowed to publicly flaunt his new relationship following the show's finale Even Denny's got in on the fun, using the social media breakdown as the perfect time to advertise its hours Mindy Kaling, who has long been active on Twitter, hoped that the Instagram and Facebook outage would win her some new fans 'Instagram and Facebook are down so here we are. Crossing my fingers this is my best performing tweet yet #instagramdown,' she joked. Tommy Wiseau, star of cult classic The Room, also took the opportunity to welcome new fans who may have stumbled upon his account during the outage. 'Facebook is down ! Instagram is down ! Welcome to my twitter !' he wrote, including a video of himself telling everyone to 'have a groovy time'. Even Denny's got in on the fun, using the social media breakdown as the perfect time to advertise its hours. 'Instagram and Facebook are down but Denny's is always open,' the diner quipped. Democratic Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joked that the Instagram outage meant she couldn't document her furniture shopping trip to her millions of followers Lindsay Lohan had a simple message for Instagram, although it was unclear if she believed she had the solution or just wanted to complain to someone personally Tommy Wiseau, star of cult classic The Room, took the opportunity to welcome new fans who may have stumbled upon his account during outage Democratic Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joked that the Instagram outage meant she couldn't document a furniture shopping trip to her millions of followers. 'Is Instagram still down? Bc after 2 months almost furnitureless in DC I am trying to take you all on the riveting adventure of getting: a chair,' she tweeted. Lindsay Lohan had a simple message for Instagram, although it was unclear if she believed she had the solution or just wanted to complain to someone personally. '@instagram please contact me,' she tweeted. Former Nickelodeon star Josh Peck took the opportunity to fire off a number of jokes at the expense of Instagram influencers and the sponsored content often on display in the app Former Nickelodeon star Josh Peck took the opportunity to fire off a number of jokes at the expense of Instagram influencers and the sponsored content often on display in the app. 'With Facebook and Instagram down, 250 models just became dental hygienists,' one tweet read. 'With Facebook and Instagram down, every Fit Tea has filed for bankruptcy,' Peck joked in another. Even Instagram had to take to Twitter to explain the situation. 'We're aware of an issue impacting people's access to Instagram right now. We know this is frustrating, and our team is hard at work to resolve this ASAP,' it wrote. Many just took to Twitter to post the selfies and videos they would have posted on Instagram, while others were having plenty of fun posting memes about the so-called social media crisis But many just took to Twitter to post the selfies and videos they would have shared on Instagram, while others were having plenty of fun posting memes about the so-called social media crisis. 'God I'm so happy Instagram is still not working, I hope it stays down, finally the hot people will have to come here and learn to be funny to get attention like the rest of us,' joked Marie Le Conte. 'I ATE TWO MEALS INSTAGRAM AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO POST THEM. MY FANS ARE GOING TO THINK I AM STARVING,' one user tweeted. One Twitter user posted a picture of Tom Anderson, the founder of Myspace, and wrote: 'My man has been waiting for this day'. Many joked about people's panic over the social media blackout, while others poked fun at themselves for simply going straight to Twitter 'All Instagram models realizing they have to look for new jobs since they are now unemployed,' another user quipped. Comedian John Fugelsang joked about how he would explain the event to his children. 'Son, I wasn't alive for the Donner Party or Pearl Harbor; but I am old enough to remember when both Facebook and Instagram were down at the same time during that terrible winter of '19,' he tweeted. Others joked about the panic that Instagram and Facebook must have been feeling during the global outage A have-a-go hero nurse was bitten after he tried to remove a baby red-bellied black snake at an aged care home. Luke Huntley, from Snake Catchers Noosa, was called to the facility in the Sunshine Coast, after the male nurse, aged in his 40s, was bitten on Wednesday at about 10am. Staff quickly wrapped the nurse's hand, rushed him to hospital and put a bin over the snake with a warning sign. Mr Huntley, 26, has advised anyone who spots a snake to 'always step back' and to 'leave it to the professionals because it is so much safer'. A have-a-go hero nurse was bitten after he tried to remove a baby red-bellied black snake at an aged care home Staff quickly wrapped the nurse's hand, rushed him to hospital and put a bin over the snake with a warning sign 'I find that men always seem to be the ones who try to catch snakes, instead of calling in a snake catcher and that's dangerous,' Mr Huntley told Daily Mail Australia. 'You don't need to assert your manhood. Just let me do my job.' Mr Huntley said the red-bellied snake was the third one he had caught in the aged care home in the past month. 'It was only about five inches long and born in the past week or two. It's definitely a baby,' he said. 'I think because he thought it was so small it wouldn't be a problem. 'It doesn't matter if it's a baby or an adult. The strength of the venom is exactly the same.' Mr Huntley (pictured) said it was common for snakes to sneak into the site because it was located near a creek, which is a common habitat for the reptiles Mr Huntley said it was common for snakes to sneak into the site because it was located near a creek, which is the ideal habitat for the reptiles. Red-bellied black snakes are commonly found in the Sunshine Coast. In 2018 two people died from red-bellied black snakes bites in Australia. Armed police stormed a school in York where a 15-year-old pupil 'threatened to kill 30 children' on the 23rd anniversary of the Dunblane massacre. The Joseph Rowntree School was placed in lockdown yesterday before police arrested a pupil on suspicion of making threats on social media platforms. Pupils claimed that a 15-year-old classmate had recorded the names of all those he intended to kill in a chilling 'kill list' in his diary. The youngster is said to have highlighted March 13 on his school planner, telling terrified classmates that would be the day they would die. The Joseph Rowntree School (pictured above) where a pupil had threatened class mates He also wrote around 30 names of his intended victims in marker pen on a toilet door at the school. One woman, mother-of four Lisa Prince told the Sun that one of her children had been on the alleged 'kill list'. The 47-year-old pharmaceutical representative from York said: 'The boy said 'today was the day'. Thomas Hamilton (pictured above) shot dead 16 school children and their teacher 'I can't believe the school is still playing it down when it is the anniversary of Dunblane. 'It is a pretty big coincidence he chose the same date. It is unbelievable.' Her son Harry, 15, said: 'It was all people in our year group who had been winding him up or he just disliked. 'He had the date on his school planner for weeks and showed it to people. Everyone was worried about what might happen. 'School was virtually empty.' The massacre in Dunblane remains the deadliest mass shooting in British history, after Thomas Hamilton shot dead 16 primary school children and one teacher before killing himself in 1996. Scene outside the entrance to Dunblane Primary school (pictured above) The police handout picture shows the Primary 1 class at Dunblane Primary School, pictured with teacher Gwenne Mayor, In a statement North Yorkshire Police said: 'At around 9.30am we took a teenage boy into custody after receiving information that threats had been made on social media. 'We realise the sight of police officers at the school caused concern. However we hope parents are reassured that we take all such allegations seriously. 'There will be a full investigation into the allegations to determine who was responsible.' The school said in a statement: 'Following posts which appeared overnight on social media the school worked with the police to ensure that they had a presence at the school first thing this morning to reassure parents and students. 'We can assure the local community that the school is open, our students are safe and we continue to work with the police to ensure that that all potential threats are looked into fully in the appropriate way.' Concerned parents at a California elementary school say that radiation from a campus cell phone tower has given four young students cancer. Joe Prime's son Kyle was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2016. He was the first of the four children at Weston Elementary to be diagnosed. 'It just seems like coincidence is no longer a reason for all this illness,' Prime told CBS 13 this week. 'Kids shouldn't be guinea pigs and we shouldn't be taking chances with the children's lives.' Monica Ferruilli, whose son Mason has a brain tumor and was the second student diagnosed, said the 10-year-old walked by the tower she believes is harming the children on a daily basis. 'We had a doctor tell us that it's 100 percent environmental, the kind of tumor that he has,' she told CBS. Scroll down for video Concerned parents at Weston Elementary School in Ripon, California, say that radiation from a campus cell phone tower has given four students cancer. Ten-year-old Mason Ferrulli, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2017, is seen above in a photo from his GoFundMe page Officials with the Ripon Unified School District have said there are no plans to remove the tower (circled in red) because it meets federal regulations and poses no danger to students Under pressure from parents, the Ripon Unified School District has had several tests done which indicated that the mast meets federal regulations and poses no danger to students. However, many San Joaquin County families weren't convinced and brought in their own expert, electromagnetic radiation specialist Eric Windheim. 'I wouldn't send my kids there at all, it absolutely is dangerous,' Windheim told CBS. 'Children are still developing and their cells are still being divided. It's the worst possible time in their life to be exposed.' Mason's mother Monica Ferrulli told CBS: 'We had a doctor tell us that it's 100 percent environmental, the kind of tumor that he has' Parents have accused officials of refusing to remove the tower because the district gets a $2,000 monthly kickback from the telephone company for having it on the property. The district has not addressed those claims. 'It's a real disappointment that it's taking moms of sick children and dads of sick children to come out and say something needs to be done,' Prime said. Ferrulli, whose son is undergoing brain cancer treatments, said the parents will not stop advocating for their kids. 'There's a lot of kids that we love that still go to the school, so we are fighting for them,' Ferrulli said. She shared photos on Facebook of a parents meeting held Monday. 'Amazing support from Ripon community today!!! This is what we need to make a difference!' she wrote in the caption. 'Kellie [another parent] and I will continue to fight for the removal of these towers if we continue to get this kind of support!' A GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Mason's medical care has raised more than $15,000. Parents and teachers who struggle with maths are passing on their anxieties to children, a study says. Researchers found pupils as young as six suffer from a range of negative emotions in connection with the subject, from rage to despair. They said it is causing behaviour problems and should be considered a real concern. Parents and teachers who struggle with maths are passing on their anxieties to children, a study says. Stock image The Cambridge University study, based on interviews with primary and secondary pupils, found even those who were good at the subject had maths anxiety. Girls suffer worse than boys, suggesting parents who believe maths is a boys subject are passing on gender stereotypes. The authors said: Teachers and parents need to be conscious of the fact that their own mathematics anxiety might influence students. The study comes after recent reports showing adult numeracy rates are tumbling. Advertisement China has offered to help Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro get the lights back on in the country's second largest city following 'madness' of its worst ever blackout. The Venezuelan government had scrambled on Wednesday to return power to the Western city of Jose, following heavy looting. With China offering to provide help and technical support to restore electricity, backing Maduro's assertion that the problem was the result of sabotage. Shocking pictures show empty stores where even shop signs have been looted - to empty warehouses with little left inside. Power had returned to many parts of the country after a nationwide outage last week, with Jose, which is crucial for oil exports, resuming operations. The government said people could return to work on Thursday, following several consecutive public holidays due to the lack of electricity. Across the city looters smashed shop windows and made off with goods across 300 businesses along the border with Colombia. General view inside a supermarkert looted during the massive blackout that has paralyzed Venezuela for six days, in Maracaibo People carry containers to fill with water at Avila National Park during rolling blackouts which has cut many off from running water in Caracas The hallway of a mall is trashed after stores stand empty one day after it was looted in Maracaibo on Wednesday In Maracaibo, once known for flashy displays of oil wealth, people bought food at the few business that remained open. Gasoline lines stretched for blocks. 'In my house I have one kilo of rice and one kilo of lentils,' said Jose Navas, 53, a security guard. 'That's what I'll eat today. What will I eat tomorrow? This is really bad.' In a statement, the Zulia chapter of business organization Fedecamaras said : 'About 100 people came into the store and took all the food, the point of sale terminals,' said Maria Centeno, 29, the owner of a store selling food and furniture that was looted on Sunday. 'They were people from the community. The police came by and they told me to sort it out myself.' View inside a store on the border state of Zulia. Crates can be seen lying empty in a store where a sign reads 'Festival del Mar', which celebrates all things of the sea The inside of a looted shop where signs for soft drinks still remain despite the good of the store having been completed looted Following the wave of pillaging on Sunday, many businesses sold off their remaining merchandise on the cheap for fear of more looting. The country's top food company, Empresas Polar, said four facilities in Maracaibo, Venezuela's biggest city after Caracas, had been sacked this week, with looters making off with water, soft drinks and pasta. The supplier reported the loss of large quantities of food, water and other drinks, vehicles, computers, office furniture and other items. During the power outage people were also pictured carrying containers to fill with water at Avila National Park during the rolling blackouts which has cut many off from running water in Caracas. Rubbish and empty boxes and carts lay on the floor in an empty wholesalers which was looted during the blackout The blackouts have marked another harsh blow to a country paralysed by turmoil as the power struggle between President Maduro and opposition leader Juan Guaido stretched into its second month. Maduro's critics have insisted that rampant corruption and a decade of incompetent management by state authorities were to blame for the blackout. A technical problem with transmission lines linking the Guri hydroelectric plant in southeastern Venezuela to the national power grid likely caused the blackout, former energy company officials and local engineers have told Reuters. Despite the resumption of shipments from Jose, Venezuela's oil industry is struggling with the impact of U.S. sanctions on state oil company PetrAleos de Venezuela, S.A., or PDVSA . Two storage tanks exploded at the Petro San Felix heavy-crude upgrading project on Wednesday, sources said. Even the signs in the wholesale supermarket had been looted as disdain grows among local people following the country's political turmoil A man fills containers with water flowing down from the Wuaraira Repano mountain, also called "El Avila", in Caracas on March 13 after the blackout left millions without running water With Maduro still in control of state functions and retaining the loyalty of the armed forces, Norway's foreign ministry said on Wednesday it would be prepared to act as a mediator or facilitator of talks between the government and opposition. 'We are in contact with both sides in Venezuela and can contribute if they so wish,' said a Norwegian foreign ministry spokeswoman. The Nordic nation, which has not recognized Guaido as the president, has a long history of brokering peace processes worldwide, most recently when it helped seal a 2016 deal between the government of Colombia and Marxist FARC rebels. Juan Guaido (pictured above) in January invoked the constitution to assume an interim presidency Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaking during a broadcast about the blackouts that affect the country in Caracas, Venezuela But dialogue with Maduro is a nonstarter for many opponents, who accuse him of using previous negotiations to buy time and divide the opposition. 'Our position is the same: the conditions are not ripe for mediation or dialogue,' said opposition legislator Fernando Sucre, adding that there had not been talks with Norway. 'The agony of the Venezuelan people has increased because of the electricity disaster, and it cannot keep being extended.' Venezuela, which has long suffered from high crime rates and shortages of basic goods, plunged into a deep political crisis in January when Juan Guaido, head of the opposition-controlled congress, invoked the constitution to assume an interim presidency, arguing Maduro's 2018 re-election was not legitimate. The move has put Venezuela at the heart of a geopolitical tussle, with the United States leading most Western nations in recognizing Guaido as the legitimate head of state, while Russia, China and others support Maduro. The United States is preparing to withdraw its remaining diplomats from Venezuela, an effort that will not involve the U.S. military, after Maduro on Tuesday ordered them to leave within 72 hours. The checkout at the wholesalers is completed empty. A priority lane sign is shown (left) which was left behind by the looters Police issued a plea for social media users not call them when Facebook and Instagram went down on Thursday morning. Thousands of users found themselves unable to connect to social media for eight hours until 11am Australian Eastern Daylight Time. Police in Canterbury, New Zealand wrote on Twitter: 'We know. Our Facebook and Instagram haven't been working either. 'Unfortunately we cannot do anything about this because, you know, they're based in America and we're the Police. So please don't call us to report this. Pretty please.' A slew of Facebook -owned social media sites are running again following hours-long outages worldwide on Wednesday. Outage hotspots for Facebook are shown in the map above Police issued a plea for social media users not call them when Facebook and Instagram went down on Thursday morning Joining the fun, South Australia State Emergency Service wrote on Twitter: 'We know Facebook & Instagram are down. Please don't call triple zero to let us know' A spokesman told Daily Mail Australia that police had not received any calls and the message was sent as a joke. Joining the fun, South Australia State Emergency Service wrote on Twitter: 'We know Facebook & Instagram are down. Please don't call triple zero to let us know.' On Thursday morning Sunrise presenter Natalie Barr said Queensland police had issued a warning to dismayed social media users not to call Triple Zero. But a Queensland Police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia no such warning was issued and they had received no calls about the issue. Facebook, Instagram and Messenger crashed primarily in major urban areas across the United States and Europe, along with parts of South America and Australia and New Zealand. On Tuesday morning Sunrise presenter Natalie Barr sad that Queensland police had issued a warning to dismayed social media users not to call Triple Zero. But a Queensland Police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia no such warning was issued and they had received no calls about the issue WhatsApp - also owned by Facebook - was affected by spotty service issues as well, though it did not appear to have been hit as hard as the other apps. When confirming the platform-wide issue, Facebook shut down speculation that the site may have been targeted by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. 'We're aware that some people are currently having trouble accessing the Facebook family of apps,' the firm Tweeted about two hours into the outage. 'We're working to resolve the issue as soon as possible.' 'We're focused on working to resolve the issue as soon as possible, but can confirm that the issue is not related to a DDoS attack,' Facebook later added. Social media users flocked to Twitter to complain about the outage after finding that not only is Facebook down, but Instagram is too. More than a third of Facebook users affected by the outage reported that they were experiencing a 'total blackout.' Others said they could not refresh the News Feed or log into their accounts. Similar problems cropped up on Instagram and Messenger at roughly the same time. While there has been speculation that the site may have been targeted by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack, the firm said this is not the case Instagram users have reported being unable to refresh the feed, log in, or access the desktop site. On Messenger, many users were not able to connect to the server at all and reported that they were not receiving messages. Many were quick to point out that they are frequently turning to Twitter to check if other websites are down, noting that the platform somehow is always 'standing strong' despite service issues elsewhere. Others took the opportunity to joke about Facebook's recent privacy scandals. 'Pages won't load. I'm sure they're busy loading new algorithms to sell your data & spy on you better and more efficiently,' one users tweeted. A British man has been remanded in custody on the Costa del Sol while police investigate his wifes murder. Geoffrey Elton, 55, is being investigated over the stabbing of Gloria Tornay, pictured with him, at the estranged couples 450,000 villa in Estepona, Spain. Police enquiries are centred on whether the retired businessman tried to kill himself after murdering his 58-year-old wife of 30 years on Saturday. Geoffrey Elton is being held in custody over the murder of his wife Gloria (pictured having lunch together shortly before her murder in Spain) Police officers saved his life after forcing their way into the couple's home and rushing him to hospital where he spent the night before being transferred to a police station. It was reported locally on Wednesday that Gloria was planning on leaving her husband, who quit work before the age of 50 after running a successful satellite TV installation firm. Neighbours said he had quit the marital home briefly around two years ago after meeting another woman he had an affair with. Geoffrey Elton, 55 appeared in handcuffs at court this morning after being arrested on March 10 after his Spanish wife was found dead at their luxury coastal villa One acquaintance claimed his behaviour had become increasingly paranoid in recent months. She said: 'Geoffrey would worry about people having their phones with them if they were in the same room. 'He would say he thought his family might be listening in to his conversations. He called them the mafia. 'He was never the going-out type but he would spend all day inside his house of late. He had cameras everywhere. Police believe Geoffrey tried to kill himself after killing his wife on Saturday but forced their way into the couple's apartment and rushed him to hospital 'I thought he should have sought medical attention but I think he refused. But although I knew he had difficulties, I never saw this coming.' Officials said the expat, believed to have been married to his wife for around 30 years, would continue to be probed as part of an ongoing homicide investigation after his court appearance on Tuesday. One said: 'Court of Investigation Number Three, which deals with cases of violence against women, has ordered the provisional remand in prison of the man arrested for killing his wife in Estepona. 'The court is initially investigating him for a crime of homicide pending the receipt of other information such as the definitive autopsy report.' An Irish man has been extradited from Melbourne to Sydney over his involvement a trading scam targeting elderly homeowners. Footage shows the 20-year-old being escorted from Sydney Airport to a waiting police car by stony-faced officers on Thursday morning. The man rose his handcuffed hands high above his head and pulled his t-shirt up over his face. The accused is allegedly part of a four-man roof repair scamming operation in Sydney's south. The group has allegedly targeted elderly homeowners by dropping fake flyers into their letterboxes and conning them out of thousands of dollars. The 20-year-old Irish national (pictured) was the third to be arrested and was caught just as he tried to board a flight to Shanghai, China - it is alleged he is a part of a four-man roofing scam operation in Sydney The 20-year-old was arrested on March 11 trying to flee Australia at Melbourne's Tullamarine airport with a boarding pass to Shanghai, China. Days earlier, on March 7, a 20-year-old Irish national was arrested at Sydney Airport, attempting to flee to the United Kingdom, with three watches valued around $73,000 along with $8,000 cash stuffed into his luggage. He was charged with aggravated break and enter and denied police bail. On March 9, a 22-year-old Irish national was also arrested at Sydney airport as he tried to board a flight to Qatar, he also had a large amount of cash and jewellery in his luggage. He was charged with fraud and deal in proceeds of crime; and refused police bail. Police were alerted to the scammers after a 72-year-old man from Brexley, near Rockdale, Sydney, notified them after he was after he was charged $13,000 for repairs but was left with holes in his roof. St George Detectives hid in the elderly man's home and waited for the four men to return. When they came back they saw police and ran - leaving their parked car behind, 2GB reports. After his extradition to NSW on Thursday, the 20-year-old will be charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception and will appear in Sutherland Local Court on the same day. A fourth alleged offender is still yet to be caught by police. Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. A two-year-old boy who died after his home erupted in flames has been remembered as a loveable and jovial toddler. Yajkiehn Clarke was found in a bedroom of his family's Great Ocean Road home in Nullawarre, south-west Victoria, on Wednesday. Emergency services were called to the property at about 9.15am after reports a house was on fire. Two men, a woman, and two children were taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation but have since been released. A two-year-old boy who died after his home erupted in flames has been remembered as a loveable and jovial toddler Lenny Clarke, the toddler's great uncle and an Indigenous Elder, told The Warrnambool Standard that Yajkiehn was friendly with everyone. 'He was a jovial little fella. He was just like his father (Brett), he accepted everyone,' he said. Mr Clarke said the incident had taken a terrible toll on the community and families involved. 'We are talking about a family that is in absolute devastation and has been left absolutely homeless,' he said. 'But there is no doubt that everyone in that community will pull together. We must stand with them, walk with them, feel their grief and see what we can all do as a community.' The toddler's father is well-known in the Indigenous community as a custodian of Gunditjmara and Kirrae Whurrong people. Yajkiehn Clarke was found in a bedroom of his family's Great Ocean Road home in Nullawarre, south-west Victoria, on Wednesday Emergency services were called to the property at about 9.15am after reports a house was on fire Warrnambool police Acting Inspector David Reither said the incident was 'tragic circumstances for all involved'. 'The child was located in a bedroom in the house, so tragic circumstances for all involved,' Det Snr Sgt Reither said, 9News reported. 'We believe the fire commenced in the rear of the property somewhere.' An arson chemist is attending the scene to establish the cause of the fire. A teenager who was high on GHB when she lost control of her car and tragically killed her younger friend will spend at least three years behind bars. Taylah Perrin was 18 years old when she and private schoolgirl Georgia Foran, 16, made the decision to drive under the influence of the date-rape drug, GHB in July 2017. Perrin lost control of the car, which crashed in Frankston, Melbourne, leaving Ms Foran with catastrophic injuries. The 16-year-old died in hospital surrounded by family three weeks later. Ms Foran was a beloved student at the elite Toorak College, which released a statement after her death saying she would be 'sadly missed' in the school community. Taylah Perrin (pictured), now 20, was behind the wheel and under the influence of date-rape drug, GBH The County Court heard 'not a day goes by' that Perrin, now 20, doesn't think of her friend, about the crash, and about the 'stupidest decision' of her life. 'I have no doubt you feel dreadful guilt for your actions,' Judge Julie Condon said. The judge found she had genuine remorse and insight to know her pain was nothing compared to her friend's family. The drug and its potent sedative effect was unfamiliar to Perrin, who had experimented for the first time just the night before the deadly crash. 16-year-old Georgia Foran was killed in a car accident while she and her friend were taking GHB She died in hospital three weeks after the initial accident, surrounded by loved ones But Judge Condon said her inexperience didn't matter. Driving is an adult responsibility and it's implicit 'driving and drugs simply do not mix', she told the aspiring criminologist, who must serve at least three years of a five year sentence before she's eligible for parole. 'Sadly, it is a case like so many,' she said. The judge said Perrin's case was an example to young drivers of the consequences of culpable driving, an offence frequently committed by young drivers, who must be deterred. Perrin cried as she was sentenced, as did many of Ms Foran's friends in court supporting her parents and younger brother. The judge said Perrin's (pictured) case was an example to young drivers of the consequences of culpable driving Perrin initially denied using drugs on the night of July 13, but admitted lying when confronted with drug test results 'By your actions, you have caused devastating loss,' Judge Condon told her. Michael Foran described a hole deep in his soul, thinking about the milestones his daughter would miss, including opening her own beauty business. 'My daughter had the most amazing future before her,' mother Nadia said in a letter, quoted by the judge. Perrin initially denied using drugs on the night of July 13, but admitted lying when confronted with drug test results. Feeling the effects of GHB, Perrin ran a red light and slammed into a pole Taylah Perrin was 18 years old when she and her friend, Georgia Foran, 16, made the decision to drive through Frankston (pictured) under the influence of the date-rape drug, GHB in July 2017 They'd both used about 3ml of GHB in a car park that evening. Ms Foran planned to meet her boyfriend, getting a ride with Perrin. At 9.35pm, Ms Foran told her boyfriend via text message Perrin had nearly caused a crash. Five minutes later, feeling the effects of GHB, Perrin ran a red light and slammed into a pole. Judge Condon ordered Perrin serve her sentence in prison. Given her age, the Adult Parole Board will determine if any or all of it is served in a youth justice centre. Facebook is being investigated for allegedly sharing its users' data with dozens of tech companies without their knowledge. Prosecutors are conducting a criminal investigation into data deals struck by the social media giant with some of the worlds largest technology companies amid intense scrutiny of the firm in recent years. A New York grand jury has subpoenaed records from two smartphone makers involved in the partnerships, anonymous sources told The New York Times. Facebook is being investigated for allegedly sharing its users' data with dozens of tech companies without their knowledge. CEO Mark Zuckerberg (pictured) has faced questioning over how user data is handled It is understood that data shared without users' knowledge included friends' names, genders and birth dates. Facebook claimed in June that it provided dozens of tech companies with special access to user data after publicly saying it restricted such access in 2015. The New York Times reported that Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and Sony, cut data sharing deals with the worlds dominant social media platform. However, Facebook continued sharing information with 61 hardware and software makers after it said it discontinued the practice in May 2015. The agreements let the companies see users friends, contact information and other data, sometimes without consent. Facebook has phased out most of the partnerships over the past two years. A spokesman for the social network said: 'We are cooperating with investigators and take those probes seriously. 'Weve provided public testimony, answered questions and pledged that we will continue to do so.' Facebook claimed in June that it provided dozens of tech companies with special access to user data after publicly saying it restricted such access in 2015 Facebook is facing a slew of lawsuits and regulatory inquiries over its privacy practices, including ongoing investigations by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission and two state agencies in New York It is not known when the grand jury inquiry, overseen by prosecutors with the United States attorneys office for the Eastern District of New York, began or exactly what it is focusing on. Facebook is facing a slew of lawsuits and regulatory inquiries over its privacy practices, including ongoing investigations by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission and two state agencies in New York. In addition to looking at the data deals, the probes focus on disclosures that the company shared the user data of 87 million people with Cambridge Analytica, a British consulting firm that worked with U.S. President Donald Trump's campaign. Since then, Facebook CEO Marc Zuckerberg has testified in front of Congress and the European Parliament to answer questions about Facebook's handling of user data. In April Zuckerberg took questions for nearly five hours in a Senate hearing without making any further promises to support new legislation or change how the social network does business, foiling attempts by senators to pin him down. A mural decorates one of the many open space work areas at the Facebook headquarters in Menlo Park, California Mark Zuckerberg (left) and his wife Priscilla Chan (right) attend the 2019 Breakthrough Prize at NASA Ames Research Center last November Zuckerberg faced broad concerns from members of Congress about how Facebook shares user data. 'How can consumers have control over their data when Facebook does not have control over the data?' asked Representative Frank Pallone of New Jersey, the ranking Democrat on the Energy and Commerce committee. The latest estimate of affected users is up to 87 million. Patience with the social network had already worn thin among users, advertisers and investors after the company said last year that Russia used Facebook for years to try to sway U.S. politics, an allegation Moscow denies. Lawmakers have sought assurances that Facebook can effectively police itself, and few came away from the hearing expressing confidence in the social network. 'I don't want to vote to have to regulate Facebook, but by God, I will,' Republican Senator John Kennedy told Zuckerberg on Tuesday. 'A lot of that depends on you.' Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg has taken hits to her reputation as she continues to be the frontwoman for Facebook's excuses over its privacy shortfalls Zuckerberg deflected requests to support specific legislation. Pressed repeatedly last year by Democratic Sen. Ed Markey to endorse a proposed law that would require companies to get people's permission before sharing personal information, Zuckerberg agreed to further talks. 'In principle, I think that makes sense, and the details matter, and I look forward to having our team work with you on fleshing that out,' Zuckerberg said. Facebook has defended the data-sharing deals, first reported in December, saying none of the partnerships gave companies access to information without people's permission. A spokesman for the United States attorney's office for the Eastern District of New York, which The New York Times reported is overseeing the inquiry, said he could not confirm or deny the probe. Cambridge Analytica's former CEO Alexander Nix arrives to give evidence to Parliament's Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee at Portcullis House in central London last year Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg has taken hits to her reputation as she continues to be the frontwoman for Facebook's excuses over its privacy shortfalls. It emerged last month that the company took advantage of Apple's enterprise developer certificate, which enables companies to distribute apps internally, to create an app that paid users as young as 13 to share their phone activity with Facebook. Among the data collected from teens by the app was all of their phone and web activity, information on apps they installed, when they used them and what they did on them. 'I want to be clear what this is. This is a Facebook research app,' Sandberg told CNBC. 'It's completely opt-in. There is a rigorous consent flow and people are compensated. 'The important thing is that people involved in that research project knew they were involved and consented.' A school has sent an emergency warning to parents about a cereal bar which has 'hallucinogenic' properties and is making children 'violently ill'. St Alban's primary and nursery school in central London claim a pupil was found with a snack called 'Astrosnacks', which caused severe sickness. Police are currently investigating where the snack bar, which has a cartoon wrapping, was picked up by the pupil. In a letter to parents, interim headteacher Rebecca Harris told parents to be 'very careful' of anyone giving food to their children. St Alban's primary and nursery school in central London sent out this warning letter to parents two days ago that said a pupil had been given a cereal bar with 'hallucinogenic properties' 'We have been informed that there is a snack being marketed to young children,' said Ms Harris. 'The name of this snack is 'Astrosnacks' and the product has been the cause of extremely violent bouts of sickness and severe hallucinations. 'There has been an emergency warning issued by the Metropolitan police who are currently investigating the issue.' A spokesperson for the Metropolitan police said: 'W have been made aware of an incident involving a possibly fake snack bar. 'No crime report has been made and the allegation has not been substantiated. It is not believed that the Ofsted Outstanding-rated school has had anymore incidences of the cereal bar being found. 'Police have not been able to speak directly to the parties who were apparently affected.' It is believed a police source told the Telegraph that there a cannabis resin in the product but any risk to children 'was not substantial'. The letter continued: 'At the moment the key areas being targeted are Islington, Archway and Highgate with reports that the focus could be shifting to the Camden area, so please be very careful in the event that anyone tries to give this product to your child.' It is not believed that the Ofsted Outstanding-rated school has had anymore incidences of the cereal bar being found. Governor Gavin Newsom put a moratorium on executions in California on Wednesday, and said he also may commute death sentences and push to repeal capital punishment. Newsom signed an executive order granting reprieves to all 737 condemned inmates on the nation's largest death row. That means no executions while he's governor. He was backed by fellow Democratic lawmakers who introduced a ballot measure that would repeal the death penalty next year by putting the politically perilous issue before voters for the third time in eight years. Voters supported capital punishment in 2012 and 2016, when they voted to speed up executions by shortening appeals. 'I cannot sign off on executing hundreds and hundreds of human beings, knowing knowing that among them will be innocent human beings,' Newsom said, citing examples of condemned inmates who were ultimately exonerated. California would have to execute one inmate each day for more than two years to empty death row, he noted. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Wednesday putting a moratorium on the state's 737 scheduled executions Angelina Rodriguez is on death row for the 2000 murder of her fourth husband, Jose Francisco Rodriguez Critics accused Newsom of usurping voters' will. One Republican lawmaker said Newsom broke the trust of those who elected him in November, and a prominent victims' rights law firm suggested a court challenge and possible competing ballot measure that would restrict governors' rights to grant reprieves. 'Friends and families of the always forgotten VICTIMS are not thrilled, and neither am I!' tweeted President Donald Trump. Although California has executed no one since 2006, Newsom said he acted as executions potentially neared for 25 inmates who have exhausted their appeals and as court challenges to the state's new lethal injection process potentially neared their end. He rescinded those execution regulations and shuttered the state's never-used $853,000 execution chamber. Prison officials symbolically removed execution equipment from the chamber on Wednesday, releasing photos and video as proof it was dismantled. Newsom defended his decision in intensely personal terms. Newsom signed an executive order granting reprieves to all 737 condemned inmates on the nation's largest death row, meaning there will be no executions while he's governor 'It's a very emotional place that I stand,' he said. 'This is about who I am as a human being, this is about what I can or cannot do. To me this is the right thing to do.' He said he's considering commuting death sentences as 'a next step' once state Supreme Court justices explain why they blocked 10 non-death commutations sought by former Gov. Jerry Brown last year. A California governor needs Supreme Court approval to pardon or commute the sentence of anyone twice convicted of a felony, a restriction that applies to more than half of condemned inmates. Democratic Assemblyman Marc Levine is counting on Newsom to transform voters' long-running support for the death penalty. Levine said he drove by San Quentin State Prison's death row on his way to Sacramento Wednesday, thinking 'This is a new day for California, a new day for justice.' Prison officials symbolically removed execution equipment from the chamber on Wednesday, releasing photos and video as proof it was dismantled But while six senators and 17 assembly members are supporting Levine's proposed constitutional ban on executions, that's a long way from the 27 Senate and 54 Assembly votes required to put the measure on the 2020 ballot. Democrats control the necessary votes in both chambers, but are not monolithic on the topic. Democratic Assemblyman Thomas Umberg of Santa Ana, a former federal prosecutor, said Newsom's decision ignores victims in favor of 'some criminals who are so depraved, who have committed such heinous crimes ... that they deserve the ultimate punishment.' Lawmakers have until June 2020 to put the measure on the fall ballot and will take that time to build support among voters and lawmakers, said Levine spokesman Terry Schanz. The California Correctional Peace Officers Association supported Newsom's election last year, but is among law enforcement organizations and victims' rights groups that oppose repeal. The death penalty is the final deterrent keeping murderers serving life sentences from killing again behind bars, said union president Kurt Stoetzl. Stanislaus County District Attorney Birgit Fladager, president of the California District Attorneys Association, said the association will also fight the proposed constitutional amendment banning a punishment she said is used 'only against the very worst murderers.' Newsom has the constitutional power to unilaterally grant reprieves, as he did Wednesday, said Kent Scheidegger, legal director of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, which has been fighting in court to force the state to resume executions. But he said opponents could propose a constitutional amendment adding the Supreme Court oversight of reprieves. Opponents could also mount a legal challenge to Newsom's rescinding of the lethal injection regulations and closing the death chamber, which he said violates a state law requiring corrections officials to be ready to carry out executions. Republican Assemblyman Tom Lackey, a former highway patrolman, accused Newsom of going back on his word to voters not to interfere with executions. But Newsom said his opposition has long been well known. He said he's had tough meetings with dozens of victims' families, including a dozen or so in the last week. 'To the victims all I can say is we owe you, and we need to do more and do better,' he said. 'But we cannot advance the death penalty in [an] effort to try to soften the blow of what happened.' Conflicting reports have emerged about former Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker's remarks following a closed-door meeting with Congress members. Whitaker met privately with members of the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, as Democrats pressed their case that he was a political partisan while leading the Justice Department. Republican aides and the committee's top Democrat relayed that Whitaker said in the meeting that, while acting AG, he had shared concerns with his staff about the Southern District of New York's campaign finance charge against Michael Cohen. Committee chairman, New York Democrat Rep. Jerrold Nadler, said that Whitaker was 'involved in conversations' about the case against Cohen and whether it might have gone too far. Nadler did not give details on those conversations According to the Republican aides, Whitaker said that those conversations were among other Justice Department staff and that Whitaker said he thought some of the claims in the campaign finance case were 'specious' from a legal standpoint. Former acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew Whitaker arrives at Rayburn House Office Building on Wednesday for a private meeting with House Judiciary Committee members Whitaker met with Judiciary Committee members behind closed doors, and Republicans and Democrats had differing accounts of what he said in the private meeting The aides said that Whitaker denied interfering in the case or speaking with Southern District prosecutors, saying that he merely discussed his concerns with his own staff. Meanwhile, the chairman of the committee suggested that Whitaker may have had conversations with President Donald Trump about Cohen's legal troubles, claiming that Whitaker 'did not deny' the conversations during a private meeting on Capitol Hill. Nadler did not get into the specifics of what Whitaker said when he met with Nadler and the top Republican on the panel, Georgia Rep. Doug Collins. Collins said he heard Whitaker's comments very differently and maintained that Whitaker said he 'had not talked with the president about Mr. Cohen at all.' Two Republican staff members in the room backed up Collins' version. The aides spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the confidential meeting. There was no transcript taken at the meeting, according to the Republican aides, so it wasn't clear exactly what Whitaker said, and it may never be clear. But the dispute could have high stakes, as Democrats have voiced concerns that Whitaker was a Trump loyalist whose appointment, they suspect, was aimed at suppressing investigations of the Republican president. House Judiciary Committee chairman Rep. Jerrold Nadler (center) claimed that that Whitaker did not deny discussing Cohen case with Trump, though Republicans say he did deny it The top Republican on the panel, Georgia Rep. Doug Collins (above on Wednesday) directly contradicted Nadler's claim about what Whitaker said in the meeting Whitaker returned to Capitol Hill on Wednesday after Democrats said they wanted him to clarify his open testimony before the Judiciary panel in February. One thing that Nadler said he had questions about was whether Trump had 'lashed out' at Whitaker after Cohen, Trump's former personal lawyer, pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and lying to Congress. News reports said Trump did lash out at Whitaker, but Whitaker said in the hearing that he did not. In a letter to Whitaker asking for him to return and clarify his comments, Nadler said that the committee 'has identified several individuals with direct knowledge of the phone calls you denied receiving' from the White House. After Wednesday's meeting, Nadler said that 'unlike in the hearing room, Mr. Whitaker did not deny that the president called him to discuss the Michael Cohen case.' Nadler also said after the meeting that Whitaker was 'directly involved' in conversations about whether to fire 'one or more' U.S. attorneys - though he did not say which ones. Cohen is seen arriving for congressional Collins said that Whitaker suggested the conversations about district attorneys were normal personnel issues, and to characterize those comments otherwise were 'an overreach and a stretch.' Collins added that Whitaker said he hadn't had any conversations with officials in the Southern District of New York. Nadler said he wasn't sure what the next steps would be after hearing from Whitaker. He said the committee would 'analyze the revelations and see where they lead.' At the February hearing, which was held while Whitaker was still acting attorney general, Democrats confronted him on his past criticism of special counsel Robert Mueller's work and his refusal to recuse himself from overseeing it, attacked him over his prior business dealings and challenged his credentials as the country's chief law enforcement officer. Nadler said after the public testimony that his answers were 'unsatisfactory, incomplete or contradicted by other evidence.' In the letter sent to the Justice Department, Nadler said Whitaker didn't offer clear responses about his communications with the White House and was inconsistent about what questions he refused to answer. Whitaker left the Justice Department after Attorney General William Barr was confirmed February 14. More than three decades of Mafia peace has been shattered by the murder last night of Gambino crime family boss Francesco 'Franky Boy' Cali. Cali, 53, was shot six times and run over by a pickup truck outside his redbrick house in the upmarket Todt Hill neigborhood of Staten Island. His wife and young children were inside the house and one man, believed to be a family member, ran outside, collapsed and cried, 'Papa! Papa!' Cali's murder is the first hit on a Mafia boss since John Gotti arranged the assassination of then-Gambino head Paul Castellano in 1985. 'Even Gotti had more respect... he did it out in Manhattan,' one source told the New York Post. Police responding to a 911 call about an assault in progress just after 9.15pm arrived to find Cali with six gunshot wounds to the torso. He was pronounced dead at a hospital soon after. Investigators, including the FBI, are looking into whether the hit was was authorized by one of New Yorks five Mafia families, or whether it was carried out by a 'cowboy' gunman. Scroll down for video Gambino crime family boss Francesco 'Franky Boy' Cali has died after being shot six times and run over by a pickup truck in front of his home in Staten Island on Wednesday night Investigators are seen with forensic equipment outside the home of the mob boss who liked to shy away from the limelight It is understood Cali's distraught family members ran outside after the shots were fired. One man collapsed in front of the home crying: 'Papa! Papa!' as a woman shouted into her phone: 'Why doesnt the ambulance come? Hes not breathing!' No arrests have been made and an investigation is ongoing as police search for a blue pickup truck that fled the gruesome scene after it is believed to have run Cali over. A police source told DailyMail.com: 'Cali was home having dinner with his family when this truck pulled up. He was shot outside the home.' A witness told The New York Daily News: 'There were like six shots, and then there were three more. 'The man was on the ground face-up. His head was by his SUV, and the truck was open.' One of Cali's neighbors, 58-old-year Salvatore, told the New York Times he heard a burst of about seven gunshots. 'I just heard the pow-pow-pow-pow-pow,' he said, adding, 'You never know who your neighbors are'. And one resident, Prashant Ranyal, 39, who lives blocks from the scene, told the New York Post: 'Ive seen the [mob] movies . . . but Ive never seen any activity that we feel at all that there's something strange about this area.' Hand prints, likely caused by officers dusting for fingerprints, is seen on the side of a SUV being pulled from the scene Police responding to a 911 call about an assault in progress just after 9.15pm arrived to find Cali with six gunshot wounds to the torso. He was pronounced dead at a hospital soon after. (Above, the scene of the crime) A heavy police presence is seen outside his home in shooting that shattered 30 years of Mafia peace in New York City Cali's home in the Todt Hill neighborhood of Staten Island. One man, believed to be a family member, ran outside, collapsed and cried, 'Papa! Papa!' Investigators were seen walking in and out of the home in Staten Island on Wednesday night The Sicily native, who is married to John Gambino's niece, served on the family's ruling panel for several years before being promoted to acting boss in 2015, replacing the previous leader Domenico Cefalu, also known as 'Greaseball'. The organization reportedly focused its efforts on heroin and Oxycontin trafficking under his leadership. Among law enforcement officials, Cali was known as a 'real quiet old-school boss' - one police source told the New York Post. He was considered to be a foil of his former boss John Gotti because 'no one ever sees him'. Cali only had one criminal conviction, having spent 16 months for a 2008 federal extortion charge in connection with a failed bit to build a NASCAR race track in Staten Island. The hit on Cali comes as New York has seen a resurgence in mob activity recently. In October, Sylvester Zottola, 71 - an associate of the Bonnano crime family - was gunned down at a Bronx McDonalds drive-thru. And John Gottis brother Gene, 71, was recently released after spending 29 years in prison for dealing heroin. The hit on Cali comes as New York has seen a resurgence in mob activity recently. The crime scene outside his home is pictured Neighbors suggested there was nothing on their street to suggest mob activity was going on First Mafia boss hit since the day Big Paul Castellano was whacked outside a steakhouse Cali's murder is the first hit on a Mafia boss since John Gotti arranged the assassination of then-Gambino head 'Big Paul' Castellano - outside Sparks Steakhouse - in 1985. The notorious assasination saw Castellano, 70, and his underboss Thomas Bilotti, 47, both shot in the face by a three-man hit squad just after the two victims had stepped out of their car. Castellano's reign as kingpin had begun in 1976 after the death of Carlo Gambino. The Gambinos were the most powerful of the five families of the New York City mafia and worth an estimated $500 million a year Gambino capo John Gotti (left) was part of a three-man hit squad that shot Mafia kingpin Paul Castellano (right) outside a steakhouse in 1985 Big Paul was made boss instead of the likely heir, the then-underboss Aniello Dellacroce - a decision which annoyed those loyal to Dellacroce. They were further enraged by Castellano's insistence on living as a recluse in his mansion in Todt Hill, Staten Island, which earned him the moniker, 'the Howard Huges of the Mob'. When Dellacroce died of cancer in 1985, Castellano disrepected the Family by not attending the funeral. The bodies of Castellano and Bilotti lay in a pool of blood after they were gunned down outside Sparks steakhouse in Manhattan The final nail in his coffin was when he made Capo Thomas Bilotti his underboss. John Gotti, who had been loyal to Dellacroce and didn't think Castellano was worthy of being the Don, and the irate Gambinos then decided to whack Castellano. At the time, Castellano had been on trial in Manhattan federal court on racketeering charges involving three murders and an international stolen car ring but the trial was in recess. On December 15, 1985 Gotti and the Dellacroce devised a plan to assassinate Castellano and Bilotti - by luring the boss to a meeting at Sparks Steakhouse on 210 E. 46th St., between Second and Third Avenues. The scene of the crime. Big Paul was made boss instead of the likely heir, the then-underboss Aniello Dellacroce - a decision which annoyed those loyal to Dellacroce At around 5.30pm, Gotti and Salvatore 'Sammy the Bull' Gravano were driving in Gotti's Lincoln Town Car when they spotted the boss in his Black Lincoln Town Car. Gotti drove on ahead and parked at a vantage point across the street from the restaurant. At around 6pm, Castellano and his Underboss Thomas Bilotti pulled up at Sparks Steakhouse to attend a sit down with Frank DeCicco to apologize for missing Dellacroce's funeral. Just as they exited the car, the assassin shot Castellano six times. He fell to the pavement and died. Bilotti, who was in the driver's seat was also shot dead. Gotti then drove past the scene, while Gravano looked at Bilotti's body, saying 'he's gone'. Soon after, John Gotti became Boss, Frank DeCicco became Underboss, and Gravano became Consigliere in 1986. 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett, center, arrives at Leighton Criminal Court for a hearing on March 12, 2019, in Chicago The attorney for two brothers accused of staging a 'racist and homophobic' attack on Empire actor Jussie Smollett says the men regret their involvement. Gloria Schmidt represents Abimbola 'Abel' and Olabinjo 'Ola' Osundairo. She told reporters on Wednesday that the brothers agreed to help Smollett because of their friendship with him and the sense that he was helping them in their careers. Schmidt says the Nigerian brothers have come to realize how much the incident has negatively affected minorities and particularly victims of actual hate crimes. Smollett appeared in Leighton Criminal Court in Chicago on Tuesday to discuss whether cameras will be allowed in future proceedings of his trial. He is charged with lying to the police about being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack by two masked men in downtown Chicago. The actor allegedly paid the Osundairo brothers $3,500 to help him stage the attack. Abimbola 'Abel' and Olabinjo 'Ola' Osundairo are the two brothers accused of helping stage an attack on Smollett to allegedly help the actor raise his profile The Osundairo brothers' attorney Gloria Schmidt (pictured) says both men now realize how the incident with Smollett has negatively affected minorities and real hate crime victims. Smollett is expected to enter a plea on Thursday. It's not just his freedom that may hang in the balance. It's also his job on 'Empire'. The show, which is finishing it's fifth season on Fox, returned to the air on March 13 after a mid-season break. Smollett, as result of his alleged actions, was written out of the last two episodes, including next week's season finale and could possibly be killed off the show, Variety reported. The future of 'Empire' may also be up in the air. Producers still haven't received word from Fox on whether or not the show will be renewed for its sixth season. The show's cast had expected to hear one way or the other in January, according to TMZ. The father of a boy seen running onto a busy road says he feels 'betrayed' by the day care centre his son escaped from The man, who gave his name only as Clint, told 3AW that the centre that he hadn't been able to stop thinking about the disturbing video footage. 'When we saw it...oh my god. You know what, it's kind of in our head now because the questions that go through your mind are: what if, what if, what if,' he said. A clip of two-year-old Luka and another toddler running across several lanes of busy traffic in Werribee, was posted online on Tuesday. The terrifying moment two young children escaped their child care centre and went running out into traffic was caught on dash cam The two children had walked out of Melbourne's Werribee West Family Centre at around 10am and brought traffic to a standstill. Clint told 3AW he is searching for the Good Samaritan with car registration pin 1JS 9TE, who stopped to save his son. Dashcam footage shows cars stopping on both sides of the roads as the two young children run around in one lane before crossing over into another, The Age reported. Some drivers were seen getting out of their cars in the distance before a man stopped the children. Eventually staff from the centre were seen running over but by that point four cars had stopped and the youngsters were surrounded by adults. 'I really, sincerely want to thank him for the good deed that he has done and a lot of other people who stopped and helped as well,' Clint said. 'Thankfully for them, we were able to have our son back in one piece.' The father was later told that staff had not closed the exit gate properly, allowing the children to escape. 'I was absolutely devastated. All sorts of things go through your head,' he said. Clint and wife have decided not to take their son back to the childcare centre. 'Our trust has been broken,' he said. The father was informed there were workers at the child care site, who did not close a an exit gate properly, allowing the children to escape The dad is searching for the Good Samaritan with car registration pin 1JS 9TE, who stopped to save his son The footage was captured on Ballan Road near the Werribee West Family Centre (pictured) west Melbourne on Tuesday and shows the moment the two young kids bring traffic to a stand still Early Childhood Management Services said an investigation would be launched into how the young children managed to escape and go unnoticed for as long as they did. According to figures from the National Road Safety Strategy 51 kids between birth and the age of 16 died on Australian roads in 2018. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Werribee West Family Centre for comment. The world had to go on without Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp for almost eight hours on Wednesday, and even celebrities couldn't help but panic a little. Hollywood took to Twitter along with thousands of people across the globe to complain or crack jokes about the social media outage. Bachelor star Colton Underwood called out Instagram for shutting down on the very day he was allowed to publicly flaunt his new relationship following the show's finale. 'Yo @instagram I just went public with my girlfriend last night and I have to post a few more pictures of us to be annoying/show her off,' he said, referring to Bachelor winner Cassie Randolph. 'Can you fix yourself soon?' he added. Mindy Kaling, who has long been active on Twitter, hoped that the Instagram and Facebook outage would win her some new fans. The world had to go on without Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp for almost eight hours on Wednesday, and even celebrities couldn't help but panic a little Bachelor star Colton Underwood called out Instagram for shutting down on the very day he was allowed to publicly flaunt his new relationship following the show's finale Even Denny's got in on the fun, using the social media breakdown as the perfect time to advertise its hours Mindy Kaling, who has long been active on Twitter, hoped that the Instagram and Facebook outage would win her some new fans 'Instagram and Facebook are down so here we are. Crossing my fingers this is my best performing tweet yet #instagramdown,' she joked. Tommy Wiseau, star of cult classic The Room, also took the opportunity to welcome new fans who may have stumbled upon his account during the outage. 'Facebook is down ! Instagram is down ! Welcome to my twitter !' he wrote, including a video of himself telling everyone to 'have a groovy time'. Even Denny's got in on the fun, using the social media breakdown as the perfect time to advertise its hours. 'Instagram and Facebook are down but Denny's is always open,' the diner quipped. Democratic Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joked that the Instagram outage meant she couldn't document her furniture shopping trip to her millions of followers Lindsay Lohan had a simple message for Instagram, although it was unclear if she believed she had the solution or just wanted to complain to someone personally Tommy Wiseau, star of cult classic The Room, took the opportunity to welcome new fans who may have stumbled upon his account during outage Democratic Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joked that the Instagram outage meant she couldn't document a furniture shopping trip to her millions of followers. 'Is Instagram still down? Bc after 2 months almost furnitureless in DC I am trying to take you all on the riveting adventure of getting: a chair,' she tweeted. Lindsay Lohan had a simple message for Instagram, although it was unclear if she believed she had the solution or just wanted to complain to someone personally. '@instagram please contact me,' she tweeted. Former Nickelodeon star Josh Peck took the opportunity to fire off a number of jokes at the expense of Instagram influencers and the sponsored content often on display in the app Former Nickelodeon star Josh Peck took the opportunity to fire off a number of jokes at the expense of Instagram influencers and the sponsored content often on display in the app. 'With Facebook and Instagram down, 250 models just became dental hygienists,' one tweet read. 'With Facebook and Instagram down, every Fit Tea has filed for bankruptcy,' Peck joked in another. Even Instagram had to take to Twitter to explain the situation. 'We're aware of an issue impacting people's access to Instagram right now. We know this is frustrating, and our team is hard at work to resolve this ASAP,' it wrote. many just took to Twitter to post the selfies and videos they would have posted on Instagram, while others were having plenty of fun posting memes about the so-called social media crisis But many just took to Twitter to post the selfies and videos they would have shared on Instagram, while others were having plenty of fun posting memes about the so-called social media crisis. 'God I'm so happy Instagram is still not working, I hope it stays down, finally the hot people will have to come here and learn to be funny to get attention like the rest of us,' joked Marie Le Conte. 'I ATE TWO MEALS INSTAGRAM AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO POST THEM. MY FANS ARE GOING TO THINK I AM STARVING,' one user tweeted. One Twitter user posted a picture of Tom Anderson, the founder of Myspace, and wrote: 'My man has been waiting for this day'. Many joked about people's panic over the social media blackout, while others poked fun at themselves for simply going straight to Twitter 'All Instagram models realizing they have to look for new jobs since they are now unemployed,' another user quipped. Comedian John Fugelsang joked about how he would explain the event to his children. 'Son, I wasn't alive for the Donner Party or Pearl Harbor; but I am old enough to remember when both Facebook and Instagram were down at the same time during that terrible winter of '19,' he tweeted. Facebook was up and running again around 8pm EST but problems were still being reported with Instagram and Whatsapp, which are both owned by Facebook, until late Wednesday night. Others joked about the panic that Instagram and Facebook must have been feeling during the global outage Even Instagram had to take to Twitter to explain the situation to its users on Wednesday When confirming the platform-wide issue Wednesday afternoon, Facebook shut down speculation that the site may have been targeted by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. 'We're aware that some people are currently having trouble accessing the Facebook family of apps,' the firm tweeted about two hours into the outage. 'We're focused on working to resolve the issue as soon as possible, but can confirm that the issue is not related to a DDoS attack.' More than a third of Facebook users affected by the outage reported that they were experiencing a 'total blackout.' Others said they could not refresh the News Feed or log into their accounts. Similar problems cropped up on Instagram and Messenger at roughly the same time. The NYPD Hate Crimes Unit is investigating after a swastika was scrawled on a poster of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in a Brooklyn subway station. Commuter Chevi Friedman took a photo of the defaced poster on Tuesday morning at the Nassau Avenue G train station in the Greenpoint neighborhood, tagging the mayor's office, the MTA, NYPD and other accounts. 'What is going to be done about this?' she wrote in the tweet, which is no longer available because her account has been set to private, according to WNBC-TV. The defaced poster displays Ginsburg's face prominently to advertise a new pictorial book about the 85-year-old justice, The Unstoppable Ruth Bader Ginsburg: American Icon, by Antonia Felix. Commuter Chevi Friedman took a photo of the defaced poster on Tuesday morning at the Nassau Avenue G train station in the Greenpoint neighborhood The photo shows that the image was defaced with the scrawled words 'Die, Jew b***h.' Additionally, a swastika within a circle was drawn over the image of Ginsburg's mouth. The NYPD responded to Friedman's tweet with a statement saying that the department's Hate Crimes Unit was investigating, adding 'There is no room for hate in NYC.' In its own tweet, the Hate Crimes Unit added: 'Hate Crime Task Force is currently on scene investigating ANTI-SEMITIC vandalism at the Nassau Ave station on the G line. Thank you to all community members for alerting the NYPD.' The MTA said in a statement that it had immediately removed the offensive graffiti as soon as police detectives had gathered the evidence they needed. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio took to Twitter to express his outrage at the incident. The book featured in the poster was released to celebrate Ginsburg's 25 years on the court. The justice is seen above in November during an official photo shoot 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg represents the very best of our city,' de Blasio wrote, referring to the fact that Ginsburg was born in Brooklyn and grew up in the Flatbush neighborhood. 'Well find whoever is responsible for this anti-Semitic trash and ensure they face consequences for trying to spread hate in New York City. If you have any information on this despicable act, please contact the NYPD,' de Blasio continued. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo also swiftly denounced the graffiti and pledged to devote state resources to the case. 'We will not stand by and allow hateful and discriminatory vandalism in New York,' he said in a statement. 'I have directed the New York State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to provide the NYPD with any resources needed to assist in the investigation,' the governor added. Cuomo also highlighted another instance of offensive graffiti on the subway system just last week. On March 6, a drawing of a noose was discovered on the wall of the Fort Hamilton station in Brooklyn's Windsor Terrace neighborhood, which is serviced by the F and G trains. The noose was rendered between two curtains drawn back by the hands of an unseen individual. Police are seeking suspects in the case. This drawing of a noose was discovered at the Fort Hamilton subway station on March 6. The Hate Crimes Unit is investigating and police are still seeking suspects Last month. 'Hail Hitler' and swastikas were scrawled in chalk on the playground of a Queens public school. Two 12-year-old boys, one black and one Asian, were arrested in that case The disturbing subway incidents follows the discovery of dozens of swastikas on a Queens playground last month. The swastikas and anti-Semitic messages including 'Hail [sic] Hitler' and 'No Jews Allowed' were drawn in chalk on the playground of PS 139, a local public school, while students were out for midwinter break. After the incident drew national outrage, police announced the arrest of a juvenile suspect several days later. According to the New York Times, the suspects in that case were two 12-year-old boys: one black, and one Asian. Curtis Cheng (pictured) was shot dead by 15-year-old Farhad Jabar on October 2, 2015 outside the New South Wales Police headquarters in Parramatta, Sydney Curtis Cheng's widow has burst into tears as a fourth man is found guilty of being involved in the terror plot which led to her husband's death. Selina Cheng cried as a guilty verdict for Mustafa Dirani was read out in court on Thursday, Nine News reported. Her police accountant husband Curtis, 58, was shot dead by 15-year-old Farhad Jabar on October 2, 2015 outside the New South Wales Police headquarters in Parramatta, Sydney. Diraini had pleaded not guilty to planning and preparing a terrorist act and another charge of supplying a firearm to an unauthorised person. Diraini acted as surveillance to help mastermind Raban Alou, 21, before Mr Cheng's murder. He bought the .38 Smith and Wesson revolver that was used by Jabar to shoot Mr Cheng. Jabar was shot dead in a hail of gunfire minutes after Mr Cheng was killed. The Crown had argued that Dirani provided 'emotional, religious and ideological support' to Alou in meetings before Mr Cheng's murder, the ABC reported. Talal Alameddine is accused of providing the pistol used in the attack Alou gave the gun to Jabar at Parramatta Mosque and from there he walked to Police Headquarters and shot Mr Cheng dead as he left work. Mr Cheng, who worked in the Finance and Business Services department for 17 years, had a loving wife Selina and two adult children Alpha and Zilvia, both in their 20s. Milad Atai, 22, was also convicted for aiding the shooting of Mr Cheng. Atai apologised to Selina Cheng but later rescinded it, saying it was 'bulls**t'. 'I take back what I said in the box because I was in the heat of moment and I just slipped up,' a letter to the federal police read. 'If use (sic) can please let the judge know about this letter and I want him to know where I stand with this remorse bulls***.' Mr Cheng, who worked in the Finance and Business Services department for 17 years, had a loving wife Selina (right) and two adult children Alpha (left) and Zilvia Justice Peter Johnson said Atai had previously said: 'I am sorry for what I did and what I put her through... I take responsibility for my actions.' But in court, Atai refuted the apology, saying: 'I ask Allah to grant victory to the believers and to destroy those who oppress his slaves.' Mr Cheng's widow, Selina, previously slammed her husband's killers, saying: 'I'm deeply hurt and I'm utterly repulsed by anyone who took part in Curtis' senseless murder. FOUR TERROR PLOTTERS CONVICTED OF KILLING CURTIS CHENG October 2, 2015 - NSW Police accountant Curtis Cheng is shot dead. His murderer Farhad Jabar is killed by police minutes afterwards. March 1, 2018 - Raban Alou is sentenced to 44 years in prison for obtaining the revolver and handing it to Farhad Jabar. May 18, 2018 - Talal Alameddine is sentenced to 17 years in jail for providing pistol that was used. November 23, 2018 - Milad Atai laughs is sentenced to 38 years in prison. March 14, 2019 - Mustafa Dirani is found guilty of being involved in the conspiracy. Advertisement 'How can people think of inflicting such pain on others without careful thought? Have they ever thought they have to be responsible for their acts?' She added: 'This heartless murder has robbed Curtis of a life he had worked so hard to build. Atai refused to stand for a Supreme Court Justice and laughed as he was sentenced to a maximum of 38 years in prison in November. Raban Alou also pleaded guilty to aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the terrorist act by Farhad Jabar. The 21-year-old gave a one-finger salute to the court and yelled: 'I'm going to paradise, you're going to hell... this is just the beginning for enemies of Islam'. Alou was sentenced to 44 years in jail. Talal Alameddine provided Alou with the pistol that was then given to Jabar to shoot Mr Cheng. The 25-year-old refused to stand for Justice Peter Johnson when he was handed a maximum sentence of 17 years behind bars with a non-parole period of 13-and-a-half years. The court also heard officers found a chilling suicide note in Jabar's blood-soaked robes, stating he had 'come to put terror in your hearts' by carrying out religious-inspired violence for Islamic State. 'You all are being watched 24/7, while you are asleep, awake, planning,' the letter read. 'Your nights will be turned into nightmares, your days into hell ... by the will of Allah.' Motorists in Western Australia were left scratching their heads at this baffling parking sign. Some have claimed the sign is so confusing that it must have been a deliberate attempt to trick drivers into parking illegally. The top half of the parking sign in City of Vincent, in Perth, says a ticket is required between 7am and midnight. But many were left confused because the bottom half of the sign says motorists need a two-hour parking ticket between 7am until 7pm on Monday to Friday. But many were left confused because the bottom half of the sign says motorists need a two-hour parking ticket between 7am until 7pm on Monday to Friday Another user said a parking ticket was required until midnight on weekends and only until 7pm during weekdays Perth locals took to Facebook to debate what the sign meant. 'This is confusing,' one user wrote. 'It's basically 7am to midnight but they're tryna [sic] be smart a****,' one user replied. Another user said a parking ticket was required until midnight on weekends and only until 7pm during weekdays. But one user insisted the sign wasn't that complicated. He said: 'Ticket parking between 7am & midnight, with a 2hr limit between 7am & 7pm ... pretty simple really.' City of Vincent Mayor Emma Cole told Daily Mail Australia a ticket is required to park in the area from 7am until midnight everyday of the week. There is no parking ticket required between midnight and 7am. There is a two-hour limit for parking between 7am and 7pm on Monday to Friday. 'Because there is only a limited amount of information we can convey on a parking sign, we encourage people to also read the closest ticket machine which provides more detail on the parking restrictions in place, including the cost of parking,' Ms Cole said. Despite the confusion, Ms Cole said the sign follows the Australian Standard for parking signs contained in Australian Standard Road Signs. A Greens candidate who wants to legalise marijuana and ecstasy believes MDMA should be sold over the counter at Woolworths. Lilith Zaharias, who is running against Health Minister Brad Hazzard for the seat of Wakehurst on Sydney's northern beaches in the upcoming NSW State Election, has also called for pill testing to be legalised. 'If you could go to Woolworths and buy a packet of MDMA it would be much safer. If legal, it could be produced in a factory where there could be safety standards,' she told the Daily Telegraph. The candidate made the comments in support of Greens MP David Shoebridge, who called for MDMA to be sold over the counter at pharmacies to anyone over 18 with photo ID. Greens candidate Lilith Zaharias has said increasing the availability of drugs such as MDMA and marijuana to supermarkets would would improve safety for users The Greens previously announced a policy aiming to legalise the sale of marijuana across the country 'We have a choice here, we either leave the sale and distribution of MDMA, and drugs that pretend to be MDMA, to organised crime operating on a black market, or we step in and regulate it,' Mr Shoebridge said. A spokesperson for the Greens pointed out to Daily Mail Australia that Ms Zaharias' calls to sell MDMA at the supermarket wasn't consistent with the party's drugs policy. Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the Greens proposal was irresponsible. He also criticised what he called Labour's 'deadly deal with the devil' in it's preference deal with the Greens. A spokesperson for the greens was quick to point out Ms Zaharias' mention of selling the drugs at supermarkets was not consistent with their current policy 'Having sat with the emergency doctors who have had these young people in the emergency departments with the patients' internal temperature up over 45C and their organs cooking, I fail to understand how any responsible political party could support the legalisation for these drugs to be sold over the counter,' Mr Hazzard told The Daily Telegraph. 'The great misunderstanding with MDMA is young people think it is OK and safe and people like the Greens reinforce the message,' Mr Hazzard said. A spokesman for NSW Labor said Mr Daley did not support the policy, however, would not comment on preferencing deals. However, in a statement to Daily Mail Australia, Ms Zaharias backtracked on her previous comments. 'Greens policy is that MDMA should be licenced and regulated with pharmacies - the only point of sale, to those over 18, in limited quantity with identification to be produced and a record of sale taken. 'My turn of phrase was incorrect about supermarkets.' The debate over pill testing has been a hot topic in the lead up to the state election after five youths died having taken the drug at music festivals in the last six months. 'The great misunderstanding with MDMA is young people think it is OK and safe and people like the Greens reinforce the message,' Health Minister Brad Hazzard said A mother whose daughter was left quadriplegic after being told to dive into a shallow swimming pool says she has been left devastated after receiving a settlement of just $150,000. Rebecca Yeoman, whose daughter Milly is facing life in a wheelchair, said the judge's decision was disappointing outside Ballarat's Magistrates Court, in Victoria's Central Highlands on Thursday. 'It was nowhere near enough,' she said of Judge Paul Lacava's decision, ABC News reports. 'We were hoping for one million.' Milly Yeoman, (pictured) then 12, hit her head on the bottom of a 1.2 metre pool after she was told to duck dive during swimming lessons in 2016 Milly, who was 12 at the time of the accident, was told by an instructor to duck dive into a 1.2-metre pool during lessons at Ballarat's Swim and Survival Academy on November 1, 2016. Slamming her head on the tiles below, she was face down in the water for 10 seconds before an instructor pulled her up. Her mother Rebecca Yeoman (pictured behind Milly in hospital) has been left displeased after the owners of the swim centre, who had pleaded guilty, were sentenced with a $150,000 penalty She was rushed to the Royal Children's Hospital where she endured five hours of surgery. The next 200 days was spent in hospital and despite being restricted to an electric wheelchair she still requires 24-hour care. Milly who is now 14 knows she may never walk again after suffering a broken neck and severe injuries to her spinal cord. Despite telling the court how the accident had intensely impacted the Yeoman family he took the owners of the swim centre, Rob and Julie De Kort's early guilty plea into account when handing down the sentence. The maximum penalty for the charge was $1.4 million. Prosecutor Andrew Palmer told the court that she should have never dived in the pool. After Milly was rushed to the Royal Children's Hospital, she then had to endure five hours of surgery and spent the next 200 days in hospital Owners of Ballarat's Swim and Survival Academy, Rob (left) and Julie De Kort (right),both pleaded guilty on one count of breaching the Occupational Health and Safety Act in the Ballarat County Court for failing to ensure the centre was safe 'Milly was 46 kilos heavier and 23cm taller than the average female her age,' Mr Palmer said. The De Korts pleaded guilty to one count of breaching the Occupational Health and Safety Act in the Ballarat County Court for failing to ensure the centre was safe. Royal Life Saving Society Victoria recommends dives should take place in pools with a depth of 2 metres. Defence Lawyer Robert O'Neill told the court that the De Korts 'sincerely regret' what happened to Milly but also wanted to acknowledged the rarity of the accident. Now 14, Milly (pictured now) is restricted to an electric wheelchair and needs 24-hour care every day, a GoFundMe page set up to help her family has since raised $55,000 'There's been about 90,000 dives in the pools at the swim school and they've never had a serious incident before this one,' Robert O'Neill said. The Swim and Survival Academy's current philosophy is to 'provide the best quality swimming lessons possible,' it says on their website. 'Your child's water safety is too important to settle for anything less.' A GoFundMe page set up to help Milly's family with medical costs has since raised almost $55,000. Honda Civics are notorious for being a vehicle of choice for hoons, and now the cops have cottoned on. New South Wales Police are driving around in a Honda Civic Type R hatchback complete with police symbols, tartan and the logo for the Eyewatch program. Eyewatch has 70 Facebook pages across the state to connect communities with police. Bondi rescue: NSW Police's new toy at Bondi Beach in Sydney. The police are using the Honda Civic Type R hatchback as a 'community engagement tool' to appeal to younger people NSW Police are driving around in a Honda Civic Type R hatchback complete with police symbols, tartan and the logo for the Eyewatch program to promote their Facebook pages 'If you see us around, give us a wave, take a photo (not while driving!) and come over and have a chat,' a NSW Police Facebook page post said. NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar APM said the sponsored vehicle will cost taxpayers nothing. 'The eye-catching design of the vehicle will hopefully be a great conversation starter while on display and get more people, especially younger people, more comfortable with approaching their local police,' he said. Honda Australia Director Stephen Collins said he is 'delighted' to 'take an active role in raising awareness of the Eyewatch program to help make our communities safer.' 'Were positive the NSW Police Force will find it to be a great community engagement tool,' he said. Eyewatch started in 2012 and connects with a million people across 70 Facebook pages each day. Police use Eyewatch pages to ask for help finding missing or wanted people and update the community on crimes and emergencies. A police officer's son has escaped a rape conviction and penalty despite pleading guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse. The South Australian boy - who was under the age of 18 at the time of the incident and cannot be identified as a result - was at a party before the incident took place in 2018. Prosecutor Rebecca Anderson said the 15-year-old victim had consumed alcohol at the party and had kissed the officer's son, Adelaide Now reported. After an argument with one of her friends, the victim was told to leave and the office'rs son followed her. A police officer's son has escaped a conviction and penalty despite pleading guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse (stock image) 'He asked 'will you (perform a sex act)?' and she said she had to go,' Ms Anderson said. 'He took hold of the victims head and pushed toward her in a thrusting motion he was quite forceful she did not move.' The boy was initially charged with two counts of engaging in sexual intercourse without consent. He pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful sexual intercourse. Prosecutors accepted the boy's confession in a plea bargain deal, but argued the nature of the offence demanded a conviction and suspended sentence. Magistrate Luke Davis said the sentence would be made on the basis the girl had consented to sex and the Youth Court declined to record a conviction on Thursday. Mr Davis said that all parties would have probably been drinking way too much wine, though intoxication was no excuse for the action. Mr Davis noted a conviction would be a 'blot' on the boy's character and make 'going along in your life very difficult'. He ordered a family conference after Nick Healy - who represented the boy - asked his client be referred to one. The Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency order Wednesday keeping all Boeing 737 Max 8s from flying in the USA Boeing's newest version of its best-selling airliner ever was supposed to boost its fortunes for years to come. Instead it has turned into the company's biggest headache, with more than 40 countries including the U.S., which had been one of the last holdouts grounding the 737 Max 8 after a second fatal crash proved one too many. On Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency order keeping the planes on the tarmac after refusing to do so in the days immediately following the crash of a Max 8 operated by Ethiopian Airlines that left 157 people dead. The agency said what made the difference was new, enhanced satellite tracking data and physical evidence on the ground that linked the Ethiopian jet's movements to those of an Indonesian Lion Air flight that plunged into the Java Sea in October and killed 189 people. Grounded Boeing 737 Max 8 passenger planes sit on the tarmac at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport A Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft is in hangar before the inspection at Garuda Maintenance Facility at Soekarno Hatta airport, Jakarta, Indonesia on March 12, 2019 Lion Air officials have said sensors on their plane produced erroneous information on its last four flights, triggering an automatic nose-down command that the pilots were unable to overcome on its final voyage 'That evidence aligns the Ethiopian flight closer to Lion Air, what we know happened to Lion Air,' said Daniel Elwell, acting FAA administrator. Officials at Lion Air have said sensors on their plane produced erroneous information on its last four flights, triggering an automatic nose-down command that the pilots were unable to overcome on its final voyage. Since debuting in 2017, Boeing has delivered more than 350 of the Max in several versions that vary by size. Dozens of airlines around the world have embraced the plane for its fuel efficiency and utility for short and medium-haul flights. The groundings will have a far-reaching financial impact on Boeing, at least in the short term, said John Cox, a veteran pilot and CEO of Safety Operating Systems. An Ethiopian Airlines' Boeing jetliner crashed on Sunday leaving 157 people dead A family member reacts at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 plane crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, south of Addis Ababa More than 40 nations have grounded the jetliner after the second fatal crash in less than five months In addition to the planes that have been grounded, there are more than 4,600 Boeing 737 Max 8 planes on backlog that are not yet delivered to airlines. 'There are delivery dates that aren't being met, there's usage of the aircraft that's not being met, and all the supply chain things that Boeing so carefully crafted,' Cox said. 'If they can't deliver the airplanes, where do they put the extra engines and the extra fuselage and the extra electrical components?' A grounded American Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 is towed to another location at Miami International Airport The FAA used new, enhanced satellite tracking data and physical evidence on the ground to link the Ethiopian jet's movements to those of the Indonesian Lion Air flight that plunged into the Java Sea in October and killed 189 people Impacted airlines also may come knocking on Boeing's door claiming damages. Norwegian Airlines said it would pursue reimbursement from Boeing for lost business and if other carriers follow suit, that could be costly. Whether airlines would be successful with such claims depends on the details of the contracts those carriers have with Boeing, said Dan Rose, partner at Kreindler & Kreindler, an aviation law firm. Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay 22 million ($29 million) to a woman who claims Johnson & Johnson's baby powder gave her terminal cancer. Teresa Leavitt said said she used Johnsons Baby Powder and Shower to Shower in the 1960s and 1970s and was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2017. A Superior Court in Oakland found the company was mainly liable for the woman's mesothelioma, saying the baby powder was a 'substantial contributing factor' in her illness. Johnson & Johnson has insisted that its talc-based products (pictured) are safe, but the company is facing about 13,000 lawsuits around the country The nine-week trial began in January. Ms Leavitt's lawsuit is one of the many that links cancer to asbestos in Johnson & Johnson's talc-based products. The company is facing about 13,000 similar suits around the country. Asbestos is a group of minerals that, if breathed, can damage someone's lungs. 'Before its dangers were known, asbestos was often used in buildings for insulation, flooring and roofing and sprayed on ceilings and walls,' according to the British Lung Foundation. Johnson & Johnson said they will pursue an appeal, insisting their Baby Powder does not contain asbestos and is totally safe. A statement from the company said: 'We are disappointed with todays verdict and will pursue an appeal because Johnsons Baby Powder does not contain asbestos or cause cancer.' 'There were serious procedural and evidentiary errors in the proceeding that required us to move for mistrial on eight different points during the proceeding.' 'Plaintiffs attorneys have fundamentally failed to show that Johnsons Baby Powder contains asbestos, and their own experts concede that they are not recognizing the accepted definition of asbestos and are ignoring crucial distinctions between minerals that are asbestos and minerals that are not.' The company said their Baby Powder is totally safe, it does not contain asbestos and cannot cause cancer 'We respect the legal process and reiterate that jury verdicts are not medical, scientific or regulatory conclusions about a product. 'Importantly, in recent cases, there have been multiple defense verdicts and mistrials.' 'This track record shows that there are one set of facts in these cases, and that decades of tests by independent, non-litigation driven experts and institutions repeatedly confirm that Johnsons Baby Powder does not contain asbestos or cause cancer.' 'We believe these issues will warrant a reversal on appeal.' Last year, a woman who blamed her cancer on the powder was awarded 20 million ($25.7 million). A jury in Missouri last year awarded 3.50 million ($4.69 million) to 22 women. Johnson & Johnson's stock price dropped by nearly 2 percent on Wednesday before recovering to close at 105 ($139.41). Borce Ristevski's troubled son has sensationally claimed he convinced his father to admit to killing his wife Karen. Anthony Rickard, Ristevski's son from a previous relationship, claimed the sudden confession came after he threatened to expose a dark family secret. 'I am responsible for this, I gave him an ultimatum,' Mr Rickard told news.com.au. 'I told him; 'If you don't get up and be a man I'll go into the (witness) box and tell them exactly what went on behind closed doors".' Ristevski will face a maximum jail sentence of 20 years after prosecutors withdrew a murder charge and he pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Wednesday on the eve of a five-week trial in Victoria's Supreme Court. Ristevski's son from a previous relationship, Anthony Rickard (pictured), claims his father's sudden confession didn't have anything to do with a guilty conscience Borce Ristevski (right) has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter death of his wife Karen (centre), bringing the depth of his betrayal of his wife and daughter Sarah (left) into stark relief Ristevski was a pallbearer at the funeral of his wife - who he has now confessed to killing Mr Rickard claimed his father decided not to go to trial in a bid to protect his only daughter Sara from hearing the details of the supposed 'affair' . Mr Rickard, who has a long history of drug abuse and addiction, claimed he had been having an affair with his stepmother Karen before she was killed. 'He knew what was going on between me and Karen but he did nothing, he didn't protect me, he was a coward,' Mr Rickard claimed to news.com.au. It isn't the first time Mr Rickard has voiced the unsubstantiated claims. In Facebook posts from 2016, he accused Ristevski of allowing him to do drugs and claimed that Karen's 'fantasy' was to run away with him. 'Ur a low price of sh** that watched me do drugs as u allowed Karen to continue her fantasy of leaving u to run away with me [sic],' he claimed. Later that year he reportedly demanded $200,000 from a television network for a tell-all about the supposed affair. Sarah Ristevski led the procession at the funeral, holding a framed picture of her shop owner and fashion designer mum The allegations from Mr Rickard come shortly after it was revealed Miss Ristevski was 'blindsided' by her father's sudden guilty plea. Daily Mail Australia understands the couple's only daughter, Miss Ristevski, was surprised by the sudden guilty plea and hadn't expected it. Miss Ristevski was not present at the court during the pre-trial hearing. She wasn't allowed to be, as she had been listed as a prosecution witness in her father's trial. Since her mum's disappearance, Miss Ristevski has had to endure the loss of one parent, the callous betrayal of her father, and the public's macabre fascination with the case. Sources with knowledge of the situation said '(Miss Ristevski) did not' anticipate the plea. Ristevski's sudden confession came after a Victorian Supreme Court judge ruled that crucial prosecution evidence of Ristevski's 'murderous intent' was inadmissible. Crown prosecutors hinged their murder charge on evidence about Ristevski's behaviour after Karen's disappearance in mid-2016. Karen's body, found wedged between two logs in a national park months after she vanished, was too badly decomposed for there to be a conclusive cause of death. Ristevski's manslaughter plea means he will avoid a life sentence, the maximum penalty for a murder charge. His trial was supposed to start today. The plea is the beginning of the end of the circus surrounding the Ristevski family, from which Miss Ristevski has suffered the most. Television reporter Cameron Baud (right) boldly asked Borce Ristevski if he had killed Karen, bringing a media conference to a tearful end In a haze after her mother's disappearance, Miss Ristevski had to stand by her father during a public appeal for information in mid-2016. It was then that the first questions were bluntly raised about Ristevski. 'Did you kill Karen, Borce?' a TV reporter asked the family patriarch. Ristevski did not answer. The media conference came to a swift, teary end. In private, Ristevski blamed police for trying to 'pin' the crime on him, a court heard. After nine agonising months of mystery, Miss Ristevski's mother's body was found at the Mount Macedon Regional Park in February 2017. She mourned her mother at a funeral service attended by her father, listening as the crowd were regaled with tributes about the 'close' family unit. Karen Ristevski's body was found by horticulturalists at this site in early 2017 Ristevski acted as pallbearer and buried Karen at a cemetery in Williamstown, near one of the couple's favourite spots. The heat on Ristevski began to escalate as time went by. He was hounded by the press. His own lawyer described him as the 'prime suspect' in Karen's killing. He was convicted in the most brutal court - that of public opinion. Ristevski was charged by police in December 2017. Miss Ristevski remained quiet through it all, confiding only in a small circle of family and friends. Sarah, after appearing at court Last year, the young lady appeared in court at her father's committal as a witness called by the prosecution where she made her first detailed public remarks about the case. Miss Ristevski told the court her mother tended to raise her voice in arguments and her dad was a 'calming influence'. 'Dad was always the calm one,' she said. The couple would often argue over their fashion boutique Bella Bleu, she said. The chain was struggling. Reports claimed Miss Ristevski did not make eye contact with her father, who was visibly emotional, during the hearing. The Crown prosecutor Matt Fisher was adamant Karen's death had been no accident. 'Something happened in the house,' he told the court. 'The accused man engages in behaviour soon after he has either killed her or caused her serious injury.' Miss Ristevski admitted in court Ristevski's behaviour 'didn't make sense' in the days after her mother vanished. She questioned him about why his phone was switched off, the committal hearing was told. Borce Ristevski seen this week arriving at the Supreme Court complex in Melbourne As read by Mr Fisher in court, Miss Ristevski said to her father: 'You were out of the house for two hours. Your phone is off for two hours... They pinged you on the Calder (Freeway).' Ristevski responded: 'That's what they are trying to plant out there, Sarah.' 'That doesn't make sense,' Miss Ristevski said. 'Nothing makes sense because they're making it up as they go,' he replied. At the court hearing, Miss Ristevski said she had been 'basically stalked' by the media over the course of the hearing. She looked over at the assembled news reporters and said: 'Thanks for that'. The terrible spectacle surrounding her family will soon be over. Borce Ristevski will face a sentence of up to 20 years' imprisonment for Karen's death. A terminally-ill mother has been left devastated after burglars stole rare gold jewellery she planned to give her daughter from beyond the grave. 'Disgusting' thieves broke into Kristy Lane's four-bedroom home in Crawley Down, West Sussex on March 4 while she and her daughter Eleanor were at a swimming gala. They took bespoke necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets made exclusively for her nine-year-old by a top former Mayfair jewellery designer. Mrs Lane, 44, who has been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension, wanted her daughter to be given them as presents on her 18th birthday and her wedding day. The burglars also went through a memory box dedicated to her stillborn son, which she claims has been 'tainted forever'. She told MailOnline: 'These items are so personal. Anyone who has suffered the loss of a child will understand that pain. 'The only thing I ever wanted to do in life was to make sure my daughter had those things for after I'm gone.' Kristy Lane's daughter Eleanor, 9, is pictured with a pearl she selected to be made into a piece of jewellery to remember her mother by when she dies Burglars stole a gold pendant with the letter E engraved on it Kristy Lane had commissioned so it could be given to her nine-year-old daughter Eleanor on her 18th birthday She added: 'Also if she ever came into any financial difficulty, I thought this would be a kind of back-up plan, but she doesn't have that now.' Mrs Lane, who works as a lawyer, was told 'she would be dead by Christmas' after being diagnosed with two terminal illnesses following the birth of her daughter in August 2010. She has long surpassed her doctors' prognosis, but still 'lives every day knowing I have fought to be alive and will not see important events in my daughters adulthood'. The birth of her only daughter Eleanor came after her son George was stillborn at 35 weeks. She had three other miscarriages after his death and several before. The only pieces of jewellery the burglars didn't take was a gold pendant made with George's footprint engraved on it and a pair of cuff links belonging to her husband. They stole a gold pendant with the letter E engraved on it that Mrs Lane wanted Eleanor to have as an 18th birthday present. The thieves also took a pair of gold earrings encrusted with her birthstone that her mother wanted her to wear on her wedding day. They were specially commissioned by Barbara Tipple, an award-winning jeweller who used to have a shop in London's Mayfair. This frog bangle made by award-winning jewellery designer Barbara Tipple was also taken in the raid Stolen: Another pair of beautiful gold earrings that were taken in the burglary in West Sussex This golden necklace was going to be given to Eleanor on one of her birthdays after her mother is no longer there to give it to her Mrs Lane also had a Pandora charm bracelet taken. The family were collecting charms for it from places they visited so the youngster could have it to remember her mother by after she died. Three iPads, a collection of 30 of her husband's watches, a gold chain that belonged to her grandmother, a set of speakers, two sets of car keys and 140 cash were also taken in the raid. Describing her son's memory box, she said: 'It had his stillbirth certificate in it and now that's bent. 'His funeral service leaflet is in there, the only clothes he ever got to wear, letters from the hospital. 'I have absolutely nothing else left of him and they have tainted everything.' Mrs Lane posted an emotional appeal to help catch the burglars on social media with a never-before-seen picture of her stillborn son George Mrs Lane says her daughter (pictured) has been left shaken by the burglary Mrs Lane added: 'Some parts of the house were a complete mess. They went through my daughter's gym bag. 'They took three pillow cases they presumably used to carry everything in. 'Sleeping in a bed where burglars have touched the pillows is pretty horrific. 'I keep thinking about what else might have been taken. Something will just pop into your head and you think 'Where's that?' 'When was the last time you saw that?' Nine-year-old Eleanor 'isn't handling the ordeal very well', she explains. Her mother said: 'She's been asking lots of questions. She's very angry. She hasn't been sleeping and is scared they will come back. 'She's always been aware of the jewellery, so she is saying things like 'they've taken my ring'. The thieves took bespoke necklaces, rings (one pictured) and bracelets made exclusively for Eleanor by top Mayfair jeweller Barbara Tipple. Police believe the thieves broke in and stole the items (one pictured) between 5 and 7.30pm on March 4 Mrs Lane, who also has a number of auto-immune conditions and currently sees six different consultants at five different hospitals, says her daughter doesn't know she is dying. She said: 'I shield her from my condition. But there are some things you can't hide.' Sharing her ordeal on Facebook she revealed she had never shown anyone a picture of her stillborn son before, but wanted to do anything that might encourage people to share her story and catch the suspects. She told MailOnline: 'I have never shown anyone a picture of him. I feel sad I have had to share that part of my life with people, but if it means I can get my daughter's things back...' The mother-of-one has offered a 5,000 reward to anyone who can bring her back the missing jewellery. After her Facebook appeal she found out another house had been burgled on the same evening nine miles down the road. Police, who have not yet arrested anyone, have forensically linked the two incidents. Mrs Lane says she would have been home at the time of the burglary if it wasn't for a one-off swimming event her daughter was taking part in. She left her converted bungalow at around 4.30pm to pick her up from her childminders and take her to the event. A few hours later she got a call from her husband to say the front door was wide open and the house had been burgled. One of the rings designed by Barbara Tipple for Kristy Lane's daughter Eleanor that was stolen in the burglary is pictured Police believe the thieves broke in between 5 and 7.30pm. She added: 'Someone must know somebody who knows something. 'Somebody must know them. I am disgusted someone could do this. 'This is the only thing I can do for my daughter after I'm gone and I just want it all returned to the person it was intended for.' A Sussex Police spokesman told MailOnline: 'Police are investigating a report of a burglary at a house in Crawley Down, on Monday 4 March between 5pm and 7.30pm. 'The intruders stole a large quantity of property including jewellery and a memory box, which has sentimental value to the owners. 'Any witnesses or anyone with information about the burglary should contact police online https://www.sussex.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/ or ring 101 quoting serial 1064 of 04/03.' Any witnesses or anyone with information about the burglary should contact police online https://www.sussex.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/ or ring 101 quoting serial 1064 of 04/03 Australia's most sought-after Airbnb properties for travellers looking for a home away from home have been revealed. Speaking to Today on Thursday, Airbnb's country manager Sam McDonagh said the online marketplace has an option where visitors can rate their most loved stays. Mr McDonagh said the feedback has provided valuable insight into what makes some of the 200,000 listed properties so special. 'The thing that we're seeing is that people want to travel deeper and have these authentic, local, affordable experiences,' Mr McDonagh said. The manager then revealed the top five rated properties for their architecturally-designed interiors, luxurious facilities, and subtle touches that set them apart. 1. Luxury Gold Coast Hinterland villa, Gold Coast, Queensland The number one rated property is a luxury villa (pictured) in the hinterland behind the Gold Coast The stunning hinterland property comes with lost-style accommodation, a pool, hot tub and open fire place Mr McDonagh said the number one rated property is a luxury villa in the hinterland behind the Gold Coast, which sleeps 10 people comfortably. The stunning property, which comes with lost-style accommodation, a pool, hot tub and open fire place, is spread over four hectares and offers breathtaking views. 'One of the really great things here is the views and just getting away but still (being) close to the airport and the Gold Coast,' he said. 2. Treehouse in the Blue Mountains, Blackheath, New South Wales The cosy loft-style tree house at Blackheath (pictured) in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts or a couple looking for a romantic getaway Mr McDonagh said the Blackheath property gives people the unique opportunity to get away The Airbnb manager said the point of difference about the second most sought-after property made it a standout listing for travellers. The cosy loft-style tree house at Blackheath in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts or a couple looking for a romantic getaway. Mr McDonagh said while it doesn't offer the chic design the other properties on the online marketplace provide, it gives people the unique opportunity to get away. 3. #thebarnTAS, Hobart, Tasmania History and heritage are at the heart of the third most loved property (pictured) just a few minutes from Hobart's CBD The late 1820s sandstone barn has been fully renovated and features full height ceilings History and heritage are at the heart of the third most loved property just a few minutes from Hobart's CBD. This late 1820s sandstone barn has been fully renovated by two youing architects so that it provides a hint of yesteryear but with all the mod cons. Mr McDonagh said the hosts of the property have really put their craft on display, which makes it a real standout in Airbnb's listings. 4. Couple's romantic retreat, Monington Peninsula, Victoria The one bedroom romantic alfresco spa studio (pictured) comes with a cosy double sided fireplace and is only a 500m walk to nearby beaches and Peninsula Hot Springs The fourth most sought-after property in Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne, rates highly among guests who are looking for a private getaway. The one bedroom romantic alfresco spa studio comes with a cosy double sided fireplace and is only a 500m walk to nearby beaches and Peninsula Hot Springs. Mr McDonagh said the host has gone all out to make travellers feel at home by providing an incredible guidebook of all the fantastic places to visit in the area. 5. Warehouse loft-style apartment. Mount Lawley, Western Australia One of the things that sets Perth's Mt Lawley property apart from other Airbnb listings is the impeccable design by the designer and architect hosts The fifth most popular property by Airbnb travellers is a chic loft-style apartment in Mt Lawley, in north Perth, which is known for its trendy dining and nightlife. Mr McDonagh said one of the things that sets the property apart from other Airbnb listings is the impeccable design by the designer and architect hosts. 'It's no surprises that they've come up with a great property,' he said. AirAsia is offering cheap one-way fares to a tropical Indonesian island, which has been tipped to take the top spot as the favourite destination for Australians. The budget airline announced its new four-time weekly flights between Perth and Lombok, east of Bali this week. As part of the announcement, AirAsia is offering one-way flights to Lombok from just $99. AirAsia has launched cheap one-way fares to Indonesia's newest holiday hotspot Lombok, which has been tipped to take the top spot a favourite destination for Australians The budget airline announced its new four-time weekly flights between Perth and Lombok, east of Bali this week Jetsetters can snag the cheap flights until March 24, to travel between June 9 and October 26. Australian sun-seekers are expected to flock to the new destination, which has been described as 'the new Bali'. Lombok, east of Bali, has gearing up to become the next tourism hotspot with promises of endless blissful beaches. Nature-lovers will be in their element thanks to the spectacular mountains, lush greenery and epic waves. AirAsia Indonesia chief executive Dendy Kurniawan told The West the short flights from Perth will help transform the island into a thriving destination. 'The development of Lombok as an AirAsia hub will also serve as the catalyst for healthy growth and competition in Indonesia. By stimulating the market with low fares we want to provide more opportunities for Australians and Indonesians to fly.' Australian sun-seekers are expected to flock to the new destination, which has been described as 'the new Bali' Nature-lovers will be in their element thanks to the spectacular mountains, lush greenery and epic waves Tourists will be welcomed to the island as it continues to recover from the series of deadly earthquakes that struck last year. A spokeswoman for Air Asia said AirAsia's commitment to develop a new hub in the West Nusa Tenggara province would accelerate post-earthquake recovery efforts and lay the foundations for the Indonesian Government's sustainable development initiative to create '10 new Balis'. 'The new service between Perth and Lombok also provides a welcome boost to the local tourism and visitor economy and, in coming months, AirAsia will unveil a number o The mother of Alesha MacPhail has opened up about the harrowing moment she had to identify her six-year-old daughter's body. Georgina Lochrane said she 'could see the pain and fear' on Alesha's face when she had to identify her body in hospital. The young mother has since vowed to face 16-year-old Aaron Campbell, who raped and murdered 'angelic' Alesha after abducting her from her bed in the middle of the night on the Scottish island of Bute. Ms Lochrane said she 'wants to know why' Campbell - who smiled at her when he was found guilty of murder in court - chose her daughter as his victim. She added she was too afraid to have more children 'because the world isn't safe' and has called upon prosecutors to 'bring back the death penalty for animals like him.' The 24-year-old mother has also revealed how she only found out her daughter was missing when she logged onto Facebook. Georgina Lochrane, 24, 'wants answers' from 16-year-old Aaron Campbell, who raped and murdered her 'angelic' child Alesha Alesha, from Airdrie, Lanarkshire, was taken from her bed to nearby woodland after falling asleep watching Peppa Pig and subjected to harrowing abuse Alesha, from Airdrie, Lanarkshire, was reported missing while visiting her grandparents on the island on July 2 last year. She was taken from her bed to nearby woodland after falling asleep watching Peppa Pig and subjected to harrowing abuse. A ban on naming 'evil' Aaron Campbell due to his age was overturned Her naked remains were found two hours later in the grounds of the former Kyles Hydropathic Hotel. In February, a jury at High Court in Glasgow found Campbell guilty of taking the youngster from her bed, raping and mutilating her and dumping her body in woodland. An autopsy found that Alesha had suffered 117 injuries and died from significant pressure being applied to her face and neck. Alesha's mother told the Daily Record today she wants answers from Campbell. She said: 'I just want to know, why her? Why Alesha?' Ms Lochrane only found out her daughter was missing when she saw a post on Facebook, after waking up with a 'feeling in her stomach' of missing Alesha. She told the Record: 'I saw a screen shot from my cousin of a Facebook post saying Alesha was missing. I thought it was a joke. 'I went on to the post and started reading the comments and that's when I started seeing people saying they were sorry for her loss.' She said she was told police had found a body matching Alesha's description and 'hoped it was a mistake'. She told the Record: 'I briefly remember seeing her wee face. I just wanted to jump through the doors and grab her and hold her. 'I had to wait another four days until I could get in and touch her. You could see the pain and fear on her face.' Ms Lochrane, who has a four-year-old daughter Courtney, said Campbell has left her terrified of having more children. Alesha had suffered 117 injuries and died from significant pressure being applied to her face and neck Alesha's mother (pictured outside Glasgow's High Court on February 12), said she wants answers from Campbell She told the Daily Record: 'I would have liked more children but now I just couldn't. How can I bring another child into this world when it isn't safe?' She also revealed how Campbell turned to her in court and smiled after he was found guilty. She was denied a meeting with him in court but has vowed to go to Polmont Young Offenders Institution to 'find answers'. She added: 'When the verdict was read out and he was walking down the stairs, he smiled at us, at our full family. 'I do want to go to see him. He has to approve the visitation but I'm more than happy to go face-to-face with him. I want him to look me in the eyes and I want to know why.' Tributes left to the six-year-old after she was murdered on the Isle of Bute A ban on naming the 'evil' teen due to his age was overturned during a court hearing by a judge who said: 'I can't think of a case in recent times that has attracted such revulsion.' After he was found guilty, Judge Lord Williams told Campbell: 'You committed some of the wickedest most evil crimes this court has ever seen.' Legal sources described him as a 'serial killer who was caught on his first killing'. The teenager was a heavy drinker and cannabis user who was addicted to violent computer games and obsessed with the number of followers on his YouTube channel. Chilling CCTV footage was released showing Campbell walking to and from his mother's home in the middle of the night to dispose of blood-stained clothing just hours after he had murdered the child. Advertisement The black box from the doomed Ethiopian Airlines that could solve the mystery of the crash has arrived in Paris for investigation today. The contents of the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder are expected to provide critical details about what caused the disaster that left 157 dead on Sunday. This afternoon, the grieving family of pilot Yared Mulugeta Getachew wept as they gathered at the scene of the tragedy. Getachew, 29, had been described by the airline as an experienced aviator with more than 8,000 flight hours. This black box flight recorder from the crashed Ethiopian Airlines jet could reveal what caused the Boeing 737 Max to crash It comes after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued orders for the Boeing 737 Max 8 jet model involved to be grounded. This followed the lead of other global aviation regulators unnerved by the second crash involving the same type of plane in less than five months. Long queues were seen at airports in Toronto and Vancouver after Air Canada had to re-book passengers onto new flights as the flight ban came in to force. The flight data and cockpit voice recorders recovered from the Ethiopian Airways plane that crashed on Sunday were handed over to France's air accident investigation agency for analysis today (pictured) Two men carry suitcases containing the flight recorders from the Ethiopian jet into the French air accident investigation authority this afternoon Distraught members of the pilot's family broke down in tears today as they visited the crash site in a remote patch of land in Ethiopia The grieving family of pilot Yared Mulugeta Getachew (shown in the framed picture) wept as they gathered at the scene of the tragedy Getachew, 29, had been described by the airline as an experienced aviator with more than 8,000 flight hours Black boxes from the doomed Ethiopian Airlines jet are being sent to Paris for investigation today as the grounding of all 737 Max 8 planes continues to create travel chaos for passengers around the world The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued orders on Wednesday for the Boeing 737 Max 8 jet model involved to be grounded. Pictured: A Southwest Airlines 737 Max 8 jet at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank last night Long queues were seen at airports in Toronto and Vancouver (pictured) after Air Canada had to re-book passengers onto new flights as the flight ban came in to force On Thursday morning in Addis Ababa, grieving relatives of the 157 victims of Sunday's air disaster boarded buses for a three-hour journey to the crash site in a field 37 miles outside the Ethiopian capital. 'We saw where he died and touched the earth,' said Sultan Al-Mutairi, who had come from Riyadh to mourn his brother, Saad, who perished in the crash. Experts say it could take weeks or months to identify the victims, as their remains were scattered, charred and in fragments due to the impact of the crash and ensuing fire. Both the Ethiopian Airlines crash and a Lion Air crash in Indonesia occurred shortly after take-off. New information from the wreckage in Ethiopia and newly refined data about the plane's flight path indicated some similarities between the two disasters 'that warrant further investigation of the possibility of a shared cause,' the FAA said in a statement. France's world famous air crash investigation unit France doesn't see an unusually large number of aviation disasters, but its plane crash investigators are world famous. The French air accident investigation authority, known by its French acronym BEA, is now handling the analysis of the flight recorders from the Ethiopian Airlines jet that crashed after takeoff earlier this week, killing 157 people. Ethiopian authorities wanted European investigators to handle the analysis because of its complexity, according to BEA spokesman Sebastien Barthe. They initially asked Germany, which said it didn't have the necessary capacity to take it on, so then the Ethiopians turned to France, Barthe told The Associated Press. And the BEA said yes. The French agency, based in the Paris suburb of Le Bourget, has extensive experience in investigating crashes and other incidents involving commercial flights. The BEA notably helps with investigations in countries without the resources or equipment to analyze the flight recorders, often called the black boxes. BEA investigators are also often called upon when an Airbus plane has a problem anywhere in the world, because the aviation manufacturer is based in France. This time the plane was a Boeing, whose popular 737 Max 8 model has been grounded or barred from air space in more than 40 countries pending investigation into what caused Sunday's crash. The BEA isn't saying how long it will take to analyze the recorders - which are actually orange, despite their nickname. One collects data such as the plane's altitude and airspeed, while the other records the sounds in the cockpit. Analysis typically takes days or weeks, depending on whether the recorders were damaged in the crash. The French agency insists that its investigations are not aimed at assigning blame but at finding out what went wrong to make recommendations to improve air safety around the world. Among major crash investigations the BEA has led were the 2015 plunge of a Germanwings jet - whose black boxes revealed that the co-pilot had deliberately slammed the plane into an Alpine mountainside after locking the captain out of the cockpit. The BEA also studied the flight recorders retrieved from the depths of the Atlantic Ocean two years after the 2009 crash of Rio-Paris Air France Flight 447. The investigation determined its speed sensors had iced over, causing confusion in the cockpit. Advertisement A small delegation from Austria pay respects to a mutual friend killed at the crash site of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 yesterday Why experts fear Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines 737s crashed for similar reasons Boeing's 737 Max 8 models have been grounded in more than 40 countries around the world in the wake of Sunday's tragedy. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cited new satellite data and evidence from the scene of the crash near Addis Ababa for its decision to ground the planes. Canada's Transport Minister Marc Garneau said a comparison of vertical fluctuations found a 'similar profile' between the Ethiopian Airlines crash and the Lion Air crash - also involving a Max 8 - that claimed 189 lives. Garneau, a former astronaut who flew in the space shuttle, emphasized that the data is not conclusive but crossed a threshold that prompted Canada to bar the Max 8. Similarities between two air disasters involving Boeing 737 Max 8 jets have shone a spotlight on an anti-stalling system used in the aircraft model Questions about the Lion Air crash have honed in on an automated stall prevention system, the MCAS, designed to automatically point the nose of the plane downward if it is in danger of stalling. According to the flight data recorder, the pilots of Lion Air Flight 610 struggled to control the aircraft as the MCAS repeatedly pushed the plane's nose down following takeoff. The Ethiopian Airlines pilots reported similar difficulties before their aircraft plunged to the ground as they tried to return to the airport. Officials have warned against drawing conclusions before investigations have been completed. But according to the New York Times, aviation experts who examined flight data said it suggested MCAS may have been activated on the Ethiopian flight and could have contributed to the tragedy. In the Lion Air crash, experts believe pilots repeatedly had to pull the nose of the jet up, only to be overridden by MCAS. The 'brand new' Boeing 737 MAX 8 took off from Bole International Airport and reached an altitude of 8,600ft before coming crashing down 37 miles from Addis Ababa The intervals were about 15 to 20 seconds, which left a repetitive signature on vertical speed flight data, the Times reports. Data for the Ethiopia jet, while less clear at this stage, appears to show a similar signature, the report adds. Data has revealed the Ethiopian Airlines plane's vertical speed - the rate of climb or descent - was 'unstable' and varied from 2,624 feet per minute to minus 1,216 within minutes of take off. Aviation experts have previously described the Ethiopian data as extremely unusual, saying that once a plane has taken off the vertical speed should rise or remain stable. One aviation commentator, Sally Gethin, said the plane's rapidly fluctuating speed may indicate that the aircraft stalled in the moments before it crashed. She said: 'It's the rate of climb or descent - the most critical phases of flight. Instability at that point e.g. too slow - could destabilise the aircraft, potentially risking stalling and other hazardous consequences. It might indicate the pilots had difficulty controlling the climb/ascent.' An experienced pilot told MailOnline the activity was highly unusual. He said: 'A positive number indicates the aircraft is going up. After takeoff you would expect all these numbers to be positive as the aircraft climbed away from the ground, or zero if they are flying level. 'The small amount of data released so far indicates that after only one minute or so of the flight this aircraft started a descent at a rate of up to 1920 feet per minute down. If the data is correct that is extremely unusual. 'The data then shows the aircraft going up and down until the data stops. That is why some people are referring to unstable vertical speed. Advertisement An Ethiopian delegation led by the accident investigation bureau has flown the black boxes from the Ethiopia plane crash from Addis Ababa to Paris for investigation, Ethiopian Airlines said on Thursday. France's air accident investigation agency BEA will analyse black-box flight recorders, a spokesman said. The contents of the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder that will be examined in France will provide critical details about what caused the plane crash, according to experts. The acting administrator of the FAA, Daniel Elwell, said he did not know how long the U.S. grounding of the aircraft would last. A software fix for the 737 MAX that Boeing has been working on since a fatal crash last October in Indonesia will take months to complete, Elwell told reporters on Wednesday. Deliveries of Boeing's best-selling 737 MAX jets were effectively frozen, though production continued, after the United States joined a global grounding of the narrowbody model over safety concerns, industry sources said. All 737 MAX jets have now been grounded, flight tracking website FlightRadar24 said. An Air Canada flight from San Francisco to Halifax was the last to land late on Wednesday. Grieving friends and family members broke down in tears while some had to be held back (pictured) as they gathered at the crash site 40 miles from Addis Ababa Pictures have emerged showing the scale of the crash site from above. Diggers have been excavating the site in a bid to locate bodies With the uncertainty hanging over the 737 MAX, a French presidential source said European planemaker Airbus and Ethiopian Airlines are discussing a possible new contract as part of the airline's fleet renovation. The official said President Emmanuel Macron and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had spoken about a possible new contract during Macron's visit to Addis Ababa earlier this week. Airlines operating the 371 737 MAX jets that have been delivered since its 2017 debut said they had cancelled some of their flights and rearranged schedules to use other jets in their fleets. 'Our goal is to operate our schedule with every available aircraft in our fleet to meet our customers' expectations during the busy spring travel season,' said U.S. carrier Southwest Airlines Co, the world's biggest operator of the 737 MAX. Boeing, which maintained that its planes were safe to fly, said in a statement that it supported the FAA move. 'Boeing has determined - out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircraft's safety - to recommend to the FAA the temporary suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of 371 737 MAX aircraft.' A mother-of-two who was nicknamed 'The Queen of Poker' was killed in a car crash while competing in her first World Series tournament. Emma Fryer, 42, from Alsager, Cheshire was being driven back to her hotel in the Czech Republic in foggy conditions when a Sat Nav inside the car failed to detect a roundabout and the vehicle ploughed into a lamppost. Driver David Nelson only realised there was a roundabout up ahead when he spotted a roadside sign, but as he tried to slow down, his car spun 180 degrees and crashed. Mrs Fryer suffered a brain injury, rib fractures and damage to several organs in the accident that took place on November 17, 2017. The mother-of-two, who had left a job at Bet365 to become a professional poker player, had been told only a few weeks before her death that her daughter was pregnant and that she was going to become a grandmother for the first time. Emma Fryer, 42, was nicknamed 'The Queen of Poker' and was killed in a car crash while competing in her first World Series tournament She had only recently become a professional poker player and had competed in tournaments in Nottingham and Sheffield before securing a backer who funded her and allowed her to play professionally. Her family say that she was a 'really good player' and had even won 47,000 shortly before her death. Driver Mr Nelson was subsequently convicted of a negligence offence by Czech authorities, similar to causing death by careless driving. His sentence is not known. Mrs Fryer, a former casino VIP account manager, was taking part in the World Series of Poker Europe Tournament in the Czech village of Rozvadov in the Plzen Region of the country. She was said to be 'riding a rich vein of form' ahead of her first World Series of Poker event and had listed her profession as 'poker player' on October 6, 2017 - just a month before the tragedy. In a statement Mr Nelson said: 'On November 5, I was driving from the casino in Rozvadov to our hotel with Emma. We put the details in the SatNav on my phone and we set off. The mother-of-two had only recently become a professional poker player and had competed in tournaments in Nottingham and Sheffield Mrs Fryer, pictured with her husband Gary, had two daughters and was told just weeks before her death that she was going to become a grandmother 'The fog was very bad and we could only see about 25 metres in front of us. Around 40 minutes into the journey we got onto a motorway. 'While driving, I saw a sign for a roundabout, but there was no warning from my SatNav, so I hit the brakes. The car skidded around about 180 degrees and we hit a lamppost. 'The front windscreen was cracked and Emma was leaning on her airbag complaining that her nose was bleeding. A man passing by helped us out of the car and he spoke a little bit of English. 'The passer-by sat in the driver's seat asking Emma if she was OK. The emergency services came and got Emma's door open and were talking to her. 'The police breathalyser me twice and both times were negative for alcohol. I was taken to hospital and Emma was taken to a different one. 'It was about three days later that Emma died from her injuries. I was arrested the police and I was charged with negligence as somebody needs to be held responsible, it cannot be an accident in Czech law.' Her family said that Mrs Fryer had been 'very excited' about her new career, and she had the full support of husband Gary Mrs Fryer suffered a brain injury, rib fractures and damage to several organs in the accident that took place on November 17, 2017 Recording a verdict of death by road traffic collision coroner Peter Sigee said: 'Emma died as a result of her injuries. There were criminal proceedings brought against David in the Czech Republic and they resulted in a conviction. This appears to be the equivalent of a charge of causing death by careless driving. At the time of writing his statement, he was awaiting criminal proceedings. 'Subsequently, Czech criminal proceedings have been resolved and there was a conviction in relation to them. Following legal advice, he will not seek to appeal against this conviction.' Mrs Fryer's mother Sheila Waring, 61, said: 'She was in the process of starting a new career as a professional poker player and as part of her new career she was in the Czech Republic for a tournament. Her family said that she had just started winning significant amounts of money in poker tournaments 'On November 5, 2017, she was at the King's casino in Rozvadov and she had been there with David Nelson and others. As I understand, Emma and David left the casino to drive back to their accommodation. It was then that David crashed into a metal post stood up in concrete. We went out to see the scene. Sadly she died from her injuries. 'It was such a shock, it still feels surreal. Everything was going so well for her, she was the happiest she had ever been.' Mrs Waring also told the Stoke Sentinel: 'Just a few weeks before her death, she found out she was going to be a grandmother. She was so excited. Her eldest daughter Gemma has since given birth to William. 'She had also been excited about her new profession. Her partner Gary was 100 per cent behind her. 'She was a really good player and was starting to make a lot of money. The biggest sum she won was 47,000.' The poker player's youngest daughter, 19-year-old Jessica Fryer, said: 'She would do anything for us.' Sister Liz Carter, 32, said: 'There was no fault on the part of the driver. It was just a tragic accident. 'Emma was so sociable. If you met her once you would remember her. She was so caring and thoughtful and she doted on her nieces and nephews. She was never still - she was always doing something.' Her other sister Sally Parton, 38, said: 'Everyone said this was going to be her breakout year in poker, when she was going to make it to the top. 'She was so popular - she was like a celebrity. The number of people who have been in touch with us has been amazing. Seeing what she meant to so many people has been a great comfort.' Fellow female professional poker player Daiva Byrne said: 'My heart breaks to hear the tragic news regarding Emma Fryer. She was such a wonderful person and an amazing player.' A young mother has shared a heartbreaking bucket list after being diagnosed with cervical cancer at just 19-years-old. Abbie Colvin received the shock diagnosis more than two years ago, after a year of enduring symptoms including cystitis, bleeding after sex and lower back pain. And now the aspiring doctor wants to grasp every possible moment life has to offer and has shared a bucket list of things she wants to do such as being her sister's maid of honour and taking her son Oscar on holiday. Her illness was picked up in a sexual health screening check and doctors told her she would need a hysterectomy. Abbie Colvin (pictured) received the shock diagnosis more than two years ago, after a year of enduring symptoms including cystitis, bleeding after sex and lower back pain Miss Colvin's bucket list has been shared on GoFundMe by her sister Christie. It includes getting married, being maid of honour at her wedding, riding an elephant and going skydiving 'Miracle' baby Oscar Buchanan was born healthy on December 12 2018 and then Abbie started three gruelling rounds of chemotherapy two weeks later. Pictured: Abbie holding baby Oscar, next to the child's father Oakley Buchanan After coming to terms with the fact she may never have a baby, Miss Colvin from Poulton, Lancashire, went in for laser treatment to target cancer cells on her cervix in April 2017 - but a precautionary urine test revealed she was already pregnant. Despite being offered chemotherapy during her pregnancy, Abbie wasn't willing to take any risks as she knew this may be her only chance to carry her own baby. 'Miracle' baby Oscar Buchanan was born healthy on December 12 and Miss Colvin then started three gruelling rounds of chemotherapy two weeks later. The inspirational mother-of-one has continued pushing forward with her life ambitions even though her cancer has continued to spread. Miss Colvin, still gets up everyday at 4am to go to work and is determined to harness her dream of becoming a doctor so continues to study at the university in Manchester. The inspirational mother-of-one (pictured) has continued pushing forward with her life ambitions even though her cancer has continued to spread In a previous interview Miss Colvin (pictured) urged young women to stay positive and not give up on their fight against cervical cancer Her sister has set up a fundraising page to help Abbie achieve the various goals on her bucket list, which also include learning to skate, seeing the Northern Lights and campaign for the smear test age to be lowered. Christie said: ' Her loved ones around her see her when she's unable to even lift her head off her pillow because she's so weak from the treatment, her bald head because she's lost all of her hair. 'But no one would ever know as she holds her head high and has the happiest spirit you could ever imagine. WHAT IS CERVICAL CANCER? Cervical cancer is when abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix grow in an uncontrolled way. The main symptom is unusual bleeding from the vagina. Around 3,200 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the UK each year. That's around 9 cases diagnosed every day. Finding changes in the cells through screening can help to prevent cancer developing. Cervical cancer is more common in younger women. More than half of the cervical cancer cases in the UK each year are diagnosed in women under the age of 45. Treatment depends on where in the cervix the cancer is, how big it is, whether it has spread anywhere else in the body and general health. Usually surgery is needed or a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (chemoradiotherapy). A colposcopy is a simple procedure used to look at the cervix, the lower part of the womb at the top of the vagina. It's often done if cervical screening finds abnormal cells in your cervix. Source: NHS and Cancer Research UK Advertisement 'She never lets anyone around her feel down and sad and that's exactly why she keeps such a brave face and powers on as if nothings even going on in her life. She keeps fighting for her little miracle baby and I genuinely believe thats what has kept her going. 'She is such an inspiration to everyone around her. 'She has posted her "Bucket List" of things she wants to do as life is too short and has been told she might not see another Christmas if things keep going the way they are going. 'She wants to make memories, with all her favourite people in the whole wide world. And take her baby places whilst she's still here and can.' Other things on her bucket list include learning to ice skate, riding an elephant, eat Italian in Italy, seeing the pyramids, go on a family holiday, see Ariana Grande live and mend broken relationships. In an interview with Femail in July 2018 Miss Colvin urged young women to never give up in their battle against cervical cancer. She said: 'For other women battling cervical cancer, you can never give up. You know your own body and you need to keep pushing for a diagnosis. 'If you know something isn't right, you need to stick at it because they actually refuse to give women under 25 a smear test. 'It's really nice to be able to share my story and get it out there for other women, especially people who are too young for a smear. 'It's scary. If I hadn't kept going to the doctors and gone for sexual health screening, I still wouldn't know I had cancer. That one test saved my life. 'Women need to know that even if they're not eligible for a smear test, there are other ways of getting a diagnosis.' Donate to Abbie's fundraiser here Former Met Police boss Sir Paul Stephenson (pictured outside New Scotland Yard headquarters in London) believes the drop in the use of police stop and search operations is the result of unanalysed political correctness' A former chief of the Metropolitan Police has blamed political correctness for Britain's knife crime epidemic. Sir Paul Stephenson believes the drop in the use of police stop and search operations is the result of 'naivety and unanalysed political correctness'. He also claims senior politicians have been more preoccupied with avoiding blame than taking responsibility for the overwhelming number of young people killed with knives. He told public safety officials on Tuesday: 'Let no-one peddle the nonsense of simple 'go to' solutions, there aren't any. Let no-one tell you that we haven't been here before - we have. 'And am I alone in suspecting that recent statements on this matter by some senior politicians owe more to avoidance of blame and self-justification than they do to acceptance of responsibility for the mounting toll of young bodies in our mortuaries and effective policy-making?' As Home Secretary, Theresa May oversaw a huge drop in the number of stop and searches, from 23 people per 1,000 in the year 2009/10 to five in 1,000 in 2016/17. They have become extremely controversial over claims they disproportionately target the black community. In his Spring Statement yesterday Chancellor Philip Hammond revealed a 100million government boost in the fight to tackle knife crime. At the beginning of March the nation was left horrified by the murders of two innocent 17-year-olds Yousef Makki (left) from Manchester and Jodie Chesney from London (right) Most of the money will pay for a 'surge' in street policing as forces grapple with escalating violence nationwide. The Treasury said the cash will free up existing officers to respond to crime and go on patrols. Most of the funding will be spent in the highest knife crime areas, which include London, the West Midlands, Merseyside, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, South Wales and Greater Manchester. The announcements come amid a week-long crackdown on knife crime by police forces across the UK. Operation Spectre was launched on Monday providing amnesty bins for youths to anonymously give up their weapons and encouraging more stop and searches among officers. There have been 24 murders in London so far this year and two others in Birmingham, many of them using knives. At the beginning of the month the nation was left horrified by the murders of two innocent 17-year-olds Yousef Makki from Manchester and Jodie Chesney from London. A panel beater who allegedly drove the getaway car after former bikie boss Mahmoud 'Mick' Hawi was gunned down in broad daylight has been charged with murder. Father-of-one Jamal El Jaidi, 31, is the fourth man to be charged in relation to last year's fatal shooting, a month after the Belmore man was charged with possession of a prohibited pistol. Police allege El Jaidi drove a grey Mercedes-Benz to a Rockdale gym in Sydney's south and waited while gunman Yusuf Nazlioglu shot Hawi, 31, as Hawi got into his car on February 15 last year. Panel beater Jamal El Jaidi is the fourth man to be charged in relation to the death of Mick Hawi The ex-Comanchero boss was rushed to St George Hospital, where he later died. After Hawi was killed, police allege El Jaidi and Nazlioglu drove to a nearby lane in Rockdale and torched their getaway car. Police allege the balaclava-clad men were captured on CCTV running from the burning vehicle before they fled to Bexley in a Toyota Aurion. CCTV footage publicly released by NSW Police last month allegedly captured the men on Bowood Avenue in Bexley - 20 minutes after previous footage showed them running down the Rockdale street after allegedly torching the Mercedes-Benz. Ex-Comanchero boss Mick Hawi (pictured) was gunned down in broad daylight last year Two days later, police allege tow truck driver Moustafa Salami picked up the Aurion and transported it to Rosebery, which was later seized by police. Forensic testing allegedly found El Jaidi and Nazlioglu's DNA inside the vehicle. As part of the investigation, Strike Force Amirs detectives located a firearm during a crime scene warrant at a home at Bexley. The firearm was seized and underwent forensic and ballistic examination, which led to El Jaidi being charged with possession of a prohibited pistol last month. New CCTV from the day of Hawi's alleged murder was released last month The firearm is not believed to have been used in Mr Hawi's alleged murder. Following further inquiries, Strike Force Amirs detectives charged El Jaidi with murder when he appeared in Burwood Local Court on Thursday. El Jaidi applied for bail, which was refused by magistrate Ian Rodgers, who cited a risk to public safety. Mick Hawi (pictured with his wife) was killed outside a Rockdale gym in Sydney's south El Jaidi's lawyers told the court the case against their client was 'thin', The Daily Telegraph reported. 'At the end of the day what we have is a purely circumstantial case and we say in relation to both charges it is weak indeed,' Ian Lloyd QC told the court. A dozen supporters were in court for the hearing, including El Jaidi's brother, who refused to comment to media as he left court. Lawyer Mahmoud Abbas told Nine News El Jaidi will fight the firearm and murder charges. El Jaidi will reappear in court on May 3. Nazlioglu, 37, and Ahmad Doudar have also charged with murder over Hawi's death, while Salami, 37, has been charged with being an accessory to murder. NSW Police said inquiries into Mr Hawi's death are continuing. Father-of-one Jamal El Jaidi has been remanded in custody to reappear in court on May Disgraced Cardinal George Pell has hired a new celebrity barrister in a bid to appeal his sentence, which he claims the judge and jury got wrong. Top lawyer Bret Walker SC has reportedly been hired for about $25,000 a day to argue for the cardinal's freedom, according to The Daily Telegraph. Mr Walker, who is thought to charge as much as $25,000 a day, has represented high profile clients as Barnaby Joyce and billionaire Gina Rinehart's children. Pell, the highest ranking catholic official to be convicted of child sex abuse, was on Wednesday sentenced to up to six years' jail by the Victorian County Court. Disgraced Cardinal George Pell (pictured) has hired a new celebrity barrister in a bid to appeal his sentence, which he claims the judge and jury got wrong Cardinal Pell was described by Chief Judge Paul Kidd as 'breathtakingly arrogant' His crime - the rape and molestation of a 13-year-old boy, and abuse of another - was described by Chief Judge Paul Kidd as 'breathtakingly arrogant'. Judge Kidd acknowledged Pell may die in jail and, if he ever walks free, will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life. After his conviction was announced earlier this year, Pell's then barrister, Robert Richter QC, quickly sought to appeal the jury verdict in a higher court. The appeal is based on three grounds, documents released by the court said, and legal sources have said Pell has a 'reasonable' chance of convincing appeal judges. Pell's first ground of appeal is that the jury verdict was 'unreasonable'. Pell's lawyers argued the body of evidence did not leave it open to the jury to be satisfied of 'his guilt beyond reasonable doubt'. Pell's defence barrister Robert Richter QC has described the guilty verdict as 'perverse'. He will remain part of his legal team during the appeal PELL A SEX OFFENDER George Pell on Wednesday signed documents making Australia's highest ever ranking Catholic official a registered sex offender for life. That will have serious consequences if his conviction is upheld and the 77-year-old walks free from prison at the end of his sentence. Pell is the highest ranking Catholic official to ever be convicted of child abuse The Turnbull government last year implemented a law which cancels the passports of paedophiles to prevent child sex tourism. Senator Derryn Hinch said Pell, who used to live in Rome, will no longer be able to travel to the Vatican, Rome, or anywhere else outside Australia. Hinch was a leading proponent of the law change. Pell will also be bound by Victorian laws surrounding registered sex offenders. He would have to report contact with children, membership of any groups, residential and frequented addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, internet usernames, motor vehicles, travel and employment details to police each year. If Pell failed to report any of those details, he could be charged with an offence. Advertisement One of the two boys Pell abused died of an accidental heroin overdose years before the case went to trial. The other boy's evidence was critical to the prosecution case and accepted by the County Court jury. The second appeal ground is that the judge made an error when he prevented Pell's legal team from using a 'Pac-Man' style animation of people moving around the Cathedral during the trial. The defence had planned to use the video, which showed people as coloured dots moving around the cathedral, to demonstrate their argument that it was 'impossible' for Pell to have committed the crimes. The third appeal ground is that there was a 'fundamental irregularity' in the trial. The defence claimed Pell was not 'arraigned' in front of a jury. The arraignment is the part of the trial where an accused person enters their plea. Even though Pell is going to be represented on appeal by a new barrister Mr Richter is expected to remain on his legal team. Legal sources said it is common for different lawyers to present the appeal case as it 'allows the barrister to dismiss the other lawyer's failings at trial'. Mr Richter has bluntly described the jury verdict as 'perverse'. Meanwhile, Pell's victim is holding his breath for the appeal. 'It is hard for me to allow myself to feel the gravity of this moment,' he said in a statement today. 'I appreciate that the court has acknowledged what was inflicted upon me as a child. However, there is no rest for me. 'Everything is overshadowed by the forthcoming appeal.' Two days have been set aside for the appeal so far, June 5 and June 6. The defence claimed Judge Paul Kidd made an error when he banned them from playing a 'Pac Man' animation depicting people moving around the Cathedral (pictured) at trial An Australian tech entrepreneur has struck a deal with credit card giant American Express that should see the 26-year-old rake in millions. Zac Altman, who grew up in Sydney's affluent eastern suburbs before venturing to America to chase his business dreams, co-founded LoungeBuddy in 2013. LoungeBuddy, which is a digital platform that allows travellers to discover, book and access airport lounges worldwide, was bought by American Express this week. Zac Altman (pictured), who grew up in Sydney's affluent eastern suburbs before venturing to America to chase his business dreams, co-founded LoungeBuddy in 2013 Details of the deal with American Express have not been disclosed, however, when the company was last valued, in 2015, it came in at a staggering $24million (USD$18million), Sydney Morning Herald reported. Mr Altman was just 20 when he created LoungeBuddy with Tyler Dikman, the company's US chief executive, and Brent Griffith, vice-president of marketing. The company makes its money by partnering with credit card companies, airlines and through commissions for access to lounges. LoungeBuddy was not Mr Altman's first tech start-up attempt. He first created an app called Taxi Pro, which allows users to book taxis across Australia. Taxi Pro was later bought by Catch of the Day founders Gabby and Hezi Leibovich. Mr Altman revealed in a podcast in 2016 that his successes did not come overnight. 'I had this naive expectation that things happened overnight. They don't,' he said. 'When you see the behind the scenes of it all, you see it takes grit, determination, and in some respects stubbornness in order to change things. LoungeBuddy is a mobile app and website that provides a premium airport experience with lounge ratings and reviews The company makes its money by partnering with credit card companies, airlines and through commissions for access to lounges (stock image) 'The notion of the overnight success is a farce and there are a lot of really hard-working people, a lot of luck, and opportunity that goes into any success.' American Express' acquisition of LoungeBuddy is expected to be completed in April. WHAT IS LOUNGEBUDDY? LoungeBuddy is a mobile app and website that provides a premium airport experience with lounge ratings and reviews. It also has comprehensive eligibility criteria, and global airport coverage through its lounge partners. The company makes its money by partnering with credit card companies, airlines and through commissions for access to lounges. Advertisement Chris Cracchiolo, Senior Vice President, Global Loyalty and Benefits, American Express said the airport lounge access they offer their premium card members through the Global Lounge Collection was among the most popular travel benefits they offer. 'With the acquisition of LoungeBuddy, we will be able to leverage its cutting-edge platform to develop additional ways to become an essential part of our Card Members' digital lives. American Express has been partnering with LoungeBuddy since 2017 to provide information in the American Express mobile app for the more than 1,200 airport lounges that Platinum Card and Centurion Members can access through the American Express Global Lounge Collection. After the acquisition, LoungeBuddy will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Express under the leadership of its original founders and will continue to develop its technologies and capabilities in digital travel services. Advertisement British military veterans have slammed the double standards they say are being applied to the Troubles - which today saw a former paratrooper charged with murder while IRA terrorists go free. It was announced today that a former serviceman, named only as 'Soldier F', will stand trial for the murders of two men during the Bloody Sunday shooting in 1972 and the attempted murders of four others. The prosecution has sparked a political row, with Armed Forces groups saying soldiers who served their country are facing investigation while IRA members avoid action under so-called 'comfort letters'. Alan Barry, founder of Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans, said: 'Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, veterans are being left open to prosecution while terrorists have been cleansed of their past crimes.' At the same time as Soldier F's prosecution was announced this morning, authorities revealed that two alleged Official IRA members would face no criminal action. In the wake of this morning's landmark decision to prosecute the soldier, MPs accused the government of failing to do enough to protect those who fought in the Army. Former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams waded into the row this afternoon, saying more soldiers should be prosecuted and throwing his weight behind a protest just over the Irish border in Dundalk. Two children hold pictures of Bloody Sunday victims James Wray and William McKinney during a vigil in West Belfast Northern Ireland Youths confront British soldiers minutes before paratroopers opened fire killing 14 civilians on what became known as Bloody Sunday Fresh graffiti appeared today on the 'Free Derry' road sign after the announcement by Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service that only one former paratrooper is to be prosecuted John Kelly, whose 17-year-old brother Michael was shot dead, and Alana Burke, who was injured, react to the decision Soldier F is one of 17 former members of the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment who were investigated over the violence which left 13 people dead in Londonderry in 1972. The sixteen other British military veterans who were investigated over Bloody Sunday will not face action, it was announced this morning. Soldier F is now thought to be in his 70s and faces trial for the alleged murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the alleged attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell. Critics of the decision point out that around 200 IRA fugitives, thought to be behind a series of terror attacks during the Troubles, were sent so-called 'comfort letters', assuring them they were no longer suspects. Soldier F will be charged with the murders of James Wray (left) and William McKinney (right) on Bloody Sunday. Mr Wray, 22, was shot twice in the back. Mr McKinney was film-maker who recorded scenes from the march before the shooting started A photo from January 30 1972 shows demonstrators facing off with British soldiers minutes before paratroopers opened fire, killing 13 civilians on what became known as Bloody Sunday Founder of the Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans group Alan Barry (left) said British troops faced prosecution while IRA terrorists went free. Former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams (right) said more soldiers should have been prosecuted and threw his weight behind a Sinn Fein protest near the Northern Irish border The British government said it will support Soldier F and cover all of his legal costs, with Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson praising the 'courage and distinction' of those who fought in Northern Ireland. But the minister was criticised by fellow Tory MP and ex-Army Officer Johnny Mercer for failing to do enough to protect soldiers from prosecution. Families of those killed wept after the prosecutor's decision was announced. They welcomed the charges brought against Soldier F but said they felt more of the group should face court. Soldier F was not named by prosecutors today. He may be named when his brought before court in the coming weeks, but could apply for his anonymity to be extended. Soldiers involved in the shooting were given anonymity in the 2010 public inquiry, although the report refers to him being called 'Dave' by fellow Paras. Linda Nash, whose youngest brother William Nash died on Bloody Sunday, wept and hugged campaigner Eamonn McCann after it was announced that a British soldier will be prosecuted over the shootings. But critics have hit out at the decision Military groups slammed at the decision to bring charges against Soldier F with Alan Barry, the founder of the Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans group, saying: 'It's one soldier too many as far as we're concerned. 'It's very one-sided. No soldier should be charged. It happened 47 years ago, a line in the sand needs to be drawn and people need to move on. 'Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement veterans are being left open to prosecution while terrorists have been cleansed of their past crimes.' Former Grenadier Guard Mr Barry, 54, who served in Northern Ireland in the 1980s, added: 'It's all about appeasement: appeasing the IRA, appeasing Sinn Fein, and if that means throwing one or two veterans under a bus then that's what they'll do. 'It's a disgrace. How old is he? He'll be in his 70s. I want to know why the IRA aren't being prosecuted.' Ex-Artillery Sergeant Maurice Durward, 78, who spent 22 years in the Army, said he would not encourage his grandson to sign up because of the 'betrayal of politicians'. Former Coldstream Guardsman Vern Tilbury, 58, accused the country of 'spitting on' its veterans. Mr Tilbury, who served in West Belfast in 1978-79 and 1982, said: 'This government is looking at us veterans as collateral damage. We're just a thorn in their side. How many more of us are going to have to go through it?' Relatives of those who died said more soldiers should have been charged. Veterans groups said Soldier F is 'one too many' Families of those who died on Bloody Sunday march this morning through the Bogside in Londonderry, Northern Ireland Ex-Army MP attacks government failure to protect veterans After the announcement that Soldier F would face murder charges today, Conservative MP and former British Army officer Johnny Mercer tweeted that it was the result of 'an abject failure to govern and legislate, on our watch as a Conservative administration'. 'When I speak of a chasm between those who serve and their political masters in this country, I mean this,' he added, referring to the case. Mr Mercer (pictured, above) posted a video of Theresa May vowing to never let 'left-wing human rights lawyers harangue our armed forces', saying the footage 'stings' him. Another Conservative ex-Army officer Bob Stewart, who served in Northern Ireland, said that through mistakes were made, possibly by Soldier F, he should not go to court. He told the BBC: 'They were not acts of deliberation and I think people should bear that in mind and he shouldn't go to court for that reason. 'It's extremely easy to prosecute soldiers because the Army keeps very good records and has post-incident reports that are detailed and thorough. The terrorists on the other hand, who murder deliberately, have no such records. And so it's not surprising that two provisional IRA people don't come to court.' Advertisement Relatives of those who died today reacted with a mix of vindication, disappointment and defiance. While welcoming the news for the six families directly impacted by the decision to prosecute Soldier F - declaring that a 'victory' - the campaigners said they would keep fighting for the other dead and injured. John Kelly, whose 17-year-old brother Michael was shot dead, said: 'The dead cannot cry out for justice, it is the duty of the living to do so for them. We have cried out for them for many years, and now we have succeeded for them. Do not deny us justice any longer.' Mickey McKinney, who is set to see Soldier F in court over the murder of his brother Willie, said: 'For us here today it is important to point out that justice for one family is justice for all of us.' The families had marched through the city this morning ahead of the decision, holding pictures of those killed. British Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed the Ministry of Defence would support soldier F and pay the legal costs. He said: 'We are indebted to those soldiers who served with courage and distinction to bring peace to Northern Ireland. 'The welfare of our former service personnel is of the utmost importance and we will offer full legal and pastoral support to the individual affected by today's decision. This includes funding all his legal costs and providing welfare support. 'The Ministry of Defence is working across Government to drive through a new package of safeguards to ensure our armed forces are not unfairly treated. 'And the Government will urgently reform the system for dealing with legacy issues. Our serving and former personnel cannot live in constant fear of prosecution.' Around 35 supporters from campaign group Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans also gathered, with a banner reading: 'Our veterans fought for you, our veterans died for you, now it's your chance to fight for us.' The case comes after years of arguing over one of the darkest days of the Troubles. Unionists and military veterans insist it is betrayal of those who served and fought in Northern Ireland to now put the soldiers on trial. The soldiers involved claimed they retaliated after coming under gunfire and former Army chiefs fear servicemen may not follow orders in future if they think they could face prosecution at a later date. The public inquiry into the shootings found the soldiers fired the first shot. Derek Wilford, pictured (left) in recent years and (right) in 1972, was the commander in charge on Bloody Sunday. He said he felt his men had been betrayed British troops search civilians on the day of the Bloody Sunday massacre, January 30, 1972 Ahead of today's decision, the officer who was in charge of British troops on the day hit out at the possibility that his men will be dragged into court nearly 50 years on. Lt-Col Derek Wilford, the commander on the day, said yesterday that he and his men feel 'betrayed' and that he is 'very angry' at their treatment by authorities. The now-86-year-old told The Daily Telegraph: 'I maintain the fact that there was fire and we were part of it. These people on the barricades were out to kill us. You don't need to be a soldier to realise that's what was happening. 'That is why now I have no sympathy with the other side. My sympathy lies with my soldiers, who day after day were obliged to go out into the wilderness of hostility.' Lt-Col Derek Wilford said he accepted that what happened was bad and he is sorry for what took place, but does not regret what his soldiers did. Police began the criminal probe in the wake of the 12-year, 200million inquiry led by Lord Saville, which concluded in 2010. Pictured: Tear gas explosions at the demonstrations on Bloody Sunday British troops had been sent into the Bogside nationalist housing estate to deal with riots which followed a march, held in defiance of a ban on public processions. What did the Bloody Sunday Inquiry find? The 2010 Saville Inquiry into Bloody Sunday found: - No warning had been given to any civilians before the soldiers opened fire. - None of the soldiers fired in response to attacks by petrol-bombers or stone-throwers. - Some of those killed or injured were clearly fleeing or going to help those injured or dying. - None of the casualties was posing a threat or doing anything that would justify their shooting. - Many of the soldiers lied about their actions. - Republican paramilitaries had been responsible for 'some firing', but the scale was exaggerated by British soldiers. Advertisement As well as the 13 who died, a total of 15 others were shot and injured. One of the injured died months later from an inoperable tumour and some consider him the 14th fatality. In 2010, an inquiry by Lord Saville found that those killed were innocent and posed no threat. The soldiers claimed they fired in retaliation after coming under attack from IRA gunmen. One former soldier who was under investigation previously said: 'We were made to give evidence to the Saville inquiry. We weren't hiding from anyone. But we were told statements given to the inquiry couldn't be used in prosecutions. 'The next thing we know, the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service (PPS) are saying they are deciding on prosecutions. 'At the time of the inquiry, families were saying they were not interested in prison sentences for soldiers. Now they are saying they want life sentences.' Lord Saville, who chaired the investigation into the incident, yesterday insisted its sole purpose was to find out what went on. Lord Saville told the BBC yesterday: 'I didn't know what was likely to happen. We hoped the inquiry would help the situation in Ireland and I think and hope it did to a degree. 'The question as to whether it draws a line under events or whether there should be prosecutions is not one for me, it's one for politicians and prosecuting authorities. 'If people want more and feel that justice can only be served by prosecutions against those that they believe to be responsible, then that is a matter again on which I can't really comment.' Pictured: The aftermath of the incident. Eighteen former paratroopers were under investigation, but one died last year Evidence given to the Bloody Sunday inquiry is not admissible in any potential criminal prosecutions under terms agreed when it was launched in 1998. But soldiers say there would have been no prospect of prosecutions without it. An investigation by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) followed the 195 million inquiry and files on 18 soldiers were submitted to prosecutors in 2016 and 2017 for consideration. One former soldier has since died. Four other soldiers included in the Saville Report died before police had completed their investigation. A decision is also due to be taken today by the PPS as to whether to charge two Official IRA suspects present on the day. Papers before prosecutors included 668 witness statements and numerous photos, video and audio evidence. The mural depicting those who lost their lives on Bloody Sunday in Rossville Street Who were the victims of the Bloody Sunday shootings? Patrick Doherty, 31. The married father-of-six was shot from behind as he attempted to crawl to safety from the forecourt of Rossville Flats. Gerald Donaghey, 17. The IRA youth member was shot in the abdomen while running between Glenfada Park and Abbey Park. While Lord Saville said it was probable that he was in possession of nail bombs when he was shot, he stressed that he was not preparing to throw a nail bomb at the time and was shot 'while trying to escape from the soldiers'. John 'Jackie' Duddy, 17. The first to be killed on Bloody Sunday, he was running away when he was shot in the chest in the car park of Rossville Flats. Hugh Gilmour, 17. The talented footballer and ardent Liverpool fan was hit with a single shot as he ran away from the rubble barricade in Rossville Street. Michael Kelly, 17. The trainee sewing machine mechanic was shot once in the abdomen close to the rubble barricade in Rossville Street by a soldier crouched some 80 yards away at Kells Walk. (Top row, left to right) Patrick Doherty, Bernard McGuigan, John 'Jackie' Duddy and Gerald Donaghey. (Bottom row, left to right) Gerard McKinney, Jim Wray, William McKinney and John Young Michael McDaid, 20. The barman died instantly after being shot in the face at the barricade in Rossville Street. Kevin McElhinney, 17. The grocery store worker was shot from behind as he crawled towards Rossville Flats. Bernard 'Barney' McGuigan, 41. The father-of-six was going to the aid of Patrick Doherty, waving a white handkerchief in his hand, when he was shot in the head with a single round. He died instantly. Gerard McKinney, 35. The father-of-eight was running close behind Gerald Donaghey in Abbey Park when the bullet that killed both of them hit him first. William 'Willie' McKinney (not related to Gerard), 27. The keen amateur film-maker recorded scenes from the march with his hand-held cinecamera before the shooting started. The camera was found in his jacket pocket as he lay dying after being shot in the back in Glenfada Park. William Nash, 19. The dockworker was struck by a single bullet to the chest close to the rubble barricade in Rossville Street. James Wray, 22. Engaged to be married, the civil rights activist was shot twice in the back in Glenfada Park. John Young, 17. The menswear shop clerk was killed instantly with a single shot to the head at the rubble barricade. (Top row, left to right:) Michael Kelly, Michael McDaid, Hugh Gilmore. (Bottom row, left to right) Kevin McElhinney, William Nash and (bottom right) John Johnston, who some consider a victim of the shooting but whose death was put down to a brain tumour John Johnston, 59, was shot twice by soldiers positioned inside a derelict building in William Street. He died four months later in hospital, but while many consider him the 14th victim of Bloody Sunday, his death was formally attributed to an inoperable brain tumour. Advertisement Anger over the IRA terror suspects continuing to walk free after peace process 'comfort letters' scandal John Downey was previously accused of the murders of four soldiers in the 1982 IRA Hyde Park bombing, but his trial collapsed when it emerged that he had received a so-called 'on-the-runs' letter The anger of Army veteran facing trial has been increased by the 'comfort letters' given to IRA terror suspects during the Northern Ireland Peace Process. The effective amnesty for the fugitives was granted in a secret deal between Tony Blair's Labour government and Sinn Fein around the time of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. They assured 187 Republican terror suspects they were no longer being hunted by the police. At least 95 recipients were linked to almost 300 murders. The letters sent to the so-called 'on the runs' after pressure from Sinn Fein only came to light during the trial of John Downey, the man accused of the Hyde Park bombing in 1982. The trial collapsed in February last year when it emerged the 63-year-old had been told he would not face prosecution for the blast that killed four soldiers and seven horses in London. Other IRA fugitives likely to have been sent letters reassuring them they would not be prosecuted include Terrence Kirby, two of the 'H-Block four' who escaped from the notorious Maze Prison in Northern Ireland in 1983. Sinn Fein general secretary Rita O'Hare, who was arrested in Northern Ireland in 1972 for the attempted murder of British Army officer Frazer Paton, has been on the run since fleeing when she was released on bail. It also emerged this morning that Harry Flynn, suspected chief of staff for the Irish National Liberation Army in the 1970s, runs a bar in Majorca. His group were behind the killing of Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Airey Neave in 1979. Flynn has been living on the holiday isle in 1998 after escaping extradition to Britain from France in 1986 because his crime was deemed political, The Sun reported. Downey was accused over the Hyde Park blast in 1982, pictured, which killed four Royal Household Cavalrymen, but has always denied responsibility Rita O'Hare, pictured with Gerry Adams, went on the run after being charged over the attempted murder of British Army officer Frazer Paton in 1972 Former Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon today said IRA terrorists should also face prosecution. He told BBC Radio 4's World At One: 'I think it would be nice for everybody if we started to hear about some of the IRA terrorist cases being reopened and some of them being put on trial... 'It's very important that if we're going to have a process like this that IRA men are also investigated and where necessary, where there is the evidence, prosecuted as well. It would be quite wrong simply to prosecute those who served.' Democratic Unionist MP Gregory Campbell said there is a 'disproportionate focus on the small proportion of the 10% of deaths attributed to those serving their country'. He added: 'There are families right across Northern Ireland who have never received any proper investigation into the murder of their loved ones. The facts also remain that 90% of deaths in Northern Ireland were at the hands of illegal terrorist groups who existed solely to murder and cause destruction. 'There is still a disproportionate focus however on the small proportion of the 10% of deaths attributed to those who were attempting to serve the community in difficult and often very dangerous situations.' A timeline of Bloody Sunday and the Troubles August 1969 - British Government first send troops into Northern Ireland to restore order after three days of rioting in Catholic Londonderry. 30 January 1972 - On 'Bloody Sunday' 13 civilians are shot dead by the British Army during a civil rights march in Londonderry. British troops in Northern Ireland during the Troubles which began in the late 1960s and lasted until 1998 with the signing of the Good Friday Agreement March 1972 - The Stormont Government is dissolved and direct rule imposed by London. 1970s - The IRA begin its bloody campaign of bombings and assassinations in Britain. April 1981 - Bobby Sands, a republicans on hunger strike in the Maze prison, is elected to Parliament. He dies a month later. October 1984 - An IRA bomb explodes at the Grand Hotel in Brighton, where Margaret Thatcher is staying during the Tory Party conference. Early 1990s - Margaret Thatcher and then Sir John Major set up a secret back channel with the IRA to start peace talks. The communications was so secret most ministers did not know about it. Norman Tebbit, a Conservative cabinet minister at the time, is carried from the wreckage of Brighton's Grand Hotel following the IRA bomb in 1984 Johnathan Ball (left), 3, and Tim Parry (right), 12, were killed in 1993 after IRA bombs exploded in the small town of Warrington, Cheshire 1993 - Two IRA bombs hidden in litter bins detonated on Bridge Street in Warrington Cheshire, killing 12-year-old Tim Parry and three-year-old Johnathan Ball and injuring dozens of civilians. April 1998 - Tony Blair helps to broker the Good Friday Agreement, which is hailed as the end of the Troubles. It establishes the Northern Ireland Assembly with David Trimble as its first minister. 2000s - With some exceptions the peace process holds and republican and loyalist paramilitaries decommission their weapons 2010 - The Saville Report exonerates the civilians who were killed on Bloody Sunday leading to a formal apology from then Prime Minister David Cameron to the families. 2019 - Prosecutors announce whether to brig charges against the 17 surviving Paras who fired shots that day. A 1998 photograph of Lord Saville of Newdigate chairing the Bloody Sunday inquiry Advertisement Former British soldier, 77, facing prosecution for shooting of man with learning difficulties at height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland fights for right to have trial by jury A former soldier facing prosecution over a shooting during Northern Ireland's Troubles has gone to the UK's highest court to demand a trial by jury. Dennis Hutchings, 77, a former member of the Life Guards regiment, is charged in relation to the fatal shooting of John Pat Cunningham, a man with learning difficulties killed in June 1974 in disputed circumstances in County Armagh. Mr Cunningham, 27, was shot in the back as he ran away from an Army patrol, but his family contend that he ran across a field because he feared men in uniform. Dennis Hutchings arrives today for the latest hearing in his challenge against the decision to hold his trial without a jury over the shooting in Northern Ireland during the Troubles Supporters from campaign group Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans clapped and cheered as Hutchings arrived at the Supreme Court in London this morning Hutchings, of Cawsand, Cornwall, has claimed he never intended to kill or injure Mr Cunningham, but he was firing warning shots to get him to stop. More than 40 years on, a case was brought against Hutchings after Northern Ireland's attorney general asked prosecutors to review the case. Hutchings is due to stand trial in Belfast charged with attempted murder and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. He denies the charges. Hutchings (pictured at a funeral in 1968) admitted he was 'a bit nervous, obviously' He has now gone to the Supreme Court in London to challenge a decision by prosecutors that his trial will be heard by a judge alone, rather than by a jury. Supporters from campaign group Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans clapped and cheered as Hutchings arrived at the court this morning. Hutchings thanked them and said: 'Victory for veterans, that's what we want.' Speaking outside court, Hutchings said he was 'a bit nervous, obviously, although I don't think we will get a decision today'. He said he was 'reasonably confident' he would win his case, but added: 'I just don't trust the system anymore.' Hutchings said: 'The thing is whatever decision we get in here today affects every service person. 'If I win, for instance, they will then have a choice between having a judge-only trial and a jury trial; 99.9 per cent of service people will want a jury trial.' Pointing at the nearby Houses of Parliament, Hutchings added: 'These people sent us there to do the job. Yes, things happened. 'They called it the Troubles because it's easier to call it the Troubles. It wasn't the bloody Troubles, it was a war, as simple as that.' Coca-Cola has admitted for the first time that it produces 3m tonnes of plastic every year - the equivalent of 200,000 bottles every minute. The data was revealed to campaigner Ellen MacArthur who has brought together the annual plastic packaging use of 31 major companies including Mars, Nestle and Unilever. In a report, published today, her foundation calls on governments and companies to end their secrecy and publicly disclose their annual plastic packaging volumes. The Coca-Cola Company has revealed that it produces 3m tonnes of plastic packaging per year - the equivalent of 108bn bottles And as one of the companies to do so, The Coca-Cola Company has revealed that - with its production of 3m tonnes of plastic packaging per year - it produces the equivalent of 108bn bottles a year. That's when its annual packaging footprint is translated into 500ml PET plastic bottles, with the company unwilling to reveal the scale of its plastic bottle production. Among the other companies to disclose their annual plastic packaging production are Unilever, which produces 610,000 tonnes per year, and Nestle which produces 1.7m tonnes. Despite the honesty of these companies, the majority of those to have signed up to the foundation's goal of reducing plastic pollution are yet to disclose their annual plastic packaging production. These include PepsiCo, L'Oreal and the Kellogg Company which have instead disclosed how they plan to take action 'to eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging' by 2025. The business signatories featured in the report account for more than 20 per cent of global plastic packaging volumes - and all have outlined how they plan to deal with plastic pollution. Ellen MacArthur, a retired English sailor, from Whatstandwell in Derbyshire, set up the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in 2009. It aims to promote a circular economy, in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible by recycling them Among the other companies to disclose their annual plastic packaging production are Unilever (whose brands include Domestos), which produces 610,000 tonnes per year, and Nestle which produces 1.7m tonnes And the Ellen MacArthur Foundation hopes that if they work together, it can be reduced dramatically by 2025. Sander Defruyt, from the foundation, said that the report represented a significant step forward in the war on plastic pollution. But added: 'They are still far from truly matching the scale of the problem, particularly when it comes to the elimination of unnecessary items and innovation towards reuse models. 'Ambition levels must continue to rise to make real strides in addressing global plastic pollution by 2025, and moving from commitment to action is crucial'. The foundation, in its report - which also reveals the Colgate-Palmolive Company to produce 287,008 tonnes of plastic packaging a year and Mars to produce 129,000 a year - notes that the coming together of these major companies represents step in the right direction. Lisa Svensson, coordinator of the marine and coastal ecosystems branch for the UN, said: 'Within just a few months of the launch of the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, we have seen important progress. 'The Foundation's work to create a circular economy for plastic aligns very well with our Clean Seas campaign, which has become the biggest global compact addressing marine plastic.' Saudi Arabia has claimed Jamal Khashoggi's killers have been 'brought to justice' after describing the murder as a 'heinous crime' and 'unfortunate accident'. The head of the Kingdom's human rights commission refused to name any of those it said was involved - but insisted they had not been subjected to torture. Saudi Arabia was 'horrified' by the writer's killing in Istanbul in October last year but will continue to reject any international role in the probe, Bandar bin Mohammed Al-Aiban told the UN Human Rights Council. Those accused of the 'heinous crime' and 'unfortunate accident' at its Istanbul consulate had attended three hearings so far with their lawyers present, he said. Saudi Arabia has claimed Jamal Khashoggi's killers have been 'brought to justice' after describing the murder as a 'heinous crime' and 'unfortunate accident' 'Therefore what is being conveyed by certain media regarding the need for us to internationalise some of these matters is something we do not accept because such demands amount to interference in our domestic affairs and in our domestic judicial system,' he told the Geneva forum. Last month, a UN human rights expert said Khashoggi was murdered in a a 'brutal and premeditated killing' carried out by Saudi officials. Agnes Callamard, the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, made her assessment after visiting Turkey. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist who wrote critically about Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed inside the Saudi Consulate. His remains have not been found and it is feared his body could have been dissolved in acid after being cut into pieces by a Saudi hit squad. Callamard said that Saudi Arabia undermined Turkey's efforts to investigate the death and that the killing was carried out 'by officials of the State of Saudi Arabia'. Her four-member team met with the foreign and justice ministers, the country's intelligence chief and the prosecutor leading the case. She found that, 'Turkey's efforts to apply prompt, effective and thorough, independent and impartial, and transparent investigations - in line with international law - had been seriously curtailed and undermined by Saudi Arabia,' the UN human rights office in Geneva said in a statement. Callamard said in a statement that 'woefully inadequate time and access was granted to Turkish investigators to conduct a professional and effective crime-scene examination and search required by international standards for investigation'. Khashoggi's killing by a team of Saudi operatives provoked widespread revulsion and tarnished the image of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, previously admired in the West for pushing changes including tax reform, infrastructure projects and allowing women to drive The UN team was given access to parts of the audio material obtained by Turkish intelligence on Khashoggi's killing, but was 'not able to undertake a deep technical examination of this material' and didn't have an opportunity to authenticate it independently. The statement said the team wasn't able to carry out some other inquiries, such as meeting forensic and crime scene experts involved, 'largely, but not only, due to time constraints.' She plans to present a final report to the UN Human Rights Council in June, but did not point to any specific officials responsible for the killing. Khashoggi's killing by a team of Saudi operatives provoked widespread revulsion and tarnished the image of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, previously admired in the West for pushing deep changes including tax reform, infrastructure projects and allowing women to drive. US intelligence agencies the de facto Saudi ruler ordered an operation to kill Khashoggi, a critic and Washington Post columnist, and say his body was dismembered and removed to a location still publicly unknown. Riyadh denies the prince had any involvement in the murder. Advertisement The kaleidoscopic mystery of the living ghosts of Benin is created at an annual display at the festival close to the Atlantic coastline in Ouidah. The Egungun, one of Benin's most secretive societies, appear as masked men who wail in curious falsetto tones in a garbled language not understood by the locals. The men terrify the populace who rush back as the Egungun chase them - coming into contact with the spirits is thought to be perilous and the tribesmen are accompanied by a minder who wields a massive stick to keep order. The tribesmen channel the souls of the dead as they enter rapturous ecstasy, dancing to the drum beat and becoming possessed by the spirits of their ancestors. Locals believe that they can pass on the knowledge of the dead to the living. The coastal location is the west African country's voodoo heartland and is thought to be the spiritual birthplace of the religion - which is known as vodun in Benin and is part of the Yoruba culture. The living ghosts of Benin put on the annual display at the festival close to the Atlantic coastline in Ouidah. Their costumes are bright, and as seen above, they are often designed to flourish in dance. Egungun are celebrated in festivals and family rituals and remains a highly secretive organisation with its own temples that are barred to all but members of the society An Egungun man has an elaborate flowing coat which is sewn all the way to the top over his head with beads and shells. Masqueraders enter in a state of ecstasy when they perform and their anonymity is of the upmost importance in the Egungun. Once wearing the costume, the performer ceases to be himself and become the ancestor The Egungun conceal their faces with layers of cloth, animal skin and strange structures of shells and baubles. Their many layers of coloured cloth, embroidery, leather, animal skin, shells and beads, and their masks, completely obliterate the human form. It is through concealment of the human body that the spirit is revealed Terrified citizens rush back from the tribesman, with one woman pressed up against the wall in fright. Egungun are escorted by other members of the Egungun society who act as crowd controllers. People try to hide or run away from them because they fear that if touched they will die shortly after An Egungun tribesman sits in a heavy cassock as he prepares to perform the ritual dance on the streets of Ouidah. They dress elaborately to reflect the prestige of the ancestor they portray, and exquisite cloth is used in their distinctive outfits to honour the grandeur of those the represent A row of glorious Egungun tribesmen, some opt for a headdress which has a flat-topped platform, while others use patterns of fabric to cover their faces. On many of their draperies animals are embroidered into the fabric as part of their representation of the dead. There are elephants and chameleons (far left), a hawk, (second from left), a squirrel and a turkey (second from right) and coffee beans (far right) A regal member of the Egungun tribe poses in his magnificent folds of ochre and gold, his cassock is capped with shimmering pink and purple sequins, his head topped with a stitched up sack embroidered also with golden sequins. Their role is to settle local disputes, and their knowledge is often consulted in times of trouble within their villages, towns and cities Torotoro meets the chief of the village (seated) before performing in front of all the family members. Having any contact whatsoever with an Egungun can prove deadly for both the Egungun and the other person, so each Egungun is accompanied by a 'minder', also a member of the Egungun society, who carries a long stick to drive individuals away A local from Egungun cult, Oba pictured with an elaborate costumes made of richly brocaded fabric in golds, blues and reds. His skin is covered from head to toe, with gloves wrapped over his hands and fabric tied down to his shoes. As the religion's followers gather devotees in animal skins chant and dance as locals drink gin A local from Egungun cult, Omonloto is pictured with a hawk stitched into his heavy robes, accompanied by letters beneath. Egungun wear a base layer made of Aso-Oke, which resembles the shroud in which the dead are wrapped. They also wear netting for the face and hands, which hides features which may reveal their identity A tribesman displays how his robe flourishes in the air as he turns at speed to reveal a pair of pantaloons beneath his costume in bold blue and gold colours and shin guards with jewels encrusted. Among members of the Yoruba tribe, the ceremonies are seen as a way of acknowledging the important role which ancestors play among the living. They ensure that ethical values from previous generations are upheld A shaggy ensemble is used to represent this tribesman's ancestor, with orange, yellow and blue tassels falling about his outfit. He holds two paddles with a similar design which he uses in dance to create stunning visuals. Only men can participate as masked ancestors, although women still play an integral role in dancing and helping to create the costumes A local from Egungun cult, Omonlotcheyi pictured with an elaborate costumes made of richly brocaded fabric. He has monkeys, squirrels, turkeys and many other animals sewn into the panels of his gaudy coat. His headdress is a stunning array of beads rising up to a platform with little drapes hanging off it When the performance is completed, the performers as Egungun give messages, warnings and blessings to the assembled spectators. Here a man uses a stick packed with animal fur to waft the knowledge of the dead and his blessings onto a townsman This man's costume features chameleons, spiders, toads and elephants embroidered into its panels. The Egungun will repair and refurbish their outfits each year, as they take painstaking care to keep their sacred patterns. The layers of clothing can signify the world's of the living and the dead and how they are separated The beautiful cloth enables the dancer to create kaleidoscopic dances as they swirl and dance in the streets of Benin. Many of the robes are tailored so that they unfurl as the tribesmen go about their rituals and dazzle spectators with their representation of the dead. A tribesman chases men beneath a tree, with his minder trailing behind holding a massive stick to ensure that order is preserved. The Egungun chase people throughout the ceremony. Once you show fear, the tribesman will hold and scare you till you give them some money An Egungun tribesman in an extremely elaborate coat which has framework which holds parts of the clothing above the wearer. Beside him another man holds a drum with bells attached which he uses to aid the tribesman in his performance. Bata drums are very important as part of the Egungun dance A man called Togolome poses on the street with his stunning outfit of layered strips in red satin and tiger skin patterns, laces with gold embroidery and shells sewn in. At the top of the costume is a strange and creepy head, the eyes of which peer out to the crows as the wearer dances Feathers flow from the top of his elaborate headdress as he dances on the street in Benin. He will enter a state of sublime ecstasy as he flows around the place, terrifying villagers as he channels the spirits of his ancestors. As he performs he believs he becomes his ancestor The annual family ceremony honours the ancestors. Not all the families can afford to organise annual ceremonies but will attend one of the large gatherings which usually take place in January. The Egungun, wearing eye-catching costumes to symbolise the power and prestige of previous generations, perform dances and are always accompanied by the sound of drums It is during the performance of the masquerades that these beautiful costumes reach the full potential, with the layers unfurling and the colours radiating in the sun The entrance of the shrine, the secret place where masquerades attend their rituals before performing in front of the public A Georgia man has been fatally shot by a sheriff's deputy because he was pointing a gun at his estranged wife's head and refused to put it down, authorities say. Robert Mark Frady, 45, was shot and killed on Tuesday evening in Cherokee County, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The sheriff's office responded to reports of a domestic dispute at a mobile home around 8.15pm in the Hancock Mountain Trail in north Cherokee. A Cherokee Sheriff's Office deputy shot and killed Georgia man Robert Mark Frady, 45, (above) on Tuesday night after he refused to put down the gun he was pointing at his estranged wife's head Deputies were called to the home around 8.15pm on Tuesday night after responding to calls about a domestic dispute there. Witnesses said before cops arrived, Frady was beating a woman's head with a gun The incident took place at this rural mobile home in Hancock Mountain Trail in north Cherokee When deputies arrived, witnesses told them they saw the man beating the woman's head with the gun. When the first deputy arrived he saw Frady pointing the gun at the woman, through an open door, according to AJC.com. 'The deputy gave verbal commands for the male to drop the weapon but the male refused,' the sheriffs office spokesman Jay Baker said. 'The deputy fired his weapon. The suspect was shot and pronounced dead at the scene,' he added. The woman was taken to Northside Hospital Cherokee and treated for her injuries that were unrelated to the shooting. Witnesses told deputies that before they arrived the man beat the woman's head with the gun When deputies arrived to the home around 8.15pm they saw Frady with the gun pointed at the woman's head After deputies ordered Frady to put down his weapon and he refused, they shot and killed him On Frady's social media he posted frequently about having a fraught relationship. According to court records, on January 31 he had been charged with criminal trespass for entering that same mobile home without permission after he was warned by Cherokee deputies to stay away, the Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News reported. The GBI investigated the incident, which is standard protocol with officer-involved shootings. It was the 19th officer-involved shooting the GBI has investigated in 2019. More than 100 angry parents have stormed a school and clashed with armed riot police in China as they accuse the school of giving their children rotten food. Parents claim the well-established school in Chengdu, which charges up to 4,480 a year, has been providing pupils with mouldy, rotten meat as well as expired frozen food. The city's education authorities and the school have launched investigation into the matter. The school has also issued a public apology and suspended the worker who was in charge of the school canteen, according to a statement from the school. Angry parents try to push open the school gate as police officers and security guards stop them in Chengdu, China. The parents accuse the school of giving their children rotten food It is said the shocking discovery was made by one parent who had spent one month working in the school canteen undercover. The parent wanted to find out whether the school's meals were safe after multiple pupils in the school has suffered from persistent illnesses including stomachache, breathing problems and blood in faeces. The incident occurred at the privately run Chengdu No. 7 Experimental School in the cosmopolitan capital of Sichuan Province in south-west China. According to the school's website, it has more than 6,000 pupils and teachers. Comprising 140 classes from grade one to grade 12, the school's pupils range from six to 18 in age. Emotional parents swarmed to the school yesterday morning to challenge the management after pictures of questionable burgers, ribs and seafood had been widely shared on Chinese social media WeChat the day before. It is said the school outsources food from a company that supplies meals to more than 100,000 students at more than 20 schools in Chengdu. The pupils at the well-established privately run school were said to be given mouldy, rotten meat as well as expired frozen food (pictured). The shocking discovery was made by one parent who had spend one month working in the school canteen undercover The incident occurred at the Chengdu No. 7 Experimental School (pictured) in Chengdu, the cosmopolitan capital of Sichuan Province. The school charges each pupil up to 4,480 a year Social media footage filmed yesterday shows a large number of parents trying to push open the school gate. They were stopped by dozens of police officers and security guards who attempted to push them back. One clip shows at least five policemen dragging and tackling one man, thought to be a parent. Another clip shows officers armed with shields in a stand-off with a few parents who appeared to be holding a banner in front of the school to demand answers. Footage also show officials from the Chengdu education authorities and the school trying to calm the parents on campus. Police used tear gas on some parents and detained 12 people, a statement issued by the local Wenjiang Police on social media said. According to the police statement, officers were sent to the scene to maintain order of the traffic. It said some parents scolded and beat officers in order to prevent them from carrying out their duty, therefore 'a minimum amount' of tear gas was used. Social media footage shows parents clashing with riot police. Police used tear gas on some parents who had attacked them and detained 12 people, according to a police statement The 12 people were said to be detained for 'severely disrupting normal social order'. They were released in the afternoon after admitting to their mistakes, police said. The food safety scandal has also sparked an uproar on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent to Twitter. Under a hashtag, whose name is translated to 'Chengdu No. 7 Experimental High School', parents posted photos and videos of the incident, urging the authorities to react and give them answers. The hashtag had gathered 270 million views as of yesterday, but has been taken down today. The Wenjiang People's Government in Chengdu said in a statement yesterday that local authorities had sealed the relevant stock of food and sent them for inspection. The government is now investigating the staff in charge of the school and the school canteen. Chengdu Number Seven Experimental School admitted it had 'unavoidable responsibility' over the matter, and said it had suspended the person in charge of the canteen. In a statement yesterday, the school apologised to the students, parents and faculty and vowed to investigate the matter thoroughly. The man accused of killing two people in a drunken hit-and-run crash was likely taught maths by the husband of one of the victims. Tyron Knodler, 21, from Revesby in Sydney's south west, is facing 24 charges including two counts of manslaughter following the crash on Tuesday night. Police allege Knodler was drunk off a stolen bottle of Jim Beam when he veered a stolen Landcruiser into oncoming traffic and slammed into a Honda Jazz. Gayle Gibson, 62, and Carol Chambers, 66, were both inside the car and are understood to have died instantly. In a chilling twist, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, Ms Gibson's husband Tony Giorgio is a maths teacher at Knodler's former high school. In a cruel twist a man accused of drink driving and killing two people in a late night hit-and-run crash may have been taught by the husband (left) of one of the victims (right) Tyron Knodler, 21, from Revesby in Sydney's south west, is facing 24 charges including two counts of manslaughter following the car crash on Tuesday night A former classmate told The Herald that it was 'highly likely' Mr Knodler was taught by Mr Giorgio who taught maths and would also assist 'struggling classes.' Mr Giorgio, 58, and friend Kim Alden, 62, were also in the collision but survived without serious injuries. Both were taken to St George Hospital and released the next day. Police allege Mr Knodler stole the Toyota Landcruiser he was driving early on Monday and stole a bottle of Jim Beam from a Dan Murphy's around midday Tuesday. The accused has never held a driver's license and allegedly returned a BAC reading of 0.166 after crashing into the Honda Jazz the victims were on board at around 8pm He also did not stop to render assistant after the crash, police allege. Victims Gayle Gibson, 62, who was killed and her husband Tony Giorgio who survived One of the women who was killed, Gayle Gibson, has been remembered as a 'much loved' teacher at Canterbury Girls School. Canterbury Girls principal Sue Holden released a statement on Wednesday saying 'Ms Gayle Gibson, a long-standing member of staff, has passed away overnight in a tragic traffic accident. Ms Gibson was a much loved member of staff and a former head teacher. Our sincere condolences go out to her family.' Mr Knodler was charged with two counts of manslaughter, two counts of aggravated dangerous driving causing death, two counts of aggravated dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and high-range drink driving among other charges. He is due to reappear in court on May 13 after being refused bail. A judge ruled that a US woman was wrongly stopped and given a ticket after she gave a police officer the bird. Debra Lee Cruise-Gulyas was stopped for speeding by police officer Matthew Wayne Winard while driving 18 miles southwest of Detroit. Mr Winard showed mercy and gave her a ticket for a non-moving violation. As he went away, however, she gave him the middle finger. Police officer Matthew Wayne Winard first gave the woman a ticket for a non-moving violation When he noticed, Winard switched on the lights and siren and he stopped her again. He also ploughed into her car and gave her a moving violation. Ms Cruise-Gulyas then sued the police officer for violating her constitutional rights. The woman told the Washington Post she was unhappy because the area where she was stopped in June 2017 about 18 miles southwest of Detroit is a famous 'speed trap' for drivers. 'When I pulled off I gave him the middle finger,' she said. Mr Winard went to the appeals court, claiming immunity from the suit. The woman said the area where she was stopped about 18 miles southwest of Detroit is a 'speed trap' for motorists He did not admit violating her rights and said, even if he did, those rights are not clearly established. Judge Jeffrey Sutton said that, while the woman could be considered a bit 'ungrateful', the second stop was not reasonable because the police officer did not have any proof she had committed a crime. He added that giving the finger is not a crime and this type of gesture is protected by the First Amendment, concerning freedom of expression. After noticing the woman had given him the middle finger, the police officer switched on the lights and siren and stopped her again, giving her a moving violation The judge said the police officer also violated the Fourth Amendment, the right of people to be secure, which prohibits unreasonable searches, when he pulled her over again. 'Fits of rudeness or lack of gratitude may violate the Golden Rule,' he said. 'But that doesnt make them illegal or for that matter punishable or for that matter grounds for a seizure' of a motorist. The case will now go back to the US District Court for further proceedings as the motorist is asking for damages. A midwife has won a bitter court battle against her wealthy tech boss ex over their 1million home after she told a judge he told her she was the equal owner at the pub 13 years ago. Claire Chipperfield, 52, and CEO Andrew Horn, 58, lived together for more than 15 years and had two children but never married. When the couple left London to escape to the country in 2006, Mr Horn put forward most of the deposit on their new home in Lymington, Hampshire, contributing almost five times the amount of her former partner. And after they split in 2016, he sued her claiming most of their house belonged to him, despite it being in both their names. But Ms Chipperfield has won her fight for an equal share of the house after telling a High Court judge her ex-partner promised it to her in a pub 13 years ago. Claire Chipperfield, 52 (pictured), has won a legal battle against her wealthy ex-boyfriend Andrew Horn, 58, over their 1million home in Hampshire Mr Horn (pictured) put forward most of the deposit on a new home in Lymington, Hampshire, contributing almost five times the amount of her former partner. But she has won the right to be the equal owner Mr Justice Freedman told London's High Court that Mr Horn had told her all those years ago: 'Well, that's it Chip, we are now 50/50 owners - but that means you owe half the debt as well.' He also said Mr Horn had 'failed to acknowledge the sacrifices which Ms Chipperfield made to the family in terms of her career and the significant contributions which she made to the family finances' in his bid for a bigger share of their former home. Mr Horn, a CEO and consultant in the tech industry, agreed the pub conversation took place but insisted it did not mean the house should be shared equally. 'The words were not to be treated as meaning what they said literally,' he claimed. He said he and Ms Chipperfield 'kept their finances separate' throughout their long relationship and insisted she didn't deserve half the property where they raised their family. But Mr Justice Freedman upheld an earlier finding that the conversation occurred in the way described by Ms Chipperfield. Refusing Mr Horn's bid to resurrect his case on appeal after losing in a county court, he said: 'Contrary to the submission made on behalf of Mr Horn, the words were to be given their literal meaning, which is also their natural and ordinary meaning. 'The reference to 50/50 meant both literally and in context that the ownership would be shared in those proportions,' he said. He also backed an earlier finding in the county court by Judge Michael Berkley that the couple and their children 'were a true family and the parties had thrown their lots in together'. Pictured: The couple's former home in Lymington, Hampshire, which is now worth more than 1million In his ruling, Mr Justice Freedman said: 'Mr Horn and Ms Chipperfield were a couple who never married', adding that Ms Chipperfield 'ceased work during the early part of the children's lives'. 'Ms Chipperfield says that the parties discussed that they would own the property together and that it was a joint purchase, reflecting their committed relationship and status as a nuclear family,' he went on. 'On one occasion in the pub, Ms Chipperfield says that Mr Horn said to her: 'Well, that's it Chip, we are now 50/50 owners, but that means you owe half the debt as well'. 'Critically, the judge found that the conversation in the pub occurred in the manner recalled by Ms Chipperfield. 'He found that, at the relevant time, Mr Horn was prepared to commit to a 50/50 ownership, based on the parties' joint debt and the parties' commitment to one another. 'He found that, neither at the time of the purchase, nor thereafter, was there any discussion to the effect that the shares should be other than 50/50. 'The judge took into account the fact that the parties kept their finances separate throughout the relationship and that Mr Horn did not like Ms Chipperfield opening letters addressed to him,' he added. The judge ruled that there had to be a presumption that the house would be split equally. That decision was 'reinforced by the facts as found by Judge Berkley, including the conversation which was of crucial importance,' he concluded. Mr Horn's appeal was refused. The moment a butcher knocked a man unconscious with one punch during a brawl outside a pub has been caught on camera. Butcher Gerard James Brady, 25, appeared in Manly Local Court on Tuesday facing charges relating to the incident outside Mona Vale pub, on Sydney's northern beaches, in October last year. Michael Gibb, 29, was left with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain after he was brutally punched in the face by Brady during the fight. Gerard James Brady, 25, a butcher of Narrabeen, appeared in Manly Local Court on Tuesday facing charged relating to the incident in Sydney's Mona Vale last year Earlier that day Brady and his friends had been at Sydney's Randwick Races where they had consumed about 10 beers before they caught a bus to Mona Vale, the court heard. Security footage, which captured the brawl outside Park House bar, shows Mr Gibb being restrained by security staff as Brady stands nearby. There had been an altercation between two men inside the venue minutes earlier, the court heard. Brady can be seen moving closer to Mr Gibb as other attempt to restrain him. Brady can then be seen punching Mr Gibb before he stumbles backwards, loses his footing and falls backwards on to the ground. Michael Gibb (pictured), 29, was left with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain after he was brutally punched in the face by Brady Brady told the court he felt threatened after someone grabbed his arm from behind, which is why he punched Mr Gibb. 'I couldn't see who it was. I turned around and threw a punch in self-defense,' he said. Mr Gibb, who had been celebrating a friend's birthday, had no intention of attacking Brady, the court heard. Brady was found guilty of recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm. He has been granted condition bail and will be sentenced in Manly Local Court on May 2. A man was left with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain after he was brutally punched in the face during the fight outside a bar in Sydney's Mona Vale Below is a list of the most controversial comments by Tucker Carlson revealed in the transcripts compiled by Media Matters For America: What women want: 'By the way, women hate you when they do you wrong and you put up with it. Because they hate weakness. They're like dogs that way. They can smell it on you, and they have contempt for it; they'll bite you. 'I mean, I love women, but they're extremely primitive, they're basic, they're not that hard to understand. And one of the things they hate more than anything is weakness in a man.' - October 30, 2007 In defense of underage marriage: 'I just don't think it's the same thing exactly as pulling a child from a bus stop and sexually assaulting that child. 'The rapist, in this case, has made a lifelong commitment to live and take care of the person, so it is a little different. I mean, let's be honest about it.' - August 27, 2009 Warren Jeffs' imprisonment for facilitation of child rape is 'bullshit' 'I should make the laws around here, and Michael Vick would have been executed, and Warren Jeffs would be out on the street. 'I'm not for child rape. I'm just saying, if you mistreat dogs like that, we're going to have to execute you. In defense of a teacher who had sex with a 13-year-old female student 'Teacher's like this, not necessarily this one in particular, but they are doing a service to all 13-year-old girls by taking the pressure off. They are a pressure relief valve, like the kind you have on your furnace.' - April 4, 2006 In defense of Duke University lacrosse players accused of gang raping a sex worker 'She sells sex for a living. If she's accusing other people of nonconsensual sex, it's a little more complicated than if some, you know, housewife claims she was pulled off the street and raped. 'It's just not the same thing. It's harder to determine what's consensual and what's not.' - April 8, 2006 The case for removing rape shield laws 'Why is it if I accuse you of embezzlement, of shooting my dog, or shooting me, of any crime, I have to go face you in open court. My name is available to anybody who's reporting on the case, right? 'Your name is in the public eye. My name is in the public eye. Why is it that, in this one category of crimes, the accuser doesn't have to be treated as an adult? I don't understand that. It gives the accuser all the power. 'So if I'm alleging rape, I have the protection of anonymity. I can say whatever I want while hiding behind anonymity, while the person I accused, whether he's guilty or not, has his life destroyed. That's totally unfair. 'We've done a couple of shows on this, and we always had these feminists on who kind of: 'Well, because no one would ever report rape'. Really? I don't know. Women seem to be adults to me. I mean, in other words, if you are grievously injured by another person, it's not your fault. I don't understand why, if you're an adult, you just can't get up and say: 'This is what the person did to me.'' - May 9, 2006 On Alexis Stewart 'She seems extremely c***y. I just wanted to give her the spanking she so desperately needs. 'I don't normally laugh at girls' appearances, just because I think it's mean. But she - I'm bending the rule for her.' - May 2, 2006 On Hillary Clinton 'She has dreams of real power. Now, if she were to get real power -- let's say she were to get absolute power, how long do you think it would take before she castrated you?' - March 12, 2006 'The problem with Hillary is you look at Hillary and you know in your heart that if she could castrate you, she would. 'So thereby she gets not a single vote from any white male in the country. Now you can hate white males if you want, but you kind of need them to vote for you.' - March 14, 2006 On Oprah Winfrey 'Somehow the rest of us have been bullied into pretending that Oprah's great, that she doesn't hate the penis, that she's not anti-man. But she completely is. 'The subtext of every Oprah show is men suck. They abuse you, they rape you, they sleep with your sister and leave you.' - December 11, 2007 On 14-year-old girls experimenting sexually at boarding school 'If it weren't my daughter I would love that scenario.' - October 25, 2009 Italy's justice ministry has ordered an inquiry into a court ruling that cleared two men of sexual assault, partly on the grounds that the victim was 'too ugly to be raped'. The ruling has sparked outrage in Italy, prompting a flash mob outside the Ancona court, where protesters shouted 'Shame!' and held up signs saying 'indignation.' The appeals sentence was handed down in 2017 - by an all-female panel - but the reasons behind it only emerged publicly when Italy's high court annulled it on March 5 and ordered a retrial. The Court of Cassation said yesterday that its own reasons for ordering the retrial will be issued next month. Hundreds of demonstrators lined the streets outside the court house in Ancona in central Italy on Monday as details of the case emerged The protesters accused the judges of 'misogyny' after they issued a ruling which found the alleged rapists innocent based on evidence they found the victim looked like a 'viking' Two Peruvian men were initially convicted of the 2015 rape of a Peruvian woman in Ancona, but the Italian appeals court overturned the verdict and absolved them, finding that she was not a credible witness. In part of the ruling, the court noted that the suspects had found her unattractive and too 'masculine' to be a credible rape victim. Cinzia Molinaro, a lawyer for the victim, said her appeal to the Cassation contested a host of procedural problems with the acquittal verdict but said she had also cited the 'absolute unacceptability' of the Italian court's reference to the victim's physical appearance. The appeals sentence quoted one of the suspects as saying he found the woman unattractive and had her listed as 'Viking' on his cellphone. Protesters gathered on the streets of Ancona to deplore the judges who had cleared the men on appeal A demonstrator writes a placard deploring the justice system after details of the 2017 ruling were revealed on Friday Molinaro noted that the woman, who has since returned to Peru, had suffered such genital trauma in the rape that she required stitches. The Justice Ministry said it was conducting the 'necessary preliminary investigations' into the appeals verdict. Molinaro said the ministry can send investigators to a court to check if there were any problems or omissions in the sentence, even when the case is still under appeal. The case is the second to spark criticism in recent weeks in Italy, where cases of sexual violence and the murders of women regularly top the news. Protests broke out earlier this month after an appeals court in Bologna nearly cut in half the sentence for a man who admitted to killing his partner. The court cited as one of its reasons for the reduction the 'emotional storm' of jealousy that the killer experienced. Critics said the reduced sentence basically sanctioned the practice of 'honor killings.' A doctor died in a freak accident after she fell down the stairs wearing 'remarkably high' heels following a holiday night out drinking champagne. Dr Susan Allanby, 66, was wearing high heels when she went out with her GP husband Dr Charles Allanby, 63, and another couple near Algora in Spain. Her husband, of Cardiff, told an inquest he drove them both home at around 1am after a night out at a restaurant and then a pub. His wife had been 'dancing and very animated' during the evening and had never worn such high heels before, he added. A few minutes after they got back he found her lying in a pool of blood after suffering fatal injuries from a fall down six stairs. Dr Susan Allanby, 66 (pictured) was wearing high heels when she went out with her GP husband Dr Charles Allanby, 63, and another couple near Algora in Spain one night in January last year and fell down the stairs He said: 'My wife actually took flat shoes with her to walk home from the pub. 'Because she didn't appear unable to walk home properly, she didn't change her shoes.' Dr Charles Allanby found his wife Susan (pictured together) lying in a pool of blood a few moments after they arrived home He said he had never seen his wife wear the high heel shoes before that night. Dr Allanby added: 'They were remarkably high shoes. I hadn't seen her wear those before. 'Had she been wearing flat shoes perhaps there would have been a different outcome.' Mother-of-four Dr Allanby spent 35 years as a GP at the Clifton Surgery in Roath, Cardiff. Her husband Charles was also a GP at the same practice. The inquest heard the couple were renovating their holiday home near Algora in central Spain in the hope of living there permanently in the future. The two couples had been for a meal at a restaurant before moving onto a pub where they were regulars. Grandmother Dr Allanby was described as 'very animated and dancing' during her evening out. Husband Charles told of how he found his wife lying in a pool of blood after hearing a loud 'thump.' Toxicology reports found 317mg per decilitre of alcohol in her blood. The legal driving limit is 80. Mother-of-four Dr Allanby spent 35 years as a GP at the Clifton Surgery in Roath, Cardiff. Her husband Charles was also a GP at the same practice The inquest in Pontypridd, South Wales, heard a post mortem revealed the cause of death was a traumatic head and neck injury. Senior coroner Andrew Barkley said: 'The circumstances are that in hearing a noise, hearing a thump, Dr Allanby discovers that his wife appears to have fallen on the stairs.' The coroner recorded a conclusion of death by accident contributed to by alcohol. Tributes were paid to Dr Allanby at a British Medical Association conference where she was described as 'a hugely respected and vibrant GP who gave so much to patients and the profession.' A commuter told today how he was left choking as toxic diesel fumes filled a London bus - which will run through the capital's new low emission zone aimed at reducing air pollution. Women and children on the bus were also left gagging as clouds of fumes poured in from outside through the doors shortly after 8am today. And when complaints were made to the bus driver he acknowledged the problem but said his bosses had told him to carry on regardless, the passenger claimed. Transport for London said the bus had been taken out of service by 9am after the driver reported the problem and was now being repaired. But the passenger remained unimpressed, telling MailOnline: 'TfL should have stopped the bus on spot not after gassing all the people on its route.' A commuter told today how he was left choking as toxic diesel fumes filled a London bus - which will run through the capital's new low emission zone aimed at reducing air pollution Women and children on the bus were also left gagging as clouds of the fumes poured in from outside through the doors shortly after 8am today Photographs of the No 42 bus were taken this morning while it sat waiting for passengers to climb on and off at a stop in Albany Road, Camberwell, south east London. Describing the bus, the commuter said: 'When I got on the bus I immediately smelled the diesel fumes. 'I realised the source of the problem only at the next stop when the door opened and the wind pushed the fumes inside. 'When I told the driver, he replied "yeah I know. Other people and other drivers told me already but operations have instructed me to keep on".' The passenger added: I got off at the following stop. London air quality won't ever get better when old buses are allowed in service. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said all dirty diesel London red top buses would be phased out of use by 2018 with the entire fleet meeting the ultra low emission target by 2020. From April 8 motorists will be hit with an extra 12.50 charge to drive into central London if their vehicle does not meet new emission standards. The fee for the ultra low emission zone is on top of the 11.50 congestion charge to enter central London from 7am to 6pm on weekdays. When complaints were made to the driver he acknowledged the problem but said his bosses had told him to carry on regardless, the passenger claimed. TfL insisted that bus had been taken out of service by 9am after the driver reported the 'rare fault' The ultra low emission zone will be extended to cover both north and south circular roads in 2021. The 42 bus runs from East Dulwich to Liverpool Street and passes through the ultra low emission zone from next month. A spokesman for TfL said the driver reported the problem 'at about 8am'. 'We apologise to passengers on a route 42 bus this morning that developed a fault. The operator immediately responded to reports, and the bus was withdrawn. 'We are committed to tackling Londons toxic air and have worked hard to create one of the greenest bus fleets in Europe.' The spokesman said buses are regularly checked by the garages where they are based. He insisted that all buses running within the ULEZ from next month would be Euro 6 compliant, with a significantly reduced level of emissions. Posing as police officers, this is the shocking moment a group of burglars force their way into a home before carrying out a vicious raid on the occupants. In horrific video footage released by the Metropolitan Police today, a gang of four men can be seen preparing for the raid which took place in Edgware, north London on August 10 last year. And at 7.20pm they burst into the property shouting 'police' as they enter before threatening the victims inside with weapons. The four men approach the property, one clearly visible in a high-vis jacket, before smashing their way in and threatening the occupants with weapons Dressed as police officers, shock video footage released by the Metropolitan Police today shows the gang of four men exiting their vehicle prior to the raid Soon after they enter another victim approaches the property before he is sprayed in the face with an unknown substance, according to the force. The burglars then punch and kick the man before he is taken upstairs and put with the other victims. They then carry out an untidy search of the premises before fleeing in the same vehicle they arrived in. It is just yet another example of brazen criminal behaviour gripping the capital, as the spate of violence continues in Wild West Britain. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: 'The second victim was taken to a north London hospital by the London Ambulance Service. His injuries were not life-threatening. 'The suspects are described as black males who were wearing dark clothing. One of the suspects was wearing a hi-vis jacket. 'No arrests have been made. Enquiries continue'. A scuffle ensues as the burglars enter the property. They drag one of the occupants away before searching the home for valuables The Metropolitan Police today released video footage of the shock incident in the hopes it will encourage people with information to come forward. The footage shows both the moment the burglars enter the property, and the moment they tackle one of the occupants to the ground. If you can help the police you are asked to call 101 quoting crime reference number 6449/10AUG. Knife crime in the capital continues to rocket, with the number of criminals caught with knives at its highest level in a decade. One of the victims was taken to hospital following the incident (pictured). His injuries were not life-threatening One in five of the culprits were found to be a child and almost two-thirds of cases did not result in an immediate prison term. That's according to figures released by police, with the government now insisting offenders are now more likely to go to jail for knife or offensive weapons crimes. Just yesterday a day after a 17-year-old boy was stabbed outside Leyton tube station, east London and is now fighting for his life. With twenty people including Jaden Moodie, who was just 14 murdered in London in the first three months of 2019. A Chinese pensioner and her granddaughter have been saved by a brave passerby after accidentally falling into a pond in a park. The elderly woman was helping the girl cross the pond via a series of stepping stones when she lost balance. The pensioner had tried to lift the girl by her arms and carried her across the water; but they face-planted into the pond together half way. The pensioner tries to carry her granddaughter across a pond in China by lifting her arms However, the elderly woman loses her balance and the pair fall into the pond together The accident took place on Sunday in the Lotus Pond Park in Yangzhou in eastern China's Jiangsu Province, according to Yangzhou Evening News. It is said that the pensioner had tried to push the girl out of the water. But as she struggled in the pond, she and the girl sand towards the deep end. Fortunately, a passerby came to the pair's rescue about three seconds later and saved them within 40 seconds. The grandmother attempts to push the girl out of the water, but her effort causes them to sink A passerby prepares to jump into the pond without removing his clothing after seeing the pair The man jumped into the pond without removing his clothing and pushed them towards the stepping stones with all his might. A few more onlookers quickly gathered around to drag the girl, the grandmother and the saviour out of the pond. The dramatic event has been captured by surveillance footage. The Good Samaritans then departed without leaving their names. Police managed to find the passerby, who jumped into the pond, after the owner of a phone repair store called them and told them the story. More onlookers gather to help out as they pull the pensioner, the girl and the man out of water The saviour Zhang Xianghua (pictured) said he had only done what anybody would have done Apparently, the passerby, named Zhang Xianghua, had to go to the repair store to have his mobile phone fixed as it had been soaked in the pond during the incident. The shop owner was touched by his behaviour and informed the local police. Speaking to Jiangsu Public Channel, Mr Zhang said he was answering a phone call when he heard noise from the direction of the pond. 'I saw an elderly person and a child in the pond,' said the man who is in his 40s. 'I didn't think too much. I ran around the fence and jumped into the water directly,' he added. Mr Zhang stayed modest after the event. He said he had only done what anybody would have done under the circumstances. He has been awarded by the police for his courageous act. A struggling farmer has lashed out at the major supermarkets after learning her cattle were being resold for ten times the amount they were bought off her for. Wendy Pickette took ten of her cows to Dubbo saleyards in central New South Wales in the hopes she would sell them for money to buy food for 50 young calves. 'They certainly weren't skinny cattle and we only got $97 per head for them, and they should've been worth more,' Mrs Pickette told Daily Mail Australia. A struggling farmer was devastated to find that when she sold ten head of cattle for just $100 each the meat was being offloaded at supermarkets for ten times the cost Wendy Pickette took ten of her cows to Dubbo saleyards in central New South Wales in the hopes she would sell them for money to buy food for 50 young calves The cattle were in 'poor to reasonable condition', weighing an average of 405 kilograms each. 'A few years ago we probably would've got between $600 and $800 for them, and now we got $97,' the farmer said. Mrs Pickette was devastated to find that the market report said the lowest price paid at the sale was 40c per kilo, because she was only paid 27.2c. 'It's a terribly low price because the cattle weren't terribly poor or skinny or anything,' Mrs Pickette said. The farmer and her husband had to sell the cows because they need money to buy food to feed 50 calves aged between one and ten months old. The couple are desperate to buy food as their drought-stricken farm has little to no grass on it to sustain the cattle. 'We've run out of feed here, we've got no grass or anything. We've sold all our cows now and the bull and we're feeding 50 calves in the yards,' Mrs Pickette said. 'We're feeding them everyday, we're running out of money, running out of feed, we can't keep feeding them all the time. The cattle were in 'poor to reasonable condition', weighing an average of 405 kilograms each The farmer and her husband had to sell the cows because they need money to buy food to feed 50 calves between one and ten months old (pictured) 'We're hoping we'll get some rain and we can put some oats in so we can fatten these calves and sell them later on in the winter time.' Mrs Pickette says the conditions of the state-wide drought over the last year have caused things to be tough for her and her husband. 'We haven't got the income coming in that we have in a normal year, because of the drought,' she said. 'In a normal year you would have plenty of feed out in the paddocks and they'd be just eating the grass.' The struggling farmer penned an emotional letter to the editor of the Coonabarabran Times titled 'Where is the justice?'. The struggling farmer penned an emotional letter to the editor of the Coonabarabran Times titled 'Where is the justice?' 'If each cow yielded 100kgs of meat, minced, at $10/kg, that gives a value of $1000 per cow, after we were paid $97,' the letter read. 'Where is the justice in that?' A picture of her letter on Facebook has gained widespread attention, with more than 17,000 shares in just three days. Mrs Pickette said she had no idea the letter would gain all this attention, but wrote it because she was upset at the time. 'I just think that people in the city are still paying a lot of money for their meat and they think we're getting plenty of money out of it but we're not,' she said. 'I thought this is a good opportunity to let people know that there's a lot of money going somewhere that we're not getting.' Advertisement A two-bedroom terrace house was painstakingly decorated by hand with designs used in St James's Palace by a working-class labourer. David Parr, who decorated grand mansions in the style of William Morris, transformed the interior of 186 Gwydir Street, Cambridge, by salvaging materials from other jobs. After his death in 1927, the house was then passed to his granddaughter Elsie Palmer, who lived there until her death in 2014 aged 97. It was bought by social historian Tamsin Wimhurst and her husband, Mike Muller. They have restored the house and will open it to the public in two months. Working by candlelight over 40 years David is believed to have used materials from his job, working on grand mansions, to create the masterpiece. Patterns on the walls have been matched to, as well as the Royal residence, the grade-II listed building Swan House in Chelsea, which has a ballroom and dining room with space for 20 people. Tamsin, who first visited after receiving a tip-off at the Museum of Cambridge where she curating an exhibition, has fixed the masterpiece's roof, repaired damage caused by damp, and made it ready for tours. It has been laid out with the intricate patterns alongside Elsie's 20th century possessions to make it feel more like a home. David Parr redecorated the interior of his Cambridgeshire home by candlelight over 40 years. Along the top of the wallpaper in this stately room the banner reads: 'Seize the moments as they fly know to live, and learn to die.' This phrase is also seen on the sundial at St Breward's Church, Cornwall The door frames and handles were also intricately decorated in a style fit for a stately home. After David Parr died in 1927 the house was passed to his granddaughter Elsie Palmer, who lived there until her death in 2014 aged 97. The front of the house, 186 Gwydir Street, Cambridge, that hides the grand interior was re-decorated with the colours it had in 1914 when David Parr lived there Tamsin told MailOnline about her first visit to the house in 2009: 'I knocked on the door of 186 and it was answered by Elsie. 'She led me into this room that her grandfather had hand painted and it was not what I was expecting at all. I didn't really understand what i was looking at at that point. 'I thought it might be William Wallace wallpaper but it was only when I interviewed her that we discovered it was decorations by her grandfather.' After purchasing the house she set up the David Parr House Trust, which was awarded 625,000 by the heritage lottery fund in 2017, for works on the house. The first job was to fix the roof, carried out in 2014, as every time it rained water came through the ceiling, damaging the building's interior. This doorway has also had a grand addition made. It is believed David Parr used leftover materials from his work in stately homes to add the grand designs to his own house During restoration the roof had to be fixed first, as every time it rained water came in and damaged the house's intricate wallpaper. After this the outside walls were re-pointed before restoration work could begin on the interior After Elsie died the house was sold to social historian Tamsin Wimhurst, who first visited the property after receiving a tip off. The house is due to open for public visits in two months time and is already fully booked until mid-July Tamsin said that when she first got the house, 'I was standing in it and there was a rain storm and water started going through the ceiling. 'It needed a lot of work. We needed to make it watertight as wet and damp is the worst thing that can happen. 'In parts of the house the hand painted wall had actually peeled off as the damp had got in and salts had begun to form underneath the paint. We have tried to save as much as we can of the original paintwork.' Once the roof was fixed the outer brick wall had to be re-pointed with cement by hand to avoid damaging the inside, which was the biggest job. The house's front was then painted in the colours David Parr used in 1914, and the drains fixed, allowing work to begin inside the house. When areas of the house were restored work had to take place in tents so that dust did not get into other parts of the property. Original materials were used when wallpaper was replaced The David Parr House Trust, set up by Tamsin, was awarded 625,000 in 2017 by the heritage lottery fund for work on the house so that it could be preserved The house has been laid out with Elsie's 20th century possessions still in place to help conserve them They dried out damp walls and re-plastered with as much of the original wallpaper as they could. 'Dust had to be kept to a minimum, so all work was done inside plastic tents that protected the areas not being worked on,' said Tamsin. 'It was decided to conserve as much of the paintwork as possible and to take the house back to a cared for interior. Therefore, only a light clean was given to the decorative walls that had not suffered from damp damage.' The house is now laid out for tours, which are already fully booked until mid-July. As well as preserving the 19th and 20th century decorations, they have also kept Elsie's items in the same place to give the house a homely feel. Tamsin said that when she first purchased the house she had to fix the leaky roof, as it was damaging the interior by letting water into the property Once this was done the brickwork had to be repaired to make the property stable. They didn't use any machines that would cause vibrations to ripple through the house The labourer turned the house into a 19th century masterpiece. Some of the ornate wallpaper is visible at the top of this photo Tamsin believes the house was decorated with leftover materials from David's work. 'He manages to do what he does to it by salvaging items from other jobs that he's doing. So every door handle, every hook, every finger plate is different in the house. 'Weve got a long way to go to find out where everything comes from. 'The drawing room pattern actually came from a house in London called the Swan House which was decorated internally by William Morris. We think David Parr painted it for William in this house.' They also think David Parr worked on the hallways and state rooms at St James's Palace after William Morris was commissioned to do them between 1880 and 1882. 'There's a record of him in the 1881 census in a border in Islington, and that's because he was working there,' said Tamsin. 'We know so much about William Morris and his designs, but we know even less about the actual individuals who were doing the work. And in the David Parr house you have the sort of other half of that story if you like.' Paint pots discovered in the house that may have been used to do the decorating in the property Tamsin said that although we know a lot about William Morris, we don't know so much about the people that carried out jobs for him. David Parr 'is the sort of other half of the story if you like', she said. Drink-drivers in France are to have a breathalyser fitted to their cars to prevent the engine starting if they are over the limit, the government has announced. An executive order produced on Wednesday will give those at risk of losing their licence the option to have the gizmo fitted to their ignition switch. The government hopes the new rule will make offenders less likely to break the law again. The new breathalyser device will be fitted to the car's ignition switch and the driver will have to blow below the limit to start the engine (file photo) Some 600,000 drivers in France do so without a permit, either because they have not taken a test or because it has been removed, The Times reported. The new bill is aimed at helping people to keep their jobs if they are done for driving over the limit. The legal limit in France is slightly lower than it is in England and Wales, at 0.5 grams of alcohol per litre of blood. French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner leaves after attending the weekly cabinet meeting in Paris on Monday The proposal announced by the interior minister Christophe Castaner will allow for drivers caught with 0.8 grams to 1.8 grams to take part in the breathalyser scheme for six months. But those hoping they can start the car with the help of a sober friend will face difficulties as the device require the driver to blow a second time at a random interval on their journey. The device will cost the driver 1,100 or 85 per month to have fitted to their ignition, Euronews reported. Mr Castaner's act comes into effect as fatal car accidents have surged after a steady decrease since the 1970s. 'This measure, which is particularly useful for those who use their cars every day, notably to go to work, makes [motorists] more responsible... which gives it its efficiency,' The Times quoted the minister as saying. The French governement has come under fire from motorists in recent months with its measures to improve road safety. They controversially lowered the top speed limit from 90kmh (55mph) to 80kmh (50mph). Lessons about diversity and LGBT issues at a Birmingham primary school will not be resuming, following weekly protests from furious parents who claimed they weren't age-appropriate. Parkfield Community School said its No Outsiders project will not be taught until 'a resolution has been reached', despite Ofsted inspectors previously ruling that the project was appropriate for children. The Birmingham school had previously said lessons would continue as normal after the Easter holidays. The campaign says that it teaches tolerance of diverse groups, including those of different races, genders and sexual orientation. It has faced sustained protests from parents, even though Ofsted published a report by inspectors on Tuesday which concluded that the lessons were age-appropriate. Parents' anger is aimed at the school's assistant head Andrew Moffat (pictured), who is behind the 'No Outsiders' lessons Protests have been suspended - for now - after Parkfield Community School decided to stop its diversity lessons Headteacher David Williams had called the report 'great news' for the school. Inspectors said 'a very small, but vocal, minority of parents are not clear about the school's vision, policies and practice', and that teachers should work on 'further engagement' with mothers and fathers. Talks between parents, education chiefs and the academy trust which runs Parkfield took place later that day, leading to the announcement that the lessons would be suspended. The school said: 'Nothing is more important than ensuring our children's education continues uninterrupted. 'Both parents and the trust held constructive discussions with the Regional Schools Commissioner, and, as a result of these discussions, we are eager to continue to work together with parents over the coming days and weeks to find a solution that will support the children in our school to continue their education in a harmonious environment. 'Until a resolution has been reached, No Outsiders lessons will not be taught at Parkfield and we hope that children will not be removed from school to take part in protests.' The No Outsiders programme, which teaches about the Equality Act, was authored by the school's assistant headteacher, Andrew Moffat. Parents said teaching about LGBT equality at the school is an exploitation of child innocence The school started its programme four years ago and says it should welcome people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender Pupils are taught about the positive values of diversity, tolerance and acceptance, in a broad curriculum encompassing LGBT rights, same-sex relationships, gender identity, race, religion and colour. But the lessons sparked off weekly protests outside its gates, with mothers and fathers objecting to the teaching of the No Outsiders project. Parkfield Parents' Community Group, which has organised protests, said members had a positive meeting with the Department for Education (DfE) to discuss serious concerns with the programme. Welcoming the suspension, the group called off its protest for this week and said it would keep the option of future rallies 'under review'. Some of the parents said they were not against homosexuality, but accused the teacher of promoting 'personal beliefs' The group said in a statement: 'We made our position clear, that the No Outsiders programme cannot continue to be taught at Parkfield School and that a new programme needs be negotiated, with which parents are happy and meets the legal requirements of the Equality Act 2010. 'The school have agreed that 'until a resolution has been reached' No Outsiders lessons will not be taught. 'In view of this development, we have decided to postpone the protest for Thursday March 14. 'We will await further developments early next week when we expect detailed proposals to be tabled. 'We will then review our actions with respect to protests and schoolwide withdrawal of children. Police were called to the protest outside the primary school in the Saltley area of Birmingham The school's children joined the campaign against lessons on LGBT lifestyles at a protest last month 'We have advised and notified parents that the protest scheduled for Thursday 14th March is not taking place and that we are keeping future protests under review in view of developments. 'We welcome these developments and reiterate that the school needs to work with parents in a spirit of partnership and co-operation and not against them in educating their children.' At the school gates on Thursday, a handful of parents who were present were also supportive. One, who declined to be named, said: 'Of course we aren't against equality the problem was too much emphasis on the LGBT side. 'The DfE listened to us. We'll see what happens now.' A senior Tory MP suggested he could vote for Jeremy Corbyn in a no confidence vote today amid Brexiteer rage at Theresa May. Christopher Chope dangled the nuclear option amid total fury at the Prime Minister for allowing Remain supporters to take No Deal off the table and trigger a Brexit delay. Following the second defeat of Mrs May's deal on Tuesday night pro-EU MPs have moved to soften Brexit - raising fears they could stop the project altogether. Brexiteer MPs were isolated in the Commons last night as Mrs May's tattered authority was handed another blow as Remain ministers helped rule out No Deal for good. Mr Chope was asked about helping to bring down the Government in the Commons today and admitted he would 'consider' the incendiary move. Mrs May runs a minority Government and a handful of Tory abstentions or rebellions on a no confidence motion would destroy her. Christopher Chope dangled the nuclear option of voting against Theresa May in a confidence vote amid total fury at the Prime Minister for allowing Remain supporters to take No Deal off the table and trigger a Brexit delay Mr Chope told the Commons: 'I would seriously consider that issue (of confidence). 'I expressed no confidence in the Prime Minister when we had a vote in our Parliamentary Party. In my considered opinion now, were a similar vote to be held now where would be an overwhelming vote of no confidence in her. 'Think of the logical extension to that. I'm not going to make any promises now but obviously it would need the Leader of the Opposition to initiate such a move. 'I think people on this side who feel they are being betrayed will actually look carefully at the implications flowing from that.' The dramatic claim comes after one of the Brexit ringleaders Steve Baker hinted he could quit the party. Steve Baker, the hardline deputy chairman of the European Research Group, shared a tweet from a fellow eurosceptic who complained he was 'in search of a political party' following Wednesday's votes. Posting at 1am this morning following the night of high drama in the Commons the High Wycombe MP added: 'This is what we face.' It came after three MPs quit the Conservative party three weeks ago over Brexit. But Anna Soubry, Sarah Wollaston and Heidi Allen are all hardcore remainers. Steve Baker tweeted at 1am suggesting leaving the Conservatives was a possibility following a night of votes in which MPs effectively shut the door on a no-deal Brexit Mr Baker has taken an increasingly hard line approach to Brexit and suggested the ERG would try to thwart moves to delay departure beyond March 29 Mr Baker was a Brexit minister until he quit last July over Mrs May's handling of negotiations with the EU. He stepped down at the same time as Brexit Secretary David Davis They quit to join eight centrist Labour MPs in the Independent Group (TIG) which is demanding a second referendum. Labour's Jo Stevens, a Best for Britain supporter said: 'After last night's crushing rejection of a no-deal Brexit, it's no wonder Steve Baker has gone into a full-on sulk. 'The truth is he overplayed his hand. That's what he's really upset about. 'He's whinging because he thought he and his gang of Brexit extremists could bully Parliament and the country to follow his ideological daydream. That flopped spectacularly. 'That's the problem with the ERG. They only like Parliament taking back control when it suits their hard right project. 'Now it's time for the people of the UK to take back control through a public vote.' Mr Baker was a Brexit minister until he quit last July over Mrs May's handling of negotiations with the EU. He stepped down at the same time as Brexit Secretary David Davis. The ERG highflier's comment came in response to a tweet from Andrew Lilico, a Brexiteer economist. Dr Lilico had written: 'So, like a lot of you, I guess, I'm in search of a political party. 'I have in mind a party with at least a passing regard for playing by democratic rules, so obviously that rules out the Conservatives. 'I'm neither a Communist nor an anti-Semite, so of course Labour's out.' The PM's deal will be put to another vote next week, just 15 days before the country is due to leave the EU on 29 March, after MPs including a 'gang of four' rebellious Cabinet members helped to vote to permanently rule out No Deal Brexit. Mrs May told the Commons that is she loses a third time she will forced to ask Brussels for a long delay to Britain's departure from the EU at a summit on Thursday. Mr Baker had been one of a number of Tory MPs who had backed a unity amendment designed to allow the UK to leave without a deal, but delay that departure until May. But that amendment was heavily defeated in the Commons as MPs moved towards a longer delay to Brexit. Last night Mr Baker branded the situation a 'fiasco', telling ITV's Peston the ERG could try to prevent the law being changed to alter the scheduled exit date from the EU. The PM's deal will be put to another vote next week, just 15 days before the country is due to leave the EU on 29 March He said: 'As a matter of practice, unless the law is changed, we leave on March 29. 'There are some things that we could do to prevent the law going through in the time that is available.' He also lashed out at ministers who abstained from the no-deal votes without having to quit, adding: 'It is, of course, extraordinary to see such a collapse in discipline. 'And in any other circumstances, of course, they would be fired. 'Of course I'm sad about it. I didn't get into politics for this chaos, this fiasco.' A Hollywood-style underground drug bunker has been uncovered by police after an anonymous tip off lead them to a backyard shed in a suburban street. Queensland police officers arrived at the Mooroombool property in Cairns after receiving a tip-off from Crimestoppers about an elaborate cannabis operation. A rusty tool box in the shed contained a false bottom concealing a set of makeshift steps down into a hidden bunker which contained a hydroponic cannabis lab with seven plants, 9 News reported. A Hollywood style underground drug bunker has been uncovered by police after an anonymous tip off lead them to the quiet suburban street A tip off to Crime Stoppers lead police to the Mooroombool property in Cairns where they were met with an elaborate cannabis operation Police arrested a 46-year-old man at the property who will face the Cairns Magistrate Court on multiple drugs charges next week. Experts in confined spaces and Ergon Energy were employed to sign off on the safety of the bunker before officers seized the plants and paraphernalia. 'Hydroponically produced cannabis has a far more significant yield and you don't need many to be able to make a significant profit,' a Queensland police spokesman said. This is the second significant seizure of cannabis by Queensland Police in a week after a Vietnamese national was allegedly caught with $1million worth of cannabis during a routine traffic stop. At about 7pm on Monday officers from Ipswich Tactical Crime Squad were carrying out patrols when they pulled over a Hyundai iLoad on the Warrego Highway for a routine traffic stop. A large tool box in the shed contained a false bottom concealing steps down into a hidden bunker, propped up by acrow props and contained a hydroponic cannabis lab with seven plants Experts in confined spaces and Ergon Energy were employed to sign off on the safety of the bunker before officers seized the plants and paraphernalia Police said the a strong smell of cannabis was coming from the vehicle which prompted the officers to conduct a search. The search resulted in the alleged discovery of more than 250kg worth of cannabis, equating to a street value of more than $1.5 million dollars. Cuong Van Phan, 27, was charged with one count of possessing dangerous drugs and appeared in the Ipswich Magistrates Court on Tuesday. He did not apply for bail and remains in police custody. 'The intercept was an outstanding result for not just the Ipswich and Minden areas, but no doubt the South East of Queensland as well, removing such a vast quantity of illegal drug from circulation,' Senior Sergeant Fleming of Queensland Police said This is the second significant seizure of cannabis by Queensland Police in a week after a Vietnamese national was caught with $1million worth of cannabis during a routine traffic stop This is the moment a newborn baby girl was found naked and covered in insect bites after being abandoned in a forest in the Philippines. The infant, with her scalp still wet, was heard crying by a woman walking along a dirt track in Olango Island, on Tuesday morning. She sifted through the branches and found the baby girl without any clothes in dense woodland. The tiny child had insect bites across her body and her face was blistered by the 93F conditions. Footage captures the moment a newborn baby girl was found naked and covered in insect bites after being abandoned in a forest in the Philippines The infant, with her scalp still wet, was heard crying by a woman walking along a dirt track in Olango Island, on Tuesday morning Residents worshipping at a nearby church were the first to be told about the infant and rushed over to help. Eliezer Rosalejos was one of the people who helped rescue the baby. 'Thank God the baby is still alive and we found her on time. Whoever her parents are, I hope they feel guilty,' he said. 'Children are so precious. I will never understand how somebody could just leave their child to the mercy of the wilderness.' Locals found the baby girl among dried leaves and thorns. A pink child's shirt was also found beside her. The tiny child had insect bites across her body and her face was blistered by the 93F conditions Officers from the Olango Island Police Station are checking local medical records in a bid to trace the mother She had suffered from insect bites but is currently in stable condition at the hospital under the custody of the country's social welfare department. Officers from the Olango Island Police Station are checking local medical records in a bid to trace the mother. A spokesman said: 'It is important that we find the mother so that she can receive any help needed and she is accountable for her actions. 'The child has not had the best start to life and she will remain in the care of the state.' Emergency services found 18 illegal migrants in the back of a lorry following a random stop on a Kent motorway. The German truck was pulled over on Wednesday night and Kent police confirmed 18 Eritrean people were in the back of the lorry. The group, which consisted of 11 men, six women and a child, were assessed by paramedics on the side of the road before being taken away in minibuses and ambulances. The German truck was pulled over on Wednesday night and Kent police confirmed 18 people were in the back of the lorry The lorry was heading west towards London when it was pulled over by Kent police in a random stop The lorry was heading west towards London when it was pulled over by Kent police in a random stop. The vehicle had the markings of the German haulage firm, Gesuko, which is based in Hauneck. Police, paramedics and Border Force were at the scene on the M26 near Brands Hatch in Kent and the air ambulance was also on standby. The motorway slip road was closed to traffic while emergency services dealt with the group. Operation Stack was in place on the M20 and large sections of the motorway were closed after delays at the Dover Channel crossings. Police, paramedics and Border Force were at the scene on the M26 near Brands Hatch in Kent The motorway slip road was closed to traffic while emergency services dealt with the group An eyewitness said: 'They were all sitting on the side of the road after being taken off the back of the lorry. 'You could see some food in the back which they must've been eating on their journey. 'The paramedics treated some on the side of the road, they were giving them loads and loads of water.' The vehicle had the markings of the German haulage firm, Gesuko, which is based in Hauneck The group were assessed at the scene before being handed into the care of Home Office Immigration Enforcement The M26 links Dover to the M25 London orbital motorway. A spokesman for the Border Force said: 'Home Office immigration officers were contacted by Kent Police after police officers attended an incident on the M26 in Kent. 'Eighteen people, 11 men, six women and a minor, who presented themselves as Eritrean, were referred to the Home Office. The minor encountered at the scene has been passed to the care of social services. 'All cases will be progressed in line with the UK immigration rules.' A spokesman for Kent police said: 'Kent Police was called at 10pm on Wednesday 13 March 2019 to concerns that a number of people were in the trailer of a lorry travelling on the London bound M26. 'Officers stopped the vehicle at a location close to junction 2a and detained 18 people, who have since been handed into the care of Home Office Immigration Enforcement.' A lucky penny that saved a First World War soldier's life when it deflected a bullet from inside his breast pocket has been discovered more than 100 years later. Private John Trickett kept the coin in his breast pocket as a poignant reminder of home while he served on the Western Front. It ended up saving his life when it took the full impact of a bullet fired at him by German forces. Although the shot ricocheted upwards, hitting him in the ear and deafening him for life, he survived. Private Trickett, whose two brothers were killed in battle, returned home with the dented penny, that shows the exact mark where the bullet struck. It has now been unearthed by his granddaughter as she prepares to sell his war medals at Hanson's Auctioneers in Etwall, Derbyshire. Private John Trickett (pictured in an Army photo) kept a coin (top right) in his pocket while he was fighting to remind him of home. Little did he know it would save his life Adrian Stevenson, militaria expert at Hanson's, said: 'The penny is a poignant reminder of the fine line between life and death, particularly in wartime. 'Soldiers used to keep objects in their breast pockets in an attempt to protect themselves from enemy fire and explosions. 'Shrapnel was the biggest killer in wartime. It's likely John Trickett kept the penny there on purpose. 'It looks to me like a pistol bullet hit the penny at close range. When the bullet hit the coin, it ricocheted up through his nose and went out through the back of his ear. It left him deaf and disabled but still alive. 'He was honourably discharged from on September 7, 1918, shortly before the war ended.' Pt Trickett is believed to have lied about his age in order to follow his brothers, Horace and William, in to war. A picture shows the dent left in the coin after it was blasted by a German bullet A large raised area can be seen near the Queen's head on the coin from the late 1800s The 1889 penny that contains the bust of Queen Victoria is part of a collection of war-related ephemera belonging to Pt Trickett which includes his British War Medal and Victory Medal He joined the Northamptonshire Regiment and was aged 19 when he was shot in 1918. Maureen Coulson, 63, from Duffield, Derbyshire, said: 'Everyone in our family saw the penny and heard the story of how it saved my grandfather's life - his two brothers, Horace and Billy, both died in the First World War. My granddad was the only survivor. 'He had to come home because of the injury. It damaged his left-hand side and left him deaf in his left ear. It also affected his balance. 'We think it's likely he signed up to serve in the army when he was under age as he looked older than he was. 'Many soldiers were under age, they were so keen to serve their country. 'He was a great big guy from a Lincolnshire farming background but as soft as a brush. 'He worked with horses back home and couldn't bear to see the way they were treated on the battlefield. 'When he returned to the UK, he married my gran, Clementine, and they had eight children. Although the shot ricocheted upwards after hitting the coin (pictured), hitting Private Trickett in the ear and deafening him for life, he survived 'It's strange to think that, but for that penny, his children would not have been born and I wouldn't be here.' After the war Mr Trickett worked as a postmaster and as a switchboard operator at the Barnburgh Colliery in South Yorkshire. He died in 1962 aged 63. The 1889 penny that contains the bust of Queen Victoria is part of a collection of war-related ephemera belonging to Pt Trickett which includes his British War Medal and Victory Medal. Mr Stevenson added: 'I hope a keen militaria collector will buy and treasure these items.' The sale takes place on March 22 and the items are tipped to sell for 50. The family of a former Army captain who plunged to her death after police removed handcuffs preventing her from falling off a viaduct are suing the force. Janice Clark, 50, who had been threatening suicide, fell 175ft to her death after standing on the wrong side of barriers a Viaduct, near County Durham. Panic-stricken members of the public hung onto the former Army captain until police arrived and officers locked her arm to the barrier using handcuffs. Her family insist they should have waited for the fire brigade to arrive, so the 50-year-old, from Consett, could be attached to a harness and brought to safety. Whether Miss Clark, (pictured) who had a long history of mental illness, intended to jump, or she fell, remains unclear, and an open verdict was recorded following an inquest held in Crook at the end of last year Instead, officers were persuaded she no longer intended to jump and removed the restraints and less than minute later she lay fatally injured. Whether Miss Clark, who had a long history of mental illness, intended to jump, or she fell, remains unclear, and an open verdict was recorded following an inquest held in Crook at the end of last year. The Independent Office for Police Conduct's (IOPC) investigation into the events of August 10, 2017, published recently, concluded no action should be taken against the officers. Janice Clark, 50, who had been threatening suicide, fell 175ft to her death after standing on the wrong side of barriers a Viaduct Miss Clark's family is now taking legal action against Durham Police. A family spokesman said: 'The police were warned by the public not to remove the handcuffs. 'Forty six seconds after they removed them Janice was gone off the bridge. 'Why did they not just wait until the fire brigade arrived to harness her off? 'They were told by the members of the public to leave her. It is not right what has been written in that report. 'The police did not follow the right procedures. They did not look after her as they should have done. 'This is not over, it is still ongoing. We have not got closure. 'For us to get that, as a family, the police have to admit that they made a mistake.' The spokesman said the civil law suit is designed to make sure the circumstances are not repeated and lessons are learned, and not to pursue criminal charges against individuals. A family spokesman said: 'The police were warned by the public not to remove the handcuffs' A spokesman for IOPC said: 'We conducted an independent investigation into the nature and extent of the police contact with the woman prior to her death. 'We obtained accounts from all officers who had been present as well as from members of the public who had witnessed the event. 'We examined police body-worn video footage along with audio recordings of police radio communications and telephone calls made to and from the police control room. 'After a thorough examination of all the evidence, we did not consider there to be an indication that any police officer involved in this incident may have behaved in a manner that would justify the bringing of disciplinary proceedings or committed a criminal offence.' A Durham Police spokeswoman said: 'This was an extremely tragic incident for everyone involved and our thoughts remain with Janice's family and friends. 'We welcome the findings of the IOPC investigation, but given the pending legal action, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.' A third suspect appeared in court today charged with murdering a 17-year-old girl. Jodie Chesney was stabbed in the back as she listened to music with friends on a picnic bench at a park in Harold Hill, East London, on March 1. Svenson Ong-a-kwie, 18, of Romford, was arrested nine days later on suspicion of murder and had his first hearing at Barkingside Magistrates' Court this morning. Svenson Ong-a-kwie (left), 18, was charged with the murder of Jodie Chesney (right), 17 Police work at the scene in Harold Hill, East London, on March 3 after Jodie was fatally stabbed Manuel Petrovic (left; and right, in a court sketch on March 11), 20, has also been charged with the murder of the 17-year-old girl The Surinamese national, from the Collier Row estate in Romford, appeared in a grey tracksuit and was expressionless as he spoke only to confirm his name and address. Sending Ong-a-kwie to the Old Bailey, magistrate Garry Lucie said: 'You have been charged with murder on the 1 March, murdering Jodie Chesney. 'It is a charge that can't be dealt with at this court. It has to be dealt with at crown court. I am not allowed to deal with bail.' Mr Lucie told him he would next appear at the Old Bailey next Monday at 9.30am. Friends battled to save Jodie but she collapsed in the park with a large stab wound and was pronounced dead at the scene around an hour later. Purple bows and ribbons attached to lamp posts in Harold Hill in Jodie's memory on March 8 Manuel Petrovic, 20, and a 16-year-old boy have appeared in court separately charged with the murder of the young Explorer Scout. Petrovic, from Romford, and the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are due to be tried at the Old Bailey in September. Another three people - a 50-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman, both from Dagenham, and a 17-year-old boy who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender have all been released under investigation. Jodie's death intensified the outrage over knife crime in London and locals have paid tribute to her across Romford, laying dozens of bouquets and purple ribbons. This is the horrifying moment that a blood-soaked Indian man had to have an arrow removed from his chest after he was attacked as he slept. The footage, filmed in Sukma district in Chhattisgarh, central India, shows doctors sawing at the shaft of the arrow, with its point skewering the man's flesh. He had bravely travelled 60 miles in his injured state to reach hospital after two men attacked him at his home and fired two arrows, the second of which hit him. Indian man Madhvi Lakhma travelled 60 miles to hospital to have an arrow removed from his chest after he was attacked by two men at his home in Sukma district in Chhattisgarh, central India. A video shows the moment that two doctors go about trying to remove it One doctor holds the middle of the arrow as the other carefully saws at it to make it easier to remove. The injured man, identified as Madhvi Lakhma, stands quietly as the doctors do their work, wearing only a loincloth that is soaked red with blood. Following the assault, Mr Lakhma had originally gone to the village hospital but they were not equipped to remove the arrow, forcing him to make his painful journey. A lunar rover sent to the far side of the moon by China has driven 163 meters (534 feet) after spending 10 weeks on the mysterious land. Jade Rabbit-2 has also studied 'a big rock' as well as its own tracks. The rover, known as Yutu-2 in Chinese, has worked on the moon for three lunar days, each of which is equivalent to 14 days on Earth. It spent the past two lunar nights hibernating. It is expected to work longer than its three-month design life as it prepares to embrace the freezing and lengthy lunar night for the third time today. The Chinese Lunar Exploration Program has released two new pictures taken by lunar probe Jade Rabbit-2 through the rover's official social media account. Jade Rabbit-2 drove about 43 metres (141 feet) and studied a rock on the far side of the moon in the past lunar day Jade Rabbit-2, also known as Yutu-2, is expected to work longer than its three-month design life as it prepares to embrace the freezing and lengthy lunar night for the third time today Jade Rabbit-2 is the rover of Chinese lunar explorer Chang'e-4, which is the first ever spacecraft to touch down on the dark side of the moon on human history. The Chang'e-4 probe - named after the moon goddess in Chinese mythology - landed inside the Von Karman crater at the lunar south pole on January 4. It was launched last December from the south-western Xichang centre. Since then, both Chang'e-4 and Jade Rabbit-2 have been updating their activities on their official accounts on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent to Twitter. In a latest post from today, Jade Rabbit-2 reported its 'work progress' during the past lunar day. which began on March 1 on Earth. 'I drove about 43 metres (141 feet), recorded the data of the tracks and carried out close-up research on a rock about 20cm (7.87 inches) wide on the moon,' the post reads. It also said that it had already exceeded its designed working hours and felt proud about it. 'From now on, I will also listen to my master at Chinese Lunar Exploration Program, protect my wheels and carry on walking,' the post adds. 'Rabbit will not stop running.' Jade Rabbit-2 is designed to move as quickly as 200 metres per hour, or 5.55 centimetres per second. But out of safety concerns, it has been operating at a speed of two centimetres per second. The Chang'e-4 probe - named after the moon goddess in Chinese mythology - landed inside the Von Karman crater at the lunar south pole on January 4 after being launched in December The rover, known as Yutu-2 in Chinese, has worked on the moon for three lunar days, each of which is equivalent to 14 days on Earth. It spent the past two lunar nights hibernating The Chang'e-4 lander, on the other hand, said through its account that the rocks and tracks on the back of the moon could hold the key to cosmic secrets. It said Jade Rabbit-2 studied the 'big rock' from 1.2 metres (3.9 feet) away using an infrared imaging spectrometer. 'There are too many unknowns and secrets here. We want to know how the rocks around our feet formed, and whether or not they are meteorites falling from the sky,' a post from Chang'e-4 on March 6 reads. 'The thin layer of dust uncovered by the tracks could contain billion-year-old stories of how the moon has evolved. Yutu-2 has a host of instruments and will be powered by solar panels. Unlike the similar probe on-board the Chang'e-3 mission, this rover has no robotic arm. It announced afterwards it will be taking a 'nap' to protect against the sun's immense heat on the moon A never-before-seen 'close range' image taken by the Chinese spacecraft Chang'e-4 of the surface of the far side of the moon. It appears to take on a reddish hue in some of the images released by China, an effect of the lights used by the probe The rover has various instruments to help it analyse the lunar surface, including a panoramic and infrared camera, ground-penetrating radar and a low-frequency radio spectrometer Chang'e-4 and Jade Rabbit-4 have started to hibernate for the third lunar night. China's National Space Administration (CNSA) is expecting Jade Rabbit-4 to continue to work afterwards and collect more data. China's space agency previous said the current mission 'lifted the mysterious veil' from the far side of the moon, which is never seen from Earth, and 'opened a new chapter in human lunar exploration'. Because the spacecraft is solar powered, it has to switch off during a lunar night on the moon, during which there will be no sunlight. The temperature on a lunar night is about -180C (-292F) and can get high during the day, where 'insulating' components like the gold-coloured layers outside the lander and rover keep them cool. There are variable heat conduction pipes, controllable two-phase electric fluidic circuits, etc., and they can control the probe's temperature to under 55 degrees Celsius. The mission is formed of three basic parts - the rover, the lander and the relay satellite. They will work in unison to study, analyse and send information back to the scientists on Earth Results of the experiments conducted by the Chang'e-4 could lead to new understandings of the challenges faced by settlers who may one day colonise our natural satellite. 'It's a small step for the rover, but one giant leap for the Chinese nation,' Wu Weiren, the chief designer of the Lunar Exploration Project, told state broadcaster CCTV. 'This giant leap is a decisive move for our exploration of space and the conquering of the universe.' The rover is equipped with a variety of scientific instruments to help it analyse the surface of the moon, including a panoramic and infrared camera, ground-penetrating radar and a low-frequency radio spectrometre. The landing site on the Moon of space shuttle Chang'e-4 has been officially named 'Statio Tianhe' or The Milky Way Base, at a Beijing conference today The names, which were also given to three craters and a peak nearby, were agreed upon by the China National Space Administration, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the International Astronomical Union. 'Hegu' (pictured) which means River Drum Professor Ian Crawford from the department of Earth and planetary sciences at Birkbeck College London explained during a previous interview how Jade Rabbit-2 would function during the lunar days and nights. 'While operational, it will rove around studying the composition of rocks, and the sub-surface using its ground-penetrating radar. 'It will just be left on the moon once it ceases to function, unless one day it is collected and brought back to a museum.' Naming landing locations on planets is common practice, precedented by the United States and the former Soviet Union on their lunar explorations. Tianjin (pictured) The Chinese names allude to ancient folklore, with the term Tianhe meaning Milky Way, its literal translation being 'sky-river' in Mandarin. Taishan or Mount Tai (pictured) is the peak found near the landing site and the name of a famous Chinese mountain The rover will use its panoramic camera to identify interesting locations and its Visible and Near-Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (VNIS) will help analyse minerals in the crater. This includes what scientists call 'ejecta' - rocks that have churned up from deep to the surface from impacts meteors. Its Lunar Penetrating Radar (LPR) instrument will take a look down into the depths of the moon with a maximum vertical distance of approximately 300 feet (100 metres). China has officially named the landing site on the Chang'e-4 'Statio Tianhe' or The Milky Way Base. The name, along with others for three craters and a peak nearby, were agreed by the China National Space Administration, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the International Astronomical Union. Naming landing locations on planets is common practice, led by the United States and the former Soviet Union on their lunar explorations. There have been numerous landings on the moon as a result of the 20th century space race between the US and the USSR - including the famed Apollo 11 mission which saw Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first humans on the moon The Chinese names allude to ancient folklore, with the term Tianhe meaning Milky Way, its literal translation being 'sky-river' in Mandarin. The Latin 'Statio' which means base, is also part of the landing site name. Three craters close to landing site were also named Zhinu (weaver girl), Hegu (river drum) and Tianjin, after three constellations of ancient Chinese astrology. The names all allude to an ancient folklore tale about the 'weaver girl' and her banished lover, a 'cowherder boy'. They are separated by the Milky Way and can only meet once a year on a bridge formed by magpies, known as Queqiao, the name given to China's relay satellite on the dark side of the moon. This special day, Qixi falls on the 7th day of the 7th month of the lunar calendar each year, often referred to as 'Chinese Valentine's Day'. China has claimed it wants to be the first country to establish a base on the moon and says it will build it using 3D printing technology. Officials from the Chinese space agency also said the country will return to the moon by the end of the year with the Chang'e-5 mission. Advertisement Donald Trump has torn into Theresa May over her handling of Brexit, saying she could have made a success of it if she had listened to his advice. The US president said he was 'surprised how badly it has gone' as he spoke to reporters at the White House alongside Irish premier Leo Varadkar. His comments to reporters in Washington came just hours before MPs in London were due to take part in a crucial series of votes that will pave the way towards a delay to Brexit. Their decisions tonight will outline how long an extension to Article 50 Mrs May can seek when she speaks with EU leaders in Brussels next week. Remainers launched their bid to seize control of the Commons and force Britain to a soft Brexit after a plan to stage 'indicative votes' on what kind of alternative Brexit Parliament might support was chosen by Speaker John Bercow. That followed yesterday's drama in which MPs - including ministers - helped inflict a defeat on the Government and block a path to a no-deal Brexit. Across the Atlantic, President Trump said that it was a 'shame' that Brexit was 'tearing a country apart, it's actually tearing a lot of countries apart'. In his latest intervention on Brexit in the Oval Office Mr Trump said: 'It's a very complex thing right now, it's tearing a country apart, it's actually tearing a lot of countries apart and it's a shame it has to be that way but I think we will stay right in our lane. 'I'm surprised at how badly it has all gone from a stand point of negotiations but I gave the Prime Minister (Theresa May) my ideas of how to negotiate it, she didn't listen to that and that's fine but it could have been negotiated in a different manner.' He added that it was 'sad to see what is happening there' and then criticised Brussels, saying: 'The EU has been very tough to deal with and frankly it's been very one-sided for many years so we are changing that around.' Mr Trump waded into the Brexit debate to attack Theresa May's handling of the UK's departure from the EU as he met with Irish premier Leo Varadkar at the White House today The US president's intervention came amid chaos in Westminster over the timing of Brexit. Mr Trump told reporters: 'I gave the Prime Minister my ideas on how to negotiate it and I think you would have been successful' The Taoiseach received one of the president's trademark lengthy handshakes when they met in the Oval Office in front of a pack of news cameras Mr Trump and Mr Varadkar met today at the start of an official visit to the US by the Irish premier, whose nation is at loggerheads with Britain over Brexit Asked if he thought the Brexit deadline should be extended, Mr Trump said: 'I think they are probably going to have to do something because right now there are in the midst of a very short period of time, at the end of the month and they are not going to be able to do that. 'We can do a very big trade deal with the UK. we are also re-negotiating our trade deal with the European groups and literally individual nations.' People's Vote campaign refuses to back second referendum bid The People's Vote campaign came out against a bid for a second referendum today. MPs will vote directly on a new public vote for the first time tonight after Independent Group MP Sarah Wollaston tabled an amendment to Theresa May's motion on delaying Brexit. But People's Vote admitted its supporters would divide in favour, against and abstention tonight. A spokesman said: 'We do not think today is the right time to test the will of the House on the case for a new public vote. 'Instead, this is the time for Parliament to declare it wants an extension of Article 50 so that, after two-and-a-half years of vexed negotiations, our political leaders can finally decide on what Brexit means.' Advertisement However he also criticised the idea of holding another referendum, saying: 'I hate to see it being, everything being ripped apart right now. 'I don't think another vote would be possible because it would be very unfair to the people that won.' After the meeting Mr Varadkar, who received one of the president's trademark lengthy handshakes, said Mr Trump supports the peace process in Ireland and also wants to avoid a hard border. The Taoiseach said: 'It's not particularly support that I've asked for from the president on Brexit. 'What I've asked for is an understanding of our situation, particularly when it comes to Northern Ireland and avoiding a hard border and protecting the peace process. 'And he is supportive of that point. 'When it comes to trade what I've been saying to him is that the opportunity exists there for a EU-US trade deal, just like we have a trade deal with Japan, just like we do with the Canada - we would have one with the US as well. 'It will be many years before the United Kingdom is able to make any trade deals, so surely it makes sense to make one with the EU first. 'There's 500 million of us, only 60 million (in the UK).' Mr Trump was criticised by second referendum campaigners with Labour's Harrow MP Gareth Thomas saying: 'Trump says second referendum 'unfair' - pleased to take a different view on this to Donald Trump. 'I dont think well get a better trade deal with the US thru Brexit- indeed I think well be much more vulnerable to US pressure to lower our standards.' The US president had earlier tweeted that he was looking forward to talks on a 'large scale trade deal' with the UK, adding 'the potential is unlimited!' The terms of a deal between the two nations after Brexit had sparked a furious row in recent weeks, with fears that we would be forced to accept goods produced under the US's lower food safety and welfare standards. Mr Trump's comments were criticised by MPs who back a second referendum, including Labour's Gareth Thomas He enthusiastically voiced his backing for a UK-US trade deal once Brexit is finalised. It has been the subject of a lot of debate in recent weeks The Prime Minister (pictured in Downing Street today) told Parliament she must have clarity on what it will support before she meets EU leaders in Brussels next Thursday Tory ministers gathered in Downing Street this afternoon for a 'political Cabinet' - a meeting without Civil Servants to discuss the party political ramifications of the Brexit crisis. It is first first time several ministers (including from left Amber Rudd, Greg Clark and David Gauke today) defied orders and abstained on a vote to rule out No Deal last night How would indicative votes work? Remain MPs are poised to seize control of the Commons agenda today and stage 'indicative votes' on the different Brexit options. The idea is to take all viable versions of a Brexit and pit them against each to find the most popular. To qualify as viable, an idea needs backing from at least 25 MPs drawn from five parties. The amendment tabled today does not specify exactly how the votes work. Two possibilities are: Normal Commons procedure asks MPs to vote Aye or No to a question. This could be used on a succession of different possibilities - but raises the risk of MPs rejecting everything and causing more chaos. Veteran Tory MP Ken Clarke has previously suggested using a ballot paper featuring all viable plans and telling MPs to rank them. This would create a best supported plan - but would not prove it commanded a simple majority of MPs. Advertisement The US wants 'comprehensive market access' for US agricultural products through the reduction or removal of tariffs and the elimination of 'unwarranted barriers' to food and drink imports according to a document released a fortnight ago. Labour MP and Best for Britain supporter Virendra Sharma said: 'British consumers deserve better. 'This trade deal would be a disaster for Britain and shred our animal welfare and consumer protections. 'The only way to protect UK consumers is to retain our current deal with the EU.' Mr Trump tweeted this morning as Westminster was engulfed by ongoing chaos about when and if the UK will leave the EU. The leave date is key to deciding when official talks on a deal would even begin. If successful tonight, MPs are will stage the votes next Wednesday, the eve of the next European Council. The idea is to pit all viable proposals - including a Norway-style soft Brexit and a new referendum - to a series of head to head votes to find the most popular. In a desperate effort to avoid a third night of humiliating defeat, Theresa May's deputy David Lidington promised MPs the Government would stage its own indicative votes after next week's EU summit if the Brexit deal fails again. Mr Bercow also ruled MPs will vote on proposals about a second referendum and blocking the chance of a third vote on Theresa May's deal. Tonight's votes come after the PM effectively handed control to Parliament by telling MPs to make up their mind about the Brexit they do want. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's amendment demanding a delay for more negotiations was also selected. A plan to stage 'indicative votes' on what kind of alternative Brexit Parliament might support was chosen by Speaker John Bercow today ahead of the latest round of votes at 5pm. Mr Bercow faced fury from Brexiteer Mark Francois after he ignored an amendment seeking to block a second referendum on Brexit But the Speaker's decision to block an amendment that sought to rule out a second referendum provoked fury from Brexiteer MPs. Tory members of the European Research Group bombarded Mr Bercow with hostile points of order accusing him being biased in ignoring their amendment, which was backed by more than 100 Eurosceptics. Despite the furious row tonight's vote - on an amendment from Independent Group MP Sarah Wollaston - will be the first time the Commons has directly vote on a second Brexit referendum. Bizarrely the People's Vote campaign came out against the amendment today - admitting it would be agreed by MPs tonight. This morning EU Council President Donald Tusk said he will urge EU leaders to agree a 'long extension' to Article 50 - delaying Brexit by up to two years to give the UK time to 'rethink' - if Mrs May's deal is voted down a third time. The President of the European Council's intervention on Twitter this morning will bolster claims that the UK would not leave the EU until 2021 unless Mrs May can persuade the DUP and Brexiteers to back her divorce deal - because some in the EU want to play 'hardball' and push for a delay of two years. The PM's deal will be put to another vote next week, just 15 days before the country is due to leave the EU on 29 March, after MPs including a 'gang of four' rebellious Cabinet members helped to vote to permanently rule out No Deal Brexit. May told the Commons that is she loses a third time she will forced to ask Brussels for a long delay to Britain's departure from the EU at a summit on Thursday. Today Chancellor Philip Hammond hinted that Attorney General Geoffrey Cox could revisit his legal advice on whether Britain would be trapped in the Irish backstop 'indefinitely' - giving Brexiteers and the DUP a reason to climbdown and back May's deal. But members of the Tory Brexit group ERG have already refused to budge with MP Steve Baker saying 'come what may we will continue to vote down the deal' while Mark Francois insists Mrs May's deal is 'not a win - it's a lose', adding: 'I was in the Army I wasn't trained to lose'. Mrs May's tattered authority faces being drained away even further tonight after a cross party group of Remain MPs led by Tory Oliver Letwin and Labour's Yvette Cooper tabled an amendment to tonight's vote on delaying Brexit that would set up indicative votes on what MPs do want. If the plan passes tonight, MPs would seize control of the Commons agenda next week to stage the debate and votes in an unprecedented collapse of ministerial power. Allies: The White House issued this picture of President Donald Trump (left) with Nigel Farage when they met at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington on March 2 Nigel Farage reportedly urged U.S. President Donald Trump to support a no-deal Brexit when they met face-to-face in Washington earlier this month. The former UKIP leader, who campaigned for then-candidate Trump in 2016, met the Republican President at the Conservative Political Action Conference on March 2. A photograph of the meeting shows both men smiling to the camera with their thumbs raised. Mr Farage likened Brexit to Mr Trump's negotiations with North Korea and said it was better to walk away with no deal, the Daily Telegraph reported. Karen Ristevski's aunt says Borce Ristevski may have admitted to killing his wife of 20 years to cover the tracks of the real criminal. After years of denying involvement in the mother's death, Ristevski confessed by pleading guilty to manslaughter at the Melbourne Supreme Court on Wednesday. The charge had been downgraded as part of a last-minute plea deal by prosecutors. Ristevski's confession on the eve of his five-week murder trial has left relatives shocked, with many now trying to figure out why he suddenly changed his story. Relatives have speculated that Borce Ristevski (pictured left) may have denied killing his wife for so long to protect his daughter Sarah (pictured right) from further pain Karen's aunt Patricia Gray said she was 'gobsmacked' upon hearing Ristevski's guilty plea. 'So he is either covering up for someone or just can't face it' Sarah Ristevski led the procession at the funeral, holding a framed picture of her shop owner and fashion designer mum Karen's aunt Patricia Gray told the Herald Sun she was 'gobsmacked' when she heard Ristevski's guilty plea. 'He has done it because he is not willing to say what he did. He is just saying, ''Yeah, OK, I did it''. So he is either covering up for someone or just can't face it,' she said. 'He just wont say. Im gobsmacked. There is a reason, and it will be to suit him and no-one else,' she added. Other relatives have spoken out with claims Ristevski hid the crime to spare his only daughter Sarah from more pain. 'The embarrassment and heartbreak of losing Sarah's love would have been too much,' a relative told 7 News. 'He thought, "Deny, deny, deny. They can't prove it". For him to have the presence of mind to do everything he did afterwards is unbelievable and unforgivable.' Anthony Rickard, Ristevski's son from a previous relationship, made the shocking claim the confession came after he threatened to expose a dark family secret. 'I am responsible for this, I gave him an ultimatum,' Mr Rickard told news.com.au. 'I told him: "If you don't get up and be a man I'll go into the (witness) box and tell them exactly what went on behind closed doors".' Borce Ristevski (right) has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter death of his wife Karen (centre), exposing the depth of his betrayal of his wife and daughter Sarah (left) Television reporter Cameron Baud (right) boldly asked Borce Ristevski if he had killed Karen, bringing a media conference to a tearful end Mr Rickard claimed his father decided not to go to trial in a bid to protect Sarah from hearing the details of a supposed 'affair' between him and Karen. Mr Rickard, who has a long history of drug abuse and addiction, claimed he had been having an affair with his stepmother before she was killed. 'He knew what was going on between me and Karen but he did nothing, he didn't protect me, he was a coward,' Mr Rickard claimed to news.com.au. It isn't the first time Mr Rickard has voiced the unsubstantiated claims. In Facebook posts from 2016, he accused Ristevski of allowing him to do drugs and claimed that Karen's 'fantasy' was to run away with him. 'Ur a low price of sh** that watched me do drugs as u allowed Karen to continue her fantasy of leaving u to run away with me [sic],' he claimed. Later that year he reportedly demanded $200,000 from a television network for a tell-all about the supposed affair. Ristevski's son from a previous relationship, Anthony Rickard (pictured), claims his father's sudden confession didn't have anything to do with a guilty conscience Ristevski was a pallbearer at the funeral of his wife - who he has now confessed to killing The allegations from Mr Rickard come shortly after it was revealed Sarah was 'blindsided' by her father's sudden guilty plea. Sarah was not present at the court during the pre-trial hearing. She wasn't allowed to be, as she had been listed as a prosecution witness in her father's trial. Since her mother's disappearance, Sarah has had to endure the loss of one parent, the callous betrayal of her father, and the public's macabre fascination with the case. Sources with knowledge of the situation said '(Sarah) did not' anticipate the plea. Ristevski's sudden confession came after a Victorian Supreme Court judge ruled that crucial prosecution evidence of Ristevski's 'murderous intent' was inadmissible. Crown prosecutors hinged their murder charge on evidence about Ristevski's behaviour after Karen's disappearance in mid-2016. Karen's body, found wedged between two logs in a national park months after she vanished, was too badly decomposed for there to be a conclusive cause of death. Ristevski's manslaughter plea means he will avoid a life sentence, the maximum penalty for a murder charge. His trial was supposed to start today. The plea is the beginning of the end of the circus surrounding the Ristevski family, from which Sarah has suffered the most. In a haze after her mother's disappearance, Sarah had to stand by her father during a public appeal for information in mid-2016. It was then that the first questions were bluntly raised about Ristevski. 'Did you kill Karen, Borce?' a TV reporter asked the family patriarch. Ristevski did not answer. The media conference came to a swift, teary end. In private, Ristevski blamed police for trying to 'pin' the crime on him, a court heard. After nine agonising months of mystery, Karen's body was found at the Mount Macedon Regional Park in February 2017. She mourned her mother at a funeral service attended by her father, listening as the crowd were regaled with tributes about the 'close' family unit. Ristevski acted as pallbearer and buried Karen at a cemetery in Williamstown, near one of the couple's favourite spots. Karen Ristevski's body was found by horticulturalists at this site in early 2017 The heat on Ristevski began to escalate as time went by. He was hounded by the press. His own lawyer described him as the 'prime suspect' in Karen's killing. He was convicted in the most brutal court - that of public opinion. Ristevski was charged by police in December 2017. Sarah remained quiet through it all, confiding only in a small circle of family and friends. Last year, the young lady appeared in court at her father's committal as a witness called by the prosecution where she made her first detailed public remarks about the case. Sarah told the court her mother tended to raise her voice in arguments and her dad was a 'calming influence'. 'Dad was always the calm one,' she said. The couple would often argue over their fashion boutique Bella Bleu, she said. The chain was struggling. Borce Ristevski seen this week arriving at the Supreme Court complex in Melbourne Reports claimed Sarah did not make eye contact with her father, who was visibly emotional, during the hearing. The Crown prosecutor Matt Fisher was adamant Karen's death had been no accident. 'Something happened in the house,' he told the court. 'The accused man engages in behaviour soon after he has either killed her or caused her serious injury.' Sarah admitted in court Ristevski's behaviour 'didn't make sense' in the days after her mother vanished. She questioned him about why his phone was switched off, the committal hearing was told. As read by Mr Fisher in court, Sarah said to her father: 'You were out of the house for two hours. Your phone is off for two hours... They pinged you on the Calder (Freeway).' Ristevski responded: 'That's what they are trying to plant out there, Sarah.' 'That doesn't make sense,' she said. 'Nothing makes sense because they're making it up as they go,' he replied. At the court hearing, Sarah said she had been 'basically stalked' by the media over the course of the hearing. She looked over at the assembled news reporters and said: 'Thanks for that'. The terrible spectacle surrounding her family will soon be over. Borce Ristevski will face a sentence of up to 20 years' imprisonment for Karen's death. Timmy Kinner, 31, wants to his name to 'Eternal Love' before he stands trial for the first-degree murder of a three-year-old last June The parents of a three-year-old girl stabbed to death at her birthday party have filed a motion to stop their daughter's alleged killer from changing his name to 'Eternal Love'. Bifituu Kadir and Recep Seran believe there's no 'meaningful reason' for Timmy Kinner, 31, to adopt the moniker as he prepares to stand trial and say it could confuse the jury. Toddler Ruya Kadir was one of nine people stabbed to death during the attack at Idaho's Northwest Real Estate Capital Corporation on June 30, 2018. The parents also claimed it could confuse them because English is not their first language. The mother from Ethiopia and father from Turkey are using translators during the trial, the Idaho Statesman reports. Kadir and Seran tried to stop the homeless suspect's name change on Tuesday, one week ahead of a March 19 hearing he was granted in December. He filed the petition for a name change 'because this is my God given right & the title I want to be known as & remembered by'. Kinner is charged with first-degree murder, eight counts of felony aggravated battery and faces the death penalty, but it's not clear whether he will appear at next week's hearing. A judge last summer entered not guilty pleas on his behalf. The judge declared him unfit to stand trial and transferred him to a mental health facility on February 8. He faces the death penalty for stabbing nine people including, Ruya Kadir, who died He filed the petition for a name change 'because this is my God given right & the title I want to be known as & remembered by'. In December a judge granted him a March 19 hearing Kinner, pictured in court last July, was declared unfit to stand trial by a judge and he was transferred to a mental health facility in state prison on February 8 His time in the area of the state prison is intended to treat him so he is competent enough to take part in his own defense. Kinner had previously refused to meet with a psychologist to evaluate his health. Kadir and Seran have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the suspect, the Boise nonprofit that owns the apartment complex Ruya was murdered in, Tamarack Property Management Co. and apartment complex supervisor, Muhiba Muhic, plus a Congolese refugee who allowed Kinner to stay in her apartment. The lawsuit states the companies 'knew or should have known' he was staying there for an extended period of time and in the suspect staying there against the rules, the parents claim the companies failed to protect their daughter. Parents (mother Bifituu Kadir is pictured July 3, 2018) believe there's no 'meaningful reason' for Kinner to adopt the moniker as he prepares to stand trial and say it could cause confusion Girl was at her birthday party when Kinner, armed with a large knife, attacked and killed her Her parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Idaho's Northwest Real Estate Capital Corporation affordable housing complex, Wylie Street Station where Ruya was murdered, Tamarack Property Management Co. and apartment complex supervisor, Muhiba Muhic Kinner had been asked to leave a Boise apartment complex the day before the slashing, but he returned the following day and began attacking children and others at the outdoor birthday party. Police said Kinner didn't know any of the victims, who were all refugees from Ethiopia, Syria and Iraq. They also said the attack did not appear to be a hate crime. Ruya was at her third birthday party - complete with a pink doll-shaped cake and a Disney princess banner - when police say Kinner, armed with a large knife, attacked. Ruya and five other children were badly injured, along with the three adults who tried to protect them. Some children hid in a closet until police told them it was safe to come out. Ruya and five other children were badly injured, along with the three adults who tried to protect them Police said the attack did not appear to be a hate crime. He was arrested shortly after the stabbing and investigators recovered the knife he was believed to have used in a nearby canal Police say Kinner had recently been asked to leave the apartment complex because of bad behavior. He was arrested shortly after the stabbing. Investigators recovered the knife he was believed to have used in a nearby canal. Kinner has a lengthy criminal record. He has served prison time in Kentucky and has been arrested for 'violence against others' in the past. The Ada County Public Defender's Office is representing Kinner. A memorial for the wounded is pictured after Kinner, the homeless man who had been asked to leave a Boise apartment complex the day before, returned the following day and attacked A Texas teen was in Colorado last weekend celebrating his upcoming 18th birthday when he died in a skydiving accident on his first-ever jump. Dayton Bryant, of Azle, was pronounced dead at a field near Penrose, Colorado, at around 10am on Sunday following his botched solo skydiving attempt. He would have turned 18 the next day. Bryant was a senior at Azle High School, where he played tuba in the marching band. Final photo: This image was taken just minutes before Dayton Bryant plummeted to his death during his first-ever skydiving jump a day before his 18th birthday Bryant had traveled from his hometown in Texas to Colorado with his father, Scott (left) as part of a special 18th birthday adventure trip (pictured hiking in the Rockies Saturday) The boy's mother, Sunja Stevens, told Fox 4 that her ex-husband, Scott, wanted to do something special for their son for his birthday, so he offered Bryant a choice: a beach vacation or a trip to the mountains. Being an adventure seeker, Bryant picked the mountains and set off with his dad to Colorado. On Saturday, he shared photos on social media showing him and his father hiking in the Rockies and tweeted: 'For the first time in a while I feel so alive.' The next day, Bryant headed to Fremont County, where the company High Sky Adventures is based, planning to experience his very first skydiving jump. Instead of jumping out of a plane tethered to an instructor, in what is known as a tandem jump, Bryant opted for a type of jump called static line. Bryant is pictured with his mother, Sunja Stevens, who says she got to let her son she loves him before his death Bryant was a senior at Azle High School, where he played tuba in the marching band The teen is pictured in his school marching band uniform carrying the school flag According to the company's website, in a static-line jump a lanyard connected to the plane automatically opens the customer's parachute as he exits the aircraft at 3,500 feet above the ground. Stevens said that during her last phone call with her son, Bryant told her that he was planning to jump solo rather than with an instructor. 'I was trying to be supportive of his celebration and what he wanted to do,' the mother said. Stevens took some comfort from the fact that in her final text message to her son, she told him, 'I love you.' According to the office of the coroner, Bryant's parachute went into a spiral upon opening, but a subsequent inspection of the skydiving equipment found nothing amiss. High Sky Adventures has been in operation for 25 years. Its website touts the benefits of static-line skydiving over tandem jumping, boasting that its customers undergo four hours of 'intensive instruction' before leaping out of a plane on their own. Bryant, of Azle, was pronounced dead at a field near Penrose, Colorado Music man: Besides playing in his school's marching band, Bryant was also a member of The Guardians Drum & Bugle Corp The company has not publicly commented on the fatal accident, which is now being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration. Besides playing in his school's marching band, Bryant was also a member of The Guardians Drum & Bugle Corp, which posted a touching message on Facebook mourning his death. 'Dayton was an incredible young man who inspired many of our former and current members and showed them what it meant to be in a drum corps,' read the status update. 'We cheered him on as he accomplished so much this past year, and were excited to see him live his life to the fullest.' His former pastor, Donovan Burkett, described Bryant in a Facebook post as a 'sharp young man with a bright future' who will be missed by many. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help Bryant's family with his funeral expenses. As of Thursday morning, more than $4,600 has been raised. Barbra Streisand showed her marriage is still solid after 20 years as she strolled hand-in-hand with her husband James Brolin in Beverly Hills, DailyMail.com exclusive photographs show. The Oscar-winning actress, who celebrated her wedding anniversary last July, was spotted on a rare public outing with her 78-year-old spouse, who proved his devotion by waiting two hours for her outside a clinic that houses numerous plastic surgery offices on Tuesday. Barbra, 76, is famous for her unique nose, even claiming it's the reason she has never been harassed by men in Hollywood. But reports have suggested she has had Botox injections to make her skin look more youthful. Barbra Streisand showed her marriage is still solid after 20 years as she strolled hand-in-hand with her husband James Brolin in Beverly Hills on Tuesday The 78-year-old proved his devotion by waiting hours for her outside a clinic that houses numerous plastic surgery offices, DailyMail.com exclusive photos show An eyewitness told DailyMail.com: 'He escorted her inside holding her hand and then waited hours for her to finish, standing around outside reading a book'. Pictured: The two in June of 2018 An eyewitness told DailyMail.com: 'He escorted her inside holding her hand and then waited hours for her to finish, putting money in the car meter and standing around outside reading a book he'd taken along. 'He then went in to meet her and escorted her back to the car like a true gentleman before taking her on a swanky dinner date nearby. 'Barbra is worth millions of dollars and she could've had a security guard take her to the appointment, it was really sweet to see James so dedicated to her after so many years.' Brolin himself was driving the couple's black BMW. The Star Is Born icon and her beau were dressed in matching all black for their outing, with Barbra opting for little makeup with her natural curly hair flowing free in the breeze. The Star Is Born icon and her beau were dressed in matching all black for their outing, with Barbra opting for little makeup with her natural curly hair flowing free in the breeze Barbra previously posted a sweet message to James as the couple celebrated their anniversary, writing: 'Has it really been 22 years since our blind date @jamesbrolin_?' adding, 'Married for 20 years. Happy anniversary honey. Bee. X' The pair, who tied the knot at their Malibu estate on July 1, 1998, were then spotted entering The Grill On The Alley (pictured) for a romantic dinner before making their way back home The pair, who tied the knot at their Malibu estate on July 1, 1998, were then spotted entering The Grill On The Alley for a romantic dinner before making their way back home. Barbra previously posted a sweet message to James as the couple celebrated their anniversary, writing: 'Has it really been 22 years since our blind date @jamesbrolin_?' adding, 'Married for 20 years. Happy anniversary honey. Bee. X.' Speaking about why she chose not to have plastic surgery in the past, she said: 'Many reasons ... A, I didn't have the money, B, I don't like pain, [and] I don't trust the doctors. I don't trust that I would come out with[out] a funny nose job, which is worse. 'I actually like my nose, it's a little big, but you can't have everything.' Talking about the #MeToo movement with producer Ryan Murphy, she later admitted: 'I wasn't like those pretty girls with those nice little noses. Maybe that's why (I wasn't harassed). I have no idea.' James Alan Neal, 72, of Colorado was arrested in February after DNA evidence linked him to the murder of an 11-year-old schoolgirl, in 1973. On Wednesday prosecutors added five charges of child sex abuse, relating to two other alleged victims A man accused of the 1973 sexual assault and murder of a schoolgirl has been charged with two new counts of child sex abuse - and prosecutors say they're 'absolutely' looking for other potential victims. Last month, James Alan Neal, 72, of Colorado, was arrested after genealogical DNA linked him to the slaying of Linda O'Keefe, 11, who disappeared from Newport beach 46 years ago. On Wednesday, Prosecutors added new charges relating to two other child sexual assault victims in Riverside County, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer revealed. Neal was charged in February with one count of first-degree murder while committing sexual assault upon a child. But an additional five charges of sexual assault on a child under 14 have been brought against Neal, after prosecutors say he performed a series of lewd acts on two different children in Riverside County, between 1995 and 2004. Linda O'Keefe (above) was last seen walking home from school on July 5, 1973. The following day, she was found dead in a grassy ditch in Newport Beach At the time of Linda's death, Neal was known as James Alan George Layton. He later relocated to Florida and changed his name And Spitzer says prosecutors aren't done yet, as his office is 'absolutely' looking into other possible criminal wrongdoing conducted by the defendant. 'While that evidence will be presented in court, there are now allegations of multiple sexual assault victims,' Spitzer said. 'And so, we do believe that Mr. Neal was involved in creating more victims beyond the murder of Linda OKeefe.' Linda O'Keefe was last seen walking home from school on July 5, 1973. The following day, she was found dead in a grassy ditch in Newport Beach's Back Bay. Still draped in the blue and white floral dress her mother had embroidered for her, police determined O'Keefe had be raped and strangled. For the next four-and-a-half decades, the case remained unsolved. On the 45th anniversary of her disappearance, Newport Beach police launched a social media campaign, called '#LindasStory', hoping to breath new life in the investigation. And last month they finally got their break, after generating a snapshot profile of the suspect using DNA evidence gathered at the crime scene. 'Lindas death rocked the community and took root in the heart of the men and women of their police department,' said Newport Beach Police Chief Jon Lewis. 'We never, ever forgot Lindas story.' Newport Beach Police took to Twitter last July to share a series of tweets in Linda's voice and announce a breakthrough in the case At the time of the murder, a police bulletin (pictured) showed a sketch of person of interest. It yielded no leads Linda was strangled to death police determined. Eye witnesses recalled seeing a turquoise van following her just hours before her body was found At the time of Linda's death, Neal was known as James Alan George Layton. He later relocated to Florida and changed his name. A girl and mother who last saw Linda alive as she walked home from summer school, told police at the time they saw a turquoise van parked nearby with its door ajar. Another woman who lived near Back Bay where O'Keefe's body was found, said she heard a girl scream 'Stop, you're hurting me', just after 11pm the same day. A sketch of the believed suspect was circulated at the time, but it generated no leads. But in 2018, Newport Beach Police conferred with Parabon NanoLabs, a Virginia-based medical lab who specialize in genealogical DNA. Using the evidence, Parabon were able to generate two composites - one showing the man in 1973, another now - of the suspect, calculating their gender, ancestry, freckles, skin tone and hair texture and color. The only thing they failed to generate was the suspect's name. The DNA was religiously checked against convicted felon records to no avail. However, Neal was eventually identified as a suspect in January after investigators linked the DNA to one listed on a database that scours for DNA profiles for close relatives of crime suspects. The case was cold for decades then in July 2018 police hired a DNA technology company to make composite sketches using the killer's DNA to determine what he looked like The age progression photos predicted what the killer would have looked like today Neal was eventually identified as a suspect in January after investigators linked the DNA to one listed on a database that scours for DNA profiles for close relatives of crime suspect For the next month, police tailed Neal in Colorado and secretly gathered more DNA evidence to strengthen their case. The DNA gathered by authorities matched the sample found back in 1973. 'Through both traditional DNA and genealogical DNA, we have every opportunity in the world to solve so many of these cold cases that we never had hoped in the past of solving and thats a great thing for our community,' Spitzer said. Linda's murder joins a number of cold cases that have been potentially solved through the use of modern DNA technology. In August, Golden State Killer Joseph James DeAngelo was arrested for a dozen murders and 50 rapes that took place back in the late 70s and 80s, after investigators utilized the online genealogical sites Ancenstry.com and 23andMe. 'As the Orange County District Attorney, I am committed to protecting the community. My office will never forget about cold cases,' Spitzer declared. 'Our hearts go out to the victim and the victims family in this case, having to endure decades without answers. We will make sure that the defendant is fairly and justly held accountable in a court of law,' he added Police also explain in chilling detail how a bicyclist found her body while he was looking for frogs among cattails A woman who, lived near Back Bay where O'Keefe's body was found, say she heard a girl scream 'Stop, you're hurting me', just after 11pm on July 5. The scream is believed to be Linda's Linda's parents died before investigators madetheir vital breakthrough. Instead, they shared the news of Neal's arrest with her two sisters Tragically, Linda's parents both passed away before the vital breakthrough was made. Instead, investigators shared the news of Neal's arrest with her two sisters. If convicted of all charges, he faces a maximum sentence of 82 years without the possibility of parole, according to the DA's office. Spitzer did explore the possibility of the death penalty, but determined it wasn't legally justified, he said. Police are hunting a fugitive with a distinctive neck tattoo who managed to escape jail before fleeing again after stealing a police car while handcuffed. Travis Lee Davis, 30, was arrested nearly 350 miles away from the jail in Pettis County, Missouri where he escaped Saturday night by climbing into the ceiling, police say. But after being arrested in a parking lot in Oklahoma on Wednesday he managed to evade law enforcement for a second time - this time driving off after stealing a police car. Cops had been called by a woman claiming that he had kidnapped her at gunpoint. The alleged victim - later identified as Christole Hurst - is now also being treated as a suspect after police discovered 'numerous phone calls' between the pair. Davis, who has an eye of providence tattoo on the front of his neck, is said to have been seen at a casino with Hurst shortly before she called police, accusing him of kidnap. Travis Lee Davis, 30, was arrested in Oklahoma on Wednesday before managing to escape from police using their car The eye of providence tattoo represents the eye of God. It is also used on the reverse of the Great Seal of the United States. Heavener Police Department say he was handcuffed behind his back and inside of the police car when he managed to get into the driver's seat and drive away. Officers had been outside of the vehicle interviewing Hurst when Davis broke free. LeFlore County Sheriff Rob Seale told 40/29 News: 'There were numerous phone calls between he and her when he was in the county jail there (Missouri) and she had been driving him through southern Missouri since his escape and hiding him out.' Davis, who is considered dangerous, is said to have driven two miles before crashing the car. Police say he may have jumped onto a passing freight train. The Heavener Police Department said in a statement Wednesday: 'It is possible that Davis escaped the area by trespassing on a freight train, however, people in the area should keep their doors locked and be watchful for strangers. 'Anyone driving in the area should not pick up any hitch hiker and should definitely report them to the Leflore County Sheriffs Office.' Heavener Police Department say he was handcuffed behind his back and inside of the police car when he managed to get into the driver's seat and drive away Davis escaped from a Pettis County, Missouri jail before being arrested 350 miles away in a parking lot in Heavener. He then he crashed the police car on the Old Highway 59 in Howe Davis, who is considered dangerous, is said to have driven two miles before crashing the car and police say he may have jumped onto a passing freight train Court records show Davis is being held on $110,000 bond for various charges, including kidnapping, endangering the welfare of a child, domestic assault, resisting arrest and parole violation. The Pettis County Sheriff's Department said in a statement: 'Davis climbed up into the ceiling of G Pod, across the rafters, through a maintenance access hole in the concrete wall, into a maintenance access closet, which lead to an exterior exit on the S. Lamine side of the jail and fled on foot.' He is described as white, six feet tall and weighing 150 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. Dennis Hutchings, 77, arrives outside the Supreme Court in London this morning A former soldier facing prosecution over a shooting during Northern Ireland's Troubles has gone to the UK's highest court to demand a trial by jury. Dennis Hutchings, 77, a former member of the Life Guards regiment, is charged in relation to the fatal shooting of John Pat Cunningham, a man with learning difficulties killed in June 1974 in disputed circumstances in County Armagh. Mr Cunningham, 27, was shot in the back as he ran away from an Army patrol, but his family contend that he ran across a field because he feared men in uniform. Hutchings, of Cawsand, Cornwall, has claimed he never intended to kill or injure Mr Cunningham, but he was firing warning shots to get him to stop. More than 40 years on, a case was brought against Hutchings after Northern Ireland's attorney general asked prosecutors to review the case. Hutchings is due to stand trial in Belfast charged with attempted murder and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. He denies the charges. Supporters from campaign group Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans clapped and cheered as Hutchings arrived at the Supreme Court in London this morning Mr Hutchings arrives today for the latest hearing in his challenge against the decision to hold his trial without a jury over the shooting in Northern Ireland during the Troubles He has now gone to the Supreme Court in London to challenge a decision by prosecutors that his trial will be heard by a judge alone, rather than by a jury. Supporters from campaign group Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans clapped and cheered as Hutchings arrived at the court this morning. Hutchings (pictured at a funeral in 1968) admitted he was 'a bit nervous, obviously' Hutchings thanked them and said: 'Victory for veterans, that's what we want.' Speaking outside court, Hutchings said he was 'a bit nervous, obviously, although I don't think we will get a decision today'. He said he was 'reasonably confident' he would win his case, but added: 'I just don't trust the system anymore.' Hutchings said: 'The thing is whatever decision we get in here today affects every service person. 'If I win, for instance, they will then have a choice between having a judge-only trial and a jury trial; 99.9 per cent of service people will want a jury trial.' Pointing at the nearby Houses of Parliament, Hutchings added: 'These people sent us there to do the job. Yes, things happened. 'They called it the Troubles because it's easier to call it the Troubles. It wasn't the bloody Troubles, it was a war, as simple as that.' Hutchings speaks in London in April 2017 to protest against a witch-hunt against ex-soldiers His barrister, James Lewis QC, told five Supreme Court justices that the principle of 'procedural fairness' required Hutchings to be 'afforded an opportunity to make representations' about whether to hold a non-jury trial. Bloody Sunday families 'not finished yet' after prosecution decision Families of people killed on Bloody Sunday have said they are 'not finished yet' after prosecutors announced that only one former paratrooper is to be prosecuted over the shootings. The veteran, known as Soldier F, will face charges for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell in Londonderry in 1972. Sixteen other former soldiers and two suspected ex-members of the Official IRA, all of whom were also investigated as part of a major police murder probe, will not face prosecution, the Northern Ireland Public Prosecution Service said today. As families of the victims gathered to give their reaction in Derry's Guildhall John Kelly, whose 17-year-old brother Michael was killed, said many had received a 'terrible disappointment'. But he welcomed the positive news for the six families impacted by the decision to prosecute soldier F. 'Their victory is our victory,' he said. Thirteen civil rights demonstrators were shot dead on January 30 1972, on one of the most notorious days of the Northern Ireland Troubles. Advertisement Mr Lewis added that 'in order to make meaningful representations, he needs a gist or summary of the material' considered by prosecutors. The Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland can direct a defendant be tried by a judge alone, in what was formerly known as a Diplock court, where a charged offence was 'committed to any extent ... as a result of, in connection with or in response to religious or political hostility'. Prosecutors concluded that, in Hutchings' case, there was 'a risk that the administration of justice might be impaired if the trial were to be conducted with a jury'. But Mr Lewis said the connection to 'sectarian violence as required' by the law was 'too remote'. He added: 'The offence must have occurred due to political or religious hostility (directly or indirectly) and that cannot apply to the security services who were there to uphold law and order and so were not engaging in any such acts (directly or indirectly).' But Gerald Simpson QC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland, said in written submissions that the decision to direct a non-jury trial was 'inconsistent with an obligation to allow representations to be made'. He added that Hutchings' contention that the shooting did not relate to 'religious or political hostility' effectively 'ignores the reality of the situation which prevailed in Northern Ireland in 1974'. The Supreme Court today reserved its decision to a date to be fixed. 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 Police are investigating the disappearance of a woman and her seven-month-old daughter in Western Australia 20 years ago. Veronica Philomena Lockyer and her daughter Adell Sherylee Partridge were last seen in the Merredin/Burracoppin area, 260 kilometres east of Perth, in late 1998. The indigenous mother-of-six, who led a transient lifestyle, visited women's hostels in Perth and communities in northern WA. Veronica Philomena Lockyer (right) and her daughter Adell Sherylee Partridge (left) were last seen in the Merredin/Burracoppin area in late 1998 Despite not being seen for more than 20 years, her family still holds hope the pair are still alive. Unconfirmed information indicates that in November or December 1998 Ms.Lockyer had her baby with her and may have caught a taxi from the Centre Point Shopping Centre in Midland. One of Ms Lockyer's other daughters reported the pair missing in July. 'My family thought she was living in Perth with myself and Adell, and I grew up thinking that she lived in Port Hedland, so that's where the gap is,' she said. 'It's important to me because it's been 20 years that my mother has not been in my life, my sister has not been in my life, and it feels like missing pieces. 'My kids go to sleep and wake up to a photo of my mother ... it's just that they've never met her in person.' One of Ms Lockyer's other daughters, known only as Donna, reported the pair missing in July 2018 Detective Senior Sergeant Adrian Richards said police had serious concerns about their welfare because there were no records or documentation since late 1998. 'We're approaching this investigation with an open mind,' he told reporters on Thursday. 'They all assumed that Veronica was staying with other family members and it wasn't unusual for Veronica to not be heard or seen for quite a period of time.' Ms Lockyer would now be aged 54 and her daughter would be 20. A secondary school is being held to ransom after a cyber attack caused students to lose GCSE coursework, with hackers demanding money to return the work. It is believed that a member of staff at the Sir John Colfox Academy in Bridport, Dorset, mistakenly opened an email, which contained a virus. Malicious software, known as ransomware, was released onto the school's computer network and used to encrypt files - making them unavailable for the school to access. The cyber attack on February 28 caused the loss of Year 11 students' GCSE coursework in product design and food preparation and nutrition. The email was sent from China and forwarded from a server in Germany and hackers are asking for money to return the data. Sir John Colfox Academy in Bridport, Dorset has been hit by a cyber attack after a member of staff mistakenly opened an email with malicious software Dorset Police is investigating reports that the school is being held to ransom. In a letter sent out to parents, David Herbert, headteacher of Sir John Colfox Academy, said: 'It has caused significant issues to our school network and our ICT team have been working with external advisors - including a specialist police unit - to try and rectify the problems. 'The email originated in China and was then forwarded from a server in Germany. 'The police technical expert was very familiar with the particular server that it came from and it is part of a significant international operation. 'The police expert has advised us that it is unlikely that any school information has left the building and we are not compromised in that way. 'Personal data relating to staff, students and parents is not held on this system and is secure. However, the work and information that was held on our network is currently encrypted and we are unable to access it at this stage. 'The most significant issue is that Year 11 students' GCSE coursework in product design and food preparation and nutrition that is saved on the school network - where it has to be saved - is currently lost. 'We are liaising with the relevant exam boards about this specific issue.' A Dorset Police spokesperson said: 'We received a report on February 28 of a ransomware attack at Sir John Colfox Academy in Bridport. 'No money has been exchanged. 'A full investigation is underway into the circumstances and Dorset Police's Cyber Crime Unit is supporting and providing advice to the school.' The Sir John Colfox Academy, which is outside the county council's jurisdiction, has 828 pupils aged 11 to 18. It was rated as 'good' in its most recent Ofsted inspection in February 2018. The Senate voted Thursday to terminate Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency on the border in the most significant legislative rebuke he has suffered as president. The 59-41 vote included 12 Republicans who bucked the president to support the measure, which had already cleared the Democratic-run House. The most prominent rebels were Marco Rubio and Mitt Romney. GOP support for the resolution, which appeared to mushroom in the last 24 hours, was enough to easily ensure passage, setting up the first veto of Trump's presidency. Trump didn't take long to reveal how he would respond. He blasted out a one-word tweet in all capital letters within minutes of the vote: 'VETO!' he said. Elaborating a half-hour later, the president said he couldn't wait to exercise his constitutional authority to rebuff Congress for the first time since he took office nearly 26 months ago. 'I look forward to VETOING the just passed Democrat inspired Resolution which would OPEN BORDERS while increasing Crime, Drugs, and Trafficking in our Country,' he tweeted. 'I thank all of the Strong Republicans who voted to support Border Security and our desperately needed WALL!' It was unclear on Thursday afternoon how long it would take for the resolution to reach Trump's desk. He has ten days, excluding Sunday, per the U.S. Constitution, to send the unsigned bill back, or cave and sign it. After Trump vetoes the measure, the House and Senate would each have to muster the two-thirds majority to overturn it. That would mean six more Republicans flipping from Trump's side. Voted down: The moment the Senate decided against Trump's declaration of a border emergency after 12 Republicans rebelled Donald Trump says he will veto a bipartisan resolution senator passed today that terminates his national emergency. He had put on a show of bonhomie with Nancy Pelosi on Capitol Hill at a luncheon for Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar President Trump blasted out his response to the extraordinary rebuke on Twitter with a one-word declaration In full: After his one-word VETO! tweet Trump attacked Republicans who had voted against him for backing a 'Democratic inspired Resolution' His campaign started running a poll on what he should do after he announced his veto plans The measure would have the effect of terminating Trump's use of the National Emergencies Act to reprogram funds to build a border wall despite a standoff with Democrats during the government shutdown that resulted in Trump being denied the $5.7 billion he was requesting for that purpose. TWELVE SENATORS OPPOSE TRUMP A dozen Republican senators voted Thursday to block the president's national emergency. They are: Lamar Alexander of Tennessee Roy Blunt of Missouri Susan Collins of Maine Mike Lee of Utah Lisa Murkowski of Alaska Rob Portman of Ohio Mitt Romney of Utah Marc Rubio of Florida Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania Roger Wicker of Mississippi Rand Paul of Ketucky Jerry Moran of Kansas Advertisement However, supporters of the measure were short of the 67 votes needed to override his promised veto and lawmakers were leaving town for week-long recess. The vote seeking to turn back Trump on his signature campaign issue came just a day after the Senate pushed back on his foreign policy voting to end U.S. support for the war in Yemen. The war is backed by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia, a key ally courted by Trump. The Republican-run Senate mobilized to try to overturn his national emergency effort after Trump marshaled $6.6 billion more for wall funding than Congress had appropriated using the emergency designation. Their opposition put Trump in the uncomfortable position of having to censure his own party. Trump moved to milk the issue not long after the vote by sending out a fundraising email with subject line: 'Veto?' The email blast asked: 'Should President Trump use his veto power to FINISH THE WALL?' So did House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She sent out an email promising to match donations to Democrats dollar for dollar until the president issues a veto. She signed the resolution immediately, holding it up for cameras to get a good look at it an the huge grin on her face. The speaker's office had not said as of Thursday evening when it might hold a new vote to see what kind of support it could muster to confront Trump a second time and overturn his promised veto. Senators rebuked Trump hours after he told them they would have to go through him to end his border emergency. He said Thursday morning that he would use the power of his pen for the first time in his presidency. A dozen Republicans joined in the rebellion. The list included members of the powerful Appropriations Committee, which has amassed institutional power by steering funds as designated through spending legislation, as well as institutionalists wary of ceding congressional authority to the executive. Gleeful: Nancy Pelosi wasted no time signing the bill repealing the declaration of a national emergency. It will go to the president's desk where he has ten days to sign or veto it All smiles: The rebuke for Trump from his own party represents a victory for the Democrats Pelosi was fundraising off of the vote as quickly as Trump, promising her personally match donations until he signs a veto, dollar for dollar Defeated: The measure was a rare legislative defeat for Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate majority leader Rebel: Mitt Romney spoke after he rebelled against the Trump emergency declaration ON THE OTHER HAND: Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who is up for reeelction in 2020, voted against the measure, after being one of the first to back it But the resistance was severely cut by a pledge that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, himself a former Appropriations 'cardinal,' made to Trump not to support the effort. 'I will vote to support the president's decision later today, and I will encourage our colleagues to do the same,' he said as he opened the vote on the Senate floor. Republicans voting with Democrats to advance the measure were Tennessee's Lamar Alexander, Utah's Mitt Romney, Ohio's Rob Portman, Pennsylvania's Pat Toomey, Kansas' Jerry Moran, Missouri's Roy Blunt, Maine's Susan Collins, Utah's Sen. Mike Lee, Alaska's Lisa Murkowski, Florida's Marco Rubio, and Mississippi's Roger Wicker. In one unexpected twist, Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who is up for reeelction in 2020, voted against the measure, after being one of the first to back it. 'It's never a tough vote for me when I'm standing on principle,' Tillis said last week when he was in favor of it. The Washington Post reported that prominent conservative donors and activists had begun talk of recruiting a challenger to Tillis had he voted against Trump on the issue. Rubio, a former presidential candidate who challenged Trump, said of the emergency declaration: 'No crisis justifies violating the Constitution.' He added in a statement, 'We have an emergency at our border, which is why I support the president's use of forfeiture funds and counter-drug money to build a wall. 'However, I cannot support moving funds that Congress explicitly appropriated for construction and upgrades of our military bases. This would create a precedent a future president may abuse to jumpstart programs like the Green New Deal.' Romney told reporters who cornered him in the Senate that he'd spoke to Trump about his vote during a meeting they had last week at the White House. 'Well, he'd rather have me vote in a different direction, but I let him know that this for me is a matter of defending the Constitution,' he said. Toomey told reporters in the Capitol on Thursday that he was backing the effort, because the subject had because the matter had already been settled during the government shutdown even though he personally backed Trump's demand for $5.7 nillion in border wall funding. 'It's not at all an unreasonable amount,' said Toomey. 'But the process by which you do that matters. This issue was extensively litigated and adjudicated. We had a government shutdown over this, we eventually got a compromise, which I didn't' even support but the president signed it,' he added. Also joining the revolt was Blunt of Missouri, a member of the Appropriations Committee, which derives its power from the ability to direct funding to projects. Portman, an institutionalist who previously served as U.S. Trade Representative and White House budget director, announced on the Senate floor that he would vote to terminate the designation. Portman says otherwise, some future Democratic president could use emergency powers to take down the border wall. 'It doesn't mean the president can ignore Congress and substitute his own judgment for the will of the people,' Portman said. He said he didn't think the purpose of the National Emergenies Act was to 'circumvent what Congress and the president have agreed to through duly enacted legislation.' 'So I think the separation of powers is very important. So I think it was a mistake for the president to use this mechanism,' he added. He insisted the country has a 'MAJOR NATIONAL EMERGENCY' on the border and that's all they need to be considering The House passed its version by House 245 to 182 - also short of a veto-proof majority. Trump said in advance he would veto a bipartisan resolution senators planned to pass, casting it as being either for or against security, rather than a constitutional test of spending authority. 'It's really a border security vote. It's pure and simple, it's a vote for border security, it's a vote for no crime,' he argued from the Oval Office. Trump said he would support legislation reining in executive power, if Republicans support his border emergency now, appearing to make a U-turn on a compromise solution a senator said the White House had rejected. But it didn't matter. A dozen voted for the resolution of disapproval as lawmakers from his own party rebelled against his use of executive authority. Once he finally casts his veto Trump will join a club of modern presidents who exercised their constitutional authority. President Ronald Reagan cast 78 of them, George H.W. Bush cast 44, while Bill Clinton cast 37 and Barack Obama cast 12. Two of Obama's vetoes were slapdowns of his own party. The other ten came during his final legislative session in office. Trump refused to back down from his own promise to issue a veto after a journalist asked if he was rethinking his emergency, insisting legislators did not have the votes to override him. 'No, no, I don't know what the vote will be. It doesn't matter, I'll probably have to veto. It's not going to be overturned,' he said. Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana supported Trump's position on the vote. Nevertheless, he suggested that the president should have tried to work through a compromise that would have curbed future use of emergency declarations. 'I was a little surprised that he didn't accept our suggestion about how to try to find some middle ground,' Kennedy told reporters. 'If you look at it from 30,000 feet One branch of government is asking another branch to give up power. Nobody gives up power around here. People want power, they don't' want to give it up. So maybe it was a heavy ask.' But, Kennedy added: 'It's an issue that we should address.' Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer meanwhile called it a 'red-letter day in the history of how the United States functions' as he urged senators in prepared remarks to restrain Trump now. Senators from his party proceeded to trash the president's emergency on the floor as an abuse of power. Tennessee's Alexander subsequently announced his yes vote on the termination resolution from the floor of the deliberative body. 'It is inconsistent with the United States Constitution that I took an oath to support and defend,' the retiring lawmaker said. He said the founders intentionally gave the legislative branch the power of the purse after the Revolutionary War to keep the president from acting like a king. 'This check on the executive is a source of our freedom,' he said. Allowing Trump to declare an emergency to build a wall that Congress refused to fund sets a 'dangerous precedent,' he argued in his Thursday morning speech. McConnell advised senators who disagree with Trump to support legislation amending his emergency powers. He suggested they examine how the National Emergencies Act can be updated to reflect those concerns. 'I hope they can report bipartisan solutions through the regular order that the full Senate can take up,' he said. McConnell encouraged lawmakers to 'not lose sight' of the vote that is 'before us later today,' which he said was on a 'narrow question not especially a difficult.' With the test looming, Trump said, 'A big National Emergency vote today by The United States Senate on Border Security & the Wall (which is already under major construction). I am prepared to veto, if necessary. The Southern Border is a National Security and Humanitarian Nightmare, but it can be easily fixed!' He seemed to suggest later that he would be willing to make a deal with Republicans balking at his emergency who'd pitched the vice president on a compromise two days prior. Trump told GOP senators Wednesday, as he attempted to quell the rebellion quit 'overthinking' his national emergency as they deliberated how to vote on a resolution rebuking him. He said he told them to 'vote anyway you want, vote how you feel good' while cautioning that it will 'very bad thing for them long into the future' if they move to terminate it. 'I think anybody going against border security, drug trafficking human trafficking, that's a bad vote,' he warned on Wednesday. President Trump told GOP senators to quit 'overthinking' his national emergency as they deliberated how to vote on a resolution rebuking him Trump insisted early Wednesday afternoon on Twitter that the country has a 'MAJOR NATIONAL EMERGENCY' on the border and that's all senators need to be considering. He claimed later, at a meeting on drug trafficking, that it is an 'urgent national crisis' his administration is 'doing many, many things' to combat, in addition to a wall. He argued once again that the vote is not about about constitutionality, nor is it a vote on precedent. 'You should take a look at what President Obama did with DACA and with so many other things, that was no precedent,' he said. 'And I think most Republican senators fully understand that.' In response to a query from a reporter, Trump denied a charge from Sen. Paul that he was putting extreme pressure on senators to back him in the vote, saying, 'Nobody's beaten up, I said use your own discretion.' Trump insisted that Democrats voting to terminate his resolution are for open borders and want drugs and crime to flow into the country unregulated. 'I guess they think its good politically. I happen to think it's bad politically,' he assessed. 'And the Republicans aren't, but I told Republican senators vote any way you want, vote how you feel good.' A group of Republican senators pitched the vice president Tuesday on a deal to spare the president the embarrassment of having the border emergency voted down in the GOP-controlled Senate in the first place. But one of them said after a meeting between Trump and senators from the party on Wednesday afternoon, that the White House had signaled there was no such deal to be had. The offer involved the president backing a proposal that would limit his power to railroad Congress with future emergencies. They presented it as a way to preserve Trump's border crisis declaration and save him from having to exercise his first veto. Republican senators put it to Mike Pence in a meeting he took at the request of Sen. Tillis on Tuesday, a senior administration official told DailyMail.com. Pence pledged to take the deal back to the president but made no other commitments. The conversation had the intended effect on Tillis' position, he indicated on Thursday, after he voted against the Senate's resolution. One of the proposals came from Sen. Mike Lee. His bill would cancel any future emergency that does not receive the approval of Congress within 30 days. Lee's office said Wednesday afternoon that the White House 'had communicated it would not support' the bill that would 'reclaim legislative powers' from the executive branch. 'Unfortunately, it appears the bill does not have an immediate path forward, so I will be voting to terminate the latest emergency declaration,' Lee said in a corresponding statement. 'I hope this legislation will serve as a starting point for future work on this very important issue.' A group of Republican senators pitched the vice president on a deal to spare the president the embarrassment of having his national emergency voted down in the GOP -controlled Senate Sen. Thom Tillis said he'd vote against Trump's national emergency but wound up supporting it in a surprise twist Trump said prior to a Wednesday meeting with Republican senators, 'I'll have to take a look at what they present. They are coming over in a little while to present something.' 'But we're in very good shape, in terms of the money and in terms of the national emergency,' the president said. He sent a tweet suggesting he'd back the legislation on Thursday is senator's dropped their support for the resolution - but he never mentioned Lee or his bill and it wasn't clear after the emergency vote if the legislation had a pathway forward. Prominent Republican senators like Chuck Grassley and John Cornyn who voted with Trump have signed on to the legislation to rein in the executive's use of emergency powers. Pelosi sought to deflate Lee's effort to save on Wednesday in a statement calling his bill a nonstarter. 'Republican Senators are proposing new legislation to allow the President to violate the Constitution just this once in order to give themselves cover,' she said. 'The House will not take up this legislation to give President Trump a pass.' Even legislators who voted for the president's bill voiced concerns with his use of emergency authority to corral money that they refused to approve outright. Sen. Mike Lee is pushing legislation that would end future national emergencies unless Congress votes to approve them within 30 days Chief White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a Monday briefing that the president had been in contact with lawmakers about the emergency in advance of the vote, but she did not identify them and did not elaborate on their discussions. She argued that the president has the 'authority' to call an emergency and is doing what is 'necessary' to protect the border. 'Let's not forget, the only reason he has the authority to call a national emergency is because Congress gave him the right to do so,' she said in response to a question from DailyMail.com. Sanders asserted: 'They failed to do their job. The President is fulfilling his duty, and he's going to make sure he does what is necessary to protect the people of this country and secure our borders.' Trump said this week that he needs roughly $8.6 billion more to complete his border structure, in addition to the money the national emergency will provide him. He says he cobbled together $8 billion so far from previous appropriations. He won't get it from Democrats in Congress and may have kneecapped himself by agreeing to new restraints on his emergency powers like the ones that Lee wants. Kellyanne Conway's husband branded Donald Trump a 'pathological' liar after the President was caught telling two brazen fibs. George Conway blasted Trump on Twitter for refusing to acknowledge saying 'Tim Apple' instead of 'Tim Cook' in an interview, then misquoting the judge who sentenced Paul Manafort on Wednesday. 'Have we ever seen this degree of brazen, pathological mendacity in American public life?,' Conway fumed. 'It's beyond politics. It's nuts. It's a disorder.' Donald Trump is a 'pathological' liar who has a 'disorder' that makes him tell untruths, according to Kellyanne Conway's husband George Conway lit into the President on Twitter Wednesday after he wrongly said a judge in Paul Manafort's trial had cleared him of colluding with Russia Conway also took issue with Trump denying that he said 'Tim Apple' in an interview instead of 'Tim Cook', who is the boss of Apple Conway began by tweeting a video of Trump in a media briefing when he was asked about Manafort being sentenced to an additional three and a half years in jail over loans he received on a Manhattan apartment. Trump claimed that the judge had agreed that there was 'no collusion' with Russia in the case, when in fact she said nothing of the sort. In fact, District Judge Amy Berman Jackson actually attacked Manafort's defense team for bringing the subject of collusion up in court, saying it was not relevant. 'The question of collusion or conspiracy with Russia was not presented in this case, therefore it was not resolved in this case,' she said. She said the defense team's focus on collusion showed a lack of remorse for the charges in front of them, and factored into her decision to issue a harsh sentence. Conway pointed out that Manafort's judge hadn't cleared him of collusion, but had in fact refused to rule on the collusion count because it wasn't relevant to this specific case George Conway has been an outspoken critic of Trump during his administration, despite wife Kellyanne (right) being one of the President's biggest cheerleaders '[It's] pathological. Its not rational, because its a lie that no reasonable person would believe. It undermines his credibility. Its self-defeating,' Conway said. He also took issue with a press conference last week during which Trump accidentally said 'Tim Apple' while referring to Tim Cook, the boss of Apple. At first, Trump denied making the mistake, despite it being caught on camera. The President then issued a tweet several days later to say he was saving time by saying 'Tim Apple' instead of 'Tim Cook of Apple'. Conway added: 'A ridiculous assertion, of coursehe really said Tim Apple instead of Tim Cook of Apple to save **a third of a second**? 'This man who recently gave a incoherent, rambling two-hour-plus speech, this man not known for economy of words? Another absurd, crazy lie. Pathological.' He continued: 'These are just two of ... how many examples? Hundreds? Thousands? Is it possible to count? 'At any level of government in this country, in any party, have we ever seen anything like this? 'Whether or not impeachment is in order, a serious inquiry needs to be made about this mans condition of mind.' Virginia governor Ralph Northam's alma mater medical school has won a national award for diversity just one month after it was embroiled in scandal over a blackface yearbook photo. Eastern Virginia Medical School was shamed when an offensive photo was found in the Northam's page in his 1984 yearbook, portraying a man in blackface and another in a Ku Klux Klan robe. Despite the scandal, the school accepted the Institutional Excellence Award handed out by the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education on Friday. The school won the esteemed award for its 'measurable progress in promoting and sustaining innovative diversity efforts'. Virginia governor Ralph Northam's alma mater Eastern Virginia Medical School that was involved in a blackface yearbook photo scandal just last month has been awarded the Institutional Excellence Award for promoting diversity A photo on Northam's 1984 yearbook page depicts a man in blackface and another in a KKK robe. Northam at first apologized for the photo but later said he is not either of the people depicted in it Eastern Virginia Medical School president Richard Homan pictured with board members accepting the Institutional Excellence Award handed out by the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education on Friday School president Richard V. Homan says he learned of the award a few weeks ago, 'after the chaos,' but couldn't announce it because of the association's rules. He picked up the award, an engraved sapphire-tinted vase, on Friday at a conference in Philadelphia. 'I told my wife "God has a wry sense of humor,"' Homan said according to The Virginian-Pilot. He announced the award at a medical school board meeting on Tuesday where fellow members were shocked to learn of the achievement. 'And we got it EVMS in the middle of all this?' Dr. Theresa Emory, who sits on the board, said. The school started a new admissions process in June 2013 that considers an applicants' race, ethnicity and background as well as test scores and grades to increase the number of underrepresented minorities on campus. However, the school is still reeling from the governor and the blackface photo scandal. Homan launched two external investigations after a photograph from Northam's yearbook page showing two people in racist costumes surfaced. On Friday the president of Eastern Virginia Medical School picked up the esteemed diversity award The medical school discontinued yearbooks after learning of Confederate gear in yearbooks as recent as 2013. When the offensive blackface photo first emerged in February, the governor apologized for appearing in it then said he wasn't in it. Despite public outcry for him to step down, he refused to resign. 'I believe now and then that I am not either of the people in this photo. This was not me in that picture. That was not Ralph Northam,' he said. 'I intend to continue doing the business of Virginia. I could avoid an honest conversation about harmful actions from my past. I cannot in good conscience choose the path that would be easier for me in an effort to duck my responsibility to reconcile' He also later admitted that he had darkened his skin before for a Michael Jackson Jackson costume stint, but denied being in that racist yearbook photo. GUILTY: MICHAEL FLYNN Pleaded guilty to making false statements in December 2017. Awaiting sentence Flynn was President Trump's former National Security Advisor and Robert Mueller's most senior scalp to date. He previously served when he was a three star general as President Obama's director of the Defense Intelligence Agency but was fired. He admitted to lying to special counsel investigators about his conversations with a Russian ambassador in December 2016. He has agreed to cooperate with the special counsel investigation. GUILTY AND JAILED: MICHAEL COHEN Pleaded guilty to eight counts including fraud and two campaign finance violations in August 2018. Pleaded guilty to further count of lying to Congress in November 2018. Sentenced to three years in prison and $2 million in fines and forfeitures in December 2018 Cohen was investigated by Mueller but the case was handed off to the Southern District of New York,leaving Manhattan's ferocious and fiercely independent federal prosecutors to run his case. Cohen was Trump's longtime personal attorney, starting working for him and the Trump Organization in 2007. He is the longest-serving member of Trump's inner circle to be implicated by Mueller. Cohen professed unswerving devotion to Trump - and organized payments to silence two women who alleged they had sex with the-then candidate: porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. He admitted that payments to both women were felony campaign finance violations - and admitted that he acted at the 'direction' of 'Candidate-1': Donald Trump. He also admitted tax fraud by lying about his income from loans he made, money from taxi medallions he owned, and other sources of income, at a cost to the Treasury of $1.3 million. And he admitted lying to Congress in a rare use of the offense. The judge in his case let him report for prison on March 6 and recommended he serve it in a medium-security facility close to New York City. GUILTY AND JAILED: PAUL MANAFORT Found guilty of eight charges of bank and tax fraud in August 2018. Sentenced to 47 months in March 2019. Pleaded guilty to two further charges - witness tampering and conspiracy against the United States. Jailed for total of seven and a half years in two separate sentences. Additionally indicted for mortgage fraud by Manhattan District Attorney, using evidence previously presented by Mueller Manafort worked for Trump's campaign from March 2016 and chaired it from June to August 2016, overseeing Trump being adopted as Republican candidate at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. He is the most senior campaign official to be implicated by Mueller. Manafort was one of Washington D.C.'s longest-term and most influential lobbyists but in 2015, his money dried up and the next year he turned to Trump for help, offering to be his campaign chairman for free - in the hope of making more money afterwards. But Mueller unwound his previous finances and discovered years of tax and bank fraud as he coined in cash from pro-Russia political parties and oligarchs in Ukraine. Manafort pleaded not guilty to 18 charges of tax and bank fraud but was convicted of eight counts in August 2018. The jury was deadlocked on the other 10 charges. A second trial on charges of failing to register as a foreign agent due in September did not happen when he pleaded guilty to conspiracy against the United States and witness tampering in a plea bargain. He was supposed to co-operate with Mueller but failed to. Minutes after his second sentencing hearing in March 2019, he was indicted on 16 counts of fraud and conspiracy by the Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., using evidence which included documents previously presented at his first federal trial. The president has no pardon power over charges by district and state attorneys. GUILTY AND GOING TO WEEKEND JAIL: RICK GATES Pleaded guilty to conspiracy against the United States and making false statements in February 2018. Sentenced to 45 days weekend jail and three years probation, December 17, 2018 Gates was Manafort's former deputy at political consulting firm DMP International. He admitted to conspiring to defraud the U.S. government on financial activity, and to lying to investigators about a meeting Manafort had with a member of congress in 2013. As a result of his guilty plea and promise of cooperation, prosecutors vacated charges against Gates on bank fraud, bank fraud conspiracy, failure to disclose foreign bank accounts, filing false tax returns, helping prepare false tax filings, and falsely amending tax returns. GUILTY AND JAILED: GEORGE PAPADOPOLOUS Pleaded guilty to making false statements in October 2017. Sentenced to 14 days in September 2018, and reported to prison in November. Served 12 days and released on December 7, 2018 Papadopoulos was a member of Donald Trump's campaign foreign policy advisory committee. He admitted to lying to special counsel investigators about his contacts with London professor Josef Mifsud and Ivan Timofeev, the director of a Russian government-funded think tank. GUILTY AND JAILED: RICHARD PINEDO Pleaded guilty to identity fraud in February 2018. Sentenced to a year in prison Pinedo is a 28-year-old computer specialist from Santa Paula, California. He admitted to selling bank account numbers to Russian nationals over the internet that he had obtained using stolen identities. GUILTY AND JAILED: ALEX VAN DER ZWAAN Pleaded guilty to making false statements in February 2018. He served a 30-day prison sentence and was deported to the Netherlands on his release Van der Zwaan was a Dutch attorney for Skadden Arps who worked on a Ukrainian political analysis report for Paul Manafort in 2012. He admitted to lying to special counsel investigators about when he last spoke with Rick Gates and Konstantin Kilimnik. His law firm say he was fired. GUILTY: W. SAMUEL PATTEN Pleaded guilty in August 2018 to failing to register as a lobbyist while doing work for a Ukrainian political party. Sentenced to three years probation April 2019 Patten, a long-time D.C. lobbyist was a business partner of Paul Manafort. He pleaded guilty to admitting to arranging an illegal $50,000 donation to Trump's inauguration. He arranged for an American 'straw donor' to pay $50,000 to the inaugural committee, knowing that it was actually for a Ukrainian businessman. Neither the American or the Ukrainian have been named. CHARGED: KONSTANTIN KILIMNIK Indicted for obstruction of justice and conspiracy to obstruct justice. At large, probably in Russia Kilimnik is a former employee of Manafort's political consulting firm and helped him with lobbying work in Ukraine. He is accused of witness tampering, after he allegedly contacted individuals who had worked with Manafort to remind them that Manafort only performed lobbying work for them outside of the U.S. He has been linked to Russian intelligence and is currently thought to be in Russia - effectively beyond the reach of extradition by Mueller's team. INDICTED: THE RUSSIANS Twenty-five Russian nationals and three Russian entities have been indicted for conspiracy to defraud the United States. They remain at large in Russia Two of these Russian nationals were also indicted for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 11 were indicted for conspiracy to launder money. Fifteen of them were also indicted for identity fraud. Vladimir Putin has ridiculed the charges. Russia effectively bars extradition of its nationals. The only prospect Mueller has of bringing any in front of a U.S. jury is if Interpol has their names on an international stop list - which is not made public - and they set foot in a territory which extradites to the U.S. INDICTED: MICHAEL FLYNN'S BUSINESS PARTNERS Bijan Kian (left), number two in now disgraced former national security adviser Mike Flynn's lobbying company, and the two's business partner Ekim Alptekin (right) were indicted for conspiracy to lobby illegally. Kian, an Iranian-American was arrested and appeared in court charged with a conspiracy to illegally lobby the U.S government without registering as a foreign agent. Their co-conspirator was Flynn, who is called 'Person A' in the indictment and is not charged, offering some insight into what charges he escaped with his plea deal. Kian, vice-president of Flynn's former lobbying firm, is alleged to have plotted with Alptekin to try to change U.S. policy on an exiled Turkish cleric, Fethullah Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania and who is accused by Turkey's strongman president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, of trying to depose him. Erdogan's government wanted him extradited from the U.S. and paid Flynn's firm through Alptekin for lobbying, including an op-ed in The Hill calling for Gulen to be ejected. Flynn and Kian both lied that the op-ed was not paid for by the Turkish government. The indictment is a sign of how Mueller is taking an interest in more than just Russian involvement in the 2016 election. GUILTY AND AWAITING SENTENCE: ROGER STONE Roger Stone, a former Trump campaign official and longtime informal advisor to Trump, was indited on seven counts including obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and lying to Congress about his communications with WikiLeaks in January 2019. Convicted on all counts November 15, 2019, awaiting sentence Stone was a person of interest to Mueller's investigators long before his January indictment, thanks in part due to his public pronouncements as well as internal emails about his contacts with WikiLeks. In campaign texts and emails, many of which had already been publicly revealed before showing up in Mueller's indictment, Stone communicated with associates about WikiLeaks following reports the organization had obtained a cache of Clinton-related emails. Stone, a former Nixon campaign adviser who has the disgraced former president's face permanently tattooed on his back, has long been portrayed as a central figure in the election interference scandal. 'They got nothing,' he said of the special counsel's investigation. Stone gave 'false and misleading' testimony about his requests for information from WikiLeaks. He then pressured a witness, comedian Randy Credico, to take the Fifth Amendment rather than testify, and pressured him in a series of emails. Following a prolonged dispute over testimony, he called him a 'rat' and threatened to 'take that dog away from you', in reference to Credico's pet, Bianca. Stone warned him: 'Let's get it on. Prepare to die.' CLEARED: GREG CRAIG Greg Craig, President Barack Obama's White House counsel, was indicted for failing to register as a foreign agent. Mueller's investigators uncovered Craig's work on behalf the government of Ukraine while probing Manafort, who did business with Craig. Prosecutors released a grand jury indictment of Craig in April 2019, after Craig's law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP agreed to pay more than $4.6 million as part of a settlement. The prominent firm also acknowledged it had failed to register, and placed much of the blame on Craig, a senior partner there. Craig's lawyer blasted the decision as an abuse of prosecutorial discretion, and prepared to argue that omission of information during an interview is not tantamount to making false statements. The charges stem from a 2012 report Craig and the firm produced on behalf of the Ukrainian government on opposition figure and former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko. She was an opponent of Manafort's client , former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. Craig was cleared on September 9 2019. A right-wing Polish newspaper has published an article entitled 'how to recognise a Jew' on its front page this week. The shocking anti-Semitic piece was printed in Tylko Polska, or Only Poland, a right-wing paper being sold at the parliament's hotel in Warsaw. The article listed 'names, anthropological features, expressions, appearances, character traits, methods of operation' and 'disinformation activities'. It also said: 'How to defeat them? This cannot go on!' Right-wing polish newspaper Tylko Polska, or Only Poland, ran a front page article on 'how to recognise a Jew' this week The paper was being sold in the kiosk at the hotel, where lawmakers from outside Warsaw stay during parliamentary sessions, opposition lawmaker Michal Kaminski told Haaretz yesterday. He added that it was an 'absolute scandal' that such 'filthy texts, as if taken from Nazi newspapers' are sold in the Polish parliament. He demanded explanations from the Parliament Speaker Marek Kuchcinski, a member of the right-wing ruling Law and Justice party. A spokesman for the parliament office, Andrzej Grzegrzolka, said the distributor was responsible for the choice of newspapers, while the newsagents were not employed by the parliament. A shampoo company has been fined after a 100-litre drum spilled into a stormwater drain and contaminated a Melbourne lake. Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) officers were made aware of the spill, after foam was spotted in Blackburn Lake, east of the CBD, in January. Members of the public notified the authority after they spotted a bizarre river of foam in the natural bushland reserve called Blackburn Lake Sanctuary. A shampoo company has been fined after a 100-litre drum spilled into a stormwater drain and contaminated Blackburn Lake (pictured) in Melbourne The bubbles were revealed to have been caused by a spilled drum of shampoo that was dumped into a stormwater drain by a nearby factory, 9News reported. STN International Pty Ltd, the parent company of skin care company Lalisse Australia Pty Ltd, was later identified as being responsible for the spill and fined $8,060. The company's website states it produces brands, such as Rosanna, Lilydale, Green Valley and Lariena, using 'pure, natural and environmentally friendly' ingredients. EPA Metro Region Manager Dan Hunt told the publication the company cleaned up the foam and have since put in place controls to prevent it from happening again. Mr Hunt said while the spill had the potential to cause serious harm to the reserve's wildlife, including the fish, there is no evidence of this at this stage. Members of the public notified the authority after they spotted a bizarre river of foam (pictured) in the natural bushland reserve called Blackburn Lake Sanctuary 'High levels of these surfactants can cause environmental damage to the freshwater environment,' Mr Hunt said. 'They can deprive fish and aquatic life of oxygen in the water and interfere with their metabolic processes.' The authority has urged people to get in contact if they suspect a pollution event has occurred. A Tory MP has been ridiculed after calling for all knives in the UK to have a GPS tracker in the handle. Scott Mann was widely derided on Twitter after making the suggestion to his 6,000 followers. He called for a national database similar to that for guns - but pointed out there should be exemptions for 'fishing etc'. The MP for North Cornwall tweeted on Thursday morning: 'Every knife sold in the UK should have a gps tracker fitted in the handle. Tory MP Scott Mann has been widely ridiculed on Twitter for his suggestion of fitting knives with a GPS tracker 'It's time we had a national database like we do with guns. If you're carrying it around you had better have a bloody good explanation, obvious exemptions for fishing etc.' But Twitter users were quick to rip apart his idea and questioned the practicality of fitting hundreds of millions of knives with battery-powered locators. Stephen Robinson wrote: 'A database that would contain every single household in the UK. Millions of knifes being tracked at once. This is the stupidest thing I've ever read.' Norma Moore tweeted: 'For pity's sake - get real! Go and look at ordinary kitchen knife sets before you make such silly statements. Imagine the costs and practicalities involved.' Graham Love wrote: 'You're not the sharpest gps tagged knife are are you?' One user, Mike McKinley, even posted a mock police conversation following a knife crime: 'There's been a stabbing' 'Quick, get me the GPS tracking for every knife in a 3 mile radius' 'OK, it says there are 120,000 of them, mostly in kitchens' 'B*****ks, thought we had them then' 'Could ask those young lads with the machete' 'Nah, they've got a mackerel, been fishing' Ann Oakes-Odger, MBE, founder of KnifeCrimes.Org, said MP Scott Mann's idea was 'not very practical'. 'That seems like a very drastic way to deal with it,' she said. 'Putting tracking devices in knives is probably not very practical, reasonable, and not easy to achieve - when you consider the range of knives covers kitchen knives, carving knives, etc. 'I think it would be too costly an exercise when there is another way, education - give children the opportunity to make the right choices.' Ms Oakes-Odger, 68, whose son Westley was stabbed to death aged 27 in Colchester, Essex, in 2005, added: 'I personally feel that the answer, or the way to reduce the attitudes towards people carrying weapons, is first education in schools on a national basis and secondly robust sentencing. 'We have the ability to hand down four years for someone carrying a knife, we need to use those sentences. To me, a knife in the pocket is as bad as a loaded gun.' But today Mr Mann, 41, hit back, saying: 'It was a thought process and I wasn't talking about butter knives or things like that. 'The majority of knife crimes in the UK are carried out with bladed instruments from kitchens. 'No one else is coming up with any ideas, people can shoot me down if they like but people are being stabbed on the streets and we need to do something about it. 'People have come up with no suggestions. When kids are dying in the streets we need to take a stand. 'We need to start thinking about how we are going to deal with this massive issue.' The family of a man who died of rabies after being bitten by a cat on holiday in Morocco have slammed medics who they believe could have saved him weeks before his death. Omar Zouhri, 58, of Aylesbury, was bitten by the rabid animal while he was on holiday with his family on August 31 last year. The full-time carer went to two hospitals in Morocco but failed to get the right vaccine, which he eventually got from a pharmacy before travelling back to the UK. On October 28 he woke up with a prickling pain in his finger and was rushed to A&E at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire three days later. He was later transferred to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford where he died on November 4. At an inquest into his death in Oxford today his family hit out at medics for not catching the disease earlier. Omar Zouhri, 58, of Aylesbury, was bitten by the rabid animal while he was on holiday with his family on August 31 last year. This is the last photo of him in hospital shortly before he died Oxfordshire Coroner Darren Salter was told how Mr Zouhri and his wife Chadia had demanded help from their GP when they heard a boy bitten by the same cat in Morocco had died of rabies. Mr Salter was forced to adjourn the hearing over the family's complaints about care given at two hospitals in Morocco, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, the family GP, the NHS 111 service and the South Central Ambulance Service. Before the hearing was adjourned, Mr Salter was told experts at the Infectious Diseases Department (IDD) were unable to confirm his condition until after his death, as his symptoms were so severe. Addressing the hearing at Oxford Coroner's Court today, Mr Salter gave the family's estimated timeline of events and outlined their criticisms of Mr Zouhri's care. He said: 'There is a timeline of events supplied by the family subject to investigation. 'On August 31, Mr Zouhri was bitten on the finger by a cat in Morocco. 'He immediately applied an anti-bacterial spray to the wound before going to a hospital in Meknes. 'He was then taken to Sied Hospital to have a post-exposure rabies hospital vaccine. 'It was believed to be a post-exposure rabies hospital, but it didn't have the treatment either. 'Mr Zouhri went to a pharmacy for an injection, recommended by a boy who had been bitten by the same cat, and went to a police station to complain the hospital was not able to help. 'On September 1 he went to a GP and bought antibiotics and returned to the UK,' said Mr Salter. Omar Zouhri, 58 (pictured) of Aylesbury, was bitten by the rabid animal while he was on holiday with his family on August 31 last year. He died on November 4 The full-time carer went to two hospitals in Morocco (capital Marrakech pictured) but failed to get the right vaccine, which he eventually got from a pharmacy before travelling back home 'They were later informed the boy had died and on October 5, Mrs Zouhri phoned a GP to explain and on October 8 it is told there was further contact with their GP who wanted him to have injections and he began anti-rabies injections. 'On October 28 Mr Zouhri woke up at 6am with pain and itching in his finger. Mrs Zouhri called 111 and he was referred to Bucks Urgent Care who said he was unlikely to have rabies. 'On October 29 he again awoke with pain in his finger to his shoulder and attended the GP again and on October 30 he was in extreme pain. 'He called 111 and was advised to seek medical treatment within the hour. 'It doesn't appear that treatment was sought but on October 31 he was taken to A&E at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and has significantly deteriorated. 'On November 1 he was transferred to John Radcliffe Hospital and on November 4 he sadly passed away. 'The concern on the part of the family was there were opportunities missed for treatment early and those concerns are in relation to Moroccan hospitals and Stoke Mandeville Hospital, the GP, 111 service operators by South Central Ambulance Service - but not, it seems, with the John Radcliffe Hospital but events prior to then.' The full inquest was expected to last between three and four hours and was adjourned by Mr Salter until later this year. A devout Christian who was shot execution-style appears to be have been wrongly targeted after a notorious gang member was killed in the same location weeks earlier. David Kuka, 52, was murdered at his home in Tauranga, on New Zealand's North Island in February 2018 in what police believe was likely a case of mistaken identity. Police are now seeking information regarding a silver Ford Falcon with a red bonnet, to assist with their inquires. David Kuka, 52, was murdered at his home in Tauranga, on New Zealand's North Island in February 2018 Lance Waite (pictured) was shot at the same location Mr Kuka was killed five weeks earlier The silver Ford Falcon with a distinctive red bonnet was last seen in the late afternoon and evening around Tauranga on February 11, 2018, the night Mr Kuka was killed. A statement from Detective Sergeant Paul Barron said the killing was likely linked to the death of Mongrel Mob member Lance Waite, who was shot at the same location five weeks earlier. Waite, 58, was dropped at Tauranga Hospital on January 3 with critical injuries. He died hours later. Detective Sergeant Barron said that while Mr Kuka lived near where Waite was killed, he had not been involved. 'Police are aware that Mr Kuka was previously gang affiliated, but that was many years ago,' he said on Police Ten 7. Police have released images from the night of Mr Kuka's killing in the hopes of identifying a vehicle of interest (pictured) Bay of Plenty Police now want to speak to anyone who recognises a silver vehicle seen in the area around the time Mr Kuka was shot on the evening on February 11, 2018 'At the time of his death Mr Kuka was a devout Christian and mainly kept to himself.' He has been described as a family man who looked out for his family and friends. He was also a talented carver and craftsman and examples of his work are displayed in Tauranga. NZME reported Mr Kuka had previously been in gang Black Power but left in 1999 when he became a Christian. Police had previously sought information about a silver sedan that was seen in the Greerton area and seen coming and going from Welcome Bay on February 11. A teenage girl has gone missing from a small Queensland town, prompting police to ask for public assistance in tracking her down. The 13-year-old girl was last seen on Meson Street in Gayndah, a tiny country town west of Bundaberg, on Monday and hasn't been seen since. Police hold concerns for the teenager's wellbeing and have been told it is out of character for her not to make contact with family and friends. A 13-year-old girl (pictured) has gone missing from a small Queensland town prompting police to ask for public assistance in tracking her down She was last seen on Meson Street in Gayndah (pictured), west of Bundaberg, on Monday and hasn't been seen since Police believe she might have tried to make her way to Caboolture, roughly 300 kilometres south towards Brisbane. The girl is described as Caucasian in appearance, around 160cms tall and has a slim build and blonde hair. Anyone who has seen her or knows of her whereabouts is being urged to contact Queensland Police. Gayndah is an agricultural centre for regional Queensland known for its citrus crops. The Burnett Highway runs through the middle of the town. The town receives an influx of foreign backpackers for months out of every year to complete their farm work by helping with the citrus crops. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has revealed his two young daughters aren't allowed to go on social media because it can be 'dangerous'. Mr Morrison is urging companies such as Facebook and Twitter to take responsibility for the distribution of fake news and the safety of young Australians online. The prime minister's two daughters, Lily, nine, and Abbey, 11, aren't allowed to use the social media platforms, The Daily Telegraph reported. The prime minister's two daughters, Lily, nine, and Abbey, 11, aren't allowed to use the social media platforms (pictured Scott Morrison with wife Jenny and daughters Abbey and Lily) 'These are valuable tools but they can also be quite dangerous in the wrong hands,' Mr Morrison said. 'Just because you read it on the internet doesn't mean it is true and it is important that kids understand that.' The prime minister believes it is the responsibility of social media companies to educate young people about not believing everything they read. Mr Morrison said his daughters are going to learn not to assume everything on the internet is genuine. 'These are valuable tools but they can also be quite dangerous in the wrong hands. If you create these things then you have a moral as well as a broader societal responsibility in terms of how they are used.' The interview comes as the federal government plans to launch an online safety campaign to combat cyber-bullying on Friday - the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. Across the country, more than 2.4 million students in 5726 schools will strategise how they can reduce bullying in schools. Child Psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg supports Mr Morrison's opinion and says social media companies need to take responsibility for bullying, abuse and the dissemination of fake news. The prime minister believes it is the responsibility of social media companies to educate young people about not believing everything they read Doctor Carr-Gregg said children shouldn't be on social media until they're at least 13 years old, and even then they should be monitored by their parents. Digital safety expert Kristy Goodwin also said companies such as Facebook and Twitter have a 'moral responsibility' to keep children safe. She said verification processes on the social media platforms aren't secure enough, as there's many children under 13 who have accounts without their parents knowledge. Doctor Goodwin also suggests either the companies or the government should have educational training before an account is set up. Jussie Smollett has pleaded not guilty to 16 felony counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly lying to police about being attacked and will now stand trial. The 36-year-old actor will return to court in April and will be allowed to travel between New York City and Los Angeles to meet with lawyers. He was accompanied by some but not all of his family and said nothing as he strode quickly into the courthouse wearing a pair of sunglasses. He was searched by security before entering the courtroom. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 48 years behind bars. Smollett, who insists he is innocent, is accused of paying brothers Abel and Ola Osundairo to attack him on January 29. They told police the actor wanted a raise on Empire, the Fox show in which he is one of the central characters. On Thursday, he spoke only to say 'not guilty' when his lawyer entered his plea on his behalf, joining in with her mid-sentence, and to answer 'yes sir' as Judge Steven Gregory Watkins told him he had to show up to every day of the trial. Scroll down for video Jussie Smollett is pictured in court on Thursday. The actor pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of felony disorderly conduct for allegedly lying to police about the January 29 attack authorities say was staged. Smollett embraced having cameras in the courtroom The actor was emotionless as he made his plea. His attorney Tina Glandian accompanied him Smollett spoke only to the judge, addressing him as 'sir' and saying 'not guilty' as his lawyer entered his plea. He is shown above looking at his legal team as they agree on April 17 for his next court date After pleading not guilty on all counts, Smollett left the court with his family without making a statement. He was heckled on his way out of the courthouse as he got into a waiting car by someone shouting: 'You f***d up! Lock him up!' On Thursday, Tina Glandian, one of his attorneys said they 'welcomed' the case being open to the public and media. 'We welcome cameras in the courtroom so the public and the media can see the evidence and we believe is a lack of evidence against Mr. Smollett and we look forward to complete transparency and the truth coming out,' she said. The judge granted Smollett permission to travel to California and New York, where his legal team has offices, to meet with them but said he must notify pre-trial services 48 hours before and 24 hours after he returns from any trips. Glandian was accompanied by two other lawyers from Mark Geragos' firm. Geragos is a celebrity favorite who has represented Chris Brown and Michael Jackson in the past. Smollett placed his sunglasses back on before leaving the courtroom The actor's face was tense as he arrived in the courtroom in a suit and tie He has spoken publicly since Smollett's indictment to claim he is the victim of a prejudiced media and police department. The police department insists its investigation has been above board. Members of Smollett's team told the media at the courthouse that his Empire co-star Terrence Howard had planned to attend the arraignment but that his flight was delayed arriving in Chicago. They said he would likely attend later sessions. As he left the courtroom, Smollett stopped to shake hands with an unidentified man waiting outside Smollett left the court with his bodyguard and family. His lawyer Tina Glandian used her briefcase to protect her hair from the rain as they made the short walk to a waiting car Smollett and his brother Jake leave the court with other members of their family behind them Smollett's court appearance coincided with the revelation that his family contacted former Michelle Obama aide Tina Tchen to get in touch with State's Attorney Kimberly Foxx to tell her they had 'concerns' with how the police were handling it days after the attack. They were worried, they said, about the amount of information that was being leaked to the media from the start of the investigation. Tchen persuaded her to try to pawn the case off to the FBI, according to text messages obtained by USA Today. Foxx said she was 'trying' and had spoken to Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnston to try to 'convince' him to let the FBI take the lead on the investigation. She also exchanged text with one of Smollett's relatives who replied: 'Omg this would be a huge victory,' when Foxx mentioned her efforts. The actor arrived in court in Chicago on Thursday to enter a plea on 16 counts of felony disorderly conduct. He put his hand on his heart as he walked past protesters shouting 'Justice for Jussie!' Smollett's brothers Jake (far left in black sunglasses) and Jojo (front left in gray coat) joined him as did his sister-in-law Lala (front right) and other loved ones Smollett was joined by some of his siblings but not all of them. He wore sunglasses and a suit with a coat and was flanked by a bodyguard The actor was searched as he entered the courtroom on Thursday to enter a plea There were lines of fans outside the court who shouted 'Justice for Jussie' as he made his way inside Protesters outside the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Thursday to support Smollett Ultimately, the case did not move on to the FBI because there was not enough evidence that Smollett had been the victim of a hate crime as he claimed. Foxx recused herself from the case after Smollett was arrested, saying at the time that her contact with a family member of his was a conflict of interest in the case. Tchen, who worked with the Obamas when they were in the White House, has not publicly commented on the case. Smollett did not initially want to involve the police on the night of the attack. It was his friend, 60-year-old Frank Gatson, who insisted they call 911 after he arrived back at his apartment with a rope around his neck and bleach on his clothes, claiming to have been assaulted by two men who shouted: 'This is MAGA country!' as they beat him. The Smollett family enlisted the help of former Obama adviser Tina Tchen (seen above with the couple in the White House) to try to get the investigation taken over by the FBI State's Attorney Kim Foxx told the Smollett family she was 'trying' to convince the Chicago PD to let the FBI take over the case but it never happened. She recused herself later over the conflict of interest. On Thursday, trial judge Steven Gregory Watkins (right) was assigned to Smollett's case It was 2am and he had gone out to get a salad from Subway. In the weeks that followed, Chicago PD sources gradually leaked information about the case to local media about how Smollett was refusing to hand over his phone records. As they combed through surveillance footage from the night of the attack, they honed in on the Osundairo brothers and tracked their ride share and taxi movements. They then arrested the pair on February 20 as they arrived back in Chicago from Nigeria. In the 47th hour of their 48 hour hold, the brothers confessed to the plot. At around the same time, Smollett went on Good Morning America to plead his innocence and condemn the growing skepticism surrounding his case. President Donald Trump denigrated the Boeing 737 Max in conversations with administration officials, following crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia saying he wouldn't have purchased it for his failed shuttle airline. The plane 'sucked,' Trump told officials Wednesday, when the FAA grounded the aircraft after Europe and Canada had already done so, the Washington Post reported. Trump also said the plane didn't stand up to the Boeing 757 aircraft that is part of his personal fleet. Trump flew that plane around the country during his presidential campaign, unidentified officials told the paper. Then-businessman Donald Trump at a press conference at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, to mark the launch of his Trump Shuttle airline, 8th June 1989. President Trump said he never would have bought the new 737 Max for his airline Trump also said he never would have bought the 737 Max, which has experienced two crashes, for his failed Trump Shuttle airline. That airline was in operation for about three years beginning in 1989. Trump purchased a fleet of Boeing 727s, along with landing rights and other facilities, before the project ultimately went bankrupt. If Trump held the same view a few of the aircraft weeks ago, he didn't mention it while announcing in Vietnam a deal for the purchase by of 100 737 Max jets by VietJet airline as part of a deal a senior administration official said at the time was worth $21 billion. Trump said in Hanoi: 'And I'm very proud to have left here last year, we had a very good meeting. We had a meeting with a lot of representatives some from Boeing and some others. We are going to be signing some very big trade deals, buying a lot of different products from the United States, l which we appreciate,' Trump said. Trump said the new plane doesn't stack up to his 757 aircraft, which became a fixture of his presidential campaign Donald Trump in the seat of one of his Trump Shuttle airplanes. June 8, 1989. The airline failed within three years amid industry competition, an economic slowdown, and a rise in fuel costs linked to the Iraq war A plane carrying real estate mogul Donald Trump lands at National Airport outside Washington to celebrate the inaugural voyages of the Trump Shuttle A bouquet of flowers is placed in front of a pile of debris at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash on March 13, 2019 in Ejere, Ethiopia. All 157 passengers and crew perished after the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 Flight came down six minutes after taking off from Bole Airport. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) Air Force One is a customized Boeing 747 Trump did not disparage the 737 Max plane on his trip to Hanoi weeks ago when he announced a plan where VietJet will buy 100 of them Trump declared Tuesday that technological advances in commercial planes are making them more dangerous. 'Airplanes are becoming far too complex to fly,' he said in a pair of tweets. 'Pilots are no longer needed, but rather computer scientists from MIT.' An Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed Sunday, shortly after taking off from Addis Ababa. All 157 people on aircraft perished. A Lion Air flight on a 737 Max 8 crashed in October in Indonesia, taking the lives of its 189 passengers and crew, too. Trump on Wednesday announced the decision to ground the jets from the Oval Office, rather having the F.A.A. put it out in a statement. 'Were going to be issuing an emergency order of prohibition to ground all flights of the 737 Max 8 and the 737 Max 9 and the planes associated with that line, the president said. Governments around the world had already done so. Trump has regularly promoted Boeing jets as part of his bid to boost U.S. exports. His first visit outside Washington as president in 2017 was to the airline's South Carolina plant where the Dreamliner is built. 'We're here to day to celebrate American engineering and American manufacturing,' Trump said then. A cyclist is counting his lucky stars after he miraculously avoided a two vehicle collision that left one woman in hospital. The rider was millimetres away from being killed or seriously injured on his birthday, which happened in Adelaide's west in the afternoon peak hour on Tuesday. CCTV of the horrifying accident obtained by Nine News shows the cyclist waiting behind a black Subaru Outback to turn right from Tapleys Hill Road at Royal Park. The male cyclist is captured on CCTV waiting to turn right from Tapleys Hill Road Seconds later, a white van comes up behind him and slams into the black Subaru Outback, which causes extensive damage to the van. 'I heard a massive bang so I came sprinting out the front and there was just carnage all the way down the road,' witness Brandon Bishop told Nine News. Another shocked onlooker added: 'He was a lucky person.' The driver of the white van veered into the stationary Subaru Outback (pictured) but managed to avoid the cyclist in the peak hour carnage The Subaru female motorist, 35, was taken to hospital while 22-year-old male driver of the van was not injured. The male rider was not injured after he managed to swerve just in time to avoid being knocked over in the carnage. 'I don't know what to say there, it was just incredible. I have never seen anything that close and someone not getting killed,' Mr Bishop said. 'It was his birthday, the old chap on the bike and he was heading to get himself a little gift for his birthday, so I think the biggest gift is that he's still alive.' The rider (pictured right) miraculously avoided being struck in the horrifying crash, which is being investigated Locals urged motorists and cyclists to take extra care at the intersection, which is a hotspot for near-misses. South Australian Police are investigating the crash and urge anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A five-year-old boy saved from a pond has defied the odds and survived after his heart allegedly stopped beating for about two hours. The child, known as Lin Lin, had no heartbeats or pulse when he was rescued from the water by a family friend in rural China earlier this month. He miraculously came back to life after local medics refused to give up on him and continued to give him CPR, according to local reports. Scroll down for video Lin Lin (pictured) has dodged death after having no heartbeat or pulse for two hours The boy's grandfather (right) begs doctors after the child was rushed to the local clinic Lin Lin was said to be in stable condition after being treated in an intensive care unit for 10 days. The child, from the village of Shigu in Yibin in south-western China, fell into his family's fish bond by accident on the afternoon of March 2, reported Chinese news site The Paper. He was spotted at around 2pm by a family friend, named Yang Yu, who saw the boy's trousers floating on the surface of the water. Speaking to The Paper, Mr Yang said Lin Lin had no vital signs after he pulled him out of the pond. The child was first spotted by a family friend, Yang Yu (pictured), after falling into the pond An office clerk, Mr Yang spent 10 minutes giving the boy first aid, including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and CPR, before driving him to the local clinic with the boy's grandfather. An ambulance was also called for and was dispatched to the clinic. After the boy arrived at the clinic, a nurse performed CPR on the boy in the lobby to save time, as footage on The Cover shows. At about 2:40pm, paramedics arrived at the clinic with the ambulance and joined the emergency resuscitation. Two paramedics, Wan Bo and Xiao Yingying, took turns to perform chest compressions on the boy while giving him medical injections every five to 10 minutes in hope of bringing him back. After 40 minutes of resuscitation, Lin Lin still showed no signs of life. Wan said he could have pronounced the boy dead by that point, but he and his team did not want to give up. The boy's grandfather also kept begging the medics to save the child. Wan added that his son is about Lin Lin's age, and that made him want to save the boy even harder. The boy's grandfather (left) breaks down in tears as he hugs Yang Shu, who saved the child Miracle happened at around 3:50pm when Lin Lin suddenly started to breathe and his pulse also gradually came back, according to The Paper. Speaking to reporters, Wan called Lin Lin's case 'a miracle'. He said he had not seen a patient reviving after his heart stopped for so long. The boy was taken to Yibin No. 2 Hospital after the initial emergency treatment. It is reported that he stayed in coma for three days before gradually regaining his conscious. He was transferred to a normal ward on March 12 from an intensive care unit. Doctors said Lin Lin was still in a state of light coma, but his condition was stable. Doctors also said that Lin Lin had suffered from a lack of oxygen in his brain for a prolonged period of time, and it could have caused 'irreversible' damage to his health. The hospital has vowed to treat the boy the best they could. A woman whose twin sister was murdered 23 years ago has put up a billboard in a bid to find her killer after she was inspired by Oscar-winning film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Jennifer Carrieri, 46, first put up a billboard last October in Baltimore County in hope it would reach people who don't watch news or television. The red billboard has a photo of Jody LeCornu that reads 'find my killer' and offers a $100,000 reward. An advert with a photo of Jody LeCornu reads 'find my killer' and offers $100,000 reward Jennifer Carrieri, 46, urged the public to 'please come forward' with information about her twin sister's death and said: 'This is just ripping me apart' 'Please come forward, this is just ripping me apart,' Carrieri appealed during an interview with CBS News. The idea was inspired by the November 2017 movie Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri for which Frances McDormand won a 2018 Academy Award for Best Actress. In the film mother Mildred Hayes spends thousands of dollars to rent out a trio of billboards designed to goad local police when no arrests have been made seven months after her daughter was killed. They respectively read '71 Dead', 'And Still No Arrests?', and 'How Come?' but are later destroyed by arson. Last December, Carrieri was able to increase the reward displayed on the billboard ad - which cost $3,000 - from the $32,000 displayed last year to $100,000. Three more billboards were erected on Pulaski Highway, South Hanover Street and Greenmount Avenue in February. 'Right now we're comfortable saying we don't have any leads,' Corporal Shawn Vinson of the Baltimore County Police Department told CBS News. 'I don't want to say exactly what evidence we have and what we don't have. The twins were born two minutes apart and lived in different states at the time of the murder. Carrieri appears left She was inspired by signs in November 2017 movie Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri which respectively read '71 Dead', 'And Still No Arrests?', and 'How Come?' Frances McDormand won a 2018 Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Mildred Hayes who rents out a trio of billboards designed to goad local police after no arrests are made seven months after her daughter was killed 'We want to be held accountable Any information that we do receive, though, we are going to follow up on.' The motion picture came two decades after LeCornu died when she was 23 years old. 'It really inspired me,' Carrieri told NPR's Weekend Edition. 'Hopefully, something's going to come up, because I mean, it's definitely been like a lot of ups and downs.' Carrieri said her family has sued authorities in order to get access to the autopsy and police report which police wouldn't release due to it being an active investigation. The Justice for Jody founder said she spent $20,000 to get a lawyer to sue police in 2016 but had to settle in 2017 for an undisclosed amount and never saw the file. But her obsession with solving the case has affected her time with her husband and children ages 17, 14, and nine. Carrieri took over investigating from her father who was assistant prosecutor in Anne Arundel County and left behind notes when he died from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2007 Carrieri tripled the reward from $32,000 in December but says her obsession with solving the case has affected her time with her husband and children ages 17, 14, and nine Witnesses say a stocky black male wearing a green army coat followed her Civic in his white BMW. There was video footage of the suspect's car driving away but snow blurred the footage She took over responsibility from her father who was assistant prosecutor in Anne Arundel County and left behind notes when he died from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2007. The victim was found fatally shot in her car March 2, 1996 in a shopping center parking lot. LeCornu had been drinking at Mount Washington Tavern after an argument with her boyfriend, drove a bar employee home before 3.30am, bought alcohol then made phone calls from outside a store two minutes away from their apartment in Towson. A witness at a gas station said they saw a man in a white BMW go up to LeCornu's car and speak to her. It's believed she was fatally injured when shot through the rear passenger side window as she drove away. Investigators believe the Towson State University student, who was working part-time at a bank, was shot while seated inside her car at a shopping center and drove to Drum Castle shopping center on York Road. Witnesses say a stocky black male wearing a green army coat followed the Civic vehicle and later removed an item inside. The victim's purse was not inside the car. There was video footage of the suspect's car driving away but snow that night blurred the footage. Baltimore County Police Department said they don't have leads in the 1996 LeCornu case LeCornu had been drinking at a bar after an argument with her boyfriend, drove a bar employee home before 3.30am, bought alcohol then made calls two minutes away from their apartment in Towson. He told her to stay at her parents' place a mile away from her murder Twins at one point entered rehab after using drugs and alcohol from a young age and struggling with anxiety and eating disorders. Carrieri later moved to California The twins at one point entered rehab after using drugs and alcohol from a young age and struggling with anxiety and eating disorders. Carrieri later moved to California. But Carrieri said her sister's movements were 'very out of character' that night. Her boyfriend, Steve Dubin, had told her to go to her parents' house that night which was one mile from where she was found dead. However law enforcement ruled out theories it was a drug deal or robbery gone wrong or retribution for a prosecution from her father, Baltimore Sun previously reported. She admits she sometimes sleeps with her sibling's baby blanket to feel close to her. 'I still have this sadness and part of me is missing,' Carrieri who was two minutes younger than her sister, told NPR. 'It's hard for me to be joyful. I just feel like a lot of times I'm going through the motions of my life.' Call Baltimore County Police at 410-887-3943, Maryland's Metro Crime Stoppers at 866-756-2587 [866-7LOCKUP], or submit information through the website www.metrocrimestoppers.org. Carrieri admits she sometimes sleeps with her sibling's baby blanket to feel close to her A mother has admitted to poisoning her disabled five-year-old son by injecting him with her own blood because she wanted hospital staff to pay him more attention. Elizabeth Malone, 29, pleaded guilty to child abuse on Wednesday after surveillance cameras in a Virginia hospital captured her using a syringe to inject blood into her sick son's nose and mouth. Malone's seriously ill son had to be treated at Inova Fairfax Hospital in April last year after his mother reported that he was bleeding from his mouth and his tracheostomy tube. The boy, who cannot talk due to his disability, had already been hospitalized seven times in two months for unexplained bleeding. Elizabeth Malone, 29, pleaded guilty to child abuse on Wednesday after surveillance cameras in a Virginia hospital captured her using a syringe to inject blood into her sick son's nose and mouth Surveillance cameras were installed in the boy's hospital room after a nurse spotted a syringe hidden in Malone's sleeve and a bloody napkin in the bathroom. Malone was arrested on April 25 last year after police viewed surveillance footage taken at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Virginia Hospital staff had alerted child protective services just days earlier because they feared someone was intentionally harming the boy. The security video, obtained by NBC, showed Malone using a syringe to inject her blood into her son's trach tube and central IV line while he was lying in his hospital bed. She then placed one of her son's stuffed toys closer to his body before hospital staff rushed in to treat him. Malone was arrested on April 25 after police viewed the surveillance video. She initially denied any wrongdoing but later admitted to police she had taken her own blood in a bag to the hospital and inserted it into a syringe. 'I don't want to intentionally cause him harm,' she said in a police interview. 'I know I did, I know I did. Punish me but please let me see my children again.' Malone later told police she had taken her own blood in a bag to the hospital and inserted it into a syringe (above), which she used to insert into her son's mouth and nose Police said the blood was inserted into the boy's trach tube and central IV line via a syringe. Pictured above is an evidence picture shown to the court Her son was left with infections and high fevers after being injected with his mother's blood. Doctors had said at the time that the boy could have died had he not been treated properly. Her defense attorney told the judge on Wednesday that Malone denies intentionally trying to harm her son. The attorney said Malone, who disagreed with her son's treatment, liked the way hospital staff responded to her son when he was bleeding once before. She injected her son with her blood to try and recreate those symptoms, the court heard. 'She denies any intention to harm her child. She loves her child like any mother,' her defense attorney told the judge. Malone will be sentenced in July. A Wisconsin man is accused of tying up eight newborn puppies in a garbage bag and then throwing them out in the trash. Robert Wild, 56, was arrested late last month after the tiny dogs were heard crying out for help by a passerby. The now two-week-old Australian shepherd Labrador puppies were taken to a local animal shelter where they are recovering from their ordeal. Pictures on Wild's Facebook show him leading another dog at a show. Police said the puppies are now doing well and may be up for adoption in the coming months. Scroll down for video. Robert Wild, 56, was arrested in Marshfield after the tiny dogs were heard crying. Pictures on his Facebook, right, show Wild leading another dog at a show The Australian shepherd Labrador puppies were taken to a local animal shelter The tiny dogs were heard crying out for help by a passerby after being dumped in a trash can. Police found the puppies tied up in a garbage bag In a statement police said they 'were dispatched to complaint of the sound of kittens coming from a garbage can'. They added: 'Upon arrival, it was learned that the sound was coming from 8 newborn puppies which had been discarded in a garbage bag and trash can. The bag was removed and the puppies were transported to the Marshfield Area Pet Shelter. 'Contact was made at the residence and a 56 yr old Marshfield male was arrested and transported to the police department after admitting to discarding the puppies. 'Misdemeanor charges were requested through the Wood County DAs office on Robert M. Wild for mistreatment of animals and abandonment of animals.' Passerby Mark Theobald found the eight puppies on February 28. He heard crying coming from the trashcan and initially thought it was the noise of kittens. Mark Theobald heard crying coming from the trash and thought it was the noise of kittens The puppies are now doing well and may be up for adoption soon, police said Wild was charged with mistreatment and abandonment of animals Mark told Marshfield News Herald: 'I thought between the cold wind and snow, Id check on them.' A spokesman for the Marshfield Area Pet Shelter said: 'The puppies are safe and in foster care. 'At this time, adoption applications are NOT being accepted (we need to focus on making sure these guys grow up big and strong first!) but donations ARE welcome!' Wild, charged with mistreatment and abandonment of animals, admitted to leaving the puppies, according to Marshfield police. To donate to the animal shelter visit here. In the wake of widespread allegations that priests have sexually abused of children, more Catholics are questioning whether they should remain in the church, according to a new survey. More than a third (37 percent) said they have questioned their commitment to the church a 15 percentage point increase compared to 2002 when just 22 percent of Catholics felt the same way, according to the Gallup poll of 581 adult Catholics across the U.S. Gallup first polled American Catholics on this issue in 2002 following The Boston Globe report on widespread abuse by priests in that city and the internal cover up by senior church officials. However, the current round of scandals appears to be eroding commitment to the faith even more than the 2002 revelations. This graph illustrates the proportion of Catholics who questioned their commitment to the church in 2019, compared to 2002. There has been a 15 percentage point increase in the number of questioning Catholics in the past 17 years Pope Francis attends a Eucharistic celebration at the Regia Hall of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican on February 24, the fourth and last day of a global child protection summit for reflections on the sex abuse crisis within the Catholic Church It remains unclear how many Catholics will ultimately decide to leave the church, but many appear to be frustrated with the handling of child abuse at the highest levels. Catholics who attend church weekly are less likely to consider leaving the church than those who attend less frequently or rarely. Twenty two percent of weekly attendees said they have questioned remaining in the church up from 12 percent of those committed parishioners in 2002. By comparison, 37 percent of those who attend nearly weekly or monthly, and 46 percent of those who seldom go to church said they are questioning their commitment to staying in the church (up from 24 percent and 29 percent, respectively, in 2002). The population of those questioning their membership in the church does not break along age or gender lines. Despite the growing scepticism, the majority of Catholics still say they have a great deal (40 percent) or a lot of confidence (18 percent) in Pope Frances. The Pope has spoken out against abuse, at one point saying 'God weeps' for the victims. 'We are dealing with abominable crimes that must be erased from the face of the earth,' Francis said in a speech last month at the Vatican. This graph illustrates the proportion of Catholics who are questioning their commitment to the church, broken down by church attendance patterns. Those who attend church weekly are less likely to doubt the instution than those who attend monthly or rarely This graph illustrates Catholics' confidence in different church leaders. While a majority have confidence in the Pope and their own priests, confidence falls off when the religious are asked about U.S. Bishops and Catholic priests in general However, the Pope did not outline clear specifics on how the church will address the problem which may have left some Catholics wondering if anything would ever change. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops did not immediately respond to a DailyMail.com's request for comment. The Catholic Exodus More Americans have left Catholicism behind than any other religion in the U.S., according to a 2018 survey by Pew Research Center. About 13 percent of American adults are former Catholics people who were raised in the faith but now say they have no religion, or converted to Protestantism or other beliefs. At the other end of the spectrum, 2 percent of U.S. adults report converting to Catholicism. Overall, there are 6.5 former Catholics for every convert to the religion in the U.S. a far higher ratio of losses than any other religion in the country, researchers found. Even believers don't think everything is perfect, with 60 percent of Catholics saying they think the church should allow priests to marry and women to become priests. In addition, nearly half of American Catholics believe that the church should recognize and accept gay marriage. Source: Pew Research Center Advertisement Women are more confident (65 percent) in Pope Frances than men (51 perent) They have similar faith in their own priests - 58 percent have quite a lot or a great deal of confidence in those leaders. However the numbers shift dramatically when Catholics are asked about their confidence in U.S. priests, overall: just 32 percent have a lot or a great deal of faith in those leaders, and 25 percent said they have very little or no confidence. The numbers deteriorate slightly more when Catholics were asked about U.S. bishops and other leaders in the faith: Just 30 percent had a lot or a great deal of confidence, while 26 percent have very little or no confidence. Catholics who attend church each Sunday are the most confident in their church leaders, while those who don't attend are the most skeptical. The American Catholic Church has more than 17,000 parishes across the country, with roughly 51 million adults or one-fifth of the U.S. population counting themselves as believers. Catholics are spread across the country, with 27 percent living in the South, 26 percent in the Northeast, 26 percent in the West and 21 percent in the Midwest, according to Pew Research Center. A French Cardinal who was handed a suspended jail sentence for covering up child sex abuse by a priest under his responsibility has been called to meet Pope Francis. Philippe Barbarin, the most senior French cleric caught up in the global paedophilia scandal that has rocked the Catholic Church, had said after his conviction last week that he would travel to Rome to tender his resignation to the pope. He will meet the Pope at the Vatican on Monday, officials in his Lyon diocese said. Barbarin was found guilty of failing to report allegations of abuse in the 1980s and early 1990s by Reverand Bernard Preynat, who is due to go on trial later this year. He and five former aides went on trial in Lyon at a time when the Catholic Church has been hit by abuse scandals in countries as far afield as Australia, Chile and the United States. Philippe Barbarin, pictured with Pope Francis in 2016, will travel to the Vatican to resign to the Pope in person after being convicted of covering up child sex abuse by one of his priests Barbarin was found guilty of failing to report allegations of abuse in the 1980s and early 1990s by Reverand Bernard Preynat, who is due to go on trial later this year The outcome of the trial, which began in January, had been long awaited in France. Earlier, Barbarin, who was once tipped as a future Pope, had said: 'I cannot see what I am guilty of. I never tried to hide, let alone cover up these horrible facts.' The case broke three years ago and lawyers for nine adult plaintiffs - former boy scouts allegedly abused by priest Preynat - took legal action. Since the abuse relates to acts committed before 1991, prosecutors had declined to press charges because of the statute of limitations. The trial went ahead only because the plaintiffs bypassed the prosecutor's office and insisted, as they are entitled, on putting their case before a court. Under French law, the court can still convict and even jail the suspect, regardless of the prosecutor's position. Barbarin and his co-defendants have denied covering up the scandal, with the archbishop saying he found out the full story about the priest only after it became public. Preynat, who was charged with sexual abuse in 2016, is expected to be tried later this year. He was first interviewed by church leaders in 1991, but Barbarin only suspended him and stopped him from working with children in September 2015. Preynat was first interviewed by church leaders in 1991, but Barbarin only suspended him and stopped him from working with children in September 2015 Plaintiffs point to an exchange in 2015 between Barbarin and the Vatican, which advised him to dismiss the offending priest 'while avoiding public scandal'. Jean Boudot, lawyer for the victims, accused Barbarin of being a 'liar' when he said he had only learned of the breadth of the damage in 2014. Barbarin said he confronted Preynat, about the abuse 'rumours' in 2010 but let the matter drop after Preynat insisted he had changed. In 2014, after meeting with one of the priest's victims, Barbarin contacted the Vatican about the affair, but he only removed the priest from his post a few months later. Two other French religious figures have been convicted of failing to report child abuse in the past: the archbishop of Bayeux-Lisieux, Pierre Rican, in 2001, and the former bishop of Orleans, Andre Fort, last year. Pope Francis last month promised an 'all-out battle' to tackle every single case of sexual abuse by priests, comparing paedophilia to 'human sacrifice', but drew an angry response from victims. A South African TV presenter claims he was beaten unconscious after being called a 'monkey' when he stopped to help young white people whose car had overturned. Samora Mangesi tweeted pictures of severe head wounds from hospital after the alleged assault on Friday night in Johannesburg. He claimed he and two female friends were called 'monkeys' in the racially motivated attack. Mangesi alleges that even as he was being hauled into an ambulance one of the group was trying to run his friend over with a pick-up truck. Samora Mangesi shared images from the Leratong Hospital in the suburbs of Johannesburg after the alleged beating on Friday night Mangesi claimed he had to go for a CT scan in the hospital after the assault - his face appears heavily swollen and lacerated He wrote: 'On Friday night I was the victim of a racially motivated attack. After stopping to check on a group of young white people whose car had overturned, they called my friends & I Monkeys. 'When we engaged them on why we were being called such, they beat me up until I was unconscious.' He continued: 'Even whilst I was being put in the ambulance, one of these guys tried to run my friend over with his bakkie (pickup truck) and the paramedics had to intervene.' Mangesi alleges that he was beaten so severely that he lost consciousness after he tried to help a group of young white people The TV and radio presenter said he had recovered well following the attack, with only some minor swelling and cuts Pictures from the hospital show bruising across his head and face, as well as lacerations to his nose and lips. The TV presenter said he had thought about simply 'letting it go' but decided to go to the police with the evidence he had captured on his mobile phone. Mangesi tweeted that the attack occurred in the West Rand area close to Wilropark. His tweets have caused a massive reaction in the post-apartheid nation as people have demanded action from the police. The broadcast star wrote that he had recovered well since the incident and thanked the Leratong Hospital in Krugersdorp for their treatment. Several students at a Michigan high school have been caught hacking into the institution's information system and changing their grades. Orchard View Schools Superintendent Jim Nielsen released a statement on Wednesday announcing that the data breach was discovered on March 8. According to Nielsen, a 'very small' group of students at Orchard View High School in Muskegon have made unauthorized changes to grades and attendance records. Several students at Orchard View High School in Michigan have been accused of hacking into the school's information system and changing grades and attendance records 'We have notified the parents of the students we know were involved,' the superintendent's note read. After discovering the breach, the district launched an internal investigation, which is still ongoing, reported Mlive.com. The superintendent did not say whether the students implicated in the hacking have been disciplined in any way. Orchard View Schools Superintendent Jim Nielsen released a statement on Wednesday addressing the data breach It also remains unknown at this time how school officials learned of the breach in the first place. Dailymail.com on Thursday reached out to a spokesperson for Orchard View Schools seeking comment and was awaiting a reply. The school has 690 students enrolled in grades 9-12. Nearly 50 students at a Georgia high school have been caught sharing naked photos of their classmates. The photos were reportedly shared among students at Union County High School, in Blairsville. Superintendent John Hill said the investigation began with a parent's complaint. Authorities found at least 46 students ages 14 to 18 were involved in what could have been prosecuted as felony child pornography. Nearly 50 students at Union County High School in Georgia have been caught sharing naked photos of their classmates. The students (image of a student texting) range in ages 14 to 18, according to authorities The photos were reportedly shared among students at Union County High School (pictured) and located in Blairsville. Superintendent John Hill said the investigation began with a parent's complaint That's nearly six per cent of the school's population. School police continue investigating, but Hill says the district hasn't pushed for criminal prosecutions. Students were instead suspended temporarily or sent to an alternative school, based on the severity of each students' actions. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the district attorney spoke to students at Union County High School and Union County Middle School about the dangers of sexting on Wednesday after the scope of the scandal became apparent. Officials said the district is also trying to educate parents and students about the dangers of sexting. 'We feel like it's important to educate the children and educate the parents about the seriousness of the crime,' Hill said. Hill told WSB-TV that the district plans to hold a community meeting on sexting. The district also has plans to implement a curriculum on cybersafety. At this time, there's no indication that the photos have fallen into the hands of any child predators. The NYPD's Hate Crimes Department has launched a criminal investigation after subway poster featuring Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was defaced with anti-Semitic graffiti. Authorities were alerted to the defiled poster after a commuter tweeted a photo earlier this week, asking 'What is going to be done about this?' to Mayor Bill De Blasio and New York Transit. Scrawled over Ginsburg's face are the words 'DIE JEW B****', followed by a Nazi swastika sketched across her mouth. The poster, promoting 'The Unstoppable Ruth Bader Ginsburg: American Icon' book, has since been removed from the Nassau Avenue station in Brooklyn Scrawled over Ginsburg's face are the words 'DIE JEW B****', followed by a Nazi swastika sketched across her mouth NYPD announced on Wednesday afternoon that the anti-Semitic vandalism would be investigated as a hate crime 'Were terribly sorry your friend and our other customers at Nassau Av had to see this abhorrent vandalism,' New York City Subway tweeted on Wednesday. 'We have zero tolerance for hateful imagery anywhere in our system.' Now, the NYPD has announced they're investigating the act of vandalism as a hate crime. 'There is no room for hate in NYC,' the police department announced yesterday. After her confirmation in 1992, Ginsburg became the first ever Jewish woman to serve on the Supreme Court. She underwent surgery for lung cancer at the end of last year, and has twice defeated cancer before, in 1999 and 2009. Ruth Bader Ginsburg (above) became the first ever Jewish woman to serve on the Supreme Court in 1992 Ginsburg will be celebrating her 86th birthday at Brooklyn's municipal building on Friday. Ahead of the celebration, Borough President of Brooklyn, Eric Adams has called for the building to be named after Ginsburg. In a tweet, Adams voiced his outrage at the defaced poster. 'This is deeply painful for our #Greenpoint community,' Adams wrote. 'Hate graffiti targeting #RBG further incites anti-Semitic attacks. I urge the @MTA and @NYPDNews to search any footage available in/around the Nassau St. station to catch the perp of this horrific act.' This is the moment a septuagenarian almost bared it all in protest of the transsexual prostitutes and drug users who have taken over his neighborhood. Cell phone footage shows Alberto Mattar, 72, strutting the streets of west-central Argentina on Monday afternoon wearing a red thong - which he says was 'uncomfortable' - socks and black shoes while he carrying a briefcase. The grey-haired grandfather was arrested minutes after pacing around the 25th of May Plaza in San Juan, the capital city of the province of San Juan. He was taken to a police station house but was released and not charged. Alberto Mattar says he and his neighbors are tired of seeing transsexual prostitutes and drug users in his neighborhood in Argentina. He wore a thong to protest their presence and was arrested The 72-year-old boasted that he will continue to walk around wearing just a thong to protest the presence of sex workers and drug users that litter the streets with used condoms and drug paraphernalia 'I put on the thong because I thought there must be a law that protects them, and I dressed the same way. But it seems that the law doesn't protect me,' Mattar said according to El Doce TV. 'It's the only way I see that the population finds out.' Mattar says that he and his neighbors have grown tired of filing reports with the local police precinct. Their claims, apparently, have gone unnoticed while the prostitutes and drug addicts litter the vicinity with used condoms and drug paraphernalia. 'The issue here is not only sexual [workers] but drugs,' Mattar said. 'There are neighbors who have made the complaint and, if I did not claim in this way, we would not be talking about the issue now. ... Now that I've recently wore the thong is when they investigate,' he added. Their claims, apparently, have gone unnoticed while the prostitutes and drug addicts litter the vicinity with used condoms and drug paraphernalia Alberto Mattar says the bikini was 'uncomfortable' but that he will wear it again if he has to continue his quest to make sure drug users and sex workers are driven out from the vicinity of his home Mattar also accused local politicians and command leaders at the police station of being in cahoots with the vagrants because 'they don't do anything.' Mattar is hellbent on driving the drug users and sex workers out of his neighborhood. 'I am willing to continue until I die. I know that I am also risking my life,' Mattar told Tiempo de San Juan. 'I want everyone to know if something happens to me is not because of suicide, it was because I was killed.' A former US Marine from Michigan will be kept in a Moscow jail for three more months while he faces espionage charges after a Russian court today upheld an earlier ruling. Paul Whelan, 48, who also holds British, Irish and Canadian citizenship, was arrested in a hotel room in the Russian capital at the end of last December amid claims he was caught with a 'USB stick containing names of Russian agents'. The Moscow City Court on Thursday upheld the ruling that ordered keeping Whelan in jail at least until the end of May. Whelan's lawyer has said his client was handed a flash drive which had on it classified information he didn't know about. He confirmed on Thursday that Whelan is accused of spying for the United States. A spying conviction in Russia carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Scroll down for video A Russian court has upheld an earlier ruling to keep former US Marine Paul Whelan in a Moscow jail for three more months as he faces espionage charges. (Whelan is pictured today during the hearing) Whelan, 48, who also holds British, Irish and Canadian citizenship, was arrested in a hotel room in the Russian capital at the end of last December amid claims he was caught with a 'USB stick containing names of Russian agents' The former marine, now head of global security for a US car parts firm, was arrested at Moscow's lavish Metropol Hotel (pictured) Whelan is being held in the notorious Lefortovo jail, a former KGB prison in the Russian capital. He was accosted at the Metropol hotel, a historic art nouveau building two miles from the Kremlin. The former marine, now head of global security for a US car parts firm, disappeared while in Moscow to attend a wedding, his brother David said. David, a librarian in Canada, posted a statement in January from the entire family on Twitter. It read: 'We are deeply concerned for his safety and well-being. Whelan's lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov said he visited the jail in early January and found him in a 'very hopeful' mood. The ex-marine is seen above in a courtroom cage in Moscow in February after an initial ruling regarding the extension of his detention 'His innocence is undoubted and we trust that his rights will be respected'. Russian news agency Rosbalt said Whelan was arrested on Friday, December 28, minutes after the memory stick was passed to him. He denies all charges of spying. Whelan's lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov said he visited the jail in early January and found him in a 'very hopeful' mood. U.S. Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman Jr. met with him at the Lefortovo Prison the same day. It is speculated Whelan is being used as a bargaining chip in the case of Maria Butina. The American Embassy in the Russian capital informed British officials of Paul Whelan's arrest and British citizenship. He was born in Canada to British couple, Edward and Rosemary Whelan It is speculated Whelan is being used as a bargaining chip in the case of Maria Butina (above). Butina, 30, is due to be sentenced in the US after admitting she acted as an illegal Russian agent Butina, 30, is due to be sentenced in the US after admitting she acted as an illegal Russian agent. An unidentified Russian security source told Rosbalt that Whelan started making Russian friends on the internet a decade ago. After two years, he visited Moscow 'pretending' to want to socialise with his new friends. Rosbalt said: 'What stood out was that Whelan was not at all interested in pretty Russian girls, preferring instead to spend his time drinking with his male internet friends.' A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'Staff have requested consular access to a British man detained in Russia after receiving a request for assistance.' A pet dog accidentally travelled 1,250 miles after wandering onto a cargo ship from Thailand - only to be 'put down by Hong Kong officials'. The dog was handed over to officials at a port in Hong Kong's Tsing Yo island having boarded in Laem Chabang in Thailands Chonburi province six days earlier. A crew member took a picture of the animal and shared it on social media in the hope of finding the owner - and eventually a woman in Bangkok came forward. But she was left heartbroken after it emerged that her pet had already been put down. The case has sparked outrage among animal lovers. A pet dog (pictured) accidentally travelled 1,250 miles after wandering onto a cargo ship from Thailand only to be 'put down by Hong Kong officials' According to Apple Daily, the owners older sibling said: 'My sister says it was reckless, it wasnt even four days, they said the dog would be killed if the owner could not be found in four days, and it was killed before four days had passed.' Animal rights group Watchdog Thailand (WTD) said Hong Kongs Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFCD) had told them this was done 'out of consideration for public health and safety and animal welfare'. Coconuts reports that the ship's captain had handed the dog to Hong Kong officials when the cargo ship docked. The dog was found at a port in Hong Kong's Tsing Yo island having boarded in Laem Chabang in Thailands Chonburi province six days earlier As the social media campaign to find its owner gathered pace, Hong Kong Democratic Party politicians Roy Kwong reportedly wrote to AFCD urging them to ensure the dog's safety, the website reports. But Kwong was later informed that the animal had been euthanized. But WDT quoted the AFCD as saying: 'After examination by a veterinarian, no health certificate or medical record was found of the dog. This renders the dog a suspect originating from an area with rabies outbreak. 'Out of consideration for public health and safety and animal welfare, the dog was euthanized by the veterinarian.' A double jointed pooch has become popular after a photo of his contortionist skills went viral. Dog owner Cheyenne McIntyre caught her four-year-old English Mastiff Dudley sitting with his arms twisted and bent. The 28-year-old from Duncansville, Pennsylvania, USA, said she could not believe her eyes when she saw him. Dudley, a double jointed dog, was pictured sitting with his arms twisted and bent by his owner Cheyenne McIntyre, pictured with Dudley the dog, posted a picture of him which went viral and received over 15,000 likes on Facebook in just a few hours Ms McIntyre said she was cooking dinner when she saw her 145 lbs (66 kg) dog relaxing in the bizarre pose. 'I dont think it hurt him at all. 'He wouldnt have stayed like that if it did,' she said. The dog's owner said Dudley (pictured) often gets into strange positions and he particular likes to lay on his back 'I couldnt believe what I was seeing, I dont understand how that could be comfortable.' He often gets himself into strange positions, she Ms McIntyre said. He likes to lay on his back a lot and his legs are sort of wherever they fall. After posting the picture online, Dudley became a viral sensation, getting over 15,000 likes on Facebook in a few hours. A British Army campaign aimed at snowflakes, computer game geeks and selfie addicts has seen recruitment hit a five-year-high - as the boss of outsourcing giant Capita hits back at those who criticised it. The Your Army Needs You campaign, launched in January, suggested the potentially overlooked raw skills of people like gamers and daydreamers could be seen as a strength by the Army. With marketing pitched towards the Gen Z or Generation Z youngsters, the nickname of the generation who were born approximately between 1995 and 2015, as 16 to 25-year-olds are a key recruitment range. The Your Army Needs You campaign, launched in January, suggested the potentially overlooked raw skills of people like gamers and daydreamers could be seen as a strength by the Army Selfie takers are lauded as being self-confident while gamers are wanted to their drive The 1.5 million campaign showed six soldiers with labels of modern stereotypes including 'millennials' and 'phone zombies' in a bid to appeal to a wider pool of talent. But soon after its launch critics said posters produced for the campaign were patronising to youngsters and the soldier used on the 'snowflake' poster threatened to quit. But now, after it emerged that Army recruitment had risen to a five year high and that website visits had risen by 78 per cent as a result of the campaign, the boss of outsourcing firm Capita, Jon Lewis, has spoken out. His firm had been given a controversial 495million contract to handle recruitment in 2012, and was criticised by the National Audit Office in December for its handling of the task. Phone zomnies your army needs you and your focus Speaking to the The Telegraph today however, he said: 'We had a whole bunch of people of a different demographic, shall we say, who were less than impressed - they're the people who had to Google what 'snowflake' meant. 'But frankly the demographic we were targeting has responded very positively.' And his firm revealed to MailOnline today that The Your Army recruitment campaign in January alone saw 16,000 people apply to join the Army - 78 per cent. And 1.5 million people visit the website - double the number in Jan 2018. It was also revealed that the current quarter - January to the end of this month - is on track to be the busiest three-month period since Capita's contract began seven years ago - with over 1,000 more recruits than in the same quarter last year. The adverts, unveiled in January, are inspired by the famous First World War poster featuring a pointing Lord Kitchener and the slogan your country needs you (pictured) Mr Lewis was speaking after Capita, which also provides administration services for the NHS and collects the TV Licence, announced a return to annual profits. On a statutory basis, it swung to a profit of 272.6 million against losses of 513.1 million in 2017. Capita said it was expecting broadly flat profits in 2019, guiding for between 265 million and 295 million. It said the successful delivery of its ongoing overhaul was 'critical to the future performance' of the group. Mr Lewis said: 'We've successfully completed year one of our multi-year transformation, fixed the basics and are firmly on track.' He added: 'Our transformation still has some way to go. But I am very pleased with our progress.' A man called Daniel Sober was arrested on suspicion of drink driving last Saturday, police said. The 44-year-old from Butler, Pennsylvania was arrested in Middlesex Township. Police pulled over Sober's vehicle and said they could smell alcohol in his breath, WTAE-TV reported. Daniel Sober, 44, was arrested in Middlesex Township after police pulled over his vehicle and said they smelled alcohol in his breath A breath test device showed the man had been drinking. A formal test showed that Sober's blood-alcohol level was 0.194 percent. In Pennsylvania, the legal limit of blood alcohol concentration for driving is 0.08 percent. A formal breath test showed that Sober's blood alcohol level was 0.194 percent [Stock photo] The Butler Eagle reported that District Judge Lewis Stoughton arraigned Sober on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol. The man was later released on his own recognizance. He is due to appear in court on March 20. Austerity really can be brought to an end this summer because of better than expected public finances, the IFS think tank said today. In its snap analysis of the Spring Statement, the IFS said Philip Hammond should be able to open the spending taps in the Spending Review due to start in July. The Chancellor unveiled new economic forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility in his update to MPs yesterday. But the IFS said the gains would be knocked off course if Britain crashes out of the EU in the coming weeks. In its snap analysis of the Spring Statement, the IFS said Philip Hammond should be able to open the spending taps in the Spending Review due to start in July According to the new OBR forecasts the economy is due to grow in every year until 2023 Director Paul Johnson said that public finance figures from the Office for Budget Responsibility had 'surprised on the upside', with borrowing at its lowest level since 2001/02. The figures suggest Mr Hammond has room to find 'a reasonable amount of extra cash' for the Spending Review period 2020-23. The Treasury said on Wednesday that the 'headroom' built up by the Chancellor could go towards the four priorities of keeping tax low, reducing debt, public service spending and capital investment, so long as it is not soaked up coping with a no-deal Brexit. And Mr Johnson said he could spend as much as an additional 15 billion without taking borrowing above 2% of GDP or breaching his promise to keep debt falling as a proportion of national income. 'Extra spending of that sort would, finally, allow the Chancellor to say with rather more conviction that austerity really was coming to an end,' said the IFS director. 'It would mean spending rising not just overall in real terms, but even for 'unprotected' departments, and as a fraction of national income.' But he warned: 'Of course if things go wrong with Brexit, or indeed for other reasons, then that headroom could be removed. 'Remember that the OBR forecasts are all predicated on a fairly smooth transition, certainly not on crashing out of the EU without a deal. Austerity really can be brought to an end this summer because of better than expected public finances, the IFS think tank director Paul Johnson said 'That would lead to lower growth and hence a fiscal cost.' Mr Johnson said that the consensus among economists was that the UK economy would now be around 2% bigger if there had not been a vote for Brexit in 2016. 'In those circumstances the deficit would have been smaller still and the fiscal room for manoeuvre greater,' he said. 'The end of austerity could already have been rather more decisively with us.' Mr Johnson said that the Government's preoccupation with Brexit over the past three years was reflected in a 'lack of focus' on other challenges in Mr Hammond's statement. 'Brexit matters, but it isn't the only thing that matters,' said Mr Johnson. 'The need for an effective Spending Review, taking account of the public finance situation and the needs of public services, is urgent. 'Longer-term challenges cannot be ignored forever. 'Some of them are quickly becoming very near-term challenges. 'Getting policy right on welfare, pensions, public spending and tax will matter to us all and will require a lot more focus and attention from Government than they seem to be getting.' Advertisement Irish premier Leo Varadkar said Thursday gay people should not be judged by their sexual orientation in a pointed speech in front of US Vice President Mike Pence, to which he brought his partner Matt Barrett. Mr Varadkar, who is one of just three openly gay world leaders, made the comments during a meeting at the Washington residence of Mr Pence, who has previously been a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage. Standing alongside his partner Dr Matt Barrett, the Irish Taoiseach posed for photographs with the Vice President and his sister Anne Pence Poynter on Thursday morning at the Naval Observatory. Second Lady Karen Pence, who earlier this year drew criticism for teaching at a Virginia school that bars staff from condoning 'homosexual or lesbian sexuality activity' and 'transgender identity', was not present because she is in Abu Dhabi attending the Special Olympics. The breakfast came on a day when the Irish prime minister was feted at the White House and Capitol to mark St Patrick's Day, which falls on Sunday. He held Oval Office talks with Donald Trump and attended a bipartisan luncheon on Capitol Hill with both Trump and Congressional leaders including Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He and his partner Barrett were due at the White House again for a reception held jointly by the president and First Lady Melania Trump. The invitation makes him the first same-sex partner of a world leader to be welcomed at the White House under Trump, and also the first unmarried partner. Mr Varadkar said in front of the U.S Vice President that he was grateful to be judged not by his sexual orientation, skin tone, gender or religious beliefs in his role as Irish premier Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (left), who is on an official visit to the United States, is accompanied by his partner Matt Barrett (right) as he stands in a group photograph with the US Vice President Mike Pence (second right) and the VP's sister Anne Pence Poynter at the VP's official residence in Washington DC Matt Barrett (right), the partner of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, with the US Vice President Mike Pence (left), who has long been criticized by rights groups for his 'anti-LGBT' views and opposition to equal marriage Ready to pose: Mike Pence guides Matt Barrett into place for a group photograph with (from left) the Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar and Pence's sister Anne Pence Poynter Welcome: Leo Varadkar and Matt Barrett are greeted before the breakfast reception in the Naval Observatory, Pence's official residence as vice president Warm words: Mike Pence hailed the relationship with Ireland and said he planned to take his mother Nancy there on a visit to the country where her father had immigrated from Who is Leo Varadkar's partner, Dr Matt Barrett? Irish premier Leo Varadkar came out in an interview in 2015. He has been in a relationship with Dr Matt Barrett for around three years. Dr Barrett is a cardiologist who worked in Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin before undertaking a fellowship in Chicago. Dr Barrett shares the Taoiseach's interest in keeping fit and the pair go on regular runs and hikes together. The couple even share a birthday - 18 January. They are not married and currently do not have any children. Mr Varadkar told an Irish newspaper that Dr Barrett is a Gaeilgeoir - meaning he speaks the Irish language. Advertisement At his speech in front of Pence Mr Varadkar said that growing up in Ireland he was fascinated by American politics, which inspired him to run for office and 'drive change'. But he made sure that his visit to the capitol, which marked the first time a world leader has brought a same sex partner to President Trump's Washington, addressed the elephant in the room. Talking about his boyhood interest in politics, Mr Varadkar said he 'knew at the time that I lived in a country where, if I tried to be myself at the time, it would have ended up breaking laws, but today that is all changed. 'I stand here leader of my country, flawed and human but judged by my political actions and not by my sexual orientation, my skin tone, gender or religious beliefs.' Mr Varadkar added: 'I don't believe my country is the only one in the world where this story is possible. 'It's found in every country were freedom and liberty are cherished. 'We are, after all, all God's children. 'And that's true of the United States as well, the land of hope, brave and free.' Mr Pence, who describes himself as a Christian and a conservative, extended an invitation to the couple during a meeting with Mr Varadkar last year. They met for breakfast at the official residence of the Vice President, Number One Observatory Circle, which is located on the grounds of a US naval base. Rights groups have consistently highlighted Mr Pence's record on LGBT issues, which they say includes an endorsement of the discredited practice of gay 'cure' therapy. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (right), with Mike Pence met on Thursday in Washington DC White House greeting: The Irish prime minister was greeted by the president at the West Wing of the White House Oval Office talks: Leo Varadkar sat down with Donald Trump in the White House after his breakfast with Mike Pence. It was purely business, with neither his partner nor the First Lady present Capitol Hill greeting: Trump and Varadkar were guests of honor on Capitol Hill for the annual luncheon marking U.S.-Irish relations held by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Mike Pence, who as vice president is speaker of the Senate Address: Trump spoke briefly at the Friends of Ireland luncheon, a bipartisan event which is an annual fixture for presidents going back to Ronald Reagan Top table: Leo Varadkar was beside Donald Trump and other top Washington figures at the Speaker's Luncheon for the Friends of Ireland Group portrait: Before the Capitol Hill luncheon Trump posed with (from left) John Deasy, who is Irish special envoy to the U.S.; Vice President Mike Pence; Massachusetts Democratic Congressman Richard Neal; Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi; New York Republican Congressman Peter King; and Ireland's Ambassador to the United States Daniel Mulhall During Mr Pence's Congressional campaign in 2000, he proposed amending the Ryan White Care Act - which provided care for HIV patients - to stop funding for 'organizations that celebrate and encourage the types of behaviors that facilitate the spreading of the HIV virus'. 'Resources should be directed toward those institutions which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behaviour,' Mr Pence added. These comments were widely interpreted as an assault on LGBT groups and an endorsement of conversion therapy, which Mr Pence has denied. In 2009, the then-Congressman from Indiana voted against the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Named after a murdered gay teenager, it expanded the definition of 'hate crime' to include anti-gay acts. Later, as governor of Indiana, Mr Pence introduced the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which gave businesses leave to use their 'conscience' as a defence in legal disputes. Mr Pence was later forced to amend the bill, after it was criticized for effectively legalizing discrimination against LGBT people. Social media users voiced their appreciation for Varadkar's decision to bring his partner to meet Pence, with one user saying it made his day. 'That special day when Leo VaradkarIreland's young, openly gay, biracial son of an Indian immigrantprime minister brings his partner to a meeting with Pence,' commented another. 'I hope they take many pictures.' Pence, however, had been defended earlier this week by Ric Grenell, Trump's openly-gay ambassador to Germany. The vice-president swore in Grenell last May with the new ambassador's partner Matt Lashey holding the Bible. Twitter users were appreciative of Mr Varadkar's decision to bring Dr Barrett with him to meet Mr Pence, with one saying it made his day On his own Twitter account, Mr Varadkar said: 'Vice President Mike Pence invited me and Matt to his home at the Naval Observatory this morning. 'It's great to be back here for a really warm reception.' Mr Varadkar is Ireland's first openly gay leader and one of only three openly gay national leaders in the world. The other two - the prime ministers of Luxembourg and Serbia - have not been invited to the White House. The meeting comes on the second day of Mr Varadkar's St Patrick's Day tour in the US capital. Later Mr Varadkar later met US president Donald Trump at the White House for the traditional St Patrick's Day shamrock ceremony. US Vice President Mike Pence waves towards Taoiseach Leo Varadkar Mr Pence said that the US stands with Ireland as the UK continues to work through Brexit issues. Addressing the breakfast meeting he said: 'The Irish have given so much to America and today the partnership between our two countries, as the Taoiseach knows, has never been stronger. 'The United States also stands with the Irish Republic as the United Kingdom continues to work through the issues of Brexit and we look forward to the day when we can even begin talks about expanding trade, a new trade agreement to grow our two economies and prosper both of our peoples. 'It's an honour to be with you here today.' Mr Pence also confirmed he is planning a trip to visit Ireland. He said he is arranging a visit to the country with his mother, Nancy. 'I am happy to report to the Taoiseach that I have spoken to mom, first generation Irish-American and mother-of-nine, and she has confirmed that she will travel with us to Ireland and we are making plans to return to my grandfather's homestead as we speak,' Mr Pence said. Mr Varadkar said: 'I really hope you will be able to accept my invitation to Ireland very soon and I can guarantee you a very warm welcome is waiting for you, especially in Co Sligo and Co Clare from where your forebears come. 'And you absolutely must bring your mother.' The CEO of car maker Volkswagen has been forced to apologise for evoking the Nazi's Auschwitz slogan 'work sets you free' while discussing profits. Herbert Diess said 'Ebit macht frei' at a corporate meeting on Tuesday, evocative of the slogan 'Arbeit macht frei,' which stood at the gates of Auschwitz. Mr Diess soon issued an apology for his 'unfortunate choice of words.' His phrase had been a reference to the acronym 'ebit,' meaning 'earnings before interest and taxes,' but the sinister ring was overwhelming. Herbert Diess, CEO of German automaker Volkswagen AG, speaks at the company's annual press conference at Volkswagen headquarters on March 12, 2019 in Wolfsburg Volkswagen traces its history back to Adolf Hitler, whose nationalist socialism - 'ein volk ein reich ein fuhrer' - called for there to be a 'people's car.' Hitler wanted a simple motor, capable of carrying a couple and their three children at 62mph, which could be offered to Germans for an affordable price. The Volkswagen was used by the Third Reich as a propaganda symbol, pictured chuntering along the new autobahns of the proud German state. In a statement obtained by City A.M., Mr Diess emphasised his company's 'special responsibility in connection with the Third Reich.' Diess had been speaking about the company's plans for a new compact electric car, known as the ID, to be rolled out in 2020. The notorious 'Arbeit Macht Frei' gate is seen at the former Nazi German concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz in Oswiecim, Poland Volkswagen released detailed 2018 results after announcing some figures last month, when it said group operating profit rose 0.7 percent to 13.92 billion euros (11.84 billion), below the 14.53 billion euros forecast in a poll. Audi and Porsche made up the lion's share of group operating profit - 4.7 billion euros and 4.1 billion euros respectively, before one-off items. The VW brand contributed 3.2 billion. Volkswagen stuck to its forecast for revenue to grow up to 5 per cent this year, and for a group operating return on sales of 6.5-7.5 per cent. Volkswagen said it was still dealing with the fallout from its 2015 emissions cheating, which has cost it more than 27 billion euros so far. This is the terrifying moment a small plane narrowly misses traffic on a busy road after losing control at take off and smashing into nearby field. Footage, captured on the dash camera of one of the cars below, shows that the single-engine jet came just inches from colliding with cars passing beneath it. The Cirrus SR20 aircraft, which came down above two lanes of traffic north of Toronto on Tuesday afternoon, suddenly appears in view just missing the front of vehicles. The plane then continues to plummet to the ground before ending up in a ditch by the side of the road. Footage shows the aircraft came just inches from colliding with cars in Canada The plane suddenly appears in view, just missing the front of vehicles then crashing in a ditch The plane is said to have lost control after take off at Buttonville Airport in Markham, Canada, police said, before coming down over 16th Avenue near Highway 404. The footage was captured by tow truck driver Bill Chan, CBC reports. He told the network he went out to buy lottery tickets after his good luck avoiding the plane, adding: 'I was driving on the highway, I was picking up speed, and then the plane just came right in front of me. 'I tried to dodge it, and that's when everything crashed.' Chan said the privately owned plane flew past his truck just 'two car lengths' away. York Regional Police Sgt. Dave Mitchell told CTV Toronto: 'That [the] aircraft wasn't involved in a collision with a vehicle coming through here is quite amazing.' The plane was being operated by a male instructor with his female student on board. They suffered minor injuries and no motorists were hurt. The plane continues to plummet to the ground before ending up in a ditch by the side of 16th Avenue near Highway 404 in Markham, Canada The plane is said to have lost control after take off at Buttonville Airport The plane, a Cirrus SR20, had two people on board at the time of the crash on Tuesday The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is said to be investigating and say the plane appeared to be attempting a move called the 'touch and go.' A spokesman said: 'So you come in to land and you basically do a landing and you slow down and accelerate and then you do a go, another takeoff. 'It's an easy way to get a bunch of takeoffs and landings in if you are doing some training. A standard manoeuvre but in this case something went wrong.' A woman from DuBois, Pennsylvania, was shocked to discover that she had two long-lost siblings - 75 years after a hospital mix-up meant she went home with the wrong parents, who both had a newborn called Sandra. Sandra Baronick Pyne made the astonishing discovery after she was given an AncestryDNA kit by her in-laws in Christmas 2017 as they had wanted to trace their family tree. Pyne had grown up in a Slavic family, so was surprised when the results came back the following March indicating her heritage was Italian. Meanwhile, early last year, fellow Pennsylvanian Debra Monaco Zaffuto, of Ebensburg, had also taken an AncestryDNA test following a trip with her husband Barry to Italy as she was fascinated by heritage. The results came back in May and revealed that Debra had a sister living in DuBois - none other than Sandra Baronick Pyne. Sandra Baronick Pyne (right), of DuBois, Pennsylvania, was amazed to discover she had two long-lost siblings, Ron Monaco and Debra Monaco Zaffuto (also pictured) - 75 years after a hospital mix-up meant she went home with the wrong parents, who both had a newborn called Sandra She was able to discover this since the AncestryDNA test gives users the option of allowing the DNA database to find matches to people who may be related, based on their shared DNA. It also allows them to contact their possible family member. When Debra contacted her brother, Ron Monaco, who lives in Florida, they tracked down Sandra's Facebook page and realised she looked just like their mother. They also found out that Sandra had been born in the same hospital, on the same date, September 22, 1942, as the person they had assumed was their sister - Sandra Monaco Smith. 'If you're familiar with the AncestryDNA, you can click on her name and then it says, "shared matches". And that's how you know what side of the family the person is from, your dad's side or your mom's side. 'But when I clicked on hers, she was related to both sides so she had to be a full sister not a half,' Debra told the Courier Express. Soon after, Debra sent her long-lost birth sister an email to explain the incredible situation- and when she read it, she was, not surprisingly, flabbergasted. Sandra told the Courier: 'When I opened it and it said that I was Italian and it had names on it that I didn't even know, I told my kids, "This is a big mistake, I'm Slovak."' Sandra Baronick Pyne's sons, Tom and Michael, would go on to have their DNA tested too - where it emerged they were Debra and Ron's biological nephews. The revelations came after Sandra Baronick Pyne took an AncestryDNA test given to her as a gift by her in-laws. She discovered that rather than being of Slavic descent, she was in fact Italian. So began the journey that would lead her to find her brother and 'rest-of-my-life' sister Ron Monaco's DNA test indeed confirmed that Debra - and Sandra Baronick Pyne - were his sisters. Meanwhile, DNA tests on Sandra Monaco Smith indicated that she was of Eastern European descent and was not biologically related to the Monacos. She was however matched with the Baronick family, confirming the hospital mix-up from all those years ago. George and Lucy Monaco, of Brockway, and Robert and Josephine Baronick, of DuBois, had gone home from hospital with the wrong child. It is not known how the mistake happened, nor will both sets of parents ever have known, as they have all died. Sadly, Sandra Monaco Smith had cancer and all parties decided it was best not to tell her. She died at the age of 76 last November. Debra said Sandra Monaco Smith will always be her 'lifelong sister,' but Sandra Monaco Pyne is the 'rest-of-my-life' sister. The three siblings Ron, Debra and Sandra met for the first time face-to-face in July last year, are glad they have each other and now stay in regular contact. A U.S. Army National Guard officer was able to travel to Iraq for two days while wearing an ankle monitor after he was arrested for hijacking an armored car last year. Joshua Yabut broke the terms of his bond agreement by traveling on commercial flights to the Middle East. The 30-year-old soldier was also caught researching bombs online and posting about Al Qaeda on Twitter, prosecutors say. Yabut, from Virginia Beach, was out on bond awaiting trial in both Richmond and Nottoway on charges related to another offence, when he was able to fly commercially to the Middle East, CBS6 reported. In June he hijacked a tank-like personnel carrier from a National Guard base in Virginia and lead officers on a two-hour chase through Virginia. Joshua Yabut, (pictured), a U.S. Army National Guard officer who is accused of stealing an armored car last June, allegedly broke his bond agreement by traveling to Iraq Yabut's Twitter account, (pictured), appears to have photos from a foreign airport on January 29, when he would have been in Turkey and Iraq An employee at Richmond Commonwealths Attorneys Office called the Virginia Fusion Center on January 31 to report suspicious activity involving Yabut, according to a report in his case file. Yabut, who is wearing an electronic ankle device, is being monitored by the Richmond Circuit Court Mental Health Docket. Investigators said Yabut used his military ID to board a plane at Naval Station Norfolk to fly to the naval air station in Jacksonville around the time of January 11. Yabut subsequently took a commercial flight to Charotte, flew again to Toronto and then again to Keflavik, Iceland. He then caught a connection to Istanbul, before ultimately ending up in Iraq on January 26. He flew back to Norfolk two days later, according to investigators. Sources told CBS6 that Yabut's ankle monitor was attached when he boarded the flight to Jacksonville, but at some point during the trip it was taken off. He contacted an officer who oversees home-electronic monitoring a few days later. He claimed that 'he no long had his monitor and requested a new monitor be installed,' the report said. His account also showed pictures that indicated the purchase of a chemical called denatonium benzoate, which is used in alcohol burning lamps, camp stoves and cleaning agents Yabut is facing charges of eluding police and unauthorized use of a vehicle after he hijacked n armored military vehicle and led cops on a 60 - mile car chase in Richmond, Virginia Court documents stated that investigators discovered photos that indicated Yabut had been looking 'into prices of having Denatonium Benzoate shipped from China.' He also posted pictures on Twitter that showed Yabut at an airport in Iraq. Another court document claimed that Yabuts Twitter page featured postings and information related to Open Source Jihad and Al Qaeda. These tweets have been apparently taken down and can longer be seen. It specifically contained links to magazine articles detailing how to make pressure cooker bombs and house to construct 'train derailment devices.' 'I don't think there's any question to that, he presents a level of threat,' said Colonel Matt Bristol, a retired Staff Judge Advocate for the United States Air Force. 'It's hard to say if he's detached from reality,' he told CBS6. An armored personnel carrier tore through the streets of Richmond on Monday after Joshua Yabut allegedly stole it from a National Guard base and drove it 60 miles to Virginia's capitol Dozens of police vehicles, armed officers and a helicopter followed the vehicle with bystanders comparing it to something out of Grand Theft Auto After two hours the vehicle ran into the meridian near Richmond City Hall and the driver got out, before he was Tasered and arrested Bristol, who is not involved in the investigation, also expressed worry about Yabut being able to leave the state, and the country. 'Im surprised that he was able to board a military aircraft at Norfolk Naval Air Station, not withstanding he was wearing an ankle bracelet,' Bristol said. In Richmond, Yabut faces a charge of eluding police. Two other charges, including driving under the influence of drugs, were dropped and his case has been moved to Richmond's mental health docket. In Nottoway, he was charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle. He could now face additional charges in both jurisdictions for his apparent pretrial violation. He is currently being held at the Richmond City Justice Center without bond and is expected to appear again in court in Richmond next April. Yabut is a first lieutenant who deployed to Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009 with the Illinois National Guard. He is still a member of the Virginia National Guard, according to Alfred 'Cotton' Puryear, public affairs officer for the Guard. In June, Yabut shared shots of his 60-mile run through Virginia while tweeting bizarre comments while the police were on his tail. The soldier led police to Virginia's capitol of Richmond, and was heading through downtown straight toward the Capitol building. Capitol police officers with combat-style rifles guarded the entrance to Capitol Square as a police helicopter shined a spotlight on the vehicle and police worked to stop traffic. Stunned onlookers filmed the chase as dozens of police cars pursued the vehicle along Route 460, Interstate 95, and through the streets of Richmond. 'CRIME OF THE CENTURY': WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERS? Bruce Reynolds Gang-leader and mastermind Reynolds was nicknamed 'Napoleon' and after the Great Train Robbery he fled to Mexico on a false passport and was joined by his wife, Angela, and son, Nick. They later moved on to Canada but the cash from the robbery ran out and he came back to England. Five years after the heist, in 1968, a broke Reynolds was captured in Torquay and sentenced to 25 years in jail. He was released on parole in 1978 and moved, alone and penniless, into a tiny flat off London's Edgware Road. In the 1980s he was jailed for three years for dealing amphetamines. After his second release, Reynolds went on to work briefly as a consultant on a film about the robbery, Buster, and published the Autobiography of a Thief in 1995. His son Nick said his father died in his sleep in the early hours of February 28 2013. Great Train Robbers all together at the launch of a book. (L-R) Buster Edwards, Tommy Wisbey, Jim White, Bruce Reynolds, Roger Cordrey, Charles Wilson and Jim Hussey Ronnie Biggs Ronald Arthur 'Ronnie' Biggs played a minor role in the robbery, but his life as a fugitive after escaping from prison gained him notoriety. He was given a 30-year sentence in 1964, but he escaped after 15 months by fleeing over the walls of London's Wandsworth prison in April 1965. After having plastic surgery, he lived as a fugitive for 36 years in first Australia then Brazil, where he fathered a son Michael. His health deteriorated in 2001 and he returned to the UK voluntarily where he was sent back to prison. He was finally freed in 2009 on 'compassionate grounds' by then Justice Secretary Jack Straw who said he was not expected to recover. He died in 2013. Ronald Arthur 'Ronnie' Biggs played a minor role in the robbery, but his life as a fugitive after escaping from prison gained him notoriety Ronald 'Buster' Edwards An ex-boxer, club owner and small-time crook who fled to Mexico after the heist but gave himself up in 1966. Edwards is widely believed to be the man who wielded the cosh used to hit train driver Jack Mills over the head. Mills' family say he never recovered, and he died seven years later. Edwards served nine years in jail and then became a familiar figure selling flowers outside Waterloo station in London. He was the subject of the 1988 film Buster, in which he was played by Phil Collins.Edwards was found hanged in a garage in 1994 at the age of 62. Two wreaths in the shape of trains accompanied his funeral cortege. Charlie Wilson Wilson was the gang's 'treasurer' who gave each of the robbers their cut of the haul. He was captured quickly and during his trial at Aylesbury Crown Court in 1964 earned the nickname 'the silent man' as he refused to say anything. He was jailed for 30 years but escaped after just four months. He was captured again in Canada after four years on the run and served 10 more years in jail. He was the final train robber to emerge from prison in 1978. Wilson moved to Marbella, Spain, where he was shot and killed by a hitman on a bicycle in 1990. Roy James Police seize bags of cash following the heist A silversmith and racing driver, James dreamed of investing his share of the loot in new car technology. He was nicknamed 'Weasel' and was the chief getaway driver. James left a tell-tale fingerprint at the gang's farm hideout after the heist and was caught following a chase over rooftops in London. Jailed for 30 years, he served 12 and later sold silver from a market stall before moving to Spain. James was jailed again for six years in 1993 after shooting his wife's father and hitting her with a pistol. He died at the age of 62, soon after getting out of prison. Brian Field A crooked solicitor who the gang used for the conveyancing when they bought the farm hideout used after the heist. Field was arrested and sentenced to 25 years, which was later reduced to five. He died in a motorway crash in 1979. Bill Boal An engineer who was arrested with Roger Cordrey in possession of 141,000.Reynolds said he had never heard of Boal. He claimed Boal was not involved in the robbery and was 'an innocent man'. Boal was charged with receiving stolen goods and jailed for 24 years, which was reduced to 14 on appeal. He died of cancer in jail in 1970. Tommy Wisbey A bookie and self-confessed 'heavy' whose job in the heist was to frighten the train staff. Wisbey was sentenced to 30 years and released in 1976. He was jailed for another 10 years in 1989 for cocaine dealing and later ran a flower stall. Tommy died in 2017 after suffering a stroke in his London care home, aged 86. Bobby Welch A nightclub owner who was sentenced to 30 years in jail and was released in 1976. He was later left crippled after an operation on his leg went wrong. After jail he became a car dealer and gambler in London. He attended Bruce Reynolds' funeral earlier this year. He is the last remaining member of the gang. Gordon Goody He was served 12 years of a 30 year sentence and was released in 1975. He is believed to have been the mastermind behind the infamous train heist. In 1975, he moved to Spain to run a beach-side bar called Kon Tiki in Mojacar, Almeria. He died in 2016 aged 86 after suffering from a heart attack. This picture taken on August 8 1963 at Cheddington station shows the Glasgow-London Royal Mail train after it was robbed James Hussey A decorator known as 'Big Jim' who was sentenced to 30 years and released in 1975. Hussey later worked on a market stall and then opened a Soho restaurant. He notched up a conviction for assault in 1981 and in 1989 was jailed for seven years for a drug smuggling conspiracy with fellow train robber Wisbey. He died in November 2012, aged 79, from cancer. Roger Cordrey Part of the South Coast Raiders gang, Cordrey was a florist. He was arrested in Bournemouth after having the bad luck to rent a lock-up from a policeman's widow. He was jailed for 20 years, which was reduced to 14 on appeal. When he was released in 1971 he went back to the flower business and moved to the West Country. He has since died. Jimmy White A former Paratrooper described as 'quartermaster' for the robbery. White was on the run for three years before being caught in Kent and sentenced to 18 years. He was released in 1975 and went to live in Sussex. He has since died. Leonard Field A former merchant seaman, Field was sentenced to 25 years, which was later reduced to five. He was released from jail in 1967 and went to live in north London. Believed to be dead. John Wheater Poland's Catholic Church has admitted more than 380 children have been sexually abused by clergy members since 1990. Church leaders revealed at a press conference in Warsaw that 382 clergy members had abused children, with cases starting in 1990 to halfway through 2018. Archbishop Wojciech Polak, the primate of Poland, expressed 'pain, shame and the sense of guilt that such situations happened.' The shocking figures include 198 priests who abused minors under 15 years old and 184 priests who abused those aged between 15 and 18, according to Wojciech Sadlon, the head of the church's Institute of Statistics. Activists pull down a statue of a prominent deceased priest, Father Henryk Jankowski, who allegedly abused minors, in Gdansk, Poland last month Archbishop Wojciech Polak (right) expressed 'pain, shame and the sense of guilt that such situations happened' as he sat alongside Archbishop Henryk Gadecki, the head of Poland's Roman Catholic Episcopate The figures were released following a three-day session of Poland's Episcopate in Warsaw that discussed abuse and ways of protecting children. 'This is an especially painful, tragic issue as it is connected with consecrated people, who devoted themselve to serving the church, other human beings. They have social trust and this social trust was so tragically violated,' Archbishop Marek Jedraszewski said at a news conference. Polish bishops last year asked victims of past clerical abuse for forgiveness and began collecting data to 'identify the causes of these deeds and assess their scale'. Last month the Polish charity 'Have no fear', which supports abuse victims, delivered its own report to Pope Francis in which it calculated - purely on the basis of media reports collated since the mid-1950s - that at least 384 minors had been sexually abused by clergy in Poland. Activists say the real figure is probably much greater. The charity has called for the creation of a panel to investigate the real scale of the problem, securing access to Church documents regarding the abuse of minors, and dismissing bishops found responsible for covering up sexual crimes. Pope Francis convened with church leaders a few weeks ago to discuss the abuse scandal (pictured attending Lent Spiritual Exercises for the Roman Curia in Casa Divin Maestro, Ariccia, Italy on Sunday) In Poland, Catholic priests enjoy high social prestige and victims of sexual abuse by clergy are often suspected by devout Poles of making up false accusations, even long after the offender in question has been jailed. Poland remains one of Europe's most devout countries. Nearly 85 percent of Poland's 38 million-strong population identify as Roman Catholics and around 12 million attend mass every Sunday. But Polish Church authorities have yet to reach a consensus on how to address the issue of sexual abuse. Wojciech Sadlon, head of Poland's Catholic Church Institute of Statistics, said hundreds of priests had engaged in abuse since 1990 An arm of the Church has filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court seeking to annul a 1 million zloty (200,000) payment ordered by a lower court to a woman who, as a 13-year old child, was repeatedly raped by her local priest. The case was a landmark ruling in granting compensation and an annuity to a victim of sexual abuse by a Catholic priest in Poland. The Church's press conference came just weeks after Pope Francis convened church leaders from around the world to the Vatican, where they discussed the issue of sex abuse of minors by the clergy. Last month the statue of a prominent Solidarity-era priest was torn down amid allegations that the late Father Henryk Jankowski, respected for his pro-democracy activity in the 1980s, abused minors. Workers in the Polish city of Gdansk later dismantled the statue last week after councillors in the city voted to have it removed, and to have the name of the square where it stood - named after Jankowski - changed. Jankowski, who died in 2010, gained prominence through his support for the nationwide Solidarity movement and its leader, Lech Walesa, in their struggle against Poland's communist regime. World leaders including President George H.W. Bush and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher visited Jankowski's St. Brygida Church in Gdansk in recognition of his anti-communist activity. A former Apprentice contestant can proceed with her defamation lawsuit against President Donald Trump after she accused him of unwanted kissing and groping. The ruling by a New York state appeals court raises the prospect that a sitting president could now be called for sworn questioning. Justice Dianne Renwick noted that 'the President is still a person, and he is not above the law' after the Appellate Division in Manhattan said the U.S. Constitution did not strip state courts of power to decide cases arising under state constitutions. It now means that Zervos' lawyers may get the chance to grill Trump under oath about whether he defamed her by calling her a liar after she accused him of sexual misconduct. Her lawyer Mariann Wang said: 'We look forward to proving to a jury that Ms. Zervos told the truth about defendant's unwanted sexual groping and holding him accountable for his malicious lies.' Zervos, a Republican who appeared on The Apprentice in 2006, accused Trump of kissing her against her will at a 2007 meeting in New York, and later groping her at a Beverly Hills hotel. She came forward after the 'Access Hollywood' recording which showed Trump boasting about groping women. Summer Zervos, pictured in 2018, accused Trump of unwanted kissing and groping Trump's lawyers have said the case shouldn't go forward while he is in office. His lawyer said the president will appeal to the state's highest court, the Court of Appeals Trump has denied Zervos' claims and called her case politically motivated. She was among over a dozen women who came forward during Trump's 2016 campaign with allegations of sexual misconduct years earlier. He called the women 'liars' trying to harm his campaign with '100 percent fabricated' stories, and he retweeted a message specifically calling Zervos' claim 'a hoax'. He also issued a statement denying it. The two dissenting judges said the lawsuit would interfere with Trump's job as president, and should wait until he left office. Trump's lawyer Marc Kasowitz said the president would appeal to the Court of Appeals, 'which we expect will agree with the dissent.' They also say his remarks were opinions that he had a free-speech right to express in the course of a heated campaign. Zervos' lawyers said Trump's words were factual falsehoods that subjected her to threats and cost her business at her Southern California restaurant. The decision, which affirmed a lower court ruling from last March, comes after the appeals court called Zervos' case 'materially indistinguishable' from former Arkansas state employee Paula Jones's lawsuit accusing then-President Bill Clinton of sexual harassment. In 1997, the U.S. Supreme Court let Jones' case go forward. That paved the way for Clinton's impeachment the following year. All five justices found Zervos' defamation claim legally sufficient, without ruling on its merits. Trump also faced a defamation claim by adult film actress Stormy Daniels in her lawsuit over a hush money agreement. That lawsuit was dismissed on March 7. Zervos appeared on 'The Apprentice' in 2006, when Trump was the reality show's host. She says he made the unwanted advances the next year during get-togethers Summer Zervos, left, leaves New York state appellate court with here attorney Mariann Wang, Thursday in October last year. Her lawyers may get the chance to grill Trump under oath about whether he defamed her by calling her a liar after she accused him of sexual misconduct The judges said in an opinion written by Justice Dianne T. Renwick: 'The current sitting President attempts to shield himself from consequences for his alleged unofficial misconduct by relying upon the constitutional protection of the Presidency. 'We reject defendant President Trump's argument that the Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution prevents a New York State court - and every other state court in the country - from exercising its authority under its state constitution. 'Instead, we find that the Supremacy Clause was never intended to deprive a state court of its authority to decide cases and controversies under the state's constitution.' Zervos is seeking a retraction, an apology, and compensatory and punitive damages. Benjamin Taylor (above), 33, is accused of brutally raping and murdering 10-month-old Emmaleigh Barringer in the basement of her mother's West Virginia home A harrowing 911 call has been played to a jury during the trial of a man accused of raping and murdering a 10-month-old baby. Benjamin Taylor, 33, is accused of beating and sexually assaulting 10-month-old Emmaleigh Elizabeth Barringer on October 3, 2016 in a West Virginia home. Little Emmaleigh died from her injuries two days after the alleged assault. Taylor faces charges of first-degree murder, death of a child by child abuse, first-degree sexual assault and sexual abuse by a person in a position of trust to a child. If convicted, he could face life behind bars without the possibility of parole. His trial entered a second day on Thursday, following a harrowing testimony from the victim's mother. The jury also heard her frantic 911 call. Yesterday, Emmaleigh's mother, Amanda Adkins, detailed to a Jackson County courtroom how she walked downstairs to the basement of her home in the early hours of the morning to find Taylor - her boyfriend at the time - shirtless and kneeling over her naked daughter with his pants unbuttoned. 'I was confused,' she told the courtroom. 'I asked him what he was doing and he said he was drying her off.' As she approached the pair, Amanda says she quickly noticed something was wrong as Emmaleigh's face was covered in blood. The toddler was making a gurgling sound and was cold to the touch, Amanda said. She then rushed her unconscious daughter upstairs and dialed 911. 'I think he f***ing raped her,' Adkins can be heard screaming in a recording of the frantic call which was played to the jury yesterday. Amanda Adkins, the mother of the victim and the defendant's ex-girlfriend, said she awoke in the early hours of the morning to find Taylor kneeling over the naked, bloodied body of her daughter with his trousers unbuttoned An autopsy of the toddler confirmed that Emmaleigh (pictured) suffered extensive bleeding and that her injuries were consistent with being vaginally penetrated multiple times by an adult male After his arrest, Taylor allegedly told deputies that he took the baby to the basement but blacked out She tells the dispatcher that Emmaleigh is bleeding from the vagina. Shortly afterwards, Adkins can be heard wailing at Taylor saying 'What the f*** were you doing? Why is she naked?' Emmaleigh was rushed to Charleston hospital where she was later pronounced brain-dead. She died two days later on October 5, after Amanda made the difficult decision to switch-off her life support system. Emmaleigh died in hospital two days after the alleged attack. She was pronounced brain-dead and later taken off of life-support (pictured: Emmaleigh in hospital shortly before her death) Body-cam footage shown to the jury on Thursday showed Taylor lifting up his shirt to officers and revealing a bloodstain on his stomach Adkins had recently relocated to West Virginia from Maryland and started dating Taylor shortly afterwards (Adkins and Taylor pictured together) An autopsy of the toddler confirmed that Emmaleigh suffered extensive bleeding. State Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Allen Mock, who carried out the autopsy, testified on Wednesday that her injuries were consistent with being vaginally penetrated multiple times by an adult male. He also added that her head injuries suggested she had been thrown to ground or slammed against an object. Today, Jurors were played body camera footage from the attending officers that showed Taylor inside the apartment. At the request of an officer, the defendant can be seen lifting up his shirt and revealing a patch of blood on his stomach, according to WVAH. He told deputies the bloodstain must've been from when he picked Emmaleigh up. An audio recording was also played to the courtroom of Deputy Lucas Casto interviewing Taylor during his detention. Taylor can be heard saying he wasn't aware the baby was bleeding until someone told him. Casto also testified how he saw blood on the defendant's thigh that appeared to come from Emmaleigh. When police arrived at the scene to arrest Taylor, officers have previously said they found him trying to 'wipe something' off of his groin, which was later found to be Emmaleigh's blood. Blood-soaked clothing and blankets were found in the home's basement where Amanda claims she discovered the Taylor. After his arrest, Taylor allegedly told deputies that he took the baby to the basement but blacked out and didn't know how the injuries occurred, documents show. Adkins had recently relocated to West Virginia from Maryland and started dating Taylor shortly afterwards. Police found the mother-of-four clutching the baby and covered in blood. Her three other children were at home during the alleged assault. In the wake of Emmaleigh's death, a petition was launched calling for the hanging of Taylor in the event of his conviction. His Facebook header (seen right) once read 'I will never apologize for being a sex freak' During previous court appearances, Taylor has been seen wearing a bulletproof vest and flak helmet, escorted by an entourage of Jackson County Sheriff's deputies, following calls of retribution Adkins' three other children were sleeping in the home when the assault took place In the wake of Emmaleigh's death, a petition was launched calling for the hanging of Benjamin Taylor in the event of his conviction, even though West Virginia abolished the death penalty more than 50 years ago. The petition drew more than 50,000 signatures before being shut down by the White House. During previous court appearances, Taylor has been seen wearing a bulletproof vest and flak helmet, escorted by an entourage of Jackson County Sheriff's deputies. He's appeared in plain clothing for the last two days of the trial, with a more conventional security arrangement. Despite the evidence, Taylor's attorney Tim Rosinsky claims the police jumped to conclusions in their arrest of the defendant, wavering a proper investigation in the process. 'You will ask yourself, what did the police do when faced with that evidence? What did the scientists do?' Rosinsky said in his opening statement. 'Did they look for a potential other person? Youll find that the police didnt do anything. They didnt look anywhere else because they thought that they found their man.' In 2017, the West Virginia Legislature passed 'Emmaleigh's law', increasing the sentence for a person convicted of child abuse causing death from between 10 and 40 years, to between 15 to life. The case is expected to continue for the next two-weeks, according to West Virginia News station WOWK. A Chinese driver has wrecked his brand new 224,000 Porsche minutes after filming himself speeding down a highway as a show-off. The 25-year-old man, Chen, crashed his luxury car into a van in front of him while answering a phone call, according to traffic police in the city of Zhuhai, China. Chen and the two people in the van are all unharmed during the accident. A handout pictures from Zhuhai Traffic Police shows the Porsche wrecked after the collision The owner of the luxury car was speeding on a highway in Zhuhai, China, before the crash. The car was given to him by his mother as a gift a month ago and he was showing it off (224,000) Chen was driving a Porsche 911.2 GT3, which sells for more than two million yuan (224,000) in China. The car was given to Chen by his mother as a gift last month, and he was still waiting for his official car plate. He was driving from Jiangmen to Zhuhai on the Jiangzhu Expressway around noon on Tuesday. He was on his way to see friends. Footage of the incident, released by independent Chinese media outlet Qichezhi, shows the man driving as fast as 145 kilometres per hour (90 miles per hour) from north to south on the highway. A white van stops in the middle of the highway about 100 feet from the Porsche after the crash The Porsche crashed into the van from behind while the driver was trying to answer his phone It was likely that the man filmed the video of himself speeding because he wanted to flaunt his new car to his friends, according to Qichezhi. The speed limit on Chinese highways is 120 kilometres per hour (74 miles per hour) according to the country's traffic law. Chen slammed his car into a white van in front of him as he tried to overtake the vehicle, police said, adding Chen was distracted by a phone call. The police said Chen was trying to answer his phone, which was on the passenger seat, and lost control of the steering wheel. The speed of the Porsche at the time of the crash remains unknown. Chen was driving a Porsche 911.2 GT3 (pictured), which sells for two million yuan (224,000) After the collision, the white van veered left, smashed into the road-side fence before overturning. It stopped in the middle of the highway on its roof about 30 metres (98 feet) from the Porsche, leaving debris scattered on the tarmac. Two people including the driver were inside the van, which was transporting goods to Zhuhai. They climbed out of the overturned vehicle unhurt, police said. Chen was also unharmed. Pictures released by Zhuhai Traffic Police show both vehicles having serious damage. The Porsche would cost 300,000 yuan (33,600) to repair while the van owner sustained a loss of 100,000 yuan (11,200) from damage on his vehicle and goods, the police estimated. Chen's insurance company is due to cover the cost. The grandparents of murdered sisters Celeste and Bella Watts opened up about their heartbreak at learning they would not get to see the girls before their were buried during an interview with Dr Phil. 'We got permission from [Watts'] side of the family to have the grandchildren and bury our grandchildren with their mom,' said Shanann Watts' father Frank Rzucek. 'But the hardest thing was flying them here, because they were in crude oil for four days. So they were flammable. So we couldn't cremate them. They would have blown up a building.' He continued: 'They had to have a bigger coffin and then they had to seal it with a certain wrap, so the gasses wouldn't leak out. That's pretty sad, isn't it? So we three here never got to say good-bye to our family or see them.' His wife Sandy then added: 'Never got to hug them. Never got to say "I love you" like most people do.' Scroll down for video Speaking: Frank Rzucek and his wife Sandy (above) spoke about the deaths of their daughter, granddaughters and grandson-to-be on The Dr Phil Show this week Murders: Bella, 4, and Celeste, 3, were dumped in two separate oil tanks after they were suffocated by their father (above with mom Shanann a few months before the murders) Recovery: Chris dumped the bodies of Celeste and Bella into oil tanks and buried Shanann in a shallow grave (officials removing the bodies of Celeste and Bella) Final resting place: Shanann's mother Sandy explained: 'Never got to hug them. Never got to say "I love you" like most people do' (Celeste, Bella and Shanann's grave above) The process of removing the girls' bodies from massive oil drums began at 5am on the morning of August 16, and would go on for almost 14 hours, with a report noting that at 6.45pm that evening members of the Colorado State Patrol cleared the scene. In that time, the oil from the two 400-barrel tanks on the scene were manually drained by workers, who carefully poured the liquid over metal screens to collect any possible evidence. Then, once the tanks were emptied, men in self-contained breathing gear entered and removed the bodies of Bella and Celeste, whose skin came off their bodies as they were passed out of the tanks. Their mother and unborn baby brother Nico were found just 100 yards away in a shallow grave. The report reveals that the diameter of the oil tank's opening was only 8 inches, meaning it would have been too small to fit Shanann's body. The troopers who headed up the retrieval process arrived on the scene around 9am on the morning of August 16. 'While the first crude tank was being off-loaded, Trooper Bandy, Reeder and I put rope handles on two containment pools,' wrote Tropper Wilson. 'We anticipated the bodies to be covered in crude oil and were going to use the pools to put each body in, once recovered.' Once the tanks were emptied, the bolts on the tank doors at the base of the barrel were taken off by the team on the scene. 'Sergeant Armstrong went up to the top of the tank and looked in the thief hatch,' states the report. 'Sergeant Armstrong told me he could see what looked like a body face down on the south side of the tank.' Photos were taken and then the men began the process of removing the body from the tank. Because of the level of oil sludge and toxic fumes, the men could only remain in the tank for a matter of minutes, making the process that much more complicated and difficult. 'Trooper Reeder went in first then me close behind. There was a body face down on the south side of the tank with the head facing west. It appeared to be a small female child,' reads the report. 'Trooper Reeder grasped the upper portion of her right arm to turn her over. Trooper Reeder then lifted her by both upper arms as I held her right leg. Trooper Reeder held her left arm and left leg as we moved the body towards the manway.' The victim was then moved out of the tank, but during the process hand her hand 'degloved' of its skin. That skin was retrieved and given to a member of law enforcement on the scene. Behind bars: Watts was moved to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections after threats were made on his life (above in his Colorado mugshots) Caught: Watts watches himself load the bodies into his truck on a neighbor's surveillance camera The men next went about removing the body of the second victim, which was found in the second oil tank. 'I grabbed her right arm near the wrist area and moved her towards the manway. At this point, Trooper Reeder was able to secure her left arm and left leg. Trooper Reeder and I then passed the body through the manway,' reads the report. 'Trooper Bandy grasped the left wrist and shoulder area as Sergeant Armstrong did the same on the right side. As the victim was passed through the manway Trooper Bandy and Sergeant continued to support her body as she was placed into a containment pool.' The report also notes: 'During this extraction there was some skin slippage where we had to touch the victims body. There was also some skin on the plywood where her back made contact.' Some skin was also lost while the body was being moved to the oil pool. 'There was also some skin on the plywood where her back made contact,' reads the report. 'Trooper Reeder and I then walked around the inside of that tank which also had approximately 4 of crude sludge in it. We did not locate any additional evidence in tank. We exited the tank and walked over to the field south of the tanks. The body was turned over to the Weld County Coroner. 'Sergeant Armstrong continued to monitor the second victim, using a four-gas monitor, as the Weld County Coroner and Pathologist attempted to remove the crude oil utilizing several oil absorbent pads. 'The second victim was then placed into a body bag and taken to the Weld County Coroners vehicle.' Bella was 4 and her sister Celeste had just turned 3 at the time they were murdered by their father. A French policeman who shot his female colleague in the head while playing a quick-draw game with their firearms has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. The policewoman, 27, died on Sunday near the headquarters of the Paris judicial police after suffering a single gunshot wound during the 'game gone wrong'. The policeman, 28, was arrested and suspended the same day along with a witness, before the suspect was charged on Wednesday. A 28-year-old Paris policeman has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after he accidentally shot his 27-year-old female colleague in the head (file image) The incident is being treated as an accident although Internal Affairs (Inspection generale de la Police nationale; the IGPN) are investigating. Tragedy unfolded when the man and his colleague decided to start playing with their weapons and drew their guns on one another, local media reported. It was at that point that one of the handguns went off by accident. The 27-year-old was shot in the head and died, The Local reports. 'This is a stupid drama that has just ruined two lives,' a senior police official told Le Parisien. Fast draw, also known as quick draw, is best known to the public as a staple of old school Western films, however it is also a recognised sport. The current World Fast Draw Association (WFDA) record for popping a balloon target 8ft away is 0.208 seconds. It sounds like something out of a Hollywood movie. In a deception to rival the convoluted plots of thrillers such as The Thomas Crown Affair, a gang of Italian thieves were fooled into stealing a worthless painting. And even the mayor and other townsfolk were in on the plot. Italian police switched a 17th century canvas by Flemish artist Pieter Bruegel the Younger - worth around 3million euros (2.6m) - from a church and replaced it with a fake. Detectives in the town of Castelnuovo Magra, in Liguria, had got wind of the planned heist and secretly installed security cameras at Santa Maria Maddalena church. They are now studying the footage after robbers broke in to the church with a crowbar and smashed the artworks display case with a hammer. Italian police switched a 17th century canvas by Flemish artist Pieter Bruegel the Younger - worth around 3million euros (2.6m) - from a church and replaced it with a fake They sped off in a white Peugeot with the painting a depiction of the Crucifixion at lunchtime on Wednesday. Mayor Daniele Montebello who was in on the ruse initially told reporters that the painting was a work of inestimable value, a hard blow for our community. But he later revealed: The original painting was replaced by a copy more than a month ago. We were hearing rumours that someone wanted to steal it, so the Carabinieri (Italys paramilitary police force) brought in the fake and installed security cameras. He also thanked members of the church who had noticed that the one on display was not the original, but did not reveal the secret. Detectives in the town of Castelnuovo Magra, in Liguria, had got wind of the planned heist and secretly installed security cameras at Santa Maria Maddalena church (pictured) Pieter Bruegel the Younger was the son of another Flemish artist, Pieter Bruegel the Elder. The 26in by 17in canvas is a copy of a work by his father. The painting - donated to the church by a wealthy family in the 19th century was stolen nearly 40 years ago. It was later found in the home of a convicted criminal who had just been released from jail. A Canadian man who was convicted nearly two decades ago of murdering and dismembering his girlfriend, earning him the moniker 'the butcher of Gatineau,' has been granted parole and is preparing to start a new life as a transgender woman. Khaled Farhan, 46, who now goes by his new name, Zahra Farhan, won parole in January. 'You are assessed as a low to low end of moderate risk for both general and violence recidivism,' the parole board wrote of Farhan. Zahra Farhan, 46 (before his transition, left), formerly known as Khaled Farhan, was convicted in 2000 of second-degree murder in the brutal cocaine-fueled killing of 24-year-old Karina Janveau (right) The woman, who is visually impaired, plans to move into a halfway house and get a service dog to help her with daily tasks. Farhan was convicted in 2000 of second-degree murder in the cocaine-fueled killing of 24-year-old Karina Janveau inside the couple's apartment in Gatineau, Quebec, in the summer of 1999, reported Ottawa Citizen. The suspect, then still known as a man, testified during his trial that he had pushed his girlfriend of less than a year and she fell and hit her head, resulting in her death. However, an autopsy showed the young woman was stabbed multiple times, including post-mortem. Farhan, a Kuwaiti national, kept Janveaus decomposing body for days in the basement, until neighbors began complaining about a foul odor, as the French-language paper, Le Droit, reported. That is when Farhan took a kitchen knife and proceeded to butcher the dead woman's corpse in the bathtub - a gruesome process that took two hours. Farhan then stuffed some of the body parts into a duffel bag and dumped it along a stretch of train tracks behind their apartment building. Janveau's body was carved up with a knife and her remains were dumped around her and Farhan's apartment building in Gatineau, Quebec The other half of the remains he tossed in the dumpster. In an attempt to cover up the murder and direct the attention of police away from himself, Farhan went on TV pleading for help to find his missing girlfriend. Farhan lied that Janveau, who was battling a drug addiction and had physical disabilities, had left on a camping trip with a drug dealer. Despite his efforts to deceive investigators, Farhan was arrested just days after the victim's remains were recovered. One of the first police officers on the scene was Janvaus younger sister, Sgt Guylaine Larose, who was left traumatized by the experience and later took her own life. Farhan was initially sent to a men's prison, but was later transferred to a women's prison after identifying herself as a transwoman. Under the conditions of her release, Farhan is required to live the rest of her life in a halfway house, report any romantic relationships and stay away from drugs and alcohol. An unexploded WWII bomb has been discovered at a disused airport earmarked by Chris Grayling to use as a lorry park in a no-deal Brexit. Army bomb experts are at the scene assessing the device after Kent Police were called this morning, just 15 days before Britain could crash out of the EU. Under-fire Mr Grayling plans to use Manston Airport, in Kent, as an overflow area to hold lorries in the event Britain crashes out of the EU later this month. Officials 'remain confident' that the airfield will be ready to use by March 29 despite the discovery, a Department for Transport spokesman insisted tonight. Lorries lined up during a trial at the former Manston Airport site in Kent of a government plan to hold lorries in the event of post-Brexit disruption at the channel ports in January this year. Today, an exploded WWII bomb has been found Drivers and security staff gather as lorries wait at the Manston Airport to do a test drive to the Port of Dover in January this year As there is 'no immediate threat to life', the device would be detonated over the next few days, according to the Ministry of Defence. Also known as Kent International Airport, the site closed in 2014 after owners were unable to find a buyer. In a Brexit trial run in January nearly 100 lorries arrived at the airport in Ramsgate before driving along the A256 towards Dover. The trial, called Operation Brock, was testing out the site as a mass HGV holding bay to ease congestion on roads to Channel ports. The 20-mile journey to Dover takes around half an hour depending on traffic. Just 89 lorries took part in the practice run during morning rush-hour - a fraction of the 4,000 which could use the site in a no deal scenario. Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke also criticised the test, saying the lorry speed was too slow and insisting the scheme should only be used as a last resort. Each driver participating in the exercise cost the department 550, their spokeswoman confirmed, meaning 48,950 was paid out. Lorries line up on the A526 outside Dover for the second of two trials at the former Manston Airport site in January this year A sign at Manston Airport is seen in 2014, showing its former name - Kent International Airport - before it closed that year when owners were unable to find a buyer A map showing the route of the lorry convoy from the disused airport to the port of Dover But Theresa May's spokesman insisted the Government was 'satisfied' with the number of lorries which took part and said the test provided a 'suitable sample'. Congestion at the Channel ports, caused by new customs checks on goods, has been one of the most commonly cited fears around a cliff-edge Brexit. MPs voted on Wednesday night to reject a no-deal Brexit - but the UK will still crash out on March 29 unless a deal or an extension is agreed before then. Mr Grayling has been under fire over the Brexit planning process since it emerged that a shipping firm which won a Government contract did not own any ferries. The 13.8million deal with Seaborne Freight sparked widespread concern and ridicule, and was terminated last month. The Government was forced to pay 33million to Eurotunnel to settle a legal action over the contracts, prompting further calls for Mr Grayling to resign. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, pictured in Downing Street this week, has faced pressure to quit over his handling of the Brexit preparations Lorries parked in a queue during a trial at the former Manston Airport site in Kent of a government plan to hold lorries there in the event of post-Brexit disruption A picture from 1989 showing planes at the then-Kent International Airport Manston was first used as an airfield in 1915, during the First World War when military aircraft used the site for emergency landings. It was heavily used during World War II, including by Hawker Typhoon and Gloster Meteor squadrons, according to planning documents. During the Cold War it was put into used by the United States Air Force, who used it as a strategic air command base for fighter and bomber units. It became a civilian and RAF airport in 1960 when American forces withdrew, and was rebranded as Kent International Airport in 1989. The Ministry of Defence sold the site in 1998 and never made a profit after that, passing through several owners until it closed in 2014. Short-lived budget airline EUJet had used the site as a hub, launching services to 21 European destinations, but the firm collapsed in 2005. Abdirahman Abdullahi Mohamed, 42, faces jail after being found with a stash of ISIS propaganda including videos of beheadings A Somali Muslim who owned a stash of Islamic State propaganda and tried to pass it off as research into 'how terrorism had affected his community' is facing jail. Abdirahman Abdullahi Mohamed, 42, kept a laptop under his bed containing copies of the al-Qaeda magazine Inspire and one of his files featured a thumbs up image with the slogan I like ISIS. The father-of-two claimed he was trying to understand the issues involved but prosecutors said the collection showed he clearly had terrorist sympathies at the very least. An Old Bailey jury convicted him of eight counts of possession of a document or record for terrorist purposes and cleared him of one charge of disseminating terrorist propaganda. Judge Philip Katz adjourned sentence until 18 April while reports are prepared and said: You were found in possession of material very clearly supportive of Islamic State. Your excuses fell away when most of the country realised what sort of organisation they were. Earlier, Kelly Brocklehurst, prosecuting, said: The so-called Islamic State is of course now a familiar name and does feature heavily in the documents found in the defendants possession. It is not the Crowns case that the defendant personally engaged in violence to kill or maim people in a political ideological or religious cause. Rather he knowingly possessed documents of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism and that he provided a service to others. The father-of-two claimed he was researching how terrorism had affected his community - but a jury found him guilty of terror offences today Police officers searched the home Mohamed shares with his wife and two small children in Northolt, west London, on 21 July 2017. Police located two laptops, one Samsung Galaxy smart phone and a USB memory stick, said Mr Brocklehurst. When officers examined those devices what they found was a very large number of worrying documents. Since 2014 IS have distributed slick and professional looking online magazines written in English to help spread its message amongst its followers in the west. The terror groups propaganda wing distributes the Rumiyah magazine and Al-Qaeda distributes Inspire. On a Toshiba laptop found under Mohameds bed there were documents that he was not charged with. Mr Brocklehurst argued these files showed Mohameds views, particularly a computer graphic of a thumbs up image with the slogan I like ISIS. Several videos and files were also found on his Samsung Galaxy mobile phone. Mr Brocklehurst said: Some of these videos contain graphic scenes of public beheadings, dead bodies and executions by gunfire. Details of files found on a second Lenovo brand laptop, including e-books glorifying IS and a photo of an IS-style execution. Found on this laptop was two particular photographic images, the first depicting two young males dressed in orange overalls with two young children dressed in black standing behind them, said the prosecutor. The children appear to be holding weapons and is reminiscent of IS-style executions. An Old Bailey jury convicted him of eight counts of possession of a document or record for terrorist purposes The 42-year-old was arrested on 20 December 2017 and taken to Southwark police station and interviewed where he declined to answer questions. In a statement given to police, Mohamed wrote: I am a Somali Muslim, my community had been affected by terrorism. The document was to help me understand the issues involved and for my own general interest and for me to form a view on what is happening. Mr Brocklehurst added: It beggars belief that the defendant possessed such material in order to maintain his knowledge of regional affairs or for any other good reason. Such a collection by its content and quantity shows someone with terrorist sympathies at the very least. Mohamed, of Shadwell Drive, Northolt, denied but was convicted eight counts of possession of a document or record for terrorist purposes. He was cleared of one count of dissemination of terrorist publications. Mohamed was bailed ahead of sentence on 18 April. Dozens of mothers in a small Welsh town have been protesting outside a convicted paedophile's home, waving signs saying 'watch out, there's a paedo about'. Parents in Pwllheli, Gwynned, are trying to drive out Anthony Walker, 49, after he was found with hundreds of child abuse images. A cardboard sign has been placed on a stand outside Walker's home - a stone's throw from a popular children's park - which tells drivers to honk as they pass by. Dozens of mothers protest outside a convicted paedophile's home in Pwllheli, Gwynned Today, 12 locals gathered battling rainy weather conditions with an umbrella, raincoats and ponchos to drive out former mental health nurse Anthony Walker, 49, Around 100 people have been involved in protests so far, local mother Kim Williams said. One of their homemade signs rhymed 'Watch out, there's a paedo about' while another read 'There's a paedo about, get him out'. Today, 12 locals gathered battling rainy weather conditions with an umbrella, raincoats and ponchos. One of their homemade signs rhymed 'Watch out, there's a paedo about' while another read 'There's a paedo about, get him out' (pictured) One pensioner was pictured waving a large cardboard sign which said: 'No pervert in our town! Get the paedo out!' Walker, a former mental health nurse, was given a two-year community order after being convicted of downloading 500 child abuse images on March 7. Caernarfon Crown Court heard Walker used his wife's computer account in an attempt to hide his illegal activities while under police supervision. Judge Huw Rees told Walker, who was also jailed for downloading 972 abuse images in 2013. He was described as a carer for his sick wife in court. Protesting mother Kim Williams said: 'This is the second time he has been convicted. He was jailed last time. 'It's disturbing. We didn't know that he was a convicted paedophile. 'We started this group and plan on protesting every day to make it known we don't want him here. 'There have been around 100 people involved in the protest since it began.' A cardboard sign has been placed on a stand outside Walker's home - a stone's throw from a popular children's park - which tells drivers to honk as they pass by County councillor Dylan Bullard added: 'It is a concern that someone with this sort of conviction lives so near a busy park used by a lot of children.' A North Wales Police spokesperson said: 'Whilst we are unable to comment on individuals, the public can be reassured that all Registered Sex Offenders are managed and monitored under MAPPA (Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements). 'These agencies work in partnership with a range of others that have a duty to cooperate in order to reduce reoffending and protect the public. 'However I would just like to reiterate that all Registered Sex Offenders living in the community are monitored and visited but if anyone has any specific concerns I'd ask they contact North Wales Police control room.' Netflix documentary The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann is set to reveal a haunting new image said to show the three-year-old just days before she went missing. In the picture, below, Madeleine can be seen wearing a pink dress and white hat and happily playing at Praia da Luz children's club with other children and an adult. The new documentary, which airs this morning, promises to reveal fresh theories into the case of the English girl who has been missing for nearly 12 years. She was left sleeping with her two siblings as her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann dined at a resort restaurant in 2007. A documentary to be released this morning is set to broadcast new photographs said to show Maddie happily playing at Praia da Luz children's club in 2007 The documentary will be released on Netflix and can be viewed in the UK from 8am today. It is believed to feature 40 experts and key figures linked to the case. Also featured is Brit tourist Neil Berry, who was staying at the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz when the blonde youngster went missing. The Sun revealed he told producers that his daughter Jessica became good friends with Madeleine at the resort's children's club. Still from the new documentary that has promised fresh theories into the girl's dissapearance Photo of missing Madeleine McCann who vanished from Praia da Luz in Portugal in May 2007 The youngster the day she went missing from the family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz Apartment 5A in Praia Da Luz in Portugal, where Madeline McCann went missing from in 2007 He said: 'They were of a similar age and they became thick as thieves.' Mr Berry recollected that his daughter lost her straw hat in the sea before Madeleine launched herself into the water to recover it for her friend. Experts featured in the documentary also reveal that there is still hope to find Madeleine, who will turn 15 in May. Parents of the missing girl, Kate and Gerry McCann, present their new book at a hotel in Hamburg Jim Gamble, the top child protection cop in the UK's first Maddie investigation, says: 'I absolutely believe that in my lifetime we will find out what has happened to Madeleine McCann. 'There's huge hope to be had with the advances in technology. Year on year DNA is getting better. Year on year other techniques, including facial recognition, are getting better. Julian Peribanez, the private investigator hired by the McCanns, revealed that Madeleine is likely to have been kept alive by child traffickers because, as a pretty middle-class British girl, she would be more financially valuable. Christmas video made by Gerry and Kate McCann making appeal for the return of Madeleine 'They usually go for lower-class kids from third world countries that's the main supplier of these gangs. 'The value that Madeleine had was really high because if they took her it's because they were going to get a lot of money,' he said. The documentary is an eight-part series. New video footage has emerged of a man running away from his girlfriend moments after she allegedly stabbed him on Sunday. The couple had already checked into a room at Las Cascadas motel in Iguala, a city in the Mexican Pacific coast state of Guerrero, when Erick Omar Diaz, 29, rushed out with a stab wound seeking help. A hotel guest recorded the moment the wounded victim struggles on the floor with girlfriend, Sonia Amairani, who is in her 20's. Diaz kicks in agony and and tries to apply pressure to the wound. She then screams: 'Stop kicking, man.' Erick Omar Diaz was transported to a hospital in the Mexican state of Guerrero on Sunday after his girlfriend allegedly stabbed him during a dispute inside a motel room Sonia Amairani was conditionally released from jail Monday night and ordered to away from Diaz. As part of her release, she has to appear before a judge every 15 days A hotel guest recorded the moment Erick Omar Diaz (left) and Sonia Amairani (right) struggled on the ground outside the hotel. Diaz was trying to get away from his girlfriend after she allegedly stabbed him The injured boyfriend gets up and starts to sprint away but stops and pulls Amairani by the hair and tosses her to the ground. He then runs and Amairani shouts: 'Omar, don't leave me.' Separate video recorded by several bystanders outside the motel following Sunday morning's attack spotted Diaz struggling to stay on his feet while Amairani is trying to keep him from crashing to the ground. Moments later, the couple is on the pavement, and Amairani is desperately trying to hold on to Diaz, who starts to lose consciousness as his body loses more blood. Diaz (rear) was trying to seek assistance after he was stabbed and while trying to flee he pulled Amairani (front) by the hair and flung her to the ground Sonia Amairani (right) pleads her boyfriend (left) for forgiveness and begs him not to die The repentant woman at one point cried, 'forgive me my love, please dont die,' while her wounded partner was lying on the ground fighting for his life. An ambulance eventually showed up an hour after a call was placed to 911. Diaz was transported to a local hospital where he underwent surgery and is currently in stable condition. Amairani, who was led away in handcuffs, was conditionally released from from jail Monday night and ordered to stay away from Diaz. As part of her release, she has to appear before a judge every 15 days. The Honours Committee received anonymous allegations of child sex abuse against Jimmy Savile in 1998 but failed to pass them on to the police, an inquiry has heard. The Westminster strand of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse heard that civil servants had been wary of Savile's activities as far back as 1984. The inquiry saw letters between then-head of the Honours Committee and Margaret Thatcher's secretary resisting calls for Savile to be knighted despite pressure from the prime minister. A senior civil servant giving evidence said that today such a letter would have been passed straight to the police. Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (left) had first attempted to knight Jimmy Savile (right) in 1987 (pictured above Mrs Thatcher presented Savile with a cheque) A news clipping (pictured above) which shows the reservations from Robert Armstrong in 1983 This comes as ex-liberal leader Lord Steel admitted yesterday that he had known that Cyril Smith had abused children, but that it had never occurred to him to hold an inquiry into the MP. During today's inquiry Lord Robert Armstrong cited interviews with Savile published in the Sun the previous year where he boasted about having people beaten up, sleeping with hundreds of girls and giving recommendations to a suicidal man on how to take his own life. Lord Armstrong said: 'My committee did not feel that sufficient time has elapsed since Mr Savile's unfortunate revelations in the popular press in April of this year. 'He is much in the public eye and it is unlikely that the lurid details of his story will have been forgotten. I fear it would be best if Mr Savile were to wait a little longer.' Jimmy Savile (left) presenting Margaret Thatcher (right) with a cheque for 10,000 in aid of the NSPCC Lord Armstrong then went on to refuse to include him in the birthday honours list, saying: 'The lapse of time has served only to strengthen the doubts felt about a knighthood for Mr Savile. 'Those of whom I have consulted now consider that a knighthood for Mr Savile would give rise to enough unfavourable comment to risk bringing the honours system into disrepute' In response to Mrs Thatcher's attempts to have Savile knighted in 1987, Lord Armstrong again highlighted the interviews in the Sun, adding that in the light of the Aids crisis, his 'sexual promiscuity' was a problem. In 1998, the Honours Committee received an anonymous letter referring to 'reports of a paedophilia nature' could emerge about Savile and allegations about his involvement with rent boys. A handwritten letter from Jimmy Saville to Margaret Thatcher dated 1982 It said: 'While within limits and bounds homosexuality can be rationalized in a modern society, we must not lose sight that paedophilia goes beyond any boundaries which right-minded people of whatever political persuasions find abhorrent.' Giving evidence, senior civil servant Helen MacNamara - who currently heads the Honours and Appointments Secretariat - said that such a letter would now immediately be passed to the police. She highlighted that as Savile had been knighted in 1991, the letter would have prompted further inquiries about whether the case should be brought before the forfeiture committee. Jimmy Savile (pictured above) receiving his knighthood at Buckingham Palace in 1990 Ms MacNamara said she did not know how the letter was dealt with at the time or if any concerns were raised with the authorities. The inquiry previously saw documents between senior civil servants relating to MP Cyril Smith, who was investigated for child abuse, and former high commissioner to Canada Peter Hayman who was suspected of being involved in the Paedophile Information Exchange. They recommended that the men be 'given the benefit of the doubt' or be 'spoken to' warning them about their future conduct. As a result, Smith was knighted while Hayman was not stripped of his honour. When asked if criticism of the honours system for protecting itself rather than considering victims was fair, Ms Macnamara replied: 'That's absolutely a fair criticism.' Ex-liberal leader Lord Steel (left) admitted yesterday that he had known that Cyril Smith (right) had abused children She said that in the wake of various scandals a much more thorough process had been established before individuals are considered for honours, including background checks. Ms MacNamara added that the Honours Committee was much more likely to err on the side of caution when making nominations. She said the forfeiture committee now met more regularly to consider those who should be stripped of their honours. 'It is important these cases are considered properly, not least because of the impact on the people,' she said. She added that at the moment, there are no plans to strip people of their awards posthumously, saying: 'Honours are a living award. You are a member of the honour while you are alive, and once you are dead the honour dies with you.' But Ms MacNamara said that depending on the recommendations of the inquiry, this could change in future. The Westminster strand of the far-reaching inquiry is expected to last three weeks and is due to conclude on March 22. President Donald Trump shared an awkward luncheon with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after blasting her on Twitter for her stance on his border emergency. Trump hammered her in a tweet shortly before the annual St. Patrick's Day reception on Capitol Hill honoring Ireland and its Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. He warned lawmakers from his party who might be thinking about crossing the aisle to reject his national emergency not to side with the Democratic leader. 'A vote for todays resolution by Republican Senators is a vote for Nancy Pelosi, Crime, and the Open Border Democrats!' he said. HANDS OFF: The president pulled in the House speaker for a European kiss after blasting her in a tweet ONE FOR EACH SIDE: He gave her pecks on each cheek as he arrested her following his remarks AWKWARD: Trump hammered her in a tweet shortly before the annual St. Patrick's Day reception on Capitol Hill honoring Ireland and its Prime Minister Leo Varadkar GET BACK: At the Capitol it was all hugs and kisses, though, as they celebrated St. Patrick's Day DON'T DO IT: Trump said before he went over to the Capitol for the Friends of Ireland luncheon that a vote against his border emergency is a vote for Nancy Pelosi At the luncheon it was all hugs and kisses, though, with the president pulling in Pelosi for a smooch on the cheek two times. They kept their remarks at the luncheon itself almost entirely nonpartisan, in keeping with tradition, although Trump did bring up his support for Brexit out of the blue. Hinting at the tension, she said, 'I have been told that the appropriate introduction for the next person that I am to present to you is to keep it very simple. 'The appropriate introduction is, ladies and gentleman the President of the United States.' Trump, who took office two years ago, noted at the beginning of his remarks, 'This is my third one, it's happening so fast, who would have thought....times flies.' He thanked Pelosi for her 'lovely remarks' and told her 'congratulations on the Irish grandchildren' she had fondly touted. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar presents a copy of a letter signed by 300 congressmen in 1937 to congratulate Ireland on its new constitution to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi IT'S NOT PERSONAL: Trump talks to Pelosi on their way out of the luncheon at the Capitol TALK TO THE HAND: The Speaker of the House said earlier this week that Trump isn't worth impeaching ALL BETTER? The president gives Pelosi a kiss goodbye as she walks him to his motorcade At the luncheon, they put their dispute over his border wall aside and put on a united front for the Irish It was the second time this week he had praised her, after thanking her by tweet earlier in the week for saying she wasn't in favor of impeachment. She said the process would be too 'divisive' unless the push was bipartisan. Pelosi said he isn't worth it. At the luncheon, they put their dispute over his border wall aside and put on a united front for the Irish. When he relinquished the mic back to Pelosi after making brief remarks, he gave her a European kiss on each cheek as they brushed by one another. Prior to the luncheon the president hosted the Irish prime minister at the White House. He put his counterpart on the spot by asking him to comment on Brexit. He wouldn't let the subject drop, bringing it up again at the Capitol Hill luncheon. 'This afternoon, we're delighted to join all in welcoming Taoiseach, who I've gotten to know very well. My friend. We discussed a lot of things that were of great interest to all of us just a little while ago in the Oval Office. In particular, we talked about Brexit,' he said. Trump said Great Britain's break from the European Union is 'something that's turning out to be a little more complex than they thought it would be. But it will all work out. Everything does.' 'But you had a very interesting view on it, and I appreciate your letting me know what's going on over there. Very, very tough situation,' he told him. Mentioning trade again a few minutes later, he said it's an issue that binds Ireland and America together. 'As the United States and Ireland grow ever closer in friendship and partnership -- and we are, indeed, growing closer. We're doing trade deals, we're doing things that we, frankly, have not done to this extent before,' he said. 'May we find inspiration in the example of those who came before. May we draw new strength from the noble example of Saint Patrick.' They parted ways for a few hours after the Capitol Hill luncheon and had plans to meet up again early Thursday evening. The president and first lady are hosting Varadkar and his partner at the White House for a presentation on the Shamrock Bowl later in the evening. A Mafia heir and a close friend of slain Gambino crime boss Frank Cali has paid tribute to the mobster after he was gunned down outside his family home. Giovanni Gambino told DailyMail.com that 53-year-old 'Franky Boy' was a constant feature in the New York charity scene and was someone he looked up to growing up. The head of the notorious family was shot and killed in a hail of bullets and then run over in Staten Island, New York, on Wednesday night in a slaying that shattered a 30-year peace between the Five Families in the Big Apple and could lead to more bloodshed. Cops could be looking into whether the hit was linked to Gene Gotti, a reputed gangster and the brother of John Gotti who was released from prison just six months ago following a 29-year term for heroin dealing. The NYPD is also investigating the possibility Cali was lured from his home by the gunman, who then fled in a blue pickup, and are probing whether the hit was carried out by a lone wolf or ordered by factions in the Sicilian Costra Nostra, Giovanni said Cali was one of the figures he looked to when he was growing up in the notorious family and said he always 'showed class'. The Gambino scion also warned that there could soon be retribution by a rival gangster because Cali was considered one of the 'good' guys. 'He was the good wise guy that went after bad wise guys', Giovanni told DailyMailcom. 'The wise guy that showed class. He was the one that had the 'it' factor, growing up with my friends. We all looked up to him. He gave a great impression.' 'Nobody gets away with anything . Especially killing a good man,' he added. Giovanni's cousin Carlo founded the Gambino crime family in 1957 when he immigrated from Italy and his father Francesco 'Ciccio' Gambino was a leading captain in the syndicate. Francesco died in federal prison in 2012 while serving a 30-year sentence for racketeering and trafficking heroin from Sicily to the United States. Giovanni was raised by his mother and other members of the crime family while they were under the leadership of the likes of John Gotti and Domenico Cefalu. Scroll down for video Gambino crime family boss Francesco 'Franky Boy' Cali was shot six times and run over by a pickup truck in front of his home in Staten Island on Wednesday night. His slaying shattered a relative peace between the Five Families in New York Investigators are seen with forensic equipment outside the home of the mob boss who liked to shy away from the limelight. The NYPD is investigating the possibility Cali was lured from his home by the gunman Hand prints, likely caused by officers dusting for fingerprints, is seen on the side of a SUV being pulled from the scene Cali maintained a 'low-key' lifestyle, was a good friend to his family and always supported his passion to become a writer, Giovanni says. Cali is the basis for the protagonist in his novel, The Prince of Omerta. Cali's murder on Wednesday night was the first hit on a Mafia boss since John Gotti arranged the assassination of then-Gambino head Paul Castellano in 1985. Cali was shot six times and run over by a blue pickup truck outside his redbrick house in the upmarket Todt Hill neigborhood of Staten Island. Police are now hunting the killer. Giovanni Gambino told DailyMail.com that 53-year-old 'Franky Boy' was a constant feature in the New York charity scene and was someone they looked up to growing up Sources told the New York Daily News on Thursday that cops were eyeing ties to Gene Gotti, who may have orchestrated the hit to get back some the clout in the family business. The source admitted the claims could be 'total speculation', but is 'something to look out for'. The NYPD are scouring through surveillance footage on bridges off Staten Island to try and track the getaway vehicle. The New York Post has also reported that he may have been lured outside his home when the killer smashed the pickup into his car in the driveway. Photos from the scene show cops towing away a late-model silver Cadillac Escalade SUV. It was covered in hand prints caused by crime scene technicians dusting for DNA. Neighbors have described the terrifying hail of bullets they heard from inside their homes. Many were watching TV when the chaos unfolded in the normally quiet neighborhood. It is understood Cali's distraught family members ran outside after the shots were fired. One man collapsed in front of the home crying: 'Papa! Papa!' as a woman shouted into her phone: 'Why doesn't the ambulance come? He's not breathing!' No arrests have been made and an investigation is ongoing as police search for a blue pickup truck that fled the gruesome scene. Aggressive federal prosecutions in the past 25 years decimated the ranks of New York's five Mafia families. Giovanni's cousin Carlo (left in 1970) founded the Gambino crime family that inspired The Godfather and his father Francesco 'Ciccio' Gambino (pictured with him right) died in federal prison in 2012 while serving a sentence for drag trafficking from his time in the mob The cases resulted in long prison terms for their bosses - Gotti included - and encouraged their successors to keep a lower profile. But the new generation still engages in old-school crimes - loansharking, gambling, extortion - that can make enemies and spark violence. This week, prosecutors in Brooklyn announced a case against a long-time Gambino associate accused of killing a suspected loanshark affiliated with the Lucchese crime family. Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea said on Thursday there has been a slight uptick in alleged mob-related violence in New York within the last year. But he said it is too soon to say whether that had anything to do with Cali's slaying. Shea said the mob boss emerged from his home around 9:15 p.m. after the gunman backed his pickup into Cali's Cadillac SUV, damaging it. 'With what we know at this point in time, it's quite possible that was part of a plan,' Shea said. Video showed the assailant pulling a 9 mm handgun and opening fire on Cali about a minute after they started talking, according to Shea. At least 12 shots were fired. After getting shot several times, Cali tried to crawl under his SUV to hide, Shea said. Federal prosecutors referred to Cali in court filings in recent years as the underboss of the Mafia's Gambino family, once one of the most powerful and feared crime organizations in the country. News accounts since 2015 said he had ascended to the top spot. The last Mafia boss to be shot to death in New York City was Gambino don 'Big Paul' Castellano, assassinated on Gotti's direction while getting out of a black limousine outside a high-end midtown Manhattan steakhouse in 1985. Gotti then took control of the family. 'We thought those days were over,' Mayor Bill de Blasio said of Cali's slaying. 'Very surprising, but I guess old habits die hard.' Neighbors have described the terrifying hail of bullets they heard from inside their homes Jerry Capeci, a mob expert who writes for the ganglandnews.com website, said Thursday that Cali is part of a Siclian faction now in control of the Gambino family. Capeci said the killing 'doesn't have the feel' of a Mafia-sanctioned hit. 'Frank Cali was a pretty likable guy, and also this is not a way the mob would kill one of their own,' he said. 'There are exceptions, but that's not the case with his guy.' Cali kept a much lower profile than Gotti and was killed in far less spectacular fashion than Castellano. He was shot on a tree-lined street in one of New York City's less-glamorous outer boroughs, a short walk from ball fields, a country club and a day camp. Gotti, with his expensive double-breasted suits and overcoats and silvery swept-back hair, became known as the Dapper Don, his smiling face all over the tabloids. As prosecutors tried and failed to bring him down, he came to be called the Teflon Don. Cali's home in the Todt Hill neighborhood of Staten Island. One man, believed to be a family member, ran outside, collapsed and cried, 'Papa! Papa!' In 1992, Gotti was convicted in Castellano's murder and a multitude of other crimes. He was sentenced to life in prison and died of cancer in 2002. On Wednesday, hours before Cali was killed, the reputed boss and consigliere of the Bonanno crime family were acquitted in a Brooklyn racketeering and extortion case. In October, reputed Bonanno associate Sylvester Zottola was fatally shot while waiting for a cup of coffee at a McDonald's drive-thru in the Bronx. Last week, the longtime boss of the Colombo crime family, 85-year-old Carmine 'the Snake' Persico, died at a North Carolina hospital near the federal prison where he had been serving what was effectively a life sentence. Persico was convicted in a 1986 case overseen by then-U.S. Attorney Rudy Giuliani. Crime scene tape is draped around a tree near the garage of Cali's home in Staten Island while cops search trash and the driveway Cali's only mob-related criminal conviction came a decade ago, when he pleaded guilty in an extortion scheme involving a failed attempt to build a NASCAR track on Staten Island. He was sentenced to 16 months behind bars and was released in 2009. In that case, authorities intercepted conversations shedding light on his quiet underworld command. At a 2008 bail, a prosecutor said Cali was seen 'as a man of influence and power by organized crime members in Italy.' One of Cali's neighbors, 58-old-year Salvatore, told the New York Times he heard a burst of about seven gunshots. 'I just heard the pow-pow-pow-pow-pow,' he said, adding, 'You never know who your neighbors are'. There are reports Cali may have been lured outside his home when the killer smashed the pickup into his car in the driveway And one resident, Prashant Ranyal, 39, who lives blocks from the scene, told the New York Post: 'I've seen the [mob] movies . . . but I've never seen any activity that we feel at all that there's something strange about this area.' Giovanni said Cali maintained a 'low-key' lifestyle, was a good friend to his family and always supported his passion to become a writer. Cali is the protagonist in his novel, The Prince of Omerta Cali, who is married to John Gambino's niece, served on the family's ruling panel for several years before being promoted to acting boss in 2015, replacing Domenico Cefalu, also known as 'Greaseball'. The organization reportedly focused its efforts on heroin and Oxycontin trafficking under his leadership. Among law enforcement officials, Cali was known as a 'real quiet old-school boss' - one police source told the New York Post. He was considered to be a foil of John Gotti because 'no one ever sees him'. Cali only had one criminal conviction, having spent 16 months for a 2008 federal extortion charge in connection with a failed bit to build a NASCAR race track in Staten Island. The hit on Cali has come amid a resurgence in mob activity. In October, Sylvester Zottola, 71 - an associate of the Bonnano crime family - was gunned down at a Bronx McDonald's drive-thru. A cop is seen guarding the secure scene in Staten Island. As of Thursday afternoon, police had made no arrests in the slaying Giovanni's cousin Carlo, the head of the Cosa Nostra during the 1970s, was arrested for orchestrating a multi-million dollar bank heist before he died of a heart attack in 1976. Giovanni thinks the FBI has a long history of corruption, especially when it comes to members of his Italian community, and their strategies should be under more of a microscope. He recently called President Trump to pardon his father Francesco, claiming fired FBI Director James Comey, who was responsible for taking down his father, treated his family unfairly. Giovanni decided to shun the mafioso lifestyle and instead went into the pizzeria business. Police responding to a 911 call about an assault in progress just after 9.15pm arrived to find Cali with six gunshot wounds to the torso. He was pronounced dead at a hospital soon after. (Above, the scene of the crime) A heavy police presence is seen outside his home in shooting that shattered 30 years of Mafia peace in New York City Investigators were seen walking in and out of the home in Staten Island on Wednesday night The hit on Cali comes as New York has seen a resurgence in mob activity recently. The crime scene outside his home is pictured Neighbors suggested there was nothing on their street to suggest mob activity was going on First Mafia boss hit since the day Big Paul Castellano was whacked outside a steakhouse Cali's murder is the first hit on a Mafia boss since John Gotti arranged the assassination of then-Gambino head 'Big Paul' Castellano - outside Sparks Steakhouse - in 1985. The notorious assasination saw Castellano, 70, and his underboss Thomas Bilotti, 47, both shot in the face by a three-man hit squad just after the two victims had stepped out of their car. Castellano's reign as kingpin had begun in 1976 after the death of Carlo Gambino. The Gambinos were the most powerful of the five families of the New York City mafia and worth an estimated $500 million a year Gambino capo John Gotti (left) was part of a three-man hit squad that shot Mafia kingpin Paul Castellano (right) outside a steakhouse in 1985 Big Paul was made boss instead of the likely heir, the then-underboss Aniello Dellacroce - a decision which annoyed those loyal to Dellacroce. They were further enraged by Castellano's insistence on living as a recluse in his mansion in Todt Hill, Staten Island, which earned him the moniker, 'the Howard Huges of the Mob'. When Dellacroce died of cancer in 1985, Castellano disrepected the Family by not attending the funeral. The bodies of Castellano and Bilotti lay in a pool of blood after they were gunned down outside Sparks steakhouse in Manhattan In 1957, Albert Anastasia lies on the floor of the barbershop at New York's Park Sheraton Hotel after his murder. Anastasia's crime family was then taken over by Carlo Gambino The final nail in his coffin was when he made Capo Thomas Bilotti his underboss. John Gotti, who had been loyal to Dellacroce and didn't think Castellano was worthy of being the Don, and the irate Gambinos then decided to whack Castellano. At the time, Castellano had been on trial in Manhattan federal court on racketeering charges involving three murders and an international stolen car ring but the trial was in recess. On December 15, 1985 Gotti and the Dellacroce devised a plan to assassinate Castellano and Bilotti - by luring the boss to a meeting at Sparks Steakhouse on 210 E. 46th St., between Second and Third Avenues. The scene of the crime. Big Paul was made boss instead of the likely heir, the then-underboss Aniello Dellacroce - a decision which annoyed those loyal to Dellacroce At around 5.30pm, Gotti and Salvatore 'Sammy the Bull' Gravano were driving in Gotti's Lincoln Town Car when they spotted the boss in his Black Lincoln Town Car. Gotti drove on ahead and parked at a vantage point across the street from the restaurant. At around 6pm, Castellano and his Underboss Thomas Bilotti pulled up at Sparks Steakhouse to attend a sit down with Frank DeCicco to apologize for missing Dellacroce's funeral. Just as they exited the car, the assassin shot Castellano six times. He fell to the pavement and died. Bilotti, who was in the driver's seat was also shot dead. Gotti then drove past the scene, while Gravano looked at Bilotti's body, saying 'he's gone'. Soon after, John Gotti became Boss, Frank DeCicco became Underboss, and Gravano became Consigliere in 1986. The RAF Tornado has completed its final flight after nearly 40 years in service. The single supersonic jet flew over a disbandment ceremony for its last two squadrons at RAF Marham in Norfolk today. A pilot and navigator nicknamed 'Doorknob' and 'Bamber' steered the plane for its final flypast as members of the two squadrons watched it roar overhead. First entering service in 1980, the jets have been used in operations across the world, most recently bombarding ISIS with air-to-ground missiles pushing the terrorist group back through Syria and Iraq. Squadron leader Ian Dornan (left) and Squadron leader Stephen Beardmore walk away from their jet after the final Tornado flight over RAF Marham in Norfolk A final flypast of a single Tornado aircraft takes place over RAF Marham in Norfolk, during a disbandment parade for the final two Tornado Squadrons RAF personnel look to the skies as the final flypast of a single Tornado aircraft takes place in Norfolk after almost four decades of service for the supersonic jet Squadron leader Ian 'Doorknob' Dornan, the pilot for the Tornado's final flight, described it as an 'absolute honour and a privilege'. 'It's really when I think about all the aircrew that have gone before me and all the engineers that have made it possible to put the jet in the air,' he said. 'It's sometimes sad as well as I've a few friends who didn't make it back, but very humbling and very honoured to fly the last mission.' The RAF Tornado GR4 Powerplant: two Turbo-Union RB.199 Mk 103 turbofans each rated at 16,000lb st (71.50kN) with afterburning Length: 56ft 6in (17.23m) Height: 19ft 6in (5.95m) Wingspan, spread: 45ft 7in (13.91m) Wingspan, swept: 28ft 1in (8.56m) Wing area: 286.33sqft (26.60m2) Maximum take-off weight: around 61,600lb (27,950kg) Maximum speed: Mach 1.3 Armaments: Paveway II, III and IV series GPS/laser-guided bombs, Brimstone air-to-ground missiles, Storm Shadow cruise missiles, ASRAAM for self defence, one internal 27mm Mauser cannon, plus 1,500-litre and/or 2,250-litre drop tanks, Litening III targeting pod, RAPTOR, Sky Shadow and BOZ countermeasures pods, up to a maximum disposable load of around 19,840lb (9,000kg) Source: RAF Advertisement Squadron leader Stephen 'Bamber' Beardmore, who was in the back seat as navigator, said: 'It's been a long career for me flying Tornado and it's kind of like a pair of old slippers. 'I think I just got used to it and it's been very fulfilling. 'It's a sad day to move on but I think it's time to move on. 'The aircraft has now come to the end of its service life and there are newer things to do and newer capabilities to service with newer aircraft.' First entering service in 1979, the supersonic jets have been used in operations across the world, most recently bombarding ISIS with air-to-ground missiles pushing the terrorist group back through Syria and Iraq. The capabilities of the Tornados are now being delivered by RAF Typhoon jets. Under 'Project Centurion', worth 425million over the past three years, the Typhoon can now launch the Meteor air-to-air missile, the Stormshadow deep strike cruise missile and the precision attack missile Brimstone. When the Typhoon was first introduced it was not equipped to carry the Brimstone missile. Tornados were used more than Typhoons during Nato air strikes in Libya in 2011 because they equipped with Brimstone and the latest 500lb Paveway IV laser- and GPS-guided bombs. The Tornados flew their final operational sortie on January 31 and returned to the UK from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus last month. The head of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, Chief of the Air Staff, watched the jet taxi in for the last time and said it was a 'hugely significant moment in the RAF's history'. A disbandment parade takes place for the final two Tornado Squadrons at RAF Marham today. The jets were latterly used to bombard ISIS in Syria and Iraq The single aircraft flies over RAF Marham today. Squadron leader Ian 'Doorknob' Dornan, the pilot for the Tornado's final flight, described it as an 'absolute honour and a privilege' He added: 'It's hugely emotional. 'The Tornado has been the greatest part of my RAF career and so if my eyes are just a little bit glassy it's not just down to the wind that's blowing today here at Marham.' Station Commander Group Captain Ian 'Cab' Townsend said: 'I think the wave of emotion when those two engines shut down from the last sortie tells you everything you need to know.' The two squadrons at the disbandment parade were 9 Squadron and 31 Squadron. The world's first operational Tornado squadron, 9 Squadron, had operated the aircraft since 1982. It will be stood up again as a Typhoon squadron at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland. A crowd gathers to watch the final flypast of a single Tornado aircraft at RAF Marham today The RAF is modernising its fleet as the Tornado reaches the end of its 40-year service. The Typhoon can now carry the powerful Brimstone bombs which were formerly the preserve of the Tornado, and the stealth F35 Lightningtook to the skies for the first time last month 31 Squadron, known as the Goldstars, operated the Tornado since 1984. It is set to be stood up again to operate Protector drones. The Tornado programme was initiated in 1968, and the first prototype flew on 14 August 1974. The initial RAF requirement was for 220 aircraft, and the first of these was delivered to RAF Cottesmore in July 1980, becoming the mainstay of the RAF strike force in June 1982. RAF Tornados took part in the 1999 Kosovo war and the GR4 upgrade was completed in time for Operation Telic, the UK's deployment in Iraq from 2003 to 2011. Tornados were used in Afghanistan from 2009 until the withdrawal of UK forces in 2014. According to the Ministry of Defence, they flew over 5,000 sorties and logged more than 33,500 flight hours during this time. The last Tornado flight takes place in Norfolk today. The jets were used in Afghanistan from 2009 until the withdrawal of UK forces in 2014 This is the shocking moment a passenger clings on to the back of a moving bus in Dublin by their fingertips. The frightening footage shows the man gripping on to a 40C bus in Finglas, a northwestern suburb of the Irish capital. The man is seen with a backpack and his hood up as the bus travels at speed down the road. A passenger clings on to the back of a 40C bus in Finglas, Dublin with the driver seemingly unaware The video was filmed by a passenger in an adjacent bus who captioned it 'I have no words...' He is taking part in an Irish dare known as 'scutting' which has been a problem for decades. It involves holding on to the back of a moving vehicle by any means possible and has seen many seriously injured. Between January 1985 and July 1987, 38 children were admitted to A&E at The Children's Hospital in Temple Street as a result of scutting and nine of them died. Scutting is an Irish craze which started in the 1980s involving people holding on to the back of a moving vehicle More than 100 people have been reported scutting on Irish Rail and trams in the last four years. Dublin Bus, who are investigating the incident according to The Journal, said in a statement: 'Dublin Bus strongly discourages anyone from partaking in such reckless behaviour that could result in serious injury.' The incident has not yet been reported to the police. An acting Florida mayor has been arrested for allegedly conspiring to intimidate a police officer who was involved in arresting the city's former mayor on attempted murder charges. Terrance Rowe, the acting mayor of Port Richey, was arrested on Wednesday on charges of obstruction of justice after authorities listened to a recorded jail phone call with former mayor Dale Massad. Massad is currently in prison after being charged in February with practicing medicine without a license and shooting at deputies trying to arrest him. Terrance Rowe, the acting mayor of Port Richey, was arrested on Wednesday on charges of obstruction of justice after authorities listened to a recorded jail phone call with former mayor Dale Massad During the prison phone call on March 3, Massad was recorded discussing the police officer with Rowe, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. 'I don't know why, but he is in on everything,' Massad said of the officer, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Rowe responded: 'I'm on it.' Massad then told Rowe that anything the acting mayor could do would be 'good'. Massad (far left) called Rowe (second from right) from prison on March 3 and discussed the police officer who arrested him for attempted murder Rowe replied: 'This doesn't go down without somebody answering for it.' As a result of the phone call, authorities have now charged Massad with one count of criminal attempt, solicitation or conspiracy and one count of using a two-way communication device as part of a crime. The city council is consulting with lawyers about what to do next. They said if Rowe does not resign he is still considered the acting mayor. Theresa May finally gave up on Brexit happening on time tonight after MPs backed her plan to seek delay. With just 15 days until Britain was supposed to leave the European Union postponement appears to be almost inevitable. But the Prime Minister now faces two immediate new battles that will be played out over the next seven days - one in Westminster and then another in Brussels. How they go will determine whether Britain can still Brexit within weeks or will be forced to stay an EU member for months, years - or maybe even for good. Theresa May finally gave up on Brexit happening on time tonight after MPs backed her plan to seek delay Mrs May's first task is to have a third and possibly final attempt at getting her deal agreed by MPs. The stage is set for a new 'meaningful vote' on the plan - probably on Tuesday or Wednesday, just a week after it was crushed a second time. The Prime Minister must find 75 votes to over turn this week's 149 drubbing. Talks are ongoing with her DUP allies, who have 10 MPs, while Brexit hardliners - amounting about 68 MPs - show signs of splitting. If Mrs May can pull off an unlikely victory, she will go to Brussels to seek a delay of up to three months to get the deal into law. If she fails, the Prime Minister will still have to appear at the EU headquarters next Thursday afternoon - but has already accepted she will be asking for a much longer delay. Failure will make the mission to Brussels a much harder task. The EU has demanded a clear outline of what delay is for and assurances Mrs May can deliver on what she says. Worse still, all 27 EU states must agree unanimously on the terms of any delay - and there are clear splits inside the bloc on what could and should be agreed. Mrs May will be excluded from the decision process as Britain does not get a vote on Brexit matters. The EU is likely to offer an extension of some kind as few in Brussels want a No Deal on March 29 but the Government is likely to have to accept conditions. This is likely to include continuing to pay 10billion a year in membership fees and taking part in European Parliament elections on May 22. If she secures a delay Mrs May will then need to pilot Britain to a new form of Brexit - knowing a delay of years gives time for her enemies to circle and oust her. A two year delay would give time for a General Election and even a referendum before the Government even tried to negotiate a new form of Brexit in time for whatever the new deadline is. Could Brexit be stopped? Mrs May has warned this is a possibility. While she will not revoke Article 50 herself, she has warned political chaos could see the Government replaced by Jeremy Corbyn or another pro-Remain administration. If Article 50 is not revoked or extended on March 29, and UK law changed accordingly, Britain will leave the EU without a deal, despite the votes this week to block it. Could there be a third meaningful vote? Downing Street says yes but has not scheduled it. In practice, the new vote will be held on Tuesday or Wednesday next week Mrs May attends the EU Council on Thursday. The EU will not negotiate further on the deal so it would seem it is likely to be a rerun rather than a different deal to that which failed on Tuesday. But the events of this week could see Brexiteers swing in behind Mrs May's deal, little more than a week after overwhelmingly rejecting it. That will be what Mrs May will be hoping in any case. So it's a clear choice between June 30 or a much longer deal? Broadly. If MPs endorse the deal next week, the PM can negotiate the short term extension. If they don't it will be a longer delay - but with string attached the Commons will have to endorse. Will there be a second referendum? MPs voted against a second referendum by 334 to 85 today - the first time a direct vote has been called. But the vote was not binding and it is unlikely the question has been answered forever. If there is a long delay to Brexit, new referendum campaigners will move again. Organising a referendum will take about a year - to pass the laws, agree the question, appoint campaigns and have the actual battle. Michel Barnier is among senior EU figures who have warned that Britain will only get an extension if it has a clear idea of what it would be used for What will the EU tell Mrs May? EU leaders have already spelled out that an extension will not be granted just because British politics is bitterly divided. They want to see clear reasoning for extending Article 50. If she arrives with a deal that has been agreed between now and then it seems likely that a shorter extension could be agreed. If MPs still have not agreed a deal, they will want to see evidence that another plan is in place, like a second refrendum or a general election. But all of the EU's 27 other nations have to agree. Are there any other reasons they could refuse an extension? The EU has hinted at a two year delay, although some prominent figures have pushed for a short delay. Another key date is May 23. Mrs May's own motion points out that any extension beyond June 30 'would require the UK to hold European Parliament elections' due to take place on that day. This would raise the prospect of Brexiteer MEPs like Nigel Farage running for office again. European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said that Brexit should be completed before the European elections which take place between May 23 and 26. 'If the UK has not left the EU by then, it will be legally required to hold these elections,' he said. What happens if the EU27 do not agree to a delay to Brexit? A refusal to get an extension would most likely be because there was no deal in place and no alternative prospect. Despite last night's votes, it could see the UK leave without a deal on March 29 or try to force through a new deal in a matter of days. The FAA was prompted to ground all Boeing 737 Max aircraft after data found the flight paths of two planes which both crashed months apart were similar. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency order grounding the planes Wednesday. On Tuesday it claimed it had no basis to ground the planes. However it did a u-turn on Wednesday as new satellite data and evidence that showed the movements of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 were similar to those of Lion Air Flight 610, CBS News reported. The FAA was prompted to ground all Boeing 737 Max aircraft after data found the flight paths of two planes which both crashed months apart were similar An Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed Sunday killing 157 people, shortly after taking off from Addis Ababa. A Lion Air flight on a 737 Max 8 crashed in October in Indonesia, taking the lives of its 189 passengers and crew. More than 40 countries, including the U.S., have now grounded the planes or refused to let them into their airspace. Both planes struggled to maintain altitude in the minutes after takeoff. Evidence found at the crash site outside the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa showed additional similarities. Officials at Lion Air have said sensors on their plane produced erroneous information on its last four flights, triggering an automatic nose-down command that the pilots were unable to overcome on its final voyage. Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said its pilots had received special training on how to deal with that problem, and Boeing sent further instructions for pilots after the Lion Air crash. The FAA said new satellite data and evidence that showed the movements of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 were similar to those of Lion Air Flight 610. Pictured debris at the crash site of Ethiopia Airlines near Bishoftu A Lion Air flight on a 737 Max 8 crashed in October in Indonesia, taking the lives of its 189 passengers and its crew. Pictured are investigators inspecting the wreckage Rescue teams walk past collected bodies in bags at the crash site of Ethiopia Airlines near Bishoftu, a town some 60 kilometres on Sunday Tewolde said he is confident the investigation will reveal that the crash is not related to the safety record of Ethiopian Airlines, widely seen as the best-managed in Africa. Flight recorders from a doomed Ethiopian Airlines flight arrived in France for analysis Thursday as frustrated relatives of the people killed stormed out of a meeting with airline officials in Addis Ababa. Former FAA assistant administrator Scott Brenner told CBS News the agency still should have waited for data from the Ethiopian jet's black boxes before making its decision. 'You're grounding a class of aircraft base on nothing but political pressure. He said the FAA has 'always been a very cooperative, data-driven group, and now that seems to have kind of gone to the wayside.' Former FAA assistant administrator Scott Brenner, (pictured), agency still should have waited for data from the Ethiopian jet's black boxes before making its decision The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency order grounding the planes Wednesday and also announced it in a tweet Ethiopian investigators have now sent the black boxes to Paris to be analyzed -- nearly three days after they were recovered from the crash site. Former NTSB investigator Jeff Guzzetti claimed the investigation of the black boxes should have happened much sooner, and the fact that it didn't is 'negligent in my view.' 'Time is of the essence,' Guzzetti said. Ethiopian officials originally asked Germany to analyze the black boxes, but the Germans lack the necessary software. Men unload a case containing the black boxes from the crashed Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 outside the headquarters of France's BEA air accident investigation agency A breakdown of how many Boeing 737 Max 8 planes are in operation in different countries American Airlines has said it will start ferrying some of their Max planes back to their bases today. Firm answers about what caused the crash could take months. The French air accident investigation authority, known by its French acronym BEA, said Thursday it will handle the analysis of the flight recorders, often referred to as a plane's black boxes, retrieved from the crash site. The BEA has experience with global air crashes, and its expertise is often sought whenever an Airbus plane crashes because the manufacturer is based in France. A BEA official told The Associated Press that the recorders have already arrived in France but gave no time frame on how long the analysis could take. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board said it is sending three investigators to France to help with the downloading an analysis of the flight recorders. Facebook's stock dropped nearly 2 per cent after a 17-hour partial outage made the world's largest social network inaccessible to users across the globe. DownDetector website - one of the internet's most used sources of numbers on outages - showed the number of complaints had peaked at more than 12,000, gradually falling to about 180 as of 11am EST on Thursday. But by then Facebook's shares fell 1.72 per cent in morning trading on Thursday. And by 4pm, the shares dropped to 1.85 per cent. Meanwhile, it's also believed that a New York Times report contributed to the drop in Facebook's shares. On Wednesday, the Times reported that US federal prosecutors were conducting a criminal investigation into data deals Facebook struck with more than 150 technology companies such as Amazon.com Inc and Apple Inc. Facebook's stock dropped nearly 2 per cent (depicted above) after a 17-hour partial outage made the world's largest social network inaccessible to users across the globe But by then Facebook's shares fell 1.72 per cent in morning trading on Thursday. And by 4pm, the shares dropped to 1.85 per cent (above) The agreements let the companies see users' friends, contact information and other data, sometimes without consent. Facebook claimed in June 2018 that it provided dozens of tech companies with special access to user data after publicly saying it restricted such access in 2015. The Times reported that Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and Sony, cut data sharing deals with the worlds dominant social media platform. However, Facebook continued sharing information with 61 hardware and software makers after it said it discontinued the practice in May 2015. A New York grand jury has subpoenaed records from two smartphone makers involved in the partnerships, anonymous sources told the newspaper. A spokesman for the social network said the company was cooperating with investigators in multiple federal probes, without addressing the grand jury inquiry specifically. 'We've provided public testimony, answered questions and pledged that we will continue to do so,' the spokesman said. Facebook has phased out most of the partnerships over the past two years. Meanwhile, it's also believed that a New York Times report contributed to the drop in Facebook's shares. The Times reported that US federal prosecutors were conducting a criminal investigation into data deals Facebook struck with 150 technology companies It is not known when the grand jury inquiry, overseen by prosecutors with the US attorneys office for the Eastern District of New York, began or exactly what it is focusing on. Facebook is facing a slew of lawsuits and regulatory inquiries over its privacy practices, including ongoing investigations by the US Federal Trade Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission and two state agencies in New York. In addition to looking at the data deals, the probes focus on disclosures that the company shared the user data of 87 million people with Cambridge Analytica, a British consulting firm that worked with US President Donald Trump's campaign. Since then, Facebook CEO Marc Zuckerberg has testified in front of Congress and the European Parliament to answer questions about Facebook's handling of user data. In April Zuckerberg took questions for nearly five hours in a Senate hearing without making any further promises to support new legislation or change how the social network does business, foiling attempts by senators to pin him down. On Thursday, Facebook blamed its lengthy outages over the past day on a 'server configuration change'. Last year, Facebook CEO Marc Zuckerberg testified in front of Congress and the European Parliament to answer questions about Facebook's handling of user data 'Yesterday, a server configuration issue made it difficult for people to access our apps and services. We are 100 per cent back up and running and apologize for any inconvenience,' a Facebook spokesperson said. The company also said it was considering whether to refund advertisers for lost exposure due to the problems, which internet outage trackers showed affected users in Europe, Japan, North and South America. 'We are still investigating the overall impact of this issue, including the possibility of refunds for advertisers,' the spokesperson added. The outages affected countless users and advertisers worldwide. Some people weren't able to reach Facebook's website and apps, including Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp. Facebook takes tens of millions of dollars of advertising revenue every day. The length of the outage is another publicity problem for a company already dealing with privacy issues and regulatory probes. The outages started midday on Wednesday. There were still sporadic problems Thursday morning. Facebook did not say how many users were affected or why the outage was so long. In a tweet about 24 hours after the problems began, Facebook apologized and thanked people for their patience. It didn't elaborate on the server change. 'Yesterday, as a result of a server configuration change, many people had trouble accessing our apps and services,' the tweet read. 'We've now resolved the issues and our systems are recovering. Were very sorry for the inconvenience and appreciate everyones patience.' An MP's staff member was told she was going to be hanged by two men who turned up at his constituency office on Wednesday night, the Commons was told. Conservative Luke Graham called for more to be done to protect people who work for politicians, as the incident was condemned as 'despicable' by John Bercow. Mr Graham, who represents Ochil and South Perthshire, Scotland, raised a point of order with the Commons Speaker, saying: 'Last night two individuals approached my constituency office, banging on the windows at the one member of staff who was in there. Mr Graham, who represents Ochil and South Perthshire, said two individuals approached his constituency office and banged on the windows while only one member of staff was inside [File photo] 'She was on her own, she approached the individuals and was told 'in an independent Scotland all of you will be hanging', and 'we will be there at the front cheering on'. 'And also 'I can't wait to come and drag you from this office and get you to the noose'. 'Mr Speaker, my member of staff was on her own, if she was here now she would say she was a tough woman who was happy to take them, but she shouldn't have to.' He added: 'So could I ask your guidance how to stay as respectful as possible in this place and on social media and what can be done to help the security of our staff in our constituencies?' Mr Bercow said 'that behaviour was despicable and should be condemned unreservedly', adding he was 'sorry for what ghastly experience his staffer has undergone'. The MP raised a point of order with the Commons Speaker John Bercow, pictured above. The Speaker said the behaviour was 'despicable and should be condemned unreservedly' On the point about respect, he said: 'May I suggest these are difficult watchwords, none of us observes them unfailingly, including me, but my watchwords in terms of how we all conduct ourselves are this; political difference, personal amiability.' He gave the example of veteran Tory MP Ken Clarke, the Father of the House, who he said is able to 'express a robust view but to play the ball rather than the man or woman'. The Speaker added that people who make threats or use violence because of a disagreement of view 'need to be shown that is not acceptable, and where they break the law the full force will be applied to them'. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable will step down in May Vince Cable will step down as Liberal Democrat leader after local elections in May. In an interview with the Mail today, the former business secretary reveals that he has decided to leave to pave the way for the next generation to lead the party through Brexit. He admits he had presided over a gradual rather than a spectacular recovery of the party. But he says he will continue as an MP and devote his spare time to advancing his literary career with another political thriller. Sir Vince, 75, is making the announcement today to coincide with the Lib Dem spring conference in York, the city where he was born. Explaining his decision, he said his wife wanted to spend more time with him, while he wanted to be able to do the things I cant do now. The veteran MP had previously announced he would stand down after Brexit was resolved, but conceded: It now looks as if it will be a protracted process, and may never happen. He refused to name his preferred successor, but former coalition minister Jo Swinson, former coalition energy secretary Ed Davey and Layla Moran are believed to be keen. Under Sir Vinces proposed party reforms, non-MP candidates might soon also be in the frame, including Gina Miller, the second referendum campaigner. Weve got several very good internal candidates - you can work out who they are. The worst thing I can do is to start promoting them, he said. The veteran parliamentarian refused to name his preferred successor as leader, but MPs Jo Swinson, Ed Davey and Layla Moran are all believed to be considering it He said he would not become a backseat driver and would let the next generation set the course for the party. But he said that should Theresa Mays Brexit deal pass, the party would have to think from scratch about the second referendum issue, which he conceded was a last resort. Sir Vince said he was announcing his departure now to pave the way for a leadership contest so a 12-week leadership contest can begin in May. I wanted to set it out so that theres an orderly process of succession and the next generation can come through rather than chaotic power struggles youre seeing inside the Tory party and Labour party so I wanted us to do better than that, he said. His decision to step down will mean he is able to spend more time with his family, he said, adding: My wife Rachel has been very supportive [of my time as leader] and doesnt mind me doing it and has come round the country with me, but she would like to spend more time with me. I think she will see it as a bonus that she sees me more. He added: Ill be continuing as an MP. I want to get back to writing books again in my spare time. Sir Vince said he was planning a follow-up to his political thriller Open Arms which was published in 2017, and a non-fiction book about politicians who have changed the way we look at economics, from the US founding father Alexander Hamilton to Margaret Thatcher. The Rt. Hon Vince Cable MP and Erin Boag competing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010 He also plans to spend time building a parliamentary consensus on assisted dying and plans to table a private members bill after changing his mind on the issue, which he revealed in a piece in the Mail. He added: My other thing is to get my dancing back to a serious standard, though he said he had no plans to take on Strictly Come Dancing again. The decision to make his announcement now was partly sentimental as the Lib Dem spring conference is being held in York, he said/ Yorks where I was born and brought up. I met my [first] wife Olympia there while we were both working in a mental health hospital. I stood in York in 83 and 87. So I have all kinds of sentimental and personal attachment, so it seems an obvious place to do this. Asked if he was proud of his time in office, he said: Yes, I think weve achieved quite a lot. I inherited the legacy of two very difficult general elections. They were very bad. Weve rebuilt [the party] significantly. There arent any electoral events to test it but were doing well locally. We think we could do well in May. Theres recovery on that level. Weve got record levels of membership despite all the difficulties, and morale is high and people are positive and feel were achieving something. Asked if he had any regrets about his time, he said: I would obviously like to have presided over a spectacular recovery [of the Lib Dems], rather than a gradual recovery, but events were beyond my control. The fact that the issue of no Brexit and peoples vote is still live, that Theresa May cant get her Brexit deal through, that weve managed to scrub no deal is a tribute to the kind of campaigning that our partys done. I think it is a creditable performance, and Im very happy to let someone else take it on. He said he would step down in May, unless a general election or a second referendum was called, in which case hed continue as leader. Asked if he would miss being in charge while Brexit took its course, he said: Im not a power maniac, we operate as a team anyway. I delegate a lot of work to the team in any event. He said the partys policy of holding a second referendum was still possible, but admitted that it was a last resort that could only be triggered by the Prime Minister. Sir Vince Cable hugs his wife Rachel Wenbin Smith after he was announced as the new leader of the Liberal Democrats in 2017. He is stepping down in May in order to spend some more time with her and plans to write another novel I think its possible, and its more likely than it was before this week, but it is a last resort, he said. He also conceded that the Lib Dems had not gained electorally from their position on Brexit. We appear not to have benefited enormously [from our Brexit position] because its seen as a separate issue to party politics. I think well get some benefit from it but it doesnt necessarily feed into peoples voting preferences. On the partys overtures to the Independent Group of former Tory and Labour MPs, he said he had held meetings with many of them about working together in the future. He said the Lib Dems and so-called TIGgers were both beyond the point of being subsumed by each other and would instead form an alliance. Asked if it would be a wrench to leave as leader, he added: Not particularly. No, Im looking forward to all the things I can do which I cant do at the moment, politically and personally. He revealed that the Independent Group MP Anna Soubry will attend the Lib Dem conference today and hold a joint fringe event with his deputy Jo Swinson. Her attendance is a key signal that the grouping will work with the party in the future on Brexit policy and other issues. Almost all of the TIGs manifesto commitments had been proposed by the Lib Dems, he added. Asked whether more MPs would leave their parties, he said that Tom Watson had stemmed Labour departures for now, but said his announcement of a social democratic group within the party was like applying a tourniquet to a wound. (Back row left to right) Independent Group (TIG) members, Chris Leslie, Gavin Shuker, Chuka Umunna and Mike Gapes, (middle row, left to right) Angela Smith, Luciana Berger and Ann Coffey, (front row, left to right) Sarah Wollaston, Heidi Allen, Anna Soubry and Joan Ryan. Sir Vince claimed almost all of the group's 'manifesto' commitments were proposed by Lib Dems He said he was most proud of his record in government as business secretary and said there was a long list of things he had achieved in his time there. Obviously there were some uncomfortable experiences in the coalition government, and it didnt do us great favours with the electorate in 2015, [but] I think there were a lot of real accomplishments and some of them have survived. He also mounted a staunch defence of the decision to increase student loans, suggesting it wasnt the policy itself that was to blame, but the Lib Dems breaking their pledge, which was bound up with issues of trust in politicians. He said he did not believe he had lost his Twickenham seat in 2015 solely because of his partys time in the coalition and said the main problem was a swing to the Tories for fear of Labour and the SNP. He said the impact of the Lib Dems time in coalition was grossly overplayed at the time, adding: It did damage us politically, and that damage persisted until 2017. I think its fading away. A 19-year-old Oklahoma man described by his attorney as mentally incompetent has pleaded not guilty to killing his parents, whom he believed to be Satanists who communicated with him telepathically. Michael Elijah 'Eli' Walker was arraigned on Wednesday on first-degree murder charges in the March 4 shooting deaths of his musician father, Michael Logan Walker, 50, and his mother, Rachel Walker, 44. Defense attorney Derek Chance says he expects to file a motion detailing his client's mental illness 'in the next week or two.' Michael Elijah Walker, 19 (left), of Oklahoma, has pleaded not guilty to two murder charges in shooting deaths of his parents, Michael Logan Walker, 50, and Rachel Walker, 44 (right) 'I have had an initial assessment done on Eli, and it clearly indicates he is acutely paranoid and delusional,' Chance said, according to KOCO. 'This, we believe, explains the horrible tragedy.' Maya Walker, the father's sister, told reporters after funeral services for the couple that the family pray Eli gets the best care possible. According to an affidavit released last week, Eli's younger brother called police at 2.30am on March 4 after waking up to his mother's screams and the sound of gunshots. The teen told officers that his 19-year-old brother said everything would be OK and that he would bury their parents' bodies. Investigators said that the husband and wife were shot several times inside their home in the 2600 block of North Bryant Avenue in Edmond, and that their son Eli apparently reloaded his gun during the attack. The father was a long-time drummer in the Oklahoma rock band Aranda, as well as at Life Church and other group and institutions, including South Western Christian University. The Walkers were found riddled with bullets inside their home in Edmond, Oklahoma, early March 4 For 15 years, Michael Walker was a drummer in the Oklahoma rock band Aranda, whose other members paid tribute to him Monday night The Edmond Police Department has released the 911 call reporting the fatal shooting, on which the couple's younger son is heard breathing heavily and speaking with evident difficulty, as reported by KFOR. 'He is my brother and he shot my parents,' the 17-year-old tells an emergency dispatcher, referring to Michael Elijah. 'He shot your parents? Where are they?' the call center operator asks. 'My father is in his room on the floor, and my mom is by the front door on the floor,' the boy replies. Michael Elijah's 17-year-old brother (pictured left with his face obscured) called 911 Monday morning to report his parents' shooting. He pointed a finger of blame at his sibling (right) Michael Sr and Rachel (2nd and 3rd from left) had been married for nearly 20 years. The woman also has a daughter from a previous relationship, Ashten (2nd right) 'Okay, are they breathing?' asks the operator. 'I do not believe they are,' the caller says. When police officers arrived at the family's home, the 19-year-old suspect was still inside with a gun. The cops used a PA system to talk Michael Elijah into exiting the home, as KTUL reported. Once outside, he was arrested without incident and taken to the Oklahoma County Jail, where he was booked on two counts of first-degree murder. Both his mother and father were pronounced dead at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. Michael was shot in the head, face and torso, His wife was also shot multiple times in the upper torso. Police recovered a Glock 9mm handgun, believed to be the murder weapon, inside the house. A search of the residence also turned up four homemade explosive devices that were hidden inside a first aid kit, reported News9. When interviewed by detectives, the suspect said he shot his parents during an early-morning argument about satanism, according to the affidavit. Michael Elijah said his father tackled him on the bed, prompting him to grab his gun that was next to him and shoot him. The 19-year-old said he also opened fire on his mother as she attempted to flee. When asked if he would do it again, the victims' son allegedly said he would and that he believed he did the right thing, the affidavit stated. Rachel and Michael Walker are survived by their two sons, and the wife's eldest daughter from a previous relationship, Ashten Belle West, who revealed in a heartbreaking Facebook message that her 19-year-old step-brother is schizophrenic. Michael 'Mike' Walker is seen above performing Michael and Rachel would have celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in May 'Mental illness is real.. and its devastating,' West wrote. 'He was not and has not been in the right state of mind for a few years now. I will ALWAYS love him no matter what. He is a victim as well.' West, who is currently pregnant with her first child, lamented that her beloved mother and stepfather will never get to meet her son. 'They were so so excited to be grandparents,' the mom-to-be said. 'I was so excited to experience this with them. For my mom and dad to hold my son for the first time when he's born.. for Christmases, for birthdays, for a life with them in it. 'I miss them and I know I always will, for the rest of my life. Every single day. They were both so beautiful, and both so so loved. I just cant believe this is real.' Rachel and Michael would have celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in May. Many of the musician's friends took to social media to mourn his and his wife's untimely and violent deaths. 'Today we lost our band mate, our brother, and our best friend,' the band Aranda posted on its official Facebook page. 'For over 15 years Mike Walker toured the country with us impacting countless lives everywhere he went. 'His sense of humor was endearing. He made everything from playing drums to making people fall in love with him effortless. He was so easy going but for those that knew him well there was an intense spiritual depth behind the man.' Finger licking fans of KFC face the prospect of another nationwide shortage of their beloved fried chicken, as the fast food chain gears up to switch suppliers. A year ago, supply-chain difficulties forced the temporary closure of 570 of the company's 900 restaurants - and some hungry customers even called the police - as wasted poultry mouldered in DHL depots after a computer system malfunction. Today an insider told The Sun that 'more disruption awaits' following KFC's decision to switch back to catering supplier Best Food Logistics for their deliveries, after DHL did not re-bid for the contract. KFC took out full-page adverts in newspapers last year to apologise for the supply disruption Closed doors (left) and shuttered shopfronts (right) greeted KFC customers last February Last February's fiasco began after the fast-food giant switched its delivery contract from Best Food - then called Bidvest - to German-owned DHL. When an accident shut the M6, causing traffic gridlock and reportedly leaving DHL lorries sat in traffic for hours, it created a knock-on effect sparking a huge backlog of deliveries. The disruption rippled up the supply chain to a DHL delivery hub in Rugby, with KFC saying it had become aware of a problem in the software around a new computer ordering and delivery system. DHL blamed 'operational issues' for the supply disruption, which then with KFC outlets in the North East, London, Kent, East Anglia, the Midlands and the south of England all reporting that they had run out of some chicken products. How the great chicken crisis of 2018 unfolded Wednesday February 14 - DHL takes over delivery duties for KFC from Bidvest Logistics to supply food products and packaging to KFC restaurants. A new computer software system developed to manage orders and deliveries fails, triggering a delivery chaos. There was also an accident that shut the M6 on Valentine's Day, that caused traffic chaos. Friday February 16 - Shortage started to bite at KFC outlets. Saturday/Sunday February 17/18 - Crisis worsens over the weekend. Monday February 19 - The system collapsed completely. Almost 700 stores are closed. Tuesday February 20 - 470 KFC stores remained shut Advertisement At the peak of the poultry scarcity 575 restaurants, the vast majority owned by franchisees, had to be shuttered. Now new problems are forecast, following DHL's decision to pull out when Best Food said it could undercut the contract, delivering a case of chicken for 22 compared to 24.50. Sources told the Sun fear Best Food's plans and routes are unrealistic, and 'feathers will fly'. A source said: 'KFC fans should rightly be worried. More disruption awaits.' KFC told the paper: 'We had a tough year and have been working really hard to continue to deliver fresh chicken every day. 'We've decided to switch back to Best Food who have done a great job in supporting us while we got back on track.' DHL will consult staff. Some may transfer suppliers. The firm is keen to bring a new customer to Rugby. Police in Spain have arrested a flatmate of a British man whose penis was cut off last Friday. The bizarre incident happened in Zaragoza, the capital of northeastern Spain's Aragon region last Friday afternoon The British man is thought to be one of three people officially living in the property in where his amputated penis was found. A police spokesman confirmed a man had been arrested on suspicion of wounding. Officers in a patrol car heard him crying for help and he was rushed by ambulance to the Hospital Miguel Servet. Police managed to find his penis in a bag at home and rushed it back to the Miguel Servet Hospital in Zaragoza (pictured) The whereabouts of the other flatmate, believed to be a woman, is not known. Police were called after 33-year-old Londoner, identified only by his initials A.B, was spotted bleeding heavily in the street near his home, around 7pm last Friday. It is understood the arrested flatmate told police the Brit, who is from London, had mutilated himself, The age and nationality of the arrested man has not yet been revealed. Local newspaper El Heraldo de Aragon claimed ahead of today's arrest police had discovered the expat had registered on a social networking app a few weeks ago in search of a candidate to film him mutilating himself. The paper said: 'After we published a story on Monday about what had happened, the news appeared on Twitter, Facebook and other social media. 'A man from Zaragoza subsequently used Twitter to claim that a few weeks ago he saw another person living in the city was using a social networking app to look for someone who would film him while he cut off his penis. 'At that moment he didn't think it was true, but after he found out what had happened last Friday, he immediately linked what he had read with what what had occurred. 'One of the passers-by who saw the mutilated man bleeding last Friday in Gran Via read the Twitter messages afterwards and contacted the man who had written them and asked him if he could send him the profile picture of the man who was looking for someone to film him amputating his penis. 'When he saw the photo, the witness realised that it corresponded with the person he had seen bleeding.' The paper added: 'The police have been told all this and have begun to investigate whether anyone responded to the macabre invitation of the young man.' Police discovered that a knife stored in the flat where the injured man lived had disappeared. Police are believed to have launched a covert operation to debunk the Brit's claims he had harmed himself. Offficers say the amputation was 'too clean' for him to have done it himself. Officers have said there are 'mental health issues' surrounding the case and medical reports have pointed to the 33-year-old, described as an expat, suffering a schizophrenic psychotic disorder. Even if he consented to having his sex organ chopped off, his flatmate would still have committed a crime if it is proved he carried out the macabre act. Officials at Miguel Servet Hospital in Zaragoza where the man is still a patient have made no public comment, but the operation to reattach the man's penis has been successful although it is not yet known if it is back to full working order. One local report said tenants at the flat where the amputation is believed to have taken place were sub-letting rooms to others and up to six people may have been living in the property without the owner's knowledge. Police discovered that a knife stored in the flat where the injured man lived had disappeared Police sources said today they were 'surprised' by the reports in El Heraldo de Aragon about the Brit trying to find someone to film him cutting off his penis and they weren't giving them 'much credence.' According to Spanish press reports, the man was seen covered in blood as he stumbled around the city centre. He told police he had amputated his own penis and had just left his house. Unconfirmed reports say he then put it into a shopping bag. The National Police spokesman said: 'A flatmate of the British man has been arrested on suspicion of wounding. 'He is currently at police force HQ in Zaragoza and will be handed over to the courts for further questioning later, although that could now be tomorrow'. It was reported locally police believe he had cut off the Brit's penis with the man's consent, and officers were now trying to find out if the detainee had been paid to commit the macabre act. A police source said: 'We are not saying anything officially about why it might have happened. All options are open.' The age and nationality of the arrested man has not yet been revealed. A man is facing life in prison after being found guilty of murdering his secret lover. Jamie Lee Warn, 55, killed Zsuzsanna Besenyei in Jersey and then tried to stage her death as a suicide He hid her body in the boot of her car for three days before dumping her body on a beach. Warn denied the crimes at Jersey's Royal Court but was found guilty. Jamie Lee Warn, 55, killed Zsuzsanna Besenyei (pictured) and then tried to stage her death as a suicide Now, Warn faces a mandatory life sentence and the minimum number of years he must serve will be decided at a sentencing hearing. The court heard how Warn engaged in an 'elaborate' cover-up in the hope of 'literally, getting away with murder'. Miss Besenyei's lifeless body was found washed up at La Pulec bay in St Ouen in Jersey on 16 May last year, six days after she had gone missing. Crown Advocate Simon Thomas told the court at an earlier hearing that Miss Besenyei went to Warn's flat on May 10 as she was trying to collect money from him. Warn had a girlfriend, but was secretly involved with Mrs Besenyeitherequently exchanges texts. Miss Besenyei sent the accused a message from her phone at 7.30pm as she arrived and the prosecution believe she was killed sometime between then and 8.20pm. Miss Besenyei's body was discovered at La Pulec bay, two days after her car had been found at La Haule slip, in St Brelade. Mr Thomas told the court the defendant had disposed of her body 'in the dead of the night' on a 'remote beach'. He also face two counts of criminally perverting the course of justice, after 'knowingly and voluntarily giving false information to the States of Jersey Police investigating'. Miss Besenyei's body was discovered at La Pulec bay, two days after her car (pictured) had been found at La Haule slip, in St Brelade After an eight-day trial, the jury of six women and six men convicted Warn of murder and two counts of perverting the course of justice by lying to the police. They reached unanimous verdicts on perverting the course of justice, and a majority verdict on the murder charge. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters on Thursday that she would support a law allowing 16-year-olds to vote. The 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 lowering the temperature on Vietnam-era political protests borne of young adults' frustration at political outsider status despite a military draft that cost more than 25,000 Americans younger than age 21 their lives. Pelosi and some younger, liberal members of her caucus proposed another ratcheting-down this month as part of a broad voting-rights and anti-corruption bill, which passed but has stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate. An amendment offered by freshman Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts failed to pass the House in a 126-305 vote. Pelosi said Thursday that she supports the idea: 'I myself have always been for lowering the voting age to 16. I think it's really important to capture kids when they're in high school, when they're interested in all of this, when they're learning about government, to be able to vote.' Ready? Brace-faced teens could vote before they retire their learner's permits and drive cars by themselves, if an idea championed by some liberal Democrats were to become law House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday during her weekly press conference that she wants America's minimum voting age lowered from 18 to 16 Start 'em young: Democrats who support a lower voting age say children should have an earlier stake in the democratic process 'My view is that I would welcome that,' she added, saying 'I have been in that position for a long time.' Pelosi made it clear that she was not speaking for the Democratic caucus. Pelosi has publicly advocated for syncing up the driving and age with the voting age since at least July 2015, when she told a liberal teen organizing group that she was 'all for' it. 'When kids are in school, theyre so interested, theyre so engaged,' she said at a Generation Progress summit in Washington. Pelosi supported a 2016 ballot initiative in her native San Francisco that would have allowed children age 16 and 17 top vote in citywide elections. The measure failed, but by barely 15,000 votes. More than 50,000 voters left the question blank. Austria, India, Morocco and Switzerland all allow 16-year-olds to vote, and other nations permit it for local contests. Then-president Richard nixon signed the 16th Amendment into law in 1971, giving 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds the fright to vote in the U.S. at a time when thousands in that age group were being drafted into a war in Vietnam that would claim their lives Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Ayanna Pressley proposed a vote-at-16 amendment to a giant voting-rights and anti-corruption bill this month, but it failed to pass Pelosi has favored syncing up the voting age with the driving age since at least 2016, when she told a liberal youth organizing conference that she was 'all for' the idea Allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote is an idea championed almost exclusively by socialists, libertarians and liberal groups like Rock the Vote Most of them reason that teens who are old enough to have jobs and pay taxes should be permitted to have political voices. Pressley made the same case in a March 27 floor speech, saying that 'beginning at the age of sixteen, young people are contributing to both the labor force and their local economies by paying income taxes, and yet they are deprived of the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.' 'A sixteen-year-old in 2019 possesses a wisdom and a maturity that comes from 2019 challenges, hardships and threats,' she said. In the United States, support for lowering the voting age is almost universally a left-wing phenomenon. The Socialist Party USA, the Green Party of Texas, Rock the Vote and the National Youth Rights Association all back the idea. The NYRA also supports abolishing minimum drinking ages and curfew laws. Media Matters For America President Angelo Carusone has addressed derogatory comments he made on his college blog by saying they were meant to be satirical. The liberal activist's blog posts were unearthed this week after Media Matters published transcripts with inflammatory remarks by Fox News host Tucker Carlson The president of Media Matters For America has explained the newly-unearthed inflammatory remarks he made on a college blog by saying that they were meant as satire and were born out of the relentless bullying he endured as a child. The re-emergence of Angelo Carusone's degrading comments about 'jewry', 'trannies', 'Japs' and Bangladeshis on his old blog came after the liberal advocacy group he leads began publishing unflattering comments from Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Over Sunday and Monday, Media Matters released 40 transcripts in which Carlson made a number of racist, sexist and misogynistic while appearing as a guest on the shock jock radio program 'Bubba the Love Sponge' between 2006 and 2011. The Daily Caller, which Carlson founded, retaliated by trying to teach Carusone the age-old lesson that people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Carusone addressed his comments in a statement to DailyMail.com on Wednesday. 'It's true: I wrote some gross things on my blog while I was in college,' he said. 'A few posts parodying living my life as if I were a self-loathing, bigoted Limbaugh right-winger. 'And every time Media Matters takes some meaningful action, some awful people bring it up to try to stop us. And every time, I will acknowledge that the writing was gross and apologize because the context only explains; it doesn't excuse. 'But, Fox News (or Tucker) hasn't even acknowledged the troves of their own bigotry and misogyny, let alone apologized or corrected their behavior. 'These aren't one off comments from Fox News -- but a pattern of behavior stretching back decades and echoed in all of their work today. This pattern should serve as a major warning sign to advertisers -- that there will be more to come from them, because it's what they advocate for.' Media Matters released 40 transcripts in which Tucker Carlson (above) made a number of racist, sexist and misogynistic during guest spots on the shock jock radio program 'Bubba the Love Sponge' between 2006 and 2011. The Daily Caller, which Carlson founded, retaliated by trying to teach Carusone the age-old lesson that people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones Carusone provided some background on what led to the creation of his blog in a statement shared by CNN's Brian Stetler on Thursday. 'I grew up as the overweight gay kid in an all-boy school. Bullying/abuse was relentless and basically awful until one day I fought back and it stopped,' he said. 'That experience had a major effect on my trajectory and my life, especially the fighting back part.' Carusone explained that the posts were written on a 'short-lived' website while he was in college, saying that 'the entire context and tone of the site was intended to be a giant obnoxious right-wing caricature, a parody of a right-wing blowhard living my life'. 'It's awful and grotesque, which was sort of the point. But it didn't work. I wasn't really good at it and it wasn't really me,' he said. 'I stopped it after a short while and found better ways and more constructive ways to channel my energy. 'I'm not excusing it, but the circumstances around it and the specific context that all these posts were written in that are important to understanding why they're like that.' He also mentioned that this is not the first time the old posts have come back to haunt him. 'I've addressed it in the past, but they'll keep pushing it regardless,' he said. 'It's happened several times since 2012, starting with Rush Limbaugh, then Donald Trump, then Sean Hannity and now Tucker. They all pushed the same posts.' He continued: 'I don't speak or write like that. They don't reveal some hidden true self or meaning. As a testament to that, this is literally all they have and all that they have had for all these years. 'Out of 65,000 tweets, years of public comments and media hits, countless Facebook posts and plenty of other websites and blog sites after that now defunct one. 'The only thing that they ever highlight are those posts which were specifically written with the intent of underscoring just how gross and horrible right-wing blowhards are.' Carusone (above in an Instagram post) noted that this is not the first time posts on his now-defunct blog have come back to haunt him, but said the remarks do not reflect his opinions In a blog post from November 14, 2005 titled 'Tranny Paradise', Carusone commented on a news report of a Bangladeshi businessman who was robbed by 'a gang of transvestites'. Part of the blog reads: 'Apparently a gang of transvestites in Thailand is spitting sedatives down their victim's throat and robbing them. 'This is definiitely [sic] an odd story, but what's even odder are some phrases... 'Isn't anyone curious why this super strong sedative doesn't affect the trannies?... Are trannies just immune to sedatives?' And reacting to the news report's description of the transvestites as 'attractive', the blog reads: 'Uhhh. Did you notice the word attractive? What the f**k is that doing in there? Is the write[r] a tranny lover too?' Carusone continues: '... We don't need to know whether or not they were attractive. The f**king guy was Bangladeshi. And while we're out, what the hell was he doing with $7,300 worth of stuff. The guy's Banladeshi! [sic]' In another post, from October 2005, Carusone wrote of his boyfriend that 'despite his jewry, you KNOW he's adorable'. Carusone also blogged that his boyfriend only leaned conservative 'as a result of his possession of several bags of Jewish gold'. The Daily Caller noted that Carusone has previously dismissed concerns about his anti-Semitic comments due to the fact his long-term partner is Jewish. A portion of a November 2005 post on Carusone's blog, unearthed by the Daily Caller this week, is seen above. He said the posts 'were specifically written with the intent of underscoring just how gross and horrible right-wing blowhards are' Carusone's argument that the comments have been misunderstood and taken out of context echoes that of Carlson, who made remarks minimizing statutory rape, used sexist slurs to refer to specific women and referred to Iraq as 'a crappy place filled with a bunch of, you know, semiliterate primitive monkeys' on the radio. Addressing the Media Matters reports containing those comments on his top-rated cable program Monday night, Carlson said that it was 'pointless to try to explain how the words were spoken in jest, or taken out of context'. He went on to say: 'Since the day we went on the air, they've been working hard to kill this show,' referring to what he calls 'the liberal mob'. The host continued: 'We haven't said much about it in public. It seemed too self-referential. The point of this show has never been us. But now it's obvious to everybody. There's no pretending that it's not happening. It is happening. And so going forward, we'll be covering their efforts to make us be quiet. 'For now, just two points to leave you with: First, Fox News is behind us, as they have been since the very first day. Toughness is a rare quality in a TV network, and we are grateful for that. 'Second, we've always apologized when we're wrong, and will continue to do that. That's what decent people do. They apologize. But we will never bow to the mob. Ever. No matter what.' Carlson said that critics like Media Matters 'would like Fox News shut down tomorrow. The other news channels agree with that.' But Carusone denied that, saying: 'My intention ultimately is to enforce a change of behavior, not to eradicate Fox.' Protesters are seen outside the Fox News headquarters at the News Corporation building in Manhattan on Wednesday after Carlson's degrading comments were revealed by MMFA A protester holds a sign that reads: 'Don't be a suck for Tucker' outside Fox News' headquarters Carlson, who was hired by Fox News in 2009, has yet to actually apologize for any of the 'naughty' remarks he'd made in years past. When the transcripts first came out, Carlson brushed them off with a statement on Twitter. 'Media Matters caught me saying something naughty on a radio show more than a decade ago,' he tweeted. 'Rather than express the usual ritual contrition, how about this: I'm on television every weeknight live for an hour. If you want to know what I think, you can watch. Anyone who disagrees with my views is welcome to come on and explain why.' Carusone responded to Carlson's statement by saying: 'The reason we released this is precisely because the things you say on your Fox News show echo the misogyny displayed in those clips. We were actually helping people better understand just how vile your current Fox News show is by showing what that worldview really looks like.' Media Matters has published 40 transcripts in total from Carlson's guest spots on Bubba the Love Sponge between 2006 and 2011. For about an hour each week, Carlson would call into the show and weigh in on current events, often sharing controversial opinions in vulgar terms along with host Todd Clem (aka Bubba the Love Sponge) and various co-hosts. The first set of transcripts published Sunday included clips where Carlson defends underage marriage and statutory rape and employs deeply misogynistic rhetoric to describe women. The second set released Monday night details repeated racist remarks by Carlson, who called people from Iraq 'semiliterate primitive monkeys', said Afghanistan is 'never going to be a civilized country because the people aren't civilized' and credited 'white men' with 'creating civilization'. Read MMFA's report with full transcripts here. Insider testimony, emails and other evidence show President Donald Trump turned his charitable foundation into a wing of his White House campaign, New York's attorney general said in a new court filing Thursday. State Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, detailed her case against the foundation in a 37-page court filing in a lawsuit that seeks $2.8 million in restitution and an order banning Trump and his three eldest children from running any New York charities for 10 years. The filing was a response to an earlier court submission from the foundation's lawyers, who have argued that the lawsuit against the charity is both flimsy and politically motivated. Evidence: State Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, detailed her case against the foundation in a 37-page court filing Rally: This is the rally which Trump held when he was boycotting a Republican debate, where he raised money for veterans but then passed it through the Trump Foundation. The New York State Attorney General says emails show the then-campaign manager directed the money's distribution The Trump Foundation reached a deal in December to fold and distribute about $1.7 million in remaining funds to other nonprofits in a court-supervised process. Each charity will get the same amount, and the attorney general's office has the right to reject the ones it deems unfit. That agreement, though, didn't resolve the lawsuit, which says the foundation's involvement in a Trump maneuver during the run-up to the Iowa caucuses in 2016 broke rules barring charities from getting involved in political campaigns. At the time, Trump was feuding with Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly and refusing to participate in the network's final Republican presidential primary debate before the caucuses. Instead, he held a rally at the same time as the debate at which he called on people to donate to veterans charities. The foundation acted as a pass-through for people who heeded his call for donations. James said the evidence of banned coordination between campaign officials and the foundation includes deposition testimony from Trump Organization executive Allen Weisselberg and emails he exchanged with former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. In one email, a Trump company vice president asked Lewandowski for guidance on how to distribute the money that was raised. 'Do you have a list of which veterans charities you want these funds sent to and how much for each charity??' the vice president, Jeffrey McConney, wrote Lewandowski on Feb. 16, 2016, according to the filing. 'Lastly, how much longer do you want to keep the TrumpforVets website up and running?' Trump was also accused in the suit of directing that $100,000 in foundation money be used to settle legal claims over an 80-foot flagpole he had built at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, instead of paying the expense out of his own pocket. A message seeking comment was left with a lawyer for the foundation. In the past, foundation lawyers have said any infractions were minor and that the lawsuit ignored the charity's philanthropic work. James, a Democrat newly elected to office, also issued subpoenas Monday to Deutsche Bank and Investors Bank seeking records related to four Trump real estate projects and his failed 2014 bid to buy the NFL's Buffalo Bills. Trump decried that development as the work of 'PRESIDENTIAL HARASSERS,' and said, 'The Witch Hunt continues!' How Trump's ultra-loyal money man is being forced out of the shadows where he has operated for decades by Democrats probing president's cash Allen Weisselberg is seemingly everything his longtime boss, Donald Trump, isn't. The modest money man has always been content to work behind the scenes, with no hint of flash, braggadocio or ostentatious spending. He lived in the same three-bedroom ranch house in suburban Long Island with the same woman - his wife Hilary - for decades, shows up for work at Trump Tower every day and almost always goes to the same spot down the block for lunch. The bald, bespectacled, 71-year-old chief financial officer of the Trump Organization is known for being loyal, unobtrusive and, well, somewhat dull. But Weisselberg also has his name on all manner of checks and documents of the company going back decades, is familiar with its tax returns, its lenders and investors, and is said to track every penny going in and out. And given what he knows, the prospect of him testifying in federal probes and congressional investigations of Trump's business empire could pose a new danger to the president from one of his longest-serving confidants. 'He was like from central casting, a green-eyeshaded accountant,' said Gwenda Blair, who interviewed Weisselberg for her book, 'The Trumps: Three Generations of Builders and a President.' 'He was not even remotely colorful, eyes cast down on the spreadsheet and the calculator - click, click, click,' she said. 'He's been in the inner, inner circle, but he is so colorless that he faded into the woodwork. That was his job, not to be noticed.' Out of the shadows: The rarely-seen Allen Weisselberg was present with the Trumps in January 2017 at Trump Tower during the presidential campaign Named: Allen Weisselberg is the second signatory on this check paid to Michael Cohen while Trump was in office and also signed by his son Don Jr. which was produced by Cohen as part of his testimony to Congress as evidence 'Inner-inner circle': Allen Weisselberg, who posed in front of pictures of two Trump properties - the Trump International Hotel & Tower New York, in Manhattan, left, and the Trump Tower Las Vegas, right - has been at his boss's side for every step of his business career Family: Allen Weisselberg is married to Hilary, 68, and the couple have lived in the same Long Island ranch home for decades Weisselberg, who through the Trump Organization did not respond to requests for an interview, may not be able to keep that up much longer. At least one of the Democratic-led House committees investigating Trump's finances, hush-money payments and taxes is seeking to question Weisselberg following Trump lawyer Michael Cohen's explosive testimony last week in which he dropped Weisselberg's name nearly 20 times. Weisselberg also spoke to federal prosecutors last year as part of the investigation in which Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign-finance violations for payments to buy the silence of two women who claimed to have had affairs with Trump - porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy centerfold Karen McDougal. Weisselberg has not been charged in that case, but Cohen has said he was deeply involved and ultimately the one who decided how to secretly reimburse Cohen for a $130,000 payment to Daniels. For his grand jury testimony in the Cohen case, Weisselberg received limited immunity, which would preclude any truthful statements from being used against him in a criminal case. Federal prosecutors in New York have declined to say whether they are investigating Weisselberg himself. Weisselberg started working for the Trump family in Brooklyn in 1973 under Fred Trump, Donald's father, and was there for all the son's big successes and flops. He was overseeing the books when Donald built Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, bought up several casinos in Atlantic City, and then drove them into bankruptcy. And he was there when Trump rose again as a reality-TV businessman and began slapping his name on hotels and residential towers owned by others. It was during that era that Weisselberg made a rare, if quiet, public appearance - as a guest judge on a 2004 episode of 'The Apprentice.' He was so trusted by Trump that he was named as the only non-family member to help Trump sons Eric and Don Jr. manage the trust the president set up to hold his business assets while he is in office. Weisselberg's family is deeply entwined in the company. His son Barry has managed the Trump Wollman Rink in Central Park. Naming names: Michael Cohen mentioned Allen Weisselberg 20 times in his bombshell public testimony Another son, Jack, is an executive director at Ladder Capital, the biggest lender to the Trump Organization behind Deutsche Bank. Ladder had more than $100 million lent out to Trump's company last year, according to the president's financial disclosure report. Weisselberg and his wife Hilary, 68, are doting grandparents to their sons' four children. As is the case with his boss, Weisselberg was registered as a Democrat for years, according to the research service Nexis. He gave money to campaigns by New York Sen. Chuck Schumer and New York Gov. Mario Cuomo before switching to the Republican Party for the 2016 election. But that is pretty much where the similarities to his boss end. Weisselberg has no Twitter or Facebook account, though he does maintain a LinkedIn page with one 'connection' listed - Matthew Calamari, a former bodyguard turned Trump Organization's chief operating officer. He has bought a few properties over the years besides a home in Wantagh, New York. He has a vacation home in Boynton Beach, Florida, that he purchased 17 years ago for $282,000. He bought two condominiums at Trump-branded buildings in Manhattan but sold them. Weisselberg barely merits a mention in the many Trump biographies, nor in the many written by the man himself. He doesn't appear in 'The Art of the Deal,' for instance. Heart of operations: Allen Weisselberg stood between Donald Trump and Don Jr. at a 2017 press conference in Trump Tower, a sign of how close he is to the family In the family: Allen Weisselberg's sons Barry (left) and Jack (right) ave both had ties to the Trump business. Barry, 43, previously managed Trump's Central Park, New York, ice rink, while Jack is an executive director at Ladder Capital, the biggest lender to the Trump Organization behind Deutsche Bank Family time: Allen Weisselberg and his wife Hilary are doting grandparents to sons Jack (pictured with wife Erica) and Barry's children Trump's daughter, Ivanka, told The Wall Street Journal in a profile before the 2016 election that Weisselberg 'is deeply passionate, fiercely loyal and has stood alongside my father and our family' for decades. Weisselberg has also been tied to several Trump ventures tarnished by scandal. He reviewed the finances at the now-defunct Trump University , the real estate school hit by a fraud lawsuit that the president settled for $25 million. He was a director of the shuttered Trump Foundation , which is being sued by New York's attorney general for allegedly tapping charitable donations for political and business purposes. And in testimony before the House Oversight Committee last week, Cohen said Weisselberg knew about what Cohen said were falsified financial statements that Trump used to dupe insurers and investors. Cohen also said that it was Weisselberg who decided that the hush money that Cohen paid out of his own pocket to the porn star should be reimbursed in installments spread out over 12 months to 'hide what the payment was.' And Weisselberg is likely to know the answer to the biggest question since his boss pulled off his surprise election to the presidency: Just how much is Trump worth? Trump testified in a 2007 deposition that Weisselberg was the one who valued his properties and other assets. 'My numbers are pretty in line with what he says,' Trump testified. EU leaders have renewed their warnings that Brussels will not agree a Brexit delay unless the UK can suggest a way out of the current deadlock. The House of Commons voted last night to seek an extension to Article 50, which Theresa May says could be a short delay until June if Parliament approves her deal - or a much longer one if it is rejected again. Brussels has said it will listen to a request for more time if Britain provides a good reason, but Guy Verhofstadt said last night it was up to the UK to take a 'cross-party' approach to find a breakthrough. All 27 remaining EU states will have to agree a delay and leaders including Emmanuel Macron have said an extension would have to offer something new. Guy Verhofstadt, pictured in London last year, has signalled that Brussels will not agree a Brexit delay unless the UK can suggest a way out of the current deadlock Mr Verhofstadt, the European Parliament's Brexit co-ordinator, asked why Europe should allow an extension 'if the UK government and the majority in the House of Commons are not ready for a cross-party approach to break the current deadlock? He said: 'Under no circumstances an extension in the dark! Unless there is a clear majority in the House of Commons for something precise, there is no reason at all for the European Council to agree on a prolongation. 'Even the motion tabled for this evening by the UK Government recognises this.' European Council president Donald Tusk has indicated that the EU may be ready to offer a lengthy extension to negotiations if the UK wants to 'rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it'. Austrian foreign minister Karin Kneissl said there could be 'some problem' in agreeing an extension if it took Brexit beyond the date of European elections. The UK is not currently scheduled to vote in May's European Parliament poll but could be required to take part if it will still be an EU member much beyond then. Irish premier Leo Varadkar said: 'I think we need to be open to any request they make, listen attentively and be generous in our response. 'This matter will be now discussed further at next week's European Council meeting and hopefully we will have more clarity from London in the meantime about their intentions.' Theresa May is driven away from the Houses of Parliament on Thursday night. She is expected put her Brexit plans to a vote for a third time next week The European Parliament's Brexit co-ordinator Guy Verhofstadt called for a 'cross-party approach' to find a breakthrough in negotiations after the Commons votes last night A European Commission spokesman said: 'We take note of tonight's votes. A request for an extension of Article 50 requires the unanimous agreement of all 27 member states. 'It will be for the European Council (Article 50) to consider such a request, giving priority to the need to ensure the functioning of the EU institutions and taking into account the reasons for and duration of a possible extension. President Juncker is in constant contact with all leaders.' Shortly after the vote, the EU Commission's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier tweeted that a meeting with Romanian PM Viorica Dancila had been 'calm and respectful of UK parliamentary procedures'. 'Determined to defend EU interests and to build an ambitious EU/UK future relation as soon as possible,' he added. Irish deputy premier Simon Coveney has said the EU may offer the UK a 21-month extension to Brexit. Mr Coveney said a long extension would give the UK a 'long reflection period' about the kind of Brexit they want and could facilitate a fundamental rethink. Mr Barnier earlier said: 'What we need to move ahead is not a negative vote against no-deal. We need a constructive and positive vote.' Mrs May sits on the front bench alongside Philip Hammond during a third consecutive night of high-stakes Brexit votes He added: 'I will continue to exercise patience and calm and to remain respectful of the UK and its people and of its legislative and parliamentary procedures. We will be expecting and awaiting the votes in that spirit.' Holding up a copy of his Withdrawal Agreement, Mr Barnier said: 'If the UK still wants to leave the EU and wishes to leave it in an orderly fashion - which is what the Prime Minister said - then this treaty ... is the only one available.' Mrs May's official spokesman said: 'The Prime Minister absolutely wanted and strived for the UK to be leaving the EU on March 29. Everything she had done since she entered office was intended to deliver that. 'She didn't want there to be an extension and brought forward the Withdrawal Agreement twice. Parliament chose to reject that deal and we now have to confront the difficult position that decisions taken by Parliament have left us in. 'What we now intend to do if at all possible is to secure a deal which allows us to ask only for a short technical extension which would allow us to have left the EU by June 30.' One of India's wealthiest billionaires has given 5.7 billion to charity, in the country's largest single charitable donation. It brings the total donated by Wipro chairman Azim Premj, 73, to nearly 16 billion in cash and shares. Mr Premj is India's second-richest person with an estimated current net worth of 14 million. The tycoon, who built his father's vegetable oil business into global software conglomerate Wipro, has made several donations to his own charitable trust over the years. India's second-wealthiest person, Indian software exporter Wipro, Azim Premji, has made the country's largest ever donation to charity Azim Premji, chairman of Wipro ltd, India's largest listed IT company, in 2005 The Azim Premji Foundation now owns 67 per cent of Wipro's shares, the foundation said in a statement reported on CNN. Mr Premji was the first Indian to sign the Giving Pledge, a campaign started by Warren Buffett with Bill and Melinda Gates to encourage billionaires around the world to commit most of their wealth to charity. His foundation works directly in education and supports over 150 other non-profits serving under-privileged and marginalized Indians through financial grants, Bloomberg reported. The foundation set up the Azim Premji University to develop professionals in education and related human development domains, offer degree and education programs, and conduct research. The foundation will scale up significantly in the coming years, it said in the statement. The team working in education will grow from the current 1,600 people and grant-making activities will triple. The Bengaluru-based university will expand to 5,000 students with over 400 faculty members. The foundation intends to set up another university in northern India. Anurag Behar, chief sustainability officer at Wipro and chief executive officer of the Azim Premji Foundation, said: 'The visibly wealthy and the newly wealthy in India are clearly not as generous as the wealthy in, say, America. 'But India also has a substantial culture of philanthropy that is not conspicuous.' David Steel (pictured above) said sexual predator Cyrill Smith had confessed to him but admitted that he had taken no action Lord Steel has been suspended by the Liberal Democrats after admitting he knew about the crimes of serial paedophile MP Cyril Smith. The former Liberal leader said the sexual predator confessed to him but admitted he took no action. In astonishing evidence to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), Lord Steel said he would act in the same way again, even though Smith went on to abuse other victims. The 80-year-old peer's remarks triggered a furious backlash and demands for the Lib Dems to suspend him. The party announced yesterday it had launched a probe into Lord Steel over his comments, and deputy leader Jo Swinson tweeted: 'Clearly this is incredibly serious and he should be suspended while this takes place.' Last night the Scottish Liberal Democrats said: 'Following the evidence concerning Cyril Smith given by Lord Steel to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse on 13th March 2019, the office bearers of the Scottish Liberal Democrats have met and agreed that an investigation is needed. 'The party membership of Lord Steel has been suspended pending the outcome of that investigation. That work will now commence. 'It is important that everyone in the party, and in wider society, understands the importance of vigilance and safeguarding to protect people from abuse, and that everyone has confidence in the seriousness with which we take it. 'We appreciate the difficult work that the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse is doing on behalf of the victims and survivors of abuse, and the country as a whole.' While he was Liberal leader, Lord Steel confronted Smith in 1979 after a Private Eye article revealed the MP's abuse of children at a care home, the inquiry heard on Wednesday. The article accused 29-stone Smith, then the MP for Rochdale, of abusing teenage boys at the town's Cambridge House Hostel, of which he was a trustee. David Steel (left) and Cyril Smith pictured together. Lord Steel suggested that he would react in the same way again if a similar situation arose Lord Steel admitted to the inquiry that he had a 'fairly brief conversation' about the matter with Smith in the Commons but did not go into details. He said: 'He just accepted that the story was correct and obviously I disapproved, but it was, as far as I was concerned, past history. '[He told me] that he had been in charge of, or had some supervisory role, in a children's hostel, that he'd been investigated by the police and that they had taken no further action. That was the end of the story.' When Brian Altman QC, counsel to the inquiry, asked why he had done nothing to intervene given that he was 'uniquely in possession of his confession', Lord Steel replied: 'It just didn't cross our minds.' Brian Altman QC (pictured above) asked Lord Steel why he had done nothing to intervene He added: 'I have to admit, that never occurred to me, and I'm not sure it would occur to me even today.' In a bid to distance himself from the accusations, the Lib Dem peer told the inquiry that the offences occurred when Smith was in the Labour Party. Lord Smith also told the inquiry that he did not raise the allegations to the honours scrutiny committee when he successfully nominated Smith for a knighthood in 1988. Former Labour MP Simon Danczuk (pictured above) had published details about paedophile activities in a book Lawyers representing Smith's victims questioned whether the peer's actions paved the way for more abuse. They also expressed disbelief that the paedophile MP was allowed to escape justice. Lord Steel's remarks are all the more extraordinary after he last year appeared to dismiss revelations about Smith's abuse as 'scurrilous hearsay and tittle-tattle'. He told the inquiry he had 'grave doubts' about details of the paedophile MP's activities published in a book by former Labour MP Simon Danczuk that was serialised in the Mail. In what appeared to be a defence of Smith, Lord Steel said it was 'rather scandalous' that accusations could be made against the dead. The peer yesterday released a statement to 'clarify' his evidence to the inquiry about what happened when he confronted Smith about the Private Eye article. Lord Steel said: 'I had already told the inquiry in writing that in my opinion he had been abusing his position in Rochdale Council (that is to gain access to council-run children's homes), but that had been properly a matter for the police and the council, and not for me, as he was neither an MP nor even a member of the Liberal Party at the time. I was in no position to reopen the investigation.' He added: 'The inquiry has a serious and sensitive job to undertake and spinning evidence to generate sensationalist headlines only serves to distract from the panel's search of the truth.' In April 2014, Lord Steel refused to answer questions about his failure to act on the allegations against Smith when the Mail tracked him down to the Azores, where he was enjoying a stop on a luxury cruise. Richard Scorer, a lawyer representing seven of Smith's victims in the inquiry, condemned Lord Steel's 'appalling dereliction of duty'. 'The admission that Cyril Smith confessed to him in 1979 that he had abused boys but that he took no action against Smith despite this will cause victims great anger,' he said. 'We know that Cyril Smith used his power and status to abuse boys at Knowl View in the 1980s, so action by Steel in 1979 could have protected some of Smith's later victims.' British aristocrat Jack Marrian was overwhelmed last night after finally being acquitted of drug-smuggling charges which could have seen him jailed for life. Mr Marrian, 33, had been accused of bringing cocaine worth 4.5million into the docks of Mombasa, Kenya, hidden in a consignment of brown sugar he ordered from Brazil in 2016. But after a three-year ordeal, it took just 15 minutes for Kenyan High Court judge Luka Kimaru to announce that Mr Marrian had no case to answer. The grandson of the late Earl of Cawdor described his relief after so many false hopes and so much desperation. Aristocrat Jack Marrian, 33, celebrates being acquitted of bringing 4.5million of cocaine into Kenya Its incredible news, Im totally overwhelmed, said Mr Marrian, whose family seat is Cawdor Castle in the Scottish Highlands. The relief is flooding in... I need to take it all in, and celebrate. He added that he was hugely relieved that after so long the prosecution has had the courage to do the right thing. Mr Marrian worked for three years in London for sugar traders ED&F Man. For the past seven years he has run the firms subsidiary Mshala Commodities, living in Kenya near to his parents and four siblings. As CEO of Mshale Commodities, his name had been on a cargo receipt for 22 shipping containers which left Brazil in June 2016. Four of the containers were separated during a stopover in Valencia and loaded on to a ship sailing to Mombasa. Agents from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) who had been monitoring activity by a Brazilian drugs gang tipped off port police that plastic bags of cocaine were hidden among the sugar. The value of the drugs was initially reported as being 2million, but was later raised to 4.5million. Mr Marrian was arrested and spent two weeks on remand, sharing a cell with alleged murderers and rapists, while a 500,000 bail bond was raised. The grandson of the late Earl of Cawdor embraced his partner Emanuela after hearing the news He faced a possible prison sentence of 30 years if convicted. But the DEA sent a letter to Nairobi police absolving Mr Marrian. The document read: It is clear from the intelligence that the load was placed inside the container unbeknownst of the owner of the sugar. 'This is a common occurrence used by drug traffickers. The DEA would like to stress that... the company owning the consignment had no knowledge that the cocaine was secreted inside their shipment of sugar. Three weeks ago the Kenyan Director of Public Prosecutions authorised Nairobi magistrate Derrick Kuto to accept there was no case for Mr Marrian to answer. But magistrates initially refused to drop the case. His mother Lady Emma Campbell, his father artist David Marrian, and his brothers and girlfriend Emanuela comforted him outside the courtroom, devastated at the setback. However, yesterday Mr Marrians lawyer Andrew Wandabwa said: The High Court in Nairobi said the magistrate was in error when he disputed the DPPs power to drop this case, and he applauded the DPP for finding Jack Marrian innocent. Im glad for him that this nightmare is over. Last night Mr Marrian was with friends on a ski trip in the French Alps. Newly official presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke says the November election may be the 'best way' to determine President Trump's fate a stance that softens his earlier call for impeachment to proceed. The former House Democratic lawmaker told CBS interviewer Gail King on 'CBS This Morning' that the president may have obstructed justice and there may have been collusion with Russia. But he nevertheless said the 'ballot box' may be the best place to settle the matter, days after Speaker Nancy Pelosi said impeachment was 'just not worth it,' speaking in an interview to air Friday. He told the network: 'How Congress chooses to address those set of facts and the findings which I believe are soon to see from the Mueller report is up to them. I think the American people are going to have a chance to decide this at the ballot box in November 2020 and perhaps that's the best way for us to resolve these outstanding questions.' O'Rourke said said the ballot box may be the 'best way' to resolve questions about Trump's campaign conduct and tenure as president King began by asking O'Rourke if he still feels Trump should be impeached. 'It's beyond a shadow of a doubt to me that, if there was not collusion, there was at least the effort to collude with a foreign power, beyond the shadow of a doubt that if there was not obstruction of justice, there certainly was the effort to obstruct justice.' 'Whether that's firing [former FBI Director] James Comey, the principal investigator into what happened in the 2016 election, or in the light of day, tweeting to your Attorney General as President Trump did to end the Russia investigation,' he continued. O'Rourke announced his presidential run in a video along with his wife Amy O'Rourke struck a dour tone in his first presidential campaign appearance, saying the world faces catastrophe and massive climate 'refugee' flows unless America fixes the planet (and did it with 'hand movement') Donald Trump Mocked Beto O'Rourke's presidential campaign rollout on Thursday, saying he watched on TV and the Texan had 'a lot of hand movement' and then moved his hands around O'Rourke earlier had called for impeachment to go forward akin to starting a trial process although stopped short of saying Trump should be removed from office. 'There may be an open question as to whether the President, then the candidate, sought to collude with the Russian government in 2016," O'Rourke told CNN last October during his failed Senate run. "There is enough there to proceed to a trial," he said. He said he "would not prejudge the outcome of that trial,' adding: ;All I am saying is, there's enough there.' Pelosi and other Democratic leaders have warned that impeachment is a wrenching political process that won't succeed without Republican buy-in. A detective who features in the new Madeleine McCann documentary is on trial in Portugal accused of leading a mafia gang, it has emerged. Paulo Pereira Cristovao, 51, became the head of Portugal's missing children agency in 2007, the year the three-year-old vanished. Mr Cristovao, one of 17 defendants, is accused of involvement in two burglaries, in Lisbon and the nearby town of Cascais, but reportedly claims he was only a 'carrier pigeon'. Portuguese prosecutors claim he led the crime gang which allegedly carried out violent attacks on homes around Lisbon, TVI24 reported. Paulo Pereira Cristovao, 51, is accused of involvement in two burglaries, in Lisbon and the nearby town of Cascais, but reportedly claims he was only a 'carrier pigeon' He is said to have apologised to victims and told a court that he feels 'ashamed' for his actions, but denied he was the gang's ringleader. Mr Cristovao is seen in the Madeleine McCann documentary which is due to be released on Friday. Madeleine McCann (pictured) vanished from the resort of Praia da Luz in Portugal in May 2007, while on holiday with her family The ex-Judicial Police officer has previously suggested that Madeleine was snatched and taken to a secret network of caves under the resort she was last seen alive. Madeleine vanished from the resort of Praia da Luz in Portugal in May 2007, while on holiday with her family. Netflix said the series had access to 'never-before-heard testimonies from those at the heart of the story, including friends of the McCann family, investigators working the case and from those who became the subject of media speculation and rumour'. It said: 'The Disappearance Of Madeleine McCann goes beyond the headlines and takes a unique look at the facts of the case as well as its impact on media standards around the world.' Kate and Gerry McCann previously said in a statement: 'The production company told us that they were making the documentary and asked us to participate. 'We did not see - and still do not see - how this programme will help the search for Madeleine and, particularly given there is an active police investigation, it could potentially hinder it. Gerry and Kate McCann, pictured, have criticised the new Netflix programme, saying it 'could potentially hinder' the search for their daughter 'Consequently, our views and preferences are not reflected in the programme.' Scotland Yard launched an investigation, Operation Grange, after a Portuguese inquiry failed to make any headway on Madeleine's disappearance. In November last year, a further 150,000 was granted to the investigation to allow it to continue until March 31. Force bosses have been applying for funding from the Home Office every six months to continue the inquiry, which has cost about 11.75 million so far. A real life Iron Man suit similar to the one worn by Tony Stark has been awarded a patent in what its British creators are saying is the world's first for a 'jet suit'. The Jet Suit is a wearable flight system with turbine engines mounted to the wearer's arms and back. It uses five gas turbines that produce over 1,000 brake horsepower to gain flight and can reach speeds of over 55mph (89kph). The body suit earned a Guinness World Record in 2017 for the fastest speed in a body-controlled jet engine power suit. The Jet Suit uses five gas turbines which collectively produce over 1,000 brake horsepower to gain flight, and can reach speeds of over 55mph. Company founder Richard Browning has previously demonstrated the suit in more than 20 countries around the world. HOW DOES THE 'JET SUIT' WORK? Number of turbines: 5 Fuel: Jet A1 Kerosene, Premium Diesel Engine: 1050bhp / 144kg RPM = 120,000 Fight Time: Up to 8 minutes Speed: Typically in excess of 60km/h Pilot weight: Under 13 stone (85kg) wearing current Jet Suit Advertisement The patent was filed by British tech startup Gravity Industries whose founder, Richard Browning, has previously demonstrated the suit in more than 20 countries around the world. Mr Browning says the firm now hope to launch a series of suits for teams to use fly around competitive race courses. 'Since launching Gravity in 2017, we have not stopped challenging the status quo,' he said. 'Restlessly pioneering developments in STEM, today's patent issuance is a giant milestone for Gravity which will enable us to continue to innovate and hopefully inspire others. 'Our current priority is the launch of a Gravity Race Series in late 2019, which will see a new cohort of diverse pilots putting their flight skills to the test, competing in teams on courses around the world.' A British company has been awarded what it claims is the world's first patent for a 'jet suit'. Gravity Industries' multi-gas turbine engine Jet Suit has been described as a 'wearable flight system' that with turbine engines mounted to the wearer's arms and back The patent, issued by the UK's Intellectual Property Office, covers: 'A wearable flight system with a number of propulsion assemblies including a left-hand propulsion assembly and a right-hand propulsion assembly worn on a user's hands and/or forearm' The real life Iron Man suit is similar to the one worn by Tony Stark in the Marvel cinematic universe. In documents that formed part of the patent claim, the company cited the Iron Man suit's abilities The patent, issued by the UK's Intellectual Property Office, covers 'A wearable flight system with a number of propulsion assemblies including a left-hand propulsion assembly and a right-hand propulsion assembly worn on a user's hands and/or forearm'. 'Preferably a body propulsion assembly is provided with support for a user's waist or torso. Leg propulsion systems may also be provided.' In documents that formed part of the patent claim, the company cited Marvel Studios' Iron Man character and his use of a wearable flight system which utilises propulsion units worn on the hands. The firm said it was already in 'advanced discussions' with possible host cities, broadcasters and sponsors over launching its race series in the second half of 2019. The company has also launched a STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) project in UK schools. It's mission, said the Gravity Industries website, is to 'inspire innovation and creativity in the STEM domain and encourage engagement and participation in STEM subjects prior to GCSE subject selection and beyond'. Company founder Richard Browning has previously demonstrated the suit in more than 20 countries around the world. The firm said it was already in 'advanced discussions' with possible host cities and sponsors over launching its race series in the second half of 2019 Three crew members have arrived safely at the International Space Station, following a successful launch and docking of their Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft. Nick Hague and Christina Koch of NASA and Alexey Ovchinin of the Russian space agency Roscosmos launched at 3:14 pm EDT (12:14 am local time) yesterday from Kazakhstan. The trio docked with the space stations Rassvet module at 9:01 pm EDT (1:01 am GMT) after a four-orbit, six-hour journey. The launch has been closely watched after the two men's space journey was cut short in October when a technical problem with their Soyuz rocket triggered a launch abort two minutes into the flight. Both men escaped unharmed. It was the first such accident in Russia's post-Soviet history and a major setback for its once proud space industry. Scroll down for video Astronauts from America and Russia were successfully blasted into space yesterday aboard a Soyuz rocket after a failed launch last October. It took off at the Russian leased Baikonur cosmodrome, Kazakhstan PLANS FOR EXPEDITION 59 Hague, Koch, McClain and Saint Jacques soon will begin final preparations to venture outside the stations Quest airlock for three planned spacewalks. On March 22 and 29, pairs of spacewalkers will replace nickel-hydrogen batteries with newer, more powerful lithium-ion batteries for power channels on one pair of the stations solar arrays. On April 8, spacewalkers will lay out jumper cables between the Unity module and the midpoint of the stations backbone to establish a redundant power path to the Canadian-built robotic arm, known as Canadarm2, and enhance computer network capabilities. The March 29 spacewalk with McClain and Koch is scheduled to be the first-ever spacewalk with all-female spacewalkers. As with all spacewalks, crew member assignments are subject to change due to real-time operations. Advertisement Their mission, Expedition 59, officially began at the time of docking and restores the station's crew complement to six. They join Anne McClain of NASA, David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency and Expedition 59 Commander Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos. 'Everything is nominal on board and the crew is feeling very well,' an announcer said on a NASA livestream of the launch. The crew members will spend more than six months conducting about 250 science investigations in fields such as biology, Earth science, human research, physical sciences, and technology development. Seventy-five of the investigations are new and have never been performed in space. Some of the investigations are sponsored by the US National Laboratory on the space station, which Congress designated in 2005 to maximise its use for improving quality of life on Earth. Highlights of upcoming investigations include devices that mimic the structure and function of human organs, free-flying robots, and an instrument to measure Earths distribution of carbon dioxide. Three resupply spacecraft - a Russian Progress, Northrop Grumman Cygnus and SpaceX Dragon - are scheduled to arrive with science to support those investigations and additional supplies for the crew. US astronauts Nick Hague and Christina Koch, as well as their Russian colleague Alexey Ovchinin launched at 3:14pm (ET) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, with NASA officials reporting the rocket experienced 'a textbook ascent' Hague, Koch, McClain and Saint Jacques soon will begin final preparations to venture outside the stations Quest airlock for three planned spacewalks. On March 22 and 29, pairs of spacewalkers will replace nickel-hydrogen batteries with newer, more powerful lithium-ion batteries for power channels on one pair of the stations solar arrays. On April 8, spacewalkers will lay out jumper cables between the Unity module and the midpoint of the stations backbone to establish a redundant power path to the Canadian-built robotic arm, known as Canadarm2, and enhance computer network capabilities. The March 29 spacewalk with McClain and Koch is scheduled to be the first-ever spacewalk with all-female spacewalkers. As with all spacewalks, crew member assignments are subject to change due to real-time operations. The crew also is scheduled to be onboard during test flights of NASAs Commercial Crew Program, which will return human spaceflight launches for space station missions to U.S. soil. US astronauts Christina Hammock Koch (left) and Nick Hague (right) together with Russian colleague Alexey Ovchinin successfully blasted off Thursday on a mission to the ISS. The two men were on a Soyuz that was forced to abort in October two minutes after lift-off McClain, Saint-Jacques and Kononenko are scheduled to remain aboard the station until June, while Hague, Koch and Ovchinin are set to return to Earth early this fall. Hague and Ovchinin now have completed a journey to the station that initially was planned for Oct. 11, when a booster separation problem with their Soyuz rockets first stage triggered an abort two minutes after launch, resulting in a safe return to Earth. They were reassigned to fly again after McClain, Kononenko and Saint-Jacques launched for Expedition 58 in early December. This is Ovchinins third flight into space, the second for Hague and the first for Koch. NASA selected all three astronauts in the Expedition 59 crew in the 2013 astronaut class. For more than 18 years, humans have lived and worked continuously aboard the station, advancing scientific knowledge and demonstrating new technologies, making research breakthroughs not possible on Earth that will enable long-duration human and robotic exploration into deep space, including the Moon and Mars. A global endeavour, 236 people from 18 countries have visited the unique microgravity laboratory that has hosted more than 2,500 investigations from researchers in 106 countries. Investigations conducted on the International Space Station impact the daily lives of people on Earth and prepare the way for humans to venture farther into space. A Soyuz-FG rocket booster carrying the Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft with Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexei Ovchinin, NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Christina H. Koch of the ISS Expedition 59/60 prime crew aboard lifts off to the International Space Station (ISS) Speaking to reporters ahead of their six-month mission, flight commander Ovchinin said that some faulty components in the launch vehicle had been found and replaced this week. 'Yesterday they found some minor malfunctions,' the 47-year-old said on Wednesday. As the time, they insisted that the launch vehicle was in good shape. 'There are no problems,' Ovchinin said. Hague, 43, said he was looking forward to the flight - his second attempt to get into space. 'I'm 100 percent confident in the rocket and the spaceship,' he said. The October abort was caused by a sensor damaged during the rocket's assembly. Space expert Vadim Lukashevich said last-minute replacements were nothing out of the ordinary. 'The Soyuz is an old but reliable machine,' he told AFP. Russia's space industry has in recent years suffered a lot of mishaps including the loss of cargo spacecraft and numerous satellites. Ovchinin, who spent six months at the ISS during a previous mission in 2016, has been keen to play down the drama of the October emergency landing. The abort was 'a little disappointing' after preparations that lasted a year-and-a-half but also 'an interesting and needed experience' that tested the depth of the space programme's preparedness, he said. Koch, Hague and Ovchinin's six-hour flight Thursday be closely watched for another reason too. SpaceX's successful test launch to the ISS of its Dragon vehicle has challenged an eight-year monopoly on travel to the space station enjoyed by Russia ever since NASA stopped launches of the Space Shuttle. The Soyuz rocket is seen at dawn on launch site 1 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome Speaking to reporters, the trio and their three-man backup crew stressed cooperation rather than competition following the Dragon mission, seen by some as the dawn of an era of commercial space travel driven by businessmen such as Elon Musk who owns SpaceX. Koch, a 40-year-old space rookie, called the SpaceX success a 'great example of what we've been doing for a very long time.' 'And that is cooperating among partners and making things that are very difficult look easy,' she said. There has already been one successful manned launch to the ISS since the failed Soyuz mission. The trio's arrival will return the orbiting laboratory's crew to six in all. Oleg Kononenko of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, Anne McClain of NASA and David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency blasted off to the orbiting outpost in December and are expected to greet their new crewmates early on Friday. Duruing their mission McClain, Saint-Jacques, Hague and Koch are set to perform the first spacewalks of their careers. This week in a lighter moment Hague offered an insight into the specifics of personal grooming aboard the ISS. 'In space, we'll use clippers attached to a vacuum device so that the hair particles don't float around or get stuck in our vent systems,' he wrote on Twitter. The International Space Station -- a rare area of cooperation between Moscow and Washington -- has been orbiting the Earth at roughly 28,000 kilometres per hour since 1998. A Google employee has broken the world record for calculating Pi to the highest number of digits - at 31 trillion. The announcement was made on Pi day which falls on March 14th, or 3.14, the US format of the date and the first three digits of the mathematical constant. Emma Haruka Iwao, a developer for the search firm, used an application called y-cruncher on 25 different virtual cloud computers to generate the number. The Japanese research said the calculation took about 121 days to complete with zero breaks, otherwise the process would have been disrupted. Scroll down for video Company employee Emma Haruka Iwao, here, used an application called y-cruncher on 25 Google Cloud virtual machines. The calculation took about 121 days to complete with zero breaks, otherwise it would have been disrupted In mathematics pi, represented as the symbol '', is the ratio of a circle's radius to its circumference and has far more digits than 3,14, which continue infinitely. The contstant is used in engineering, physics, supercomputing and space exploration - because its value can be used in calculations for waves and circles. Supercomputers are often tasked with calculating the number to more digits, with the previous record set in November 2016 by Peter Trueb, at 22 trillion digits. Ms Iwao used Google Cloud's Compute Engine to calculate pi to 31,415,926,535,897 decimal places. According to the firm's estimates, it would take 332,064 years to say the 31.4 trillion digit number. Coming up with the figure used about 170 terabytes of data, roughly the same amount of browsable data on the whole of the internet in 2014. Ms Iwao said she had been fascinated by the number since she had been a child. 'Pi seems simple it starts with 3.14. When I was a kid, I downloaded a program to calculate pi on my computer,' Emma said. In mathematics pi is the ratio of a circle's radius to its circumference, has far more digits that continue infinitely without repetition. Supercomputers are often tasked with calculating the number to more digits - the previous record is 22 trillion digits A member of Google's staff has broken the world record for calculating Pi to the highest number of digits - at 31 trillion. They made their announcement today, on Pi day which falls on March 14th, or 3.14 in its most basic form 'When I was a kid, I didn't have access to supercomputers But even if you don't work for Google, you can apply for various scholarships and programs to access computing resources. 'I was very fortunate that there were Japanese world record holders that I could relate to myself. 'I'm really happy to be one of the few women in computer science holding the record, and I hope I can show more people who want to work in the industry what's possible.' New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has revealed a plan to protect Lower Manhattan from rising sea levels by surrounding it with earthen berms and extending its shoreline by as much as 500 feet (152 meters). The plan piggybacks on a climate resilience study released by the city today, which found that roughly 37 percent of Lower Manhattan properties will be at risk from storm surges in the next 30 years. And by 2100, it says this will rise to almost 50 percent. De Blasios new plan aims to combat an estimated six feet of sea level rise that's expected to encroach upon the city by the end of the century. In addition to fortifying most of Lower Manhattan with grassy berms and removable barriers, which would cost roughly $500 million, the city has proposed adding more land to the lowest-lying areas, from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Battery. Doing this would take several years, and could cost as much as $10 billion. Scroll down for video New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has revealed a plan to protect lower Manhattan from rising sea levels by surrounding it with earthen berms and extending its shoreline by as much as 500 feet (152 meters). The plan is mapped out, along with the flood risk, above The Democratic mayor announced the plan Thursday after previewing it in New York Magazine. Officials have been developing schemes to fortify New York City's waterfront ever since Superstorm Sandy destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in 2012. In addition to storm surges, groundwater table rise is also projected to put 7 percent of buildings at risk of destabilization, and put streets and underground utilities at risk of corrosion and water infiltration. Hurricane Sandy showed us how vulnerable areas like Lower Manhattan are to climate change, said Mayor de Blasio. Thats why we not only have to reduce emissions to prevent the most cataclysmic potential effects of global warming, we have to prepare for the ones that are already inevitable. Our actions will protect Lower Manhattan into the next century. We need the federal government to stand behind cities like New York to meet this crisis head on. Officials have been developing schemes to fortify New York City's waterfront ever since Superstorm Sandy destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in 2012. Parts of the city, including Brooklyn Battery Tunnel (left) and Port Authority (right) were hit by extreme flooding The plan piggybacks on a climate resilience study released by the city this today, which found that roughly 37 percent of Lower Manhattan properties will be at risk from storm surges in the next 30 years. And by 2100, it says this will rise to almost 50 percent. This is mapped above The city proposes to launch a series of projects to protect all of Lower Manhattan, including the Seaport and Financial District, by extending the shoreline up to 500 feet or two full city blocks. Doing this would add new land to the low-lying region to create high points that sit at least 20 feet above current sea-level, thus serving as a flood barrier. The exact extent of the new shoreline, along with the design and construction of this innovative flood protection system, will be determined through an extensive public engagement process, the Mayors Office noted in its announcement on Thursday. The Mayors Office of Recovery and Resiliency (ORR) and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) will spend the next two years completing the plan and the design for the shoreline extension. Scientists have discovered a new spider genus that were so alike in both size and markings, that they were named after the Stormtroopers in Star Wars. The new genus, called Stormtropis, belong to a family of bald-legged spiders, which are native to South America and Central America. But, the six new spiders are among the very first bald-legged spiders recorded in Colombia. The family are described as small to medium-sized species that look very similar to each other and their remarkable ability for camouflage. Scroll down for video A newly discovered type of spider has been named after the Stormtroopers in Star Wars - because the different species all look like each other. The new species are among the very first bald-legged spiders recorded in Colombia The previously unknown species have been described by Dr. Carlos Perafan and Dr. Fernando Perez-Miles of the Universidad de la Republica. Four of the new spiders were unable to fit into any already existing genus, so the scientists had to create the new name, which in reference to the Galactic Empire's soldiers in the popular Sci-fi franchise. Like the Stormtroopers, the spiders "are very similar to each other, with some capacity for camouflage". According to the study, the newfound spiders are also alike in being somewhat clumsy. One of the most striking qualities of the spiders is their ability to adhere soil particles to their cuticle, which allows them to be camouflaged by the environment. The spiders were seen to stick soil particles to their scaly backs as a means of camouflage against predators. Study co-author Dr Carlos Perafan, of Universidad de la Republica in Uruguay, said: 'These soldiers are very similar to each other, with some capacity for camouflage, but with unskillful movements, like this new group of spiders.' Four of the new spiders were unable to fit into any already existing genus, so the scientists had to create the new name, which in reference to the Galactic Empire's soldiers in the popular Sci-fi franchise The research team said bald-legged spiders are a family of only 11 very similarly looking, small- to medium-sized species, whose placement in the 'Tree of Life' has long been a matter of debate 'We wanted to make a play on words with the name of the known genus, Paratropis, and of course, we also wanted to pay tribute to one of the greatest sagas of all time.' One of the new 'stormtrooper' species (Stormtropis muisca) was found at an altitude at an elevation of at least 11,155 feet (3,400 metres) in the central Andes. But the researchers said that they have evidence of species living above 4,000 metres (13,123 feet). They found that the males have just two claws on their feet, while other bald-legged spiders have three claws. The males also lack the group's leg spines and have genitals that are more elongated while the females' genitals have a tubular "neck" and an overall mushroom shape. The team found that not only are bald-legged spiders present in Colombia, but they are actually abundant there. They documented several cases of various bald-legged species burrowing into ravine walls or soil, which is behaviour that had not been previously reported. Their suggestion is that it might be a secondary adaptation, so that the spiders could exploit additional habitats. The findings were published in the journal ZooKeys. Four of the new spiders were unable to fit into any already existing genus, so the scientists had to create a brand new one for them, which they called Stormtropis in reference to the Galactic Empire's soldiers in Star Wars Julius Caesars I came, I saw, I conquered is one of the most famous speeches in history. But there is a chance he pronounced the Latin words veni, vidi, vici more like weni, widi, wici. Humans may only relatively recently have been able to properly pronounce the letters v and f, scientists suggest. They say these sounds are possible because modern humans eat softer diets and use our teeth less. The way most of us speak today is shaped in part by how long ago our ancestors gave up chewing tough, raw meat. It's widely known that languages evolve as societies develop and change, but the sounds we utter are also shaped, literally, by the placement of our jaw - and that is influenced by how we chew our food, researchers report Thursday in the journal Science. A reconstructed Neanderthal skeleton, right, and a modern human version of a skeleton, left, on display at the Museum of Natural History in New York. Languages evolve as societies develop and change, but sounds we utter are also shaped, literally, by the placement of our jaw Language study often focuses on cultural factors, 'but our work shows that language is also a biological phenomenon - you can't fully separate culture and biology,' said Balthasar Bickel, a linguist at the University of Zurich and co-author of the new study. The researchers analyzed Stone Age and modern skulls and created simulations of how different jaw placements allow our mouths to make different sounds. They analyzed a database of roughly 2,000 languages - more than a quarter of languages in existence today - to identify which sounds were more and less frequently used, and where. Languages spoken by groups with hunter-gatherer societies in their more recent past are far less likely to use consonants used by longtime farming societies, the study found. 'Our anatomy actually changed the types of sounds being incorporated into languages,' Noreen von Cramon-Taubadel, an evolutionary anthropologist at the University of Buffalo who was not involved in the study, wrote in an email. Before societies cultivated crops and learned to cook food, early humans chewed tough raw meat - which was hard work on our jaws and teeth. Stone Age adult skulls don't look like modern skulls. These older skulls have upper and lower teeth closing directly on top of each other - whereas today most people have some degree of overbite, with the front teeth extending in front of bottom teeth when the mouth is closed. 'If you are raised on softer foods, you don't have the same kind of wear and tear on your bite that your ancestors had, so you keep an overbite,' said Bickel. Eating softer foods not only sets the jaw in a different fashion, but also changes which sounds are easily pronounced. In particular, it becomes much easier to say 'f'' and 'v,' which linguists call 'labiodental' sounds. (Try it. Put your upper and lower incisors - or 'front teeth' - directly on top of each other and try say 'favor.' It's difficult.) Afarmer, left, ritualistically offers a small portion of food to god before eating her lunch while working at a rice field in Chunnikhel, Katmandu, Nepal The researchers looked closely at 52 languages from what is called the Indo-European language group - including dialects spoken from Iceland to India - and charted how the 'f'' and 'v'' sounds appeared in a rising number of languages over time. In Europe it could have been only two thousand years ago, after the time that Caesar was a great ruler of Rome. Dr Steven Moran, a co-author of a study on the development of human speech from the University of Zurich, said: In Europe, our data suggests that the use of labiodentals has increased dramatically only in the last couple of millennia, correlated with the rise of food processing technology such as industrial milling. The influence of biological conditions on the development of sounds has so far been underestimated. Our ability to say v and f effortlessly today may be down to the invention of pottery and agriculture by our ancestors. Farming brought us milk and dairy products, which over time we were able to store in newly-invented pots and ferment to become soft cheese and yoghurt. Over the past couple of thousand years, the milling industry has also allowed us to produce soft bread. The shift from tough foods to softer ones like gruel, porridge and stews changed our teeth, scientists believe based on ancient fossil skulls. As more societies developed agriculture and traded in raw meat for softer fare - whether it's cooked meat and potatoes, or rice and stewed vegetables - these sounds became more common, the researchers found. 'New sounds get introduced into languages, and then are more widely adopted,' said Moran. The notion that agriculture shaped language was first suggested decades ago by American linguist Charles Hockett, but he did not attempt to prove it. Elan Dresher, a linguist at the University of Toronto who was not involved in the study, commended testing Hockett's theory, but said the research could be fine-tuned by looking at historical reconstructions of languages, rather than using language databases to make comparisons. Samsung could be getting closer to releasing a truly 'full screen' smartphone. The Korean tech giant is working on a new handset that will place cameras and sensors beneath the display, making it almost entirely edge-to-edge, according to Yonhap News Agency. The report comes less than a month after Samsung debuted its latest line of flagship smartphones. Scroll down for video Samsung could be getting closer to releasing a truly 'full screen' smartphone. The tech giant is working on a new handset that will place cameras and sensors beneath the display It's likely to be several years before consumers see the 'full screen' phone, however. 'Though it wouldn't be possible to make (a full-screen smartphone) in the next 1-2 years, the technology can move forward to the point where the camera hole will be invisible, while not affecting the camera's function in any way,' Yang Byung-duk, vice president of Samsung's Mobile Communications R&D Group Display, said at a press briefing, according to Yonhap. Samsung's newest device lineup includes the Galaxy S10, which is the first smartphone to feature its futuristic 'Infinity O' display. The Infinity O display is named for the hole-punch design in the upper left corner, where the selfie camera, along with other sensors, are housed. Yang hailed the Infinity O screen as a 'milestone' for the company, but said it's looking at even more boundary-pushing designs. By moving the camera under the screen, it would remove the need for any kind of cutout on the front display. It's likely to be a while before consumers see the 'full screen' phone, however. A Samsung exec said he doesn't think it would be 'possible' to release such a design in the next 1-2 years Samsung has proven in the past that it's capable of releasing ambitious phone designs. At its Unpacked event in February, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Fold, making it one of the first major gadget makers to bring a folding phone to market. That said, Samsung's folding phone had been rumored to be in the works for several years prior to release, so it seems all the more plausible that a 'full screen' design will take equally, if not more, time to develop. It's also not the first time the company has spoken about releasing an all-screen phone. Samsung said in a presentation last October that it was looking into several different technologies to maximize screen space, according to The Verge. Among the other designs Samsung is considering are in-display speakers, as well as haptic feedback sensors embedded in the screen. Two top executives are leaving Facebook as the company overhauls its vision in the wake of numerous privacy scandals. Facebook Chief Product Officer Chris Cox, who has long been one of CEO Mark Zuckerberg's top deputies, will leave the social media network. A source familiar with the situation told BuzzFeed News that Cox's departure may have been tied to a disagreement over Zuckerberg's new privacy-focused strategy for Facebook. The firm is also losing WhatsApp Vice President Chris Daniels. Zuckerberg, who announced the departures in a blog post on Thursday, explained that the moves come as Facebook has settled on a strategy for the future of its 'family' of apps, centered around enabling encryption and 'interoperability' between the apps. Scroll down for video Two top executives, Facebook chief product officer Chris Cox and WhatsApp VP Chris Daniels are leaving the firm as it overhauls its vision in the wake of numerous privacy scandals Daniels has been at Facebook nearly nine years, and previously led the company's Internet.org effort, a project aimed at bringing internet access to developing countries. He was named the head of WhatsApp less than a year ago. Will Cathcart, vice president of product management, will now lead WhatsApp and Head of Video, Games and Monetization Fidji Simo will be the new head of the Facebook app, Zuckerberg said. 'This is an important change as we begin the next chapter of our work building the privacy-focused social foundation for the future,' he added in the blog post. The company does not immediately plan to appoint anyone to fill Cox's role in the near term, he said. Pictured is Chief Product Officer Chris Cox and Mark Zuckerberg. Cox has been with Facebook for 13 years, having a major hand in the creation of Facebook's News Feed, among other things It isn't clear what future plans the executives have. Zuckerberg wrote that Cox considered leaving years ago to pursue new projects, but he decided to stay in 2016, around the time Facebook began taking heat for acting as a conduit for misinformation and Russian election interference. Cox was one of the first 15 engineers hired at the company and was an employee there when it was still named 'The Facebook,' according to Wired. WhatsApp vice president Chris Daniels (pictured) is also leaving Facebook after being with the company for eight years 'After 2016, we both realized we had too much important work to do to improve our products for society, and he stayed to help us work through these issues and help us chart a course for our family of apps going forward,' Zuckerberg explained. He added that the company has made 'real progress on many issues,' and has a strategy for the future of its myriad services, focused on private messaging, stories and groups the 'foundation' of the apps. Importantly, this includes encryption and 'interoperability' across all the services, Zuckerberg said. 'As we embark on this next major chapter, Chris has decided now is the time to step back from leading these teams,' he said. 'I will really miss Chris, but mostly I am deeply grateful for everything he has done to build this place and serve our community.' Cox joined 13 years ago and helped create Facebook's News Feed feature. Less than a year ago, he was put in charge of all of Facebook's apps, including its flagship social media site as well as Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger. Reversing course, Facebook will not appoint a direct replacement for Cox. Instead, the leaders of each app will report to Zuckerberg. Cox penned a post to his personal Facebook page announcing his departure, but didn't say why he was choosing to leave. Cox and Daniels are leaving Facebook in the wake of a string of executive departures, most notably Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Kriegel, pictured this month at SXSW Facebook executives who have left in the past year Facebook is notorious for retaining its top talent, but the past year has seen a steady dribble of executive departures as the company comes under increasing public scrutiny and investor pressure. The high-profile departures include: WhatsApp cofounder Brian Acton, who left in September 2017. Acton said he intended to start a foundation "focused at the intersection of nonprofit, technology and communications." WhatsApp cofounder Jan Koum, who left in April 2018. Koum reportedly clashed with parent company Facebook over data privacy and the messaging apps business model. VP of Communications and Public Policy Elliot Schrage, who left in June 2018. Schrage gave no concrete reason for stepping down, but had come under criticism for Facebook's slow response to the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Chief Security Officer Alex Stamos, who left in August 2018. Stamos left to join Stanford University full-time as a teacher and researcher. He was an an outspoken security and privacy advocate and had reportedly clashed with other Facebook executives about how much to reveal to the public about Russian election interference efforts on the platform. Instagram cofounders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, who left in September 2018. The pair said they were leaving to 'explore our curiosity and creativity again' and had reportedly butted heads with Zuckerberg over Instagram's autonomy and changes to the service's features. Advertisement He also reaffirmed what Zuckerberg said about Facebook embarking on new strategies around its app. 'As Mark has outlined, we are turning a new page in our product direction, focused on an encrypted, interoperable, messaging network,' Cox wrote. 'It's a product vision attuned to the subject matter of today: a modern communications platform that balances expression, safety, security and privacy. 'This will be a big project and we will need leaders who are excited to see the new direction through,' he added. The news of Cox's departure comes a week after Zuckerberg announced a new 'privacy-focused' mission for Facebook that will emphasize private messaging over public sharing. Many of the changes Zuckerberg outlined involve duplicating some of WhatsApp's features in Facebook's other messaging apps, particularly end-to-end encryption. I understand that many people don't think Facebook can or would even want to build this kind of privacy-focused platform -- because frankly we don't currently have a strong reputation for building privacy protective services, and we've historically focused on tools for more open sharing, Zuckerberg said. But we've repeatedly shown that we can evolve to build the services that people really want, including in private messaging and stories. He also confirmed earlier reports that Facebook will eventually allow users to communicate across all of its messaging services - WhatsApp, Instagram Direct, and Facebook Messenger - a concept the company has since been referring to as 'interoperability.' The two departures on Thursday come on the heels of founding-executive departures at Facebook-owned Instagram and WhatsApp last year. Most notably, Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger resigned from their roles last September. While they said they chose to leave to explore their 'curiosity and creativity,' many have speculated that they left due to disagreements with Zuckerberg over the future of Instagram, the photo-sharing app they founded in 2010 and later sold to Facebook in 2012 for $1 billion. Formula Ones travelling family, gathering for the first days of the new term, were united in grief after race director Charlie Whitings sudden death. The 66-year-old was found dead in his hotel room on Melbournes Southbank on Friday morning, having suffered a pulmonary embolism. Lewis Hamilton led the tributes to the widely respected official, who pressed the start button for every race of the world champions career. Charlie Whiting, the long-serving Formula One race director, has died suddenly aged 66 Lewis Hamilton (right) posted this on his Instagram story after hearing the sad news Whiting worked at Bernie Ecclestones Brabham team before joining the FIA in 1988. He had been race director for 22 years. I am shaken, said Hamilton ahead of Sundays Australian Grand Prix. He did so much looking after drivers and safety. I really enjoyed our talks over the years. God rest your soul. CHARLIE WHITING'S CAREER: 1977 - Joins Hesketh Racing 1981 - Becomes chief mechanic for Bernie Ecclestone's Brabham team 1998 - Is made FIA Technical Delegate to Formula One 1997-2018 - FIA Director and Safety Delegate Advertisement Whiting was a familiar figure to TV viewers for triggering the lights-out sequence from his tower on the grid before walking back to race control to oversee the race. It was he who decided when a grand prix was red-flagged and a safety car deployed. But it is for his important role in the safety transformation that diminished motor racings dangers that the drivers of today are most in his debt. Since Ayrton Sennas death in 1994, Jules Bianchi is the only F1 driver to have perished, following his accident at Suzuka, Japan, in 2014 a remarkable infrequency when set against the attrition of the preceding decades. Among several safety innovations, he introduced the halo device that saved Charles Leclerc from potentially fatal injuries at last years Belgian Grand Prix, where Fernando Alonsos airborne McLaren would otherwise have landed on his head. Ferraris four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel walked the first few corners of Melbournes Albert Park track with Whiting on Wednesday. I have known him a long time, said the German. His door was always open. He was our man, the drivers man. Whiting had worked in the sport for more than 40 years and as race director since 1987 Jean Todt, the FIA president, said: Charlie was a central and inimitable figure in F1 and embodied the ethics and spirit of this sport. Formula Ones head of motorsport Ross Brawn said: I have known Charlie all my racing life. We worked as mechanics together, became friends, and spent so much time together at tracks across the world. I was filled with immense sadness when I heard the tragic news. Im devastated. Its a great loss for me personally but also for the entire F1 family. Red Bull principal Christian Horner said: Charlie was the referee and voice of reason. He was a man of great integrity. Hamiltons Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said: He was balanced in his approach, subtle in his understanding and had the interest of Formula One as his main focus. Whiting was married to Juliet and had two children. His role in Melbourne will be taken over by Australian Michael Masi. Officials are considering how to honour Whitings memory over the weekend. His FIA colleagues wore black armbands on Friday. Whiting rose through the ranks and dealt with top talent such as Michael Schumacher CHARLIE WHITING: THE RACE DIRECTOR WHO ROSE THROUGH THE RANKS TO BECOME PILLAR OF F1 FOR 20 YEARS Whiting began his motorsport career preparing his brother Nicks yellow Ford Escort for races at Brands Hatch in their native Kent. He entered Formula One with the Hesketh team. He then fell under the wing of Ecclestone, working his way up to chief mechanic as Nelson Piquet won two world titles for Brabham in 1981 and 1983, before taking on senior roles at the FIA. His high-profile job made Whiting a millionaire, but nothing could prepare him for his brothers grisly murder in 1990. Nick, who fell into gangland circles, was stabbed nine times and shot twice. His body was later found on Essexs Rainham Marshes. RESPONSIBILITIES OF A RACE DIRECTOR The remit for a Formula One race director is a broad one. Whiting managed the logistics for each Formula One Grand Prix race during the course of the season. He inspected the cars before the race, enforced FIA rules and also had responsibility to control the lights to start the race itself. Advertisement Gang members had suspected him of being an informant over the 1983 Brinks Mat robbery in which 28million of gold bullion was stolen from a warehouse at Heathrow airport. Life was quite difficult for a while but we had to get on with it, said Whiting. Certainly Nick would have wanted me to get on with it. Whiting, who was married to Juliet and had two children, travelled the world almost perpetually, inspecting tracks and attending races. His role here in Melbourne, where practice starts on Friday, will be taken over by Australian Michael Masi. Officials were on Wednesday night considering how to honour Whitings memory over the weekend. His FIA colleagues, meanwhile, wore black armbands as dusk fell on a community in mourning. Whiting worked as a mechanic for Nelson Piquet (left) for two world championship wins Whiting holds the attention of the drivers as a pre-race meeting at the Abu Dhabi GP in 2012 Whiting, pictured here with Niki Lauda (left), spent four decades in the sport he loved One of the more controversial incidents of his career took place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Fears had been raised about the safety of tyres brought by Michelin to the race and Whiting was asked to alter one of the corners which would allow seven teams to race safely. He refused, leading to the farcical sight of 14 cars retiring after the parade lap. In a letter to the teams at the time, he said: 'To change the course in order to help some of the teams with a performance problem caused by their failure to bring suitable equipment to the race would be a breach of the rules and grossly unfair to those teams which have come to Indianapolis with the correct tyres.' But fairness and safety were key to Whiting, so often referred to as Charlie within the paddock and over the radio, particularly when drivers thought an incident warranted further investigation. Whiting enforced the FIA rules during race days and had overall authority on track He would rigorously inspect circuits, checking a range of new circuits on the GP calendar for suitability, as well as looking at how safety could be improved within the car. Speaking about his role in 2017 to Top Gear magazine, he said: 'I still love it. The buzz is extraordinary. 'It's rare I find myself thinking 'well, this is boring'.' He is credited with major improvements to the safety of drivers such as the halo, headrest, survival cell and high-sided cockpits. Tributes began to pour in on Thursday night - Friday morning in Melbourne - after the news broke as the world of motorsport mourned his death. The former race director was held in high regard after a long career in the sport Whiting was a hugely popular figure among the drivers and was due to work this weekend Sebastian Vettel spoke to Whiting the day before his death and reflected: 'You could ask anything at any time, his door was always open. 'He was a racer, he was just a very nice guy.' The official McLaren Twitter feed posted: 'All at McLaren are shocked and deeply saddened at the news of Charlie Whiting's passing. 'Charlie will be remembered as one of the giants of our sport, as well as a great colleague. Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with all of his loved ones.' Charles Leclerc benefited from Whiting's introduction of the halo as a safety measure Christian Horner hailed Whiting as a 'voice of reason' in the chaos of Formula One Daniel Ricciardo said Whiting's death was a reminder to the drivers of how lucky they are Daniel Ricciardo said the drivers sometimes tested Whiting's patience, 'but you always felt like he was on our side.' 'He did a lot for the sport. I'm sure we'll all race with a lot of passion this weekend. It's a reminder we're all very lucky to be in this position,' he added. McLaren's British driver, Lando Norris, wrote: 'I think everyone is the paddock is gonna miss Charlie. Very sad news to all of us. Thoughts to his family and friends. Thanks for all you've done for our sport. #RestInPeace'. His fellow British rookie, George Russell, said: 'I'm deeply saddened to hear the news of Charlie Whiting's passing. Such a huge figure in the world of motor sport. All of my thoughts are with his family and his many friends right now. We'll all miss him very much.' Alan Partridge may have blighted the image of Norfolk for generations, but dig a little deeper and youll find the gems. This was what we discovered when we hired a barn conversion in Fakenham, in the north of the county, for a few days. The cottage itself named Partridge Barn (no connection) was a very spacious affair with a roaring wood burner, good kitchen and lovely high ceilings. It provided the perfect base for days of rambling, sight-seeing and seafood. Even the most hard-hearted of men cannot fail to be moved by blubbery parent seals and cute little cubs Seal watching takes place at Blakeney point, about a 25-minute drive from Fakenham, where a number of boat operators compete for your business Of which there was much. From the point of view of the children I have an 11-year-old and nine-year-old twins the seal watching has to be the main attraction. This takes place at Blakeney point, about a 25-minute drive from Fakenham, where a number of boat operators compete for your business. Beans Boats is good. You are taken out for several passes of the mud flats where the seals bask, and even the most hard-hearted of men cannot fail to be moved by the blubbery parents and cute little cubs yes, Im still talking seals that lounge all day by the water. The Fakenham barn conversion's high ceilings and wide views made for a very relaxing visit There are miles of sandy beaches to be strolled upon with the children, in winter or summer The bedrooms were excellently equipped for families with children of all ages The village of Blakeney, by the way, is worth a visit with its fine examples of pebbled flint cottages and artisan delis. Located by the sea, it also offers fine crabbing, fishing, birdwatching and canoeing. Speaking of which, the perfect Norfolk lunch can be found at the Wells Crab House at Wells-Next-The-Sea, less than 20 minutes drive from Fakenham. Crabs, really, are where its at when it comes to north Norfolk cuisine, but this restaurant also excels at oysters, scallops and staples like halibut and hake. Portions are hearty and the staff excel at delivering unpretentious and excellent grub. Another day-trip that delights young and old alike is a visit to the North Norfolk Railway, about a 35-minute drive from the cottage. The beautiful Norfolk marshland facing Berney Arms Mill as the sun sets A group of excited children watch the seals near Blakeney, north Norfolk The vast Norfolk skies are a beautiful backdrop for the luxurious barn conversion A roaring wood burner provided warmth and comfort for when the temperature dropped In my experience, a steam train ride caters for everyone. Small children can enthuse about Thomas and fat controllers, older ones can eat snacks and window-watch, parents can relax and grandparents can sleep. It can be rather pricey, though. And then, of course, there are the walks. Half-an-hour from Fakenham is the Titchwell Nature Reserve, where an elegant, modernist hide allows a spectacular view of marsh harriers, bitterns, bearded tits (frequent in Norfolk) and avocets. The flat marshland with huge and elemental skies are a feature of the East Anglian landscape, and unique to the British Isles. Last but not least, there are the pubs. Lets face it: youre spoiled for choice in north Norfolk. From the Recruiting Sergeant in the village of Horstead, which offers excellent real ales, roaring fires and heated terraces (book in advance) to the 14th Century Green Dragon at Wymondham one of the oldest pubs in Britain theres always somewhere for a pint and some proper Norfolk fare. Returning south, I was struck anew by the richness of our British Isles. Fancy foreign holidays certainly have their place, but there is so much to explore here at home that is all too frequently overlooked. And it was lovely seeing it from Partridge Barn. Again, no connection. The notoriously polite Japanese may find it difficult to say 'no', but a surge in bad behaviour from foreigners has led to some of the country's tourist attractions telling them to stay away. Incidents cited have included visitors playing loud music at sacred Buddhist temples, splashing in holy fountains, climbing on roofs to take better pictures, bringing their own food to eat in restaurants and using plates as ashtrays. Nanzoin's temple in Sasaguri, Fukuoka - which is a draw with its huge reclining Buddha - has gone to the lengths of posting signs in 12 languages telling non-Japanese travellers to stay away, after a series of verbal warnings failed. Calmer karma: The reclining Buddha at the Nanzoin Temple, Sasguri, whose restful repose was interrupted by loutish tourists splashing in fountains and playing loud music Tranquillity: The green park at Nanzoin temple shown on a quiet day without busloads of rowdy tourists taking pictures of the sacred site. Notices, in 12 languages, ban foreigners from here The chief priest Kakujo Hayashi said the rot set in about 10 years ago, when as many as 20 to 30 busloads of cruise ship passengers visited the temple each day. Some of the visitors played loud music, splashed in a holy waterfall and one climbed on the roof to take better photographs. For a while in 2017, another religious site - Yatsushirogu Shinto shrine in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto - asked regular worshippers to stay away on cruise ship days in a bid to accommodate the droves of visitors but eventually concluded its congregation came first and closed to outsiders on days the port was busy. Bowing to pressure from city officials, the shrine reopened to visitors last year, after the ban led to a decline in business at local shops. Divine shrine: Yatshusirogu Shinto shrine bowed to pressure from city officials and reversed a ban on cruise passengers after shops complained it had left a dent in their profits. Sakurai Shrine, Fukuoka - from the same tradition - is shown above But it is not just sacred sights that are reacting to boorish behaviour, reports the Asahi Shimbun. Izakaya bar in Kyoto, its owner says, has seen its fair share of uncouth antics with foreigners bringing in food to eat, using plates as ashtrays and flicking their cigarette ash on the floor. Instead of using signs, the pub has adopted the more polite and less direct approach, typical of the Japanese, of telling groups of more than five overseas tourists that the restaurant is fully booked when it isn't. In 2016 Japanese media called for Chinese-only zones at tourist attractions after the poor behaviour of a group of visitors. A woman gatecrashed a forbidden area at Ueno Park in Tokyo while others were seen at Osaka Castle Park breaking off flowers to decorate their hair and man-handling the branches. Their destructive actions caused outrage in the country, leading to one unnamed talk show presenter suggesting that designated photography areas should be set up for tourists from China. There were 31.2million foreign visitors to Japan in 2018. With storylines that could have come straight from the headlines, The Good Fight is known for taking on the topics that the whole country is talking about. From political controversy and police brutality to racial profiling and sexual harassment, this CBS All Access courtroom drama isn't afraid to shed light on the most controversial subjects in today's ever-changing news cycle. Seasons 1 and 2 of The Good Fight dealt with the world descending into madness following the Trump election, and now the upcoming Season 3 will see Diane Lockhart and her colleagues navigate a resistance movement gone crazy. Chicago lawyer Diane Lockhart, played by Christine Baranski, navigates a resistance movement gone crazy in Season 3 of The Good Fight So as we prepare for the premiere of the new season, we'll take a look at how The Good Fight has become the most relevant drama for these chaotic and confusing times, and why it will be more gripping than ever in 2019. The Trump Era Season 1 of The Good Fight began just as Trump became president in 2016, dealing with the shock and confusion of the surprise election. Then Season 2 ran side by side with his presidency, with each episode named after the number of days he was in office. And now Season 3 is examining the looming spectre of a possible future with a re-elected Trump. When partner Adrian Boseman from the Chicago-based law firm insists that it is time to look to the future, fellow partner Liz Reddick-Lawrence responds: 'A future where Trump wins in 2020?' When The Good Fight returns to CBS All Access on March 14, Maia Rindell, played by Rose Leslie, will have to contend with amoral new lawyer Roland Blum, played by Michael Sheen In Season 2, lawyers Liz Reddick-Lawrence (left), Diane Lockhart (center) and Maia Rindell (right) take on cases covering everything from police brutality and hate speech to sexual harassment From immigration and police brutality to alt-right hate speech and even a potential impeachment, the Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart firm has set out to fight the cases that matter in this political climate. And as Season 3 progresses we can expect to see the firm take on ever-more challenging cases. 'I'm ready to fight,' says Diane. 'The resistance starts now.' But will she be able to resist a crazy administration without going crazy herself? Exploring fake news 'A brave new world,' says investigator Jay in Season 2, after an FBI agent tries to manipulate lawyer Maia using a fake phone recording. 'Mistrust everything.' This is a central theme of The Good Fight. In a world where fake news is affecting everyone's work and personal lives, it has become hard to trust what is real. Maia has faced the struggle to distinguish between truth and lies over the past two seasons of The Good Fight, and in Season 3 these lines will blur further still In Season 1, we watched Maia's ex-boyfriend try to ruin her life by spreading untrue stories that were picked up as fact by the media. And the lines between truth, distortion and lies will blur further still in Season 3, as the firm struggles to function in a post-factual world where the lawyer who tells the best story triumphs over the lawyer with the best facts. 'As lawyers we are not finders of fact,' sneers Roland Blum, the corrupt new lawyer at the firm. 'There's beauty in a well-told lie.' Tackling #MeToo We've seen the firm grapple with questions of consent and sexual harassment in the first two seasons of The Good Fight, which had chilling echos of stories in the news at the time. They take on the thorny case of a reality star who claims she was sexually assaulted while filming a television show. 'I didn't say no', she states. 'But at some point I lost the ability to say no.' In Season 3, new lawyer Roland Blum will shake things up at Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart Then when the firm defends a network that is running a story accusing a beloved actor of sexual assault, his lawyer responds by stating that #MeToo is being used for political gain. At a time when the #MeToo movement both merges and clashes with politics, The Good Fight's storylines seem more relevant than ever. The question of race 'Diversity is in right now,' Adrian Boseman mockingly says to fellow partner Liz Reddick-Lawrence in the upcoming season, after a client informs him that being African-American is their 'brand.' The law firm is majority African-American and frequently deals with cases involving police brutality, racial profiling, and immigration and deportation. In the upcoming season, the firm's partners Adrian Boseman, played by Delroy Lindo, and Liz Reddick-Lawrence, played by Audra McDonald, discuss whether their future will involve Trump in 2020 But in Season 3 when the new associates arrive, lawyer Lucca notes that it's an 'unusual makeup' with more 'whites than blacks.' 'Things don't happen at this firm without a reason,' she adds, making us question what could be behind the new racial makeup of the firm. The clash of politics At a time when the country is more politically divided than ever, The Good Fight shines a light on these clashes of ideology. The question 'Did you vote for Trump?' is constantly raised implicitly and explicitly. Lawyer Julius fears he'll be ostracized for admitting he voted for Donald Trump, while staunch Democrat Diane asks her gun-owning Republican husband where his vote went before considering a reunion. In Season 3, staunch Democrat Diane Lockhart looks set to reunite with her estranged husband Kurt McVeigh, played by Gary Cole, who is a gun-owning Republican And the shadow of populism is ever-present. At the end of Season 2, the firm is still contending with the threat of a movement to 'kill all lawyers', and news anchors ask: 'Can over-billing get you killed?' The firm also works on cases involving the alt-right, with Facebook-like site Chummy Friends descending into 'the Wild West of racism and sexism.' The final scene of the second season shows Donald Trump describing these times as the 'calm before the storm', so we can only expect even more fraught and politically charged storylines as Season 3 unfolds. Season 3 of The Good Fight premieres Thursday March 14, exclusively on CBS All Access. Coronation Street star Kym Marsh has joined the cast of Elf: The Musical, just two weeks after confirming she had quit the soap. The actress, 42, will join a star-studded lineup for the live stage version of the iconic 2003 festive film, performing at venues in Liverpool, Glasgow and London. It comes amid claims that Kym was set to 'make a million' after saying goodbye to the role of Michelle Connor later this year, with a source telling The Sun that more acting roles and advertising work would be 'pouring in.' Exciting: Coronation Street star Kym Marsh has joined the cast of Elf: The Musical, just two weeks after confirming she had quit the soap Speaking about her role in the show, Kym said: 'I am delighted to be getting back on stage and joining the cast of Elf this December. 'Elf is an iconic Christmas film and having seen the musical myself last year I am very excited to be part of this fun and heart-warming family show.' Kym will take on the role of Buddy's girlfriend Jovie, as previously played by Zooey Deschanel in the film, and Kimberley Walsh when the musical played in the West End. Big part: The actress, 42, will join a star-studded lineup for the live stage version of the iconic 2003 festive film, performing at venues in Liverpool, Glasgow and London Legendary: Kym will take on the role of Buddy's girlfriend Jovie, as previously played by Zooey Deschanel in the film This comes after it was claimed that Kym could easily earn a million pounds by the end of the year through various acting and advertisement deals, after having to turn down various offers due to her Corrie commitments. A source told The Sun: 'Kym will really be able to test her earning power now and the roles and ad work will come pouring in. She will be able to bank a million by the end of the year, easily.' Just two weeks ago Kym confirmed that she had quit Coronation Street after 13 years of playing Michelle Connor to pursue other acting opportunities, but insisted the door will be left open for her return. She told The Sun: 'When I was lucky enough to be offered four episodes I could never in my wildest dreams have thought Id be here 13 years later. 'Its been an incredibly difficult decision but it feels like the right time for me to explore some other roles.' Big money: This comes after it was claimed that Kym could easily earn a million pounds by the end of the year through various acting and advertisement deal Soap star: EastEnders star Shaun Williamson, who played Barry Evans, will play Buddy's father Walter in the musical EastEnders star Shaun Williamson, who played Barry Evans, will play Buddy's father Walter in the musical, as was previously played by James Caan in the film. He said: 'I am thrilled to be teaming up with Kym, Tam and the rest of this hugely talented cast to bring Elf to the big stage this December.' Reprising his role as Buddy the Elf will be comedy actor Tam Ryan, who counts Priscilla Presley amongst his past leading ladies. The show is set to play at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on 7th and 8th December, The SSE Hydro in Glasgow on 14th and 15th December and Wembley's SSE Arena from 21st-23rd December. Hugh Jackman is going back to Broadway - this time in a revival of Meredith Wilson's iconic 1957 show The Music Man. The 50-year-old Australian bombshell, who first appeared on the Great White Way 16 years ago, will be back on the New York stage next October, Playbill reports. He will be choreographed by Warren Carlyle and directed by Jerry Zaks, a duo who did the same jobs on the smash 2017 revival of Hello, Dolly! starring Bette Midler. Return to the New York stage: Hugh Jackman is going back to Broadway - this time in a revival of Meredith Wilson's iconic 1957 show The Music Man (pictured February 2019) Warren was also the choreographer and director of Hugh Jackman, Back On Broadway, the X-Men hunk's concert residency at the Broadhurst Theatre in 2011. Hugh's musical theater bona fides go back a long way - back in the late 1990s, he led the cast of a production of Oklahoma! at the National Theatre in London. Directed by Trevor Nunn of Cats and Royal Shakespeare Company fame, the revival also featured UK theater legend Maureen Lipman. Hugh first came to Broadway in title role of the 2003 original Broadway production of The Boy From Oz, a jukebox musical about the late Peter Allen. Back at it: He will be choreographed by Warren Carlyle and directed by Jerry Zaks, a duo who did the same jobs on the smash 2017 revival of Hello, Dolly! starring Bette Midler Throwback: Hugh first came to Broadway in title role of the 2003 original Broadway production of The Boy From Oz, a jukebox musical about the late Peter Allen He won a Tony Award for best performance by a leading actor in a musical at the 2004 ceremony, which incidentally he also hosted. The Sydney-born thespian then played a cop in the 2009 original Broadway production of Keith Huff's cannibal serial killer drama A Steady Rain. In 2014 he headlined the premiere New York run of British playwright Jez Butterworth's The River, in a role Dominic West had played in London two years prior. Between stage work, he earned a best actor Oscar nod for playing Jean Valjean in the 2012 movie adaptation of the 1980s West End juggernaut Les Miserables. So close: He earned a best actor Oscar nod for the movie of the West End juggernaut Les Miserables; he is pictured with Anne Hathaway, who won best supporting actress Meredith and Franklin Lacey worked together to devise the plot of The Music Man, the story of a con man whose schemes end up in jeopardy when he falls in love. The musical comedy opened at the Majestic Theatre in 1957 with Robert Preston in the leading role of scam artist Harold Hill, the part Hugh will play in the new revival. Robert starred in the 1962 film with Oscar winner Shirley Jones as the object of his affection, Marian, a role Barbara Cook originated on the stage. The Music Man ran in the West End only once - opening at the Adelphi Theatre in 1961 with MGM staple Van Johnson in the lead - and had a Broadway revival in 2000. Legendary: The musical comedy opened at the Majestic Theatre in 1957 with Robert Preston in the leading role of scam artist Harold Hill, the part Hugh will play in the new revival Stage to screen: Robert starred in the 1962 film with Oscar winner Shirley Jones as the object of his affection, Marian - a role Barbara Cook originated on the stage Scott Rudin, principally known for his work in movies, is producing Hugh's revival after having done the same on the latest Hello, Dolly! revival. The 2017 production of Hello, Dolly! ran at the Shubert Theatre, and one of the Shubert family's Broadway houses will play host to The Music Man next year. Before that, the new Harold Hill will be traveling to multiple countries with a concert called Hugh Jackman: The Man. The Music. The Show. She's stepping into Heidi Klum's shoes as the new host of Project Runway. And Karlie Kloss put her best foot forward on Wednesday as the 26-year-old model head into the Today Show's New York studio to talk about her new TV role. The Victoria's Secret stunner paired white slingback pumps with a mostly black ensemble for the interview. Scroll down to see video Like a boss: Karlie Kloss put her best foot forward on Wednesday as the 26-year-old model head into the Today Show's New York studio to talk about her new role The Illinois native showed off her immaculate figure in the ruffled dress, which boasted a low cut neckline and sheer sleeves. The blonde beauty pilled her wavy tresses atop her head and traveled light for the promotional pit stop, carrying just a black leather handbag and her cell phone. A pair of pearl and gold drop earrings dangled from Karlie's lobes. Back to black: The Illinois native showed off her immaculate figure in the ruffled dress, which boasted a low cut neckline and sheer sleeves Isn't she lovely: The blonde beauty pilled her wavy tresses atop her head and traveled light for the promotional pit stop, carrying just a black leather handbag and her cell phone Once in the studio, the statuesque supermodel spoke about taking over hosting duties from Klum, who appeared in the show's first 16 seasons. 'She's incredible, and this show has such a legacy,' gushed the 6ft2in model. 'I'm proud to be taking it into this next chapter.' The new season of Project Runway premiered Thursday March 14 at 8pm on Bravo. Harry Potter star Robbie Coltrane was spotted for the first time in a wheelchair as he waits for surgery on his knee amid his ongoing battle with osteoarthritis. Known as the friendly half-human half-giant Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter saga, the actor promoted Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike ride at Universal Orlando. The actor, 68, was left unable to walk at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, in London on Monday after being in 'constant pain for years' with his knee. Hagrid joined us last night at the @UniversalORL press event for Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure - R to L: Robbie Coltrane, Art Director Alan Gilmore and Senior VP Universal Creative Thierry Coup. https://t.co/teTZGSmMoX pic.twitter.com/WLfMZ19Y1P Blooloop (@Blooloop) March 12, 2019 A source told The Sun: 'Robbie has been in constant pain for years now, with his knee constantly deteriorating. 'Its left him unable to walk without any assistance and hes been given a wheelchair while he waits to have a special surgical procedure in America to repair his joint. 'Its hugely frustrating for him but hes really hoping to be back on his feet after getting the operation.' Exciting: Known as the friendly half-human half-giant Rubeus Hagrid in the Harry Potter saga, the actor promoted Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike ride at Universal Orlando MailOnline has reached out to Robbie Coltrane's representatives for further comment. Robbie has been in daily agony with osteoarthritis a condition that makes the joints become painful and stiff, according to the NHS. Three years ago, the actor revealed doctors told him to lose seven stone or risk facing life as a 'cripple'. Revealed: The actor, 68, (pictured in March 2016, UK) was left unable to walk after being in 'constant pain for years' with his knee In 2016, the Scottish native said of his health: 'I'm in constant pain all day. 'I had an exploratory operation and they discovered I had no cartilage left in one of my knees. It's completely disintegrated.' In the 2016 Channel 4 television series National Treasure, Robbie was filmed using a walking cane when he starred as Paul Finchley. Painful: Robbie (pictured in June 2014, Orlando) has been in daily agony with osteoarthritis a condition that makes the joints become painful and stiff, according to the NHS She has dabbled in Botox in the past in order to maintain her youthful appearance. But on Thursday, radio host Jackie 'O' Henderson, 44, confessed to something a little more dramatic - seeing a plastic surgeon to discuss getting rhinoplasty. Speaking on The Kyle and Jackie O Show, the 44-year-old admitted during an interview with Botched star, Paul Nassif, that she sought consultation about making her nose 'fatter'. 'I think my nose is too skinny': KIIS FM host Jackie 'O' Henderson, 44, has revealed she had a consultation with a plastic surgeon about getting rhinoplasty First coaxed by Kyle Sandilands to admit it, the shock jock mentioned Jackie had 'thought about getting a nose job before.' 'I think my nose is too skinny,' Jackie admitted to the American plastic surgeon, who was on the line from his office in Los Angeles. She said that while most people try to make their nose thinner, she liked the idea of a fuller nose but was told it 'wasn't a good idea.' 'Wasn't a good idea': Jackie (pictured) said she was eventually talked out of the procedure. She is pictured here with daughter KItty, 7 Asking Paul if the procedure was possible, Dr Nassif confirmed the rhinoplasty reconstruction was actually quite common. 'I do that quite a lot,' he said. 'I do a rhinoplasty where I add rib cartilage.' Common request: Botched star and American plastic surgeon Paul Nassif, 56, (pictured) told the radio host that making one's nose bigger was quite an in demand procedure Dr Nassif went on to say they will always try to make the finished result 'look natural', and they are careful not to take 'too much tissue away.' The informative exchange became all too much for Kyle, who started to tease co-star Jackie O about her 'Michael Jackson like nose.' 'If you can imagine what Michael Jackson's nose looked like towards the end,' Kyle said, prompting laughter. Looking fresh: Ageless beauty Jackie said she has dabbled in Botox in the past to maintain her youthful visage. She is pictured here in December, 2017 Paul replied: 'I'm sure its fine.' Speaking on the show last August, ageless beauty Jackie admitted she's used Botox to maintain her wrinkle-free visage. 'I've had Botox. In the forehead, around the crow's feet. I've had it but it's worn off now,' Jackie said on-air, confessing she didn't believe it hurt. Botched star Dr Paul Nassif has revealed that many of his female surgery patients want to look like Kim Kardashian. Describing the phenomenon as 'the Kardashian effect', the 56-year-old told Kyle and Jackie O on Thursday that 'big behinds' are nonetheless going out of fashion. 'What's happening is, women want [their bottoms] slightly smaller. People still want a round butt, but not as big. That's changing a little bit, thank goodness!' he said. Celebrity inspiration: Botched star Dr Paul Nassif (pictured) has revealed that many of his female surgery patients want to look like Kim Kardashian Trends: Describing the phenomenon as 'the Kardashian effect', the 56-year-old cosmetic surgeon said that 'big behinds' are nonetheless going out of fashion. Pictured: Kim Kardashian Dr Nassif is one of the celebrity surgeons that appears on E! reality show Botched. The series follows Paul and his partner Dr Terry Dubrow as they attempt to fix extreme plastic surgery gone wrong. Last week, Kyle Richards, Faye Resnick and Kris Jenner all came out in support of Dr Nassif's new Beverly Hills medical spa, Nassif MD & Medical Spa. Claim to fame: Dr Nassif is one of the celebrity surgeons that appears on E! reality show Botched. Pictured with partner Dr Terry Dubrow (right) The trio of ladies were part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the world-famous plastic surgeon's new Los Angeles base. Dr Nassif was previously married to former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Adrienne Maloof, 57. The pair went through a very public split in 2012. Friends in high places! Last week, Kyle Richards, Faye Resnick and Kris Jenner all came out in support of Dr Nassif's new Beverly Hills medical spa, Nassif MD & Medical Spa Adrienne was part of the main cast for the first three seasons of RHOBH, before moving back to an on-and-off guest star role in the subsequent five. Dr Nassif and Adrienne share custody of three sons: 15-year-old Gavin, and 12-year-old twins Colin and Christian. The Kyle & Jackie O Show airs weekdays from 6am on KIIS 106.5 in Sydney Studio 10 recorded a massive boost in its ratings this week, and industry observers have a few reasons why. On Monday, the normally low-rating morning talk show drew just 57,000 viewers in the all-important five metro capital cities. However, by Wednesday, that figure had rocketed to 70,000 viewers - a massive 13,000 point increase. Bump up! Studio 10 got a massive ratings boost after it was announced that Karl Stefanovic's ex wife Cassandra Thorburn would be joining the program on Tuesday. Pictured: Studio 10 host Sarah Harris The bump up brought the program a lot closer to time slot leader Today Extra on Nine (96,000). So why the jump for Studio 10? Industry analysts have come up with a few explanations for the phenomenon. Ratings rocket: On Monday, the normally low-rating morning talk show drew just 57,000 viewers in the all-important five metro capital cities. However, by Wednesday, that figure had grown to 70,000 viewers - a massive 13,000 point increase On Tuesday Cassandra Thorburn, who is the ex wife of former Today show host Karl Stefanovic, announced she would be joining Studio 10 as a regular guest. 'I'll be working with Studio 10 on a more regular guest basis so that will be great,' the mother-of-three told Yahoo Lifestyle on Tuesday. 'It's great and opens the opinions of more experienced women, I guess, that are around my ilk,' the 47-year-old journalist added. So why the jump for Studio 10? On Tuesday Cassandra Thorburn (pictured) announced she would be joining Studio 10 as a regular guest, which could account for the increased viewer interester in the show Makeover: Viewers will no doubt be very keen to see what Cassandra, 47, brings to the small screen, given her recent acrimonious split from Karl, 44. Pictured: Studio 10 Viewers will no doubt be very keen to see what Cassandra brings to the small screen, given her recent acrimonious split from Karl, 44. However, former TV Executive and TV Blackbox Editor Rob McKnight says other factors could account for the ratings hike for Ten. Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday, Rob said: 'Yesterday the network ran the [George] Pell verdict live and commercial free, whereas Nine cut away from the coverage. 'I think Studio 10 got a bit of a pick-up when Nine made the stupid mistake to drop their coverage. They know they stuffed up because they actually ended up going back to it.' Rob, the former executive producer of Studio 10, also said the return of veteran TV presenter Denise Drysdale, 70, could have also been a factor for the unusual audience growth. 'It was also the return of Denise Drysdale and I would think that would have had a bigger influence than Cas [Cassandra Thorburn] being a part-time contributor,' Rob said. Studio 10, presented by Sarah Harris, 37, airs at 8.30am each week day and overlaps with Today and Today Extra on the rival Nine Network. However, former TV Executive and TV Blackbox Editor Rob McKnight (pictured) said other factors could account for the ratings hike for Ten. Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia on Thursday, Rob said: 'Yesterday the network ran the [George] Pell verdict live and commercial free, whereas Nine cut away from the coverage' The news of Cassandra's appointment to Studio 10 came just months after Karl was booted off the Today show on Channel Nine. Gold logie winner Karl was unceremoniously kicked off Today in late 2018 after 14 years with the program. The breakfast show had been on an unending downward spiral in the ratings for several years. Arnold Schwarzenegger looked thrilled during an outing he shared with his daughter, Katherine Schwarzenegger, in West Hollywood on Tuesday. But, the actor sported more than just his prominent muscles while enjoying his breakfast. The 71-year-old filmmaker also revealed a surprising addition to his appearance - grey hair. Older and wiser: Arnold Schwarzenegger, 71, was caught with grey hair while out in Los Angeles on Tuesday Proud dad: Arnold sweetly pecked his daughter's cheek on Wednesday As he walked through an upscale Los Angeles neighborhood, The Governator revealed a peak at his aging appearance. Under his dyed brown locks, peered out wisps of grey hair. His beard was also light in color, just like the fine hairs. The Terminator actor wore a blue zip up hoodie with a blue shirt underneath. And, he went extra casual with dark sweats to match. Catching up: The Terminator actor wore a navy zip up hoodie with a blue shirt underneath Father daughter duo: Arnold spent time with Katherine Schwarzenegger, 29,while wearing a blue track suit Bundled up: He rocked black sweat bottoms and matching shoes Schwarzenegger, who's soon to walk his eldest daughter down the aisle, carried an iPad as him and Katherine grabbed breakfast. And like father, like daughter, Katherine also wore all blue in a sweatshirt from The Great, as she smiled the day away with her dad. In an adorable moment, Arnold kissed Katherine goodbye following their nice morning together. After saying goodbye to her greying dad, Katherine met up with her future husband Chris Pratt, 39, to embark on the adventure of home ownership together. The couple looked blissfully happy after visiting an exclusive residential design firm together in West Hollywood. They carried coffees and stopped for a kiss on the sidewalk before going their separate ways after the meeting. Exciting plans: Chris and Katherine are pictured out in West Hollywood after visiting a exclusive residential design firm An onlooker told DailyMail.com that the pair had been looking over blueprints together in the design studio. The former Parks and Recreation star wore a grey sweater over a collared shirt and black pants. The couple are rumored to be getting married by the end of the year. Loved up: The couple shared a kiss before going their separate ways after the meeting Katherine said yes to the actor's proposal in January, which the duo announced via Instagram. Chris shared the life changing moment with a picture of him and the author embracing one another, as the eldest of the Schwarzenegger crew's ring sparkled into the camera. The ring is estimated to cost $400,000. Pratt captioned it saying, 'Sweet Katherine, so happy you said yes! Im thrilled to be marrying you. Proud to live boldly in faith with you. Here we go!' He worked a lot of magic on screen in his clean cut Harry Potter days. However, it appears that not even other-worldly powers can keep actor Daniel Radcliffe from smoking. Daniel, 29, was spotted puffing on a cigarette on the set of his new movie Escape From Pretoria in Adelaide on Wednesday. Harry puffer! Daniel Radcliffe (pictured) was seen smoking a cigarette on the set of his new movie Escape From Pretoria in Adelaide on Wednesday. The Harry Potter star looked very different in his 1970s style costume The actor, clad in a 1970s-style blue collared shirt, grey slacks and black shoes, was seen puffing away during a break in filming. Indeed, the Harry Potter star looked barely recognisable with his shaggy brown beard and long brown hair. In Escape From Pretoria, Daniel plays South African activist Tim Jenkin who was imprisoned in Pretoria's Maximum Security prison in the late 1970s. Where there's smoke: The actor, clad in a blue collared shirt, grey slacks and black shoes, was seen puffing away during a break in filming Daniel seemed content to watch on as cast and crew milled around him on the street on Wednesday. He was soon back on the set however, shooting a scene on the street as crew held high-strength fans around him. The actor walked among windswept loose leaf paper as the cameras rolled. In character: He was soon back on the set however, shooting a scene on the street as crew held high-strength fans around him. The actor walked among windswept loose leaf paper as the cameras rolled Escape From Pretoria is inspired by a real-life escape from the brutal Pretoria Maximum Security prison in South Africa 1979. Filming began for the highly anticipated movie at Mitcham train station, in the suburb of Lower Mitcham, Adelaide, three weeks ago. The film is written and directed by Francis Annan and based on Tim Jenkin's autobiography, Inside Out: Escape From Pretoria Prison. Daniel's character Tim and his friend Stephen Lee were two white South Africans branded as 'terrorists' and thrown in jail in 1978. Busting out! Escape From Pretoria is inspired by a real-life escape from the brutal Pretoria Maximum Security prison in South Africa 1979 They had been involved in covert anti-apartheid operations for the African National Congress. Escape from Pretoria is an Australian/UK co-production, financed with the assistance of the South Australia Film Corporation. Jurassic Park star Sam Neill, 71, plays South African social campaigner and activist Denis Goldberg. Running with it! Filming began for the highly anticipated movie at Mitcham train station, in the suburb of Lower Mitcham, Adelaide, three weeks ago As reported by Screendaily.com, Goldberg was imprisoned with other key members of the anti-apartheid movement. Goldberg received four life terms in 1964 and was released in 1986 having served 22 years in Pretoria's Maximum Security prison. Advertisement Sunrise host Edwina Bartholomew, 35, married her long-term partner Neil Varcoe at the couple's historic homestead in the Greater Blue Mountains last year. And their renovated 1890s farmhouse, named 'Warramba', is now available to rent for $350 per night on Airbnb. Located on 100 acres of land in Glen Alice, the three-bedroom property boasts private hillside views of the Blue Mountains. Modern furnishings, picturesque views and wildlife: Take a look inside Sunrise reporter Edwina Bartholomew's stunning Blue Mountains farmhouse (and you can rent it for $350 per night on Airbnb!) Guests can relax in the pristine white bathroom, which has been completely renovated with a bathtub and oversized shower. The interior design includes a safari-inspired theme, with wooden light fixtures, french doors, outdoor furniture inside the bedrooms and an immaculate kitchen. Guests can camp outside in a bell tent while surrounded by remarkably diverse wildlife, including kangaroos, wombats, goannas and birds. Modern design: Edwina renovated the 1890s farmhouse in 2017 with the help of an old friend. Pictured: The home's kitchen What a view! The property features modern furnishings and boasts picturesque views of the Blue Mountains Unique touch: Designer kitchenware doubles as fancy decorations on the walls Wedding bells! Edwina married her partner Neil Varcoe at their historic homestead in the Greater Blue Mountains last year The property sits just outside of Lithgow, roughly 225 kilometres from Sydney's CBD. Edwina and Neil reportedly paid $430,000 for the charming 19th century sandstone cottage in 2016 and sought the help of a school friend to redesign it the following year. 'There's a few snakes and frogs in the loo but otherwise [we're] on time and under budget!' she previously told Daily Mail Australia of the renovation process. Luxe: Guests can relax in the pristine bathroom, which has been completely renovated with a bathtub and oversized shower Spacious: The three bedrooms have been designed with luxury bedding and indoor plants Theme: The safari theme has inspired the use of outdoor chairs indoors and French-style windows Farm life: Guests can sleep outdoors in a bell tent (left), surrounded by cattle (right) and remarkably diverse wildlife, including kangaroos, wombats, goannas and birds The Channel Seven reporter is based in a $1.5million, three-bedroom home in Sydney's Dulwich Hill with Neil, but regularly escapes to Warramba. 'We get down there every spare minute we have,' she told Realestate.com.au in 2017. 'It would be too far for some people but we absolutely love it. We rarely turn the radio on and just use the time to catch up.' James Bond star Eva Green has waded into the ongoing debate over who should play the next 007 - insisting it shouldn't be a woman. The 38-year-old French actress, who played Vesper Lynd alongside Daniel Craig in 2006's Casino Royale, said she doesn't believe a woman should replace her co-star when he leaves. Speaking to Vanity Fair at the premiere of her latest movie, Disneys Dumbo, in Hollywood on Monday night, she explained: 'I'm for women, but I really think James Bond should remain a man. It doesn't make sense for him to be a woman.' Double O-No! James Bond star Eva Green has waded into the ongoing debate over who should play the next 007 - insisting it shouldn't be a woman Eva continued: 'Women can play different types of characters, be in action movies and be superheroes, but James Bond should always be a man and not be Jane Bond. 'There is history with the character that should continue. He should be played by a man.' She also admitted that she had reservations about being a Bond girl at first as she didn't want to be a 'bimbo', but insisted that the characters are now 'intelligent and sassy'. 'It doesn't make sense for him to be a woman.': The actress, who played Vesper Lynd alongside Daniel Craig in Casino Royale, said she doesn't believe a woman should replace her co-star Eva is not the first actress to speak out against making the next 007 a woman. Daniel's wife Rachel Weisz revealed that she doesn't believe a woman should pick up where her husband will leave off, but should instead 'get their own stories'. Speaking to the Daily Telegraph last year, Rachel applauded Bond author Ian Fleming for his work on the wildly successful lothario spy, having spent years crafting the character. She said: '[Fleming] devoted an awful lot of time to writing this particular character, who is particularly male and relates in a particular way to women'. Speaking out: Daniel's wife Rachel Weisz revealed that she doesn't believe a woman should pick up where her husband will leave off, but should instead 'get their own stories' Rachel argued that instead of women forcing their way into the 60 year franchise, they should instead create their own adventures. She added: 'Why not create your own story rather than jumping on to the shoulders and being compared to all those other male predecessors? 'Women are really fascinating and interesting and should get their own stories.' Rachel continued. As Daniels final James Bond adventure nears the start of production - with a newly announced release date of April 8, 2020 - there has already been much speculation over who will be the new 007. Not me? Idris Elba has been touted as the hot favourite to take over the role for several years, but previously deflected the attention off himself and onto a potential female bond The BBCs Bodyguard star Richard Madden is rumoured to have made the franchise bosses shortlist, while early talk included Idris Elba in the running. However, the Luther star suggested the suave spy could perhaps be played by a woman. Speaking to Vanity Fair in January, the 45 year-old actor asked: 'Are we interested in having a Bond character other than being a male?' 'It could be a woman - could be a black woman, could be a white woman,' he said. 'Do something different with it. Why not?' With talk on social media arguing a woman should play the MI6 agent next, several actresses have thrown their hat into the ring for a chance at the role. Gillian Anderson was shunted to the forefront of speculation after a fan tweeted a convincing poster of her as Bond in 2016. Anderson made light of the fan art after it sent waves throughout the internet, retweeting it alongside the teasing hashtag #NextBond. Game Of Thrones star Emilia Clarke also put herself up for the role, admitting in 2016 that she would 'love to play Jane Bond' - with Leonardo DiCaprio as her love interest. Aiming high: Game Of Thrones star Emilia Clarke also put herself up for the role, admitting in 2016 that she would 'love to play Jane Bond' - with Leonardo DiCaprio as her love interest And throwing her hat into the hypothetical ring, Priyanka Chopra told fans that rather than playing a Bond girl, she wanted to play the man of the hour. 'I get that all the time. But f**k thatI wanna be Bond,' she said fiercely. The 25th Bond film is speculated to be a remake of George Lazenby's On Her Majesty's Secret Service by screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. The plot sees Bond as he hunts down Ernst Starvo Blofeld in the Swiss Alps, which lead to suggestions from fans that Christoph Waltz would be returning as the character after he played the part in Spectre. Lea Seydoux is also apparently going to star in the next film, fans have commented that she may meet her death in a similar fashion to Tracy Bond, the only Bond girl to marry James in the films. Like most people, school and district staff members now routinely conduct work business on mobile devices. Sometimes, that includes their own personal devices. But in many cases, those communications are subject to state public-records statutes. And now two companies are marketing a technology to help schools capture and archive such messages in order to comply with the law. The 14,500-student North Thurston school district in Lacey, Wash., is the first to implement the new mobile communication compliance program known as the SL2 app, according to a press release from the CellTrust Corporation and Smarsh. CellTrust and Smarsh teamed up to provide us with the SL2 app on our staffs mobile devices, separating personal and school communication, while capturing and archiving all school-related activity to help us meet Washington state records laws, said Derek Stewart, North Thurstons director of technology, in a statement. The new development in the K-12 ed-tech market reflects a growing recognition that technology has outpaced both law and policy, said Francisco Negron, the chief legal officer at the National School Boards Association. This is a situation where the law is still developing, especially when it comes to the preservation of text messages, Negron said in an interview. A lot of schools are just starting to come to the realization that there may be some public-records implications for the communications of their staffs. One big challenge is that public-records laws often vary significantly from state-to-state. Another is that even within a single state, interpretations and enforcement can vary from one government agency to the next. Florida, for example, has one of the more comprehensive public-records laws in the nation, Negron said. Text messages sent by public officials concerning public business have generally been found to be public records and must be preserved, he said. But at least one state attorneys office in Florida has disagreed. And another big challenge is newer technologies, from ephemeral-messaging services such as Snap to encrypted-messaging services such as Signal , that dont create an accessible permanent record of the communications they convey. Wherever theyre located, Negron advised, district leaders should first and foremost consult with their school attorneys to understand the law. Then they should review their own policies, to make sure theyre consistent with that law. And the third big piece of the puzzle is training, to make sure staff are aware of whats both required and expected of them. Its not necessarily intuitive to people that their text messages may be public records, he said. But if the law requires that those communications be preserved, there could be value [in] technology to ensure that is happening. See also: for the latest news on ed-tech policies, practices, and trends. She rarely puts a foot wrong when it comes to fashion. But on Wednesday, Former Miss Universe Australia Olivia Molly Rogers sported an unusual frock as she attended the Glamour on the Grid party at Albert Park in Melbourne. Clad in a custom-designed pink gown by Oglialoro Couture, the beauty, 26, made a bold statement as she posed for photos on the red carpet. Good golly Miss Molly! Former Miss Universe Australia Olivia Rogers wore an usual pink dress with puff sleeves as she attended the Glamour on the Grid party in Melbourne on Wednesday Olivia accessoried her look with a pair of nude Tony Bianco stilettos, an Olga Berg green box clutch and matching drop earrings designed by Isabella May. Flaunting her flawless visage, she kept her makeup fresh and dewy, adding a dusting of soft pink rouge to her cheeks and a bright pink lipstick to her plump pout. Bold statement: Clad in a custom-designed pink gown by Oglialoro Couture, the beauty, 26, made a bold statement as she posed for photos on the red carpet Enhancing her chiseled bone structure, she kept her tresses slicked back into a low bun. Olivia was crowned Miss Universe Australia in 2017. Not long after she opened up on her battle with anxiety and depression. Accessories: Olivia accessoried her look with a pair of nude Tony Bianco stilettos, an Olga Berg green box clutch and matching drop earrings designed by Isabella May The model said she felt 'so alone' in her teenage years, and that many models feel the same way. 'A lot of models go through similar experiences but we don't like to talk about it,' she told The Daily Telegraph. 'We just post this highlight reel on Instagram, so then all these young girls think "why am I feeling alone, and why am I feeling down? If I had a life like theirs I wouldn't feel that way".' But Olivia encouraged models to not only post their best moments on social media, saying it's good to show when things 'aren't perfect'. She's one of Hollywood's top stars. And now Natalie Portman is ready to share her acting secrets with the world. The actress, 37, has signed up with online educator MasterClass to offer an online class for a $90 fee, Variety reported Wednesday. 'Acting is a joyful experience. Its the act of empathy and play,' the Black Swan Oscar winner said in a statement promoting her class. 'You should be free to be creative, try new things and make mistakes. That is how I learned.' Teacher: Natalie Portman, pictured out in Los Angeles on Wednesday, has signed up with online educator MasterClass to offer an online class for a $90 fee, Variety reported Wednesday Portman 'will share insights and experiences over a 25-plus year career including case studies on her most notable roles,' according to Variety. She'll explain how she creates character maps and researches her roles. She will also talk about ways to work with a director and how to choose how to speak and use dialects for a character. 'In this class, Im excited to share what Ive pieced together over 25 years as an actress things that have worked for me, things that Ive seen work well for others, and tips I created to help myself,' Portman stated. Tips: 'In this class, Im excited to share what Ive pieced together over 25 years as an actress,' Portman said. Her first role was in 1994's Luc Besson thriller Leon with Jean Reno, pictured Insider Insights: She'll explain how she creates character maps and researches her roles and talk about ways to work with a director and and use dialects for a character Portman first came to prominence as the child star of Luc Besson's 1994 thriller Leon: The Professional opposite Jean Reno and Gary Oldman. Her next high profile role was as Queen Amidala/Padme in the Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace in 1999. She went on to reprise the role in Attack Of the Clones and Revenge Of The Sith. She also starred in Closer, for which she received her first Oscar nomination, V For Vendetta, The Other Boleyn Girl, Thor and Jackie, for which she was also nominated for an Academy Award. She'll next be seen on screen this year in the sci-fi drama Lucy In The Sky, in which she stars as an astronaut who experiences a life-changing mission in space and begins to lose touch with reality once back on Earth. Acclaimed: Portman has been nominated three times for an Academy Award and won the Best Actress Oscar in 2011 for her performance in Black Swan Portman met her husband Benjamin Millepied on the set of Black Swan for which she received a best actress Oscar in 2011. The couple, who currently reside in Los Angeles, married in 2012. They have two children - son Aleph, seven, and daughter Amalia, two. Married At First Sight star Michael Brunelli's 'loud' shirts have inspired an avalanche of memes and plenty of debate on Twitter. And it turns out there's one person to blame for the 27-year-old's rather eccentric fashion sense: his on-screen wife Martha Kalifatidis As reported by 9Style on Thursday, Martha, 30, has taken control of Michael's wardrobe and even 'dresses' him for the dinner parties. So THAT explains the shirts! Married At First Sight's Martha Kalifatidis has revealed she's taken control of her husband Michael Brunelli's wardrobe and 'dresses him for the dinner parties' 'He's getting hot because I did his hair and makeup and dressed him,' said Martha, beaming with pride. Since transforming Michael into her very own Ken Doll, Martha has unintentionally spawned hundreds of memes poking fun at his 'loud' fashion sense. During Wednesday night's episode, he raised eyebrows by arriving at the dinner party in a glitzy dress shirt featuring a palm tree print. Since transforming Michael into her very own Ken Doll, Martha (pictured) has unintentionally spawned hundreds of memes poking fun at his 'loud' fashion sense Tree-mendous effort! During Wednesday's episode, Michael (left) raised eyebrows by arriving at the dinner party in a glitzy dress shirt featuring a palm tree print. Right: Cameron Merchant His bold outfit didn't go unnoticed by the MAFS relationship experts, with Mel Schilling remarking: 'Michael and Martha... what an entrance!' Earlier this season, viewers were left baffled by another of Michael's quirky shirts, which featured a geometric print and pink, orange and purple colour scheme. After the couple's appearance at a commitment ceremony, one fan wrote on Twitter: 'I can't hear Martha talk over his shirt!' 'I can't hear Martha talk over his shirt!' Earlier this season, fans were left baffled by another of Michael's shirts, which featured a geometric print and pink, orange and purple colour scheme Michael's 'loud' shirts have inspired an avalanche of memes and plenty of debate on Twitter Michael, a PE teacher from Melbourne, paired the gaudy buttoned-up shirt with black trousers. By comparison, his wife kept things simple by wearing a slim-fit lime green top and black chequered pants. Married At First Sight continues Sunday at 7pm on Channel Nine Her new film, The Aftermath, is set to hit theaters on Friday. And Keira Knightley was in New York on Wednesday for a special screening of the forthcoming flick. The 33-year-old actress looked stunning in a chartreuse-colored dress as she headed down the red carpet. Beauty: Keira Knightley was in New York on Wednesday for a special screening of the forthcoming flick The Pride & Prejudice star's floor-length frock featured sleeves and clung tightly around her neck. Her brunette tresses were left unencumbered and tumbled on to her chest in tight waves. The British beauty painted her lips a passionate fuschia and and accessorized with a silver necklace. Gorgeous: The 33-year-old actress looked stunning in a chartreuse-colored dress as she headed down the red carpet Stunner: The Pride & Prejudice star's floor-length frock featured sleeves and clung tightly around her neck Her brunette tresses were left unencumbered and tumbled on to her chest in tight waves Famed German photographer Ellen von Unwerth, 65, looked picture perfect in a green velvet blazer with a floral shirt. Kate Walsh, 51, sported a medium-blue velvet suit for her trip down the carpet and paired it with a white top. Damon Gillespie, 23, sported a teal suit with black velvet loafers with a white shirt and a black tie. Stars: Keira stars as Rachel Morgan alongside Alexander Skarsgard in the post World War II period piece Joining forces: The actress posed alongside director James Kent inside the hotel All together: The leading lady joined forces with the film's bosses on the red carpet In conversation: Keira was chatting on the red carpet, putting on an animated display Picture perfect: Famed German photographer Ellen von Unwerth, 65, looked picture perfect in a green velvet blazer with a floral shirt Velvet: Kate Walsh, 51, sported a medium-blue velvet suit for her trip down the carpet and paired it with a white top Keira stars as Rachel Morgan alongside Alexander Skarsgard in the post World War II period piece. The flick follows Rachael Morgan as she arrives in the ruins of Hamburg to be reunited with her husband, Lewis, who is a British colonel charged with rebuilding the city. As they set off for their new home in 1946, Rachael discovers that Lewis has made an unexpected decision to take over a German widower Stefan Lubert's home. Dapper: Damon Gillespie, 23, sported a teal suit with black velvet loafers with a white shirt and a black tie Costume change: Knightley switched dresses for the event after party, opting for an elegant red gown When icons meet: Keira poses for a selfie with Blade Runner star Sean Young She's currently playing the ageing actress Margo Channing in the stage adaptation of the 1950s classic All About Eve. Yet despite performing two, two-hour long, shows on Wednesday, Gillian Anderson, 50, appeared fresh-faced as she left the Noel Coward Theatre, in London. The X Files actress looked radiant in her comfortable ensemble when emerging from the West End venue, clad in black jeans and a matching blazer. Out and about: Despite performing two, two-hour long, shows on Wednesday, Gillian Anderson, 50, appeared fresh-faced as she left the Noel Coward Theatre, in London Adding a pop of colour to her attire, the mother-of-three donned a bright pink jacket to combat the chilly British weather. She completed her low-key ensemble with a high-neck T-shirt and black ankle boots, keeping her essentials in a fashionable handbag. With a navy coat slung over her arm, the blonde bombshell rocked a glamorous palette of makeup, while her hair was swept back from her features. Low-key: The X Files actress looked radiant in her comfortable ensemble when emerging from the West End venue, clad in black jeans and a matching blazer Adding a pop of colour: The mother-of-three donned a bright pink jacket to combat the chilly British weather Meanwhile, Gillian recently reflected on how her latest role struck a chord with her because she feared she would be 'forgotten' as she aged. The actress said ageing was 'completely traumatic' as she mourned the death of her youth in a recent interview with British VOGUE magazine. She told the publication: 'Theres a sense of being forgotten as you age, of becoming invisible when your currency has no value anymore. 'If you watch yourself on film, there is a certain point you see yourselfchange. Its arresting. It can either be completely traumatic or something that instigates a shift of consciousness towards thinking about whats important. Radiant: The blonde bombshell rocked a glamorous palette of makeup, while her hair was swept back from her features 'But you have to go through that trauma first, to mourn.' Gillian's role hit a nerve with her because her character Margo begins to fade into the background as new rising star Eve takes on the parts she would have got. The X Files star has big shoes to fill as she takes over from screen legend Davis, while co-star Lily James' role was played by Anne Baxter in the original film. All About Eve received a total of 14 Academy Award nominations, winning six Oscars in total including Best Film, and remains the only film in history to receive four female acting nods. In her role: Gillian is starring as Margo Channing who begins to lose out on roles to her younger rival Eve Carrington (Lily James) in the West End's All About Eve Youthful: Gillian's role hit a nerve with her because her character Margo begins to fade into the background as new rising star Eve (Lily James, pictured) takes on the parts she would have got Directed and written by Belgian experimental artist van Hove, the play features music by PJ Harvey, set and lighting by Jan Versweyveld, costume design by An DHuys and sound design from Tom Gibbons. Completing the cast in the highly anticipated production are Monica Dolan, Ian Drysdale, Tsion Habte, Jessie Mei Li, Julian Ovenden, Sheila Reid, Rhashan Stone, Stanley Townsend and Philip Voyzey. News of Gillian's casting was reported by the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye last year. It was claimed Cate Blanchett had originally been chosen for the role, but was forced to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts. Gillian last appeared on the West End in 2014, playing Blanche DuBois in Young Vic production of A Streetcar Named Desire. The role earned her the best actress accolade at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards. BETRAYAL By Harold Pinter Pinter Theatre, London Rating: Last time I saw Tom Hiddleston I was gripping the arm of my sofa at the eye-popping sight of his naked derriere. That was in The Night Manager on TV three years ago. Since then, nothing. Had his star waned? His hour passed? His shtick withered? Judging by this West End comeback in Harold Pinters 1978 drama about a doomed love triangle told backwards, Id say not. His mojo is still intact. In so far as Pinters play allows it, Hiddleston is very good. The trouble is the play doesnt allow much. Pinters dry, guarded characters are as famous for their silences as they are for their cagy dialogue. Whats more, Hiddleston plays a high status stooge whose wife is having an affair with his best friend. King Lear its not. 'Last time I saw Tom Hiddleston (pictured) I was gripping the arm of my sofa at the eye-popping sight of his naked derriere. That was in The Night Manager on TV three years ago. Since then, nothing' Luckily for Hiddleston an actor can also be measured by his ability to stand around doing nothing and still create interest. Tall, handsome Tom certainly does that: ginger locks swept back to clear a path for his blue-eyed stare. A wispy beard is almost rugged. And his suit helps too: a midnight-blue body hugging number. Hands shoved deep into pockets Hiddleston spends long periods of the play contemplating the middle distance. There is some eyebrow action a la Roger Moore. A scattering of smiles suggests a sad inner life. And theres a heart-stopping moment of silent tears when he discovers his wifes affair. But he never gets to let rip. Hiddlestons oaky voice snaps occasionally under tension and when it does we get strangulated barks that sound like the Nobel Laureate Pinter himself. He is at his most animated when stabbing a fork into a piece of melon while confronting his friend over a boozy lunch. Never less than very watchable, that is star quality. Even so, Zawe Ashton is more interesting as his wife Emma. She is a long, lithe, wriggling enigma torn between two men who give off little more than pheromones. Like Hiddleston, Charlie Cox is studiedly understated as her lover and husbands best man. The play is over 40 years old and Jamie Lloyds taut production modernises it with High Street fashions and Soutra Gilmours pale Spartan set. And yet it remains a period piece scrutinising the small agonies of the metropolitan bubble in the 1970s. If Hiddlestons to recapture the public imagination hell need something splashier. She is on the cover of Bella New York's Influencer issue. And Christie Brinkley looked nothing short of showstopping as she attended the launch party for the cover at Bagatelle in New York on Wednesday. The actress, 65, ensured all eyes would be on her as she worked the red carpet in a bold yellow suit with plunging neckline. Shine bright! Christie Brinkley looked nothing short of showstopping as she attended Bella New York's Influencer Issue cover launch party at Bagatelle in New York on Wednesday Kicking her leg high into the air, Christie seemed to be having the time of her life as she posed with the latest magazine in her hands. Clearly, the Parks and Recreation actress was in a good mood as she beamed brightly in front of photographers. As usual, she looked absolutely stunning for her big night out. The modelling icon wore her beach blonde hair loose, cascading waves, while highlighting her famously youthful complexion with a dewy coat of blush and bold red lips. Hello sunshine! Brinkley had heads turning as she made her way across the red carpet in her eye-catching style A slick of jet black eye liner brought out her piercing blue eyes. She added a glamorous touch with her glittering clutch, while contrasting the stylish look with a comfortable pair of white sneakers. Heads turned as Christie worked her magic and it's easy to see why - the catwalk queen looked absolutely mesmerizing in her vibrant look and big smile. Just kicking it! Brinkley seemed to be having the time of her life as she kicked her leg high into the air It won't be long until Christie will be back in the spotlight - but this time on Broadway. Christie will be reprising her role as Roxie Hart in the iconic musical Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre from April 18 to May 12. Not only will she be back on Broadway, but she will also go on a touring version of Chicago, appearing in Las Vegas and Phoenix before her stint in New York. The actress previously assumed the role back in 2011 and 2012. She is known to enjoy the finer things in life. And on Tuesday, former Bachelor star Keira Maguire treated herself to a glamorous makeover at a high-end hair salon in Melbourne. The Instagram model, 31, debuted her long blonde hair extensions while leaving Edwards And Co., where clients pay upwards of $1,500 for extensions. New hair, don't care! Keira Maguire treated herself to a glamorous makeover at a high-end hair salon in Melbourne on Tuesday Keira, who underwent a $35,000 plastic surgery transformation nearly two years ago, oozed confidence as she showed off her new look. She paraded her toned legs in a denim mini skirt with a Gucci belt, and completed her look with a black turtleneck and matching boots. The I'm A Celebrity camper accessorised with a black Dylan Kain clutch and was also seen carrying a Fendi shopping bag. Gone with the wind! The Instagram model, 31, debuted her long blonde hair extensions while leaving Edwards And Co., where clients pay upwards of $1,500 for extensions Sashaying down a trendy Melbourne laneway, she scrolled through her iPhone before making a call. Keira's expensive makeover comes after she rekindled her romance with Jarrod Woodgate, 32, several months ago. The couple, who fell in love on the first season of Bachelor in Paradise, had initially split in August 2018. Back together! Keira's expensive makeover comes after she rekindled her romance with Jarrod Woodgate, 32, several months ago At the time, the vineyard manager blamed the break-up on Keira's 'obsession' with Instagram and taking selfies. 'Being in the public eye, we made it look like we had a perfect relationship and that's what people see on social media,' he previously told WHO magazine. 'I found myself turning into something I wasn't [and] I couldn't fake it anymore. 'Her Instagram following is overwhelming and it was taking over our relationship. She's purely Instagram-focused, and that takes up a lot of time.' Selfie queen! Jarrod previously said the couple broke up because of Keira's 'obsession' with Instagram and taking selfies However, they reconciled by late 2018 and officially confirmed they were back together on New Year's Eve. Keira later said she and Jarrod were determined not to make the same mistakes in the relationship. 'Being aware is really important. We want to resolve issues as they happen,' she said. 'We're going into it with a different approach. We're also keeping the social side of it to a minimum.' They're all getting a second chance at love after failing to find The One on The Bachelor or The Bachelorette. And the first cast photo for Bachelor in Paradise season two was released on Thursday, offering a glimpse of the contestants at Fijis Mango Bay Resort. The cast features a bevy of stars from Nick Cummins' now-infamous season of The Bachelor, including Brooke Blurton - who memorably walked out on the rugby player. Scroll down for video Revealed: The first cast photo for Bachelor in Paradise season two was released on Thursday, offering a glimpse of the contestants at Fijis Mango Bay Resort The good-natured photo - complete with a background of palm trees and sunny skies - appears to have been taken as a selfie by last season's Bachelorette star Paddy Collier. Also returning from The Bachelor 2018 are 'mean girl' Alisha Aitken-Radburn and innocent romantic Cass Wood. Care consultant Shannon Baff, legal secretary Vanessa Sunshine, Brittany Weldon and Cat Henesey-Smith round out the list of those giving romance another go after that ill-fated season. Although the show is still weeks away from debuting, Channel 10 have faced backlash for casting Henesey and Aitken-Radburn. Sunny skies: The cast features a bevy of stars from Nick Cummins' now-infamous season of The Bachelor After being dubbed 'fan favourites' in a promotional post, viewers were quick to comment the majority of fans actually refer to them as 'bullies'. Weldon, a bubbly brunette, failed to receive a rose and was sent packing almost instantly. Collier, who can be seen pulling a cheeky face in the first snap of the cast, will join Bill Goldsmith and Nathan Favro from the 2018 Bachelorette. Richie Strahan and his ex-girlfriend Alex Nation, who fell for each other on The Bachelor 2016, are also due for an awkward reunion on the show. The pair split several months after getting together, became embroiled in a war of words, and are believed to be going 'head-to-head' on the new series. She's back: Bachelor In Paradise line-up - Six of Nick Cummins' rejects, an American intruder and fan favourite James Trethewie will join exes Alex Nation and Richie Strahan in Fiji for season two (pictured Cassandra Wood) Earlier this year, Nation admitted in an Instagram post she did not apply for the Bachelor to find love - and applied for the experience. The new line-up will also feature US intruder Alex Bordyukov, who appeared in the thirteenth season of the US Bachelorette. James Trethewie, who had tried to woo Sophie Monk in 2017, is another blast from the past who will take part in the island-based reality experiment. Rachel Gouvignon, meanwhile, will be hoping third time's the charm after failing to find that special someone on either The Bachelor or Bachelor in Paradise. The show is currently being filmed in Fiji ahead of its release on Channel 10. 'Mean girls': Although the show is still weeks away from debuting, Channel 10 have faced backlash for casting Cat Henesey, 24, (L) and Alisha Aitken-Radburn, 25 (R) She's the swimsuit model who is the proud owner of her very own website, aptly named A Bikini A Day. But on Thursday, Natasha Oakley was topless as she posed for a very racy Instagram snap. The-28-year-old sent temperatures rising during a beach shoot at Bougainvillea House Villa in the Bahamas. She's not afraid to show some skin! Bikini model Natasha Oakley went TOPLESS during a beach shoot at Bougainvillea House Villa in the Bahamas on Wednesday The blonde beauty slipped her one piece down to her midriff while she cupped her chest with her hands. Last month, Natasha stunned as she reclined in a bikini on a boat ride around Sydney Harbour. Wild thing: Last month, Natasha stunned as she reclined in a bikini on a boat ride around Sydney Harbour The 28-year-old sported a skimpy leopard print two-piece that accentuated her toned tummy and lean legs. In the photo, Natasha wore the scanty design from her own label Monday Swimwear. Favourite print? She then wore another animal print bikini for a day at Sydney's Bronte Beach She then wore another animal print bikini for a day at Sydney's Bronte Beach. The entrepreneur posed on the sand at the water's edge after enjoying a dip in the ocean, revealing her bronzed glow. Natasha has made a career out of blogging, Instagram modelling and designing swimwear. She currently splits her time between Sydney and LA, and travels all over the world. The new Hulu original comedy series Shrill is co-executive produced by Lorna Michaels and stars SNL castmember Aidy Bryant. So it was no surprise that one of the NBC skit show's stars Kate McKinnon took it upon herself to show support for the project at a special screening in New York. McKinnon, famous for her SNL impressions of Hilary Clinton, Jeff Sessions, Justin Bieber and Lindsey Graham, was all smiles Wednesday night as she arrived for the event held at the Walter Reade Theater. Showing support: SNL star Kate McKinnon showed up Wednesday night for the NY premiere of the Hulu original comedy series Shrill that's executive-produced by Lorne Michaels McKinnon, 35, chose an all-black ensemble for her night out. She paired a scoop-neck top with jeans and a tailored jacket that she left undone. The comedienne added black boots embellished with silver detailing. Comedienne: McKinnon, famous for her impressions of Hilary Clinton, Jeff Sessions, and Lindsey Graham, was all smiles Wednesday night as she arrived at the Walter Reade Theater Casual style: She chose an all-black ensemble of scoop-neck top with skinny jeans and tailored jacket, and added black boots embellished with silver detailing Series star Aidy Bryant, 31, decided to stand out from the crowd in a pink pantsuit, the shade of which matched the color of the Shrill logo on the backdrop behind her as she posed for photos. The jacket, which she left unbuttoned, had lapels and pocket flaps and the trousers were wide-legged. Bryant added a black-and-white polka dot blouse and polka dot heels. Vibrant: SNL castmember Aidy Bryant, 31, stars in Shrill and stood out from the crowd in a pink pantsuit which she paired with a black-and-white polka dot blouse and polka dot heels Show lead: Bryant plays Annie, a fat young woman who wants to change her life but not her body in the six-part series In Shrill, Bryant plays Annie, a fat young woman who wants to change her life but not her body. The six-episode series revolves around her attempts to start a career while also dealing with boyfriends, bosses and parents. Joining her at the screening were Shrill writers Lindy West and Ali Rushfield as well as co-stars Lolly Adefope, Melanie Field, John Cameron Mitchell, Luka Jones and Ian Owens. Celebrity guests included SNL alum Rachel Dracht and actor Steve Buscemi. Big night: Bryant's co-stars Lolly Adefope, left in a green pantsuit and pink shoes, and Melanie Field, right in a sleeveless floral-patterned dress and red sandals, were also at the screening Give voice to the characters: Shrill writers Lindy West and Ali Rushfield posed together Male stars: Also on hand were castmembers Ian Owens, Luka Jones and John Cameron Mitchell Lisa Oldfield tricked her Instagram followers into believing she was engaged on Thursday, only to reveal it was a bizarre prank just minutes later. The 44-year-old shared a photo of a diamond ring on her finger alongside a caption which strongly suggested her boyfriend James Laws had proposed. But despite using the hashtag '#engaged' in her post, Lisa told Daily Mail Australia that there was actually nothing to announce and it was just a 'false alarm'. Desperate Housewife! Lisa Oldfield tricked her Instagram followers into believing she was engaged on Thursday, only to reveal it was a bizarre prank just minutes later 'False alarm! It was a friend being stupid on my phone. Just out of a facial and saw my good news! Nothing to see here,' Lisa said. In her Instagram post, which has since been deleted, Lisa showed off her diamond-encrusted engagement ring featuring an elegant swirl design. 'Well I didn't see that coming! #engaged,' she wrote in the accompany caption. Bizarre: Despite using the hashtag '#engaged' in her post, Lisa told Daily Mail Australia that she was not in fact engaged to her boyfriend James Laws (left) Just last week, Lisa said that James - whom she affectionately calls 'Jimbo' - was going to be her 'next husband' but insisted their relationship was still 'very new'. 'He is a great guy and we are enjoying each other's company,' she said. Back in February, Lisa revealed that she had officially split from former One Nation politician David Oldfield after 17 years of marriage. That escalated quickly! Just last week, Lisa said she believed Jimbo was going to be her 'next husband' but insisted their relationship was still 'very new' 'Dear friends and family, it is with a very heavy heart that I am announcing this. David and I will be getting a divorce,' she wrote on her Facebook page. 'We aren't sure what that looks like right now, but we do know that we are going to be the most epic divorced parents ever. Henry and Albert will remain our top priority. 'We aren't interested in being ugly about any of the details that go along with this kind of thing. Please: We ask for your kindness, prayers, and love as we work this out together.' Splitsville! In February, Lisa revealed that she had separated from her husband David Oldfield after 17 years of marriage. Pictured in Sydney on February 21, 2017 Shortly afterwards, a friend of Lisa's named Bryan Wiseman told The Sydney Morning Herald that she had 'lost 15kg' since the break-up and was dating again. 'I've never seen her looking so good or sounding so good she laughs now when she calls me,' Bryan said, adding that she has 'never been happier'. Lisa and David share two sons: six-year-old Bert and eight-year-old Harry. She has several inkings scattered all over her slender figure. And now Imogen Anthony has added to her already sizable collection. The 28-year-old showed off her new body artwork in a racy Instagram video on Thursday. Tatt's out of this world! Model Imogen Anthony unveiled her latest risque lower back tattoo on Thursday after getting inked with a space-themed symbol 'An eye for an eye': Her new ink her ink appears to be an extension of an existing tattoo of the solar system Withering about in the clip, her ink appears to be an extension of an existing tattoo of the solar system. The model was topless in the video, with a number of her other tattoos, including a unicorn, bird and a love heart, on full display. The girlfriend of shock jock Kyle Sandilands captioned the snap, 'An eye for an eye', before adding the hashtag #mycrazylife. It comes after Imogen visited a tattoo parlour while holidaying in Byron Bay in December. Body is a canvas: It comes after Imogen visited a tattoo parlour while holidaying in Byron Bay in December Song lyrics: She had the words 'Tasty like a raindrop' branded on her left bicep. The line is a lyric from classic Roxette song The Look She had the words 'Tasty like a raindrop' branded on her left bicep. The line is a lyric from the classic Roxette song, The Look. In June, the 28-year-old was left red-faced after getting the wrong quote by English occultist Aleister Crowley tattooed on her back. Her artwork read 'by the power of truth, I, by living have conquered the universe' - while the actual quote is 'by the power of truth, I, while living have conquered the universe'. Awkward! In June, the 28-year-old was left red-faced after getting the wrong quote by English occultist Aleister Crowley tattooed on her back Seemingly unaware of the gaffe, Imogen even used the incorrect quote in the caption of an Instagram snap of her tattoo. She proudly posted several snaps of the artwork after her visit to a Sydney tattoo shop. She has previously revealed that 'there's a story behind every inking', claiming every artwork was there to 'symbolise or remind me of certain things'. Hamish Blake is known for his comedic skits and pranks with best friend Andy Lee. And it appears that the funnyman's four-year-old boy Sonny might follow in his famous father's footsteps. The True Story host, 38, shared an adorable video to Instagram on Wednesday, which showed the cute youngster attempting to trick his father. Scroll down for video Just like dad! Hamish Blake (right) shared adorable footage of his four-year-old son Sonny (right) attempting to prank the funnyman in a cute disappearing act on Wednesday 'Still at a complete loss as to how my son disappeared into thin air,' Hamish captioned the comedic clip of Sonny's vanishing stunt to his 918k followers. In the short clip, Sonny can be seen holding his New York Yankees cap in the air as he hides around the corner of the wooden fence. Hamish - acting oblivious - approaches Sonny slowly in the clip, saying: 'Oh hey Sonny, how's it going.' Where did he go? Sonny lures his father in by dangling his cap in the air as he hides around the corner of a fence, only to drop the hat and attempt to fool his father with his sneaky exit There he is! Hamish comically stated 'impossible' as he played along with his child's prank, even though he could clearly see Sonny running down the path The comedian and actor makes a shocked noise as the hat falls to the ground, and when he rounds the corner the youngster has run away in an attempt to disappear from sight. Hamish comically stated 'impossible' as he played along with his child's prank, even though he could clearly see Sonny running down the path. Over the past four years, the chubby-cheeked boy has become an Instagram sensation on Hamish and wife Zoe Foster-Blake's pages. He's a star: Over the past four years, the chubby-cheeked boy has become an Instagram sensation on Hamish and wife Zoe Foster-Blake's pages Hamish and Zoe also share one-year-old daughter Rudy. They've been married for seven years after tying the knot in 2012 at the Wolgan Valley in the Blue Mountains. The loved-up couple met in 2004 at a media event she later described as a 'horrible men's deodorant launch'. Howard Stern ripped Wendy Williams on his show Wednesday after she claimed he's lost his edge after years atop the show biz ladder. Williams, 54, on her syndicated show Tuesday, brought up that Stern, 65, was planning on releasing his first book in more than 20 years - titled, Howard Stern Comes Again - but warned readers that the forthcoming tome could be a name-dropping fest, as 'Howard is so Hollywood right now.' She said: 'Howard, I love you, but since you've gone Hollywood, everything you say is so predictable; every story is going to be about, "Oh, I love this one, and then we went on their yacht." He's a Hollywood insider, which sucks.' The latest: Howard Stern, 65, ripped Wendy Williams, 54, on his show Wednesday after she claimed he's lost his edge after years atop the show biz ladder. He was snapped in NYC last October She added that Stern has lost touch with his everyman roots after more than 25 years atop his industry. 'You started like me, being of the people,' she said. 'But at some point you sat behind the microphone for too long and now you are the people - it hurts.' The shock jock was furious in his response on his SiriusXM program, calling Williams a 'jealous b****' who will never come close to the level of success he's reached. 'Jealous b****, you are nobody to me,' Stern said. 'You'll never be me, Wendy. You'll never be me. You can pretend to be me, you can pretend to be like me, but you're not. You don't have my wit and you don't have my talent you couldn't have that career. You're a fly.' Red carpet glam: Howard and his wife Beth, 46, were snapped last year in Ohio Empire state of mind: Williams was snapped in her native NYC last fall The King of All Media, who vacationed with Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux in 2014, and attended the former couple's wedding the following year, also took exception to her claims that he'd turned his back on his working class audience to run with the celebrity crowd. 'What evidence do you have that I'm Hollywood, honey?' he asked. 'What, because I found success, now I'm "Hollywood?" What cause I know Jimmy Kimmel? Who am I hanging out with? She doesn't know who I'm hanging out with. She doesn't know what I do in this world.' In his rebuttal, Stern said that Williams is projecting her own insecurities on him, as 'all she talks on that show is about Hollywood.' He also took a critical eye to the resume of Williams, who began broadcasting on the radio in 1989 and on TV in 2008. 'What has she said that's controversial?' he said. 'When has she put herself on the line? What has she done actually? I don't even know. You're not the "Queen of All Media." You haven't earned that title. You haven't done anything.' In crowd? Stern wondered whether his friendship with Jimmy Kimmel inspired Williams to say that he's gone Hollywood Mainstay: Stern questioned the professional accomplishments of Williams, who celebrated her 10-year anniversary of being on TV last year Stern noted his own past battles with employers, competitors and the FCC, adding that Williams faced none of the resistance he did. 'I had radio stations firing me, I had the government on my a**,' he said. 'When did you ever go to war with anyone? When did you fight with the FCC? When did you have the religious right coming up your a** and people throwing you off radio stations and not knowing if you can continue you career? Have you lived my life?' He also took a series of personal jabs at Williams, a fellow New Yorker, over her Halloween 2017 fainting on the air, her marriage to husband Kevin Williams, and the hiatus she took from her show in January through earlier this month, amid her battle with Graves disease. 'I never fainted on my show either,' he said. 'Worry about your husband, not me ... F*** you and your dumb show and your mystery illness. She disappears for two months, nobody knows why, and now she's questioning me? Thanks honey.' The Private Parts star added he had heard Williams was difficult to work for. 'You're not a nice person; nobody likes you, that's why you can't go Hollywood,' he said. 'People do not like her ... she's a big pain in the a**. I hate to break the news to you, honey. Good thing you hurried back.' She's currently expecting her second child with partner Barry Hall. And on Thursday, former Hi-5 star Lauren Brant looked every inch the pregnant beauty. Taking to her Instagram Stories, the mother-of-two, 30, flaunted her 28-week baby bump in stylish activewear. Bumping along nicely! Lauren Brant flaunted her 28-week burgeoning baby bump on Thursday The joyful brunette recorded herself chatting to followers through the clips, saying: 'I've just been doing some exercises. I love the aerobic step!' 'I've got videos on from like the '80s and I follow their fitness instructions and just make it applicable to obviously being pregnant,' she explained. Lauren then stood up and showed off her blossoming belly bump. Working out: The joyful brunette recorded herself chatting to followers through the Instagram clips, saying: 'I've just been doing some exercises. I love the aerobic step!' 'I've just absolutely popped, like check it out! Between 24 and 27 weeks - and now I'm at 28 - I just popped!' Lauren gushed in an Instagram video. Pictured celebrating her 30th birthday last month 'I'm so pregnant right now!' she gushed. 'I've just absolutely popped, like check it out! Between 24 and 27 weeks - and now I'm at 28 - I just popped!' The video comes after children's entertainer Lauren, who is due in June 2019, announced her pregnancy to Who magazine. Baby number two: The glamorous display comes after children's entertainer Lauren, who is due in June 2019, announced her pregnancy to Who magazine in December last year 'We're 15 weeks pregnant! We have been trying for a baby so it's great news,' she told the publication in December last year. Barry, formerly of the Sydney Swans AFL team, added that he was delighted by the news - even though he was hoping for a daughter. 'I wanted a little girl but we're also mindful that it's hard to have kids, so as long as it's healthy, we're happy,' he said. The baby announcement comes after a challenging six months for the couple, who first met while filming I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2015. Jason Donovan is set to return to the West End in a new production of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 28 years after taking the title role. The actor and singer, 50, will be the Pharaoh in the play, which takes place at the London Palladium, the same location where he first stepped out on stage for the classic musical. Speaking about returning to the show on Thursday, he gushed: 'You never know the measure of a moment until it becomes a memory, and what a moment that was for me. He's back: Jason Donovan set to return to the West End for a role in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, it was reported on Thursday... 28 YEARS after he first played the lead 'Joseph was a ground breaker in 1991, and what a blast it will be to be back on the prestigious Palladium stage and be part of it all again with a brand new cast in this re-imagined 2019 production.' The Neighbours star then jokingly added: 'Im looking forward to breathing new life into Pharaoh and Im so relieved he doesnt wear a loin cloth!' Sheridan Smith will play The Narrator for the musical. Jason first played the titular role in 1991, and also had his third solo UK No. 1 single for the play's song Any Dream Will Do. Gushing: Speaking about being in the play again, he gushed: 'You never know the measure of a moment until it becomes a memory, and what a moment that was for me' Different look: The Neighbours star then jokingly added: 'Im looking forward to breathing new life into Pharaoh and Im so relieved he doesnt wear a loin cloth!' The co-production between Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice follows the biblical story of Joseph, who is Jacob's favourite out of his eleven sons. Sold into slavery by his brothers out of jealousy, Joseph begins to work for Egyptian tycoon Potiphar before he's thrown into jail after refusing his wife's advances. During his imprisonment, the character learns that is able to interpret dreams and his newfound skills helps him to become the Pharaoh's right-hand man. Star: Jason became a poster boy for musical theatre in the 1990s, after he rose to fame alongside pop star Kylie Minogue after playing her on-screen love interest in Neighbours Jason became a poster boy for musical theatre in the 1990s thanks to his impressive performance as Joseph, and even enjoyed parts in The Sound of Music and a UK tour of The War of the Worlds. The actor rose to fame alongside pop star Kylie Minogue after playing her on-screen love interest in Australian soap Neighbours, and he went on to release a number of successful albums. His debut album Ten Good Reasons was one of the highest-selling albums of 1989 - the same year he left Neighbours behind. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will have a strictly limited 11-week run at the London Palladium from Thursday 27 June. Advertisement Paris Jackson took to Twitter to defiantly refute claims of a heated altercation with her beau Gabriel Glenn - instead revealing they were simple reenacting a 'sad break-up movie scene'. On Thursday, shocking snaps emerged of the actress, who recently defended her late father Michael Jackson after he was accused of child abuse in the shocking, and divisive, new Leaving Neverland documentary, locked in an argument with her rocker other half. The model, 20, also appeared to be drinking as she took to a bar while celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana on the wild two-day trip - two months after her rehab stint for alcohol abuse and mental health issues. Everything OK? Paris Jackson, 20, was seen locked in a heated argument with her boyfriend Gabriel Glenn on a two-day party trip to New Orleans as the controversy over her late father Michael rages on While she may have fled to New Orleans to escape the furore surrounding the new documentary, Paris seemed unable to escape her woes as she became locked in an argument with Gabriel while out on the Louisianan streets. Moving the disagreement indoors, the brunette animatedly continued her furious display with Gabriel, which was in plain sight of people trying to enjoy a night out. However, while sources told US Weekly they were 'drinking and arguing', Paris quickly took to Twitter to reveal that they were merely reenacting scenes from Saturday Night Live's The Californians. 'Me and my bf re-enacted the californians from SNL while we were in nola purely for the entertainment of our friends, and paps happened to be taking pictures of it all and.... yall it looks like a full on break-up scene in a sad drama movie omg,' she tweeted. 'SMOKE SOME WEED AND MELLOW OUT' she continued, before adding: 'I have the same moral compass as my father, but not the level of patience. 'Purely for entertainment': However, Paris was quick to take to Twitter in the early hours of Thursday to refute claims of a bust-up between her and her beau, instead revealing they were simply acting out Saturday Night Live's The Californians Concern: The model, who has defended Michael after he was accused of child abuse in the shocking, and divisive, new Leaving Neverland documentary, hadn't been long out of rehab for alcohol abuse and mental health issues when she was seen smoking and appearing to consume alcohol Heated: Paris came at loggerheads with her musician other half - prompting the two to become embroiled in an explosive all-night spat and subsequent 'drinking spell' at a bar Forgetting her woes: Paris was also seen on being lent a cigarette while getting comfortable at a top of the building Tense exchange: While she may have fled to New Orleans to escape the furore surrounding the new documentary, Paris seemed unable to escape her woes as she became locked in an argument with Gabriel while out on the Louisianan streets 'Ill fight for love n peace in the same way, but i am more aggressively driven. i dont sit by idly when i see injustices happen, especially when theyre directed towards me or my family. f*** that noise,' she responded. Paris also denied claims she's a 'junkie meth alcoholic party raver' in a further series of Tweets. Replying to a fan, Paris touched upon the controversy surrounding her late father once again as she explained why she hasn't yet offered a full public statement. 'Theres nothing i can say that hasnt already been said in regards to defence. taj is doing a perfect job on his own. and i support him. but thats not my role. im just tryna get everyone to chill out and go with the flow, be mellow and think about the bigger picture. thats me,' she revealed. This comes after a source told US Weekly: 'They were drinking and started arguing at the bar BMC. They were shouting at each other.' It was also claimed by the source that at one point Paris begged Gabriel to stop before 'turning away in tears'. However, a few seconds later she reportedly yelled: 'Dont f***ing touch me right now' as Gabriel 'tried to touch her face'. 'Mellow out': However, while sources told US Weekly they were 'drinking and arguing', Paris quickly took to Twitter to reveal that they were merely reenacting scenes from Saturday Night Live's The Californians 'Taj is doing a perfect job': Replying to a fan, Paris touched upon the controversy surrounding her late father once again as she explained why she hasn't yet offered a full public statement 'They seemed to be arguing about drugs, and she looked messed up. Her eyes were wide, and she was fidgety,' it was continued of the altercation. Paris was dressed in a pair of seventies style flared bottoms, while her orange tie-dye jumper added a hippy vibe to her overall look. She kept her beauty look simple, opting for a simple slick of make-up, while allowing her highlighted tresses to run free. A while later things seemed to cool down between the pair, and Paris was seen puffing on a cigarette while sitting down to relax on the street. To further cool down, Paris was joined by a male pal as they made their way to the top of a building to take in the New Orleans skyline. The brunette was seen taking in her surroundings, before getting comfortable on a step while puffing away on a cigarette. Furious: Moving the disagreement indoors, the brunette animatedly continued her furious display with Gabriel, which was in plain sight of people trying to enjoy a night out A source told US Weekly: 'They were drinking and started arguing at the bar BMC. They were shouting at each other' Onlookers: It was also claimed by the source that at one point Paris begged Gabriel to stop before 'turning away in tears' Claims: However, a few seconds later she reportedly yelled: 'Dont f***ing touch me right now' as Gabriel 'tried to touch her face' It proved to be quite the jam-packed trip for Paris as she then made her way to a bar, where she was seen appearing to consume alcohol. Soon after the bar trip, things completely cooled down with her and beau Gabriel, and the couple were seen kissing and cuddling on the balcony. The sighting comes after Paris checked herself into rehabilitation at the end of last year for alcohol abuse, emotional health and to 'reboot' and 'aid in her wellness plan', according to ET in January. Paris 'decided that she needed to take some time off to reboot, realign and prioritise her physical and emotional health,' a source of the publication revealed. 'She checked herself into a treatment facility to aid in her wellness plan.' However, on January 16, Paris shared a glowing update to her fans, admitting: 'Ive taken a break from work and social media and my phone because it can be too much sometimes, and everyone deserves a break, but I am happy and healthy and feeling better than ever! 'Gabriel and I have some new music were stoked to share with yall! (@thesoundflowers) hope you guys new year started out with lots of love and light and all the things. ill be back soon!!' she enthused. It was continued of their altercation: 'They seemed to be arguing about drugs, and she looked messed up. Her eyes were wide, and she was fidgety' Upsetting: Their heated row was in full view of passersby, as people were captured briefly stopping to see if everything was OK Emotional: At one point, the argument became too much for Paris to handle as she broke down into tears Casually cool: Paris was dressed in a pair of seventies style flared bottoms, while her orange tie-dye jumper added a hippy vibe to her overall look Explosive showdown: It seemed as though Paris' trip to let loose and have fun turned sour Relaxed: A while later things seemed to cool down between the pair, and Paris was seen puffing on a cigarette while sitting down to relax on the street Back in 2017, the musician spoke to Rolling Stone about her suicide attempt at the age of 15 and how she would cut herself and hide it from her family. 'It was just self-hatred, low self-esteem, thinking that I couldn't do anything right, not thinking I was worthy of living anymore,' she confessed. Paris added that part of her depression was from hanging out with 'a lot of older people doing a lot of crazy things' as she didn't fit in with the people in her seventh grade private school. 'I was doing a lot of things that 13-, 14-, 15-year-olds shouldn't do,' she recalled. 'I tried to grow up too fast, and I wasn't really that nice of a person.' Adding to her depression and inner turmoil, the sister of Prince and Blanket revealed that she was also sexually assaulted by a significantly older 'complete stranger' when she was 14. Joy: Paris was also temporarily distracted as she sweetly fussed over an adorable pet pooch Seeking help: Paris checked herself into rehab at the end of last year for alcohol abuse, emotional health and to 'reboot' and 'aid in her wellness plan' A source told ET: 'Paris 'decided that she needed to take some time off to reboot, realign and prioritise her physical and emotional health' To further cool down: Paris was joined by a male pal as they made their way to the top of a building to take in the New Orleans skyline Trying to chill: The brunette was seen taking in her surroundings, before getting comfortable on a step while puffing away on a cigarette Switching things up: Paris changed into a pair of denim shorts and a stylish patterned top 'I don't wanna give too many details. But it was not a good experience at all, and it was really hard for me, and, at the time, I didn't tell anybody.' Further adding to her turmoil, the New Year saw the release of the shocking documentary Leaving Neverland, in which accusations of child abuse against her late father Michael are rife. However, taking to Twitter following the two-part documentary, Paris referred to his 'good heart' and said she was thinking about 'the bigger picture'. Having previously tweeted advising her fans to be 'calm', she returned to the social media site to share her thoughts more fully. The Gringo actress wrote: 'I didn't mean to offend by expressing that t***ies should be calm, i know injustices are frustrating and it's easy to get worked up. but reacting with a calm mind usually is more logical than acting out of rage and also.... it feels better to mellow out. Drinking? It proved to be quite the jam-packed trip for Paris as she then made her way to a bar, where she was seen appearing to consume alcohol Boho: Paris made time for another outfit change as she slipped into a billowy purple top which put emphasis on her chest tattoos Getting in the way: Paris opted for a fuss free hair look as she swooped her locks up into a high topknot Stylish: Paris accessorised with a slew of beads around her neck for Mardi Gras celebrations 'Smoke some weed n think about the bigger picture. chillax my dudes.' She then added a tweet that read, 'ya'll take my life more seriously than I do.' An angered Michael fan replied: 'The bigger picture is your father's legacy ruined and his name smeared forever but whatever though. 'They want to tear his name down and stop playing his music but it's cool like who cares that he died for this.' Paris then penned: 'Yeah they do that to everyone with a good heart and tries to make a difference but do you really think that it's possible to tear his name down? like do you truly believe they stand a chance ? relax and have peace.' The day before, Paris responded to reports that she's worried about the document and allegations affecting her fledgling career. Making up: Soon after the bar trip, things completely cooled down with her and beau Gabriel, and the couple were seen kissing and cuddling on the balcony Her man: Paris passionately wrapped her arm around Gabriel for a warm embrace Together: Paris and Gabriel continued the passionate display as they put their earlier differences to one side 'I actually haven't made any statements yet, especially regarding how it affects my work life. you guys are reaching a bit. At least this wasn't a disgusting and attacking article though,' Paris said in a now-deleted tweet. Sources have said that Paris firmly believes her father never abused children but has not watched the new documentary in which two of his accusers speak out. Paris was just 11 when her father passed away in 2009 aged 50, following acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication. Leaving Neverland features emotional testimony from Wade Robson and James Safechuck who allege Michael sexually abused them for years as children. It has caused bitter reaction from both critics and fans of Michael. Paris' extended family have claimed Michael Jackson was 'naive' about children but wasn't an abuser. 'Better than ever': Following her recent rehab stint, Paris shared a glowing update to her fans, admitting: 'Ive taken a break from work and social media and my phone because it can be too much sometimes, and everyone deserves a break' Paris also revealed she had an exciting collaboration with her other half: 'Gabriel and I have some new music were stoked to share with yall! (@thesoundflowers) hope you guys new year started out with lots of love and light and all the things. ill be back soon!!' History: Back in 2017, the musician spoke to Rolling Stone about her suicide attempt at the age of 15 and how she would cut herself and hide it from her family Speaking out: Paris added that part of her depression was from hanging out with 'a lot of older people doing a lot of crazy things' as she didn't fit in with the people in her seventh grade private school' Admission: Adding to her depression and inner turmoil, the sister of Prince and Blanket revealed that she was also sexually assaulted by a significantly older 'complete stranger' when she was 14 Shocking: Further adding to her turmoil, the New Year saw the release of the shocking documentary Leaving Neverland, in which accusations of child abuse against her late father Michael are rife Documentary: Leaving Neverland features emotional testimony from Wade Robson (L) and James Safechuck (R) who allege Michael sexually abused them for years as children. Pictured with director Dan Reed The HBO documentary has been the subject of much controversy after it aired this month with the accounts of Wade and James, who allege that Michael sexually assaulted them as children. The late King of Pop's siblings, Tito, Marlon and Jackie Jackson, and his nephew Taj spoke out on CBS This Morning. Tito's son Taj, 45, claimed that the family do not wish to 'put more energy' into the claims against their late relative - who died in 2009 - because they don't want to draw any more attention to the documentary. Taj said: 'There's a fear to put more energy to it and more eyeballs to it. 'That's why Janet (his aunt) hasn't said anything, because she doesn't want to make it any bigger.' The siblings stated that they know the Thriller hitmaker was not a sexual predator and accused the documentary of spinning lies. Defiant: Sources have said that Paris firmly believes her father never abused children but has not watched the new documentary in which two of his accusers speak out Defence: However, taking to Twitter following the two-part documentary, Paris referred to his 'good heart' and said she was thinking about 'the bigger picture' 'I know injustices are frustrating': Having previously tweeted advising her fans to be 'calm', she returned to the social media site to share her thoughts more fully Not watching it: Sources have said that Paris firmly believes her father never abused children but has not watched the new documentary in which two of his accusers speak out Sad: Paris was just 11 when her father passed away in 2009 aged 50, following acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication Jay Leno made a surprise return Wednesday on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The 68-year-old former host of the NBC late-night talk show took over the monologue from Jimmy, 44. Jimmy after cracking jokes about politics, The Bachelor and ride sharing noted that people were 'losing it'. Angry man: Jay Leno made a surprise return to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon during the monologue portion of the NBC chat show 'I saw this angry man yelling about all this stuff,' Jimmy said as he then introduced the 'angry guy I saw on the street.' Jay then marched out to a standing ovation from the audience at Studio 6B in Rockefeller Center in New York City. He thanked the audience and then launched into his 'angry man' routine. Jay poked fun at the 'annoying trend in advertising' of getting to know non-celebrity spokesmen. Monologue portion: The 68-year-old comedian took over the monologue portion of the show Standing ovation: Jay was greeted with a standing ovation by the audience in New York City He also cracked about upgrading his iPhone to the 10th anniversary edition costing $1,000. 'I didn't spend $1,000 for my 10th wedding anniversary. It was Sizzle and a Hallmark card,' Jay quipped. Jay told the New York audience that he just came in from LA where he spent $128 on groceries and was still asked if he wanted a bag for it. Stand-up routine: Jay cracked jokes about advertising and upgrading his iPhone He also lamented the growing trend of stores within stores and asked the audience if they remembered when Sears was Amazon. 'I am out of here,' Jay said at the end of his set as Jimmy walked toward him. 'Screw you, Fallon,' he added as he stormed away through double-doors. Taking off: The former chat show host stormed away after his comedy set 'This guy is angry,' Jimmy said. Jay hosted The Tonight Show from 1992 to 2009 and again from March 2010 to February 2014. He has been hosting Jay Leno's Garage since 2014. Jimmy was a cast member on Saturday Night Live and host of Late Night With Jimmy Fallon before becoming host of The Tonight Show. Images have emerged of married Dan Osborne leaving a Manchester nightclub last week with Love Island star Alexandra Cane amid claims they locked lips. While the TOWIE hunk lashes out at the claims on Thursday morning, it has been claimed that his wife Jacqueline Jossa dumped the star and threw him out of the family home after he was accused of kissing Alexandra. Despite Dan's proclamations of innocence, a source told The Sun: '[Jacqueline] feels embarrassed and very angry that he would put her through the stress and decided enough was enough so kicked him out. OH NO! Images have emerged of married Dan Osborne (head shielded) leaving a Manchester nightclub last week with Love Island star Alexandra Cane (back) amid claims they locked lips 'Dan is truly gutted that Jacqueline is saying it's over. He's really hopeful he will be able to talk her round once she calms down. He's really angry about it all and telling friends he will do whatever he can to save his marriage.' A rep for Dan, 27, told the site that he has just temporarily moved out to help his nan clean out her house. MailOnline has contacted a rep for Dan Osborne and Jacqueline Jossa, 26, for comment. Hours earlier, Dan and Alexandra 27, had hit back at claims they kissed openly in a nightclub, behind Jacqueline's back. Denied: Hours earlier, Dan and Alexandra 27, had hit back at claims they kissed openly in a nightclub, behind Jacqueline's back Over? While the TOWIE hunk lashes out at the claims on Thursday morning, it has been claimed that his wife Jacqueline Jossa dumped the star and threw him out of the family home after he was accused of kissing Alexandra Taking to Instagram, Dan said: ''There's a story going round, it's a load of rubbish, yes I was out in Manchester, yes I was having a drink yes I was having a little dance with friends. No I did not kiss absolutely anyone. Even though we both denied it, it's out there, all I can say is it's not true, I did not kiss anyone.' It comes amid reports that Alexandra's real estate boyfriend Adam Theobald has forgiven her for the alleged kissing. A source close to the couple told The Sun Online: They're still together. It hasn't affected their relationship at all. Home alone: Jacqueline was spotted arriving home alone Out and about: The group were feeling giddy as they left the bash with Love Island alum Olivia Attwood Something to say: Dan, pictured on the night in question has denied doing anything other than dancing with Alexandra and said they have been friends for a while The Sun had claimed the pair were grinding and thrusting on one another as well as kissing on the dancefloor at Manchesters Neighbourhood bar on Thursday night. The pair had both attended the U S E App Launch and were pictured leaving in a car together, with friends, although there is no suggestion that anything further happened. Dan and Alexandra's spokespersons released a joint statement to MailOnline hours earlier, saying: 'Absolutely nothing happened with Alex. Oh dear: The Sun had claimed the pair were openly grinding and thrusting on one another as well as kissing on the dancefloor before leaving in a car with other people (stock photo), but they had denied these claims Work trip: Jacqueline was away at the time in New York with the couple's eldest child, Ella, four, visiting Barbie World but has since posted this snap, writing: 'I need a long a** holiday' 'Dan has been friends with her for a while after working together. They all met up with friends and enjoyed a great night out like friends do.' The father-of-three only added Alexandra on Instagram the morning after. Dan had been invited to the party along with Christine McGuinness, 30, James Argent, 31, Olivia Attwood, 27, Jess Shears, 28, and Megan Barton Hanson, 25. A source had told The Sun that as soon as the pair hit the dancefloor, Dan made a beeline for Alexandra, who looks rather like Jacqueline, leaving all the other partygoers stunned. Home and away: The former EastEnders star has been sharing pictures from her trip away after recently admitting that while she and Dan have issues, their marriage feels stronger than ever They added that he was all over her and at one point, grabbed her and kissed her. Another onlooker said that he was putting his hands all on her, grinding and thrusting and that Alexandra seemed to be laughing it off. While there were lots of women there on the night, the site reported that he only seemed interested in Alexandra, who looks a lot like Jacqueline. Going wild: Dan and Alexandra were on a night out with a host of other famous faces including, (L-R) Christine McGuinness, Olivia Attwood, Megan Barton Hanson and Jess Shears Night out: Alexandra (pictured on the night in question) Letting loose: Dan was pictured posing with his fellow former TOWIE co-star James Argent Meanwhile, on social media earlier on, Jacqueline who has been in New York for work with their eldest daughter appeared to hint at a feeling down. She posted a picture of herself looking pensive, writing: 'I need a holiday. A long a** holiday. I have major brainache.' Jacqueline recently admitted that she and husband Dan 'havent had the best relationship this year' but said 'things are definitely looking better.' The actress was candid as she gave fans an update on her life with Dan and their daughters Ella, four, and Mia, eight months, on her YouTube channel Jacqueline's World on Tuesday. Family life: The couple have two children together Ella and Mia (pictured), and Dan also has a son called Teddy, five, from a past relationship with Megan Tomlin She explained: 'Things are amazing with my relationship again, I do believe you have to take the rough with the smooth. 'Everything happens for a reason and a lot of things happen that you don't know about, and a lot happens that you do know about.' Adding that she wanted to 'keep things private' in her life, and saying it's 'out of her control' when 'b*****s want to sell stories' she continued: 'Me and Daniel have been getting on more than ever, obviously we still have issues to go through. 'But actually its kind of better in a way, because now we're talking and getting on so well its nice to speak about our issues, it makes us get on better. I feel like we're on a good wavelength right now, so all is well.' Dan and Jacqueline married in 2017 but split in May last year after enduring constant rows. He had been pictured looking cosy with another Love Island star Gabby Allen, 26, on a trip to The Holistic Bootcamp in Marbella back in April last year. In June, Jacqueline quizzed a mystery woman over an alleged drunken one-night stand with Dan just weeks after their wedding. Troubles: In June, Jacqueline quizzed a mystery woman over an alleged drunken one-night stand with Dan just weeks after their wedding Jacqueline, who was pregnant at the time, was said to have contacted the woman on social media as she 'felt threatened' and to quiz her over an alleged one-night stand the woman reportedly had with Dan. A friend said: 'Jacqueline just asked for the absolute truth, every cough and spit of their drunken one-night stand.' Jacqueline wrote: 'Hi, I've just been told something and I need to hear it from you really. I'm not the type of girl to blame the girl etc and all I want is the truth. 'Did you sleep with Dan Osborne after a night in Brickyard? I don't want things to get ugly... so I am just giving you a chance to tell me so that things don't get that far. Something to say: Dan hit back at claims that he was romantically linked to Gabby Allen last April 'Again I'm not going to blame you it's just a simple yes or no, I really need to know. Thanks x [sic].' Speaking to MailOnline, the woman claims she had a one-night stand with Dan last August after being mutual friends for a while, and meeting by chance in an Essex bar. She alleges the former TOWIE star told her that he was 'on a break from Jacqueline and things weren't working out' when they met. She revealed: 'At the time I didn't want to split them up and felt sorry for Jacqueline so stayed quiet. I thought no one wants to hear that about the person they love and it's not worth them separating over especially as they have a family 'I felt guilty as they were obviously in a relationship, but my friends reminded me that I was told otherwise by him and I was single. 'I felt awful for Jacqueline but didn't want to be the reason they split up. Now they already have, and she has asked me directly I can't lie to her.' Candid: Jacqueline has admitted that she and Dan have had a difficult year but said she felt her marriage was stronger than ever (pictured at the NTAs in January) The woman said she felt 'surprised, shocked, and awful' when she heard that Dan was still with Jacqueline and had been consumed by guilt, so felt compelled to tell her story after Jacqueline messaged her. She said: 'Yes I felt guilty as they were obviously in a relationship, but my friends reminded me that I was told otherwise by him and I was single. I felt awful for Jacqueline but didn't want to be the reason they split up.' Meanwhile, Dan and Gabby both then appeared in Celebrity Big Brother that August, and Dan credited the show with helping him to realise that he wanted to work on his marriage. Dan also has a son called Teddy, five, from a previous relationship with Megan Tomlin. She's enjoying the girls' trip of a lifetime after hitting the Maldives with a group of gal pals earlier this week. And it was another day in paradise for Binky Felstead as she shared more stunning holiday snaps from her sun-soaked break at the Anantara Dhigu Resort on Thursday. The former Made In Chelsea star, 28, displayed her toned and tanned frame in a mismatched lemon yellow and black bikini as she posed up a storm on a swing in the middle of the sea. Another day in paradise: Binky Felstead displayed her toned frame in a mismatched yellow and black bikini while soaking up the sun at the Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort on Thursday The TV personality wore her brunette locks piled on top of her head in a messy bun and pushed back with a stylish printed headband. The mother-of-one accessorised with a straw satchel beach bag by ethical company Bom Bom Morocco and circular shades to shelter her eyes from the Maldivian sun. Binky - real name Alexandra - later threw on an elegant floor-length kaftan by luxury resort wear label Octavia Hix as she headed off on an idyllic bike ride with one of her friends. The aspiring fitness entrepreneur announced her arrival in the Maldives on Wednesday, posting another bikini snap to her Instagram page alongside the caption: 'Well Ive arrived in paradise...' Fun in the sun: The former Made In Chelsea star, 28, wore her brunette locks piled on top of her head in a messy bun and pushed back with a stylish printed headband Girls' trip: The mother-of-one later threw on an elegant floor-length kaftan by luxury resort wear label Octavia Hix as she headed off on an idyllic bike ride with one of her friends Idyllic: Binky - real name Alexandra - accessorised with a straw satchel beach bag and circular shades to shelter her eyes from the Maldivian sun The reality star didn't appear to be accompanied by her adorable little girl India, 21 months, who was likely back home in London with her dad, former Made In Chelsea star Josh 'JP' Patterson. Binky and Josh, 29, dated on and off from the summer of 2015, when they got together during the Made In Chelsea spin-off season in Los Angeles, to September 2018 when they confirmed their split. Although the former co-star couple maintain a close friendship, Binky recently admitted she feels 'really isolated' when she sees 'happy families' on social media as she ventures into new territory as a solo parent. She told Women's Health: 'I was home with India and I would see on Instagram that everyone was out and about and I just felt really isolated. 'I've arrived in paradise': The aspiring fitness entrepreneur announced her arrival in the Maldives on Wednesday, posting another bikini snap to her Instagram page 'I can get quite low scrolling through Instagram and seeing all these happy or what looks like happy families mums and dads and babies.' She added: 'Of course, there are times where I think, "F**k, I'm on my own and I've got a baby". 'But I've always been a believer in what's meant to be is meant to be and that things happen for a reason and that's how I've just kind of led my life.' Since becoming a mother, Binky has thrown herself into the world of health, and has even set up Mummy Tribe, a wellness retreat aimed at mums across all areas of their parenting journey. Although she's in better shape than ever, the aspiring fitness entrepreneur admitted her transformation from Made In Chelsea party girl back in the early days of the E4 reality show in 2011 has not always been met with an entirely positive response. Mum's the word: The television personality didn't appear to be accompanied by her adorable little girl India, 21 months (pictured on holiday in Mexico in January) Read the full Binky Felstead interview in the April 2019 issue of Women's Health Addressing the deluge of comments she receives about her new physique, Binky told the publication: 'I think [that's why] people are commenting so much, because they're not used to me [looking like this]. 'They remember me being bigger back in Made in Chelsea. Not bigger but I was curvier and I didn't ever go to the gym, so my body has changed from eight years ago. 'I think all other girls who are on Instagram posting in bikinis didn't get criticised because they've always look like that. But because I've lost a bit of weight they feel like they can say something.' Binky admitted working out has now become part of her daily routine and she attends F45 functional group training classes near her home in Fulham, London, 'most days'. She said: 'I go to F45 most mornings... it's idiot-proof. You turn up, they show you what you have to do and you smash it out in 45 minutes.' Read the full Binky Felstead interview in the April 2019 issue of Women's Health. Also available as a digital edition. Reality Star Scotty T has revealed his troubled past with drugs where he began taking cocaine every day after losing close family and friends. Scotty T - whose real name is Scott Timlin - said that when he first found fame on Geordie Shore in 2012 he was plied with booze and drugs during nights out. The 30-year-old said that after receiving help from a rehabilitation facility in Scotland, he spiraled again after the death of his step father and three close friends. Shock: Reality Star Scotty T has revealed his troubled past with drugs where he recalled taking cocaine every day after losing close family and friends However despite his tremulous past which saw him get fired from MTV after pictures of him snorting a line of cocaine emerged, Scott admitted that he still takes the drug 'recreationally'. Discussing his time on Geordie Shore during an interview with The Sun, Scott said: 'While the show was on air, I'd be doing club personal appearances every night and I started taking cocaine to cope. I used to be completely anti-drugs, anti-smoking and despise all of that. But I fell into that lifestyle. Scott, who has ADHD, said that he couldn't use caffeine as a way of keeping his energy levels up because it affected his anxiety, so to cope he would take cocaine. Revealed: Despite his tremulous past which saw him fired from MTV after pictures of him snorting a line of cocaine emerged (pictured in December 2017), Scott admitted that he still takes the drug 'recreationally' Party boy: Scotty T - whose real name is Scott Timlin - said that when he first found fame on Geordie Shore in 2012 he was plied with booze and drugs during nights out He added that he didn't know how else to cope because sometimes he was doing three personal appearances in one day, adding that this time in his life was 'horrendous'. Following a roller coaster five years after joining the show, Scott decided enough was enough and checked himself into rehab in Scotland where he stayed for two weeks. However shortly after leaving the Scottish facility Scott quickly slipped back into his old lifestyle where he took drugs and partied, before finally being dropped by MTV after the pictures of him taking cocaine materialized. During this time Scott revealed he was 'using a lot', and shortly after he lost a lot of people who were close to him including his step dad and three close friends. The Celebrity Big Brother winner was also hit by the loss of Love Island's Sophie Gradon and her boyfriend who took his own life following her death. He said: 'I was very close to both of them and that was really hard. I was breaking up with my girlfriend, I was alone in my house and I was like "why is everyone around us dying". I got to such a low depressed point but I managed to pull myself out of it.' Struggling to cope: Scott, who has ADHD, said that he couldn't use caffeine as a way of keeping his energy levels up because it affected his anxiety, so to cope he would take cocaine At this point Scott checked himself into a center in Thailand where they helped him battle his demons for two and a half months, where he claims they 'retrained his mind'. Despite his life appearing to be back on track, after he was signed to work alongside his old co-star Charlotte Crosby on her show Just Tattoo Of Us, Scott admits he hasn't managed to give up drugs completely. He said: 'Yes it is a slippery slope but I've never got to the point where I'm doing it all night. I know it's an excuse but I can't put a full stop on that part of my life.' Scott claimed that he now much prefers a night in at home and is focusing on his work, after apparently turning his back on his wild partying ways. Nicole Kidman offered up a heartfelt message to her mother, Janelle, for her birthday. Taking to Instagram on Wednesday, the 51-year-old Oscar-winning actress gave her mum a loving shoutout. 'Happy Birthday Mumma - you are SO SO LOVED!!' she wrote. Mother and daughter: Nicole Kidman offered up a heartfelt message to her mother, Janelle, for her birthday She also shared a sweet photo of herself and her mother standing side by side, as well as another photo of Janelle from when she used to work as a nurse. 'P.S. I love this photo from her nursing days at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney,' she added. The two women are incredibly close, and Janelle often accompanies her famous daughter on outings and to red carpet events. Throwback: She also shared another photo of Janelle from when she used to work as a nurse. 'P.S. I love this photo from her nursing days,' she wrote Words of wisdom: 'My mum has said a lot of things to me - pull your head in and get yourself up off the ground Nicole and get on with it,' she said In July last year, Nicole took in the Broadway show, The Band's Visit, in New York City with her mum. And in December, Nicole took her mum and look-alike niece, Lucia Hawley, to the AACTA Awards in Sydney. 'Grateful to be going to the AACTA Awards with my mum and niece in Australia. Thank you for the nominations for #BoyErased, it means so much,' she wrote on Instagram a the time. Broadway babes: In July last year, Nicole took in the Broadway show, The Band's Visit, in New York City with her mum Keeping it in the family: In December, Nicole took her mum and look-alike niece, Lucia Hawley, to the AACTA Awards in Sydney Nicole once again gave her mum a special mention after picking up the AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Boy Erased. 'My mum has said a lot of things to me - pull your head in and get yourself up off the ground Nicole and get on with it, which is a great piece of advice,' she said, as reported by The Daily Telegraph. 'She has loved me so much.' Strictly Come Dancing pro Kevin Clifton has insisted he'll 'always love' his ex-wife Karen, as he revealed they decided to split so their relationship wouldn't turn 'argumentative and difficult.' Appearing on Thursday's Lorraine, the British dancer said that they still have a strong friendship following their split last year, adding that they'll 'always have love' for each other. Kevin was crowned the winner of Strictly alongside broadcaster Stacey Dooley last year, and after their ecstatic reaction went viral, he told Lorraine it was a 'genuine shock.' Close: Strictly Come Dancing pro Kevin Clifton has insisted he'll 'always love' his ex-wife Karen, as he revealed the reason behind their split last year Kevin told Lorraine: 'We've still been dancing together, we did a tour together, we do have a big respect for each other. 'We just decided it didn't have to be argumentative and difficult so we thought let's just stay friends and work through it, so we're good we're all fine. 'You're always gonna have love for each other and we're just looking out for each other.' Candid: Appearing on Thursday's Lorraine, the British dancer said that they still have a strong friendship following their split last year, adding that they'll 'always have love' for each other Open: He said: 'We just decided it didn't have to be argumentative and difficult so we thought let's just stay friends and work through it, so we're good we're all fine' Last year Karen and Kevin confirmed that they had split after three years of marriage, but said that they would continue working together on Strictly and their joint dance tour. Speaking to Hello in December, the Grimsby dancer said: 'It was important to be honest about everything. 'I think there is a lot of pressure on people to be perfect all the time, and so there is this fairytale image of everything, but at the end of the day we are just like other people. 'We are just two people who love what we do and we never want to pretend to our fans or to anybody.' Over: Last year Karen and Kevin confirmed that they had split after three years of marriage, but have remained on good terms, working together on Strictly and a dance tour Karen also told The Mail On Sunday that Strictly did take a toll on her marriage, saying: 'I found the split very hard to deal with and I panicked. We weren't perfect but we were a normal couple who began to have rocky moments and we didn't know how to handle it. ''Strictly' was the glue that was keeping us together but it was also the workload that was leaving us with no time to communicate. 'To some, it's like ''Oh, you're both on television and living a glamorous life' but it wasn't at all like that.'' Speaking out: During his Lorraine appearance Kevin also said that him and Karen are still close But in the Strictly final Karen showed that their bond was still strong, as she was one of the first to congratulate Kevin when he lifted the Glitterball trophy. Touching on his win with broadcaster Stacey, Kevin insisted they did not expect to be crowned champions, as they finished bottom of the leaderboard in December's final. 'We just didn't expect it at all, we thought Joe Sugg and Dianne were gonna win we were convinced they were gonna win,' he said. 'We just thought that was that and then we were judges leaderboard in the final, so when Tess called our names it was genuine shock, it was just mayhem I didn't know what to do.' Big job: He also touched on his upcoming role as a judge on All Star Musicals, which will see stars perform hits from West End shows Delighted: Karen was one of the first to congratulate Kevin when he was crowned Strictly Come Dancing champion in December Elated: Kevin also revealed that it was a 'genuine shock' when he and Stacey were crowned winners, as they assumed Joe Sugg was going to win While Kevin has been touring the country as a star of the musical Rock Of Ages, he'll also be appearing on screens this weekend, as a judge of All Star Musicals. Chatting to Lorraine about the transition from dancer to judge, he said: 'It was so amazing I loved how they did it, it was a really classy show, but from someone who loves musicals, I've been watching musicals all my life, so I jumped at the chance really. 'I wasn't quite as nervous I didn't have to be critiqued myself, there's nothing better than going to watch a show and then going home and talking about it 'So getting to do that as a job, the celebs can put themselves through the nervous bit, I just got to critique them and enjoy their performances.' Ryan Gallagher has confirmed rumours that a Married At First Sight spin-off is in the works. Calling in to The Kyle and Jackie O Show earlier this week, the MAFS reject said that he'd been contacted about the Island-based series, which appears to be inspired by Bachelor In Paradise. 'Yeah, I got sent a thing last night,' the 30-year-old said, before clarifying: 'I haven't been actually formally asked.' 'Yeah, I got sent a thing last night!' Ryan Gallagher has confirmed rumours that a Married At First Sight spin-off is in the works However, the aspiring comedian added that he didn't expect the spin-off to go ahead because the Married At First Sight cast aren't good looking enough. 'I think it's a load of crap to be honest with you,' he said. 'I don't think it's going to happen. No one wants to see us with our shirts off. We're not Love Island people.' Earlier this week, Daily Mail Australia reported that Channel Nine plans to cash in on the ratings success of Married At First Sight with a spin-off show called Honeymoon Island. Spin-off? Earlier this week, Daily Mail Australia reported Channel Nine is cashing in on the incredible ratings success of Married At First Sight with MAFS: Honeymoon Island Former MAFS participants will have a second chance at love on the upcoming series, which will be set on a tropical island. According to sources with knowledge of the project, 'early discussions have started' and fame-starved former stars are 'eager to get the call-up'. The spin-off is expected to follow the format of the U.S. version. The American version of MAFS: Honeymoon Island premiered last year, and followed 'fan favourites and some new faces' as they searched for love in Saint Lucia. Will they return? Former MAFS participants will have a second chance at love on the upcoming series, which will be set on a tropical island. (Pictured: Troy Delmege and Ashley Irvin) At the end of their stay, the Honeymoon Island couples were made to decide whether they wanted to get married or leave the island alone. The idea is similar to that of Bachelor in Paradise, which brings together former stars of the Bachelor franchise in a tropical resort in Fiji. Although the project has yet to be confirmed by Channel Nine, contestants from all six seasons of Married At First Sight are reportedly 'getting excited'. 'Everyone's messaging everyone to try and see if they've heard anything or know anyone that's been formally approached by Nine,' a source told Daily Mail Australia. Bikini babes: Although the project has yet to be confirmed by Nine, stars from all six seasons of MAFS are reportedly 'getting excited'. (Pictured: Martha Kalifatidis and Ines Basic) 'Other people have even joked about hiding their current relationships if it means they'll get back on television.' Some of the names being mentioned in TV circles include Ines Basic and Ryan Gallagher, who were both badly mismatched on the series. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Nine for comment. Emmerdale viewers have been left feeling sick to their stomach following Wednesday night's show, as groomed teen Jacob Gallagher listened to paedophile Maya having sex with her boyfriend David. Taking to Twitter, fans couldn't hide their disgust after Jacob listened to some crude sounds coming from his dad's bedroom, as many claimed Maya was starting to brainwash her partner in a bid to hide her horrific crime. This comes after actress Louisa Clein admitted it's been 'tough' playing the role of part of teacher Maya as she slowly groomed Jacob, and despite a mixed reaction to the storyline, she insists the plot is no closer to being at an end. Shocking: Emmerdale viewers were left feeling disgusted on Wednesday night's show, as groomed teen Jacob Gallagher listened to Maya having sex with her boyfriend David As Jacob made his way home from school, viewers saw Maya reconcile with David (Matthew Wolfenden) after they shared a huge argument surrounding her missing earring. While this had originally led viewers to think David had exposed her lies, this turned out to not be the case, and so after the couple rebuilt bridges they decided to head upstairs for a bit of passion. As Jacob (Joe-Warren Plant) returned home with Liv Flaherty, he was left stunned to hear his abuser faintly giggling as she slept with David. While the shock and hurt on Jacob's face was immediately apparent, Liv (Isobel Steele) asked whether Maya and Jacob were 'at it.' Dark: Maya - who has been grooming Jacob - was heard getting cosy David after they reconciled their relationship, as he remains clueless of her sinister motives Shocking: As Jacob returned home with Liv Flaherty, the pair heard Maya's giggling, leading the schoolgirl to ask whether they were 'at it' After the scene many viewers took to Twitter to share their outrage at the ongoing storyline, which so far has earned an extremely divided response. Others also suggested that Maya was starting to brainwash David too, as she desperately tries to keep her relationship a secret. One wrote: 'It seems like Maya's also starting to abuse David judging by tonight. Turning on him, making him apologise and doubt himself, trying to stop him innocently interacting with other women. Scary.' Explosive: After the scene many viewers took to Twitter to share their outrage at the ongoing storyline, which so far has earned an extremely divided response Another also tweeted: 'Dear @emmerdale. I genuinely commend you for tackling the grooming/abuse story with Jacob and Maya. I really do. But I also hope it's going to end very, very soon.' The sickening plot has also sparked 84 complaints to media watchdog Ofcom in the past two weeks, with a spokesperson telling MailOnline: 'We are assessing these complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.' It comes as Louisa - who plays Maya - hit back at critics of the plot during an appearance on Wednesday's Lorraine, saying that soap bosses have told the story in a way that it would play out in real life. Defending: It comes as actress Louisa - who plays Maya - hit back at critics of the plot during an appearance on Wednesday's Lorraine 'We've had a real mixed reaction, we've had people who are so incredibly shocked by the story, we don't want to tell a romantic titillating story. 'Emmerdale has done a good job in not to do that, and we've some people saying "stop this now, this is enough already", and we've also had an enormous amount of people say "thank you, this does happen".' Louisa, who along with the rest of the actors involved has been working with children's charity Barnardos, spoke about acting alongside Jacob actor Joe Warren-Plant, 16. Emmerdale continues on Thursday 14th March at 7pm and 8pm on ITV. The first reviews for Dumbo have been overwhelmingly positive, with viewers hailing the film 'beautiful and whimsical'. So it was no wonder Colin Farrell looked in good spirits as he continued the whirlwind promotional tour with a stop in Tokyo for the Japan premiere on Thursday. The 42-year-old actor, who voices Holt Farrier in the movie, was all-smiles as he walked out with director Tim Burton and Japanese actor Hidetoshi Nishijima. Loving life: Colin Farrell looked in good spirits as he continued the whirlwind promotional tour for Dumbo with a stop in Tokyo for the Japan premiere on Thursday He looked dapper for the occasion, donning a pinstriped suit with a blue shirt and striped tie that matched his pocket-square. The star also wore TODS suede lace ups. Colin plays Holt Farrier, a war veteran and former circus star from Kentucky who is hired to care for Dumbo the elephant as a newborn. Dumbo follows the tale of a circus elephant ridiculed for his big ears, who discovers he can use his ears as wings and can fly. Chirpy: The 42-year-old actor, who voices Holt Farrier in the movie, was all-smiles as he walked out with director Tim Burton and Japanese actor Hidetoshi Nishijima Suave: Colin looked dapper for the occasion, donning a pinstriped suit with a blue shirt and striped tie that matched his pocket-square. The star also wore TODS suede lace ups Following on from re-makes of Cinderella, Maleficent, Jungle Book, and Beauty and the Beast, Disney's latest live-action offering is set to be released in March. Burton is in the director's chair for the film, while his frequent collaborator Danny Elfman is on board to do the soundtrack. It is based upon a storyline written by Helen Aberson and is a full-length adaptation of Walt Disney's 1941 animated film of the same name written by Otto Englander, Joe Grant, and Dick Huemer. Three's company: Hidetoshi Nishijima joined Colin and Tim Burton alongside a Dumbo figure Acclaimed: Tim Burton is in the director's chair for the film, while his frequent collaborator Danny Elfman is on board to do the soundtrack One to watch: Following on from re-makes of Cinderella, Maleficent, Jungle Book, and Beauty and the Beast, Disney's latest live-action offering is set to be released in March Dumbo is set to be released on March 29 in cinemas across the UK and USA. Early reviews have begun to trickle through already, however, with journalists taking to Twitter to share: 'We just saw @Dumbo and its spectacular! Youll soar to new heights... pre-purchase your tickets, release date is March 29th, this is not be missed! #Dumbo' 'I really enjoyed #Dumbo. Its a beautiful and whimsical movie, starring a CGI elephant with so much heart. Its also a rather simple tale, so dont expect tons of character septh. But I still had a blast with the ride it took me on and its the best Burtons been in years.' 'The reimagining of #Dumbo in Disney's live-action lexicon soars higher than audiences will expect with its universal storyline, relevant theming, and the adorably rendered CGI-ed elephant that will warm even the coldest of undead hearts.' 'Filled with gorgeous imagery & wonder Tim Burtons #Dumbo celebrates the classics timeless relatability to being an outsider. Through its big eared hero the films menagerie of misfits see an innocence that reminds them to stand up for the voiceless against a cruel status quo.' It's a hit! Early reviews have begun to trickle through with premiere attendees taking to Twitter to praise the film Nell Minow of Common Sense Media said: 'This is a classic family film, with the gorgeous handcrafted animation that's a hallmark of early Disney films... 'Some of the characters (particularly the crows) are quite dated by today's standards, but kids will sill appreciate the story of the little elephant who learns to believe in himself.' Meanwhile, Kim Newman of Empire Online also raved abot the film, posting: 'With a genuinely cute animal hero (compare the phoney cute of An American Tail or The Land Before Time) and an appealing storyline, the film is exactly right for younger children,with its humour and charm and reassuring finish, but it's not too milksoppy for anyone over eight, and has always played as well to parents as kids. He can fly! Dumbo is based upon a storyline written by Helen Aberson and is a full-length adaptation of Walt Disney's 1941 animated film of the same name One to watch: Dumbo is set to be released on March 29 in cinemas across the UK and USA Candid: Fans of the film will no doubt be Colin's children, with the Irish actor hilariously revealing that his children couldn't wait for him to return to work One to watch: Dumbo follows the tale of a circus elephant ridiculed for his big ears, who discovers he can use his ears as wings and can fly Fans of the film will also no doubt be Colin's children, with the Irish actor hilariously revealing that his children couldn't wait for him to return to work after he enjoyed a year's break from acting, Speaking on The Ellen Show, Colin opened up about missing his two sons James, 15, and Henry, nine, when he works away for six months of the year, but said the boys 'got sick of looking at him' when he enjoyed an extended break from films. The In Bruges star said: 'Last year I think I worked for about a month. Gainfully unemployed for about 11. It was lovely, I was just home with the boys. 'It's hard because I travel six or seven months of the year. It's tough on them. It's tough on me. I miss them so much. I just get home and get in their faces to the point they're actually sick of looking at me. Truly.' The Irish hunk playfully added: 'One of them packed my bag when I left and the other one was waiting with the passport at the front door saying 'don't be a stranger daddy.'' Loving life: The group seemed in high spirits as they posed with the Dumbo figurine One to watch: The film has received rave early reviews from viewers Dark take: Burton is known for his dark, gothic, and eccentric horror and fantasy films so Dumbo will no doubt a be bit darker than the original film Remake: The movie follows a spate of Disney films being remade with live action He's the Byron Bay local who just so happens to be one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. But despite his celebrity status, it seems that Chris Hemsworth is just like the rest of us, with the 35-year-old actor stopping by a BP in Western Australia to purchase a meat pie with tomato sauce earlier this week. According to ABC North West, the Thor star and his friend Matt Damon, 48, paid a visit to the service station branch in Carnarvon, leaving employee Illi Lam 'shocked'. He's just like the rest of us! A BP employee from Carnarvon, WA (right) was left 'shocked' after Chris Hemsworth (left) and his friend Matt Damon stopped by the service station this week 'We were so shocked, but because we were in the middle of work we had to remain calm and serve the customers as well,' Illi told the ABC. 'We kind of just stood there and acted cool.' She concluded: 'He bought a pie and sauce and I think I'll remember that for a while!' Exploring Down Under! Last week, Matt (pictured) and Chris, who have recently been in Byron with their families, were spotted touching down in Perth fresh off a flight Last week, Matt and Chris, who have recently been in Byron with their families, were spotted touching down in Perth fresh off a flight. On Wednesday, Chris and wife Elsa Pataky, 42, were spotted boarding a helicopter with their children in tow for a trip to Rottnest Island. Chris and Elsa swapped the bright lights of Hollywood for a more relaxed life in Byron Bay, on Australia's east coast, five years ago. Adventure time! On Wednesday, Chris and wife Elsa Pataky, 42 (pictured), were spotted boarding a helicopter with their children in tow for a trip to Rottnest Island The Hollywood couple have been married for nine years, and have called Byron Bay home since 2014. Elsa, who previously lived in Los Angeles with her husband, recently said she enjoys the more laid-back lifestyle of Australia. 'We did the move three years ago and I'm so happy with it,' she revealed to Women's Health magazine in April 2017. 'In Byron we just feel like locals. People really respect us... and it's what I always dreamed of giving to my kids.' Salma Hayek has revealed how she made it in the show business industry despite battling both sexism and racism as she tried to make a name for herself. The 52-year-old actress landed her first acting role in America four years after moving from Mexico in 1991, when she was offered a part starring alongside Antonio Banderas in 1995's Desperado. The mother-of-one told Vogue that she used Hollywood's sexism to her advantage in a bid to tackle the racism she faced while trying to forge her way as an actress. Candid: Salma Hayek has revealed how she made it in the show business industry despite battling both sexism and racism as she tried to make a name for herself Salma said that portrayed herself as a 'sexy character' that Hollywood would be more willing to accept while trying out for jobs as an actress in America. She said: 'I battled racism by using their sexism,' says Salma of navigating all the naysayers back then. 'So I invented this sexy character. That was what [Hollywood] was able to open up to, that's how I went in. 'I remember understanding this, and making a choice: 'Am I degrading myself?' I didn't sleep with people. It was just that this was something they could understand. In their head, the audience is attracted, and with this me on the screen, they could forgive the accent. So, I said, 'OK I can do that.' Throwback: The 52-year-old actress landed her first acting role in America four years after moving from Mexico in 1991 However, Salma wasn't so sure her plan to portray herself so differently would work, as she reveals she started both a beauty and juice company, because she was ready to be dismissed by Hollywood. Rationalizing her thinking, she said she thought: 'You're not going to bring me down, you know? I am surviving this system, and I'm going to be happy no matter what. I am not going to depend on your mood whether you like me. They can kiss my soft brown Mexican a**!' During her interview with the fashion publication, Salma also discussed Donald Trump and Harvey Weinstein in the current #MeToo climate. Struggles: Salma said that portrayed herself as a 'sexy character' that Hollywood would be more willing to accept while trying out for jobs as an actress in America (pictured in 1995) She said that both men are obsessed with being loved and respected, which she described as being 'dangerous', because they are in power. Salma added that while Harvey was in love with cinema, she has no idea what Trump is in love with other than himself. During an interview with Oprah, Salma claimed that Harvey threatened to 'break her kneecaps', after she refused his advances during filming for the 2002 film Freida. She said: 'I battled racism by using their sexism,' says Salma of navigating all the naysayers back then. 'So I invented this sexy character. That was what [Hollywood] was able to open up to, that's how I went in' Her latest film The Hummingbird Project finds Salma playing a trading tycoon in competition with a former employee (Alexander Skarsgard) and his cousin (Jesse Eisenberg). Asked about landing the role of a powerful businesswoman by Town & Country, she said: 'Theyre rare. And if youre Mexican theyre practically nonexistent.' She also spoke about her husband Francois-Henri Pinault: '[Pinault] is the best husband in the world. I get to be who I am with him, and I dont feel that somebody tries to limit me. 'Im not going to tell you [how we met]. Its such a romantic, amazing story, but it is mine. I dont want to vulgarize it by making it into a story to make myself interesting. #MeToo: During an interview with Oprah, Salma claimed that Harvey threatened to 'break her kneecaps', after she refused his advances during filming for the 2002 film Freida (pictured in 2010) She showcased her sensational physique during her time in the Love Island villa. And Alexandra Cane flaunted her incredible figure once more, as she posed topless in a pair of flared lace trousers for a sultry shoot on Thursday. The reality star, 27, looked phenomenal as she covered her modesty by crossing her arms, while flashing her toned abs in the sexy ensemble. Wow: Alexandra Cane flaunted her incredible figure once more, as she posed topless in a pair of flared lace trousers for a sultry shoot on Thursday In a second snap, Alexandra flaunted her assets in a pale blue top which was tied around her middle and paired with string-tie bikini bottoms. Alexandra wore her raven locks in tumbling loose waves, while opting for a glamorous coat of make-up including lashings of eye-liner and a glossy lip. The star oozed sex appeal as she posed for the shoot, later slipping on a deeply plunging black ensemble with two perilously high thigh slits. Babe: In a second snap, Alexandra flaunted her assets in a pale blue top which was tied around her middle and paired with string-tie bikini bottoms This comes after she hit back at claims she kissed Dan Osborne during a night out in Manchester, behind his wife Jacqueline Jossa's back. According to The Sun, Jacqueline is believed to have since kicked her husband out and ended their marriage during a dispute at their home on Wednesday night. An insider told The Sun Online: 'Both Jacqueline and Dan have both told their friends it's over. She was absolutely furious when she found out what he had been up to. 'She feels embarrassed and very angry that he would put her through the stress and decided enough was enough so kicked him out.' Sensational: The star oozed sex appeal as she posed for the shoot, later slipping on a deeply plunging black ensemble with two perilously high thigh slits Dan is apparently hopeful that they will reunite again and is reportedly telling pals that he will do whatever it takes in order to win her back. His representative told the publication that Dan has moved out temporarily to help his nan clean out her house. The Sun claimed the pair were grinding and thrusting on one another as well as kissing on the dancefloor at Manchester's Neighbourhood bar on Thursday night. The pair had both attended the U S E App Launch and were pictured leaving in a car together, with friends, although there is no suggestion that anything further happened. Married: Alexandra and Dan have hit back at claims they kissed in Neighbourhood nightclub last Thursday behind wife Jacqueline Jossa's back (pictured) Oh dear: The Sun had claimed the pair were openly grinding and thrusting on one another as well as kissing on the dancefloor before leaving in a car with other people (stock photo) Dan and Alexandra's spokespersons released a joint statement to MailOnline saying: 'Absolutely nothing happened with Alex. 'Dan has been friends with her for a while after working together. They all met up with friends and enjoyed a great night out like friends do.' The father-of-three only added Alexandra on Instagram the morning after. Dan had been invited to the party along with Christine McGuinness, 30, James Argent, 31, Olivia Attwood, 27, Jess Shears, 28, and Megan Barton Hanson, 25. A source had told The Sun that as soon as the pair hit the dancefloor, Dan made a beeline for Alexandra, who looks rather like Jacqueline, leaving all the other partygoers stunned. Something to say: Dan, pictured on the night in question has denied doing anything other than dancing with Alexandra and said they have been friends for a while Work trip: Jacqueline was away at the time in New York with the couple's eldest child, Ella, four, visiting Barbie World but has since posted this snap, writing: 'I need a long a** holiday' Home and away: The former EastEnders star has been sharing pictures from her trip away after recently admitting that while she and Dan have issues, their marriage feels stronger than ever They added: 'Dan was all over Alexandra. At one point he grabbed her and kissed her.' Another onlooker said: 'He was putting his hands all on her - grinding against her and thrusting his hips. He's a married man so it was pretty shocking. She didn't seem that into it but she laughed it off. 'Everyone was talking about how he was acting. There were loads of women there but he was only interested in Alexandra. They left together in a taxi with a couple of friends when the party was over.' Going wild: Dan and Alexandra were on a night out with a host of other famous faces including, (L-R) Christine McGuinness, Olivia Attwood, Megan Barton Hanson and Jess Shears Night out: Alexandra is currently single (pictured on the night in quetion) Letting loose: Dan was pictured posing with his fellow former TOWIE co-star James Argent Meanwhile, on social media, Jacqueline, 26, who has been in New York for work with their eldest daughter appeared to hint at a feeling down. She posted a picture of herself looking pensive, writing: 'I need a holiday. A long a** holiday. I have major brainache.' Jacqueline recently admitted that she and husband Dan 'haven't had the best relationship this year' but said 'things are definitely looking better.' The actress was candid as she gave fans an update on her life with Dan and their daughters Ella, four, and Mia, eight months, on her YouTube channel Jacqueline's World on Tuesday. Family life: The couple have two children together Ella and Mia (pictured), and Dan also has a son called Teddy, five, from a past relationship with Megan Tomlin She explained: 'Things are amazing with my relationship again, I do believe you have to take the rough with the smooth. 'Everything happens for a reason and a lot of things happen that you don't know about, and a lot happens that you do know about.' Adding that she wanted to 'keep things private' in her life, and saying it's 'out of her control' when 'b*****s want to sell stories' she continued: 'Me and Daniel have been getting on more than ever, obviously we still have issues to go through. 'But actually it's kind of better in a way, because now we're talking and getting on so well it's nice to speak about our issues, it makes us get on better. I feel like we're on a good wavelength right now, so all is well.' Dan and Jacqueline married in 2017 but split in May last year after enduring constant rows. He had been pictured looking cosy with another Love Island star Gabby Allen, 26, on a trip to The Holistic Bootcamp in Marbella back in April last year. In June, Jacqueline quizzed a mystery woman over an alleged drunken one-night stand with Dan just weeks after their wedding. Troubles: In June, Jacqueline quizzed a mystery woman over an alleged drunken one-night stand with Dan just weeks after their wedding Jacqueline, who was pregnant at the time, was said to have contacted the woman on social media as she 'felt threatened' and to quiz her over an alleged one-night stand the woman reportedly had with Dan. A friend said: 'Jacqueline just asked for the absolute truth, every cough and spit of their drunken one-night stand.' Jacqueline wrote: 'Hi, I've just been told something and I need to hear it from you really. I'm not the type of girl to blame the girl etc and all I want is the truth. 'Did you sleep with Dan Osborne after a night in Brickyard? I don't want things to get ugly... so I am just giving you a chance to tell me so that things don't get that far. Something to say: Dan hit back at claims that he was romantically linked to Gabby Allen last April 'Again I'm not going to blame you it's just a simple yes or no, I really need to know. Thanks x [sic].' Speaking to MailOnline, the woman claims she had a one-night stand with Dan last August after being mutual friends for a while, and meeting by chance in an Essex bar. She alleges the former TOWIE star told her that he was 'on a break from Jacqueline and things weren't working out' when they met. She revealed: 'At the time I didn't want to split them up and felt sorry for Jacqueline so stayed quiet. I thought no one wants to hear that about the person they love and it's not worth them separating over especially as they have a family 'I felt guilty as they were obviously in a relationship, but my friends reminded me that I was told otherwise by him and I was single. 'I felt awful for Jacqueline but didn't want to be the reason they split up. Now they already have, and she has asked me directly I can't lie to her.' Candid: Jacqueline has admitted that she and Dan have had a difficult year but said she felt her marriage was stronger than ever (pictured at the NTAs in January) The woman said she felt 'surprised, shocked, and awful' when she heard that Dan was still with Jacqueline and had been consumed by guilt, so felt compelled to tell her story after Jacqueline messaged her. She said: 'Yes I felt guilty as they were obviously in a relationship, but my friends reminded me that I was told otherwise by him and I was single. I felt awful for Jacqueline but didn't want to be the reason they split up.' Meanwhile, Dan and Gabby both then appeared in Celebrity Big Brother that August, and Dan credited the show with helping him to realise that he wanted to work on his marriage. Dan also has a son called Teddy, five, from a previous relationship with Megan Tomlin. Joe Guidice has been released from prison, according to TMZ. The 46-year-old reality star was reportedly in 'ICE custody' early this morning following his release from the Allenwood Low Federal Correctional Institution in Pennsylvania. Giudice is reportedly 'at an unknown location' and 'will remain there at least until he gets his day in court to appeal deportation.' Joe reported to prison in March 2016 to serve a 41 month sentence after he pleaded guilty to 39 counts of conspiracy to commit mail, wire and bankruptcy fraud, and faces deportation as he 'never obtained an official U.S. citizenship,' according to Radar Online. Joe Guidice has been released from prison, according to TMZ; seen in 2016 'Mr. Giudice has finished serving his federal prison sentence and was transferred early this morning from the Bureau of Prisons to a facility in western Pennsylvania which houses immigration detainees,' family attorney James J. Leonard said. 'His lawyers and his family are hopeful that justice will prevail and Mr. Guidice will return home to his wife and four daughters who love him and miss him.' His oldest daughter Gia posted a sweet throwback photo with her father and wrote, 'sending you my love and strength today and always I love you.' Earlier in the week, Teresa Giudice's brother Joe Gorga admitted on Fox 5's Good Day New York that the Real Housewives of New Jersey star 'has to be prepared' for divorce if her husband Joe is deported to Italy. Out! The 46-year-old reality star was reportedly in 'ICE custody' early this morning following his release from the Allenwood Low Federal Correctional Institution; seen in 2016 Strong: His oldest daughter Gia posted a sweet throwback photo with her father and wrote, 'sending you my love and strength today and always I love you' Difficult: Teresa Giudice's brother Joe Gorga admitted on Fox 5's Good Day New York that the Real Housewives of New Jersey star 'has to be prepared' for divorce if her husband Joe is deported to Italy 'He is getting out, but ICE is picking him up,' Gorga said, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Gorga made it clear that his sister 'has no choice' but to plan for her future without her husband following his prison release. 'If he goes to Italy, they're not coming,' Gorga said. When asked if that meant divorce was imminent for the 46-year-old mother, Gorga answered 'yes' without fear. His sentence was shorted by five months and he's expected to be released from the federal institution this month, but Teresa is making sure she's mentally prepared for what could happen once he is free. Moved on? While Joe and Teresa were married in 1999, rumors have been swirling that she's already left her husband for a much younger man as she was spotted holding hands with Blake Schreck in Miami last month Not great: Gorga made it clear that his sister 'has no choice' but to plan for her future without her husband following his release from prison 'Is she prepared? She has no choice,' he said. 'She has to be prepared; what is she going to do?' Teresa told Andy Cohen that she's splitting her family between two countries despite spending more than 20 years as his wife. 'I'm not doing a long distance relationship. I'm not doing it,' Teresa told Andy. 'I want somebody with me every day.' Leonard told DailyMail.com in February that 'The only lawyers Teresa is talking to are her husbands immigration lawyers and those conversations are about bringing Joe home where he belongs. Nobody is talking about getting divorced.' He added that 'Joe Giudice is a fighter and he wants to come home. His lawyers are putting up a hell of a fight in an effort to make that happen.' Trying times: When asked if that meant divorce was imminent for the 46-year-old mother, Gorga answered 'yes' without fear; seen with his sister in June Their family of six has been through a difficult few years with Teresa serving 11 months in prison herself just before Joe's sentence began. While Joe and Teresa were married in 1999, rumors have been swirling that she's already left her husband for a much younger man as she was spotted holding hands with Blake Schreck in Miami last month. Leonard told People that 'there is no cheating, no divorce' and sister-in-law Melissa Gorga also claimed, 'if it were true, I'd know something.' The Real Housewives of New Jersey stars have four children: Gia, 18, Gabriella, 15, Milania, 13, and Audriana, 10. She's already been on three holidays this year. Yet Vicky Pattison seemed to be pining for another getaway as she shared a sizzling throwback snap clad in a plunging zebra print swimsuit on Thursday. Celebrating the return of Instagram - which went down for eight hours on Wednesday - the 31-year-old reality start shared a steamy shot. Stunning: Vicky Pattison seemed to be pining for another getaway as she shared a sizzling throwback snap clad in a plunging zebra print swimsuit on Thursday Vicky sizzled in a low-cut one-piece which showcased her ample cleavage and tiny waist, whilst she accessorised with a gold bangle and delicate necklaces. Posing up a storm, the former Geordie Shore star clutched a cocktail, whilst she donned a pair of angular shades. She captioned the snap: 'INSTAGRAM IS BACKKKKKK!!!! Heres a picture of me in a pretty swimsuit to celebrate.' Fun in the sun: Vicky took the snap whilst holidaying in Dubai in February, which came a month after she jetted to Mexico for her sister's wedding Vicky took the snap whilst holidaying in Dubai in February, which came a month after she jetted to Mexico for her sister's wedding. The star recently returned from another holiday, having enjoyed a romantic city break with her new boyfriend Ercan Ramadan. The couple, who have only been dating for a few weeks, retreated away to Budapest, Hungary, for their first mini-break since going public as an item last month. Vicky recently admitted she got together with one-time TOWIE star Ercan after he 'slid into her DMs' following her split from ex fiance John Noble. She told new! magazine: 'We've followed each other for a long while on Instagram. It was one of those ones where you just follow good looking fellas.' Vicky said nothing ever came to fruition between the pair because Ercan got a girlfriend and 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 went public with her new man in February during a trip to Dubai - three months after calling off her engagement to John. She did her best to put on an effortlessly regal display at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday night. However, the gale force winds and torrential rain had Elizabeth Hurley pining for the warmer weather, as she took to Instagram with a sizzling bikini snap. The actress, 53, looked absolutely flawless in a skimpy baby blue patterned bikini which put focus on her sensational front and flat stomach. Sexy! Elizabeth Hurley, 53, looked flawless as she took to Instagram in a skimpy baby blue patterned bikini which put focus on her sensational front and flat stomach Elizabeth certainly looked at ease in the barely-there two-piece as she topped up her tan in her sun-drenched surroundings. 'Soft light & a sparkly bikini #aquamarinebikini #lushrobe #newcollection @elizabethhurleybeach,' she captioned the sexy image. Meanwhile, despite the weather, Elizabeth managed to look effortlessly elegant at the star-studded Champion Day of the 2019 Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday. The former Countdown star wore a chic ensemble of a grey and baby blue tweed tailored coat with black velvet buttons, she accessorised it with a brown faux-fur collar. Chic: Sespite the weather, Elizabeth managed to look effortlessly elegant at the star-studded Champion Day of the 2019 Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday Elizabeth completed her look with a black velvet fascinator embellished with matching colour lace flowers and beads, adding a pop of colour a collection of pink flowers were attached on the left side. The Austin Powers actress styled her brunette locks into a voluminous curly blow-dried hairdo, she added a slick of glamorous make-up which included black eye-liner and pink lipgloss. Elizabeth appeared in good spirits as she posed with Irish jockey Mark Walsh, who rode Espoir D'Allen who won the Unibet Champion Hurdle on Tuesday. Elegant: Elizabeth completed her look with a black velvet fascinator embellished with matching lace flowers and beads, adding a pop of colour a collection of pink flowers Strike a pose: The Austin Powers actress styled her brunette locks into a voluminous curly blow-dried hairdo, she added a slick of glamorous make-up which included pink lipgloss Last week, the star looked nothing short of sensational as she shared a series of smouldering bikini-clad snaps on her social media account. Elizabeth has previously confessed that she often ropes her 16-year-old son Damian into taking photographs of her - including her swimwear snaps she posts to Instagram. On their relationship, she told the Daily Mail: 'Damian is a great photographer, and he instinctively knows what younger people want to see, but thats all... Champion: Elizabeth appeared in good spirits as she posed with Irish jockey Mark Walsh, who rode Espoir D'Allen who won the Unibet Champion Hurdle on Tuesday Work it: Last week, the star looked nothing short of sensational as she shared a series of smouldering bikini-clad snaps on her social media account 'He took one or two shots ages ago and that was it. He's at boarding school, for heaven's sake. I can assure you I do not drag him to Mauritius every weekend to take my picture. 'Our downtime together is usually spent watching something scary on Netflix or Vikings on Amazon Prime. 'Because he's away all week and has to make his own bed and tidy his room, I'm probably overindulgent when he's around to make up for it. 'Given I'm a single mother and he's an only child, by default we spend a lot of time together and we are utterly comfortable in each other's company.' Charlotte Crosby was left screaming in pain as she broke her nose in a horror accident whilst holidaying in Cape Town. The former Geordie Shore star, 28, suffered the accident back in November, and shared pictures of her bruised and bloodied face on Instagram. Yet the exact moment she cracked the bone was revealed to fans when the incident aired on Wednesday's episode of The Charlotte Show. Disclaimer: Not for the faint hearted. This looked PAINFUL. #TheCharlotteShow Sponsored by @PinkCasino_ pic.twitter.com/8OReSkb8vL MTV The Charlotte Show (@Charlotte_Show) March 13, 2019 Horrendous: Charlotte Crosby was left screaming in pain as she broke her nose in a horror accident whilst holidaying in Cape Town Charlotte was seen standing by the pool with pal Lauren Causer when the duo were pushed in by Josh Richie and Glen Hargrave. Unfortunately, Charlotte fell awkwardly and faceplanted the back of Lauren's head, breaking her nose in three places. Emerging from the water screaming and in tears, Charlotte sobbed 'I'm going to faint', before being hauled out of the pool by boyfriend Josh. Ouch: The former Geordie Shore star, 28, suffered the accident back in November, and shared pictures of her bruised and bloodied face on Instagram Viewers were left in tears at the scene, tweeting: 'Aww actually cried for @Charlottegshore breaking her nose on #TheCharlotteShow the crack was bad'; 'Catching up on #TheCharlotteShow and in tears about @Charlottegshore busting her nose poor girl. To break it in 3 places and have a deviated septum, poor girl. The way @ritchie_joshua looked after her melted my heart 'Watching @Charlottegshore break her nose was a hard one to grasp but the way @ritchie_joshua looked after her warmed my heart on a whole new level. Hes definitely the guy I want to see Charlotte with for the rest of her life. I love their relationship. #TheCharlotteShow' '@Charlottegshore apart from the nose break, last nights episode was the best so far!! @ritchie_joshua #TheCharlotteShow'; 'Oh, BTW @Charlottegshore, your nose still looks spot on, even after the break! No surgery needed. #thecharlotteshow 'Watching #thecharlotteshow crying at how cute her friends were when she broke her nose @Charlottegshore'. Shocking scenes: The exact moment she cracked the bone was revealed to fans when the incident aired on Wednesday's episode of The Charlotte Show In she goes: Charlotte was seen standing by the pool with pal Lauren Causer when the duo were pushed in by Josh Richie and Glen Hargrave Ouch: Viewers were left in tears at the scene, tweeting their dismay at the incident Charlotte revealed the full extent of her injuries in November, when she shared a picture to her 6.4 million Instagram followers showing her lying in the back of an ambulance with the caption 'It's all fun and games until you break ya nose'. Next to her was beau Joshua Ritchie who didn't look at all sympathetic and let out a huge laugh while sitting by her side. A rep for Charlotte told MailOnline at the time: 'Whilst filming the Charlotte slipped on the side of her hotel pool and banged her nose fracturing it in three places. 'Charlotte has now been discharged from hospital she is in good spirits and will see a specialist on her return to the UK.' Horrendous: Unfortunately, Charlotte fell awkwardly and faceplanted the back of Lauren's head, breaking her nose in three places Help is on the way: Emerging from the water screaming and in tears, Charlotte sobbed 'I'm going to faint', before being hauled out of the pool by boyfriend Josh Group effort: Charlotte's pals rushed to her aide as they tried their best to help after the fall Treated: Charlotte was taken to hospital and had to have surgery on her nose The Just Tattoo of Us presenter also posted a video saying 'Oh Jesus Christ' showing herself with a huge bandage across her face and bloodied nose. Josh also shared a pictured of the pair, while the Love Island personality wore a Nike zip-up and black cap, Charlotte tied her blonde tresses back and had a medical bandage tied around her face. The prankster captioned it 'Just another day in South Africa'. Ooops! Back in November Charlotte shared a picture to her 6.4 million followers lying in the back of an ambulance with the caption 'It's all fun and games until you break ya nose' Charlotte began dating Josh last year but previously dropped the bombshell that she was texting him long before their romance started, as far back as before her split with Stephen Bear in October last year. Charlotte has previously declared she would love to start a family with him. She told Closer magazine: 'Having a family is one thing in life I really want - I've done so much with my life already, and becoming a mum is my dream. 'I want the fairy tale of getting married and having babies - doesn't everyone? I can see myself marrying and having babies with Josh, but he's still quite young, so we'll see. 'I would love to start trying for a baby, next year. I don't want to be an old mum. I want to be a young, cool mum.' Documenting: Charlotte also posted a video saying 'Oh Jesus Christ' showing herself with a huge bandage across her face She enjoyed a steamy date in a hot tub with her muscly love interest Nathan. And Georgia Steel couldn't contain her excitement over her new man as she reunited with Love Island's Zara McDermott on Celebs Go Dating. In an exclusive clip from the show, brunette beauty Georgia, 20, dished on her sizzling date as Zara expressed her excitement over the developing romance. Scroll down for video Hotting up: Georgia Steel couldn't contain her excitement over her new man Nathan as she reunited with Love Island's Zara McDermott on Celebs Go Dating Anticipation: In an exclusive clip from the show, brunette beauty Georgia, 20, dished on her sizzling date as Zara expressed her excitement over the developing romance Georgia said: 'I've been on a date with this guy Nath, he's manly, he was sexy as well Zara. 'He is the first person out of all the dates I've been on that I've thought "you're proper fit". I look at him and think "you're a bit of me"'. As a bemused Zara asked about his personality by saying: 'But as a person as well?' A giddy Georgia said: 'Right so I went to a spa and he looked fit, proper fit. I was like "ooh babe, you are a bit of me".' Proper fit: Georgia said: 'I've been on a date with this guy Nath, he's manly, he was sexy as well Zara' Zara, who recently split from Adam Collard, responded: 'Do you think you're going to invite him over to meet your parents? 'I think it will solidify it for you and make you realise, "yeah I do actually like him"'. 'He sounds really nice.' A smiling Georgia said: 'He's lovely and he's really fit.' Excited viewers saw the Love Islander waiting for her meet-up with Nathan in a hot tub at a spa on Wednesday, for what was to be their third date. Happy to show off her honed physique, Georgia was sure to stand up in the middle of the jacuzzi and flaunt her toned, tanned waist in the cut-out swimsuit. Wow: She added: 'He is the first person out of all the dates I've been on that I've thought "you're proper fit". I look at him and think "you're a bit of me"' 'I'm not going to lie, I didn't think I was going to see you in a bikini on the third date,' hunky suitor Nathan said from across the hot tub. 'It's plain isn't it,' Georgia said, giving him a twirl. 'It is plain but... it says a thousand words when you're wearing it!' Nathan replied. 'You've just fallen in love already, haven't you,' she flirted back, giving him a paltry stroke on the arm. Coy: Zara, who recently split from Adam Collard, responded: 'Do you think you're going to invite him over to meet your parents?' Flirty: Excited viewers saw the Love Islander waiting for her meet-up with Nathan in a hot tub at a spa on Wednesday, for what was to be their third date This appeared to be the extent of Georgia's 'hands on' approach, as they were then seen heading off for a drink. Things ramped up later, however, when she was seen giving him a massage and claiming his 'third leg' had made an appearance. After the date, Georgia and Nathan were seen heading off for more drinks, without a film crew following them, proving Georgia's tactics were improving. Celebs Go Dating continues on weeknights and Sundays at 9pm on E4. Jacqueline Jossa has been pictured for the first time since 'dumping' Dan Osborne. The soap star, 26, put on a brave face as she headed back to her family home in Bexley on Thursday amid claims she has thrown her husband out amid cheating allegations. Jacqueline is said to be 'embarrassed and very angry' following reports Dan kissed Love Island star Alexandra Cane at Manchester nightclub last week. Brave face: Jacqueline Jossa put on a brave face as she headed back to her family home in Bexley on Thursday amid claims she has thrown her husband out amid cheating allegations Yet the EastEnders star retained her composure as she headed into her home with a neutral expression - without Dan by her side. Looking effortlessly stylish for the outing, Jacqueline donned a black and white midi skirt, whilst heeled leather boots boosted her petite frame. She opted for new jewellery with the exception of her wedding ring, which remained firmly on her ring finger. Despite wearing the gem, it's believed Jacqueline dumped Dan and threw him out of their family home after he was accused of kissing Alexandra. Keeping calm: The EastEnders star retained her composure as she headed into her home with a neutral expression - without Dan by her side Over? It has been claimed that his wife Jacqueline dumped husband Dan Osborne and threw him out of the family home after he was accused of kissing Alexandra OH NO! Images have since emerged of married Dan (head shielded) leaving a Manchester nightclub last week with Love Island star Alexandra Cane (back) amid claims they locked lips Despite Dan's proclamations of innocence, a source told The Sun: '[Jacqueline] feels embarrassed and very angry that he would put her through the stress and decided enough was enough so kicked him out. Still on: She opted for new jewellery with the exception of her wedding ring 'Dan is truly gutted that Jacqueline is saying it's over. He's really hopeful he will be able to talk her round once she calms down. He's really angry about it all and telling friends he will do whatever he can to save his marriage.' A rep for Dan, 27, told the site that he has just temporarily moved out to help his nan clean out her house. MailOnline has contacted a rep for Dan and Jacqueline for comment. Hours earlier, Dan and Alexandra 27, had hit back at claims they kissed openly in a nightclub, behind his Jacqueline's back. The Sun had claimed the pair were grinding and thrusting on one another as well as kissing on the dancefloor at Manchesters Neighbourhood bar on Thursday night. Something to say: Dan, pictured on the night in question has denied doing anything other than dancing with Alexandra and said they have been friends for a while The pair had both attended the U S E App Launch and were pictured leaving in a car together, with friends, although there is no suggestion that anything further happened. Dan and Alexandra's spokespersons released a joint statement to MailOnline hours earlier, saying: 'Absolutely nothing happened with Alex. 'Dan has been friends with her for a while after working together. They all met up with friends and enjoyed a great night out like friends do.' Upset: Jacqueline is said to be 'embarrassed and very angry' following reports Dan kissed Love Island star Alexandra Cane at Manchester nightclub last week Chic: Looking effortlessly stylish for the outing, Jacqueline donned a black and white midi skirt, whilst heeled leather boots boosted her petite frame Supported: During the speculation surrounding Dan's antics, Jacqueline was comforted by a friend who was seen arriving at the house moments after her The father-of-three only added Alexandra on Instagram the morning after. Dan had been invited to the party along with Christine McGuinness, 30, James Argent, 31, Olivia Attwood, 27, Jess Shears, 28, and Megan Barton Hanson, 25. A source had told The Sun that as soon as the pair hit the dancefloor, Dan made a beeline for Alexandra, who looks rather like Jacqueline, leaving all the other partygoers stunned. Oh dear: The Sun claimed that Alexandra (stock picture) and Dan were openly grinding and thrusting on one another as well as kissing on the dancefloor, but they had denied these claims They added that he was all over her and at one point, grabbed her and kissed her. Another onlooker said that he was putting his hands all on her, grinding and thrusting and that Alexandra seemed to be laughing it off. While there were lots of women there on the night, the site reported that he only seemed interested in Alexandra, who looks a lot like Jacqueline. Meanwhile, on social media earlier on, Jacqueline who has been in New York for work with their eldest daughter appeared to hint at a feeling down. Work trip: Jacqueline was away at the time in New York with the couple's eldest child, Ella, four, visiting Barbie World but has since posted this snap, writing: 'I need a long a** holiday' Home and away: The former EastEnders star has been sharing pictures from her trip away after recently admitting that while she and Dan have issues, their marriage feels stronger than ever She posted a picture of herself looking pensive, writing: 'I need a holiday. A long a** holiday. I have major brainache.' Jacqueline recently admitted that she and husband Dan 'havent had the best relationship this year' but said 'things are definitely looking better.' The actress was candid as she gave fans an update on her life with Dan and their daughters Ella, four, and Mia, eight months, on her YouTube channel Jacqueline's World on Tuesday. Going wild: Dan and Alexandra were on a night out with a host of other famous faces including, (L-R) Christine McGuinness, Olivia Attwood, Megan Barton Hanson and Jess Shears Night out: Alexandra is currently single (pictured on the night in question) She explained: 'Things are amazing with my relationship again, I do believe you have to take the rough with the smooth. 'Everything happens for a reason and a lot of things happen that you don't know about, and a lot happens that you do know about.' Adding that she wanted to 'keep things private' in her life, and saying it's 'out of her control' when 'b*****s want to sell stories' she continued: 'Me and Daniel have been getting on more than ever, obviously we still have issues to go through. 'But actually its kind of better in a way, because now we're talking and getting on so well its nice to speak about our issues, it makes us get on better. I feel like we're on a good wavelength right now, so all is well.' Letting loose: Dan was pictured posing with his fellow former TOWIE co-star James Argent Dan and Jacqueline married in 2017 but split in May last year after enduring constant rows. He had been pictured looking cosy with another Love Island star Gabby Allen, 26, on a trip to The Holistic Bootcamp in Marbella back in April last year. In June, Jacqueline quizzed a mystery woman over an alleged drunken one-night stand with Dan just weeks after their wedding. Family life: The couple have two children together Ella and Mia (pictured), and Dan also has a son called Teddy, five, from a past relationship with Megan Tomlin Jacqueline, who was pregnant at the time, was said to have contacted the woman on social media as she 'felt threatened' and to quiz her over an alleged one-night stand the woman reportedly had with Dan. A friend said: 'Jacqueline just asked for the absolute truth, every cough and spit of their drunken one-night stand.' Jacqueline wrote: 'Hi, I've just been told something and I need to hear it from you really. I'm not the type of girl to blame the girl etc and all I want is the truth. 'Did you sleep with Dan Osborne after a night in Brickyard? I don't want things to get ugly... so I am just giving you a chance to tell me so that things don't get that far. Troubles: In June, Jacqueline quizzed a mystery woman over an alleged drunken one-night stand with Dan just weeks after their wedding 'Again I'm not going to blame you it's just a simple yes or no, I really need to know. Thanks x [sic].' Speaking to MailOnline, the woman claims she had a one-night stand with Dan last August after being mutual friends for a while, and meeting by chance in an Essex bar. She alleges the former TOWIE star told her that he was 'on a break from Jacqueline and things weren't working out' when they met. Something to say: Dan hit back at claims that he was romantically linked to Gabby Allen last April She revealed: 'At the time I didn't want to split them up and felt sorry for Jacqueline so stayed quiet. I thought no one wants to hear that about the person they love and it's not worth them separating over especially as they have a family 'I felt guilty as they were obviously in a relationship, but my friends reminded me that I was told otherwise by him and I was single. 'I felt awful for Jacqueline but didn't want to be the reason they split up. Now they already have, and she has asked me directly I can't lie to her.' Candid: Jacqueline has admitted that she and Dan have had a difficult year but said she felt her marriage was stronger than ever (pictured at the NTAs in January) The woman said she felt 'surprised, shocked, and awful' when she heard that Dan was still with Jacqueline and had been consumed by guilt, so felt compelled to tell her story after Jacqueline messaged her. She said: 'Yes I felt guilty as they were obviously in a relationship, but my friends reminded me that I was told otherwise by him and I was single. I felt awful for Jacqueline but didn't want to be the reason they split up.' Meanwhile, Dan and Gabby both then appeared in Celebrity Big Brother that August, and Dan credited the show with helping him to realise that he wanted to work on his marriage. Dan also has a son called Teddy, five, from a previous relationship with Megan Tomlin. TOWIE star Shelby Tribble was flaunting her jaw-dropping physique in a tiny maroon bikini on Thursday, as she took to Instagram to mark the final days of her Thai getaway. The Essex beauty, 26, looked amazing in the skimpy two-piece as she posed among the stunning landscape, after spending a week filming with her co-stars from the ITVBe mainstay. Shelby has been eagerly documenting her sun-soaked Thai break with a slew of revealing bikini snaps, topping up her tan as she enjoyed the beautiful beach landscapes. Flawless: TOWIE star Shelby Tribble was flaunting her jaw-dropping physique in a tiny maroon bikini on Thursday, as she took to Instagram to mark the final days of her Thai getaway In the snap, Shelby's ample cleavage and taut abs were on full display, with her glossy raven tresses styled into beachy waves. As she posed on a pool's edge the incredible landscape was on display behind her, as she donned the sexy maroon bikini top and tie bottoms. She captioned her post: 'At this precise moment I felt on top of the world.' Sizzling: Shelby's latest post comes after she put on a sexy display on her social media on Wednesday, as she donned a neon yellow bikini Shelby's latest post comes after she put on a sizzling display on her social media on Wednesday, as she donned a neon yellow bikini. The star captioned the picture of her drinking from a coconut with a straw with the cheeky caption, 'Wanna taste...' Shelby was sporting a bright yellow two-piece boasting ruffled detailing on the straps and the hips which perfectly highlighted her dark tan and contrasted with her brunette hair. Pete Wicks' ex was seen posing beside a wooden swing as she sipped on her refreshing drink. The previous day, Shelby decided to do an impromptu photoshoot after slipping into a leopard print bikini with a red ruffle trim. Wild child: The previous day, Shelby decided to do an impromptu photoshoot after slipping into a leopard print bikini with a red ruffle trim Shelby has been rivalled by her best friend Clelia Theodorou, who has also been sending fans wild with her stunning bikini snaps. The star, 23, slipped into a pastel pink crochet two-piece as she posed up a storm ahead of joining Shelby and the rest of the cast for a sun-drenched boat trip. The reality starlet smouldered in the skimpy halterneck bikini, which showed off her ample cleavage and taut midriff. Bikini babe: She was rivalled by her best friend Clelia Theodorou, who also sent temperatures soaring in a pastel pink crochet two-piece as she joined the cast on an idyllic boat trip Sun-drenched trip: In another snap, former glamour model Clelia proudly flaunted her tanned and toned bikini body in a neon yellow two-piece Clelia looked slightly windswept as she let her long brunette locks fall loosely over her face as she held onto the rope of a beach swing. The pair have wasted no time sharing a slew of sizzling beach snaps since arriving in Koh Samui last week. In one photo, the former glamour model proudly flaunted her tanned and toned bikini body in a neon yellow two-piece as she posed seductively in front of the picture-perfect sea. In another, the former flame of Dan Edgar slipped into a white sarong and tie knot bikini as she told her 112k followers Thailand had 'taken her breath away'. Holiday of a lifetime: In another, the former flame of Dan Edgar slipped into a white sarong and tie knot bikini as she told her 112k followers Thailand had 'taken her breath away' Having a blast: The pair have wasted no time sharing a slew of sizzling beach snaps since arriving in Koh Samui last week Party girls: The BFF's packed a mountain of bikinis for their trip and appeared to be having the time of their life as they danced on the beach on Monday Their boat trip comes after reports Shelby reportedly ended up in bed with Sam Mucklow after a night out. She later bemoaned that she always attracts the 'wrongun' on Twitter. A source told The Sun: 'Shelby and Sam were all over each other their chemistry was unreal. 'One thing led to another and they ended up in bed together. None of the other cast were surprised.' All aboard! Clelia then joined Chloe Meadows and Courtney Green for a boat trip out to sea Shelby also told the publication that Sam snogged her 'so passionately', he 'ripped off her lip'. Shelby, who enjoyed one date with Sam last year, took to Twitter later on Friday to share an explosive rant the morning after: 'I ALWAYS attract the wrongun. 'The disrespect a 'friend' ( who you trusted) has for you by talking about you and your business in a bad way to someone theyve known 5mins just because they have some sort of status is disgusting! 'The rant I want to go into right now....but I know its not worth the time and energy. All I can say is trust NO ONE. Always stay true to yourself [sic]'. It's been a rough road for the Richards-Hilton sisters with raging feuds over the years. But Kyle Richards, who fell out with older sister Kathy Hilton last year, had nothing but love for her on Thursday as she marked her 60th birthday with a cute Instagram message. 'Happy birthday to my sister @kathyhilton One of the funniest people there is. Cant wait to celebrate you ! Love you' Kyle wrote. 'Cant wait to celebrate you': Kyle Richards has shared a birthday message for older sister Kathy on her 60th birthday after they resolved their feud The 50-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star shared an album of throwback snaps, some dating back to the seventies when the sisters, including Kim, 54, were children. The sweet note comes after Kyle revealed her relationship with Kathy was strained last year ahead of the premiere of American Woman, based loosely on their mother's life. Kathy was unhappy at the way Kyle, who developed and produced the series, was going to portray their family in the series, feeling that it would be too personal. It got so bad that Kyle and half-sister Kathy didn't speak to each other for months. Memories: Kyle, 50, shared several family snaps, some dating back to the seventies. Pictured is Kim, Kyle and half-sister Kathy in the fur coat Blended family: The girls are seen with dad Ken Richards Their beloved mother, known as 'Big Kathy' died in 2002 after a battle with breast cancer. 'I hope when Kathy sees the show, shell understand. I would never tell anyone elses stories, she told People. 'And I felt bad because she thought it was something that it wasnt. I was inspired by my mom [Kathleen Richards], being a single mom in the 70s. It was a crazy, fun, reckless time. But its not based on my actual life.' Kyle said their other sister Kim was supportive about the show. Didn't speak for months: Kyle and Kathy fell out last year when the RHOBH star developed and produced a series American Woman based loosely on their mother's life. Kathy didn't like the idea of their personal stories being played out Twinning: Kathy's daughter Paris also wished her mom a happy birthday sharing some vintage snaps The way they were: Nicky and Paris are pictured with Kathy in another throwback snap 'I love my sisters and I would never do anything to disrespect or embarrass them. Im looking forward to the show coming out so Kathy can see it and realize. Thats my hope.' Their relationship was also damaged when Kyle's husband Mauricio Umansky quit working for Kathy's husband Rick Hilton and started his own real estate company. Back in 2015 it was revealed that Mauricio was not invited to Kathy's daughter Nicky Hilton's wedding. 'Rick and his team wouldn't make Mauricio a partner, even after years of working there and a lot of success. So he left,' a source told E! News at the time. Family moments: This snap shows Kathy with husband Richard and Paris sat on his lap 'Now, Mauricio is not welcome at any Hilton events. It puts Kyle in a terrible position because she always has to choose between her husband and her older sister.' Meanwhile Kathy's daughter Paris also paid tribute to her mom on social media. 'Happy Birthday Mom @KathyHilton So lucky to have you as my mom! You are so beautiful both inside & out. You are so much fun, have the biggest heart and are one of kind. I wouldnt be the woman I am today without you. I love you so much!' the socialite and DJ wrote alongside more vintage snaps. Deepika Padukone couldn't contain her delight as she unveiled her incredible new waxwork figure at Madame Tussauds London on Thursday. The Bollywood actress, 33, cut an incredibly stylish figure in an all-white ensemble as she cosied up, took selfies and blew kisses to her brand new double. Deepika, who was joined by her husband Ranveer Singh, was clearly overjoyed at the final result of the wax figure - which is an exact replica of her gorgeous red carpet lehengha at the IIFA Awards 2016 look in Madrid. Like looking in a mirror: Deepika Padukone, 33, couldn't contain her delight as she unveiled her incredible new waxwork figure at Madame Tussauds London on Thursday The duplicate saw the stunning star, who starred alongside Vin Diesel in xXx: Return of Xander Cage in 2017, look flawless in a nude champagne coloured ensemble designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee. Just like her look at the awards ceremony a few years earlier, the replica also boasted her emerald green diamond neckpiece and matching earrings. For the ceremony, Deepika ensured she was dressed to perfection in a floor-length cape style blazer with matching white loose-flowing bottoms. The Om Shanti Om star showed off her jaw-dropping features with a glamorous slick of make-up, while her glossy locks were pulled back into a bun. Delighted: The Bollywood actress cut an incredibly stylish figure in an all-white ensemble as she cosied up, took selfies and blew kisses to her brand new double Loving it! Deepika, who was joined by her husband Ranveer Singh, was clearly overjoyed at the final result of the wax figure Inspiration: The wax figure is an exact replica of her gorgeous red carpet lehengha at the IIFA Awards 2016 (pictured) look in Madrid, which was designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee Perfection: For the ceremony, Deepika ensured she was dressed to perfection in a floor-length cape style blazer with matching white loose-flowing bottoms Her husband Ranveer couldn't have looked prouder as he put on an animated display while posing alongside the waxwork figure. Deepika announced she was receiving a coveted wax figure in July of last year, telling her social media followers: 'Its fun, exciting and in a way, I feel a lot of gratitude because you know when you give your fans a little more than just the movies, then its really, really special. 'I hope they enjoy it as much as we enjoy creating it,' she continued. Deepika joins a small, yet impressive, group of Bollywood stars who have a Madame Tussauds including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit Nene. The beauty is arguably Indian cinema's biggest female star at the moment, having starred in more than 30 films and earning the title of the 'highest paid actress' in India. Beauty: The Om Shanti Om star showed off her jaw-dropping features with a glamorous slick of make-up, while her glossy locks were pulled back into a bun Thrilled: Her husband Ranveer couldn't have looked prouder as he put on an animated display while posing alongside the waxwork figure Fame: The beauty is arguably Indian cinema's biggest female star at the moment, having starred in more than 30 films and earning the title of the 'highest paid actress' in India History: The daughter of famed badminton player Prakash Padukone, Deepika was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, before she moved back to India with her family at the age of one Success: Hot on the heels of pal Priyanka Chopra, the screen siren broke into Hollywood in 2017, starring alongside Vin Diesel in xXx: Return of Xander Cage Hot on the heels of pal Priyanka Chopra, the screen siren broke into Hollywood in 2017, starring alongside Vin Diesel in xXx: Return of Xander Cage. The daughter of famed badminton player Prakash Padukone, Deepika was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, before she moved back to India with her family at the age of one. She began her career in the limelight as a model before moving on to commercials and then films. Deepika also hit headlines late last year thanks to her extravagant wedding to Ranveer in Lake Como in mid-November. The pair reportedly started dating in 2013 but have kept details of their relationship largely out of the public eye. Quite the exciting time for Deepika, she is also one of the 14 cover girls for Vogue's April issue, which celebrates 14 stars from 14 different countries. He was one of the biggest British comedy actors of his time. And when Richard Beckinsale was celebrated on an episode of This Is Your Life in 1978, his four-year-old daughter Kate was asked to record a greeting, telling him charmingly: 'I've kept the secret all day'. Four decades on and Kate Beckinsale is the famous one, with the actress shown a newly unearthed clip of her TV debut as she appeared on Live With Kelly And Ryan to promote her new Amazon show The Widow on Thursday. Kate Beckinsale makes her charming TV debut aged just four in newly unearthed This Is Your Life celebrating comedy actor dad Richard When Richard Beckinsale was celebrated on an episode of This Is Your Life in 1978, his four-year-old daughter Kate was asked to record a greeting Smiling, she recalled the moment she surprised her father, who was a well known star thanks to his roles as Lennie Godber in the BBC sitcom Porridge and Alan Moore in the British ITV sitcom Rising Damp. 'I was four so I was only told the day of or I'd have ruined it,' she recalled. On screen she sat in a pile of cushions, her brown hair cut in a neat bob, and told her father: 'Hello daddy, Who are you? I've kept the secret all day. I'll give you a big kiss when I see you.' On screen she sat in a pile of cushions, her brown hair cut in a neat bob, and told her father: 'Hello daddy, Who are you? I've kept the secret all day. I'll give you a big kiss when I see you' Gushed Ryan Seacrest: 'Oh my God, that is so sweet.' While Kelly Ripa added: 'You've been adorable your entire life.' Kate explained she didn't get her debut quite right. 'My mum was telling me what to say and I was having that thing of hearing a thing and trying to say it. 'So I said "hello daddy Who are you?", not "How are you", so I kindof ruined it.' Dearly missed: Kate's actor dad was a well known star thanks to his roles as Lennie Godber in the BBC sitcom Porridge and Alan Moore in the British ITV sitcom Rising Damp In the cells: Richard with Ronnie Barker and Fulton MacKay in 1979's Porridge Parents: The future actresses mom Judy Loe and dad Richard watch her TV debut Kate's father died the following year, aged just 31, when she was five years old, devastating the schoolgirl. In her interview with Kelly And Ryan, Kate also addressed her hospitalization last month, as she was treated for a ruptured ovarian cyst. Kate revealed her clean-living lifestyle - she doesn't drink alcohol or even coffee - meant she had an intense reaction to the IV drugs she was given, which included morphine. Saying there was 'A lot of dancing trying to touch people's bottoms,' Kate joked she could no longer return to Los Angeles. Happy memories: Kate talked about her famous father; she was just five when he died, age 31 Advertisement George Clooney and his glam wife Amal put on a seriously chic display as they arrived for the Postcode Lottery charity bash in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Thursday evening. The glitzy couple stood before a wall of bright flowers for the occasion, cosying up and posing for snaps ahead of the event. Amal, 41, turned heads and stole the show in a midnight blue satin gown, nipped in at the waist with a chunky black belt. Bringing the glitz! George Clooney and his glam wife Amal put on a seriously chic display as they arrived for the Postcode Lottery charity bash in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Thursday evening The off-the-shoulder number fell to just above the ankle on the raven-maned beauty, showing off a pair of chic black heels. She offset the look with a Hayward leopard print clutch and accentuated the ensemble with eye-catching shell motif diamond earrings set in 18ct rose gold by W. Salamoon & Sons. She kept her make-up palette typically graceful, with a dusting of blusher, a sweep of mascara to her lashes and a pink slick to her pout. She wore her tresses loosely around her shoulders in light waves, ever the glamorous guest. This way and that: George and Amal posed for snaps on the red carpet at the McEwan Hall before heading inside for the gala C'est chic: Amal, 41, turned heads and stole the show in a midnight blue satin gown, nipped in at the waist with a chunky black belt In great spirits: She accentuated the ensemble with eye-catching diamond earrings Glam: The off-the-shoulder number fell to just above the ankle on the raven-maned beauty, showing off a pair of chic black heels. She also carried a Hayward leopard print clutch Guest of honour: The actor and film-maker has returned to the Scottish capital with his wife, a human rights lawyer, to attend the charity Gala at the McEwan Hall. Asked how it felt to be in Edinburgh, he said: 'Its great, thanks for the weather, its nice out.' The couple will be interviewed by broadcaster Natasha Kaplinsky during the event George looked dapper in a pinstripe black suit, over a crisp white shirt, worn open-collar. He lovingly guided his wife into the venue, his hand on her back. The actor and film-maker has returned to the Scottish capital with his wife, a human rights lawyer, to attend the charity Gala at the McEwan Hall. Asked how it felt to be in Edinburgh, he said: 'Its great, thanks for the weather, its nice out.' The couple will be interviewed by broadcaster Natasha Kaplinsky during the event. The Gravity stars appearance in the city comes after hundreds of people turned out to welcome Clooney when he visited homelessness campaigners Social Bite and the headquarters of the Peoples Postcode Lottery in Edinburgh in November 2015. Chatty man: He animatedly spoke to reporters outside the venue Meet and greet: The pair were seen chatting to the adoring crowd gathered outside the event Doting wife: Amal looked delighted to be there to support her and her husband's foundation Beauty: She kept her make-up palette typically graceful, with a dusting of blusher, a sweep of mascara to her lashes and a pink slick to her pout. She wore her tresses loosely around her shoulders in light waves, ever the glamorous guest High profile: George and Amal are pictured with Nice Nailantei Leng'ete, Human rights and FGM activist and ambassador for charity AmRef, representing the Clooney Foundation for Justice In they go: George looked dapper in a pinstripe black suit, over a crisp white shirt, worn open-collar. He lovingly guided his wife into the venue, his hand on her back Fancy a coffee? Some fans brandished a sign that made a nod to George's long-running coffee commercials Ambassador: George cut a dapper look as he headed inside In attendance: Broadcaster Fiona Phillips, Human Rights and FGM activist Nice Nailantei Leng'ete and presenter Jeff Brazier Snap happy: Postcode Lottery presenters Jeff Brazier and Matt Johnson were sure to document the occasion on social media When news of the couples attendance at the latest event emerged in December, the Clooneys said: 'We are thrilled to be attending the Peoples Postcode Lottery Charity Gala in Edinburgh' When news of the couples attendance at the latest event emerged in December, the Clooneys said: 'We are thrilled to be attending the Peoples Postcode Lottery Charity Gala in Edinburgh. 'It is a perfect setting to highlight the urgent need to protect millions of the worlds most vulnerable people from human rights abuses.' The annual Peoples Postcode Lottery Charity Gala is a celebration of the work done by the charities which are supported by the lotterys players. In total, players have raised more than 400 million for charities and good causes since 2005. Dressed to impress: When at the event, the Hollywood couple wrapped up warm in stylish navy coats to combat the chilly British weather Stunning: The pair looked effortlessly stylish as they walked hand in hand in Scotland Loved-up: Walking hand-in-hand, George lovingly guided his wife into towards the event venue Good chat: George and Amal Clooney were interviewed by Natasha Kaplinsky as they attended the People's Postcode Lottery Charity Gala at the McEwan Hall in Edinburgh She is a WooWoo ambassador, spearheading their campaign which aims to address female sexual health and well-being issues. And Megan Barton Hanson brought out all the stops when heading to the new feminine care brand's Worship your WooWoo meet and greet sessions in London, on Thursday. The Love Island star, 25, showcased her lean legs in a cream plaid mini skirt and crop top combo, putting her enviably-toned abs on display for the outing at the Strand's Superdrug store. Wow! Megan Barton Hanson brought out all the stops when heading to new feminine care WooWoo's Worship your WooWoo meet and greet sessions in London, on Thursday Drawing the eye to her tanned and well-defined pins, Megan slipped on leather-looking navy thigh-high boots with a stiletto heel to complete her outfit. The reality star highlighted her surgically enhanced assets in the form-fitting ensemble, and posed up a storm as she showed off her slender physique. Megan complemented her beautiful features with heavily-applied mascara and a soft pink lip, while her blonde tresses were worn in a loosely-waved style. Dressed to impress: The Love Island star, 25, put her enviably-toned abs on display for the outing at the Strand's Superdrug store Work it! Megan showcased her lean legs in a cream plaid mini skirt and crop top combo Looking good: The reality star highlighted her surgically enhanced assets in the form-fitting ensemble, and posed up a storm as she showed off her slender physique The beauty was announced as WooWoo's brand ambassador in November to help with their Worship Your WooWoo campaign that aims to raise the level of debate around a number of important female sexual health and well-being issues. Megan previously commented on the partnership and said: 'Im excited to be supporting Woo Woo with this important campaign. We need to really change our approach on sex education and hygiene. 'That old British notion of "Well lets not talk about that really needs to change. Its good to a see a brand thats willing to take the lead in this area and Im really proud to be supporting them in doing so.' All in the details: Drawing the eye to her tanned and well-defined pins, Megan slipped on leather-looking navy thigh-high boots with a stiletto heel to complete her outfit It comes as Megan revealed a friend's cruel 'plastic' jibe after she had a nose job aged 18. Revealing she had a pact with her then best friend at 14 to both undergo nose jobs, the star said the pal, who didn't go under the knife, had become the first person to label her plastic following her surgeries. She said: 'A few years ago she commented on an Instagram post saying how plastic I looked post nose surgery and lip filler. Of course she meant it in a jokey kind of way, but I knew that there was some truth in it. Winter ready: The blonde bombshell combated Britain's chilly weather with a chic pink coat Beauty: Megan complemented her beautiful features with heavily-applied mascara and a soft pink lip, while her blonde tresses were worn in a loosely-waved style 'The comment has stayed with me, especially as it came from someone I was so close with. 'I had worked so hard to save up the money for the surgery and I had wanted it for so long, but yet when I posted my first picture debuting the new nose, there was a lot of hate.' The reality star, who recently endured an acrimonious split from Wes Nelson, 20, has spoken in the past about tweaking her looks with the aid of cosmetic surgery Rise to fame: It comes as Megan revealed a friend's cruel 'plastic' jibe after she had a nose job aged 18 The former stripper revealed earlier last year that she's had 'loads' of work done to enhance her appearance and she has plans to undergo more in the future. Megan has revealed that she's had two boob jobs her first when she was just 19 years old rhinoplasty, her lips filled, and pearly white veneers on her teeth. While it has been rumoured that the Essex girl has undergone 25,000 worth of cosmetic surgery, experts have estimated that the real price tag is 40,000. Oh dear: Revealing she had a pact with her then best friend at 14 to both undergo nose jobs, the star said the pal, who didn't go under the knife, had become the first person to label her plastic following her surgeries She added: 'I had worked so hard to save up the money for the surgery and I had wanted it for so long, but yet when I posted my first picture debuting the new nose, there was a lot of hate' In an interview with The Mirror, back in August, she said of her several procedures, 'I have had loads. I dont think it should be a massive negative thing. If you want to do something to make you feel more comfortable and you can do it, then why not?... 'I didnt take these decisions trying to be a role model. I did it for me. Im not ashamed of it. Ive done what Ive done because it made me feel comfortable... 'Its like people getting their hair done to make them feel nice. Ill go get my lips done because it makes me feel better.' Kim Woodburn made an incredibly risque remark when she returned to the public eye on Thursday after her blazing row with Coleen Nolan on Loose Women last year. The self-professed 'Queen of Clean', 76, quipped she was busy doing the cleaning in a scanty g-string but she promised to maintain a social media presence. Accompanied with her X-rated comments, the Celebrity Big Brother star shared a picture on her newly opened Instagram account. 'I am currently doing the housework in my g-string': Kim Woodburn, 76, shocked with racy remark about a G-STRING in her first ever social media post on Thursday She wrote on Instagram: 'Thanks for the follow everyone...I will come back to you all soon but I am currently doing the housework in my g-string, spats and a bowler. 'I am swinging around a vacuum! If you saw me now you would never get over it dear! Kim X.' (sic) The Instagram and Twitter accounts mark the reality star's first ever social media platforms until now. In the bio of both her Instagram and Twitter profiles, Kim simply described herself in four words the 'Queen of Clean'. The How Clean Is Your House? presenter shared her musings about cleaning in a string of candid tweets on her new Twitter account. She's back: Kim's social media presence comes after she stormed off Loose Women when she accused her rival Coleen Nolan of bullying her during an interview in August (August 2018) Kim's social media presence comes after she stormed off Loose Women when she accused her rival Coleen Nolan of bullying her during an interview in August. The CBB star broke her silence months later over the explosive row as she admitted she doesn't know whether she was 'conned' into the argument by ITV producers. She told New! magazine: 'I was asked to do Loose Women and I didnt think it would turn out like it did very hurtful. Honesty is the best policy: The How Clean Is Your House? presenter shared her musings about cleaning in a string of candid tweets on her new Twitter account 'I was told that it was a reconciliation on Coleens behalf... I dont know if the producers didnt tell her, or if they conned both of us to get us on.' 'I dont wish her any harm and Im sorry she has no job on Loose Women. I can say hand on heart, I didnt cause it and I hope, in time, she gets back on her feet.' MailOnline contacted Loose Women and ITV representatives for comment at the time the story broke. There has been bad blood between the pair since they clashed on Celebrity Big Brother together in January 2017. Reunion: A fight broke out between Coleen and Kim when they were reunited on Loose Women for the first time since they clashed on Celebrity Big Brother together (August 2018) Kim broke down in tears as she accused Coleen of making her life 'hell' and bullying her during their time in the CBB house. The Kim's Rude Awakenings star left the set of Loose Women after she branded Coleen 'lying trash' during the almighty row. At the time of the argument on the daytime talk show, an ITV spokesperson said: 'Kim agreed to come onto the panel at the invitation of the producers on the understanding it was for a reconciliation with Coleen. Kim becoming upset was never the intention and the panel did endeavour to comfort her.' She recently revealed she 'had to go to some dark places' for her dual role in Us, Jordan Peele's nightmarish follow-up to Get Out. And Lupita Nyong'o once again embraced the thriller's dark vibe when attending the film's UK premiere at Picturehouse Central on Shaftesbury Avenue, London. The Black Panther actress , 36, lived up to her billing as one of Hollywood's foremost fashionistas as she donned a shimmering plaid frock with a daring thigh-high split and a deep plunging v-neck. Work it: Lupita Nyong'o embraced the thriller's dark vibe when attending the UK premiere for Us at Picturehouse Central on Shaftesbury Avenue, London Putting on a leggy display, the Oscar-winning actress completed her glamorous ensemble with a pair of gold strappy heels as she posed up a storm during her red carpet appearance. Adding to her chilling vibe, Lupita accented her gorgeous eyes with eerie red contacts, while highlighting her cheeks in a bright pink blush. The 12 Years A Slave star rounded off her makeup with dark smokey eyes to match her plump lips and styled her luscious locks in bouncy curls. Beaming: Adding to her chilling vibe, Lupita accented her gorgeous eyes with eerie red contacts, while highlighting her cheeks in a bright pink blush Dressed to impress: The Black Panther actress , 36, lived up to her billing as one of Hollywood's foremost fashionistas as she donned a shimmering plaid frock with a daring thigh-high split and a deep plunging v-neck All in the details: Putting on a leggy display, the Oscar-winning actress completed her glamorous ensemble with a pair of gold strappy heels as she posed up a storm during her red carpet appearance Style: Letting her horror-inspired outfit do the talking, the actress kept her accessories to a minimum, opting for dainty white earrings Letting her horror-inspired outfit do the talking, the actress kept her accessories to a minimum, opting for dainty white earrings. Us, which also stars Winston Duke and Elizabeth Moss, follows a family who are enjoying a vacation at the beach, but their serenity quickly turns to chaos when a group of horrifying doppelgangers begin to terrorise them. Speaking on Ellen on Wednesday, Lupita said that it was such a challenge playing the two contrasting characters that she would take naps in between filming. Difficult: The Oscar-winning actress said that it was such a challenge playing Adelaide Wilson and her doppelganger Red in Us that she would take naps in between filming Tough: The Black Panther star recently explained: 'Theyre very different, theyre diametrically opposed to each other but theyre also connected, so I had to go to some dark places within myself' She explained: 'Theyre very different, theyre diametrically opposed to each other but theyre also connected, so I had to go to some dark places within myself to find the doppelganger, Red. '[I had to] do a crazy voice that was a lot fun to create and I enjoyed the experience. I spent a lot of time between takes sleeping just trying to catch up with myself.' The actress added: 'You never meet your scene partner which is a challenge of its own, someone whos just an eye line or sometimes a green cross on the wall.' Glamorous: Lupita posed on the red carpet with her dashing co-star Winston Duke Dapper: The Black Panther actor, 32, ensured all eyes were on him as he donned a purple suit Co-stars: The two Us stars met their director Jordan Peele on the red carpet Director Jordan Peele, who's married to actress Chelsea Peretti, 41, became the first ever African-American screenwriter to win Best Original Screenplay last year for Get Out. During a chat with AnOther in February, the Kenyan-Mexican actress opened up about being a big fan of filmmaker Jordan Peele, even before his Get Out days. She said matter-of-factly: 'I'd walk off a cliff for Jordan Peele. I was madly in love with the mind of Jordan from the Key & Peele days, and I remember putting him on my "one day I'll work with" list.' Keeping it casual: Jordan donned a denim MooRER jacket with a pink shirt and black trousers Famous faces: Will Poulter attended the exclusive screening of Us in London Looking good: I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! star James McVey also attended the event Lupita explained that once she saw Peele's directorial debut, Get Out, she was even more determined to collaborate. 'Then I saw Get Out,' the star said. 'I saw it in the cinema five times in one month. I was just so fascinated by it.' Us is set to be released in cinemas across the UK and the USA on March 22. Colourful: Presenter Sonali Shah dazzled in a bright flowing skirt for the occasion She's a paragon of glamour on the red carpet. And Nicole Kidman took that style with her to set when she was seen shooting a scene for her new HBO mini-series The Undoing in New York on Thursday. All eyes were on the Aussie beauty, 51, as she rocked fiery red tresses and a velvet coat while the cameras rolled. Exquisite: Nicole Kidman was stunning as she stepped onto set to film her new HBO show The Undoing in NYC on Thursday Nicole's chic take on winterwear continued with with burgundy boots with gold details on the inside of the heels. Bundle beneath her coat was a plum colored frock which matched a handsome suede handbag. The Oscar winner tied her look together with a chic floral scarf and gold earrings. Going back to her roots, Kidman sported rich auburn locks styled in full curls. Her makeup was subdued, only there to emphasize her natural good looks for the camera. Lady in red: All eyes were on the Aussie beauty, 51, as she rocked fiery red tresses and a velvet coat while the cameras rolled Feeling plum: Nicole's chic take on winterwear continued a plum colored frock which matched a handsome suede handbag It appeared as if today's shoot was a continuation of yesterday's scene, as the star was clad in the same costume as before. Nicole was all smiles as she kicked off production on the series Tuesday. The Undoing will see Kidman join forces with Hugh Grant, Noah Jupe and Donald Sutherland on screen. She's also executive producing alongside her former Big Little Lies collaborator David E. Kelley, as well as Susanne Bier, Per Saari, and Bruna Papandrea. The premium cable project, which is based on the novel You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz, will follow the life of Grace Sachs, a woman who is 'who is living the only life she ever wanted for herself.' Ready to roll! It appeared as if today's shoot was a continuation of yesterday's scene, as the star was clad in the same costume as before Per Deadline, Sachs is 'a successful therapist on the brink of publishing her first book, has a devoted husband and young son who attends an elite private school in New York City. 'Weeks before her book is published, a chasm opens in her life: a violent death, a missing husband, and, in the place of a man Grace thought she knew, only a chain of terrible revelations. Left behind in the wake of a spreading and very public disaster, and horrified by the ways in which she has failed to heed her own advice, Grace must dismantle one life and create another for her child and herself.' The Undoing has yet to announce a release date. TV team: The Undoing will see Kidman join forces with Hugh Grant, Noah Jupe and Donald Sutherland Hair story: Nicole's hair was in an epic fight with the wind Wind fall: Nicole battled the gusts as her strawberry blonde tresses took flight Pat Laffan - known best for his role as milkman Pat Mustard in the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted - has died aged 79. His agent confirmed the news with a statement on Thursday, while Father Ted creator Graham Linehan took to Twitter to express his sadness about the news. He posted: 'Just heard the sad news that Pat Laffan who played Pat Mustard in Father Ted has died. Rest in peace, Pat, a pleasure to work with you.' Sad loss: Pat Laffan - known best for his role as milkman Pat Mustard in the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted - has died aged 79 His agent Lisa Richards released a statement, breaking the news. 'It is with tremendous sadness that we here at the Lisa Richards Agency can confirm Pat Laffan's passing today,' she confirmed. 'Pat was one of the very first clients of the agency but much more than that, he was a close friend, a mentor and a hugely important supporter of the company's founders Lisa and Richard Cook and for many of the staff of the agency who had the pleasure to represent and work with him over the last almost thirty years.' 'While Pat is perhaps still best remembered by Irish screen audiences for his portrayal of Mr Burgess in Roddy Doyle's film The Snapper (1993) and as Pat Mustard the notorious milk man in Father Ted (Channel 4, 1998), he had almost 40 film credits and 30 television credits to his name. Rest in peace: His agent confirmed the news with a statement on Thursday [pictured 2012] Father Ted creator Graham Linehan took to Twitter to express his sadness about the news [Pat is pictured with Pauline McLynn as Mrs Doyle in Father Ted, 1998] 'All here will remember him first and foremost as our friend and mentor and we will miss him terribly. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.' The Irish star was also known for portraying Georgie Burgess in The Snapper, as well as playing parts in TV series Ripper Street and Steve Spielberg's film adaptation of War Horse. Pat had in fact originally auditioned for the role of Father Fintan Stack, which was eventually played by Brendan Grace. When he failed to secure the role, Pat was cast as Pat Mustard. Tributes: Twitter has been awash with tributes from Pat's former colleagues Pauline McLynn, who played Mrs Doyle, the housekeeper of Craggy Island Parochial House, posted a short tribute to Laffan on Twitter that read: 'RIP the wonderful Pat Laffan.' The character of sleazy milkman Pat Mustard was positioned as Mrs Doyle's love interest, and the show's writers inferred he slept with all the women he delivered milk to each morning. Other credits include The Saint in 1997, 2006's The Queen and 2010s Leap Year. He also appeared in the BBC soap EastEnders and in the RTE medical drama The Clinic. He had shot a final film, somewhat poetically titled Laid To Rest, which is currently in post-production. The short is set to be released this year. Repertoire: The Irish star was also known for portraying Georgie Burgess in The Snapper, as well as playing parts in TV series Ripper Street and Steve Spielberg's film adaptation of War Horse Sadly missed: Many tweeted about the news on Thursday evening Pat was a member of Abbey Theatre Company in the 1960s and served as the Peacock Theatre's director in the 1970s. Many tweeted about the news on Thursday evening, with one posting: 'RIP Pat Laffan, from The Snapper to Father Ted, the provider of some of the biggest laughs we've shared as a nation.' Another tweeted: 'Sorry to hear Irish actor Pat Laffan passes away. Pat Mustard in Father Ted was one of the funniest characters ever created. RIP.' 'Sad news about Pat Laffan. In the space of one short episode, Pat Mustard became one of the most memorable characters in sitcom history. A legendary performance. So many great lines,' came a third post. A fourth penned: '#PatLaffan very sad to hear the passing, "pat mustard". "Is that Mrs Doyle, I thought it was marilyn Monroe". Lol. ' She's been living it up on a sun-kissed excursion to the Maldives to celebrate her sister Billie's wedding to Greg Shepherd. And Sam Faiers looked nothing short of sensational as she shared a final bikini snap from her trip abroad on Thursday before she and husband Paul Knightley boarded a plane with their son Paul Junior, three, daughter Rosie, sixteen months, and Billie and Greg. The TOWIE star, 28, showcased her jaw-dropping figure in the sizzling snap, donning a dark purple bikini and a pair of shades as she lounged at the beach. Stunning: Sam Faiers, 28, looked nothing short of sensational as she shared a final bikini snap from her trip to the Maldives for her sister Billie's wedding Taking to her Instagram Stories, Sam shared a snap of Paul and their son smiling broadly before they boarded their plane home. She captioned the snap: 'Bye Maldives'. The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant also shared a video of Paul Junior sitting next to her on the plane where he smiles at the camera and says 'Bye Maldives'. Sam later posted a video of her sister Billie and Greg reclining on the flight home as they got into relaxation mode following their nuptials and honeymoon. She wrote: 'Just when they thought they had a peaceful flight home from their honeymoon. Hey Sis'. Family: Sam shared a video of her sister Billie and Greg reclining on the flight home as they got into relaxation mode following their nuptials and honeymoon The reality TV personality gave her 2.2million followers a glimpse into her luxurious surroundings upon arrival, sharing a host of clips depicting the scenic views and action-filled performances from fire-dancers. Sam and the family have stayed with the new Mr and Mrs Shepherd ever since her sister Billie wed long-term fiance Greg last Tuesday. Billie and Greg, who share Nelly, four, and Arthur, two, wed in an idyllic ceremony last Tuesday on the island of Kuramathi after a five-year engagement. Homeward bound: Sam shared a snap of Paul and their son smiling broadly before they boarded their plane home Tot: The former Celebrity Big Brother contestant also shared a video of Paul Junior sitting next to her on the plane where he smiles at the camera and says 'Bye Maldives' Sam wrote alongside this snap: 'Just when they thought they had a peaceful flight home from their honeymoon. Hey Sis' Their wedding has been marred with controversy after they were accused of ruining a host of fellow holidaymakers' trips due to their guests' raucous behaviour. Billie and Greg idyllic nuptials have been sending fans wild over the past week, with devoted followers keen to know the ins and outs. The happy newlyweds gave delighted fans an insight into the stunning festivities in their OK! Magazine spread. After streams of reports about the big day, the couple set the record straight as they revealed hilarious details, including the fact that Greg's three best men performed a spoof of their show The Mummy Diaries. Couple: Billie and Greg, who share Nelly, four, and Arthur, two, wed in an idyllic ceremony last Tuesday on the island of Kuramathi after a five-year engagement Greg revealed: 'They had some help from The Mummy Diaries crew so they created a spoof episode... 'They were taking the mick out of how long it took to get my Instagram verification.' While Billie treated Greg to a Cartier belt and cufflinks, the groom did not realise wedding gifts were 'a thing' to which she responded: 'Epic fail, Greg!' Clearly disheartened, she pushed: 'Every time the door went on my wedding day I was thinking that will be my present but it never arrived!' Bradley Cooper is fresh from the success of his film A Star Is Born. And the actor/director appeared like he was riding the momentum of his hit as he took a meeting with a friend over lunch at Brentwood Country Mart on Thursday. Bradley, 44, looked ruggedly handsome while riding off from the lunch meeting on his motorcycle. Let's do lunch! Bradley Cooper caught up with a friend over lunch at Brentwood Country Mart on Thursday He was equipped with a black, white and red Dainese jacket which retails for just under $600. Underneath, Bradley sharpened up with a blue button up and black jeans. Taking his style cues from his A Star Is Born character Jackson Maine, the seven-time Oscar nominee rocked a layer of stubble across his chiseled jawline. Need for speed: The actor/director headed off on his KTM 1190 motorcycle Riding in style: The 44-year-old was equipped with a black, white and red Dainese jacket which retails for just under $600 Paling around: Bradley and pal looked chummy during their meetup Sharp stuff: Underneath his motorcycle jacket, Bradley sharpened up with a blue button up and black jeans He rounded out his look with leather shoes and a pair of aviator sunglasses. After fetching his orange and white KTM ride from the valet, he put his helmet and gloves on, hopped onto his bike and rode away. Following a jam-packed awards season, Bradley will continue his busy year with the release of the sure-to-be blockbuster Avengers: Endgame, in which he voices the roguish little Rocket Racoon. On the go! The actor fetched his car from valet before heading off Staying busy: After a jam-packed awards season, Bradley will continue his busy year with the release of the sure-to-be blockbuster Avengers: Endgame The Marvel saga is set for theaters April 26 2019. Beyond that, he'll follow up his directorial debut with the Leonard Bernstein biopic, Bernstein. He's also attached to the WWII drama Atlantic Wall, which is currently in pre-production. She became America's favorite foodie as the host of Top Chef. And Padma Lakshmi immersed herself in culture as she caught the subway in Hong Kong ahead of the finale of her hit Bravo show. The 48-year-old actress revealed a glimpse into her difficult childhood in a personal essay to her five-year-old self for a CBS News series where she reflected on being sexually assaulted and raped. Beaming: Padma Lakshmi immersed herself in culture as she caught the subway in Hong Kong ahead of the finale of her hit Bravo show 'Your voice won't be heard by those who are supposed to love and protect you,' she wrote. 'At age seven, you will be molested. You will use words to call it out, but you'll think those words don't matter because life will go on as if nothing happened. The sovereignty of your body will be violated again. You will be raped at 16.' Lakshmi first detailed the abuse in a #MeToo story in a New York Times op-ed shared in September, where she revealed she was raped by her then 23-year-old boyfriend. Padma was only 16-years-old when the college student sexually assaulted her in her sleep. Honest: The 48-year-old actress revealed a glimpse into her difficult childhood in a personal essay to her five-year-old self for a CBS News series where she reflected on being sexually assaulted and raped; seen on Instagram 'Your voice won't be heard by those who are supposed to love and protect you,' she wrote. 'At age seven, you will be molested; seen at SXSW on Saturday She continued: 'By then, you'll be silenced into submission and it will take you decades to find your voice. But you, you bury all that, somewhere deep. You'll chisel a life for yourself, out of thin air and carry on as if nothing ever happened. 'You're resilient, though I know you're hurting inside. Just like your mother before you. But watching her you learn a lot.' Padma found comfort in the kitchen and escaped some of her pain through learning how to cook. 'You're resilient, though I know you're hurting inside. Just like your mother before you,' she wrote. 'But watching her you learn a lot' 'For comfort, you will cook. It comes really easily to you, and the kitchen has always been your happy place,' she wrote. 'You'll realize along the way you are of value. Pads, you won't just survive, you'll flourish.' She also revealed that having her daughter Krishna, who is now nine, changed her life and helped her find peace. 'One day a songbird will flutter in your belly. And life begins anew. You'll be a mom and your heart will burst with a happiness you've never known or thought possible,' she wrote. 'You'll see that this is the belonging that you've always searched for all your life. You will finally know peace. You will finally exhale.' The Sopranos movie has been given a new title... and a release date. The film prequel to the acclaimed HBO drama series was formerly known as The Many Saints Of Newark, but is now simply called Newark, reported Variety on Thursday. The publication also revealed the film's release date: September 25, 2020. Generations: The central character of Tony Soprana in Newark will be played by Michael Gandolfini [R] the son of James Gandolfini [L], who made the role famous in the original series The central character of Tony Soprana will be played by the son of James Gandolfini, who made the role famous in the original series. Michael Gandolfini, 19, will star in the David Chase-produced movie as the younger version of the character his late father portrayed. And Deadline.com reported last month that Ray Liotta, 64, is in negotiations to come on board the movie set at the time of tensions between African Americans and Italian Americans that led to riots in 1967 in Newark, New Jersey. Back to the mob: Ray Liotta, 64, is set to join the cast of Davide Chase's Sopranos prequel Newark, Deadline.com reported Wednesday Classic: Liotta starred in Martin Scorcese's acclaimed mob movie Goodfellas with Robert De Niro, Paul Sorvino and Joe Pesci. The film was released in 1990 In a statement, Liotta said he was 'thrilled to be working' with Chase and Alan Taylor who is set to direct the film. 'I respect them both immensely and look forward to making this special project with New Line,' he added. The actor, who starred as Henry Hill in 1990's Goodfellas, was born and raised in Newark. He's the latest Goodfellas actor to be associated with The Sopranos. Twenty-seven people who appeared in the Scorsese film also had roles in the HBO series, according to Deadline.com, including Lorraine Bracco, Michael Imperioli, Frank Vincent and Tony Sirico. Leading role: Alessandro Nivola was the first actor to be cast in the prequel and will star as Dickie Moltisanti, the father of the TV series character Christopher Vera Farmiga He joins the already announced cast of Alessandro Nivola, Vera Farmiga, Jon Bernthal, Billy Magnussen and Corey Stoll. Little is known about the characters that will be featured in Newark as Sopranos creator David Chase is keeping his cards close to his chest. Chase is co-writing the screenplay with Lawrence Konner who wrote for The Sopranos and also for Boardwalk Empire. Director Taylor helmed nine episodes of The Sopranos as well as directing episodes of Game Of Thrones, Mad Men and the film Thor: The Dark World. All that's been revealed so far is that Nivola will play Dickie Moltisanti, the father of the TV series character Christopher, and Gandolfini will play the young version of his father's mob boss character Tony Soprano. Chip off the old block: Michael Gandolfini, the 19-year-old son of the late Sopranos star James Gandolfini, will play his famous father's character Tony Soprano as a young man Backstory: The Sopranos centered around mob boss Tony, played by Gandolfini, who sought treatment for panic attacks. The show ran for six seasons on HBO from 1999 to 2007 The Sopranos centered around mob boss Tony who sought treatment for panic attacks and ran for six seasons on HBO from 1999 to 2007. It made a star of actor James Gandolfini and won numerous awards including Golden Globes, Emmys and SAG Awards. Gandolfini died suddenly of a heart attack while visiting Rome, Italy, on June 19, 2013. He was 51. Earlier this month, Michael Gandolfini, 19, told TMZ that he's psyched to be playing his famous father's character as a young man in the prequel. 'It's exciting to step into the shoes of my dad,' he said. 'I'm real excited, it's going to be great!' he said. Michael, whose mother Marcy Wudarski was married to Gandolfini from 1999 to 2002, was chosen because his looks and mannerisms so closely align with his father's. The teen actor's previous credits include a role in Ocean's Eight and a recurring role on HBO's The Deuce. Highly anticipated: Little more is known about the characters that will be featured in The Many Saints Of Newark as Sopranos creator David Chase is keeping his cards close to his chest She has just returned from the Maldives after celebrating pal Billie Faiers' wedding. And Ferne McCann showed off her sun-kissed glow as she attended a fundraising evening in Essex, on Thursday. The First Time Mum star, 28, looked sensational while displaying her lithe frame in a barely-there mini dress, featuring a ruffle hemline. Radiant: Ferne McCann showed off her sun-kissed glow as she attended a fundraising evening in Essex, on Thursday She gave a nod to the unwritten legs-or-cleavage rule by covering up her top half and baring her incredibly long pins on the bottom. Completing her outfit, the reality star boosted her already statuesque height with the addition of cream strappy heals. The ex-TOWIE, who is mum to one-year-old daughter Sunday, finished her look with some glamorous makeup and her long blonde tresses styled into effortless waves. Dazzling: The First Time Mum star, 28, looked sensational while displaying her lithe frame in a barely-there mini dress, featuring a ruffle hemline Working it: She gave a nod to the unwritten legs-or-cleavage rule by covering up her top half and baring her incredibly long pins on the bottom Glam: Completing her outfit, the reality star boosted her already statuesque height with the addition of cream strappy heals Ferne accessorised her look with a chic white watch as she arrived for the event, and drew attention to her plump pout with just a slick of clear gloss. She was joined at the fundraiser in aid of Haven House Children's Hospice by a host of reality stars, including friends Gemma Collins and James Argent. Of their night, a poster for the occasion promised: 'Join Gemma fresh from her appearance on Dancing on Ice and enjoy live performances from The Arg Band and special guests.' Beauty: The ex-TOWIE, who is mum to one-year-old daughter Sunday, finished her look with some glamorous makeup and her long blonde tresses styled into effortless waves All in the details: Ferne accessorised her look with a chic white watch as she arrived for the event, and drew attention to her plump pout with just a slick of clear gloss Their united appearance comes after James publicly apologised to his girlfriend for fat-shaming her during an argument. Gemma and Arg have had a seven-year on-off relationship and the former TOWIE star revealed that his relationship with her is back on track following their recent woes. He said: 'Were okay, were fine, weve had a bit of a tough time recently.' Meanwhile, Ferne surprised Billie by performing a rendition of Stand By Me during the big day in the Maldives. Pals: She was joined at the fundraiser in aid of Haven House Children's Hospice by a host of reality stars, including friends Gemma Collins and James Argent Holiday getaway: Ferne has just returned from the Maldives after celebrating pal Billie Faiers' wedding The new bride, 29, revealed her long-time pal delighted her by taking to the mic during her reception to belt out the Ben E King classic, making it a day to remember for her and new husband Greg Shepherd, 33. Speaking after tying the knot at the five-star Kuramathi Island Resort last Tuesday, Billie told OK! Magazine: 'It was such a lovely surprise.' Ferne clearly impressed the happy couple with her vocal ability, with The Mummy Diaries star adding: 'Shes got a brilliant voice'. Cheeky! Ferne McCann was feeling nostalgic for her recent holiday on Wednesday morning as she shared a stunning throwback snap while frolicking with her daughter on the beach Friends was an iconic show filled with funny scenes, including ones with a live monkey that David Schwimmer's character, Ross, owned. While the wild animal episodes were hilarious, there was apparently one cast member who didn't take to the primate, which Matt LeBlanc admitted in an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday. LeBlanc, 51, who played Joey, let out the shocking reveal, saying that it was David himself who didn't like Marcel the monkey. No thanks: Matt LeBlanc, 51, shocked Friends fans when he said that David Schwimmer, 52, did not enjoy filming with Marcel the monkey while on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Thursday in New York When the talk show host asked the actor if he still keeps in touch with Marcel, Matt jokingly replied, 'I bought him at an auction.' He then went on to say he personally 'got along great with the monkey,' but his 52-year-old co-star, David, did not. He told Kimmel, 'I liked the monkey, I like animals, yeah the monkey was really cool.' Animal lover: Matt reaffirmed that he liked the primate, it was just David, who had to work with it the most who did not Move over Marcel: Jimmy Kimmel, 51, joked around with Matt about his time on Friends But David, on the other hand, didn't like the performing animal because he got tired of having to shoot so many scenes with it for the 90s hit sitcom. 'Schwimmer not so much ... it's just 'cause he's the one who had to work with it the most, he was like, "Again with the monkey?"' LeBlanc explained. Matt also revealed that although the Capuchin monkey was a male character on the show, the animal was actually a girl called Katie. Tender moments: David's character crooned over his pet monkey, Marcel in scenes on Friends Monkeying around: The cast of friends got playful on set with their primate friend The Episodes star went on to recall a moment on set when Katie the monkey 'disappeared' in the 60 feet ceiling. This unexpected moment worked out nicely for Matt and his co-stars, though, because it meant they had an excuse to take a break. Matt told the story and said, 'The monkey just goes right to the ceiling and just disappears up into the blackness and all the actors are like, "OK, I guess we're on a five I'll see you later! I'll be in my room."' The funny man said it took a whole half hour to get the monkey down, which was only accomplished by bribing it with mealworms. This follows some big news that Friends creator Marta Kauffman let out earlier in the week. Honest: Explaining the reasons why it wouldn't work, she said: 'All we'd be doing is putting those six actors back together, but the heart of the show would be gone'; seen in 2018 According to the co-creator, she believes there will never be a reboot of the series. Speaking candidly about the global phenomenon with Rolling Stone magazine on Tuesday, the writer, 62, said a reunion would just 'disappoint' fans. Explaining the reasons why it wouldn't work, she said: 'One, the show is about a time in your life when your friends are your family. It's not that time anymore. 'All we'd be doing is putting those six actors back together, but the heart of the show would be gone.' Forever a favorite: Friends aired for 10 years from 1994 to 2004 and is currently available on Netflix She then went on: 'Two, I don't know what good it does us. The show is going just fine, people love it. [A reunion] could only disappoint. "The One Where Everyone's Disappointed".' The well-loved comedy has enjoyed a resurgence as of late, garnering new fans after it was acquired by Netflix in 2015 for a staggering $118 million. Friends was on-air from 1994 to 2004 and is still one of the most re-watched shows today. The comedy starred, LeBlanc and Schwimmer as best friends, along with co-stars Jennifer Aniston, 50, Matthew Perry, 49, Courteney Cox, 54, and Lisa Kudrow, 55. She is set to welcome her second child with Bachelor star Sam Wood later this year. And the pregnancy cravings are well and truly kicking in for Snezana Markoski. On Thursday, 38-year-old fitness guru Sam revealed his wife's late night craving, secretly filming her exiting a local Coles in Melbourne with a shopping bag full of Easter Eggs. Caught red-handed! Former Bachelor star Sam Wood reveals his wife Snezana Markoski's late night pregnancy craving as she prepares to welcome their second child Looking a little sheepish, Snezana, 38, walked towards the car with her chocolate treats in tow. 'When your pregnant wife NEEDS Easter eggs on the way home,' Sam captioned the video, with the gushing hashtag, 'I love this woman so much.' 'I couldn't decide which one I wanted,' Snezana is heard saying in the funny clip. Hungry? Looking a little sheepish, Snezana, 38, walked towards the car with her chocolate treats in tow 'I couldn't decide which one I wanted,' Snezana is heard saying in the funny clip Meanwhile, Sam and Snezana recently revealed the sex of their new offspring, taking to Instagram to post a cute video of their gender reveal. Snezana's daughter Eve, the couple's daughter Willow, one, also appear in the clip, with begins with the expectant mother discussing the new arrival. Snezana said: 'Hi guys, we're really excited to have another baby!' Cute: Meanwhile, Sam and Snezana recently revealed the sex of their new offspring, taking to Instagram to post a cute video of their gender reveal Sam, 38, then added: 'We've just found out the sex and we wanted to share. Here's a little clue!' The screen turned completely pink, indicating that the family are expecting another little girl. In February, the reality TV lovebirds announced they are expecting their second child together. Oh baby! The screen turned completely pink, indicating that the family are expecting another little girl Exciting news: In February, the reality TV lovebirds announced they are expecting their second child together Snezana has another daughter, Eve, from a previous marriage. Sam and Snezana fell in love on the 2015 season of The Bachelor, before getting engaged in Tasmania at the end of that year. They married in Byron Bay, NSW last year. Fans of One Day at a Time have been left heartbroken after Netflix announced it's canceling the show after three seasons. Netflix tweeted Thursday morning that they 'made the difficult decision' to cancel the show due to low viewing numbers. Fans of the Latinx series slammed the media company, taking to Twitter in droves to accuse Netflix of failing to promote the show. One Day at A Time was a re-imagining of the classic Norman Lear sitcom which was co-created by Gloria Calderon Kellett and Mike Royce - who also took to social media to address the news. Disappointment: Fans have reacted angrily to the cancellation of One Day at a Time by Netflix after three seasons The duo, who also served as co-showrunners, revealed they are hopeful that the series will find a new home. 'Last night, Netflix told us they are cancelling One Day At A Time. We had the time of our lives making this show,' Royce and Kellett wrote. 'We worked with the best, most giving and talented cast, writers and crew ever, as well as the incomparable Norman Lear. So while our hearts are very heavy, they are also bursting with appreciation for this amazing experience,' They revealed that along with their studio Sony they will be exploring alternative networks and streaming platforms that could take on production. The LGBT-friendly sitcom was a critical darling and received 94% positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Fans reacted angrily to Netflix's Twitter announcement, which read: 'Weve made the very difficult decision not to renew One Day At A Time for a fourth season. The choice did not come easily we spent several weeks trying to find a way to make another season work but in the end simply not enough people watched to justify another season.' the streaming platform wrote. Looking for a new home: Co-creators Mike Royce and Gloria Calderon Kellett revealed that they will be shopping the series around to other networks Not an easy decision: Netflix made the announcement on Twitter on Thursday morning citing low viewing numbers The post was met with a barrage of criticism from fans disappointed that the company hadn't invested in more marketing for the show. 'Maybe, just maybe, if you guys had promoted this as much as you do with other shows, it wouldve done better. It seems like a trend with you. You dont promote a show and then cancel it when it (suprise!) doesnt have enough viewers.' one person wrote. Another posted: 'You all have a hell of a lot of nerve. All the money you spend on numerous awful shows and movies that literally NO ONE asked for and you cancel the BEST show you have right now. This is incredibly disappointing.' Another young viewer expressed their sadness at the cancellation, writing: 'I am crying so hard, One Day At A Time was the first show that showed me it is possible to be myself without feeling ashamed.' The series followed three generations of a Cuban-American family. Critical darling: The series followed three generations of a Cuban-American family Reaction: Numerous Twitter users responded to the Netflix tweet with outrage The official synopsis read: 'A newly-single mom and military veteran journeys through the triumphs and tribulations that come with raising two strong-willed, mega-millennial children, all the while enlisting the help of her old-school mother and her building manager-turned-invaluable confidant. Through a contemporary lens, One Day at a Time offers a glimpse at what life looks like, in good times and bad -- and how those around you somehow make it all worthwhile,' The cast included Justina Machado, Rita Moreno, Stephen Tobolowsky, Todd Grinnell, Isabella Gomez and Marcel Ruiz. In their Twitter thread Netflix thanked Lear and Calderon Kellett and Royce 'for always making us laugh and never shying away from bravely and beautifully tackling tough subject matter in a meaningful way.' Short but sweet: The show first streamed in 2017 and ran for three seasons They added 'And to anyone who felt seen or represented possibly for the first time by ODAAT, please dont take this as an indication your story is not important. The outpouring of love for this show is a firm reminder to us that we must continue finding ways to tell these stories.' Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos in a statement: 'I've personally spoken with Norman, and co-creators Gloria Calderon Kellett and Mike Royce, to express my gratitude to them, all the writers, the dedicated crew and the cast including the brilliant Justina Machado and dazzling Rita Moreno for creating a series with such humor, heart and humanity. 'This was a very difficult decision and were thankful to all the fans who've supported the series, our partners at Sony, and all the critics who embraced it. While its disappointing that more viewers didnt discover One Day at a Time, I believe the series will stand the test of time.' Stars of the show including Stephen Tobolowsky and Justina Machado shared messages about the cancellation She's been cruelly labelled 'E.T. in a wig' by Howard Stern. But Wendy Williams couldn't have looked less concerned about the shock jock's jibes, as she sat dripping in diamonds and wrapped in a $1,725 Chanel blanket inside her $300K Rolls-Royce on Thursday. The 54-year-old TV star was snapped catching up on her emails on a laptop as she was parked outside ABC Studios in New York City. Typing in style: Wendy Williams looked to be in good spirits on Thursday as she was seen inside her Rolls-Royce car working on her laptop computer The day before, shock jock Howard Stern, 65, took a shot at the diva after she accused him of losing his edge with his new book Howard Stern Comes Again. The beauty said he named dropped too much and 'is so Hollywood right now.' The Private Parts star Wednesday said that Williams resembles, 'E.T. with a wig,' before launching into a foul-mouth tirade after she hit a nerve claiming he'd turned his back on his working class audience to run with the celebrity crowd. He said: 'Was she born a woman or a man? ... I'll bet $20 she pees standing up ... I'll bet her n*** get caught in her zipper ... what a c***; what a f***ing c*** - f*** you. You heard me, f*** off, c***! The last time I had her in here, she was giving me some real attitude about this Hollywood crap. You have those big fake t*** and I'm Hollywood? Shut the f*** up. C***.' The blonde star had on a blue and white Chanel blanket over her shoulders as she wore a black top inside her luxury car. The talk show standout was also dripping in diamonds - with her arms sparkling with several rings and stacked bracelets. Her glam was fully done with long eyelashes and beige lipstick, and next to her was a Chanel bag with a white flower on front. She tweeted about Stern's rant Wednesday, saying she was 'being told that he's being nasty to me on his show,' adding, 'It's all good, Howie. I still admire you old man! The truth is the truth.' She works all the time: The blonde star had on a blue and white Chanel scarf over her shoulders as she wore a black top inside her luxury car Response: Williams acknowledged Stern's remarks but focused on taking the high road The door was open as she continued to work without looking up from her screen. It's been a strange year for Williams as she had made headlines for unexpected reasons. Earlier this week she said, 'Howard, I love you, but since you've gone Hollywood, everything you say is so predictable; every story is going to be about, 'Oh, I love this one, and then we went on their yacht.' He's a Hollywood insider, which sucks.' Ready for her closeup: The talk show standout was also dripping in diamonds as she had on several rings and bracelets that must have been worth nearly $1m. Her glam was fully done with long eyelashes and beige lipstick She added he was more real 25 years ago. 'You started like me, being of the people,' she said. 'But at some point you sat behind the microphone for too long and now you are the people - it hurts.' The shock jock was furious in his response on his SiriusXM program, calling Williams a 'jealous b****' who will never come close to the level of success he's reached. All good with her family: Williams with husband Kevin Hunter and son Kevin Hunter Jr in New York City in February 'Jealous b****, you are nobody to me,' Stern said. 'You'll never be me, Wendy. You'll never be me. You can pretend to be me, you can pretend to be like me, but you're not. You don't have my wit and you don't have my talent you couldn't have that career. You're a fly.' The King of All Media, who vacationed with Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux in 2014, and attended the former couple's wedding the following year, also took exception to her claims that he'd turned his back on his working class audience to run with the celebrity crowd. Has he gone Hollywood? Howard said that just because he hangs out with Jimmy Kimmel doesn't mean he has lost his edge; seen in October 'What evidence do you have that I'm Hollywood, honey?' he asked. 'What, because I found success, now I'm 'Hollywood?' Stern went to Mexico with Jennifer Aniston when she was romancing Justin Theroux; seen in October 'What cause I know Jimmy Kimmel? Who am I hanging out with? She doesn't know who I'm hanging out with. She doesn't know what I do in this world.' In his rebuttal, Stern said that Williams is projecting her own insecurities on him, as 'all she talks on that show is about Hollywood.' He also took a critical eye to the resume of Williams, who began broadcasting on the radio in 1989 and on TV in 2008. 'What has she said that's controversial?' he said. 'When has she put herself on the line? What has she done actually? I don't even know. You're not the 'Queen of All Media.' You haven't earned that title. You haven't done anything.' This comes after Williams talked about her health and marriage as she returned to her talk show for the first time since December. The audience on Monday a week ago gave the chat queen a standing ovation. Williams said she was off because of continued thyroid issues, which are associated with Graves' disease. She said doctors were adjusting her medication and she's doing 'swell.' She also said she's going to the gym seven days a week. She's back in the hot seat: This comes after Williams talked about her health and marriage as she returned to her talk show for the first time since December. The audience on Monday a week ago gave the chat queen a standing ovation; seen in August She addressed rumors that her marriage to Kevin Hunter is in trouble. Williams said she's still 'wearing my ring' and 'it ain't going anywhere.' Williams said 'marriages have ebbs and flows' and it isn't easy. But she said her husband is her best friend and lover. Guest hosts during her absence included Jerry O'Connell, Sherri Shepherd and Jason Biggs. Charlene Perera left Married At First Sight a single woman last year, after her relationship with Patrick Miller got stuck in the 'friend zone'. But the 35-year-old has since found love with a man named Marcus Tanti, who she revealed earlier this week was actually a fan of the program. She said on Wednesday's Talking Married: 'He saw me on the show. It was a public service announcement to Australia that I was single, and he found me!' Scroll down for video 'He found me on Facebook!' MAFS' Charlene Perera (left) has revealed she is dating a 'fan who slid into her DMs' - and now they're living together. Pictured with boyfriend Marcus Tanti (right) Charlene debuted her relationship with Marcus Tanti back in January, sharing photos of the couple on holiday together in Sri Lanka. Reflecting on the start of their relationship, she said: 'He snuck through my Facebook security crack and we started direct messaging each other and before you know it!' Charlene also confirmed on Talking Married that she is now living with Marcus, who is a real estate executive from Melbourne. It's official! Charlene said on Wednesday's Talking Married: '[Marcus] saw me on the show. It was a public service announcement to Australia that I was single, and he found me!' 'We started direct messaging': Charlene debuted her relationship with Marcus Tanti back in January, sharing photos of the couple on holiday together in Sri Lanka After calling it quits with Patrick last year, Charlene made it clear during the reunion episode that she was 'still looking for love'. Apparently, it was this 'shout-out' to the single men of Australia that caught Marcus's attention and inspired him to reach out to her on Facebook. According to his LinkedIn profile, Marcus works for property giant Savills. Charlene was first pictured with Marcus in early January, but it's unknown when exactly they began dating. MAFS fans will remember that Charlene was 'ghosted' by her on-screen husband Patrick Miller after they agreed to stay together in last year's season finale. Despite this, they remain friends. Married At First Sight continues Sunday 7pm on Channel Nine Alexandra Cane posed up a storm on Thursday night amid claims she kissed Dan Osborne at a Manchester nightclub last week, with her estate agent boyfriend reportedly 'forgiving her'. The Love Island beauty, 27, who has hit back at the reports along with the ex-TOWIE star, 27, appeared to put the drama behind her as she attended an influencer make-up event for Barry M cosmetics at Kalifornia Kitchen in London. Alexandra posed up a storm as she shared a video of herself smiling on her Instagram story, amid claims Jacqueline Jossa has 'dumped' and 'thrown out' Dan since the alleged kiss. What claims? Alexandra Cane posed up a storm on Thursday night amid claims she kissed Dan Osborne at a Manchester club last week, with her estate agent beau reportedly 'forgiving her' The former make-up artist looked sensational as she showcased her toned figure in a tiny brown silk asymmetrical mini dress. She added height to her frame with a pair of gold barely-there heeled sandals with a lace-up ankle strap. Alexandra styled her brunette locks into a sleek curly blow-dried hairdo swept to one side, she added a full face of glamorous make-up. Meanwhile, it has since been reported that Alexandra's estate agent boyfriend, Adam Theobald, has 'forgiven her'. Hitting back: The Love Island beauty, 27, who has hit back at the reports along with the ex-TOWIE star, 27, put the drama behind her as she attended a Barry M cosmetics event at Kalifornia Kitchen in London Deny: Alexandra posed up a storm as she shared a video of herself smiling on her Instagram story, amid claims Jacqueline Jossa has 'dumped' and 'thrown out' Dan since the alleged kiss Stunning: The former make-up artist looked sensational as she showcased her toned figure in a tiny brown silk asymmetrical mini dress Glamorous: Alexandra styled her brunette locks into a sleek curly blow-dried hairdo swept to one side, she added a full face of glamorous make-up A source told The Sun Online: 'They're still together. It hasn't affected their relationship at all.' MailOnline has contacted Alexandra's representative for comment. Earlier today, Jacqueline was pictured for the first time since 'dumping' Dan after reportedly throwing him out amid the cheating allegations. The former EastEnders star, 26, is said to be 'embarrassed and very angry' following reports Dan kissed Love Island star Alexandra at a Manchester nightclub last week. Stepping out: Earlier today, Jacqueline was pictured for the first time since 'dumping' Dan after reportedly throwing him out amid the cheating allegations with Alexandra 'Embarrassed': The former EastEnders star, 26, is said to be 'embarrassed and very angry' following reports Dan kissed Love Island star Alexandra at a Manchester nightclub last week 'Gutted': They added: 'Dan is truly gutted that Jacqueline is saying it's over. He's really hopeful he will be able to talk her round once she calms down. He's really angry about it all and telling friends he will do whatever he can to save his marriage.' Walking tall: Alexandra seemed as though she didn't have a car in the world as she made her way back to her car Despite Dan's proclamations of innocence, a source told The Sun: '[Jacqueline] feels embarrassed and very angry that he would put her through the stress and decided enough was enough so kicked him out. 'Dan is truly gutted that Jacqueline is saying it's over. He's really hopeful he will be able to talk her round once she calms down. He's really angry about it all and telling friends he will do whatever he can to save his marriage.' A rep for Dan, 27, told the site that he has just temporarily moved out to help his nan clean out her house. MailOnline has contacted a rep for Dan and Jacqueline for further comment. Hours earlier, Dan and Alexandra had hit back at claims they kissed openly in a nightclub, behind his wife Jacqueline's back. 'Still together': A source told The Sun Online about Alexandra and her estate agent boyfriend, Adam Theobald: 'They're still together. It hasn't affected their relationship at all.' The Sun had claimed the pair were grinding and thrusting on one another as well as kissing on the dancefloor at Manchesters Neighbourhood bar on Thursday night. The pair had both attended the U S E App Launch and were pictured leaving in a car together, with friends, although there is no suggestion that anything further happened. Dan and Alexandra's spokespersons released a joint statement to MailOnline hours earlier, saying: 'Absolutely nothing happened with Alex. 'Dan has been friends with her for a while after working together. They all met up with friends and enjoyed a great night out like friends do.' Over? It has been claimed that his wife Jacqueline dumped husband Dan and threw him out of the family home after he was accused of kissing Alexandra The father-of-three only added Alexandra on Instagram the morning after. Dan had been invited to the party along with Christine McGuinness, 30, James Argent, 31, Olivia Attwood, 27, Jess Shears, 28, and Megan Barton Hanson, 25. A source had told The Sun that as soon as the pair hit the dancefloor, Dan made a beeline for Alexandra, who looks rather like Jacqueline, leaving all the other partygoers stunned. They added that he was all over her and at one point, grabbed her and kissed her. Oh dear: The Sun claimed that Alexandra (stock picture) and Dan were openly grinding and thrusting on one another as well as kissing on the dancefloor, but they have denied these claims Another onlooker said that he was putting his hands all on her, grinding and thrusting and that Alexandra seemed to be laughing it off. While there were lots of women there on the night, the site reported that he only seemed interested in Alexandra, who looks a lot like Jacqueline. Meanwhile, on social media earlier on, Jacqueline who has been in New York for work with their eldest daughter appeared to hint at feeling down. She posted a picture of herself looking pensive, writing: 'I need a holiday. A long a** holiday. I have major brainache.' Work trip: Jacqueline was away at the time in New York with the couple's eldest child, Ella, four, visiting Barbie World but has since posted this snap, writing: 'I need a long a** holiday' Jacqueline recently admitted that she and husband Dan 'havent had the best relationship this year' but said 'things are definitely looking better.' The actress was candid as she gave fans an update on her life with Dan and their daughters Ella, four, and Mia, eight months, on her YouTube channel Jacqueline's World on Tuesday. She explained: 'Things are amazing with my relationship again, I do believe you have to take the rough with the smooth. 'Everything happens for a reason and a lot of things happen that you don't know about, and a lot happens that you do know about.' Home and away: The former EastEnders star has been sharing pictures from her trip away after recently admitting that while she and Dan have issues, their marriage feels stronger than ever Adding that she wanted to 'keep things private' in her life, and saying it's 'out of her control' when 'b*****s want to sell stories' she continued: 'Me and Daniel have been getting on more than ever, obviously we still have issues to go through. 'But actually its kind of better in a way, because now we're talking and getting on so well its nice to speak about our issues, it makes us get on better. I feel like we're on a good wavelength right now, so all is well.' Dan and Jacqueline married in 2017 but split in May last year after enduring constant rows. He had been pictured looking cosy with another Love Island star Gabby Allen, 26, on a trip to The Holistic Bootcamp in Marbella back in April last year. Family life: The couple have two children together Ella and Mia (pictured), and Dan also has a son called Teddy, five, from a past relationship with Megan Tomlin In June, Jacqueline quizzed a mystery woman over an alleged drunken one-night stand with Dan just weeks after their wedding. Jacqueline, who was pregnant at the time, was said to have contacted the woman on social media as she 'felt threatened' and to quiz her over an alleged one-night stand the woman reportedly had with Dan. A friend said: 'Jacqueline just asked for the absolute truth, every cough and spit of their drunken one-night stand.' Jacqueline wrote: 'Hi, I've just been told something and I need to hear it from you really. I'm not the type of girl to blame the girl etc and all I want is the truth. Further claims: He had been pictured looking cosy with another Love Island star Gabby Allen, 26, on a trip to The Holistic Bootcamp in Marbella back in April last year, something they have both denied 'Did you sleep with Dan Osborne after a night in Brickyard? I don't want things to get ugly... so I am just giving you a chance to tell me so that things don't get that far. 'Again I'm not going to blame you it's just a simple yes or no, I really need to know. Thanks x [sic].' Speaking to MailOnline, the woman claims she had a one-night stand with Dan last August after being mutual friends for a while, and meeting by chance in an Essex bar. She alleges the former TOWIE star told her that he was 'on a break from Jacqueline and things weren't working out' when they met. Candid: Jacqueline has admitted that she and Dan have had a difficult year but said she felt her marriage was stronger than ever (pictured at the NTAs in January) She revealed: 'At the time I didn't want to split them up and felt sorry for Jacqueline so stayed quiet. I thought no one wants to hear that about the person they love and it's not worth them separating over especially as they have a family 'I felt guilty as they were obviously in a relationship, but my friends reminded me that I was told otherwise by him and I was single. 'I felt awful for Jacqueline but didn't want to be the reason they split up. Now they already have, and she has asked me directly I can't lie to her.' The woman said she felt 'surprised, shocked, and awful' when she heard that Dan was still with Jacqueline and had been consumed by guilt, so felt compelled to tell her story after Jacqueline messaged her. She said: 'Yes I felt guilty as they were obviously in a relationship, but my friends reminded me that I was told otherwise by him and I was single. I felt awful for Jacqueline but didn't want to be the reason they split up.' Meanwhile, Dan and Gabby both then appeared in Celebrity Big Brother that August, and Dan credited the show with helping him to realise that he wanted to work on his marriage. Dan also has a son called Teddy, five, from a previous relationship with Megan Tomlin. The Amazing Race's Dr. Jim Raman has died at 42 in his native South Carolina. The orthodontist, who was featured on the 25th season of the CBS reality competition in 2014, with his wife, Misti, was a second-place finisher in the grueling series, People reported. Authorities responded to the Irmo, South Carolina native's house Tuesday at 4:30 a.m to find Raman deceased upon their arrival, Lexington County Sheriffs Department spokesman Capt. Adam Myrick told WIS-TV. The latest: The Amazing Race's Dr. Jim Raman, seen with his wife Misti, has died at 42 in his native South Carolina 'Nothing suspicious or criminal is involved with the case you are referencing and out of compassion and respect for family my office will not comment on it,' Lexington County Coroner Margaret Fisher told the station in a statement. Jim and Misti had their own dental business, called Irmo Smiles, which said in a statement to its patients, 'Irmo Smiles has suffered a tragic loss this week. It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing for Dr. Jim Raman.' The statement continued: 'As our staff and the family prepare for Dr. Raman's celebration of life, please join us in praying for peace and comfort during this difficult time. 'Your patience is greatly appreciated as we give Dr. Misti Raman time to grieve the loss of her loving husband.' Successful: The couple had finished in second place on the CBS series five years ago Fit: Jim was seen moving a heavy contraption in his time on the series He had graduated from the University of South Carolina, and attended the Medical University of South Carolinas College of Dental Medicine for his doctorate in dental medicine. The funeral for Jim, who was father to two children with wife Misti, Lexi and Jimmy, is slated to be held Saturday. He will be laid to rest in Lexington, South Carolina. Dedicated: Jim said he was 'blessed' being an orthodontist 'to be able to transform peoples smiles with braces or Invisalign and thereby raise their self-image and self-esteem' Outdoorsman: Jim said jet-skiing was among his favorites hobbies Sad: Jim, who was father to two children with wife Misti, Lexi and Jimmy, will be laid to rest in Lexington, South Carolina In a biographical questionnaire on the show's website, Raman described himself as 'ambitious, dedicated and unfiltered,' with weight lifting, cooking and jet-skiing among his favorites hobbies. He was dedicated to his craft, saying he was 'blessed to be able to transform peoples smiles with braces or Invisalign and thereby raise their self-image and self-esteem.' He added: 'Helping a child who hates their teeth have a smile they are proud of is amazing.' Asked what he was most proud of in his life, Jim cited his family and profession. 'Personally, my children are my biggest source of pride and pleasure,' he said. 'Professionally, having achieved my level of education and buying a practice and growing it by over 100% in the first two years.' Asked about why he was appearing on the program, he said, 'I think it will be an amazing experience that we can share with our children when they are grown which will teach them to follow their dreams.' As Victorians return to their fire-ravaged communities, the Insurance Council of Australia has given policy-holders in the state's highest-risk blaze priority attention. The council declared the Bunyip State Park fire a "catastrophe" after 29 residential properties were destroyed, two more were damaged and 67 other buildings also burnt. Policy-holders with properties impacted by the fire, which has burnt about 15,000 hectares in the past week, will now be given first priority by insurers for their claims. The council's general manager of communications Campbell Fuller said on Friday night that claims would be triaged to direct urgent attention to the worst-affected owners. The full extent of property losses may take weeks to be known, he added. The declaration was made on Friday in consultation with the state government and Emergency Management Victoria with an 1800 734 621 disaster hotline set-up. But the category doesn't apply to policy-holders in other areas, including in Yinnar South, in the Latrobe Valley, where two homes have also been destroyed. "Communities are returning to those fire-affected areas ... it will be a very tough time for many members of those communities," Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville told reporters at the Bunyip fire ground before the category declaration was made. About 2000 firefighters and 61 aircraft are still battling the 17 active fires in Victoria. More than 100,000 hectares of land across the state had been burnt since last Thursday, Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said. "The message very clearly to the community of Victoria - even though you might have seen some rain, some milder conditions, it is still very, very dry and there is still significant potential for fires in this state," Mr Crisp said. Milder weather conditions over the weekend are expected to aid firefighters, he noted. Smoke is expected to remain over some parts of Victoria until Sunday with an air quality warning issued for most areas due to the fires. Nationals leader Michael McCormack has blamed pot-stirring journalists for renewed speculation he could be dumped before the election. The deputy prime minister was forced to hose down leadership speculation for the second time in less than six months after a report emerged claiming he had lost the support of colleagues. When quizzed about his future, Mr McCormack put it down to the media making mischief. "Sometimes they'll put the little match on the grass and then it spreads like a wildfire," he told a transport forum on Friday. "You get politicians who might think 'Oh gee, this is true, this is real - I'm worried about my seat, I'm a marginal seat holder'. "The fact is I'm just getting on with the job and what I think people out there want to hear. That's policy and outcomes." Mr McCormack's approach to the government's "big stick" energy bill, which some Nationals are demanding be put to a vote during budget week, is considered the next big test of his leadership. After insisting the bill remained on the notice paper, Mr McCormack conceded the government was running out of time to get all of its legislative agenda passed in the three remaining lower house sitting days before the election. He also warned Greens MP Adam Bandt could succeed in making an anti-coal amendment to the legislation. "Coal whether we like it or some people might not - I do as a matter of fact - still provides two-thirds of our baseload power," Mr McCormack said. As speculation about Barnaby Joyce returning to the top job resurfaced, the deputy prime minister said he hadn't spoken to the man he replaced. But Mr Joyce found time to speak to his local newspaper, confirming he would seek the Nationals leadership in the event of a spill. "If it was called open, of course I would stand," he told the Northern Daily Leader. He said he was not behind the push to destabilise Mr McCormack, insisting he had not canvassed support from colleagues. If that wasn't enough of a glowing endorsement, Mr McCormack did get some relief from Nationals MPs after his job security again made headlines. "The number of my colleagues who rang me to share their love and support this morning was overwhelming," he said. "I'm feeling very safe and secure in my position." A man has been charged with murder as police investigate the suspicious disappearance of a young woman in western Sydney. Samah Baker was last seen by a friend after being dropped to her Parramatta home in the early hours of January 4. The 30-year-old was reported missing by relatives later that day after they could not get in contact with her. Local detectives, with help from the homicide squad, launched an immediate investigation and on Wednesday, began a forensic search of bushland at Yarra, southwest of Goulburn. Officers found "several" items that may be relevant to the investigation, NSW Police said in a statement. Following extensive inquiries, detectives arrested a 32-year-old man at a shopping centre in Hurstville about 10.30am on Friday and charged him with murder. He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court via video link on Saturday. Police are continuing their inquiries as the search for Ms Baker's body. _________________________ Detectives have charged a man with murder as their investigations continue into the suspicious disappearance of a Western Sydney woman. Samah Baker, aged 30, was last seen after she was dropped off at her Early Street, Parramatta, home by a friend in the early hours of Friday 4 January 2019. She was reported missing by relatives later that day after they could not get in contact with her. Detectives from Parramatta Police Area Command, assisted by detectives from the Homicide Squad, established Strike Force Boutcher to investigate her disappearance, which is being treated as suspicious. As part of their inquiries, strike force investigators conducted a forensic search in bushland at Yarra on Wednesday (6 March 2019) and Thursday (7 March 2019). Detectives located and seized several items, which may be relevant to the investigation, that are undergoing forensic examination. Following extensive inquiries, detectives arrested a 32-year-old man at a shopping centre in Hurstville about 10.30am yesterday (Friday 8 March 2019). He was taken to Kogarah Police Station, where he was charged with murder. The man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court via video link today (Saturday 9 March 2019). Investigations under Strike Force Boutcher, which include inquiries to locate Samah Baker's body, continue. Marc Leishman has battled to stay in the mix after two rounds at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida. The Australian world No.18 hit just 11 of 18 greens in regulation, but managed to negotiate the notoriously difficult thick rough and fast putting surfaces at Bay Hill to sign for a two-under-par 70. Leishman, the 2017 Bay Hill champion, currently sits seven shots from the clubhouse lead. In-form Englishman Tommy Fleetwood took advantage of calm morning conditions at Bay Hill, with his 66 elevating him to the top of the leaderboard at nine under. Fleetwood currently sits three shots ahead of overnight leader Rafa Cabrera-Bello (through four holes), with American Billy Horschel (71) in the clubhouse at five under. Finishing with a two-under total, Leishman had the driver going, hitting 10 from 14 fairways at Bay Hill. But he struggled with his approach play and was often forced to scramble to save par. Leishman was pleased his scorecard had just one bogey, with three birdies ensuring he is still not out of the race going into the third round. "I wouldn't say I'm thrilled with two under, but it was pretty good considering; I probably got the best score out of my performance," Leishman told AAP. "The greens might dry out and the afternoon wave might have a bit of trouble with how fast they will get and the difficult pin positions." Meanwhile, Aaron Baddeley is the only other Australian in the field at the prestigious Palmer invitational after 2016 champion Jason Day withdrew mid-round on Thursday with a back injury. Baddeley has dropped a shot early in his round to sit at one under the card. At least two "armed and dangerous" men are on the run following a string of violent home invasions and carjackings across Sydney's southwest. It started about 7am on Saturday when four men wearing balaclavas broke into a home and granny flat in Fairfield, assaulting a woman and a man with an iron bar. They fled in a white Mercedes, while the injured occupants were taken to hospital for treatment. The quartet then forced their way into a second home at Bonnyrigg, two of them carrying guns. At least one shot was fired inside the house but no-one was injured, police say. The Mercedes was later seen speeding along the M5 before it crashed into another car and caught fire. Two men fled on foot, while the other pair carjacked a Nissan 4WD. That car was abandoned soon after before a yellow Holden Commodore was carjacked. Officers later arrested two of the alleged attackers - one on the roof of a house, who is now in hospital, and another at a school in Prestons. Police are urging the public not to approach the Commodore "as its occupants are considered armed and dangerous". The lawyer for a drug-addicted man accused of stealing a tiny puppy from a Brisbane home says there is "real doubt" he actually did it. Legal Aid solicitor Axel Beard made the submission in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday while seeking bail for 23-year-old Ben Alex Worgan. Worgan is accused of taking a four-week-old female Maltese Shitzu cross from a Mitchelton home last Sunday. The puppy was found safe and well at a Stafford address on Friday. Her brother, who was stolen at the same time, was found at another address on March 6. Worgan told the court he had "wanted a puppy", and that he texted the owners to let them know he had the dog. However, Mr Beard said there was "real doubt" about whether his client had been the one to steal the pup. Magistrate Anne Thacker described Worgan's situation as "a terrible state of affairs", noting his ice addiction and homelessness. She refused to release him from custody until Worgan's mother, who is travelling to Brisbane from Goondiwindi, could work with court staff to determine how his mental health and addiction could best be managed. His bail application will be heard on Monday. Candlelight vigils will be held for murdered Sydney dentist Preethi Reddy in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The Penrith woman was killed and stuffed into a suitcase in her own car, which was discovered in a Kingsford lane about 9.30pm on Tuesday, almost three days after she was last seen. Doctors Against Violence Towards Women have organised numerous vigils, to be held on Saturday night, to honour her life. "For many in the medical community her death has hit close to home, many of us studying or working with Preethi or her sister," the group wrote on a Facebook event page. "The vigil aims to show support for the Reddy family in their grief, whilst highlighting the need for urgent action against male violence." Police say the dentist had been stabbed "numerous times". Her former boyfriend is suspected of killing Ms Reddy after she reportedly told him she had moved on with her life. Tamworth dentist Harshwardhan Narde, 34, took his own life in a fiery car crash on the New England Highway just hours before Ms Reddy's body was found. An additional Canberra vigil is set to be held next weekend. Jockey Barend Vorster has only called Australia home for a week, yet the 42-year-old has already claimed one of the country's most famous races. Vorster guided the Tony McEvoy-trained filly Sunlight to victory in the $1.25 million Newmarket Handicap, the time-honoured Group One sprint run on Super Saturday at Flemington. "Australia is my new home now and what a way to start it off," Vorster said. Born in South Africa, Vorster spent the past 15 years riding in Singapore. He jumped at the chance to begin a new chapter of his life after hearing McEvoy needed a stable jockey in South Australia. Vorster was the first to send an email asking for the job, McEvoy said. "I couldn't spell his name for a start," McEvoy said. McEvoy, who had heard of Vorster, looked into the jockey's riding record, thought "wow" and quickly learned how to spell his name. "He's a very good jockey," McEvoy said. "He's not a new kid on the block. "He's come out here and handled the great occasion. What a great start for him." As for Vorster, he knew McEvoy was a good trainer with good horses. He also knew it was time for a change. "Singapore has been good to me but I just felt that change was coming, and what a change to have," Vorster said. The jockey Vorster replaced as McEvoy's stable rider in South Australia, Jamie Kah, claimed Super Saturday's other big race in a history-making ride. In guiding Harlem to back-to-back Australian Cups, Kah both secured her first victory at Group One level and became the first female jockey to win the $1.5 million weight-for-age race. "I came over here to seize opportunities, I didn't expect it so soon," Kah said. Hall of Fame trainer David Hayes was overjoyed to give Kah her first Group One and claim his fifth Australian Cup, the second in partnership with his son Ben and nephew Tom Dabernig. "It was a huge thrill," Hayes said. "Jamie gave him an 11 out of 10 ride." Controversial British right-wing commentator Milo Yiannopolous is set to visit Australia again, with Immigration Minister David Coleman preparing to override Department of Home Affairs advice he should be banned. The speaking tour will proceed despite Mr Yiannopolous owing Victoria Police $50,000 to cover policing at a Melbourne event in December, 2017, during which up to 500 left-wing protesters clashed with about 50 right-wing activists. The change in tack by the government follows pressure on Mr Coleman by conservative MPs, including One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and former human rights commissioner Tim Wilson, arguing that banning the alt-right speaker would be a blow to freedom of speech. "Milo is a boring, unimaginative, self-absorbed attention-seeker of questionable character," Mr Wilson told The Australian. "But free speech is for everyone, hence I was surprised by the news and have raised it with the minister." Mr Yiannopoulos plans to tour before the May federal election. The Department of Home Affairs had drawn up a list of reasons to deny Mr Yiannopoulos a visa, including the riots sparked by his 2017 tour, and the unpaid $50,000 bill. Several police officers were injured in the Melbourne clash. The Migration Act allows the government to refuse a visa in the event a person would "incite discord in the Australian community or in a segment of that community". The department listed "controversial statements" by Mr Yiannopoulos about Muslims, indigenous Australians, African Americans and the LGBTIQ community. He's also accused of anti-Semitism. Labor immigration spokesman Shayne Neumann said in a statement that Mr Yiannopoulos had "no place" in Australia. "Given the significant risk he poses to the Australian community, Labor believes he should not be allowed into the country," he said. A cohesive energy policy continues to elude the coalition government ahead of the looming federal election. Australians are due to go to the polls in about two months but members of the Morrison government are yet to be on the same page when it comes to how the nation should be fuelled. The coalition's former energy policy, the National Energy Guarantee, was a key factor in the ousting of former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull in the bitter leadership battle last year. The rejigged Morrison government has put several options on the table to fill the NEG's place - including laws to force the breakup of energy companies, putting taxpayer money towards new power plants, as well as sticking with the Paris targets. But the finer details of the government's plan to underwrite new power generation has not been shared among the party, with Liberal MP Craig Kelly and Nationals MP Keith Pitt both unable to say how taxpayer money will be used. "I understand there's about 66-odd proposals to try and get more baseload power in the national grid," Mr Kelly told ABC News on Monday. "I'm not sure what the breakup of states are ... but the reality is we do need more baseload power in this nation." While the expressions of interest may be subject to confidentiality agreements, voters are looking for clear answers on the hot topic of coal, particularly in the lead up to an election. Just last week six Queensland Nationals took to penning a letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison demanding the federal government fund a coal-fired station in their state. The rebels also want the government's "big stick" energy bill put to a vote during budget week, despite the divestiture plan looking likely to lose. Mr Pitt - one of the six Queensland Nationals who are sparking up about energy - insists he is not wedded to coal, but finds his government's policy hard to articulate. The Nationals MP hopes to take something "tangible" to the next election. Meanwhile, former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce wants Mr Morrison to use taxpayer funds towards a new coal-fired power plant. Mr Joyce refuted the prime minister's claims that the Queensland state government wouldn't give such a project the go-ahead. "Let the Labor party say so," he said. However, Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has previously said that a new coal-fired power plant would keep power prices higher for 40 years. Tensions in the National Party are bubbling over after a public spat between leader Michael McCormack and his predecessor Barnaby Joyce. Mr Joyce fuelled the dispute on Monday by saying he remained "the elected deputy prime minister of Australia" and would feel no guilt in returning to lead the National Party if Mr McCormack was rolled. But the former party leader insists he is not going to call a spill and is not looking for numbers. Mr Joyce also demanded the Morrison government bankroll a new coal-fired power station ahead of the next election, putting him at odds with Mr McCormack. The Nationals leader declared at the weekend he was merely "not against" coal projects if they stacked up financially. Mr Joyce angrily rejected suggestions he was harming the Liberal Party's electoral chances by calling for more coal, arguing he was standing up for Nationals voters. "We are not married to the Liberal Party," he said. "If we're going to agree with everything they say, we should join the Liberal Party." It was this comment that led to an extraordinary swipe from Mr McCormack, who said he understood what it took to have a successful marriage. "I understand when you have a marriage that it's a two-way relationship," he told reporters in Queensland. "You don't always get what you want but you have to work together to build better outcomes for your family." Mr Joyce, who lost the Nationals leadership and whose marriage broke down because he had an affair with a staff member, told Sky News the comments hurt "a bit" but he would take it as a "faux pas". "I would hope nobody in politics revels in the personal issues of others and I hope that this is not the case this time," he said in a statement to AAP. St George Illawarra second-rower Tariq Sims believes his brother Korbin could be the ideal man to fill the shoes of Jack de Belin if required at the Dragons this year. De Belin was on Monday formally stood down by the NRL under their no-fault policy, a ban he will challenge at Federal Court on Thursday morning. The NSW State of Origin lock is not expected to play in Saturday's round-one clash with North Queensland regardless of whether he gets an injunction, with second-rower Tyson Frizell expected to move to the middle. But if a replacement is needed long-term, Sims said Korbin would be the ideal man after his two-match ban for a lifting tackle while at Brisbane in last year's finals is complete. "We've got another ugly bloke, he's just as big and just as strong and a bit younger in my little brother who came to the club," Sims said. "He's cut from the same cloth, he's a bit taller than Jack. He does the same movements as Jack. He always hits through the ball, is a really good ball-player. "Obviously he's new to the club so adjusting to that structure is going to be the toughest part. But we've just come off a 16-week pre-season." Under the terms of the playing ban, de Belin will remain on full pay and be able to train with the Dragons until a sexual assault case - which he has pleaded not guilty to - is finalised. But given the defence could stretch on into next year, it may leave the 27-year-old sidelined for the entire NRL season if he is unable to stop the ban. The Dragons are yet to pick up an external replacement player under a salary cap exemption, with uncertainty over both the rule and de Belin's short-term future combining to see Sam Kasiano prefer a move to France from Melbourne last week. Meanwhile recruit Korbin Sims has spent the majority of his career coming off the bench, but has spent time playing in the middle at both lock and in the front row. He was purchased by the Dragons from the Broncos as a like-for-like replacement for Leeson Ah Mau, who left the Saints for the Warriors at the end of last year. A man who went on the run after allegedly being involved in a fatal triple shooting is due to appear in a Melbourne court. Mikhael Myko, 25, is scheduled to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with intentionally cause serious injury after being arrested in NSW over the March 1 Kensington shooting. He and Brunswick man Abdullah El Nasher, 27, were in Bankstown on Friday night over the Melbourne Pavilion attack which killed Ben Togiai and injured a 34-year-old Lalor man and 32-year-old Craigieburn man. El Nasher remains in hospital in NSW and is yet to be interviewed while his older brother Ali El Nasher, 28, is still wanted. It is one of five fatal shootings in Melbourne in less than two weeks. On Monday evening Paguir Pan, 19, chose not to appear in Melbourne Magistrates Court charged with the murder of Winis Apet at Springvale and he was remanded in custody. Pan is due to return to court over the shooting on Wednesday. On March 3 Mitat Rasimi, aged in his 50s, died after crashing his car into a pole at Dandenong, but police believe gunshots he received earlier caused his death. And on March 4 two men - Ali Ali, 28, and Deniz Hasan, 40 - died after being shot at Meadow Heights. One was being wheeled around in a shopping trolley calling for help before he died. NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner has returned remote housing leases in 44 communities to the Commonwealth as negotiations over $1.1 billion in funding collapse. Mr Gunner wrote to Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday telling him the leases would be returned to the federal government immediately. There are for 73 NT indigenous communities in total. The move comes follows an acrimonious fortnight, with Mr Gunner and Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion publicly accusing each other of reneging on a $1.1 billion, five-year deal to jointly fund the housing program. NT Labor accuses the coalition of failing to provide a cent since Mr Morrison, who was Treasurer at that time, signed a deal to provide $110 million a year for five years to match the NT's funds. Senator Scullion has similarly accused the NT of not honouring the deal, spending well below its $110 million a year and that he was "demanding transparency and accountability" on indigenous employment and business outcomes before he paid his share. Mr Gunner told the PM in his letter "it is disheartening that the Australian Government is preferring to play politics on a matter crucial to the lives of Territorians rather than back a program that has successfully delivered more than 1300 either new or upgraded houses since September 2016," he said. Senator Scullion described Mr Gunner's decision as crazy and a refusal to deliver indigenous housing when any type of public housing was a constitutional responsibility of the Northern Territory government. "The Commonwealth will carefully consider the ramifications of Gunner's outrageous decision to abandon his Aboriginal citizens without any consultation with Aboriginal Territorians," he said. The key problem is overcrowding in poor quality housing and the flow-on effects of poor physical and mental health and exacerbated social tensions, providing barriers to schooling and participation in the workforce, Central Land Council chairman Francis Kelly says. NT Labor says another 15,500 homes, costing nearly $3 billion, are needed in the next decade to tackle overcrowding. Demolition crews poised to bring down a Sydney stadium are now at the centre of the NSW election as politicians fight to convince voters they can be trusted with the state's cheque book and priorities. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, over the last week, has said NSW deserved to have it all - including healthcare, education and stadiums - but her government would need more time to deliver. She's repeatedly said her government's management has put NSW in a strong financial position and the projects were affordable. But Labor leader Michael Daley, on Monday, said Ms Berejiklian was peddling an impossibly expensive myth unless her government privatises services. With less than a fortnight until polling day the government's plan to knock down and rebuild Allianz Stadium for $730 million has become a central issue with Mr Daley questioning the premier's spending priorities and calling for a pause to demolition. The Land and Environment Court last week threw out a legal challenge to the government's plan but the community group behind the legal bid has lodged an appeal to the NSW Supreme Court. It's expected to be heard on Friday but Ms Berejiklian said she was willing to push ahead with the demolition before the election. The latest Newspoll, published by the Australian newspaper for Tuesday, has the NSW coalition neck and neck with Labor at 50-50 on a two party preferred basis. The coalition's primary vote is at 40 per cent, up from 39 per cent two weeks ago and Labor is at 36 per cent, unchanged from a fortnight ago. Gladys Berejiklian is still the preferred premier, at 41 per cent, and Opposition Leader Michael Daley at 34 per cent. Meanwhile, NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said he always followed donation disclosure requirements after it was reported a law firm he used to work at donated more than $2300 to his party in 2011. The Liberal Party is working to determine whether the treasurer properly declared the donation but his Labor rival, Ryan Park, said it was "sloppy paperwork" at best and "highly suspicious and deceptive" at worst. A Melbourne schoolgirl killer has had time wiped from his minimum prison term on appeal after judges ruled he'd been double sentenced for a later rape. Sean Christian Price still won't be eligible for parole for another 37 years, but it's one year less than he originally received for the rape of a woman in a bookshop and murder of Doncaster teen Masa Vukotic earlier the same day. Price made a bid to the Court of Appeal in January to have his life sentence for both 2015 crimes reduced, but that was rejected. Instead, justices Simon Whelan, Stephen McLeish and Terry Forrest considered that by being sentenced in 2017 for breaching a 10-year supervision order by committing the rape he had been double punished. The order was put in place when Price, then 19, carried out a series of sexual assaults in suburban Melbourne in 2003, attacking three women on the street and another in front of her children after following her home. The breach sentence raised his non-parole period to 41 years but that was on Tuesday reduced to 40 years, as at the sentence date in March 2016. The woman he attacked spoke outside court after Tuesday's decision, calling for action to stop known offenders being released. She said people were responsible and accountable for Price being on the street when he committed his most recent attacks. "Masa shouldn't be dead. I shouldn't have been in the situation where he tried to kill me," she said. "We can't stop first offenders, but we should be able to stop known offenders re-offending." She said Price should never be paroled, so the community would remain safe from him. Despite his guilty plea, Price continues to deny raping the woman. Representing himself at the January appeal hearing, Price said he only pleaded guilty to both the rape and murder because he had been beaten in prison. "I admit I'm guilty, not of the rape, but of the murder of Masa Vukotic, but in future I want to argue I was mentally impaired," he said. He suggested Justice Lex Lasry was affected by "the horror of what he seen" when passing original sentence. "I understand what I did was bad but I was mentally ill," Price argued. "Later I can appeal when the public anger has died down and they can see I never got a fair trial." A psychiatric report at the time found Price was mentally ill and had a personality disorder, but was not mentally impaired. PRICE'S SENTENCES: * Life in prison with a 38-year non-parole period for rape and murder. * Four years and 11 months' prison for breach of supervision order, with non-parole period increased to 41 years. Re-sentenced on appeal to three years, and a new 40-year non-parole period imposed from March 2016. New Zealand police have called in the serious fraud watchdog after allegations the leader of country's largest political party tried to hide a donation. Former centre-right National Party member Jami-Lee Ross last year quit and laid a complaint with police alleging his former boss and the leader of the opposition, Simon Bridges, asked for a $NZ100,000 political donation to be divided up to avoid revealing its origin. Bridges has firmly denied any wrongdoing. On Tuesday, without naming any of those involved or other details, New Zealand police said they had referred a complaint about electoral donations in October to the country's Serious Fraud Office. The fraud office confirmed it was looking at the matter but that it did not comment on ongoing investigations. Bridges on Tuesday told media the complaint was a matter for his party to handle and that he was confident his hands were clean. "It is a matter for the National party and a matter for them to cooperate with the SFO on," he said. Comment has been requested from party officials. After being accused of leaking against his leader, Ross retaliated in October by telling reporters Bridges had asked him split up a donation from businessman Yikun Zhang into several smaller payments under a series of names. Under New Zealand law only political donations of over $30,000 need to have their source declared. There is no suggestion Zhang acted improperly in any way. But the saga raised questions about his connections to the Chinese government - with reports Zhang spent five years as a member of the Communist Party's Consultative Conference in Hainan Province. Mr Bridges has previously said the $100,000 donation came from a number of individuals and has called Ross' claims baseless. An Adelaide man has been found guilty of attempting to murder a stranger by choking him with a shoelace, in an attack he denied was racially motivated. David John Pearce, 37, appeared in the Supreme Court on Tuesday as Justice Sam Doyle delivered his verdict. During the trial, the court heard Pearce approached Abdolhadi Moradi, 28, from behind as the Afghan national walked down a footpath north of Adelaide in January, 2018. He wrapped a shoelace around Mr Moradi's neck and dragged him to the pavement, as his surprised victim struggled to free himself. Prosecutor Mark Norman SC said Mr Moradi believed he briefly lost consciousness during the attack, which lasted for up to two minutes. Pearce was arrested by police nearby a few minutes later, while Mr Moradi was left "relatively unscathed" with minor neck injuries. Mr Norman said Pearce was taken to hospital after his arrest and blood and urine samples revealed he had likely consumed small amounts of methamphetamine as well as some cannabis. He said the pair were not known to each other, and that Pearce knew the attack would be witnessed by members of the public. "It seems very difficult to avoid the inference that Mr Moradi was deliberately chosen by the accused to be attacked," he said. But Phil Crowe, for Pearce, denied the attack was racially motivated and said there was no evidence Pearce saw Mr Moradi from the front before he approached. "There is pure speculation by the prosecution that Mr Pearce must have been aware of the victim's nationality or racial appearance," he said. "There is no evidence to support, or even a suggestion, that the incident was motivated by racism." Mr Crowe said the only evidence that Mr Moradi lost consciousness came from Mr Moradi himself, and was not supported by any medical witness. Justice Doyle remanded Pearce in custody to reappear before the court for sentencing submissions later this month. Australia has rejected calls from the United States to "take responsibility" for home-grown Islamic State fighters captured in the Middle East. The US has urged the Morrison government to bring Australian foreign fighters back to the country to be prosecuted or rehabilitated. But government frontbencher Michael Keenan has pushed back against Washington's advice. "At the end of the day we work very closely with our security allies, in particular the United States," he told Sky News on Tuesday. "But decisions about Australia's security are always going to be taken by the Australian government." Mr Keenan said it was the government's clear position that it would be "very dangerous" to repatriate Australian-born Islamic militants. "And it's not that straightforward, of course, the idea that you just bring people home and subject them to a criminal trial," the former justice minister said. "It can be very difficult to get evidence from a war zone that you might need to get a successful prosecution, and our judgment is that in most cases, we are best off excluding these people from Australia." Several Australian members of Islamic State are reportedly in the custody of Kurdish forces, who have decimated the terrorist group with help from the US military. A spokesman for the US embassy in Canberra said repatriating foreign fighters to their countries of origin was the best solution to stop them from returning to the battlefield. "The US government's policy is to encourage nations to repatriate and prosecute their citizens and take responsibility for their (foreign fighters) through rehabilitation programs or other measures that sufficiently prevent detainees from re-engaging in terrorism," he told AAP. The coalition government has introduced laws to strip Australian terrorists of their citizenship if they have a second nationality. It has also introduced legislation blocking Australian foreign fighters who want to return home could be blocked from entering the country for up to two years. "We believe that community safety here in Australia is best served by making sure they don't return to our shores," Mr Keenan said. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten won't "throw bricks" at the federal government over the proposed disability royal commission as he's glad Australia is getting an inquiry at all. The terms of reference were expected to be released on Monday, but no announcement has been made by Tuesday. "I'm pleased we're getting a royal commission into the treatment of people with disability," Mr Shorten told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday. "Labor called for it two years ago so I'll take the progress where I'll get it, I'm not going to throw bricks at the government." Federal parliament last month supported a motion for a royal commission into the mistreatment of people with disabilities and consultations have since been ongoing with stakeholders, but a formal announcement is yet to be made. "I'm not going to judge them too harshly about terms of reference between then and now because they've never really thought about it," Mr Shorten said. "It is important to talk to the states and territories, it's even more important to talk to people with disability." The proposed new royal commission briefly had a website on Monday, set up by the Department of Social Services. But the heading "Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability" soon became a "page not found" error message on Monday afternoon. NSW Labor has continued its big cash splash on education announcing it would spend $7.4 billion on building new schools and upgrading others if it wins the election in 11 days. Opposition leader Michael Daley on Tuesday said a Labor government would commit to building and upgrading 204 schools over four years in "the largest investment in public schools in NSW history". "Labor will make sure school infrastructure keeps up with the booming school-aged population," he told reporters at Dalmeny Public School in Sydney's southwest. The opposition leader argued the ALP could afford the record investment because it wouldn't proceed with the coalition's "$2.2 billion Sydney stadiums splurge". Mr Daley said there were almost 5000 demountable classrooms in NSW schools and the government recently purchased 520 more rather than investing in bricks and mortar. During Labor's official campaign launch on Sunday, he also promised to fully fund public schools to the tune of $2.7 billion, to deliver 100 per cent of the standard level of funding for every student by the end of the Gonski agreement in 2027. Premier Gladys Berejiklian on the weekend promised almost one billion dollars in school funding at the Liberal Party's campaign launch. People from all walks of life have attended the funeral service of journalist and author Les Carlyon at Flemington racecourse. Hundreds including the Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, and Lady Cosgrove, former prime minister John Howard and a host of journalists, trainers and racing industry leaders gathered on Tuesday to celebrate the life of Carlyon who died last week, aged 76. Horse-racing was a passion for Carlyon who was a former editor of The Age in Melbourne, editor-in-chief at the Herald and Weekly Times and wrote numerous books, including The Master, about Bart Cummings. He also wrote Gallipoli and later earned the Prime Minister's prize for Australian History for his book The Great War. Carlyon was described a "journalistic genius" by broadcaster Neil Mitchell, who said "tributes have shown how many lives he touched". "He was the best journalist Australia has produced, certainly in the last 50 years, maybe ever," Mitchell said. "His fingerprints are all over newspapers and the voices on radio." Journalist Andrew Rule described Carylon as the "poet laureate of the track". "Without you Les, there'd be no bronze statue of Bart downstairs," he said. Ashley Ekins, head of the Military History Section at the Australian War Memorial, formed a friendship with the writer 22 years ago as Carlyon embarked on research for his book Gallipoli. "Gallipoli never left Les," Ekins said. "When he finished the book, he wanted to know more. "He was admired and loved for his genuine sincerity, his presence and wit." Author and literary agent Deb Callaghan worked with Carlyon for more than 25 years and remembered him for his "deft dry wit and ferocious loyalty". "He took his writing seriously, but not himself," she said. HIKERS SURVIVE FOUR NIGHTS MISSING IN VICTORIAN BUSH FRIDAY, MARCH 8 * Married Melbourne couple Trevor Salvado, 60, and Jacinta 'Cindy' Bohan, 58, disappear at Mount Buffalo National Park in Victoria's northeast * The couple is last seen at a caravan park at Bright and are later due to meet friends for a long weekend getaway * The experienced hikers fail to return from a bushwalk at Reservoir Track, Mount Buffalo. SATURDAY, MARCH 9 * Their car, a Skoda Yeti, is found near the track SUNDAY, MARCH 10 * Police go public with an appeal for information on the missing Essendon couple * Dozens of people comb the national park to try and find the couple, aided by a police helicopter, and officers on horses MONDAY, MARCH 11 * One of the couple's three children, Nathan, and Ms Bohan's sister Maria make an emotional plea for their return * Police say rugged terrain was making the search difficult * The search was scheduled to finish about 10pm TUESDAY, MARCH 12 * Significantly expanded search of 150 people plus search dogs are deployed, covering a larger area * A kayaker finds Mr Salvado and Ms Bohan safe and well at Buffalo River, about 11am * The pair is taken to Wangaratta Hospital for a check up Bands, labels and festivals have backed a near-silent ad campaign that warns the NSW government's safety-focused licensing regime could crush the music industry. The Australian Festivals Association on Tuesday urged voters across NSW to ask their local candidates "whether they support live music when deciding who to vote for" in the March 23 state election. NSW this year began forcing some major festivals to meet stringent health and safety regulations after five drug-related deaths in as many months. "The current government has made it clear through new unnecessary regulations for music festivals they are not willing to work with the music industry," Falls Festival said in a Facebook post highlighting the advertisement. "Turn up live music. Turn down the current NSW government." The video ad shows performers and attendees at music festivals depicted as TV static silhouettes. White noise plays in the background. Industry group ARIA backed the campaign while bands The Rubens, Sheppard and country musician Casey Barnes changed their social media profile pictures to ones of TV static. The regulations force 14 "high-risk" festivals - including Laneway and Defqon.1 - to prove to the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority they've met stringent health and safety measures. The new measures predominantly target festivals involving young people, crowds of more than 8000, electronic dance music and events where a recent serious drug-related illness or death has occurred. Five people died at NSW music festivals in the five months to mid-January 2019. Paul Toole, the minister responsible for the ILGA, has been contacted for comment. He said in February that the NSW government "wants music festivals to thrive - but serious drug-related illnesses and deaths have demonstrated that we need to help make a small number of them safer". During a trial of the measures over summer the organisers of Psyfari and Mountain Sounds festivals cancelled their events citing "excessive" costs and rules. Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea condemned the new regulations as "the stupidest f**ing thing" he'd ever heard during a show in Victoria on March 2. Help is at hand for Australian students and workers worried about how and when robots are expected to impact their jobs. A new tool lets users type their job, location and qualifications into a computer program which reveals within seconds challenges their career path could face. It was developed by a university amid growing student concerns over robots replacing "intellectual" work and aims to help users understand how jobs will change amid rapid advances in technology. The Future of Work Predictor, developed by the University of New England, draws on research into how jobs will change in the future. The tool breaks the Australian economy down into over 3,000 different jobs and then breaks those jobs into thousands of separate tasks. University marketing director Anthony Smith said "intellectual" work will be impacted by technology. "Intellectual work is now affected, for example lots of lawyers and a lot of accountants, these people realise artificial intelligence is going to penetrate chunks of their work," Mr Smith said. He said some students tend to think it will be beneficial to learn how technology works. But he said experts suggest it may be better specialise in creative work. "The idea is to specialise in areas that are more difficult for machines," Mr Smith said. "That's often more in the creative space, anything to do with human interaction, human relationships, what they call the soft skills which are harder for machines and artificial intelligence." The tool allows users to understand the changes to be faced in the next two, five and 12 years. The predictor can be found at: https://studyat.une.edu.au/futureofwork The University of Sydney's vice-chancellor has given permission for students and staff to walk out of classes this week to attend a climate change rally. Thousands of students from more than 50 classes at the university have passed a motion supporting a mass walk-off on Friday, organisers say. The motion calls for publicly-owned, 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030, a just transition to green jobs, and no new sources of fossil fuel. Vice-Chancellor Michael Spence has agreed not to penalise staff and students who miss classes. "Climate change is undoubtedly one of the most important and complex challenges facing humanity, and an issue that is of great to concern to many University of Sydney students and staff," Mr Spence wrote an email to organisers of the walk-off on Monday. "The university will not hinder any individuals expressing an opinion or penalise any staff or students who join the rally on Friday. We will ensure that all staff are aware of this." The walk-offs will coincide with a nationwide school student strike calling for action on climate change. Sydney University climate walk-off organising committee spokesman Daniel Cotton hopes Friday's action will lead to other strike action across society. "What ended the Vietnam War was 'stop work to stop the war' ... giant moratorium marches," Mr Cotton told AAP on Tuesday. "We need a movement that size, we're just doing our little part here to set an example for everyone else, at every other university, every other workplace. "This is what we need to be all doing together if we're going to prevent catastrophic climate change." Sydney University students will be joined by contingents from the University of Technology Sydney and the University of NSW on Friday. They will join school students converging on Town Hall in the CBD. Scientists say more research into dolphin birthing deaths could avoid further incidents after a baby bottlenose was found dead in Adelaide's Port River. The one-day-old calf was found by dolphin sanctuary rangers on Monday. It's the third to have died in the river over the past four years, all from the same mother. Results from the port-mortem examination found the dolphin likely died from severe haemorrhaging. But museum scientist Cath Kemper said very little was known about dolphin birthing problems which made it difficult to confirm why newborns die. "Follow-up investigations are required to confirm the cause of death," Dr Kemper said. All three calves that died were less than one week old and all showed signs of being born alive. A woman used a knife to slit the throat of her 81-year-old mother and told her she was "going straight to the Lord", a Perth court has heard. Tania Denise Shayler is on trial in the West Australian Supreme Court charged with murdering Margaret Mitchell in Stratton in June 2017 but claims she is not guilty due to unsoundness of mind. The court heard on Tuesday that Shayler had a long history of mental illness, dating back to 1985, and had been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. Shayler allegedly had grandiose delusions, heard voices and referred to aliens. On one occasion, she thought about sacrificing her son before she realised God would not want that, the court heard. Prosecutors allege Shayler went to Ms Mitchell's home, killed her and smeared blood on the door. Shayler later told her husband God had told her to do something bad, but did not elaborate. She eventually told him what happened and authorities were alerted. The trial before Justice Joseph McGrath, sitting without a jury, continues. An elderly resident in an increasingly substandard NSW aged care facility has been hospitalised after maggots were found in his head. The disturbing discovery comes months after Bupa's Eden facility was sanctioned by the government because residents were at "immediate and severe risk". Federal Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt said it was "totally unacceptable and concerning" the south coast facility had a resident with maggots in a wound so quickly after it was inspected by the newly beefed-up regulator the Aged Care Safety and Quality Commission. "In this day and age, with all of the attention given to care being centred on individuals, we shouldn't see this occurring," Mr Wyatt told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday. "I'm disappointed they've allowed this to happen." Bupa's chief operating officer Carolyn Cooper apologised to the resident and his family. "I have personally spoken to the family today and understand their disappointment," she told AAP in a statement on Tuesday. Results from government inspections show a decline in standards at the Eden facility over the past few years. In 2013, the facility, which was then known as Eden Community Care, met all 44 of the accreditation standards. Those standards remained intact in 2016 after Bupa began running the home. But in August 2018 inspectors found five were no longer being met. Conditions continued to deteriorate and, by November, the government refused to sign off on 22 of the necessary standards. The next month the commission reported "critical deficiencies at the service contributing to serious and detrimental failings" including in human resources, clinical care, medication management and health and personal care. The facility was sanctioned with its commonwealth funding stripped back. Bupa was ordered to recruit and train new staff to address the shortcomings. The latest incident means investigators will again return to the facility, Mr Wyatt said. The man has since returned to the facility and Ms Cooper said immediate action had been taken to improve wound management and provide further training to staff. But the government will continue to lobby the company on a "raft of matters" that make it clear the government is concerned, the minister said. "Australia expects aged care providers to shape up and provide the level of care that is needed." Health, education, climate, human rights and gender equality will be at the heart of a future Labor government's international aid budget. Labor's foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong announced in a speech at the University of Queensland in Brisbane on Tuesday a plan to spend $32 million on a Pacific-wide fund to tackle blindness and vision impairment. The plan, which will involve the training of up to 600 health workers over four years, is part of a broader focus on improving health across the region. "Investment in health care and family planning improves individual wellbeing and contributes to prosperity and stability in communities and countries," Senator Wong said. "Aid can and does make a difference." As well, Labor would appoint a global human rights ambassador. Brumbies captain Christian Lealiifano knows the key to turning around the team's Super Rugby fortunes lies inside the players' heads. There will be extra motivation to get their season back on track as they host arch-rivals, the NSW Waratahs, at GIO Stadium on Friday night. To avoid slumping to a third straight defeat, the Brumbies will have to upset the Waratahs without injured Wallabies stars David Pocock and Allan Alaalatoa. Unheralded tighthead prop Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin will replace Alaalatoa in the front row, with Tom Cusack slipping into Pocock's No.7 jersey. In patches, the Brumbies have looked to be one of the best and most exciting teams in the competition, but only have a 1-3 record to show for it. They led the Melbourne Rebels by 16 points at half-time last week before falling in a heap after the break to lose 29-26. "It's all between the ears for us," Lealiifano told reporters on Thursday. "We've got enough skill, talent and work ethic in our team to produce what we need to, it's about finding that consistency in your mind. "It's been a tough couple of weeks for us but we're looking forward to being back at home and hopefully continuing that history down here." Flanker Cusack said there was always an extra edge about taking on the Waratahs. "Any of those derby games you live for...this is one you probably lift a bit more for," Cusack said. "These are the derbies you love to watch, now I'm privileged enough to be apart of." While the Brumbies find a way to cope without two of their best players, the Waratahs have been rocked with a key injury of their own. A hamstring strain to Karmichael Hunt has forced a backline reshuffle, with Kurtley Beale reverting to centre to partner Adam Ashley-Cooper and Israel Folau returning to fullback. Daryl Gibson's men are coming off a grinding 28-17 victory over the Queensland Reds last Saturday night. Another win this week would put the Waratahs two games clear of the Brumbies in the Australian conference with a match in hand. They could also jump to top of the conference if the Rebels can't secure their first win in Africa when they battle the Lions. The Association of Women Heads of Family (AFCF), whose president is Aminetou El Moctar, is spearheading the struggle for change in Mauritania Feminists in Mauritania are fighting an uphill battle to see tougher penalties for sexual violence and discrimination in a conservative state where criminal law is derived from Sharia. "Few survivors of sexual assault dare to speak out in Mauritania," Human Rights Watch said in a report last September. It blasted "a dysfunctional system that discourages victims from pressing charges (and) can lead to re-traumatisation or punishment." Women's groups have helped to draft legislation to combat gender-based violence, calling for stiffer penalties for rape, criminalisation of sexual harassment and the creation of specific courts to handle sexual violence. But the bill has been twice rejected by parliament, despite efforts to craft text which is within the confines of Sharia law -- for example, extra-marital sex would remain a crime. Lawmakers objected to provisions allowing women to travel without their husbands' permission, and permitting victim support groups to file civil suits. Spearheading the struggle for change is the Association of Women Heads of Family (AFCF), whose president Aminetou El Moctar told AFP: "We need this law, because we know violence against women is soaring" -- although statistics on the scourge are seriously lacking. At AFCF's offices, Zahra (not her real name), related how a neighbour snatched her five-year-old daughter from her home while she was sleeping, and then raped the girl. Because of the girl's young age and the fact that the rapist was a serial paedophile, he was quickly convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison. But AFCF says that in Mauritania, convicted rapists rarely serve out their sentences. "He will probably do a year at most," said Mariem, a case worker. "After that he'll be able to pay bail and get out on parole. Then, when there's a general amnesty, he'll benefit from it." - Sit-ins at parliament - That is why specific legislation is needed, women's rights activists argue. They hold periodic sit-ins at parliament to demand passage of the law, noting that it was drafted by civil society, Islamic scholars and jurists and stayed within the bounds of Sharia law. MPs from both the ruling party and the opposition voted down the bill in January 2017. In December 2018, the draft did not even proceed past the parliament's Islamic Orientation Commission, which vets proposed law for its conformity with Sharia. "We rejected this law because it was not aligned with Sharia and our cultural specificities," said Zeinabou Taghi, an MP of the opposition Islamist party Tewassoul. The penalties "appear to interfere with private life," she said. She objected to punishing a man for forbidding his wife to wear figure-revealing clothes, or for forbidding his daughter to live on her own with no husband. - Blaming the victim - For her part, opposition MP Nana Mint Cheikhna of the Rally for Democratic Forces (RFD) said she backed the bill, despite reservations about vague text. "Women obviously need protection... in a society where they are considered minors, both in people's minds and in practice," she said. In September, HRW had praised the bill as a "step in the right direction" but said it "falls short of international standards in several ways." The draft bill "fails to criminalise other forms of sexual assault" besides rape, it said, adding that it still criminalised consensual extra-marital sex and allowed the law criminalising abortion to remain on the books. Losio's students are driven by memories of women in their villages bleeding helplessly to death, or babies dying from avoidable complications, with no healthcare workers for miles around In a small classroom in Juba, male and female students listen attentively as Grace Losio launches into a lesson on what it takes to be a midwife. Like Losio, many of the students have come here with a passion. They are driven by memories of women in their villages bleeding helplessly to death, or babies dying from avoidable complications, with no healthcare workers for miles around. But despite her enthusiasm, Losio, 50, knows that with its three classrooms and crammed makeshift dormitories, the Kajo-Keji Health Science Institute where she is principal is a shadow of its former self. For one, it is now several hours away from where it is meant to be, in the southern town of Kajo-Keji near the Ugandan border. Students have come to the Multi-Service Training Center and Hospital in Juba from across the country When fighting erupted in Kajo-Keji in 2017, and tens of thousands of people poured over the border into Uganda, Losio and her students tried to wait it out. But the constant gunfire and their increased isolation became too much to bear. - Midwives on the run - So with about 20 teaching staff and 100 students they fled to Moyo in northern Uganda where they stayed for a month. They then relocated to South Sudan, in Juba -- more than 300 kilometres (about 190 miles) by road from Kajo-Keji, with the support of the International Medical Corps (IMC). "We were in a very hard situation. When we arrived in Moyo they (the students) slept without food... moving with a number of people is not easy," Losio told AFP. In 2018, 36 of those students graduated as midwives, and new ones have since joined from across the country. But Losio prays for the day she can return home and serve the women of her community. South Sudan has one of the world's worst rates of maternal mortality, with 780 out of 100,000 women dying in childbirth. Even so, this grim figure is under a third of what it was a decade ago, thanks to a drive to train more midwives South Sudan has one of the world's worst rates of maternal mortality, with 780 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to UN figures. Even so, this grim figure is under a third of what it was a decade ago, thanks to a drive to train more midwives. Around 900 have now registered, according to health ministry statistics. South Sudan's population was last officially estimated at about 12 million, and UN figures show war has scattered millions of them. More than five years of conflict has left many women on their own in childbirth. "In my village, most of the ladies you find they deliver at home because we don't have trained health personnel like midwives. You find most of them losing their kids and even they lose their lives," said Augustino John Kuluel, 28, one of Losio's male students from a village in central Gok State. - Refugee to nurse - South Sudan is the world's youngest nation, although it is also one of the most tragic, for it plunged into civil war just two years after gaining independence from Sudan in 2011. The country is the size of France but has only an estimated 200 kilometres (120 miles) of paved roads, with the majority of the population living in traditional villages or as nomadic cattle herders. Losio has known a life mainly marked by war. She was carried as a baby into a Ugandan refugee camp by her mother after her father was killed and their house burned down as war raged between Khartoum and southern rebels agitating for greater autonomy Losio, like much of the population, has known a life mainly marked by war. She was carried as a baby into a Ugandan refugee camp by her mother after her father was killed and their house burned down as war raged between Khartoum and southern rebels agitating for greater autonomy. "When I was a child I admired the nurse's uniform. Nurses used to come and take care of patients within the refugee camp," she recalled. Losio said she decided to follow in their footsteps because "I needed to help my women." After independence, an NGO-backed initiative to train midwives took off across the country. After studying nursing in Uganda, Losio returned to South Sudan in 2006 and began training midwives two years later with IMC. "The whole aim was to reduce burdens of women who were pregnant having problems. Already we had trained a number of midwives who had gone out there to assist mothers," she said. But now, because of the insecurity, "the question is where do you find the mother, and can I reach where that mother is? We are supposed to serve the community of Kajo-Keji and the surrounding area but currently where are we? We are in Juba, no one is there for them." - A ghost town - Losio was able to visit the town briefly last year, and found it largely abandoned, and the health institute had been looted. Kajo-Keji lies in Yei River State, a region once untouched by the conflict that broke out between supporters of President Salva Kiir and his former vice president Riek Machar in 2013. But when a peace deal collapsed in 2016 and fighting spread across the country, it was hit by violent battles. A new peace agreement signed in September has largely stopped fighting, but in Yei a holdout rebel group has been battling government forces, prompting thousands to flee fresh violence. "I shed tears because that was not the town that I left... but we are hoping we can go back to Kajo-Keji," Losio said. R. Kelly returned to jail March 6 for failing to pay child support Two women living with R. Kelly are defending the R&B superstar charged with sexual abuse, saying in an interview aired Thursday that their relationships with him are consensual. Azriel Clary, 21, and Joycelyn Savage, 23, told the US television network CBS that they "absolutely" are in love with Kelly, brushing off allegations that the 52-year-old artist brainwashes women he keeps in homes that operate as de facto sex cults. "We live with him, and we're in a relationship with him," Clary said of Kelly, who returned to jail Wednesday for failing to pay child support. "A very strong relationship as well," added Savage. Questioned on the nature of their sex lives with Kelly, Clary said "I would never share with no one what I do in or outside of the bedroom." "There are people all over the world who have multiple girlfriends," she said. "It's no different." Last month Kelly -- dogged for decades by allegations including child pornography, sexual abuse and false imprisonment -- pleaded not guilty in Chicago to 10 counts of aggravated criminal sex abuse against four victims, three of them minors. Detroit police disclosed Thursday that they also were investigating an allegation of a 2001 sexual assault involving a 13-year-old. The criminal cases are not linked to women Kelly currently lives with. In 2017, a BuzzFeed report alleged the musician had kept women as virtual sex slaves at his Chicago and Atlanta homes. Clary and Savage dubbed accusations against Kelly money-making schemes. But Clary's parents released a statement shortly after the interview aired saying their daughter "is presently suffering from years of mental abuse and manipulation by R. Kelly." "R. Kelly is a desperate liar and serial abuser of young girls who should die in prison," said the statement tweeted by lawyer Michael Avenatti, who represents at least two of Kelly's alleged victims. "All of the victims and parents cannot be lying." CBS released the interview with the two women after airing an emotional sit-down with Kelly himself, his first public comments since the indictment against him. "I didn't do this stuff. This not me," Kelly said, saying he was "fighting" for his life. "Whether they're old rumors, new rumors, future rumors, not true." Kelly -- the star behind hits like "I Believe I Can Fly" -- remains in custody in Chicago after failing to pay $161,000 in child support payments he owes to his former spouse and three children. Kelly's ex-wife Andrea Kelly also has previously accused the artist of domestic abuse. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was briefly reunited with her daughter, Gabriella, in Damavand, Iran following her release from prison for three days Britain on Friday extended diplomatic protection to a British-Iranian mother jailed in Tehran in a move that was immediately branded by the Islamic republic as a violation of international law. The fate of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe has been a bone of contention between Tehran and London since her arrest in Iran in January 2016. The 41-year-old was returning from a family visit with her infant daughter when she was detained at Tehran airport. Her husband Richard said Zaghari-Ratcliffe suffers from a range of health problems and that a lack of medical access in jail forced her to go on a brief hunger strike in protest in January. "She's been getting very low, partly despairing.. what's the escalation beyond that?" he told AFP. "I'm really glad that the foreign secretary has made this the escalation... It will make a difference." Ratcliffe said the move made it clear to Iran that Britain believes his wife has suffered an injustice and that the government will keep up the pressure. "These are all really important and welcome steps, so we're very happy," he said, adding Zaghari-Ratcliffe would also be "thrilled". - 'Enough is enough' - Diplomatic protection is a rarely-used mechanism allowing nations to seek protection on behalf of its citizens on the grounds that they have been wronged by another state. British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt noted Friday it "hasn't happened for an individual, we dont think, for more than 100 years". Hunt said he made the decision because he wanted to signal to Iran that Britain had no intention of letting Zaghari-Ratcliffe languish in jail. "We hope the Iranians will react constructively to this and understand that we are not going to drop this," he told BBC radio. "At the heart of this is an innocent woman, vulnerable, unwell and scared and she has a four-year-old daughter. "She should not be paying the price for the disagreements you have with the UK." But Iran quickly branded London's decision a violation of international law. "UK Govt's extension of diplomatic protection to Ms Zaghari contravenes int'l law. Govts may only exercise such protection for own nationals," Tehran's London envoy Hamid Baeidinejad tweeted late Thursday. "As UK Govt is acutely aware, Iran does not recognize dual nationality. Irrespective of UK residency, Ms Zaghari thus remains Iranian," he wrote. Ratcliffe said he had discussed the expected negative reaction from Iran with the Foreign Office, and they hoped the "enough is enough" message would sink in. "There'll be parts of the Iranian regime that are sympathetic to that, and there'll be parts -- that are holding Nazanin -- who are digging their heels in and may well dig their heels in further," he added. - 'All the injustices' - No caption Zaghari-Ratcliffe was a project manager with the Thomson Reuters Foundation -- the media group's philanthropic arm -- and made frequent visits to Iran. But she was on a private holiday and not a work assignment at the time of her arrest. She was sentenced to five years in prison in September 2016 for allegedly trying to topple the Iranian government. The Thomson Reuters Foundation and the British government have consistently denied the charges against her. Ratcliffe told reporters in January that Iranian authorities were trying to make his wife spy on the British government for them once she is released from jail, but she had refused. He has also been highly critical of Tehran for denying her requested medical attention after he says she suffered panic attacks and other health issues. Ratcliffe said Friday he hoped the diplomatic decision would mean British officials could now visit her for the first time, and allow for access to an independent doctor to "check just how ill she is". "Now it is effectively a British government case," he told the BBC. "All the injustices that have been done to Nazanin are effectively injustices to the British government." Thousands of men, women and children have streamed out of the Islamic State group's embattled holdout of Baghouz in eastern Syria in recent days Holdout Islamic State group fighters hunkered down in a riverside camp in eastern Syria Friday as US-backed forces looked to expel them from the last shred of their dying "caliphate". Thousands of men and women have poured out of the pocket of territory in the village of Baghouz near the Iraqi border in recent days, suitcases and dust-covered children in tow. The exodus has sparked a humanitarian emergency, with an aid group saying one camp for non-combatants has reached "breaking point" after receiving 12,000 people from Baghouz in the past 48 hours. IS carved out a proto-state across large parts of Syria and Iraq in 2014, ruling millions of people, but has since lost all of it except the last tiny patch by the Euphrates River. The group's fighters and their families are cornered by the advancing US-backed forces in an improvised encampment on the water's edge. Footage obtained by AFP showed men, as well as women draped in black, walking among a sea of pickup trucks and rudimentary tents scattered across the uneven riverbank. A black cow grazed on a patch of dry grass between the makeshift dwellings. The images, filmed by the Free Burma Rangers aid group, showed a motorbike darting between a dark earth berm topped with clumps of reeds and a line of temporary shelters. Just a few metres from the river, a few figures sat behind a wall of breeze-blocks erected among a thick bed of reeds, shielding them from the other side of the waterway, which is held by regime troops. The Syrian Democratic Forces, who are backed by air power of a US-led coalition, are waiting for all civilians to be evacuated before moving in to retake the last scrap of IS-held territory. - 'Breaking point' - SDF spokesman Adnan Afrin said no civilians had been evacuated on Friday, but expected more to flow out on Saturday. "The situation has completely stalled except for some intermittent clashes," he added on the situation on the frontline. Nearly 58,000 people have left the last IS redoubt since December, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Aid groups have said that children who have fled Baghouz are "victims of the conflict" who must be protected It is unclear how many people remain inside, but the SDF has been surprised by the seemingly endless flow from the IS pocket. The International Rescue Committee on Friday said that 12,000 women and children had arrived at the Kurdish-run Al-Hol camp since Wednesday. The latest batch of evacuees, including 6,000 people who came on Thursday, has pushed the camp's population to over 65,000, exacerbating to a tent shortage and "health crisis", it said. "The IRC and other agencies are doing all they can do to help the new arrivals but Al-Hol camp is now at breaking point," IRC's Misty Buswell said. The organisation said there have been "hundreds of cases of severe acute malnutrition, including 220 children who needed to be transferred to a local hospital for treatment". A large number of people are also arriving with shrapnel wounds and are in need of immediate surgery, it added. - 'Blood to your knees' - At the height of its rule, IS imposed its brutal interpretation of Islam across an area the size of the United Kingdom. After it lost major cities in both countries in 2017, the fall of Baghouz would be a symbolic end to its territorial control. But many warn the battle is far from over, and some of those fleeing jihadist territory appear to have their devotion intact. At an SDF position outside Baghouz this week, women covered from head to toe in black stood in front of journalists, pointing their index fingers to the sky in a gesture used by IS supporters to proclaim the oneness of God. "The Islamic State is here to stay!" they cried in unison. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have struggled to deal with thousands of people who have fled Baghouz One woman added: "We will seek vengeance, there will be blood up to your knees." General Joseph Votel, head of the US Central Command, warned Thursday that many of those being evacuated are "unrepentant, unbroken and radicalised". He stressed the need to "maintain a vigilant offensive against this now widely dispersed and disaggregated organisation". Beyond Baghouz, IS fighters are still present in Syria's vast Badia desert and have claimed deadly attacks in SDF-held territory. US President Trump stunned allies in December when he announced all 2,000 US troops would withdraw from Syria as IS had been defeated. The White House later said that around 200 American "peace-keeping" soldiers would remain in northern Syria. Baghouz is the latest front in Syria's eight-year civil war, which has killed more than 360,000 people and displaced millions. US President Donald Trump says Democrats have become an "anti-Israel" and "anti-Jewish" party US President Donald Trump blasted Democrats as "anti-Israel" and "anti-Jewish" Friday after they passed a congressional measure opposing hate speech in general instead of specifically condemning alleged anti-Semitic comments by a Muslim congresswoman. The remarks by the Republican leader follow days of tense debates in Congress addressing sensitive questions about national allegiance, age-old discriminatory tropes aimed at Jews, and accusations of show votes that failed to call out a member for controversial comments. "I thought yesterday's vote by the House was disgraceful," Trump told reporters at the White House. The resolution was originally intended to deliver a direct rebuke of anti-Semitism following controversial comments by a Muslim Democratic congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, that were deemed anti-Semitic and offensive by many colleagues. But after blowback from progressives, it was revised to more broadly condemn discrimination against Muslims and other minorities as well. Trump seized on the shift, and the tensions among Democrats. "The Democrats have become an anti-Israel party and anti-Jewish party," he said. The issue has caused a deep rift. Some Democrats wanted to include language condemning other forms of bigotry, and expressed concerns about singling out Omar. The resolution, which made no mention of Omar, ultimately passed 407 to 23. Republicans who voted against it complained it had been watered down. The debate made clear that Democrats' growing diversity in Congress -- in ethnicity, religion, gender, age and ideology -- has created new challenges for the party. Among those is policy about Israel. Omar had sparked fiery debate with her repeated criticisms of Israel and how a powerful pro-Israel lobby in Washington exerts influence on US politicians. "I am told everyday that I am anti-American if I am not pro-Israel. I find that to be problematic and I am not alone," Omar tweeted. "Our nation is having a difficult conversation." Rise in anti-Semitic incidents - But Democrats insisted Trump was out of bounds to suggest their party was anti-Jewish. "As illustrated by history and yesterday's overwhelming vote to condemn anti-Semitism, there is strong support for Israel and the Jewish faith among Democrats," Congresswoman Elaine Luria, a military veteran who is Jewish, told AFP. There are currently 35 Jewish members of the US House and Senate, according to the non-partisan American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise. Only two of them are Republican. The debate comes amid a rise in anti-Semitic incidents across the United States. The Anti-Defamation League reported a 58 percent increase in such incidents between 2016 and 2017. In October, a gunman killed 11 worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, in the deadliest attack ever on Jews in America. Trump proclaims himself as Israel's closest ally. He proudly moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and has forged a close alliance with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But he and other Republicans have also courted controversy with the Jewish community, and have been accused of trafficking in dangerous, age-old tropes about money that anti-Semites have used to attack Jews for centuries. Speaking to the Republican Jewish Coalition in 2015 during his presidential campaign, Trump said "you're not going to support me because I don't want your money." "But that's okay," he went on. "You want to control your own politician." Trump drew outrage in 2016 with a tweet showing his rival Hillary Clinton and a Star of David -- with words accusing her of being "corrupt" -- superimposed over a blanket of $100 bills. And his final main campaign ad before the 2016 election contained alarming messaging, with images of prominent financial figures George Soros and Janet Yellen, both Jewish, as Trump speaks of "those who control the levers of power in Washington." As president, Trump sparked a firestorm by saying there were "very fine people on both sides" at a white nationalist rally in 2017 in Charlottesville, where demonstrators chanted "Jews will not replace us." A Palestinian protester waves a flag near burning tyres during clashes with Israeli forces after a demonstration at the border with Israel, east of Gaza City A Palestinian was killed and more than 40 others wounded by Israeli fire Friday in renewed protests and clashes along the Gaza border, the enclave's health ministry said. Tamer Arafat, 23, died from his wounds after being shot in the head, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said. Qudra said earlier that overall at least 42 Palestinians had been wounded by Israeli gunfire during the 50th week of demonstrations. Four medics were among those hurt, the ministry said. An Israeli army spokesman said "approximately 8,400 demonstrators and rioters are currently gathered in a number of locations along the Gaza Strip security fence". "They have hurled explosive devices and rocks at the security fence and soldiers, and have also ignited tyres," the spokesman said. Troops responded according to "standard operating procedures", he added. The Israeli military on Friday evening reported the launch of a projectile from the Gaza Strip into its territory. Protests and clashes began along the Gaza border on March 30 last year. Demonstrators have been calling for Palestinian refugees and their descendants to be allowed to return to former homes now inside Israel, which Israeli officials say is akin to calling for the Jewish state's destruction. Israel accuses Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas of using the demonstrations as cover for infiltrations and attacks, while rights groups and Palestinians say protesters posing little threat have been shot by Israeli snipers. At least 253 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since March 2018, the majority shot during weekly border protests and others hit by tank fire or air strikes in response to violence from Gaza. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period. Israel and Hamas, which has controlled the blockaded Gaza Strip for over a decade, have fought three wars since 2008. There has been an increase in violence over the past week as Israel has repeatedly struck Hamas positions in response to what it said were balloon-borne "explosive devices" floated across the border. White House communications chief Bill Shine will be a senior advisor to the 2020 re-election campaign Former Fox News executive Bill Shine has resigned as President Donald Trump's communications director, the White House said Friday. "Assistant to the president and communications director Bill Shine offered his resignation to the president yesterday evening, and the president accepted," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement. Sanders didn't go into Shine's reasoning but said he continued to support Trump and his agenda and would be a senior advisor to the 2020 re-election campaign. Shine, 55, was appointed co-president of Fox News in August 2016, following the abrupt resignation of its chief Roger Ailes in the face of a sexual harassment lawsuit. Shine resigned from the US television network less than a year later over questions concerning his handling of the Ailes case and accusations that he had helped cover up alleged misbehavior. His resignation comes as accusations mount over Trump's closeness to the network, whose prime time star anchor Sean Hannity served as an informal advisor to the then-candiadate during the 2016 election campaign. An article in this week's New Yorker magazine suggested Fox was a "propaganda" vehicle for Trump and alleged that in 2016, the network went so far as killing a story about the president's alleged affair with a pornographic film actress. The Democratic Party responded by banning the network from hosting any of its primary candidate, after published revelations suggested it was a "propaganda" vehicle for Trump. Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez said a story in this week's New Yorker magazine on the White House's apparently close relationship with the channel prompted the decision. "Recent reporting in the New Yorker on the inappropriate relationship between President Trump, his administration and Fox News has led me to conclude that the network is not in a position to host a fair and neutral debate for our candidates," he added in a statement to The Washington Post. The New Yorker piece detailed how Trump has given dozens of interviews to Fox and repeatedly tweets claims that have been made on the popular cable news network, owned by media magnate Rupert Murdoch. Trump often refers to Fox's rivals CNN and MSNBC, as well as The New York Times and The Washington Post, as "fake news." Senator Elizabeth Warren, who is seeking the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, unveiled a proposal to break up Big Tech firms Google, Facebook and Amazon Democratic presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren unveiled a proposal Friday to break up Big Tech, arguing that firms such as Amazon, Google and Facebook hold " too much power" in society. Warren said that as president, she would press for legislation to designate big online companies with revenues of at least $25 billion as "platform utilities" barred from owning "any participants on that platform." The Massachusetts senator seeking her party's nomination for 2020 said she would also appoint antitrust enforcers "committed to reversing illegal and anti-competitive tech mergers," including acquisitions in recent years by Amazon, Facebook and Google. "Today's big tech companies have too much power -- too much power over our economy, our society and our democracy," she wrote in a blog post on Medium ahead of a New York rally where she was to speak about the plan. "They've bulldozed competition, used our private information for profit, and tilted the playing field against everyone else." The proposal comes amid a growing "techlash" movement in the United States against the firms, which have grown to become the world's most valuable, and a series of antitrust investigations in Europe. Critics accuse the firms of mishandling private user data and of abusing their dominance of certain sectors such as online retail and internet search. - 'Unwinding' tech tie-ups - Warren's plan would require Google to divest its mobile navigation app Waze, and Facebook to spin off Instagram and WhatsApp Warren specifically said she would seek to unwind Amazon's acquisition of the Whole Foods grocery chain and shoe retailer Zappos, Facebook's WhatsApp and Instagram, and Google's integration of the ad tech firm DoubleClick, internet of things maker Nest and mobile navigation application Waze. "Unwinding these mergers will promote healthy competition in the market -- which will put pressure on big tech companies to be more responsive to user concerns, including about privacy," she wrote. Warren said Amazon Marketplace, Google's ad exchange and Google Search would be considered platform utilities under her proposal. By doing this, she said, "small businesses would have a fair shot to sell their products on Amazon without the fear of Amazon pushing them out of business." - Help or hurt consumers? - Amazon would be forced to spin off the Whole Foods grocery chain it acquired in 2017 under Warren's proposal Warren's plan sparked swift reaction from both sides of the issue. The Computer & Communications Industry Association, which represents the three firms cited by Warren, disputed her analysis. The "unwarranted and extreme proposal, which focuses on a highly admired and highly performing sector, is misaligned with progressive values, many of which are shared within the tech industry," CCIA president Ed Black said. - 'Big is bad' mentality - Warren's proposal would seek to break up big internet firms such as Amazon, Google and Facebook Robert Atkinson, president of the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, a think tank that follows the sector, said the plan "is not pro-consumer." Warren's plan "reflects a 'big is bad, small is beautiful' ideology run amok," Atkinson said. "The proposal ignores the fact that many of the services big tech companies now provide free used to cost consumers money." But Matt Stoller of the Open Markets Institute, a group focused on competition in the tech sector, said the plan is "moderate" and long overdue. "Keep in mind the Sherman Act is not just a civil statute but a criminal one. Monopolization is a crime," Stoller tweeted. Charlotte Slaiman of the consumer group Public Knowledge also welcomed the proposal. "We're very concerned about situations where a company has free reign to control the playing field on which they compete," she said. Michael Carrier, a professor of antitrust law at Rutgers University, warned that the legal basis for taking on Big Tech would be shaky. "You can't break up a company just because they're big," Carrier told AFP, pointing out that antitrust laws requires monopolization and "exclusionary conduct." "Being big is not exclusionary conduct. While big tech companies could present concern, that's not enough for an antitrust case." A woman carries a container of water at a UN-protected site in Juba that offers shelter to civilians fleeing fighting A shaky peace deal in South Sudan stands a chance of success despite delays in implementing it and many lingering unresolved issues, the UN envoy said Friday. The agreement signed in September provides for a power-sharing government that will prepare elections meant to turn the page on five years of war in South Sudan -- one of the world's worst conflicts. Critics of the deal say it is largely a repeat of a previous 2015 agreement that fell apart when heavy fighting broke out in Juba between President Salva Kiir's forces and fighters loyal to Riek Machar. "There are some who believe that a return to violence is inevitable," UN envoy David Shearer told the Security Council. "We don't concur. This agreement has broader buy-in from parties than the 2015 agreement. It is widely embraced by the population." Shearer said the parties were "well behind" in implementing the agreement and that key issues had been deferred, such as forming a unified army to be deployed in Juba and major towns, and providing security for opposition leaders returning from exile. A first test of the deal will come in May when a transitional government led by Kiir and five vice presidents including Machar, currently in exile in Khartoum, is to take over. - Financial backing - "This peace agreement is far from perfect. But it is the one that we have in front of us today and we are not going to get another chance at this," said Shearer. To bolster the peace deal, the UN envoy appealed for financial support through contributions to a newly-established trust fund that will help provide resources. But the United States, South Sudan's biggest financial backer, made clear that the Juba government must pour some of its own revenues from oil production into support for peace. "Absent such transparency, South Sudan's leaders cannot expect the international community to provide substantial financial support to implement the peace agreement," said US Acting Ambassador Jonathan Cohen. South Sudan descended into war in December 2013 when Kiir accused Machar, his former deputy, of plotting a coup. Under the previous deal, Machar returned from exile with a group of bodyguards in July 2016, sparking a major battle in Juba that forced the rebel leader to flee the country chased by tanks and helicopter gunships. The war has killed tens of thousands of people, uprooted over one third of South Sudan's 12 million people and has seen horrific levels of sexual violence along with brutal attacks on civilians. The council was meeting ahead of a vote expected next week on renewing the mandate of the 16,000-strong UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, known as UNMISS. Malawi is seeing a surge in attacks on people with albinism -- many have been targeted for their body parts, for use in witchcraft Malawis president, Peter Mutharika, on Friday appointed a commission of inquiry to probe a spate of attacks, abductions and killings of people with albinism. The panel, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Robert Chinangwa, will submit its report to Mutharika by April 30, the president's office said. The announcement came after mounting criticism of Mutharika for his response to the attacks. The Association of People with Albinism has been staging a vigil in the capital Lilongwe and says it will contact foreign embassies in a bid to seek refuge. Around 200 albinos, joined by 500 sympathisers, marched to the presidential palace on Wednesday. Malawi, one of the world's poorest and most aid-dependent countries, has experienced a surge in violent attacks on people with albinism over the past four years. In many cases, those with albinism are targeted for their body parts to be used in witchcraft. In a June 2018 report, rights group Amnesty International said that since November 2014 there had been 148 crimes reported against people with albinism, with at least 21 deaths. Just 30 percent of those attacks have been properly investigated, according to official statistics, with only one murder and one attempted murder case successfully prosecuted. Of the 600 cases of violence against albinos in 28 African countries, Malawi accounted for nearly a third. Albinism, a genetic disorder, causes a partial or total absence of pigmentation in the skin, hair and eyes. As a result, many albinos often experience eye problems and have a heightened risk of skin cancer. For over a decade, teachers across the country have used the classroom crowdfunding site DonorsChoose to buy instructional materials, take their students on field trips, and stock up on basics like pencils and tissues. But as teacher-led crowdfunding grows ever more popular, school leaders are starting to voice concerns. Administrators say they have no way of knowing whether the instructional materials and technology flowing into their schools through individual teacher requests are aligned to district standards. They also worry the decentralized process will make it hard to monitor how money is distributed among schools. As a result, some districtsincluding, most recently, Metro Nashville Public Schoolshave banned their teachers from using DonorsChoose and other sites over the past few years. Still, many school leaders are hesitant to give up on crowdfundingand its potential benefitsaltogether. These platforms can provide cash-strapped districts a way to supplement school resources without expecting teachers to dip into their own wallets. And two recent reports argue that banning crowdfunding isnt the way to goinstead, school and district leaders should create policies around how teachers should do it. Putting a Stop to Crowdfunding Eighty-one percent of schools in the U.S. have at least one teacher who has listed a project on DonorsChoose, according to the nonprofit. Annual project funding on the platform has jumped from $1.1 million in 2003 to $159.9 million in 2018, growing year-over-year. Over the last decade or so, more than 1,100 teachers in the Metro Nashville schools have created projects on the site, funding a total of $1.5 million worth of classroom supplies. But that ostensibly came to a halt in December, when Metro Nashville Public Schools sent an email to teachers warning that the platform was off-limits, the local station News4 reported . Teachers have slammed the Nashville districts decision on social media, arguing that they need the crowdfunding website to support underfunded classrooms. The district provides up to $200 annually in reimbursement to teachers for instructional materials and resources that they purchase for their studentsbut teachers can raise much more than that on DonorsChoose. Nashville: refuses to fund cost of living raises, consistently underfunds overcrowded classrooms, continually introduces new curricular mandates that undermine teachers as professionals... Also Nashville: yeah, no, you cant try to fundraise https://t.co/wyiK9rzSGU teaching is a profession (@MsB_MEd) January 18, 2019 If you dont want us to crowd source, give us the stuff we want/need for our classes https://t.co/tj9F6pvqd8 Elizabeth Ault (@ElizabethAult) March 11, 2019 The state Comptroller has indicated that such sites are problematic for school districts because of lack of adequate controls, K. Dawn Rutledge, the districts communication officer, wrote in an email to Education Week. Though the district prohibition on classroom-level crowdfunding came as a surprise to some teachers, it isnt new. The Metro Nashville board of educations fundraising policy , last updated in Jan. 2018, states that individual staff members cant engage in online fundraising in their official capacity as district employees. Schools may use online donation sites to set up building-wide fundraisers, but only if the projects they list receive prior approval. The districts legal team has said that Metro Nashville schools cant agree to many of the terms and conditions on crowdfunding sites, said Rutledge. Taronda Frierson, the director of school audit for the district, told Nashville Public Radio that technology purchased through crowdfunding sites may not meet district information-technology specifications. Other districts have banned the use of classroom funding websites, too. A survey conducted by the Ohio Auditors office found that at least 67 districts in the state dont allow teachers to use crowdfunding . And in 2017, The Aegis reported that officials in Harford County Schools, Md., told teachers they couldnt use DonorsChoose or a similar site, Adopt a Classroom. Barbara Canavan, the Harford superintendent at the time, said that these sites make it difficult for the district to monitor how money flows to individual schools, and there is no way to ensure that the materials teachers purchase are aligned to the districts curriculum. In Nashville, Frierson also raised concerns that teachers would use crowdfunded money for personal expenses, rather than their classrooms. Employees could just be out there fundraising just on their own, she told Nashville Public Radio. Theres no way to know theyre not using it for private use. That idea outraged many teachers. "Metro worries employees will use such sites to fill their own wallets, Frierson says. " @MetroSchools @MNPSDirector this is insultinghttps://t.co/x1iBJVbiNz Erica Vaught (@ericavaught) March 11, 2019 Katie Bisbee, the chief marketing officer and executive vice president for partnerships at DonorsChoose, said that it wouldnt be possible for teachers to pocket money through the platform. Many crowdfunding sites allow a projects creator to accept cash donations, but DonorsChoose doesnt work that way, she said. We never send cash to teachers, Bisbee said in an interview. If a teacher is requesting a class set of dictionaries, we purchase those dictionaries and we send them directly to the school. In addition, she said, DonorsChoose can provide districts with line-item breakdowns of teachers requests. Support From Administrators Many districts, though, are supportive of teachers independent classroom fundraisingand some even actively encourage the efforts. Research published last year from Texas State University examined four schools in a Texas district , all of which had relied heavily on DonorsChoose over the course of a decadeeach school had raised at least $25,000 through the site from 2006 to 2017. At those schools, several administrators promoted the platform: One school leader included links to teacher projects that were eligible for matching funds from companies and foundations in a weekly staff newsletter, while two of the four schools offered professional development in crowdfunding. And now, district leaders associations are trying to provide some guidance. EdSurge Research and Chiefs for Change recently released a report arguing that, instead of banning educators use of these platforms altogether, administrators should manage teachers projects and create a unifying policy for crowdfunding in the school district. The report explains how different crowdfunding platforms work and offers guidelines for such policies. And in September of last year, the School Superintendents Association released a crowdfunding toolkit in partnership with DonorsChoose. The EdSurge report identified some of the biggest challenges that this type of fundraising poses for administrators. Keeping tabs on funding and alignment to standards came up, but so did equity: Is it fair if some students have teachers who fill their classrooms with donated resources, while other students dont? In a few districts, the report notes, teachers have used crowdfunding to flout district initiatives. In one example they cite, teachers who opposed the district implementing a new digital curriculum created crowdfunded campaigns for print books. Some platforms have safeguards that can help offset these kinds of issues. DonorsChoose, for example, allows administrators to upload IT guidelines to the site, said Bisbee. If a school district is a Chromebook district, and teachers come to request a tablet with our site, well have a pop up that says, Your district is a Chromebook district and your IT directors request that you request a Chromebook. School and district leaders should familiarize themselves with each platforms features, the EdSurge report suggests. It includes a platform comparison chart that explains how requests are made, approved, and delivered on seven commonly used crowdfunding sites. But the report also calls on districts to set their own parameters for teachers using these platforms: Is there a dollar limit for projects? Are there certain categories of supplies that are approved or off-limits? Who owns the materials that teachers receive? What outcomes does the district desire? We hope this guide will help districts use crowdfunding in ways that protect donors and school systems and that allow administrators to ensure there is equitable funding across the district, Mike Magee, the CEO of Chiefs for Change, a nonprofit group for district and state education chiefs, said in a written statement. Correction: A previous version of this post misnamed the Maryland county where DonorsChoose was banned. It is Harford County. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (L) salutes a Chinese military official as new diplomats presented their credentials in Brasilia Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said Friday he will visit China this year, indicating he was more open to a country he once accused of being an economic predator trying to "buy" Brazil. "I confirmed with the ambassador that I will travel to China this year," the far-right leader told reporters after a meeting in Brasilia with China's ambassador Yang Wanming. "We want to approach the whole world, develop our trade, open our borders," said Bolsonaro. State news agency Agencia Brasil later said the trip would take place in the second half of the year, without specifying a date. Yang said China's President Xi Jinping would visit Brazil for a summit of BRICS countries -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- a date for which has yet to be agreed. China is Brazil's main trading partner and represented 27.8 percent of its exports in 2018. During his election campaign, Bolsonaro said he wanted China to buy "in Brazil" but not "buy Brazil." Venezuelan Industry Minister and ex-vice president Tareck El Aissami was indicted in New York and charged with violating US sanctions, along with businessman Samark Lopez Bello The United States indicted Venezuelan industry minister and former vice president Tareck El Aissami on sanctions violations Friday, two years after naming him a narcotics "kingpin" for allegedly giving cover to drug traffickers. Aissami, a close ally of President Nicolas Maduro, and businessman Samark Lopez Bello were indicted together in New York and charged with violating US sanctions by using private jets to fly to meetings around the world. The indictment came as the US steps up pressure on the embattled government of Maduro, who the US has branded illegitimate. "El Aissami and Lopez Bello allegedly used private jets to set up private meetings around the globe including Turkey and Russia," Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agent Angel Melendez said in a statement. "It is necessary to impose sanctions against foreign persons seeking to gain power and control by circumventing the law." The indictment covered activities by the two, along with four other men also indicted -- three in Florida and one from Panama -- that began in 2017 and continued through last week. The indictment charged that they violated sanctions when they used US companies to arrange and pay for the flights between Venezuela, Turkey and Russia, the purpose of which was not explained. Washington is leading international pressure to have Maduro replaced by opposition leader Juan Guaido, whom the US recognizes as the official interim president. El Aissami and Lopez Bello were designated as complicit in narcotics trafficking in February 2017 under the US Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. El Aissami, 44, has served as Venezuelan interior minister and was vice president from January 2017 to June 2018, when he shifted to lead the Industry Ministry. The 2017 designation alleged that as interior minister El Aissami was paid to help protect shipments by Venezuelan drug boss Walid Makled Garcia, and helped coordinate them with Mexico's Los Zetas cartel. Lopez Bello, the US Treasury said at the time, was a frontman for El Aissami and laundered drug proceeds. Iraqi security forces inspect the scene of the car bomb attack outside a restaurant in Iraq's Mosul Two people were killed in a car bomb outside a restaurant in Iraq's Mosul late Friday, security forces said, in the second such incident in around a week. A statement by the Iraqi military's media centre said one young woman and a security officer were killed in the blast, which took place in the city's eastern half. Ten other people were wounded. Iraqi forces ousted the Islamic State group from Mosul in mid-2017, but explosions and hit-and-run attacks have continued to plague the province. Last week a car bomb detonated near Mosul University, killing one person and wounding 13 more. On Wednesday night, six paramilitary forces were killed and more than two dozen wounded in an ambush south of Mosul. Iraqi authorities have also warned that jihadists could slip across the porous border from east Syria, where IS faces a ferocious US-backed offensive on its final redoubt. The departure of Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson leaves a new high-level Pentagon opening as Trump has not yet nominated a replacement for Defense Secretary Jim Mattis Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said Friday she is resigning to return to academia -- in the highest level Pentagon departure since Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. Wilson's name had come up as a potential replacement for Mattis, who quit in December because of differences over Trump's policies on Syria and other issues. Wilson reportedly raised concerns last year about Trump's desire for a separate space force, but more recently embraced the Pentagon's plan to set up a space service under the Air Force. "Today I informed the President I will resign as Secretary of the Air Force to be President of the University of Texas at El Paso," Wilson, 58, said on Twitter. "It has been a privilege to serve with our #Airmen -- I am proud of the progress we have made to restore the readiness & lethality of #USAF." The announcement came after the university published Wilson's name as the sole finalist among candidates for the position. Wilson will leave on May 31, allowing for a "smooth transition" that would ensure the Air Force's interests are represented before Congress, she said in a letter released by the Pentagon. She added that the Air Force had cut red tape, got better value for money and had strengthened its ability "to deter and dominate in space." On Twitter, Trump congratulated Wilson for her university position which, he said, would take effect September 1. "Heather has done an absolutely fantastic job as Secretary of the Air Force," the president said. Her departure leaves a new high-level Pentagon opening as Trump has not yet nominated a replacement for Mattis. Patrick Shanahan, who served as deputy under Mattis, is the acting defense secretary. Wilson is a former New Mexico congresswoman who cut short her career as an Air Force pilot when she was named a Rhodes Scholar to study at Oxford University in England. Descended from a family of fighter pilots, she became the top civilian official in the Air Force two years ago, after previously serving as a university president. Wilson's announcement came on the same day that White House Communications Director Bill Shine resigned, with plans to advise Trump's 2020 re-election campaign. He and Wilson are the latest of many administration staffers and cabinet members to leave since Trump's tumultuous term began in January 2017. The Palestinians have refused to talk to the Trump administration since the US president recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December 2017 President Donald Trump's Middle East advisor Jason Greenblatt met with the UN Security Council on Friday but gave no details of a much-awaited Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, diplomats said. "There were no details," Kuwaiti Ambassador Mansour al-Otaibi told reporters after the closed-door meeting. "There was a discussion from our side about the plan." The plan is expected to be released after the Israeli elections in April, but the Palestinians have already rejected it as biased in favor of Israel. The Palestinians have refused to talk to the Trump administration since the US president recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December 2017. They see the eastern part of the disputed city as the capital of their future state and have said Washington's pro-Israel bias meant the US could no longer be the main mediator in stalled Palestinian-Israeli peace talks. The council also discussed, at the request of Kuwait and Indonesia, Israel's decision to withhold tax transfers from the Palestinian Authority over its payments to prisoners jailed for attacks on Israelis. "This is Palestinian money. They shouldn't withhold it," said the Kuwaiti ambassador. Diplomats said the United States was a lone voice in defense of Israel at the closed-door council meeting, with the Europeans and others arguing that the payments should resume. Greenblatt did not answer questions from reporters after the meeting. Women have played a key role in protests against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir's three-decade rule Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Friday ordered the release of all women protesters detained during nationwide demonstrations that have rocked his iron-fisted rule since December. Bashir made the announcement during a meeting with a group of people from eastern Sudan at his residence in Khartoum. "I order Salah Ghosh to release all women detainees," Bashir said at the meeting, referring to the chief of the powerful National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) that has led a sweeping crackdown on protesters. The media office at the presidency also confirmed that Bashir had ordered the release of all women detainees held during the demonstrations, a move that coincided with International Women's Day. Officials have not said how many women have been detained during the protests, but opposition activists say about 150 are in detention. Hundreds of protesters, opposition leaders, activists and journalists have been detained since the rallies erupted on December 19 following a government decision to triple the price of bread. The protests quickly mushroomed into nationwide demonstrations against Bashir's rule, with crowds calling on the veteran leader to step down. Bashir himself has acknowledged that the protests were led by youths, the majority of them women. Officials say 31 people have died in protest related violence so far, while the Human Rights Watch has put the death toll at at least 51. Bashir has imposed a slew of tough measures, including a year-long state of emergency across the country, to quell the protests after the initial crackdown failed to suppress the movement. Earlier on Friday, protesters staged a demonstration in eastern Khartoum's district of Burri but they were confronted by security forces with tear gas, witnesses said. Security forces also fired tear gas at protesters who rallied outside a mosque in the twin city of Omdurman after the weekly Muslim prayers, witnesses said. A Maryland court rejected a new trial for Adnan Syed, whose murder case is the subject of an upcoming HBO documentary, 'The Case Against Adnan Syed' The highest court in the US state of Maryland on Friday turned down a request for a new trial for a man convicted of his ex-girlfriend's 1999 murder -- a case that received worldwide attention thanks to the hit podcast "Serial." The Maryland Court of Appeals reinstated the 2000 conviction of Adnan Syed for the murder of 18-year-old Hae Min Lee and reversed the decision of a lower court which had ordered a new trial. Syed is serving a life sentence for the murder of Lee, whose body was found buried in February 1999 in a shallow grave in the woods of Baltimore, Maryland. She had been strangled. Syed has steadfastly declared his innocence and the case earned new attention when it was taken up by "Serial," a weekly podcast that saw a US journalist revisit the case and cast doubt on his guilt. The ruling rejecting a new trial came just two days before the HBO channel airs a four-part documentary called "The Case Against Adnan Syed." Maryland's Court of Special Appeals ordered a retrial of the case a year ago on the grounds that Syed's lawyer had been ineffective and had failed to contact a potential alibi witness who claimed she saw him in a public library at the time of the murder. The Maryland Court of Appeals threw out that argument. "Given the totality of the evidence against (Syed), there was not a significant or substantial possibility that the jury would have reached a different verdict had his trial counsel presented the alibi witness," the court said. The "Serial" podcast -- a mix of investigative journalism, first-person narrative and dramatic storytelling -- focused its first season entirely on Syed's story in 12 nail-biting episodes. They were downloaded more than 175 million times, a world record. Both Syed and Lee were high school honor students and children from immigrant families -- he Pakistani, she South Korean -- who had concealed their relationship from their conservative parents. Prosecutors said during the trial that Syed was a "scorned lover" who felt humiliated after Lee broke up with him. Police accuse Jussie Smollett of staging a hate attack for personal gain A Chicago grand jury on Friday indicted American actor Jussie Smollett on 16 felony counts after allegedly lying to police about being the victim of a racist, homophobic hate crime. Police say Smollett -- who gained fame on Fox musical drama "Empire" -- staged the attack in a bid to gain publicity and a bigger paycheck. Instead, the 36-year-old actor -- who is black and gay -- has been dropped from the last two episodes of the show's current season, and his future is now in the hands of the court. Smollett was charged last month with one felony count of disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false police report. He allegedly sent himself a threatening letter and then hired two acquaintances to stage a street attack in downtown Chicago, complete with homophobic and racial slurs, while invoking Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan. According to court documents published online by local media, the 16-count indictment lists the specific statutes Smollett violated by telling police he had been attacked when he knew "there was no reasonable ground for believing" that such crimes had occurred. Smollett has denied the allegations against him and in a statement to the media, his attorney Mark Geragos decried what he called "prosecutorial overkill." "Jussie adamantly maintains his innocence even if law enforcement has robbed him of that presumption," Geragos said. The case has drawn intense national interest with everyone from politicians to celebrities and late night talk show hosts commenting. When asked about the indictment, a Fox spokesman declined to comment. Smollett was released on bond in February. He is next due back in court on March 14. US President Donald Trump says Democrats have become an "anti-Israel" and "anti-Jewish" party US President Donald Trump blasted Democrats as "anti-Israel" and "anti-Jewish" Friday after they passed a congressional measure opposing hate speech in general instead of specifically condemning alleged anti-Semitic comments by a Muslim congresswoman. His remarks follow days of tense debates in Congress addressing sensitive questions about national allegiance, discriminatory tropes aimed at Jews, and accusations of show votes that failed to call out a member for controversial comments. "I thought yesterday's vote by the House was disgraceful," Trump said at the White House. The resolution was originally intended to deliver a direct rebuke of anti-Semitism following comments by a Muslim Democratic congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, that were deemed anti-Semitic and offensive by many colleagues. But after blowback from progressives, it was revised to broadly condemn discrimination against Muslims and other minorities as well. Trump seized on the shift, injecting a new angle of attack as he readies a 2020 re-election bid and fellow Republicans seek to claw back ground they lost in the House in last year's mid-terms. "The Democrats have become an anti-Israel party, they've become an anti-Jewish party," he said. The issue has caused a deep rift. Some Democrats wanted to include language condemning other forms of bigotry, and expressed concerns about singling out Omar. The resolution, which made no mention of Omar, ultimately passed 407 to 23. Republicans who voted against it complained it had been watered down. The debate made clear that Democrats' growing diversity in Congress -- in ethnicity, religion, gender, age and ideology -- has created new challenges for the party. Among those is policy about Israel. Omar, a Somali refugee who resettled in Minnesota, had sparked fiery debate with her repeated criticisms of Israel and how a powerful pro-Israel lobby in Washington exerts influence on US politicians. "I am told everyday that I am anti-American if I am not pro-Israel. I find that to be problematic and I am not alone," Omar tweeted. "Our nation is having a difficult conversation." - Rise in anti-Semitic incidents - But Democrats insisted Trump was out of bounds to suggest their party was anti-Jewish. "Mr. President, you have redefined chutzpah," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who like Trump is from New York. "As illustrated by history and yesterday's overwhelming vote to condemn anti-Semitism, there is strong support for Israel and the Jewish faith among Democrats," congresswoman Elaine Luria, a military veteran who is Jewish, told AFP. The debate comes amid a rise in anti-Semitic incidents across the United States. The Anti-Defamation League reported a 58 percent increase in such incidents between 2016 and 2017. In October a gunman killed 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue, the deadliest attack ever on Jews in America. Trump proclaims himself as Israel's closest ally, having moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and forged a close alliance with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. US Democrat Ilhan Omar, one of the first Muslim women in Congress, has triggered an intense debate in Washington over Israel policy, in part due to her controversial comments which many colleagues deemed anti-Semitic But Trump and other Republicans have also courted controversy with the Jewish community, and have been accused of trafficking in age-old tropes about money that anti-Semites have used to attack Jews for centuries. Speaking to the Republican Jewish Coalition in 2015 during his presidential campaign, Trump said "you're not going to support me because I don't want your money." "But that's okay," he went on. "You want to control your own politician." Trump drew outrage in 2016 with a tweet showing his rival Hillary Clinton and a Star of David with the word "corrupt" superimposed over stacks of $100 bills. And his closing 2016 campaign ad contained alarming messaging, with images of prominent financial figures George Soros and Janet Yellen, both Jewish, as Trump speaks of "those who control the levers of power in Washington." As president, Trump sparked a firestorm by saying there were "very fine people on both sides" at a 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, where demonstrators chanted "Jews will not replace us." Of the 535 members of the US House and Senate, 35 are Jewish, including just two Republicans, according to the non-partisan American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise. Pew Research Center says that among Jewish voters in the 2018 midterms, 79 percent supported Democratic candidates. Jair Bolsonaro, who entered office in January, has vowed to forge close ties with Washington after over a decade of leftist rule in Brazil, and has been dubbed "South America's Trump" US President Donald Trump will host his Brazilian counterpart Jair Bolsonaro on March 19, the White House said Friday, the first meeting between the two rightwing leaders who have lavished praise on each other. The visit was announced by Brazil's foreign ministry last month but a firm date had not been finalized. Bolsonaro, who entered office in January, has vowed to forge close ties with Washington after over a decade of leftist rule in Brazil, and has been dubbed "South America's Trump." "President Trump and President Bolsonaro will discuss how to build a more prosperous, secure, and democratic Western Hemisphere," the White House said. "The leaders of the Hemispheres two largest economies will also discuss opportunities for defense cooperation, pro-growth trade policies, combatting transnational crime, and restoring democracy in Venezuela. "Finally, they will talk about the major role that the United States and Brazil are playing in the effort to provide humanitarian assistance to Venezuela." Bolsonaro and Trump both favor regime change in Venezuela, and are harsh critics of the Cuban and Nicaraguan governments. Like Trump, Bolsonaro is a climate change sceptic, whose pro-business agenda and appointment of a like-minded right-winger as environment minister have done nothing to ease concerns about deforestation in the Amazon. Protesters in Washington waved Iranian flags as they chanted for "regime change now" Hundreds of people turned out in Washington Friday demanding regime change in Iran and denouncing "atrocity toward the people" under Tehran's regime. Protesters waved Iranian flags as they chanted for "regime change now" -- with some holding portraits of Maryam Rajavi, leader of the People's Mujahedin, an Iranian opposition group banned in the country. "The regime inside Iran is doing so much atrocity toward the people. Iran in whole has been destroyed by this regime," said Michael Passi, an Iranian-American engineer. "There are a lot of executions, a lot of tortures and a lot of export of terrorism by this regime," he alleged. "We want separation of religion and the state," added Mina Entezari, an Arizona-based designer who was a political prisoner in Iran for seven years. "We want freedom for people." The administration of US President Donald Trump consistently blasts a lack of freedoms in Iran and its "destabilizing" influence on the Middle East. A firm adversary of the Islamic republic, he has reimplemented harsh economic sanctions -- but Washington insists it is not pushing for regime change, only a change to Iran's policy in areas including missile development and support for militant groups. "I'm 100 percent behind President Trump's policy," Passi said. "The only language that this Iranian regime understands is a language of force." Flamenco dancers from Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras performs a scene from "Shadows (Sombras)" during their opening night during the 2019 New York City Center's Flamenco Festival A seductive Spanish art form characterized in the popular imagination by a bright frilly dress, the tradition of flamenco is fast becoming an arena for innovation. And flamenco superstar Sara Baras is at the forefront, using her heels to pierce gender stereotypes by trading the ruffled gown for a pair of pants to dance "farruca" -- a style normally limited to men. The 47-year-old from the southwestern Spanish city of Cadiz, who is starring in New York's Flamenco Festival USA series this weekend, says she enjoys the traditionally masculine style farruca because she "likes the risk, it makes you grow." "It's an elegant, sober style; it's a trouser and a shirt, not your dress or your flowers or anything." "You cannot hide. You have to have truth." Baras begins her show in a shirt with black pants, before transitioning to a spectacular dress with undulating folds. Today, she says, the "farruca" belongs to both men and women. Sara Baras regularly dons a pair of pants to dance "farruca" -- a style of flamenco normally limited to men "It does not matter what the movement is," she told AFP. "Before men could not move their hips and women did not use their feet." But today, she said, "a man can move his hips beautifully without being feminine, and a woman can dance with her feet without being masculine." She even says dancing farruca allows her to tap into her femininity, citing "the sensuality of the movement in pants." "The body is more naked; therefore you have to be more careful with placement -- your hip, your legs, your waist, everything has to be in place." - 'Straight to the heart' - Spanish sensation Rosalia has earned global acclaim for her fusion of flamenco with electronica and trap, a style of hip hop born in the southern United States. But she's also stoked controversy: some accuse her of cultural appropriation, as the tradition comes from Spain's southern Andalusia region where the gypsy community created it to express their suffering. Sara Baras begins her show in a shirt with black pants, before transitioning to a spectacular dress with undulating folds Baras dismisses those criticisms, saying flamenco belongs to everyone. "Anyone who feels and lives it can do it," she said. "Flamenco does not understand borders; it is an art that goes straight to the heart." "It has no passport, it has no schedule, it has no limitations," Baras continued. "Flamenco is free." The acclaimed dancer says her art has changed since she became a mother nearly eight years ago, seeing her place less emphasis on technical perfection and speed. "Silence, a gesture, a sweet moment," are now the goals, she said. "Being still and being able to express something almost without moving." Baras -- whose tour began in Switzerland and will soon visit Miami, Abu Dhabi, Valencia and Barcelona -- vows to keep dancing "as long as the body endures." Flamenco dancers from Ballet Flamenco Sara Baras perform a scene from "Shadows (Sombras)" "I do not know my life without dancing," she said. "You dance and release everything; you communicate with everyone as if you had an additional form of expression." "You wear your shoes and fly." Britain stripped Shamima Begum of her citizenship last month despite her wishes to return to the country The baby son of Shamima Begum, a British-born teenager who left London to join the Islamic State group, has died in Syria, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces has said. Begum, 19, who was stripped of her citizenship by the British government despite her wish to return, gave birth last month in a refugee camp in northeastern Syria. The baby died of pneumonia, according to a medical certificate, the BBC reported Friday. Begum had previously given birth to two other children who are said to have died, apparently from illness and malnutrition. SDF spokesman Mustefa Bali confirmed the death to AFP late Friday but declined to specify how or when it happened. He had previously denied the baby had died in a Twitter post that has since been deleted. Her case has highlighted a dilemma facing many European countries, divided over whether to allow jihadists and IS sympathisers home to face prosecution or bar them from entry as the jihadists' "caliphate" crumbles. The runaway teen, who left east London for Syria when she was 15 years old with two other schoolgirls, said last month she wanted to return to Britain after fleeing fighting between the terror group and US-backed forces. At the time, Ms Begum told the BBC: "Losing my children the way I lost them, I don't want to lose this baby as well and this is really not a place to raise children, this camp." - 'Callous and inhumane' - Tens of thousands of people have left the Islamic State group's last redoubt in eastern Syria in recent months But British public sentiment hardened against Begum, who showed little remorse about IS attacks when she spoke to journalists at the refugee camp. Home Secretary Sajid Javid revoked her citizenship, deeming her a security risk, although the government had hinted her newborn son could be treated differently. Senior British opposition figure Diane Abbott called the UK government's decision "callous and inhumane". "It is against international law to make someone stateless, and now an innocent child has died as a result of a British woman being stripped of her citizenship," she tweeted. British law states that the government cannot strip a person's citizenship if that would make the person stateless, although the interior minister may do so if there are "reasonable grounds" to believe they can become a citizen of another country. It was reported that she could be eligible for Bangladeshi citizenship, but Dhaka said there was "no question" of her being allowed to enter the country. Javid has previously said that more than 100 individuals had already been deprived of their British citizenship. Last month he told British lawmakers: "Children should not suffer, so if a parent does lose their British citizenship it does not affect the rights of their child." Aid group Save the Children called reports of the baby's death "incredibly sad" and urged Britain and other countries to "take responsibility" for their citizens in Syria. Since December, at least 100 people have died en route to the Al-Hol camp or shortly after arriving, mostly children under five, according to the International Rescue Committee "It is possible the death of this baby boy and others could have been avoided," said the group's Syria response director, Sonia Khush. "All children associated with (IS) are victims of the conflict and must be treated as such." A mass exodus from the jihadists' last redoubt in eastern Syria has sparked a humanitarian emergency, as the SDF leads an offensive to smash the last remnants of the IS territory. The International Rescue Committee on Friday said that 12,000 women and children had arrived at the Kurdish-run Al-Hol camp since Wednesday. Since December, at least 100 people have died en route to the camp or shortly after arriving, mostly children under five, the IRC said. In recent months Anne Ruston has been jetting to-and-froe between Australia and far-flung Pacific Islands, as part of Prime Minister Scott Morrison's 'step-up' in the region Australia has admitted it had not focused enough attention on its Pacific backyard but vowed to make "long overdue" amends, amid growing Chinese influence in the region. "I think we would have to accept some criticism," Australia's minister for international development and the Pacific, Anne Ruston, told AFP on Friday. "We have perhaps not put as much attention and effort into our own region as we should of." In recent months, Ruston has been at the sharp end of trying to fix that -- jetting to-and-fro between Australia and far-flung Pacific Islands, as part of Prime Minister Scott Morrison's "step-up" in the region. The policy includes more aid, more security assistance, more diplomats working in the region and, crucially, more face-to-face contacts. It is, in large part, a response to Beijing's growing economic, political and military activity in the region. "I think we've had our focus gazed much further afield for a very long time," said Ruston. "It has certainly, more recently, been forced to be refocused back onto our own region." "That's a good thing. And it was certainly long overdue." While Australia was more focused on Fallujah than Fiji, China has been doling out loans and investment in the region and scooping up natural resources and telecoms contracts. Still, Ruston rejected suggestions that Australia, by moving to develop security facilities in Papua New Guinea and Fiji is causing the type of militarisation many complain China is embarking on. "This is our region, this is our area, this is where we live," she said. "However you see the security and sovereignty of our region the Pacific is extremely important to Australia." - The biggest issue - Australian re-engagement has been hampered by deep disagreements with Pacific nations over the conservative government's sceptical stance on climate change -- an existential threat to many island nations. Fiji has accused Australia of putting its coal industry "above the welfare of Pacific peoples" Fiji Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama has been among those accusing Australia of putting its coal industry "above the welfare of Pacific peoples". "It is a very, very real issue for them," Ruston acknowledged. In places like Kiribati -- where the average height of the land is a few feet above sea level -- it is "singularly the biggest issue that they have at the moment". To square the circle, Canberra diplomats have tried to separate climate policy writ-large from day-to-day work to temper its impact. The mitigation and infrastructure needs are enormous, "we talking tens of billions of dollars to be able to get the Pacific up to the kind of development standard, that I think Pacific aspires to have for itself", said the minister. Australia has committed to some ambitious projects, like helping Papua New Guinea bring electricity to 70 percent of the population by 2030. Today the percentage stands in the low double digits. Australia has committed to some ambitious projects, like helping Papua New Guinea bring electricity to 70 percent of the population by 2030 But even that is another issue that has been complicated by Australian domestic politics -- which sees Papua New Guinea almost exclusively as the location of a deeply controversial offshore detention facility. "I think it is the challenge of the job," said Ruston of balancing domestic and international issues, admitting that Australians have not been totally won over by the idea of long-term development assistance. "I think one of the things that we've probably failed to do is to sell the message to the Australian public about why it is so important for Australia to assist, particularly our close neighbours in the Pacific." Many Australians see Pacific aid as money being taken from drought-hit farmers at home, instead of seeing the "huge value and benefit it is to Australia to have strong economies around it, the benefit to Australia to have secure and sovereign nations around it" she said. An Indian paramilitary trooper stands guard in front of closed shops in Srinagar in March India and Pakistan have retreated from the brink of possible war but an information conflict still rages over their tit-for-tat air strikes and an aerial dogfight between the nuclear-armed arch rivals. A suicide bombing on February 14 killed 40 troops and was the deadliest attack in Kashmir on Indian forces in a 30-year insurgency by militants wanting independence or to be part of Pakistan. Delhi has long accused Islamabad of supporting the insurgents and the attack was claimed by Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). India and Washington say Islamabad uses groups like JeM as proxies to attack India, which despite repeated "crackdowns" manage to resume their activities. Here is a brief summary of what both countries, which have fought three wars since 1947, have said in recent days about their most serious standoff in years. - '250 dead' - India launched air strikes on February 26 on what it called a JeM training camp at Balakot inside Pakistan, 12 days after the suicide bombing. Vijay Keshav Gokhale, Indian foreign secretary, hours after its pre-dawn air raid said the target of the "pre-emptive strike" was "jihadis" in the "biggest training camp of JeM". Gokhale said "a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen (suicide) action were eliminated". While the Indian government has given no official statement about the numbers of dead, Indian local media ran several source-based reports claiming as many as 350 killed. Leading politicians linked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) including notably BJP president Amit Shah put the death toll at 250. Some of those asking for proof -- such as opposition politicians accusing Modi of using the crisis to boost his standing ahead of looming elections -- have gotten short shrift. In the next raids, "opposition parties raising these questions can be tied under the jets... so that they can look at the targets," thundered junior foreign minister V.K Singh. - Just trees? - Pakistani officials have said that Indian warplanes did breach its airspace, dropping what military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor described as "payloads" near Balakot. But Islamabad has denied there was any damage or casualties. "Once again (the) Indian government has resorted to a self serving, reckless and fictitious claim," Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said. Local residents reported hearing explosions in the night, but said only one person was injured and that no infrastructure was destroyed. The army escorted reporters to the area, but independent reporting by multiple local and international outlets who visited the site also found no evidence of a major terrorist training camp -- or of any infrastructure damage at all. An AFP reporter visited what his Pakistani military escort and locals said was the site and saw a crater, two trees snapped in half and three mud houses, one of which had a collapsed wall. AFP has not independently verified if any JeM training camps are nearby. Some media have reported that a madrassa run by JeM was in the vicinity, but undamaged. The Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab said that open-source satellite imagery indicated "only impacts in the wooded area, with no damage being visible to the surrounding structures." Pakistan has even -- perhaps tongue-in-cheek -- floated the possibility of lodging a complaint against India for "eco-terrorism" for killing of "dozens" of trees. - Dogfight - A further bone of contention is the air raid by Pakistani aircraft into Indian airspace and the subsequent aerial dogfight in the skies over Kashmir on February 27. Pakistan said it shot down two Indian planes, one falling on the Pakistani side of the Line of Control frontier and the other on the Indian side. Initially Pakistan said it had captured two Indian pilots but the military later clarified it had just one pilot in custody. Attacking Pakistani "disinformation", India's Air Vice Marshal R.G.K Kapoor said India had lost just one plane, whose pilot was captured -- and later released -- by Pakistan. Kapoor also said an Indian Mig21 had shot down one Pakistani F16, crashing on the Pakistani side, but Islamabad denied this. "The fact... is that Indian army units had reported sighting two parachutes falling (in Pakistani Kashmir), which were of two F-16 pilots (from) the aircraft that was shot down by (a) Mig21," Kapoor said. - 'Open space' - Pakistan said its planes had crossed the Line of Control (LoC), their de-facto border, in broad daylight and locked on to six targets to show they could, but then hit "open space" instead. But India rejected this too, saying that Pakistan had intended to attack Indian military installations but had been "foiled" by its aircraft. "Although PAF bombs have fallen in the Indian army formation compounds, they were unable to cause any damage to our military installations," Kapoor said. Tens of thousands of women, children and men have poured out of the Islamic State group's last scrap of territory in eastern Syria since December US-backed fighters have been hoping for weeks that the final day has come for the Islamic State group's "caliphate", but its last tiny sliver of land just won't seem to empty. Tens of thousands of dust-covered women, children and men have streamed out of the ragged tent encampment in the Syrian village of Baghouz since December -- and despite that exodus they still keep on coming. The numbers have flummoxed the Kurdish-led forces and bogged down their offensive to finish off the once sprawling proto-state. "When we began the operation we knew there would be civilians, but not in such a big number," Adnan Afrin, a spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces, said Thursday. In recent days thousands more men and women -- including those who once flocked to join IS from across the globe -- left the IS pocket. That upended assumptions that few families remained holed up in Baghouz and those who refused to leave or surrender were choosing to die there. "They're coming from underground... they're never-ending," said one SDF official. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have been overwhelmed by the number of people leaving the Islamic State group's crumbling "caliphate" The International Rescue Committee on Friday said as many as 12,000 people from Baghouz have arrived in one camp for non-combatants in northeast Syria over the past 48 hours, including some 6,000 people on Thursday alone. The women trucked out of the bastion this week gave drastically varying figures on the holdout families that remain in the bombed-out and besieged jihadist bastion. "There's still more," said Umm Aboud from the northern Syrian city of Al-Bab. "You see how many people have come out in the past few days, there's that many still inside," said the mother of four, her bright green eyes peering through a black veil. - 'Thousands' still inside - More than 55,000 civilians have arrived in the Kurdish-run Al-Hol camp since December, according to the International Rescue Committee. "The IRC and other agencies are doing all they can do help the new arrivals but Al-Hol camp is now at breaking point," the organisation said Friday. "No one could have guessed that such a large number of women and children were still living in Baghouz." The Kurdish-run Al-Hol camp for civilians from the last Islamic State group scrap of territory now houses over 65,000 people Questions remain as to how aid planners, as well as SDF officials and their coalition partners, could have so severely underestimated the number of people left in the crumbling "caliphate". Carrying what they could manage, black-clad women trucked out of Baghouz in the past few days have said they were living crammed together in trenches, tents and cars near the bend in the Euphrates as the bombing campaign rolled the redoubt back. "There are thousands of families leaving... (but) there were thousands and thousands of families there, even I was surprised," 35-year-old Umm Alaa, from the Iraqi town of Heet, said Wednesday after fleeing. The mother of 10 said she lost a child last week due to hunger as the situation grew increasingly desperate. Footage obtained by AFP from the Free Burma Rangers, a Christian aid group run by a former US special forces operative, showed hundreds of people still remained in the riverside camp. In the images said to have been filmed Thursday, women draped in black walked through the makeshift dwellings as overturned cars and scraps of twisted metal littered the ground. The aid group has come in close proximity to the camp in recent days and its head, David Eubank, told AFP some two thousand people could remain inside. Analyst Mutlu Civiroglu, on the ground in eastern Syria, told AFP that IS was purposefully trying to conceal its numbers. They have regularly been "releasing certain numbers of people, including fighters, in controlled amounts" in an attempt to buy time, he said. "If they really wanted to surrender, they would have... and if they wanted to fight again, they could have," he added. The delay was "a deliberate effort, maybe to prepare for something else... what that is though is unclear". North Korea's Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump walked away from the negotiating table in Hanoi without a deal in late February 2019 In Hanoi, Donald Trump overturned the widely held assumption he would be willing to settle for an interim agreement on North Korea's denuclearization. But despite the breakdown of the summit and the atmosphere of skepticism that now abounds, the US president seems determined to stick with his "all or nothing" approach, betting on his personal "chemistry" with Kim Jong Un to save the day. Trump insisted Friday his relationship with Kim "remains good" even as his aides attempted to paper over the collapse of the high-stakes second summit which concluded last week without even a modest deal on reducing Pyongyang's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. "Nobody in the administration advocates a step-by-step approach," a senior State Department official told reporters this week. In other words, Washington wants what administration officials have called a "big deal" -- "the complete elimination of their weapons of mass destruction program," the State Department official said. In return, Washington would ease the pain of the crippling sanctions that have strangled the isolated North's economy. "It really seems there's an all or nothing approach right now from the administration," Frank Aum, a former advisor to the Pentagon, said at a recent meeting hosted by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP). "That seems to be backtracking" which "the Kim regime would not be very happy about," Aum added. It's a position that has taken many observers by surprise given how, in the run-up to the summit, the administration dropped numerous hints it was willing to take a more incremental approach to the talks. "In no rush" was how Trump repeatedly described his stance -- a position echoed by his Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who emphasized: "Weve always known this would be a long process." The administration's point man on North Korea, Stephen Biegun, said the US would be prepared to pursue commitments "simultaneously and in parallel" while suggesting there was room for maneuver when it came to sanctions. That created the impression that Washington could be willing to countenance the step-by-step disarmament and sanctions relief sought by Pyongyang. - Trust deficit - But when Kim proposed dismantling the Yongbyon nuclear complex in exchange for lifting the main sanctions, Trump refused. "It has very much been characteristic of past negotiations to take an incremental approach to this that stretches it out over a long period of time, and quite honestly, has failed on previous occasions," the senior State Department official said. In Washington, the new line has been interpreted as a victory for National Security Advisor John Bolton, long a hawk on North Korea, over Pompeo and Biegun. Even as Washington increasingly turns its attention toward next year's presidential election, the administration exhumed a goal that has long been buried and seen as unrealistic by experts: the total denuclearization of North Korea by the end of Trump's term in 2021. For Jenny Town of the 38 North think tank, the lack of even a partial accord has meant "we have lost that momentum" created by last year's rapprochement. "You already see things starting to spiral downwards," Town said. Satellite imagery analyzed by her organization revealed that Pyongyang has begun rebuilding a long-range rocket launch site it had promised to dismantle, and North Korea's official news agency has now overtly blamed the US for the failure of the summit. The "all or nothing" approach has "always failed because (of) two mutually distrustful actors," Town said at a recent conference. The Kim dynasty has long seen nuclear weapons as a security guarantee against what it perceives as the hostile, bellicose intentions of the United States. "What this administration tries to do is to show that there is no hostile intent," Joseph Yun, a former US special representative for North Korea policy, said at the USIP meeting. "But that's a tough thing to prove and we're kind of stuck at that, which is why the North Koreans are asking that we go on a step-by-step approach to have a better foundation on that trust fact." - What happens now? - So what next? Washington hopes to resume working-level talks as soon as possible, and has reacted in a measured way to revelations about the rebuilding of the rocket test site. US officials say the main goal for now is to make sure the North Koreans do not resume testing in any way, including of space launch vehicles. Trump is even ready for a third summit -- he is convinced, as ever, that his personal relationship with Kim will be the difference at the end of the day. For Town, this represents an "opportunity" for the North Koreans, who "are very aware that this is an unconventional president," seeing as "they didn't have a good track record with the conventional presidents." The displays of sweeping, flowing gestures -- accompanied by disciplined looks -- are intended to motivate North Korean workers Every workday morning, detachments of North Korean women armed with red flags take up their positions in strategic locations around Pyongyang. To the sound of patriotic songs extolling the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as the North is officially known, and lauding its leader Kim Jong Un, they wave their banners and beat red drums for up to an hour. They are deployed at major sites and key transport hubs such as the Ryugyong hotel and the city's main train station, each group in a different uniform but their equipment identical. Their displays of sweeping, flowing gestures -- accompanied by disciplined looks -- are intended to motivate the North's workers to greater efforts in their toils. "We do this propaganda with the desire to give happiness to the Marshal," said Kim Chun Hui, referring to the leader. Ordinary North Korean citizens always express wholehearted support for the authorities when speaking to foreign media Kim spoke to AFP after her performance Saturday outside the Ryugyong hotel, the unfinished pyramid that towers over Pyongyang but has yet to open for business -- although its facades are now illuminated at night, topped with a North Korean flag. "We encourage the citizens to achieve greater successes in their work," added the 47-year-old, who has two sons. "So we are not tired. We regard this as our great pride and we think this is what we have to do." Ordinary North Korean citizens always express wholehearted support for the authorities when speaking to foreign media. The shows have their origins in two production drives the North declared in 2016, the "70-day battle" and "200-day battle" -- Pyongyang often uses military language when setting goals for its economy, hit by sanctions imposed over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. The flag-waving detachments are deployed at major sites and key transport hubs in the North Korean capital Those "battles" are long over but the flag-waving -- whose formal name is the "Agitation Activity of the Members of the Socialist Women's Union in Rush Hour" -- continues six days a week, the routines unchanged. The Socialist Women's Union is an official body through which the highly regimented North organises the lives of its housewives, and the flag-waving is one of its activities. All non-working women are members, largely in their 30s to 50s -- North Korean women in their 20s are assigned jobs, but many leave formal employment once they marry and have children. "We regard the Supreme Leader as our father," said Song Yang Ran, 57, the SWU head for Pothonggang district in the centre of the capital. "We always do this thinking of the Supreme Leader," she added. "We will do it forever." China's Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen said he is optimistic about trade talks with the US amid a bruising spat that has spooked global markets Beijing is hopeful about its next round of trade talks with the US, China's vice minister for commerce said Saturday, after revealing that top negotiators had tried to hammer out a deal over burgers and eggplant chicken. China and the United States have been locked in a bruising trade war since last year, imposing tit-for-tat tariffs on more than $360 billion in two-way trade, which has left global markets reeling. Top-level negotiators have met three times in an attempt to reach an agreement before next week, when additional tariffs could be levied on Chinese goods entering the US as a truce period expires. "When you ask about the prospects for the next Sino-US economic and trade consultation, I feel that there is hope," Vice Minister for Commerce Wang Shouwen told journalists at a press briefing on the sidelines of China's National People's Congress. He added that Beijing's top economic official Liu He and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer held talks over a packed lunch of burgers and eggplant stir-fried with chicken -- a common Chinese dish -- in Washington last month. "Vice Premier Liu ate a beef burger, and Lighthizer ate eggplant and chicken (with rice)," Wang said. "Throughout the consultation process, there was coffee and tea... but both drank plain water." "This was to find common ground," he added. Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan had on Tuesday said the negotiation process was very "difficult and taxing" with "lots left to do", but that breakthroughs had been made in several areas. But there have been conflicting comments from Washington and Beijing on the negotiations. Donald Trump on Friday said he remains optimistic but will not sign a pact unless it is a "very good deal", and a top economic advisor said the US president could walk away from a bad deal. Some of the issues being worked out are what US trade officials call unfair trade practices, including Chinese subsidies to major industries, preferential treatment for Chinese firms and theft of US technology. The subsidies were denied by China's state-assets watchdog, which manages the country's 102 state-owned giants. "There are no institutional special arrangements or additional subsidies for state-owned enterprises," State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission chief Xiao Yaqing said at a Saturday press briefing. He added that state enterprises were "very concerned" with trade negotiations and hoping for a positive outcome leading to a "good environment for business development". - Investment law - Commerce officials also said a foreign investment law -- widely expected to be passed by China's rubber-stamp parliament next Friday -- will allow foreign companies to take part in government tenders. Only 48 sectors remain on a "negative list" where foreign investment is either prohibited or requires special approval, Wang told journalists. "The (whole process) is open and provides important legal protection for foreign investors." Aimed at assuaging concerns about China's business environment for foreign firms, Beijing sees the law as a tool to attract more foreign investment as its economy slows. The bill will ban the illegal transfer of technology and "illegal government interference" in foreign businesses, a key complaint from Washington. Gaza's health ministry said at least 45 Palestinians were wounded in clashes with Israeli forces on Friday Israeli forces said Saturday they had launched several strikes against Hamas sites in Gaza in response to a projectile launched from the besieged coastal territory the night before. "IDF fighter jets and aircraft struck several military targets in a Hamas compound in the southern Gaza Strip and underground structures in the northern Gaza Strip," it said in a statement. "The strike was conducted in response to the projectile that was launched from the Gaza Strip at Israeli territory" as well as the "balloons carrying explosive devices" into Israel and attempts to damage "security infrastructure", it said. Security officials in Gaza said the strikes had not caused any casualties. A Palestinian was killed and at least 45 others wounded by Israeli fire Friday in new protests and clashes along the Gaza border, the enclave's health ministry said. An Israeli army spokesman said around 8,400 demonstrators had gathered along a barrier between the blockaded territory and Israel, throwing explosive devices and rocks and setting fire to tyres. The Gaza Strip has been the scene of mass protests and clashes since late March last year. Demonstrators have been calling for Palestinian refugees and their descendants to be allowed to return to former homes now inside Israel. Israeli officials say that amounts to calling for the Jewish state's destruction. At least 253 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the rallies began, the majority shot during weekly border protests and others hit by tank fire or air strikes in response to violence from Gaza. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period. Israel and Hamas, which has controlled the blockaded Gaza Strip for over a decade, have fought three wars since 2008. A Pakistani police officer frisks worshippers as they arrive for Friday prayers before entering a mosque of banned militant group Jamaat-ud-Dawa India said Saturday that its army is on a "strict vigil" for new attacks from Pakistan and renewed warnings to its neighbour to take concrete action against militant groups. The nuclear-armed arch-rivals have maintained an uneasy calm since tit-for-tat cross-border air raids across their disputed Kashmir frontier last month. Each claimed to have shot down a fighter jet from the other side. An Indian foreign ministry spokesman responded with scepticism to reports of scores of militants being rounded up in Pakistan this week. Islamabad was in "a state of denial" over its support for groups accused of staging attacks in India, the spokesman, Raveesh Kumar, said at a specially convened media briefing. "Our armed forces continue to maintain strict vigil and will remain determined in the defence of the nation and its citizens," he said. "We have and we will continue to act with responsibility and maturity," he added. India is suspicious of Pakistan's statements it has clamped down on the Jaish-e-Mohammed group that claimed a suicide bombing in Kashmir last month that set off the showdown. Forty Indian paramilitaries were killed in the February 14 attack. India on February 26 staged an air raid on a camp inside Pakistan that it said belonged to JeM. One day later Pakistan responded with fighter jets crossing into Indian-administered Kashmir. A pilot who was shot down over Pakistani territory was later sent back to India. Islamabad announced on Thursday that more than 100 militants, including many from JeM, had been detained. But Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also recently denied in a television interview that JeM had claimed responsibility for the suicide attack. The Indian spokesman said "the widespread presence of terrorist camps in Pakistan is public knowledge within and outside Pakistan." "Pakistan has failed to take any credible action against Jaish-e-Mohammed and other terrorist organisations, which continue to operate with impunity from Pakistan," he added. Kashmir has been split between India and Pakistan since their independence and angry division in 1947. India has long accused its neighbour of supporting Kashmir rebels. Pakistan denies any role in attacks in the Indian side of the Himalayan region where tens of thousands have died in an armed insurgency since 1989. India-Pakistan tensions may have eased for now, but amid intense cross-border shelling, locals in the village of Dhanna in Pakistani Kashmir fear worse is to come Chaudhry Hakam Deen has a bunker -- a cold, damp hole dug in the ground -- next to his home where he and his family have often taken refuge amid soaring tensions with India. Spending the night inside, he said, "feels like sitting in a graveyard". The shelter dates from the Kargil conflict, a skirmish between India and Pakistan in disputed Kashmir in 1999. Twenty years later, the nuclear-armed neighbours are again at loggerheads. The latest crisis was sparked by a February 14 suicide bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 40 Indian paramilitaries, and was claimed by a Pakistan-based militant group. In its aftermath, New Delhi and Islamabad launched tit-for-tat air strikes on each other's territory, igniting fears of fresh conflict in South Asia. The nuclear-armed neighbours regularly send shells and gunfire across the de facto border in Kashmir, known as the Line of Control, or LoC. But as they stumbled to the brink of war in recent weeks, there was a surge in the already-heavy firing, and families such as Deen's found the bunkers a miserable refuge. Deen's shelter, a stone's throw from his house in the village of Dhanna some five kilometres (three miles) from the LoC, is as tiny as it is uncomfortable: just four feet (one metre) long and three feet wide. Most adults cannot stand beneath its low ceiling, forced to sit or squat on cardboard or carpets, huddled around a mud stove whose smoke makes the inhabitants cough. Locals in Dhanna have built makeshift shelters to protect themselves during cross-border shelling between India and Pakistan "When shelling starts we take our children... inside the bunker," Deen says, looking down. "They don't have strength in their legs to even walk to the bunker, they don't eat anything inside out of fear," he adds. For his older brother Chaudhry Maqbool, being in the bunker is worse than just being in a cemetery: it feels like sitting in a grave itself. The white and blue walls of Deen's home are studded with holes, some the size of a fist. One shell landed in his kitchen, while another broke an outside door. He has piled sandbags at the entrance to his bunker. But in the event of an explosion, the packed earth walls and the roof of branches and plastic sheets may not be enough to protect those huddled inside. - 'Valley of fear' - Several civilians and soldiers died in the recent shelling on both sides of the LoC. The shelling has been so intense in Dhanna that most of its 2,000 villagers have fled In Dhanna, the shelling was so intense that most of the 2,000 villagers fled. Only a handful stayed to protect their property. An AFP correspondent saw a dozen houses, a health centre and a service station that had been hit by the Indian strikes. The women and children of Deen's family were finally evacuated to the nearby town of Kotli, which was less exposed. Tensions may have eased for now, but overall the shelling has increased dramatically since 2016, and locals fear worse is to come. "This is a valley of fear. Life is at a standstill here," said Sardar Javed, a local journalist. "When people hear a sound they become nervous. They don't know what will happen to them the next moment." Another resident, Ulfat Bibi, simply fortified her house, reinforcing the thickness of the walls and ceiling. Still, the grandmother in her 50s says, each time the shelling begins it feels like the "world has come to an end". She and her family cannot flee, however, for fear of losing their two buffalo -- their only assets. At Bibi's side, her 35-year-old daughter-in-law, Jameela Akhtar, is holding her two children, aged two and five. Their eyes look into the distance, and they appear afraid. They "are so terrified that they have become psychotic", their mother says. Debris of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane was strewn over the crash site 60 kilometres from Addis Ababa Safety doubts over Boeing's best-selling 737 MAX 8 drove several carriers to ground the aircraft Monday after a new jet crashed in Ethiopia, killing all 157 people on board. Investigators recovered the black-box flight recorders from the Nairobi-bound jet that went down early Sunday near Addis Ababa, the carrier Ethiopia Airlines said. Flight ET302 crashed into a field just six minutes after takeoff as the pilot alerted controllers of "difficulties". There were people from 35 countries on board, including some two dozen UN staff. Ethiopia decreed Monday a day of national mourning. The aircraft was the same type of jet as the Indonesian Lion Air plane that crashed in October, killing 189 passengers and crew. Ethiopian Airlines says it will work with Boeing, authorities and international experts to investigate the crash Airlines in Ethiopia, China, South Africa, Indonesia and the Cayman Islands said Monday they were suspending operations by their 737 MAX 8 fleets. The move caused Boeing shares to tumble around 12 percent earlier in the day, before recovering about half its losses in mid-afternoon New York trading. - Jets grounded - Ethiopia Airlines said investigators had found the plane's flight data and cockpit voice recorders on Monday. It said it had grounded its fleet of six remaining Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes pending analysis of the black box data. "We assume we will find out the cause of the crash in the black box data," the airline said. China also ordered domestic airlines to suspend commercial operation of the MAX 8. Ethiopian Airlines crash There were eight Chinese nationals among the 149 passengers and eight crew on the Ethiopia flight. Indonesia, which has 11 of the MAX 8 model planes, said it would "carry out inspections and temporarily prohibit Boeing 737 Max 8 from flying." South Korea ordered an inspection of two MAX 8 planes flown by low-cost Eastar Jet. Some other airlines said they were not cancelling MAX 8 flights, including Oman Air, flydubai, Turkish Airlines and Russia's S7. Boeing has described the MAX series as its fastest-selling aeroplane ever, with more than 5,000 orders placed to date from about 100 customers. State-owned Ethiopian Airlines, Africa's largest carrier, had ordered 30 MAX 8 jets in total, and China has received 76 from an order of 180. The plane that crashed on Sunday was less than four months old. Ethiopian Airlines said it was delivered on November 15. - Plane on fire - The jet went down near the village of Tulu Fara, some 60 kilometres (40 miles) east of Addis Ababa. "The plane was already on fire when it crashed to the ground. The crash caused a big explosion," one witness, Tegegn Dechasa, told AFP. Another, farmer Sisay Gemechu, said the plane seemed to be aiming to land on an open field, but crashed before reaching it. Locals watched as investigators combed the crash site, where the plane left a deep black crater Inhabitants of the remote area looked on from behind a security cordon as inspectors searched the crash site and excavated it with a mechanical digger. The single-aisle Boeing jet left a deep, black crater at the impact site. Ethiopian Airlines said the pilot was given clearance to turn around after indicating problems shortly before the plane disappeared from radar. The airline's chief executive Tewolde GebreMariam said the plane had flown in from Johannesburg early Sunday, spent three hours in Addis and was "despatched with no remark", meaning no problems were flagged, before leaving for Nairobi. A committee comprising Ethiopian Airlines, aviation and transport authorities was set up to lead the crash investigation. US experts and Boeing will also take part. The US plane manufacturer cancelled the scheduled presentation Tuesday of its new long-haul jet, the 777X. - Author, student, aid workers - The crash cast a pall over a gathering of the UN Environment Programme, which opened in Nairobi on Monday. At least 22 staff from several UN agencies were on the doomed flight. Delegates at the assembly of the UN Environment Programme held a minute's silence for the victims Delegates hugged and comforted one another as they arrived at the meeting with the UN flag flying at half-mast. Details of the passengers, including tourists, business travellers and humanitarian workers, have started to emerge. Among them was Cedric Asiavugwa, a Kenyan third-year student at Georgetown University Law School in Washington. He was heading for a visit home ahead of his graduation in the spring, the university said. Kenya had the highest death toll among the nationalities on the flight with 32, according to Ethiopian Airlines. Canada was next with 18 victims. There were nine Ethiopians and eight each from Italy and the United States. The airline said Britain and France each had seven people on board, Egypt six, and Germany five. France, however, put its death toll at nine. Britain also put its death toll at nine, including two dual nationals travelling on other passports. Italian archaeologist Sebastiano Tusa, 66, died in the crash, his wife Valeria Patrizia Li Vigni was quoted as saying by the Corriere della Sera newspaper. On Sunday, "the friends I met at mass said I shouldn't worry because bad news travels fast," she said. "In the end it arrived anyway, and it destroyed my life. I felt the disaster coming... He hadn't even wanted to go." burs-mlr/rlp/dcr/boc The Islamic State group has lost all its territory in Syria except for a besieged pocket of land near the Iraqi border Kurdish-led forces on Monday pounded the last scrap of land held by the Islamic State group in eastern Syria after hundreds more people surrendered. The jihadists once ruled over millions in a swathe of Syria and Iraq, but they have since lost all that territory except for a riverside slither of land near the Iraqi border. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces paused its months-old offensive against the shrinking holdout multiple times for thousands of dust-covered women, children and men to flee, including suspected jihadists. The Kurdish-led SDF late Sunday warned remaining IS fighters that time was up for any surrenders and they were going in. Around 400 men, women and children, mostly jihadists and their relatives, have since handed themselves over to the SDF, field commander Ahmed Qasser told AFP. Fierce shelling resumed Monday evening for the second night in a row, interrupting a brief lull in fighting that had taken hold during the day. Flames ravaging the makeshift encampment lit up the night sky. Final assault on the last pocket of Islamic State group territory The crackle and thud of gunfire and shelling filled the air as plumes of thick black smoke rose over the bombed-out village. At an SDF position around two kilometres (1.2 miles) away from the front line, fighters stood with their backs against the wall, watching a deluge of fire raining down on the bombed-out IS bastion. "Now it gets serious," said one SDF fighter smiling, after an air strike pummelled the IS holdout. - Heavy fighting - The SDF launched the renewed assault on Sunday after no civilians were observed to remain in the riverside encampment. "The clashes were heavy" overnight, SDF unit commander Aras Orkeish told AFP, with IS launching "suicide bombers" and "car bombs" at them. "The operation slowed down after midnight," he said. A fighter with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) takes aim with his Kalashnikov assault rifle after seeing a man walking towards his position in the town of Baghouz, in the eastern Syrian province of Deir Ezzor, on March 9, 2019 The warplanes of a US-led coalition and mortar fire overnight pounded weapons caches, and tank fire targeted IS positions, a spokesman said. It was unclear how many people remained inside the pocket on the banks of the Euphrates, SDF spokesman Mustefa Bali said late Sunday. "We expect there to be from 1,000 to 1,500 terrorists inside," he said. "During the advance, if our forces notice the presence of civilians, our special units... will do the necessary to bring them away from the clashes or even work to evacuate them." Since December, nearly 59,000 people have left the last IS redoubt, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, around a tenth of them suspected jihadist fighters. The last IS fighters are clinging on to an area that includes a dismal camp of vehicles and cloth-covered trenches by the reedy banks of the Euphrates. The SDF pushed into the IS encampment some 10 days ago, discovering spent ammunition, pots and pans lying between hastily dug trenches and berms. - Humanitarian crisis - At the height of its brutal rule, IS controlled a stretch of land in Syria and Iraq the size of Britain. The total capture of the Baghouz camp by the SDF would mark the end of the cross-border "caliphate" it proclaimed in 2014. But beyond Baghouz, IS retains a presence in eastern Syria's vast Badia desert and sleeper cells in the northeast. A Syrian Democratic Forces fighter sits on a motorcycle at a makeshift Islamic State group camp in eastern Syria The jihadists have continued to claim deadly attacks in SDF-held territory in recent months, and the US military has warned of the need to maintain a "vigilant offensive". The United States is expected to keep 200 "peace-keeping" troops in Syria after the end of the offensive, despite President Donald Trump's shock announcement in December that all 2,000 American soldiers would leave. The exodus from Baghouz in recent months has sparked a humanitarian crisis, leaving aid organisations struggling to cope. Those fleeing Baghouz have emerged exhausted and hungry after a prolonged siege. Dozens of young children have died along the way or shortly after arriving at a Kurdish-run displacement camp in northeast Syria, according to the International Rescue Committee aid organisation. Syria's Kurds hold hundreds of foreigners accused of fighting for IS as well as members of their families. But their home countries have mostly been reluctant to take them back, with Britain stripping several women of their nationalities. Morocco said it had repatriated from Syria on Sunday eight of its nationals suspected of belonging to IS. The United Nations' Children Fund said the fate of foreign children fleeing IS territory should not be ignored. "The message that these children are not wanted is growing stronger and stronger," said Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF's Middle East director. "There is a solution for these children. It requires political courage, political commitment. These children are children, they are not terrorists," he said. Iranian humman rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh seen in this 2013 picture alongside her husband is an award-winning activist jailed on charges of espionage Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been sentenced to seven years in jail for security offences, a judge at Tehran's Revolutionary Court told semi-official ISNA news agency on Monday. The seven-year verdict could be the tip of the iceberg in a much harsher sentence that amounts to 38 years in prison, according to a Facebook post by her husband Reza Khandan. "Nasrin Sotoudeh has been sentenced to five years for colluding against the system and two years for insulting the leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei)," said judge Mohammad Moghiseh to ISNA. The case has since been referred to the court of appeal, he added. According to Mohammad Moghimi, one of Sotoudeh's lawyers, she chose not to be represented in court because the case did not adhere to the "principles of a fair trial". Sotoudeh is an award-winning rights activist who was arrested last June and told she had already been found guilty in absentia of espionage charges and sentenced to five years by the court. While the sentences announced so far total 12 years, Sotoudeh's husband said Monday she had been condemned to "38 years in prison and 148 lashes". "Five years of prison for the first case, and 33 years with 148 lashes for the second," Khandan wrote on Facebook. He did not clarify whether the latter sentence referred to the case reported by ISNA on Monday, or additional verdicts not yet made public. Before her arrest, Sotoudeh, 55, had taken on the cases of several women arrested for appearing in public without headscarves in protest at the mandatory dress code in force in Iran. Sotoudeh won the European Parliament's prestigious Sakharov Prize in 2012 for her work on high-profile cases, including those of convicts on death row for offences committed as minors. She spent three years in prison after representing dissidents arrested during mass protests in 2009 against the disputed re-election of the ultra-conservative president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Iraq rolled out the red carpet for Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Iran's President Hassan Rouhani hit back Monday against pressure from the "aggressor" United States on Iraq to limit ties with its neighbour, during his first official visit to Baghdad. Shiite-majority Iraq is walking a fine line to maintain good relations with its key partners Iran and the United States which themselves are arch-foes. It has been under pressure from Washington not to get too close to the Islamic republic next door, particularly after the United States last year withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and hit Tehran with sanctions. Baghdad was given limited waivers to continue buying electricity and natural gas from Iran, but Washington has urged Iraq to partner with US companies to become energy independent. Rouhani, who is on his first trip to Iraq since becoming president in 2013, hailed his country's "special" ties with its neighbour. These relations could not be compared to Iraq's ties "with an aggressor country like America", he said before flying Monday to Baghdad for the three-day visit. "America is despised in the region. The bombs that the Americans dropped on Iraqis, Syrian people and other countries cannot be forgotten," he added. Iran is always ready to help its neighbours, he said, in a nod to the role Tehran played to help Iraq battle the Islamic State group (IS). Iraqi President Barham Saleh thanked Iran for its "support" Iraq's President Barham Saleh, at a joint news conference with Rouhani in Baghdad, thanked Iran for its "support" and said he was "lucky" to have it as a neighbour, without making any reference to the US. Rouhani, who is heading a large political and economic delegation, said relations between the two countries should be further "reinforced and developed". The Iranian president later had a meeting with Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, during which he highlighted the political, trade and energy links between the two neighbours. After Turkey, Iran is the top supplier of imported goods to Iraq, including cars, gas, home appliances and vegetables. - Shiite bonds - Iran was the first country to respond to Iraqi calls for help after IS jihadists in June 2014 captured the main northern city of Mosul as they threatened to overrun the capital Baghdad and the oil-rich region of Kirkuk. It dispatched "military advisors" and equipment along with the famous Revolutionary Guards elite Quds Force commander General Qassem Soleimani. Rouhani on Monday said Iran has supported the Iraqi people "during difficult times" and would continue to back them "through times of peace and security". Relations between the two countries were not always close -- they fought a bloody war from 1980 to 1988. Tehran's influence in Baghdad grew after the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq toppled the government of Saddam Hussein. Iran now has significant leverage over Iraq's Shiite political groups. Rouhani is also set to meet Iraq's chief Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, who is revered by many Iranians. The meeting in the Shiite shrine city of Najaf will be the first between the top cleric and an Iranian president. In 2013 the grand ayatollah refused to receive Rouhani's controversial predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. - Warming Saudi ties - Analysts say talks between Sistani and Rouhani are aimed at bolstering the ranks of Shiite Muslims in the face of Iraq's warming ties with Iran's Sunni-ruled rival Saudi Arabia. The meeting could "prevent Saudi Arabia and its allies from sowing discord" between Iran and Iraq, a Shiite cleric from the Iranian holy city of Qom was recently quoted as saying in Iran's Ebtekar newspaper. Iraq faces a balancing act to maintain good relations between the United States as well as its key trading partner and neighbour Iran Saudi Arabia is keen to develop relations with Baghdad to counter the influence of Iran in Iraq, which is seeking economic benefits to rebuild after the defeat of IS. Iraqi political analyst Hisham al-Hashemi said Rouhani is seeking to bolster trade with Baghdad and discuss ways "to circumvent US sanctions". "In addition, there are electricity, water and other files," he said. Trade between Iran and Iraq now stands at around $12 billion a year -- tilted toward Iran with gas and energy exports -- and Rouhani has said he would like to see it rise to $20 billion. "Wonder Woman" star Gal Gadot went into films after completing her military service in Israel Hollywood star Gal Gadot has leapt to defend a fellow actress who was chided by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for challenging his party's treatment of Arab citizens. Netanyahu and his Likud party have been accused of using scare tactics and demonising Israel's Arab population ahead of April 9 elections in a bid to motivate their right-wing base. "Love your neighbour as yourself," Israeli-born Gadot wrote on Instagram late Sunday after popular Israeli model and television actress Rotem Sela received online abuse from the public and a personal reprimand from Netanyahu. "This isn't a matter of right or left. Jew or Arab. Secular or religious," the "Wonder Woman" star posted. "It's a matter of dialogue, of dialogue for peace and security and of our tolerance of one towards the other." Sela fired off an angry Instagram post late Saturday after watching right-wing firebrand culture minister Miri Regev on television. Regev stated the Likud's line, warning voters in the April election not to choose its main opponents because if elected it would form an alliance with Israeli Arab parties in parliament -- a highly unlikely scenario. "When the hell will someone in this government convey to the public that Israel is a state of all its citizens and that all people were created equal?" Sela wrote. "Even the Arabs -- believe it or not -- are human beings, and the Druze and the gays, by the way, and the lesbians and -- shock -- leftists." Netanyahu answered with an Instagram message of his own, addressed to "Dear Rotem". "Israel is not a state of all its citizens," he wrote. "According to the basic nationality law we passed, Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people -- and only it." - Controversial law - He was referring to a deeply controversial law passed last year declaring Israel the nation-state of the Jewish people and downgrading Arabic's status as an official language. He returned to the theme at the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, where he called Israel a "Jewish, democratic state" with equal rights, but "the nation-state not of all its citizens, but only of the Jewish people". Israeli Arabs make up around 17.5 percent of the population but would be extremely unlikely to be part of any coalition government after elections. Netanyahu has continually warned that his opponents will receive the support of Arab parties and that they will make significant concessions to the Palestinians. Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, himself a former Likud lawmaker, took a swipe at the politicians on Monday. "Lately, when political thinking is turning all reason on its head, we hear entirely unacceptable remarks about Arab citizens of Israel," he said in a speech marking 40 years since Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty. "I refuse to believe that there are political parties that have surrendered the character of Israel as a Jewish and democratic, democratic and Jewish, state," he said. Arab Israelis are Palestinians who remained on their land after the 1948 creation of Israel and are largely supportive of the Palestinian cause. Gadot's message showed a re-post of Sela's comment in the background. "Rotem, sister, you're an inspiration to us all," she wrote. Celebratory honking of car horns ran out in the centre of Algiers, after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced he would not seek re-election Algeria's ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced Monday he is dropping his bid for a fifth term in office, scrapping the upcoming elections altogether after weeks of protests against his candidacy. "Peacefully, we have overthrown the puppet!" people sang in Algiers following the president's decision. Celebratory honking of car horns rang out in the city centre, as Algerians waved their national flags on streets deserted by police. "There will not be a fifth term" and "there will be no presidential election on April 18," Bouteflika announced in a message carried by the official APS news agency. The veteran leader said he was responding to "a pressing demand that you have been numerous in making to me." Demonstrations against Bouteflika's bid for another term have brought tens of thousands of protesters onto the streets for each of the last three Fridays, with smaller demonstrations taking place on other days. The president vowed "to hand over the duties and prerogatives of the president of the republic to the successor freely chosen by the Algerian people," but gave no date for new elections. In a broader political shake-up, interior minister Noureddine Bedoui replaced the unpopular Ahmed Ouyahia as prime minister and has been tasked with forming a new government, according to APS. And the country's new deputy prime minister Ramtane Lamamra in an interview with RFI radio said the next elections would be "absolutely free" and called on all Algerians in the face of this "historic responsibility" to work together "for a better future". - 'No legal basis' - Bouteflika, whose rare public appearances since he suffered a stroke in 2013 have been in a wheelchair, returned to Algeria on Sunday after spending two weeks at a hospital in Switzerland. Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is seen at a polling station on November 23, 2017, one of his rare appearances in public since suffering a stroke Former colonial power France on Monday welcomed the president's decision to not stand for a fifth term. "France expresses its hope that a new dynamic that can answer the deep aspirations of the Algerian people will rapidly take hold," Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said. Although credited with helping foster peace after Algeria's decade-long civil war, Bouteflika has faced criticism for alleged authoritarianism. Fatiha Benabou, a constitutional rights expert at the University of Algiers, said there was "no legal basis to postpone the elections". "In the case of a political crisis, the Algerian constitution is partially ineffective," she said. On social media, some Algerians were calling to continue the protests as Bouteflika says he's not seeking re-election but remains in office. "What does that mean, when he announces that he won't seek a fifth term but he adds a year (to his current mandate?" said Ahmed Bekhti, a 28-year-old civil servant. Earlier Monday barristers across the country joined the strike action. They demanded the Constitutional Council reject the 82-year-old's candidacy on grounds of his "incapacity" to carry out the role. Bouteflika's return from hospital in Geneva came as protest strikes Sunday shut down the capital's public transport system and many schools across Algeria. The president had left Algeria on February 24 for what the presidency described as "routine medical checks". - 'Climate of fear' - Since the breakout of protests last month, Algeria's army chief, Ahmed Gaid Salah, has pledged to guarantee national security and criticised those he said want to return to the "painful years" of the civil war of the 1990s. Bouteflika became president in 1999, and he has clung on to power despite his ill health. Algerians celebrated on the streets after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced he would not seek a fifth term in office When the Arab Spring uprisings erupted across the Middle East and North Africa, Bouteflika's regime smothered dissent and played on fears of a repeat of Algeria's civil war. His government lifted a 19-year state of emergency, granted pay rises and announced piecemeal political reforms. But those reforms, announced in "a climate of fear", were shelved once the situation was brought under control, a European diplomat said. Little by little, Bouteflika returned the regime to its authoritarian ways. He was elected for a fourth term in April 2014 with 81.5 percent of the vote, despite not campaigning. Bouteflika has a history of medical problems and has often flown to France or Switzerland for treatment. Eyal Walden, CEO of Israeli chipmaker Mellanox, gives a press conference in Tel Aviv after US-based Nvidia agreed to buy the company for $6.9 billion US computer graphics giant Nvidia said Monday it is acquiring Israeli data center firm Mellanox for $6.9 billion, to expand its presence in the high performance computing segment. The combined firm will have the capacity to "optimize data center" performance for applications in cloud computing and artificial intelligence, according to a statement by the firms. "The emergence of AI and data science, as well as billions of simultaneous computer users, is fueling skyrocketing demand on the world's data centers," said Jensen Huang, founder and chief executive of California-based Nvidia. "Addressing this demand will require holistic architectures that connect vast numbers of fast computing nodes over intelligent networking fabrics to form a giant data center-scale compute engine." The all-cash deal is expected to close later this year subject to regulatory and shareholder approval. The deal will expand the offerings of Nvidia, which produces chips and other technologies for video games, facial recognition systems and autonomous vehicles. California-based Nvidia struck a deal to acquire Israeli chipmaker Mellanox to create a bigger presence in high-performance computing The companies have previously collaborated in building the world's two fastest supercomputers, Sierra and Summit, operated by the US Department of Energy. Eyal Waldman, co-founder and CEO of Mellanox, told a news conference in Tel Aviv he believes the tie-up can "build the future architecture of the future computing rooms." "Together we will be able to create much more efficient systems of computing, of connectivity and of storage," Waldman said. US President Donald Trump says he is okay with making daylight saving time permanent Americans pushing for an end to the annual ritual of losing an hour's sleep on changing clocks to daylight savings time got a new ally Monday: President Donald Trump. US clocks go forward by an hour each spring and back an hour in November, ahead of winter. The switch, which took place at 2:00 am in Washington DC on Sunday, now means more daylight in the evenings. Left groggy by the disruption, critics say the back-and-forth of the clock is unnecessary and maybe even dangerous. Trump seems to agree. "Making Daylight Saving Time permanent is O.K. with me!" he wrote on Twitter. Political momentum for leaving the clocks on summer schedule year-round is building in state legislatures from California to Florida. The US Congress would have to give a final approval. Third Dama Juana Raicilla Festival, March 15-17 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Often referred to as "Mexican moonshine," Raicilla is a Jalisco tradition that might not be as popular as Tequila, but certainly has a growing following. A distilled spirit made from the agave plant, Raicilla is similar to Tequila and Mezcal and is made by artisans with recipes passed down from generation to generation. If you'd like to know more about the spirit known as "the grandfather of tequila," you won't want to miss the Third Annual Dama Juana Raicilla Festival, set to be held March 15-17 from 12:00 noon to 9:00 pm on the Rio Cuale Island. This three-day cultural event will feature tastings, conferences, talks, poetry and drawing contests, live music and more. Come join the fun! For more information, visit the festival's Facebook event page. Sudanese lawmakers on Monday cut the country's state of emergency from a year to six months Sudan's parliament on Monday approved a nationwide state of emergency of six months instead of one year as ordered by President Omar al-Bashir to quell protests against his iron-fisted rule. Bashir declared a year-long state of emergency from February 22 after an initial crackdown failed to suppress the demonstrations that have rocked his administration for nearly three months. "A six-month state of emergency has been approved by a majority," the speaker of parliament Ibrahim Ahmed Omer said after lawmakers voted on the presidential decree. Deadly protests erupted on December 19 after a government decision to triple the price of bread. The demonstrations quickly escalated into nationwide rallies against Bashir's administration, with analysts calling it the biggest challenge to his rule stretching back three decades. Officials say 31 people have died in protest-related violence so far, while Human Rights Watch has given a death toll of at least 51 including medics and children. Monday's vote by lawmakers backed a recommendation from a parliamentary committee to shorten the state of emergency to six months. Lawmakers backed a recommendation by a parliamentary committee to shorten the state of emergency Activists and rights groups have slammed the measure as curbing freedoms in the country. "The parliament didn't want to reject Bashir's decree, so it came out with a compromise by keeping the state of emergency for six months," said prominent Sudanese human rights defender Nabil Adib. "But to me it's not about six months or one year. The measure violates human rights that are permitted in the Sudanese constitution." Sudan's Minister of Justice Mohamed Ahmed Salim defended the state of emergency in parliament, which is overwhelmingly dominated by lawmakers from the ruling National Congress Party. "What we have is a soft state of emergency and still people are complaining," he said. - Protesters jailed - Bashir has also issued a slew of tough measures to end the protests, banning unauthorised rallies and setting up special emergency courts to investigate offences. He has also given sweeping powers to security forces to carry out raids and searches. Scores of protesters have appeared before the emergency courts already and several have been jailed, while nine women have received sentences of 20 lashes each for joining rallies. On Sunday, a top opposition leader was sentenced to a week in jail as she tried to participate in a march on parliament to challenge the state of emergency. Mariam al-Mahdi, the deputy chief of the main opposition Umma Party, said she will spend a total of three weeks in jail after refusing to pay a fine of 2,000 Sudanese pounds ($42). Deadly clashes have rocked Sudan since December after a government decision to triple the price of bread sparked public anger Bashir swept to power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989 that toppled the government of Sadiq al-Mahdi, chief of the Umma Party and father of Mariam. Although the protests erupted after the rise in bread prices, anger had been mounting across the country for years amid a growing economic crisis. Bashir, 75, has defied protesters' calls for him to step down but has dissolved the federal and provincial governments. The president also handed over his powers as chief of the ruling National Congress Party to his deputy, Ahmed Harun. Bashir has appointed 16 army officers and two security officers from the feared National Intelligence and Security Service as governors of the country's 18 provinces, a move criticised by the United States and others as "return to military rule". Plastic garbage at Lampung Bay, on the southern tip of the Indonesian island of Sumatra Countries from around the world set their sights Monday on a pivotal deal to curb plastic waste, a source of long-term pollution and worsening contamination of the ocean's food chain. Thousands of delegates, business leaders and campaigners are in Nairobi for the five-day UN Environment Assembly, the top annual forum on the planet's environmental crisis. The UN wants individual countries to sign up to "significantly" reduce plastic production, including a phasing out of single-use plastics by 2030 -- a goal inspired by the 2015 Paris Agreement on voluntary reductions of carbon emissions. "In the field of (plastic) pollution we don't have such agreements," Siim Kiisler, UN Environment Assembly president and Estonia's environment minister, told journalists as the gathering got underway. "This is the first time (we have) to convince member states to make international commitments." A landmark report due out this week is expected to ram home the warning of the threat to ecosystems from rampant plastic and chemical waste. The world currently produces more than 300 million tonnes of plastics annually, and there are at least five trillion plastic pieces floating in our oceans, scientists have estimated. Microplastics have been found in the deepest sea trenches and high up Earth's tallest peaks, and plastic consumption is growing year-on-year. In the Mosafejo area of Lagos, plastic waste is being used to fill a swamp so that the land can be developed for housing "Plastic is a very good material, it's durable, flexible and light," Kiisler said. "This means we should make the best out of it for as long as possible instead of disposing of it." The conference started on a sombre note after an Ethiopian Airlines jet crashed on Sunday, killing all 157 on board, many of whom were heading to the event. The Nairobi meeting comes against the backdrop of series of UN reports outlining in stark terms the damage mankind is doing to the planet, much of it due to reckless consumption. "These things are all linked: climate, the environment, waste," one delegate told AFP. One briefing on the eve of the summit said the cost of ecosystems loss through agriculture, deforestation and pollution was a much as $20 trillion (17.7 trillion euros) since 1995. Acting UN environment chief Joyce Msuya said the world needed to "transform the way our economies work... break the link between growth and increased resource use, and end our throwaway culture." The One Planet Summit on Thursday will bring together heads of state including French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta to lend political clout to the process. Plastic pollution found in the deepest ocean Kiisler said it was a "critical time for action to protect and reverse the degradation of our planet. "We are not going fast enough," he told reporters. "Today we are talking about declarations and commitments but I believe in the future we need some international legislation in place." The UN on Monday also warned that the global scale of chemical production was likely to double between now and 2030. A study it commissioned found that worldwide chemical production capacity stands at 2.3 billion tonnes and is growing despite repeat warnings from environmental groups of the dangers hazardous materials pose to ecosystems. Twenty-one UN staff members were among those killed when Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET302 crashed into a field just six minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa Flags flew at half-staff at the United Nations on Monday after 21 UN employees were killed in an Ethiopian Airlines plane crash that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said marked a "sad day" for the world body. Guterres led delegates at the opening of the annual gathering on women's rights at the General Assembly in observing a moment of silence in honor of the victims. "A global tragedy has hit close to home - and the United Nations is united in grief," he said at the Commission on the Status of Women. UN ambassadors opened a Security Council meeting on Afghanistan by standing in silence for the victims of Flight ET302, which crashed Sunday shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa. All 157 people onboard were killed. A moment of silence was held for victims of the Ethiopia Airline crash before the start of a UN environment meeting in Nairobi Among the dead were many traveling to a UN environment conference in Nairobi. The World Food Programme lost seven staff in the crash while three employees of the UN refugee agency UNHCR were killed. Three others worked for the UN office in Nairobi and there were also victims from the International Organization for Migration, the UN Environment agency, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Telecommunication Union, the UN office in Somalia, the UN Development Programme and the World Bank. - WFP suffers loss - WFP released the names of the seven killed, many of whom were based in the agency's Rome headquarters including Zhen-Zhen Huang from China, Michael Ryan from Ireland and Harina Hafitz from Indonesia. The other four were: Ekta Adhikari from Nepal, whose duty station was Addis Ababa, Maria Pilar Buzzetti and Virginia Chimenti from Italy and Djordje Vdovic from Serbia. "As we mourn, let us reflect that each of these WFP colleagues were willing to travel and work far from their homes and loved ones to help make the world a better place to live. That was their calling, as it is for the rest of the WFP family," said WFP director David Beasley. UNHCR said it mourned the loss of Nadia Ali, Jessica Hyba and Jackson Musoni. "We've been struck by sudden and terrible loss," said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi who cut short a visit to the Middle East to return to headquarters in Geneva. "We are doing everything we can to help Nadias, Jessicas and Jacksons families at this most difficult and painful time." UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the tragedy ranked among the worst for the United Nations. In 2011, a UN-chartered plane crashed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, killing 32 people who worked for the United Nations and non-governmental organizations. The United Nations' Children Fund Middle East director said the fate of children whose jihadist families recently fled the Islamic State group's last bastion in northeastern Syria should not be ignored Children raised in the Islamic State group's "caliphate" should not be treated as terrorists, the United Nations' Children Fund (UNICEF) warned Monday. The agency's Middle East director said the fate of children whose jihadist families recently fled IS's last bastion in northeastern Syria should not be ignored. "The message that these children are not wanted is growing stronger and stronger," Geert Cappelaere said at a press conference in Beirut. According to UNICEF, an estimated 3,000 foreign children are currently housed at the Al-Hol camp which has taken in most of the massive influx of people fleeing the scrap of the IS "caliphate" in recent weeks. They originate from at least 43 different countries, many of which have been reluctant to tackle the issue of their possible repatriation. There are even larger numbers of displaced Syrian and Iraqi children who are associated with IS and whose reintegration in society is a challenge that is getting scant attention. "This is a problem that cannot be swept under the carpet," said Cappelaere, speaking at the launch of a CD of children's song coinciding with the eighth anniversary of the conflict in Syria. "These are situations that are not necessarily unprecedented, look back at the Rwandan genocide in the mid-nineties," he added. "We saw thousands of children there who were associated with people who had been committing atrocities. These children have for a big part been successfully reintegrated within the Rwandan society," he said. Cappelaere said such efforts are needed in Syria and Iraq. "There is a solution for these children. It requires political courage, political commitment. These children are children, they are not terrorists," he said. He said a total of five million children were born since the start of the conflict in 2011. While fighting has wound up in several parts of Syria in recent months, millions of Syrian children remain in need of basic humanitarian assistance. "Let's not allow ourselves to be fooled by claims of military victory, there is so far little to be gained from the children's perspective," Cappelaere said. International efforts have consistently failed to stop one of the deadliest wars of the century, with more than 360,000 people killed since 2011, and more than half of Syria's pre-war population of 20 million displaced. Democrats have chosen Milwaukee as the site of their 2020 election convention Democrats have chosen Milwaukee as the site of their 2020 election convention, in an effort to win back swing voters in the American "Rust Belt" who helped elect Donald Trump. In announcing the decision Monday, the Democratic Party emphasized it is the first time a Midwestern city other than Chicago has been chosen to host a party convention in more than 100 years. Midwestern states -- where steel, automobile and other manufacturing industries have withered in recent decades -- were crucial to Trump's unexpected victory in the 2016 presidential election. Many blue collar voters in struggling "Rust Belt" towns switched allegiance to vote for Trump, counting on his promises to revitalize American manufacturing. He won the upper Midwestern state of Wisconsin, a crucial battleground home to Milwaukee, by a mere 23,000 votes out of nearly three million cast. "Where you hold a convention is a very strong statement of your values," Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez told a news conference. "It's a very strong statement of who we are as a party, and who and what we're fighting for," he said, emphasizing the unionized working-class roots of the city. Democrats had been considering three candidates for their convention, which will be held July 13 to 16 -- Milwaukee, Houston and Miami. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett (R) and Chair of the Democratic National Committee Tom Perez toast with a popular Wisconsin beverage -- beer -- during a press conference at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 11, 2019 "Milwaukee is a smart choice for (Democrats)," David Axelrod, the chief campaign strategist for former President Barack Obama, said on Twitter. "(Trump) must have the upper Midwest again to be re-elected. If (Democrats) block him there, he's done." Weeklong conventions by both Democrats and Republicans are held at the height of the election campaign, after primary contests in each state vote on the parties' nominees. Although the candidates are virtually certain to be known by then, the televised nominating conventions are considered crucial for introducing candidates to general election voters. Republicans last year announced their convention would take place in Charlotte, North Carolina. The southern city hosted the Democrats' convention in 2012, when Obama kicked off his successful re-election bid. Trump carried North Carolina by 2.6 percentage points in 2016, although the predominantly Democratic city of Charlotte supported his rival Hillary Clinton that year. Huawei has quietly become a leading supplier of the backbone equipment for mobile networks, particularly in developing markets thanks to cheaper prices The United States on Monday warned Germany about future "information sharing" if it uses "untrusted vendors" in its 5G telecom infrastructure amid debate over whether Chinese IT giant Huawei is an espionage risk. The Wall Street Journal reported that US Ambassador Richard Grenell sent a letter to German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier on Friday warning that in such a case the US could scale down intelligence and other information exchanges. A US embassy spokesperson told AFP on Monday it would not comment on diplomatic communications, but added that its position on 5G network security was well known. "To the extent there are untrusted vendors in the networks of an ally, that could raise future questions about the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive communications within that country, as well as between that country and its allies," the spokesperson said. "This could in the future jeopardise nimble cooperation and some sharing of information. We are engaging intensively with our allies on how to secure our telecommunications networks to ensure continued interoperability." German minister Altmaier confirmed he had received the letter, but told AFP he could not comment on its contents, adding: "We will respond quickly". Germany, like other EU countries, has relied heavily on US intelligence on terror and other threats provided by the National Security Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency and other spy services. The US and several other Western nations, fearful of the security risks posed by the company closely tied to the Chinese government, have shut Huawei out of tenders for the development of the newest 5G infrastructure. The Chinese telecoms behemoth has strenuously denied the espionage allegations. Germany, anxious to not get sucked into the maelstrom of an ongoing US-China spat over a multitude of issues including trade, has taken a cautious stance on the issue. Chancellor Angela Merkel has said it was necessary to talk to Beijing "to make sure that the company does not simply give up all data that is used to the Chinese state, but that there are safeguards". Some measures in the works include adding a non-spying clause, a requirement to publish code sources used in the infrastructures as well as allowing independent laboratories to carry out tests on the components used. Huawei has quietly become a leading supplier of the backbone equipment for mobile networks, particularly in developing markets thanks to cheaper prices. Germany, although it is Europe's leading economy, has seen its mobile infrastructure lag behind, with most Germans having access only to 3G. The 5G network is meant to be 100 times more rapid than 4G, and is viewed as the next major step in the digital revolution that makes data transfers almost instantaneous. Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is seen while voting at a polling station Algiers during local elections, in this file picture taken on November 23, 2017 Algeria's President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced his withdrawal Monday from a bid to win another term in office and postponed an April 18 election, following weeks of protests against his candidacy. The announcement was greeted with celebratory hooting of car horns in the streets of Algiers. Bouteflika, in a message carried by national news agency APS, said the presidential poll would follow a national conference on political and constitutional reform to be carried out by the end of 2019. The veteran leader, who has been in power since 1999 but whose rare public appearances since a stroke in 2013 have been in a wheelchair, returned Sunday from hospital in Switzerland. Demonstrations against his bid for another term in office have brought tens of thousands of protesters onto Algeria's streets. Bouteflika vowed in his message "to hand over the duties and prerogatives of the president of the republic to the successor freely chosen by the Algerian people". "There will not be a fifth term," the 82-year-old said, while implying that he would remain in office until his term expires on April 28. "There will be no presidential election on April 18," the scheduled date of polling, Bouteflika said, adding that he was responding to "a pressing demand that you have been numerous in making to me". A Boeing 737 Max 8 flown by Southwest Airlines approaches for landing at Baltimore Washington International Airport near Baltimore, Maryland on March 11, 2019 US federal aviation authorities said Monday they will order Boeing to modify its 737 MAX 8 aircraft, including anti-stalling software and maneuvering system updates, after two of the planes crashed in five months. The Federal Aviation Administration told international civil aviation authorities that it "anticipates mandating these design changes... no later than April," although it did not ground the fleet. Boeing is also set to update its training requirements and flight crew manuals to reflect the changes. "The FAA continuously assesses and oversees the safety performance of US commercial aircraft," it said earlier. "If we identify an issue that affects safety, the FAA will take immediate and appropriate action." The FAA has notified other global civil aviation authorities that it may soon share safety information concerning Boeing's 737 MAX 8, the statement said. One of the aircraft, operating as Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET302, crashed Sunday southeast of Addis Ababa shortly after takeoff, killing all 157 passengers and crew members aboard. The same model -- a more fuel-efficient version of the 737 -- crashed in late October in Indonesia during a flight operated by Lion Air, leaving 189 people dead, also just moments after takeoff. It is especially rare that a new aircraft model is involved in two deadly incidents over such a short period of times. An FAA team is currently in Ethiopia participating in a probe into the latest crash with investigators from the US National Transportation Safety Board. The cause of the crash remains unknown, but the airline says investigators have recovered the black box flight recorders from the Nairobi-bound jet. US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told The Washington Post that she is "not for impeachment" of President Donald Trump House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, America's most powerful Democrat, said in remarks published Monday that she does not support impeaching Donald Trump, arguing the Republican president is "just not worth it." "I'm not for impeachment," Pelosi told The Washington Post in a wide-ranging interview, the strongest signal yet that the Democratic leadership is deeply hesitant about taking such an explosive step to remove a sitting president. "Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless there's something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don't think we should go down that path, because it divides the country," she said. "And he's just not worth it." Trump and his associates face multiple investigations, including one headed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller that is looking into Russian influence on the 2016 US election and potential collusion between Trump's team and Moscow. And in explosive congressional testimony late last month, former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen branded the president a conman and cheat and sought to implicate his ex-boss in multiple crimes. Even as she waves off calls to impeach Trump, Pelosi -- who in January began her second stint as speaker after Democrats won back the House in midterm elections -- stressed that she does not believe he is fit to lead the nation. "I don't think he is" fit to be president, she said in the interview. "I mean, ethically unfit. Intellectually unfit. Curiosity-wise unfit." The investigations and related testimony like Cohen's may or may not produce evidence of high crimes and misdemeanors on the president's part. Some rank-and-file House Democrats, like freshmen liberal Rashida Tlaib, are keen to being impeachment proceedings. Their ranks are sure to grow if more serious evidence of presidential wrongdoing emerges. Others remain concerned that for now, an effort to oust Trump before the election might backfire, energizing an angry Republican base and antagonizing voters Democrats would need in the next election. Some in the party would prefer a political battle against Trump at the ballot box, rather than an impeachment effort waged in Congress. And with the Senate in Republican control, Trump's ouster would be far from assured. Pelosi pointed to the excruciating process of president Bill Clinton's impeachment by the House in 1998, and his subsequent acquittal by the Senate. "That was horrible for the country," she said. Congressman Jerry Nadler, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, said earlier this month that while it was "very clear" that Trump has obstructed justice, "impeachment is a long way down the road." Nadler's committee launched a sprawling new investigation last week that is sure to take months, demanding documents from 81 persons or entities connected to Trump. But he told ABC News that ahead of any impeachment proceedings, lawmakers would need to convince the American public that members were "not just trying to... reverse the results of the last election." National Security Adviser John Bolton, in a file image, says Pakistan pledges to crack down on militants attacking Indian rule over Kashmir Pakistan promises to crack down on militant groups attacking Indian rule over Kashmir, President Donald Trump's national security advisor John Bolton said Monday. Bolton tweeted that he had spoken with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and "the FM assured me that Pakistan would deal firmly with all terrorists and will continue steps to deescalate tensions with India." India has long accused Pakistan of covertly backing attacks by guerrillas in Kashmir. In February, JeM, or the Jaish-e-Mohammed group, claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed 40 Indian paramilitary members, triggering cross-border air raids and a surge in political tension between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Bolton said that during his talks with Qureshi he'd set out "to encourage meaningful steps against JeM and other terrorist groups operating from Pakistan." The latest Pakistani reassurances came as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met in Washington with the Indian foreign secretary, Vijay Gokhale, and urged Pakistan to take "meaningful action against terrorist groups operating on its soil," Pompeo's spokesman said. Pompeo's spokesman said that during the secretary of state's talks with Gokhale they "discussed the importance of bringing those responsible for the (February) attack to justice." Xem them ... Tin bai cuoi cung Khong con du lieu e load NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, seen in a file image, has been invited to address the US Congress US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday extended a rare invitation to the head of NATO to address a joint meeting of Congress in early April to mark the alliance's 70th anniversary. "During this critical time for the United States, NATO and the European Union, the US Congress and the American people look forward to your message of friendship and partnership, as we work together to strengthen our critical alliance and advance a future of peace around the world," Pelosi wrote the 29-member organization's secretary general Jens Stoltenberg. The top Democrat said the invitation was made on behalf of Democrats and Republicans in Congress. Washington is scheduled to host a NATO ministerial meeting on April 3 and 4. The invitation comes amid trans-Atlantic tensions. Trump has been unstinting in his criticism of NATO's European members, accusing them of freeloading on the protection offered by the US military while not spending enough on their own armed forces. A NATO summit last July jangled nerves when Trump reportedly threatened to "go it alone" unless allies boosted their spending. Before taking office Trump called NATO "obsolete" and soon after July's summit he questioned whether the US would honor the alliance's founding principle of mutual defence for newest member Montenegro. Cardinal George Pell has already lodged his leave to appeal the guilty verdict, with the hearings in the Court of Appeal scheduled to be heard on June 5-6 The sentencing of Australian Cardinal George Pell for child sex crimes will be broadcast live Wednesday in a rare move by the local judiciary, which had kept his trial under wraps for months with a draconian gag order. Pell, the most senior Catholic clergyman ever found guilty of child sex abuse, faces a maximum 50 years in prison for assaulting two choirboys in a Melbourne cathedral in 1996-97. The 77-year-old Australian was found guilty by a jury in December, but a suppression order from county court Chief Judge Peter Kidd prevented media from reporting the case until late February, when prosecutors withdrew plans to hold a second trial. The controversial suppression order had banned any reporting on Pell's case since June 2018. In support of the principles of "open justice", the Melbourne court said Tuesday it will allow video showing Justice Kidd reading out his sentencing remarks. No-one else in the courtroom, including Pell who is currently in custody, will be filmed. "The County Court is committed to the principles of open justice. Chief Judge Peter Kidd's sentencing remarks in this matter will be broadcast live," a County Court spokesman said in a brief statement. Australian courtrooms rarely allow live broadcasts of court proceedings, and this is believed to be the first time the County Court in Melbourne is allowing such a move. Pell has already lodged his leave to appeal the guilty verdict, with the hearings in the Court of Appeal scheduled to be heard on June 5-6. The verdict ignited a storm of public debate about the Church's handling of child sex abuse allegations given Pell's lead role in setting up the process in Melbourne in 1996. The case is also expected to encourage victims of alleged sex abuse by other clergy to come forward. Advocates said the sentencing would be an important symbol for other survivors of child sex abuse. "Hopefully, this sentencing can herald fundamental change in the Church and other institutions," Cathy Kezelman, the president of child abuse victims support group Blue Knot Foundation, said in a statement Tuesday. "It needs to be a time for zero tolerance to abuse, and survivor respect, support and justice." US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has condemned Cuba and Russia for their support of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's regime Top US diplomat Mike Pompeo took aim at Cuba and Russia on Monday for their support of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who Washington wants to remove from power. The secretary of state rejected Maduro's assertion that the US was responsible for a widespread blackout, instead pointing the finger at the socialist nature of the Venezuelan leader's government. "Nicolas Maduro promised Venezuelans a better life and a socialist paradise. He delivered on the socialism part, which has proved, time and time again, is a recipe for economic ruin," Pompeo told journalists. "The paradise part? Not so much." While he did not announce new measures against Maduro or in support of opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has been recognized as interim president by some 50 countries, Pompeo did take aim at the "central role Cuba and Russia have played and continue to play in undermining the democratic dreams of the Venezuelan people and their welfare." "Cuba is the true imperialist power in Venezuela," Pompeo said, denouncing the "physical protection and other critical material and political support to Maduro and to those around him." "When there is no electricity, thank the marvels of modern Cuban-led engineering," he said. "When there is no water, thank the excellent hydrologists from Cuba. "When there is no food, thank the Cuban communist overlords." Pompeo also took aim at Moscow, saying that "Russia too has created this crisis," including by supplying arms to Venezuela. He acknowledged that "we always wish things could go faster" in Venezuela, but said that he is "very confident the tide is moving in the direction of the Venezuelan people and will continue to do so." Japan's Naomi Osaka powers past American Danielle Collins and into the fourth round of the Indian Wells WTA premier mandatory tournament World number one and defending champion Naomi Osaka powered past American Danielle Collins 6-4, 6-2 on Monday to book a fourth-round meeting with resurgent Swiss Belinda Bencic at Indian Wells. Japan's Osaka, whose second straight Grand Slam title at the Australian Open propelled her to the top of the rankings, traded breaks with Collins early in the first set. But she got the decisive break in the ninth game, giving herself a break point with a backhand winner before pouncing on a short ball and belting a forehand winner to give herself a chance to serve for the set. An increasingly confident Osaka broke Collins at love for a 2-1 lead in the second. She finished out the next game for a 3-1 lead and led 5-1 before Collins saved a match point to hold and make Osaka serve out the match. Defending champion Naomi Osaka of Japan is congratulated by Danielle Collins after winning their third-round match at Indian Wells Collins, trying to build on a breakout run to the Australian Open semi-finals, failed in her bid to avenge her 6-1, 6-0 loss to Osaka in their only prior meeting in Beijing last year. And Osaka, whose first career title came at this prestigious WTA premier mandatory event last year, advanced to a meeting with Bencic, the 23rd seed who defeated Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4, 6-2. Bencic stunned two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the final at Dubai last month to capture her first WTA title in four years. The 21-year-old stunned two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in the final at Dubai last month to capture her first WTA title in four years. She won the WTA title in Toronto in 2015 before a series of back and wrist injuries saw her slide down the rankings. Germany's Angelique Kerber celebrates her third round victory over Russian Natalia Vikhlyantseva at Indian Wells In other third-round action, three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber came from a set down to beat Russian qualifier Natalia Vikhlyantseva 3-6, 6-1, 6-3. After dropping her serve in the first game of the second set, Kerber won seven games in a row to force a third set and take a 2-0 lead in the decider. She was unable to convert four match points against Vikhlyantseva's serve at 5-1 and was broken at love when serving for the match at 5-2 before finally putting it away. "I think it gives me confidence that I can turn around matches, that I can play also three sets, also in the close moments that I'm there, that I can trust myself," said Kerber, adding that it was always difficult to face an opponent for the first time. - Venus rising - She'll be doing the same in the round of 16 against Aryna Sabalenka, the ninth seed from Belarus who defeated Lesia Tsurenko 6-2, 7-5. Venus Williams belts a forehand in a straight-sets victory over fellow American Christina McHale in the third round of the WTA premier mandatory tournament at Indian Wells Seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams also found it tricky facing fellow American Christina McHale for the first time, but she pulled back early breaks in each set to win 6-2, 7-5. "I never played her, so you're out there learning what they do well, what shots they select," Williams said, adding that it wasn't until the second set that she felt 'OK, I understand.' "I felt comfortable with trying to control the point from there," said Williams, who fired 20 winners and converted seven of her nine break point chances. She'll fight for a quarter-final berth against Mona Barthel, a 7-5, 1-6, 6-4 winner over Julia Goerges in an all-German contest. Fifth-seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova relied on a solid service game in a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Belgian qualifier Ysaline Bonaventure. She next faces Estonian Anett Kontaveit, who was leading 5-0 against 11th-seeded Anastasija Sevastova when the Latvian retired from their match. China has stepped up diplomatic pressure on Taiwan since President Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016 Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen will visit three Pacific nations this month to shore up ties, the foreign ministry said Tuesday, as Beijing seeks to lure away Taipei's dwindling number of allies. Tsai will visit Palau, Nauru and Marshall Islands between March 21 and March 28 -- her second official visit to the Pacific amid growing concerns about China targeting countries in the region. Beijing has stepped up diplomatic pressure on Taiwan since Tsai took office in 2016, as she has refused to acknowledge its "one China" policy. The two sides split after a civil war in 1949, but Beijing still sees the self-ruling island as part of its territory to be brought back into the fold. Five countries have switched official recognition to Beijing since Tsai became president, leaving Taipei with only 17 diplomatic allies including six in the Pacific. Beijing has also made progress with the Vatican, Taiwan's most powerful official ally and its only one in Europe, by signing a landmark agreement with the Holy See on the appointment of bishops last year. A growing list of international companies have been pressured to list Taiwan as part of China on their websites while Taipei has also been blocked from attending a string of international events. "Our allies in the Pacific have fully supported our participation in the international community," deputy foreign minister Hsu Szu-chien told reporters. "We believe that this visit will increase the understanding of Taiwan among the people in these countries ... and for Taiwanese people to get familiar with our good friends." Tsai, Taiwan's first female leader, will also meet with Marshall Islands President Hilda Heine, the first female head of state in the Pacific islands and join a women leaders' conference hosted by the country, Hsu added. He declined to give details about where Tsai will transit, saying it is "pending negotiation." Taiwan is typically low-key in announcing its leader's specific itineraries, fearing China's use of its power to disrupt. Tsai's last state visit was to Paraguay in August with US transits that prompted an official protest from Beijing after she gave a speech in Los Angeles -- the first time in 15 years that a Taiwanese leader spoke publicly on US soil. A Taiwanese bakery chain was pressured to declare its "firm support for the "one China" policy following boycott calls in China after serving Tsai at its shop in Los Angeles. Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka holds on for a three-set victory over Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime in the third round of the ATP Indian Wells Masters Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka battled Felix Auger-Aliassime and his own emotions through three topsy-turvy sets Monday to grab a 6-7 (2/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) victory in the ATP Indian Wells Masters. Trailing the 18-year-old Canadian by a set and a break, Nishioka roared back, winning five of the last six games of the second set and streaking to a 5-1 lead in the third. But Auger-Aliassime, whose second-round upset of Stefanos Tsitsipas was his first over a top-10 foe, fought back to level the set, saving three match points as he forced the tiebreaker. He was up 5-3 in the tiebreaker, but Nishioka's consistency made the difference and the 23-year-old emerged with the victory after two hours and 56 minutes. "It's very tough to play in that situation," Nishioka said. "It was feeling so tight and feeling very mad when he came back because I had a chance to win already -- three times match point. "But he saved them with really good shots... I just tried my best and I found a way, finally." Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime's comeback bid falls short in a third-round loss to Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka in a third round match at the ATP Indian Wells Masters Auger-Aliassime, who reached the final in Rio last month, came out firing from the baseline, doing most of his damage off his forehand. But more errors crept in late in the second set and he began to look a little weary. "He just started playing high on my backhand. I wasn't hitting as many forehands. I was struggling to dictate the points, struggling to move, the serve, as well. From there, it was tough," Auger-Aliassime said. "He was really dominating." Auger-Aliassime said he just told himself: 'OK, I'm down match points. OK I'm going to try to win this one.' "I gave myself a chance," he said. "I can be happy with myself for that." Nishioka is in the round of 16 at Indian Wells for the second time. Shortly after he reached the fourth round in the California desert in 2017 he tore a knee ligament at the Miami Masters. With that behind him, he's eager to go further. Japanese and Canadian fans cheer Yoshihito Nishioka and Felix Auger-Aliassime in Nishioka's rollercoaster win over the Canadian in the third round of the ATP Indian Wells Masters "Two years ago I couldn't take my chances to (make the) quarter-final," he said. "Hopefully I can make it this time." To do so he'll have to get past another talented teenager, Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic. Kecmanovic, a lucky loser who gained entry to the second round when fifth-seeded Kevin Anderson withdrew, toppled fellow Serbian Laslo Djere, the 30th seed 6-2, 7-6 (7/3). The Nairobi-bound Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed just minutes after an early-morning takeoff Sunday from Addis Ababa An Indian newly-wed who died in the Nairobi-bound Ethiopian Airlines plane crash had texted her husband she would call him on landing, local media reported Tuesday. Shikha Garg, who was travelling to attend the annual assembly of the UN Environment Programme, had got married less than three months ago to Soumya Bhattacharya after dating for three years. Bhattacharya was also supposed to fly with her to Nairobi but a last-minute change in plans meant he stayed back in New Delhi, the mass-circulation Times of India reported. "I have boarded the flight and will call you once I land," Garg texted. But before the husband could type a reply, his phone buzzed and a caller informed him about the plane crash, the newspaper said. Bhattacharya had also bought a flight ticket for Nairobi but cancelled it because of an urgent meeting. The couple, who lived in New Delhi, had instead planned a vacation after Garg's return from Nairobi. On Monday Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said she was unable to get in touch with Garg's family and appealed for help on Twitter. Later she said she had managed to speak to Garg's bereaved family members as well as those of other three Indians who died in the crash. Garg was a consultant with the Indian environment ministry and had taken part in the negotiations leading to the 2015 Paris climate accord. The Nairobi-bound Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed just minutes after an early-morning takeoff Sunday from Addis Ababa. People holding passports from 35 countries were on board including some two dozen UN staff. The aircraft was the same type as the Indonesian Lion Air plane that crashed in October, killing 189 passengers and crew. The latest crash has prompted airlines across the world to begin withdrawing the model from schedules. Indian regulators Monday ordered additional maintenance checks on Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes but ruled out any immediate grounding of the fleet. India's Spicejet and Jet Airways together operate 17 of the planes. Jet, which has had to ground parts of its fleet in recent weeks due to its financial woes, said none of its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft was operational at present. China's officially atheist government has tightened its grip on all faiths in recent years A Chinese official accused "anti-China forces" in the West of using Christianity to subvert the country's political power and said worshippers must follow a Chinese form of religion. China's officially atheist government, which oversees religious groups through state-sponsored institutions, has tightened its grip on all faiths in recent years. "Anti-China forces in the West are attempting to continue to influence the social stability of our country through Christianity, and even subvert the political power of our country," Xu Xiaohong, chairman of the state-backed National Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee, which oversees the Protestant churches, said on Monday. Speaking at the annual gathering of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a largely ceremonial advisory body, Xu described the introduction of Christianity in China as "accompanying the intense colonial aggression by the West". Only by incorporating Chinese culture into Christianity would the religion become something Chinese people could identify with, said Xu. For those who "subvert national security in the name of Christianity, we support the country in bringing them to justice," he added. His remarks come days after the US envoy for religious freedom, Sam Brownback, said the Chinese government was "at war with faith", persecuting Muslim Uighurs, Tibetan Buddhists, Christians and Falungong practitioners. In China, Protestants are split between unofficial and state-sanctioned churches, where Communist Party songs also feature in the order of service. Over the past year, unofficial "house" or "underground" churches have faced increasing pressure, with some church members detained under subversion charges. In December, the pastor of the Early Rain Covenant Church, a prominent unofficial Protestant congregation in southwest Sichuan province, was detained in a police raid under charges of "inciting subversion of state power," according to the church. In September, Beijing officials also shut down Zion Church, one of China's largest unofficial Protestant churches, for operating without a licence in the capital -- before ordering it to pay back 1.2 million yuan ($170,000) in rent and removal costs. Catholics -- who are similarly split between official and underground churches -- Muslims and Buddhists have also faced increasing pressure to toe the party line. News organisations accuse tech giants such as Google and Facebook of gaining huge commercial benefit from expensive to create content, while paying nothing and syphoning off advertising Rupert Murdoch's News Corp has called for Google to be broken up in Australia, the latest salvo in a battle between the corporate media giants. In a petition to Australian regulators, News Corp's local subsidiary complained that "Google enjoys overwhelming market power in both online search and ad tech services." Going a step further, the company accused Google of "abusing its dominant position to the detriment of consumers, advertisers and publishers." Earlier this week US presidential hopeful -- and former federal consumer watchdog -- Elizabeth Warren became the latest in a line of commentators to argue that firms such as Amazon, Google and Facebook hold " too much power" in society. News Corp echoed her argument that Google's businesses should be split, or failing that, search and advertising businesses should be firewalled off from each other. "While News Corp Australia recognises that divestment is a very serious step ... divestment is necessary in the case of Google, due to the unparalleled power that it currently exerts over news publishers and advertisers alike." Australian watchdogs are seen as unlikely to recommend that Google be split, but the petition represents an intensification of the worldwide fight between Australian-born Murdoch and Google and Facebook. News organisations accuse the tech giants of gaining huge commercial benefit from expensive to create content, while paying nothing and syphoning off advertising. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is one of several regulators across the world investigating the effect that digital platforms have on competition in the media, advertising and advertising services markets. News organisations in Australia have struggled in recent years with falling revenue and shrinking staff, as giants like Google and Facebook dominate the digital economy. The downturn has prompted a string of mergers that have left the market with only three or four major media companies. Local newspapers, once the lifeblood of communities across this vast country, run on a skeletal staff or have been forced to close. Among them Murdoch's News Corp is a dominant player, owning a slew of newspapers, television channels and the country's only major cable television network. Murdoch's vast political influence has frequently come underfire from former prime ministers on both sides of Australian politics and is widely seen as pushing the tone of public debate to the right. News Corp Australia is a subsidiary of News Corp, which owns 21st Century Fox, the Wall Street Journal, Fox News, and a raft of papers and TV platforms in Britain. Palestinian Muslim worshippers pray in front of a barrier after Israeli border police closed one of the entrances of Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the Old City of annexed east Jerusalem Unrest at a highly sensitive Jerusalem holy site led Israeli police to shut off access to it on Tuesday after several weeks of tension at the location. Police said they evacuated the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, after a Molotov cocktail damaged a police post. Video spread online of scuffles between police and Palestinians before the site was cleared. More than 10 people were arrested, police said, including two minors allegedly linked to the firebomb attack who will be brought to a court for a remand hearing on Wednesday. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported two people hurt, while police said an officer suffered from smoke inhalation. Police said they found a number of firecrackers and Molotov cocktails in searches of the site. Residents said police were also restricting Palestinian access to Jerusalem's Old City, where the site is located. Worshippers later prayed outside the locked gates of the site in protest. Jordan, the custodian of the site, condemned its closure as "unacceptable". Israeli police later announced that the site would reopen "to worshippers and visitors" on Wednesday morning. Abdul Nasser Abul al-Basal, Jordanian minister of Islamic affairs, told state-run Al-Mamlaka TV that the closure was an "attack on religious freedom". The compound is the third-holiest site in Islam and a focus of Palestinian aspirations for statehood. It is also the location of Judaism's most sacred spot, revered as the site of the two biblical-era Jewish temples. Jews are allowed to visit but cannot pray there and it is a frequent scene of tension. It is located in east Jerusalem, occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed in a move never recognised by the international community. Recent weeks have seen scuffles over a side building at the site known as the Golden Gate. Palestinian worshippers have been entering the site despite an Israeli order that it should stay closed. Access to the Golden Gate was closed in 2003 during the second Palestinian intifada over alleged militant activity there, police say. Palestinian officials argue that the organisation that prompted the ban no longer exists and there is no reason for it to remain closed. Israel and Jordan are believed to be holding discussions to resolve the issue. Police have filed a request with Israeli courts for an order to re-close the building, but the court has reportedly delayed any decision to allow for more negotiations. There are concerns in Israel that tensions at the site could boil over and become a political issue ahead of April 9 Israeli elections. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A teacher in the predominantly Mormon state of Utah was placed on administrative leave after she forced a Catholic student to wash off the Ash Wednesday cross from his forehead. William McLeod, 9, had just returned to his school near Salt Lake City after attending Catholic mass when his fourth-grade teacher called the ash marking "inappropriate" and gave him a hand wipe to clean it off in front of his classmates, grandmother Karen Fisher said. At first William explained that he couldn't remove it because it was important for the beginning of Easter but eventually obliged, Fisher said. "He went to see the school's psychologist crying," said Fisher. "He was embarrassed." The incident at Valley View Elementary in Bountiful, Utah, is being taken very seriously and an investigation into whether disciplinary action will be levied against William's teacher has been opened, said Davis School District spokesman Chris Williams. In the meantime, she isn't teaching, he said. "The actions were unacceptable," Williams said. "No student should ever be asked or required to remove an ash cross from his or her forehead." This April 1, 2018 photo provided by Karen Fisher shows fourth-grader William McLeod at his home in Bountiful, Utah. A teacher in the predominantly Mormon state was placed on administrative leave Thursday, March 7, 2019 after she forced McLeod, a Catholic student to wash off the Ash Wednesday cross from his forehead. (Karen Fisher via AP) The teacher, Moana Patterson, was called into a meeting with the principal about the incident, Williams said. After that meeting, she called Fisher to apologize, he said. Fisher, who lives with William, said Patterson gave a handwritten note and candy bar to William as an apology. Patterson didn't immediately return an email seeking comment about the incident. Williams said he doesn't know Patterson's religious affiliation. In Utah, Catholics are the minority. The 330,000 Catholics in the state account for about 10 percent of the population, according to Jean Hill at the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints account for about two-thirds of the state. The faith's headquarters are in Salt Lake City. Mormons celebrate Easter, but don't observe Ash Wednesday, a Christian holy day of prayer and repentance that falls on the first day of Lent, six weeks before Easter. The use of ash is a sign of mortality and has a long history in Christian and Jewish worship. "We understand that mistakes happen," Hill said in a statement. "The diocese is also very grateful to the young student who used the situation to educate his teacher about a part of his faith and its importance to him." Fisher said Patterson asked if she could reapply the ashes herself. "I told her that's not how it works," Fisher said. The school district's director of educational equity, who happens to ordained as a Catholic deacon, came to the school to reapply the ashes, Williams said. "Learning about one another is one way we build community across religious, political, racial, ethnic and other borders," Hill said. ___ This version of the story clarifies that the Catholic deacon is a member of the school district. ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Far from competitors tackling the frozen wilderness in Alaska's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, a dozen people are holed up inside an Anchorage hotel behind banks of computers, tracking the punishing route and connecting with global fans seeking a real-time link to the off-the-grid sport. As of Friday, 51 mushers are traveling long stretches between remote village checkpoints with no other company but the dogs pulling their sleds. But they're not competing in a vacuum on the 1,000-mile (1,600-kilometer) trail that spans two mountain ranges and the frozen Yukon River before it heads up the wind-scrubbed Bering Sea Coast to the finish line in the Gold Rush town of Nome. Their progress is monitored from several hotel rooms whose 24/7 occupants are the Iditarod's electronic eyes and ears. Technology has increasingly made the 47-year-old race more immediate to fans and safer for competitors, said Chas St. George, acting CEO of the Iditarod Trail Committee, the race's governing board. "This is a really low-tech event when you look at it from that perspective, but high-tech research has always been a huge part of the race," he said Wednesday during a tour of the Iditarod's hotel command post. This is where volunteers and race contractors monitor the dog teams through sleds equipped with GPS trackers that allow fans to follow them online in real time and organizers to ensure no one is missing. Some serve as aircraft dispatchers for a cadre of pilots who ferry supplies as well as mushers and dogs that drop out. Others process live video streamed from checkpoints along the rugged trail, using satellite dishes. Some volunteers handle race-standing updates sent through equipment first tested last year, making it possible to activate a super-size hot spot in the most remote places with satellite connections. FILE - In this March 16, 2016, file photo, Mats Pettersson, of Sweden, mushes along the frozen Bering Sea coast outside Nome, Alaska. He finished in 27th position in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Technology is used to track Alaska's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race far from the competitors tackling the off-the-grid route. Their progress is monitored from several hotel rooms in Anchorage whose 24/7 occupants are the Iditarod's electronic eyes and ears. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File) Long gone are the days where some race updates came through amateur radio and faxes, said Reece Roberts, a supervisor in the internal communications room who has been a race volunteer for 14 years. "Now we use satellite phones and we have satellite modems essentially for data transfers," he said. "It's very slow, but it works." In one room, Art Aldrich worked Wednesday in relative darkness, his face illuminated by his computer screen. He monitored a live video of two Iditarod pundits at the Nikolai checkpoint, 687 miles (1,100 kilometers) from the finish line on the race's third day. Veteran musher Matt Failor appeared on the feed in real time. "Ladies and gentlemen, Matt Failor - live from Nikolai," Iditarod Insider interviewer Greg Heister announced, asking how the race was going for him. "So far, so good," Failor said, grinning. "Are we really live right now?" He waved at the camera. Aldrich also relays questions from live video chats to camera operators in the field. He said it's not the most sophisticated system, but it gets the job done. "The fans love it," he said. The live chats, which are posted in the paid subscription platform Iditarod Insider, have attracted an online community from at least 164 countries, according to Mike Vann in the technology war-room. "It's pretty amazing when we start interacting with them to see where people are joining us from," he said. This year, race organizers introduced Gia, a digital sled dog mascot with a squeaky voice that fans can chat with through Facebook messenger. Before the race, the cartoon dog even helped organizers recruit donations of straw used for dog beds at the checkpoints, Iditarod officials said. Veteran musher Scott Janssen is sitting out the race, but like other fans, is following the action through the GPS-rigged sleds required of every participant. As a competitor, he sees the benefits of GPS tracking and the satellite phones that mushers can now carry for emergencies. Such technological additions make him feel safer - to a point. "But to be honest, I would say conservatively that 90 percent of mushers would prefer that we had nothing at all on our sleds," Janssen said, adding that the technology eliminates the remote aspect of the race. "It takes some of the toughness away from it. And that's why we're doing that race, is to prove we can do this on our own, completely." ___ Associated Press writer Mark Thiessen in Anchorage contributed to this report. ___ Follow Rachel D'Oro at https://twitter.com/rdoro . ___ This story has been corrected to show that the quote from the Iditarod interviewer was misattributed. In this Tuesday, March 5, 2019 photo, Art Aldridge of New York City explains how he coordinates live video from checkpoints along the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in remote parts of rural Alaska back to his master control set-up, three laptop computers set up in a darkened hotel room in Anchorage, Alaska. Far from competitors tackling the frozen wilderness in Alaska's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, a dozen people, including Aldridge, are holed up inside an Anchorage hotel behind banks of computers, tracking the punishing route and connecting with global fans seeking a real-time link to the off-the-grid sport. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen) In this Tuesday, March 5, 2019 photo, Reece Roberts explains how he coordinates communications from checkpoints along the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in remote parts of rural Alaska back to a war room set up in a hotel space in Anchorage, Alaska. Fifty-one mushers as of Friday are traveling long stretches between remote village checkpoints with no other company but the dogs pulling their sleds. However, their progress is monitored from several hotel rooms in Anchorage whose 24/7 occupants are the Iditarod's electronic eyes and ears. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen) FILE - This March 16, 2009 file photo shows a team driving across Norton Bay just past the Shaktoolik, Alaska checkpoint on the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race trail. Fifty-one mushers as of Friday, March 8, 2019, are traveling long stretches between remote village checkpoints with no other company but the dogs pulling their sleds. However, their progress is monitored from several hotel rooms in Anchorage whose 24/7 occupants are the Iditarod's electronic eyes and ears. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File) FILE - In this March 11, 2009, file photo, Matt Hayashida of Willow, Alaska, drives his team alone the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race trail near the Takotna, Alaska checkpoint. Technology is used to track Alaska's Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race far from the competitors tackling the off-the-grid route. Fifty-one mushers as of Friday, March 8, 2019, are traveling long stretches between remote village checkpoints with no other company but the dogs pulling their sleds. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File) In this Tuesday, March 5, 2019 photo, Iditarod spokesman Chas St. George, left, sits in front of a large screen set up inside a hotel in Anchorage, Alaska, for public updates in the 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Technology has increasingly made the 47-year-old race more immediate to fans and safer for competitors, said St. George, acting CEO of the Iditarod Trail Committee, the race's governing board. (AP Photo/Rachel D'Oro) In this Tuesday, March 5, 2019 photo, Wes Price explains how he helps with dispatching small aircraft flying to rural parts of Alaska as part of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from a hotel room converted into a war room in Anchorage, Alaska. The mushers' progress is monitored from several hotel rooms whose 24/7 occupants are the Iditarod's electronic eyes and ears. Price and others serve as aircraft dispatchers for a cadre of pilots who ferry supplies as well as mushers and dogs that drop out. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen) FILE - In this on March 11, 2012 file photo, Dallas Seavey pulls in to the checkpoint in Unalakleet, Alaska, during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. As of Friday, March 8, 2019, 51 mushers are traveling long stretches between remote village checkpoints with no other company but the dogs pulling their sleds. Their progress is monitored from several hotel rooms in Anchorage, Alaska, whose 24/7 occupants are the Iditarod's electronic eyes and ears. (Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News via AP, File) FILE - In this March 6, 2017, file photo, Melissa, center, and Sarah, right, Burnett, both of Fairbanks, hoist handmade signs for passing Iditarod mushers on the Chena River in Fairbanks, Alaska. The women are avid race fans, following the mushers' GPS trackers obsessively and staying as up-to-date as possible with all race news. Technology has increasingly made the 47-year-old race more immediate to fans and safer for competitors, said Chas St. George, acting CEO of the Iditarod Trail Committee, the race's governing board. (AP Photo/Ellamarie Quimby, File) In this Tuesday, March 5, 2019 photo, signs are posted outside the war room, a converted hotel room in Anchorage, Alaska, for those coordinating logistics for the Iditarod Air Force, which includes about 30 small airplanes and a helicopter. Several hotel rooms and work space areas have been converted into so-called war rooms to allow race officials and volunteers to track mushers on the trail, conduct aircraft dispatching for volunteers flying people, dogs and supplies to checkpoints and video and Internet communications for the race. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen) CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - SpaceX's swanky new crew capsule returned from the International Space Station to an old-fashioned splashdown in the Atlantic on Friday, successfully ending a test flight that could lead to astronaut rides later this year. The Dragon capsule undocked from the orbiting lab early Friday. Six hours later, the capsule carrying a test dummy parachuted into the ocean, a couple hundred miles off the Florida coast. It was the final hurdle for the six-day demo, a critical prelude to SpaceX's first flight with astronauts as early as summer. While improvements still need to be made, the company aims to fly NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley on the next test flight. Astronauts have not launched from Florida for eight years, and NASA is eager to end the drought and reduce its costly dependence on Russia for space station trips. SpaceX employees cheered and applauded at company headquarters near Los Angeles when the Dragon's red and white parachutes popped open. NASA televised the descent live, the dramatic views coming from a plane. The crowd went wild once the capsule splashed down and was seen floating upright. "Just amazing. I can't believe how well the whole mission has gone" with all major milestones met, said Benji Reed, SpaceX's director of crew mission management. This image provided by NASA shows SpaceX's Dragon capsule carrying a test dummy splashed down into the Atlantic ocean off the Florida coast, Friday, March 8, 2019. It marks the first time in 50 years that a capsule designed for astronauts returned from space by plopping into the Atlantic. (NASA via AP) It was the first time in 50 years that a capsule designed for astronauts returned from space by plopping into the Atlantic. Apollo 9 - which orbited Earth in preparation for the moon landings - splashed down near the Bahamas on March 13, 1969. Space station astronauts have been stuck riding Russian rockets since NASA's shuttles retired in 2011. NASA is counting on SpaceX and Boeing to start launching astronauts this year. SpaceX - which has been delivering station cargo for years - is shooting for summer. NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine was ecstatic following splashdown. All this is "leading to a day where we are launching American astronauts on American rockets from American soil," he said. A pair of recovery ships was stationed in the Atlantic well before splashdown and quickly moved in, lifting the capsule from the water within an hour. The capsule is expected at Port Canaveral on Saturday night. Splashdown will occur much closer to shore once astronauts start flying. Astronaut Shane Kimbrough, part of the recovery team, said it was incredible watching the splashdown up close. The capsule had brown scorch marks from top to bottom, but otherwise looked fine. Canadian space station astronaut David Saint-Jacques was the first to enter the Dragon capsule and the last to leave this week. He found it "very slick" and called it business class. Next up is Boeing. Boeing plans to launch its Starliner capsule without a crew as early as next month and with astronauts possibly in August. The Starliner is designed to land on land - in the U.S. Southwest. NASA awarded the first contracts in 2014 to SpaceX and Boeing, now totaling about $8 billion. This first SpaceX test flight opens a new era, Bridenstine said, with new technology and new business approaches. SpaceX acknowledges some capsule systems need more work before Behnken and Hurley climb aboard for liftoff, as early as July. Vibration, acoustic and other measurements were taken throughout the recently completed flight, not only of the capsule but also the mannequin - named Ripley after the lead character in the "Alien" films - which was strapped into one of the four seats. Hurley tweeted: "It's been a joy to watch the teams in action and I can't wait to climb on board the next one!" A small blue and green plush toy shaped like Earth - which SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk termed a zero-gravity indicator - was left behind on the space station. Behnken and Hurley will bring it back on their flight. ___ The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. In this image from video made available by NASA, the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule is hoisted onto a ship in the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida coast after it returned from a mission to the International Space Station. It marks the first time in 50 years that a capsule designed for astronauts returned from space by splashdown in the ocean. (NASA via AP) In this image taken from NASA Television, SpaceX's swanky new crew capsule, center, takes off after undocking from the International Space Station, right, Friday, March 8, 2019. The capsule undocked and is headed toward an old-fashioned splashdown. The Dragon capsule pulled away from the orbiting lab early Friday, a test dummy named Ripley its lone occupant. (NASA TV via AP) In this image taken from NASA Television, SpaceX's swanky new crew capsule undocks from the International Space Station Friday, March 8, 2019. The capsule undocked and is headed toward an old-fashioned splashdown. The Dragon capsule pulled away from the orbiting lab early Friday, a test dummy named Ripley its lone occupant. (NASA TV via AP) In this image taken from NASA Television, SpaceX's swanky new crew capsule undocks from the International Space Station, left, Friday, March 8, 2019. The capsule undocked and is headed toward an old-fashioned splashdown. The Dragon capsule pulled away from the orbiting lab early Friday, a test dummy named Ripley its lone occupant. (NASA TV via AP) BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - A high-ranking U.S. envoy has urged Serbia and Kosovo to stop provoking each other and to resume their discussions over how to normalize relations between the two former wartime foes. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale, who met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, also called Friday on Kosovo to lift a 100-percent tariff on Serbian goods so that European Union-mediated talks can resume. The call came a day after Kosovo's Parliament adopted a negotiating platform for the talks that involves mutual recognition and keeping the current borders intact. Serbia doesn't recognize Kosovo's independence, but the two have been told they must improve bilateral relations to join the EU, which has mediated negotiations aimed at resolving the long-standing Balkan dispute. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 after fighting a 1998-99 war that ended with NATO intervening to stop a bloody Serbian crackdown of Kosovo Albanian separatists. Serbian officials have said the rigid platform dashes all hopes for a compromise solution. In this Nov. 17, 2017, photo, Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic, right, reviews an honor guard with his Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin during a bilateral Serbian and U.S. airborne exercise at Lisicji jarak airport, some 15 kilometers (10 miles) north of Belgrade, Serbia. A U.S. envoy urged Serbia and Kosovo on Friday, March 8, 2019 to stop mutual provocations and resume dialogue amid rising tensions between the two wartime foes. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) According to a statement issued by the Serbian president's office after the meeting, Vucic told Hale that Kosovo's platform "amounts to a decision by Pristina to halt dialogue with Belgrade" because it leaves no room for compromise. In a strongly-worded speech later on Friday, Vucic described Kosovo's negotiating platform as an "ultimatum" aimed at "humiliating Serbia." "I will never agree to that," Vucic told his supporters in a northwestern Serbian town. "With those who don't want the talks, there are no talks and there will be no talks." Although never made official, Vucic is thought to be seeking changes, or "corrections," of Kosovo's borders as part of an overall agreement - something not welcomed by many EU states. Angered by the Kosovo platform, Vucic on Friday summoned top Serbian political and security officials to mull what to do next. Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said after the meeting that the Kosovo position represents "a death blow" to the talks and that Serbia's reaction will be "moderate and in the interest of our citizens." "That document is against any compromise and dialogue," Brnabic said. "It is against common sense." Serbia had previously said it will not take part in the EU-facilitated discussions until the 100-percent tax is ditched, while Kosovo wants Serbia to recognize its statehood and stops preventing it joining international organizations such as International Police, or Interpol. ___ Llazar Semini contributed from Tirana, Albania. ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) - Hundreds of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of the Algerian capital in their third, and largest, Friday protest to try to break President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's hold on power. Wrapped in Algerian flags, singing and tossing flowers, festive crowds overflowed into all the main boulevards and other streets in the city on the Mediterranean. There was no official count of the crowd size, but a police chief estimated about 500,000 when asked. Tensions flared as the hours-long march began to disperse, with police firing tear gas at flanks of protesters trying to move toward the presidential palace, repeating a scenario from last Friday's protest. Small groups were seen pulling tiles from the roof of the antiquities museum to lob at police, drawing volleys of tear gas. The troublemakers weren't representative of the much larger streams of peaceful protesters pouring through streets with chants against Bouteflika, who has been far from the angry crowds in a Geneva hospital for nearly two weeks for what his office described as medical tests. The protesters are challenging Bouteflika's fitness to run for a fifth term in next month's election. The Algerian leader has been in power since 1999 but has been all but absent from the public eye since a stroke in 2013. Algerians gather for a demonstration in Algiers, Friday, March 8, 2019. A festive crowd of thousands of protesters marched through central Algiers to protest President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's hold on power. The protesters are challenging Bouteflika's fitness to run for a fifth term in next month's election. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum) The protesters converged after prayers while onlookers threw flowers and confetti from flag-draped balconies. Security forces watched from the sidelines. It's the third Friday running people have protested, and the demonstrations have continued into the week. Calls have gone out on social media for a general strike if the government doesn't cede. "Game over" was scrawled on a poster held high by some protesters, a slogan seen at other demonstrations. Among the chants was "4 plus 1 = 0" - an illusion to Bouteflika's bid for a fifth term. His eligibility, and that of 20 other candidates, is to be decided next week by the Constitutional Council. Several potential heavyweights have withdrawn from the race. Demonstrations were held in other Algerian cities, from Tizi Ouzou in the Kabylie region east of the capital to the southern reaches of what is Africa's largest country by surface. The reliable online site TSA Algerie said protests were held in Ghardaia and the desert city of Hassi Messaoud, a site for Algeria's oil fields. Hydrocarbons are the nation's main source of income. More than a dozen political parties and unions have thrown their support behind the widening street protests. At a meeting that ended late Thursday, 15 opposition parties and four unions praised the protest movement and criticized the government for its "stubborn power" in insisting upon the elections in April. Men hold posters, at right reading "Only one hero, the people", during a demonstration in Algiers, Friday, March 8, 2019. A festive crowd of some thousands of protesters marched through central Algiers to protest against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's hold on power, as he runs in upcoming elections for a fifth term in office. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul) Women hold posters against Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika during a demonstration in Algiers, Friday, March 8, 2019. A festive crowd of some thousands of protesters marched through central Algiers to protest against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's hold on power, as he runs in upcoming elections for a fifth term in office.(AP Photo/Anis Belghoul) Algerian lawyers demonstrate with a national flag outside the constitutional council in a protest against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Thursday March 7, 2019 in Algiers. The Algerian leader, in power since 1999 and all but invisible since a stroke in 2013, is running for a fifth term. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul) Algerian lawyers shout outside the constitutional council in a protest against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Thursday March 7, 2019 in Algiers. The Algerian leader, in power since 1999 and all but invisible since a stroke in 2013, is running for a fifth term. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul) Algerian lawyers gather outside the constitutional council in a protest against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Thursday March 7, 2019 in Algiers. The Algerian leader, in power since 1999 and all but invisible since a stroke in 2013, is running for a fifth term. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul) Algerian lawyers gather outside the constitutional council in a protest against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Thursday March 7, 2019 in Algiers. The Algerian leader, in power since 1999 and all but invisible since a stroke in 2013, is running for a fifth term. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul) Algerian lawyers hold a copy on the Algerian Constitution in a protest against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Thursday March 7, 2019 in Algiers. The Algerian leader, in power since 1999 and all but invisible since a stroke in 2013, is running for a fifth term. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul) Algerian lawyers carrying their national flag march to the constitutional council in a protest against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Thursday March 7, 2019 in Algiers. The Algerian leader, in power since 1999 and all but invisible since a stroke in 2013, is running for a fifth term. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul) Algerians gather for a demonstration in Algiers, Friday, March 8, 2019. A festive crowd of thousands of protesters marched through central Algiers to protest President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's hold on power. The protesters are challenging Bouteflika's fitness to run for a fifth term in next month's election. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum) Algerians gather for a demonstration in Algiers, Friday, March 8, 2019. A festive crowd of thousands of protesters marched through central Algiers to protest President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's hold on power. The protesters are challenging Bouteflika's fitness to run for a fifth term in next month's election. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum) Algerians gather for a demonstration in Algiers, Friday, March 8, 2019. A festive crowd of thousands of protesters marched through central Algiers to protest President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's hold on power. The protesters are challenging Bouteflika's fitness to run for a fifth term in next month's election. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum) Women hold posters reading "Only one hero, the people", left, and "The power belongs to the people" during a demonstration in Algiers, Friday, March 8, 2019. A festive crowd of some thousands of protesters marched through central Algiers to protest against President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's hold on power, as he runs in upcoming elections for a fifth term in office. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul) A woman show a poster reading "I am Algerian, I oppose 5th term" as she demonstrates in Algiers, Friday, March 8, 2019. A festive crowd of thousands of protesters marched through central Algiers to protest President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's hold on power, as he runs for a fifth term in office.(AP Photo/Anis Belghoul) A woman demonstrates in Algiers, Friday, March 8, 2019. As Friday prayers let out, Algerians gathered in the center of the capital under the close watch of nearby security forces. Holding signs calling for current President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's ouster, carrying Algerian flags and chanting, the crowd began walking down the city's wide boulevards. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul) Women demonstrate in Algiers, Friday, March 8, 2019. As Friday prayers let out, Algerians gathered in the center of the capital under the close watch of nearby security forces. Holding signs calling for current President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's ouster, carrying Algerian flags and chanting, the crowd began walking down the city's wide boulevards. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul) A woman holds a poster as she demonstrates in Algiers, Friday, March 8, 2019. A festive crowd of thousands of protesters marched through central Algiers to protest President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's hold on power. The protesters are challenging Bouteflika's fitness to run for a fifth term in next month's election.(AP Photo/Anis Belghoul) LONDON (AP) - Prime Minister Theresa May tried to pressure U.K. lawmakers Friday to support her Brexit deal, warning that Britain may never leave the European Union if they vote down the agreement next week. Battling to stave off a second defeat for the unpopular divorce deal, May also implored the EU to help her make "one more push" to get the agreement through a skeptical Parliament. British lawmakers are due to vote for a second time Tuesday on the deal, which they overwhelmingly rejected in January. If Parliament throws out the deal again, lawmakers will vote on whether to leave the EU without an agreement - an idea likely to be rejected - or to ask the EU to delay Brexit beyond the scheduled March 29 departure date. "Back it and the U.K. will leave the European Union," May said. "Reject it and no one knows what will happen." In a speech to factory workers in the staunchly pro-Brexit northern England port town of Grimsby, May said a delay could lead to "more months and years arguing" over Britain's departure from the EU. "If we go down that road, we may never leave the EU at all," May told workers at a Danish-owned wind-power factory. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May gives a speech in Grimsby, north east England, Friday March 8, 2019. British lawmakers are due to vote for a second time Tuesday on the deal, which they overwhelmingly rejected in January. (Christopher Furlong/PA via AP) British lawmakers' concerns about the divorce deal center on a provision designed to keep an open 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 other 27 EU countries in order to remove the need for checks until a permanent new trading relationship is in place. Brexit-supporting lawmakers in the U.K. fear the backstop could be used to bind Britain to EU regulations indefinitely, and May wants to revise the deal to reassure opponents that it would only apply temporarily. The EU is unwilling to reopen the 585-page agreement, and last-minute negotiations have foundered, with the bloc's leaders saying Britain hasn't provided concrete proposals. However, it made an offer Friday that it hopes can unblock the stalled Brexit negotiations. EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said the EU was willing to offer Britain "a legally binding interpretation" of the withdrawal agreement through an additional statement, rather than a reopening of the deal. In a series of tweets, Barnier said the bloc would assure Britain that it "will not be forced into customs union against its will." "The EU will continue working intensively over the coming days to ensure that the U.K. leaves the EU with an agreement," he tweeted. It was unclear to what extent the offer would help May in her attempt to push the withdrawal agreement past her parliament next Tuesday. In her speech, May urged EU leaders to help her out, saying "it is in the European interest for the U.K. to leave with a deal." "It needs just one more push, to address the final specific concerns of our Parliament," she said. Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said May's speech sounded like "a sign of desperation." May acknowledged that, even if her deal passes next week, time will be tight to pass the necessary legislation needed to make Brexit a reality on March 29. "If we were simply asking for a bit more time to pass the legislation we need to implement Brexit once we have agreed the deal, a delay would be straightforward," she said. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt underscored May's appeal to the EU, urging the bloc to be "flexible" because "history will judge both sides very badly if we get this wrong." "We want to remain the best of friends with the EU. That means getting this agreement through in a way that doesn't inject poison into our relations for many years to come," Hunt said. The EU is frustrated at what it sees as the inability of Britain's divided government to lay out a clear vision for Brexit - and for seeking changes to an agreement that May herself helped negotiate. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said the withdrawal agreement "is already a compromise." "It was a compromise that took a year and a half to negotiate involving the EU institutions and 28 governments," he said. "I think we have made a lot of compromises and what's not evident is what the U.K. government is offering," he added. ___ Follow AP's full coverage of Brexit at: https://www.apnews.com/Brexit Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May gives a speech at the in Grimsby, north east England, Friday March 8, 2019. British lawmakers are due to vote for a second time Tuesday on the deal, which they overwhelmingly rejected in January. (Christopher Furlong/PA via AP) Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May gives a speech at the in Grimsby, north east England, Friday March 8, 2019. British lawmakers are due to vote for a second time Tuesday on the deal, which they overwhelmingly rejected in January. (Christopher Furlong/PA via AP) Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May gives a speech at the in Grimsby, north east England, Friday March 8, 2019. British lawmakers are due to vote for a second time Tuesday on the deal, which they overwhelmingly rejected in January. (Christopher Furlong/PA via AP) Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May gives a speech at the in Grimsby, north east England, Friday March 8, 2019. British lawmakers are due to vote for a second time Tuesday on the deal, which they overwhelmingly rejected in January. (Christopher Furlong/PA via AP) Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May gives a speech at the in Grimsby, north east England, Friday March 8, 2019. British lawmakers are due to vote for a second time Tuesday on the deal, which they overwhelmingly rejected in January. (Christopher Furlong/PA via AP) ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, much less than what was called for under sentencing guidelines. Manafort, sitting in a wheelchair as he deals with complications from gout, had no visible reaction as he heard the 47-month sentence. While that was the longest sentence to date to come from special counsel Robert Mueller's probe, it could have been much worse for Manafort. Sentencing guidelines called for a 20-year term, effectively a lifetime sentence for the 69-year-old. President Donald Trump said Friday that he feels "very badly" for Manafort. "I think it's been a very, very tough time for him," Trump said before leaving Washington to survey tornado damage in Alabama. Judge T.S. Ellis III, discussing character reference letters submitted by Manafort's friends and family, said Manafort had lived an "otherwise blameless life." Manafort has been jailed since June, so he will receive credit for the nine months he has already served. He still faces the possibility of additional time from his sentencing in a separate case in the District of Columbia, where he pleaded guilty to charges related to illegal lobbying. This courtroom sketch depicts former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, center in a wheelchair, during his sentencing hearing in federal court before judge T.S. Ellis III in Alexandria, Va., Thursday, March 7, 2019. Manafort was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, a significant break from sentencing guidelines that called for a 20-year prison term. (Dana Verkouteren via AP) Manafort told the judge that "saying I feel humiliated and ashamed would be a gross understatement." But he offered no explicit apology, something the judge noted before issuing his sentence Thursday. Manafort steered Trump's election efforts during crucial months of the 2016 campaign as Russia sought to meddle in the election through hacking of Democratic email accounts. He was among the first Trump associates charged in the Mueller investigation and has been a high-profile defendant. But the charges against Manafort were unrelated to his work on the campaign or the focus of Mueller's investigation: whether the Trump campaign coordinated with Russians. A jury last year convicted Manafort on eight counts, concluding that he hid from the IRS millions of dollars he earned from his work in Ukraine. Manafort's lawyers argued that he had engaged in what amounted to a routine tax evasion case and cited numerous past sentences in which defendants had hidden millions of dollars from the IRS and served less than a year in prison. Prosecutors said Manafort's conduct was egregious, but Ellis ultimately agreed more with defense attorneys. "These guidelines are quite high," Ellis said. Neither prosecutors nor defense attorneys had requested a particular sentence length in their sentencing memoranda, but prosecutors had urged a "significant" sentence. Outside court, Manafort's lawyer Kevin Downing said his client accepted responsibility for his conduct "and there was absolutely no evidence that Mr. Manafort was involved in any collusion with the government of Russia." Trump said Downing went out of his way to say there was no collusion with Russia. "The judge, I mean for whatever reason, I was very honored by it, also made the statement that this had nothing to do with collusion with Russia. ... Guess what, there is none," Trump said. Ellis didn't say there was no collusion. He said Manafort wasn't being sentenced for collusion. Ellis noted that when Manafort's legal team argued before trial last year that the special counsel's mandate to probe Russian collusion should have prevented the tax and bank fraud case against the former Trump campaign chairman, the judge dismissed their concerns. Ellis said he "concluded that it was legitimate" for Mueller's office to charge Manafort with financial crimes even if the case was not about collusion. Prosecutors left the courthouse without making any comment. Though Manafort hasn't faced charges related to collusion, he has been seen as one of the most pivotal figures in the Mueller investigation. Prosecutors, for instance, have scrutinized his relationship with Konstantin Kilimnik, a business associate U.S. authorities say is tied to Russian intelligence, and have described a furtive meeting the men had in August 2016 as cutting to the heart of the investigation. After pleading guilty in the D.C. case, Manafort met with investigators for more than 50 hours as part of a requirement to cooperate with the probe. But prosecutors reiterated at Thursday's hearing that they believe Manafort was evasive and untruthful in his testimony to a grand jury. Manafort was wheeled into the courtroom about 3:45 p.m. in a green jumpsuit from the Alexandria jail, where he spent the last several months in solitary confinement. The jet black hair he bore in 2016 when serving as campaign chairman was gone, replaced by a shaggy gray. He spent much of the hearing hunched at the shoulders, bearing what appeared to be an air of resignation. Defense lawyers had argued that Manafort would never have been charged if it were not for Mueller's probe. At the outset of the trial, even Ellis agreed with that assessment, suggesting that Manafort was being prosecuted only to pressure him to "sing" against Trump. Prosecutors said the Manafort investigation preceded Mueller's appointment. The jury convicted Manafort on eight felonies related to tax and bank fraud charges for hiding foreign income from his work in Ukraine from the IRS and later inflating his income on bank loan applications. Prosecutors have said the work in Ukraine was on behalf of politicians who were closely aligned with Russia, though Manafort insisted his work helped those politicians distance themselves from Russia and align with the West. In arguing for a significant sentence, prosecutor Greg Andres said Manafort still hasn't accepted responsibility for his misconduct. "His sentencing positions are replete with blaming others," Andres said. He also said Manafort still has not provided a full account of his finances for purposes of restitution, a particularly egregious omission given that his crime involved hiding more than $55 million in overseas bank accounts to evade paying more than $6 million in federal income taxes. The lack of certainty about Manafort's finances complicated the judge's efforts to impose restitution, but Ellis ultimately ordered that Manafort could be required to pay back up to $24 million. In the D.C. case, Manafort faces up to five years in prison on each of two counts to which he pleaded guilty. The judge will have the option to impose any sentence there concurrent or consecutive to the sentence imposed by Ellis. ___ Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report. This courtroom sketch depicts former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, center in a wheelchair, during his sentencing hearing in federal court before judge T.S. Ellis III in Alexandria, Va., Thursday, March 7, 2019. Manafort was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, a significant break from sentencing guidelines that called for a 20-year prison term. (Dana Verkouteren via AP) Attorney Kevin Downing walks to the microphones to speak with reporters following the sentencing of his client former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, in Alexandria, Thursday, March 7, 2019. Manafort was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, a significant break from sentencing guidelines that called for a 20-year prison term. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) Attorney Kevin Downing speaks with reporters following the sentencing of his client former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, in Alexandria, Thursday, March 7, 2019. Manafort was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, a significant break from sentencing guidelines that called for a 20-year prison term. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) Attorney Kevin Downing speaks with reporters following the sentencing of his client former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, in Alexandria, Thursday, March 7, 2019. Manafort was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, a significant break from sentencing guidelines that called for a 20-year prison term. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) Attorney Kevin Downing speaks with reporters following the sentencing of his client former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, in Alexandria, Thursday, March 7, 2019. Manafort was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, a significant break from sentencing guidelines that called for a 20-year prison term. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) Attorney Kevin Downing speaks with reporters following the sentencing of his client former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, in Alexandria, Thursday, March 7, 2019. Manafort was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, a significant break from sentencing guidelines that called for a 20-year prison term. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) Attorney Kevin Downing speaks with reporters following the sentencing of his client former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, in Alexandria, Thursday, March 7, 2019. Manafort was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, a significant break from sentencing guidelines that called for a 20-year prison term. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) Attorney Kevin Downing walks to the microphones to speak with reporters following the sentencing of his client former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, in Alexandria, Thursday, March 7, 2019. Manafort was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, a significant break from sentencing guidelines that called for a 20-year prison term. At left is Thomas Zehnle, another lawyer on Manafort's defense team. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) Kathleen Manafort, left, leaves the sentencing of her husband former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, in Alexandria, Thursday, March 7, 2019. Manafort was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, a significant break from sentencing guidelines that called for a 20-year prison term. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) President Donald Trump talks with reporters outside the White House before traveling to Alabama to visit areas affected by the deadly tornadoes, Friday, March 8, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) WASHINGTON (AP) - A restive group of newcomers. Baffled party leaders. Fiery conversations behind closed doors that spill into public view and threaten to upend legislation. After a wrenching week for Democrats, it's hard not to wonder: Does Speaker Nancy Pelosi have a tea party problem? Emboldened by their ability to seize the spotlight and shape the national debate, a core group of high-profile freshmen Democrats are driving an agenda that could define the party for years to come. Much like the tea party conservatives who vaulted Republicans to power a decade ago, these Democrats' firm ideology and wait-for-no-one swagger have set off a fight for the future of the party. This week they helped sway the House majority during the emotional debate over how to respond to remarks from freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar that were viewed by some as anti-Semitic. In a party meeting, another freshman, Rep. Jahana Hayes, was unafraid to question Pelosi and other leaders who sought to find a middle ground and balance the complaints of other members. That could be a preview of what's to come. Some of the same lawmakers who defended Omar are pushing the party to endorse drastic steps to tackle climate change with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Green New Deal. They're ready to impeach President Donald Trump, openly defying Pelosi's resistance to the idea. Looking ahead, newly-elected Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., said the events so far have "made us stronger." Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., left, joins Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., as Democrats rally outside the Capitol ahead of passage of H.R. 1, "The For the People Act," a bill which aims to expand voting rights and strengthen ethics rules, in Washington, Friday, March 8, 2019. The House passed a resolution to condemn anti-Semitism and other bigotry on Thursday following debate over Omar's recent comments suggesting House supporters of Israel have dual allegiances. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) The difference between the old and new guard is not just about policy. It's also about tactics. The newcomers, from a generation decades younger than their leaders, are uninterested in House culture that once rewarded freshmen who waited their turn and kept their heads down. Some in the new class make their case on social media and use America's curiosity about them to their advantage. "We not only look differently, but we speak differently and we work very differently," said Tlaib, whose call to impeach Trump - hours after being sworn into office, punctuated with a profanity - rocketed across Twitter. "Right now, we're feeling more and more heard and seen here," she said. The challenge ahead is whether Democrats can fulfill their promise of showing Americans they can govern and not slip into the disarray that tangled Republicans when they controlled the House. The tea party class came to Washington in 2011, handing the reins to House Speaker John Boehner, but only rarely taking his lead. The hardline conservatives were able to capitalize on built-in leverage points to flex their power on priority issues - using budget battles to cut spending or using the debt limit deadline to rein in deficits. They hung together, even as they threatened to shut down government by refusing to give their votes to pass legislation. The empowered liberal freshmen don't appear to have as clear a strategy. They are mainly free agents with their own brands and followings, which they leverage in similar but sometimes different ways. Their voices, and millions of social media followers, are perhaps their most valuable currency. The debate over Omar's comments - a fight over race, identity and tolerance - clearly hit a pressure point, creating some unexpected alliances between the newcomers and other members. They quickly found allies among the older guard. The passion in the debate took some leaders by surprise and made for a complex solution. What started out as a denunciation of anti-Semitism ended up being a debate over how to say the party stands against bigotry. And it ended what amounted to a four-month honeymoon for the House Democrats. Not all freshmen are eager to be branded as young, liberal and restless. While much of the attention has flowed to Omar, Ocasio-Cortez and their fellow travelers on the left flank, another freshman, Rep. Donna Shalala, a former Cabinet secretary who represents a Miami-area swing district, said other freshman expect to be heard, too. "This narrative that two or three people are driving the agenda is ridiculous," she said. Like Boehner, Pelosi is known as a keeper of institutional norms, and expects a certain amount of deference. But what is different is the way the two wield the power of the gavel. Boehner was slower to discipline those who strayed from his direction, while Pelosi is seen as one more willing to assert the leader's ability to control dissent. GOP strategist Sean Spicer said Pelosi's problem is less about vote tallies than the tone of the debate coming from the new members, which has been impassioned at times. "Boehner had more of a problem with keeping troops together on key votes and key policies," said Spicer, the former Trump press secretary. "Right now she's got a problem of how do you excuse some of the behavior and style." Pelosi, speaking Friday at the Economic Club of Washington, said she "thrives" on the diverse voices in her caucus and suggested that Democrats "channel our exuberances" to work together. She acknowledged that she's got some things to learn about the institution in which she's served for more than three decades. But she added, "There's something to be said for experience." Veteran lawmakers watching the new majority take shape are similarly confident. Many of them have served these past years while Republicans were in control, waiting for this moment to return to power. Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., says the difference between the tea party troubles and this new generation is the role of Pelosi. Boehner, he said, "gave people enough rope, and then it choked the party." Former House Speaker Paul Ryan "had the same problem and it ate him, it ate him alive. I think that Nancy's trying to listen, but she's firm. She knows where the line is." ___ Follow Mascaro and Kellman on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/LisaMascaro and http://www.twitter.com/APLaurieKellman House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks at an Economic Club of Washington luncheon gathering in Washington, Friday, March 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks at an Economic Club of Washington luncheon gathering in Washington, Friday, March 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - Marches and protests were held Friday across the globe to mark International Women's Day under the slogan #BalanceforBetter, with calls for a more gender-balanced world. The day, sponsored by the United Nations since 1975, celebrates women's achievements and aims to further their rights. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told a commemoration at U.N. headquarters in New York that "remarkable progress on women's rights and leadership" in recent decades has sparked a backlash from "an entrenched patriarchy." And he warned that "nationalist, populist and austerity agendas add to inequality with policies that curtail women's rights and cut social services." "I do not accept a world that tells my granddaughters that economic equality can wait for their granddaughter's granddaughters," Guterres said. "I call for a new vision of equality and opportunity so that half the world's population can contribute to all the world's success." Millions of others around the world demanded equality amid a persistent salary gap, violence and widespread inequality. A trio of women hold a sign with a message that reads in Spanish: "See how we end up," during a demonstration commemorating International Women's Day, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, March 8, 2019. Latin Americans took the streets on Friday to shout louder than ever against male violence and show their determination to conquer free, safe and free abortion. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) ____ EUROPE Police in the Ukrainian capital Kiev detained three people as far-right demonstrators tried to provoke activists protesting domestic and sexual violence. About 300 people gathered on Mykhailivska Square in central Kiev on Friday for the women's rights demonstration. Several dozen far-right demonstrators stood nearby, holding placards reading "God! Homeland! Patriarchy!" and "Feminism is destroying Ukrainian families." In Spain, where women's rights have become one of the hot topics in the run-up to a general election next month, many female employees didn't show up to work Friday. Others also halted domestic work or left to men the care of children and ill or elderly people. In the evening, cities across the country lit landmark buildings with purple lights as hundreds of thousands poured into the streets. "We are getting killed and we are getting lower salaries for being women, but that's just the tip of the iceberg," said Sara Baladron, a 27-year-old pharmacist joining the protest in central Madrid. In neighboring Portugal, the Cabinet observed a minute of silence Thursday as part of a day of national mourning it decreed for victims of domestic violence. Portuguese police say 12 women have died this year in domestic violence incidents - the highest number over the same period in 10 years. Pope Francis hailed the "irreplaceable contribution of women" to fostering peace. "Women make the world beautiful, they protect it and keep it alive," the Argentine Jesuit said. Francis has vowed to give more decision-making roles to women in the Catholic Church, where the priesthood -and therefore the highest ranks of authority- is reserved for men. Some feminists bristle at Francis' frequent use of the term "feminine genius" and his focus on women as mothers. In Germany, topless feminist protesters went to one of the country's most famous red-light districts in Hamburg and pulled down a metal barrier wall intended to keep out women - other than prostitutes. A half-dozen women belonging to the Femen activist group had the slogan "No brothels for women" written on their bare back in black lettering. Legally, all women are allowed to enter the street, but in reality most women obey the signs saying, "Entry only for men 18+." In France, the first Simone Veil prize went Friday to a Cameroonian activist who has worked against forced marriages and other violence against girls and women. Aissa Doumara Ngatansou was married against her will at age 15 but insisted upon continuing her studies as a young wife. She has since turned her attention to victims of Boko Haram extremists. The French award is named for the trailblazing French politician and Holocaust survivor Veil, who spearheaded the fight to legalize abortion. Meanwhile in Russia, International Women's Day is a public holiday but it mostly lauds gender roles that are now outdated. As is his custom every year, President Vladimir Putin gave a speech thanking women for their patience, good grace and support. "You manage to do everything: both at work and at home and at the same time you remain beautiful, charismatic, charming, the center of gravity for the whole family, uniting it with your love," Putin said. ___ LATIN AMERICA Women in Argentina took to the streets by the tens of thousands, galvanized by the rejection last year of a bill that would have legalized abortion. They marched from Congress to the country's historic Plaza de Mayo square, many carrying signs in support of abortion or with slogans like "my body doesn't want your opinion." Rallies against violence against women in Argentina, held under the slogan "Not One Less," have drawn multitudes in the past. "We have achieved a change of era. Sexist violence is no longer accepted, abuses are not accepted, neither is street harassment ... there are many things that have changed," said Marta Dillon, an activist and one of the founders of the "Not One Less" movement. In Puerto Rico, hundreds clad in purple T-shirts protested to demand safer housing as the U.S. territory struggles to recover from Hurricane Maria, while others held up signs with the names of more than 20 women reportedly killed by their partners on the island last year. Amid the protests, Gov. Ricardo Rossello signed an executive order that would in part create a special agency to intervene in domestic violence cases and establish preventive police patrols around the homes and workplaces of women awarded protection orders. Meanwhile, similar scenes played out in other South American countries. In Brazil, thousands of marchers in Rio de Janeiro targeted far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who has offended many women with his comments, as well as the country's record of violence against women. "This year it is especially important to be here because we have a macho president," said 46-year-old psychologist Juliana Lopez. "Brazil is champion in femicides. We must be on the street to be respected. " Hundreds of women in Bolivia rallied in main cities, carrying giant undergarments bearing messages such as, "underwear of an irresponsible and abusive father" and "underwear of a child molester," as Chilean women also demanded access to free and safe abortions. And in nearby Ecuador, President Lenin Moreno took the day to announce the creation of a bonus of about $300 per month for the children of victims of femicides. The bonus will help an estimated 88 orphans. ____ ASIA In India, hundreds of women marched on the streets of New Delhi demanding an end to domestic violence, sexual attacks and discrimination in jobs. Boys are prized more than girls in India. Thousands of Indian women are killed - often doused in gasoline and burned to death - every year because the groom or his family feel the dowry of the bride is inadequate. Political parties in India have for years been promising 33 percent of seats for women in the country's Parliament, but they have yet to enact legislation to that effect. In Indonesia's capital Jakarta, several hundred men and women carried colorful placards calling for an end to discriminative practices such as the termination of employment for pregnancy and exploitative work contracts. "Our action today is to urge (the government) for our right to a society that's democratic, prosperous, equal and free from violence," said Dian Trisnanti, a labor activist. Girls and women in Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country, have equal access to education but face higher unemployment, lower wages and poorer working conditions than men. Both Koreas marked the day. In the South, women wearing black cloaks and pointed hats marched against what they describe as a "witch hunt" of feminists in a deeply conservative society. College student Noh Seo-young said that South Korea struggles to accept that women are "also humans" and that women have to fight until they can "walk around safely." In the North, where Women's Day is one of the few national holidays that is not explicitly political in nature, people dressed up for family photo shoots or bought roses for their mothers or wives at the many small, bright orange street stalls in central Pyongyang that sell flowers. ____ NORTH AMERICA U.S. President Donald Trump honored International Women's Day with a presidential message, saying that the U.S. celebrates women's "vision, leadership, and courage," and reaffirms its "commitment to promoting equal opportunity for women everywhere." On the eve prior, U.S. first lady Melania Trump saluted women from 10 countries for their courage. The recipients of the International Women of Courage Award included human rights activists, police officers and an investigative journalist. "Courage is what divides those who only talk about change from those who actually act to change," Mrs. Trump said at a ceremony Thursday that was also attended by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Pompeo separately recognized women in Iran for protesting the requirement that they wear a head covering known as a hijab in public and a Ukrainian activist who died in 2018 after she was attacked with sulfuric acid. ___ AFRICA Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who named one of the world's few "gender-balanced" Cabinets last year, told a gathering that "women are the pillars of the nation and the least recognized for their sacrifices." In Nigeria, the U.S. Embassy hosted talks on sexual harassment that included a founder of the recent #ArewaMeToo campaign among women in the country's conservative, largely Muslim north. And in Niger, first lady Aissata Issoufou Mahamadou oversaw the awards in the Miss Intellect Niger contest. Women protested against gender-based violence in Kenya's capital. "We haven't gotten to a stage where women are comfortable to come out and say, 'I was sexually abused,'" said protester Esther Passaris. "So what we need to do is slowly, slowly grow." ___ AP reporters across the globe contributed to this report. Barry Hatton reported from Lisbon, Portugal. A women wearing a mask reading "Stop VOX" attends a rally to mark the International Women's Day in Madrid, Friday, March 8, 2019. Thousands of women walked off the job in Spain, joining millions more around the world demanding equality amid a persistent salary gap, violence and widespread inequality. VOX is Spain's far-right political party. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) Ukrainian people hold banners and march on the occasion of the International Women's Day in Kiev, Ukraine, Friday, March 8, 2019. Millions across the globe are marking International Women's Day by demanding a gender-balanced world amid persistent salary gap, violence and widespread inequality. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) People gather at Plaza del Castillo square during the International Women's Day in Pamplona, northern Spain, Friday, March 8, 2019. Spanish women are marking International Women's Day with a full day strike and dozens of protests across the country against wage gap and gender violence. (Alvaro Barrientos) Women shout slogans as they march during the International Women's Day in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, March 8, 2019. Spanish women are marking International Women's Day with a full day strike and dozens of protests across the country against wage gap and gender violence. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Female demonstrators wear ed glove as as symbol against male violence as they march during the International Women's Day in Pamplona, northern Spain, Friday, March 8, 2019. Spanish women are marking International Women's Day with a full day strike and dozens of protests across the country against wage gap and gender violence. (Alvaro Barrientos) Pro-choice activists dressed as characters from the novel-turned-TV series "The Handmaid's Tale," hold placards with a message that reads in Spanish: "Legalize abortion now," marking International Women's Day in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Friday, March 8, 2019. The day has been sponsored by the United Nations since 1975 as millions around the world are demanding equality amid a persistent salary gap, violence and widespread inequality. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) People march through the center of Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek, with the government building on the right, on Friday, March 8, 2019. Millions across the globe are marking International Women's Day by demanding a gender-balanced world amid persistent salary gap, violence and widespread inequality. (AP Photo/Vladimir Voronin) An effigy of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte lies under colored paper blocks as women groups mark International Women's Day during a rally near the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila, Philippines on Friday, March 8, 2019. The group criticized Duterte, opposed martial law in Mindanao and called for equal rights. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Female activists gesture as their group marks International Women's Day in Manila, Philippines on Friday, March 8, 2019. The group criticized Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, opposed martial law in Mindanao and called for equal rights. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) France's President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during the presentation of the Simone Veil prize, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Friday, March 8, 2019. France's first Simone Veil prize goes to a Cameroonian activist Aissa Doumara Ngatansou who has worked against forced marriages and other violence against girls and women. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, Pool) Kenyan women shout slogans during a march to mark International Women's Day in Nairobi, Kenya, Friday March 8, 2019. Hundreds of women marched in downtown Nairobi highlighting domestic violence, sexual attacks and discrimination in jobs and wages. (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi) Independent Afghan artists draw a graffiti on a barrier wall of the Ministry of Women's Affairs to mark International Women's Day in Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, March 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) Women hold up banners and shout slogans during a protest outside the European Parliament marking the International Women's Day in Brussels, Friday, March 8, 2019. Millions across the globe are marking International Women's Day by demanding a gender-balanced world amid persistent salary gap, violence and widespread inequality. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) Women hold up scarves during a demonstration in front of the Italian Health Ministry, to mark the International Women's Day, in Rome, Friday, March 8, 2019. The day, sponsored by the United Nations since 1975, celebrates women's achievements and aims to further their rights. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) A woman takes a photo of a female police officer holding a bouquet of flowers on Tiananmen Square to mark International Women's Day during a plenary session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Friday, March 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) A woman holds a banner that reads: "Justice for Marija Lukic" during a march marking International Women's Day in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, March 8, 2019. Inspired by the women of the global #MeToo movement, Lukic stood up against the most powerful man in her small home town in central Serbia and taken her accusations to court. For her struggle, Lukic has become a hero for many women in the Balkan nation who have suffered similar - or worse - ordeals but never dared fight back. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic) Women shout and make noise during a protest outside the Central Station marking the International Women's Day in Brussels, Friday, March 8, 2019. Marches and protests are held Friday across the globe to mark International Women's Day under the slogan #BalanceforBetter, with calls for a more gender-balanced world. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco) A supporter of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido holds a poster depicting the leader who has declared himself interim president, during a rally to commemorate International Women's Day in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, March 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) Female demonstrator, tp center, holds a banner reading ''Smoking kills. Male chauvinism also'' during the International Women's Day in Pamplona, northern Spain, Friday, March 8, 2019. Spanish women are marking International Women's Day with a full day strike and dozens of protests across the country against wage gap and gender violence. (Alvaro Barrientos) A woman pushes against riot police who are preventing demonstrators from reaching government palace during a march marking International Women's Day, in La Paz, Bolivia, Friday, March 8, 2019. Recognized globally, the date March 8th is sponsored by the United Nations celebrating women's achievements, aiming to further their rights. (AP Photo/Juan Karita) People take part in a demonstration to mark the International Women's Day, in Rome, Friday, March 8, 2019. The day, sponsored by the United Nations since 1975, celebrates women's achievements and aims to further their rights. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) A woman stands with a placard during a woman's protest event for International Women's Day, in Dublin city centre, Ireland, Friday March 8, 2019. (Brian Lawless/PA via AP) Protesters gather as Turkish police block Istiklal street, the main shopping street in Istanbul, during the International Women's Day, Friday, March 8, 2019. The day has been sponsored by the United Nations since 1975 as millions around the world are demanding equality amid a persistent salary gap, violence and widespread inequality. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) Women protest against the judicial system for sentencing sexual offenders to small or suspended sentences in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, March 8, 2019. Dozens of women joined the protest on International Women's Day also calling for a change of mentality in Romania, a country where it is still quite widely believed that sexual aggression victims bear at least some responsibility for being targeted. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) A women activists use an umbrella as she marks International Women's Day during a rally near Merdeka palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, March 8, 2019. Hundreds of women activist called for equal rights and stop the violence. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim) Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions attend during a rally to mark the International Women's Day in downtown Seoul, South Korea, Friday, March 8, 2019. More than a thousand people attended at a rally demanding better working condition for women workers and gender equality. The banners read "Gender equality." (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) In this photo taken on Thursday, March 7, 2019, a woman sells fresh flowers in Moscow, Russia, ahead of International Women's Day. Women in Russia may hold prominent positions in the government and business but traditional gender roles and a wide gender pay gap show that Russia is falling behind the West in gender quality. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) A dog licks his owner during a rally in commemoration of International Women's Day, IWD, in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, March 8, 2019. Marches and protests are held Friday across the globe to mark IWD under the slogan #BalanceforBetter, with calls for a more gender-balanced world. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) Several thousand people gather to take part in demonstration on International Women's Day in Oslo, Friday, March 8, 2019. (Hakon Mosvold Larsen/NTB Scanpix via AP) A woman wears earrings that read in Portuguese "Women against fascism" during a march marking International Women's Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, March 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) SPRINGFIELD, Ga. (AP) - More grim details have emerged in the two months since sheriff's deputies found the bodies of a 14-year-old girl and her brother buried in their backyard. An investigator revealed in court that the girl was starved, beaten and kept bound and naked in a dog cage as punishment by her father and stepfamily. Effingham County sheriff's investigators say 14-year-old Mary Crocker had been dead for roughly two months when a tip brought them to her father's mobile home about 30 miles (48 kilometers) outside Savannah. They also unearthed the remains of Mary's older brother, also 14 when he had last been seen about two years earlier. Both children had been homeschooled and were never reported missing. Autopsy results on the bodies are still pending. But authorities have charged the siblings' father, 50-year-old Elwyn Crocker Sr., their stepmother and three other relatives with felony murder and child cruelty. The first details of how Mary died came out Tuesday when sheriff's investigator Abby Brown testified at a bond hearing, news outlets reported. Brown testified that investigators found a photo of Mary - nude, gaunt and bruised - in front of the cage. She said the girl's father confessed that Mary had been starved, beaten and confined there as a form of punishment before her death. "He did admit that Mary Crocker was, in fact, kept in a dog kennel, naked, in the kitchen, the common area of the house," Brown testified. She said zip ties were used "so that she would not get out." Mary's meals were often mixed with rice vinegar to spoil the taste and make eating nearly impossible, and sometimes she was shocked with a stun gun, she said. Toward the end of her life, Brown said, the girl spent so much time in the cage that her joints would stiffen, prompting family members to use duct tape to bind her to a ladder in an effort to straighten her arms and legs. She said the girl's father called his wife one day and told her he'd just seen the "light go out of her eyes." Mary was buried her near her brother, Elwyn Crocker Jr., known as JR. Investigators have said they believe he died about two years earlier. No details of his death have been released. The Crocker siblings also had an 11-year-old brother who lived in the double-wide mobile home. He was placed into foster care. Mark Anthony Wright - a brother of Elwyn Crocker Sr.'s wife, Candice Crocker - overheard a family discussion about Mary's death and called an aunt, who tipped off authorities, Brown said. A Superior Court judge Tuesday denied bond for Elwyn Crocker Sr. and for Wright, who told investigators he was previously unaware the girl was dead. Also charged are Candice Crocker's mother, Kim Wright, and Kim Wright's boyfriend, Roy Anthony Prater. All five suspects remain jailed. Judge F. Gates Peed has also imposed a gag order prohibiting attorneys and investigators from discussing the case outside court. ___ This version has been corrected. The first-name spelling for the accused father and his dead son is Elwyn, not Elwin. ___ Information from: Savannah Morning News, http://www.savannahnow.com LONDON (AP) - The Latest on Britain's withdrawal from the European Union (all times local): 5:20 p.m. The European Union has made an offer to the United Kingdom that it hopes can unblock the stalled Brexit negotiations. EU negotiator Michel Barnier said in a statement following technical talks over the past few days that "the EU will continue working intensively over the coming days to ensure that the U.K. leaves the EU with an agreement." British Prime Minister Theresa May has been looking for legal reassurances on how the border between the EU's Ireland and the U.K.'s Northern Ireland would be dealt without forcing Britain into commitments to remain tied to EU rules and regulations potentially for an indefinite period. It was unclear to what extent the offer would help May in her attempt to push the withdrawal agreement past her parliament next Tuesday. European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier addresses the media during a joint press conference with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz at the federal chancellery in Vienna, Austria, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Gruber) ___ 1 p.m. Prime Minister Theresa May is warning lawmakers that if they reject her Brexit divorce deal next week, Britain may never leave the European Union. British legislators are due to vote Tuesday on the agreement, which they have already rejected once. May is seeking last-minute changes to the deal, but the EU is unwilling to reopen the agreement with Britain. In a speech Friday, May urged the bloc to help her by making changes, saying there needs to be "one more push" to get the agreement approved. If Parliament rejects the deal, lawmakers will get to vote on whether to seek a delay to Brexit. May warned lawmakers that could lead to "more months and years" of argument over Brexit. She says "if we go down that road we may never leave the EU at all." ___ 9:50 a.m. British Prime Minister Theresa May is battling to stave off defeat for her Brexit divorce deal, imploring the European Union to help her win approval from Parliament. In a speech Friday - three weeks before Britain is due to leave the EU - May plans to tell the bloc that "it is in the European interest for the U.K. to leave with a deal." May's office says she will warn that "decisions that the European Union makes over the next few days will have a big impact on the outcome of the vote." British lawmakers are due to vote for a second time Tuesday on the deal, which they overwhelmingly rejected in January. May has been trying to secure changes, but the EU is unwilling to change the 585-page agreement. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street to attend the weekly Prime Ministers' Questions session, at parliament in London, Wednesday, March 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) AL-OMAR OIL FIELD BASE, Syria (AP) - Abandoned tents, vehicles and foxholes to hide from airstrikes are all that are left from evacuated parts of the Islamic State group's last shred of territory in Syria. An exclusive video obtained by The Associated Press on Friday showed parts of the tiny pocket of land in the village of Baghouz vacated recently by Islamic State group members and their families. The area has been under attack since September by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces who in recent weeks have advanced on the town from three sides, besieging it. Hundreds of IS fighters, along with thousands of civilians, mostly family members, have evacuated the IS-held area after the SDF alternately applied military pressure and allowed time for evacuees to come out. In the last two weeks, many fighters appeared to be among those evacuating. But some IS militants are still clinging to a patch of land inside the village and are vowing to fight. In Washington, a senior defense official estimated that nearly 20,000 people, including 3,500 to 4,000 adult males, have emerged from Baghouz since Feb. 20. The official, who could not be identified by name under Pentagon ground rules, said nearly all of the 20,000, including women and children, are seen as IS followers or adherents. Baghouz in eastern Syria is the very last speck of territory held by IS, which once occupied a territory the size of Britain over areas straddling both Iraq and Syria that it called a "caliphate." The coalition effort to destroy IS has taken place amid Syria's nearly 8-year-old civil war. In this Wednesday, March 6, 2019, photo, a member of U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stands guard at a reception area for people evacuated from the last shred of territory held by Islamic State militants, outside Baghouz, Syria. (AP Photo/Gabriel Chaim) The senior U.S. defense official said the U.S. and the SDF had greatly underestimated not only the number of IS fighters and affiliated civilians holed up in the final slice of IS territory, but also the amount of time it would take to finish off the fight. The official said it would not be a surprise, based on current conditions, if it took another couple of weeks. The official said the SDF is believed to have about 5,000 IS fighters in captivity, of which about 4,000 are Iraqis and Syrians. The other 1,000 or so are "foreign" fighters from dozens of other countries, the official said. The video obtained by AP was shot on Wednesday by a fighter from the People's Protection Units, or YPG, the main Kurdish militia which is part of the Syrian Democratic Forces. It showed abandoned tents and vehicles, foxholes in which to hide from airstrikes, weapons and other items left behind by the extremists. A burned pickup truck and several motorcycles could be seen, as well as scattered pieces of clothing, blankets and cases of ammunition. Under the cover of heavy coalition bombing on March 1-2, SDF forces advanced on the besieged tent encampment, leaving a corridor for residents to leave. During the airstrikes, an ammunition depot and vehicles packed with weapons were targeted, setting off large explosions and a fire that lasted for at least two days. In the video, fire was still smoldering from some tents, which caught fire in the explosion. Following that operation, thousands of residents and many fighters evacuated Baghouz over the next four days. But on Friday, only a small group came out, raising speculations that a renewed military offensive was being planned. Evacuated civilians have described terrible conditions inside the village, with food scarce and people forced to hide underground to escape airstrikes and shelling by the SDF. Many of them were also adamant supporters of the militant group, who defended its tactics. The evacuees have either been sent to a displaced people's camp to the north or suspected fighters have moved to detention facilities. The U.S.-led coalition takes part in screening and interrogating the evacuees. The aid group International Rescue Committee said at least 6,000 women and children arrived from Baghouz to al-Hol displaced people's camp on Thursday alone, bringing the total of evacuees over two days to 12,000. The camp, IRC said, has reached "a breaking point," with over 55,000 arriving there since December. The total population of the camp is now at 65,000 as aid workers are overwhelmed with shortage of tents and resources. At least 100 people, mostly children, died en route to al-Hol or shortly after arriving due to a combination of malnutrition and hypothermia. More than 240 unaccompanied children also arrived at the camp, as well as many with serious injuries. Separately and on the other side of Syria, Turkey's defense minister said on Friday Turkish and Russian troops will begin patrols of Syria's northwestern Idlib region, where the two countries have created a de-escalation zone. Hulusi Akar also said that restrictions on Turkey's use of the airspace above the Idlib and Afrin regions have been lifted, signaling the possible use of drones or aircraft to secure those areas. Russia and Turkey brokered a cease-fire in September for Idlib, the last major stronghold of Syria's rebels. The agreement averted a Syrian government offensive, but has come under strain as al-Qaida-linked militants have seized towns and villages from rival insurgents. In comments aired live on several Turkish news channels, Akar said Russia would patrol the border outside Idlib while Turkey would patrol inside the de-escalation zone. ___ Associated Press National Security writer Robert Burns contributed from Washington. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - An Alabama probate judge has recognized the legal rights of an aborted embryo just months after voters approved a state constitutional amendment recognizing the rights of the unborn. A civil rights attorney said the lawsuit to which the ruling applies is unlikely to persevere in the face of the Supreme Court's 1973 decision legalizing abortion. Ryan Magers, 21, filed the wrongful-death suit in February against the Alabama Women's Center for Reproductive Alternatives, which he says prescribed an abortion pill to his ex-girlfriend. The abortion pill is legal. Magers' attorney, J. Brent Helms, told The Associated Press on Friday that Magers disagreed with his girlfriend's decision to have an abortion and tried to talk her out of it. She was 17 at the time and he was 19, Helms said. "He wanted to be a father to his child," Magers said. "He says no father should have to go through this." Dalton Johnson, owner of the Alabama Women's Center, said in a statement that the lawsuit "seeks to undermine a woman's fundamental right to abortion." "This is yet one more attempt to harass and intimidate abortion providers. While anti-abortion opponents hope to push abortion care out of reach in Alabama, we remain steadfast in our commitment to serving the women of our state," Johnson said. Magers sued on the grounds that he was the father and a representative of the embryo, identified in the lawsuit as "Baby Roe." Giving a boost to the suit, Madison County Probate Judge Frank Barger on Wednesday opened an estate for the embryo, and agreed to allow Magers to represent the estate. "Baby Roe" is a reference to the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade ruling establishing the right of women to abort a fetus that can't survive outside the womb. Both the judge's decision and the lawsuit partly hinge on new language in the Alabama Constitution that says it is the state's policy to recognize the "rights of unborn children." Voters in November approved adding the language to the constitution. Personhood Alabama, an anti-abortion group, says it is involved in the lawsuit. The amendment "affirmed that the public policy of the state of Alabama ensures the protection of the rights of the unborn child," Helms said. "Obviously, in this case we are vesting this deceased unborn child with legal rights." Probate judges typically require a death certificate to open an estate. Helms instead filed a memorandum citing the amendment and past Alabama Supreme Court cases that he said "recognized the personhood of unborn children." One case allowed a wrongful-death lawsuit when an injury caused the miscarriage of a nonviable fetus or embryo. Helms said he believes this case is the first of its kind in the country. Randall Marshall, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Alabama, called the probate judge's decision "disturbing," but noted it is only a "preliminary procedural issue." He predicted the lawsuit would ultimately fail. "Lawsuits like these are an attempt to give boyfriends the right to veto a woman's decision about abortion," Marshall wrote in an email. "The Supreme Court has made clear that the final decision is hers to make." A representative of Planned Parenthood said giving rights to a fetus or embryo would be a dangerous precedent if upheld. "Not only could this outlaw all abortion - even in cases of rape, incest, and when the life of the woman is at risk - it could also outlaw many forms of birth control, including IUDs and emergency contraception, as well as fertility treatments like IVF," said Staci Fox, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Southeast Advocates. ___ Information from: The Birmingham News, http://www.al.com/birminghamnews Forecasters are upgrading the likelihood that severe storms and strong tornadoes could strike parts of the South less than a week after a twister killed 23 people in Alabama. A region that includes parts of Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri will be at heightened risk of severe weather Saturday, the national Storm Prediction Center reported Friday. The area is home to 2.6 million people, and includes the Memphis, Tennessee metropolitan area. A broader area that includes more than 10 million people - stretching from east Texas to Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky - is at a slightly lower risk of severe storms and tornadoes. The storms will be fast-moving, racing to the northeast at 50 to 60 mph (80 to 97 kph), said Bill Bunting, chief of forecast operations at the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma. "It means you have to take action when warnings are issued and not wait until you see the threat visually," he said. "If you wait until you see an approaching tornado with damaging winds, it's going to be at your location within seconds." As the sun rises Saturday, storms and possibly tornadoes will likely be moving through east Texas and parts of Louisiana and Arkansas, the National Weather Service is projecting. Ansli McDonald, left, and Joy Edwards put up a sign in front of Beauregard High School welcoming President Trump to Beauregard, Ala., on Friday March 8, 2019. A fatal tornado struck Beauregard on Sunday March 3, 2019. (Mickey Welsh/Press-Register via AP) Saturday night, the threat will likely continue after dark as the storms move east into Alabama, forecasters said. That poses a particular danger as many people are often asleep. "It can be more difficult to reach people at night," Bunting said. "Just make sure you know how to the get the warnings if it's in the middle of the night." Forecasters across the region were studying computer models and tracking the system's progress. Some characteristics, such as strong wind shear, have them concerned. "It's sort of like making a cake - if the ingredients can all really come together we could certainly have multiple tornadoes across the broad region," said Andrew Pritchett, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Huntsville, Alabama. Rain could help cool the atmosphere and block the heat that fuels severe storms. But that could also exacerbate flooding in the region, where rivers are already running very high, Prichett said. Up to two inches (5 centimeters) of rain is expected in northern Alabama. "So it's a very delicate balance - we don't need the rain, but we're hoping that maybe the atmosphere will stay more rain-cooled throughout the day and help mitigate the severe weather threat," he said. President Donald Trump planned a Friday visit to Lee County, Alabama, where a tornado outbreak across the Southeast last Sunday wreaked its worst havoc, killing 23 people. It was the deadliest to hit the U.S. since May 2013, when an EF5 twister killed 24 people in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore. The National Weather Service has confirmed at least 38 tornadoes touched down in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina as punishing storms crossed the region Sunday. ___ Martin reported from Atlanta. Associated Press Writer Russ Bynum in Savannah, Georgia, contributed. Jessica Taylor prays in front of a cross for Jonathan Bowen, 9, at a makeshift memorial for the victims of a tornado in Beauregard, Ala., Wednesday, March 6, 2019. "I have a son his age," said Taylor. "I can't imagine that mother's loss." (AP Photo/David Goldman) A page from a school yearbook is seen among the debris in Beauregard, Ala., on Thursday March 7, 2019. A fatal tornado struck Beauregard on Sunday. (Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP) JERUSALEM (AP) - Prayers passed peacefully at Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site Friday, as Jordan confirmed it was negotiating with Israel to ease mounting tensions after Israel ordered the closure of a building at the sacred compound. Israeli police were out in force after Palestinian leaders called for mass protests during weekly prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque following a month of simmering hostility over the Israeli closure of a building known as the "Gate of Mercy." Thousands of worshippers attended noon prayers but dispersed afterward without incident. A Jordanian official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, confirmed that Jordan - the custodian of the sacred compound - held "intensive talks" with Israeli authorities this week to defuse tensions. The Waqf, a Jordanian appointed body that oversees Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, has staged periodic prayer-protests since late February to call for the reopening of the shuttered building. Israel closed the structure in 2003, claiming it was used by a heritage organization with ties to the Hamas militant group. The Waqf contends that because the heritage group is now defunct, the council should regain full access to the building like any other in the holy esplanade. For the past 16 years, according to Waqf secretary Bassem Abu Labda, the Waqf has unsuccessfully petitioned Israeli authorities to reopen the building. Palestinians pray at al-Aqsa mosque compound Friday, March 8, 2019. Prayers passed peacefully at Jerusalem's most sensitive holy site Friday, as Jordan confirmed it was negotiating with Israel to ease mounting tensions after Israel ordered the closure of a building at the sacred compound. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) Last month, when a delegation from Jordan toured the dilapidated hall to inspect water leaks and discuss renovation plans, the Waqf - which has keys to the building - did not clear the building's opening with Israeli authorities for the first time, said Abu Labda. Israel responded by placing a chain over the door, prompting immediate outrage from Palestinian worshippers. The Waqf has vowed to continue resisting the Israeli closure. Demonstrations have devolved into standoffs with police. Israel has barred several guards and high-ranking Waqf officials from the compound and arrested dozens of Palestinians under suspicions of inciting violence at the site. That the closure of one building containing some offices and a small library can spark such a reaction speaks to the sensitivity and potency of the plateau, revered by Jews as the Temple Mount and by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary. The walled compound, home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the golden Dome of the Rock, is the third-holiest site in Islam and the holiest site of Judaism and has been the source of major confrontations in the past. With a few exceptions, a tenuous calm has prevailed at the compound, in large part due to intricate security arrangements between Israeli authorities and the Waqf. But any change in the status quo can inflame tensions. When Israel installed metal detectors at the site in 2017 after a deadly attack by Arab gunmen, mass Palestinian protests erupted, and bloodshed ensued. Muslim leaders across the Arab world accused Israel of encroaching on Islamic rights at the shrine. "An event like this can be a lightning rod," said Betty Herschman from Ir Amim, an activist group that focuses on Israeli-Palestinian relations in Jerusalem, in reference to the Gate of Mercy developments that have spawned fears of a wider confrontation. "It's in everyone's interest to resolve this crisis and protect the entirety of the Temple Mount/Noble Sanctuary." ___ This story corrects Bassem Abu Labda's title to secretary, not secretary general, of the Waqf. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Police in Ohio's capital say an officer conducting surveillance of a vehicle is stable in a hospital after being shot in the face. Columbus police identified the officer Friday as 11-year department member William Frease. Police say Frease notified a dispatcher around 10:45 p.m. Thursday that he'd been shot and provided a description of the vehicle in which suspects fled. Police in suburban Whitehall stopped the vehicle about 25 minutes later and took three people into custody. They have since been released while investigators try to determine who shot Frease. Acting Columbus Police Chief Tim Becker said Friday afternoon that Frease was struck by a shot that went through the rear driver's side window of his unmarked car. Police say a firearm was found in the vehicle. ___ Information from: WBNS-TV, http://www.10tv.com/ SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The California Legislature racked up more than $1.8 million in legal costs from sexual harassment investigations during 2018 and the first month of this year when at least nine current or former lawmakers faced allegations of misconduct, according to records obtained by The Associated Press. The Senate spent $1.26 million and the Assembly $571,000, according to the documents provided under the Legislative Open Records Act. Neither chamber provided specifics on how many investigations the money paid for nor how exactly it was spent, citing attorney-client privilege and other exemptions in the public records act. But both chambers previously have disclosed hiring outside attorneys during that time to investigate five current or former Assembly members and four current or former senators. Their behavior ranged from using vulgar language and giving uncomfortable hugs and a "noogie," to forcibly kissing a staff member and, in one case, masturbating in front of a lobbyist. The spending occurred after accusations of widespread harassment at the Capitol surfaced in October 2017 as the #MeToo movement was roiling Hollywood and major corporations. FILE - This Jan. 23, 2018 file photo shows state Sen. Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia, at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif. Investigators say Mendoza likely engaged in unwanted "flirtatious or sexually suggestive" behavior with six women. He resigned in February 2018 and is a Democrat. The California Legislature says it racked up more than $1.8 million in legal costs from sexual harassment investigations during 2018 and the first month of 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Yeater, File) Four California lawmakers and multiple staffers eventually resigned, and the Legislature has since revamped its policies for reporting and investigating claims of misbehavior. "It's not the kind of place you want your taxpayer dollars being used," said Assemblywoman Laura Friedman, a Democrat representing part of Los Angeles and surrounding communities who led the committee to change harassment policies. "The goal of our new policies is to try to intervene much earlier before we get to a point where you need to have a very large investigation." A new "Workplace Conduct Unit" debuted in February to look into all allegations of harassment and discrimination, sexual or otherwise, based on someone's race, gender or other protected classes. The findings of major investigations will then go to a panel of outside experts who will evaluate them and recommend action to the Legislature. Lawmakers approved $1.5 million to get the four-person office up and running last year, and its proposed annual budget is $1.7 million. Some investigations could still be sent to outside lawyers, but most complaints will be handled internally, said Julia Johnson, the head of the unit. "We expect that as this new process moves forward, it will be both effective for employees in stopping harassment and efficient for taxpayers in how it achieves that critical goal," Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins said in an emailed statement. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said his priority is for staff to feel safe and to create a more respectful, diverse and civil culture. "For that to happen, we have to investigate workplace misconduct thoroughly and consistently. I will not put a price on the safety of our employees," he said in an emailed statement. In 2018, the Legislature went regularly to outside lawyers to look into complaints. Firms hired by the Assembly in 2018 were: Littler Mendelson P.C., Stoel Rives LLP, and Van Dermyden Maddux Investigations. The Senate, meanwhile, hired the Law Offices of Amy Oppenheimer initially and later retained Van Dermyden Maddux and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP to handle all investigations. The decision to put two firms on retainer came as the Senate was taking heat over allegations former Sen. Tony Mendoza harassed multiple young women, including offering an underage employee alcohol and inviting another to his home. The firms are no longer handling sexual harassment investigations for the Senate, said Lizelda Lopez, Atkins' spokeswoman. Former Senate president Kevin de Leon, who was in charge when the firms were put on retainer, said in a text message that employees' safety was the top priority and that the outside firms were brought in to ensure complaints were "aggressively investigated, free of any political influence." Neither chamber discloses information about allegations that are not substantiated, making it impossible to know the number of investigations actually completed. The Senate also paid out a $350,000 settlement to an employee who said the chamber failed to accommodate her needs after she alleged an Assembly employee raped her; the Assembly said it paid out no settlements during that time. The Senate did not respond to questions about whether that $350,000 was part of its legal costs. Republican Assemblyman Steven Choi has introduced a bill that would ban the use of taxpayer money on settlements. A bill by Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, a Republican, would require the Legislature to publicly release findings of substantiated investigations into lawmakers and high-level staffers. The Legislature already provides that information to reporters, but it is not required to by law. Beyond legal costs, the Assembly and Senate together spent $16,800 hiring an outside consulting firm to conduct a "culture survey" in 2018 to assess whether staff members felt respected and comfortable reporting incidents of harassment to their superiors, among other things. The money went to a Florida-based firm called TalentKeepers. The company charged $5 for each employee taking the survey, a total of 2,661 people, according to an invoice. Kim Nalder, a professor of political science at California State University, Sacramento, surmised the public's reaction to all the spending will vary depending on their feelings about the issues raised by #MeToo. Nearly a year-and-a-half after the movement seized the national spotlight, America still is experiencing a cultural awakening about what behavior now is considered unacceptable, she said. "Californians who are in the 'zero tolerance' camp are going to be horrified that we're paying to investigate this many examples of gross misbehavior," Nalder said. "And I suspect some older people will feel like it's a reflection of a sensitivity that they may find overblown." FILE - In this May 4, 2017 file photo, Assemblyman Raul Bocanegra, D-Pacoima, speaks at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif. Investigators say Bocanegra harassed several women while serving as an Assembly staff member about a decade ago, including by putting a subordinate's bracelet down his pants and asking her to retrieve it and repeatedly asking another employee on dates. He resigned in late 2017 and is a Democrat. The California Legislature says it racked up more than $1.8 million in legal costs from sexual harassment investigations during 2018 and the first month of 2019. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File) FILE - In this May 15, 2017, file photo, former Assemblyman Matt Dababneh, D-Encino speaks at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif. At least nine sitting or former lawmakers were investigated for sexual harassment or misconduct claims in 2018. Investigators substantiated allegations Dababneh followed a lobbyist into a bathroom and began masturbating in front of her at an event in Las Vegas in 2016. He resigned but denies the allegations and sued the lobbyist for defamation. He is a Democrat. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File) LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - A University of Kansas engineering professor says administrators removed him from teaching a course for the rest of the semester after he told a student to "learn English." The Lawrence Journal-World reports Gary Minden, a professor of electrical engineering and computer science, said he was told Thursday that students were upset by his comment. Minden says he made the comment because the student was using a translator on a cellphone. He says the student didn't seem to be offended but other students complained. The comment prompted an hour-long discussion in the class. University spokeswoman Erinn Barcomb-Peterson said the university assigned a different instructor to the class because several students raised concerns about the comment. The new instructor will remain in the class while the investigation continues. ___ Information from: Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World, http://www.ljworld.com MANHEIM, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say a man covered in blood walked into a Pennsylvania hospital and told staffers he had just fatally stabbed his boyfriend. Manheim Township police say 30-year-old Matthew Van Zandt is charged with homicide in the death of 31-year-old Ian Shannon, whose body was found Wednesday in a Lancaster home. LNP reports Van Zandt was arraigned Friday, denied bail and taken to prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. Authorities say Van Zandt walked into an Allentown hospital early Wednesday and told an emergency room nurse about the slaying. They say he also told a hospital security guard that the knife he used was in his backpack. It wasn't known Friday if Van Zandt has retained an attorney. OUTSIDE BAGHOUZ, Syria (AP) - The newborn son of U.K.-born teenager Shamima Begum who left her London home to join the Islamic State group in Syria died Friday in a refugee camp, an official said. Mustafa Bali, a spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces, confirmed that the infant died at a camp in north Syria. He didn't provide further details. In a day of conflicting reports about the baby's fate, lawyer Tasnime Akunjee tweeted that he had "strong but as yet unconfirmed reports that Shamima Begum's son has died. He was a British citizen." He declined to provide further details. Then, Bali tweeted that the reports were "fake" and the baby "is alive and healthy." But he later deleted the tweet without explanation, and shortly after confirmed the baby's death. The British government couldn't confirm the reports. Begum was 15 when she and two friends left London to marry IS fighters in Syria in 2015, at a time when the group's online recruitment program lured many impressionable young people to its self-proclaimed caliphate. FILE - This undated photo released by the Metropolitan Police of London, shows Shamima Begum, a young British woman who went to Syria to join the Islamic State group and now wants to return to Britain. During an interview, Tuesday, March 5, 2019, in Sunamganu, Bangladesh, Begum's father, Ahmed Ali, said his daughter's citizenship should not be canceled and that she could be punished in the United Kingdom if it was determined she had committed a crime. (Metropolitan Police of London via AP, File) Begum recently resurfaced in a refugee camp, and gave birth last month. Begum, now 19, told journalists that she wanted to raise her son in Britain, but the government revoked her citizenship. Begum told reporters that she had lost two other children to malnutrition and disease. Her Dutch jihadi husband Yago Riedijk, who is in a Kurdish-run detention center, said last week that he wanted to return to the Netherlands with Begum and their son. British Home Secretary Sajid Javid said last month he had revoked Begum's citizenship - even while saying he wouldn't make a decision that would render a person stateless. Javid also confirmed that Begum's son was a British citizen, though he said it would be "incredibly difficult" to facilitate the return of a child from Syria. Begum's parents are from Bangladesh but her family says she isn't a dual citizen. The family has said it plans to challenge Javid's decision. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump declared Friday that he rejected a personal appeal from his former lawyer Michael Cohen for a pardon, the strongest assertion yet that Cohen may have lied under oath. Trump tweeted his claim after days of swirling questions about Cohen over the issue of pardons. It has emerged as a key line of inquiry for Democrats launching a series of sweeping investigations into Trump's political and personal dealings. "Bad lawyer and fraudster Michael Cohen said under sworn testimony that he never asked for a Pardon. His lawyers totally contradicted him. He lied!" Trump tweeted aboard Air Force One while en route to inspect damage from deadly tornados in Alabama. "Additionally, he directly asked me for a pardon. I said NO. He lied again! He also badly wanted to work at the White House. He lied!" Cohen took to Twitter minutes later to deny the accusation. "Just another set of lies by @POTUS @realdonaldtrump. Mr. President" he wrote, before invoking the women whose hush-money payments he helped facilitate. "Let me remind you that today is #InternationalWomensDay. You may want use today to apologize for your own #lies and #DirtyDeeds to women like Karen McDougal and Stephanie Clifford." Lanny Davis, Cohen's lawyer, said in a written statement Thursday that his client was "open to the ongoing 'dangling' of a possible pardon by Trump representatives privately and in the media" in the months after the FBI raided Cohen's home, office and hotel room in April 2018. President Donald Trump talks with reporters outside the White House before traveling to Alabama to visit areas affected by the deadly tornadoes, Friday, March 8, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) Davis, who was not Cohen's lawyer at the time, said Cohen "directed his attorney" to explore a possible pardon with Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani and others on Trump's legal team. The statement appears to contradict Cohen's sworn testimony last week at a House Oversight Committee hearing that he had never asked for, and would not accept, a pardon from Trump. Davis' comment raises questions about whether Cohen - who is slated to begin a three-year prison sentence in May for crimes including lying to Congress - lied to Congress again last week. Cohen's legal team argued that his statement was correct because Cohen never asked the president himself for a pardon. Trump did not immediately provide evidence of Cohen's attempt to secure a pardon or reveal when the alleged request was made. Earlier Friday, speaking to reporters on the White House lawn, he said that Cohen had told a "stone cold lie" when he testified that he did not seek presidential intervention. In response to Trump's tweet, Rep. Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat and member of the House judiciary and intelligence committees, called on Trump to testify under oath. "Michael Cohen gave sworn testimony. Will you? Under oath to Mueller or Congress?" he tweeted, referring to special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible coordination with the Trump campaign. There is nothing inherently improper about a subject in a criminal investigation seeking a pardon from a president given the president's wide latitude in granting them. But investigators want to know if the prospects of presidential pardons were somehow offered or used inappropriately. It is hard to untangle the conflicting narratives given the unreliability of some of the central characters. Cohen, for instance, has pleaded guilty to lying to Congress and saw his credibility attacked last week by Republican lawmakers. Davis has had to walk back at least one bombshell assertion over the last year - that his client could tell investigators that Trump had advance knowledge of a Trump Tower meeting with a Russian lawyer during the 2016 campaign - and Giuliani has fumbled facts and repeatedly moved the goalposts about what sort of behavior by the president would constitute collusion or a crime. Davis said that instead of attacking Cohen, Trump should "be explaining why he, his son and CFO signed checks for hush money to keep a woman quiet," referring to copies of checks that Cohen presented during his testimony last week showing he was reimbursed for the hush-money payment to Daniels. At least one of the checks was signed by Trump and another was signed by Donald Trump Jr. and Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organization's chief financial officer, Cohen said. Congressional investigators, meanwhile, appear to be focusing on presidential powers as a significant line of questioning in their probes. Giuliani said Thursday he was contacted in May or June about a possible pardon for Cohen. "My answer was the president is not going to consider or give any pardons now," Giuliani said in an interview. "As I have said in the past, the president has the right to, and that doesn't mean he won't consider it when the investigation is over. But there are no plans to do so; that's the answer that Jay and I and the president settled on. 'The best thing for you to do,' I would tell everyone, 'is assume you don't have the pardon.'" Jay Sekulow is another Trump lawyer. Cohen has become a key figure in congressional investigations since turning on his former boss and cooperating with the special counsel. During last week's public testimony, he called Trump a con man, a cheat and a racist. Trump, in turn, has said Cohen "did bad things unrelated to Trump" and "is lying in order to reduce his prison time." As questions grew this week, Cohen's legal team stressed that he was one of Trump's closest confidants and if he wanted a pardon, he would have just asked Trump himself - which the president, for the first time on Friday, claimed is what happened. Cohen arranged payments to Clifford, who goes by the stage name Stormy Daniels, and McDougal to prevent them from speaking publicly about alleged affairs with Trump. Cohen on Thursday sued the Trump Organization over its decision to stop paying his legal bills, which Trump declared to be "the most ridiculous suit I've ever seen." ___ Associated Press writer Michael R. Sisak in New York contributed to this report. ___ Follow Lemire on Twitter at http://twitter.com/@JonLemire ROME (AP) - Italy's coalition government frayed further Friday over the stalled high-speed rail line to France, with the League insisting it go ahead and the 5-Star Movement refusing to fund the next phase until the whole deal is renegotiated. With a Monday deadline looming for contract bids to go out, League leader Matteo Salvini warned he was prepared to "go to the end" to prevent the project from being blocked. Five-Star leader Luigi Di Maio rebuked him for the threat to bring down the government, arguing that the League agreed in their joint contract to renegotiate the terms of the rail line. "You can't put a government at risk on a point that's in the government contract," Di Maio told a news conference Friday. "It's a paradox. When you talk about putting the government at risk, as the League leader did, we're talking about putting at risk" all the other government agenda items. The two ruling parties have long been at odds over the project, which envisages a 35.7-mile (57.5-kilometer) tunnel link between Turin and Lyon. It's part of an European Union project to connect southern Spain with eastern Europe. The League backs the project as an infrastructure improvement sought by its northern entrepreneurial base; the 5-Stars have long been ideologically opposed and say the money could be better spent elsewhere. Di Maio and Premier Giuseppe Conte have both cited a technical study released recently by the 5-Star transport minister that said the costs of the project outweighed is benefits. The study's methodology has been criticized as flawed. The government is seeking to renegotiate the terms of the deal, with Di Maio saying Friday he wanted a "wholescale re-discussion" of the funding, which currently envisages the EU paying for 40 percent of the rail link and Italy and France paying the rest. He said he didn't want any more taxpayer money spent until renegotiations begin. Salvini, for his part, acknowledged the contract called for a revision of the project but said blocking it was a non-starter for the League. "We've already spent money to dig a tunnel, I'm convinced that it's better to spend more to finish it," he tweeted, warning that the League would vote against any measure to block it. The tensions underscore the fragility of the government before European Parliament elections in May, with polls showing the League ahead of the 5-Stars and being wooed by its longtime center-right partner, ex-Premier Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia. The EU has confirmed it has had contact with Italian officials in recent days about the terms of the deal. The French transport ministry reaffirmed its commitment to the project but said in a statement Friday "it has always respected the Italian government's wish to reflect on the project and is naturally open to a discussion among partners." ___ This story has been corrected to show that the tunnel would link Turin to Lyon. SKOWHEGAN, Maine (AP) - The last Maine high school to use a Native American-themed mascot and nickname has retired them - a move that a rights group says sets the state up to become the first to eliminate such references in schools. The Skowhegan-based School Administrative District 54 Board of Directors voted 14-9 Thursday night to get rid of the "Indian" nickname and mascot for all schools in the district, ending a yearslong debate over the Skowhegan Area High School teams. The Penobscot Nation led efforts to get the district to drop the references, calling them racist and demeaning to Native Americans. Proponents of the Indian nickname insisted it honors Maine's tribes, and some said the matter is not yet settled. With the vote, Maine is poised to become the first state in the nation to end the use of indigenous nicknames and mascots in schools, said Rachel Healy, spokeswoman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine. Other states are moving in a similar direction but haven't reached the 100 percent mark yet, she said. Gov. Janet Mills had urged the board to discontinue use of the nickname, and the Maine Department of Education urged schools "to refrain from using mascots and logos that depict Native American tribes, individuals, customs or traditions." There's also a bill in the Maine Legislature to ban Native American mascots in schools. In this Jan. 15, 2019 photo, Skowhegan Area High School cheerleaders stand beneath a mural of the school's mascot on the wall of the gymnasium in Skowhegan, Maine. The last Maine high school to use an "Indian" nickname is retiring the mascot. The Skowhegan-based School Administrative District 54 Board of Directors voted 14-9 Thursday, March 7, 2019, to get rid of the nickname for all schools in the district, ending a years-long debate over the Skowhegan Area High School mascot. (Michael G. Seamans/Portland Press Herald via AP) Other schools already abandoned Native American-themed mascots and nicknames like Braves and Chiefs. But Skowhegan resisted the trend. "This mascot meant a lot to a lot of people for a very long time," Iver Lofving, who teaches art at Skowhegan Area High School, told Maine Public radio. But he predicted people will settle into the idea and work together to create an actual mascot - someone dressed up in a costume - for the sidelines, something Skowhegan hasn't had for years. While a few schools in Maine still use the Warrior nickname, they do so without Native American imagery, Healy of the ACLU said. The Skowhegan district was the last to continue to use that imagery. NEW YORK (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren on Friday rolled out a proposal to break up the biggest U.S. technology companies, saying they have too much control over the economy and Americans' lives. In her pitch to rein in the influence of tech giants, the Massachusetts senator envisions legislation targeting companies with annual worldwide revenue of $25 billion or more, limiting their ability to expand and forcing parts of Google and Amazon's current business structure to operate as separate entities. As president, Warren said she would pick regulators who would seek to break up what she called "anti-competitive mergers" such as Facebook's recent purchase of Instagram and Amazon's acquisition of Whole Foods. She made the pitch ahead of a rousing town hall appearance Friday in the New York City neighborhood where Amazon recently scrapped plans to open a new headquarters. It's Warren's latest effort to shape the policy agenda for the rest of the Democratic presidential primary, coming after earlier announcements of a "wealth tax" plan on households with high net worth and a universal child care proposal. Her tech agenda, coming at a time of rising public concern about the growing power of the dominant players, could force the rest of her rivals for the 2020 nomination to follow her lead. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks to local residents Friday, March 8, 2019, in the Queens borough of New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) During remarks before a crowd of more than 1,000 people in Queens, Warren touted elements of her new tech-industry plan as part of her stump speech. She took aim at Amazon's search for lavish economic incentives from cities competing for its headquarters, likening the company's efforts to pit areas against each other to the dystopian film "The Hunger Games." "That's what's wrong with the system. It's not just that big tech companies like Amazon have enormous market power, which they do. They have enormous political power," Warren told the audience, describing the industry's lobbying expenditures as a "good return on investment if they can keep Washington from enforcing the antitrust laws." It remains to be seen whether Warren will introduce legislation in the current Congress aligning with the first element of her plan. A spokeswoman, Kristen Orthman, said a bill introduction was not imminent. Warren's latest policy proposal also promised to be a central element of her scheduled visit Saturday to the South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas. Sen. Kamala Harris of California represents the tech industry's home state, while Sen. Cory Booker has come under scrutiny for his past ties to tech companies - though he's stepped up his criticism of the industry in recent years. Facebook spokeswoman Monique Hall said the company had no comment on Warren's proposal. Representatives for Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ___ Associated Press writers Tali Arbel and Nick Jesdanun in New York contributed to this report. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., waits to speak to local residents Friday, March 8, 2019, in the Queens borough of New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks to local residents Friday, March 8, 2019, in the Queens borough of New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks to local residents Friday, March 8, 2019, in the Queens borough of New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks to local residents Friday, March 8, 2019, in the Queens borough of New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) WASHINGTON (AP) - It wasn't just Democrats who had difficulty remaining unified after one of their most liberal members was accused of anti-Semitism for suggesting that House supporters of Israel have dual allegiances. Almost two dozen Republicans stirred up a mini-tempest within their party for opposing the Democratic resolution condemning anti-Semitism and other bigotry in a Thursday vote. For them, any worries about the optics of opposing a resolution condemning bigotry and hate were outweighed by their conviction that the resolution was a sham. Wyoming GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, the third-ranking House Republican, broke with other top party leaders. She called the resolution - crafted after Rep. Ilhan Omar's controversial comments - "a sham put forward by Democrats to avoid condemning one of their own and denouncing vile anti-Semitism." Cheney's break with other top Republicans like Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California and GOP Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana was perhaps most noteworthy about the episode since leadership teams on Capitol Hill rarely display such divisions publicly. "We're stronger when we all vote together. But everybody has their own voting card," McCarthy said Friday. Rep. Lee Zeldin, one of only two Jewish Republicans in the House, said the resolution should have condemned Omar directly. House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., does a tv news interview just outside the House chamber to discuss her reason for voting against the Democratic resolution condemning anti-Semitism that was sparked by controversial remarks from freshman Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, March 8, 2019. Cheney, the No. 3 House Republican, called the resolution "a sham" by Democrats to avoid condemning Rep. Ilhan Omar directly for her comments. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) "No, now we can't come here and just emphatically, solely, forcefully condemn anti-Semitism and name names. But if it was a Republican, we would," Zeldin said. "It is time to call out these statements for what they are: pointed, bigoted, unreasonable, illegitimate, anti-Semitic." GOP Leader McCarthy was spotted apparently trying to convince GOP lawmakers like Louis Gohmert of Texas not to muddle the message by voting against the anti-bigotry resolution. And Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, stripped of his committee assignments by GOP leaders after a history of racist remarks, voted "present." In all, 23 Republicans opposed the resolution. "We had some members say, 'Well this is a sham' and they voted 'no' as a matter of protest - not about the contents of the resolution, but about the absolute stupid way that the Democrats acted in constructing this resolution," said Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., who voted for it. "It was a show vote and it was a sham," said Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla. "They should have treated (Omar) the same way they treated Rep. King." Many Democrats were unhappy about the Omar episode, the second time she has drawn a rebuke. The controversy stomped on Democrats' main message of the week, a political reform bill that passed on Friday. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks with reporters during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, March 8, 2019. McCarthy criticized freshman Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota for controversial remarks that resulted in a Democratic resolution condemning anti-Semitism onThursday. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., walks to the chamber Thursday, March 7, 2019, on Capitol Hill in Washington, as the House was preparing to vote on a resolution to speak out against, as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said, "anti-Semitism, anti-Islamophobia, anti-white supremacy and all the forms that it takes," an action sparked by remarks from Omar. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - The Latest on Paul Manafort's sentencing for tax and bank fraud (all times local): 10:30 a.m. President Donald Trump says he feels "very badly" for Paul Manafort. Manafort, Trump's former campaign chairman, was sentenced Thursday by a federal judge to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians. The charges were unrelated to his work on Trump's campaign or the focus of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Trump repeated Friday as he departed the White House to survey tornado damage in Alabama that Manafort's case "had nothing to do with Russia." Trump says it's been a "very, very tough time" for Manafort. President Donald Trump talks with reporters outside the White House before traveling to Alabama to visit areas affected by the deadly tornadoes, Friday, March 8, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) The 69-year-old Manafort faces additional sentencing next week in a separate case in which he has pleaded guilty to charges related to illegal lobbying. __ 2:28 a.m. Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, much less than what was called for under sentencing guidelines. Manafort, sitting in a wheelchair, had no visible reaction as he heard the 47-month sentence. While that was the longest sentence to date to come from special counsel Robert Mueller's probe, it could have been much worse for Manafort. Sentencing guidelines called for a 20-year-term, effectively a lifetime sentence for the 69-year-old. Manafort has been jailed since June, so he receives credit for the nine months he has already served. He still faces the possibility of additional time from his sentencing in a separate case in the District of Columbia. This courtroom sketch depicts former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, center in a wheelchair, during his sentencing hearing in federal court before judge T.S. Ellis III in Alexandria, Va., Thursday, March 7, 2019. Manafort was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, a significant break from sentencing guidelines that called for a 20-year prison term. (Dana Verkouteren via AP) This courtroom sketch depicts former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, center in a wheelchair, during his sentencing hearing in federal court before judge T.S. Ellis III in Alexandria, Va., Thursday, March 7, 2019. Manafort was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, a significant break from sentencing guidelines that called for a 20-year prison term. (Dana Verkouteren via AP) Attorney Kevin Downing walks to the microphones to speak with reporters following the sentencing of his client former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, in Alexandria, Thursday, March 7, 2019. Manafort was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, a significant break from sentencing guidelines that called for a 20-year prison term. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) Attorney Kevin Downing speaks with reporters following the sentencing of his client former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, in Alexandria, Thursday, March 7, 2019. Manafort was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, a significant break from sentencing guidelines that called for a 20-year prison term. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) Attorney Kevin Downing speaks with reporters following the sentencing of his client former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, in Alexandria, Thursday, March 7, 2019. Manafort was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, a significant break from sentencing guidelines that called for a 20-year prison term. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on Rep. lIhan Omar and a House resolution condemning anti-Semitism and other bigotry (all times local): 10:30 a.m. President Donald Trump has branded as "disgraceful" the resolution passed after Democratic Rep. lIhan Omar's comments suggesting House supporters of Israel have dual allegiances. The House on Thursday passed a resolution condemning anti-Semitism and other bigotry. Democrats wrestled for days about whether or how to punish Omar, a freshman from Minnesota who's one of two Muslim women in Congress. They argued over whether Omar should be singled out, what other types of bias should be decried in the text and whether the party would tolerate dissenting views on Israel. Before leaving to survey tornado damage in Alabama, Trump told reporters Friday the Democrats have become an "anti-Israel" and "anti-Jewish" party. President Donald Trump talks with reporters outside the White House before traveling to Alabama to visit areas affected by the deadly tornadoes, Friday, March 8, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) Omar has praised the vote as condemning "anti-Muslim bigotry." Some Democrats complain Omar's comments on Israel ignited this debate but Trump's racially charged rhetoric has led to no similar congressional action. ___ 12:45 a.m. The House has passed a resolution condemning anti-Semitism and other bigotry. Democrats are trying to push past a dispute that has overwhelmed their agenda and exposed fault lines that could shadow them through next year's elections. The one-sided 407-23 vote belied the emotional infighting over how to respond to freshman Rep. lIhan Omar's recent comments suggesting House supporters of Israel have dual allegiances. For days, Democrats wrestled with whether or how to punish the Minnesota lawmaker, arguing over whether Omar, one of two Muslim women in Congress, should be singled out, what other types of bias should be decried in the text and whether the party would tolerate dissenting views on Israel. Republicans generally joined in the favorable vote, though nearly two-dozen opposed the measure, one calling it a "sham." Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., left, whispers to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., as Democrats rally outside the Capitol ahead of passage of H.R. 1, "The For the People Act," a bill which aims to expand voting rights and strengthen ethics rules, in Washington, Friday, March 8, 2019. The House passed a resolution to condemn anti-Semitism and other bigotry on Thursday following debate over Omar's recent comments suggesting House supporters of Israel have dual allegiances. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., center, smiles as she stands between Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, left, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., as Democrats rally outside the Capitol ahead of passage of H.R. 1, "The For the People Act," a bill which aims to expand voting rights and strengthen ethics rules, in Washington, Friday, March 8, 2019. The House passed a resolution to condemn anti-Semitism and other bigotry on Thursday following debate over Omar's recent comments suggesting House supporters of Israel have dual allegiances. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., left, joins Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., as Democrats rally outside the Capitol ahead of passage of H.R. 1, "The For the People Act," a bill which aims to expand voting rights and strengthen ethics rules, in Washington, Friday, March 8, 2019. The House passed a resolution to condemn anti-Semitism and other bigotry on Thursday following debate over Omar's recent comments suggesting House supporters of Israel have dual allegiances. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) PITTSBURGH (AP) - Prosecutors said Friday they are weighing criminal charges against an elected official from Pennsylvania after she had an altercation with police officers at a Detroit hotel. Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner interfered with officers as they were preparing to remove her husband, Khari Mosley, from the premises of the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel early Wednesday, according to police Chief James Craig. He said body camera video shows that Wagner grabbed an officer's jacket and tried to block an elevator. Wagner, a Democrat, was arrested and spent about 12 hours in jail. Her lawyer disputed the chief's account, contending that police assaulted Wagner, a former state representative serving her second term as Allegheny County's chief fiscal officer. Allegheny County includes Pittsburgh. Craig said Wagner could face charges that include assault and battery. Prosecutors in Detroit confirmed Friday they have received a "warrant request" for a "Pittsburgh official" but said no decision on charges has been made. "The matter is currently being reviewed," said a statement from the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. "No further information will be released until a charging decision is made." In this April 24, 2017 photo, Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner pauses during a press conference at her office in downtown Pittsburgh. Prosecutors said Friday, March 8, 2019, they are weighing criminal charges against Wagner after she had an altercation with police officers at a Detroit hotel. Wagner interfered with officers as they were accompanying her husband, Khari Mosley, at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel early Wednesday, March 6 according to police Chief James Craig. He said body camera video shows that Wagner grabbed an officer's jacket and tried to block an elevator. (Steve Mellon/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP) Wagner and Mosley were in Detroit for a concert. Afterward, Wagner went to their room while Mosley went to the hotel bar. Chief Craig said officers were called to the Westin by hotel security. He said they escorted Mosley back to his room but returned when the hotel again asked for help to remove him from the premises. Craig told reporters Friday that Mosley and Wagner "appeared to be under some level of intoxication," based on his training and his viewing of the body camera video. The Associated Press left a message requesting comment on Craig's statement that Wagner appeared to be under the influence with her lawyer, Heather Heidelbaugh. Heidelbaugh told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Wagner saw her husband in handcuffs and asked officers where they were taking him. She said Wagner tried getting on an elevator ahead of police and her husband. At that point, she said, "the cop grabs her, pulls her out of the elevator and throws her to the ground." Craig said the video backs up his account of what happened. "She grabbed officer's jacket first; she was interfering and tried to block the elevator," Craig told The Detroit News. "The officers were being very polite, saying 'ma'am, please.' At some point she decided to grab the officer, and he pushed her off him. She started to fall, and the officer tried to grab her to break her fall, because he didn't want her to be injured." In this Jan. 16, 2019, file photo, Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner speaks to supporters while her husband, Khari Mosley, right, listens during her re-election campaign launch party at Teamster Temple in Pittsburgh. Prosecutors said Friday, March 8 they are weighing criminal charges against Wagner after she had an altercation with police officers at a Detroit hotel. Wagner interfered with officers as they were accompanying her husband at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel early Wednesday, March 6 according to police Chief James Craig. He said body camera video shows that Wagner grabbed an officer's jacket and tried to block an elevator. (Michael M. Santiago/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP) ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - Former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, who served years in prison for leaking one of the largest troves of classified documents in U.S. history, was sent to jail Friday for refusing to testify before a grand jury investigating WikiLeaks. U.S. District Judge Claude Hilton ordered Manning to jail for civil contempt of court after a brief hearing in federal court in Alexandria in which Manning confirmed she has no intention of testifying. She told the judge she "will accept whatever you bring upon me." Manning has said she objects to the secrecy of the grand jury process and already revealed everything she knows at her court-martial. She said prosecutors have granted her immunity for her testimony, which eliminates her ability to invoke her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. "I will not participate in a secret process that I morally object to, particularly one that has been used to entrap and persecute activists for protected political speech," she said in a statement released after she was taken into custody. The judge said she will remain jailed until she testifies or until the grand jury concludes its work. Manning's lawyers had asked that she be sent to home confinement instead of the jail because of complications she faces in receiving gender-affirming medical care. This booking photo provided by the Alexandria Sheriff's Office, in Virginia, shows Chelsea Manning. On Friday, March 8, 2019, Manning, who served years in prison for leaking one of the largest troves of classified documents in U.S. history, was sent to jail for refusing to testify before a grand jury investigating Wikileaks. (Alexandria Sheriff's Office via AP) The judge said U.S. marshals can handle her medical care. Prosecutor Tracy McCormick said the jail and the marshals have assured the government that her medical needs can be met. Amy Bertsch, spokeswoman for the Alexandria jail, confirmed Friday that Manning had been booked. "Specific details about Ms. Manning's confinement will not be made public due to security and privacy concerns," Alexandria Sheriff Dana Lawhorne said in a statement. "We will work closely with the U.S. Marshals to ensure her proper care while she remains at our facility." Manning acknowledged going into Friday's hearing that she might well be incarcerated at its conclusion. Outside the courthouse, about 10 protesters rallied in her support. "Obviously, prison is a terrible place," Manning said. "I don't see the purpose to incarcerate people." Manning served seven years of a 35-year military sentence for leaking a trove of military and diplomatic documents to the anti-secrecy website before then-President Barack Obama commuted her sentence. The WikiLeaks investigation has been ongoing for a long time. Last year, prosecutors in Alexandria inadvertently disclosed that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is facing unspecified, sealed criminal charges in the district. WikiLeaks also has emerged as an important part of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into possible Russian meddling into the 2016 presidential election, as investigators focus on whether President Donald Trump's campaign knew Russian hackers were going to provide emails to WikiLeaks stolen from Democratic organizations, including presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign. But there is no indication that the Alexandria grand jury's investigation of WikiLeaks is related to the Mueller investigation. McCormick said Manning can end the incarceration on the civil charge simply by following the law and testifying. "We hope she changes her mind now," McCormick said. Manning's lawyer, Moira Meltzer-Cohen, said she believes jailing Manning is an act of cruelty given her medical issues, and said there are many documented issues of jails and prisons providing inadequate medical care for transgender inmates. She said Manning's one-bedroom apartment would be a sufficient manner of confinement. Meltzer-Cohen said after the hearing that the detention order can be appealed, but did not comment on whether such an appeal would be filed. ___ This story has corrected the attribution of the quote in the 11th paragraph to Chelsea Manning, not her lawyer. LAS VEGAS (AP) - Nevada Democrats are proposing changes to their presidential caucus that could dramatically alter the way candidates compete in the state, opening the process to an early-vote and virtual participation. The proposal would expand a single day of caucuses around the state to add four days of early caucuses and two days of early virtual caucusing. The plan, which still needs approval from the Democratic National Committee, would allow more people to participate while likely driving candidates to appear earlier and more often leading up to the main event on Feb. 22, 2020. It would also likely force candidates to invest more resources to more deeply organize and target voters. Alana Mounce, the executive director of the Nevada State Democratic Party, said the changes will broaden the options for caucus goers and give Nevada voters a process akin to the early voting many take advantage of in general elections. "I think it makes the process more open, makes it more transparent and it's more accessible because you're able to go vote after work, you're able to go in the morning before work," Mounce said. "You're able to still live your life instead of having to organize your life around one day and one event." The changes would particularly help those who are homebound or cannot spend hours at a Saturday caucus event, including many of the politically active casino workers in Las Vegas, Reno and elsewhere who might not work traditional Monday to Friday weeks. FILE - In this Feb. 20, 2016 file photo a precinct captain argues his position during a Democratic caucus at the University of Nevada in Reno, Nev. Nevada Democrats are proposing major changes to their presidential caucuses that could dramatically alter the way candidates compete in the state, opening the process to an early-vote and virtual participation. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez,File) The Nevada Democratic Party plans to release more details about its proposal in the coming weeks. The party will take public feedback on the plan before submitting it to the DNC for approval in May. The changes are part of a required move by the DNC to make caucuses in states like Iowa and Nevada more accessible. "We are pleased Nevada Democrats not only share this goal, but are taking steps to make their process more open and inclusive for Nevada voters," Brandon Gassaway, national press secretary for the DNC, said in a statement. Iowa, which hosts the first-in the-nation contest, has announced it is proposing a virtual caucus where people could participate with phones or other devices. Nevada Democrats don't have specifics yet on what the virtual participation will look like and how it will compare to Iowa's plans. The party also does not have final details on the early, in-person caucus but it will differ from the main Saturday caucuses where voters show up at neighborhood sites and break into groups based on their preferred candidate. Generally at the early caucuses, Democrats would be able to stop by caucus sites and fill out forms listing their preferred candidate and at least one alternate choice. If an early voter's first choice does not gain enough support in an initial round of voting at Saturday's in-person caucuses, the early voter's second choice would be counted and added to those attending in-person. Early votes will be worth the same as those cast on the main day, and any vote totals from the early caucusing would be kept secret until final results are released at the end of the main caucuses. Results collected through the end of that day will lock in how 36 Nevada delegates will be awarded to the candidates. Jorge Neri, a political strategist who served in 2016 as Hillary Clinton's state director in Nevada and organizing director during the caucuses, said it's a change for the better to allow more people to participate, but candidates will have to have very organized teams to mobilize supporters. "You would have to really build up your field team and spend more time working to educate people on this process," Neri said. With more days and ways to vote, the presidential campaigns would likely want to identify and target voters based on how they most likely will participate. Candidates who appeal to younger voters may emphasize virtual voting while targeting on early caucusing days those they know might not be able to attend a Saturday caucus. Mounce said the early voting will also give candidates away to bank support before the main caucus, more quickly converting enthusiastic attendees at rallies or other appearances into a vote. "They're going to be able to say, 'You can go vote for me now,'" she said. The party has not settled yet on when the earliest voting might start and whether the days will one consecutive window of early voting. Mounce said the first day could be scheduled for any time in the 10 days after the New Hampshire primary's second-in the-nation contest. The Saudi government app Absher is mostly a way for people to pay traffic fines and complete other administrative tasks electronically. But one feature isn't sitting well with civil-rights advocates: the ability for men to grant or deny a woman permission to travel. Regardless of their age, women in Saudi Arabia must have the consent of a male relative to obtain a passport, travel or marry. In the past, a travel permit was a paper document issued by the Interior Ministry and signed by a male relative. The Absher app replaces the need for a paper document. The app is merely implementing existing laws, and removing it would not change or remove the guardianship rules in place. Nonetheless, the feature has sparked calls for leading tech companies to block access through their app stores. "The ingenuity of American technology companies should not be perverted to violate the human rights of Saudi women," U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier, a California Democrat, wrote in a letter to Apple and Google. According to Speier's office, Google won't remove the app because it doesn't consider it a violation of Google's terms of service, while Apple is still investigating. Google and Apple declined to comment. Apple CEO Tim Cook told NPR last month that the company would "take a look" at the app. This photo shows the Absher App on a phone in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, March 7, 2019. The Saudi government app is mostly a way for people to pay traffic fines and complete other administrative tasks electronically. But one feature isn't sitting well with civil-rights advocates: the ability for men to grant or deny a woman permission to travel. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) The app includes a setting where Saudi men can grant or deny their spouses, daughters and minor sons permission to travel abroad. Through an integrated system, immigration officials at the airport can see the status of a woman's travel permit by scanning her passport details. At one time, Saudi men were also being notified by text messages when dependents exited and entered Saudi Arabia, though Absher officials quoted in local Saudi media say that those text messages were not sent through Absher and that this texting service was stopped in 2014. Nonetheless, some published reports say the texts are still available. The app itself doesn't appear to track women using the phone's location services. Absher was created in 2007 and can also be accessed through a website, so removing the app would not remove men's ability to electronically grant or deny travel permission to women. Although the app and its travel feature has been around for years, it has only recently become a focus of intense criticism by women's rights activists and other critics. Some civil-rights advocates acknowledge that the ability for guardians to control travel permissions exist regardless of the app. But they complain that U.S. companies are enabling that practice by allowing the app. "These companies don't have to support this," said Jillian York, director for international freedom of expression at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. "They're making the choice." Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, wrote Apple and Google to criticize that they "are making it easier for Saudi men to control their family members from the convenience of their smartphones and restrict their movement." Many Saudi citizens have pushed back against calls for the app's removal. Khawla Al-Kuraya, a female professor in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, wrote in a Bloomberg opinion piece that the app makes travel easier to enable by cutting out long lines and paperwork. Some young Saudi women who have fled the country in recent years did so by accessing their father's phone and changing the setting to grant themselves permission. The Saudi Interior Ministry said the app is "an essential and direct means" for Saudis to access government services anytime, anywhere. The ministry also condemned what is said was a "systematic campaign aimed at questioning the purpose of Absher services." Apple's app guidelines seem to give the company latitude in what apps are considered unacceptable, including those that have "content that is offensive, insensitive, upsetting, intended to disgust or in exceptionally poor taste." Google also has guidelines to prohibit apps that facilitate harassment and characteristics tied to systemic discrimination. In recent years, there have been 13 billion visits to the Absher app, 11 million users and more than 110,00 million services done, according to Absher officials quoted in local Saudi media. WASHINGTON (AP) - Newly empowered House Democrats approved a centerpiece of their agenda Friday, a sweeping plan to reduce the role of big money in politics, ensure fair elections and strengthen ethics standards. But the leader of Republican-run Senate has pledged it will not come up for a vote and the White House issued a veto threat. The measure would make it easier for people to register and vote, tighten election security and require presidential candidates to disclose their tax returns. Election Day would become a holiday for federal workers and a public financing system for congressional campaigns would be established. The bill would bar voter roll purges such as those seen in Georgia, Ohio and elsewhere, and restore voting rights for ex-prisoners. The legislation was approved 234-193 on a straight party-line vote, with all Democrats voting "yes" and all Republicans voting "no." Republicans called the bill a Democratic power grab that amounts to a federal takeover of elections and could cost billions of dollars. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the proposal was dead on arrival in that chamber. The White House said in a statement that the Democrats' plan would "micromanage" elections that now are run largely by states and would establish "costly and unnecessary programs to finance political campaigns" and force taxpayers to fund federal candidates they may not support. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and House Democrats rally ahead of passage of H.R. 1, "The For the People Act," at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, March 8, 2019. Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., the bill's sponsor, stands behind Pelosi at left. The bill aims to expand voting rights, limit partisan gerrymandering, strengthen ethics rules, and limit the influence of private donor money in politics. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the bill "restores the people's faith that government works for the public interest - the people's interest - not the special interests." Trying to turn Republicans' words against them, Pelosi said, "Yes it is a power grab - a power grab on behalf of the people." House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy of California said the legislation would undermine the integrity of elections by allowing convicted felons to vote, and would apply a one-size-fits-all standard to elections now run by states and local governments. The bill stands in contrast to legislation Republicans promoted when they controlled the chamber in the last Congress, McCarthy said, citing a massive tax cut they pushed through that was intended to jump-start the economy. "Our bill returned taxpayer money to the people. Theirs takes tax money and gives it to campaigns." Democrats have criticized the GOP tax cut as a boon to the rich and to corporations. The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center said most middle-income taxpayers should see a reduction this year although the tax law benefits higher earners more. Democrats on Friday said McCarthy was mischaracterizing the election-overhaul bill. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., said it "grabs power away from the elites and the power brokers and gives it to the people." She and other Democrats disputed the claim that taxpayers will pay for campaigns, noting that money for political campaigns would come from a surcharge on federal settlements made with banks and corporations that run afoul of the law. This bill would allow "everyday Americans to become power brokers" with small contributions of $50 or $75 that would be matched at a 6-to-1 rate by the government, said Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., the bill's main author. Still, Republicans warned that the price tag could run into the billions. "Regardless of what they disguise it as, make no mistake that the position of Democrats is to fund politicians' campaigns using taxpayer funds," said Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill. The bill also "weakens safeguards to voting and registration practices that open the door to fraud" and attempts to limit free speech, Davis said, citing disclosure requirements for political donations. The bill would create automatic national voter registration while expanding access to early and online registration. It would prohibits voter roll purges such as those seen in Georgia, Ohio and elsewhere, and increase federal support for state voter systems, including paper ballots to prevent fraud. Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer, the second-ranking leader, said voting-roll purges and other voter suppression have prevented thousands of people from voting in Georgia, North Carolina and other states. "We need to be facilitating people voting - protecting voters' rights and making it easier to register and vote," he said in an interview. "It seems to me that's an American value." Rep. Max Rose, D-N.Y., said he and other first-term lawmakers ran on an anti-corruption platform that helped deliver a Democratic majority last fall. "We are changing the way politics is run in this country," he said. ___ Associated Press writers Laurie Kellman and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., speaks with reporters during a news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, March 8, 2019. McCarthy criticized freshman Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota for controversial remarks that resulted in a Democratic resolution condemning anti-Semitism on Thursday. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks at an Economic Club of Washington luncheon gathering in Washington, Friday, March 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and House Democrats rally ahead of passage of H.R. 1, "The For the People Act," at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, March 8, 2019. Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., the bill's sponsor, stands behind Pelosi at left. The bill aims to expand voting rights, limit partisan gerrymandering, strengthen ethics rules, and limit the influence of private donor money in politics. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) - An Ohio manufacturer of electronic cigarettes has accused the R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company of patent infringement. The Winston-Salem Journal reports that Fuma sued the North Carolina-based subsidiary of Reynolds American in federal court on Wednesday. The lawsuit says Fuma and Reynolds entered into a confidentiality agreement in 2010 that allowed Reynolds to review Fuma's e-cigarette designs as part of a potential investment or joint venture. Fuma says Reynolds then copied its design for use in Vuse products. Vuse debuted in 2012 and has become the second highest-selling e-cigarette on the U.S. market. Fuma's patent was awarded in 2017. Fuma is requesting a permanent injunction against Vuse, as well as damages of an unspecified amount. The newspaper couldn't immediately reach Reynolds officials for comment. ___ Information from: Winston-Salem Journal, http://www.journalnow.com ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - The remains of a New York sailor killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 will be brought home for reburial. Charles Stern, nephew of Charles M. Stern Jr., says Friday that his uncle's remains will be buried at Beth Emeth Cemetery outside Albany sometime this summer. The Pentagon announced this week that the remains of the 26-year-old ensign had been identified. Stern was among the 429 crewmembers killed when the USS Oklahoma capsized after being hit by aerial torpedoes during the surprise attack on U.S. military installations in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941. Stern, a graduate of Albany High School and Dartmouth College, joined the Navy in 1940. His remains were among the USS Oklahoma unknowns disinterred from a Hawaii cemetery in 2015. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The defense lawyer for a woman convicted of conspiracy in a truck stop rebate scam says she deserves a new trial. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports attorney Benjamin Vernia filed the appeal this week for former Pilot Flying J account representative Heather Jones. Vernia says recordings played at the trial from a Pilot sales conference "consist entirely of hateful speech" and an offensive song that creates "a significant danger of spillover prejudice." He said Jones wasn't there when her bosses played the song. Two others convicted in the scheme have also filed appeals for new trials based on the recordings. Pilot Flying J is controlled by the family of Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. The Haslams haven't been charged with any wrongdoing. ___ Information from: Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com LONDON (AP) - The first woman in Britain to be convicted of female genital mutilation has been sentenced to 13 years in prison. She received 11 years for the genital mutilation of her three-year-old daughter and two years for possession of extreme pornography. The 37-year-old Ugandan woman is not being named in order to protect her child's identity. Judge Philippa Whipple said the woman was guilty of child abuse. "It's a barbaric practice and a serious crime. It's an offence which targets women, particularly inflicted when they are young and vulnerable," the judge said. The 37-year-old Ugandan woman had denied guilt and claimed her daughter suffered an accidental injury. Jurors at London's Central Criminal Court concluded the girl had been cut deliberately. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico took a step toward legalizing recreational marijuana when its House approved a bill that would allow state-run stores and require customers to carry a receipt with their cannabis or face penalties. The measure, narrowly approved Thursday following a late-night debate, mixes major provisions of a Republican-backed Senate bill that emphasizes aggressive regulation with a draft by Democrats concerned about the U.S. war on drugs. The 36-34 vote sends the bill to the Democratic-controlled Senate for consideration. Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has expressed guarded support for recreational marijuana legislation that addresses concerns about child access, road safety and safeguarding the state's existing marijuana market for medical patients. Under the House-approved bill, recreational cannabis stores would open for business in July 2020. Rep. Javier Martinez, a Democrat, described the bill as a "grand bargain" with a group of Senate Republicans who favored use of state-run stores, in part to prevent the proliferation of pot shops on city streets in a phenomenon dubbed the "green mile." In this Wednesday, March 6, 2019 photo, Korbin Osborn, left, works as a cannabis adviser at a medical marijuana dispensary in Santa Fe, N.M. New Mexico took a step toward legalizing recreational marijuana when its House approved a bill that would allow state-run stores and require customers to carry a receipt with their cannabis or face penalties. The measure, narrowly approved Thursday, March 7, 2019, following a late-night floor debate, mixes major provisions of a Republican-backed Senate bill that emphasizes aggressive regulation with a draft by Democrats concerned about the U.S. war on drugs. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee) The proposed system mimics established state-run liquor stores in many areas of the U.S. Martinez praised the bill as a way to take more marijuana profits from drug cartels and money launderers. "You can face criminal charges if you don't have a receipt or other proof of purchase on your person to accompany your cannabis for personal use," said Martinez, describing that provision as a difficult concession to Senate Republicans. All House Republicans and 10 Democrats voted against the bill. "I don't like this direction," said GOP Rep. Rebecca Dow of Truth or Consequences. "My choice would be that we give people really active and productive lives and healthy families." Ten states and the District of Columbia allow recreational marijuana. New Mexico could become the second state after Vermont to approve it by legislation rather than a ballot initiative. A bill to legalize recreational cannabis in Democrat-dominated Hawaii fizzled last week. In New Mexico, possession of up to one ounce of marijuana by people 21 and older would be considered legal with a receipt. Home-grown cannabis was ruled out of the proposal because it could be a source for the black market. Private dispensaries would be allowed where there is no state-run marijuana store within 25 miles. Oversight of the industry would be shared by state agriculture, health and environmental officials. The bill would repeal criminal laws governing cannabis offenses and expunge and destroy criminal conviction records. It eliminates taxes on medical marijuana to help ensure sufficient supplies to patients. Taxes of up to 17 percent would be levied on recreational marijuana sales. Some tax revenues would be set aside to collect statistics on marijuana use and road safety, efforts to discourage child consumption and research on the public health effects of legalization. Prospects are uncertain for approval by the state Senate, where conservative Democrats occupy key leadership and committee posts. "You can give them all the facts in the world, and they just won't touch it," said Democratic Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, describing the staunch opposition by several Democratic colleagues. "It is strong, emotional." The prospect of legalization has opened a public rift in the state GOP, with party chairman and former congressman Steve Pearce ridiculing the idea of "state employees selling pot." GOP Sen. Cliff Pirtle, a dairy farmer in his early 30s from Roswell, in a staunchly Republican district, has cast recreational marijuana as a source of economic opportunity as well as "liberty and freedom for responsible adults." State-run stores would ensure small commercial marijuana producers get shelf space to compete, he said, adding that main streets in small towns are not transformed by the sight of storefront marijuana shops. In this Thursday, March 7, 2019 photo, New Mexico state Rep. Javier Martinez of Albuquerque, right, rallies support for a bill to authorize recreational marijuana consumption and sales through state-owned stores in Santa Fe, N.M. New Mexico took a step toward legalizing recreational marijuana when its House approved a bill that would allow state-run stores and require customers to carry a receipt with their cannabis or face penalties. The measure, narrowly approved Thursday, March 7, 2019, following a late-night floor debate, mixes major provisions of a Republican-backed Senate bill that emphasizes aggressive regulation with a draft by Democrats concerned about the U.S. war on drugs. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee) GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Israeli troops on Friday shot dead a Palestinian at the weekly protest along the fence bordering the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, and Palestinians and the Israeli military clashed in a West Bank village earlier in the day. Tamer Arafat, 23, was wounded in the head in southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah and died shortly after arriving at the local hospital, the Palestinian health ministry said. The ministry added that 44 protesters were injured with life fire as well as two journalists and two medics. In what could be a response to the killing, Palestinian militants fired a projectile from Gaza into Israel, the Israeli army said. There were no reports of casualties and no Palestinian group claimed responsibility. Early Saturday, Israeli fighter jets carried out several airstrikes in northern and southern Gaza Strip, targeting what the Israeli military said were a Hamas compound and underground structures. In a statement, the military said the raids were a response to the projectile and incendiary kites that were flown Friday across the border. There were no reports of casualties. The army said Hamas is responsible for any fire emanating from Gaza. Medics and relatives move a wounded teenager, who was shot by Israeli troops during a protest at the Gaza Strip's border with Israel, into the treatment room of Shifa hospital in Gaza City, Friday, March 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Adel Hana) The protests started last March to highlight Palestinian demands of return to ancestral lands in present-day Israel. The militant Hamas group took over the demonstrations soon after and diverted them into an outcry against the blockade that Israel and Egypt imposed on Gaza when the Islamic movement seized it in 2007. Since then, more than 190 Palestinians have been killed during the protests. Israel rejects criticism over the use of lethal fire, saying it defends its sovereignty against mass breach of the border. Last month, a U.N.-assigned committee found that Israeli soldiers intentionally fired on Gaza civilians during the demonstrations and they may have committed crimes against humanity. The Israeli government lambasted the report by the Independent Commission of Inquiry, which was mandated by Human Rights Council. Thousands participated in Friday's protests along several sections of the fence, which occurred shortly after Egyptian meditators met in Gaza City with Hamas' leadership in a bid to calm the situation. There were no immediate details about the results of the discussions. Also on Friday, the Israeli military said it detained two Palestinians shortly after they crossed the border from Gaza. They were hiding a grenade and a knife in their clothes, according to the military. In the West Bank, meanwhile, clashes erupted between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian demonstrators in Beit Sira village, the site of a confrontation that led to the deaths of two Palestinians earlier this week. Palestinians hurled stones at Israeli forces, and troops responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. The official Palestinian news agency Wafa reported five injured. Hundreds had gathered to protest the killing of two Palestinians near the city of Ramallah by the Israeli army. The military called the deadly incident Monday a "car-ramming attack" that targeted Israeli soldiers. An Israeli officer and policeman were injured in the crash, prompting troops to open fire, killing two Palestinians in the car. Palestinian officials and residents have disputed the army's account, contending the road and weather conditions indicated it was a car accident. ___ DeBre reported from Jerusalem. Medics wheel a wounded teenager, who was shot by Israeli troops during a protest at the Gaza Strip's border with Israel, into the treatment room of Shifa hospital in Gaza City, Friday, March 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Adel Hana) A man helps a wounded youth, who was shot by Israeli troops during a protest at the Gaza Strip's border with Israel, into the treatment room of Shifa hospital in Gaza City, Friday, March 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Adel Hana) People watch medics while move a wounded youth, who was shot by Israeli troops during a protest at the Gaza Strip's border with Israel, into the treatment room of Shifa hospital in Gaza City, Friday, March 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Adel Hana) Medics move a wounded youth, who was shot by Israeli troops during a protest at the Gaza Strip's border with Israel, into the treatment room of Shifa hospital in Gaza City, Friday, March 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Adel Hana) BRANDON, Miss. (AP) - A Mississippi man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for shooting and killing his wife after an argument over heating a pizza. Rankin County District Attorney John Bramlett Jr. tells media outlets that 54-year-old John Preston Finch was sentenced Thursday on second-degree murder charges. Finch was convicted of shooting Amy Renee Stewart on Dec. 31, 2016. Authorities say sheriff's deputies arrived at a house near Pelahatchie to find the door open and a blood-covered Finch standing over Stewart's body. Finch showed officers a single-barrel shotgun, initially saying the gun fired by accident. He later told deputies he and Stewart argued over the pizza, and Finch shot her. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Trump administration is eyeing a plan to seek more money from allied European and other nations where American troops are based. Several U.S. officials said Friday that the White House has asked the Defense Department to gather data on the costs of keeping troops in other countries and how much those nations contribute to the expenses. The officials weren't authorized to publicly discuss internal deliberations and spoke on the condition of anonymity. President Donald Trump has waged a lengthy, public campaign to get NATO allies to meet the goal of spending 2 percent of their gross domestic product on defense. And in the last two years, a number of allies have increased their spending. The officials said this latest effort is along those lines. They said the collection of data could be used in subsequent meetings and discussions to pressure allies to help offset the costs of having U.S. troops within their borders. The plan was first reported by Bloomberg. National Security Council spokesman Garrett Marquis said that getting U.S. allies to "increase their investment in our collective defense and ensure fairer burden-sharing" has been a long-standing U.S. goal. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive on Air Force One at Lawson Army Airfield, Fort Benning, Ga., Friday, March 8, 2019, en route to Lee County, Ala., where tornados killed 23 people. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) "The Administration is committed to getting the best deal for the American people," Marquis said in a statement issued Friday. He declined to provide details on any ongoing deliberations. Most NATO allies have a U.S. presence, but there are larger bases and military populations in countries such as Germany, England, Japan, Italy, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. Derek Chollet, former assistant defense secretary for international affairs, said that allies should pay their fair share. But, he said, the bases serve critical U.S. interests and must not be considered charitable contributions. For example, key U.S. military commands that oversee operations in Europe and Africa are located in Germany as well as the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, where thousands of American troops were treated after injuries in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. "The fact is that U.S. bases are an essential part of protecting American interests - in Europe, Asia, Africa or the Middle East," said Chollet, now with the German Marshall Fund of the United States. "Moreover, those countries that host our troops want to be our partners, and the message he (Trump) is sending is that we don't care. This is totally self-defeating." Just last week, South Korea and the United States signed a deal that would increase Seoul's financial contribution for the deployment of U.S. troops in the Asian country. After rounds of failed negotiations, chief delegates from the two countries last month agreed on Seoul paying about 1.04 trillion won, or $924 million, in 2019 for the U.S. military presence, up from about $830 million last year. There are about 28,500 U.S. troops in South Korea. NEW YORK (AP) - There's a strong chance this flu season has peaked, but health officials are watching a recent wave of illnesses from a nastier flu strain. Flu was reported to be widespread in 48 states last week, down from 49 the week before, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday in its latest report on this winter's flu season. The federal agency's flu forecasters think there's a 90 percent chance the flu season has peaked. But experts also are monitoring an increase in illnesses from a kind of flu virus that tends to cause more hospitalizations and deaths, especially in the elderly. It's not unusual for several flu strains to spread around the country at the same time, but one kind usually predominates. This season, a milder strain has been the most common cause of flu illnesses. But for the last two weeks, more illnesses have been tied to a strain that tends to cause more deaths. Last week, about 60 percent of the flu virus samples tested were the more troublesome strain, known as Type A H3N2. This 1975 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a group of H3N2 influenza A virus virions. On Friday, March 8, 2019, health officials said there's a strong chance this flu season has peaked, but are watching a recent wave of illnesses from H3N2, a nastier flu strain. (Fred Murphy/CDC via AP) Uncertainty about what kind of H3N2 will be spreading later this year recently led the World Health Organization to postpone its decision on which strains should go into the flu vaccine for next season. Last season, an estimated 80,000 Americans died of flu and its complications, the disease's highest death toll in at least four decades. In recent years, flu-related deaths have ranged from about 12,000 to 56,000, according to the CDC. CDC officials estimate there have been somewhere around 20,000 to 30,000 flu-related deaths so far this winter. They also think there have been around 300,000 flu-related hospitalizations and around 25 million flu illnesses. ___ The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The U.N. envoy for South Sudan on Friday urged all parties to the country's September peace agreement to maintain momentum to end a five-year conflict, warning that if peace efforts falter the African nation could again be engulfed in serious violence. David Shearer told the Security Council there are just over two months left before the political transition called for in the agreement begins and "progress has been slow." He pointed to "fundamental issues still to be resolved" including determining the number and borders of states, forming an armed force to be deployed in the capital Juba and major towns to provide security for returning opposition leaders, and drafting a new constitution. "I want to stress: there is no Plan B. There is only Plan A - this agreement - and this path forward," Shearer said. "The cost of failure is unthinkable." There were high hopes that South Sudan would have peace and stability after gaining its independence from neighboring Sudan in 2011. But it plunged into ethnic violence in December 2013 when forces loyal to President Salva Kiir, a Dinka, started battling those loyal to Riek Machar, his former vice president who belongs to the Nuer people. Fighting has killed almost 400,000 people, displaced over four million and left more than 7 million - two-thirds of the population - "severely food insecure" and in need of humanitarian aid. Many peace agreements have failed, but since the September deal was signed, the previously warring parties have been trying to rebuild trust. The transitional government is scheduled to take over on May 13, Shearer said, and the vice presidents, including the First Vice President Riek Machar, should have taken up their roles. Shearer pointed to four positive changes since the September agreement: Opposition politicians are moving freely around Juba; over 70 meetings have been held across the country between the government and opposition; there has been a significant drop in levels of political violence; and people are expressing a willingness to return home for the first time in three years. Though a relatively low number, he said, an estimated 135,000 refugees have already returned home. Conversely, Shearer said the timetable set out in the September agreement "is well behind where it should be" and many bodies that have been established are dealing with procedural rather than substantive issues. "The significant challenge now is to maintain the momentum of the peace process," Shearer said. "A peace that falters will generate frustration, anger and a possible return to violence, that could equal that which occurred in 2013 and 2016," he warned. "We cannot allow that to happen." Shearer urged the government, opposition, key outside parties and regional countries that brokered the September agreement to "drive the implementation forward and ensure it is adequately resourced." It is critical "to make this agreement a reality for the sake of the people of South Sudan," he said, because "we are not going to get another chance at this." South Sudan's U.N. Ambassador Akuei Bona Malwal said "peace implementation is progressing slowly but surely," national dialogues have started, and "the economy is already showing some early stages of recovery." He told the council the slow pace of implementing the peace agreement is "due to inadequate funding," and he expressed hope that some international countries will help. Malwal also urged the Security Council to join the regional group IGAD and the African Union "to convince those few opposition movements which opted out of signing the agreement to sign and join the peace process." RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The last of five people charged with illegally collecting mail-in ballots in North Carolina's undecided congressional election has turned herself in. State criminal investigators say Rebecca D. Thompson presented herself to authorities late Thursday, a week after being charged. Bladen County sheriff's deputies said Friday she wasn't booked into jail. Thompson's published phone numbers weren't working Friday. Thompson and four others - including political operative Leslie McCrae Dowless - were charged with illegal ballot handling and conspiracy involving elections in the 9th congressional district in 2016 and May 2018. Witnesses say ahead of November's election Dowless' workers illegally collected other people's absentee ballots, forged signatures and filled in votes for local candidates. That's illegal in North Carolina law for anyone other than the voter or a close relative to do. FILE - In this Dec. 5, 2018 file photo, Leslie McCrae Dowless Jr. poses for a portrait outside of his home in Bladenboro, N.C. The North Carolina political operative at the center of a ballot fraud scandal is facing criminal charges for his activities in the 2016 elections and the Republican primary in 2018. Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman said Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019, that Dowless was arrested after grand jury indictments alleging illegal possession of absentee ballots and obstruction of justice. (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP, File) This booking photo released Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 by the Wake City-County Bureau of Identification, shows Leslie McCrae Dowless, who was arrested Wednesday and charged with illegal ballot handling and obstruction of justice in the 2016 general election and 2018 primary. Dowless was also at the center of a ballot fraud investigation by state elections officials who ordered a new election in the disputed North Carolina congressional race. (Wake City-County Bureau of Identification via AP) FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, file photo, Mark Harris, Republican candidate in North Carolina's 9th Congressional race, prepares to testify during the fourth day of a public evidentiary hearing on the 9th Congressional District voting irregularities investigation at the North Carolina State Bar in Raleigh, N.C. Harris, whose narrow lead in the North Carolina congressional race was thrown out because of suspicions of ballot fraud, announced Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, he will not run in the newly ordered do-over election, saying he needs surgery in late March. (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP, Pool, File) FILE - In this Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019, file photo, Mark Harris, Republican candidate in North Carolina's 9th congressional race, makes a statement before the state board of elections calling for a new election during the fourth day of a public evidentiary hearing on the 9th congressional district voting irregularities investigation at the North Carolina State Bar in Raleigh, N.C. Harris, whose narrow lead in the North Carolina congressional race was thrown out because of suspicions of ballot fraud, announced Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019, he will not run in the newly ordered do-over election, saying he needs surgery in late March. (Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP, Pool, File) FILE - In this May 8, 2018 file photo Ninth Congressional district Democratic candidate Dan McCready smiles as he speaks with U.S. Rep. Alma Adams outside Eastover Elementary School in Charlotte, N.C. The Democratic candidate in the nation's last undecided congressional race will address his supporters now that a new election has been called. McCready was planning a rally and news conference Friday, Feb. 22, 2019. (Jeff Siner/The Charlotte Observer via AP) NEW YORK (AP) - George Soros' next book will be a summation of his core beliefs. PublicAffairs announced Friday that "In Defense of Open Society" will be published Sept. 24. Soros, the billionaire philanthropist and frequent target of conservative and anti-Semitic attacks, will cover everything from human rights to the rule of law to progressive politics. The 304-page book will include his keynote in January at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, when he spoke out against "totalizing, extremist ideologies," and a selection of recent writing. PublicAffairs is calling "In Defense of Open Society" an "impassioned and much needed" book. The 88-year-old Soros has written numerous previous books. They include "The Alchemy of Finance," ''The Crisis of Global Capitalism" and "The Age of Fallibility." WASHINGTON (AP) - Claiming an exoneration that was not given, a "very honored" President Donald Trump is putting words in the mouth of the judge who sentenced former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort to nearly four years in prison. Trump is misrepresenting a statement by Manafort's lawyer, too. TRUMP: "Both the Judge and the lawyer in the Paul Manafort case stated loudly and for the world to hear that there was NO COLLUSION with Russia." - tweet Friday. THE FACTS: This did not happen, loudly, quietly or at all. The case in Virginia was not related to Manafort's work on the Trump campaign and did not take up the question of whether the campaign colluded with Russia to influence the 2016 election. Manafort was convicted for tax and bank fraud related to his own work advising Ukrainian politicians. Judge T.S. Ellis III neither cleared nor implicated the president, instead emphasizing that Manafort was "not before this court for anything having to do with collusion with the Russian government." ___ President Donald Trump talks with reporters outside the White House before traveling to Alabama to visit areas affected by the deadly tornadoes, Friday, March 8, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) TRUMP: Manafort's lawyer "went out of his way to make a statement last night, no collusion with Russia. There was absolutely none. The judge, I mean for whatever reason, I was very honored by it, also made the statement that this had nothing to do with collusion with Russia. So you know, keep it going. Keep the hoax going." - remarks to reporters before leaving for Alabama. THE FACTS: The lawyer, Kevin Downing, did not say there was no collusion with Russia. He only argued that no evidence emerged in the trial that his client, in particular, was involved in any collusion. The judge did say the trial was not about Russia, but that was not a statement of vindication for Trump or anyone else. It was a reflection of the nature of the unrelated charges against Manafort. Whether the Trump campaign and Russia worked together to tilt the election toward Trump is a core issue in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation, which continues. Like other Americans close to the Republican president who have been charged in the Mueller probe, Manafort hasn't been accused of involvement in Russian election interference. But he has not been cleared of that suspicion, either. For example, court papers in recent weeks revealed that Manafort shared polling data related to the Trump campaign with Konstantin Kilimnik, a business associate U.S. authorities say is tied to Russian intelligence. A Mueller prosecutor has said that an August 2016 meeting between Manafort and Kilimnik goes to the "heart" of the Russia probe. ___ Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report. ___ Find AP Fact Checks at http://apne.ws/2kbx8bd ___ Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck This courtroom sketch depicts former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, center in a wheelchair, during his sentencing hearing in federal court before judge T.S. Ellis III in Alexandria, Va., Thursday, March 7, 2019. Manafort was sentenced to nearly four years in prison for tax and bank fraud related to his work advising Ukrainian politicians, a significant break from sentencing guidelines that called for a 20-year prison term. (Dana Verkouteren via AP) ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A new bill in the New York state Legislature would allow minors to get vaccinated without parental consent. The legislation announced Friday by Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy and Sen. Liz Krueger would authorize anyone 14 or older to get immunizations even if their parents object. The two Democrats say the change is needed because too many parents have accepted unsupported claims that vaccines are unsafe. They say the problem is prompting a resurgence of diseases like measles and endangering children who cannot be immunized for medical reasons. Earlier this week, an Ohio teen testified before Congress about how he defied his mother's anti-vaccine beliefs by getting his shots when he turned 18. Ethan Lindenberger told federal lawmakers that more must be done to combat fraudulent claims about vaccine safety. CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - The Latest on the political crisis in Venezuela (all times local): 7:10 p.m. The 48 member countries of the Inter-American Development Bank will have until March 15 to vote whether they accept opposition leader Juan Guaido as the bank's governor from Venezuela. An IDB official told The Associated Press the board of 14 executive directors decided to send the board of governors a resolution recognizing Guaido as a governor. Countries usually appoint high-ranking officials as IDB governors. The Associated Press left a message requesting comment from Armando Leon, the only Venezuelan among the executive directors. The International Monetary Fund has not made a decision about Guaido, the leader of the opposition-controlled National Assembly who pledged on Jan. 23 to serve as interim president of the South American country and has been recognized by many countries who argue Nicolas Maduro's re-election as president was invalid. Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself interim president, greets supporters at the end of a rally to commemorate International Women's Day in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, March 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) ___ 5:15 p.m. An international arbitration tribunal is ruling that Venezuela must pay ConocoPhillips more than $8 billion as compensation for the government's expropriation of the U.S. oil giant's investments in Venezuela in 2007. The World Bank's ICSID tribunal had ruled in 2013 that the expropriation of ConocoPhillips investments in two heavy crude oil projects violated international law. "We welcome the ICSID tribunal's decision, which upholds the principle that governments cannot unlawfully expropriate private investments without paying compensation," said Kelly B. Rose, senior vice president, Legal, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of ConocoPhillips. Venezuela's oil production has collapsed to one-third of its historic output, which critics blame on two decades of socialist rule. Venezuela faces around 20 arbitration cases at the World Bank, more than any other country in the world. ___ 2:25 p.m. The Trump administration is granting U.S. companies more time to comply with sanctions barring transactions with Venezuela's state-run oil company. The Treasury Department says that firms have until May 10 to wind down and close their business with PDVSA. PDVSA was hit with U.S. sanctions on Jan. 28 in a step that caught some American companies by surprise. The sanctions had the effect of stranding several oil tankers at and near Venezuelan ports because their cargoes were unable to be legally paid for. Treasury said Friday the extension will allow certain financial contracts agreed upon before Jan. 28 to be completed. ___ 2 p.m. Power has begun returning to some parts of Venezuela's capital. Pro-government state broadcaster VTV reported that electricity had been restored to 16 neighborhoods around Caracas. That account could not be immediately verified, though some Venezuelans on social media began reporting they had power. Streetlights could also be seen turning on in a Caracas neighborhood. However, the lights in one office building flickered on and then turned off. The South American nation is experiencing its most prolonged blackout yet after the power went out early Thursday evening. The lack of electricity is adding to mounting tensions over the political standoff between President Nicolas Maduro and the opposition. ___ 1:55 p.m. Hospitals struggled to get back-up generators running and families anxiously tried to contact loved ones amid Venezuela's worst-ever power outage Friday. Much of the nation of 31 million people was still without electricity as the blackout stretched into a second day and patience began to wear thin. "This has never happened before," a frustrated Orlando Roa, 54, said. She decried President Nicolas Maduro's administration for failing to maintain the electrical system and letting qualified engineers leave the country. "This is the fault of the government." Maduro ordered schools and all government entities closed and told businesses not to open to facilitate work crews trying to restore power. People wait for public transportation amid the country's worst-ever power outage, in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, March 8, 2019. Much of Venezuela was still without electricity Friday amid the country's worst-ever power outage, raising tensions in a country already on edge from ongoing political turmoil.(AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) People ride a bus in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, March 8, 2019. President Nicolas Maduro ordered schools and all government entities closed and told businesses not to open to facilitate work crews trying to restore power. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) Pedestrians walk to their destination amid the country's worst-ever power outage, in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, March 8, 2019. President Nicolas Maduro ordered schools and all government entities closed and told businesses not to open to facilitate work crews trying to restore power. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) DOVER, Del. (AP) - A federal magistrate says a white man who lost his job at historically black Delaware State University should be allowed to pursue his racial discrimination lawsuit. In a report Thursday, the magistrate recommended denying the school's motion to dismiss the lawsuit. She said Jeffrey DeMoss has pleaded sufficient facts to show that race was a motivating factor in his termination. DeMoss has alleged, among other things, that he overheard former university President Harry Williams call him a "white fat (expletive)" in a phone call. DeMoss also says a school official told him that his termination was motivated by race and the university wanted a black person in his position. DeMoss was executive director for dining and auxiliary services and operations director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center. International hotel operator Accor opened an internal investigation into allegations that one of its hotels in Australia had a policy of putting Aboriginal guests into dirty, poorly maintained rooms. The report by the Australian Broadcasting Company said the hotel charged the same rate as it did for cleaner rooms where other guests were placed. ABC obtained an email it said was sent to staff at the Ibis Styles Alice Springs Oasis instructing them to direct Aboriginal guests to one of six unkempt rooms. A hotel employee, who asked not to be named, also told the ABC that this was standard practice at the hotel. The Paris-based Accor SA said Friday that it has an anti-discrimination policy and that it will take "swift and decisive" action. AUBURN, Ala. (AP) - The Latest on President Donald Trump's trip to Alabama to survey tornado damage (all times local): 3:05 p.m. President Donald Trump is signing Bibles at an Alabama church and taking photos with survivors of a deadly tornado outbreak that killed nearly two dozen people. Trump is surveying the wreckage and visiting with victims Friday. Volunteer Emily Pike says the president and first lady signed a small Bible owned by her 10-year-old daughter, Meredith Pike. Pike says: "She just reached out there and said, 'Mr. President, would you sign this?'" President Donald Trump signs a Bible as he greets people at Providence Baptist Church in Smiths Station, Ala., Friday, March 8, 2019, as they travel to tour areas where tornados killed 23 people in Lee County, Ala. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Trump used a felt pen to scratch out his signature on the cover of the girl's Bible, which is decorated with pink camouflage, and first lady Melania Trump then added her signature. Pike says the Trumps also signed a Bible for one of Meredith's friends. ___ 1:35 p.m. President Donald Trump is visiting a row of 23 crosses, one for each person killed by an Alabama tornado. Trump and his wife, Melania, held hands Friday as they observed a moment of silence in front of each of the markers erected near a church. Each cross bears the victim's name and a red heart. Flowers and stuffed animals have been left at the base of the crosses in remembrance of each victim who was killed after Sunday's powerful tornado that bore down on the rural town of Beauregard, Alabama. Messages have also been left at the crosses. Trump surveyed the damage on Friday, meeting with local officials and victims. He also visited a makeshift disaster relief center set up at the church. ___ 1:10 p.m. President Donald Trump says he couldn't get to Alabama "fast enough" after a tornado struck a rural area and killed 23 people. Trump flew to the state Friday to survey the damage. He met privately with survivors and family members, including a woman who lost 10 relatives to the powerful storm. He says, "What they've been through is incredible." Trump also thanked law enforcement and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, whose department oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is assisting state and local response efforts. Trump was already scheduled to fly to his Florida home on Friday before the Alabama stop was added to his schedule. He plans to fly to Florida afterward. ___ 12:30 p.m. President Donald Trump is surveying damage in Beauregard, Alabama, the community hardest hit by Sunday's tornado that killed 23 people in a rural, eastern part of the state. The president and first lady Melania Trump saw trees that appeared to have been snapped in half. The twister ripped roofs off houses. Tree roots were ripped from the grown. There were holes where houses once stood. A homemade "Make America Great Again" greeted the president. Trump spoke with families affected by the tornado and got a briefing from local officials. Commenting on the destruction, Trump said: "We saw things that you wouldn't believe." The tornado, with 170 mph (270 kph) winds, left a path of destruction nearly a mile wide. ___ 9:05 a.m. President Donald Trump is heading to Alabama to survey damage from a deadly tornado outbreak that devastated a small town, killing nearly two dozen people. Trump is expected to tour rural Lee County in eastern Alabama, where 23 people died Sunday in an E4 tornado that carved a path of destruction nearly a mile wide. It was one of at least 36 tornadoes confirmed to have touched down across the Southeast in a deadly weekend outbreak. Trump has said he's instructed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to give Alabama "the A Plus treatment" as the state recovers, marking the latest example of Trump's differing rhetoric concerning states that voted for and against him. Trump had already been scheduled to fly south Friday for a weekend at his private Mar-a-Lago club. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump visit crosses at Providence Baptist Church in Smiths Station, Ala., Friday, March 8, 2019, as they travel to tour areas where tornados killed 23 people in Lee County, Ala. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, right, talk with people Beauregard, Ala., Friday, March 8, 2019, as they travel to tour areas where tornados killed 23 people in Lee County, Ala. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Marine One, with President Donald Trump onboard, flies near damaged areas while enroute to Auburn, Ala., Friday, March 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) President Donald Trump is greeted by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Trump's arrival, Friday, March 8, 2019, in Auburn, Ala., en route to Lee County, Ala., where tornados killed 23 people. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and their son Barron Trump, walk to board Air Force One, Friday, March 8, 2019, in Andrews Air Force Base, Md., en route to Lee County, Ala., where tornados killed 23 people. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) President Donald Trump, with first lady Melania Trump, is greeted by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and his wife Marty, as they arrive on Air Force One at Lawson Army Airfield, Fort Benning, Ga., Friday, March 8, 2019, en route to Lee County, Ala., where tornados killed 23 people. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) ISTANBUL (AP) - Riot police in Istanbul fired tear gas to disperse thousands of demonstrators who tried to march along the city's main pedestrian avenue to mark International Women's Day. Thousands of people, most of them women, gathered near Istiklal Street on Friday for a march that police said was unauthorized. Police had set up barricades at the entrance to the street and fired several rounds of tear gas to push back marchers. Authorities have restricted protests in the country in recent years, citing security. Earlier, hundreds of people in Istanbul protested against the imprisonment of women and children in Syrian penitentiaries. Separately, four female members of Turkey's gendarmerie units rappelled hundreds of feet down from Istanbul's 15 July Martyrs' Bridge and into the waters of the Bosporus. A woman holds her nose after Turkish police fired tear gas at Istiklal, the main shopping street, in Istanbul, during the International Women's Day, Friday, March 8, 2019. The day has been sponsored by the United Nations since 1975 as millions around the world are demanding equality amid a persistent salary gap, violence and widespread inequality. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) Turkish police scuffle with protesters wanting to hold a march for the International Women's Day, at Istiklal, the main shopping street in Istanbul, Friday, March 8, 2019. The day has been sponsored by the United Nations since 1975 as millions around the world are demanding equality amid a persistent salary gap, violence and widespread inequality. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) Turkish police block protesters wanting to hold a march for the International Women's Day, at Istiklal street, the main shopping street in Istanbul, Friday, March 8, 2019. The day has been sponsored by the United Nations since 1975 as millions around the world are demanding equality amid a persistent salary gap, violence and widespread inequality. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) Turkish police block protesters wanting to hold a march for the International Women's Day, at Istiklal street, the main shopping street in Istanbul, Friday, March 8, 2019. The day has been sponsored by the United Nations since 1975 as millions around the world are demanding equality amid a persistent salary gap, violence and widespread inequality. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) Protesters take cover at a shop after Turkish police fired tear gas at Istiklal, the main shopping street, in Istanbul, during the International Women's Day, Friday, March 8, 2019. The day has been sponsored by the United Nations since 1975 as millions around the world are demanding equality amid a persistent salary gap, violence and widespread inequality. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) A woman holds her nose after Turkish police fired tear gas at Istiklal, the main shopping street, in Istanbul, during the International Women's Day, Friday, March 8, 2019. The day has been sponsored by the United Nations since 1975 as millions around the world are demanding equality amid a persistent salary gap, violence and widespread inequality. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) WASHINGTON (AP) - Sen. Bernie Sanders is raising the stakes of the "Medicare for All" debate by expanding his proposal to include long-term care, a move that is forcing other Democratic presidential candidates to take a stand on addressing one of the biggest gaps in the U.S. health care system. Medicare for All is unlikely to advance in the GOP-controlled Senate, but it's a defining issue in the early days of the Democratic primary and candidates have pointed to their support of Sanders' legislation as proof of their progressive bona fides. Some moderate Democrats have criticized the cost of such an expansive proposal and by adding the long-term care provision, Sanders could further expose that divide. So far, 2020 candidates Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York and Kamala Harris of California say they'll support Sanders' more ambitious bill. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts also backed the 2017 version of Medicare for All but has not said how long-term care might affect that. Sanders' move, confirmed by his office, follows action by Medicare for All allies in the House to incorporate a generous long-term care benefit in their newly introduced legislation. Medicare for All would replace the current mix of private and government financing for health care with a system paid for by the government and funded by higher taxes As with the rest of Medicare for All, supporters aren't saying how they would pay for long-term care, which experts estimate could cost several hundred billion dollars a year. Several independent estimates for the broader program have ranged from about $25 trillion over 10 years to $36 trillion, although supporters say it would be considerably less. FILE - In this March 3, 2019, file photo, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., left, and his wife, Jane O'Meara Sanders, greet supporters as they leave after his 2020 presidential campaign stop at Navy Pier in Chicago. Sanders is raising the stakes of the "Medicare-for-all" debate by expanding his proposal to include long-term care. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) Still, the general idea of a government long-term care program has broad backing. About two-thirds of U.S. adults favor a long-term care program similar to Medicare, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll last year. That includes 76 percent of Democrats and 56 percent of Republicans. The attention from Sanders as well as House Medicare for All leaders Reps. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash. and Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., comes after advocates for disabled people lobbied them to step up coverage for long-term care in the push for a national health care plan. Many Americans assume that Medicare covers long-term care, but that's not the case. Qualifying for public coverage under Medicaid, which covers low-income people, involves spending down lifetime savings. Long-term care has "always been the stepchild," said Marc Cohen, a gerontology researcher and professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Cohen says he thinks the House plan recently introduced by Jayapal and Dingell would be "unaffordable," but says it recognizes a need. "That is really a positive thing that someone is trying to address it," he added. Recent state-level efforts on long-term care have sent mixed signals. Maine voters last year rejected a referendum that would have provided home care to all seniors and disabled people regardless of income. But last month the Washington state House approved a plan creating a limited cash benefit to offset long-term care costs. The measure, sent to the state Senate, is financed with a payroll tax on employees. Only an estimated 7 million to 8 million people have private long-term care insurance, which is costly and generally requires applicants to pass a health screening. In Congress, the new House Medicare for All bill from Jayapal and Dingell offers the most generous benefit. People of any age could qualify if illness, injury or age limit their ability to perform at least one "activity of daily living," such as bathing or dressing, or one or more "instrumental activities of daily living," such as managing money or taking prescribed medications. There would be no income or assets tests to qualify, and no copays or deductibles. The House bill - known as H.R. 1384 - emphasizes home- and community-based care in the "least restrictive setting." But it would also pay for nursing home care. The earlier version of the House bill included a few mentions of long-term care but did not specify benefits. "We flip the model on its head," said Jayapal. "Instead of saying institutional care is the default we say ... you should be able to be taken care of at home, in your community." In his 2017 bill, Vermont Independent Sanders left the current low-income Medicaid coverage for long-term care in place. His office says a new edition to be introduced in coming weeks will include added coverage for home- and community-based services, available to people of any age as Medicare for All benefits. Such services can include adult day care, a housekeeper, or home improvements like grab bars in the shower. The shift by Sanders and his House counterparts came after intensive lobbying from disability rights advocates. The groups were a central part of the coalition that defeated President Donald Trump's effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act and restrict federal financing for Medicaid. The activists realized during that effort that even Medicare for All came up short on the needs of disabled people, said Nicole Jorwic, policy director for The Arc, which serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. "If you don't include long-term supports and services, it cannot be considered a bill that is for all people because it leaves out huge portions of the population, including people with disabilities and aging Americans," Jorwic said. ___ Online: House Medicare-for-all bill summary - https://tinyurl.com/y26keeur FILE - In this April 26, 2018, file photo, Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. Sen. Bernie Sanders is raising the stakes of the "Medicare-for-all" debate by expanding his proposal to include long-term care. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraqi security and health officials say a car bomb outside a restaurant in Iraq's northern city of Mosul has killed two people, including a 13-year-old girl, and wounded 10 others. The officials say the blast went off on Muthanna street on the west side of the city. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombing Friday evening, the latest in a string of attacks along roads and in villages in areas north and west of Baghdad. The Islamic State group has claimed many of them. Iraq claimed victory over the organization in 2017 after a four-year war but the group has stepped up its attacks in towns and cities outside Baghdad and the country's north in recent weeks. ALPHONSE ATOLL, Seychelles (AP) - A young scientist from the Seychelles on Friday became the first known Seychellois to explore deep below scuba depth in the largely uncharted waters of her island nation. The 23-year-old Stephanie Marie looked stunned when she was offered a seat in a submersible for a technical test dive near the tiny atoll of Alphonse. "This is really an amazing opportunity that for the first time a Seychellois, and a woman also, gets to do this," she told The Associated Press. The offer came on International Women's Day. The marine researcher with the Seychelles Fishing Authority is taking part in the British-led Nekton Mission to explore the Indian Ocean, one of the last major unexplored frontiers. There is almost no data on the biodiversity of the Seychelles beneath scuba depth, or 30 meters (about 100 feet). The mission, which began this week in earnest, expects to discover new species and document evidence of climate change in the vast body of water that is already feeling the effects of global warming. Principal scientist Lucy Woodall said the diversity of the Nekton team was important to her. Stephanie Marie, a young scientist from the Seychelles, looks on before her trip in a submersible off the coast of the Seychelles, on Friday 8 March, 2019. A young scientist from the Seychelles has become the first known Seychellois to explore deep below scuba depth in the largely uncharted waters of her island nation. 23-year-old Stephanie Marie was offered a seat in a submersible for a technical test dive near the tiny Alphonse atoll on International Women's Day. The marine researcher is taking part in the Nekton Mission to explore the Indian Ocean, one of the last major unexplored frontiers. (AP Photo/David Keyton) "It is absolutely wonderful that someone from the Seychelles is the first one to go into the water in the submersibles," she said. "That is incredibly important to me." The series of dives took Marie down to 70 meters (230 feet) as the submersible tested its systems in an unexpectedly strong current. When she returned to the mother ship she was brimming with excitement. She hugged Nekton mission director Oliver Steeds, who had offered her the role of first co-pilot. "I was so scared, I was so happy, it was mixed emotions," Marie said. "But then when I was sitting in the sub, way down, everything was calm. You forget about your fear, you forget about everything." The data from the mission will be used to help the Seychelles with its plan to protect almost a third of its national waters by 2020. That's an area larger than Germany. The initiative is a key part of the country's "blue economy," which attempts to balance development needs with those of the environment. The AP is the only news agency working with British scientists from the Nekton research team. AP video coverage will include exploring the depths of up to 300 meters (985 feet) off the coast of the Seychelles in two-person submarines, the search for submerged mountain ranges and previously undiscovered marine life, a behind-the-scenes look at life on board, interviews with researchers and aerial footage. The seven-week expedition is expected to run until April 19. A small boat carrying Stephanie Marie, a young scientist from the Seychelles, reaches a submersible for a technical test dive near the tiny Alphonse atoll, on Friday 8 March, 2019. A young scientist from the Seychelles has become the first known Seychellois to explore deep below scuba depth in the largely uncharted waters of her island nation. 23-year-old Stephanie Marie was offered a seat in a submersible for a technical test dive near the tiny Alphonse atoll on International Women's Day. The marine researcher is taking part in the Nekton Mission to explore the Indian Ocean, one of the last major unexplored frontiers. (AP Photo/David Keyton) CHICAGO (AP) - One of the people injured in a deadly warehouse shooting last month sued Illinois State Police on Friday, saying authorities wrongly let the gunman purchase the weapon used in the attack. Henry Pratt Co. employee Timothy Williams is seeking $2 million, claiming pain, suffering, disability and lost earnings. According to the lawsuit, he was shot three times after colleague Gary Martin opened fire, killing five other co-workers. Williams still has two bullets lodged in his back. "Mr. Martin would have never possessed the firearm he used at the Henry Pratt Company mass shooting had the Illinois State Police properly followed and implemented their internal protocols intended to keep firearms out of the hands of citizens who meet certain criteria deemed by the legislature in the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act to be unfit for ownership of a firearm," the lawsuit states. Martin was killed in shootout with police. His state gun license permit was revoked in 2014, but authorities say he never gave up the handgun he used in the Feb. 15 shooting. The Chicago Tribune reports that Illinois State Police declined comment, saying they don't discuss pending litigation. State police officials have released records showing weaknesses in state law and federal databases that are used to screen firearm purchases. Among the records, state police said more than 75 percent of the people who received gun license revocations last year in Illinois ignored the notices. In Martin's case, state police said an "exhaustive search" failed to find Martin's returned Firearm Owners Identification Card or a document detailing how to relinquish the gun. Since the shooting, state police officials announced several reforms designed to make it harder for people to keep guns after losing their right to own a firearm. ___ Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Vice President Mike Pence highlighted curbs in environmental regulations and called energy a "source of prosperity" during a speech in Ohio's capital city of Columbus. Pence, speaking Friday at the Ohio Oil and Gas Association convention, also hailed President Donald Trump's decision to issue an executive order to pay for building a wall at the U.S.-Mexican border. Pence said stopping drug smuggling will save lives in Ohio, a state hard hit by the opioid crisis. Pence boasted about Trump administration energy policies to include withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord, eliminating rules on hydraulic fracturing, cutting stream protections and rolling back methane regulations. The former Republican governor from Indiana earned a standing ovation by telling the gathering: "America will never be a socialist country." NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee Valley Authority this week defended its relationship with a contractor accused of subverting safety precautions and sickening workers during the cleanup of a massive coal ash spill. In a Wednesday letter to two Tennessee congressmen, TVA President and CEO Bill Johnson said that to TVA's knowledge, Jacobs Engineering Group "did not have a history of safety lawsuits or test tampering" when it was hired to oversee the cleanup. Johnson was responding to a February letter from Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett and Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen asking several questions, including what TVA knew about Jacobs' safety record and how the utility responded to worker health complaints. Johnson wrote that TVA "put the safety of its employees and contractors first" throughout the cleanup. He defended the hiring of Jacobs and an ongoing contract with the company, noting that Jacobs regularly contracts on large government projects. At the same time, Johnson's letter acknowledged that jurors found Jacobs breached its duty to the coal ash cleanup workers by failing to adhere to its contract with the utility. Jurors in November found that Jacobs' actions were capable of causing the workers' medical problems, ranging from high blood pressure to cancer. According to the lawsuit, more than 40 cleanup workers have died and more than 400 are sick. FILE - In this Dec. 22, 2008, photo, a home is engulfed near Tennessee Vally Authority's Kingston Fossil Plant after the failure of a storage cell unleashed 5.4 million cubic yards of ash sludge near Kingston, Tenn. The Tennessee Valley Authority is defending its relationship with a contractor accused of subverting safety precautions and sickening workers during the cleanup of the massive coal ash spill. In a letter this week, TVA President and CEO Bill Johnson said that to TVA's knowledge, Jacobs Engineering Group "did not have a history of safety lawsuits or test tampering." He also said TVA is unaware of complaints to the utility being mishandled. A lawsuit claims Jacobs' negligence is to blame for the deaths of more than 40 workers and illness of more than 400 others. ( J. Miles Cary/Knoxville News Sentinel via AP, File) Testimony included evidence that Jacobs employees took dust masks away from workers and threatened to fire them. A supervisor also told workers they would have to consume a pound of coal ash per day before it could harm them. The judge has ordered the parties to attempt mediation before beginning a second phase of trial, in which the injuries of individual plaintiffs would be considered. TVA is not a party to the lawsuit, but Johnson's letter addressed concerns that ratepayers may be on the hook for the cost of some or all of the litigation. Johnson wrote that TVA's contract with Jacobs contains indemnity provisions, but it is still to be determined whether TVA will have to pick up any of Jacobs' legal bills. In his letter to Cohen and Burchett, Johnson downplayed any danger posed by coal ash, noting that current Environmental Protection Agency rules call for treating it as nonhazardous waste. Environmentalists, however, point out that although the EPA has put off a determination of whether coal ash is hazardous, the agency hasn't deemed it nonhazardous. Johnson also noted that TVA held weekly safety meetings during the coal ash cleanup. He wrote, "TVA is not aware of any worker complaints being handled improperly by TVA." A representative for Burchett said the Knoxville Republican has not yet read Johnson's letter in depth, but his concerns about the cleanup remain. A representative for Cohen, a Memphis Democrat, was not immediately available for comment Friday afternoon. The lawmakers' letter also asked about the environmental impact of coal ash that is contaminating groundwater at the Allen power plant in Memphis. Johnson wrote that tests show the contamination is not affecting the much deeper Memphis Sand Aquifer from which the city gets its drinking water. That aquifer is separated from the groundwater by a layer of clay between 30 feet and 70 feet (9 meters and 21 meters thick. However TVA drilled wells into the aquifer to cool its natural gas plant, which is replacing its old coal-fired plant, and residents are concerned the wells will provide a route for the contaminated groundwater to reach the deeper aquifer. TVA is the nation's largest public utility, serving about 10 million people in parts of seven states. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - A national Hispanic center is displaying a unique art exhibit on the chola - the working class, Mexican-American urban female often associated with gangs. The National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque opened the "Que Chola Exhibition" on Friday with pieces by artists from New Mexico, Arizona, California, Texas, and Colorado. The displays feature the evolution of the chola from the World War II-era to the contemporary figure trying to survive in poor neighborhoods. Using paintings, photography and sculptures, the exhibit attempts to cover images of the chola as an urban warrior, a mentor, a mother and political figure. Cholas, or homegirls, often refers to a particular Latina subculture in the U.S. characterized by a tough demeanor and distinctive style. They are identified by their clothing ranging from flannel shirts and khaki pants to their dark eye makeup and indigenous-theme tattoos. The image of the chola gained popularity in the late 1980s and early 1990s with movies like "Colors" and "Mi Vida Loca" (My Crazy Life). In recent years, scholars have countered that the chola represents more than just gang activity. Latina scholars have argued that the chola's image is a commentary of poverty in urban U.S. cities and symbolized a working-class Latina seeking to battle sexism. In this Wednesday, March 6, 2019 photo a wood carving entitled "La Sad Girl" by artist Andrew Montoya sits at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, N.M. before the opening of a exhibit on the chola, a working-class, Mexican-American female often associated with urban gangs. The "Que Chola Exhibition" opens on Friday, March 8 with pieces by artists from New Mexico, Arizona, California, Texas, and Colorado. (AP Photo/Russell Contreras) Some Latina academics have playfully said on social media that "you can't spell scholar without the word 'CHOLA'." Curator Jadira Gurule said she agreed that the chola is more than a so-called dangerous female gang member linked to criminal activity. For many Latinas, Gurule said the chola also represents strength and perseverance. "Many within our communities either were, or admired and wanted to emulate, the chola growing up," Gurule said. "She also represents real people with real experiences. The chola is a persona developed in response to racism and sexism. To reduce her to a gang member is shallow." Pola Lopez, a Las Vegas, New Mexico, born artist who now lives in Los Angeles, said she was excited when she was asked to participate in the exhibit. "The chola...you can't mess with her," said Lopez. "She's beautiful and represents us in many ways." Her painting, "Coatlicue and Chola," features a homegirl leaning against a statue of an Aztec goddess. Nanibah Chacon, a Navajo and Hispanic artist from Arizona, said she wanted to create an image of a chola if she had been represented in midcentury advertisements. Her painting, "Xicana Classic," depicts a chola from the 1970s sitting on a red circle and smiling with confidence. The exhibit, which runs until Aug. 4, is the latest attempt to create a new image around the chola and expand her meaning. The Los Angeles-based gang intervention group Homeboy Industries, for example, sells clothing designed by former cholas and runs Homegirl Cafe - a restaurant with food prepared by former gang members gaining new skills. The hip cafe is an offshoot of social enterprises founded by Jesuit priest Greg Boyle. And Art Laboe, a 93-year-old DJ based in Palm Springs, California, allows cholas every Sunday on his syndicated oldies show "The Art Laboe Connection Show" to call in and give dedications to their loved ones serving time in prison. Scholars and activists say the radio show helps humanize cholas since it allows listeners to hear cholas express emotions of love and pain. ___ Associated Press Writer Russell Contreras is a member of The Associated Press' race and ethnicity team. Follow Contreras on Twitter at http://twitter.com/russcontreras ___ This story corrects a previous version with the quote "you can't spell scholar without the word 'CHOLA'." In this Wednesday, March 6, 2019 photo of the painting entitled "Coatlicue Lopez" by artist Pola Lopez hangs at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, before the opening of a exhibit on the chola _ a working-class, Mexican-American female often associated with urban gangs. The "Que Chola Exhibition" opens on Friday, March 8, 2019, with pieces by artists from New Mexico, Arizona, California, Texas, and Colorado. (AP Photo/Russell Contreras) In this Wednesday, March 6, 2019, photo a painting entitled "The Letter" by artist Nanibah Chacon hangs at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, N.M. before the opening of a exhibit on the chola, a working-class, Mexican-American female often associated with urban gangs. The National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque opened the "Que Chola Exhibition" on Friday, March 8, 2019, with pieces by artists from New Mexico, Arizona, California, Texas, and Colorado. (Nanibah Chacon via AP) In this Wednesday, March 6, 2019 photo, artwork hangs at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, N.M. before the opening of a exhibit on the chola, a working-class, Mexican-American female often associated with urban gangs. The "Que Chola Exhibition" opened on Friday, March 8 with pieces by artists from New Mexico, Arizona, California, Texas, and Colorado. (AP Photo/Russell Contreras) NEW YORK (AP) - In 1664, Maryland passed the first British colonial law banning marriage between whites and slaves. An 1883 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that state prohibitions on interracial marriage don't violate the Fourteenth Amendment held for more than 80 years. While such impediments to marriage were dismantled over time, there are still hurdles, however small, to overcome. Here, in 2019, interracial couples have a small victory to celebrate: The approval of 71 new variations of emoji for couples of color. Capping a yearlong project by, of all people, the folks at the swipe-right dating app Tinder and tech activist group Emojination, the emoji gods (known as the Unicode Consortium) recently approved the additions in characters technically referred to as people "holding hands." A new "gender-inclusive" couple emoji was also approved among 230 new characters. Until now, emoji of two or more people on various platforms and devices have been available only in the default yellow. While the Unicode Consortium, where Google, Microsoft and Apple have voting seats and Lee is vice-chair of the emoji subcommittee, signed off on the skin-tone additions, user companies will decide for themselves starting later this year whether to add them and how they will look. Jenny Campbell, the chief marketing officer for Tinder, isn't worried about distribution after the company mounted a campaign and petition drive in support of the technical proposal it submitted to Unicode. "Ultimately, we wanted to get the interracial emoji couple on people's keyboards not only for equality, but also to spread acceptance for all couples no matter what their race," she told The Associated Press on Thursday. "Our users are craving a way to express themselves visually and see themselves reflected in our everyday tech language." This undated illustration provided by Tinder/Emojination shows new variations of interracial emoji couples. In the world of emojis, interracial couples had virtually no options in terms of skin tone. But the emoji gods, otherwise known as the Unicode Consortium, recently rectified that, approving 71 new variations. Using six skin tones already available for one-person emojis, vendors such as Apple, Google and Microsoft will now be able to offer couples of color. Additions are expected later this year. (Tinder/Emojination via AP) So are lots of other emoji enthusiasts of color left in the wings for years. More than 50,000 people signed Tinder's online petition at Change.org. "Unicode is taking user demand for more skin tones across emoji very seriously," said Lee, the co-founder of the grassroots Emojination. "The additional of skin tones, gender variations, hijab and hair styles are part of users around the world demanding to see themselves represented on the emoji keyboard. Diverse couples and families are part of that." While facial features and hair textures are yet to be determined by some vendors, Tinder said the use of six existing skin tones already available for one-person emoji and various others is a step in the right direction at a time when the text- and chat-friendly characters remain a readily accessible way for the world to express itself. The lack of color options in couples, the company said, felt like a slight. "Even as our social behaviors have evolved and interracial dating and marriage has become more prevalent, visual representation of these relationships in technology has lagged far behind," Campbell said. Emoji of single people of color and same-sex couples were added in the last several years, but not in mixed-tone combinations. In real life, the rate of interracial marriage has increased over the years, especially since the 1967 U.S. Supreme Court decision Loving v. Virginia that struck down all anti-miscegenation laws remaining in 16 states. But such marriages remain a small portion of marriages overall. Tinder is taking credit for its industry in pushing interracial dating along, citing data that indicates couples who meet online are more likely to be interracial than those who don't. "We know that equal forms of representation are important to our users," Campbell said, "and important to us." Skin tones for limited use were added to the Unicode Standard for emoji in 2015. More representation of women in 2016, some "gender-inclusive" people in 2017 and hair color options last year. Also approved this year: A waffle, a much-requested white heart, a guide dog and people in wheelchairs. Oh, and a sloth. NEW YORK (AP) - Charges were unsealed Friday against a former Venezuelan vice president in New York federal court as authorities accused him of using his office to aid international drug traffickers. Tareck El Aissami and Venezuelan businessman Samark Jose Lopez Bello were charged with violating the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act and U.S. Treasury Department sanctions. "Both El Aissami and Lopez Bello will have to think twice before leaving Venezuela, as they are wanted to face justice here in New York," said Angel Melendez, who heads New York's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations. Even before the charges announced Friday, the U.S. has accused El Aissami of playing a major role in global drug trafficking, a charge he denies. El Aissami, who is now the minister of industry and national production, is the most senior Venezuelan official ever targeted by the U.S. Venezuela's communications minister declined to comment. U.S. authorities suspect other high-ranking officials in Venezuela are also involved in drug trafficking. FILE - In this Feb. 1, 2017 photo, Venezuela's Vice President Tareck El Aissami, right, is saluted by Bolivarian Army officer upon his arrival for a military parade at Fort Tiuna in Caracas, Venezuela. Charges were unsealed Friday, March 8, 2019, against the former Venezuelan vice president in New York federal court as authorities accused him of using his office to aid international drug traffickers. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano, File) U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said in a release that El Aissami violated sanctions by hiring U.S. companies to provide private jets. Melendez of Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the official used his position of power to engage in international drug trafficking. As a result, El Aissami and Lopez Bello, both 44, were each already labeled a "Specially Designated Narcotics Trafficker" under the Kingpin Act. El Aissami received the designation in February 2017, just weeks after he became vice president. He served in the position until last June. If convicted of all five charges contained in an unsealed indictment, El Aissami and Lopez Bello would each face up to 150 years in prison. ___ Associated Press Writer Joshua Goodman in Bogota, Colombia, contributed to this report. ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland's highest court denied a new trial Friday for a man whose murder conviction was chronicled in the hit podcast "Serial." In a 4-3 opinion, the Court of Appeals agreed with a lower court that Adnan Syed's legal counsel was deficient in failing to investigate an alibi witness, but it disagreed that the deficiency prejudiced the case. The court said Syed waived his ineffective counsel claim. The court reversed a Court of Special Appeals' judgment, sending the case back to that court with directions to reverse a Baltimore Circuit Court judgment granting a new trial. Syed is serving a life sentence after he was convicted in 2000 of strangling 17-year-old Hae Min Lee and burying her body in a Baltimore park. More than a decade later, the popular "Serial" podcast brought Syed's case to millions of listeners with its debut 2014 season. The show revealed little-known evidence and attracted millions of listeners, shattering podcast-streaming and downloading records. In 2016, a lower court ordered a retrial for Syed on grounds that his attorney, Cristina Gutierrez, who died in 2004, didn't contact an alibi witness and provided ineffective counsel. The state appealed. The special appeals court upheld the lower court's ruling last year and the state appealed that decision, too. In the majority opinion, Court of Appeals Judge Clayton Greene concluded "there is not a significant or substantial possibility that the verdict would have been different," if Syed's lawyer had presented the alibi witness, Asia McClain, who said she saw Syed at a public library in Woodlawn, Maryland, around the time the state contended Syed killed Lee on Jan. 13, 1999. FILE - In this Feb. 3, 2016 file photo, Adnan Syed enters Courthouse East in Baltimore prior to a hearing. Maryland's highest court has denied a new trial for Syed whose murder conviction was chronicled in the hit podcast "Serial." In an opinion Friday, March 8, 2019, the Court of Appeals agreed with a lower court that Syed's legal counsel was deficient in failing to investigate an alibi witness, but it disagreed that the deficiency prejudiced the case. The court says Syed waived his ineffective counsel claim. (Barbara Haddock Taylor/The Baltimore Sun via AP, File) "Ms. McClain would have been an alibi witness who contradicted the defendant's own statements, which were themselves already internally inconsistent; thus Ms. McClain's proffered testimony could have further undermined Mr. Syed's credibility," the court wrote. The appeals court found that McClain's account focused on "a narrow window of time in the afternoon" of the day Lee disappeared. It said her testimony wouldn't have rebutted the state's evidence about Syed's actions that evening, and at best "would have highlighted Mr. Syed's failure to account precisely for his whereabouts after school" that day. Judge Michele Hotten wrote separately with Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera and Judge Sally Adkins that she would have ordered a new trial. Hotten agreed with the majority's conclusion that Syed's trial counsel's failure to investigate McClain as a potential alibi witness constituted deficient performance, but she wrote that she believed the deficiency "was prejudicial against Mr. Syed." Syed's attorney Justin Brown said in a statement that they are "devastated" by the decision "but we will not give up on Adnan Syed." "Our criminal justice system is desperately in need of reform. The obstacles to getting a new trial are simply too great," Brown said. "There was a credible alibi witness who was with Adnan at the precise time of the murder and now the Court of Appeals has said that witness would not have affected the outcome of the proceeding. We think just the opposite is true. From the perspective of the defendant, there is no stronger evidence than an alibi witness." Attorney General Brian Frosh said in a statement that "we are pleased with the Court's decision." "Justice was done for Hae Min Lee and her family," Frosh said. Thiru Vignarajah , a special assistant attorney general who worked on the case, said the state always said the conviction was "just and supported by overwhelming evidence." "This has been an arduous process for Hae Min Lee's family, and we are hopeful the decision finally brings them a measure of comfort and closure," Vignarajah said. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A nationwide push to ban LGBTQ conversion therapy for minors looked like it could succeed in conservative Utah after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said it wouldn't stand in the way, but the effort ground to a halt this week. Conversion therapy has a long history in Utah, and the legislation drew fierce opposition from people who said barring therapists from talking about changing someone's sexual orientation would violate free-speech rights. It was seen as a milestone when the state's predominant faith announced it would not oppose the ban, considering past teachings that being gay could be "cured," according to religion scholars. The church has condemned conversion therapy and taken a more welcoming stance to the LGBTQ community but remains opposed to gay marriage and sex. The Utah effort got momentum amid a national campaign to ban the practice this year. Fifteen other states have passed laws, and advocates in Utah said it would help combat an alarming spike in youth suicide. But eight Republican lawmakers in Utah approved changes this week that advocates said effectively gutted the ban. They would have allowed damaging practices aimed at changing kids' gender identity, activists said. Republican Rep. Karianne Lisonbee sponsored the changes and insisted she was looking for a compromise that would still protect LGBTQ kids. But activists say some of her Facebook comments revealed by The Associated Press indicate that she supports the debunked practice. In this Jan., 7, 2019, photo, Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R - Clearfield, speaks during the Utah Taxpayers Association 2019 legislative outlook conference, in Salt Lake City. A nationwide push to ban LGBTQ conversion therapy for minors looked like it could succeed in conservative Utah after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said it wouldn't stand in the way, but the effort ground to a halt this week. Lisonbee sponsored the changes and insisted she was looking for a compromise that would still protect LGBTQ kids. But activists say some of her Facebook comments revealed by The Associated Press indicate that she supports the debunked practice. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) In 2013 comments reviewed by the AP and confirmed by two family members, Lisonbee wondered whether it was "possible that living a homosexual lifestyle may cause individuals to choose to commit suicide?" She also wrote a 1970s-era experiment in Utah using electric shocks to change sexual orientation was horrifying but shouldn't be considered torture on subjects who volunteered. Lisonbee said people have "successfully overcome" what she called "unwanted same-sex attraction" and that such therapy should be available to others who want it. Asked Thursday about the comments that have since been removed, Lisonbee didn't disavow them but said they came in an occasionally heated debate between members of her family over a story about same-sex marriage and the faith widely known as the Mormon church. "I repeatedly said my stance was love and compassion and not judgment," she said. Asked about the comment on suicide, she pointed to legislative testimony by a man who said he felt despondent about his attraction to other men until he underwent therapy that helped him meet and marry a woman. Troy Williams with the gay rights group Equality Utah denounced the posts. "She's falsely suggesting that people take their lives because they are gay," he said. "That is reckless and dangerous rhetoric that reveals her extreme homophobia." Lisonbee denied that allegation. She said conversion therapy is a "horrific practice" and pointed out that her version also would have banned electroshock therapy. "My goal was to find something that could pass," she said, adding that she's now the target of angry messages. But activists say therapists practicing conversion therapy generally don't use outdated, painful techniques, and her revisions still would have allowed practices they do employ to try to change behavior and feelings. "It's much worse than doing nothing," said Maria Olsen-Hiatt, 21, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder after going through conversion therapy at age 14. She came to the state Capitol on Thursday night to protest the ban's defeat. Gov. Gary Herbert released a letter apologizing for supporting the changes, calling it "an enormous misunderstanding." Olsen-Hiatt said the outcome reveals a disconnect. While state leaders have reached out to gay teens as they work to prevent suicide, she said there's still a widespread view in Utah that "LGBT existence is sinful." In this Jan., 7, 2019, photo, Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R - Clearfield, speaks during the Utah Taxpayers Association 2019 legislative outlook conference, in Salt Lake City. A nationwide push to ban LGBTQ conversion therapy for minors looked like it could succeed in conservative Utah after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said it wouldn't stand in the way, but the effort ground to a halt this week. Lisonbee sponsored the changes and insisted she was looking for a compromise that would still protect LGBTQ kids. But activists say some of her Facebook comments revealed by The Associated Press indicate that she supports the debunked practice. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) Rep. Craig Hall, R-West Valley City confers with Judiciary chair Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, during the House Judiciary Committee meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Hall watched lawmakers dismantle his bill to end conversion therapy and replace it with an alternative that he says would do nothing to stop the widely-discredited practice. (Leah Hogsten/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The federal government has rejected $306 million in reimbursements for California's repair of damaged spillways on the nation's tallest dam, a state agency said Friday. California has so far requested about $639 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the Oroville Dam repairs, said Lisa Lien-Mager of the state's Natural Resources Agency. FEMA has agreed to cover $333 million. That's less than about a third of the $1.1 billion the state's Department of Water Resources said it took to repair the dam. Spillways on the Oroville Dam crumbled and fell away during heavy rains in February 2017, forcing nearly 200,000 people to evacuate amid fears the dam would collapse. Disaster was ultimately averted, but the dam needed significant repair. The agency rejected $306 million in repairs for the dam's upper gated spillway because it was damaged prior to the heavy rain, FEMA spokeswoman Brandi Richard said. "Two separate independent engineering reviews indicate that a variety of problems existed at the dam prior to the February 2017 floods. FEMA's Public Assistance can only fund work directly linked to the declared disaster," Richard said in a statement. California plans to appeal, though it has not yet received a formal memo from FEMA outlining its decision, Lien-Mager said. The state can seek reimbursement for up to 75 percent of the cost and may be submitting more reimbursement requests soon. FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2017, file photo, water flows down the Oroville Dam's crippled spillway in Oroville, Calif. The federal government has rejected $306 million in reimbursements for California's repair of the nation's tallest dam, a state agency said Friday, March 8, 2019. That's just less than half of what California has so far requested from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to repair the Oroville Dam. FEMA has approved $333 million. State water officials put total reconstruction costs at $1.1 billion. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File) Local water agencies are already paying some of the repair costs, and anything not covered by the federal government would be kicked to them. "We firmly believe that federally-required repairs to Oroville after a federally-declared emergency should qualify for full federal assistance," Jennifer Pierre, general manager for the State Water Contractors, which advocates for 29 local water agencies. Republican state Sen. Jim Nielsen, who represents Oroville, said state water officials have long failed to do routine maintenance. The Department of Water Resources, he said, "must be more vigilant in its inspections and more thorough in its maintenance of the Oroville Dam for the safety of the people of Oroville and residents living downstream." Republican U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, meanwhile, blamed the state for spending money on other things, such as a high-speed rail project, over "fixing known deficiencies at the dam." Last month, the Trump administration threatened to revoke $3.5 billion for California's high-speed rail project, prompting a battle with California Gov. Gavin Newsom. There's no indication FEMA's decision is related. FILE - This Feb. 11, 2017, file aerial photo released by the California Department of Water Resources shows the damaged spillway with eroded hillside in Oroville, Calif. The Oroville Dam's spillways crumbled and fell away during heavy rains in February 2017 prompting nearly 200,000 people to evacuate. Ultimately the dam did not collapse. The federal government has rejected $306 million in reimbursements for California's repair of the nation's tallest dam, a state agency said Friday, March 8, 2019. That's just less than half of what California has so far requested from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to repair the Oroville Dam. FEMA has approved $333 million. State water officials put total reconstruction costs at $1.1 billion. (William Croyle/California Department of Water Resources via AP, File) Actor Jan-Michael Vincent, the "Airwolf" television star whose sleek good looks belied a troubled personal life, has died. He was 73. A death certificate shows that Vincent died of cardiac arrest on Feb. 10, 2019, in an Asheville, North Carolina, hospital. The certificate signed by a doctor says he died of natural causes and no autopsy was performed. It wasn't clear why it took several weeks for news of the death to surface before it was first reported Friday by TMZ. Messages left at phone listings for Vincent and his wife weren't immediately returned Friday. Born in 1945 in Denver, Colorado, Vincent starred in such films as 1972's "The Mechanic" and 1978's "Hooper," in which he played a stuntman opposite Burt Reynolds. Off-screen, his handsomeness earned him a spot on a cosmetic surgeon's "Ten Best Noses" list in the late 1970s. He also starred in the 1983 television mini-series "Winds of War" as the love interest of a character played by Ali MacGraw, "piling up enormous ratings," according to a contemporary Associated Press account. He earned a Golden Globe nomination. In a 1984 AP interview, Vincent described his passion for being on the water. He said he spent three months after wrapping up "Winds of War" sailing the Caribbean. He also said he was a longtime surfer. FILE - This September 1986 file photo shows actor Jan-Michael Vincent. Vincent, known for starring in the television series "Airwolf," died Feb. 10, 2019. He was 73. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File) "I was a traveling surfer for years. ... I've been all over the world surfing," he said. "I'll be 40 in July and I still like to surf." Perhaps his best-known role was in the television action-adventure series "Airwolf," which lasted for several seasons after launching in 1984. Vincent played pilot Stringfellow Hawke, a rugged pilot who could pull off aerobatic crime-fighting maneuvers in an advanced helicopter - but also play the cello. In the AP interview, he described trying to find the right way to loosen the character up. "The character is stiff," he says, "but as we've gone along we've been able to loosen him some. Now you'll sometimes see him crack a smile and say something funny. Even Clint Eastwood is mellowing, although I'll never be Burt Reynolds." However, his surfer-like demeanor was overshadowed at times by his troubled personal life. He pleaded guilty in 1997 to a drunken driving accident that left him with a broken neck and was sentenced to a rehab program. He was also charged in 1980s barroom brawls, receiving probation in one and an acquittal in another. In a separate case, he was acquitted in 1986 of hitting a woman. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail in 2000 in Orange County, California, after he admitted to violating his probation by appearing drunk in public and assaulting his then-girlfriend. ___ Associated Press writer Allen G. Breed contributed to this report. PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (AP) - Workers in Maine have removed a damaged United Express regional jet from deep snow where it came to a rest during a botched landing this week. A spokeswoman for the city of Presque (presk) Isle confirmed cranes lifted the 50-seat Embraer 145 from the snow Friday. The aircraft was moved to a hangar. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating why the jet ended up off the runway at Presque Isle International Airport. Photos posted on Facebook Friday indicated some of the landing gear had been ripped off during the hard landing Monday. Part of the landing gear ended up stuck in an engine cowling. Four passengers and a pilot received minor injuries. The CommutAir-operated flight from Newark, New Jersey, had 28 passengers and three crew members. OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Many of Amazon's Seattle-area employees would be exempt from new labor protections in a bill passed by the state Senate after lobbyists for the tech giant pushed to change a key threshold in the rules. The protections would partially prohibit non-compete clauses - controversial agreements used by tech companies and others to block employees from going to work for competitors or launching rival startups. Lawmakers say Amazon lobbied to have the income threshold set at a level that would likely exempt many workers in Seattle. The effort came as the company has expanded its presence in the state capital, where its spending has tripled in recent years. The bill passed the Washington state Senate Tuesday with the salary threshold set at $100,000 - the level sought by Amazon. Employees above the threshold would be exempted from the labor protection. The original wage threshold in the measure was about $180,000. The median salary for Amazon employees in Seattle is about $113,000, according to Glassdoor.com, a company that tracks top firms. FILE - In this Nov. 13, 2018, file photo, employees walk through a lobby at Amazon's headquarters in Seattle. Many of Amazon's Seattle-area employees will likely be exempt from new proposed labor protections after a push by the tech giant's lobbyists to raise the salary threshold at which the rules would kick in. The changes would partially prohibit so-called non-compete clauses, agreements widely used by tech companies and others to prohibit employees from going to work for competitors. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File) Other provisions require some protections for workers making more than $100,000, including an 18-month limit on any non-compete clauses they sign and a requirement that employees must be compensated while they are barred from working. The original proposal The measure now heads to the state House for consideration. Millions of U.S. workers sign non-compete agreements. A handful of states, including California, prohibit such agreements. Other companies joined talks surrounding the Washington state bill, as well as groups such as the Association of Washington Business and the Washington State Hospital Association. They were concerned with retaining trade secrets and intellectual property some but remained open to blocking the use of non-compete agreements for lower-paid workers. Democratic Sens. Marko Liias of Lynwood and Rep. Derek Stanford of Bothell, sponsors of the House and Senate versions of the bill, said Amazon made the lower threshold a priority. "They have a lot of clout," Stanford said. "Amazon was saying, if it's above this number, we're opposed. Amazon held off on endorsing a previous measure over the same issue, even after Microsoft signed off, Stanford said. Stanford, who submitted an amendment to lower the threshold in his bill to the level requested by Amazon, said it came down to simple arithmetic: The opposition of a major employer in the state would turn votes against the bill. Amazon defended its lobbying effort. "Like any other business, we work with elected officials so they understand how proposed regulations will impact our more than 50,000 employees and the growth of our business in the state," company spokesman Aaron Toso said. Republican Sen. Curtis King of Yakima voted for the measure and later said the threshold was appropriate and would help businesses safeguard their intellectual property while accommodating low-wage workers. Amazon's push on the bill came after the company tripled spending on lobbying in the state capital, in conjunction with a more assertive stance toward city governments around the country. Last year, the company joined an aggressive effort that helped repeal a business tax in Seattle. In 2017, the company dangled high-paying jobs and billions of dollars in investment as incentives for cities to host its new headquarters. Municipalities quickly turned to tax breaks and other lucrative incentives to lure the company. In Washington state, the company's spending on lobbyists jumped from $114,000 in 2014 to $358,000 in 2016, according to Amazon's filings with the state Public Disclosure Commission. It spent $679,000 in 2017 and $333,000 in 2018. That puts it behind Microsoft but ahead of Google and Facebook in spending on lobbying in the state. BOSTON (AP) - Two civil rights organizations sued the Trump administration Friday on behalf of 15 Liberian immigrants over the president's decision to end a humanitarian program that allows them to live and work in the U.S. The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and Lawyers for Civil Rights filed the lawsuit in federal court in Boston. The lawsuit challenges President Donald Trump's decision in March 2018 to end the Deferred Enforced Departure program, which has been renewed by previous Democratic and Republican administrations. It is due to expire at the end of this month. The lawsuit says the decision is unconstitutional and based on race, ethnicity and national origin, and would break apart families. Some of the Liberian immigrants have children who are U.S. citizens. "Defendant Trump has a history of bigoted remarks and actions that make clear that he holds racial animus against immigrants of color," according to the lawsuit. The program protects about 4,000 Liberian immigrants who came from the African nation to escape environmental disasters, the Ebola virus and war, the organizations said. An email seeking comment on the lawsuit was sent to the Justice Department. A memo signed by Trump last year says conditions in the country have improved, so the program is no longer needed. "We will not stand idly by as immigrants of color are threatened with detention and deportation," said Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, executive director of Lawyers for Civil Rights, in an emailed statement. "We will not allow the Trump Administration to trample on our dignity and our constitutional rights. We will resist all forms of discrimination, and we will hold the Trump Administration accountable for attacking Liberian families." In addition to the 15 Liberian immigrants, the organizations African Communities Together and the UndocuBlack Network are named as plaintiffs. Separately on Friday, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen announced an 18-month of extension of another blanket form of humanitarian relief called Temporary Protected Status for fewer than 100 people from South Sudan. The department said in a press release that "ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions" in the African nation justified the extension to Nov. 2, 2020. The decision was a mixed bag for South Sudanese because it applies only to those in the United States continuously since May 3, 2016. More recent arrivals are ineligible. The Trump administration has ended Temporary Protected Status for several other countries but faces legal challenges. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the administration on withdrawing the benefit for people of El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua and Sudan. ___ Associated Press writer Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report. RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The new special agent in charge of the FBI's Richmond, Virginia, field office was the lead FBI agent in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office. FBI Director Christopher Wray named David Archey as the new head of the Richmond office, the bureau announced Friday. Archey replaces Adam Lee, who announced his retirement in November and now works for Dominion Energy. Archey began his FBI career in 2001. He most recently worked as a deputy assistant director in the Counterintelligence Division at FBI headquarters and was assigned as the FBI senior lead at the special counsel's office. After starting his career in Portland, Oregon, Archey transferred to the Baltimore Field Office. There, he worked on counterintelligence and counterterrorism matters and was a member of the SWAT team. He also served in Bahrain and Jordan, and was deployed to Algiers, Algeria, to coordinate the opening of the FBI's legal attache office there. In 2008, Archey became the assistant legal attache and later the acting legal attache in Rabat, Morocco. He returned to the Baltimore office in 2010 as the supervisory special agent for the counterintelligence squad. In 2013, he led the Baltimore office's counterintelligence and cyber divisions as assistant special agent in charge. In 2014, he was promoted to section chief at FBI headquarters, where he oversaw the Global Section in the Counterintelligence Division. He was named deputy assistant director of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate in 2016. Archey began work in Richmond on Monday. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A South Dakota woman was charged Friday in the death of a newborn who was abandoned in a ditch 38 years ago, and police said they used DNA and genealogy sites to determine she was the baby's mother. Theresa Rose Bentaas was arrested and charged with murder and manslaughter in the 1981 death of the infant, known as Baby Andrew. Bentaas told authorities last month that she had hidden her pregnancy from her friends and family and gave birth while alone in her apartment, according to a court affidavit. Bentaas allegedly said she then drove the baby to the area he was later discovered, a cornfield ditch in Sioux Falls. Bentaas, now 57, said she was "young and stupid" and felt sad and scared as she drove away, according to the document. The baby died of exposure. Bentaas, who was 19 when the baby died, later married the infant's father and has two living adult children with him, the Argus Leader reported. Court records don't list an attorney for Bentaas who could comment on the allegations. This March 8, 2019 bilking photo released by Minnehaha County, South Dakota, Jail shows 57-year-old Theresa Rose Bentaas. The South Dakota woman has been charged in the death of a baby found in a ditch 38 years ago after police said they used DNA and genealogy sites to determine she was the mother. Police in Sioux Falls said Bentaas was arrested Friday, March 8 in the death of the child who'd been dubbed Baby Andrew. She is charged with murder and manslaughter. Police say the baby was alive when he was left in a cornfield ditch near Sioux Falls in 1981. The baby died of exposure. (Minnehaha County Jail via KELO via AP The case has gripped Sioux Falls for decades. Roughly 50 people attended the child's funeral, held more than a week after he was discovered. Children left stuffed animals and a pin on his pajamas read: "You are loved." Retired Detective Mike Webb said authorities used DNA from the baby exhumed 10 years ago and DNA obtained from Bentaas through a search warrant. Webb said the father won't be charged because he wasn't involved. "I couldn't be more pleased with the results today and the arrest and the closure that we find, as well as the hard work and dedication for the pursuit of justice for Andrew," Chief Matt Burns said. Public genealogy databases have been used in other recent cases, including the capture last April of the suspected Golden State Killer in northern California and the arrest of a businessman accused of fatally stabbing a Minneapolis woman in 1993. In South Dakota, authorities submitted a DNA sample from Baby Andrew to Parabon NanoLabs, which found two possible matches using the public genealogical database GEDmatch. Police constructed a family tree and performed a "trash pull" to collect beer and water containers and cigarette butts at Bentaas' home. Results from a cheek swab sample show there's "extremely strong evidence" to support a biological relationship between Bentaas and the child, according to the affidavit. ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia and Tennessee joined a string of states moving to enact tough abortion restrictions when Republican House lawmakers passed bans on most abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected. During a tense debate in Atlanta on Thursday, several Democratic lawmakers opposed to the bill turned their backs to its author, Republican Rep. Ed Setzler. Earlier in the day, some Democratic lawmakers brought in wire coat hangers in reference to unsafe home abortions. Setzler said his bill "seeks to recognize that the child in the womb, that is living distinct from their mother, has a right to life that is worthy of legal protection." The Tennessee House passed similar legislation earlier Thursday after its Republican supermajority forced an end to debate without letting some Democrats speak. Several other states including Mississippi, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio and South Carolina are also considering this type of legislation. If the measures in Georgia and Tennessee win Senate approval and are signed into law, they would trigger immediate legal challenges. Several women held a silent protest on the steps of Georgia's Capitol on Friday dressed as characters from "The Handmaid's Tale," which depicts a dystopian future where women are controlled by the government and forcibly used for breeding purposes. Georgia members of the Handmaid Coalition protest the passage of HB 481 outside the Capitol, Friday, March 8, 2019, in Atlanta. Now that the House has passed HB 481, the Senate is now tasked with tackling legislation that would ban most abortions after 6 weeks. The House approved the legislation late Thursday and advocates on both sides of the issues have already begun pushing senators to vote their way. (Bob Andres/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Abortion opponents across the country are hopeful the U.S. Supreme Court - with new Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh - will either reverse Roe v. Wade, or uphold specific state laws that could undermine the court's 1973 ruling establishing the right of women to abort a fetus that can't survive outside the womb. Democratic Rep. Renitta Shannon, speaking against the bill and about her own past abortion, went over time and her microphone was cut off. She refused to yield the floor until colleagues surrounded her and implored her to walk away. Before her microphone was cut, Shannon spoke about the illegal and unsafe abortion options women faced before Roe v. Wade. "Let's be clear, no matter what kind of law you pass to outlaw abortions, women will continue to seek and have abortions," Shannon said. Women in Georgia can currently seek an abortion during the first 20 weeks of a pregnancy. A fetal heartbeat is generally detectable at around six weeks, before many women know they are pregnant. The bill would make exceptions in the case of rape and incest, but only when the woman files a police report first. It also allows for abortions when the fetus is determined to be not compatible with life due to serious medical issues. Setzler previously said he had "misgivings" about those exceptions, saying that "those children are just as innocent as others." Republican Rep. Darlene Taylor asked a rhetorical question: "Who speaks for baby fetus?" "Today I do," Taylor answered, as she read a prepared speech as if she was a baby fetus that did not want to be aborted. Democratic Rep. Mike Wilensky said the bill clearly violates the constitution. "We know that this bill is unconstitutional. We know that there are going to be huge costs to litigate this," Wilensky said. The fast-tracked bill came to the floor in the final minutes before a legislative deadline by which bills must generally pass out of one house or the other to remain in play for the session. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who pledged as a candidate to sign the toughest abortion laws in the country, endorsed the proposal in a news conference after its passage in the House, but said there is more work to be done in the Senate. "I value life and I proudly support this legislation, which protects the right of the unborn at the heartbeat," Kemp said. Republican Gov. Bill Lee has said he would sign the Tennessee bill, downplaying constitutional concerns as an issue for the courts, not his office. Democrats and abortion-rights advocates say they'll continue to fight the bill and for safe access to abortion in Georgia. ____ Kimberlee Kruesi reported from Nashville, Tenn. FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2018 file photo, Rep. Ed Setzler presents his bill to the Governmental Affairs Special Subcommittee in Atlanta. Amid tears, gasps and handshakes, a Georgia House committee has approved legislation that would outlaw abortion after a heartbeat can be detected. (Bob Andres/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, File) Georgia members of the Handmaid Coalition protest the passage of HB 481 outside the Capitol, Friday, March 8, 2019, in Atlanta. Now that the House has passed HB 481, the Senate is now tasked with tackling legislation that would ban most abortions after 6 weeks. The House approved the legislation late Thursday and advocates on both sides of the issues have already begun pushing senators to vote their way. (Bob Andres/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Several woman legislators, including Rep. Brenda Lopez Romero, left, D - Norcross, brought coat hangers into the House Thursday, March 7, 2019 to show opposition to HB 481, which would toughen restrictions on abortions. The legislature was in session for Crossover" Day, a legislative deadline by which bills must generally pass out of one chamber or the other to remain alive for the session. (Bob Andres/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Opponents to HB 481 hold a press conference led off by Rep. Park Cannon, at podium, D - Atlanta. The bill would severely restrict abortions. The legislature was in session for "crossover" day, the 28th day of the 2019 General Assembly. (Bob Andres/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) Protesters from Planned Parenthood and other groups gather in front of the Tennessee House chamber to oppose a so-called fetal heartbeat bill before the vote, Thursday, March 7, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn. House lawmakers on Thursday passed legislation that would ban most abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, about six weeks into pregnancy. The bill is almost guaranteed to face a lawsuit if it becomes law. (AP Photo/Jonathan Mattise) Several woman legislators, including Rep. Park Cannon, left, D - Atlanta, and Rep. Pam Stephenson, D - Decatur, brought coat hangers into the House to show opposition to HB 481, which would toughen restrictions on abortions. The legislature was in session for Crossover" Day, a legislative deadline by which bills must generally pass out of one chamber or the other to remain alive for the session. (Bob Andres/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A top Republican in the Kansas House brushed aside criticism Friday that an income tax relief plan nearing final passage risks repeating a tax-cutting experiment that failed a few years ago, suggesting the new proposal is akin to finding and returning "a billfold filled with money." The bill the GOP-controlled Kansas House approved 76-43 contains proposals from top Republicans for preventing individuals and businesses from paying higher state income taxes because of GOP-championed changes in federal tax laws at the end of 2017. The measure, which Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly could ultimately veto, also includes a small cut in the state's sales tax on groceries. "It's kind of like finding a billfold filled with money with a driver's license on the street," said House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a conservative Wichita Republican. "Do you turn it back to them, like you should, or do you keep it? No, we don't keep it." Democrats have ramped up their criticism that the bill revives tax-cutting policies under former conservative Republican Gov. Sam Brownback in 2012 and 2013 that became nationally notorious. Budget problems that followed were so serious and persistent that even GOP voters saw the experiment as a failure - and bipartisan legislative majorities rolled most of it back in 2017. "It's similar to the Brownback tax experiment," said House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, a Wichita Democrat. "It's a step back to what we just got out of." Republican leaders contend it's wrong to see this year's bill as repeating the Brownback tax experiment. They argue that they're simply heading off an unintended increase in state taxes. Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, watches an electronic vote-tally board as the Kansas House approves a GOP income tax relief bill, Friday, March 8, 2019, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kan. The bill is designed to prevent individuals and businesses from paying more in state income taxes because of changes in federal tax laws. (AP Photo/John Hanna) The Republican-dominated Senate last month approved a version of the bill without the sales tax cut. It expects to decide next week whether to accept that proposal or force House members to negotiate. If senators accept the House's version, the bill will go to Kelly. The federal tax overhaul in 2017 cut federal income taxes for individuals and businesses but included provisions expected to raise revenues in some states. One federal change discouraged filers from claiming itemized deductions. The bill would allow filers to itemize on their state returns even if they don't on their federal returns. That provision and the cut in the sales tax on groceries to 5.5 percent from 6.5 percent are designed to give Kelly incentives to sign the bill, despite her misgivings. But businesses would receive almost two-thirds of the $209 million in tax savings projected for the state budget year beginning in July, and Democrats have attacked the measure as a corporate give-away. Many legislators in both parties expect Kelly to veto the bill, giving moderate Republicans some political cover when voting no could stir up conservative primary election voters. But supporters of the bill argue that voters are upset over possibility having their taxes rise without any action by the Legislature. "They realize this was an unintended consequence of the federal bill from a couple of years ago," said Jeff Glendening, a lobbyist for the anti-tax group Americans for Prosperity. While Kelly stopped short of threatening to veto the bill during a Friday news conference, she said, "Another way that you could look at it is that it's an unfunded federal mandate." The House's vote and the Senate's 26-14 vote in February were short of the two-thirds majorities that GOP leaders would need to override a veto. "We need to let the dust settle on our revenue situation," Kelly said. ___ Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna . Kansas House Minority leader Tom Sawyer, right, D-Wichita, confers with his chief of staff, Heather Scanlon, center, and Rep. Annie Kuether, left, D-Topeka, following a vote on a Republican tax relief bill, Friday, March 8, 2019, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kan. Democrats oppose the bill and argue it returns the state to failed tax-cutting policies under former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback. (AP Photo/John Hanna) MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. (AP) - A homeless man pleaded guilty Friday to a state charge in a GoFundMe scheme that prosecutors say brought in $400,000 with a made-up story about him aiding a stranded driver. Thirty-six-year-old Johnny Bobbitt, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty Friday in New Jersey Superior Court to conspiracy to commit theft by deception. He faces five years of probation and was entered into the state's drug court program for nonviolent offenders. He had pleaded guilty Wednesday to a federal charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries up to 10 years. Bobbitt conspired with 28-year-old Katelyn McClure, of Bordentown, New Jersey, and her then-boyfriend 39-year-old Mark D'Amico, of Florence, according to prosecutors. Authorities say they made up a story in 2017 about Bobbitt giving McClure $20 for gas when she was stranded along a Philadelphia highway. The online campaign raised more than $400,000 from 14,000 donors, made international headlines and led to media appearances by the trio. But the feel-good-story was based on a lie, prosecutors said. Johnny Bobbitt appears before Superior Court Judge Christopher Garrenger at the Burlington County Courthouse in Mount Holly, N.J., on Friday, March 8, 2019. Bobbitt's attorney Stephen P. Hunter is on the left. The homeless man pleaded guilty Friday to a state charge in a GoFundMe scheme that prosecutors say brought in $400,000 with a made-up story about him aiding a stranded driver. (Elizabeth Robertson/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP) The couple claimed the cash would be donated to Bobbitt, but New Jersey authorities said the three split the money and spent lavishly, including on a BMW, designer bags, and trips to Las Vegas and elsewhere. GoFundMe has said it has refunded the donations. Their relationship soured when Bobbitt sued the couple over what he said was their failure to turn money over to him. New Jersey prosecutors said the suit led them to start an investigation. McClure pleaded guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud this week. She and D'Amico face state charges, as well. D'Amico has denied wrongdoing. Attorneys Stephen P. Hunter, left, and John Keesler, right, stand with Johnny Bobbitt as he is sworn in by Superior Court Judge Christopher Garrenger at the Burlington County Courthouse in Mount Holly, N.J., on Friday, March 8, 2019. Bobbitt, who is homeless, pleaded guilty Friday to a state charge in a GoFundMe scheme that prosecutors say brought in $400,000 with a made-up story about him aiding a stranded driver. (Elizabeth Robertson/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP) A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these is legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked these out. Here are the real facts: ___ CLAIM: "US asylum officer to me: elective Lasik surgery is offered to all female migrants in family detention. Children given braces. All no cost. Then catch and release into the interior. Migrants calling home with this news of these incredible benefits, and the rush here goes on." -- Tweet. THE FACTS: Female migrants are not offered elective LASIK eye surgery and children are not being given braces while in family detention, despite what a tweet circulating widely claims. Todd Bensman, a Texas-based senior national security fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, who posted the tweet, told The Associated Press he spoke with the asylum officer but was "not attesting to the veracity" of the details in the tweet. He added that the asylum officer provided few details beyond what he posted. According to a public affairs officer for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency responsible for managing care and services in migrant detention centers, no elective surgeries or procedures of any kind are approved. The spokesman said medical procedures are only approved if necessary to preserve life, limb or eyesight. He added that there may be limited instances where orthodontics are medically necessary, but they are not proactively offered. --AP Writer Chloe Kim reported this item from Washington. CLAIM: President Barack Obama resettled 70,000 Somalian refugees in Minnesota. No wonder Rep. Ilhan Omar was elected. FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2005 file photo, a doctor prepares a patient for Lasik surgery in Chicago. On Friday, March 8, 2018, The Associated Press has found that stories circulating on the internet that elective Lasik surgery is offered to all female migrants to the U.S. in family detention, and children given braces, all no cost, are untrue. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) THE FACTS: Minnesota received 6,320 Somalian refugees, not 70,000, under the Obama administration, according to data from the U.S. Department of State's Refugee Processing Center. About 54,000 Somalian refugees total came to the U.S. under Obama, who served from Jan. 2009 to Jan. 2017. In contrast, the administration of President George W. Bush, a Republican, placed more Somalian refugees in Minnesota - roughly 9,800. Omar, a Minnesota Democrat who was elected to Congress last year, came to the United States from Somalia as a refugee 24 years ago, settling in Minneapolis with her family in 1997. Somalian refugees have long migrated to Minnesota and first began settling there in the early 1990s to flee an ongoing civil war, said Micaela Schuneman, refugee services director for the International Institute of Minnesota, a nonprofit that offers immigration services in the region. Minnesota continues to be a popular place for the State Department to place Somalian refugees because many of them have family members in the state and benefit from having an existing community of people from their home country, Schuneman said. --AP Writer Amanda Seitz reported this item from Chicago. __ CLAIM: U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison urged people to vote twice in same election. THE FACTS: Social media users are sharing a photo posted on Instagram by Omar in 2012 to falsely claim that she and Ellison, both Democrats, encouraged people to vote twice in an election. In the photo, Omar, a community activist at the time, and Ellison, who was a congressman, are marching behind a banner that states, "Be nice, VOTE NO twice. We don't need Voter ID." The photo is from an Oct. 20, 2012, march that was held to support two Minnesota statewide ballot amendments, one that would have required people to show a photo ID to vote and another that would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman. Both failed. Emily Rodvold, a graphic designer and activist, told the AP this week that she developed the "vote no twice" motto to show opposition to the proposed ballot amendments. "That was not encouraging people to vote twice," Rodvold said. "It was shorthand to tell people if you want to support gay marriage in the future and people's voting rights, you need to vote no twice." --AP Writer Amanda Seitz reported this item from Chicago. ___ This is part of The Associated Press' ongoing effort to fact-check misinformation that is shared widely online. ___ Find all AP Fact Checks here: https://www.apnews.com/tag/APFactCheck ___ Follow @APFactCheck on Twitter: https://twitter.com/APFactCheck ___ FILE - In this Dec. 21, 2015 file photo, Mohamed Obeyd, left, and Abukar Adnan design posters for a fundraiser at an Adult Basic Education English class in Mankato, Minn. On Friday, March 8, 2018, The Associated Press has found that stories circulating on the internet that President Barack Obama resettled 70,000 Somalian refugees in Minnesota, are untrue. According to data from the U.S. Department of State's Refugee Processing Center, the state received 6,320 Somalian refugees during his tenure. (Pat Christman/The Free Press via AP) HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. (AP) - Authorities say a Florida toddler was mauled to death by a family member's dogs. The Gainesville Sun reports that the attack occurred Friday morning at a High Springs home. The Alachua County Sheriff's Office says the 2-year-old boy was with his grandmother as she went to her daughter's home to check on the dogs. The grandmother let the dogs out in the yard with the boy while she went inside to prepare food. Deputies say the grandmother eventually came out of the home to find two dogs attacking the boy in a shed. The grandmother sustained serious injuries while trying to help the boy, who died at the scene. Animal control officers removed the two dogs that attacked the boy and four others from the home. The boy's death remains under investigation. ___ Information from: The Gainesville (Fla.) Sun, http://www.gainesvillesun.com NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. regulators on Friday gave the green light to salmon genetically modified to grow about twice as fast as normal, but the company behind it may face legal challenges before the fish can be sold domestically. The Food and Drug Administration said it lifted an alert that had prevented AquaBounty from importing its salmon eggs to its Indiana facility, where they would be grown before being sold as food. The agency noted the salmon has already undergone safety reviews, and that it lifted its alert because the fish would be subject to a new regulation that will require companies to disclose when a food is bioengineered. The move comes despite a pending lawsuit filed by a coalition of consumer, environmental and fishing groups that challenged the FDA's approval of the fish. "We think a remedy in our case would stop sale of the fish before they're allowed to be sold," said George Kimbrell, legal director for the Center for Food Safety, one of the groups suing the FDA. AquaBounty was founded in 1991, and it has been working through years of safety reviews and regulatory hurdles to sell its fish in the United States. In 2015, its salmon became the first genetically modified animal approved by the FDA for human consumption. But the agency subsequently issued an alert that stopped the Maynard, Massachusetts-based company from importing its fish eggs until disclosure guidelines for genetically modified foods were resolved. Called AquAdvantage, the fish is Atlantic salmon modified with DNA from other fish species to grow faster, which the company says will help feed growing demand for animal protein while reducing costs. This 2009 photo provided by AquaBountyTechnologies shows a juvenile salmon raised at the company's hatchery in Fortune, Prince Edward Island, Canada. On Friday, March 8, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it had lifted an alert had that had prevented AquaBounty from importing its salmon eggs to its Indiana facility, where they would be grown before being sold as food. (AquaBountyTechnologies via AP) AquaBounty CEO Sylvia Wulf said the company expects to get a final certification for its Albany, Indiana, growing facility in the coming weeks. Salmon eggs could then be sent from the company's research and development facility in Canada, and would be harvested after about 18 months when they reach 10 pounds, she said. Wulf said it's been difficult to engage companies in sales discussions because AquaBounty didn't know when it could start growing the fish in the United States. She said the salmon already has been sold in limited quantities in Canada, where it doesn't have to be labeled as genetically modified. Wulf said she doesn't expect the pending lawsuit to affect the company's U.S. plans. The genetically modified salmon are raised in tanks and bred to be female and sterile, measures designed to address any fears that they might get into the environment and breed with wild fish. But Kimbrell, of the Center for Food Safety, said the company's own tests have shown it's not 100 percent certain the fish would be sterile, and that concerns about it getting in the environment would grow if the company's operations were to expand. He also noted the disclosure regulation uses the term "bioengineered," even though most people are more familiar with the term genetically modified. And he pointed out that companies can provide disclosure through codes that have to be scanned. Implementation of that regulation starts in 2020, though people may start seeing disclosures on packages sooner. Compliance becomes mandatory in 2022. The genetic modification for AquaBounty's fish is different from gene-editing technology, which lets scientists snip out specific genes to bring about traits without introducing foreign DNA. Companies are also working to develop a variety of gene-edited crops and animals . ____ Follow Candice Choi at www.twitter.com/candicechoi ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. This 2016 photo provided by Alexi Hobbs shows salmon raised at the AquaBountyTechnologies hatchery in Fortune, Prince Edward Island, Canada. On Friday, March 8, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it had lifted an alert had that had prevented AquaBounty from importing its salmon eggs to its Indiana facility, where they would be grown before being sold as food. (Alexi Hobbs/AquaBountyTechnologies via AP) PHOENIX (AP) - A Phoenix long-term care facility where an incapacitated woman was raped last year and gave birth in December without any healthcare workers noticing her pregnancy was placed Friday under state supervision, subjecting the center to strict oversight requirements. The Arizona Department of Health Services and Hacienda HealthCare entered into a voluntary agreement allowing state regulators to watch over the facility, which houses patients who are intellectually disabled or are medically fragile. The intermediate care facility had long been exempted from state oversight but will now arguably face as much or more scrutiny as any Arizona licensed assisted living centers or nursing homes. "I feel confident that they are going to be able to meet the terms," said Dr. Cara Christ, director of Arizona's Department of Health Services said in an interview with reporters. "They are being regulated very similarly to our other licensed entities." The agreement is an important first step for the facility toward "restoring our credibility with the state, with Hacienda residents and their families, and with the public," Hacienda acting CEO Perry Petrilli said in a statement. He added: "We have completely overhauled Hacienda since January 1st of this year, but the improvements are still ongoing. We won't stop until we get this 100 percent right." FILE - This Jan. 25, 2019, file photo shows the Hacienda HealthCare facility in Phoenix. A former top Phoenix prosecutor has quit an internal investigation into patient safety at a health care facility where an incapacitated woman was raped and later gave birth. Gov. Doug Ducey's office confirmed Friday, March 1, 2019, that former Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley was terminating his contract with Hacienda HealthCare. The facility has been in turmoil since a patient gave birth Dec. 29. (AP Photo/Matt York, File) Now the center must hire a third-party authority to monitor day-to-day operations and lead daily checks on the wellbeing of patients. Hacienda must also provide the state with a $50,000 deposit in the event that patient transfers are needed. The center will also have to make sure it maintains compliance with state and federal statutes that pertain to nursing care institutions. Hacienda HealthCare will also be required to undergo unannounced inspections, use a video monitoring system inside the facility and employ people solely to watch out for patient safety. After the woman gave birth, the center put in place a rule not allowing male caregivers to directly care for female patients without at least one other person present. "Obviously, the focus of this agreement is ensuring the health and safety of patients," Christ said. "It does not shield Hacienda staff or the board from criminal investigations." The agreement marks the culmination of months of turmoil since the woman patient gave birth. Nathan Sutherland, a male nurse who cared for her, was arrested after his DNA matched a sample from the newborn. He has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of sexual assault and vulnerable adult abuse. Just a few days after the news surfaced, Hacienda's longtime CEO resigned. One doctor was dismissed and another suspended from providing services at the facility. Last week, multiple senior staff employees and two board members left or gave notice. Former Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley, who was hired by Hacienda to lead an internal investigation, also quit. The departures have not impacted direct patient care, Petrilli said. Hacienda officials had planned in February to close down the entire unit where the woman lived, saying it was no longer financially sustainable. The state protested because that would have required the relocation to other centers of nearly 40 other patients who are minors and young adults. Hacienda later agreed to relinquish regulation to the state. Intermediate care facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities have not been subject to state regulation in Arizona since the 1990s, when lawmakers approved the exemption for them. But lawmakers appear poised to reverse course. Legislation that would require facilities like Hacienda to apply for state licenses and conduct background checks of employees who care for clients was unanimously approved recently in the Arizona Senate and is awaiting a House vote. "Hacienda is going to be relieved when they can just be licensed by the department," Christ said. MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) - Nicaragua's Roman Catholic bishops have declined an invitation to attend talks between the government and representatives of the opposition. The bishops had been mediators in the first, failed round of talks last year. They had been invited by both sides to sit in as witnesses this year, along with representatives of evangelical churches. The bishops said in a statement Friday they would follow the talks and hoped for the best outcome, but wouldn't attend, arguing it was time for lay people to find a solution. The opposition civic alliance and government representatives sat down on Feb. 27, but have not yet agreed on an agenda. At least 325 people have been killed and more than 2,000 wounded since demonstrations began last April. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - The Latest on flooding in the Deep South (all times local): 4:20 p.m. Officials are ordering evacuations in a western Mississippi area where water is pooling behind a levee and predicted to cause record flooding. The Warren County Board of Supervisors voted Friday to order evacuation of the Eagle Lake community, north of Vicksburg. Warren County Emergency Management Director John Elfer said water inside the Yazoo Backwater Levee could cut off the only remaining road to the community. He says people aren't being forced to leave, but Elfer warns Eagle Lake may become inaccessible to firefighters and emergency medical services. Elfer says about 500 people live or have vacation houses at Eagle Lake The Yazoo Backwater Levee protects thousands of square miles of the Mississippi Delta region from even worse flooding by the Mississippi River. But when officials close a floodgate keeping out the big river, water draining from the north has nowhere to go, rising inside the levee. ___ 8 a.m. Gov. Bill Lee has signed an executive order making it easier for Tennessee to recover from the effects of serious flooding caused by heavy rains. The order signed Thursday begins the process for declaring a federal disaster after parts of the state set records for rainfall last month. Rain caused flooding in homes, businesses, roads, farms and fields, and led to landslides and highway closures. Lee's order enables easier delivery of health care, insurance and relief supplies to 83 Tennessee counties affected by flooding. It also helps the repair of state and federal highways damaged by high water. The order is retroactive to Feb. 6 and runs through April 7. Lee is scheduled to survey damage in Hardin County and other flood-stricken areas of west Tennessee on Friday. NEW YORK (AP) - On the cusp of another White House run, Joe Biden faces a daunting challenge that could complicate his path to the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination: money. Those close to the former vice president believe he would start off at a fundraising disadvantage compared to would-be rivals, whose campaigns have benefited from an early flood of small-dollar donations from the most liberal wing of the party. Biden, a 76-year-old lifetime politician with strong connections to the party's establishment, would be forced to rely on an "old-school grind-it-out" plan to generate campaign cash from wealthy individual donors, according to a person with direct knowledge of Biden's thinking. Questions about money are among the nagging issues Biden is still considering as he weighs launching a campaign. He's decamped this week to St. Croix, a favorite Biden family vacation spot in the Caribbean, to discuss the remaining roadblocks with his wife, Jill. Biden has long disliked the time-intensive process of political fundraising. But with virtually no campaign operation in key states, he'd need to generate millions of dollars in a matter of weeks should he enter what is expected to be the most expensive presidential campaign in U.S. history. "He obviously has a lot of friends among the Democratic donor community," said David Axelrod, one of former President Barack Obama's top political advisers. "But fundraising today is turbo-charged by social media. He's not of the social media generation." The fundraising question comes as Biden allies across the country feel an increasing sense of urgency for the Democratic heavyweight to declare his intentions. He has repeatedly hinted that he's close to making a decision, but those close to him now believe that an announcement, which some expected in January, might be delayed until April. In this Feb. 28, 2019, photo, former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at the Chuck Hagel Forum in Global Leadership, on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Omaha, in Omaha, Neb. On the cusp of a decision, Biden is weighing at least one daunting challenge that could complicate his path to the Democratic presidential nomination: Money. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) Democrats in key primary states are warning that it's becoming more difficult to persuade Biden holdouts to be patient as a crowded field of presidential contenders such as Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, California Sen. Kamala Harris and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders actively fight for their support. In South Carolina, which holds the first primary contest in the South, Charleston County Democratic Party Chairman Brady Quirk-Garvan said Biden's indecision has created a holding pattern for potential staffers and supporters. As time drags on, he said, he's fielding calls from some who are confused by Biden's indecision. "Several have said it's concerning that he can't seem to make up his mind," Quirk-Garvan said. "If you're going to run for president, most people want someone who's pretty damn sure they want to be president." Biden has made clear to his family, friends and advisers that he wants to run, but he has held off giving his team the final go-ahead to launch a campaign. Among the factors giving him pause is concern about the impact a presidential run would have on his family, particularly given his son Hunter's complicated personal history. Even so, Biden adviser Steve Ricchetti has been signaling to potential Democratic rivals that Biden is expected to run. Other advisers including Greg Schultz and Peter Kavanaugh have been in regular contact with potential staff across the country to ensure Biden could quickly ramp up a national organization. Those close to Biden expect him to signal his decision - at least internally - in the coming days to be followed by an intense period of hiring ahead of an April announcement should he decide to run. Biden's likely entry into the race was among the factors that led former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to decide this week that he would not launch a campaign. Biden and Bloomberg spoke after the former mayor announced his decision, according to a person with knowledge of the conversation. That person, like others in the story, spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss private conversations. Biden has openly raised questions about the social media and fundraising landscape, which has changed dramatically since he first joined Obama on the Democrats' 2008 presidential ticket. Several 2020 Democratic contenders have condemned super PACs in recent weeks. Warren, who has been struggling to raise money, took it a step further late last month, vowing not to court wealthy donors at all. Biden acknowledged during a recent appearance at the University of Delaware that fundraising is a major consideration. "We also are making a decision on whether or not we can fund this campaign on my conditions because I will not be part of a super PAC - and to see whether or not it's realistic," Biden said. "An awful lot of people have offered to help - the people, who are usually the biggest donors in the Democratic Party, and, I might add, some major Republican folks." A frequent headliner on the Democratic money circuit, Biden is well-known among donors but does not have a pool of big-dollar fundraisers lined up ready to commit to his campaign. And his fundraising track record is underwhelming at best. He faced little more than token opposition in his long run as a Delaware senator, requiring a relatively light fundraising burden. And in his 2008 presidential run, Biden raised barely half of the $20 million fundraising goal he set before dropping out of the race following a weak finish in the Iowa caucuses. He was outraised by four other Democratic candidates in the final three months of his campaign, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. With no clear front-runner in the crowded 2020 Democratic field, many of Obama's donors are holding off on making commitments to one candidate or plan to give smaller amounts to multiple candidates in the coming months. Biden's entry into the race is unlikely to change that approach, according to a Democrat who has spoken to several Obama donors. But at least one Obama donor, Don Peebles, a two-time member of the former president's national finance team, expressed confidence in Biden's fundraising ability. "I think he'd raise more money than several of the top candidates combined," Peebles said, vowing to support Biden if he runs. "He's the best chance that the Democrats have to win in November." Some Biden loyalists are not as patient. In Iowa, Roxana Moritz, who was part of Biden's Iowa steering committee during his failed 2008 bid, expressed concern that by waiting so long, Biden was allowing other candidates to peel off some of his supporters. "The longer it goes, the harder it gets" for the former vice president to consolidate support, said Mortiz, the Scott County auditor. While she's still certain to support Biden if he runs, Moritz is getting anxious. "I wish that he would be clear on his plans," she said. ___ Pace reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Meg Kinnard in Columbia, S.C.; Alexandra Jaffe in Des Moines, Iowa; and Hunter Woodall in Manchester, N.H., contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (AP) - House Republicans on Friday released the transcript of an interview with a Justice Department official linked to the early days of the Russia investigation, renewing their efforts to raise questions about the origins of the special counsel's probe and pushing back on the sweeping new investigations Democrats have launched into President Donald Trump. Georgia Rep. Doug Collins, the top Republican on the Judiciary panel, released the transcript of a private interview with Justice Department official Bruce Ohr, who was in contact with a former British spy hired to investigate potential ties between Trump and Russia as the investigation got its start in 2016. Collins said there would be more transcripts to come - though didn't specify which ones - as special counsel Robert Mueller begins to wrap up the Russia probe. The move is the latest example of Republicans' attempts to push back against the investigations, which Trump has called "presidential harassment." Republicans have slammed the Democrats' new probes, saying they are an overreach and a continuation of what they say was anti-Trump bias at the Justice Department. Collins said Republicans are going to tell the story "on how we got here," adding that "if you ever lose context of where you come from, you lose context of what the answer may be." The Democratic chairman of the Judiciary panel, New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler, announced Monday that the committee was sending 81 document requests to people linked to Trump and that the panel would launch a broad investigation of the president's political, business and personal dealings. That followed announcements of similar investigations from the House intelligence committee and its oversight panel. FILE - In this Aug. 28, 2018, file photo, Justice Department official Bruce Ohr arrives for a closed hearing of the House Judiciary and House Oversight committees on Capitol Hill in Washington. House Republicans on Friday, March 8, 2019, released the transcript of an interview with Ohr, a Justice Department official linked to the early days of the Russia investigation, renewing efforts to raise questions about the origins of the special counsel's probe and pushing back on the sweeping new investigations Democrats have launched into President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Ohr was a key figure in an investigation launched by Republicans in 2017 that looked at whether officials in the Justice Department were biased or conspired against Trump as he campaigned for the presidency. Ohr is a longtime Justice Department official who attracted scrutiny in part because of his wife's job at a political research firm that hired a former British spy, Christopher Steele, to investigate Trump's Russian ties. Ohr himself was a longtime contact of Steele, and told members of Congress that he passed along certain information that Steele gave to FBI and Justice Department officials who, in 2016, were investigating Russia's efforts to influence the election. According to the transcript, as The Associated Press reported in August, Ohr told lawmakers how Steele had revealed to him that Russian intelligence believed it had Trump "over a barrel," suggesting a possibility of compromising information. The information Steele gathered for his research was compiled into a dossier. Collins said Friday that he remained concerned that the dossier, which he said included "unverified" and "salacious" details, was later used by the FBI to apply for and receive a secret warrant to monitor the communications of a Trump campaign aide, Carter Page. Democrats have maintained throughout the GOP investigation in 2017 and 2018 that it was merely a distraction from Mueller's investigation - and closed it promptly when they won the majority. Neither Nadler nor the chairman of the oversight panel, Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings, commented on Collins' release of the Ohr transcript. Other Democrats on the panel said Friday that they support transparency but view the release as an effort to undermine Mueller. Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin said the panel has "very serious matters" to investigate. "They are basically posting graffiti with all of these sideshow escapades," Raskin said of Republicans. WASHINGTON (AP) - Freshman New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and several of her allies were accused this week by a conservative group of improperly masking political spending during the 2018 campaign. Ocasio-Cortez is a vocal critic of untraceable money in politics, and the news provoked uproar from conservative media organizations. Campaign finance experts, however, caution that there is no evidence of wrongdoing. The Associated Press explains: ___ HOW DID WE GET HERE? The conservative National Legal and Policy Center argued in a complaint to the Federal Election Commission on Sunday that Ocasio-Cortez and her allies "orchestrated an extensive off-the-books operation." They requested an investigation, charging that political groups tied to Ocasio-Cortez and her advisers improperly obscured how money that they raised was spent. It was quickly snapped up by conservative media outlets like the Daily Caller and Washington Examiner, as well as tabloids like the New York Post. ___ HOW DID THE OPERATION WORK? In this Feb. 27, 2019, photo, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., listens to questioning of Michael Cohen on Capitol Hill in Washington. Ocasio-Cortez and several of her allies were accused this week by a conservative group of improperly masking political spending during the 2018 campaign. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Ocasio-Cortez's current chief of staff Saikat Chakrabarti helped found two groups, Justice Democrats and Brand New Congress, that aimed to elect progressive candidates to office. Ocasio-Cortez is also listed as a "governor" of Justice Democrats in a business filing. Records show that in 2016 and 2017 political action committees operated by the groups paid over $1 million to a company that Chakrabarti also ran, which was called Brand New Congress LLC. Limited liability companies are a tool sometimes used in politics to obscure the flow of money. Ordinarily, individual campaign expenses are reported to the FEC. But by routing the money instead to Chakrabarti's company - which his lawyer says was founded to be a "one-stop" campaign vendor - they were able to label it as a "strategic consulting" expense and fulfill the FEC's disclosure requirements. Chakrabarti's company could then spend the money as it wanted without being obligated to report where it went. ___ SO WHAT'S THE CONCERN? Campaign finance reformers - including Ocasio-Cortez - bemoan a lack of transparency in how political money is raised and spent. While the use of LLCs is not uncommon, reformers say there is good cause for concern. For example, an operator of a so-called "scam PAC" could use an LLC to obscure paying themselves money that donors intended to be used for political activity. Former FEC attorney Adav Noti said that much of the coverage of the complaint against Ocasio-Cortez and her advisers was overblown. But he added that it is "completely fair for people to raise questions about the way they structured this." "When you see this sort of spending pattern, it can be a warning," said Noti, who now works for the non-partisan Campaign Legal Center. ___ HOW DOES AOC EXPLAIN IT? David Mitrani, an attorney representing Ocasio-Cortez and the other various groups named in the complaint, said Chakrabarti did not form the LLC to obscure spending. Rather, Mitrani said tax and campaign finance law is vague and they formed the company out of concern that they may otherwise run afoul of the law. "We were concerned about tax and campaign finance law exposure," Mitrani said. Noti said there could be a plausible explanation, but reiterated that it is reasonable for people to "demand that these folks explain why they spent hundreds of thousands of dollar from their PAC to buy services from their own company." ___ WHAT'S NEXT It's unclear what the FEC will do. They could launch an investigation or choose not to take action. A spokesman for the FEC confirmed that the agency had received the complaint, but declined further comment. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Officials across the Tennessee and lower Mississippi valleys prepared Friday for more rainfall that could add water to already-overflowing rivers, while Mississippi officials ordered evacuations and closed roads as water continues to rise behind a levee. Gov. Bill Lee signed an executive order Thursday making it easier for Tennessee to recover from the effects of serious flooding, beginning the process for declaring a federal disaster. Parts of the state set records for rainfall last month, with flooding in homes, businesses, roads, farms and fields, and led to landslides and highway closures. River levels remain high in parts of Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee, with more rain expected Friday and Saturday. There are flood worries along the Tennessee and Mississippi rivers, as well as their tributaries and at reservoirs operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority. In Mississippi, Warren County officials voted Friday to order evacuation of the Eagle Lake community, north of Vicksburg, even as state officials were closing two highways in neighboring Yazoo County. The region is being affected by flooding behind the Yazoo Backwater Levee, which protects thousands of square miles of the Mississippi Delta region from even worse flooding by the Mississippi River. But when officials close a floodgate keeping out the big river, water draining from the north has nowhere to go, rising inside the levee-protected area. That gate has been closed since Feb. 15 and is unlikely to reopen until after the Mississippi River crests at Vicksburg early next week. Warren County Emergency Management Director John Elfer said water could cut off the only remaining road to Eagle Lake. He says people aren't being forced to leave, but Elfer warns the community may become inaccessible to firefighters and emergency medical services. Elfer says about 500 people live or have vacation houses at Eagle Lake. Water from recent rainfalls pool up along the Steele Bayou Drainage Structure on a levee in Warren County, Miss., as shown in this Friday, March 1, 2019 photograph. As Mississippi River backwaters in the Eagle Lake area are at flood level and are projected to rise even higher, it is causing limited access to residents by emergency vehicles. The levee protects thousands of square miles of the Delta region from even worse flooding by the Mississippi River. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Heavy rain this weekend could worsen a slow-moving disaster that will already flood more than 500,000 acres (200,000 hectares) of farmland. In Tennessee, Lee's order enables easier delivery of health care, insurance and relief supplies to 83 Tennessee counties affected by flooding. It also helps the repair of state and federal highways damaged by high water. The order is retroactive to Feb. 6 and runs through April 7. Lee was scheduled to survey damage in Hardin County and other flood-stricken areas of west Tennessee on Friday. TVA said Friday that water releases in Tennessee River tributaries were continuing at an aggressive pace as the agency manages river levels. The river remains above flood stage at Savannah, Perryville and near Pickwick Dam in Tennessee, and Florence in Alabama, said James Everett, manager of the TVA's River Forecast Center. Water releases at Kentucky Dam are near record levels, Everett said. TVA is keeping an eye on the weather Friday and Saturday, when 1-3 inches (2-7.5 centimeters) could fall in the Tennessee River valley, Everett said. TVA is urging people to use extreme caution if they plan to use rivers and lakes for fishing or recreation, as debris and high water pose dangers for boaters. "These are extremely turbulent waters and extremely high currents," Everett said. Meanwhile, flood warnings and advisories remain in effect for the Mississippi River throughout Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. The river is falling at Memphis and is predicted to crest at Greenville, Mississippi, on Saturday. A flood warning also is in effect for the Tombigbee River at Amory in Mississippi. ____ Amy contributed from Jackson, Miss. A truck passes on top of the levee at the Steele Bayou Drainage Structure in Warren County, Miss., as water from recent rainfalls rises on both sides in this Friday, March 1, 2019 photograph. As Mississippi River backwaters in the Eagle Lake area are at flood level and are projected to rise even higher, it is causing limited access to residents by emergency vehicles. The levee protects thousands of square miles of the Delta region from even worse flooding by the Mississippi River. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) Middle Valley Plaza is seen flooded in Soddy-Daisy, Tenn., Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019, after heavy rain overnight. Homes, highways, parks and bridges throughout the South have been flooded or rendered out of commission Saturday, as the toll of days of drenching rains swelled waterways and pooled over saturated lands amid the threat of severe storms. (Doug Strickland/Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP) At first glance, Mark Zuckerberg's new "privacy-focused vision " for Facebook looks like a transformative mission statement from a CEO under pressure to reverse years of battering over its surveillance practices and privacy failures. But critics say the announcement obscures Facebook's deeper motivations: To expand lucrative new commercial services, continue monopolizing the attention of users, develop new data sources to track people and frustrate regulators who might be eyeing a breakup of the social-media behemoth. Facebook "wants to be the operating system of our lives," said Siva Vaidhyanathan, director of media studies at the University of Virginia. Zuckerberg's plan, outlined Wednesday, expands Facebook's commitment to private messaging, in sharp contrast with his traditional focus on public sharing. Facebook would combine its instant-messaging services WhatsApp and Instagram Direct with its core Messenger app so that users of one could message people on the others, and would expand the use of encrypted messaging to keep outsiders - including Facebook - from reading the messages. The plan also calls for using those messaging services to expand Facebook's role in e-commerce and payments. A Facebook spokesperson later said it was too early to answer detailed questions about the company's messaging plans. Vaidhyanathan said Zuckerberg wants people to abandon competing, person-to-person forms of communication such as email, texting and Apple's iMessage in order to "do everything through a Facebook product." The end goal could be transform Facebook into a service like the Chinese app WeChat , which has 1.1 billion users and includes the world's most popular person-to-person online payment system. FILE - In this April 11, 2018, file photo Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg arrives to testify before a House Energy and Commerce hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. Zuckerberg's new "privacy-focused vision" for Facebook looks like a transformative mission statement for the much-criticized social network. But critics say the announcement obscures Facebook's deeper motivations: To expand lucrative new commercial services, continue monopolizing the attention of users and to develop new data sources for tracking people. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) In some respects, Facebook was already headed in this direction. It has dabbled with shopping features in its Messenger app for a few years, although without much effect. And WhatsApp, which Facebook acquired for $22 billion in 2014, embraced a strong privacy technology known as "end-to-end encryption" nearly three years ago. Messages protected this way are shielded from snooping, even by the services who deliver them. But Zuckerberg said nothing in the Wednesday blog post about reforming privacy practices in its core business, which remains hungry for data. A recent Wall Street Journal report found that Facebook was still collecting personal information from apps such as user heart rates and when women ovulate . Facebook, which perfected what critics call "surveillance capitalism," knows it has serious credibility issues. Those go beyond repeated privacy lapses to include serious abuses by Russian agents, hate groups and disinformation mongers, which Zuckerberg acknowledged only belatedly. "Until Facebook actually fixes its core privacy issues - and especially given their history - it's difficult to take the pivot to privacy seriously," said Justin Brookman, who was a research director at the Federal Trade Commission before joining Consumers Union as privacy and technology chief in 2017. Combining the three messaging services could allow Facebook - which today has 15 million fewer U.S. users than in 2017, according to Edison Research - build more complete data profiles on all its users. The merged messaging services should generate new profits from the metadata they collect, including information on who you message, when you do it, from where and for how long, said Frederike Kaltheuner of the advocacy group Privacy International. That is the information that users leave behind when they message each other or conduct retail, travel or financial business, she added. And Facebook doesn't just use people's information and activity on its platform, dissecting it to target people with tailored ads. It also tracks people who don't even use the platform via small pieces of software embedded in third-party apps. Privacy International published research in December showing that popular Android apps including KAYAK and Yelp were automatically sending user data directly to Facebook the moment they were opened. KAYAK, which was sending flight search results, halted the practice and said the transmission was inadvertent. Yelp continues to send unique identifiers known as "advertising IDs" that link to specific smartphones. Facebook also has trackers that harvest data on people's online behavior on about 30 percent of the world's websites , said Jeremy Tillman of Ghostery, a popular ad-blocker and anti-tracking software. "When they say they are building a private messaging platform there is nothing in there that suggests they are going to stop their data collection and ad-targeting business model," he said. In a Wednesday interview with The Associated Press, Zuckerberg offered no specifics on new revenue sources. But "the overall opportunity here is a lot larger than what we have built in terms of Facebook and Instagram," he said. Privacy advocates, however, do admire one key element of Zuckerberg's announcement. "In the last year, I've spoken with dissidents who've told me encryption is the reason they are free, or even alive," Zuckerberg wrote. ___ AP technology writer Michael Liedtke contributed to this article from San Francisco. FILE - In this Jan. 9, 2019, file photo, media and guests tour Facebook's new 130,000-square-foot offices, which occupy the top three floors of a 10-story Cambridge, Mass., building. Facebook, which perfected what critics call "surveillance capitalism," knows it has serious credibility issues. Those go beyond repeated privacy lapses to include serious abuses by Russian agents, hate groups and disinformation mongers, which Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged only belatedly. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File) FILE - In this Nov. 15, 2018, file photo the icons of Facebook and WhatsApp are pictured on an iPhone in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Mark Zuckerberg's privacy memo is a maneuver to make more palatable the planned merging of the instant-messaging services of WhatsApp, Instagram with Facebook's core Messenger app, analysts say. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File) FILE- In this May 1, 2018, file photo, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg makes the keynote speech at F8, Facebook's developer conference in San Jose, Calif. Zuckerberg laid out a new "privacy-focused" vision for social networking on Wednesday, March 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File) FILE - In this April 11, 2018, file photo, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg pauses while testifying before a House Energy and Commerce hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington about the use of Facebook data to target American voters in the 2016 election and data privacy. Zuckerberg said Facebook will start to emphasize new privacy-shielding messaging services, a shift apparently intended to blunt both criticism of the company's data handling and potential antitrust action. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) FILE- In this April 11, 2018, file photo Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg pauses while testifying before a House Energy and Commerce hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. Zuckerberg laid out a new "privacy-focused" vision for social networking on Wednesday, March 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) FILE- In this Jan. 9, 2019, file photo, a man checks his phone inside Facebook's new 130,000-square-foot offices, which occupy the top three floors of a 10-story Cambridge, Mass. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg laid out a new "privacy-focused" vision for social networking on Wednesday, March 6. He is promising to transform Facebook from a company known for devouring the personal information shared by its users to one that gives people more ways to communicate in truly private fashion, with their intimate thoughts and pictures shielded by encryption in ways that Facebook itself can't read. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File) FILE - In this April 10, 2018, file photo, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies before a joint hearing of the Commerce and Judiciary Committees on Capitol Hill in Washington, about the use of Facebook data to target American voters in the 2016 election. Zuckerberg said Facebook will start to emphasize new privacy-shielding messaging services, a shift apparently intended to blunt both criticism of the company's data handling and potential antitrust action. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) A judge's decision to sentence President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman to less than four years in prison - a fraction of the penalty called for in government guidelines - sparked widespread anger Friday and opened up a conversation about whether the justice system treats different crimes and criminals fairly. Judge T.S. Ellis III's comment that Paul Manafort had lived an "otherwise blameless life" was particularly galling to those who pointed out that Manafort's past included work for people such as Philippine strongman Ferdinand Marcos and Congolese dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. Sen. Cory Booker, a Democratic presidential candidate, told "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" Thursday night that the criminal justice system "treats you better if you're rich and guilty than if you're poor and innocent" and preys upon the most vulnerable such as "poor folks, mentally ill folks, addicted folks and overwhelmingly black and brown folks." Asked if he was shocked, Booker replied, "No, this criminal justice system can't surprise me anymore." Manafort, 69, was convicted by a jury in Virginia of eight felony tax and bank fraud charges. Probation officials calculated a guideline range of 19.5 to 24.5 years. Many observers raised the case of Crystal Mason, a black woman from Texas who was sentenced in state court last year to five years in prison for voting illegally in 2016, while she was on supervised release from a federal conviction. Mason said she didn't know she wasn't allowed to vote. FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2017, file photo, Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman, leaves the federal courthouse in Washington. A federal judge's decision to sentence Manafort to less than four years in prison for his conviction on eight felony tax and bank fraud charges, sparked anger and outrage and opened up a conversation about whether the justice system treats different kinds of crimes, and different kinds of criminals, fairly. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) Her lawyer, Alison Grinter, said Friday that the judge's comment about Manafort being "blameless" was infuriating, especially considering that he is awaiting sentencing on a different case in Washington, where he faces up to 10 more years. The Washington judge who will sentence him next week has the option to impose that sentence either concurrently or consecutively. "I'm absolutely aghast. I hardly recognize the judicial system," Grinter said. Mason and "so many other folks like her have come to expect this kind of disparity. It's only now that we're paying attention to it." Grinter pointed out that her client's original crime was a single tax-related federal charge, and she received the maximum sentence. Manafort, on the other hand, received more than 15 years less than what was called for under the low end of the guideline range. The most recent statistics from the U.S. Sentencing Commission show that, in fiscal year 2017, roughly half of all federal sentences came in below the guidelines, while only 3 percent went above the guidelines. Roughly three-fourths of all tax cases came in below the guidelines in that fiscal year, according to the commission. In Manafort's case, the judge called the guideline range "excessive." During Thursday's hearing, he noted that the guidelines were recently changed to calculate higher sentences in tax cases. As a result, many tax evaders who similarly avoided millions of dollars in taxes over the years received much lighter sentences, sometimes less than a year. Defense lawyers cited those cases, and Ellis said he arrived at his sentence in part to avoid unwarranted disparities. Ellis , who was born in Bogota, Colombia, was appointed to the bench by President Ronald Reagan in 1987. A review of several of Ellis' cases by The Associated Press found that he is sometimes lenient, meting out lower-than-recommended sentences in multiple fraud and drug cases this year and last. In one drug case, he sentenced a defendant to just over four years, nearly five years less than the nine years called for by the lower end of the guideline range. However, most of his sentencing departures could be measured in months. In another high-profile case in 2009, Ellis sentenced Congressman William J. Jefferson to 13 years in prison for bribery and fraud, significantly less than the 27 to 33 years calculated for Jefferson under the sentencing guidelines. Still, it was the longest-ever prison sentence for a member of Congress. Ellis later released him after he had served less than half his sentence due to a Supreme Court ruling in another bribery case. Jefferson, who is black, told the AP on Friday that he believed Manafort's sentence was "grossly inequitable." "I just count it as another recognition of a fault in the system that seems to be ever-present when it comes to comparing how blacks and whites who are similarly situated are treated differently," he said. The disparity "keeps showing its ugly face." Marc Mauer, executive director of The Sentencing Project, a group that works to reform sentencing policy and address racial disparities in the criminal justice system, said the system is a function of race and class disparities. Manafort and other wealthy white-collar defendants are able to afford the best defense money can buy, he said. He questioned why the legal system does not "provide those same resources to the indigent defendants, who are the bulk of the people going through the court system?" Another way to look at the issue, he said, is "that many people are getting harsh sentences. If there's one thing that characterizes the American court system, it's that our sentences are very severe by any international standards." Not everyone thought the sentence was too lenient. Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani said Manafort had been treated out of proportion to what he had done. Giuliani blamed prosecutors for what he called "excessive zeal." "He's not a terrorist. He's not an organized criminal," said Giuliani, who was known for his tough-on-crime approach when he was mayor of New York City. "He's a white-collar criminal." ___ Associated Press writers Errin Haines Whack in Philadelphia, Matthew Barakat in Alexandria, Virginia, Jonathan Lemire in New York and AP researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York contributed to this report. FILE - In this March 6, 2019, file photo, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., speaks during a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington. Booker told "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," Thursday, March 7, that the criminal justice system "treats you better if you're rich and guilty than if you're poor and innocent" and preys upon the most vulnerable: "Poor folks, mentally ill folks, addicted folks and overwhelmingly black and brown folks." (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) In this April 17, 2018, photo, Crystal Mason speaks to the media in downtown Dallas. Mason, a black woman from Texas who was sentenced in 2018 to five years in prison for voting illegally in 2016, while she was on supervised release from a federal conviction, said she didn't know she wasn't allowed to vote. (Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News via AP) UNITED NATIONS (AP) - An "overwhelming" number of U.N. Security Council members oppose Israel's decision to deduct money that Palestinians transfer to the families of people killed, injured or imprisoned for attacks on Israel from their monthly tax revenue, Kuwait's U.N. ambassador said Friday. Mansour Al-Otaibi told reporters after a closed-door council meeting that Israel's action was "in violation of existing bilateral agreements." U.S. Mideast envoy Jason Greenblatt came to New York from Washington to defend close ally Israel. He told the council that the Palestinian Authority's decision to reject the latest tax transfer was only hurting the Palestinian people because they were rejecting the 95 percent of the tax revenue that Israel is not withholding, according to a diplomat at the meeting. Greenblatt said it was "inappropriate" to focus on Israel, which was withholding 5 percent to 7 percent of the monthly tax revenue because of the Palestinian Authority's "abhorrent practice" of paying that money "to terrorists and their families," the diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity because discussions were private. "The Palestinian Authority is refusing to accept over $150 million in revenue to protest the fact that $11 million is being withheld, only to make a political point," the diplomat quoted Greenblatt as saying. "Does that sound like a governing authority that is concerned with the welfare of its people?" Kuwait's Mansour, who called for the Security Council consultations along with Indonesia's U.N. Ambassador Dian Djani, said the Palestinians "have the right ... to do whatever they want with their money." He said U.N. Mideast envoy Nikolay Mladenov, who briefed the council by video, said "there is a need for mediation on this to solve it." Mansour said an "overwhelming" number of members on the 15-nation Security Council "think that this is a unilateral decision, it's not acceptable, it's a violation of the Oslo agreement and Paris protocol, and this is Palestinian money." Indonesia's Djani said Israel's suspension of international observers in Hebron coupled with the withholding tax revenue were making things "more and more difficult once again for the Palestinian people - so that's why we are raising this issue, because we don't want to continue to escalate an issue." The diplomat said Greenblatt told the council that members who disagree with Israel's decision to withhold the customs revenues were free to discuss it with the Israeli government. But in the meantime, the diplomat said, Greenblatt asked the Security Council to send a united message to the Palestinian Authority to stop "its irresponsible decision to reject the transfer of the remaining funds." ___ Matthew Lee contributed to this report from Washington CHICAGO (AP) - The Latest on the indictment of actor Jussie Smollett (all times local): 9:30 p.m. An attorney for Jussie Smollett says a 16-count indictment against the "Empire" actor is "vindictive" and Smollett "maintains his innocence." Mark Geragos says in a statement that he did not expect a Cook County grand jury would charge Smollet with 16 separate counts and the indictment is "prosecutorial overkill." He says the indictment "is nothing more than a desperate attempt to make headlines in order to distract from the internal investigation launched to investigate the outrageous leaking of information by the Chicago Police Department and the shameless and illegal invasion of Jussie's privacy." Smollett is charged with disorderly conduct for making a false report of an attack on him in Chicago. Police say Smollett staged the attack and recruited two brothers to participate. Local media have reported that the Chicago Police Department is investigating leaks to reporters during the investigation of the reported attack. FILE - In this Feb. 21, 2019 file photo, "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett leaves Cook County jail following his release in Chicago. A Cook County grand jury on Friday, March 8, 2019 has indicted Smollett on 16 felony charges after authorities say he falsely told police that he was attacked by two men in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski, File) ___ 5:30 p.m. The16-county grand jury indictment of "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett relates to allegations that he lied to police about a reported attack in January - eight counts for what he told a police officer and eight more for what he told a detective. In the indictment filed Thursday, the Cook County grand jury makes it clear that Smollett added details to his account of what happened Jan. 29 when he talked to the detective. He gave a basic version to the police officer that included allegations that he was beaten by two masked men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs at him. The indictment says that when he talked to the detective, Smollett said he could see from the skin around one of the attacker's eyes through the mask that he was white. He also said that the attackers looped a rope around his neck. When Smollett was charged with a single count of disorderly conduct on Feb. 20, police noted that Smollett had said the attackers were white. Police say that in fact, the two men who have admitted taking part in the staged attack are both black. Smollett has denied that he staged the attack. ___ 4:50 p.m. A grand jury in Chicago has indicted "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett on 16 felony counts related to making a false report that he was attacked by two men in Chicago who shouted racial and homophobic slurs. The Cook County grand jury indictment filed Thursday charges him with falsely reporting an offense. Smollett was charged on Feb. 20 with one count of disorderly conduct for filing a false police report. Smollett, who is black and gay, told police in late January that he was attacked by two men in downtown Chicago who wrapped a rope around his neck. Police say Smollett recruited two men to stage the attack because he was upset with his pay on the Fox show. Smollett has denied playing a role in the attack. ___ Check out the AP's complete coverage of the Jussie Smollett case. WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - A Kansas doctor was sentenced to life in prison Friday for unlawfully prescribing medication blamed for an overdose death, the latest prosecution in a government crackdown on physicians amid an opioid epidemic. Steven R. Henson was immediately taken into custody following sentencing. There was an audible gasp in the packed courtroom when U.S. District Judge J. Thomas Marten pronounced the life sentence. Henson showed no emotion. A federal jury convicted the 57-year-old Wichita doctor for the 2015 death of Nick McGovern. Prosecutors alleged McGovern, who received prescriptions from Henson, died of an overdose of the anti-anxiety drug alprazolam and methadone, which is used to wean addicts off heroin. The government presented evidence at trial that Henson wrote prescriptions in return for cash, postdated prescriptions and wrote them without a medical need or legitimate medical exam. Prosecutors said the doctor prescribed opioid medications in amounts likely to lead to addiction. He also was convicted of conspiracy to distribute prescription drugs outside the course of medical practice, unlawfully distributing various prescription drugs, presenting false patient records to investigators, obstruction of justice and money laundering. His case is the latest in a string of prosecutions across the nation targeting physicians accused of overprescribing opioids. This 2016 booking photo released by the Sedgwick County, Kan., Jail shows Steven R. Henson. The Kansas doctor convicted of over-prescribing medication blamed in one patient's death has been sentenced to life in prison for unlawfully prescribing medication blamed for an overdose death. Henson was also convicted of conspiracy to distribute prescription drugs outside the course of medical practice, unlawfully distributing various prescription drugs, presenting false patient records to investigators, obstruction of justice and money laundering. (Sedgwick County Jail via AP) "I want this case to send a message to physicians and the health care community," U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said in a news release. "Unlawfully distributing opioids and other controlled substances is a federal crime." The National Association of Attorneys General, working under a research grant, found there had been 378 doctors who had been charged or whose cases were resolved by the end of 2016. Of those, U.S. attorneys' offices charged 249 and state authorities charged 131, its researchers found. Defense attorney Michael Thompson said his client was disappointed in the sentence and planned to appeal. "When acting as a physician he always acted with the best interest of patients," Thompson said. His attorneys had urged the court to impose the lowest possible sentence, arguing McGovern had ingested far more pills than prescribed on the day he died and had taken other drugs that were not prescribed. They contended Henson did not write a prescription that would have resulted in the death if taken as directed. In a brief courtroom statement, Henson said he trained hard to become a physician. "I only had one goal in life as a physician and that is to take excellent care of patients and increase functionality," he said. But the judge was unmoved by that statement, telling Henson he put his patient in a position where he had to take those pills in order to get through the day. "You were exacerbating a problem; you were not treating it," Marten said. Several tearful members of the McGovern's family spoke in court of the impact the death has had on them, telling the court the family deserves to see justice served so this example won't ever happen to another family. Some 47,600 Americans died of opioid overdoses in 2017 , according the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Opioid deaths were 13 percent higher compared to 2016, up a notch compared to the nearly 500 percent increase in overdose deaths since 1999. The street drug fentanyl is the top overdose killer now, displacing heroin and pain pills. Prescription painkillers contributed to 14,495 deaths in 2017. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a bill Friday to drastically expand mandatory background checks on firearms sales in New Mexico, as she shot down opposition against the measure and other proposed gun reforms as being part of a national "misinformation campaign." The governor, a Democrat who took office in January, commended the bill's Democratic sponsors, students and other gun-reform advocates who pushed for the law, saying it would enhance public safety in a state that FBI statistics say has one of the nation's highest violent crime rates. The law will close a loophole for firearms sales in New Mexico by requiring background checks to be conducted on people who want to purchase from vendors online, at gun shows and other venues where sellers may not have a federal license. Felons are among those who are not lawfully permitted to own a firearm under federal law. "What we're doing is increasing the standards and the safety precautions," Lujan Grisham said. "We have to change the climate, and universal background checks are not an imposition on an individual purchasing a firearm." As she signed the bill, she was surrounded by about a dozen youth, including some of the 100 students who participated in a "die-in" Friday in the capitol's rotunda. Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, sitting right, signs a bill into law that expands background checks to nearly all gun sales in New Mexico in a ceremony in in Santa Fe, N.M., Friday, March 8, 2019. Gun control advocates celebrate, including Democratic state Sen. Richard Martinez of Espanola, left, foreground. Gov. Lujan Grisham signed a bill Friday to drastically expand mandatory background checks on firearms sales in New Mexico, as she shot down opposition against the measure and other proposed gun reforms as being part of a national "misinformation campaign." (AP Photo/Morgan Lee) The demonstration was held to call attention to school shootings in the United States. Some wore T-shirts bearing the names of victims shot and killed at school. A few fought back tears as the students lay on the marble floor for six minutes and 20 seconds - the time it took for a gunman to kill 17 students at a Parkland, Florida, high school in February 2018. Several law enforcement officials also stood behind the governor, including the Albuquerque police chief and Santa Fe County sheriff. About 30 other sheriffs in the state have said they will not enforce the law, as well as any others that win approval in the Legislature this session. The sheriffs argue the bills infringe on gun owners' constitutional rights and would be ineffective in stopping criminals from obtaining weapons. "I really think next year we'll be back at the Legislature, saying, 'Well that didn't' work, what do we do now?' " Cibola County Sheriff Tony Mace said in a phone interview. In other states - including Washington, Nevada and Illinois, - sheriffs have taken similar positions against gun reforms in their states, with some of the locally elected law enforcement officials adopting "Second Amendment sanctuary" sentiments to back their decisions not to enforce the laws. In New Mexico, at least 26 counties have adopted resolutions saying they will not allow for resources to be spent on any laws their sheriffs believe are unconstitutional. More than 20 states have similar restrictions for sales on at least some private firearms sales, according to the Brady Center, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that advocates for expanding gun control laws nationwide. DALLAS (AP) - The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday warned Southwest Airlines and its mechanics union that their bitter fight could hurt the airline's safety program. The FAA's top safety official sent a terse letter to the airline and the union saying that a breakdown in their relationship raises concern. He urged both sides to cooperate in complying with FAA safety standards. However, the dispute appeared to escalate Friday. The leader of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association said his union filed a defamation lawsuit against Southwest and the airline's chief operating officer. It was the union's response to Southwest, which sued AMFA last week in federal district court in Dallas over what it claims is an illegal work slowdown aimed at pressuring Southwest during bitter contract negotiations. Southwest charges that mechanics are writing up minor maintenance items, leading to a surge in the number of planes taken out of service for repairs. It said write-ups include missing seat row numbers and other cosmetic flaws. The airline has been canceling flights each day because the number of grounded planes has jumped from the normal 14 per day to as many as 62 one day in February, according to Southwest's lawsuit. FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2019, file photo, Southwest Airlines planes are loaded at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle. A high-ranking federal regulator is telling Southwest Airlines and its mechanics union that their bitter fight could hurt the airline's safety program. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File) This week, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said the airline is losing "millions of dollars" a week because of the canceled flights. Union officials charge that Southwest pressures mechanics to overlook safety issues in managers' zeal to keep planes flying. Southwest and the union for its 2,400 mechanics have been negotiating over a new contract for more than six years. The union's national director, Bret Oestreich, said the union does not want to fight in court, it only wants a new contract. He also urged his members to "continue to keep Southwest passengers and crew safe" despite "trying times." The FAA's associate administrator for aviation safety, Ali Bahrami, said in his letter Friday that a breakdown in the relationship between Southwest and the union "raises concern about the ongoing effectiveness of the airline's safety-management system." Despite the litigation, he continued, he urged both sides to work together to meet FAA safety standards. The letter did not allege any safety violations or investigations. Bahrami's letter was addressed to Oestreich and Southwest's chief operating officer, Mike Van de Ven. It was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. Government and industry insiders said the letter raising safety issues was unusual. Robert Mann, a longtime airline executive and consultant, said he could not recall a similar warning by the FAA in a labor dispute. "Good for them for raising the issue," he said. "Safety has to be paramount, superseding everything." However, Southwest spokesman Chris Mainz said it is not unusual for the FAA to emphasize safety "during such times at a carrier." "As always, we appreciate the FAA's partnership and maintain our dedicated focus on assuring the highest level of compliance and safety," he said. The union declined to comment on the letter. The FAA had already said it was increasing its oversight of Southwest, which an agency spokesman said at the time was standard during periods of labor-management tension. ___ David Koenig can be reached at http://twitter.com/airlinewriter WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump will welcome Brazil's new president, Jair Bolsonaro, to the White House later this month to discuss trade, defense cooperation, transnational crime and other issues. The White House said Friday that two leaders also would talk about providing humanitarian assistance to Venezuela and restoring democracy to the country when they meet on March 19. Bolsonaro, who took office Jan. 1, is a former army captain with hard-right positions. He has often expressed admiration for Trump and said he planned to emulate several of the U.S. leader's policies. Bolsonaro rose to power on an anti-corruption and pro-gun agenda that has energized conservatives and hard-right supporters after four consecutive presidential election wins by the left-leaning Workers' Party. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - A North Carolina jury has convicted a man accused in a fatal shooting during civil unrest which followed a 2016 police shooting death. News outlets report the Mecklenburg County jury convicted 24-year-old Rayquan Borum of second-degree murder and a firearm charge on Friday. Borum was charged in the shooting death of 26-year-old Justin Carr. Carr's family said Carr had gone to join a peaceful protest in downtown Charlotte against the fatal shooting of Keith Lamont Scott by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police. Prosecutors say Borum was aiming for police, but the bullet hit Carr in the head. Borum could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison, and serve up to 26 months in prison for the firearm charge, which a judge said would follow the end of the first sentence. SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Oregon's elections director and a political action committee that disenfranchised nearly 100 voters by turning their ballots in late have come to an agreement in which most of its fine will be suspended and the group will detail its procedures, officials said Friday. The incident revealed a possible election vulnerability in Oregon, the first state to adopt an all-mail vote. No one knows how many groups in Oregon collect filled-in ballots from voters in November because state officials in charge of elections have not tracked the activities. In the agreement provided Friday by the secretary of state's office, the directors of the Defend Oregon PAC agreed to disclose whether people taking completed ballots to the U.S. mail or to official election drop boxes are volunteers, employees or paid canvassers. In addition the group will detail the training the people receive, the signs they use, and the process employed to gather and deliver ballots. The group must also describe its procedures to track and count ballots, and how they are stored, secured and prepared for delivery. FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2018 file photo, a voter in Lake Oswego, Ore., places her ballot in a designated drop box outside City Hall. Days before last November's elections, members of a political action committee in Oregon went door-to-door in Portland and its suburbs and collected filled-in ballots from voters, saying they'd mail them in. But about 100 of those ballots were mailed late and not counted. The group was fined by the secretary of state (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus, File) More attention is being paid to voting by mail as doubts arise in the nation about the security of election systems that can be hacked and about reliance on aging or inadequate voting machines. Colorado and Washington state followed suit after Oregon pioneered the all-mail vote in 2000. A political operative working on behalf of a GOP candidate in North Carolina was recently arrested after being accused of illegally collecting mail-in absentee ballots. That November election will be redone. In Oregon, days before last November's elections, Defend Oregon went door-to-door in Portland and its suburbs and collected filled-in ballots from voters, saying they would send them in. But it delivered 97 ballots to an elections office a day after the election. Officials said they were not counted, disenfranchising those voters. The secretary of state fined the committee $94,750. As part of Monday's stipulation and final order, Oregon's elections division will review the procedures provided by Defend Oregon before it can collect any more ballots. Defend Oregon was registered with the state elections division in May and says it works "to protect Oregon from extremist groups with dangerous agendas." The secretary of state has described the election mistake as "more severe than any other violation of election law." Defend Oregon said one of its canvassers removed 97 completed ballots from a lock box on election night. The person checked them against a spreadsheet and put them into a box to be delivered to the elections office or to an official drop box. But no one delivered them that day. The box was discovered the next day and driven by Defend Oregon director Becca Uherbelau to the Multnomah County election office in Portland. "We take this mistake very seriously and sincerely apologize to impacted voters who entrusted us with their ballots," Uherbelau said in a statement at the time. Of the civil penalty, $71,025 will be suspended as long as the PAC complies with providing the information on how it acts as a go-between. It must pay $23,725 by April 15. Signing the agreement were Uherbelau; Christine Mason, another director of the PAC; and Oregon elections director Stephen Trout. University of Oregon political science professor Priscilla Southwell wondered why the practice of go-betweens handling ballots persists, since voters need to go only as far as their mailbox to cast their vote. "It seems strange that that many people would willingly turn over their ballots," she said. ___ Follow Andrew Selsky on Twitter at https://twitter.com/andrewselsky BALTIMORE (AP) - A man accused of killing his wife and blaming her death on a Baltimore panhandler had asked his brother to help "get rid" of her, police said in charging documents. The documents first obtained by The Baltimore Sun state that a friend told detectives Keith Smith had asked his brother "to get rid of Jacquelyn," taking that to mean he wanted to kill her. Police believe Jacquelyn Smith had talked about divorcing her husband. When Vick Smith was subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury last week, police wrote that he alerted his brother, who began seeking a way out of the country. When Jacquelyn Smith, an electrical engineer at Aberdeen Proving Ground, was fatally stabbed in December, Keith Smith told police she had rolled down her window to give $10 to a panhandler with a baby. The tale drew national attention, prompting some to regard panhandlers warily. But on Sunday, three months after Jacquelyn Smith's death, police announced that her husband's story wasn't true and Keith Smith and his daughter were facing first-degree murder charges after their arrests in Texas. Baltimore Police are expected to bring the Smiths back to Baltimore on March 20. A Cameron County Sheriff's Office spokesman, Lt. Joe Elizardi, said Friday that the suspects did not wish to speak with reporters. Police note discrepancies in Keith Smith's account of the stabbing and their route that night. Detectives tried to retrace the route with Keith and Valeria Smith, but 27 surveillance cameras along the route they described showed no sign of Smith's car, police wrote. Keith Smith is shown in an undated photo provided by the Baltimore Police Department. On March 3, 2019 the Baltimore Police Department announced the apprehension and arrest of Keith Smith of Baltimore, and Valeria Shavon Smith, in the December 1, 2018 murder of Jacquelyn Anne Smith. Keith Smith was Jacquelyn Anne Smith's husband and Valeria Smith was her step-daughter. (Baltimore Police Department via AP) In February, police obtained a wiretap for the Smiths' phones. The Smiths' cellphone signals show they stopped in Druid Hill Park for about 15 minutes, police said, but neither mentioned it. Valeria Smith said they were never there, police wrote. When asked in an interview, Keith Smith said he hadn't wanted to admit that he got lost and said they sat in the park looking at pictures in his phone, police wrote. "Immediately upon completion of the interview, Mr. Smith got into a rental truck and drove to Winter Haven, Florida, where he requested to be relocated by his job," police wrote. Keith Smith signed a lease on a home in Winter Haven on Feb. 21 and his daughter was believed to be living with him, Polk County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Sherrie M. Morgan told The Baltimore Sun. Meanwhile, a detective spoke to one of Keith Smith's close friends, Donnell Morgan. He told the detective that Vick Smith told him his brother, Keith, had asked him to "get rid of Jacquelyn," police wrote. Days later, Vick Smith told detectives his brother told him that Jacquelyn Smith "was talking about divorcing Keith." After he left police headquarters, police wrote that Vick Smith called his brother, who said he didn't want to talk "because you know everything got ears now." Nothing in the documents related to Keith and Valeria Smith indicates that Vick Smith helped with any alleged plot. He did not respond to phone messages. Morgan told The Baltimore Sun that he has known Keith Smith for 30 years and was his best man, but declined to discuss the case. "It breaks my heart," he said. Last week, Vick Smith alerted his brother that he had been served a subpoena to testify before a grand jury, police wrote. That evening, police tracked Keith Smith's efforts to orchestrate a getaway. He tried unsuccessfully to get a cash advance and to book one-way flights out of the country, including Cuba and Canada, police said. But without a passport, he couldn't book the flights. He asked search engines if he needed a passport to go to Jamaica and for ways to travel to Mexico without going through the border. The next day Smith rented a car and drove it south through Texas, where a "be on the lookout" alert was issued to law enforcement through the Department of Homeland Security, investigators said. As detectives wrote their arrest warrant on Sunday morning, they noted Keith and Valeria Smith were 20 minutes from the border. SAN DIEGO (AP) - A federal judge who ordered that more than 2,700 children be reunited with their parents on Friday expanded his authority to potentially thousands more children who were separated at the border earlier during the Trump administration. Dana Sabraw ruled that his authority applies to parents who were separated at the border on or after July 1, 2017. Previously, his orders applied only to parents whose children were in government custody on June 26, 2018, when he issued his initial decision in the case. Sabraw was responding to a report in January by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department's internal watchdog that said thousands more children may have been separated since the summer of 2017, which he noted has not been disputed. The department's inspector general said the precise number was unknown. The judge will consider the next steps on March 28. The first move may be to identify the separated families, no easy task because the government didn't have an adequate tracking system at the time. The administration argued that it would be difficult to identify families, the children were no longer in its custody, and the children would likely be emotionally harmed if they were removed from their current homes. Justice Department attorney Scott Stewart told the judge last month it would be a "significant burden" to add families and "blow the case into some other galaxy" after the administration had "done all things to correct the wrong." FILE - In this June 17, 2018 file photo provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, people who've been taken into custody related to cases of illegal entry into the United States, rest in one of the cages at a facility in McAllen, Texas. A federal judge who ordered that more than 2,700 children be reunited with their parents on Friday, March 8, 2019, expanded his authority to potentially thousands more children who were separated at the border earlier during the Trump administration. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Rio Grande Valley Sector via AP, File) Sabraw disagreed in his 14-page order. "The hallmark of a civilized society is measured by how it treats its people and those within its borders," he wrote. "That defendants may have to change course and undertake additional effort to address these issues does not render modification of the class definition unfair; it only serves to underscore the unquestionable importance of the effort and why it is necessary (and worthwhile)." Justice Department spokesman Steven Stafford declined to comment on the ruling. The American Civil Liberties Union, which sued over the practice of splitting families, welcomed the decision. "The court made clear that potentially thousands of children's lives are at stake and that the Trump administration cannot simply ignore the devastation it has caused," ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt said. The ACLU wouldn't want U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to go to the children's homes, Gelernt said. It would prefer that the government tell them where to find the children. Sabraw wrote that identifying separated parents and their children "may be burdensome, (but) it clearly can be done." Jallyn Sualog, deputy director of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement, said in court filing that it would take up to eight hours to review each of its 47,083 cases between July 1, 2017, and Sabraw's June order, which translates to 100 employees working up to 471 days. Such an assignment would "substantially imperil" operations without a "rapid, dramatic expansion" in staffing. The vast majority of separated children are released to relatives, but many are not parents. Of children released in the 2017 fiscal year, 49 percent went to parents, 41 percent to close relatives like an aunt, uncle, grandparent or adult sibling and 10 percent to distant relatives, family friends and others. The Health and Human Services inspector general said in January that a "steep increase" in separations began in the summer of 2017, before the administration announced a "zero tolerance" policy on illegal border crossings to criminally prosecute every adult, even if it meant splitting families. Families separated before the policy was introduced across the border in last spring included 281 people in a pilot project in the Border Patrol's El Paso, Texas, sector that ran from July to November of 2017. The lack of a tracking system left the government unable to quickly reunite families when parents finished their criminal cases and, in nearly 500 instances, parents were deported without their children. Sabraw ordered in June that the practice be stopped and that more than 2,700 children in government care be reunited with their parents within 30 days, which has largely been accomplished. Jonathan White, who leads the Health and Human Services Department's efforts to reunite migrant children, testified in Congress last month that Sabraw "created a pathway" for the administration to successfully reunite thousands of children with their parents. "We could not have affected the reunification of children with their parents in ICE custody absent his providing a way to do that under our steady state authorities." White said. FILE - In this Dec. 11, 2018 file photo, an asylum-seeking boy from Central America runs down a hallway after arriving from an immigration detention center to a shelter in San Diego. A federal judge who ordered that more than 2,700 children be reunited with their parents on Friday, March 8, 2019, expanded his authority to potentially thousands more children who were separated at the border earlier during the Trump administration. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File) SINGAPORE (AP) - An American military official says that the U.S., Australia, India and Japan continue to have regular diplomatic meetings to "coordinate our respective visions of and efforts in the Indo-Pacific region." Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col Dave Eastburn made the comments late Friday in Washington to clarify that the U.S.-backed diplomatic grouping often referred to as the quad would continue. They came after Adm. Phil Davidson, head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, suggested in Singapore on Thursday that a loose security grouping of the four countries could be shelved for now. Eastburn said Davidson "was referring to a formal, regular meeting of military leaders from the four countries" and not other regular diplomatic consultations. He said such diplomatic meetings have been held three times since November 2017 and would continue. The U.S. and the other three countries had come together to provide humanitarian assistance after the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe then suggested they form the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, which met three years later. The meetings stopped for a decade but were restarted in 2017. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump will be making a significant request for border wall funds and seeking money to stand up Space Force as a new branch of the military in the White House budget being released next week, an administration official said Friday. For the first time, Trump plans to stick with the strict spending caps imposed years ago, even though lawmakers have largely avoided them with new budget deals. That will likely trigger a showdown with Congress. The official said the president's plan promises to balance the budget in 15 years. Trump will seek $750 billion for defense, while cutting non-defense discretionary spending by 5 percent, said the official, who was unauthorized to discuss the document ahead of its release and spoke on condition of anonymity Budgets are mainly seen as blueprints for White House priorities. But they are often panned on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers craft the appropriation bills that eventually fund the government, if the president signs them into law. Trump's budget for the 2020 fiscal year will increase requests for some agencies while reducing others to reflect those priorities. Reductions are proposed, for example, for the Environmental Protection Agency. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson walk from Marine One to board Air Force One at Lawson Army Airfield, Fort Benning, Ga., Friday, March 8, 2019, en route Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., after visiting Lee County, Ala., where tornados killed 23 people. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) The official said Congress has ignored the president's spending cuts for too long. The federal budget is bloated with wasteful spending, the official said, and the administration remains committed to balancing the budget. By proposing spending levels that adhere to budget caps, the president is courting a debate with Congress. Lawmakers from both parties have routinely agreed to raise spending caps established by a previous deal years ago to fund the government. Trump, though, has tried to resist those deals. He threatened to veto the last one reached in 2017 to prevent a shutdown. Late last year, a fight over border wall funds sparked the 35-day shutdown that spilled into this year and became the longest in history. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump will be making a significant request for border wall funds and seeking money to stand up Space Force as a new branch of the military in the White House budget being released next week, an administration official said Friday. For the first time, Trump plans to stick with the strict spending caps imposed years ago, even though lawmakers have largely avoided them with new budget deals. That will likely trigger a showdown with Congress. The official said the president's plan promises to balance the budget in 15 years. Trump will seek $750 billion for defense, a boost for the military, while cutting non-defense discretionary spending by 5 percent, said the official, who was unauthorized to discuss the document ahead of its release and spoke on condition of anonymity. Budgets are mainly seen as blueprints for White House priorities. But they are often panned on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers craft the appropriation bills that eventually fund the government, if the president signs them into law. Trump's budget for the 2020 fiscal year will increase requests for some agencies while reducing others to reflect those priorities. Reductions are proposed, for example, for the Environmental Protection Agency. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson walk from Marine One to board Air Force One at Lawson Army Airfield, Fort Benning, Ga., Friday, March 8, 2019, en route Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Fla., after visiting Lee County, Ala., where tornados killed 23 people. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) The official said Congress has ignored the president's spending cuts for too long. The federal budget is bloated with wasteful spending, the official said, and the administration remains committed to balancing the budget. The cuts being requested by the White House would hit discretionary spending as well as some mandatory safety net programs, which Trump has proposed in the past. Many Republicans are often eager to reduce government spending, but Congress has had trouble passing bills that seriously slash the safety net programs used by many Americans. Budgets often rely on various accounting measures to achieve desired results. This one, for example, counts $546 billion in defense money as a base, but another $174 billion in another account to keep within caps. And while the budget will suggest it balances in future years, it is also expected to rely on projections for continued economic growth from the tax cuts Trump signed into law in 2017. But there's no guarantee that would cover the lost tax revenues. By proposing spending levels that don't raise the budget caps, the president is courting a debate with Congress. Lawmakers from both parties have routinely agreed to raise spending caps established by a previous deal years ago to fund the government. Trump, though, has tried to resist those deals. He threatened to veto the last one reached in 2017 to prevent a shutdown. Late last year, a fight over border wall funds sparked the 35-day shutdown that spilled into this year and became the longest in history. WASHINGTON (AP) - Melania Trump came armed with surefire applause lines when she stepped up to address a largely female audience that had gathered to celebrate other women. The first lady showcased the record number of women serving in Congress. She said women's unemployment had hit its lowest level in 65 years, though it has since ticked up slightly. And she highlighted the more than 2 million women who have joined the workforce since November 2016, when her husband was elected president. "This is something to celebrate," Mrs. Trump declared at Thursday's State Department event, where many of her lines easily could have fit into a campaign stump speech. But as President Donald Trump shows his eagerness for the coming 2020 re-election battle, less clear is Mrs. Trump's fervor for joining the effort. She largely avoided the campaign trail in 2016, citing her desire to be home for the couple's young son, Barron, now 12. And spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham predicted that once again, Mrs. Trump "is going to want to be home for her son, no matter his age." People in Trump's political orbit, for their part, are skeptical that one of the most private first ladies in modern history would want to take on a big public role in her husband's bid to win another four years in office. Even if Mrs. Trump sticks largely to her official role, though, there's plenty she can do to try to help her husband make a political connection with women, a voting bloc with whom Trump is particularly vulnerable. In this March 8, 2019, phot, President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk hand in hand in Beauregard, Ala., as they tour areas where tornados killed 23 people in Lee County, Ala. Melania Trump largely avoided the campaign trail in 2016, limiting her role to a handful of appearances and interviews. But as President Donald Trump shows his eagerness for the coming 2020 re-election battle, less clear is the first lady's fervor for participating in the effort. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) Beyond the State Department appearance, Mrs. Trump showed growing ease with her role in the past week as she also made a three-state swing to promote the three pillars of her "Be Best" children's initiative and accompanied her husband to Alabama to survey tornado damage. In Oklahoma, she chatted with second-graders about the burdens of homework and watched older students in a science class measure the density of different colored liquids. In Washington state, she watched as Microsoft Corp. executives demonstrated features to help protect children online. In Las Vegas, she delivered a pointed jab at the news media, prodding the press to spend as much time highlighting the opioid epidemic as it devotes to "idle gossip or trivial stories." And in the tornado zone, the stiletto-friendly first lady wore sneakers as she played empathetic backup to her husband. She participated in a briefing, joined the president as he greeted relief workers, engaged with victims with him and on her own, and signed autographs. Recent first ladies have all taken prominent roles in re-election campaigns. Michelle Obama, Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton and Barbara Bush all campaigned separately from their husbands at re-election time. Katherine Jellison, a history professor at Ohio University who studies first ladies, said they can help their husbands politically by reaching out to female audiences and showing up at smaller venues than where the president campaigns. "Typically, the president and the first lady are the family superstars," said Jellison, adding that it was hard to find a more reclusive first lady in recent history than Mrs. Trump. Trump continues to suffer from low approval ratings among women, which could prove challenging as he faces a Democratic primary field with a historic number of female candidates vying to run against him in 2020. In Gallup's latest tracking poll, Trump had a 36 percent approval rating among women, which is about where it's held throughout his presidency. Still, polls broadly show Republican women are overwhelmingly likely to support him - as they do the first lady. Her appeal to other female demographics remains an open question. In a Quinnipiac University poll conducted in November 2018, about two-thirds of Republican registered voters, or 65 percent, said they had a favorable opinion of Mrs. Trump, while just 3 percent said they viewed her unfavorably. But just 35 percent of registered voters overall said they had a favorable opinion of her, and 20 percent said they had an unfavorable view. The same survey showed that 63 percent of registered voters said they had a favorable opinion of Mrs. Obama, and 24 percent said they had an unfavorable one. But that may at least be partially due to the fact that Mrs. Trump has kept a much lower profile than her predecessor. Mrs. Trump limited her role in the 2016 campaign to just a handful of appearances and interviews. Her most memorable moment came during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, when her high-profile speech was quickly overshadowed by accusations that she had stolen passages from a speech given by Mrs. Obama. A speechwriter later took responsibility and apologized. With her husband out campaigning, Mrs. Trump wanted their son, who was 9 when his dad became a candidate, to have one parent at home at their Trump Tower penthouse in New York. Barron turns 13 later this month, and he will be 14 by the time the re-election effort is in full swing. Grisham said that it was too early for campaign scheduling and that the first lady was focused on her family, her duties as first lady and the nearly year-old "Be Best" childhood initiative, which focuses on well-being, cyberbullying and opioid abuse. Campaigning aside, Mrs. Trump, 48, remains one of her husband's closest advisers. She's also independent and protective of her husband and carefully picks the moments when she strikes out politically. Last fall, she told a TV interviewer that she had told the president about staffers they couldn't trust and that some of those people no longer worked for him as a result. And in an extraordinary intervention into West Wing operations by a first lady, she engineered the dismissal of deputy national security adviser Mira Ricardel following a disagreement over the use of assets for the first lady's weeklong trip to Africa last October. Critics have noted that Mrs. Trump's husband routinely mocks people on Twitter. But, much like her spouse, she has been dismissive of the media. As she set out on the "Be Best" tour, Mrs. Trump ignored a reporter's shouted question about whether she accepted an apology from Michael Cohen, the president's former longtime personal lawyer. He recently testified to Congress that he regretted lying to the first lady about his role in arranging to buy the silence of porn star Stormy Daniels and one-time Playboy model Karen McDougal, both of whom have said they had sex with Trump before he became president. Trump has denied the relationships. Mrs. Trump has never commented publicly about the allegations. By ignoring the question, she signaled she wasn't about to start now. ___ AP Polling Editor Emily Swanson and Associated Press writers Hannah Fingerhut and Jill Colvin contributed to this report. ___ Follow Darlene Superville and Catherine Lucey on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dsupervilleap and http://www.twitter.com/catherine_lucey FILE - In this Feb. 14, 2019, file photo, first lady Melania Trump talks with Amani, 13, of Mombasa, Kenya, during her visit to the National Institutes of Health to see children at the Children's Inn in Bethesda, Md. Melania Trump largely avoided the campaign trail in 2016, limiting her role to a handful of appearances and interviews. But as President Donald Trump shows his eagerness for the coming 2020 re-election battle, less clear is the first lady's fervor for participating in the effort. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) FILE - In this Feb. 13, 2019, file photo, President Donald Trump with first lady Melania Trump, waves to reporters as he bid farewell to visiting Colombian President Ivan Duque and his wife Maria Juliana Ruiz Sandoval, outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington. Melania Trump largely avoided the campaign trail in 2016, limiting her role to a handful of appearances and interviews. But as President Donald Trump shows his eagerness for the coming 2020 re-election battle, less clear is the first lady's fervor for participating in the effort. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) FILE - In this Dec. 26, 2018, file photo, first lady Melania Trump smiles as she steps away from the podium after speaking alongside President Donald Trump at a hangar rally at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018. Melania Trump largely avoided the campaign trail in 2016, limiting her role to a handful of appearances and interviews. But as President Donald Trump shows his eagerness for the coming 2020 re-election battle, less clear is the first lady's fervor for participating in the effort. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) In this March 7, 2019, photo, Naw K'nyaw Paw of Burma poses with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and first lady Melania Trump as she is awarded the 2019 International Women of Courage at the Department of State in Washington. Melania Trump largely avoided the campaign trail in 2016, limiting her role to a handful of appearances and interviews. But as President Donald Trump shows his eagerness for the coming 2020 re-election battle, less clear is the first lady's fervor for participating in the effort. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) President Donald Trump calls out and first lady Melania Trump waves as they arrive on Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport, in West Palm Beach, Fla., Friday, March 8, 2019, en route to Mar-a-lago in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) NEW DELHI (AP) - India said Saturday that it was returning a key diplomat to Pakistan's capital amid an easing of tensions between the nuclear neighbors, but also demanded that its archrival take concrete steps against terrorists operating from its territory. India's high commissioner to Pakistan was to return to Islamabad on Saturday, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said in a statement. Pakistan had announced earlier in the week that its high commissioner to India was returning to New Delhi. The moves come after the two countries recalled their diplomats for consultations as tensions flared after a Feb. 14 suicide attack on a convoy of Indian paramilitary soldiers in Pulwama in the Indian-held portion Kashmir that killed 40 soldiers. India blamed the attack on a Pakistan-based militant group, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and launched a retaliatory airstrike inside Pakistan. Asked whether it was right to say that the worst was over and de-escalation has taken place between the two neighbours, Kumar said at a media briefing on Saturday that India's airstrike on a terrorist training camp inside Pakistan on Feb. 26 was "necessitated by the lack of action by Pakistan on the perpetrators of Pulwama attack." Kumar said that a reported Pakistani crackdown earlier in the week on seminaries, mosques and hospitals belonging to outlawed groups and the arrests of dozens of people was not enough, and that Pakistan should take concrete steps "against terrorists and terror infrastructure" on its territory. FILE - In this Feb. 27, 2019 file photo, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar gives a press statement in New Delhi, India. India on Saturday demanded that Pakistan take concrete steps against terrorists operating from its territory, while at the same time returning its top diplomat to Islamabad amid an easing of tensions between the nuclear rivals. Kumar said Saturday, March 9, that a reported Pakistani crackdown this week on seminaries, mosques and hospitals belonging to outlawed groups and arrest of dozens of people was not enough. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup, File) He said a recent United Nations statement also called for "perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of terrorism to be held accountable and brought to justice." Kumar accused Pakistan of failing to take any credible action against Jaish-e-Mohammed and other terrorist organizations, which he said continued to operate with impunity from Pakistan. "The widespread presence of terrorist camps in Pakistan is public knowledge within and outside Pakistan," he said. Pakistan says it has arrested 44 people, including the brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar who was apparently named in a dossier given to Islamabad by New Delhi. It also says it shut a number of facilities and froze assets of several outlawed organizations. Pakistan's information minister, Fawad Chaudhry, said Saturday that his country was acting against the banned militant outfits and would not allow anyone to "use Pakistani land for terrorism against any country." He also said Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan had asked India to send evidence it has against any individuals. "India hasn't shared yet any actionable information and proof against anybody," Chaudhry said. He also said Khan has invited India to take part in a joint investigation and negotiations, but that there had been no response from the Indian side. New Delhi's retaliatory strike in the northwest Pakistani town of Balakot last month sent tensions spiraling. India said its air force hit a terrorist training camp and killed "a very large number" of militants. Pakistan said the strike only damaged three trees in a forest. Islamabad responded by shooting down two Indian warplanes and capturing a pilot, who was later returned to India as a peace gesture. India said it lost only one aircraft. Since then, the two sides have exercised restraint amid calls from the international community to avoid war. ___ Associated Press writer Zarar Khan in Islamabad contributed to this report. The Latest on severe weather in the Southern United States (all times local): 4:50 p.m. Strong storm winds tore away roofs and pulled down bricks from some buildings in a northeast Mississippi town, but authorities say it's too early to tell if the damage was caused by a tornado or by straight-line winds. Saturday's storm roughed up the small community of Walnut, pop. 3,000, not far from the state line with Tennessee. Tippah County Emergency Management Director Tom Lindsey says the area that was hit is very rural "and nothing substantial" occurred. National Weather Service meteorologist Marlene Mickelson, based in Memphis, Tennessee, says there were no reports of deaths or injuries though the winds were strong enough to cause the building damage. There were also some reports of area power outages. Tornado watches are in effect for parts of Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas. The weather service says those states face an "enhanced risk" for severe weather. The volatile weather comes nearly a week after a Southern tornado outbreak killed 23 people, all of them in a large Alabama twister. This image from video provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows satellite imagery of a severe storm blowing across northern Mississippi, Saturday, March 9, 2019. Strong winds tore away roofs and pulled down bricks from some buildings in one community in the state. (NOAA via AP) ___ 2:30 p.m. Authorities say two small tornadoes touched down briefly in central Arkansas, downing power lines and destroying several buildings. No injuries were reported. National Weather Service meteorologist Joe Goudsward in Little Rock says an apparent tornado touched down Saturday afternoon near Carlisle, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Little Rock and the second was near the unincorporated community of Slovak, about 13 miles (21 kilometers) southeast of Carlisle. Prairie County Sheriff Rick Hickman says he had no immediate information of anyone hurt. But he says several power lines are down, at least one home was damaged and several buildings were destroyed. Goudsward said teams would be sent to assess the damage and determine the strength of the tornadoes. Tornado watches are in effect for parts of Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas. The weather service says those states face an "enhanced risk" for severe weather. The storm comes just a week after a Southern tornado outbreak killed 23 people, all of them in a large Alabama twister. ___ 1:03 p.m. The National Weather Service has issued tornado watches for parts of Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas and says those states face an "enhanced risk" for severe weather. The watches come just a week after powerful twisters swept through Alabama and killed 23 people. A tornado watch means conditions are favorable for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area. The watches issued Saturday for Tennessee and Mississippi were in effect until 6 p.m. EST; for Arkansas and Louisiana, 4 p.m. EST. The weather service's Storm Prediction Center also warned of damaging winds and large hail and said via Twitter that cities at risk include Memphis and Nashville in Tennessee; Southaven, Mississippi; and Louisville, Kentucky. Forecasters said many of the affected areas were also at risk for flooding. Varieties of Unbelief By MARTIN E. MARTY March 11, 2019 Sighting unbelief is a never-ending task of historians of religion in the Western world. Unbelief, or at least how its discussed and debated among intellectuals, is episodic. Ive been tracking debates over its many forms since the mid-1950s, and I still find the controversy over it a profitable and sometimes urgent subject in the United States. I opened my first book on the subject with this observation by Goethe, which is still helpful for framing the discussion: The deepest, nay the unique, theme of the history of the world, to which all other themes are subordinate, is the conflict of faith and unbelief. All epochs in which faith prevailswhatever its form may beare noble, soul-elevating, and fruitful for the present and for after times. All epochs in which unbelief, be it under what form it may, wins an unhappy victory vanish and are forgotten by posterity, because no one willingly wastes his pains on what is barren and unfruitful. (pp. 3-4) Needless to say, one finds equally eloquent and dramatic arguments for epochs in which unbelief wins a happy victory, a fact which contributes to excitements over the classic conflict and debate. Rather than revisit the long and complex history of the arguments, lets instead turn to what is perhaps currently the most promising discussion, and one which is receiving intelligent treatment in the journals. Much of the current discussion focuses on the work of the British academic philosopher John Gray, whose new book, Seven Types of Atheism, does some mapping of the scene. A provocative sentence in a review of the book by Christopher Beha, titled The Myth of Progress, in The New York Review of Books, points to some notable cultural definers and then argues that they all advance the same essential argumentthat our ostensibly secular post-Enlightenment age has failed to face up to the full implications of its materialistic worldview, that we are haunted by the ghosts of Western Christianity, chief among them the belief in moral progress, universal values, and human exceptionalism. So what? Gray has written that unbelief today should begin by questioning not religion but secular faith. He claims that the New Atheists of the recent past (and also of the present) have Judaism and Christianity all wrong. When science undercut Scriptural truths, he contends, religious leaders proposed various allegorical readings in an attempt to salvage something from the rubble. Hold on, urges Beha: The truth is closer to the opposite. In the fourth century, Saint Augustine, the man most responsible after Saint Paul and Jesus himself for the intellectual form of Christianity, wrote a treatise in which he argued that the biblical text need not be understood literally if it goes against what we know to be true from other sources. The heart of Grays book probes the various ways in which contemporary atheists have looked for surrogates of the God they have cast aside in the form of secular humanism," the second form of atheism he treats after the New Atheists. Gray then considers a third type, scientific rationalism, and fourth, various evangelical political creeds from Marxism to globalist neoliberalism. These four differ in many ways, but they share a belief in the possibility of moral progress and an understanding of humans as fundamentally reasonable, something which Gray questions. He looks at the United States in particular, where life expectancy has declined in recent years. Despite all the impressive medical and technical knowledge, historys richest society has become so unbearable for so many people that they are killing themselves in unprecedented numbers, whether by intentional or unintentional overdoses of opiates. On the other end of the spectrum from the U.S., the greatest increases in material wealth the world has ever seen have made the Chinese population less happy than it was before. To the point: When wrenched from monotheistic religions, the idea of progress is not so much false as meaningless. Gray notes three more types of atheism. The fifth is misotheism, that is, God-hatred, as pursued by De Sade and his intellectual kin. Then, sixth, which Gray describes a bit more favorably, are those who give up any hope of human progress. He sees this attitude in philosopher George Santayana, who pursued equanimity, a kind of philosophical quietism. Gray does not ask us to give up on politics per se, but we should regard it as a modest sphere. And a final type, Grayism: The human mind is programmed for survival, not for truth. Those who are not quite satisfied with Grays seventh type of atheism can seek and maybe find refreshment elsewhere. For example, Richard Harries, former Bishop of Oxford, sees Gray as: [B]elonging to that group of contemporary thinkers, of whom George Steiner is the doyen, who disdain the secular but cant quite drag themselves to the church or synagogue. They turn, instead, to a kind of transcendence without content, of which there is no finer example than what one might call Hollywood spirituality. Those celebrities who dabble in Kabbalah or Scientology do so as a refuge from a material world crammed with too many chauffeurs. The spiritual for them is the opposite of the material. This is not the view of Judeo-Christianity. When Jesus speaks of salvation in terms of feeding the hungry and visiting the sick, he speaks as a devout Jew, for whom the spiritual is in the first place a matter of how one behaves toward others. Yet, however one comes down on Gray, one thing is for certain: he reminds those sighters of religion among us that perhaps just as important as belief is unbelief, in all its many forms. Author, Martin E. Marty (PhD56), is the Fairfax M. Cone Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of the History of Modern Christianity at the University of Chicago Divinity School. His biography, publications, and contact information can be found at www.memarty.com. Sightings is a publication of the Martin Marty Center for the Public Understanding of Religion at the University of Chicago Divinity School. BEAUREGARD, Ala. (AP) - The pastor of a church that became a center for shelter, help and grieving when a tornado killed 23 people in eastern Alabama said in his first Sunday service after the storm that the Lord has reached out his hand to the community. Imperfect things like tornadoes and other tragedies happen because we live in an imperfect world, Providence Baptist Church Pastor Rusty Sowell said Sunday. His sermon focused on the Bible verse Isaiah 41:13: "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Nearly 100 people safely rode out the March 3 storm in the church, which then because a center for donations and the place where Sowell and the county coroner told families they had lost loved ones. This Sunday, 23 crosses sat outside the country church, one for each victim of the huge EF4 tornado that roared through Beauregard a few hours after last Sunday's services with 170 mph (270 kph) and a path nearly a mile (1.6 kilometers) wide. As she sat in a pew, Sunday, Cindy Samford said all her emotions hit her suddenly. She lost her home in the storm hours after last week's service. Stephanie Dunson, right, rests her head on the shoulder of her daughter, Jesi, Sunday, March 10, 2019, at Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard, Ala. Sunday church services were a step towards normalcy as the community continues to recover following deadly tornados that hit the area last week. The Dunsons sought shelter at the church in the storm, and avoided weather that damaged their home. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) "I'm heartbroken by the loss of lives and the devastation of it all. Today in church was a confirmation of faith that God was watching over us. God has his hands on us," Samford said. President Donald Trump visited the church Friday as he looked at the damage, signing Bibles for some victims there seeking help. Sowell said it was easy to speak badly about the president and wondered if some of the critics owned Bibles. "My first thought is if that is what you are worried about, bring your raggedy self down here to our corner of the world and get to work," Sowell said to applause from the packed congregation. "The ones that are running their mouths are not down here getting their hand dirty, walking alongside the walking wounded." But most of Sowell's sermon was how God reaches out his hand in times of need. He talked about how the church built a second building across the street with showers, a full kitchen and a large gathering space after the area was devastated by Hurricane Opal in 1995 and could not get help. That building became the center of the relief efforts after the tornado. "This is why this building is here," Sowell said. "And God knew." Carolyn Thrower said being at Providence Baptist this Sunday was awe inspiring, knowing they were helping to show God's love and healing. "Church always helps, but today it was a special blessing," she said. Supplies continue to pour into the church, and Sowell said he was amazed at the generosity of people, even if Providence Baptist was dealing with a problem many places face after a disaster - too much donated water and clothing. "Please we don't need any more," Sowell said of the thousands of cases of water and bags of clothes. "In fact, everyone here gets to carry home a case of water." ___ Freelance photographer Vasha Hunt contributed to this story from Beauregard, Alabama. Katie Nobles photographs crosses representing the 23 lives lost in the tornado that hit the Beauregard community on March 3, to share with her friend who was injured in the storm and lost loved ones, Sunday, March 10, 2019, at Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard, Ala. Nobles' friend Kayla Grimes lost family members to the storm and is still recovering from serious injuries in a Birmingham hospital. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) Carolyn Thrower, a church member, talks with the media Sunday about the power of the church in a disaster following a morning service, March 10, 2019, at Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard, Ala. Sunday church services were a step towards normalcy as the community continues to recover following deadly tornados that hit the area last week. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) Kathi Pierce, from left, Joyce Ross and Tammy Johnson gather food packages for volunteers and victims of the March 3 Beauregard tornados, Sunday, March 10, 2019, at Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard, Ala. The western campus of the church is the volunteer headquarters in the recovery effort. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) Volunteer Lelia Gilmer seeks comfortable clothes for a member of the Robertson family as they prepare to return from the hospital after being injured in the March 3 Beauregard tornados, Sunday, March 10, 2019, at Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard, Ala. The western campus of the church is the volunteer headquarters in the recovery effort. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) Lucas Kintz-Roberts offers his respects by signing a cross that represents one of 23 lives lost in the March 3 Beauregard tornados, Sunday, March 10, 2019, at Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard, Ala. The west campus of the church is a volunteer headquarters and hosts the 23 crosses. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) Senior pastor Rusty Sowell talks with the median front of his church following a morning service, Sunday, March 10, 2019, at Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard, Ala. Sunday church services were a step towards normalcy as the community continues to recover following deadly tornados that hit the area last week. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) Senior pastor Rusty Sowell comforts Cindy Sanford, who lost her house in the Beauregard tornado, Sunday, March 10, 2019, at Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard, Ala. Sunday church services were a step towards normalcy as the community continues to recover following deadly tornados that hit the area last week. Sanford is seen with her granddaughters Addison Causey, left, and Avery Causey. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) Music Minister Dr. Thomas Smith, leads the congregation in a crossing of the pews for a moment of unity, Sunday, March 10, 2019, at Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard, Ala. Sunday church services were a step towards normalcy as the community continues to recover following deadly tornados that hit the area last week. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) Music Minister Dr. Thomas Smith, leads the congregation in a crossing of the pews for a moment of unity, Sunday, March 10, 2019, at Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard, Ala. Sunday church services were a step towards normalcy as the community continues to recover following deadly tornados that hit the area last week. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) Senior Pastor Rusty Sowell shakes hands as he departs, Sunday, March 10, 2019, in morning service at Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard, Ala. Sunday church services were a step towards normalcy as the community continues to recover following deadly tornados that hit the area last week. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) Senior Pastor Rusty Sowell gives a sermon, one he says started last Sunday and continues today, Sunday, March 10, 2019, at Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard, Ala. Sunday church services were a step towards normalcy as the community continues to recover following deadly tornados that hit the area last week. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) Senior Pastor Rusty Sowell pauses in front of his congregation before departing near the end of the service, Sunday, March 10, 2019, at Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard, Ala. Sunday church services were a step towards normalcy as the community continues to recover following deadly tornados that hit the area last week. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) Music Minister Dr. Thomas Smith, leads his choir in a vocal performance Sunday, March 10, 2019, at Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard, Ala. Sunday church services were a step towards normalcy as the community continues to recover following deadly tornados that hit the area last week. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) The congregation welcomes one another during service, Sunday, March 10, 2019, at Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard, Ala. Sunday church services were a step towards normalcy as the community continues to recover following deadly tornados that hit the area last week. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) Senior Pastor Rusty Sowell gives a sermon, one he says started last Sunday and continues today, Sunday, March 10, 2019, at Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard, Ala. Sunday church services were a step towards normalcy as the community continues to recover following deadly tornados that hit the area last week. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt) In this Wednesday, March 6, 2019 photo, Rusty Sowell, pastor at Providence Baptist Church, speaks to volunteers organizing donations at the church in Beauregard, Ala. Dealing with the dead became a huge task in a rural Alabama community where nearly two dozen people died in a tornado outbreak. The county coroner, Bill Harris, set up a temporary command post and performed post-mortem exams. He and Sowell then held 17 separate meetings with relatives of the 23 people who died. (AP Photo/David Goldman) PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - A company run by a donor to President Donald Trump claimed it could provide Chinese clients with a chance to mingle and take photos with the president, along with access to his private club in Palm Beach, Florida. It remains unclear how much Li Yang charged for the services and whether she was ever hired to provide them. But the company's claims and other eyebrow-raising activity, which were first reported by The Miami Herald and Mother Jones, mark the latest in a litany of complications and ethical issues stemming from Trump continuing to own and operate a private club where dues-paying members and their guests rub shoulders with the president of the United States and his family, friends, White House staff and members of his Cabinet. The Associated Press has previously reported that aides who accompany the president on frequent trips to the club are always on alert for club members and guests with nearly unlimited access who like to buttonhole the president. They raise pet projects, make policy suggestions and share oddball ideas ranging from the benefits of nuclear-powered cars to personal plans for Mideast peace. Former administration officials have described the lengths to which aides have gone to try to run interference, including reserving the dinner table next to Trump's to keep as close an eye on him as possible and scanning guest lists for visitors who might prove problematic. Yang appears to be a relative newcomer to Palm Beach's political scene. GY US Investments LLC, a company she registered in 2017, according to Florida state documents, describes itself on a now-defunct, mostly Chinese website as an international business consulting firm. FILE - This Nov. 21, 2018, file photo shows President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla. A company run by a donor to Trump claimed it could provide Chinese clients with a chance to mingle and take photos with the president, along with access to his private club at Mar-a-Lago. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) The firm "provides public relations services to assist businesses in America to establish and expand their brand image in the modern Chinese marketplace," according to a translation of the page accessed through an internet archive service. That has included, the website claims, access to presidential dinners and roundtables, White House events, photo opportunities and "VIP" activities including the "opportunity to interact with the president, the Minister of Commerce and other political figures." The site also featured numerous photographs, including a picture of Trump's Mar-a-Lago club and photographs of Yang with Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and former White House aide Sebastian Gorka. Yang is described on the website as the company's "Founder CEO," as well as a member of a "Presidential Fundraising Committee" and a "Presidential club member." Yang and the company did not respond to messages seeking comment, nor did the Trump Organization or Mar-a-Lago. The Republican National Committee said in a statement that "in order for anyone to attend an event where they will be in arm's length of the president, they must pass the Secret Service vetting process. Additionally, Trump Victory only accepts contributions from American citizens in accordance with the law. We vehemently deny any wrongdoing on the part of the RNC or Trump Campaign." Christian Ziegler, vice chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, played down the significance of the webpage and photos Yang has posted of herself with the president and other prominent Republican politicians. "Anyone can buy tickets to any event and I'm assuming that is what she had done," Ziegler said. "I've never met the lady and I could never pick her out of a police lineup." He added: "I know the media, Democrats, the left is going to try to do everything to connect her with us, but she had zero role with us. It just looks like she attended some events and took some pictures." In China, however, pictures can be an end unto themselves, giving an appearance of influence. Pictures with famous people are especially valued in the country, where personal relationships and connections carry special weight in business and politics. Mother Jones on Saturday detailed Yang's efforts to provide Chinese clients access to Trump and his circle. The Miami Herald on Saturday reported that Yang arranged for a large group of Chinese business executives to attend a paid fundraiser for Trump in New York City at the end of 2017. Only citizens and permanent residents can donate to U.S. political campaigns, and it would be illegal for foreign nationals to pay back a U.S. citizen who had purchased their tickets to a fundraiser. A Republican fundraiser told the AP on Sunday that patrons attending a Republican National Committee dinner at Mar-a-Lago last year noticed a large contingent of Chinese attendees. There was a discussion afterward about making sure they were vetted, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations. The Herald on Friday also published a photo of Yang with Trump at a Super Bowl party at his West Palm Beach country club and reported on the link between Yang and the spa where New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was charged with soliciting prostitution. Yang was a former owner of the spa. Yang wasn't charged in a multiagency anti-human trafficking operation that resulted in 25 arrests, including Kraft's, and shut down 10 Asian day spas in South Florida last month. None of the spas is registered to Yang or her family. She sold the Jupiter spa to Hua Zhang around 2013. Zhang was charged with racketeering and running a house of prostitution and has pleaded not guilty. Yang's family still owns several South Florida spas. ___ Schneider contributed from Orlando, Fla. Associated Press writer Zeke Miller in New York contributed to this report. BEIJING (AP) - Chinese tech giant Huawei's tensions with Washington, which says the telecom equipment maker is a security risk, stretch across four continents from courtrooms to corporate boardrooms to Canadian canola fields. In the latest twist, Huawei Technologies Ltd. is asking a court in Texas to strike down a legal ban on the government using its equipment or dealing with any contractor that does. Washington is trying to persuade European and other allies to shun the biggest maker of network technology as their phone carriers invest billions of dollars in upgrading to next-generation communications. The company denies accusations it might facilitate Chinese spying or is controlled by the ruling Communist Party. Chinese authorities say the United States is exaggerating security concerns to block a potential competitor. Meanwhile, U.S. prosecutors are trying to extradite Huawei's chief financial officer from Canada to face charges she lied to banks about dealings with Iran. SECURITY CONCERNS: U.S. authorities say Huawei might facilitate Chinese spying by installing "backdoors" in its equipment for eavesdropping or sharing secrets about customers. The company's U.S. sales plunged after a congressional panel in 2012 labeled Huawei and Chinese rival ZTE Corp. security risks and told phone carriers to avoid them. Huawei denies it is a risk and complains Washington has released no evidence or details of its accusations. Australia, Japan, Taiwan and some other governments have imposed curbs on use of Huawei technology over security concerns. The company operates testing centers in Britain, Canada, Germany and Belgium for governments to examine its technology. FILE - In this March 8, 2019, file photo, A logo of Huawei retail shop is seen through a handrail inside a commercial office building in Beijing. Chinese tech giant Huawei's tensions with Washington, which accuses the telecom equipment maker of being a security risk, stretch across four continents from courtrooms to corporate boardrooms to Canadian canola farms. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File) US LAWSUIT: Huawei is asking a U.S. federal court in Texas to strike down part of this year's military appropriations bill that bars the government from using the Chinese vendor's equipment or dealing with any contractor that does. The company says the measure improperly singles out Huawei for punishment without trial and amounts to a "death sentence." American legal experts say Huawei's claims will be hard to prove but the company has few other options. US ALLIES: American officials are lobbying European and other allies to avoid Huawei, with limited success. That threatens to block Huawei, a leading developer of fifth-generation technology, from major markets where carriers are preparing to invest billions of dollars in upgrading networks. European governments have balked at banning Huawei outright. Germany says it won't exclude any suppliers in advance and instead will set "data protection" standards vendors must meet. Despite U.S. pressure, Huawei has announced contracts with American allies including the United Arab Emirates to supply network technology. SHARING SECRETS: The United States is warning Germany that allowing untrustworthy companies to supply equipment for its 5G networks could jeopardize sharing of sensitive information among allies. The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that the U.S. ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, sent a letter to German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier specifically naming Chinese tech firm Huawei. Washington has been trying to dissuade its allies from allowing Huawei to provide equipment for fifth-generation cell networks, claiming it could facilitate digital espionage by the Chinese government. U.S. embassy spokesman Joseph Giordono-Scholz declined to comment on the contents of the letter, but said the U.S. position is that if allies use "untrusted vendors" this could raise questions about the confidentiality of sensitive communications and "jeopardize nimble cooperation and some sharing of information" in future CHINA-CANADA: Huawei's chief financial officer is fighting U.S. efforts to extradite her from Canada to face charges of lying to banks about dealings with Iran in violation of trade sanctions. Meng Wanzhou, who is the daughter of Huawei's founder, was arrested Dec. 1 at the Vancouver airport. The arrest strained Chinese-Canadian relations. Beijing has arrested two Canadians, a former diplomat and a businessman, in what is widely seen as an effort to pressure Canada to release Meng. She is free on bail and living in a Vancouver mansion she owns, while the Canadians arrested in China are barred from seeing relatives or lawyers. Chinese authorities have meanwhile slowed imports of Canadian canola, an oilseed crop, by imposing more stringent inspections. A court in Vancouver is to set a date on May 8 for an extradition hearing. Meng has filed a lawsuit accusing Canadian authorities of violating her rights by questioning and searching her before telling her she was under arrest. CRIMINAL CHARGES: Huawei is accused of stealing technology behind a robot T-Mobile USA, Inc. uses to test smartphones. The Chinese company pleaded not guilty this month in federal court in Seattle. Two Huawei subsidiaries face 10 counts including theft of trade secrets and conspiracy. Prosecutors say a Huawei employee removed a robot arm from T-Mobile's lab and sent measurements and photos to China. Huawei says the employee acted on his own and was fired. A federal jury in Seattle awarded T-Mobile $4.8 million in damages in 2017. TECHNOLOGY COMPETITION: Huawei is at the center of U.S.-Chinese tension over Beijing's technology ambitions and complaints the communist government steals or pressures foreign companies to hand over know-how. The United States and other trading partners complain Chinese support for technology development violates Beijing's market-opening obligations. Huawei, founded in 1987 by a former military engineer, is the most successful of a group of emerging competitors Beijing hopes will make China a creator of profitable technologies. BUSINESS IMPACT: Huawei says the U.S. criticism so far has had little impact on sales outside the United States. The company's global revenue forecast for 2018 is $100 billion and its founder, Ren Zhengfei, says this year's target is $125 billion. However, Huawei's chief legal officer, Song Liuping, says the American legal restrictions are hurting the company's reputation abroad. ___ Associated Press Writer Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report. In this March 7, 2019, photo, Huawei Rotating Chairman Guo Ping, center, speaks in front of other executives during a press conference in Shenzhen city, China's Guangdong province. Chinese tech giant Huawei is launching a U.S. court challenge to a law that labels the company a security risk and would limit its access to the American market for telecom equipment. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File) HOUSTON (AP) - The second deadly crash of a prized new airplane in five months has renewed safety concerns about the 737 Max that could shape Boeing's fortunes for many years. The 737 Max is the newest version of the 737, the best-selling airliner ever. Since debuting in 2017, Boeing has delivered more than 350 of them in several versions that vary by size. Dozens of airlines around the world have embraced the plane for its fuel efficiency and utility for short and medium-haul flights. Boeing has taken more than 5,000 orders for the various Max versions, and they constitute the largest share of the company's backlog of nearly 5,900 planes. They carry list prices from $100 million to $135 million, although airlines routinely get deep discounts. The plane suffered its first fatal accident in October, when a 737 Max 8 operated by Lion Air plunged into the Java Sea, killing 189 people. Boeing bounced back, however, with little apparent effect on new orders. However, the second deadly crash for a Max 8 on Sunday in Ethiopia, which killed all 157 people on board, could prove far more damaging if investigators find fault in Boeing's design or airlines and their passengers lose confidence in the jet. In this Dec. 15, 2018, photo released by Xinhua News Agency, invited guests take photos of the Boeing 737 Max 8 airplane deliver to Air China during a ceremony at Boeing Zhoushan 737 Completion and Delivery Center in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province. China's civilian aviation authority has ordered all Chinese airlines to ground their Boeing 737 Max 8 planes on Monday, March 11, 2019 after one of the aircraft crashed in Ethiopia. The authority said the one-day action was made out of safety concerns because the crash was similar to one in Indonesia last year. (Xu Yu/Xinhua via AP) Already airlines in Ethiopia, Mexico, China, Brazil, Argentina and Indonesia have temporarily grounded their Max 8s, in addition to Caribbean carrier Cayman Airways, Comair in South Africa, and Royal Air Maroc in Morocco. Crucially, however, there was no outward sign that the influential U.S. regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration, would do the same. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said her department, which includes the FAA, was "very concerned" and monitoring developments around Sunday's crash. She said she met with acting FAA Administrator Dan Elwell to discuss the situation "and what are our possible paths forward." She didn't say whether the agency was considering grounding any planes. It's unusual for authorities to take the step of grounding planes, and it's up to each country to set standards on which planes can fly and how those planes are maintained, said Todd Curtis, an aviation safety analyst who directs the Airsafe.com Foundation. In the last major FAA recall, the agency grounded Boeing 787 passenger jets in 2013 after several instances in which lithium-ion batteries overheated. The plane was relatively new at the time. United was the only U.S. carrier affected, with six planes grounded. Late on Monday, the FAA issued a statement saying that while others have drawn similarities between the Indonesia and Ethiopia crashes, the agency was not. "This investigation has just begun and to date we have not been provided data to draw any conclusions or take any actions," the FAA said. The FAA also said that no later than April it expects Boeing will complete changes, including new training for pilots in automated anti-stall technology that is suspected of playing a role in the Lion Air crash. Data released by Indonesian investigators indicates that pilots struggled unsuccessfully to counter the system, which repeatedly pointed the plane's nose down and may have sent it into a death spiral. A consumer group, FlyersRights.org, urged the FAA to ground the Max 8. "The FAA's wait-and-see attitude risks lives," said the group's president, Paul Hudson. U.S. airlines repeated their belief that the plane is safe. American Airlines, which operates 24 Max 8s, said it bases its judgment on collecting extensive data on its entire fleet, including the Max 8. "We have full confidence in the aircraft and our crew members," the carrier's vice president of flight service, Jill Surdeck, said in a memo to employees. Southwest Airlines operates the largest U.S. fleet of Max planes, with 34 Max 8s. Spokesman Brian Parrish said the airline remains confident in their safety. United has about a dozen Max 9s, which are slightly bigger than the Max 8. Dozens of Max aircraft crisscrossed the skies over the United States on Monday, and passengers continued to board them and fly without incident. Passengers interviewed at Houston's Hobby Airport were keenly aware of the crash in Ethiopia. They expressed concern but no panic. "I drive in Houston every day," said Brian Browder, who was waiting for a flight to Washington, D.C. "That's the place to be worried." Still, Browder, who works for a construction-industry trade group and flies several times a month, said he would be "a bit apprehensive" about getting on a 737 MAX. "They need to explain exactly what happened and why," he said. Kelly Wells, a health care worker from Austin, believes a catastrophic accident is less likely to happen in the United States. "Those pilots are very well trained to handle an emergency. I'm in capable hands," she said before a flight on Southwest, which operates the Max, although her flight was not among them. Peggy Chang Barber, a lawyer for a Houston nonprofit who was on her way to New York, said U.S. airlines are "pretty vigilant" about maintenance and pilot training, and she won't be concerned "unless they find a fault with the plane." It isn't clear yet whether the plane's technology played a role in the Ethiopian Airlines crash, or whether that accident is related to the deadly Lion Air accident on Oct. 29 in Indonesia. Even if Boeing must make software or hardware changes to the plane, "it's nothing they can't get past, but it would be an expensive process," said Richard Aboulafia, an aviation consultant with Teal Group. "Historically, (airlines) cancel orders because of (fuel) performance shortfalls or because somebody else gave them a discount - not because of safety," Aboulafia said. The FAA stripped the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 of its airworthiness certificate after numerous safety problems including a 1979 crash in Chicago, yet it still outsold a rival plane made by Lockheed, he said. ___ Associated Press writers Christopher Bodeen in Bejing, Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia, Cathy Bussewitz in New York, and Tom Krisher in Detroit contributed to this report. Koenig can be reached at http://twitter.com/airlinewriter FILE - In this Oct. 4, 2017, file photo, SilkAir's new Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft is seen through a viewing gallery window parked on the tarmac of Singapore's Changi International Airport. China's civilian aviation authority has ordered all Chinese airlines to temporarily ground their Boeing 737 Max 8 planes after one of the aircraft crashed in Ethiopia. The Civil Aviation Administration of China said the order was issued at 9 a.m. Beijing time Monday, March 11, 2019 and would last nine hours. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E, File) FILE - In this Nov. 28, 2018, file photo, National Transportation Safety Committee investigator Nurcahyo Utomo holds a model of an airplane during a press conference on the committee's preliminary findings on their investigation on the crash of Lion Air flight 610, in Jakarta, Indonesia. China's civilian aviation authority has ordered all Chinese airlines to temporarily ground their Boeing 737 Max 8 planes after one of the aircraft crashed in Ethiopia. The Civil Aviation Administration of China said the order was issued at 9 a.m. Beijing time Monday, March 11, 2019 and would last nine hours. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim, File) In this Dec. 15, 2018, photo released by Xinhua News Agency, invited guests take photos of the Boeing 737 Max 8 airplane deliver to Air China during a ceremony at Boeing Zhoushan 737 Completion and Delivery Center in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province. China's civilian aviation authority has ordered all Chinese airlines to ground their Boeing 737 Max 8 planes on Monday, March 11, 2019 after one of the aircraft crashed in Ethiopia. The authority said the one-day action was made out of safety concerns because the crash was similar to one in Indonesia last year. (Xu Yu/Xinhua via AP) FILE- In this Nov. 14, 2018, file photo Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes are parked near Boeing Co.'s 737 assembly facility in Renton, Wash. Investigators were rushing to the scene of a devastating plane crash in Ethiopia on Sunday, March 10, 2019, an accident that could renew safety questions about the newest version of Boeing's popular 737 airliner. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File) This photo taken Monday, Feb. 11, 2019 shows an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737-800 parked at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 jetliner carrying 157 people crashed shortly after takeoff from the Ethiopian capital Sunday, March 10, 2019 killing everyone aboard, authorities said. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) In this Dec. 15, 2018, photo, invited guests take photos of the Boeing 737 Max 8 airplane deliver to Air China during a ceremony at Boeing Zhoushan 737 Completion and Delivery Center in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province. China's civilian aviation authority has ordered all Chinese airlines to ground their Boeing 737 Max 8 planes on Monday, March 11, 2019 after one of the aircraft crashed in Ethiopia. The authority said the one-day action was made out of safety concerns because the crash was similar to one in Indonesia last year. (Chinatopix via AP) WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump proposed a record $4.7 trillion budget on Monday, pushing the federal deficit past $1 trillion but counting on optimistic growth, accounting shuffles and steep domestic cuts to bring future spending into balance in 15 years. Reviving his border wall fight with Congress, Trump wants more than $8 billion for the barrier with Mexico, and he's also asking for a big boost in military spending. That's alongside steep cuts in health care and economic support programs for the poor that Democrats - and even some Republicans - will oppose. Trump called his plan a bold next step for a nation experiencing "an economic miracle." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called his cuts "cruel and shortsighted ... a roadmap to a sicker, weaker America." Presidential budgets tend to be seen as aspirational blueprints, rarely becoming enacted policy, and Trump's proposal for the new fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, sets up a showdown with Congress over priorities, especially as he reignites his push for money to build the U.S-Mexico border wall. The deficit is projected to hit $1.1 trillion in the 2020 fiscal year, the highest in a decade. The administration is counting on robust growth, including from the Republican tax cuts - which Trump wants to make permanent - to push down the red ink. Some economists, though, say the bump from the tax cuts is waning, and they project slower economic expansion in coming years. The national debt is $22 trillion. Even with his own projections, Trump's budget would not come into balance for a decade and a half, rather than the traditional hope of balancing in 10. President Donald Trump's 2020 budget outline arrives on Capitol Hill at the House Budget Committee, in Washington, Monday morning March 11, 2019. Trump's new budget calls for billions more for his border wall, with steep cuts in domestic programs but increases for military spending. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Titled "A Budget for a Better America: Promises Kept. Taxpayers First," Trump's proposal "embodies fiscal responsibility," said Russ Vought, the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget. Despite the large projected deficits, Vought said the administration has "prioritized reining in reckless Washington spending" and shows "we can return to fiscal sanity." The budget calls the approach "MAGAnomics," after the president's "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan. Some fiscal watchdogs, though, panned the effort as more piling on of debt by Trump with no course correction in sight. Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, said Trump "relies on far too many accounting gimmicks and fantasy assumptions and puts forward far too few actual solutions." She warned the debt load will lead to slower income growth and stalled opportunities for Americans. Perhaps most notably among spending proposals, Trump is returning to his border wall fight. Fresh off the longest government shutdown in history, his 2020 plan shows he is eager to confront Congress again over the wall. The budget proposes increasing defense spending to $750 billion - and building the new Space Force as a military branch - while reducing nondefense accounts by 5 percent, with cuts recommended to economic safety-net programs used by many Americans. The $2.7 trillion in proposed reductions over the decade is higher than any administration in history, they say. On Capitol Hill, the budget landed without much fanfare from Trump's GOP allies, while Democrats found plenty not to like. "Dangerous," not serious, a "sham," they said. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called it an "Alice in Wonderland document." The plan sticks to budget caps that both parties have routinely broken in recent years. To stay within the caps, it shifts a portion of the military spending, some $165 billion, to an overseas contingency fund, which some fiscal hawks will view as an accounting gimmick. The budget slashes $2 trillion from health care spending, while trying to collect $100 million in new fees from the electronic cigarette industry to help combat a surge in underage vaping. It provides money to fight opioid addiction and $291 million to "defeat the HIV/AIDS epidemic." It cuts the Department of Housing and Urban Development by 16 percent and Education by 10 percent, but includes $1 billion for a child care fund championed by the president's daughter, Ivanka Trump, a White House adviser. Trump is returning to old battles while refraining from unveiling many new initiatives. He re-opens plans for repealing "Obamacare," imposing work requirements for those receiving government aid and slashing the Environmental Protection Agency by about a third - all ideas Congress has rejected in the past. The budget proposes $200 billion toward infrastructure, much lower than the $1 trillion plan Trump once envisioned, but does not lay out a sweeping new plan. By refusing to raise the budget caps, Trump is signaling a fight ahead. The president has resisted big, bipartisan budget deals that break the caps - threatening to veto one last year - but Congress will need to find agreement on spending levels to avoid another federal shutdown in the fall. Conservatives railed for years against deficits that rose during the first years of Barack Obama's administration as tax revenue plummeted and spending increased during the Great Recession. But even with Republican control of Congress during the first two years of the Trump administration, deficits were on a steady march upward. The Democratic chairman of the House Budget Committee, Rep. John Yarmuth of Kentucky, said Trump added nearly $2 trillion to deficits with the GOP's "tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations, and now it appears his budget asks the American people to pay the price." The border wall remains a signature issue for the president, even though Congress refuses to give him more money for it. To circumvent Congress, Trump declared a national emergency at the border last month as a way to access funding. Lawmakers are uneasy with that and set to vote in the Senate to terminate his national emergency declaration. Congress appears to have enough votes to reject Trump's declaration but not enough to overturn a veto. The standoff over the wall led to a 35-day partial government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. There's also money to hire more than 2,800 additional law enforcement officers, including Border Patrol agents, at a time when many Democrats are calling for cuts - or even the elimination - of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The wall with Mexico played a big part in Trump's campaign for the White House, and it's expected to again be featured in his 2020 re-election effort. He used to say Mexico would pay for it, but Mexico has refused to do so. ___ Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Catherine Lucey, Matthew Daly, Richard Lardner, Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Collin Binkley and Andrew Taylor contributed to this report. In this March 6, 2019, photo, President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. The federal budget deficit is ballooning on Trump's watch and few in Washington seem to care. And the political dynamics that enabled bipartisan deficit-cutting deals decades ago has disappeared. That's the reality that will greet Trump's latest budget, which probably will promptly be shelved after it's received by Congress on Monday. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Office of Management and Budget staff delivers President Donald Trump's 2020 budget to the House Budget Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, March 11, 2019. Trump's new budget calls for billions more for his border wall, with steep cuts in domestic programs but increases for military spending. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) House Budget Committee Chair John Yarmuth, D-Ky., walks through the Capitol in Washington, Monday morning March 11, 2019, as President Donald Trump's 2020 budget is delivered to his committee. Trump's new budget calls for billions more for his border wall, with steep cuts in domestic programs but increases for military spending. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) A construction worker replaces fencing lining the north side of the border wall separating San Diego from Tijuana, Mexico, Monday, March 11, 2019, seen from Tijuana. President Donald Trump is reviving his border wall fight, preparing a new budget that will seek $8.6 billion for the U.S-Mexico barrier while imposing steep spending cuts to other domestic programs and setting the stage for another fiscal battle. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) White House press secretary Sarah Sanders walks in with Acting OMB Director Russ Vought speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Monday, March 11, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) BAGHDAD (AP) - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was in Baghdad on Monday, making his first official visit to the nation that Tehran once fought a bloody war against and later backed in the battle with the Islamic State group. Since Rouhani's election in 2013, Iraq has relied on Iranian paramilitary support to fight IS, following the militant group's capture of the Iraqi city of Mosul and other territory in both Iraq and Syria. Now with the militants facing a final territorial defeat in the Syrian village of Baghouz, Iran is looking for Iraq's continued support as it faces a maximalist pressure campaign by President Donald Trump after his decision to withdraw America from Tehran's nuclear deal with world powers. Rouhani, who is accompanied on the three-day visit by a high-ranking political and economic delegation, was received by an honor guard on landing in Baghdad, where he was welcomed by Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Ali Al-Hakim. Rouhani then visited the shrine of Imam Kadhim, the seventh of 12 clerics revered by Shiites worldwide. Rouhani, a Shiite cleric himself, paused to reach out and touch the gate surrounding the imam's tomb. He then met President Barham Salih and spoke to journalists, telling them that a "stable Iraq will lead to stability in the entire region." Iraqi President Barham Salih, right, walks with visiting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, before their meeting at Salam Palace in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, March 11, 2019. Rouhani is visiting Iraq, seeking to boost ties between the two neighboring states and possibly secure Iraq's help in bypassing U.S. sanctions the Trump administration re-imposed last year. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) "We want to be united countries, not against others, but attracting others to our unity," Rouhani said. For his part, Salih said Baghdad's central location made it crucial to resolving regional issues. He thanked Iran for its support during Iraq's fight against IS. "The victory that was achieved against IS group in Iraq was an important and huge victory, but incomplete as the eradication of that sick, deviated line of thought and extremism require more sustainable regional efforts and cooperation," Salih said. Rouhani was to later meet Prime Minister Abel Abdul-Mehdi. He plans on meeting with other politicians and Shiite leaders during his visit. Rouhani's visit underscores how much has changed since the 1980s, when Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded Iran, sparking an eight-year war that killed an estimated 1 million people. After the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq toppled Saddam, Iran began a campaign of backing militants who targeted American forces in Iraq. Tehran also made political connections with Iraq's Shiite leaders, who had been persecuted by Saddam's government. Iran's former hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad became the first Iranian president to visit Iraq on a trip in 2008. Iraq and Iran share a 1,400-kilometer-long (870 miles) border. Trump made a snap December trip to Iraq and made comments that U.S. forces should stay in Iraq to keep an eye on Iran, something dismissed by both Iran and Iraqi leaders, whom Trump did not meet on the visit. Speaking at Tehran's Mehrabad Airport before leaving for Iraq, Rouhani's official website quoted him as saying the trip's goal was "deepening bilateral relations." "Relations between Iran and Iraq are special," Rouhani was quoted as saying. "In the recent years, the people of Iran have passed a test with pride, and that is wherever the peoples of the region faced a problem and asked for the help of the Iranian nation and government, we rushed to help them." Rouhani, who had visited Iraq privately before becoming president, had planned an official visit in 2016 but it was cancelled over unspecified "executive" problems. This time, Rouhani, who is on a second four-year-term, is particularly vulnerable because of the economic crisis assailing the Iranian rial, which has hurt ordinary Iranians and emboldened critics to openly call for the president's ouster. Tehran sees the U.S. military presence at its doorstep in Iraq as a threat - one that could also undermine Iran's influence over Baghdad. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif alluded to that on Sunday while in Baghdad, saying that any country which tries to interfere with the good Iran-Iraq relations would "be deprived of opportunities for itself." Iran also sees Iraq as a possible route to bypass U.S. sanctions that Trump re-imposed last year after pulling the U.S. out of the 2015 nuclear deal. Last year, Iran's exports to Iraq amounted to nearly $9 billion. Tehran hopes to increase the roughly $13 billion volume in trade between the two neighboring countries to $20 billion. Also, some 5 million religious tourists bring in nearly $5 billion a year as Iraqis and Iranians visit Shiite holy sites in the two countries. "This visit seeks to send a message to the United States of America that Iran is still effective in Iraqi politics," said Ali Fadlallah, an analyst in Iraq. "I think the visit (also) aims at settling the trade and economic relation. Iran wants to be partner in building up the infrastructure and the cities that were damaged by the war on terrorism." ___ Associated Press writer Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report. Iraqi President Barham Salih, right, shakes hands with visiting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, at Salam Palace in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, March 11, 2019. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrived in Baghdad on Monday, making his first official visit to the nation that Tehran once fought a bloody war against. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) Iraqi President Barham Salih, center, walks with visiting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, before their meeting at Salam Palace in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, March 11, 2019. Rouhani is visiting Iraq, seeking to boost ties between the two neighboring states and possibly secure Iraq's help in bypassing U.S. sanctions the Trump administration re-imposed last year. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, center, bows to pay respects to the Iraq flag during an arrival ceremony at Salam Palace in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, March 11, 2019. Rouhani is visiting Iraq, seeking to boost ties between the two neighboring states and possibly secure Iraq's help in bypassing U.S. sanctions the Trump administration re-imposed last year. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, center, walks with Iraqi President Barham Salih, before their meeting at Salam Palace in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, March 11, 2019. Rouhani is visiting Iraq, seeking to boost ties between the two neighboring states and possibly secure Iraq's help in bypassing U.S. sanctions the Trump administration re-imposed last year. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani waves to journalists before his meeting with his Iraqi counterpart Barham Salih at Salam Palace in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, March 11, 2019. Rouhani is visiting Iraq, seeking to boost ties between the two neighboring states and possibly secure Iraq's help in bypassing U.S. sanctions the Trump administration re-imposed last year. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) Iraqi President Barham Salih, right, and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hold a press conference at Salam Palace in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, March 11, 2019. Rouhani was in Baghdad on Monday, making his first official visit to the nation that Tehran once fought a bloody war against and later backed in the battle with the Islamic State group. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) HEJERE, Ethiopia (AP) - Airlines in Ethiopia, China, Indonesia and elsewhere grounded the Boeing 737 Max 8 jetliner Monday after the second devastating crash of one of the planes in five months. But Boeing said it had no reason to pull the popular aircraft from the skies. As the East African country mourned the 157 victims of the Ethiopian Airlines plane that went down in clear weather shortly after takeoff Sunday, investigators found the jetliner's two flight recorders at the crash site outside the capital of Addis Ababa. An airline official, however, said one of the recorders was partially damaged and "we will see what we can retrieve from it." The official spoke on condition of anonymity for lack of authorization to speak to the media. A witness to the crash told The Associated Press that smoke was coming from the back of the plane before it hit the ground. "Before falling down, the plane rotated two times in the air, and it had some smoke coming from the back then, it hit the ground and exploded," Tamrat Abera said. "When the villagers and I arrived at the site, there was nothing except some burning and flesh." Ethiopian authorities are leading the investigation into the crash, assisted by the U.S., Kenya and others. Mourners attend a memorial service held by an association of Ethiopian airline pilots, at which framed photographs of seven crew members were on display, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Monday, March 11, 2019. Authorities in Ethiopia, China and Indonesia grounded all Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft Monday following the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines jetliner that killed 157 people, and investigators found the flight recorders from the field where the plane went down. (AP Photo/Samuel Habtab) The crash was similar to that of a Lion Air jet of the same model in Indonesian seas last year, killing 189 people. The crash was likely to renew questions about the 737 Max 8, the newest version of Boeing's single-aisle airliner, which was first introduced in 1967 and has become the world's most common passenger jet. Safety experts cautioned against drawing too many comparisons between the two crashes until more is known. Besides the groundings by airlines in Ethiopia, China and Indonesia, Aeromexico, Caribbean carrier Cayman Airways, Comair in South Africa and Royal Air Maroc in Morocco temporarily grounded their Max 8s. Ethiopian Airlines decided to ground its remaining four 737 Max 8s until further notice as "an extra safety precaution," spokesman Asrat Begashaw said. The carrier had been using five of the planes and awaiting delivery of 25 more. But Chicago-based Boeing said it did not intend to issue any new recommendations about the aircraft to its customers. It plans to send a technical team to the crash site to help investigators and issued a statement saying it was "deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the passengers and crew" on the jetliner. Among the airlines still using the plane are Southwest, American and Air Canada. In Washington, Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said passenger safety was the first priority for the administration. "I want travelers to be assured and that we are taking this seriously and monitoring latest developments," she said. It's unusual for authorities to take the step of grounding planes, and it's up to each country to set standards on which planes can fly and how those planes are maintained, said Todd Curtis, an aviation safety analyst who directs the Airsafe.com Foundation. "If there is a suspicion ... that there's not only something inherently wrong with 737 Max 8 aircraft, but there are no procedures in place to cure the problem, then yes, they should either ground the plane, or there are several levels of things they could do," Curtis said. People from 35 countries died in the crash six minutes after takeoff from Ethiopia's capital for Nairobi. Ethiopian Airlines said the senior pilot issued a distress call and was told to return but all contact was lost shortly afterward. The plane plowed into the ground at Hejere near Bishoftu, scattering debris. "I heard this big noise," resident Tsegaye Reta told the AP. "The villagers said that it was a plane crash, and we rushed to the site. There was a huge smoke that we couldn't even see the plane. The parts of the plane were falling apart." Kenya lost 32 people, more than any country. Relatives of 25 of the victims had been contacted, Transport Minister James Macharia said, and taking care of their welfare was of utmost importance. "Some of them, as you know, they are very distressed," he said. "They are in shock like we are. They are grieving." In Addis Ababa, members of an association of Ethiopian airline pilots wept uncontrollably for their dead colleagues. Framed photos of seven crew members sat in chairs at the front of a crowded room. The flight's main pilot, Yared Getachew, issued a distress call shortly after takeoff and was told to return, but all contact was lost. Canada, Ethiopia, the U.S., China, Italy, France, Britain, Egypt, Germany, India and Slovakia all lost four or more citizens. At least 21 staff members from the United Nations were killed in the crash, said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who led a moment of silence at a meeting where he said "a global tragedy has hit close to home." Both Addis Ababa and Nairobi are major hubs for humanitarian workers, and some had been on their way to a large U.N. environmental conference set to begin Monday in Nairobi. The U.N. flag at the event flew at half-staff. The crash shattered more than two years of relative calm in Africa, where travel had long been chaotic. It also was a serious blow to Ethiopian Airlines, which has expanded to become the continent's largest and best-managed carrier and turned Addis Ababa into the gateway to Africa. The state-owned carrier has a good reputation and the company's CEO told reporters no problems were seen before Sunday's fight. But investigators also will look into the plane's maintenance, which may have been an issue in the Lion Air crash. The plane was delivered to Ethiopian Airlines in November. The jet's last maintenance was on Feb. 4, and it had flown just 1,200 hours. China's Civil Aviation Administration said that it ordered airlines to ground all 737 Max 8 aircraft as of 6 p.m. (1000 GMT) Monday, in line with the principle of "zero tolerance for security risks." It said it would issue further notices after consulting with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing. China Southern Airlines is one of Boeing's biggest customers for the aircraft. Comair, the operator of British Airways and Kulula flights in South Africa, said it has grounded its Boeing 737 Max 8 while it consults with Boeing, other operators and technical experts. The statement did not say how many planes are affected. Wrenelle Stander, executive director of Comair's airline division, said that Comair "remains confident in the inherent safety of the aircraft." An official with Royal Air Maroc said the carrier in Morocco has halted the commercial use of its sole operational model, pending tests and examinations. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with departmental rules, said the plane was scheduled to fly on Monday from Casablanca to London but was replaced. The 737 is the best-selling airliner in history, and the Max, the newest version of it with more fuel-efficient engines, is a central part of Boeing's strategy to compete with European rival Airbus. "Safety is our No. 1 priority and we are taking every measure to fully understand all aspects of this accident, working closely with the investigating team and all regulatory authorities involved," Boeing said in a statement. Boeing's stock fell 7 percent to $391.80 in afternoon trading. ___ Meseret reported from Addis Ababa. Associated Press writer Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia, Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations and AP Airlines Writer David Koenig in Dallas, Texas, contributed. ___ Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa Rescuers work at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight crash near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019. A spokesman says Ethiopian Airlines has grounded all its Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft as a safety precaution, following the crash of one of its planes in which 157 people were killed. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Workers gather at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight crash near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019. A spokesman says Ethiopian Airlines has grounded all its Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft as a safety precaution, following the crash of one of its planes in which 157 people were killed. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Rescuers work at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight crash near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019. A spokesman says Ethiopian Airlines has grounded all its Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft as a safety precaution, following the crash of one of its planes in which 157 people were killed. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Wreckage is piled at the crash scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight crash near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019. A spokesman says Ethiopian Airlines has grounded all its Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft as a safety precaution, following the crash of one of its planes in which 157 people are known to have died. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Framed photographs of seven crew members are displayed at a memorial service held by an association of Ethiopian airline pilots, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Monday, March 11, 2019. Authorities in Ethiopia, China and Indonesia grounded all Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft Monday following the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines jetliner that killed 157 people, and investigators found the flight recorders from the field where the plane went down. (AP Photo/Samuel Habtab) Parts of the plane wreckage with rescue workers at the crash site at Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, outside Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019, where Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 crashed Sunday. Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a deadly crash Sunday involving a new aircraft model touted for its environmentally friendly engine that is used by many airlines worldwide. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Rescue workers at Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, outside Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019, where Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 crashed Sunday. Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a deadly crash Sunday involving a new aircraft model touted for its environmentally friendly engine that is used by many airlines worldwide. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) A passenger passport lies on the ground at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight crash near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019. A spokesman says Ethiopian Airlines has grounded all its Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft as a safety precaution, following the crash of one of its planes in which 157 people were killed. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Documents lie on the ground at Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, outside Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019, where Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 crashed Sunday. Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a deadly crash Sunday involving a new aircraft model touted for its environmentally friendly engine that is used by many airlines worldwide. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Rescue workers at Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, outside Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019, where Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 crashed Sunday. Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a deadly crash Sunday involving a new aircraft model touted for its environmentally friendly engine that is used by many airlines worldwide. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) A pile of debris on the ground at Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, outside Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019, where Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 crashed Sunday. Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a deadly crash Sunday involving a new aircraft model touted for its environmentally friendly engine that is used by many airlines worldwide. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) FILE- In this Nov. 14, 2018, file photo Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes are parked near Boeing Co.'s 737 assembly facility in Renton, Wash. Investigators were rushing to the scene of a devastating plane crash in Ethiopia on Sunday, March 10, 2019, an accident that could renew safety questions about the newest version of Boeing's popular 737 airliner. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File) Airplane parts lie on the ground at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight crash near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019. A spokesman says Ethiopian Airlines has grounded all its Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft as a safety precaution, following the crash of one of its planes in which 157 people were killed. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Rescue workers at Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, outside Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019, where Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 crashed Sunday. Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a deadly crash Sunday involving a new aircraft model touted for its environmentally friendly engine that is used by many airlines worldwide. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Documents lie on the ground at Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, outside Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019, where Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 crashed Sunday. Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a deadly crash Sunday involving a new aircraft model touted for its environmentally friendly engine that is used by many airlines worldwide. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) A passenger passport lies on the ground at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight crash near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019. A spokesman says Ethiopian Airlines has grounded all its Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft as a safety precaution, following the crash of one of its planes in which 157 people were killed. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Rescuers work at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight crash near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019. A spokesman says Ethiopian Airlines has grounded all its Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft as a safety precaution, following the crash of one of its planes in which 157 people were killed. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Rescuers work at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight crash near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019. A spokesman says Ethiopian Airlines has grounded all its Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft as a safety precaution, following the crash of one of its planes in which 157 people were killed. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Rescuers work at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight crash near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019. A spokesman says Ethiopian Airlines has grounded all its Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft as a safety precaution, following the crash of one of its planes in which 157 people were killed. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Rescuers work at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight crash near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Monday, March 11, 2019. A spokesman says Ethiopian Airlines has grounded all its Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft as a safety precaution, following the crash of one of its planes in which 157 people were killed. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) In this image taken from video, rescuers search through wreckage at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed shortly after takeoff at Hejere near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, some 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Sunday, March 10, 2019. The Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Ethiopia's capital on Sunday morning, killing all 157 on board, authorities said, as grieving families rushed to airports in Addis Ababa and the destination, Nairobi. (AP Photo/Yidnek Kirubel) Members of the Ethiopian community take part in a special prayer for the victims of the Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 crash, at the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church of Canada Saint Mary Cathedral in Toronto, on Sunday, March 10, 2019. Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ethiopia's capital on Sunday morning, killing all on board, authorities said, including 18 Canadians. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP) Rescuers search at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed shortly after takeoff at the scene at Hejere near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, some 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Sunday, March 10, 2019. The Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Ethiopia's capital on Sunday morning, killing all 157 on board, authorities said, as grieving families rushed to airports in Addis Ababa and the destination, Nairobi. (AP Photo/Yidnek Kirubel) This photo taken Monday, Feb. 11, 2019 shows an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737-800 parked at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 jetliner carrying 157 people crashed shortly after takeoff from the Ethiopian capital Sunday, March 10, 2019 killing everyone aboard, authorities said. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) STRASBOURG, France (AP) - Britain and the European Union emerged from last-minute talks late Monday to announce they had finally removed the biggest roadblock to their Brexit divorce deal, only hours before the U.K. Parliament was due to decide the fate of Prime Minister Theresa May's hard-won plan to leave the EU. On the eve of Tuesday's vote in London, May flew to Strasbourg, France, to seek revisions, guarantees or other changes from European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker that would persuade reluctant British legislators to back her withdrawal agreement with the EU, which they resoundingly rejected in January. At a joint news conference, May and Juncker claimed to have succeeded. May said new documents to be added to the deal provided "legally binding changes" to the part relating to the Irish border. The legal 585-page withdrawal agreement itself though was left intact. "In politics, sometimes you get a second chance. It is what you do with this second chance that counts. Because there will be no third chance," Juncker warned the legislators who will vote late Tuesday. "Let's be crystal clear about the choice: it is this deal or Brexit might not happen at all," he said. British Prime Minister Theresa May, background, is welcomed by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasbourg, France, Monday, March 11, 2019. May flew to Strasbourg, France, late Monday to try to secure a last-minute deal with the bloc. (Vincent Kessler/Pool Photo via AP) May said the changes should overcome lawmakers' qualms about a mechanism in the deal designed to keep an open border between Britain'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 until a permanent new trading relationship is in place. Brexit-supporters in Britain fear the backstop could be used to bind the country to EU regulations indefinitely. May said the new wording "will guarantee that the EU cannot act with the intent of applying the backstop indefinitely." "Now is the time to come together to back this improved Brexit deal and deliver on the instruction of the British people," she said. But the changes appear to fall well short of Brexiteers' demands for a unilateral British exit mechanism from the backstop. Pro-Brexit U.K. lawmakers said they would read the fine print and wait for the judgment of Britain's attorney general before deciding how to vote on Tuesday. Announcing the breakthrough in Britain's House of Commons, Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington said lawmakers faced "a fundamental choice ... to vote for the improved deal or to plunge this country into a political crisis." And Juncker warned Britain "there will be no new negotiations" if lawmakers rejected the deal again. Britain is due to pull out of the EU in less than three weeks, on March 29, but the government has not been able to win parliamentary approval for its agreement with the bloc on withdrawal terms and future relations. The impasse has raised fears of a chaotic "no-deal" Brexit that could mean major disruption for businesses and people in Britain and the 27 remaining EU countries. "This is a government in chaos, with a country in chaos because of this mess," Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said. May has staked her political reputation on securing an exit deal with the EU and is under mounting pressure to quit if it is defeated again. She survived a bid to oust her through a no-confidence vote in December. As a result, she cannot be forced from office for a year. The EU is frustrated at what it sees as the inability of Britain's weak and divided government to lay out a clear vision for Brexit. It is irritated, too, that Britain is seeking changes to an agreement that May herself helped negotiate and approve. May has been working frantically to save her deal, speaking by phone to eight EU national leaders since Friday, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. If Parliament throws out May's deal again on Tuesday, lawmakers will vote over the following two days on whether to leave the EU without an agreement - an idea likely to be rejected - or to ask the EU to delay Brexit beyond the scheduled March 29 departure date. Conservative lawmaker Nicky Morgan said May's position will become "less and less tenable" if she suffers more defeats in Parliament this week. "It would be very difficult for the prime minister to stay in office for very much longer," Morgan told the BBC. Alan Wager, a Brexit expert at the U.K. in a Changing Europe think tank, said Parliament this week could decisively rule out both May's deal and a no-deal departure. That, in turn, would make such options as a new Brexit referendum or a "softer" withdrawal from the EU lot more likely, he said. "Finally, the House of Commons is going to have to make a final judgment on what it wants in terms of Brexit," he said. ___ Casert reported from Strasbourg, France. Danica Kirka in London, Lorne Cook in Brussels and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this story. ___ Follow AP's full coverage of Brexit at: https://www.apnews.com/Brexit European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, left, welcomes Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Monday, March 11, 2019. Prime Minister Theresa May is making a last-ditch attempt to get concessions from EU counterparts on elements of the agreement they all reached late last year. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias, Pool) British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, is welcomed by European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Strasbourg, France, Monday, March 11, 2019. May flew to Strasbourg, France, late Monday to try to secure a last-minute deal with the bloc. (Vincent Kessler/Pool Photo via AP) British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, is welcomed by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasbourg, France, Monday, March 11, 2019. May flew to Strasbourg, France, late Monday to try to secure a last-minute deal with the bloc. (Vincent Kessler/Pool Photo via AP) Anti Brexit and pro European Union protesters carry flags and placards as they demonstrate outside the Palace of Westminster in London, Monday, March 11, 2019. British Prime Minister Theresa May still hopes to secure changes from the EU that can win U.K. lawmakers' backing for her Brexit deal, despite a lack of progress in last-minute talks. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, London, Wednesday March 6, 2019 (House of Commons/PA via AP) Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May gives a speech in Grimsby, Britain, Friday March 8, 2019. Battling to stave off a second defeat for the unpopular deal, May also implored the EU to help her make "one more push" to get her Brexit agreement through a skeptical British Parliament.(Christopher Furlong/PA via AP) British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, is welcomed by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasbourg, France, Monday, March 11, 2019. May flew to Strasbourg, France, late Monday to try to secure a last-minute deal with the bloc. (Vincent Kessler/Pool Photo via AP) Anti Brexit and pro European Union protesters carry flags and placards as they demonstrate outside the Palace of Westminster in London, Monday, March 11, 2019. British Prime Minister Theresa May still hopes to secure changes from the EU that can win U.K. lawmakers' backing for her Brexit deal, despite a lack of progress in last-minute talks. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) Pro-remain protester Steve Bray, right, continues his demonstration with fellow anti Brexit protesters in London, Monday, March 11, 2019. British Prime Minister Theresa May still hopes to secure changes from the EU that can win U.K. lawmakers' backing for her Brexit deal, despite a lack of progress in last-minute talks. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) Pro-remain protester Steve Bray, right, continues his demonstration with fellow anti Brexit protesters in London, Monday, March 11, 2019. British Prime Minister Theresa May still hopes to secure changes from the EU that can win U.K. lawmakers' backing for her Brexit deal, despite a lack of progress in last-minute talks. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, poses for the media with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasbourg, France, Monday, March 11, 2019. May flew to Strasbourg, late Monday to try to secure a last-minute deal with the bloc. (Vincent Kessler/Pool Photo via AP) British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, poses for the media with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasbourg, France, Monday, March 11, 2019. May flew to Strasbourg, late Monday to try to secure a last-minute deal with the bloc. (Vincent Kessler/Pool Photo via AP) European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker welcomes Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Monday, March 11, 2019. Prime Minister Theresa May is making a last-ditch attempt to get concessions from EU counterparts on elements of the agreement they all reached late last year. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias, Pool) European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, left, welcomes Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Monday, March 11, 2019. Prime Minister Theresa May is making a last-ditch attempt to get concessions from EU counterparts on elements of the agreement they all reached late last year. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias, Pool) ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) - Algeria's president of two decades abandoned his bid for a fifth term Monday following unprecedented protests over his fitness for office, but his simultaneous postponement of an election set for next month had critics worried he intends to hold on to power. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who has rarely been seen in public since he had a stroke in 2013 and just returned from two weeks in a Geneva hospital, promised to establish a panel to plan a rescheduled vote and to put an interim government in place. In a letter to the nation released by state news agency APS on Monday, Bouteflika, 82, stressed the importance of including Algeria's disillusioned youth in the reform process and putting the country "in the hands of new generations." But for many of the protesters - students, lawyers and even judges among them - the most important sentence in the president's letter read, "There will be no fifth term." Celebrations popped up instead of protests on the streets of the capital, Algiers, at the news. Car horns rang out while people waved flags, jumped up and down, and sang the national anthem. Several thanked Bouteflika. One described the development as a "real ray of sunshine. Others were more cautious, calling their longtime leader's pledge to step aside just a first step. Bouteflika did not give a date or timeline for the delayed election. Algerian people display the national flag as tthey celebrate in the streets of Algiers, after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced that he is delaying the April 18 election and won't seek another term, Monday, March 11, 2019. Bouteflika bowed to unprecedented public protests Monday and promised not to seek a fifth term after 20 years in power. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou) He said in his Monday letter that the "national conference" he would task with planning the vote also would be responsible for drafting a new constitution for Algeria. He said he would name an interim government as well. The changes were put in motion within hours. Noureddine Bedoui, a Bouteflika loyalist and the current interior minister, was made prime minister and charged with forming the new administration, according to Algerian state news agency APS. Critics said they fear the moves could pave the way for the president to install a hand-picked successor. Others saw his decision to postpone the election indefinitely as a threat to democracy in Algeria. A wily political survivor, Bouteflika fought in Algeria's independence war against French forces and has played a role in Algeria's major developments for the past half-century. He became president in 1999 and reconciled a nation riven by a deadly Islamic insurgency, but questions swirl over whether he is really running the country today. The recent protests surprised Algeria's opaque leadership and freed the country's people, long fearful of a watchful security apparatus, to openly criticize the president. Algerians also expressed anger over corruption that put their country's oil and gas riches in the hands of a few while millions of young people struggle to find jobs. The unprecedented citizens' revolt drew millions into the streets of cities across the country to demand that Bouteflika abandon his candidacy. On Monday, Algerian state television aired the first images of Bouteflika since the protests started. Bouteflika, who has used a wheelchair since his stroke, appeared weak and moved with slow gestures. No sound accompanied the images. While the tense nation waited to see if he would make any concessions now that he was back from his hospital stay, teenagers and lawyers held protests, and workers held scattered walkouts, Security was high in Algiers, where some businesses were shuttered by a second day of strikes. Lawyers in black robes gathered in front of courthouses to join calls for Bouteflika to withdraw from the election. Some judges joined the lawyers protesting in the city of Bedjaia. Judges normally are prohibited from publicly demonstrating, as are police officers and soldiers. ___ Lotfi Bouchouchi in Algiers and Thomas Adamson and Angela Charlton in Paris contributed. FILE - In this May 4, 2017 file photo, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika prepares to vote in Algiers. Algeria, a gas-rich African giant and crucial western ally nearly brought to its knees in the 1990s by a bloody Islamist insurgency, is at a new turning point, this time led by citizens young and old peacefully protesting a bid for a fifth term by ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. (AP Photo/Sidali Djarboub, File) An Algerian woman displays the national flag as she celebrates with others in the streets of Algiers, after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced that he is delaying the April 18 election and won't seek another term, Monday, March 11, 2019. Bouteflika bowed to unprecedented public protests Monday and promised not to seek a fifth term after 20 years in power. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou) Algerian people celebrate in the streets of Algiers, after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced that he is delaying the April 18 election and won't seek another term, Monday, March 11, 2019. Bouteflika bowed to unprecedented public protests Monday and promised not to seek a fifth term after 20 years in power. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou) Algerian people carry their national flag as the celebrate in the streets of Algiers, after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced that he is delaying the April 18 election and won't seek another term, Monday, March 11, 2019. Bouteflika bowed to unprecedented public protests Monday and promised not to seek a fifth term after 20 years in power. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou) Demonstrators stage a protest to denounce President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid for a fifth term on Place de la Republique in Paris, Sunday, March 10, 2019. The protesters are challenging Bouteflika's fitness to run for a fifth term in next month's election. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) High school students march in central Algiers, Sunday, March 10, 2019. The protesters are challenging President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's fitness to run for a fifth term in next month's election. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul) Algerian people, waving their national flag, celebrate in the streets of Algiers after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced that he is delaying the April 18 election and won't seek another term, Monday, March 11, 2019. Bouteflika bowed to unprecedented public protests Monday and promised not to seek a fifth term after 20 years in power. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou) Demonstrators stage a protest to denounce President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid for a fifth term on Place de la Republique in Paris, Sunday, March 10, 2019. The protesters are challenging Bouteflika's fitness to run for a fifth term in next month's election. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) Algerian lawyers gather outside the Algiers court house, Monday, March 11, 2019. Lawyers held protests Monday, and workers held scattered walkouts, as their tense nation waits to see whether ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika offers any concessions in the face of unprecedented protests. (AP Photo/Fateh Guidoum) Demonstrators stage a protest to denounce President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid for a fifth term on Place de la Republique in Paris, Sunday, March 10, 2019. The protesters are challenging Bouteflika's fitness to run for a fifth term in next month's election. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) BAGHOUZ, Syria (AP) - U.S.-backed Syrian forces pounded the last village held by the Islamic State group with artillery and heavy weapons from multiple sides Monday and made slow advances on its edges, battling militants holed up in underground tunnels. The fighters of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces moved toward a tent encampment in the village of Baghouz and at one point encircled a group of IS militants, killing a number of them in an hour-long battle, an SDF spokesman said. After weeks of besieging Baghouz, the operation launched Sunday night aims at finally taking the last tiny patch of land held by the militants, a pocket on the banks of the Euphrates River in eastern Syria near the border with Iraq. Operations against IS "will continue until we totally wipe them out," the SDF vowed in a statement Monday, saying SDF fighters had made "tangible progress" since Sunday, with 37 militants killed and five SDF fighters wounded. Some 500 IS fighters are believed to be still in the territory, along with possibly 3,000 to 4,000 civilians, including women and children - mainly family members who remained after thousands of civilians streamed out of Baghouz in past week during pauses in the fighting. The fighters are heavily dug in and have laced the area with land mines and booby traps. They lashed out Monday with attempted suicide attacks - four IS fighters assaulted SDF positions, setting off their explosive belts, though they only succeeded in damaging a minesweeper, the SDF spokesman Mustafa Bali said in a tweet. A U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighter walks through a tent encampment that had been occupied by Islamic State group militants, in Baghouz, Syria, Monday, March 11, 2019. A spokesman for U.S.-backed Syrian forces fighting the IS said they have made "limited advances" into the last village in eastern Syria held by the Islamic State group amid heavy fighting. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) A senior U.S. defense official said in Washington on Friday that it would not be a surprise, based on current conditions, if it took another couple of weeks to finish "mopping up" the IS enclave. The capture of Baghouz would be a milestone in the devastating four-year campaign to defeat the group's so-called "caliphate" that once covered a vast territory straddling both Syria and Iraq. In Monday's fighting, SDF fighters captured an arms depot and marched toward the tent settlement on the edge of Baghouz, Bali wrote. The U.S.-led coalition carried out 11 airstrikes destroying depots, fortifications and vehicles. SDF explosives experts have begun removing mines and booby-traps "to open the way for our attacking forces," the SDF statement said. Throughout the day, thuds of renewed artillery and heavy weapons fire could be heard. The village lies in an agricultural area squeezed between a bend in the Euphrates and the cliff of a desert plateau, and SDF forces could be seen firing at it from all sides by the evening. "If as we advance, we notice there are civilians, we will do all we can to evacuate them from the battlefield," Bali told the AP. The tent camp had been home for many of the thousands of civilians who had been holed up in Baghouz for weeks. On Monday, an AP team was able to see a part of the camp that had been abandoned earlier. Many tents were damaged and burned, some of them set up over empty trenches and foxholes. The AP viewed it from a house captured by the SDF that IS appeared to have used as a clinic by IS. Medical equipment stood in place still wrapped in its plastic, as well as a microscope still in its box. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, said SDF fighters captured seven IS gunmen in Baghouz since Sunday. During years of battles against IS, thousands of extremists have been taken prisoner by the SDF in Syria as well as tens of thousands of family members who were moved to tent settlements in northeastern Syria. A senior U.S. defense official said last week that the SDF is believed to have about 5,000 IS fighters in captivity, of whom about 4,000 are Iraqis and Syrians. The other 1,000 or so are foreign fighters from dozens of other countries, the official said. Bali said the SDF recently handed over a number of Moroccan citizens who were staying in tent settlements in northeastern Syria to their home government. Bali did not give a number, but thousands of fighters and supporters from north Africa joined IS since declaring the so-called caliphate in 2014. ____ Associated Press writer Bassem Mroue contributed to this report from Beirut. In this Sunday, March 10, 2019 photo, U.S.-backed Syrian forces stand guard as civilians wounded by airstrikes, during an offensive on the last area held by Islamic State group extremists, are treated at a reception area for evacuees, in Syria's eastern Deir el-Zour province near the Iraqi border, outside of Baghouz, Syria. A tent is pitched over a trench left behind by Islamic State militants, in Baghouz, Syria, as U.-S.-backed Syrian Democratic forces continued their push to oust IS from their last territory, Monday, March 11, 2019. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) Tents are left behind by Islamic State group militants in Baghouz, Syria, as U.-S.-backed Syrian Democratic forces continued their push to oust IS fighters from their last territory, Monday, March 11, 2019. U.S.-backed Syrian forces made slow advances Monday into the edges of the last village held by IS, battling militants holed up in underground tunnels, a spokesman for the force said. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) A U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighter smokes in a tent encampment that had been occupied by Islamic State group militants, in Baghouz, Syria, Monday, March 11, 2019. SDF forces made slow advances Monday into the edges of the last village held by IS, battling militants holed up in underground tunnels, a spokesman for the force said. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) Tracer fire and explosions lights up the night sky as U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fire on Baghouz, Syria, Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) In this Sunday, March 10, 2019 photo, U.S.-backed Syrian forces stand guard as a civilian wounded by airstrikes, during an offensive on the last area held by Islamic State group extremists, arrive by truck at a reception area for evacuees, in Syria's eastern Deir el-Zour province near the Iraqi border, outside of Baghouz, Syria. U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are positioned on the front line where Islamic State militants are making their last stand in Baghouz, Syria, Sunday, March 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) A U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) soldier warms himself by a fire on a rooftop position as fighting resumes to wrest Islamic State militants from Baghouz, Syria, Monday, March 11, 2019. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) In this Sunday, March 10, 2019 photo, U.S.-backed Syrian forces stand guard as civilians wounded by airstrikes, during an offensive on the last area held by Islamic State group extremists, arrive by truck at a reception area for evacuees, in Syria's eastern Deir el-Zour province near the Iraqi border, outside of Baghouz, Syria. Smoke rises as U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) battle Islamic State militants remaining in a pocket of Baghouz, Syria, Monday, March 11, 2019. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) 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. Borderland Beat? We love to have you in our team, send Sol Prendido or HEARST an email! Want to be a contributor or citizen reporter forBorderland Beat?We love to have you in our team, sendoran 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. LONDON (AP) - The Latest on talks about Britain's departure from the European Union (all times local): European Union chief Jean-Claude Juncker says both the EU and the British government are fully behind revisions intended to break the political deadlock over a proposed deal on Brexit. Juncker, the president of the European Commission, said late Monday after talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May that lawmakers in the U.K.'s parliament now "have a fundamental choice to make" by approving or rejecting the withdrawal agreement. The House of Commons overwhelmingly rejected the original agreement in January. May has been seeking changes from the EU that might persuade enough lawmakers to back the deal. Another vote is scheduled for Tuesday. Juncker said "the agreement today is the best possible" and warned "there will be no new negotiations. It is this." A man adjusts a British flag prior to a media conference of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Monday, March 11, 2019. Prime Minister Theresa May is making a last-ditch attempt to get concessions from EU counterparts on elements of the agreement they all reached late last year. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias) ___ 10:05 p.m. The British government says it has secured "legally binding changes" from the European Union to overcome a key stumbling block on the Brexit deal. Cabinet office Minister David Lidington told the House of Commons on Monday night that the two sides agreed on a "joint instrument" clarifying the withdrawal deal. The measure is intended to reassure Britain it won't be trapped forever in a mechanism designed to prevent a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Concerns over the border measure were the main reason Britain's Parliament rejected the deal in January. Lawmakers are due to vote on it again Tuesday. The changes fall short of demands of hardcore U.K. Brexiteers, but may persuade some lawmakers to switch their votes. ___ 8:30 p.m. British Prime Minister Theresa May has arrived in France for Brexit late talks with EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker on the eve before the British Parliament votes again on a divorce agreement. Juncker kissed May twice on the cheeks when she arrived at the European Parliament. EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier kissed her hand before they went inside. Following technical talks over the weekend, both sides were expected to go over the phrasing in the part of the agreement dealing with the post-Brexit border on the island of Ireland. The future border between EU member Ireland and Northern Ireland, a part of the U.K., was a sticking point during more than 18 months of negotiations. It also has prevented the deal May reached with the EU from being approved by British lawmakers. A news conference is set for later Monday. ___ 8:00 p.m. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has delayed a trip to the United States for an emergency government meeting on Brexit. Varadkar had been set to leave Monday for a U.S. visit to coincide with St. Patrick's Day. But he decided to wait so his Cabinet could discuss possible progress in the Brexit process, as British Prime Minister Theresa May holds talks with top European Union officials. Britain's Parliament is due to vote Tuesday on whether to approve May's Brexit divorce deal with the EU, which it already rejected once. The main sticking point is a measure to ensure the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland remains open, a key issue for Varadkar's government. May flew to Strasbourg, France, late Monday to try to secure a last-minute deal with the bloc. ___ 7:45 p.m. The European Union's top legislative Brexit official holds out hope for progress in last-ditch efforts to provide an orderly Brexit since "catastrophe" would follow the U.K.'s departure from the bloc without a withdrawal agreement. Guy Verhofstadt said he would be meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May late Monday and hopes May's meeting with EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker proves productive "as a no-deal Brexit would be a catastrophe." The talks are still centered on finding a compromise on post-Brexit travel and trade rules at the border between EU member Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the U.K. Any deal between May's government and EU leaders must be approved by the European Parliament, the EU's elected legislature. ___ 6:55 p.m. The leader of the European Parliament says a disorderly Brexit most be avoided at all costs and plants to meet with British Prime Minister Theresa May to press home the point. European Parliament President Antonio Tajani said Monday night as May was traveling to Strasbourg, France for talks with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker: "We must avoid the departure of the U.K. without agreement. That would harm all European citizens." May is making a last-ditch attempt to get concessions from EU counterparts on elements of the agreement they all reached late last year. Britain's House of Commons, which resoundingly rejected the deal once before, has another vote scheduled Tuesday. In Strasbourg, where the EU's parliament is located, May is also slated to meet with the legislature's chief Brexit official, Guy Verhofstadt. ___ 5:25 p.m. Prime Minister Theresa May is heading to France for face-to-face talks with EU leaders as she scrambles to save her Brexit deal from defeat in Parliament. May's Downing St. office said she was flying Monday afternoon to Strasbourg, France, to meet European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. May has been seeking changes from the EU to her divorce deal since lawmakers in Parliament resoundingly defeated it in January. But the bloc is unwilling to reopen the withdrawal agreement. If May can secure a legally binding change on provisions for the Irish border, some lawmakers who opposed to deal may be persuaded to vote for it in the House of Commons on Tuesday. Britain is due to leave the bloc in 18 days, on March 29. ___ 2 p.m. German Chancellor Angela Merkel says that the European Union's executive Commission has made an "important offer" to Britain to unblock an impasse over the U.K.'s withdrawal agreement. British lawmakers' opposition to the deal centers on concerns over arrangements for the Irish border. Prime Minister Theresa May's government has been seeking changes, but the EU refuses to reopen the agreement after long negotiations. Merkel said in Berlin Monday it was "very welcome" that Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker and chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier made "a multitude of suggestions" over the weekend on how to define the so-called "backstop" meant to keep open the border between EU member Ireland and the U.K.'s Northern Ireland. She added: "I think that an important offer has again been made to Britain, and now it is of course for Britain to respond to these offers." ___ 1:55 p.m. Ireland's deputy prime minister says U.K. leader Theresa May is set to hold last-minute talks with European Union leaders to try to save her foundering Brexit divorce deal. Simon Coveney says May will fly to Strasbourg, France, a seat of the European Parliament, on Monday "to try to finalize an agreement, if that's possible." May's 10 Downing St. office would not confirm the trip. Britain's Parliament is due to vote Tuesday on the withdrawal agreement, which it has already rejected once. May's office says talks are continuing to try to secure changes to the deal that can win over opponents in Parliament. May has spoken by phone to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker twice in the past 24 hours. ___ 11:50 a.m. British Prime Minister Theresa May still hopes to secure changes from the EU that can win U.K. lawmakers' backing for her Brexit deal, despite a lack of progress in last-minute talks. European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said Monday that "no further meetings at political level are scheduled." But May's spokesman, James Slack, said "talks are ongoing" at a technical level, and there is "a shared determination by both sides to find a solution." British lawmakers are scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether to approve May's Brexit deal, which they resoundingly rejected in January. They look set to defeat it a second time, with the U.K. due to leave the bloc on March 29. Pro-Brexit lawmakers have urged May to postpone Tuesday's vote rather than risk another crushing defeat. But Slack said the vote "will take place tomorrow." ___ 9:15 a.m. British Prime Minister Theresa May is fighting to save her European Union divorce deal with the negotiations deadlocked a day before Parliament is scheduled to vote on the plan. May promised lawmakers two weeks ago they would get a second vote on the deal by March 12, but hard-line Brexit supporters are warning she should postpone the vote rather than risk another crushing defeat. The House of Commons overwhelmingly rejected the deal in January, primarily because of concerns over arrangements for the Irish border. "Technical" talks aimed at securing concessions from the EU failed to secure a breakthrough over the weekend. Former chief whip Andrew Mitchell told the Times of London that "anything that avoids what looks like a massive defeat on Tuesday is worth considering." British Prime Minister Theresa May, background, is welcomed by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasbourg, France, Monday, March 11, 2019. May flew to Strasbourg, France, late Monday to try to secure a last-minute deal with the bloc. (Vincent Kessler/Pool Photo via AP) Anti Brexit and pro European Union protesters carry flags and placards as they demonstrate outside the Palace of Westminster in London, Monday, March 11, 2019. British Prime Minister Theresa May still hopes to secure changes from the EU that can win U.K. lawmakers' backing for her Brexit deal, despite a lack of progress in last-minute talks. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) Anti Brexit and pro European Union protesters carry flags and placards as they demonstrate outside the Palace of Westminster in London, Monday, March 11, 2019. British Prime Minister Theresa May still hopes to secure changes from the EU that can win U.K. lawmakers' backing for her Brexit deal, despite a lack of progress in last-minute talks. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May gives a speech in Grimsby, north east England, Friday March 8, 2019. British lawmakers are due to vote for a second time Tuesday on the deal, which they overwhelmingly rejected in January. (Christopher Furlong/PA via AP) European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, left, welcomes Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Monday, March 11, 2019. Prime Minister Theresa May is making a last-ditch attempt to get concessions from EU counterparts on elements of the agreement they all reached late last year. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias, Pool) British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, is welcomed by European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier in Strasbourg, France, Monday, March 11, 2019. May flew to Strasbourg, France, late Monday to try to secure a last-minute deal with the bloc. (Vincent Kessler/Pool Photo via AP) Pro-remain protester Steve Bray, centre, has a sandwich as he continues his demonstration with fellow anti Brexit protesters in London, Monday, March 11, 2019. British Prime Minister Theresa May still hopes to secure changes from the EU that can win U.K. lawmakers' backing for her Brexit deal, despite a lack of progress in last-minute talks. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant) European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker welcomes Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Monday, March 11, 2019. Prime Minister Theresa May is making a last-ditch attempt to get concessions from EU counterparts on elements of the agreement they all reached late last year. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias, Pool) Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May arrives at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Monday, March 11, 2019, to meet European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. Prime Minister Theresa May is making a last-ditch attempt to get concessions from EU counterparts on elements of the agreement they all reached late last year. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias, Pool) British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, poses for the media with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasbourg, France, Monday, March 11, 2019. May flew to Strasbourg, late Monday to try to secure a last-minute deal with the bloc. (Vincent Kessler/Pool Photo via AP) British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, poses for the media with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasbourg, France, Monday, March 11, 2019. May flew to Strasbourg, late Monday to try to secure a last-minute deal with the bloc. (Vincent Kessler/Pool Photo via AP) THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - A former vice president of Congo who was acquitted on appeal of war crimes in Central African Republic is seeking millions of euros (dollars) in compensation from the International Criminal Court, his lawyers said Monday. Lawyers for Jean-Pierre Bemba last week filed an application asking judges at the global court to award Bemba a total of nearly 69 million euros ($77 million) for what they called a miscarriage of justice. The sum includes damages for the decade Bemba spent in jail and compensation for legal costs and losses in the value of assets frozen by the court, the lawyers said. "Mr. Bemba's property was left over a 10-year period to devalue, dissipate, or simply rot," they said in a statement. Among the devalued assets the lawyers listed was a Boeing 727 jetliner, a plane built from the 1960s to 1980s for commercial passenger flights. Bemba's aircraft was impounded in Portugal in 2008. When he tried to get it back to help pay legal bills, "he was informed that the prosecution was unable to find the keys," his lawyers said. FILE - In this file photo dated Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018, former Congolese Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba poses for a photograph in Waterloo, Belgium. Benba was acquitted of alleged crimes in Central African Republic, and Monday March 11, 2019, via his lawyers, is seeking millions of euros (dollars) in compensation from the International Criminal Court. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, FILE) "The plane is now scrap. It still stands stranded on the tarmac at Faro Airport," Bemba's legal team said. Bemba, a former military commander in Congo, was convicted in 2016 on two counts of crimes against humanity and three counts of war crimes for a campaign of murder, rape and pillaging by his troops in Central African Republic during 2002-2003. Appeals judges at the International Criminal Court last year overturned Bemba's 2016 convictions The court had no comment Monday on the substance of the request. "It is a request submitted to the judges. We have to wait for the judges' decisions, and we can't speculate on the outcome," court spokesman Fadi El Abdallah said in an email. Bemba's lawyers said that if he receives compensation from the court, the money would be used to "provide reparations to the people of the Central African Republic." TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's Judiciary said it sentenced a prominent human rights lawyer to seven years in prison after she defended protesters against the Islamic Republic's mandatory headscarves for women. However, Reza Khandan, the husband of 55-year-old Nasrin Sotoudeh, said on Facebook that his wife's verdict was delivered to her in jail and that it was "five years imprisonment for her first case and 33 years imprisonment with 148 lashes for the second case." He did not elaborate. Earlier today, Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency reported that Judge Mohammad Moghiseh had sentenced Sotoudeh to five years for "plotting against the state" and two more years for insulting Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It's unclear when the sentencing took place. Last week, an Iranian activist group that's based abroad reported that Sotoudeh was convicted. Her sentencing has been widely criticized. She has 20 days to appeal the verdict. In this Nov. 1, 2008 photo, Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, poses for a photograph in her office in Tehran, Iran. On Wednesday, March 6, 2019, the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran, said Sotoudeh, a prominent human rights lawyer in Iran who defended women protesting against the Islamic Republic's mandatory headscarf, has been convicted and faces years in prison. Sotoudeh, who previously served three years in prison for her work, was convicted in absentia by a Revolutionary Court. She is currently held at Tehran's Evin prison. (AP Photo/Arash Ashourinia) Sotoudeh previously served three years in prison for her activism and was released in 2013. She was arrested again last June. The headscarf, or hijab, is mandatory for all women in Iran. DETROIT (AP) - Tesla is walking back plans to close most of its showrooms worldwide and announced price hikes for most of its electric vehicles. Tesla announced last month that it would shutter most of its stores to cut costs so it could sell its lower-priced Model 3 for $35,000. The company continues its shift to toward online-only sales, but now says it won't close as many stores as originally thought. The $35,000 base Model 3 will still be available, but the company is raising prices by 3 percent on all other models. In a Monday filing with government regulators, Tesla now says it closed 10 percent of its stores, but a few of those will now remain open. Another 20 percent are being evaluated and some could remain open. The company gave no numbers, but said it would close only about half the stores that it had intended to. It has 378 stores and service centers worldwide and about 100 stores in the U.S. If the company closes 30 percent of the stores that would equal about 110. "As a result of keeping significantly more stores open, Tesla will need to raise vehicle prices by about 3 percent on average worldwide," a company statement said. "We will only close about half as many stores, but the cost savings are therefore only about half." FILE- In this July 6, 2018, file photo prospective customers confer with sales associates as a Model 3 sits on display in a Tesla showroom in the Cherry Creek Mall in Denver. Tesla is walking back its plan to close most retail stores worldwide in a move the company says will force it to raise prices on most of its electric vehicles. The company still will move to online-only sales, but now says it won't close as many stores as originally thought. Tesla announced last month that it would shutter most of its stores to cut costs so it could sell its lower-priced Model 3 for $35,000. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File) Remaining stores could have fewer workers but will have vehicles available for test drives and a small inventory in case people want to buy immediately, the statement said. Also Monday, a New York attorney announced that Tesla's former chief of security has filed a whistleblower complaint with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Attorney Andrew Meissner said in a statement that Sean Gouthro provided information about Musk's Aug. 7 tweet that he had the financing to take the company private at $420 per share. As it turned out, Musk didn't have the funding secured. The SEC filed a securities fraud complaint, and Musk and Tesla agreed to each pay $20 million and to governance changes including a Twitter monitor for Musk. The SEC submission says the go-private plan was discussed internally at Tesla many days before Musk's tweet "and that many were suspect of the purported deal's legitimacy," Meissner's statement said. Tesla also announced Monday that it has purchased car-hauling trucks and trailers from a California company in a stock deal worth about $14.2 million. Tesla paid for the purchase with about 50,000 previously authorized shares. Tesla wants to increase its vehicle transportation capacity and cut delivery times. The moves come on the day that lawyers for Tesla CEO Elon Musk have to file a legal brief explaining to a New York federal judge why he shouldn't be held in contempt of court for an inaccurate Feb. 19 tweet that could have influenced the company's stock price. On Feb. 19 Musk tweeted that Tesla would produce around 500,000 vehicles this year - a tweet that wasn't blessed by the person in charge of baby-sitting Musk's Twitter account as required by the fraud settlement. The tweet was later corrected. The judge has ordered Musk to file a brief by Monday explaining why he isn't in contempt for violating the court-approved settlement. The store-closing reversal shows that Tesla had second thoughts about shuttering the stores and whether buyers would make such a large purchase without a test drive. The company says it still plans to offer buyers the ability to return purchased vehicles at no cost after a seven-day or 1,000 mile test drive. Gartner analyst Michael Ramsey called the move "startling" and said it undermines the credibility of Musk and Tesla's management. "How else can you view it except to see it as a remarkable example of lack of foresight or planning?" Ramsey asked. "It's almost as if the decision was announced and made without any analysis of what the outcome would be." The move made no sense to begin with because Tesla had spent millions fighting in courts and state legislatures trying to change laws that prevented companies from selling vehicles at their own stores, Ramsey said. But he also said the move to close 10 percent of stores and evaluate others is the right thing to do, and said most retail companies do that all of the time. A Tesla spokesman declined comment Monday beyond the company's statement. Shares of Tesla Inc. edged up less than 1 percent in Monday trading. In announcing the move on Feb. 28, CEO Elon Musk said it was necessary to cut costs in order to profitably sell the mass-market version of the Model 3 sedan for $35,000. That's a price point needed to reach more consumers and generate the sales that the company needs to survive, Musk has said. Before the announcement, the cheapest Model 3 started at $42,900. On Feb. 28, the company said shifting totally to online sales would allow it to lower all vehicle prices by 6 percent, on average, including its higher-end Model S and Model X. At the time, Musk also walked back the company's guidance that it would be profitable in all future quarters, saying it would post a loss in the first quarter of this year. "Dark Star: A Biography of Vivien Leigh" (I.B. Tauris), by Alan Strachan Playing two of the greatest female roles ever offered in film - Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone with the Wind" and Blanche DuBois in "A Streetcar Named Desire" - has guaranteed actress Vivien Leigh a place in popular culture. Yet her stage work, often overlooked by her film fans, may have been the true showcase of her talent. Alan Strachan, a director and a chronicler of the British theater, gives Leigh's full career a stirring reassessment in an immensely readable biography, "Dark Star." He argues convincingly that there was far more to Leigh than her mesmerizing beauty, which could blind critics to the power behind her performances. Strachan also pierces the darkness that never left Leigh: mental illness. Bipolar disorder, called manic depression in her day, explains in part her failings as a wife and mother. It certainly seems to have fueled her drinking, extramarital affairs and occasionally odd behavior, allowing comparisons to the faded, shattered Blanche - the performance that put an Oscar next to the one for Scarlett O'Hara. The surprise of "Dark Star" is that Leigh's life doesn't appear as sunken by sadness as it's been described elsewhere. While not downplaying the manic episodes that damaged her career - Elizabeth Taylor took over the film "Elephant Walk" following a Leigh breakdown - Strachan describes the good times, too. By his account she was a loving companion, a loyal friend and a generous, amiable colleague. His evidence comes from Leigh's diaries and letters and those of relatives, friends and colleagues. The actress who played two iconic Southerners was born Vivian Mary Hartley in Darjeeling, British India, in 1913, and was raised in Calcutta. Her mother was also India-born and perhaps in a mixed-race family. Her father, born in Scotland while his Yorkshire family was visiting, had moved to India and become wealthy as an exchange broker. An amateur actor, he shared his pastime with his daughter and theater became her passion. This cover image released by I.B. Tauris shows "Dark Star: A Biography of Vivien Leigh" by Alan Strachan (I.B. Tauris via AP) The Hartleys sent 6-year-old Vivian to England for a Catholic education. Her convent education continued in her teens with schools in France, Italy and Germany. She was attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London when she met a handsome lawyer, Leigh Holman, whom she married in 1932. Soon a mother, she went on to seek work on the stage and in film under the name Vivien Leigh. Upending her personal and professional life was Laurence Olivier, a charismatic actor who, like Leigh, was married with a child. Their wildly passionate love affair, begun in 1936 as they made the film "Fire Over England," led to divorces and marriage in 1940. They co-starred in two other films, "21 Days Together" (1940) and "That Hamilton Woman" (1941), but the Oliviers would become the first couple of the British stage, appearing in classical productions together - "Romeo and Juliet" and "The School for Scandal" were but two - and separately. He directed her in the London productions of "The Skin of Our Teeth" in 1945 and "Streetcar" in 1949, both personal triumphs for Leigh. Selfishness, a trait that brought them together despite obligations, probably doomed their relationship. The passion cooled, at least for Olivier, as Leigh's illness became more pronounced and led to hospitalizations and shock therapy. (Olivier may also have grown professionally jealous of his wife.) He engaged in affairs with relish, and she abandoned her marital vows, too, flaunting an affair with a young Peter Finch. Nevertheless, the Oliviers continued to play their public roles until he decided young Joan Plowright would make a better partner for the long haul. Divorced in 1960, Leigh continued acting and even found a companion. Her life ended abruptly at 53 when tuberculosis led to a fatal hemorrhage in 1967. Was Leigh herself more like the vivacious and beautiful Scarlett O'Hara or the fading, delusional Blanche DuBois? Strachan doesn't bother with such pointless musings, instead focusing on the evolution of a unique artist who overcame personal struggles to master her craft and bring joy to her audience. ___ Douglass K. Daniel is the author of "Anne Bancroft: A Life" (University Press of Kentucky). LOS ANGELES (AP) - Investigators have identified a Los Angeles-area girl found dead in a duffel bag along a suburban equestrian trail, and two people have been detained in connection with the case. The coroner's office determined the girl was 9-year-old Trinity Love Jones and ruled her death a homicide, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said late Sunday. The department has declined to say how Trinity was killed and a department spokeswoman on Monday declined to identify the people who've been detained. They're considered persons of interest. The department plans to release additional details later in the week. On March 5, a park worker found Trinity's body partially protruding from a duffel bag at the bottom of an embankment in Hacienda Heights, just southeast of Los Angeles. Investigators believe her body was there less than 48 hours. Photos adorn a large memorial to Trinity Love Jones, the 9-year-old girl whose body was found in a duffel bag along a suburban Los Angeles equestrian trail, in Hacienda Heights, Calif., Monday, March 11, 2019. Two people have been detained in connection with the case. The discovery happened last week. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) A police sketch of Trinity released to help identify who she was showed her wearing what she had on when her body was found: a pink shirt that read, "Future Princess Hero." "It's a sad day for the department, for the community, and we're going to do our best" to solve the case, Sheriff Alex Villanueva said last week. A man who identified himself as Trinity's father told KTLA-TV at a memorial for his daughter that she was full of life and joy and that he's in shock over her death. "Words can't explain what I'm feeling right now," Antonio Jones said. "I just want answers. I just want justice." He declined to discuss details about the case or Trinity's living situation. A GoFundMe page created by Trinity's uncle describes her as "a very loving and caring little girl." "She had a great imagination ... so much so whenever she would wear a pretty dress, she would call herself a princess," according to the post. "She didn't deserve to be tossed out like trash." Meanwhile a large memorial near where Trinity's body was found continued to grow Monday, with people stopping by to add Disney balloons, teddy bears, flowers and photos of the bright-eyed girl. Signs read, "Justice for Trinity," and "Rest in Heaven, Princess." Cherie Kiyomura of Whittier visited the memorial with her 3-year-old son Bishop on Monday to pay her respects, though she didn't know Trinity or her family. "This has really hit home," she said. "No child should ever be left this way." This photo provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office shows 9-year-old Trinity Love Jones, who was found dead in a duffel bag along a suburban Los Angeles equestrian trail on March 5, 2019. The coroner's office has determined that her death was a homicide. Investigators have detained two people in connection with the case and are seeking help from the public for any additional information. (Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office via AP) Cherie Kiyomura and her son Bishop, of Whittier, Calif., add to a large memorial to Trinity Love Jones, the 9-year-old girl whose body was found in a duffel bag along a suburban Los Angeles equestrian trail, in Hacienda Heights, Calif., Monday, March 11, 2019. Two people have been detained in connection with the case. The discovery happened last week. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) A woman crosses herself at a large memorial to Trinity Love Jones, the 9-year-old girl whose body was found in a duffel bag along a suburban Los Angeles equestrian trail in Hacienda Heights, Calif., Monday, March 11, 2019. Two people have been detained in connection with the case. The discovery happened last week. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) People stand at a large memorial to Trinity Love Jones, the 9-year-old girl whose body was found in a duffel bag along a suburban Los Angeles equestrian trail, seen at rear, in Hacienda Heights, Calif., Monday, March 11, 2019. Two people have been detained in connection with the case. The discovery happened last week. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) Dozens of tributes are seen at a large memorial to Trinity Love Jones, the 9-year-old girl whose body was found in a duffel bag along a suburban Los Angeles equestrian trail, seen at rear, in Hacienda Heights, Calif., Monday, March 11, 2019. Two people have been detained in connection with the case. The discovery happened last week. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) Dozens of tributes are seen at a large memorial to Trinity Love Jones, the 9-year-old girl whose body was found in a duffel bag along a suburban Los Angeles equestrian trail, seen at rear, in Hacienda Heights, Calif., Monday, March 11, 2019. Two people have been detained in connection with the case. The discovery happened last week. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) Dozens of tributes are seen at a large memorial to Trinity Love Jones, the 9-year-old girl whose body was found in a duffel bag along a suburban Los Angeles equestrian trail, seen at rear and at left, in Hacienda Heights, Calif., Monday, March 11, 2019. Two people have been detained in connection with the case. The discovery happened last week. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon) "A Beautiful Corpse" (Minotaur), by Christi Daugherty Appealing characters and an insider's look at ethical journalism in the midst of newspaper cutbacks lend a solid foundation to "A Beautiful Corpse," Christi Daugherty's second novel about Savannah reporter Harper McClain. As she did in "The Echo Killing," Daugherty continues to delve deep into the persona of Harper who became a reporter because of her interest in crime, spurred by her mother's murder when she was 12. She now uses her reporting skills to look into her mother's still unsolved death. Harper had much respect for how the police handled her mother's murder, and her close relationship with them gave her an insider's view of crime investigation. That one-time in with the detectives is no more, not since Harper exposed a cop's crimes. The police department has closed its blue ranks against her, giving her information only when mandated. Harper could use their help as she looks into the murder of law student and bartender Naomi Scott, who was shot in the early morning in a popular tourist area. Naomi was a bright, hard-working student who was close to her father, Jerrod; her mother died when she was a child. The police soon target Naomi's boyfriend, Wilson Shepherd, also a law student who had turned his life around after teenage indiscretions. Jerrod refuses to believe Wilson is guilty and instead offers Harper another suspect - Peyton Anderson, the son of the powerful district attorney. Peyton has a history of stalking but also seems to have a solid alibi. Determined to follow the story, Harper not only risks the ire and revenge of the district attorney, but also her job. The politician is well connected to the newspaper's board, which wants staff cutbacks and is targeting Harper among the first. This cover image released by Minotaur shows "A Beautiful Corpse," by Christi Daugherty. (Minotaur via AP) Daugherty, who started as a young adult novelist, keeps the thrilling "A Beautiful Corpse" churning at a quick pace, succinctly melding the newsroom culture with the murder investigation and Harper's complicated personal life. Harper will forever seek who killed her mother. The appearance of a shadowy person who says he knows the culprit keeps this subplot working but does not overwhelm "A Beautiful Corpse." It also assures that Harper will be back, and that is good news. TORONTO (AP) - Fifteen prominent U.S. foreign policy experts on Monday called for the release of a Canadian detained in China in apparent retaliation for the arrest of a top Chinese tech executive in Canada. The scholars and think tank executives released a joint statement saying Michael Kovrig's detention is worrying because independent policy research institutions can help mitigate conflict during a time of growing differences and heightened suspicions between China and the West. "This is why we are particularly concerned by the detention of one of our colleagues," the statement said. "Michael's arrest has a chilling effect on all those who are committed to advance constructive U.S.-China relations." Kovrig is an expert on Asia and works International Crisis Group think tank. China arrested Kovrig and another Canadian on Dec. 10, apparently attempting to pressure Canada to release Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. Meng was arrested at the request of U.S. authorities who want her extradited to face fraud charges. The scholars include Nicolas Burns from Harvard, Anne-Marie Slaughter from Princeton and retired U.S. Gen. John Allen from the Brookings Institute, among others. Kovrig and Canadian entrepreneur Michael Spavor haven't had access to a lawyer since being arrested. A Chinese court also sentenced a Canadian to death in a sudden retrial on allegations of drug trafficking, overturning a 15-year prison term handed down earlier. China is also blocking some imports of canola from Canada in a development that could be related to Meng's case. Meng is out on bail, living in one of her two Vancouver homes awaiting extradition proceedings to begin. Her case could take years to be resolved. DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina is being sued again over its treatment of transgender people, as state employees argue that their health plan violated federal law by dropping coverage of medically necessary procedures. The new lawsuit comes amid unresolved litigation over North Carolina's so-called bathroom bill and the law that replaced it. The lawsuit filed Monday argues the health plan for state employees violates federal health and education laws, as well as constitutional rights, by refusing to pay for hormone treatments and surgeries that it once covered. The treatments prescribed by doctors to treat gender dysphoria are described as life-saving by five current or former state employees, along with two transgender dependents, who are suing. "We have to think of it like any medical condition that is treated by a doctor and is diagnosed," said Taylor Brown, the Lambda Legal lawyer leading the case, who is a transgender woman. "To have to live in a world that perceives you, and that assigns you, as something that you're not ... It can make life unlivable for many people. And that's why we see such high suicide rates in the transgender community." The state employee health plan, which provides benefits for approximately 720,000 people, had covered the transition procedures for transgender people for the year 2017. But the lawsuit said coverage was excluded from the plan for the years after that under Republican State Treasurer Dale Folwell, who took office in 2017. A spokesman for Folwell, Frank Lester, said in an email that a previous treasurer had voted with the health plan's board to cover the procedures for a year, but that no action was taken to extend the coverage under Folwell. Lester declined to comment further on the lawsuit, saying the office generally doesn't discuss pending litigation. Connor Thonen-Fleck addresses reporters while his parents stand by his side on Monday March 11, 2019, in Durham, North Carolina at the announcement of a lawsuit against North Carolina officials over how the state health plan is run. The lawsuit argues that North Carolina's state health plan for state employees discriminates by not covering hormone treatment and surgery for transgender people. (AP Photo/ Jonathan Drew) The plaintiffs say the exclusion of coverage for transition-related treatments violates the federal Title IX education law, the constitution's equal-protection clause and the federal Affordable Care Act. "Transgender people are treated differently," Brown said in an interview. "They're not getting equal pay, in effect, for equal work." The Associated Press reviewed the lawsuit and was granted exclusive interviews with the plaintiffs before the litigation was announced at a news conference in Durham. In similar cases, Lambda Legal sued Alaska on behalf of a legislative librarian and separately won a legal settlement for a New York county employee, both of whom were denied coverage for hormone therapy or surgery. The North Carolina lawsuit comes amid a separate three-year legal fight over North Carolina's 2016 "bathroom bill," which in many public buildings required transgender people to use restrooms matching their birth certificates. While that requirement was later rescinded, a replacement law halts new local antidiscrimination ordinances until 2020. Last year, a federal judge allowed a lawsuit to move forward challenging the replacement law's moratorium on new local measures to protect LGBT residents. Monday's lawsuit is another sign of the difficulties still faced by transgender residents. Among them is 16-year-old Connor Thonen-Fleck, whose family is saving for chest surgery to affirm his masculine identity that could cost more than $10,000 because it's not covered by insurance for his parents, both state university employees. "I think we're mostly saved up now," Connor said in an interview. "Obviously if we weren't saving up, I would have had it way sooner." From an early age, Connor said he felt uncomfortable in the female gender assigned at birth, and by puberty a feeling of detachment from his own body settled in. "I used to not be able to take showers very often because I couldn't stand to look at this body," he said. He started seeing a therapist as a high school freshman and soon was diagnosed with gender dysphoria. Under medical supervision, he began socially transitioning to life as a male before starting hormone treatments. Because the health plan denies coverage for a testosterone prescription, his parents must pay out of pocket. Surgery to give him a more typical male chest would be the next step. Still, his mother says, the treatment is "not optional for us," and every expense has been worth it. Remembering his Jan. 2, 2018, appointment with an endocrinologist to set the stage for his testosterone treatments, she said: "That may have been more of a special day than the day he was born. It was so wonderful to see him get what he needed." ___ Follow Drew at www.twitter.com/JonathanLDrew MANILA, Philippines (AP) - A Philippine appeals court has upheld a decision that an online news site critical of President Rodrigo Duterte violated a constitutional ban on foreign ownership of news media. The Court of Appeals said in a decision made public Monday that Rappler Inc. effectively allowed U.S.-based investor Omidyar Network "to participate" in its corporate actions and decisions in violation of the constitution, which requires media companies to be fully owned and managed by Filipinos. Rappler argued that it did not grant Omidyar the power to control or influence its news operations, but last year, the appeals court backed a Securities and Exchange Commission decision to revoke the site's license. Media watchdogs have said the move was an act to muzzle the media. While upholding its ruling against Rappler, the appeals court asked the SEC to reassess its revocation of the news website's operating license after Omidyar donated its holdings in Rappler to some of the site's managers and staff. "It is incumbent upon the SEC to evaluate the terms and conditions of said alleged supervening donation ... whether the same has the effect of mitigating, if not curing, the violation it found," the court said. FILE - In this Jan. 16, 2018, file photo, Rappler CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa gestures during an interview at their office in metropolitan Manila, Philippines. The Court of Appeals has upheld a decision that the online news site critical of President Rodrigo Duterte violated a constitutional ban on foreign ownership of news media. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File) Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the government would not interfere in the case and "will let the law take its course." He said Rappler's case was not a press freedom issue. Last month, Rappler's chief executive officer and executive editor, Maria Ressa, was arrested but freed on bail over an online libel case. The move against Ressa, who was one of Time magazine's Persons of the Year last year, was denounced by Rappler and media watchdogs as a threat to press freedom. Duterte's government said the arrest was a normal step in response to a criminal complaint. Vice President Slumber Tsogwane says Members of Parliament would live to regret tabling and passing a motion calling for direct election of the president. The motion was tabled by MP for Nata-Gweta Polson Majaga and passed by Parliament last week. Tsogwane told Parliament that it was wrong to have the motion during election year. According to the vice president political reform is a very critical subject. He pointed out that it is not an easy topic that one can just subject to one while ignoring others.We have to go and consult the people who have voted us to this Parliament. We cannot leave them behind, come and pass this motion without engaging them, because it is a very critical motion, as I have said, it will bring a lot of changes. We are in an election year, it will create a lot of perceptions, said Tsogwane who is also MP for Boteti West. The vice president indicated that when a subject is discussed during such a time, it has the potential of misdirecting some people or changing their focus to something else. And this is where you experience voter apathy. He explained that government has just engaged Batswana on another subject related to an election, being the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). We just dropped it, and now we are coming with another subject in an election year. A person who does not have the same understanding or same level of understanding as you MPs, you have to go and explain this to that person, and tell him or her why you are bringing such a subject during such a time, and what is the intention. It is not a question of when it is going to be implemented, it is the historical context that we will be creating, and that is what people are going to refer to and start engaging their minds in, and some people are asking themselves a lot of questions, said Tsogwane when debating the motion. Tsogwane said it is not a bad motion, but the timing is also very critical, as well as culture and what underpins the countrys democracy. He revealed that he had tried, to engage Majaga regarding the motion, but conveniently he has avoided me. He does not have any qualms with that as it is Majagas choice. I do not have any problem, he should not think that I will think otherwise about him. I am very liberal, so there was no need for him to avoid me because I was going to engage him and consult with him further. Tsogwane said the country has just withstood the EVM storm and cannt afford to be distracted by another potentially divisive electoral reform in an elelction year. We have a system which is serving us well and we want to change it in the election year. What is the urgency of trying to bring this motion now? MOSCOW (AP) - A 5-year-old girl who was left alone in a Moscow apartment cluttered with junk for several days is being treated in intensive care, Russian officials said on Monday. The Investigative Committee, Russia's main investigative body, has detained the girl's mother and has launched a criminal inquiry into conspiracy to murder. They gave no information about the girl's condition. Investigators, who are also probing the actions of police and social workers, said the 47-year-old woman left her daughter for several days and that water and electricity in the apartment had been cut off due to unpaid debts. Emergency workers on Sunday removed the child from the apartment, which was cluttered with what appeared to be trash bags and plastic bottles, according to the investigators' footage. The furniture in the apartment looked smashed and the walls and the ceiling splattered with dirt or paint. The ombudswoman for children's rights in Russia said the girl, identified as Lyuba, does not appear to be able to speak. "Water and electricity had been cut off in the apartment, and it's horrifying to imagine what would have happened to the child if no one had reacted and if the mother did not show up," Anna Kuznetsova said in comments to Russian news agencies. FILE - This photo taken from video made available by The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation on Sunday, March 10, 2019 shows a Moscow apartment where a neglected five-year-old girl was living. Russian officials say a neglected five-year-old girl who was left alone in a Moscow apartment for several days is in intensive care. The Investigative Committee, Russia's main investigative body, said Monday, March 11 it has detained the girls' mother and has launched a criminal inquiry into conspiracy to murder. Investigators, who are also investigating (The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation via AP, File) The mother said in questioning that she had to leave the child alone for "short periods" to go to work, the Investigative Committee said. Neighbors had reportedly complained about the child crying and the stench coming from the apartment. But police officers had initially refused to force their way in. Another police squad called emergency services a few days later to get the door down. Neighbors interviewed by Russian state television said the girl's mother kept to herself and that her behavior did not arouse any suspicion. BERLIN (AP) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel is endorsing the idea of developing a joint European aircraft carrier, as suggested by her party's leader. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, who succeeded Merkel in December as leader of the Christian Democratic Union, made the proposal in a weekend response to French President Emmanuel Macron's proposals for European Union reform. She noted that Germany and France are already working together on a future European combat aircraft. She said that "the next step could be to start on the symbolic project of building a common European aircraft carrier" to underline the EU's global security role. Merkel said Monday that "it's right and good that we have such equipment on the European side, and I'm happy to work on it." But she added that "we have to do other things as a priority." NEW YORK (AP) - The Labor Department has issued its long-awaited proposed regulations on overtime. The proposal would raise the pay threshold at which workers would be exempt from overtime to $35,308 from the current $23,660. The proposed rules, which the department says would make more than 1 million workers eligible for overtime, are most likely to affect workers with jobs like shift supervisor or assistant manager at restaurants, retailers and manufacturing companies. While they affect workers at companies of all sizes, small businesses that have less of a revenue cushion are likely to more keenly feel the impact of higher overtime costs than larger businesses would. The proposal revises rules written during the Obama administration that would have doubled the pay threshold at which workers would be exempt from overtime to $47,476. The Trump administration proposal is about halfway between the current threshold, which has been in effect since 2004, and the Obama administration rules, which would have affected an estimated 4.2 million people. The Obama regulations were scheduled to take effect in 2016 but were put on hold by a federal lawsuit. As part of the federal rule-making process, the Labor Department proposal is posted on the federal website www.regulations.gov where the public can post comments. It can be found in a search for the regulations' docket number, RIN 1235-AA20. The final regulations are likely to be similar to the proposal, but there may be changes made in response to the comments, says Marty Heller, a labor law attorney with Fisher Phillips in Atlanta. Small business owners have expected since Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta took office that there would be an increase in the threshold, although they "generally do not like it when the federal government intervenes on wage issues," says Karen Kerrigan, president of the advocacy group Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. FILE- In this Jan. 9, 2019, file photo tables sit empty during dinnertime at Rocket City Tavern near numerous federal agencies in Huntsville, Ala. The Labor Department has issued its long-awaited proposed regulations on overtime. The proposal would raise the pay threshold at which workers would be exempt from overtime to $35,308 from the current $23,660. The proposed rules, which the department says would make more than one million workers eligible for overtime, are most likely to affect workers with jobs like shift supervisor or assistant manager at restaurants, retailers and manufacturing companies. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File) But the rules included a provision that owners would be happy with, providing for increases in the exemption threshold every four years via the rule-making process rather than automatic increases in the Obama plan, Kerrigan says. Business owners who don't want to pay additional overtime have said they were exploring options including giving affected staffers raises to put them into the category of exempt employees. Owners also said they might limit workers to eight-hour shifts. Such strategies are legal, but owners should think about the impact they could have on morale, Heller says. "The current job market is demanding that employers not just comply with law but make decisions to be competitive with one another," he says. _____ For more small business news, insights and inspiration, sign up for our free weekly newsletter here: http://discover.ap.org/ssb _____ Follow Joyce Rosenberg at www.twitter.com/JoyceMRosenberg . Her work can be found here: https://apnews.com NEW YORK (AP) - Jury selection is expected to start Tuesday at the retrial of a man accused of killing a runner near her family's New York City home. Chanel (shuh-NEHL') Lewis was accused of killing 30-year-old Karina Vetrano as she ran on a park trail in Howard Beach, Queens, in August 2016. Prosecutors say Vetrano was sexually abused and strangled. Her father found her body. Lewis' first trial ended in a hung jury in November. The Legal Aid Society stresses that Lewis "is presumed innocent." It says jurors must scrutinize the accuracy and reliability of statements police say they obtained from the defendant, and the reliability of DNA evidence. FILE - In this Aug. 6, 2016, file photo, mourners carry the casket of Karina Vetrano from St. Helen's Church following her funeral in the Howard Beach section of the Queens borough of New York. Jury selection is expected to start Tuesday, March 11, 2019, in the retrial of Chanel Lewis, accused of killing Vetrano. (Steven Sunshine/Newsday via AP, File) Legal Aid also notes that prosecutors have a "burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt." MILWAUKEE (AP) - When the Democratic National Convention comes to Milwaukee next summer, the city on the shores of Lake Michigan will have its long-awaited opportunity to show the world it's shedding its Rust Belt image. State and local officials who successfully lobbied to lure the convention see a city on the rise, with a flurry of construction reshaping a downtown that was dead in the 1970s. But Milwaukee has encountered difficulty rebranding itself. It went from an industrial powerhouse at the turn of the 20th century to a city in decline as manufacturing jobs began to disappear in the late 1970s. "We're much more diverse, much more kind of sprawled-out geographically, and certainly much more economically (diverse)," said John Gurda, a locally renowned Milwaukee historian who has written several books about the city. Health care systems are now the biggest employers in the city, but Wisconsin and Milwaukee - home of iconic motorcycle-maker Harley-Davidson - haven't entirely abandoned manufacturing. It remains a key sector of the state's economy, though not at the level it was before. About 16 percent of Wisconsin's workforce is in manufacturing - second only to Indiana but far below the 57 percent of 1951. The convention venue, the $500 million home of the NBA's Bucks, is the latest addition to a rejuvenated downtown. An arena district with restaurants and a 90-unit apartment building is also in the works - development the city hopes will draw visitors day and night to what was once an undeveloped area of downtown. In this Oct. 31, 2017 photo, the downtown skyline over looks Lake Michigan in Milwaukee. The Democratic National Committee has selected Milwaukee to host the 2020 national convention. (Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP) But that's just a portion of the construction underway. About $5 billion is being spent on projects in and around downtown, including luxury apartment buildings, hotels, and the 25-story BMO Tower office building. A new streetcar began running a 2.5-mile route in November, going south from the city's lakeshore to downtown. The line starts a short walk from Milwaukee's art museum, noted for Santiago Calatrava's distinctive addition with its towering white wings. Then there's the weather, which city officials made part of their pitch to land the DNC. Convention delegates in the summer will see a city fully alive. After months of frigid weather, residents and visitors from across the country flock to festivals every week. Some of them, such as German Fest, are nods to the city's immigrant ancestors. At one point in the 1880s, nearly a third of Milwaukee's population had come from Germany. Those roots pervade the city, from the bratwursts that are must-haves at parties to the brews made by Frederick Miller and Frederick Pabst that are staples at bars. Turner Hall, built as a community center for Germans in 1882, still stands across the street from the Bucks' arena. Mandela Barnes, the state's first black lieutenant governor and part of the committee that wooed the DNC, said the convention is a chance for people to discover a city they should know better. Barnes recalled being asked in Alabama, "Black people live in Milwaukee?" That misconception is driven by segregation that's been decades in the making. White flight and racist housing policies that made it difficult for blacks to move to the suburbs or to get loans have been major contributors to segregation. About 40 percent of the city's 600,000 residents are black, and they live almost entirely in neighborhoods just north of downtown that are among the poorest in the state. Much of the city's crime is also concentrated in those neighborhoods - places that many of the delegates might never see during their four-day visit. Gurda attributes the poverty in those neighborhoods largely to the decline in manufacturing in the early 1980s. At that time, black workers outnumbered white workers in manufacturing jobs, Gurda said. But when those jobs left, "nothing replaced them," he said. Despite the segregation, Barnes sees a diverse, culturally rich city. Nearly 15 percent of Milwaukee's residents are Latino, and the city has a large Serbian population. "Each neighborhood can experience different food, different culture, different music. I think that speaks to the beauty of it all," Barnes said. When Gurda guides visitors on bus tours of the city, he finds they're frequently surprised. "People come to Milwaukee with an expectation that it's, as you say, Rust Belt and has kind of seen better days and kind of not dynamic, not as lively a place as a Chicago, New York or L.A.," he said. "And when they come here, they are surprised by the beauty of the city." This Dec. 13, 2017 photo shows The Milwaukee Art Museum, on water front, and the downtown skyline in Milwaukee. The Democratic National Committee has selected Milwaukee to host the 2020 national convention. (Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP) PHOENIX (AP) - The shooting of an armed man outside an Arizona long-term care facility does not appear to be connected to the rape of an incapacitated woman who later gave birth there, authorities said Monday. Phoenix police said the 58-year-old suspect, who was shot by an off-duty officer working security at Hacienda HealthCare, was targeting a woman in the facility's parking lot. Investigators say neither the shooter nor the woman was a resident there. The suspect, who has not been identified, was listed in critical condition at a hospital, but police say he's expected to survive. The woman suffered minor injuries. The shooting unfolded around 5:30 a.m., when three off-duty officers patrolling the facility heard screams, Sgt. Armando Carbajal said. When they went to investigate, the officers saw a 56-year-old woman lying on the ground as a man wielding a handgun stood over her. A confrontation ensued, and the suspect tried to flee. Carbajal said even while fleeing, the man fired multiple shots in the woman's direction. One of the officers fired his handgun and struck the suspect, Carbajal said. A Phoenix Police Department officer walks past the main entrance of the Hacienda HealthCare facility after a shooting in the parking area Monday, March 11, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) The Florence Police Department, where the officer works, placed him on paid administrative leave pending the results of a Phoenix police investigation. Hacienda officials said in a statement the gunman was the ex-husband of a worker. Police have not confirmed the victim and the suspect's relationship, Carbajal said. The health care provider also said its residents were never in any danger. "Our security worked as intended and it continues to be improved on a daily basis," Hacienda said in a statement. Hacienda attracted widespread attention after a longtime patient was sexually assaulted and subsequently gave birth to a boy in December. Nathan Sutherland, a male nurse, was arrested after investigators found his DNA matched a sample taken from the infant. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault and vulnerable adult abuse. Since the revelations, Hacienda has seen the departure of its CEO, senior management and several board members. Last week, the provider came under the regulatory control of the state. The agreement calls for numerous conditions including hiring of a third-party manager to oversee daily operations. The scandal has also inspired legislation requiring intermediate care facilities that serve intellectually disabled or medical fragile residents in Arizona to obtain state licensing. Phoenix Police Department investigators block off the parking area of the Hacienda HealthCare facility following a shooting Monday, March 11, 2019, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) A Phoenix Police Department investigator takes pictures in the parking area of the Hacienda HealthCare facility after a shooting Monday, March 11, 2019, in Phoenix. Police said a shooting occurred outside the long-term care facility in Phoenix where an incapacitated woman was raped last year. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Police Department investigators search the parking area of the Hacienda HealthCare facility following a shooting Monday, March 11, 2019, in Phoenix. Police said the shooting occurred outside the long-term care facility in Phoenix where an incapacitated woman was raped last year. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) Phoenix Police Department vehicles block off the street in front of Hacienda HealthCare facility after a shooting in the parking lot of the facility Monday, March 11, 2019, in Phoenix. Police said the shooting occurred outside the long-term care facility in Phoenix where an incapacitated woman was raped last year. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) WASHINGTON (AP) - The Trump administration imposed sanctions Monday on a Moscow-based bank jointly owned by Russian and Venezuelan state-owned companies, for allegedly trying to circumvent U.S. sanctions on the South American country. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lashed out at Cuba and Russia for continuing to support Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and contributing to his country's economic crisis. He said Havana and Moscow are directly responsible for the suffering of the Venezuelan people. The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control said in a statement that it is targeting Evrofinance Mosnarbank for its support of the Petroleos de Venezuela S.A., an entity previously targeted by sanctions in January. Evrofinance said in a statement that it is carrying out its activities as normal despite the announcement and pledged to "meet its obligations to the clients and partners in full." The U.S. and more than 50 governments recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president of the country. They say Maduro wasn't legitimately re-elected last year because opposition candidates weren't permitted to run. "This action demonstrates that the United States will take action against foreign financial institutions that sustain the illegitimate Maduro regime and contribute to the economic collapse and humanitarian crisis plaguing the people of Venezuela," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. People collect water from an open pipe above the Guaire River during rolling blackouts, which affects the water pumps in people's homes, offices and stores, in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, March 11, 2019. The blackout has intensified the toxic political climate, with opposition leader Juan Guaido blaming alleged government corruption and mismanagement and President Nicolas Maduro accusing his U.S.-backed adversary of sabotaging the national grid. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano) Evrofinance was founded as a bi-national bank to fund joint Russia-Venezuela oil and infrastructure projects, according to OFAC. It has offices in Caracas and in Beijing, and it listed net assets as over $830 million as of the end of September last year. Maduro's predecessor, President Hugo Chavez, bought a 49 percent stake in Evrofinance through the Venezuelan National Development Fund back in 2011. The other stake belongs to Russia's Gazprombank, in which the majority Russian state-owned gas producer Gazprom is a shareholder, and to state-owned VTB Bank, which is Russia's second largest bank. OFAC imposed sanctions on Gazprombank back in 2014. When the Venezuelan government launched a cryptocurrency -the Petro- last year, it invited early investors to buy by wiring funds to a Venezuelan government account at Evrofinance, OFAC said in a press release. Shortly after the Treasury announcement, Pompeo accused Russian "oligarchs and kleptocrats" of stealing Venezuela's sovereign wealth and attacked Cuba as the "true imperialist power" in Venezuela. Cuba has made the same accusation against the United States, alleging that the U.S. is after Venezuela's oil and suggesting that Washington is responsible for crippling power outages that have hit Venezuela. Pompeo told reporters at the State Department the U.S. is interested only in the welfare of the Venezuelan people and the power outages are the result of Maduro's own mismanagement and greed. "Those are a direct result of years and years of neglect of the Venezuelan energy system," he said. "That was the cause of the blackouts that have taken place." WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump says he didn't slip up when he referred to Apple CEO Tim Cook as "Tim Apple" at a White House meeting. Trump tweeted Monday: "I quickly referred to Tim + Apple as Tim/Apple as an easy way to save time & words. The Fake News was disparagingly all over this, & it became yet another bad Trump story!" Trump made the comment last week. After the session, Cook altered his Twitter profile, replacing his last name with the Apple logo. At a dinner for Republican National Committee donors at his Florida club Friday, Trump complained that his "Tim Apple" flub was "fake news," said a person who heard them and spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss Trump's remarks. Trump's complaint was first reported by Axios. FILE - In this Wednesday, March 6, 2019 file photo, President Donald Trump talks to Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook during the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board's first meeting in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. To President Donald Trump, it was an awkward slip of the lip. To Apple CEO Tim Cook, it was an opportunity to poke some lighthearted fun at a president who has often clashed with the tech industry. A day after Trump mistakenly referred to Cook at a Wednesday White House meeting as "Tim Apple" - an understandable slip, perhaps, coming from the head of the Trump Organization - Cook quietly changed his Twitter account, replacing his last name with the Apple logo. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) President Donald Trump flanked by American Workforce Policy Advisory Board co-chair Ivanka Trump and Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook, speaks during the advisory board's first meeting in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, March 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) President Donald Trump acknowledges Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook during the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board's first meeting in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, March 6, 2019. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - A Muslim civil-rights group says the FBI is letting animal shelters, private investigators and even a Midwestern megachurch have access to its watchlist of suspected terrorists. In court documents unsealed after a court hearing Friday, lawyers for the Council on American-Islamic Relations expressed concern that the watchlist is disseminated much more broadly than the government is willing to acknowledge. "Defendants share their list with anyone or anything that asks," CAIR's lawyers wrote in one of their legal briefs. Government lawyers, meanwhile, say CAIR is being alarmist and misrepresenting some of the entities on the list. CAIR's assertions about the broad dissemination of the terror watchlist are "so rife with misleading statements and outright falsehood that it is hard to know where to begin," government lawyer Amy Powell wrote in an email attached to a court filing. Issues over the dissemination of the terrorist watchlist to private entities have come in a lawsuit CAIR filed challenging the watchlist's constitutionality. CAIR says the watchlist is riddled with errors and innocent Muslims are placed on the list by mistake and suffer numerous consequences as a result. Those consequences are exacerbated, according to CAIR, by the government's willingness to share the watchlist so broadly, including granting access to hundreds of private entities. The government last month admitted in court papers that hundreds of private entities can access the watchlist, after years of denying the list was shared in that manner. But government officials maintain that private entities accessing the list are connected to law enforcement, like police forces for universities or railroads. A judge recently ordered the government to let CAIR's lawyers see which private entities had access to the watchlist, but they were forbidden from making copies or taking notes. CAIR's lawyers say those restrictions leave them hamstrung in their ability to research concerns about specific entities. Some of the disputes about how broadly the list is disseminated seem to stem from how broadly one defines "law enforcement." Animal shelters are a case in point. The government says those animal shelters on the list are simply animal welfare organizations that have been granted police powers under state law and therefore have law-enforcement responsibility. The megachurch, government lawyers say, is actually the police department of a religious university. CAIR's lawyers have long suspected that the list is disseminated much more widely than the government has acknowledged. The broad terror watchlist contains hundreds of thousands of names; the much smaller no-fly list is culled from the watchlist. At Friday's hearing, Magistrate Judge John Anderson mulled making the list of private entities available to the public at large. He said that since private entities receiving the list are free to disclose the fact they can access the list, he didn't see why the full list shouldn't be part of the public record in the case. But Justice Department Lawyer Antonia Konkoly said a wholesale disclosure of private entities would be a serious security breach, and could give terrorist groups a "roadmap" to understanding how the government monitors and combats them. Ultimately, Anderson decided to leave in place rules that restrict CAIR's lawyers from having their own copy of the private-entities list or making that list a publicly filed document. PHOENIX (AP) - The Latest on a shooting outside a Phoenix care facility where an incapacitated woman gave birth (all times local): 8:50 a.m. Phoenix police say an armed man shot Monday by an off-duty officer outside a care facility was severely injured. Sgt. Armando Carbajal said at a news conference that the suspect was hospitalized in critical condition. Hacienda HealthCare officials initially said the suspect's injuries weren't life-threatening. Carbajal says the incident doesn't appear to be related to the rape of an incapacitated woman who gave birth there in December. Authorities say three off-duty officers working security heard screaming from a parking lot around 5:30 a.m. They found the suspect pointing a gun at a woman lying on the ground. When confronted, the suspected tried to flee while firing multiple shots at the woman. One of the officers then shot the suspect. Carbajal says it's not yet clear how the suspect and victim knew each other. ___ 8:20 a.m. Police say a shooting has occurred outside a long-term care facility in Phoenix where an incapacitated woman was raped last year. Authorities say one person was detained at the scene Monday. Hacienda HealthCare officials said in a statement the suspect is an employee's ex-spouse who showed up armed around 5:30 a.m. An off-duty officer shot the suspect, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries. According to Hacienda, the shooting happened in a parking lot. They say the suspect never entered any building or had contact with any residents. The facility is staffed with off-duty police officers. Officials say the shooting was captured on a security camera. The footage will be turned over to police. Hacienda has been struggling since news surfaced that a patient was raped and then gave birth in December. Minister of Justice, Defence and Security and Member of Parliament for Bobirwa, Shaw Kgathi has vehemently refuted allegations of shifting allegiance to New Jerusalem camp. New Jerusalem is associated with Member of Parliament for Serowe West, Dr. Pelonomi Venson Moitoi who is challenging Dr. Masisi for the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) presidency. Kgathi is the current Deputy Secretary General of the BDP and has been a Member of Parliament for Bobirwa constituency for many years, but his term is coming to an end in October, as he lost the Bulela Ditswe primary elections to political rookie Francisco Kgoboko. Kgathis loss was partially attributed to being de-campaigned by former president Dr. Ian Khama at the launch of Kgobokos Trust few days before the Bulela Ditswe election. He successfully appealed but lost with an even bigger margin during the re-run. Now, new allegations have surfaced that his allegiance has shifted from Masisi to New Jerusalem. He did not take kindly to the allegations. I have noted with regret a social media posting merely meant to fuel division within the BDP and promote propaganda. I am a man of integrity and value. He said the allegations demonstrated the frustration and desperation of some characters who wish to promote division within the BDP. I am not in the habit of double dipping so to speak in my pledge for political support to leadership. That shows political immaturity. I have accepted the Bobirwa BDP primary election results notwithstanding the obvious challenges and irregularities therein. Life has to go on, he said. According to him the BDP is bigger than any individual and that the outcome of any political contest should not define the character of any individual. TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) - Twelve newborn babies have died in Tunisia after acquiring infections at the public maternity hospital where they were born prematurely, the country's interim health minister reported Monday. Sonia Ben Sheikh, who hastily took over when Tunisia's health minister resigned amid growing outrage, said during a news conference in Tunis that the infant deaths were "unacceptable." While hospital-acquired infections were the immediate cause, Ben Sheikh said the deaths at the Center for Maternity and Neonatology "resulted from a combination of deterioration and poor governance in the health sector that is going through a crisis." Severe blood infections from tube feedings likely killed the premature babies, the Tunisian Society of Pediatrics said in a statement. Samples from the infants' bodies and the hospital in Tunisia's capital have been sent to three different laboratories to ensure the investigation is done in a "transparent and credible way, far from any suspicion," Ben Sheikh said. Test results won't be available for at least 10 days, she said. New interim Tunisia's Health Minister Sonia Ben Sheikh gives press conference in Tunis, Monday, March 11, 2019. Tunisia's interim health minister says 12 newborn babies have died after receiving treatment in a state maternity hospital amid a brewing scandal that led to the resignation of Health Minister Abderraouf Cherif this weekend. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi) Ben Sheikh, Tunisia's minister of youth and sports, is filling the health minister's role left vacant by Health Minister Abderraouf Cherif's resignation on Saturday. Tunisian authorities have launched multiple investigations after 11 of the newborns died Friday. It's not known when the 12th death occurred. Public hospitals in Tunisia have faced problems for several years that have impacted services. Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi convened a meeting Monday of the National Security Council to look into the scandal and its causes. Parliament leader Mohamed Ennaceur said there will be a special session for lawmakers to discuss the case. MOSCOW (AP) - A court in Kazakhstan has placed a prominent activist campaigning for the release of ethnic Kazakhs in China under house arrest. Serikzhan Bilash, head of the advocacy group Atajurt, was detained in the Kazakh business capital, Almaty, and whisked out of town. Aiman Umarova, Bilash's lawyer, told The Associated Press late on Monday that her client had resurfaced in the capital, Astana, where a court placed him under house arrest for two months. Umarova said Bilash has been accused of "inciting ethnic hatred." The detention of possibly more than a million Uighurs, Kazakhs and other ethnic minorities in Chinese internment camps has been a touchy issue in neighboring Kazakhstan, for which China is a major trading partner. Bilash's group has been actively supporting the relatives of those who have been detained in China. In this March 29, 2018, photo, Serikzhan Bilash, a prominent activist campaigning against Chinese internment camps, gestures as he speaks to The Associated Press at a restaurant in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Bilash was arrested by Kazakh police at an Almaty hotel on Sunday, March 10, 2019 and taken to Astana, Kazakhstan's capital. The detention of hundreds of thousands and possibly over a million Uighurs, Kazakhs and other ethnic minorities in China's far west has been a touchy issue in neighboring Kazakhstan. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Catholic church officials announced ministerial restrictions Monday for two bishops who once led in Maryland and West Virginia and have been accused of sexual harassment. Baltimore Archbishop William Lori announced the action in a statement, saying officials completed an investigation into claims that Bishop Michael Bransfield, who resigned from the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston last year, sexually harassed adults and committed financial improprieties. Bransfield won't be allowed to perform priestly or episcopal ministry in the diocese or Baltimore's archdiocese pending the Holy See's final assessment. Bransfield had been implicated in 2012 in an infamous Philadelphia priestly sex abuse case, but he denied ever abusing anyone and claimed vindication years ago. In September, the Vatican announced the Pope accepted Bransfield's resignation and appointed Lori to temporarily take over the Wheeling-Charleston diocese. Lori was also instructed to investigate sexual harassment allegations against Bransfield. A Catholic high school in Wheeling, West Virginia, voted recently to remove Bransfield's name from a gym. His name has also been removed from a care center at Wheeling Hospital. Lori also announced that Bishop Gordon Bennett, a former auxiliary bishop of Baltimore, faces the same restrictions. Bennett served in Baltimore from 1998 until 2004, when he was appointed Bishop of Mandeville, Jamaica. In 2006, the archdiocese said it learned of an allegation of sexual harassment of a young adult by Bennett in Jamaica and reported it to the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C. Bennett resigned a few months later. Bennett was cleared of the sexual harassment allegation in 2009 and reinstated to limited episcopal ministry subject to oversight, Jesuits West Province said in a statement Monday. But amid ongoing questions about how misconduct allegations were handled in the past, Bennett's case was re-examined last year and the Congregation for Bishops in Rome recently determined he shouldn't exercise episcopal ministry, the province said. The future of his priestly ministry is up to his Jesuit superiors. Bennett was a Loyola Marymount University fellow from 2008 until last year, when he was named chaplain to adult communities at Loyola High School of Los Angeles, where he was a teacher and principal in the 1980s and 1990s, province spokeswoman Tracey Primrose said. Bennett has not been engaged in public ministry since August and is currently undergoing cancer treatment, the province said. Separate messages left for Bennett and Bransfield weren't immediately returned. WASHINGTON (AP) - The body of an Ohio sailor killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II has been identified. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said in a statement Monday that Navy Fireman 3rd Class Willard Lawson was accounted for on Aug. 27, 2018. Officials say the 25-year-old sailor from Butler County was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked by Japanese aircraft on Dec. 7, 1941. A total of 429 crewmen on the battleship were killed. Only 35 crew members were identified over the next few years. A renewed effort to identify unknown remains from the USS Oklahoma that began in 2015 resulted in Lawson's identification. The Defense Department says Lawson will be buried April 27 in Madison, Indiana. LELAND, Miss. (AP) - A 25-year-old Mississippi woman has been arrested after two of her three children drowned when she left them in a locked car and it rolled into a creek, authorities said Monday. The Clarion-Ledger reports Leland police charged Jenea Monique Payne on Monday with two counts of negligent homicide and one of child neglect after the weekend deaths. Payne told investigators she left the children for five or 10 minutes while she went into a convenience store on Saturday. Two-year-old Raelynn Johnson was rescued that day as Payne's SUV floated downstream. Four-year-old Steve Smith and 1-year-old Rasheed Johnson Jr. drowned in the vehicle, authorities said. Leland Police Chief Marcus Davis said Payne left the keys in the vehicle. Davis said investigators believe the 4-year-old put the keys in the ignition, turned the car on and put it in neutral, causing it to roll into the creek. Davis could not explain why Payne would have left her sleeping children in a locked car with the keys inside or how the 4-year-old could have reached the brake to depress it in order to crank the SUV. "We'll look into it further," he said. Payne was free on bail. She did not have an attorney as of Monday afternoon who could comment for her. Leland is about 85 miles (135 kilometers) northwest of Jackson. DOHA, Qatar (AP) - Track and field's governing body is revamping the top-tier Diamond League series with shorter meetings and fewer long-distance races. The IAAF says changes will create "a more consistent, action-packed format for broadcasters" and tempt more fans to follow the May-to-September season. The 2020 series will include "a faster paced 90-minute television event" at 12 meetings, leading to a single end-of-season final. One venue will be dropped from this season's calendar of 14 meetings , including finals split between Zurich and Brussels. Meetings will have a core of 24 events, 12 each for men and women, instead of the current 32. None will race beyond 3,000 meters. Organizers are also urged to stage more field events away from stadiums. Zurich's train station often hosts pole vault or shot put. ___ More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports CAIRO (AP) - Sudan's Parliament says lawmakers have approved a state of emergency across the county, but shortened an initial proposal to six months. It says lawmakers on Monday discussed President Omar al-Bashir's February decision to declare a yearlong state of emergency. Parliament can extend the term after it expires. Al-Bashir also disbanded the federal government and replaced all state governors with senior army officers. He banned unauthorized gatherings and gave security forces sweeping powers to quash the most serious protests yet against his three-decade rule. The latest wave of protests began in December over price hikes, but later tuned to calls for him to resign. A heavy security crackdown has left scores of protesters dead. Facing genocide charges, al-Bashir's rule has been marred by civil wars and demonstrations. MILWAUKEE (AP) - The Latest on Democratic National Convention coming to Milwaukee (all times local): 1 p.m. Wisconsin's Republican Sen. Ron Johnson says Milwaukee hosting the Democratic National Convention next year will provide a "first-hand look at Democrats' extreme policies." Johnson and fellow Republicans are also saying bringing the convention to Wisconsin could serve to motivate Republicans to re-elect President Donald Trump. The Democratic National Committee announced Monday it was picking Milwaukee over Miami and Houston. Johnson says Wisconsin Republicans will see the risk of "socialist tendencies" from Democrats. This Dec. 13, 2017 photo shows The Milwaukee Art Museum, on water front, and the downtown skyline in Milwaukee. The Democratic National Committee has selected Milwaukee to host the 2020 national convention. (Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP) Wisconsin Republican Party director Mark Jefferson says it's "only fitting" that Democrats chose to come to Milwaukee over Miami and Houston because Milwaukee has elected three socialist mayors. Jefferson says Wisconsin will "reap the economic benefits of a convention," while Democrats show why they can't be trusted to run the country. ___ 12:01 p.m. Wisconsin's top Democrats say choosing Milwaukee to host the national convention shows the importance the Midwest state will play in the 2020 election. Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin said Monday that there is "no better place to showcase the Democratic Party's vision for the future than in Wisconsin." The Democratic National Committee picked Milwaukee over Miami and Houston. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez calls the decision a "missed opportunity for our nation" that Miami wasn't picked. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says "Milwaukee is a first-class city," and it's ready to show off "on one of the largest stages in the world." The convention is expected to attract more than 50,000 visitors in July 2020. ___ 11:25 a.m. Former Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says "who would have known" that his push to build a new arena in Milwaukee would be one of the key reasons Democrats chose to hold its national convention there. Walker was an enthusiastic backer of Democrats holding the convention in Wisconsin when he was governor. His defeat in November by Tony Evers has been cited by as one of the signs that Democrats are on the rise in Wisconsin, a state President Donald Trump barely won. Walker tells The Associated Press on Monday that it is a "great thing for the city and the state" to host the Democratic National Convention, calling it a "perfect fit." Walker now lives in Milwaukee. But Walker says hosting the convention may also motivate Wisconsin Republicans who otherwise might have been complacent about re-electing Trump. ___ 9:45 a.m. Democrats have chosen Milwaukee to host their 2020 national convention. The Democratic National Committee's decision will take the party to the heart of the working-class upper Midwest that delivered President Donald Trump to the White House. Before 2016, Republicans hadn't won Wisconsin since 1984. Trump added Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania to upset Hillary Clinton. DNC Chairman Tom Perez picked Milwaukee over Miami and Houston. It will be the first time in more than a century that Democrats gather in a Midwest city other than Chicago to nominate their presidential candidate. Milwaukee also will be one the smallest cities to host a presidential convention, topping two other finalist cities that have hosted national political conventions and Super Bowls. NEW YORK (AP) - Beyonce and Jay-Z are getting recognized for achievements outside of music: The power couple will be honored at the GLAAD Media Awards for accelerating LGBTQ acceptance. GLAAD announced Monday that the Carters will receive its Vanguard Award at its 30th annual awards on March 28 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. The award, previously given to Cher, Janet Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Antonio Banderas, honors "allies who have made a significant difference in promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people," GLAAD said. GLAAD said Beyonce, who has a large gay fanbase, is being recognized for speaking out about marriage equality nationwide; for including members of the LBGTQ community in her music videos; and for dedicating one of her performances to the victims and survivors of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. Jay-Z received the GLAAD Special Recognition Award last year for his song and video for "Smile," which featured his mother Gloria Carter, who is a lesbian. GLAAD said the rap icon is being honored because of his inclusion of LGBTQ artists in his work, from Janet Mock to James Baldwin, and for his support of marriage equality. JERUSALEM (AP) - U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham on Monday vowed to push for U.S. recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, in what would represent a new contentious political gift to Israel from the Trump administration. The South Carolina Republican said he aimed to change the current U.S.-designation of the Golan, which Israel captured from Syria in 1967, as disputed territory. He spoke during a tour of the frontier with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "The Golan is not disputed. It is in the hands of Israel and will always remain in the hands of Israel," Graham said from a cliff overlooking Syria, where Syrian flags could be seen fluttering in the distance on buildings damaged in the country's civil war. "My goal is to try to explain this to the administration," he said. In past negotiations, Syria has demanded a withdrawal from the Golan as part of any peace deal. With Syria ravaged by a nearly eight-year-old civil war, peace talks with Israel seem unlikely anytime soon. Graham called the prospect of Israeli withdrawal from the Golan "a strategic nightmare" and political "suicide," citing shared Israeli and American concern over Iranian entrenchment in neighboring Syria. Israel has admitted to carrying out scores of airstrikes in Syria against Iranian targets in recent years. A beaming Netanyahu applauded Graham's remarks and asserted that Israel would never give up the land. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, left, and U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, right, visit the border between Israel and Syria at the Israeli-held Golan Heights, Monday, March 11, 2019. Graham says he will push for American recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, a territory it captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war. (Ronen Zvulun/Pool via AP) "I think it's very important that the international community recognize this fact, and accept it, and most especially our great friend, the United States of America," Netanyahu said, thanking Graham for his "unbelievable support." Israel annexed the Golan Heights in 1981, a move not recognized by most of the international community. Republican senators introduced a bill last month that would recognize Israeli sovereignty over the disputed territory. Graham, one of the co-sponsors, said he expected the legislation to galvanize bipartisan support. Such a move would upend decades of U.S. policy but fall in line with the Trump administration's pattern of lavishing Israel with symbolic gifts and political support. The Trump administration has moved the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, slashed hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to the Palestinian Authority and shut down the Palestinian diplomatic mission in Washington. Last week the U.S. also shuttered its consulate, which served as a de facto embassy to the Palestinians, and handed diplomatic reigns to ambassador David Friedman, a staunch supporter of the Israeli West Bank settlement movement. These steps have sidelined the Palestinians, who say they have lost faith in the administration's ability to be a neutral arbiter. The Israeli government has welcomed this string of supportive moves in anticipation of "Deal of the Century," the administration's peace plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which the Palestinians have preemptively rejected. Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has said he will unveil the plan after Israeli elections on April 9. Kgosi Ezekiel Joel Masilo, the Senior Sub Tribal Authority for Bobirwa waxed eloquent last week at the University of Botswana with his narrative of the impact that climate change has wrought in his sub-district. The ocassion was the presentation of the findings of the five-year Adaptation at Scale in Semi-Arid Regions (ASSAR) project a large-scale research consortium that involved six countries in Africa (Botswana included) and three states in India. Kgosi Masilo got involved in the project in 2017 and admits to learning the importance of planning and that Bobirwa communities can adapt to the impact of climate change only if they work together. He said Bobirwa is experincing high temperatures as a result of changes in climate. Before then he said they used to hear about climate change and global warming and thought nothing about it. It was just stories happeneinig to other people and other communities.These days it is real it has even affected our rain patterns, he said. We knew that in certain months it would rain but it is no longer happening. Even our elders (mathogo tshweu) are confiused because what they knew is no longer happenening, he said of how climate change is distorting indigenous knowledge of reading peculiar changes in our natural habitat and observing the galaxy. He implored Babirwa to adapt and to do so fast lest they be left hbehind. They can manage this if they practise climate smart agriculture and abandon the old ways of ploughing. He called on farmers associations to take up government interventions and programmes suggested by the agricultural demongtsrors and extension officers. We see people practsiing conservation agriculture whereby we are advised to conserve moisture and to practice new ways of farminghe said. Climate change has also affacted wildlifein Bobirwa. Kgosi Masilo said they are next to wildlife game reserves like Mashatu and also experience movement of animals from across the border (Zimbabwe). He saisd climate change has causde animals to move from their traditional areas and are now encroachiing into human areas thereby leading to conflict. Elelphants particularly, are increasingly moving inland and into cattleposts, farm lands and even villages. The elephants destroy watering points at cattle posts and fences. Even then, we are told we should co-exist with thise animals, but they are not animals that can be tamed or put in a kraal. They also affect vegetation because they compete with their livestock for pasture. He said the elephants have incfreased in numbers as a result of the hunting ban of 2014. Our livelilihoods as a community have largely been affcted. People along the border no longer plough because elephants and predators harass them.They fear for their lives. Kgosi Masilo said they are also experiencing reduction in other sectors such as basketry. People that relied on palm tree leaves to make artefacts such as baskets and other items as a way of living can no longer do so on a large scale because they fear to go into the bush. Yet another stressor is foot and mouth disease. Gpsi Masilo said they are still in the red despite the suite of government programmes to respond to this scourge.Its a nightmare to fight FMD because animals from Zimbabwe have cut the border fence which has leed to free movement of anmals across the border. This has also led to cross-border crime. Zimbabweans are stealing our cattle as a resulthe said about the double trouble. Bobirwa is also prone to droughts. In fact minister for presidential affairs, governance and public administration Nonofo Molefhi revealed that the sub district was the first to receive drought relief in Botswana. Kgosi Masilo said as a result of the competition between cattle, animals and people for the limited land resource, the young and able bodied are migrating to cities leaving behind dependents the young and old. Kgosi Masilo said interventions like climate smart agricilture and early warning systems for farmers that are still engaged in arable farming are needed. He said the community also recommended culling to reduce the high number of elephants. As a parting shot he suggested that electrified farms be set up along Shashe River between Zimbabwe and Botswana to serve as a barrier for elephants and to also reduce cross border crime and the scourge of FMD. Present at the presentation of the research findings were UB Vice Chancellor Prof. David Norris; Assistant district commissioner Lerato Sebola, Principal Investigator Prof. Hilary Masundire and other members of UB faculty staff. SANAA, Yemen (AP) - Local tribesmen say airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthi rebels have killed 22 people, including children, in the country's north. The Health Ministry affiliated with the Houthis confirmed the deaths on Monday, saying that all those killed were from two families from the Maghrabet Talan district in Hajjah province. The tribesmen spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. For almost two months, the Houthis have been besieging and shelling the mountainous area of Kusher to suppress a rebellion there by the Hajor tribes. Scores of civilians have been killed and wounded. Yemen has since March 2015 been embroiled in a civil war pitting the Iran-backed Houthis against a Saudi-led coalition fighting alongside the exiled internationally recognized government. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Oman says it helped negotiate the release of an Indonesian and a Malaysian held in Yemen amid the war in the Arab world's poorest nation. The state-run Oman News Agency said Monday it reached an agreement "with the relevant authorities in Sanaa," Yemen's rebel-held capital, for the return of the two captives. It said they arrived in Oman on Monday. The brief statement did not identify those freed. Oman, a sultanate on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, did not join a Saudi-led military campaign targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels. Since the war, Oman has been crucial in negotiating the release of prisoners held in Yemen by the Houthis. The Saudi-led coalition launched its war in Yemen in March 2015. MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador celebrated what he called his administration's "cordial" relations with the United States on Monday as he marked his first 100 days in office. When Lopez Obrador took office Dec. 1, many feared the leftist was headed for a certain clash with conservative U.S. President Donald Trump. But the two have maintained civil relations, without the frequent insults and name-calling Trump had once subjected Mexico to. Mexico has quietly cooperated with the United States by allowing asylum applicants to be sent back to Mexico while they await resolution of their cases. Lopez Obrador said that "accusatory and angry talk is no longer heard. Instead we use diplomacy and constant communication." He noted the United States has committed to investing $2.5 billion in Central America and $4.8 billion in Mexico, to help create jobs. The new president was largely self-congratulatory in his 100-days speech, even regarding the economy. Many view economic policy as his weak spot because he angered investors and businessmen by cancelling a partly built $13 billion airport project, In this Friday, March 8, 2019 photo, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador answers questions from journalists at his daily 7 a.m. press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City. Lopez Obrador's first 100 days in office have combined a compulsive shedding of presidential trappings with a dizzying array of policy initiatives, and a series of missteps haven't even dented his soaring approval ratings. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte) Nevertheless, Lopez Obrador said "There is confidence among foreign and Mexican investors." But his biggest focus was on what he called social justice, bringing more equality even to tourist zones. "We are going to reduce the strong contrast between luxury hotel zones and impoverished neighborhoods," Lopez Obrador said. "We want modernity, but forged from below, and for all." Perhaps one of Lopez Obrador's biggest challenges is to staunch the huge expectations that won him election. For example, the president was blindsided by a wave of strikes at assembly plants on the northern border, where employees demanded 20-percent wage increases and bonuses. The president clearly wants that movement to slow down. Some plants threatened to leave the border city of Matamoros. "The new labor policy, of restoring the lost purchasing power of wages, cannot yield spectacular results overnight," he said. "It has to be applied slowly, but steadily." "It has to be a gradual increase, in order to not hurt businesses." A poll taken by the newspaper El Universal of 1,200 voters on March 2-7 showed that over 79 percent of those interviewed approved of Lopez Obrador's performance as president. Eleven percent disapproved, and 8 percent didn't approve or disapprove. The poll's margin of error was 2.9 percentage points. By comparison, Lopez Obrador's predecessor, Enrique Pena Nieto, left office with a historically low approval rating, which in several polls ranged from 20 percent to 24 percent. The new president has been able to implement major policy reforms, especially on security issues like fighting fuel theft from government pipelines and winning approval for the formation of a highly militarized National Guard to fight crime. However, Lopez Obrador's fight against the country's homicide epidemic hasn't gone so well. In December and January, his first two months in office, homicides rose to 5,699, up 3.6 percent from the preceding two months and over 10 percent higher compared to the same two months one year ago. "We have only been able to contain criminality, but not significantly reduce it as we had wished," said Lopez Obrador. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Heavy, wet snow that fell over the weekend in parts of the Upper Midwest caused roof collapses at a church, hotel, gas station and some homes. There were no reported serious injuries caused by the collapses, which happened after more than a foot of snow fell in some places. In Minnesota, part of the roof over the kitchen area gave way at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Moorhead at around noon on Sunday. The two people inside got out safely. On the church's Facebook page, director of music and worship Bonnie Lee wrote, "A Sunday morning miracle! Praise God! This morning the roof over the parish center collapsed on our beautiful church. As terrible as it was, no one was hurt." In Winona, the ceiling above the pool at a Holiday Inn Express collapsed Sunday morning. No one was hurt. In Plainview, the roof of a building housing classic cars collapsed Saturday. A man pumping gas at a service station in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was injured Sunday when the canopy over the pumps collapsed. Joe Rohan removes heavy wet snow from his driveway Sunday, March10, 2019 in Brooklyn Park, Minn., after a winter storm dumped more than a foot of snow in parts of the Upper Midwest. (Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via AP) "He said he heard noises above him and looked ahead and people were running away," said Joe Kelly, Eau Claire Fire & Rescue battalion chief. "He tucked back inside (the car.)" The man was able to free himself from the car after the collapse and was transported to a hospital with minor injuries, Kelly said. Police looked at surveillance camera footage to determine that no other people were under the wreckage. In White Lake, the roof of the fire station collapsed trapping emergency response vehicles underneath early Sunday. Also Sunday, more than a dozen people working at RJ Corman, a railroad service company in West Fargo, North Dakota, escaped injury when the roof gave way. Firefighters checked for gas leaks afterward, as the biggest issue following a roof collapse is the potential for an explosion, according to West Fargo Fire Chief Dan Fuller. Also in West Fargo, a partial roof collapse at a trailer manufacturer touched off a fire when a gas line was sheared. Officials say the collapse caused significant damage to the offices at Trail King Industries. No one was in the building at the time. Kyle Wimmer removes heavy wet snow from his driveway Sunday, March10, 2019 in Brooklyn Park, Minn., after a winter storm dumped more than a foot of snow in parts of the Upper Midwest. (Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via AP) Joe Rohan removes heavy wet snow from his driveway Sunday, March10, 2019 in Brooklyn Park, Minn., after a winter storm dumped more than a foot of snow in parts of the Upper Midwest. (Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via AP) Roger Sabot removes heavy wet snow from mailboxes in his neighborhood Sunday March10, 2019 in Brooklyn Park, Minn. (Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via AP) Karin Helle Hamnes and her husband Jeremy take a selfie at "Harriet Snowfort" by Danny Ripka on Lake Harriet in Minneapolis on Sunday, March 10, 2019. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via AP) Tim Balke and Michelle Libi head out across Lake Harriet on their snowshoes in Minneapolis on Sunday, March 10, 2019. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via AP) Brookston Melody, 8, gets some air on the hill in Gold Medal Park in Burnsville, Minn., Sunday, March 10, 2019 after a winter storm dumped more than a foot of snow in parts of the Upper Midwest. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via AP) WARRI, Nigeria (AP) - Violence, intimidation and voter apathy led to low turnout in Nigeria's elections for governors of 29 states over the weekend, election observers said Monday Nigeria's electoral commission suspended all election activities in two southern states, Rivers and Akwa Ibom, due to the chaos. European Union observers noted "systematic failings, including a lack of transparency" but said it was an improvement over the presidential election on Feb. 23. Its statement said observers were denied access to vote compilation centers in Rivers state. The International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute joint observer mission in a separate statement said a heavy military presence undermined the integrity of the vote in some parts of Africa's most populous nation. Nigeria's military has blamed any crimes on people impersonating soldiers. Army spokesman Col. Sagir Musa said several of those arrested gave information authorities hope leads to prosecutions. At least eight deaths were reported on Saturday. Some gubernatorial races had been expected to be more contentious than the presidential vote, won easily by incumbent Muhammadu Buhari. Nigeria's two top political parties vied for control of powerful states that in certain cases have larger budgets than some African nations. Both elections had been postponed by a week in a last-minute decision as the electoral commission cited numerous logistical problems in a country of some 190 million people and poor infrastructure. The turnout in the presidential election was just 35 percent, continuing a downward trend. On Saturday, vote-buying for as little as 100 naira (28 cents) and a bar of soap was reported by election observers in northern Kano state, while observers and officials elsewhere noted scattered incidents of ballot-snatching. In the latest attack on an election facility, residents said suspected hoodlums on Sunday evening burned down the local electoral commission office in Ngor Okpala in Imo state. "Armed thugs suspected to be working for politicians invaded the building during the election results collation, overpowered the few security men on duty and set the building on fire," said Paul Okorafor, a shopkeeper. The Imo state police commissioner, Dasuki Galadanchi, said more than 100 people were arrested for various election-related offenses. ___ AP writer Carley Petesch in Dakar, Senegal contributed to this report. ___ Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa BEAUREGARD, Ala. (AP) - A candlelight vigil and grief counseling are being planned as students return to school in an Alabama community where nearly two dozen people died in a tornado outbreak. Churches are planning an event that will include candlelight remembrances and prayer on Monday night at Beauregard High School in rural east Alabama. An organizer, Angela Bush, tells WSFA-TV that people need hope amid the devastation. A grief counselor met with teachers Monday to assist them in helping students as classes resume Tuesday in the Lee County school system that includes Beauregard. Severe weather that included a powerful EF4 tornado devastated parts of the Southeast on March 3, killing 23 people in Beauregard. The dead include 10 members of one extended family and range in age from 6 to 89. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A Sioux Falls man who discovered a dead infant in a ditch 38 years ago said following the arrest of the child's biological mother that he still mourns the loss of a child he wishes he had found alive. Lee Litz told the Sioux Falls Argus Leader that he cried tears of relief when he learned Theresa Bentaas, 57, had been charged with murder and manslaughter in the killing of the child known as Baby Andrew. Litz found the boy's body wrapped in a blanket in a cornfield ditch in February 1981. Litz said his family and the 50 strangers who attended the infant's funeral are the boy's true family, even though they didn't know him or his parents. Litz said his wife was pregnant when he discovered the baby and he was already a father, so he couldn't comprehend why someone would leave their child to die. "It was a human life. He never got the chance to live," Litz said. "There are times when I wish I hadn't found him and there are times that I'm glad I did. I just wish I found him earlier, when he was still alive." His 37-year-old daughter, Crystal Litz-Oestreich, said she and her family hope for justice for the child whose body was found just months before she was born. This March 8, 2019 bilking photo released by Minnehaha County, South Dakota, Jail shows 57-year-old Theresa Rose Bentaas. The South Dakota woman has been charged in the death of a baby found in a ditch 38 years ago after police said they used DNA and genealogy sites to determine she was the mother. Police in Sioux Falls said Bentaas was arrested Friday, March 8 in the death of the child who'd been dubbed Baby Andrew. She is charged with murder and manslaughter. Police say the baby was alive when he was left in a cornfield ditch near Sioux Falls in 1981. The baby died of exposure. (Minnehaha County Jail via KELO via AP "Bentaas threw him away like trash," Litz-Oestreich said. Sioux Falls Police used DNA to determine Bentaas was the biological mother and arrested her Friday. Bentaas' attorney, Raleigh Hansman, declined to comment Monday afternoon. She argued at a bond hearing earlier Monday that Bentaas should be released on her own recognizance, arguing that she is a lifelong Sioux Falls resident with no criminal history and "not a danger to this community." Judge Pat Schroeder granted prosecutors' request for $250,000 cash-only bond. Bentaas told authorities last month that she concealed her pregnancy from her friends and family and gave birth alone in her apartment, according to an affidavit. Bentaas said she drove the infant to the area where he was later discovered and left him there to die. Bentaas said she was "young and stupid" and felt sad and scared as she drove away, according to the court document. Litz said that's no excuse. "What she did 38 years ago was wrong. It doesn't matter how long it's been," Litz said. "As far as her, I don't have any sympathy for her." ___ Information from: Argus Leader, http://www.argusleader.com MAGNOLIA, Miss. (AP) - A 14-year-old Mississippi girl arrested in the shooting and stabbing death of her mother has been released after her father posted bond. Mississippi news outlets report the teenager, who's charged as an adult, was released over the weekend. Her bail was set at $100,000. Ericka Hall was killed in January in Pike County. The 14-year-old and her 12-year-old sister were arrested. The younger girl was charged as a juvenile. Children 13 and older accused of certain crimes are automatically charged as adults in Mississippi. Judges can transfer cases to youth court. District Attorney Dee Bates has said he would oppose a transfer. A grand jury is considering the case of the 14-year-old, who faces a murder charge. Her attorney has said the defense will be based on a self-defense theory. ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) - The Latest on the political situation and protests in Algeria (all times local): 10:30 p.m. Algerian state television has aired the first images of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika since protests calling for him to drop his bid for a fifth term started last month. Bouteflika, diminished and in a wheelchair since a 2013 stroke, appeared weak and moved with slow gestures in the images shown with no sound. He gave in to public pressure after weeks of protests Monday and said he would not seek re-election. Spontaneous demonstrations erupted after Bouteflika announced through a letter published by the state news agency Monday that he was delaying the April 18 presidential election and won't be a candidate when the vote is rescheduled. Algerian people, waving their national flags, celebrate in the streets of Algiers after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced that he is delaying the April 18 election and won't seek another term, Monday, March 11, 2019. Bouteflika bowed to unprecedented public protests Monday and promised not to seek a fifth term after 20 years in power. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou) Motorists pumped their car horns in spots around the capital, Algiers, as people waved Algerian flags and sang the national anthem. The initial reaction in Algerian media and social media was positive, but some protesters called for continued pressure on the country's secretive leadership structure and for entrenched politicians to give up power. ___ 7:50 p.m. Algerian state news agency APS says President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has named the interior minister in his government as the new prime minister. Interior Minister Noureddine Bedoui is close to the president's brother. Bouteflika charged Bedoui with forming a new government on Monday. Bedoui is replacing Ahmed Ouyahia as prime minister. Earlier Monday, Bouteflika said he was withdrawing as a candidate in the presidential election set for April. He was seeking a fifth term after 20 years in power. The longtime leader also postponed the election and said he planned to put interim leaders in place to plan and reschedule the vote. Bouteflika did not give a possible date or timeline for the election. ___ 7:05 p.m. Algeria's president says he is creating a new government and a special body to draft a new constitution to respond to mass protests. The changes were part of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's dramatic announcement on Monday that he ceded to public demands and abandoned his bid for a fifth term. He also announced that the presidential election scheduled for April 18 will be delayed. Bouteflika pledged not to run for president again, noting his health and age. Bouteflika is 82 and has barely been seen in public since a 2013 stroke, fueling frustration with his secretive leadership style. He says he plans to appoint a new government and a separate "national conference" tasked with rescheduling the election and drafting a new constitution. He made the announcements in a letter to the nation released by state news agency APS. ___ 6:45 p.m. Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has announced a delay to next month's presidential election and is bowing to unprecedented public protests and promising not to seek a fifth term. After 20 years in power, Bouteflika announced the dramatic move Monday in a letter to the Algerian people released by his office. He is promising an interim leadership structure to plan new elections, and says he will not seek to run again. Bouteflika, who is 82, has barely been seen in public since a 2013 stroke. He has faced unprecedented protests in recent weeks demanding that he abandon plans to seek another term. ___ 11 a.m. Algerian workers are holding scattered walkouts and students are gathering for protests as their tense nation waits to see whether ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika offers any concessions in the face of unprecedented protests. Algerian media and protest leaders expect Monday to be a decisive day for the gas-rich North African country, after Bouteflika returned home Sunday from two weeks in a Swiss hospital. His absence saw mounting, massive demonstrations demanding that he withdraw his candidacy for a fifth term in next month's election. Security is high Monday in Algiers, where some businesses are shuttered by strikes and high school and university students are planning protest-related activity. Algerians have hardly seen Bouteflika since he suffered a stroke in 2013, and anger has mounted at the country's secretive power structure. High school students march in central Algiers, Sunday, March 10, 2019. The protesters are challenging President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's fitness to run for a fifth term in next month's election. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul) An Algerian woman displays the national flag as she celebrates with others in the streets of Algiers, after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced that he is delaying the April 18 election and won't seek another term, Monday, March 11, 2019. Bouteflika bowed to unprecedented public protests Monday and promised not to seek a fifth term after 20 years in power. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou) Demonstrators stage a protest to denounce President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid for a fifth term on Place de la Republique in Paris, Sunday, March 10, 2019. The protesters are challenging Bouteflika's fitness to run for a fifth term in next month's election. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) Demonstrators stage a protest to denounce President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's bid for a fifth term on Place de la Republique in Paris, Sunday, March 10, 2019. The protesters are challenging Bouteflika's fitness to run for a fifth term in next month's election. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) Algerian people, waving their national flag, celebrate in the streets of Algiers after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced that he is delaying the April 18 election and won't seek another term, Monday, March 11, 2019. Bouteflika bowed to unprecedented public protests Monday and promised not to seek a fifth term after 20 years in power. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou) Algerian people carrying their national flag celebrate in the streets of Algiers, after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced that he is delaying the April 18 election and won't seek another term, Monday, March 11, 2019. Bouteflika bowed to unprecedented public protests Monday and promised not to seek a fifth term after 20 years in power. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou) Algerian people display the national flag as tthey celebrate in the streets of Algiers, after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced that he is delaying the April 18 election and won't seek another term, Monday, March 11, 2019. Bouteflika bowed to unprecedented public protests Monday and promised not to seek a fifth term after 20 years in power. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou) SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) - North Macedonia is commemorating the deportation of almost the country's entire Jewish community to the Nazi death camp of Treblinka with a ceremony in the capital, Skopje. The Holocaust Memorial Center in Skopje unveiled its permanent exhibit Monday, 76 years since 98 percent of the Jewish population of what was then a province of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia was rounded up and transported to Treblinka, in occupied Poland. A 500-year-old Torah scroll, smuggled from Spain when the Jews fled the Inquisition to settle in the Balkans, is part of the exhibit. The German occupiers turned over the province to their Bulgarian allies to run. More than 7,100 Jews from Skopje, Bitola and Stip were confined to ghettos ahead of transportation to the death camp. JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel's attorney general says he will only release material from the corruption investigations into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the country's April 9 election. The Justice Ministry said in a statement Monday that Attorney General Avichai Mandeblit agreed to delay handing Netanyahu's attorneys evidence in the corruption cases until after the elections out of concern over media leaks. Mandelblit recommended criminal charges against Netanyahu in three corruption cases last month, shaking up re-election prospects for the long-serving Israeli leader. Charges can only be filed after a hearing. The Justice Ministry said that would take place by July 10. The charges include allegations that he accepted gifts from billionaire friends, and promoted beneficial regulations for a telecom magnate in exchange for positive coverage on a news site. Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing. DETROIT (AP) - The president of the United Auto Workers union warned automakers that the union is prepared to strike if it doesn't get its way in upcoming contract talks. Gary Jones told delegates at the union's bargaining convention in Detroit Monday that it would raise weekly strike pay from $200 to $250 per week this month and $275 in January of next year. No one expects a strike, but the UAW is prepared to walk off the job, Jones told delegates. He said raising the payments is a symbol to members that the union has their backs. The not-so-veiled warning likely is directed more at General Motors than Ford and Fiat Chrysler, the other two Detroit automakers. GM has proposed closing five factories in the U.S. and Canada by early next year as it grapples with falling demand for sedans. All three have a combined total of 154,000 workers represented by the UAW. The move would eliminate about 6,000 jobs in the two countries, although GM says many workers will retire and that it has about 2,700 factory jobs open if workers transfer to other plants. The company already has idled its small-car assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio, and plans to close car factories in Oshawa, Ontario, and Detroit-Hamtramck, Michigan, by January of 2020. Also scheduled to close this year are transmission factories in Warren, Michigan, and near Baltimore. Gary Jones, president of the United Auto Workers union addresses delegates to the union's bargaining convention in Detroit, Monday, March 11, 2019 that it would raise weekly strike pay from $200 to $250 per week and $275 in January of next year. Jones warned automakers that the union is prepared to strike if it doesn't get its way in upcoming contract talks. The new union president says no one expects a strike but the UAW is prepared to walk out. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) The company has said the future of the U.S. factories will be decided in the upcoming contract talks. It has said the plants aren't getting new products due to the shift from cars to SUVs and trucks and because GM needs to cut excess factory capacity to generate money to develop electric and autonomous vehicles. Jones has promised to fight the plant closures in the courts and at the bargaining table. The UAW already has sued GM over closures, which it says violates the current contract. The union says GM is moving production to Mexico at the expense of U.S. workers. Jones told members in a speech at the opening of the convention that the union's strike fund now has over $721 million. The union increased dues in 2011 until the fund reaches $850 million. Delegates at the convention will decide the union's bargaining priorities for the next four years. "We're gearing up for a fight, if we have to, by the fact that we did raise the strike fund," said Darrell DeJean, a delegate to the convention from GM's factory in Spring Hill, Tennessee. "We're serious about this business. We're serious about good-paying jobs for our members. We're serious about keeping work in this country," he said. Talk of a strike is a different stance from contract talks that occurred since the automakers got into financial trouble in 2008. Until now, the union had pledged to be a business partner rather than an adversary. A message was left Monday seeking comment from a GM spokeswoman. Talks with Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler begin this summer. The four-year contracts with all three expire on September 15. "We are solid heading into the next four years of bargaining," Jones said in his speech. "We are one. The stakes are real, brothers and sisters. The stakes are high." ____ AP Auto Writer Tom Krisher contributed to this report. NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar thanked Fox News on Monday for condemning comments made on the network by weekend host Jeanine Pirro centering on the freshman Democrat's wearing of a traditional Muslim head covering. Fox said it "strongly condemned" Pirro's Saturday night commentary and said it had addressed the matter with her. Pirro did not apologize. On her show, Pirro noted that the Minnesota representative wears a hijab in apparent conformity to a directive in the Quran. "Is her adherence to this Islamic doctrine indicative of her adherence to Sharia law, which is in itself antithetical to the U.S. Constitution?" she asked. In its condemnation, Fox said Pirro's views "do not reflect those of the network and we have addressed the matter with her directly." Omar, in a tweet, thanked Fox for the statement, saying no one should question a person's commitment to the Constitution because of a person's faith or country of origin. Omar is a Somali immigrant. Omar has been in the news because of her own comments that some have judged to be anti-Semitic, leading to a debate over how Democrats should publicly address her views. This combination photo shows Fox News host Jeanine Pirro at the HBO Documentary Series premiere of "THE JINX: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst" in New York on Jan. 28, 2015, left, and Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., at a rally outside the Capitol in Washington on March 8, 2019. Omar thanked Fox News on Monday, March 11, for condemning comments made on the network by Pirro centering on the freshman Democrat's wearing of a traditional Muslim head covering. Pirro questioned whether Omar's wearing a hijab indicated her adherence to Sharia law. (AP Photo) Pirro, in her own statement, said she did not call Omar un-American. "My intention was to ask a question and start a debate, but of course because one is a Muslim does not mean you don't support the Constitution," she said, adding she invited Omar to come on her show. Pirro was called out on Twitter by a fellow Fox News Channel employee who is Muslim. The employee, Hufia Kumal, works on Bret Baier's news show. She wrote: "Can you stop spreading this false narrative that somehow Muslims hate America or women who wear a hijab aren't American enough? You have Muslims working at the same network you do, including myself." It was not immediately clear what Fox had done in addressing the matter with Pirro, the former district attorney from New York's Westchester County who is a particular favorite of President Donald Trump. Fox News' chief executive, Suzanne Scott, had reportedly scolded producers of the network's shows last year, encouraging them to run a tighter ship in terms of incendiary comments. NEW DELHI (AP) - India and Saudi Arabia on Monday agreed to set up a strategic partnership council to deepen cooperation to combat terrorism. Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al Jubeir discussed the proposal with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during a brief visit to New Delhi on Monday, according to a statement issued by India's External Affairs Ministry. Without naming Pakistan, Swaraj said "an immediate irreversible and verifiable action to dismantle terror infrastructure is essential to fight the menace of terrorism." Saudi Arabia wields considerable influence over Pakistan through a sizeable economic support. India expects Saudi Arabia to persuade Pakistan to stop supporting insurgents who have been fighting Indian forces in disputed Kashmir since 1989. While India accuses Pakistan of arming and training insurgents, Islamabad says it provides only moral and diplomatic support to them. The rebels have been fighting for Kashmir's independence from India or its merger with Pakistan. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered intelligence sharing and other cooperation with India in fighting extremism and terrorism during his visit to New Delhi last month. His visit came at a time of heightened tension between nuclear rivals India and Pakistan following a suicide attack on an Indian convoy of paramilitary forces in the Indian portion of Kashmir that left 40 soldiers dead. India blamed a Pakistan-based group called Jaish-e-Mohammed for the attack. India and Pakistan have fought three wars, two of them over control of Kashmir, since they won independence from British colonialists in 1947. Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, but both claim it in its entirety. ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - The judge in a case against a man accused of killing five people at a Maryland newspaper office ruled Monday that prosecutors have provided "significantly more" information about the charges to defense attorneys than the law requires. Lawyers for Jarrod Ramos asked Anne Arundel County Circuit Judge Laura Ripken last month to require prosecutors to give them more details about the charges, as they weigh changing their client's plea to not criminally responsible by reason of insanity. His attorneys currently have a Friday deadline to change the plea from not guilty. "The judge's ruling was that the state complied with the law and provided sufficient evidence for the defense to prepare for court," said Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess, speaking with reporters outside the courthouse in Annapolis. William Davis, an attorney for Ramos, declined to comment after a brief court hearing. Ramos, with long hair and a beard, attended the hearing. A trial is currently scheduled for June. A scheduling conference has been set for March 28 "to determine whether it's appropriate to proceed in June," Leitess said. Prosecutors are seeking life in prison without possibility of parole. Letters that threatened the newsroom and were signed with Ramos' name were received by area judges and an attorney in the days following the June 28 attack. Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess talks to reporters after a court hearing on Monday, March 11, 2019, in Annapolis, Md., for Jarrod Ramos, who is charged with killing five people at The Capital Gazette newspaper office in June 2018. (AP Photo/Brian Witte) Ramos been charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Ann Smith and Wendi Winters in the attack. Police say he used a shotgun to blast his way inside the newsroom. He also has been charged with attempted murder and assault related to other people in the newspaper office at the time of the attack and gun crimes. Prosecutors say Ramos carefully planned the attack, barricading the rear exit of the office to prevent people from escaping. Ramos, of Laurel, Maryland, held a longtime grudge against the newspaper. The Capital had written about Ramos pleading guilty to harassing a former high school classmate in 2011 and Ramos unsuccessfully sued the writer and the newspaper's publisher for defamation. ___ This version corrects that defense attorneys made the request last month. DETROIT (AP) - Preservationists are angry that the Detroit Land Bank Authority demolished a log cabin just outside the city despite plans to relocate the structure, which may have been built before the Civil War. The authority tore down the cabin in Hamtramck on Feb. 22, The Detroit News reported. The structure was hidden by a house built around it, said Krysta Ryzewski, an associate professor of archaeology at Wayne State University who received a tip about the cabin last year. The cabin was unusual because of hand-painted floral stenciled wallpaper found in the interior, she said. "It means this was not just your ramshackle expedient lean-to," Ryzewski said. "It was a home someone took a lot of care to build." Greg Kowalski, the chairman of the Hamtramck Historical Museum, had hoped to relocate the cabin to a park in front of City Hall. He said the piece of history was "treated like a piece of garbage" by demolishing it. "We did all this work," Kowalski said. "They just went ahead and demolished it right out from under our noses." The land bank favors historical preservation but was following procedure, said Alyssa Strickland, a spokeswoman for the land bank. The preservationists' plans for the cabin were incomplete and the authority was protecting taxpayer investments, she said. The property could've been removed from the demolition list if preservationists had reached out about the potential relocation sooner, Strickland said. The house that concealed the original cabin has been on the demolition list for nearly three years. The land bank had spent around $10,000 on the site on surveys and abatements, Strickland said. "Without a way to recoup that significant cost or time spent," she said, "it would be a waste of taxpayer dollars." ___ Information from: The Detroit News, http://detnews.com/ GREENBELT, Md. (AP) - A Coast Guard officer accused of stockpiling guns and compiling a hit list of prominent Democrats and network TV journalists pleaded not guilty on Monday to drug and firearms charges. An attorney for Christopher Paul Hasson, 49, entered the plea on his behalf at an arraignment on charges of illegal possession of firearm silencers, possession of firearms by a drug addict and unlawful user, and possession of a controlled substance. Public defender Liz Oyer didn't ask for Hasson to be freed on bond and declined to comment after the hearing. Federal prosecutors have said Hasson is a self-described white nationalist and "domestic terrorist" who "intends to murder innocent civilians on a scale rarely seen in this country." Hasson has been detained since his Feb. 15 arrest. He faces a maximum of 31 years in prison if convicted of all charges in his four-count indictment last month. Hasson answered several routine questions from a magistrate judge during Monday's brief hearing at the federal courthouse in Greenbelt. File-This Feb. 21, 2019, file photo shows U.S. Attorney Robert Hur, center, of the District of Maryland, speaks as Art Walker, left, special agent from the Coast Guard investigative service, and Gordon Johnson, special agent in charge of the FBI's Baltimore office, listen during a news conference about Coast Guard Lt. Christopher Paul Hasson, outside the federal courthouse in Greenbelt. Hasson, accused of stockpiling guns and compiling a hit list of prominent Democrats and network TV journalists pleaded not guilty on Monday, March 11, 2019, to drug and firearms charges. An attorney for Hasson, 49, entered the plea on his behalf at an arraignment on charges of illegal possession of firearm silencers, possession of firearms by a drug addict and unlawful user, and possession of a controlled substance. (AP Photo/Michael Kunzelman, File) Investigators found 15 firearms, including seven rifles, and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition at Hasson's basement apartment in Silver Spring, Maryland, prosecutors said. Hasson's Feb. 27 indictment also accuses him of illegal possession of tramadol, an opioid painkiller. In a court filing, prosecutors said Hasson has espoused extremist views for years and drafted an email in which he said he was "dreaming of a way to kill almost every last person on the earth." Prosecutors also claim Hasson drew up what appeared to be a computer-spreadsheet hit list that included House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, presidential hopefuls Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker and Kamala Harris. Several network TV journalists - MSNBC's Chris Hayes and Joe Scarborough and CNN's Chris Cuomo and Van Jones - also were mentioned. However, Hasson hasn't been charged with any terrorism-related offenses. A different public defender has accused prosecutors of making inflammatory accusations against Hasson without providing evidence to back them up. During a hearing last month, a different magistrate agreed to keep Hasson behind bars but said he was willing to revisit his decision if prosecutors didn't bring more serious charges within two weeks. Hasson, a former Marine, worked at Coast Guard headquarters in Washington on a program to acquire advanced new cutters for the agency. He was a lieutenant at the time of his arrest. HIGHLAND, Calif. (AP) - Authorities said a Southern California man who came to the rescue of people in a burning mobile home was found dead in the wreckage, and his family is calling him a hero. The blaze erupted early Saturday morning in the Highland area of San Bernardino County, according to the state's Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Arriving firefighters found four people had been evacuated from the mobile home, but the rescuer died, Cal Fire said in a statement. The body was found in the debris after the flames were put out, the county coroner's office said. The coroner's office did not immediately identify the victim, but family members told KTLA-TV he was 25-year-old Albert Madrid. His sister, Melissa Enriquez, said her brother chose to go in and help, and she hopes he is remembered for that. This March 9, 2019 photo provided by Cal Fire San Bernardino shows the burned out remains of a mobil home that caught fire on Saturday, March 9, 2019 in the Highland area of San Bernardino County. Southern California authorities say a man who came to the rescue of people in the burning mobile home was found dead in the wreckage. Cal Fire says arriving firefighters found four occupants had been evacuated from the mobile home but the rescuer perished. ( Cal Fire San Bernardino via AP) "He was only 25 years old, but he was the bravest man I have ever known," Madrid's father, Robert Madrid, wrote in a eulogy on a memorial website. "I am so proud of my son, my hero." A fund has been established online to aid Madrid's family. The cause of the fire was under investigation. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabama has set an execution date for an inmate convicted of killing a preacher in a robbery more than two decades ago. Christopher Lee Price is scheduled to be put to death on April 11, according to an order from the state Supreme Court. Price was convicted of the 1991 stabbing death of Bill Lynn, who was pastor of the Natural Springs Church of Christ. Lynn was killed with a sword and knife during a robbery at his home on Dec. 22, 1991. Prosecutors said Lynn was at home with his wife assembling Christmas presents when the power was cut to their home. Lynn was stabbed when he went outside to check the fuse box, prosecutors said. Price has an ongoing lawsuit arguing the state's lethal injection drug combination will cause excruciating pain. His attorneys contend that the first drug, a sedative, doesn't guarantee unconsciousness. This undated photo provided by the Alabama Department of Corrections shows Christopher Lee Price. The Alabama Supreme Court has set an April 11, 2019, execution date for Price, who was convicted of the 1991 murder of minister Bill Lynn. (Alabama Department of Corrections via AP) They wrote that he has asked to be executed by nitrogen, a method the state has authorized but has not yet used. The state responded in a court filing that death row inmates had a 30-day window to request nitrogen as their execution method, and Price missed that deadline. It is the second scheduled execution in Alabama in 2019. Dominique Ray was executed Feb. 7 at an Alabama prison for the 1995 murder of 15-year-old Tiffany Harville. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Legislation designed to pump hundreds of millions of ratepayer dollars into Three Mile Island and Pennsylvania's other nuclear power plants was introduced Monday and could usher in heated debate over whether the plants deserve what critics call a bailout. The debate in Pennsylvania's Capitol will run up against a June 1 deadline in the nation's No. 2 nuclear power state. That's when Three Mile Island's owner, Chicago-based Exelon Corp., has said it will begin the monthslong process of shutting down the financially struggling plant that was the site of a terrifying partial meltdown in 1979. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Thomas Mehaffie, R-Dauphin, said the plan is projected to cost ratepayers around $500 million a year by requiring that all five nuclear power plants get preferential treatment like what solar power, wind power and a few other niche energy sources received under a 2004 state law. In total, roughly 6 million Pennsylvania electric customers paid more than $14 billion for electricity in 2018, including distribution charges and taxes, according to federal data. By all accounts, three of five nuclear power plants in Pennsylvania are profitable for the foreseeable future, and there is no plan to prematurely shut down all five. FILE - In this May 22, 2017 file photo shown is the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Middletown, Pa. With nuclear power plant owners seeking a rescue in Pennsylvania, a number of state lawmakers are signaling that they are willing to help, with conditions. Giving nuclear power plants what opponents call a bailout could mean a politically risky vote to hike electric bills. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File) But the plants' owners warn that the same market dynamics that make Three Mile Island unprofitable will eventually affect Pennsylvania's entire nuclear fleet. They contend that the legislation ensures the plants' survival against hostile market conditions, sustains "carbon-free" energy sources in the fight against global warming and, should all five shut down at once, prevents electricity bills from rising. "So the Legislature can save Pennsylvania consumers money, keep our nuclear power plants open and keep our air clean," Mehaffie said at a news conference Monday at a Harrisburg-area Ironworkers hall. Without nuclear power, the regional grid will lack a hedge for electricity bills against a growing natural gas power sector should prices spike, Mehaffie and others say. Under the proposed legislation, regulated utilities would bill electricity customers for the cost of buying nuclear power credits at a premium similar to what the utilities pay wind and solar producers now. Mehaffie estimated that his plan would cost the average household $1.77 a month. That amount will pale in comparison to the multibillion-dollar hit to Pennsylvania's economy if all five plants shut down, Mehaffie said. Ohio-based FirstEnergy Corp. projects that its Beaver Valley nuclear power plant in western Pennsylvania will become unprofitable in 2021 and has said it will shut it down by then, unless the state rescues it. Independent analysts do not predict much effect, if any, on ratepayer bills if Three Mile Island and Beaver Valley shut down. What they foresee, however, is nuclear power being replaced by electricity from carbon-emitting natural gas- and coal-fired plants that typically run below capacity in a saturated market. The bill's future in the Republican-controlled Legislature is unclear. Opponents are lining up and include anti-nuclear activists, the AARP, large industrial electricity buyers and the state's considerable natural gas industry. They say the bill would effectively undo the state's competitive electricity market has kept power prices low for consumers. A bailout means investing in outdated, inefficient and expensive power plants, and benefiting shareholders of profitable companies - Exelon reported $2 billion in profits last year - and largely profitable plants on the backs of Pennsylvania ratepayers, they say. Environmental groups criticized the bill for failing to do more to fight climate change, like imposing a cap on carbon emissions in Pennsylvania. "In short, the bill fails to put Pennsylvania on track for a transition to a clean energy economy," the Natural Resources Defense Council said in a statement. Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, said any legislation needs to provide benefits for consumers and require nuclear power plant owners to be transparent about their plants' finances. Pennsylvania's five nuclear power plants are owned by Exelon, FirstEnergy, Allentown-based Talen Energy, PSEG Inc. of New Jersey and 14 rural electric cooperatives. They support Mehaffie's bill, and Exelon is fresh off winning subsidies for plants in New York and Illinois and, with PSEG, in New Jersey. The companies release little power plant-specific financial information, but Three Mile Island is widely viewed as unprofitable and at a disadvantage because it has just one generating unit after the second one partially melted down in 1979. Analysts project that the Limerick, Peachbottom and Susquehanna plants will be profitable in the coming years. FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2006 file photo, cooling towers of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant are reflected in the Susquehanna River in this time exposure photograph in Middletown, Pa. With nuclear power plant owners seeking a rescue in Pennsylvania, a number of state lawmakers are signaling that they are willing to help, with conditions. Giving nuclear power plants what opponents call a bailout could mean a politically risky vote to hike electric bills. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File) At a news conference at an Ironworkers union hall, Pennsylvania lawmaker Rep. Thomas Mehaffie discusses legislation he is introducing to pump hundreds of millions of ratepayer dollars into the state's five nuclear power plants, Monday, March 11, 2019, in Harrisburg, Pa. (AP Photo/Marc Levy) MILWAUKEE (AP) - Milwaukee will host the 2020 Democratic National Convention, party leaders announced Monday, highlighting the battleground state of Wisconsin that helped elect President Donald Trump and now will launch an opponent who could oust him. Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez chose Milwaukee over Houston and Miami after deliberations lingered longer than party leaders or officials from the three finalist cities had expected. "Where you hold our convention is a very strong statement of your values and who and what we are fighting for," Perez said Monday surrounded by state and local officials. Perez praised Milwaukee's diversity and its labor unions, along with Wisconsin's working-class identity. He called it an ideal backdrop for Democrats to launch a fall campaign to reclaim the White House four years after Trump stunningly outpaced Hillary Clinton across the old industrial belt of the upper Midwest and Great Lakes. "The Democratic Party has again become an every ZIP code party," Perez said. "We're listening to people in every corner of the country." The convention is scheduled for July 13-16, 2020. In this Dec. 17, 2018 photo, the downtown skyline is seen from the top of the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee. The Democratic National Committee has selected Milwaukee to host the 2020 national convention. (Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP) It will be the first time in over a century that Democrats will nominate their presidential candidate in a Midwestern city other than Chicago. Instead, the spotlight will shine for a week on a metro area of about 1.6 million people. Once dubbed as "The Machine Shop of the World," the city is the birthplace of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and is known for its enduring love affair with beer - a trait displayed Monday as Perez and surrounding dignitaries closed their celebratory news conference with a toast. Republicans are set to gather in Charlotte, the largest city in battleground North Carolina, on Aug. 24-27, 2020. Perez noted that the convention site doesn't determine the November outcome, but Democrats see plenty of symbolism in Milwaukee after a bitter 2016 election defined by Clinton being nearly swept in what her campaign aides had confidently called a Midwestern "Blue Wall." That band of states twice sided with President Barack Obama, but Clinton held only Minnesota, ceding Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania - a combined 64 of the necessary 270 electoral votes - as white working-class voters flocked to Trump. It was the first time since 1984 that Republicans claimed Wisconsin in a presidential election. Afterward, Clinton took withering criticism for not once visiting Wisconsin as a general election candidate. Since then, Wisconsinites re-elected Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin and ousted Republican Gov. Scott Walker in favor of Democrat Tony Evers and the state's first black lieutenant governor, Mandela Barnes. Evers and Barnes beamed Monday as they welcomed Perez. Wisconsin Democrats pointed to those midterm election results as they lobbied Perez and DNC officials. "We plan to carry that momentum into 2020 and beyond," Barnes said Monday. "The path to the presidency goes right through Wisconsin as we learned in 2016," Baldwin, who won re-election in 2018, told The Associated Press. "In 2016, the industrial heartland was really the key and having this convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I think is a powerful statement that nobody should be taken for granted." In a political twist, Milwaukee officials have credited Walker for supporting the convention bid. Democratic Party proceedings will play out in the new 17,500-seat arena that Walker helped build for the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks by securing public financing from state lawmakers. Walker later lobbied GOP-leaning business leaders and donors to support Milwaukee's effort to land the event. Perez was not among those praising Walker, repeatedly referring to the "former governor" without naming him and blasting his policies, particularly his fights with public unions and his spending priorities on education, for setting up Democrats' midterm success. For his part, Walker avoided the rancor. "When it comes to a big convention like this, it's not red, it's not blue, it's green," Walker told the AP after the announcement, referring to the economic impact. Walker did warn Democrats that for all their enthusiasm, the convention could energize complacent Wisconsin Republicans to Trump's benefit. "I think you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who leans Democrat who wasn't already motivated in the city or the state against the president," Walker said. Democratic officials in Washington said picking a host city is as much about logistics as anything else, even as they acknowledge political optics. On logistics, Milwaukee may have pulled somewhat of an upset, given its small footprint compared to Houston and Miami, cities long accustomed to hosting major events. Houston hosted the Super Bowl as recently as February 2017. Milwaukee organizers pitched their city - the Democratic stronghold of Wisconsin - as resurgent. Known for some of the country's biggest brewers, including Pabst, Schlitz, Miller and Blatz, the metro area has a redeveloped downtown, a hotel capacity exceeding 17,000 rooms and a new downtown streetcar line that opened in November. Still, the city had to prove it has the overall capacity for tens of thousands of delegates, party activists, donors and media. DNC officials have said that the question wasn't about hotel rooms but about whether Milwaukee has requisite venues for other convention staples, from daily sit-down breakfast meetings for 57 state and territorial delegations to evening events put on by state parties, corporations, lobbyists and donors. Even as Milwaukee officials insisted they have the venues, some deep-pocketed Democrats in nearby Chicago - a 90-minute drive - stepped in to note their proximity. Houston and Miami, meanwhile, faced their own challenges. Miami has an impressive concentration of luxury hotels, but many are in Miami Beach across bridges from downtown. That raised the prospect of delegates spending hours in traffic. The city's arena also is not as new as Milwaukee's. Houston had few if any logistical barriers. But according to party officials with knowledge of the process, the city's organizing committee struggled to come up with the necessary financing without resorting to oil and gas money. That industry is the city's bread and butter, but it's become anathema in Democratic politics because of its part in climate change. The city's Democratic mayor also is embroiled in a labor dispute with Houston firefighters. Also, though Houston and Miami are Democratic anchors in their states, Texas and Florida have no Democratic governor or senator between them. ___ Barrow reported from Atlanta. Bauer reported from Madison, Wis. ___ Follow the reporters on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BillBarrow , https://twitter.com/sbauer and https://twitter.com/1TrueIvan This March 7, 2018 photo shows the downtown skyline of Milwaukee. The Democratic National Committee has selected Milwaukee to host the 2020 national convention. (Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP) In this Oct. 31, 2017 photo, the downtown skyline over looks Lake Michigan in Milwaukee. The Democratic National Committee has selected Milwaukee to host the 2020 national convention. (Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP) HOUSTON (AP) - The nation's largest provider of facilities for detaining migrant children on behalf of the Trump administration said Monday that its founder and CEO is stepping down after months of criticism. Southwest Key Programs said in a statement that Juan Sanchez will retire. The Austin, Texas-based nonprofit collects hundreds of millions of dollars through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to run facilities along the southern border. It came under fire as the Trump administration detained more immigrants and conducted large-scale separations of families last year, pushing children into the organization's facilities without their parents' consent. At least one facility in South Texas served as a "tender-age" shelter for toddlers with cribs and other supplies. According to government data obtained exclusively last year by The Associated Press, the number of children held by Southwest Key grew to around 5,000 at a time last year, including around 1,400 at an old Walmart in Brownsville, Texas. Southwest Key received $523 million in government funding from January to September. Critics have accused Sanchez of facilitating the detention of thousands of children and questioned the salaries Southwest Key paid him and his family. Sanchez earned $1.5 million, according to the organization's 2017 tax filings. In this June 21, 2018, photo, Dr. Juan Sanchez, Founder and CEO of Southwest Key, talks about the work his institution on their Immigrant Children's Shelters in Texas, in Austin, Texas. The nation's largest provider of facilities for detaining migrant children on behalf of the Trump administration said Monday, March 11, 2019, that Sanchez is stepping down after months of criticism. (Ralph Barrera/Austin American-Statesman via AP) The New York Times reported in December that federal prosecutors were examining Southwest Key's finances. And the Arizona Republic published videos from mid-September in which staffers pushed and shoved children in their care. The organization closed two facilities and paid a fine in Arizona after an investigation over whether it conducted staff background checks. Sanchez has pushed back against public criticism by saying that Southwest Key performs a necessary task in taking in children detained by the government. "Somebody has to take care of them," he told AP in June. Unlike the Border Patrol's facilities where migrants are usually first detained, Southwest Key's facilities typically have dormitory-style sleeping areas, classrooms, and playgrounds. Children remain at the facilities until the government can place them in foster care or with an adult sponsor, typically a relative. The Department of Health and Human Services said the average stay for children in government facilities was 60 days. Southwest Key thanked Sanchez and said "it's time to begin a new chapter." Chief Operating Officer Joella Brooks will serve as interim CEO. Sanchez said in the statement that the organization "would benefit from a fresh perspective and new leadership." "Widespread misunderstanding of our business and unfair criticism of our people has become a distraction our employees do not deserve," Sanchez said. "It's time for new beginnings." NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - Customs agents have seized the biggest shipment of cocaine recovered at the ports of New York and New Jersey in 25 years. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says 3,200 pounds of the drug in 60 packages were seized at Port New York/Newark on Feb. 28. The street value is estimated at $77 million. It's the biggest cocaine seizure at the ports since 1994. A Customs spokesman says the container was recovered from a ship that originated in South America. Customs officers turned the drugs over to federal Homeland Security officials for investigation. This Feb. 28, 2019 photo provided by U. S. Customs and Border Protection shows Customs agents unloading a truck containing 3,200 pounds of cocaine in 60 packages, where it was seized at the Port of New York/Newark, in Newark, N.J. A Customs spokesman says the container, recovered from a ship that originated in South America, held the biggest shipment of cocaine - with a street value estimated at about $77 million - recovered at the ports in 25 years. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection via AP) This Feb. 28, 2019 photo provided by U. S. Customs and Border Protection shows a truck containing 3,200 pounds of cocaine in 60 packages, where it was seized at the Port of New York/Newark, in Newark, N.J. A customs spokesman says the container, recovered from a ship that originated in South America, held the biggest shipment of cocaine - with a street value estimated at about $77 million - recovered at the ports in 25 years. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection via AP) COCOA BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Authorities in Florida say a woman shot her boyfriend during an argument about his loud snoring. News outlets report that when the Brevard County Sheriff's deputies arrived at the couple's home last week they were told the shooting was accidental. But as they investigated, they found that the shooting happened during an argument between 47-year-old Lorie Morin and her boyfriend. As the argument escalated, deputies say Morin got a shotgun and fired at her boyfriend. Deputies say the two were fighting about his snoring. The man was taken to a hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. Morin faces attempted murder and aggravated battery charges. She's being held without bond in the Brevard County Jail. Records didn't list a lawyer. BAYAMON, Puerto Rico (AP) - Puerto Rico's governor said Monday that he hopes a new technology center can help the U.S. territory incorporate artificial intelligence and internet -connected devices as it rebuilds from Hurricane Maria. Gov. Ricardo Rossello said the lab located in the northern city of Bayamon will be completed in four months and will be run by a local company, Engine-4. It will receive resources and help from companies including Intel, AT&T, IBM, Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard. "The opportunities are enormous," he said. "It allows us to take these ideas and give them shape." He said Intel will create an innovation center within the lab to focus on artificial intelligence technology, "internet of things" devices and drones. Rossello said he expects some projects will help create "smart cities" with features that might include technologies to detect flooding in the event of a storm, adding that the lab will be open to high school and university students. Construction of the lab comes as Puerto Rico continues to rebuild from a deadly Category 4 storm that hit in September 2017 and caused more than an estimated $100 billion in damage. FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2017 file photo, Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello, left, speaks during a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing on hurricane recovery, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Puerto Rico's governor said Monday, March 11, 2019 that he hopes a new technology center can help the U.S. territory incorporate artificial intelligence and internet -connected devices as it rebuilds from Hurricane Maria. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) "This is what's going to help us move forward," said Glorimar Ripoll, Puerto Rico's chief innovation officer. The city of Bayamon is investing nearly $560,000 to build the lab, along with $250,000 in incentives from Puerto Rico's Department of Economic and Commercial Development, plus $50,000 donated by Puerto Rico's Science, Technology & Research Trust and $48,000 in incentives from AT&T. WASHINGTON (AP) - The Trump administration will insist North Korea follow through on its commitment to completely eliminate its nuclear weapons before the U.S. agrees to the lifting of international sanctions, the State Department's special envoy for North Korea said Monday. In his first public comments since President Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last month, envoy Stephen Biegun said "the missing variable" in making a deal is the North's unwillingness to offer complete, verifiable denuclearization. "We are not going to do denuclearization incrementally," Biegun said at a conference sponsored by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He said there is room for "confidence-building" measures, such as a proposed establishment of a U.S. diplomatic liaison office in North Korea, to advance the process. But the U.S. will not agree to a step-by-step approach to eliminating the nuclear weapons, he said. Biegun said that at last month's Hanoi summit, Trump rejected Kim's offer to eliminate a portion of his nuclear program in exchange for lifting "basically all" of the international sanctions. That was judged to be unacceptable, Biegun said, because it would have removed economic pressure that had been imposed by the international community. Under the Kim proposal, "We'd lift that pressure in exchange for only a portion of those weapons of mass destruction programs," Biegun said. "That would have put us in a position - a very difficult position - of essentially subsidizing what would potentially be ongoing development of weapons of mass destruction in North Korea. We need a total solution." In this March 5, 2019, photo, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun, right, arrives for a closed-door briefing for the members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington. Biegun says the Trump administration won't budge from insisting that North Korea fully rid itself of nuclear weapons before the U.S. makes concessions. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) He said this does not mean the U.S. position has hardened. He said Washington remains open to further North Korea diplomacy aimed at four priorities: transforming relations, establishing a formal end to the Korean War, achieving the North's complete denuclearization, and returning the remains of thousands of U.S. troops missing from the Korean War. Last August, North Korea turned over 55 boxes of war remains; so far the U.S. has identified three soldiers from those remains and is expecting to announce several more soon. "We want to heal the wounds of war," Biegun said. "We want to recover the remains of soldiers very much for the same reasons that helped us normalize relations in other places like Vietnam at the end of the conflict." NEW DELHI (AP) - India's aviation watchdog issued safety instructions Monday for flying Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft following a crash in Ethiopia. The directions call for the pilot-in-command to have at least 1,000 hours of flying experience and the co-pilot to have 500 hours on Boeing 737 NG type aircraft. The government-run Directorate-General of Civil Aviation said in a statement that it has ordered a safety assessment of the Max 8 aircraft and is consulting with regulators around the world. The aviation agency also said airlines have been asked to ensure compliance by engineering and maintenance personnel. The moves came a day after the second crash of one of the planes in five months killed 157 people in Ethiopia. Private airlines Jet Airways told the Press Trust of India news agency that it was not currently operating any of the five planes in its fleet. There was no immediate comment by SpiceJet which has so far bought 13 planes, PTI said. TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) - President Donald Trump is making another attempt to slash federal funding that goes toward cleaning up major U.S. waterways including the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay, even though Congress has thwarted his previous attempts, according to budget documents released Monday. Trump's 2020 spending blueprint for the Environmental Protection Agency proposes cutting most or all federal support for the programs, which benefit waters degraded by years of pollution, overdevelopment and exotic species invasions. His administration has argued repeatedly that state and local governments should foot the bill for nursing the waters back to health. The biggest recipient is the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which was launched under former President Barack Obama in 2010 to deal with longstanding environmental problems in the lakes, which hold nearly one-fifth of the world's fresh surface water. It has distributed about $2.4 billion in support of more than 4,700 projects, including the removal of sediments laced with industrial toxins in harbors and tributary rivers. Additionally, it has backed efforts to prevent runoff that feeds toxic algae blooms, prevent invasive species such as Asian carp from reaching the lakes, and restore wetlands and other wildlife habitat. Trump's budget offers $30 million for the initiative - a 90 percent drop from the $300 million it has gotten most years. The program has bipartisan support from members of Congress from New York to Minnesota, some of whom pledged to fight the latest proposal to gut it. "It is vital that protecting and preserving the Great Lakes remains a national priority," said Rep. Bill Huizenga, a Michigan Republican. FILE - In this Dec. 20, 2013 file photo, Capt. David Whitelock prepares for a day of oyster dredging on the skipjack Hilda M. Willing as the sun begins to rise over Deal Island, Md. President Donald Trump's 2020 budget released Monday, March 11, 2019 calls for 90 percent cuts in spending on programs for the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay. It would eliminate funding for other waterways including the Gulf of Mexico, South Florida, San Francisco Bay and Puget Sound. Trump has sought similar reductions in past budgets but Congress has rejected them. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) Rep. Marcy Kaptur, an Ohio Democrat who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, said the proposed reduction "is reckless, threatens our progress and puts the fresh water of over 30 million people at risk." Also targeted for a 90 percent cut is the Chesapeake Bay Program, which coordinates science, research, and modeling efforts and distributes grants to states, local governments and others for cleanup projects in the nation's biggest estuary. It would get $7.3 million, down from $73 million this year. "This is a slap in the face to a national treasure finally beginning to recover from decades of pollution," said William Baker, president of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The Trump budget would zero out lesser sums for restoration work in the Gulf of Mexico, Lake Champlain, Long Island Sound, South Florida, San Francisco Bay, Puget Sound and several smaller waterways. The EPA had no immediate comment. ___ Follow John Flesher on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/johnflesher FILE - In this July 31, 2015, file photo, an orca whale breaches in view of Mount Baker, some 60 miles distant, in the Salish Sea in the San Juan Islands, Wash. President Donald Trump's 2020 budget released Monday, March 11, 2019 calls for 90 percent cuts in spending on programs for the Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay. It would eliminate funding for other waterways including the Gulf of Mexico, South Florida, San Francisco Bay and Puget Sound. Trump has sought similar reductions in past budgets but Congress has rejected them. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File) WASHINGTON (AP) - Former acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker will meet behind closed doors with leaders of the House Judiciary Committee to clarify testimony he gave last month. That's according to a committee aide who requested anonymity to discuss the closed meeting. Whitaker will meet Wednesday with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler and the committee's top Republican, Georgia Rep. Doug Collins. The committee reached an agreement with the Justice Department last month for Whitaker to return. Whitaker has since left the department. Nadler said after Whitaker's public testimony in February that his answers were "unsatisfactory, incomplete or contradicted by other evidence." He said Whitaker didn't offer clear responses about his communications with the White House and was inconsistent in testifying about the department's policy on discussing ongoing investigations. MEXICO CITY (AP) - Mexico said Monday it has transferred all the inmates from the infamous Isla Marias prison, the last island penal colony in a hemisphere once dotted with remote island jails like the one depicted in the movie "Papillon." About 584 of the prisoners have been moved to mainland jails in the northern border state of Coahuila, and 68 were taken elsewhere or released. The federal government said Monday that 88 visitors - 16 of whom lived there - were also flown out aboard 21 flights starting Friday. The wives of six inmates and 10 of their children had lived on the island for years. Families were allowed to live with some of the mostly low-risk inmates at the some of the five camps scattered throughout the main island. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the islands will be turned into a cultural and environmental education center. The four islands - only one of which is inhabited - are located 70 miles (110 kilometers) off the Pacific coast of Nayarit state. Lopez Obrador celebrated the closure as one of the main achievements of his first 100 days in office. "I chose the closing of the Islas Marias penal colony as a symbolic act to commemorate these 100 days," he said Monday. FILE - In this May 12, 2005 file photo, inmates have their meal in the mess hall at the Islas Marias federal prison island, located 90 miles south of Mazatlan, Mexico. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019 that he will close the famed island penal colony and will have it converted into a cultural and environmental education center. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo, File) Ramon Ojeda Mestre, who headed a campaign to recover the islands' environment 15 years ago, said Monday "Finally. At last. A disastrous stage has ended." "Now what we need is a slow recovery, in which environmental rationality should prevail." Inmates, for example, had trapped native parrots to sell, and caught boa constrictors to make into belts. The prison, founded in 1905, passed through periods of infamous brutality. When Panama closed its Isla Coiba penal colony in 2004, Isla Marias became the last one remaining in the Americas. Lopez Obrador said the new Islas Marias cultural center will be named after Jose Revueltas, a novelist who was imprisoned there and wrote the novel "Walls of Water." "Jose Revueltas must be happy, wherever he is, because this site, these islands will become camps for young people to visit these islands and get to know and protect nature," Lopez Obrador said Monday. As recently as 2013 the colony had held 8,000 inmates. Far from the bloody reputation of places like Devil's Island - the French Guiana penal colony shuttered in 1946 - toward the end, the Islas Marias harbored many lower-risk or well-behaved inmates and the colony was viewed as step toward release or rehabilitation. While the prison kept mass tourism at bay, the islands suffered severe environmental degradation from over a century of use as a penal colony. Island penal colonies were used around the world starting in the 1700s as remote, escape-proof places to "rehabilitate" inmates through hard labor. Often known as "prisons without bars," with the ocean serving as the most effective barrier to escape, the penal colonies were also known for being at least in part self-supporting and a way to settle remote islands. But in the end, the Islas Marias wound up costing Mexico far more per prisoner than did mainland jails. Chile closed its Santa Maria prison island in the late 1980s, Costa Rica's Isla San Lucas penal colony closed in 1991 and Brazil's Isla Grande in 1994. Peru dramatically ended its El Fronton island prison in 1986: Gunboats blew up most of the buildings to put down a riot, killing more than 100 inmates. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Donald Trump's $4.7 trillion budget request proposes steep cuts to domestic spending, a funding boost for the Pentagon and $8.6 billion for his signature border wall with Mexico. Leading Democrats immediately rejected the plan, signaling another bruising fight just weeks after a standoff that led to a 35-day partial government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. A look at the highlights from the White House proposal: ___ BORDER WALL FIGHT RENEWED Trump's proposal for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1 includes $8.6 billion to build the U.S-Mexico border wall. The proposal shows Trump is eager to renew his confrontation with Congress over the wall, a centerpiece of his agenda that congressional Democrats have staunchly resisted. The budget request for more than 300 miles (480 kilometers) of new border wall would more than double the $8.1 billion potentially available to the president for the wall after Trump declared a national emergency at the border last month. The politically contentious declaration would circumvent Congress, though there's no guarantee Trump will be able to use the money in the face of a legal challenge from California and other states. Lawmakers from both parties oppose the emergency declaration, but Congress appears to lack a veto-proof margin to block Trump. Construction crews replace a section of the primary wall separating San Diego, above right, and Tijuana, Mexico, below left, Monday, March 11, 2019, seen from Tijuana, Mexico. President Donald Trump is reviving his border wall fight, preparing a new budget that will seek $8.6 billion for the U.S-Mexico barrier while imposing steep spending cuts to other domestic programs and setting the stage for another fiscal battle. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Trump "was forced to admit defeat" after Congress refused to fund the wall in the current budget, and they predicted a similar outcome if he continues to press for money for the wall. Money targeted for the wall "would be better spent on rebuilding America," they said. The budget asks Congress to set up a fund of up to $2 billion to pay for sheltering migrant children who arrive with their families or alone at the U.S. border. ___ BIG BOOST FOR DEFENSE, CUTS IN DOMESTIC SPENDING Trump's budget proposes increasing defense spending to $750 billion - and building the new Space Force as a military branch - while reducing nondefense accounts by 5 percent. The $2.7 trillion in proposed domestic spending cuts over the next decade is higher than any administration in history. Proposed cuts include economic safety-net programs used by millions of Americans. To stay within prescribed budget caps, the proposal shifts about $165 billion in defense spending to an overseas contingency fund, an action that critics view as an accounting gimmick. The head of the American Federation of Government Employees, J. David Cox, called the budget "a kick in the teeth" to federal workers who've endured years of pay freezes and benefits cuts and just emerged from the 35-day partial shutdown. The proposal "shows a complete disconnect with the needs of the civil servants who are America's workforce," Cox said. ___ RED INK FLOWS Under Trump's proposal, the budget deficit is projected to hit $1.1 trillion next year - the highest in a decade. The administration is counting on robust economic growth, including from the 2017 Republican tax cuts, to push down the red ink. Some economists say the economic bump from the tax cuts is waning, and they project slower growth in coming years. The national debt is $22 trillion. Even with his own projections, Trump's budget would not come into balance for a decade and a half, rather than the traditional hope of balancing in 10 years. Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, warned that the debt load will lead to slower income growth and stalled opportunities for Americans. ___ ENVIRONMENTAL SPENDING SLASHED Trump again is asking Congress to slash funding for the Environmental Protection Agency by about a third, a request that Congress has previously rejected. The budget request seeks $6.1 billion for the EPA, down 31 percent from current spending. The White House says it aims to ensure clean air and water and chemical safety, while "reducing regulatory burden and eliminating lower-priority activities." But Ken Cook of the Environmental Working Group says it would work to appease Trump's political base and boost the fossil fuel and chemical industries. The budget would kill the federal tax credit for electric vehicles among a range of energy-related tax changes. Republicans have launched several efforts to end the $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles, which is already set to phase out for several automakers. The plan is unlikely to win approval in the Democratic-controlled House. ___ REPEALING OBAMACARE - AGAIN The budget request would reopen two health care battles Trump already lost in his first year in office: repealing "Obamacare" and limiting future federal spending on Medicaid for low-income people. Under the budget, major sections of both the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid would be turned over to the states starting in 2021. With Democrats in charge of the House, Trump's grand plan has no chance of being enacted. And few Republican lawmakers want to be dragged into another health care fight. ___ EDUCATION CUT, SCHOOL CHOICE EXPANDED The budget request would cut Education Department funding by 10 percent while expanding money for school choice, school safety and apprenticeship programs. The $64 billion proposal would eliminate 29 programs, including a $2 billion program meant to help schools improve instruction and a $1.2 billion program to create community centers. Meanwhile, it would add $60 million for charter schools and $200 million for school safety initiatives. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos says the plan would end programs better handled at the state or local level. She also proposed up to $5 billion in federal tax credits to support school choice scholarships. ___ MORE CHOICE FOR VETERANS The White House is seeking just over $93 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, an increase of $6.5 billion from current spending. The request would support implementation of a law Trump signed last year to give veterans more freedom to see doctors outside the troubled VA system, a major shift aimed at reducing wait times and improving care by steering more patients to the private sector. The plan again targets reducing veteran suicides as a top priority and sets aside $4.3 billion to improve the department's computer system and website. ___ Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro, Richard Lardner, Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar and Ellen Knickmeyer contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (AP) - In defiance of President Donald Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday invited NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg to address a joint meeting of Congress to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the trans-Atlantic alliance. Pelosi, in rare agreement with Republicans, extended the warmly-worded invitation to speak April 3 as one of several events in the U.S. capital celebrating the treaty's signing in 1949. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has been unswerving in his support of NATO despite Trump's repeated complaints that its 29 member nations don't pay their fair share for their own defense. "It is my honor as Speaker, on behalf of the bipartisan leadership of the House of Representatives and the Senate, to extend to you an invitation to address a Joint Meeting of the two houses of Congress," Pelosi wrote in a letter released by her office. "During this critical time for the United States, NATO and the European Union, the U.S. Congress and the American people look forward to your message of friendship and partnership, as we work together to strengthen our critical alliance and advance a future of peace around the world." In tone and substance, the invitation is stiff pushback to the NATO criticism Trump campaigned on in 2016. He has threatened to pull the U.S. out of the partnership that was established to defend Europe against aggression - for example, from Russia. The White House did not respond to a request for comment. McConnell in particular among Republicans has been outspoken about his support for NATO, issuing a memorable rebuke of Trump's behavior at Russian President Vladimir Putin's side in Helsinki last summer. FILE - In this Feb. 14, 2019, file photo, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg talks to journalists during a news conference at the second day of a NATO defense ministers meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels. Leaders of both parties are inviting Stoltenberg to address a joint meeting of Congress next month around the 70th anniversary of the trans-Atlantic alliance (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File) "We value the NATO treaty," McConnell declared. "We believe the European Union counties are our friends, and the Russians are not." Each of NATO's countries spends money on its own military capabilities in an effort to lessen dependence on the U.S. for defense against threats. Stoltenberg said some NATO allies will spend an additional $100 billion by the end of 2020. The United States is the biggest and most influential NATO member, contributing about 22 percent of the alliance's budget. Trump campaigned on the idea that the U.S. is paying too much to defend European countries and vowed to make them pay their fair share. In his State of the Union address in January and in Hanoi last week, Trump misleadingly suggested that the U.S. has "picked up" $100 billion from NATO since he's been president. "A hundred billion dollars more has come in," he said in Hanoi. In reality, Stoltenberg said on Feb. 15 that NATO allies in Europe and Canada had spent an additional $41 billion on their own defense since 2016, and that by the end of 2020 that figure would rise to $100 billion. So, the $100 billion refers to additional military spending over a four-year period, not over the past two years. In 2014, during the Obama administration, NATO members agreed to move "toward" spending 2 percent of their gross domestic product on their own defense by 2024. Trump's pressure may have spurred some countries to increase their spending faster than they planned or to become more serious about moving to the 2 percent goal. Member-state contributions were a central point of friction at a NATO summit in Brussels last year. However, in a January interview with Fox News, Stoltenberg said NATO countries heard Trump "loud and clear" and were "stepping up." Some analysts have warned diminished U.S. leadership in NATO has already weakened the alliance. Former Ambassador Nicholas Burns said in a recent report that NATO is facing its "most difficult" crisis in seven decades and "the single greatest threat (to NATO) is the absence of strong, principled American presidential leadership for the first time in its history." Stoltenberg has said Trump will meet with his counterparts from the military alliance at a summit in London in December. Stoltenberg said Wednesday that the leaders will "address the security challenges we face now and in the future, and to ensure that NATO continues to adapt in order to keep its population of almost 1 billion people safe." ___ Follow Kellman and George on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com//APLaurieKellman and http://www.twitter.com/SGreports SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - One of two people charged in the 1988 beating death of a pregnant mother in northwestern Indiana has pleaded guilty to murder. George Kearney, 78, entered the plea Monday, about three years after he agreed to speak with police about the killing of 28-year-old Miriam Rice, St. Joseph County prosecutors said. Rice, of South Bend, was abducted June 24, 1988, while walking her dog in a park. Her body was found about a week later obscured by foliage down an embankment. Kearney's former girlfriend, Barbara Brewster, 56, also was charged with murder last year and is due to stand trial. Brewster has told investigators that Kearney killed Rice. She faces a hearing Tuesday. Kearney, Brewster and Brewster's three young children were camping and fishing in the park when Rice was killed. Brewster's now-adult son, Robert South, told investigators that he saw Kearney drag Rice into their van and his mother beat her in the head with tools that were in the vehicle, according to court documents filed last July by prosecutors. His older sister, Paula Brooks, now in her 30s, told investigators that Kearney, Brewster and South left the campsite to get food. "A couple of hours later she heard a 'blood-curdling scream' from across the lagoon from a woman," St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit cold case investigator Brett Coppins wrote in an affidavit. "This unknown woman was pleading for her life. The screaming continued for some time." When they returned, all three were covered with blood, Brooks said. "Robert stated that he has been traumatized by this murder his whole life," Coppins wrote. "He stated that he has never told anyone what happened because George Kearney threatened to kill him if he did." Kearney was arrested in July 1988 in an unrelated case and spent 27 years in prison. After his release, he reached out to investigators in 2016 and said Rice was killed by Brewster, according to the affidavit. "He stated that he had been getting letters while in prison from Paula (Brewster's daughter) questioning his involvement in the death of Miriam Rice," Coppins wrote. "In order to 'clear the air,' George Kearney advised officers that he wanted to come forward." Brooks also told police she wrote to Kearney in an attempt to get him to admit to "what he had done to Miriam Rice." At the time of her death, Rice was married, four months pregnant and had a 3-year-old child. No motive or discussion of motive behind the slaying was included in an affidavit in the original charging documents, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office told The Associated Press Monday in an email. Kearney faces 40 to 60 years in prison when sentenced March 29. NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily on Monday: Boeing Co., down $22.53 to $400.01 The airplane maker's 737 Max 8 model was involved in a crash that killed 157 people, the second deadly crash of the aircraft type in six months. Deutsche Bank AG, up 48 cents to $9.12 The German bank is considering holding merger talks with rival Commerzbank, according to media reports. Nvidia Corp., up $10.50 to $161.14 The chipmaker will buy network and data transmission company Mellanox for $6.9 billion in an all-cash deal. Plantronics Inc., up 29 cents to $48.14 The communications technology company is replacing its chief financial officer Barrick Gold Corp., up 25 cents to $13.18 The gold mining company dropped its $18 billion takeover bid for rival Newmont Mining Corp. Apple Inc., up $5.99 to $178.90 Technology was the best performing sector in the market, and shares of the iPhone maker got a lift from an analyst upgrade. Transocean Ltd., up 53 cents to $8.63 The deep-water oil driller won two new contracts from Petrobras for projects in Brazil. Care.com Inc., down $2.93 to $20.48 A Wall Street Journal article was critical of the screening practices for the online market for family care. PARIS (AP) - French cyclist Warren Barguil has been taken to the hospital with a fractured vertebra after a serious crash during the Paris-Nice race on Monday. Barguil, who won the won the Tour de France's King of the Mountains jersey in 2017 as the best climber, was involved in a crash 59 kilometers (36.6 miles) into the second stage won by race leader Dylan Groenewegen. His team, Arkea-Samsic, says Barguil briefly lost consciousness and was diagnosed with a double fracture of the second cervical vertebra. It is unclear how long Barguil will be sidelined. Arkea-Samsic general manager Emmanuel Hubert told local media Barguil's injury "is very annoying but he will recover soon and he will be very fine." ___ More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The company behind a proposed underground transmission line that would carry electricity generated mostly by wind turbines in Iowa to the Chicago area said Monday that the $2.5 billion project could be operational in 2024 if regulators approve it. Direct Connect Development Co. said it has lined up three major investors to back the project. It plans to bury the transmission line in land that runs along existing Canadian Pacific railroad tracks, hopefully reducing the disruption to landowners. It's not unusual for pipelines or fiber optic lines to be buried along railroad tracks in the land the railroad controls. CEO Trey Ward said he "believes that the SOO Green project will set the standard regarding how transmission lines are developed and constructed in the U.S." A similar proposal from a different company for an overhead transmission line was withdrawn in 2016 after landowners raised concerns. That $2 billion Rock Island Clean Line was supposed to run from northwest Iowa into Illinois. The new proposed line , which was first announced in 2017, would run from Mason City, Iowa, to Plano, Illinois. The investors announced Monday were Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Jingoli Power and Siemens Financial Services. The underground line would also connect two different regional power operating grids, which would allow the transfer of renewable energy back and forth between customers and producers in the two regions. More than 36 percent of Iowa's electricity comes from wind turbines across the state. Jingoli Power CEO Karl Miller said the line would improve the reliability of regional power operators and benefit utilities and corporate customers in Chicago. WASHINGTON (AP) - White House press secretary Sarah Sanders on Monday repeatedly refused to say whether President Donald Trump really thinks Democrats "hate" Jewish people. Before Trump left the White House on Friday for his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, he said: "The Democrats have become an anti-Israel party. They've become an anti-Jewish party, and that's too bad." Later in the day, Trump told Republican National Committee donors that Democrats "hate" Jewish people, according to a person who heard the remarks but spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the president's comments at a private event. Trump's comments followed an emotional debate on Capitol Hill about statements made by freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Muslim lawmaker from Minnesota who suggested Israel's supporters were pushing lawmakers to take a pledge of "allegiance" to a foreign country - comments that some viewed as anti-Semitic. Democrats wrestled for days over whether a House resolution should call Omar out by name, what other types of bias should be mentioned in the measure and whether the party would tolerate dissenting views on Israel. When the final resolution passed the House, it did not mention Omar by name. Trump called the resolution "disgraceful." Sanders refused several times to say whether Trump really thinks Democrats "hate" Jews. "The president has been an unwavering and committed ally to Israel and the Jewish people and, frankly, the remarks that have been made by a number of Democrats and failed to be called out by Democrat leadership is frankly abhorrent and it's sad," she said. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders listens to a question during a press briefing at the White House, Monday, March 11, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) "It's something that should be called by name. It shouldn't be put in a watered-down resolution. It should be done the way the Republicans did it when Steve King made terrible comments," Sanders said. "We called it out by name. We stripped him of his committee memberships and we'd like to see Democrats follow suit." In January, the House approved a Democratic measure disapproving of comments that Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, made about white supremacy. King had a long history of controversial rhetoric about immigrants, but it wasn't until he defended white supremacy in an interview with The New York Times that Republicans in Congress moved to strip him of committee assignments and called for his resignation. In August 2017, after violence erupted at a white nationalist "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, Trump said "both sides" were to blame, a comment some saw as a refusal to condemn racism. "The president has been incredibly clear and has consistently and repeatedly condemned hatred, bigotry, racism in all of its forms whether it's in America or anywhere else," Sanders said Monday. ___ Associated Press writer Zeke Miller contributed to this report. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Monday, March 11, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) White House press secretary Sarah Sanders speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Monday, March 11, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) White House press secretary Sarah Sanders speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Monday, March 11, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci) SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Google paid former search executive Amit Singhal $35 million in an exit package when he was reportedly forced to resign after a sexual assault investigation, according to court documents released Monday. Details of the exit package were revealed as part of a shareholder lawsuit against the company, one that followed a published report of payouts Google made to executives accused of sexual misconduct. The lawsuit targets the board of Google parent Alphabet, charging that its members had a duty to protect the company and its shareholders from risk and reputation damage. Instead, it says, the board agreed to pay off and otherwise support male executives facing misconduct charges - opening the company to reputational and financial damage by doing so. Previously redacted portions of the lawsuit were made available Monday, including quotes from Alphabet board committee meetings. One portion of the minutes showed that Singhal, a senior vice president of search who left the company in 2016, received two $15 million payments and a payment of between $5 million to $15 million as part of a separation agreement. The total payment could have been up to $45 million. Singhal was one subject of a New York Times investigation last year that revealed Google paid Android creator Andy Rubin $90 million in a severance package after the company found allegations of sexual assault against him were credible. Rubin has denied the claims. FILE - In this May 15, 2013, file photo, Amit Singhal, senior vice president and software engineer at Google Inc., speaks at Google I/O 2013 in San Francisco. Google paid former search executive Singhal $35 million in an exit package when the exec was reportedly forced to resign after a sexual assault investigation, according to court documents released Monday, March 11, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File) Singhal has also denied the claims against him, saying in a statement to the AP in 2017 that he had not been accused of harassment before and that he left Google on his own terms. Singhal did not immediately return a request for comment Monday. But the New York Times, citing three people briefed on the incident, reported that an employee claimed Singhal groped her at an off-campus event. A Google investigation found her claims credible, according to the Times. Previously, the Times reported Singhal was paid "millions" in an exit package. Singhal later joined Uber, but left after just five weeks. News reports at the time said he failed to tell Uber he left Google because of a sexual harassment allegation. Google acknowledged the unredacted claims in the lawsuit Monday and said in a statement that there are "serious consequences for anyone who behaves inappropriately at Google." "In recent years, we've made many changes to our workplace and taken an increasingly hard line on inappropriate conduct by people in positions of authority," the company said in an emailed statement. The company was pressured to make changes by employee action last year. After news of Rubin's massive payout, tens of thousands of Google workers around the world walked out of work in November to protest the company's handling of sexual misconduct claims. Google promised to be more forceful in handling such cases and ended mandatory arbitration in cases of sexual misconduct. But the backlash has continued. Google Walkout organizers are still fighting the company on specific demands, and high-profile engineers have quit the company. Last month, Google ended mandatory arbitration for all employee complaints in response to pressure from Walkout organizers. The lawsuit, brought by shareholder James Martin, also references board minutes and emails that reportedly show Rubin was awarded $150 million in equity compensation shortly before he left the company. The suit claims Alphabet CEO Larry Page awarded the grants, and only later received board approval. GENEVA (AP) - The inventor of the World Wide Web knows his revolutionary innovation is coming of age, and doesn't always like what he sees: state-sponsored hacking, online harassment, hate speech and misinformation among the ills of its "digital adolescence." Tim Berners-Lee issued a cri-de-coeur letter and spoke to a few reporters Monday on the eve of the 30-year anniversary of his first paper with an outline of what would become the web - a first step toward transforming countless lives and the global economy. The European Organization for Nuclear Research, known as CERN, plans to host Berners-Lee and other web aficionados on Tuesday. "We're celebrating, but we're also very concerned," Berners-Lee said. Late last year, a key threshold was crossed - roughly half the world has gotten online. Today some 2 billion websites exist. The anniversary offers "an opportunity to reflect on how far we have yet to go," Berners-Lee said, calling the "fight" for the web "one of the most important causes of our time." He is convinced the online population will continue to grow, but says accessibility issues continue to beset much of the world. In this Tuesday, June 23, 2015 file photo, English computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee, best known as the inventor of the World Wide Web, attends the Cannes Lions 2015, International Advertising Festival in Cannes, southern France. Berners-Lee implemented the first successful communication between a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) client and server via the Internet.(AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau, File) "Look at the 50 percent who are on the web, and it's not so pretty for them," he said. "They are all stepping back suddenly horrified after the Trump and Brexit elections realizing that this web thing that they thought was so cool has actually not necessarily been serving humanity very well." The anniversary is also a nod to the innovative, collaborative and open-source mindset at the Geneva-based CERN, where physicists smash particles together to unlock secrets of science and the universe. As a young English software engineer, Berners-Lee came up with the idea for hypertext-transfer protocol - the "http" that adorns web addresses - and other building blocks for the web while working at CERN in March 1989. Some trace the actual start of the web to 1990, when he released the first web browser. Berners-Lee reminisced about how he was really out to get disparate computer systems to talk to one another, and resolve the "burning frustration" over a "lack of interoperability" of documentation from disparate computing systems used at CERN in the late 1980s. Now, the hope of his World Wide Web Foundation is to enlist governments, companies, and citizens to take a greater role in shaping the web for good under principles laid out in its "Contract for the Web." Under the contract's sweeping, broad ambition, governments are supposed to make sure everyone can connect to the internet, to keep it available and to respect privacy. Companies are to make the internet affordable, respect privacy and develop technology that will put people - and the "public good" - first. Citizens are to create and to cooperate and respect "civil discourse," among other things. To Berners-Lee, the web is a "mirror of humanity" where "you will see good and bad." "The Contract for the Web recognizes that whether humanity, in fact, is constructive or not actually depends on the way you write the code of the social network," he said. Some tough regulation may be necessary in some places, in others not, Berners-Lee said. On one issue, he's insistent: "Net neutrality - strong regulation," Berners-Lee said, hammering a fist on the table. He was alluding to a principle that anyone with an internet connection should have equal access to video, music, email, photos, social networks, maps and other online material. Berners-Lee said the web has created opportunity, made lives easier and given the marginalized a voice, but "it has also created opportunity for scammers, given a voice to those who spread hatred, and made all kinds of crime easier to commit." Ultimately, his "Contract" proposal is not about "quick fixes," but a process for shifting people's relationship with the online world, he said. "It's our journey from digital adolescence to a more mature, responsible and inclusive future," he wrote. SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) - The president of North Macedonia has refused to sign proclamation decrees for 11 bills approved by parliament with the country's new name, because he objects to the name change. According to lawmakers, President Gjorge Ivanov's office informed them that he has "always acted in accordance with the solemn oath that he would protect the constitution and defend the interest of the Republic of Macedonia." Ivanov's stance is a mere delaying tactic. If parliament votes for the legislation a second time, he has no right to refuse to sign. Ivanov's second and final five-year term ends May 12. He was a fierce opponent of the name change deal signed with Greece that ended Greek objections to North Macedonia joining NATO. He argues the deal violated the country's constitution. UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Monday that there is a "deep, pervasive and relentless" pushback on women's rights and called for a fight to "push back against the pushback." Calling himself "a proud feminist," the U.N. chief said, "It is a fight we must win - together." Guterres spoke at the opening of the annual meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women, which since its establishment in 1947 has been committed to achieving "equality with men in all fields of human enterprise." The secretary-general told hundreds of ministers, delegates and representatives from civil society and business that the U.N. body could equally go by another name: "the Commission on the Status of Power - because this is the crux of the issue." While advocates for gender equality are mobilizing as never before, Guterres said, "around the world, there is a pushback on women's rights." He pointed to increased violence against women, especially defenders of human rights and women running for political office. He cited "online abuse of women who speak out," women 26 percent less likely to be employed than men, and "an ongoing uphill battle for reproductive rights." In this Friday, March 8, 2019 photo provided by the United Nations, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, third from right, executive director of UN Women, speaks at the United Nations Observance of International Women's Day at the United Nations headquarters. Mlambo-Ngcuka is calling for the revolution in technology to be used to benefit the world's poor and especially women who will not achieve gender equality without "the giant leap that 21st century innovations can bring." At left is U.N. secretary General Antonio Guterres, and at right is Geraldine Byrne-Nason, chair of the Commission on the Status of Women and Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations. (Eskinder Debebe/The United Nations via AP) "And nationalist, populist and even austerity agendas are tearing social fabric - aggravating inequality, splintering communities, curtailing women's rights and cutting vital services," Guterres said. The fight against these negative trends is a fight that must be won, he said. "So let us say it loud and clear," Guterres said. "We will not give ground. We will not turn back. We will push back against the pushback. And we will keep pushing. For wholesale change. For rapid change ... our world needs, starting by addressing the imbalance in power relations." Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, head of the U.N. women's agency, gave some examples of pushback in an Associated Press interview ahead of the commission's meeting. In negotiations on its final document, she said, some countries don't want health care facilities to provide "sexual and reproductive rights," issues that were fought over and are part of the 1995 platform for action adopted by the world's nations at the U.N. women's conference in Beijing. In addition, she said, "Some countries don't want to use the word gender. You must always say men and women, so that you do not include people who are gender non-conforming." She said these ideological issues are "the usual pushback" that are "ultimately about women's bodies." Mlambo-Ngcuka told the commission on Monday that gains for women over the past two decades "are fragile, and we are seeing them reverse." The latest data indicate 131 million girls worldwide aren't going to school and there has been a 6 percent increase in girls not attending elementary school, she said. "On average, globally, women still have only three-quarters of the legal rights of men, and more than one billion have no recourse against violence or are restricted in their education or employment - what is now being called 'economic violence,'" Mlambo-Ngcuka said. And every day, approximately 830 women - 99 percent of them in developing countries - die of preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, she said. Ireland's U.N. ambassador, Geraldine Byrne Nason, who presides over the Commission on the Status of Women, said the Beijing declaration statement that women's rights are human rights generated optimism, but "we have been disappointed." Today, she said, less than 7 percent of heads of state and government are women, and only one in four parliament members around the world are female. And, she said, "it's estimated if we don't act, it will take 217 years to reach parity between men and women in pay and employment opportunities." "So what went wrong?" Byrne Nason said. "The truth is that collectively we haven't yet succeeded in making sure that women are wherever decisions are being made." She said gender empowerment means handing over or sharing power "and we know how hard that is." "What we're trying to achieve is that men have their rights, and nothing more, and that women have their rights, and nothing less," Byrne Nelson said. She said the commission will be deliberating in the next two weeks about maternity, pensions, safe roads and transport, schools that teach girls skills to succeed, women's access to vital health care, "and the fair distribution of care and the domestic work between men and women." CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - The West Virginia Senate joined the House of Delegates on Monday in seeking a U.S. Supreme Court review of a ruling that halted impeachment proceedings involving the state Supreme Court. Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed a petition on the Senate's behalf, asking for examination of an October ruling by a temporary panel of state Supreme Court justices. The state constitution gives the legislature the sole power of impeachment. The Senate petition argues the temporary panel inappropriately expanded the state judiciary's authority. The acting justices' decision "renders impeachment's promise of accountability hollow by setting the judiciary up as its own judge, and impermissibly upsets the balance of powers between what should and must be co-equal branches," the petition said. The House requested a similar review in January. Neither review addressed whether a specific justice should be removed or seeks to restart impeachment proceedings. Justices Margaret Workman, Robin Davis, Allen Loughry and Justice Beth Walker were impeached in August over questions involving lavish office renovations that evolved into accusations of corruption, incompetence and neglect of duty. Some of the justices were accused of abusing their authority by failing to rein in excessive spending. Walker was cleared of an impeachment charge at her Senate trial in October. A week later the temporary panel of justices ruled that the impeachment efforts were a violation of the separation-of-powers doctrine and that the Legislature lacked jurisdiction to pursue the trials. Workman remains on the Supreme Court. Walker is now chief justice. Davis retired after the House approved impeachment charges against her. Loughry resigned after being convicted of felony charges in federal court for using his job for his own benefit and lying to investigators. He was sentenced last month to two years in prison. Justice Menis Ketchum retired in July before the House impeachment hearings. He pleaded guilty in federal court to a felony fraud count related to his personal use of a state vehicle and gas fuel card and was sentenced to probation. Judicial elections in West Virginia became nonpartisan in 2016, but the court's impeachment scandal stirred political attacks. Some Democrats argued the court's shakeup was a power grab by Republicans. Two Republican former lawmakers were appointed in the place of Ketchum and Davis and later won election to complete their terms. Republican Gov. Jim Justice appointed a lifelong friend to replace Loughry until a 2020 special election. State lawmakers and others have said public trust in the state's court system was broken by the actions of Loughry and others. Voters in November approved a ballot measure allowing the GOP-led Legislature to decide each year whether to reduce the courts' budget. BEIJING (AP) - The Latest on Chinese tech giant Huawei's tensions with Washington (all times local): 5:45 a.m. Tuesday The United States is warning Germany that allowing untrustworthy companies to supply equipment for its 5G networks could jeopardize sharing of sensitive information among allies. The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that the U.S. ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, sent a letter to German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier specifically naming Chinese tech firm Huawei. Washington has been trying to dissuade its allies from allowing Huawei to provide equipment for fifth-generation cell networks, claiming it could facilitate digital espionage by the Chinese government. U.S. embassy spokesman Joseph Giordono-Scholz declined to comment on the contents of the letter, but said the U.S. position is that if allies use "untrusted vendors" this could raise questions about the confidentiality of sensitive communications and "jeopardize nimble cooperation and some sharing of information" in future. ___ 11:30 a.m. Monday Chinese tech giant Huawei's tensions with Washington, which says the telecom equipment maker is a security risk, stretch across four continents from courtrooms to corporate boardrooms to Canadian canola fields. In the latest twist, Huawei Technologies Ltd. is asking a court in Texas to strike down a legal ban on the government using its equipment or dealing with any contractor that does. Washington is trying to persuade European and other allies to shun the biggest maker of network technology as their phone carriers invest billions of dollars in upgrading to next-generation communications. The company denies accusations it might facilitate Chinese spying or is controlled by the ruling Communist Party. Chinese authorities say the United States is exaggerating security concerns to block a potential competitor. Meanwhile, U.S. prosecutors are trying to extradite Huawei's chief financial officer from Canada to face charges she lied to banks about dealings with Iran. . WASHINGTON (AP) - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is setting a high bar for impeachment of President Donald Trump, saying he is "just not worth it" even as some on her left flank clamor to start proceedings. Pelosi said in an interview with The Washington Post that "I'm not for impeachment" of Trump. "Unless there's something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don't think we should go down that path, because it divides the country," she said. While she has made similar comments before, Pelosi is making clear to her caucus and to voters that Democrats will not move forward quickly with trying to remove Trump from office. And it's a departure from her previous comments that Democrats are waiting on special counsel Robert Mueller to lay out findings from his Russia investigation before considering impeachment. That thinking among Democrats has shifted, slightly, in part because of the possibility that Mueller's report will not be decisive and because his investigation is more narrowly focused. Instead, House Democrats are pursuing their own broad, high-profile investigations that will keep the focus on Trump's business dealings and relationship with Russia, exerting congressional oversight without having to broach the I-word. Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings, one of the lawmakers leading those investigations, said he agrees with Pelosi and Congress needs "to do our homework." He said impeachment "has to be a bipartisan effort, and right now it's not there." In this March 8, 2019, photo, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks at the Economic Club of Washington in Washington. Pelosi is setting a high bar for impeachment of President Donald Trump, saying he is "just not worth it" even as some on her left flank clamor to start proceedings (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) "I get the impression this matter will only be resolved at the polls," Cummings said. Still, Pelosi's comments are certain to stoke a stubborn tension with those who believe impeachment proceedings should have begun on day one of the new Congress. Some new freshman Democrats who hail from solidly liberal districts haven't shied away from the subject - Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib used a vulgarity in calling for Trump's impeachment the day she was sworn in. Billionaire activist Tom Steyer, who is bankrolling a campaign pushing for Trump's impeachment, shot back at Pelosi on Monday: "Speaker Pelosi thinks 'he's just not worth it?' Well, is defending our legal system 'worth it?' Is holding the president accountable for his crimes and cover-ups 'worth it?' Is doing what's right 'worth it?' Or shall America just stop fighting for our principles and do what's politically convenient." Neil Sroka of the liberal advocacy group Democracy for America said Pelosi's comments were "a little like an oncologist taking chemotherapy off the table before she's even got your test results back." Other lawmakers who have called for impeachment looked at Pelosi's comments more practically. Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., who filed articles of impeachment against Trump on the first day of the new Congress in January, acknowledged that there is not yet public support for impeachment, but noted that Pelosi "didn't say 'I am against it if the public is clamoring for it.'" Sherman said that the multiple Democratic investigations of Trump might be a substitute for impeachment, "it's also possible it will be a prelude." Republicans alternately praised Pelosi and were skeptical. White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said "I agree" in response to Pelosi's words. Sanders added of impeachment, "I don't think it should have ever been on the table." House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy said it was a "smart thing for her to say," but Georgia Rep. Doug Collins, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, said he doesn't think it's "going to fly" with some of Pelosi's members. "I do believe what Speaker Pelosi understands is that what they're wanting to do is going to require far more than what they have now, so I think they are hedging their bet on it," Collins said. Pelosi has long resisted calls to impeach the president, saying it's a "divisive" issue that should only be broached with "great care." She refused calls when she first held the speaker's gavel, in 2007, to start impeachment proceedings against George W. Bush. Having been a member of Congress during President Bill Clinton's impeachment, she saw the way the public turned on Republicans and helped Clinton win a second term. Heading into the midterm elections, she discouraged candidates from talking up impeachment, preferring to stick to the kitchen table issues that she believes most resonate with voters. Pelosi has often said the House should not pursue impeachment for political reasons, but it shouldn't hold back for political reasons, either. Rather, she says, the investigations need to take their course and impeachment, if warranted, will be clear. Freshman Democrats who are from more moderate districts and will have to win re-election again in two years have been fully supportive of Pelosi's caution. "When we have something that's very concrete, and we have something that is compelling enough to get a strong majority of Americans, then we'll do it," said Rep. Katie Hill, D-Calif. "But if it's going to be a political disaster for us, then we're not going to do it." ___ Associated Press writer Zeke Miller contributed to this report. WASHINGTON (AP) - The executive board of the International Monetary Fund on Monday approved a $4.2 billion fund to support Ecuador over the next three years. The arrangement was reached last month at staff level and required a final approval by the board. It allows an immediate disbursement of $652 million. Ecuador's finance minister, Richard Espinosa, said the agreement "rebuilds confidence so local and foreign investors can expand their investments in the country." The IMF has said the agreement is part of a broader effort by the international community that totals $10 billion and includes financial support of almost $6 billion over the next three years from the Development Bank of Latin America, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Latin American Reserve Fund and the World Bank. "The aim is to reduce debt-to-GDP ratio through a combination of a wage bill realignment, a careful and gradual optimization of fuel subsidies, a reprioritization of capital and goods and services spending, and a tax reform," IMF managing director Christine Lagarde said after the board discussion. Ecuador's government faces a fiscal deficit of $10 billion, which has caused delays in paying government employees and suppliers. Lagarde said that protecting the poor is another objective of the program, and that work is underway to increase benefits under Ecuador's social protection programs and to improve the targeting of those programs. The agreement ends an estrangement that began with the South American nation in 2007, when then President Rafael Correa kicked out the IMF mission shortly after taking office. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The Arkansas Senate on Monday approved a measure banning most abortions 18 weeks into a pregnancy, moving the state closer toward enacting one of the strictest prohibitions in the country. The Senate approved the House-backed measure by 28-6. It was amended last week to add exemptions for rape and incest. The proposal faces one last vote in the House before heading to Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson's desk. A spokesman says Hutchinson supports the measure. Arkansas already bans most abortions 20 weeks into a woman's pregnancy. The proposal could be the country's strictest abortion ban if enacted, though bills banning abortions earlier are advancing in several other state legislatures. "This is a significant bill because it does push the envelope further in the protection of unborn children," Republican Sen. Jason Rapert, who co-sponsored the measure, said after the vote. The measure is among several abortion restrictions working their way through the majority-Republican Legislature. Hutchinson last month signed into law a bill that would ban most abortions in the state if the U.S. Supreme Court overturned its landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing the procedure nationwide. Other restrictions include a measure the Senate approved last month requiring doctors to give women undergoing drug-induced abortions written notice that the procedure can be halted after the first of the two pills are taken - a claim that medical groups say isn't backed up by science. Other states have enacted measures that ban abortion earlier than Arkansas' proposed 18-week ban, but those restrictions have been blocked by courts. Arkansas lawmakers in 2013 approved a measure banning abortions at 12 weeks, but that prohibition was later struck down by federal courts. The state's 20-week ban was also enacted in 2013 and has not been challenged in court, though similar prohibitions in two other states have been struck down. A similar 18-week ban is being considered in Utah. An attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, which has challenged other abortion restrictions in the state, said it was prepared to challenge the 18-week ban if it becomes law. "It's ultimately about driving legal abortion from the state and making women once again - as it was before Roe v Wade - subject themselves to unsafe and dangerous efforts to end their pregnancy," attorney Bettina Brownstein said. Three Democrats joined 25 Republicans to vote for the ban, with the chamber's other six Democrats voting against the bill. ___ Follow Andrew DeMillo on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ademillo TORONTO (AP) - Six members of a Canadian family heading for a safari vacation were among the 18 Canadians killed in the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines passenger jet. The Peel District School Board said Monday that 14-year-old Ashka and 13-year-old Anushka Dixit were with their parents and grandparents on the plane. The 37-year-old mother Kosha Vaidya, 45-year-old father Prerit Dixit, 71-year-old grandfather Pannagesh Vaidya and 63-year-old grandmother Hansini Vaidya also died. The mother's brother, Manant Vaidya, says the family vacation to Kenya was supposed to be first visit for his sister to her birthplace in decades. He says the teenage girls were excited about plans to go on a safari. He says they wanted to see all the animals without cages. An Alabama man is charged with kidnapping by pretending to be an Uber driver to pick up a university student who was found unconscious in the back seat of his car, police said Monday. Investigators found multiple images on the driver's cellphone of at least one other college-aged woman who appeared unconscious in the vehicle, said Capt. Gary Hood, commander of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit. Tommy Beard, 61, was released on bond Friday on a first-degree kidnapping charge, court records show. The records don't list an attorney for him, and calls to a phone number listed for him in those records went unanswered. "It's alarming, absolutely," Hood said. "He had a fake Uber sign that he bought online, and he admitted that he wasn't an Uber driver," Hood added. Various Uber decals and lights for vehicles - many featuring the Uber logo - were available Monday on Amazon.com. A representative for Amazon said late Monday she was looking into the matter. Uber LED signs were also available Monday through Walmart.com. Walmart representatives didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. Hood said Beard picked up the 22-year-old woman near the University of Alabama campus and drove her about 7 miles (11 kilometers) away. A deputy noticed a car alongside the road and stopped to investigate, which led to his arrest March 2. Court records say the woman remembers being at a bar in Tuscaloosa but nothing else until the deputy woke her up. A loaded handgun was found in Beard's vehicle, but he had a legal permit for it, Hood said. As he was taken to jail, Beard wore a T-shirt that said, "So when's this 'old enough to know better' supposed to kick in?" video from The Tuscaloosa News shows. Hood advises Uber users to arrange their rides through the company's app, since it has certain safety features built-in. Users are given the driver's name and a description of the vehicle before they get inside, for instance. WASHINGTON (AP) - California's two Democratic senators are asking the Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee to postpone a hearing on a Los Angeles lawyer nominated as a federal appeals court judge, saying the nominee hadn't turned over his controversial writings for review. Sens. Kamala Harris and Dianne Feinstein asked Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham not to move forward with a hearing Wednesday on Kenneth Lee's nomination to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. A spokeswoman for the committee said the hearing will proceed as scheduled. Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Judiciary panel, said in a letter with Harris on Monday that Lee repeatedly failed to provide dozens of controversial writings, including on voting rights, race and civil rights. The senators said Lee's refusal to turn over the documents obstructs the Senate's vetting process for judicial nominees and suggests he "may continue to hold extreme and controversial views" outside the judicial mainstream. Lee's lack of cooperation is "a breach of the committee's standards and processes - it is not a partisan issue," the senators wrote. Among the controversial writings Lee failed to disclose is one titled "Ebonics at Cornell," in which Lee defended students who translated Africana Studies course descriptions into Ebonics, a variation of English that includes slang and shortened words and is considered by some as racially offensive. For example, the students translated "History and Politics of Racism and Segregation" to "Dis Gotsa Do Wif Racism and Segregation in America and Souf Africa." In the article, Lee wrote: "If the Oakland School Board provides politically correct, feel-good nonsense to poor urban blacks, Cornell University does the same for middle-class and affluent blacks." In the past month, Lee submitted to the committee more than 75 articles that he failed to submit to in-state nominating commissions, the senators wrote. "A nominee for a lifetime appointment to the federal bench must be forthcoming and demonstrate respect for the prerogatives of the United States. It is clear that Mr. Lee's production of materials to the committee has not been "true and accurate,' " they added. Harris and Feinstein did not sign off on Lee or two other White House nominees for open California seats on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, a breach of a longtime Senate custom that gives lawmakers a chance to weigh in on a judicial nominee from their home state by submitting a blue-colored form called the "blue slip." A positive blue slip signals the Senate can move forward with the nomination process. President Donald Trump and the GOP-controlled Senate have ignored the blue-slip tradition, most recently by approving Seattle attorney Eric Miller for a 9th Circuit seat despite opposition from his home-state senators, both Democrats. The San Francisco-based 9th Circuit is the nation's largest federal appeals court and hears cases from nine Western states. Republicans have accused the court of having a liberal slant and have moved to break it up - an effort supported by Trump. ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A Minnesota Senate committee voted Monday to kill a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in the state, making it unlikely that the legislation will pass this year. The GOP-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee voted 6-3 along party lines to reject the bill after defeating a motion to keep the discussion going by sending it to another committee without a recommendation one way or the other. The panel also rejected forming a task force to conduct a comprehensive study and come back with recommendations on marijuana-related issues. Ten states and the District of Columbia allow recreational marijuana. Voters last November made Michigan the first Midwestern state to legalize recreational marijuana. Minnesota's new Democratic governor, Tim Walz, has said he would sign the bill if it reached his desk. The Minnesota Senate measure would have set up a regulatory system for cultivating, manufacturing, distributing and retail sales of recreational marijuana in Minnesota in 2022. The bill also would have allowed people previously convicted of marijuana crimes to get their records expunged. Under the bill, it would remain illegal for marijuana to be sold to - or used by - people younger than 21. Opponents of legalizing recreational marijuana warn about impaired driving and the effect of legalizing on teen use of marijuana. Plymouth Police Chief Mike Goldstein testified against the bill. "Based on the vetted data from states that have legalized the recreational use of marijuana, I cannot fathom how this is a good idea for Minnesota," Goldstein said. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Melisa Franzen, a Democrat from Edina, conceded after the committee vote that her bill probably is dead. Franzen said she was disappointed the committee did not at least create a task force, Minnesota Public Radio News reported. Minnesota allows for medical marijuana under strict rules but does not permit recreational use. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The Arkansas Senate voted Monday to expand the secrecy surrounding the state's lethal injection drug supply, despite complaints that the proposal will give officials broad powers to withhold information about the execution process. The Senate voted 25-9 for the bill that prohibits the state from releasing information that would directly or indirectly identify the supplier and manufacturer of its execution drugs. Arkansas doesn't have any executions scheduled, and the state's supply of lethal injection drugs has expired. Prison officials have said they're not seeking any more drugs until the law is expanded to keep the drugmakers' identities secret. The measure also makes it a felony to recklessly disclose the details about the drug's supplier or manufacturer, a move supporters said was needed to ensure the drugs' source remains confidential. "We want to make it so if someone is intent, there's a severe consequence," Republican Sen. Bart Hester, the bills' sponsor, said on the floor. The measure is in response to state Supreme Court rulings in late 2017 and last year that the state must release the package insert and labels for its execution drugs. Justices said the 2015 law did not specifically prevent the drugmakers from being identified. The bill now heads to the House. Republican Attorney General Leslie Rutledge worked on the legislation, and GOP Gov. Asa Hutchinson has said he supports the measure. The proposal is opposed by the Arkansas Press Association and is among several limits on the state's public records law that are being considered. The proposal advanced nearly two years after Arkansas put four inmates to death over an eight-day period under a plan that had originally called for executing eight inmates before the state's supply of midazolam expired. The bill passed on a party-line vote with all nine Democrats voting against the measure. Opponents of the bill said the state shouldn't be afraid of disclosing details about its execution drugs. "It doesn't make sense. We should go with transparency," Democratic Sen. Linda Chesterfield said. "If you want to do it, you ought to not be ashamed of what you're doing." ___ Follow Andrew DeMillo on Twitter at www CHICAGO (AP) - A police accountability office and the Chicago police superintendent have agreed to doubling the 90-day suspension that had been suggested for a Chicago police sergeant found to have unjustifiably shot an unarmed autistic 18-year-old. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability in September completed its investigation of the Aug. 13, 2017 shooting of Ricardo "Ricky" Hayes, then 18, by off-duty Sgt. Khalil Muhammad. The office concluded Muhammad acted in an "objectively unreasonable" fashion. However, since then agency officials consulted with police Superintendent Eddie Johnson and agreed that Muhammad's punishment should be doubled to six months without pay, COPA spokesman Ephraim Eaddy said after the original decision was revealed Monday. No charges have been filed before the Chicago Police Board, which would decide Muhammad's punishment. Gabriel Hardy, attorney for Hayes, who survived the shooting, told the Chicago Tribune the recommendation of COPA is "incredibly troubling." Muhammad could not be reached for comment Monday. In a video of the shooting, Hayes can be seen running along the sidewalk then stopping. Muhammed pulled up alongside, with parked cars between them. Hayes took a few steps toward him and Muhammed shot him in the arm and chest. Hayes survived the shooting. "Deadly force was not reasonably necessary because Sergeant Muhammad could have simply driven away from the potential threat," the Tribune reports COPA concluded. In a federal lawsuit filed on Hayes' behalf over the shooting, Muhammad has denied any wrongdoing, court records show. He was placed indefinitely on paid desk duty after the shooting. Chicago police Sgt. Isaac Lambert was assigned to investigate the shooting. Lambert alleges in a lawsuit filed last week he was retaliated against by his bosses for refusing to clear Muhammad of culpability in the shooting. "I don't want this guy on the street with a gun, because he shot at Ricardo Hayes for no reason," said Torreya Hamilton, the attorney for Lambert. At the time of the shooting, police officials described the incident as an armed confrontation. An audio file of the sergeant's call to 911 has also been released. "The guy, like, he was about to pull a gun. Walked up to the car, and I had to shoot," Muhammad told a Chicago Fire Department dispatcher. Muhammad told investigators in his initial interview more than a month after the incident that he identified himself as a police officer and asked the person what he was doing but that the male said something and ran off. After making a U-turn, Muhammad said he again announced his office to the male and said, "Let me see your hands," the COPA report said. Muhammad said he feared for his life and fired his semi-automatic pistol twice. Johnson later said Hayes had no weapon. Fire Department personnel who responded to the scene told COPA investigators Hayes kept repeating he didn't know why he was shot because he was just reaching for his phone. ___ Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com GUATEMALA CITY (AP) - An English tourist has been found dead nearly a week after she went missing near a Guatemala highland lake popular with travelers, authorities in the Central American nation said Monday. Police Spokesman Pablo Castillo said the body of Catherine Shaw, 23, of Witney, England, was discovered at a mountain overlook called Nariz del Indio, or Indian Nose. The area is wooded and uninhabited, and the body was found among brush without clothes and in a state of decomposition. An investigation has been opened. Shaw disappeared early Thursday in San Jan La Laguna, a town on the shores of Lake Atitlan. The woman's father had arrived in Guatemala to assist the search for Shaw, the British Embassy confirmed, adding that it was supporting the family and authorities. SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A Utah teacher on administrative leave apologized Monday for making 9-year-old Catholic student William McLeod wash off the Ash Wednesday cross from his forehead, saying it was a misunderstanding. Fourth-grade teacher Moana Patterson said Monday she thought the cross was dirt, and she gave William a wet wipe to clean off not knowing it was a religious symbol. She said that she hopes everyone can move forward and build understanding together. Patterson was surrounded by parents and students who support her at a news conference held at Utah state capitol in Salt Lake City. "My entire life has been centered around respecting diversity," Patterson said. "I would never intentionally disrespect any religion or any sacred symbol." The incident occurred last week at Valley View Elementary School in Bountiful, Utah. "This is something that happens when people aren't necessarily exposed to other cultures other religions. It's not always necessarily mean spirited," said Republican Utah Sen. Todd Weiler, who represents the area. Patterson left the news conference without taking questions after she read from a prepared statement. It's unknown if she has a religious affiliation. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormon church, account for about two-thirds of Utah residents. The faith doesn't observe Ash Wednesday. Valley View Elementary School teacher Moana Patterson listens as Tiffany Ivens-Spence speaks at a news conference by parents and students to show support for Patterson, in Salt Lake City, Monday, March 11, 2019. Ivens-Spence is the parent of a student at the school. Patterson, who is on administrative leave, apologized Monday for making 9-year-old Catholic student William McLeod wash off the Ash Wednesday cross from his forehead the week before, saying it was a misunderstanding. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) Karen Fisher, William's grandmother, said she's not quite ready to accept the apology because Patterson pressed the boy to remove the symbol even after he explained its significance twice. "It's kind of hard to swallow, a little, for me," she said. Fisher doesn't want Patterson to lose her job or for any harm to come to her, but said a break is warranted to ensure she and others in the community are aware of other faith traditions. "There needs to be training for all religions, all beliefs," she said. In Utah, Catholics are the minority. The 330,000 Catholics in the state account for about 10 percent of the population, said Jean Hill at the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City. William had just returned to the school after attending Catholic mass when Patterson called the ash marking "inappropriate" and gave him a hand wipe to clean it off in front of his classmates, Fisher said. Patterson was called into a meeting with the principal and the school board about the incident and called Fisher to apologize, Davis School District spokesman Chris Williams said last week. The Davis School District opened an investigation into Patterson's action and placed her on paid administrative leave. Williams said there were no updates about the ongoing investigation about Patterson's actions. Tiffany Ivan Spence, who said she's a parent of one of William's classmates, said she also thought the cross on the boy's forehead was dirt. She said it was a misunderstanding and not an attack against religion. "He came into my home and to me it looked just like a smudge," Ivan Spence said. "When I first saw Will, my instinct was to also hand him a wipe. It would have been common sense for any person who cares about children to help them if they didn't know they had that on their head." This April 1, 2018 photo provided by Karen Fisher shows fourth-grader William McLeod at his home in Bountiful, Utah. A teacher in the predominantly Mormon state was placed on administrative leave Thursday, March 7, 2019 after she forced McLeod, a Catholic student to wash off the Ash Wednesday cross from his forehead. (Karen Fisher via AP) Valley View Elementary School teacher Moana Patterson, back right, listens as Tiffany Ivens-Spence speaks at a news conference by parents and students to show support for Patterson, in Salt Lake City, Monday, March 11, 2019. Ivens-Spence is the parent of a student at the school. Patterson, who is on administrative leave, apologized Monday for making 9-year-old Catholic student William McLeod wash off the Ash Wednesday cross from his forehead the week before, saying it was a misunderstanding. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) Valley View Elementary School teacher Moana Patterson listens as Tiffany Ivens-Spence speaks at a news conference by parents and students to show support for Patterson, in Salt Lake City, Monday, March 11, 2019. Ivens-Spence is the parent of a student at the school. Patterson, who is on administrative leave, apologized Monday for making 9-year-old Catholic student William McLeod wash off the Ash Wednesday cross from his forehead the week before, saying it was a misunderstanding. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) Valley View Elementary School teacher Moana Patterson listens as parent Kimberly Faddden speaks at a news conference by parents and students to show support for Patterson, in Salt Lake City, Monday, March 11, 2019. Patterson, who is on administrative leave, apologized Monday for making 9-year-old Catholic student William McLeod wash off the Ash Wednesday cross from his forehead the week before, saying it was a misunderstanding. (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP) ALHAMBRA, Calif. (AP) - The hilltop Los Angeles-area mansion where music producer Phil Spector killed actress Lana Clarkson in 2003 is for sale at $5.5 million. The Daily News reported Sunday that the walled French-style chateau known as "Pyrenees Castle" sits on 2.5 acres (1 hectare) in Alhambra. Spector is serving a sentence of 19 years to life after his second-degree murder conviction in Clarkson's death. The 40-year-old actress - star of the 1985 cult film "Barbarian Queen" - was found shot to death in the foyer of the 8,700-square-foot (808-square-meter), nine-bedroom home. Jurors were taken to the castle to inspect the scene of the crime during two trials. The first ended in a mistrial. The 79-year-old Spector is known for his "Wall of Sound" recording technique developed in the 1960s. ___ FILE - This Aug. 9, 2007 file photo shows music producer Phil Spector's mansion on Grand View Drive in Alhambra, Calif. The hilltop Los Angeles-area mansion where Spector killed actress Lana Clarkson in 2003 is for sale at $5.5 million. The chateau known as "Pyrenees Castle" sits on 2.5 acres (1 hectare) in Alhambra. Spector is serving 19 years to life after his murder conviction in Clarkson's death, found shot to death in the foyer of the 8,700-square-foot (808-square-meter) home. (AP Photo/Richard Hartog, Pool, File) Information from: (Los Angeles) Daily News, http://www.dailynews.com WASHINGTON (AP) - Former Vice President Dick Cheney criticized President Donald Trump's foreign policy, even comparing it with that of former President Barack Obama, in a striking rebuke of the president by a member of his own party. Speaking with Vice President Mike Pence this weekend at a closed-door retreat hosted by the American Enterprise Institute in Sea Island, Georgia, Cheney warned that American allies were questioning the dependability of the U.S. as a result of the Trump's public statements. Cheney, known for his hawkish foreign policy views, specifically highlighted Trump's public complaints about the role of NATO and the surprise announcement of the withdrawal of troops from Syria. Cheney's remarks, which were first reported Monday by The Washington Post, were confirmed by a person in the room. The person requested anonymity because of the conference's off-the-record nature. Cheney also raised alarm over news reports that Trump does not spend sufficient time with his intelligence briefers as well as over frequent staff churn in key national security postings. Cheney also suggested repeatedly that Trump's transactional view of foreign policy - including a focus on what allies contribute to their defense - was misguided. Pence joked about the absence of "softball" questions before the annual gathering of conservative thinkers, politicians and business leaders. He also sought to counter some of Cheney's criticisms about Trump's handling of North Korea and Syria. A spokesperson for Pence did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. Since leaving office, Cheney has largely avoided the public spotlight. While his remarks were delivered in private, they reveal how deeply some GOP stalwarts oppose many of Trump's foreign policy moves. The president's brash "America First" pronouncements have been met with concern and condemnation from many traditional Republicans. FILE - In this Dec. 3, 2018, file photo, former Vice President Dick Cheney looks behind former Secretary of State James Baker as he stands next to former Vice President Dan Quayle, back, during memorial ceremonies for former President George H.W. Bush at the Capitol in Washington. Cheney is criticizing President Donald Trump's foreign policy, even comparing it to that of former President Barack Obama. (Jonathan Ernst/Pool Photo via AP) Earlier this year, congressional Republicans joined with Democrats to express disapproval of Trump's planned moves to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria and Afghanistan. LOS ANGELES (AP) - Hal Blaine, the Hall of Fame session drummer and virtual one-man soundtrack of the 1960s and '70s who played on the songs of Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and the Beach Boys and laid down one of music's most memorable opening riffs on the Ronettes' "Be My Baby," died Monday. Blaine died of natural causes at his home in Palm Desert, California, his son-in-law, Andy Johnson, told The Associated Press. He was 90. On hearing of his death, the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson called him "the greatest drummer ever." The winner of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award last year, Blaine's name was known by few outside the music industry, even in his prime. But just about anyone with a turntable, radio or TV heard his drumming on songs that included Presley's "Return to Sender," the Byrds' "Mr. Tambourine Man," Barbra Streisand's "The Way We Were," the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations," dozens of hits produced by Phil Spector, and the theme songs to "Batman," ''The Partridge Family" and dozens of other shows." "Hal Blaine was such a great musician and friend that I can't put it into words," Wilson said in a tweet that included an old photo of him and Blaine sitting at the piano. "Hal taught me a lot, and he had so much to do with our success - he was the greatest drummer ever." FILE - In this June 25, 2008, file photo, Don Randi, from left, Glen Campbell and Hal Blaine, representing session musicians known as The Wrecking Crew, hold up their hands after placing them in the cement following the induction ceremony for Hollywood's RockWalk in Los Angeles. Drummer Blaine, who played on many of the biggest hits in music history, has died. Blaine's son-in-law Andy Johnson tells The Associated Press that Blaine died of natural causes Monday, March 11, 2019, at his home in Palm Desert, California. He was 90. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File) As a member of the Los Angeles-based studio band "The Wrecking Crew," which also featured keyboard player Leon Russell, bassist Carol Kaye and guitarist Tommy Tedesco, Blaine forged a hard-earned virtuosity and versatility that enabled him to adapt quickly to a wide range of popular music. According to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, he played on 40 No. 1 hits, 150 top 10 songs. "Trust me, you loved his work," comedian J. Elvis Weinstein tweeted Monday. Blaine also played on eight songs that won Grammys for record of the year, including Sinatra's "Strangers In the Night" and Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water." He may be the only drummer to back Presley, Sinatra and John Lennon. "Godspeed Old Friend," Sinatra's daughter Nancy Sinatra said alongside an Instagram picture she posted of Blaine backing her up as she sang. Some accounts have Blaine playing on 35,000 songs, but he believed that around 6,000 was more accurate, still making him a strong contender for the most recorded drummer in history. In 2000, he was inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame. Out of so many notable sessions, his signature moment was the attention-grabbing "on the four" solo - Bum-ba-bum-BOOM - that launched the classic "Be My Baby," a hit for the Ronettes in 1963 that helped define Spector's overpowering "Wall of Sound" productions. The song remained a radio staple for decades and got new life in the '70s when it was used to open Martin Scorcese's "Mean Streets" and again in the '80s when it was featured in "Dirty Dancing." Few drum parts have been so widely imitated, from Billy Joel's "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" to The Jesus and Mary Chain's "Just Like Honey." In a 2005 interview with Modern Drummer magazine, Blaine said that he wasn't quite sure how he came up with the solo. To the best of his memory, he accidentally missed a beat while the song was being recorded and improvised by only playing the beat on the fourth note. "And I continued to do that," he recalled. "Phil might have said, 'Do that again.' Somebody loved it, in any event. It's just one of those things that sometimes happens." Blaine nicknamed himself and his peers "The Wrecking Crew," because they were seen by their more buttoned-down elders as destructive to the industry - an assertion that Kaye and others disputed. Many members of The Wrecking Crew worked nonstop for 20 years, sometimes as many as eight sessions a day, a pace that led to several marriages and divorces for Blaine. As more bands played on their own records and electronic drums arose, business dropped off in the 1980s even as younger musicians, such as Max Weinberg of the E Street Band, cited his influence. His memoir, "Hal Blaine & The Wrecking Crew," came out in 1990 and he continued to appear at symposiums and workshops into his 80s. Blaine also was seen in the 2008 documentary "The Wrecking Crew" and was played by Johnny Sneed in the Wilson biopic "Love & Mercy." Many younger drummers counted him as a friend and mentor. "Hal was funny, sweet, and genuine," Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz, drummer for the "Weird Al" Yankovic Band, said in email to the AP. "He made you feel like you were the most important person in the room. His inspiration and influence to drummers everywhere is immeasurable. Hal was a treasure." The son of Jewish immigrants, Blaine was born Harold Simon Belsky in Holyoke, Massachusetts. By age 8, he was already drumming, using a pair of dowels he removed from a seat in the living room. He was a professional by age 20 and within a few years switched from jazz to rock. The use of session musicians became a scandal in the late 1960s when it was discovered that the Monkees, the million-selling TV foursome, did not play on their songs. Blaine, who, of course, drummed for the Monkees, knew that many top groups depended on him and his peers. He even became friendly with some of the players he sat in for, including Wilson's brother Dennis Wilson. "He was thrilled that I was making their records because while I was making Beach Boy records, he was out surfing or riding his motorcycle," Blaine told Modern Drummer. Blaine told the magazine that Bruce Gary, who played drums in the Knack, was once asked who his favorite drummer was. "He was never so disappointed in his life to find out that a dozen of his favorite drummers were me." Blaine is survived by his daughter Michelle Blaine, and seven grandchildren. ___ Italie reported from New York. PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem on Monday vetoed a bill to legalize industrial hemp production in the state, saying it would make law enforcement's job more difficult and could be a first step to eventually legalizing recreational marijuana. Noem had previously opposed legalizing hemp this year but had not threatened a veto. She raised a host of objections to the bill as it was being drafted. "There is no question in my mind that normalizing hemp, like legalizing medical marijuana, is part of a larger strategy to undermine enforcement of the drug laws and make legalized marijuana inevitable," Noem said in a statement along with her veto. Earlier Monday, the House voted overwhelmingly for the bill and sent it to her. But a 21-14 vote in the Senate fell short of the two-thirds support it would need to override her veto. At least 41 states have enacted hemp growing and production programs, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The bill's main sponsor, Democratic Rep. Oren Lesmeister, has said it would allow South Dakota farmers and ranchers to keep up with the demand and the expansion of the hemp industry. FILE - In this Jan. 8, 2019 file photo, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem gives her first State of the State address in Pierre, S.D. Noem says she's proposing legislation ahead of the Keystone XL oil pipeline's construction that would create a legal avenue to pursue out-of-state money that funds protests aimed at slowing construction. The Republican governor said Monday, March 4, 2019 that she wants to make sure Keystone XL and future pipelines are built safely and efficiently while shielding the state and counties from major law enforcement costs if there are riots. (AP Photo/James Nord, File) Noem said she was worried that drug detection dogs flag hemp like marijuana and that the plants look alike. Her administration has said allowing hemp cultivation would come with a multi-million dollar price tag and lead to another push to legalize marijuana in South Dakota. Wyoming Republican state Rep. Bunky Loucks, who sponsored a hemp legalization bill signed recently there, told the Rapid City Journal that a veto from Noem would mean less competition for the Wyoming hemp industry. "Tell her I hope she vetoes it, because that would be good for Wyoming," he said. Lesmeister said the Senate added "close to 90 percent" of a suggested amendment from the governor's office. The alterations include broader background check requirements, giving more rulemaking authority to state agencies and restricting who could transport industrial hemp. The changes also require hemp to be grown outdoors. The 2018 federal farm bill legalized cultivation of industrial hemp nationally. Supporters contend planting hemp wouldn't even happen until 2020 under the South Dakota proposal, which defines industrial hemp as containing no more than 0.3 percent THC. UNITED NATIONS (AP) - U.N. experts say they are investigating possible violations of United Nations sanctions on North Korea in about 20 countries, from alleged clandestine nuclear procurement in China to arms brokering in Syria and military cooperation with Iran, Libya and Sudan. The expert panel's 66-page report to the Security Council, obtained Monday by The Associated Press, also detailed the appearance in North Korea of a Rolls-Royce Phantom, Mercedes-Benz limousines and Lexus LX 570 all-wheel drive luxury vehicles in violation of a ban on luxury goods. And it noted a trend in North Korea's evasion of financial sanctions "of using cyberattacks to illegally force the transfer of funds from financial institutions and cryptocurrency exchanges." The report's executive summary, which was obtained in early February, said North Korea's nuclear and missile programs "remain intact" and its leaders are dispersing missile assembly and testing facilities to prevent "decapitation" strikes. The full report said "the Yongbyon nuclear complex remained active," noting that satellite imagery through November showed excavation of water channels and construction of a new building near the reactors' water discharge facilities. Satellite imagery also "indicates possible operation of the radiochemical laboratory and associated steam plant," it said. The panel said it continues monitoring uranium concentration plants and mining sites in the country. This satellite image captured on Feb. 22, 2019 and provided by DigitalGlobe, shows Sanumdong research center on the outskirts of Pyongyang, North Korea. South Korea's military said it is carefully monitoring North Korean nuclear and missile facilities after the country's spy agency told lawmakers that new activity was detected at a research center where the North is believed to build long-range missiles targeting the U.S. mainland. (DigitalGlobe, a Maxar company, via AP) It also has "surveyed, confirmed and reported ballistic missile activity sites and found evidence of a consistent trend" by North Korea "to disperse its assembly, storage and testing locations," the report said. In addition to using civilian facilities, the panel said North Korea is using "previously idle or sprawling military-industrial sites as launch locations" - some close to, and some up to 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the assembly or storage sites. As examples of this trend, it cited the test launch of Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missiles from the Panghyon aircraft factory on July 4, 2017, and a launch from Mupyong-ni 24 days after that. It said Pyongyang's Sunan International Airport, the country's largest civil-military airfield, was used to launch Hwasong-12 missiles on Aug. 29 and Sept. 15 of that year. As for trade sanctions, the experts said they continue to investigate two Chinese companies on the U.N. sanctions blacklist - Namchogang Trading Corp. and Namhung Trading Corp. - and associated front companies and their representatives "for nuclear procurement activities." The panel said it is also currently surveying the world's manufacturers of nuclear "choke point" items such as "pressure transducers," focusing on their end-use delivery verification methods. The experts said they also were continuing "multiple investigations into prohibited activities" between North Korea and the Syrian government of President Bashar Assad. These include Syrian nationals reported to be engaged in arms brokering on behalf of North Korea "to a range of Middle Eastern and African states, reportedly offering conventional arms and, in some cases, ballistic missiles, to armed groups in Yemen and Libya," the panel said. They also include North Koreans working for sanctioned "entities" and for Syrian defense factories, it said. The experts said a country, which they didn't identify, had informed them that Iran "was one of the two most lucrative markets" for North Korean military cooperation and that both the Korea Mining Development Trading Corp. and Green Pine Associated Corp. offices in the country "are active." The unnamed country also indicated that North Koreans in Iran were being used as cash couriers, the report said. The Iranian government replied to the panel that the only North Koreans in the country were diplomats, and they have not violated U.N. sanctions, the report said. The panel said it is continuing investigations into "multiple attempts at military cooperation" between North Korea and various Libyan authorities and sanctioned "entities" and foreign nationals working on their behalf. The experts said they are also continuing investigations into military cooperation projects between North Korea and Sudan, including information on activities involving a Syrian arms trafficker and technology for "anti-tank and man-portable air defense systems." WASHINGTON (AP) - The Federal Election Commission is fining a super PAC that supported former Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush for accepting over $1.3 million in illegal donations from Chinese nationals. The Right to Rise super political action committee was fined $390,000 for soliciting the foreign contributions during the 2016 campaign. American Pacific International Capital, a Chinese-owned company, was fined $550,000 for giving the donation. The federal agency hasn't publicly announced the decision. But the Campaign Legal Center, which brought the FEC complaint, released agency documents announcing the fine on Monday. A Right to Rise spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The group raised $121 million for Bush's failed presidential bid. Bush is a former Florida governor, as well as the brother and son of former presidents. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke is making his first trip to Iowa of the 2020 campaign, visiting the state that kicks off presidential voting amid intense speculation that he'll enter the race for the White House. A spokesman says O'Rourke will visit the University of Northern Iowa on Saturday to campaign for Eric Giddens, the Democratic candidate running in a state Senate special election there. O'Rourke released a video Monday night from Texas backing Giddens and wearing a Northern Iowa cap. O'Rourke had previously failed to answer invitations to visit Democrats in Iowa, New Hampshire and other early nominating states and hasn't yet made major staffing moves in those places. He says he's decided on 2020 but has provided no further details except that he'll make his plans known soon. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - The office of South Korean President Moon Jae-in responded sharply Tuesday to a conservative lawmaker's accusation that he was acting as the "top spokesman" of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The Blue House said the comments by Na Kyung-won, floor leader of the Liberty Korea Party, were an insult to both Moon and South Koreans wanting peace and it demanded an apology. Na's speech at the National Assembly in Seoul was interrupted for about 20 minutes after legislators from the ruling liberal party reacted angrily to her comments, approaching the podium and engaging in shouting matches with opposition lawmakers. "Do not waste energy that should be used for the country on insulting (South Korean) people and the head of state," the Blue House said in its statement. "The Liberty Korea Party and floor leader Na should bow in apology to the people who yearn for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and permanent peace and prosperity." Na said Moon's outreach to Pyongyang and proposals to restart inter-Korean economic projects banned under U.S.-led international sanctions are causing a rift with Washington, which has called for allies to maintain economic pressure until North Korea takes firmer steps toward relinquishing its nuclear weapons and missiles. She demanded Moon overhaul members of his security and diplomatic team and withdraw the appointment of Kim Yeonchul, an outspoken supporter of inter-Korean rapprochement, as his new point-man on North Korea. "Please ensure that we never again hear the embarrassing talk that the president of the Republic of Korea is the top spokesman of Kim Jong Un," said Na, referring to South Korea by its formal names, as lawmakers from Moon's party began shouting at her. Na Kyung-won, the floor leader of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, delivers a speech at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, March 12, 2019. The office of South Korean President Moon Jae-in has responded sharply to comments by the conservative lawmaker who accused him of acting as the "top spokesman" of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. (Kim Hyun-tai/Yonhap via AP) Na said she borrowed the expression from "foreign wires," apparently referring to a Bloomberg report last September that described Moon as acting as Kim's "top spokesman" at the U.N. General Assembly. Moon's Democratic Party said it plans to refer Na to the Assembly's ethics committee over her speech that "polluted" the parliament. Moon, who is currently on a three-nation tour in Asia, arrived in Malaysia on Tuesday for a state visit. Moon has prioritized stabilizing bilateral relations with North Korea amid the larger nuclear negotiations and held three summits with Kim last year where they agreed on steps to reduce conventional military threats between the countries and restart inter-Korean economic projects when possible. Moon also lobbied hard to revive nuclear talks between Washington and Pyongyang, which resulted in two meetings between Trump and President Donald Trump. Trump and Kim's second meeting in Vietnam last month collapsed after North Korea rejected ambitious U.S. proposals to discard its entire nuclear weapons and missile programs in exchange for the removal of all sanctions. Experts say the breakdown of the Trump-Kim talks raised further doubts about Moon's claim that Kim is genuinely interested in dealing away his nuclear weapons and about Moon's role as mediator, which has also become less crucial with Washington and Pyongyang directly communicating. Moon's calls for partial sanctions relief to encourage nuclear disarmament steps by North Korea has caused disagreements with Washington, which does not want to give up what it sees as its main leverage with the North. A senior State Department official told reporters last week that Washington isn't considering sanctions exemptions for inter-Korean economic projects. BEIRUT (AP) - While the final battle to retake the Islamic State group's last pocket of territory rages in eastern Syria, violence is escalating in the country's northwest, pitting al-Qaida-linked militants against Syrian government forces. The alarming violence in the Idlib region threatens to unravel a truce reached between Turkey and Russia last year that averted a bloody assault by the government to retake the province, the last major rebel stronghold in war-torn Syria. The escalation raises fears once more of a major assault by the forces of President Bashar Assad. Idlib has been in the hands of opposition forces for years, even as Assad's military has succeeded in retaking other rebel enclaves one after the other. The province is now home to some 3 million people, many of them displaced from other former opposition territory. Earlier this year, al-Qaida-linked militants took over the province, squeezing out most other factions after clashes with Turkey-backed opposition fighters. Since then, government forces have intensified airstrikes and bombardment of Idlib towns. Since mid-February, some 100,000 people have been displaced, largely by government bombardment, and have fled to villages deeper in rebel-held territory, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights. The group said that around 140 people, including 69 civilians, have been killed. The mounting violence points to how Syria's nearly 8-year-long civil war still has the capability to burst once more into major bloodshed. The focus of the U.S. and other countries has been on defeating the Islamic State group, which once held eastern and northern Syria, and Assad's conflict with his opponents has quieted in recent months after government victories and the truce. But the root of that conflict remains. The militants, from an al-Qaida-linked group called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, Arabic for the Levant Liberation Committee, have also stepped up their attacks - in retaliation, they say, for the government bombardment. FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2018 file photo, a fighter of Syrian opposition stands at a checkpoint in northwestern city of Idlib, Syria. Waves of violence in northwestern Syria has killed scores of people since mid Jan. 2019 and displaced tens of thousands raising concerns that a truce reached in Sept. 2018 between Turkey and Russia is in danger as the final battle to retake the Islamic State group's last pocket of territory plays out in eastern Syria. (Ugur Can/DHA via AP, File) In the early hours of a cold morning earlier this month, militants attacked several Syrian army positions and checkpoints on the edge of Idlib in the village of Masasneh, killing nearly two dozen soldiers - one of the most serious attacks on government forces since the truce reached in September. The attack triggered hours of fighting and bombardment that killed and wounded dozens of insurgents. The Syrian Foreign Ministry warned afterward that the military was in "full readiness" to deal with repeated violations of the truce. Russia, which backs Assad, and Turkey, which supports opposition factions, put together the truce in September. They agreed to establish a 15-20 kilometers (9-12 miles) deep demilitarized zone in Idlib in which they said militants will not have a presence. The deal also offered the Syrian government and Russia one of their main demands - opening two key highways that pass through Idlib and link northern Syria with Damascus and other cities. But neither provision was implementing despite a deadline for opening the roads by the end of 2018. Still, the truce has been vital to keeping a degree of calm and preventing an all-out battle for Idlib that could be extremely bloody and drag in Russia and Turkey. The U.S. deputy ambassador at the United Nations, Jonathan Cohen, last month expressed American concern over the increase in government airstrikes and other violence in Idlib. "Terrorism cannot be used as a pretext for targeting civilians," he said in a reference to al-Qaida-linked group's control of the area. "Any major military operation in Idlib would be a reckless escalation of the conflict and would result in a humanitarian catastrophe far beyond what we've witnessed." The main immediate aim of the government operations appears to be to eventually force open the key highways crossing though Idlib - the M5 that links southern and northern Syria and the M4 that links the coastal city of Latakia with the northern city of Aleppo, said Akram al-Ahmad, a Turkey-based Syrian opposition activist who heads a monitoring group called the Syrian Press Center. The towns most targeted by government bombardment have been Khan Sheikhoun, Saraqeb and Maaret al-Numan, which control the M5 highway. An HTS military commander known as Abu Khaled al-Shami released a video statement Wednesday expressing pride for killing government soldiers and vowing more attacks. "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham will retaliate forcefully if regime forces try to advance toward liberated areas," he said. The leaders of Russia and Turkey held another summit in mid-February after which both leaders said there will be no offensive by Syrian government forces on Idlib and promised to work together to prevent the province from becoming a "stronghold of terrorists." On Friday, Turkey's defense minister said Turkey and Russia will begin patrols in the demilitarized zone in Idlib - though violence continued over the weekend despite some patrols. Turkey has struggled to rein in HTS. According to al-Ahmad and Rami Abdurrahman who heads the Observatory, there appears to be a split within HTS. On one side is its leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who has gotten closer to Turkey, and on the other is an Egyptian religious figure in the group known as Abu al-Yaqzan al-Masri, who represents hard-liners in HTS opposing Turkey's role. Al-Masri defected from the group in February along with other hard-liners. Another militant group in Idlib, Horas al-Din, is also resisting the Turkish mediation. The group, made up mostly of non-Syrian al-Qaida-linked fighters, rejected the demilitarized zone, calling it a "great conspiracy." The Syrian government has repeatedly vowed that its forces will eventually retake the whole country. The government "is determined more than ever to regain control of its land and liberate from terrorism and illegitimate foreign presence," said the Syrian ambassador to the United Nations, Bashar Ja'afari. In this Oct. 11, 2015 file photo, Syrian soldiers fire repelling an attack in Achan, Hama province, Syria. Waves of violence in northwestern Syria has killed scores of people since mid January 2019 and displaced tens of thousands raising concerns that a truce reached in Sept. 2018 between Turkey and Russia is in danger as the final battle to retake the Islamic State group's last pocket of territory plays out in eastern Syria. (Alexander Kots/Komsomolskaya Pravda via AP, File) FILE -- In this Sept. 14, 2018 file photo, protesters attend a demonstration against the Syrian government's expected offensive to Idlib, in the northwestern town of Maarat al-Numan, south of Idlib, Syria. Waves of violence in northwestern Syria has killed scores of people since mid January 2019 and displaced tens of thousands raising concerns that a truce reached in Sept. 2018 between Turkey and Russia is in danger. (Ugur Can/DHA via AP, File) FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2018 file photo, fighters with the Free Syrian army exit a cave where they live, on the outskirts of the northern town of Jisr al-Shughur, west of Idlib, Syria. Waves of violence in northwestern Syria has killed scores of people since mid January 2019 and displaced tens of thousands raising concerns that a truce reached in Sept. 2018 between Turkey and Russia is in danger. (Ugur Can/DHA via AP, File) HEJERE, Ethiopia (AP) - In Ethiopia, an ancient land of pilgrimage, people are making a grim, new journey of grief. One by one, friends and families of the 157 people killed on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 came to the crash site Wednesday with quiet offerings to the dead. Photographs. Heartfelt notes. Bouquets. They were placed under a makeshift, bright green floral arch, in striking contrast to the arid land. White roses were plucked from a bucket and placed in a slender frame that wavered in the wind. Some of the relatives staggered with sorrow. One man was supported by others as he cried out. They sought footing on the freshly churned and blackened landscape. A family member reacts at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 plane crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The black box from the Boeing jet that crashed will be sent overseas for analysis but no country has been chosen yet, an Ethiopian Airlines spokesman said Wednesday, as much of the world grounded or barred the plane model and grieving families arrived at the disaster site. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Others stood in silence: the security forces in camouflage blue, the searchers in face masks, the diplomats in polished shoes. "We owe it to the families to understand what happened," said British Ambassador Alastair McPhail, who represented nine of his countrymen among the victims. The dead came from 35 countries. Around the world, relatives numb with grief began a bewildering journey to the site outside Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. Farmers, some with their cattle, witnessed the plane going down. When they hurried to the smoking ground, they found little there . A pilot, Solomon Gizaw, was among the first to see the crash site from above. He said it appeared as though the plane had slipped right into the earth. Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said the same, noting that the aircraft was "totally sunken under the ground." Yellow tape rings the scene. Onlookers watch at the edge, while close relatives have the heartbreaking right to go inside. Some carry armfuls of flowers. "We want to go there often and make offerings," said Dawit Gebremichael, who lost his sister. A few have visited the site with little fanfare. As the world first learned about the crash on Sunday, Ethiopia's young new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed went to bear witness and grieve. Ethiopia is lined with footpaths to ancient churches and other places of reflection. Now it is Africa's aviation hub, with jet contrails streaking across the sky. The public pilgrimage to the crash site began with Tewolde. He stood alone in the gaping crater, holding a piece of wreckage, in an image that swiftly made its way around the world. Investigators have now arrived in a multinational inquiry into the crash. New arrivals Wednesday included Indonesia's recently appointed ambassador, who told reporters he had arrived in the country only a day earlier. He mourned one of his countrymen. Chinese aviation experts at the site paused and made a modest offering to the victims: incense, fruit and pieces of Ethiopian bread known as injera. They bowed in unison and resumed their work. ___ Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa Wreaths and floral installations stand next to piles of wreckage at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Much of the world, including the entire European Union, has grounded the Boeing jetliner involved in the Ethiopian Airlines crash or banned it from their airspace, leaving the United States as one of the few remaining operators of the plane involved in two deadly accidents in just five months. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Relatives react at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The black box from the Boeing jet that crashed will be sent overseas for analysis but no country has been chosen yet, an Ethiopian Airlines spokesman said Wednesday, as much of the world grounded or barred the plane model and grieving families arrived at the disaster site. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) A grieving relative who lost his wife in the crash is helped by a member of security forces and others at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Much of the world, including the entire European Union, has grounded the Boeing jetliner involved in the Ethiopian Airlines crash or banned it from their airspace, leaving the United States as one of the few remaining operators of the plane involved in two deadly accidents in just five months. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) A family member puts a photo on flowers at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 plane crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The black box from the Boeing jet that crashed will be sent overseas for analysis but no country has been chosen yet, an Ethiopian Airlines spokesman said Wednesday, as much of the world grounded or barred the plane model and grieving families arrived at the disaster site. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) A family member holds a framed photo of loved one at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The black box from the Boeing jet that crashed will be sent overseas for analysis but no country has been chosen yet, an Ethiopian Airlines spokesman said Wednesday, as much of the world grounded or barred the plane model and grieving families arrived at the disaster site. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) A family member reacts at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The black box from the Boeing jet that crashed will be sent overseas for analysis but no country has been chosen yet, an Ethiopian Airlines spokesman said Wednesday, as much of the world grounded or barred the plane model and grieving families arrived at the disaster site. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) A family member of on of the victims of the plane crash tries to escape from the security area to see the blocked investigation site, at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The black box from the Boeing jet that crashed will be sent overseas for analysis but no country has been chosen yet, an Ethiopian Airlines spokesman said Wednesday, as much of the world grounded or barred the plane model and grieving families arrived at the disaster site. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Family members and friends hug at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The black box from the Boeing jet that crashed will be sent overseas for analysis but no country has been chosen yet, an Ethiopian Airlines spokesman said Wednesday, as much of the world grounded or barred the plane model and grieving families arrived at the disaster site. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Family members cry at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The black box from the Boeing jet that crashed will be sent overseas for analysis but no country has been chosen yet, an Ethiopian Airlines spokesman said Wednesday, as much of the world grounded or barred the plane model and grieving families arrived at the disaster site. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Family members collect ash at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The black box from the Boeing jet that crashed will be sent overseas for analysis but no country has been chosen yet, an Ethiopian Airlines spokesman said Wednesday, as much of the world grounded or barred the plane model and grieving families arrived at the disaster site. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) A grieving relative is held back by others at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Much of the world, including the entire European Union, has grounded the Boeing jetliner involved in the Ethiopian Airlines crash or banned it from their airspace, leaving the United States as one of the few remaining operators of the plane involved in two deadly accidents in just five months. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) ST. LOUIS (AP) - The Latest on a search warrant involving the St. Louis prosecutor's office (all times local): 3:45 p.m. St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner says police, a judge and a special prosecutor are trying to intimidate and embarrass her with a warrant to search her office's electronic records. But Gardner told The Associated Press Wednesday that she won't be intimidated. The search warrant relates to records of a perjury investigation into William Tisaby, whom Gardner hired last year to investigate then-Gov. Eric Greitens. Judge Michael Mullen on Tuesday ordered Gardner to comply with the warrant. Police and an attorney for the special prosecutor appointed to oversee the Tisaby case removed an email server. An appeals court later issued a preliminary order halting execution of the warrant. The email server was returned about an hour after it was taken. Mullen declined comment. Messages seeking comment from the special prosecutor and police haven't been returned. ___ 9 a.m. A Missouri appeals court has delayed an order requiring the St. Louis prosecutor to comply with a grand jury search warrant. Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner had asked Judge Michael Mullen to quash a February search warrant seeking electronic data. Mullen issued an order Tuesday denying the request. But later Tuesday, the appeals court issued a preliminary order halting execution of the search warrant. The warrant is part of an investigation into alleged perjury by William Tisaby, hired by Gardner last year to investigate ex-Gov. Eric Greitens. Gardner's office has argued that the search warrant was burdensome and unconstitutionally broad. Greitens was charged with invasion of privacy in February 2018, alleging he took a semi-nude photo of a woman during a 2015 extramarital affair, without consent. Charges were eventually dropped, but Greitens resigned in June. WASHINGTON (AP) - Boeing's newest version of its best-selling airliner ever was supposed to boost its fortunes for years to come. Instead it has turned into the company's biggest headache, with more than 40 countries - including the U.S., which had been one of the last holdouts - grounding the 737 Max 8 after a second fatal crash proved one too many. On Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency order keeping the planes on the tarmac after refusing to do so in the days immediately following the crash of a Max 8 operated by Ethiopian Airlines that left 157 people dead. The agency said what made the difference was new, enhanced satellite tracking data and physical evidence on the ground that linked the Ethiopian jet's movements to those of an Indonesian Lion Air flight that plunged into the Java Sea in October and killed 189 people. "That evidence aligns the Ethiopian flight closer to Lion Air, what we know happened to Lion Air," said Daniel Elwell, acting FAA administrator. Officials at Lion Air have said sensors on their plane produced erroneous information on its last four flights, triggering an automatic nose-down command that the pilots were unable to overcome on its final voyage. A worker walks up steps to the right of an avionics truck parked next to a Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplane being built for TUI Group at Boeing Co.'s Renton Assembly Plant Wednesday, March 13, 2019, in Renton, Wash. President Donald Trump says the U.S. is issuing an emergency order grounding all Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9 aircraft in the wake of a crash of an Ethiopian Airliner. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Since debuting in 2017, Boeing has delivered more than 350 of the Max in several versions that vary by size. Dozens of airlines around the world have embraced the plane for its fuel efficiency and utility for short and medium-haul flights. The groundings will have a far-reaching financial impact on Boeing, at least in the short term, said John Cox, a veteran pilot and CEO of Safety Operating Systems. In addition to the planes that have been grounded, there are more than 4,600 Boeing 737 Max 8 planes on backlog that are not yet delivered to airlines. "There are delivery dates that aren't being met, there's usage of the aircraft that's not being met, and all the supply chain things that Boeing so carefully crafted," Cox said. "If they can't deliver the airplanes, where do they put the extra engines and the extra fuselage and the extra electrical components?" Impacted airlines also may come knocking on Boeing's door claiming damages. Norwegian Airlines said it would pursue reimbursement from Boeing for lost business and if other carriers follow suit, that could be costly. Whether airlines would be successful with such claims depends on the details of the contracts those carriers have with Boeing, said Dan Rose, partner at Kreindler & Kreindler, an aviation law firm. . "One way or another, whether there's a contractual provision that covers it or not, there are almost certainly going to be claims made against them," Rose said. In a research note earlier this week, Morgan Stanley called the grounding of the fleet a "worst-case scenario" that would disrupt near-term profitability because the 737 covers 70 percent of Boeing's commercial production. The Max fleet was expected to make up most of the 737 deliveries this year and all deliveries over the next three years, according to data compiled by Morgan Stanley. Shares in Chicago-based Boeing ended up $1.73 or about 0.5 percent, at $377.14 Wednesday after they lost more than 11 percent in the first two days this week. The stock is still up 17 percent for the year. Boeing issued a statement saying it supported the FAA's decision even though it "continues to have full confidence" in the planes' safety. The company also said it had recommended the suspension of the Max fleet after consultations with the government. The FAA was under intense pressure to ground the planes and resisted even after Canada relented on Wednesday and agreed to bar the Max from the air, leaving the U.S. almost alone. The agency, which prides itself on making data-driven decisions, had maintained there was nothing to show the Boeing jets were unsafe, and flights continued. But President Donald Trump, who announced the grounding, was briefed that same day on new developments by Elwell and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, and they determined the planes should be grounded, the White House said. Trump spoke afterward with Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenberg and Boeing signed on. "At the end of the day, it is a decision that has the full support of the secretary, the president and the FAA as an agency," Elwell said. While early satellite tracking data showed similarities between the Ethiopian jet's flight path and Lion Air, Elwell said the FAA was skeptical of the low-resolution images. The data showed movements that weren't consistent with how airplanes fly, Elwell said. On Wednesday, global air traffic surveillance company Aireon, Boeing and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board were able to enhance the initial data and make it more precise "to create a description of the flight that made it similar enough to Lion Air," Elwell said. He wouldn't detail the evidence found on the ground, saying the FAA is a party to the ongoing investigation. The U.S. also grounded a larger version of the plane, the Max 9. The Ethiopian plane's flight data and voice recorders were to be sent to France Wednesday night for analysis, Elwell said. Some aviation experts have warned that finding answers in that crash could take months. Airlines, mainly Southwest, American and United, should be able to swap out planes pretty quickly, and passengers shouldn't be terribly inconvenienced, said Paul Hudson, president of flyersrights.org, which represents passengers. The Max, he said, makes up only a small percentage of the U.S. passenger jet fleet, he said. "I think any disruptions will be very minor," he said. Sharon Barnes, a passenger at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, said she agreed with grounding the planes. "I think it was the right decision given that the rest of the world is doing the same thing, and it's a prudent thing to be doing until we know more about what's going on," she said. In making the decision to ground the Max 8s in Canada, Transport Minister Marc Garneau said a comparison of vertical fluctuations found a "similar profile" between the Ethiopian Airlines crash and the Lion Air crash. Garneau, a former astronaut who flew in the space shuttle, emphasized that the data is not conclusive but crossed a threshold that prompted Canada to bar the Max 8. The growing number of countries joining the ban put the FAA in a difficult position, said Peter Goelz, a former managing director of the NTSB who is now an aviation consultant. He said the FAA, which certified the 737 Max as airworthy and has been the lead regulatory body for the airplane. Goelz said Trump likely was feeling pressure from Congress and the public to step in. "There's probably nobody in the administration who's got more of a sensitive ear to cable television," he said. After Trump's announcement, American Airlines said its "teams will make every effort to rebook customers as quickly as possible." United Airlines, which grounded its 14 Max planes, said the aircraft account for roughly 40 flights per day. Through a combination of spare aircraft and rebooking customers, the airline did not anticipate a significant operational impact. Southwest Airlines said it immediately complied with the order and removed its 34 Max 8 from scheduled service. The airline said the Max 8 planes account for less than 5 percent of the airline's daily flights, adding that it remains confident in the airliner after completing more than 88,000 flight hours over 41,000 flights, but that it supports the FAA's decision. Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said its pilots had received special training on how to deal with the Max's anti-stall software that could point the nose down. "In addition to the basic trainings given for 737 aircraft types, an additional training was given for the Max version," Tewolde told state news reporters. "After the Lion Air crash, questions were raised, so Boeing sent further instructions that it said pilots should know." Tewolde said he is confident the "investigation will reveal that the crash is not related to Ethiopian Airlines' safety record." ___ Krisher reported from Detroit, while Gillies reported from Toronto. AP video journalist Manuel Valdes and AP writers Elias Meseret and Yidnek Kirubel in Hejere, Ethiopia, and Cathy Bussewitz and Alexandra Olson in New York contributed to this story. People work in the flight deck of a Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplane being built for TUI Group parked next to another MAX 8 also designated for TUI at Boeing Co.'s Renton Assembly Plant Wednesday, March 13, 2019, in Renton, Wash. President Donald Trump says the U.S. is issuing an emergency order grounding all Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9 aircraft in the wake of a crash of an Ethiopian Airliner. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Relatives react at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The black box from the Boeing jet that crashed will be sent overseas for analysis but no country has been chosen yet, an Ethiopian Airlines spokesman said Wednesday, as much of the world grounded or barred the plane model and grieving families arrived at the disaster site. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) A grieving relative who lost his wife in the crash is helped by a member of security forces and others at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Much of the world, including the entire European Union, has grounded the Boeing jetliner involved in the Ethiopian Airlines crash or banned it from their airspace, leaving the United States as one of the few remaining operators of the plane involved in two deadly accidents in just five months. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Wreaths and floral installations stand next to piles of wreckage at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Much of the world, including the entire European Union, has grounded the Boeing jetliner involved in the Ethiopian Airlines crash or banned it from their airspace, leaving the United States as one of the few remaining operators of the plane involved in two deadly accidents in just five months. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Flowers are left at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 plane crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The black box from the Boeing jet that crashed will be sent overseas for analysis but no country has been chosen yet, an Ethiopian Airlines spokesman said Wednesday, as much of the world grounded or barred the plane model and grieving families arrived at the disaster site. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Workers walk past flowers laid at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Much of the world, including the entire European Union, has grounded the Boeing jetliner involved in the Ethiopian Airlines crash or banned it from their airspace, leaving the United States as one of the few remaining operators of the plane involved in two deadly accidents in just five months. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Chinese relatives of victims who died in the crash visit and grieve at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Much of the world, including the entire European Union, has grounded the Boeing jetliner involved in the Ethiopian Airlines crash or banned it from their airspace, leaving the United States as one of the few remaining operators of the plane involved in two deadly accidents in just five months. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Workers erect floral installations at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Much of the world, including the entire European Union, has grounded the Boeing jetliner involved in the Ethiopian Airlines crash or banned it from their airspace, leaving the United States as one of the few remaining operators of the plane involved in two deadly accidents in just five months. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Wreaths and floral installations are placed near wreckage at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 plane crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia, Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Much of the world, including the entire European Union, has grounded the Boeing jetliner involved in the Ethiopian Airlines crash or banned it from their airspace, leaving the United States as one of the few remaining operators of the plane involved in two deadly accidents in just five months. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Chinese relatives of victims who died in the crash visit and grieve at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Much of the world, including the entire European Union, has grounded the Boeing jetliner involved in the Ethiopian Airlines crash or banned it from their airspace, leaving the United States as one of the few remaining operators of the plane involved in two deadly accidents in just five months. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Chinese relatives of victims who died in the crash visit and grieve at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Much of the world, including the entire European Union, has grounded the Boeing jetliner involved in the Ethiopian Airlines crash or banned it from their airspace, leaving the United States as one of the few remaining operators of the plane involved in two deadly accidents in just five months. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) A grieving relative is held back by others at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Much of the world, including the entire European Union, has grounded the Boeing jetliner involved in the Ethiopian Airlines crash or banned it from their airspace, leaving the United States as one of the few remaining operators of the plane involved in two deadly accidents in just five months. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) An Air Canada Boeing 737 Max aircraft arriving from Toronto prepares to land at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, British Columbia on Tuesday, March 12, 2019. Canadian Transport Minister Marc Garneau says "all options are on the table" with regard to the country's fleet of Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft but says the government currently has no plans to order the grounding of the plane. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP) Foreign investigators examine wreckage at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Tuesday, March 12, 2019. Ethiopian Airlines had issued no new updates on the crash as of late afternoon Tuesday as families around the world waited for answers, while a global team of investigators began picking through the rural crash site. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Officials from the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) pray next to an offering of fruit, bread rolls, and a plastic container of Ethiopian Injera, a fermented sourdough flatbread, placed next to incense sticks, at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Tuesday, March 12, 2019. Ethiopian Airlines had issued no new updates on the crash as of late afternoon Tuesday as families around the world waited for answers, while a global team of investigators began picking through the rural crash site. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) An offering of fruit, bread rolls, and a plastic container of Ethiopian Injera, a fermented sourdough flatbread, sit next to incense sticks, placed by officials from the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) as they prayed at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Tuesday, March 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Investigators from Israel examine wreckage at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Tuesday, March 12, 2019. Ethiopian Airlines had issued no new updates on the crash as of late afternoon Tuesday as families around the world waited for answers, while a global team of investigators began picking through the rural crash site. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Foreign investigators examine wreckage at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Tuesday, March 12, 2019. Ethiopian Airlines had issued no new updates on the crash as of late afternoon Tuesday as families around the world waited for answers, while a global team of investigators began picking through the rural crash site. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Foreign investigators examine wreckage at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Tuesday, March 12, 2019. Ethiopian Airlines had issued no new updates on the crash as of late afternoon Tuesday as families around the world waited for answers, while a global team of investigators began picking through the rural crash site. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) Foreign investigators examine wreckage at the scene where the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff on Sunday killing all 157 on board, near Bishoftu, or Debre Zeit, south of Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia Tuesday, March 12, 2019. Ethiopian Airlines had issued no new updates on the crash as of late afternoon Tuesday as families around the world waited for answers, while a global team of investigators began picking through the rural crash site. (AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene) In this photo taken Monday, March 11, 2019, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplane being built for Air Canada sits parked at Boeing Co.'s Renton Assembly Plant in Renton, Wash. Britain, France and Germany on Tuesday joined a rapidly growing number of countries grounding the new Boeing plane involved in the Ethiopian Airlines disaster or turning it back from their airspace, while investigators in Ethiopia looked for parallels with a similar crash just five months ago. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) In this photo taken Monday, March 11, 2019, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplane being built for TUI Group sits parked at Boeing Co.'s Renton Assembly Plant in Renton, Wash. Britain, France and Germany on Tuesday joined a rapidly growing number of countries grounding the new Boeing plane involved in the Ethiopian Airlines disaster or turning it back from their airspace, while investigators in Ethiopia looked for parallels with a similar crash just five months ago. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) A worker stands on a platform near a Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplane being built for TUI Group at Boeing Co.'s Renton Assembly Plant Wednesday, March 13, 2019, in Renton, Wash. President Donald Trump says the U.S. is issuing an emergency order grounding all Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9 aircraft in the wake of a crash of an Ethiopian Airliner. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) Workers walk past a Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplane being built for TUI Group at Boeing Co.'s Renton Assembly Plant Wednesday, March 13, 2019, in Renton, Wash. President Donald Trump says the U.S. is issuing an emergency order grounding all Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9 aircraft in the wake of a crash of an Ethiopian Airliner. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) A worker walks past an avionics truck parked next to a Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplane being built for TUI Group at Boeing Co.'s Renton Assembly Plant Wednesday, March 13, 2019, in Renton, Wash. President Donald Trump says the U.S. is issuing an emergency order grounding all Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9 aircraft in the wake of a crash of an Ethiopian Airliner. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) A flock of birds flies past a Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplane being built for TUI Group at Boeing Co.'s Renton Assembly Plant Wednesday, March 13, 2019, in Renton, Wash. President Donald Trump says the U.S. is issuing an emergency order grounding all Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9 aircraft in the wake of a crash of an Ethiopian Airliner. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) RAF strikes in Iraq and Syria killed and injured an estimated 4,315 enemies with just one civilian fatality, according to estimated figures released by the Ministry of Defence. The figures, covering a period from September 2014 to January this year, were released following a Freedom of Information (FoI) request by the campaign group Action on Armed Violence (A0AV). (PA Graphics) They suggest that of the 4,315 combatants targeted, 4,013 were reported to have been killed (93%) while 302 (7%) survived with injuries. In total, 75% of those estimated to have been killed or injured were in Iraq with 25% in Syria. Of all enemies estimated killed and wounded by the RAF, 37% were by Typhoons (pictured), 31% by Tornados and 32% by Reapers (Sergeant Emily Burns/MoD/PA) According to the AOAV, MoD notes accompanying the release of the information said that information concerning enemy killed and wounded in action is based on the best available post-strike analysis. This information, however, is only given as an estimate as the UK is not in a position to visit airstrike sites inside Syria and verify the facts. AOAV executive director Iain Overton greeted the figures with scepticism, saying: The RAFs claim of a ratio of one civilian casualty against 4,315 enemies must be a world record in modern conflict. Yet few conflict experts believe this to be true. To them, it is clear that far more needs to be done by the UK to improve transparency surrounding civilian casualties from airstrikes. Its coalition partner the US has committed to such, so why not the UK? Three buildings used by Islamic State in eastern Syria being hit in air strikes by Royal Air Force fighter jets (MoD/PA) It is understood the MoD has carried out more than 1,700 strikes during the campaign, reporting only the one civilian casualty during an operation on March 26 last year. The individual died after crossing into the strike area on a motorbike moments before the blast, the MoD said. Three IS fighters, who were driving in the Syrian Euphrates valley at the time, were also killed by the precision Hellfire missile. Of all enemies estimated killed and wounded by the RAF, 37% were by Typhoons, 31% by Tornados and 32% by Reapers. (PA Graphics) An MoD spokeswoman said: After every British airstrike we conduct detailed battle damage assessment, which thoroughly examines the outcome of the strike against its target, be it Daesh fighters, weapons, or bases. This assessment also looks very carefully at whether or not there has been any civilian casualty or damage to civilian infrastructure. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has rebuked demands by Philip Hammond that police should shift existing resources into tackling knife crime rather than expect more funding. In the wake of a string of fatal stabbings on Britains streets, Mr Khan said forces in the capital are already prioritising violent crime and he insisted moving funds will not fill the massive hole left by central Government cuts. The Chancellor has come under fire for telling forces to move officers away from lower priority crime and on to knife violence. His comments, which also included a suggestion that public services would get more cash if MPs vote for Prime Minister Theresa Mays Brexit deal, were rejected by Mr Khan. (PA Graphics) During a housing visit in north London he told the Press Association: In London we are prioritising our efforts towards tackling violent crime, tackling knife crime. I myself have directed officers to move from roads and transport to do the violent crime taskforce work, so we are really prioritising the resources we have to deal with the issue of the increasing violent crime. The stark reality is in London over the last eight years, we have lost more than 800 million of funding from central Government, were being asked to make a further round of cuts of 200 million from central Government thats a billion pounds lost from the Met Police budget. Re-prioritising, increasing council tax, diverting business rates money away doesnt fill the massive hole left by central Government cuts. Mr Khan called on ministers to reverse the cuts and give us the funding we need to make sure there is sufficient policing across London. He added: Weve got fewer officers now in 2019 than in any time since 2003, when our population has grown by more than a million-and-a-half. Police officers from the City Hall-funded Violent Crime Taskforce are working flat out, around the clock, to keep our city safe. Their work has resulted in: - 3,401 arrests - 6,324 weapons sweeps - 245 firearms, 650 knives, 495 offensive weapons seized https://t.co/tYbBZjJlcL Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) March 7, 2019 But also weve seen youth services, preventative services, councils, schools have their budgets cut as well, so we need investment in preventative services but also policing too. He said London cannot wait another few years to see investment, insisting: We need it now. Im hoping that the Home Secretary today is able to satisfy the demands made by chief constables across the country, including the Met Police commissioner, we need money now and it can pay for a surge in policing, increased overtime, using money to make sure we have officers doing more work around the clock. The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) confirmed on Friday it has sent information to the Home Secretary concerning how much money police forces across the UK need to tackle violent crime. Home Secretary Sajid Javid held emergency talks with chief constables on Wednesday after a spate of fatal stabbings. After the meeting he pledged to do everything I can to provide police with the resources they need. A spokesman for the NPCC, who did not confirm a figure, said: As requested, we have provided the Home Secretary with information about the level of emergency funding that would help police chiefs bear down on violence now. Further work is being done over the weekend before a final submission is made on Monday. A Home office spokesman said: The Home Secretary has committed to ensuring the police have the resources they need. The police have provided information and it will be considered carefully. Mr Hammond insisted on Thursday that police budgets are rising, and said knife crime is an immediate problem, you cannot solve it by recruiting and training more officers that takes time. The number of police officers across the 43 forces in England and Wales has fallen by more than 20,000 since 2009, but the Prime Minister has said there is no correlation between the decline and certain crimes. Mr Khans comments came after one of Britains most senior police officers demanded harsh sentences for criminals caught carrying knives as the countrys stabbings death toll continues to rise. A message to our communities from @MerPolChiefCon following his meeting with the Home Secretary today. #CommunityFirst pic.twitter.com/w315ULZ04J Merseyside Police (@MerseyPolice) March 6, 2019 Merseyside Police Chief Constable Andy Cooke said judges need to get tough on people who end up before the courts for carrying weapons, and urged the Government to unite in tackling the issue of knife crime, rather than putting an obstacle in the way at every turn. Mr Cooke told the Daily Express: We need harsh sentences for people carrying knives. We need to ensure that those sentences are being carried out. I think the sentencing guidelines for knife possession are about right. We just need to make sure that those sentences are actually being carried out. We need the judiciary to be sentencing at the higher end of the sentencing that they can achieve on each and every occasion. Meanwhile Cheshires police and crime commissioner warned austerity is killing young people, with cuts in public services linked to increased violent crime in the county. Commissioner David Keane and Chief Constable Darren Martland outlined their concerns amid falling numbers of police officers in the county since 2010. The pair said that while cuts to police numbers are not wholly responsible for the rise in violent crimes such as knife crime they believe that cuts to all public services are having an adverse impact. Glasgow School of Art has been criticised in a report that found it did not give enough priority to safeguarding the Mackintosh building against fire. The renowned art school was extensively damaged last June while it was undergoing a 35 million restoration following a previous fire in May 2014. The Scottish Parliaments Culture Committee published its findings on Friday after taking evidence on the circumstances surrounding the blazes and is calling for a public inquiry. MSPs found in the period up to the 2014 fire, Glasgow School of Art (GSA) appears not to have specifically addressed the heightened risk of fire to the Mackintosh building. A Holyrood committee is calling for a public inquiry into the fires (Andrew Milligan/PA) The committee also said it was concerned about the length of time taken for a mist suppression system to be installed in the Mackintosh building given that GSA decided to fit it in 2008, and questioned whether more could have been done to protect the building in the interim period. Convener Joan McAlpine said the committee had considered information going back to the 1990s. She said: We have come to the conclusion that we are not satisfied with the custodianship of the art school in that time. We felt there were not sufficient measures taken to protect the building from fire. She added: In that time between 1997 to 2014 its difficult for us as a committee to see what measures were taken that would have given a building of such importance the protection that it needed. The report said the committee is not convinced GSA gave sufficient priority to the safeguarding of the Mackintosh building. It was also not convinced the art school had taken an adequate risk management approach with specific regard to the building. GSA said it was operating in full compliance with the fire precaution regulatory framework in 2008-2014. In its submission to the committee, the art school said the timescale for installing the mist suppression system was dependent on securing funding, and was then delayed by the discovery of asbestos in the building after work on the system started in 2013. The second blaze spread to nearby buildings in Sauchiehall Street (Douglas Barrie/PA) Ms McAlpine said: The board of Glasgow School of Art were custodians of this magnificent building, one of the most significant to Scotlands rich cultural heritage. They had a duty to protect Mackintoshs legacy. Glasgow School of Art itself must learn lessons from its role in presiding over the building, given that two devastating fires occurred within their estate in such a short space of time. Following reports questioning whether the fire alarm system at the Mackintosh site was working on the night of the 2018 fire, the committee said it was not in a position to determine whether it was switched on and fully operational. It said this would be considered as part of the ongoing Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) investigation, which the committee said could be published in May. Art school bosses have previously said they are confident the Mackintosh building will be rebuilt but the committee said there should be wider consultation on this, with the cost of the project estimated at around 100 million. GSA said: The Glasgow School of Art would like to thank the committee for the time and energy that has been put into this report and for making it available so quickly. There is much to be welcomed that will be useful for those who, like the GSA, are custodians of some of Scotlands most important historic buildings. As a nation we are rightly proud of being able to provide unique places of learning, whose history continues to inspire generations of students. It is one of the significant factors in attracting students to Scotland. There are always lessons that can be learned and we are happy to take forward the most appropriate and helpful as we bring this much-loved building back to life. It added: The Mackintosh Building is a national (indeed international) treasure but it is not lost and it will certainly return. GSA also said there were some factual inaccuracies in the report. A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: The Scottish Government would like to thank the committee for considering the events surrounding the devastating fire at the Mackintosh building in 2018. We will carefully consider the recommendations for the Scottish Government but we must all wait the outcome of the fire investigation into the events of last June before agreeing next steps. The baby son of Islamic State runaway Shamima Begum has died. Ms Begum, 19, gave birth in a refugee camp in the middle of February, having already lost two children. Her third childs death was confirmed on Friday by her familys lawyer Tasnime Akunjee. His death has been confirmed . Akunjee (@mohammedakunjee) March 8, 2019 He had earlier tweeted: He was a British citizen. Ms Begum, from Bethnal Green in east London, was 15 when she and two other schoolgirls went to join the terror group in February 2015. She resurfaced heavily pregnant in a refugee camp in northern Syria last month and spoke of her desire to return to the UK, as the self-styled caliphate collapsed. On February 17, her family announced the boys birth and said they believed he was in good health. In an earlier interview with the BBC, Ms Begum said: Losing my children the way I lost them, I dont want to lose this baby as well and this is really not a place to raise children, this camp. Home Secretary Sajid Javid has stripped Shamima Begum of British citizenship (PA) Home Secretary Sajid Javid stripped Ms Begum of her British citizenship amid a fierce national debate over whether she should be allowed to return. Her family, who pledged to appeal against the decision, also wrote to Mr Javid pleading with him to allow a safe passage for the boy to come to the UK. Last month, Mr Javid confirmed the boy was a British citizen and said he had considered the childs interest when deciding to revoke Ms Begums citizenship. Following news of the boys death, shadow home secretary Diane Abbott criticised Mr Javids decision. She tweeted: It is against international law to make someone stateless, and now an innocent child has died as a result of a British woman being stripped of her citizenship. This is callous and inhumane. Dal Babu, a former Metropolitan Police chief superintendent and friend of the Begum family, described it as an entirely avoidable death of a British citizen. He told BBCs Newsnight: The family reached out to the Home Office and requested help. The Home Office sent a reply and said Youve come to the wrong department, you need to speak to Foreign and Commonwealth Office. There was no attempt to help by the Home Office. What we have here is a totally innocent child, whatever you may think of Shamimas shortcomings, the mistakes she made as a 15-year-old child when she was groomed on our watch. We failed to safeguard her and now we have failed, as a country, to safeguard a child a totally innocent British subject. He added that he believed the decision regarding Ms Begums citizenship should be urgently reviewed. Mr Javid, when asked whether there was any plan for Ms Begums son, had previously told the Commons Home Affairs Committee it would be incredibly difficult for the Government to facilitate the return of a child from Syria. If it is possible somehow for a British child to be brought to a place where there is a British consular presence, the closest place it might be Turkey for example in those circumstances I guess potentially it is possible to arrange for some sort of help with the consent of the parent, he added. Inside Syria, whether in a camp or maybe somewhere else, there is no British consular presence. A Government spokesman said: The death of any child is tragic and deeply distressing for the family. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has consistently advised against travel to Syria since April 2011. The Government will continue to do whatever we can to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism and travelling to dangerous conflict zones. Theresa May has issued a plea for support as the showdown on her Brexit deal looms, warning the UK will be plunged into crisis if MPs reject the Withdrawal Agreement. In a stark message ahead of Tuesdays Commons vote, the Prime Minister said no-one knows what will happen if her plan is defeated, with the possibility of Brexit being derailed completely. Mrs May said both the democratic and economic cases for backing her deal are clear, and issued a plea to MPs: Lets get it done. The Prime Minister used her speech in Leave-supporting Grimsby to both urge the European Union to give ground on the Northern Ireland backstop and call on Tory Eurosceptics to recognise that failure to back the deal could result in a softer Brexit or another referendum. Next week, MPs in Westminster face a crucial choice: Whether to back the Brexit deal or to reject it, she said. Back it and the UK will leave the European Union. Reject it and no-one knows what will happen. We may not leave the EU for many months, we may leave without the protections that the deal provides. We may never leave at all. Rejection of the deal would be a moment of crisis. Her speech comes after talks involving Attorney General Geoffrey Cox, Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay and EU negotiator Michel Barnier failed to make progress. Mrs May used her speech to appeal to EU leaders to help find a deal that MPs can support (Christopher Furlong/PA) Aiming her words directly at EU leaders, Mrs May said: Now is the moment for us to act. Weve worked hard together over two years on the deal. Its a comprehensive deal that provides for an orderly exit from the EU and sets the platform for an ambitious future relationship. It needs just one more push to address the final specific concerns of our Parliament. So lets not hold back. Lets do what is necessary for MPs to back the deal on Tuesday. Mrs May also sent a message of warning to hardline Brexiteers considering voting against her deal next week. That could lead to an extension of Article 50 and possibly a form of Brexit that does not match up to what people voted for, or a second referendum. Addressing workers at the Orsted wind turbine plant, she said a softer Brexit deal could mean no end to free movement, no ability to strike our own trade deals, no end to the big annual payments, no taking back control. And she accused Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn of supporting a divisive second referendum that would take the UK right back to square one. She added: If MPs reject the deal, nothing is certain. We would be at a moment of crisis. MPs would immediately be faced with another choice. Either we leave the EU with no deal on March 29 I dont believe that would be the best outcome for the UK or the EU or we delay Brexit and carry on arguing about it, both amongst ourselves and with the EU. That is not in our interests either. More talking will not change the questions that need to be settled, and delay risks creating new problems. Mrs May added that if the UK asks for a delay simply to give MPs more time to decide what to do, the EU might insist on new conditions that were not in our interests. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt warned Brussels that a failure to co-operate on securing changes to the Brexit deal could poison relations with the EU for years. This is a moment of change in our relationship between the UK and the EU and history will judge both sides very badly if we get this wrong, Mr Hunt told BBC Radio 4s Today programme. The EU said technical discussions are ongoing and insisted Brussels has already come forward with ideas to resolve the deadlock. Mr Barnier said: We are not interested in the blame game, we are interested in the result. We are still working. After briefing EU ambassadors, Mr Barnier said in a tweet that the UK would not be forced into customs union against its will but indicated that could result in the split between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK that Mrs May had previously said was unacceptable. 5/5 The EU will continue working intensively over the coming days to ensure that the UK leaves the EU with an agreement. Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) March 8, 2019 He said the EU commits to give UK the option to exit the Single Customs Territory unilaterally, while the other elements of the backstop must be maintained to avoid a hard border. Irish premier Leo Varadkar said the UK Government had failed to offer any solutions on the Withdrawal Agreement. Speaking in Dublin, he said the deal reached in November, including the Irish backstop, was already a compromise delivered in response to British requests. We were and remain happy to apply the backstop only to Northern Ireland if they want to go back to that, it doesnt have to trap or keep all of Great Britain in the single customs territory at all or for a long period, said Mr Varadkar. But DUP leader Arlene Foster called for Dublin and Brussels to take a fresh approach. A sensible deal requires the EU27 to be reasonable and pragmatic, she said. The European Union must be in deal-making mode. The Home Office is preparing a multimillion-pound publicity campaign to mark the full launch of its Brexit settlement scheme. Adverts encouraging EU nationals to apply to secure their status in the UK will be rolled out across the country within weeks. It is understood the marketing blitz is earmarked to go live in the days before Britain formally departs the bloc on March 29. The highly visible campaign will include outdoor advertising on billboards, at bus stops and rail stations, with a particular focus on areas with high populations of EU citizens. Material will also be pushed out on radio, catch-up TV, social media and websites. EU citizens and their families will need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK after 31 December 2020. Find out more: https://t.co/S5UB9n8iFU #Brexit pic.twitter.com/HdqySqRk8M Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) December 27, 2018 The Home Office has allocated around 3.75 million for the first phase of the initiative. EU nationals seeking to stay in the UK can apply to the Home Offices settlement scheme (Jonathan Brady/PA) A spokesman said: EU citizens make a huge contribution to our society and we have always been clear that we want them to stay. That is why a wide range of communications and engagement activity is under way to ensure that we reach everyone. When the scheme goes live on 30 March a UK-wide marketing campaign will encourage EU citizens to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme. Public information will continue throughout the lifetime of the scheme, alongside direct work with employers, local authorities and voluntary and community organisations. The launch will mark a ramping up of the Governments communications drive to raise awareness of the process for securing post-Brexit immigration status. EU nationals and their family members who wish to remain in the UK beyond 2020 need to apply to the scheme. Those who have lived continuously in the UK for five years can apply for settled status, meaning they are free to go on living and working in Britain indefinitely. People with less than five years residence can obtain pre-settled status, which can later be converted into settled status. Immigration minister Caroline Nokes confirmed on Thursday that the settlement scheme will be fully open from March 30. Last year the Home Office carried out two private test stages, before entering the public phase in January. By the end of February, more than 150,000 applications had been received, of which 135,000 had been concluded. Of the completed cases, 71% were granted settled status, with the rest given pre-settled status. None were refused. The Government has designed an online application platform from scratch. Applicants are asked to prove their identity, declare any criminal convictions and upload a facial photograph. Officials check employment and benefits data to confirm proof of residence, while all applications are run through UK criminality and security databases. Government estimates indicate that between 3.5 million and 4 million European Economic Area citizens will be eligible to apply, and the Home Office has assigned 1,500 caseworkers to the scheme. The deadline for applying will be June 30 2021, or December 31 2020 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal. A woman left brain damaged after a severe allergic reaction to nuts while on holiday has returned home after five years in care. Former ITV producer Amy May Shead, 31, went into anaphylactic shock after taking just one bite of a chicken meal at a restaurant in Budapest in Hungary. She was in hospitals and care homes since the 2014 incident but this month returned home to live in a specially built annex at the side of the family home in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. She will receive 24-hour care there. Amy May Shead with staff at the Marillac Care centre in Brentwood, Essex. (Amy May Trust/ PA) Her aunt Julie Martin said Amys parents Roger and Sue Shead were over the moon to have their daughter home. Theyve longed for her to come home, she said. Theyve wanted her to come home for a long time but its challenging to get someone discharged with a care package. Mrs Martin said Amy was happy to be home though it would be a huge transition period for the family. Amy May Shead with her aunt Julie Martin and cousin Tom Martin. (Amy May Trust/ PA) Amy was 26 and on holiday with friends at the time of the incident. She had managed her allergy all her life, was never without her EpiPen and showed restaurant waiting staff a card printed in the local language stating that she suffered from a potentially fatal allergy. Her family said she was assured several times that the meal she had chosen was free from nuts. Her allergic reaction resulted in brain damage. Mrs Martin said the family took legal action but got no compensation as there was no public liability insurance in place at the restaurant. Shes wheelchair-bound, shes unable to talk, she cant see and cant care for herself but she understands, said Mrs Martin. She has a really great sense of humour and a will to work at her therapies which is really rewarding to see. Julie Martin and Tom Martin set up the Amy May Trust which fundraises to cover all the costs of Amys therapies, including specialist physiotherapy, to help her rehabilitation and progression. Mrs Martin says this can cost up to 7,000 each month. NHS funding is in place for other aspects of her care. The Amy May Trust is also campaigning to raise awareness and to improve the flying experience for airline passengers with nut allergies. Were working to prevent a tragedy like this happening to another family, said Mrs Martin. For details, see www.amymaytrust.com A mother has been jailed for 13 years after becoming the first person to be convicted of barbaric Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The 37-year-old Ugandan woman was found guilty of cutting her three-year-old daughter despite deploying witchcraft to shut up her accusers. Her former partner, a 43-year-old Ghanaian, was cleared of involvement in the offence in August 2017. On Friday International Womens Day the mother, from Walthamstow, east London, appeared to be sentenced. Prosecutor Caroline Carberry QC told the court the young victim had recovered well but she was likely to have reduced sexual sensation in the future and long-term psychological damage. Mrs Justice Whipple jailed the woman for 11 years for FGM plus two further years for indecent images and extreme pornography. One of the spells found inside one of the 40 frozen limes (Metropolitan Police/PA) She said: FGM has long been against the law and lets be clear FGM is a form of child abuse. Its a barbaric practice and a serious crime. Its an offence which targets women, particularly inflicted when they are young and vulnerable. The judge said it was not known why the woman inflicted FGM on her child, contrary to her culture, although witchcraft was a possibility. On the psychological effect on the victim, she the told defendant: This is a significant and life long burden for her to carry. You betrayed her trust in you as her protector. The trial had heard how the girl was subjected to deliberate cutting with a sharp instrument at her mothers dirty home, the court heard. Medics raised the alarm after she was taken to Whipps Cross Hospital with severe bleeding. Authorities were told the child had been reaching for a biscuit when she fell and cut herself on the edge of a kitchen cupboard. But the victim later confided in specially trained officers that she had been cut by a witch. While the defendants were on bail, police searched the unemployed mothers home and found evidence of witchcraft. Ms Carberry had said: Two cow tongues, they were bound in wire with nails and a small blunt knife also embedded in them, 40 limes were found and other fruit which when opened contained pieces of paper with names on them. The names embedded included both police officers involved in the investigation of the case, the social worker, her own son and the then director of public prosecutions. These people were to shut up and freeze their mouths. There was a jar with a picture of a social worker in pepper found hidden behind the toilet in the bathroom. Another spell was hidden under the bed. A total of 40 frozen limes contained spells aimed at silencing police, social workers and lawyers in the Female Genital Mutilation case (Metropolitan Police/PA) Giving evidence, the mother, who has previous convictions for benefits fraud, denied cutting her daughter, saying: Its a big accusation. Someone who would cut a childs private parts, theyre not human. Im not like that. A jury at the Old Bailey rejected her explanation and found her guilty of FGM in February. Mitigating, Natasha Wong QC said the child had not been subject to an FGM protection order, adding: Things may have been a lot worse if she had not been taken to hospital. The mother had been threatened during her time in custody meaning her sentence would be harder, she said. During the sentencing hearing, the mother also admitted having indecent pictures of a child, publishing videos of sexual activity with a dog and a snake and possessing extreme pornographic images. Her sentences for those offences will run consecutively to the FGM term. Her former partner pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of an indecent image of a child and two charges of possessing extreme images showing people having sex with a horse and snake. Mrs Justice Whipple sentenced him to 11 months in prison, although he has already served his time on remand. The court heard it would be up to the Home Office to decide whether to allow him to continue living in Britain. Ox tongues with screws embedded in them (Metropolitan Police/PA) John Cameron, head of the NSPCCs Childline, said: This landmark case sends a very clear message that FGM will not be tolerated in this country under any circumstances. Some cultures consider FGM a necessary part of bringing up a young girl. There may even be pressures for families to conform. The truth is it is a horrific form of child abuse and a criminal offence which has no place in todays society. If we want to protect girls from this dangerous and potentially life changing practice we need to talk about FGM, encourage people to seek help and advice and report any concerns if they believe a child has been cut or is about to be. Leethen Bartholomew, head of the National FGM Centre, which is run as a partnership between Barnardos and the Local Government Association, said: The first person to be convicted and sentenced for FGM is truly a watershed moment and sends a strong message to society that this crime will not be tolerated and offenders will be held accountable. It has caused shockwaves in communities which practise FGM and we hope that this prison term will act as a deterrent, while encouraging other survivors to come forward to seek support. Lynette Woodrow, of the CPS, said: People have rightly noted that this is the first conviction for FGM in the UK. FGM is an extremely serious form of child abuse and todays sentence underlines that fact. We at the Crown Prosecution Service have kept in mind all the way through that at the heart of this case is a three-year-old girl. Her mother planned and arranged for this procedure to be carried out. She knew it was wrong. When it went wrong, her daughter was seriously injured. She then tried to cover up her crimes by lying about what had happened. But our prosecution was able to present evidence to the jury that cut through her lies. I am very proud of my team of prosecutors at the CPS who have worked so hard with police and counsel to successfully prosecute this crime. We hope that this conviction encourages those who have experienced FGM, or have suspicions about FGM offences, to come forward knowing that we will treat everyone with sensitivity and respect. Detective Chief Inspector Ian Baker, of Scotland Yard, said: Todays sentencing brings to a close an appalling case where a young girl has suffered life-changing FGM injuries at the hands of her mother. While she may never recover from the emotional trauma of what has happened to her, she is now safely being cared for and we hope that she and her sibling can start to rebuild their lives. It has been an extremely challenging investigation, and it has further strengthened our commitment to investigating FGM and bringing prosecutions where there is strong evidence in order to keep young people safe. A vegan pie has won the highest honour in the British pie awards for the first time in the history of the event, beating nearly 900 competitors from 176 different producers. The entry was crowned the supreme champion in the 11th British Pie Awards. The curried sweet potato and butternut squash vegan pie made by butcher Jon Thorners Ltd was praised by head judge Colin Woodhead for its moist and well-balanced filling. The pies were carefully inspected by judges (British pie awards) The judge said: There are a number of challenges to making a good vegan pie and this has cracked it. The pastry was exceptional with a crispness that complemented the filling. The Somerset-based farm shop opened in 1979 and has been baking hand-crimped pies since 2005. The awards mark the end of the annual British Pie Week, which ran from March 4 to March 8. Despite being a new category in the 2019 awards, there were some 68 entries into the class, with some being shortlisted for the supreme champion award. The event celebrates the rich heritage of the British pie, with around 1 billion of them consumed each year nationally. This years awards were hotly contested (British pie awards) Matthew OCallaghan, chairman of the British Pie Awards, said: This years supreme champion was outstanding and well deserving of the accolade. From its very appearance on the judging tray, you knew it was going to do well and it didnt disappoint when it was opened and tasted. This pie isnt just for vegans, its a pie for everybody. With this award we can truly say that veganism is now entering the mainstream of British food. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Vegan Society in Leicester and the creation of the word vegan by founder Donald Watson. The rise of veganism has not been without controversy, in January of this year Greggs announced their new vegan sausage roll, which drew criticism from Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan. However, the move into vegan products appears to have been a lucrative one for the baker as Greggs announced on Thursday that sales for the year topped 1 billion after an online petition by Peta, calling for a vegan sausage roll, was signed by more than 20,000 people last year. Police are investigating reports of homophobic graffiti at a school which is at the centre of a sex education row. West Midlands Police said the vandalism on the school premises of Parkfield Community School in Birmingham was reported by a school governor during half-term. The force also said it was reviewing video footage circulating on social media to establish whether any additional offences have taken place. Birmingham City Council publish a statement on the protests https://t.co/sxAgwekw9X Andrew Moffat (@moffat_andrew) March 7, 2019 A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: Parents have gathered outside Parkfield Community School exercising their right to protest peacefully on a number of occasions. Officers have been working closely with the school, the local community and the parents to facilitate the protests, and prevent a breach of the peace. No formal complaints have been made to West Midlands Police by Parkfield Community School or any of the staff who teach there. Parents have been demonstrating against the schools No Outsiders programme, which includes teaching about LGBT relationships. In footage posted on social media, young children appear to be joining in chants of shame while adults use the megaphone to voice their opposition. In one video, a man standing on the back of a flatbed truck covered in banners saying our children, our choice, and Stop! No Outsiders says the programme is not just about teaching that other lifestyles exists. He adds: It is aggressively promoting them, giving it a positive spin, and telling people that it is okay for you to be Muslim and for you to be gay. The school is currently taking a planned break from the inclusiveness and diversity classes which will resume after Easter. Parents have withdrawn their children from classes to protest against the No Outsiders programme (Ian West/PA) Some parents, Christian and Muslim, have chosen to withdraw their children from classes. They claim the lessons, set up by assistant head teacher Andrew Moffat, who is openly gay, promote his personal beliefs. Ezra Stripe, a spokeswoman for charity Hidayah which provides support and welfare for LGBT members of the Muslim community, said the opposition to the programme was coming from a sense of misplaced Muslim pride. She told the Press Association: It is depressing that we are still at this point today and it makes me aware of all the struggle our community has, in particular about isolation and shame and confusion. All this is just going to be duplicated in the next generation if we dont start teaching this stuff. It is a conservative viewpoint that homosexuality is forbidden. She added the No Outsiders programme is simply trying to teach that some children may have two mothers and that it does not go into the intricacies of the relationships. Last month, Ofsted Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman backed Mr Moffat, who has made the final of the Global Teacher Prize for his efforts to teach diversity. Mr Moffat also runs a Parkfield Ambassadors after-school club that creates opportunities for children at his school where 99% of students are Muslim to meet people from different races, religions and cultures around Birmingham. The Countess of Wessex has publicly committed herself to supporting the UKs work helping victims of rape, sexual violence and exploitation in war. Sophie will be championing the efforts of individuals such as actress and UNHCR special envoy Angelina Jolie and former foreign secretary Lord Hague, who were instrumental in launching the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative (PSVI). As your work continues, my work begins and I will take my place beside you in this vitally important arena. Read HRHs Speech in full here: https://t.co/KARBCOkhU1 pic.twitter.com/ZcHF7laRC2 The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 8, 2019 She made her announcement on International Womens Day during a Buckingham Palace reception when she also stated she would champion the nations action plan on Women, Peace and Security (WPS). The countess told her guests, who included leading figures on the issue: As someone who firmly believes in the equality of men and women, I feel drawn to your cause and to do what I can to help raise further awareness of our work. To help give voice to women and girls who are being denied their fundamental rights as humans and are being subjected to harm and violence as a result of conflict, to promote those who seek to play a part in finding peace, and to support others as they attempt to rebuild their lives. Sophie talks with guests during the reception at Buckingham Palace (Victoria Jones/PA) Therefore I am publicly committing myself to doing what I can to champion and support WPS and PSVI and make this a central pillar of my work in the coming months and years. Sophie has been working in other fields to promote women, having founded the Womens Network Forum in 2014, which she chairs. It brings together a cross-industry group of senior representatives from a variety of organisations and businesses to champion and promote gender balance and equality in the workplace. She went on to tell her palace guests: Since last year I have been attending a number of conferences, meetings and events, and have encountered some extraordinary people during this time. The countess founded the Womens Network Forum (Victoria Jones/PA) People like yourselves who are devoted to doing what they can to tackle these issues, from UK Government representatives to the international diplomatic community, from academics to survivors. Whether their role be encouraging governments to do more to prevent violence being used as a weapon of war, or working to bring justice to the survivors of brutality, or supporting the many NGOs and agencies working to help women and girls rebuild and retake control of their shattered lives, the level of effort is widespread, but as yet it is sadly still not enough and we all know that so much more needs to be done. Britain has dismissed the latest attempt by Brussels to break the Brexit deadlock, accusing the EU side of simply trying to rerun old arguments. The EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier insisted the UK would not be forced into a customs union against its will through the Northern Ireland backstop. In a series of tweets following a briefing with EU ambassadors in Brussels, he said the UK would be able to exit the single customs territory unilaterally if it chose to do so. However, the apparent concession was dismissed by the DUP who prop up Theresa Mays Government at Westminster as neither realistic nor sensible. It warned that under Mr Barniers proposal, Northern Ireland would still remain in the customs union effectively imposing a border in the Irish Sea with the rest of the UK. Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay suggested the EU plan was simply a return to an earlier version of the backstop which had already been rejected by the UK. With a very real deadline looming, now is not the time to rerun old arguments. The UK has put forward clear new proposals. We now need to agree a balanced solution that can work for both sides https://t.co/yN9ZuiVj1M Steve Barclay (@SteveBarclay) March 8, 2019 With a very real deadline looming, now is not the time to rerun old arguments, he said. The UK has put forward clear new proposals. We now need to agree a balanced solution that can work for both sides. Mr Barniers intervention came after Mrs May issued an appeal to EU leaders for one more push to get a deal over the line ahead of Tuesdays crunch Commons vote. In his tweets, Mr Barnier said the EU committed to give UK the option to exit the Single Customs Territory unilaterally, while the other elements of the backstop must be maintained to avoid a hard border. He said the EU was also ready to give legal force to reassurances given to Mrs May concerning the operation of the backstop in January in a joint letter from European Council president Donald Tusk and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker. Theresa May has appealed to EU leaders for `one more push to get a deal over the line (Christopher Furlong/PA) DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said Mr Barniers offer would annexe Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK- something Mrs May has repeatedly said that no British prime minister could agree to. This is neither a realistic nor sensible proposal from Michel Barnier. It disrespects the constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom, he said. This is an attempt to get ahead of a possible blame game and appear positive when in reality it is going backwards to something rejected a year ago. In her speech in the pro-Leave stronghold of Grimsby, the Prime Minister urged MPs to back her Withdrawal Agreement, warning the country could be plunged into crisis and Brexit derailed altogether if it is rejected. Next week, MPs in Westminster face a crucial choice: Whether to back the Brexit deal or to reject it, she said. Back it and the UK will leave the European Union. Reject it and no-one knows what will happen. We may not leave the EU for many months, we may leave without the protections that the deal provides. We may never leave at all. Rejection of the deal, she added, would be a moment of crisis. Her speech came after talks earlier this week between Mr Barnier and Mr Barclay and Attorney General Geoffrey Cox failed to achieve a breakthrough. Aiming her words directly at EU leaders, Mrs May said: Now is the moment for us to act. Weve worked hard together over two years on the deal. Its a comprehensive deal that provides for an orderly exit from the EU and sets the platform for an ambitious future relationship. (PA Graphics) It needs just one more push to address the final specific concerns of our Parliament. So lets not hold back. Lets do what is necessary for MPs to back the deal on Tuesday. Mrs May also sent a message of warning to hardline Brexiteers considering voting against her deal next week. She said that could lead to an extension of Article 50 and possibly a form of Brexit that does not match up to what people voted for, or a second referendum. Addressing workers at the Orsted wind turbine plant, she said a softer Brexit deal could mean no end to free movement, no ability to strike our own trade deals, no end to the big annual payments, no taking back control. And she accused Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn of supporting a divisive second referendum that would take the UK right back to square one. Female scientists have warned there is still work to do to reach equality in the field, as they celebrated their achievements on social media on International Womens Day. Many shared images of themselves working in laboratories, while Louisa Brotherson, a 23-year-old PhD student at the University of Liverpool, said she is proud to work in a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) subject . To me, as an early-career woman of colour in Stem, International Womens Day is both a celebration of the achievements of women and a reminder of the work we still have to do to reach equality, Ms Brotherson told the Press Association. Ms Brotherson is a geoscientist, researching earthquakes using laboratory experiments and computer modelling. Happy #InternationalWomensDay ! Proud to be a woman of colour in STEM, let's keep breaking down barriers and smashing those stereotypes Louisa Brotherson (@louisa_geo) March 8, 2019 Too often Im the only woman, let alone black woman, in the room, said Ms Brotherson. We need to make sure all women and young girls can see the potential in themselves, no matter their background, race, sexuality. Scientists working at the Royal Institution (@RCurranCrawley/Twitter) However, Im an optimist I hope that this and every International Womens Day, women are empowered by each others stories and feel determined to achieve real equality. Akinnawo Omowumi Olubukola, a PhD candidate in the department of biochemistry at Babcock University in Nigeria, said International Womens Day is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of women. Its a day to reflect on the progress women have made in the world throughout history, honouring the courageous steps women have taken to create positive change in the world and talk about the change that still needs to be made, said the 30-year-old. Dr Jackie Kendrick, 32, from the University of Liverpool, said: Im appreciative of both the increasing visibility of women in science and the recent improvements towards facilitating a career in academia. However, Dr Kendrick added that there is still a long way to go. Temporary contracts through to a decade or more after PhD completion often limits possibilities for women in academia who are forced to choose between a career or family, she said. It is diversity of experience within the working community that makes a successful and knowledgeable environment, and making accommodations to allow everyone to contribute is something I am passionate about. Fellow female scientists shared messages about women working in Stem subjects, with @Lis_Lowe from Newcastle University tweeting it was a very #InternationalWomensDay in science for us! Current lab contains 6 amazing women, from UK, France, Lithuania and Portugal, so a very #InternationalWomensDay in science for us! Lis Lowe (@Lis_Lowe) March 8, 2017 I am that woman who loves fashion and makeup, is passionate about #Sciences, sets and achieves goals like men, considers men and women as role models... Is there any inconsistency? No My dress and lipstick dont mean that I dont have a brain.#IWD2019 Dr. Fadji Maina (@Yafadj) March 8, 2019 Meanwhile, US scientist @Yafadj, who has a PhD in hydrology from UC Berkeley, tweeted: I am that woman who loves fashion and makeup, is passionate about #Sciences, sets and achieves goals like men, considers men and women as role models. My dress and lipstick dont mean that I dont have a brain. Parents are helping schools by paying for glue sticks and pens due to a funding crisis, headteachers have warned. A letter sent to millions of families by more than 7,000 headteachers comes as the WorthLess? campaign group said its request to meet Education Secretary Damian Hinds has been rejected due to time pressures. The Department for Education said school funding in England was at its highest-ever level. Attached is the letter to parents sent from thousands of Headteachers today #educationfunding pic.twitter.com/FFRejI70Su Worth Less (@WorthLessFF) March 8, 2019 Siobhan Lowe, head of Tolworth Girls School in Surbiton, Surrey, said she has been forced to clean the school, wash the toilets, serve in the canteen and can no longer afford a deputy headteacher. Alex Bird, head of St Marys Church of England Primary School in Horsham, West Sussex, said working conditions were atrocious and he has had to cut the hours of support staff in a bid to make ends meet. Mr Bird has appointed teachers to a lower grade on the pay scale than where they should be because he simply cannot afford to pay them more. (Ben Birchall/PA) He said the cash raised by parents as part of the parent teacher association was desperately needed and money was so tight that parents had made cash contributions to the school. Beyond this, we also have an Amazon wishlist for parents to purchase individual items to help keep the school running as efficiently as possible, he said. Since its launch we have had stationery items including glue sticks, string, Sellotape, maths resources, a bookcase, whiteboards, balance bikes and nativity costumes. Other schools in the area have set up similar Amazon lists. Mr Bird said he had to pay to support the medical needs of children while applying for funding, which can take several terms to sort out. He added: We are in a very obvious recruitment crisis. Working conditions are atrocious. Why would anyone look to come into this career unless they wanted to do good with their lives? I know my team havent come into this job for the money. But teachers (and support staffs) pay is definitely going to be a factor in recruitment and retention. They are worth more than their weight in gold the support staff earning next to nothing for doing a remarkable and incredible job and yet it is them in the firing line every time headteachers have to look at cuts. It is simply depressing. Siobhan Lowe told BBC Radio 4s Today Programme: I think what people need to understand is, as a headteacher youre almost embarrassed that you cant support the students in your school. Its a terribly embarrassing thing to admit that you dont have the money, because you need to provide an education for the students. But why am I embarrassed? Its not my embarrassment that I dont have the money, its due to the fact Im not given the money to provide for the students in society. Very powerful testimony by the headteacher on @BBCr4today this morning highlighting the dreadful realities of funding cuts to schools. Also the additional cuts to local government and other services leaving many vulnerable children without any support. #schoolcuts Lucy Powell MP (@LucyMPowell) March 8, 2019 She said Mr Hinds had refused to meet her and other headteachers to address their concerns. Ms Lowe added: The parents are so supportive. Im having to write to them on a regular basis and they are having to pay for things like printing, they are having to provide books for the students they are writing in saying things, I really wish we could help Mrs Lowe but were just about managing. Ofsted chief inspector Amanda Spielman later told the programme: Schools are working certainly with less money than they had four or five years ago. Its a really tough challenge for them adapting. She said that being open and listening to what people are saying is something that is always valuable when asked if the Education Secretary should meet headteachers. Richard Bradford, headteacher of Dorothy Stringer school in Brighton, said headteachers had been told the Secretary of States time was heavily pressurised and diaries need to be prioritised according to ministerial, Parliamentary and constituency business. Mr Bradford told the Brighton and Hove Independent: We are dismayed that he has chosen to ignore our communications and repeated requests to meet. Given the seriousness of the current school funding crisis and the impact upon schools, children and families, head teacher colleagues and I, believe that this approach is entirely ill-judged. A report from the Education Policy Institute (EPI) earlier this year found that almost a third of local authority-maintained secondary schools were in deficit, with one in 10 of them carrying deficits that represent more than 10% of their income. It comes as Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley Jess Phillips tweeted about her sons school having to close early on Fridays. On Tuesday she wrote: Id like to once again invite @theresa_may to come to my constituency, if she could come on a Friday and pick my son up from school at 1pm as his school cant afford to stay open. In fact I think Ill leave him on the steps of @10DowningStreet. A Department for Education spokesman said: School funding in England is at its highest ever level, rising from almost 41 billion in 2017-18 to 43.5 billion by 2019-20. In addition, standards are rising; the attainment gap between disadvantaged students and their more affluent peers has narrowed since 2011, the proportion of pupils in good or outstanding schools has increased since 2010, and our primary school children have achieved their highest ever score on international reading tests. The Department said Mr Hinds meets unions, teachers and headteachers regularly. Other ministers from the Department have met with campaigners from the WorthLess? campaign in recent months, it said. JAMMU (PTI): A joint military exercise between India and Royal Army of Oman commenced on Wednesday at Jabel regiment headquarters, Nizwa, in the Arab country, a defence spokesman said. A 60-member strong Indian Army contingent, based in northern command headquarters at Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir, is taking part in the military exercise 'Al-Nagah III', he said. "Indo-Oman Joint Exercise Al Nagah III 2019 commenced this morning with a brief but impressive opening ceremony that saw the unfurling of the national flags of both the countries which saw Omani and Indian soldiers standing side by side signifying the growing cooperation, synergy and understanding between India and Oman," the spokesman said. He said the Omani contingent was represented by Jabel Regiment of the Royal Army of Oman (RAO) while the Indian side was represented by troops of the Garhwal Rifles Regiment. Lt Col Muhammed Al Saidi, Second in Command, Jabel Regiment, welcomed the Indian soldiers, and in his inaugural remarks, highlighted the common shared beliefs of freedom, equality and justice that are precious to both the countries, the spokesman said. He said the striking opening ceremony started with briefing on Army Organization and Country Presentation by both the countries. The Indian and RAO contingents have been specifically selected for the exercise based on expertise and professional competence and will take part in the two-week-long event that will see them hone their tactical and technical skills in joint counter insurgency and counter terrorist operations in semi-urban scenario in mountainous terrain under the UN mandate, the spokesman said. He said due emphasis would be laid on increasing interoperability between forces from both the countries, which is crucial for success of any joint operation. "Both sides will jointly train, plan and execute a series of well-developed tactical drills for neutralisation of likely threats that may be encountered in such a scenario," the spokesman said. He said experts from both the sides would also hold detailed discussions to share their experience on varied topics for mutual benefit. "Exercise Al Nagah 2019 will contribute immensely in developing mutual understanding and respect for each other's military as also facilitate in tackling the worldwide phenomenon of terrorism," the spokesman said. On March 7, General officer commanding-in-chief, northern command, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh had interacted with the Indian contingent. The exercise is scheduled to to end on March 25 at Jabel Al Akhdar mountains. The Indian Army contingent is represented by four officers, nine junior commissioned officers and 47 other ranks, the spokesman said. Hundreds of Womens Day demonstrators in Northern Ireland have remembered a teenager found strangled in a flat along with the body of her mother. Instead of a minutes silence, the crowd staged a minutes noise. Two protesters held a placard which read: Their names are Giselle and Allison. Allison Marimon-Herrera, 15, was one of three people discovered at a property in Newry, Co Down, this week in a murder-suicide which investigators described as unspeakably tragic. Detectives said there was a strong possibility that her mother, Giselle Marimon-Herrera, 37, from Colombia, was also throttled. Police said a 38-year-old man, Giselle Marimon-Herreras partner, who also lived at the address, died by hanging. They named him as Russell Steele, who was originally from Scotland. Belfast Lord Mayor Deirdre Hargey said: We are here in solidarity with their family at the loss of their lives and to say enough is enough. Officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have launched a murder investigation and are not looking for anybody else. Police received post-mortem examination results on Friday. Giselle Marimon-Herrera, 37, and her 15-year-old daughter Allison were found dead with a man at a flat in Newry, Co Down (PSNI/PA) Officers went to the flat in Glin Ree Court, close to the city centre, after a relative reported concerns that they had not been in contact with a family member for days. Their bodies were discovered at about 11am on Thursday after police forced entry. An organiser of Saturdays march said: We will not be silent over violence against women. Lets have a minutes noise instead of a minutes silence. Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said it was an unspeakable tragedy. Ms Marimon-Herrera moved from Colombia to Northern Ireland four years ago. She worked in the Newry area. Her daughter Allison was born in Spain and has lived in Northern Ireland since 2017. She attended Newry High School. Mr Murphy added: I believe that Giselle and Allison were still alive in the early hours of Sunday morning but family members have not been able to contact them since. Actor Jan-Michael Vincent, who was best known for starring in 1980s TV series Airwolf, has died at the age of 73. A death certificate shows that Vincent died of cardiac arrest on February 10 in a North Carolina hospital. Born in 1945 in Denver, Colorado, Vincent starred in films such as The Mechanic in 1972 and Hooper in 1978, in which he played a stuntman opposite Burt Reynolds. He also starred in the 1983 television mini-series Winds Of War as the love interest of a character played by Ali MacGraw, and earned a Golden Globe nomination. In a 1984 interview, Vincent described his passion for being on the water. He said he spent three months after wrapping up Winds Of War sailing the Caribbean. He also said he was a long-time surfer. I was a travelling surfer for years. Ive been all over the world surfing, he said. Ill be 40 in July and I still like to surf. Perhaps his best-known role was in the television action-adventure series Airwolf, which lasted for several seasons after launching in 1984. Vincent played Stringfellow Hawke, a rugged pilot who could pull off aerobatic crime-fighting manoeuvres in an advanced helicopter but also play the cello. Jan-Michael Vincent starred in Airwolf in the 1980s (Wally Fong/AP) In the AP interview, he described trying to find the right way to loosen the character up. The character is stiff, he says, but as weve gone along weve been able to loosen him some. Now youll sometimes see him crack a smile and say something funny. Even Clint Eastwood is mellowing, although Ill never be Burt Reynolds. However, his surfer-like demeanour was overshadowed at times by his troubled personal life. He pleaded guilty in 1997 to a drink driving accident that left him with a broken neck and was sentenced to a rehab programme. He was also charged over 1980s pub brawls, receiving probation in one and an acquittal in another. In a separate case, he was acquitted in 1986 of hitting a woman. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail in 2000 in Orange County, California, after he admitted to violating his probation by appearing drunk in public and assaulting his then girlfriend. A US woman has been charged over the death of a newborn baby who was abandoned in a ditch 38 years ago. Police in South Dakota said they used DNA and genealogy sites to determine Theresa Rose Bentaas was the babys mother. Bentaas was arrested and charged with murder and manslaughter over the 1981 death of the boy, known as Baby Andrew. Bentaas told authorities last month that she had hidden her pregnancy from her friends and family and gave birth while alone in her apartment, according to a court document. Bentaas allegedly said she then drove the baby to the area he was later discovered, a cornfield ditch in Sioux Falls. Bentaas, now 57, said she was young and stupid and felt sad and scared as she drove away, according to the document. The baby died of exposure. Theresa Rose Bentaas has been charged with murder (Minnehaha County Jail via KELO via AP) Bentaas, who was 19 when her son died, later married the infants father and has two living adult children with him, it was reported. The case has gripped Sioux Falls for decades. Roughly 50 people attended the childs funeral, held more than a week after he was discovered. Children left stuffed animals and a badge on his pyjamas read: You are loved. Retired detective Mike Webb said authorities used DNA from the baby exhumed 10 years ago and DNA obtained from Bentaas through a search warrant. I couldnt be more pleased with the results today and the arrest and the closure that we find, as well as the hard work and dedication for the pursuit of justice for Andrew, police chief Matt Burns said. Public genealogy databases have been used in other recent cases, including the capture last April of the suspected Golden State Killer in northern California and the arrest of a businessman accused of fatally stabbing a Minneapolis woman in 1993. In South Dakota, authorities submitted a DNA sample from Baby Andrew to Parabon NanoLabs, which found two possible matches using a public genealogical database. Police constructed a family tree and performed a trash pull to collect beer and water containers and cigarette butts at Bentaass home. Results from a cheek swab sample show there is extremely strong evidence to support a biological relationship between Bentaas and the child, according to the court affidavit. Thirteen people have been arrested after a protest against the Scottish Oil Clubs annual dinner in Edinburgh. Extinction Rebellion Scotland held a planned demonstration outside the National Museum of Scotland, saying the oil and gas industry should not be celebrated. Several of the groups members occupied the main hall past the museums closing time in a bid to delay the dinner, said to be attended by 890 fossil fuel industry executives. After negotiating with police, 13 of the protesters in the museum were arrested. Waiting for the last few brave Rebels to come out #ExtinctionRebellion pic.twitter.com/tmocdGglkk Extinction Rebellion Scotland (@ScotlandXr) March 8, 2019 A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: About 4.30pm officers in Edinburgh were deployed to a pre-planned protest at the National Museum of Scotland. At the close of normal business some protesters refused to leave. The protest took place at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA) Following a period of negotiation, police provided a proportionate response to the protest and 13 have been arrested. Inquiries are ongoing. A statement from the group said hundreds of protesters remained outside while the last of those in the museum left around 8pm, delaying the dinner which was meant to be seated in the main hall at 7.30pm. Theresa Mays hopes of a Brexit breakthrough are hanging in the balance after the EU appeared to rebuff her latest appeal for help in getting her withdrawal deal through Parliament. The EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier said they would be working intensively in the coming days to resolve the impasse over the Northern Ireland backstop ahead of Tuesdays crunch vote by MPs. However his suggestion the UK could unilaterally pull out of the planned single customs territory if it chose was dismissed by ministers as an attempt to rerun old arguments. The DUP, which props up the Government at Westminster, said Northern Ireland would still be in the backstop, effectively drawing a border in the Irish Sea with the rest of the UK, something Mrs May has repeatedly ruled out. With a very real deadline looming, now is not the time to rerun old arguments. The UK has put forward clear new proposals. We now need to agree a balanced solution that can work for both sides https://t.co/yN9ZuiVj1M Steve Barclay (@SteveBarclay) March 8, 2019 There had been speculation the Prime Minister could fly out to Brussels early on Monday to clinch a deal if an agreement on the backstop intended to prevent the return of a hard border on the island of Ireland was within grasp. Mrs May had been seeking legally binding assurances that the UK could not be tied indefinitely to the EU through the backstop in an attempt to win round MPs who inflicted a massive defeat on the Withdrawal Agreement in a previous vote in January. But in a sign ministers are preparing to go back to the Commons on Tuesday without fresh concessions, Chancellor Philip Hammond said such fears about the backstop were overblown. In an interview with the Financial Times, he urged Tory MPs to back the Withdrawal Agreement anyway, saying it would enable him to start spending the insurance fund built up in case of a no-deal break. There is nobody in the EU Ive ever come across who thinks the UK could be held in perpetuity in an arrangement that was detrimental to its interests against its will. Who is going to enforce such an arrangement on this? he said. Michel Barnier says the EU will work intensively to find an agreement (Niall Carson/PA) Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis also urged MPs to back the deal, saying the Government would not accept anything which compromised the unity of the United Kingdom. Parliamentarians have a really, really vital decision to make. The EU and the EU Commission do as well. We have this vote on Tuesday. We need to win that vote, he told BBC Radio 4s Today programme. If we dont do that on Tuesday then nobody quite knows where we will end up. Mr Barniers latest intervention came after Mrs May delivered a speech on Friday imploring EU leaders for one last push to help her get her deal over the line in the Commons. It was unclear whether his comments, in a series of tweets, were intended as a new offer or simply a restatement of the EUs position after his talks on Tuesday with Attorney General Geoffrey Cox and Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay failed to reach agreement. He said the EU was committed to give UK the option to exit the Single Customs Territory unilaterally, while the other elements of the backstop must be maintained to avoid a hard border. The EU was also ready to give legal force to reassurances given to Mrs May concerning the operation of the backstop in January in a joint letter from European Council president Donald Tusk and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker. Mr Barclay, however, suggested the latest proposals from Brussels were simply a return to an earlier version of the backstop which had already been rejected by the UK. With a very real deadline looming, now is not the time to rerun old arguments, he said. The UK has put forward clear new proposals. We now need to agree a balanced solution that can work for both sides. DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said Mr Barniers offer would annexe Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK- something Mrs May has repeatedly said that no British prime minister could agree to. This is neither a realistic nor sensible proposal from Michel Barnier. It disrespects the constitutional and economic integrity of the United Kingdom, he said. This is an attempt to get ahead of a possible blame game and appear positive when in reality it is going backwards to something rejected a year ago. Technology companies are failing to regulate themselves, a new report by a House of Lords committee says. The Communications Committee believes a new central authority to coordinate regulators and protect the public online should be formed. Its report Regulating in a Digital World recommends the creation of a new Digital Authority to oversee the regulation of large tech firms, which it says should be guided by ten principles, including transparency and respect for privacy. The report is the latest in a string of publications from lawmakers and industry experts calling for more powers to reprimand internet and social media companies about properly handling personal data of users and remove illicit material in good time. It says internet companies should have a duty of care imposed upon them, with responsibility for enforcing it handed to broadcasting and telecoms regulator Ofcom. The committee also calls for online platforms to make their community standards clearer by adopting a classification framework, similar to that of the British Board of Film Classification. The committee said annual data transparency statements should be made a requirement (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Chairman of the committee, Lord Gilbert of Panteg, said: The Government should not just be responding to news headlines but looking ahead so that the services that constitute the digital world can be held accountable to an agreed set of principles. Self-regulation by online platforms is clearly failing and the current regulatory framework is out of date. The evidence we heard made a compelling and urgent case for a new approach to regulation. Without intervention, the largest tech companies are likely to gain ever more control of technologies which extract personal data and make decisions affecting peoples lives. Our proposals will ensure that rights are protected online as they are offline while keeping the internet open to innovation and creativity, with a new culture of ethical behaviour embedded in the design of service. The committee also recommends users be given greater control over when and how their personal data is collected, and that annual data transparency statements should be made a requirement. The Government is expected to publish a White Paper featuring legislative plans to more strictly regulate companies such as Facebook and Google. Facebook has previously stated it is open to working with the Government on regulation. The Lords Communications Committee said regulation of online service should be built around ten principles, including parity in protections offered online and offline, accountability, transparency and openness. The report also named privacy, ethical design, recognition of childhood, respect for human rights and equality, education and awareness-raising and democratic accountability, proportionality and an evidence-based approach as principles that should guide the development of regulation. Last month, a Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee report said social media platforms were behaving like digital gangsters and should be forced to comply with a regulated code of ethics to tackle harmful or illegal content on their sites. Margaret Thatcher was apparently fond of alternative health cures and was sent them by prolific romance author Dame Barbara Cartland, newly released documents show. Mrs Thatcher, who famously slept for only four hours a night, received nutrimental capsules from the novelist in case you ever feel tired. On a separate occasion Mrs Thatcher was sent a further supplement, possibly to address jetlag or travel sickness ahead of a trip to the Far East. Dame Barbara, who corresponded with Mrs Thatcher fairly regularly and lunched with her, sent a package dated June 8 1989. Dame Barbara Cartland sent health supplements to Margaret Thatcher (PA) My dear Prime Minister, You were wonderful last night, as usual, she wrote. It is incredible, with all you do, how you can still look as though you were 25. In case you ever feel tired, I am enclosing the very latest product we have in the Health Movement, which takes oxygen to every part of the body, including the brain. My son, aged 51, says that he wakes up in the morning and feels like a boy of 16, and at nearly 88 I find it fantastic. In a letter dated June 15 1989, Mrs Thatcher thanked Dame Barbara for the charming letter and the nutrimental capsules. Dame Barbara wrote to Mrs Thatchers diary secretary Amanda Ponsonby on July 3 1989 with further supplements ahead of Mrs Thatchers planned trip to the Far East. Thank you so much for being most kind and saying that you will give the enclosed to the Prime Minister, wrote Dame Barbara. I hope that there are enough because it is a very long trip. I did it myself and it does feel ghastly when you get home. Do impress on her that as far as I know there are no side-effects at all, and they are not soporific, so that you feel you must go to sleep. It just stops that awful feeling in the head and ears Millionaire industrialist Sir Emmanuel Kaye, once a strong supporter of the Conservative Party, wrote to Mrs Thatcher after seeing her at the opera at Glyndebourne offering advice about her supplements. He said he could sort out vitamins, minerals etc and, if you like check whether the Vitamin C and the Royal Jelly you are having are of the best variety for you and work out the optimum dosage. Sir Emmanuel also mentioned he had evolved an advanced form of homeopathy called body tuning, though it is not known whether he did any for Mrs Thatcher. The same year, a profile titled The Blooming Of Margaret Thatcher appeared in Vanity Fair, claiming Mrs Thatcher was fond of electric baths in which 0.3 amps of electricity was run through water in a bid to stay youthful. Chris Collins, of the Margaret Thatcher Foundation, said: The impression of dottiness, of a woman slightly off her trolley, was not one that (Thatchers press secretary Bernard) Ingham could treat lightly and the electric baths piece attracted a lot of attention one way or another in the worlds press. He said that references to health cures in Mrs Thatchers correspondence were obscure, perhaps deliberately so, adding that he believed her interest was genuine. The Margaret Thatcher Foundation is gradually overseeing the release of her private files through the Churchill Archives Centre in Cambridge. Members of the public will be able to browse the archive from Monday by visiting www.margaretthatcher.org A variety of stories make the front pages on Saturday, from the court case into the Shoreham airshow disaster to a schools funding crisis. The Guardian leads on an investigation looking into school funding and reports that the system is falling apart at the seams, with teachers forced to do the work of cleaners and parents having to raise essential cash. The Guardian front page, Saturday 9 March 2019 | Revealed: the chaos in schools caused by cuts pic.twitter.com/QiXCett9dv The Guardian (@guardian) March 8, 2019 The Times says the families of those killed in the Shoreham disaster wept in court as a pilot was cleared of 11 charges of manslaughter after he argued the plane was flown so badly he must have been mentally impaired at the time. The Times 9/3/2019 Susan Reilly and her Pyrenees Mountain dog Boris at Crufts Dog Show, Birmingham. The breeds temperament is confident and gentle, while territorial and protective when necessary. 8/3/2019. Photo : Aaron Chown/PA #thetimes #tomorrowspaperstoday #crufts @thetimes pic.twitter.com/9DD0tUAC7k The Times Pictures (@TimesPictures) March 8, 2019 The Daily Express says the families vowed to fight on for the truth following the court case. In tomorrow's @Daily_Express - Families of #Shoreham air disaster call for 'justice for our loved ones' - Why @hollywills is in a 'spot of bother' - We still love #MidsomerMurders after 20 series#tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/2wuMjxJjp2 Daily Express (@Daily_Express) March 8, 2019 Shamima Begum is pictured on the front of the Daily Telegraph following the news that her baby son had died. The paper leads on Brexit, reporting that Theresa Mays hopes of a last-minute breakthrough were dashed after a total breakdown of trust between London and Brussels. What the papers say - March 9 TELEGRAPH: Barnier leaves May facing Brexit humiliation #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/XWMuUzk0eB Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) March 8, 2019 The i also runs with Brexit, and says the Government rejected the EUs offer of concessions to break the impasse. The Financial Times reports that Philip Hammond has urged Eurosceptic Conservatives to get behind the Prime Ministers Brexit deal as its approval would allow him to release billions of pounds for stretched public services. Just published: front page of FT Weekend, UK edition, Saturday 9 March https://t.co/UnwPWiGFKp pic.twitter.com/EdMvuFgfHQ Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) March 8, 2019 Meanwhile, the Daily Mail leads on warnings over rising parking fees. The Daily Mirror carries an interview with One Direction star Liam Payne, who spoke of being mugged at knifepoint as a 12-year-old. And The Sun claims a masked burglar took a selfie at the home of Brendan Rodgers. Councils have warned the Government against making further funding cuts to youth offending teams as knife crime continues to come under the spotlight. Efforts to stop children joining gangs and becoming involved in violent crime will be undermined if funding to tackle youth offending is cut further, the Local Government Association (LGA) said. Figures show that youth justice grants, which fund the work of youth offending teams within councils, have been halved from 145 million in 2010/11 to 71.5 million in 2018/19, the LGA added. The warning comes amid a string of high-profile stabbings across the country which have led to the issue being described as a national emergency. (PA Graphics) The LGA said councils were waiting to find out how much funding they would receive for 2019/20, but said at the very least it should match last years amount following the recent surge in knife crime. Cllr Anntoinette Bramble, chairwoman of the LGAs children and young people board, said: The recent spate of tragic violence across the country underlines the importance of investing in services which protect and support young people, keeping them safe from the lure of gangs or from becoming involved in serious crime. Youth offending teams within local authorities have an outstanding record of reducing youth crime and making a real difference to young peoples lives, but they are under huge pressure after seeing their government funding halved. We share the Governments determination to tackle youth crime, but it needs to properly fund the services that work most closely with young people at risk of offending. It is also important that there is no delay in councils finding out how much funding they will be allocated, so they can effectively plan services to support young people. Youth offending teams have been credited with helping prompt an 86% decrease in first-time entrants to the youth justice system over the past 10 years, as well as a 78% drop in arrests. Over the same period, the number of youth cautions handed out dropped by more than 100,000, or 91%. Sara Thornton has set out police chiefs' views on what's needed to tackle #knifecrime: Stronger government leadership COBR meetings to hold all agencies to account Emergency funding for officer overtime Long term investment in police & early intervention on the root causes pic.twitter.com/ZfuLm1PJlk National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) (@PoliceChiefs) March 6, 2019 Meanwhile, police forces across the UK have asked the Government for emergency funding to help them bear down on violence now. The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) confirmed on Friday it had sent information to the Home Secretary concerning how much money was needed. Sajid Javid had previously pledged to do everything I can to provide police with the resources required. Chancellor Philip Hammond came under fire for saying that police should shift existing resources into tackling knife crime rather than expect more funding. London mayor Sadiq Khan said forces in the capital were already prioritising violent crime and insisted that moving funds would not fill the massive hole left by central Government cuts. Police officers from the City Hall-funded Violent Crime Taskforce are working flat out, around the clock, to keep our city safe. Their work has resulted in: - 3,401 arrests - 6,324 weapons sweeps - 245 firearms, 650 knives, 495 offensive weapons seized https://t.co/tYbBZjJlcL Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) March 7, 2019 During a housing visit in north London, he told the Press Association: In London we are prioritising our efforts towards tackling violent crime, tackling knife crime. I myself have directed officers to move from roads and transport to do the violent crime taskforce work, so we are really prioritising the resources we have to deal with the issue of the increasing violent crime. The stark reality is in London over the last eight years, we have lost more than 800 million of funding from central Government, were being asked to make a further round of cuts of 200 million from central Government thats a billion pounds lost from the Met Police budget. Re-prioritising, increasing council tax, diverting business rates money away doesnt fill the massive hole left by central Government cuts. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (Victoria Jones/PA) Mr Khan called on ministers to reverse the cuts and give us the funding we need to make sure there is sufficient policing across London. He added: Weve got fewer officers now in 2019 than in any time since 2003, when our population has grown by more than a million-and-a-half. But also weve seen youth services, preventative services, councils, schools have their budgets cut as well, so we need investment in preventative services but also policing too. He said London could not wait another few years to see investment, insisting: We need it now. The number of police officers across the 43 forces in England and Wales has fallen by more than 20,000 since 2009, but the Prime Minister has said there is no correlation between the decline and certain crimes. Former Labour home secretary Lord Blunkett joined calls to increase stop-and-search powers to help tackle the wave of violent crime, calling it a prime enforcement tool. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said: I cant see how you can stop someone carrying a knife if you cant search them for one. Stop-and-search, used intelligently and with, instead of targeted at, the communities most affected, has to be a prime enforcement tool, just to get that grip which makes it possible to implement other measures. A 15-year-old boy has been charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of a 17-year-old in west London. Police have confirmed that the victim was Ayub Hassan, from Shepherds Bush. Ayub was found with stab injuries to the chest in Lanfrey Place, West Kensington, on Thursday afternoon. A family friend earlier paid tribute to him as a kind and handsome boy with ambitions of becoming a barrister. Police said his next of kin have been informed and a post-mortem examination is due to take place on Sunday. The 15-year-old charged with his murder will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Saturday morning. Ayub Hassan had ambitions of becoming a barrister (PA) Scotland Yard said three other males were arrested as part of the police investigation. A 17-year-old has been bailed pending further inquiries to a date in mid-April. An 18-year-old and a 15-year-old have been released with no further action. HARRISBURG >> State Rep. Wendi Thomas (R-Bucks) will soon introduce legislation to crack down on home delivery theft. With the ongoing pandemic, online purchases have skyrocketed, said Thomas, who is crafting the legislation with input from Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub. With the continuing COVID-19 health crisis, many packages are being left unattended on porches to avoid unnecessary interactions.... Holidaymakers planning city breaks in 2019 may find they get better value for money than a year ago as the typical costs in many tourist hotspots have tumbled, analysis has found. The review of 48 destinations by Post Office Travel Money found the cost of a city break can vary hugely from under 150 to more than 450. Costs in some popular destinations have tumbled over the past year including in Venice, Rome, Amsterdam, Madrid, Lisbon and Berlin. A cheaper and wider choice of accommodation has helped push down prices, the report said. It looked at how much getaways could add up to in various destinations, including the cost of a two-night stay for two adults in three-star accommodation as well as typical costs that holidaymakers might incur such as transport within the city, food and drink and visits to attractions. Costs also took exchange rates into account. The City Costs Barometer found a city break in Madrid is around 317.06 14.3% cheaper than last year. A break in Berlin could could cost around 252.84 a 10.7% annual fall. At 256.32, a typical break in Rome is 9.3% cheaper than a year ago, while the average cost of a break in Venice is 325.11 an annual 23.3% fall. A view of Venice, Italy. The cost of a city break in Venice has fallen by 23.3% year-on-year, Post Office Travel Money said (Myung Jung Kim/PA) A break in Amsterdam could cost 444.29 a fall of 17% year-on-year, while a getaway in Lisbon adds up to around 207.27 down 1.4%. Barcelona is 2.4% cheaper than a year ago, at around 348.93. Travel costs to each destination are not included in the report. It also looked at the cost of a city break in the UKs capital cities. The findings suggest that, within the UK, tourists may see their money go further in Cardiff. The cost of a stay in the Welsh capital is around 292.90, just pipping Edinburgh (295.25). London was the most expensive city within the UK, at 364.07 a year-on-year rise of 3.7%. Meanwhile, a break in Belfast costs around 312.65. Temple Bar, Dublin. The typical cost of a city break in Dublin is 385.07, the research found (Brian Lawless/PA) A getaway in Dublin would set holidaymakers back 385.07, the report found, although this is a slight 1% year-on-year fall. Holidaymakers looking for a bargain break will also find value in Eastern Europe. The report highlighted Vilnius in Lithuania and Belgrade in Serbia as places offering value, with the cost of a getaway at around 147.35 and 151.57 respectively. Warsaw in Poland is also among the cheapest destinations in the research, costing around 160.35. And a break in Istanbul in Turkey costs around 166.83 with the relative weakness of the Turkish lira against sterling keeping costs down for UK tourists. Bucharest in Romania, Porto in Portugal and Bratislava in Slovakia were also among the cheapest destinations in the research. Meanwhile, Athens was cheapest of the 48 cities surveyed for a three-course meal for two with wine costing around 36.65. The overall cost of staying in Athens was found to be around 197.13. Andrew Brown of Post Office Travel Money said: Sterling is currently stronger than a year ago against every European currency but that could change, so holidaymakers would be wise to consider both exchange rates and the underlying costs they will incur on a city break before booking. Canny travellers can save hundreds of pounds by comparing the cost of accommodation and picking a city where hotel prices are low and where meals, drinks and sightseeing prices are also cheap. Prices have increased in some destinations over the past year with the biggest price jump in the research found in Krakow in Poland, at 21.2%. But overall costs in Krakow are still relatively cheap, at 200.47. Paris was also found to be 1.3% more expensive than a year ago, at 324.86 typically. While Vilnius was the cheapest destination, Reykjavik in Iceland was the most expensive city looked at, with the cost of a getaway at around 462.61 a 9.6% year-on-year fall. With Brexit looming, Mr Brown suggested keeping an eye on currency fluctuations and changing enough money before leaving to cover likely costs, or loading cash onto a pre-paid card to avoid extra transaction charges overseas. Here are the top 10 destinations with the biggest price falls, according to Post Office Travel Money, with the percentage decrease, the typical price of a break now and the typical price a year ago: 1. Venice, minus 23.3%, 325, 424 2. Amsterdam, minus 17.0%, 444, 535 3. Nice, minus 14.4%, 211, 246 4. Madrid, minus 14.3%, 317, 370 =5. Oslo, minus 13.0%, 444, 511 =5. Vienna, minus 13.0%, 276, 317 7. Copenhagen, minus 12.9%, 411, 472 8. Warsaw, minus 11.5%, 160, 181 =9. Vilnius, minus 11.1%, 147, 166 =9. Valencia, minus 11.1%, 218, 246 A man has been charged with the murder of 17-year-old Jodie Chesney, who was stabbed in a park in east London. Manuel Petrovic, 20, of Highfield Road, Romford, was arrested in Leicester on Tuesday in connection with the incident. He is due to appear at Barkingside Magistrates Court on Saturday. Another man who was arrested on suspicion of murder in London on Friday remains in custody, Scotland Yard said. Jodie was playing music with friends near a childrens playground at Harold Hill when she was knifed from behind in a seemingly motiveless attack on March 1. Jodies father Peter, stepmother Joanne and sister Lucy (Stefan Rousseau/PA) She was pronounced dead just over an hour after officers were called at about 9.25pm. A post-mortem examination gave the cause of the Girl Scouts death as trauma and haemorrhage. Jodies father Peter Chesney described the teenager as a proud geek and a great girl, adding: The fibre of her being was just about being good, kind there was nothing bad in her body. He said Jodies death had torn the family apart and said: We dont know how to deal with it. Purple bows and ribbons were attached to lamp posts and railings in Harold Hill after Jodies death (Jonathan Brady/PA) Everyone is suffering because she was so good everyone just cant believe why her? It is not one life deserves to be killed over another, but specifically her, she was so kind. Her death has added to the urgency for action to be taken to tackle knife crime across the UK. On Thursday, people wore purple ribbons and carried purple balloons in memory of the teenager as they took part in march through Romford calling for an end to knife crime. A murder investigation into Jodies death continues. Anyone with information should call the Homicide and Major Crime Command Incident Room on 020 8345 3775, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Most if not all those killed following gunfire by soldiers during a pitched battle in west Belfast were not in the IRA, a retired army general said. Ten people died over three rebellious days at the start of internment of suspected paramilitaries without trial early in the Troubles. A coroner is examining a series of shootings by members of the Parachute Regiment. Sir Geoffrey Howlett, 89, expressed enormous sympathy with families whose relatives perished in Ballymurphy in August 1971. One of the highest-ranking former British officers to appear before a Northern Irish inquest into conflict deaths said in Belfast: I realise now that most, if not all, were not IRA. He accepted anyone who was not rioting could not be associated with armed republicans, despite the acknowledged level of support for the IRA in the area. Tensions linked to internment saw disorder escalate into what the soldier described as a full-blown battle, and many hundreds of rounds were fired at his men. The then-lieutenant colonel was commander of the Second Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, between 1971 and 1973. A contemporaneous regimental note before the inquest said soldiers viewed the incident as one of inflicting severe casualties on the IRA. Sir Geoffrey accepted the armys record of the time may have been mistaken. Sir Geoffrey told relatives of the dead: I want just to say to you how sincerely I have enormous sympathy with you all. He added: I know something about bereavement because my father was killed in Italy in the war when I was 13, and I wanted to know everything about how it happened as well. He spoke from the witness box at a Belfast courtroom. Three rows of families of the dead sat opposite him in silence. After the hearing concluded, John Teggart, the son of one of the victims, Daniel Teggart, said it was almost an apology. Mr Teggart, 44, and Noel Phillips, 19, were shot close to the Henry Taggart Army base near Springfield Park. Sir Geoffrey said he would not be totally convinced that they were not associated with the IRA, but they were not firing at them. Campaigner John Teggart added: For the first time in almost 48 years, Geoffrey has said my father was not an IRA gunman. That is a big deal to the families, that is a big lift to the families today. We have waited just to hear that one word. The Ballymurphy families maintain their loved ones were entirely innocent. Sir Geoffrey occupied high-ranking military positions, including commander-in-chief of the Allied Forces in northern Europe. He paid tribute to the role of clergymen during the conflict. Sir Geoffrey recalled serious escalation of the violence in west Belfast in 1971 after troops were charged with implementing internment of suspects without trial. None of us realised that the day of internment (August 9) and the next day or two would turn out to be such a rebellious period with as much rioting, shooting, petrol and nail bombing as it was. I dont think any of us were quite prepared for the big change. The streets were barricaded amid looting, shooting and bombing, Sir Geoffrey said. The witness added: The situation went from rioting to a full-blown battle. It was very busy certainly the busiest day of my life. Rules of engagement known as the yellow card had been introduced to govern the Armys use of fire. The general said: From the ninth for a day or two then, it was not quite fit for purpose. After Ballymurphy, no soldier was disciplined and there was no debrief, the witness said. We were too busy trying to get Belfast back to normal, he said. The battalion left Northern Ireland on August 25 and took a months leave. Several airlines serving UK airports are continuing to fly the aircraft model involved in a deadly crash in Ethiopia, despite it being grounded in several countries. China, Indonesia and Ethiopia halted flights by Boeing 737 Max 8 planes following the Ethiopian Airlines crash on Sunday which killed all 157 people on board. Tui Airways has the only five 737 Max 8 aircraft operated by a UK-based airline, and is due to begin flying a sixth later this week. Asked if the airline would take any action in response to the crash, a spokesman for parent company Tui said: We do not comment on any speculation and we are, as always, in close contact with the manufacturer. We have no indication that we cant operate our 737 Max in a safe way like we do with all other planes in our network. Scandinavian airline Norwegian, which serves London Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh in the UK, has 18 Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. Tomas Hesthammer, the carriers director of flight operations, said: All of our Boeing 737 Max aircraft are operating as normal. A number of airlines have grounded their fleet of the aircraft model, including Royal Air Maroc, Cayman Airways, Mongolian Airlines and Comair, which is a British Airways franchise in southern Africa. A Comair spokesman said it will not fly its 737 Max 8s while it consults with other operators, Boeing and technical experts. The Ethiopian Airlines jet crashed six minutes after taking off from the capital Addis Ababa. Both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were recovered from the wreckage. While the cause is not yet known, the crash shared similarities with last years Lion Air jet plunging into the Java Sea, killing 189. That also involved a 737 Max 8 crashing minutes after take off. Boeing 737 MAX 8 (PA Graphics) The US Federal Aviation Administration, which is responsible for issuing safety certificates for the aircraft, said it was closely monitoring developments. This process is validated for European Union countries by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The UK Civil Aviation Authority said it is liaising very closely with EASA. Ethiopian Airlines chief executive Tewolde Gebremariam said the pilot had sent out a distress call and was given the all-clear to return to the airport. Senior captain Yared Getachew had a commendable performance having completed more than 8,000 hours in the air, the airline said. Chicago-based Boeing is facing pressure to guarantee the safety of its 737 Max 8 aircraft. The firms chief executive Dennis Muilenburg said it is providing technical assistance to the Ethiopian government and regulatory authorities in their investigation. Ethiopian Airlines crash (PA Graphics) Shares in Boeing were down nearly 9% in Frankfurt and also fell 9% in pre-market trading in New York. The Max aircraft has engines which are higher on the wing than previous models of the 737. This affects aerodynamics, leading to Boeing introducing new software designed to prevent stalling. The passengers killed in Sundays crash came from 35 nations, including 32 from Kenya and 18 from Canada. United Nations worker Joanna Toole, a 36-year-old from Devon, was among at least nine British nationals killed. Colleagues at the UN fisheries and aquaculture department described Ms Toole as a wonderful human being, while her father said she was a very soft and loving woman. Ms Tooles father Adrian, from Exmouth, told the DevonLive website that she was genuinely one of those people who you never hear a bad word about. Everybody was very proud of her and the work she did, were still in a state of shock, he added. Wreckage lies at the scene of an Ethiopian Airlines flight (AP) Joseph Waithaka, a 55-year-old who lived in Hull for a decade before moving back to his native Kenya, also died in the crash, his son said. Ben Kuria, 30, who lives in south London, said his father regularly visited England and was returning from a trip to meet his two-month-old granddaughter and get a health check-up when he died. Mr Kuria said: Hes someone who really loved justice, and didnt give up on people most people had given up on. He really just wanted the best for his kids. He was a father not just to us but to so many people in so many ways. One Irish victim was named as Michael Ryan, a married father-of-two based in Rome with the UNs World Food Programme, which distributes rations to people in need. Known as Mick and formerly from Lahinch in Co Clare, Mr Ryan was celebrated for doing life-changing work in Africa by Irish premier Leo Varadkar. As many as 19 UN workers were feared to have been killed in the crash, the number being so high because of its environmental forum which started on Monday. Controversial plans to expand Heathrow would effectively create a new airport and have severe consequences for Londoners, the High Court has heard. The Governments approval of a third runway is being challenged by a coalition of councils, residents, environmental charities and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. Outlining the case on behalf of five London boroughs, Greenpeace and Mr Khan, Nigel Pleming QC said the plans could see the number of passengers using the airport rise to an estimated 132 million, an increase of 60%. On Monday, the first day of a two-week hearing, he told the court: The new development, if it goes ahead, will add, in effect, a new airport with the capacity of Gatwick to the north of Heathrow. Mr Pleming added that the adverse effects and consequences for local residents of such an expansion are bound to be severe. The case is being brought against Transport Secretary Chris Grayling by local authorities and residents in London affected by the expansion and charities including Greenpeace, Friends Of The Earth and Plan B. The coalition claims the Governments National Policy Statement (NPS) setting out its support for the project fails to properly deal with the impact on air quality, climate change, noise and congestion. Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling (Ben Birchall/PA) The claimants argue the NPS is unlawful and should be quashed, which would mean the Government would have to start the process again and put it to another vote in Parliament. Mr Pleming said the building of a third runway at Heathrow, which was chosen as the preferred option for expanding airport capacity in the south east of England, is politically controversial. He told the court Heathrow is the busiest two-runway airport in the world and is situated in a densely populated area. He said: If the (third runway) is the means of achieving expansion, there will be widespread consequences. There will be hundreds of thousands of additional flights each year across central London, and also affecting the south east. Thousands of peoples homes will be demolished. Hundreds of thousands will experience increased noise, worsened traffic and harmful air pollution. He said there were errors in the steps leading to the NPS which mean it is invalid. Friends Of The Earth and Plan B argue Mr Grayling failed to take enough account of the impact on air quality when reaching the decision to approve the third runway. Lawyers representing Mr Grayling said the claimants case is unarguable and premature, as they will all have the opportunity to make representations at a later stage in the planning process. Support from Labour MPs helped push through the proposals to expand Europes busiest airport with an overwhelming majority of 296 in a Commons vote in June last year. Mr Grayling said at the time that the new runway would set a clear path to our future as a global nation in the post-Brexit world. Construction could begin in 2021, with the third runway operational by 2026. Scores of demonstrators gathered outside the court ahead of the hearing, which is before Lord Justice Hickinbottom and Mr Justice Holgate. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell, whose Hayes and Harlington constituency includes Heathrow, said: This is an iconic battleground in terms of climate change. Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, who previously resigned over the Governments decision before returning to the Conservative Party, said: It is a massive issue locally, but its a London issue. If you look at the proposals for flight paths, they are not specific, but they affect most of London. Craig Bennett, chief executive of Friends Of The Earth, said: We absolutely do not see how you can have aviation expansion in the UK while cutting our carbon emissions by 50% in the next 12 years. Executive director of Back Heathrow Parmjit Dhanda, who supports the expansion, said: There is an awful lot of support for this project. It is really important that we see both sides of the argument. I think if this expansion did not go ahead, it would be a disaster for Britain in a post-Brexit world. Greenpeace UKs executive director, John Sauven, said: Of all Chris Graylings bad decisions as transport minister, this one will cost us the most. We have an air pollution crisis thats killing thousands and costing the NHS billions every year, we have a climate emergency which is of another order of magnitude altogether, and we have a capital city which is already served by five international airports with six runways between them. The idea that yet another runway might be worth the environmental and health costs well all have to pay is ludicrous. This reckless decision must be reversed. A Department for Transport spokeswoman previously said: Expansion at Heathrow is a critical programme which will provide a boost to the economy, increase our international links and create tens of thousands of new jobs. As with any major infrastructure project, we have been anticipating legal challenges and will robustly defend our position. A Heathrow spokeswoman previously said: Our work in delivering Britains new runway will continue in tandem with this process following overwhelming support in Parliament. We remain focused on the work needed for our development consent order submission in 2020 and we are getting on with the delivery of this project which will benefit the whole of the UK. Theresa May was working down to the wire to find a Brexit breakthrough before Tuesdays crucial vote by MPs on her Withdrawal Agreement, with speculation mounting of last-minute talks with Jean-Claude Juncker. Irelands foreign minister Simon Coveney said he understood that the Prime Minister will travel to Strasbourg on Monday evening in a final bid to secure changes that will allow MPs to back her Withdrawal Agreement the following day. But sources in London said the Tanaiste was getting ahead of himself and there were no confirmed plans for Mrs May to fly to the continent. Neither Downing Street nor the European Commission would confirm plans for a face-to-face meeting between Mrs May and Mr Juncker, who spoke by telephone on Sunday evening and again on Monday. Time is running out for any new assurances or clarifications to the deal which was resoundingly rejected by a 230-vote majority by MPs in January. The Government must table its motion for Tuesdays debate by the end of the day, alongside the publication of any relevant documents. MPs have also been promised that they will be shown any updated legal advice from Attorney General Geoffrey Cox before the debate begins. .@MargSchinas on #Brexit today: @JunckerEU & @theresa_may spoke on the phone last night. Took stock of work done. Will stay in close contact. The @EU_Commission remains open & willing to meet with #UK negotiators at any time. Now for @HouseofCommons to take important decisions. Daniel Ferrie (@DanielFerrie) March 11, 2019 Downing Street insisted following Mondays phone call that talks continue, despite admitting the process was deadlocked after negotiations over the weekend failed to produce agreement. European Union chief negotiator Michel Barnier said the talks happening now were between the Government in London and the Parliament in London, rather than the UK and Brussels. At Westminster, speculation has centred on the prospect of the Prime Minister watering down her commitment to hold a vote on her Brexit deal following the failure of talks to provide suitable concessions over the Northern Ireland backstop. But Mrs Mays official spokesman confirmed it remains the plan to stage the second meaningful vote on the Brexit deal on Tuesday. The PMs spokesman cautioned against speculation that Mrs May might ask Parliament to vote on a conditional motion expressing its readiness to support a form of deal other than the one agreed with Brussels. Mrs May ducked a demand from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to update the House of Commons on the progress of negotiations, sending Brexit minister Robin Walker to respond to his urgent question in her place. Mr Walker was jeered by Labour MPs as he explained he had been sent because negotiations were at a critical stage. The absence of the PM, who was attending a Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey, was called an outrageous dereliction of duty by backbencher Angela Eagle. Mr Corbyn told MPs that the Government is in chaos and the country in crisis. If her deal is rejected again on Tuesday, the Labour leader said the PM should shift her red lines and show not just that she is willing to meet with members of this House, but that she is willing to compromise with them too. Mr Walker confirmed the meaningful vote will take place on Tuesday and said it was incumbent on MPs to take the opportunity to deliver on the will of the British people and to provide certainty by backing Mrs Mays deal. PM no show in Commons today is an outrageous dereliction of duty #BrexitShambles #ToryChaos #ParForTheCourse Angela Eagle DBE (@angelaeagle) March 11, 2019 In a sign of Brussels frustration, European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said: It is now for the House of Commons to take an important set of decisions this week. Mr Barnier told AFP as he arrived at a meeting of EU ambassadors: We talked all weekend and now the discussions, the negotiations, are between the Government in London and the Parliament in London. MPs are expected to vote on the deal on Tuesday, with possible further votes on whether to accept a no-deal Brexit or extend Article 50 in order to delay the UKs departure beyond the current March 29 deadline. The Prime Minister was warned that her position could be in jeopardy unless she stuck to commitments she made about this weeks votes. Tory former minister Nick Boles said: I am sure that the Prime Minister will honour these three commitments. If she doesnt she will forfeit the confidence of the House of Commons. And senior Labour backbencher Yvette Cooper said the PM would be guilty of a straight-up lie if she failed to go through with votes allowing MPs to delay Brexit. I am sure that the Prime Minister will honour these three commitments. If she doesnt she will forfeit the confidence of the House of Commons. Nick Boles (@NickBoles) March 11, 2019 Mrs May has been told by Brexiteers that rejection of the Withdrawal Agreement is inevitable unless there are significant changes to the Northern Ireland backstop. Some called on the PM to postpone the meaningful vote rather than risk another damaging reverse. They urged her to table a conditional motion setting out the terms for dealing with the backstop issue which Parliament would be prepared to accept. Jacob Rees-Mogg, chairman of the pro-Brexit Tory European Research Group, told the Times it would not be a foolish way to proceed. Jacob Rees-Mogg said a `conditional motion `would not be a foolish way to proceed (Dominic Lipinski/PA) He added: I think a meaningful vote with an addendum saying this House will support a deal if such and such is done might be a way of uniting the party or limiting the scale of the defeat. Ex-cabinet minister Nicky Morgan said Mrs Mays position would become untenable if Parliament dismantled her Brexit policy in a series of votes during the course of the week. But former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith told BBC Radio 4s World At One: The Prime Minister is there at least until the autumn of this coming year and therefore that means she has got to make the decisions that are relevant. Asked if the PM had considered resigning if her deal was defeated on Tuesday, her spokesman said he had not discussed the matter with Mrs May, but added: I have seen nothing at all to suggest that. An event paying tribute to victims of terrorism has heard condemnation of a US citys decision to honour Martin McGuinnesss courageous service in the military. Some of those bereaved and injured by the IRA heavily criticised the award bestowed by the city of San Francisco as they attended the commemoration in Belfast. They were reacting to the citation dedicated to the late Mr McGuinness signed by San Francisco mayor London Breed ahead of St Patricks Day. The tribute to the former IRA commander turned political leader hailed his work bringing peace to Northern Ireland but also praised his courage in military action. Mervyn Lewers, a retired policeman from Mr McGuinnesss native Londonderry, who lost both legs in an IRA under-car bombing, expressed his anger at the event to mark European Day for Victims of Terrorism. Can I say how disgusted I feel on the award that was given to Martin McGuinness, he said. Sinn Fein candidate Martin McGuinness at the announcement of the first preference votes in the Irish Presidential Election in 2011 (PA) I was born and raised in Londonderry when Martin McGuinness was IRA commander in the city at the time. David Kerrigans sister Heather was a 20-year-old corporal in the Ulster Defence Regiment when she was killed in an IRA landmine blast just outside their home town of Castlederg, Co Tyrone, in 1984. Mr Kerrigan was on the same patrol and was badly injured in the attack. Martin McGuinness wasnt in an army he was a terrorist, he was the leader of the terrorists, he said after Mondays commemoration in Parliament Buildings. We were just disgusted when we heard it. Mr Kerrigans wife Irene said she could not understand the mindset of those behind the US award. You had the twin towers atrocity in America, they realise what terrorists are, she said. I dont really know how any right-thinking person would give a man like that an award like that. She added: Victims are being let down and Martin McGuinness has died a hero practically and innocent victims have died and have been forgotten about by our own politicians and the government. Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister, who hosted the event in the Senate Chamber, also condemned the citation. We meet under the shadow of that retraumatising insult from San Francisco to honour murder, he said. We are here today to honour the victims of murder and of murderous attacks. We are not here to salute, to embrace the actions of victim makers, we are here to salute the memory of their many innocent victims. A Sinn Fein spokesman said: This honour from the city and county of San Francisco is a welcome recognition of the life and legacy of Martin McGuinness. Martin McGuinness made a colossal contribution to the peace process, Irish unity and reconciliation. His remarkable life and legacy has been celebrated and recognised across the world. The Queen has led the nation in marking Commonwealth Day, celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the family of nations. With her family gathered around her, the Queen joined the 2,000-strong congregation at Westminster Abbey to honour the institution which has been a pivotal part of her 66-year reign. The Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of York were among the guests, with the Prime Minister, Theresa May, High Commissioners and hundreds of schoolchildren. Harry and Meghan were the first senior royals to arrive for the Commonwealth Day service, followed by William and Kate then Charles and Camilla and finally the Queen, accompanied by the Duke of York. Outside the Abbeys west door they were treated to a performance by the Tropical Flowers Sega Dancers, a group of British Mauritians from south London. (PA Graphics) The Commonwealth plays an important part in the public life of the Queen, who famously dedicated herself to the empire on her 21st birthday in 1947. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the service (Steve Parsons/PA) Now head of the Commonwealth, the then Princess Elizabeth said that day: I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family, to which we all belong. When the Queen arrived and turned to look at her grandsons and their wives, Kate and Meghan both curtseyed while William and Harry bowed their heads. The modern Commonwealth was established in 1949 when eight countries, Australia, Britain, Ceylon, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and Canada, signed the Declaration of London. Within a few decades it had expanded rapidly and today has 53 member states. In past years some commentators have criticised the Commonwealth for its apparent weakness and ineffectiveness when dealing with member states who do not abide by the rules. But supporters of the family of nations believe it allows countries to unify on common causes and ultimately, through unity, effect change. The service began after the Queens procession, with the choir and senior clergy from the Abbey leading the way and the members of the royal family and Dean of Westminster, Dr John Hall, following. Endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh gave the reflection and issued a stark warning about the state of the worlds seas. 'Our common wealth is our oceans ' Watch @LewisPugh talk about his passion for the #Commonwealth, the #BlueCharter, #CHOGM2018 and the #ocean. The interview was filmed in the gardens of #MarlboroughHouse, where the flags of our 53 member countries fly#CommonwealthDay The Commonwealth (@commonwealthsec) March 11, 2019 He urged the Commonwealth to lead the world in ocean conservation, and combat the threat posed by the perfect storm of climate change, over-fishing and plastic pollution. He said: The speed of change is alarming. When I first swam in the Arctic the water was three degrees centigrade when I swam there recently it was 10 degrees centigrade, and that is right on the edge of the Arctic icepack. What we are now doing to the world will impact every single person on this planet, it will impact every future generation and impact the whole of the animal kingdom. Mr Pugh, UN patron of the oceans, told the congregation our Commonwealth is our oceans, going on to say: Now is the time to build a new generation of green protected areas and now is also the time to welcome in a new generation of marine protectors. He ended with the words: Its the moments which challenge us the most that define us. We stand at a crucial moment in the history of our planet so must dive in together, and without reservation, in order to protect our oceans let this be the Commonwealths gift to the world. An Irish woman detained in Syria will be allowed return despite her alleged links to Islamic State (IS), the Taoiseach has said. Leo Varadkar said an investigation will need to be conducted before Lisa Smith will be allowed to re-enter the country but he said it was the compassionate thing to do. Ms Smith, 37, originally from Co Louth, has been detained for being suspected as a member of IS. She was a member of the Irish Defence Forces before she converted to Islam and emigrated to Syria. Mr Varadkar said going to live in Syria, or what was called Islamic State, was not in itself an offence or a crime. I know the authorities there will want to interrogate her to see if she has been involved in any crimes there, he said. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (Tom Honan/PA) But its very possible that she was never a combatant. We really need to get to the bottom of the facts here, carry out a security assessment to see if the Syrian authorities want to carry out a prosecution or not. But ultimately this is an Irish citizen and we dont believe that removing an Irish citizens citizenship from her or her child and rendering her stateless would be either the right or compassionate thing to do. Mr Varadkar added: As an Irish citizen she will have the right to return to Ireland as will her child, who is an Irish citizen. But its not just as simple as coming here and proceeding as if nothing had happened, he said. There will need to be an interrogation by the authorities there. There may need to be a prosecution there. And well make sure that if she returns to Ireland, she isnt a threat to anybody here either. Irish woman Carol Duffy, who helped Ms Smith convert to Islam nine years ago, said she was shocked to hear of her suspected links to the Islamic State. Ms Duffy told RTEs Liveline she believes Ms Smith was brainwashed. People are judging her now from what they see but the Lisa Smith I knew was a genuine, nice girl., she said. She was very funny and very approachable and from a nice family. I think what has happened to Lisa is a level of brainwashing that we will never be able to comprehend. I think she was promised a great life and I think she believed them. She is very vulnerable and is guilty of being naive. Asked whether she think Ms Smith should be allowed to return to Ireland, she said: I was very conflicted by all of this because in one way Im very adamant that anyone who gets involved in that kind of carry on needs to be punished. The other thing is we have no proof she has done anything. The Lisa I knew was not confrontational, (she) would never physically hurt anyone. The idea that she would be over there doing something? No, I dont believe she lifted a gun and killed anyone. I dont even believe she was sympathising with them, I think she was looking for something in life and it dint turn out that way. Doctors have threatened to sue the Government over changes to the NHS pension scheme which they say discriminated against younger staff. The British Medical Association (BMA) has written to Health Secretary Matt Hancock and officials in Scotland and Northern Ireland to warn of its intention to take legal action on behalf of members, it said on Monday. The body, which represents UK doctors, said changes to pension schemes four years ago will result in huge financial loss for some medics when they retire. Many NHS staff were moved onto a new scheme in 2015 with less valuable retirement benefits, the BMA said. However, some doctors were allowed to stay on the previous schemes until they retired or at the end of a fixed transition period. The BMA alleges that the failure to allow younger doctors to benefit from these transitions constitutes unlawful age discrimination, Dr Trevor Pickersgill, interim treasurer of the body, said. Some doctors may face financial loss as a result of the changes, the BMA said (Peter Byrne/PA) The legal action follows a ruling by the Court of Appeal in December, which found the Government discriminated against judges and firefighters over changes to their pension. In line with the changes to the NHS Pension scheme, firefighters similarly could stay in the existing and better pension scheme, and younger members had to transfer to a new and worse scheme, causing significant financial losses, Dr Pickersgill said. The Government has said it will appeal this decision, but the BMA is demanding that, should that appeal fail, the Government will agree that 2015 NHS Pension Scheme does unlawfully discriminate against its younger members. The BMA wants the Government to scrap the scheme so that doctors are not adversely affected by it in later years. Many doctors had been working towards and planning for their retirement based on membership of the former sections of the NHS pension scheme, only for those plans to be completely disregarded once the Governments discriminatory changes were brought in. A Government spokesman said: In 2015 reforms were introduced to ensure that public service pensions are affordable and sustainable in the long term. In December 2018, the Court of Appeal ruled that the transitional protection offered to some members as part of the reforms amounts to unlawful discrimination. The Government is seeking permission to appeal this decision and continues to believe that the reforms were necessary, appropriate and lawful. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the Court will require steps to be taken to compensate employees who were transferred to the new schemes. However this decision does not alter the Governments longstanding objective to ensure public service pensions are fair to public service workers and fair to other taxpayers. Three police officers have received final written warnings for gross misconduct over their contact with a domestic abuse victim who was murdered days later. Linah Keza, 29, of Leyton, east London, was killed on July 31 2013 by her ex-partner David Gikawa, who is now serving a life sentence in prison. She made a number of calls to police in the week before her death at the hands of her abuser, who stabbed her to death in front of her two-year-old daughter. On Monday, the police watchdog said three Metropolitan Police officers who dealt with her complaints had been found guilty of gross misconduct. The force apologised to her family and said the officers could and should have done more to protect Miss Keza from her abusive partner. Police officers involved with murder victim Linah Keza prior to her death have been ruled to have committed gross misconduct following a directed hearing https://t.co/2iO68nLpUs Independent Office for Police Conduct (@policeconduct) March 11, 2019 Constables Adrian Brown and Christopher Moore were accused of failing to take the models concerns seriously when they visited her home on July 29. Linah Keza (AMC Agency/PA) She claimed Gikawa had made threats to kill any man she associated with, had tampered with the tyres of her friends car, parked outside the house and continued to visit the area despite her telling him their relationship was over. But the constables failed to capture the available evidence, including a recording that she had made of Gikawa threatening her in a Ugandan dialect. Despite having enough information to justify an arrest, they failed to detain the man who went on to kill her. Sergeant Sidney Rogers was found to have advised Gikawa on July 30, the day before Ms Keza died, that he could visit her home without a police escort. Gikawa wanted to collect some belongings and had been told by police that he should not do so without an officer present. But a Metropolitan Police disciplinary panel found Mr Rogers told him he could visit the address with his brother, and then lied to watchdog the Independent Office for Police conduct about it. Linahs brother and sister Susan Asiimwe and Ivan Kigenza said in a statement: We blame no-one but David Gikawa for taking Linahs life. But Linah trusted the police and they let her down. Although we are disappointed that no officer will lose their job, after six years of fighting we are grateful that there has been some individual accountability for the failure to protect her. The Metropolitan Police Service has also accepted that there were failings in her case and apologised to us. We hope that Linahs case can be used as an example for change and learning and that something positive can come out of our terrible loss. The IOPC found two other officers also committed misconduct in the way they dealt with Ms Keza, one of whom had already left the force and the other who received management action. Commander Catherine Roper, from the Mets Professional Standards team, said: It is clear that these officers could and should have done more to protect Miss Keza from her abusive partner and on behalf of the Metropolitan Police Service I would like to apologise to Miss Kezas family for the failings that have been highlighted during the IOPC investigation, and misconduct hearings. We always look to learn from mistakes made during investigations. We are continually working to improve our response to domestic abuse in all its forms, and are committed to safeguarding all victims and bringing perpetrators to justice. We always expect the very highest standards of conduct and behaviour from our officers, both in their professional and personal lives. When officers fall short of those standards, they can expect to be held to account. A 13-year-old schoolboy is in hospital after suffering stab wounds during a lunchtime disturbance in Glasgow. Police and paramedics were called to Kilmarnock Road, near Shawlands Academy, where the injured boy was found. The teenager was taken to hospital by ambulance, and officers have arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection with the incident. It is understood that the 13-year-old boy had sustained stab wounds to his stomach and knees. A Scottish Ambulance Service spokeswoman said he was not in a critical condition. Paramedics were at the scene within two minutes of the call, and the ambulance spokeswoman added: We received a call at 1.34pm today to attend an incident on Kilmarnock Road, Glasgow. A Glasgow schoolboy in in hospital with stab wounds to his knees and stomach (Andrew Milligan/PA) We dispatched one ambulance and our paramedic response unit to the incident and one male patient was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: At 1.30pm police were called to reports a boy had been stabbed during a disturbance on Kilmarnock Road, near Skirving Street in Shawlands. He was taken by ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment. A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the incident and enquiries are ongoing. A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: We are aware one of our pupils has been injured in an incident on Kilmarnock Road during the school lunch break and the school is helping the police with their enquiries. Drugs to treat a rare form of cancer and prevent infection following a stem cell transplant have been recommended for routine use on the NHS in Scotland. The two drugs were accepted by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), which provides advice to NHS Scotland about the value of newly licensed medicines. Liposomal daunorubicin/cytarabine, also known as Vyxeos, was accepted for treating a rare and aggressive blood cancer in adults, known as high risk types of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). It is the first new chemotherapy in four decades for these types of cancer and the SMC found it can improve remission rates and survival giving an increased chance of a potential cure through stem cell transplant. The treatment involves fewer doses and shorter hospital stays than current chemotherapy options for patients. Dr Mark Drummond, consultant haematologist at the Beatson Cancer Centre, Glasgow, said the decision is an important milestone. The Scottish Medicines Consortium has accepted two new drugs for routine NHS use (Peter Byrne/PA) He said: It is the first new chemotherapy in four decades for these types of high-risk AML that has demonstrated an improved overall survival when compared to a standard of care regimen. There has been a real need for new, effective treatment options as response rates to current therapies are substantially lower than those for other types of AML. The consortium also accepted Letermovir, also known as Prevymis, which is used to prevent stem cell transplant patients from developing a potentially serious infection. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can lead to serious illness and delay recovery following transplant but the drug can guard against this. This is great news for stem cell transplant patients in Scotland Scotland is the first part of the UK to recommend accepting the drug for routine use on the NHS. Chloe Anthias, medical director of Anthony Nolan which operates a potential stem cell donor register, said: This is great news for stem cell transplant patients in Scotland. The current treatments for CMV reactivation can have a very negative effect on quality of life, but the SMC decision represents a significant step forward. SMC chairman Dr Alan MacDonald said: We are pleased to be able to accept these two new medicines for use by NHS Scotland. Patients with high-risk acute myeloid leukaemia have a very poor prognosis and high unmet need. Liposomal daunorubicin/cytarabine offers an improvement in overall survival and may lead to a potentially curative stem cell transplant for some patients. For patients who have undergone a stem cell transplant, letermovir can aid their recovery by reducing the risk of CMV infection. He said the committee did not accept a third drug tisagenlecleucel, also known as Kymriah, used for adult patients with a type of lymph node cancer who have relapsed or not responded to previous treatments, as the companys evidence around its long-term benefits was not clear. Dr Alasdair Rankin, director of research and patient experience at Bloodwise, said it is a disappointment for patients as the treatment can offer a last-chance lifeline. He said: It is another setback for patients who are unable to access the same therapies as their counterparts in England. A former honorary commandant of the Parachute Regiment has said he never saw anything illegal during his years with them. Sir Geoffrey Howlett, 89, did not accept that there were thugs, bullies or psychopaths within a battalion which he was in charge of in west Belfast in 1971. He called the account of the Regiments culture revoltingly untrue. On Monday he gave evidence to an inquest into the deaths of 10 men in Ballymurphy in August 1971. The general said he had no knowledge of many allegations put to him by counsel for the families of the victims, Barry Macdonald QC. He called some of the material cloud cuckoo territory. An inquest is being held into the deaths of 10 men in Ballymurphy in August 1971 (Niall Carson/PA) Sir Geoffrey said: I saw them being rough but I never saw them doing anything that I believed was disgraceful or illegal. I would have stopped it if I did. The families barrister quoted from memoirs by a former paratrooper, Nigel Mumford, recounting alleged mistreatment. Mr Macdonald said: It is suggested that you knew and encouraged brutal behaviour on the part of your soldiers. Sir Geoffrey responded: Absolute rubbish and it is totally contrary to everything that I have done in my life. I dont accept any of it. The book said some people were made to think they would be hung by the soldiers, the lawyer told the inquest in Belfast. A wounded person on a stretcher was thrown up in the air several times, hitting the ceiling, according to the contested account. Sir Geoffrey said: I dont have any knowledge of it and I dont believe it. I was not there. He denied and said it was rubbish that he encouraged most of the treatment. It is highly if not totally exaggerated in order to sell his book. US President Donald Trump has said he did not slip up when he referred to Apple CEO Tim Cook as Tim Apple at a White House meeting. Mr Trump tweeted on Monday: I quickly referred to Tim + Apple as Tim/Apple as an easy way to save time & words. The Fake News was disparagingly all over this, & it became yet another bad Trump story! The president made the comment last week. After the session, Mr Cook altered his Twitter profile, replacing his last name with the Apple logo. At a dinner for Republican National Committee donors at his Florida club on Friday, Mr Trump complained that his Tim Apple blunder was fake news, according to reports. Theresa May has set off to Strasbourg for last-minute Brexit talks with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker on the eve of a crucial vote in the House of Commons. The last-ditch bid to make progress in talks, which Downing Street admitted overnight were deadlocked, comes amid predictions that the Prime Minister is headed for a second humiliating defeat on her Withdrawal Agreement unless she can secure legally-binding changes to its controversial backstop. Sources in London played down suggestions that Mrs Mays departure for France was an indication that a deal is ready for signature. But it is thought that the PM believes that there is a basis for further face-to-face discussions as part of the talks. Mrs May is likely to arrive in Strasbourg in mid-evening, and a statement to the Commons by Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay has been put back to around 10pm. PA Graphics Time is running out for any new assurances or clarifications to the deal which was resoundingly rejected by a 230-vote majority by MPs in January. The Government must table its motion for Tuesdays debate by the end of the day, alongside the publication of any relevant documents. MPs have also been promised that they will be shown any updated legal advice from Attorney General Geoffrey Cox before the debate begins. Mrs Mays efforts to secure new assurances appeared to have hit stalemate on Monday morning, as EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said that discussions were now taking place between the Government in London and the Parliament in London, rather than the UK and Brussels. But Downing Street insisted that talks continue, after Mrs May held a phone call with Mr Juncker in early afternoon. Reports suggested that EU ambassadors were told the PM came close to signing off a text with Mr Juncker on Sunday evening, which would have given new assurances on the UKs right to seek arbitration if Brussels was not using its best endeavours to seek a trade deal which would bring the backstop to an end. Number 10 dismissed reports that Mrs May might pull Tuesdays meaningful vote, insisting it would go ahead as planned. The PMs spokesman cautioned against speculation that Mrs May might ask Parliament to vote on a conditional motion expressing its readiness to support a form of deal other than the one agreed with Brussels. Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey (Kirsty Wrigglesworth/PA) Mrs May ducked a demand from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to update the House of Commons on the progress of negotiations, sending Brexit minister Robin Walker to respond to his urgent question in her place. Mr Walker was jeered by Labour MPs as he explained he had been sent because negotiations were at a critical stage. The absence of the PM was branded an outrageous dereliction of duty by backbencher Angela Eagle. As MPs debated Brexit, Mrs May was on the other side of Parliament Square at Westminster Abbey taking part in a Commonwealth Day service. She read a Bible lesson on the importance of solidarity, stating: The body is not one member, but many And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. PM no show in Commons today is an outrageous dereliction of duty #BrexitShambles #ToryChaos #ParForTheCourse Angela Eagle DBE (@angelaeagle) March 11, 2019 Mr Corbyn told MPs that the Government is in chaos and the country in crisis. If her deal is rejected again on Tuesday, the Labour leader said the PM should shift her red lines and show not just that she is willing to meet with members of this House, but that she is willing to compromise with them too. Mr Walker confirmed the meaningful vote will take place on Tuesday, and said it was incumbent on MPs to take the opportunity to deliver on the will of the British people and to provide certainty by backing Mrs Mays deal. The Prime Minister was warned that her position could be in jeopardy unless she stuck to commitments she made about this weeks votes. If her deal is defeated for a second time on Tuesday, she has promised to give MPs a vote on whether to accept a no-deal Brexit on March 29 or to extend Article 50 in order to delay the UKs departure beyond the current deadline. I am sure that the Prime Minister will honour these three commitments. If she doesnt she will forfeit the confidence of the House of Commons. Nick Boles (@NickBoles) March 11, 2019 Tory former minister Nick Boles said: I am sure that the Prime Minister will honour these three commitments. If she doesnt she will forfeit the confidence of the House of Commons. And senior Labour backbencher Yvette Cooper said the PM would be guilty of a straight-up lie if she failed to go through with votes allowing MPs to delay Brexit. Brexit-backing Conservative MP Anne Marie Morris said she did not expect any concessions secured by the Prime Minister in Strasbourg to alter her intention to vote against the Withdrawal Agreement on Tuesday. The Newton Abbot MP told BBC Radio 4s PM: The reality is weve taken almost two years to get here and I cannot see that in these twilight hours, suddenly something is going to come back and is going to satisfy concerns that I have which I share with, Im sure, many members of the public and many members of the ERG (European Research Group). This deal is a bad deal and what we need is for the Prime Minister to stick to her word that she would accept that no deal is better than this deal. Remain-backing Tory MP Sam Gyimah said he could not vote for the PMs deal. If there hadnt been a referendum and this deal had been presented to us as a template for our future relationship with the EU, it would have been rejected out of hand because we are essentially choosing a third-rate future for our country, he told PM. That is why I cant vote for it. Ed Vaizey, who backed Mrs Mays deal in the first meaningful vote, said: I am going to vote for the deal. I find it intensely depressing to think that yet again it seems likely that the deal is going to be voted down. Mr Vaizey said if Mrs Mays plan was rejected all bets are off it will engender complete parliamentary chaos. Although MPs would then be right to vote for an extension to Article 50, all Hell will break loose, he said. The UK and Irish labour parties will work together to provide a voice for social democrats in Northern Ireland following the SDLPs link-up with Fianna Fail, Brendan Howlin has said. The Irish Labour Party leader said he has already held lengthy discussions with Jeremy Corbyn on how their respective parties will respond to the development. He also called on the Party of European Socialists (PES) of which the SDLP, Irish and UK labour parties are all members to investigate whether the SDLP should remain part of the political grouping. Mr Howlin was in Belfast on Monday to hear the views of a range of people aligned with the labour tradition, including members of the SDLP who opposed the partnership with Fianna Fail. I think there is a significant view within the SDLP that they want to hold onto the Labour Party tradition, the John Hume tradition, the Party of European Socialists tradition, which is really important, he said. Mr Howlin, who was accompanied by Labour senator Ged Nash, also met with members of the Labour Party NI, the Co-operative Party, trade unionists and academics. Irish Labour Senator Ged Nash (left) and leader Brendan Howlin (Niall Carson/PA) Asked if he would countenance running candidates north of the border, Mr Howlin told the Press Association: We havent ruled anything out, but we have no illusions about our strength either. We are still in development phase, redevelopment and rebuilding phase in the Republic. There are those coming to talk to me today who are encouraging the Labour Party to do that (run in Northern Ireland), there are others who would prefer that we would support the British Labour Party to do that. My own view is we need to have dialogue between both British and Irish labour parties to see how we can jointly support the creation of an entity that would be a social democratic labour party that is one that continues a tradition. I have spoken with Jeremy Corbyn, I met him at the last PES (Party of European Socialists) congress two weeks ago in Madrid and we had a long discussion about this. We have obviously concerns about any formal link between a party that is still a member of the European Socialists and a non-PES party. Fianna Fail is a member of the ALDE (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe) group in the European family and our view, both British Labour Party and our own, is that these are questions that need to be answered now by the PES. They have to investigate to see how close is this relationship and are they moving away from social democracy and, if that is the case, then obviously they can no longer be a member of the PES family. The Labour TD said he was disappointed how SDLP leader Colum Eastwood had handled the issue, noting that the Foyle MLA had not called him to let him know his intentions. I am disappointed, I am disappointed he didnt discuss this with me because we have met and spoken at European Socialist leaders conferences in the past, he said. He didnt attend either the last two PES leaders meetings and he didnt attend the last British Labour Party conference. I dont know whether he just didnt want to have that level of discussion. We have worked together for a very long time. I asked him directly and I wasnt briefed about what was happening. Thats fine. The SDLP is its own party, it determines its own direction, from a Labour Party perspective I am just interested in ensuring that Labour Party values are maintained across the island of Ireland. He said former SDLP leader Mark Durkan did ring him to discuss his decision to stand for Fine Gael in the European elections a move he described as surprising. SDLP councillor Mairia Cahill, who is a former Labour Party senator in the Oireachtas, was among those who met Mr Howlin on Monday. She described their discussion as an informal chat. I think its healthy obviously a discussion needs to be had, she said. The SDLP have changed through the 70% vote of its membership the relationship with the Labour Party by going into partnership with Fianna Fail. Ms Cahill said she was content to remain a member of the SDLP, having received assurances from Mr Eastwood. I was an advocate of partnership with all of the parties in the south, because I believe that is actually more healthy in relation to politics here. The SDLP is a broad church. I have spoken to Colum and am quite happy that he has agreed to allow Labour to continue to help and support people who are running for election and, on that basis, I am still a member of the SDLP. The Queen heard a dire warning about the state of the worlds oceans as she led the nation in marking Commonwealth Day. With her family gathered around her, the Queen joined the 2,000-strong congregation at Westminster Abbey to honour the family of nations which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh gave the reflection and urged the Commonwealth to lead the world in ocean conservation, and combat the threat posed by the perfect storm of climate change, over-fishing and plastic pollution. The Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duke of York were among the guests, with the Prime Minister, Theresa May, High Commissioners and hundreds of schoolchildren. The royal women looked stylish with Meghan, in a Victoria Beckham outfit, warmly exchanging kisses on both cheeks with Kate who was dressed in Catherine Walker, while Camilla wore Bruce Oldfield and the Queen was in an Angela Kelly ensemble. The Commonwealth plays an important part in the public life of the Queen, who famously dedicated herself to the empire on her 21st birthday in 1947. Organised by The Royal Commonwealth Society, the #CommonwealthDay Service is the largest annual inter-faith gathering in the United Kingdom and at the end of the service there was a procession of Commonwealth flags. pic.twitter.com/wnvYTH8pYi The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 11, 2019 Now head of the Commonwealth, the then Princess Elizabeth said that day: I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family, to which we all belong. In her message to mark Commonwealth Day, the Queen praised how the family of nations inspires its member states to find ways of protecting the planet and its citizens. Millions of people are drawn together because of the collective values shared by the institution, the Queen said in her address. The Duchess of Sussex and The Duchess of Cambridge leave the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey (Kirsty Wrigglesworth/PA) The modern Commonwealth was established in 1949 when eight countries Australia, Britain, Ceylon, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and Canada signed the Declaration of London. Within a few decades, it had expanded rapidly and today has 53 member states. In past years, some commentators have criticised the Commonwealth for its apparent weakness and ineffectiveness when dealing with member states who do not abide by the rules. But supporters of the family of nations believe it allows countries to unify on common causes and ultimately, through unity, effect change. The Reflection at todays #CommonwealthDay service is given by Lewis Pugh, @UN Patron of the Oceans.@LewisPugh has worked to raise awareness of the vulnerability of the earths ecosystems and campaigned for their protection. There is nothing more powerful than a made up mind pic.twitter.com/I26PcInghg Westminster Abbey (@wabbey) March 11, 2019 Mr Pugh, UN patron of the oceans, told the congregation about the scale of the problems facing the planet: The speed of change is alarming. When I first swam in the Arctic the water was three degrees centigrade when I swam there recently it was 10 degrees centigrade, and that is right on the edge of the Arctic icepack. What we are now doing to the world will impact every single person on this planet, it will impact every future generation and impact the whole of the animal kingdom. He said that our common wealth is our oceans, adding: Now is the time to build a new generation of green protected areas and now is also the time to welcome in a new generation of marine protectors. The swimmer ended with the words: Its the moments which challenge us the most that define us. We stand at a crucial moment in the history of our planet so must dive in together, and without reservation, in order to protect our oceans let this be the Commonwealths gift to the world. Members of the Royal family watch a performer during the Commonwealth Service (Kirsty Wrigglesworth/PA) During the event, the guests were treated to a range of musical styles reflecting the peoples of the Commonwealth from a didgeridoo performance and the deafening sound of north Indian drumming to tenor Alfie Boe singing Run by Snow Patrol. Boe said after his performance it was an honour to perform for the Queen and said Harry and William were very complimentary. He added: They were talking about how powerful my voice was and how standing on the sanctuary without any accompaniment and any amplification it was very impressive I was more nervous than impressive I thought. The number of Britons killed in a plane crash in Ethiopia has risen to nine, officials have confirmed. The Foreign Office said nine British nationals were on board the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 which crashed on Sunday, killing all 157 people on board. While originally it was thought seven Britons had been on the jet, the department said on Monday this had been increased to reflect updated information regarding dual nationals. The Foreign Office said at least two additional dual nationals were travelling on non-UK passports, bringing the total number of British nationals involved to nine. A spokesman added: We can now sadly confirm at least nine British nationals were on board flight ET302. Our staff at the British Embassy in Addis Ababa are continuing to work with the relevant authorities in Ethiopia to obtain further information. We extend our deepest condolences to all those who have lost loved ones and those affected by this tragic event. Several airlines serving UK airports are continuing to fly the aircraft model involved in the deadly crash, despite it being grounded in several countries including China, Indonesia and Ethiopia. Tui Airways has the only five 737 Max 8 aircraft operated by a UK-based airline, and is due to begin flying a sixth later this week. Joseph Waithaka, 55, who lived in Hull for a decade before moving back to his native Kenya, also died in the crash, his son said. Ben Kuria, 30, who lives in south London, said his father regularly visited England and was returning from a trip to meet his two-month-old granddaughter and get a health check-up when he died. Mr Kuria said: Hes someone who really loved justice, and didnt give up on people most people had given up on. He really just wanted the best for his kids. He was a father not just to us but to so many people in so many ways. The one Irish victim was named as Michael Ryan, a married father-of-two based in Rome with the UNs World Food Programme, which distributes rations to people in need. Known as Mick and formerly from Lahinch in Co Clare, Mr Ryan was praised for doing life-changing work in Africa by Irish premier Leo Varadkar. As many as 19 UN workers were feared to have been killed in the crash, the number being so high because of its environmental forum which started on Monday. A teenage boy caused thousands of pounds worth of damage by throwing a stone at the windscreen of a moving train. The incident happened at 3.45pm on Monday February 18 as the train pulled into Galashiels rail station in the Borders. A boy is reported to have thrown a stone at the train and cracked the windscreen. The windscreen will cost 3,200 to replace. The boy was with two girls believed to be aged between 15 and 16 and stood on a pathway next to the railway line. The girls are described as having brown hair with blonde streaks. Both were wearing large tracksuit tops which almost reached their knees. British Transport Police has appealed for information (Tim Ireland/PA) One of the girls tracksuits was green and black with a hood and had Adidas branding. The president of Algeria says he is creating a new government and a special body to draft a new constitution to respond to mass protests. The changes were part of President Abdelaziz Bouteflikas dramatic announcement on Monday that he ceded to public demands and abandoned his bid for a fifth term. He also announced that the presidential election scheduled for April 18 will be delayed. Mr Bouteflika pledged not to run for president again, noting his health and age. Mr Bouteflika is 82 and has barely been seen in public since a 2013 stroke, fuelling frustration with his secretive leadership style. He says he plans to appoint a new government and a separate national conference tasked with rescheduling the election and drafting a new constitution. Demonstrators stage a protest to denounce President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (Francois Mori/AP) He made the announcements in a letter to the nation released by state news agency APS. The father of Molly Russell has urged the Government to introduce regulation on social media platforms in order to make the internet a safer place, especially for the young. Ian Russells 14-year-old daughter was found to have viewed content on social media linked to anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicide before taking her own life in November 2017. Speaking at an event in Parliament for the NSPCC and its Wild West Web campaign, which is calling for regulation of social networks, Mr Russell said technology giants had been allowed to self-regulate for too long. The tech captains still seem to be heading in the wrong direction, driving ever deeper into Silicon Valley. Up until now they have chosen their own course. Governments have allowed social media platforms to be self-regulated, but remember this really is a matter of life and death and its getting worse, he said. Now is the time for the UK Government to bring effective internet regulation, with strong sanctions as back-up. Now is the time for the UK to lead the world in making the online world a safer place, especially for the young. Ian Russell speaks at the NSPCCs Wild West Web event inside the Palace of Westminster (Jonathan Hordle/NSPCC) The law in this country is very clear anyone who encourages self-harm or suicide on or offline, through imagery or words, verbal or written, is complicit. He said his familys search for answers following his daughters death had led him to view her social media accounts, where he said he found sickening content in a world where anxiety and depression and self-harm and suicide are all normalised and encouraged. It was too harrowing to spend long looking at the actual posts that Molly had viewed, posts that I can say with absolute certainty played a part in deepening Mollys depression and persuading her to end her own life, he said. Mr Russell, who has since set up a suicide prevention charity called the Molly Rose Foundation, said MPs now had the opportunity to better protect the young and vulnerable. Directly addressing Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, Instagram boss Adam Mosseri, Pinterest founder Ben Silbermann and Apple chief executive Tim Cook, Mr Russell said inaction would no longer be tolerated. I know few will disagree when I say to Mr Zuckerberg, Mr Mosseri, Mr Silbermann and Mr Cook, you all have a moral duty of care to protect our children. You all must act now to stop the harm of other vulnerable people. For 10 years we have waited for your tech companies to take action, but only been met by inaction. We cannot wait any longer. Its time for social media platforms to be held accountable, its time for social networks to ensure their platforms are a safe place for our young people and our vulnerable people. Its too late for Molly, but the people in this room have the power to stop harmful content reaching our children. Mr Russell also criticised Mark Zuckerbergs recent announcement of his plans to increase privacy and encryption on Facebook, warning that such a move will only make investigating such cases even harder and provide more opportunities for grooming whether that be sexual or suicidal. His comments were supported by minister for digital and creative industries Margot James, who said a duty of care was needed to be placed upon internet companies. She also confirmed an expected Government white paper on online harms and social media regulation will be published later this month. Digital minister Margot James speaks at the NSPCCs event calling for more regulation on social media (Jonathan Hordle/NSPCC) Ms James said it will set out clear expectations for companies on how they should keep their users safe. We in government have a duty to act in a way which will compel, as well as encourage companies, to put the protection of children and the security of users at the heart of their corporate culture, she said. Whats unacceptable offline has to have the same unacceptability and the sanctions and the force of law behind it online, just as it does offline. We now have the opportunity and the determination to ensure that those already online and those who will grow up online are able to make the best possible use of everything good and all the opportunities that the internet offers, without facing those unacceptable risks. A crew of 27 were saved from a container ship engulfed in flames after a Royal Navy vessel moved in to save them from 150 miles away. It took sailors on HMS Argyll just eight hours to save every person aboard the 28,000-tonne merchant ship in the Bay of Biscay after the ships cargo of containers and cars caught fire. The crew aboard the Grande America merchant ship had been trying to fight the flames but were forced to abandon it, climbing into their lifeboat despite the 5m to 6m swirls in the sea at night. The lifeboats engine had been damaged, which left it unable to move away from the flames leaving the crew bobbing around like a cork in a bathtub. The Grande America sent a distress signal 150 miles off the coast of France On receiving a mayday message, the Argyll moved 150 miles through difficult sea conditions to launch their small sea boat, which was used to nudge the lifeboat against the safety of the frigate so the crew could be lifted to safety one-by-one. Lieutenant Commander Dave Tetchner, from HMS Argyll, said: It was pretty awful for them theyd had to fight a fire in dreadful seas. Every one of them suffered smoke inhalation. Then they faced the prospect of abandoning ship and then their lifeboat failed. It was pretty awful all round and they were shocked. HMS Argylls seaboat `nudged the ships lifeboat to help sailors escape You see container ships like this every day when youre sailing around the world. What you do not see is one in flames it was a dreadful sight. The 27 sailors rescued were then taken to the French port of Brest and while there were no life-threatening injuries, some required hospital treatment. The frigate had been returning to Plymouth after nine months in the Asia- Pacific region working with allies overseas. The MV Grande America was still aflame when Argyll left the merchant ship around 5am. The Italian-registered vessel had been bound for Casablanca from Hamburg when the fire broke out at 8pm on Sunday. Captain of Grande America after being rescued by sailors from HMS Argyll Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: HMS Argylls swift and selfless response to very dangerous situation in difficult conditions undoubtedly saved 27 lives. I commend her crew. This rescue demonstrates that even on the final leg of a challenging nine-month deployment to the Far East, the Royal Navys sailors remain vigilant and professional at all times. Theresa May has arrived in Strasbourg for last-minute Brexit talks with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker on the eve of a crucial vote in the House of Commons. The last-ditch bid to make progress in talks, which Downing Street admitted overnight were deadlocked, comes amid predictions the Prime Minister is headed for a second humiliating defeat on her Withdrawal Agreement unless she can secure legally-binding changes to its controversial backstop. Sources in London played down suggestions that Mrs Mays departure for France was an indication that a deal is ready for signature. But it is thought that the PM believes that there is a basis for further face-to-face discussions as part of the talks. Mrs May was greeted in Strasbourg by Mr Juncker and the EUs chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier. Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay accompanied the PM to the talks. A Government statement is set to be made to the Commons later on Monday night. PA Graphics Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliments Brexit co-ordinator, confirmed he and EP president Antonio Tajani will also meet Mrs May on Monday night. In other diplomatic moves, an emergency meeting of Irish cabinet ministers was called for Monday night. Irish premier Leo Varadkar, who was due to begin a journey to America for St Patricks Day, returned from Dublin airport for the cabinet briefing. Time is running out for any new assurances or clarifications to the deal which was resoundingly rejected by a 230-vote majority by MPs in January. Meeting with @theresa_may & @EP_President tonight. I hope progress can be made, if it is possible, as a no deal #Brexit would be a catastrophe. We will stand by Ireland & the need to safeguard the Good Friday Agreement. Guy Verhofstadt (@guyverhofstadt) March 11, 2019 The Government must table its motion for Tuesdays debate by the end of the day, alongside the publication of any relevant documents. MPs have also been promised that they will be shown any updated legal advice from Attorney General Geoffrey Cox before the debate begins. Mrs Mays efforts to secure new assurances appeared to have hit stalemate on Monday morning, as Mr Barnier said discussions were now taking place between the Government in London and the Parliament in London, rather than the UK and Brussels. But Downing Street insisted that talks continue, after Mrs May held a phone call with Mr Juncker in early afternoon. Reports suggested that EU ambassadors were told the PM came close to signing off a text with Mr Juncker on Sunday evening, which would have given new assurances on the UKs right to seek arbitration if Brussels was not using its best endeavours to seek a trade deal which would bring the backstop to an end. Number 10 dismissed reports that Mrs May might pull Tuesdays meaningful vote, insisting it would go ahead as planned. The PMs spokesman cautioned against speculation that Mrs May might ask Parliament to vote on a conditional motion expressing its readiness to support a form of deal other than the one agreed with Brussels. Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey (Kirsty Wrigglesworth/PA) Mrs May ducked a demand from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to update the House of Commons on the progress of negotiations, sending Brexit minister Robin Walker to respond to his urgent question in her place. Mr Walker was jeered by Labour MPs as he explained he had been sent because negotiations were at a critical stage. The absence of the PM was branded an outrageous dereliction of duty by backbencher Angela Eagle. As MPs debated Brexit, Mrs May was on the other side of Parliament Square at Westminster Abbey taking part in a Commonwealth Day service. She read a Bible lesson on the importance of solidarity, stating: The body is not one member, but many And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. PM no show in Commons today is an outrageous dereliction of duty #BrexitShambles #ToryChaos #ParForTheCourse Angela Eagle DBE (@angelaeagle) March 11, 2019 Mr Corbyn told MPs that the Government is in chaos and the country in crisis. If her deal is rejected again on Tuesday, the Labour leader said the PM should shift her red lines and show not just that she is willing to meet with members of this House, but that she is willing to compromise with them too. Mr Walker confirmed the meaningful vote will take place on Tuesday, and said it was incumbent on MPs to take the opportunity to deliver on the will of the British people and to provide certainty by backing Mrs Mays deal. The Prime Minister was warned that her position could be in jeopardy unless she stuck to commitments she made about this weeks votes. If her deal is defeated for a second time on Tuesday, she has promised to give MPs a vote on whether to accept a no-deal Brexit on March 29 or to extend Article 50 in order to delay the UKs departure beyond the current deadline. I am sure that the Prime Minister will honour these three commitments. If she doesnt she will forfeit the confidence of the House of Commons. Nick Boles (@NickBoles) March 11, 2019 Tory former minister Nick Boles said: I am sure that the Prime Minister will honour these three commitments. If she doesnt she will forfeit the confidence of the House of Commons. Senior Labour backbencher Yvette Cooper said the PM would be guilty of a straight-up lie if she failed to go through with votes allowing MPs to delay Brexit. Brexit-backing Conservative MP Anne Marie Morris said she did not expect any concessions secured by the Prime Minister in Strasbourg to alter her intention to vote against the Withdrawal Agreement on Tuesday. The Newton Abbot MP told BBC Radio 4s PM: The reality is weve taken almost two years to get here and I cannot see that in these twilight hours, suddenly something is going to come back and is going to satisfy concerns that I have which I share with, Im sure, many members of the public and many members of the ERG (European Research Group). This deal is a bad deal and what we need is for the Prime Minister to stick to her word that she would accept that no deal is better than this deal. Remain-backing Tory MP Sam Gyimah said he could not vote for the PMs deal. If there hadnt been a referendum and this deal had been presented to us as a template for our future relationship with the EU, it would have been rejected out of hand because we are essentially choosing a third-rate future for our country, he told PM. That is why I cant vote for it. Ed Vaizey, who backed Mrs Mays deal in the first meaningful vote, said: I am going to vote for the deal. I find it intensely depressing to think that yet again it seems likely that the deal is going to be voted down. Mr Vaizey said if Mrs Mays plan was rejected all bets are off it will engender complete parliamentary chaos. Although MPs would then be right to vote for an extension to Article 50, all Hell will break loose, he said. The Government has secured legally-binding changes to the Brexit deal after Theresa May made a last-minute dash to Strasbourg for talks on the eve of a crucial vote in the House of Commons. The Prime Ministers de facto deputy David Lidington gave the update to MPs as Mrs May and Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay were meeting with EU leaders. Mr Lidington said: Tonight we will be laying two new documents in the House; a joint legally-biding instrument on the Withdrawal Agreement and protocol on Northern Ireland and a joint statement to supplement the political declaration. The first provides confirmation that the EU cannot try to trap the UK in the backstop indefinitely and that doing so would be an explicit breach of the legally-binding commitments that both sides have agreed. And he said the joint instrument reflects the commitment to replace the backstop with alternative arrangements by December 2020. Mr Lidington added the Attorney General would be publishing advice ahead of Tuesdays debate, but needed time to consider the new changes. The Attorney General will publish his legal opinion, he said. That will be available in good time before the debate. I think the house would expect the Attorney General to consider very carefully rather than rush an opinion out to meet the deadline for this statement this evening. The last-ditch bid to make progress in talks came amid predictions the Prime Minister was headed for a second humiliating defeat on her Withdrawal Agreement and it remains to be seen if the concessions will be enough to see it pass through Parliament. Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer said the change adds nothing from the letter Mrs May returned from negotiations with on January 14. He said: If all thats happening is to turn this letter into an interpretative tool for legal purposes, I remind the House what the Prime Minister said on January 14 about this letter. She said she had been advised this letter would have legal force in international law. To stand here today and say this is a significant change when shes repeating what she said on January 14 is not going to take anyone here far. Donald Trump and Nigel Farage met face to face to discuss why the US president should back a no-deal Brexit earlier this month. The conversation took place at the Conservative Political Action Conference (Cpac) in Washington, an event involving conservative speakers, The Daily Telegraph reported. A photograph of the meeting shows both men smiling to the camera with their thumbs raised. Nigel Farage speaking at a Leave Means Leave rally in London (Kirsty OConnor/PA) I was talking to him about Vietnam, where he had said that a bad deal was on the table so sometimes you have to walk. That was the exact quote from Trump. Mr Farage told the newspaper. Mr Farage likened the Brexit negotiations to President Trumps recent denuclearisation summit with North Korea in Vietnam. He added: I said in the case of Vietnam that no deal was better than a bad deal and I gave my opinion that the same principle applied to Brexit. I think if you read the comments from his ambassador in London, I dont think it takes much reading between the lines. This American administration firmly believes in the nation state, not supranational structures and this administration are hugely keen on the defence, security and indeed business relationships that exist between our two countries. And I think its fair to say they see Brexit as a great opportunity. President Trump became friends during his campaign when the former Ukip leader, dubbed Mr Brexit, was greeted at a rally in Mississippi before the 2016 election. The two were also pictured just after the election, at Trump tower in New York, where Mr Farage appeared to be spearheading a new relationship between the UK and US. President Trump has spoken highly of Mr Farage in the past, stating that he would do a great job as British ambassador to the United States. The president had urged Theresa May not to walk away from a deal with the European Union outside Chequers in July 2018 though he has been critical of the Brexit deal, warning it will limit a US-UK free trade deal. Scotlands only charity supporting young people affected by Huntingtons disease (HD) in their family has been given a quarter of a million pounds in Lottery funding. The Scottish Huntingtons Associations Youth Project (SHAYP) has received 249,708, a share of almost 5 million awarded by the National Lottery Community Fund in Scotland. Set up in 2001, the project provides support for children and young people growing up in families affected by the disease. The degenerative condition is hereditary and stops parts of the brain working properly over time, often resulting in death. The grant will enable the charity to continue its one-to-one sessions, residential camps and social activities for another two years. A mother and daughter from Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, whose family are facing a battle with HD, have welcomed the grant. The Scottish Huntingtons Associations Youth Project has been awarded almost 250,000 of Lottery funding (Jane Barlow/PA) Jodie Fitzsimmons mum Susan and grandfather Jim suffer from the hereditary disease, and the 16-year-old student helps to care for him. Jodie, who does social care course at college, said: SHAYP helps me to understand what is happening with my grandpa, to learn more about HD and know whats wrong with him so I know how to help. Its great coming here as it helps us to cope, share hints and tips and make friends with those who understand. Jodies mum Susan added: All three children have been involved with SHAYP for a few years now and they wouldnt be able to access this support anywhere else. I cant emphasise how important it is to them and to our family. Kirsten Walker, a youth advisor at SHAYP, said: Growing up in a family impacted by Huntingtons disease is incredibly challenging. Not only does the young person have to watch their parent dramatically change and deteriorate but often role reversal occurs, with them taking on a caring role whilst living with the knowledge that they too could develop this devastating condition. As HD is not widely known about, many young people we work with tell us they often feel isolated and alone. So helping them to meet others in the same situation is crucial to helping them cope. Without this award from The National Lottery Community Fund we would have been faced with the real prospect of cutting services which would have had a devastating impact on the children and young people we work with so we are eternally grateful. Across Scotland, 27 community projects are sharing the 4,948,984 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund, previously known as the Big Lottery Fund. Announcing the funding, National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Chair Maureen McGinn said: Its all thanks to National Lottery players that todays 5 million investment is able to reach into communities across Scotland and transform the lives of local people. Some of the funding will help other young people, just like Jodie, cope with their caring roles and give them the chance to connect and bond with others in a similar situation. The support the Fitzsimmons family receives demonstrates the importance of this work and how this project offers a range of tailored support to young people when they need it the most. The Taoiseach will begin his St Patricks trip to the US this week with a series of engagements in Washington DC and Chicago. Leo Varadkars first stop will be in the US capital, where he will take part in a number of events including his meeting with President Trump at the White House on Thursday. During the packed programme he is expected to outline Irelands position on Brexit and recall the important role of the US in supporting peace and the Good Friday Agreement. On Wednesday, the Taoiseachs visit in Washington focuses on economic links, with a series of meetings to promote trade and investment between the US and Ireland. Irish companies employ more than 100,000 American workers, while over 550 US firms with operations in Ireland employ 155,000 people. The Taoiseach will also meet representatives of Irish companies who are expanding their operations in the US. Leo Varadkar will meet the president and first lady during his trip to the US He will also meet the US Chamber of Commerce and IDA (investment agency) client companies, highlighting Irelands strengths as a location for international business and investment. The Taoiseach will attend the annual Ireland Funds Gala Dinner and visit the exhibition Blazing a Trail: Irish Women in America. On Thursday, Mr Varadkar will be guest of honour at a breakfast hosted by Vice President Mike Pence before his visit to the White House for a bilateral meeting with President Trump. He will attend the annual Speakers Lunch on Capitol Hill and meet with senior members of Congress. In his meetings he is to emphasise the strength of Irish-US relations. He will also press the case for resolving the problems facing tens of thousands of Irish citizens who live in the US without legal residency. Later that evening, the Taoiseach will join the President and Mrs Trump for the traditional Shamrock Ceremony at the White House, before attending the Ambassadors St Patricks Day Reception. On Friday, the Fine Gael leader will travel to Chicago where generations of Irish-Americans have made their home. He will meet with a number of emigrant support groups that receive Irish Government funding and will attend a St Patricks Day dinner hosted by the Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago. Mr Varadkar will end his trip on Saturday in Chicago where he will march in the St Patricks Day Parade, before finishing his programme by marking the launch of Tourism Irelands new book, Irelands Greening of the World, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Global Greening Initiative. Stephen Hawking has been commemorated on a new 50p coin inspired by his pioneering work on black holes. The coin is available to buy from the Royal Mints website with prices ranging from 10 for a brilliant uncirculated version of the coin to 795 for a gold proof coin. Prof Hawking died last year aged 76 having become one of the most renowned scientists in his field, despite his long battle with motor neurone disease. The design of the coin is influenced by Prof Hawkings pioneering work on black holes and his ability to make science accessible and engaging. The Mint said: This work, which used a tentative unification of Einsteins theory of general relativity with quantum mechanics, reported that black holes should not be completely black, instead emitting radiation, meaning they evaporate and eventually disappear. Prof Hawkings best-selling book A Brief History Of Time explained black holes (Philip Toscano/PA) Hawking Radiation was an influential development, leading to the conclusion that information is lost as a black hole forms and subsequently evaporates. Prof Hawking explained black holes in his best-selling book A Brief History Of Time. Edwina Ellis, who designed the coin said: Stephen Hawking made difficult subjects accessible, engaging and relatable and this is what I wanted to portray in my design, which is inspired by a lecture he gave in Chile in 2008. Hawking, at his playful best, invites the audience to contemplate peering into a black hole before diving in. I wanted to fit a big black hole on the tiny coin and wish he was still here chortling at the thought. In recent years he has been the subject of a film starring Eddie Redmayne, who won an Oscar for the role, and has had a recording of his voice beamed into a black hole. Prof Hawking once said in an interview with the BBC: I think my greatest achievement will be my discovery that black holes are not entirely black. He is one of an elite group of scientists to have been honoured on UK coinage, alongside the likes of Sir Isaac Newton in 2017 and Charles Darwin in 2009. Tim and Lucy Hawking with a new 50p coin (Royal Mint/PA) Tim and Lucy Hawking, son and daughter of Stephen, visited the Royal Mint. Lucy said: It is a great privilege to be featured on a coin and I hope my father would be pleased to be alongside Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin as scientists who have made it onto money! Nicola Howell, director of consumer at the Royal Mint, said: We are very pleased to honour Stephen Hawking on his own coin. As one of the worlds most brilliant physicists he was a great ambassador for science. His popularisation of science and breakthrough work on black holes stand as great achievements and significant contributions to humanity. Prof Hawking is also among a large number of scientists whose names have been suggested for a new 50 banknote. The Bank of England has previously asked for nominations for the face of the new banknote, which will be someone from the world of science. It will announce who will appear on the note in the summer. A devout Christian thrown off a university social work course after being accused of posting derogatory comments about homosexuals and bisexuals online is preparing for the latest round of a legal battle. Felix Ngole, of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, who said he was expressing a traditional Christian view and complained that Sheffield University bosses unfairly stopped him completing a postgraduate degree, has mounted an appeal after losing a High Court fight. In October 2017, Deputy High Court judge Rowena Collins Rice ruled that university bosses had acted within the law following a High Court trial in London. Three appeal judges are listed to hear Mr Ngoles challenge to that decision at a Court of Appeal hearing in London on Tuesday. Mr Ngole had told Judge Collins Rice that his rights to freedom of speech and thought, enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights, had been breached. But lawyers representing the university argued that he had shown no insight, and said the decision to remove him from the course was fair and proportionate. Christian Felix Ngole, who was thrown off a Sheffield University social work course (Christian Concern/PA) They said Mr Ngole had been studying for a professional qualification, and said university bosses had to consider his fitness to practise. Judge Collins Rice said freedom of religious discourse was a public good of great importance. But she said social workers had considerable power over the lives of vulnerable people, and said trust was a precious professional commodity. Mr Ngole posted comments in 2015, when in his late 30s, the judge had been told. He was taking part in a debate on a Facebook page about Kim Davis, an official in the US state of Kentucky, who refused to register same-sex marriages. Mr Ngole said he had argued that Mrs Daviss position was based on the Biblical view of same-sex marriage as a sin. He said he was making a genuine contribution to an important public debate and said he was entitled to express his religious views. University bosses said he had posted comments on a publicly accessible Facebook page which were derogatory of gay men and bisexuals. Keyline has been invited to help coordinate the modernisation of the Rothera Research Station, the largest British Antarctic facility. Rothera Research Station specialises in biological research and air operations. It is undergoing huge modernisation, including construction of the new Rothera Wharf. This will improve ship and boating operations, amongst other factors. Keyline Civils Specialists, working in partnership with Hanson Ketton cement, commenced original talks with construction partner BAM Nuttall in 2017. The long-term project will take place over two Antarctic seasons, where workers will be met with chilling temperatures, as low as 0C. The first shipment left English soil from Middlesbrough dock in December 2018, whilst more was organised for January and February 2019, too. Rothera station is a world-leading climate change research facility and supports a wide range of BAS, UK University and international collaborative science programmes. The latest addition to the modernisation of the centre will include the RRS Sir David Attenborough, one of the most advanced polar research vessels in the world. This is part of a major Government polar infrastructure investment programme designed to keep Britain at the forefront of world-leading research in Antarctica and the Arctic. Keyline Civils Specialists South East Estimating office have helped coordinate this project and are continuing to work in partnership to supply the Antarctic with the necessary material to make this idea a reality. John Caffery, Bid Estimating and Support Manager, Keyline Civils, said: We are thrilled that Keyline Civils Specialists has been asked to be a part of such an inspiring and innovative project. This is just the start of bigger things to come in the near future for Keyline Civils Specialists. We love working in partnership with respected brands and this is a prime example of how something great can come out of collaborating. Pep Guardiola has warned his Manchester City players their Champions League tie with Schalke remains on a knife-edge. City came from behind to take control of the last-16 fixture with a last-gasp 3-2 victory in the first leg in Gelsenkirchen three weeks ago. But after surprise losses for Real Madrid and Paris St Germain in the competition last week, Guardiola points out nothing can be taken for granted in Tuesdays return at the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola has warned nothing can be taken for granted against Schalke (Martin Rickett/PA) The City manager said: We have a tendency myself as well that when we see the draw we always say who is going to win. After the first leg, everybody knows who is going to win the second one. But a week ago we didnt expect PSG would happen, or Real Madrid. Every game is completely different but for people who say there is nothing to do one sent off, one red card, one goal in the first minute, many things can happen in 90 minutes in this kind of competition. I am sitting here thinking we still have work to do, thats my feeling today. Premier League champions City are among the favourites for the competition but Guardiola continues to play down expectations by referring to the clubs lack of European pedigree. City are competing in the Champions League for an eighth season in succession but their best effort remains their run to the semi-finals in 2016. They have not got beyond the quarter-finals under Guardiola. The Spaniard, who won the competition twice as Barcelona boss, said: We are teenagers in this competition, thats what I feel, but we want to win it, we push ourselves. The best way is to feel this kind of pressure. We have to dream and point as high as possible. At the same time we have to accept there are other teams thinking the same with a lot of quality and a lot of talent. City are without the suspended pair of defender Nicolas Otamendi and midfielder Fernandinho, although the latter is injured anyway. Aymeric Laporte and John Stones have both trained after recent injuries and could return but captain Vincent Kompany did not take part in an open session on Monday. Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan feels City are capable of going deep in the competition but they still have to prove it. The German said: If we want to be named as the best in Europe, we have to do it. Its our ambition but in terms of how we play, we feel we are already quite good. We have to prove it on results and, obviously, that means going as far as possible in the Champions League. Thats our target. Thats why we play. Theresa May has returned from meeting EU Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker with what she insists are the legally binding changes to her Brexit deal that were requested by Parliament. As she prepares to present the new deal to MPs ahead of a crunch vote, here are some key questions about the developments answered: What has the Prime Minister achieved? Three new documents were agreed with Mr Juncker on Monday night. The first is a joint instrument that relates to the Withdrawal Agreement. The PM said it reduces the risk that the UK could be deliberately held in the Northern Ireland backstop indefinitely. The second is a unilateral declaration by the UK which sets out the sovereign action the UK would take to provide assurance that the backstop would only be applied temporarily. The third is a supplement to the Political Declaration setting out commitments by the UK and the EU to expedite the negotiation and bringing into force of their future relationship. What does all that mean? The joint instrument gives Britain the ability to suspend the backstop if the EU is deemed to have deliberately applied it indefinitely, although the UK would have to win the backing of an independent arbitration body to do so. The unilateral declaration is a statement on the record that the UK can instigate measures to remove itself from the backstop if talks break down. This could carry legal weight if it is lodged with the United Nations without formal objection by the EU. The supplement to the declaration states the intention that both sides will set about finding an alternative to the backstop as soon as possible. Our agreement provides meaningful clarifications & legal guarantees to the Withdrawal Agreement & #backstop. The choice is clear: it is this deal, or #Brexit may not happen at all. Lets bring the UKs withdrawal to an orderly end. We owe it to history. https://t.co/lfy9eehEZi pic.twitter.com/XCqcLwZV7V Jean-Claude Juncker (@JunckerEU) March 11, 2019 Will it satisfy those who opposed the deal first time round? The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) rejected the deal before over fears the backstop, if activated, would create a customs border between Northern Ireland and mainland Britain. The European Research Group (ERG) of Brexiteer Tory MPs also rejected it because they feared the backstop would keep the UK too closely bound to the EU and unable to strike trade deals with non-EU countries. They demanded the backstop was either removed completely from the Withdrawal Agreement or subject to a time limit. Neither of those demands have been met, although the UK does now have the ability to suspend the backstop with the arbitration bodys agreement. What have they had to say about it? The DUP said they will be taking appropriate advice and scrutinising the text line by line before forming their own judgement. The ERGs lawyers will be doing the same. Tory MP Steve Baker, a former Brexit minister and member of the group, told the BBC that even by the Governments own standards I think this falls very far short of what the Government whipped us to vote for. Are they likely to reject it again? For the DUP it is important that any Brexit deal does not effectively separate Northern Ireland from the UK, while Brexiteers want to leave the EU and take advantage of the ability to trade freely with non-EU countries. For the DUP the backstop could present an existential threat, while for the Brexiteers it would hobble what they see as an opportunity for a more prosperous life outside the bloc. The DUP may stick to their red line as a matter of principle if they deem the PMs changes to be insufficient. Brexiteers could also reject the changed deal on grounds that the alterations do not go far enough. However doing so could imperil the thing Eurosceptics want overall to leave the EU as rejection could lead to a delay to Brexit and raise the chances of second referendum. Countdown to leaving the EU (PA Graphics) How about Labour and The Independent Group (TIG) of MPs? Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the Prime Ministers negotiations had failed as the new agreement does not contain anything approaching the changes Theresa May promised Parliament, and whipped her MPs to vote for. He said MPs must reject this deal. TIG MP Chris Leslie said it was tabling an amendment to the motion that will force the PM to seek an extension to Article 50 for a so-called Peoples Vote. Will the EU consider any more changes or allow Brexit to be delayed? On Monday Mr Juncker stated that there will be no third chance for more negotiations. He did, however, leave open the option for an extension to Article 50 although only until European Parliament elections are held in late May. The United States is withdrawing its remaining staff from its embassy in Venezuela, citing the deteriorating situation in the South American nation. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the decision as Venezuela struggles to restore electricity following four days of blackouts around the country and a deepening political crisis. The US has led an international effort to oust socialist president Nicolas Maduro and replace him with opposition leader Juan Guaido, who vows to hold a new presidential election. The U.S. will withdraw all remaining personnel from @usembassyve this week. This decision reflects the deteriorating situation in #Venezuela as well as the conclusion that the presence of U.S. diplomatic staff at the embassy has become a constraint on U.S. policy. Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) March 12, 2019 Mr Guaido is backed by some 50 countries, while Mr Maduro maintains support from countries such as China, Russia and Cuba. Mr Maduro had ordered all US diplomats to leave Venezuela in late January because of its support from Mr Guaido, but he retreated and allowed them to stay. The US still withdrew dependents of embassy personnel as well as some of the staff, and the secretary of state said the remaining diplomats would be out of Venezuela by the end of the week. The move came after another day of chaos as power outages that began on Thursday evening continued to cause problems for Venezuelans, leaving them with little power, water and communications. People converged on a polluted river to fill water bottles in Caracas, and scattered protests erupted in several cities. A taxi with a message on the windshield the reads in Spanish "Venezuela wants peace" (Eduardo Verdugo/AP) A three-year-old girl with a brain tumour languished in a Caracas hospital, awaiting treatment after doctors started surgery but then suspended the operation when nationwide power outages first hit on Thursday, said the girls fearful mother, who only gave her first name, Yalimar. The doctors told me that there are no miracles, said Yalimar, who hopes her daughter can be transferred to one of the few hospitals in Venezuela that would be able to finish the complex procedure on Tuesday. On Monday, schools and businesses were closed, long lines of cars waited at the few petrol stations with electricity and hospitals cared for many patients without power. Generators have alleviated conditions for some of the critically ill. President Nicolas Maduro said on national television Monday night that progress had been made in restoring power in Venezuela. He also said two people who were allegedly trying to sabotage power facilities were captured and were providing information to authorities, though he gave no details. Mr Guaido, who heads the opposition-controlled congress, and the United States say Mr Maduros claims that the US sabotaged the power grid with a cyberattack are an attempt to divert attention from the governments own failings. The identities of British victims of the Ethiopian Airlines disaster have emerged amid growing international concern over Boeings 737 Max 8 aircraft. Nine British nationals were on board flight ET302 when it crashed shortly after taking off from Addis Ababa on Sunday morning, killing all 157 people on board. It was the second deadly incident involving the new model of Boeing passenger jet in less than five months, prompting concern over its safety. CAAS temporarily suspends operation of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft into and out of Singapore. Read more here. https://t.co/zax5CPHgoC SingaporeCAAS (@SingaporeCAAS) March 12, 2019 Singapore was among the countries to take action on Tuesday when its civil aviation authority temporarily suspended operation of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft, variations of which number 7 to 10, into and out of its airports. The move prohibited services to and from Changi Airport, one of the largest hubs in Southeast Asia, while Singapore Airlines subsidiary SilkAir said it was temporarily withdrawing its six Max 8s. It comes after Chinese and Indonesian regulators ordered their airlines to temporarily ground their Boeing 737 Max 8 planes on Monday. SilkAir has temporarily grounded its Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft (Wong Maye-E/AP) Soft and loving Joanna Toole, a United Nations worker, was among the British victims, along with 55-year-old Joseph Waithaka, polar tourism expert Sarah Auffret, Sahra Hassan Said and Nasrudin Abdulkadir, a mother and son with dual Somali-British citizenship, and Sam Pegram, a 25-year-old from Lancashire. The mother of Mr Pegram, Deborah, told the Lancashire Evening Post: Sam was so looking forward to going to Nairobi. He loved the work he was doing. We cant believe this has happened. Were totally devastated. The paper said Mr Pegram was working for the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and was heading to Kenya to work with a training programme. The @FAO family met today at its HQ in Rome, next to the flag at half-mast, to honour those lost in the #ET302 tragedy. We could all have been @JoannaToole, our other @UN colleagues, or the other 130+ lives lost. Every one leaves a broken family behind. pic.twitter.com/wtltP8VkGH Manuel Barange (@Manu_FAO) March 11, 2019 The NRC said on Monday that it was deeply distressed by the news that two of its people were on the flight. United Nations worker Joanna Toole, 36, from Devon, was the first British victim to be named. Ms Tooles father Adrian, from Exmouth, told the DevonLive website that she was genuinely one of those people who you never hear a bad word about. Joseph Waithaka, 55, who lived in Hull for a decade before moving back to his native Kenya, also died in the crash, his son said. The one Irish victim was named as Michael Ryan, a married father-of-two based in Rome with the UNs World Food Programme, which distributes rations to people in need. As many as 19 UN workers were feared to have been killed in the crash, the number being so high because of its environmental forum which started on Monday. Framed photographs of seven crew members are displayed at a memorial service (Samuel Habtab/AP) In the US the Federal Aviation Administration said the Boeings 737 Max 8 were safe to operate, although it had a team on the ground in Ethiopia to assist with the investigation and was continuously assessing the safety performance of the aircraft. This process is validated for European Union countries by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The UK Civil Aviation Authority said it was liaising very closely with EASA. Several airlines serving UK airports are continuing to fly the aircraft model involved in the deadly crash, despite it being grounded in several countries including China, Indonesia and Ethiopia. Tui Airways has the only five 737 Max 8 aircraft operated by a UK-based airline, and is due to begin flying a sixth later this week. Asked if the airline would take any action in response to the crash, a spokesman for parent company Tui said: We have no indication that we cant operate our 737 Max in a safe way like we do with all other planes in our network. Scandinavian airline Norwegian, which serves London Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh in the UK, has 18 Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. Boeing 737 MAX 8 factfile (PA Graphics) A number of airlines have grounded their fleet of the aircraft model, including Royal Air Maroc, Cayman Airways, Mongolian Airlines and Comair, which is a British Airways franchise in southern Africa. The Ethiopian Airlines jet crashed six minutes after taking off from the capital Addis Ababa. Both the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were recovered from the wreckage. While the cause is not yet known, the crash shared similarities with last years Lion Air jet crash in the Java Sea, which killed 189. That also involved a 737 Max 8 crashing minutes after take-off. Updated Statement on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302: https://t.co/0jyiFuGHIE pic.twitter.com/Unl92SYykI Boeing Airplanes (@BoeingAirplanes) March 10, 2019 Ethiopian Airlines chief executive Tewolde Gebremariam said the pilot had sent out a distress call and was given the all-clear to return to the airport. Senior captain Yared Getachew had a commendable performance having completed more than 8,000 hours in the air, the airline said. Accident Bulletin no. 6 Issued on March 11, 2019 at 01:40 PM Local Time The Digital Flight Data Recorder(DFDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder(CVR) of ET302 have been Recovered. Ethiopian Airlines (@flyethiopian) March 11, 2019 Chicago-based Boeing is facing pressure to guarantee the safety of its 737 Max 8 aircraft. The firms chief executive Dennis Muilenburg said it was providing technical assistance to the Ethiopian government and regulatory authorities in their investigation. The passengers killed in Sundays crash came from 35 nations, including 32 from Kenya and 18 from Canada. North Korea using a possible rocket launch as leverage in negotiations with the US would be catastrophic for global diplomacy, a South Korean presidential adviser has said. US-based websites recently released satellite photographs indicating North Korea has restored structures at its long-range rocket launch facility that it dismantled last year at the start of diplomacy with the United States. Other satellite images show increased vehicle activities at a separate North Korean facility used to manufacture missiles, and rockets for satellite launches. Some experts say these suggest North Korea may be assembling a long-range rocket to carry out a banned satellite launch in the wake of last months North Korea-US summit in Hanoi that ended without any agreement. The satellite images suggest increased activity (Defence & Space and 38 North via AP, File) Moon Chung-in, a retired university professor who is now a special adviser to President Moon Jae-in, told a panel discussion that North Korea using a rocket launch or other nuclear activities as leverage in negotiations would be a bad move. Mr Moon said such a North Korean move could eventually cause a catastrophic consequence or a big disaster in the US-North Korea diplomacy. I wonder if North Korea should avoid such an action, Mr Moon said. He said both North Korea and the US must restrain themselves to keep diplomacy alive and start unofficial contacts to resume talks. He said the Hanoi summit showed how difficult and painful it would be to achieve de-nuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula. The Hanoi summit fell apart due to disputes over how many sanctions reliefs North Korea could win in return for limited nuclear disarmament steps. Washington and Pyongyang accuse each other of causing the summits breakdown, but both sides have avoided harsh criticism against each other and expressed hopes for future negotiations. No official meeting between the countries has yet to be publicly scheduled. The February 27-28 summit was the second summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump since they met for the first time in Singapore last June. 'Hafiz Saeed sahab'. 'Osama ji'. And the latest 'Masood Azhar ji'! The Congress track record of bestowing respect on wanted international terrorists just got better. No one has forgotten senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh addressing Osama bin Laden as 'Osama ji', almost sounding sympathetic towards Americas most-wanted terrorist, who led the US to launch a deadly war against terror. Rahul Gandhi claims he was being sarcastic by calling terrorist Masood Azhar 'ji'. (Source: Reuters) Then came 'Hafiz Saeed sahab' once again from Digvijaya Singh. And now, the Congress president Rahul Gandhi himself has addressed Masood Azhar as 'Azhar ji'. This leaves one wondering whats with the Congress and the culture of ji? Why such respect for the enemies of humanity? Do they actually think that showing respect to the terrorists waging terror in the name of religion will please a certain vote bank? Is it intentional or accidental? In the latest incident of Rahul Gandhi referring to Masood Azhar as 'ji', was it really sarcasm, cloaked as respect, as the Congress claims it to be? As soon as Rahul Gandhi uttered the ji word, BJPs top leadership, with Union Minister Smriti Irani leading the charge, attacked Gandhi for loving the terrorists and disrespecting the PM. The hashtag #RahulLovesTerrorists started trending on Twitter in no time. What is common between Rahul Gandhi and Pakistan? Their love for terrorists.Please note Rahul jis reverence for terrorist Masood Azhar - a testimony to #RahulLovesTerrorists pic.twitter.com/CyqoZ7b9CF Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) March 11, 2019 In his eagerness to attack the BJP over the release of Masood Azhar, following the hijack of Indian Airlines plane IC 814 in 1999, Congress president Rahul Gandhi ended up scoring a self-goal. Gandhis remarks couldnt have been more ill-timed. India lost 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans to the JeM suicide attack on February 14. New Delhi upped its ante against the neighbouring country by entering Pakistans airspace and targeting JeM camps. Forget scoring a brownie point over the muscular nationalism being flaunted by the ruling party after Balakot, Gandhi and his party now have a bit of explaining to do. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala was quick to point out the sarcasm apparently intended in Rahul Gandhis comment and stuck to the question of who released Masood Azhar. Meanwhile, Masood Azhar, the man in question, is roaming free in Pakistan just like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed. Congress leader Digvijaya Singh had once referrred to terrorist Hafiz Saeed as 'Saeed sahab'. (Source: Reuters) Masood Azhar is chief of the JeM the Pakistan-based terror organisation which claimed the attack on the CRPF convoy at Pulwama in South Kashmir on February 14. India has since intensified its diplomatic blitzkreig to get Masood Azhar listed as a global terrorist at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meet. America is leading the charge with only China being the inscrutable one. Whether Gandhi was being sarcastic or respectful is not clear. What is, however, clear is that his political adversaries wont let it pass. The BJPs Twitter handle has already put out memes of the Congress president as a terror sympathiser who questions our armed forces. The situation makes one ask where Gandhis communication advisers are? As a person who has spent considerable time in politics, Rahul Gandhi should have known such subtle sarcasm doesnt work with ordinary voters. The same applies for Digvijaya Singh too. Post-Pulwama and Balakot, the BJP is driving the narrative of muscular nationalism and conflating the party with India. Instead of changing the narrative and taking it to real issues like joblessness, agrarian distress at al, the Congress is playing to the BJPs script by asking for proof of the strikes and questioning the casualties in the Indian Air Force air-strikes. All that this has helped the party and its leaders achieve is to get branded as anti-nationals in the public discourse. Rahul Gandhi may have actually been trying to corner the Narendra Modi-led BJP regime by blaming them for Masood Azhar being a free man but the Congress president ended up looking absolutely unprepared to take on the still-strong incumbent. This ji is going to haunt the Congress chief through the camapign as people do not like political leaders to use sarcasm over a serious national security issue. The BJP will for sure ensure the voters do not forget it. In her first election speech since taking charge as Congress general secretary in Narendra Modis political den, Gujarat, Priyanka Gandhi tried to bring the narrative back to joblessness, agrarian distress and the crippling effects of demonetisation on the economy but in the days to come, the BJP is sure to remind voters of Rahul Gandhis use of ji for Masood Azhar, presenting it as Congress love for terrorists. IN her first election speech, Priyanka Gandhi talked about jobs and agrarian distress. But will that change the narrative? (Source: India Today) The election pitch will reach a crescendo with BJP branding Congress as a 'terror sympathiser', one that even raised questions over the IAF strikes in Balakot. Meanwhile, the Congress is now reminding voters that it was the party that arrested Masood Azhar, but the BJP freed him. Even as the parties bicker, Hafiz Saeed, a designated global terrorist, is freely roaming the streets of Pakistan. India, meanwhile, is trying to get the global community to recognise Masood Azhar as a global terrorist as well. How these issues play out during the electoral campaigns of political leaders now could actually decide who wins the 2019 General Elections. Also read: Maulana Masood Azhar: The man India freed after the 1999 IC-814 hijack is behind Pulwama In 2008, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) co-founder Hafiz Saeed was designated a global terrorist under the United Nations Security Council resolution 1267. Days later, the terrorist was detained, along with many others in Pakistan, under a preventive law called the Maintenance of the Public Order. The global terrorist was put under house arrest. Saeed challenged his detention in the Lahore High Court. One of the grounds the terrorist used in his defence was that the UN listing did not require the individual to be arrested. He was set free. Roaming Free: Designating Hafiz Saeed as a global terrorist has been of little use in stopping him from terror activities. (Source: Reuters) India has been demanding that Saeed be handed over to it because he masterminded the 2008 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Pakistan has been hoodwinking the world on the false premise that the proof offered against Saeed isnt sufficient to act against him. Thus, Saeed is not just roaming free on the streets of Pakistan but is also known to be running a concerted terror campaign against India. He has since started a group called Difa-e-Pakistan Council, comprising about 40 like-minded groups, with the stated objective of 'protecting Pakistan' from India and the US. Resolution 1267 therefore doesnt seem to have achieved anything beyond symbolism. All that it achieved was putting Saeed under house arrest for disturbing public order. What does the imposition of resolution 1267 even mean? A UNSC tag will subject Masood Azhar to assets freeze, travel ban and an arms embargo. An assets freeze under the Sanctions Committee requires that all states freeze without delay the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of designated individuals and entities. Only loved by China The global community has overwhelmingly supported India's bid to nail Masood Azhar. (Source: PTI) But these sanctions discount the fact that in Pakistan, it is the army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) that itself protects terrorists. The so-called democratically elected governments are nothing more than puppets in the hands of the army and ISI. Furthermore, China is investing billions of dollars in Pakistan and so is Saudi Arabia. There is no accounting how much of this money is going into funding terror infrastructure that is euphemistically called the deep state of Pakistan. Chinas blocking of Indias efforts to designate Masood Azhar as a global terrorist thus does not really mean a big defeat for Indias counter-terrorism efforts. The UN had banned the Jaish-e Mohammed (JeM) in 2001 but India's efforts to ban Masood Azhar after the Mumbai terror attack were not successful as China repeatedly blocked the move, apparently at the behest of Pakistan, its strategic ally. Indias options in the short term are thus limited. In the long term, however, India needs to build on its own assets which include strengthening its military procurements and intelligence networks. As far as China is concerned, undermining the global war on terror is only going to come back to haunt the Asian giant. By blocking a move supported by global powers, China is going to lose out on friendships with the global community. How long can he stay under cover? Terror chief Maulana Masood Azhar in Karachi. (Source: Reuters) Outraged by China being an irresponsible global power, UNSC members warned they "may be forced to pursue other actions" at the Security Council if Beijing continued with this policy. India knew it all along that China would not antagonise Pakistan to keep India in check by letting terrorists work on destabilising the country. The move thus hasnt come as a surprise. The positive development for India has been that countries all over the world have supported India's fight against terrorism after the Pulwama attack, following which 11 countries had co-sponsored the move to ban the JeM organisation. Except for China, all member countries of the UNSC supported the move. Syed Akbaruddin, India's permanent representative to the UN, in a tweet acknowledged the global support: Big,Small & Many...1 big state holds up, again ...1 small signal @UN against terrorGrateful to the many states - big & small - who in unprecedented numbers, joined as co-sponsors of the effort. ???????? Syed Akbaruddin (@AkbaruddinIndia) March 13, 2019 While this support must be appreciated, it must not make us complacent. India needs to keep up the pressure on Pakistan it must also simultaneously work on its military preparedness. Also read: Hijacked logic: As politics over 1999's IC 814 rages now, are we really different today? The next PM could bring in 25 best global educators to run HRD operations and specialists to head youth-linked organisations. That would help us reap dividends Dear Modi ji, Rahul ji, Pawar ji, Mamata di, Akhilesh ji, Babu Garu, Rao Garu, Naveen ji, Stalin ji, Thackeray ji, Gowda ji and all the leaders of parties contesting the 2019 general elections: In a few days time, India will choose its new government. This means one among you has a chance to become the next Prime Minister of India. For each one of you, including the incumbent Prime Minister, it will be a new beginning to lead the country. Having served as the director in the Prime Ministers Office, I have seen how leaders evolve. The moment a leader becomes the Prime Minister, one sheds the political colour and makes development of the nation as the priority. When Narendra Modi held his first meeting with senior officers in the PMO, he said, I want to achieve development like never before. Please suggest the policies I should focus on. You dont need to bother about what I said during the election campaign, thats for elections. Now that I am the Prime Minister, I would like to take forward the good policies of previous governments and remove the wrong ones. Your job is to suggest the best policies to take the country forward. It was audacious of him to say this. Similar was the approach of all past Prime Ministers, from Pandit Nehru to Dr Manmohan Singh. As one of the participants of this meeting in the PMO, I suggested the importance of focusing on the youth and PM Modi was very interested. However, there was little follow-up to this. Though I have had multiple careers since, my work with the youth has remained constant. It is with this experience that I am putting forward a few policy ideas that could help you become the best Prime Minister. A countrys potential for growth is determined by its policies for its youth. About 75 per cent of India is below 40 years of age, and in the next quarter century, India will have this envious demographic advantage with a majority young population. The business community may project oil, land or data as the greatest resources for growth but none of them can match the invaluable power of the youth. If nurtured properly, the youth can become the greatest game changer for the next government. But dont forget that having 75 per cent of the population as youth is as much an advantage as it is a danger. If not nurtured and treated well, this segment could also become the greatest threat to India. In Kashmir, marginalised youth turn to terrorism and in other areas, where they are disadvantaged, they turn to anti-social activities. With the advent of mobile, digital and media technologies, the youth are now living in a globalised world. Access to any information or any place in the world is just a click away. It has made them ambitious and they are aware that they could make their dreams into reality. If utilised well, information could become the greatest empowering tool because it is key to development in a democracy. If planned and executed well, you could turn this threat into your greatest resource. The first step to nurture the youth is to provide high-quality education to catapult them into employable and empowered citizens. Unfortunately, budget allocation for education does not match the talk. While the direct tax collection has been increasing consistently, the allocation for education has only decreased dangerously. If this trend continues, the next generation will not forgive you. In 2013-14, when the direct tax collection was over Rs 6 lakh crore, the budget for education was over Rs 63,000 crore, at 6.15 per cent of the budget. And this year, when the direct tax collection has crossed Rs 12 lakh crore, the budget allocation for education has been reduced to 50 per cent at over Rs 90,000 crore, which is just over 3.3 per cent of the budget. If you are sincere in your intention of developing the people and the country, allocate at least 10 per cent of the budget to the education segment in the first year and increase it by two per cent every year. A part of this may be earmarked for technological intervention. The world of education is changing and it could become inclusive with the use of digital, mobile and internet technologies. Nehru had started adult education but classes for seniors are still using the conventional methods or doing almost nothing. Transform these departments with tech-interventions. Classroom teaching, by the best IIT professors, could be made available to anyone in the world at a very low cost. Harvard, MIT and so on are using these ways to make education inclusive. The AAP government in Delhi has shown how a good budget could transform education and empower the next generation. By consistently allocating 25 per cent of its budget to education, it has brought visible changes. This has empowered educators, enhanced infrastructure and transformed the students. As the 13th child born to a farmer and brought up in a village, that is not connected by roads even today, I endorse this as it is education and reading that have transformed me from a village boy to a social innovator. Second, focus should be on skill development. Though Modi is the one who started a Ministry for Skill Development, eventually the PM had to remove even the Minister! The entire allocation meant for skilling the youth and providing them with a job became a bogus affair as the businesses could take money on the pretext of re-skilling the already employed. Simply put, the business houses, especially in the manufacturing industries like textiles, could take away the money meant for the unskilled and unemployed youth. And a well-intended dream was again wasted. The third area that needs focus is equipping youth for innovations and entrepreneurship because it is through these that jobs can be created. For an emerging economy and a developing nation, there should be adequate policies and budget allocation for innovations and entrepreneurship. Rajiv Gandhi started the IT/telecom revolution, which powered India to create the highest number of professionals, industry, education institutions and FDI. The IIMs are the top management institutes in the country and their flagship programmes are on Agriculture Management. But 99 per cent of the students dont work in agriculture anymore. However, if the next government could allocate substantial funding for agri-startups to tap into these bright MBAs, it could be another game changer for India. What is pulling back the rural economy is lack of innovations in agriculture. Similarly, there should be focus on the manufacturing and the service sector. Another area to lay emphasis on could be policy initiatives for preventive healthcare. Most of the healthcare spending is on hospitals. By adding a subject in school curriculum on preventive healthcare for 12 years of school education, it could instill a culture of prevention. Like budget allocation for education, the allocation for healthcare has also been reduced to half this year. Among the start-up initiatives, the greatest possibilities for growth are for healthcare and hence the government should start a special scheme to support entrepreneurial initiatives by medical professionals. Engage youth for community service. Projects like Swachh Bharat could have easily involved the youth groups like National Service Scheme (NSS), NYKS among others. If these institutions are headed by people with no connection with volunteerism or headed by secretariat service officers, they are bound to fail. The NYKS was started as a department for engagement of the rural non-student youth. It remains headless for almost two years, after the ex-Army officer, who after heading it for two years was asked to leave since he failed to connect with the youth and work with his colleagues cohesively. Youth development cannot be achieved with an ornamental event; they should be engaged consistently. The long-standing programme of the NSS has not been able to attract the youth organically. Since the colleges have a compulsory programme, the students join NSS as it fetches grace marks for participating in an annual event and one campus event. If the next government could do so, not only would the goal of nation-building be achieved, it could also inculcate the culture of service. The future of governance will be based on a hybrid model, where youth are engaged in policy formulation along with the executive. This will have a greater impact, as they will come up with policy ideas that work for all and are more futuristic. In any case, it is the legislature, the representatives of the people, who will have the final say on this. Continuing with policies like GST, Aadhaar and strengthening them with legislative reforms was a good step forward. Not only the policies, even the professionals hired for the Digital Multi-media Centre that I had started during my tenure in the PMO are completing another full-term. But the executive may not advise this. The babus ensured that an effective specialist heading NSDC was shown the door. Eventually, when the skills programme started showing negative effect, Modi had to replace the officers and even the Minister. Always remember, nobody in the executive will know the pulse of the people the way the political class would know. Specialist leaders and not generalists are the need of the hour. The way reputed economists are brought in by every PM to run the finance and economic departments, the next PM could bring in 25 best educators from across the world to run the Human Resource Development (HRD), and youth specialists to head youth-linked organisations. They will ensure that set goals are achieved, targets are met and the mission is accomplished. Remember, it is Kurien, Swaminathan and Homi Bhabha who led the white revolution, green revolution and the nuclear revolution respectively. Kerala sets an example of how education and engagement of their youth could transform a society. It was in 1846, when a Christian priest from my village of Kainakary, Fr Kuriakose Elias Chavara, insisted on pallikoppam pallikoodam, meaning a school with every church. As he universalised education, there was opposition from the elite as they felt education was their fiefdom. His schools were open for everyone irrespective of caste, creed and economic status. Inspired by his work, every religious/caste group started schools: SD/NSS schools by upper caste Hindus, SNDP by the Ezhavas and the MES by the Muslims. Today, Kerala has an educated, developed and vibrant society. The Keralites are able to find jobs in India and abroad. Most importantly, they remain the symbol of peace and progress. If you as the next Prime Minister could take a leaf out of his example and initiate a Mandir ke saath Shiksha-Mandir, you could transform India. No youth aspires to remain unemployed. They want to make progress; economically and socially. Education and engagement are the only route to attain this. With this youth focussed manifesto and policy interventions, I am confident that you will become the best Prime Minister that India has produced. (The author is a young global leader of the World Economic Forum and founder of many initiatives for the youth. He was director in PMO) Those who become part of a tribe (Left or Right) invest a lot of ego into the group they have become a part of. Thats why they cannot admit the other side has a good idea because they would feel like giving in to the enemy. In tribalism, reason is willingly replaced by myopia American professor of history Adam Rothman, in a November 14, 2018 article for the Washington Post, writes that tribalism has become a hot topic to explain the deep divisions within the American polity. Tribalism, in this context, means that societies are rejecting conventional notions of ideological nationalism and pluralism, and the economics of globalisation and the multiculturalism that it inspired, and adopting the primacy of tribalism. Rothman cites examples in which various American analysts have posited tribalism as the thing that is making American politics so polarised and toxic. These analysts believe that the same is happening in many European countries as well. Interestingly, this debate has erupted with the rise of the right-wing nationalist parties and individuals in various countries. Yet, a controversial book by the Chinese-American academic Amy Chua, Political Tribes: Group Instinct and the Fate of Nations, claims that political tribalism can be found among liberal and/or progressive groups as much as it can in conservative or reactionary ones. Chua writes that thousands of years ago, when humans began to organise as tribes, tribalism offered safety and identity, for which one had to fully identify with whatever the tribe stood for. That mindset was overcome by ideas such as constitutionalism, nationalism, science and modern economics. Nationalism, in fact, was a more sophisticated form of tribalism, but one which attempted to eschew ethnic and religious divisions within a nation, even if through force. Are we more concerned about who is saying something than whats being said? Chua argues that once the nation states based on nationalist impulses and ideas consolidated themselves, economic factors such as rising income inequalities and the formation of ruling elites created severe divisions within these nations polities. This is when, according to Chua, the tribal mindset, which is still hard-wired in the human psyche, reappeared. Chua sees the polities of many nation states now as extremely polarised by modern-day tribes competing against each other. These tribes see themselves as victims of an economic and political elite. These include working-class Whites, working-class Blacks, gays and lesbians, feminists, White supremacists, anti-immigration activists, anti-racist groups, Islamophobes, anti-Islamophobes and so on. Chua writes that the US and Europe became too haughty about their scientific, political and ideological triumphs and completely undermined the fact that tribal mindsets not only existed in developing nation states but also within the developed ones. Chuas thesis has faced severe criticism by many of her peers in the Western intelligentsia (her own tribe?). Professor Rothman writes that indeed the tribal mindset has been a reality for centuries, but it has been constantly checked through progressive political, economic and social legislation. The US has had a history of producing violent groups which undermined the American democracy long before the emergence of Chuas modern-day political tribes. But eventually, they have all been relegated to the fringes. Chua herself is not a fan of modern tribalism. However, her ideas have also been criticised for facilitating the narratives of those groups who claim that the more progressive and egalitarian notions of democracy are the vocations of the political and economic elitists who want to undermine the voices of the disaffected majority. For example, recently the famous Indian journalist, Barkha Dutt, wondered whether the rise of Hindu nationalism in India was mainly due to the way her countrys secular and left-liberal elite ridiculed the religiosity and beliefs of conservative Hindus. One can also argue that Chuas explanation of tribalism is a renegade branch of nationalism. The populist nationalist parties and figures such as Donald Trump, Narendra Modi, Vladimir Putin, Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, UKs pro-Brexit activists and at least before he became the Prime Minister Imran Khan, all claimed to be the voice of an ignored moral, political and economic majority being exploited and undermined by a corrupt ruling elite, who pose as enlightened democrats. The irony is that most of these leaders are either billionaires and/or have had close links with rich men and women. But as Professor Rothman is likely to suggest, this form of nationalism has existed long before Trump or Brexit. It failed to neutralise the reaction and retaliation of conventional and wider nationalism and democratic institutions and norms. In fact, it either faded away or became part of the mainstream political apparatus that it had set out to demonise and challenge. Chua is clear that even though modern-day tribalism is more prominent among right-wing groups, many left or liberal groups are not immune to it. The American professor of psychology, Daniel R Stalder, agrees. In his essay for Psychology Today (June 18, 2018), Stalder writes that conservatives as well as liberals have a tendency to exhibit group-centric bias. However, Stalder maintains that tribal thinking is more ingrained in modern conservative groups. Recently, at the height of the Indo-Pak tensions, a Pakistani woman on Facebook posted a quote about why war was not the answer to the two countries problems. Being an Imran Khan fan, she intentionally or mistakenly, attributed the quote to Khan. It received dozens of likes and positive responses. However, an hour or so later, when someone pointed out that it was a 2016 quote by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, not only did the likes decline but the informer was told that Sharif said this because he had illegal business interests in India. On Twitter, as most Indians seemed to have been sucked in by the rather convoluted narrative being shaped by the hyperbolic Indian news channels, one Pakistani gentleman suggested that the Indian pilot captured by Pakistani forces should be released. The gentleman is a self-described leftist and proudly anti-establishment. But when PM Khan ordered the release of the pilot, the same gentleman tweeted it was the wrong move undertaken under pressure! Stalder writes that those who become part of a tribe (on the left or the right) invest a lot of ego into the group they have become a part of. Thats why they cannot admit the other side has a good idea because they would feel like they are giving in to the enemy. In tribalism, reason is willingly replaced by myopia. (Courtesy: Dawn) Bollywood star Alia Bhatt has joined the cast of filmmaker SS Rajamouli's upcoming venture "RRR". The 25-year-old actor said she is excited about working with the critically-acclaimed director and south superstars Ram Charan and Jr NTR. "Working with Rajamouli sir is a big tick off my bucket list. Also to be alongside Ram Charan and Jr NTR is an absolute honour. I am very excited about this experience and also working in the south for the first time," Alia said in a statement. The film is set in the 1920s and the actor will soon start filming it. "I begin the shoot in less than a month. I will be playing role of Sita and the film is set in 1920s backdrop," the statement further read. Ajay Devgn, who had earlier given the voice-overs for the Hindi version of Rajamouli's 2012 Telugu blockbuster "Eega" titled "Makkhi", is also set to play a pivotal role in "RRR". India on Thursday sought visa-free access from Pakistan for 5,000 pilgrims per day to the historic Sikh shrine in Kartarpur. This was conveyed to the Pakistani delegation at a meeting here to discuss the opening of a planned corridor for pilgrims between Punjabs Gurdaspur district and Kartarpur Sahib across the border. From our side, we have pressed for at least 5,000 pilgrims per day to be allowed to visit the holy Sikh shrine in the initial phase, SCL Das, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, told the media. This was the first meeting between an Indian and a Pakistani delegation since tensions between the two countries spiked after the terror attack in Pulwama, followed by retaliatory air strikes on Pakistans Balakot. Das said Delhi wanted access for both Indians and people of Indian origin to the shrine, located where Sikhisms founder Guru Nanak Dev spent the last years of his life. We have also strongly urged them to allow the visit of pilgrims for all seven days a week without any break, he said after the meeting. India emphasised that the corridor should be absolutely visa-free, Das said. There should not be any additional encumbrances in the form of any documentation or procedure, he added. India also wants Pakistan to allow devotees who want to travel on foot to the shrine across the border. A statement earlier said the first meeting between officials of India and Pakistan to discuss the modalities for opening the Kartarpur corridor was held in a cordial environment. The Indian delegation was led by SCL Das, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Pakistani team was headed by Mohammad Faisal, Director General (SA & SAARC) of its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the statement said. Both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalising the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, the statement said. Technical experts from both sides discussed the alignment and other details of the proposed corridor. The Supreme Court on Thursday said it will first decide on the preliminary objections raised by the Centre that the review petitioners in the Rafale jet deal case cannot rely on privileged documents obtained illegally. Only after we decide the preliminary objection raised by the Centre, we will go into other aspect of the review petitions, said a Bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. The Bench, also comprising Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph said that only if we overrule the preliminary objection, we will go into other details. At the outset, Attorney General KK Venugopal, claimed privilege over documents pertaining to the Rafale fighter jet deal with France and said those documents cannot be considered as evidence as per Section 123 of the Indian Evidence Act. He contended that no one can produce them in the court without the permission of the department concerned as those documents are also protected under the Official Secrets Act and their disclosure is exempted under the Right to Information Act as per Section 8(1)(a). The Centre objected to the admissibility of those documents annexed by former Union Ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie as also activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan in their review petition against the apex courts December 14 judgment dismissing all petitions against the Rafale jet deal. While the Centre was making submission that the documents can be withheld from disclosure under the RTI Act in view of the national security, the Bench said Section 22 of the RTI Act gave it an overriding effect over the Official Secrets Act. The Bench also said that under Section 24 of the RTI Act even security and intelligence establishments are not exempted from disclosing information in relation to corruption and human rights violations. The RTI Act brought a revolution. In 2009, your own Government said file notings can be made available under the RTI. Let us not go back now, the Bench said. Bhushan said the Centres objections were mala fide and totally untenable arguments. The Bench said that argument on the preliminary issue and the claim of privilege raised by the Government of India is reserved. It noted further that according to the AGs submissions there are three Rafale documents whose publication comes under Official Secrets Act, 1923. These documents were unauthorisedly published. You claim privilege under section 123 of Evidence Act. You want us to adjudicate and strike down the review on this basis. After the submission of Venugopal, the Bench asked Bhushan, who was appearing for Sinha, Shourie and himself, that he has the right to reply in writing to the affidavit filed by the Centre on Wednesday. However, Bhushan said he did not think that there was a need to reply in writing and submitted a note countering the preliminary objections raised by the centre on maintainability of the review petitions, stating that preliminary objection are malafide and totally untenable arguments. He said Government cannot claim privilege over the documents which are already published and is in public domain. He said that Section 123 Indian Evidence Act only protected unpublished documents. Shourie submitted that he was thankful to the Centre and the Attorney General for saying in their affidavit that these are photocopies, proving the genuineness of these documents. Bhushan further said that provisions of the RTI Act say public interest outweighs other things and no privilege can be claimed except for documents which pertain to intelligence agencies. He also said that there is no Government-to-Government contract in purchasing Rafale jets as there is no sovereign guarantee extended to India by France in the Rs 58,000 crore deal. He submitted why the Government didnt lodge any FIR when these documents started coming out in November 2018. How can they question leaks when they themselves leaked a document containing notings by the then Raksha Mantri, Bhushan contended. He further said that the Government has itself filed a detailed CAG report regarding as many as 10 defence purchases and it is untenable on their part to now claim privilege. Rafale is the only case where they redacted pricing details, he said and countered the preliminary objections raised by the Centre by reminding previous orders of the apex court in the 2G spectrum scam and coal block allocation scam that it is not mandatory to disclose the source in the matter of public interest. He also cited Pentagon Papers case of USA in which question had arisen as to whether defence documents relating to the Vietnam war could be published saying that the US Supreme Court rejected the claim of national security. A 38-year-old sharpshooter of Neeraj Bawana gang who was wanted in four murder cases in national Capital was arrested by the Delhi Police after a brief shootout on wee hours of Thursday. Police has also declared a reward of Rs 1lakh on his arrest. The accused has been identified as Raj Kumar alias Bhamba a resident of Ishwar Colony in Delhis Bawana. According to Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Special Cell, on Thrusday wee hours, a tip was received that wanted accused Raj Kumar would be coming at Prahladpur from Rohini side, to meet some of his associates at about 5.00 am. Acting upon the tip off, a trap was laid down at about 4.30 am at Prahladpur Road near Ram Chowk. At about 5.05 am, one bike was spotted and on signaling to stop the man tried to flee away. On warning to stop and surrender, accused started firing bullets at the Police team which hit the bullet proof jacket of Sub Inspector Anand Kumar, said the DCP. Police team also retaliated in the line of self-defense and to deter the criminal in that one bullet hit the right leg of the accused due to which accused was grounded and apprehended, said the DCP. During interrogation accused disclosed that today he has to meet up with his associates in Prahladpur where they were to plan a crime, but before that he got apprehended by the police team, said the DCP. Unable to return money borrowed from Neeraj Bawanias brother Pankaj, the accused joined the gang and become their sharp shooter. The accused had committed several murder and extortion in the area of outer Delhi and Rohini Court complex upon the directions given by the gang leaders. Accused has many criminal involvements, said the DCP adding that further investigation is going on. Governor Anandiben Patel underlined the importance of studies and research which are useful for the country and the society, calling upon the students to perform their responsibility towards social concerns. She said that inclusion and studies of environment protection, woman empowerment, Dalit upliftment like concurrent subjects will certainly benefit the society. The Governor was addressing the 31th convocation of Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya in Jabalpur today. Governor released university's souvenir, research magazine Vishleshan and book of Prof CSS Thakure. The Governor congratulated students for receiving medals and degrees. Patel said that they should not consider this convocation as the end of education. They should keep maintain their inquisitiveness to get knowledge and carry out always efforts for making the society free from illiteracy, superstition, poverty, violence and discrimination. The Governor appreciated the efforts of the university to adopt child suffering from tuberculosis and take responsibility for his care till the recovery. Patel appealed for wide plantation in the campus. She said that the campus can be made with full of greenery if every student plants sapling at the time of admission and take care of it during the study tenure. The Governor administered resolution to students in the form of Guru-Dakshina. She said that the students will have to take resolution for eradicating evils prevailing in the society, not to demand in marriage, not to waste water, not participating in child marriage and curbing wasting of food. The Governor also urged to use voting right to students and citizens. Vice Chancellor Prof Kapil Dev Mishra delivered welcome speech. Registrar Prof Kamlesh Mishra conducted the programme. One DLit, 24 PhD in Arts, seven in science, 14 in biology, eight in law, 14 in commerce, 17 in education, three in management and 5 PhD in mathematical science faculty were given away by the Governor and Chancellor in the convocation. The fire at the quarter of the deputy leader of Congress in Uttarakhand Assembly Karan Mahra at the MLA Hostel has assumed political colour as the state Congress president Pritam Singh said that the fire at the quarter could have been ignited deliberately. Linking the fire with the claim of Mahra that he had evidences of corruption against the Chief Ministers relatives, Singh said that a full-fledged inquiry should be ordered into the fire incident. There are reasons to suspect that the flame could have been deliberately ignited to destroy the evidences, he said while talking to the media persons at the state party headquarters on Thursday. I personally visited the place and prima facie, it appears that the fire was deliberate. The mystery is that the fire, instead of spreading, died on its own and it appears that someone was there to douse it. What makes one suspicious is the fact that there is no CCTV footage and the fire alarm which was there in the room failed to function. Contacted by The Pioneer, Mahra claimed that many important documents which were strong evidences had been gutted in the fire.My bed along with the mattresses was totally destroyed in the fire. I normally place books and other things which I read on one side of my bed, he said. Mahra also cast question on the role of police in the incident, saying that they had acted very late long after the incident was reported. The incident of fire had come to notice on March 11 when Mahra had opened his quarter which had been locked since March 8. Mahra had found that the bed, mattresses, air-conditioner, refrigerator, some files and other gadgets had been gutted in the blaze. It is worth mentioning here that Mahra on February 23 had claimed that the Congress would screen in all 13 district headquarters of the State the sting CD displaying some relatives of the CM forging deals. He had demanded the State Government to constitute a SIT headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to investigate the charges levelled by the owner of a news channel against CM and the CD released by him. The Chhattisgarh Director General of Police (DGP) had announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for policemen who have crack the case Bhilai police on Thursday nabbed three suspected in several robberies in and around the city, including the March 5 looting of Rs 9 Lakh from a casher of a private firm. The accused were arrested from the National Highway near Chandra Maurya Talkies in Bhilai, police said. The Chhattisgarh Director General of Police (DGP) had announced a reward of Rs 2lakh for policemen who have crack the case. Inspector General of Police, Durg Range, Himanshu Gupta and others senior police officials in a press briefing told media persons here that they expect the arrest would throw light on a few more incidents of loots, including the one at a jewelry shop in Changorabhata Raipur. The master mind of the March 5 looting in Bhilai was a resident of the city Devi Prasad Basor. Along with his two other associates Manish Basor (Bhilai) and Sanjay alias Mahesh Verma, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, were also arrested after he spilled the beans, the police said. Police have seized Rs 2.2 lakh, a pistol and its four rounds of ammunition, a handmade pistol and five rounds of its ammunition as well as a two wheeler used in the crime from their custody. It is suspected that the culprits were also involved in a dozen of other incidents of robbery including the one at the jewelry shop at Changorabhata Raipur recently and another at a petrol pump in Kohka in 2015, Bhilai police said. In perhaps the first action for violation of Model Code of Conduct in Uttar Pradesh after the announcement of 2019 Lok Sabha poll schedule, the Pratapgarh administration registered a case against Bahujan Samaj Party leaders on Thursday. The BSP leaders and workers were holding an election meeting without taking permission from the district administration. In-charge of BSP for Pratapgarh Lok Sabha constituency is among the 68 people booked for violating the Model Code of Conduct, said a senior officer of Pratapgarh police on Thursday afternoon. He said that sector magistrate Pradip Kumar reached Verma Nagar crossing on Thursday noon where a poll meeting was underway without any permission. When asked, the organisers failed to produce any document to establish that they had permission for the meeting, the official revealed. A case was registered against BSP leader and Lok Sabha constituency in-charge Ashok Tripathi, divisional party chief Ajay Pasi, Kamlesh Verma and 65 unidentified persons at Lalganj Kotwali on Wednesday evening. Further action would be taken as per guidelines of the Election Commission of India. The Congress in Chhattisgarh on Thursday refuted the BJPs allegation that the party-led government in the state diverted the loan money it had taken from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to give advertisement to the National Herald newspaper. State general secretary and chairman of the communication wing of the Congress Shailesh Nitin Trivedi said the BJPs allegations were baseless and false as there was no connection with loans the government had taken to implement welfare schemes and the advertisement it released to various media outlets. Countering the charges made by the BJP in a tweet, the Congress spokesperson said giving advertisement to party mouthpieces was not unprecedented. Even the BJP did it when it was in power. Trivedi further said the public relation department of the state government issued advertisements for publicity of government schemes to local and national newspapers as per set standards and norms. The National Herald is a national newspaper and hence it was selected for the advertisement, he said. The BJP too had released advertisements worth crores to its mouthpieces during its 15-year tenure, he added. On the allegations that the Congress government was in a loan taking spree, Trivedi said his party government, unlike BJP, was not taking loan for such construction works that involved kickbacks. He said the loans were taken for welfare schemes to benefit farmers and tribals and so by linking it with the advertisements, the BJP showed its anti-farmer and anti-tribal face. State level workshop in order to hold comfortable voting for the convenience of the disabled people, was organised at Noronha Academy of Administration, Bhopal. During the workshop, the Chief Electoral Officer VL Kantha Rao said that arrangements like queue jump, volunteers and transport had been made for 3.50 lakh disabled people during the last elections. Full cooperation was also received from the voluntary organizations especially for the disabled people during the last elections and 61 percent voting from the disabled people could have become possible with the cooperation of all in the last Vidhan Sabha elections-2018. This voting percentage is much better than other states of the country, he added. We have to ensure better arrangements than the last elections in this Lok Sabha election. Efforts will be made to ensure 75 percent voting from the disabled people. The Secretary of the Election Commission of India Anand Kumar Pathak mentioned that the best works were carried out in Madhya Pradesh during the Vidhan Sabha Election -2018. Directives of the commission were followed speedily and people besides NGOs and government officers and employees also participated to hold voting conveniently. Pathak further stated that many times voters are not able to cast their votes at polling centers despite having strong desire to cast their votes, therefore the theme Bharat ke Mahaparv Es Tyauhar Me Koi Bhi Matdata Na Chhoote has been decided for this Lok Sabha election. Disabled could use their voting rights, hence several arrangements along with voting material have been made by the commission. Programmes on radio, television, community radio and various means like facebook are being conducted to encourage disabled people to cast their votes. Apart from this, voter awareness publicity programmes will be conducted in about 10 trains in the country. Sujeet Kumar Mishra, the Additional Secretary of the Election Commission of India gave information about the constitutional provisions and the 2016 Act. Mishra said that each vote is important and we have to ensure it is casted during the election. Every polling booth will be made approachable so that disabled people could exercise their voting rights conveniently. Moreover, humanitarian aspect should also be kept in mind too remove the difficulties faced by the disabled people in exercising their voting rights. The Joint Chief Electoral Officer Abhijit Agrawal stated that new works have also to be carried out along with the same works done during the Vidhan Sabha elections so that disabled people in maximum numbers could exercise their voting right. In the workshop, the Director Social Justice KG Tiwari, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Sanjeev Jain, Anil Mudgal and Rohit Trivedi delivered lectures on expansion of facilities for convenient voting for disabled people, basic difficulties and Sugamya App. District Coordinators appointed to ensure convenient voting for the disabled people and delegates of NGOs working at the district level for disabled took part in the workshop. Two in five adults are hypertensive in Punjab Chandigarh: Two in five adults are hypertensive in Punjab, and almost equal number are in pre-hypertensive stage who are at risk to develop hypertension. Moreover, intake of trans-fatty acids can increase the risk of death due to heart attack by 28 percent. As highest consumer of vanaspati, Punjab must take immediate steps to limit its consumption by regulating trans-fat in oils and foods through stringent policy enforcement, stressed the health experts, policymakers and journalists during a dialogue on Thursday. Food and Drug Safety joint commissioner Dr Anoop Kumar said that cardinal solution for preventing needless deaths and safeguarding health of present and future generation is removal of industrially produced trans-fatty acids from food supply. Section events held at CHASCON-2019 Chandigarh: As part of the ongoing Chandigarh Science Congress (CHASCON-2019), section events on life sciences, Earth and Environmental Science, Engineering and Management Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Pharmaceutical Sciences were carried out at various Science Departments on Thursday. In Engineering and Management Sciences section, the event at University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET), witnessed wide participation in which researchers from all over India participated. A total of 57 research papers on engineering, management, fashion technology, biotechnology were selected for oral and poster presentation after a rigorous review process. Health camp for mess, canteen workers Chandigarh: A health awareness and check-up camp was organized at Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Hall, Boys Hostel No. 4, Panjab University, Chandigarh, for mess and canteen workers. Health checkup of the mess and canteen workers was conducted by Medical Officers Dr Atul Bhardwaj and Dr Ramesh Rattu. The concept of health awareness and check-up camp was initiated last year, at Boys Hostel No. 4, in association with the Centre for Public Health. The Camp included 30 minutes health talk regarding musculoskeletal disorder, physical activity, and environmental consciousness by Dr Meenakshi, Rajinder Kaur and Anish Patyal. World Kidney Day: Patients interact with docs Mohali: Dialysis patients and their family members on Thursday gathered for a special event to mark World Kidney Day organized at Fortis Hospital Mohali. The interaction was held under the aegis of Sahaayak, a get-together of patients of kidney failure undergoing dialysis. Those who have undergone kidney transplant also attended the event. The day was made special as the patients presented mementoes to doctors, thanking them for their care and support. NGAI condemns move to trademark Gatka Chandigarh: The National Gatka Association of India (regd) and World Gatka Federation (regd) have strongly condemned the move by a private proprietor limited firm for getting registration of patent of trademark of Sikh martial art and Gatka saying that Gatka is an ancient traditional art inherited from Sikh Gurus and nobody has any right to get it patented. NGAI president Harjeet Singh Grewal, secretary Tejinder Singh Gill and WGF secretary Baljeet Singh, in a joint statement, said that a Delhi-based private firm registered under the Indian Companies Act has got patented two names Gatka and Sikh martial art under Trademark Act and described it as a mockery of Sikh martial art and Gatka which challenged the entire Sikh community and its respected traditions. Chandigarh DGP awards certificates Chandigarh: In view of latest security scenario, DGP Sanjay Baniwal recently issued special directions to the police officers posted in South Division to make extra efforts to work out unsolved heinous cases and to curb crimes like murders, dacoities, robberies, burglaries, vehicle thefts etc. He awarded police officers with Commendation Certificate - 1st class for encouragement. BR Life Hosp launches I Live On campaign Bhubaneswar: To observe the World Kidney Day on Thursday, the BR Life Kalinga Hospital launched I Live On campaign to create awareness on organ donation and life after transplantation. The hospital aims to encourage people to come forward and pledge their organs. The hospital also launched an exclusive health check package for kidney health which provides 20 per cent discount on urology and nephrology consultation and prescribed investigations from March 14 to 31. LVPEI observes Glaucoma Week Bhubaneswar: The LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) has been undertaking multiple initiatives during the observance of the World Glaucoma Week from March 10-16 to bring public focus on the eye disease that affects both adults and children. The LVPEI also had organised a glaucoma awareness walk to aware the public on the need for periodic eye check-up and stay away from the disease. The secondary centres of LVPEI based at Rayagada, Rajgangpur, Brahmapur and Keonjhar also had patient interaction sessions under the LVPEI Bhubaneswar banner. If there is an eye for an eye, Punjab politicians believe in having a relative for a relative. Day after SAD brought into party fold its rebel MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpuras nephew, SAD (Taksali) on Thursday retorted with induction of Akali veteran Parkash Singh Badals nephew in the newly-formed outfit. Harsukhinder Singh Bubby Badal, along with his supporters, joined the taksalis, and was appointed the partys youth wing president. It is a personal loss to the Badal family, the former SAD minister and SAD (Taksali) founding-member Sewa Singh Sekhwan is how described the development. Distantly related to former Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, Bubby is his nephew and cousin of SAD president Sukhbir Badal. Son of late Surinder Singh Badal, Bubby is a known face, especially in Mohali area, and had served SAD for a long time. Only a day before, Brahmpuras nephew Gurinder Singh Tony, his wife and Zila Parishad member Rupinder Kaur, and their supporters joined the Badals led Akali Dal in the presence of SAD former minister Bikram Majithia in Tarn Taran. However, Brahmpura had maintained that tony is just an acquaintance who had worked against him in the previous elections. A day after, Brahmpura settled the score by inducting Bubby Badal in the party. Maintaining that Sukhbir Badal was responsible for the sacrilege cases, Bubby Badal said that the Akali Dal failed to stop incidents of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib and accused persons were given protection. I was hurt and waiting for the right opportunity to step out of SAD (Badal), he said adding that he supported the cause of Brahmpura who took bold stand against the Badal family. Sikhs are annoyed with the Badal family for exonerating Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, he said while blaming the Badals for misusing religious institutes for political gains. Brahmpura welcomed Bubby Badal saying that large number of Akali Dal leaders were ready to join them. SAD has lost base among the Sikh community and faced humiliating defeat in the last assembly elections. SAD is working under influence of RSS and will lost Lok Sabha poll, he maintained. TAKSALIS MEETS CEO DEMANDING ACTION AGAINST SAD CANDIDATE SAD (Taksali) on Thursday demanded stern action against SAD (Badal) candidate from Khadoor Sahib, Bibi Jagir Kaur, for distributing the illegal liquor in rally held a day before at Dera Sahib village in Khadoor Sahib constituency against law and order. The demand was made when a high level delegation of SAD (Taksali), led by party president and Khadoor Sahib MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, met the state Chief Electoral Officer S Karuna Raju. Responding, Raju assured the party leaders that suitable action would be taken against the guilty persons. STILL HOPEFUL FOR ALLIANCE WITH AAP SAD (Taksali) president Brahmpura maintained that he was still hopeful of a political alliance with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for May 19 Lok Sabha elections. The alliance talks between the taksalis and AAP has hit a roadblock with both parties adamant on having Sri Anandpur Sahib seat in their share, from where both the parties hjave announced their candidates. In lieu of that, AAP has now offered Bathinda seat to the taksalis. Senior Citizens to be given special emphasis in HP Himachal Chief Electoral Officer, Devesh Kumar on Thursday said that in the view of relevance and special needs of the senior citizens in the State, participation in the Lok Sabha Election-2019 would be enhanced through various awareness programmes. Identification of Senior citizens through existing mechanism, for example pension scheme, to facilitate them for registration and vote in coordination in the officer of District Welfare Officer/Tehsil Welfare Officer would be done. He said awareness related to procedures available for registration of service electors will be given a special emphasis. Special awareness and registration camps for Defense Personnel have been organized in the State. Concerned Nodal Officers were given training to disseminate information on Elections and Voting. The CEO said that out of total 51, 59,000 voters in the State, there are 62,131 service electors. He said that 26, 45,584 males, 25, 13,357 females and 59 third gender voters will be exercising their franchising in 7723 voting centers in the State. IT dept sets up Toll Free Helpline 18001804814 Following directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to prevent undue influence of voters by means of money and materials during the ensuing Lok Sabha polls in the state, the Director General Income Tax (Investigation) has set up a dedicated control room centre to receive complaints in this regard. A spokesperson of Office of Chief Electoral officer, Punjab said that people of the state would be able to register any complaint on toll free number 18001804814 regarding anyone carrying huge sums of money in cash or any such thing valued Rs 10 lakh and above which could be used to influence voters during the coming General Election 2019. This helpline would be active 24X7 and would remain operational during the period of Model code of Conduct. The Chief Electoral Officer had requested to the public not to carry huge money or valuable during travel without proper document especially above Rs 50,000. Policemen to be deployed at polling booths in Hry During the general elections to Lok Sabha 2019, the police personnel would be randomly deployed at polling stations in a thoroughly systematic and confidential manner. For this, a software is being developed by the NIC, said Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Rajeev Ranjan in a meeting held with nodal officers of Haryana Police, BSF and CRPF. Ranjan said, such software is being prepared by NIC which would have complete data of police personnel including their names and addresses through which they would be deputed randomly at polling stations. The data registered in the software would be completely safe and confidential. This would bring more transparency in system of deputing police personnel, he added. Meeting of district MCMC held in Chandigarh A meeting of district media certification and monitoring committee was held here under the chairmanship of Mandip Singh Brar, Additional Chief Electoral Officer cum Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh. The district media certification and monitoring committee undertake activities related to certification of advertisements of political nature and monitoring of paid news. After the enforcement of model code of conduct, it is mandatory that any registered political party, any candidate, any group organization/ association or any individual who wishes to give a advertisement of political nature needs a pre certification from the district level committee, Brar said. The district MCMC shall decide the case within 24 hours of receipt of application if the application is received by 12 noon. If any candidate of political party is not satisfied with the decision of the district MCMC in cases of certification of advertisement of political nature than the former may apply to the state level appellate committee which is headed by AK Sinha, Chief Electoral Officer, Chandigarh. Sukhbir inducts nine members into SADs PAC Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Badal on Thursday expanded the partys Political Affairs Committee by inducting nine new leaders hailing from different regions of the state. The leaders include Swaran Singh Kular from Phagwara, Paramjit Singh Khalsa from Barnala, Ranjit Singh Libra from Fatehgarh Sahib, Harmesh Puri from Nawanshahar, Jathedar Mohan Singh Dhahe from Sri Anandpur Sahib, Paramjit Singh Makkar from Ropar, ex-mayor of Jalandhar Suresh Sehgal, Harsurinder Singh Gill from Jagraon and Engineer Swaran Singh from Kapurthala. Congress will continue to toe the soft Hindutva agenda with star campaigner and AICC general secretary and UP east in-charge Priyanka Gandhi Vadra planning to hit the campaign trail by taking the Ganga river route from Allahabad to Varanasi. Priyanka also has plans to halt at Mirzapur for a darshan of the famous Maa Vindhyavasini temple. In Varanasi also, the Congress pin-up leader will pay obeisance to the deity at Kashi Vishwanath temple. During her programme, Priyanka will interact with the downtrodden sections of society residing on the banks of the Ganga river. Earlier, in the run-up to the Assembly elections in five states, Congress president Rahul Gandhi had toed the soft Hindutva agenda and it bore fruitful results with victories in three central Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Priyanka will reach the state capital on Friday to discuss the campaign trail and other strategies with senior Congress leaders. The course of her campaign will depend on the decision taken by local administration, said Congress state president Raj Babbar in Lucknow on Thursday. Earlier, Priyanka was slated to visit Lucknow for three days last week but she cancelled her programme at the last moment. At the Congress headquarters in Lucknow on Thursday, Raj Babbar claimed that office-bearers of the state unit would discuss the details of her programme on Friday and thereafter it would be shared with media persons. She may take the river route to reach out to the poor people, especially those residing on river banks, and who have been continuously facing hardships for the past 30 years, Babbar said without disclosing details. However, a senior Congress leader said that Priyanka would begin her campaign from Allahabad, the birthplace of her great grandfather and Indias first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and then she may take the river route to Varanasi. In Allahabad, Priyanka is likely to visit the historic Anand Bhawan, the ancestral home of the Nehrus, now dedicated as a museum housing personal belongings of Jawaharlal Nehru and his father Motilal Nehru. On Priyanka visiting Dalit leader Chandrashekhar Azad at a Meerut hospital on Wednesday, Babbar said that there was nothing political in it and it was just to express solidarity with a youth who was arrested for raising concerns of members of his community. Babbar alleged that it was shameful that the state as well as Central governments were crushing the voice of anyone who dared to oppose their policies or highlighted social welfare issues. The students of Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya continued their stir led by Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for the second consecutive day in the university premises on Thursday. The agitating students said that they would continue with the protest till the indifferent attitude of the university management towards the interests of the students changes. They further said that the management staffers had threatened them with dire consequences when they had raised their voice against the management and started boycotting classes. The trigger of the stir is the decision of the Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya management to abolish the student welfare council executive committee. The Kanya Gurukul campus students have also come in support of the agitating students. As per the allegation, the council was scrapped after the representatives of the student council had misbehaved with the vice-chancellor Vinod Kumar when they met him. Speaking to The Pioneer, the president of the students welfare council Rahul Sharma said, By warning the students of expulsion and scrapping the executive committee of council, the management has made it clear that it is out to stifle their voice. But we are not to be cowed down. We have received support from the girl students council. The management would have to finally bow down, he added. Lending full support to the continuing stir by the students, the president of Kanya Gurukul students council Rakhi Panwar said, Classes are not being held regularly in the university. We are really disturbed. The district coordinator ABVP, Aditya Gaur, said that the agitation was fully justified, given the pitiable condition of the university. A representative delegation of students would soon meet the district administration and the police officers on the dismal situation prevailing in the university. We would also tell them about the threat and harassment the students are receiving from the management. We would demand them to intervene in the interests of the students, he said. Delhi BJP State In-charge and Union Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharama on Thursday said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) did not take adequate steps post 26/11 Mumbai attacks. There would have been more punitive actions that were required against such a dastardly terror strike, said Sitharaman while addressing Delhi BJP workers in executive meet at Pandit Pant Marg on Thursday. Echoing the Balakot air strikes, the Union Minister exhorted workers not to be affected by the questions raised about the airstrike and urged them to be on the offensive rather being defensive in dealing with the issues that concern national security. The State executive meet was chaired by Sitharaman, who has been election incharge of the Delhi State. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always talked about zero tolerance policy against terrorism. Whatever had to be done after 26/11 Mumbai attacks was not done by the previous Government. Had it been more proactive, there would have been more deterrence, she added. Attacking those questioning the IAF air strikes on terror camps in Balakot, Sitharaman said even during the time of Kargil war, Pakistan did not accept those people who laid down their lives for them and their bodies were buried in India as the neighbouring country did not even claim them. You should not expect Pakistan to give proof or accept their terrorist centre was attacked by us. I am not citing any numbers, but you should not expect they will accept any numbers. They will never accept it, she said. Referring to 26/11 mastermind Ajmal Kasab, the senior BJP leader said that even when 26/11 attacker Kasab was caught red-handed, Pakistan denied point blank that Kasab was a Pakistani. The Defence Minister also mentioned about recent Pulwama attack in which 42 Jawans of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were martyred. Our Government waited for 10-12 days and after getting intelligence inputs that suicide bombers were set to launch attacks again, the air force struck their camps in Pakistan, said Sithraman, adding, we waited for 10-12 days for Pakistan to take action against terrorists, to get them to vacate their properties, to demolish their buildings, but they did nothing. They were not in those camps that were close o the border but were in deep inside their territory and we attacked them. We had intelligence inputs rather than going to wage war, she asserted. Attacking Congress for targeting BJP over the release of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar after the hijack of an Indian Airlines flight in 1999, The decision to free him was taken at an all-party meeting, the Defence Minister said. She also questioned the previous Governments for not taking any action against Azhar when he was lodged in jail in India from 1994-1999. You tolerated that terrorist. There was an all-party meeting at the time of Kandahar hijack and it was decided that he would be freed to secure the release of more than 160 passengers who were on board the hijacked flight, she said. Meanwhile , Shyam Jaju, Delhi BJP in charge, Manoj Tiwari , Delhi BJP State president and Vijender Gupta , Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Delhi Assembly also addressed the BJP executives. On the one hand there are people protecting the country and the other people compromising with the interest of the country, Jaju said. Rajesh Bhatia, General Secretary said that under the chairmanship of Sitharaman, a district and zone level committees have been formed which will spread the achievements of Modi Government through door to door campaigning.a A 37-year-old woman died after allegedly being beaten up by the locals when she, along with her accomplice, was caught red handed while stealing at a manufacturing unit of pressure cooker in outer north Delhis Samaipur Badli. The incident took place on Wednesday night when a group of around seven-eight women entered a godown of pressure cooker manufacturing unit after jumping the wall. While they were engaged in the process of stealing items, the two women were caught red handed by the labourers present at the spot. Meanwhile, the other women managed to flee from the spot, said Gaurav Sharma, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Outer North district. A scuffle broke out between them. The two women were allegedly beaten up by the labourers and the locals. When police reached the spot, one of the injured women complained of uneasiness, following which she was admitted in Ambedkar hospital in Rohini where she and her accomplice was treated for their injuries and discharged, said the DCP. The women were arrested from the hospital and presented before the magistrate on Thursday. After the ordered their judicial custody, the 37-year-old woman was again taken to hospital after she complained of uneasiness where she succumbed during treatment, the DCP said. Whereas, the family of the deceased has accused police of beating the victim leading to her death, following which the police has initiated magisterial probe into the matter. However denying the allegations leveled against the concerned police official stating the woman was caught red handed while stealing and was beaten by the public at the spot the DCP said that she was not made to visit any police station and was arrested from the hospital and presented before the magistrate. Initial investigation suggests that the woman died due to internal injuries, however, the exact cause of death will be ascertained after post-mortem report which yet to come, said the DCP adding that further investigation is going on. A team from the State Commission for Women on Thursday met owners of the famous Meenakshi Cinema Hall in Ranchi after the septuagenarian member of the family accused her sons and daughter-in-laws of ill-treating her. The commission took suo moto cognizance of a viral video, in which 70-year-old Devi Meenaxi accused her three sons Rohit Agarwal, Ravi Agarwal and Raju Agarwal- of misbehaving with her and asking her to leave the house. My sons and daughter-in-laws misbehave with me. They ask me to leave the house or die. How can I die until death calls me? Meenakshi said in the viral video. In parts of the video, shot at Tagore Hill, she is seen weeping and seeking help from outsiders. Kalyani Sharan, Chairperson of the State Commission for Women, spoke to Meenakshi in a one-to-one interaction on Thursday and found out that the family was being indifferent towards her. She had released in her saree once and the family asked her to get it washed. Her sons do not give her even a penny to spend on her needs. Basically, despite having three sons, there is nobody to look after her, said Sharan. Later in the day she counseled the members of Meenakshis family and asked them to keep a 24x7 domestic help for the ailing, septuagenarian woman. We have asked the family to immediately keep a domestic help who would look after the elderly woman the entire day. She will give her medicines on time and ensure that she leads a healthy life, said Sharan. The commission has warned the family of legal consequences if the 70-year-old again complains about such treatment towards her. Despite several attempts, members of the family could not be contacted for their remarks. The viral video, sources said, was shot about a week ago after Meenakshi was allegedly forced to leave her house. Sources said that the National Commission for Women had directed the womens panel in Jharkhand to intervene after the video reached its members in New Delhi. There is not enough analysis data for Bacanora Lithium. 4.9 Community Rank Outperform Votes Bacanora Lithium has received 288 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Bacanora Lithium has received 100 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Bacanora Lithium has received 74.23% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Bacanora Lithium and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe BCN will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe BCN will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next In November 2018, Baluch militants, angry with Chinas exploitation of their resources through Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, attacked the Chinese consulate in Karachi, Pakistan. This underscored the vulnerability of Chinese nationals and infrastructure projects outside Chinas borders to terrorism. In addition, Chinas repression of Muslim Uighurs in its Xinjiang province has drawn the ire of Uighur militants and jihadist groups. China will have to find a way to secure its nationals abroad and projects in BRI member-states, without triggering alarm among BRI skeptics. BACKGROUND: In mid-February, the Chinese Embassy in Turkey warned its nationals in the country to be more vigilant and pay attention to their personal security as well as the security of their belongings. The warning came amid a row between the two countries over Chinas brutal crackdowns on Uighurs, an ethnically Turkic Muslim population of about 11 million in western China. Chinas repression of Uighurs has escalated in recent months and in addition to enhanced surveillance and random arrests, around a million Uighur have been placed in internment camps where they are being subjected to political re-education. Uighur alienation from the Chinese state has reached unprecedented levels over the past year as has radicalization of Uighurs living abroad. Growing numbers are joining jihadist organizations and have fought in Iraq and Syria. With the wars there winding down, they are expected to return home to the Xinjiang province to fight Chinese oppression. Also, Uighur militants could target Chinese nationals and projects outside China, not only in countries like Turkey and the Central Asian Republics (CARs); Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan where a significant number of Uighur live, but also elsewhere in Asia, Europe and Africa where Chinas presence and economic footprint has expanded significantly in recent years. Chinas concerns over terrorism have changed over time. Domestic terrorism was its primary concern in the 1990s, when Uighur militants carried out bomb and knife attacks in Xinjiang and subsequently in other parts of China. However, the problem acquired a transnational dimension even in the 1990s as Uighur militants crossed borders to set up bases in neighboring countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asian states, where they linked up with other jihadists and gained combat experience. Uighurs operating from foreign bases began carrying out attacks inside China. The bomb blast on a Beijing bus in 1997 was the work of a Kazakhstan-based Uighur. This was followed by attacks on Chinese targets abroad. In 2007, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) claimed responsibility for the killing of Chinese nationals in Pakistans Baluchistan province. In August 2016, an ETIM suicide bomber rammed a car into the gates of the Chinese embassy in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Worryingly for China, ETIMs reach now extends to countries far from Xinjiangs immediate neighborhood. In August 2015, ETIM militants set off a bomb in the Erawan shrine in Bangkok, killing 20 people, including 14 non-Thais, all of whom were ethnic Chinese. The attack was in retaliation for Thailands forced repatriation of more than 100 Uighurs to face prosecution in China. IMPLICATIONS: As China intensifies its repression of Uighurs, it can expect to come under attack from Uighur militants inside the country and abroad. Besides Uighur groups, Islamist and jihadist organizations also have China in their cross-hairs. In 2014, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the terrorist organization known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), listed China among countries where Muslim rights are forcibly seized. The following year, ISIS abducted and killed a Chinese national, Fan Jinghui, in Syria. In March 2017, ISIS vowed to shed blood like rivers in attacks on Chinese nationals to avenge Beijings oppression of Uighurs. A few months later, ISIS killed two Chinese nationals in Pakistans Baluchistan province. Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which spans some 65 countries, provides militants with innumerable soft targets to attack. Particularly vulnerable are oil and natural gas pipelines, which run across thousands of kilometers and are therefore hard to protect. This is the case with the entire western route of the US$ 62-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). A flagship component of BRI CPEC links Gwadar port in Baluchistan with Kashgar in Xinjiang and runs through some of the worlds most volatile and lawless regions. Adding to the threat posed by ETIM and jihadist groups to BRI projects are groups that feel excluded from the benefits of BRI. Prominent among these are the Baluch, who argue that their natural resources are being exploited to bring prosperity to outsiders i.e. non-Baluch Pakistanis and the Chinese. On November 23, 2018, three heavily armed militants of the Baluch Liberation Army (BLA), an armed separatist group that has been fighting the Pakistani state for independence for Baluchistan province for more than a decade, attacked the Chinese consulate in Karachi. BLA said in a statement that China was the target of the attack and that it would not tolerate any Chinese military expansionist endeavors on Baloch soil. Chinese companies often bring Chinese nationals to work on BRI projects. This stirs local resentment, prompting ethnic militias and militant nationalists to target the projects and the Chinese workers. In August 2018, BLA militants attacked a bus carrying Chinese workers to the Saindak mining project in Baluchistan. At Gwadar, the Chinese are planning a to build a Chinese-only township for half-a-million Chinese nationals working in the financial district that Beijing is building there. Baluch and even Iranian militants can be expected to strike at the Chinese township. BRI geographically expands Chinas exposure to an array of militant groups. Some governments have raised Special Forces to secure Chinese nationals and projects. The Pakistan Army, for instance, has set up a 15,000-strong Special Security Division to protect CPEC projects. It claims to have dismantled ETIM camps on its soil. Nevertheless, ETIM remains active in Pakistan and continues to be a source of concern for the Chinese. This was on public display in December 2017, when the Chinese embassy in Islamabad warned its nationals of a series of terror attacks on Chinese organizations and citizens in Pakistan. Although the Chinese government did not name the group posing the threat, the needle of suspicion pointed in the direction of ETIM. In some other BRI member states, Chinese Private Security Companies (PSCs) are providing security for BRI projects. While deploying personnel of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) is another option, this would trigger an international backlash. It would strengthen the perception of BRI as a strategic initiative rather than an economic one, and would require Beijing to officially abandon its long-standing policy of non-interference in other countries. However, since the possibility exists that Chinese nationals could be taken hostage abroad, the participation of PLA personnel in resolving such situations cannot be ruled out in the future. CONCLUSIONS: Chinas vulnerability to terror attacks abroad is growing and will likely surge further in the coming years, especially in the context of Chinas repression of the Uighurs and its growing global economic and other presence via BRI. Its nationals living abroad and BRI projects are in the crosshairs of an array of militant groups. China will need to improve security as many of these projects are in restive regions. Beijing can be expected to rethink its long-standing policy of non-interference in the internal affairs and conflicts of other countries, however, this will confirm the worst fears of those who believe that BRI has strategic, not purely economic, objectives. AUTHORS BIOS: Dr. Sudha Ramachandran is an independent researcher and journalist based in India. She writes on South Asian political and security issues. Her articles have been published in Asia Times Online, The Diplomat, China Brief, etc. She can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Image Source: public domain accessed on 3.14.2019 American Consumer News, LLC dba MarketBeat 2010-2021. All rights reserved. 326 E 8th St #105, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 | U.S. Based Support Team at contact@marketbeat.com | (844) 978-6257 MarketBeat does not provide personalized financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security. 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. IndigoVision Group plc engages in the design, development, manufacture, and sale of networked video security systems. Its IP video security systems allow full motion video to be transmitted with digital quality and security using local or wide area networks, wireless links, or the Internet. The company provides control center security management software, IP video walls, surveillance keyboards, integration modules, mobile centers, cameras and encoders, network video recorders, and body worn cameras. It serves airport, casino, city, finance, and police, as well as other markets comprising education, government, health, hospitality, industrial, events, mining, petrochemicals, ports, rail, residential, retail, and traffic. The company operates in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. IndigoVision Group plc is based in Edinburgh, the United Kingdom. Read More iShares MSCI BRIC ETF's stock was trading at $38.73 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, BKF stock has increased by 21.7% and is now trading at $47.13. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Medtronic Plc is a medical technology company, which engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of device-based medical therapies and services. It operates through the following segments: Cardiac and Vascular Group; Minimally Invasive Technologies Group; Restorative Therapies Group; and Diabetes Group. The Cardiac and Vascular Group segment consists of products for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of cardiac rhythm disorders and cardiovascular disease. The Minimally Invasive Technologies Group segment focuses on respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, renal system, lungs, pelvic region, kidneys, and obesity diseases. The Restorative Therapies Group segment comprises of neurostimulation therapies and drug delivery systems for the treatment of chronic pain, as well as areas of the spine and brain, along with pelvic health and conditions of the ear, nose, and throat. The Diabetes Group segment offers insulin pumps, coninuous glucose monitoring systems, and insulin pump consumables. The company was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Read More Antofagasta plc, through its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the exploration, evaluation, development, and mining of copper properties in Chile and internationally. It operates through Los Pelambres, Centinela, Antucoya, ZaldAvar, Exploration and Evaluation, and Transport segments. The company explores for copper concentrates containing by-products, such as molybdenum, gold, and silver; and copper cathodes. It holds a 60% interest in the Los Pelambres mine; a 70% interest in the Centinela mine; a 50% interest in the ZaldAvar mine; and a 70% interest in the Antucoya mine located in Chile. The company also provides rail and road cargo, and other ancillary services. In addition, it offers rail and truck services to the mining industry in the Antofagasta Region. The company was incorporated in 1888 and is based in London, the United Kingdom. Antofagasta plc is a subsidiary of Metalinvest Establishment. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Travelers Companies: 10762962 Canada Inc., 350 Market Street LLC, 8527512 Canada Inc., Aetna Life and Casualty Co, American Equity Insurance Company, American Equity Specialty Insurance Company, Aprilgrange Limited, Arch Street North LLC, Auto Hartford Investments LLC, Bayhill Restaurant II Associates, Camperdown Corporation, Constitution State Services LLC, Discover Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Discover Specialty Insurance Company, F&G UK Underwriters Limited, Farmington Casualty Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Underwriters Inc., First Floridian Auto and Home Insurance Company, Gulf Underwriters Insurance Company, IHP Capital Partners Fund VIII L.P., Northbrook Holdings Inc., Northfield Insurance Company, Northland Casualty Company, Northland Insurance Company, Phoenix UK Investments LLC, SPC Insurance Agency Inc., Select Insurance Company, Simply Business Holdings Inc., Simply Business Inc., St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, St. Paul Guardian Insurance Company, St. Paul Mercury Insurance Company, St. Paul Protective Insurance Company, St. Paul Surplus Lines Insurance Company, Standard Fire Properties LLC, Standard Fire UK Investments LLC, TCI Global Services Inc., TPC Investments Inc., TPC U.K. Investments LLC, The Automobile Insurance Company of Hartford Connecticut, The Charter Oak Fire Insurance Company, The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, The Family Business Institute LLC, The Phoenix Insurance Company, The St. Paul Companies Inc., The Standard Fire Insurance Company, The Travelers Casualty Company, The Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company of America, The Travelers Indemnity Company of Connecticut, The Travelers Lloyds Insurance Company, TravCo Insurance Company, Travelers (Bermuda) Limited, Travelers Brazil Acquisition LLC, Travelers Brazil Holding LLC, Travelers Casualty Company of Connecticut, Travelers Casualty Insurance Company of America, Travelers Casualty UK Investments LLC, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of Europe Limited, Travelers Commercial Casualty Company, Travelers Commercial Insurance Company, Travelers Constitution State Insurance Company, Travelers Distribution Alliance Inc., Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company, Travelers Global Inc., Travelers Indemnity U.K. Investments LLC, Travelers Insurance Company Limited, Travelers Insurance Company of Canada, Travelers Insurance Designated Activity Company, Travelers Insurance Group Holdings Inc., Travelers Lloyds of Texas Insurance Company, Travelers London Limited, Travelers MGA Inc., Travelers Management Limited, Travelers Marine LLC, Travelers Participacoes em Seguros Brasil S.A., Travelers Personal Insurance Company, Travelers Personal Security Insurance Company, Travelers Property Casualty Company of America, Travelers Property Casualty Corp., Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company, Travelers Seguros Brasil S.A., Travelers Syndicate Management Limited, Travelers Texas MGA Inc., Travelers Underwriting Agency Limited, Ultramar Travel Management, United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, Xbridge Limited, Zensurance Brokers Inc., and Zensurance Inc.. Weatherford International plc, an oilfield service company, provides equipment and services for the drilling, evaluation, completion, production, and intervention of oil and natural gas wells worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Western Hemisphere and Eastern Hemisphere. It offers artificial lift systems, including reciprocating rod, progressing cavity pumping, gas, hydraulic, plunger, and hybrid lift systems, as well as related automation and control systems; pressure pumping and reservoir stimulation services, such as acidizing, fracturing and fluid systems, cementing, and coiled-tubing intervention; and drill stem test tools, and surface well testing and multiphase flow measurement services. The company also provides safety, downhole reservoir monitoring, flow control, and multistage fracturing systems, as well as sand-control technologies, and production and isolation packers; liner hangers to suspend a casing string in high-temperature and high-pressure wells; cementing products, including plugs, float and stage equipment, and torque-and-drag reduction technology for zonal isolation; and pre-job planning and installation services. In addition, it offers directional drilling services, and logging and measurement services while drilling; services related to rotary-steerable systems, high-temperature and high-pressure sensors, drilling reamers, and circulation subs; managed pressure drilling, conventional mud-logging, drilling instrumentation, gas analysis, wellsite consultancy, and open hole and cased-hole logging services; reservoir solutions and software products; and intervention and remediation services. Further, the company provides equipment and drilling tools; tubular handling, management, and connection services; equipment rental services; and onshore contract drilling and related services through a fleet of land drilling and workover rigs. Weatherford International plc was incorporated in 1972 and is headquartered in Baar, Switzerland. Read More Albert Mining Inc., a junior mining exploration company, acquires, explores for, and develops mineral resource properties in Canada. The company primarily explores for gold, zinc, copper, diamond, base metals, precious metals, and lithium deposits in Quebec. It also offers computer aided resources detection system that enables mineral exploration professionals identify areas with a high statistical probability of similarity to known areas of mineralization. In addition, the company provides data mining, target generation, project management, and financing services. The company was formerly known as Majescor Resources Inc. and changed its name to Albert Mining Inc. in June 2017. Albert Mining Inc. was incorporated in 1996 and is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. Read More There is not enough analysis data for Bahamas Petroleum. 4.0 Community Rank Outperform Votes Bahamas Petroleum has received 157 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Bahamas Petroleum has received 103 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Bahamas Petroleum has received 60.38% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Bahamas Petroleum and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe BPC will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe BPC will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next Enbridge Inc. operates as an energy infrastructure company. The company operates through five segments: Liquids Pipelines, Gas Transmission and Midstream, Gas Distribution and Storage, Renewable Power Generation, and Energy Services. The Liquids Pipelines segment operates pipelines and related terminals to transport various grades of crude oil and other liquid hydrocarbons in Canada and the United States. The Gas Transmission and Midstream segment invests in natural gas pipelines, and gathering and processing facilities in Canada and the United States. The Gas Distribution and Storage segment is involved in natural gas utility operations serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Ontario, as well as natural gas distribution and energy transportation activities in Quebec. The Renewable Power Generation segment operates power generating assets, such as wind, solar, geothermal, and waste heat recovery facilities; and transmission assets in North America and Europe. The Energy Services segment provides energy marketing services to refiners, producers, and other customers; and physical commodity marketing and logistical services in Canada and the United States. The company was formerly known as IPL Energy Inc. and changed its name to Enbridge Inc. in October 1998. Enbridge Inc. was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Sherwin-Williams: Acquire Sourcing LLC, CTS National Corporation, Comex North America Inc., Compania Sherwin-Williams S.A. de C.V., Contract Transportation Systems Co., Dongguan Lilly Paint Industries Ltd, Duron, EPS (Shanghai) Trading Co. Ltd., EPS B.V., Geocel Holdings, Geocel Limited, Guangdong Valspar Paints Manufacturing Co Ltd., Inver East Med S.A., Inver France SAS, Inver GmbH, Inver Industrial Coating SRL, Inver Polska Spoka Z O.O, Inver Spa, Invercolor Bologna Srl, Invercolor Ltd, Invercolor Roma Srl, Invercolor Torino Srl, Invercolor Toscana Srl, Isocoat Tintas e Vernizes Ltda, Isva Vernici Srl, Leighs Paints, M.A. Bruder & Sons, Omega Specialty Products & Services LLC, Oy Sherwin-Williams Finland Ab, PT Sherwin-Williams Indonesia, PT Valspar Indonesia, Paint Sundry Brands, Pinturas Condor S.A., Pinturas Industriales S.A., Piton Paints Limited, Plasti-Kote Co. Inc., Plasti-kote Limited, Productos Quimicos y Pinturas S.A. de C.V., Quest Automotive Products UK Limited, Quetzal Pinturas S.A. de C.V., Ronseal (Ireland) Limited, SWIMC LLC, SWIPCO Sherwin Williams do Brasil Propriedade Intelectual Ltda, Sherwin Williams Colombia S.A.S., Sherwin-Williams (Australia) Pty. Ltd., Sherwin-Williams (Belize) Limited, Sherwin-Williams (Caribbean) N.V., Sherwin-Williams (Ireland) Limited, Sherwin-Williams (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Sherwin-Williams (Nantong) Coatings Technology Co. Ltd., Sherwin-Williams (Nantong) Company Limited, Sherwin-Williams (S) Pte. Ltd., Sherwin-Williams (Shanghai) Limited, Sherwin-Williams (Thailand) Co. Ltd., Sherwin-Williams (Vietnam) Limited, Sherwin-Williams (West Indies) Limited, Sherwin-Williams Argentina I.y C.S.A., Sherwin-Williams Aruba VBA, Sherwin-Williams Automotive Mexico S.de R.L.de C.V., Sherwin-Williams Balkan S.R.L., Sherwin-Williams Bel Unitary Enterprise, Sherwin-Williams Benelux NV, Sherwin-Williams Canada Inc., Sherwin-Williams Cayman Islands Limited, Sherwin-Williams Chile S.A., Sherwin-Williams Coatings India Private Limited, Sherwin-Williams Coatings S.a r.l., Sherwin-Williams Czech Republic spol. s r.o, Sherwin-Williams Denmark A/S, Sherwin-Williams Deutschland GmbH, Sherwin-Williams Diversified Brands Limited, Sherwin-Williams France Finishes SAS, Sherwin-Williams Italy S.r.l., Sherwin-Williams Norway AS, Sherwin-Williams Paints Limited Liability Company, Sherwin-Williams Peru S.R.L., Sherwin-Williams Pinturas de Venezuela S.A., Sherwin-Williams Poland Sp. z o.o, Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings, Sherwin-Williams Realty Holdings Inc., Sherwin-Williams Services (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Sherwin-Williams Spain Coatings S.L., Sherwin-Williams Sweden AB, Sherwin-Williams UK Coatings Limited, Sherwin-Williams do Brasil Industria e Comercio Ltda., Spanyc Paints Joint Stock Company, Syntema I Vaggeryd AB, Taiwan Valspar Co. Ltd., The Sherwin-Williams Acceptance Corporation, The Sherwin-Williams Headquarters Company, The Sherwin-Williams Manufacturing Company, The Sherwin-Williams US Licensing Company, The Valspar (Asia) Corporation Limited, The Valspar (Australia) Corporation Pty. Ltd., The Valspar (Finland) Corporation Oy, The Valspar (France) Corporation S.A.S., The Valspar (France) Research Corporation SAS, The Valspar (Malaysia) Corporation Sdn Bhd, The Valspar (Nantes) Corporation S.A.S., The Valspar (Singapore) Corporation Pte. Ltd, The Valspar (South Africa) Corporation (Pty) Ltd, The Valspar (Spain) Corporation S.R.L., The Valspar (Switzerland) Corporation AG, The Valspar (Thailand) Corporation Ltd., The Valspar (UK) Corporation Limited, The Valspar (Vietnam) Corporation Ltd., The Valspar Corporation, The Valspar Corporation Limitada, UAB Sherwin-Williams Baltic, Valspar (India) Coatings Corporation Private Limited, Valspar (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., Valspar (Uruguay) Corporation S.A., Valspar (WPC) Pty Ltd, Valspar Aries Coatings S. de R.L. de C.V., Valspar Automotive (UK) Corporation Limited, Valspar Automotive Australia Pty Limited, Valspar B.V., Valspar Coatings (Guangdong) Co. Ltd., Valspar Coatings (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Valspar Coatings (Tianjin) Co. Ltd, Valspar D.o.o Beograd, Valspar Industries (Ireland) Ltd., Valspar Industries (Italy) S.r.l., Valspar Industries GmbH, Valspar LLC, Valspar Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Valspar Paint (Australia) Pty Ltd, Valspar Paint (NZ) Limited, Valspar Powder Coatings Limited, Valspar Rock Company Limited (Japan), Valspar Specialty Paints LLC, and ZAO Sherwin-Williams. Boyd Group Income Fund operates as an unincorporated open-ended mutual fund trust. The company, through its operating company, The Boyd Group Inc., operates non-franchised collision repair centers. Its collision repair centers offer automotive collision and glass repair, and related services. The company operates its autobody/autoglass repair and related services facilities, as well as auto glass retail facilities under the Boyd Autobody & Glass, Assured Automotive, Gerber Collision & Glass, Glass America, Auto Glass Service, Auto Glass Authority, and Autoglassonly.com trade names in the United States and Canada. Further, it provides Gerber National Claim Services, a claim administrator service, which offer glass, emergency roadside, and first notice of loss services with approximately 5,500 glass provider locations and 4,600 emergency roadside services providers. The company is headquartered in Winnipeg, Canada. Read More Vue aerienne de Buea le 5 octobre 2018. AFP/Archives/FLORIAN PLAUCHEUR The Mayor of Buea,Ekema Patrick is said to have stopped an authorised peaceful March organised by the Cameroon Community Media Network of journalists, a peace project of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon(PCC), this Thursday in Buea, taking a female journalist along for questioning. The leader of the network who is also the manager of the Christian Broadcasting System of the PCC ,Reverend Fobang Geraldine, was taken along by security officials who work for the mayor for hours and later released this evening. They were accused of holding a peace match without the knowledge of the mayor who has on several occasions taken decisions on his own. Reports say it was after a crisis meeting between the journalist ,her employers and some administrative officials including Mayor Ekema, that she was allowed to go home. In prelude to the meeting organised by the peace network, they requested permission from the Divisional officer of Buea, Kouam Wokam Paul, which was granted by the administrator. It was agreed that after the match, these journalists would hand over a memo to the South West governor. Reacting to the issue, the Buea council said the journalist violated the limits of their sphere in a peace Journalism Advocacy March as stipulated in the authorisation accorded them. The said group instead of maintaining the PCC Synod Office to Turborg Junction stretch, actually began their March at the Buea Independence Square, which to the mayor met with stiff resistance from administration. This is however, not the first time mayor Ekema Patrick has challenged a group against hosting an event in his jurisdiction. He is partly blamed for stopping organisers of the Anglophone General Conference, from hosting in Buea. The organisers saw it a joke that a mayor would try to stop them from hosting an event meant to pave a way for peace in Cameroon. They were surprised when authorisation papers of the said conference wasnt signed by the D.O of Buea. Till date, the Anglophone conference has not taken place. Hopes about it has been killed. Some journalists who were at todays event said while stopping the match, the mayor made discriminatory comments on those who didnt come from his land. Mayor Ekema Patrick has been one of the Anglophone elites, who has stayed steadfast to his opinion on the clamour for independence by some Anglophones. He has been accused severally of using discriminatory comments about Anglophones from the North West region. 20 minutes ago Where'd Your Money Go in 2021? Now's a Great Time to Figure it Out How the heck is it already the end of 2021? Kind of like going on autopilot on your drive home from the grocery store, you may be looking back right now and wondering how you got here. Do you have some financial regrets from this year? Maybe you bought a motorcycle that now just sits in the garage. Read Article There is not enough analysis data for Buffalo Coal. 3.6 Community Rank Outperform Votes Buffalo Coal has received 51 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Buffalo Coal has received 42 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Buffalo Coal has received 54.84% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Buffalo Coal and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe BUF will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe BUF will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through four strategic business units: Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S. Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; and Capital Markets. The company offers chequing, savings, and business accounts; mortgages; loans, lines of credit, student lines of credit, and business and agriculture loans; investment and insurance services; and credit cards, as well as overdraft protection services. It also provides day-to-day banking, borrowing and credit, investing and wealth, specialty, and international services; correspondent banking and online foreign exchange services; and cash management services. The company serves its customers through its banking centers, as well as direct, mobile, and remote channels. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce was founded in 1867 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More There is not enough analysis data for Aurex Energy. 4.4 Community Rank Outperform Votes Aurex Energy has received 41 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes Aurex Energy has received 22 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment Aurex Energy has received 65.08% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about Aurex Energy and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe CPC will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe CPC will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next Christopher & Banks Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty retailer of private-brand women's apparel and accessories in the United States. The company designs and sells women's apparel and accessories to customers ranging in age from 40 and older. Its stores offer women's apparel consisting of casual clothing, everyday basics, wear-to-work, leisure/active wear, and sleepwear in missy, petite, and women sizes, as well as jewelry and accessories. As of December 4, 2018, the company operated 461 stores, including 314 MPW stores, 80 Outlet stores, 35 Christopher & Banks stores, and 32 stores in its women's plus size clothing division CJ Banks in 45 states. It also operates christopherandbanks.com, an e-commerce Website for its Christopher & Banks and CJ Banks brands. The company was formerly known as Braun's Fashions Corporation and changed its name to Christopher & Banks Corporation in July 2000. Christopher & Banks Corporation was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota. Read More Cloud Nine Web3 Technologies Inc. operates as a technology company. It focuses on incorporating various technologies into its current platforms leveraging Web 3.0. Web 3.0 enables a future where decentralized users and machines interact with data, value, and other counterparties through a substrate of peer-to-peer networks without the need for third parties. Cloud Nine Web3 Technologies Inc. has a strategic partnership with Next Decentrum Technologies Inc. The company was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. Read More Des gendarmes en patrouille, le 3 octobre 2018 a Buea, au Cameroun AFP/Archives/MARCO LONGARI The Mayor of Buea,Ekema Patrick is said to have stopped an authorised peaceful match organised by the Cameroon Community Media Network, a peace project of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon(PCC), this Thursday in Buea The leader of the network who is also the manager of the Christian Broadcasting System of the PCC ,Reverend Forbang Geraldine, was taken along by security officials who work for the mayor. They were accused of holding a peace match without the knowledge of the mayor who has on several occasions taken decisions on his own. Reports say the journalist , her employers are in a conclave at the mayor's office to reach an agreement, which could possibly lead to her release. In prelude to the meeting organised by the peace network, they requested permission from the Divisional officer of Buea, Kouam Wokam Paul, which was granted by the administrator. It was agreed that after the match, these journalists would hand over a memo to the South West governor. This is not the first time mayor Ekema Patrick has challenged a group against hosting an event in his jurisdiction. He is partly blamed for stopping organisers of the Anglophone General Conference, from hosting in Buea. The organisers saw it a joke that a mayor would try to stop them from hosting an event meant to pave a way for peace in Cameroon. They were surprised when authorisation papers of the said conference wasnt signed by the D.O of Buea.Till date, the Anglophone conference has not taken place. Hopes about it has been killed. Some journalists who were at todays event said while stopping the match, the mayor made discriminatory comments on those who didnt come from his land. Mayor Ekema Patrick has been one of the Anglophone elites, who has stayed steadfast to his opinion on the clamour for independence by some Anglophones. He has been accused severally of using discriminatory comments about Anglophones from the North West region. Invesco China Technology ETF's stock was trading at $51.99 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus (COVID-19) reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, CQQQ stock has increased by 25.4% and is now trading at $65.17. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. First Data Corporation provides commerce enabled technology and solutions for merchants, financial institutions, and card issuers in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through three segments: Global Business Solutions, Global Financial Solutions, and Network & Security Solutions. The Global Business Solutions segment provides solutions to merchants, such as retail point of sale merchant acquiring, e-commerce, and mobile payment services, as well as cloud based point of sale operating system that include a marketplace for proprietary and third party applications. The Global Finance Solutions segment provides technology solutions for bank and non-bank issuers, such as credit, retail private label, commercial card, and loan processing, as well as licensed financial software systems; suite of account services that include card personalization and embossing, customer communications, and professional services; and call center solutions and back office processing. The Network & Security Solutions segment offers EFT network, stored value network, and security and fraud solutions, as well as other value added solutions to its clients in GBS and GFS segments, smaller financial institutions, and other enterprise clients. First Data Corporation was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Read More GlaxoSmithKline Plc is a healthcare company, which engages in the research, development, and manufacture of pharmaceutical medicines, vaccines, and consumer healthcare products. It operates through the following segments: Pharmaceuticals; Pharmaceuticals R&D; Vaccines and Consumer Healthcare. The Pharmaceuticals segment focuses on developing medicines in respiratory and infectious diseases, oncology, and immuno-inflammation. The Pharmaceuticals R&D segment focuses on science related to the immune system, the use of human genetics and advanced technologies, and is driven by the multiplier effect of Science x Technology x Culture. The Vaccines segment produces pediatric and adult vaccines to prevent a range of infectious diseases including, hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella, polio, typhoid, influenza, and bacterial meningitis. The Consumer Healthcare segment develops and markets brands in the oral health, pain relief, respiratory, nutrition and gastro intestinal, and skin health categories. The company was founded in 1715 and is headquartered in Middlesex, the United Kingdom. Read More Franc CFA Archives France and Belgium are investigating the swindling of over FCFA 4.7 Billion from two Cameroonian sectors into some fake bank accounts in the said countries in 2014. The French Criminal Chamber has involved some Cameroonian para-public institutions amongst those other countries it is indicting for misusing state funds and other national resources for personal gains in Europe. In what the French Criminal Chamber categorized as corruption surrounding foreign public agencies, the French Criminal Chamber accused Cameroons National Hydrocarbons Corporation (SNH), and the treasury department of the ministry of Finance, as the main structures involved in Cameroon, whose deposits abroad were exploited by some Cameroonian top officials. It further revealed that huge sums of money that were supposed to be paid into the Cameroon public treasury through any of these institutions, always ended up in two private accounts in France and Belgium. The agency listed a certain Magforce Corporation and T2M as the said accounts with pseudo names, owned by one person. French local newspaper reported that he is now being investigated by the French state security services. It is alleged that investigators discovered 11 bank transactions were carried out by the SNH to the tune of FCFA 8,641 million Euros (about 1.5 Billion FRS) paid into the Magforce Corporation account in Belgium. The Magforce Corporation in France received varied sums in April and June 2014 from the state treasury department, amounting to FCFA 1.3 Billion and FCFA 1.1 Billion respectively, within same period. For the account operated or supposedly owned by T2M, the investigators unveiled FCFA 1.4 Billion was credited to the account within the period, from the Cameroon treasury department.The French Criminal Court is currently investigating other countries like Congo and Djibouti for similar offences. Corruption and embezzlement remains a cankerworm in Cameroon public sector. Top government officials are currently serving jail terms for embezzling millions of FCFA.Recently a former minister of defense, Edgar Alain Mebe Ngo'o, was sent to the Kondengui Maximum security prison for allegedly embezzling over FCFA 5Billion. iShares MSCI Hong Kong ETF's stock was trading at $21.67 on March 11th, 2020 when COVID-19 reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, EWH shares have increased by 10.3% and is now trading at $23.91. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. iShares MSCI Japan ETF's stock reverse split on Monday, November 7th 2016. The 1-4 reverse split was announced on Friday, October 14th 2016. The number of shares owned by shareholders was adjusted after the closing bell on Friday, November 4th 2016. An investor that had 100 shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF stock prior to the reverse split would have 25 shares after the split. The following companies are subsidiares of JinkoSolar: Canton Best Limited, Jiangxi Photovoltaic Materials Co. Ltd., Jinko PV Material Supply Sdn. Bhd., Jinko Solar (Malaysia) SDN BHD., Jinko Solar (Shanghai) Management Co. Ltd., Jinko Solar Australia Holdings Co. Pty Ltd., Jinko Solar Canada Co. Ltd., Jinko Solar Co. Ltd., Jinko Solar Denmark ApS, Jinko Solar Import and Export Co. Ltd., Jinko Solar Japan K.K., Jinko Solar Korea Co. Ltd., Jinko Solar Technology SDN.BHD., JinkoSolar (Chuxiong) Co. Ltd., JinkoSolar (Chuzhou) Co. Ltd., JinkoSolar (Shangrao) Co. Ltd., JinkoSolar (Sichuan) Co. Ltd., JinkoSolar (Switzerland) AG, JinkoSolar (U.S.) Inc., JinkoSolar (U.S.) Industries Inc., JinkoSolar (US) Holdings Inc., JinkoSolar (Vietnam) Co. Ltd., JinkoSolar (Yiwu) Co. Ltd., JinkoSolar GmbH, JinkoSolar Hong Kong Limited, JinkoSolar International Development Limited, JinkoSolar Investment Limited, JinkoSolar LATAM Holding Limited, JinkoSolar Middle East DMCC, JinkoSolar Technology (Haining) Co. Ltd, JinkoSolar Trading Private Limited, Jinkosolar Household PV System Ltd., Poyang Ruilixin Information Technology Co. Ltd., Rui Xu Co. Ltd., Wide Wealth Group Holding Limited, Xinjiang Jinko Solar Co. Ltd., Yuhuan Jinko Solar Co. Ltd., Zhejiang Jinko Solar Co. Ltd., and Zhejiang Jinko Trading Co. Ltd.. North American Construction Group Ltd. provides mining and heavy construction services to the resource development and industrial construction sectors in Canada and the United States The company's Heavy Construction & Mining division offers constructability reviews, budgetary cost estimates, design-build construction, project management, contract mining, pre-stripping/pit pioneering, overburden removal and stockpile, muskeg removal and stockpile, site preparation, air strip construction, site dewatering/perimeter ditching, tailings and process pipelines, haulage and access road construction, tailings dam construction and densification, mechanically stabilized earth walls, dyke construction, and reclamation services. Its Equipment Maintenance Services division provides fuel and lube servicing, portable steaming, equipment inspections, parts and component supply, major overhauls and equipment refurbishment, onsite haul truck brake testing, onsite maintenance support, under carriage rebuild, machining, hose manufacturing, and technical support services, as well as welding, fabrication/repairs, weld certification, and inspection services. As of December 31, 2020, the company had a heavy equipment fleet of 626 units. The company was formerly known as North American Energy Partners Inc. and changed its name to North American Construction Group Ltd. in April 2018. The company was founded in 1953 and is headquartered in Acheson, Canada. Read More Point de vente de medicaments de la rue Archives The African Synergy Against AIDS and Sufferings on Wednesday in Douala, launched an online campaign, to fight the illicit sale of medicine, alongside drug abuse. The non- governmental organisation owned by First Lady Chantal Biya, hopes to impact the fight against roadside medication and drug abuse through digital means. Social media sites are expected to serve as a platform to send across factual messages against roadside medication, illicit sale of these medicines and drug abuse. The Director of the synergy, Jean Stephane Biatcha launched the campaign at Newbell in the presence of top administrative officials of the Littoral region. Mr. Biatcha regretted that 7 out of 10 drugs sold in Africa are fake. He said the First Lady's objective is to sensitize the population on side effects of these drugs, considered by many as cheap. Dr. Hiag Prosper of the National Order of Pharmacists said the intervention of the African Synergy Against AIDS and Suffering, has come to boost up the fight they have been leading to push an end to this phenomenon. The fight against roadside medication and how safe they are in Cameroon, continues to be a tough one. Many institutions had earlier been created to ensure the safety of medicines in Cameroon like the National Drug Quality Control and Evaluation Laboratory (LANACOME), for drug quality control, the National Central Supply of Essential Medicine agency (CENAME) for procurement and distribution of essential medicines with its regional network, are among the most important ones. Besides these, private-not-for-profit institutions like the Cameroon Baptist Health Services Board also procure, distribute and regulate medicines for their institutions. Despite these, the fight has been proven futile due to lack of political will and the sub optimal capacity of state agencies to control the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines circulated in Cameroonian markets. Another reason citizens go for these drugs is because pharmacies have proven to be expensive. People would prefer to buy from roadsides than pharmacies. Trained health workers who are not employed, get into collaboration with business persons to sell cheap and unsafe drugs. These however is expected to stop in Cameroon as the Chantal Biya synergy has shown dedication in the fight. Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd, formerly Newmarket Gold Inc, is a Canada-based mid tier gold mining, development and exploration company. It has a diversified portfolio of assets located in the stable mining jurisdictions of Canada and Australia. The Company's main gold mines are: the Macassa Mine located in northeastern Ontario and the Fosterville Gold Mine located in the State of Victoria, Australia. In addition, the Company owns the Holt Mine and the Taylor Mine, which are situated along the Porcupine-Destor Fault Zone, in northeastern Ontario, the Cosmo Gold Mine located in the Northern Territory, Australia and the Stawell Gold Mine located in the State of Victoria, Australia. The Company's subsidiaries are: Crocodile Gold Inc and Franc-Or Resources Peru SA, among others. Read More Saratoga Resources, Inc., an independent oil and natural gas company, acquires, exploits, develops, and produces crude oil and natural gas properties in the United States. Its properties consist of approximately 51,500 acres under leases, including 31,700 acres gross/net located in the transitional coastline in protected in-bay environments on parish and state leases in south Louisiana; and 19,800 acres gross/net under federal leases in the shallow Gulf of Mexico shelf. As of December 31, 2014, the company had proved reserves of 10.2 million barrels of crude oil equivalent (MMBoe), including 5.8 million barrels of oil (MMBbls), and 26.6 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas; and 25.9 MMBoe comprising of 10.4 MMBbls, and 93.2 Bcf of natural gas. Saratoga Resources, Inc. was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Read More Royal Dutch Shell plc operates as an energy and petrochemical company worldwide. The company operates through Integrated Gas, Upstream, Oil Products, Chemicals segments. It explores for and extracts crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids; markets and transports oil and gas; produces gas-to-liquids fuels and other products; and operates upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver gas to market. The company also markets and trades natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil, electricity, carbon-emission rights; and markets and sells LNG as a fuel for heavy-duty vehicles and marine vessels. In addition, it trades in and refines crude oil and other feed stocks, such as gasoline, diesel, heating oil, aviation fuel, marine fuel, biofuel, lubricants, bitumen, and sulphur; produces and sells petrochemicals for industrial use; and manages oil sands activities. Further, the company produces base chemicals comprising ethylene, propylene, and aromatics, as well as intermediate chemicals, such as styrene monomer, propylene oxide, solvents, detergent alcohols, ethylene oxide, and ethylene glycol. Royal Dutch Shell plc was founded in 1907 and is headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands. Read More Le doyen des senateurs Archives Few hours after the lower house of the National assembly called on foreign partners to support, rather than criticise Cameroon, the oldest member of the Senate, Nfon Victor Mukete, bluntly asked these foreign collaborators to stop meddling in the countrys affairs. He made this statement during the opening ceremony of the upper house of the National Assembly late Tuesday, March 12, which will see the voting of a new bureau. The eldest Senator of the house, defended governments stance on the jailed political party leader, Maurice Kamto and added that, no state in the world gives a category of citizens the right to conspicuously violate the law which organises the society. He further said cooperation ties with foreign countries should be done with mutual respect for the benefit of all. Senator Mukete's comments comes on the heels of numerous foreign critique to governments handling of both the Anglophone and the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), crises. The recent comeback of US Assistant Secretary of State Tibor Nagy on human right violations in Cameroon has been a slap to the government of Cameroon whom despite press releases to convince the diplomat and the world, that everything was under control in Cameroon, the American official reiterated this Tuesday March 12, that it was maybe time to take the deadly crisis in Cameroon to an international forum. Talking to reporters during his ongoing tour on the African continent, Tibor Naguy, on March 5, raised similar concerns about Cameroon, which was rejected and condemned by government spokesperson, Rene Emmanuel Sadi, who said the diplomat had a poor mastering of the aforementioned situations. The following companies are subsidiares of Procter & Gamble: "Procter & Gamble Services" LLC, "Procter & Gamble" LLC, Agile Pursuits, Agile Pursuits Franchising, Arbora, Arbora & Ausonia, Arborinvest, Billie, Braun (Shanghai) Co., Braun GmbH, Braun-Gillette Immobilien GmbH & Co. KG, Celtic Insurance Company, Compania Procter & Gamble Mexico, Compania Quimica S.A., Corporativo Procter & Gamble, Cosmetic Products Pty. Ltd., Detergent Products B.V., Detergent Products SARL, Detergenti S.A., Eurocos Cosmetic GmbH, FPG Oleochemicals Sdn. Bhd., Fameccanica Data S.p.A., Fameccanica Industria e Comercio Do Brasil LTDA., Fameccanica Machinery (Shanghai) Co., Fater S.p.A., Fountain Square Music Publishing Co., Gillette (China) Ltd., Gillette (Shanghai) Ltd., Gillette Aesop Ltd., Gillette Australia Pty. Ltd., Gillette Canada Holdings, Gillette Commercial Operations North America, Gillette Diversified Operations Pvt. Ltd., Gillette Egypt S.A.E., Gillette Group UK Ltd, Gillette Gruppe Deutschland GmbH & Co. oHG, Gillette Holding Company LLC, Gillette Holding GmbH, Gillette India Limited, Gillette Industries Ltd., Gillette International B.V., Gillette Latin America Holding B.V., Gillette Management LLC, Gillette Nova Scotia Company, Gillette Pakistan Limited, Gillette Poland International Sp. z.o.o., Gillette Poland S.A., Gillette U.K. Limited, Gillette del Uruguay, Giorgio Beverly Hills Inc., Hyginett KFT, Industries Marocaines Modernes SA, LLC "Procter & Gamble Novomoskovsk", LLL "Procter & Gamble Distributorskaya Compania", Laboratorios Vicks, Liberty Street Music Publishing Company, Limited Liability Company 'Procter & Gamble Trading Ukraine', Limited Liability Company with foreign investments Procter & and Gamble Ukraine, MDVIP, MERCK KGAA NPV, Marcvenca Inversiones, Modern Industries Company - Dammam, Modern Products Company - Jeddah, New Chapter, New Chapter Canada Inc., Olay LLC, Oral-B Laboratories, P&G Distribution Morocco SAS, P&G Hair Care Holding, P&G Industrial Peru S.R.L., P&G Innovation Godo Kaisha, P&G Israel M.D.O. Ltd., P&G K.K., P&G Northeast Asia Pte. Ltd., P&G Prestige Godo Kaisha, P&G Prestige Service GmbH, P&G South African Trading (Pty.) Ltd., PGT Health Care (Zhejiang) Limited, PGT Healthcare LLP, PPI ZAO, PT Procter & Gamble Home Products Indonesia, PT Procter & Gamble Operations Indonesia, Phase II Holdings Corporation, Procter & Gamble (Chengdu) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (China) Sales Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (East Africa) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Egypt) Manufacturing Company, Procter & Gamble (Enterprise Fund) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Consumer Products Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Enterprise Management Service Company Limited, Procter & Gamble (Guangzhou) Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Health & Beauty Care) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Jiangsu) Ltd. China, Procter & Gamble (L&CP) Limited, Procter & Gamble (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Procter & Gamble (Manufacturing) Ireland Limited, Procter & Gamble (Shanghai) International Trade Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Acquisition GmbH, Procter & Gamble Administration GmbH, Procter & Gamble Algeria EURL, Procter & Gamble Amazon Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Amiens S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Argentina SRL, Procter & Gamble Asia Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Australia Proprietary Limited, Procter & Gamble Azerbaijan Services LLC, Procter & Gamble Bangladesh Private Ltd., Procter & Gamble Blois S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Brazil Holdings B.V., Procter & Gamble Bulgaria EOOD, Procter & Gamble Business Services Canada Company, Procter & Gamble Canada Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Chile , Procter & Gamble Chile Limitada, Procter & Gamble Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Commercial LLC, Procter & Gamble Commercial de Cuba S.A., Procter & Gamble Czech Republic s.r.o., Procter & Gamble DS Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Danmark ApS, Procter & Gamble Detergent (Beijing) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Deuttschland GmbH, Procter & Gamble Distributing (Philippines) Inc., Procter & Gamble Distributing New Zealand Limited, Procter & Gamble Distribution Company (Europe) BVBA, Procter & Gamble Distribution S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Eastern Europe, Procter & Gamble Ecuador Cia. Ltda., Procter & Gamble Egypt, Procter & Gamble Egypt Distribution, Procter & Gamble Egypt Holding, Procter & Gamble Egypt Supplies, Procter & Gamble Energy Company LLC, Procter & Gamble Espana, Procter & Gamble Europe SA, Procter & Gamble Export Operations SARL, Procter & Gamble Exportadora e Importadora Ltda., Procter & Gamble Exports, Procter & Gamble Fabricacao e Comercio Ltda., Procter & Gamble Far East, Procter & Gamble Finance (U.K.) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Holding Ltd., Procter & Gamble Finance Management S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Financial Investments LLP, Procter & Gamble Financial Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Financial Services S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Finland OY, Procter & Gamble France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH, Procter & Gamble Germany GmbH & Co. Operations oHG, Procter & Gamble GmbH, Procter & Gamble Grundstucks-und Vermogensverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, Procter & Gamble Gulf FZE, Procter & Gamble Hair Care, Procter & Gamble Hellas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Holding (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Holding France S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Holding GmbH, Procter & Gamble Holding S.r.l., Procter & Gamble Holdings (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Home Products Private Limited, Procter & Gamble Hong Kong Limited, Procter & Gamble Hungary Wholesale Trading Partnership (KKT), Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care Limited, Procter & Gamble Inc., Procter & Gamble India Holdings, Procter & Gamble Indochina Limited Company, Procter & Gamble Industrial - 2012 C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial Colombia Ltda., Procter & Gamble Industrial S.C.A., Procter & Gamble Industrial e Comercial Ltda., Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Costa Rica, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Guatemala, Procter & Gamble Interamericas de Panama, Procter & Gamble International Operations Pte. Ltd., Procter & Gamble International Operations SA, Procter & Gamble International Operations SA-ROHQ, Procter & Gamble International S.a.r.l., Procter & Gamble Investment Company (UK) Ltd., Procter & Gamble Investment GmbH, Procter & Gamble Italia, Procter & Gamble Japan K.K., Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan Distribution LLP, Procter & Gamble Kazakhstan LLP, Procter & Gamble Korea, Procter & Gamble Korea S&D Co., Procter & Gamble Lanka Private Ltd. Sri Lanka, Procter & Gamble Leasing LLC, Procter & Gamble Levant S.A.L., Procter & Gamble Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing (Tianjin) Co. Ltd., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Belgium N.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Berlin GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing GmbH, Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Procter & Gamble Manufacturing SA (Pty) Ltd, Procter & Gamble Marketing Romania SRL, Procter & Gamble Marketing and Services doo, Procter & Gamble Maroc SA, Procter & Gamble Mataro, Procter & Gamble Mexico Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Mexico Inc., Procter & Gamble Middle East FZE, Procter & Gamble Nederland B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Investments B.V., Procter & Gamble Netherlands Services B.V., Procter & Gamble Nigeria Limited, Procter & Gamble Nordic, Procter & Gamble Norge AS, Procter & Gamble Operations Polska Sp. z o.o., Procter & Gamble Overseas India B.V., Procter & Gamble Overseas Ltd., Procter & Gamble Pakistan (Private) Limited, Procter & Gamble Partnership LLP, Procter & Gamble Peru S.R.L., Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals France SAS, Procter & Gamble Philippines, Procter & Gamble Polska Sp. z o.o, Procter & Gamble Portugal - Produtos De Consumo, Procter & Gamble Product Supply (U.K.) Limited U.K., Procter & Gamble Production GmbH, Procter & Gamble Productions, Procter & Gamble Productos de Consumo, Procter & Gamble RHD, Procter & Gamble RSC Regional Service Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Retail Services BVBA, Procter & Gamble S.r.l., Procter & Gamble SA (Pty) Ltd, Procter & Gamble Satis ve Dagitim Ltd. Sti., Procter & Gamble Seine S.A.S., Procter & Gamble Service GmbH, Procter & Gamble Services (Switzerland) SA, Procter & Gamble Services Company N.V., Procter & Gamble Services Ltd., Procter & Gamble Share Incentive Plan Trustee Ltd., Procter & Gamble South America Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Spol. s.r.o. (Ltd.), Procter & Gamble Sports and Social Club Ltd., Procter & Gamble Sverige AB, Procter & Gamble Switzerland SARL, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Limited, Procter & Gamble Taiwan Sales Company Limited, Procter & Gamble Technical Centres Limited, Procter & Gamble Technology (Beijing) Co., Procter & Gamble Trading (Thailand) Limited, Procter & Gamble Tuketim Mallari Sanayii A.S., Procter & Gamble UK, Procter & Gamble UK Group Holdings Ltd, Procter & Gamble UK Parent Company Ltd., Procter & Gamble Universal Holding B.V., Procter & Gamble Verwaltungs GmbH, Procter & Gamble Vietnam, Procter & Gamble d.o.o. za trgovinu, Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.C.A., Procter & Gamble de Venezuela S.R.L., Procter & Gamble do Brasil S/A, Procter & Gamble do Brazil, Procter & Gamble do Nordeste S/A, Procter & Gamble-Rakona s.r.o., Progam Realty & Development Corporation, Redmond Products, Richardson-Vicks Real Estate Inc., Richardson-Vicks do Brasil Quimica e Farmaceutica Ltda, Riverfront Music Publishing Co., Rosemount LLC, SPD Development Company Limited, SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics GmbH, Scannon S.A.S., Series Acquisition B.V., Shulton, Surfac S.R.L., Sycamore Productions, TAOS - FL, TAOS Retail, Tambrands Inc., Temple Trees Impex & Investment Private Limited, The Art of Shaving - FL, The Dover Wipes Company, The Gillette Company, The Gillette Company LLC, The Gillette co., The Procter & Gamble Distributing LLC, The Procter & Gamble GBS Company, The Procter & Gamble Global Finance Company, The Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Company, The Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company, The Procter & Gamble U.S. Business Services Company, This is L., US CD LLC, Vidal Sassoon (Shanghai) Academy, Vidal Sassoon Co., WEBA Betriebsrenten-Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH, Walker & Company Brands, and iMFLUX Inc.. | BY Ricki Green | The commercial radio industry welcomes the bipartisan support by the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for the modernisation of broadcasting laws that havent kept pace with the current media landscape. The Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee headed up by Senator the Hon Ian Macdonald in its recent report on the Freedom of Speech Legislation Amendment (Censorship) Bill 2018, has called on the Government to consider amendments to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992. Under the current regulatory imbalance, three days before an election, political ads cannot be placed on local radio but can be placed in digital media, print, direct and outdoor as well as being sent by sms directly to personal to mobile phones right up until the closing of the polls. Says Joan Warner, chief executive officer of Commercial Radio Australia: This election advertising blackout rule is an old restriction that hasnt caught up with modern media. The radio industry has been calling for an amendment for many years, most recently to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters. In the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters report in November 2018 the Chair, Senator the Hon James McGrath said; A matter for future consideration by this Committee is the issue of political advertising blackouts during election periods. The current rules lack consistency, and favour by default, rather than design, online media platforms over more traditional media formats. Says Warner: Were very pleased the Senate Legal Committee has now also unanimously voiced concerns regarding the appropriateness of the electoral advertising blackout in a changing media landscape. | BY Ricki Green | 131 entries have emerged as finalists and will go on to contend for metals at the 2019 APAC Effie Awards. Australia has scored 22 finalists led by The Monkeys with five finalists. CHE Proximity and Ogilvy Sydney have scored four finalists each, whilst AJF Partnership and whiteGREY have scored two apiece. Aussie agencies scoring one finalist apiece include Clemenger BBDO/TKT Sydney, BMF, MCann Melbourne, Clemenger BBDO and Leo Burnett Melbourne. The finalists were selected after the second round of judging, which brought some 70 judges from across the region to Singapore to deliberate and shortlist the gold standard of marketing effectiveness for the region. This years judging was headed by Awards chairman, Charles Cadell, president of McCann Worldgroup APAC and 8 heads of jury Arthur Wei of Sina Corporation, Diana Cawley of Geometry, Emma Sheller of Standard Chartered, Fern Canning of Edelman, Jonathan Akwue of Publicis Groupe, Nikhil Tivary of Johnson & Johnson, Susie Wong of Fuji Xerox Singapore and Vishnu Mohan of Havas. The finalists were represented by 14 countries from across the Asia Pacific region. Leading the shortlist is India with 34 finalists followed by Australia and New Zealand with 22 and 21 finalists respectively. Ogilvy dominates the finalist count for agency network with 31 finalists, followed by McCann Worldgroup with 22 finalists, and BBDO with 21 finalists. Says Cadell: It is always an honour to be able to sit in judgement, through the Effies, on the most effective marketing that Asia has to offer over the past year. I know I speak for all the Jury Heads in saying it was great to see another strong year of great work from an increasingly diverse range of countries in the region. Any Effie award is a great accolade to all the marketing professionals that made it happen. As such, heartiest congratulations to all the finalists, and we look forward to unveiling the winners at the Awards Gala. The Effie awards celebrate marketing effectiveness and recognises the marketing communications efforts that contribute to a brands success through Awarding Ideas the Work. There has been a phenomenal amount of growth in wireless technologies and mobile communication systems over the last decade. The Internet of Things (IoT) the embedding of the Internet and computing devices into everyday objects is one example of this, and is on the brink of revolutionizing almost every sector. Technically speaking, IoT refers to a collection of autonomous, smart, connected and uniquely identifiable objects with embedded processes that have capabilities in sensing, computing and communicating (sending and receiving data). Market analytics estimate that in the next few years, there will be nearly 30 billion IoT devices, explains Srini Sampalli, professor and 3M National Teaching Fellow at Dalhousies Faculty of Computer Science. This promises advances in connected health and critical infrastructures with smart grids, cities, and autonomous vehicles, and enormous application benefits within our environment, the military, and for disaster prevention and rescue. With this comes an array of questions and concerns around security, reliability, and ultimately wondering how to ensure these technologies are being used in the most effective and positive way. Fostering a culture of innovation This is what motivated Dr. Sampalli to establish his EMerging WIreless TECHnologies (MYTech) lab six years ago. My goal was to create a collaborative environment that would foster a culture of innovation to move us ahead in this emerging area of research. Dr. Sampalli speaks with master's student Steve Mostafa Dafer. There are currently 19 students (5 PhD, 10 masters, and 4 undergraduates) working alongside Dr. Sampalli, focusing not only on the security and reliability of IoT, but also on the applications of sensor networks, critical infrastructures and mobile computing, generally. Recently, the team has also welcomed professor and expert on IoT, Dr. Hiroyuki Ohno, from Kanazawa University in Japan as an active participant in the lab, bringing with him years of hardware expertise for developing IoT applications. In just six years, MYTech has accumulated many success stories, from graduating 60 graduate students to helping two local organizations create spin-off companies from their work within the lab, to two MYTech students co-founding their own companies. Rooted in academic excellence When asked why each student decided to complete their research in this field at Dalhousie, without fail, every student says it was for Srini. Whether Dr. Sampalli taught them during their undergraduate degree here at Dalhousie, presented at their university in India, or simply came up in conversation with a friend, he made the kind of impression that motivated them. Dr. Sampalli and members of the MYTech team. With more than twenty years of teaching and research experience, Dr. Sampalli has graduated 120 students under his supervision, something hes extremely proud of. Teaching and supervising students will always remain one of my primary passions, he says. He has received many awards and recognition for his impacts in teaching, including the 3M National Teaching Fellowship, the most prestigious in Canada. He holds an honourary position of the Vice President (Canada) for the International Federation of National Teaching Fellows (IFNTF) an important role for driving teaching excellence across any field of study. I look forward to meeting every new student and really enjoy following them in their journey, he says. Nothing makes me happier than hearing from one of my past students. I love seeing where they took my teaching or where theyve gone with the hard work they put into their time here in the Faculty. PSUs have approached the government for relief and partial equity investment in line with industry practice to compete in the market. New Delhi: The government has released pending dues of Rs 171 crore to cash-strapped MTNL for paying February salaries to employees, a senior official said. On the other hand, BSNL will clear salary dues of around Rs 850 crore by March 20 from its internal accruals. Both companies have failed to pay salaries of their employees for last month, according to employees' representatives. BSNL Chairman and MD Anupam Shrivastava said the company expects internal accruals of around Rs 850 crore in this month and the entire amount will be used for disbursal of salaries. "There will be no pending amount following this disbursal," he said. The company has informed its employee representatives that the disbursal of salaries would be made by March 20. BSNL spokesperson Sanjay Kumar Sinha said the salaries of BSNL employees in Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala and BSNL Corporate office (excluding senior officers and board members) have already been released. A senior DoT official said MTNL has been provided with Rs 171 crore on Tuesday as part of internal settlement. Both BSNL and MTNL have been ailing due to decisions taken by the government in the past including transfer of large number of DoT employees to these PSUs and allocation of expensive spectrum for mobile services without giving them any choice. BSNL has 1.76 lakh employees across India and MTNL has around 22,000. It is estimated that 16,000 MTNL employees and 50 per cent of BSNL employees will retire in the next 5-6 years. The PSUs have approached the government for relief and partial equity investment in line with industry practice to compete in the market. Both firms have sought permissions to monetise their land assets as well as support for voluntary retirement scheme for its employees. MTNL, which operates in only Delhi and Mumbai, expects that asset monetisation and other measures can help the company is doing away with the debt of around Rs 19,000 crore. BSNL, which has the lowest debt of Rs 14,000 crore among all telecom operators, has sought 4G spectrum across India through equity infusion of Rs 7,000 crore to help it compete in the market. New Delhi: Paytm Payments Bank Limited (PPB), Indias largest payments bank has further consolidated its position as a market leader with the launch of its mobile banking app that offers users quick, effortless & secured access to their bank account on the go. With a simple, and intuitive navigation, the mobile app will enable customers to check their balances, raise request for physical debits cards, access digital debit cards, etc. Customers will also be able to receive 24x7 help and support through this mobile banking app. The new app is latest addition to PPBs list of efforts to bring millions of under-banked Indians to the economic mainstream. Launched in May 2017, currently the bank has enrolled over 43 Million saving bank customers. PPB has already issued over 2 Million physical debit cards. In addition, virtual debit card has been given to all 43 million saving bank customers. PPBL debit card has inbuilt security feature of enabling /disabling it just by single click in the app to secure against misuse of debit card by any miscreant. It is pertinent to note that nos. of digital transactions through PPBL debit cards are twice than that of cash transactions. Paytm Payments Bank customers enjoy free banking services and earn an annual interest of 4 per cent on their savings. PPB has a highly secure infrastructure and allows its customers to deposit up to Rs 1 lakh in their savings account and/or wallet. Any amount exceeding the limit of Rs 1 lakh is automatically converted into a Fixed Deposit via auto sweep with PPBs partner bank, allowing customers to earn up to 8 per cent p.a. interest on their Fixed Deposit amount. The customer can instantly redeem the desired amount in their Fixed Deposit at any time free of charge. Speaking on the occasion, Satish Kumar Gupta, MD & CEO Paytm Payments Bank said, The new app has been introduced exclusively for its banks customers to provide wide range of banking services in a phased manner. The purpose of new app is to segregate its operations from the existing app which caters to customers of several group entities. However, PPB customers will continue to serve its customers on its older app should its customers desire so. Both apps will co-exist The new app is presently available for download on Google Play store and shall shortly be available on the Apple app store as well. Mumbai: IDBI Bank has been categorised as a private sector lender following the acquisition of majority stake by Life Insurance Corporation, RBI said. In January, LIC completed the process of picking up a controlling 51 per cent stake in the nearly crippled IDBI Bank. "IDBI Bank has been categorised as a 'private sector bank' for regulatory purposes by Reserve Bank of India with effect from January 21, 2019, consequent upon LIC acquiring 51 per cent of the total paid-up equity share capital of the bank," RBI said in a statement. IDBI Bank has been under the prompt corrective action framework of RBI that bans it from corporate lending and branch expansions, salary hikes and other regular activities. However, the lender has charted out a revival strategy to bring banking and insurance under one roof, along with its new owner Life Insurance Corporation (LIC). Last week, IDBI Bank informed about the appointment of LIC as a corporate agent under bancassurance channel. In the long term, the bank and LIC will have a common investment strategy, use each other's resources like real estate, commercial and residential space, bank branches, premises and ATMs and digital marketing, among others, the bank had said. Both entities will also undertake rationalisation of the common subsidiaries in mutual funds and life insurance arms, as per the strategic plan. For the December quarter of this fiscal, IDBI Bank reported widening of loss to Rs 4,185.48 crore as bad loans surged. The bank's gross non-performing assets (NPAs) shot up to 29.67 per cent of gross advances as of December 31, 2018, against 24.72 per cent in the year-ago period. New Delhi: Telecom industry body COAI has asked leading e-commerce companies such as Flipkart, Amazon India and Snapdeal to stop selling mobile signal boosters as their sale without a valid licence is a punishable offence. In a letter to e-commerce players, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), whose members include Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio, mentioned mobile signal boosters and repeaters that require a licence are being sold on their platforms. "Thus, it is pertinent to note that possession and sale of such equipment, without obtaining requisite permissions under the (Indian Telegraph) Act and rules framed thereunder constitutes violation of the provisions of the Act and is punishable offence," COAI Director-General Rajan S Mathews said. The letter was sent separately to Flipkart CEO Kalyan Krishnamurthy, Amazon India Country Manager Amit Agarwal, Snapdeal CEO Kunal Bahl, Rediff.com CEO Ajit Balakrishnan and Shopclues CEO Sanjay Sethi. Mathews said boosters and repeaters of wireless signal fall under the definition of wireless telegraph apparatus and wireless transmitter under the Indian Wireless Telegraph Act, which prohibits their sale without a licence. He cited Section 6 of the Act that states: "Whoever possesses any wireless transmitter in contravention of the provisions of Sections 3 shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees". The Department of Telecommunications had also written to e-commerce companies in 2015 and 2016 asking them to stop sale of products and equipment that require licence but the companies have not stopped their sale. A Snapdeal spokesperson said, "As an intermediary, Snapdeal has a robust takedown mechanism in compliance with its legal obligations. COAI's communication will be acted upon as per due process." An Amazon India spokesperson said: "Amazon operates an online marketplace in India. Sellers selling their products through the amazon.in marketplace are solely responsible for all necessary product compliance and are required to sell products which are legally allowed to be sold in India. Whenever concerns about the listed products get raised, we review the case with the sellers." Under the swap, a bank would sell US dollars to the RBI and simultaneously agree to buy the same amount of US dollars at the end of the swap period. Mumbai: The Reserve Bank on Wednesday said it will inject long-term liquidity worth USD 5 billion into the system through foreign exchange swap arrangement with banks for three years. The swap will be in the nature of a simple buy/sell foreign exchange swap from the Reserve Bank side. Under the swap, a bank would sell US dollars to the RBI and simultaneously agree to buy the same amount of US dollars at the end of the swap period. "In order to meet the durable liquidity needs of the system, the Reserve Bank has decided to augment its liquidity management toolkit and inject rupee liquidity for longer duration through long-term foreign exchange Buy/Sell swap...," the RBI said. The US Dollar amount mobilised through the auction, to be conducted on March 26, would also reflect in RBI's foreign exchange reserves for the tenor of the swap while also reflecting in RBI's forward liabilities. The market participants, it said, would be required to place their bids in terms of the premium that they are willing to pay to the RBI for the tenor of the swap, expressed in paisa terms up to two decimal places. Under the swap auction, minimum bid size would be USD 25 million and in multiples of USD 1 million thereafter. The United States has been looking to sell more energy products to India, the world's third-biggest buyer of oil. Washington: The United States and India on Wednesday agre-ed to strengthen security and civil nuclear cooperation, including building six US nuclear power plants in India, the two countries said in a joint statement. The agreement came after two days of talks in Washington. The United States has been looking to sell more energy products to India, the world's third-biggest buyer of oil. The talks involved Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Andrea Thompson, the US undersecretary of state for arms control and international security. They committed to strengthen bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, including the establishment of six US nuclear power plants in India, the joint statement said. It gave no further details of the nuclear plant project. The two countries have been discussing the supply of US nuclear reactors to energy-hungry India for more than a decade, but a longstanding obstacle has been the need to bring Indian liability rules in-line with international norms, which require the costs of any accident to be channelled to the operator rather than the maker of a nuclear power station. Pittsburgh-based Westinghouse has been negotiating to build reactors in India for years, but progress has been slow, partly because of India's nuclear liability legislation, and the project was thrown into doubt when Westinghouse filed for bankruptcy in 2017 after cost overruns on US reactors. Reuters Mumbai: After a year of the official announcement, SS Rajamoulis upcoming massive multistarrer casting Jr NTR and Ram Charan is titled to be RRR. It is announced that the film will have the title same as the working title. Bollywood star Alia Bhatt and Ajay Devgn have joined the cast of filmmaker SS Rajamouli's upcoming venture "RRR". The core story of the film is carved based on the two profound Indian freedom fighters, Alluri Seetharamaraju & Komaram Bheem. According to the chronicled stories, it is said that both of them were missing for few years before they became the legends and fought for the country. RRR is a pure fiction that has been drafted on the idea of them meeting each other in Delhi and later becoming friends during their away time. Set in 1920s, the film will have a British regime including then culture and lifestyle. It is a pan Indian story painted on a large canvas. Alia said she is excited about working with the critically-acclaimed director and south superstars Ram Charan and Jr NTR. "Working with Rajamouli sir is a big tick off my bucket list. Also to be alongside Ram Charan and Jr NTR is an absolute honour. I am very excited about this experience and also working in the south for the first time," Alia said in a statement. Though based on the nationalistic characters, RRR is not a patriotic story and will not have any chauvinistic elements in it. It is a befitting tale of two intense people with intense emotions and has a 300 crore budget. The cast of the film includes Daisy Edger Jones, the British actress of Cold Feet and Silent Witness Fame; as one of the two leading ladies accompanied by Ajay Devagn, a celebrated Bollywood hero known for his action sequences; and Samutra Khani, playing significant roles. "RRR" marks the second collaboration between Rajamouli and Ajay. The 49-year-old superstar had earlier given the voice overs for the Hindi version of his 2012 Telugu blockbuster "Eega" titled "Makkhi". The film is aimed to release on July 30th 2020 and will come in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam and other Indian languages simultaneously. The title "RRR" is common for all the languages. However, it will have different abbreviations in different languages and none of them will be revealed for a while. Mumbai: Marking the occasion of his birthday Aamir Khan announced his upcoming next titled Laal Singh Chaddha, which will be an official adaptation of Tom Hanks 'Forrest Gump'. The actor will be seen essaying the character of Tom Hanks, which will be directed by Secret Superstar fame Advait Chandan and co-produced with the association of Viacom 18 Motion Pictures. Aamir Khan has showcased his versatility and perseverance through various characters like a romantic hero, an efficient police officer, a father amongst others. It will be for the first time that Aamir will slip into a character as such delivering yet another never done before role. The actor shared the news and said, "My next film is finalized it is called 'Laal Singh Chaddha'. It is being made by Viacom18 Motion Pictures and Aamir Khan Productions together. It will be directed by Advait Chandan. It is an adaptation of Hollywood film 'Forrest Gump'. We have bought the rights from Paramount. I am playing the lead role of Lal Singh. We have started the prep work on the film. The shoot will start from in October. I will be prepping for six months. I have to lose weight. I will be losing 20 kgs. I have to be lean and slim. I have always loved 'Forrest Gump' as a script. It is a wonderful story about this character. It is a life-affirming story. It is a feel-good film. It is a film for the whole family." The actor also revealed he would be sporting a turban "for some part of the film." The film is based on Winston Groom's 1986 novel of the same name, follows Forrest Gump, a dim-witted man from Alabama, who witnesses and unwittingly influences several historical events in 20th century USA. The makers of the film have not yet decided the release date for the film but are planning a 2020 outing. Aamir Khan as a customary celebrated the special day with the media and photographers. The actor had cut the cake with the paps and spoke to the media having a gala time. Fans across the nation have been pouring in wishes for Aamir by posting the actor's pictures with them, which saw a strong social trend with the word #HappyBirthdayAamirKhan. Aamir Khan's documentary film Rubaru Roshni, produced by Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao, released on the small screen on the Republic Day. The film which was translated the film into 7 different languages viz. Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi and English along with subtitles on respective star regional networks" has garnered immense appreciation across all quarters. New Delhi: Designer Pooja Shroff unveiled her latest Resist Aur Dye collection at the Lotus Make-up India Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2019. The collection was inspired by a line of handmade Indonesian batiks that she attained during her travel to Jakarta. The use of batik technique on different fabrics gives a royal look. (Photo: FDCI) The Spring Summer 2019 collection is a tribute to the Indonesian Batik fabric designing. Batik is a resist process used for making designs on the fabrics. While majority of the collection comprised of pret pieces in colours black, gold and greys, the collection also had a few couture statement styles. Pooja used this technique on suede, silk, crepe cotton fabrics that dominated the runway. Collections in black, grey and gold colours dominated the fashion runway. (Photo: FDCI) Wax was used by the designer to prevent it from penetrating the cloth, thereby leaving blank areas in the dyed fabric. This process of using wax and then dye has helped in the formation of beautiful designs with multiple colours to choose from. People Called Kochi will be an anthology of 50 to 55 true stories of the 'people' from the city, which will in turn become a window to know the city. The People Place Project is a publishing initiative that looks at books as a way of engaging deeper with the places and people around us. That is made possible by delving into the everyday stories, unknown histories and lost stories. Currently, the project is exploring the People Called series, where places are looked at through the framework of 'People'. After all, a place is made its people. And often through these personal narratives, a collective story of the city evolves, very intimately. People Called Mumbai, People Called Ahmedabad and People Called Shillong have already been published with these collected stories and People Called Kolkata will release soon. The project is now set to take off in Kochi and here is your chance to let loose the writer in you. People Called Kochi will be an anthology of 50 to 55 true stories of the 'people' from the city, which will in turn become a window to know the city. It can be the story of anyone, from any socio-economic background whom you think defines the spirit of your city. As a part of this six-month long campaign, My People My Place, there are plans to introduce different curatorial themes every week. The deadline is the next weekend, so that one has enough time to interview someone, reflect on it and write the story. There are also plans to open up the book making process, right from designing the cover to discussing the curatorial. From time to time, experts will be hosted and practitioners will talk about the city and give insights and story ideas. At the end of six months, one can expect the manuscript of the book to be aligned and make it one of the most comprehensive books about Kochi. Those interested can register online. A workshop in this regard will take place at Pepper House Library between 10 am and 1 pm on March 16 and 17. Mumbai: Four people were killed and around 34 injured on Thursday after the collapse of a portion of a Foot Over Bridge near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station. "Four people have died and 34 are injured. The injured have shifted to a nearby hospital", informed Mumbai police. On the incident, the Ministry of Railways commented that the bridge was under BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation). "However, we are extending all our support to the victims. Railway doctors and personnel are cooperating with BMC in relief and rescue operations," the ministry added. The National Disaster Response Force also informed that about 10 to 12 persons are feared trapped inside the debris. "As per information received, part of the foot overbridge near CST station Mumbai collapsed. As per initial information, 10-12 persons are feared to be trapped in debris. One team from RRC Mumbai has been marched to the incident site," stated NDRF. On Thursday evening, a portion of a foot overbridge near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station has collapsed this evening. Mumbai Police has also tweeted in this regard and has advised commuter to use alternate routes. "Foot over bridge connecting CST platform 1 north end with B T Lane near Times of India building has collapsed. Injured persons are being shifted to hospitals. Traffic affected. Commuters to use alternate routes. Senior officers are on spot," read the tweet by Mumbai police. On Tuesday, Christian Michel told a Delhi Court that he would join the investigation if he was shifted to another cell in Tihar Jail. (Photo: File) New Delhi: Tihar jail authorities on Thursday produced CCTV footage in the Special CBI court to rubbish allegations of torture and humiliation levied by AgustaWestland deal accused middlemen Christian Michel. In its reply to the Patiala House Court, the Tihar Jail authorities denying all the charges said that Michel has been granted all the facilities in accordance with the jail manual. Showing a hard disk to the court containing the CCTV footage for March 8-12, the law officer said, The footage shows that he has been allowed to walk, access canteen and also meet other inmates. Law officer of the jail also handed over a list of facilities being provided to Michel in a single cell in the jail. This is not isolation as he goes out to eat and is allowed to meet other inmates, the authorities said. Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) DP Singh told the court, He is a foreigner brought through extradition. This is a responsibility of the country to ensure his security as per the treaty. Michels counsel Aljo K Joseph sought transfer of his client from Jail no. 1 (ward 6) which is the high-security cell to a single cell in the normal jail. On the name of security his liberty should not be curtailed, said Joseph. SPP Singh strongly objected Josephs demands. Following the arguments and the filing of the evidence, Speical CBI Judge Arvind Kumar posted the matter for hearing on March 16 (Friday). On Tuesday, Christian Michel told a Delhi Court that he would join the investigation if he was shifted to another cell in Tihar Jail. "If your honour wishes me to join the investigation, I will joint it but in return, I may be moved to a different cell," Michel told Special CBI Judge Arvind Kumar during Tuesdays hearing. Michel also told the court that then CBI senior official Rakesh Asthana had warned him that his life would be made hell if he comes back to India. "It has become true," he had said. Michel had on Monday contended that he has been kept in an isolation ward, along with a Kashmiri terrorist and 160 other inmates. In his letter, Michel also stated that such an act by the jail authorities without the due process of law is illegal, arbitrary and highly condemnable". Michel had earlier filed a plea in a Delhi court raising questions about putting him in a solitary cell, alleging that he was lodged in a cell with dreaded criminals like Chhota Rajan. Michel, who was extradited from the UAE in December last year, is currently lodged in Tihar Jail in connection with the CBI and ED cases against him related to the AgustaWestland deal. Gandhi has also alleged that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, a top intelligence official back then, had 'escorted' Azhar to Kandahar where he was handed over to terrorists. (Photo: File) New Delhi: As China again blocked a UN resolution to designate JeM chief a global terrorist, Congress president Rahul Gandhi Thursday hit out at Prime Minster Narendra Modi, saying he was weak and scared of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Congress chief attacked the prime minister and said he had not spoken on China blocking the resolution in the UN Security Council. The party accused the BJP of letting Masood off the hook again and also questioned Modi what was the use of "swinging" with Xi. "Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NoMo's China diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat. 2. Hug Xi in Delhi. 3. Bow to Xi in China," Gandhi said on Twitter. Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NoMos China Diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat 2. Hug Xi in Delhi 3. Bow to Xi in China https://t.co/7QBjY4e0z3 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 14, 2019 The Bharatiya Janata Party countered Gandhi attempting to put the onus of the Chinese action at the UNSC on Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of the country. The party alleged that Nehru gifted China a seat at the UNSC giving the country leverage over India. China wouldnt be in UNSC had your great grandfather not gifted it to them at Indias cost. India is undoing all mistakes of your family. Be assured that India will win the fight against terror. Leave it to PM Modi while you keep cosying up with the Chinese envoys secretly, the BJP said on Twitter. China wouldn't be in UNSC had your great grandfather not 'gifted' it to them at Indias cost. India is undoing all mistakes of your family. Be assured that India will win the fight against terror. Leave it to PM Modi while you keep cosying up with the Chinese envoys secretly. https://t.co/lAyp12CXBD BJP (@BJP4India) March 14, 2019 India's bid to designate the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief as a global terrorist suffered a setback with China on Wednesday putting a technical hold on a proposal to ban him following the Pulwama terror attack. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UNSC was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the JeM killed 44 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. "With China having blocked our bid to designate Masood Azhar a global terrorist, the question on every Indian's mind is, what was the use of all the swinging with Modi and President Xi," the Congress said on its official Twitter handle. "A terrorist responsible for such bloody murders is let off the hook again by the BJP," it claimed. Congress' chief spokeserson Randeep Surjewala said it was a sad day in the global fight against terrorism. Read: Cong attacks PM Modi as China blocks move on Masood Azhar "China blocking Masood Azhar's designation as global terrorist reaffirms Chinese position of being an inseparable ally of terrorism's breeding ground-Pakistan," he tweeted Wednesday. "Sadly, Modiji's foreign policy has been a series of diplomatic disasters," the party spokesperson said. The Congress has also been attacking the BJP over Azhar's release in the Kandahar hijacking case. Gandhi has asked Modi to tell the nation that it was a BJP-led government which released Azhar from an Indian jail in 1999. Gandhi has also alleged that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, a top intelligence official back then, had "escorted" Azhar to Kandahar where he was handed over to terrorists. Azhar and two other terrorists, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar and Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, were released from Indian prison in 1999 by the then BJP-led government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in exchange for the passengers held hostage on board IC-814 flight hijacked to Kandahar in Afghanistan. Hyderabad: MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday asked the Centre why it was placing an order for bulletproof vests for the Indian army with China when the neighbouring country was not cooperating with India. Mr Owaisi argued that the Centre had not been able to get Masood Azhar, chief of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, listed as a global terrorist at the United Nations Security Council because of the Chinese veto. This is the failure of Prime Minister Narendra Modis jhula diplomacy, he said, referring to a picture of Mr Modi sitting on a swing with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Ahmedabad during his visit to India. With reference to Masood Azhar, Mr Owaisi said, I do not even like to take his name. But what has happened to the governments self-respect and nationalism now? What about our security as a nation? These questions must be answered. Why was the order for the bullet-proof jackets placed only with China? Cant we procure them from any other country? he asked. He was referring to the firm with which India signed an order worth Rs 630 crore for the supply of bulletproof vests, changing its materials supplier to China after the agreement was signed. This is for the fourth time in the past 10 years that China has blocked the proposal to enlist Masood Azhar as a global terrorist in the UNSC. Hyderabad: The recording of historical facts by ensuring that all events are incl-uded properly despite different ideologies, has been carried out effectively by Bangladesh when compared to India and Pakistan, according to an analysis carried out by the Delhi University language department and presented in MANNU University in the city. The analysis of literary history and anthology in all these three countries were studied by Dr Amitava Chakra-borty of Delhi University and it was found that anthologies and literary history from Bangladesh were more inclusive. Professors discussed these issues in a panel discussion of south Asian narratives and found that while India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have the same basis of history, the narration by Bangladesh is more accurate when compared to India and Pakistan. For example, Urdu language was present in India from the Mughal era but Pakistan based its history of Urdu from 1947 during the creation of the nation. Similarly, history authors who have studied facts during their era are not finding the representation required in the history textbooks of India. But Bangladesh, found commentators Anuroop Kaur and Zarqua Adam, has been able to strike a balance and has been more inclusive in its representation of history. In this context it was found that India and Pakistan have been exclusive in their representation. The study of anthologies in the south Asian context is to understand how each country has evolved and how they have represented history to their populations. New Delhi: In another embarrassment after Congress leader Tom Vadakkans joining BJP, former Delhi chief minister and partys Delhi unit chief Sheila Dikshit on Thursday said that Manmohan Singh was not as tough as the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi in dealing with terrorism. It has to be agreed that Manmohan Singh was not as strong and determined in dealing with terrorism as the current Prime Minister is, Ms Dikshit said in an interview to a Tv channel, when asked about the then Congress governments stand after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. Ms Dikshit, however, said action taken by Mr Modi was a political stunt. The comment is expected to ignite a political row as grand old party is already facing criticism over partys stand on armed forces and Indias air strike on Balakot. Ms Dikshit, a former three-time chief minister of Delhi, was also asked to comment on the mood of national security after the air strike and that people will look to Mr Modi because he is a strong leader. In response, she shot back, What do you mean by national security? After her comment caused a political storm, she said in her defence to a news agency, If something is taken out of context, I cant say. Prime Minister Modi has been attacking the Congress for not taking any action after the Mumbai attack. It has been reported that the Air Force had given the option of carrying out Balakot-like operation but the government did not approve of such action. The Congress, on the other hand, has accused the BJP of politicising the airstrikes for its own electoral gains. This is not the first time that Ms Dikshit has made unfavourable remarks about Dr Singh. She had earlier questioned his handling of Commonwealth Games. A decision regarding the issue was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Bihar BJP in charge Bhupendra Choubey in Patna on Thursday. Patna: A three-member committee has been formed by Bihar unit of the BJP to select candidates for the 17 seats it would be contesting in the general elections. A decision regarding the issue was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Bihar BJP in charge Bhupendra Choubey in Patna on Thursday. Party leaders said that deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi and BJP state president Nityanand Rai have been authorised to discuss with election committee and prepare a list of candidates which will be presented before the partys parliamentary board for final approval. BJP has set the goal to ensure the victory of NDA candidates on all 40 seats. Selection of candidates and seat allocations will be finalized soon, BJP spokesperson Nikhil Anand told this newspaper after the election committee meeting on Thursday. BJP and JD(U) in Bihar have agreed to contest on 17 seats each. Reports suggest that the three-party NDA in Bihar JD(U), BJP and LJP have already met several times earlier and a final announcement is expected soon, BJP leaders said. TIRUPATI: With the Election Commission of India sounding the bugle for the general elections-2019, the flow of cash coming into the State is much higher than the previous polls with all political parties willing to go to any lengths to induce voters. The cash and gold seizures made in the last four days after the Code of Conduct came into effect, is a clear indication of how money power has a gripping influence over the elections. From about Rs 100 crore seized in 2009 Lok Sabha elections, the 2014 Lok Sabha elections saw a cash seizure of Rs 313 crore. According to unconfirmed reports, in the cash seizures list during 2014 polls, AP topped the list with over Rs 153 crore. cash seizures followed by Karnataka with over Rs 28 crore. Maharashtra with over Rs 25.67 crore, Tamil Nadu with over Rs 25.05 crore and Uttar Pradesh with Rs 24.07 crore. The total cash seizure stood at Rs 3,13,31,76,868. Now, within four days after the announcement of the Code of Conduct, the Enforcement teams working under ECI has seized over Rs 29,91,99,984 in cash besides 13.57 kg of gold and 31.5 kg silver during searches across the State. According to the chief electoral officer, Gopala Krishna Dwivedi about 70 vehicles, 190 gelatine sticks, 50 kg of ammonium nitrate and 124 kg of ganja were also seized during the raids in the last three days. The Excise and Prohibition Department has been operating 31 border check posts, 46 temporary check posts and 18 mobile teams while the Commercial Taxes Department deployed 161 mobile teams, of which 60 have been working round-the-clock. In addition, fully-equipped control rooms have been established across the State and as many as 6,600 flying squads, 6,160 static surveillance teams and video surveillance teams have been formed as field investigation units, the CEO said. Mr Gowrisankar said that March 24 is a Sunday, hence nominations cannot be filed. He said that on March 25, auspicious muhurtams are from 10 am to 11 am and 1.30 pm to 2 pm. (Representational image) Vijayawada: Candidates of the main political parties are busy consulting astrologers for auspicious muhurtams to file their nominations. According to them, good time slots are available between March 18 and 25 for filing nominations. Astrologer P. Gowri-sankar said that for centuries, humans have preferred an appropriate time before starting any venture for the successful completion of the work and to bring happiness and prosperity in their lives. He said that time has the potential to make one either strong or weak as a muhurtam which is fruitful for someone can prove inauspicious to others. He said that the auspicious muhurtams are from March 18 to 25. He said that auspicious muhurtam is from 11 am to 11.30 am and 4 pm to 5 pm on March 18, 10.30 am to 11.30 am and 2 pm to 5 pm on March 19, 1.30 pm to 3 pm and 4 pm to 5 pm on March 20, from 1.30 pm to 2.45 pm and 4 pm to 5 pm on March 21, 10.15 am to 11 am and 1.30 pm to 2.45 pm on March 22, 10.30 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 5 pm on March 23. Mr Gowrisankar said that March 24 is a Sunday, hence nominations cannot be filed. He said that on March 25, auspicious muhurtams are from 10 am to 11 am and 1.30 pm to 2 pm. Vijayawada MP K. Srinivas alias Nani who is contesting again on Telugu Desam ticket, is filing his nomination papers on March 22. Guntur MP Galla Jayadev is also filing his nomination on March 22 on a TD ticket. AP Assembly Speaker K. Sivaprasada Rao will be contesting again from Sattenapalli on the TD ticket and will file his nomination on March 22. Most aspirants are expected to file nominations from March 22 to March 25 in the auspicious muhurtams. Chennai: Madurai bench of Madras HC on Thursday ordered that no political party should transport people in trucks, vans or buses to take part in its rallies during the run-up to Lok Sabha elections. Also, erecting of flex boards and banners is banned. The bench comprising Justices N. Kirubakaran and S.S. Sundar, hearing a PIL from K.K. Ramesh of Madurai, said the issue raised "is very important". Already the court had passed injunction against erection of flex boards and banners. "Since it happens to be election time, there is possibility of erecting flex boards, cut-outs and banners", noted the judges. They said the flex banners used PVC which caused a range of health hazards including cancer, disruption of endocrine system,impaired child development and birth defects, besides neurotoxicity. Hence the court has now directed total ban on the use of "banners, flex boards, PVC cut-outs, etc., by anybody including political parties". The judges also banned the political parties from bringing people in large numbers in trucks, vans and buses to participate in political rallies. Not just that, the court has ordered that all parties added as respondents in the case and said, as well as the Election Commission of India, should respond to the petition by March 21. The India and Pakistan officials held the first meeting on Thursday to discuss the modalities and the draft agreement for facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib using the Kartarpur Corridor at Attari, India in a cordial environment. (Photo: Twitter/ANI) Attari (Amritsar): After the first meeting on Kartarpur corridor, India-Pakistan officials released a joint statement on Thursday and said, Both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalising the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. The Indian delegation at the meeting was led by SCL Das, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs while the Pakistani team was headed by Dr Mohammad Faisal, DG (South Asia and SAARC) of Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He said, "India pressed on the need for arranging the visit of at least 5000 pilgrims per day, to begin with, phase 1 of the project. This should include not only Indian nationals but people of Indian origin as well." "We've strongly urged them to allow because people from all over the country and world will be coming for all seven days throughout the year without any break, provide for a much higher size of 'jathhas' of visiting pilgrims by another 10,000 on special days like Gurupurab and Baisakhi. India-Pakistan also held expert-level discussions between the technical experts on the alignment and other details of the proposed corridor, the statement said. Emphasising on the visa-free allowance to the tourist, Das said that India had put forward in the meeting that there should not be any additional encumbrances in the form of any documentation or procedures. The statement added that the meeting was held to discuss the modalities and the draft agreement for facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib using the Kartarpur Corridor, in a cordial environment. Talking about the meeting, MEA Joint Secretary Deepak Mittal commented, "Our expectations were made clear to Pakistan that we would like them not to allow any miscreant or any kind of activity which would be against the spirit with which pilgrims would be going to Kartarpur Gurudwara." However, Deepak Mittal stated that this isn't meant for any resumption of bilateral dialogues with Pakistan. This meeting was held with an objective that pilgrims can have an easy access to Kartarpur Sahib. From the Indian side, officials comprised representatives from the Union Home Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, BSF, National Highways Authority of India and the Punjab government. Last November, both India and Pakistan agreed to set up the Kartarpur corridor to link the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev to Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur. Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. Pakistan has committed to open the corridor in November this year on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. India's Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had on November 26 last year laid the foundation stone of the Kartarpur corridor in Gurdaspur district. Two days later, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone of the corridor in Narowal, 125 km from Lahore. The Punjab cabinet had passed a special resolution to set up a Dera Baba Nanak Development Authority for the development and beautification of the area in and around Dera Baba Nanak. A Kartarpur Gate has also been proposed to be set up on the Indian side of the International Border which would stand out as a monumental symbol to commemorate the 550th 'Prakash Purb' (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Dev. A proposed passenger terminal building (PTB) complex will have all the necessary amenities to facilitate pilgrims intending to visit the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara. (With inputs from PTI) A meeting between officials of India and Pakistan to finalise the modalities for setting up of a corridor linking the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in the Pakistani town of Kartarpur with Gurdaspur district in Punjab commenced, officials said. (Photo: Twitter/ ANI) Attari (Amritsar): A meeting between officials of India and Pakistan to finalise the modalities for setting up of a corridor linking the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in the Pakistani town of Kartarpur with Gurdaspur district in Punjab commenced here on Thursday, officials said. The talks are being held at the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border, they said. It is the first meeting between officials of India and Pakistan to discuss the Kartarpur corridor issue, amid heightened tensions between the two nations over the Pulwama terror attack, followed by India's pre-emptive air strike on Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camps in Balakot and Pakistan's subsequent retaliation. In the meeting, New Delhi is likely to raise the issue of hassle-free access to the Indian pilgrims besides asking Islamabad to insulate Sikh pilgrims visiting the shrine in Pakistan from pro-Khalistan propaganda. From the Indian side, officials comprised representatives from the Union Home Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, BSF, National Highways Authority of India and the Punjab government. Last November, both India and Pakistan agreed to set up the Kartarpur corridor to link the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev to Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur. Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. The corridor will facilitate visa-free travel of Indian Sikh pilgrims to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur. Pakistan has committed to open the corridor in November this year on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. India's Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had on November 26 last year laid the foundation stone of the Kartarpur corridor in Gurdaspur district. Two days later, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone of the corridor in Narowal, 125 km from Lahore. The Punjab cabinet had passed a special resolution to set up a Dera Baba Nanak Development Authority for the development and beautification of the area in and around Dera Baba Nanak. A Kartarpur Gate has also been proposed to be set up on the Indian side of the International Border which would stand out as a monumental symbol to commemorate the 550th 'Prakash Purb' (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Dev. A proposed passenger terminal building (PTB) complex will have all the necessary amenities to facilitate pilgrims intending to visit the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara. A high-level team of the Election Commission led by a deputy election commissioner will be in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and Manipur in the coming days to assess poll preparedness, official sources said on Thursday. (Photo: File) New Delhi: A high-level team of the Election Commission led by a deputy election commissioner will be in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and Manipur in the coming days to assess poll preparedness, official sources said on Thursday. The decision to send Deputy Election Commissioner Sudip Jain comes a day after the BJP urged the poll watchdog to declare West Bengal a "super sensitive state". Jain will lead the team to West Bengal on Saturday, Tripura on Sunday, Assam on Monday and Manipur on Tuesday to assess election preparedness in the four states. While Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal are spread across all the seven phases, they will be held in two phases each in Tripura and Manipur and three in Assam. The sources in the poll panel said that the chief electoral officer of West Bengal has also been asked to file a report on the actual ground situation. The BJP had on Wednesday also demanded that central forces be deployed at all polling stations in the state. Briefing the media after meeting EC officials, Law Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad had said, "We have requested the Election Commission that the state of West Bengal should be declared as super-sensitive. And have also demanded that central forces should be deployed at all polling booths in the state." He said the party also requested the poll panel to transfer those police officers whose electoral impartiality is questionable as well as the withdrawal of former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar from election duty. The BJP is trying to make inroads into Trinamool Congress' bastion of West Bengal which has 42 Lok Sabha seats. In 2014, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) won 34 seats, the Congress four, while the BJP and CPI(M) bagged two seats each in the state. Slamming the BJP for moving the poll panel, Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee alleged the saffron party was trying to hide behind central forces as it can't win any seat in the state. Mumbai: Senior Maharashtra Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said his son Sujay Vikhe Patil did not consult him before joining BJP, in a press conference held in Mumbai on Thursday. The Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly said that since Pawar despised his family so much, he would not campaign for the NCP candidate from Ahmednagar Lok Sabha seat. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil is the son of Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, a former Union minister. "Sharad Pawar's comment against my father was unwarranted and uncalled for. If Pawar despises my family so much, I would rather not campaign for the NCP candidate from Ahmednagar," he said. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said that he will campaign in other parts of Maharashtra, as decided by his party. "I will abide by the party high command's decision," he added. Pawar recently alluded to how he ensured the defeat of Balasaheb Vikhe Patil (in an election in the early 1990s) and that he also remembered the lawsuit the late Congress leader filed against him. Talking about his resignation from the post of Leader of Opposition in the press conference, he said, I will follow whatever my party leadership asks me to do. Sujay Vikhe Patil, a neurosurgeon, on Tuesday, joined the BJP in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who said he will recommend his name for the Ahmednagar LS seat to BJP leadership. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said the Ahmednagar Lok Sabha constituency was not the core issue of the seat-sharing talks between his party and the NCP. "We wanted both the parties to win more seats, hence we held talks on whether some seats can be exchanged. Sujay's candidature was not the only issue," he said. He also dismissed the possibility of his son's candidature on BJP ticket affecting the overall performance of Congress and NCP nominees in the state. The Congress and NCP have reached a pre-poll alliance for the next month's Lok Sabha polls. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was inducted in the Congress weeks after Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav announced an alliance in Uttar Pradesh for Lok Sabha polls. (Photo: File) New Delhi: Congresss Priyanka Gandhi Vadra delivered an eight-minute speech in Gujarat, her first after entering politics in January in 2019. There was one little detail that most people missed out was that Priyanka Gandhi started her address with meri behnon aur mere bhaiyo (my sisters and brothers). She had flipped the usual formulation in which men are mentioned first, mostly as my brothers and sisters. On Thursday morning, Congress MP from Silchar, Assam Sushmita Dev tweeted a video clip of Priyanka Gandhis speech. Dev pointed out how Priyanka Gandhi reversed the order of address from bhaiyon aur behnon (brothers and sisters) to meri behnon aur mere bhaiyon (my sisters and my brothers). The speech of @priyankagandhi ji in Gujarat stood out for many reasons. I loved the fact that in her address she changed the order most people follow by referring to women before men ie & not the other way around. https://t.co/EWCGFx6trU via @YouTube Sushmita Dev (@sushmitadevmp) March 14, 2019 The speech of @priyankagandhi ji in Gujarat stood out for many reasons. I loved the fact that in her address she changed the order most people follow by referring to women before men i.e. behnon aur bhaiyon & not the other way around, Dev wrote on Twitter. Priyanka Gandhi retweeted Devs post with comment: and I thought no one noticed!!. In her speech at Modis home state, Priyanka launched a stinging attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre. "Your vote is your weapon. Make the right decision, ask the right questions," she said in the rally in Ahmedabad. The Congress is trying to impress women voters with promises like 33 per cent reservation in parliament. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was inducted in the Congress weeks after Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav announced an alliance in Uttar Pradesh for Lok Sabha polls. She and Jyotiraditya Scindia have been tasked to revive the party in the state. She is the in-charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh for the Congress. Vijayawada: Launching Mission 150+, TD supremo and AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday night released the partys first list of candidates for 126 of the 175 Assembly segments. Mr Naidu will contest from his fortress of Kuppam and his son and IT minister Nara Lokesh will fight his first election from Mangalagiri in Guntur district. Speaking to reporters, Mr Naidu said that the list had been prepared after weighing various options based on the qualitative data and IVRS survey conducted among party workers. The Lok Sabha candidates would be announced on Friday. Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao has been fielded again from Sattenapalli. Earlier, there were reports that Mr Naidu was contemplating on fielding him from the Narasaraopeta Lok Sabha seat though he was not interested. Mr Naidu ignored the objections of some party workers to field mr Rao again from Sattenapalli. Mr Ganta Srinivasa Rao will be contesting from Vizag North; there was speculation that he would be fielded from the Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha seat. Mr Naidu has not announced any candidate for Bheemili segment in Vizag district, from where there were reports earlier that CBI former joint director V.V. Lakshminarayana could contest on a TD ticket. The suspense over the Darsi constituency in Prakasam district continues as the candidate was not named. Minister Sidda Raghav Rao who represents Darsi is being persuaded by Mr Naidu to contest for the Ongole Lok Sabha seat. The minister is insisting on Darsi. Two ministers Mr K.E. Krishna Murthy and Ms Paritala Sunitha made way for their kin. Both of them will not contest. Mr Murthys son K.E. Shyam Babu will be contesting from Pathikonda in Kurnool. His brother K.E. Pratap has been nominated from Dhone. Ms Sunithas son Paritala Sri Ram will contest from Raptadu. Actor and Naidus brother-in-law Nandamuri Balakrishna will contest from Hindupur in Anantapur district. Except for China, which wields veto power in the Security Council, all other UNSC members were on board with the move before the al-Qaida (1267) Sanctions Committee. (Photo: AP/File) Washington: Outraged by China blocking for the fourth time a move to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist, responsible UNSC members warned they "may be forced to pursue other actions" at the Security Council if Beijing continued with this policy. "If China continues to block this designation, responsible member-states may be forced to pursue other actions at the Security Council. It shouldn't have to come to that," a Security Council diplomat told PTI in an unusual tough warning to China. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity to give a sense of the feeling of other members of the Security Council after China blocked the move to designate Azhar a global terrorist. Beijing previously put a technical hold on similar proposals at the UNSC thrice. In the aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attack, three permanent members of Security Council the US, France and the UK had moved a resolution to designate Azhar a glocal terrorist. Except for China, which wields veto power in the Security Council, all other UNSC members were on board with the move before the al-Qaida (1267) Sanctions Committee. India has expressed disappointment over China's decision but said it will "pursue all available avenues" to bring to justice terrorist leaders involved in attack on Indians. "This is the fourth time that China has placed a hold on this listing. China should not prevent the Committee from doing the job the Security Council has entrusted it to do," another security council diplomat told PTI in response to a question. "China's move to hold the listing is inconsistent with its own stated goals of combatting terrorism and furthering regional stability in South Asia," said the diplomat, requesting not to be named to speak frankly, given that the deliberations of the UN sanctions committee are confidential, thus preventing member-countries from talking about it in public. The second security council diplomat also slammed Pakistan for depending on China to protect terrorist groups and leaders that operate from its soil. "Pakistan has quite often depended on China to protect it from the listing of Pakistan-based terrorist groups and individuals in the UN 1267 sanctions committee," the diplomat said. "The case for designating Masood Azhar the leader of a group the UN already calls an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organization is undeniable," the diplomat said. On Tuesday, the Trump administration had said that Azhar meets the criteria for designation by the United Nations. "Our views on Jaish-e-Mohammad and its founder are well known. JeM is a UN-designated terrorist group," State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino told reporters. "Azhar is the founder and the leader of JEM, and he meets the criteria for designation by the United Nations. JEM has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks and is a threat to regional stability and peace," Palladino said. The State Department referred to this statement on Wednesday when asked about the latest developments in New York. I would say that the United States and China share a mutual interest in achieving regional stability and peace, and that a failure to designate Azhar would run counter to this goal, Palladino said. Congressman Brad Sherman described the Chinese move as unacceptable. Once again, China has blocked the UN from imposing sanctions on Masood Azhar, the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, which carried out the Pulwama attack in India in February. This is unacceptable, he said. I urge Beijing to allow the UN to place sanctions on Azhar, the leader of a UN-recognized terrorist organization, Sherman said. Several American think-tank members slammed China for its decision delaying the Azhar listing. Today, China doubled down on a very bad bet. It blocked yet another round of UN sanctions on Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar weeks after the group claimed credit for the deadliest terror attack in Kashmir, Jeff Smith from the Heritage Foundation said. This one won't be undone by another romantic stroll through Wuhan, he said, indicating that such a move by Beijing would only escalate the tension between India and China. Not entirely unexpected, but nonetheless a slap to India's face after last month's bloody suicide-bombing in Kashmir. Also raises serious questions about the benefits of Modi's photo-op diplomacy with Xi Jinping, tweeted Sadanand Dhume from American Enterprise Institute. Congress star campaigner and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sprung a surprise of sorts, when she rushed to Meerut town, about 450 km from here, on Wednesday to meet the ailing Scheduled Caste leader Chandrashekhar alias Ravan at a hospital there. The meeting, that lasted around ten minutes and came a day after BSP supremo Mayawati categorically ruled out any alliance with the Congress in Uttar Pradesh or the other states, set the tongues wagging in the political circles here. Though Priyanka said that no "political meaning" should be attached to the meeting, the presence of the Congress nominee from the Saharanpur Lok Sabha seat at the hospital fueled speculation about a possible tie-up between Chandrashekhar's Bheem Army, a predominantly SC outfit, and the grand old party in the state in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. Chandrashekhar shot to limelight after he led protests in Saharanpur and some other western Uttar Pradesh districts following the killing of two members of the Scheduled Caste community in clash with the powerful 'Thakur' community members last year. He was taken into custody when he tried to take out a procession at Deoband in Saharanpur district, about 500 km from here, on Monday. He was later admitted to a hospital in Meerut by the police after complaining of unease. "I came here to pledge my support to Chandrashekhar, who has been fighting for the rights of his people... we are with him," Priyanka said. She also accused the Uttar Pradesh government of "suppressing" the voice of the youths. Chandrashekhar reportedly addressed Priyanka as "behen" (sister) and thanked her for visiting him. "She said 'bhai kaise ho? (brother, how are you?). I replied: that behen, I am better," he said. Priyanka was accompanied by state Congress president Raj Babbar and west UP in-charge Jyotiraditya Scindia. Sources said that Imran Masood, who was also at the hospital, had requested Priyanka to visit Chandrashekhar. Scheduled Caste leader and Bheem Army president Chandrashekhar, alias Ravan, on Wednesday announced that he would be contesting against prime minister Narendra Modi in the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency. Chandrashekhar, who wields considerable influence over the Scheduled Caste community in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur and some other western UP districts, has been recuperating at a hospital after having been admitted on Monday after he was taken into custody for taking out a procession without permission. "I have taken a pledge to fight against Modi... it does not matter if I don't get support from any party," he said. The Gujarat CID (crime) on Thursday arrested Chhabil Patel, an ex MLA and suspended BJP leader, in connection with a murder case of controversial ex-BJP MLA Jayanti Bhanushali. Chhabil Patel was caught by CID officials from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in the city early morning. Officials said that Patel landed at Ahmedabad airport from Dubai and was detained there. Director General of Police (CID) Ashish Bhatia confirmed that Patel has been arrested by the special investigation (SIT) of CID, which is probing the case. Patel is alleged to have given Rs30 lakh to two sharp shooters to kill Bhanushali. The motive behind killing Bhanushali is said to be poitical rivalry between the two leaders. Bhanushali was shot dead in a moving train on January 7 midnight by two sharpshooters. Bhanushali's relatives blamed Chhabil Patel, his son Siddharth, a woman Manisha Goswami and other close associates of Patel for the murder. Hours after the murder, Patel left the country and possibly flew to the United States. So far, SIT has arrested six persons including suspected shooters identified as Shashikant Kamble and Ashraf Shaikh, both resident of Maharashtra. The woman suspect Manisha Goswami and her associate are still absconding. Goswami had accused Bhanushali of rape who later withdrew her complaint. On the other hand, Bhanushali's nephew Sunil had lodged an FIR against Goswami for extortion and blackmailing on the basis of a video clip showing him in compromising position with an unidentified woman. These cases were later withdrawn and quashed. As a matter of fact, both Bhanushali and Patel were accused by different women of rape. The SIT has said that there were various differences between the two politicians while Goswami also had differences with Bhanushali over money, among other things and that's the reason Patel and Goswami along with their close associates decided to eliminate Bhanushali for good. SOUTH SALT LAKE Police have identified a man killed Saturday in an auto-pedestrian crash. About 11:50 p.m., Michael Corby Westover, 42, of Salt Lake City, and another man from Salt Lake City were crossing 3300 South near Main Street, in a crosswalk, when they were hit by a dark-colored Chevy Trailblazer, said South Salt Lake police officer Gary Keller. The men were believed to be in the middle of the crosswalk when the light for oncoming traffic turned green, he said. The SUV that hit them took off after the accident, he said. Both men were taken to a local hospital where Westover was pronounced dead and the other man remained in critical condition as of Wednesday, Keller said. SALT LAKE CITY Authorities filed federal firearms charges Wednesday against two people accused of buying and loaning a gun to the man who killed University of Utah student Lauren McCluskey. Sarah Emily Lady, 24, of Mapleton, and Nathan Daniel Vogel, 21, of Millcreek, allegedly made a "straw" purchase of a Beretta PX4 Storm .40-caliber handgun from a federal firearms dealer on Sept. 8, 2018, according to an indictment in U.S. District Court. Both are charged with making a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm and conspiracy. Vogel loaned the gun to an "acquaintance" identified in court papers as M.S.R. on Oct. 17, 2018, the indictment says. Five days later, Melvin Rowland used the gun to shoot McCluskey in a parking lot outside her campus dorm. McCluskey had dated Rowland before learning he was a sex offender and more than a decade older than her. We applaud the U.S. Attorneys for pursuing charges against the individuals who lied and conspired to buy the gun that was used to kill our daughter," Jill McCluskey, Lauren's mother, said in a statement. "Still we note that the University of Utah housing staff were informed that our daughters killer said he planned to bring the gun to campus, and they did nothing," she said. "We hope for additional accountability of the individuals who did not protect Lauren. Prosecutors allege Lady and Vogel knowingly made false and fictitious statements intended to deceive a firearms dealer while purchasing the gun. The indictment alleges that Lady falsely answered yes to a question asking whether she was the actual buyer of the firearm knowing that Vogel was the intended actual buyer. A straw purchase happens when someone lies on a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives form to buy a firearm for an individual who is prohibited from owning a gun or an individual who does not want to wait for the completion of a background check. Lying on federal forms to buy a gun for someone is illegal. "While we cannot change what happened that October night in Salt Lake City, we can say that without the conduct alleged in this indictment, this particular handgun would not have been used to take Laurens life," U.S. Attorney for Utah John Huber said in a statement. The indictment does not allege Lady and Vogel were responsible for McCluskeys death. Lady and Vogel made false statements on the ATF form to circumvent Vogels background check and waiting period because Vogel wanted the firearm immediately, according to the charges. Vogel was generally discharged from the Army and feared that he could not buy a gun without delay, the indictment says. Huber said it "turned out to be a matter of patience" and Vogel wanted the gun immediately so he convinced Lady to "lie on his behalf." Between Aug. 30, 2018, and Sept. 8, 2018, Lady and Vogel made plans to meet at a gun store in Salt Lake City so Vogel could identify the firearm he wanted and Lady could buy it for him. The indictment alleges Lady and Vogel texted 13 times to arrange the meeting. When they got to the store, Lady and Vogel looked at several guns and Vogel asked questions of the salesperson. Vogel pointed out the Beretta handgun, asked the salesperson questions and handled the weapon. He gave the Beretta back and moved to another area of the store to get ammunition for the gun, according to the charges. Shortly after, Lady began the purchase of the Beretta, answering yes to the question asking if she was the actual buyer. The firearms dealer conducted a background check on Lady that took about 10 minutes and allowed her to buy ammunition. Immediately after the sale, Lady handed the gun to Vogel, the indictment alleges. "Straw purchases are prohibited under federal law for a reason, Huber said. When a firearm is unlawfully acquired or transferred, the firearm ends up in the wrong hands and violence brings tragedy to our community." Denver-based ATF Special Agent in Charge Debbie Livingston said lying to buy a gun puts the community and public at risk. "Our condolences go out to Laurens family and friends who have suffered because of conduct related to the straw purchase alleged in this indictment," she said in a statement. Agents arrested Lady on Tuesday and she pleaded not guilty during an initial court appearance Wednesday. She was placed on supervised release with several restrictions, including prohibiting her from having contact with Vogel and prohibiting her from possessing guns or weapons. A three-day jury trial is set for May 20. An arrest warrant is pending for Vogel, according to prosecutors. The maximum potential penalty for a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm is 10 years in prison. The conspiracy charge has a potential five-year sentence. SALT LAKE CITY The sixth version of a bill intended to improve school safety in Utah won final passage in the Utah House of Representatives on Wednesday. HB120 directs the State School Board to develop safety protocols, offer training to schools and hire one expert from law enforcement and another from behavioral health to work on school safety initiatives. The legislation was developed in the aftermath of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting that killed 17 people in 2018. In the succeeding months, an ad hoc commission and State School Board task force were formed to study the issue and develop policy recommendations. Student demonstrations, school walkouts and marches were held across the country and in Utah. The bill that reached final passage was significantly pared down from the introduced version, which called for threat-assessment teams at schools, a secure digital tool to provide "resources and protocols for school safety," and a $100 million appropriations request for school personnel and school building modifications or equipment to enhance safety. All of that was dropped from the final bill, which was will be funded at $780,000. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Ray Ward, R-Bountiful, agreed to multiple changes in the bill over concerns that students could be profiled by threat-assessment teams and that the bill established unfunded mandates. Ward said remaining language represents a consensus bill that is "a very important step forward for school safety and I concur with the changes." SALT LAKE CITY President Donald Trump has used executive orders to tackle some of his most notable policy items, including the ban on travel from seven Muslim-majority nations and his 2017 decision to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. But the one that perhaps has galvanized the nation most profoundly is his executive order declaring a national emergency at the southern border, in an attempt to free up funding for the border wall. Much attention has been focused on the Senate vote on the House-approved resolution disapproving of Trumps national emergency, and how the vote is a key test of Republican Party loyalty. But some politicians and pundits have said that the significance of Thursdays vote goes far beyond partisan politics. Indeed, some say the debate over Trumps emergency declaration could define a question at the heart of the American democratic system: what should be the reach and the limit of a presidents executive power? The Deseret News spoke to a presidential historian, a senator, and a U.S. ambassador to get their takes on what Trumps emergency declaration says about the current state of American democracy, and what kind of precedent the emergency declaration could set for future presidents of the United States. Path paved by previous presidents Trumps executive orders have dominated headlines throughout his term, but Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the University of Washington, says the liberal use of executive orders by presidents is nothing new. The majority of executive orders are not newsmaking, said O'Mara. But they have been made at moments when presidents know Congress wont act on an issue, and also as a way to kind of pave the way for later legislative action. For example, Franklin Roosevelt issued an executive order prohibiting racial discrimination in war industries in response to pressure by civil rights leaders. Similarly, Harry Truman issued an order to desegregate the military after mounting public pressure. Because he knew he couldnt get southern Democrats on board in Congress, Truman acted unilaterally by executive order. But things changed post-9/11, said O'Mara. She says imminent security concerns, combined with a polarized and divided government, promoted a growth in the frequency and magnitude of executive orders. After 9/11, the executive branch gets more power, period, she said, particularly legislative power, such as the authorization of the Patriot Act by executive order. The Democrats are concerned about too much executive power resting in the Oval Office and Trump doing things unilaterally. But this path was paved by previous presidencies. Margaret O'Mara, professor of history at the University of Washington When Barack Obama took office, O'Mara says he not only inherited the expanded presidential powers carved out in the George W. Bush administration, but also faced a Congress just determined to say no to everything he wants to do. She says Obamas workaround was to use executive orders to get most things he wanted done setting a precedent that Trump subsequently inherited. Democrats cheered this when Obama was doing it, but what Obama did was create this precedent for the consolidation of power that Trump now follows on, she said. The Democrats are concerned about too much executive power resting in the Oval Office and Trump doing things unilaterally. But this path was paved by previous presidencies. She says, however, that Trumps specific use of an executive order to declare a national emergency to get border wall funding is a departure from the past. I think there is a real divergence between what Trump is doing and what his predecessors have done. ... His predecessors have invoked national emergencies, but it has often happened in the context of war or health epidemics such as the swine flu, she said. He has turned the instrument of a national emergency into something more sharply partisan than it has been in the past. Congress 'to blame' According to Utah Sen. Mike Lee, Trumps use of an executive order to declare a national emergency is indicative of two important, interrelated problems: first, the fact that Congress has given too much power to the executive branch; and second, what he describes as a toothless nature of the 1976 National Emergencies Act. If Congress is troubled by recent emergency declarations made pursuant to the National Emergencies Act, they only have themselves to blame, Lee said. Congress gave these legislative powers away in 1976 and it is far past time that we as an institution took them back. He says when the National Emergencies Act was first passed, it contained within it a legislative veto, allowing Congress the ability to overturn a state of emergency declared by a president. But he says seven years later, the law was challenged in court, and it was declared that such a legislative veto was not constitutional. Its a fake check. Utah Sen. Mike Lee What that means is that the way the National Emergencies Act is now written gives too much power to the president and doesnt allow the legislative branch to have a real check on presidential authority. While Congress can write a congressional resolution of disapproval, if that resolution is vetoed, it must muster a nearly impossible two-thirds vote to overturn the presidents veto. Its a fake check, Lee said. Because unless you have a Congress with enough votes to overturn the presidents veto of Congress' resolution of disapproval, then the president is going to prevail and whatever action hes chosen to take will remain in effect in full force. He says that isnt what the authors of the National Emergencies Act intended. When Congress put the National Emergencies Act in place in 1976, they never really intended to tie this much power without Congress keeping its foot in the door, he said. On March 12, Lee introduced a bill to curb the presidents power to declare a national emergency. "If we dont want our president acting like a king, we need to start taking back the legislative powers that allow him to do so," Lee said. The bill, called the Article One Act, would "take back significant legislative powers" given to the executive branch by law, according to a press release issued by Lee's office. Currently, Congress is able to cancel an emergency declaration only by passing a resolution with enough support to withstand a presidential veto. [Read more: Utah Sen. Mike Lee just introduced a bill to prevent President Trump from 'acting like a king'_]_ Under Lee's proposal, if a president were to declare a national emergency, Congress would have to approve it within 30 days or it would automatically expire. Congress is the problem," he said. "Its happened gradually over the last eight years. Congress has systemically, deliberately, and for the political convenience of members of Congress has delegated out far too much power. And Congress needs to reclaim that power. On March 12, Vice President Mike Pence reportedly discussed a deal with Republican senators in which Trump would sign Lee's legislation reining in his power to declare future national emergencies in return for the GOP voting against the resolution overturning Trump's emergency declaration. But by March 13 the deal had seemingly collapsed. During a GOP lunch Wednesday, Trump called Lee and told him he opposed that proposal, The Associated Press reported. "There's been numerous efforts to engage with the vice president and the president, and the president's not persuaded that he should support it right now," Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who advises GOP leaders, told The Associated Press. "I don't know of any president that likes to give up power." Lee said Wednesday that because his own bill now lacks "an immediate path forward," he will now support the resolution canceling the border emergency, according to The Associated Press. With Republicans controlling the Senate 53-47, only four GOP defections would be required to approve the measure. As of Wednesday, Lee was the fifth. Dangerous implications One shouldnt ignore the implications of Trumps use of executive orders on foreign policy, says Ryan Crocker, who has served as U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait and Lebanon and is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Crocker says over time, it has become increasingly difficult to get international agreements through Congress. I cant remember the last time we ratified a treaty, he said. For years, weve been doing foreign policy by executive order. Crocker says he negotiated complex bilateral agreements in Iraq relying on executive orders. He says the Iraqis raised the question what guarantee do we have that the next president wont simply overturn whatever the previous president decided by executive order? My answer was that that had never happened. Years full of executive orders on international issues, and not a single one of any significance had ever been overturned by a subsequent president. When the going gets rough somewhere in the Middle East, the head of state will often proclaim a state of emergency. Ryan Crocker, who has served as U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait and Lebanon But he says Trumps decision to overturn some of Obamas executive orders has delegitimized the authority of foreign policy decisions carried out by presidential action, which he says could have far-reaching implications, potentially impacting the ability of the United States to negotiate nuclear disarmament agreements or even to ensure the safety of American troops deployed around the world. What that means is its going to be way, way, way harder to get any kind of international agreement by executive order, he said. So its gonna make life a lot more complex and considerably more dangerous for us. Crocker says he is particularly concerned about the implications of Trumps use of an executive order to declare a national emergency. Ive spent a career in a region that is known for its emergency laws, said Crocker. When the going gets rough somewhere in the Middle East, the head of state will often proclaim a state of emergency. A state of emergency declared in 1967 in Egypt, says Crocker, was used to suppress domestic activities such as free speech. These declarations can often last for decades: the state of emergency in Egypt is still in effect today, despite the resolution of the crisis with Israel that justified the emergency declaration in the first place, he said. It bothers me significantly that we now have a president who is sounding like a Middle East autocrat, said Crocker. Crocker says the country's divided government and legislative gridlock is to blame for the increased power of the president, and that both Obama and Trump have used executive orders liberally because it's the only way they have been able to get anything done, he says. "Trump criticized Obama for his blizzard of executive orders, and it was a blizzard, but Trump's doing the same thing, because that is the only way he can govern, just as it was the only way Obama could govern," he said. But he says that the climate of gridlock gives way to a culture of government that "puts extraordinary power in the hands of the president, in a way not envisioned at all by the writers of the Constitution or its subsequent amendments." Crocker says he does see a potential upside to Trumps executive orders, particularly his emergency declaration, in that their controversial nature has forced policymakers and the public to grapple with questions around presidential authority and overreach. Im actually pleased that President Trump has pushed things as far as he has, said Crocker. Because this is going to wind up eventually in front of the Supreme Court, and that may be what our democracy has to have to get some resolution on this issue. SALT LAKE CITY Earlier this month, members of St. James' Episcopal Church in Lewisburg, West Virginia, gathered for an unusual series of events. Over the course of 24 hours, they played board games, built birdhouses, practiced yoga and held an English tea party. What inspired this eclectic schedule? Each activity was a fun alternative to playing on your phone, according to the Rev. Joshua Saxe, who leads the church. Participants had committed to spend a full day unplugging together. "We wanted to reconnect with each other without the use of technology," he said. That may sound like a simple goal, but it's hard to achieve in a phone-loving culture. The average American picks up their phone about 52 times per day, according to a 2018 survey on mobile devices. "You go to a restaurant and see people around the same table on their phones and not talking with each other. I think that's tragic," the Rev. Saxe said. Problematic phone habits affect more than relationships, he added. They shorten our attention spans, increase anxiety and even make it harder to connect with God. The Rev. Saxe and other religious leaders want to inspire healthier technological habits, and see Lent, the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter, as a good time to do so. Many Christians already spend it taking stock of bad habits and developing better ones. "Lent is like a spiritual tuneup," said the Rev. Corinne Freedman Ellis, minister of congregational life at Macalester Plymouth United Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Committing to stay off a certain phone app or reduce screen time may seem frivolous compared to fasting or Bible study, but developing a healthier relationship with our digital devices can also deepen faith, religious leaders said. "If we're totally consumed by our devices, then there isn't much room for anything else, including our relationship with God," the Rev. Saxe said. Changing habits Unplugging, or the practice of detoxing from digital devices, is gaining attention as Americans struggle to moderate their phone use. Retreat centers advertise phone-free trips and New York Times tech columnists praise the "restorative boredom" that comes from spending a weekend off-the-grid. "It's an unnerving sensation, being alone with your thoughts in the year 2019," wrote Kevin Roose in a February column. Faith-based unplugging events like the one at St. James' Episcopal Church are part of this trend. Religious leaders want to highlight the spiritual and relational benefits of feeling less attached to your phone. "There are very few spaces that are trying to be countercultural and invite us to connect face-to-face and not digitally," the Rev. Ellis said. Churches are one of them. That's part of why attending church events can sometimes feel intimidating, she added. She described watching members of her youth group slowly get used to old-fashioned communication each week after dropping their phones in the cellphone basket. "None of us are used to interacting without that crutch," the Rev. Ellis said. I'm not saying goodbye to technology, but I don't want to be on my phone during those powerful, reflective times. The Rev. Corinne Freedman Ellis That includes faith leaders, said Kenda Creasy Dean, a professor of youth, church and culture at Princeton Theological Seminary. Students in her recent course on social media strategies, who are soon to be ordained, recognized that helping others adjust their technology habits began with adjusting their own. "How to find good balance is one of the perpetual questions people have about any kind of online activity," she said. The Rev. Ellis has been working to address some of her worst phone habits, like rushing to check new notifications. During Lent this year, she's trying to stop playing on her phone first thing in the morning and right before bed. "I'm not saying goodbye to technology, but I don't want to be on my phone during those powerful, reflective times," she said. She's now journaling each morning and reading at least five pages before bed. Similarly, the Rev. Saxe wants to learn to resist picking up his phone during special or sacred moments. He laughed as he recalled fighting an internal battle over whether to get out his phone to take a picture during a worship service led by the Most Rev. Michael Curry, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church who became a bit of a celebrity after speaking at last year's royal wedding. "Im the kind of person who wants you to put your phone down and be present during the service. But it was Michael Curry!" he said. Why try? Since he knows how hard it is to resist digital devices, the Rev. Saxe tries to avoid judgment as he leads events or discussions aimed at reducing screentime. The goal is to encourage healthier technology habits, not rant about modern life, he said. "We live in a world where (social media) is the most appropriate medium for letting people know what's going on," he said. It wouldn't make sense for most people, including faith leaders, to log off for good. It's also not helpful for religious communities to try to ban certain phone apps or websites outright, said Andrew Zirschky, an assistant professor of practical theology and youth ministry at Memphis Theological Seminary. People need better strategies, not more shame. "The danger isnt social media. The danger is that everything else gets swallowed by social media," he said. It's difficult to negotiate better boundaries, but the payoff can be "huge," the Rev. Ellis said. She's seen how phone-free mission trips strengthen the bonds between youth group members. "Groups that have their phones split up after a meal and sort of go to separate corners. Our group will play games together and have more conversations," she said. "They do things they wouldn't normally do at home. And I think that's a huge gift." While phones aren't expressly spiritual, the fact that we spend hours glued to them means that they shape us mentally, physically and spiritually. Andrew Zirschky, an assistant professor of practical theology and youth ministry at Memphis Theological Seminary Even a less dramatic change, like staying off Facebook during Lent, can be meaningful, the Rev. Saxe said. Since unplugging for 24 hours with his congregation, he's found it easier to focus on people instead of his phone screen. "I'm a little more aware of how much screentime I engage in," he said. "Life is going by while you're stuck on your device." It may seem strange that talking about technology habits is now part of a pastor's job description, but addressing phone use is part of helping people flourish, said Zirschky, who is academic director at the Center for Youth Ministry Training. "While phones aren't expressly spiritual, the fact that we spend hours glued to them means that they shape us mentally, physically and spiritually," he said. Faith leaders shouldn't shy away from the topics that are on everyone's mind, including the devices in everyone's pocket, Dean said. "I think faith communities need to talk about issues that matter in life. This is one of them," she said. Here is a book you should have, Mr. Director. With that, Jacqueline Kennedy handed CIA director Allen Dulles a copy of "From Russia with Love" by Ian Fleming, the latest novel in the series featuring lethal British agent James Bond. Their 1957 encounter in Palm Beach, Florida reflects the continuing close cooperation between government professionals in Britain and the United States. The term Special Relationship aptly describes the understanding. Our partnership began during the darkest early period of World War II, and is rooted in national intelligence operations. This bears directly on the current effort by Britains government to withdraw from the European Union, known as Brexit. Peter Gross recounts the conversation between Jacqueline Kennedy and Allen Dulles in his important book Gentleman Spy, a comprehensive biography of Dulles, who was a world-class networker. That skill was important to his rise to the top of the highly competitive world of intelligence. Mrs. Kennedys husband had emerged as a serious contender for the 1960 Democratic presidential nomination. President John F. Kennedys fondness for Bond novels sparked the durable movie franchise. The Hollywood Bonds fetish for high-tech equipment, however, contrasts with the Bond of Flemings novels. Both Dulles and Fleming served as intelligence officers during World War II. That war began extremely close cooperation between American and British intelligence. Earlier, British intelligence work was crucial in persuading the United States government to intervene in World War I. British agents intercepted the so-called Zimmerman Note, a German government cable describing plans to develop alliance with Mexico, and London shared the alarming document with Washington. That plus German declarations of unrestricted submarine warfare against Allied shipping tipped the balance in favor of the U.S. declaration of war. During agent Flemings World War II service in New York, he described for Bill Donovan, head of embryonic U.S. intelligence, the sort of personality to direct a new operations office in that city. Dulles, who fit Flemings profile perfectly, was hired. Dulles later managed operations in Switzerland, a neutral meeting ground for agents of the Allies and Axis. A vast cast of characters in between encompassed fanatics, fools, fraudsters, dedicated patriots, geniuses and skilled operatives. Electronic surveillance existed, but the working environment and challenges were overwhelmingly human. The ugly as well as complex nature of human intelligence operations naturally encourages the alternative of using electronic information gathering and surveillance. American fondness for and skill at technology has led us to embrace this approach, during but especially following World War II. The British are relatively more committed to the use of human agents and means. An important but under discussed dimension of Brexit is the impact on defense and security cooperation in Europe. Jonathan Evans and John Sawers, former heads respectively of MI5 and MI6, Britains intelligence agencies, have stated loss of shared data and general collaboration argue against Brexit. Pauline Neville-Jones, a former national security adviser, warned Brexit could weaken police cooperation and border security, perhaps encouraging renewed Northern Ireland violence. Even Theresa May before becoming prime minister noted the EU facilitates such collaboration. Beyond NATO, there is the important Five Eyes intelligence network, which includes Australia, Canada and New Zealand along with the United Kingdom and the United States. In future, this partnership could be strengthened, and perhaps made more formal. If Britain actually leaves Europe, the U.S. should pursue new bilateral intelligence collaboration efforts. Ideally, our strong bias toward technological means would shift. SALT LAKE CITY Federal authorities want a former San Juan County commissioner to pay five times as much in restitution per month for an illegal ATV ride now that he's drawing income as a member of the Utah House of Representatives. The U.S. Attorney's Office argues in court documents filed Wednesday that Rep. Phil Lyman, R-Blanding, has a "heightened moral obligation" to pay now that he receives a public paycheck. A jury convicted Lyman in 2016 of misdemeanor trespassing after he led an ATV protest ride in a southeastern Utah canyon that the Bureau of Land Management had closed to off-road vehicles. Lyman spent 10 days in jail. A federal judge hit him with a $95,955 bill for assessing and repairing riparian areas and archeological sites in Recapture Canyon. The court allowed him pay $100 per month. Federal prosecutors now contend that Lyman's financial circumstances have improved since his election to the House and he is capable of paying $500 a month. He received $12,285 in pay before the start of the legislative session in January, according to court documents. "In short, Lyman receives income from the people to whom he owes restitution, and it would be an injustice to the public if Lyman were to fail to repay his debt. As an elected public official, and as a recipient of publicly funded income, Lyman has a heightened moral obligation to repay his debt to BLM, and by extension, to the public," assistant U.S. attorney Allison J.P. Moon wrote. Lyman declined to comment on the court filing Wednesday. Court documents show Lyman has a $90,105 balance on his restitution, with the judgment against him expiring in April 2036. His probation ended last December. At the current rate, he would pay only another $20,500 before that date, according to court documents. If he were to pay $500 a month, he will have paid in full by 2034. "Lyman could easily afford to pay $500 per month toward restitution," Moon wrote. Prosecutors say Lyman told the U.S. Attorney's Office Financial Litigation Unit in an email in 2017 that he would "very much like to pay (restitution) off and put it behind me. I have contacted a Realtor and told him that I would like to list all of my property. We started that process a couple of months ago and hopefully he will have them all listed soon. They are heavily mortgaged, but I am hopeful that they will generate enough to pay the BLM. To date, Lyman has not listed or sold his real estate, according to court documents. Lyman, a certified public accountant, will finish his first legislative session Thursday. SALT LAKE CITY Utah's two Republican senators were on opposite sides of a resolution the Senate passed Wednesday to cut off U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen's bloody civil war. Sen. Mike Lee has long called for the end of U.S. involvement, saying in a speech last year that continuing to support the Saudis, especially in light of the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, is "bad diplomacy." Lee was among seven Republicans who joined all members of the Democratic caucus in backing the bill. He said the vote was a step in the right direction and that he looks forward to the House taking up and passing the resolution "With passage of this resolution, we have reasserted Congress constitutional role over declaring war and over putting American blood and treasure on the line. It is long past time that we end U.S. involvement in this unauthorized, unjustified and immoral war that has caused immense human suffering," Lee said. Senators viewed the vote as an opportunity to not only reassert Congress authority to declare war, but to rebuke the Trump administration over its posture toward Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of Khashoggi's murder, Politico reported. Sen. Mitt Romney voted against the resolution. Romney said the U.S. currently provides limited support to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, including intelligence-sharing and advice on compliance with the laws of war. "I voted against this resolution because I am concerned it would set a precedent that would negatively impact our security partnerships around the world that rely on similar U.S. support," he said in a statement. "By remaining engaged, the U.S. retains influence over the coalitions actions in Yemen and can continue to press for an end to the conflict." Romney said while he has concerns about Saudi Arabia's recent behavior, particularly the murder of Khashoggi, ending support would undermine U.S. allies and security interests in the region by emboldening Iran, hampering counterterrorism efforts, and potentially worsening the humanitarian crisis. WASHINGTON A boisterous, upbeat crowd of LGBTQ advocates and Democratic leaders launched their campaign Wednesday to add sexual orientation and gender identity protections to federal nondiscrimination laws. In an atmosphere akin to a pep rally before the big game, supporters of the Equality Act from the House and Senate said the country is a patchwork of conflicting state laws where gay or transgender residents are either protected or legally discriminated against. "In most states in this country, a gay couple can be married on Saturday, post their wedding photos on Instagram on Sunday and lose their jobs or get kicked out of their apartment on Monday, just because of who they are. This is wrong," said the bills sponsor Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I. "And we are introducing the Equality Act to fix this." Cicilline and others argue the bill benefits more than gay and transgender Americans. But some religious freedom advocates say it supports the LGBTQ community at the expense of religious objectors to same-sex marriage. "The Equality Act fails to provide essential religious liberty protections that would allow a diverse group of social service and civic institutions to continue to thrive," said Shapri LoMaglio, senior vice president for government and external relations for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, in an email. In addition to creating new protections for gay and transgender Americans, the act would limit the scope of federal religious freedom protections, preventing religious people and organizations from using the Religious Freedom Restoration Act as a defense against discrimination claims. If it passes, religiously affiliated schools and other faith-based organizations could face lawsuits over policies on gay, lesbian or transgender students, customers or employees, said Tim Schultz, president of 1st Amendment Partnership, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that promotes religious freedom protections. "There would be an effort to punitively sue them into oblivion and they would not be able to use (the Religious Freedom Restoration Act) in their defense," he said. Some people of faith see limiting the scope of religious freedom law as a good thing. "Claiming a religious right to discriminate is the antithesis of genuine faith commitments and moral teaching," said Rabbi Jack Moline, president of Interfaith Alliance, on a Wednesday press call. Moving forward, lawmakers and other stakeholders need to seek balance, not treat the clash between religious and LGBTQ rights as a winner-take-all affair, Schultz said. "Do we want these issues to cause ongoing conflict and legal battles or do we want a solution?" he said. The act's goals The Equality Act would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of other characteristics protected under federal laws against discrimination in housing, employment and access to credit. Additionally, it would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination in public spaces and services and federally funded programs on the basis of sex. Like similar state-level nondiscrimination laws, it aims to ensure that gay or transgender people are treated the same as others in their job search or while visiting a local store. Twenty-one states, including Utah, already prohibit sexual orientation or gender identity-based discrimination in housing and hiring, according to the Human Rights Campaign. What stands out about this legislation is that it also seeks to weaken the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a federal law aimed at ensuring that the government won't substantially burden someone's religious exercise unless it has a compelling interest to do so and can't find a less restrictive way to protect that interest. If the Equality Act passes, religiously affiliated schools, businesses, nonprofits and others would have a harder time defending themselves in court, Schultz said. The bills supporters say it will be good to clarify the scope of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Too often, religious freedom is used as a shield against discrimination claims, said Sharon McGowan, chief strategy officer and legal director for Lambda Legal. "The Equality Act makes it clear that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act is not something that can be used to create a gaping hole in these federal protections" against discrimination, she said. People of faith should celebrate a world in which members of the LGBTQ community won't live in fear of discrimination, said the Rev. Jennifer Butler, CEO of Faith in Public Life, during the Wednesday press call. "The Equality Act will clarify that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act cannot be misused to allow entities to discriminate and violate civil rights laws," she said. This clarification could lead to significant consequences for religious objectors to same-sex marriage, according to opponents of the Equality Act. For example, faith-based schools, which have always been part of America's diverse higher education system, might have to sacrifice their religious convictions in order to be eligible for federal aid money. "It is essential that any protections for LGBTQ persons be paired with the essential religious freedoms that maximize freedom for all," LoMaglio said. Cicilline warned supporters that conservative opposition will use religious freedom as a defense against the bill. "They'll make outrageous claims because they know they can only succeed by scaring the American people," he said. "We cannot allow people to use religious freedom as a basis to discriminate against an LGBT individual." Related data The Equality Act's supporters, including people of faith, argue that a large majority of Americans support civil rights protections for members of the LGBTQ community. They describe the bill as a common sense measure that's been needed for years. "I've seen firsthand the need for this in states" across the country, the Rev. Butler said. A new analysis from Public Religion Research Institute appears to support these claims about the bill's popularity. It found widespread support for the nondiscrimination protections offered in the Equality Act. "Nearly 7 in 10 (69 percent) Americans favor laws that would protect (LGBTQ) people from discrimination in the job market, public accommodations and housing," according to the analysis. This support holds "across virtually all demographic groups and geographical locations." Around 8 in 10 Democrats (79 percent) and 56 percent of Republicans favor LGBTQ nondiscrimination laws, the institute reported. The same is true for majorities of all major religious groups, including white mainline Protestants (71 percent), white evangelical Protestants (54 percent) and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (70 percent.) However, around half of U.S. adults (46 percent) also support owners of wedding-related businesses who, for religious reasons, don't want to serve same-sex couples, according to an earlier Public Religion Research Institute report. If the Equality Act passes, these business owners would be required to serve gay couples. "I dont think this bill reflects the both/and consensus of the majority of Americans," Schultz said. He believes most people would prefer legislation that protects members of the LGBTQ community and religious objectors to same-sex marriage at the same time. "This is a real missed opportunity," he said. "There is a better way forward that would appeal to a much broader swatch of Americans and, therefore, their elected officials." What to expect Cicilline has introduced the Equality Act twice before, but he and sponsor Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., predict this year will be different. Not only do they have 239 co-sponsors in the House and 47 in the Senate, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has made passage of the bill a top priority in the Democratically controlled chamber. "So here we are today proud to stand with members from both sides of the Capitol to take a momentous step toward full equality for LGBTQ Americans and for our country," Pelosi said. She and Cicilline mentioned the Defense Departments new rules, unveiled this week, barring transgender troops and military recruits from transitioning to another sex to underscore the need for the measure. In its current form, the Equality Act is unlikely to receive broad, bipartisan support. One House Republican, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, and one GOP Senate member, Sen. Susan Collins, are backing the measure, but its prospects in the Republican-controlled Senate look dim. "I continue to have concerns that the Equality Act has serious flaws namely its failure to protect religious liberty, said Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah. Following the news conference, Cicilline explained the bill would give to the LGBTQ community the same protections and exemptions given to other protected classes and not take anything away from religious groups. "I don't think faith groups have any reason to be afraid of this bill," he said. "The Civil Rights Act does some very careful balancing between two important values, freedom of religion and freedom from discrimination, and we think it strikes the right balance and the Equality Act will continue that." Schultz and other religious freedom advocates disagree. The Civil Rights Act passed because lawmakers worked hard to balance competing concerns. The Equality Act, on the other hand, is only concerned with the needs of the LGBTQ community, they said. "It's really unlikely to imagine a bill that is one-sided will ever achieve that kind of broad, bipartisan buy-in," Schultz said. Predictions like Schultz's won't stop the bill's religious supporters from mobilizing on its behalf. The Rev. Butler and others are calling for faith leaders to sign a letter in support of the Equality Act and call on Congress to pass it quickly. "We believe equality is a right. Our nations laws must uphold our values of loving and caring for our LGBTQ neighbors as ourselves," the letter reads. SALT LAKE CITY Days after Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski filed a lawsuit challenging the state's creation of the Utah Inland Port Authority, the Legislature passed a bill that would allow the port to expand into rural areas of the state, sending it to Gov. Gary Herbert's desk. The votes to approve the bill 21-5 in the Senate and 57-10 in the House came after a final tweak to HB433 in the Senate that appeared to needle the mayor for her suit. Biskupski filed her legal challenge Monday, citing a need to act before the Utah Legislature passed HB433, which before Wednesday included language that would prohibit a mayor from legally challenging the port authority's creation without permission from a city council. On the Senate floor, port authority board member and Senate sponsor of the bill, Sen. Gregg Buxton, R-Roy, pushed an amendment to the bill to remove that language. Seemingly as a jab at Biskupski, bill sponsor House Majority Leader Rep. Francis Gibson, R-Mapleton, drew scattered chuckles from the House floor when he said "last night I was laying in bed" when he made the decision to ask Buxton make the amendment and "allow the mayor to sue the inland port." But Salt Lake City Council Chairman Charlie Luke told the Deseret News the amendment had "nothing to do with the mayor suing or not," and rather it was a result of discussions with Gibson that determined the language was "not necessary." After Biskupski's suit was filed, the language essentially became moot, he said. "My position and the council's position has been we can do this without a lawsuit. The port is happening," Luke said. "That was a decision that the mayor was supportive of until her negotiations fell apart last year, and then all of a sudden she's opposed to it." Luke said the council is still "looking over" the lawsuit. Asked if the council plans to intervene in the courts, he said, "we're looking at all options." "What (the mayor) chooses to do is up to her," Luke said. "Our position has been consistent from the start. We just want to make sure that whatever happens, we're able to mitigate those impacts as much as possible." The mayor's spokesman, Matthew Rojas, said the bill's amendment has no impact on Biskuspki's legal challenge, and she has "no intention of withdrawing the lawsuit." "The removed language was not a part of the lawsuit," Rojas said. "Rather, the mayor is challenging the heart of the legislation, which usurps the citys land use and taxing authority, which the mayor and others believe violates the Utah Constitution." The Salt Lake City Council and Biskupski have clashed since last year, after council members negotiated with state leaders to make changes to the legislation that created the port authority, despite city protests. Biskupski, after negotiations with Herbert stalled, has since stood firm on her position not to negotiate on a bill she says has been "designed to incrementally force Salt Lake City to bend to the Legislature's will." A statement issued from Paul Edwards, Herbert's deputy chief of staff, indicated the governor is supportive of the bill, but hinted at future changes. The inland port is a once-in-a-generation economic development opportunity for the entire state, and because of its importance, we suspect that we will be modifying and improving it for years to come," Edwards said. "Like much legislation, this has improved as it has gone through the deliberative process. We appreciate how this legislation extends throughout the state increased opportunities for commercial development. Gibson's bill allows the port authority to expand its reach outside of its already 16,000-acre jurisdiction spanning west of the Salt Lake City International Airport and partner with other cities, counties or landowners. The aim of the bill is to create a "hub-and-spoke" model, Gibson has said, where the where the main hub would exist in Salt Lake City, and spokes would branch out to other rural areas where exports such as hay or coal could clear international customs without being hauled all the way to Utah's capital. Gibson's bill surfaced after officials from rural areas began expressing a desire to partner with the Utah Inland Port Authority to maximize export business. Some environmental groups and concerned residents have protested HB433, worried it will only increase truck traffic and aggravate Wasatch Front air quality while increasing exports of fossil fuels, while others groups have taken up a neutral position on the bill after negotiating some clean energy incentives within the legislation. Deeda Seed, a former Salt Lake City councilwoman and a campaigner with the Center for Biological Diversity who has been a loud critic of the port, decried HB433's final approval. "Unfortunately, this legislation expands the reach of the port authority, an unelected, unaccountable body, which now has the power to give tax breaks to the fossil fuel industry and other private entities throughout the state," Deed said, contending the "goal of the port authority seems to be to "subsidize the development of fossil fuel transloading facilities." "These types of facilities are dangerous, handling volatile materials, contributing to air pollution and causing other harms to neighboring communities," Seed said. "As Utah faces the consequences of polluted air and climate change, the last thing we should be doing is subsidizing industries that will contribute to both." But Derek Miller, port authority board chairman and president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber, thanked the bill's sponsors, the Salt Lake City Council, Utah's rural communities, and other groups who contributed to HB433's drafting. "This bill will advance the Utah Inland Port project and benefit Utah and its residents," Miller said. "HB433 will expand economic opportunities statewide, encourage investment and accountability for clean air, and open trade to international areas for our growing state. The Utah House on Wednesday also gave final passage to SB144, a bill sponsored by Sen. Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, which would establish baseline environmental conditions in the inland port area and enable environmental impacts to be monitored throughout the port's development and the airport's expansion. "This will help the public understand that we're serious about doing air quality things with inland port and setting a basis and really truly working to make sure that our inland port is a quality port with quality air controls," Buxton said on the Senate floor earlier this week. Luke said the Salt Lake City Council's "paramount focus from the start has been on both the environmental and the financial costs" of the port" and "our position all along has been to work directly with the Legislature to try to make incremental changes that are in the best interest of Salt Lake City residents. "Both of these bills do that," Luke said. SALT LAKE CITY A bill to incrementally raise the age for tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, to 21 passed through the Utah Legislature Wednesday with a 15-12 vote in the Senate and a 55-16 concurrence vote in the House. HB324, sponsored by Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy, changes the age from 19 to 20 on July 1, 2020, and to 21 one year later. The bill raises the age for "obtaining, possessing, using, providing, or furnishing of tobacco products, paraphernalia, and under certain circumstances, electronic cigarettes." Arguments around this bill has centered on the debate of preemption, with cancer advocates speaking against an early version of the bill. The bill that passed made only one amendment to preemption language in current code, adding the minimum age of sale to what cannot be modified by cities and counties. Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, the Senate sponsor of the bill, said this compromise would allow cities that have already raised the age for sale of tobacco, including Lehi and Cedar Hills, to keep the age at 21 instead of following the incremental age increase in the state. "It won't preempt what they've already done. If they want to be more restrictive on smoking, they can," Bramble said. In a Senate committee meeting, representatives from businesses and some senators on the committee expressed concerns that not having preemption in the bill would create varying laws across the state. The bill makes an exception for active members of the military and their spouses. The substitute bill passed in the Senate clarifies that military members can legally possess tobacco the law previously said they could legally purchase at 18 but did not address possession or use. Sen. Deidre Henderson, R-Spanish Fork, spoke against the military exception, saying it "befuddles" her to say we don't want smoking under 21 but create an exception. "I just think if its good for them then maybe we should give this decision-making ability to all the adults in the state," Henderson said. Senate Minority Whip Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, disagreed and said it creates consistency for those in service who are moving from one place to another, saying they ask for this type of exemption. Changing the age for tobacco to 21 has obtained wide support from tobacco companies and health organizations, with statistics showing 95 percent of smokers become addicted before the age of 21, according to Eliason. A statement from Juul, an electronic cigarette company, says, "Tobacco 21 laws have been shown to dramatically reduce youth smoking rates, which is why we strongly support raising the minimum purchase age for all tobacco products, including vaping products like JUUL, to 21 in Utah." The bill will now go to Gov. Gary Herbert for his signature. SALT LAKE CITY A resolution to make slavery and involuntary servitude illegal in Utah passed unanimously through the Legislature Wednesday. The Utah constitution does prohibit slavery, but it adds a clause that says "except as punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted." The bill sponsored, Rep. Sandra Hollins, D-Salt Lake City, would remove that clause making slavery completely illegal according to the state constitution. Hollins said in a committee meeting this clause was added to the U.S. Constitution to fill a labor shortage by leasing out prisoners. The language currently remains in the U.S. constitution and constitutions for other states. The resolution was amended to add language clarifying the change would not affect community service through the criminal justice system. A ballot measure will be presented in the 2020 election, and the change to the state constitution will be made if it is approved by a majority of voters. WASHINGTON In a stunning rebuke, a dozen defecting Republicans joined Senate Democrats Thursday to block the national emergency that President Donald Trump declared so he could build his border wall with Mexico. The rejection capped a week of confrontation with the White House as both parties in Congress strained to exert their power in new ways. The 59-41 tally, following the Senate's vote a day earlier to end U.S. involvement in the war in Yemen, promised to force Trump into the first vetoes of his presidency. Trump had warned against both actions. Moments after Thursday's vote, the president tweeted a single word of warning: "VETO!" Two years into the Trump era, a defecting dozen Republicans, pushed along by Democrats, showed a willingness to take that political risk. Twelve GOP senators, including the party's 2012 presidential nominee, Mitt Romney of Utah, joined the dissent over the emergency declaration order that would enable the president to seize for the wall billions of dollars Congress intended elsewhere. "The Senate's waking up a little bit to our responsibilities," said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who said the chamber had become "a little lazy" as an equal branch of government. "I think the value of these last few weeks is to remind the Senate of our constitutional place." Many senators said the vote was not necessarily a rejection of the president or the wall, but protections against future presidents -- namely a Democrat who might want to declare an emergency on climate change, gun control or any number of other issues. "This is constitutional question, it's a question about the balance of power that is core to our constitution," Romney said. "This is not about the president," he added. "The president can certainly express his views as he has and individual senators can express theirs." Thursday's vote was the first direct challenge to the 1976 National Emergencies Act, just as Wednesday's on Yemen was the first time Congress invoked the decades-old War Powers Act to try to rein in a president. Seven Republicans joined Democrats in halting U.S. backing for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in the aftermath of the kingdom's role in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Even though there's not likely to be enough numbers to override a veto, the votes nevertheless sent a message from Capitol Hill. "Today's votes cap a week of something the American people haven't seen enough of in the last two years," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, "both parties in the United States Congress standing up to Donald Trump." The result is a role-reversal for Republicans who have been reluctant to take on Trump, bracing against his high-profile tweets and public attacks of reprimand. But now they are facing challenges from voters in some states where senators face stiff elections -- who are expecting more from Congress. Centrist Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins, who's among those most vulnerable in 2020, said she's sure the president "will not be happy with my vote. But I'm a United States senator and I feel my job is to stand up for the Constitution, so let the chips fall where they may." Trump's grip on the party, though, remains strong and the White House made it clear that Republicans resisting Trump could face political consequences. Ahead of the voting, Trump framed the issue as with-him-or-against-him on border security, a powerful argument with many. "A vote for today's resolution by Republican Senators is a vote for Nancy Pelosi, Crime, and the Open Border Democrats!" Trump tweeted. "Don't vote with Pelosi!" he said in another, referring to the speaker of the House. A White House official said Trump won't forget when senators who oppose him want him to attend fundraisers or provide other help. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on internal deliberations. "I don't think anybody's sending the president a message," said Jim Risch of Idaho, the GOP chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He blamed the media for "reaching" to view every action "through the prism of the presidency, and that isn't necessarily the way it works here." Trump brought on the challenge months ago when he all but dared Congress not to give him the $5.7 billion he was demanding to build the U.S.-Mexico wall or risk a federal government shutdown. Congress declined and the result was the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Against the advice of GOP leaders, Trump invoked the national emergency declaration last month, allowing him to try to tap some $3.6 billion for the wall by shuffling money from military projects, and that drew outrage from many lawmakers. Trump had campaigned for president promising Mexico would pay for the wall. The Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse, and lawmakers seethed as they worried about losing money for military projects that had already been approved for bases at home and abroad. The Democratic-led House swiftly voted to terminate Trump's order. Senate Republicans spent weeks trying to avoid this outcome, up until the night before the vote, in a script that was familiar -- up until the gavel. The most promising was an effort from Sen. Mike Lee of Utah for legislation that would impose limits on future presidential actions. That would give senators some solace as they allowed Trump's order to stand. GOP senators huddled with Vice President Mike Pence and seemed optimistic the White House might support their plan. Then Trump called Lee in the middle of a private Republican lunch meeting and, in the time it took the senator to step out of the room to take the call, it was over. Trump was opposed. Lee and other senators were peeling off against the president. In a last-ditch effort the night before the vote, Lindsey Graham and other senators dashed to the White House to try once again for Trump's support to broker an alternative plan. Trump was frustrated by their arrival. They mostly failed. Trump did tweet ahead of the vote that he would be willing to consider legislation to adjust the 1976 law at some later time. That was enough of a signal for GOP Sen. Thom Tillis, who faces a potentially tough re-election in North Carolina, to flip his vote, according to a person unauthorized to discuss the private thinking and granted anonymity. Tillis had been one of the first senators to say he would oppose the declaration, writing in a Washington Post opinion column last month that there'd be "no intellectual honesty" in backing Trump after his repeated objections about executive overreach by President Barack Obama. But on Thursday, he did. Trump's public support in that tweet also helped bring on board several other Republicans, including Ted Cruz and Ben Sasse, who had been part of the private huddles, the person said. For some, said Sen. John Thune, the GOP whip, "the emergency declaration was just a bridge too far." ___ Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Jill Colvin, Padmananda Rama and Andrew Taylor in Washington and Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, contributed. LAYTON A Layton homeowner who shot and killed a former friend an Idaho Falls police officer inside his house may have known something was about to happen, new court documents suggest. On Feb. 21, Blaine Reed, 35, was fatally shot after Layton police say he entered a home uninvited at 312 W. Park Ave. Reed confronted the homeowner "about a relationship he believed the homeowner was having with his ex-girlfriend," said Layton Police Lt. Travis Lyman. "A physical altercation ensued between the two men, and the homeowner shot the man several times," he said. The homeowner, Jared Pemberton, 35, called 911 after the shooting, and after being questioned by detectives, he was not arrested. "(He) told dispatch that the intruder was a man he knew as an old friend named Blaine Reed. (He) told dispatch Blaine was not conscious and not responsive," according to a search warrant affidavit filed in 2nd District Court. Reed was shot at least twice, police say. Pemberton told dispatchers he didn't know how many times he had shot him, according to the affidavit. As of Thursday, no charges have been filed in the shooting case. Layton police said Thursday they are wrapping up their investigation and will present their case to the Davis County Attorney's Office next week for a review. A female not identified in court documents told investigators that she arrived at the house shortly before the shooting and was warned by the homeowner to leave. "(He) advised her that she should leave the home because Blaine had threatened to drive to his home and shoot him in the head," the affidavit states. A second witness, a man not identified in court documents, told police that he arrived at the Layton home and saw Reed "walk out of the front door screaming on a cellphone." That man "described Blaine walking away from the residence and then walking back to the front door and then inside of the home, all while on a cellphone yelling loudly. Witness 2 states approximately 30 seconds later he and Witness 1 hear approximately three shots from inside of the home," according to the warrant. When officers arrived at the house, "spent shell casings and other firearms (were) in plain sight throughout the home. It is unknown if any of the firearms observed in the home were used in the shooting," the affidavit states. Pemberton had told emergency dispatchers that he put his gun in a safe after the shooting, according to police. The warrant was for detectives to search Reed's phone and Pemberton's phone to see what communication transpired between the two before the deadly confrontation. Reed was on administrative leave from the Idaho Falls Police Department at the time he was killed. He was hired by Idaho Falls police in December of 2015. On Oct. 12, he was involved in a domestic violence incident, according to court records. As a result, he was reassigned to a position performing non-law enforcement duties around the office. On Nov. 20, Reed was formally placed on leave from the department, according to Idaho Falls police. He was charged Dec. 21 with attempted strangulation and assault, according to Jefferson County court records. Reed received the Idaho Falls Police Department's LifeSaving Award in 2016 for saving a 25yearold man who had overdosed on drugs, according to the East Idaho News. The paper reported that prior to joining the Idaho Falls department, Reed worked seven years with the Fremont County Sheriff's Office. SALT LAKE CITY Stronger beer could be on its way to Utah grocery and convenience stores later this year. The Senate passed a bill 27-1 on Thursday that raises the allowable alcohol content for beer on store shelves from 3.2 percent by weight to 4 percent. The House overwhelmingly approved SB132 on Wednesday. It now goes to governor. Only Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, voted against the measure, saying he's "concerned about kids who get alcohol either from their parents or either steal it." Hillyard also noted that state-run liquor stores would lose revenue that funds Utah's school lunch program because some beers will now be sold in grocery stores instead. He suggested a "minimal" tax increase on beer to offset the loss. Sen. Don Ipson, R-St. George, said beer drinkers will continue to buy beer at the same places they do now. "I dont think we're going to change habits one bit by doing this," he said. The bill came about as a compromise between legislators and proponents of raising the alcohol content allowed in stores to 4.8 percent. It includes creation of a working group to study whether Utah should go to 4.8. The law would take effect Nov. 1. Ireland pledges 25 million to the Syria Crisis in 2019 Press release Ireland pledges 25 million to the Syria Crisis in 2019 The Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D. has reiterated Irelands support for those most affected by the ongoing crisis in Syria. Today at the Brussels conference on Supporting the future of Syria and the region, Ireland pledged a further 25 million in humanitarian assistance which will help address pressing needs. This brings Irelands total contribution to the humanitarian response for the Syria crisis to over 140 million since 2012, our largest response to any single crisis. The Tanaiste said: The conflict in Syria has created one of the worst humanitarian crises of our time, affecting both Syria and its neighbours. Over 11.7 million people in Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance, while over 5.6 million Syrian refugees are displaced in the region. Ireland remains committed to the critical life-saving response inside Syria and to the refugee response needs in neighbouring countries. Therefore, in 2019 we will disburse a further 25 million to the Syria Crisis. The Tanaiste added: The roots of this humanitarian tragedy lie in conflict, and it is vital to bring this conflict to a close. Ireland fully supports the work of the UN Special Envoy and his efforts to bring an end to conflict, based on the 2012 Geneva Communique and UN Security Council Resolution 2254. We need a long term, sustainable solution to this conflict. The Tanaiste concluded: Ireland also wishes to acknowledge the efforts of those countries, particularly the neighbouring countries of Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon, who have so generously hosted millions of Syrian refugees. Each of these countries, and their people, have extended a compassionate response to human need. It is our duty as an international community to show support and solidarity for their efforts. ENDS Press Office 14 March 2019 Notes to Editor: - To support the humanitarian response in Syria, the EU and the United Nations are convening the Brussels III Syria Conference, "Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region". The conference aims to further mobilise the international community behind efforts to support the Syrian people and achieve a lasting political solution to the Syria crisis, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. - The crisis is entering its ninth year and humanitarian needs remain acute. 11.7 million people in Syria remain in need of some form of humanitarian aid and protection. Some 6.2 million people, 2.8 million of whom are children, continue to live in protracted displacement inside Syria. - In addition, more than 6.6 million people have fled Syria. Currently there are 3.4 million Syrian refugees in Turkey, 949,000 in Lebanon, 672,000 in Jordan, 252,000 in Iraq and 133,000 in Egypt. Since the crisis began in 2011, close to a million people have fled to Europe. Many families have been displaced multiple times, further depleting their limited coping mechanisms and exacerbating vulnerability. - Todays pledge will bring Irelands humanitarian assistance to the Syria Crisis to more than 140 million since 2012 our largest response to any single crisis. Irelands assistance in 2019 will be channelled through a range of trusted partners, including United Nations agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and NGOs. Activities supported will cover Syria and the neighbouring countries of Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. Previous Item | Next Item 50 countries around the world have now banned the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft after the deadly Ethiopian Airlines plane crash. The planes control system is under investigation following the latest crash, but back in October 2018, another fatal Lion Air cra Highlights: Following the Ethiopian Aircraft crash, 50 countries have banned Boeing 737 MAX aircrafts. The problem is said to have occurred in the flight's Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System. Boeing has been aware of the issue since last year's Lion Air crash. This past Sunday proved to be fatal for all 157 passengers and crew aboard a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft belonging to Ethiopian Airlines. The flight crashed near Bishoftu, Ethiopia six minutes after it took off from Bole International Airport. The tragedy has sparked a worldwide ban on Boeings 737 MAX airplane, which was also part of another deadly crash back in October 2018, when a Lion Air flight crashed in the Java Sea, killing 189 people. Following the latest incident, China was the first country to ban Boeings 737 MAX aircrafts and by now 50 countries, including India, US, Canada, Australia, Italy, Greece, France, New Zealand and more, have grounded the 737 MAX 8 and in some cases, all aircrafts in the line. Boeing 737 Max 8 Specs The Boeing 737 Max 8 was first commissioned by Malindo Airlines in 2017. It is 39.2m in length and 12.2m in height, with a wingspan of 35.9m. It has a range of 3550 nautical miles and can carry 210 passengers onboard. The engine on the aircraft is a LEAP-1B made by CFM International, which has a thrust range of 23,00028,000 pound-force. The same engine features on all other 737 MAX aircrafts. The Boeing aircraft costs a whopping $121mn - $200mn. What went wrong? In both, the Ethiopian Airline Crash and the Lion Air crash from last year, the Boeing 737 MAX aircrafts reportedly experienced issues with their control systems. Both flights crashed barely minutes after they took off and are said to have experienced erratic ascends, vertical nose-down descends before the crashes occurred. In case of Lion Air, investigations pointed out to a problem in the flights Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System or MCAS. This sophisticated system was first introduced in 737 MAX airplanes to address a stalling issue. Lets talk about why Boeing introduced MCAS in the first place. When the 737 Max jets were developed, engineers had to place much larger and more fuel efficient engines on the plane under the wings of the aircraft. The engines were moved up and placed higher, extending the nose landing gear. What this did was give Boeing the desired fuel consumption, but made the nose of the aircraft pointed upwards. It created a danger of stalling by making the plane reach a critical angle of attack. To solve this issue, Boeing introduced MCAS. Put simply, the system is designed to make the nose of the 737 MAX point downwards in stall situations. MCAS is activated automatically when it recognises a steep turning and increased Angle of Attack with flaps up and autopilot shut off. It is designed to stabilise the aircraft until it reaches an appropriate Angle of Attack. In case of the Lion Air crash, the Boeing 737 MAX is said to have had a faulty sensor, situated outside of the fuselage, which switched on the MCAS system when it was not needed. The same issue is suspected to have occured when the Ethiopian airline flight went down. Last year, Boeing was accused of not informing pilots of multiple airlines after introducing MCAS on the 737 MAX aircrafts. Some pilots had also filed complaints with the company saying that the nose of the 737 MAX suddenly went down after engaging autopilot, which should not happen since MCAS only comes into play when autopilot is switched off. In fact, after the lion air incident, Boeing had themselves warned pilots that the signals produced by the sensor which automatically deploys MCAS can be wrong sometimes and has issued a bulletin instructing pilots how to shut off MCAS if this ever happens On March 12, the Boeing announced that it will be issuing a flight control software upgrade for the 737 MAX fleet and deploy it on all aircrafts in the coming weeks. This will become mandatory by April and no 737 MAX aircrafts will be allowed to fly before the upgrade. Aftermath of Boeing 737 MAX grounding in India In India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered the immediate grounding of all Boeing 737 MAX aircrafts on Tuesday, causing a major commotion at the IGI Airport. No 737 Max aircrafts are allowed to take off or pass through the Indian airspace. Spicejet is the only Airline in India which has operational 737 MAX aircrafts and the airline has now grounded all of its fleet belonging to this series from Boeing. The market research firm also says that more than a billion feature phones will be sold globally over next three years and India will be largest market in terms of potential feature phone volumes. Highlights: India leads in refurbished smartphone as well as feature phone markets. The refurbished smartphone market saw a decline globally. In next three years, over a billion feature phones are predicted to be sold globally. India registered the maximum growth of 14 percent even as global markets cumulatively registered a decline in the refurbished smartphone segment in 2018, Counterpoint Research said in its Refurbished Smartphone Tracker. The firm said that the refurbished smartphones market slowed to 1 percent year-over-year growth in 2018, reaching close to 140 million units. It attributed the slowdown to the 11 percent drop in new smartphone sales in China and the US. The US and China markets saw lower upgrade cycles in 2018, which affected the flow of devices into the secondary market. In addition, China and US trade tensions held up devices in customs much longer than normal. This was especially true during the first half of the year, Tom Kang, Research Director at Counterpoint Research, said in a statement. The India market grew 14% to almost 14 million refurbished devices. This is an impressive number because the refurbished market ecosystem remains nascent in the country and 72% of devices in India do not go into the secondary market, Kang added. The research firm said Apple and Samsung dominated the refurbished market with 70 percent market share, and Huawei is growing in popularity. Further, the market research firm said that globally, the feature phone segment is expected to generate around $16 billion cumulatively in wholesale hardware revenues over the next three years. India remains the largest market in terms of potential feature phone volumes followed by Bangladesh and Nigeria, Counterpoint Research said, adding that in 2019, a little more than 400 million feature phones will be sold globally. Further, feature phone shipments are expected to cross one billion units by 2021. India and the Middle East Africa region will see cumulative shipments of around 800 million feature phones out of more than one billion global feature phone shipments over the next three years, Peter Richardson, Research Director at Counterpoint Research, added. The firm attributes the growth to the revival of the Nokia-branded features phones and the popularity of the Jio Phone. The Jio Phone uses KaiOS as the operating system. KaiOS has also been expanding its reach in Africa. There are more than three billion people across the world who live on an income of less than US$2.50 per day. This segment can neither afford a smartphone nor the data services demanded by the growing advancement in smartphone use-cases. Thus, a feature phone, coupled with basic mobile services has been the go-to offering for these users to communicate and connect. Most of these users are prevalent across Africa, parts of Asia and Latin America, Tarun Pathak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, noted. Related Read: Smart feature phones to create $28bn revenue opportunity in next three years: Counterpoint HMD Global has listed 12 devices of the entire portfolio and it claims that the phones are free of brominated and chlorinated compounds, and antimony trioxide, PVC and nickel on the product surface. Highlights: HMD Global lists environmental profiles of selected Nokia phones. The company claims that these products are free from substances like PVC. It is also claimed that the phones are made of renewable materials. At a time when tech giants are putting their words into action in terms of adopting an environment-friendly approach, HMD Global is also doing its bit. The Finnish tech giant, which sells Nokia-branded phones, has listed the environmental profiles of certain phones on its website. The listing provides information on the materials and substances used in manufacturing of a certain phone. Phones in HMD Global's environment friendly list include Nokia 5.1, Nokia 3.1, Nokia 2.1, Nokia 1 and othe Nokia feature phones. The company has listed only 12 of the entire portfolio of Nokia devices and none of them are flagship phones. Almost all the devices that are listed seem to strictly follow environment-friendly principles and are claimed to be free of harmful substances. The listing says that the materials and substances used in the manufacturing of the phones are free of brominated and chlorinated compounds as well as antimony trioxide. Reportedly, they also do not contain PVC and are free of nickel on the product surface. The listing also claims that the said phones are made of renewable materials, that is, they contain nearly 32 percent recycled material and the packaging is 100 percent recyclable. The company mentions that all materials used in the phones can be recovered as materials and energy. Earlier this year, a finding caused a stir in the smartphone industry claiming that Xiaomi and OnePlus devices emit maximum radiation. Xiaomi phones were the most preferred devices in the mid-segment market, while OnePlus phones were the most popular in the sub-Rs 40,000 segment in India last year. Though the findings were based on the criteria set by the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (Bundesamt fur Strahlenschutz), it raised alarm bells in India as well. The report forced Xiaomi and OnePlus to issue a statement claiming that they follow the norms set by Indian authorities. Last year, a report said that smartphones cause maximum damage to the environment. A study from researchers at McMaster University (via Fast Company) said that with a two-year average life cycle, theyre more or less disposable. The problem is that building a new smartphoneand specifically, mining the rare materials inside themrepresents 85 percent to 95 percent of the devices total carbon dioxide emissions for two years. That means buying one new phone takes as much energy as recharging and operating a smartphone for an entire decade, the study found. The researchers also found that phones with larger screens have a worse carbon footprint than the ones with the smaller screens. To take part in preventing the worsening of the planets environment, the researchers say that people can use their phones for longer durations. Using a smartphone for three years instead of two can make a considerable impact to your own carbon footprint, simply because no one has to mine the rare materials for a phone you already own, they say. (Digit.in has reached out to HMD Global on why only select smartphones are included in the list. Well update the article if and when we hear back from the company.) Related Read: Xiaomi, OnePlus smartphones comply with Indian SAR rules: All you need to know about smartphone radiation A conversation with Qualcomm's imaging head Mr Judd Heape revealed camera vendors are planning to announce 100MP camera sensors later this year. Should you get excited? Highlights: Qualcomm revealed smartphone camera sensor makers are expected to annouce 100MP and above cameras later this year. The higher pixel count will be achieved by shrinking the pixel size. Qualcomm has already enabled support for 192MP snapshot in a range of Snapdragon chipsets. The megapixel war among smartphone OEMs might have stagnated for a while with 16MP and 12MP cameras having become the norm for the past few years. However, ever since the flagship 48MP camera sensors from Sony and Samsung have hit the market, the megapixel wars have been revived once again. But 48MP is not where it ends, it seems. In an interaction with Qualcomms Senior Director of Product Management, Judd Heape, Digit.in learnt that camera sensor vendors are already working on higher megapixel sensors due to launch later this year. Mr Heape said Qualcomm is expecting camera sensors a little above 100-megapixels to hit the market later this year, with devices implementing the large-format sensors in 2020. Furthermore, he revealed that 2020 will see the megapixel count jump to the mid-100s. Qualcomm recently added support for snapshots in 192-megapixel resolution in a range of Snapdragon 6-series, 7-series and 8-series chipsets. Mr Heape demystified the high number by saying that this is the upper limit of the ISP. Provided the OEM doesnt want to use features like zero-shutter lag and multi-frame noise reduction, the ISP can output images of up to 192-megapixel. That doesnt mean camera vendors will be releasing 192MP camera sensor just yet. However, we were told that while 192MP cameras will not be a possibility in the near future, Qualcomm is expecting camera sensors with 100MP resolution and above to hit the market later this year. When asked about how the camera sensors will accommodate so many pixels without increasing the size of the camera sensor beyond acceptable limits, Mr Heape said that vendors will attempt to shrink the size of the individual pixels further to make room for more pixels. He also expects sensor sizes to increase, but not by much. Vendors will try to keep the sensor size within acceptable range, but he didnt overrule the possibility of a 1-inch sensor later in the future for smartphones. Having said that, Mr Heape, who is an expert in the field of camera optics and image processing, doesnt really support the method camera vendors are adopting to improve the pixel count in smartphone cameras. According to him, no one really needs anything over 48MP. The 48MP sensors cause problems with power consumption and throw storage issues. Achieving a higher pixel count by shrinking the pixels further (the 48MP sensors from Sony and Samsung already have pixel sizes shrunk to 0.8 microns) might lead to lesser light being captured, which might ultimately be counterproductive. Instead, he wishes camera vendors should focus more on improving the quality of the individual pixels and offer bigger, better pixels rather than shrinking them to accommodate more pixels in cameras. However, he was also quick to point out that by having a larger pixel count, OEMs wont just win a self-defined race of putting a higher number on the box of their devices, but also use the higher number of pixels to achieve better low-light photos. This is by using what Qualcomm is calling the binnned mode which essentially combines four pixels into one to achieve light sensitivity thats four times higher. However, the resulting output resolution is cut down by a factor of 4. This is something that we are presently witnessing in 48MP camera phones like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro and the Honor View 20. Both of which output photos in 12-megapixel resolution by default. It uses pixel binning to achieve this and according to the OEMs, this leads to higher dynamic range, better clarity and more sharpness. 48MP As for the support for 192MP cameras, Qualcomm did update the spec-sheet of the Snapdragon 670, 675, 710, 712, 845 and the 855. However, the company clarified that there was no change made to the ISP or the DSP to support the higher resolution. The support was in fact there from the beginning and can be made use of by OEMs, provided there is a 192MP camera sensor for them to implement. Presently, Sony makes a 100-megapixel camera sensor thats 53.7mm x 40.4mm in size. Its much, much larger than the standard camera sensors sizes used in smartphones. Using a sensor larger than the present range can lead to smartphones becoming thicker. Theres also need for larger and longer focal length lenses to cover the larger sensors, which doesnt seem to be physically possible in smartphones considering the lenses are integrated and mostly flushed to the phones body. While 100-megapixel camera sensors do sound like a big thing and they will certainly be hyped up by OEMs when they do hit the market, we will side with Qualcomm in this case and bat for larger, better pixels than a higher pixel count on smartphones. Related Reads: Qualcomm adds support for 192MP camera sensors in 6-series, 7-series and 8-series chipsets Subscriber content preview By JUANA SUMMERS and ELLIS RUA Associated Press MIAMI Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz on Wednesday offered his vision for what an independent presidency could look like, even though he still hasn't decided whether to enter the White House race himself. In a speech at Miami Dade College, Schultz laid out his plans for protecting democracy and free enterprise and sought to show how a president elected outside the two-party system could repair the current dysfunction in Washington. . . . Subscriber content preview MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) University of Idaho officials are asking the State Board of Education to allow the school to loan itself $29 million for a new arena. If approved, the move will fully fund the Idaho Central Credit Union Arena. . . . Heres a fact: the number of billionaires in the world has doubled in the last 10 years. That means more big wig press conferences, more opulent holidays, ever more enticing luxury cruises, and some darn high expectations when it comes to air travel. Not surprisingly, the airlines of the world have catered to this growing demographic, raking in upwards of $17,000 per First Class ticket. Until now. As the rideshare concept has been introduced to private jets (where members buy all you can fly memberships for $3,000 a month), and as the quality of business class seats has soared, passengers who value comfort are going with Business. As Simple Flying, an airline reviewer, puts it: Essentially, business class has become so good that there is rarely much of a point of difference to First (apart from the chunk of change). Meanwhile, those that still hanker after true luxury have started buying private jetsor fighting for the shrinking number of First Class tickets on offer. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Immanuel Debeer Flight Hacks (@flighthacks) on Nov 13, 2018 at 6:08pm PST According to the OAG (the worlds largest network of air travel data), over the last 10 years, the number of first-class sales hasEmirates notwithstandingfallen across the board. As you can see, everyone from Delta Airlines to Korean Air have reduced their First Class capacity, with United Airlines and Lufthansa making the most drastic cuts. And while British Airways reduction was relatively minor, its symbolic significance is major, as it was one of the first airlines to introduce First Class, all the way back in 1995. So why has this happened? Well, back when First Class was invented, just flying itself was seen as the ultimate luxurythose who didnt have cash to burn went by car, train or boat. But then Economy was created to make it accessible to the masses, as well as Business, as Simple Flying puts it, For the mid-level executive who needed to fly refreshed, but who was not the CEO. Ever since Airlines have tried to differentiate first class with features like showers and bars (see Etihads The ResidenceFirst Class by another name), but this has failed (stats dont lie) to truly make First class worth the hefty price tag. Unless youre interested in status, or you have more money than you know what to do with, First Class isnt worth it. And as The Economists Adrian Wooldridge points out: First Class can be costly for a whole nother reason: Rather than relaxing over my meal and a film, I had to constantly fend off my valets unwanted attentions. But since he was such a charming fellow, I didnt have the nerve to tell him to leave me alone. As we landed I entertained myself by studying the elaborate handset on my seat. It was only then that I noticed that the button marked immediate service required had been left in the on position. As customers have realised this, Airlines have had to adapt, focussing more on their Business class offerings. For those that fly business, this is great news; both classes have had lie-flat seats for a long time, but if this trend continues then business class suites with privacy doors (like Qatars QSuite) are likely to become the norm. Heres hoping. Read Next Theft of sensitive Rafale papers undermines national security, govt tells SC Those who conspired by making photocopies of the sensitive Rafale documents and used those in the review petition (of SC's December 14 verdict) have thereby committed theft, adversely affecting the security, sovereignty and friendly relations with a foreign country, the defence ministry stated in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court today. The action of petitioners, who wanted a review of the verdict in the Rafale case, has brought classified documents into public domain, putting national security at risk the government told the apex court. Referring to The Hindu publishing sensitive Rafale documents, the affidavit stated that such unauthorised photocopying of secret documents amounted to theft. The defence ministry said the petitioners have no right to use sensitive Rafale documents, which only endangered national security and vitiated relations with a friendly country. The defence ministry filed the affidavit after getting the Supreme Courts permission to present its case following the filing of review petitions filed in the court by former BJP leaders Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie and noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan. A defence ministry spokesman also justified an earlier stand taken by the Attorney General KK Venugopal that the papers were stolen. Venugopal later stated that the petitioners have photocopies of the original papers, which were protected under the Official Secrets Act (OSA). In either case, the defence ministry spokesman said, obtaining the papers through illegal means amounted to theft of secret government documents it is not the papers themseleves, but the contents that mattered. The matter will come up for hearing tomorrow; the SC had earlier adjourned the hearing till 14 March after the government claimed that certain documents pertaining to the deal were stolen from the defence ministry. The government has asked that the petitions in the case - who want a review of the Court's December verdict that gave a clean to the Narendra Modi government over the deal for the fighter jets - be dismissed. The government has also contended that those asking for a review relying on "secret documents" are violating the Official Secrets Act, for which the punishment is jail or fine. "These documents are privileged ones under Officials Secret Act and without the Centre's permission, can't be put in public domain," the government told the court. Those who have photocopied the documents have "offended India's agreement with foreign country" as the agreement has a secrecy clause, the government said. The documents, the court was further told, gives an incomplete picture. China bails out JeM terrorist Masood Azhar for a fourth time in UNSC China on Thursday blocked a fresh move in the United Nations Security Council to designate Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, leaving a major irritant in India-China relations open. The resolution on imposing sanctions on Azhar, moved by France and supported by two other permanent members of the UNSC Britain and the United states failed to get approval at the UNs Islamic State and al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee on account of a member placing the proposal on hold. India expressed gratitude to UNSC members who moved the proposal for Masood Azhars listing and the unprecedented number of all other Security Council members as well as non-members who joined as co-sponsors. A statement issued by the external affairs ministry in New Delhi expressed disappointment at the UNs Islamic State and al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee being unable to come to a decision on the move to sanction Azhar on account of a member placing the proposal on hold. While a UNSC statement did not name the member responsible for the blocking of the move, as per the official protocols followed for the working of the Sanctions Committee, sources confirmed China was behind the technical hold on the listing of Azhar. This has prevented action by the international community to designate the leader of JeM, a proscribed and active terrorist organisation which has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 14 February 2019, the statement said. This is the fourth time China, an all-weather friend of Pakistan, blocks the UN Security Council bid to list Masood Azhar as global terrorist. Chinas decisions are driven more by its economic interests than the need for global peace and harmony among nations. The United States said the failure to list Masood Azhar as terrorist will endanger regional stability and peace. We will continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens are brought to justice, the US statement added. Pakistan has been under growing international pressure to crack down on terror groups, including JeM, operating from its soil. The Pulwama attack escalated tensions between India and Pakistan and added momentum to international moves against the terror group. Beijings latest blocking of the effort to list Azhar raises questions about the0020 apparent upswing in relations with New Delhi after last years informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at Wuhan. Cabinet clears proposal for India's accession to Nice Agreement on trade marks The union cabinet has approved a proposal for Indias accession to the Vienna Agreement on international classification of goods and services for the purposes of registration of marks. The Nice Agreement deals with the international classification of goods and services for the purposes of registration of marks. Besides, the cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its approval to the Vienna Agreement establishing an International Classification of the figurative elements of marks, and the Locarno Agreement establishing an International classification for industrial designs. Accession to the Nice, Vienna and Locarno Agreements will help the Intellectual Property Office in India to harmonise the classification systems for examinational of trademark and design applications, in line with the classification systems followed globally. It would give an opportunity to include Indian designs, figurative elements and goods in the international classification systems. The accession is expected to instill confidence in foreign investors in relation to protection of IPs in India, an official release stated. The accession would also facilitate in exercising rights in decision making processes regarding review and revision of the classifications under the agreement. The normally bustling town of Bundoran came to a solemn standstill on Wednesday as the community said a final farewell to Grace Gilliland who died at the weekend. In welcoming the large crowd to the Funeral Mass at the Church of the Star of the Sea in Bundoran, Canon Ramon Munster told the congregation: You are witnessing something very special here today, you are seeing an angel going home to the Lord. Grace, 23, a daughter of Olga and Neil, suffered from Rett Syndrome, a rare genetic neurological and developmental disorder. She fought this illness with extreme courage and served as an inspiration to everybody who knew her. Indeed throughout her short life she was rarely seen without an infectious smile on her face. Sadly, however, she lost her brave battle with illness on Sunday night. Bundoran was enveloped in a mantle of silence as Grace was carried in her glistening white coffin by members of the fire service to her Funeral Mass. Grace Gilliland with her parents Olga and Neil Shutters were pulled down on all the businesses as people lined the street, many openly shedding tears, and paid their final respects to a young woman who was a symbol of hope and inspiration to everybody she met. Grace met many in her short life. Her story and determination attracted the attention of many well-known people who made a point of visiting her over the years - Johnny Sexton, Brian ODriscoll, Michael Murphy, Ronan Keating, Nathan Carter, Westlife to name but a few. She was instrumental in raising funds for valuable causes. Last year to the very day of her passing, she completed the Cara 10 mile Challenge in Bundoran, raising much-needed funds for a bus for the St. Agnes Day Centre in Donegal town. At Wednesday's celebration of Graces life Canon Munster referred to the number of people who had travelled to Bundoran over the weekend and had a special mention for the Rev, Noel Regan and many of the Church of Ireland community who came to say their final farewells. Today is a sad day as we say farewell to a friend and an angel who has gone home; a person who has left her parents Olga and Neil and everybody who knew her with an infinite amount of goodness, These memories will indeed serve as some form of consolation. I want to say here publically today that Olga and Neill did everything possible to ensure everything possible could be done to ensure Graces comfort and well being. In fact I learned over the weekend that in all the 23 years of her life that there were only five days that they were not with her. She enjoyed all the normal opportunities of every child - she went to school, had a social life, went on holidays and her infectious smile and sparkling eyes let everybody know she was enjoying life. At the launch of his candidature for both the European and local elections in Dorrians Hotel, on Monday night, Cyril Brennan questioned the development of the Sheil Hospital as outlined last year. Mr Brennan said: I feel that this project is in jeopardy at the moment.. I dont believe that the money will be there with all the current over runs throughout the country. Long term, it may happen but I believe it will be quite some time. He said that he would be campaigning for the election boundaries to be redrawn giving Donegal a single constituency. "People in this part of the county feel disenfranchised - their councillors in Lifford and TDs in Sligo/Leitrim. I intend to be a local voice for national issues - this is not about personalities it is about credible and sustainable policies," he said. He said that there is an evident divide between Dublin and rural Ireland: "At present, we have two Irelands - Dublin and the rural and forgotten Ireland. There is no recovery here. We have health problems, homelessness, the scandal of cervical cancer, unaffordable rents, lack of a housing plan, the hidden homeless. It just goes on. When I was growing up in this town we were regarded as a 'medium town.' We had factories, employment, the IDA - all this is gone and its the same from here to Louth. If we don't get the infrastructure we will not get the investment in this area." Richard Boyd Barrett TD said that he was delighted to have Mr Brennan as a candidate for both the local elections and Europe. We are told that we are one of the wealthiest countries in the world yet we are struggling with health scandals, jobs, housing, health, patients on trollys. If we were to believe Varadkar we would all be booming - yes, we are wealthy but we have to look at the distribution of wealth," he said. He added that a tenth of the people own 58% of the wealth. A tale of two cities This is not confined to rural areas - in Dublin, we have a tale of two cities where there are housing waiting lists of up to 20 years, no bus routes or public amenities, hidden homeless with three generations in the family home, overcrowded schools, mental health problems. For housing in all parts of the country, you might notice that the developers are not building when there is such a shortage of homes - Why? Its quite simple, they get their planning permission, sit on it for 10 years and then sell off at a major profit. This election will be the biggest electoral intervention ever in this country, We have more candidates than ever and we finally approaching the critical mass. We will be heard," he said. R McCullaghs Jewellers in Letterkenny is celebrating 150 years in business this year. Run by the Ball family, it is believed to be the oldest continuous family-owned jeweller in the country. The history of the business goes back to 1869 when it was established in Letterkenny by Robert McCullagh who came to the town from Enniskillen. Records show his father was a master jeweller in Fermanagh in the early 1800s, meaning he had trained a minimum of three apprentices to fully-fledged jewellery status, according to Julian Ball, the fourth generation of the family to run the business. It is unlikely that his father would have been a master and you not follow the trade. Its unlikely you would have a choice in any other profession, Julians son Gareth continues. Railway engineer How Robert ended up in Letterkenny is unknown but he married a local woman who is not named in records. Their daughter Jean married William Ball, a railway engineer who came to the north west in the late 1890s to work on the Derry to Carndonagh railway line. Jean and William moved to England where he worked on the Bath to London railway line. Julians uncle CT Ball was born in 1902 and his father Robert was born in 1906. They were literally railway children, Julian says, born on different stages of the railway depending on where their father was working. William came back to Letterkenny and ran the jewellers with his father-in-law, bringing the Ball name into the business. From that point on the business has been passed on from father to son. By 1969 the business had two shops: 52 Main Street, the original shop which was a jewellers, and todays McCullagh's jewellers at 20 Main Street, which then sold glass and china. The decision was made to separate the company into two with the McCullagh name staying with Robert and his sons Julian and Colin, while the other shop, operated by Cecil Ball and his son Lance, became CT Ball. The two firms opened two fresh jewellers shops, both doing gold, diamonds, and watches. CT Ball closed in 2017 with the retirement of Lance and his wife Judy. Julian bought his brother Colin out and is now in the process of retiring as Gareth becomes the fifth generation to run the company. Oldest continuous family-owned jeweller Julian says they have been told that R McCuallaghs is now the oldest continuous family-owned jeweller in the country. There are others that are of a similar age but we have been passed on father to son, Gareth says. Julian left school at 15 and trained as a watchmaker at the Irish Swiss Institute of Horology in Dublin and has worked in the business for 42 years since he was 18. Only 11 people qualify every year, he says of the institute in Blanchardstown. My dad Robert was a qualified horologist and myself and my brother Colin both qualified as horologists. Gareth started working in the business when he was 16 and after studying a law degree in Derry he returned to Main Street. Gareths passion was for diamonds and he trained as a diamond grader with the Gemmological Association of Great Britain in London, doing a two and a half year correspondence course. In the run-in to his exams, he discovered he was colourblind but that did not stop him from achieving a qualification which is held by only nine people in Ireland, most of whom who are retired. Gareths desire to have a qualification which requires a score of 85% to pass and was very time consuming, comes from his instinct not to rely on what he is being told by other people. I did not like the thought of being told things and not being able to back it up, he says. The advancements from when dad was buying stones to me buying stones, what you can do with modern technology, is so much greater than dad would have encountered. I did not like the fact I was being told something and I was passing it on to my customers. Now people can tell me whatever they want but I can do my own checks and decide what it is or it isnt. Julian himself has experience of stones from his 42 years in the business and says it is important to have that knowledge so you can ensure what customers are getting is what it is supposed to be. Even the main suppliers can get it wrong. So unless you know what you are looking at, you can take the responsibility from the main suppliers but there will be times when they are not right and you have to double check with your own qualified people on the promises. South Africa: 5 000 new police trainees to boost capacity The South African Police Service has welcomed 5 000 police trainees into its ranks, which will increase its operational capacity. Of the 5 000 trainees, 1 580 are female and 3 420 are male. The trainees will undergo a 21-month Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP) at SAPS Academies across the country. This training is a combination of theory and practice, which includes, but is not limited to, firearm training, legal principles and fitness assessments. This is to help ensure that the best candidates are selected to serve. National Police Commissioner, General Khehla Sitole, says new recruits are a multiplier to strengthen frontline policing. Our hope is that these young people will assist us to realise the NDP 2030 vision, which envisages that people living in South Africa feel safe at home, at school and at work, and enjoy a community life free of fear. Women should be able to walk freely in the street and children should be able to play safely outside, Sitole said. Meanwhile, the Portfolio Committee on Police has acknowledged the steady progress that has been made in stabilising Crime Intelligence. Since the appointment of the National Commissioner and the Divisional Head of Crime Intelligence, there has been tangible progress in stabilising the unit and ensuring that it returns to optimum operational effectiveness, committee chairperson Francois Beukman said. The committee on Wednesday received a report on the Intelligence Corporate Renewal Strategy and is convinced that the plans put out have the potential to deliver effective results. The strategys key areas include the establishment of a rapid intervention capacity at both national and provincial levels, strengthening of strategic partnerships, the revised Threat Management System to bring it up to date with current challenges, as well as the filling of 424 vacant positions. The committee also welcomed progress in the vetting of SAPS management and lifestyle audits as a means of fighting corruption within the SAPS. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-03-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. 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. Louth TD Gerry Adams has welcomed the decision in the Belfast High Court on Tuesday to challenge the decision of the Public Prosecution Service (the Norths equivalent of the DPP) not to prosecute anyone in relation to the murder of Louth man Seamus Ludlow. Gerry Adams said: Seamus Ludlow was shot dead by a UVF/Red Hand Commando/UDR (Ulster Defence Regiment) gang in May 1976. He was aged 47. His body was thrown into a ditch near his Thistle Cross, Dundalk home. "In 1979 the RUC identified four suspects it believed were responsible for the killing. Nineteen years later, in February 1998, the four were finally arrested. Two confessed to killing Seamus Ludlow during interviews with the RUC. They were released without charge. The Norths then Director of Public Prosecutions decided in October 1998 not to prosecute the four. Among the four men were two serving officers in the Ulster Defence Regiment. "The Gardai never interviewed the four men and never told the family. The first the family heard of the four suspects was in a newspaper report. "The Ludlow family went to the Belfast High Court and challenged the decision not to prosecute and the failure to provide reasons for this. "The Irish government should now move to establish the two outstanding Commissions of Investigation which it has thus far refused to do which were recommended by the Final Report on the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Murder of Seamus Ludlow by the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence & Womens Rights in March 2006. That report expressed its disappointment at the lack of co-operation from the British authorities the role collusion played in the murder of Seamus Ludlow. Louth County Council say they are currently accepting loan applications for Rebuilding Ireland home grants. The news has been confirmed to the Dundalk Democrat by local Cllrs Maria Doyle and Joanna Byrne. Aoife Lawler, Senior Executive Officer of Housing at Louth County Council, said: "Applications will be processed on the scheme criteria as usual. Confirmation of a loan cannot be confirmed until we receive notification of our allocation for 2019 which is expected shortly." Cllr Maria Doyle told the Democrat: "We have received correspondence from Louth County Council Housing Department to confirm they are recommencing appointments for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loans. "They expect to get confirmation shortly of their funding allocation for 2019 for the scheme shortly and will then be able to issue loans. "This is welcome news. I had received representations from people interested in applying for a mortgage under the scheme and Im delighted that the application process had reopened." Under the Rebuilding Ireland home loan program, first-time buyers who had been refused mortgages by two banks were eligible to avail of a Government-backed mortgage from their local authority for up to 90% of the market value of the property. However, Louth Housing Director Paddy Donnelly confirmed during the Dundalk Municipal District meeting last week that Louth County Council had been given directives to cease issuing loans under the program, despite a statement from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government stating that the scheme was still in full operation. The loans also ceased in a number of other counties. Last Monday, Labour Housing Spokesperson Jan OSullivan raised concerns about the directive which was being issued to local authorities telling them to stop accepting applications for the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme due to funds for the scheme running out. Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy denied the claims saying the scheme is not closed and that funding has not run out. READ: Dundalk mum shares her housing struggle Described by some as Dundalk's greatest hero, punk poet Jinx Lennon is set to headline An Tain Arts Centre this April 6, for what looks set to be one of the most exciting gigs to happen in Dundalk over the coming months. Appearing with Jinx on the night is the wonderful beat poet Carl Plover AKA Wasps V Humans, originally from Grantham in the UK, the home town of the brilliant Sleaford Mods. Dundalk is well represented on the night, with local act Farmer Darkness also set to perform. Formed by Emer Mc Ginnity and Meabh Breathnach, Farmer Darkness have a DIY punk ethos and sharp sense of humour, their debut release, "CD" is on sale now in Classified records in Dundalk. Tickets for what is shaping up to be a brilliant night, are 12 and are available from www.antain.ie or you can pay at the door. Doors open on the night at 8 pm. Jinx is currently working on his 10th record, the working title of which is ''At last ........The Border Schizo Cosmic Folk Sound''. According to Jinx, it will be a "double album with 30 tunes which I have recorded with Silverbridge musician Ben Reel. Dundalk features in a lot of the new songs like ''Sneachta'', "The Manhole Covers of Dundalk Town", "The Friend of The Ice Cream Machine'", "Live North Louth'' and ''Pushin the Patients Round''. His last album, "Grow a Pair" received great reviews, the following is just one of the many positive reviews it has received: "Grow a Pair!!! again confirms Lennon as one of the most idiosyncratic and singular talents in this country. Jinx is never afraid to sing in his own accent, or address the personal and political, and every shade of grey in between, while empowering the listener throughout the whole beautiful process." The summer for Jinx will be festival busy with slots at Vantastival, Knockanstockan and Electric Picnic. Some of Jinx's songs are featured in a play called ''Kicking all the boxes'', which recently had a run in the Vault Festival, London and stars Liz Fitzgibbon, who also wrote the play. It is a one woman performance about the trials and tribulations of a female boxer, for more see here. To keep up to date with gigs and new releases from Jinx Lennon, follow his Facebook page here. A number of Louth drivers, including a Democrat reporter, have received Green Cards from their Insurance companies ahead of Brexit d-day on March 29. Liberty Insurance and Axa have issued green cards to ensure their policyholders are covered to drive in the North of Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Axa Insurance said: "In the event of a no-deal Brexit all direct car and van customers will automatically receive a Green Card by post, free of charge. You do not have to do anything to receive a Green Card." Liberty Insurance informed their customers that they would have the "same level of cover" north and south of the border. Liberty explained: "What level of insurance cover will I have if I drive in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with a Green Card after the March 29? "Currently a Liberty Insurance motor customer will have the same level of cover in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as they do in the Republic of Ireland." The Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) has been preparing for a no-deal Brexit for the last number of months. However, the organisation has warned motorists that they could potentially need a Green Card to travel to the United Kingdom amidst confusion over what will happen on March 29. The card (which is actually a green slip of paper) is essentially an international insurance document which shows proof that the motorist is covered by the minimum level of car insurance which is required by the country they are visiting. At the moment, Irish-registered vehicles that travel within the EU are covered under the terms of the EU Motor Insurance Directive. If a no-deal Brexit was to happen the UK would withdraw from this directive, which would mean that Irish motorists would require a Green Card to enter the UK. Teens from schools across Louth will be taking part in school walk outs to protest against climate change tomorrow. Pupils from Ardee Community School (who organised the protest), the Grammar school, the Bush, St.Vincents and Colaiste Lu will gather at Market Square, Dundalk from 12pm. The strike will see local teens stand in solidarity with youths from across the globe to call for Governments to act now on global warming. The climate action group from Ardee Community School said: "As you may already be aware, on Friday 15th of March there will be school strikes taking place all over the globe in order to provoke action from the governments in the face of the threat of climate change. So far, these strikes have taken place in over 100 countries, concentrated in well over 270 major cities. "The Irish strikes (SchoolStrike4ClimateIreland) are due to take place in Dublin and Cork on March 15th, however, none have yet been planned in Louth. Our plan is to stage a 2.5 hour walkout/strike from schools in Louth demonstration outside the courthouse at the market square from 11:30 - 1:30. There will be speeches from local politicians and leaflets will be distributed. "We (students of Ardee Community School) will be looking after the logistics of the strike; such as press, the publicity, politicians, pamphlets, microphones, etc. All we need is your attendance. "The advantage of the schools in the Dundalk vicinity is that they are all within walking distance of the proposed location for the strike, which makes it very accessible. The students from Ardee will look after our own means of getting there. "What makes the Louth Strike for Climate a unique event is that we will have a list of more specific and pragmatic demands for the Irish government. Of course, We are no experts on climate change, but we dont plan on standing around for 2 hours, mindlessly stating We want change!. By simply turning up with droves of students on Friday, you will have done your part for the futures of young people around the world. "We will be under the umbrella of the FridaysForFuture protests as well as the SchoolStrike4ClimateChangeIrel and. "This is a global movement, not simply a day off for the students. We are heading for a crisis and our government simply isnt doing enough to stop it. County-wide awareness of this issue is urgently needed. Not only will the strikes achieve this, but they will act as a catalyst to further activism in bringing about governmental action." A DkIT lecturer is leading the way in creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for the newest members of the local community. Dr. Colletta Dalikeni is a social care lecturer at the local institute and she spoke with the Democrat to explain the work being done by the Places of Sanctuary project at DKIT. Places of Sanctuary is a movement across the UK and Ireland which aims to create cultures of welcome and inclusion for asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. DKIT have committed to becoming a place of sanctuary through, encouraging learning about issues connected to migration and creating engagement between refugees, asylum seekers and the College community. The project hopes to bring together asylum seekers, refugees, DKIT staff and students and the wider community to discuss how DKIT and Dundalk might become a place of welcome for those seeking sanctuary. In early 2018 Dr. Dalikeni and a colleague Dr Bernadette Brereton took it upon themselves to propose the idea to their seniors at DKIT. Senior Management at DKIT not only welcomed the initiative, but also supported it by quickly setting up a steering committee composed of dedicated staff members. Dr. Dalikeni detailed some of the activities undertaken by the local branch. We are really at the very early stages of setting up sanctuary and our activities at the minute are centred around raising awareness, so we are trying to do small activities to shine a light on the plight of asylum seekers and refugees locally. Dr. Dalikeni continued. It is my experience that most people and a lot of our students dont know what its all about. When you talk about the fact that asylum seekers get only 21 euro per week or that they are not entitled to any social welfare benefits or third level education, people seem surprised, but this is the everyday reality for asylum seekers. People just dont know these things. Students and staff at DKIT have already begun to do their part. At Christmas some members of the projects steering committee visited the direct provision centre in Mosney to give the children at the centre Christmas gifts donated by the DKIT community. A series of awareness raising talks organised by the sanctuary steering committee at DKIT have also been taking place. Just last week the committee organised a speaker from the Irish Refugee Council to talk about the challenges asylum seekers encounter in trying to access third level education. Planning is also underway for a rollout of a part time social inclusion and diversity course designed by Dr. Dalikeni. The part time course will raise awareness about migration issues including challenges faced by migrants, the contributions they make to host countries and strategies for migrant integration in local communities. Dr. Dalikeni also hopes the course will be picked up by the local county council, by the local business community and the community more generally. We are making small steps, but we believe these small steps are very effective. The vision is to make DKIT a College of Sanctuary and Dundalk a town of Sanctuary concluded Dr. Dalikeni. "When we talk here about WASH-systems, we are not only talking about pipes, pumps and toilets. We are talking about people", said CEO Patrick Moriarty at the opening of the jubilee symposium of his foundation that celebrates its 50th anniversary. Moriarty explained the importance of strengthening the service delivery of WASH-systems in a wider sense than just building its infrastructure. Improvement of service delivery goes beyond business as usual Moriarty said, and are essential to reach universal access to water and sanitation by 2030. CEO Patrick Moriarty opened the jubilee symposium on wash systems to achieve universal access to water and sanitation in 2030 for everyone. The jubilee symposium takes place from 12 14 March in the Hague, the Netherlands. The title All systems go refers to the corner stone of IRCs current activities to engage local stakeholders in district level WASH planning. One such district plan concerns Banfora in south west Burkina Faso. At the symposium Richard Bassono if IRC Wash highlighted the first findings (on top photo). Complexity of livelihood Moriarty told about the history of IRC Wash and the discovery by his organisation how difficult it is to implement water projects in developing countries that last. As a young civil engineer he discovered the complexity of rural livelihood and development in Zimbabwe. He praised the inspiring local civil servants, he met in those days. "We often overlook those people. They are underpaid, under appreciated in the broader development narrative. People that, in my mind, are always dedicated to the community they serve. They are the back bones of the water and sanitation systems". Barbara Schreiner, director at Water Integrity Network addressed the 'shadow system' of corruption that is paralysing so many good intentions. Many interacting systems For IRC Wash it was an obvious step to decentralise the office in the Netherlands and start offices in various developing countries, headed by those local wash people. In Uganda, Ghana and Burkina Faso, IRCs local offices are assisting the local civil servant champions to set up long term masterplans to achieve universal access on a district level. "We want to move beyond our comfort zone as sector technocrats and build strong wash systems based on social, political and economic involvement", Moriarty said. To reach full access to wash services, all systems need to be addressed in order to make the service delivery possible to everybody, Moriarty concluded. Read also on this website IRC 50th anniversary symposium: All systems go, 1 March 2019 IRC Ghana participates in SDG Action Awards with multi stakeholder WASH service project, 6 February 2019 Stockholm World Water Week 2016: Implementation of SDG6 on water gets into gear, 30 August 2016 More information IRC Wash The Hague, the Netherlands +31 70 304 4000 www.ircwash.org Photo: Wayne Moore - File Photo West Kelowna Mayor Gord Milsom believes the province is close to deciding where an urgent care centre will be located in the Central Okanagan. He made that pronouncement after a meeting last week with Health Minister Adrian Dix in Victoria. "I get a sense they are pretty close to making a decision," Milsom told Castanet. Milsom, who took office in November, spent a few days in the provincial capital getting to know key ministers. Following his meeting with Dix, Milsom says he now has a better handle of what the province has planned for health care in B.C. The city has been lobbying for about a decade in hopes of getting improved medical services, including an urgent care centre. "He (Dix) added a lot of clarity as to the direction the government is heading," said Milsom. "They want to support general physicians in the way of additional health professionals, adding nurse practitioners and professionals that are specialists in fields such as mental health. They are focused on building teams to support prime care deliverers." Milsom says one of those is the introduction of a urgent care centres. The province has committed to 10 such centres across the province. Some have already opened in Kamloops, Greater Victoria, Surrey and Vancouver. They have been placed close to major hospitals, in existing buildings with other related health services. It's believed one will be opened in the Central Okanagan, however, the ministry has yet to announce whether that will be in Kelowna or West Kelowna. "Whether we see an urgent care centre in West Kelowna, we just don't know." Milsom did touch on a second health care delivery model being floated by the minister, a primary care network. He says they discussed health care needs over and above what family doctors and walk-in-clinics provide. Milsom says the province is planning to roll out 15 of those in the coming years. "As far as I'm concerned, for West Kelowna, we do have shortfalls as far as certain types of health care needs, mental health and substance abuse issues, chronic pain management," he said. "If they can be managed through the primary care network just as well as through an urgent care centre, that's good." As for next steps, the mayor says he would like to meet with Interior Health to understand what they see for the Greater Westside, and local physicians to find out the best approach for the city. Photo: CTV News Ontario has decided to ban phones in the classroom, but schools in the Central Okanagan are not changing their rules. On Tuesday, Ontario announced the phone ban during instructional time, starting next school year. Kevin Kaardal, superintendent for the Central Okanagan School District, says there is no interest in a similar ban here. Teachers have the authority to ensure they are used appropriately, says Kaardal. The board of education recognizes the benefits of students having access to electronic and social media communications, but he says they are also aware of the risks involved. The intent of the board is to enhance educational opportunities for staff, students, and parents. The board also remains committed to responsible digital citizenship and to minimizing the risks associated with the use of electronic communications systems and access to social media, states a release. Kaardal says cellphone use in the classroom is at the teachers discretion. They are also not to be used during class for other purposes than as a learning tool, as directed by teachers. Phones are also not allowed to be used during tests, exams and other assessments. Marculescu named to receive IEEE Computer Society 2019 Edward J. McCluskey Technical Achievement Award March 14, 2019 Radu Marculescu, the Kavcic-Moura Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, has been selected to receive the IEEE Computer Society 2019 Edward J. McCluskey Technical Achievement Award, for seminal contributions to the science of network on chip design, analysis, and optimization. Marculescu is a Fellow of IEEE. His research focuses on the modeling and optimization of embedded systems, cyber-physical systems, social networks, and biological systems. He has been involved in organizing several international symposia, conferences, workshops, as well as been guest editor of special issues of archival journals and magazines. Most recently, he was the General Co-Chair of the 10th edition of Cyber-Physical Systems Week (CPSWEEK). Read about Marculescus System Level Design Group at Carnegie Mellon University. Marculescu has received several best paper awards in the area of design automation and embedded systems design. He received his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California in 1998. The IEEE Computer Society Edward J. McCluskey Technical Achievement Award is given for outstanding and innovative contributions to the fields of computer and information science and engineering or computer technology, usually within the past 10 to 15 years. Contributions must have significantly promoted technical progress in the field. The award consists of a certificate and a $2,000 honorarium, and will be presented to Marculescu at the IEEE Computer Society COMPSAC conference dinner. COMPSAC will be held on Wednesday, 17 July 2019, at the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. View more information about the Edward J. McCluskey Technical Achievement Award, including a list of past recipients. Photo: Fraser Institute Canadian workers across the income spectrum and across the country pay significantly higher personal income taxes than their American counterparts, a new study by the Fraser Institute reveals. And, recent personal income tax increases at the federal and provincial levels have widened that gap. The study found: At CAD $50,000 income: Among all 61 provinces and states in Canada and the U.S., the highest combined personal income tax rates are in the 10 Canadian provinces, from a high of 37.12 per cent in Quebec to 28.20 per cent in British Columbia. At $75,000 income: Eight Canadian provinces are in the top 10, led by Manitoba (37.90 per cent). Ontario ranks 13th highest (29.65 per cent) and B.C. ranks 25th (28.20 per cent). At $150,000 income: Again, the 10 highest combined tax rates are in the 10 Canadian provinces, from 41 per cent in Alberta to 50 per cent in Nova Scotia. At $300,000 income: Once more, the top 10 highest combined rates at this income level are in the 10 Canadian provinces, ranging from 47 per cent in Alberta to 54 per cent in Nova Scotia. Income taxes are a major attractant or deterrent for entrepreneurs, businesses and workers looking to start a business, expand operations or relocate, and at virtually every level of income, Canadas tax rates are uncompetitive with the U.S., says report co-author Robert P. Murphy. Canadian jurisdictions tend to define "high income" at much lower thresholds than American states, the report notes. For example, Ontarios top combined rate of 53.53 per cent applies to all income over CAD $220,000, whereas New Yorks top combined rate (45.82 per cent) applies to income over US $1 million. Competitive personal income tax rates are key to a strong growing economy, and other things being equal, higher personal income taxes deter entrepreneurs, workers, and businesses, Murphy says. Policymakers in Canada should evaluate personal income tax rates in Canada with an eye to tax rates paid in neighbouring and competing jurisdictions. Another California utility has been found responsible for sparking a deadly wildfire, according to the results of an investigation announced Wednesday. The massive Thomas Fire, which burned through 281,893 acres of Southern California in 2017, was sparked when two Southern California Edison (SCE) power lines slapped together on the night of Dec. 4, 2017, the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD) said. "A high wind event caused the power lines to come into contact with each other, creating an electrical arc," the fire department said in a statement reported by The Los Angeles Times. "The electrical arc deposited hot, burning or molten material onto the ground, in a receptive fuel bed, causing the fire." The findings come a month after Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), California's largest utility, said its equipment would likely be identified as the cause of 2018's Camp Fire, the deadliest wildfire in California history. The utility filed for bankruptcy to protect itself from billions of dollars in liability; in addition to likely igniting the Camp Fire, the utility was found responsible for at least 18 of 21 significant California wildfires in 2017. SCE is protected from bankruptcy because of a 2018 law that passes liability on to customers. The utility could owe $1.3 billion in insurance claims from direct victims of the fire, as well as $400 million in claims from victims of a massive mudslide near Montecito in January 2018 that was caused when heavy rains struck a hillside stripped of vegetation by the flames. At least 21 people were killed. SCE released a statement in response to the investigation, arguing that the Thomas fire had been started by two separate blazes, and that the utility had evidence it was not responsible for one of them. It said evidence showed a fire in Anlauf Canyon started at least 12 minutes before any problems with its equipment and at least 15 minutes before the start time reported by the fire department. "SCE provided this evidence to CAL FIRE and VCFD investigators; however, the report does not suggest this evidence was considered. SCE believes the Anlauf Canyon ignition may have been independently responsible for a significant portion of the Thomas Fire damages," the utility wrote. Ventura County Fire Captain Stan Ziegler told NBC News that the evidence mentioned by SCE was shared with the investigators. "The evidence was considered, but it did not change the result or outcome of the investigation," Ziegler said. The Thomas fire was the largest fire in California's history until it was outdone by the Mendocino Complex Fire in 2018, according to BuzzFeed News. It destroyed 1,063 structures and burned for 40 days. While power lines are often the initial spark of individual wildfires, While power lines are often the initial spark of individual wildfires, climate change makes the hot, dry conditions that encourage large fires more widespread. Greta Thunberg, the Swedish teenager who jump started the climate strike movement, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. The news comes as Thunberg is helping to organize a massive global school strike March 15 that is expected to involve at least 1,659 towns or cities in 105 countries, The Guardian reported. "We have proposed Greta Thunberg because if we do nothing to halt climate change it will be the cause of wars, conflict and refugees," Norwegian Socialist MP Freddy Andre vstegard said, The Guardian reported. "Greta Thunberg has launched a mass movement which I see as a major contribution to peace." vstegard was one of three members of members of Norway's Socialist Left Party to nominate Thunberg, The Associated Press reported. Peace Prize nominations can come from anyone who meets the criteria, including national government officials, former winners and some academics. Nominations for the 2019 prize were due by February 1, and the winner will be announced in October and awarded in December. There are 301 nominations for the 2019 prize, including 223 individuals and 78 groups, according to the Nobel Prize website. If Thunberg won, the 16-year-old would be the youngest winner ever and the second after 2007 co-winners former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to be honored for work on climate change, New Scientist reported. The current youngest winner is Malala Yousafzai, who was awarded the prize at age 17 in 2014. "Honoured and very grateful for this nomination," Thunberg said in a tweet. Thunberg started a movement with a one-woman school strike in front of Swedish parliament last August. Thunberg had been part of a group inspired by the Parkland students' movement against gun violence who wanted to do something similar around climate change. When the group could not agree on a plan, Thunberg was motivated by wildfires in Sweden's Arctic region and a record northern European heat wave to go it alone, according to a recent profile in The Guardian. "I painted the sign on a piece of wood and, for the flyers, wrote down some facts I thought everyone should know. And then I took my bike to the parliament and just sat there," she said. "The first day, I sat alone from about 8.30am to 3pm the regular schoolday. And then on the second day, people started joining me. After that, there were people there all the time." Her action inspired student strikes from Australia to Brussels, and earned her invitations to speak at the COP24 talks in Katowice, Poland in December 2018 and at Davos this year, where she excoriated world leaders for their lack of action. "Our civilization is being sacrificed for the opportunity of a very small number of people to continue making enormous amounts of money," she said at the Poland conference, as USA Today reported. Scientists announced Thursday that only 10 vaquita porpoises likely remain in the world and that the animal's extinction is virtually assured without bold and immediate action. The vaquita, the world's smallest and most endangered cetacean, is found only in Mexico's northern Gulf of California. The release of the new vaquita estimate comes just two days after reports of the possible first vaquita mortality of 2019. More details are expected in the coming days. Thursday's announcement from the International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita also calls on Mexico President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to end all gillnet fishing and adopt a "zero tolerance" policy of enforcement in the vaquita's small remaining habitat. The committee is an international team of scientific experts assembled in 1996 to assist in vaquita recovery efforts. "One of Earth's most incredible creatures is about to be wiped off the planet forever," said Sarah Uhlemann, international program director at the Center for Biological Diversity. "Yet Mexico has only made paper promises to protect these porpoises from deadly nets, without enforcement on the water. Time is running out for President Lopez Obrador to stop all gillnet fishing and save the vaquita." The vaquita faces a single threat: entanglement in illegal gillnets set for shrimp and various fish species, including endangered totoaba. Totoaba swim bladders are illegally exported by organized criminal syndicates from Mexico to China, where they are highly valued for their perceived medicinal properties. Despite efforts in Mexico to curb gillnet fishing of shrimp and other fish and efforts in China to reduce demand for totoaba, the vaquita's population dropped 50 percent in 2018, leaving an estimate of around 10 remaining vaquita, with no more than 22 and perhaps as few as six. "There is only the tiniest sliver of hope remaining for the vaquita," said Kate O'Connell, a marine wildlife consultant with the Animal Welfare Institute. "Mexico must act decisively to ensure that all gillnet fishing is brought to an end throughout the Upper Gulf. If the vaquita is not immediately protected from this deadly fishing gear, it will go extinct on President Lopez Obrador's watch." In 2017, in the face of international pressure, Mexico banned the use of most gillnets within the vaquita's range, but enforcement has been lacking. For example, during the 2018 illegal totoaba fishing season, nearly 400 active totoaba gillnets were documented in a small portion of the vaquita's range, and gillnets continue to be found within the vaquita refuge. Recent violence against conservationists in the region has limited critically important net removal efforts. "If Mexico doesn't want to be guilty of wiping out a species, it needs to secure 100 percent gillnet-free habitat now," said Zak Smith, a senior attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council's Marine Mammal Protection Project. "What's happening to the vaquita is a disgrace and entirely preventable, yet the Obrador administration has not committed to a robust vaquita recovery plan and has already missed deadlines on vaquita conservation commitments." "The organized criminal networks trafficking totoaba swim bladders from Mexico to China are responsible for the illegal fishing nets driving the vaquita to extinction," said Clare Perry, ocean campaign leader for the Environmental Investigation Agency. "Unless Mexico gets serious about enforcement and works with China and key transit countries to dismantle those networks, there is no hope for the remaining vaquita." Despite the marine mammal's alarming decline, the international committee emphasized that the vaquita is not extinct and that recovery remains possible. They are still producing offspring, and the remaining animals are healthy, showing no signs of disease or malnutrition. The international community plays a critical role in vaquita conservation. In 2018 a U.S. court temporarily banned the import of seafood caught with dangerous gillnets in vaquita habitat. This year parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the World Heritage Convention are considering additional conservation measures for the vaquita and totoaba. (Photo: REUTERS / Carlo Allegri)New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (L), French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius (3rd L), animal activist Jane Goodall (C), former United States Vice President Al Gore (3rd R), United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (2nd R) and French Environment Minister Segolene Royal (R) take part in the "People's Climate March" down 6th Ave in the Manhattan borough of New York September 21, 2014. Organizers are expecting up to 100,000 to join the People's Climate March in midtown Manhattan ahead of this week's U.N. General Assembly, which brings together 120 world leaders to discuss reducing carbon emissions that threaten the environment Religious leaders have joined top UN officials in tackling climate change, a phenomenon that threatens to annihilate humanity, at a conference in Nairobi in which is missing some key participants after a tragic air crash. On the sidelines of the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, top UN officials, religious leaders and environmental experts underlined the role of faith communities in tackling climate change, the World Council of Churches reported. The assembly opened on March 11against the dark shadow of the Ethiopian Airline that plane crashed soon after take-off from Addis Ababa, killing all 157 persons on board. Twenty-one UN staff members and at least five workers in church organizations were among the 157 people killed after the flight plummeted into a field outside Addis Ababa. Rev. Norman Tendis, a World Council of Churches (WCC) consultant from Austria who was travelling to Nairobi to participate in an event at the assembly titled "Faith for Earth Dialogue" during the UN summit died in the crash. Sara Chalachew, Getnet Alemayehu, Sintayehu Aymeku and Mulusew Alemu, employees of Catholic Relief Services, were also aboard the fallen Boeing 737 MAX 8 on its way to Nairobi, Kenya. Catholic Relief Services said, "It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that four members of our staff were killed" in the crash. "All four individuals were Ethiopian nationals traveling to Nairobi to attend a training on our behalf," CRS said according to Catholic News Agency. In Nairobi the participants meanwhile are discussing innovative solutions for environmental challenges and sustainable consumption and production. There leaders from world's religious traditions elaborated on the approaches they use to solve environmental challenges such as climate change. "I am impressed by what the UN has done to reach out to this (faith) community. You convene people of faith and there is only one thing - that is goodness in life," said Inger Anderson, a Danish economist and environmentalist who has been appointed the executive director of the United Nations Environmental Program. She explained that when the different faiths come together, a stronger world and voice for the environment, the planet, sustainability, justice and love is created. "When I see these people I feel very great - I feel inspired. And I am thankful for the commitment you have," said Anderson. The WCC and its African partner, the All Africa Conference of Churches had organized a session titled "Eco-Just Churches and Communities: Models for Living with Justice and Sustainability." Tendis had been schedule to elaborate on a Roadmap for Congregations, Communities and Churches for an Economy of Life and Ecological Justice which he had authored. "He had been advocating for economic and ecological justice. A credible voice at the UN, he had been saying that we must practice what we preach in our churches. "That's why the road map to ecological justice was his key passion," said Athena Peralta, WCC program executive for economic and ecological justice. ALL AFRICA CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES Rev. Arnold Temple, president of the All Africa Conference of Churches, warned that the world had become ecologically bankrupt, while calling for urgent action to tackle climate change. The effects were impactful, he said, while highlighting increased droughts, landslides and floods which caused the deaths of thousands. "The need to act is now. We are calling on our churches to adopt the role of being a blue community," said Temple. "It has been estimated that by the year 2050, there will be more plastics in our rivers and oceans than fish." Canon Rachel Mash, environment coordinator of Green Anglicans, an environmental network of the Anglican Church in southern Africa, said from the smallest village to the largest city in Africa, there were churches and other faith groups. "Can the spiritual power of the churches and other faiths around the world be harnessed to combat climate change? What is the potential of the faith groups?" posed Mash. "They are in touch with local cultures and local leadership. They have the infrastructure. They got the potential pool of volunteers and an ethic that calls for transformational actions." The Prajna Foundation was inaugurated on 22 February with the aim to change the academic scene in Kerala. The forum was dreamt up by a group of research students and scholars along with Professor N Prasantha Kumar, former Head of the Department of English, Sree Sankaracharya University in Kalady. With this, they aim to explore the domains of cultural and literary theories, in addition to carrying out research of the finest quality. Ultimately, the foundation will work towards bringing various elements of the intellectual world together by building a community of teachers, researchers and students who are interested in engaging with cultural and literary theories and using that information to solve a range of societal issues. "The plan right now is to create a free and independent intellectual community where we can build the type of space that we really need in this country right now," says Aswin Prasanth, Founding Member and son of Professor Kumar. "It's not simply an organisation for the student community. We welcome participation and inputs from people across various fields and occupations. In fact, we have had professors, scholars and everyone participates with equal interest and intensity." Lead roles: N Prasantha Kumar is an HOD in English Going forward, the team aims to cultivate a much-needed culture of intellectual conversation by organising a range of educational conferences and lectures by scholars in cultural and literary theories each year in a bid to bring the academic world closer together. They are also preparing an international journal on an annual basis to conduct an open dialogue on such subjects. In addition to this, they plan to establish an academic centre with a well-equipped library and an archive which will be maintained with literature, research and other cultural productions. "We aim to strengthen the way research works in India," explains Aswin. "With Prajna, we also plan to offer consultancy, resources and experts for various academic activities." Why was such a forum important for Kerala? Aswin explains, "We had a few reasons behind setting it up. We have very few such forums in our circles. Especially when it comes to subjects like social sciences and the Humanities, we do not have enough avenues to discuss such topics. In fact, we barely have enough spaces where we can speak our minds." Having been established, this brainchild of Kerala's intellectual community aims is all set to celebrate such research and what it represents. With amazing minds at work behind it, it looks like the space that Kerala's thinkers have been dreaming of is finally here. Aswin says, "Going forward, all our attention is focused on ensuring that we celebrate the opportunity that this represents and to spread it around enough for it to really reach the people that it needs to." Let's hope that this academic renaissance sees smooth sailing in these uncertain times. Rates of mental-health incidents among teens and young adults have arced upward over the last decade while theyve remained relatively unchanged for older adults, a new analysis finds. The findings confirm what many educators say has long been evident in their classrooms. Teachers and principals must be more versed in the warning signs of serious issues like mood disorders, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts so that they can better serve students in crisis, they say. As psychologists explore causes behind trends in mental illnessprobing issues like an increase in smartphone use, economic trends, and social isolation for cluesmore schools are engaging students themselves to seek solutions. Theyre teaching teens to build healthy habits, enacting programs designed to strengthen relationships, and bringing suicide prevention work to students as young as elementary school. Its very unusual to see changes this large happen in such a short period of time, said Jean Twenge, a psychology professor at San Diego State University who studies generational trends. Depression in Teens Twenge co-authored the new analysis, published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology Thursday, that relied on data from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, an annual, nationally representative survey of Americans 12 and older. Between 2005 and 2017, the proportion of teens 12-17 who reported the symptoms of a major depressive episode within the last year rose from 8.7 percent to 13.2 percent, the data showed. Adults ages 18-25 showed similar trends, while rates remained relatively stable for older generations. A respondent was deemed to have had a major depressive episode if they confirmed they had experienced at least 5 of 9 criteria defined by the American Psychiatric Association, including a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities. The survey uses slightly different criteria for teens than for adults. The findings build on other data that show a recent uptick in rates of teens who have attempted or considered suicide, the second leading cause of death for adolescents. The data show a cohort effect, Twenge said, suggesting a systemic cause. She pointed to an increase in social media and smartphone use as a possible cause. Heavy use of such technology may contribute to less sleep and more social isolation among teens and young adults, she said, noting that recent upward trends in psychological issues correlate with a growth in popularity of devices like iPhones. We cant change a lot of the causes of mental-health issues, Twenge said. We cant change genetics, we cant change childhood traumaBut we can help them use their leisure time in a healthier way. Healthy Habits But competing research contends that screen time has a minimal psychological effect on adolescents , and some researchers have speculated that the use of social media has actually helped children forge social bonds , especially when kid-safe public spaces are limited. Kristina Macbury, the principal of Sarah Pyle Academy in Wilmington, Del., says that with smartphone use, as with so many other things, moderation is key. If you already have the propensity to have mental illness and depression, then it sometimes gives you that crutch to continue to self isolate, she said. Macburys school enrolls about 175 students ages 16-21 who have struggled in a traditional high school. Professional counselors visit the school twice a week to meet one-on-one with students, support groups help them address specific challenges, and teachers are certified in a program developed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness to recognize and respond to mental health concerns. Macbury says its important for schools to promote well-being for all students, in addition to seeking the intensive supports for those with diagnosable mental illnesses. For example, teachers require students to track and reflect daily habitslike sleep, phone use, and water intakeusing apps or worksheets to determine how they are linked to things like anxiety or engagement in class. The exercise is an intentional and strategic way to help students see the effects of the choices they make everyday and to develop a values system they can apply to other areas, Macbury said. In the Torrance, Calif., school district near Los Angeles, school counselors work to hold parents events to help promote student well-being, discussing issues like physical activity, screen time, and how to recognize depression in their children and their childrens friends. The district has also adopted a social-emotional learning strategy to help students recognize and manage their emotions, said Antoinette Laiolo, the coordinator of psychology and counseling programs. And its teaching children as young as 6th grade to spot signs of suicidal thoughts in their peers. Its life or death, Laiolo said. Many states and districts have adopted requirements to train staff or students on issues related to suicide in recent years. And New York and Virginia lawmakers have mandated that public schools develop curricula to teach students about mental health . Sometimes we just insult those people who struggle, Virginia state Sen. Creigh Deeds, who sponsored his states legislation, told NPR in 2018. Mental health issues need to be given the same dignity as physical-health issues. In 2013, Deeds 24-year-old son attacked and stabbed his father before killing himself. Earlier that day, Gus Deeds had sought to admit himself to a psychiatric hospital, and he was denied because of a lack of beds. Resources for Mental Health Are Skimpy A lack of resources to address mental illness is a concern for schools as well. Just three states meet the recommended ratio of at least one school counselor for every 250 students, said a recent ACLU analysis of the most recent federal data, collected by the U.S. Department of Education in 2015-16. And just three states met the recommended ratio of at least one psychologist for every 750 students, the analysis said. Those data come as policymakers call for increased student supports in broader safety debates following two large school shootings in 2018. Despite such calls, included in a report by the Federal School Safety Commission assembled by President Donald Trump and in the findings of state-level task forces, schools still scramble for funds to hire counselors, social workers, and support personnel. And it takes resources to help students with mental illness, said Desire DeSoto, a school counselor at Waianae High School in Honolulu. The school has an on-site clinic that accepts Medicaid and offers physical and mental health care to students. Educators employ a trauma-informed approach, recognizing the out-of-school factors that may have caused students emotional and psychological harm. And 13 counselors support the schools students, 60 percent of whom are Native Hawaiian. Now, kids are more internalizing their anxiety and depression, whereas in the past they would have acted it out behaviorally, DeSoto said. Counselors identify destructive behaviors like cutting, and they do cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps them develop healthy ways to respond to thoughts and experiences that trigger anxiety. The school has also worked with sociologists to develop approaches to group therapy that are responsive to native students cultural backgrounds. That means putting more of a focus on communities than just individuals, and helping students to consider their role within their families as they process their experiences, DeSoto said. We have to change the way we think because society is changing and needs are changing, she said. You cant move forward on Maslows hierarchy of needs until you start at the bottom. Photo: Chelsea Powrie MP Richard Cannings looks on as Premier John Horgan explains he believes the South Okanagan wants a national park, and that action on the matter should move quickly. B.C. Premier John Horgan appeared eager that plans move forward on the proposed national park in the South Okanagan, after being asked by Castanet whether he supported the initiative. "Weve been aware of this for some time, I know I support the communitys drive to have a national park," Horgan said, saying his belief is that much of the community wants the park to happen. But an increasingly vocal contingency in the South Okanagan has been calling for an official referendum on the issue. Parks Canada officially extended its online survey consultation period by two weeks last month, but that period ends Friday, and local groups are still looking for public meetings and a vote. Horgan implied his provincial government would stand behind the findings of the consultation period. Theres been extensive consultation trying to protect and preserve ranching values, ensuring that tourism values are maintained," Horgan said. "The community is very close to final decision on that, the province will back the community." He then gestured to South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP Richard Cannings, who was standing behind him at a forestry-related press conference Wednesday morning, saying Cannings is a well-informed pro-park voice both as a naturalist and as an elected representative. My view is that the communitys behind this, and we should be moving as quickly as possible to open up potential opportunities for more economic opportunities for economic activity in the region," Horgan said in conclusion. The creation of a South Okanagan National Park was a part of the BC NDP's 2017 election platform. Photo: BC Gov't B.C. has earned the dubious honour of two Teddy Awards from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. The annual awards call out government waste. "Celebrating the best of the worst ... British Columbia (made) a stinkingly strong showing," the CTF says. B.C. topped the provincial category for the ongoing scandal involving legislature Clerk Craig James and Sergeant-at-Arms Gary Lenz. Speaker Darryl Plecas alleges James and Lenz used taxpayers money to take frequent and frivolous trips and milked taxpayers for numerous high-dollar items, including a $700 watch purchased during a Hong Kong junket that James allegedly wore at the press conference where he pronounced his innocence. The City of Vancouvers Parks Board took the municipal award for a bizarre "email a tree" promotion that cost $50,000 and saw paid artists respond on the trees' behalf. Really, what does one say to a tree? And what would you expect it to say back? Federally, Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus flamboyant trip to India took first place. The eight-day visit cost a reported $1.6 million, even though only half a day of official government business was scheduled. The PM also brought a celebrity chef to India to prepare Indian cuisine at a cost of $17,000. It was bad enough to watch the prime ministers costume changes and dance moves during his trip to India, but seeing the bill was even worse," the CTF says. And, in an "unprecedented example of enduring waste," former governor general Adrienne Clarkson was given a second lifetime achievement award for billing taxpayers for $1.1 million in expenses after leaving office. Already the recipient of the 2004 Lifetime Achievement Teddy, Clarkson continues to soak taxpayers more than 14 years after leaving office. In October, news broke that Clarkson had billed taxpayers more than $100,000 almost every year since leaving office in 2005. The Teddy Awards are named for Ted Weatherill, a former federal appointee who was fired in 1999 for submitting a panoply of dubious expense claims, including a $700 lunch for two. Madison Erhardt UPDATE 8:55 a.m. WestJet has reached out to Castanet to let us know that in spite of Transport Canada grounding all Boeing 737 MAX aircraft effective Wednesday, over 92 per cent of their fleet is operating as usual. WestJet's Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, Arved von sur Muehlen says, "we are fully complying with this decision and have taken the necessary steps to safely ground all 13 Boeing MAX aircraft currently in service. Wed like to reassure you that while there may be some interruptions to our schedule as we mitigate the impact of this decision, you can book with confidence knowing that WestJet continues to fly throughout our network with the safety of guests and employees at the forefront." ORIGINAL 5:00 a.m. Canada and the U.S. have now joined dozens of countries in grounding the Boeing 737 Max 8, but what does that mean for YLW? Kelowna International Airport manager Sam Sammadar describes the situation as dynamic. ''You have got almost 50 aircraft out of the Canadian fleet that have been taken out of the system, and we do have some of the 737 Max that transit through this airport." Not all airlines are affected in the same way. ''If we look at WestJet, for example, 92 per cent of their fleet is actually still in operation, and so it may mean slightly different things for different airlines based on how many Max aircraft they have in operation," Sammadar said. Typically, one Max 8 flies in and out of Kelowna per day. YLW says passengers will have to be re-accommodated. And there will be some disruptions. March also marks YLW's third busiest month of the year. ''We are just coming through the Ontario spring break and we are heading into B.C.'s spring break this weekend," said Sammadar. ''Safety is always paramount. And whether it's the airlines, Transport Canada, or the airports, we are all working in this together in terms of ensuring there is a safe environment." Disrespectful decision shows the European Parliament's far-right ideological tendency, Turkey's ruling party spokesman says. The European Parliament's vote to suspend Turkey's EU accession process is "worthless for us", Turkey's ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party spokesman said on Wednesday. HE APPROVED SUSPENSION OF THE PROCESS The European Parliament (EP) on Wednesday approved a report recommending the suspension of Turkey's European Union accession process. "This disrespectful decision shows the European Parliament's far-right ideological tendency," Omer Celik wrote on Twitter. Celik said the EP was far away from making supportive decisions to democratic development and accused the EP of looking through "the narrow window of the far-right." Recalling that the European Parliament failed to show solidarity with Turkey when the Turkish parliament was bombed during the coup attempt in July 15, 2016, Celik said the EP president visited Turkey months after the defeated coup. "However, they see no harm in working with coup leaders. Everybody knows the racist [tendency] of the Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy and that the rapporteur who prepared this report is close to terror supporters more than the democracy," Celik said. EPS DECISIONS ARE GROUNDLESS Meanwhile, the Turkish Foreign Ministry also said in a statement that the EP's vote was "meaningless" and described it as "far from objectivity". "European Parliament's stance against Turkey should be to promote ties, interaction and dialogue between Turkey and EU," the ministry said. "Turkey expects the new EP Parliament, to be formed after the elections in May, will adopt a constructive approach to the Turkey-EU relations in the upcoming period, take qualified and objective decisions and boost Turkey's EU integration process," the ministry added. Turkish Parliaments Foreign Affairs Committee head Volkan Bozkr also condemned the EPs decision, describing it as "groundless" and said the EP has showed its bias and prejudice against Turkey. "EP again proved with this decision that they are far from the constructive path. Turkeys negotiation and accession process are beneficial for both Turkey and the EU. "Turkeys deep-rooted and multidimensional relations with the EU contributed and is still contributing to the EU in many aspects," Bozkr said. Bozkr went on to say that the EP's vote against Turkeys EU accession process, which comes at a time when Turkey's efforts to normalize and revitalize these ties was at the highest level, was double standard and "inconsistency". REACTION FROM AK PARTY'S VICE CHAIRMAN The ruling AK Partys vice chairman "strongly condemns the approval of the 2018 Report on Turkey adopted by the General Assembly of the European Parliament (EP), which recommends the suspension of Turkeys EU accession negotiations." Ak Party Vice Chairman Cevdet Ylmaz said the report failed to reflect the real picture regarding developments in Turkey. "This is a clear indication of EPs biased and prejudiced attitude towards Turkey," Ylmaz said. Ylmaz pointed to Turkey's sincere fight against terrorism and said it expects all its allies to stand in solidarity with Turkey against Daesh, PKK/PYD and FETO terror organizations. He said Turkey appreciated the European Union for their consistent recognition of the PKK as a terror organization and underlined that the security measures were taken by the Turkish government "is not only of concern to Turkeys national security, but also for the security and future of Europe." "We would, therefore, once again like to take the opportunity to remind our European counterparts that the PKK / PYD / YPG and FETO terrorist organizations are a serious threat to the security and the public order of the EU countries," Ylmaz added. Ylmaz called on the EP and the EU to fulfill their commitments and abandon their unrealistic, and prejudiced attitudes towards Turkey. 2018 EP REPORT ON TURKEY On Wednesday, the European Parliament voted against Turkey's EU accession negotiations and called on the European countries to formally suspend the process. A total of 370 members of the EP voted in favor of the decision to suspend Turkey's EU negotiations while 109 voted against and 143 abstained from voting. The 2018 Commission Report on Turkey had been prepared by Rapporteur Kati Piri and voted in the European Parliaments Committee for Foreign Affairs in Feb. 21. The non-binding advisory report drew reactions from Turkey. ALSO PRAISED TURKEY'S EFFORTS IN HOSTING REFUGEES "Turkey hosts the largest refugee population in the world, with more than 3 million registered refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan," the report noted. The report noted that visa liberalization is of great importance for Turkish citizens, particularly for students, academics, business representatives and people with family ties in the EU Member States. The report expressed its firm condemnation of the return to violence on the part of the PKK terrorist organization and recalled that the terrorist group has been on the EU list of terrorist organisations since 2002. Turkey applied for EU membership in 1987 and accession talks began in 2005. But negotiations stalled in 2007 due to the objections of the Greek Cypriot administration on the divided island of Cyprus as well as opposition from Germany and France. Brussels to host EU-Turkey meeting on Friday 54th Association Council meeting to resume after the interval of almost 4 years on March 15, says Turkish Foreign Ministry. The 54th meeting of the Turkey-EU Association Council will be held in Brussels on Friday, Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. TALKS FOR THE LIBERALISATION OF THE VISA The meeting of the highest decision-making body between Turkey and the EU will take place after an interval of almost four years, and is important for the continuation and diversification of the institutional dialogue with the EU. Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Deputy Foreign Minister Faruk Kaymakc, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and Johannes Hahn, the EUs Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, will attend the meeting. Turkish and EU sides are expected to meet at an unofficial format before the official session to address foreign policy issues and regional developments, according to the statement. The meeting will address Turkeys EU accession, political and economic criteria, alignment to EU acquis, visa liberalization talks, Customs Union and financial cooperation, it said. The 53rd meeting of the EU-Turkey Association Council was held on May 18, 2015, in Brussels. The Turkey-EU Association Council was established in accordance with the Ankara Agreement, which entered into force on Dec. 1, 1964. Turkey applied for EU membership in 1987 and accession talks began in 2005. However, negotiations stalled in 2007 due to the objections of the Greek Cypriot administration on the divided island of Cyprus, as well as opposition from Germany and France. California latest US state to freeze death penalty 'We don't want to join Saudi Arabia,' Governor Gavin Newsom says after issuing the executive order. California became the latest state to put a on hold future executions Wednesday after voters twice rejected efforts to repeal capital punishment in the past six years. IN ALL 737 INMATES ARE AWAITING THE DEATH PENALTY Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order putting a moratorium on capital punishment in the US's most populous state and immediately shuttered the execution chamber at San Quentin State Prison in the San Francisco Bay Area where the state carries out lethal injections. No execution has taken place at the prison since 2006 in part due to a lengthy appeals process that can significantly forestall sentences being carried out in addition to the bureaucratic processes to acquire and use the drugs used for lethal injections. In all, 737 inmates are awaiting the death penalty in California. Their sentences will now be indefinitely postponed. After signing the order, Newsom said his decision was not "flippant," and pointed to flaws in the criminal justice system which have resulted in people being put to death who were later found innocent of the crimes they were convicted. "We don't want to join Saudi Arabia. We don't want to perpetuate what's going on in North Korea," he told reporters at the state capitol. "I did this with a heavy heart, with a deep appreciation for the emotions that drive this issue, and I did it with the victims in mind." California now becomes the fourth state in which a governor has put a moratorium on the death penalty. The top state officials in Colorado, Oregon and Pennsylvania have previously carried out similar actions. But voters twice rejected in less than a decade previous statewide ballot initiatives to end the death penalty. The last such vote in 2016 saw Californians reject the repeal of the death penalty with 53 percent voting in opposition to its removal. That same year voters approved a measure to expedite the death row process. Michele Hanisee, president of the Association of Deputy District Attorneys, slammed Newsom's order saying it violates the will of California's voting public. "Governor Newsom, who supported the failed initiative to end the death penalty in 2006, is usurping the express will of California voters and substituting his personal preferences via this hasty and ill-considered moratorium on the death penalty," she said in a statement. Photo: Colin Dacre A Penticton man has gotten himself into serious trouble in Northern B.C. Michael Daniel Jakins, 33, faces numerous charges after allegedly ramming a police car this afternoon in Prince George. The Penticton man is alleged to have been behind the wheel Wednesday of a vehicle a Prince George RCMP officer attempted to pull over after observing a traffic violation. RCMP say the driver refused to stop, continuing towards a dead end, ramming a police cruiser that attempted to block him in. Jakins was arrested with a passenger of the vehicle. The officer was not hurt. A search of the car turned up bear spray, knives and a small amount of fentanyl. Jakins was also wanted at the time on charges out of Vancouver for break-and-enter and driving while prohibited. He now faces additional counts of assaulting a police officer with a weapon, fleeing police, and weapons charges. F-35 jets to be delivered to Turkey in November Turkey's defense minister says no problem in the delivery schedule of F-35 fighter jets from the US. Turkey's Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Thursday F-35 fighter jets from the US are expected to be delivered in November. "INFRASTRUCTURE PREPARATION IN MALATYA HAVE BEEN COMPLETED" "Despite some statements, the process of procuring F-35 jets is working fine. Our pilots and maintenance team continue training in the US," Akar told reporters. "We expect delivery of F-35s in November to [Turkey's eastern] Malatya province. Infrastructure preparations in Malatya have been completed," Akar added. Ankara is planning to purchase 100 F-35 fighter jets from the US pending congressional approval, and its pilots are currently training on the weapons platform at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. Turkish firms also supply the F-35 program with key components, including airframe structures and assemblies, and the center fuselages. Germany welcomes rejection of no-deal Brexit vote FM Maas says UK parliament sent a sign of reason by taking no-deal off the table. Germany welcomed Wednesday the results of the UK Parliament's vote against a no-deal Brexit but urged British lawmakers to clarify intentions as soon as possible. "TIME IS RUNNING OUT" "London just sent a sign of reason. The House of Commons has made it clear that, in its majority, at least it does not want a no-deal Brexit, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Twitter. He underlined a no-deal scenario would have been in nobody's interest. "It is now up to the British to say what they want, in order to make a successful conclusion of a Brexit deal possible. Time is running out, he said. The House of Commons on Wednesday approved an amended government motion ruling out a no-deal Brexit under any circumstances. The motion was voted and approved by a 321-278 vote with reports that some Cabinet ministers abstained. The House of Commons will vote whether to seek a delay to Britains departure from the bloc Thursday. Prior to Wednesday's vote, the UK was set to leave the EU on March 29. Israel rounds up 15 Palestinians in occupied West Bank Individuals accused of involvement in terrorist activities The Israeli army detained at least 15 Palestinians in overnight raids carried out across the occupied West Bank, according to a military statement issued Thursday. ISRAELI SOLDIERS' ARREST CAMPAIGNS The individuals were arrested for suspected involvement in terrorist activities, the army said, adding that they had since been referred to relevant authorities for further investigation. The Israeli army frequently carries out wide-ranging arrest campaigns across the occupied West Bank on the pretext of searching for wanted Palestinians. According to estimates, roughly 5,800 Palestinians are currently languishing in Israeli detention facilities, including women, children and a handful of lawmakers. Manafort charged with mortgage fraud in New York Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was sentenced Wednesday to a total of 7.5 years in federal prison for financial crimes stemming from twin cases from the special counsel's office. Trumps ex-aide Paul Manafort has been charged in New York with residential mortgage fraud and other felonies, as state lawmakers move to ensure that US President Donald Trumps former campaign chairman can be prosecuted even if he receives a presidential pardon. 7.5 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON The 16-count indictment was announced by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance on Wednesday less than an hour after Manafort, 69, was given his second federal prison sentence this month, for a combined term of 7-1/2 years. No one is beyond the law in New York, and the state probe yielded serious criminal charges for which the defendant has not been held accountable, Vance, a Democrat, said in a statement. Manafort was sentenced on Wednesday by US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson in Washington to about 3-1/2 additional years in prison on conspiracy charges from Special Counsel Robert Muellers probe into Russias role in the 2016 US presidential election. That sentence came after Manafort was sentenced by another judge last Thursday in Virginia to nearly four years in prison, following his conviction last August on tax evasion and bank fraud charges related to the Mueller probe. Toyota plans to send rover to the moon JAXA, the Japanese space agency, says it has agreed "to study the possibility of collaborating on international space exploration" with Japanese carmaker Toyota. Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it will jointly develop a rover to be sent to the moon in 2029, amid fierce global competition to explore Earths natural satellite. FUTURE LUNAR MOBILITY A REALITY Toyota unveiled the project with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to build a rover that can be powered by fuel cells and enable astronauts to live inside it for a certain period without wearing space suits, in what would be the first such development in the world. JAXA is planning to send manned missions to the moon between 2029 and 2034. It is the greatest joy for engineers to be involved in projects on the surface of the moon. Im really excited, Shigeki Terashi, an executive vice president of Toyota, told a symposium held by JAXA in Tokyo. The rover is planned to be 6 meters long, 5.2 meters wide and 3.8 meters high, with a living space of 13 square meters for up to four people, according to their study. Turkey to inaugurate Europe's biggest hospital Bilkent City Hospital can receive 30,000 patients daily when in full capacity. Turkey will inaugurate Europes biggest hospital in the capital Ankara on Thursday. THE THIRD BIGGEST HOSPITAL IN THE WORLD President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the opening ceremony of Bilkent City Hospital, which is also the world's third-biggest hospital that is constructed in one go. The hospital has a bed capacity of 3,633 with 131 operation rooms and 904 outpatient clinics. The Bilkent City Hospital will receive 30,000 patients and treat 8,000 emergency patients daily when in full capacity. The hospital also houses Turkeys biggest laboratory, as well as two heliports. Turkish, US defense ministers discuss Syria In the phone call, Hulusi Akar, Patrick Shanahan also address bilateral defense ties. In a phone call Thursday, Turkeys defense minister spoke with his US counterpart, according to an official Turkish statement. THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA The conversation between Turkeys Hulusi Akar and Patrick Shanahan, the acting US defense secretary, addressed recent developments in Syria. The call also touched on defense ties between the two countries, said a Turkish Defense Ministry statement. In recent months Turkey and the US have been discussing coordination over the pullout of US military forces from Syria. Turkey's purchase of US F-35 fighter planes has also been up for discussion, with US officials suggesting Turkey's acquisition of Russian S-400 missile defense might endanger the deal. Turkish officials have said they will not tolerate any interference in what weapons it buys for the nation's defense. US general doubles down on sale of F-35 jets to Turkey EUCOM Commander Curtis Scaparrotti says he intends to maintain Turkey as important NATO ally. While Turkey is an important NATO ally, Washington should not supply Ankara with F-35 fighter jets if it accepts Russias S-400 missile defense system, the top US commander in Europe said Wednesday. "WE WANT TURKEY AS A NATO ALLY INTO THE FUTURE" US European Command (EUCOM) Commander Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, who is also NATO's Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, made the remarks while testifying at a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee alongside Kathryn Wheelbarger, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. "I do believe that we shouldnt provide F-35s if there is an S-400 in Turkey," Scaparrotti said. He noted, however, that he is talking to Turkish officials every day on this issue. "I know their leaders very well. Our intent is to maintain them as an important NATO ally into the future, he added, referring to Turkey. After protracted efforts to purchase air defense systems from the US with no success, Ankara decided in 2017 to buy Russias S-400 system. Washington has cautioned that the S-400 system might covertly obtain critical information on its F-35 fighter jets, including their detection range, which could then be relayed to Russia. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, however, has stressed that Ankara purchasing S-400s from Russia is "not a choice, but a necessity". Scaparrotti also said in a statement to the committee that the NATO alliance is faced with a significant strategic test at Turkey's southern border. He noted that Turkey sees the PKK and its Syrian affiliate the YPG as the same terrorist organization, which poses a problem for the U.S. However, he said EUCOM works closely with Turkey to help secure its borders and counter the PKK and the threats the terrorist organization poses to Turkish citizens as well as the 3.5 million Syrian refugees currently living in Turkey. US Senate votes to rebuke Trump on Yemen Participation in war not authorized by US Congress, therefore unconstitutional, says Senator Bernie Sanders. The Senate voted Wednesday to pass legislation that called for the end to the US' support to the Saudi-led coalition's war in Yemen. Despite going through a Republican-led legislature, the legislation, led by Senator Bernie Sanders, passed with a 54-46 vote, according to CSPAN. It was the second time the legislation passed in four months. TRUMP WILL MOST LIKELY VETO IT Sanders, who has publicly declared he will be running for president in 2020, announced the vote Tuesday, saying on Twitter "US participation in this war has not been authorized by Congress and is therefore unconstitutional." Saudi Arabia has been leading a coalition of countries against Yemen's Houthi rebels since 2015 when Riyadh and its Sunni-Arab allies launched a massive air campaign in Yemen aimed at rolling back Houthi gains that began in 2014. The campaign has devastated Yemens infrastructure, including its health and sanitation systems, prompting the UN to describe it as one of the worst humanitarian disasters of modern times. Before becoming fully effective, the resolution must pass the House of Representatives and be signed by US President Donald Trump, who will most likely veto it. The bill will then go back to Congress where it would need to gather enough votes to override the veto. The House passed a similar resolution on Yemen last month but it was not able to reach the Senate because of a procedural issue. The bill previously passed in December during the previous Senate session, serving as not only a rebuke to Trump for his continued support for the Saudi-led coalition's efforts in Yemen, but also the administration's stance on the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi who was killed shortly after he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. Photo: Google The Williams Lake hospital was briefly locked down Wednesday afternoon due to unfounded reports of a man with a knife. The Cariboo Memorial Hospital was placed on lockdown shortly after 2 p.m. after police were called about a man with a knife in the building. Police swarmed the area to search for the suspect, locating an adult male outside. After a short foot chase the 26-year-old Williams Lake man was arrested, said Cpl. Madonna Saunderson. Through investigation it was discovered that the male did not have a knife as originally reported and that his behaviour was medically related and not criminal in nature. There were no reports of injury to hospital staff or patients. Using ancient DNA recovered from over 270 Iberians representing an unprecedented timespan, researchers including David Reich have pieced together an 8,000-year-long genetic history of the Iberian Peninsula. In addition to revealing key events that shaped Iberia's ancient populations, the study also demonstrates the potential for high-resolution ancient DNA records that extend from prehistoric to the present to provide detailed information about the formation of a region's contemporary populations. The study of ancient DNA provides a glimpse into the movements and migrations of ancient peoples as evidenced by the genetic legacies left behind. The Iberian Peninsula, the region encompassing what is now Spain and Portugal, is situated between North Africa, Europe and the Mediterranean. With its long history of interaction with surrounding regions, Iberia provides an ideal opportunity to study the genetic impact of migrations into the European continent from the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa, according to the authors. Inigo Olalde and colleagues assembled genome-wide data from 271 ancient Iberians, from locations throughout Spain, to create a comprehensive chronology of gene flow into and throughout the region spanning nearly 8,000 years. Olalde et al. extracted the ancient DNA from archaeological human remains previously recovered from a variety of contexts - including a pair of brothers interred together in a mountain-side cave nearly 7,000 years ago. According to the results of their various analyses, the population structure of the region's Mesolithic hunter-gatherers was much more complex than previously thought. The authors also unexpectedly identified early, albeit limited, interaction with North Africa by approximately 2,500 BCE. The results further revealed the tremendous impact of immigrations of people from the Pontic-Caspian steppe to the east; by about 2,000 BCE, nearly 40% of Iberia's ancestry and nearly 100% of the local male population was replaced by people with Steppe ancestry. Interestingly, genetic data combined with linguistics reveal that present-day Basques, who show a large amount of Steppe ancestry, lack evidence of the later admixture events that shaped the rest of Iberia. In a related Perspective, Marc Vander Linden discusses the contentious role of genetics-based methodologies in archaeological research and offers transdisciplinary suggestions on how it can be best implemented. "Like any other revolution, ancient DNA's legacy will not only be measured in light of technological developments, but by its ability to generate meaningful results, including but not limited to admixture events as those documented by Olalde et al.," writes Linden. ### WASHINGTON, March 14, 2019 -- Did you realize that just like certain animals here on Earth, there are endangered elements, too? For example, we're constantly losing helium, a gas that defies gravity and escapes our atmosphere into space. This incredible element is in high demand all over the globe. It's also way too expensive to create in the laboratory, and that's bad news for more than just your birthday party! This week on Reactions, we will explore innovations of the industrial era of helium, how much we have left and whether or not this element will go extinct: https://youtu.be/h0Vz_AmKCPw. Reactions is a video series produced by the American Chemical Society and PBS Digital Studios. Subscribe to Reactions at http://bit.ly/ACSReactions, and follow us on Twitter @ACSreactions. Press registration now open for the ACS Spring 2019 National Meeting in Orlando, Florida, March 31-April 4. Request credentials at https://bit.ly/2NaSXmc. Remote access is available for press conferences. The American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society, is a not-for-profit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS is a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. ACS does not conduct research, but publishes and publicizes peer-reviewed scientific studies. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio. To automatically receive press releases from the American Chemical Society, contact newsroom@acs.org">newsroom@acs.org. Follow us: Twitter Facebook Instagram ### Caring for older adults with multiple chronic conditions can create challenging situations. For example, some treatments may be harmful to older adults who live with and manage several chronic conditions. In some cases, several treatments might be available but healthcare providers may not know which are best for a particular individual. In other cases, older adults and caregivers could even receive different treatment recommendations depending on the healthcare providers who offer guidance. Most important of all, managing care for multiple chronic conditions can make it difficult to focus on what matters most to us as individual--a key priority when we think about the high-quality, person-centered care we all want and need as we age. In 2010, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) convened a panel of medical experts to address how to provide the best care for older adults living with multiple chronic conditions. The panel reviewed a host of clinical studies and developed the AGS Guiding Principles for the Care of Older Adults with Multimorbidity as a result. The expert panel identified five "key principles" that healthcare providers should follow to support the best care for older adults with multiple chronic conditions: 1. Include personal preferences in care decision-making. Older adults who have multiple chronic health conditions should be asked how they wish to make medical decisions affecting their care. Whenever appropriate, caregivers and family members should also be involved in these discussions. 2. Understand the limits of evidence on treatment options. Clinicians must understand that specific, evidence-backed answers to questions about the best medical choices for individual older adults may not exist. That's because every older adult and every health situation is unique. 3. Weigh benefits versus harms. When addressing multiple chronic conditions for an older individual, clinicians must consider how a person might be burdened by one medical plan or treatment versus others. They also must weigh the benefits of treatment options, as well as information on the person's functional status (their ability to perform daily activities such as bathing and eating), life expectancy (how long they are likely to live), and quality of life. 4. Consider if treatment is manageable. When sharing recommendations, clinicians must account for the complexity of a treatment and whether it suits an older adult's particular situation. 5. Make the best informed choice possible. Ultimately, healthcare professionals also must try to choose therapies that have the most benefit, pose the least harm, and will work to enhance an older person's quality of life. Now, an expert group of geriatricians, cardiologists, and general physicians have identified a set of action steps based on those guiding principles to help healthcare providers work with older adults and caregivers to make the best treatment choices possible when addressing multiple chronic conditions. These steps include: 1) Identify and communicate your health priorities. * Health Priorities and Decision-Making. There are many reasons we might make a decision about different health tests or treatments, but the best care possible supports decisions based on our personal needs and preferences. The first step toward supporting that type of care is identifying those needs and preferences. Sitting down for a frank conversation with your health professionals, family, and caregivers can help you identify and communicate what matters most to you in your health and health care. We all prioritize things differently when we are faced with tradeoffs, which are common when we have multiple chronic conditions. The more you and those who care for you understand what matters most, the better you can align your healthcare to help achieve what matters most. For some people, what matters most may mean living as long as possible (even if our quality of life isn't the same as it once was). For others, it may mean living independently as long as we can (even if that means choosing less aggressive treatments because they might impact our ability to live on our own). Some people make health decisions for religious reasons. Others may be most concerned about staying in a particular location. And others may make decisions based on additional, personal factors. It's important to remember that none of these decision-making strategies are "right" or "wrong," but they can only be implemented when you take the time to identify and discuss them with partners like your caregivers and health professionals. * Health Trajectory & Your "Health Future." Work with your health professionals to assess and take into consideration your anticipated future health when it comes to deciding on treatments. As older adults, our "health trajectory" and "health future" anticipate how likely it is that we will live for a given number of years, and how likely it is for us to continue performing our daily activities during that same timeframe. Discussing how our health and function may change over time helps identify the most beneficial treatments. 2) Stop, Start, or Continue Care Based on Health Priorities, Potential Benefits/Harms, and Health Trajectory. * Understanding "Harmful Treatments" and "Medical Uncertainty." "Do no harm" is a guiding principle for all of our health care. It's also a principle that's especially important for people who may be managing multiple treatment plans and how they interact (especially if they may result in unintended consequences when managed together). Since having more than one chronic condition means one health concern (or even its treatment) can worsen another, older adults need to work closely with their health professionals to assess all treatment options (including any treatments you may buy "over the counter" from a pharmacy or supermarket). We should consider the risks of each individual treatment plan in light of all the other care we may be receiving. It's also important that we understand what potential outcomes from treatment may be "uncertain." While research and health expertise gives our health professionals a solid sense of how safe and effective various treatment options may be, care is always personal (and not all research involves older adults specifically). That means that what's very effective for one individual may not work for another. Knowing about uncertainties in advance can help us make educated decisions about the potential benefits and harms of different treatment options. * Understanding "Beneficial Treatments." Many beneficial treatments exist for older adults with multiple chronic diseases. Some are preventive (meaning they help us avoid a potential disease, such as getting an annual flu vaccine to avoid the flu virus). Some are diagnostic (meaning they help determine if we are living with a condition, such as a chest x-ray to see if you have pneumonia). Others, such as diuretics (water pills), control the symptoms of a chronic disease. And others are palliative (meaning they are designed to help make us feel better), rehabilitative (meaning they work to restore our function or quality of life), or supportive (meaning they help us to live as best as we can with a care condition or concern). Though many of us may only think about "cures" when we consider treatment, it's important to think about all these beneficial options when it comes to our care--especially because some options (like rehabilitation) may be even more helpful in promoting what we most want and need from care. * Minimizing "Treatment Burden." Older adults and caregivers managing multiple chronic conditions spend an average of two hours daily on healthcare-related activities. They also spend up to two hours at each healthcare visit--and there can be many visits to coordinate when you have multiple health concerns. This much care risks causing what health professionals refer to as "treatment burden" (the term for feeling overwhelmed or incapable when it comes to carrying out our treatment plans). When we consider all the options available for multiple chronic conditions, it's important to consider which treatments may be most helpful in light of our abilities, and which--conversely--may be more difficult for us to follow or implement (especially when we may need assistance from a caregiver). Removing healthcare that is burdensome and not beneficial creates the opportunity to start care that is helpful and consistent with our own personal health priorities. 3) Align Decisions and Care for Us, Our Caregivers, and Our Clinicians Based on Our Health Priorities and Health Trajectory. * Seeking Agreement on Health Priorities & Health Information. Two critical steps for anyone living with multiple chronic conditions are (1) identifying our own health priorities and (2) getting information on how treatment options can help us achieve our health priorities. To make the most of these actions, however, we need to make sure everyone involved in our care understands our care priorities and can help us make sense of health information based on our needs. Everyone involved in our care should be using the same information when it comes to decisions about treatment plans. * Promoting Communication. Seeing a number of specialists for multiple chronic conditions can lead to fragmented healthcare (the term for care that feels uncoordinated or "choppy"). In some cases, fragmented care can lead to conflicting treatment recommendations from different providers, as well as burdensome treatments that may not be focused on what matters most to us individually. Decision-making and communication must fit into our care decisions and care plans. This means keeping an open, honest, and ongoing dialogue with our health providers, as well as any individuals (such as our caregivers) who we may want to play a role in our care. If you're worried about coordinating care with different providers/offices, it may also be helpful to identify a primary point-of-contact (such as your geriatrician), who can gather information from all your providers and help you understand and assess different options. ### About the Health in Aging Foundation This research summary was developed as a public education tool by the Health in Aging Foundation. The Foundation is a national non-profit established in 1999 by the American Geriatrics Society to bring the knowledge and expertise of geriatrics healthcare professionals to the public. We are committed to ensuring that people are empowered to advocate for high-quality care by providing them with trustworthy information and reliable resources. Last year, we reached nearly 1 million people with our resources through HealthinAging.org. We also help nurture current and future geriatrics leaders by supporting opportunities to attend educational events and increase exposure to principles of excellence on caring for older adults. For more information or to support the Foundation's work, visit http://www.HealthinAgingFoundation.org. About the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society Included in more than 9,000 library collections around the world, the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS) highlights emerging insights on principles of aging, approaches to older patients, geriatric syndromes, geriatric psychiatry, and geriatric diseases and disorders. First published in 1953, JAGS is now one of the oldest and most impactful publications on gerontology and geriatrics, according to ISI Journal Citation Reports. Visit wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/JGS for more details. About the American Geriatrics Society Founded in 1942, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is a nationwide, not-for-profit society of geriatrics healthcare professionals that has--for 75 years--worked to improve the health, independence, and quality of life of older people. Its nearly 6,000 members include geriatricians, geriatric nurses, social workers, family practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and internists. The Society provides leadership to healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public by implementing and advocating for programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy. For more information, visit AmericanGeriatrics.org. Trillions of dollars in cuts to everything from the nation's largest insurer to programs for training more health professionals already in short supply round out a 2020 budget proposal that is "deeply troubling for older Americans, their families, and their health professionals," so say experts from the American Geriatrics Society (AGS). In comments posted today, the AGS raised several such concerns about priorities outlined in President Trump's "Budget for a Better America," a proposal falling far short of its name as it seeks to shrink or even eliminate health training, health research, health coverage, and health services for older adults in communities across the U.S. "Even though this proposal is just a 'wish list' for now, it sends a troubling message" said Nancy E. Lundebjerg, MPA, Chief Executive Officer of the AGS. "That's why we're urging everyone to let the White House and Congress know that cutting supports for older adults now cuts care for us all as we age." In assessing the Trump Administration's proposal released earlier this week, the AGS raised its most significant objections to: Cuts of nearly $800 million to eliminate primary care education and training for a host of other health professionals when their expertise is needed most. In particular, these cuts come with more questions than answers for the future of the only federal programs focused on building geriatrics expertise, which remains in short supply across most of America. Beyond educating current and future doctors, nurses, physician assistants, social workers, and others in geriatrics principles, these platforms--the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program and the Geriatrics Academic Career Awards, both administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration--also offer important links to family caregivers, more than 40 million of whom already provide the bulk of care for older Americans. Cuts of nearly $5 billion from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including $429 million from the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Though NIH and the NIA have long enjoyed bipartisan support, any threat to their funding could stymie important progress on treating and preventing the health conditions older Americans face with growing frequency. Trillions of dollars in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, our nation's largest insurers and main source of health support for older adults and other Americans at risk for poor health. The Trump Administration's wish list includes ending successful expansions of Medicaid, which led to better health coverage for those who need it most, and cutting nearly $1.5 trillion from the program over the next 10 years. Plans to establish a "per-capita cap" or "block grant" $1.2 trillion in its place (which would offer states a set Medicaid spending amount in advance) have long been criticized by health and policy experts, including those at the AGS, for jeopardizing access to long-term care services and supports, among other resources. Millions of dollars in reductions to key community services for older adults. These include a $38 million cut to caregiver support programs, a $13 million cut to the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (which provides free local health coverage counseling for Medicare beneficiaries), and reduced funding for chronic disease self-management and falls-prevention programs, which would be folded into the Preventive Health Services Programs without additional funding. While the 2020 budget proposal includes several priorities that align with the needs of older Americans--including proposals for reducing Medicare prescription medication costs and increasing funds for the Veterans Health Administration--Lundebjerg noted that "no budget should sacrifice our long-term health for the sake of short-term gains." "We remain committed to working with Congress and the Administration on a proposal that meets our country's needs while advancing health, safety, and independence for us all as we grow older," Lundebjerg added. ### About the American Geriatrics Society Founded in 1942, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is a nationwide, not-for-profit society of geriatrics healthcare professionals that has--for more than 75 years--worked to improve the health, independence, and quality of life of older people. Our nearly 6,000 members include geriatricians, geriatric nurses, social workers, family practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and internists. The Society provides leadership to healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public by implementing and advocating for programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy. For more information, visit AmericanGeriatrics.org. Washington, DC - On March 13 the Biophysical Society (BPS) and Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL-11) hosted Dr. Jennifer Doudna for a CRISPR-101 Congressional Briefing. The briefing received interest from more than 60 Congressional offices. The briefing took place from 10:30 to 11:30am in the Rayburn House Office Building's Gold Room. "It is crucial that policymakers understand both the opportunities and the challenges that the CRISPR/Cas9 technology holds for our future," said Rep. Foster. "The CRISPR technology we heard about today has the potential to positively impact global efforts to combat climate change, disease, and hunger. It also has the potential to be used for unregulated genetic engineering of humans and to enable dangerous new classes of biological weapons. It's critical that we continue to support basic science so that we can maintain our leadership as a country of innovation and discovery." Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats or CRISPR technology is a powerful tool for editing genomes. CRISPR, which was developed from DNA sequences found in bacteria, has proven to be faster, cheaper, and more efficient than previous gene-editing tools. Given its enormous potential in agriculture and in curing serious human diseases, including cancer, CRISPR gene editing technology has led to much excitement in the research community. "It was a pleasure to host a former BPS keynote speaker Dr. Jennifer Doudna today for this important briefing," said Jennifer Pesanelli, Executive Officer, BPS. "Every day, our members apply the theories and methods of physics to further our understanding of how biological phenomena and systems work. Dr. Doudna's work has sparked global interest in CRISPR and its potential to help us combat global hunger and seemingly incurable diseases. We greatly appreciate Congressman Foster's continued leadership and championing of science on Capitol Hill." As an internationally renowned and award-winning professor of Chemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology at UC-Berkeley, Dr. Doudna and her colleagues rocked the research world in 2012 by first describing CRISPR gene editing, widely acknowledged as the scientific breakthrough of the century, and strongly advocating for its responsible use. "I appreciate the opportunity to join the Biophysical Society and Congressman Bill Foster to discuss CRISPR genome editing," said Dr. Doudna. "This revolutionary technology is the result of fundamental scientific research. As we consider how to ethically and safely apply CRISPR, it is important that policymakers continue to support basic research so that scientists can develop the vital medical cures, better food production, and alternative energy resources that our society needs." The briefing provided a broad overview of the technology and discussed its ethical use and patenting issues. ### The Biophysical Society, founded in 1958, is a professional, scientific Society established to encourage development and dissemination of knowledge in biophysics. The Society promotes growth in this expanding field through its annual meeting, monthly journal, and committee and outreach activities. Its 9,000 members are located throughout the U.S. and the world, where they teach and conduct research in colleges, universities, laboratories and government agencies. http://www.biophysics.org. The EJE&CON Awards to Genderless Talent go to P&G, Room Mate Hotels, CRG, Julia en la Onda of Onda Cero, with special mention for Rebeca Grynspan The Asociacion Espanola de Ejecutiv@s y Consejer@s, EJE&CON, held the award ceremony of the third edition of its EJE&CON Awards to Genderless Talent, which acknowledge the promotion of female talent, in the categories of Large Enterprises, SMEs, institutions, the media and special mention. The award panel, comprised of different professionals of acknowledged prestige in the different business and professional areas of the Public Administration, distinguished P&G, Room Mate Hotels, Centre for Genomic Regulation and the Julia en la Onda programme on Onda Cero, with a special mention for Rebeca Grynspan. EJE&CON Award to Genderless Talent in the Large Enterprises category to Procter & Gamble (P&G) The panel awarded the Large Enterprises category distinction to Procter & Gamble for its promotion of gender equality throughout the company's departments and hierarchical levels, guaranteed through impeccable metrics and innovative measures that permit access to equal opportunities, as well as the inclusion of men through its MARC programme. Javier Solans, Procter & Gamble's Chief Executive Officer for Spain and Portugal, collected the award from Nerea Torres, president of EJE&CON. EJE&CON Award to Genderless Talent in the SMEs category to Room Mate Hotels The award in the SMEs category went to Room Mate Hotels by dint of its being an innovative company in a mature sector, and for having demonstrated from the outset that female talent is not just a number, as embodied in the key executive positions held by influential woman inside the organisation, and also for having committed to and prioritised in-house talent, diversity and equality, all of them integrated within its corporate values and business DNA. Rosana Fernandez, Human Resources Manager of Room Mate Hotels, collected the award from Rosa Gonzalez, Brand and Corporate Culture Director of Banco de Santander. EJE&CON Award to Genderless Talent in the Institutions category to Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) The award panel acknowledged CRG for defending the premise that excellence in the world of science must be accompanied by an impeccable human resources policy, for applying transparent recruitment criteria, for promoting stimulating working conditions and training and for championing equal opportunities through active gender equality policies. The director of the Centre for Genomic Regulation, Luis Serrano, received the award from Lucas Osorio, Hogan Lovells' Managing Partner in Madrid. EJE&CON Award to Genderless Talent in the Communications Media category to the Julia en la Onda programme of Onda Cero. EJE&CON distinguished the radio programme Julia en la Onda, led and presented by the journalist Julia Otero, for its patent and steadfast commitment to Genderless Talent. Julian Cabrera, The News Programmes Director of Onda Cero, received the award from Antonio Sagardoy, CEO of Bros Group. EJE&CON Genderless Talent Special Mention for Rebeca Grynspan Every year, the panel acknowledges a person who has stood out on account of having either performed or promoted particularly relevant activities for the development of Genderless Talent. This year's awardee was Rebeca Grynspan for her personal and professional career advocating the advancement of women and Genderless Talent. Rebeca Grynspan is former United Nations Under-Secretary-General, was Vice-President of Costa Rica and is one of the 50 most influential women intellectuals in Spanish-America. Reyes Maroto, Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism, delivered the award to Rebeca Grynspan. "Promoting Genderless Talent" The event also featured the participation of Sara Bieger, a member of the Governing Board of AXA, who welcomed the attendees to the ceremony. The award ceremony was followed by a round-table featuring the award-winners and Magda Male, Vice-President of EJE&CON and awards director. Nerea Torres, president of EJE&CON, remarked, in the presentation of the event, that "within the framework of EJE&CON's mission to promote the cultural change that is necessary to achieve gender equality, perhaps the best thing we can say is that we have reached this third edition with a greater degree of competitiveness in all categories, both in terms of the number of candidates and their value. We are proud to say that we have 50% more candidates than in our last edition". Reyes Maroto, Minister for Industry, Trade and Commerce, during her address she highlighted that "in our country, the gender gap involves a loss of 15% GDP. Therefore, our task is to add women into the productive fabric". ### The EJE&CON Awards to Genderless Talent are sponsored by Bros Group, Hogan Lovells and Banco de Santander. The genetic legacy of European hunter-gatherers who lived thousands of years ago is more complex than had been thought, according to new genomic evidence reported in Current Biology on March 14. The new findings point to more diversity and mixture amongst hunter-gatherers, especially in the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe now recognized as Portugal and Spain, who had endured the Last Glacial Maximum (18,000-24,000 years ago) in southern refugia. "We can confirm the survival of an additional Paleolithic lineage that dates back to the Late Ice Age in Iberia," says Wolfgang Haak of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History. "This confirms the role of the Iberian Peninsula as a refuge during the Last Glacial Maximum, not only for fauna and flora but also for human populations." Earlier evidence has shown that western and central Europe were dominated by ancestry associated with an ~14,000-year-old individual from Villabruna, Italy. That ancestry had largely replaced earlier ancestry more closely represented by 19,000-15,000-year-old individuals associated with what's known as the Magdalenian cultural complex. But little was known about the genetic diversity in southern European refugia, including the Iberian Peninsula. To help fill in those gaps, Haak and colleagues including PhD student Vanessa Villalba now report new genome-wide data from 11 hunter-gatherers and Neolithic individuals from Iberia. The oldest are ~12,000-year-old individuals from Balma Guilanya in Spain. The evidence shows that those individuals, including the oldest ~19,000-year-old previously published individual from El Miron, carry dual ancestry from both Villabruna and the Magdalenian-related individuals. The discovery suggests an early connection between two potential refugia, they report, resulting in a genetic ancestry that survived in later Iberian hunter-gatherers. "The hunter-gatherers from the Iberian Peninsula carry a mix of two older types of genetic ancestry: one that dates back to the Last Glacial Maximum and was once maximized in individuals attributed to Magdalenian culture and another one that is found everywhere in western and central Europe and had replaced the Magdalenian lineage during the Early Holocene, with the exception of the Iberian Peninsula," Haak says. The findings come as something of a surprise because archaeologists had described distinct cultural changes appearing with the Holocene hunter-gatherers. The genetic evidence tells a somewhat different story, highlighted by an almost stable blend of two ancient source populations. "At the same time, we can show that this genetic ancestry is also present in Early European farmers who expanded during the Neolithic period across Europe," Villalba says. "The fact that we can trace both hunter-gatherer lineages tells us that the newbies picked up this ancestry by mixing with the locals in Iberia." "The signs of mixing between local hunter-gatherers and newly arriving farmers is fantastic to witness, even though we have virtually no overlap in the radiocarbon record in many areas of Iberia," she continues. "It just shows how much of the past we are still missing." The researchers say that continued efforts to decipher the genetic structure of late hunter-gatherer groups across Europe will help to even better understand Europe's past and, in particular, the assimilation of a Neolithic way of life brought about by expanding farmers from the Near East during the Holocene. They plan to continue adding genomic data for ancient people to reconstruct the most detailed account of each region and epoch as possible. ### This work was supported by the Max Planck Society and the European Research Council, the Gobierno de Aragon and the Fondo Social Europeo, Programa CAI-Ibercaja de Estancias de Investigacion, the Wenner-Gren Foundation, the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences of CSUN, and the CSUN Competition for Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Awards. Current Biology, Villalba-Mouco et al.: "Survival of Late Pleistocene Hunter-gatherer ancestry in the Iberian Peninsula" https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(19)30145-9 Current Biology (@CurrentBiology), published by Cell Press, is a bimonthly journal that features papers across all areas of biology. Current Biology strives to foster communication across fields of biology, both by publishing important findings of general interest and through highly accessible front matter for non-specialists. Visit: http://www.cell.com/current-biology. To receive Cell Press media alerts, contact press@cell.com. ITHACA, N.Y. - Researchers long ago mapped sight, hearing and other human sensory systems in the brain. But for taste, which could be considered our most pleasurable sense, precisely where the "gustatory" cortex is and how it works has been a mystery. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a new method of statistical analysis, researchers have discovered the taste center in the human brain by uncovering which parts of the brain distinguish different types of tastes. "We have known that tastes activate the human brain for some time, but not where primary taste types such as sweet, sour, salty and bitter are distinguished," said Adam Anderson, professor of human development at Cornell University and senior author of the study, published in Nature Communications. "By using some new techniques that analyze fine-grained activity patterns, we found a specific portion of the insular cortex - an older cortex in the brain hidden behind the neocortex - represents distinct tastes," Anderson said. The insular cortex, which separates the frontal and temporal lobes, has long been thought to be the primary sensory area for taste. It also plays a role in other important functions, including visceral and emotional experience. "The insular cortex represents experiences from inside our bodies," Anderson said. "So taste is a bit like perceiving our own bodies, which is very different from other external senses such as sight, touch, hearing or smell." Previous work has shown a nearby insular region processes information originating from inside the body - from the heart and lungs, for example. In this way, distinct tastes and their associated pleasures may reflect the needs of our body. Taste not only reflects what is on our tongue but also our body's need for specific nutrients, Anderson said. The researchers found evidence that could be considered the "sweet" spot in the insula - a specific area where a large ensemble of neurons respond to sweetness stimulation on the tongue. "While we identified a potential 'sweet' spot, its precise location differed across people and this same spot responded to other tastes, but with distinct patterns of activity," Anderson said. "To know what people are tasting, we have to take into account not only where in the insula is stimulated, but also how." Compared with previous animal studies that show distinct activation clusters of basic tastes in the brain, the new study's results reveal a more complex taste map in the human brain, Anderson said, where the same insular region represents multiple tastes. ### First author of the study is Junichi Chikazoe, former postdoctoral researcher in Anderson's Affect and Cognition Lab. Also contributing to the study were researchers from Columbia University and the University of Colorado. Funding was provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and the Takeda Science Foundation. Cornell University has dedicated television and audio studios available for media interviews supporting full HD, ISDN and web-based platforms. Barcelona/Rio de Janeiro, 14 March 2019 - A two-week treatment course for adult patients with chronic Chagas disease showed, when compared to placebo, similar efficacy and significantly fewer side effects than the standard treatment duration of eight weeks, according to the results of a clinical trial in Bolivia led by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi). Chagas disease affects an estimated six million people globally and can lead to irreversible damage to vital organs, and death. Benznidazole, one of the two drugs used to treat Chagas, is traditionally administered twice a day over a course of eight weeks, in line with PAHO and WHO recommendations and national guidelines. The Phase II clinical trial, carried out in three centres in Bolivia, sought to improve safety, tolerability and efficacy of treatment with this drug, which was discovered half a century ago. Initiated in 2016, it was the first-ever placebo-controlled study to test various lengths and dosages of treatment with benznidazole, both on its own as a monotherapy, and in combination with fosravuconazole. The results were presented for the first time today at the "XV Jornada sobre la Enfermedad de Chagas", organised by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal, a centre supported by "la Caixa"). "We believe treatment can spare people with Chagas the risk of a lifetime of debilitating complications associated with the disease. However, the current treatment can cause severe side effects, which has often discouraged some people from seeking treatment and healthcare workers from recommending it," said Joaquim Gascon, a principal investigator in the trial and the director of the Chagas Initiative at ISGlobal. "We've shown that shorter treatment could be just as effective, and much safer. This could change the paradigm for Chagas treatment, by improving adherence and encouraging wider adoption by the medical community," said Dr Faustino Torrico, President of CEADES Foundation, Bolivia, and a principal investigator in the trial. All arms of the study, both monotherapy and combination, were shown to be efficacious. Eighty percent of the patients assigned to the group which took the standard dose of 300mg/day of benznidazole, but for two weeks instead of the standard eight weeks, showed no sign of the parasite in their blood six and 12 months after finishing the treatment. A similar result was observed in the group that took the standard eight-week treatment. Significantly, none of those in the two-week reduced duration group interrupted treatment. On average, 2 in 10 patients who followed the standard course of treatment with benznidazole abandoned the treatment due to side effects. "These results bring new hope for people living with this silent disease and could change the reality of access to treatment in endemic countries. With a much simpler treatment regimen, there is no excuse for not treating people with Chagas disease," said Dr Sergio Sosa Estani, Head of Chagas Clinical Programme at DNDi. "DNDi will now continue to work with national programmes, partners and ministries of health of endemic countries to confirm these results and encourage necessary steps to register the new regimen and turn this breakthrough discovery into a reality for people affected by the disease." The trial was conducted in partnership with CEADES (Fundacion Ciencia y Estudios Aplicados para el Desarrollo en Salud y Medio Ambiente), ISGlobal, Japanese pharmaceutical company and manufacturer of fosravuconazole Eisai Co. Ltd., Argentinian pharmaceutical company and manufacturer of benznidazole Elea, and associated non-profit foundation Fundacion Mundo Sano, among others, and funded by the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT). DNDi continues to work on pre-clinical and clinical research to discover, develop, and test new drugs and drug combinations to treat Chagas. For more information, please contact: Alessandra Vilas Boas (DNDi)/ avilasboas@dndi.org / +447484661366 About the study The "Bendita" study (Benznidazole New Doses Improved Treatment & Associations) was carried out in sites in Cochabamba, Tarija and Sucre, Bolivia. It tested, against a placebo, six treatment arms with a variety of lengths and dosages of benznidazole, both as a monotherapy and in combination with fosravuconazole: The standard 8-week treatment, with a standard daily dose of 300mg/day of benznidazole in monotherapy A 4-week treatment with a daily dose of 300mg/day of benznidazole in monotherapy A 2-week treatment with a daily dose of 300mg/day of benznidazole in monotherapy A 4-week treatment with a lower daily dose of 150mg/day of benznidazole in monotherapy A 4-week treatment with a lower daily dose of 150mg/day of benznidazole, in combination with fosravuconazole An 8-week treatment, with a lower weekly dose of 300mg of benznidazole, in combination with fosravuconazole. Efficacy was measured through sustained parasitological response at six months, with a final assessment at 12 months after the end of the treatment. ### About Chagas disease Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) endemic in 21 countries in Latin America, but present also in North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia. The Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) estimates that the disease affects approximately 6 million people, with 30,000 new cases and 14,000 deaths per year. It is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) and transmitted by insects known as "kissing bugs". It can also be transmitted from an infected mother to a child, or through blood transfusion or food contaminated with the vector. Since it was first discovered in 1909, Chagas has primarily affected poor, vulnerable populations with limited access to healthcare. As the disease typically remains asymptomatic for years after infection, most people with the disease are unaware of their condition. For 30-40% of people infected, the disease progresses to a late chronic stage. Of these, most will suffer cardiac damage, often leading to sudden death or progressive heart failure. The disease can also cause enlargement of the gastrointestinal tract and organs, and gastrointestinal motor disorders. There are currently only two drugs available to treat Chagas disease - nifurtimox and benznidazole - both discovered half a century ago. Treatment with benznidazole, the most commonly used, lasts 60 days and may have undesirable side effects such as gastric intolerance, cutaneous rashes, or neuromuscular problems, amongst others. Around 20% of those who start the treatment do not complete it, mostly due to undesirable side effects. About DNDi A not-for-profit research and development organization, DNDi works to deliver new treatments for neglected patients, in particular those suffering with Chagas disease, sleeping sickness (human African trypanosomiasis), leishmaniasis, filarial infections, mycetoma, paediatric HIV, and hepatitis C. Since its inception in 2003, DNDi has delivered eight new treatments. DNDi's strategy for Chagas disease consists of three pillars: improving diagnostic and therapeutic tools through innovation in research & development, fostering collaboration and strengthen capacity in endemic countries through a scientific platform, and increasing patients' access to diagnosis and treatment. About ISGlobal The Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal, is the fruit of an innovative alliance between "la Caixa" and academic and government institutions to contribute to the efforts undertaken by the international community to address the challenges in global health. ISGlobal is a consolidated hub of excellence in research that has grown out of work first started in the world of health care by the Hospital Clinic and the Parc de Salut MAR and in the academic sphere by the University of Barcelona and Pompeu Fabra University. The pivotal mechanism of its work model is the transfer of knowledge generated by scientific research to practice, a task undertaken by the institute's Education and Policy and Global Development departments. ISGlobal a member of the CERCA programme of the Generalitat de Catalunya. About CEADES Fundacion CEADES is a non-profit organisation working to contribute to the knowledge and the solution of health and environment problems in Bolivia, with emphasis on research and treatment of Neglected Tropical Diseases. CEADES also carries out capacity building activities for healthcare workers, community education and innovative projects about health and society and technology transfer. Since 2008, it has developed specialised healthcare models in seven centres which are part of the Platform for comprehensive care to adults with Chagas disease. In the area of scientific research, CEADES participates in various clinical trials with new medicines and biomarkers for disease cure and progression. CEADES works in collaboration with ISGlobal and with funding from AECID. In addition, it implements projects in collaboration with DNDi, Mundo Sano Foundation, UTEP, INH and HORIZON2020. At the local level, it supports institutional networks, patients' social organisations and coordinates with government agencies such as the National Chagas Programme and the Ministry of Health. ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT has caught a glimpse of an ethereal nebula hidden away in the darkest corners of the constellation of Orion (The Hunter) -- NGC 1788, nicknamed the Cosmic Bat. This bat-shaped reflection nebula doesn't emit light -- instead it is illuminated by a cluster of young stars in its core, only dimly visible through the clouds of dust. Scientific instruments have come a long way since NGC 1788 was first described, and this image taken by the VLT is the most detailed portrait of this nebula ever taken. Even though this ghostly nebula in Orion appears to be isolated from other cosmic objects, astronomers believe that it was shaped by powerful [stellar winds] - from the massive stars beyond it. These streams of scorching plasma are thrown from a star's upper atmosphere at incredible speeds, shaping the clouds secluding the Cosmic Bat's nascent stars. NGC 1788 was first described by the German-British astronomer William Herschel, who included it in a catalogue that later served as the basis for one of the most significant collections of deep-sky objects, the New General Catalogue (NGC) [1]. A nice image of this small and dim nebula had already been captured by the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope at ESO's La Silla Observatory, but this newly observed scene leaves it in the proverbial dust. Frozen in flight, the minute details of this Cosmic Bat's dusty wings were imaged for the twentieth anniversary of one of ESO's most versatile instruments, the FOcal Reducer and low dispersion Spectrograph 2?(FORS2. FORS2 is an instrument mounted on Antu , one of the VLT's 8.2-metre Unit Telescopes at the Paranal Observatory, and its ability to image large areas of the sky in exceptional detail has made it a coveted member of ESO's fleet of cutting-edge scientific instruments. Since its first light 20 years ago, FORS2 has become known as "the Swiss army knife of instruments". This moniker originates from its uniquely broad set of functions [2]. FORS2's versatility extends beyond purely scientific uses -- its ability to capture beautiful high-quality images like this makes it a particularly useful tool for public outreach. This image was taken as part of ESO's Cosmic Gems programme, an outreach initiative that uses ESO telescopes to produce images of interesting, intriguing or visually attractive objects for the purposes of education and public outreach. The programme makes use of telescope time that cannot be used for science observations, and -- with the help of FORS2 -- produces breathtaking images of some of the most striking objects in the night sky, such as this intricate reflection nebula. In case the data collected could be useful for future scientific purposes, these observations are saved and made available to astronomers through the ESO Science Archive ). ### Notes [1] In 1864 John Herschel published the General Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters, which built on extensive catalogues and contained entries for more than five thousand intriguing deep-sky objects. Twenty-four years later, this catalogue was expanded by John Louis Emil Dreyer and published as the New General Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars (NGC), a comprehensive collection of stunning deep-sky objects. [2] In addition to being able to image large areas of the sky with precision, FORS2 can also measure the spectra of multiple objects in the night sky and analyse the polarisation of their light. Data from FORS2 are the basis of over 100 scientific studies published every year. More information ESO is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory by far. It has 16 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, along with the host state of Chile and with Australia as a Strategic Partner. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries. ESO also plays a leading role in promoting and organising cooperation in astronomical research. ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in Chile: La Silla, Paranal and Chajnantor. At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope and its world-leading Very Large Telescope Interferometer as well as two survey telescopes, VISTA working in the infrared and the visible-light VLT Survey Telescope. Also at Paranal ESO will host and operate the Cherenkov Telescope Array South, the world's largest and most sensitive gamma-ray observatory. ESO is also a major partner in two facilities on Chajnantor, APEX and ALMA, the largest astronomical project in existence. And on Cerro Armazones, close to Paranal, ESO is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope, the ELT, which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky". Links * NGC 1788 observed by the MPG/ESO 2.2-metre telescope - https://www.eso.org/public/usa/images/eso1009a/ * ESO's Cosmic Gems programme - https://www.eso.org/public/outreach/gems/ * Images of the VLT - https://www.eso.org/public/images/archive/search/?adv=&subject_name=Very%20Large%20Telescope Contacts Calum Turner ESO Public Information Officer Garching bei Munchen, Germany Tel: +49 89 3200 6670 Email: pio@eso.org Photo: Kirk Penton A year and a half after Mission Group bought the former Bargain Centre and an adjacent parking lot on Bernard Avenue and St. Paul Street in downtown Kelowna, the developer has finally broken ground on its project for the site. A wide range of dignitaries were on hand Wednesday afternoon for the ceremony, which signified commencement of the Brooklyn tower. It is the first of three buildings that will be part of the companys Bernard Block project. Brooklyn will feature 178 homes and a 25th-floor patio, bringing densification to downtown Kelowna that is well underway with several other condominium projects currently on the go, including Mission Groups Ella tower on the northwest corner of Lawrence Avenue and Ellis Street. For more on this story, visit Okanagan Edge. The role played by symbiotic microorganisms isolated from the skin of anurans has been discovered by researchers in Brazil. The study is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Brazilian scientists have discovered that the strong odor released by some amphibian species is produced by bacteria and that attracting a mate is one of its purposes. The bacteria in question are a noteworthy example of symbiosis as they assist in the animal's mating process. A paper recounting the discovery of this role of microorganisms isolated from the skin of frogs has been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). "Frogs emit a pungent odor. Sometimes a particular species can be recognized by its scent, but until now, the function of this odor was unknown. It was typically assumed to be an aposematic smell, meaning a chemical warning sign that served to repel predators, as in the case of skunks [Mephitis mephitis] among mammals, for example," said Celio Haddad, a professor at Sao Paulo State University's Rio Claro Bioscience Institute (IBRC-UNESP) in Brazil and a coauthor of the article. According to Haddad, who is also affiliated with the university's Aquaculture Center (CAUNESP) in Jaboticabal, this hypothesis was considered plausible because many amphibian species, especially when poisonous, are brightly colored, and this serves as a visual alert to frighten predators. "We thought odor might play a similar role among anurans [frogs and toads]," he said. The new study resulted from the postdoctoral research of Argentinean biologist Andres Eduardo Brunetti, supervised by Professor Norberto Peporine Lopes. Conducted at the University of Sao Paulo's Ribeirao Preto School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (FCFRP-USP), the research was supported by Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP. "The importance and originality of Brunetti's research is that for the first time it shows a pronounced difference in the odors emitted by frogs of opposite sexes," Haddad said. "No other studies of anurans have ever described this type of behavior. The results suggest that the odor serves to permit mutual recognition between males and females of the same species for mating purposes." The research was also supported by the FAPESP Research Program on Biodiversity Characterization, Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable Use (BIOTA-FAPESP) and by the University of Sao Paulo (USP), the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and Brazil's Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES). "In anurans, you often see different species sharing a lake or marsh. In such places, there are 30 male frogs for every female of the same species on average. The question is how the females recognize males of their own species among a multitude of males belonging to several species while they're all vocalizing at the same time," Brunetti said. "It's well-known that the function of the call of anuran males is to attract females and that every species has a characteristic song. Our findings suggest that odor appears to play a similar role, serving as an olfactory signal that enables females to recognize males of their own species." Biologists were also unaware of a difference in the scents of male and female frogs. Brunetti discovered this difference during his research, whose primary goal was to understand the chemical composition of the volatile components emitted by the skin of various frog species. His working hypothesis suggested that smell was a chemical warning sign that served to repel predators. To verify the hypothesis, Brunetti conducted field surveys at several sites in Sao Paulo state and Rio de Janeiro state, collecting specimens of the tree frog Boana prasina. "It's very hard to collect females in the wild. Initially, we managed to collect only males. When we noticed what appeared to be a sexual difference in their odors, I went into the field again with the specific aim of capturing females for comparison," he said. "During my doctoral research at the Argentinian Natural Science Museum in Buenos Aires, while investigating the volatile compounds in two other frog species, I discovered that the secretions were made up of a blend of 35 to 42 compounds in nine different chemical classes. We then realized that some of the compounds had the specific signature of compounds produced by bacteria." Brunetti came to Brazil to investigate whether the selected tree frogs had skin bacteria that produced the characteristic odor of each species, and if so, which compounds they produced. His laboratory research proceeded on two fronts: analysis of the volatile compounds released by the skin of these frogs and identification of the bacteria on their skin. Brunetti and colleagues used gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to analyze the diversity of the volatile components secreted by the skin of B. prasina. They found that adult males and females secrete a blend of 60-80 compounds, including alcohols, aldehydes, alkenes, ethers, ketones, methoxypyrazines, terpenes and thioethers. The compounds were exactly the same in both males and females, but the researchers were surprised to find a pronounced sexual difference in the levels of methoxypyrazines, terpenes, and thioethers. "These three components were responsible for the difference between males and females. Thioethers and methoxypyrazines are typically produced by microorganisms," Brunetti said. They decided to determine whether microorganisms were the source of these compounds in B. prasina. To do so, they isolated, cultivated and identified bacteria associated with the skin of these frogs and analyzed their volatile components. No fewer than 128 different components were detected. Analysis of each component revealed that four methoxypyrazines present in males and females were produced by a single bacterium of the genus Pseudomonas. In B. prasina, Brunetti discovered, methoxypyrazines were much more abundant in females than in males. Two of the four types of methoxypyrazines were measured at higher levels in females, while two were found at higher levels in males. Symbiotic relationship "The interesting thing about Pseudomonas sp. is that these bacteria live on the skin of males and females, where they metabolize the same volatile compounds but at different levels of concentration according to the sex of the host," Brunetti said. The levels of methoxypyrazine measured in these frogs, he added, suggest the existence of a complex mechanism of metabolic interactions that creates a different environment on the skin of males and females, favoring the synthesis of characteristic methoxypyrazines in each sex. "These frogs and bacteria have a symbiotic relationship. In exchange for the service provided by the bacteria, entailing sexual differentiation by scent, the frogs provide an environment - their own skin - on which the bacteria can proliferate," he explained. The function of this sexual difference in methoxypyrazine levels is unknown. "However, we assume that the difference in scent helps male frogs of this species recognize females of the same species in places inhabited by other frog species," Brunetti said. "We know that many anurans use visual communication [bright skin colors] to repel predators as well as acoustic communication [vocalization] to attract female mates. Perhaps B. prasina uses a form of olfactory communication for the same purpose. Brunetti will attempt to confirm this hypothesis in future research. If correct, it will have major repercussions. "Only one anuran, in Madagascar, is currently known to communicate by odor. Among amphibians, salamanders, which are distant relatives of anurans, are known to use this form of communication," Haddad said. "If B. prasina uses scent as a form of communication, it may well be the case that other species also use olfactory communication, given that each species has a characteristic odor. Brunetti's discovery, if confirmed, opens up a new field of investigation in herpetology, which will now focus on olfactory communication among anurans, rather than just visual and acoustic communication." About Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) The Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) is a public institution with the mission of supporting scientific research in all fields of knowledge by awarding scholarships, fellowships and grants to investigators linked with higher education and research institutions in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. FAPESP is aware that the very best research can only be done by working with the best researchers internationally. Therefore, it has established partnerships with funding agencies, higher education, private companies, and research organizations in other countries known for the quality of their research and has been encouraging scientists funded by its grants to further develop their international collaboration. You can learn more about FAPESP at http://www.fapesp.br/en and visit FAPESP news agency at http://www.agencia.fapesp.br/en to keep updated with the latest scientific breakthroughs FAPESP helps achieve through its many programs, awards and research centers. You may also subscribe to FAPESP news agency at http://agencia.fapesp.br/subscribe. Michael L. Parks, MD, clinical director of Orthopedic Surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City, today received the 2019 Diversity Award from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). The Diversity Award recognizes members of the Academy who have distinguished themselves through their outstanding commitment to making orthopedics more representative of, and accessible to, diverse patient populations, according to the organization. Dr. Parks received the award at the Academy's 2019 Annual Meeting in Las Vegas. "I am honored to be recognized by the AAOS," Dr. Parks said. "In order to provide care for an ever increasing diverse population, we must understand their needs. The diversity of our faces helps with this understanding and ultimately our ability to provide excellent care for the patients we serve." Dr. Parks specializes in total joint replacement at Hospital for Special Surgery, where he is vice chair for Quality and serves on the hospital's Board of Trustees. He has led a number of research projects at HSS, with a particular interest in socioeconomic and racial disparities in access to arthritis care and total joint replacement surgery. He has published numerous articles in professional journals related to these topics. "HSS strives to deliver optimal care and services to all of our patients by adopting initiatives, behaviors, attitudes, and policies that enhance cultural competency and inclusion while serving diverse populations," said Louis A. Shapiro, president and CEO of Hospital for Special Surgery. "We applaud Dr. Parks for his efforts and his work in this area, and we're extremely proud that a member of the HSS staff has received the AAOS Diversity Award." Colleagues describe Dr. Parks as an exemplary leader who is actively involved in many organizations working to eliminate racial, ethnic and gender disparities for both patients and future physicians. In 2018, Dr. Parks was named president of the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation. He is a former president of the New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons and has served on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Dr. Parks is a member of the steering committee of the Movement is Life Caucus, which seeks to understand and address disparities in musculoskeletal health care. He is also actively involved with Nth Dimensions, a nonprofit organization that works to increase representation of women and minorities in orthopedic surgery. Dr. Parks was born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina. He graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and went on to earn his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, where he received the President's Clinical Science Award. After completing an internship in general and thoracic surgery, followed by an orthopedic residency at Duke University Medical Center, he continued his training at Hospital for Special Surgery with a fellowship on the Hip and Knee Service. ### About HSS | Hospital for Special Surgery HSS is the world's leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics (for the ninth consecutive year) and No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S.News & World Report (2018-2019). Founded in 1863, the Hospital has one of the lowest infection rates in the country an was the first in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center four consecutive times. The global standard total knee replacement was developed at HSS in 1969. An affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS has a main campus in New York City and facilities in New Jersey, Connecticut and in the Long Island and Westchester County regions of New York State. In addition, HSS will be opening a new facility in Florida in late 2019. In 2018, HSS provided care to 139,000 patients and performed more than 32,000 surgical procedures, and people from all 50 U.S. states and 80 countries travelled to receive care at HSS. In addition to patient care, HSS leads the field in research, innovation and education. The HSS Research Institute comprises 20 laboratories and 300 staff members focused on leading the advancement of musculoskeletal health through prevention of degeneration, tissue repair and tissue regeneration. The HSS Global Innovation Institute was formed in 2016 to realize the potential of new drugs, therapeutics and devices. The HSS Education Institute is the world's leading provider of education on musculoskeletal health, with its online learning platform offering more than 600 courses to more than 21,000 medical professional members worldwide. Through HSS Global Ventures, the institution is collaborating with medical centers and other organizations to advance the quality and value of musculoskeletal care and to make world-class HSS care more widely accessible nationally and internationally. A national call for restraint in opioid prescribing has yielded dramatic progress in clinician prescribing patterns, with some notable room for improvement. These are the findings of a new study from Harvard Medical School showing a drop of more than 50 percent in monthly opioid prescribing for new patients. Despite this marked decrease, the research showed, a subset of physicians have persisted in doling out scripts for these potent drugs at concerning dosages and lengths. At the same time, others have ceased any new prescriptions for opioid pain relief, raising the question of whether some patients might be getting less-than-adequate treatment for their pain. The study findings, based on an analysis of more than 86 million privately insured patients across the United States between 2012 and 2017, appear March 14 in The New England Journal of Medicine. (DOI: 10.1056/NEJMsa1807069) The findings show a dramatic drop--54 percent--in the rate of monthly opioid prescriptions to patients who have never used these drugs or had been off them for at least six months, a group commonly referred to as the "opioid naive." First-time prescriptions are deemed an important gateway to long-term opioid use and misuse and have become a target for risk reduction, the researchers said. Yet, at the same time, the analysis reveals that a subset of clinicians persistently prescribed such drugs to the opioid naive at concerning dosages and durations. The researchers say the results are reassuring because of the significant drop in prescriptions and alarming because of the persistence of potentially inappropriate prescribing in some cases and the possibility of undertreatment of pain in other cases. "The challenge we have in front of us is nothing short of intricate: Curbing the opioid epidemic while ensuring that we appropriately treat pain," said Nicole Maestas, senior investigator on the study and associate professor of health care policy in the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School. "It's a question of balancing the justified use of potent pain medications against the risk for opioid misuse and abuse." The researchers caution that, because the insurance claims they examined lacked details about key specifics of the clinical encounter, their analysis was not designed to determine the appropriateness of physicians' decisions to prescribe or withhold opioids. Still, the team warns, the patterns of prescribing raise some concerns. Between 2012 and 2017, the monthly incidence of initial opioid prescriptions declined by more than half, from 1.63 percent to 0.75 percent, with fewer clinicians initiating opioids for any opioid-naive patient. The number of providers who prescribed opioids for any opioid-naive patient decreased by nearly 30 percent, from 114,043 to 80,462. Among the shrinking number of physicians who did initiate opioid prescriptions, risky prescribing--defined as either a morphine-equivalent dose of 50 milligrams per day or more, or any dose prescribed for longer than three days--persisted at an average rate of more than 115,000 high-risk prescriptions per month out of 15.9 million opioid-naive individuals. A small portion of these high-risk prescriptions were particularly alarming: More than 7,700 exceeded 90 morphine milligram equivalents per day, a dose that places patients at a substantially higher risk of both nonfatal and fatal overdose. With the United States in the midst of a crippling opioid epidemic, spurred in large part by overuse of prescription opioids, the researchers set out to analyze trends in the rate at which opioid therapy was initiated among commercially insured patients. During the years covered by the study, physicians and policymakers were paying more attention to the dangers of opioids. One major turning point during this time was the prominent release of prescribing guidelines in 2016 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which were meant to cut back on prescriptions of high-dosage and long-duration courses of opioids, the researchers said. For their analysis, the investigators used de-identified insurance data claims from BCBS Axis, the largest collection of commercial insurance claims, medical-professional and cost-of-care information. They estimated the percentage of opioid-naive individuals receiving a new opioid prescription, the percentage receiving a long-duration or high-dose opioid prescription and the number of clinicians who started any opioid-naive patient on opioid therapy. The sample consisted of 15,897,673 opioid-naive patients each month, representing a total of 63,817,512 opioid-naive individuals over the five-year study period. Above all, the findings underscore the need for further analysis into how clinical decisions are made about whether to use opioids and, if so, at what dose and for how long. "The ultimate goal should be creating interventions that promote safer prescribing by balancing the importance of pain relief with the risks of opioid treatment, rather than an all-or-nothing approach," Maestas said. ### The work was supported by grants (P01AG005842 and R01AG026290) from the National Institute on Aging and a gift from Owen and Linda Robinson. Harvard Medical School participates in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Alliance for Health Research. Co-investigators included Wenjia Zhu, HMS associate in health care policy and Michael Chernew, the HMS Leonard D. Schaeffer Professor of Health Care Policy, and Tisamarie Sherry, associate physician policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, also contributed to this study. Study reveals new insights into how the liver and kidneys respond to toxins in animal models Exposure to potentially harmful chemicals is a reality of life. Our ancestors, faced with naturally occurring toxins, evolved mechanisms to detoxify and expel damaging substances. In the modern world, our bodies regularly process chemicals, from medicines and food additives to agricultural and industrial chemicals, to protect our tissues from harm. As the organs responsible for metabolizing and excreting toxic chemicals, the liver and kidneys bear the brunt of this exposure and are at the highest risk for toxin-induced damage. Understanding how these organs respond to, or are damaged by, toxins is of particular importance in pharmaceutical development and public health research. Now, Harvard Medical School investigators have developed a machine learning approach using high-quality, large-scale animal model data that sheds new light on the biology of the liver and kidneys after toxin exposure. The findings, recently published in Molecular Systems Biology, reveal new mechanisms of toxin vulnerability and tolerance that may be broadly relevant to studies of human disease, the authors said. Their analysis--based on a publicly available data set of the effects of 160 different chemicals on physiology, histopathology and gene expression in rats--revealed nine distinct patterns of response to chemical exposure that the authors termed "disease states." These states shed light on the dynamics of toxin-induced liver and kidney injury, including defense mechanisms and novel biomarkers, and provide insights into molecular signals that cause toxin-induced appetite suppression and weight loss. "We used machine learning to ask a simple question: What can we learn from this rich data set about what happens to the liver and kidneys after exposure to different chemicals?" said lead study author Kenichi Shimada, HMS research fellow in therapeutic science in the Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology. Shimada and co-author Tim Mitchison, the Hasib Sabbagh Professor of Systems Biology in the Blavatnik Institute at HMS, focused on the Open TG-GATEs database, the result of a 10-year effort by a Japanese public-private consortium to assess 170 different compounds with the aim of improving and enhancing drug safety. These compounds represent a wide range of chemicals and medications, including common ones such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, known for their toxic effects on the liver and kidneys at high doses. Each compound was administered at multiple dosages and time points to rats, as well as to rat and human liver cells grown in culture. For each of these treatment conditions, a variety of measures were collected, including blood chemistry, physiological measures such as body and tissue weight, histology and gene expression data. To identify commonalities and patterns in how the liver and kidneys respond to different drugs, Shimada and Mitchison developed an unsupervised machine-learning approach in which a computational algorithm--without relying on predefined questions, labels or categorizations in order to avoid researcher-introduced bias--analyzed data on 160 compounds administered in rats, representing more than 3,500 treatment conditions. Injury patterns Their initial analyses relied on blood chemistry and body and tissue weight data, which reflect the standard clinical tests used to diagnose human patients. These analyses revealed nine different patterns of response to chemical exposure that the researchers termed disease states. Additional computational analyses of gene expression and histopathology data--microscope-based examinations of tissue performed by pathologists that are also used in routine clinical assessment of toxicity--shed light on the distinct characteristics of each disease state. The states fell into two broad categories. One set reflected tissue injury. For example, exposure to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen induced a late-onset response in the liver associated with bleeding, a well-documented side effect of these drugs. The team saw a pattern of response marked by increased gene expression linked with inflammation and blood coagulation, decreased levels of red blood cells and hemoglobin, and elevated markers for red blood cell production. Other injurious disease states corresponded with response patterns that indicated acute liver injury, bile duct impairment, liver cell damage and kidney damage. The other group of disease states reflected neutral, unknown or even potentially beneficial responses. For example, synthetic hormones triggered a defensive response pattern marked by enhanced tolerance to toxins. The activity of genes involved in toxin metabolism increased, and so did biomarkers that indicated increased resistance to ferroptosis--a recently recognized form of regulated cell death triggered by the accumulation of metabolic byproducts. Tolerance transition Unexpectedly, the team found that some injurious states transitioned to this defensive response over time. Increased toxin tolerance was strongly associated with increased resistance to ferroptosis in the liver, but not to other forms of cell death. A better understanding of this process may help uncover ways to target ferroptosis and improve the liver's ability to tolerate drugs. "Often, patients have to stop taking medication because of adverse side effects and wait for their bodies to recover before they can begin again," Shimada said. "This gives us a starting point to study tolerance in a controlled format, and perhaps find ways to improve dosing schedules or even pretreat patients so that they are better able to cope with toxicity and suffer less tissue injury." Shimada and Mitchison also shed light on why weight loss is such a common feature of toxin exposure by analyzing genetic and molecular biomarkers alongside changes in body weight. They found that the expression activity of insulin-like growth factor-1 (Igf1) and three other associated genes were strongly up- or down-regulated. In the data set, rate of food consumption was most strongly linked with body weight over time, as expected, which could be partially explained by the role these genes play in blood sugar levels. These signals appear to collectively mediate organ-to-body communication as part of the toxin response, the authors said. The team also identified a gene, Gdf15, that was linked to appetite suppression. The protein encoded by this gene is known to regulate feeding by acting on receptors in the brain stem. Increased Gdf15 gene expression activity, particularly in the kidneys, was a consistent response to tissue injury. The pathway may represent a novel mechanism for appetite suppression and toxin-induced weight loss, but further studies are needed to clarify its role, the authors said. Because the data set is based on animal models, the findings are not immediately applicable in humans, Shimada said. In addition, the computational analyses revealed statistical clusters of toxin-induced changes in the kidneys and liver but are not inclusive of other organ systems and likely miss responses unique to one drug or do not share similarities with other responses. The methodology and findings, however, provide important new insights into biomarkers and mechanisms underlying toxin response and offer a framework for future research, such as more refined toxicology studies in humans, the authors said. "Data-driven diagnosis of disease is an eventual goal for researchers, and it is absolutely achievable with access to high quality data as in our paper," Shimada said. "I think the biological features we discovered, and in particular the tolerance mechanisms, can, with further study, inform treatment strategies and perhaps even the design of better medicines." ### This work was supported by a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Overseas Research Fellowship and the National Institutes of Health (5P50GM107618). DOI:10.15252/msb.20188636 Pretty much anybody who's been apartment hunting knows what they're looking for in a place to live, and bedbugs usually aren't on that list. So it might seem like a crazy idea for landlords to tell potential tenants about past bedbug infestations, but Alison Hill believes it will pay off in the long run. A John Harvard Distinguished Science Fellow, Hill is the co-author of a study that examines a requirement - proposed in a number of cities across the country - that would mandate such notifications. The results show that while landlords would experience a modest drop in rental income in the short term, they would make that money back in just a handful of years, and that the policies could dramatically slow the spread of the insects. The study is described in a paper published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "We find that in most cases, these policies are expected to have some costs to landlords in the first few years after they are enacted - there will be some lost rent and higher vacancies rates in apartments that have a history of infestation," Hill said. "But those costs all come back as gains later, because we find that these policies are effective at reducing the spread of infestations." One way the bugs can spread, Hill said, is during moves - if a tenant relocates from an infested apartment, they may inadvertently bring bedbugs with them to their new apartment, as well as leaving them behind at their old home, since the bugs can live in walls and floors as well as in furniture. The policy creates an unofficial quarantine, she said, by reducing the chances that an infested unit is rented, allowing landlords time to thoroughly treat the space for bedbugs and decreasing the chances for them to continue spreading. "When the overall level of bedbugs decreases, landlords will spend less on costly pest control efforts. There is less chance their apartments will be infested, and vacancy rates go back to normal," Hill said. "While for the first few years we predict there is a little extra cost to them - it depends on the rental market, but it's on the order of 0.2% to 2% per unit per year - but after the five-year mark they're expected to see gains that are even higher than that." The study's first author Sherrie Xie, a PhD candidate and veterinary medicine student at th University of Pennsylvania, also developed an online tool to demonstrate how the policy can lead to savings for landlords over time. The study was sparked, Hill said, by the fact that the re-emergence of bedbugs in recent decades doesn't fall squarely to any particular governmental agency. "I'm a public health researcher - I study infectious diseases like HIV and how we can control them, so to me bedbugs seem like an issue for public health agencies," she said. "But at the same time, it's a problem that's related to housing...so maybe people who deal with mice, rats and cockroaches should be the ones dealing with them. "But the reality is that in many cities there is not really any agency responsible for bedbugs," she continued. "So it's basically a private thing that people have to deal with." And while that uncertainty has created problems for cities struggling to deal with bedbug outbreaks, it has also created a vacuum for research. "There's no government funding agency that's tasked with funding research on bedbugs," Hill said. "Which just means there are a lot of unknowns about dealing with bedbugs." In an effort to fill that vacuum, the National Science Foundation funded a working group made up of experts from a host of different disciplines, including epidemiology, urban planning, economics and entomology. The group was co-chaired by Michael Levy, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania, who initiated and is the senior author of the study. Based on her experience modeling infectious diseases transmission, Hill was invited to join the panel with an eye toward developing models that could make predictions about which steps might best be able to control the spread of the insects. Another recruit to the team was Chris Rehmann, a professor of civil engineering at Iowa State University, who co-authored the study with Hill, Xie and Levy. Going forward, Hill said, researchers are planning to expand the study to incorporate greater variety in the housing market and understand how various policies can drive rents up or down, while other studies are in the works that would examine how bedbugs spread from location to location using data on the bug's genetics or relocation patterns of a city's residents. Other studies that would focus on the mental health and economic effects of bedbug infestations on residents are also planned, she said. In the meantime, Hill's co-authors are planning to present their findings to city officials in Philadelphia, where notification requirements are under consideration. "Our hope is to spread the word that disclosure policies can be a cost-effective way of slowing bedbug spread, because while there are a handful of cities that have implemented these policies, many others haven't." she said. "We hope our study provides some extra evidence to help make that decision. " ### This research was supported with funding from the National Science Foundation (via the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health. AMES, Iowa - Puberty is something we all go through and yet there is limited science to explain what is happening inside our bodies during this transition, and how it affects our physical and mental health. The research that does exist focuses primarily on girls and often ignores the changes for boys, African Americans and LGBTQ youth, said Elizabeth "Birdie" Shirtcliff, an associate professor of human development and family studies at Iowa State University. She is part of teams of researchers working to expand our understanding of puberty. "Puberty is a normal process, but how you go through puberty can really set your life off on a different trajectory," Shirtcliff said. "There are risks for early development including anxiety, depression, social problems and physical health problems, such as cancer." For a special section in the Journal of Research on Adolescence, Shirtcliff and her co-authors look at why there is a lack of research on puberty in understudied populations and the potential consequences. In a second paper, they examine factors that may influence cognitive and hormonal changes during puberty. The special issue also identifies questions to tackle with future research. Hair may hold the answer As director of the Stress Physiology Investigative Team (SPIT) Laboratory at Iowa State, Shirtcliff and a team of graduate and undergraduate students are analyzing hair samples to study how hormones and environmental factors influence the process of puberty. The SPIT Lab is one of the first in the U.S. to measure sex hormones in hair. Shirtcliff says unlike a saliva sample, which provides a snapshot of one specific moment, a centimeter of hair captures a month of hormone exposure. (Watch this video to learn more about the lab: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGGLTskrMCs) The hormones extracted from hair samples may provide answers about early and late onset of puberty. Shirtcliff says puberty can start between the ages of 8 and 10 - much earlier than most people think - and continue well into the early 20s. However, existing research is limited to the four or five years when children transition from looking like a child to an adult. Hair provides a direct measure of hormone exposure throughout, which may offer insight on what activates puberty, Shirtcliff said. "Our goal is to understand the mechanisms inside the body that trigger this transition, and how factors such as nutrition, stress and environmental toxins affect that process," she said. Not all experiences are equal Understanding how personal experiences and environmental factors shape and change hormones can help adolescents and their parents prepare for and deal with the emotional outbursts, aggression and other challenges associated with puberty. For example, in understudied groups such as African American boys, Shirtcliff says puberty changes their body in ways that seem desirable, but can be detrimental. "We have this perception puberty is really great for boys because they get big and strong and these are things boys want. But African American youth going through puberty are viewed as less innocent and stronger or as menacing and a perpetrator, so it's not necessarily a positive thing," Shirtcliff said. LGBTQ youth also have their own unique experiences. Shirtcliff says the transition to adulthood may change their bodies in ways they really do not want. There is limited research on ethnic and cultural differences and the risk of depression during puberty, but this is another area researchers would like to further investigate. "The study of puberty is complex as every individual progresses through puberty in his or her own way. We need to embrace that complexity to advance the science," Shirtcliff said. "In doing so, we can help teens and their parents navigate this transition and limit the risk for anxiety, depression and other health issues." ### The Society for Research on Adolescence provided funding for this research. Carlos Aylwin, Carlos Toro and Alejandro Lomniczi, all with Oregon Health and Science University; as well as Julianna Deardorff, University of California, Berkeley; Lindsay Hoyt, Fordham University; and Rona Carter, University of Michigan, contributed to the work. In 2050, 80% of the electric power in Germany has to be based on renewable resources. To reach this goal, it is required to store electric power in the form of chemical energy carriers. Within the priority program "Catalysts and Reactors under Dynamic Conditions for Energy Storage and Conversion" (SPP 2080, DynaKat) funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), twelve big research consortia study how catalytic reaction systems behave under such conditions. The priority program is coordinated by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Apart from biomass, sun and wind are the most important renewable energy carriers, but their availability is fluctuating considerably. On windy and sunny days, the amount of electric power produced exceeds the amount that can be fed into the grid. This overproduction of wind power and photovoltaic facilities can be stored in chemicals. Later on, electric power can be made available again or the chemicals can be used as sustainable feedstocks for the production of fuels or platform molecules for chemical industry. For the conversion of carbon dioxide or hydrogen into energy-storage molecules, such as methane, hydrocarbons, or alcohols, catalysts, electrochemical cells, and reactors are required. However, the influence of dynamic external conditions on catalytic reaction systems, for example caused by fluctuating wind and solar power, has hardly been studied so far. "But we know that the structure of solid catalysts and, hence, their catalytic activity can vary considerably under changing reaction conditions. This is a highly fascinating scientific topic," says Professor Jan-Dierk Grunwaldt of KIT's Institutes for Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry (ITCP) and of Catalysis Research and Technology (IKFT). The holder of the Chair for Chemical Technology and Catalysis coordinates the DFG Priority Program SPP2080 DynaKat in which, apart from KIT, a number of renowned research institutions from all over Germany are involved, like the Forschungszentrum Julich, TU Munich, and several Max Planck Institutes, including the Fritz Haber Institute in Berlin. The kickoff meeting with more than 70 participants took place in Karlsruhe in February this year. The twelve interdisciplinary, nationwide research projects are divided into 34 subprojects. Seven of these subprojects are executed by KIT institutes, namely, ITCP, IKFT, and the Institute for Micro Process Engineering (IMVT). DFG will fund the DynaKat Priority Program scheduled for a duration of six years with EUR 8.5 million for three years initially. The institution which attracted the largest number of projects within the SPP2080 is KIT. "We want to understand and then optimize the catalytic materials to be efficiently used under dynamic conditions," says Dr. Erisa Saraci, senior scientist at IKFT and co-organizer of the kickoff meeting at KIT. For this purpose, all processes are studied from the phenomena at the atomic level of the catalyst to the spatial distribution of feed concentrations and to temperature variations on the reactor level. For a basic understanding of processes and development of new materials and reactor designs, classical, established experiments as well as latest spectroscopic methods and modeling approaches are applied. Integration of early-career researchers plays an important role in the DynaKat DFG Priority Program. At KIT, a block course on "Technologies and Resources for Renewable Energies: From Wind and Solar to Chemical Energy Carriers" is organized for interested students and doctoral researchers. "In research, you will not advance without networking and team work, as the individual sub-disciplines are highly complex," says Sebastian Weber, doctoral researcher of IKFT/ITCP. Both Saraci and Weber emphasize the importance of exchanging and combining interdisciplinary expertise. "It is all about bundle competencies and advancing the topic in Germany in order to reach a leading position on an international level," says program coordinator Grunwaldt. ### Details on the Priority Program: http://www.itcp.kit.edu/spp2080/english/index.php More information on coordinator Jan-Dierk Grunwaldt: http://www.itcp.kit.edu/grunwaldt/english/index.php More about the KIT Energy Center: http://www.energy.kit.edu Press contact: Dr. Martin Heidelberger Press Officer Phone: +49 721 608-21169 Email: martin.heidelberger@kit.edu Being "The Research University in the Helmholtz Association," KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility and information. For this, about 9,300 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 25,100 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. This press release is available on the internet at http://www.sek.kit.edu/english/press_office.php. Whether for thermal energy storage systems, new process paths for the emission-free production of hydrogen, or innovative large-scale solar power plants: liquid metal technologies developed by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) can accelerate decarbonization of the energy system. The latest special report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) could hardly have been clearer: only the implementation of unprecedented changes in all areas of society, might avert catastrophic effects of global warming, the climate researchers say. They point out that the next few years will be decisive to the success of these efforts. Scientists of KIT support the change required for preserving our natural livelihood with close-to-practice innovations. New approaches and long-standing expertise are combined by the Liquid Metal Competence Platform Karlsruhe (LIMCKA) which pools the expertise of several institutes and laboratories of KIT. "Metal melts have excellent thermal properties. They can take up, transfer, and store heat very well. Hence, they are suited for use in a wide range of novel climate-friendly energy technologies," says Dr. Alfons Weisenburger, the coordinator of LIMCKA. "If implemented resolutely, these technologies might accelerate the necessary decarbonization of the energy system." Storage of Heat and Power According to the IPCC special report, quick phase-out of the use of coal is a necessary prerequisite for limiting the consequences of climate change. However, coal-fired power plants are still contributing to grid stability in these times of increasingly volatile electricity production from renewable resources. A potential solution: coal-fired power plants can be turned into thermal energy storage power plants, with continued use of existing turbines, generators, and grid connectors. "The core element of such a plant, the thermal storage system, and reconversion into electricity can be operated very efficiently with the help of liquid metals," says Dr. Julio Pacio from the Karlsruhe Liquid Metal Laboratory (KALLA) of KIT. Research into innovative energy storage systems of high capacity also covers direct storage of electrical energy in liquid metal batteries. Keys to this process are innovative materials made by KIT. Together with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), KIT is presently setting up a joint research infrastructure, the National Demonstrator for Isentropic Energy Storage (NADINE): http://www.kit.edu/kit/english/pi_2018_126_nadine-power-plant-scale-energy-storage.php Pure Hydrogen by Methane Cracking Natural gas often is considered a clean alternative to coal. But combustion of fossil natural gas that mainly consists of methane produces climate-damaging CO2 emissions. Scientists of KIT and the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) in Potsdam have now succeeded in using natural gas in a climate-neutral way. "We use liquid metal technology to separate methane into gaseous hydrogen and solid, elemental carbon," says Professor Thomas Wetzel of KIT's Institute of Thermal Process Engineering. During pyrolysis, methane is continuously fed from below into a column of liquid tin kept at up to 1200 C. There, it forms a swarm of ascending bubbles. When the gas in the bubbles reaches the temperature required for cracking, it disintegrates. Gaseous hydrogen is released at the surface of the liquid tin and the carbon powder can be removed. "On the laboratory scale, we demonstrated continuous operation at a conversion rate of up to 78%," Wetzel says. The new process won the 2018 Innovation Award of German Gas Industry and is presently being transferred from the laboratory to application in cooperation with industry partners: https://www.kit.edu/kit/english/pi_2018_151_innovation-award-for-climate-friendly-methane-cracking.php Solar Power Plants of the Next Generation According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), only about one quarter of the electricity produced worldwide is based on renewable energy sources. A technology suited for increasing this share is concentrated solar power (CSP). In CSP plants, mirrors concentrate sunlight onto an absorber, a system in which a heat transfer fluid is heated up by the concentrated light. The heat can be converted directly into power by a classical power plant process or stored at low cost for conversion into electric power during periods with low levels of sunlight or in the night. When using liquid metals, economic efficiency of CSP plants is enhanced in comparison to the presently used technology based on salt melts. "Due to the higher fluid temperatures, we can reach an increased conversion efficiency in the power plant process and due to the excellent heat transfer properties, the size of absorbers may be halved to reach the same output," says Professor Robert Stieglitz of KIT's Institute for Applied Thermofluidics. "There is a lot of interest for our technologies in the relevant industries." Moreover, researchers at LIMCKA develop innovative sodium-based direct converters, so-called alkali metal thermal electric converter cells (AMTEC cells) for direct electrochemical conversion of heat into electricity at solar power plants. "We have already built and successfully operated a lab-scale prototype," says Dr. Wolfgang Hering of KIT's Institute for Neutron Physics and Reactor Technology (INR), another partner of LIMCKA. LIMCKA combines expertise in thermal fluid dynamics, materials sciences, and process engineering with long-standing expertise in engineering and operation of test facilities for liquid metal research. This interdisciplinary collaboration is the key to the developments made. More information on LIMCKA and its partners can be found at: http://limcka.forschung.kit.edu/index.php ### More about the KIT Energy Center: http://www.energy.kit.edu Press contact: Dr. Martin Heidelberger, Press Officer, Phone: +49 721 608-21169, Email: martin.heidelberger@kit.edu Being "The Research University in the Helmholtz Association", KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility and information. For this, about 9,300 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 25,100 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. This press release is available on the internet at http://www.sek.kit.edu/english/press_office.php. Two studies, one looking at Iberian hunter-gatherers between 13,000 and 6,000 years ago and another looking at Iberian populations over the last 8000 years, add new resolution to our understanding of the history and prehistory of the region An international team of researchers have analyzed ancient DNA from almost 300 individuals from the Iberian Peninsula, spanning more than 12,000 years, in two studies published today in Current Biology and Science. The first study looked at hunter-gatherers and early farmers living in Iberia between 13,000 and 6000 years ago. The second looked at individuals from the region during all time periods over the last 8000 years. Together, the two papers greatly increase our knowledge about the population history of this unique region. The Iberian Peninsula has long been thought of as an outlier in the population history of Europe, due to its unique climate and position on the far western edge of the continent. During the last Ice Age, Iberia remained relatively warm, allowing plants and animals - and possibly people - who were forced to retreat from much of the rest of Europe to continue living there. Similarly, over the last 8000 years, Iberia's geographic location, rugged terrain, position on the Mediterranean coast and proximity to North Africa made it unique in comparison to other parts of Europe in its interactions with other regions. Two new studies, published concurrently in Current Biology and Science, analyze a total of almost 300 individuals who lived from about 13,000 to 400 years ago to give unprecedented clarity on the unique population history of the Iberian Peninsula. Iberian hunter-gatherers show two ancient Paleolithic lineages For the paper in Current Biology, led by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, researchers analyzed 11 hunter-gatherers and Neolithic individuals from Iberia. The oldest newly analyzed individuals are approximately 12,000 years old and were recovered from Balma Guilanya in Spain. Earlier evidence had shown that, after the end of the last Ice Age, western and central Europe were dominated by hunter-gatherers with ancestry associated with an approximately 14,000-year-old individual from Villabruna, Italy. Italy is thought to have been a potential refuge for humans during the last Ice Age, like Iberia. The Villabruna-related ancestry largely replaced earlier ancestry in western and central Europe related to 19,000-15,000-year-old individuals associated with what is known as the Magdalenian cultural complex. Interestingly, the findings of the current study show that both lineages were present in Iberian individuals dating back as far as 19,000 years ago. "We can confirm the survival of an additional Paleolithic lineage that dates back to the Late Ice Age in Iberia," says Wolfgang Haak of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, senior author of the study. "This confirms the role of the Iberian Peninsula as a refuge during the Last Glacial Maximum, not only for fauna and flora but also for human populations." This suggests that, far from being replaced by Villabruna-related individuals after the last Ice Age, hunter-gatherers in Iberia in fact already had ancestry from Magdalenian- and Villabruna-related sources. The discovery suggests an early connection between two potential refugia, resulting in a genetic ancestry that survived in later Iberian hunter-gatherers. "The hunter-gatherers from the Iberian Peninsula carry a mix of two older types of genetic ancestry: one that dates back to the Last Glacial Maximum and was once maximized in individuals attributed to Magdalenian culture and another one that is found everywhere in western and central Europe and had replaced the Magdalenian lineage during the Early Holocene everywhere except the Iberian Peninsula," explains Vanessa Villalba-Mouco of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, first author of the study. The researchers hope that ongoing efforts to decipher the genetic structure of late hunter-gatherer groups across Europe will help to even better understand Europe's past and, in particular, the assimilation of a Neolithic way of life brought about by expanding farmers from the Near East during the Holocene. Ancient DNA from individuals spanning the last 8000 years helps clarify the history and prehistory of the Iberian Peninsula The paper published in Science focuses on slightly later time periods, and traces the population history of Iberia over the last 8000 years by analyzing ancient DNA from a huge number of individuals. The study, led by Harvard Medical School and the Broad Institute and including Haak and Villalba-Mouco, analyzed 271 ancient Iberians from the Mesolithic, Neolithic, Copper Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age and historical periods. The large number of individuals allowed the team to make more detailed inferences about each time period than previously possible. The researchers found that during the transition to a sedentary farming life-style, hunter-gatherers in Iberia contributed subtly to the genetic make-up of newly arriving farmers from the Near East. "We can see that there must have been local mixture as the Iberian farmers also carry this dual signature of hunter-gatherer ancestry unique to Iberia," explains Villalba-Mouco. Between about 2500-2000 BC, the researchers observed the replacement of 40% of Iberia's ancestry and nearly 100% of its Y-chromosomes by people with ancestry from the Pontic Steppe, a region in what is today Ukraine and Russia. Interestingly, the findings show that in the Iron Age, "Steppe ancestry" had spread not only into Indo-European-speaking regions of Iberia but also into non-Indo-European-speaking ones, such as the region inhabited by the Basque. The researchers' analysis suggests that present-day Basques most closely resemble a typical Iberian Iron Age population, including the influx of "Steppe ancestry," but that they were not affected by subsequent genetic contributions that affected the rest of Iberia. This suggests that Basque speakers were equally affected genetically as other groups by the arrival of Steppe populations, but retained their language in any case. It was only after that time that they became relatively isolated genetically from the rest of the Iberian Peninsula. Additionally, the researchers looked at historical periods, including times when Greek and later Roman settlements existed in Iberia. The researchers found that beginning at least in the Roman period, the ancestry of the peninsula was transformed by gene flow from North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean. They found that Greek and Roman settlements tended to be quite multiethnic, with individuals from the central and eastern Mediterranean and North Africa as well as locals, and that these interactions had lasting demographic as well as cultural impacts. "Beyond the specific insights about Iberia, this study serves as a model for how a high-resolution ancient DNA transect continuing into historical periods can be used to provide a detailed description of the formation of present-day populations," explains Haak. "We hope that future use of similar strategies will provide equally valuable insights in other regions of the world." ### Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) Months after her Hollywood acting debut, actress and former television host Kris Aquino reminisced about the beginnings of her journey in bagging a role in the hit film "Crazy Rich Asians." Aquino posted her audition entry on Facebook, showing how she acted out iconic scenes as Eleanor Sung-Young, the male lead's mother as well as other characters associated with Sung-Young. Aquino was seen acting scenes twice, donning different outfits. "on purpose, we held back on releasing the actual AUDITION material that was sent to the Hollywood casters of Crazy Rich Asians... so why now? because the time is right. i am okay in fact, comfortable sharing with you a special moment in my life," she explained. In the end Aquino bagged the role of Malay Princess Intan, who appeared in what she describes as a pivotal moment in the movie for main character Rachel Chu. "the lead star's REALIZATION of her self-worth, because she was an intelligent, accomplished, beautiful NYU professor- for that scene everything i believe in as a woman- was affirmed," Aquino said in her post. "Crazy Rich Asians" premiered worldwide on August 22, 2018. Photo: The Canadian Press Nine month old baby, Rubi Pauls, front, her grandmother Ann Wangui Karanja, left to right, brother Ryan, 7, sister Kerry, 4 and mother Carolyne Karanja are seen in this undated handout photo. Nine-month-old Rubi was travelling to Kenya with her family to meet her grandfather for the first time. Her 34-year-old mother, seven year-old brother, four-year-old sister and 60-year-old grandmother were on the flight with her. Rubi was the only Canadian citizen in the family. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO,Quindos Karanja A 72-year-old Toronto man was identified Wednesday as one of the Canadian victims of the plane crash in Ethiopia. The Ismaili Centre said Ameen Noormohamed was on board the Ethiopian Airlines plane that went down on Sunday moments after takeoff from Addis Ababa, killing all 157 passengers and crew. "We understand that members of the deceased's family have made their way to Kenya and are in the midst of making arrangements," the centre said in a statement. Noormohamed, who lived in the Toronto area, was one of 18 Canadians who died in the crash. The youngest was a nine-month-old baby girl the only Canadian citizen in her family who was travelling with her mother, grandmother and two older siblings to meet her grandfather in Kenya for the first time. Rubi Paul's grandfather said he was struggling to accept the devastating loss of much of his family. A Brampton, Ont., family was also mourning six of its members who had been on their way to enjoy a safari in Kenya. Two teen sisters 13-year-old Anushka Dixit and 14-year-old Ashka their mother, Kosha Vaidya, 37, and father, Prerit Dixit, 45, were killed. The girls' grandparents, who were believed to be Indian citizens, were also killed in the crash. A Hamilton-area family, meanwhile, was mourning a special education teacher who had a passion for volunteering with the vulnerable. Cody French said his mother, Dawn Tanner had been travelling to visit friends in Kenya. A number of other victims had been travelling to a United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi when their Ethiopian Airlines flight went down. Micah Messent, Danielle Moore and Angela Rehhorn and Darcy Belanger were all slated to attend the conference through various humanitarian or conservation organizations. Other victims included Stephanie Lacroix, who was working with the United Nations Association in Canada, and career aid worker Jessica Hyba, who was employed by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Forestry advocate Peter deMarsh of New Brunswick, Carleton University literature professor Pius Adesanmi, Calgary accountant Derick Lwugi, and a mother and daughter from Edmonton Amina Ibrahim Odowa and five-year-old Sofia Faisal Abdulkadir were also killed in the crash. Ethiopian authorities have said it will take several days to identify the remains of the victims. Most studies that look at whether democracy improves global health rely on measurements of life expectancy at birth and infant mortality rates. Yet those measures disproportionately reflect progress on infectious diseases -- such as malaria, diarrheal illnesses and pneumonia -- which relies heavily on foreign aid. A new study led by Stanford Medicine and the Council on Foreign Relations suggests that a better way to measure the role of democracy in public health is to examine the causes of adult mortality, such as noncommunicable diseases, HIV, cardiovascular disease and transportation injuries. Little international assistance targets these noncommunicable diseases. When the researchers measured improvements in those particular areas of public health, the results proved dramatic. "The results of this study suggest that elections and the health of the people are increasingly inseparable," the authors wrote. A paper describing the findings will be published March 13 in The Lancet. Tara Templin, a graduate student in health research and policy at Stanford Health Policy, shares lead authorship with Thomas Bollyky, JD, director of the Global Health Program at the Council on Foreign Relations. "Democratic institutions and processes, and particularly free and fair elections, can be an important catalyst for improving population health, with the largest health gains possible for cardiovascular and other noncommunicable diseases," the authors wrote. Templin said the study brings new data to the question of how governance and health inform global health policy debates, particularly as global health funding stagnates. "As more cases of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancers occur in low- and middle-income countries, there will be a need for greater health care infrastructure and resources to provide chronic care that weren't as critical in providing childhood vaccines or acute care," Templin said. Free and fair elections for better health In 2016, the four mortality causes most ameliorated by democracy -- cardiovascular disease, tuberculosis, transportation injuries and other noncommunicable diseases -- were responsible for 25 percent of total death and disability in people younger than 70 in low- and middle-income countries. That same year, cardiovascular diseases accounted for 14 million deaths in those countries, 42 percent of which occurred in individuals younger than 70. Over the past 20 years, the increase in democratic experience reduced mortality in these countries from cardiovascular disease, other noncommunicable diseases and tuberculosis between 8-10 percent, the authors wrote. "Free and fair elections appear important for improving adult health and noncommunicable disease outcomes, most likely by increasing government accountability and responsiveness," the study said. The researchers used data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study; V-Dem; and Financing Global Health databases. The data cover 170 countries from 1970 to 2015. What Templin and her co-authors found was democracy was associated with better noncommunicable disease outcomes. They hypothesize that democracies may give higher priority to health care investments. HIV-free life expectancy at age 15, for example, improved significantly -- on average by 3 percent every 10 years during the study period -- after countries transitioned to democracy. Democratic experience also explains significant improvements in mortality from cardiovascular disease, tuberculosis, transportation injuries, cancers, cirrhosis and other noncommunicable diseases, the study said. And yet, this connection between fair elections and global health is little understood. "Democratic government has not been a driving force in global health," the researchers wrote. "Many of the countries that have had the greatest improvements in life expectancy and child mortality over the past 15 years are electoral autocracies that achieved their health successes with the heavy contribution of foreign aid." They note that Ethiopia, Myanmar, Rwanda and Uganda all extended their life expectancy by 10 years or more between 1996 and 2016. The governments of these countries were elected, however, in multiparty elections designed so the opposition could only lose, making them among the least democratic nations in the world. Yet these nations were among the top two-dozen recipients of foreign assistance for health. Only 2 percent of the total development assistance for health in 2016 was devoted to noncommunicable diseases, which was the cause of 58 percent of the death and disability in low-income and middle-income countries that same year, the researchers found. "Although many bilateral aid agencies emphasize the importance of democratic governance in their policy statements," the authors wrote, "most studies of development assistance have found no correlation between foreign aid and democratic governance and, in some instance, a negative correlation." Autocracies such as Cuba and China, known for providing good health care at low cost, have not always been as successful when their populations' health needs shifted to treating and preventing noncommunicable diseases. A 2017 assessment, for example, found that true life expectancy in China was lower than its expected life expectancy at birth from 1980 to 2000 and has only improved over the past decade with increased government health spending. In Cuba, the degree to which its observed life expectancy has exceeded expectations has decreased, from four-to-seven years higher than expected in 1970 to three-to-five years higher than expected in 2016. "There is good reason to believe that the role that democracy plays in child health and infectious diseases may not be generalizable to the diseases that disproportionately affect adults," Bollyky said. Cardiovascular diseases, cancers and other noncommunicable diseases, according to Bollyky, are largely chronic, costlier to treat than most infectious diseases, and require more health care infrastructure and skilled medical personnel. The researchers hypothesize that democracy improves population health because: When enforced through regular, free and fair elections, democracies should have a greater incentive than autocracies to provide health-promoting resources and services to a larger proportion of the population. Democracies are more open to feedback from a broader range of interest groups, more protective of media freedom and might be more willing to use that feedback to improve their public health programs. Autocracies reduce political competition and access to information, which might deter constituent feedback and responsive governance. Various studies have concluded that democratic rule is better for population health, but almost all of them have focused on infant and child mortality or life expectancy at birth. Over the past 20 years, the average country's increase in democracy reduced mortality from cardiovascular disease by roughly 10 percent, the authors wrote. They estimate that more than 16 million cardiovascular deaths may have been averted due to an increase in democracy globally from 1995 to 2015. They also found improvements in other health burdens in the countries where democracy has taken hold: an 8.9 percent reduction in deaths from tuberculosis, a 9.5 percent drop in deaths from transportation injuries and a 9.1 percent mortality reduction in other noncommunicable disease, such as congenital heart disease and congenital birth defects. "This study suggests that democratic governance and its promotion, along with other government accountability measures, might further enhance efforts to improve population health," the study said. "Pretending otherwise is akin to believing that the solution to a nation's crumbling roads and infrastructure is just a technical schematic and cheaper materials." ### Other researchers from the Council on Foreign Relations, as well as researchers from the University of Washington-Seattle and Bilkent University in Turkey, also contributed to the study. Funding for the research came from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Stanford's Department of Health Research and Policy also supported the work. Print media contact: Beth Duff-Brown at (650) 726-6064 (bethduff@stanford.edu) Broadcast media contact: Margarita Gallardo at (650) 723-7897 (mjgallardo@stanford.edu) The Stanford University School of Medicine consistently ranks among the nation's top medical schools, integrating research, medical education, patient care and community service. For more news about the school, please visit http://med.stanford.edu/school.html. The medical school is part of Stanford Medicine, which includes Stanford Health Care and Stanford Children's Health. For information about all three, please visit http://med.stanford.edu. First evidence that repeated mass administration of ivermectin can reduce malaria incidence in children aged five or younger without an increase in adverse events for the wider population given the drug First evidence that repeated mass administration of ivermectin can reduce malaria incidence in children aged five or younger without an increase in adverse events for the wider population given the drug. Childhood malaria episodes could be reduced by 20% -- from 2.49 to 2 cases per child -- during malaria transmission season if the whole population were given a drug called ivermectin every three weeks, according to the first randomised trial of its kind including 2,700 people including 590 children from eight villages in Burkina Faso, published in The Lancet. In addition, repeated mass administration of ivermectin showed no obvious drug-related harms among fellow villagers taking the drug. Since 2000, deaths from malaria have dropped by 48% around the world and there are fewer endemic regions, but progress is stalling due to growing resistance to artemisinin; the drug that has been integral to that success. Ivermectin is used to treat parasite infections from river blindness and scabies to head lice. It is regularly distributed in mass drug administrations for the control of neglected tropical diseases. Previous studies have shown it kills mosquitoes when they ingest ivermectin-treated human or animal blood, but none have looked at its effect on clinical malaria incidence. Study author, Dr Brian D Foy of Colorado State University, USA, says: "Ivermectin reduces new cases of malaria by making a person's blood lethal to the mosquitoes who bite them, killing mosquitoes and therefore reducing the likelihood of infection of others. Because ivermectin has a unique mode of action compared to other malaria control insecticides and antimalarial drugs, it could be used alongside drugs that treat malaria to combat residual transmission of the disease." [1] The study authors set out to test the safety and efficacy of repeated mass ivermectin administration to control malaria during an 18-week trial during the 2015 rainy season. The research looked at children as they have the highest disease burden in hyperendemic communities because of their underdeveloped immunity. They invited eight villages to participate and four were assigned to each group. The intervention group had 1,447 participants including 327 children, and the control group 1,265 including 263 children. All eligible residents -- 1,080 in the intervention group and 999 in the control -- received a single 150-200g/kg dose of ivermectin plus 400mg of albendazole - an anti-worm medication. The intervention group received five further three-weekly doses of ivermectin alone, reaching 70-75% mass drug administration coverage. [2] In the villages, children aged five or younger were tested for malaria every two weeks, and treated if needed. In the intervention group 648 malaria episodes occurred in 327 children, and the control group saw 647 among 263 children. Malaria episodes per child in the study villages were reduced by 20% in the intervention group compared to the control -- from 2.49 to 2 cases per child -- without any obvious drug-related harms to the population. More than double the amount of children in the intervention group had no malaria episodes, compared with children in the control group: 20% [64/327 children] vs 9% [23/264 children]. Adverse reactions such as vomiting, pruritus, oedema in the limbs were recorded in 3% (45 out of 1,447) of the intervention group and 2% (24 out of 1,265) of the control group. There were similar levels of adverse reactions in the children (6% [18 of 327 children] in the intervention group and 5% [14 of 263 children] in the control group. "Because of mosquitoes' ability to adapt to control tools, new methods of preventing the transmission of malaria are needed, in particular those that target residual transmission. Ivermectin is well tolerated and widely used so it could be a useful tool in disease reduction if further trials show similar results." Continues Dr Foy. [1] The authors note that the villages selected had been studied previously and regularly treated with ivermectin and albendazole in the years before this study. In addition, their sample size is relatively small, and it was not possible to administer a placebo meaning participants and study teams knew who was and was not receiving treatment. The researchers aimed to mitigate this by assigning each nurse to work in one intervention group village and one control group village to control for nurse effects, and the field physician constantly monitored their work. The researchers suggest there could be bias in the self-reporting of adverse events because villagers knew which group they were in. They note that there were more events reported in the intervention group, but none were drug related and very few were classified as serious adverse events. These results are the first proof of principal of antimalarial effects of ivermectin and further work is required to test dosing and distribution approaches. The team call for further trials, in particular double-blinded trials from other endemic areas to test the drug against different malaria ecologies. Studies are also needed to examine the suspected direct antimalarial effects of repeated ivermectin treatment in infected humans. The authors also call for more safety studies in large populations. Writing in a linked Comment, Dr N Regina Rabinovich of the Harvard T Chan School of Public Health, USA, says: "Foy and colleagues' work is an important step for a promising, preventive intervention for malaria. The development of this new tool will require clear epidemiological (ie, human disease) impact and coordination with the neglected tropical diseases community, but the ultimate results could help us to get back on track to meet the global malaria goals." ### Peer-reviewed / Randomised controlled trial / People NOTES TO EDITORS This study was funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It was conducted by researchers from Colorado State University, USA, Yale School of Public Health, USA, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Sante, Burkina Faso, Laboratoire Mixte International sur les Maladies a Vecteurs, Burkina Faso, University of Montpellier, France, Imperial College London, UK, Ministere de la Sante, Burkina Faso, Departement de Recherche Clinique, Burkina Faso. The labels have been added to this press release as part of a project run by the Academy of Medical Sciences seeking to improve the communication of evidence. For more information, please see: http://www.sciencemediacentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/AMS-press-release-labelling-system-GUIDANCE.pdf if you have any questions or feedback, please contact The Lancet press office pressoffice@lancet.com [1] Quote direct from author and cannot be found in the text of the Article. [2] Eligibility criteria were residence in the study village and consent after the trial was explained. Participants were excluded if they were less than 90cm tall, pregnant, breastfeeding an infant less than a week old, a history of travel to countries endemic with the filarial nematode Loa loa. IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE A LINK FOR YOUR READERS, PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING, WHICH WILL GO LIVE AT THE TIME THE EMBARGO LIFTS: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)32321-3/fulltext Democratic governance is linked with declines in cardiovascular disease mortality and road deaths, as well as increases in government health spending Democratic governance is linked with declines in cardiovascular disease mortality and road deaths, as well as increases in government health spending Life expectancy improved faster in countries that transitioned to democracy between 1970 and 2015 compared to those that did not--increasing by an average of 3% after 10 years Democracy appears to play a bigger part in health outcomes than a country's GDP--accounting for about 25% of the reductions in deaths from cardiovascular disease and transport injuries over time Increasing funding for development agency-led programmes promoting open and accountable democratic institutions and processes may help improve health and increase investment in high-quality, accessible healthcare Democratic rule, enforced by regular free and fair elections, appears to make an important contribution to adult health by increasing government spending on health and potentially reducing deaths from several non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and transport injuries. Conversely, autocracies that escape this general scrutiny, and do not have the same external pressures or support from global health donors to tackle NCDs and injuries, may have less incentive to finance their prevention and treatment, and seem to underperform as a result. The findings are from the first comprehensive assessment of the impact of democracy on adult health and cause-specific mortality using detailed political, economic, and population health information for 170 countries over the past 46 years (1970-2016), published in The Lancet. "The results of this study suggest that elections and the health of the people are increasingly inseparable," says Thomas Bollyky from the Council on Foreign Relations, USA, who led the research. "Without the same pressure or validation from voters or foreign aid agencies, autocratic leaders have less incentive than their democratic counterparts to finance the more expensive prevention and treatment of heart diseases, cancers, and other chronic illnesses. Despite being responsible for an estimated 58% of the death and disability in low- and middle-income countries, just 2% of development assistance for health was devoted to non-communicable diseases in 2016." [1] The findings suggest that average adult life expectancy (after controlling for HIV/AIDS [2]) improved faster in countries that transitioned to democracy between 1970 and 2015 compared to those that did not transition--increasing by an average of 3% after 10 years (figure 1). Moreover, as levels of democracy increased, governments spent more on health, irrespective of a country's economic wellbeing (gross domestic product [GDP] per capita). The causes of mortality that appear to be most affected by democratic experience--cardiovascular diseases, tuberculosis, transport injuries, and several other non-communicable diseases--are responsible for over a quarter of all the death and disability in individuals aged 70 years and younger in low- and middle-income countries. "Our estimates represent a potentially major change in how we think about tackling global health challenges", says co-author Dr Joseph Dieleman from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, USA. "In a time of stagnant aid budgets, and as the burden of disease rapidly shifts to non-communicable diseases, international health agencies and donors may increasingly need to consider the implications of regime type in order to maximise health gains." [1] "Efforts to improve the health of adults might benefit from funding programmes that help countries to strengthen their democratic processes and build more accountable institutions. So would directing more of the scarce development assistance for health to causes where democratic performance has the most effect on health, such as cardiovascular diseases." [1] The past decade has seen falling levels of democracy around the world, with an estimated 2.5 billion people--a third of the world's population--living in countries where democratic qualities (e.g., freedom of expression, the right to vote, and freedom of association) are in decline [3]. The extent to which a country's democratic experience impacts population health has been poorly understood. So far, studies have focused on broad measures of child and infant health (e.g., mortality rates and life expectancy) that have reported conflicting findings, and have been unable to conclude whether the democratic process itself is affecting health, or if other factors such as country income, or the quality of government institutions, might be responsible. To explore this further, the authors analysed political, economic, and population health data from the Global Burden of Disease study, the University of Gothenburg's Varieties of Democracy project, and Financing Global Health database [4]. They modelled the effect of democracy on cause-specific mortality, HIV-free life expectancy at age 15 years, and health spending in 170 countries. Given that democratic and autocratic countries alike received substantial amounts of international aid for HIV/AIDS, the authors controlled for HIV in the analysis of life expectancy at age 15 to better isolate and assess the effect of regime type on adult health between 1970 and 2015. The researchers also investigated the pathways by which democratic rule might improve health [5]. Results indicate that democratic experience accounted for more of the reduction in mortality within a country than GDP for cardiovascular diseases (22% vs 12%), transport injuries (18% vs 7%), cancers (10% vs 6%), cirrhosis (6% vs 2%), and other non-communicable diseases such as congenital heart disease and congenital birth defects (13% vs 9%) between 1995 and 2015 (figure 2). In contrast, democracy explained little of the declines in mortality for some of the leading communicable causes of death such as HIV (3%) and malaria (4%), which are more heavily targeted by international aid. Democracy also did not appear to have substantial effects on mortality from all NCDs. Democratic experience appears to be important for causes dependent on good quality care, but accounts for less than 1% of the changes in mortality from diabetes, which is largely driven by non-utilisation of health-care services. The low number of deaths from mental health and musculoskeletal disorders globally make the study's results on these causes hard to analyse. The researchers also estimated that the average country's increase in democratic experience (via direct and indirect effects such as increased government spending and economic growth) reduced deaths from cardiovascular disease and other NCDs by around 9%, and tuberculosis by roughly 8% between 1995 and 2015 (figure 4). The authors acknowledge that many global health practitioners may be concerned that the more political global health assistance becomes, the more it could undermine productive relationships with local governments. They say: "This reticence about democracy promotion is understandable, but it ignores the inevitably political nature of many current global health objectives...Ignoring the role of civil society, a free media, and open and accountable government in resolving these debates undermines efforts to build institutional capacity and the popular support needed for sustained population health improvements. Pretending otherwise is akin to believing that the solution to a nation's crumbling roads and infrastructure is just a technical schematic and cheaper materials." The authors note that the link between democracy and population health is difficult to measure because of the association of democracy with other factors, such as country income or total health expenditure. The authors used multiple statistical measures to reduce the risk of confounders, but they remain impossible to rule out. They also point out that the factors in the analysis together explained less than three-quarters of the total reductions in mortality for some causes, so there may be other factors that might play important roles, which they were unable to identify. Lastly, they note that whilst GBD 2016 provides the only comprehensive data on cause-specific mortality in all countries, it relies on modelling estimates that may be affected by a lack of data in low-income countries, particularly for causes like cardiovascular diseases and other NCDs. Commenting on the implications of the findings in a linked Comment, Dr Helen Epstein from Bard College, USA, writes: "Global health advocacy groups need to do more than clamour for more funding and occasionally bemoan corruption. They need to call on Washington (USA), Brussels (Belgium), and London (UK), to impose sanctions on dictators, including those who cooperate with western military aims." ### Peer-reviewed / Observational and modelling study / People NOTES TO EDITORS This study was funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It was conducted by researchers from the Council on Foreign Relations, Washington, DC, USA; Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey. The labels have been added to this press release as part of a project run by the Academy of Medical Sciences seeking to improve the communication of evidence. For more information, please see: http://www.sciencemediacentre.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/AMS-press-release-labelling-system-GUIDANCE.pdf if you have any questions or feedback, please contact The Lancet press office pressoffice@lancet.com [1] Quotes direct from authors and cannot be found in text of Article. [2] HIV-free life expectancy estimates life expectancy in each country if the HIV pandemic had not happened, excluding war and natural disasters. [3] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13510347.2018.1479693 [4] The Varieties of Democracy projects provides numerous indicators of regime characteristics including electoral fraud, multiparty elections, freedom of expression, and media freedom in more than 200 countries from 1789 to 2017. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation Financing Global Health database includes national government health spending estimates for 188 countries from 1990 to 2015. [5] The authors estimated the direct and indirect effect of democracy on health including changes in mortality as a function of changes in democratic experience, GDP per capita, average years of education, urbanicity, skilled birth attendance, and government health expenditure. IF YOU WISH TO PROVIDE A LINK FOR YOUR READERS, PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING, WHICH WILL GO LIVE AT THE TIME THE EMBARGO LIFTS: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)30235-1/fulltext Rosa Maria Rojas was studying industrial engineering at Pontifical Catholic University of Peru in Lima when she took an introductory course on mining engineering. She wasn't a big fan of the industry at the beginning: Barrick Gold, a mining company where her parents worked in accounting and community relations, moved Rojas and her family to a small mining town when she was a teenager. The move to a different part of the country meant a drastic change in lifestyle, and Rojas resented it at the time. The course not only surprised her, but changed the trajectory of her life. "I took an elective course in mining because I wanted learn more about the subject," she said. "I fell in love with mining there." This month, Rojas, who is now an assistant professor of practice in the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering, or MGE, at the University of Arizona, received the 2018 Outstanding Young Professional award from the mining and exploration division of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, or SME. Rojas is the first Peruvian to win the award, which recognizes the accomplishments of a young person who has made a significant contribution to the minerals industry. Winning the award places her among the ranks of UA alumni to win the award, including: 1997 recipient Xavier Ochoa, Class of 1991 2004 recipient Robert Pratt, Class of 1996 2007 recipient Eben Robinson, Class of 1995 2011 recipient Claudio Cassio, Class of 2003 Diving In and Working Her Way Up Pursuing a career in the field wasn't easy: Rojas' father didn't want her to study mining because he thought it was too dangerous a career for women. When she took an internship at the mine site where he worked to prove how much it meant to her, he enlisted all of his friends at the mine to try to talk her out of her chosen career path. Her dad's friends watched her work, went back to him, and said, "She really wants to pursue mining." And so she did. When she started studying mining as a freshman in Lima, there were only two other women in the department, among 200 men. She dived into every opportunity she could, like coming to the United States to attend an SME meeting in 2006. She and her fellow students loved the experience so much that they founded the first SME student chapter in Peru when they got back. Today, there are at least a dozen. She also enjoyed mentoring her fellow students in any capacity she could. This willingness to jump into new opportunities is something she recommends to everyone. "Don't exclude yourself because you think you're different, or because you don't think you have the same skills as other people," she said, "Be resilient, don't give up and give yourself the chance to feel like part of the majority." By the time she graduated, there were 14 women in the department. Her first job was as the only female pit supervisor on a crew of 300 men at BHP's Escondida mine in Chile, where she was also significantly younger than the people she was supervising. "I always felt part of the whole," she said. "I never felt like I was different, but I had to work very hard to break that impression that I was not as capable as my male counterparts, because they look at you as young and female. You earn their respect bit by bit." Building a Career in Arizona Rojas spent several years working for BHP Billiton in the mining industry in South America and continuing to mentor the student chapters of SME. After earning her Master of Science in mining engineering at the University of Arizona, specializing in remote mine operation, she spent nearly five years working as a mine engineer for Freeport-McMoRan. She was active in SME during this period, and positions held included vice chair of the Young Leaders Committee and chair of the Young Leaders Professional Development Subcommittee. Having spent much of her life mentoring others, when the UA recruited for the assistant professor of practice position, Rojas decided it would be a good fit. In 2017, she joined the university as the program manager and lead professor for MGE's Mining 360 executive program, a nine-unit certificate program designed to help Caterpillar and partner companies' employees further their education in mining at the UA. "Having her come in and be focused and run this program is really what we needed," said John Kemeny, MGE department head. "I think she has a lot of drive, she works very hard and she communicates very well. She has this vision of doing more in our department. We're really proud of her." In 2018, Rojas and MGE doctoral student Fatemah Molaei started researching the effectiveness of diversity policies in the U.S. mining industry with a view to determining where the industry stands on this topic and to creating a baseline for future research. Working with SME, with advice from the Eller College of Management, they surveyed attendees at the SME annual conference in February, collecting data on the perception of whether diversity policies have improved work environments, recruitment, retention and career progression for diverse populations. "I like the UA very much, because I feel like I'm making a greater impact on the community than I was as an engineer in the mine," she said. "I can communicate with students and industry, and I have a bigger platform to contribute to research." As for her dad, who didn't want Rojas to study mining at all? "Now, he's just so proud," she said. ### For the entire history of our species, humans have lived on a planet capped by a chunk of ice at each pole. But Earth has been ice-free for about 75 percent of the time since complex life first appeared. This variation in background climate, between partly glaciated and ice-free, has puzzled geologists for decades. Now a team of scientists led by UC Santa Barbara's Francis Macdonald has published a study suggesting that tectonic activity may be the culprit. They found that long-term trends in Earth's climate are set by the presence or absence of collisions between volcanic arcs and continents in the tropics. The results appear in the journal Science. "There've been a few hypotheses but no agreements as to why we have warmer or colder climates on these very long timescales," said Macdonald, a professor in the Department of Earth Science. And when Macdonald says "long timescales," he's talking about 10 million-year periods, at a minimum. These are broad climatic trends, the backdrop against which natural and human-made fluctuations play out. Scientists have a relatively good understanding of what factors influence the climate on a thousand-year timescale, according to Macdonald. On any scale, though, the primary agent of climate change is carbon dioxide (CO2). The question is what factors influence the amount of CO2 in atmosphere. Some processes produce CO2, while others absorb it. Scientists call these sources and sinks. The debate among geologists is whether sources or sinks affect the climate more. "Some have argued that CO2 sources, like volcanism, have driven climate change on long timescales, while others have argued that, no, it's the sinks that have caused climate change on these timescales," said Macdonald. He believes it's mostly the sinks, specifically vast deposits of rock that absorb CO2 through chemical reactions. But these carbon sinks are not distributed evenly across the surface. For instance, greater Indonesia is only 1-2 percent of the Earth's exposed land area, but accounts for roughly 10 percent of the current geologic carbon sink. The activity of these sinks depends on a number of factors. Water is important for the chemical reactions and also washes the end results away into the oceans, where they consume CO2. Mountain-building increases the reactions by uplifting and exposing new rock. In flat terrain, the soil shields the underlying rock. Rock type also plays a key role. Stone rich in iron and magnesium has simpler chemical bonds that are more easily broken down. This makes these mafic rocks, like basalt, better carbon sinks than rocks such as granite, which have more complex bonds. Plate tectonics is what drives this geologic carbon cycle. When one tectonic plate slides under another -- usually a dense ocean plate under a continent -- the melting rock fuels a row of volcanoes on the top plate called a volcanic arc. The Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest is one example of this. Macdonald and his colleagues reckoned that when these volcanic arcs collide with another continent, the collision uplifts mafic rocks. These rocks are readily eroded, particularly in warm, wet, tropical latitudes, and the sediment is sent out to oceans where it consumes CO2. So, he reasoned, when these collisions happen in the tropics, they drive the climate toward cooling. "The tropics are where the rocks weather best because it's the warmest and wettest," explained coauthor Lorraine Lisiecki, an associate professor also in UC Santa Barbara's Department of Earth Science. To test their hypothesis, the team used reconstructions of the continents and mountain-building events that scientists had built up over the past decades. This gave them an idea where and when arc-continent collisions happened. They limited themselves to the last 500 million years, since the geologic record is much less complete, and reconstructions less certain, before that time. Temperature is harder to get a read on than geography, so the team used a simple metric: Was there ice on the poles at a given time or not? They reconstructed this information from the literature by looking at data on rocks that form only in the presence of ice. What they found was that Earth had significant ice cover during only four periods in their time window. Combining the geographic and temperature data, the team found that over the last 500 million years, glacial climates occurred during periods of extensive collision between continents and volcanic arcs in the tropics. There was less than a 1 percent probability that the match was due to chance. "Given how many things are changing on Earth at the same time, it's amazing that it all came out really clean and matched so well," said Lisiecki. The collisions have the added effect of shutting down volcanic arc activity, which cuts off that source of CO2. "But if it was a volcanic effect, it wouldn't matter where the volcano was," Lisiecki said. It's only the weathering effect where latitude makes a difference. And the team found a much stronger relationship between the climate and collisions that happened in the tropics, rather than those that were outside the tropics. "These hypotheses are not necessarily entirely independent," said Macdonald, "but our analysis suggests that the strongest relationship is with the weathering piece." Macdonald embarked on this large compilation project after several of his colleagues had pushed back on results from studies with smaller scopes. "I thought, 'You're absolutely right. We need to look at this more broadly,'" he recalled. Now the team hopes this paper challenges their colleagues to make a more rigorous case for their own hypotheses. Macdonald and Lisiecki also know that this paper is not the last word. "The database is open," Macdonald said, "so I'm hoping that this is an iterative project. And as more constraints come online, they can be entered and the model can be refined." To that end, he is currently investigating how strong an effect rock type has on this hypothesis. Humans have lived for hundreds of thousands of years with little concept of the dramatic changes the planet has witnessed over the eons. Although the subjects it studies are ancient, modern geology developed relatively recently. The theory of plate tectonics, for example, was not widely accepted until the 1960s. "We often think of Earth as always being like we're seeing now," said Macdonald. "But it's been a totally different planet throughout its history." ### Bullying is a harmful antisocial behavior present in schools all over the world. Involvement in bullying, as either perpetrators or victims, have serious short-term and long-term consequences for all the members of the school community, family and society in general, causing future problems related to depression and difficulty with social relationships. Moreover, studies on bullying link it to drug use and even offending. Bullying among teens is a serious problem that needs to be urgently addressed. Even though the number of studies about bullying has increased, there are still gaps in knowledge related to its long-term within person stability and the change , which is known as a longitudinal perspective on youth development . The evolution of bullying and its manifestation through specific behaviors as adolescents grow older was the focus of this international team, which includes researchers from the University of Cordoba Izabela Zych and Vicente J. Llorent, together with Manuel P. Eisner, David P. Farrington and Maria M. Ttofi from the University of Cambridge and Denis Ribeaud from the University of Zurich. This team identified specific bullying behaviors in each age group and how adolescents continue to be involved in bullying or, on the other hand, find a way out at some point before adulthood. Recent findings of this study were published in Child Development, in which evolution of bullying is explained, finding that it becomes less physical with age. In this sense, physical harm is a common bullying behavior at young ages, while more subtle forms, such as insults and social exclusion, are maintained throughout adolescence. This study is based on nearly 1000 adolescents, who responded to a questionnaire on bullying perpetration and victimization at age 11, 13, 15 and 17. What is new about this study is that the same group of participants was followed up from age 11 to age 17, that is, for six years, in order to see the evolution of bullying. This study shows that there are different bullying roles. These roles are: perpetrators, victims and bully/victims (who are both perpetrators and victims). Nearly 15% of the almost 1000 participants in the sample had been involved in one of these bullying roles during all their adolescent years, that is at age 11, 13, 15 and 17. Moreover, it was found that most participant who were not involved in bullying at 11 were never affected by this problem, or that they were involved only once during their adolescent years. On the other hand, it is common that children involved in bullying at age 11 continue to be involved in bullying for several years afterwards. Victims generally continue to be victims or transition to uninvolved, whereas perpetrators generally continue to be perpetrators or transition to uninvolved. Bully/victims tend to transition to different bullying roles, but they rarely end up escaping from bullying and they usually remain involved for years. As adolescents grow older, a noticeable decrease in the percentage of bully/victims was also detected. This research performed by the international team made it possible to understand the evolution of bullying. This could be key in detecting bullying given that physical bullying is easier to notice, while noticing subtle ways of bullying requires specific skills and training. This study opens up new horizons in research on risk and protection factors for bullying, that in the near future could also focus on the consequences of being involved in long-term or sporadic bullying. Knowledge about the stability and change in the evolution of bullying can open up new horizons in research on prevention and early intervention in order to help children not to get involved or to escape from bullying. ### This study is framed in the Zurich Project on the Social Development from Childhood to Adulthood (z-proso) directed by Professor Manuel P. Eisner, director of the Violence Research Centre at the University of Cambridge. Researchers Izabela Zych and Vicente J. Llorent at the University of Cordoba became involved in this initiative after being awarded the Jose Castillejo mobility grant by the Spanish Ministry of Education. Izabela Zych is a member of the LAECOVI research group at the University of Cordoba that has a long trajectory of research about school bullying. Currently, both are visiting scholars in the Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge, where they collaborate in z-proso with a specific focus on school bullying. Zych, I., Ttofi, M. M., Llorent, V. J., Farrington, D. P., Ribeaud, D., & Eisner, M. P. (2018). A longitudinal study on stability and transitions among bullying roles. Child Development, Online First. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13195 A report out today examines the factors that influence 'maths anxiety' among primary and secondary school students, showing that teachers and parents may inadvertently play a role in a child's development of the condition, and that girls tend to be more affected than boys. The report was funded by the Nuffield Foundation, with additional support from the James S McDonnell Foundation. The UK is facing a maths crisis: according to a 2014 report from National Numeracy, four out of five adults have low functional mathematics skills compared to fewer than half of UK adults having low functional literacy levels. While mathematics is often considered a hard subject, not all difficulties with the subject result from cognitive difficulties. Many children and adults experience feelings of anxiety, apprehension, tension or discomfort when confronted by a maths problem. A report published today by the Centre for Neuroscience in Education at the University of Cambridge explores the nature and resolution of so-called 'mathematics anxiety'. Origins of maths anxiety In a sample of 1,000 Italian students, the researchers found that girls in both primary and secondary school had higher levels of both maths anxiety and general anxiety. More detailed investigation in 1,700 UK schoolchildren found that a general feeling that maths was more difficult than other subjects often contributed to maths anxiety, leading to a lack or loss of confidence. Students pointed to poor marks or test results, or negative comparisons to peers or siblings as reasons for feeling anxious. "While every child's maths anxiety may be different, with unique origins and triggers, we found several common issues among both the primary and secondary school students that we interviewed," says Dr Denes Szucs from the Department of Psychology, the study's lead author. Students often discussed the role that their teachers and parents played in their development of maths anxiety. Primary-aged children referred to instances where they had been confused by different teaching methods, while secondary students commented on poor interpersonal relations. Secondary students indicated that the transition from primary to secondary school had been a cause of maths anxiety, as the work seemed harder and they couldn't cope. There was also greater pressure from tests - in particular, SATS - and an increased homework load. Relationship between maths anxiety and performance In a study published in 2018, the researchers showed that it is not only children with low maths ability who experience maths anxiety - more than three-quarters (77%) of children with high maths anxiety are normal to high achievers on curriculum maths tests. "Because these children perform well at tests, their maths anxiety is at high risk of going unnoticed by their teachers and parents, who may only look at performance but not at emotional factors," says Dr Amy Devine, the 2018 study's first author, who now works for Cambridge Assessment English. "But their anxiety may keep these students away from STEM fields for life when in fact they would be perfectly able to perform well in these fields." However, it is almost certainly the case that in the long term, people with greater maths anxiety perform worse than their true maths ability. Today's report includes a review of existing research literature that shows that this can lead to a vicious circle: maths anxiety leading to poorer performance and poorer performance increasing maths anxiety. Recommendations The researchers set out a number of recommendations in the report. These include the need for teachers to be conscious that an individual's maths anxiety likely affects their mathematics performance. Teachers and parents also need to be aware that their own maths anxiety might influence their students' or child's maths anxiety and that gendered stereotypes about mathematics suitability and ability might contribute to the gender gap in maths performance. "Teachers, parents, brothers and sisters and classmates can all play a role in shaping a child's maths anxiety," adds co-author Dr Ros McLellan from the Faculty of Education. "Parents and teachers should also be mindful of how they may unwittingly contribute to a child's maths anxiety. Tackling their own anxieties and belief systems in maths might be the first step to helping their children or students." The researchers say that as maths anxiety is present from a young age but may develop as the child grows, further research should be focused on how maths anxiety can be best remediated before any strong link with performance begins to emerge. "Our findings should be of real concern for educators. We should be tackling the problem of maths anxiety now to enable these young people to stop feeling anxious about learning mathematics and give them the opportunity to flourish," says Dr Szucs. "If we can improve a student's experience within their maths lessons, we can help lessen their maths anxiety, and in turn this may increase their overall maths performance." Josh Hillman, Director of Education at the Nuffield Foundation, said: "Mathematical achievement is valuable in its own right, as a foundation for many other subjects and as an important predictor of future academic outcomes, employment opportunities and even health. Maths anxiety can severely disrupt students' performance in the subject in both primary and secondary school. But importantly - and surprisingly - this new research suggests that the majority of students experiencing maths anxiety have normal to high maths ability. We hope that the report's recommendations will inform the design of school and home-based interventions and approaches to prevent maths anxiety developing in the first place." ### Reference Understanding Mathematics Anxiety: Investigating the experiences of UK primary and secondary school students. 14 March 2019 Background Researchers worked with more than 2,700 primary and secondary students in the UK and Italy to examine both maths anxiety and general anxiety, and gain a measure of mathematics performance. They then worked one-to-one with the children to gain a deeper understanding of their cognitive abilities and feelings towards mathematics. This is the first interview-based study of its kind to compare the mathematics learning experiences of a relatively large sample of students identified as mathematics anxious with similar children that are not mathematics anxious. Although further in-depth studies are needed to substantiate and expand upon this work, the findings indicate that the mathematics classroom is a very different world for children that are mathematics anxious compared to those that are not. Understanding the complex networks of "contact chains" between British farms, could help identify potential routes for spread of infections and improve disease control strategies for the cattle industry. A pioneering new study, led by veterinary researcher Helen Fielding from the University of Exeter, has examined the remarkable extent to which British beef and dairy farms are connected through cattle movements. The research could help identify potential pathways for the spread of important cattle infections that can cause major health, welfare and economic problems for the British farming industry. The researchers analysed patterns of buying and selling cattle on British farms using official records of 75 million movements of cattle between farms from 2001-2015. Starting with direct trades, when one farm buys from or sells cattle to another, the researchers traced 'contact chains' that describe networks of farms linked by sequential movements of their cattle. By looking at 12 month periods of trading, the study found that around half of all British cattle farms were connected to more than 1,000 other farms every year when they bought in cattle. 16% of farms were connected to more than 10,000 other farms in a single year. When selling cattle, the contact chains were similarly extensive: Two thirds of farms were connected to more than 1,000 other farms. 15% of farms again linked to more than 10,000 farms in a single year. The study found that on average from 2001-2015, over 13,000 British cattle farms had contact chains extending to more than 10,000 other farms by selling and more than 10,000 farms by buying, in any single year. These super-connected farms could potentially be particularly exposed to infections and particularly able to spread them. The study is published by The Royal Society. Helen Fielding, veterinary researcher at the University of Exeter's Environment and Sustainability Institute said: "We found that farms, even if they only bought cattle from one or two other farms, could be at the end of a chain connecting their farm and their animals to several thousand other farms. "For example, one farm in Devon bought only six cattle in one year, those six cattle came from four farms, and those four farms were connected in two steps back to ten others. Tracking back 12 months, the sequence of links to the one Devon farm extended to 11,132 farms, as far afield as Kent, North Wales and Orkney." Professor Robbie McDonald, the senior author of the study, said: "Currently, it is very difficult for farmers to see the whole history of the animals they buy and the status of the farms they are directly bought from. This research shows that even farms that buy their cattle very carefully might be exposed to infections from many other unknown farms across the whole country. "Better understanding of the extensive connections formed by trading between British farms can help quantify the risks of disease spread and assist in the formulation of control strategies that work alongside efficient trading practices." Contact chains of cattle farms in Great Britain by Helen Fielding, Trevelyan McKinley, Matthew Silk, Richard Delahay and Robbie McDonald, is published in the journal Royal Society Open Science. ### Researchers at the University of Minnesota, in collaboration with researchers at Medtronic, have shown that noninvasive daily ultrasound stimulation of the spleen in mice with inflammatory arthritis resulted in significantly less joint swelling compared to arthritic mice that were not treated. The research is a first step to developing new treatment options for more than a million people in the United States who currently suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. The research is currently published in Nature Communications and has resulted in a University of Minnesota-led preliminary human clinical trial. "What we found in our mouse study is that we could actually 'turn down' the inflammatory response with daily ultrasound stimulation of the spleen from outside the body," said Daniel Zachs, the first author of the study and a biomedical engineering researcher in the University of Minnesota's College of Science and Engineering. "We're hopeful that this type of noninvasive treatment could someday supplement current treatments for people with rheumatoid arthritis." Inflammatory arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body's immune system attacks healthy tissue in addition to germs, viruses and other foreign substances. This reaction can cause pain, stiffness, and joint damage. Current treatments usually include medicines that have a wide variety of side effects. Researchers involved in this new study induced inflammatory arthritis in laboratory mice and then targeted the spleen with ultrasound stimulation for seven days following the injection. Some mice were treated only after the arthritis was evident on the third day. The mice that received the ultrasound treatment had significantly less joint swelling than arthritic mice that did not receive ultrasound stimulation. "Using noninvasive ultrasound stimulation of the spleen to treat a progressive disease like inflammatory arthritis seemed like a far-fetched idea," said Hubert Lim, Ph.D., a senior author of the study and a University of Minnesota biomedical engineering associate professor in the College of Science and Engineering and the Medical School. "We were pleasantly surprised with our results and how a separate study, independently performed by GE Research and The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research published in the same issue of Nature Communications, showed findings that were consistent with our research." In addition to focusing on reducing inflammation, the researchers also studied the specific type of white blood cells that were required for reducing inflammation. By analyzing gene expression and deleting specific types of white blood cells, the researchers found that white blood cells called T cells and B cells were both involved in reducing the severity of arthritis. "Rheumatoid arthritis can be a devasting disease if not treated aggressively," said Bryce Binstadt, M.D., Ph.D., a senior author of the study and an associate professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology in the University of Minnesota Medical School. "The idea that we can improve arthritis treatment by using ultrasound rather than additional medications is exciting. This research shows the progress we can make when doctors and engineers come together to solve problems." ### In addition to Zachs, Lim, and Binstadt, the research team included Jamu Alford, Sarah Offutt, Yohan Kim, and Jerel Mueller from the Restorative Therapies Group at Medtronic; Claire Kaiser, Abigail Heiller, and Hongsun Guo from the University of Minnesota Department of Biomedical Engineering; and Rachel Graham, Jennifer Auger, Nathaniel Schuldt, Raini Dutta from the University of Minnesota Center for Immunology and Department of Pediatrics. This research was primarily funded by the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense. To read the research study entitled "Noninvasive ultrasound stimulation of the spleen to treat inflammatory arthritis," visit the Nature Communications website. In a paper to be published in the forthcoming issue in NANO, researchers from Zhejiang have uncovered a novel method of using nanocarrier-based biological fluorescent probes for detecting amphetamine and ketamine in latent fingermark, in a bid to combat drug abuse. This method has the potential to be extended to other drugs and molecules. Drug abuse has become an increasingly serious problem all over the world. How to determine whether a person is taking drugs? Fingermark imaging as well as drug detection in fingermark residues can combine the chemical information with personal identification for forensic purposes. Nanocarrier-based biolabeling has been employed to develop latent fingermarks and simultaneously collect additional chemical information from fingermarks with advantages of good sensitivity and selectivity. However, present immunoassay methods show the limitation that only one drug can be checked in a single fingermark by one test. In practical cases, the types of drugs in fingerprints are generally unknown. Moreover, the number of fingerprints obtained at the crime scene is usually limited. Therefore, it is necessary to identify more than one drug in a single fingerprint simultaneously with simple procedures. In this work, color fluorescent polystyrene nanoparticles are introduced as nanocarrier in biological fluorescent probes (BFPs) for simultaneous detection of ketamine (KET) and amphetamine (AMP) in latent fingermarks. Ketamine and amphetamine are two of the most commonly abused synthetic drugs in China during recent years, both of which cause adverse effects on human central nervous system as well as other health problems. Antibodies are assembled on carboxyl modified nanoparticles by amide linkage with the assistance of carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). Each fluorescent color corresponds to a specific drug antibody, i.e., red corresponds to ketamine and green to amphetamine. BFPs can selectively combine with target analyte in ridge residue when incubated over the fingermark. After removing the unbound BFPs, fluorescence signal originated from nanoparticles of the bound probes contributes to fingermark imaging. Meanwhile, presence or absence of drug(s) can be directly determined by the fluorescent colors when the fingermark is checked in red and green channels. Therefore, fingermark imaging and simultaneous identification of dual-drug in a single fingermark is realized by a one-step test without using secondary antibodies. ### This work is supported by Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (LQ16B050002), Project of Educational Commission of Zhejiang Province of China (Y201533271) and National Key Research and Development Program of China (2017YFC0803606). Corresponding author for this study is Jing Zhou, zhoujing@zjjcxy.cn. For more insight into the research described, readers are invited to access the paper on NANO. IMAGE Caption: A schematic illustration of nanocarrier-based biological fluorescent probes for simultaneous detection of ketamine and amphetamine in latent fingermark. Antibodies are assembled on carboxyl modified nanoparticles by amide linkage with the assistance of carbodiimide (EDC) and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS). Red fluorescent color corresponds to ketamine and green to amphetamine. Biological fluorescent probes can selectively combine with target analyte in ridge residue when incubated over the fingermark. After removing the unbound BFPs, fluorescence signal originated from nanoparticles of the bound probes contributes to fingermark imaging. Meanwhile, presence or absence of drug(s) can be directly determined by the fluorescent colors when the fingermark is checked in red and green channels. NANO is an international peer-reviewed monthly journal for nanoscience and nanotechnology that presents forefront fundamental research and new emerging topics. It features timely scientific reports of new results and technical breakthroughs and publishes interesting review articles about recent hot issues. About World Scientific Publishing Co. World Scientific Publishing is a leading independent publisher of books and journals for the scholarly, research, professional and educational communities. The company publishes about 600 books annually and about 135 journals in various fields. World Scientific collaborates with prestigious organizations like the Nobel Foundation and US National Academies Press to bring high quality academic and professional content to researchers and academics worldwide. To find out more about World Scientific, please visit http://www.worldscientific.com. For more information, contact Tay Yu Shan at ystay@wspc.com. Photo: UBCIC Grand Chief Stewart Phillip While calling for greater action on the overdose crisis this week, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs president and former Penticton Indian Band chief Stewart Phillip disclosed that he lost his own son to an overdose last year. Kenny Phillip died of a carfentanil overdose in Grande Prairie, Atla. on Aug. 7, 2018, the day after his 42nd birthday. No parent should have to suffer the loss of their children, Stewart Phillip told Castanet Wednesday. Its just not normal for your children to die so tragically and abruptly when measures could be taken to prevent that if governments would undertake this challenge and responsibility more seriously. It needs to become a priority. Phillip said by including the death of his son in his call for action, he hopes to personalize the story and help Canadians get beyond the staggering statistics. Nearly 1,500 people died of overdoses in B.C. last year, far outweighing the numbers of people dying in vehicle crashes, homicides and suicides combined. We, society, the general public and electorate need to take ownership of the opioid crisis, he said, criticizing the government for taking a minimalist approach to the issue. Phillip says the government needs to be investing in treatment and after-care beds, pointing in particular at the astounding lack of treatment options available for youth. Yet thats deemed acceptable by the electorate and society and the norm, he said. The UBCIC is calling on the provincial government to open a public inquiry on the issue, much like the one being considered on money laundering in B.C. casinos. Phillip says an inquiry could connect the dots between the opioid crisis, substance abuse, homelessness and money laundering and manipulation of the real estate market. We believe that previous governments have been well aware of the relationship and correlation between the laundering of drug money through the real estate market and the proliferation of drugs on the street of all communities of B.C. and yet theyve simply turned a blind eye. They are all connected, he said. There is a dire need for this and its a life and death issue. The minimalist approach is just not acceptable. I know there are thousands upon thousands of parents, grandparents and uncles that would agree with me who have suffered the loss of loved ones as a consequence of overdose. I think our voice needs to be heard. Current Penticton Indian Band Chief Chad Eneas has made calls for the federal government to step up with addictions treatment funding. Other members of the PIB have also spoken to Castanet about the loss of their children to overdose. In a paper to be published in the forthcoming issue in NANO, researchers from China have proposed a way to reduce Uranium concentration in contaminated water. As an essential nuclear fuel, Uranium has been greatly used an inevitably released to the environment. Without proper disposal, exposure to uranium can result in serious harms to the ecology and health of humans. Mesoporous SBA-15 with ordered mesostructures, high surface areas and large pore sizes have been applied to concentrate U(VI) from aqueous solutions. The exploration of SBA-15 with higher performances also keeps developing. For instance, the synthesis of functional SBA-15 with organic ligands containing N, O, S and P elements, and with controllable morphologies (e.g., rods, plates, and fibers) and tunable mesostructures have also been reported. However, the comprehensive evaluation of structure-composition-function relationships, including the interconnected influence of textural characteristics of sorbents and the interaction mechanism of U(VI)-surface modified chemical groups, has not been fully studied yet. This paper investigates how the synergistic integration of pore mesochannels and surface functionalization of SBA-15 enables high-performance U(VI) sorption. In this study, we report the rapid sorption of U(VI) with high capacities and selectivity by amidoxime functionalized ordered mesoporous SBA-15 with two typical morphologies (i.e., rods and plates) via a post-grafting method. The results show that the mesostructures including morphologies and pore length of SBA-15 perform the dominant function for the fast sorption kinetics (10 min for plates, 20 min for rods), while the modified amidoxime groups make excellent U(VI) sorption capacities (646.2 mg/g for plates, 499.8 mg/g for rods at pH 5.0 and T 298.15 K) and high selectivity possible. U(VI) adsorbed amidoxime-functionalized SBA-15 can also be effectively regenerated by HCl solutions and reused well after six cycles, exhibiting favorable potentials for the uptake of radionuclides in real environmental management. ### This work was supported by CAS Pioneer Hundred Talents Program, the CASHIPS Director's Fund (No. YZJJ2018QN20), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 21875257 and 51708215) and Henan Science and Technology Project (No. 152102310343). Additional co-authors of this work in the journal NANO are Ziyan Yang and Xiaoli Yang form North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Junfeng Wu from Henan University of Urban Construction. Corresponding author for this study is Rui Hu, ruihu@rntek.cas.cn. For more insight into the research described, readers are invited to access the paper on NANO. IMAGE Caption: A schematic illustration of the efficient sorption of uranium from aqueous solutions by mesoporous silica SBA-15 with various morphologies. The mesostructures including morphologies and pore length of SBA-15 perform the dominant function for the fast sorption kinetics, while the modified amidoxime groups make the excellent U(VI) sorption capacities and high selectivity possible. NANO is an international peer-reviewed monthly journal for nanoscience and nanotechnology that presents forefront fundamental research and new emerging topics. It features timely scientific reports of new results and technical breakthroughs and publishes interesting review articles about recent hot issues. About World Scientific Publishing Co. World Scientific Publishing is a leading independent publisher of books and journals for the scholarly, research, professional and educational communities. The company publishes about 600 books annually and about 135 journals in various fields. World Scientific collaborates with prestigious organizations like the Nobel Foundation and US National Academies Press to bring high quality academic and professional content to researchers and academics worldwide. To find out more about World Scientific, please visit http://www.worldscientific.com. For more information, contact Tay Yu Shan at ystay@wspc.com. this news is not available BREXIT LIVE UPDATE: Pound Sterling (GBP) exchange rates remained capped through Wednesdays session with the British failing to push higher against $ and peers despite the House of Commons voting to delay Brexit. Given market pricing had already accounted for MPs backing an extension and that the final decision on whether to extend Brexit lies with the EU, the market response to this latest HoC ballot was relatively muted. At the time of writing, the to $ was seen trading at $1.32187 while the to traded at 1.1670. Commenting on Wednesdays HoC vote and the road ahead, Danske Bank chief analyst, Jens Peter Srensen, wrote After another dramatic night in the House of Commons, a majority voted to postpone Brexit. If the House of Commons votes to pass Mays deal next week, it would be only a short extension, otherwise a long extension may be in the cards. Srensen added Remember that the EU27 has to grant the extension unanimously, so the response by the EU leaders will be interesting. The EU summit takes place on Thursday-Friday next week. UK lawmakers will also be given a third meaningful vote on the Prime Ministers EU withdrawal agreement with the PM hoping that the threat of a longer delay should MPs fail to back her deal could push anti-EU elements to opt for her deal over potentially softer Brexit options which could be forthcoming in the event of a protracted extension. British Pound Muted Ahead of HoC Brexit Extension Ballot BREXIT LIVE UPDATE: Pound Sterling (GBP) exchange rates failed to recapture Wednesday sessions multi-month highs ahead of Thursdays House of Commons ballot on whether or not to extend the Article 50 deadline beyond March 29th. The session thus far saw the Sterling trim gains following Wednesdays meteoric rally in response to UK lawmakers rejection of no-deal Brexit. Brexit-related news-flow supported the Sterling into Thursday afternoon following Speaker of the House, John Bercows announcement of the four amendments (plus one amendment to an amendment) to be voted on during Thursdays HoC ballot, including one amendment which could yield a second EU referendum. Selection of Amendments. Votes at 5pm pic.twitter.com/8yXv1b8pgL Labour Whips (@labourwhips) 14 March 2019 The amendments now up for debate and voting upon are: 1) Sarah Wollastons - calling for an extension to article 50 to allow for time for a referendum on Brexit. 2) Hilary Benns - saying next Wednesday should be set aside for a debate that would start the process of allowing MPs to hold indicative votes on Brexit alternatives. There is also an amendment to this amendment, from Labours Lucy Powell, changing the timing. 3) Labours - saying article 50 should be extended to allow time for MPs to find a majority for a different approach to Brexit. 4) Chris Bryants - saying Theresa May should not be allowed to put her deal to the Commons again. While the PM is likely to strongly reject the proposal of a second EU referendum, the inclusion of the amendment could inevitably support the PMs attempts to clinch last-minute backing for her EU withdrawal agreement through parliament with the prospect of a second referendum expected to push anti-EU factions towards the PMs deal. Looking ahead, the market reaction over coming sessions is expected to focus on what, if any, conditions the EU attach to a Brexit delay alongside the length of the delay itself. Following Wednesdays no-deal vote, senior political economist, Stephanie Kelly of Aberdeen Standard Investments wrote that the outcome really sets the stage for approval of an extension of Article 50 by the end of the week. Sterling should perform well in this scenario as the technical risk of No Deal subsides, adding The interesting question is how long the extension is and what, if any, conditionality the EU attaches since it requires unanimous approval in Brussels. This will condition the market response. The Pound Sterling (GBP) drifted off multi-month highs against both the Euro (EUR) and US Dollar (USD) overnight to trade slightly lower ahead of the third House of Commons (HoC) vote on whether to formally pursue a delay to the March 29th Brexit-day deadline. Wednesdays HoC vote saw the UK spike by more than 1.5% against both the single currency and the greenback. Following a thirty-three month best of 1.1801, the Pound-to-Euro (GBPEUR) exchange rate drifted lower with the cross last seen trading at 1.1734, down 0.15% from the daily open. The Pound-to-Dollar (GBPUSD) exchange rate reached a nine-month best of $1.33797 before paring gains into Thursdays session with the cross last seen at $1.32733. Commenting on the Sterlings reaction to the vote, Rabobank economist, Bas van Geffen, wrote that Although this was expected, MPs backed an amendment that took no-deal off the table permanently rather than temporary as the government intended. Sterling certainly liked the news... Regarding the Cable, Lloyds Banking analyst Robin Wilkin wrote Another incredible trading session, with yesterdays trading range 3x the current 90-day average. Prices rallied aggressively to test above the 1.3350 range highs, but then reversed just as sharply from 1.3380 to 1.3240 before again recovering this morning. Given markets are now pricing the Sterling with pared expectations of a no-deal Brexit outcome, UBS analysts cautioned investors with regards to the downside risks on directional Sterling bets. They wrote The most sensible approach seems to be to hedge sterlings downside risks, which we deem to be larger than the remaining upside potential over the next couple of months. In the same vein, ING developed markets economist, James Smith noted that while MPs had voted to reject no-deal, it remains the default outcome in lieu of a deal or extension - Its worth noting of course that this hasnt technically changed anything - no deal remains the legal default for 29 March unless a deal is approved, or Article 50 is extended/revoked. So in a sense, lawmakers have voted to reject the unrejectable, but investors are taking solace in Parliaments ability to wrestle control of the process. Thursdays session remain squarely Brexit-centric as politicking continues ahead of a third evening ballot in which UK lawmakers will vote on whether or not to formally pursue a Brexit delay, beyond the current Article 50, March 29th, deadline. Summarising the current political context, Lloyds Banking analyst, Rhys Herbert wrote After voting against a no deal Brexit yesterday, the House of Commons will today consider whether the Government should ask the EU for an extension of the scheduled Brexit leaving date of 29th March. While its widely expected MPs will back the push for a delay, the length of delay requested and the EUs response thereto could be crucial for near-term UK economic health and the Sterlings market value. Dankse Bank chief analyst, Jens Peter Srensen, wrote the question remains whether the EU27 leaders will grant an extension and whether it will be a short or long one. adding that According to people familiar with the PM, May said that she will be looking for a two-month extension. Initial comments from the EUs chief negotiator, Barnier, does not seem promising in postponing Brexit. If, as expected, MPs back the push for a delay, focus will be on the response from EU leaders ahead of the March 21st-22nd EU summit in which its expected they will debate and vote on whether to grant an extension. Srensen wrote the most important question is whether the EU27 will try to leverage on Mays new defeat by demanding a long extension instead of just a short one, which has been our base case so far. adding We need to follow the response closely ahead of next weeks EU summit. Looking at Thursdays HoC Ballot, Lloyds Wilkin summarised the main points to be voted upon, Broadly, the motion under debate will be that should the House vote for the PMs withdrawal deal before next weeks EU summit (21st-22nd March) the Government will ask for an extension until 30th June to pass the appropriate legislation. It also notes that otherwise, a longer extension may be needed, requiring the UK to take part in the May European elections. The wording of the motion suggest the Prime Minister intends to pitch her withdrawal agreement to MPs one last time ahead of the EU summit with the outcome of this vote determining whether the UK pursues a short or longer Brexit delay. EU officials have been outspoken in their opposition to extending the Brexit deadline in lieu of evidence from the UK government that such a delay would likely break the Brexit impasse. Nevertheless, institutional expectations by and large expect the EU to accept the UKs request to delay Brexit, given a disorderly, no-deal, outcome would have an adverse impact on the already lacklustre blocs economic activity. Regarding the EUs approval of a Brexit delay, Nordea analyst, Morten Lund wrote We believe they will do so (agree to delay Brexit), despite a sticking harsh rhetoric that an extension cannot be granted without a plausible reason (such as finalizing ratification, general election or a second referendum). Looking to the final Brexit outcome, Nordea expect a deal on the softer side to be reach. Lund wrote Ultimately, we still expect a deal to be reached now with a higher risk of a softer version. Thus, a no-deal is not in the interest of the vast majority of the UK Parliament nor the EU, while a second referendum faces a lot of obstacles with the biggest one being Mays opinion that it would be a democratic betrayal, adding that at some point, something clearly has to give. We think it will be ideology, so pragmatism can win. While a move towards delaying Brexit, i.e., staving off a no-deal scenario at the end of March, is likely to be interpreted as supportive for the Sterling, Danske Banks Srensen wrote We think an extension of the Article 50 deadline is more or less fully priced in and todays vote should not have a big market impact on the GBP. Pound Sterling (GBP) currency market crosses have been squarely under the direction of Brexit-related developments over recent months with recent sessions highlighting the Brexit-coupled nature of the GBP with markets swinging wildly as the Brexit endgame heats up. Against the US Dollar (USD), the British Pound gained more than 2% during Wednesdays session as MPs rejected no-deal Brexit, propelling the cross to a nine-month high. Thursdays session saw the cross trim gains with the Cable last seen at $1.32370. The Pound-to-Euro surged to its highest level since May 2017, peaking at 1.1801 before paring gains into Thursday. The GBPEUR exchange rate was last seen trading at 1.1708. While recent developments, viewed as capping the potential of a dreaded no-deal Brexit, have helped to support the UK , theyve highlighted the governments inability to effectively deal with the Brexit process leading bookmakers to slash odds of an early UK election being called. Ahead of Wednesdays no-deal vote, a Labour Party spokesperson said Allowing a free vote on no deal shows Theresa May has given up any pretence of leading the country... Once again, she's putting her party's interests ahead of the public interest." As it stands, the next UK general election is set to be held no later than 5 May 2022, with PM May already announcing she doesnt intend to run for re-election. According to the latest odds from Skybet, odds for a general election to be called presumably in the wake of a vote of no confidence during the remainder of 2019 have been slashed to 5/4, implying a probability of 44.4%. Odds for an early election in 2020 have been cut to 7/2, reflecting an implied probability of 22.2% while 2021 odds were reduced to 6/1 (14.3% probability). Prime Minister Theresa May has already managed to stave off not one, but two, motions of no confidence one from within her own party and one tabled by Leader of the Opposition, Jeremy Corbyn - both over the PMs handling of Brexit which as-yet remains unresolved. Ahead of Thursdays HoC ballot on whether to pursue a Brexit delay, Corbyn reiterated his call for a snap election. He said The Prime Minister has run down the clock and the clock has been run out on her," adding It's time that we have a General Election and the people can choose who their Government should be. For the UK, March 29th represents the official date the UK leaves the EU and, notwithstanding an interim deal being struck or a delay, the default outcome remains a no-deal scenario despite MPs rejecting no-deal during Wednesdays HoC evening Ballot. Commenting following Wednesdays vote, INGs developed markets economist, James Smith wrote that while MPs voted against no-deal Its worth noting of course that this hasnt technically changed anything - no deal remains the legal default for 29 March unless a deal is approved, or Article 50 is extended/revoked. So in a sense, lawmakers have voted to reject the unrejectable, but investors are taking solace in Parliaments ability to wrestle control of the process. For the Pound Sterling, the heightened probability of a snap general election is expected to keep gains in check. Scotiabanks chief FX strategist, Shaun Osborne, wrote that We note that UK bookmakers have slashed the odds on a May election today but we are not surprised. The risk of a snap election should help contain broader GBP gains. Whether or not speculation becomes reality may well depend on Brexit developments over the coming days. For the PM, focus will be on whipping wayward Tory MPs into line for a last-ditch attempt to pass her deal. Hard-line Brexiteers have thus far opposed the PMs deal due to fears the Uk could become trapped in a customs union with the EU should the Irish backstop arrangements be triggered. However, given the growing possibility of an Article 50 delay as well as a series of amendments tabled by MPs which could effectively hand Parliament greater control over Brexit proceedings and thus potentially raise the possibility of softer Brexit options including no Brexit at all by way of a second referendum, anti-EU Tory MPs may opt to back the PMs deal over the risk of a soft Brexit. UPDATE: The Pound Sterling South African Rand (GBPZAR) exchange rate remained firm through Thursdays session, edging briefly above 19.29 but failing to recapture Wednesdays five-month best. At the time of writing, the Pound-to-Rand cross was last seen at 19.13235, down 0.61% from the session open. For the British , Brexit remains the key driver. Thursday saw Mps vote to extend Brexit beyond the March 29th deadline and while this represents a clear aversion to a no-deal outcome at the end of the month, EU leaders will have the final say on whether or not to delay Brexit at their upcoming EU summit (March 21st-22nd). For the Rand, South African mining output contracted, led by declines in gold, iron ore and coal production. Manufacturing data was also disappointing with the sector expanding a less-than-forecast 0.3% - failing to offset a 2% contraction since November. Senior EM economist at Capital Economics, John Ashbourne, commented Todays figures suggest that the economy weakened at the start of the year, adding This run of weak data may in combination with low inflation put pressure on the South African Reserve Bank to cut its key policy rate. The Pound Sterling South African Rand (GBPZAR) exchange rate rose sharply during Wednesdays session in response to the latest Brexit developments which saw UK lawmakers reject no-deal Brexit, paving the way for a Brexit delay and greater parliamentary control over the proceedings. Extending early session gains, the results of the House of Commons vote prompted the Pound-to-Rand cross to reach a five-month high of 19.30902 with the cross posting its largest intraday gains (2.5%) since September 2018. Into Thursdays session, price action flattened out ahead of Thursdays HoC evening ballot on whether to formally pursue an extension to the current March 29th Article 50 deadline alongside South African mining and manufacturing data releases. At the time of writing, the GBPZAR was last seen trading at 19.16181, trimming 0.39% off of Wednesdays meteoric gains. For the UK , Brexit remains front and centre with focus turning to Thursdays HoC vote on extending Brexit. While its expected MPs will back the motion, given the alternative remains a no-deal by default at the end of the month, investors will be keen to scrutinise which if any amendments to the motion get passed as well as the EUs response to a request for a delay. Commenting on the potential for a third meaningful vote, INGs head of EMEA and LATAM research, Chris Turner wrote Prime Minister Theresa May has now artfully returned her Meaningful Vote to todays motion on a short Article 50 extension to 30 June. If passed, MV3 needs to happen before 20 March, such that May has a reason to ask the EU for a short delay. With regards to the Sterling, Turner added if momentum is moving towards either: a) MV3 somehow being passed as Brexiteers are scared into submission or b) a softer Brexit emerging through MV3 failing and alternatives (Norway+, customs union) coming to the fore via indicative votes, then GBP could rally further... we would not recommend selling GBP, and a cable move through 1.3350/3400 could trigger more sizable gains. With the Rand being one of the most heavily traded emerging market currencies, its extremely vulnerable to swings in investor risk-appetite with analysts projecting that continued uncertainty stemming from Brexit will remain a key driver for the ZAR near-term. On the data-front, January data for South African mining and manufacturing output are due with mining output expected to continue to contract. ABSA economist, Peter Worthington, wrote Continued strike activity in gold mining is likely to deliver another weak mining print in January, with the bank forecasting a further 5.1% decline in output. Manufacturing data is also due with forecasts calling for a sharp rebound following the previous 0.1% printing to a positive 1.2%. ABSA are more upbeat on manufacturing than the general consensus with a forecast of 2.3%. With respect to manufacturing, Worthington added We expect a modest rebound in growth, partly due to base effects. Given were in the Brexit end-game, developments in this area are likely to be the key driver for the cross for the coming sessions with progress or a lack thereof towards avoiding a no-deal outcome likely to overshadow domestic economic data releases. theone1111 said: Thanks for this link Kaju I don't see anything specific related to stuff already downloaded via torrents though in this. So just wanted to check from other people who might have taken loads of movies in external HDDs to know if they faced any issues. Click to expand... No good checking with other people, unless they have been stopped and either asked or checked whether they had any such goods. AFAIK Border Force don't ask about torrented material. Even so, most torrented material (which is in most cases the same as pirated material) is illegal in Australia through the provisions of Australian Copyright Law. But loads of people do it anyway, of course. Pirated (torrented) material is not allowed for import to Australia as per that image in my previous post.If you got checked, would Border Force do anything? Seems highly unlikely to me.Then again, I suppose if they did find something they could then (in theory at least) also say you made a false statement on your incoming passenger card, as the first question on that is "Are you bringing into Australia any good that may be illegal or subject to restrictions?".It's your choice. Reality is, even if found out, at most you'd probably get a mild telling-off at worst. But legally, the authority to do more does exist. Thursday, March 14, 2019 How a Presidential Pardon Could Hurt Paul Manafort "Manafort's Double Edged Sword" By Larry Jay Levine While some people might think former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort got off light on his federal prison sentences, they're actually a double edged sword and here's why. Manafort Sentencing Manafort's first go around at sentencing was on March 7, 2019 before U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III in the Eastern District of Virginia. According to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Manafort offense level exposed him to facing a possible 24 year sentence after being convicted on five counts of tax fraud, one count of failing to disclose foreign bank accounts, and two counts of bank fraud. While the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines used to be mandatory, they've been considered advisory for over a decade, and Judge Ellis gave several reasons justifying the relatively lenient sentence of 47 months he gave Manafort before slamming down his gavel. When Manafort went to his second sentencing for defrauding the United States and Witness Tampering in a Washington D.C. Federal Court on March 13, 2019, he also got off light. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jack sentenced him to only 73 months, and instead of running her sentence consecutive to the Manafort's Virginia sentence as many speculated she would, she ran it concurrent with his Virginia sentence meaning that he would only have to serve 73 months period! Spending Time In Club Fed With everything factored in it seemed like a sweet deal. Since his sentence was under 10 years, based on the Federal Bureau of Prisons Custody and security classification policies and his lack of criminal history, Manafort would receive an inmate classification of "Minimum Security" with an "Out Custody" rating. This would qualify him to serve out his sentence in a relatively safe cushy Club Fed type prison camp where they don't lock doors, there are no fences and limited staff, spending his time playing cards and sipping Espresso while bullshitting with his new friends among the white collar inmates and other non-violent offender who'd make inmate population. Manafort Out in Only Four Years By the time you figured in the 9 months of pre-sentence Jail Credit he got after his bond was revoked, the 285 days of Federal Good-Conduct-Time Credit (6 and half months) he could get, and another 6 months of possible community custody on Home Confinement, Manafort could have been out on the street in just over 4 years (51 Months) by June of 2023. Not a bad deal at all considering everything he'd been facing. New State Charges With the prospect of a possible Pardon from President Trump things didn't look bad at all. Then the real disaster hit! Just minutes after Manafort was sentenced a New York State grand jury indicted him on 16 new criminal counts of Mortgage Fraud, Conspiracy and Falsifying Records. While Trump has the power to Pardon on Federal Crimes, his reach doesn't extend to state convictions. A Boost In Custody Level - Bye Bye "Club Fed" Should Manafort be convicted in New York State, the Federal Bureau of Prisons will hang a "Detainer" on him, call him a "Flight Risk" and take away his Minimum Security Camp Eligibility. While most states will their run sentences concurrent with a Federal Sentence and offer Parole, a state sentence would have serious ramifications for Manafort. Instead of spending time in a Cushy Camp, Manafort will be spending his time with a boost in custody level inside a Low Security FCI (Federal Correctional Institute) rubbing shoulders with bank robbers and drug dealers, being subjected to locked doors, controlled movement, two barbed wire fences, and roving truck patrols around the perimeter with trigger happy cops totting machine guns just waiting to put some lead into an ancy inmate trying to go over the fence. How a Trump Pardon Could Hurt Manafort It is possible that Manafort could try to fight the New York charges as Double Jeopardy. But should Trump pardon him, this scenario would remove Manafort from the "Safer" federal system and place him squarely as an inmate in the Violent New York State Department of Corrections. The differences between a minimum security camp and low security FCI for an inmate can be drastic. Camps have no perimeter fences or armed security. FCI's have two secure barbed wire fences with roving security patrols armed with Machine Guns. Camp housing unit doors are never locked. FCI inmates are locked in their housing units at night. Camps generally house non-violent white-collar offenders. FCI's can house bank robbers, drug dealers and those convicted of sex crimes Camps house inmate serving up to 10 years or less. FCI's house inmates serving 10 to 20 years. Camps have relatively few correctional workers. FCI's have a high ratio of staff to inmates. Camps have few incidents of inmate on inmate violence. FCI's are known to have stabbings, inmate on inmate violence and occasional riots. The author Larry Levine spent 10 years as an inmate in eleven federal prisons and is a frequent guest on Fox, CNN, Headline News, Inside Edition and many other TV News Networks. He has appeared as a News Media source regarding the Criminal Justice System in several hundred major publications and articles. He can be contacted at 213-219-9033 or larrylevine@pacifictelephone.net should you wish to use him as an expert story source. Energy Secretary Rick Perry said Wednesday the Trump administration continues to look at steps to stop coal and nuclear power plants from closing. More than a year after Perry was shot down by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on a proposal to increase wholesale power rates for those plants, the former Texas governor said the grid is becoming too reliant on natural gas. "Gas is cheap right now, but gas is interruptibility," he said, referring to potential pipeline disruptions. "How do you make sure you have [a reliable power supply with coal and nuclear], I'm open for conversations. I've thrown a lot of jello at the wall on this one." Perry argues coal and nuclear plants are less susceptible to cyber and physical attacks because, unlike natural gas-fired plants, they store fuel on-site, a claim criticized by a broad coalition of American industries as a ploy to prop up a coal industry President Donald Trump championed on the campaign trail. The statements by Perry at a press conference in Houston followed a speech earlier Wednesday at the CERAWeek by IHS Markit conference, in which the energy secretary laid out his vision for "the dawn of the new American energy era." Trump focus He said the country needed to focus on innovation over regulation, rebuffing calls for government action to cut reliance on fossil fuels. He recalled how foreign ministers who had pressured him to try to stop Trump from pulling out of the Paris climate accord were the same ones looking to buy U.S. liquefied natural gas. "We would go into the (bilateral discussions) and they would say how buying some of that LNG you guys got," he said. Expanding U.S. energy exports has become a focus of the Trump administration, using the nation's booming oil and gas production to not only grow the domestic economy, but to pressure rivals like Russia and China. He echoed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who spoke at the conference Tuesday, touting U.S. oil and gas production as counterweight to nations that would used energy for "malign ends." "We've got more than enough energy to share with the world, and with that energy comes freedom of choice for countries around the world," Perry said. Perry has spent much of the week at the CERA conference meeting with foreign energy ministers from around the world, a role he relishes, describing himself as the American energy sector's top salesman. On Thursday, Perry recounted how years ago when his daughter was in elementary school she was asked what her father did for a living. "She looked them in the eye and deadpanned, 'He talks,'" Perry said. This article, Facebook's data-sharing deals reportedly under criminal probe, originally appeared on CNET.com. Federal prosecutors are conducting a criminal investigation into controversial deals Facebook struck to share its users' data with dozens of tech companies without the users' knowledge, The New York Times reported Wednesday. A New York grand jury has subpoenaed records from two smartphone makers involved in the partnerships, anonymous sources described as familiar with the requests told the Times. Data shared without users' knowledge included friends' names, genders and birth dates. Facebook admitted in June that it provided dozens of tech companies with special access to user data after publicly saying it restricted such access in 2015. However, Facebook continued sharing information with 61 hardware and software makers after it said it discontinued the practice in May 2015, it said in June. The social network's arrangements allowed Netflix and Spotify to read Facebook users' private messages, the Times reported, citing internal documents. Other arrangements allowed Amazon to obtain users' names and contact information through their friends and permitted Yahoo to view streams of friends' posts as recently as this summer, the Times reported, despite Facebook's statements that it had ended that type of data sharing. The social network has been under scrutiny since the revelation in March that consultancy Cambridge Analytica had misused Facebook user data in the run-up to the 2016 US presidential election. Since then, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has testified in front of Congress and the European Parliament to answer questions about Facebook's handling of user data. Facebook's disclosure was included in 747 pages of documents given to Congress in response to hundreds of questions about data privacy posed to Zuckerberg by members of Congress about Cambridge Analytica, which improperly accessed personal information on up to 87 million Facebook users. That revelation prompted a backlash that raised questions about whether Facebook can be trusted to protect the personal information of its 2 billion users. It wasn't immediately clear what the grand jury was focused on or when its investigation began. The US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York declined to confirm or deny the investigation's existence. Facebook responded by noting that other federal investigations are reportedly underway. "We are cooperating with investigators and take those probes seriously," a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement. "We've provided public testimony, answered questions, and pledged that we will continue to do so." News of the controversial agreements emerged in June when the Times reported that Facebook had agreed to provide access to large amounts of user data to at least 60 different device makers -- including companies like Apple, Microsoft, Samsung and BlackBerry. Facebook said in June it granted a special "one-time" six-month extension to companies that ranged from AOL to package-delivery service United Parcel Service to dating app Hinge so they could come into compliance with the social network's new privacy policy and create their own versions of Facebook for their devices. The Justice Department didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. CNET's Queenie Wong contributed to this report. Photo: Contributed Although this is a constituency week with the House of Commons recessed, much attention remains on Parliament Hill for a few important reasons. Public safety was a primary concern, as Transport Minister Marc Garneau made the decision to ground the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft in Canada. This decision is following the recent tragic crash of a similar 737 Max 8 aircraft flown by Ethiopian Airlines that resulted in the devastating loss of all passengers and crew on board, including 18 Canadians, with several from B.C. There is no schedule on when this order will be lifted. Air Canada, WestJet and Sun Wing Vacations are all working to resolve the many impacts on Canadian travelers who will be affected by this order. While on the topic of airlines, recently I met with Air Canada over the potential loss of flights at the Penticton airport. Although Penticton is no longer in my riding, many citizens in communities that I do represent will be adversely affected by this proposed new schedule as Penticton is their closest regional airport. Air Canada is aware of the concerns and has made a commitment to look at how potential scheduling changes could be incorporated to help mitigate this situation. Currently, the last flight in to Penticton results in the aircraft and crew staying in overnight before becoming the first flight out in the morning. Any potential solution must bear this in mind as the new schedule no longer has the aircraft and crew overnighting in Penticton, which complicates the ability to schedule early morning flights. We will look forward to what Air Canada comes up with in response to the concerns that were raised. The other issue in Ottawa this week was the surprise move by the Liberals on the Justice Committee to use their majority to adjourn the meeting before any debate or discussions could occur over recalling former Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould. This discussion arises from recent statements provided to the Justice Committee by the Prime Minister's former Principal Secretary, Gerald Butts, and the Clerk of the Privy Council, Michael Wernick. These statements, that the Liberals also blocked from being given under oath, had some inconsistencies with the previous testimony from Wilson-Raybould. Both opposition parties agree that in order to clarify these inconsistencies, Wilson-Raybould should be given the opportunity to respond. To date, the Liberals have used their majority to block this from happening. This action by the Liberals is leading some, including the opposition, to raise concerns over a possible cover-up. My question this week: Families of those killed and injured in Texas deadliest K-12 school shooting last May are raising concerns that a bill to allow parole boards to review cases of juvenile inmates more quickly could reduce the amount of time accused Santa Fe gunman Dimitrios Pagourtzis could spend in prison. The bill, House Bill 256, would let a juvenile inmates who have been sentenced to life plead their cases in front of a parole board 20 years after being convicted, halving the 40-year period they now must wait. While the bill would not guarantee such inmates would be granted parole that early, families of the 10 people killed and 13 injured in the Santa Fe High School shooting say even the possibility of the accused shooter being let out early is cause for outrage. GUN DEBATE: More mass shootings occur in states with less restrictive gun laws, study shows Steve Perkins, whose wife Ann was killed in the May 18 massacre, said he and several others plan to travel to Austin to testify against the bill during a public hearing Wednesday. He said he worries that a parole board hearing Pagourtzis case may be more sympathetic in 20 years, when memories of the incident have faded. He bemoaned the fact that under existing Texas law, Pagourtzis cannot be sentenced to death or life without parole. They took the death penalty from us, and he only had to serve 40 years before he could be paroled. Now they want to cut that in half? Perkins said. Why not just make it a misdemeanor and give him a traffic ticket? Ellic Sahualla, chief of staff of bill author Rep. Joseph Moody, D-El Paso, said the legislation does much more than cut the time before people who committed serious crimes before they were 18 can be paroled. It would require parole boards to consider more factors when deciding whether juvenile offenders should be released including age at the time of the offense, developmental stage at the time of the crime, intellectual capacity, and family and community involvement. Families, school personnel and faith leaders also could submit statements about an inmates personal growth or maturity before the first parole hearing. The goal, Sahualla said, is to have parole boards take a closer look at juvenile offenders, whose brains and decision-making capabilities are not as developed as adults. A teen who joined a friend in an armed robbery in which no one was injured may be more likely to reenter society without issues than a 30-year-old who committed the same crime, he said. MOVED: Judge grants change of venue for Santa Fe shooting trial Of the roughly 4,500 juveniles in the custody of the Texas Department of Juvenile Justice, about 1,510 have been given sentences of 40 years or longer. Sahualla said he cannot imagine a parole board giving leniency to someone who killed 10 people and tried to murder more when he was 17. While its true the Santa Fe case would be affected, I cant imagine a parole board saying this is one case where we need to let him out, Sahualla said. That assumption means little to John Conard, whose nephew Jared Conard Black was killed at Santa Fe High School. He plans to travel from Midland to speak at the public hearing in Austin. He worried that allowing family, medical professionals and clergy to vouch for any potential transformations of the accused gunman could make it more likely he will get out early if he is convicted. I dont think he deserves a second chance, Conard said. There may be individual cases the statute provides for, 15- or 16-year-olds who made a terrible mistake, but the victims deserve more consideration than the offenders, especially in a capital murder case. The factional feud within the Bexar County Democratic Party reached new heights Wednesday, as the organizations leader asked the FBI to investigate current and former party officials. Chairwoman Monica Alcantara has said in the past that the organization engaged in sloppy recordkeeping under the administration of her predecessor, Manual Medina, who lost his re-election bid to her last year. She accused treasurer Stephanie Carrillo and secretary Garrett Mormando of withholding party documents. But standing in front of the Bexar County Courthouse, Alcantara alleged the problems went beyond mismanagement. She announced she had taken numerous complaints to federal and state authorities for investigation and called on the partys treasurer and secretary to resign. I cannot and will not pretend that the past four years were simply a different style of leadership, Alcantara said. Medina flatly denied Alcantaras accusations. Democrats rallied to elect Ray Lopez last night, and it took Monica Alcantara less than 24 hours to once again divide the party, he said, referring to Tuesdays runoff for Texas House District 125. Once her allegations are proven false, Alcantara should immediately resign and apologize to all Democrats she has so maliciously slandered. Carrillo and Mormando did not respond to numerous requests for comment Wednesday, but have denied wrongdoing in the past. Mormando previously has questioned Alcantaras right to the documents and said he kept them for processing. On ExpressNews.com: Medina ousted as Democrat Party chair Alcantara said the committee she charged with investigating the allegations couldnt find any party financial records for 2017 and 2018. And from 2014 through 2016, Alcantara alleges, theres no supporting documentation to substantiate more than $300,000 worth of expenses. Those expenses include payment for block-walkers, canvassing and internships, among others, Alcantara said. She said there were large cash donations to the party at the time that were not included on bank statements, and that the organization did not file required documents with the Internal Revenue Service. I originally thought the infighting was due to (the fact) there was new leadership, Alcantara said Wednesday, adding that after she discovered the financial troubles, she now thinks Medina and his supporters just didnt want the information to get out. The accusations mark a new chapter in the chaos that has roiled the Democratic Party for more than a year. After Alcantara defeated Medina last March, Medina and officials loyal to him dubbed Manuelistas have operated a renegade faction within the party. The Medina supporters opened a second, unsanctioned party headquarters on the East Side, and they orchestrated the partys endorsement last year of three controversial charter amendments pushed by the firefighters union, which Alcantara opposed. Democrats here lost a Texas Senate special election last September amid the mayhem. And recently, clashes between the two sides at the partys monthly meetings led their usual venue Lubys on North Main to ban them from meeting there in the future. On ExpressNews.com: Democrats running out of places to meet A fight ensued at the partys next meeting at a local VFW Post, whose commander issued a stern warning that theyd be expelled if the fighting continued. The party didnt list a March meeting on its calendar. This historic and important organization currently is unable to perform its most basic function: The official conduct of a meeting with qualified results, Alcantara said Wednesday. County Judge Nelson Wolff, a longtime San Antonio Democrat, said theres always been infighting at the local party, but this quarrel might be unique given the seriousness of the charges. This one here is particularly nasty, Wolff said. Well see what happens. Alcantara relayed what she called the serious allegations at Wednesdays news conference and asked Mormando and Carrillo to resign, though she acknowledged they likely wouldnt heed that call. She said those two officials have refused to turn over party records since she took office in June 2018. The new chair named a committee to conduct an internal investigation into the missing financial records. She said she had to hire a locksmith to gain entry into the two officials offices at the partys headquarters. We found old records left behind to be in an abysmal state, incomplete or unorganized, Alcantara said. What weve uncovered is nothing short of scandalous. Mormando previously has equated that move to the Watergate break-in. Alcantara brought the committees findings to District Attorney Joe Gonzales and Sheriff Javier Salazar, who she said directed her to go to the FBI. The FBI acknowledges receipt of this information, FBI spokeswoman Michelle Lee said Wednesday. Pursuant to FBI and (Justice Department) policy, we will neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation. Gonzales said he told Alcantara she had a duty to report the information. The district attorney, also a Democrat, said he likely would recuse himself if it came across his desk. Monica has proven to be a very dedicated and ethical chairwoman, and she certainly is seeking to do the right thing and expose any impropriety by any members of the party, Gonzales told the San Antonio Express-News. Salazar, also a Democrat, released a brief statement saying he felt federal investigators were a better avenue. Chairwoman Alcantara reached out and discussed her concerns with me, Salazar said in the statement. Based on the information presented I felt that the FBI was a more appropriate resource for her to present the information to. Dylan McGuiness covers City Hall and local politics in San Antonio. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | dylan.mcguinness@express-news.net | Twitter: @DylMcGuinness SCHERTZ A Bexar County grand jury declined to indict four sheriffs deputies who killed an unarmed suspect in a car theft, a shooting that also resulted in the death of a 6-year-old boy. The decision comes over a year after the deputies opened fire on Amanda Lenee Jones, 30, in Schertz on Dec. 21, 2017, as she stood on the front porch of a mobile home and threatened to shoot them, officials said. She was hit multiple times and killed. Inside the mobile home was 6-year-old Kameron Prescott, a first-grader who hours before had started his winter break from Wiederstein Elementary School. One of the bullets the deputies fired at Jones pierced the home, fragmented and struck Kameron, who was walking in a front hallway, officials said. Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales said Wednesday he thought the grand jury made the right decision in finding no probable cause that a crime had been committed. The deputies are John Aguillon, George Herrera, Jesse Arias and Reserve Deputy Johnny Longoria. They had been on the sheriffs staff between two and 27 years. I respect and agree with the decision of the grand jury in this case, Gonzales said. Kamerons grandfather, Stephen Prescott, a San Antonio police officer, declined to comment on the grand jury decision except to say he was upset about it. Kamerons mother, Rubi Marie Prescott, declined to comment. His father, Christopher Prescott, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The shooting followed an hourslong chase through Northeast Bexar County, which started after a man reported his car had been stolen and that he knew where to find the suspect. That morning, deputies found Jones hiding in a closet at a house, at which point she showed a gun and threatened to shoot a deputy, Sheriff Javier Salazar said at the time. A nearly two-hour manhunt followed. At one point, Jones ran to a mobile home park in Schertz and broke into the mobile home of Kamerons family. Deputies closed in on her as she stood on the porch holding something that deputies feared was a firearm, according to a report by the Sheriff's Office the following month. Jones verbally stated to these deputies that she had a gun and that she was going to shoot them. All four deputies saw an object in Jones hand as she pointed it at them. All four deputies then fired at Jones, causing ballistic injuries that resulted in her death at the scene, the report stated. Days after the shootings, the Sheriffs Office continued to look for her gun. An exhaustive search of the area failed to turn up a firearm. Investigators determined Jones was not armed at the time of the shooting, but it was possible she had a gun earlier in the pursuit. Paramedics rushed Kameron to a nearby hospital, where he later was pronounced dead. Friends and family described Kameron, a Tiger Scout in Pack 51 in Schertz, as a happy kid who enjoyed riding his bike and playing Ninja Turtles. He wanted to become a firefighter. You dont shoot when theres so many people inside, Debra Jimenez, Kamerons great-aunt, said a week after the shooting. They need new training. Less than a month later, Salazar said he would increase the required in-service training hours for his deputies from 24 to 40 hours annually. That was effectively double the state requirement and brought the Sheriffs Office in line with training at the San Antonio Police Department. At the time, Salazar noted he had been planning the change since he took office nearly a year earlier. He said would incorporate findings from the investigation into the Schertz shootings into the new training program. On Wednesday, a spokesman for the Sheriffs Office didnt immediately respond to questions regarding any more recent changes. The deputies returned to patrol in June after receiving preliminary clearance letters from the district attorneys office. Level of oversight The Sheriffs Office conducted two separate investigations of the shootings. One reviewed whether the deputies actions were justified. The second, by Internal Affairs, reviewed whether procedures and policies were followed. After those were completed, the district attorneys office reviewed whether the deputies actions were justified. On Tuesday, prosecutors with the district attorneys office presented the case to a grand jury, made up of 12 citizens who serve for a set term, typically a month. The jurors issued a no bill. The actual vote is unknown because grand jury proceedings, by law, are not open to the public. Nine votes are needed for an indictment. Christian Henricksen, chief of litigation at the DAs office, said he could not speak specifically about the grand jury decision not to indict the deputies. He said prosecutors present all officer-involved shooting cases to a grand jury, even though thats not required by law. It adds a level of oversight to the process, Henricksen said. The grand jury is made up of 12 citizens that are impartial. Its helpful to present these cases to them because it adds a level of oversight. Neighbors in the Pecan Grove mobile home park where the shooting occurred had mixed reactions to the decision. Russell White, who lives across the street from Kamerons home, said he watched part of the shooting unfold through a window. According to White, several deputies surrounded the mobile home with their guns drawn. He said the door to the mobile home opened and all the deputies began to fire. He said he didnt see Jones, the suspect, but its possible she was outside of his view. Shortly afterward, he said deputies carried Kameron from the home to an area across the street. I feel like youre not supposed to shoot in that scenario, White said. I dont know. Shawna Keller, who lives several doors down, said she thought deputies were trying to protect the neighborhood. Prior to the shooting, deputies had been sweeping the area for awhile, probably about 30 minutes, searching for Jones, a known felon with an extensive criminal history. To me, she brought in the trouble, she said. She invaded their home. Had she not run, none of this would have happened. They didnt know what she was capable of, she added. To me, they were trying to protect us. She said her heart breaks thinking of Kameron, who was in the same grade as her grandson at school. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time, she said. My heart also goes out to police. Theyre just trying to do their job. You know they didnt want to shoot a 6-year-old boy. How do you live with that? Staff Writer Caleb Downs contributed to this story. Emilie Eaton is a criminal justice reporter in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | eeaton@express-news.net | Twitter: @emilieeaton The father accused of failing to seek medical care for his 8-month-old son, King Jay Davila, is seeking to have his bail reduced, claiming his $1.25 million bond is excessive and oppressive. Christopher Davila, 34, is accused of staging an elaborate kidnapping with the help of his mother and cousin to mislead police after the boy died in a supposed accident. Davila has been charged with injury to a child, child endangerment, tampering with evidence, possession of a controlled substance and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He remains in jail in lieu of posting bond. Robert Behrens, who was recently hired to represent Davila, filed motions Tuesday in four of Davilas cases arguing that his clients combined bail is illegal because it is excessive, oppressive and beyond the financial means of Christopher Davila, according to court records. I think the bail was set to keep him in jail, Behrens told the San Antonio Express-News last month. The purpose of bail is to keep them in court, not to keep them in jail. In the motion, Behrens argues the bail amount violates the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments, which prohibit cruel and unusual punishment and guarantee citizens the right to due process. He asks a judge to set a hearing to have Davilas bail reduced to a reasonable amount, which he didnt specify. In the interview, Behrens said Davilas family would have to come up with $125,000 if they were to pay the standard 10 percent that is charged by a bondsman. He said that amount is excessive, especially considering that Davila is not a flight risk. In the past, hes appeared in court to my knowledge, Behrens said. Hes taken cases to resolution. I dont think he has a history of not showing up for court. On ExpressNews.com: Im so hurt by my actions: King Jays father speaks from jail Since Davila was arrested Jan. 10, he has maintained that King died after falling from a bed at his Northeast Side home. He said he didnt call 911 because he panicked and didnt want to lose custody of his five other sons. Police have hinted that they do not believe Davilas latest account. The Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office concluded that King died of a blunt force trauma injury and ruled his death a homicide a determination different from the charge brought by police. Police say Davilas mother, Beatrice Sampayo, 64, and his cousin, Angie Torres, 45, helped Davila cover up Kings death by staging the kidnapping. On Wednesday, a grand jury indicted Torres on an unrelated aggravated robbery charge stemming from an incident days after King Jay was reported missing in the fake kidnapping. According to police, Torres stole razors from a Dollar General store Jan. 6 and kicked an employee, who had confronted her. As officers investigated the incident, they realized Torres looked like the woman seen in a gas station security video of the kidnapping. On ExpressNews.com: Woman who helped stage infants kidnapping robbed store two days later, police say According to the Bexar County District Attorneys Office, Torres indictment was enhanced because she is a repeat offender previously convicted in federal court of possession of heroin with the intent to distribute. Davilas application to have his bail reduced comes a month after his mother did something similar. Sampayo was released from jail last month after her court-appointed lawyer, Melissa Lesniak, argued that her $250,000 bail was exhaustive and oppressive given her situation. According to Lesniak, Sampayo was accepted into hospice care in June after a doctor diagnosed her with ovarian and bone cancer and determined that the diagnosis was terminal. Lesniak argued that bail is designed to guarantee a defendants presence in court, and that Sampayo, who is supposedly largely confined to bed, was not a flight risk. Prosecutors fought the motion, arguing that Sampayo was a danger to society. They introduced evidence, including several videos, to counter Sampayos claim that she is gravely ill and to show Sampayo had previously concealed a crime by her son. In the end, Magistrate Judge Andrew Carruthers agreed with Lesniak and lowered Sampayos bail to $50,000. She was released two days later. Emilie Eaton is a criminal justice reporter in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | eeaton@express-news.net | Twitter: @emilieeaton Millennial City USA 20- and 30-somethings are flocking to San Antonio. The nations fastest-growing city has a new moniker no one saw coming: millennial magnet. Millennial City USA 20- and 30-somethings are flocking to San Antonio. The nations fastest-growing city has a new moniker no one saw coming: millennial magnet. San Antonio has long been known as the sleepy big city with a small-town feel, a tourist draw with a downtown river, a famous fort and really good Mexican food. But lately, the seventh largest and fastest-growing city in the nation has become associated with a moniker that seemingly no one outside the tech world that largely birthed it saw coming: millennial magnet. About this author Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje, a journalist for more than 30 years, has been a feature writer, columnist, social services reporter and Sunday magazine writer. She is currently a general assignment reporter covering breaking news, cultural trends, and interesting people and goings-on across South Texas. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | mstoeltje@express-news.net | Twitter: @mstoeltje Go downtown or to the Pearl. Or to Southtown and King William. Or the gentrifying corners of the East Side. In those and other places, you'll see them: Knots of young people partial to tattoos, e-scooters, small-batch coffee and artisanal beer. Some of them arrived from other places. Others grew up here and never left. Collectively, they're reshaping San Antonio in ways large and small. On ExpressNews.com: Major tech redevelopment coming to San Antonio's East Side The city had the second fastest-growing population of millennials among the nations top 100 metro areas from 2010 to 2015, bested only by Colorado Springs, according to a study by the Brookings Institution. In that time, the millennial cohort grew 14.4 percent, compared to 11.8 percent for Austin. By 2017, these 20- and 30-somethings made up 24 percent of San Antonio's population. Thats more than 360,000 millennials. San Antonio pales next to millennial powerhouses like New York, Chicago or Los Angeles, or even Houston, Dallas or Austin. But the trend is significant, considering how this age group might affect public policy, economic growth and the citys tone and texture in the decades to come. The landscape is transforming dramatically because of the perspective of this younger generation coming into leadership roles, said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. Policy is going to follow in their direction. By that, he meant efforts to diversify transportation options, build more housing in or near downtown and create more green spaces. On ExpressNews.com: Scooter company has two executives running for City Council As more millennials arrive or never leave, theyre changing the citys vibe, as seen in a proliferation of new bars, restaurants and food trucks, a flourishing of beer, coffee and cocktail festivals and a growing live music scene, such as the Mala Luna Music Festival, held each Halloween since 2016. Even the high-toned Tobin Center is banking on the trend, booking millennial-friendly acts like A Day to Remember, a heavy-metal-pop-punk fusion band. The term millennial refers to those born between 1981 and 1996, a group now between the ages of 23 and 38. The first generation to reach adulthood in the new millennium hence the name the cluster is almost 80-million strong nationwide, making it larger than even the post-war Baby-Boom glut. Children of the Internet Age, theyre seen as plugged-in, tech-savvy and social media-saturated. As a group they skew progressive. Theyre collectively freaked out about climate change and mass shootings and supportive of the #MeToo movement. Theyre better educated than earlier generations. Theyre diverse 44 percent of millennials nationwide are persons of color. Stereotypes abound. Millennials are criticized as lazy and entitled everyone gets a medal! or lauded as open-minded and idealistic, usually depending on the age of the person passing judgment. On ExpressNews.com: Entrepreneur talks success in S.A. tech the hard fight for women to achieve it An oldster at age 41 Im a proud member of Generation X Nirenberg said millennials are having an impact on the local business scene, causing it to become more diversified and centered on industries of the future, such as biotech and cybersecurity. He dismisses the negative stereotypes. LISTEN: Reporter Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje elaborates on the significant trend of millennials settling in San Antonio and how they may affect public policy, economic growth and the city's tone and texture in the decades to come on EN Depth. My experience is millennials are more mission-driven, he said. Its less about pay and more about having an impact on the community and the pursuit of something greater. Theyre some of the most dedicated employees Ive ever worked with. Ask around town whats drawing or keeping millennials here and you hear a common refrain: A lower cost of living than millennial mega-cities and less-expensive housing. A friendly and less-competitive place to jump-start your start-up. Job opportunities. A sense of getting in at the start of something new, as opposed to being another cog in an established hipster wheel. Then theres that hard to define but you-know-it-when-you-feel-it quality: Has San Antonio finally become cool? Cooler than even gasp Austin? What local millennials have to say Theres no better place to go millennial-watching than the Pearl Farmers Market on a Saturday morning. Among the crowds strolling down a main street lined with booths selling local goods goat milk soap, heirloom tomatoes, Peaceful Pork (Letting Pigs Be Pigs) was Lindsey Corren, 23, whod just bought a small plant and some organic carrots. A medical humanities student at the University of Texas at San Antonio who works part-time at a church daycare, she said shed planned to move away from San Antonio after high school. But the city of her birth had changed for the better, compelling her to stay. Its just so convenient now to live here, she said, stopping amid the flow of shoppers, dogs on leashes, babies in strollers. Theres lots more to do, coffee shops, restaurants. Corren lives in a rented house with four roommates near UTSA, but shed like to live closer to the center city. San Antonio is cheaper than other places, she said as a rock band cranked it up nearby. Right now, it just feels like my hometown is bringing a lot of younger people back. John and Heidi McDonald, married and both from San Antonio, lived in the millennial Mecca of Austin for four years. John, 29, worked at Google; Heidi, 28, attended the University of Texas at Austin. When she got into medical school at UT Health San Antonio, they decided it was time to come home. Austin was getting kind of cramped for both of us, said John, who works in the tech industry here. Its expensive and the average Austin personality is just not my favorite. Some have criticized Austin as having become almost Californian in its ostentation, a high-end world of valet parking and gated mansions. San Antonio has become super-cool and is booming, said Heidi, now a medical resident in dermatology. Its fun, having grown up here, to see how the city has changed. They pause to let their 13-month-old daughter, Lyla, practice a few tentative steps and pet a friendly dogs nose. The couple said living in Mahncke Park, where they own a home, puts them close to family-oriented attractions like the Doseum, the Witte Museum and the happening scene at the Pearl. Jeremy and Zabrina Anderson, both 23, are another set of married millennials. They moved here from Albuquerque when Jeremy was stationed at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland with the Navy. They love it. I feel like anybody can move here and start something, he said, sipping coffee at an outdoor table at the Pearl. The culture is very open and diverse. It seems very accepting. Like many in their generation, they wanted to live in the urban center and found an apartment a few blocks away for $870 a month less costly than the fancy condos and apartments that dot the Pearl proper. We just really dont like the suburbs, Jeremy said. Its like living in an endless strip mall. The couple married at 21, making them statistical outliers among millennials, who tend to delay marriage, child-bearing and other traditional milestones of adulthood. Zabrina said marrying young is part of the military culture. But in other ways, theyre purebred idealistic millennials. Take, for example, their concern about global warming, something prompting them to consider adoption, instead of having biological children. (Its just not sustainable, said Jeremy, shaking his head.) If there are kids out there who need parents, why shouldnt it be us? said Zabrina. Give somebody a chance who needs it. Living through the Great Recession of 2008 is thought to have made millennials gun-shy about marriage, taking on mortgages and other adult commitments. It also doesnt help that many are hamstrung by working in the gig economy, with its unreliable contract and piece work and lack of benefits. And dont forget one of the biggest roadblocks to millennials marrying and settling down. Joking but not joking its college debt, said Dallas Williams, 29, sipping hot chocolate at another outdoor table. Williams, who moved here with her military family 10 years ago and decided to stay, cited another reason why millennials tend to start families later than their parents did. Many of them, especially females, view their 20s as a time to grow professionally and have fun. I think the goal is just to enjoy life right now and the rest will come, said Williams, a development associate at Texas Public Radio. Jomando Cruz, 32, a freelance photographer from the Rio Grande Valley, has lived in both Houston and Austin, where he attended college 10 years ago before coming here, following a personal relationship (which eventually ended.) Austin is so different than when I was there, said Cruz, who also helps run a beer magazine. Now its so overcrowded and expensive. As much as I love it, I couldnt imagine living there anymore. He stood in line for a cappuccino with girlfriend Lynette Cano at Mila Coffee, part of a micro-retail space on Broadway, a stones throw from the Pearl. With its food trucks and silver Airstreams and quirky retailers a barber shop, hand-stitched leather goods, vintage clothing its the kind of place thats catnip to millennials. Opened three years ago by the owner of Richter Goods, a clothing company housed in the former Broadway News building, the space has picnic tables and millennial charm to spare. Wearing a Big Lebowski sweater and a modified handlebar mustache, Cruz is puro millennial. He said the millennial scene in San Antonio still happens in pockets," but is building and growing. Asked about the defining characteristic of his generation, Cruz gave a one-word answer: freedom. For the longest time, it seemed like there was only one way to do things, he said. But then suddenly, minds opened. Mr. Millennial Open a dictionary to find the textbook definition of a millennial and youll likely see a picture of Beto Altamirano. Hip, energetic and determined to change the world for the better, he strides down the hall of Geekdom on a recent afternoon, talking all the way, stopping at the small office of Cityflag, a tech start-up. Altamirano is CEO and co-founder of Cityflag, which aims to improve ordinary peoples lives, especially those in low-income neighborhoods, through better access to municipal government by using a mobile app. "It's all about using technology to empower citizens," he said inside his glass-walled office at Geekdom, a co-working space for entrepreneurs, developers, techies and other young "creatives" on an upper floor of the downtown Rand Building. Altamirano, 29, grew up in the Rio Grande Valley, where he had a middle-class upbringing but saw poverty firsthand. After graduating from UT Austin and working in state and national government, he began laying the groundwork for Cityflag, which provides residents with an easy way to report problems, such as potholes or graffiti. Tech-based, hopeful and progressive, the company seems to encapsulate millennial aspirations. Were creating a new environment here, he said. (Millennials) want to move here, not just to work at USAA or Rackspace or some other big company, but because they want to start their own companies, and that can happen here. This is occurring in part because our city leadership is changing, becoming younger and more forward-looking. Thats really important. Dax Moreno, 38, the chief talent recruiter for the nonprofit Tech Bloc, which advocates for the local tech community, said the trick in managing the millennial influx will be to preserve what makes San Antonio unique while giving young creatives room to reinvent it. Nobody wants to downgrade the importance of the Alamo or the River Walk or the missions, said Moreno, who worked at tech companies here and in Los Angeles before returning to his hometown. As more millennials move to San Antonio, some neighborhoods close to downtown and the Pearl, with its popular weekend Farmers Market, are undergoing a resurgence. As more millennials move to San Antonio, some neighborhoods close to downtown and the Pearl, with its popular weekend Farmers Market, are undergoing a resurgence. Photo: Kin Man Hui /San Antonio Express-News Photo: Kin Man Hui /San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close How one 'big city with a small-town feel' became a top destination for millenials 1 / 6 Back to Gallery The question is: How do we honor the past but continue moving forward? he said. I love tacos and taco houses, but its also great to see the amazing culinary scene thats developing here, to see theres life outside of chain restaurants. No, were not Austin, but were not this sleepy little town stuck in the past anymore. Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje is a staff writer in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | mstoeltje@express-news.net | Twitter: @mstoeltje With the threat of legislative action and court scrutiny looming, a City Council committee on Wednesday nevertheless started charting a course toward implementing its controversial paid sick leave policy. Councilman Manny Pelaez, chair of the ad-hoc Committee on Paid Sick Leave, said the group will try to ensure the policy can begin working on schedule in August. While it technically took effect Jan. 1, enforcement doesnt begin until summer. But the committees actions could be rendered moot if the Texas Legislature as expected prohibits such policies or the Supreme Court of Texas strikes them down as unconstitutional. In creating the committee, Mayor Ron Nirenberg said the city will be prepared in the event that doesnt happen. This committees job is to recommend necessary modifications to the existing ordinance to give it effect, Pelaez said. Now, what happens in Austin? Totally out of our control. What happens at the Supreme Court level? Totally out of control. So Ive learned that you can pull your hair out in grief out of all those things you cant control, but in the end all that leaves you is bald. Pelaez, himself a labor attorney, made clear that he does not think the committees task is to renew the debate regarding the merits of the paid sick leave, or to change the spirit of the ordinance council passed. The memo that was turned in to us by the mayor is very clear, Pelaez said. It is a commission empaneled for the purpose of delivering an enforceable ordinance. Thats it. It doesnt say an ordinance that is more palatable to some and less palatable to others. All it says is implementation and enforceability. The business community bitterly opposed the ordinance and has called on the city to repeal it. Nirenberg has said he doesnt think the city should be dictating a policy, even if he believes paid sick leave is good for businesses and workers. He supported the ordinance when it passed. On ExpressNews.com: City Council approves paid sick leave ordinance City Council adopted the policy last August after a group of activists led by the Texas Organizing Project collected the requisite signatures to place it on the November ballot. The councils action was seen as a defensive measure. Most council members opposed three ballot measures pushed by the fire union, and city leaders didnt want confusion in encouraging residents to vote no on the first three referendums and yes on the fourth. Faced with that specter, the city adopted the paid sick leave ordinance outright so it no longer had to go on the ballot. As the policy stands now, it requires private employers with 15 or fewer employees to provide them with at least six days of paid time off a year. Larger businesses would have to provide at least eight days, and small businesses with less than five employees are off the hook until August 2021. Employees would accrue an hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours of work. Employers who violate the ordinance could face a $500 fine. Pelaez pointed out the city hasnt allocated any money toward enforcement strategies. That is one aspect the committee will now re-examine. Another is the ambiguity of workers who pass through San Antonio. Pelaez said the ordinance would apparently apply to truck drivers who sit in traffic in the city. On ExpressNews.com: Governor touts bill to stop local paid sick leave ordinances State lawmakers appear bent on nullifying the ordinance. Gov. Greg Abbott has backed a bill that would kill the policy and block any future ones like it. Advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Texans have said that bill could also threaten nondiscrimination ordinances. Assistant San Antonio City Manager Carlos Contreras told the committee Wednesday that staff is confident the bill wouldnt undo San Antonios non-discrimination policy. Paid sick leave is also facing a challenge in the courts. A state appeals court found Austins paid sick leave policy unconstitutional in November. City staff in San Antonio have noted that court doesnt have jurisdiction here, but the policy could be jeopardized if the Supreme Court of Texas affirms the decision. The ad hoc committee named a commission of stakeholders that will now take a deep dive into San Antonios ordinance and others across the country. Its chair is attorney Danielle Hargrove, the former in-house counsel to CPS Energy. Dylan McGuiness covers City Hall and local politics in San Antonio. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | dylan.mcguinness@express-news.net | Twitter: @DylMcGuinness San Antonio Democrat Joaquin Castro today pressed GOP senators to vote Thursday to rebuke President Donald Trump for declaring a national emergency to free billions of dollars to build the wall along the border with Mexico. President Trumps action was an act of constitutional vandalism and the nation will be watching tomorrow to see if the senators stand up to the president or they cower, Castro told reporters. Castro is chief sponsor of a resolution overwhelmingly passed by the Democratic-run House last month that would to nullify the presidents declaration. Trump invoked the rarely used executive power in hopes of securing $5.7 billion that he says is needed for border barriers. The Senate, controlled by Republicans, is expected to join with the House in the anti-Trump vote as early as Thursday. Trump has pledged to veto the measure and it is highly unlikely that Congress can muster enough support for an override. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox The remaining intrigue surrounds how many GOP senators join with Democrats. Thus far, four Republicans - Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Thom Tillis of North Carolina - have said theyll defect from their party. But Trump is pressing to keep his partys senators in line, and Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday met privately with senators in hopes of preventing further support for Castros resolution and a significant embarrassment for Trump. Castro said he and his staff have been trying to pressure Senate Republicans on the fence. Texas Sen. John Cornyn has pledged to vote no on the resolution and support the president. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has given no clear indication of how he will vote. Related: Cornyn to vote no on resolution nullifying Trump veto What is most disturbing to me is that some of the senators who have in the past made statements very critical of the president using an emergency declaration in this way now seem to be falling in line with President Trump. Theyve demonstrated particular weakness and timidity on this vote, he said. Castro was joined by other Texas Democrats speaking with reporters about the vote. Rep. Henry Cuellar, of Laredo, contended that more than $500 million could be diverted from military construction at Joint Base San Antonio and other regional military facilities under the presidents plan. If youre those men and women who serve in the military and were saying were not going to give you a hospital or were not going to give you a dorm because were going to build a wall, we know what theyre going to say. Theyll say, we dont want that, Cuellar said. Rep. Veronica Escobar, of El Paso, contended that the emergency declaration is about the president securing his base. This is about the president delivering on a campaign promise that he failed to deliver on when his party was in control, she said. Photo: The Canadian Press Indigenous Guardians receive training in land stewardship at Dechenla in the traditional territory of the Ross River Dena Council, along the border of the Northwest Territories and the Yukon. Growing up in a small, remote First Nations community in northwestern British Columbia, Jarett Quock found he faced racism and stereotypes from non-Indigenous people whenever he left the reserve. The treatment took a toll on him, damaging his pride in his Tahltan Nation roots. It was only after he began work as an Indigenous guardian monitoring the effects of climate change on his territory that he recovered his confidence. "Being a guardian has helped me so much on a personal level," Quock, 31, said in an interview. "Being able to go out there and connect to the land and connect to the people and having that sense of pride when you go home has helped me overcome a lot of obstacles in my life." More than 40 Indigenous communities in Canada have launched guardian programs, which employ local members to monitor ecosystems and protect sensitive areas and species. At a national gathering in Vancouver this week, guardians raised alarm about environmental degradation and climate change in their territories. A massive wildfire swept through Quock's community of Telegraph Creek last August, destroying 21 homes and damaging many others. Climate change was partly to blame for the rapid spread of the flames through tinder-dry vegetation, said Quock. "By the middle of July, we had our green leaves already turning brown. It was so hot with no rain," he said, adding that the fire first broke out near a swamp that would typically have been moist enough to allow firefighters to contain the blaze. "It shouldn't have gotten that big." Quock helped design the community's first guardian program, which involved helping conservation officers monitor licensed hunters. He also launched an education program aimed at stopping garbage dumping and unnecessary burning in camps, he said. The program has since grown from being focused mostly on hunting to more of a land stewardship program, monitoring water quality, protecting caribou and removing problem wildlife, he said. A major focus is monitoring the effects of climate change, Quock added. In addition to the rapid spread of last summer's wildfire, he has seen caribou altering their migration routes and dwindling numbers of certain species of animals. Indigenous communities are often the first to experience the impacts of climate change, said Terry Teegee, regional chief of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations. "We sustain ourselves off the land, so if there are issues such as declining populations of caribou, moose and what have you, we're certainly the first to know and also be affected by issues of climate change," he said. In northern B.C., a mountain pine beetle outbreak led to forests strewn with dead wood, which along with last summer's hot and dry conditions helped fuel the worst wildfire season on record in the province, Teegee said. "It's quite frightening," he said. "I think it really requires action, not only by people that are watching what's happening on the land, the guardians, but also by governmental policies and commitment to living up to the Paris climate change accord." Environment and Climate Change Canada provided $25 million in the 2017 budget for a four-year Indigenous guardians pilot program to provide communities with greater opportunities to be responsible for stewardship of their traditional lands, waters and ice. The pilot program aims to inform a potential National Indigenous Guardians Network. AUSTIN Nineteen months after Hurricane Harvey devastated Texas, the Legislature took a major step Wednesday toward paying some of the bills related to the storm. The Texas Senate approved a budget amendment that covers about $6 billion in unexpected state expenses since the last time the Legislature met. About $3 billion is due to Hurricane Harvey, with about $900 million needed just to shore up school districts that still havent recovered from the lost property tax revenue after people were forced to flee their homes. Now I know those are big numbers, said Sen. Jane Nelson, a North Texas Republican who chairs the Senate Finance Committee. But $3 billion of this package is due to Harvey, which we knew was going to have a significant price tag. Another $2 billion is aimed at addressing a shortfall in Medicaid and $542 million is needed to address pension liabilities for the Teacher Retirement System. Just over $4 billion of the money the Senate proposes spending is from the states Economic Stabilization Fund, known as the rainy day fund. More Information $6 billion supplemental state budget bill $3 billion for Harvey-related expenses; $2.1 billion to address a Medicaid shortfall; $100 million for school safety $300 million to continue the Legislature's commitment to improve state hospital facilities $542 million to address pension liabilities for the Teacher Retirement System $211 million to pay obligations of the Texas Tomorrow Fund $160 million to address the Correctional Managed Health Care shortfall $100 million to refill the Governor's Disaster Fund to help rebuild from natural disasters See More Collapse Senators defended having to tap the money after criticism on social media from conservative groups that say they are spending too much in the supplemental budget bill. State Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, said this is exactly why the states rainy day fund exists. He said that with events like Harvey and the shooting at Santa Fe, the fund is proving why it has been necessary to build up over the years. If we are not going to use the rainy day fund for something like that, I dont know when you will ever use it, Taylor said. The Texas Senate passed the budget amendment 31-0, despite criticism from some conservative political groups like Empower Texans. That groups leader, Michael Quinn Sullivan, took to social media to accuse the Senate of going on a spending spree. That brought a reaction from senators. Im hearing outside people say were spending too much money, Taylor said. This is a very responsible budget from what Im looking at, he said. The University of Houston, the Lone Star College System and Texas A&M are other big recipients of Harvey-related funding in the supplemental budget bill. It calls for $20 million for the University of Houston, $4 million directly for the schools downtown campus, $1.7 million for the Victoria campus and just over $83,000 for the Clear Lake campus. Lone Star College is set to receive $13 million for Harvey expense. Another $2.5 million is going to the Texas A&M Forest Service for Harvey-related expenses. The measure still must go to the House. In just 10 years, Beto O'Rourke went from being an El Paso city councilman to maybe the Democrats' best hope of defeating Donald Trump in 2020. In politics, the phrase "meteoric rise" is overused. But it fits in the case of O'Rourke given that just two years ago, most Democrats even in Texas barely knew anything about him. Now voters from coast to coast are about to put the 46-year-old Texan under a political microscope. For subscribers: Beto ORourke is running for president, reshaping the 2020 Democratic primary WHY IS BETO A TOP CONTENDER? Beto O'Rourke emerged on the statewide political map on March 31, 2017, the day he declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate. From that point on, he used a social media-driven campaign to destroy fundraising records with a haul of $80 million in contributions and put U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on the ropes in his re-election bid. While Cruz won, his margin of victory of less than 3 percent made it the closest U.S. Senate race in Texas since 1978. The core of O'Rourke's campaign was decrying the pettiness and partisanship in American politics and pitching himself as someone who'd be able to work across the aisle. "We can be defined by our fears or we can be known by our ambition and aspirations." Another major piece of the campaign was visiting all 254 Texas counties, including heavily Republican areas where he would not win even 5 percent of the vote. But those travels and his viral videos of his speeches turned him into a national celebrity of sorts, leading to TV interviews on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and, more recently, with Oprah Winfrey on her OWN network. WHAT DID HE DO BEFORE RUNNING FOR SENATE? O'Rourke served six years in the U.S. House representing his hometown of El Paso from 2012 to 2018. Possibly his hallmark achievement was legislation expanding mental health care for military veterans even if they received a less-than-honorable discharge, an idea that was an outgrowth of El Paso having one of the highest suicide rates for veterans. BETO'S ROOTS O'Rourke grew up in a wealthy, politically active family, His father was an El Paso county commissioner and was the county judge for four years. After O'Rourke attended a private, all-male boarding school in Virginia, he attended Columbia University where he earned a bachelor's degree in English. After college he was a bass player in a punk music band before later returning to Texas. In 1998 , at just 26 years old, he helped launch a technology firm called Stanton Street Technology Group. HOW DID HE GET HIS START IN POLITICS? O'Rourke built his career on beating incumbents. First in 2005, O'Rourke defeated an incumbent city councilman in El Paso. Then in 2012, O'Rourke challenged incumbent Congressman Silvestre Reyes in a Democratic primary. O'Rourke won and served three terms in the Democratic minority in the House. OPPOSITION RESEARCH FILE O'Rourke has two votes in the House that will be fodder for other Democrats running against him for the presidential nomination. First in 2014, O'Rourke was one of just 8 members of the House to oppose a bill to send an additional $225 million to Israel for that country's missile defense system. O'Rourke immediately took criticism from Jewish advocacy groups and the issue became a key point of contention in the U.S. Senate race against Cruz. The other vote was in 2015 when O'Rourke was one of just 28 Democrats to vote to give then-President Barack Obama fast-track negotiating authority for working on trade deals with other nations a vote labor unions vehemently opposed. When O'Rourke started his U.S. Senate run, labor unions initially refused to endorse his candidacy. THE DWI In September 1998, O'Rourke was arrested and charged with DWI, but completed a court-approved diversion program and had the charges dismissed. The police report said O'Rourke was driving drunk at what a witness called "a high rate of speed" in a 75 mph zone on Interstate 10 about a mile from the New Mexico border. He lost control and hit a truck, sending his car careening across the center median into oncoming lanes. The witness told police that O'Rourke had tried to drive away from the scene, which O'Rourke denies. KEY POLITICAL POSITION O'Rourke has tried to position himself as a key voice on immigration reform. He has already rolled out a proposal that would give citizenship to not only children brought illegally to the U.S. at a young age, but also extend that to their parents. He also has called for a path to citizenship for another million immigrants who are not legal citizens. O'Rourke has also been a fierce critic of the Trump administration's child separation policy, holding regular tours of Tornillo in West Texas where some children had been housed. By the time Bongo Joe arrived in San Antonio, around the time of HemisFair, hed been a musician for decades, initially as a pianist and then as a drummer. Known almost exclusively by his nickname, Bongo Joe became part of San Antonios rich tapestry of interesting people as he spent years downtown, playing percussion on a set of 55-gallon oil drums strapped to a motorbike. Born in Florida, George Coleman was orphaned as a child and moved to Detroit to live with extended family. His music career began there, and he became a notable musician, but the stories about his life and times chronicled in old newspaper stories are nearly over the top. (He once shot a heckler with a .44-caliber handgun, gave chase to a fleeing criminal and won the right to stay in a ramshackle cabin when the rest surrounding it were demolished.) Jim Cullum Jr., a local jazz musician, knew Bongo Joe better than most. He was a rhythm man. He had a great sense of rhythm, Cullum said in a recent interview. He could have been a real good drummer. Apparently, that was Bongo Joes plan, according to old newspaper stories. Hed set his sights on joining a band but could never scrape together enough money to buy a set of actual drums. So he took to beating on oil barrels instead. He would make a show out of taking out a hammer and banging on the steel barrel like he was tuning it, Cullum recalled. But it was a show. Bongo Joe played around Texas, in Mexico and in New Orleans. When he was younger, he also played in Detroit. According to his biography on the website of the Texas State Historical Association, Bongo Joe even played with Sammy Davis Jr. Bongo Joe was invited to participate in the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival nine times. There he played piano once with Dizzy Gillespie. In 1976 he played on a 10-city tour as part of Gerald Ford's presidential campaign, says the biography posted on the historical associations website. In 1991 he appeared on three television programs called Almost Live from the Liberty Bar that aired on the San Antonio PBS affiliate KLRN. His performances stopped in the early 1990s, when he was diagnosed with diabetes and kidney disease. He died in San Antonio on Dec. 19, 1999. When Bongo Joe first arrived in San Antonio attracted to play to the crowds around HemisFair Cullums father, also a musician, befriended and jammed with him, Cullum Jr. recalled. My father would go up there and play the clarinet with him, he said. Sometimes, the three of us would play. That generally happened after the Cullums played their gig at the Landing, their jazz club on the River Walk, he said. Bongo Joe tended to start playing around 9:30 p.m., and hed wrap up around 2 a.m., Cullum said. While the historical association and Cullum focused on the musical side of Bongo Joe, San Antonios newspapers chronicled the twists and turns of the performers life here. Newspaper clippings from the 1970s and 80s portrayed a colorful character who played his steel drums while wearing a red velvet fez hat. Hed strap a microphone to his shirt and whistle as he played. But he was in the newspaper for more than his musical talents. In the spring of 1978, Bongo Joe did a bit more than just play his downtown shows. An April 1, 1978, article, Bongo Joe apprehends suspect in strange way, explains that Bongo Joe helped in the arrest of an alleged shoplifter. According to the story, the suspect stole some jewelry and sunglasses and then threatened a store worker with a knife. As the suspect fled, he ran past Bongo Joe, who pulled up on his mo-ped next to a patrol car and asked the officer why that man had run past him. The cops told Bongo Joe the man was a suspect in a robbery. With that information, Joe moved up alongside the breathless suspect and asked if he could give him a ride. The breathless person nodded yes and he, too, climbed on the bike, the story said. Joe said he told the man he looked like he needed a cup of coffee and would buy him one. The story continues, saying that patrol officers pulled up next to the bike and inquired if everything was OK. Joe apparently gave the officers a wink. Finally, at Fourth Street and Broadway, Joe ploughed to a halt and got off the sagging mo-ped, the story said. The trailing officers immediately closed in and apprehended the suspect as he tried to get away. Later that night, Bongo Joe was back at his spot near Alamo and Commerce streets, banging on his drums. In the early 1980s, Bongo Joe had a bit of a housing crisis. He was living in the 12th Street Courts near the San Antonio Museum of Art. The museum had announced it was tearing down the vast majority of the housing structures along the river but had promised that Bongo Joe could stay in the one that wouldnt be demolished. Then, it appeared that he wouldnt be able to because the tenants who were there rescinded their offer to move. Bongo Joe threatened to permanently relocate to Corpus Christi because of the situation, causing a stir among local leaders who saw him as a special part of downtown nightlife. Ultimately, though, the San Antonio Museum Association relocated Bongo Joe to a small cabin near SAMA. Well, it looks like Ill be staying around, he told a local newspaper reporter in a May 1982 article. Other newspaper stories tell of Bongo Joe offering $100 everything in his savings account for the return of his stolen mo-ped, drums and P.A. system. He later found his things floating in the San Antonio River. Then, in the mid-1980s, Bongo Joe found himself on the wrong side of the law after he shot a heckler at point-blank range with a .44-caliber handgun. In April 1983, Bongo Joe was playing to a crowd of about 30 people, including the heckler. According to a police sergeant quoted in a newspaper article about the incident, the heckler made a threatening motion which Joe interpreted as an attack, the story said. The victim apparently walked to the nearby McDonalds after he was shot and was then transferred to Medical Center Hospital and was treated for a bullet wound to the chest, the story said. Bongo Joe was jailed overnight on a third-degree felony charge and then was released on his own recognizance, according to one newspaper article. Another report said someone posted a $5,000 bond for him. The victim, Manuel Rubio, argued at the time that Bongo Joe should be banned from San Antonio. If he shoots customers, hes not doing a good job of representing San Antonio, Rubio said in an April 14, 1983, article. And with Fiesta just around the corner, anyone with that kind of temper doesnt belong anywhere on the streets. Ultimately, Bongo Joe received five years probation for the incident. He continued to play on San Antonios downtown streets into the early 1990s. He died in 1999 after a diagnosis of diabetes and kidney disease. jbaugh@express-news.net | Twitter: @jbaugh COMING FRIDAY: Remembering an early Baptist Settlement. GREENWICH A year after the plastic bag ban was approved in Greenwich, advocates are calling the measure a success. With a year behind us, we see so many retail champions in this effort, like Fjord Fish Market, who has thoroughly embraced the intent of the ordinance, said Jeanine Behr Getz, president of BYOGreenwich, which worked to put the ban in place. Fjord, despite selling products that dont easily do well with paper, has figured out a way to use paper checkout bags and meet customer needs. They met the challenge with fabulous bags. The plastic bag ban was approved March 12, 2018, by the RTM, and it went into effect in town on Sept. 12. Through a series of public education initiatives and cooperation by town businesses, the first year has been successful, according to a statement from Patricia Sesto, the towns director of environmental affairs. BYOGreenwich worked to get the ordinance adopted though community outreach and formed partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, residents and students to gain support for the ban. BYOGreenwich and the Conservation Commission continue to provide resources and education for businesses and residents and promotes bringing your own bag, straw, cup and anything else to stop waste before it starts, Sesto said. During its initial rollout, our Chamber was active in communicating specifics about the bag ordinance through our website and social media, said Marcia OKane, president of the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce. Overall, stores took this initiative seriously and many wanted to make very sure that they were fully compliant. Since then we have heard minimal feedback. The ordinance prohibits the distribution of plastic bags at checkout at stores. It applies to grocery stores, clothing retailers, farmers markets, and even the dentist. And it includes merchandise that is purchased or given away. The task of enforcing the ordinance was assigned the Conservation Commission of the Department of Environmental Affairs. We have 13 businesses who received extensions for compliance based on the number of bags they had in stock at the time the ordinance was adopted. Another two were denied and two others were granted conditional permanent waivers, Sesto said. While the elimination of plastic checkout bags has been successful, the true purpose of the ordinance is to reduce the use of checkout bags overall. The goal is to have people bring reusable bags when they shop and not rely on plastic or paper, she said. In this next year, we need to get people to routinely bring bags for all of their shopping, Sesto said. Residents frequently limit their use of reusable bags to the grocery store. We need to move beyond this. Supporters continue to push for a decrease in the use of all disposable bags, and Sesto said a 10-cent per bag fee could cut down on use. It is disheartening to see Whole Foods and others double bagging. This is the antithesis of what the ordinance is meant to accomplish, said Sesto. Other towns, states and countries have adopted a fee, she said. The town circulated fliers for retailers to post informing customers of the ordinance. Checkout personnel are directed to ask customers if they need a bag, rather than automatically reaching for one. Behr Getz said, CVS does a great job of asking before bagging. Westport was the states first town, in 2008, to adopt a bag ban ordinance. In the year since Greenwich adopted the ban, the momentum has grown. In the past seven months, more towns have passed bag bans, most of which included a 10-cent fee for paper bags, including Stamford and Norwalk. Another 17 towns are in progress of adopting an ordinance, and activity is also underway for a statewide policy, as evidenced by House Bill 1003. STAMFORD The case of Marion McGarry brims with contradictions. The longtime Democratic city legislator has been censured by her colleagues on the Board of Representatives for Facebook posts disparaging Muslims and immigrants, and even Democrats. But during the discussion preceding last weeks censure vote, board members praised McGarry for her fine work representing District 12, including its minority communities. And during a press conference before McGarry was rebuked, her attorney revealed that she is a former Roman Catholic nun who worked in the Amazon as a missionary tending to people with leprosy. Kenneth Sosnoski described McGarry as a woman of love and compassion and Christian faith who helped save the lives of children in Latin America. Still, she posted an image of a judge ordering an idiot illegal immigrant to leave the country and to take your lawnmower with you. Seven of the 40 board members were absent for Tuesday nights special meeting. The vote was 24 in favor of censure and one against. Eight members abstained. All denounced the racist messages, but some who voted in different ways did so for the same reason. They questioned why only some representatives knew about the posts, and why a few went to the media with the story before the rest knew what was happening. Rep. Elise Coleman, D-3, the lone no vote, said the matter was not properly investigated and should not have come before the board until we get to the truth. Rep. Anabel Figueroa, D-8, who abstained, asked why Rep. Jonathan Jacobson McGarrys fellow District 12 Democrat and Facebook friend who monitored her posts and brought them to the boards attention didnt notify all members. Under the city Charter, any 10 members of the board may call a special meeting. Jacobson submitted a letter with 15 signatures. One can assume Rep. Jacobson purposely chose the people he wanted to sign this letter, Figueroa said. Rep. David Watkins, R-1, voted for censure, but said he is bothered by the public nature of the case. Sometimes out of stupidity or lack of awareness we do things that, if someone had said to us, This is not right, and gave us an opportunity to learn from it, there would be benefit to that, Watkins said. How would you like to be known by the worst thing you ever did? Figueroa questioned the assumption that the lawnmower post was about Latinos. In reading over the few postings I have been granted permission to look at, I have found no evidence of Hispanics being racially targeted, but rather illegal immigrants, Figueroa said. Most Latino immigrants are legal, as she is, Figueroa said, and not everyone who uses a lawnmower is an illegal immigrant. Sosnoski has not confirmed or denied that McGarry posted the messages, or said why she may have done so, though he indicated it may have to do with Democrats stance on abortion. He said McGarry was upset to be a member of the same party that ... kills babies. Sosnoski did not return a request for comment for this story. Bonnie Kim Campbell, a West Side community advocate and Facebook friend of McGarry, wrote a letter to the board saying McGarry spoke up for minority residents who wanted the board to reopen the West Main Street bridge to cars to better connect their neighborhood with downtown. Campbell said McGarry was distraught after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in January signed a law that allows for late-term abortions under certain conditions. It states that a woman may abort a viable fetus after 24 weeks of pregnancy only if her life or health is at risk. The New York law, which codifies rights laid out in Roe v. Wade and other abortion rulings, was targeted by President Donald Trump in his State of the Union address. McGarry called it live abortion and referred to Democrats as murderers, Campbell wrote. Of course it is wrong, Campbell said of McGarrys posts. But I would like to ask who among you stepped to this lady, pulled her aside and asked her to tell you her story? If you saw something in this situation and did not say something to Marion, you are just as responsible as her. In censuring the 75-year-old McGarry, the board did not discipline her, and she may retain her seat. But the citys Democratic City Committee may consider a vote to remove her from the party, Chairman Josh Fedeli said. Sosnoski said his client is the victim of a political conspiracy because McGarry did not toe the Democratic Party line, and often voted with a faction called Reform Stamford. Fedeli said McGarry should resign because of her hate-filled views, and politics has nothing to do with it. However, when the story broke, Fedeli said Reform Stamford has to answer for McGarry, and members of the group are barely Democrats at all. Later in the week, Fedeli repeated in a statement that the censure wasnt in any way political: The attempts to politicize this action, by Ms. McGarry and her lawyer, The Stamford Advocate, and fringe factions from both political parties, are a stain on the proceedings. The absurd claims of a secret cabal controlling the city and targeting Ms. McGarry are laughable. Watkins said he is dispirited by such comments. Reform Stamford has worked hard and effectively to bring fresh perspectives to both sides of the aisle, Watkins said. These comments in the press give those who are skeptical of this process some basis for worrying about it. Other representatives raised another contradictory point. Jacobson and Mayor David Martin denounced McGarrys posts, they said, but both supported the former Operations director after he was caught sharing hate-filled emails with fellow city employees. Jacobson said one difference is that the former director, Ernie Orgera, acknowledged his actions and, to date, McGarry has not. The two cases are factually distinguishable, Jacobson said. With respect to Director Orgera, the statements in question were delivered by email to co-workers over a decade ago, for which he took responsibility, apologized for, and was formally disciplined. By contrast, he said, McGarry is and continues to be a democratically elected member of the board, despite unapologetically publishing racist, Islamophobic hate speech on social media. Despite all that, board members focused on the heart of the case during their meeting, saying the hurt generated by hate messages runs deep. Rep. Benjamin Lee, D-15, was disturbed by a post saying all Muslims are radical. This view of Islam is wrong, Lee said. I know its wrong because ... there is not a chance I would have survived my combat tour in Afghanistan without the support of countless Afghan Army soldiers, military police officers, translators, and civilians, many of whom died for me and my brothers and sisters in arms. Rep. Eric Morson, D-13, said that, as a Jew, he is extraordinarily sensitive to anyones experience with racism, bigotry, or intolerance. I have been subjected to discrimination, anti-Semitism, and physical violence, said Morson, who recounted being an 8-year-old kid who was nearly run off the road and killed by an 18-year-old bigot with a car. There was gunfire through my front door as my parents were trying to sell the house to get us out of that town, just for being Jewish. McGarry had a responsibility to know better, Morson said. Includes prior reporting by the Associated Press. acarella@stamfordadvocate.com; 203-964-2296. It was a mothers worst nightmare. A New Fairfield woman put her baby down for a nap one day last summer, and when she turned around, her older child was no where to be found. A frantic search ensued as neighbors and police looked for the 4-year-old boy whose home was located near a large body of water. Texas, a 4-year-old bloodhound, and his handler, State Police Trooper First Class Edward Anuszewski, joined the effort. We try to get something the person last touched, Anuszewski said. Texas was given the scent of the boy, but kept leading his partner toward the home. They first went to the boys bedroom, but Anuszewski said Texas headed downstairs to the familys couch. As they moved closer, the trooper spotted the boy sleeping nestled between the cushions of the big couch. That was probably the most fun save we ever had, Anuszewski said. As part of the State Police K-9 Unit, Texas and Anuszewski are stationed at Troop A in Southbury. The State Police have one other bloodhound used for tracking stationed at Troop E in Montville. Four more bloodhound teams will soon enter the class taught by the State Police K-9 Training Unit, which trains teams from around the world in a variety of specialties. The state police have 62 K-9s, including the two bloodhounds used for tracking. Shepherds are used on patrol and perform a variety of tasks, including tracking criminals. There are also specialty K-9s who sniff narcotics, bombs, accelerants used in arson fires and electronic storage devices. The shepherds are patrol dogs who do a little bit of everything, said Sgt. Anthony Guiliano, who heads the state police K-9 units. The shepherds are trained to track, but usually can only follow a persons scent for five or six hours, compared to a bloodhound who will follow a scent for much longer. The specialty dogs, which are primarily Labradors, are trained to detect certain smells. The Training Unit is graduating seven K-9 teams trained in electronic storage detection a discipline created by the unit in 2012 with the help of Jack Hubble, a retired chemist at the state crime lab. These types of K-9s are trained to detect a chemical used in every piece of computer storage whether its an SD card, a thumb drive or any other electronic storage device, Guiliano said. These K-9s help investigators find hidden electronic storage devices that may contain child pornography, he said. In the 1980s, the Connecticut State Police also pioneered the training and use of accelerant-detection K-9s to assist in arson investigations. Anuszewski, a 29-year veteran with the state police, was a shepherd handler in the 1990s. Texas was donated by a family when it became apparent he was going to weight upwards of 90 pounds. Texas was originally paired with a different trooper, but Anuszewski said he was always fascinated with the tracking aspect, so he became certified with Texas in 2016. Im the driver, said Anuszewski, who spends a good deal of time wiping up his partners saliva. His uniform is covered with it. With a shake of his head, Texas can throw a wad of spit up to nine feet. The pair has been involved in 30 successful tracks, including the search-and-recovery mission last month for a man who committed suicide in a wooded area of Granby. We look for people, whether its good guys or bad guys running away, Anuszweski said. He likes people, he just wants to find the person. His large ears that brush the ground, excessive skin folds that fall forward when his head is down and moisture from his nasal cavity all make him an exceptional tracker when hes hit on a scent. But his skills were nearly his undoing in December 2017, when he stayed on the scent of a missing Danbury man after Anuszewski fell and dropped his leash. The pair had been called to find the man who was autistic and had taken off after an argument with his mother. The track led the two to rocky terrain on a ridge. Anuszewski slipped and accidentally let go of the leash as he was trying to break his fall. By the time I scrambled up the ridge, he was over and gone, Anuszewski said. The problem is with the hounds, once you get him fixated, they are locked in and not listening. Dozens of K-9 teams and volunteers from Connecticut and New York searched for Texas for three days before he was found in a neighborhood five miles away with his leash caught on a fence in a yard. The family was on vacation, so they didnt know he was out there, Anuszewski said. Texas isnt much of a howler like other bloodhounds so he wasnt making a racket despite his predicament. But a federal agent with the Department of Homeland Security who thought he heard some barks while patrolling the area on ATV looking for the bloodhound likely saved Texas life as an ice storm was about to move in, Anuszewski said. That was the three worst days of my career, Anuszewski said. It was like losing your child and your partner. Texas now wears a hunting garment with a beacon when on a track, an addition that has been picked up by other law enforcement agencies. I wish I did this like 10 years ago, Anuszewski said of his partner. Its like getting paid to go hunting every day. Theres always a lot of pieces to put together in a case. Hes not the end all, but hes a big help. Im just the driver. WASHINGTON On the same day the Connecticut Supreme Court issued a historic ruling allowing a lawsuit by victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting to move forward, Connecticut lawmakers introduced resolutions that aim to block the use of federal education grants to arm teachers. Sen. Richard Blumenthal called the state Supreme Courts 4-3 decision to overturn a lower court dismissal of a case against Remington Arms and other gun manufacturers a bombshell victory. Sen. Chris Murphy said allowing the gun liability case to move forward, even if the Sandy Hook victims eventually lose the case, will provide a wealth of information through the legal process of discovery about how the industry markets its products. Discovery alone could be damaging to the gun industry, Murphy said.It will teach us a lot about how the gun industry took a weapon that was designed for military use and put it in the hands of Adam Lanza. Lanza, the shooter who killed 20 first-graders and six educators, fired a version of the AR-15, a semi-automatic rifle. But the senators chief purpose in holding a news conference Thursday was to introduce a resolution to clarify that federal education dollars cant be used by schools to arm teachers. The U.S. Department of Education has declined to say whether recipients of Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants, which are controlled at the district level, cant be used to arm teachers. The grants can be used for a wide variety of purposes including promoting school safety so that students are free from violent and disruptive acts. Proponents of arming teachers say that means the money can be used for purchasing guns and training teachers how to use them. But Democrats like Blumenthal and Murphy say the same section of the law that established the grants also prioritizes the creation of a school environment that is free of weapons. Murphy said the resolution would make it perfectly clear that the education grants cant be used to arm teachers. Teachers have way too much to do, Murphy said. They dont have to be marksmen. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-5th District, introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House on Thursday, the first time the freshman lawmaker is the original sponsor of a resolution. The idea coming out of this administration to possibly arm teachers is just wrong, Hayes, a former teacher, said. Hayes, who is married to a police officer, said she is concerned first responders at a school shooting will spend crucial minutes trying to determine is this an active shooter or is this a teacher? Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said her union is backing the Murphy-Hayes resolutions. I find it incredibly harmful to even be having this debate because its insanity to me, she said. My members and children got killed in Newtown. My members and children got killed in Parkland. A school safety report by a commission chaired by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos that was released in December lauds various state programs that arm teachers. Nine states, including Texas, Arkansas and South Dakota, arm schoolteachers. But none of them, as of yet, are using federal funds to do so. Murphy and Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, members of Appropriations Committee in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House, said they would try to include language in spending bills that fund the U.S. Department of Education making it clear that federal dollars cant be used to arm teachers. The National Rifle Association supports arming teachers. Murphy said he hopes to win GOP support for his resolution in the Senate which, unlike the House, is still in Republican hands. Republicans understand that the world has changes and the NRA is no longer in charge of this place, Murphy said. HARTFORD State Sen. Alex Bergstein no longer has an extra Capitol office employee paid out of her own pocket, a decision that sparked recent controversy over potential transparency issues. For up-to-date information on public policy issues, sign up for the CT Politics newsletter. Nichola Samponaro was Bergsteins co-campaign manager and briefly worked for the Greenwich Democrat in the legislature. The party caucuses hire staff for them, but Samponaro was an additional aide, funded by Bergstein. Samponaros employment ended in late February, Bergstein said Wednesday. A 31-year-old Stamford resident, Samponaro says she is employed as a real estate agent on her LinkedIn. It was always intended to be short-term, said Bergstein. When the press printed her name in a negative context and with factual errors, she decided it was time to move on. The Office of State Ethics issued an informal opinion last week that Samponaros employment by Bergstein was not a violation of state ethics law. Carol Carson, executive director of the Office of State Ethics, said in an interview Wednesday that there is no state law that covers a case of a lawmaker who hired someone with their own money. Ethics statutes are for instances when a public official or state employee is using their office for gain, she said. And here youre talking about a legislator whos spending, not receiving money. Bergstein requested the ethics opinion in late February. Some watchdogs said Samponaros unusual employment by the first-term senator raised transparency issues. But Vincent Mauro Jr., chief of staff for the Senate Democrats, said in February dozens of legislative workers most of whom are unpaid interns are in similar positions. There are currently about 60 badged, non-program legislative individuals working in the state legislature, according to State Capitol Police, Mauro said. This is not unusual and is a long-standing practice in the state legislature. emunson@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson Photo: The Canadian Press This remote camera image released by the U.S. Forest Service shows a female gray wolf and her mate with a pup born in the wilds of Lassen National Forest in Northern California. Gray wolves in the U.S. would be stripped of federal protection and subjected to hunting and trapping in more states under a proposal released Thursday that declares the predators recovered following a decades-long restoration effort. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to revoke the wolves' endangered and threatened species status and put them under authority of state wildlife agencies across the Lower 48 states. The Associated Press reported last week that the proposal was in the works. "The facts are clear and indisputable the grey wolf no longer meets the definition of a threatened or endangered species," acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said. Wildlife advocates and some members of Congress say the move is premature because wolves occupy only a fraction of a historical range that once stretched across most of North America. But state officials, livestock interests and hunters want the government to make it easier to kill wolves. The predators periodically prey on livestock such as cows and sheep and have been blamed for declining numbers of elk, moose and other big game in some areas. Trapping, poisoning and hunting campaigns early last century exterminated wolves across most of the Lower 48 states by the 1930s. More than 6,000 of the animals now live in portions of nine states, officials say. A final decision on lifting protections will follow a public comment period that begins Friday and runs through May 14. Government officials said their goal was to protect wolves from extinction, not return them to everywhere they were once found. The Endangered Species Act is not "a means to keep species from being hunted in perpetuity once they've met the threshold of recovery," said Gavin Shire, spokesman for the Fish and Wildlife Service. Environmentalists and animal advocacy groups have pledged to challenge in court any action to ease or eliminate protections. It took noted author Laurie Halse Anderson 20 years to speak from the point of view of a survivor of sexual violence and share her rage on the page in Shout, her new memoir in free verse launched this past Monday at the Fairfield University bookstore. Halse Anderson, 57, delivered a gut-level, from-the-heart explanation of her life and her growth as a survivor to an audience of more than 125, and each statement she made was packed with emotion and empathy for all sexual violence survivors. Writing Speak helped me turn the corner, Anderson said. But it was a novel. Now 20 years later, Shout assembles the jagged pieces of her experience as a victim of rape at 13. Joining Halse Anderson in a powerful conversation that focused on Andersons new memoir, as well as the areas of sexual violence, changing attitudes about sexuality and how our society today reflects our attitudes among others was author Meg Wolitzer ( The Wife author). Wolitzers casual style and in-depth questions and Halse Andersons raw, emotional candor helped relax an audience, riveted to their every word, about the subjects of rape and sexual violence. These two authors made a powerful team. Halse Anderson told the audience that she was silent for 23 years after she had been raped. Silence is necessary for your survival if you are a victim of sexual violence, she pointed out. And in a passage she read from the book, she spoke of Weaving her truth by unbuttoning her mouth, which made crystal clear the importance of not remaining silent when in her words people have giant holes in their hearts. A March 11 piece in Time Magazine about Halse Anderson really captured the essence of her journey. In the 20 years since Speak was published in 1999, it has sold more than 3 million copies and won multiple awards. ... Andersons book-signing table has become a nondenominational confessional, a sacred site where those who have suffered sexual violence can lean in to whisper their stories in her ears. Now inspired by the rising tide of the #MeToo movement and our national reckoning with abuse, Anderson is sharing her own story. I saw that touching side of Halse Anderson at our signing table following this event. She was so real genuine and caring with no airs that watching her with so many from our audience brought tears to my eyes. I watched her hug people, listen privately and intently to their stories and offer comfort while still finding time to sign their new copies of Shout. I thought, This isnt just an author. This is a beautiful and honest person, who has triumphed over violence and is the victims voice. The piece in Time reinforced my belief about how special Halse Anderson is. In Shout, a memoir written in free verse. ... Anderson lays bare wrenching memories from growing up with an alcoholic father and a distant mother, as well as heartfelt tributes to survivors and hopeful calls for empathy and equality. ... Her poems raise urgent alarms, warning against the evils propagated by a culture that values dominance over respect. Wolitzer added that sexual violence exists everywhere, and many women who are victims often change their whole life paths. She added that Shout is a very different kind of book, timed effectively with the #MeToo movement and the growing need of victims to come forward and point out those who have victimized them. Halse Anderson echoed that sentiment. Its easy to assume that a woman who has made a side career out of speaking candidly with kids about tough topics her other novels tackle alcoholism, eating disorders and self harm, to name a few has always been that way, according to Time. But it wasnt until about five years after Speak came out that Anderson shared her own truth. She was onstage at an Arizona high school the first time a kid asked if what happened to Melinda in Speak had happened to her and she said yes: she was also raped, at age 13. She saw nodding heads around the room. Because Halse Andersons words and raw reality spoke to so many at the event, I was really pleased that two teachers and several students from our charter school attended. They all came away inspired and awed. Asia, for instance, said that she hung on Halse Andersons every word as it dripped from her mouth, and was so impressed by her reinforcing that not everyone is created as equal as we think they are. I love her! she added. Kavante, another student, was very glad he attended and appreciated all that Halse Anderson had to say. Jose, another student, simply expressed appreciation for being there. Sean and Lindsey, a young couple with whom I spoke, gave me some great insight. Sean said that just hearing her story and connecting on a personal level was valuable. Lindsey had read Speak and was looking forward to reading Shout. I also had a brief conversation with Keri and Ryan, both middle school teachers. Keri shared that she is working on encouraging kids to speak their truth and appreciated all that Halse Anderson had to say. Ryan would have liked the author to share more about her process of writing. There is no question in my mind that Shout potentially will become the same kind of landmark book that Speak was. And the fact that Halse Anderson launched the book at our bookstore along with the size of the audience was a preview of the success this book is going to have. Steven Gaynes is a Fairfield writer, and his In the Suburbs appears each Friday. He can be reached at stevengaynes44@gmail.com. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF's stock was trading at $25.60 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Since then, EWU stock has increased by 29.0% and is now trading at $33.02. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Cambrex Corporation, a life sciences company, provides various products and services for the development and commercialization of new and generic therapeutics worldwide. Its products comprise active pharmaceutical ingredients and pharmaceutical intermediates that are used in the production of prescription and over-the-counter drug products, as well as finished dosage forms. The company serves generic drug companies; and companies that discover and commercialize small molecule human therapeutics. The company sells its products directly, as well as through independent agents. Cambrex Corporation was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Read More by Clinton Haws | Thunder Correspondent | Thu, Mar 14th 1:16am EDT Derrick Favors bounced back from two forgettable performances with 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Favors led the Jazz in assists with seven in a 114-97 win over Phoenix. He added seven boards, one steal, and one block. by Brendan Tuma | Bears Correspondent | Wed, Mar 13th 6:49pm EDT Cairo Santos has re-signed with the Bucs. (Rick Stroud on Twitter) Fantasy Impact: Santos split last season between the Rams and the Bucs, converting 14-of-18 field goals along the way. Photo: CTV News The real estate downturn in Metro Vancouver is seeing some dramatic drops in home prices. A home for sale on Vancouver's West Side is listed for $3.9 million more than $2 million less than what it sold for last spring. Economist Tom Davidoff told CTV News the 4,500-square-foot, six-bedroom home is the type of property hit hardest by the downturn. "Very, very slow sales, and the houses that are selling, you're seeing these very, very large price reductions," he said. Royal LePage forecasts a 7.1 per cent drop in the median price of a luxury home in Metro Vancouver this year. In a report last month, the realty company said luxury home sales declined for a second year in a row, falling 50.5 per cent in 2018. For condos, the drop was 30.2 per cent. with files from CTV Vancouver The notorious red tide nearly put a serious damper on our annual late winter trek to the Gulf of Mexico shores of the Sunshine State. The toxic effect of the red tide is nothing new. Its unwelcome, and thankfully just-occasional presence has been documented as early as in the 1840s. But it has seldom been as severe and far-reaching as its recent year-long massive attack on the Florida Gulf coastline last year. According to many reports, evidence of its fouling, which stretched from the Florida panhandle in the north to beaches far to the south, was still somewhat apparent in the first few weeks of this year. Published media sources estimate the red tide of 2018 spread its ugly and smelly presence on some 1,000 miles of beaches and waterways. Locals said it was so severe that front loaders filled dump trucks with dead fish and other water creatures that had fallen to the toxic tide and the air was so foul that hardly anyone ventured near the beaches. Fingers crossed As we explored the area, we had fingers crossed that the poison tide would stay away. We had a great trip, with hardly any disappointments. I had planned to research an affordable fishing trip (often referred to as going fishing) on the Miss Venice, a 40-foot party boat that runs daily off-shore, bottom fishing excursions. At just $99, any individual can join a small gang of other vacationers for a fun day with a few fillets to take home. But the boat was down for some upgrades. Not to be denied, we decided to simply order our seafood rather than catch it. Some favorite restaurants included Snook Harbor, a laid-back Buffet kind of joint that hangs out over the banks of the Myakka River. The look and old-Florida-feel of this setting is awesome itself, but add some kick-back bands and a weekly banjo battle and its a must-do. We also like to catch afternoon rays and do some people watching on the North Venice Jetty located on the southern tip of Casey Key. Stick around on Friday night and one can expect to listen to a handful of regulars who shuffle in to jam with guitars and fiddles. If you stay for the jam session, drop into the Fish Hut there and grab a sack of salted peanuts and a drink. Miles of beach From the jetty, Nokomis Beach runs bright and friendly for miles, but the best prize is right at the corner where the beach meets the jetty. Interesting shells stack up there and make for easy pickns. And for shore anglers, the fishing off the jetty rocks can be dynamite on the incoming tide. Keep in mind that the nearby groves and connecting waterways offer some very good snook and other species fishing. Saturday evening, starting two hours before the beachs premier sunsets, the popular Nokomis drum circle starts a steady beat that seems to never stop and attracts several hundred spectators and countless dancers and percussion musicians. A well-constructed and well-used fishing pier is some four or five miles south of the Venice jetty. The pier offers decent, sometimes excellent, fishing. To the south is North Port where the Tampa Bay Rays play their spring games and just to the north are the stadiums of the Orioles and the Pirates. If you like Florida, not the high rise Florida, youll like Venice/Nokomis area. Somehow over the past two decades, I have been put on some sort of pedestal as someone who knows things about historic home renovation. I have no idea how this happened. I dont feel I was properly vetted as a provider of advice. The number of folks who email or message me to seek my opinion on their own home renovation projects certainly goes to show that people continue to make poor choices. Basically, do not trust me. Im not opposed to cutting corners. Case in point: Wallpaper. Wallpaper is a tool of the devil and you will not convince me otherwise. Like most impulsive decisions made in the heat of the desire you will live to regret it. Ive done it. I have cursed myself. It is one thing, of course, to face your own demons in the removal of wallpaper you once lovingly applied (and possibly skipped sizing because who has time for that?) I will LOVE THIS WALLPAPER FOREVER I said. Until I didnt. Living in a home that has been around for more than 100 years also brings with it a host of design decisions made by past occupants. This means that we not only deal with our own mistakes but those made by people no longer here to answer for their crimes. Strip Popular opinion is that one should never, ever paint over old wallpaper. If faced with old wallpaper you are advised to mix some concoction such as fabric softener, hot water, and unicorn tears together and spray it on the offending paper. We are to believe the paper will then peel itself from the wall voluntarily. This is a lie. Nothing of the sort happens. Ditto the wallpaper steamer, the scoring tool (aka Paper Tiger) and a variety of other tools. Yes, I know that there is no curse worse than the scourge of painted wallpaper. People move into old houses and take out walls rather than deal with old wallpaper. Layers of painted wallpaper, as we understand it, are many times worse. They become one with the structure. Paint That disclaimer aside, Im going to dissent and say sometimes you simply cannot remove the wallpaper. All of the fabric softener/vinegar/scraping/steaming/pacts with Satan simply will not budge the stuff. I suspect that in some cases wallpaper was actually applied directly to wet plaster. Worse, attempting to remove it will damage the underlying walls. I once tried to remove wallpaper from our kitchen and ended up with new drywall when chunks of the wall came off with the paper. That was not the look I was going for. Let me assure you that if you have run up against some of this old wallpaper which is apparently now bonded to the structure of your home, it is sometimes acceptable to sand the seams, prime and paint over it. Yes, I said it. Just make sure you do it well enough that you personally will never have to deal with that again. Just say a prayer for forgiveness and get to priming over that ancient paper. After all, you need to leave something for future owners to curse you over. TOLEDO Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine outlined a H2Ohio water quality initiative March 14 during an event in Toledo. He is introducing the initiative as part of his proposed budget for the 2020-2021 biennium. We cannot continue to lurch from water crisis to water crisis. I am proposing an H2Ohio initiative that would allow us to invest in targeted, long-term solutions to ensure safe and clean water across the state of Ohio, said DeWine. DeWine said his proposal would create a special H2Ohio Fund that would be used to protect Ohios water quality over 10 years and could amount to approximately $900 million. Rather than borrowing to pay to fix our water problems, we want to create a special account, where we can deposit funds to be used specifically for water quality across Ohio, DeWine said. We believe that this is a responsible approach to address a critically important issue. Programs across the state H2Ohio funding would be used for water programs across the state, including for Lake Erie and other rivers, lakes, and waterways in Ohio. The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation said the governors action is refreshing and praiseworthy. The governors approach to water quality is refreshing for Ohio agriculture, said executive Vice President Adam Sharp. The H2Ohio initiative and its extensive resources shows an understanding of the complexities that come with this issue. The funding would support three main efforts: Prevention and land-based management programs, such as funding efforts to minimize the introduction of nutrients and other runoff into Ohio waterways, additional staffing at soil and water conservation districts, and more aggressive action to address failing septic systems and other water treatment needs across Ohio. Water-based restoration programs, such as the creation of more wetlands in targeted areas to naturally filter out nutrients and sediment and utilizing emerging technologies to minimize water quality problems and treat polluted water. Science, research and measurement, such as supporting ongoing research and data collection to advise on metrics and measurable goals, and to stay updated on and utilize new prevention and treatment technologies. DENVER Last year, U.S. beef exports shattered the previous value record and achieved a new high for volume, according to year-end 2018 statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Pork export volume came up just short of the record set in 2017 while value slipped 1 percent year-over-year. U.S. lamb exports rebounded from a down year in 2017, largely due to stronger variety meat demand in Mexico. Fueled by tremendous demand in South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the ASEAN region, U.S. beef exports reached 1.35 million metric tons (mt), up 7 percent from 2017 and exceeding the 2011 record by 5 percent. Export value soared to $8.33 billion, breaking the 2017 record by $1.06 billion an increase of 15 percent. For December only, beef export volume was down slightly from a year ago to 112,777 mt, but value still increased 4 percent to $700.2 million. Export value Beef export value was also record-shattering on a per-head basis, averaging $323.14 per head of fed slaughter in 2018. This was a 13 percent increase over 2017 and exceeded the 2014 record by 8 percent. Beef exports accounted for 13.5 percent of total beef production in 2018 and 11.1 percent for muscle cuts, up from 12.9 percent and 10.4 percent, respectively, in 2017. Despite significant headwinds, 2018 pork exports reached 2.44 million mt just 0.5 percent below the 2017 record. Pork export value was $6.39 billion, down 1 percent year-over-year and the third-highest total on record, trailing only 2014 ($6.65 billion) and 2017 ($6.49 billion). For December only, pork exports were down 5 percent from a year ago to 209,780 mt, valued at $527.4 million (down 11 percent). Pork export value averaged $51.37 per head slaughtered in 2018, down 4 percent year-over-year. Exports accounted for 25.7 percent of total pork production, down about one percentage point from 2017. The ratio was 22.5 percent when including only pork muscle cuts up from 22.3 percent in 2017. Korea accounts for half of the $1 billion surge in beef exports While demand for U.S. beef showed remarkable strength throughout the world in 2018, no market exemplified this momentum more than South Korea. To Korea Exports to Korea increased 30 percent year-over-year in volume to 239,676 mt and jumped 43 percent in value to $1.75 billion an increase of $526 million over the 2017 record and more than double the value total posted just three years ago. Chilled beef exports to Korea increased 19 percent to 53,823 mt and climbed 29 percent in value to a record $525 million, illustrating U.S. beefs surging success in the Korean retail and foodservice sectors. U.S. beef accounted for 58 percent of Koreas chilled beef imports in 2018. There may have been no greater ag trade success story in 2018 than U.S. beef exports to Korea, said Dan Halstrom, USMEF president and CEO. Less than a decade removed from street protests opposing the reopening of this market, Koreans now consume more U.S. beef per capita than any international destination. This is a testament to the U.S. beef industrys strong commitment to the Korean market and the outstanding support received from the U.S. government through both USDA promotional funding and the negotiation of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS). Since KORUS was implemented in 2012, the import duty rate on U.S. beef has declined from 40 to 18.7 percent and will fall to zero by 2026. U.S. beefs main competitors also have free trade agreements with Korea but currently face higher duty rates than the U.S., including Australia (24 percent), Canada (26.6 percent) and New Zealand (26.6 percent). A new survey has found that 94 percent of the beef available across Scottish supermarkets visited was labelled either as British or Scottish. The survey, by NFU Scotland, showed that 61 percent of packs were labelled explicitly as Scottish or Scotch Beef PGI. Secret shoppers studied supermarket shelves across the country to identify the strongest supporters of domestic beef over imported. Almost 96 per cent of packs counted in Aldi stores were explicitly Scottish while 88 per cent of packs in Lidl stores were labelled as Scottish or Scotch. In Tesco stores, 90 percent of beef counted was labelled as Scotch, demonstrating strong support from the countrys largest food retailer. However, volumes of non-UK beef in both Sainsburys and Asda were significant, with almost one in every 10 packs counted coming from outside the UK. Secret shoppers also reported co-mingling of home-produced and imported beef in these retailers, making it harder for the public to identify and buy home-produced beef. NFU Scotland Livestock Committee Chairman, Jimmy Ireland the results are 'encouraging' for farmers and crofters. In Scotland we are gifted with heavy rainfall and great grass growth, allowing us to sustainably produce top quality beef while supporting a healthy environment, he said. Shoppers should be confident that the majority of their local retailers stock Scottish beef in good quantities, meaning that they can rest assured that they are supporting their local farmers when they are making their home-made steak pies, beef curries and burgers. It is National Butchers Week this week so shoppers are reminded they can also find Scottish beef readily available at their local butchers and farm shops, which are always strong supporters of domestic food production, he said. The survey shows that Morrisons, Co-op, Aldi, Marks & Spencer, Lidl and Waitrose stocked 100 per cent home-produced beef, while Tesco stocks 99 per cent home-produced beef, with 90 per cent labelled as Scotch. We do however need to see ASDA and Sainsburys improve their performance by increasing domestic sourcing, Mr Ireland said. Scotlands farmers and crofters are very proud of their high standards of production and our ability to feed the nation despite the challenges of the tumultuous Scottish weather and political uncertainty. AHDB has said that trade implications for farmers in the event of a no-deal Brexit are 'substantial' following the government's release of its tariff regime. An initial assessment of impacts for farming sectors has been set out by AHDB following the release of the no-deal tariff regime, which would be applied to beef, lamb, poultry and some dairy products. Under the regime, some farming sectors will not have this protection noticeably eggs, cereals, fruit and vegetables. It comes as Prime Minister Theresa May announced a government motion on Wednesday night (13 March) ruling out a no deal Brexit on 29 March. However, the vote does not definitively prevent a no-deal Brexit parliament must still agree a deal, or extend or revoke article 50 in order to do that. And in the aftermath of Wednesday night's vote, the EU said that the vote blocking a no-deal Brexit was 'meaningless'. Cereals AHDB analysis shows that, in simple terms, the UK grain and oilseed rape market would be open to all global exporters after previously seeing protection from the EUs tariffs and TRQ trade barriers. Domestic importers would face no extra costs to import from any origin worldwide for wheat, barley, maize and oilseeds. As part of the EU, UK growers are partially protected from global markets by the TRQ system, which allows a specified volume of grain into the EU at a preferential tariff (12/t) and anything outside this TRQ allowance would face the bound tariff of 89-95/t (dependant on product). The risk for growers is that alternative, cheaper, grain imports would be freely available to import into the UK. Therefore in a no-deal scenario, the domestic price of grains specifically could move lower in order to compete against cheaper imports to find demand. Potatoes For the potato sector, the move to zero tariffs would, in theory, open up the UK to all global markets. However, the UK has previously imported the majority of its potato requirements from the EU at a zero-tariff rate. As such, in a no-deal scenario, the impact upon the potato sector would be lessened due to the continuation of existing trading relationships with zero tariffs and favourable logistics from near-continent suppliers. More specifically, for imports of new potatoes from Israel, currently we import under an EU-wide preferential agreement that sets tariffs at zero. This trade will not be harmed by the move to zero-tariffs in a No-Deal situation. Beef In 2018, the UK imported 380,000 tonnes of beef, either fresh, frozen or processed. Of this, 340,000 tonnes was imported tariff-free from the EU. About 30,000 of the other 40,000 tonnes would have come in at a reduced tariff under pre-existing EU quotas. Under the regime, tariffs will be applied to beef imports, albeit at a lower rate than current EU tariffs. For instance the tariff level for fresh of chilled boneless beef would fall from 12.8% + 303.4/100kg to 6.8% + 160.1/100kg. However, a TRQ of approximately 230,000 tonnes would be implemented. This allows tariff-free access to the UK, and can be used by any country, including EU members. This is in addition to 55,000 tonnes of pre-existing EU TRQs that the UK has agreed to take as its share after Brexit, at a 20% tariff. This leaves approximately 95,000 tonnes of beef imports that will be subject to the new UK tariffs. Sheep meat The tariffs detail no change from the EU MFN tariff rates for sheep meat. This means the volume currently imported from the EU (21,400 tonnes cwe in 2018), could now face an effective tariff over 40% on average. Most of the remaining UK imports of sheep meat will continue to be imported tariff-free under quotas from New Zealand and Australia. There is room within the New Zealand quota for volumes to increase, although this is unlikely considering current global market conditions and tightening production in New Zealand. If there is a no-deal Brexit, UK exports to the EU will face the same tariff as any other country without preferential access to the EU. In 2018, the UK exported over 80,000 tonnes of sheep meat to the EU which accounts for around 95% of UK exports. Pork Tariffs on most pig meat products will remain in place, but will be reduced to around 13% of the current rate the EU applies to countries outside the bloc. The tariffs are applied on a per kg basis, but are higher for more valuable goods. UK pig meat imports are currently sourced almost entirely from the EU, and these shipments account for around 60% of domestic consumption. In a no-deal scenario, these imports would face tariffs for the first time. Looking at the breakdown of products the UK imported last year, and the average prices for these products, the tariffs equate to around 4-5% of the price of pork, bacon and ham imports. Noticeably, sausages have not been included in the tariff schedule, so presumably will be zero-rated. Sausages account for up to 15% of UK pig meat imports annually. Dairy Tariffs have been announced for butter and a selection of cheeses including processed cheese, cheddar and blue-veined cheeses (excl. Roquefort and gorgonzola). The butter tariffs are 605/tonne for butters and 738/tonne for butteroil; for butter this is about one third of the current MFN tariff. For the cheeses with tariffs, the rates range between 180-290/tonne, and are generally 13% of the current MFN tariff. There are also tariffs that currently exist on dairy products such as milk, cream, powders and yogurts will be dropped to zero. In 2018, 99.8% of UK dairy import volumes came from the EU and were therefore tariff-free. Under a no-deal scenario, approximately 18% of total dairy imports would be subject to a tariff. This tariff would on average be 622/tonne for butter (inc. butteroil) and 214/tonne for tariffed cheeses. One notable consideration will be the Republic of Ireland, which accounted for 54% of UK butter imports and 88% of cheddar imports by volume in 2018. It is unclear how much of this product currently enters the UK via Northern Ireland, which according to the Government announcement would be exempt from tariffs, although imports from Ireland into Britain would still be tariffed. 'Substantial implications' Tom Hind, AHDB Chief Strategy Officer, said the trade implications for farming businesses would be 'substantial' in the event of a no-deal. Government has been faced with striking a balance of price stability, safeguarding sensitive products and ensuring our ability to negotiate new trade agreements is not compromised, he said. The proposals take account of sensitive agricultural products, such as meat and some dairy products. But cereals, potatoes and most fresh produce imports will face no tariff barriers. Mr Hind added: Many EU imports to the UK would face tariffs for the first time under a no-deal scenario. Our exports to the EU will still face the EUs common external tariff in a no-deal scenario and this will impact trade flows and market dynamics. Sheep meat is the most extreme example, where approximately one third of UK production is exported and the overwhelming majority currently goes to the EU. Trade implications remain substantial. Businesses will be considering variables such as currency, non-tariff barriers, the perishable nature of many foodstuffs and the proliferation of just-in-time supply chains, he said. Dairy cooperative Lakeland has reduced its February milk base price in Northern Ireland, while holding the base price in the Republic of Ireland. Lakeland is to reduce 0.75p per litre off its February milk price in Northern Ireland amid continued political uncertainty and weakening market returns. The green light was recently given by the governments of the UK and Ireland for dairy cooperatives Lakeland and LacPatrick to merge. The new group called Lakeland Dairies Co-Operative Society Limited is the second largest dairy processor on the island of Ireland with a cross-border milk pool of 1.8bn litres, produced by 3,200 farms from 15 counties. It has a combined annual turnover in excess of 1bn. But the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) has challenged the decision by Lakeland to reduce their milk price in Northern Ireland, while holding the price in the Republic. UFU dairy chairman, William Irvine said the cross-border processor is acting against its 'basic co-op principles'. Lakeland has chosen to keep prices stable in ROI. This suggests they are confident in the market. Why then reduce the base price in NI? Surely as a co-operative, Lakeland has a duty to its members to pay them fairly, he said. The farming union said it is 'confused' by the Lakeland move. Mr Irvine said: All signs are that markets are good and prices should remain stable. While some views may vary over market forecasts, there is no case to suggest a downturn, something all processors should be mindful of. It comes as the industry counts the cost of a costly winter, with dairy farmers now needing a 'stable and fair' price for the milk they produce. Mr Irvine also said the timing of Lakelands base price cut is not good, particularly as it comes not long after the recent Lakeland and Lac Patrick merger. It is disappointing Lakeland are choosing to treat NI farmers different from their ROI counterparts. We want to see this merger getting off on the right foot, however, this is not a good start, he said. British farmers have been encouraged to diversify if they want to avoid the risk of financial difficulty after Brexit, a leading lawyer has said. Farmers are being urged to revisit their business plans to ensure they are not caught out by potential cuts in subsidies when Britain leaves the European Union. The value of commercial farmland is expected to fall by 3.6% in the wake of Brexit, and there are warnings that it is likely to be the worst-hit in the UKs residential and commercial property sector. One of the major challenges facing farmers is a possible reduction in the amount of subsidies compared to what they currently receive from the EU. However, Defra Secretary Michael Gove is planning to drastically reform the system, arguing that it offers too much help to larger farms and not enough to smaller ones. He is proposing that subsidies after Brexit will go to farms which deliver environmental benefits such as clean water, flood prevention and wildlife preservation. Claire Barritt, a senior associate at law firm Prettys, said farms can prepare for the financial impact of post-Brexit changes by diversifying. We still dont know for sure what the long-term subsidy strategy of the government is going to be post-Brexit, she said. If, as expected, subsidies are reduced, then farmers will certainly have to look at diversification and efficiencies in how they run their businesses. Opportunities to raise additional income could include growing different crops, converting redundant barns to residential property and looking at ways to create commercial property as well as tourist accommodation. Ms Barritt added: An emerging school of thought is that the EU subsidy regime may have stifled innovation and entrepreneurial decision-making among some farmers. Research has found that from the 62% of UK farmers who have already diversified their businesses, over nine out of ten schemes (94%) have been financially successful. The important role diversification plays in the sustainability of many farms was demonstrated, with nearly two thirds (63%) reporting that the income produced by diversification was vital or significant to their farm. The British egg industry have reacted angrily to the governments refusal to add eggs and egg products to the list of foods protected by tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The no-deal tariff regime would be applied to beef, lamb, poultry and some dairy products. Under the regime, some farming sectors will not have this protection noticeably eggs, cereals, fruit and vegetables. Despite the parliamentary vote that the UK will not leave the EU without a deal, legally that is still a possibility regardless of any extension to the 29th March being granted. BEIC Chairman Andrew Joret, said the government is 'trampling over all the good work' the industry has done to raise animal welfare standards. In a few weeks time, consumers could be eating products made with eggs from hens housed in barren battery cages. This is not scaremongering but a real risk, he said. This is extremely damaging for animal welfare and a serious breach of trust by a Government which seems to have lost its way on hen welfare. In an open letter to Defra Secretary Michael Gove, animal welfare groups, such as the RSPCA, and the BEIC have called on the government to reconsider its stance before its too late. Mr Joret concluded: We could see the country going to work on an egg from a barren battery cage, something we didnt think wed ever return to. The government should hang its head in shame. It follows industry warning that a 'no deal' Brexit risks putting 'billions' of battery eggs back on the shelves unless the government acts to protect consumers. The industry fears this could potentially open the floodgates for the import of eggs produced in barren battery cages that were banned in the UK in 2012. Poor weather and higher costs could be factors as to why Scotland's number of cattle continues to decrease. Cattle numbers in Scotland continue to fall according to the latest figures in the Scottish Agricultural Survey released by the Scottish government. The statistics show that numbers of some livestock continue to decrease and Less Favoured Area rents continue to rise In December 2018, there were 1.66 million cattle in Scotland, which is 5 percent lower than the ten-year average and a drop of 2 percent on 1.69 million from the previous year. The number of cattle has fallen in both the beef and dairy sectors over the past year. Beef fell by 1 per cent and dairy by 2 per cent. There was also a 3 per cent drop in the number of calves. The report points to poor weather which may have impacted cattle numbers over the past year. For example, the long period of warm weather reduced the amount of grass grown for feed. The shortage of feed during the warm summer has also led to higher costs. Farmers may have slaughtered cattle earlier or in higher numbers to save on costs. Donald Cameron, Scottish Conservative shadow rural secretary, said the figures show that farmers are being hit 'hard'. Sadly these figures do not show the kind of growth and dynamism that we would like to see in the Scottish farming sector. He added: It is therefore crucial that the SNP government gets appropriate and long term funding in place for the sector to ensure stability and security post Brexit. Photo: Contributed Dione Chambers, Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce general manager, left, presents Linda Yule, with United Way a cheque for $2,140. The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerces Spring Expo is being hailed a success, not just for the chamber, but a local community service agency as well. The inaugural was held March 8-9 at Kal Tire Place North, with some 1,200 checking it out and donating more than $2,100 to the United Way. We are extremely impressed with the generosity of everyone who attended the inaugural Spring Expo, and we are proud to assist United Way and its member agencies, said Dione Chambers, Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce general manager. Through their hard work, these agencies touch every aspect of our lives infants, children, teens, adults and seniors. They foster vibrant, inclusive and caring communities while advocating for solutions for critical social issues. United Way volunteers collected donations from residents at the door during Spring Expo. We are overwhelmed by the support of the community, and their willingness to always rally behind their family members, friends and neighbours. The support from Spring Expo will go a long ways towards building a resilient community, and thank you to the Greater Vernon Chamber for providing the opportunity to create awareness about our programs, said Linda Yule, with United Way. Spring Expo featured more than 60 exhibitors businesses, non-profits and government organizations. Family fun included a climbing wall, princesses, Kiki the Eco Elf and the Bug Guys, while the City of Vernon went all out with a bouncy castle, fire truck, backhoe, camera truck and police vehicles. Sheep sector fears rise in dog attacks this festive season Farmers urged to look at latest guidance on issue Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category When you hear the word 'Mr Perfectionist', the name that immediately comes to your mind is that of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan. Touted to be one of the most popular and influential actors of Indian cinema, Aamir has explored every genre over the years and passed with flying colors. Born to Tahir Hussain and Zeenat Hussain on March 14, 1965, Aamir made his Bollywood debut as a child artist at the age of eight in Yaadon Ki Baaraat. He also starred in Madhosh. After dabbling in theatres, Aamir assisted his uncle on two films- Manzil Manzil and Zabardast. He bagged his first lead acting role in Qayamat Qayamat Tak opposite Juhi Chawla and the rest is history. On his 54th birthday today, we bring you some interesting facts about him. A Casting Coup Which Failed To Happen Shekhar Kapur was supposed to direct Aamir Khan, Raveena, Naseeruddin Shah & Rekha in a film called Time Machine which was a science fiction inspired by Back To The Future. Unfortunately, the film got shelved. Aamir Doesn't Like Bathing The superstar is not very fond of taking bath and tries to find an excuse to not take a bath when given a chance. Did You Know This? The actor is a pro when it comes to solving Rubik's cube quickly. Trivia The popular freedom fighter Abul Kalam Azad also known as Maulana Azad who led the Khilafat Movement is Aamir's great grand uncle. What Makes Him Mr Perfectionist? The actor had actually consumed a litre of vodka before shooting the popular song Tere ishq mein naachenge' in Raja Hindustani to deliver the scene as a drunk character. Post Badla,Tony Luke Gets Candid In An Exclusive Interview: Character Roles Fulfill Me As An Actor Aamir Khan announces next film on his Birthday Celebration ;Watch Video | FilmiBeat Today (March 14, 2019), on the eve of his birthday, Aamir Khan announces his next project after Thugs Of Hindotan's failure and the film is titled as Lal Singh Chadha. While celebrating his birthday with the media, Aamir said, "Lal singh chadha is my next film." It is an adaption of Forest Gump. The film will be helmed by Advait Chandan and preparation has already kick-started by Aamir and the makers. The film is expected to release next year. Aamir also revealed that he will reduce 20 Kgs weight for his character in the film. At the same event, Aamir was also asked about debuting on digital medium, to which Aamir replied "Right now no plans. Might be take up something if it's interesting & comes up way." At the press meet, Aamir was accompanied by his lovely wife, Kiran Rao. When Kiran was asked about directing Aamir Khan again, she said, "I'm working on something. Let's see if something fits him." Salman & Aamir Give A Boost To T-Series Vs PewDiePie YouTube Battle For the unversed, Aamir was earlier roped in for Saare Jahaan Se Acha. But the actor chose to walk out of the project and rather suggested Shahrukh Khan's name for the same. But from past few days, rumours suggest that even Shahrukh is sceptical about doing SJSA, which is a biopic on Rakesh Sharma. When Aamir was asked if the film is again offered to him, what he would do, he said that he hasn't thought anything regarding the same! Coming back to Aamir's next project, we're pretty excited for it. What about you? 'Does Not Even Care About His Parents' Producer Krishnappa said, "He is a thorn on whom I should not have held hopes. Forget coming to the village (both hail from Adakamaranahalli near Nelamangala) he does not even care about his parents." 'An Outsider Who Has No Loyalty' "They will beat him with boots and throw him out if he comes there. I wanted to promote him because he was from my village but he turned out to be an outsider who has no loyalty. I do not even have contact with him over the phone.", he further added. Ganesh Abandoned His Village When Krishnappa was asked why he feels this about Ganesh, he explained, "He is one person who has caused much sorrow in me, our village, and his family. People in the village no longer consider him one amongst us." What Do The Neighbours Say? "He has not come here since he came to invite us for his marriage reception. His parents say that they will continue their lives as usual without him. But they are very sad with his behaviour. Neither has he come here nor have the parents gone to visit him in Bangalore." His Parents Are Sad "Neither has he come here nor have the parents gone to visit him in Bangalore. They are sad that he is not in touch with them. The younger brother is working and taking care of the family. A few days ago, they expected him to visit on his birthday, but he did not come. Only a television channel crew came, but his parents did not speak to anyone." Tamil actor Arya, one of the most popular and sought-after stars in Kollywood, tied the knot with actress Sayyeshaa on Sunday (March 10, 2019) and added a new dimension to his life. The wedding, held as per Muslim traditions, proved to be a private yet memorable affair that was attended by some of the biggest names in the industry. Now, nearly four days later, the wedding reception is being held in Chennai. The grand ceremony, which is likely to be attended by several stars, is already underway and the first photos of the couple are out. In them, Arya looks dashing as he enjoys the special day. The Junga girl too looks a million bucks and proves that she is a stunner. Their chemistry is quite crackling to say the least. In case you did not know, Arya and Sayyeshaa first met during the shoot of Ghajinikanth and became friends in no time. Their friendship soon gave way to love and they decided to get married. As per Valai Pechu, Sayyeshaa's mother is quite fond of her 'Maapillai' and considers him to be a son. On the work front, the two are currently awaiting the release of Kaappaan. The movie, directed by KV Anand, features Suiya and Mollywood legend Mohanlal in the lead roles. We congratulate Aya and Sayyeshaa and hope they have a happy married life. So, did you like these photos of Arya and his beloved wife? Tell us in the space below? Priyank & His Mom On Kitchen Champion Priyank shared a few pictures snapped with his mother and wrote, "Once upon a time she came inside big boss house to rejuvenate her son on the same channel and then THIS happened yesterday after one year . HAPPY WOMEN's DAY maa ! Thank you @colorstv #biggeststrength #womenpower #kitchenchampion." - (sic) Hina & Rocky On Kitchen Champion Rocky shared a few pictures and captioned it, "Had an awesome time at Kitchen Champion @colorstv With my @realhinakhan . Also was lovely meeting Aunty and @priyanksharmaaa. @arjunbijlani u were warm and a pro, thanks for making a common man comfortable!" - (sic) Hina & Priyank Recreate KKHH Song Colors shared a few videos from the episode. In one of the videos, Priyank and Hina are seen recreating Shahrukh Khan-Kajol's Yeh ladka hai deewana' from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Priyanks Mom Warns Him; Hina & Rocky Troll Each Other While in one of the videos, Priyank's mother is seen warning him against bringing any girl to the house; in another video, Hina is seen trolling Rocky over Kashmiri and Bengali dishes' names. We Hope To See Luv, Hina & Priyank Together Soon! How we wish Luv too, was on the show - it would have been complete! We wonder what might have happened between the trio that led Luv to unfollow his friends. We just hope everything gets okay between the trio, soon! Vijay Deverakonda Vijay Deverakonda has been voted as Hyderabad Times Most Desirable Men Of 2018. It is for the first time that the young actor is bagging the title. In the previous year, Vijay Devarakonda was placed at the second spot. Prabhas Is At The Second Spot Prabhas, the sensation of Indian cinema, has found the second place in this coveted list. The actor has reportedly jumped one spot higher, as he was placed at the third position in the list of the year 2017. Ram Charan Ram Charan, the young actor who enjoys a huge fan base is not far behind and he has been placed at the third spot in the list. He too has advanced two spots from his previous year as he was placed at the 5th spot in 2017. The Others In The Top 5 Superstar Mahesh Babu continues to be one among the top 5 Most Desirable Men in Tollywood. This time he has been placed at the 4th spot in the list. Baseer Ali is placed at the fifth spot this time. Previous Year In the previous year, it was Baseer Ali who was chosen as the Most Desirable Man Of 2017. The fitness model and television star shot to fame by becoming the runer-up of MTV Roadies and the winner of MTV Splitsvilla. Madison Erhardt Canadas only automated sailing plan app for small vessel safety is about to be launched across the country. LRC Consulting Solutions of Kelowna has been awarded a two-year Search and Rescue New Innovation Fund (SARNIF) grant of $595,000 to create a new Sailing Plan mobile app and dashboard to meet regulatory and safety requirements for small commercial vessels. The Government of Canadas Search and Rescue New Innovation Fund supports the development of modern tools like todays announcement of LRC Consulting Services coordinated mobile sailing plan technology, said Ralph Goodale, minister of public safety. This SARNIF grant will help ensure that important work is completed to enhance and support marine safety for all Canadian boaters. Creating and submitting a sailing plan, will never have been easier or more efficient. Statistics from The Lifesaving Society indicate that approximately one-third of all water-related deaths in Canada occur while boating, with the majority caused by capsizing, collision or falling overboard. As a pilot, I understand the safety requirements of filing a flight plan and filing a sailing plan should be no different.," said Kelowna-Lake Country MP Stephen Fuhr. Having the Sailing Plan app being developed in Kelowna by one of the leading innovators in our high-tech community will make it easier for commercial boaters to meet their small vessel regulatory aspects and provide recreational boaters with a great new, easy to use, app to increase boater safety for all Canadians,'' Fuhr added. For more information head to https://sailingplan.ca. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 13, 2019) - Vireo Health, Inc. ("Vireo") and Darien Business Development Corp. (TSXV: DBD.H) ("Darien" or the "Company") are pleased to announce that the shareholders of Darien have overwhelmingly voted in favour of all matters in connection with the previously announced business combination involving Vireo and Darien that will result in a reverse take-over of Darien by Vireo (the "Transaction"). It is anticipated that the resulting issuer of the Transaction will operate under the name Vireo Health International, Inc. (the "Resulting Issuer"). The Darien shareholders approved all matters to take effect on closing of the Transaction including: (i) increasing the size of the Darien board to seven; (ii) the election of Kyle Kingsley, Amber Shimpa, Ari Hoffnung, Chad Martinson, Judd Nordquist, Amy Langer and Chelsea Grayson to the board of Darien; (iii) the appointment of the auditor for the ensuing year; (iv) altering the articles of Darien to redesignate the common shares of Darien as "Subordinate Voting Shares"; (v) creating a new class of "Super Voting Shares" that would be issued to the principals of Vireo and a new class of "Multiple Voting Shares" to be issued to certain U.S. resident holders of Vireo; (vi) the delisting of the pre-Transaction common shares of Darien from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "De-Listing") and (vii) the adoption of a new equity incentive plan. The Multiple Voting Shares are being proposed in order to minimize the proportion of the outstanding voting securities of the Resulting Issuer that are held by "U.S. persons" for purposes of determining whether the Resulting Issuer will be a "foreign private issuer" under United States securities laws. The Multiple Voting Shares shall entitle the holder to one vote in respect of each Subordinate Voting Share into which such Multiple Voting Share could ultimately then be converted, which for greater certainty, shall initially equal 100 votes per Multiple Voting Share. The Super Voting Shares are being issued in order to ensure that effective control of the Resulting Issuer will, subject to the principals selling a majority of their holding, be given to Kyle Kingsley (the "Principal"), being the key person responsible for the success of Vireo, for a sufficient period of time so as to not provide disincentives to capital raising. In addition, the Principal would not have considered a "going-public" transaction without the control safeguards provided by the Super Voting Shares. The Super Voting Shares entitle the Principal to 10 votes in respect of each Subordinate Voting Share into which a Super Voting Share could be converted, which for greater certainty, equals 1,000 votes per Super Voting Share. The Transaction is also subject to completion of the transactions contemplated by the definitive agreements relating to the Transaction, receipt of regulatory approval and the final approval of the CSE for listing of the Subordinate Voting Shares. Assuming all conditions precedent to the completion of the Transaction are satisfied or waived, Darien expects the Transaction to be completed in March 2019. For more information on all matters voted on at the Darien shareholders' meeting, please refer to the management information circular of Darien dated February 8, 2019 (the "Circular") and the Material Change Report dated February 21, 2019, which has been filed under Darien's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities law, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) absent registration or an exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy in the United States nor shall there by any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Vireo Health, Inc.: Vireo is one of America's leading multi-state cannabis companies. Vireo is a physician-led, science-focused organization, dedicated to providing patients with best-in-class quality cannabis-based products and compassionate care. Vireo cultivates cannabis in environmentally-friendly greenhouses, manufactures pharmaceutical-grade cannabis extracts, and sells its products at both company-owned and third-party dispensaries. Vireo has a strong track record of competing for and winning merit-based licensing processes and has been awarded licenses in some of the most selective state-based markets, including Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Ohio. For more information visit https://vireohealth.com/. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "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 United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", " expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information regarding the Transaction and any completion of the Transaction. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. This forward-looking information reflects Darien's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Darien and on assumptions Darien believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to: CSE approval to list the shares of Darien; satisfaction of the conditions to the completion of the Transaction; and market acceptance and approvals, including CSE approval. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Darien to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; general capital market conditions and market prices for securities; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; the actual results of future operations; competition; changes in legislation affecting Darien; and the timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms. A description of additional assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information and a description of additional risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking information can be found in Darien's disclosure documents on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. Although Darien has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking information as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of Darien as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. However, Darien expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law. For further information, please contact: Darien Business Development Corp. Gunther Roehlig Chief Executive Officer E-mail: groehlig@gmail.com Vireo Health, Inc. Sam Gibbons Vice President, Investor Relations E-mail: investor@vireohealth.com Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to CSE acceptance. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Circular, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Darien should be considered highly speculative. The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the Transaction and has not approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43405 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 13, 2019) - Zinc One Resources Inc. (TSXV: Z) (OTC Pink: ZZZOF) (FSE: RH33) ("Zinc One" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of voting at its annual general meeting ("AGM") of shareholders which was held on March 13, 2019, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Shareholders at the AGM approved all matters including the appointment of the four incumbent directors, being Dr. William C. Williams, Barry Girling, Greg Crowe and Gunther Roehlig, for the ensuing year, the re-appointment of Charlton & Co. LLP as auditors of the Company and the renewal of the Company's 10% rolling stock option plan. Option Grant The Company also announces that it has granted a total of 4,950,000 stock options to directors, officers, employees and consultants. The options have a 5-year term and are exercisable at a price of $0.10 per option. About Zinc One Resources Inc. Zinc One's key assets are the Bongara Zinc Mine Project and the Charlotte-Bongara Zinc Project in north-central Peru. The Bongara Zinc Mine Project was in production from 2007 to 2008 but was closed due to the Global Financial Crisis and the concurrent decrease in the zinc price. Past production included >20% zinc grades and recoveries over 90% from surface and near-surface zinc-oxide mineralization. High-grade, zinc-oxide mineralization is known to outcrop between the mined area and the Charlotte-Bongara and Cristal Project areas, which are over six kilometres to the north-northwest and where past drilling also intercepted various near-surface zones with high-grade zinc as well. Additional Information Gunther RoehligDirectorZinc One Resources Inc.Phone: (604) 683-0911Email: info@zincone.comwww.zincone.com Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Zinc One cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Zinc One's limited operating history, its proposed exploration and development activities on the Bongara Zinc Oxide Mine Project and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Zinc One does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43404 HONG KONG, CHINA / ACCESSWIRE / March 13, 2019 / Living 3D Holdings Inc. ("Living 3D" or the "Company") (OTC Markets symbol: LTDH) announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Starfire (HK) Technology Group Ltd. ("Starfire") to act as its key strategic partner in the ASEAN region on Jan. 29, 2019. Starfire is the official partner of Terminus Technologies in Hong Kong since January 2019. Together with Living 3D, the parties aim to provide smart city infrastructure and AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) solutions for the ASEAN region. Stephen Yip, Chairman of Living 3D Holdings Inc. said, "The alliance with Starfire plays a key part in our upcoming business plans, we will proceed with a number of pilot property development projects to showcase fully integrated AIoT smart city solutions. The ASEAN region provides the ideal testing ground as we can curate projects afresh in a seamless fashion. We will act as both smart building developers and smart technology distributors in our quest to penetrate different sectors of this huge and thriving market." Living3D is a public company traded in OTC markets in USA , specializes in research and distribution of latest technology to the mas s m arket. The Company is reformed in 2016 by its new founder Stephen Yip and Edward Lau and has been active in FinTech, eGaming, Cloud Computing, eCommerce and Artificial Intelligence business. Contact: Connie Ho Corporate Liaison support@living3d.com (+852) 3563 9280 SOURCE: Living 3D Holdings Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/538932/Living-3D-Holdings-Inc-Announces-Partnership-With-Starfire-Group-on-AIoT-Smart-City-Development Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2019) - M2 Cobalt Corp. (TSXV: MC) (OTCQB: MCCBF) (FSE: AOK) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the launch of its 2019 work program, including up to 6,000 metres of drilling. This program is a continuation and expansion of the Company's initial drill program launched last Fall and includes both diamond and reverse circulation ("RC") drilling. The Company also plans to launch additional ground geophysics (magnetics and Induced Polarization ("IP")) and rock grab and soil sampling within existing and recently acquired exploration licenses (see press release dated October 17, 2018). Merger with Jervois The Company also announces that the merger process with Jervois Mining Limited ("Jervois"), announced on January 22, 2019 (the "Merger"), is progressing well with the Company having now received voting and support agreements to support the Merger from shareholders representing approx. 50.3% of the issued share capital of the Company. It is currently anticipated that the formal shareholder vote to approve the Merger will be held in early-mid May 2019. Working Capital Facility As part of the Merger process, the Company has now satisfied all outstanding conditions for the draw-down of the US$3 million working capital facility from Jervois ("the Working Capital Facility"), announced on January 22, 2019. The Company will utilize funds from this facility to fund the continuation and expansion of its initial drill program and the next phase of exploration. Initial Drilling As announced in October 2018, the initial drill program was launched to test key targets at depth in each of the 3 styles of mineralization discovered during the Company's phase 1 work programs and to position the Company for larger resource focused drill programs. As announced on January 10, 2018, the Company completed 2,027 metres of diamond drilling before the Christmas break in mid-December 2018. Most of this drilling (1056 metres; 7 drill holes) occurred at high priority targets at its Kilembe-area properties. In addition, the Company drilled 4 holes (839 metres) at its Bombo NW and Bombo targets (Bujagali). In relation to its Waragi Target, also at Bujagali, due to difficulties encountered with the drill rig and timing of the Christmas break, it was only possible to collar 4 very shallow exploration holes at one location, totaling 131m. The assay results from the drilling completed before Christmas have now been received. The results have provided important technical data and included a number of positive indicators, including sulphide mineralization at the targets tested in the Kilembe area as well as at the Bombo targets. The results also confirmed the presence of ultramafic bodies at Bombo. However, as yet no material intersections have been encountered. Additional drilling / next phase of exploration With the funds available under the Working Capital Facility, the Company will now complete and expand its initial drill program in and around its Waragi and Nile targets with up to 3,000 metres of drilling (diamond and RC) planned to systematically test the large regional cobalt /copper geochemical anomaly discovered across its Buajagli licenses during 2018. It will also launch ground geophysics and geochemistry across the adjoining exploration license it acquired at Bujagali in October 2018. Further, based on assay results and the large size of the geochemical and geophysical anomalies at Bombo, the Company will launch additional Induced Polarization geophysics ("IP") to help focus drill collars for up to a further 3,000 metres of drilling. This program will systematically test the series of ultramafic bodies across the property for base metal mineralization. In relation to its Kilembe-area properties, the initial drill program validated the Company's use of VTEM in this geological setting. In addition, the presence of sphalerite, galena (zinc and lead sulphides) and chalcopyrite in the core taken from the 7 drill holes also confirms the potential to discover additional VMS deposits along strike of the historic Kilembe mine. The Company will shortly launch ground sampling and geochemistry on the 3 Kilembe-area licenses acquired in October 2018 and its current intention is to implement a broader phase of exploration across all of its Kilembe-area Licenses later in 2019. Simon Clarke, CEO stated, "We are pleased to be able to complete and expand our initial drill program and to launch our next phase of exploration. We have a very large asset base with numerous large-scale targets and significant potential for new discoveries. The ability to leverage what we have learned to date into this expanded phase of drilling strengthens our position significantly. We are also extremely pleased to be able to add the technical and financial resources of Jervois as we move through the merger process and combine operations." Quality Assurance All rock and soil samples were sent to ALS Chemex South Africa (Pty) Ltd., an independent and fully accredited laboratory in South Africa for analysis for gold multi-element Induction Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy. M2 Cobalt also has a regimented Quality Assurance, Quality Control program where at least 10% duplicates and blanks are inserted into each sample shipment. About M2Cobalt M2 Cobalt Corp. is focused on discovering and developing world-class cobalt assets (and related minerals) to help address the growing deficit in the supply of cobalt. The Company has a large, highly prospective land package in the Republic of Uganda, East Africa bordering historic production and on the same mineral trends as some of the major mines in the neighbouring DRC where over 70% of world cobalt supply originates. Uganda is a stable country with a growing economy looking to re-energize its historic mining industry. The Company has a highly experienced management team and board of directors, which has been involved in funding and advancing resource projects globally. Further information on the Company and its projects can be found at www.m2cobalt.com The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dean Besserer, P.Geol., the Technical Advisor of the Company and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. For further information, contact Simon Clarke at sclarke@m2cobalt.com or Andy Edelmeier at andy@m2cobalt.com On behalf of the Board, M2 COBALT CORP. Simon Clarke, Chief Executive Officer Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and other similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to exploration work to be undertaken in Uganda, the reliability of third party information, and certain other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affections such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43411 SHANGHAI, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Haier has released a trendsetting smart laundry space concept at the company's global brand conference in Shanghai, demonstrating the latest products and technological achievements that are overturning the traditional family laundry experience. The new smart laundry space concept was developed around two household cleaning scenarios, the sunshine laundry room and smart closet. Within the innovative space, Haier converges many groundbreaking products and technologies such as the impeller washing machine with no external barrel, the Haier Crystal 3.0 generation drum washing machine and the Casarte Fusion delicate washing and fabric care machine, as well as smart mirrors, alongside automatic folding and ironing machines to integrate an all-around, enjoyable laundry and clothing care experience. Leading to a better laundry experience In the past, Haier has been setting new trends in the washing machine industry and making technological developments and breakthroughs. At the conference, Haier demonstrated its leadership position once again with products that excel in smart technology and washing efficiency while promoting healthy laundry solutions. Its latest Casarte Fusion delicate washing and fabric care machine bring a four-in-one solution of air-wash, water-wash, and 10kg and 7 kg heat pump drying, a first-of-its-kind product that can achieve the results of four machines. Meanwhile, the 3.0 generation Haier Crystal drum washing machine has an extra-large laundry drum diameter of 601mm, offering the fastest 49-minute standard wash cycle in the market. In the impeller washing machine sector, Haier continues to promote the "Healthy Wash" trend that realizes zero residue drainage and dust-free washing. "Since the beginning, Haier's washing machines have been designed, upgraded and innovated with a focus on customers' needs. We create revolutionary products to lead the industry's trends such as wash quietly and healthily. Our goal is to create a better laundry experience and lifestyle for global customers," said Li Yang, Vice President and Washing Machine General Manager of Haier. About Haier Haier Home Appliance is the world's No. 1 home appliance brand, with a 10.5% global market share. Its brands include Haier, Casarte, and Leader in China, GE Appliances in the US, Fisher & Paykel in New Zealand, and AQUA in Japan. Aiming to provide interconnected smart home experience for customers everywhere, Haier continuously enhances its products and services while making the transition to an open entrepreneurship platform. http://www.haier.net/en Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/834815/1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/834816/2.jpg A new scientific paper calls for strict adherence to the scientific definition, ensuring improper use of the term doesn't mislead consumers or limit advancements in the emerging field of microbiome science. Authored by Dr. Gregor Reid, Raja Dhir, and Dr. Azza A. Gadir LOS ANGELES, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Dr. Gregor Reid, the scientist who chaired the United Nations/World Health Organization Expert Panel that authored the definition of 'probiotics' in 20011, published a new paper in Frontiers in Microbiology: "Probiotics: Reiterating What They Are and What They Are Not", to reestablish and clarify the term. Marketing and media misuse of the term 'probiotics', and even misunderstanding within the scientific community, has contributed to growing global skepticism about the legitimacy of microbial therapies and the associated probiotic applications to improve human health. Reid authored this paper in an effort to ensure hype doesn't limit scientific and medical advancements. "Too many microbiome studies oversell limited findings or make broad generalizations that attribute the results of a single study on a single product across our entire field. Adherence by scientists, publications, and reporters to precise definitions and guidelines will ensure more accurate communications," said Reid. "Stewardship of the term 'probiotic' is critical to curb its misuse and misattribution and to protect the future of a field that has incredible promise." Summary of Paper Within the field of microbiome science, the rate of discovery of novel organisms with potentially therapeutic benefit is progressing rapidly and gaining prominence. More than ever, it is imperative that guidelines are followed to determine the validity of a probiotic. As indicated in the original FAO/WHO (2002) report1, there are certain expectations required to call an organism 'probiotic'. These have been further clarified in 20142, and must include: That microbes be alive in an adequate number when administered. Strains must be identified genetically, classified using the latest terminology, and designated by numbers, letters, or names. Appropriately sized and designed studies must be performed to designate a strain as probiotic and use the strain(s) on the host to which the probiotics are intended (human, livestock, companion animal, etc). Strains shown to confer a benefit for one condition may not be probiotic for another application. Strains that are probiotic for humans but are being used in animal studies should be clearly designated as human probiotics under experimental testing. For the complete paper, visit https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2019.00424/full As part of the authors' commitment to further transparency and accountability in science communication, they have included their conflict of interest statement below. They encourage the scientific community to do the same on press releases. Raja Dhir is a Co-Founder of Seed Health, Inc., a biotechnology company developing microbial therapies not discussed in this paper. Gregor Reid is a scientific advisor to Seed. Azza A.Gadir is involved in research and development at Seed, and is developing intellectual property related to microbial regulation of immune mechanisms underlying food allergies, which is not discussed in this paper. ____________ References 1 FAO/WHO. (2002). Guidelines for the evaluation of probiotics in food. http://www.fao.org/food/food-safety-quality/a-z-index/probiotics/en/ 2 Hill, C., Guarner, F., Reid, G., Gibson, G. R., Merenstein, D., Pot, B., and Morelli, L. et al. (2014). The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotics. Nat. Reviews Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 11(8):506-14. Authors Dr. Gregor Reid, BSc (Hons), PhD, MBA, ARM CCM, Dr HS, FCAHS, FRSC is the Director of the Canadian R&D Centre for Human Microbiome and Probiotics at Lawson Health Research Institute, an inductee into the Royal Society of Canada, and previously served as the President of the International Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP). He is perhaps best known as the Chair of the United Nations World Health Organization Expert Panel on Probiotics, leading the group that authored the globally accepted definition of 'probiotics'. Dr. Reid has authored over 520 peer-reviewed papers published in scientific and medical journals, has been a reviewer for 48 international agencies (including the National Institute of Health) and 112 scientific journals; he has been awarded 28 patents and cited over 27,000 times. He also serves as Chief Scientist to Seed. * Dr. Azza A. Gadir, PhD completed her postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Dr. Talal Chatila at Harvard Medical School/Boston Children's Hospital, where her published research focuses on the immunological mechanisms that underlie food allergy. She is specifically interested in understanding the role of the gut microbiome in conferring protection to diseases early in life. For this work, she is co-inventor of a patent for microbial consortia that can reduce and/or eliminate food allergy and has collaborated with industry partners to accelerate the discovery of microbiome-related immunotherapies for food allergy. She is Director of R+D at Seed. * Raja Dhir is a life sciences entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Seed, where he leads R+D, academic collaborations, technology development, clinical trial design, supply chain, and intellectual property strategy. Raja serves on the Editorial Board for the scientific journal, Microbiome. He is a member of the Microbiome Think Tank at Mass. General Hospital (MGH) and is a member of the Advisory Committee for the International Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP). About Seed Seed is a life science and consumer health company pioneering the inquiry and application of microbiome science to improve human and planetary health. In collaboration with leading scientists and a global network of partners and experts in biofermentation, stabilization and testing, Seed is setting a new standard in bacteria. Its environmental R+D arm, SeedLabs , also develops novel applications for bacteria to solve some of our biggest ecological challenges. Contact: Erin Allweiss seed@thenumber29.com 202-446-8265 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/834476/Seed_Frontier_cover.jpg 6.5 million new records from nationwide censuses conducted in Norway more than a century ago provide a treasure trove of information for anyone with Norwegian heritage MyHeritage, the leading global service for family history and DNA testing, announced today the publication of three census collections from Norway, from 1891, 1900, and 1910. MyHeritage has worked on digitizing these collections in partnership with the National Archives of Norway (Arkivverket). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005287/en/ (Photo: Business Wire) The collections provide robust coverage for Norway's entire population during a span of two decades and include valuable family history information. While some former Norway censuses were conducted only in select trading centers, these records are more comprehensive. The 6.5 million new records document names, households, dates of birth, marital status, relationships, and residential conditions, making them vital for anyone wishing to explore their Norwegian origins. Their publication marks the first time that Norwegian record collections of such high quality and granularity are available online. The 1891 and 1900 collections include digital images of the original census documents, while the 1910 collection is an index consisting of transcribed records provided by the National Archives of Norway. The 1900 census was conducted by means that were, at the time, innovative: punch cards, which were then sorted and counted using electric tabulating machines. Of the 2.3 million records in the 1900 collection, 1.9 million records now have digital images of the original documents associated with the census index. Images of the remaining records will likewise be connected to the index in the near future. Norwegian privacy laws restrict public access to census data for 100 years. Consequently, the 1910 census is the most recent one available to the public. This collection stands out as the first census conducted following the dissolution of Norway's union with Sweden in 1905. It is also the first Norway census to record full birth dates, rather than only birth years. Users with family trees on MyHeritage will benefit from Record Matching technology that automatically reveals new information about their ancestors who appear in these records. With the release of these new collections, MyHeritage now offers approximately 34 million historical records from Norway, including census, baptism, marriage, and burial records. As the Scandinavian market leader for family history research and DNA testing, MyHeritage also offers 136 million records from neighboring Sweden and 105 million records from Denmark. MyHeritage is the only major genealogy company to provide its services and full customer support in all three Scandinavian languages, as well as in Finnish, and offers the greatest potential for new family history discoveries for anyone with Scandinavian origins. It also has the largest user base in Scandinavia and the largest collection of Scandinavian family trees. "The addition of these censuses from Norway is a testament to MyHeritage's commitment to digitize and index historical records from all over the world and to make them easily accessible," said Russ Wilding, Chief Content Officer at MyHeritage. "These records offer a bounty of new information, and they reflect important historical events that made a tremendous impact on life in Norway during these years. They are significant for anyone researching their Norwegian heritage." The three new collections are now available on SuperSearch, MyHeritage's search engine for its 9.6 billion historical records. Searching the Norway census collections is free. A subscription is required to view the full records and to access Record Matches. Search the new census collections: www.myheritage.com/norway-census About MyHeritage MyHeritage is the leading global service for family history and DNA testing. As technology thought leaders, MyHeritage has transformed family history into an activity that is accessible and instantly rewarding. Its global user community enjoys access to a massive library of historical records, the most internationally diverse collection of family trees, and groundbreaking search and matching technologies. Launched in 2016, MyHeritage DNA is a technologically advanced, affordable DNA test that reveals ethnic origins and previously unknown relatives. Trusted by millions of families, MyHeritage provides an easy way to find new family members, discover ethnic origins, and to treasure family stories, past and present, for generations to come. MyHeritage is available in 42 languages. www.myheritage.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005287/en/ Contacts: MyHeritage Rafi Mendelsohn Director of PR Social Media Phone: 917-725-5018 Email: pr@myheritage.com WCP Solutions, a local provider of wholesale paper products and industrial solutions, are issuing an urgent correction to a recent press release that said their Redding, California location had been relocated to Sacramento. While WCP Solutions did recently expand their services with the opening of a new location in Sacramento, the Redding office is open and the team is ready to work with their local customers. To learn more about the Redding location and/or to reach one of the members of WCP's team, please visit https://www.wcpsolutions.com/location/redding/. As a company spokesperson noted, the team from WCP Solutions is excited about their new Sacramento location. When they opened the new office in Sacramento, the team was able to start servicing local clients who had previously worked with the Redding location. 'We are delighted to work with many of our existing customers in our new Sacramento location, and we can definitely take on plenty of additional business,' the spokesperson noted, adding that the team in the Redding location is also happy to work with new customers. From companies who are looking for top quality and affordable packaging and cleaning supplies and food service items to janitorial supplies, wipers and dispensers, shipping supplies and much more, the teams at the new Sacramento location, the existing Redding location and all of the other WCP Solutions offices can definitely assist. The fact that WCP Solutions is doing so well and expanding will not surprise the many happy customers who have worked with them over the years. Since the company first opened back in 1930-as West Coast Paper Company-they have earned a well-deserved reputation for offering a variety of high quality wholesale products, along with providing outstanding customer service. To learn more about the Sacramento location and/or to reach one of the members of WCP's team, please visit https://www.wcpsolutions.com/location/sacramento/. 'Our new warehouse is conveniently located at 600 Sequoia Pacific Boulevard, where our services will be most effective to your needs. Please come by and see our new facility and meet our team.' Customers who are in and around Redding can also stop by the office at 4041 Eastside Road in Redding and visit the team. About WCP Solutions: WCP Solutions is a local wholesale provider of fine paper, envelopes, packaging supplies, janitorial and facility supplies, food service supplies, and equipment integration solutions. They are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and strive to maintain the highest level of integrity with their suppliers, customers, and employees. WCP Solutions has been family owned since 1930. For more information, please visit https://www.wcpsolutions.com/. WCP Solutions, Sacramento location 600 Sequoia Pacific Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95811 WCP Solutions, Redding location 4041 Eastside Road Redding, CA 96001 Contact: Customer Service info.sacramento@wcpsolutions.com 916-447-1000 SOURCE: WCP Solutions Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2019) - Dr. Stephen Campbell, CTO at Nano One Materials Corp. (TSXV: NNO) (OTC Pink: NNOMF) (FSE: LBMB), is pleased to announce the issuance of Canadian Patent Number 2,905,984. This is Nano One's third patent in Canada bringing the total now to twelve patents issued around the globe. "This patent is significant to Nano One," said Dr. Campbell, "because it is related to the formation of lithium ion battery precursors by the novel process developed at Nano One. Precursors are intermediate mixtures of metals such as nickel, cobalt and manganese prepared in advance of high temperature processing in a furnace. Nano One's approach differs, because its process adds lithium to the precursors in an intimate mixture with the other metals. This avoids the need to grind and mill, it can shorten thermal process times, it can simplify manufacturing and it can enable alternative feedstocks." U.S. Patent Number 10,189,719 was also issued earlier this year and follows an earlier notice of allowance that Nano One announced as its tenth patent on November 13, 2018. It is directed to technology developments in Nano One's scalable process for preparing lithium ion battery cathode materials, taking the process from pilot towards full scale manufacturing. This innovation is a result of Nano One's collaboration with NORAM Engineering and Constructors Ltd. and their subsidiary, BC Research Inc., with the support of the Government of Canada through Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) and the Automotive Supplier Innovation Program (ASIP). Nano One continues to extend its patent coverage on a global scale, with patents now issued in Canada, United States, China, Korea, Taiwan and Japan. The patents cover processes, lithium ion battery materials and related battery applications. There are 30+ patents pending worldwide including Europe. "Nano One began filing patents 5 years ago and continues to innovate," explained Dr. Joseph Guy, patent agent and Nano One board member. "Those efforts are turning into a world-class patent estate which positions Nano One favorably as it engages with global leaders in lithium ion batteries and materials." Nano One Materials Corp. Dan Blondal, CEO For information with respect to Nano One or the contents of this news release, please contact John Lando (President) at (604) 420-2041 or visit the website at www.nanoone.ca. About Nano One Nano One Materials Corp ("Nano One" or "the Company") has developed patented technology for the low-cost production of high performance lithium ion battery cathode materials used in electric vehicles, energy storage and consumer electronics. The processing technology addresses fundamental supply chain constraints by enabling wider raw materials specifications for use in lithium ion batteries. The process can be configured for the full range of cathode materials and has the flexibility to shift with emerging and future battery market trends. Nano One has built a pilot plant to demonstrate high volume production and to optimize its technology across a range of materials. The pilot plant is being funded with the assistance and support of the Government of Canada through Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) and the Automotive Supplier Innovation Program (ASIP) a program of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). Nano One also receives financial support from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP). Nano One's mission is to establish its patented technology as a leading platform for the global production of a new generation of battery materials. www.nanoone.ca About NORAM and BC Research NORAM Engineering and Constructors Ltd. and their subsidiary, BC Research Inc., supply proprietary engineering and equipment packages to the chemical, pulp and paper, minerals processing and electrochemical sectors. They are recognized worldwide as a leader in the fields of nitration, sulfuric acid and electrochemistry. In addition to carrying out large assignments for major multi-national clients, NORAM and BC Research work with early-stage technology companies. They provide engineering design and fabrication support, sharing their experience in technology commercialization, and growing with companies as a strategic partner. Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the execution of the Company's plans. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 'believe', 'expect', 'anticipate', 'plan', 'intend', 'continue', 'estimate', 'may', 'will', 'should', 'ongoing', or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that is incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43410 Nabors Renews Contracts with Speedcast for 36 Months HOUSTON, March 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Speedcast International Limited (ASX: SDA), the world's most trusted provider of highly-reliable, fully-managed, remote communication and IT solutions, today announced that Nabors Industries Ltd. ("Nabors") has renewed contracts with Speedcast to provide three years of onshore and offshore connectivity services at Nabors' sites throughout North and South America. Nabors owns and operates one of the world's largest land-based drilling rig fleets and provides offshore drilling rigs globally. Speedcast's services enable data and voice connectivity globally, providing cost effective and dependable links to onshore and offshore remote sites. Speedcast also augments land-based VSAT links with L-Band backup, providing VSAT connectivity to deliver communications to remote, land-based sites. The connectivity services are supported by Speedcast's 24/7/365 global customer support centers, with local field engineers in the region to provide fast, reliable support. Speedcast has supported Nabors with similar networks and services, both onshore and offshore, in multiple locations around the world. "Speedcast's VSAT network footprint covers our North and South American operations well," said Nabors Technology Support Services Sr. Manager Christian Reading. "We are very pleased with the quality delivered by Speedcast's highly qualified engineers and support personnel." "More remote environments require sophisticated communications technologies," said Speedcast's EVP of Energy, Keith Johnson. "Speedcast has been servicing major energy operators for many years and has built a solid local presence in the diverse regions that they operate in. We are delighted that Nabors values our services and ongoing support of its critical communications networks." Speedcast has provided end-to-end communications and IT solutions for both onshore and offshore energy customers for more than 30 years, and supports nine of the top ten global drilling contractors. Speedcast leverages the largest remote, global communications network to design, install, optimize and support solutions for critical applications anywhere in the world. The company's extensive infrastructure promotes flexibility and operational efficiency, allowing customers to scale their networks to current requirements and business needs while also receiving world-class 24/7 support. For more information about Speedcast's capabilities, please contact marketing@speedcast.com. About Speedcast International Limited Speedcast International Ltd (ASX: SDA) is the largest provider of remote communications and IT services in the world. Speedcast's fully-managed service is delivered via a leading global, multi-access technology, multi-band and multi-orbit network of 70+ satellites and an interconnecting global terrestrial network, bolstered by extensive on-the-ground local support from 40+ countries. This global "network of networks" allows customers to fully rely on the most robust, integrated infrastructure available in the market for their mission critical applications. Speedcast is uniquely positioned as a strategic business partner, tailoring communications, IT and digital solutions to meet unique customer needs and enable business transformation. Speedcast extends its managed services through differentiated technology offerings including cyber-security, crew welfare, content solutions, data and voice applications, and network systems integration services. With a passionate customer focus and a strong safety culture, Speedcast serves more than 2,000 customers in more than 140 countries in sectors such as Maritime, Energy, Mining, Enterprise, Media, Cruise, NGOs and Government. Learn more at www.speedcast.com. Speedcast is a trademark and registered trademark of Speedcast International Limited. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective owners. 2019 Speedcast International Limited. All rights reserved. Contact Information: Toni Lee Rudnicki Vice President, Global Marketing Speedcast International Ltd ToniLee.Rudnicki@Speedcast.com +1-832-668-2634 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/610079/Speedcast_International_Ltd_Logo.jpg Photo: Contributed Air raid sirens wailed late Thursday throughout Tel Aviv, Israel's densely populated commercial capital, after an apparent rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military said "it appears" that two rockets were launched from Gaza. It would be the first time that Tel Aviv has been targeted by rocket fire since a 2014 war against Gaza militants. Israel's Channel 10 news, citing anonymous military officials, said the rockets were Iranian-made Fajr rockets. It said one of the rockets landed in an uninhabited area, and that there were no reports of injuries. In Gaza, there was no immediate claim of responsibility. Gaza is controlled by Hamas, an Islamic militant group that seeks Israel's destruction. The territory is home to other militant groups, including Islamic Jihad, an Iranian-backed armed organization that also has a formidable rocket arsenal. TAIPEI, Taiwan and KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between Taisys' Mobisphere Inc. and PT Nusantara Digital Inovasi (NDI), the digital transformation arm for Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), with the aim of establishing a Joint Venture Company. The mission of the joint venture is to develop, implement and operate mobile eID platform to onboard and register all of NU members and offer services that are beneficial both nationwide and globally over a secured mobile ecosystem. The signing ceremony took place on March 13th, at Taisys Technologies' headquarter in Taipei City. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/835635/Taisys_Mobisphere_MOU_signing.jpg With over 110 million members, Indonesia's NU is set to bring about digital transformation for the largest autonomous Islamic organization based on a secured mobile ecosystem. Services provided via this mobile eID platform include, and not limited to, mobile identification and authentication, international telco services based on remote SIM provisioning technology, cross-border remittance, mobile banking and payment services. "It is with great honor and pleasure for our technology to be the foundation of NU's mobile eID implementation. Taisys has long been a trusted mobile ID solution provider for banking services since the 2G/feature phone era. Now that smartphones and APPs manage our daily work and lives, the need to use the phone as a form of identity authentication and transaction authorization is increasing ever more. The beauty of our mobile ID solution, which sets it apart from others, is that it can accommodate beyond authentication services for banking and Fintech, to include digital SIM services where mobile subscriptions are downloaded onto the phone. This is the perfect example where the use case can be supported by the right technology, elevating the comprehensiveness and industry/device/telco agnostic nature of Taisys mobile ID solution," stated Taisys Chairman, Jason Ho. "This mobile eID shall create the next level of digital ID security in addition to the services to be offered by NU to its communities such as mobile payments/ wallets, telco services, fintech and banking services. NU has worldwide members, and in upholding NU digital sovereignty objective and creating service layers within a secured environment, NU members in particular and Indonesian nationals in general will be benefitted most. NU has significant number of its members residing in Taiwan, Malaysia, Middle East and other parts of the world. For example, over 1 million NU members in Malaysia are regularly doing the remittance to their loved ones, and through this JV initiative, it will create the digital security eco-system for NU communities in Indonesia and beyond. Not to mentioned their mobile daily usage for work and lives. This augurs well with NU objective in digital transformation," stated Imam Pituduh, Chairman of NU Digital Transformation Services. "We are proud and excited to be part of this Alliance that enhances NU community and members' digital identity authentication. The digital services must be supported by secured mobile and APPs experience in creating unmatched 'secured convenience'. This will add into the eco-system that Mobisphere already developed that involved banks, non-bank, remittance provider and social media players. Mobisphere FlexTM in Malaysia is backed by an Islamic Bank, while in Indonesia and other 20 corridor countries, it has cooperation with banks, financial institution non-bank, switching operator and social media player; therefore, through mobile ID platform with services on-top, it is truly is a working example of a complete eco-system for NU communities," stated by Ady Seto Bremono, Mobisphere Indonesia Director. About Nahdlatul Ulama NU was established on January 31, 1926 in Surabaya, Indonesia. It is the largest independent Islamic organization in the world. NU also is a charitable body funding schools and hospitals as well as organizing communities to help alleviate poverty. The NU exists to spread Islamic teaching. As well as preaching, it undertakes educational activities through its network of 6,830 Islamic boarding schools, or pesantren. It also owns 44 universities, and is involved in economic and agricultural studies, and social activities including family planning. About Mobisphere Inc. We are an ASEAN regional provider of mobile payment platform and remittance switching service and JVCo of Taisys, operating as Taisys' ASEAN regional technology and platform provider. We aim to provide an efficient, cost effective and reliable remittance, payment infrastructure and accessible travelling internet connectivity to multitude of communities of various countries. Easing of remittance back home or roaming freely in multiple countries are services values that Mobisphere's denotes. Anytime, Anywhere. We Transact. About Taisys Technologies Taisys Technologies is a world leader in providing mobile interconnectivity and vertical integration solutions to various industries. Our solutions enable telecom, financial institutions and government organizations to extend innovative mobile services in a secure and convenient manner. Established in 2005 and headquartered in Taipei, Taisys has built solutions based on its patented core technology SIMoME (Thin SIM), which decouples value-added services from the main SIM, and empowers industry players the ability to deploy innovative services on the mobile equipment. Over 1,300 banking and 20 M(V)NO partners have deployed mobile-based value-added services enabled by Taisys' technology and platform to 15 million end-users worldwide. To learn more, please visit www.taisys.com. MONTREAL (dpa-AFX) - Canada's Bombardier Inc. (BBD_B.TO, BBD_A.TO) confirmed Thursday the conclusion of the previously announced sale of its flight and technical training activities to CAE, for an enterprise value of $645 million. Net proceeds are expected to be approximately $500 million after the assumption of certain liabilities, fees, and closing adjustments. Bombardier and CAE also agreed to continue their Authorized Training Provider or ATP relationship pursuant to which CAE carries out the training activities for Bombardier Business Aircraft, including from the training centres located in Montreal and Dallas. Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Vice President and General Manager, Customer Experience, Bombardier Business Aircraft, said, 'As CAE grows its core training business, Bombardier continues to expand its service offerings and dedicated support, each to the benefit of Bombardier Business Aircraft customers around the world.' Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. For three decades Paragon Steel has serviced steel users in manufacturing and construction throughout Southern California COMMERCE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 14, 2019 / The founder of Paragon Steel, a company that offers steel distribution in Los Angeles and the surrounding area, is pleased to announce that the company is celebrating a very impressive milestone: their 30th anniversary. To read how The Blue Book Network featured Paragon Steel in "The Who's Who in Building and Construction" publication, and said the steel processing company is re-forming the status quo, please check out http://www.paragonsteel.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/ParagonSteel-WhosWho.pdf As a company spokesperson noted, Paragon Steel has built their reputation by providing a complete line of metal products with a level of service that is unparalleled in the metals industry. The products offered are structural and non-structural and are available in carbon, stainless, and aluminum in a variety of grades and sizes. "However, it's not the depth of inventory of beams, plates, channels or sheets and coil that defines this metals distribution company," the spokesperson noted, adding that it's rather their commitment to customer service that truly sets them apart, and is the reason for their 30 years of business success. They truly try and partner up with their customers to make their steel buying experience unique and easy. "We learned a long time ago that steel is more than just a commodity", the spokesperson noted, adding that how and when customers receive their orders is as important as anything. "We pride ourselves in providing hard to find items, as well as fulfilling a variety of metal items. In that sense we are a one stop shop. We also provide processing services such as cutting, drilling, bending, forming, and welding or water-jetting materials per our customer specifications." As the company spokesperson noted, the metals industry has undergone significant changes to better understand and service customer needs. "It is not like it used to be," the spokesperson noted, adding that now thirty years later, they are still on the same mission-seeking customers who require the levels of service that only they can provide. "Let us have an opportunity to prove what we can do. You will never look at metals distribution the same way." About Paragon Steel: Paragon Steel has a number of values in their company DNA, including their focus and expertise in metals distribution, and their product reach, quality and value-no matter how complex. They are also committed to always delivering the best service and are truly passionate about what they do and the people who they serve. For more information, please visit http://www.paragonsteel.com/ Paragon Steel 7405 E. Slauson Ave. Commerce, CA 90040 Contact: Noelle Lee info@paragonsteel.com 562-216-4000 SOURCE: Paragon Steel View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/539020/Paragon-Steel-a-Metals-Distribution-Company-in-Los-Angeles-Celebrates-its-30th-Anniversary VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 14, 2019 / Alchemist Mining Inc. (CSE: AMS) ("AMS" or the "Company") announces that it has closed the final tranche of its first-round, non-brokered private placement offering, as previously announced on September 25, 2018 (the "Private Placement"), for total gross proceeds of $905,900. For the second tranche of the first round the Company has allotted and issued 4,338,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.05 per Unit. Each Unit is comprised of one common share and one transferable share purchase warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional common share of the Company for a period of up to 12 months at a price of $0.075. The Company will use the proceeds from the Private Placement towards the closing acquisition of a 100% interest in the Oddysee Software Platform and general working capital. On behalf of the board for further info on the Company, please email Investors@alchemistinc.ca Contact: Investors@alchemistinc.ca 604-601-2093 About Alchemist Inc Alchemist is a global provider of technology solutions to the cannabis sector. We are primarily focused on investing and building a sustainable portfolio of business entities, by actively identifying opportunities in the developing global cannabis market, through a combination of acquisitions, incubations and investments, with a goal to create shareholder value. Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements 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. This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on assumptions and judgments of management regarding future events or results. Such statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. The company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise or update such statements. SOURCE: Alchemist Mining Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/538986/Alchemist-Mining-Closes-Financing Henley & Partners is delighted to have been appointed as Marketing Agent for Montenegro's new citizenship-by-investment program. As the global leader in residence and citizenship planning, Henley Partners is uniquely positioned to offer unparalleled value to both sovereign states and wealthy families. The firm has over 20 years of experience in strategic consulting and in the design, set-up, and operation of the world's most successful residence and citizenship programs. With 30 offices worldwide, Henley Partners' reach and scale gives sovereign states unrivalled access to a truly diverse global pool of wealthy entrepreneurs and investors. Commenting on the extraordinary potential Montenegro represents for sophisticated investors, Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley Partners, says, "Montenegro is one of the most beautiful and dynamic countries in Europe, and its citizenship-by-investment program will unlock global mobility for a wide range of wealthy investors. Currently ranked 45th on the Henley Passport Index with a visa-free/visa-on arrival score of 123, the country has an admirable safety record and a strong commitment to the rule of law. As well as being a NATO member, it is a recognized candidate for future membership of the European Union, and is in the process of aligning its legislation with EU law." The Montenegro Citizenship-by-Investment Program will be limited to just 2000 applicants and will offer individuals several options in terms of investment, including a EUR 450,000 investment in projects in developed areas or a EUR 250,000 investment in projects in less developed areas. The government will, in addition, charge a fee of EUR 100,000 per application. The compensation will be directed to a special fund for the development of underdeveloped areas. Montenegro has already had significant success in attracting the global community of high-net-worth individuals, with the Porto Montenegro marina now a highly sought-after destination for the global elite. Dr. Steffen says, "We look forward to supporting Montenegro and offering its program to our global network. We are confident the new citizenship offering will create value well beyond the benefits enjoyed by investors. The program will be a major provider of debt free capital, which will both strengthen and diversify the Montenegrin economy and create new employment opportunities for Montenegro's people and enrich its society as a whole." View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005339/en/ Contacts: Media Paddy Blewer Group PR Director paddy.blewer@henleyglobal.com Solasia Pharma K.K. (TOKYO:4597, Headquarters:Tokyo, Japan, President CEO:Yoshihiro Arai, hereinafter "Solasia"), a specialty pharmaceutical company based in Asia, today officially announced that the Company has filed a New Medical Device Application for episil oral liquid (SP-03, hereinafter "episil") to the Regulatory Authority in South Korea. episil has a mechanical action indicated for the management of pain and relief of pain in the oral cavity, and is the only ready-to-use, pocket-sized medical device for such indication. As there are currently no standard treatment for oral mucositis which may be caused by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, episil is expected to provide a new pain relief treatment option for patients with oral mucositis in South Korea. In 2015, Solasia obtained an exclusive license to develop and commercialize episil in Japan and China from Camurus AB (STO:CAMX). In 2018, Solasia obtained the right for South Korea. In July 2017, episil was approved in Japan by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, with the indication for the management of pain and relief of pain, soothing oral lesions including oral mucositis caused by chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Following approval, episil was launched in Japan in May 2018. In China, episil has been approved by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA, formerly CFDA) in February 2019. Yoshihiro Arai, President and Chief Executive Officer, Solasia, said: "Solasia company mission is 'Better Medicine for a Brighter Tomorrow'. We have always focused on the patients, and striven to develop innovative products to treat cancer and support cancer treatment. We continue to bring 'quality medicines' to the market, to benefit more patients in Asian countries. The filing of episil will help Solasia to deliver its unwavering commitment to South Korean patients. All of team members will continue to work hard to meet the needs of patients and healthcare professionals and embrace new challenges going forward." About episil episil uses the patented FluidCrystal technology from Camurus AB (STO:CAMX), Sweden. It is a lipid-based, preservative-free liquid that adhere to the oral mucosa. Clinically demonstrated, episil has been shown to rapidly (within minutes) and effectively reduce oral pain for up to 8 hours. It provides physical protection to the oral sensitive and ulcerated epithelium. episil is the only ready-to-use, pocket-sized medical device that manages and relieves oral mucositis, helping patients improve the quality of their daily lives during cancer treatment. episil was first registered in Europe in 2009 and is now launched in the United States, Europe, Japan and other countries. episil oral liquid is registered as Class I medical device in Europe, 510(k) medical device in the United States, and approved as Class II medical device in Japan and China. For more information about episil, please access Camurus AB, episil website: https://www.episil.net/ About Solasia Solasia is a specialty pharmaceutical company based in Asia, with a mission of "Better Medicine for a Brighter Tomorrow". In order to address the unmet medical needs within the oncology area, we develop innovative medicines to contribute to the patient's healthy living and to provide treatment options for the healthcare providers. For more information about the company, please visit www.solasia.co.jp/en/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005347/en/ Contacts: Solasia Pharma K.K. Rie Toyoda, Public Relations and Investor Relations Tel: +81 3 5843 8049 (Japan) info@solasia.co.jp CALGARY, AB and SAN ANTONIO, TX / ACCESSWIRE / March 14, 2019 - Emerald Bay Energy Inc. (TSX Venture: EBY, OTC: EMBYF) (the "Company" or "Emerald Bay") provided the following update on operations at the Bauer and Kuhn leases in South Texas. At that the Bauer lease, the Company completed testing the Bauer wildcat well yesterday afternoon. The well was drilled to test the Edwards formation, and it has been determined that the Edwards is not commercially viable in this well. Additionally, the Company tested the Poth and Wilcox formations and determined that neither formation has commercial quantities of hydrocarbons. The Bauer lease wildcat well was drilled in partnership with Cotulla Energy Resources Ltd. ("Cotulla"). Under terms of the agreement, 100% of the costs to drill and test the well were paid by Cotulla. Emerald Bay incurred no costs to drill and test the well. At the Kuhn lease, the Company is in the process of upgrading the electrical capabilities of the lease to power the new pumps capable of lifting the increased fluid volumes brought on by the stimulations to the wells. The wells were originally equipped with pumpjacks that limited them to total fluid flow rates of approximately 110 bbls/day each. To enhance production and maximize flow rates the wells were acid stimulated. Current estimates for flow rates are in excess of 2,000 bbls/day of total fluid per well. New lifting equipment, capable of flow rates near 2,000 bbls/day has been installed on Kuhn 4. The electrical company has completed the installation of the new transformer, and Kuhn 4 is back on line. The Company is now working to optimize flow rates on Kuhn 4. Additionally, the Company is working to complete the electrical upgrade to Kuhn A5 to get that well back online. Updates on the Kuhn wells will be forthcoming as they become available. 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. Emerald Bay Energy Inc.View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/538997/Emerald-Bay-Energy-Provides-Update-on-the-Bauer-Wildcat-and-Kuhn-Wells SANTA CLARA, California, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The 34th Annual SCIP International Conference & Exhibition, themed Impactful Strategic and Competitive Intelligence as a Key Driver of Growth, will feature keynote sessions by Troy Pfeffer, Competitive Intelligence Director, Cintas, and Alfred Reszka, Executive Director and Head, Strategic Business Intelligence, Merck. Pfeffer's keynote will provide insights and ideas to help participants integrate the many CI resources currently available into a centralized and cohesive system. Reszka's capstone keynote will provide strategies to help participants affect the executive strategic decision-making process for optimal results. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/835301/Frost_and_Sullivan_Competitive_intelligence.jpg The complete conference agenda and details for the 34th Annual SCIP International Conference & Exhibition can be found online at https://www.scip2019international.com/ Pfeffer will explain how to integrate the individual components of an intelligence function to create a strong, world-class intelligence system. Important takeaways from his keynote will include: The necessary components required for new and existing intelligence functions Proven ways to get the individual pieces working together to create even more actionable and sought-after intelligence deliverables Insight on new areas of growth for even a well-advanced intelligence function In his closing keynote, Reszka will discuss why CI professionals need an influencing strategy to fully succeed and positively affect organizational decision-making. He will share the two major systems of thinking that surround decisions and examine different strategies that are tuned to create impact in each system. Key takeaways will include: Characteristics and limitations of the Systems 1 and 2 thinking framework as part of the Decision Journey Different communication strategies that can be leveraged to maximize impact on decisions at each stage Personal success factors unrelated to intelligence that can influence System 1 thinking (about you) and increase your odds of generating influence Spanning disciplines and industries, SCIP's Annual Conference will offer: Business case studies, tools, methodologies, and new organizational models for success Five track themes: The Fundamentals, Applications of Intelligence, Tech-enabled CI, Use Cases, and The Strategic Boardroom Numerous networking and learning opportunities with an international group of C-suite executives, senior managers, and analysts About Strategic and Competitive Intelligence Professionals (SCIP) We are a global community of business experts across industry, academia, and government who come together to build and share strategic intelligence, research decision support tools, processes and analytics capabilities. The resulting collaboration of our membership supports strategy and other organizational disciplines to drive growth and competitive advantage. Our network of professionals stems from myriad organizations both profit and non-profit. Visit us at www.scip.org SATO Corporation, Press release, 14th March 2019 at 1:20 pm District heating companies have again raised their prices in the current heating season and it is the occupants of residential buildings who foot the bill. SATO Technical Director Jari Kanervo proposes that energy companies and the property sector both accept responsibility. Kanervo believes that property sector actors should work together with energy producers towards sustainable energy management solutions, for example by capitalising on IoT technologies. According to Jari Kanervo, Technical Director at rental housing provider SATO, individual energy conservation projects often seek to sub-optimise consumption without taking combined effects into account, and their benefits therefore tend to be short-lived. One rising trend, for example, is the use of exhaust air heat pumps for heating purposes. Kanervo says that while this may allow most of the property's energy needs to be inexpensively met for the most part of the year, demand will nonetheless spike when the weather turns cold and the property must then turn to district heating companies. Selling energy only in the cold season is not profitable for district heating companies, however, and this is reflected in the prices they charge. - Since demand rises rapidly in the cold season, district heating companies need to turn on back-up power plants, which makes energy production considerably more expensive and steps up the adverse environmental impacts of heat production. District heat pricing is to a considerable extent based on transient peak output that may only last for a few hours, and this is problematic. At the same time, changes in pricing structure geared to place greater emphasis on base fees materially reduce the return on traditional energy consumption investments and thus inevitably impact on the volume of energy investments. Increased cooperation, for example by jointly developing local hybrids for energy and heat production, could address this issue, Kanervo muses. The most recent hikes in the price of district heat were seen this winter in Helsinki, where heat became nearly one-fifth more expensive overnight. Kanervo emphasises that the repeated increases in the price of district heat are paid by the entire property sector and ultimately by the occupants of residential buildings, in the form of either higher maintenance charges or higher rents. Joint optimisation through artificial intelligence Kanervo highlights developments in IoT technologies and the utilisation of real-time environmental data from buildings in conjunction with localised weather forecasts, which have already proved their reliability. According to Kanervo, property sector actors and district heating companies should join forces to make use of data accumulated by both properties and energy companies to allow the comprehensive optimisation of heat distribution to residential buildings. Such optimisation should be directly reflected in the cost of residential heating. - If we know the time of day when the price of energy and residential buildings' energy consumption are at their lowest, the buildings can be brought to a slight degree of excess heating at that time, for example in the early hours of the morning, and the excess heat can then be used for heating at the time of day when energy prices are at their highest. Various heat pump solutions and domestic hot water tanks would also be excellent tools for shifting energy production away from peak consumption, but locating a mutually acceptable implementation model has proved challenging to date. Within even the foreseeable future, heat pumps and tanks could also serve as balancing power in electricity consumption and thus property owners, too, could profit from their contribution to power grid balancing, Kanervo continues. Building-specific environmental data and artificial intelligence are already used at SATO buildings to even out energy consumption. The utilisation of data available from energy companies would nonetheless open up entirely new possibilities for optimisation. Kanervo estimates that its smart energy management solution has allowed SATO to improve the energy efficiency of its buildings by as much as 3.5% from a year before, and this has brought down energy expenditures. Last year, as many as 10,000 SATO homes were already hooked up to an energy management system that is based on real-time environmental data, and the figure is set to double in the current year. For more information please contact: SATO Corporation Jari Kanervo, Technical Director, phone 044 555 1111, jari.kanervo@sato.fi www.sato.fi (http://www.sato.fi) SATO is one of Finland's leading rental housing providers. SATO aims to offer a comprehensive choice of rental housing and an excellent customer experience. At year-end 2018 SATO owned around 25,900 apartments in Finland's largest growth centres and in St. Petersburg. We promote sustainable development and initiative through our operations and work in open interaction with our stakeholders to generate added value. We operate profitably and with a long-term view. We increase the value of our housing stock through investments, divestments and repairs. The SATO Group's net sales in 2018 were EUR 290 million, operating profit EUR 273 million and profit before taxes EUR 231 million. The value of SATO's investment assets was roughly EUR 3.9 billion. 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: SATO Oyj via Globenewswire Reno, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2019) - Scandium International Mining Corp. (TSX: SCY) ("Scandium International" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has signed a Letter of Intent ("LOI") with Bronze-Alu Group ("BAL"), based in La Couture-Boussey, France. BAL is a privately held manufacturer of precision high-pressure die cast (HPDC) parts, and offers prototyping, machining, finishing and engineering services, employing both aluminum and copper-based alloys. The company exports approximately 80% of its products to customers outside of France. The LOI calls for the Company to contribute aluminium-scandium master alloy 2% ("MA"), for mixing and trial-testing of alloys by BAL, in their commercially available product lines. The test work will be undertaken at BAL's production facilities in La Couture-Boussey, at small production scale. Bronze-Alu intends to report select results of the testing program utilizing their scandium-containing alloys, as does SCY, upon completion of the testing period. LOI AGREEMENT HIGHLIGHTS: LOI defines MA contributions and sourcing support to Bronze-Alu programs. BAL commits to mix scandium-containing alloys and cast currently available parts. Casting results are to be shared, understood, possibly publicly disclosed, recognizing any intellectual property discovery or requested secrecy. BAL is a recognized leader in HPDC technologies, with highly automated systems servicing customers in the EU and globally. BAL sells into aerospace and automotive/transport applications, and Successful testing forms a basis for future use of scandium-containing alloys. DISCUSSION Bronze-Alu Group was originally founded in 1920, outside Paris and was known previously as Bronze Acior. The original factory was moved to La Couture-Boussey, in northern France, in the 1970's. The company was acquired in 2004 by Francis Barge, a French industrial entrepreneur with a successful track record of automotive business development, with a name change to Bronze-Alu, reflecting an increasing specialization in high pressure die cast aluminum alloys. The company traditionally serviced French automotive markets, but with a specialized aluminum capability, began to sell into global aerospace markets in 2014. Today, the company has 350 employees, and two production sites; a highly automated site in France and a more traditional foundry production facility in Romania. Bronze-Alu also has a full compliment of engineering and R&D facilities at La Couture-Boussey, allowing them to offer design and prototyping services to customers prior to manufacturing parts and system components. They have a full foundry and metallurgy testing capability as well, making them ideally suited to testing new casting alloys containing scandium. More can be learned at the company website, particularly with regard to cast parts and serviced industries, at www.Bronze-Alu.com. George Putnam, CEO of Scandium International Mining Corp. commented: "The Bronze-Alu Group is a great partner for SCY in our effort to search for high quality casting applications for scandium, particularly with their commitment to the aerospace and automotive sectors. These demanding markets set high expectations, exactly where scandium-enhanced alloys can help support both performance and durability in critical applications. We look forward to supporting the Bronze-Alu team, to advance their efforts with scandium-containing products." Romain Rerolle, CEO of Bronze Alu Group commented: "Bronze-Alu Group is focused on developing and supplying innovative solutions to customers. The addition of scandium on aluminium alloys is a great opportunity to deliver unprecedented customer value to future automotive & aerospace needs for lighter and stronger aluminium castings. In this perspective, SCY is the ideal partner for Bronze-Alu Group for its knowledge on scandium properties & benefits, as well as for the very high quality of its master-alloys. The mechanical properties of aluminium alloys enhanced by scandium are very promising." ABOUT SCANDIUM INTERNATIONAL MINING CORP. The Company is focused on developing its Nyngan Scandium Project, located in NSW, Australia, into the world's first scandium-only producing mine. The project owned by our 100% held Australian subsidiary, EMC Metals Australia Pty Limited, has received all key approvals, including a mining lease, necessary to proceed with project construction. The Company filed a NI 43-101 technical report in May 2016, titled "Feasibility Study - Nyngan Scandium Project". That feasibility study delivered an expanded scandium resource, a first reserve figure, and an estimated 33.1% IRR on the project, supported by extensive metallurgical test work and an independent, 10-year global marketing outlook for scandium demand. Willem Duyvesteyn, MSc, AIME, CIM, a Director and CTO of the Company, is a qualified person for the purposes of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release on behalf of the Company. For inquiries to Scandium International Mining Corp, please contact: Edward Dickinson (CFO) Tel: (775) 233-7328 George Putnam (CEO) Tel: (925) 208-1775 Email: info@scandiummining.com This press release contains forward-looking statements about the Company and its business. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and include, but are not limited to statements regarding any future development of the project. The forward-looking statements in this press release are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by forward looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, without limitation: risks related to uncertainty in the demand for scandium, the possibility that results of test work will not fulfill expectations, or not realize the perceived market utilization and potential of scandium sources that may be developed for sale by the Company. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions and expectations of the Company's management at the time they are made, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances, should change. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43407 Photo: The Canadian Press Physical bitcoins are displayed next to a Bitcoin ATM in Hong Kong. The regulatory bodies that oversee Canada's stock markets are seeking feedback on what requirements are appropriate for platforms that trade cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple. The provincial regulators represented by the Canadian Securities Administrators and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada published their proposed framework on Thursday. "Regulators around the world are currently considering important issues surrounding the regulation of crypto assets including the appropriate regulation of platforms," the CSA-IIROC consultation paper said. The paper adds that "at least some crypto assets, such as bitcoin, "are not currently in and of themselves, securities or derivatives." "Instead, they have certain features that are analogous to existing commodities such as currencies and precious metals," the paper says. It adds that there are no platforms currently recognized as a securities exchange or otherwise authorized to operate as a marketplace or dealer in Canada. "As such, the CSA has urged Canadians to be cautious when buying crypto assets." The consultation paper doesn't deal with any particular trading platform but its release follows the highly publicized problems at QuadrigaCX, formerly one of Canada's largest cryptocurrency trading platforms. QuadrigaCX and its affiliates were granted creditor protection in Nova Scotia last month after the company's CEO and sole director, 30-year-old Gerald Cotten of Fall River, N.S., died suddenly in December while travelling in India. According to court documents, Cotten was the only person who had the encrypted pass codes needed to access $190 million in missing Bitcoins and other cryptocurrency locked in QuadrigaCX's offline digital wallets. According to the documents, another $70 million in cash is owed to QuadrigaCX users, much of it tied up in bank drafts held by third-party payment processors. Pat Chaukos an official with the Ontario Securities Commission, a CSA member said she couldn't comment on whether QuadrigaCX would have been subject to the regulatory framework that's under consideration. But she said an undisclosed number of companies approached the OSC and other CSA members for guidance last year. "They've told us that a regulatory framework is welcome because they're seeking to build consumer confidence and expand their businesses across Canada and, in some cases, globally," Chaukos said. Coconut Creek, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2019) - NutraLife Biosciences, Inc. (OTCQB: NLBS) ("the Company" or "NutraLife") has received two licenses from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture to grow and process industrial hemp within the state. The Company plans to develop efficient, cost reducing growing systems and processing technologies for industrial hemp. Edgar Ward, Founder and CEO of NutraLife, commented: "As a company entering the bio-life sciences space it is our goal to become vertically integrated as a trusted supplier of raw bulk materials and insure the efficacy and quality of the products produced." According to a recent Hemp Industry Daily report, Wisconsin was deemed a 'new and emerging market' for hemp and hemp production. The report also names Wisconsin the 'fastest-moving state yet to allow hemp industry to take root.' Other up and coming states include California and Virginia, to name a few. The Company's in-house products include the NutraHempCBD and NutraSpray brands. The Company manufactures 100% of its in-house products at its FDA approved facility in accordance with GMP. The Company developed its first branded products in 2013. The Company's product development, testing and research is conducted by four chemists under the supervision of Mr. Ward. NutraLife Biosciences, Inc., formerly known as NutraFuels, Inc., ("NutraLife" or the "Company") also recently announced a name change to NutraLife BioSciences, Inc. and new stock trading symbol, NLBS. The Company believes that the name, NutraLife BioSciences better reflects its current and planned future operations. The Company is a fully reporting company with a class of securities registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Company recently announced its financial results for the three (3) and nine (9) month period ended September 30, 2018 with revenue of $1,062,146 and $2,870,462 respectively compared to $652,385 and $1,027,727 for the three (3) and nine (9) month period ended September 30, 2017. NTFU's filings with the SEC can be viewed at www.sec.gov. NTFU's CBD products and information about the company's direct sales program can be found online at www.nutrahempcbd.com and by following the company on Instagram. * These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. * This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains statements of a forward-looking nature about NutraLife BioSciences, Inc., (the "Company"). These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "except," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "is/are likely to," "future" or other similar expressions. The Company has based these forward-looking statements largely on the Company's current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that the Company believes may affect Company's financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. There is no assurance that the Company's current expectations and projections are accurate. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. More detailed information about these risk factors are set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, those risks and uncertainties listed in the section entitled "Risk Factors," in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 17, 2018. The Company operates in a rapidly evolving environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is impossible for the Company's management to predict all risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all factors on Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statement. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements except as required under applicable law. Contact: NutraLife Biosciences, Inc. 6601 Lyons Road Suite L-6 Coconut Creek FL 33073 Telephone 888-509-8901 www.Nutralifebiosciences.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43409 BANGALORE, India and ALVISO, California, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Mindtree has inaugurated its new Silicon Valley Reimagination Center with the objective of collaborating with the best of the valley ecosystem - including its thriving startups, world leading academic institutions and innovation centers of large technology partners - for the benefit of its global clients. The center is designed to help Mindtree's clients look beyond the current generation of digital technologies to fundamentally reimagine their business models, processes, offerings and experiences with a focus on modern artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. It will host board of directors, CxOs, and operational teams to drive highly impactful business reimagination initiatives. The center will also be the hub for Mindtree's high-tech and media business that serves some of the pioneering companies driving the adoption of beyond digital technologies. Many enterprises that have done successful digital transformation initiatives are wondering what is next. Advances in modern AI technologies have created an exciting opportunity to transform business processes, liberating human talent for more creative purposes by going beyond just digitization. The core systems of many enterprises are decades-old and have been enhanced with digital techniques like API-fication to support digital transformation initiatives. However, enterprises have an urgent need to rebuild core enterprise systems with micro-services and server-less architectures where security and AI are woven into the very fabric of these systems. Further, the combination of the internet of things (IoT) and modern AI is creating the opportunity for many industrial enterprises to rebuild their business models, business processes and products. Enterprises need the support of the world's best technology ecosystem and talent to drive these reimagination initiatives. "Mindtree was born digital and is an established leader in the digital space," said Rostow Ravanan, CEO and Managing Director of Mindtree. "We are being proactive in looking at what comes beyond digital and helping contextualize it for the benefit of our global clients. We have the unique advantage of serving some of the world's most advanced technology providers and working collaboratively with newly emerging startups, as well as world leading academic institutions that are doing cutting-edge research in these areas. We expect our Silicon Valley Reimagination Center to be at the forefront of the next wave of reimagination that comes beyond digital by leveraging these advantages." "Our global clients in many industries are wondering, 'What would a Silicon Valley startup company do if they were entering our industry today,'" said Dr. Satya Ramaswamy, Executive Vice President for Mindtree's Enterprise Reimagination business. "Having already completed several digital transformation initiatives, they see further opportunities for competitive advantage that AI, blockchain, IoT, quantum computing and other emerging technologies offer, and don't want to be left behind. Our new Silicon Valley Reimagination Center has created an exciting space for our global clients to work closely with the best of the Silicon Valley ecosystem, help them connect the dots, and achieve that vision." Mindtree has established partnerships with a growing network of Silicon Valley startups. Additionally, Mindtree in July 2018 established an endowed faculty scholar position in artificial intelligence at Stanford University's School of Engineering. The position is designed to further accelerate the development of AI to solve complex problems. Engagements in the new center will combine these with world class business domain knowledge, technology, creativity and contextual knowledge of client businesses and systems to drive reimagination initiatives in a consulting-led approach. Mindtree's March 13 inauguration event had several notable attendees including Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise; Prof. Jennifer Widom, Dean of School of Engineering at Stanford; Ambassador Sanjay Panda, Consul General of India: and representatives of elected officials from both the U.S Congress and the California legislature, and leaders from Mindtree's clients and partners. About Mindtree Mindtree [NSE: MINDTREE] is a global IT consulting and services company which helps clients across 17 countries achieve business agility, competitive edge, and growth. We harness the power of Continuous Delivery, our digital expertise, industry knowledge, and research in emerging technologies to drive efficiencies and enable business innovation for over 340 clients. Mindtree is consistently regarded as one of the best places to work. This is a reflection of our entrepreneurial, collaborative and dedicated 'Mindtree Minds' who embody the winning culture that defines our commitment to excellence, innovation, and co-creation. To learn more about us, visit www.mindtree.com or follow us @Mindtree_Ltd All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners. For more information, contact: INDIA Rahul Nag Mindtree Ltd +91-9958644228 Rahul.Nag@mindtree.com UNITED STATES Erik Arvidson Matter Communications +1-978-518-4542 earvidson@matternow.com EUROPE Susie Wyeth Hotwire +44(0)207-608-4657 susie.wyeth@hotwireglobal.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633364/Mindtree_Logo.jpg GZIC Update: SI Filings Timeline, Management Team Initiatives, Products, Chip Technology PHOENIX, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / March 14, 2019 / Uptick Newswire Stock Day Podcast welcomed Green Zebra International (OTC PINK: GZIC) ('the Company'), an innovative wireless communications Technology Company focused on Wireless Media Networks, IoT and location-based engagement technology and wifi monetization solutions for smartCities, smartVenues, and high technology industries. CEO, Coleman Smith, joined Stock Day host Everett Jolly. To begin the interview Jolly noted that the Company is getting ready to file their S1 and asked Smith to provide some more information on this subject. Smith explained that the Company has been working over the past several months to complete the necessary infrastructure and finalize their recent name and symbol change. Once audits are complete, they will be able to file all of the necessary paperwork for the S1. The Company's goal is to have this filed by April and finalized in August. Smith then expanded on the S1 process and what it entails for the Company. While filing for the S1, the Company's management team is also being developed which is critical to their future projects. Jolly then asked about the Company's flagship projects. Smith explained that it all starts with a venue, which could mean an airport, stadium, college campus or a city. The Company targets venues like these and inquires about their wireless needs and infrastructure. The next is to develop a monetization solution for the venue, which creates a steady revenue for the Company while allowing the venue to manage the cost of the infrastructure more easily than with other competitors in the industry. Another source of revenue for the Company is its available software and hardware. This innovative technology allows for easy engagement, which is highly valued by many of the targeted venues. The third source of revenue is to manage the infrastructure that was set in place by the Company, by either providing training to the venue or by directly providing this management service. Smith then shared the Company's GZ/Red Stone wifi chip project, which is currently pending development. This technology will allow the Company to create a closed-loop wireless security network for the venue and user access, the GZ chip will be embedded into the wireless device directly at the venue location. Essentially, this chip will allow numerous software applications inside a wireless device that creates functioning venue eco-system to connect users, while boosting their speed and capabilities. To close the interview, Smith noted the importance of the Company's unique revenue streams and shared his excitement in continuing to update listeners as they work to achieve their 2019 milestones. To hear Coleman Smith's entire interview, follow the link to the podcast here: https://upticknewswire.com/featured-interview-ceo-coleman-smith-of-green-zebra-international-corp-otcpink-gzic-2/ Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of 'Stock Day,' and Uptick Newswire encourages listeners to visit the company's message board at https://investorshangout.com/ About Green Zebra International ( GZIC ) An innovative wireless communications Technology Company focused on Wireless Media Networks, IoT and location-based engagement technology and wifi monetization's solutions for smartCities, smartVenues and high technology industries. www.greenzebra.net www.greenzebramedia.com Track new product information and updates via the company's Twitter feed @GreenZebra Safe Harbor Statement Safe Harbor Statement - In addition to historical information, this press release may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include the intent, belief, or expectations of the Company and members of its management team with respect to the Company's future business operations and the assumptions upon which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and involve risks and uncertainties and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to, failure to complete anticipated sales under negotiations, lack of revenue growth, client discontinuances, failure to realize improvements in performance, efficiency and profitability, and adverse developments with respect to litigation or increased litigation costs, the operation or performance of the Company's business units or the market price of its common stock. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated within this press release can also be found on the Company's website. The Company denies any responsibility to update any forward-looking statements. To be added to our distribution list, please email, customersupport@greenzebra.net . For more information, visit us at www.greenzebra.net , www.greenzebramedia.com www.twitter.com/greenzebra CONTACT: CEO - Coleman Smith, Cole@greenzebra.net 949-522-5714 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. MEDIA CONTACT: Uptick Newswire 602-441-3474 https://upticknewswire.com/ SOURCE: Uptick Newswire View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/538994/Uptick-Newswire-Hosts-Green-Zebra-International-on-The-Stock-Day-Podcast-to-Discuss-Massive-Revenue-Potential High-accuracy current transducer company strengthens technical design & support team Key points: Experienced in power electronics systems for demanding applications Will lead development of next product generation Introduce high-accuracy Flux Gate technology to new markets Danisense, the leader in high-accuracy current transducers for demanding applications, has announced the appointment of Petar Ljushev as R&D Manager. Ljushev holds a PhD in the field of Power electronics from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), and has many years experience in industrial companies designing power electronics, large power resistors and resistor systems for demanding applications. In this new role at Danisense, he will be focusing on new innovative products and adding new functions and features to existing products, introducing the company's closed loop Flux Gate technology. He comments: "Danisense is a young, dynamic company, and with their broad product range for high precision current transducer they have proven that they have perfected the art of high-accuracy current transducers based on the Flux Gate principle." Adds Henrik Elbaek, CEO, Danisense A/S: "We welcome Petar to our team. We are sure his experience and expertise will prove invaluable to our next-generation of products and also is supporting our customers with their technical applications challenges." DANISENSE Precision Innovation By combining complex magnetic performance with advanced electronics Danisense provides efficient and precise solutions that match the requirements of worldwide customers in demanding industries. Danisense was founded in 2012 and today is based in Denmark and Japan. The company's founders and key employees are highly-experienced and possess specialized knowledge about high precision current transducers, enabling Danisense to create solutions that enable its customers to quickly and easy measure AC and DC currents with accuracies down to 1ppm. Its products are of the highest quality and have anextremely flat frequency response and outstanding DC stability. ***END*** View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005404/en/ Contacts: Loic Moreau Sales Marketing Director, Danisense A/S Tel: +41 78 704 29 67 E-mail: lmo@danisense.com Website www.danisense.com Or Agency: Nick Foot Director, BWW Communications Tel: +44 1491 636393 E-mail: nick.foot@bwwcomms.com Toronto Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2019) - Metals Creek Resources Corp. (TSXV: MEK) ("Metals Creek" or "the company") is pleased to provide the Garrison drill results and an update on the company's option/joint ventures and exploration Projects: Garrison Gold Project, NE Ontario The Garrison Project consists of 10 patented mining claims located in Garrison Township located approximately 35 kms north-northwest of Kirkland Lake, Ontario. This project is contiguous with Osisko Mining to the west, south and east and contiguous with Kirkland Lake Gold to the north. (See map on company's website). In October of 2018, MEK commenced a 19.725 kilometer (km) ground geophysical survey consisting of Mag and Induced Polarization (IP) over the entire property. Two distinct chargeability anomalies were defined ranging from 600m to 1000m in length. One of these IP anomalies (Southern Anomaly) is 1000m in length and co-incident with several historic holes (See news release September 5, 2018) which returned the following intercepts. Drill hole BM88-1 intercepted 22.09 grammes per tonne (g/t) gold (Au) over 6.10 meters (m), including 74.63 g/t Au over 1.52 m (Source: project update drilling report, 1989). Further down hole were additional intercepts of 3.41 g/t Au over 2.74 m and 1.74g/t Au over 9.33m. The Corporation cautions that all historic drill data quoted from the Garrison Project is historical in nature, has not been verified or validated and should not be relied upon. A second IP anomaly (Northern Anomaly) is 600m in length and appears to be untested based on current research. The second anomaly is associated with a magnetic low and is overburden covered and considered to be deeper than the southern anomaly. In late November, MEK commenced a 5-hole diamond drill program targeting surface gold mineralization (See news release June 20, 2018) as well as attempting to duplicate mineralization from BM88 series holes (See news release September 5, 2018). Results of 4 holes. GR18-01 NSA GR18-02 3.42 g/t Au over 0.45m (44.0m to 44.45) and 4.87 g/t Au over 0.30m (228.9m to 229.20) GR18-03 1.57 g/t Au over 1.45m (70.47m to 71.92m) and 1.92 g/t Au over 2.78m (138.18m to 140.96m) GR18-04 0.56 g/t Au over 1.75m (42.3m to 44.05m) and 1.77 g/t Au over 0.55m (65.20m to 65.75m) and 0.98 g/t Au over 2.0m (104.0m to 106m) GR18-05 Hole was abandoned due to terrible ground conditions and was unable to reach bedrock. Reported intercepts are not true widths. At this time, there is insufficient data to calculate true orientations. Holes GR18-001 and 002 were engineered to target gold mineralization encountered in historic holes BM88-01 and 03. Best efforts of digitizing historic grid maps to UTM coordinates was made, but resulted in an error of approximately 70m. Therefore the historic holes were further southwest than initially thought, resulting in holes GR18-001 and 002 missing the main high-grade target. An old casing was unearthed in the snow upon completion of the program leading to the realization of the 70m error. All split core samples were sent to Agat Laboratories. The precious metals were analyzed utilizing a standard fire assay with an atomic absorption finish. As part of the Corporations QAQC protocol, approximately 10% of the samples submitted for assay were also sent for check assays. Standards and blanks were inserted randomly into the sample shipments as part of the sampling protocol. Samples with fire assay results above 1.0 g/t gold are re-analyzed using a gravimetric finish and samples with fire assay results above 5.0 g/t gold or samples showing visible gold are analyzed using the pulp metallic method. Ogden Gold Project (50/50 Joint Venture with Goldcorp) The Property is held under a joint venture in which Metals Creek owns 50%, and Goldcorp Inc. (Goldcorp) owns 50% with MEK being the operator of the project. The Ogden claims cover eight kilometers of strike length on the Porcupine-Destor Fault between Goldcorp's 16.5 million oz. Dome Mine and Tahoe Resources West Timmins Mine. The vast majority of the Porcupine-Destor Fault on the property is underexplored, compared to other properties in the Timmins Gold camp. The company is currently in the process of reinterpreting ground and airborne geophysics previously performed over the entire property for the purpose of applying the current geological model and geophysical signatures generated from known mineralization at Naybob and Thomas Ogden, to the rest of the property in search of similar targets. 9 Holes totaling 2383 meters were drilled in 2018 (see news release dated February 14 2018) Thomas Ogden West In 2018, two holes were drilled in the Thomas Ogden West area (TOG West area) (See News release dated 7 May 2018). The TOG West mineralization is a new discovery 900m west of Thomas Ogden Zone (TOG), interpreted to be a shallow plunging east-northeasterly zone parallel to the Thomas Ogden Zone. TOG-18-62, returned two zones of mineralization. The first zone of mineralization returned a down hole intercept of 1.42 g/t Au over 6.0m (298.0m to 304.0m) with associated pyrite mineralization and strong silicification hosted within a felsite unit. A second zone of mineralization was intercepted further down hole returning an intercept (314.0m to 324.14m) of 1.12 g/t gold over 10.14m with associated pyrite, arsenopyrite and strong albitization. This lower intercept is hosted within altered conglomerates. Hole TOG-18-63, returned a down hole intercept of 1.12 g/t Au over 9.5m (383.0m to 392.5m) with associated pyrite and arsenopyrite mineralization as well as moderate to strong albitization and silicification (Visible gold was noted in this intercept). Naybob South Four holes were drilled within the Naybob South stratigraphy testing the down plunge extent of previously defined mineralized shoots. (See news releases dated May 07, 2018 and June 13, 2018) Hole OG18-042 was drilled within the Naybob South Stratigraphy and was drilled on the western limits of the Naybob South Zone. This hole returned several gold intercepts including a downhole intercept (114.33m to 116.50m) of 1.69 g/t gold over 2.17m hanging wall to the Naybob South Main Zone. A second zone of mineralization was intersected, returning a downhole intercept (124.0m to 124.4) of 5.54 g/t gold over 0.4m. A third zone of mineralization was intercepted returning a downhole intercept (134.05m to 138.08m) of 0.85 g/t gold over 4.03m. These mineralized units are moderately to strongly albitized with associated pyrite and arsenopyrite mineralization. Hole OG18-043 was also drilled within the Naybob South Stratigraphy retuning multiple gold intercepts including mineralization not previously encountered in historic drilling. Hole OG18-043 returned a down hole intercept (105.68m to 106.45m) of 7.12 g/t Au over 0.77m footwall to the main zone. A second zone of mineralization (114.25m to 116.20m) assayed 3.25 g/t Au over 1.95m. A third zone of mineralization (144.55m to 147.55m) assayed 3.19 g/t Au over 3.0m. The Naybob South main zone returned a down hole intercept (175.82m to 178.15m) of 2.14 g/t Au over 2.33m. Mineralization consisted of one to five percent pyrite and arsenopyrite with associated albitization and strong silicification. Hole OG18-044 was drilled within the Naybob South Stratigraphy and was drilled on the western limits of the Naybob South Zone. Hole OG18-044 returned two mineralized zones with the first zone returning a downhole intercept of 2.90 g/t Au over 1.72m (282.63m to 284.25m) with associated pyrite and arsenopyrite as well as strong albitization hosted within an intermediate volcanic. A second zone of mineralization was intercepted further down hole returning an intercept (313.60m to 314.90m) of 3.01 g/t gold over 1.3m with associated pyrite, arsenopyrite and strong albitization. This lower intercept is hosted within an altered intermediate volcanic. Hole OG18-045 was also drilled within the Naybob South Stratigraphy and west of hole OG18-044 returning a downhole intercept of 3.35 g/t gold over 0.72m with associated pyrite and arsenopyrite mineralization within a strongly albitized intermediate volcanic. Naybob North Two holes were drilled within the Naybob North Stratigraphy targeting near surface mineralization which hasn't seen any recent exploration work (See news release dated 13 June 2018). Hole NZ18-001 was drilled within the Naybob North Stratigraphy targeting near surface carbonate altered ultramafics with associated quartz veining and pyrite mineralization. NZ18-001 intercepted 2 zones of mineralization with the first returning a downhole intercept of 1.30 g/t Au over 2m (48.0 to 50.0m) . The second intercept returned a downhole intercept of 0.91 g/t Au over 3.64m (111.5 to 115.14m). These two intercepts are hosted within carbonate altered ultramafics with disseminated pyrite. Hole NZ18-002 was also drilled within the Naybob North Stratigraphy targeting near surface mineralization. A zone of carbonate altered ultramafics returned a downhole intercept of 1.2 g/t gold over 2m (95-97m). Porphyry Hill Hole PH18-001 was drilled east of and in the vicinity of Porphyry Hill attempting to delineate an interpreted easterly plunge of the felsic intrusion. PH18-001 returned a downhole intercept (92.0-96.8m) of 2.31 g/t (grammes per tonne) over 4.8m (meters) with strong silicification and finely disseminated pyrite (See news release dated 13 June 2018). Previous work on Porphyry Hill includes prospecting and drilling with prospecting retuning assays up to 64 g/t gold (see News Release July 20, 2009) within silicified porphyry and quartz veining hosting pyrite mineralization. Porphyry Hill remains a high priority target with additional airborne magnetic interpretation to be conducted, to aide in determining the plunge of this mineralized system. Clarkes Brook Project, Newfoundland On 23 August 2018 Metals Creek Resources Corp. announced that they have received the first anniversary payment of $10,000 cash and 750,000 Sokoman Iron Corp. (TSX V:SIC) (Sokoman) common shares for the Clarks Brook Option in central Newfoundland. To earn an initial 75% interest, Sokoman must make cash payments of $45,000 over three years, issue a total of 3,000,000 Sokoman common shares over three years and incur work expenditures of $800,000 over three years. Sokoman will be the operator during the earn-in period. Once a 75% interest is earned by Sokoman, either a 75/25 joint venture will be formed, or Sokoman may elect to earn an additional 25% interest to bring its total property interest to 100%. The terms to increase its interest from 75% to 100% include payments of $100,000 and the issuance of an additional 2,000,000 Sokoman shares within 60 days of the 3rd anniversary date. Metals Creek would retain a 2% NSR. The Clarks Brook prospect was staked by Metals Creek after a review of past work completed on the property and an initial prospecting/sampling program. The gold mineralization outlined at Clarks Brook was initially discovered by Altius Minerals Corporation in 2004. This discovery is described as angular float up to 3 meters in diameter and characterized as a silicified fine grained sedimentary rock with significant disseminated pyrite/arsenopyrite. Historic assays ranged from 2.98 g/t to 24.5 g/t gold. In 2009, Altius also completed an Induced Polarization (IP) and ground magnetics geophysical survey that outlined several targets but no drilling was carried out. Subsequent field work by the vendor (MEK) resulted in the discovery in bedrock, of similar style mineralization and returned a grab sample assays of 19.24 g/t gold. In addition, thirteen (13) of the large angular blocks were sampled and yielded assays ranging from 0.24 g/t to 10.4 g/t gold (See MEK press release 26 July 2016) Since optioning the property in August 2017, Sokoman has performed two phases of drilling. Sokoman reported that all holes in the Phase Two program intersected the targeted siltstone hosted gold mineralization and also discovered a new second parallel zone, which returned the highest grades of the program. Diamond drill hole CB-18-5 intersected bleached and locally clay altered conglomerate cut by a network of narrow pyritic quartz veinlets that returned 3.74 g/t gold over 3.10 meters, including 14.73 g/t gold over 0.60 meters. This is the first time that gold mineralization has been observed in conglomeratic units and the previous holes may not have reached this target. The conglomerate-hosted zone is interpreted to be approximately 100 meters east of, and across strike from, the discovery zone intersected in the 2017 drilling (See SIC news release dated 05 April, 2018). Metals Creek has been advised by Sokoman that drilling will recommence on Clarkes Brook during the second quarter of 2019 Flint Lake Gold Project, NW Ontario. The Flint Lake JV properties lie within the central portion of the east-west trending Wabigoon sub-province which is host to numerous underexplored greenstone hosted gold occurrences. The western portion of the Wabigoon greenstone belt is an emerging gold camp with a number of developing projects including First Mining's Cameron Lake Deposit and one of Ontario's newest mines, New Gold's Rainy River Deposit. The Flint Lake JV Project is operated through a joint venture agreement in which Metals Creek is the Operator and holds an 81.3% interest and Endurance Gold Corporation (TSXV-EDG), holds the remaining 18.7%. The Flint Lake JV Project consists of five claim groups with the Stephens Lake Property as the current prime focus for exploration activity. At the Stephens Lake Property, widespread gold occurrences are hosted within an altered granodiorite intrusion with associated and variable carbonatization, hematization, silicification, quartz veining and disseminated pyrite mineralization ("Stephens Lake Stock"). Trenches were excavated in the northwest quadrant of the Stephens Lake Property in an effort to delineate two significant areas of gold mineralization at the D-Zone and Bush Zone. Many other gold occurrences within the Stephens Lake Stock remain to be evaluated. In 2012, Metals Creek conducted the initial trenching program which targeted several gold occurrences within the Stephens Lake Stock (See MEK news release September 27, 2012). Highlights from the trenching program include trench STR2 in the D-Zone target, which returned a surface channel cut of 1.43 grams per tonne (g/t) gold over 21 meters ("m"). Trench STR3 located 40m east of STR2 returned a surface channel cut of 1.42 g/t gold over 10 m. A second parallel zone of gold mineralization (Busch Zone) was also trenched with trenches STR4 through STR7. Trench STR7 returned a surface channel interval of 1.03 g/t gold over 20 m. In late fall 2016 and 2017, Metals Creek conducted an additional trenching programs at Stephens Stock to evaluate several gold occurrences as well as expand the understanding of the geological environment hosting these gold showings. Channel sampling of these trenches was completed in the summer of 2017 and fall of 2018. Results include 1.60 g/t gold over 5 m from trench STR11 which is located between trenches STR2 and STR3, 0.93 g/t gold over 12m including 1.436 g/t gold over 6.0m from trench STR13 as well as 3.88 g/t gold over 2m also from STR13. Trench STR13 is located approximately 150m northwest of D-Zone. Squid Project, Yukon (Option Agreement with Manning Ventures) On 27 September 2018 Metals Creek Resources Corp. announced that the Corporation has entered into an option agreement with Manning Ventures Inc. ("Manning"). Under the terms of the agreement, Manning has the option to acquire a 75% interest in MEK's Squid East Property, located in the northwest extension of the White Gold district, Yukon (the "Property"). The Property is 100% owned by MEK. In order to exercise the option, Manning must make cash payments to the Corporation of $65,000 over two years ($35,000 due upon CSE listing), issue to the Corporation a total of 1,200,000 Manning common shares over two years (600,000 due upon CSE Listing) and incur work expenditures of $1,150,000 over four years ($50,000 by 31 Dec, 2019). Manning will be the operator during the option period. Cautionary Statement The proposed transaction is subject to approval of the proposed listing of Manning Ventures Inc. on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE). The transaction cannot close until the listing has been completed and there can be no assurance that the transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. MEK initially staked the Yukon properties in February, 2011, during the staking rush that ensued after the discovery of the White Gold deposit. The claims are located proximal to the Matson Creek placer gold operations, approximately 80 km northwest of the Goldcorp's Coffee Project and 90 km southwest of Dawson City. Soil sampling, trenching and limited diamond drilling carried out in 2013 resulted in the discovery of a new gold-silver zone with characteristics similar to other discoveries in the White Gold district. Results included 22.0 meters of 1.96 g/t gold and 160.6 g/t Ag from trenching and 1.55 g/t gold and 114.1 g/t Ag over 21.0 m from the subsequent drilling (see MEK press releases dated August 6, 2013 and October 8, 2013.) The mineralized zone remains open in all directions and the thickness of the zone is not known as the discovery holes collared in mineralization. Option agreements with Anaconda Mining on Jacksons Arm and Tilt Cove in Newfoundland. Jacksons Arm On 09 November, 2018 Metals Creek Resources Corp. announced that the company had received the second year option payment for the Jackson's Arm Agreement from Anaconda Mining Inc.(TSX-V:ANX, or Anaconda). Metals Creek have received $60,000 and 37,500 Anaconda shares for the second anniversary payment. Anaconda has the right to acquire a 100% undivided interest in Metals Creek's Jackson's Arm Property. To earn a 100% interest in the Jackson's Arm Property, Anaconda is required to make aggregate payments to Metals Creek of $200,000 in cash ($120,000 paid), and issue 125,000 common shares of Anaconda (75,000 issued) over a three-year period. The Jackson's Arm Agreement provides for a two percent (2%) net smelter returns royalty ("NSR") to MEK on the sale of gold bearing mineral products from the Jackson's Arm Property. The NSR is capped at $1,500,000, after which, the NSR will be reduced to one percent (1%). Tilt Cove Also on 09 November 2018, Metals Creek also received an additional $60,000 and 37,500 Anaconda Shares for the second anniversary payment on the Tilt Cove Property from Anaconda. Anaconda has the right to acquire a 100% undivided interest in Metals Creek's Tilt Cove Property located 60 kilometers east of Anaconda's Point Rousse Project within the BaieVerte Mining District. To earn a 100% interest in the Tilt Cove Property, Anaconda is required to make aggregate payments to Metals Creek of $200,000 in cash,( $120,000 Paid), and issue 125,000 common shares of Anaconda (75,000 issued) over a three-year period. The Tilt Cove Agreement provides for a one percent (1%) NSR to MEK on the sale of gold bearing mineral products from the Tilt Cove Property. Anaconda is also assuming an existing two percent (2%) NSR (the "Existing NSR") on one of the two licenses that comprises the Tilt Cove Property. One percent (1%) of the Existing NSR is purchasable for $1,250,000. In addition the corporation is currently evaluating additional opportunities it believes will bring value to its shareholders. About Metals Creek Resources Corp. Metals Creek Resources Corp. is a junior exploration company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, is a reporting issuer in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, and has its common shares listed for trading on the Exchange under the symbol "MEK". Metals Creek has earned a 50% interest in the Ogden Gold Property, including the former Naybob Gold mine, located 6 km south of Timmins, Ontario and has a 8 km strike length of the prolific Porcupine-Destor Fault (P-DF) that stretches between Timmins, Ontario and Val d'Or, Quebec. Metals Creek also has an option agreement with Quadro Resources on Metals Creeks and Benton Resources Staghorn Gold Project in Newfoundland as well as two option agreements with Anaconda Mining Inc. on Metals Creek's Jacksons Arm and Tilt Cove Properties also in Newfoundland. The company also has an option agreement on its Clarks Brook property with Sokoman Iron Corp. and is engaged in the identification, acquisition, exploration and development of other mineral resource properties, and presently has mining interests in Ontario, Yukon and Newfoundland and Labrador including the recently acquired Great Brehat project on the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland. Additional information concerning the Corporation is contained in documents filed by the Corporation with securities regulators, available under its profile at www.sedar.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. Alexander (Sandy) Stares, President and CEO Metals Creek Resources Corp telephone: (709)-256-6060 fax: (709)-256-6061 email: astares@metalscreek.com MetalsCreek.com Twitter.com/MetalsCreekRes Facebook.com/MetalsCreek To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43399 PALM BEACH, Florida, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Most know the difference between THC and CBD, and they are, of course, marketed differently due to their differences. But, there is one battleground where they will both be competing and each will probably win! It's the edibles market! Each should do well indeed. Most of the headlines and projections have focused on CBD, since it can now be marketed in every state, but when THC infused products become easier to reach the market, the consumers of CBD infused products will probably also buy the THC version also. A win-win! A recent Forbes article said: "As more states legalize cannabis for recreational use, edibles will become a huge market for entrepreneurs. In California alone, consumers gobbled up more than $180 million worth of marijuana-infused food and drinks last year, 10% of the state's cannabis sales, according to industry research reports. And it's not just California that's seeing a growing edibles market. Sales of pot-infused treats increased 121% last year in Washington state, where recreational marijuana is legal, according to cannabis analytics firm. Active Companies from around the market with current developments this week include: Golden Developing Solutions, Inc. (OTC: DVLP), PotNetwork Holdings, Inc (OTC: POTN), Kona Gold Solutions, Inc. (OTC: KGKG), Choom Holdings Inc. (OTC: CHOOF) (CSE: CHOO), Leafbuyer Technologies, Inc. (OTC: LBUY). The Forbes article continues with - And since Colorado first allowed recreational marijuana use, sales tripled from $17 million in the first quarter of 2014 to $53 million in the third quarter of 2016. The reason for the explosive growth is that as the pot market expands, it's starting to reach people who don't want to smoke. Overall the smoking rate among adults is down from 20.6% in 2009 to 16.8% in 2014. Edibles provide a discrete, smoke-free experience. And since they can command higher prices, edibles often account for 25 to 60% of a dispensary's profits. That makes edibles an appealing slice of the pot pie, which was worth an estimated $7.2 billion in 2016, and is projected to grow up to 25% annually. Golden Developing Solutions, Inc. (OTCPK: DVLP) BREAKING NEWS: Golden Developing Solutions, an emerging leader in the Cannabis, Hemp, and CBD marketplace, is pleased to provide shareholders with an update of current operations. With our latest acquisition of CBDinfusionz.com, we have created what we believe to be the largest product selection in the CBD industry. We encourage all to visit and take a look at our product line. To give an idea of the size of our operations, we are now over 30 team members in 5 states and 4 commercial locations. Combined sales for the company when we include the transaction reached a record for both companies in February totaling more than $500,000. Both DVLP and CBDinfusionz.com have doubled sales every 4-6 months. Our current market cap is approximately $13.6mil. We believe this presents tremendous value for shareholders as our growth shows no signs of slowing down. Several new machinery lines are coming online this year including our new CBD processing facilities and the full scale launch of wherescbd.com. We look forward to a profound and impactful year to our shareholders, community, and clients. The Company also recently announced the completion of its acquisition of Infusionz, LLC (CBD Infusionz), a manufacturer of CBD based products. CBD Infusionz offers it's broad product line through it's website, https://www.cbdinfusionz.com/ , retail outlets and contract manufacturing agreements. "CBD Infusionz is a true leadership play in the CBD space, with rapidly growing sales and the best quality products in the industry. This is the company that developed and launched one of the first edibles in the legal marijuana space and now they have created the best acquisition in the CBD space. Our business is growing exponentially with massive upside with capital improvements and operational sophistication. We strongly believe this acquisition adds an enormous dose of value for DVLP and its shareholders," noted the Company's CEO, Stavros Triant. Read this and more news for Golden Developing Solutions at: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-dvlp In the industry developments and happenings in the market this week include: PotNetwork Holdings, Inc (OTCPK: POTN) this week the company said that interest in PotNetwork Magazine is surging, as the premier issue of the cannabis industry's number one outlet for financial, political, and industry news now reaches thousands of entrepreneurs, retailers, and other B2B leaders. To date, the first issue of PotNetwork Magazine, which features an exclusive interview with former Mexican President Vicente Fox has reached a subscriber base of approximately 30,000 individuals and consumer outlets. PotNetwork Holdings, Inc., the parent company of PotNetwork Media Group, attracted an unprecedented number of early subscribers to the magazine while adding thousands more through distribution to offices, newsstands, and magazine retail shelves worldwide. With nearly 3,000 preorders, the early buzz was warranted, as readers heaped praise on the magazine for its hard-hitting news stories and in-depth exclusives. Kona Gold Solutions, Inc. (OTCPK: KGKG) this week announced agreements with three new distribution partners, TJ Distribution in Massachusetts, Trident Distributors LLC in New Jersey, and SeeBeeDee'z LLC in New York. Kona Gold has now partnered with 13 new distributors in 2019, putting the number of distribution partners around the country selling the Company's Hemp Energy Drinks and CBD Energy Waters well over 20. The addition of TJ Distribution, Trident Distributors, and SeeBeeDee'z will place Kona Gold's popular Hemp Energy Drinks and CBD Energy Waters into key markets as the Company continues its aggressive expansion across the United States. Choom Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: CHOOF) (CSE: CHOO), an emerging adult and medical use cannabis company that has secured one of the largest national retail networks in Canada, this week announced it is entering the United States, starting with the state of New Jersey. Choom through its wholly owned US subsidiary, Choom Holdings USA Inc., has signed a letter of intent ("LOI") to purchase an equity interest in a New Jersey based (the "NJ Company") medical retail dispensary applicant in New Jersey's upcoming Request of Applications ("RFA") that also intends to enter into recreational cannabis retail upon legalization, which is anticipated in 2020. The NJ Company is advancing on its retail store strategy in New Jersey with the intention of receiving licenses to operate the maximum allowable cannabis stores for medical and eventually adult use when formally approved by the State. With these licenses, the NJ Company intends to create a network of branded stores using Choom's medical brand, Clarity Medical Centres, or Choom ("Choom Brands") for its recreational retail stores in the future. Choom will assist the NJ Company in this highly regulated market for the buildout and operations of cannabis retail stores. Choom will receive a royalty from the NJ Company for the use of the Choom Brands. Choom's investment in the NJ Company includes pro rata rights to maintain its equity interest on future financings. Leafbuyer Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: LBUY) this week announced that the Company officially launched leading mobile application Greenlight in Colorado and Oklahoma. The statement follows a November 8, 2018, release announcing Leafbuyer's acquisition of Greenlight. Previously a California-only order ahead and loyalty platform, Greenlight is now available to Leafbuyer dispensary customers located in Colorado and other legal cannabis markets. At time of writing, 16 Leafbuyer dispensary clients have signed up for the cutting-edge technology in Colorado and 9 additional clients in Oklahoma. DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. 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Contact Information: editor@financialnewsmedia.com +1(561)325-8757 CannabisNewsWire Editorial Coverage DENVER, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - As the cannabis industry expands, companies are eyeing strategic opportunities in the sector designed to help them establish a foothold in the promising space. Cannabis and related products are legal in Canada and an increasing number of states. and an increasing number of states. Businesses have responded with a growing range of diverse products. Companies making the smartest investments, including carefully selected mergers and acquisitions, are in the best position to profit. SinglePoint Inc. (OTC:SING) (SING Profile) has invested in a number of other cannabis companies to grow its portfolio and leverage its position in the market. Supreme Cannabis Company Inc. (TSX:FIRE) (OTC:SPRWF) just signed of letter of intent with Malta Enterprises, the economic development agency of Malta. MedMen Enterprises Inc. (CSE:MMEN) (OTC:MMNFF) recently wrapped up its previously announced acquisition of Kannaboost Technology Inc. and CSI Solutions LLC, two vertically integrated Arizona-based operations. Charlotte's Web Holdings Inc. (OTC:CWBHF) (CSE:CWEB) reported more than 10 times growth in harvested hemp compared to its 2017 grow season. And Curaleaf Holdings Inc. (OTC:CURLF) (CSE:CURA) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Eureka Investment Partners LLC. To view an infographic of this editorial, click here. A Big Year for Big Investment in Cannabis In only a few short weeks, this year is shaping up to be an important year in the cannabis market. The legal groundwork for industry changes was laid last year, with milestone legislation being passed in Canada, the United States and elsewhere. With legal regulations in place, new opportunities for the market to grow and for companies to make strategic moves within the sector have become more frequent - and appear to be more profitable. This upward movement is fueling the ongoing development of two important trends: The first one is product diversification, as cannabis companies and the businesses supporting them develop a wider range of products for an increasingly varied market. The second one is big investment, as both outside businesses and larger cannabis companies move to create a presence in the market. Money is flowing in, making the most of the opportunities that legal and product changes provide. A Changing Global Context This year's promise is rooted in last year's significant growth and impressive forecast. SinglePoint Inc. (OTCQB:SING), a young tech company that has moved into the cannabis sector, saw its revenue hit the $1 million mark. In addition, like many cannabis companies, the company ended the year with even better things on the horizon, including a prediction that revenue should dramatically increase over the next 12 months. Making such claims in a relatively untried sector may seem bold, but closer scrutiny reveals why such predictions appear to be solid. To begin with, the changing attitude of lawmakers to cannabis has been crucial to the industry's forward momentum. The prohibitory model for managing the drug that has dominated for half a century is increasingly recognized as not just ineffective but harmful to public health. As a result, governments are legalizing cannabis for medical use and are even creating regulated markets for recreational cannabis. This is especially true in Canada, where the trade became legal countrywide last October. For American companies such as SinglePoint, progress has come on a state-by-state basis. Though the majority of Americans favor legalization, the federal government has been slow to follow what appears to be a nationwide attitude. Instead, individual states have created legal markets, with Michigan becoming one of the most recent with cannabis legalization taking place there in December. Two-thirds of U.S. states now allow medical cannabis, and one in five have legalized its recreational use; more are expected to follow suit in the near future. This swing in attitude - and government support - has allowed SinglePoint to begin investing in cannabis without having to consider a national cannabis business. The end of the year saw a significant step towards wider legalization. Following months of wrangling, the 2018 Farm Bill was passed making industrial hemp legal on the federal level. This nonpsychoactive from of cannabis has provided many companies, including SinglePoint, with an important entry point into the sector, as the chemical cannabidiol (CBD), which can be derived from hemp, can be more widely sold than other forms of cannabis. CBD's impressive popularity has provided a further boost to the sector, especially to companies entering the industry with CBD offerings. Undoubtedly, the Farm Bill is set to allow cannabis businesses to grow significantly through hemp and provide a precedent as federal politicians reconsider the wider cannabis industry. Product Diversification Now that companies have identified CBD as a promising step into the market, they are doing what they do best - finding new ways to sell their products and services. This has led to a wave of innovation and an increasingly diverse range of cannabis-based products. Two of the biggest areas for innovation are the creation of confectionaries and beauty products. The former offers a way to consume cannabis without inhaling it. The latter appears to be a natural fit given the suggested well-being benefits of CBD and THC, along with the willingness of customers to try new plant-based beauty products. But innovative companies aren't stopping there, with options such as Phyto-Bites, a product SinglePoint distributes on its website SingleSeed.com, designed to improve the health and well-being of pets. Human health and well-being remain a huge driver for innovation in cannabis. Aware of that, SinglePoint has also been adding health and wellness products to its sales lines. Its SingleSeed store recently unveiled a range of TorusMed Hemp CBD products to its offerings. The new products include treatments such as Sport Relief Topical Cream, an ointment designed to provide pain relief for professional and amateur athletes. Smart Investing in the Cannabis Sector The growth of the cannabis sector has not occurred without a few bumps along the way. Companies are operating in a space that didn't even exist 20 years ago, and the sector is evolving quickly, with the last few years triggering a wave of consolidation. In a fast-changing market, challenges are expected, and the ability to meet such challenges successfully is essential to a company's success. The secret to smart investing in this new space is the same as for any sector: research, understand the businesses being invested in, identify a plan and execute it. Understanding the specifics of the cannabis market is critical, and the trend within the industry most recently has been mergers and acquisitions, as companies such as SinglePoint have expanded through investment in promising companies that provide products and services that will complement and support its strategy. SinglePoint's most recent investment has been in TorusMed, a company developing new ways to optimize CBD output from hemp and, consequently, increase the profitability of this piece of the cannabis sector. With the Farm Bill pointing to hemp creating a new boom in the industry, SinglePoint has used its understanding of the market to invest in a company that appears to offer great potential to make the most of this moment. Moves such as this can put a company in a strong position heading into what may be the biggest year yet for cannabis. "[This year] will be a banner year for SinglePoint," said SinglePoint CEO Greg Lambrecht. "We are equipped with the proper funding, partners and opportunities to be firing on all cylinders. We as a team expect to position SingleSeed and SinglePoint as market leads in the CBD market while continuing to enable the founders of the companies we have acquired to grow their businesses. We are well diversified and have large opportunities across many emerging markets that should enable us to be successful into 2019 and beyond." New Year, Fresh Growth The move for Supreme Cannabis Company Inc. (TSX:FIRE) (OTCQX:SPRWF) to partner with Malta Enterprises is the company's first step to obtain a Cannabis Production License in the country. The license would allow Supreme to produce and process cannabis for medical use within Malta, one of Europe's principal commercial entry points, and to export cannabis for medical use to certain international markets. MedMen Enterprises Inc.'s (CSE:MMEN) (OTCQX:MMNFF) acquisition of Kannaboost Technology and CSI Solutions LLC includes retail locations in Scottsdale and Tempe, as well as 25,000 square feet of cultivation and production capacity in Tempe and Phoenix. The acquisition also includes a 40-percent stake in top-selling brand K.I.N.D. Concentrates, which is currently distributed in more than 90 percent of Arizona dispensaries. Charlotte's Web Holdings Inc. (OTCQX:CWBHF) (CSE:CWEB) claims the No. 1 position in market share in the hemp CBD market, with its products sold in 3,680 retail locations as well as on its website. Charlotte's Web had 300 acres of hemp planted in 2018 compared with only 70 acres in 2017, resulting in a harvest of 675,000 pounds of hemp last year. The legalization of hemp in the U.S. should open the doors for Charlotte's Web to expand its retail opportunities with national chains. Curaleaf Holdings Inc.'s (OTCQX:CURLF) (CSE:CURA) definitive agreement to acquire Eureka Investment Partners will provide access to California's wholesale market through an existing 110,000-square-foot greenhouse facility in Salinas, California, with the potential to expand up to 270,000 square feet, which could generate more than 50,000 pounds of dry flower per year at full scale. Headquartered in Massachusetts, Curaleaf has a presence in 12 states, owns and operates 42 dispensaries, 12 cultivation sites and 10 processing sites with a focus on highly populated, limited-license states including Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. Legal changes are encouraging an increasingly diverse cannabis market, in which companies that make smart investments are primed for profit. For more information about SinglePoint, please visit SinglePoint Inc. (OTCQB:SING). About CannabisNewsWire CannabisNewsWire (CNW) is an information service that provides (1) access to our news aggregation and syndication servers, (2) CannabisNewsBreaks that summarize corporate news and information, (3) enhanced press release services, (4) social media distribution and optimization services, and (5) a full array of corporate communication solutions. As a multifaceted financial news and content distribution company with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, CNW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. CNW has an ever-growing distribution network of more than 5,000 key syndication outlets across the country. 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Please feel free to visit the Investor Brand Network (IBN) http://www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com Corporate Communications Contact: CannabisNewsWire (CNW) Denver, Colorado www.CannabisNewsWire.com +1-303-498-7722 Office Editor@CannabisNewsWire.net Media Contact: FN Media Group, LLC NNW@FinancialNewsMedia.com +1-(954)345-0611 Financialnewsmedia.com News Commentary PALM BEACH, Florida, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, retail and online cannabis has had good news and bad news. The good news is that sales numbers continue to increase and projected revenues keep trending upward and that they keep selling out their inventory selling out their inventory is also the bad news! This situation interests' investors. A recent article from Wall Street analysts said: "The "green rush" has fully gripped Wall Street and investors. Even with a recent pullback, many of the largest publicly traded marijuana stocks by market cap have seen their share prices soar by more than 1,000% over the trailing-two-year period. Instrumental to this surge in pot-stock market caps is a steady shift in the way the public views the drug. Gone are the days where cannabis was considered too taboo for discussion. The marijuana industry could be much bigger than you realize According to (an article) published (by market insiders said) the total cannabis market could generate as much as $75 billion in gross annual sales by 2030, up from a previous forecast of $50 billion by 2026." Active Companies from around the market with current developments this week include:ParcelPal Technology Inc., (CSE: PKG) (OTC: PTNYF), Heritage Cannabis Holdings Corp. (CSE: CANN) (OTC: HERTF), Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB), The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (OTC: TGODF) (TSX: TGOD), Khiron Life Sciences Corp. (TSX-V: KHRN) (OTC: KHRNF). The most pressing problem facing the country's legal weed market is the fact that, in the majority of provinces, suppliers are unable to meet demand. According to MarketWatch, the complexity of scaling up a national legal cannabis supply chain has left many retailers with just a fraction of the promised products. In many areas, the supply shortage may last well into 2019. Health Canada has added significant resources to attempt to shorten the approval process, but the backlog is significant. In the coming months, we expect to see this supply shortage ease. ParcelPal Technology Inc., (CSE: PKG) (OTCPK: PTNYF) BREAKING NEWS: ParcelPal Technology is pleased to announce it has signed a cannabis distribution agreement with Kiaro, a Vancouver based cannabis retailer. Further to ParcelPal's cannabis strategy announced on September 13, 2018: (https://www.stockwatch.com/News/Search.aspx?wire=0&symbolchanges=Y&symbol=PKGion=C), the Company has completed an additional cannabis distribution agreement with Kiaro for the delivery of cannabis products through Kiaro's physical and digital retail channels. The initiative will consist of: - Distribution: ParcelPal and Kiaro will jointly develop an optimal roadmap for the distribution of adult use cannabis, ultimately creating the 'Amazon Effect' within the cannabis industry. - Accessibility: The companies will integrate their technology platform to enhance the user experience and improve product accessibility. - Compliance: All cannabis products delivered will be within parameters set by all the relevant regulatory bodies. - Safety: Both companies are dedicated to socially responsible cannabis retail and, by enabling cannabis delivery within the hour, hope to deter cannabis impaired driving. This marks the Company's second strategic partnership to manage cannabis deliveries through the omnichannel platforms of Canadian retailers. Previously ParcelPal announced a similar agreement with Choom Holdings: https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/parcelpal-signs-agreement-for-marijuana-distribution-with-choom-holdings-inc-694498251.html President and CEO Kelly Abbott States, "We are extremely excited to sign a distribution agreement with Kiaro and we will immediately begin planning and executing for all last mile operations. Our objective is to become the Uber of cannabis in Canada and this takes us one step closer to our goal." Abbott continues, "Cannabis delivery is expensive and often through antiquated courier services - with consumers waiting over a week to receive their items. With ParcelPal, customers will receive their cannabis products safely within an hour. Our technology enables seamless integration with any cannabis retail outlet or eCommerce platform." Read this and more news for ParcelPal at: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-pkg In the industry developments and happenings in the market this week include: Heritage Cannabis Holdings Corp. (CSE: CANN) (OTCPK: HERTF) this week announced that CannaCure Corporation's("CannaCure") first harvest successfully passed all tests including microbiology and pesticides and recorded an average THC content between 17-22%. As a result of Heritage's subsidiary PhyeinMed Inc. ("PhyeinMed") obtaining its standard processing licence on March 1, 2019, and Heritage's updated strategy of growing cannabis for extraction, CannaCure has exercised an option to retain the product and will process it in the Company. The cannabis will be extracted and formulated for use in medical sales, adding significant value compared to wholesale dried flower revenues. Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB.TO) this week announced that it has appointed Nelson Peltz as a Strategic Advisor. Mr. Peltz and Aurora will work collaboratively and strategically to explore potential partnerships that would be the optimal strategic fit for successful entry into each of Aurora's contemplated market segments. Mr. Peltz will also advise on the Company's global expansion strategy. "Nelson is a globally recognized business visionary with a strong track record of constructive engagement to generate accelerated, profitable growth and shareholder value across many industry verticals that are of great interest to us," said Terry Booth, CEO. "Like us, Nelson also takes a long-term view of value creation to benefit all stakeholders. We look forward to working with Nelson to further extend our global cannabis industry leadership by aligning Aurora with each of the major market segments cannabis is set to impact." The Green Organic Dutchman Holdings Ltd. (OTCQX: TGODF) (TSX: TGOD.TO) this week announced that it has entered into a multi-year extraction services contract with Valens GroWorks Corp. Valens is a licenced provider of cannabis products and services specializing in various proprietary extraction, distillation, cannabinoid isolation and purification technologies. Partnering with Valens will accelerate TGOD's Canadian hemp strategy and allow for early market entry of TGOD's organic hemp-derived CBD product lines within the coming months. Under the terms of the initial 2-year agreement, Valens will process, extract and purify TGOD's cannabis and hemp biomass under conditions specified by TGOD as demanded by final product manufacturing and formulation requirements. TGOD will supply Valens with significant quantities of cannabis and hemp and Valens will provide extraction purification services processing the cannabis and hemp into premium quality resins and distillates. TGOD intends to use the concentrated cannabinoid resins and distillates to produce oils, sprays and capsules as well as oils for vaporization and future edible, beverage and topical products. Khiron Life Sciences Corp. (TSX-V: KHRN.V) (OTCQB: KHRNF), a vertically integrated cannabis leader with core operations in Latin America , this week announced the appointment of Dr. Edwin Bendek MD, MA, MPH as Medical Director, Skincare. This appointment expands the Company's scientific expertise and resources for future product and brand development, global strategic alliances and research and education initiatives across Latin America. Andres Galofre , Khiron Co-founder and VP Business Development, stated, " The appointment of Dr. Bendek is an important addition to our skincare unit as we ramp up retail distribution, and further advance new product research and development. Dr. Bendek's proven skincare and cosmetology experience, together with his exceptional industry network will be invaluable as we execute our research-based, product development strategy." DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates Financialnewsmedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated twenty five hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press release issued by ParcelPal Technology Inc. by a non-affiliated third party. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE. This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements. Media Contact email: editor@financialnewsmedia.com +1(561)325-8757 Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2019) - Aura Resources Inc. (TSXV: AUU) ("Aura" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the progress of its corporate initiatives and announces the initiation of a private placement financing. CORPORATE UPDATE Management and Board of Director Changes Completed During May and June of 2018, the Company announced changes in the executive management and board of directors of the Company. Mr. Robert Johansing, M.Sc. Econ. Geol., P. Geo., was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company. Mr. Johansing has over 40 years of experience as a mining and mineral exploration geologist. Following his appointment, Mr. Johansing and the board of directors completed an evaluation of the Company's mineral property portfolio and overall strategy leading to the initiatives detailed below. New Project Acquired - Gold Chain Project, Arizona During July 2018, Aura acquired the Gold Chain project in western Arizona in order to diversify the Company's mineral property portfolio. Since this time, Aura has since expanded its land position from 86 to 100 unpatented claims. The Company plans to commence field work in spring 2019 focusing on the known gold-bearing stockwork and breccia zones outlined in Press Release #18-09 (July 30, 2018). Share Consolidation and Name Change Completed During November 2018, the shareholders of the Company approved a name change to Aura Resources Inc. and consolidation of the common shares of the Company that has resulted in 27,490,128 common shares being outstanding. The share consolidation was implemented with the objectives of having the Company's share price trade in a range above $0.05 per share and to offer a tight capital structure to prospective investors in the Company. East Taviche Project, Mexico - Minaurum Gold New Operator During January 2019, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with Minaurum Gold Inc. whereby Minaurum acquired an 80% interest in the Taviche, Mexico project. This transaction transfers operation of this exciting silver-gold bearing epithermal system to an experienced and well financed operator in Mexico (see Press Release #19-01; January 29, 2019) to ensure continued advancement of the project. Greyhound Project, Nunavut - 2018 Program Results Lead to Upcoming Spring Drilling Exploration continues at the Greyhound project in Nunavut where the Company's partner Agnico Eagle continues to identify new drill targets (see Press Release #19-02, February 26, 2019). Highly conductive zones adjacent to high grade Zn-Cu boulders are prime targets for VMS discovery and a drill program is being planned to test targets as soon as spring weather conditions will permit. Jefferson Canyon Project, Nevada - Due Diligence During Exclusivity Period Ongoing On March 4, 2019, the Company announced a non-binding letter agreement relating to the Jefferson Canyon Au-Ag epithermal system in southern Nevada, Nye County (see Press Release #19-03; March 4, 2019) near the Round Mountain gold mine. The Company's goal is to conduct a field visit as soon as snow clears in mid-April and to collect rock samples to confirm historical results. The Company anticipates analytical results will be available by mid-May allowing for the conclusion of due diligence on the property and completion of a definitive agreement on or before May 31, 2018. Robert Johansing, President and CEO, states, "Since I joined the Company, considerable energy has gone into adding prospective new projects to Aura's portfolio with a focus on some of the world's most mining friendly jurisdictions. With both Agnico Eagle and Minaurum Gold advancing projects initially held by Aura, we are now focused on exploration in the western United States. I look forward to updating shareholders on our advancements during 2019." PRIVATE PLACEMENT FINANCING The Company announces that it is undertaking a non-brokered private placement offering to raise gross proceeds of up to $500,000 at $0.05 per unit (the "Offering"). Each unit consists of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of $0.07 per share for a period of 36 months following the date of issuance. Any securities issued under the Offering would be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. This Offering is subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The Offering will be conducted by the Company utilizing the Existing Security Holder Prospectus Exemption under OSC Rule 45-501 Ontario Prospectus and Registration Exemptions and other provincial equivalents, except the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, under Multilateral CSA Notice 45-313 Prospectus Exemption for Distributions to Existing Security Holders (collectively, the "Existing Security Holder Exemptions") as well as the "accredited investor" exemption under National Instrument 45-106Prospectus and Registration Exemptions and also other exemptions available to the Company. The Company will make the Offering available to all shareholders of the Company as of March 13, 2019 (the "Record Date") who are eligible to participate under the Existing Security Holder Exemptions and who have notified the Company by no later than April 8, 2019 at 5:00 pm (Eastern) of their intention to participate in the Offering. The Existing Security Holder Exemptions limit a shareholder to a maximum investment of $15,000 unless the shareholder certifies in the subscription agreement that he or she has obtained advice regarding the suitability of the investment from a registered investment dealer or otherwise qualifies to rely on another private placement exemption. In the subscription agreement, shareholders will be required to certify the number of common shares of the Company held as of the record date and the total number of units they wish to subscribe for at the specified price of $0.05 per unit. Each existing shareholder on the record date will be entitled to purchase that number of units equal to at least their pro rata share based on the common shares owned on the record date, subject to a $2,500 minimum subscription. Any additional available units will be allocated by the Company based on subscriptions received and units available. Orders will be processed by the Company on a first come, first served basis such that it is possible that a subscription received from a shareholder may not be accepted by the Company if the Offering is over subscribed. Any person who becomes a shareholder of the Company after the Record Date shall not be entitled to participate in the Offering under the Existing Security Holders Exemptions. The aggregate proceeds raised under the Offering will be used for exploration expenditures related to the Gold Chain project; completion of due diligence and potential exploration of the Jefferson Canyon project; and, for working capital and general corporate purposes. It is anticipated that officers and directors of the Company will participate in the Offering. Aura may pay commissions to finders in Canada in connection with the Offering. Any finder fees paid would be in accordance with TSX Venture Exchange policies. The offered securities will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons, except in certain transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, securities of the Company in the United States. Robert Johansing, M.Sc. Econ. Geol., P. Geo. is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release. About Aura Aura Resources Inc. is a TSX Venture listed company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of precious metal prospects in Nunavut, Canada (43.54% interest in the Greyhound project under operation by our partner, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited), in Oaxaca, Mexico (Higo Blanco project recently optioned to Minaurum Gold Inc.) and in Arizona, USA (Gold Chain property). Aura has 27,490,128 common shares outstanding. For further information regarding this press release contact: Robert Johansing, President and CEO at (805)455-4775 or by e-mail at rjohansing@gmail.com. Aura's web site is located at www.aurasilver.com. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release may contain forward looking statements that are made as of the date hereof and are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions which involve risks and uncertainties associated with our business including the uncertainty as to whether further exploration will result in the target(s) being delineated as a mineral resource, capital expenditures, operating costs, mineral resources, recovery rates, grades and prices, estimated goals, expansion and growth of the business and operations, the private placement financing activities of the Company, plans and references to the Company's future successes with its business and the economic environment in which the business operates. All such statements are made pursuant to the 'safe harbour' provisions of, and are intended to be forward-looking statements under, applicable Canadian securities legislation. Any statements contained herein that are statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution readers of this news release not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as a number of factors could cause actual results or conditions to differ materially from current expectations. Please refer to the risks set forth in the Company's most recent annual MD&A and the Company's continuous disclosure documents that can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Aura does not intend, and disclaims any obligation, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NOT FOR RELEASE OR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISSEMINATION TO U.S NEWS WIRE SERVICES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43397 DUBLIN, March 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Endo International plc (NASDAQ: ENDP) today announced an upsizing of its previously announced cash tender offers (the "Tender Offers") and consent solicitations by Endo Finance LLC ("Endo Finance"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Endo International plc. Endo Finance amended the Tender Offers to increase (i) the Aggregate Purchase Price (as defined below) from the initial amount of $1.0 billion to $1.5 billion for all of the Notes (as defined below) validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in the Tender Offers and (ii) the Acceptance Sublimit (as defined below) from the initial aggregate amount of $500.0 million to $650.0 million. All other terms of the Tender Offers and the related consent solicitations, as previously announced, remain unchanged. The Tender Offers will be in an amount such that the maximum aggregate consideration (excluding accrued interest) paid by Endo Finance does not exceed the increased amount of $1.5 billion (subject to further increase by Endo Finance, the "Aggregate Purchase Price"), of the outstanding 7.25% Senior Notes due 2022 issued by Endo Finance and Endo Finco Inc. (" Endo Finco ") (the "7.25% 2022 Notes"); ") (the "7.25% 2022 Notes"); 5.75% Senior Notes due 2022 issued by Endo Finance (the "5.75% 2022 Notes" and, together with the 7.25% 2022 Notes, the "Consent Notes"); 5.375% Senior Notes due 2023 issued by Endo Finance and Endo Finco (the "5.375% 2023 Notes"); and (the "5.375% 2023 Notes"); and 6.000% Senior Notes due 2023 issued by Endo Finance, Endo Finco and Endo Designated Activity Company (the "6.000% 2023 Notes," together with the 5.375% 2023 Notes, the "2023 Notes" and, the 2023 Notes collectively with the Consent Notes, the "Notes"), subject to the Acceptance Priority Levels, the Aggregate Purchase Price and the Acceptance Sublimit described below. The terms and conditions of the Tender Offers are described in Endo Finance's Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation, dated March 14, 2019 (the "Offer to Purchase"), as amended on the date hereof, and the related Letter of Transmittal and Consent. The Tender Offers are conditioned, among other conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, upon the Company having received gross proceeds of an aggregate principal amount of at least $1.0 billion (the "financing condition") from one or more issuances of secured indebtedness in the capital markets and/or from borrowings under the Company's existing credit facilities. The Company's ability to raise additional proceeds from one or more issuances of secured indebtedness will be dependent on then prevailing market conditions and other factors. Each of the Tender Offers is a separate offer (each, an "Offer"), and, subject to applicable law, each Offer may be individually amended, extended or terminated. The following table summarizes certain material terms for the Tender Offers: Dollars per $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes Title of Notes CUSIP/ISIN Number Aggregate Principal Amount Outstanding Acceptance Priority Level Acceptance Sublimit Tender Offer Consideration(1) Early Tender Premium Total Consideration(1)(2) 7.25% Senior Notes due 2022 29271L AD6; U2918V AD7 / US29271LAD64; USU2918VAD74 $396,280,000(3) 1 None $970 $30 $1,000 5.75% Senior Notes due 2022 29271L AA2; U2918V AA3 / US29271LAA26; USU2918VAA36 $700,000,000 2 None $930 $30 $960 5.375% Senior Notes due 2023 29271L AE4; U2918V AE5 / US29271L AE48; USU2918VAE57 $750,000,000 3 $650,000,000(4) $810 $30 $840 6.000% Senior Notes due 2023 29273E AC2; G3040E AB4; US29273EAC21; USG304OEAB41 $1,635,000,000 4 $790 $30 $820 (1) Excludes accrued and unpaid interest, which also will be paid. (2) Includes the Early Tender Premium. (3) Represents the outstanding aggregate principal amount of 7.25% 2022 Notes issued by Endo Finance LLC and Endo Finco Inc., which were issued in exchange for a like principal amount of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2022 (the "EHSI Notes") issued by Endo Health Solutions Inc. ("EHSI"). For the avoidance of doubt, the Offers and Consent Solicitations do not apply to the outstanding $3.72 million principal amount of EHSI Notes which remain outstanding following such exchange. (4) The offers with respect to the 5.375% Senior Notes due 2023 and the 6.000% Senior Notes due 2023 are subject to an aggregate purchase price acceptance sublimit of $650,000,000. In conjunction with the Tender Offers, Endo Finance is soliciting consents (the "Consent Solicitations") from holders of the Consent Notes to certain proposed amendments (the "Proposed Amendments") to the applicable indenture under which such series of Consent Notes were issued (each an "Indenture" and collectively, the "Indentures"), which would eliminate substantially all restrictive covenants, certain events of default and certain other provisions contained in each such Indenture. The adoption of the Proposed Amendments with respect to each series of Consent Notes requires the consent of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding principal amount of each such series of Consent Notes (with respect to each series of Consent Notes, collectively, the "Requisite Consents"). Each tendering holder of the Consent Notes will be deemed to have consented to all of the Proposed Amendments as to the Consent Notes of the applicable series of Consent Notes tendered. If Endo Finance receives the Requisite Consents, it will execute a supplemental indenture to the applicable Indenture with respect to a series of Consent Notes under which Consent Notes of such series were issued (each a "Supplemental Indenture" and collectively the "Supplemental Indentures"). Each Supplemental Indenture will become effective upon execution thereof by Endo Finance, the co-issuer (as applicable), the guarantors thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the trustee for each series of Consent Notes (the "Trustee"), but each Supplemental Indenture will provide that the Proposed Amendments with respect to a series of Consent Notes will not become operative until Endo Finance purchases in the Tender Offers at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding applicable series of Consent Notes. Endo Finance may, in its sole discretion, complete Tender Offers for any series of Consent Notes even if valid consents sufficient to effect the Proposed Amendments to the corresponding Indenture are not received. If the Tender Offer for either series of Consent Notes is terminated, withdrawn or consummated without the Requisite Consents, the applicable Indentures will remain in effect in its present form. In the event of any proration of any series of Consent Notes, the Consents delivered with respect to such series of Consent Notes shall be null and void, but the validity of such Consent Notes tendered shall be unaffected. Each of the Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations will expire at 11:59 P.M., New York City time, on April 10, 2019, unless extended (such date and time, as it may be extended, the "Expiration Date") or earlier terminated by Endo Finance in accordance with the terms of the Offer to Purchase. No tenders submitted after the Expiration Date will be valid. With respect to the 2023 Notes, tendered Notes may be validly withdrawn from the Tender Offer at or prior to, but not after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 27, 2019 (such date and time, as it may be extended, the "Early Tender Date"). With respect to the Consent Notes, tendered Notes may be validly withdrawn (and Consents validly revoked) from the applicable Tender Offer, at or prior to, but not after, the date the applicable Supplemental Indenture is executed. In the case of each of the 2023 Notes and the Consent Notes, such date and time, as it may be extended, is referred to as the "Withdrawal Deadline." Holders who tender their Notes after the Withdrawal Deadline, but prior to the Expiration Date, may not withdraw their tendered Notes unless withdrawal rights are required to be extended pursuant to applicable law. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations, holders who validly tender, and do not validly withdraw, their Notes at or prior to the Early Tender Date, and whose Notes are accepted for purchase, will receive the applicable total consideration set forth in the table above for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes purchased pursuant to the Tender Offers (the "Total Consideration"), which includes the early tender premium set forth in the table above per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (the "Early Tender Premium"). Subject to the terms and conditions of the Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations, holders who validly tender their Notes after the Early Tender Date and at or prior to the Expiration Date, and whose Notes are accepted for purchase, will receive only the applicable tender offer consideration amount set forth in the table above for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes purchased pursuant to the Tender Offers (the "Tender Offer Consideration"), which is equal to the applicable Total Consideration minus the Early Tender Premium. In addition to the applicable Total Consideration or the Tender Offer Consideration, as the case may be, all holders of Notes accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offers will also receive on the Early Settlement Date (as defined below), if any, or the Final Settlement Date (as defined below), as applicable, accrued and unpaid interest on their Notes purchased from the applicable last interest payment date with respect to such Notes up to, but not including, the Early Settlement Date or the Final Settlement Date, as applicable. The Notes accepted for purchase will be accepted in accordance with their Acceptance Priority Levels set forth in the table above (with 1 being the highest Acceptance Priority Level), provided that (a) Endo Finance will only accept for purchase Notes of any and all series up to an amount such that the aggregate amount of Total Consideration and/or Tender Offer Consideration, as the case may be, paid by Endo Finance pursuant to the Tender Offers will not exceed the Aggregate Purchase Price, (b) Endo Finance will not purchase an aggregate amount of 2023 Notes such that the aggregate purchase price for such 2023 Notes is in excess of the acceptance sublimit applicable to such series as set forth in footnote 4 to the table above (the "Acceptance Sublimit"), and (c) Notes tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Date will be accepted for purchase in priority to Notes tendered after the Early Tender Date and at or prior to the Expiration Date. Endo Finance reserves the right, but is under no obligation, to increase the Aggregate Purchase Price and/or the Acceptance Sublimit or to otherwise alter the terms of any Tender Offer at any time, subject to compliance with applicable law, which could result in Endo Finance purchasing a greater aggregate principal amount of any or all series of Notes in the Tender Offers. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations, Endo Finance will have the option, but not the obligation, to accept for purchase and purchase, subject to the Aggregate Purchase Price and the applicable Acceptance Sublimit (if any), any Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Date on the early settlement date (the "Early Settlement Date"), which may occur no earlier than March 29, 2019. To the extent that Endo Finance does not elect early settlement or to the extent early settlement is elected but the Tender Offers are not fully subscribed at the Early Tender Date, Endo Finance expects to purchase Notes that have been validly tendered in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations, promptly following the Expiration Date (the "Final Settlement Date"), which is currently expected to occur on April 12, 2019. Notes accepted on any Early Settlement Date or the Final Settlement Date will be accepted subject to the Aggregate Purchase Price, the Acceptance Priority Levels, the applicable Acceptance Sublimit (if any) and proration, each as described in the Offer to Purchase. If the aggregate purchase price of the 2023 Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn exceeds the Acceptance Sublimit, the 2023 Notes purchased will be subject to proration based on the Acceptance Priority Levels for the 2023 Notes and the aggregate purchase price of 2023 Notes tendered in the Offer, provided that subject to the Acceptance Priority Levels for the 2023 Notes, any 2023 Notes tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Date will be accepted for purchase in priority to 2023 Notes tendered after the Early Tender Date and at or prior to the Expiration Date and if the Acceptance Sublimit for the 2023 Notes is exceeded at the Early Tender Date, the 2023 Notes tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Date shall constitute a separate proration pool. The Tender Offers are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions to the Tender Offers set forth in the Offer to Purchase, including the financing condition. Full details of the terms and conditions of the Tender Offers and the Consent Solicitations are described in the Offer to Purchase and related Letter of Transmittal, which are being sent by Endo Finance to record holders of the Notes. Holders of the Notes are encouraged to read these documents, as they contain important information regarding the Tender Offers and the Consent Solicitations. Endo Finance has retained J.P. Morgan Securities LLC to act as the Dealer Manager for the Tender Offers and Solicitation Agent for the Consent Solicitations and D.F. King & Co., Inc. as the Tender Agent and Information Agent for the Tender Offers and the Consent Solicitations. Questions regarding the Tender Offers and the Consent Solicitations may be directed to J.P. Morgan Securities LLC at (212) 834-3260 (collect) or (866) 834-4666 (toll-free) or D.F. King & Co., Inc. at (212) 269-5550 (collect), (800) 370-1164 (U.S. toll-free) or email at endofin@dfking.com. Requests for additional copies of this Offer to Purchase or the Letter of Transmittal should be directed to the Information Agent at the phone number above. None of Endo Finance, Endo International plc or its other affiliates or subsidiaries, their respective boards of directors, managers or other governing bodies, officers and employees, the Dealer Manager, the Solicitation Agent, the Tender Agent, the Information Agent or the Trustee is making any representation or recommendation to any holder as to whether or not to tender such holder's Notes or deliver Consents. Holders should consult their own financial and tax advisors and must make their own decision as to whether to tender their Notes and, if applicable, deliver Consents pursuant to the Tenders Offers and Consent Solicitations and, if so, the amount of Notes to tender. The Tender Offers and the Consent Solicitations are only being made pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal. This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell any Notes in the Tender Offers, and is not a solicitation of consents to the Proposed Amendments. The Tender Offers and the Consent Solicitations are not being made to, nor will Notes be accepted for purchase from or on behalf of, holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or other laws of such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction in which the Tender Offers are required to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Tender Offers will be deemed to be made on behalf of Endo Finance by one or more registered brokers or dealers that are licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction. Endo Finance reserves the right, subject to applicable law, with respect to any or all of the Tender Offers and/or the Consent Solicitations to (a) extend the Early Tender Date, Withdrawal Deadline or Expiration Date to a later date and time announced by Endo Finance; (b) increase the Aggregate Purchase Price and/or the Acceptance Sublimit; (c) waive in whole or in part any or all conditions to the Tender Offers and Consent Solicitations; (d) delay the acceptance for purchase of any Notes or delay the purchase of any Notes; or (e) otherwise modify or terminate any Tender Offer with respect to one or more series of Notes and/or the Consent Solicitations. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of any offer to buy, any securities, nor shall there be any sales of securities mentioned in this press release in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Endo International plc Endo International plc (NASDAQ: ENDP) is a highly focused generics and specialty branded pharmaceutical company delivering quality medicines to patients in need through excellence in development, manufacturing and commercialization. Endo has global headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and U.S. headquarters in Malvern, PA. Learn more at www.endo.com. Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release contain information that includes or is based on "forward-looking statements." These statements, including Endo's intention to consummate the debt refinancing transactions and the details thereof, contained in this press release are subject to risks and uncertainties. Endo has tried, whenever possible, to identify such statements by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "plan," "projected," "forecast," "will," "may" or similar expressions. Endo has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and projections about the growth of its business and financial performance, and the development of its industry. Because these statements reflect Endo's current views concerning future events, these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Readers should note that many risk factors previously disclosed in Endo's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and those identified elsewhere in this press release could affect the Company's future financial results and could cause the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Endo does not undertake any obligation to update its forward-looking statements after the date of this press release for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future, except as required under applicable securities law. Readers are advised to consult any further disclosures made on related subjects in the Company's reports filed with the SEC. Also note that, as described under the caption "Risk Factors" contained in Item 1A of the Endo's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 (as supplemented by the Company's subsequent SEC filings), the Company provides a cautionary discussion of the risks, uncertainties and possibly inaccurate assumptions relevant to its business. These are factors that, individually or in the aggregate, the Company thinks could cause its actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. Readers should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, readers should not consider this to be a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties. Investors should also be aware that while Endo does, at various times, communicate with securities analysts, it is against the Company's policy to disclose to them selectively any material non-public information or other confidential information. Accordingly, investors should not assume that Endo agrees with any statement or report issued by an analyst, irrespective of the content of the statement or report. To the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not Endo's responsibility. Manila (CNN Philippines Life) This weekend, watch dramatic readings of plays written by women at the CCP, head to an affordable art fair in Makati, catch the album launches of two local indie bands, join a music prods fourth anniversary gig, and attend a free film screening at an art gallery. Art in the Park Head to Makati this weekend for another art fair, this time featuring affordable pieces priced 50,000 and below. Burgeoning collectors can build their collections with the range of paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures, and new media up for sale this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Art in the Park will be held at the Jaime Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati City. For more information, visit the Facebook event page. Readathon: Dramatic Reading of Plays By Women Celebrate Womens Month this weekend at the CCPs annual Readathon a free event where plays written by female playwrights from around the country will be dramatically performed by actors and writers. On Friday, watch playwrights read their own monologues, including Mary Carlings Tan-Aw, Sittie Jehanne Mutins Sdap so Marawi: Bakwit Monologue, and Tessa Belleza Ang Puno ng Mangga. Theatre actors will also perform Kristinne Nigel Santos Si Marikit Sa Buwan ng Mayo. There will also be a talk by Pinoy Kids Read Pinoy Books Book Club (PRPB) on reading for children. An open fair by female makers will be held at the Silangan Hall. On Saturday, watch The Performance Laboratory put on performances of 5-minute scripts by women playwrights, including Venise Buenaflors Tuhoy, Charlene Tupas Padya, Katrina Danielle Ledesmas Decisions, Valerie Durias A Dilemma of an Artist as a Post-Grad, Erica Marie Magdatos Amiga, and Jorejane Onlayaos Merry Krismas. A book discussion of Manga Tutul A Palapa (Recipes and Memories from Ranao) will also be held by PRPB. Lastly, there will be a Gandang Ganda Sa Sariling Gawa zine fair at Silangan Hall. Readathon is happening from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City. For more information, visit the Facebook event page. Bootleg English album launch This Friday, folk-punk trio The Sleepyheads will be launching their fourth album, released as a cassette tape entitled Bootleg English. At the launch, musicians like Pastilan Dong, Brain Twins, Stray Mullets, Itos Ledesma, and Juan Isip will also be performing. The album launch is happening at SaGuijo from 8 p.m. onwards. SaGuijo is located at 7612 Guijo St., San Antonio Village, Makati City. For more information, visit the Facebook event page. The Rest is Noise 4th Anniversary Show Join music production group The Rest is Noise as they celebrate their fourth anniversary with performances by BP Valenzuela, Nights of Rizal and The One Pesos, NINNO, Delinquent Society, AOUI, Tide/Edit, Shes Only Sixteen, and UDD. The gig is happening on Friday, 9 p.m. at Route 196. Tickets cost P300 for guests arriving before 9 p.m. and P350 from 9 p.m. onwards. Summer Noise tickets will also be available at the show. Route 196 is located at Katipunan Ave., Quezon City. For more information, visit the Facebook event page. Ourselves the Elves album launch Garage-folk band Ourselves the Elves are releasing their debut album this Saturday with a performance at One Two Three Block. The album, entitled Self is Universe is described by the band as a collection of songs lying on the seam between a persons inner world and the cosmos around it. Performing alongside the bad are Pinkmen, Turncoats, Breakfast Clouds, and Diego Castillo. Gates open at 8 p.m. Entrance fee is 250 and 450 with an accompanying Self is Universe CD. One Two Three Block is located at 123 Pioneer St., Kapitolyo, Pasig City. For more information, visit the Facebook event page. BAP Film Screening: Humain, trop humain Art gallery Bellas Artes Projects is holding a film screening this Saturday at 7 p.m., featuring the film Humain, trop humain. Directed by renowned French feature filmmaker and documentarist Louis Malle, Humain is described as Malles meditative investigation of the inner workings of an automobile plant, revealing his fascination with and respect for everyday lives of everyday people. The film screening is free and open to the public, and will be held at the Bellas Artes Outpost. The Bellas Artes Outpost is located at 2/F The Alley at Karrivin, 2316 Chino Roces Ave., Makati City. For more information, visit the Facebook event page. The Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Tao Zhang, paid his first visit to the Commonwealth of Dominica last month. Mr Zhang met with the Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, and discussed several matters of importance to both parties. In a statement issued after the meeting, Mr Zhang reiterated IMF's commitment to supporting Dominica's efforts in climate resilience and economic development. IMF's Deputy Managing Director also visited several "resilience-building projects" and expressed his admiration for Dominicans "steely resolve in making a rapid recovery" following Hurricane Maria's landfall in 2017. Hundreds of families that had been dislocated as a consequence are said to be moving into newly built, hurricane-proof homes this year, as part of Dominica's Housing Revolution. The latter is an ambitious programme introduced by Prime Minister Skerrit in response to the crisis and is funded entirely by the island's world-leading Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. Another climate resilient initiative in Dominica is a 7-megawatt geothermal power plant that would supply nearly the entire population with clean energy. The 18-month construction plan will begin towards the end of this year and secured financial backing from several reputable sources, such as the European Union's Caribbean Investment Facility, the World Bank, the governments of the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Sindh, as well as Dominica's own CBI Programme. "In our conversation, we agreed on the importance of strengthening resilience to climate change and natural disasters by placing a greater focus on preparedness and adaptation efforts," said Mr Zhang. With regards to the CBI Programme, the Deputy Managing Director of the IMF commented that "there are now several projects in Dominica in the tourism sector, some at an advanced stage that will generate income and jobs in the economy because of CBI." While some may raise concerns about misuse of citizenship programmes in general, Mr Zhang stated that "the government of Dominica has been cooperative, responding in a timely fashion to recommendations that help address possible loopholes in international taxation." Investors who wish to contribute to Dominica's Economic Diversification Fund under the CBI Programme can find more details on the government website. CS Global Partners is the international legal advisory mandated by the Government to promote their Citizenship by Investment Programme worldwide. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005163/en/ Contacts: Thomas Kohn pr@csglobalpartners.com +(44)2073184343 www.csglobalpartners.com WATERLOO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / March 14, 2019 / SponsorsOne Inc., (CSE: SPO) (Frankfurt: 5SO) is pleased to provide an operational update for Q1 2019: The company that makes small brands BIG through large, engaged, authentic communities of micro-influencers that buy and support the brands they love. Dear SponsorsOne Shareholders: SponsorsOne has been working through the market launch with several Brands and have completed multiple, end to end transactions. Completion of a sale means everyone who was involved in the consumer purchase, gets paid. This includes the brand, the influencer and SponsorsOne. We are currently working with three brands and have made significant systems design improvements that will facilitate rapid adoption managing millions of pro and micro-influencers. Highlights for Q1, 2019: Influencer market spend by Brands is projected to be $10B by 2020 as stated by MediaKix.com http://mediakix.com/2018/03/influencer-marketing-industry-ad-spend-chart/gs.0q3ytz http://mediakix.com/2018/03/influencer-marketing-industry-ad-spend-chart/gs.0q3ytz BlueWater Ventures (Jewelry) went live in December 2018 with over 70,000 views on SponsorsOne generated content, resulting in influencer generated sales for the brand. Shoenbyyu (Fashion) and Native State Foods (Specialty Food) are in various stages of development and getting ready to launch Entry into the CDB - Direct to Consumer market, launched Feb 12, 2019 Five brands in discussion for the Brand Development Agreement One Brand in consideration for a three-year Brand Management Agreement Addition of significant enhancements to the SponsorCoin platform with a beta release in Q2 2019 Each highlight is discussed below: Influencer marketing, specifically, micro-influencer (less than 100,000 followers) has become a major focus in 2019. Many Brands are finding that micro-influencers generate the highest level of authentic engagement and return per marketing dollar. The Influencer market has grown from $2B in 2017 and projected to grow to $10B in 2020. The Influencer market represents only 3% of the global digital advertising spend by Brands, so there is plenty of room for growth in the future. SponsorsOne went live with Bluewater Ventures as our initial brand and the content we produced created over 70,000 views to date, resulting in our first sale in early January. These sales allowed SponsorsOne to execute a complete end to end transaction as its first Brand transaction using influencer marketing on our alpha testing platform. SponsorsOne and Shoenbyyu are preparing to launch an initial campaign with many pro-influencers under the Brand Development Agreement. Discussions regarding strategy and messaging and the possibility of content produced in collaboration with the influencer are under consideration. No definitive launch date has been set. Native State Foods is launching a new healthy snackable power food appealing to athletes and active individuals. Native State Foods has just opened a new Shopify store launching their new product, which is being sold exclusively online. Together, SponsorsOne and Native State Foods have been interviewing pro-influencers with the involvement of Athletes Hub. Influencer involvement for the first campaign will be announced soon. The financial tracking and settlement systems for fee payout has been built and will be implemented with the Native State Food's launch scheduled for Q2. The direct to consumer space in the USA market has prompted a launch into the CBD Wellness market. SponsorsOne has taken advantage of an opportunity to open discussions with five companies for Brand Development Agreements with one company looking for a long term, three-year Brand Management Agreement. We expect to be live with at least one CBD processor in Q2 2019. The Brand Development Agreement with Mato Creation Corporation (PetCell) was terminated by SPO. As a result of working closely with brands and their influencers we have added some additional capabilities to the SponsorCoin platform which should accelerate micro-influencer adoption as follows: Added cash commission capability, as defined by the brand, to all levels within the system. The micro-influencer can now earn their discount, their SponsorCoin and a cash commission for the direct influence of a brand sale. The brand decides the amount of cash commission to be paid. Added capability for a brand to advance a micro-influencer to a cash commission level, automatically, by meeting a specifically defined action, such as a product purchase. This will incentivize the micro-influencer to purchase the product right away, driving immediate sales for the brand. Added an Influencer Agency Dashboard. Influencer agencies representing many pro-influencers can now connect their influencers to SponsorsOne brands using the SponsorCoin platform. Payment and settlement systems handle the distribution of every sale to everyone involved, including the Agency, moving the Agency and their influencers from a onetime fee, to a recurring payment model, as long as the brand is on the SponsorsOne platform. Added a complete tracking and financial settlement systems to pay the pro and micro influencer commission from each sale they influence. This settlement system works directly with Stripe and PayPal. While SponsorsOne focused on completing the SponsorCoin platform to support the numerous brands, cash remains tightly managed, and the company's monthly burn rate was reduced. SponsorsOne is exploring additional financing strategies to ensure sufficient operating capital until achieving positive cash flow, being mindful of shareholder dilution. Our focus is to be cash flow positive with as few brands as possible then scale the business from the generated cash flow. The experience gathered by launching our first Brands has been invaluable. Tracking and financial settlement, "Pay for Performance", have increased complexity and will be a major differentiator in the market along with the SponsorCoin reward systems for authentic word of mouth marketing. The beta development and test period are targeted for Q2 2019. Best regards, Myles Bartholomew CEO Contact: info@sponsorsone.com About SponsorsOne SponsorsOne is the leader in the next evolution of digital marketing through storytelling and digital-commerce with the SponsorCoin platform and its highly scalable - smart contract based digital-currency. Combined, this allows brands to build and manage exclusive and highly engaged communities of micro-influencers within the social realm. The SponsorCoin platform provides for data-driven marketing campaigns that will change the way brands connect with their customers. SponsorCoin is a tool for brands to inspire real movements around their products and services in which their most valuable customers become their best salespeople, producing far higher ROI than current social media advertising methods. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Gary Bartholomew, Executive Chairman To learn more, please visit www.sponsorsone.com The Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this Press Release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on the beliefs of management and reflect the Company's current expectations. When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "belief", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan", "predict", "may" or "should" and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology, are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Such statements and information reflect the current view of the Company with respect to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: risks associated with marketing and sale of securities the need for additional financing requirements and access to capital, reliance on key personnel the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers or directors with certain other projects the volatility of the volume and price of the Common Shares, the failure of the business strategy, the integrity of the Company's patents and proprietary intellectual property and competition. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of risk factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors, and other uncertainties and potential events, including the risk factors, set out in the Company's Listing Statement. The Company has assumed a certain progression, which may not be realized. It has also assumed that the material factors referred to above will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS NEWS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE SECURITIES LEGISLATION. SOURCE: SponsorsOne Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/539032/SponsorsOne-Operational-CEO-Update-to-Shareholders VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / March 14, 2019 / Sharc International Systems Inc. (OTCQB: INTWF) (CSE: SHRC) (FSE: IWIA) ("SHARC" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that SHARC will be presenting at this year's Spring Investor Summit on April 1st and 2nd in New York City, at the JW Marriott Essex House. Conference Overview and Structure The Spring Investor Summit (formerly The MicroCap Conference) is an exclusive event dedicated to connecting small and micro cap publicly traded companies across all sectors with high-level, institutional and retail investors. The Spring Investor Summit will take place in New York City at the JW Marriott Essex House on April 1st and 2nd, located at 160 Central Park S, New York, NY 10019, USA. The conference will feature 200 presenting companies, 1,200 institutional and retail investors, 2,000 one-on-one meetings, expert speakers, and industry panels. This event is free for qualified investors and registration is available online and onsite throughout the day starting at 7:00 AM. Registration for Investors For free registration, please go to the conference website www.springinvestorsummit.com, and click on the "Registration" button. About SHARC International Systems SHARC International Systems Inc. is a world leader in thermal heat recovery. SHARC technology systems recycle thermal energy from wastewater, generating one of the most energy efficient and economical systems for heating, cooling & hot water preheating for commercial, residential and industrial buildings. SHARC is publicly traded in Canada (CSE: SHRC), the United States (OTCQB: INTWF) and Germany (Frankfurt: IWIA). Further information about the Company is available on our website at www.sharcenergy.com or under our profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Lynn Mueller" Chairman and Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact: Investor Relations Jeff Walker The Howard Group Phone: (888) 221-0915 or (403) 221-0915 Email: jeff@howardgroupinc.com Jamie Hyland SHARC International Systems Inc. Telephone: (604) 442-2425 Email: jamie.hyland@sharcenergy.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "may," "will," "intend," "should," and similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. SHARC's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. SHARC believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the Company's expectations as of the date hereof, and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation. News Compliments of ACCESSWIRE. SOURCE: Sharc International Systems, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/538978/SHARC-to-Present-at-the-Spring-Investor-Summit-on-April-1st-and-2nd-in-New-York-City-at-the-Essex-House NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / March 14, 2019 / ELEPHANT HILL CAPITAL INC. (TSX-V: EH.P) (the "Company" or "Elephant Hill"), a capital pool company, announces that, further to the Company's news release dated September 10, 2018, the Company and Podium Advertising Technologies Ltd. (operating under the commercial name Adcore) have agreed to terminate the letter of intent (the "Letter of Intent") dated August 14, 2018. The transaction contemplated under the Letter of Intent with Podium Advertising Technologies Ltd. was to be the Company's qualifying transaction. The Company will continue to seek other opportunities to complete the Company's qualifying transaction. For further information please contact: Mohammad Fazil Tel: +1 (403) 613-7310 Email: mofazil@gmail.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the terms and conditions of the proposed Transaction; the terms and conditions of the proposed Financing; future developments and the business and operations of the "Resulting Issuer" after the proposed Transaction. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and 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 statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; and delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will proceed and that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Corporation and Podium disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE: ELEPHANT HILL CAPITAL INC. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/539016/Elephant-Hill-Capital-Terminates-Proposed-Qualifying-Transaction SAN DIEGO, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Mapp welcomes John Fitzgerald as their new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), following an extensive global search. John brings to Mapp more than 20 years of experience working with growth-stage technology and digital media companies. He managed integral areas of business, including capital fundraising, acquisitions and divestitures, investor relations, and strategic planning efforts. Over the course of his career with venture-backed companies, John raised over $200 million and managed financial operations in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. He began his career with Arthur Andersen, LLP and held subsequent financial leadership roles with Verve, Brickfish, Veoh Networks, and BakBone Software. "So far, 2019 has been an exciting year for Mapp with our relaunched brand, rebellious sheep mascot, and new competitive product offerings. Adding John to the team is a great step in helping us take a bold stance in the market. His proven leadership in financial operations, along with his background working in mobile, social media, content, and data protection, is an ideal fit for Mapp as we work to extend our positive momentum and achieve greater revenue growth in 2019," said Steve Warren, Chief Executive Officer of Mapp. "With John being a San Diego local, our U.S. team is excited to work closely with him in Mapp's Headquarters in San Diego, California." As CFO, John will report to Steve Warren and the Marlin Investment Group while overseeing Mapp's finance, accounting, human resources, investor relations, office management, internal audit, and legal areas of the business. John will help Mapp finetune its competitive pricing as the company develops new product lines and platform capabilities, in order to offer packages that fit customers' evolving needs in the marketplace. About Mapp: Mapp helps companies break away from the pack - without breaking the bank. Mapp Cloud is a badass digital marketing platform that combines customer acquisition and engagement into one simple platform, with built-in, cross-channel capabilities. Underlying Mapp Cloud is Mapp's native customer data platform (CDP) that enables campaigns to draw from real-time, unified customer data, so marketers can be one step ahead of their customer. Mapp is headquartered in San Diego with global offices in eight countries. They help more than 3,000 companies market smarter and achieve maximum return from their digital marketing efforts. Mapp customers include Puma, Xerox, PepsiCo, Qantas, Infinity, and Lloyds Banking Group. Contact: Christine Paulson Senior Director, Marketing Christine.paulson@mapp.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/429224/Mapp_Digital_Logo.jpg BEVERLY HILLS, California, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- MCM Worldwide, the luxury travel and accessories brand, announced today the opening of its first global flagship retail location in Los Angeles. The new 4,427 square-foot store is celebrating its grand opening on March 14th, 2019 and will be located in the heart of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California. The two-story polished brass facade designed by Kenneth Park, derives from the signature studs and gems on MCM merchandise bringing flare to Rodeo Drive while still utilizing the brand's heritage in a luxurious Angelino style. This design element is especially highlighted by the brass facets on the upper portion of the storefront, mirroring the classic design of the quintessential MCM logo plate. Flanking the facade on either side are large LED displays with dynamic ever-changing imagery. "MCM Beverly Hills Global Flagship location brings the brand's luxury German Heritage, innovative design, thoughtful architecture and cutting-edge technology to one of the most iconic shopping destinations in the world, Rodeo Drive" says Patrick Valeo, President, MCM, the Americas. "We are so excited to be on Rodeo Drive as we continue our aggressive US expansion. This is our 5th location in California alone." Inside, the brand has integrated technology with an interactive photobooth by Hypno. Bringing a new meaning to "Instagrammable moment" the brand has incorporated an oversized custom MCM Visetos bear into the photobooth frame, giving customers the option of uploading their photo to their own Instagram account at that very moment. In addition, a glass mosaic handcrafted in Italy, mimicking the brands logo is featured on the wall by the main staircase. In keeping with the brand's dedication to music, more specifically, their role in Hip-Hop culture, a DJ booth and bar are located on the second floor; creating a vintage feel to a secluded VIP event space. Finally, the Rodeo Drive store will carry exclusive products including a MCM Visetos Vespa, Visetos Ping Pong Rackets and branded ping pong balls, a Visetos Chess Set, and MCM/Rodeo Drive belts bags, backpacks, Tee-shirts, polo's and sweatshirts. This is MCM's 17th store in the U.S and the brand currently operates more than 650 stores worldwide with locations in over 40 countries. For more updates on MCM and their new Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills retail location, visit www.MCMWorldwide.com and follow the brand at @MCMWorldwide on Twitter and Instagram. WWW.MCMWORLDWIDE.COM About MCM (Modern Creation Munchen) MCM is a luxury lifestyle goods and accessories brand founded in 1976 with an attitude defined by the cultural Zeitgeist and its German heritage with a focus on functional innovation, including the use of cutting edge techniques. Today, through its association with music, art, travel and technology, MCM embodies the bold, rebellious and aspirational. Always with an eye on the disruptive, the driving force behind MCM centers on revolutionizing classic design with futuristic materials. Appealing to the 21st Century Global Nomad generation - dreamers, creatives and digital natives - MCM's millennial and Gen Z audience is genderless, ageless, empowered and unconstrained by rules and boundaries. MCM is currently distributed in 650 stores in 40 countries including Munich, Berlin, Zurich, London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo, Middle East and other countries. For further information about MCM: www.mcmworldwide.com. SHANGHAI, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Haier Home Appliance (Haier), the global leading home appliance brand, along with Italian high-end leather care brand Uniters, has unveiled a new fusion washing + care machine from its sub-brand Casarte at the 2019 Appliances & Electronics World Expo (AWE 2019) in Shanghai, China. Casarte and Uniters showcased how the double-drum machine delicately cleans luxury purses, providing consumers with a dedicated cleaning and protection solution for their high-end clothing and goods. Casarte will launch the line with an initial production run of 1,000 machines. "While the concept of the washing machine has not changed much over the years, the technology behind it is constantly improving," said Eric Ding, China Market General Mangaer of Fabric Care Department of Haier. "Quiet, cold and warm washing, energy-saving - these are all innovations that have significantly improved washing machines. Haier continues to push the boundaries of design and technology, and the landmark Casarte fusion washing + care machine reflects our commitment to enhancing the overall consumer experience." When items are placed in the machine, its QNX-based control system and MCU hardware automatically activates, detecting the item type and load weight, as well as analyzing water flow. Connecting with a cloud-based big data system, the high-performance central MCU processor then calculates the data points and intelligently selects the optimal washing cycle, saving water and energy in the process. This also applies to drying. The Casarte fusion washing + care machine is equipped with deep-UV light for water disinfection, allowing users to save on disinfectant and prolonging the lifespan of clothing. Meanwhile, a variable-frequency heat pump, fan, and one-button click maintain a consistent air flow and temperature, protecting each and every fiber. Military-grade 3D infrared sensors monitor the temperature through 256 points and up to 8 times per second to ensure that clothes dry evenly and without overheating. It also provides air washing and fragrant drying, while its two drums can be used both independently and simultaneously. To meet the needs of global users, Casarte boasts six R&D centers, 14 design centers, 300+ designers, and best-in-class partners worldwide. To provide continuous innovation to consumers, Casarte cultivates an open and dynamic global ecosystem that has allowed it to maintain its position at the forefront of the high-end washing machine industry. About Haier Haier Home Appliance is the world's No. 1 home appliance brand, with a 10.5% global market share. Its brands include Haier, Casarte, and Leader in China, GE Appliances in the US, Fisher & Paykel in New Zealand, and AQUA in Japan. Currently, Haier Home Appliance is transforming from a traditional manufacturer to an open entrepreneurship platform as it constructs a truly global smart home ecosystem. In doing so, Haier is continuously enhancing the user value of its products and services, providing interconnected smart home experiences for customers everywhere. For more information, visit: http://www.haier.net/en/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/835719/Haier_Home_Appliances.jpg The global shoulder-fired weapons market research report by Technavio predicts the market to post a CAGR of nearly 6% during the period 2019-2023. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005481/en/ The global shoulder-fired weapons market will post a CAGR of nearly 6% during the period 2019-2023. (Graphic: Business Wire) A key driver for the global shoulder-fired weapons market will be the demand for new generation anti-armor and anti-aircraft protection. Evolution of battlefield environment has necessitated upgradation and customization of armament. The US Army has been considering including short-range air-defense capabilities in brigade combat teams. The emergence of unmanned aerial systems (UASs), cruise missiles, and long-range rockets (LRRs) pose a threat that is required to be addressed with capable systems. This has resulted in the US Army prioritizing SHORAD and reactivating units back to this core competency. However, the procurement of these systems is yet to be facilitated through an intergovernmental contract. As per Technavio, the growth in battlefield digitization will have a positive impact on the market and contribute to its growth significantly over the forecast period. This global shoulder-fired weapons market 2019-2023 research report also analyzes other important trends and market drivers that will affect market growth over 2019-2023. This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing Global shoulder-fired weapons market: Growth in battlefield digitization To achieve complete situational awareness and perfect synchronization between sensors and responders in a fast-paced mobile environment, network-centric warfare ensures a thorough integration of sensors, communication networks, command centers, and associated platforms. Also, the electro-optic systems on land are observed to be useful in tracking armored vehicles and low-observable missiles, which helps platoons to strategize their approach. "Technology upgrade for the modern shoulder-fired weapons has resulted in increased situational awareness. Modern versions of prominent shoulder-fired weapons are usually equipped with multiple new technologies such as dual-mode seeker and identification friend or foe systems. Such enhancements will promote the adoption of advanced shoulder-fired weapons by global forces," says a senior research analyst at Technavio. Global shoulder-fired weapons market: Segmentation analysis This shoulder-fired weapons market analysis report segments the market by technology (unguided and guided), product (ammunition and launcher), and geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, South America, and North America). The ammunition segment held the largest shoulder-fired weapons market share in 2018. This is because of the rapid adoption of shoulder-fired weapon systems as they require ammunition to ensure long-term and reliable operation of the weapon. North America accounted for the highest share of the market in 2018. The US is the pioneer of shoulder-fired weaponry in this region and projects military dominance owing to steady growth in the procurement of advanced weapon systems. The changing nature of warfare is encouraging US DoD's increased spending toward better weapons. Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report Technavio's sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Some of the key topics covered in the report include: Market Landscape Market ecosystem Market characteristics Market segmentation analysis Market Sizing Market definition Market size and forecast Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation Geographical Segmentation Regional comparison Key leading countries Market Drivers Market Challenges Market Trends Vendor Landscape Vendors covered Vendor classification Market positioning of vendors Competitive scenario About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base includes enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005481/en/ Contacts: Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 www.technavio.com A global data analytics and advisory firm, Quantzig, that delivers actionable analytics solutions to resolve complex business problems has announced the completion of their latest retail analytics engagement for a well-known fashion retailerDuring the course of this engagement, the retail analytics experts worked closely with the client to revolutionize the way they attract new customers, engage with them, and inspire loyalty. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005517/en/ Retail Analytics Engagement for a Leading Fashion Retailer (Graphic: Business Wire) The onslaught of digitization has perpetually transformed every industry and the retail industry is no exception. A turbulent economy, technological advancements, and an increasingly demanding customer base act as major roadblocks that prompt retailers to adopt new approaches to stay relevant and competitive. In today's tumultuous retail environment, analytics has turned out to be the new operating principle that helps retailers to function smoothly. But the brick-and-mortar stores still seem to be stuck in the conundrum of closing the doors or embracing new omnichannel strategies. The Business Problem:The client is one of the oldest apparel brands headquartered in Canada. This specialty retail chain has over 200 stores across economies along with a strong online presence. High competitive pressures and a diminishing sales margin prompted the retailer to change course and improve performance. Though all the required data sources were within the client's reach, they had no clear and holistic picture of how they could improve their current market position. Quantzig believes that retail analytics has the potential to generate deeper insights across the entire retail value chain, including procurement, supply chain, sales and marketing, store operations, and customer management. Get in touch with our experts for more insights. "To sustain a competitive edge in today's accelerating marketplace, it is extremely important for retailers to seek proactive methods of harnessing new insights from extensive data sources in innovative ways," says a retail analytics expert from Quantzig. The Solution OfferedQuantzig's retail analytics solutions empowered the client to gather and analyze data on customer preferences, demographic attributes, and buying patterns to deploy targeted promotions and increase sales. Also, within a week of implementing the new retail analytics framework the client was able to identify over $2 million in sales opportunities. This success story is a classic example of how a retail analytics framework helped a client to make accurate and profitable business decisions. Request a free proposal to know more about our retail analytics solutions. Quantzig's retail analytics solutions helped the client to: Identify over $2.1 million in sales opportunities Analyze customer preferences and demographic attributes Request a free demo to know how you can use retail analytics to address business needs. Quantzig's retail analytics solutions offered predictive insights on: Deploying targeted promotions Identifying potential areas for growth Retail analytics has the potential to open up new opportunities for your organization too. Want to know how? You're just a click away! Request for more information now! About Quantzig Quantzig is a global analytics and advisory firm with offices in the US, UK, Canada, China, and India. For more than 15 years, we have assisted our clients across the globe with end-to-end data modeling capabilities to leverage analytics for prudent decision making. Today, our firm consists of 120+ clients, including 45 Fortune 500 companies. For more information on our engagement policies and pricing plans, visit: https://www.quantzig.com/request-for-proposal View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005517/en/ Contacts: Quantzig Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager US: +1 630 538 7144 UK: +44 208 629 1455 https://www.quantzig.com/contact-us SUNNYVALE, California, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Plug and Play has selected 135 startups to participate in their Spring 2019 accelerator batches. Entrepreneurs from each startup will take part in one of the following programs: Brand & Retail , Cybersecurity , Energy & Sustainability , Fintech , Food & Beverage , New Materials & Packaging , and Supply Chain . The full list of selected startups can be viewed on Plug and Play's website: bit.ly/pnpspring2019 "It is fantastic to see such a talented group of entrepreneurs accepted into our programs. We aim to give our startups the best chance for success and these next three months will give them the tools and connections they need to thrive," said Saeed Amidi, Founder and CEO of Plug and Play. "I am excited to see what they can accomplish when integrated into our ecosystem." Over the next three months, selected startups will connect to Plug and Play's global ecosystem, collaborating with over 280 corporate partners. Through private dealflow sessions, exclusive networking events, mentor sessions, and more, these startups will have ample opportunities to land pilots, POCs, new customers, and investment. In 2018, Plug and Play had a record year, with more companies invested in and accelerated, more private deal flow sessions, and bigger and better events. The full company performance report can be viewed here . Plug and Play does not take equity from startups for program participation. Graduation for these batches will commence May 14-16th at Spring Summit. About Plug and Play Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before. Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 20 locations globally giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 10,000 startups and 280 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We provide active investments with 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and host more than 700 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $7 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club and PayPal. For more information, visit www.plugandplaytechcenter.com . Media Contact Allison Romero allison@pnptc.com (408)524-1457 Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/835431/PNP_Logo.jpg - Waves Platform, the world's fastest public blockchain platform, to raise second round of private investment in its "Vostok" project - Vostok project consists of the Vostok blockchain platform and the Vostok system integrator for enterprise and government IT systems - Raise follows first round $120 million, funded by high net worth private investors from Europe, Southeast Asia, and China - Raise gives Vostok a post-money valuation of$1.2 billion. LONDON, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Waves Platform has announced the details of the second investment round for the Vostok project, which consists of the global Vostok blockchain platform and the Vostok system integrator for enterprise and government IT systems, and already has investors from Europe, Southeast Asia, and China. The second round will close on May 31, 2019. The plan is to sell 100 million VST at an estimated price of $1.20 - which represents 10% of the future issue. Therefore, up to $120 million will be raised at an estimated capitalisation of $1.2 billion. The London investment group, Dolfin will structure and coordinate the deal. The Vostok project was developed by the Waves Platform team specifically for large enterprises and public institutions, to enable them to build the foundation of a next-generation digital infrastructure. It was announced on April 12, 2018, and has since been tested by major global organisations including Sberbank. Currently negotiations are in place for the first Vostok-backed projects in Europe, Southeast Asia, and China. In December 2018, Waves Platform successfully closed the first investment round for $120 million with the total valuation of the Vostok project $600 million - true testament to the flourishing fintech scene coming from and thriving investor appetite the platform has benefitted from already. The rights to 200 million Vostok tokens, or 20% of the future issue, were received by private and institutional investors, who were selected according to their potential benefit to the development of the project. Sasha Ivanov, founder and CEO of Waves Platform said: "The private blockchain platform Vostok will combine technological developments and innovations we tested when building the international Waves platform, with the advantages of other end-to-end digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data analytics and the industrial Internet of Things. In each of our strategic markets, we are launching an integrator company, with the help of which an ecosystem of Vostok solutions will be built. Second round investors will provide us with, among other things, opportunities to enter new markets." Danis Nagy, CEO Dolfin said: "Vostok's present-day objective is to attract big institutional investors, including mutual funds and venture capital funds. We are delighted to have an opportunity to continue working on this project and are thrilled to see a growing interest in Vostok from businesses and investors alike." Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/835747/Vostok_Logo.jpg Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. Novartis International AG / Novartis joins the Global Chagas Disease Coalition and also announces first multinational, prospective, randomized study in people with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy . Processed and transmitted by West Corporation. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Study is planned to assess efficacy and safety of Entresto (sacubitril / valsartan) vs enalapril in 900 patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy; recruitment is planned to commence within 2019 Chagas disease is a potentially life-threatening neglected disease, affecting approximately six million people worldwide[1],[2], mostly in Latin America; up to 30% of chronically infected people develop cardiac disorders[3] Chagas cardiomyopathy is the most important clinical manifestation of the disease, resulting in the majority of morbidity and mortality[4] The Global Chagas Disease Coalition is a collaborative alliance, which aims to increase awareness of Chagas disease and foster synergies in controlling the disease and promoting access to diagnosis and treatment[5] Basel, Switzerland, March 14, 2019- At the Annual Meeting of the Global Chagas Disease Coalition in Barcelona, Spain, Novartis announced that it is joining the Coalition as a member contributor. In addition, the company announced its commitment to launch a multinational, prospective, randomized study with heart failure drug, Entresto (sacubitril / valsartan), in people with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy, one form of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. This is the first definitive morbidity and mortality study to assess a potential therapy for cardiac disease in this underserved patient population. "Today marks another milestone in our longstanding commitment to the fight against neglected tropical diseases, and we are proud to partner with the Global Chagas Disease Coalition and its members to help improve access to diagnosis and reimagine treatment for people with Chagas disease," said Patrice Matchaba, Group Head, Global Health and Corporate Responsibility at Novartis. "It is only by joining forces that we can succeed in bringing our innovation to the people that need it." The clinical trial will assess the efficacy and safety of Entresto vs. enalapril and is expected to start within 2019, with the aim of recruiting approximately 900 patients with confirmed Chagas disease in Latin America. The primary endpoint is time to occurrence of a composite of cardiovascular events, including cardiovascular death or first hospitalization due to heart failure. This definitive study follows an exploratory post hoc analysis from the PARADIGM-HF trial[6], which suggested that Entresto may have beneficial effects in people with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. At the same time, Novartis is working with stakeholders in endemic countries to co-develop tailored access-to-medicine programs and health system strengthening strategies to help ensure lower-income patients suffering from chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy can benefit from the best available treatment. Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a potentially life-threatening neglected tropical disease estimated to affect approximately six million people globally and is responsible for approximately 12 000 deaths annually[1],[2],[3]. The disease is endemic in 21 Latin American countries, where it is the second leading cause for developing chronic heart failure[7]. Due to population mobility, in the past decades, Chagas disease has been increasingly detected in the United States, Canada, and many European and some Western Pacific countries[3]. Chagas cardiomyopathy is the most important clinical manifestation of the disease, resulting in the majority of morbidity and mortality[4] "We are pleased to welcome Novartis as one of our member contributors," said Javier Sancho, Coordinator of the Global Chagas Disease Coalition. "It is only by openly sharing our experience and knowledge and fostering synergies that we can hope to achieve our common goal of controlling and potentially eliminating Chagas disease." Novartis is also taking steps to advance research efforts around the disease and is committed to providing mentorship opportunities for scientists from Latin America to help strengthen capacity for relevant research regionally. The Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases (NITD), the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation (GNF) and collaborators have developed a promising portfolio of novel drug candidates for the treatment of kinetoplastid diseases. The proteasome inhibitor LXE408 was recently advanced as a promising drug candidate for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis[8]. This novel mechanism of action is also being explored for other indications, including Chagas disease. In addition, Novartis is partnering with the World Heart Federation to develop an end-to-end roadmap for addressing Chagas disease. The final roadmap is expected to be launched within 2019. In parallel, we are working together with different stakeholders in Latin American countries, such as Argentina and Colombia, to support existing national plans for an integrated care approach to Chagas disease. The Novartis commitment to neglected tropical diseases Novartis is a signatory to the London Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases, which aims to control, eliminate or eradicate 10 diseases by 2020. Since 1999, Novartis has donated multidrug therapy for the treatment of leprosy through the WHO, reaching more than seven million people worldwide. In addition, since 2005, we have donated Egaten for the treatment of fascioliasis (liver fluke infestation) to the WHO, helping to treat around 2 million people in more than 30 countries. In 2018, we renewed our agreement with the WHO to extend the drug donation until 2022, expected to reach 300 000 patients per year. We have a strong commitment to research and development for tropical diseases. In 2018, we announced an investment of USD 100 million to advance research and development of next-generation antimalarials over the next five years. The Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases, founded in 2001, is dedicated to finding new medicines to treat infectious and neglected diseases. In addition to malaria, research currently focuses on parasitic diseases such as cryptosporidiosis (diarrheal disease) and three major kinetoplastid diseases: human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. Together with our leprosy elimination efforts, this strategic focus on kinetoplastid parasitic diseases would address four out of 10 diseases in scope of the London Declaration. Building on our experience in neglected and infectious diseases, Novartis also implements programs to expand access to medicines for chronic diseases and, most recently, to address sickle cell disease in sub-Saharan Africa, starting in Ghana. About Chagas disease[3] Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a potentially life-threatening illness caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), which is carried by the triatomine bug, commonly known as "the kissing bug". It is recognized by the World Health Organization as one of the world's 13 most neglected tropical diseases[9]. It is estimated to affect approximately six million people globally and to cause approximately 12 000 deaths annually. The disease is endemic in 21 Latin American countries; however, due to population mobility, in the past decades, it has been increasingly detected in the United States, Canada, and many European and some Western Pacific countries. Chagas disease presents in an initial acute phase, where a high number of parasites circulate in the blood. In most cases, symptoms are absent or mild and nonspecific. During the chronic phase, the disease mainly affects the heart and digestive muscles, leading to cardiac disorders in up to 30% of patients and digestive, neurological or mixed alterations in up to 10% of patients. The infection can eventually lead to sudden death due to cardiac arrhythmias or progressive heart failure. Chagas cardiomyopathy is the most important clinical manifestation of Chagas disease, resulting in the majority of morbidity and mortality[4].The patients, despite being younger, tend to have a worse quality of life and higher hospitalization and mortality rates compared with other etiologies[10]. About Entresto Entresto is a twice-a-day medicine that reduces the strain on the failing heart. It does this by enhancing the protective neurohormonal systems (natriuretic peptide system) while simultaneously inhibiting the harmful effects of the overactive renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)[11],[12]. Other common heart failure medicines, called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), only block the harmful effects of the overactive RAAS. Entresto contains the neprilysin inhibitor sacubitril and the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) valsartan[11],[13]. In Europe, Entresto is indicated in adult patients for the treatment of symptomatic chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction[11]. In the United States, Entresto is indicated for the treatment of heart failure (New York Heart Association class II-IV) in patients with systolic dysfunction[13]. It has been shown to reduce the rate of cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalization and 30-day hospital readmission[14] compared to enalapril, to reduce the rate of all-cause mortality compared to enalapril[15], and to improve aspects of health-related quality of life (including physical and social activities) compared to enalapril[16]. Entresto is usually administered in conjunction with other heart failure therapies, in place of an ACE inhibitor or other angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)[11],[13]. Approved indications may vary depending upon the individual country. Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "potential," "can," "will," "plan," "expect," "anticipate," "look forward," "believe," "committed," "investigational," "pipeline," "launch," or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for the investigational or approved products described in this press release, or regarding potential future revenues from such products. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that the investigational or approved products described in this press release will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Nor can there be any guarantee that such products will be commercially successful in the future. In particular, our expectations regarding such products could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political and economic conditions; safety, quality or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Novartis Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world's top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach more than 800 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 130 000 people of nearly 150 nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Find out more at www.novartis.com (http://www.novartis.com). Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis (http://twitter.com/novartis) For Novartis multimedia content, please visit www.novartis.com/news/media-library (http://www.novartis.com/news/media-library) For questions about the site or required registration, please contact media.relations@novartis.com (mailto:media.relations@novartis.com) References [1] WHO. Chagas disease in Latin America: an epidemiological update based on 2010 estimates. Wkly Epidemiol Rec. 2015;90:33-43 [2] Rassi A Jr, Rassi A, Marin-Neto JA. Chagas disease. Lancet. 2010;375:1388-1402. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60061-X [3] https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chagas-disease-(american-trypanosomiasis) (https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chagas-disease-(american-trypanosomiasis)) [4] Maria Carmo Pereira Nunes et al. Chagas Cardiomyopathy: An Update of Current Clinical Knowledge and Management: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation, 2018 DOI: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000599 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000599) [5] http://www.coalicionchagas.org/en/about-us (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4568335/%20) [6] Ramires FJA, Martinez F, Gomez E, Demacq C, Gimpelewicz CR, Rouleau JL, Solomon SC, Swedberg K, Zile MR, Packer M, McMurray. Post analysis of SHIFT and PARADIGM-HF highlight the importance of chronic Chagas' cardiomyopathy. ESC Heart Failure 2018; 5: 10.1002/ehf2.12355. [7] Moncayo, A., & Silveira, A. C. (2009). Current epidemiological trends for Chagas disease in Latin America and future challenges in epidemiology, surveillance and health policy. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 104, 17-30 [8] Khare, S, Nagle A, Biggart A, et al. Proteasome inhibition for treatment of leishmaniasis, Chagas disease and sleeping sickness. Nature, 2016 DOI:10.1038/nature19339 [9] WHO roadmap on NTD, 2012. www.who.int/neglected_diseases/en (http://www.who.int/neglected_diseases/en) [10] Shen et al; Chagas' Disease and Outcomes in Heart Failure, Circ Heart Fail. 2017;10:e004361. DOI: 10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.117.004361 [11] EMA. Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan). Summary of product characteristics. Available at: http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/EPAR_-_Product_Information/human/004062/WC500197536.pdf (http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/EPAR_-_Product_Information/human/004062/WC500197536.pdf) [Last accessed: July 2018] [12] Langenickel T, Dole W. Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibition with LCZ696: a novel approach for the treatment of heart failure. Drug Discov Today. 2012:4: e131-139. [13] FDA. Entresto (sacubitril/valsartan). Highlights of prescribing information. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/207620Orig1s000lbl.pdf (https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/207620Orig1s000lbl.pdf) [Last accessed: July 2018] [14] Desai, AS., et al., Influence of Sacubitril/Valsartan (LCZ696) on 30-Day Readmission After Heart Failure Hospitalization. JACC 2016;68(3):241-248. [15] McMurray JJV., et al., Angiotensin-Neprilysin Inhibition versus Enalapril in Heart Failure. N Engl J Med 2014; 371:993-1004. [16] Chandra, A. et al., The Effects of Sacubitril/Valsartan on Physical and Social Activity Limitations in Heart Failure Patients: The PARADIGM-HF Trial. JAMA Cardiol. 2018;3(6):498-505. # # # Novartis Media Relations Central media line: +41 61 324 2200 E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com (mailto:media.relations@novartis.com) Eric Althoff Novartis Global Media Relations +41 61 324 7999 (direct) +41 79 593 4202 (mobile) eric.althoff@novartis.com (mailto:eric.althoff@novartis.com) Katerina Kontzalis Novartis Global Health & CR Communications +41 61 324 1631 (direct) +41 79 797 8393 (Mobile) katerina.kontzalis@novartis.com (mailto:katerina.kontzalis@novartis.com) Novartis Investor Relations Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944 E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com (mailto:investor.relations@novartis.com) Central North America Samir Shah +41 61 324 7944 Richard Pulik +1 212 830 2448 Pierre-Michel Bringer +41 61 324 1065 Cory Twining +1 212 830 2417 Thomas Hungerbuehler +41 61 324 8425 Isabella Zinck +41 61 324 7188 Media release (PDF) (http://hugin.info/134323/R/2238614/882198.pdf) Gurit CFO Angelo Quabba to leave Gurit by September 2019 Zurich, March 14, 2019-Gurit (SIX Swiss Exchange: GUR)a worldwide leading developer and manufacturer of advanced composites and technologies today announces Angelo Quabba will leave Gurit by September 2019 Angelo Quabba joined Gurit in 2015 as a CFO and has contributed significantly to the development of Gurit over the past 4 years. By the end of September 2019 Angelo will leave Gurit in best mutual consent and pursue another professional opportunity. Gurit has initiated a search for the successor and will communicate the succession in due time. The CEO Rudolf Hadorn and the Board of Directors thank Angelo Quabba for his strong dedication, cooperation and his valuable contributions. We regret his decision and wish him all the very best for his future. About Gurit: The subsidiaries of Gurit Holding AG, Wattwil/Switzerland, (SIX Swiss Exchange: GUR) are specialized on the development and manufacture of advanced composite materials, related technologies and select finished parts and components. The comprehensive product range comprises fibre reinforced prepregs, structural core products, gel coats, adhesives, resins and consumables. Gurit supplies global growth markets with composite materials on the one hand and composite tooling equipment, core material wind turbine blade kits, structural engineering and select finished parts on the other. Gurit operates production sites and offices in Canada, China, Denmark, Ecuador, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, India, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States. For more information, please visit www.gurit.com Gurit Group Communications Thomas Nauer Tel: +41 44 316 15 55 All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law. Forward-looking statements: To the extent that this announcement contains forward-looking statements, such statements are based on assumptions, planning and forecasts at the time of publication of this announcement. Forward-looking statements always involve uncertainties. Business and economic risks and developments, the conduct of competitors, political decisions and other factors may cause the actual results to be materially different from the assumptions, planning and forecasts at the time of publication of this announcement. Therefore, Gurit Holding AG does not assume any responsibility relating to forward-looking statements contained in this announcement. EDMONTON, AB / ACCESSWIRE / March 14, 2019 / Edmonton-based priMED Medical Products has been named one of Canada's Best Managed Companies by Deloitte, this time making the list of 2019's Returning Winners. Though the top chosen companies are incredibly diverse, each Best Managed awardee has one significant thing in common: they're all eager to keep growing, learning, and improving. David Welsh, President of priMED, wholeheartedly attributes this forward-driving success to the individuals who make up the company. 'We're very proud to be recognized by Deloitte for the second year in a row,' says David. 'Great employees are the lifeblood of any company, and we are fortunate to have some of the most driven, team-oriented and mutually-supportive people in the industry. They are the cornerstone of our success and responsible for the spirit of our entire organization.' It's this ethos which has carried priMED from its roots as a sourcing company in 1995, to wholly owning its own manufacturing sites abroad a decade later, all the way to being awarded Canada's Best Managed Company for the second year in a row. The award itself is the one of highest commendations given to private companies in Canada. Hundreds of companies are identified every year as potential winners, after which they undergo a thorough review of their business practices, their focus on improvement, and their ability to thrive whilst taking risks. By the end of the application process, only the top companies are recognised above the rest for their excellence. Lorrie King, co-leader of the awards program and Deloitte partner, sums up her take on the winners by saying: 'What amazes me about Best Managed Companies is that they are never, ever willing to be complacent. They never sit back. They're always looking for ways to be even better.' Far from complacent, priMED has been chosen for its relentless drive, demonstrated through bold undertakings amidst exceptional growth and rapid increase in revenue. This fusion of strong, dedicated leadership with a clear and ever-reaching vision is what ensures the company is always propelling forward. Nurturing a culture of real engagement and sincere energy in the workplace, priMED genuinely values every member of the team and understands the benefits of investing in each person's talent and ambition. What it all amounts to is a company made up of people who arrive every day passionate, energised, and fearless. It is this engagement with everyday success which has put priMED products into virtually every hospital and healthcare facility in Canada, and sees patients across the globe being treated with our self-manufactured supplies. Another key aspect which defines Canada's Best Managed Companies is their ability to look further than their local area. The vast majority of those chosen as winners operate on an international scale - and priMED is no exception. Employing almost one thousand workers in China within wholly-owned factories, priMED is able to both expand its roots and take full control over every aspect of its business practices, ensuring that the values of respect, collaboration and trust are upheld. When it comes to healthcare products, efficacy and quality-control are essential, and so having a dedicated facility means that priMED's sky-high standards are always met. By relentlessly pursuing the principles of success, growth, and investment in people, priMED will continue the fight to retain its place amongst Canada's Best Managed Companies. For more information: To learn more about what makes priMED one of Canada's Best Managed Companies, go to priMED.ca/careers. Media Contact: Craig Blackburn, Senior Brand Manager Craig.Blackburn@priMED.ca priMED Medical Products #200, 2003-91 Street SW Edmonton, Alberta T6X 0W8 Phone: 780 497 7600 Web: priMED.ca About priMED Medical Products: Established in 1995, priMED Medical Products is a dynamic, global manufacturer specializing in high-quality medical products. As a leading Canadian medical product provider to hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities, priMED also offers branded, co-branded and private label products and services to its customers and international partners. About Deloitte Canada's Best Managed Companies: Established in 1993, Canada's Best Managed Companies is one of the country's leading business awards programs; recognizing excellence in Canadian owned and managed companies with revenues over $15 million. SOURCE: priMED Medical Products View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/539066/priMED-Medical-Products-Selected-as-One-of-Canadas-Best-Managed-Companies-for-Second-Consecutive-Year BARCELONA, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Being a referent for IT development outsourcing services, India is probably one of the most popular destinations where companies find offshore professionals within the app development industry. In a country with a vast offering, the challenge is to identify the top-notch professionals that can actually help in your project needs. As a worldwide directory for IT & Marketing companies, AppFutura is no stranger to this market and has a unique methodology to rank and identify the list of Top Mobile App Development Companies in India, which shows development agencies vetted by app development experts with verified reviews from clients worldwide. The firms in the list are a thorough representation of the IT outsourcing industry in India and have been selected based on their expertise, professionalism, and overall trustworthiness that former clients attributed them. Being a large and densely populated country, it is worth noting that most relevant app development professionals can be found in the AppFutura directories for Top Mobile App Development Companies in Delhi and Top Mobile App Development Companies in Ahmedabad . The full list of Indian app development companies contains hundreds of firms, but only a select few ranked in top positions. Here's a short extract of the best: - AppInventiv - Applify - Mobulous - Konstant Infosolutions - Saffron Tech - Prismetric - Intuz - Dev Technosys - Fluper Limited - Ongraph Technologies Other companies worth mentioning are Promatics Technologies, Softprodigy, QSS Technosoft, The NineHertz or Magneto IT Solution. About AppFutura AppFutura is a leading directory for IT and Marketing companies, including a worldwide list for Top Mobile App Development Companies . Any company interested in joining our directory is welcome to create a profile for free. The lists at AppFutura, with filters by services provided and locations worldwide, is a unique tool for people and businesses looking to outsource their IT & Marketing projects, with the reassurance of having directories curated by a third party with verified reviews from real clients. For those with very specific needs, AppFutura also provides support and assistance in the selection of the right candidates. Media Contact Marc Coll +34-93-594-90-41 marc@appfutura.com Image: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/835956/AppFutura_Top_Mobile_Developers.jpg Reward recognises Mark Kieve's role and influence in developing innovative online recruitment solutions Recruitment Technology Solutions provider PIXID is delighted to announce that Mark Kieve, the CEO for UK and Ireland has received the Personality of the Year Award at the 15th annual Onrec Online Recruitment Awards, held in London on March 7th at the Grange St Paul's Hotel. 220 industry leaders were present at the ceremony. Commenting on the award, Stuart Gentle, Publisher of Onrec, remarked: "We at Onrec were impressed by the nominees at our Online Recruitment Awards. The calibre of finalists impressed us greatly. Congratulations to Mark for winning The Personality of the Year Award. He has been at the forefront of the online recruitment industry for around 20 years and the award to recognise his dedication to the industry is thoroughly deserved! Mark heads the UK and Ireland for PIXID, the European leader in end-to-end cloud-based recruitment solutions, a role he has held since PIXID's acquisition of the Internet Corporation Limited, a company formerly owned by Mark. Mark has dedicated himself to online recruitment for close to 20 years. He formulated the vision and strategic direction that led to the creation of Amris, the world-class ATS solution, and Employee-Check, the online candidate referencing platform. Mark's extensive knowledge and awareness of the nuances of both the UK and Irish market is supporting PIXID's introduction, as Europe's leading mid-market VMS platform, into the UK and Irish market. In parallel with existing solutions, this will help end clients and agencies of all sizes to streamline all aspects of the recruitment process. Etienne Colella, Founder and President of PIXID Group, commented: "Mark is a very worthy recipient of this reward. He has been driving innovation in online recruitment in the UK and Ireland for almost two decades, working closely with clients to develop solutions that really make a difference. His enthusiasm is infectious to those around him and we are excited about what we can achieve together in the UK and Ireland over the coming years." Commenting on his award, Mark Kieve said: "It is tremendously satisfying to be recognised by Onrec in this way. When I first entered the recruitment industry having been a pioneer in the roll out of online technology for the property sector in the very early days of the Internet, I was motivated by the difference technology could make in an industry of immense social importance. People and talent are what drive our economy, and we need to harness technology to help businesses find and compete for talent more efficiently for the good of our economy at large. We are very excited about our broad offering for the UK and Irish market and the new wave of innovation we are introducing to our clients." About PIXID Created in 2004, PIXID is the now the European leader in end-to-end cloud-based recruitment solutions. With the acquisition the Internet Corporation (Amris) in 2017 in the UK and the recent acquisition of Carerix in the Netherlands, it is fast expanding across Europe. PIXID's flagship offering is myPixid, Europe's leading mid-market VMS platform. This enables clients of all sizes to efficiently manage temporary workers via a simple, scalable and cost-effective platform. It is an end-to-end temporary staffing solution designed with the needs of recruitment agencies, end clients and contingent and temporary workers in mind, and has a strong focus on ensuring compliance with the latest employment regulations. PIXID's proprietary technology is responsible for filling one in three temporary positions in France, where it has powered the burgeoning temporary staffing market. Over 7500 agency branches are connected through PIXID to more than 100,000 end-client locations on a daily basis to lower costs and improve efficiency and communication with agencies, end clients and temporary workers. PIXID is a business partner of the Recruitment Employment Confederation (www.rec.uk.com) and the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCO www.apsco.org). For more information, visit www.pixid.co.uk, www.pixid.ie or follow Pixid on Twitter and LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190314005675/en/ Contacts: For Media: Mark Walter Instinctif Partners pixid@instinctif.com +44 207 457 2020 For more information: Mark Kieve m.kieve@pixid.co.uk +44 208 036 9532 +44 776 997 7972 www.pixid.co.uk www.pixid.ie Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2019) -TransCanna Holdings Inc. (CSE: TCAN) (XETR: TH8) (FSE: TH8) ("TransCanna" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that as a result of significant demand, the Company's brokered private placement of 5,000,000 Units at CDN$2.00 per Unit (the "Offering"), as announced on February 20, 2019, is oversubscribed. Consequently, the Company has increased the Offering by sixty percent to a maximum of 8,000,000 Units to raise gross proceeds of CDN$16,000,000. Haywood Securities Inc. has been joined by Canaccord Genuity Corp. to co-lead a syndicate of agents, which includes Gravitas Securities Inc. (collectively, the "Agents"). "We're humbled by the demand for our private placement," said Jim Pakulis, President and CEO of TCAN. "We have attracted a broad range of investors and are dedicated to executing our business plan as well as delivering value to our shareholders while continually growing our shareholder base." The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to partially fund the acquisition of a 196,000 square foot vertically integrated cannabis facility in Modesto California, as announced on February 4, 2019. Any remaining funds will be used for equipment acquisition and general working capital. The Company anticipates using debt financing in combination with the capital from this private placement to secure the facility. The completion of the Offering will be conditional upon the Company being in a position to complete the facility acquisition. The terms of the Units under the Offering remain unchanged as previously announced. Upon the closing of the Offering the Company shall: 1) pay the Agents a commission equal to 8.0% of the gross proceeds of the Offering, payable in cash or in units at the discretion of the Agents; and 2) issue to the Agents compensation options (the "Compensation Options") equal to 8.0% of the units sold, subject to compliance with all required regulatory approvals. The Compensation Options will entitle the Agents to purchase units at an exercise price per compensation option that is equal to the issue price and have a term of 36 months from the closing date. The Company will also pay to the Agents a corporate finance fee of $250,000 of which 50% will be payable in cash and 50% will be payable in units at the issue price. The Offering may be completed in multiple closings, with the final closing expected to occur on or before March 28, 2019, subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four month hold period in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to sell 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. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.transcanna.com. About TransCanna Holdings Inc. TransCanna Holdings Inc. is a Canadian based company providing branding, transportation and distribution services, through its wholly-owned California subsidiaries, to a range of industries including the cannabis marketplace. For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.transcanna.com or email the Company at info@transcanna.com. Media Contact TransCanna@talkshopmedia.com 604-738-2220 On behalf of the Board of Directors James Pakulis Chief Executive Officer Telephone: (604) 609-6199 The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to: the expected purchase of the facility, the terms of the facility acquisition, the payment of finders fees in relation thereto, the ability of the Company to secure financing and the acquisition of appropriate licenses for the facility. 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. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43418 Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2019) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Jason J. Burt has been named the Associate Regional Director for enforcement in the SEC's Denver Regional Office. Mr. Burt succeeds Kurt Gottschall, who became Regional Director of the SEC's Denver office in November 2018. Mr. Burt joined the SEC's Division of Enforcement as a staff attorney in 2007. After the division was reorganized in 2010, he served as a member the division's Market Abuse Unit until he was promoted to Assistant Regional Director in the SEC's Asset Management Unit in 2016. Since August 2018, he also has served as an Assistant Regional Director in the SEC's Market Abuse Unit. Mr. Burt helped develop and lead the SEC's Share Class Selection Disclosure Initiative (SCSDI), a self-reporting initiative designed to return money quickly to investors harmed by inadequate fee disclosures. The SEC recently announced the first set of actions brought under the initiative against 79 firms, resulting in over $125 million being returned to harmed investors. In addition to helping to develop and lead the SCSDI, Mr. Burt has investigated or supervised a number of significant matters, including cases involving: Nine defendants charged with participating in a scheme to hack into the SEC's EDGAR system and extract nonpublic information to use for illegal trading Investment advisers charged with breaching fiduciary duties to clients, requiring them to repay over $12 million in improper fees to harmed clients Violations of the federal securities laws in connection with the operation of alternative trading systems Dozens of defendants charged with taking part in an international scheme to profit from stolen nonpublic information about corporate earnings announcements A Brooklyn man, a stockbroker, and a managing clerk at a law firm charged with participating in a $5.6 insider trading scheme that involved the passing of illegal tips via napkins or post-it notes at Grand Central Terminal "Jason is known for being tenacious and having an unwavering commitment to the SEC's mission," said Stephanie Avakian, Co-Director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement. "Jason is highly respected by his peers for his insight and intelligence and will be a fantastic addition to our senior leadership team in Denver," said Steven Peikin, Co-Director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement. Kurt Gottschall, Director of the SEC's Denver Regional Office, added, "Throughout his long career with the SEC, Jason has earned the respect of his colleagues by working hard, sharing his deep knowledge of the federal securities laws, and developing programmatically important enforcement cases. We are excited to have Jason lead Denver's talented enforcement staff." Mr. Burt said, "I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to lead such an amazing group of people. I look forward to continuing the Denver enforcement program's unwavering pursuit of wrongdoers who prey on retail investors." Mr. Burt joined the SEC in 2004 as an attorney in the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations' Broker-Dealer group. Before joining the SEC staff, Mr. Burt worked as a litigation associate in the Washington, D.C. office of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson. He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration with high honors from James Madison University, and his law degree with honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law. Mr. Burt also presently serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Denver's Sturm College of Law. Mr. Burt received the SEC Chairman's Award for Excellence in 2010 for his work related to the Flash Crash and the SEC's Analytical Methods award in 2016 for his work on the hacked news releases matter. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 14, 2019) - Bearing Lithium Corp. (TSXV: BRZ) (OTCQB: BLILF) (FSE: B6K2) ("Bearing" or the "Company") announces today the resignation of Jonathan Lee as a director of the Company effective March 18, 2019 in order to pursue other endeavours. The Company wishes to express its gratitude to Mr. Lee for his service and wish him well in his future endeavours. About Bearing Lithium Corp. Bearing Lithium Corp. is a lithium-focused mineral exploration and development company. Its primary asset is an 18% interest in the Maricunga lithium brine project in Chile. The Maricunga project represents one of the highest-grade lithium brine salars globally and the only pre-production project in Chile. The 2019 Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) demonstrates the project as one of the most efficient producers globally with a long-life, high-margin production profile. Over US$40 million has been invested in the Maricunga project to date. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Signed "Jeremy Poirier" Jeremy Poirier, President and CEO FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Jeremy Poirier-- President and CEO Bearing Lithium - Telephone: 1-604-262-8835 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating the future operating or financial performance of the Company, are forward-looking statements. The words "expect", "target", "estimate", "may", "will" and other similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the future prospects of the Maricunga Project. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are beyond Bearing's ability to predict or control and may cause Bearing's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any of its future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, strategic, legal, planning and other risks, the impact of changes in, or to the enforcement of, laws, regulations and government practices, potential defects in title to the Maricunga Project that are not known as of the date hereof, the occurrence of unexpected financial obligations, fluctuations in the price of lithium and other commodities, fluctuations in the currency markets, changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments, risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding), risks related to operational matters and geotechnical issues, the success of future exploration and development activities, the occurrence of any labour unrest, the ability to accurately predict decommissioning and reclamation costs, the risk of budget and timing overruns, potential opposition to the Maricunga Project by local communities and the ability to secure construction financing. Such forward-looking statements are also based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect including changes in Maricunga Project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated as well as those factors disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time with the securities regulators in the Provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Bearing undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/43431 As Pakistan has kept its airspace closed since 26 February due to the Balakot air strike by IAF, Air India's expenditure on flights to Europe and the US have significantly increased. New Delhi: Air India on Wednesday announced that it is suspending its flights on Delhi-Madrid and Delhi-Birmingham routes from March 16 till further notice due to "operational reasons". As Pakistan has kept its airspace closed since 26 February due to the Balakot air strike by Indian Air Force (IAF), Air India's expenditure on flights to Europe and the US have significantly increased. In a tweet, the national carrier said, "Due to operational reasons, the following Air India flights are suspended with effect from 16 March, 2019, till further notice." The airline then said that AI135 Delhi-Madrid flight and AI136 Madrid-Delhi flight would be suspended. It added that AI113 Delhi-Birmingham flight and AI114 Birmingham-Delhi flight would also be suspended. The airline said that AI117 Delhi-Amritsar-Birmingham flight and AI118 Birmingham-Amritsar-Delhi flight would be suspended too. "We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our valued passengers and request passengers to collect full refund," the airline said. The carrier's net loss narrowed to Rs 5,337 crore in FY18 from Rs 6,281 crore a year ago, as per the latest Public Enterprises Survey 2017-18. The interesting thing is that once upon a time, BSNL used to make a lot of money. In the recent past, there have been a spate of news reports regarding a few institutions in the public sector being in trouble. The Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has had to borrow money to pay salaries. The Mumbai-based Tata Institute of Fundamental Research has issued a notice to its faculty and students that they will be paid only half of what is due for February 2019, due to a shortage of funds. Over and above this, the employees of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), the government owned telecom company, havent been paid salaries for February 2019. (As I finished writing the piece, it seems the government has decided to release Rs 850 crore before Holi to pay salaries to the BSNL employees). Along with this, the Business Standard reports that the department of telecom is planning a Rs 13,000-crore bailout of BSNL. The bailout plan includes Rs 6,767 crore of infusion of fresh capital by the government into the company. The remaining money will go towards the voluntary retirement package. Of the three examples here, BSNL is the main problem of the government. Lets take a look at this point-wise. 1) Take a look at the accompanying chart. It plots the profit/losses made by BSNL over the years. Since 2009-10, BSNL has made losses of Rs 57,676 crore. This is the highest among all government-owned companies, even higher than that of perpetual trouble-child of the government, Air India. The companys expected loss in 2018-19 is likely to be more than Rs 7,000 crore. In this scenario, the banks are not willing to give short-term loans to BSNL (and why should they, given that public sector banks themselves are not in a great shape). This has led to the company being unable to pay its salaries for the last month. 2) The interesting thing is that once upon a time, BSNL used to make a lot of money. Between 2004-05 and 2008-09, the company made a profit of Rs 30,513 crore. In fact, in 2004-05, the company made a profit of Rs 10,183 crore, and was the second most profitable public sector enterprise, after ONGC. Those were its heydays. 3) What happened after that? The companys main business model of landline phones went for a toss. As mobile phone prices as well as usage prices fell, more and more people moved away from landline phones. Also, public sector companies tend to do well when there is very little competition in the sector that they operate in. Post 2005, the competition in the telecom sector went up, first in the form of more companies, and then in the form of lower prices. BSNL clearly wasnt ready for all the competition, with employee cost forming a bulk of its operating expenditure, unlike private companies like Airtel and Vodafone, which had outsourced most of their operations to other companies and primarily operated as marketing companies. The entry of Reliance Jio with very low prices for data, hurt further. 4) Over the last decade, the performance of the company has gone from bad to worse. And now there is talk about the government spending Rs 13,000 crore to bail out the company. This is basically throwing good money after bad and more government money going down the drain. 5) On its own, BSNL is too large an organisation and given that it is too unwieldy as well. The government should look at dividing BSNL into several smaller companies, like the AT&T was divided in the United States and selling them piece by piece. The trouble here will be that no private company will want to deal with the lazy ways of a public sector workforce. And of course, the trade unions will oppose. Nonetheless, this should be given a shot because enough hard-earned money of the taxpayers has been used to keep the company going. That needs to stop. Further, BSNL owns a lot of real estate, in the heart of many cities and towns across India. The government should first look to make an inventory of all the land that BSNL owns, and then sell it gradually piece by piece. Other than opening up more space in cities and towns, it will also help the government to earn some money. To conclude, the government needs to focus on the core issues of education, health, agriculture, foreign policy, defence, regulation and cutting down procedures and processes, so that Indias small and medium enterprises can flourish and create jobs in the process. There is no point in the government owning a loss-making telecom company. But then this is something that has been said many a time in the past. (The writer is an economist and author of the Easy Money trilogy) Jet Airways has a debt of over Rs 8,000 crore and needs to make repayments of up to Rs 1,700 crore by the end of March. Mumbai: State-run Punjab National Bank (PNB) said that any decision to provide emergency funds to cash-strapped Jet Airways will be taken collectively by the lenders and not on a standalone basis. The assertion comes in the backdrop of media reports that the PNB had approved Rs 2,050 crore of emergency funding to Jet Airways, for which lenders are considering a resolution plan under Project Sashakt. In a filing to exchanges, Jet Airways had earlier clarified it has not received any fresh loan from PNB. "No, we are going (on decision to lend further to Jet Airways) collectively. The resolution will come with the participation of the stakeholders and we are working on it," the bank's managing director and CEO, Sunil Mehta, told reporters when asked whether the lender was considering fresh funds to the loss-making Carrier on a standalone basis. Mehta was speaking at the sidelines of the FICCI-IBA event here on Thursday. Any emergency funding to Jet Airways will be part of the resolution package, he said. Mehta said the resolution plan for the airline is under deliberation at the joint lender forum and the lead banker, State Bank of India, is in discussion with various stake holders. Bank of India's managing director and CEO Dinabandhu Mohapatra, who was also present at the event, said bankers are supporting the resolution plan for the airline. "Unless you support, there will be destruction of value. We have to protect the value and the airline," Mohapatra told reporters. Jet Airways has a debt of over Rs 8,000 crore and needs to make repayments of up to Rs 1,700 crore by the end of March. The airline, has however, already defaulted on repayments on external commercial borrowings due to the paucity of funds. The acute liquidity crunch has forced it to ground aircraft, shut down stations and delay salary payments to its pilots and engineers along with other senior staff. It has been looking at various ways to raise funds. On March 8, Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal wrote to Etihad Airways Group CEO Tony Douglas seeking an urgent funding of Rs 750 crore under an MoU signed between various stakeholders. Etihad board, however, has reportedly not taken a final decision on the pact. Last month, shareholders of Jet Airways cleared approved conversion of loan into shares and other proposals. 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. Sources at Jet Airways clarified that DGCA is unlikely to bar Jet Airways from accepting advance bookings Mumbai: Contrary to an early report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), sources at Jet Airways has told Firstpost that aviation regulator DGCA has not made any proposal to bar the airline from taking advance bookings beyond a particular period amid a drastically reduced capacity and massive flight cancellations. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): Story regarding DGCA asking Jet Airways not to accept advance bookings is factually incorrect. We do not have any such proposal. We shall continue to share relevant information with you all. ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 Earlier, PTI had reported that DGCA may bar beleaguered carrier Jet Airways from taking advance bookings beyond a particular period amid a drastically reduced capacity and massive flight cancellations. As per the official, Jet Airways has been flying only 61 of the 116 planes it has in the fleet, forcing it to cancel as much as 45 percent of its total flights per day. Jet Airways operates over 600 flights within Indian and overseas. "We may ask Jet Airways not to accept forward bookings beyond a particular period," a senior DGCA official told PTI on Thursday. Expressing concerns over 'political interference' in influencing statistical data in India, as many as 108 economists and social scientists Thursday called for restoration of 'institutional independence' and integrity to the statistical organisations New Delhi: Expressing concerns over "political interference" in influencing statistical data in India, as many as 108 economists and social scientists on Thursday called for restoration of "institutional independence" and integrity to the statistical organisations. Their joint statement comes in the backdrop of controversy over the revision of gross domestic product (GDP) numbers and withholding employment data by the NSSO. They said that for decades, India's statistical machinery enjoyed a high-level of a reputation for the integrity of the data it produced on a range of economic and social parameters. "It (statistical machinery) was often criticised for the quality of its estimates, but never were allegations made of political interference influencing decisions and the estimates themselves," they said in an appeal. They have appealed to all professional economists, statisticians and independent researchers to come together to raise their voice against the tendency "to suppress uncomfortable data" and impress upon the government to restore access and integrity to public statistics and re-establish institutional independence. The signatories include Rakesh Basant (IIM-A), James Boyce (University of Massachusetts at Amherst, US), Emily Breza (Harvard University, US), Satish Deshpande (Delhi University), Patrick Francois (University of British Columbia, Canada), R Ramakumar (TISS, Mumbai), Hema Swaminathan (IIM-B) and Rohit Azad (JNU). The economists and social scientists said it is imperative that the agencies associated with collection and dissemination of statistics like the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) are not subject to political interference and their work, therefore, enjoys total credibility. "Lately, the Indian statistics and the institutions associated with it have, however, come under a cloud for being influenced and indeed even controlled by political considerations," the statement said. Citing an instance wherein the CSO revised upward GDP growth estimates for 2016-17 (the year of demonetisation) by 1.1 percentage points to 8.2 percent, the highest in a decade, they said: "This seems to be at variance with the evidence marshalled by many economists". The statement also expressed concern over the withholding of Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) of NSSO and news reports that the PLFS of 2017-18 will be scrapped altogether by the government. Two members of the National Statistical Commission (NSC), including the acting chairman, subsequently resigned because they felt the NSSO was delaying the release of the report, though the NSC itself had officially cleared it, they added. The 108 experts, from across the globe, further said that in fact, any statistics that cast an iota of doubt on the achievement of the government seem to get revised or suppressed on the basis of some questionable methodology. "This is the time for all professional economists, statisticians, independent researchers in policy regardless of their political and ideological leanings to come together to raise their voice against the tendency to suppress uncomfortable data..." they said. The experts also called for impressing upon the government authorities, current and future, and at all levels, to restore access and integrity to public statistics, and re-establish institutional independence and integrity to the statistical organisations. The reputation of India's statistical bodies in the country and globally is at stake, they added. CBRE's India revenue grew 20 percent during 2018 and expects to maintain its growth even in 2019, he said, but did not disclose the turnover figure. New Delhi: Global property consultant CBRE will hire 3,000 employees across India this year for business expansion, its country head Anshuman Magazine said. CBRE's India revenue grew 20 percent during 2018 and expects to maintain its growth even in 2019, he said, but did not disclose the turnover figure. The consulting firm has entered into housing brokerage and now plans to expand this business in a big way, Magazine, chairman and CEO of India, South East Asia, the Middle East and Africa, CBRE said. "We are a growing service firm and the only asset we have is people. Therefore, we have been hiring the best talent available in the market since the last few years, he told reporters while launching its new headquarter at Gurugram. "In 2019, we expect to hire 3,000 people across India to meet our growth requirement," Magazine said. At present, CBRE India has around 8,300 employees who provide various services in the real estate sector. These services include that of advisory and transaction capital market, project management, consulting and valuations, facilities and property management. On housing brokerage, Magazine said, the company is selling flats in major cities of South and West India with sale force of 75 people. "We want to grow this business as there is a huge scope. But, we will be cautious in our approach and market projects of only credible developers," he said. In housing brokerage business, CBRE will be competing with the likes of Anarock, PropTiger, JLL India, Quikr, Square Yards, 360 Realtors, Investor Clinic and Wealth Clinic, among others. Magazine noted that warehousing, co-working, co-living, student housing, healthcare, education and hospitality sectors are the new asset class where one can expect growth going forward. We expect institutional investment in this sector apart from regular inflows in housing, office and retail assets, he said, adding that warehousing and logistics sector is already attracting huge investment post GST. On the property market, Magazine said, the commercial sector is doing well and housing segment is showing signs of improvement. BSNL chairman and MD Anupam Shrivastava said the company expects internal accruals of around Rs 850 crore in this month and the entire amount will be used for disbursal of salaries. New Delhi: The government has released pending dues of Rs 171 crore to cash-strapped Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) for paying February salaries to employees, a senior official said. On the other hand, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) will clear salary dues of around Rs 850 crore by 20 March from its internal accruals. Both companies have failed to pay salaries of their employees for last month, according to employees' representatives. BSNL chairman and MD Anupam Shrivastava said the company expects internal accruals of around Rs 850 crore in this month and the entire amount will be used for disbursal of salaries. "There will be no pending amount following this disbursal," he said. The company has informed its employee representatives that the disbursal of salaries would be made by 20 March. BSNL spokesperson Sanjay Kumar Sinha said the salaries of BSNL employees in Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala and BSNL corporate office (excluding senior officers and board members) have already been released. A senior DoT official said MTNL has been provided with Rs 171 crore on Tuesday as part of internal settlement. Both BSNL and MTNL have been ailing due to decisions taken by the government in the past including transfer of large number of DoT employees to these PSUs and allocation of expensive spectrum for mobile services without giving them any choice. BSNL has 1.76 lakh employees across India and MTNL has around 22,000. It is estimated that 16,000 MTNL employees and 50 percent of BSNL employees will retire in the next 5-6 years. The PSUs have approached the government for relief and partial equity investment in line with industry practice to compete in the market. Both firms have sought permissions to monetise their land assets as well as support for voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) for its employees. MTNL, which operates in only Delhi and Mumbai, expects that asset monetisation and other measures can help the company is doing away with the debt of around Rs 19,000 crore. BSNL, which has the lowest debt of Rs 14,000 crore among all telecom operators, has sought 4G spectrum across India through equity infusion of Rs 7,000 crore to help it compete in the market. Indias February oil imports from Iran were about 4 percent lower than Januarys purchases, the data showed. New Delhi: Indias oil imports from Iran in February plunged by over 60 percent from a year ago to about 260,000 barrels per day (bpd) as New Delhi cuts imports under a sanctions waiver deal with Washington, data compiled by Reuters showed. The United States introduced sanctions aimed at crippling Irans oil revenue-dependent economy in November but gave a six-month waiver to eight nations, including India, which allowed them to import some Iranian oil. India has been allowed by Washington to continue to buy about 300,000 bpd oil till early May. Indias February imports from Iran were about 4 percent lower than Januarys purchases, the data showed. Iran was the eighth biggest oil supplier to India in February compared with seventh in January, and slipped from third position it held a year ago, the data showed. Last month Tehrans share in Indias overall oil imports declined to about 5 percent from about 14 percent a year earlier, the data showed. In the first 11 months of this fiscal year that began in April, Indias oil imports from Iran rose by 5.6 percent to 486,400 bpd as refiners boosted purchases ahead of the US sanctions drawn by discounts offered by Tehran, the data showed. Iran was hoping to sell more than 500,000 bpd of oil to India in 2018/19, its oil minister Bijan Zanganeh said last year, and had offered almost free shipping and an extended credit period to boost sales to the country. Indian refiners Hindustan Petroleum Corp and Bharat Petroleum Corp, Mangalore Refinery and Petroleum Corp and Indian Oil Corp together lifted 1.25 million tonnes or 9 million barrels of Iranian oil in February. Delivery of some cargoes is delayed to March as Tehran has a limited number of ships. In the previous fiscal year that ended on 31 March, 2018 Indian refiners cut purchases from Iran due to a dispute over the award of development rights of a giant gas field. Government sources say Reuters calculations showing Indias oil imports from Iran in this fiscal year would be higher than the 452,000 bpd, or 22.6 million tonnes, it imported in the previous year, were correct. Indias total oil imports in February were about 5 million barrels, a growth of about 4.6 percent from a year earlier, the data showed. Public sector units (PSUs) have been facing a financial crunch for a while now with the issue becoming severe since the beginning of this year. Many of the PSUs, be it in the defence sector, aviation, telecom, are finding it difficult to pay salaries to their staff. Public sector units (PSUs) have been facing a financial crunch for a while now with the issue becoming severe since the beginning of this year. Many of the PSUs, be it in the defence sector, aviation, telecom, are finding it difficult to pay salaries to their staff. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), defence firm Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, national carrier Air India and even research institute Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), have been struggling since the beginning of 2019 and some of them are still finding it difficult to pay salaries to their employees. Some, like TIFR, have announced that they will pay only half of the net salary to its staff for February due to the financial crunch. "Due to insufficient funds, all staff members and students/ post-doctoral fellows of TIFR, its centres and field stations will be paid 50 percent of the net salary for the month of February immediately, TIFR registrar Wing Commander (retd) George Antony said in a letter to the employees, a PTI report said. Most PSUs are making losses and that is a primary factor for non-payment of salaries. There is no cash to dip into. And some like BSNL, for whom this should be the last resort, are also dipping into their cash reserves. "When the business model is unviable and is dependent on government funds, then staff salaries get deferred and even vendors cannot be paid," an economist told Firstpost. Kris Lakshmikanth, CMD, The Head Hunters India, a CXO-level hiring firm, said that one of the reasons for the cash crunch is the various welfare schemes that the Narendra Modi government has announced in the interim budget. "To fund these schemes the government needs money from PSUs and this is impacting their finances," he said. How long will it last? Industry experts felt it was a temporary phase that would be over by the end of the fiscal year. There is an economic slowdown and that is having an impact on the cash flow situation of PSUs also, said DK Srivastava, chief policy advisor, EY India. The fact that PSU enterprises have had to give a dividend to the government has also impacted their finances. PSUs usually give dividends but in a slowing economy, it has squeezed their cash flow further. The government had earlier budgeted Rs 52,500 crore dividend income from public sector enterprises for the year 2018-2019 but later it revised this figure to Rs 45,100 crore due to lower earnings of the PSUs. Faced with a crunch due to the shortfall in tax revenues, the government has now pressed cash-rich PSUs like Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to pay a second interim dividend for the current fiscal after seeking regulatory nod. While IOC has called a board meeting on 19 March to consider paying a second interim dividend, ONGC has declined saying it does not have surplus cash to make such payments within a month of an interim dividend payout, sources with direct knowledge of the development said. As per regulations, a company cannot declare a second dividend within a month of the previous payout and companies like ONGC would need to seek approval of the market regulator SEBI to make such a payment, a PTI report said. In a major relief to about two lakh employees of the state-run Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, the department of telecom released Rs 1,021 crore to pay their salary dues before the Holi festival, said media reports. The department of telecom (DoT) on Tuesday released the employees' salary dues of Rs 171 crore to the MTNL as part of an internal settlement and Rs 850 crore to the BSNL, which is to come from the firm's internal accruals, said a report in The Economic Times. The report quoting an official said that the cash-strapped BSNL now is in a position to disburse all salaries and dues of Rs 850 crore to its employees before Holi. Unviable business models The issues with PSUs is that they are not run as viable business models. There is heavy subsidisation on the final product. The PSUs fund losses through bank borrowings. Some of the PSU banks are themselves facing cash crunch and hence are unable to fund these units, analysts, who did not want to be named, told Firstpost. Companies like MTNL and BSNL, for instance, had a monopoly earlier but that is not the case now. MTNL is fairly irrelevant but unlike a private sector firm where number of employees can be reduced when the bottom line is being affected, here the staff strength cannot be downsized. With fewer customers, the company is unable to pay salaries. Commenting on the current PSU fund crunch situation, Sachchidanand Shukla, Chief Economist, Mahindra Group, said, "Essentially, there are balance sheet challenges with entities and the government having front-loaded expenditure and back-ended revenues is constrained to cut expenditure in the last couple of months. This is the typical cycle." DK Srivastava said the PSUs will have to work on improving their finances. Until then, this fund crunch will continue, he said. "What we are seeing now is an adjustment being made by the government to reach their target set for the fiscal year. As soon as the new fiscal year begins, the government will start spending again and so I feel the economy should start to bounce back closer to elections," Srivastava said. However, these PSUs will have to re-evaluate their business models, do some innovation to stay relevant and earn money to sustain themselves. In 2012 Reliance, Venezuelas key oil client, signed a 15-year deal to buy between 300,000-400,000 barrels per day of heavy oil from PDVSA New Delhi: Reliance Industries Ltd, operator of the worlds biggest refining complex, said on Wednesday it had halted supply of diluents to Venezuelas national oil company PDVSA and will not resume such sales until sanctions are lifted. Washington is preparing to impose very significant Venezuela-related sanctions against financial institutions in the coming days, US special envoy Elliott Abrams said on Tuesday. PDVSA was importing about 100,000 bpd of naphtha, mostly from the United states, to dilute up to 400,000 bpd of extra heavy oil and make it exportable. Reliances Houston-based subsidiary was supplying diluents to Venezuela. Reliance, an Indian conglomerate controlled by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has significant exposure to the financial system of the United States, where it operates some subsidiaries that are linked to its oil and telecom businesses among others. Reliance has not increased oil purchases from Venezuela, the company said in response to a Reuters email seeking comment. In 2012 Reliance, Venezuelas key oil client, signed a 15-year deal to buy between 300,000-400,000 barrels per day (bpd) of heavy oil from PDVSA. Ship tracking data obtained by Reuters showed that Reliance averages purchase from Venezuela were below 300,000 bpd in 2018 and in January this year. Our US subsidiary has completely stopped all business with Venezuelas state-owned oil company, PDVSA, and its global parent has not increased crude purchases, it said. The administration of US President Donald Trump imposed sweeping sanctions on PDVSA in January, aimed at severely curbing the OPEC members crude exports to the United States to pressure socialist President Nicolas Maduro to step down. Since the US government imposed sanctions on the government of Venezuela in late January 2019, Reliance Industries Ltd has been in close contact with representatives from the US State Department to ensure full compliance, Reliance said. The Indian market is crucial for Venezuelas economy because it has historically been the second-largest cash-paying customer for the OPEC countrys crude, behind the United States. We will continue a constructive dialogue with the US government to ensure Reliance remains in compliance, it said. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Indias Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Monday and discussed Indias purchases of oil from the Maduro-led government. We are asking the same thing of India as we are of every country: do not be the economic lifeline for the Maduro regime, Pompeo said. (Disclosure - Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd) Demand remained flat and the price fluctuation was due to the exchange rate between the local currency baht and the US dollar, traders said. Rice export rates in India rose this week due to an appreciation in the rupee, even as demand remained moderate, while Thai traders struggled with a lack of interest from foreign markets due to high prices. Indias 5 percent broken parboiled variety rose to $386-$389 per tonne from last weeks $383-$386. The rising rupee is forcing us to raise prices. Demand is moderate, said an exporter based at Kakinada in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. The rupee was trading near its highest level in more than two months, trimming returns from overseas sales for traders in the worlds biggest exporter of the staple. In Thailand, the worlds second-biggest rice exporter, benchmark 5 percent broken rice prices were quoted at $380-$385, free on board Bangkok, mostly unchanged from last weeks $380-$390. Demand remained flat and the price fluctuation was due to the exchange rate between the local currency baht and the US dollar, traders said. Domestic prices have slightly increased this week but because the baht has weakened, the export price remains relatively same, a Bangkok-based rice trader said. However, the bahts gains over the past few months have prevented domestic prices from falling, denting demand for Thai rice overseas, another trader said. Higher domestic rates translate into increased procurement costs for exporters. The market has also seen an influx of new supply, which is yet to impact export prices, according to traders. Meanwhile in Bangladesh, rain-fed rice output or Aman crop is estimated to hit 14 million tonnes this season from 13.5 million tonnes in the previous year, due to favourable weather, Mizanur Rahman, a senior official of Department of Agriculture Extension, told Reuters on Thursday. The Aman crop is the second biggest rice crop after the summer variety, Boro. It is cultivated during December and January, and makes up for about 38 percent of Bangladeshs total rice production, which is around 35 million tonnes. The south Asian country, which emerged as a major importer in 2017 after floods damaged its crops, imposed 28 percent duty to support its farmers after local production revived in 2018. Vijay Mallya left the country in early March 2016 and is currently fighting off extradition proceedings in the London high court. Mumbai: The official liquidator appointed by the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday opposed a plea by banks to restore the confiscated properties of fugitive economic offender Vijay Mallya to them. A consortium of banks led by State Bank had filed an application before the special court of MS Azmi here to liquidate Mallya's assets so that they can recover Rs 6,203.35 crore with annual interest at 11.5 percent payable since 2013. Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate informed the special court that it has no objection to restoring Mallya's properties to the lenders if they gave an undertaking to return the money recovered by them to the court later. However, opposing banks' plea, the official liquidator said, "at present there are several creditors, including workmen and financial institutions, other than the applicant the bank, who also have legitimate claim on these properties." These properties officially belong to United Breweries Holdings, which Mallya sold to the British liquor giant Diageo. These properties, both movable and immovable, are valued at over Rs 5,000 crore. The official liquidator further said it would be in public interest that these properties are restored to him so that the interest of all creditors, including the applicant banks, can be "safeguarded". "The restoration of these properties to the official liquidator would ensure that the claims of all creditors are accessed and distributed in a fair and transparent manner in accordance with the law under the supervision of the Karnataka HC," he said. The liquidator was appointed to take over UBHL, after a single-judge bench of the Karnataka HC had passed an order to wind up the company in 2017. Meanwhile, the court adjourned the hearing on a plea to confiscate Mallya's properties to 8 April, after a few non-original applicants raised objections that their plea challenging the order of the PMLA court to declare Mallya a fugitive economic offender is pending before the High Court. In January, Mallya was declared a fugitive economic offender by a special court here, making him the first such individual. Mallya had left the country in early March 2016 and is currently fighting off extradition proceedings in the London high court. The Supreme Court on Thursday asked former Ranbaxy promoters Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh to submit a concrete plan for paying Rs 3,500 crore to Daiichi Sankyo as directed by a Singapore tribunal New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked former Ranbaxy promoters Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh to submit a concrete plan for paying Rs 3,500 crore to Daiichi Sankyo as directed by a Singapore tribunal. The top court asked the Singh brothers to consult their accountants as also financial and legal advisors and appraise it by 28 March. The Japanese firm has filed a contempt plea against the Singh brothers, saying that it was promised some shares of Fortis Healthcare by them and sought the recovery of Rs 3,500 crore as directed by the tribunal. Calling them "flag bearers" of the Pharmacare industry of the country, a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that it does not look good that they are in the court. "It is not about individual's honour but it doesn't look good for the country's honour. You (Singh brothers) were the flag bearers of the pharmacare industry and it doesn't look good that you are appearing in court. Pay your debts and come out of this," said the bench, also comprising justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna. It asked them to appear before it on 28 March and submit the plan, saying "hopefully it will be the last time you are appearing in the court". At the outset, senior advocate Fali S Nariman, appearing for Daiichi, said in its reply that Malvinder claimed he is honest and bona fide and would pay the outstanding at the earliest. He added that the younger brother Shivinder, on the other hand, has stated that he has taken 'Sanyas' (renounciation) and become a 'Sadhu' (monk) and has nothing to do with the company. The bench asked the duo, present in the courtroom, to come forward and said, "tell us that are you not obliged under the law to comply with the award". Both the brother's nodded in their reply and Malvinder Singh said that he would pay the outstanding as early as possible. To this, the bench observed that one brother says he has renounced the world and the other says he is running the company. "Then show us, I am all the bona fide and tell us how you would comply with the award," it addressed Malvinder. "If you have a decree pending against you, then renouncing the world would not matter to us," the court said, turning to Shivinder. Senior advocate P S Patwalia, appearing for Shivinder said "he has now come back to the world on 17 December". The bench then told Shivinder that "your lawyer says you have come back to the world, now that you have come back to the world, please tell us how you plan to comply with the award". The bench said that perhaps it is the first time they have appeared before the Supreme Court, to which both the brothers applied in affirmative. "You both consult your accountants, financial and legal advisors and tell us by 28 March, how you plan to comply with the award. Hopefully it will be the last time you are appearing in the court," the bench said and asked them to remain present in the court on the next date of hearing. The apex court had earlier refused to pass any interim order on pleas relating to the sale of controlling stakes of Fortis Healthcare to Malaysian IHH Healthcare Berhad. The top court, on 14 December last year, had ordered status quo with regard to the sale of controlling stakes of Fortis Healthcare. "Status quo with regard to the sale of the controlling stake in Fortis Healthcare to Malaysian IHH Healthcare Berhad be maintained," the bench had said. The top court had also issued notices to the Singh brothers asking them to explain as to why contempt proceedings are not initiated against them for allegedly violating its earlier order by pledging the shares. The board of Fortis Healthcare had approved in July a proposal from IHH Healthcare to invest Rs 4,000 crore by way of preferential allotment for a 31.1 percent stake. The Malaysian IHH Healthcare Bhd became the controlling shareholder of Fortis Healthcare Ltd by acquiring a 31.1 percent stake in the company. Daiichi had bought Ranbaxy in 2008. Later, it had moved the Singapore arbitration tribunal alleging that the Singh brothers had concealed information that Ranbaxy was facing a probe by the US Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Justice, while selling its shares. Daiichi had to enter into a settlement agreement with the US Department of Justice, agreeing to pay $500 million penalty to resolve potential, civil and criminal liability. The company had then sold its stake in Ranbaxy to Sun Pharmaceuticals for Rs 22,679 crore in 2015. SpiceJet said, a majority of passengers affected as a result of these cancellations have been accommodated on alternate flights Mumbai: All Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft being operated by Indian airlines have been grounded and around 35 flights of SpiceJet is likely to be cancelled on Thursday (14 March) consequently, Civil Aviation Secretary P S Kharola said on Wednesday. He said Thursday will be a challenging day as out of 520 odd flights that SpiceJet flies every day, about 30-35 flights will have to be cancelled. SpiceJet has been most affected by the grounding of 737 Max 8 aircraft as it has 12 of them in its fleet. Jet Airways has not been affected as its five 737 Max 8 aircraft have already been groundedeven before the grounding decision of the governmentdue to non-payment of dues to lessors. As the Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max 8 crashed near Addis Ababa killing all 157 people onboard on Sunday, Indian aviation watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday night announced that the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft would be immediately grounded. Tomorrow is going to be a real challenging day because today the ban has come into effect only from the second half of the day... SpiceJet has assured us that they have taken up multiple plans. They have increased the utilisation of existing aircraft, so that the cancellations get limited, Kharola said. As of now, all aircraft of B737 Max have been grounded. The last flight (aircraft) to be grounded was today around 2.30 pm. The deadline was 4 pm and before that all aircraft have been grounded, he said. On Wednesday morning, the DGCA issued a statement stating no Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft would be allowed to fly in Indian airspace from 4 pm. We had a discussion with airlines as to how they would plan to overcome the situation. The airlines have assured that the grounding of 12 aircraft would not significantly impact the passengers and they would draw up a very elaborate plan, the secretary said. Today, SpiceJet has just cancelled 14 flights... They have been able to accommodate the passengers affected by cancellation of 14 flights within their own system, he added. Kharola emphasised that the SpiceJet has been told that cancellations of flights should happen on those sectors that have multiple flights. He added that SpiceJet has assured that if the airport has only its flights, it will not go unserviced due to aircraft ban. He said added that SpiceJet would be setting up special cell to deal with passenger complaints and ensure that the passengers are informed well in time about cancellations or any other adjustments. He added that the ministry has requested SpiceJet that in case it is not able to adjust or accommodate, other airlines should come forward and they should carry these passengers based on their existing agreements with SpiceJet. Operators have also agreed not to indulge in predatory pricing, the secretary said. DGCA chief B S Bhullar said that lifting the ban on the 737 Max 8 aircraft will be based on inputs from various agencies and it will not happen soon. He added that other airlinesapart from SpiceJethave been requested to keep fares at a reasonable level and the DGCA will monitor fare levels regularly. In a statement on Wednesday evening, SpiceJet said,SpiceJet is rationalizing and optimizing the use of its Boeing 737 NG and Bombardier Q400 aircraft to address the current situation and minimize inconvenience to its passengers. We are evaluating options for augmenting capacity in the coming days through a mix of additional flights and aircraft inductions. We are sure that our operations will be normal very soon, it said. The airline said that a majority of passengers affected as a result of these cancellations have been accommodated on alternate flights. The budget carrier said it is offering passengers the option of a full refund, changing the flight/date of travel, or even change of destination (to nearest alternate airport); all this without any cancellation charges or any fare difference. While European Union and most countries across the world have decided to ban the use of Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, the US has refused to do it as yet. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which regulates aviation industry in the US, said in a tweet Wednesday that it continues to review extensively all available data and aggregate safety performance from operators and pilots of the Boeing 737 MAX. Thus far, our review shows no systematic performance issues and provides no basis to order grounding the aircraft. Nor have other civil aviation authorities provided data to us that would warrant action, it said, adding it will take immediate and appropriate action if any issues affecting the continued airworthiness of the aircraft are identified. Aligarh Muslim University spokesperson Shafey Kidwai said the varsity has declared the campus out of bound for the student, pending inquiry Aligarh: The Aligarh Muslim University has suspended a research scholar for allegedly misbehaving with a girl student during a seminar recently, an official notification said. The university took the action against Mohsin Khan from the Department of Hindi on the basis of a complaint filed by the girl in which she alleged that during a tea break at the seminar on Mahatma Gandhi on 12 March, the scholar bumped into her and after she objected, he misbehaved with her, it said. When the girl attempted to draw the notice of senior staff members towards the incident, Khan allegedly slapped her, the complaint said. AMU spokesperson Shafey Kidwai said AMU Vice Chancellor had on Wednesday ordered an inquiry into the incident and also declared the campus out of bound for the student, pending inquiry. The complainant also met senior police officials on Wednesday, following which a case was registered at the Civil Lines police station, police said. Jaitley, who heads the publicity committee of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the ensuing general elections, has quoted a part of the letter. New Delhi: Hitting back at the Congress, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Thursday said first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was the "original sinner" who favoured China over India for permanent membership into the United Nation Security Council. This comes within hours after Congress chief Rahul Gandhi termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "weak" and "scared" of Chinese President Xi Jinping after Beijing blocked a UN resolution to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist. "The original mistake, both on Kashmir and China, was committed by the same person," said Jaitley while quoting a letter written by Nehru to chief ministers on 2 August, 1955. Jaitley, who heads the publicity committee of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the ensuing general elections, has quoted a part of the letter. "Pt. Nehru's infamous letter to chief ministers' dated 2 August, 1955, states 'Informally, suggestions have been made by the United States that China should be taken into the United Nations, but not in the Security Council, and that India should take her place in the Security Council. "..We cannot, of course, accept this as it means falling out with China and it would be very unfair for a great country like China not to be in the Security Council," he said in a series of tweets. Taking a jibe at Rahul Gandhi, Jaitley asked, "Will the Congress president tell us who the original sinner was?" India's bid to designate the chief of Pakistan-based terror group JeM as a global terrorist suffered a setback, with China putting a technical hold on a proposal to ban him following the Pulwama terror attack. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UNSC was moved by France, the UK and the US on 27 February, days after a suicide bomber of the JeM killed over 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. China on Thursday defended its fourth 'technical hold' on the designation of Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, saying the move would give it time for a 'thorough and in-depth assessment' Srinagar: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said Thursday the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cannot claim to have been tough on terror as Prime Minister Narendra Modi "surrendered" to China on Masood Azhar. He also said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government had given Pakistan a "big victory" by not conducting the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir simultaneously with parliamentary polls. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi surrendered to China on Azhar and surrendered to Pakistan and its proxies by delaying elections in Jammu and Kashmir. How can the BJP claim to have been tough on internal security and tough against terror?" the vice-president of the NC said. He targeted Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad over his remarks on Congress president Rahul Gandhi who had criticised the prime minister for being "scared" of Chinese President Xi Jinping. "Mantri ji, your Government gave Pakistan a small victory when you postponed the Anantnag by-poll in 2017 and a big victory now that you've failed to conduct Assembly elections. If anyone is giving Pakistan a reason to celebrate it isn't Rahul Gandhi. Look closer to home sir," Abdullah said. China on Thursday defended its fourth "technical hold" on the designation of Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, saying the move would give it time for a "thorough and in-depth assessment" of the case and help the parties concerned to engage in more talks to find a "lasting solution" acceptable to all. This was the fourth time in 10 years that China blocked Inidia's bid to list Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. Earlier, it vetoed these proposals, and this time, it invoked a 'technical hold'. India's efforts to have Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) chief Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist were once again stymied by China, on Wednesday, at the United Nations Security Council. France, the United Kingdom and the Unites States of America put forth the proposal on 27 February to designate Azhar as a global terrorist, in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack orchestrated by the JeM. The proposal was the fourth bid at the UN in the past 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist. All eyes were on China, which has earlier vetoed these proposals. This time, it invoked a "technical hold" on the motion. Simply put, a technical hold functions as a pause on a proposal and is moved on the grounds that the technicality of the proposal has not been sufficiently examined. However, its connotation at the UN committee where the issue of the JeM chief is being dealt with, vary slightly. Which committee is this? All proposals of requests to designate an individual or a group as a "global terrorist" must go through the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, a subsidiary organ of the UN Security Council, which comprises all members of the council. The committee considers global terrorist listing requests and arrives at its decisions only with the consensus of its 15 members. These 15 member states comprise the five permanent members China, France, Russia, UK and the US and 10 non-permanent members, who are currently Belgium, Cote dIvoire, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Indonesia, Kuwait, Peru, Poland and South Africa. In the committee's guidelines, which were adapted in 2002 and amended several times since most recently in 2018 there is a clear mention that once the committee has looked into the merit behind a designation proposal, its chair will circulate among all members copies of its proposed decision. The committee then requests the member states to indicate any objection they may have to the proposed decision. The deadline to register such an objection is usually five full working days, unless otherwise mentioned. In certain cases, the committee will consider the urgency of the situation and list a sooner date. For Masood Azhar's case, members had 10 working days to raise any objections to the proposal. The no-objection period deadline was scheduled to end at 3.00 pm New York time on Wednesday, which is 12.30 am IST on Thursday. What happens if none of the members object? The guidelines declare that in the absence of any objection within the specified period for the decision provided by the committee, a member state may request more time to consider a proposal by placing a "hold" on the decision. China, for instance, put a "technical hold" on the proposal just before the deadline expired, a diplomat at the UN told PTI. For the duration of the validity of any hold placed on a matter, the decision on that matter will be considered "pending". Notably, any member state and not just a permanent member state can place a hold. The moment a hold is placed, the secretariat will notify the whole committee, include the matter in the list of pending issues and inform the State or States submitting the request. Even while a matter is in the pending issues list, more committee members may place their own holds on it. China was the only member in the committee to put a hold on India's application, with all other 14 members supporting the bid to place Azhar on the 1267 sanctions list, which would subject him to an assets freeze and travel ban. What is supposed to happen during a hold? The diplomat whom PTI spoke to said China asked for "more time to examine" the proposal. The committee guidelines do offer this opportunity. If a holding committee member requires additional information to come to a yes or no decision on the pending matter, it can request additional information on that specific matter from the concerned countries. China can, thus, now ask both India and Pakistan to furnish it with reports. However, the committee places a deadline on the holding member to resolve its indecision on the matter. The member needs to provide updates on its progress to the committee after three months since placing a matter on hold. NDTV has accessed this note informing members of the UN Security Council Committee of Chinas hold on the proposal to list Jaish chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist . Sources say China has given no reasons for this hold pic.twitter.com/ll3xFNuJsP Nidhi Razdan (@Nidhi) March 14, 2019 Only when a committee member who has triggered a hold on a matter indicates that they object to the proposed decision, or lifts the hold without indicating objection, does the matter find its way out of the pending list. The technical hold is valid for up to six months from the end of the original no-objection period, and it can be again extended by up to three months. A hold placed on a matter by a member state will cease to have effect at the time when its membership of the committee ends. China does not have this risk as it is a permanent member. At the end of the six- or nine-month period, a matter still pending shall be deemed approved. Now what? With diplomatic bluntness, China has been maintaining that it is trying to seek a long-term solution, which is ostensibly not being offered by the prospect of blacklisting Masood Azhar. There was an inkling of China's stand on the issue came at foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang's press conferences on Monday and Wednesday in Beijing. On both days, he was asked about the proposal to list Azhar as a global terrorist by the UNSC. "I want to say that China always adopts a responsible attitude, engages in consultations with various parties and properly deal with this issue. The discussions, I want to say, must follow the rules and procedures of the relevant bodies and only the solution that is acceptable to all sides is conducive for resolving the issue," Lu had said. "We already stressed China's position on the listing of terrorist organisations and individuals in the UN Security Council 1267 Committee on many occasions." China now has six months to come to a decision, but past conduct reveals otherwise. In 2009, India had moved a proposal by itself to designate Azhar. In 2016, India once again moved the proposal with the help of the US, the UK and France, following the attack on the airbase at Pathankot in January 2016. In 2017, the three permanent members of the Security Council had moved a similar proposal. However, on all occasions, China had blocked the proposals. The not entirely unexpected happened when China decided to again block the designation of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. The not entirely unexpected happened when China recently decided to again block the designation of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the United Nations Security Council. Not entirely unexpected because for a while, it seemed that Beijing may relent, especially since it chose to strongly condemn the Pulwama attack, even while being relatively milder in response to an equally violent attack on the Iranian Revolutionary Guards a day earlier. A change in stance was also expected following the "Dawn Leaks" episode a real news breaker by Pakistani journalist Cyril Almeida which had suggested that the repeated blocking of Azhars designation was causing Beijing some discomfort. In the event, Beijing did not withdraw its technical hold on the designation, despite reported pressure from the US, UK and France, who actually moved the resolution in the Security Council. The move to table a resolution would have been prompted by New Delhi, with some expectation of success. After all, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had briefed Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on the Pulwama attacks just a few weeks earlier during the RIC (Russia India China) dialogue. After that, a rather heartening joint communique which said that those committing, orchestrating, inciting or supporting terrorist acts must be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with existing international commitments on countering terrorism made Delhi hopeful. But the communique notwithstanding, the Foreign Ministry spokesmans statements had been obliquely critical of the Indian air trikes. After the usual language calling for restraint, the spokesman added, Fighting terrorism is a global practice. It needs necessary international cooperation. And India needs to create favourable condition internationally for the same. Clearly, Indias efforts to get the issue of a terrorist to the United Nations was not seen as part of creating such "favourable conditions. That Beijing was alarmed was obvious. After an urgent phone call from Pakistans foreign minister Qureshi, China sent vice-foreign minister Kong Xuanyou to Pakistan, where he seems to have met with the top brass of the army and the prime minister, among others. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesman's briefing after the visit should have been indication enough on Chinas stance. It specifically indicated that Kong had praised the all weather friendship, praised Pakistans counter-terrorism efforts and overall, was unabashedly in Pakistans favour. In such a situation, it seems that New Delhi should have withdrawn the resolution at the Security Council. If it did not, clearly it had its own reasons. First, by withholding the designation, China has shown itself as an arbiter for a country who has been called out as a sponsor of terrorism by three countries in just a week. India, Iran and Afghanistan have all come out strongly for action against Pakistan, after each suffered severe terrorist attacks. Second, this continued blocking of Azhar puts a strain on Sino-Pakistan ties. Beijing is the last one to do favours for anyone for sentimental reasons, the flowery language of a friendship deeper than the seas notwithstanding. Some quid pro quo from Pakistan would be certain. There is a third reason that is interesting. Pakistans intelligence channels go deep into Afghanistan, Iran, and other neighbouring countries. Note that a British delegation was holding workshops with Pakistans NACTA (National Counter Terrorism Agency) on 10 March, despite the calling out of Pakistan as sponsor of terrorism and Londons backing of a Security Council resolution at the same time period. Pakistans patronage of terrorist groups of all kinds gives it a certain macabre leverage. This has been part of Pak-British ties for years. It could also be part of the Beijing relationship at a time when resistance to China is on the rise in the restive province of Xinjiang. The question is therefore whether India should have expended so much diplomatic capital on the Azhar designation issue, especially when it seemed a foregone and negative conclusion. After all, the JeM is a UN designated terrorist group, and it seems infructuous to also add its leader to a listing, which for all practical purposes has no real meaning. A listing under UNSC Resolution 1267 would have involved an assets freeze, a travel ban and an arms embargo. Azhar has no property outside Pakistan that can be sealed, nor is he likely to travel abroad frequently for a travel ban to be instituted. As for arms, there are several hundreds available within Pakistan and also in his own arsenal. It could be argued that the terrorist designation of Hafiz Saeed hasnt really hampered his activities very much, though a certain restriction is evident. But the point of the whole exercise is that a constant barrage of negative publicity will further weaken Pakistans already damaged reputation, which in turn may adversely affect its tottering economy. Neither international investors, banks nor institutions will want to invest or otherwise provide assistance to a country that harbours terrorists. That is at the core of the isolation that Prime Minister Modi and the Indian Foreign Office are aiming for in their Pakistan policy. China has bailed out Pakistan this time around, but this is likely to get diplomatically more expensive for Beijing and Pakistan as time goes on, and terrorists continue to operate. It could also get financially more expensive. Chinese companies like their counterparts elsewhere will want security guarantees for their investment. A country that is at the centre of a threatened war is hardly the best investment destination for any company that cares for its balance sheets. In the end, the designation exercise places a dollar value on the whole Sino-Pakistan relationship, and its viability. Parallel to the diplomatic offensive, India could also think of punitive air strikes on the camps of terrorists inside Pakistan each time they shed blood in India. Doing nothing has ceased to be an option Here's a story of a dacoit, three kingdoms and their three kings: Dacoit lives in the kingdom of King 1. He robs and kills people in the kingdom of King 2 at his whim and fancy. King 1 hates King 2 and loves Dacoit because he is making King 2 suffer. He feeds and worships Dacoit. King 2 hates King 1 for sheltering Dacoit; threatens to kill both by sending his army, but doesn't. He knows King 1 enjoys the support of the powerful King 3. So he pleads with King 3 to tell his friend King 1 to throw the Dacoit into jail. King 3 does nothing because he doesnt want to make King 1 unhappy. King 2 complains to the whole world. All the other kings know another reason why King 3 is shielding Dacoit: King 3 is afraid Dacoit might target the people of his own kingdom. Then King 2 springs a surprise, saying he has given up, and he cant fight any more. Invites the other two kings for a party. As the revelry continues, King 1 receives word that Dacoit has disappeared. King 1 and King 3 fight, accusing each other of hiding Dacoit. King 2 smiles to himself. Well done, he whispers to his men. The people of King 2s kingdom live happily ever after. But the story of India's suffering from Dacoit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) leader Masood Azhar hasn't reached a conclusion like that in the tale. On Wednesday, China blocked Azhar's listing as a global terrorist at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the fourth time since 2009. Revered as a Maulana in his home of Pakistan, Azhar is a cold-blooded killer who plots the most cowardly murders in India with suicide bombers in the name of jihad. One option for Prime Minister Narendra Modi or whoever replaces him after the current Lok Sabha election is something similar to what King 2 did, without the party: A full-scale military intervention. That's one way he can checkmate Kings 1 and 3 Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan and Chinese president Xi Jinping. But there are also "diplomatic" options. One of these is to keep up pressure on countries that matter, especially the US, China and Japan, and persuade the world to think of Pakistan as the North Korea of the Indian subcontinent. Short of going to full-scale war against Pakistan, India must tell the civilised, law-abiding world to downgrade, demean, isolate and punish that country and turn it into a "hermit kingdom" or a "rogue nation" that sponsors terrorism. "The world has been dealing with North Korea in a similar manner for years," suggests this 2011 piece. It isn't easy; it's just that it takes time. Parallel to the diplomatic offensive, India could also think of punitive air strikes on the camps of terrorists inside Pakistan each time they shed blood in India. Doing nothing has ceased to be an option. US warns of 'other actions' India inched a little closer to that diplomatic goal on Wednesday, with the US coming down heavily on China. After China blocked Azhar's blacklisting, an American diplomat lost little time in issuing this unusually tough warning: "China's move to hold the listing (of Azhar as global terrorist) is inconsistent with its own stated goals of combating terrorism and furthering regional stability in South Asia. If China is serious about these goals, it should not protect terrorists from Pakistan or any other country from being held accountable to the Council (UNSC)... If China continues to block this designation, responsible member states may be forced to pursue other actions at the Security Council. It shouldnt have to come to that." In comparison, India only rustled up a docile press release that said: "We will continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens are brought to justice." India must make immediate use of the US warning to launch a major public relations onslaught around the world. Why China is afraid of Azhar China defended its action with a phony reason, saying it would give more time to all parties to find a "lasting solution" acceptable to all. Apparently 10 years hasnt been enough for that task. But China's real reasons as pointed out in this article, have more to do with protecting its own interests. China is afraid that, if rubbed the wrong way, the JeM mastermind can foment trouble in its Xinjiang province where Uighur Muslims have been on the warpath for some time. China has brutally killed thousands of these Muslims and tossed lakhs of them into jails with inhuman conditions to bring the situation under control, but Azhar has the potential for sparking trouble if he is not kept happy. As China watchers point out, Xi is also wary that JeM's terror gangs can jeopardise the $60-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure project that begins in Xinjiang and extends deep into Pakistan. Besides, Xi apparently fears for the lives of thousands of Chinese workers in Pakistan. All this can only mean that China is buying protection from Pakistans terror king by helping him stay free. Protection rackets and secret mafia organisations are common in both Russia and China despite their pincher-like grip on society and police machinery. Saving India from Pakistans terrorism figures very low if at all it does on the list of China's priorities. India has already called Pakistan's bluff. It must call China's now. The author tweets @sprasadindia Congress on Thursday released another video poking fun at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'hugplomacy', saying foreign leaders seem to be running away because of the prime minister's hugs Congress on Thursday released another video poking fun at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'hugplomacy', saying foreign leaders seem to be running away because of the prime minister's hugs. In the short video, titled, Modi is awkward, Congress slammed the prime minister, criticising his most talked hugs, including with US president Donald Trump, Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, French president Emanuelle Macron, and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, among others. With Modi, it seems like a hug a day sends foreign leaders running away. #HugplomacyYaadRakhna pic.twitter.com/gjJ8ryTwtZ Congress (@INCIndia) March 14, 2019 The video was released on the same day that Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala termed the Modi government's foreign policy a series of diplomatic disasters after China blocked a UN resolution to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist. Commenting on Modi's well-publicised talk with Chinese president Xi Jinping on a swing, Surjewala had said that "despite (Modi's) 56-inch hugplomacy and game of swings, China-Pakistan combine showing red-eye to India". Earlier, Congress president Rahul Gandhi hit out at Modi alleging that the prime minister was "weak" and "scared" of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Congress termed the development at the UN as a sad day in the fight against terrorism. The party alleged that a "weak-kneed Modi government's failed jhoola (swing)- diplomacy' has hurt India's national interests" and that the BJP had let Azhar off the hook again. It also asked Modi what was the use of his "swinging" with Xi. Gandhi attacked the prime minister and said he has not spoken on China blocking the resolution in the UN Security Council (UNSC). "Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NoMo's China diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat. 2. Hug Xi in Delhi. 3. Bow to Xi in China," he said on Twitter. Azhar and two other terrorists, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar and Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, were released from an Indian prison in 1999 by the then BJP-led government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in exchange for the passengers held hostage on board IC-814 flight hijacked to Kandahar in Afghanistan. 'We have our governments which have been fooling us for 25 years on the issue of reservations for women in governance,' says Stephen. If we look at our country's politics, there has been no one from the scheduled castes who has become the Prime Minister of India till date, let alone a scheduled caste woman. Political engagement of Dalits is necessary, but more importantly, it has to include Dalit women leadership in political spaces. The panel on 'Dalit Women in Politics: Past, Present and Future' organised by The Blue Club, a collective for providing mentorship and support to women filmmakers, and All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch (AIDMAM) was put together with the above vision in mind. More than 60 Dalit women leaders from across India participated in the conference. Firstpost will be publishing some of the important speeches from this panel. This is the ninth of the series of speeches. *** Greetings. Im glad to be here. My speech is divided into three parts: a theoretical understanding of the issue; my practical experience in the field; and a vision for the future. India is celebrated as the largest democratic republic. But is it really a democracy or an apology for one? In recent years say the last 30 years, after the opening up of the economy we have seen the play of money in politics. So now it is more a capitalist democracy than a republican democracy. On paper, yes, in theory, yes, but in practice, it is a capitalist democracy. The defining nature of our politics I have been writing a number of articles on this subject, they are all available in the archives of a website called countercurrents.org. Of these, I refer to a particular article called 'India, the Idea of Nation and the Subaltern Indian Woman.' In it, I speak of the imagining of India in the freedom movement. The concept of Bharat Mata, the idea of Mother India, the song Vande Mataram, which was considered the anthem of the freedom movement. The nation is imagined as a fertile, beautiful, and fruitful woman Sujalam, suphalam, malayaja, sheetalam... Its an image of fertility, prosperity, abundance. Do these descriptions fit Dalit women? They are poor, hard worked, undernourished and living in hardship Is it possible for that image and this image to coincide? That is what I discuss in the article. Therefore where does this come from? Some of you may have seen a depiction of the map of India I have seen it in my younger days India is depicted as a goddess, wearing a saree, with the left arm showing the northeast, the head is J&K, and the rest of India is her body. So what is the source of this imagery? Fundamentally, this is a male, brahminical and patriarchal imagination. So even before the freedom struggle, this was the imagination. If you look at the Indian National Congress, its leadership was almost entirely male, Brahmin, professional and business class/caste, one doesnt need to explain further. The one shining star who stands out in this scenario is our Babasaheb. By destiny he was the man of the hour, his merit and brilliance caused him to be selected to frame the Constitution of India and thus we have on paper, and in intention, the constitutional guarantees of Equality and Non-discrimination. Because of him, Indian women got the vote without having to struggle for it, unlike women in other countries like the US and UK who had to undergo a lot of struggle to get the right to vote. Because he framed a constitution which enabled us, at least in theory, and in spirit, not to have to undergo the same experiences. In his speech presenting the Constitution to the Parliament, he said that if this Constitution is seen to fail it is not because the Constitution is bad but rather because we have failed it. He also says that the Parliament is like a palace built on a dunghill. He said this even though the Constitution was his most important work, his lifes main achievement, because he knew that the society which will implement it has a core of Brahminism and patriarchy. Thats why he said that even though we have a political democracy we lack a social democracy. But this was not all, he did a great deal of policy work on agriculture, in finance, in the labour legislation, which had many pro-worker provisions including for women. In contrast, we have our governments which have been fooling us for 25 years on the issue of reservations for women in governance. How does one then break this logjam, how do we take this forward? Based on the valuable experiences of women like Ruth Manorama, and Sujatha Surepally who have spoken before me, I would like to share some learnings. And I might as well make the announcement at this juncture that I too am going to contest the elections from Bangalore, I havent yet chosen the constituency and will keep it in suspense for now. Both Ruth and I have some involvement in the JD(S) she in the present and me in the past, and I will be failing in my duty if I dont share my experiences. I apologise in advance to Ruth as I may say things which are critical of her party. I was invited to join the JD(S) about eight years ago when there were local body elections in Bangalore, and they wanted to invite Christians to join the party; they set up a Christian minority cell as some of the long-standing Christian leaders in the party had urged them to do so. The JD(S) in general was a comfortable space for women, in contrast with the offices of other political parties. I was encouraged to apply for a ticket to contest the corporators seat in the Bangalore corporation. The kind of games people play around ticket distribution and election campaigns, especially to give due representation to minorities and weaker sections is just unbelievable. Seeing this I decided not to contest. I realised that they would not give tickets in places we are sure to win. They give tickets in places where we are sure to lose, so that we can continue to be under their control. Also, they started the Christian minority wing but during the launch and on another important occasion I realised that their attitude to the Christian leaders was to give calculated insults and hence was not positive. However, after seeing my biodata, the President of the Bangalore Urban Unit quickly gave me the position of General Secretary in the unit, and I worked in it for several months, participated in bike rallies, led demonstrations and attended meetings. Some Christians asked me what I was doing as a Christian, in a Gowda dominated party which only promoted Gowdas. Though some of the party office-bearers recognised my work and abilities, the top leaders were not so. Around this time, I got the position of the State Programme Director of Mahila Samakhya Karnataka, a quasi-government institution. I informed my Party Unit president of this and said I could no longer continue. Some time after my primary membership lapsed and I did not renew it. Around the time that my contract with the Mahila Samakhya ended, in 2014, the state government decided to update the Panchayat Raj Act, which gave reservations to women in local bodies, as 25 years had passed since its passing; this was the same law which was the basis for the 73rd amendment to the constitution by Rajiv Gandhis government. A subcommittee was formed to carry out this redrafting, under the leadership of Mr Ramesh Kumar, who is the present Speaker in the Karnataka Assembly. The drafting took about a year, and in the year 2015, it was passed in the assembly and became law. I was able to contribute significantly to the draft especially in relation to womens participation. So I felt that this was my area of strength helping to draft laws, write policy, etc. and I can contribute best in that. But certain events convinced me that I should contest the elections at this time. So that is where things stand now. Now, what is the need of the hour? An article I wrote in 2006 has been posted recently on medium.com. This is a kind of manifesto for Dalit women. Its called Dalit Womens Movement: Leadership and Beyond, and it states what Dalit women bring to the table when they come they bring a perspective from the ground. We are the most vulnerable, [take] any issue land reforms, water, communal issue, macro-economic policy, Dalit women are the most affected. So without listening to their experiences, our voices, it is not possible. That is why Dalit women need to be where decisions are made, that is why they need to be in political leadership, not only in political leadership where policies need to be framed or implemented. At least five people were killed and 36 injured after a major portion of a footover bridge near the iconic Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Railway station collapsed Thursday evening At least six people were killed and 31 injured after a major portion of a foot overbridge near the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Railway station collapsed Thursday evening. The bridge, which connected the area near the Times of India building with the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station, was commonly called 'Kasab bridge' as the 26/11 Mumbai attack terrorist passed through it during the strike. The incident took place during the peak rush hour, once again raising questions over the safety of such pedestrian structures. A big slab of the footver bridge came crashing at around 7.20 pm due to which several pedestrians were injured, ANI said. NDRF: As per the information received, a part of foot over bridge near CSMT station in Mumbai collapsed. As per initial information 10-12 persons are feared to be trapped under the debris. An NDRF team has been moved from Andheri center. Visuals from the spot. pic.twitter.com/kPY2lU8HuO ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 Mumbai Police, Fire Brigade and other rescue agencies arrived at the spot and immediately evacuated those buried under the rubble and shifted them to hospitals. The deceased were identified as Apoorva Prabhu (35), Anjana Tambe (40), Bhakti Shinde (40), Zahid Shiraj Khan (32), Tapendra Singh (28) and Mohan, said the disaster management cell of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Prabhu and Tambe were employees of the GT Hospital, the officials said. All the injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals, a disaster management cell official said. The bridge connected the area near The Times of India building with the iconic CSMT station. Some motorists who were passing beneath the bridge when it came down, were among those injured, he added. While six injured were admitted to the nearby St George hospital, 10 were shifted to the GT hospital, he said. Mumbai: Visuals from St George Hospital where some of the people, injured in foot over bridge near CSMT railway station collapse, have been taken. 34 people are injured, 2 people dead. pic.twitter.com/G3vIrPU8yE ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 "Fire brigade personnel reached the spot immediately and rescue work is in full swing. We have appealed the motorists to avoid the DN road to JJ flyover section," he said. Maharashtra minister Vinod Tawde said that the railway and BMC will conduct a joint enquiry of the incident. "There were minor damages in the bridge and the maintenance was going on, why the bridge was not closed during this period will be part of the enquiry," he added. #UPDATE Disaster Management Unit (DMU) of BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation): Four people have died in the incident where part of a foot over bridge near CSMT railway station collapsed. #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/3hojDGKrbL ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 A case has been registered against officials of Central Railway and the BMC in connection with the incident, police said. "We have registered an offence under section 304A (causing death by negligence) of the IPC at the Azaad Maidan police station," said Manjunath Singe, spokesperson of the Mumbai Police. Civic authorities started dismantling the remaining portion of the overbridge late Thursday night. Additional Municipal Commissioner of the BMC, Vijay Singhal, said the remaining portion of the damaged bridge is being dismantled manually. He said action will be taken against the firm that conducted the structural audit of the bridge. Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner (Law & Order), told PTI that police "will, for sure, launch an inquiry into the incident". The tragedy comes eight months after another bridge collapsed in suburban Andheri, in which five persons were killed. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the family of the deceased and said a high-level committee will probe the circumstances under which the 40-year-old overbridge collapsed. "The injured persons will get Rs 50,000 each and the government will bear the cost of their treatment," Fadnavis said, adding that officials found responsible for the incident will be booked. A 45-member team of the National Disaster Response Force was at the site. An eyewitness said the over-bridge was being used by pedestrians even as repair works were ongoing. Several motorists were also under the bridge when it came down, which led to an increase in the number of injured, an official said. "We have appealed the motorists to avoid the D N Road to JJ Flyover section." Another eyewitness said most of the victims were walking on the overbridge on their way to the CST station when it collapsed. "Thankfully, when the bridge collapsed, it was red signal at the nearby road, otherwise several people would definitely have been crushed under the rubble," said a taxi driver, who luckily escaped the tragedy. Faizan Ahmad, who witnessed the incident, said it appeared as if a powerful bomb went off. "The dust and cries of the victims filled us with fear and we soon realised that a bridge has fallen." Manish Jha, a reporter with a Hindi daily, had a lucky escape. "It looked like I had near death experience. The moment I walked on the bridge, I felt its floors vigorously swaying," he said. Amid tragic scenes, some people were seen taking selfies with the debris of the bridge in the background. Lawmakers and local party leaders rushed to the spot as political blame-game ensued. "This is a very unfortunate incident. Every time when such incidents occur, discussions are held but again the same thing is repeated. There is utmost corruption in local bodies. Investigations must be done and concerned people must be held accountable," said Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi. "Government should act against the structural auditors who had given this bridge a safety certificate. FIR must be lodged under Section 302 of IPC," said Congress leader Milind Deora. BJP leader and MLA Raj Purohit said, "This incident should not have happened and people shouldn't have lost lives. They must be arrested and punished. After the railway bridge collapse, the audit was ordered of all such bridges. The action should be taken against the engineer whosoever had done the audit of this bridge and given the safety certificate." Shiv Sena leader Arvind Sawant told reporters that the BMC was maintaining the bridge. "During the audit, 'minor repairing' was consulted for this bridge. Whoever consulted minor repairing will have to be investigated." The Railway Ministry said that the bridge belonged to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), but the Ministry is extending all support to the victims. "Railway doctors and personnel are cooperating with BMC in relief and rescue operations," informed Railways. The bridge, which falls within the Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Marg Police Station, is just two minutes walk from the BMC headquarter. Information about the injured and the victims can be availed from the BMC Disaster Management Number +919833806409 With inputs from agencies The Election Commission has introduced a slew of new measures to iron out some of the hiccups of India's previous 16 national ballots and increase public trust in the democratic process. New Delhi: Holding the world's biggest democratic election is no mean feat, with 900 million Indians across the country eligible to vote between 11 April and 19 May. To iron out some of the hiccups of India's previous 16 national ballots and increase public trust in the democratic process the Election Commission has introduced a slew of new measures. Mug shots With an estimated 300 million illiterate adults across India, photos of candidates will now feature alongside party symbols on electronic voting machines. The devices have been dogged by claims they can be hacked, but will now print out a chit for each voter, who can confirm the details before dropping it in a sealed box inside the polling booth. Random matching of the chits and numbers of votes on the machines should verify no tampering was done. Vehicles transporting the voting machines will also be fitted with GPS devices to monitor their movements. Criminal candidates In the outgoing Parliament, there were 186 lawmakers facing criminal charges or being investigated some 112 of them involving serious cases such as murder or rape. This time, candidates under a legal cloud have to issue three newspaper and TV advertisements detailing any charges they face in the constituency where they're standing. The Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) charity reported in 2014 that candidates facing criminal charges had a higher chance of winning elections compared to those without either by intimidating voters or from buying influence. Candidates have to declare income and tax returns for the past five years the information is made public before the vote as well as submit details any of assets and liabilities in their name abroad. Citizen monitors Webcams broadcasting live on the internet will monitor 5,000 polling stations and all counting halls, allowing voters to keep a close eye on proceedings in real time. A smartphone app will allow citizens to record any polling misconduct or malpractice such as distributing liquor or drugs a common method of vote buying. The complainant, who can remain anonymous, can upload a photo or video to the cVIGIL app, and officials are obliged to respond with action taken within 100 minutes. A toll-free helpline for voter information, feedback and complaints will also operate for the first time. Apart from citizen monitors, some 3.7 million polling staff were involved in running the 2014 election. Social media India is Facebook's biggest market, with smartphone use exploding since the last election thanks to the world's cheapest data tariffs. Candidates have to declare their social media accounts in legal filings when they apply to become an election candidate. This is aimed at monitoring and ending the misuse of social media during the polls, in a country where online misinformation is rife. Facebook adverts Social media advertisements will be scrutinised and vetted by the Election Commission. Political advertising on social media will be considered a formal part of the campaign in the upcoming polls, unlike in 2014, and subject to rules and regulations. Facebook India has said it will run "published by" or "paid for by" disclaimers on political advertising to increase transparency. The new policy will also apply to Instagram, the photo app owned by US tech giant. Transgenders Nearly 39,000 voters have registered as "third gender", the first time they have been able to after a 2014 Supreme Court ruling that formally recognised transgender Indians. There are around half a million transgender people in India, but previously they had to register as either a man or woman. Women only Female participation in Indian politics is low and just 59 lawmakers out of 543 in the outgoing Lower House of Parliament are women. This year every constituency across the country is required to have at least one voting centre reserved for females, while Karnataka has gone even further and will boast 600 women-only polling stations, including staff and security. In November 2018, both India and Pakistan agreed to set up the Kartarpur corridor to link the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev to Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur. Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. The first meeting between officials from India and Pakistan to finalise the modalities for setting up of a corridor linking the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in the Pakistani town of Kartarpur with the Gurdaspur district in Punjab was held on Thursday at the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border. From the Indian side, officials comprised representatives from the Union Home Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, BSF, National Highways Authority of India and the Punjab government. Here is the full joint statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs: The first meeting to discuss the modalities and the draft Agreement for facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib using the Kartarpur Corridor was held today at Attari, India in a cordial environment. The Indian delegation was led by Mr. S.C.L. Das, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Pakistan delegation was led by Dr. Mohammad Faisal, DG (SA & SAARC) of Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalizing the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. Both sides also held expert level discussions between the technical experts on the alignment and other details of the proposed corridor. It was agreed to hold the next meeting at Wagah on 2 April 2019. This will be preceded by a meeting of the technical experts on 19 March 2019 at the proposed zero points to finalize the alignment. In November 2018, both India and Pakistan agreed to set up the Kartarpur corridor to link the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev to Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur. Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. The corridor will facilitate visa-free travel of Indian Sikh pilgrims to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur. Pakistan has committed to open the corridor in November 2019 on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh had on 26 November 2018 laid the foundation stone of the Kartarpur corridor in Gurdaspur district. Two days later, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone of the corridor in Narowal, 125 km from Lahore. The Punjab cabinet had passed a special resolution to set up a Dera Baba Nanak Development Authority for the development and beautification of the area in and around Dera Baba Nanak. A Kartarpur Gate has also been proposed to be set up on the Indian side of the International Border which would stand out as a monumental symbol to commemorate the 550th 'Prakash Purb' (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Dev. A proposed passenger terminal building (PTB) complex will have all the necessary amenities to facilitate pilgrims intending to visit the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara. With inputs from PTI Naik Videsh Chand, Rifleman Arjun Kumar and four other jawans of the 7 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles were buried under the avalanche at Shipki La near the Sino-India border on 20 February. Chand and Kumar's bodies were recovered on Thursday morning, 23 days after the incident. Shimla: The search and rescue operation for soldiers trapped by an avalanche in Himachal Pradesh's tribal Kinnaur district was called off after the bodies of the last two missing soldiers were recovered on Thursday, a defence spokesperson said. Naik Videsh Chand, Rifleman Arjun Kumar and four other jawans of the 7 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles were buried under the avalanche at Shipki La near the Sino-India border on 20 February. Chand and Kumar's bodies were recovered on Thursday morning, 23 days after the incident. The bodies were taken to Pooh from where they will be sent to their native places. The body of Chand, from village Thrauna in Nirmand tehsil of Kullu district, will be moved to Jhakri in the evening, he said adding that Chand's last rites would be performed Friday morning. The body of Kumar, from village Kattal Brahamana, Hira Nagar, in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, will be airlifted by an advanced light helicopter (ALH) to Janglot Friday and then it would be sent by road to his native village, he said. Earlier the bodies of four jawans were recovered on separate days. Havaldar Rakesh Kumar's body was recovered on the day of the avalanche, while the bodies of Riflemen Rajesh Rishi and Govind Bahadur Chhetri and Nitin Rana were recovered on 2, 4 and 9 March respectively. About 400 personnel and several residents of Khab village carried out the search and rescue operation despite adverse weather conditions, the official said. Delegations from India and Pakistan held discussions over the Kartarpur corridor in a cordial environment, a joint statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs said Delegations from India and Pakistan held discussions over the Kartarpur corridor on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border on Thursday in a cordial environment, a joint statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs said. The delegations arrived at the integrated check-post around 10 am to discuss the modalities and draft agreement for building the corridor. Both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalising the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, the joint statement read. The next meeting will be held Pakistans Wagah on 2 April. A delegation comprising of Union Home Ministry, MEA, Border Security Force, National Highways Authority of India and Punjab government officials were present at the talks. The Pakistani delegation was led by Muhammad Faisal, Director General (South Asia and SAARC) of Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This was the first time an interaction was held between the two sides after the 14 February Pulwama terror attack and Balakot air strikes. The neighbouring countries held talks to execute the setting up of a corridor linking Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistans of Kartarpur with Gurdaspur district in Punjab. The project will facilitate the travel of Indian pilgrims to a Sikh shrine on the Pakistani side without visas and protect them from any propaganda by Khalistani separatists, official sources told PTI. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said on 9 March that the Kartarpur corridor talks do not signify the resumption of bilateral talks between the two countries. While tweeting about the meeting aimed at holding technical level discussions, he also said that a follow-up meeting can be held in Pakistan, as required. India and Pakistan agreed to set up the corridor in November last year at a cost of Rs 140 crore, exclusing the cost of land. Around 50 acres of land would be developed in two phases for this project. The first phase will see the building of a passenger terminal on 15 acres of land. The building will represent values of oneness and humanity, will be enable the smooth movement of around 5,000 pilgrims every day through 54 immigration counters and will house food courts, parking and VIP lounges, the PTI report said. The second phase will see the development of a viewer gallery and restaurant atop a watch tower, a five-bed hospital, accommodation for around 300 pilgrims, and transit accommodation. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone for the project in November last year in Pakistans Norowal. The Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara is located four kilometres away from the Indian-Pakistan border on the Pakistani side. The worst thing India can do is jump the gun and re-engage Pakistan, even if at a low level Though the Indian armed forces maintain that their operations are ongoing, it seems that there will be a pause in any further kinetic operations across the international border or even the Line of Control (LoC). Tensions are, however, likely to remain high, more so with the repeated violations of the ceasefire by Pakistan along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir. The policy focus, therefore, needs to shift to the non-kinetic options diplomatic, political, and economic. Already, there are signs that the Pakistanis are facing significant diplomatic pressure to clean up the swamps of terror in that country. Reports of an impending crackdown on the terror groups these are not non-state actors but quasi-state actors are an indication of Pakistans hand being forced. Except for Turkey, no other country has come out openly in support of Pakistan. Even China is reported to be feeling the pinch and could lift its veto on designating Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist. While Pakistan is insisting that its action against the terror groups had been decided much before the Pulwama row, no one is really buying into this spin. There is of course the enormous pressure coming from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). But there is also the IMF programme that Pakistan desperately needs and which could be jeopardised if the country doesnt at least make a show of cleaning up its terrorist act. Most of all, if Prime Minister Imran Khans meeting with journalists on March 3 is anything to go by, then it seems that Pakistan has realised how close it had come to a ruinous war with India which, according to the Pakistanis, was contemplating attacks on multiple targets inside Pakistan. Even though deeply sceptical of the Pakistani move to clamp down on the jihadist terror groups this movie has played out many times before India will be watching very carefully to see if the latest clean-up is genuine or just another eyewash. The worst thing India can do at this stage is to jump the gun and re-engage Pakistan, even if this is at a fairly low level. Unfortunately, a tentative re-engagement could be underway, what with the Pakistanis agreeing to send a delegation to discuss the Kartarpur corridor. While India will have to bear the cross of the ill-thought out decision to go ahead with the pilgrimage corridor, this should not deflect India from reviewing and rethinking its entire Pakistan policy, assuming that one exists. Slackening the pressure on Pakistan at this stage would be tantamount to losing the plot. Therefore, even as India maintains the military pressure to keep Pakistan unsettled, it needs to start ratcheting up pressure in other areas. The idea is not to close down lines of communication that would be counterproductive but to keep engagement at a very low level even as India downgrades, degrades and deflates or defangs Pakistans ability to damage India. Among the first things India can do is to consign to the rubbish bin the notion that a strong, stable, prosperous Pakistan is in our interest. Nothing can be further from reality because when Pakistan enjoys these attributes, it feels emboldened to needle India. For India, the ideal state is a weak, unstable (not necessarily chaotic) and poor Pakistan. The question is how to achieve this. On the diplomatic front, India needs to downgrade its relationship with Pakistan. We dont need a 100-man mission (most of whom are virtual prisoners) in Islamabad. With trade having all but closed, issuance of visas falling drastically, and very little interaction, the mission can be reduced to about 20-25 people, headed by either a charge daffaires or a junior ambassador who knows and understands Pakistan and has no romantic notions of improving ties. We also need to do an audit of how useful the policy of people-to-people relations has been in improving ties. We need to start treating Pakistan like a pariah nation, and degrade it by ignoring it and treating it with healthy contempt. Pakistanis crave for recognition in and by India. Deny this to them and their confidence will take a tumble. Expose Pakistan before the world through the use of Indias considerable soft power. On the economic front, undercut their exports and snatch their markets. Use the Indian market to disincentivise companies from investing in Pakistan. Increase engagement with Pakistan's so-called friends (including China) to steadily edge out Pakistan. Use Indias position in international and multilateral financial institutions to squeeze Pakistan. Double down on defence modernisation to build up fearsome capabilities that then force Pakistan into a ruinous competition. India will need to bring to bear all elements of national power to seriously squeeze Pakistan to a point where it is left with no choice but to sue for peace. This isnt a seasonal project, not even a medium-term one. This is a 10-year, maybe longer, project which requires clarity of vision, seriousness of purpose and resoluteness in action. A surgical strike or an air strike is but one component of this strategy, which needs to be backed with a 360-degree approach and not just one-off demonstrations of force. (Sushant Sareen is Senior Fellow, Observer Research Foundation) India and the United States sought 'tangible and irreversible action' by Pakistan against terrorist groups and leaders, with the US national security advisor saying Washington stands shoulder-to-shoulder with New Delhi in its fight against terrorism. The US support to India was expressed by American NSA John Bolton during a meeting with Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Wednesday. Washington: India and the United States sought "tangible and irreversible action" by Pakistan against terrorist groups and leaders, with the US national security advisor saying Washington stands shoulder-to-shoulder with New Delhi in its fight against terrorism. The US support to India was expressed by American NSA John Bolton during a meeting with Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Wednesday. "Met with Indian FS Gokhale to advance progress on the US-India strategic partnership and our shared vision for the Indo-Pacific, as well as reiterate that the US stands shoulder-to-shoulder with India in the fight against terrorism," Bolton said in a tweet. Post the Pulwama attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad, Bolton and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have emerged as strong supporters of the India-US relationship. "Both underlined the importance of Pakistan taking tangible and irreversible action against terrorist groups based in territories under its control and denial of a safe haven for these groups to launch cross -border attacks," the Indian Embassy said in a readout of the meeting. However, the US support came on a day China for the fourth time blocked a bid to get Jaish chief Masood Azhar designated a global terrorist by the UN Security Council. China put a technical hold on the move by the US, the UK and France, seeking "more time to examine" the proposal, a diplomat at the United Nations has told PTI. A day after the Jaish attack killed 40 CRPF jawans, Bolton had told his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval that the US supports India's right to self-defence as tensions escalated with Pakistan. On 26 February, India carried out an air strike on the biggest Jaish-e-Mohammad training camp deep inside Pakistan in a "preemptive" raid. A day later, Pakistani jets violated Indian air space and downed a MiG-21 Bison. Pakistan captured the MiG pilot but returned him soon under international pressure. On Monday, after Gokhale met Pompeo, Bolton tweeted he had spoken to Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to "encourage meaningful steps against JeM and other terrorist groups operating from Pakistan." Other issues discussed during the Indian foreign secretary's meeting on Wednesday included Afghanistan and bilateral matters. Gokhale also met chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and leaders of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees. The meeting for Kartarpur corridor was the first meeting between an Indian and a Pakistani delegation since tensions between the two countries spiked after the terror attack in Pulwama, followed by retaliatory air strikes. Attari: India on Thursday sought visa-free access from Pakistan for 5,000 pilgrims per day to the historic Sikh shrine in Kartarpur. This was conveyed to the Pakistani delegation at a meeting in Attari to discuss the opening of a planned corridor for pilgrims between Punjab's Gurdaspur district and Kartarpur Sahib across the border. From our side, we have pressed for at least 5,000 pilgrims per day to be allowed to visit the holy Sikh shrine in the initial phase, SCL Das, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, told reporters. This was the first meeting between an Indian and a Pakistani delegation since tensions between the two countries spiked after the terror attack in Pulwama, followed by retaliatory air strikes. Das said New Delhi wanted access for both Indians and people of Indian origin to the shrine, located where Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak Dev spent the last years of his life. We have also strongly urged them to allow the visit of pilgrims for all seven days a week without any break, he said after the meeting. India emphasised that the corridor should be absolutely visa-free, Das said. There should not be any additional encumbrances in the form of any documentation or procedure, he added. India also wants Pakistan to allow devotees who want to travel on foot to the shrine across the border. A statement earlier said the first meeting between officials of India and Pakistan to discuss the modalities for opening the Kartarpur corridor was held in a "cordial environment". While the Indian delegation was led by Das, the Pakistani team was headed by foreign affairs spokesperson Mohammad Faisal, the statement said. "Both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalising the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor," the statement said. Technical experts from both sides discussed the alignment and other details of the proposed corridor. Exploring dialogue with Pakistan, alongside a sensitive approach to Kashmir and firm measures against terror groups, can be beneficial In 2014 when Narendra Modi came to power, the expectation was that he would set Indias sights on the world and perhaps compete with China. This flowed from the conviction that India was too big to be preoccupied with Pakistan, a country one-sixth its population size and one-eighth its economy in GDP terms. And yet, five years on, India is hardly spoken in the same breath as China and finds itself bogged down with Pakistan, with a chunk of its political energies consumed by the neighbour and insurgency in Kashmir. The political attention needed for Indias development has, for years, been derailed by the effects of a fraught bilateral relationship. India is where Pakistan and China want it to be: embittered, internally divided with a social climate easily manipulable by events and non-state actors. India needs to reset its priorities, though no one expects Modi to do this on the election trail. One way is to recognise that the militarist and muscular approach has not worked. The Modi government has tried three things simultaneously isolate Pakistan internationally, make talks conditional on action against terrorists while adopting a hardline approach in Kashmir, which has consolidated militant resistance and taken a high toll on civilians and security forces. Modis strategy has not changed Pakistans behaviour nor pacified the Valley. Indias approach must be based on accepting certain realities. One, that after the Balakot strikes, India will struggle to achieve counterterrorist objectives by military action alone. There are doubts about the number of terrorists killed in the airstrike. Pakistan will be more alert to future incursions and the capture of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman proves that conflicts can escalate quickly which India may not want. Militancy in Kashmir will continue and the net result is more instability and heightened Delhi-Islamabad tensions that have a toxic effect on Indias domestic politics. It may thus be prudent to explore dialogue with Pakistan that Imran Khan has called for. Indias security hawks characterise this as appeasement and argue that there is no point in pursuing dialogue because elements in the Pakistan army and terrorist groups have a history of scuttling talks. In empirical terms that is true but three counter arguments can be proposed. First, no one said it will be easy. Leaders are expected to improve conditions rather than score easy points by posturing. Two, political initiatives in the past did improve the security situation. The casualty figures in J&K dropped from 4,507 in 2001 to 117 in 2012 owing to attempts to normalise ties, via Manmohan Singhs diplomatic efforts with General Pervez Musharraf and the subsequent PPP and PML (N) governments. That scenario is better than a never-ending conflict in Kashmir, which has seen over 900 killed since 2017. Three, dialogue is not an attempt to reach an India-Pakistan grand bargain. Not yet anyway. Talks are Indias instruments to achieve its objective of a stable civilian government in Pakistan, one that works within its system to improve ties with India and fortifies its constituency for peace to gradually blunt elements in the army and civil society that do not want normalisation. This is a long-term endeavour. Terror groups cannot be neutralised by military means alone as the US has found out in Afghanistan defeating them is a political process and an influence enterprise in society that will see serious setbacks but also foster progress over the long-term. Talks provide the atmospherics for that process to continue by (simultaneously) facilitating people-to-people ties, discussing thorny issues, testing mutual commitments, clarifying redlines and so on. Dialogue can also have salutary effects on Indias domestic politics. The countrys public sphere is replete with anti-Pakistan rhetoric that is used as a shorthand to target Indian Muslims. Engagement with Pakistan can roll this back to an extent and help Modi to evolve as a politician in a different direction, should he wish, for his identity is now trapped in his polarising rhetoric one that doesnt allow the politician who wins elections for the BJP to emerge as the judicious statesman India needs. Exploring dialogue with Pakistan, alongside a sensitive approach to Kashmir and firm measures against terror groups, can be beneficial. It will allow India to manage Pakistan as a challenge and focus on other pressing matters such as poverty, jobs, and the rise of China. (Sushil Aaron is a commentator on Indias politics and international affairs.) Reacting to the incident at one of the busiest stations in Mumbai, Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives due to the accident and ensured Maharashtra Government would provide all assistance to those affected. The collapse of the foot overbridge near the landmark Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station in Mumbai on Thursday evening, that left five people dead and over 30 injured, drew reactions from various quarters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives due to the accident and assured that the Maharashtra Government would provide all assistance to those affected. Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the foot overbridge accident in Mumbai. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wishing that the injured recover at the earliest. The Maharashtra Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 14, 2019 Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Mumbai Police have been instructed to ensure speedy relief efforts in coordination with Ministry of Railways. Pained to hear about the FOB incident near TOI building in Mumbai. Spoke to BMC Commissioner and @MumbaiPolice officials and instructed to ensure speedy relief efforts in coordination with @RailMinIndia officials. Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) March 14, 2019 Speaking to reporters, the chief minister said, "This is an unfortunate incident. This bridge was also audited after the Elphinstone Road incident. Minor repairs were suggested in the audit. Despite that, the structure collapsed. If the structural audit is wrong and if there were lapses, they will be investigated. The extent of the repairs done will also be probed. We will strictly investigate this. Fadnavis also announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured. "Their treatment will be also taken care of by the government," the chief minister said. The Congress also tweeted, wishing speedy recovery of those injured. We are deeply saddened by the news of the #MumbaiBridgeCollapse, our thoughts & prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives & we wish the injured a speedy recovery. We urge all Congress workers to help in any way they can. Congress (@INCIndia) March 14, 2019 Offering condolences to the families of victims, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala held the BJP-led Central and state governments accountable for tragedy at CSMT station, alleging they are "criminally culpable" of inaction. Surjewala also demanded the ouster of Railway Minister Piyush Goyal. Modi Govt & Mah. Govt are criminally culpable for inaction leading to repeat tragedies-: 29/9/2017-Elphistone Stampede. 3/7/2018-Andheri Bridge Collapse. Rly Mins tall claims of Audit have failed time and again. Rly Min, Piyush Goyal must resign or be sacked. 2/2 Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) March 14, 2019 Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted: "Prayers with the families of victims. Hope there is no further loss of lives. All our volunteers should immediately help in relief and rescue operations." Shiv Sena leader Arvind Sawant visited the site near CSMT railway station. Speaking to the media, Sawant said that the BMC was maintaining the bridge. "After the BMC conducted the audit, the bridge's report showed that this particular bridge needed 'minor repairing'. Whoever arrived at these conclusions will have to be investigated," said Sawant. Congress leader Milind Deora said that the incident occurred due to "severe negligence" and demanded an FIR under IPC Section 302 (murder) for those responsible. Speaking to reporters at the site, Deora said: "Six months ago, the audit said that the bridge was safe and needed minor repairing. I demand the auditors and the officers who appointed the auditors should be booked under Section 302. This is extremely irresponsible," he said. Also present at the site, Maharashtra minister Vinod Tawde said authorities would inquire into why a decision wasn't taken to shut down the bridge. "A slab of the footover bridge collapsed at 7.20 pm. The railways and BMC will inquire the incident. It wasn't like the structure was extremely damaged. But it will be investigated as to why it wasn't decided to shut the bridge. The police reached at 7.25 pm and the fire brigade reached at 7.28 pm. The state will provide for the treatment of the injured. Those responsible for this incident will be eventually investigated. Our main priority is to treat the wounded," said Tawde. 00:14 (ist) Death toll rises to 6 in Mumbai CSMT foot over bridge collapse What we know so far: Six people are confirmed dead and 36 have been badly injured after a foot over bridge near CSMT railway station in Mumbai caved in around 7:30 pm Thursday on Dr DN Road. Images of a gaping hole in the bridge as it now stands speak to the horror of the exact moment of the collapse. Rescue teams moved out from the accident spot by 11 pm IST. The Maharashtra government has ordered a high level inquiry even as politicians have begun trading blame for the disaster and public anger and anguish spiked. Congress has slammed ruling BJP talking heads for "shameless, insensitive, arrogant and absolutely uncaring" statements. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told ANI a structural audit of the bridge had earlier been done it was found to be fit. Even after that, if such an incident happened, it raises question on the audit. Inquiry will be done. Strictest action will be taken. The state government has announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for each of the injured. ANI reports that Mumbai Police said an FIR is being registered against concerned officials of Central Railway and BMC under section 304A (Causing death by negligence) of IPC at the Azaad Maidan Police Station. A National Conference (NC) party worker was shot at in Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag on Thursday evening A National Conference (NC) party worker was shot at in Jammu and Kashmirs Anantnag on Thursday evening, according to CNN-News18. NC leader Omar Abdullah tweeted the news, confirming that Mohammed Ismail Wani has been injured. Wani, a block president in south Kashmirs Bijbehara, was admitted to a hospital in Srinagar. My @JKNC_ colleague Mohd Ismail Wani, block President Bijbehara block in South Kashmir of has been shot & injured. He has been referred to Srinagar. Praying for his recovery. Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 14, 2019 This incident has been reported only a day after militants gunned down a former Special Police Officer outside his residence in Pulwama districts Pinglena village. While announcing the Lok Sabha election dates on 10 March, the Election Commission had said that the dates for the Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir was not announced owing to security concerns. Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora had said that the ground situation in the state was being assessed to ascertain the requirement of security forces to ensure polls are conducted safely. K-pop, as South Korean pop is known, hits a high note among Indian teenagers at a time the genre has been censured back home for generalising beauty Beliebers and Barbz have competition coming from the Far East. K-pop, as fastpaced South Korean pop is known, is wooing the young and restless in India, thanks to its unique lexicon, and support on social-media and music-sharing platforms. Although K-pop has been a rage globally for two decades, and hardcore fans have existed in India for nearly 10 years, the past year or so has seen an unprecedented rise in the genres popularity among the youth here. South Korean star PSYs 2012 blockbuster Gangnam Style initiated most Indians to K-pop, but artistes such as BTS, Big Bang, EXO and BLACKPINK are now household names. Why is the K-pop explosion happening only now, particularly in urban India? Most young urban Indians would tell you the journey starts as a search for sounds beyond unimaginative Bollywood remixes and saturated Western pop. My classmates and I feel K-pop sounds supercool and fresh. The vocals and rap are great, and the overall aesthetics stand out, says Mumbai-based student Rhea S. K-pops current rage in India is noteworthy because it happens at a time the genre has drawn the South Korean governments ire for an unrealistic generalising of teenage beauty. Music lovers, in turn, denounced the governments stand as censorship bid. Indian fans, though, are more driven by the sensory overload of the genre. It is a heady mix of high-fashion, fascinating storylines, choreography and snazzy visuals. The lyrics often deal with issues such as mental health and politics, which Indian musicians mostly avoid. A lot of the current curiosity is credited to the seven-member band BTS, known for its club sounds, stellar choreography and powerful visuals. Most K-pop listeners start with BTS especially their blockbuster hit Idol and then explore more, says Dahlia George, a class XII student in Kerala. BTSs appearances at popular events including the Billboard Music Awards and The Ellen DeGeneres Show contributed to K-pops overall recognition in India. The band also graced the Time magazine cover and addressed the UN General Assembly last year. The Indian media spoke about their UN address, which led to people taking them seriously, says Rhea. In India the genre first caught on in the Northeast in the early 2000s a big reason being Manipurs Revolutionary Peoples Front (RPF) banning Bollywood content in that state. In our school assembly quiz we get BTS-related questions, says Imphal school student Nilanjana Khaidem. Today, almost every major K-pop hit scales iTunes Indias charts. Videos of the genre are regularly aired on our music channels. K-pop is here to stay. After the Pulwama attack, the Kashmir Valley is witnessing one of the biggest coordinated counter-insurgency operations focussed at eliminating 70-80 JeM militants operating in the Valley The Pulwama highway bombing which was the "deadliest attack" on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir since 1989 when insurgency first erupted in the Valley has led to security forces launching combat ops against Maulana Masood Azhars outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) like never before. Since 14 February, 2019, at least 14 among total 18 militants killed were from Jaish. It was the 'fidayeen' outfit's local recruit a sawmill apprentice and a school dropout Aadil Ahmad Dar who rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into the paramilitary convoy at Lethpora in the afternoon of 14 February killing 40 CRPF men. On heels of that rattling attack, the hunt for JeM militants has only grown manifold in the Valley. On Monday, the counter-insurgency grid of the region said that they killed the "main conspirator" of the deadly suicide attack. Identified as an electrician from Tral the home address of the former Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani Mudasir Khan was killed along with his two associates in a gunfight that broke out on Sunday. Khan was dubbed as the person who would recruit young boys into the JeM fold. Earlier, within 100 hours of the suicide attack, the forces killed the"mastermind" Kamran from Pakistan, in a Pulwama gunfight that lasted over 17 hours. "Forces have killed 18 militants in the past fortnight of which 14 belonged to Jaish, two to Lashkar-e-Taiba and two to Hizbul Mujahideen," IGP Kashmir SP Pani said. Post-Pulwama, Kashmir Valley is witnessing one of the biggest coordinated counter-insurgency operations in recent years. Its main targets are all the 70 to 80 JeM militants operating in the Valley. "I wont call it avenge," said Inspector-General, Operations, CRPF, Zulfikar Hussain, "But it is a continuous process." But, unlike Kashmiri militants who are ill-trained and die within an hour of a gunfight, the JeM militants have proved to be 'much lethal', 'battle-hardened' and 'formidable opponents' for security forces in the Valley. "They are ruthless for their sheer ability to mount fidayeen attack," one senior officer said. "Their modus operandi gives you a glimpse of their radicalised mindset. They dont believe in survival tactics unlike others and die while inflicting major damage on their adversaries," the officer added. These days, whenever a gunfight breaks out between forces and JeM militants in Kashmir, it stretches for long hours, if not days. "The biggest problem," says General Officer Commanding (GoC) of the Indian Armys Srinagar-based 15 Corps, Lt Gen KJS Dhillon, "is the forces take casualties in the initial stage of the encounter when trying to evacuate the civilians from the congested localities. We suffer casualties because we expose ourselves." Last year, at least 250 militants were killed, the majority of them being Kashmiris, in gunfights that did not last more than five hours. Unlike their Pakistani counterparts, the killed Kashmiri militants were locally trained and "least skilled in guerrilla warfare", security officials say. "The Pakistani militants go through months of arms training before entering the valley," officials added. A recent gunfight in Baba Gund village in Handwara area lasted for more than 70 hours after which two militants were killed. On 23 February, two militants from JeM were killed in Warpora area of Sopore. The encounter lasted for more than twenty hours. "The militants first fired from a house and when forces targeted that house, within minutes, they were firing from another. The militants survived so long because they changed locations with ease," Bashir Ahmed Bhat, a school teacher, and a resident of Baba Gund area, who was stranded in the village mosque during the encounter along with 16 others civilians, said. It perhaps shows their level of training to engage with the second largest standing army in the world," he added. Although the Indian armys wing of the counter-insurgency force has dealt with many fidayeen attacks along the Line of Control, the location within the valley proves to be a hitch for them, a GoC-level officer recently said. "Most of these operations take place in residential areas, where our priority is to safeguard the civilians," he said, adding, "During this process, when the first contact is established, the casualties happen." But given the rate at which JeM militants are being killed in combat operations at the moment makes it certain that they are the top targets for security forces in the Valley. These militants need to be tackled at the earliest, lest their ruthless militant methods further create havoc around, a senior police officer said. Varthaman was released on 1 March after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on 28 February announced to release him as a 'peace gesture'. New Delhi: The debriefing of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has been completed by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and other agencies, according to sources. According to sources, "A medical review board in the near future will assess the medical fitness of the Wing Commander and decide when he can resume his operations as a fighter pilot." They added that Wing Commander Varthaman will now go on sick leave for a few weeks on the advice of doctors of Armys Research and Referral Hospital. He was chasing Pakistani jets with a MiG-21 Bison fighter plane in Jammu and Kashmir on 27 February and crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) where his aircraft was shot down during the fierce dogfight. He ejected safely and was taken into custody by the Pakistan Army when his parachute drifted and fell inside the PoK. He was released on 1 March after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on 28 February announced to release him as a "peace gesture". Earlier sources said that Wing Commander Varthaman had informed the top brass of IAF that he was subjected to a lot of mental harassment, though he was not physically tortured by Pakistan military authorities. On 4 March, IAF Chief Air Marshal BS Dhanoa clarified that Varthaman will fly an aircraft again after he is declared fit. On Wednesday, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal had proposed an alliance with the Congress in Haryana, saying his party needed no partnership in Delhi. New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has already set its agenda of fighting the ensuing elections on the issue of full statehood and it might be late now for talks on an alliance in Delhi, a senior party leader Thursday said a day after Congress sought views from its workers on a possible tie-up with the ruling party. "On Wednesday, the Congress through its Shakti app uploaded an audio clip by All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge PC Chacko, asking party workers in Delhi about their views on an alliance with the AAP," a senior party leader said. "In the message sent to the party workers through its mobile application, the Congress is trying to untangle the contentious issue of alliance with AAP," he added. Reacting to the move, senior AAP leader Gopal Rai said talks on alliance might be late now. "There is a very big challenge in front of the country and it is late now (for an alliance). After the official statement of the Congress, AAP thought if Congress is moving towards helping BJP, we need to stop the BJP and based on that we announced our candidates and launched our campaign following that. So AAP has moved ahead with the agenda of full statehood and alliance is not an agenda for the AAP," he told reporters. According to sources, AAP chief and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal met senior party members after Congress sought views through the audio clip. "It was decided in the meeting that now the AAP would react only when the Congress gives an official proposal for alliance," sources said. Senior party member Sanjay Singh said Congress is in a "confused" state. "I think the Congress is in a confused state and they are not able to decide when or what decision should be taken. The biggest challenge in front of the country is stop the politics of hatred by the BJP. Congress' priority should be how the country should be protected from the BJP. But the Congress is giving different statements," he said. There has been a flip-flop over alliance between the Congress and AAP in Delhi. Earlier, Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit, after a meeting with Congress national president Rahul Gandhi, had claimed that there is unanimity against alliance with the AAP. Sources said the grand old party is ready for alliance if the AAP agrees to leave New Delhi, Chandni Chowk and North West seats for the Congress. On Wednesday, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal had proposed an alliance with the Congress in Haryana, saying his party needed no partnership in Delhi. Arjun Singh is considered a heavyweight leader and has a considerable number of party cadre and workers supporting him. As per reports, his defection to BJP means trouble for Mamata Banerjee in coming days In a major setback for West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA and party strongman Arjun Singh on Thursday joined the BJP, reports ANI. Delhi: Trinamool Congress MLA Arjun Singh (in center) joins Bharatiya Janata Party. pic.twitter.com/QrWf6u6Qaw ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 Singh went to Delhi on an 'emergency basis' on Wednesday night and had a meeting with former TMC leader Mukul Roy and BJP general secretary and West Bengal in-charge Kailash Vijayvargiya, Times Now had reported. Singh is said to have had talks with leaders of the saffron party for some time now after being denied a Lok Sabha ticket from Barrackpore constituency. He is a sitting MLA from Bhatapara. Speaking to News18 earlier, he had said that voters were not happy with Barrackpore sitting MP Dinesh Trivedi due to the latter's prolonged absence from the constituency. This time, I was expecting the ticket from Barrackpore...But the party (TMC) decided to give Trivedi the ticket. I have nothing to say, he had said. Singhs supporters had, in fact, been campaigning aggressively in the Barrackpore, Bhatpara, Bijpur and Naihati areas and dropping hints that he may switch to the saffron party if denied a Lok Sabha ticket this time. Banerjee reportedly met both Singh and Trivedi on Monday and asked them to forget differences and work for the party together. Times Now also cites sources to say that Banerjee is likely to have offered him a bigger position in a bid to stop him from joining the national party. Singh is considered a heavyweight leader with a considerable number of party cadre and workers supporting him. According to reports, his defection to BJP will mean trouble for Banerjee in the coming days. TMC had also denied tickets to six sitting MPs in its list. Earlier this month, expelled TMC MP Anupam Hazra had joined the BJP at the party's headquarters in Delhi in the presence of Vijayvargiya. Hazra, who had won the 2014 election from Bolpur in West Bengal, was expelled for anti-party activities on 9 January, 2019. Roy, again, had resigned from the Rajya Sabha and quit TMC in late 2017 before being inducted into BJP. He was one of the founder members of the TMC. Speaking on the LS election, Jaitley insisted that people would decide for themselves who they should vote for and cited the example of the 2014 election. Finance minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday, in an interview with News18, touched upon a range of issues, including the Balakot air strikes, the Opposition mahagathbandhan, and the BJP's alliance partners. Jaitley stated that India had indeed downed an F-16 aircraft of the Pakistan air force. His statement came two days after defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India knew the identity of the deceased Pakistani pilot. Remarking that the 'biggest demand' of the Opposition leaders was a body count of those killed in the strikes, Jaitley said, "There can't be such foolishness in the politicians of any other nation I am using a harsh word here. The Air Force's job is to strike the target and come back. It is not their job to land their pilots and count have many have died, as the air chief has said... Next time, we will say that someone from the mahagathbandhan should be sent to verify how many corpses there were." Calling the Pakistani "retaliatory action" to the Balakot air strike "the most botched-up action for any Air Force", Jaitley sought to reconstruct the events of the morning on 27 February. "(After the Balakot air strikes), IAF knew that Pakistan would retaliate. When they came on the morning on the 27th, there was a wall of our fighter aircraft across the LoC. As soon as the PAF saw this, they took a U-turn...an IAF pilot kept chasing them and his plane was attacked," he said. Jaitley further said, "If we never reached Balakot, why did they send F-16s over the border the next day? If it was a simple breach, then why was such a storm created in Pakistan?" Responding to allegations that the Centre is using 'nationalism' to hide its failures, Jaitley said, "They (Opposition parties) have taken up fake issues such as judge Loya's death, Rafale and EVMs. An election cannot be run on fake issues. It is unfortunate that those who are against Narendra Modi, instead of standing with the country, have become weapons in the hands of the Pakistanis." Speaking on the 2019 Lok Sabha election, Jaitley insisted that people would "decide for themselves" who they should vote for and cited the example of the 2014 national election when "caste-based politics" and "dynastic politics" were decimated. "Elections are not about arithmetic, they are about chemistry. When chemistry works, then caste breaks down, and myths of dynastic power break down. In dynasties, there can only be one head. Wherever there are two heads, one can see the impact. In Bihar, there are two brothers see what happened (referring to Tejashwi and Tej Pratap Yadav). In Uttar Pradesh, there's a father and son see what happened between them (Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav)." When asked about the alliance between the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party, Jaitley said the "aspirational classes" have left them. The Union minister also dismissed what he called "a coalition of rivals" and asserted that "smaller alliances pulling each others' legs" cannot win an election. On the Goods and Services Tax, the finance minister said, "I think GST has finished all harassment. Up to Rs 40 lakh, the manufacturer is not taxed, and up to Rs 1.5 crore, they are taxed at 1 percent. No inspector comes, and no barricades are left in the country. Tax collection has increased...the Modi government is the first one in history that did not increase the income tax rate by even 1 percent, and instead decreased it." Slamming the BJP for urging the poll panel to declare West Bengal as a 'super sensitive state', Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday alleged the saffron party was trying to hide behind central forces as it can't win any seat in the state Kolkata: Slamming the BJP for urging the poll panel to declare West Bengal as a "super sensitive state", Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday alleged the saffron party was trying to hide behind central forces as it can't win any seat in the state. Noting that the Election Commission has to take care of all political parties, not just the BJP, Banerjee said the poll panel is a constitutional body and should not be influenced by the canards spread by the BJP. The BJP has urged the Election Commission to declare West Bengal as a "super sensitive state" to ensure fair Lok Sabha polls and demanded that central forces be deployed at all polling stations in the state. "What is the reason behind demanding that all booths be declared sensitive in the state? This is an insult to the people of Bengal. The BJP can't win a single seat in West Bengal. That is why they are trying to hide behind the central forces," Banerjee told reporters. Taking a dig at the BJP, she said the party should ask for deploying one paramilitary personnel for every voter, and even then the TMC will emerge victorious in all the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state. "How are they preparing the list of sensitive booths? Since we are fighting (BJP president) Amit Shah and (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi, Bengal is being targeted. The Election Commission should act impartially," the Trinamool Congress chief said. Maintaining that Bengal is the most peaceful state in the country, Banerjee asked whether or not killings in the name of cow vigilance is considered a crime. "What is happening in Uttar Pradesh? How many people have been lynched in the name of gau-raksha? Is it not an example of poor law and order situation?" Soon after the Election Commission Sunday announced a seven-phase polling in West Bengal, the Opposition parties had claimed it is a reflection of poor law and order situation in the state, while the TMC alleged the central government had "misled" the poll body with wrong input about the situation. Banerjee said the claims made by the BJP regarding lapse in the law and order in Bengal are "blatant lies". "Let them declare all the people in Bengal as sensitive. Every year so many festivities take place here. Close to 60 lakh people come here during the Ganga Sagar Mela, crores come during Durga Puja every year, and not a single untoward incident has been recorded," she said. On the BJP's demand that a media observer be appointed for Bengal, Banerjee alleged that it is the saffron party that is trying to control the media at the national level. "Never ever the TMC has tried to control the media. The media is free and fair in Bengal. The demand for appointing a media observer is actually an insult to the people of the state," she said. The BJP is spreading fake news in the state and across the country, the chief minister alleged. "The Election Commission must seriously look into the expenditure of the BJP. The party is using photos of the prime minister and the armed forces in political hoardings. We have complained against it," she said. The BJP is eyeing a number of seats in West Bengal, which has 42 Lok Sabha constituencies. In 2014, the Trinamool Congress won 34 seats, the Congress four, while the BJP and the CPI(M) bagged two seats each in the state. At a BJP rally in Kashmir's Sher-e-Kashmir Park in Srinagar City, party supporters hid their faces or ran out of the venue as soon as photographers arrived Srinagar: On Thursday, hundreds of BJP workers gathered at Sher-e-Kashmir Park in the heart of Srinagar city to participate in the party convention, the first of its kind in Kashmir Valley. BJP national vice-president and in-charge for Jammu and Kashmir, Avinash Rai Khanna was flanked by the partys state general secretary Ashok Kaul on the stage. Rows of neat red chairs were arranged for the attendees and the function was going on smoothly. Khanna was addressing the convention when a strange commotion broke out. A group of news photographers arrived to cover the proceedings. As the camera shutters started rolling, the faces of the BJP workers rolled down straight into their pheran, a Kashmiri cloak used in winters to keep warm. Some of the workers hid their faces using leaflets of the party. Dozens of party workers even fled the park after photojournalists started taking pictures. The spectacle made everyone break into fits of laughter. BJP workers hide their faces during a party workers convention ahead of Lok Sabha polls in Srinagar. pic.twitter.com/bQz9B5wTrC Basit Zargar (@basiitzargar) March 14, 2019 While in Jammu, participation in BJP rallies has been huge, in Kashmir, the party is still an outcast, despite claiming to have huge support among the people. In Kashmir, backing BJP remains a taboo. Even the party's workers hardly talk in the open about their affiliation with the BJP. "If these pictures appear on social media, we will face a social boycott," said Manzoor, 34, who only gave his first name. "Already there is a lot of anger against the BJP in Kashmir. We do not want to risk our lives," he added as he ran out of the park. Thursdays incident, however, is not an isolated one. Even during previous such rallies and conventions, whenever the press would arrive at the venue, the workers would hide their faces and start running around. "It was clearly embarrassing for them. There have been instances when I encountered people reluctant to be photographed as if they have done something wrong," said Basit Zargar, a freelance photographer who was present at the venue. The BJP had emerged as the second largest party in the 2014 Assembly polls after winning 25 seats from Jammu for the first time in the electoral history of the state. It was part of the coalition government with the PDP, which didn't last long. Though the dates for the upcoming Assembly polls are yet to be announced, the Hindu right-wing party has said that it will contest all 87 Assembly seats in the state, ruling out any pre-poll alliance in the state. In the upcoming Lok Sabha election too, the party has decided to field its own candidates on all the six parliamentary seats from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The state BJP has already sent a list of prospective candidates from the Valley for the approval of the party high command, said BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur. The BJP, however, has denied Thursday's incident. Yes, people are afraid sometimes but then threat perception is part of politics, says Thakur, adding, We are hopeful of a breakthrough in Kashmir this time. For years, the BJP has remained on the fringes in mainstream politics of the Kashmir valley. Notwithstanding the tall promises of its leaders, it has failed to win even one seat in Kashmir. The party did manage to make inroads in the Muslim majority Valley by putting up candidates for the Panchayat and local bodies elections and winning many seats of Sarpanchs, Panchs and municipal corporators. "These are the same people who are going tell Kashmiri voters to vote for the BJP. When they cant show their own face to people, with what face will they approach others?" says Ajaz Ahmad Wani, a political commentator in Srinagar said. "It is an embarrassing situation for the party, he adds. Following reports of China blocking a bid at the UN to designate the chief of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, Masood Azhar, as a 'global terrorist', Congress president Rahul Gandhi and India's permanent representative to the UN Syed Akbaruddin were among many who hit out at the BJP-led government. Following reports of China blocking a bid at the United Nations to designate the chief of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, Masood Azhar, as a "global terrorist", a war of words broke out between the BJP and Congress. While Congress president Rahul Gandhi has alleged that Modi's foreign policy has been a series of "diplomatic disasters", the BJP has said that it is "undoing all the mistakes" of the Gandhi family. The opposition party also slammed China over the development. This is the fourth time that China has blocked the move. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, the UK and the US on 27 February, days after a JeM suicide bomber killed at least 42 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. Rahul on Thursday tweeted: Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NoMos China Diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat 2. Hug Xi in Delhi 3. Bow to Xi in China https://t.co/7QBjY4e0z3 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 14, 2019 The BJP in response tweeted: China wouldn't be in UNSC had your great grandfather not 'gifted' it to them at Indias cost. India is undoing all mistakes of your family. Be assured that India will win the fight against terror. Leave it to PM Modi while you keep cosying up with the Chinese envoys secretly. https://t.co/lAyp12CXBD BJP (@BJP4India) March 14, 2019 Additionally, Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad attacked Rahul over his tweet in a press conference on Thursday. Among other criticisms, the law minister accused Rahul of being "happy" when "the whole country is pained by China's move". His comments were supported by BJP leader Ram Madhav, who accused Rahul of "speaking against India." "It's a setback for our fight. Barring China, the whole world is standing with us, everyone criticised them for blocking the move to ban Azhar," he was quoted as saying by CNN-News18. Congress launches combined attack Rahul Gandhi's claims in his tweet were backed up by various other Congress leaders: #ChinaBacksMasood - It's a poor reflection on our govt's ability to influence China. We heard so much about the 'Wuhan spirit' when @narendramodi went & walked in the garden with XI. Where's the Wuhan spirit now? Wasn't definitely not seen at security council : @ShashiTharoor. pic.twitter.com/Qt2qHq6EZ3 News18 (@CNNnews18) March 14, 2019 A sad day in the global fight against terrorism! China blocking Masood Azhar's designation as global terrorist reaffirms Chinese position of being an inseparable ally of terrorisms breeding ground-Pakistan Sadly,Modiji's Foreign Policy has been a series of Diplomatic Disasters https://t.co/9m08uhjowj Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) March 13, 2019 UN Security Council Resolution 1267 Modiji What happened to the Wuhan spirit ? Now that Pakistan's big brother Has protected Masood Azhar ! Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) March 14, 2019 Deplorable by China to stab India in the back once again. Would say in hindsight that Modi could have been a bit more firm in his policies & actions. If he thought swinging it will work, Chinese know reverse swing in consonance with Imran. #MasoodAzhar Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) March 14, 2019 PM #Modi allowed #China access to India's sensitive banking system. He let India's trade deficit with China cross $52 billion. Despite this, he couldn't convince China to blacklist #MasoodAzhar. India's diplomatic pull has never been as weak as it is under PM #modi Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) March 14, 2019 The Congress also released separate statements against the prime minister on its official Twitter handles: With China having blocked our bid to designate Masood Azhar a global terrorist, the question on every Indian's mind is, what was the use of all the swinging with Modi & President Xi? A terrorist responsible for such bloody murders is let off the hook again by the BJP. https://t.co/AUwvYXHP2Q Congress (@INCIndia) March 14, 2019 For the fourth time, China blocked the designation of Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. This is an abysmal failure of foreign policy. Mr Modi's photo ops, hugs and leisurely rocking a swing with President Xi has reaped nothing good for the country. https://t.co/9SaGyI7cy6 Youth Congress (@IYC) March 14, 2019 In addition, a few other Opposition leaders have also responded to the development: China places a technical hold on Masood Azhar in the UN again! Pakistan gets its way once again. Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) March 13, 2019 Our bullet proof jackets: Chinese fingerprints Our Staue of Unity: Chinese fingerprints Masood Azhars designation as terrorist blocked: Chinese fingerprints. Series of foreign policy disasters: Modijis fingerprintshttps://t.co/8azODq00OR Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) March 14, 2019 Meanwhile, Syed Akbaruddin, Indias ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, thanked the nations who supported the motion to designate Azhar a "global terrorist." Big,Small & Many... 1 big state holds up, again ... 1 small signal @UN against terror Grateful to the many states - big & small - who in unprecedented numbers, joined as co-sponsors of the effort. Syed Akbaruddin (@AkbaruddinIndia) March 13, 2019 Following China's block, responsible UNSC members have warned they "may be forced to pursue other actions" at the Security Council if Beijing continued with this policy. With inputs from PTI If the Congress doesnt finalise state-wide alliances soon and mount a counter attack that is high on realism, confidence and aggression, its likely to lose more strategic assets to poaching by the BJP and even runs the risk of being overrun in places where it has gained initial traction. If the Congress doesnt finalise state-wide alliances soon and mount a counter attack that is high on realism, confidence and aggression, its likely to lose more strategic assets to poaching by the BJP and even runs the risk of being overrun in places where it has gained initial traction. Following five MLAs in Gujarat since January, an MLA and former minister in Telangana, and a shaky opposition leader in Maharashtra, the latest in its list of casualties is an AICC secretary who defected to the BJP camp today. Opposition leaders such as Mamata Banerjee, Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav understood how to take the fight to the BJP camp early and tried to get a head-start, but the Congress has been foolish. Its still unrealistic, hasnt been able to overrule its egoistic local leaders in places such as Delhi, and hasnt been able to think beyond the Prime Ministerial fantasy of Rahul Gandhi. While in Assam it has to gain the lost ground quickly, in Uttar Pradesh it may have to even get out of the way of the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party combine. In simple terms, the ongoing poaching by the BJP presents the Congress in a weak light. It exposes the insecurities and weaknesses of the opposition and if it's unable to halt the trend, the erosion might cost it dearly because whats happening is as strategic as corporate takeovers. The acquisition of valuable assets that can be leveraged means assertion of dominance, control of the market and even gaining an unsavoury monopoly. The BJP is a winner on that front. Defection of political leaders hasnt been alien to Indian politics, but poaching or take-over so blatantly as a poll-strategy that could even change the political landscape of states is more or less recent. Buying out the Opposition, mainly through the leaders with decisive political capital, is an easy way to quickly usurp power and subsequently wipe out the remnants of resistance. Tripura, where the CPM lost out and the Congress was decimated even as the BJP rose to power, is a case in point. Although its the CPM that lost the battle, it was the defection of the Congresss leader-cadre infrastructure that tipped the balance in favour of the BJP. Had the Congress been resilient and shown any character, the fate of Tripura would have been different. In the run up to the 2019 Lok Sabha election, what the country is witnessing is a Tripura kind of situation in which the Congress is losing its assets to the BJP in Gujarat and Maharashtra. In West Bengal, TMC is facing a similar, but less serious, situation. In Gujarat, the Congress has lost five MLAs to the BJP since January, and in Maharashtra speculations are rife that the Opposition Leader himself might follow in his sons footsteps and defect to the BJP. In Telangana, Sabitha Indra Reddy, Congress MLA and a former minister of Andhra Pradesh, and her son are likely to join the TRS. In Kerala, the BJP claims that many potential turncoats from the Congress are waiting. Other opposition parties too may be at risk. In West Bengal, a sitting MP, Anupam Hazra, who had been expelled by the TMC has joined the BJP and there are indications that the latter is trying to poach more with the help of Mukul Roy, who till recently was a TMC-strongman. Although its still a trickle, except in Gujarat, the trend should indeed worry the Congress and the other opposition parties because as in hostile corporate takeovers, it does show whos in control. If the BJP has been able to get five MLAs in Gujarat and make the opposition leader in Maharashtra vulnerable, its likely that the targeted leaders are unsure of their political future. However lucrative the offers were, had they been sure of a win, the leaders would have resisted the temptation. What has happened so far is almost like a dawn raid by the BJP and the Congress hasnt been able to mount a counter move, let alone deploying a poison pill. The biggest advantage for the BJP is that its in power both in many states and at the Centre, which means it can make vulnerable leaders really weak at the knees using both the carrot and the stick. While its hard to buy back the lost assets, the only way for the Congress and the opposition parties to fight back is to up its game without losing any more time and raise the hope of a nationwide win. At present, the biggest vulnerability of their fence-sitters is the prospect of losing. For politicians, its hard to survive without resources and power and the Congress has to at least make it appear that the party is going to win and hence will have access to both. Once it instills some confidence, it can even launch counter-poaching attacks the way NCP has done in Maharashtra. Its the Congress thats the weakest link in the Mahagatbandhan because it lacks a sense of realism. Unfortunately, a non-strategic Congress also means collateral damage to the other opposition parties such as the TMC that are regionally stronger and are more focussed in its fight against the BJP. The Congress still doesnt realise that its now or never. Its vulnerability to poaching is a telltale indicator. It cannot get clearer and starker than this. The posters, shared on social media by the BJP MLA on 1 March, featured Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, the IAF officer, and Sharma, who represents the Vishwas Nagar seat in the Delhi Assembly. New Delhi: The Election Commission has issued a show cause notice to Delhi BJP MLA Om Prakash Sharma for posting photos featuring him, IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media, prompting the legislator to dub the poll body "bias against nationalist leaders". The Election Commission (EC) has asked him to take down the post and reply to the show cause notice by Thursday. Sharma told PTI he has deleted the post mentioned by the EC, but said he did not understand why was the poll body was so "allergic" to a person cheering the heroic act of its soldiers and rejoicing over an act of national honour. "The Election Commission is biased against nationalist leaders like me," he said. The Election Commission Sunday announced the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls. The model code of conduct is in place across the country since the announcement of poll dates. Polling in Delhi will be held on 12 May. The posters, shared on social media by the BJP MLA on 1 March, featured Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah, the IAF officer, and Sharma, who represents the Vishwas Nagar seat in the Delhi Assembly. "Pakistan has bowed down. Our brave soldier has returned. It's a big diplomatic victory that Modiji has brought Abhinandan back in very little time," the message in the photos read. Shahdara District Magistrate KM Mahesh told PTI, "We issued a show cause notice to Sharma for posting posters featuring Abhinandan Varthaman on Facebook." "He (Sharma) has been asked to furnish a reply by 11 am Thursday. It's a violation of the Model Code of Conduct and appropriate action will be taken," Mahesh, who is also the district election officer, said. The notice was issued on Tuesday. Sharma said he has removed his post because he did not want to stretch the matter. "I do not understand the allergy of EC to such a tweet. Have they issued notices to anyone for election-related hoardings and posters that have been removed after the announcement of Lok Sabha polls? I was not seeking votes for my party nor am I a candidate for the elections," Sharma said. He alleged the poll body did not act on the complaints lodged by the BJP against AAP for making phone calls to "misguide voters" and the Delhi government allegedly collecting details of parents of schoolchildren. On 9 March, the Election Commission asked political parties to "desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel" against the backdrop of a picture showing a hoarding with images of Wing Commander Varthaman as well as leaders of a party. The EC referred to its December 2013 letter in which it had "called upon all political parties to advise their candidates and leaders to desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel or photographs functions involving defence personnel in advertisements". An Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Varthaman, had shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft on 27 February. However, his plane was also shot down and he was arrested in Pakistan. The fighter pilot overnight became a sensation and a mascot of heroism. Latching on to his popularity, leaders of several political parties sought to use his photos for political mileage. The pilot returned home after his nearly three-day captivity in Pakistan on 1 March. The Model of Code of Conduct covers a wide range of possible violations that a political candidate may commit. Under the code of conduct, candidates are barred from making communally provocative speeches, appealing to a particular community for electoral gains, and targeting rivals over their personal lives. With the Election Commission having announced the schedule for the Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Harayana, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) will now come into effect. The MCC is a set of guidelines that political parties and candidates have to adhere to until the votes are counted. These guidelines deal with the general conduct of candidates, meetings and processions organised by political parties, polling day, polling booths, election observers, manifestos, and announcements made by the party in power. The earliest form of Model Code of Conduct was imposed during the Kerala Assembly election in 1960. Interestingly, the Election Commission credits political parties for reaching a consensus on the poll code, which has also helped in the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct over the years. It was under TN Seshan, the Chief Election Commissioner between 1990 and 1996, that the current form of the poll code came into existence. Guidelines for free and fair election The Model of Code of Conduct covers a wide range of possible violations that a political candidate may commit. Under the code of conduct, candidates are barred from making communally provocative speeches, appealing to a particular community for electoral gains, and targeting rivals over their personal lives. Any form of bribery, through cash or liquor, to influence voters is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Candidates holding meetings in a particular area also need to check in advance if there are prohibitory orders in place. If there are prohibitory orders in the area, candidates need to strictly adhere to them or seek an exemption beforehand. Candidates are also expected to inform the local police about any meetings. This helps the police to make the necessary arrangements for maintaining law and order. Political parties or candidates have to seek permission to use loudspeakers or any other facility for the smooth functioning of the meeting. Political parties also have to inform the police authorities in advance before undertaking any procession. They are also expected to not deviate from the route approved by the police. Such a measure helps police to plan smooth traffic of vehicles as well as avoid a tricky situation wherein processions of two or more political parties pass through the same place and at the same time. During the procession, political parties have to refrain from carrying effigies representing rival party leaders or burning them in public. On the day of the polling, candidates are expected to cooperate with the poll authorities to ensure a smooth and fair election process. Anyone entering a polling booth without a valid pass from the Election Commission is violating the Model Code of Conduct. Candidates are prohibited from serving or distributing liquor during polling and 24 hours preceding it. Candidates not only have to avoid coming near polling stations but also keep their camps free of unnecessary crowd in order to avoid any political confrontation. In addition, political party camps are expected not to display any posters, flags, symbols or any other propaganda material. The Model Code of Conduct requires ministers in the state as well as at the Centre to avoid combining campaigning with their official visits. Ministers have to also refrain from using the government machinery for the purpose of elections. According to the Election Commission guidelines, the ruling party cannot monopolise public places for the purposes of campaigning. Every political party has the right to utilise these spaces for the sake of campaigning. Moreover, neither the ruling party nor any other party can use government accommodation for the sake of electoral campaigning. Incumbent political parties which use funds from the public exchequer to advertise their achievements with a view to further their electoral prospects are in violation of the code of conduct. On the other hand, ministers are prohibited from sanctioning any funds once the elections are announced. Members of the state or central government cannot lay foundation stones of projects or inaugurate new schemes until the end of the election process. State governments or the Centre cannot make any ad-hoc appointments in the government or Public Sector Undertakings while the poll code is in effect. Since 2013, the Election Commission has also prohibited political parties from making such promises in their manifesto that may exert undue influence on voters. MCC not legally enforceable; violations continue to take place It is to be noted that the Model Code of Conduct is not legally enforceable. However, certain parts of the code can be legally enforced by invoking relevant provisions of the IPC, CrPC and the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Despite guidelines from the Election Commission, poll code violations take place at regular intervals during state and general elections. The gravity of the issue can be gauged by a March 2014 report which stated that Tamil Nadu recorded at least 55,000 complaints a month before the state went to polls. In the recently concluded Assembly elections in five states, authorities recorded over 28,000 complaints through the cVIGIL app and the National Grievance Service Portal. Even prominent politicians have found themselves violating the code. During the 2018 Lok Sabha elections, then Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah violated the Model Code of Conduct after calling then BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi a mass murderer. The Election Commission admonished him for the statement and asked him to be careful with his words. In fact, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal was given a one-month jail term for violating the code of conduct. According to a PTI report, Pal was accused of using more than the permissible number of vehicles during a rally in 2014. He was, however, released on bail soon afterwards. Deputy Election Commissioner Sudip Jain will lead the Election Commission team to West Bengal on Saturday, Tripura on Sunday, Assam on Monday and Manipur on Tuesday to assess election preparedness in the four states. New Delhi: A high-level team of the Election Commission led by a deputy election commissioner will be in West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and Manipur in the coming days to assess poll preparedness, official sources said Thursday. The decision to send Deputy Election Commissioner Sudip Jain comes a day after the BJP urged the poll watchdog to declare West Bengal a "super sensitive state". Jain will lead the team to West Bengal on Saturday, Tripura on Sunday, Assam on Monday and Manipur on Tuesday to assess election preparedness in the four states. While Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal are spread across all the seven phases, they will be held in two phases each in Tripura and Manipur and three in Assam. The sources in the poll panel said that the chief electoral officer of West Bengal has also been asked to file a report on the actual ground situation. The BJP had on Wednesday also demanded that central forces be deployed at all polling stations in the state. Briefing the media after meeting election commission officials, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said, "We have requested the Election Commission that the state of West Bengal should be declared as super-sensitive. And have also demanded that central forces should be deployed at all polling booths in the state." He said the party also requested the poll panel to transfer those police officers whose electoral impartiality is questionable as well as the withdrawal of former Kolkata Police commissioner Rajeev Kumar from election duty. The BJP is trying to make inroads into Trinamool Congress' bastion of West Bengal which has 42 Lok Sabha seats. In 2014, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) won 34 seats, the Congress four, while the BJP and CPM bagged two seats each in the state. Lashing out at the BJP for moving the poll panel, West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee alleged the saffron party was trying to hide behind central forces as it can't win any seat in the state. Muslim voters in Delhi say the overlap of Lok Sabha election dates with Ramzan will have little impact on polling percentage Even though AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan smells an anti-Muslim conspiracy in poll dates overlapping with the month of Ramzan, many in his constituency do not think so. In contrary to what the AAP leader said, many in his constituency believe that the impact of polling percentage due to Ramzan, even if any, would be negligible. The indifference of Muslim voters towards the issue exemplifies a disconnect between the AAP leader and voters in his constituency. It also seems to confirm Opposition parties' fear that a long-drawn election season will give BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, more time to campaign, claim experts. Dr Kamaal Ahmed, a health professional from Amanatullah's constituency Okhla, says that though he feels that Muslims are increasingly being terrorised during the Modi regime, it would be wrong to say that voting dates coinciding with that of Ramzan would have a negative impact on the poll percentage of the Muslim community. "During the month of Ramzan, we carry on our regular lives as usual. Fasting does not stop us from performing our duties to our families, then how can it stop us from performing our duty to our nation, he asked. The voting time is such that it does not coincide with our religious duties to be performed during the month of Ramzan. I do not think that it would have any serious impact on the poll percentage of the Muslims, added Dr Ahmed, who runs a clinic in Shahin Bagh. Dr Ahmeds view on the issue tally with that of AIMIM leader Asadudin Owaisi who slammed poll date sceptics. As a Muslim, I welcome the election in Ramzan. Muslims are more devotional in that month, he said. Adding that those who are opposing poll dates in Ramzan do not understand Islam, Owaisi added, Election is a long process. We fast and vote in Ramzan. This Ramzan, the Muslim vote percentage will be increased. We will defeat evil forces. Significantly, soon after the poll dates were declared Amanatullah said that elections were being held in Delhi on 12 May to help BJP. There will be less polling among Muslims, and it will directly benefit the BJP, he had said. Amanatullah's remarks immediately support from leaders in Congress and Trinamool Congress who claimed that apart from Delhi the poll dates in Ramzan would cause inconvenience to Muslim voters in Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. Reacting to the controversy, the Election Commission had said that the entire month of Ramzan could not be excluded from the poll schedule but main festivals and Fridays have been avoided. Mohammed Adam, another AAP supporter, however, does not buy the conspiracy theory. He, however, says that the polling dates coinciding with Ramzan may create problems for elderly rozadars. We should not suspect the intention of constitutional bodies like the Election Commission. They have to function within various constraints that emerge in the field. But I believe that it could have preponed or postponed the polls to ensure that the poll dates do not fall in the month of Ramzan, for elderly rozadars may face problem in travelling to polling booths while fasting, said Adam, an Islamic Scholar and resident of Jamia Nagar. He also suggested that it would be better if special vehicles are provided by the Election Commission to the elderly to travel to the polling booths. On the other hand, advocate Aashu Khan, a resident of Jamia Nagar agrees with Amanatullah s theory and says that there could be a conspiracy to suppress Muslim voting during the polls. But when reminded that during Ramzan Muslim voters perform other duties unhindered, he said, I am not sure whether voting would get affected but people would face difficulties to vote during the month of Ramzan." Shamsad Khan, a shopkeeper in Zakia Nagar, believes that the entire issue is being raised to polarise Muslim votes even though the poll dates are a non-issue for Muslim voters. The Hindu-Muslim thing is a big feast for the political parties during the election season. They are just trying to polarise Muslim voters by raising this issue, he said. But what Shamsad did not notice is that polarising always has a dual impact. If an issue polarises the minorities, it's also likely to polarise the majority in the opposite direction, which will not help Amanatullah and his party. There is hardly any scope to believe that Amanatullah would like to see Hindu votes polarised against the AAP. According to Apurba Kumar Baruah, political commentator and retired professor from North Eastern Hill University, the criticism over poll dates is likely to have more to do with the Opposition's fear that the seven-phase election gives Prime Minister Narendra Modi optimum opportunity to exercise his campaign prowess. "The seven-phase election would not only help the ruling party campaign more but also help it influence the voters in all other possible means," he says. In an interview with ANI, earlier this week, Anamanatullah had said in clear terms that voting should be done in five phases and not on seven phases. Ramzan is going to begin on 6 May. The Election Commission should have conducted the polls in five phases instead of seven. They deliberately did this and brought three phases (of the polls) during Ramzan period. In these phases, the Muslim population, particularly in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi will be in substantial numbers. It will be arduous for Muslims to exercise their franchise, he had said. But given the reaction of residents of his constituency, it is clear that his fear lies not in the inconvenience of the Muslims, but the fact that it gives Modi enough time to exploit his campaigning ability. Limiting the Lok Sabha Election to five phases would also mean limiting his scope. The LDF, the UDF as well as the BJP are likely to evoke voter sentiments by bringing up political murders during campaigning. With 20 parliamentary constituencies and 140 Assembly constituencies, the southern state of Kerala is gearing up for an important election year. The 2019 General Elections will see a three-way clash between the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party. While the CPI-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) have footing in the states Lok Sabha constituencies, the BJP is planning to make inroads in at least two seats. Riding high on the Sabarimala protests, BJP plans to field Kerala BJP chief Kummanam Rajasekharan against two-time Congress MP Shashi Tharoor from the Thiruvananthapuram. During the Sabarimala agitations, after the Supreme Court verdict allowing women into the temple, party workers were at the forefront preventing women from entering the temple. The saffron party is also hopeful of consolidating the Hindu votes in its favour. It is also hopeful of winning Thrissur seat by winning over the Nair community. Kerala faced one of the worst floods in its history in August last year when over 300 people lost their lives. According to the 2011 Census, the state has a population of 33,387,677, of which 52.3 percent live in rural areas. Although the state has a Hindu majority, it has a sizeable minorities population. Around 26.56 percent of the population are Muslims and 18.38 percent are Christians, according to the 2011 Census data. The state has for decades been a battleground for the left and the right parties. The battle has left a trail of political murders over time. The LDF, the UDF as well as the BJP are likely to evoke voter sentiments by bringing up the murders during campaigning. Another campaigning point this election is the visibility of women. Although the number of women electors is more than that of men, there are only two women MPs in the state. 1. Alappuzha Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 15 Total electors: 1,261,564 (2014 estimates) Female electors: 6,56,816 Male electors: 6,04,748 Reserved: No Delimited: No Assembly Constituencies: Aroor, Cherthala, Alappuzha, Ambalappuzha, Haripad, Kayamkulam, Karunagapally Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: Congress partys VM Sudheeran won the constituency in 1999 when it was called Allepey. In 2004, KS Manoj from CPI(M) was elected MP from the constituency. State Congress general secretary KC Venugopal won the election in 2009 and 2014, now called Alappuzha. Demographics: According to the Census 2011, Alappuzha has a population of 21,21,943. It was one of the worst-hit victims of the heavy rains and floods in August last year. Earlier, the district was recognised as a flood district. It has voted for the Congress for two consecutive elections but party veteran KC Venugopal will not be contesting this year. 2. Alathur Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 9 Total electors: 1,213,387 (2014 estimates) Female electors: 6,23,508 Male electors: 5,89,879 Reserved: Yes. For Scheduled Castes Delimited: Yes. The erstwhile Ottapalam constituency was dissolved in 2008. Its constituencies Chelakkara, Kunnamkulam and Wadakkancherry were added to the newly formed Alanthur constituency. Assembly Constituencies: Tarur (SC), Chittur, Nenmara, Alathur, Chelakkara (SC), Kunnamkulam, Wadakkancherry Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: Since the formation of this constituency, the CPM has held sway. PK Biju has been the elected MP since 2009. Demographics: Spread over the Thrissur and Palakkad districts, the constituency has been a CPM bastion from its Ottapalam days. Former President of India and Congress member KR Narayanan had been a three-time MP from Ottapalam. The LDF has decided to field sitting MP PK Biju from Alanthur. 3. Attingal Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 19 Total electors: 13.19 lakh (2019 estimates) Female electors: 7.05 lakh Male electors: 6.14 lakh Reserved: No Delimited: Yes. This constituency came into existence in 2008 Assembly Constituencies: Varkala, Attingal, Chirayinkeezhu, Nedumangad, Vamanapuram, Aruvikkara, Kattakkada Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: A Sampath of the CPM has been the sitting MP since 2009. Demographics: This has been a Left stronghold even before it came into existence in 2008. Prior to the delimitation exercise, this constituency was called Chirayinkil. Attingal has a significant working-class population. The population in Attingal includes estate workers in the hilly regions and coir workers and fishermen in the coastal regions. 4. Chalakudy Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 11 Total electors: 9,90,607 (2014 estimates) Female electors: 5,00,695 Male electors: 4,89,912 Reserved: No Delimited: Yes, formed in 2008. The Mukundapuram constituency was dissolved as part of the delimitations of constituencies order, 2008. It became an assembly segment in the newly formed Chalakudy constituency. Assembly Constituencies: Kaipamangalam, Chalakuddy, Kodungallur, Perumbavoor, ANgamaly, Aluva, Kunnathunad Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: KP Dhanapalam of Congress won the first Lok Sabha election for the constituency in 2009. Thereafter, independent candidate Innocent won the election in 2014. Demographics: Of the seven segments in this constituency, three falls under the Thrissur district and four under the Ernakulam district. While Thrissur has a population of 32 lakh, Ernakulam has a population of 33 lakh, according to the 2011 Census. LDF has decided to field film actor Innocent for a second term. 5. Ernakulam Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 12 Total electors: 1,155,081 (2014 estimates) Female electors: 5,90,165 Male electors: 5,64,916 Reserved: No Delimited: No Assembly Constituencies: Kalamaserry, Paravur, Vypen, Kochi, Thrippunithura, Ernakulam, Thrikkakara Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: In 1999, Congress candidate George Eden was elected MP. In 2004, independent candidate Sebastian Paul was successful. After that, Congress held sway over this constituency. Both in 2009 and 2014 Congress candidate KV Thomas was elected MP. Demographics: The Latin Catholic community is influential in this constituency. They form at least half of the population here. Their influence can be gauged by the fact that the UDF and LDF, the two biggest formations in Kerala politics have always selected candidates belonging to this community. 6. Idukki Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 13 Total electors: 1,157,302 (2014 estimates) Female electors: 5,79,446 Male electors: 5,77,856 Reserved: No Delimited: No Assembly Constituencies: Muvattupuzha, Kothamangalam, Devikulam (SC), Udumbanchola, Thodupuzha, Idukki, Peermade Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: Leader of the Kerala Congress (KEC) in 1999, F Francis George was elected MP from this constituency in 1999 and 2004 elections. Then Congress party member PT Thomas won the election in 2009. In 2014, independent candidate Joice George won a 46.60 majority and won the election. Demographics: Idukki is part of what is called the "Christian heartland" of Kerala. It is noted that this constituency has only elected Christian candidates since 1971 elections. The constituency is also known for its significant plantation workers, many of whom are of Tamil origin. 7. Kannur Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 2 Total electors: 1,161,364 ( 2014 estimates) Female electors: 6,19,694 Male electors: 5,41,670 Reserved: No Delimited: No Assembly Constituencies: Taliparamba, Irikkur, Azhikode, Kannur, Dharmadam, Mattannur, Peravoor Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: In 1999, AP ABdullahkutty of the CPM won the election. He was re-elected in 2004. In 2009, Congress tasted success when candidate K Sudhakaran won the election. But CPM made a comeback in 2014 with the win of PK Sreemathi Teacher. Demographics: Kannur has been garnering media attention for the political violence between the RSS and the CPM. Kannur is one among the many constituencies where the BJP is looking to make inroads in the aftermath of the Sabarimala verdict. 8. Kasaragod Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 1 Total electors: 1,239,562 (2014 estimates) Female electors: 6,47,772 Male electors: 5,91,790 Reserved: No Delimited: No Assembly Constituencies: Kasaragod, Kanhagad (SC), Payyanur, Manjeswar, Trikkaripur, Udma, Kalliasseri Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: The CPM holds fort in this constituency since the 1999 Lok Sabha elections. While T Govindan was the MP in 1999, P Karunakaran has been a three-time sitting MP since 2004. Demographics: Kasaragod, which lies on the border with Karnataka, has a sizeable Muslim population as well as a significant linguistic minority who belong to the Tulu speaking community. Kasaragod is often considered a part of Tulu Nadu, which also includes Karnataka's Mangalore and Udipi. 9. Kollam Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 18 Total electors: 1,214,771 (2014 estimates) Female electors: 6,42,404 Male electors: 5,72,367 Reserved: No Delimited: Yes. In 2008 Quilon constituency became Kollam. While Kunnathoor and Karunagapalli segments were removed, Punalur and Chadayamangalam segments were added to the newly formed one. Assembly Constituencies: Kollam, Punalur, Chavara, Chadayamangalam, Eravipuram, Kundara, Chathannoor Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: P Rajendran of the CPM was elected MP from the Quilon constituency in both 1999 and 2004. Congress partys N Peethambarakurup won the election in 2009. NK Premachandran from the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) defeated CPM heavyweight MA Baby to win the seat in 2014. Demographics: It is a considered a swing constituency which can go either to the LDF or the UDF. It has a sizeable population of plantation workers as well as a strong fishing community. Cashew industry is a significant player in this constituency. 10. Kozhikode Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 5 Total electors: 1,177,644 (2014 estimates) Female electors: 6,09,585 Male electors: 5,68,059 Reserved: No Delimited: Yes. The name of this constituency changed from Calicut to Kozhikode Assembly Constituencies: Balusseri, Elathur, Kozhikode North, Kozhikode South, Beypore, Kunnamangalam, Koduvally Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: While in 1999, Congress candidate M Muralidharan won the election, in 2004 it was MP Veerendra Kumar from the Janata Dal (Secular) who was elected MP. Since 2009, Congress leader MK Raghavan has been the sitting MP here. In 2009, Raghavan beat CPM candidate PA Mohammed Riyas by a mere 838 votes. Demographics: Kozhikode is largely an urban constituency, where development issues play an important role. In the wake of the Sabarimala protests, the BJP is expected to grab a significant chunk of Hindu voters, as per reports. 11. Malappuram Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 6 Total electors: 1,196,938 (2014 estimates) Female electors: 6,00,010 Male electors: 5,96,928 Reserved: No Delimited: Yes. In 2008, the erstwhile Manjeri constituency was dissolved and merged into the newly formed Malappuram constituency. Assembly Constituencies: Kondotty, Manjeri, Perinthalmanna, Mankada, Malappuram, Vengara, Vallikkunnu Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: In both 2009 and 2014, E Ahamed from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) won the election. Demographics: Once the headquarters of the British and European troops, this district also falls in the Malabar region. The district has a Muslim majority. Almost 70 percent of the 4,110,956 people living here are Muslims. The IUML, which is the second largest part of the UDF, has managed to consolidate its place by wooing the majority population. 12. Mavelikkara Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 16 Total electors: 1,242,939 (2014 estimates) Female electors: 6,57,379 Male electors: 5,85,560 Reserved: Yes. For Scheduled Castes Delimited: Yes. In 2008, Kunnathur from the erstwhile Quilon constituency was merged with Mavelikkara. Assembly Constituencies: Changanassery, Kuttanad, Mavelikkara, Chengannur, Kunnathur, Kottarakkara, Pathanapuram Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: Ramesh Chennithara from Congress was elected as MP from here. In 2004, CPM won the seat. Candidate CS Sujatha was the MP. Congress made a comeback when Kodikkunnil Suresh won the election in 2009. He won the seat again in 2014. Demographics: Spread across the Kottayam, Alappuzha and Kollam district, this constituency has been a Congress bastion for two terms. The UDF plans to field sitting MP, BJP is trying to make an entry into the constituency. 13. Palakkad Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 8 Total electors: 1,205,601 (2014 estimates) Female electors: 6,20,457 Male electors: 5,85,144 Reserved: No Delimited: No Assembly Constituencies: Pattambi, Shornur, Ottapalam, Kongad, Mannarkad, Malampuzha, Palakkad Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: The CPM has held this constituency since 1999. While NN Krishnadas was two-time MP since 1999, MB Rajesh won the seat in 2009 and 2014 elections. Both belong to CPM. Demographics: According to the 2011 Census, around 2,810,892 people live in the Palakkad district. While around 66 percent of them are Hindus, around 28.9 percent are Muslims. The constituency has been a CPM bastion since 1999. However, BJP, which rules in the Palakkad municipality, is looking to make an entry into the constituency. Party president Amit Shah recently flagged off campaigning from Palakkad. 14. Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 17 Total electors: 1,317,265 (2014 estimates) Female electors: 6,90,557 Male electors: 6,26,708 Reserved: No Delimited: Yes. In 2008, the Adoor constituency reserved for Scheduled Castes was dissolved to form a new constituency. Adoor is now an Assembly segment of newly formed Pathanamthitta constituency. Assembly Constituencies: Kanjirappally, Poonjar, Thiruvalla, Ranni, Aranmula, Konni, Adoor(SC) Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: In the 2004 elections, Congress candidate Anto Antony Punnathaniyil was elected MP from this constituency. He won a second time in the 2014 elections. Demographics: Pathanamthitta district has a population of 1,195,537, according to the Census 2011. Situated in the Travancore part of Kerala, this district has the highest literacy rate in the state (96.26 percent). Of the total population, 56.93 percent are Hindus and 38.12 percent are Christians. The constituency is witnessing anti-incumbency wave against Anto Antony Punnathaniyil and regional party workers, too, are against Antonys candidature. The grand old party is mulling pitching veteran leader PJ Kurien. 15. Ponnai Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 7 Total electors: 1,178,325 (2014 estimates) Female electors: 6,06,384 Male electors: 5,71,941 Reserved: No Delimited: No Assembly Constituencies: Tirurangadi, Tanur, Tirur, Kottakkal, Thavanur, Ponnani, Thrithala Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: GM Bannatwala won the election in 1999. He was succeeded by E Ahamed. ET Muhammed Basheer has been the sitting MP since 2009. All three candidates belong to IUML. Demographics: Of the seven assembly constituencies, six fall in the Malappuram district. Only Thrithala comes under the Palakkad district. The constituency is a Muslim majority area and has been loyal to IUML. Sitting MP ET Muhammed Basheer will run for a third time in the 2019 elections. The Left Front has fielded sitting Nilambur MLA PV Anwar. The CPM politician took a beating last year after he was accused of illegal construction in a water park. 16. Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 20 Total electors: 1,267,340 (2014 estimates) Female electors: 6,56,714 Male electors: 6,10,626 Reserved: No Delimited: No Assembly Constituencies: Kazhakkoottam, Vattiyoorkavu (SC), Thiruvananthapuram, Nemom, Parassala, Kovalam, Neyyattinkara Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: VS Sivakumar from trhe Congress won the seat in 1999. He was succeeded by PK Vasudevan Nair who was from the CPI. Thereafter, Congress took over the constituency with Shashi Tharoors win in both 2009 and 2014 elections. Demographics: Thiruvananthapuram has a population of 33,07,284, according to Census 2011. The capital city also has a sizeable population of Nairs, a point that BJP plans to use in its favour by pitching party veteran Kummanam Rajasekharan. He, too, is a Nair by caste and was serving as the Mizoram governor. The Communist party is likely to choose former minister C Divakaran. 17. Thrissur Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 10 Total electors: 1,273,724 (2014 estimates) Female electors: 6,68,326 Male electors: 6,05398 Reserved: No Delimited: No Assembly Constituencies: Guruvayoor, Manalur, Ollur, Thrissur, Nattika (SC), Irinjalakkuda, Puthukkad Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: In the 1999 election, Congress candidate AC Jose was elected MP. In 2004 the constituency was taken over by CPI when CK Chandrappan won a majority. He was succeeded by PC Chacko from the Congress in 2009. In 2014, CPI made a comeback when CN Jayadevan won a majority. Demographics: Thrissur has a population of 31,10,327, with 58.4 percent Hindus and 24.27 percent Christians. Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) leader Thushar Vellappally has announced that he will contest the election from this constituency. The BDJS is backed by the BJP, which aims to appease the Ezhava and Thiya community. The BDJS was created with the aim to help develop these communities. 18. Vadakara Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 3 Total electors: 1,175,415 (2014 estimates) Female electors: 6,20,321 Male electors: 5,55,694 Reserved: No Delimited: No Assembly Constituencies: Thalassery, Kuthuparamba, Vadakara, Kuttiadi, Nadapuram, Quilandy, Perambra Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: AK Premajam from the CPM won the 1999 election and P Satheedevi, also from CPM, won the 2004 electionn. In 2009, Congress took over the seat. Party candidate Mullappally Ramachandran won from the constituency in 2009 and 2014. Demographics: This constituency is spread over Kannur and Kozhikode districts. Over the past decades, voters have swayed between CPM and Congress. In the last two elections, Congress-led UDF held a majority in this constituency. 19. Kottayam Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 14 Total electors: 1,158,819 (2014 estimates) Female electors: 587,001 Male electors: 5,71,808 Reserved: No Delimited: No Assembly Constituencies: Piravom, Pala, Kaduthurthy, Vaikom, Ettumanoor, Kottayam, Puthupally Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: In the 1999 and 2004 elections, Suresh Kurup from CPM was elected MP. In 2009, Kerala Congress (M) took over the seat. Jose K Mani, son of party president KM Mani, won the election in both 2009 and 2014. He was, however, nominated to the Rajya Sabha and the seat is currently vacant. Demographics: Kottayam has a population of 19,79,384, of which 49.81 percent are Hindus and 43.48 percent are Christians. This constituency is the only seat won by Kerala Congress (M) in the state. The party is a part of the UDF and has decided to give the ticket to Thomas Chazhikkadan for the upcoming election. 20. Wayanad Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 4 Total electors: 1,247,029 (2014 estimates) Female electors: 6,33,995 Male electors: 6,13,034 Reserved: No Delimited: Yes. The constituency was formed in 2008. Assembly Constituencies: Mananthavady(ST), Sulthanbathery(ST), Kalpetta, Thiruvambady, Eranad, Nilambur, Wandoor Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: In the 2009 elections, MI Shanavas from the Congress party won the election. Shanavas repeated his feat again in 2014 elections. After Shanavas death in 2018, the seat is vacant. Demographics: Considered less developed than its other counterparts in Kerala, the Wayanad constituency is tribal dominated and rural in landscape. Wayanad constituency is dominated by Muslims, with various estimates of their population ranging between 40 to 60 percent. The dominance of minority voters became a point of heated discussion after Congress president Rahul Gandhi was named the candidate for Wayanad. The SP-BSP alliance is fighting the ensuing Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh as allies. As per the seat-sharing agreement, SP is contesting 37 seats and BSP 38. Lucknow: In Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will have joint election rallies during the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, said former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow on Thursday. "We have planned joint rallies in Uttar Pradesh," he told ANI in reply to a question about what transpired in his meeting with BSP president Mayawati on Wednesday. "The meeting was to discuss the poll strategy for the ensuing Lok Sabha elections. We have decided on meeting and rallies of SP and BSP. We have also planned joint rallies," he said. The SP-BSP alliance is fighting the ensuing Lok Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh as allies. As per the seat-sharing agreement, SP is contesting 37 seats and BSP 38. Three seats have been given to the RLD Mathura, Muzaffarpur, and Bagpat. Two seats--Rae Bareli and Amethi--have been left for the Congress. Exuding confidence, Yadav said that his party would now reach out to the people of the state, where Lok Sabha elections will be held in seven phases beginning 11 April to end on 19 May. The counting of votes will take place on 23 May. Yadav said: The Lok Sabha election dates have been declared. Every party is announcing its candidates. SP and BSP have also announced some candidates. It is the time to reach out to the people of the state. Attacking Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government, Akhilesh said: "The government has not achieved anything which was promised to the people to come to power. Where are laptops he was supposed to give? Where are jobs? And where is the share of farmers?" Yadav, however, avoided questions on Congress general secretary and in-charge for the party's east UP affairs Priyanka Gandhi Vadra meeting with Bhim army chief Chandrashekar Azad in a hospital in Meerut on Wednesday. In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, NDA had won 73 seats from the state. SP had got just five seats, while BSP drew a blank. AGP has sought three of the total 14 Lok Sabha seats in the state and one of the two Rajya Sabha seats that will fall vacant soon. Nearly two months after it had walked out of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition in Assam over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB), 2019, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) on Tuesday night sealed an electoral alliance with the BJP for the Lok Sabha polls. However, the leaders of the two parties are not sounding confident if the desired chemistry would be created among their support bases to ensure vote transfer for correcting the poll arithmetic. Senior BJP leader and Assam finance and health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma indicated that convincing grassroots workers to accept the tie-up would be a challenging task as the gap among workers of the two parties had widened over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and panchayat polls in the recent past. Both the parties decided that BJP state president Ranjit Kumar Dass and AGP president Atul Bora would address joint meeting of their workers across the state to bridge the gap. Such apprehension appears to have stemmed from stiff opposition to revival of the alliance by a section of AGP leaders including former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta as well as by a section of grassroots workers of the regional party. Mahanta alleged that he was kept in the dark about the meeting among the leaders of the two parties on revival of the poll tie-up. He opposed revival of the alliance of the ground the BJP national president Amit Shah had recently announced that if the BJP retains power at the Centre it would bring the bill again and the party would also include this promise in poll manifesto for Lok Sabha polls. The bill passed by Lok Sabha 8 January lapsed after the Modi government failed to pass it in the Rajya Sabha. Both Sarma and Bora told journalists that differences over the CAB would be resolved through the process of discussion, consultation and consensus. Sarma ruled out reviewing the BJPs stand on citizenship amendment bill but added that as the AGP also has its own stand on the bill both the parties would try to reach a consensus. The alliance was sealed during a meeting between an AGP delegation led by its party president Atul Bora and BJP general secretary, in charge of party affairs in North East, Ram Madhav in Guwahati on Tuesday night. Madhav told journalists in presence of state BJP and the AGP leadership after the meeting that the alliance was sealed with the objective of defeating the Congress in the election. Hours before the alliance was sealed, Sarma, who is also the convenor of the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA), maintained that grassroots workers of the BJP were not in favour of an alliance with the AGP as the gap between grassroots workers of the AGP and the BJP have widened after the two parties contested each other in the panchayat polls and the regional party deserted the coalition over CAB. Sarma also said that reports of central BJP leadership seeking alliance with the AGP were only media creation and he was not aware of any such development. The senior BJP leader also said that there was no guarantee that that the AGP workers would extend help to BJP or BJP workers would help the AGP even if an alliance was sealed. The number two in the Sonowal cabinet also went on record that during his recent visit to the state, Shah had not discussed any issue related to forging an alliance with the AGP either with him, Dass or Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Madhav said in presence of Sarma and the state BJP president that the details of seat sharing between the two parties would be worked out by state leadership and AGP leadership. The two parties are expected to arrive at the final seat sharing on 16 March and announced their respective list of candidates. Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) the third coalition partner will be contesting one seat and the rest 13 seats would be shared between the AGP and the BJP. AGP has sought three of the total 14 Lok Sabha seats in the state and one of the two Rajya Sabha seats that will fall vacant soon. In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP won seven seats while the AGP drew a blank when the two parties did not have any electoral alliance. The Congress and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) won three seats each while one seat was won by an independent candidate. The BPF also drew blank. The AGP-BJP-BPF sealed an electoral alliance in 2016 Assembly polls. Mahanta found himself isolated within the AGP Legislature Party as barring him all legislators of the regional party called on Sonowal on Wednesday to formally convey the decision of the regional party of re-joining the coalition. Three ministers of the regional party, who quit the Sonowal cabinet after the AGP had snapped its ties with the BJP over the controversial bill, also withdrew their resignations and resumed their offices during the day. Apart from Bora, other two ministers were Keshav Mahanta and Phanibhushan Choudhury. The founder AGP president insisted that decision to revive the alliance should have been first discussed in the general house of the party. When journalists asked him about the next course of action, Mahanta indicated that it would depend on how various district units of the party and grassroots workers respond to the development. Senior AGP leader and human rights activist Lachit Bordoloi, on the other hand, quit primary membership of the regional party to protest revival of the alliance with the BJP. He alleged, the AGP move only showed weakness of the party leadership. Former AGP minister Gunin Hazarika also flayed the AGP leadership for sealing alliance with the BJP despite the saffron partys hardened stand on citizenship amendment bill. A section of AGP workers in different parts of the state also opposed the alliance. Congress reaction to the revival of the AGP-BJP alliance indicated the opposition party would not let go waste the opportunity to make the bill a major poll plank, and rather rake it up to woo the opponents of the bill away from the ruling coalition. Assam and other northeastern states witnessed vigorous protest over the bill. Leader of the Assam Congress Legislature Party Debabrata Saikia alleged that The AGP had parted ways with the BJP in the state over the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 (CAB), but now the lure of power has prevailed over the responsibilities of the regional party. By joining hands with the BJP once again, the AGP has resorted to an unforgivable betrayal of the people of Assam. He claimed that the Congress has stayed true to the interests of the people of Assam by playing the pivotal role in thwarting the CAB in the Rajya Sabha and, thereby, safeguarding the interests and sentiments of the people of Assam and the North East. By reviving the alliance, the AGP has indicated at avoiding the contentious issue. Questions have been raised by opponents of the bill if the AGP has put the last nail on the coffin of regionalism in Assam to push the electoral choices in the state to the binary of Congress versus BJP. All eyes would now be on the BJP if it would include its promise to bring a fresh bill on the line of the lapsed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 in its manifesto for Lok Sabha polls as announced by Shah and how the AGP is going to respond to it. The author is editor, nezine.com. Priyanka is making a statement one that Rahul Gandhi, her brother and Congress president, has made before. We are prepared to fly solo, where we must. Trying to bring Azad onside is of a piece with the Congresss strategy to incorporate young activism-driven leaders think Jignesh Mevani, Hardik Patel and Alpesh Thakore. Uttar Pradesh has always been the highway of Indian politics and it may well provide to be the proving trail for Opposition unity. After being shut out from the grand alliance in the state by the big hitters, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP), the Congress is hitting back. On Wednesday, Congress vice-president Priyanka Gandhi, in charge of the political and electoral campaign in eastern Uttar Pradesh, met Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad at a hospital in Meerut. Apparently, Azad was in hospital for breaching the Model Code of Conduct by organising and participating in a rally. If such infractions are to be dealt with by imprisonment, let all delinquents be jailed. It doesnt happen and wont until the Election Commission becomes an independent body. For now, we must recall that Azad has been mobilising Dalits for more than a couple of years under the banner of the Bhim Army. He has been hunted and jailed before as well. Azad and his army have presented to Dalits, especially in Uttar Pradesh, a more radical approach to fighting injustice and iniquity than the mainstream Dalit organisation, Mayawatis BSP. Last year when Dalit anger seemed to be boiling over, the Bhim Army was in the vanguard of mobilisation. It wasnt exactly centuries of exploitation and dehumanisation that provided the context. The proximate causes for the seething was a Supreme Court order diluting the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which topped a series of clashes between Thakurs, much emboldened by the nomination of a member of their ilk to the chief ministerial chair, and Dalits over symbolic issues, including the attempted denial of the right of a Dalit groom to ride a horse to his wedding and the defacement of a bust if BR Ambedkar. The clashes over symbolic acts themselves topped a renewed and vicious attack on Dalit rights and livelihoods, not to mention bare life, initiated by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dispensations after the partys spectacular showing in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, which led to the formation of the particularly obnoxious government we are now labouring under. Without going into further well-known details, it should do well to note that Azad and the Bhim Army were getting sufficient traction to rattle Mayawati, already somewhat under the cosh politically and electorally. Azad then assured the BSP boss that he had no political ambitions, he did not want to emerge as Mayawatis rival and that he would be supportive of her ambitions. Mayawati was less than convinced (or amused, in the best Victorian manner). She has since maintained a political and personal distance from Azad and the Bhim Army. Given the shut-out, the Congress took a kind of Weavers stance, declaring it would contest all 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. Reams of print and a substantial chunk of the airwaves and cyberspace has since been devoted to figuring out whether the Congress will hurt the Opposition alliance more or the BJP. These reckonings need not detain us here at the moment; let us just assume that both will be hurt. The point is that following the Congress' decision, Mayawati has taken an increasingly tough position. On Tuesday, she announced that she would not have anything to do with the Congress, period. Not in Uttar Pradesh, not in Madhya Pradesh, not in Chhattisgarh, not in Rajasthan. Never mind Opposition unity. We shall get to probable reasons for Mayawatis inflexibility on this score. For the moment, we can say that it would not be too fanciful to assume that Priyankas visit to call on a hospitalised Azad was not just out of concern for his health. Priyanka is making a statement one that Rahul Gandhi, her brother and Congress president, has made before. We are prepared to fly solo, where we must. Trying to bring Azad onside is of a piece with the Congresss strategy to incorporate young activism-driven leaders think Jignesh Mevani, Hardik Patel and Alpesh Thakore. Mayawati and SP chief and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav were reported to have met after Priyankas hospital visit and the former is said to be contemplating fielding candidates against the Gandhis in Amethi and Rae Bareli, earlier declared off limits. One can presume that Mayawatis notoriously mercurial mood was not brightened by Azads stated intention to contest the Varanasi seat against Prime Minister Narendra Modi after Priyankas visit. And, finally, on Wednesday, the Congress released a list of candidates, which included 16 candidates from Uttar Pradesh, including Kaisar Jahan from Sitapur in the eastern part of the state. That Jahan recently left the BSP to join the Congress will be another sticking point. With the SP and Akhilesh caught in the middle, it behooves both the Congress and BSP to behave more sensibly, if (a biggish one) they are serious about opposition unity. The Congress must take the lead in sorting out this mess, if only because Mayawati wont. A strategy of escalation will help only one player the BJP. So, what is happening here that we are not getting. The theory that Congress votes wont get transferred, doesn't wash in the Uttar Pradesh context. Does the problem, then, derive from Mayawatis perception that in addition to the transfer problem, the Congress can eat into its Dalit base or split the Muslim vote for traction? Neither seem to be, on the face of it, legitimate fears. At any rate, Priyankas outreach should help clear minds on both sides. Others, too, could help bringing about a common approach. An inclusive coalition is imperative if obviously common goals have to be attained. Senior leader Sheila Dikshit said in an interview that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was not as tough in dealing with Pakistan during his tenure in 2008 as Narendra Modi is now In something of a setback for the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha election, senior leader Sheila Dikshit said in an interview that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was not as tough in dealing with Pakistan during his tenure in 2008 as Narendra Modi is now. When asked in a CNN-News18 interview about the Indian Air Force strikes in Balakot last month held during Modis tenure, Dikshit said, Manmohan Singh was not as stronger and determined as Modi to tackle terror. But, there is also a feeling that he is doing it all for politics. When the former Delhi chief minister counter-questioned if there were ever any instances where the countrys security was not taken care of, she was given the example of the 26 November, 2008 Mumbai attacks, where Lashkar-e-Taiba militants carried out coordinated attacks in the city, killing over 160 people. Dikshit was recently appointed the Delhi Congress chief and had denied reports of an alliance with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). "It is final that there will be no alliance with AAP. Mr Gandhi has accepted the decision. The Congress will go it alone in all seven seats in Delhi and win," Dikshit had told NDTV. Lok Sabha polls will be held in Delhi in a single phase on 12 May and the counting of votes will be conducted on 23 May. With the announcement of the polling dates, the Model of Conduct has come into force in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry Assembly elections in four states and one Union Territory will begin from 27 March, 2021 and the polling process will end on 2 May. Nearly 18.68 crore electors are eligible to cast their votes at 2.7 lakh polling stations in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry during the period, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said in a press conference on Friday. With the announcement of the polling dates, the Model of Conduct has come into force in the four states and one Union Territory. Here is an overview of what it entails. What is the Model Code of Conduct Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission to regulate political parties and candidates prior to elections, to ensure free and fair polls. This is in keeping with Article 324 of the Constitution, which gives Election Commission the power to supervise elections to the Parliament and state legislatures. The MCC is operational from the date that the election schedule is announced till the date that results are announced. The idea behind MCC is that political parties and their candidates should have a respectable competition with their opponents, have constructive criticism against the opponent's policies and not resort to mudslinging and personal attacks. The MCC is intended to help the poll campaign maintain high standards of public morality and provide a level playing field for all parties and candidates. Evolution of MCC Model Code of Conduct was first introduced in Kerala ahead of the state Assembly election in 1960. It was a set of instructions to political parties regarding election meetings, speeches, slogans, etc. In the 1962 general elections to the Lok Sabha, the MCC was circulated to recognised parties, and state governments sought feedback from the parties. However, it was only in 1974, just before the mid-term general elections, that the EC released a formal Model Code of Conduct. This Code was also circulated during parliamentary elections of 1977. Till 12 September, 1979, the MCC was meant to only guide the conduct of political parties and candidates. After September 1979, the EC was apprised of the misuse of official machinery by parties in power. The EC was told that ruling parties monopolised public spaces, making it difficult for others to hold meetings. There were also examples of the party in power publishing advertisements at the cost of the public exchequer to influence voters, The Indian Express report said. At the request of several political parties, just before the 1979 Lok Sabha election, the EC released a revised Model Code of Conduct with seven parts, with one part devoted to the party in power and what it could and could not do once elections were announced. There have been several revisions to the MCC, the latest one being in 2014 when the Commission introduced Part VIII on manifestos, pursuant to the directions of the Supreme Court. What are the key provisions of Model Code of Conduct The MCC contains eight provisions dealing with general conduct, meetings, processions, polling day, polling booths, observers, party in power, and election manifestos. According to the PRS Legislative Research, there are total eight provisions under the MCC: General Conduct: Criticism of political parties must be limited to their policies and programmes, past record and work. Activities such as; using caste and communal feelings to secure votes; criticising candidates on the basis of unverified reports; bribing or intimidation of voters; and organising demonstrations or picketing outside houses of persons to protest against their opinions, are prohibited. Meetings: Parties must inform the local police authorities of the venue and time of any meeting in time to enable the police to make adequate security arrangements. Processions: If two or more candidates plan processions along the same route, organisers must establish contact in advance to ensure that the processions do not clash. Carrying and burning effigies representing members of other political parties is not allowed. Polling day: All authorised party workers at polling booths should be given identity badges. These should not contain the party name, symbol or name of the candidate. Polling booths: Only voters, and those with a valid pass from the Election Commission, will be allowed to enter polling booths. Observers: The Election Commission will appoint observers to whom any candidates may report problems regarding the conduct of the election. Party in power: The MCC incorporated certain restrictions in 1979, regulating the conduct of the party in power. Ministers must not combine official visits with election work or use official machinery for the same. The party must avoid advertising at the cost of the public exchequer or using official mass media for publicity on achievements to improve chances of victory in the elections. Ministers and other authorities must not announce any financial grants, or promise any construction of roads, provision of drinking water, etc. Other parties must be allowed to use public spaces and rest houses and these must not be monopolised by the party in power. Election manifestos: Added in 2013, these guidelines prohibit parties from making promises that exert an undue influence on voters, and suggest that manifestos also indicate the means to achieve promises. What is permitted under the MCC for the party in power? It was only in 1979 that the Election Commission revised the MCC and added a section to regulate the 'party in power' and prevent it from gaining an unfair advantage at the time of elections. The MCC forbids ministers (of state and central governments) from using official machinery for election work and from combining official visits with electioneering. Advertisements extolling the work of the incumbent government using public money are to be avoided. The government cannot announce any financial grants, promise construction of roads or other facilities, and make any ad hoc appointments in government or public undertaking during the time the Code is in force. Ministers cannot enter any polling station or counting centre except in their capacity as a voter or a candidate. However, the Commission is conscious that the MCC must not lead to governance grinding to a complete halt. It has clarified that the MCC does not stand in the way of ongoing schemes of development work or welfare, relief and rehabilitation measures meant for people suffering from drought, floods, and other natural calamities. However, the EC bars the use of these works for election propaganda. Does social media come under MCC? The EC has included content posted by political parties and candidates on the Internet, including on social media sites, under the MCC for the 2019 Lok Sabha election. On 25 October, 2013, the EC laid down guidelines to regulate the use of social media by parties and candidates. Candidates have to provide their email address and details of accounts on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc., and add the expenditure on advertisements posted on social media to their overall expenditure for the election. CEC Sunil Arora said that all major social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Google, WhatsApp and ShareChat are committed to accepting only pre-certified political advertisements, sharing expenditure on it with the Election Commission (EC) and adhering to the "silence period" that comes into effect 48 hours before the polls. "All the provisions of model code of conduct shall also apply to the content being posted on the social media by candidates and political parties," the EC. The poll panel has also decided to bring the bulk SMSes/Voice messages on phone and election campaigning through social media under the purview of precertification of election advertisements, just like electronic and radio advertisements. Even payments made to internet companies and websites for carrying advertisements and campaign-related operational expenditure on making creative content, salaries and wages paid to the workers employed to maintain their social media account, will have to be accounted for with the EC, The Economic Times reported. MCC is not legally binding, but carries weight MCC has been around for at least four decades now, but the clauses are not legally binding, however the observance is left to political parties and their candidates. As argued in this Indian Express article, the MCC has no statutory backing. MCC evolved as part of the ECI's drive to ensure free and fair elections, and was the result of a consensus among major political parties. This means everything is voluntary. Anybody breaching the MCC can't be proceeded against under any clause of the Code. If a candidate or a party violates MCC, the EC can issue a notice against them. Once a notice is issued, the person or party must reply in writing either accepting fault and tendering an unconditional apology, or rebutting the allegation. In the latter case, if the person or party is found guilty subsequently, he/it can attract a written censure from the ECI "something that many see as a mere slap on the wrist." However, certain provisions of the MCC may be enforced through invoking corresponding provisions in other statutes such as the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and Representation of the People Act, 1951. The Election Commission has argued against making the MCC legally binding stating that elections must be completed within a relatively short time (close to 45 days) and judicial proceedings typically take longer, making it not feasible to make it enforceable by law. On the other hand, in 2013, the Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice, recommended making the MCC legally binding. In a report on electoral reforms, the Standing Committee observed that most provisions of the MCC are already enforceable through corresponding provisions in other statutes, mentioned above. It recommended that the MCC be made a part of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. In a press conference held on Thursday, Congress spokespersons Randeep Singh Surjewala and Shaktisinh Gohil said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had no courage to stand up to China In a press conference held in New Delhi on Thursday, Congress spokespersons Randeep Singh Surjewala and Shaktisinh Gohil said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had no courage to stand up to China. The remark was made in reference to China blocking the bid to ban Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar for the fourth time. Surjewala said that even though the BJP blames Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Modi's policies that have brought this situation to the nation. Surjewala's remark hit back at Law Ministry Ravi Shankar Prasads comment that Nehru had gifted the UNSC seat to China. Surjewala said that UNSC was formed in 1945 and India became Independent in 1947. Till date, no new country, since 1945, has been added to UNSC. When Pandit Nehru was asked about the membership of UNSC, he clearly stated that no such offer, either official or unofficial was made to India. He said, No change can be made to this without an amendment to the Charter, he said. Surjewala further said, Modi visited China four times without an agenda. He neither discussd the Doklam issue, nor did he raise the issue of Masood Azhar. China built tunnels in Arunachal Pradesh, built a China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, deployed submarines in Gwadar port and opposed Indias permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council and Modi remained silent. Gohil also attacked Modi and his close aides for siphoning off public funds and not letting those speaking the truth live in peace. The spokesperson also said that BJP practices corruption fearlessly, pointing the misuse of office by Union Minister Smriti Irani in the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Funds (MPLAD) funds fraud. A massive fraud and bungling in MPLAD funds by Irani has been exposed, Surjewala added. Surjewala talked the case in which Smriti Irani had been accused of alleged misappropriation of local area development funds for development projects in Gujarats Maghrol village in July 2017. CAG report No 4 of 2018 has exposed and implicated payment worth roughly Rs six crore from MPLAD funds without any tender process including fraudulent payment of Rs 84,53,000. The collector found no work had been done, Surjewala said. He accused Irani of adopting the village and pocketing MP land and funds, demanding that Modi sacks her. If required, we will file an FIR under Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and other provisions of the Indian Penal Code must lodged against her, he said. Congress party on Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi led NDA government at the Centre of being the single biggest destroyer of jobs, hope, and future of Indias youth. Congress party on Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi led NDA government at the Centre of being the single biggest destroyer of jobs, hope, and future of Indias youth. Prime Minister Modi led government is the single biggest destroyer of jobs, hopes, and future of Indias youth. Modinomics has become synonymous with pakodanomics, said Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala on Wednesday. Economic growth is at a five-year low. Farm income growth is at a 14-year low. Fresh investments are at 14-year low. Private investments are at a seven-year low. Household savings are at 20-year low. FDI growth is at a five-year low. Core sector growth is at a two-year low, he said while addressing a press conference. Surjewala said that this Central government is setting new lows in every sphere leading to widespread losses, while warning the prime minister to pack his bags and leave. There is neither bread nor job. The economy is in dire conditions. Modiji, pack your bags and get ready to go, he said. Surjewala cited data from various organisation including NSSO to buttress his point that unemployment is at an all-time high. Narendra Modi is the first Prime Minister to destroy jobs. The demonetisation scam alone wiped out 1.5 crore jobs. Rs 3lakh crore was snatched from small and medium scale industries. Whatever was left was wiped out by the Gabbar Singh Tax (GST), said Surjewala. The government fails to tell the people that average size of Mudra loan for 91 percent beneficiaries is just Rs 23,000. Even a pakoda and pan shop cant be opened with this much of money. In reply to an RTI, the government says not to have figures on the number of jobs generated by Mudra scheme, he said. The Congress party spokesperson alleged that colourful phrases' like Skill India, Startup India, and Stand-Up India are suddenly missing from the speeches of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Surjewala promised 33 percent reservation for women while expressing confidence that the next government at the Centre will be formed by the Congress party with the peoples blessings. Time has come to move away from Paan-pakodanomics of to decisive agenda of economic growth of Congress party, he said. He also attacked the BJP government for not bringing an education policy in the last five years while terming educational qualification of the prime minister and a former HRD Minister as doubtful. Mayawati may sound dismissive of Azads rise, but he does signify a new phase of aggressive Dalit politics that is fast spreading from western UP to Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan Wednesday's 'apolitical' meeting between Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad added some fresh elements to the otherwise stale pre-election narrative in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the Lok Sabha election. One, it squarely put Congress back in combat mode against the Samajwadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party (SP-BSP) alliance, after it wasted a lot of time trying to woo those parties for an umbrella alliance against the BJP. Secondly, it brought to the fore Mayawati's discomfiture with the rise of a 31-year-old Dalit icon, who has managed to grab eyeballs in national media, and some degree of respect, especially among Dalit youths. Now, Priyanka meeting Azad to stiff-arm Mayawati after the latter's recent snub to the Congress over alliance concerns is a small victory in a clash of egos at least until the Congress manages to bring the entire retinue of Bhim Army supporters to its side. However, the latter repercussion ie, Mayawati's discomfort over Azad's rising popularity will have much deeper consequences in the electoral battle in the state that elects the largest chunk of MPs in the Lok Sabha. The other 'bua-bhatija' of Uttar Pradesh There is a marked difference in the way Azad and Mayawati regard each other in public. While the former maintains a careful tone of reverence, at the same time subtly delineating his own image from that of the latter, Mayawati's approach towards Azad has been of carefree disregard. In spite of Azad publicly stating that the Bhim Army's intention is to always complement to the BSP's reach and not oppose it, Mayawati has been anything but accommodative. He is 31; she is 63. When Azad was arrested in June 2017 after the Shabirpur caste clashes, he was relatively unknown at least in the mainstream media and few people knew about Bhim Army in the vicinity of Saharanpur and the city of Deoband, both in western Uttar Pradesh. Still, the government kept him imprisoned for over a year under the contentious National Security Act. Mayawati visited the area, offered her sympathy to the Dalits victimised in the clashes and criticised the government for its one-sided crackdown on the lower caste community. Yet, she hardly ever spoke in Azad's favour or demanded his release. She even called his organisation a fringe outfit, and a BJP stooge acting to weaken the BSP and malign the Dalits. Without naming anybody, she quietly positioned her party's footsoldiers to curtail the growing influence of these 'fringe elements'. "The office-bearers have been asked to inform the partys supporters and its bhaichara (brotherhood) committee about the design of the fringe groups," a BSP leader told Hindustan Times in November 2018. Azad, on the other hand, has always responded with a cautious reverence whenever he is asked to comment about Mayawati. In September 2018, he had instated to NDTV, like Akhilesh Yadav, that Mayawati is his bua (aunt) and that he cannot criticise someone whose life's struggle has set the course for making space for Dalits in national politics. "We (he and Mayawati) both have the same blood. She may have some issues with me, I have none with her. It is not in my values to speak ill of my 'bua' (aunt). Our only aim is to defeat the BJP," he had said. Mayawati, however, distanced herself stating that vested interests were using her name to further their own agenda. "Some people in order to realise their vested political interests, some in their defence, while some, in order to look young, are trying to forge different relationships such as brother-sister and bua-bhatija (aunt and nephew) with me," Mayawati had said after Azad's comments made headlines. "For the past few days, a man who was recently released from jail is trying to call me 'bua'. If these people were really interested in the welfare of Dalits, then instead of resurrecting their organisation, they would have joined the BSP," she again repeated her stance when questioned about Azad. But Azad has always maintained that he is willing to work on the same side as Mayawati. "The Dalits need a Bhim Army which is not afraid to go to any extent to bring about radical social transformation. That does not mean they don't need a BSP. We should complement each other. I'm convinced it's the only way forward," he had told NDTV in 2018. That was the face of it. A cursory look at the political developments will reveal the fault lines run deeper than both leaders let on. In August 2018, after Mayawati sacked a top party leader Jai Prakash Singh for taking an unsavoury dig at Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, Azad was quick to welcome him in Bhim Army with open arms. A Hindustan Times report states that Azad is also wooing other BSP rebels to join Bhim Army. "A Dalit leader claimed that like Jai Prakash, there were many Dalit leaders who had a soft corner for Bhim Army and they could soon be part of a new Dalit movement in the region. He even said that those who have been expelled from the BSP may join hands with the Bhim Army," the article states. Azad even launched a membership drive in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bihar to mobilise Dalits, and has called upon the Dalits to donate generously for the organisation's cause. Like their stated political/social ambitions, their support base also differs. As this News18 report points out, the generational divide between the supporters of Azad and Mayawati is evident. Raju, a 55-year-old resident of Saharanpur's Nakur, has been a loyal BSP foot soldier since 1984. He is not impressed with the new upstart. The problem with this Bhim Army is that they are too undisciplined. They don't have the structure of the BSP. That is why behenji (Mayawati) will remain the only true leader of our community. These are some young, hot-headed boys who are directionless. They should come under the wing of the BSP and fight under behenji." But the younger lot disagrees. For many, like 28-year-old Mohit, the Bhim Army and BSP are two sides of the same coin. "You have seen how the Sangh Parivar works. BJP is a political party and RSS is a social outfit. That is how we see BSP and Bhim Army. We follow the ideology of Bhim Army but we will vote for BSP. Chandrashekhar has gone to jail for us. He cannot be a BJP stooge." But in order to understand the clash of the two most-talked-about Dalit leaders of the day, one must go back and trace the perception battle each has been fighting. Mayawati may sound dismissive of Azads rise, but he does signify a new phase of aggressive Dalit politics that is fast spreading from western Uttar Pradesh to Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan More recently, Bhim Army declared that its sworn support to the SP-BSP alliance was not unconditional. According to The Indian Express, days before meeting Priyanka although the meeting was impromptu Azad had backed off from his earlier promise of "always going where Mayawati would lead them" and added preconditions to his support to the alliance. The Bhim Army chief said that the party would not support SP candidates until the party clears its stand on the reservation in promotion for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). It also demanded an explanation from the SP over its supremo Mulayam Singh Yadavs statement in Lok Sabha saying he wished another term for Narendra Modi. "Akhilesh Yadavs party MP tore the Bill on quota for promotions for SC/ST in the Parliament. And then we are talking about fighting elections together. He should make his stand clear on the issue to get our support," Azad asked. The Bhim Army had earlier put out a statement in support of the SP's pre-poll alliance with Mayawati's BSP in Uttar Pradesh. Likewise, Azad did a volte-face on another promise of never entering the political fray. He has apparently declared that he will field independent candidates against Smriti Irani and contest polls himself against Modi in Varanasi. "Wherever Smriti Irani will contest from, if there's already a strong candidate, we will support them or we will contest... She is responsible for the death of Rohith Vemula. We won't let her win a seat in the Lok Sabha," Azad said. Then on Wednesday, he told Priyanka that he wishes to fight against Modi from whichever seat he contests from. But why is Mayawati against Bhim Army? Before the days of Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhai (wellness and happiness for all), BSP's politics was largely associated with aggressive anti-upper caste slogans like Tilak, Tarazu, Aur Talwar, Inko Maro Jute Chaar (Thrash Brahmins, Vaishyas and Thakurs, with a shoe). She managed the impossible in 2007 and rode to power by engineering a Dalit-Brahmin combine in face of a strong Yadav lobby cultivated under Mulayam Singh Yadav's rule that irked both Dalits and Brahmins equally. Then again in the 2009 Lok Sabha election, she had given tickets to 20 Brahmin candidates, more than any other political party. And since then, her politics has relied on wooing other castes as well in a bid to broaden its appeal. A guess would be that this choice is dictated by hard demographic data than any obligation towards social harmony. (According to Census 2011, the SC population of Uttar Pradesh is only around 20.5 percent and not all of whom vote for BSP, or, are of voting age, or, even come out to exercise their franchise.) Another very valid fear Mayawati holds is that many Dalits still have a soft spot for Congress and Rahul and Priyanka's renewed attempts to woo Dalits may make a dent in her core support base. The upper caste vote is more likely to be divided between Congress and BJP than the chance there is for it to come to her should she go back to her old aggressive pro-Dalit politics. So, she needs to maintain the balance between posing as a secular leader who is still a messiah for Dalits. Mayawati's Muslim outreach, too, has failed, as barring 2014, they have largely voted for the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh and for Congress in other states. The Bhim Army, on the other hand, claims it will never aim at entering electoral politics. Hence, it can focus largely on Dalit interests and doesnt need to pander to the interests of upper caste communities. The Congress uniting with Bhim Army may have rubbed these insecurities raw. That Priyanka's meeting with Azad ruffled feathers within the SP-BSP alliance is evident from the fact that SP chief Akhilesh Yadav held a one-and-half hour-long closed-door meeting with Mayawati soon after the meeting made headlines. The Congress, which is fighting polls with renewed vigour, may manage to woo back some of the upper caste community especially small traders upset with the implementation of GST and demonetisation farmers, and Muslims. With Bhim Army's support, it is not entirely unimaginable that the triangular contest in Uttar Pradesh turns bipolar with a neck-and-neck fight between Congress and BJP. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said since Sharad Pawar despised his family so much, he would not campaign for the NCP candidate from Ahmednagar Lok Sabha seat Mumbai: Senior Maharashtra Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil on Thursday said NCP chief Sharad Pawar's comments on his late father were "unwarranted". Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Vikhe Patil also described as personal the decision of his son Sujay to join the BJP. The Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly said that since Pawar despised his family so much, he would not campaign for the NCP candidate from Ahmednagar Lok Sabha seat. The Congress and NCP have reached a pre-poll alliance for the next month's Lok Sabha polls. Pawar recently alluded to how he ensured the defeat of Balasaheb Vikhe Patil (in an election in early 1990s) and that he also remembered the lawsuit the late Congress leader filed against him. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil is son of Balasaheb Vikhe Patil, a former Union minister. "Sharad Pawar's comment against my father was unwarranted and uncalled for. If Pawar despises my family so much, I would rather not campaign for the NCP candidate from Ahmednagar," he said. He said he will campaign in other parts of Maharashtra, as decided by his party. "I will abide by the party high command's decision," he added. His son Sujay Vikhe Patil, a neurosurgeon, on Tuesday joined the BJP in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who said he will recommend his name for the Ahmednagar Lok Sabha seat to the BJP leadership. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said the Ahmednagar Lok Sabha constituency was not the core issue of the seat-sharing talks between his party and the NCP. "We wanted both the parties to win more seats, hence we held talks on whether some seats can be exchanged. Sujay's candidature was not the only issue," he said. He also dismissed the possibility of his son's candidature on BJP ticket affecting the overall performance of Congress and NCP nominees in the state. Congress leader Tom Vadakkan joins Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in presence of Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad ahead of the Lok Sabha election to be held in April-May Disgruntled by the Congress response after the 14 February Pulwama attack, the partys national spokesperson and Sonia Gandhis aide Tom Vadakkan joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday. Vadakkan joined the BJP in the presence of Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad ahead of the Lok Sabha election to be held in April-May.At a time like this, it is not right to engage in such commentary, he said, adding that he is hurt by Congresss anti-national stand. Vadakkan said dynasty politics reached a 'zenith' in the Congress. I gave the Congress 20 years of my prime. The dynasty politics have reached a zenith and no one knows the power centres and whom to answer to. There is a use-and-throw phenomenon, which is not acceptable for workers, he told mediapersons in New Delhi. The senior leader from Kerala thanked the BJP for accepting him into the party fold and said he is influenced by Prime Minister Narendra Modis efforts to change the narrative around development. A narrative that brings the worlds attention to India is more important than any elections, he said. Vadakkans deflection to the BJP comes only a few hours after Trinamool Congress MLA Arjun Singh joined the Modi-led party. Earlier this month, senior leader from Odisha Baijayant Jay Panda joined the BJP, nine months after leaving the Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal. Congress national spokesperson and a key aide of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi Tom Vadakkan joined the BJP, claiming he was 'hurt deeply' by the party's reaction to the Pulwama attack. Congress national spokesperson and a key aide of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Tom Vadakkan joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, claiming he was "hurt deeply" by the Congress' reaction to the Pulwama attack. A week after the suicide attack by the Jaish-e-Mohammed, Congress had accused the BJP of politicising the attack for electoral gains and invoking the death of 42 CRPF soldiers at its campaign rallies. The party had also claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had been shooting for a film at Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand on the day of the terror attack. "I left the Congress because when Pakistani terrorists attacked our land, my party's reaction to it was sad," he said at a press conference at the BJP headquarters in Delhi. "It hurt me deeply when you questioned the integrity of the armed forces. At a time like this, it is not right to engage in such commentary. If a political party takes such a position that is against the country, then I'm left with no option but to leave the party." Vadakkan's defection is the latest major loss to the Congress in the past week. Just earlier in the day, senior Trinamool Congress MLA Arjun Singh joined the BJP. On Tuesday, Sujay Vikhe Patil, the son of Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, joined the saffron party. Last week, former Biju Janata Dal leader Jay Panda joined the BJP. BJP's latest high-profile entrant had held several top positions in the Congress. Vadakkan, who joined Congress in the 1980s, was the national spokesperson when he jumped ship on Thursday, and earlier, he was a secretary in the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and a convenor of the AICC grievance cell. He had been handpicked by Rajiv Gandhi to be part of a four-member media team of the Congress AICC's first dedicated media department. He enjoyed the trust of the high command, but didn't hold much clout among party workers in Kerala. Although Vadakkan claims he left Congress for questioning the timing of the Pulwama attack, the "deep hurt" he felt didn't stop him from retweeting tweets that were critical of the government or its handling of the situation after the JeM strike. Vadakkan may be singing praises of the BJP and its leaders now at the press conference on Thursday, he said he was influenced by Modi's efforts to change the narrative around development he was one of the saffron party's most vocal critics till just a few days ago. His displeasure with the Congress was not very evident if we observe his social media presence. At the time of publishing this story, his Twitter bio still read "National Spokesperson, Congress". Also, like every faithful Congress leader, he had retweeted Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi's first Twitter post on Tuesday. Some of his sarcastic jibes at the BJP were also borderline amusing, if not outright funny. "PMO likely to change the name of reservation to 'self-preservation'." and "Once you join the BJP all your crimes are cleansed" are just two of his many gems. Vadakkan also called Defence Minister Nirmal Sitharaman a "cover up artist", in reference to her defence of the NDA government's Rafale fighter jet deal. Here are some of his Twitter barbs at the BJP from not too long ago: Some of Vadakkan's other comments on the BJP include: * "Sardar Patel does not need a certificate from the BJP. His legacy is across India." (after Modi unveiled the Statue of Unity in Gujarat) * "Never before in the history of India, petroleum prices have shot up for 16 consecutive days... This government is an expert in election management, election propaganda and headline management." * "Christian Michel had said before his extradition on record in court that he was being pressured to name a member of the Gandhi family." (on the alleged AgustaWestland middleman purportedly naming "Mrs Gandhi" during his interrogation in the case) While Vadakkan claims he left the Congress for disrespecting the armed forces, there is speculation that being denied a ticket for decades was the cause. In the past, Vadakkan had expressed his wish to contest the elections a number of times, but the suggestion was either shot down by the party or its local workers (there was a revolt in the Kerala Congress in 2009 over Vadakkan's Thrissur candidature). For the upcoming Lok Sabha election, as well, the Congress is believed to have denied the Thrissur native a ticket from the constituency, resulting in his defection. The BJP, however, is mum on whether the veteran Congress spokesperson will contest the polls on a party ticket. Kerala BJP president Sreedharan Pillai told The News Minute that Vadakkan would be accommodated in the party, but he was unwilling to reveal whether he will contest the polls. He has been a familiar name in political circles for decades, but has no experience in office, having never contested an election. It is unclear yet in what capacity the BJP has inducted Vadakkan, whether as a party candidate or a spokesperson again. In an embarrassment to the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Vadakkan joined the BJP and attacked his former party for its stand on the Balakot air strikes. New Delhi: After its spokesperson Tom Vadakkan joined the BJP, the Congress on Thursday dismissed his criticism of the party saying that till now, he used to "abuse" Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a huge embarrassment to the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Vadakkan, once a key aide of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, joined the BJP and attacked his former party for its stand on the Balakot air strikes. Vadakkan, who joined the saffron party in the presence of Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, and later met its president Amit Shah, said, "I am deeply hurt and that is why I am here." "Our best wishes to him," Congress's chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said when asked about Vadakkan joining the BJP. Asked about Vadakkan citing dynastic politics and the Congress' stand on the Pulwama terror attack and India's retaliatory strikes as his reasons for quitting the party, Surjewala said every person who leaves a party to join another party "searching for a better future", has to say something. "Till now, he used to abuse Prime Minister Narendra Modi, so what is the opinion of Modi ji and Ravi Shankar ji on that," he said. The Trinamool Congress has never won the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat, but hopes to cash in this time around on the altered political narrative. The Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency straddles both the hills and plains, and the contrasting political narratives in these two regions set the constituency apart from the rest of West Bengal. The forthcoming polls promise to be a barometer on the issue of popular support for a separate Gorkhaland. The demand, which had widened the chasm between the people of the hills and plains, appears to have been pushed to the margins of political discourse in recent times. Voters from the plains may be numerically dominant, but the poll preferences of people in the two hill districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong could be a determining factor in the constituency, as had been the case earlier. Significantly, it is for the first time since the separate statehood demand had captured the popular narrative in the mid-1980s that the likelihood of the electorate in the hills voting en bloc has been virtually eliminated. This can decisively change the electoral arithmetic in the constituency. A number of regional variables, and their underlying sub-texts, can affect the outcome of the contest. To the hill voter, it provides an opportunity for the first time to either affirm or reject the legitimacy of the dispensation presently in charge of the functioning of the regional quasi-autonomous administrative set-up the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) to which elections have been put on hold ever since the 104-day June-September 2017 agitation for statehood. The Board of Administrators (BOA) for the body, put in place by the West Bengal government in the aftermath of the unrest then, has been living on borrowed time. It is a nominated body, and not a popularly elected one. The claims of rival camps to the leadership of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) the principal political formation in the hills will also be put to test. On Tuesday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that Amar Singh Rai, who belongs to the Binay Tamang-led faction, will contest on a TMC ticket. The nomination of Rai is a case study in quid pro quo. Banerjee had successfully weaned Tamang and his associates away from the leadership spearheading the GJM-sponsored statehood agitation, positioning him at the helm of the BOA. This created a wedge within the GJM and snuffed out at least for now the Gorkhaland campaign. And, as if in return for Banerjee's favours, the Tamang camp within the party consented to Rai, a GJM legislator, contesting under the Trinamool Congress symbol. This is being popularly viewed as part of a design aimed at extending the influence of Banerjees party in the hills, riding piggyback on Tamangs camp within the GJM. The Trinamool Congress has never won the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat, but hopes to cash in this time around on the altered political narrative in the hills. This is despite its failure so far to bring on board other disparate political groupings in the hills. Tamang might have assumed the leadership of the GJM in the absence of his chief adversary, fugitive GJM leader Bimal Gurung, but his credibility will be put to test for the first time when he stands for the election. Gurung has been on the run ever since being slapped with charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in August 2017. However, he and his acolytes have not backed down from their claims of being the official representatives of the party. The odds stacked against him in staging a political comeback have only mounted with his name being struck off the voters list by the authorities in June 2018. Only recently, following a petition from Tamang seeking an order directing the Election Commission (EC) to delete the names of Gurung and Roshan Giri (of the Gurung camp) as GJM president and secretary respectively, the Calcutta High Court reportedly requested the EC to settle the intra-party dispute of the GJM within a fortnight by giving an opportunity to both the contending camps to present their cases. The BJP, which has held the seat for the past decade thanks to en masse support of the GJM when it was a single unit led by Gurung, now finds itself on a sticky wicket. Most hill parties have come together in accusing the Narendra Modi government of betrayal of the Gorkha cause by failing to address the long-standing demands of the community. This includes the demand for a separate state, which the Centre had promised to look into. People in the hills feel let down by the demand for tribal status for eleven communities being ignored. The groups representing the hill residents have had a decisive say in the outcome of the election to the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat. However, no victory is possible without the tutelage of a party that has a firm footing in the plains, a region that is spread over four of the seven Assembly segments spanning the parliamentary constituency. This factor will have a critical bearing on the outcome in 2019, given the diminishing likelihood of en bloc voting in the hills. tech2 News Staff While the version of Android called as Android Q has not been formally named as of yet, the first beta version of it is now available for all Pixel devices. All devices in the Pixel lineup, which includes the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL (Review), Pixel 3, and Pixel 3 XL (Review), will get this beta update. The biggest surprise here is the inclusion of the original Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones which are well over two years old. This beta update puts a final stable build for the original Pixel phones on the table even though the promised software updates should have ended with Android 9.0 Pie. To get the Android Q beta, one has to register with Google's Android Beta program. Once done, you will receive the build over-the-air. This is a first for Google as the company only allowed OTAs of Android betas in the later stages when it had become more stable. Android betas are mainly aimed at developers to help them optimise apps according to the UI of the upcoming Android version. If you have a Pixel device, you can head here to download the beta. Mind you, the beta is bound to be full of bugs so we recommend not using a primary device to test out the beta. Here's what's new in Android Q Privacy In its blog, Google talks about how Android has been made keeping security and privacy at the centre with things like OS controls, file-based encryption, Google Play Protect, and more. With Android Q, the Mountain View-based tech giant has made even more enhancements to protect users, and many of the upgrades are to Google's Project Strobe. For the uninitiated, Project Strobe is a review of third-party developer access (this includes the likes of Facebook and TrueCaller) to Google account and Android device data. Google has also provided users with options to control an apps' access to photos, videos or audio collections via new runtime permissions. Also, apps that access downloaded files on your device have to now go through the system file picker. Android Q will also prevent any background app from launching an activity unless it is important, such as alarms or an incoming call. Control over location Android Q will also give users more control over when apps can get your location. Quite a few apps run in the background collecting your location data when you are not using the app. With Android Q, the user will have the option to give an app permission to use location all the time, only when the app is in use, or never. New ways to engage users Google has acknowledged the onset of folding smartphones and to that end, Google has made changes to support multi-resume, which lets two apps work simultaneously, and to notify the app when it has focus. Apart from that, Google will also let you decide how your app is shown on foldable screens. We should hear more on that in the upcoming betas. Android Q will also let the users jump directly into another app for sharing content using a feature called Sharing Shortcuts. Also, the next Android version will include a new settings panel which will let you see key system settings such as Wi-Fi connection, network, and airplane mode on third-party apps via a floating window. Google has also improved privacy and performance features of Wi-Fi and has also given an option for adaptive Wi-Fi wherein the user can opt for "high performance and low latency." We're not clear on how this works and whether this means the phone uses the fastest data network around or something else. Imaging, audio, and video With Android Q, apps can request a 'dynamic Depth Image' which basically allows you to use specialized blurs and bokeh options as well as enjoy 3D images and support for AR photography. Android Q has also introduced support for the open source video codec AV1, which allows media providers to support better quality audio while using less bandwidth. In the video department, Android Q will make it easier for apps to figure out the video rendering capabilities of an Android device. Timeline for updates Before we see an official build for Android Q, we shall see six betas in total which will span over five months with the final release happening sometime in Q3 this year. The first four betas will be for testing purposes while betas 5 & 6 are intended release candidates, which are the final beta versions of the completed software update. Any guesses on what Google might call Android Q? Android Quiche, perhaps? tech2 News Staff Google has introduced private search engine DuckDuckGo in its recent version of the Chrome web browser. While previously it required user to install a browser extension, Google has now included the private search engine in its updated list of default search engines for the latest Chrome 73 version. According to TechCrunch, who first spotted the search engine, Google is said to have introduced DuckDuckGo as a preferred search option in more than 60 markets globally. The company didnt share much about the changes to Chromiums default search engine. However, a Google software engineer Orin Jawoski in GitHub mentioned that the default search engine has been refreshed from recently collected data. The list of engine references for each country is being completely replaced based on new usage statistics, and unreferenced engine registrations are removed, he stated. The private search engine DuckDuckGo was founded in 2008 and saw 30 million searches in October last year. Were glad that Google has recognized the importance of offering consumers a private search option, a DuckDuckGo spokesperson told TechCrunch when asked about the changes. While the privacy-friendly search option in the Chrome browser will be useful for those users who are concerned about privacy violation, DuckDuckGos inclusion comes at a time when Google is facing scrutiny for abusing its monopoly in search and faces antitrust fines from the European Union for exercising its power in the mobile phone market. tech2 News Staff While Google believed that its in-house assembly of Pixel tablets and laptops called the 'Create' team might fetch fruitful results, a recent report shows all's not going according to plan. As per Business Insider, Google is re-assessing its product plans after it scaled down on operations for its Create team. The report says that Google has told team members to find new projects within Google or its parent company Alphabet in what sources have described as 'roadmap cutbacks'. The report also mentions that various sources have said that projects have been canceled within the laptop and tablet division and many employees have seeked positions under the company's smartphone division. Manufacturing roles in the Create team have not been impacted as of yet says the report. However, the report also states that Google had a "bunch of stuff in the works" and cutting down hardware engineers will likely "pare down the portfolio" of products. It is worth mentioning that both the Pixelbook and the Pixel Slate have not gotten off to a very great start in the industry. The $999 price tag on the Pixelbook as compared to its somewhat limited capabilities has received somewhat mixed reviews in the industry as has the Pixel Slate. It remains to be seen what plans Google has in place to improve on these products. The Associated Press NASAs massive new rocket wont be ready for a moon shot next year, the space agencys top official told Congress on Wednesday. Administrator Jim Bridenstine said hes considering switching to commercial rockets to keep the June 2020 launch date. Bridenstine told a Senate committee that two private rockets would be needed, one to launch the Orion crew capsule and its European-built service module, the other to launch an upper stage. Orion would have to dock with the upper stage in orbit around Earth, before heading to the moon. NASAs SLS, or Space Launch System, rocket, could do everything in one fell swoop. Thats why its a critical piece of what NASA needs to build, Bridenstine told the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. At present, Orion does not have the capability to dock with anything in orbit. That outfitting would have to be completed between now and next year, Bridenstine noted. This is 2019, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, the committee chairman, reminded Bridenstine. Wicker added: Id sure like to keep us on schedule. Bridenstine noted this option might require more money from Congress. NASA is pushing for a sustainable moon program this time around, as opposed to the come-and-go Apollo lunar landings a half-century ago. The goal is to have an outpost with astronauts near the moon to serve as a stepping-off point for lunar landings. This first mission coming up essentially a three-week test flight would carry no crew and would not land. Rather, the Orion would come close to the lunar surface before taking a big lap around the moon. Bridenstine said NASA will decide in the next couple weeks whether to stick with its rocket and delay or go commercial for this one test flight. If private rockets are used and Bridenstine did not list preferences or mention any by name the SLS would make its launch debut for NASAs second exploration mission by 2023. That mission which would carry astronauts around the moon. This first test flight originally was scheduled for this year. I want to be clear: NASA has a history of not meeting launch dates, and Im trying to change that, Bridenstine said. NASA already is using private companies to make International Space Station shipments. Just last week, SpaceX successfully completed the first test flight of its new Dragon capsule designed for astronauts. It could begin flying crews to the station from Florida this summer. tech2 News Staff If you have ever received a message or call from someone from your bank asking for your debit/credit card details, read this carefully! State Bank of India (SBI) has released a warning to its customers alerting them of a fraudulent message that is being circulated via WhatsApp and some other social media platforms. The message apparently asks users to share their financial credentials, eventually tricking them into sharing other sensitive details as well. Stay alert to stay safe! Fake offers on messages via WhatsApp and social media could lead you astray. Report any untoward incident by calling at 1-800-111109.#Safety #Alert pic.twitter.com/vGGdXZlCVJ State Bank of India (@TheOfficialSBI) March 9, 2019 A report by The New Indian Express reveals that, under this scam, fraudsters call bank customers and convince them to upgrade or renew their existing debit or credit card. After they agree on that, they ask for their debit/credit card numbers, CVV and expiry date. (These are crucial details that you must never share with anyone.) Once these details are shared, they tell the customers and that they will receive a link through SMS or a WhatsApp message, with a link attached to it, and that they need to click on the link to complete the process. When customers fall for that, they click on the link. While this does not do anything on the surface, the link apparently installs a malicious app in the background, which gathers all One Time Passwords (OTP) from the victim's phone and sends it to these con artists. Now, the fraudsters have the customer's card details and all the OTPs now reach him too, so they can easily make any transactions. SBI says, in case of any incidence like this, customers can call the toll-free number 1-800-111109 and report the fraudulent transaction. To claim the refund from the bank, make sure you file a complaint within three days of the transaction. You can also send an SMS to 9212500888 by typing "Problem" or report on Twitter @SBICard_Connect. tech2 News Staff A trio of Norwegian lawmakers has nominated teen climate change activist Greta Thunberg, who has grown to become a prominent voice in anti-climate change campaigns, for the Nobel Peace Prize. At age 15, she inadvertently kickstarted a global movement by skipping school and sitting outside the Swedish parliament in protest of inaction towards tackling climate change. Now, a year since then, Thunberg has encouraged many students to skip school to join protests demanding faster action on climate change in a movement that has spread far beyond just Sweden and Europe. Freddy Andre Oevstegaard and two other members of the Socialist Left Party in Norway said they believe "the massive movement Greta has set in motion is a very important peace contribution," according to the Associated Press. Oevstegaard told the local VG news that "climate threats are perhaps one of the most important contributions to war and conflict." It isn't just schoolgoing kids that are taking Thunberg seriously. Since the first climate strike she started, she has been invited to the UN and the World Economic Forum in Davos as a speaker. Greta is also a TED speaker, with over 2,50,000 Twitter followers. The Nobel Committee doesnt publicly comment on its nominations, which had to be submitted by 1 February for the 2019 prizes. But Thunberg is up against a lot of worthy contemporaries for the Prize. "There are 301 candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2019, out of which 223 are individuals and 78 are organizations," the Nobel Prize committee wrote on their website. The process of selection takes months, and a decision on the chosen Nobel laureates will be made only in October this year. With inputs from the Associated Press. The Associated Press The Earth is sick with multiple, worsening environmental ills killing millions of people yearly, a new UN report says. Climate change, a global major extinction of animals and plants, a human population soaring toward 10 billion, degraded land, polluted air, and plastics, pesticides and hormone-changing chemicals in the water are making the planet an increasing unhealthy place for people, says the scientific report issued once every few years. But it may not be too late. "There is every reason to be hopeful," co-editors of the report, Joyeeta Gupta and Paul Ekins, told The Associated Press in an email. "There is still time but the window is closing fast." The sixth Global Environment Outlook, released Wednesday at a UN conference in Nairobi, Kenya, painted a dire picture of a planet where environmental problems interact with each other to make things even more dangerous for people. It uses the word "risk" 561 times in a 740-page report. The report concludes "unsustainable human activities globally have degraded the Earths ecosystems, endangering the ecological foundations of society." But the same document says changes in the way the world eats, buys things, gets its energy and handles its waste could help fix the problems. The report is a dramatic warning and a high-level road map for what must be done to prevent widespread disruption and even irreversible destruction of planetary life-support systems, said University of Michigan environment dean Jonathan Overpeck, who wasnt part of the report. Several other scientists also praised the report, which draws on existing science, data and maps. "This report clearly shows the connections between the environment and human health and well-being," said Stuart Pimm, a Duke University ecologist. Gupta and Ekins, environmental scientists in Amsterdam and London, said air pollution annually kills 7 million people worldwide and costs society about $5 trillion. Water pollution, with associated diseases, kills another 1.4 million. The scientists said the most important and pressing problems facing humankind are global warming and loss of biodiversity because they are permanent and affect so many people in so many different ways. Climate Change "Time is running out to prevent the irreversible and dangerous impacts of climate change," the report says, noting that unless something changes, global temperatures will exceed the threshold of warming another 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius) above current temperatures that international agreements call dangerous. The report details climate change impacts on human health, air, water, land and biodiversity. Almost all coastal cities and small island nations are increasingly vulnerable to flooding from rising seas and extreme weather. Biodiversity A major species extinction event, compromising planetary integrity and Earths capacity to meet human needs, is unfolding, the report says, listing threats to ecosystems, fisheries and other major systems. It notes conservationists are divided on whether Earth is in a sixth mass extinction. Air pollution Not only are millions of people dying each year, but unhealthy air especially hurts "the elderly, very young, ill and poor," the report says. Water Pollution While 1.5 billion people now get clean drinking water they lacked in 2000, water quality in many regions has worsened, the report says. Plastics and other litter have invaded every ocean at all depths, the report says. Antibiotic Resistance People getting sick from diseases caused by antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in water supplies could become a major cause of death worldwide by 2050, unless something can be done about it, the report says. Land degradation Land is getting less fertile and useful. The report says degradation hot spots, where its difficult to grow crops, now cover 29 percent of all land areas. The rate of deforestation has slowed but continues. "The report provides a roadmap to move beyond doom and gloom and rally together to face the challenges and take the future in our hands," said former US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration chief Jane Lubchenco, who wasnt part of the report. "This is an all-hands-on-deck moment." SAO PAULO (Reuters) - A Brazilian court in the state of Minas Gerais on Wednesday ordered the arrest of Vale SA employees and contractors who an appeals court had let go after they were charged in the January dam burst that killed hundreds of people, according to a court statement. The employees and contractors had been released by an appeals court order on Feb SAO PAULO (Reuters) - A Brazilian court in the state of Minas Gerais on Wednesday ordered the arrest of Vale SA employees and contractors who an appeals court had let go after they were charged in the January dam burst that killed hundreds of people, according to a court statement. The employees and contractors had been released by an appeals court order on Feb. 5. The disaster in Brumadinho killed 200 people and 108 are still unaccounted for. Vale did not immediately comment on the report. (Reporting by Tatiana Bautzer; Editing by David Gregorio) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. From the shock Brexit referendum result to this week's crunch votes in parliament, the milestones on the UK's rocky road out of the European Union after 46 years are a journey in themselves. London: From the shock Brexit referendum result to this week's crunch votes in parliament, here are the milestones on the UK's rocky road out of the European Union after 46 years. Britain votes to leave In a referendum on 23 June, 2016, Britons choose to end their membership of the 28-nation EU by a narrow 52 percent to 48 percent. Conservative prime minister David Cameron, who called the referendum and led the Remain campaign, resigns. May becomes prime minister Theresa May, the remain-backing interior minister, becomes prime minister on 13 July. On 17 January, 2017, May sets out her Brexit strategy, saying Britain will leave Europe's single market to allow it to control EU immigration. "No deal for Britain is better than a bad deal," she insists. Exit process triggered On 13 March, Britain's parliament approves a bill empowering May to trigger Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty which lays out the process for leaving the union. With a letter to EU President Donald Tusk formally announcing Britain's intention to leave, the government starts a two-year timetable for withdrawal on 29 March, 2019. Lost majority In a bid to strengthen her hand in Brexit negotiations, May calls a snap election for 8 June, 2017. Her gamble backfires, with her Conservatives losing their parliamentary majority. They are forced to strike a deal for support from Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party. First terms agreed London and the EU reach an outline agreement on 8 December, 2017 on three key areas: Britain's financial settlement to the union, citizens' rights and the Irish border. EU leaders green-light the next stage of Brexit talks, including on trade relations after the split. A bill enacting the decision to leave the EU becomes law on 26 June, 2018. Top ministers quit On 6 July, 2018, May wins agreement from her warring cabinet to pursue "a UK-EU free trade area" and strong alignment with the EU after Brexit. Two days later, eurosceptic Brexit minister David Davis quits, saying May is giving "too much away too easily". Foreign minister Boris Johnson, another key Brexiteer, follows suit on 9 July. Draft deal agreed In November, May's office says negotiators have reached a draft divorce agreement with the EU and, after hours of heated debate, her cabinet backs the agreement. But four ministers, including new Brexit secretary Dominic Raab, quit in protest. EU leaders approve the accord within a few weeks. "This is the only deal possible," says European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. Renegotiation attempt May's deal faces intense criticism in parliament over the "backstop" provision to prevent checks on the Irish border. On 10 December, May postpones a parliament vote on the deal due the following day, fearing a heavy defeat, but EU leaders reject substantive renegotiation. Leadership vote On 12 December, enough Conservative MPs are unhappy with May's party leadership to trigger a confidence vote, but she wins by 200 to 117. British MPs reject deal Parliament finally votes on the withdrawal agreement on 15 January. With opposition parties and scores of Conservatives opposing it for various reasons, MPs vote by 432 to 202 against the deal, the worst defeat for a government in modern British political history. Government survives vote Main opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn calls a vote of no confidence in the government on 16 January. The government wins by 325 to 306 votes, as May's Conservatives rally round. She pledges to work with opposition leaders to find a Brexit breakthrough. MPs rally behind amended deal On 29 January 29, British MPs vote to send May back to Brussels to renegotiate the backstop but the EU immediately says the deal is not open to renegotiation. Week of decisive votes On 12 March, British MPs vote by an overwhelming 391 to 242 against the deal, even after May and Juncker said they agreed "legally binding changes" to some of the most contentious issues. A day later, MPs vote to reject a no-deal Brexit. MPs will again vote on 14 March on whether to ask the EU for an extension to the planned departure date of 29 March. By Lucien Libert PARIS (Reuters) - A row over changes to a quality label for camembert cheese reached the French parliament on Wednesday as supporters of a traditional raw-milk recipe distributed samples of the creamy, odorous speciality to lawmakers. By Lucien Libert PARIS (Reuters) - A row over changes to a quality label for camembert cheese reached the French parliament on Wednesday as supporters of a traditional raw-milk recipe distributed samples of the creamy, odorous speciality to lawmakers. The cheese, which takes its name from a village in Normandy and dates back to the 18th century, is caught in a tussle between lovers of age-old cheesemaking methods based on raw milk and supporters of modern dairy practices like pasteurization. Producers agreed a compromise last year revising terms used for the "Camembert de Normandie" protected origin scheme starting in 2021. The deal allows industrial producers using pasteurized milk to join the quality label system in return for respecting conditions like using Normandy breed cows for some milk supply. Meanwhile, raw-milk users will be able to add a special mention on their products. But traditionalists like lawmaker Richard Ramos say the new rules are a mistake that lead to a bland industrial product, rather than a cheese with long roots in French gastronomic heritage. "When you open and taste a Camembert you have the idea of Frenchness," he said as he left raw-milk cheeses in the letterboxes of his 577 colleagues at France's National Assembly, the lower house of parliament. In the heartland of camembert production, dairy farmer Charles Breant in the Normandy village of Bermonville shared Ramos' concerns about the badge of quality. "If pasteurized milk is authorized it will mean the end of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) because 97 or 98 percent of camembert cheeses will be pasteurized and so will lose its connection with the land," he said. Lactalis, the world's largest dairy company and a regular target for critics of the new scheme, said in a statement Ramos's initiative was misleading and failed to show Lactalis was supporting camembert both through raw and pasteurized milk. Agriculture Minister Didier Guillaume told lawmakers he supported the revamped quality scheme, which he said was "not a Trojan horse for industrial firms". "Raw-milk camembert is not in danger," he said. (Reporting by Lucien Libert, writing by Gus Trompiz; Editing by Leigh Thomas and Peter Graff) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. TORONTO (Reuters) - Three generations of a Canadian family were among the 157 people who perished when Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 crashed on Sunday, a relative confirmed on Wednesday. They were on their way to a Kenya vacation when the plane crashed minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa, killing passengers and crew from more than 30 countries. TORONTO (Reuters) - Three generations of a Canadian family were among the 157 people who perished when Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 crashed on Sunday, a relative confirmed on Wednesday. They were on their way to a Kenya vacation when the plane crashed minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa, killing passengers and crew from more than 30 countries. Prerit Dixit, 43, and Kosha Vaidya, 37, their daughters and Ashka Dixit, 14, and Anushka Dixit, 13, and Vaidya's parents Pannagesh Vaidya, 73, and Hansini Vaidya, 67, were among the 18 Canadians killed. They lived in Brampton, a Toronto suburb. "This is terrible and tragic," Manant Vaidya, brother of Kosha Vaidya, told Reuters. "It feels as if my whole support system has disappeared. I have no idea how we will cope up with this tragedy." The Dixit-Vaidya family was flying to Kenya so that Kosha Vaidya could show her Canadian-born daughters the country of her birth, Manant Vaidya said, adding his parents were returning there for the first time in more than 50 years. Manant Vaidya works for the Reuters parent company Thomson Reuters. He plans to fly to Ethiopia on Saturday and from there to Mumbai for the final rituals of the deceased. Dixit worked at medical-testing company LifeLabs as a lab technician and as a lab professional for Public Health Ontario. In email statements, both remembered his helpful and pleasant demeanour, his sense of humour and his dedication to family. Kosha Vaidya had been a human resources adviser for the Canadian Hearing Society since 2017, the organisation said in a website statement, adding she would be "remembered for her intelligence, professionalism and dynamic personality." (Reporting by Nichola Saminather; Editing by Denny Thomas and Howard Goller) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - China prevented a United Nations Security Council committee on Wednesday from blacklisting the head of Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), which said it attacked an Indian paramilitary convoy in disputed Kashmir. The Feb. By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - China prevented a United Nations Security Council committee on Wednesday from blacklisting the head of Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), which said it attacked an Indian paramilitary convoy in disputed Kashmir. The Feb. 14 attack that killed at least 40 Indian paramilitary police, making it the deadliest in Kashmir during a 30-year-long insurgency, increased tensions between Pakistan and India. The nuclear-armed neighbours both said they had shot down each other's fighter jets late last month. The United States, Britain and France asked the Security Council's Islamic State and al Qaeda sanctions committee to subject JeM leader Masood Azhar to an arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze. The 15-member committee operates by consensus. China placed a so-called "technical hold" on the request, according to a note from China's U.N. mission to the committee, seen by Reuters. China gave no reason for the hold, which places the request in limbo. China's mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China had previously prevented the sanctions committee from sanctioning Azhar in 2016 and 2017. In 2017, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said there were clear rules for listing a person or group as a terrorist, and that China has always believed the relevant U.N. committee should operate on the principles of objectivity. JeM is a primarily anti-India group that forged ties with al Qaeda and was blacklisted by the U.N. Security Council in 2001. In December 2001, Jaish fighters, along with members of another Pakistan-based militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, attacked India's parliament, which almost led to a fourth war between the two countries. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Jonathan Oatis) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Republican Senator Mike Lee concurred, saying Saudi Arabia 'is not an ally that deserves our support or our military intervention' Washington: The US Senate on Wednesday dealt a stinging bipartisan rebuke to Donald Trump's foreign policy and his alliance with Riyadh, voting to end support for the bloody Saudi-led war effort in Yemen. Lawmakers in the Republican-controlled chamber approved a historic curtailment of presidential war powers that directs Trump "to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting the Republic of Yemen" within 30 days. The Senate vote was 54 to 46, with seven Republicans defying the president and aligning with Democrats. The text now heads to the Democrat-led House of Representatives, which approved a similar measure that stalled earlier in 2019, and which is likely to pass the latest effort. The White House has threatened a veto, calling the measure "flawed" and saying it would harm bilateral relationships in the region and hurt Washington's ability to fight extremism. But its full passage would set a historic marker. It would be the first measure passed by Congress to invoke the 1973 War Powers Resolution to directly curtail a president's use of military powers. "Today, we begin the process of reclaiming our constitutional power by ending US involvement in a war that has not been authorized by Congress and is clearly unconstitutional," Senator Bernie Sanders, who is running for president in 2020 and is a sponsor of the measure, said on the Senate floor. Republican Senator Mike Lee concurred, saying Saudi Arabia "is not an ally that deserves our support or our military intervention." The Saudis, he said, "are likely using our own weapons... to commit these atrocities of war. That's not OK." The war in Yemen is the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with an estimated 14 million people at risk of famine. The World Health Organization says about 10,000 people have been killed in the war between forces loyal to the Yemeni government, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, and the Iran-aligned Huthi rebels. Rights groups say the death toll is far higher. The United States provides weapons and refueling to the Saudi coalition. Two days, two rebukes? The resolution is a reminder that Congress has the legal ability to compel the removal of US military forces, absent a formal declaration of war. Should it pass Congress, it could force Trump to issue the first veto of his tenure. The vote may well be the first of two congressional rebukes of Trump in as many days. On Thursday, the Senate is expected to vote on a resolution already passed by the House to reverse Trump's emergency declaration on border security, after the president went around Congress in a bid to secure more funding for his wall between the United States and Mexico. In that case too, he has promised to use his veto. Wednesday's Yemen vote, and the rare bipartisanship at the heart of it, came as US lawmakers have escalated their opposition to Saudi Arabia after the October murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. Republicans and Democrats alike have bristled over the White House's apparent embrace of the kingdom and its leadership. Some members of Congress have publicly stated that they suspect that powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was directly responsible for the killing, based on the CIA's conclusions. Sanders, using unusually blunt language about an American ally, said the United States should not "simply follow the despotic lead of a government in Saudi Arabia." "We will determine our military and foreign pol and not be led around by a murderous regime," he said. Lawmakers in the Republican-controlled chamber approved on Wednesday a historic curtailment of presidential war powers that directs Trump 'to remove the United States Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting the Republic of Yemen' within 30 days. The Senate vote was 54 to 46, with seven Republicans defying the president and aligning with Democrats. Washington: The US Senate has dealt a stinging bipartisan rebuke to Donald Trump's foreign policy and his alliance with Riyadh, voting to end support for the bloody Saudi-led war effort in Yemen. Lawmakers in the Republican-controlled chamber approved on Wednesday a historic curtailment of presidential war powers that directs Trump "to remove the United States Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting the Republic of Yemen" within 30 days. The Senate vote was 54 to 46, with seven Republicans defying the president and aligning with Democrats. The text now heads to the Democrat-led House of Representatives, which approved a similar measure that stalled earlier this year, and which is likely to pass the latest effort. The White House has threatened a veto, calling the measure "flawed" and saying it would harm bilateral relationships in the region and hurt Washington's ability to fight extremism. But its full passage would set a historic marker. It would be the first measure passed by Congress to invoke the 1973 War Powers Resolution to directly curtail a president's use of military powers. "Today, we begin the process of reclaiming our constitutional power by ending US involvement in a war that has not been authorized by Congress and is clearly unconstitutional," Senator Bernie Sanders, who is running for president in 2020 and is a sponsor of the measure, said on the Senate floor. Republican Senator Mike Lee concurred, saying Saudi Arabia "is not an ally that deserves our support or our military intervention." The Saudis, he said, "are likely using our own weapons... to commit these atrocities of war. That's not OK." The war in Yemen is the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with an estimated 14 million people at risk of famine. The World Health Organisation says about 10,000 people have been killed in the war between forces loyal to the Yemeni government, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, and the Iran-aligned Huthi rebels. Rights groups say the death toll is far higher. The United States provides weapons and refuelling to the Saudi coalition. The resolution is a reminder that Congress has the legal ability to compel the removal of US military forces, absent a formal declaration of war. Should it pass Congress, it could force Trump to issue the first veto of his tenure. The vote may well be the first of two congressional rebukes of Trump in as many days. On Thursday, the Senate is expected to vote on a resolution already passed by the House to reverse Trump's emergency declaration on border security, after the president went around Congress in a bid to secure more funding for his wall between the United States and Mexico. In that case too, he has promised to use his veto. Wednesday's Yemen vote and the rare bipartisanship at the heart of it came as US lawmakers have escalated their opposition to Saudi Arabia after the October murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. Republicans and Democrats alike have bristled over the White House's apparent embrace of the kingdom and its leadership. Some members of Congress have publicly stated that they suspect that powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was directly responsible for the killing, based on the CIA's conclusions. Sanders, using unusually blunt language about an American ally, said the United States should not "simply follow the despotic lead of a government in Saudi Arabia." "We will determine our military and foreign pol and not be led around by a murderous regime," he said. Donald Trump is not amused by the #FakeMelania conspiracy theories circulating on social media and blamed fake news for spreading these theories without evidence Washington: US President Donald Trump is not amused by the #FakeMelania conspiracy theories circulating on social media. He spun off a new theory on Wednesday to debunk the idea that there's a body double of his wife who steps in for her at times. The "fake news" did it, he claimed without evidence. Trump alleged on Wednesday in a tweet that photos of his wife had been altered to make them appear as though a look-alike accompanied him to Alabama last week to survey tornado damage. His favourite morning TV programme Fox & Friends reported on the body-double theory Wednesday as the show's hosts weighed in on a discussion that aired Monday on ABC's The View. Hosts of the ABC programme debated whether an impostor had travelled with Trump. "The Fake News photoshopped pictures of Melania, then propelled conspiracy theories that it's actually not her by my side in Alabama and other places," the president tweeted. "They are only getting more deranged with time!" Hosts of The View had commented on how the woman at Trump's side in photos of the trip appeared shorter than usual and had a different facial structure than the first lady's. One host allowed that the first lady might have been wearing flat shoes. In fact, the 5-foot-11 first lady had ditched her customary stilettos for sneakers to walk around the rough terrain with the 6-foot-3 Trump. The Fake News photoshopped pictures of Melania, then propelled conspiracy theories that its actually not her by my side in Alabama and other places. They are only getting more deranged with time! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2019 The White House did not respond to a request for comment on who specifically Trump thought had doctored the photos. The president showed his frustration with press coverage of his wife during an interview this week with a conservative online news organisation. "If our first lady, if I were a Democrat instead of a Republican, she'd be Jackie O times twenty. Instead, they go after her," Trump told Breitbart News in Monday's interview. Trump was referring to President John F Kennedy's wife Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis who often was referred to as "Jackie O" after she remarried following Kennedy's assassination. Several factors can influence the way people appear in photos, including the angle at which the photos are taken, the type of camera lens that is used and the positioning of the photographer, said Akili Ramsess, executive director of the National Press Photographers Association. News images are not to be altered beyond basic toning and cropping, she said. "Manipulation is against photojournalism ethics," Ramsess said, adding that most newsrooms follow the ethics guidelines on the association's website. "Photographers or editors can be fired over such manipulation." The "FakeMelania" hashtag has been around since at least 2017, Trump's first year in office, with Twitter searches producing numerous photos of the first lady and unfounded commentary that the woman in the images is not Melania Trump. Toward the end of the debate on The View, contributor Ana Navarro-Cardenas, who opposes Trump, said, "Let's have fun with Melania. She's beautiful, and we're doing this in jest." Abby Huntsman, a Republican on the panel, followed up by asking, "Does that make it better?" That prompted co-host Joy Behar, who also disapproves of Trump, to say, "We're not here to be better people. We're here to have a good laugh." Stephanie Grisham, the first lady's spokeswoman, said the episode "went beyond the petty mean-girl spirit that we've grown accustomed to." "People died, people lost family, people are hurting in Alabama," Grisham said Wednesday in an email. "I personally watched the president and first lady hug, listen to and comfort people who had lost everything - and the 'ladies' of The View instead chose to laugh and joke about a body-double conspiracy." An ABC spokesman declined to comment. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 12) President Rodrgio Duterte has not seen "definitive" research findings to justify the legalization of medical marijuana, Malacanang said Tuesday to explain the President's turnaround. Duterte has previously supported the use of medical marijuana, but on March 8 said it will not be legalized under his watch. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said he had asked Duterte if this is his final decision, and the President said yes. "Ang sabi niya pa Dapat yung mga medical [community] muna ang magdecide diyan kung talagang totoong nakakagamot yan. Kasi sa ngayon sabi niya hindi naman definitive ang findings," Panelo said. [Translation: "He added that the medical community should first decide if it really has healing effects. Because as of now he said there are no definitive findings."] Panelo added that the President "does not want to risk the spread of addiction in this country." Duterte on March 8 explained he is taking no chances as Filipinos could be using the legalization of medical marijuana as an excuse to plant cannabis for recreational use. "I am ignorant of that kind of research I must admit and I do not read it and I do not intend to legalize it. Ayaw. Gawin mo lang excuse 'yan e. Magtatanim ka ng iyo (No. You'll use it as an excuse. You'll plant your own)," he said. READ: Legalize medical marijuana? 'Not in my time' says Duterte Duterte seems unconvinced even after House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo herself earlier vouched for the effectiveness of medical marijuana, saying it relieves her neck pain whenever she is in a country where it is legal. "I really believe in medical cannabis. As you know I have my problem here (cervical spine) and when I'm in a country that allows it, I put a pain patch but here in the Philippines I cannot do it," the former President told reporters in January.http://nine.cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/01/15/Arroyo-says-medical-marijuana-works-for-her.html The World Health Organization (WHO), in its explainer on cannabis also includes a subtopic on the therapeutic uses of cannabinoids, or the chemicals found in cannabis. "Several studies have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids for nausea and vomiting in the advanced stages of illnesses such as cancer and AIDS," the WHO said, adding that it was also seen to treat asthma and glaucoma. Medical marijuana, according to some studies abroad, does not necessarily cure debilitating diseases, but only manages the pain or its other symptoms. No research or clinical trial has been conducted in the country. The House of Representatives in January approved on final reading a bill allowing the use of medical marijuana. The bill has no counterpart measure in the Senate. Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III believes there is no need to pass a bill legalizing the use of medical marijuana since Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 already allows its use subject to approval of the Food and Drug Administration. Medical marijuana is legal in some countries including Uruguay, Canada, Thailand, Germany, Australia, Ireland, and some states in the U.S.. It is also allowed with prescription in the United Kingdom. (Reuters) - U.S. airlines that operate the 737 MAX - Southwest Airlines Co, American Airlines Group Inc and United Airlines - said their focus following the plane's grounding was on finding alternatives for affected customers as quickly as possible (Reuters) - U.S. airlines that operate the 737 MAX - Southwest Airlines Co, American Airlines Group Inc and United Airlines - said their focus following the plane's grounding was on finding alternatives for affected customers as quickly as possible. The United States on Wednesday joined other countries in grounding Boeing's 737 Max after an Ethiopian Airlines plane crash on Sunday that killed 157 people, the second disaster involving the plane in less than five months. Southwest is the world's largest operator of the 737 MAX 8 with 34 jets, or about 5 percent of its total fleet. American flies 24 MAX 8s and United 14 MAX 9s, which represents three percent of the airlines' respective fleets. The numbers add up to the second largest fleet of 737 MAX planes in the world by country after China's 97, according to data from Cirium's Fleets Analyzer as of March 11. The airlines provided further details in statements to Reuters, below. They also asked customers to check their websites for updates. SOUTHWEST AIRLINES "While we remain confident in the MAX 8 after completing more than 88,000 flight hours accrued over 41,000 flights, we support the actions of the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and other regulatory agencies and governments across the globe that have asked for further review of the data including information from the flight data recorder related to the recent accident involving the MAX 8. "Any customer booked on a cancelled MAX 8 flight can rebook on alternate flights without any additional fees or fare differences within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city pairs." AMERICAN AIRLINES "American Airlines has 24 aircraft affected by this directive. "We appreciate the FAA's partnership, and will continue to work closely with them, the Department of Transportation, National Transportation Safety Board and other regulatory authorities, as well as our aircraft and engine manufacturers. Our teams will be working to rebook customers as quickly as possible, and we apologise for any inconvenience." UNITED AIRLINES "Since Sunday, we have been working diligently on contingency plans to prepare our fleet to minimize the impact to customers. Our MAX aircraft account for roughly 40 flights a day and through a combination of spare aircraft and rebooking customers, we do not anticipate a significant operational impact as a result of this order." For cancellation data https://flightaware.com/ (Reporting by Tracy Rucinski; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. 'If China continues to block this designation, responsible member-states may be forced to pursue other actions at the Security Council. It shouldn't have to come to that,' a Security Council diplomat told PTI in an unusual tough warning to China. Washington: Outraged by China blocking for the fourth time a move to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist, responsible UNSC members warned they "may be forced to pursue other actions" at the Security Council if Beijing continued with this policy. "If China continues to block this designation, responsible member-states may be forced to pursue other actions at the Security Council. It shouldn't have to come to that," a Security Council diplomat told PTI in an unusual tough warning to China. The diplomat spoke on condition of anonymity to give a sense of the feeling of other members of the Security Council after China blocked the move to designate Azhar a global terrorist. Beijing previously put a technical hold on similar proposals at the UNSC thrice. In the aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attack, three permanent members of Security Council the US, France and the UK had moved a resolution to designate Azhar a glocal terrorist. Except for China, which wields veto power in the Security Council, all other UNSC members were on board with the move before the al-Qaida (1267) Sanctions Committee. India has expressed disappointment over China's decision but said it will "pursue all available avenues" to bring to justice terrorist leaders involved in the attack on Indians. "This is the fourth time that China has placed a hold on this listing. China should not prevent the Committee from doing the job the Security Council has entrusted it to do," another security council diplomat told PTI in response to a question. "China's move to hold the listing is inconsistent with its own stated goals of combatting terrorism and furthering regional stability in South Asia," said the diplomat, requesting not to be named to speak frankly, given that the deliberations of the UN sanctions committee are confidential, thus preventing member-countries from talking about it in public. The second security council diplomat also slammed Pakistan for depending on China to protect terrorist groups and leaders that operate from its soil. "Pakistan has quite often depended on China to protect it from the listing of Pakistan-based terrorist groups and individuals in the UN 1267 sanctions committee," the diplomat said. "The case for designating Masood Azhar the leader of a group the UN already calls an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organization is undeniable," the diplomat said. On Tuesday, the Trump administration had said that Azhar meets the criteria for designation by the United Nations. "Our views on Jaish-e-Mohammad and its founder are well known. JeM is a UN-designated terrorist group," State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino told reporters. "Azhar is the founder and the leader of JEM, and he meets the criteria for designation by the United Nations. JEM has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks and is a threat to regional stability and peace," Palladino said. The State Department referred to this statement on Wednesday when asked about the latest developments in New York. I would say that the United States and China share a mutual interest in achieving regional stability and peace and that a failure to designate Azhar would run counter to this goal, Palladino said. Congressman Brad Sherman described the Chinese move as unacceptable. Once again, China has blocked the UN from imposing sanctions on Masood Azhar, the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, which carried out the Pulwama attack in India in February. This is unacceptable, he said. I urge Beijing to allow the UN to place sanctions on Azhar, the leader of a UN-recognized terrorist organization, Sherman said. Several American think-tank members slammed China for its decision delaying the Azhar listing. Today, China doubled down on a very bad bet. It blocked yet another round of UN sanctions on Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar weeks after the group claimed credit for the deadliest terror attack in Kashmir, Jeff Smith from the Heritage Foundation said. This one won't be undone by another romantic stroll through Wuhan, he said, indicating that such a move by Beijing would only escalate the tension between India and China. Not entirely unexpected, but nonetheless a slap to India's face after last month's bloody suicide-bombing in Kashmir. Also raises serious questions about the benefits of Modi's photo-op diplomacy with Xi Jinping, tweeted Sadanand Dhume from American Enterprise Institute. In a statement, the SDF said its fighters had made progress into the remaining IS-held part of the enclave in eastern Syria near the Iraqi border. It said 15 IS members had been killed on Thursday morning. Baghouz: Islamic State militants accompanied by relatives surrendered to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) by the hundreds on Thursday as the jihadists lost ground to a US-backed assault aimed seizing the last shred of IS territory, the SDF said. Many of the men were limping as they crossed out of the enclave at Baghouz along a dirt path over a rocky hill, accompanied by weeping children and fully veiled women, dragging suitcases and backpacks behind them, a Reuters journalist said. SDF fighters said many of them were foreign fighters. IS insurgents have been mounting a desperate last-stand defence of the enclave at Baghouz, the final patch of Islamic State territory that once spanned a third of Iraq and Syria and which has been besieged by the SDF for weeks. The jihadists had sought to counter-attack three times in two days, the SDF said, deploying more than 20 suicide bombers. In a statement, the SDF said its fighters had made progress into the remaining IS-held part of the enclave in eastern Syria near the Iraqi border. It said 15 IS members had been killed on Thursday morning after they tried to attack SDF troops. "Our fighters thwarted all of the terrorist organisations attempts to achieve any progress." The enclave was being pounded with artillery fire as warplanes flew overhead on Thursday. The SDF said it had confirmed 112 Islamic State fighters had been killed since it resumed the assault to capture Baghouz earlier this week. The SDF said earlier this week the battle for Baghouz a collection of hamlets and farmland was as good as over. No Islamic State leaders are believed to be in Baghouz, according to a US defence official. US government experts strongly believe Baghdadi is alive and possibly hiding in Iraq. The group is still assessed to remain a potent security threat operating in remote territory in both Syria and Iraq. Islamic State redrew the map of West Asia in 2014 when it declared its ultra-radical Sunni Islamist caliphate. China is in a 'league of its own' when it comes to human rights violations, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said on Wednesday, while criticising Beijing for human rights violations and deterioration of conditions. Washington DC: China is in a "league of its own" when it comes to human rights violations, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said on Wednesday, while criticising Beijing for human rights violations and deterioration of conditions. Releasing the US State Department's annual human rights report titled 'Country Reports on Human Rights Practices', Pompeo alleged that China intensified its crackdown on detaining Muslim minority groups at "record levels". "There's China, which is in a league of its own when it comes to human rights violations. In just 2018, China intensified its campaign of detaining Muslim minority groups at record levels. Today, more than 1 million Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs and other Muslims are interned in reeducation camps designed to erase their religious and ethnic identities," Pompeo said. The report highlighted the Chinese government's systematic internment and possible abuse and torture of as many as two million Uyghur Muslims in northwestern Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region in 2018, according to South China Morning Post. It slammed China for restricting freedom of speech and allowing or committing violence against religious and ethnic groups. "Official repression of the freedoms of speech, religion, movement, association, and assembly of Tibetans in the Tibet autonomous region (TAR) and other Tibetan areas and of Uygurs and other ethnic and religious minorities in Xinjiang worsened and was more severe than in other areas of the country," the report said. The report found that the Chinese government, in 2018, "significantly intensified its campaign of mass detention of members of Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang. It underlined that Chinese authorities "have arbitrarily detained 800,000 to possibly more than two million Uygurs, ethnic Kazakhs, and other Muslims in internment camps designed to erase religious and ethnic identities". The report also noted China's human rights abuses including unlawful killings by the government, forced disappearance, torture, arbitrary detention, harsh and life-threatening prison and detention conditions, according to the South China Morning Post. "International media, human rights organisations and former detainees reported security officials in the camps abused, tortured, and killed some detainees," it further noted. In August last year, a United Nations human rights panel expressed grave concerns that there were credible reports that China was holding a million Uyghur Muslims in mass detention camps in Xinjiang province. Several international human rights organisations have accused China of cracking down on the Uyghurs by sending them to mass detention camps, interfering in their religious activities and sending the minority community to undergo some form of forceful re-education or indoctrination. However, Chinese authorities claimed that the camps are "educational training centres", and are needed to clamp down on terrorism and separatist and extremist activities. Furthermore, the report highlighted that members of the minority Uyghur ethnic group reported systematic torture and other degrading treatment by law enforcement officers. The US co-hosted an event with Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom at the United Nations in Geneva to raise awareness regarding ongoing and egregious human rights abuses in Xinjiang, where more than one million Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and other members of Muslim minority groups have been detained since April 2017, the State Department said in a release. "The United States strongly encouraged the UN and the High Commissioner for Human Rights to make these abuses a priority. Government officials, expert panelists, and survivor testimony highlighted the magnitude and severity of the violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Xinjiang," it added. Participants also considered next steps the international community could take in addressing the situation in Xinjiang, the statement further said. The United States is not in a rush to enter into a trade deal with China, the negotiations for which has been undergoing since December 2018, US President Donald Trump said. At the same time, talks with the Chinese on a bilateral trade deal has been going on quite well, he said Washington: The United States is not in a rush to enter into a trade deal with China, the negotiations for which has been undergoing since December 2018, US President Donald Trump said. At the same time, talks with the Chinese on a bilateral trade deal has been going on quite well, Trump said, amid reports that Chinese President Xi Jinping has postponed his trip to the US president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida later this month. "I think things are going along very well. We'll just see what the date is. I'm in no rush. I want the deal to be right, much more importantly. Somebody said I'm in a rush. I'm not in a rush at all," Trump told reporters at the White House. "Right now, we're getting billions and billions of dollars of tariffs paid into our coffers. I am not in a rush whatsoever. It's got to be the right deal, and it's got to be a good deal for us. And if it's not, we're not going to make that deal. But I will say that deal is going along very nicely," Trump said. Responding to a question, Trump said his Chinese counterpart does not end up in what he did in Hanoi in February when he walked out of his summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un because the deal on the table was not in the best interest of the US. "I think President Xi saw that I'm somebody that believes in walking when a deal is not done. And, you know, there's always a chance it could happen, and he probably wouldn't want that. That could be a reason," Trump said when asked about the cancellation of his proposed summit with Xi in Mar-a-Lago. But we can do it either way. We can have the deal completed and come and sign, or we can get the deal almost completed and negotiate some of the final points. I would prefer that, but it doesn't matter that much, he said. Trump said the US economy is doing very good, but that is not the case with China. Our country is doing great. China would like to make a deal and we'd like to make a deal. We'll see. We have a very good relationship. I have a very good relationship with President Xi. We're going to see what happens, he said. But it's an exciting time in terms of trade. We just made a deal with Mexico, Canada. We just made a deal with South Korea. We have other deals that we have cooking, he said. Trump reiterated the US was being taken advantage of by everybody. What was happening to our country on trade was a horrible thing; that this wasn't done years ago. And I'm not talking about the Obama administration. I'm talking about that and plenty of other administrations before it. That they could have allowed this to happen -- we lost, over the last number of years, almost $800 billion a year on trade. Who's making these deals? he said. So we're making great deals or we're not going to make them at all. We're going to go tariffs, said the US President. By Nneka Chile and Temilade Adelaja LAGOS (Reuters) - At least one person was killed and dozens of children were among those feared trapped after a four-storey building containing a primary school collapsed in Nigeria's commercial capital Lagos on Wednesday. Adeshina Tiamiyu, general manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, said that the agency had recorded one death so far in the disaster, and had rescued nearly 50 people. 'We will be able to give total figures in the morning after we have cleared to the ground floor,' Tiamiyu said By Nneka Chile and Temilade Adelaja LAGOS (Reuters) - At least one person was killed and dozens of children were among those feared trapped after a four-storey building containing a primary school collapsed in Nigeria's commercial capital Lagos on Wednesday. Adeshina Tiamiyu, general manager of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, said that the agency had recorded one death so far in the disaster, and had rescued nearly 50 people. "We will be able to give total figures in the morning after we have cleared to the ground floor," Tiamiyu said. Workers on top of the rubble shovelled debris away as thousands of people swarmed around the site to watch, many of them angry or distraught. Police, ambulances, Red Cross workers, fire trucks and a fork lift were on the scene. Residents said around 100 children had attended the school, which was on the top levels of the building. A Reuters reporter saw a boy of 10 being pulled from the rubble, covered in dust but with no visible injuries, and the crowd erupted into cheers as another child was pulled out. A spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency's southwest region said many people, including children, were believed to be trapped. Lagos Governor Akinwuni Ambode visited the site and offered condolences to bereaved families. Ambode said the school had been set up illegally and that buildings in the area had been undergoing structural testing prior to the accident. The collapsed building is in the Ita-faji area of Lagos island, which was the original heart of the lagoon city before it expanded onto the mainland. One bereaved relative, Bose Adeshida, said she had two nieces, aged 11 and 4, who attended the school. The elder child, Amoke, died and her younger sister was being treated for head injuries, Adeshida said. It was not clear if her dead niece, who had attended the school since the age of 2, was the same person cited by the Lagos emergency agency as having died in the collapse. Adeshida, whose younger sister was the mother of the children, said she was angry because people had complained about the building for the last 12 years. She said the site had been marked for demolition but developers repainted it and rented out the space. "It is expensive in that area. That's why people stay in a building like that," she said. Local resident Yomi Olaniyi, 42, said four buildings had collapsed in the area in the past few years. Outside the hospital where people taken out of the building were taken for treatment, anxious relatives sobbed and ran towards ambulances as they arrived, hoping their loved ones were inside. Some fell to their knees with tears streaming down their faces. A Google photograph of the collapsed building from early 2017 shows no sign of a school inside. The fourth storey only had the words "Olulade Villa (Psalm 27)" painted across its balcony. Presidency Muhammadu Buhari said in a statement he was "extremely saddened" by the building collapse. Building collapses are frequent in Nigeria, where regulations are poorly enforced and construction materials are often substandard. In 2016, more than 100 people were killed when a church came down in the southeast, and in Lagos the same year, a five-storey building collapsed, killing at least 30 people. A floating school built to withstand storms and floods also collapsed in Lagos in 2016, though no injuries were reported. (Reporting by Nneka Chile, Temilade Adelaja and Alexis Akwagyiram, Angela Ukomadu in Lagos; Additional reporting by Paul Carsten and Camillus Eboh in Abuja and Ola Lanre in Maiduguri; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Frances Kerry) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The US House of Representatives, now Democrat controlled, voted unanimously Thursday for a resolution calling for any final report in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation to be made public, a symbolic action designed to pressure Attorney General William Barr into releasing as much information as possible when the probe is concluded. Washington: The US House of Representatives, now Democrat controlled, voted unanimously Thursday for a resolution calling for any final report in special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation to be made public, a symbolic action designed to pressure Attorney General William Barr into releasing as much information as possible when the probe is concluded. The Democratic-backed resolution, which passed 420-0, comes as Mueller appears to be nearing an end to his investigation. Lawmakers in both parties have maintained there will have to be some sort of public resolution when the report is done and privately hope that a report shows conclusions that are favorable to their own side. Four Republicans voted present: Michigan Rep. Justin Amash, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar and Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie. The resolution is unlikely to be passed in the Senate, where Democratic Leader Charles Schumer tried to bring it up hours after House passage. He was rebuffed when Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham objected. But the House vote shows that lawmakers from both parties are eager to have a look at Mueller's findings after almost two years of speculation about what it might reveal. Though Mueller's office has said nothing publicly about the timing of a report, several prosecutors detailed to Mueller's team have left in recent months, suggesting that the investigation is winding down. On Thursday, Mueller spokesman Peter Carr said in a statement that Andrew Weissmann, one of the most prominent prosecutors on the team, would be concluding his work "in the near future." The nonbinding House resolution calls for the public release of any report Mueller provides to Barr, with an exception for classified material. The resolution also calls for the full report to be released to Congress. "This resolution is critical because of the many questions and criticisms of the investigation raised by the president and his administration," said House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler. President Donald Trump has repeatedly called the probe a "hoax" and a "witch hunt." It's unclear exactly what documentation will be produced at the end of the probe into possible coordination between Trump associates and Russia, and how much of that the Justice Department will allow people to see. Mueller is required to submit a report to Barr, and then Barr can decide how much of that is released publicly. Barr said at his confirmation hearing in January that he takes seriously the department regulations that say Mueller's report should be confidential. Those regulations require only that the report explain decisions to pursue or to decline prosecutions, which could be as simple as a bullet point list or as fulsome as a report running hundreds of pages. "I don't know what, at the end of the day, what will be releasable. I don't know what Bob Mueller is writing," Barr said at the hearing. Democrats have said they are unsatisfied with Barr's answers and want a stronger commitment to releasing the full report, along with interview transcripts and other underlying evidence. Republicans agree to a point. In making an argument for transparency, Republican leaders have pointed to Barr's comments and the existing regulations, without explicitly pressing for the underlying evidence. The top Republican on the House Judiciary panel, Georgia Rep. Doug Collins, voted for the resolution but said it was unnecessary. He defended Barr, saying he "understands the questions, the turmoil this has caused." Collins also had a warning for Democrats: "What happens when it comes back and none of this is true, the president did not do anything wrong? Then the meltdown will occur." At least one Republican is siding with Democrats. Texas Rep. Will Hurd, a member of the House intelligence committee, said he believes the resolution should have been even broader. "I want the American people to know as much as they can and see as much as they can," said Hurd, a former CIA officer. He added that "full transparency is the only way to prevent future innuendo." White House spokesman Hogan Gidley called the resolution "ridiculous." "They came in and so many of them said they wanted to work with the president and get things done for infrastructure and health care and instead they're moving on all these radical ideas," Gidley said of Democrats in an interview on Fox News. Gidley said he hadn't spoken with Trump about whether the report should be made public. If a full report isn't released, House Democrats have made clear they will do whatever they can to get hold of it. Nadler has said he would subpoena the final report and invite or even subpoena Mueller to talk about it. The Senate has been less eager to push Barr on the release of the report, despite some in the GOP caucus who have said they want to ensure transparency. Graham, a close ally of Trump's, said he would only allow the Mueller resolution from the House to move forward if it were amended to call for a new special counsel to investigate misconduct at the Justice Department surrounding the Hillary Clinton email investigation and the abuse of the secret surveillance warrant process. Schumer objected to those additions, and the bill did not get a vote. Afterward, Graham was equivocal on whether the full report should be released. "We'll see," he said. By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) - The Syrian army, aided by Russian warplanes, attacked rebel-held towns in northwestern Syria on Wednesday in the most extensive bombardment in months against the last remaining rebel bastion in the country, rebels, rescuers and residents said. Rebels who have fought to topple President Bashar al-Assad for eight years are now largely confined to the enclave in the northwest near the Turkish border. Around four million people now live there, including hundreds of thousands of opponents of Assad who fled there from other parts of the country. By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN (Reuters) - The Syrian army, aided by Russian warplanes, attacked rebel-held towns in northwestern Syria on Wednesday in the most extensive bombardment in months against the last remaining rebel bastion in the country, rebels, rescuers and residents said. Rebels who have fought to topple President Bashar al-Assad for eight years are now largely confined to the enclave in the northwest near the Turkish border. Around four million people now live there, including hundreds of thousands of opponents of Assad who fled there from other parts of the country. The enclave is protected by a "de-escalation zone" agreement brokered last year by Assad's main international backers Russia and Iran, and Turkey which has supported the rebels in the past and has sent troops to monitor the truce. Residents said Russian planes conducted at least 12 aerial strikes on residential areas in Idlib city, including a civilian prison on its outskirts, where they said dozens of prisoners escaped. At least 10 civilians were killed and forty five injured. Russia's defence ministry confirmed it had hit Idlib in coordination with Turkey, targeting drones and weapons stores of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadists it said were intended for use in an attack on a major Russian air base near the Mediterranean coast. The jihadist group vowed to take revenge, saying they had recaptured most of the prisoners who escaped whom it said included members of a cell working for Russian intelligence it claimed were behind bombings in Idlib city last month that killed 17 civilians and injured dozens. "There is no solution against the Russian occupier, Assad's forces and the Iranian militias except confrontation and confrontation only," Hayat Tahir al Sham said in a statement. The Syrian army has escalated its shelling of the enclave since early February. The attacks have killed dozens of civilians and injured hundreds, and led to tens of thousands of people fleeing frontline areas to camps and towns closer to the Turkish border, rescuers and aid agencies said. The Syrian army denies targeting civilians and says the army is responding to stepped-up attacks staged by al Qaeda-inspired fighters who aim to wreck the truce and control the area. Residents along the border area with Turkey could hear heavy overnight aerial strikes that covered a wide stretch of territory from rebel-held areas near government-held Latakia province on the Mediterranean to Idlib city towards the east and extending to adjoining opposition-held parts of northern Hama. "They burnt the land ... The sounds were heard very clearly," said Ibrahim al Sheikh, a father of five in the border town of Atmeh. He quoted relatives as saying the shelling was the heaviest yet in the two weeks of escalation. The escalation in the northwest is taking place as a U.S.-backed Kurdish-led militia has launched a separate assault on the final bastion of Islamic State fighters on the opposite, eastern end of the country, creating turning points on both major fronts of Syria's multi-sided civil war. 'WHOEVER DID THIS IS A BEAST' In the northwest, residents said white phosphorous munitions were fired overnight on the town of al Tamana in northwestern Idlib countryside, where rescue workers on Wednesday said they put out several fires caused by more than 80 rocket strikes. Among the targets of the aerial campaign was a makeshift tent camp in Kfr Amim, east of Idlib city, that shelters displaced families, where two women were killed and at least 10 children injured when bombs landed after midnight. "Whoever did this is a beast, truly a beast. It's a camp with only women and children. There is nothing we can say except that this Russian beast is coming to kill," said Laith al Abdullah, a civil defence worker in Sarqeb town who helped in the rescue effort, reached by mobile phone. Rocket shelling from a major army base in Joreen, in Hama province, escalated a week-long bombardment of rural areas near the town of Jisr al Shaqour, said Ahmed Abdul Salam, a rebel commander in the Turkey-backed National Liberation Front. A Russian army base, south of government-controlled Halafaya town, also targeted Kafr Zeita in northern Hama countryside while cluster bombs hit several rebel-held towns in southern Idlib, rebels said. The stepped-up bombardment has depopulated opposition-held towns in the buffer zone that straddles parts of Idlib to northern Hama and parts of Latakia province. The opposition-held city of Khan Sheikhon had become a ghost city with most of its more than 70,000 people fleeing, said Yousef al Idlibi, a former resident who moved to Idlib city. Turkey, which began patrols in the buffer zone on Friday, has condemned what it said were increasing provocations to wreck the truce, and warned that a bombing campaign by the Russians and the Syrian army would cause a major humanitarian crisis. Many residents are exasperated by the failure of Turkish forces to respond to the bombardments. The Syrian army has called for Turkish forces to withdraw. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi in Amman; Additional reporting in Moscow by Polina Ivanova; Editing by Peter Graff, Gareth Jones and James Dalgleish) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. GENEVA (Reuters) - The head of the state-backed Saudi human rights commission dismissed an international investigation into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi as interference on Thursday, and said everyone accused was already facing justice in the kingdom. GENEVA (Reuters) - The head of the state-backed Saudi human rights commission dismissed an international investigation into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi as interference on Thursday, and said everyone accused was already facing justice in the kingdom. Bandar bin Mohammed al-Aiban made the comments as Turkey's Justice Ministry said Interpol had issued red notices - asking police worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition - for 20 people regarding Khashoggi's death. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, provoking an international outcry. In his remarks, the first substantive comments on the case by Saudi Arabia at a meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Council, Aiban said those on trial for what he described both as an "unfortunate accident" and a "heinous crime" had attended three hearings so far with their lawyers present. He gave no names or other details. Three dozen Western countries, including all 28 European Union members, called on the kingdom last week to cooperate with a U.N.-led investigation. But Aiban said Saudi Arabia would not accept what he termed as foreign interference in its domestic affairs and judicial system. "Justice in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia operates pursuant to international law and it does so in all transparency," Aiban told the Geneva forum during a review of Saudi Arabia's rights record. We are indeed horrified by what has happened pursuant to this unfortunate accident and we have taken those measures required for us to resolve this heinous crime, added Aiban, who headed the official Saudi delegation at the hearing. The Turkish Justice Ministry said it had requested Interpol red notices for 18 people on Nov. 15 and for two more on Dec. 21 without identifying the individuals. The notices were issued on March 1, it said. Interpol declined to comment. Ankara has repeatedly pressed Riyadh to reveal more details of the killing. It said earlier on Thursday that Saudi authorities should disclose the names of defendants and the charges they face if it wanted to avoid questions over the "sincerity of judicial proceedings in the kingdom". It also criticised Aiban's rejection of any foreign investigation. "We find it difficult to understand why an official working in the area of human rights would possibly be unsettled by efforts to shed light on all aspects of the Khashoggi murder," the Turkish presidency said. Riyadh has rejected accusations by the CIA and some Western countries that the crown prince ordered the killing. After making numerous contradictory statements, it said Khashoggi was killed after negotiations to persuade him to return to Saudi Arabia failed - and later that 11 Saudis had been indicted and referred for trial over the case, without identifying them. The public prosecutor is seeking the death penalty for five of them. The killing has severely strained ties between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, although Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has good ties with the Saudi monarch, King Salman. (Reporting by Tom Miles, Stephanie Nebehay and Orhan Coskun, Ece Toksabay in Ankara; Writing by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky, Andrew Heavens and Frances Kerry) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. The trial of the Saudi women, who have been held for nearly a year without charge, comes as Saudi Arabia seeks to placate international criticism over last year's brutal murder of insider-turned-critic Jamal Khashoggi. Riyadh: Ten Saudi women appeared in court on Wednesday, for the first time since being detained last year in a sweeping crackdown on activists, ratcheting up scrutiny of the kingdom's human rights record. The trial of the women, who have been held for nearly a year without charge, comes as Saudi Arabia seeks to placate international criticism over last year's brutal murder of insider-turned-critic Jamal Khashoggi. Prominent activists Loujain al-Hathloul, Hatoon al-Fassi, Aziza al-Yousef and Eman al-Nafjan were among those who attended Riyadh's criminal court, where they heard the charges against them, court president Ibrahim al-Sayari said. Family members of the women some of whom allegedly faced torture and sexual harassment during interrogation were permitted to attend the court session, but a group of around two dozen foreign journalists and Western diplomats were barred from entering. Visibly distressed relatives huddled together outside the courtroom, clutching handwritten appeals for the judge as they waited their turn to see the detainees inside. The charges against the women were not disclosed to the public. But London-based rights group ALQST said they were held under the kingdom's sweeping cybercrime law, which carries prison sentences of up to 10 years, based on their contact with "hostile entities" including human rights organisations. 'Escalating repression' Sayari said the women would have access to independent lawyers for the trial, a right that family members claimed they had been denied for the entire stretch of their detention. "It now seems that the authorities will charge the women's rights activists, after keeping them in detention for nearly one year without any access to lawyers, and where they faced torture, ill-treatment and sexual harassment," said Amnesty International's West Asia campaigns director Samah Hadid. "The authorities are now treating defending women's rights as a crime, which is a dangerous escalation in the country and their crackdown on human rights activism," Hadid told AFP. More than a dozen activists, many of whom campaigned for years for the right to drive, were arrested in May last year just a month before the kingdom ended its longstanding ban on female motorists. Some were subsequently released. At the time, the activists were accused by some government officials of undermining national security and aiding enemies of the state, while state-backed media branded them as traitors and "agents of embassies". Human Rights Watch researcher Adam Coogle said the trial and alleged mistreatment of the women "is yet another sign of escalating repression in Saudi Arabia". "Authorities should immediately halt these unfair proceedings and release any activist charged solely based on their peaceful activism," he told AFP. Paving way for release? Amnesty and the family of Hathloul, who was among the detainees allegedly tortured and sexually harassed, had feared the women would be charged with terrorism, as they had been expected to appear at a court set up to handle terror-related cases. But relatives received a last-minute call informing them the case had been shifted to the criminal court, without being told why. The move has triggered speculation the trial shrouded in secrecy could pave the way for the release of the women, after the crackdown prompted scathing criticism against Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Some detainees, including Hathloul, were recently made to sign letters in prison requesting a royal pardon from King Salman, family members said. "Terrorism charges are very hard politically for the Saudi government to go soft on, but criminal charges may open the door for an acquittal," Bessma Momani, a professor at Canada's University of Waterloo, said. "The Saudis need to change the page on this file badly its economy and success of its reform drive hinge on removing the negative perceptions that the arrests of these women has caused." Prince Mohammed's much-trumpeted drive to modernise the conservative kingdom has been dented by the detentions, part of a wider crackdown by Saudi authorities on activists, clerics and critics in recent years seen as stamping out political dissent. The arrests have resulted in further pressure on Saudi Arabia, which has faced global outrage over journalist Khashoggi's murder in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. Last week, 36 nations condemned Saudi Arabia over the murder, in a rare censure of the wealthy oil-rich kingdom at the UN Human Rights Council. By Nathan Layne NEW YORK (Reuters) - One of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's top prosecutors will soon leave his post, a spokesman said on Thursday, confirming a move likely to add fuel to speculation that the investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 U.S. election is nearing an end. By Nathan Layne NEW YORK (Reuters) - One of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's top prosecutors will soon leave his post, a spokesman said on Thursday, confirming a move likely to add fuel to speculation that the investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 U.S. election is nearing an end. Andrew Weissmann, who orchestrated the prosecution of President Donald Trump's campaign chairman Paul Manafort, will leave the special counsel's team "in the near future," Mueller spokesman Peter Carr said. News of his departure, first reported by National Public Radio, came a day after Manafort was sentenced by a federal judge in Washington, bringing his total punishment to 7-1/2 years in prison from two criminal cases brought by Mueller's team. Manafort was convicted of or pleaded guilty to a litany of financial and other crimes. Weissmann, who has taught at the New York University School of Law in the past, is in talks with the school to return to a teaching post "following his current commitments," said Michael Orey, a university spokesman. Weissmann has been a pivotal member of Mueller's team, which has brought charges against 34 people and three companies during a 22-month-old investigation into whether Trump's 2016 campaign conspired with Russia and whether the Republican president unlawfully sought to obstruct the probe. Unless Weissmann is leaving for unspecified personal reasons, his departure signals Mueller has likely completed all of the inquiry's major investigative steps, although there could still be additional indictments, said Barbara McQuade, a former senior federal prosecutor in Michigan. "I see this as the surest sign yet of a wrap-up," McQuade said. A handful of other prosecutors working with the special counsel already have left their posts, while a senior FBI agent on Mueller's team, David Archey, this month became head of the FBI's office in Richmond, Virginia. Mueller is preparing to deliver a confidential report on his findings to Attorney General William Barr, marking the conclusion of the special counsel's work. Barr will then decide how much of the report to make public. The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a non-binding resolution on Thursday calling for Mueller's report to be released to Congress and the public. The vote was 420-0, with four conservative Republican lawmakers allied with Trump voting "present." Before joining Mueller's team in May 2017, Weissmann was best known for two assignments: the investigation of now-defunct energy company Enron and organized crime cases when he was a federal prosecutor in Brooklyn. Weissmann was detailed to the special counsel from the U.S. Justice Department, where he had headed the criminal fraud section. He has given notice to the department that he will not be returning, according to a person familiar with the matter. A department spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Weissmann, who was in a Washington federal court on Thursday to attend a hearing in the special counsel's prosecution of longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone, did not respond to a request for comment. Stone was indicted in January, accused of lying about his communications with associates about the Wikileaks website that released documents that prosecutors said were stolen by Russia and made public to hurt Trump's 2016 Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. Stone has pleaded not guilty. His trial is set for on Nov. 5. (Reporting by Nathan Layne; Additional reporting by Mark Hosenball, Susan Heavey and Sarah N. Lynch in Washington, and Karen Freifeld in New York; Editing by Will Dunham) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Greta Thunberg, 16, has encouraged students to skip school to join protests demanding faster action on climate change, a movement that has spread beyond Sweden to other European nations Copenhagen: Three Norwegian lawmakers have nominated Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg, who has become a prominent voice in campaigns against climate change, for the Nobel Peace Prize. Freddy Andre Oevstegaard and two other members of the Socialist Left Party said they believe "the massive movement Greta has set in motion is a very important peace contribution." Thunberg, 16, has encouraged students to skip school to join protests demanding faster action on climate change, a movement that has spread beyond Sweden to other European nations. Oevstegaard told the VG newspaper on Wednesday that "climate threats are perhaps one of the most important contributions to war and conflict." Any national lawmaker can nominate somebody for the Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Nobel Committee doesn't publicly comment on nominations, which for 2019 had to be submitted by 1 Feb. By Dave Graham MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Nearly 11,000 people were evacuated on Wednesday from the Mexico City offices of Spanish bank BBVA, including one of the capital's tallest skyscrapers, where police sent in a team of bomb experts following anonymous threats. BBVA said in a statement it did not believe the threats were real, but evacuated its headquarters in the 235-meter (771-foot) Torre Bancomer, as well its Parques Bancomer offices in the upscale Polanco neighbourhood as a precaution. 'Fortunately everyone is out of the buildings ... By Dave Graham MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Nearly 11,000 people were evacuated on Wednesday from the Mexico City offices of Spanish bank BBVA, including one of the capital's tallest skyscrapers, where police sent in a team of bomb experts following anonymous threats. BBVA said in a statement it did not believe the threats were real, but evacuated its headquarters in the 235-meter (771-foot) Torre Bancomer, as well its Parques Bancomer offices in the upscale Polanco neighbourhood as a precaution. "Fortunately everyone is out of the buildings ... they are all safe," a BBVA spokesman said. Myriam Urzua Venegas, the city's emergency services chief, told local television station TeleDiario both emails and phone calls warned of "a possible explosive device" in the Torre Bancomer. It could also be a false alarm, she added. A crowd of office workers from the towering office building, a landmark of the Mexico City skyline, milled around sidewalks just before 1 p.m. local time (1900 GMT) along a busy stretch of Paseo de la Reforma boulevard in the city's capital. Moises Gutierrez, a police officer at the scene, said a team of around half a dozen experts had not detected any explosive device inside the building almost two hours after entering. Workers outside the Torre Bancomer, which opened in 2016, said they were told to go home for the day after they received instructions on a loudspeaker to evacuate the building. "We weren't told why," said Cynthia Sanchez, 32, who came down the stairs via an emergency exit from the 14th floor. The crowd of hundreds of workers outside the tower quickly dispersed leaving a few dozen police and an ambulance with flashing lights at the entrance to the 50-floor tower. BBVA said its local branches continued to operate normally. (Reporting by Dave Graham; Writing by Anthony Esposito and David Alire Garcia; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel, Jonathan Oatis and Diane Craft) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Idrees Ali WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is aiming to test a ground-launched cruise missile with a range of about 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) in August, a Pentagon official said on Wednesday, after Washington announced that it plans to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Last month, the United States announced it would withdraw from the INF Treaty in six months unless Moscow ends what Washington says are violations of the 1987 pact. Russia announced it was suspending the treaty By Idrees Ali WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is aiming to test a ground-launched cruise missile with a range of about 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) in August, a Pentagon official said on Wednesday, after Washington announced that it plans to withdraw from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Last month, the United States announced it would withdraw from the INF Treaty in six months unless Moscow ends what Washington says are violations of the 1987 pact. Russia announced it was suspending the treaty. Moscow denies flouting the accord and has accused Washington of breaking the accord itself, allegations rejected by the United States. "We're going to test a ground launched cruise missile in August," a senior defence official, who declined to be named, said. If the testing is successful, the missile could be deployed in about 18 months and would have a range of about 1,000 kilometres (621 miles). The official said the United States was also looking to test an intermediate-range ballistic missile in November, adding that both would be conventional and not nuclear. The INF treaty, negotiated by then-President Ronald Reagan and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and ratified by the U.S. Senate, eliminated the medium-range missile arsenals of the worlds two biggest nuclear powers and reduced their ability to launch a nuclear strike at short notice. The INF treaty required the parties to destroy ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of between 500 and 5,500 km (310 to 3,420 miles). The United Nations has urged the United States and Russia to preserve the treaty, saying its loss would make the world more insecure and unstable. Last month Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is militarily ready for a Cuban Missile-style crisis if the United States wanted one and threatened to place hypersonic nuclear missiles on ships or submarines near U.S. territorial waters. The Cuban Missile Crisis erupted in 1962 when Moscow responded to a U.S. missile deployment in Turkey by sending ballistic missiles to Cuba, sparking a standoff that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. More than five decades on, tensions are rising again over Russian fears that the United States might deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Europe, as a landmark Cold War-era arms-control treaty unravels. "We haven't engaged any of our allies about forward deployment," the U.S. defence official said. "Honestly, we haven't been thinking about this because we have been scrupulously abiding by the treaty." (Reporting by Idrees Ali) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is not discussing a Turkish offensive in northeast Syria with Turkey and believes such an operation would not be needed to address Ankara's security concerns, a U.S. official told Reuters on Wednesday, dismissing media reports to the contrary WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States is not discussing a Turkish offensive in northeast Syria with Turkey and believes such an operation would not be needed to address Ankara's security concerns, a U.S. official told Reuters on Wednesday, dismissing media reports to the contrary. A Turkish defence official was cited by Turkish state media on Tuesday as saying Ankara was discussing with the United States and Russia a potential offensive in a region of northeast Syria controlled by Kurdish-led fighters. (Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Peter Cooney) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. In a tentative first step toward ending months of political deadlock, British lawmakers voted Wednesday to block the country from leaving the European Union without a divorce agreement, triggering an attempt to delay that departure, currently due to take place on March 29. London: In a tentative first step toward ending months of political deadlock, British lawmakers voted Wednesday to block the country from leaving the European Union without a divorce agreement, triggering an attempt to delay that departure, currently due to take place on March 29. Parliament is scheduled to decide Thursday whether to put the brakes on Brexit, a vote set up after lawmakers dealt yet another defeat to Prime Minister Theresa May amid a crisis over Britain's departure from the EU. The lawmakers' 321-278 vote has political but not legal force, and does not entirely rule out a chaotic no-deal departure for Britain. But it might ease jitters spreading across the EU after lawmakers resoundingly rejected May's divorce deal on Tuesday. Exiting the EU without a deal could mean major disruptions for businesses and people in the U.K. and the 27 remaining EU countries. In chaotic scenes that revealed how May's authority has been eroded by Brexit battles, more than a dozen pro-EU government ministers abstained rather than vote with her against ruling out no-deal. Speaking with a raspy voice after weeks of relentless pressure, May hinted that she plans to make a third attempt to get lawmakers to support her Brexit deal, which they have already rejected twice. She said Parliament faced a "fundamental choice" a "short, technical extension" if lawmakers approve a divorce deal with the EU in the next week, or a much longer delay to Brexit if they don't. The EU warned that voting against no-deal Brexit wasn't enough to stop it. By law, Britain will leave the EU on March 29, with or without a deal, unless it cancels Brexit or secures a delay. "There are only two ways to leave the EU: with or without a deal," a European Commission official said. "The EU is prepared for both. To take no deal off the table, it is not enough to vote against no deal - you have to agree to a deal." The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the unresolved situation. Earlier, chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier warned that "the risk of a no-deal has never been higher." As Britain teeters ever closer to the edge of the Brexit cliff, lawmakers are trying to seize control from the divided and squabbling government, although it's far from clear if they can agree on a way forward. There are competing factions that support May's deal, a "softer" deal that would keep close ties with the EU, a no-deal Brexit, or even a new referendum on Britain's EU membership. Parliament likely will agree to delay Brexit, but it would need EU approval. The bloc openly exasperated by Britain's continuing Brexit crisis warned that the U.K. would need to present a strong reason for any extension. "I am against every extension whether an extension of one day, one week, even 24 hours if it's not based on a clear opinion of the House of Commons for something," said the European Parliament's chief Brexit official, Guy Verhofstadt. "Please make up your minds in London, because this uncertainty cannot continue." The bloc is also reluctant to consider a delay that goes beyond elections to the European Parliament in late May, because it would mean Britain would have to participate in the polls even as it prepares to leave. Both Britain and the EU have ramped up planning for a no-deal Brexit, which would rip up decades of rules for travel and trade between Britain and the bloc. Economists say it could cause huge upheaval, with customs checks causing gridlock at U.K. ports, new tariffs triggering sudden price increases and red tape for everyone from truckers to tourists. The U.K. government announced its plans for the Irish border in the event of a no-deal Brexit, saying it wouldn't impose new checks, duties or controls on goods coming from EU member Ireland into Northern Ireland. It also said it wouldn't slap tariffs on 87 percent of goods coming into Britain from the EU though there would be new levies on imports of some items including meat and cars. The tariffs, intended to be temporary, wouldn't apply to goods crossing from Ireland to Northern Ireland, raising fears the plan would spark a rise in smuggling. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said under the proposals, "Northern Ireland will become a backdoor to the European single market and I think that in a matter of months that will lead to the need for checks at Northern Ireland's ports." "I don't think the U.K.'s proposals will be workable for very long," he said during a visit to Washington. In Irish border communities and U.K. ports, no-deal anxiety was mounting. "Potentially it is going to be a nightmare," said Michael Eddy, a district councilor who lives in the aptly named town of Deal, a few miles from the major Channel port of Dover on England's south coast. He says local authorities have modeled potential disruptions and believe that even "a two-minute delay for every truck going through the port of Dover" would lead to a 50-mile (80-kilometer) traffic jam. "What then happens with local people wanting to go about their business, wanting to get to hospitals, wanting to get their kids to school, all of that kind of stuff?" he said. The European Parliament approved measures Wednesday to ameliorate the immediate hardships of a no-deal Brexit. It backed emergency plans to provide continuity for everything from air, port and road traffic to foreign students to the fishing industry. The U.K. Parliament has twice rejected the withdrawal agreement that May spent two years negotiating with the EU, and the bloc insists there will be no more talks. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas warned British lawmakers that "whoever rejects the (Brexit) agreement plays with the welfare of their citizens and the economy in a reckless way." Yet May has not given up on a third attempt to get her deal through Parliament again. U.K. Treasury chief Philip Hammond said he was "confident that we will do a deal" in the next few weeks. Many Britons wish they could share his optimism. "I think that a bit of unity would be helpful now," said Katharine Beaugie, an artist in Dover. "It would be much better if we could have found some sort of decision." Washington: The US Senate on Wednesday confirmed Indian-American Neomi Rao, who was under scrutiny for her past writings on sexual assault, as a judge on the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, one of the most powerful benches in the country. Rao, 45, will replace controversial Brett Kavanaugh who endured a bitter confirmation battle in 2018 after US President Donald Trump named him to the US Supreme Court. Her confirmation came amidst stiff resistance from the opposition Democratic lawmakers and a nationwide campaign against her by rights groups for her previous position on sexual assault and minorities. Rao was confirmed by 53-46 votes in the US Senate, which was basically on party lines. The Republicans enjoy majority in the 100-member US Senate. After being sworn in, she would be the second Indian-American on this court, which is considered only next to the US Supreme Court. Meanwhile, opposition Democratic party said Rao did not deserve to be confirmed. "A vote for Neomi Rao is a vote for a judge who blamed survivors of sexual assaults for being attacked. It is a vote for a judge who claimed sexual orientation is a behaviour' that can be changed, said Democratic National Committee's Women's Media Director Elizabeth Renda and LGBTQ Media Director Lucas Acosta. Rao currently serves as the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget. In this capacity, she played a key role in regulatory reform. Prior to her service as OIRA Administrator, Rao was a professor of structural constitutional law, administrative law, and legislation and statutory interpretation at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University. She founded the Law School's Center for the Study of the Administrative State and focused her scholarship on the political and constitutional accountability of administrative agencies and the role of Congress. She has served in all three branches of government including Associate Counsel and Special Assistant to President George W Bush. She also served as counsel to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, where she was responsible for judicial nominations and constitutional law issues. In between government service, Rao practiced in the London office of Clifford Chance LLP, specializing in international law and commercial arbitration. US Senate Republicans launched their first major rebuke of US President Donald Trump voting against his ambitious 'emergency declaration' to build a border wall along the US-Mexico border. In voting against the move, Trump's own party is showing the first signs of breaking away as the 2020 campaigning shifts into higher gear and the wounds of the 2018 midterm loss remain fresh. US Senate Republicans launched their first major rebuke of US President Donald Trump voting 59-41 against his ambitious 'emergency declaration' to build a border wall along the US-Mexico border. In voting against the move, Trump's own party is showing the first signs of breaking away as the 2020 campaigning shifts into higher gear and the wounds of the 2018 midterm loss remain fresh. A dozen Republicans voted with their arch rivals against the US president. Sharp words flew ahead of the early afternoon vote, with Democrats framing Trump's emergency declaration as a "personal tool to massage his own ego." As Trump's legal and political peril rises by the day, Republicans have been increasingly willing to defy Trump publicly on matters ranging from the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi to the president's apparently supportive stance toward Russia. Today's vote is a headline moment for that new continuum. Trump, on predictable lines, has renewed his threat to veto any congressional resolution revoking his declaration of an emergency at the southern border. Trump had declared an emergency as an end run around Congress to access more money for his promised border wall. "I told Republican senators, vote any way you want. Vote how you feel good. But I think it's bad for a Republican senator. I also think it's bad for a Democrat senator to vote against border security and to vote against the wall. I think if they vote that way, it's a very bad thing for them, long into the future," Trump said in public comments. Last-ditch jabs at getting Republicans on Trump's side flopped Wednesday and Trump will be forced to veto the resolution - the first veto of his presidency. Trump tweeted early Thursday about "the big National Emergency vote today" in the Senate. He said, "I am prepared to veto, if necessary," and called the situation at the border "a National Security and Humanitarian Nightmare." Trump has not yet vetoed a bill. Overturning a presidential veto requires a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate, but there aren't enough votes to do so on the border resolution. In a stunning rebuke, a dozen defecting Republicans joined Senate Democrats Thursday to block the national emergency that US President Donald Trump declared so he could build his border wall with Mexico. The rejection capped a week of confrontation with the White House as both parties in Congress strained to exert their power in new ways. Washington: In a stunning rebuke, a dozen defecting Republicans joined Senate Democrats Thursday to block the national emergency that US President Donald Trump declared so he could build his border wall with Mexico. The rejection capped a week of confrontation with the White House as both parties in Congress strained to exert their power in new ways. The 59-41 tally, following the Senate's vote a day earlier to end U.S. involvement in the war in Yemen, promised to force Trump into the first vetoes of his presidency. Trump had warned against both actions. Moments after Thursday's vote, the president tweeted a single word of warning: "VETO!" Two years into the Trump era, a defecting dozen Republicans, pushed along by Democrats, showed a willingness to take that political risk. Twelve GOP senators, including the party's 2012 presidential nominee, Mitt Romney of Utah, joined the dissent over the emergency declaration order that would enable the president to seize for the wall billions of dollars Congress intended elsewhere. "The Senate's waking up a little bit to our responsibilities," said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who said the chamber had become "a little lazy" as an equal branch of government. "I think the value of these last few weeks is to remind the Senate of our constitutional place." Many senators said the vote was not necessarily a rejection of the president or the wall, but protections against future presidents -- namely a Democrat who might want to declare an emergency on climate change, gun control or any number of other issues. "This is constitutional question, it's a question about the balance of power that is core to our constitution," Romney said. "This is not about the president," he added. "The president can certainly express his views as he has and individual senators can express theirs." Thursday's vote was the first direct challenge to the 1976 National Emergencies Act, just as Wednesday's on Yemen was the first time Congress invoked the decades-old War Powers Act to try to rein in a president. Seven Republicans joined Democrats in halting U.S. backing for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in the aftermath of the kingdom's role in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. "Today's votes cap a week of something the American people haven't seen enough of in the last two years," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, "both parties in the United States Congress standing up to Donald Trump." The result is a role-reversal for Republicans who have been reluctant to take on Trump, bracing against his high-profile tweets and public attacks of reprimand. But now they are facing challenges from voters in some states where senators face stiff elections -- who are expecting more from Congress. Centrist Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins, who's among those most vulnerable in 2020, said she's sure the president "will not be happy with my vote. But I'm a United States senator and I feel my job is to stand up for the Constitution, so let the chips fall where they may." Trump's grip on the party, though, remains strong and the White House made it clear that Republicans resisting Trump could face political consequences. Ahead of the voting, Trump framed the issue as with-him-or-against-him on border security, a powerful argument with many. "A vote for today's resolution by Republican Senators is a vote for Nancy Pelosi, Crime, and the Open Border Democrats!" Trump tweeted. "Don't vote with Pelosi!" he said in another, referring to the speaker of the House. A White House official said Trump won't forget when senators who oppose him want him to attend fundraisers or provide other help. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on internal deliberations. "I don't think anybody's sending the president a message," said Jim Risch of Idaho, the GOP chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He blamed the media for "reaching" to view every action "through the prism of the presidency, and that isn't necessarily the way it works here." Trump brought on the challenge months ago when he all but dared Congress not to give him the $5.7 billion he was demanding to build the U.S.-Mexico wall or risk a federal government shutdown. Congress declined and the result was the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Trump invoked the national emergency declaration last month, allowing him to try to tap some $3.6 billion for the wall by shuffling money from military projects, and that drew outrage from many lawmakers. Trump had campaigned for president promising Mexico would pay for the wall. The Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse, and lawmakers seethed as they worried about losing money for military projects that had already been approved for bases at home and abroad. The Democratic-led House swiftly voted to terminate Trump's order. Senate Republicans spent weeks trying to avoid this outcome, up until the night before the vote, in a script that was familiar -- up until the gavel. The most promising was an effort from Sen. Mike Lee of Utah for legislation that would impose limits on future presidential actions. That would give senators some solace as they allowed Trump's order to stand. GOP senators huddled with Vice President Mike Pence and seemed optimistic the White House might support their plan. Then Trump called Lee in the middle of a private Republican lunch meeting and, in the time it took the senator to step out of the room to take the call, it was over. Trump was opposed. Lee and other senators were peeling off against the president. In a last-ditch effort the night before the vote, Lindsey Graham and other senators dashed to the White House to try once again for Trump's support to broker an alternative plan. They mostly failed. Trump did tweet ahead of the vote that he would be willing to consider legislation to adjust the 1976 law at some later time. That was enough of a signal for GOP Sen. Thom Tillis, who faces a potentially tough re-election in North Carolina, to flip his vote, according to a person unauthorized to discuss the private thinking and granted anonymity. Tillis had been the first senator to say he would oppose the declaration, writing in a Washington Post opinion column last month that there'd be "no intellectual honesty" in backing Trump after his repeated objections about executive overreach by President Barack Obama. But on Thursday, he did . Trump's public support in that tweet also helped bring on board several other Republicans, including Ted Cruz and Ben Sasse, who had been part of the private huddles, the person said. For some, he said, "the emergency declaration was just a bridge too far." The US Senate was poised on Thursday to pass a proposal to terminate President Donald Trumps declaration of an emergency at the southern border, defying his threat to veto the measure and heavy lobbying of his fellow Republicans. Washington: The US Senate was poised on Thursday to pass a proposal to terminate President Donald Trumps declaration of an emergency at the southern border, defying his threat to veto the measure and heavy lobbying of his fellow Republicans. Five Republican senators have said they back the measure passed in February by the US House of Representatives, which is controlled by Democrats. At least four Republicans are needed to pass it in the 100-seat Senate, along with all 45 Democrats and two independents. But the measure is unlikely to become law given that a two-thirds vote of Congress is needed to override a presidential veto. Well see whether or not I have to do the veto. And it will be, I think, all very successful, regardless of how it all works out, Trump told reporters on Wednesday. Vice President Mike Pence met with Republican senators this week to try to tamp down support for the measure, with some Republicans worried that future Democratic presidents could usurp the power of Congress to fund the government and use the emergency declarations to fund their own pet programs. Pence told senators that Trump would back a second bill offered by Republican Senator Mike Lee, which would end future emergency declarations after 30 days unless Congress votes to extend them. Lee said on Wednesday the White House had subsequently made clear his bill did not have an immediate path forward. He added he would vote on Thursday to end the emergency declaration. At stake are billions of dollars in funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border that Trump is demanding but Congress has refused to fully provide. The stalemate led to a 35-day partial government shutdown that ended in January. Under the emergency declaration Trump signed on 15 February, he would take money from other federal programs to build the barrier he says is needed to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Democrats deny there is an emergency at the border, saying border crossings are at a four-decade low. Court challenges have also been filed asserting it is Congress, not the president, that decides how taxpayer money is spent. The Dana 44 is a great axle and its been hung under everything from our trucks to Dodge Vipers. You can stuff any ratio in it that you want, but the carrier will be the issue. Most of these trucks left the assembly line with 3.92:1 gears. The 44 had a 3.73/3.92 carrier split which means that 3.92 and numerically higher gears used one carrier assembly and 3.73 and numerically lower gears use a different carrier. Since you most likely are wanting to go with a numerically lower gear, youre going to need a new carrier also. The problem that youll run into is that these early axles under our trucks used an oddball 19 spline axle shaft. Dana never made a carrier that will accept your 19 spline spider gears that matches a 3.73 and lower gearset. But the aftermarket did!Yukon makes the part you will need and you can find it here:As far as the gears themselves go, my personal preference is to either run OEM Dana Spicer take-outs or Dana SVL series gears (Danas own quality aftermarket line) if you want new ones. Ive had excellent results with both. New is slightly easier to set up, but OE gears are of such high quality that they are worth spending a few extra minutes working the pattern in on a lightly used set. Gears are a tedious, time consuming pain in the backside to set up. The results of getting it right are also extremely rewarding. I just cant bring myself to trust any aftermarket set that Dana/Spicer hasnt approved themselves. Theyve been doing this and doing it well for 100 years. Nobody else could possibly do it better.EDIT: Kevin beat me to it. Gotta quit watching TV while Im writing a post! Horror story long post sorry in advance I need some help, on February 4th I was heading from Indiana to Florida for work when I stopped to get fuel in bessemmer, al in my 2002 f350 7.3 auto with 300k on the odometer. Its been a great truck owned it for 17 yeard and ive did 90% of maintenance on the truck. When I pulled back onto the interstate the truck wouldn't go into 3rd or even try. I stopped at the next exit and started trouble shooting and found the range sensor on the side of transmission had some bare wires. So I found a new pigtail and I rewired the transmission harness the next morning and tried the truck and still same problem it won't take 3rd gear. So I called a few local shops and found one that could get me right in so I limped the truck there. We had someone bring our other truck down from Indiana and we continued on to Florida and was planning on coming back after the truck as soon as repaired. Fast forward a month and 9 days and my truck is still stuck in bessemmer, al and still not fixed. First the transmission shop told me it was solenoid pack so we replaced them with no fix, then said OD wires had rubbed in half and we replaced steering colum and fixed wires, then they said it was a wiring issue so they spent a week tracing wires no luck, then they rewired the harness that i had just wired and messed it all up because the pigtail i bought didnt have the same color wires so i had to make a diagram and wire them by position of the pins not by color of the wire, so i had to rewire it back the right way, then they dropped the transmission and said it needed rebuild so they did that and then it would shift but extremely hard and wasn't right, then they said PCM was bad so I ordered a used $600 PCM off ebay with no fix. They have been all over the truck and messed with everything and no luck. Next they tell me the 2nd PCM is messed up and want me to order a brand new one from a company they trust so I shell out another $1000 and we order that PCM and somehow between swapping 3 PCMs the truck won't even start now it just cranks no matter what PCM they put in it. I need the truck so I tell them to tell me what I owe them and he says $3500 and it won't run or move now. I've got over $2000 in PCMs and sensors, another $1000 in hotels and 2 12 hour round trips from florida up to Alabama. I am afraid its going to end in a lawsuit if they would fix the truck I'd gladly give him what he wants but I am not giving $3500 for a truck that's in a lot worse shape then when I dropped it off it won't even run currently. Anyone ever ran into a situation like this or have any idea why switching PCMs would give the truck no start? I have had 2 7.3 trucks and know a decent amount about them but I am 500 miles from the truck and just want the dang thing fixed. Thanks After-School Special Boosting test scores, grades and opportunities, Hao-Lam-led Best in Class is primed for explosive growth with more than 60 locations open and 20 in development March 14, 2019 // Franchising.com // Bellevue, Wash. - Hao Lam never enjoyed school growing up. Escaping war-torn Vietnam in 1988, Lam moved to the United States by way of Canada, where he founded Best in Class Education Center. A key player in the $7 billion tutoring industry, Best in Class has since flourished, growing to over 60 locations within eight years. Over 55 million students attend school and almost every one of them can benefit from an after-school education center, Lam said. Kids desire to learn, but many are bored in school. We hope to fulfill their needs, whether they are looking for more advanced assignments or need more dedicated attention, Best in Class is designed to help every student reach their potential. Best in Class started small. To trace it all the way to the very beginning, before the first center even opened, Best in Class started as a value held dear to founders Hao and Lisa Lam. Above all else, the Lams believe that education is the gift of a lifetime. The value of education is personal for Hao. After he and Lisa fled Vietnam's communist government in the late 1980s, he worked tirelessly to put himself through school at the University of British Columbia, where he graduated at the top of his class with a BA in Mathematics. During that time, he tutored his classmates through complex coursework and difficult exams. It was like a spark ignited - Lam knew that educating others was his ultimate passion in life. Best in Class opened its first center in 1995 in the heart of Bellevue and began franchising in 2011. Since then, the company has grown rapidly to 61 locations across 12 states and counting. In May 2018, Lam published his memoir: From Bad to Worse to Best in Class: A Refugees Success Story which chronicled his incredible story. I know how life-changing education can be, Lam added. Earning my education was instrumental in overcoming great adversity in my life and if teaching another through their own great adversity is the only thing I accomplish, then I have accomplished the greatest task. Best in Class offers various courses, exam study and college course prep to help boost students test scores, grades and chances of higher education. Courses include mathematics, reading & writing, private tutoring, gifted test prep, SAT/ACT prep, and more. Looking to bring the joy of education to more communities around the United States, Best in Class plans to open over 20 locations in 2019 and again in 2020, reaching over 100 units before the end of 2020. By 2021, the brand hopes to be international. To augment its growth, Best in Class is seeking passionate and energetic franchise partners. Including a franchise fee of $35,000, the estimated total investment to open a Best in Class franchise is between $63,000 and $125,000. With multiple revenue systems available, flexible business models and unparalleled support, the Best in Class franchise opportunity is one-of-a-kind. Our franchise partners exemplify our core values of being positive-minded human beings; passionate about education, and energetic about running their own business, Lam said. Best in Class not only provides educational opportunities for students but also business opportunities for those looking to make an impact in their next career step. About Best in Class Founded in 1995 and franchising since 2011, Best in Class is a premium education center providing supplemental education, and committed to building students foundational knowledge and critical thinking skills. Founded by Hao Lam, an escapee from war-torn Vietnam and author of Bad to Worst to Best in Class: A Refugees Success Story, Best in Class has grown to over 60 locations across 12 states, with 20 additional centers in various stages of development. For more information, visit, www.bestinclasseducation.com. Media Contact: Cami Fannin Franchise Elevator PR (847) 239-8171 cfannin@franchiseelevator.com SOURCE Best in Class ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus For Free Times, Columbia is the center of the universe. We live in it. We eat and drink in it. We write about it. Galveston, TX (77553) Today Mostly cloudy and becoming windy. Near record high temperatures. High 78F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms in the evening, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Brendan PlayerUnknown Greene has announced he has left the development team actively working on PUBG. While he wont be busy anymore implementing new features and directing the polishing work on the battle royale title, hell remain at Bluehole and PUBG Corp. Specifically, he will be working at the Special Projects division, which is going to be based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The PUBG main development team will keep existing in Seoul, South Korea, while the second is going to work on tech and R&D for new multiplayer gameplay concepts. Itll be interesting to see what Greene comes up with at the end of this research and development stage, even though it might take a while. Now that PUBG is properly launched on PC, PS4 and Xbox One, its safe to state that hell be seeking a new multiplayer phenomenon for Bluehole and PUBG Corp. Whether it is a PUBG 2, or simply a brand new IP which will be trying to build yet another unexpected blockbuster, sure enough itll be something to look forward. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) says there is no ongoing deportation of Filipino workers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The DOLE gave the assurance amid what it said were reports saying foreign workers would be made to leave the Middle Eastern country by April 2019. A statement from the agency Wednesday said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III allayed fears over the issue which has sown confusion among workers overseas. Bello made the announcement based on a report from the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB), which cited Labor Attache Alejandro Padaen of Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Abu Dhabi who was assured by a UAE official that there was nothing to fear. Padaen said he was told by Dr. Omar Abulrahman Salem Alnuami, Assistant Secretary for Communication and International Relations of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, that it was all "fake news." The statement cited one article published online which said workers under category 35 and who are above 40 years old would be deported to their countries to give way to UAE nationals, especially fresh graduates, to solve the problem of joblesness in the UAE. Asmaa Alamadani, the executive director of MOHRE's International Bilateral Relations Department, also spoke with Labor Attache Felicitas Bay ng Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Dubai and also gave the assurance there was no truth to the issue. The National Weather Service in Glasgow is projecting a mild flood season for Spring, 2019. According to meteorologist Patrick Gilchrist, the projected flood risks for the area are minor flooding at 35 percent, moderate flooding at five percent and major flooding at less than five percent. Gilchrist told the Courier that the projections are favorable for a number of reasons. First is that the snowpack that does exist is low in water content. Gilchrist called this the snow-water equivalent which changes based on the temperature when the snow is created. Right now there is a lot of snow but not a lot of water in that snow. Second is that not all of the Milk River run-off basin contains a large amount of snow-water equivalent. If you look at the maps, there is a lot of snow from Glasgow to Havre but then not that much snow as you head up into Canada, explained Gilchrist. The issues for Glasgow then will be localized flooding. According to Gilchrist, because a large number of creeks converge with the Milk at or near Glasgow, the largest risk comes if those creek valleys melt at the same time and all that water converges in the river. Gilchrist clarified, though, that the projections does not show much of that happening. The third reason flood projections are so favorable is that much of the water is leaving the area slowly. In the last two weeks, the snow-water equivalent at Glasgow has gone from 1.9 inches to 1.2 inches, caused by some melt off and a process called sublimation (when a solid turns directly into a gas), which Gilchrist said happens this time of year. The forecast is for a slow warm up, said Gilchrist, which will slowly even out the snow pack. That means unless some major event occurs the snow will leave the region slowly and avoid moderate to major flooding. A dramatic shift could occur. explained Gilchrist, If a large rain event occurred over the top of the snow, that would change the equation. A risk of the colder temperatures, though, is threat of ice jams. The cold keeps the ice thick as it starts to break up, causing large ice jams along the river. Gilchrist explained that ice jams are frequent along the river but usually break up and move on rapidly. If you live along the river, it takes 30 days for flood insurance to take effect, said Gilchrist, urging those who are weary of possible floods to take action now to be better prepared. Just have a plan. If you live in an area you know will have minor flooding, plan ahead, said Gilchrist adding that residents should ask themselves what they would do if there was a flood or if they were cut off and start planning for that event. Minor flooding is described as 25 feet at the US Highway 24 bridge, moderate is 29 feet and major is 31 feet. The largest-recorded flood event in Glasgow was 34.1 feet. To access more information about flood projections or to see the effects of minor, moderate and major flooding visit: water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.p?wfo=ggw&gage=glwm8&hydro_type=2. U.S. Customs and Border Protection proposed recently to cut the hours of a handful of Montanas ports of entry, including Opheim and Scobey. Under their proposal, the port of Opheim would be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., year-round compared to their cu... Stat Ambulance Service in Glasgow has been recognized for their commitment to pediatric care by receiving the Level IV Gold Pediatric EMS Service with the Safety Plus Endorsement by the Montana Emergency Medical Services for Childrens Program (... The Valley County Friends of the Library has introduced a new character this year: Michelle Bigelbach. She took over as chair of the organization in January when Mary Armstrong, the prior chair, stepped down after being elected as county commissio... On Friday, March 8, 2019, Jay G. Conlon (aka Uncle Jay), 73, passed away at his home of natural causes. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 16, at 10 a.m. in the Hillcrest Mausoleum Chapel in Great Falls, Mont., with a luncheon to... With deepest sorrow, we announce that Matthew Levi Ersland, age 51, passed on the evening of Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, at the Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital (FMDH) in Glasgow, Mont. Funeral service will be in Nashua, Mont., at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Thursday, March 21, 11 a.m., with a luncheon following with burial in the Nashua Cemetery. A hug, a handshake, and "My name is Matthew and my birthday is Sept. 3rd" was how most people will remember being greeted by Matthew. He was the son of Levi and Shirley (Kuecks) Ersland. Matthew was a very sociable person. The first years of his life were spent on the family farm in the Ossettee community where he enjoyed farm life. He enjoyed checking cows with his Dad and when he was taught how to drive the old yellow pickup. After that, he moved on to driving a grain truck on the run while his Dad drove the combine and his Mom tried not to have a heart attack over it. Matthew attended the Nashua school system for 12 years. During those years, janitor Bob Robbins took Matthew under his wing and taught him some important lessons of life such as the need for a good coffee break. In 1985, he began working at The Milk River Activity Center in Glasgow. His tasks included sorting, folding, and delivering laundry to FMDH. For a short period of time, he worked as a janitor at U.B.C. Lumber. Besides work, Matthew had other areas of interest. He was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and served as an usher. He routinely competed in Special Olympics in multiple events and even attended the International Special Olympics in St. Paul, Minn. He enjoyed doing things with and for his family. He liked going on vacation with his parents and sister Diane. He mowed grass at his family's house as well as at his Granny's. He attended Griz games with his Aunt Nordy. And last but not least, he thoroughly enjoyed making the first pot of coffee every morning. He was preceded in death by one sister Marcie; grandparents Nels and Borghild Ersland and Henry and Sarah "Sally" Kuecks; three cousins, Rodney Greenwood, Jason Riley and Steven Langseth; and several other family members that he will be enjoying coffee within the hereafter. He is survived by his parents Levi and Shirley Ersland; one sister, Diane Ersland; four aunts, Delores (Rodney) Baldry, Lorraine (Keith) Langseth, Nordy Riley and Darlene (Ken) Greenwood; and multiple cousins. Milton I. Barstad passed away Thursday, March 7, 2019. Services will be held Thursday, March 14, at 11 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Glasgow. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Valley County Museum, Alzheimers research of your choice or the swimming pool. Shirley Marie (Engstrom) Fuhrman, 88, passed away Saturday, March 2, 2019, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho, surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 16, at the First Lutheran Church in Glasgow, Mont., with Pastor Todd Wright officiating. A visitation will be held with family and friends from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. prior to the service. Food will be served at the First Lutheran Church following graveside services at Highland Cemetery. She was born on Nov. 16, 1930, in Glasgow to Adolph and Amanda (Gilbertson) Engstrom, the first of their seven children. She was raised on her family's farm 10 miles southwest of Glasgow, moving into town with her family each school year, and returning to the farm in the summers. She attended elementary through high school in Glasgow, graduating in 1948. She had many happy memories of growing up with her brothers and sisters. On the windswept and sometimes lonely prairie, Shirley recalls climbing to the top platform of their windmill, probably with her siblings in tow, to attempt a glimpse of the world beyond the farm. A child during the Great Depression and then the war, Shirley remembered rationing food and supplies, driving no more than 35 miles per hour on the highway to conserve fuel and tires, and saving everything possible, including lard and aluminum foil, to support the war efforts. At a young age, Shirley wanted to be independent and earn her own money. She began babysitting at 12 years old, worked at Corrie's Confectionery Store as a sophomore, then assisted in the office at the dry cleaners in her senior year. After graduating from high school, she worked as a telephone operator at "Ma" Bell. While in high school, Shirley began dating a handsome young man named Ken Fuhrman. From early on, Shirley was impressed by his kind heart and hard work, and knew he would make not only a wonderful husband, but also a loving father. The high school sweethearts were married on Dec. 4, 1949, at the First Lutheran Church in Glasgow. They settled in the Larslan, Mont., area after their marriage, first living with Ken's parents and then moving to their own farmstead in May of 1953. While Ken farmed and ranched, Shirley was happy to be raising their five children Greg, Kevin, Brent, Darcie and Paul. Shirley loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren unconditionally, and from the moment they arrived in the world until Shirley passed away, they were always her first and foremost priority. Her and Kenny's home was a frequent stopping place for many friends, family, and neighbors. Shirley was never too busy to welcome those who dropped by the house for a visit, no matter the time of day, always offering them food, beverages (the coffeepot was always on!) and good company. n 2017, Shirley began a new chapter of her life, and her tenacity and strength became increasingly evident when she first was involved in a serious automobile accident in October of that year. About that same time, she had to make an immediate and unplanned move from the Montana home she had known for decades, to Idaho Falls, Idaho, to begin kidney dialysis three times a week, every week for the remainder of her life. Through this difficult journey, Shirley rose above the multiple challenges she faced, made new friends and began adjusting to her new normal. As a result of this time in Idaho, her family was blessed beyond measure to have nearly an extra year and a half with her. Shirley was a gracious and classy lady, up until the very moment she passed away. She always put the well-being of others above herself. She was a peacemaker, kindhearted, compassionate, humble, intelligent, always thankful and appreciative of others, and a friend to all. She was preceded in death by her parents, Adolph and Amanda; four brothers, Robert (Bobby), Wayne, Ingmar and John; her loving husband, Ken; and beloved grandson Robert Martinson. She is survived by her five children, Greg (Debi) Fuhrman, of Larslan, Kevin (Joan) Fuhrman, of Idaho Falls, Brent Fuhrman, of Hayward, Calif., Darcie (Steve) Martinson, of Idaho Falls, and Paul (Shari) Fuhrman, also of Idaho Falls; nine grandchildren, Marcea Soper, Jerod Fuhrman, Leah Fuhrman, Amanda Jenson, Wayne Fuhrman, Kendra Vaalemoen, Kaitlin Fuhrman, Clint Fuhrman and Laurel Fuhrman; five great-grandchildren, Sawyer Jenson, Parker Jenson, Macie Fuhrman, Bridger Fuhrman and Nicole Morocco; two sisters, Anita Gilbert and Vivian Hand; and numerous nieces and nephews. Time. We talk about a long time, a short time. What is a long time? A month? A year? Fifty years? A short-time could be a week, two weeks, a month. Time is dependent upon the situation we are in, what we are waiting on, plans for a vacation, atten... Dear Editor, Mr. Justin Schaaf is shooting before he knows the target. Your Letter to the Editor in the Courier [Feb. 27, 2019 edition] is off target. SB 174 was heard in Senate Fish and Game committee. I was in another committee the day exec. ac... Dear Editor, While we cannot control the weather, it has been harsh here in Northeast Montana, you have selected me to be your Senator for SD 17. It is my responsibility as your Senator to help manage our State government with knowledge and respe... The announcement during World Glaucoma Week emphasizes the need to find better treatments and a cure for this disease that affects more than 60 million people. March 14, 2019, San Francisco, CA Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) announced today $1 million in annual research grants to support 12 investigators at prestigious universities in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Glaucoma Research Foundation is funding eight researchers at prominent medical research centers with one-year Shaffer Grants, in addition to four principal investigators engaged in the multi-year Catalyst for a Cure Vision Restoration Initiative. GRF is awarding $600,000 to the four Catalyst for a Cure principal investigators ($150,000 to each laboratory) to begin their investigations toward identifying innovative methods to restore lost vision due to glaucoma. Shaffer Grants in the amount of $50,000 each will be awarded to eight individual grant recipients to support groundbreaking research into potential new treatment targets for glaucoma. This investment continues Glaucoma Research Foundations status as one of the nations leading private sources of funding for innovative and collaborative glaucoma research. Glaucoma Research Foundation invests in both research and education programs. Advancing glaucoma research is critically important to us, said Thomas M. Brunner, GRF President and CEO. Since our founding in 1978, we have invested more than $60 million in research and education. We have made some important advancements that have helped in the development of new therapies and diagnostics. But much more needs to be done to help those suffering from glaucoma. he said. Glaucoma Research Foundation Launches New Research Team Focused on Restoring Vision The Catalyst for a Cure consortium is a team of four principal investigators and their laboratories working collaboratively. This year $600,000 is being awarded to the new team recently selected through a comprehensive process by an elite Scientific Advisory Board. The four investigators are Xin Duan, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Physiology Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco; Yang Hu, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine; Anna La Torre, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis; and Derek Welsbie, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, San Diego Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego. The Catalyst for a Cure (CFC) team met with their scientific advisors in San Francisco in early February and have since established their initial plans for working collaboratively on multiple strategies toward vision restoration in glaucoma that they will be pursuing in 2019. The 2019 Shaffer Grants for Innovative Glaucoma Research GRFs 2019 research grants to explore new ideas are made possible through generous philanthropic support including leadership gifts from the Frank Stein and Paul S. May Grants for Innovative Glaucoma Research, the Dr. Henry A. Sutro Family Grant for Research, Dr. James and Elizabeth Wise, The Dr. Miriam Yelsky Memorial Research Grant, Roberta and Robert H. Feldman, Carolyn and Richard Sloane, and the Edward Joseph Daly Foundation. GRFs Shaffer Grant Advisory Committee evaluates grant applications and determines the most promising projects for Glaucoma Research Foundation to fund each year. Following is a summary of projects we are currently funding. The following 2019 Shaffer Grants are being awarded at $50,000 each: Steven Barnes, PhD Doheny Eye Institute Project: Functional Resilience of Retinal Ganglion Cells During Mitochondrial Dysfunction Adnan Dibas, PhD North Texas Eye Research Institute Project: Endothelin Converting Enzyme Knockdown is Neuroprotective in Glaucomatous Neuropathy Ankur Jain, PhD University of Iowa Project: Autophagy-targeted Treatment for Myocilin-associated Glaucoma Daniel M. Lipinski, PhD Medical College of Wisconsin Project: Development of rAAV Vector Technologies to Facilitate Topical Gene Delivery to the Cornea Biraj Mahato, PhD University of North Texas Health Science Center Project: Chemically Reprogrammed Retinal Ganglion Cell Therapy to Treat Glaucomatous Neuropathy Pierre Mattar, MSc, PhD Ottawa Hospital Research Institute Project: Programming and Reprogramming for Retinal Ganglion Cell Replacement Therapy Lauren Katie Wareham, PhD Vanderbilt University Medical Center Project: Investigating the Role of the NO-GC-1-cGMP Signaling Pathway in Glaucoma Pete A. Williams, PhD Karolinska Institutet (Stockholm, Sweden) Project: Targeting Neuronal Mitochondria for Neuroprotection in Glaucoma About World Glaucoma Week Established by the World Glaucoma Association and World Glaucoma Patient Association, World Glaucoma Week is designed to inspire a series of global activities that alert people to have regular comprehensive eye exams to detect glaucoma earlier, thus contributing to sight preservation. Experts estimate that half of the people with glaucoma are unaware of their condition and could be slowly losing their sight because their glaucoma has not been diagnosed or treated. 2019 marks the 11th year of observance for World Glaucoma Week. About Glaucoma Research Foundation Founded in San Francisco in 1978, Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) is Americas oldest and most experienced institution dedicated solely to its mission: to cure glaucoma and restore vision through innovative research. GRF has a proven track record of ground-breaking, results-oriented research and produces definitive educational materials used by eye care professionals across the country. The Glaucoma Research Foundation website, www.glaucoma.org, provides valuable information about glaucoma to more than 4 million visitors annually. Australia AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles Media/Public Contact: pm-cpa@state.gov Transmittal No: 19-12 WASHINGTON, March 13, 2019 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia of AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $240.5 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on March 12, 2019. The Government of Australia has requested to buy up to 108 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM); six (6) AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM Air Vehicles Instrumented; and six (6) spare AIM-120C-7 AMRAAM guidance sections. Also included are containers, weapon system support equipment, support and test equipment, site survey, transportation, repair and return warranties, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, maintenance, personnel training, and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor representative engineering, logistics, and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support. These items are in support of Australia's purchase of the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS). The estimated total program cost is $240.5 million. This sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a major ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Western Pacific. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability. This proposed sale is in support of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Project LAND 19 Phase 7B for acquisition of a ground based air and missile defense capability. Australia will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The prime contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset arrangements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Australia. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded. All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov. -30- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Donald Cook Completes Eighth Patrol, Returns to Rota Navy News Service Story Number: NNS190313-06 Release Date: 3/13/2019 2:01:00 PM By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ford Williams, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) returned to Naval Station Rota, Spain following the completion of its eighth forward-deployed naval forces (FDNF) patrol, March 8. Donald Cook began its patrol Nov. 17, 2018 to conduct naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. During the first half of its patrol, Donald Cook conducted maritime operations with the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and participated in various at-sea exercises with units from the Tunisian, French and Turkish navies. The ship then returned to Rota for a training and maintenance availability period. Following its brief return to Rota, the ship entered the Black Sea Jan. 19, 2019 to conduct maritime security operations and enhance regional maritime stability, and combined readiness and naval capability with NATO allies and partners in the region. While in the Black Sea, Donald Cook conducted training at sea with cutters from the Georgian coast guard after completing a port visit in Batumi, Georgia. During the port visit, a reception was held aboard the ship for the U.S. Ambassador to Georgia, Ross Wilson. Donald Cook returned to the Mediterranean and made a port visit in Toulon, France before integrating with the Charles de Gaulle CSG during exercise FANAL 2019. FANAL was the last segment of the operational training period for the strike group. The exercise included CSG operations across all maritime warfare disciplines, enhancing tactical-level skills and promoting maritime interoperability between participant naval forces. "We had a number of firsts on this patrol, including participation in a French Carrier Strike Group's final certification event, interoperability exercises with six nations, and a variety of geopolitically significant port visits across Europe and North Africa," said Cmdr. Matthew Powel, commanding officer of Donald Cook. "This operational pace can take a serious toll on the crew, and I couldn't be more proud of their professional performance." Donald Cook traveled through the Turkish Straits, enroute to the Black Sea for the second time of its patrol on Feb. 19, 2019. During this period, the ship participated in a maritime exercise with the Turkish navy, then made a port visit to Odesa, Ukraine. In Odesa, the ship hosted senior-level government discussion between U.S., Ukrainian and other European representatives, including Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Ambassador Kurt Volker, U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland, and U.S. European Command Civilian Deputy to the Commander Ambassador Philip Reeker. After the Odesa port visit concluded, the ship returned to the Mediterranean on March 1 and headed west to Algiers, Algeria. During the port visit, Adm. James G. Foggo III, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples, Italy, embarked the ship to meet with local officials and to speak with the crew. Following the ship's departure from Algiers it participated in a passing exercise with the Algerian coast guard. In total, the ship travelled approximately 24,000 nautical miles, transferred 2,368,635 gallons of fuel, conducted nearly 30 hours of flight operations and 10 general quarters drills, and fired over 7350 pounds of crew served weapons ammunition during live-fire gunnery exercises. "Team Donald Cook continuously knocked the ball out of the park on our eighth patrol," said Cmdr. Kelley Jones, executive officer of Donald Cook. "Whether it was adapting to short notice schedule changes, working through NATO integration challenges, conducting real world operations, or playing the host in multiple international receptions, Donald Cook's crew rose to the occasion and continued to show our culture of excellence." Donald Cook, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain is forward-deployed in support of U.S. national security interests in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Zumwalt Arrives in British Columbia for Port Visit Navy News Service Story Number: NNS190313-01 Release Date: 3/13/2019 10:03:00 AM From U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs ESQUIMALT, British Columbia (NNS) -- The namesake of the U.S. Navy's newest class of guided-missile destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), arrived in Esquimalt, March 11. "We are excited for this opportunity to visit Canada and further strengthen the close partnership between our navies and communities," said Capt. Andrew Carlson, Zumwalt's commanding officer. "By working together with partners like the Royal Canadian Navy, we help ensure the security, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region." The visit is an opportunity for the crew to experience the hospitality of the Canadian port, as well as showcase the U.S. Navy's newest class of destroyers. "USS Zumwalt possesses stealth, size, power and computing capacity that provide the Navy multiple-mission ships capable of meeting today's maritime missions as well as the ability to incorporate new technologies to counter emerging threats tomorrow," Carlson said. During the scheduled port visit, Zumwalt is slated to host Canadian Forces, Marine Forces Pacific Commander, Rear. Adm. Bob Auchterlonie, and U.S. Consul General in Vancouver Katherine S. Dhanani. The Zumwalt-class destroyer is capable of performing the critical maritime missions of deterrence and power projection and creating battlespace complexity for adversaries with its abilities to operate both near to shore and in the open sea. Zumwalt is 100 feet longer and 13 feet wider than the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer at 610 feet long, providing the space required to execute a wider array of surface, undersea, and aviation missions. Zumwalt is under operational control of U.S. 3rd Fleet. Third Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy. Third Fleet coordinates with U.S. 7th Fleet to plan and execute missions based on their complementary strengths to promote ongoing peace, security, and stability throughout the entire Pacific theater of operations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NAVFAC Hawaii Awards Sewer Replacement Work at JBPHH Navy News Service Story Number: NNS190313-04 Release Date: 3/13/2019 10:44:00 AM By Denise Emsley, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii Public Affairs JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (NNS) -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii awarded Kiewit Infrastructure West Co., Honolulu, Hawaii, a $64,993,500 million firm-fixed-price contract today for P-704, Sewer Lift Station and Relief Sewer Lines, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. "This military construction contract award is very important to the sustained operations of the wastewater system on Joint Base," said Navy Region Hawaii Regional Engineer and NAVFAC Hawaii Commanding Officer Marc Delao. "It will replace deteriorated infrastructure, improve sewage flow to our wastewater plant as well as reduce the risk of sewage spills that may potentially impact the environment. NAVFAC Hawaii is pleased this project has been awarded and looks forward to additional investments in our highly critical utilities infrastructure in the near future." The work to be performed provides for two major components. The first component is a new wastewater pump station to replace existing pump station SY-001. The second component is a new 42-inch diameter gravity sewer main along South Avenue that replaces an existing 30-inch gravity trunk sewer. A new pump station and gravity sewer line are required to accommodate the anticipated increase in wastewater flows from proposed shore activities within the existing pump station SY-001 collection area and to accommodate peak wet-weather flows with the required level of redundancy. Work is expected to be completed by June 2021. The contract was competitively procured the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with five proposals received. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump's ex-campaign chief Paul Manafort jailed for 73 months Iran Press TV Wed Mar 13, 2019 04:53PM A federal judge in the US has sentenced President Donald Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort to 73 months in prison for two conspiracies revealed during Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's alleged role in the 2016 US presidential election. US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson said on Wednesday 30 of the months would run concurrently with Manafort's sentence last week in a separate case. The disgraced political consultant and lobbyist apologized for his actions and asked for leniency during a sentencing hearing. "The defendant is not public enemy number one," Jackson said in delivering the sentence. "But he is not a victim either," the judge said, adding that the Republican lobbyist had shown little remorse and had lied repeatedly. Manafort was sentenced for to 47 months on March 7 during a hearing in Alexandria, Virginia, a surprisingly lenient sentence for tax and bank fraud in a separate Mueller case. Manafort has been jailed since June, so he will receive credit for the nine months he has already served. He was brought into the courtroom last week in a wheelchair because of a condition called gout, and had no visible reaction as he heard the 47-month sentence. He listened during the hearing as US District Judge T.S. Ellis extolled his "otherwise blameless" life in which he "earned the admiration of a number of people" and engaged in "a lot of good things." Manafort was convicted after prosecutors accused him of hiding from the US government millions of dollars he earned as a consultant for Ukraine's former President Viktor Yanukovych. After Yanukovych's ouster, prosecutors said, Manafort lied to banks to secure loans and maintain an opulent lifestyle with luxurious homes, designer suits and even a $15,000 ostrich-skin jacket. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In Lake Chad, Niger army kills 33 Boko Haram terrorists Iran Press TV Wed Mar 13, 2019 03:13PM More than 30 Boko Haram Takfiri terrorists have been killed in an operation by Niger's army in the Lake Chad region. "Offensive actions carried out on Tuesday inflicted heavy losses on the enemy," Niger's Defense Ministry said in a statement read on state television on Wednesday. "Thirty-three terrorists (were) killed." The ministry added that an "armored vehicle" was destroyed, while two other vehicles, two motorcycles, a 120-millimeter mortar, 10 AK-47 assault rifles, two 60mm shells and 3,736 rounds of all calibres were seized. The offensive reportedly kicked off on March 9, a day after seven police and 38 militants were killed near Gueskerou in the southeastern region of Diffa, which borders Boko Haram's stronghold in northeastern Nigeria. Some 27,000 people have been killed and about two million others displaced since the beginning of Boko Haram's acts of terror in Nigeria in 2009. In 2015, the militants pledged allegiance to the Takfiri Daesh terrorist group. Boko Haram has spread its attacks from northeastern Nigeria, its traditional stronghold, to the neighboring countries of Chad, Niger and Cameroon. On February 16, the militants killed seven Nigerien soldiers in an attack on their post in the border village of Chetima Wangou. Niger's army announced in January that it had killed nearly 290 militants from Boko Haram during an offensive near the country's southeast border with Nigeria. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Lawmakers Back Cooperation Deal With Afghanistan, Warn Of Kabul Government's 'Fragility' By Rikard Jozwiak March 13, 2019 BRUSSELS -- The European Parliament has endorsed a legal framework for cooperation between the bloc and Afghanistan, taking the agreement one step closer to ratification. A total of 513 lawmakers on March 13 backed the EU-Afghanistan Cooperation Agreement on Partnership and Development (CAPD), with 85 voting against it. The CAPD, described as the "first contractual relationship" between the EU and Afghanistan, was signed by the sides in February 2017, leading to its provisional application as of December that year. The full entry into force of the agreement is now subject to ratification by the national and certain regional parliaments of the EU member states. The CAPD provides the basis for regular political dialogue, including on human rights, as well as cooperation in areas such as the rule of law, health, and education, according to the European Parliamentary Research Service. The agreement also sets out actions to combat corruption, money laundering, the financing of terrorism, organized crime, and narcotics. The European Parliament also passed a nonbinding resolution on March 13 expressing concern over the "fragility and instability" of the Western-backed government in Kabul and the "lack of control it exerts in much of the country." The text calls on EU member states to "assist in efforts against the long-term trend of inter-ethnic tensions that contributes to the disintegration of central power and to support the rich multi-ethnic fabric of Afghan society." The vote took place the day after Taliban and U.S. negotiators concluded another round of talks in Qatar aimed at ending the nearly 18-year war in Afghanistan -- half of which is reportedly controlled by the militant group. Both sides reported progress during the latest negotiations. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-lawmakers-back-cooperation -deal-afghanistan/29819236.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Local Official Shot Dead, Journalist Wounded, Troops Killed In Afghanistan Attacks By RFE/RL March 13, 2019 A local Afghan official was gunned down outside his home in the western province of Farah, while a local journalist was seriously wounded in a bombing in the country's south, officials say. Also in Farah Province, Afghan troops reportedly suffered casualties as the Taliban stormed an army checkpoint. The attacks took place on March 12-13 as Taliban and U.S. negotiators concluded another round of talks in Qatar aimed at ending the nearly 18-year war in Afghanistan -- with both sides reporting progress in the negotiations. Officials in Farah Province said that Mohammad Salim Farahi, the acting head of the public works department, was shot and killed on March 13 by unknown men near his home in the provincial capital, also named Farah. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the killing. On March 12, Taliban fighters stormed an army checkpoint in the same province, killing 10 soldiers, according to provincial council member Abdul Samad Salehi. Salehi said that the area was retaken after reinforcements were sent, but added that up to six soldiers remained missing. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that the militant group was behind the assault. In the southern province of Helmand, an Afghan journalist was wounded on March 12 when a bomb attached to his car exploded as he was heading to work in the provincial capital, Lashkar Gah. Nisar Ahmad Ahmadi, a journalist covering politics and security issues with Sabawoon TV, had a leg wound and was transferred to Kabul for further treatment, said Omar Zwak, the provincial governor's spokesman. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing, which the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) called an "attempted assassination" against Ahmadi and "another reminder of the dangers journalists face every day in Afghanistan." Ilias Alami with the Afghan Journalist Safety Committee said that Ahmadi had previously faced death threats from the Taliban. Afghanistan was the most deadly country for journalists worldwide last year, with at least 13 of them killed in relation to their work, according to the New York- based CPJ. Despite intensified peace talks between the United States and the Taliban, the militant group has continued to carrying out attacks across Afghanistan. U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said the nearly two weeks of talks in Qatar that ended on March 12 had made "real strides" but without an agreement on a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. The U.S. State Department said negotiators made "meaningful progress" during the talks in Doha. A spokesman said the Taliban agreed that peace will require agreement on counterterrorism assurances, troop withdrawal, and a cease-fire. A Taliban spokesman said that "progress was achieved regarding both these issues," referring to the U.S. troop withdrawal and assurances that foreign militants would not use Afghanistan's territory to stage future terrorist attacks. Neither side mentioned any progress made on reversing the Taliban's refusal to negotiate with the government in Kabul. The militant group says the Western-backed government is a U.S. "puppet" which must be toppled. With reporting by AP, dpa, and RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/local-official-shot- dead-journalist-wounded-troops-killed-in- afghanistan-attacks/29819151.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S.-Taliban Peace Talks End With 'Real Strides' Made But No Deal By RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan March 13, 2019 The longest round of peace talks between the United States and the Taliban has ended with "real strides" being made but without an agreement on troop withdrawals from Afghanistan, U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said on March 12. "The conditions for peace have improved. It's clear all sides want to end the war. Despite ups and downs, we kept things on track and made real strides," Khalilzad said on Twitter, adding that another round is possible later this month after the 16 days of negotiations in Qatar's capital, Doha. But Khalilzad said "there is no final agreement until everything is agreed." U.S. and Taliban negotiators have been attempting to hammer out the details of the framework agreement reached in January. The main disagreements are over four interconnected issues, including the Taliban breaking off ties with groups designated as terrorists by Washington; the timetable of a U.S. military withdrawal; a cease-fire in Afghanistan; and an intra-Afghan dialogue that would include the Taliban and government representatives. A U.S. State Department spokesman said negotiators made "meaningful progress" during the talks. The spokesman said the Taliban agreed that peace will require agreement on counterterrorism assurances, troop withdrawal, and a cease-fire. "Progress was achieved regarding both these issues," said a Taliban spokesman, referring to the U.S. troop withdrawal and assurances that foreign militants would not use Afghanistan's territory to stage future terrorist attacks. Neither side mentioned any progress made on reversing the Taliban's refusal to negotiate with the government in Kabul. The militant group says the Western-backed government is a U.S. "puppet" that must be toppled. The Afghan government has been angered and frustrated at being sidelined at the peace talks. Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah told RFE/RL that he was skeptical of the Taliban's motives and urged Washington to keep troops in the country until a formal settlement that includes the Kabul has been signed with the militants. Abdullah also said Afghans were "concerned" that the Kabul government has been sidelined from the talks in Qatar but insisted it had not caused a rift with Washington. "Unless the Afghan government has direct negotiations with the Taliban, Afghan people have the right to be concerned," Abdullah, who is the de facto prime minister in the national unity government, said in an interview in Kabul on March 12. "The Taliban wants to use these peace talks for political and propaganda purposes instead of using this as a step towards peace," he added. U.S. President Donald Trump wants to pull out the roughly 14,000 American troops in Afghanistan and has tasked U.S. peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad with reaching a settlement with the militants. During a round of talks in Doha in January, U.S. and Taliban negotiators reached the basic framework of a potential peace deal in which the militants would prevent international terrorist groups from basing themselves in Afghanistan in exchange of a withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan. But Abdullah urged Washington to keep U.S. forces in Afghanistan until a comprehensive peace settlement is reached between the United States, the Taliban, and Kabul. "The Taliban wants foreign troops to leave Afghanistan," he said. "It's also the demand of the Afghan people. But our opinion, and that of the Afghan people, is that until the war is over and peace is restored, there is a need for the presence of these troops." U.S. and other foreign 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, who launched the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/u-s--taliban-peace- talks-end-with-real-strides-made- but-no-deal/29818634.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Ex-Campaign Chairman Manafort Sentenced To 43 More Months By Mike Eckel March 13, 2019 WASHINGTON -- Paul Manafort, the former campaign chairman for U.S. President Donald Trump, has been sentenced to an additional 43 months in prison, a ruling that will put the once-influential Washington lobbyist behind bars for 7 1/2 years on charges stemming from his work for Ukrainian politicians. Less than 30 minutes after the sentence was announced in Washington, D.C. federal court on March 13, one of the top prosecutors in New York City announced more than a dozen new charges against Manafort, on mortgage fraud and other related crimes. The new sentence, handed down by U.S. Judge Amy Berman Jackson in Washington, D.C. federal court, was the culmination of two separate but overlapping prosecutions against Manafort, stemming from his work on behalf of pro-Russian Ukrainian lawmakers. The cases were among the first brought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who was appointed in May 2017 to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and interactions between Trump associates and Russian officials. Both Jackson and the judge in the earlier case repeatedly said that Manafort's prosecution was not about any alleged conspiracy to collude with Russian officials. Rather, Jackson said, it was about Manafort's decade of lobbying on behalf of Ukrainian politicians, and the efforts he made to hide his income and, according to prosecutors, launder money. "It is hard to overstate the number of lies, the amount of fraud involved," Jackson said. "There is no question the defendant knew better and knew what he was doing." "Saying 'I'm sorry I got caught' is not an inspiring plea for leniency," she said. In comments to court before his sentencing, Manafort, who was seated in a wheelchair and dressed in a suit and tie, expressed remorse, and asked the judge for leniency. "I am sorry for what the I've done and for all the activities that brought us here today," said Manafort, who is 69. "This case has already taken everything from me." The Washington case stemmed from two conspiracy counts, each punishable by as long as five years in prison. One directly related to the work Manafort did for a decade for Ukraine's pro-Russia Party of Regions. Funded in part by wealthy and powerful Ukrainian oligarchs, Manafort's political strategies helped resurrect party chief Viktor Yanukovych's political career and propelled him to the presidency in 2010. In 2014, however, Yanukovych was driven from office after months of massive street protests, and he fled to Russia. After that, Manafort's income dried up, and, prosecutors found, he resorted to lying on mortgage and bank loan applications, and hiding income for tax purposes. Prosecutors charged him with conspiracy to defraud the United States by, among other things, failing to register as an agent working for a federal government. 'Undermining American Ideals' The second charge stems from his conspiring with a shadowy Russian operative to influence witness testimony, including that of several prominent European politicians who were being questioned by U.S. prosecutors after Manafort had been charged. The operative, named Konstantin Kilimnik, has been accused by prosecutors of being a conduit to Russian intelligence agencies. Kiliminik is believed to be in Moscow, and is unlikely to ever face court proceedings in the United States. Manafort "served to undermine, not promote, American ideals of honesty, transparency, and playing by the rules," lead prosecutor Andrew Weissman told the court. In the earlier sentence, which was issued on March 7 in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, the case more narrowly focused on the tax and bank fraud allegations. The 47-month sentence he was issued in that case sparked outrage among some Democrats and other legal experts, who accused the judge of being overly lenient with Manafort. With the exception of the witness tampering, the charges in the two parallel prosecutions predated Manafort's time as Trump's campaign manager, in 2016. During both trials, Manafort's defense team had sought to raise the question of whether Special Counsel Mueller had been appointed legally, but both judges quashed that effort. Still, in his closing remarks on March 13, lead defense lawyer Kevin Downing again suggested that Manafort's prosecution was directly tied to his work for the Trump campaign. "But for a short stint as campaign manager in a national election, I don't think we would be here today," he said. After the hearing, Downing told reporters outside the courthouse that Jackson had been "hostile" toward Manafort. "I think the judge showed that she is incredibly hostile toward Mr. Manafort and exhibited a level of callousness that I've not seen in a white-collar case in over 15 years of prosecutions," Downing said. During the trials, Trump had expressed sympathy for Manafort, and some legal experts have suggested that Manafort might be hoping for a pardon from Trump -- something the U.S. Constitution grants him the authority to do. The president's constitutional pardon power, however, only extends to federal crimes, not state offenses. Several hours after the new sentence, Trump again said he felt sorry for Manafort. "On a human basis, it's a very sad thing," he said. Asked whether he was considering considering pardoning Manafort, Trump said: "I have not even given it a thought as of this moment." On March 13, shortly after Manafort's sentencing hearing concluded, Cyrus Vance, the district attorney for Manhattan, announced more than a dozen new criminal charges against Manafort. The charges relate to mortgage fraud and similar fraud in the U.S. state of New York. The sentences against Manafort come amid growing anticipation of Mueller's final report on his nearly two-year investigation. By law, Mueller is required to submit his report to the attorney general, but it's unclear when that might happen and what exactly would be made available, to the public or to Congress. In all, Mueller has charged 34 people, including Manafort, along with three companies. Others who have pleaded guilty include former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who is set to be sentenced in the coming months. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/manafort-sentenced- to-43-more-months/29819573.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Charges Russia, Iran With Serious Rights Abuses In Annual Report By RFE/RL March 13, 2019 The United States has charged Russia and Iran with committing a range of serious human rights abuses both domestically and abroad in an annual State Department report. In its Country Reports On Human Rights Practices For 2018, the State Department said Russian authorities had committed or been implicated in "severe" human rights abuses at home and in foreign countries, citing in particular Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and eastern Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who presented the report in Washington on March 13, highlighted the abuses, also saying that China was "in a league of its own when it comes to human rights violations." Within Russia, the report said abuses included extrajudicial killings of members of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community in Chechnya and forced disappearances, arbitrary or unjust arrests, and the "severe repression" of freedom of expression and media. Externally, it said Russia played "a significant military role in the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine" and added that its forces continue to occupy Crimea, which Russian annexed in 2014. The report accused Iran of rights' abuses that included executions for crimes not deemed "most serious" by international standards, unlawful and arbitrary killings, forced disappearances, and torture by state agents. Pompeo said the Iranian government had killed more than 20 protesters and arbitrarily arrested thousands of others simply for demonstrating for better rights. He added that those actions continue "a pattern of cruelty the regime has inflicted on the Iranian people for the last four decades." It added that Iran had jailed hundreds of political prisoners, restricted freedom of expression, the media, censored and blocked the Internet, and criminalized libel, among other things. Abroad, the report said Iran had contributed to rights abuses in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. It was accused of rights violations by giving military support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and by supporting Shi'a militia groups in Iraq, and the Huthi rebels in Yemen. Pompeo's comments echoed those from the report, which said the Chinese government had in the last year intensified a campaign of detaining members of Muslim minority groups in the western Xinjiang region and forcing them into reeducation camps. It said between 800,000 and 2 million Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, and other Muslims had been caught up in the campaign. Torture, Arbitrary Arrests In Afghanistan and Pakistan, the report said abuses included torture, arbitrary arrests and detentions, extrajudicial killings, and restrictions on freedom of expression, the press, and the Internet. It added that in Afghanistan there was "widespread disregard for the rule of law" and that those accused of committing rights abuses often enjoy official impunity as the state does not effectively prosecute officials or those in the security forces. The report also highlighted the major attacks by armed insurgent groups on civilians and "targeted assassinations by armed insurgent groups of persons affiliated with the government," citing the Taliban and other extremist groups. It noted that the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) attributed about "65 percent of civilian casualties during the first nine months of the year (1,743 deaths and some 3,500 injured)" to the insurgent groups. The report also blamed the Pakistani government for discrimination against religious minorities and attacks against journalists and media organizations. In Belarus, the state was accused of torture, arbitrary arrests and detentions, bad prison conditions, unlawful interference in citizens' private matters, and "undue restrictions" on freedom of expression. Turkmenistan was criticized for "alleged torture," arbitrary arrests and detentions, involuntary confinement, imprisonment of political prisoners, severe corruption, lack of free and fair elections, and restrictions on freedom of religion, assembly, and movement. The report cited Uzbekistan for torture, arbitrary arrests, and abuse of detainees by the security forces. The government was also charged with holding political prisoners, restricting freedom of speech, the media and the Internet, among other things. In Ukraine, the report noted rights failures that included enforced disappearance, civilian casualties, torture, and other abuses in the conflict in the eastern Donbas region. It also cited the government's failure to prosecute officials accused of criminal activities, a failure to investigate alleged human rights abuses that included torture, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, and other violations by security forces. The document was the 43rd report on human rights issued by the State Department. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/u-s-charges- russia-iran-serious-rights-abuses-annual -report/29819531.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Senator Confident Some NATO States Will Agree to Host New American Missiles Sputnik News 20:25 13.03.2019 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Senator Tom Cotton said Wednesday that he is confident European countries will host new American missiles after Washington's withdrawal from the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. "I'm confident that we will find reliable NATO allies who are eager to host new American missile forces," Cotton said during remarks at the Heritage Foundation. The senator stated that the United States must rapidly develop the weapons necessary to overcome the alleged strategic imbalance with China and Russia. He stressed that US missiles in Europe would serve as a deterrent against Russia. On February 2, the United States formally suspended its obligations under the INF Treaty and triggered a six-month withdrawal process. Washington has said it would terminate this procedure if Russia agreed to remain compliant with the accord. The move comes in line with Trump's stance voiced earlier in October: the US president announced his country's intention to withdraw from the INF Treaty over Russia's alleged violations of the agreement. Moscow has refuted the accusations, adding that Washington itself had violated the deal. Russia has also suspended its participation in the INF Treaty, with Russian President Vladimir Putin having instructed the country's authorities not to initiate any new talks with Washington on the matter. Putin has, however, emphasized that all of Russia's earlier proposals remained on the table. The senator has further spoken about the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), saying that the United States must look into where to deploy intermediate-range missiles in the Indo-Pacific region in order to best counter China. "We must also determine where in the Indo-Pacific region to base conventional INF-range missiles," Cotton said, in reference to weapons that comply with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. with allies in the region about deploying medium-range missiles on their territory as part of a plan to counter China, he added. As he explained, the United States must match its existing missiles with mobile ground-launchers such as land-based cruise missiles, but it should also produce new mobile ground-launched cruise missiles. Cotton has also accused China of stockpiling thousands of missiles capable of striking US allies, bases, ships and citizens in the Indo-Pacific region. As he claimed, Beijing aims to dominate the region strategically to prevent the United States from operating in the area. In conclusion, the senator emphasised that the START treaty should not be extended unless the agreement is expanded to include China. "A very simple principle of the New START deliberation should be no New START extension without China," Cotton said. "We have a lot of arms control agreements that focus just on the United Stats and Russia because those were the two superpowers in the Cold War." Cotton conceded, however, that China was unlikely to enter an agreement similar to the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Indian Air Force on High Alert After 2 Pakistani Jets Fly Near Border - Report Sputnik News 19:53 13.03.2019 Over the last several weeks, the Indian Air Force has repeatedly reported downing Pakistani drones that allegedly invaded India's airspace in what New Delhi regards as reconnaissance missions. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been put on high alert after two Pakistani jets were detected flying 10 kilometres from the Line of Control (LoC), near the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir on the night of 12 March, ANI news agency reported. The jets were then seen accelerating to supersonic speed and flying away, the agency added. The report didn't specify the type of jets flown by Pakistan. Neither New Delhi, nor Islamabad has commented on the matter. The episode followed several weeks of tensions between the states, with the IAF having reported downing several Pakistani drones that intruded India's airspace. The downward spiral in bilateral relations began after India conducted an airstrike on an alleged camp of the terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) on Pakistani territory late in February. Islamabad denies the existence of JeMs camps on its territory and stated that the IAF had bombed an empty hillside, accusing Delhi of violating its airspace. In response to the air raid, the Pakistan Air Force downed two IAF jets, reportedly capturing their pilots, which led to a further escalation. Later, Pakistan released one of the pilots on 1 March in "a peace gesture". Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Could Reach Deal With Poland on American Military Base Within 1 Year - DoD Sputnik News 18:37 13.03.2019 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US and Polish officials meeting in Warsaw this week are drafting details for a planned American military base in Poland and could reach a final agreement on the facility within a year, senior Defense Department officials told Congress on Wednesday. If negotiators can nail down details, "We're looking at probably six months to a year" before a technical basing agreement can be completed with the US Department of State as the lead negotiator, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Kathryn Wheelbarger told the House Armed Services committee. "Then I would defer to my military colleagues for the actual physicality and infrastructure requirements," Wheelbarger added. Also at the hearing, commander of the US European Command (EUCOM) General Curtis Scaparrotti interjected that "another two to three years would be needed before we would be dealing with an actual base and the money for that base". At a meeting with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda in September, US President Donald Trump said that the United States was considering establishing a military base in Poland. Trump also said that Warsaw had agreed to pay more than $2 billion toward the cost of the base. The Polish president, in turn, suggested that the base to be called Fort Trump. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Italy to Pay $440 Million for US F-35 But Plans to Revise Contract - Reports Sputnik News 12:04 13.03.2019 The Five Star and Lega parties, part of the current government, have opposed a F-35 deal with the US aviation giant. The defence ministry has studied the 20-year old agreement over the last few months. The assessment has been finished, and the issue is reportedly expected to be discussed at the summit level, an Italian news agency reports. According to the news agency, Defence Minister Elisabetta Trenta will authorise a 389-million-euro ($440 million) payment for F-35 jets under the 1998 deal with the US aircraft maker Lockheed Martin. The outlet cites a government source as saying that after the payment is completed, they will carry out a revision of the programme, as was earlier announced. The source pointed at "some doubts" remaining about the agreement. According to the publication, there are questions about the agreements signed by the previous government. There had reportedly been a delay due to a "technical assessment" about purchasing US F-35 fighter jets, which has now been completed, ANSA says. The results are to be referred to the prime minister and the matter will be discussed by the country's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and US President Donald Trump, the news agency revealed. However, the planned revision has raised concerns among personnel in the military, according to ANSA. Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, General Alberto Rosso expressed "strong concern about the uncertainty" of the F-35 programme and its funding while speaking in the country's parliament. He insisted that Italy should not decrease the number of jets, planned to be purchased for the republic's Air Force. "The F-35 is not just a combat vehicle but a cultural revolution that radically changes the way armed forces operate", he said, as quoted by Ansa, also expressing a fear that an alternative to them are "older and more expensive jets". Conte spoke about the assessment last year when he presented cuts to Italy's defence spending by around 0.5 million euros ($0.57 million) and shelved the creation of a so-called Italian Pentagon. He noted then that his government "had not spent a single euro on the F-35". The previous government ordered some 90 of the fifth-generation jets for its military, but the Five Star and Lega parties, which won the last election, have been trying to either scrap the deal or reduce spending on it. In 2018 reports emerged that the Italian government is planning to reduce the number of F-35 jets it will buy over the next five years from 10 to six or seven aircraft. According to Defence News, Rome will not reduce the total amount of jets ordered but instead will leave the final decision to the next government to avoid or reduce contract penalties and free up some resources. The savings are expected to help Rome fund its social programmes and tax cuts, the outlet reports. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Maduro: Venezuela Wants to Discuss Opening Offices of Mutual Interest With US Sputnik News 09:15 13.03.2019(updated 12:39 13.03.2019) BUENOS AIRES (Sputnik) - Venezuela is interested in resuming talks with the United States on the opening of offices that would promote the two countries' mutual interests, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said. "If [the United States] wants a dialogue, I am ready for the dialogue I once again reaffirm my interest and desire to continue a dialogue in New York at the level of our representatives to the United Nations," Maduro said, adding, however, that at the moment he had to suspend talks on the opening of diplomatic interest offices. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro also announced on Tuesday that the government of Venezuela was launching a special program to provide the country's population with water. "I have decided to initiate a special plan called the 'Blue Cistern' which goal is the provision of a permanent reserve of water to each family," Maduro said in a televised address. The plan must be put into action immediately, the president added. Venezuela's president's comment comes after on Tuesday, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said that Washington and Caracas suspended talks on the mutual establishment of diplomatic interest offices. In addition, the state authorities ordered that the US diplomatic staff to leave the Bolivarian republic in three days. Prior to that, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the move to recall the remaining US diplomats was an indicator of the "deteriorating situation" in the crisis-torn country. Moreover, he called the "presence of the US diplomatic staff" at the US Embassy in Venezuela "a constraint on US policy". In late February, the Venezuelan opposition tried to force US-sponsored aid into the country through the borders with Colombia and Brazil. The failed attempt sparked clashes between Venezuelan officers, who prevented trucks from crossing without permission. Maduro has said Caracas would not accept the US aid and has called Washington's attempts to deliver alleged supplies to Venezuela as a violation of the country's sovereignty. At the same time, Maduro has accused opposition leader Juan Guaido of conspiring with the United States to overthrow the country's legitimate government including by organising the delivery of so-called humanitarian aid as part of a plan to justify US military intervention. The confrontation between the United States and Venezuela escalated this year, when on 23 January, speaker of opposition-led National Assembly Juan Guaido declared himself to be acting Venezuelan president; the United States, as well as its allies around the world, immediately recognised him. Russia, China, Mexico, Turkey and several other countries continue to recognize Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate leader. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Briefing With Ambassador Michael Kozak on the Release of the 2018 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices Special Briefing Michael G. Kozak Senior Bureau Official, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Press Briefing Room Washington, DC March 13, 2019 AMBASSADOR KOZAK: Good morning. I thought I might say a few words about how the report is prepared just so that we have that background, and then I'd be happy to take questions. As the Secretary mentioned, the report has been a legislative requirement on the Executive Branch going back to the late 1970s. The origins of this were that Congress, in making decisions on security assistance, initially, said we've we find ourselves giving security assistance to countries that sometimes have pretty unsavory records, and we would like to know what the factual situation is before we make those judgments. So they imposed on the Executive the requirement that each year we prepare a report. Initially it was on the situation of human rights in countries that were recipients of security assistance, but then in later years Congress broadened that out so we now do reports on every country that is a member-state of the UN, and as the Secretary mentioned, some territories as well for example, Hong Kong, while part of China, has a distinct system so we do a separate report on it. The way the reports are done, there are instructions that are prepared each year during the summer and go out to our embassies abroad. What they change sometimes a bit year to year when we find that things weren't too clear in a previous year or something, and we will rectify them, but they've been pretty consistently the same over the years. And what those instructions seek to do is basically ask a series of questions: Were there reports of extrajudicial killings in the country of your assignment or not? Were there credible reports of torture or not? If so, how much type of thing. So we're asking exactly the same questions for every country. There is not one set of questions for the United Kingdom and a different set for North Korea or something. It's exactly the same questionnaire. What differs amongst the reports is the answers, and our people in the field strive to gather facts. One thing the Secretary has been very strong on as we went through the editing process this year is let's keep it to the facts, ma'am, and not draw conclusions but try to always get back to what are the facts we know about this and can we repeat those and let the facts speak for themselves. So that's the way it's done. In process terms, the report is prepared at the embassy or consulate with a couple of exceptions. Where we don't have an embassy or consulate, like North Korea or Iran, it gets prepared in the regional bureau here by the desk officers. But in all the rest of the cases, it's done by the human rights officer at post, it's reviewed up the chain in the embassy, the first draft gets sent in to Washington. Then we have a staff of editors in DRL who go through and are comparing what we're seeing there to other reporting on the subject. We look at international human rights organizations and what they're saying. And this is often just to test our people. You can go back and say, well, you said this but we see that Amnesty International says that; what is the explanation for the discrepancy? And we try to sharpen the focus in that way. Eventually we make edits. It goes back out to the embassy again for a second go-around of review and editing. And then they send their final version in, we do a final edit on it, and then if there are any discrepancies we work those out with the regional assistant secretary concerned and get the final version done. So that's the process for every country in the world. Again, it's there's not a different process for friends and foes. It's all the same. And what we're trying to do is to just get as clear and as factual a report as we possibly can. One final comment on that is obviously, we can't document every abuse that's occurred in a place because sometimes, unfortunately, they're so widespread that you just wouldn't have enough pages to write them. So what we try to do is have a description of the trend in that country and then give an example. So if it says there were credible reports of torture, we try to quantify that a bit was it one isolated incident or was it widespread and systematic but then we'll give an example. But it's just that, an example. The fact that some other case isn't mentioned in the report doesn't mean it was less important. It's just that we're using one as an illustration of the behavior that unfortunately is sometimes replicated en masse. With that, I think I'll stop and go to your questions. MR PALLADINO: Want to do questions? You have any questions? QUESTION: Yeah. QUESTION: Yes. MR PALLADINO: Start with Bloomberg. QUESTION: Mr. Ambassador, I'm wondering what signal you think it sends that in the preamble to the report, the Secretary just says flat-out that the administration's policy is to engage with other countries regardless of their human rights record? AMBASSADOR KOZAK: Yeah. And that has been the policy and often is a I mean, what we're saying there is we will engage. Sometimes we're engaging for the purpose of trying to get them to change their human rights practices, sometimes it's because we're trying to get them to stop threatening their neighbors. But I think the reason that that's in the preface is to make it clear that our engaging with them does not mean we are approving of or accepting of their behavior. We're saying we're engaging with them despite their behavior sometimes and trying to use our engagement to make improvements in that. So that's the sense, I think, that he was conveying there. MR PALLADINO: Associated Press. QUESTION: Thanks. Last year in this report, there was a little bit of a kerfuffle over whether or not the Palestinian Territories or the West Bank would be called occupied, and Golan. And the Golan was, in last year's report, referred to as Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, but this year it says Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. Does that signal any kind of a change in the administration's position as it relates to the Golan? And then the second thing is that: Are governments asked to respond to the what's identified in these reports? Do you accept foreign governments' comments on what this is? And I say this again in relation to Israel because it makes a point of and it's the only, that I can find, one where it says we have sought input from the Government of Israel on this. Are any other countries given the same opportunity? AMBASSADOR KOZAK: Yeah. In sequence, on the descriptor of what kind of territory in Israel as we tried to shift last year and this, by the way, is not a human rights issue. It's a legal status issue and so the decisions on that get made by the regional bureau, by the Legal Adviser's Office, and we follow their lead. But I think the what they were trying to signal there is our what we're trying to do is report on the human rights situation in those territories, and so you're trying to you're just trying to find a way of describing the place that you're reporting on. And "occupied territory" has a legal meaning to it. I think what they tried to do was shift more to just a geographic description. So we said Israel, Golan, West Bank, Gaza, Jerusalem, and it's a complicated report because there are sometimes multiple authorities who have authority over people in particular parts of that territory. So it's a very complicated one to write, but the my understanding from the policy bureaus on this is that there's no change in our outlook or our policy vis-a-vis the territories and the need for a negotiated settlement there. On the -- QUESTION: Input. AMBASSADOR KOZAK: -- reference to the input, that is something that we and I think it's back in the annex that we do try. We don't ask the governments to comment on a draft of the report. The report isn't shown I mean, you Congress sees it the morning of, you guys see it an hour or two later than Congress and you have a jump on the rest of the world in that respect. But during the year, if our embassies are doing their job, they're out trying to gather data on human rights, they're taking up concerns that they see and so on, so they are getting input from the government. And in a lot of cases where you're looking at things where you want data or there's an allegation that this was an extrajudicial killing, you go to the government of concern and say, okay, and what's your story on this and they'll say no, it was a shooting in self-defense by the police or something. If there's a dispute like that, then we try to report it. Now, in the case of the Israel report, I think it was felt that because of the different sources of information we get and that sometimes each of them will accuse the other of being biased, that we just made it explicit in that report. But it's explicit in the reports overall, so the practice isn't any different. The form is a little bit different. QUESTION: A quick clarification on this point, sir, if I may. If I -- MR PALLADINO: Let's call on folks, Said. Okay? Now we're going to call on folks. QUESTION: Oh, sorry. Can I just because okay. MR PALLADINO: I'm going to call on you. Said, go ahead. QUESTION: Sure, thank you. Thank you very much. MR PALLADINO: You're welcome. QUESTION: I'm sorry for the interruption. I just wanted to follow on Matt. Very quickly so we can understand, you no longer consider the West Bank to be occupied in these reports? AMBASSADOR KOZAK: No. I said that our policy on the status of the territories had not changed. That is my understanding of our current thing. We just we decided not to use the term in the reports because it's not a human rights term and it was distracting. QUESTION: And on Gaza and on the violence on the Gaza fence, you're citing the Israeli Defense Force, the settlers, and so on. Did you talk to anyone in Gaza about this? Did you gather information or do you have any mechanism to gather information on what's going on in Gaza? AMBASSADOR KOZAK: We talked to nongovernmental organizations; we talked to the Palestinian Authority. We don't talk to Hamas, I must say, so we don't try to reflect their point of view. We rely on media. There is we basically try to vacuum it. It's the same kind of job you all do as reporters. We're trying to look at all credible or potentially credible sources of information, suck them in, match them against each other, and see if if there's a consistent story there, great, and if there's a divergence, we try to explain the divergence. We don't try to judge that one version is accurate and the other one isn't. We're using essentially applying the same standards to different sources of information. MR PALLADINO: Let's go to Washington Post. QUESTION: In the section on Saudi Arabia, you describe the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, but there is no mention in that section on in the Khashoggi section on Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who many believe may have directed the killing. And so I wanted to even though he's mentioned in passing later on in a separate section, in corruption, he's not mentioned in the Khashoggi section. So I wanted to ask you why that why you didn't mention him and if you think you were pulling any punches. AMBASSADOR KOZAK: Well, I think, with respect to the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, the U.S. has been very clear. This was a horrendous, horrific act that the people responsible, regardless of their level, should be held to account, should be brought to justice. The as a result of diplomatic contacts, the Saudi Government, I think as is reflected in the report the king has said that that is their policy, to bring to do a proper investigation and bring to account those who are responsible for the killing. That investigation is still underway. We can all have our suspicions or our speculation as to where it may lead, but our effort has been to have where it comes out be fact-driven rather than opinion-driven. But we also are committed to getting all the facts, and we we're going to hold the Government of Saudi Arabia to its promise that they will do a thorough investigation and find all the facts. I think as the report reflects, they have begun an investigation. They've indicted some people. They have more people under suspicion, under investigation, but it's not a complete, by any means, investigation at this point. So we're we're sort of in the middle of that movie, and hopefully as it plays out we'll get a clearer set of facts as to who was and who was not responsible, and act accordingly. Where we have had strong factual information, videotapes or others, we have or statements by the governments concerned, we've already taken measures in terms of imposing visa restrictions and sanctions on some of the people that are prime suspects in the case. But that doesn't mean there are not others, it just means the investigation and the facts haven't taken us there yet. MR PALLADINO: Press Trust of India. QUESTION: Thank you. I wanted to you about your what is your assessment about human rights situation in China, where hundreds and thousands of people of religious minorities have been put behind bars? AMBASSADOR KOZAK: Yeah, I think as the Secretary just mentioned, it's in a they're in a league of their own. I mean, for me, you haven't seen things like this since the 1930s of rounding up I mean, in our some estimations are in the millions of people and then putting them into camps and trying and torturing them, abusing them, and trying to basically erase their culture and their religion and so on from their DNA. It's just remarkably awful. We have tried to over the year we've been trying to push this information out, trying to gain wider international attention to the problem. I would say we've had maybe some success in that respect in that initially the Chinese Government was denying that there were any camps or that anything was going on. Now they're saying, well, there are camps, but they're some kind of labor training camps and that it's all very voluntary and so on. That does not match the facts that we and others are seeing, but at least I think we're starting to make them realize that there's a lot of international scrutiny on this and none of it is good from their standpoint. It's really it's one of the most serious human rights problems in the world today. MR PALLADINO: CBS. QUESTION: Thank you. You said earlier when during the editing process, the Secretary said to you, let's just keep this to the facts, and you talked about how it's written, and then it goes up, and of course like anything we do as well it gets it goes through an editing process. So to Carol's question, I'm curious if at any point during this process there was a version of the Saudi section that included some evaluation or mention of the culpability of the crown prince in the Khashoggi killing. AMBASSADOR KOZAK: No. Well, I won't go into I don't want to get into that for every report, but we have not and not only in the report, but I think in any other format tried to draw our own conclusions as to who was and who wasn't responsible. We there are two governments that have jurisdiction, criminal jurisdiction over the case: the Turkish Government and the Saudi Government. And we are pushing for a genuine, transparent, thorough, factual investigation. And until we see that, trying to speculate about how might or might not have been involved is just not productive. So that's where we've been. MR PALLADINO: The New York Times. QUESTION: Thanks, everyone, for doing this. One more question on the Saudis, and then one additional one. In the Saudi case, clearly the United States has gained a good deal of intelligence information that you've read about in the Times, Post, elsewhere that suggest what the evidentiary base is for their conclusion that with medium to high confidence that the crown prince was directly involved. I'm wondering if you have made sure that that information has been shared with the Saudi investigators to make it a little bit more difficult for Saudi Arabia to brush aside the complicity of the crown prince in this. And then I just wanted to ask you about North Korea, because in previous reports you had referred to "egregious" human rights violations. I missed that word here, but maybe you replaced it with something else. AMBASSADOR KOZAK: On the last first. I think the way the format we've been using the last year or two in the summary up front is that where we try to say for each country significant human or "human rights issues included." And then what basically we're trying to do, we have a template there. If it's torture or if it's extrajudicial killing and some other criminal libel, some other serious things, they go in that section. There are other human rights violations that we don't put in there, because every country you can come up with a ton of them. But we're trying to say let's in the executive summary, let's try to hit the worst forms and see if those were present or not in the country. Where "egregious" has come in is there are happily some countries where none of those things are present, so we say there were no reports of egregious human rights violations. But I don't know that we've said that we've characterized North Korea as I mean, implicitly it is egregious because it has a litany of all the different things that they do that are fitting into that paragraph. And then you asked about -- QUESTION: On the intelligence information. Have you shared -- AMBASSADOR KOZAK: Yeah, and I just don't know what our law enforcement people have done with their counterparts in the other countries. So I'd have to refer you to -- QUESTION: Has that data been shared with you in the preparation of this report? In other words, did you receive the CIA assessment in either classified or unclassified form that would AMBASSADOR KOZAK: I'm not going to go into intelligence. QUESTION: Okay, so what we should report is the State Department is not saying whether or not it reviewed the intelligence report about that came to the conclusion that the crown prince -- AMBASSADOR KOZAK: We when we do these reports let me generalize this when we do these reports, we seek all relevant sources of information, including U.S. intelligence information. And -- QUESTION: And you will not say whether in the Saudi case -- AMBASSADOR KOZAK: But I'm not going to say what that was in any particular case because I can't comment on intelligence. QUESTION: I didn't ask you what it was. I was asking you if you received it in the Saudi case. AMBASSADOR KOZAK: I'm not going to even say with respect to particular countries, whether it's Saudi or anybody else. So it's not a I mean, I'm not giving you an answer about Saudi; I'm giving you a general answer that I'm not going to say this, but I can say that we I mean, we routinely review intelligence information as part of our daily job when we're doing the reports. We look at classified reporting, State Department reporting. We look at classified reporting from other agencies, because that's part of the panoply of information that we try to boil down and come up with a coherent report. MR PALLADINO: Al Hurra. Michel. QUESTION: If you need to rank the countries, who are the worst countries and who are the best? AMBASSADOR KOZAK: That's something we don't do. I know this is some of our legislative frameworks require us to put people in tiers and that kind of thing. I think one of the strengths of the Human Rights Report over the years is we don't do that. So people aren't there's no incentive to shade your reporting to try to avoid being in one tier or to be ranked in some way or another. We just try to report the facts on each country as best we can assess them and let the reader draw the conclusion. Now when I was just mentioning that executive summary paragraph, one of the reasons that we have tried to get it more into a template format there is so that the reader can look at that. And I think if you go through the reports, if you see a country that says there were no reports of egregious human rights violations, that's probably in the pretty good category even though when you read the body there may be some issues, but at least they're not these really serious ones. But then if you look at another one, and they've got extrajudicial killing, they've got torture, they've got rape as a weapon of war, killing journalists, closing down independent media bang, bang, bang, all of those things, you'd say, well, that probably fits in the worst category or pretty close to it. But we try to make it so that the reader can draw that conclusion, but we don't draw those conclusions ourselves. MR PALLADINO: Let's go CNN. QUESTION: Thank you. Going off of that, Mr. Ambassador, in the Iran section you say that their human rights record remained extremely poor. That seems to be editorializing much more than in other instances where you just lay out the human rights violations. Why that use of kind of editorial language? And a second quick question: Why not comment on reproductive rights again in this report? AMBASSADOR KOZAK: Okay, on the that actually, we may be a holdover from past things. We used to have "remained extremely poor," and I think we've tried to get away from that, and frankly I don't know why we missed it in that case. QUESTION: So it has nothing to do with the fact that Iran seems to be the boogeyman of this administration? AMBASSADOR KOZAK: Yeah, well, it's a true statement. I mean, it has not changed, but we try not to generally put that characterization in anymore. There was a time that we did 20 years ago and we don't do it anymore. On reproductive rights, actually, I thought I might get asked about that, so I came this year with let me walk through this just so we all have the same background and terminology. Last year, I had to ad-lib it and do it from memory, but I went back and got my quotes. The term "reproductive rights" comes from the 1994 Cairo Declaration on Population and Development that was then reaffirmed in the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action. So that's where this term comes from. These were outcome documents of two big conferences that were consensus-driven. In other words, the outcomes document needed the consensus of all of the states that were present, which include the Vatican, for example. So in trying to form that consensus the head of our delegation in Cairo was then Vice President Gore, and in a speech at the National Press Club right before the conference, he said, "The United States would never assert that a woman's right to choose an abortion should be internationally guaranteed. We believe that decisions about the extent to which abortion is acceptable should be the province of each government." And he further said that the same principle should apply to contraceptives. Nations have the right to make them legal, but the United Nations is not seeking to establish a basic right to their availability. And then at the conference himself he said, "Let's take a false issue off the table. The United States does not seek to establish a new international right to abortion. We do not believe abortion should be encouraged as a method of family planning. We also believe that policy making in this matter should be the province of each government." So that's what the U.S. position was going in. The text of the Cairo Declaration says, "Women who have unwanted pregnancies should have access to reliable information and compassionate counseling. Any measures or changes related to abortion within the health system can only be determined at the national or local level, according to national legislative process. In circumstances where abortion is not against the law, such abortion should be safe." Now, so that's the international the background on where that term comes from in international practice. The term "reproductive rights" was first introduced into the Human Rights Report's instructions, not in the report itself, in 2009. And that instruction read, "Reproductive Rights: this includes the basic right of couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing, and timing of their children, and to have the information and means to do so free from discrimination, coercion, and violence." So that was what we were being asked to report on. There was no mention of abortion. In the 2011 report, subheadings were included in the section on women, because they were the section was long, so we put subheadings in and reproductive rights was one of them, covering the information that I just mentioned. In 2016, the instructions expanded and did include a mention of abortion, but only in this context. Emergency health we're supposed to report on emergency health care, including services for management and of complications arising from abortion regardless of whether abortion is legally permitted. So the upshot here is the United States did not seek and did not obtain international consensus that there is a human right to abortion. When the term was used in the Human Rights Report context, it was not defined as including any right to abortion, and that was the position of the United States Government under successive administrations, including the previous administration, that there was no internationally recognized right to abortion. Instead, the position has always been it's up to each sovereign state to make a policy decision on whether to allow or prohibit abortion or have restrictions on it, and that was the position enunciated by Vice President Gore and it remains the position to this day. The reason we stopped using the term in the reports was that some advocates had begun to claim that, notwithstanding the history I've just given you, that the term "reproductive rights" did include the right to abortion. And so rather than using a term that now has two completely divergent meanings to it, we decided to go back and use the U.S. statutory standard that we report on coercive population practices such as forced and coerced abortion and involuntary sterilization. So that is why we got away from using that term. It's just become a term that people are ascribing their own meanings to and we don't like to -- QUESTION: But is there any evaluation of access to kind of women's health practices in your evaluation of human rights? AMBASSADOR KOZAK: Yeah, in on that, we did for some years carry things like maternal mortality rate, availability of contraceptive information, and so on. And at one time that probably was very useful because you couldn't access it other ways, but we figured out I mean, what we said in the instructions was go look at these websites that there's one group that is sponsored by USAID; it's called demographic health I've forgotten the name. It's DHS, but it doesn't mean Department of Homeland Security. And then there's a World Health Organization website. So rather than trying to summarize what was in those, we've just put those links to those data sets into the annex of the report so people can look it up on their own. And by the way, we've done the same thing on other sections. We used to summarize in the Human Rights Report what the contents of the International Religious Freedom Report were. We would summarize the Trafficking In Persons Report. Now, thanks to the wonders of Vice President Gore's internet, we are able to just put hyperlinks in so people can go find those things on their own, and that's -- QUESTION: That's an interesting reference because (laughter) you held him up to be the standard-bearer of what the U.S. position is on abortion, now you -- AMBASSADOR KOZAK: All right. MR PALLADINO: (Inaudible.) Let's go red tie right there, (inaudible). QUESTION: Yeah. I would like to have a review about the situation in Latin America, especially Venezuela, and also I would like to have this opportunity to talk about Venezuela. One of the biggest challenges are to get the humanitarian aid into the country. What if Nicolas Maduro approved that U.S. aid can go into the country? What would be the U.S. response about that? Thank you. AMBASSADOR KOZAK: Yeah. Well, I think that has and I would refer you I think my friend, Special Representative Abrams, was here yesterday commenting on all of this. But our position has been that they should let the aid into the country. What we have not been willing to do is to turn aid over to the Maduro government because we've seen what happens with the so-called CLAP program they have that's supposed to feed people. By most estimates, 70 percent of the funding of that gets stolen by officials in the government, so it's not an efficient way, and it only goes to people that they favor politically. QUESTION: (Inaudible) Venezuela human rights? AMBASSADOR KOZAK: Human rights situation in Venezuela is terrible. I think it's well documented in this report, and of course it's only this report goes through the end of last year, and it's gotten only worse since then. So but I think I'll leave we had a very good briefing on this yesterday, so I'll leave you to refer you back to that. MR PALLADINO: ABC. QUESTION: In the report, on the section on Myanmar, it mentions the vast majority of such abuses continued with impunity. Would you agree that that could be perhaps in part because the United States still has not designated the violence against the Rohingya as a genocide, and because the sanctions against Myanmar have been limited to two military units and only a handful of senior officers? AMBASSADOR KOZAK: Yeah, look, the sanctions that had been on Burma previously were taken off because of the election of the Aung San Suu Kyi government and so on. So you don't want to go back and penalize the elected civilian government for the behavior of the military. So I think what we tried to do this time was to be a little more targeted in the sanctions, but it's not limited to that. You're correct, there's five generals that have had financial sanctions put on them, two divisions of the Burmese army I think it's the 33rd and 99th, if I recall correctly who make a specialty of the kinds of atrocities that were being committed in Rakhine State. But in addition to that, we have revoked the visas of large quantities of people. We cut off what little bit of mil-mil cooperation was beginning to occur. There this has had really serious consequences for the relationship and we're not done yet. We're not satisfied with their response. I mean, yes, at this point the active phase of the atrocities are at least in a lull, but they're still there are a lot of Rohingya 700,000 or so are left in Burma. So we're trying to navigate how do we get humanitarian relief to them, to the people who had to flee, and how do we persuade the government to let people come back in a voluntary way where they would be safe. Right now you've got the same commanders in place, and I think people rightly conclude they wouldn't be safe from another assault like what they got. But we keep working the problem. I think what you've seen, too, is we have been one of the ones to put major effort into exposing the problem. We did a study that our bureau financed that did a very good job of polling people in a scientific method in the refugee camps and figuring out just what had happened to them and what were the trends and practices there. But we've also been very supportive of the effort, for example, the UN made, the independent fact-finding mission that they had there, and I think what we've said is our conclusions and theirs coincide very much. So this business of making a designation, it's a messaging management tool. It's not a it has no legal effect. And what we were trying I mean, the usual reason you say something like that is you're trying to call attention to it. Our feeling is we've called plenty of attention. What we're trying to do now is to get people to take action and put more pressure on. We're very heartened by the fact that there is a movement stirring within Burma right now to go back in and relook at the constitution and hopefully downgrade the political power of the military and upgrade that of the civilian elected government. Because in the end, it's going to be that that's going to make a change on the ground, is you've got to get where they where the military doesn't feel that it has complete charter to be able to rampage around and do whatever it wants, and it needs to be accountable civilian political leaders who have control over it. So that's where our policy is aiming. That's what we're trying to achieve, and we've mentioned some of the tools we're using. MR PALLADINO: Final question. Right back there, please. QUESTION: On North Korea. Is North Korea making progress as they engaged in talks with the United States? AMBASSADOR KOZAK: No. We haven't noticed any progress on human rights, so we keep that's why we're calling out their practices and we keep pushing on this. I mean, what we have done over the years is I think the U.S. has been in the forefront of trying to expose what North Korea is doing and bring international attention to it. Also trying to help those who are trying to get information back into North Korea so that people there start to realize what the standard in the rest of the world is and how the rest of the world views their country. But it's still one of the worst human rights situations in the world. It has not improved, and that's going to be part of our effort for some time to come, I'm afraid, is how do you try to convince a regime like that to change its behavior. MR PALLADINO: Great. Ambassador Kozak, thank you very much for being with us today. AMBASSADOR KOZAK: Okay, thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 4th Special Operations Squadron receives first AC-130J Ghostrider By Staff Sgt. Marleah Cabano, 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs / Published March 13, 2019 HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) -- The 4th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, is now home to Air Force Special Operations Command's newest aircraft the Block 30 AC-130J Ghostrider gunship. Similar to the Block 20 AC-130Js flown by the 73rd Special Operations Squadron, the Block 30 upgrade marks a major improvement in software and avionics technology over the current fleet of Block 20s. "The Block 30 AC-130J is now our most lethal aircraft in AFSOC's inventory," said Maj. Brandon Hughes, AFSOC headquarters AC-130J requirements chief. The new 4th SOS gunship is equipped with the precision strike package, which includes a mission management console, a robust communications suite, two electro-optical/infrared sensors, advanced fire control equipment, a precision-guided munitions delivery capability, as well as trainable 30 mm Mk 44 Bushmaster II and 105 mm M102 howitzer weapons onboard. Additional improvements include updated crew seats with added safety features and a relocation of equipment into more optimal locations. The 4th SOS currently operates the AC-130U Spooky and has held the title as the most deployed squadron in the U.S. Air Force since 9/11. "The men and women of the 4th SOS have been executing the close air support and air interdiction mission with one of the most feared gunships, the AC-130U, for 20 years," said Col. Michael Conley, 1st Special Operations Wing commander. "These updated capabilities provide them the most modernized gunship to date." The Block 30 AC-130J will fulfill the same mission sets as the Spooky; however, it will cost approximately 1/3 to operate per flying hour due to the upgraded turboprop engines. "The technology in this 5th generation gunship will ensure our combat relevance in the skies above today's battlefields and the battlefields of the future," Conley said. The Ghostrider reached initial operational capability in 2017, and the first Block 30 AC-130J will remain in a testing status for approximately one year before it becomes operationally deployable. "The 4th SOS will start receiving J-qualified crewmembers in the coming months," said Lt. Col. Pete Ventres, 4th SOS commander. "The vast majority of U-model aircrews and maintainers will retrain into the AC-J to ensure we retain already-developed talent." For now, Air Commandos with the 4th SOS will continue to operate the Spooky until it joins the AC-130H Spectres in retirement by the end of 2020. "This is a significant milestone in our heritage and the gunship nation," Ventres said. "The AC-130J represents a leap into the future without abandoning the lessons of the past." While technology continues to advance, the 4th SOS will keep their sights set on their main mission. "The protection of special operations forces on the ground remains paramount," Ventres said. "The "C" in CAS stands for "Close," and when we're needed, that's where you'll find us." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Fort Trump' One Step Closer to Becoming Polish Reality By Carla Babb March 13, 2019 A proposed permanent U.S. military base in Poland, nicknamed "Fort Trump," is one step closer to becoming a reality. Negotiations on establishing the base are "ongoing this very week," Kathryn Wheelbarger, the acting assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, told the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday. Wheelbarger's comments came as John Rood, the undersecretary of defense for policy, met with his Polish counterpart to work out details of what Rood called a "generous offer" from Poland, according to defense officials. Warsaw has offered to contribute at least $2 billion to place permanent U.S. forces and assets in Poland, a NATO ally, in an attempt to deter any possible Russian aggression. NATO has expanded its presence near Russia's borders to reassure its eastern members, a buildup Russia has described as a threat to its security. "We've come forward with, we think, a very serious, robust offer, and we're working out some of the technicalities this very week," Wheelbarger said. "We hope to have a very solid foundation to work from coming out of this meeting today." She added that it would most likely take six months to a year for any base agreement to be finalized. Permanent base seen as 'helpful' The U.S. military would not need to start budgeting for the base for at least two or three years, according to Army Gen. Curtis "Mike" Scaparrotti, the head of U.S. European Command. Asked about making rotational U.S. forces permanent in Poland, Scaparrotti told lawmakers he's "perfectly content with the large forces that we are rotating," but a more permanent base would be "helpful." Negotiations on the proposed base with Warsaw come amid reports that the Trump administration is considering a plan in which wealthy nations such as Germany, Japan and South Korea would be required to pay the full cost of U.S. soldiers deployed on their territory, plus 50 percent more for the privilege of American defense. Wheelbarger denied that the "cost plus 50" idea was being discussed for European allies, telling lawmakers, "My understanding is that rhetoric came from conversations from the Pacific; it's not a conversation we've had in my portfolio at all." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN: DR Congo Intercommunal Violence Was Orchestrated By Lisa Schlein March 13, 2019 United Nations investigators say intercommunal attacks that killed more than 500 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo were orchestrated. The investigators from the U.N. human rights office in Congo say the attacks may amount to crimes against humanity. The clashes between the Banunu and Batende communities took place in Yumbi territory, in Mai-Ndombe province, between December 16 and 18. U.N. investigators who went there found the violence was planned and carried out with the support of traditional chiefs. U.N. human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani says the investigators verified at least 535 people were killed and more than 100 others injured. "These figures are most likely an underestimate," she said. "The number of casualties is believed to be much higher as the bodies of some who died are believed to have been thrown into the Congo River. It is also not possible to confirm the number of people who are still missing as an estimated 19,000 people were displaced by the violence, 16,000 of whom crossed over into the Republic of Congo." Shamdasani says fights between the two communities over land and fishing resources have broken out in the past, but never on this scale. She says the violence was triggered by a dispute over the burial of a Banunu chief. She says the similarity of the attacks carried out over a three-day period across four different villages indicates prior consultation and organization. "Certain chiefs of the Batende-majority villages were cited by many sources as having taken part in the planning of the attacks. The investigation concluded that the crimes documented in Yumbi may amount to crimes against humanity of murder, torture, rape and other forms of sexual violence, as well as persecution," said Shamdasani. The report warns violence is likely to flare up again if the tensions and resentment between the two communities are allowed to fester. The U.N. high commissioner for human rights, Michelle Bachelet, is calling for the perpetrators of the crimes to be punished. She is also urging the government to establish a truth and reconciliation process to address the problems between the Banunu and Batende communities and prevent further violence. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Rights Report Highlights Venezuela, Iran, China By Nike Ching March 13, 2019 The U.S. State Department is painting a grim picture of violations and abuses in countries that already have dismal records in its "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2018." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday highlighted abuses in Iran, South Sudan, Nicaragua and China in his remarks on the release of the report. "I wish I could say that the record of every country evaluated in this year's report is spotless or even improved, but it's simply not the case," Pompeo said. This year's report evaluates the practices of roughly 200 countries and territories. Venezuela In Latin America, the report cited extrajudicial killings, the stifling of free expression, and restrictions on political participation in Venezuela. It said the May 20, 2018, presidential vote that re-elected Nicolas Maduro was "deeply flawed" and was boycotted by the opposition and condemned by the international community. The State Department report also pointed to issues including "pervasive corruption and impunity among all security forces" in Venezuela and in the Maduro government, "trafficking in persons and the worst forms of child labor, which the government made minimal efforts to eliminate." "The situation on the ground is deteriorating. It's so tragic. The humanitarian conditions there are just awful. You have people starving, can't get medicine to the sick," Pompeo said in an interview in Houston. "The human rights situation in Venezuela is terrible" and is only getting worse, said Ambassador Michael Kozak from the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, adding the denial of U.S. medical and food aid by the Maduro government only exacerbates its humanitarian crisis. Iran On Iran, the report said, "The government's human rights record remained extremely poor and worsened in several key areas." The high-profile case of Iranian attorney Nasrin Sotoudeh was featured in the report. Sotoudeh, who represents political prisoners and women that protested against the country's compulsory hijab law, was arrested on June 13, 2018, on national security charges.She was sentenced to 38 years in prison and 148 lashes on March 12, 2019. "We are outraged," said State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino in Tuesday's briefing. "This sentence is beyond barbaric." The human rights report also pointed to issues including executions for crimes without fair trials, arbitrary killings and forced disappearance, harsh and life-threatening prison conditions, systematic use of arbitrary detention and imprisonment, unlawful interference with privacy, and severe restrictions on free expression, the press and the internet. China On China, the State Department's human rights report said the government significantly intensified its campaign of mass detention of members of Muslim minority groups in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang). Pompeo said China is "in a league of its own" when it comes to human rights violations. "Today, more than 1 million Uighurs, ethnic Kazakhs and other Muslims are interned in reeducation camps designed to erase their religious and ethnic identities. The government also is increasing its persecution against Christians, Tibetans and anyone who espouses different views from those or advocates those of government or advocates change in government," said the top U.S. diplomat. Other issues include arbitrary detention by the Chinese government; physical attacks on and the criminal prosecution of journalists, lawyers, petitioners, and their family members; severe restrictions on religious freedom; the forcible return of asylum-seekers to North Korea, where they have a well-founded fear of persecution; and official repression of the freedom of speech, religion, movement, association and assembly in Tibet, according to the report. China says it is running a deradicalization program and that the camps are vocational training centers to teach people about the law and the Mandarin language.Chinese authorities said Tuesday that the camps in Xinjiang will "gradually disappear" if a time arises when "society does not need them." Samuel Brownback, the U.S. ambassador for religious freedom, said Friday during a speech in Hong Kong that China's detentions are not proportionate to any real threat it faces from extremism. "China is not solving a terrorist problem by forcibly moving women, children, the elderly and the highly educated intelligentsia into mass detention centers and internment camps. Instead, they are creating one," he said. U.S. lawmakers are pressuring the Trump administration to take stronger actions against China. The House Foreign Affairs Committee told Pompeo last week it "appears the administration has taken no meaningful action" on the matter. Pompeo said the administration is considering sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for rights abuses against the Uighurs in Xinjiang. Reproductive rights missing Separately, critics on Wednesday pointed to the fact that the report does not highlight countries that commit human rights abuses around reproductive health. "For the last 25 years, most of the world has recognized that empowering women to control their bodies helps them and their families to access other rights, but you wouldn't know that from today's report," said Sarah Margon, Washington director at Human Rights Watch. "The State Department is essentially deciding that a significant set of women's rights are not human rights at all," she added. It is the second time since 2012 the State Department's human rights report eliminated references to women's "reproductive rights" since 2012. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Venezuela to Kick Off Second Stage of Large-Scale Military Drills This Weekend Sputnik News 02:09 14.03.2019(updated 02:43 14.03.2019) Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said Wednesday that the second stage of the country's military maneuvers would begin this weekend. According to local media reports, the second stage of the large-scale military exercises includes securing the national electric power grids and water supply systems. "This coming weekend, the military drills dubbed Ana Karina Rote are being resumed at their second stage", Rodriguez was quoted as saying as aired by state-run broadcaster on Wednesday. The first stage of the drills, dubbed Angostura, was held in mid-February. The news comes on the heels of a blackout that has lasted for several days in the Latin American country due to reported sabotage at the major Guri hydroelectric power plant. Earlier this week, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said that local authorities had detained two people on suspicion of attempted wrecking of the country's power system, adding that Washington bore the most responsibility for the disruption of Venezuela's power grid. The blackout hit crisis-torn Venezuela last Thursday as national electricity supplier Corpoelec reported about "sabotage" at the Guri power plant. Local media subsequently reported power outages in 21 out of 23 Venezuela's states. Maduro blamed the United States for waging an energy war against Venezuela. Washington denied having a role in the crisis. Since January, Venezuela has been facing deep political turmoil. On 5 January, lawmaker Juan Guaido was elected the head of the opposition-controlled National Assembly, which all other government branches have been refusing to recognize since 2016. On 23 January, two days after the Venezuelan Supreme Court annulled his election, Guaido declared himself the country's interim president. Maduro, who was sworn in to his second presidential term on 10 January after winning the May election, which part of the opposition boycotted, called Guaido's move an attempt to stage a coup orchestrated by Washington. The United States immediately recognized Guaido, after which some 50 other countries followed suit. Russia, China, Cuba, Bolivia and a number of other states have, in the meantime, voiced their support for the legitimate government of constitutionally elected Maduro. Mexico and Uruguay have refused to recognize Guaido, declaring themselves neutral and promoting crisis settlement via dialogue. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Senate Expected to Disapprove Trump's National Emergency Declaration By Michael Bowman March 13, 2019 The U.S. Senate is expected to deliver a legislative black eye to President Donald Trump on Thursday, when it votes on disapproving the president's national emergency declaration to fund wall construction along the U.S.-Mexico border. A handful of Senate Republicans have committed to joining a unified Democratic caucus in rejecting the emergency declaration, all but assuring the disapproval measure's passage in a chamber where Republicans have a narrow 53-47 majority. "Are we going to say, anytime a president can't get his way with Congress, he can declare an emergency and Congress will meekly shrug its shoulders?" Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said. "What a disgrace." Many Republicans have expressed unease over the national emergency declaration, noting the U.S. Constitution grants Congress authority over spending matters. But most are expected to vote against the disapproval measure, citing an urgent need to secure America's southern border. "I'm voting with you, Mr. President," Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Inhofe tweeted. "There is no country without borders." Veto probable The Democratically-led House of Representatives already approved the measure, which is expected to trigger the first veto of Trump's presidency should it reach his desk. "It is about Border Security and the Wall [stopping Crime, Drugs, etc.], not Constitutionality and Precedent," the president recently wrote on Twitter. Congress has not funded Trump's border wall requests, including under unified Republican control of the legislature, as existed for the first two years of his term in office. Earlier this year, a politically-divided Congress provided limited funds to erect new fencing along small sections of the U.S.-Mexico border, an outlay Trump deemed inadequate. A national emergency declaration empowers a president to redirect federal funds in response to a sudden and grave crisis. Democrats noted that America's border deficiencies have been debated for decades, and in making the declaration, Trump himself said he "didn't have to do it." Major stumbling block For some Republicans, a major stumbling block is setting a precedent that could be used by a future Democratic president to evade the will of Congress. "Imagine in the future a socialist-inclined president who wants to fund the Green New Deal [Global Warming resolution] or declare an emergency against the Second Amendment [constitutional right to bear arms]," Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said. "Congress needs to fund border security no question. But no president should go around Congress." As the Senate prepared to vote, some Republicans put forth legislation to limit the National Emergencies Act, which became law in 1976 and has been used by all presidents since to trigger swift federal action. Democrats noted the Republican proposal would do nothing to rein in Trump's current emergency declaration. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, declared the bill will not pass Congress. "The House will not take up this legislation to give President Trump a pass [on the emergency declaration]," Pelosi said in a statement. Campaign promise Building a border wall was one of Trump's primary promises to voters in his 2016 presidential campaign. Trump repeatedly stated that Mexico, not the United States, would pay for it. The White House argued Mexico is paying for the wall indirectly as a result of the expected economic benefits from a new free trade agreement negotiated between the United States, Canada and Mexico. Aside from congressional action, the national emergency declaration is being challenged in the federal court system, which may have the final word in whether it survives. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Xi stresses timely completion of military development goals People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 07:13, March 13, 2019 BEIJING, March 12 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Tuesday stressed fulfilling the set targets and tasks of national defense and military development as scheduled. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when attending a plenary meeting of the delegation of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and armed police force at the second session of the 13th National People's Congress, China's national legislature. This year is the key year for completing the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects. The entire armed forces must clearly understand the importance and urgency of implementing the 13th Five-Year Plan for military development, firm up their resolve, intensify the sense of mission, forge ahead with a pioneering spirit, and go all out to carry out the plan so as to ensure that the set targets and tasks are fulfilled as scheduled, he said. Xi called on the whole army to adhere to the guidance of the thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, fully implement the Party's thinking on strengthening the military for the new era and the military strategy for new conditions, concentrate on war preparedness, and intensify reform and innovation. On implementation of the plan, Xi stressed that it is imperative to strengthen overall planning and coordination, as well as make breakthroughs in key areas. Xi pointed out that it is necessary to take into consideration the overall situation and coordinate the task plans, resources, and management procedures to ensure orderly advancement of various projects. Focusing on the overall layout of the plan, the military should give prominence to key projects including urgent necessities for military preparedness, crucial support for combat systems, and coordinated projects for the reform of national defense and armed forces, he noted. Xi stressed the formulation of the 14th Five-Year Plan for military development should serve the demands of the national development, security and military strategies, and should take into account both the actual condition and long-term development needs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese military launches recruitment for civilian positions People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 14:32, March 13, 2019 BEIJING, March 12 (Xinhua) -- A unified examination will be held in late April to recruit people from members of the public for civilian positions in the Chinese military, a military statement said Tuesday. Launched by the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission, the recruitment focuses on serving the needs of the military and will place a number of civilians at professional or important posts or posts in remote regions. Applicant registration should be conducted through the website of "Military Talent Net" between March 13 and 20, before the examination is held on April 28. The statement vowed to recruit outstanding talent for the military while ensuring the selection is a fair, transparent process. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pressure still high on graft during supervision reform People's Daily Online (China Daily) 07:32, March 13, 2019 China has kept up the pressure in the fight against corruption while making progress on reform of the country's supervision system in the past year, according to work reports of the top court and top procuratorate released on Tuesday. Thirty-two officials at or above ministerial level were charged last year with graft, including Sun Zhengcai and Wang Sanyun, said Zhang Jun, procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, during the work report to the top legislature. Sun, former Chongqing Party secretary and former member of the Political Bureau of the 18th Communist Party of China Central Committee, was sentenced on May 8 to life in prison for taking bribes of over 170 million yuan ($25.3 million). Wang, former Party secretary of Gansu province, stood trial in October, and no verdict has been released yet. As a result of an unwavering resolve to bring the corrupt to justice, about 33,000 people in 28,000 cases were convicted of taking bribes or dereliction of duty last year, Chief Justice Zhou Qiang said in the work report of the Supreme People's Court. Another 2,466 people were convicted of offering bribes last year amid a heavy crackdown on bribery, he said. The large quantity of corruption convictions shows that China is unswervingly advancing the fight against graft, and reform of the country's supervision system has played its role, said Jiang Laiyong, a senior law researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The 13th National People's Congress approved the amendment to the Constitution and the National Supervision Law in its previous annual session last March, laying a strong legal foundation for an upgraded anti-graft task force and bringing all people with public power under supervision. Zhang said in his report that procuratorates have coordinated smoothly with supervision commissions at all levels to keep the pressure on corruption. "We have enhanced cooperation with the new commissions to push forward standards on work procedures and evidence collection to handle duty-related crimes," he said. Supervisory commissions are State anti-corruption agencies. The National Supervisory Commission is the highest State supervisory organ, and all provincial, city and county-level regions have their own supervisory commissions. Establishing supervisory commissions at all levels is considered a major political reform. Leaders of supervisory commissions are elected by people's congresses at the same level and are supervised by legislative bodies. Prosecuting departments agreed to take a look at a total of 16,092 suspects alleged to have engaged in graft and who were handed over by supervision commissions nationwide, according to the SPP report. Prosecutors charged 9,802 of them and decided not to charge 250 people, the report said. The others remain under investigation. "The new commissions have integrated the country's scattered anti-corruption resources and cultivated a professional supervision team, serving as a powerful deterrent to corruption," said Guo Yong, director of the Center for Anti-Corruption and Governance at Tsinghua University. Judicial and procuratorial organs have also kept a close watch on mafia-like gangs and crimes that affect people's daily life such as pollution and drug security. Prosecutors charged 61,188 suspects involved in organized crime or local mafias last year, and about 350 people were charged with serving as a "protection umbrella" for such criminals, according to the SPP report. Zhang said prosecutors were guided by the principle of "no one is let off, no one is wronged" while handling such cases, and struck down 9,154 cases filed by police as gang-related crimes. In cases linked to pollution, 42,195 suspects were prosecuted for damaging the environment and resources last year, an increase of 21 percent year-on-year, he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US to Build 6 Nuclear Power Plants in India - Statement Sputnik News 23:26 13.03.2019(updated 23:56 13.03.2019) WASHINGTON (Sputnik) New Delhi and Washington will ramp up civil nuclear cooperation by building six American nuclear power plants in India, a joint statement issued by the US State Department said on Wednesday. "They committed to strengthening bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, including the establishment of six US nuclear power plants in India", the statement said upon conclusion of the US-India Strategic Security Dialogue. The agreement came after two days of talks in Washington, Reuters reported. The Trump administration has been looking to sell more energy products to India, the world's third-biggest buyer of oil. In 2005, then-US President George W. Bush and then-Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced their intention to reach a nuclear agreement. Following three years of negotiations, a landmark deal was signed between the countries, stipulating full civil nuclear energy cooperation. India, Russia Ink First Offshore Collaboration to Build Bangladesh's First Nuclear Plant With demand for electricity reportedly set to double in India over the coming decade, New Delhi is actively seeking ways to plug the gap. Russia's Rosatom has been engaged in the construction of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant. The construction of the Kudankulam NPP was initially agreed by the Soviet Union and India in 1988, but the project remained in limbo for decades. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India and Russia's nuclear agency Rosatom launched a joint project to build the NPP in 2012. The first unit reached full capacity in July 2014. Unit 2 was first connected to India's national grid in August 2016. In 2009, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India and French nuclear company Areva signed a memorandum of understanding on construction of a nuclear power plant in western India. If built, the 9,900-MW Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant would be the world's largest nuclear power generating station. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Indian Government Warns Leaked Rafale Docs THREATEN National Security Sputnik News 17:57 13.03.2019 While India's apex court is hearing a petition seeking a review of its earlier verdict on the Rafale deal corruption case, the government has argued that the papers submitted as proof in court had been "stolen" from the Defence Ministry and that by doing so the conspirators had compromised national security - an act that attracts penal action. New Delhi (Sputnik) The Indian government has claimed that the leaking of documents pertaining to the Rafale deal, published by the newspaper The Hindu, not only breached terms of the agreement with the vendor, but also compromised national security. Filing an affidavit before the country's apex court on Wednesday, the government claimed that photocopies of the sensitive documents were done without consent, permission or acquiescence of the centre, "thereby committing theft by unauthorized photocopying of such documents have adversely affected sovereignty, security and friendly relations with foreign countries". The government has alleged that the documents attached in review petition by the plaintiff and subsequently accessed and published by media outlets, including The Hindu, carried sensitive information, including related to the aircraft's combat capability. "Since the review petition has been widely circulated and is available in public domain, the same is available to the enemy/our adversaries. This puts the National Security in jeopardy", the affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court of India reads. The government has also informed that it has launched an internal probe to ascertain how the "secret" Rafale files were leaked from the Defence Ministry. Meanwhile, the former editor of The Hindu, N. Ram, has sought to exonerate his journalists from any wrongdoing, arguing that they had published the Rafale report in the public's interest and that the act enjoyed protection under relevant laws. Earlier, on 6 March, the government alleged that the documents presented in court by the plaintiff had been "stolen" from the Defence Ministry. The review petition, which is currently being heard by the Supreme Court of India, pertains to the 14 December judgment over the procurement of 36 Rafale fighters from French manufacturer Dassault Aviation, in which the court had given the Modi government a certificate of exoneration. The clean chit was given in response to several petitions seeking a court-monitored probe into the purchase of the Rafale jet fighters, alleging that the contract was awarded to Dassault Aviation in exchange of agreeing to award the offset contracts to certain industry players allegedly favoured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Statement on U.S.-India Strategic Security Dialogue Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC March 13, 2019 The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and India on the occasion of the U.S.-India Strategic Security Dialogue. Begin Text: The 9th round of the U.S.-India Strategic Security Dialogue was held in Washington, DC, on March 13, 2019. The Indian delegation was led by Vijay Gokhale, Foreign Secretary, while the U.S. delegation was led by Andrea Thompson, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. The two sides exchanged views on a wide range of global security and nonproliferation challenges and reaffirmed their commitment to work together to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems and to deny access to such weapons by terrorists and non-state actors. They committed to strengthen bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, including the establishment of six U.S. nuclear power plants in India. The United States reaffirmed its strong support of India's early membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Earlier, on March 12, 2019, Indra Mani Pandey, Additional Secretary for Disarmament and International Security Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and Dr. Yleem D.S. Poblete, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance, co-chaired the third round of the U.S.-India Space Dialogue, where they discussed trends in space threats, respective national space priorities, and opportunities for cooperation bilaterally and in multilateral fora. End text. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian minister predicts booming defense industry next year IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, March 13, IRNA - The new Persian year beginning on March 21, 2019 was dubbed as Iran's year of Defense Products and Achievements Booms by the country's defense minister. 'We decided, to showcase a part of Iranian defensive and technological advances on the 40th anniversary of Iran's Islamic Revolution in order to confront the shop-worn strategy of enemies,' Brigadier General Amir Hatami said at a meeting with senior directors of Iran's Defense Ministry. He said that the display of defense achievements, including all-Iranian fighters of Kowsar, Toofan armored vehicle, Fateh submarines, and Hoveizeh cruise missile that were all the result of Iranian experts a new wave of hope arose in the society. The Iranian minister also noted that the current defense industry of the country is not comparable to those imported and dependent industries. With overflow of defense know-how, many other non-defense problems and deficiencies would be resolved, he said adding that the Iranian technicians and experts of the defense sector are increasingly called on to cooperate with the auto making industry. Hatami also emphasized that the country would not succumb to the sanctions being imposed by the US on Iran when President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew out of the nuclear deal in May 2018. 9156**1424 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address To avoid arms race, multilateral mechanisms such as JCPOA Needed: Mogherini ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Wed / 13 March 2019 / 15:28 Tehran (ISNA) - Multilateral mechanisms such as the international nuclear deal with Iran are needed to avert a new arms race that would threaten international security, EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini said during a United Nations Security Council meeting. "A new arms race, and a nuclear arms race in particular, can only make the world less secure, not more. Our collective security requires a solid multilateral architecture for non-proliferation and disarmament. This is why the EU has worked and will continue to work to preserve the nuclear deal with Iran," Mogherini said. Mogherini noted that Iran's confirmed implementation of its commitments under the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), paved the way for the EU to lift economic sanctions on the Islamic Republic, according to Ssputnik. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran, Iraq can play more significant role in solving regional, global issues: Rouhani Iran Press TV Wed Mar 13, 2019 05:06PM Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says Iran and Iraq can further cooperate and play a more significant role in solving regional and international issues. "Today, conditions are more suitable than ever for interaction between Iran and Iraq to play a more active role in [solving] regional and international issues," Rouhani said in a meeting with Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Saeed al-Hakim in Najaf on Wednesday. Lauding the good and ever-growing ties between Iran and Iraq in different sectors, Rouhani said the officials of the two countries were determined to promote bilateral relations. Ayatollah Hakim, for his part, said Iranian and Iraqi officials should work to promote bilateral ties based on the interests of the two countries. The senior cleric pointed to plots by enemies to drive a wedge between the Muslim nations and governments of the region and called for unity and solidarity in the face of such schemes. Rouhani also sat down with Grand Ayatollah Bashir al-Najafi, during which he described his talks with Iraqi officials as "very good" and said Tehran was keen to increase ties with Baghdad in all sectors. He said that he held talks with Iraqi officials on matters of mutual interest and the two sides reached agreements on different issues, including visa facilitation for the two countries' nationals. They also signed memoranda of understanding to boost cooperation in the fields of trade, healthcare, transportation, and the construction of industrial towns along the border between the two countries. Ayatollah Najafi, for his part, praised Iran and said the Islamic Republic was a source of pride for the all Muslims, especially Shias. Rouhani also held talks with Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Is'haq al-Fayadh, during which the Iranian president briefed the senior cleric on his talks with Iraqi officials. Heading a high-ranking delegation, Rouhani began his official Iraq visit on Monday, which featured several meetings and the signing of memorandums of understanding for the expansion of bilateral ties in various fields. In a joint statement, the two neighboring states hailed Rouhani's Iraq visit as a "turning point" in efforts to strengthen "strategic" cooperation based on non-interference in each other's internal affairs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran says will keep watchful eye on foreign military bases, warns about 'suspicious' nuclear projects Iran Press TV Wed Mar 13, 2019 02:21PM The secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) has warned about "suspicious nuclear projects" pursued by certain regional countries as well as efforts aimed at undermining the security of the Islamic Republic and the region. "Some [countries in the region] are spending petrodollars on suspicious nuclear projects [which] can pose a more serious danger and crisis than the threat of Takfiri terrorists and Daesh to the region and even the world," Ali Shamkhani said on Wednesday. He noted that the emergence of such new threats would prompt Iran to re-devise its defense strategy based on the nature and geography of the threats so that it would be able to meet the needs of the country and the Armed Forces. "We constantly watch all activities of foreigners and certain evil countries of the West Asia region, especially certain unusual activities of some regional countries that have a proven black record of supporting terrorist movements," he added. Shamkhani was apparently pointing to reports that the administration of US President Donald Trump was seeking to advance the sale of nuclear power technology to Saudi Arabia. In February, a congressional committee revealed in a report that the Trump administration was trying to bypass the US Congress to transfer sensitive nuclear power technology to Saudi Arabia. The House of Representatives' Oversight Committee, which compiled the report, said it was now "launching an investigation to determine whether the actions being pursued by the Trump Administration are in the national security interests of the United States or, rather, serve those who stand to gain financially as a result of this potential change in US foreign policy." "The Trump Administration's interactions with Saudi Arabia have been shrouded in secrecy, raising significant questions about the nature of the relationship," the 24-page report said. US Energy Secretary Rick Perry said at a conference on Tuesday that talks with Saudi Arabia about the deal were making progress. "We're still making progress, we're still talking," Mr Perry said. "Our intent is for them to be our partner as they build their nuclear energy." The Trump administration's move towards a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia comes as the US president unilaterally withdrew Washington from a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers in May 2018 despite international criticism and numerous reports by the UN nuclear agency verifying Tehran's compliance with its obligations under the deal, which was endorsed by UN Security Council Resolution 2231. Iran to keep watchful eye on foreign bases In separate remarks on Wednesday, Shamkhani also warned about the establishment of military bases by certain extra-regional countries near Iran's borders, stressing the Islamic Republic would keep a watchful eye on them. "Any effort aimed at destabilizing Iran's borders by any group or country will be met with [our] preemptive and a severe offensive," Shamkhani said, adding that Iran "will not allow the spearheads of creating instability and their mercenaries to undermine the security of nations and stability of the region." The senior Iranian official said that over the past two years, certain terror groups backed by some regional and extra-regional countries struggled to undermine the security of the country's northwestern borders, but their attempts were foiled due to the vigilance and serious action of the Armed Forces and security bodies. The US has set up numerous military bases and stationed thousands of forces in different countries of the world, including Iran's immediate neighbors Afghanistan and Iraq. In an interview with CBS television network broadcast on February 3, Trump highlighted the importance of a military base in Iraq, saying it was crucial to the surveillance of Iran's activities. "We spent a fortune on building this incredible base, we might as well keep it. And one of the reasons I want to keep it is because I want to be looking a little bit at Iran" he said in an apparent reference to Ayn al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq, which he visited during an unannounced trip to the country last December. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran overtakes Qatar in South Pars with new gas phases Iran Press TV Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:00AM Iran on Sunday will launch four new development phases of the world's largest gas field at South Pars with a capacity to produce 112 million cubic meters per day, the Ministry of Petroleum says. President Hassan Rouhani will travel to Bushehr in the Persian Gulf to inaugurate two refineries built with $10 billion of investment. With their launch, Iran's daily gas production will surpass that of Qatar with which it shares the offshore field. The $5 billion refinery for phase 13 is fully operational, with the first shipping of its gas condensate delivered on March 11 for export, the project's operator Payam Motamed said. Another refinery for phases 22, 23 and 24 will come online Sunday. Each plant has a capacity to process 56 million cubic meters of gas per day and convert it to LPG, ethane, condensate and sulfur worth $5.5 billion a year at the going market prices, the ministry's Shana news outlet said. The revenue, it said, will account for 2 percent of Iran's GDP of some $427 billion. Iran has divided development of South Pars to 24 onshore phases, all of which are now operational except for phase 11 and 14. The refinery for phase 14 is about to come on stream in the next Persian calendar year which begins on March 21, according to ISNA news agency. Iran had awarded development of phase 11 to a consortium led by Total, but the French company left the project after the US threatened to impose sanctions on companies that do business in the country. When Total left, China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) was to take over according to the contract, but the Chinese company also suspended investment in response to US pressure. Nevertheless, state-run Chinese energy giant Sinopec has offered Iran a $3-billion deal on further development of an Iranian oilfield the two countries are already working on, the Wall Street Journal reported in January. The offshore development of South Pars includes three phases. In January, ISNA said Iran was in talks with several domestic companies to extract more oil from South Pars after foreign companies abandoned the plan. According to Managing Director of Pars Oil and Gas Company Mohammad Meshkinfam, almost 25,000 barrels a day of oil are currently extracted from South Pars oil layers. Qatar, in comparison, produces 300,000 barrels a day. Iran's development of the South Pars oil layers is still at the pilot phase, but the country sees positive prospects for 150,000 barrels per day of recovery in the currently producing reservoir. Some 400 Iranian companies have been taking part in the development of the South Pars gas field through supplying equipment to related projects. On Tuesday, Shana said the implementation of projects in South Pars has been delegated to Iranian consortia consisting of contractors, consultants and builders who are utilizing their maximum power and expertise. Deputy for planning at the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Karim Zobeidi said there are currently 200 undeveloped oil and gas fields in Iran. So far, only 42.4 percent of Iran's oil reserves and 10 percent of its gas has been extracted, Zobeidi said as he also touched on the country's lower recovery rates. "The recovery rate of Iranian fields is 10 percent lower than the average rate of recovery in the world," Shana quoted him as saying. "Iran's oil and gas reservoirs and fields have high capacity for research studies," he added. NIOC Managing Director Masoud Karbasian said the company would issue 20 billion rials ($476,000) of fixed-rate Manfa'at bonds on Wednesday (March 13). The bonds, he said, will help finance the development of NIOC's oil and gas projects and be sold on the over-the-counter Fara Bourse market for securities in Tehran. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defense chief vows 'firm' response to any Israeli act of 'piracy' against Iran oil shipments Iran Press TV Wed Mar 13, 2019 09:04AM Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami says Iran views any Israeli naval action against the country's oil shipments as "piracy," vowing a "firm" response to such an assault. The Iranian defense chief was reacting to belligerent remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who threatened last week to block what he called Iran's "covert" oil shipments over maritime routes meant to "circumvent" US sanctions. "As these attempts expand, the navy will have a more important role in efforts to block these Iranian actions," Netanyahu said. In response, Hatami warned on Wednesday that a "firm response" awaits the Tel Aviv regime if it attempts to carry out the threat, adding, "The international community will not accept this either." "Certainly, if they (the Israelis) have such an intention, the issue would constitute piracy and an [instance of] international insecurity," he told IRNA news agency. The defense minister also emphasized that the Iranian Armed Forces stand ready to safeguard ships and the security of international waterways. "The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran have the necessary capability to protect the country's shipping lines in the best way against any possible threat," he added. Netanyahu's threat is not the first of its kind against Iran's oil exports. Last November, Brian Hook, the US special representative for Iran, warned global shipping and insurance industries that insuring Iranian tankers would incur penalties under Washington's sanctions against Tehran. "From the Suez Canal to the Strait of Malacca and all choke points in between, Iranian tankers are now a floating liability," he said. "Countries, ports and canal operators and private firms should know they will be likely responsible for the costs of an accident involving a self-insured Iranian tanker." The US re-instated the second phase of its sanctions against Iran after scrapping the 2015 nuclear deal in May in defiance of international objections. Upon re-instating those bans, which mainly target Iran's banking and energy sectors, Washington vowed to cut Tehran's oil exports to "zero" and sought to pressure customers to stop their purchase of Iranian oil. The other signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action - as the deal is officially known - have pledged efforts to compensate for Washington's absence and make sure that Iran will be able to collect its economic dividends of the deal, among them selling oil freely. Following Hook's threat, Tehran lodged a complaint with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) against the US over the re-imposition of the bans, which target scores of Iranian ships. As a specialized agency of the UN, the IMO -- which has 174 member states -- is tasked with regulating international shipping. The organization works to promote "safe, secure, environmentally sound, efficient and sustainable shipping through cooperation," as its mission statement reads. In recent years, Iran's Navy has increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers. It has also managed to foil several attacks on both Iranian and foreign tankers in international waters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tehran Vows to Respond to Israeli Navy's Actions Against Iranian Oil Sales Sputnik News 08:05 13.03.2019(updated 08:38 13.03.2019) On 6 March, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the world community to stop Iran from shipping oil abroad. He also threatened to deploy the Israeli Navy to help tackle suspected Iranian efforts to smuggle out oil via maritime routes to skirt US sanctions. If the Israeli Navy attempts to hamper Iran's oil sales, Tehran "will firmly respond", the Iranian Minister of Defence Amir Hatami stated Wednesday. The defence minister also noted that Israeli actions would be seen as "piracy" if the navy would act against Iran, according to the news agency IRNA. The minister's statement follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's threats expressed last week that he would deploy the Israeli Navy to deal with Iran's alleged attempts to smuggle out oil via maritime routes in order to skirt sanctions imposed by Washington. However, the Israeli official didn't specify how the navy would tackle that and whether it would become a direct armed confrontation at sea. The Iranian Navy has been seeking to boost its presence at sea amid a new escalation of tensions with the United States following the latter's decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and reimpose economic sanctions on Tehran. In particular, Tehran earlier this year conducted drills in the Strait of Hormuz a strategically important route for oil exports from the region. Iran also previously threatened to block this key sea route if Washington provoked it and blocked its oil exports. Israel is one of Washington's key allies in the Middle East and a major buyer of US arms and military equipment. The two states share the same position on the Iran issue. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan successfully test-fires 'smart weapon' Iran Press TV Wed Mar 13, 2019 08:22AM Pakistan says it has successfully test-fired a new, domestically-built "smart weapon," stressing that Islamabad will respond "with full force" to any foreign aggression. Pakistan's Air Force said on Tuesday that the weapon, apparently an air-to-surface missile, had been deployed by a JF-17 Thunder a Chinese-Pakistani multi-role fighter jet. The air force described the missile as a "smart weapon" that had an "extended" range, but did not give further details. "Pakistan is a peace-loving nation but if subjected to aggression by [an] adversary, we would respond with full force," said the Chief of Air Staff Mujahid Anwar Khan, who also hailed the successful test-fire. A short footage of the test was also released, showing an aircraft deploying the missile. The news of the missile test comes amid the latest standoff between India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir. The tensions, which manifested in the form of cross-border military tensions, risked sparking a full-on war last month. The standoff began when India conducted "preemptive" airstrikes inside Pakistan against what it said was a militant training camp belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant group. The outfit had claimed responsibility for an attack on a security convoy in Pulwama, in Indian-administered Kashmir, on February 14. That attack killed more than 40 Indian troops. Pakistan said the Indian airstrikes had not hit the alleged target. Islamabad, however, retaliated India's violation of its airspace by firing into Indian territory. Pakistan later shot down two Indian fighter jets that it said had violated its airspace again. It also captured one of the pilots. Two days later, however, it released the pilot in a "peace gesture." Tensions decreased but did not evaporate. In another confrontation earlier this month, Pakistan said its navy had warded off an Indian submarine, "successfully keeping it from entering Pakistani waters." The navy said its forces did not target the submarine due to a government policy of maintaining peace with New Delhi. The two nuclear-armed neighbors have fought four wars since their partition in 1947, three of them over Kashmir. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistani Fighter Jet Test-Fires 'Smart' Missile Amid Escalation With India Sputnik News 10:26 13.03.2019 The announcement comes just a day after the Hindustan Times reported that Pakistan had deployed an entire F-16 fighter jet squadron along the Indian border as tensions between the two nuclear armed neighbours have reached a boiling point. Pakistan's Air Force has announced that one of its JF-17 fighter jets successfully test-fired a locally developed "smart" missile. "The weapon has been developed, integrated and qualified solely through indigenous efforts of Pakistani scientists and engineers. Successful trial has provided JF-17 Thunder a very potent and assured day and night capability to engage a variety of targets with pinpoint accuracy", Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement. Pakistan Air Chief Mujahid Anwar Khan described the achievement as another milestone for the country, adding that if Islamabad is subjected to aggression, it would retaliate with full force. In the meantime, India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a third successful test of the multi-barrel guided weapon system Pinaka on 12 March at the Pokharan range in the northwestern state of Rajasthan. A day before, the DRDO held a twin testing of the system, which can engage targets from a 20 to 90 km range. "The weapon system impacted the intended targets with high precision and achieved desired accuracies in all the missions. Telemetry Systems tracked and monitored the vehicle through the flight path. All the mission objectives have been met", the Indian Defence Ministry stated. The development comes on the heels of simmering tensions between Pakistan and India following an IAF air raid on a suspected terror camp in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. New Delhi's airstrikes were provoked by a suicide bomb attack claimed by Pakistan-based Jaish-e Mohammad that killed some 40 Indian soldiers. On the very next day of the raid, Pakistan announced the downing of two Indian warplanes over the Line of Control in the disputed region of Kashmir and captured an Indian pilot, who was released just two days later. While the Indian side confirmed the loss of only one of its aircraft, it claimed that it had shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter jet, having showed parts of an AMRAAM medium-range missile that is alleged to have been fired by the US-made warplane. The missile is said to have been recovered in Indian-administered Kashmir, although the Pakistani side has flatly denied deploying any F-16s for aerial combat or sustaining any losses. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia 'Primary Threat' To Euro-Atlantic Security, Says U.S. General By RFE/RL March 13, 2019 The commander of NATO forces in Europe, U.S. General Curtis Scaparrotti, has said that Russia continues to be the "primary threat" to Euro-Atlantic security and voiced concern about Moscow's military modernization program. Speaking on March 13 at a hearing in the House of Representatives, Scaparrotti also said Russia seeks to undermine any steps toward Euro-Atlantic integration in the Balkans using disinformation and backing extremist forces throughout the region. "Russia has continued its reemergence as strategic competitor and remains the primary threat to a stable Euro-Atlantic security environment," Scaparrotti told the House Committee on Armed Services. "While the United States maintains global military superiority over Russia, evolving Russian capabilities threaten or erode our competitive military advantage, challenge our ability to operate uncontested in all domains, and diminish our ability to deter Russian aggression." Scaparrotti also said that, in the face of Moscow's drive to upgrade its armed forces, U.S. military dominance could only be maintained if America keeps investing in defense. "I am very concerned about their [military] modernization program. It's real and it's a good modernization program that [Russian President Vladimir Putin] has been able to keep on track by-and-large. And so while today -- as I noted in my opening [remarks] -- we have a dominant force, in the years ahead we won't unless we continue to invest as well," he said. Balkan Inroads The U.S. general voiced concern about Russia making inroads in the Balkans, a region where the United States has "invested heavily and is critical to the security of Europe." "Generally speaking, their efforts are to undermine any movement toward integration with the Euro-Atlantic [structures] -- EU, NATO, etc. That's their general objective in every case throughout the Balkans," Scaparrotti told the committee. "Primarily they do this through disinformation, they do it through funding and support for fringe parties -- they don't necessarily determine whichever side it might be on as long as it's undermining the present government in any forward movement within those governments. We see that and, as I said, that has stepped up in the past six or eight months within the Balkans." The NATO commander voiced concern about Russia's potential attempts to undermine North Macedonia's efforts to join the alliance. The Balkan country last year signed a landmark agreement with neighboring Greece that changed its name from Macedonia to North Macedonia, ending a 27-year naming dispute. The agreement has opened North Macedonia's path to likely NATO and EU membership, which Greece had previously blocked. "I would also say that Montenegro's accession to NATO -- now the 29th member -- and North Macedonia, who would potentially be the 30th [member], I believe is exactly what Russia did not want to see. I think they'll continue to try and address this with North Macedonia just as they tried to interfere in Montenegro's accession [to NATO]." Authorities in Montenegro, which joined the alliance in June, have accused two Russian officers with the GRU military intelligence of organizing a failed coup plot to prevent the small Balkan nation from joining NATO. Moscow, which opposed Montenegro's bid to join the military alliance, has denied the allegations. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-primary- threat-euro-atlantic-security-scaparrotti- general/29819782.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Bills Banning 'Fake News,' Insults Head To Putin For Signature By RFE/RL March 13, 2019 Legislation enabling Russian authorities to block websites and hand out punishment for "fake news" and material deemed insulting to the state or the public is headed to President Vladimir Putin's desk for his signature. The legislation, which Putin's own advisory human rights council says would groundlessly curb the freedom of expression, was approved by the upper parliament house, the Federation Council, in a 149-3 vote on March 13. The bills would allow the authorities to block websites or Internet accounts that publish what they deem to be "fake news" and penalizing those who post material found to be insulting to state officials, state symbols, or Russian society. Critics contend that the legislation, which Putin is widely expected to sign, is part of a Kremlin effort to increase control over the Internet and stifle dissent. The Federation Council and the State Duma, which gave final approval to the bills on March 7, are both dominated by the ruling United Russia party. On March 11, the Russian Presidential Council for Development of Civil Society and Human Rights urged the upper house to send the bills back to the Duma to be reworked. The presidential council, whose advice is often ignored by Putin, cited the European Convention on Human Rights and said that freedom of expression cannot be restricted exclusively due to doubts about whether what is being expressed is true. The "fake news" bill would empower the prosecutor-general and his deputies to determine what constitutes fake news without a court decision, after which the state media and communications watchdog Roskomnadzor would block the site or account. The bill would set fines for publishing "fake news" at up to 100,000 rubles ($1,525) for individuals, 200,000 rubles for public officials, and 500,000 rubles for companies. The "fake news" bill says publications officially registered with Roskomnadzor, including online media outlets, would be given a chance to remove reports deemed as fake news before their websites are blocked. It says websites that are not registered with Roskomnadzor would be blocked without warning. The other bill would establish fines of up to 100,000 rubles for insulting the Russian authorities, government agencies, the state, the public, the flag, or the constitution. Repeat offenders would face bigger fines and could be jailed for up to 15 days. Roskomnadzor would give Internet users 24 hours to remove material deemed by the prosecutor-general or his deputies to be insulting to the state or society, and those that failed to do so would be blocked, the bill says. With reporting by Vedomosti, Meduza, and Dozhd Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-bills-banning -fake-news-insults-head-to-putin-for -signature/29819238.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Lawmakers Overwhelmingly Condemn Kremlin For Nemtsov Killing By RFE/RL March 13, 2019 U.S. lawmakers have passed a measure that sharply criticizes Russian President Vladimir Putin for what it says is the Kremlin's involvement in the killing of opposition activist Boris Nemtsov and the targeting of other political opponents. The House of Representatives passed the nonbinding resolution 416-1 on March 12. "This resolution condemns the Kremlin's systematic targeting of its political opponents and calls on the administration to impose sanctions on those responsible for Nemtsov's murder and cover-up," Representative Eliot Engel, the leading Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a speech before the vote. A former deputy prime minister and charismatic opponent to Putin, Nemtsov was shot and killed in 2015 on a bridge near the Kremlin. Five men from the Chechnya region were convicted and sentenced to prison for the killing in 2017, but Nemtsov's relatives and supporters have long accused officials of failing to identify and prosecute the mastermind or masterminds. Government critics have voiced suspicion that the culprits will never face justice because an honest investigation could lead to figures who are close to Moscow-backed Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov or to Putin's inner circle. The House measure calls for the administration to use a 2012 human rights law known as the Magnitsky Act to investigate and target people involved in the murder and calls on U.S. intelligence agencies to give Congress a detailed report on the matter. Putin's spokesman said that the Kremlin would ignore the resolution, telling journalists that the killing was a "domestic Russian matter" and that "references made in documents adopted by third countries are of no importance." "As for the investigation, it is not the Kremlin's point of view that is important but the opinion of the investigative authorities, who are continuing their work," the spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said on March 13. Putin and his government often assert that the Russian law enforcement agencies and courts are independent, but activists and lawyers say they routinely do the bidding of the Kremlin and authorities at other levels. The Nemtsov measure was one of several passed by the House on March 12 that targeted Russian policy. Another condemned Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. Another that is due to be voted on later this week calls on the director of U.S. National Intelligence to submit a report on Putin's financial assets. The United States "should do more to expose the corruption of Vladimir Putin, whose ill-gotten wealth is perhaps the most powerful global symbol of his dishonesty and his persistent efforts to undermine the rule of law and democracy in the Russian Federation," the measure said. With reporting by TASS Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-nemtsov- putin-killing/29818275.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Exiled Saudi royal forms elaborate opposition in Europe to change regime in Saudi Arabia Iran Press TV Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:23AM An exiled Saudi prince has formed a Europe-based opposition movement seeking to change the regime in Saudi Arabia and end human rights abuses in the repressive country. Prince Khaled bin Farhan Al Saud, who fled to Germany in 2007 citing fears of arrest by the kingdom's authorities, has named the opposition group the Freedom Movement of Arabian Peninsula People, he told The Independent on Tuesday. The movement primarily seeks to campaign for the realization of a "constitutional monarchy" in Saudi Arabia as well as elections to appoint a prime minister and cabinet. Such changes, Prince Farhan hopes, would replace the current absolute monarchical regime, which is run by an exclusive branch of the Saud family. The measures are aimed at ending "endemic" rights violations and inequality in the kingdom and "ultimately" placing power in the hands of the people, the daily cited Prince Farhan as saying. The movement will also be trying to protect those dissidents who flee Saudi Arabia, including by providing them with lawyers, specialist translators, and access to the media to help them seek asylum in Europe. "We need a new system in Saudi Arabia like other democracies, where the people have the right to elect a government, to create a new Saudi Arabia," the 41-year-old Saudi prince said. "We have a vision for the judicial system, for human rights and accountability; but right now, we need to focus on the constitution and on activism to help Saudis in Europe." Pointing to the plight of fugitive Saudi dissenters, Farhan said, "I felt this suffering myself. I want to help others who faced the same problems as me." He was referring to the threats he received from Saudi authorities right before he fled to Germany of detainment due to his criticism of the ruling family, as well as repeated attempts by Saudi officials to lure him into the country's diplomatic missions abroad. In October last year, Saudi authorities notoriously lured US-based Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, where they killed and dismembered him on an order from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to the CIA. "When you make calls against the government, you need help," Prince Farhan said, hinging at the dangers Saudi dissidents face. Farhan hails from a group of royals who have fallen out with Mohammed. The heir to the Saudi throne has been at the center of numerous controversies. He launched a Saudi-led war against Yemen in 2015. The war has so far killed tens of thousands and turned the already-impoverished country into the scene of the world's biggest humanitarian disaster. Recently, there have been increasing rumors that King Salman himself has developed a negative view of his son due to the many controversies that he has caused, according to The Guardian. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Senate to rebuke Trump on support for Saudi Arabia Iran Press TV Wed Mar 13, 2019 12:25AM The US Senate is set to vote on Wednesday on a resolution that would withdraw Washington's support for the Saudi Arabia-led military aggression on Yemen, in a direct rebuke of President Donald Trump as lawmakers push his administration to toughen its policy toward Riyadh. The resolution, introduced by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Mike Lee (R-UT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), will scale back the US role in and American military assistance for Saudi war on Yemen. "The resolution we will vote on in the Senate tomorrow to end US support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen is enormously important and historic," Sander said in a statement on Tuesday. "This war is both a humanitarian and a strategic disaster, and Congress has the opportunity to end it," the Vermont senator added. The resolution would need only a simple majority to pass the Senate, which approved a similar resolution 56-41 in December last year in the aftermath of the murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey. The December vote was the first time the US Senate backed a resolution to pull out forces from a war that was not approved by Congress. "The humanitarian catastrophe has only gotten worse in Yemen, and our intervention there is every bit as unconstitutional as it was then," Sanders also said on Tuesday. "This time, after passing the Senate, I am confident it will pass in the House." The White House warned last year that Trump would veto the resolution even if the measure passed the Democratic-controlled House. The brutal murder of Khashoggi in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul has served as a boost to the lawmakers' resolve to take on the Saudi royal family, which has a very close connection with Trump. Saudi Arabia and a number of its regional allies launched a devastating military campaign against Yemen in March 2015, with the aim of bringing the former Saudi-sponsored government back to power. According to a new report by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), a nonprofit conflict-research organization, the Saudi-led war has so far claimed the lives of around 56,000 Yemenis. The Saudi-led war has also taken a heavy toll on the country's infrastructure, destroying hospitals, schools, and factories. The UN has already said that a record 22.2 million Yemenis are in dire need of food, including 8.4 million threatened by severe hunger. The US along with some Western countries are complicit in the ongoing aggression as they supply the Riyadh regime with advanced weapons and military equipment as well as logistical and intelligence assistance. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Riyadh Fails to Provide Details of Probe Into Khashoggi's Murder - Washington Sputnik News 19:01 13.03.2019 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Saudi Arabia has not provided pertinent details of its investigation into last year's killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, the State Department said on Wednesday in its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. "At year's end the [Public Prosecutor's Office (PPO)] had not named the suspects nor the roles allegedly played by them in the killing, nor had they provided a detailed explanation of the direction and progress of the investigation", the report stated. Last November, the Saudi PPO announced the indictment of 11 suspects in Khashoggi's murder, and later stated that 10 more individuals were under investigation. The State Department noted that in the past, Saudi Arabia did not punish officials accused of committing human rights abuses. Khashoggi went missing on October 2, 2018, after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Riyadh initially denied any knowledge of his whereabouts, but later admitted that the journalist was killed with a drug injection before his body was dismembered and taken out of the consulate. Many US lawmakers have said they believe that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman ordered the killing. The Saudi side, in turn, refuted these allegations, vowing to find and punish those responsible for the death of the journalist. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Militants Violate Ceasefire in Four Syrian Provinces - Russian MoD Sputnik News 02:04 14.03.2019 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Militants breached the truce regime in the Syrian provinces of Aleppo, Hama, Idlib and Latakia over the past 24 hours, the Russian Center for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides in Syria said Wednesday, stressing that the militants also conducted an attack near a scientific research center in the west of the city of Aleppo. "Over the past day, militants attacked settlements of Ikko, Safsara and Akch Baer in the province of Latakia, settlements of Maan and Al Jaid in the province of Hama, settlements of Aleppo, Sabakiya and Benjamin in the province of Aleppo, settlements of Abu Dali, Umm Er Rjin and Abu Omar in the province of Idlib and also the area around the scientific research center in the western outskirts of the city of Aleppo", the head of the center, Col. Gen. Viktor Kupchishin, said. He added that the center had carried out one humanitarian operation in Aleppo over the past 24 hours, delivering 500 food sets to local residents. The number of Syrians who were granted amnesty by the Syrian authorities over evading the duties of military service was 56,746 as Tuesday, Kupchishin said. Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the government forces fighting against numerous opposition groups and militant and terrorist organizations. The shelling is reportedly not rare in Syria, which only recently has started to recover after years-long armed conflict between the government and various armed groups. The Syrian military's engineering units carry out regular operations to clear affected regions from landmines left throughout the country by retreating terrorists. Russia, alongside Turkey and Iran, is a guarantor of the ceasefire regime in Syria. Moscow has also been assisting Damascus through supporting the struggle against terrorist groups, providing humanitarian aid to local residents and facilitating the return of refugees, while also helping to ensure the settlement of the conflict in Syria at various international platforms. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ankara Slams EU Parl't Resolution on Suspension of Talks on Turkey's Admission Sputnik News 01:38 14.03.2019 ANKARA (Sputnik) - The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the European Parliament's resolution calling on the European Union to formally suspend talks on Turkey's admission to the bloc. Earlier in the day, EU lawmakers adopted a non-binding resolution calling on the bloc to suspend admission negotiations with Turkey, whom Western countries have repeatedly accused of human rights violations. While 370 lawmakers supported the move, 109 voted against it, and 143 abstained. "We do not attribute any value to this unilateral and by no means objective stance of the European Parliament when we are in a period of increasing our common efforts to put Turkey-EU relations back on track," the ministry said in a statement. The ministry expressed the belief that the high number of votes against the resolution and abstentions proved that the resolution in fact had no "solid ground" within the European Parliament. "We expect the new European Parliament which will be constituted following elections in May to adopt a constructive approach on Turkey-EU relations in the forthcoming period, to take qualified and objective decisions and to promote Turkey's integration with the EU," the ministry said, calling on the European Parliament to promote the development of the Turkish-EU dialogue. Turkey will continue to cooperate with the European Union and the Council of Europe to ensure "the highest standards of rights and freedoms" for the Turkish people, the ministry said. Omer Celik, a spokesman for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party, slammed the resolution as "worthless and disreputable." "This disreputable resolution actually publicly announces that the EP [European Parliament] is now under the ideological control [of the] far right," Celik wrote on Twitter. Turkey applied for membership in the European Economic Community, an international organization that is today part of the European Union, in 1987, after signing an association agreement with the organization in 1963. However, its integration into the bloc was put on hold over a tough political and economic situation in the country, as well as a range of external problems. The EU-Turkish relations deteriorated following the attempted military coup that took place in Turkey in 2016. The European Union condemned the Turkish authorities' tough measures in the wake of the events which included mass detentions and dismissals, and this became another stumbling block in the accession talks. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Manipulated Figures to Seem to Comply With New START Treaty - Moscow Sputnik News 14:28 13.03.2019(updated 14:37 13.03.2019) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United States manipulated figures to appear compliant with restrictions under the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Wednesday. "Once again we note that although Washington claims the opposite, the American side actually 'fit' into the total levels only with the help of incorrect manipulations with figures. The announcement of its compliance with the required indicators was achieved not only through actual arms reductions but also through the illegitimate unilateral withdrawal from the count of about 100 strategic offensive arms under of the treaty", the ministry said. The remark comes after on 12 March Russia's Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said that Moscow didn't want the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) to suffer the fate of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear agreement, because of a changing US administration. Prior to that, a source familiar with the matter told Sputnik that Moscow has been "seriously" concerned about American compliance with the Russia-US Treaty on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms. On 16 February, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that there was a growing risk that the US administration was dragging out time by refusing to engage in a genuine dialogue on the New START so that Moscow and Washington would fail to extend the accord before its expiration. The Russia-US New START Treaty entered into force in 2011 and covers a 10-year period with the possibility of a five-year extension. It is based on several previous joint non-proliferation arrangements and limits the number of deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, nuclear-armed bombers, and nuclear warheads. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Feb. 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Fulcrum IT Services, LLC, an information technology and government consulting company headquartered in Centreville. Fulcrum expands HIIs capabilities in enhanced situational awareness and predictive threat analytics through Fulcrums advanced engineering, cyber security, software development, big data engineering, and intelligence and special operations experience. Fulcrum will join HIIs Technical Solutions division. HII Technical Solutions is a professional services business helping government and commercial customers around the world solve their most complex problems. Areas of expertise include cyber security, software development, unmanned systems, training, modeling and simulation, nuclear operations, fleet services, and oil and gas engineering. For more information, visit: https://tsd.huntingtoningalls.com/ . Huntington Ingalls Industries is Americas largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of professional services to partners in government and industry. For more than a century, HIIs Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. HIIs Technical Solutions division provides a wide range of professional services through its Fleet Support, Mission Driven Innovative Solutions, Nuclear & Environmental, and Oil & Gas groups. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII employs more than 40,000 people operating both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit: HII on the web: www.huntingtoningalls.com HII on Facebook: www.facebook.com/HuntingtonIngallsIndustries HII on Twitter: twitter.com/hiindustries Statements in this release, as well as other statements we may make from time to time, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in these statements. Factors that may cause such differences include: changes in government and customer priorities and requirements (including government budgetary constraints, shifts in defense spending, and changes in customer short-range and long-range plans); our ability to estimate our future contract costs and perform our contracts effectively; changes in procurement processes and government regulations and our ability to comply with such requirements; our ability to deliver our products and services at an affordable life cycle cost and compete within our markets; natural and environmental disasters and political instability; our ability to execute our strategic plan, including with respect to share repurchases, dividends, capital expenditures, and strategic acquisitions; adverse economic conditions in the United States and globally; changes in key estimates and assumptions regarding our pension and retiree health care costs; security threats, including cyber security threats, and related disruptions; and other risk factors discussed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. There may be other risks and uncertainties that we are unable to predict at this time or that we currently do not expect to have a material adverse effect on our business, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements that we may make. Contact: Beci Brenton Beci.brenton@hii-co.com (202) 264-7143 English Estonian Baltic Horizon Fund closed the acquisition with UAB YIT Lietuva, part of the Finnish YIT Corporation, of the newly constructed Duetto II office building in Vilnius on 27 February 2019. The purchase price is approximately EUR 18,3 million, which corresponds to an entry yield of approximately 7.1%. The sales purchase agreement for the property was signed in December 2018 with the intent to close the transaction once construction is fully complete and tenants move in. The largest tenants in the property are Vilnius heating network company, Sweco and Rimi Lietuva. The Duetto II property is located on 6 Spaudos street, Vilnius, next to the Duetto I property already owned by Baltic Horizon Fund. The addition of this 8,500 sqm office building greatly complements Baltic Horizons growing portfolio. Moreover, together with the Duetto I office building bought in 2017, Baltic Horizon now owns and manages an attractive twin office complex of Duetto I and II with excellent tenants, commented fund manager Tarmo Karotam. For additional information, please contact: Tarmo Karotam Baltic Horizon Fund manager E-mail tarmo.karotam@nh-cap.com www.baltichorizon.com Baltic Horizon Fund is a registered contractual public closed-end real estate fund managed by Alternative Investment Fund Manager license holder Northern Horizon Capital AS. MONTREAL, March 12, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sama Resources Inc. (Sama or the Company) (TSX-V: SME | OTC.PK: SAMMF) is pleased to announce results from a downhole geophysical survey performed on the first deep drill hole at the 100%-owned Yepleu Nickel-Copper-Cobalt-Palladium Project in Cote dIvoire, West Africa. In the first week of March 2019, the Company conducted a downhole geophysical survey at the first deep hole drilled in December 2018 (YE29-556043). The survey used a geophysical system called Mise-a-la-Masse to follow-up on the mineralized intersection announced February 14, 2019. The "Mise-a-la-Masse" method injects an electric current into a mineralized zone intersected by drilling. It aims to assist in delineating the mineralized zone and is based on mapping the distribution of electric potential lines measured on the surface or in boreholes. SAGAX Africa SA based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, completed the survey. Results from the Mise-a-la-Masse survey match precisely with the initial Typhoon electromagnetic geophysical survey (Typhoon) interpretation in terms of size and location of the conductive target. (please see Figure 1). In order to quickly test the combined Typhoon/Mise-a-la-Masse targets, Capital Drilling will mobilize a second drill rig to complement the one on the current 6,000-m drilling program designed to test high-conductivity targets defined by Phase 1 of the Typhoon survey. The drilling program is targeting semi-massive and massive polymetallic sulphide anomalies located between 600 m and 900 m from surface. The first deep drill hole (YE29-556043) intersected semi-massive sulfide mineralization with a combined 5.2 meter (m) intersection grading 1.16% nickel, 0.62% copper, 0.24 gram per ton (gpt) palladium and 0.21 gpt platinum (using a cut-off-grade of 0.8% nickel) within a larger interval of 37 m of disseminated sulphide mineralisation grading 0.41% nickel, 0.31% copper, 0.23 gpt palladium and 0.17 gpt platinum. The mineralization encountered in the hole is characterized by aggregates of the nickel, copper and iron sulphides pentlandite, chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite, respectively. Pentlandite occurs together with pyrrhotite, while the chalcopyrite is either mixed with the pentlandite and pyrrhotite or occurs as late millimetric to centimetric sulphide veins cross cutting the pentlandite and pyrrhotite. Contacts between the semi-massive sulphides and the mineralized pyroxenite and gabbroic host rocks are irregular but sharp and often show brecciated textures. This indicates that these sulphide lenses have intruded the host rocks and originated from a source that is yet to be discovered. The first drill rig continues progressing on hole YE45-348726 aimed at testing an electromagnetic response located 3.1-kilometer south-west from hole YE29-556043. The Typhoon response begins at approximately 750m from surface, with a core at 950m, and appears to be open at depth. About HPX HPX is a privately-owned, metals-focused exploration company deploying proprietary in-house geophysical technologies to rapidly evaluate buried geophysical targets. The HPX technology cluster comprises geological and geophysical systems for targeting, modelling, survey optimization, acquisition, processing and interpretation. HPX has a highly experienced board and management team led by Chief Executive Officer Robert Friedland; President Eric Finlayson, a former head of exploration at Rio Tinto; and board member Ian Cockerill, a former Chief Executive Officer of Gold Fields Ltd. For further information, please visit www.hpxploration.com . About SAGAX Africa SA SAGAX Afrique SA is a contractor and consultant in ground geophysical surveys applied to mineral exploration in West Africa. It has served the West African mining industry for 24 years now. Its head office is located in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and has logistical bases in Ivory Coast and Mali. It serves all countries in the region About Sama Resources Inc. Sama is a Canadian-based mineral exploration and development company with projects in West Africa. On October 23, 2017, Sama announced that it had entered into a binding term sheet in view of forming a strategic partnership with HPX TechCo Inc., a private mineral exploration company in which mining entrepreneur Robert Friedland is a significant stakeholder, in order to develop its Cote dIvoire Nickel-Copper and Cobalt project in Cote dIvoire, West-Africa. For more information about Sama, please visit Samas website at http://www.samaresources.com . The technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Marc-Antoine Audet, P.Geo and President and CEO of Sama, and a qualified person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. 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 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: SAMA RESOURCES INC./RESSOURCES SAMA INC. Dr. Marc-Antoine Audet, President and CEO Tel: (514) 726-4158 OR Mr. Matt Johnston, Corporate Development Advisor Tel: (604) 443-3835 Toll Free: 1 (877) 792-6688, Ext. 5 Forward-Looking Statements Certain of the statements made and information contained herein are "forward-looking statements" or forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including, without limitation, the availability of financing for activities, risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results and the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits, the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, metal price fluctuations, environmental and regulatory requirements, availability of permits, escalating costs of remediation and mitigation, risk of title loss, the effects of accidents, equipment breakdowns, labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in exploration or development, the potential for delays in exploration or development activities, the inherent uncertainty of cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, commodity price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, expectations and beliefs of management and other risks and uncertainties. In addition, forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are based on various assumptions. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking information or forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/77bf964b-d114-4483-909e-9e81ce61af38 http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/429429cd-7853-4c03-b4a0-df21e3fbdb3c CALGARY, Alberta, March 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eavor Technologies Inc. (Eavor) is pleased to announce Shell International Exploration and Production, via its New Energies Research & Technology program, has signed an agreement to join a field trial of Eavors disruptive new closed-loop conduction-only geothermal energy solution (Eavor-Loop). As part of the agreement, Shell will provide technical expertise towards the design of the drilling, completion, and facility construction of Eavors demonstration project (Eavor-Lite), as well as a follow-on commercial implementation. Eavor-Lite Demonstration Facility The ten million-dollar ($10M CAD) demonstration project, Eavor-Lite, is designed to showcase all of Eavors unique and proprietary design elements at scale. The site, located near Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, will also be used as an ongoing test facility for advanced operating fluids being developed under Eavors ongoing R&D program. Drilling is to commence on Eavor-Lite in Q3 2019. Eavor-Loop Full Scale Commercial Facility Following successful completion of the demonstration facility, work will commence towards a commercial Eavor-Loop installation. While Eavor has a growing pipeline of such commercial power, heat, and combined heat+power opportunities from around the world, the first commercial Eavor-Loop project is expected to be a 65M EUR heat-only project in the Netherlands. Why were working with Eavor Malcolm Ross, the geothermal focus leader in the Shell New Energies Research & Technology team, explained the relevance of Eavor and its demonstration project. In searching for the next breakthrough in geothermal energy, we at Shell came up with our top ten list of what was holding geothermal energy back. We recognized that Eavor-Loop, and its unique conduction-only closed-loop design had the potential to address many of these concerns. That is why were supporting Eavor and their Eavor-Lite demonstration project. Why were working with Shell Working with Malcolm and his colleagues at Shells New Energies Research & Technology team has been extremely helpful, said John Redfern, President & CEO of Eavor. We appreciate Shells ability to look beyond conventional geothermal paradigms and see the potential of this completely new scalable form of geothermal energy. Eavor continues to seek out and work with progressive companies like Shell to leverage this technology on a global scale. Our goal is to convert the energy equivalent of ten million homes in ten years to the Eavor-Loop solution. About Eavor Technologies Inc. Eavors solution (Eavor-Loop) is designed to be the world's first truly scalable form of green baseload energy. It's a disruptive technology that eliminates or mitigates many of the issues with traditional geothermal. As a completely closed-loop system, there is no fracking, no GHG emissions (unlike some geothermal projects), no earthquake risk, no water use, no produced brine or solids, and no aquifer contamination. Eavors system circulates a benign working fluid which is isolated from the environment in a closed loop, much like a massive subsurface version of a traditional radiator. It simply collects heat from the natural geothermal gradient of the Earth, at geologically common rock temperatures. Unlike other green power solutions (e.g. wind and solar), Eavor-Loop is not intermittent, but instead produces much needed reliable baseload power. Unlike traditional geothermal, it isn't reliant on volcanic-like temperatures in combination with highly permeable aquifers. Eavor makes geothermal truly scalable and eliminates the major sources of exploratory cost and risk. For further information go to www.eavor.com and https://vimeo.com/301259525 . Media Contacts Eavor Technologies Inc. John Redfern President & CEO 650-269-2501 john.redfern@eavor.com A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available above and at https://ml.globenewswire.com/1.0/snippet/117/eng. MARKHAM, Ontario, March 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Extendicare Inc. (Extendicare or the Company) (TSX: EXE) announced today that it has received notice from Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health, both regional health authorities in British Columbia (the Health Authorities), that the Health Authorities will be bringing their home support services in-house, and as a result will not be renewing contracts with private sector home support agencies, including ParaMed Inc. (ParaMed), the Companys home health care provider. As such, ParaMed will be exiting the B.C. market when its contracts with the Health Authorities expire in March 2020. ParaMed will work closely with the Health Authorities in an effort to make the transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved. The Health Authorities have indicated that they are committed to continuity of care for clients and continuity of employment for home support staff throughout the transition. For the 2018 year, ParaMeds B.C. operations provided 1.2 million hours of service, contributing approximately 11% of ParaMeds home care volumes and revenue, and less than 1% of its net operating income. Labour adjustment provisions in our collective agreements will be utilized and the transition is expected to occur at the expiry of our current contract such that restructuring costs are currently anticipated to be minimal. ABOUT EXTENDICARE A leading provider of care and services for seniors across Canada, Extendicare is committed to delivering quality care throughout the health continuum to meet the needs of a growing seniors population, through its network of 120 senior care and retirement living centres (67 owned/53 managed) and home health care operations, under the Extendicare, Esprit Lifestyle and ParaMed brands. Our qualified and highly trained workforce of approximately 23,000 individuals is dedicated to helping people live better through a commitment to quality service and a passion for what we do. Forward-looking Statements Information provided by Extendicare from time to time, including this release, contains or may contain forward-looking statements concerning anticipated financial events, results, circumstances, economic performance or expectations with respect to Extendicare and its subsidiaries, including, without limitation, statements regarding its business operations, business strategy, and financial condition. Forward-looking statements can be identified because they generally contain the words expect, intend, anticipate, believe, estimate, project, plan or objective or other similar expressions or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements reflect managements beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available, and Extendicare assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable securities laws. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Extendicare to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on Extendicares forward-looking statements. Further information can be found in the disclosure documents filed by Extendicare with the securities regulatory authorities, available at www.sedar.com and on Extendicares website at www.extendicare.com. For further information, contact: Elaine E. Everson Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Phone: (905) 470-4000; Fax: (905) 470-4003 Email: eeverson@extendicare.com Visit Extendicares Website at www.extendicare.com BENSALEM, Pa., March 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces an investigation on behalf of Conduent, Inc. investors (Conduent or the Company) (NYSE: CNDT) concerning the Company and its officers possible violations of federal securities laws. On November 7, 2018, Conduent attributed its negative Q3 and Q4 projected operating results to continued suboptimal performance from an inherited legacy technology vendorstem[ming] from the vendors inability to deliver on service level agreements, lack of responsiveness to Conduents needs, and poorly structured contract which [the Company] inherited. The Company also disclosed that an outdated and historically under-invested legacy IT infrastructure has caused major disruptions to our operations and impacted clients and delivery performance. On this news, shares of Conduent fell $5.60, or 29%, to close at $13.62 on November 7, 2018, thereby injuring investors. If you purchased Conduent 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 Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020 by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com , or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com . This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. BENSALEM, Pa., March 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces an investigation on behalf of Bridgepoint Education, Inc. investors (Bridgepoint or the Company) (NYSE: BPI ) concerning the Company and its officers possible violations of federal securities laws. On March 7, 2019, Bridgepoint announced that it had "determined to restate the Company's previously issued unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and advised that those financial statements should not be relied upon, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018." Bridgepoint stated that the process used for recording revenue for the Full Tuition Grant program portion of its student contracts "were not designed with sufficient precision," leading to "material" accounting errors related to revenue, provision for bad debts, accounts receivable and deferred revenue, which resulted in the overstatement of revenue and expenses. Bridgepoint also identified weaknesses in internal controls. On this news, shares of Bridgepoint fell $3.21, or 34%, to close at $6.22 on March 7, 2019, thereby injuring investors. If you purchased Bridgepoint 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 Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020 by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com , or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com . This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. BENSALEM, Pa., March 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Law Offices of Howard G. Smith announces an investigation on behalf of Spectrum Brands Legacy, Inc. f/k/a Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. investors (Spectrum or the Company) (NYSE: SPB) concerning the Company and its officers possible violations of federal securities laws. On April 26, 2018, Spectrum announced its financial and operating results for the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 2018. For the quarter, Spectrum reported net income of $0.8 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to net income of $39.9 million, or $0.68 per diluted share for the comparable period in the prior year. The same day, Spectrum also announced that Andreas R. Rouve had stepped down as Spectrum's Chief Executive Officer (''CEO'') and Director and that David M. Maura had been named CEO, effectively immediately. On this news, shares of Spectrum fell $20.50 per share, or nearly 22%, to close at $72.22 per share on April 26, 2018, thereby injuring investors. If you purchased Spectrum 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 Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020 by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com , or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com . This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. TORONTO, March 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- INV Metals Inc. (INV Metals or the Company) (TSX:INV) provides an update to its press release dated February 13, 2019, on the 100% owned Loma Larga property, located in Ecuador. The Company reports the immediate suspension of the referendum that was previously called by the Ecuadorian National Electoral Council (CNE) regarding mining activities in the Giron Canton, which was scheduled to be held on March 24, 2019. A local group of members of the community of San Gerardo named United for Development (the Local Group), submitted a legal challenge in the form of a Precautionary Measure citing a violation of their rights as a result of the recent actions of the CNE. The presiding judge ruled today in favour of the Local Group. As a result, the referendum has been suspended and the Ecuadorian Constitutional Court will have final legal jurisdiction to determine its constitutionality, as described below. The decision to grant the suspension is subject to appeal by the CNE. Ms. Candace MacGibbon, CEO, stated, We are very pleased that this decision ensures the rights of the Local Group and those of our surrounding communities are upheld and respected. We are encouraged that the Constitutional Court will ultimately determine the constitutionality of the referendum using the appropriate legal process provided for within Ecuadorian law and that the referendum will be suspended until such time. We continue to maintain strong local support and will work closely with the Ministry of Energy and Nonrenewable Resources and our local communities towards the responsible and sustainable development of the Loma Larga gold-copper-silver project. The Company also reports that on March 7, 2019 the Ecuadorian Constitutional Court acknowledged the receipt of the application for an opinion on the constitutionality of two concurrent referendums which were previously submitted for evaluation by the CNE. The second referendum application was submitted by the Local Group to hold a referendum in Giron and San Fernando Cantons in support of the areas of influence of Loma Larga benefiting from mining royalties from responsible mining. The acknowledgement of the Constitutional Court on March 7, 2019, provides that the Constitutional Court will consider and vote upon the issue of the constitutionality of both referendums. The timeline for a decision is unknown at this point. INV Metals has been advised by its legal counsel, supported by previous challenges by the Ministry of Energy and Nonrenewable Resources, that the referendum is not constitutional based on Articles 261 and 438 of the Ecuadorian Constitution. Article 261 states, The Central State shall have exclusive jurisdiction overenergy resources, minerals, hydrocarbons, water resources, biodiversity, and forest resources", while Article 438 states, The Constitutional Court shall issue a prior and binding ruling of constitutionality in the following cases, in addition to those stipulated by the law: 2. Calls to referendums nationwide or of decentralized autonomous governments. Loma Larga is one of five strategic mining projects identified by the State Ministry and INV Metals will continue its permitting efforts in 2019 within the laws and regulations of Ecuador with the support from the Ministry of Energy and Nonrenewable Resources, and the extensive support from the nearby communities of San Gerardo, Chumblin and Victoria del Portete. About INVTM Metals Inc. INVTM Metals is an international mineral resource company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of precious and base metal projects in Ecuador. Currently, INVTM Metals primary assets are: (1) its 100% interest in the Loma Larga gold exploration and development property in Ecuador, and (2) its 100% interests in exploration concessions in Ecuador, including the Las Penas, Tierras Coloradas, La Rebuscada and Carolina exploration projects. For more information please contact: Candace MacGibbon Chief Executive Officer Phone: (416) 703-8416 E-mail: cmacgibbon@invmetals.com Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking information. Forward-looking information contained in this new release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the referendums, the judgement to suspend the referendum called by CNE, the results of any appeal and the results of votes with respect to the constitutionality of referendums. These statements are based on information currently available to the Company and the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet managements expectations. In certain cases, forward-looking information may be identified by such terms as anticipates, believes, could, estimates, expects, may, shall, will, or would. Forward-looking information contained in this press release is based on certain factors and assumptions made by management and qualified persons in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management and the qualified persons believe are appropriate in the circumstances. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to grade or recovery rates, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, regulatory, capitalization and liquidity risks. Please refer to the Companys Annual Information Form dated March 23, 2018 filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com for other risks that could materially affect the Company. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Companys forward-looking information. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the Companys forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Law Foundation of British Columbia, Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch (CBABC) and Peoples Law School are pleased to announce Dial-A-Law is now available through the Peoples Law School. In 1983, CBABC identified a need for public access to legal information on a variety of law topics. With funding from the Law Foundation of British Columbia, CBABC initiated Dial-A-Law, featuring over 125 scripts of legal information written and edited by volunteer lawyers in British Columbia. The Law Foundation invests in a number of Public Legal Education & Information initiatives. Dial-A-Law is one of those and for many years CBABC has grown it into a solid, respected resource serving thousands every month, said Law Foundation of BC, Executive Director, Wayne Robertson, QC. As we looked closely at Dial-A-Laws future, he continued, it became clear that the Peoples Law School was its natural home with its long history of serving the public as the first organization in Canada dedicated to educating the public about law. The Peoples Law School was created in 1972 as a non-profit society dedicated to making the law accessible to everyone. The school provides free education and information to help all British Columbians understand the legal problems of everyday life. Increasingly, the schools focus is on technology to improve access and to address the needs of people looking to prevent or resolve law-related matters. Peoples Law School is committed to maintaining and modernizing Dial-A-Law, available online and by phone, said Executive Director, Patricia Byrne. Starting today, British Columbians will see a refreshed website, dialalaw.ca. Legal information is presented in plain language and in a format thats visually interesting and easy to scan. She continued, British Columbians who access our phone service will also find our recordings simplified so its easier to find the information you need. Peoples Law School will employ emerging technologies to keep Dial-A-Law responsive and relevant. Peoples Law School is pleased to provide a home for Dial-A-Law as it fits the schools mission to provide British Columbians with everyday legal information. Learn more at dialalaw.ca Contact Patricia Byrne, BA, JD, MBA Executive Director, Peoples Law School e: pbyrne@peopleslawschool.ca | t: 604-331-5406 Peoples Law School Peoples Law School is a non-profit society in British Columbia, dedicated to making the law accessible to everyone. Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch The Canadian Bar Association is the professional organization representing more than 38,000 lawyers, judges and law students across Canada with over 7,000 members in British Columbia. Law Foundation of British Columbia The Law Foundation of British Columbia receives the interest on funds held in lawyers pooled trust accounts and its mandate is to fund programs and projects throughout BC for the benefit of the public in the following areas: legal education, legal research, legal aid, law reform and law libraries. VANCOUVER, British Columbia , March 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Western Forest Products Inc. (TSX: WEF) (Western or the Company) announced today that Don Demens, President & Chief Executive Officer of Western, has exercised stock options for the purpose of meeting the Companys equity ownership requirements. Mr. Demens exercised 600,000 options that were due to expire in March 2020. Pursuant to terms of the Companys Stock Option Plan, 330,000 stock options were exercised with the intention of holding these common shares and 270,000 stock options were exercised via cashless settlement to cover exercise costs and taxes. Following this exercise, Mr. Demens will have exceeded the Companys equity ownership requirements of three times his base salary. The Company views executive share ownership requirements as an effective way of aligning executive and shareholder interests. About Western Forest Products Inc. Western is an integrated forest products company building a margin-focused log and lumber business to compete successfully in global softwood markets. With operations and employees located primarily on the coast of British Columbia and Washington State, Western is a premier supplier of high-value, specialty forest products to worldwide markets. Western has a lumber capacity in excess of 1.1 billion board feet from eight sawmills and four remanufacturing facilities. The Company sources timber from its private lands, long-term licenses, First Nations arrangements, and market purchases. Western supplements its production through a wholesale program providing customers with a comprehensive range of specialty products. For further information, please contact: Stephen Williams, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (604) 648-4500 Forward-looking Statements This press release contains statements that may constitute forward-looking statements under the applicable securities laws. Readers are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All statements herein, other than statements of historical fact, may be forward-looking statements and can be identified by references to future periods. Although such statements reflect managements current reasonable beliefs, expectations and assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements are accurate, and actual results or performance may materially vary. Many factors could cause our actual results or performance to be materially different, including factors referenced under the Risks and Uncertainties section of our MD&A in our 2018 Annual Report dated February 12, 2019. NEW ORLEANS, March 13, 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 March 29, 2019 to file lead plaintiff applications in securities class action lawsuits against Vale S.A. (NYSE: VALE), if they purchased the Companys securities between April 11, 2017, and January 28, 2019, inclusive (the Class Period). These actions are pending in the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York. What You May Do If you purchased securities of Vale and would like to discuss your legal rights and how these cases 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-vale/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in these class actions, you must petition the Court by March 29, 2019. About the Lawsuits Vale and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On November 5, 2015, Brazilian authorities reported that a mine co-owned by Vale had burst, killing dozens of people and devastating the local community. Then, on January 28, 2019, news sources reported that Brazilian authorities were pursuing criminal prosecutions and that Brazilian securities industry regulator CVM has opened a probe into miner Vale SAs filings, both relating to the disaster. On this news, the price of Vales shares plummeted. The first-filed case is Rauch v. Vale S.A. et al, 19-cv- 19cv526. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include the 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: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Washington, DC, March 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recall Release CLASS I RECALL HEALTH RISK: HIGH Congressional and Public Affairs Benjamin A. Bell (202) 720-9113 Press@fsis.usda.gov FSIS-RC-030-2019 BUTTERBALL LLC RECALLS TURKEY PRODUCTS DUE TO POSSIBLE SALMONELLA SCHWARZENGRUND CONTAMINATION WASHINGTON, March 13, 2019 Butterball, LLC, a Mount Olive, N.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 78,164 pounds of raw ground turkey products that may be contaminated with Salmonella Schwarzengrund, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The prepacked raw ground turkey was produced on July 7, 2018. The following products are subject to recall: 48-oz. plastic wrapped tray containing BUTTERBALL everyday Fresh Ground Turkey WITH NATURAL FLAVORING (85% LEAN/15% FAT) with sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18, lot code 8188, and UPC codes 22655-71555 or 22655-71557 represented on the label. 48-oz. plastic wrapped tray containing BUTTERBALL everyday Fresh Ground Turkey WITH NATURAL FLAVORING (93% LEAN/7% FAT) with sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18, lot code 8188 and UPC code 22655-71556 represented on the label. 16-oz. plastic wrapped tray containing BUTTERBALL everyday Fresh Ground Turkey WITH NATURAL FLAVORING (85% LEAN/15% FAT) with sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18, lot code 8188 and UPC code 22655-71546 represented on the label. 16-oz. plastic wrapped tray containing BUTTERBALL everyday Fresh Ground Turkey WITH NATURAL FLAVORING (93% LEAN/7% FAT) with sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18, lot code 8188 and UPC codes 22655-71547 or 22655-71561 represented on the label 48-oz. plastic wrapped tray containing Kroger GROUND TURKEY FRESH 85% LEAN 15% FAT with sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18, lot code 8188, and UPC code 111141097993 represented on the label. 48-oz. plastic wrapped tray containing FOOD LION 15% fat ground turkey with natural flavorings with sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18, lot code 8188 and UPC code 3582609294 represented on the label. The products subject to recall bear establishment number EST. P-7345 inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to institutional and retail locations nationwide. The problem was discovered by FSIS and public health partners, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, who had been investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Schwarzengrund illnesses involving 5 case-patients from 2 states. Wisconsin collected three intact Butterball brand ground turkey samples from a residence where 4 of the case-patients live. The case-patients and ground turkey Salmonella Schwarzengrund isolates are closely related, genetically. Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating the contaminated product. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Most people recover without treatment. In some persons, however, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Older adults, infants, and persons with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop a severe illness. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact their health care provider. 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 routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls. Media with questions regarding the recall can contact Christa Leupen, Manager of Public Relations, at (919) 255-7598. Consumers should call (800) 288-8372. Consumers with food safety questions can "Ask Karen," the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone 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 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem. ### NOTE: Access news releases and other information at FSIS website at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls. Follow FSIS on Twitter at twitter.com/usdafoodsafety or in Spanish at: twitter.com/usdafoodsafe_es. USDA RECALL CLASSIFICATIONS Class I This 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. Class II This is a health hazard situation where there is a remote probability of adverse health consequences from the use of the product. Class III This is a situation where the use of the product will not cause adverse health consequences. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). Attachment Boca Raton, Florida, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Are you overwhelmed with debt? Are aggressive creditors harassing you? The experienced attorneys at GM Law Firm LLC will provide you with options for debt defense. GM Law Firm LLC Delray Beach FL will offer a free case evaluation that will determine the best course of action. The worst frustration of any debtor is the persistent phone calls from creditors. Debt collectors can call you early in the morning and ruin your day. They can call you when you are having dinner with your family and destroy a beautiful family time. You need to know that as a debtor, you have rights. Creditors do not have a right to call you at any time. A lawyer from GM Law Firm LLC Delray Beach FL will explain to you your rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). It is empowering to know your rights. The men and women at GM Law Firm LLC will explain and protect your rights as you work with credit card companies and other creditors to negotiate a debt resolution package that is ideal for your needs. With GM Law Firm LLC at your side, you can simply tell your creditors, 'Call my lawyer,' and they will never call you again. GM Law Firm will receive all the calls on your behalf. They will deal with the creditors on your behalf. This will give you peace of mind to figure out how you will meet your obligations. The FDCPA is a set of laws meant to prevent debt collector harassment. These laws prohibit certain debt collection behaviors. A debt collector can only call you between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. local time. If a debt collector calls you when you are at work, you should advise the caller that your employer does not allow you to receive calls at work. If the debt collector does not heed the advice, a GM Law Firm LLC attorney will take further legal action. If a debt collector leaves a voicemail and someone in your house hears the voicemail, it may be a violation. It is a violation to call a debtor during a public holiday. Threats such as threats of jail time or garnishment of wage also constitute a violation. Abusive or profane language from a debt collector is a serious violation not just of the FDCPA Act but also of the law in general. The most serious violation that most creditors usually commit is reporting false information about debts such as the legal status and the amount of debt. A creditor can report false information on a consumer's credit report. GM Law Firm LLC Delray Beach FL will address this issue. The attorneys of GM Law Firm LLC have a strong understanding of debtor laws. They will use their understanding of the law to prevent debt collectors from filing a lawsuit against you. GM Law Firm has assisted thousands of Americans to attain financial freedom. You can read GM Law LLC compliments that are easily available online. You can be the next success story. Contact GM Law Firm today! Adhesion Barrier Market by Product (Synthetic [Hyaluronic Acid, Regenerated Cellulose, Polyethylene Glycol {PEG}], Natural [Collagen- & Protein-Based, Fibrin-Based]), by Formulation (Film, Gel, Liquid), by Application (Gynecological Surgeries, General/Abdominal Surgeries, Orthopedic Surgeries, Cardiovascular Surgeries, Neurological Surgeries, Urological Surgeries, Reconstructive Surgeries), by Geography (U.S., Canada, Germany, U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Japan, China, India) Global Market Size, Share, Development, Growth, and Demand Forecast, 20132023 NEW YORK, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Growth in geriatric population, coupled with the rising incidence of chronic diseases, is resulting in an increased number of surgeries across the world. Along with advancements in healthcare technology, these have become the major growth factors for the global adhesion barrier market . Valued at $541.3 million in 2017, the domain is expected to generate revenue of $833.1 million by 2023, progressing at a CAGR of 7.5% during forecast period (20182023). Request to get the sample pages of the report: https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/adhesion-barrier-market/report-sample Adhesion barrier is a physical barrier applied between the layers of tissue during surgery, so that operated-upon tissues do not overlap with other tissues and organs while healing. Once the surgical site heals, the barrier itself is dissolved and absorbed by the body. The adhesion barrier market has been segmented by product, formulation, application, and geography. Adhesion barriers are available in two product types: synthetic and natural. Of the two, synthetic adhesion barriers were preferable during the historical period 20132017, owing to their higher flexibility and bioabsorbility. In 2017, these made a revenue contribution of 67.2% to the market. In recent years, due to the increase in health issues across the world, the number of surgeries, such as abdominal and gynecological surgeries, has risen considerably. Gel, film, and liquid-based adhesion barriers are generally used in these surgeries. With the rise in the number of surgeries performed around the world, the demand for these products has also increased, hence driving the adhesion barrier market. According to a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2016, approximately 266360 million surgeries were performed in 2012 globally. Due to the increasing incidents of chronic diseases, such as arthritis and cardiovascular diseases, which require surgical intervention as a therapeutic procedure, the demand for adhesion barriers has increased. This is expected to drive the growth of adhesion barrier market in the forecast period. Browse report overview with 189 tables and 62 figures spread through 195 pages and detailed TOC on "Adhesion Barrier Market" at: https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/adhesion-barrier-market Moreover, with rising awareness about diseases and surgeries, the assurance of quality and performance of the devices used in medical procedures is being demanded by patients. The United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) defines the resorbable adhesion barrier as a significant risk device in its 21 Code for Regulations (CFR) 812.3(m)(4). Therefore, the device is required to undergo several evaluative procedures before final approval, which often consumes too much time. But, with advancements in technology aiding the development of safer equipment, the adhesion barrier market is expected to witness notable growth in the near future. Key players of the adhesion barrier market, such as Johnson & Johnson, MAST Biosurgery AG, and Anika Therapeutics Inc., have witnessed significant prosperity due to the progress in the domain in recent years. With increased revenue, they are spending more on the research and development of new products to broaden their portfolio. In a recent industry development of 2017, Actamax Surgical Materials LLC received the USFDA approval to put its sprayable and bioabsorbable Actamax adhesion barrier through clinical trials. Make enquiry before buying the report: https://www.psmarketresearch.com/send-enquiry?enquiry-url=adhesion-barrier-market Thus, it is clear that the sector will continue to prosper during the forecast period owing to the rise in surgeries, increase in awareness about surgical and post-surgical risks, and advancements in the adhesion barrier technology. More Related Reports by P&S Intelligence Chronic Pain Treatment Market The chronic pain treatment market is expected to witness the fastest growth in the APAC region. This can be mainly attributed to the high prevalence of chronic pain among people in the region. Among all age groups, the elderly are the most susceptible to chronic conditions, such as arthritis, neuropathic disorders, and back pain. According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the number of aged people in the region is expected to increase twofold, from 535 million in 2015 to 1.3 billion by 2050. https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/chronic-pain-treatment-market Middle East Dermal Fillers Market Historically, in terms of size, Saudi Arabia has been leading the dermal fillers industry in the Middle East. This can be attributed to growing aging population, increasing demand for cosmetic procedures, and availability of skilled practitioners for dermal filler procedures in the country. According to UNDESA, the proportion of people in Saudi Arabia aged 60 years and above is predicted to be 25% of the total population of 40 million by the end of 2050, leading to the growth of the market in Saudi Arabia, and thereby, maintaining its leading position in the Middle East. https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/middle-east-dermal-fillers-market About P&S Intelligence P&S Intelligence is a provider of market research and consulting services catering to the market information needs of burgeoning industries across the world. Providing the plinth of market intelligence, P&S as an enterprising research and consulting company, believes in providing thorough landscape analyses on the ever-changing market scenario, to empower companies to make informed decisions and base their business strategies with astuteness. Contact: P&S Intelligence Toll-free: +1-888-778-7886 (USA/Canada) International: +1-347-960-6455 Email: enquiry@psmarketresearch.com Web: https://www.psmarketresearch.com Finnish English VMP PLC COMPANY RELEASE, PUBLISHABLE MARCH 14, 2019 AT 08.00 EET VMP Plc: VMPs Annual Report 2018 published VMP Plcs Annual Report 2018 has been published today. The Annual Report includes a description of VMPs business and strategy, highlighting key events in 2018. The Annual Report also includes Financial Statements and the report of Board of Directors for the financial year ended on December 31, 2018, which were published by VMP on February 28, 2019. The report of the Board of Directors also includes non-financial reporting. The Annual Report is attached to this release in pdf format and it is also available on VMPs web site at http://www.vmpgroup.fi/en/investors/reports-and-presentations. VMP Plc Juha Pesola, CEO tel. +358 (0)40 307 5105 Pauliina Soinio, Interim CFO tel. +358 (0)40 307 5007 Certified Adviser: Danske Bank A/S, Finland branch, tel. +358 10 546 7934 VMP is a Finnish HR services company with a comprehensive offering of staffing, recruiting and organizational development, and self-employment services. VMPs vision is to help both employers and employees succeed in the changing world of work. We serve customers in Finland and Sweden, and we have a recruitment hub for staffed employees in Romania. VMP Group consists of VMP Varamiespalvelu, Voima, Enjoy, Extraajat, Personnel and Eezy brands. Attachment Richard Francis, CEO Sandoz, to step down on March 31, 2019 Francesco Balestrieri, Head Region Europe, Sandoz, appointed ad-interim CEO Sandoz Basel, March 14, 2019 - Novartis announced today that Richard Francis will be stepping down as CEO of Sandoz, a Novartis division, and as a member of the Executive Committee of Novartis on March 31, 2019. Francesco Balestrieri, currently Region Head Europe, Sandoz, has been appointed ad-interim CEO Sandoz. He will report to Vas Narasimhan, CEO, Novartis. Vas Narasimhan said; "I would like to thank Richard for his strong leadership of Sandoz over the past five years. During his tenure, Sandoz has consolidated its position as a global leader in Biosimilars and he and his team have successfully navigated the business through changing market dynamics and challenging headwinds in the US. Now, as we initiate a multi-year transformation program for the business and move to make it more autonomous, Richard has decided that for personal reasons he cannot commit to stay with Sandoz until the transformation is completed. I understand his decision and wish him the very best for the future." Regarding his decision to step down, Richard said; "The past five years have been immensely satisfying and rewarding. I am very proud of what we have achieved as a team. Together, we have expanded access to medicines across the world and reached many millions of patients. In particular, we have successfully launched five biosimilar products. As we announced earlier this year, Sandoz is embarking on a significant transformation. While I am excited by this, I realize that this is a multi-year journey which I cannot commit to and therefore have decided that now is the right time to step down." Francesco Balestrieri has spent the last eight years running commercial operations in Generics, most recently as Region Head Sandoz Europe which represents half of the Sandoz' global sales and organization. Francesco, who has been with Novartis for 25 years, brings a deep understanding of the global Generics business and our full value chain. Prior to Sandoz, Francesco held various leadership positions at Ciba Vision including as Head of Ciba Vision US. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Venice. Vas Narasimhan added; "I would like to thank Francesco for stepping up to take on this role. His leadership approach and business experience will be of great importance as we continue the Sandoz transformation." Disclaimer This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as "to step down," "appointed," "will," "initiate," "multi-year," "move to," "embarking," "continue," or similar expressions, or by express or implied discussions regarding the potential outcome of the efforts of Novartis and Sandoz to transform the Sandoz Division, and the potential future sales or earnings of Sandoz or the Novartis Group. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward looking statements. There can be no guarantee that Novartis and Sandoz will successfully transform the Sandoz Division, or that it will be commercially successful in the future, or achieve any particular financial results. In particular, our expectations could be affected by, among other things: regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; the potential that the strategic benefits, synergies or opportunities expected from the significant reorganizations of recent years may not be realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the uncertainties inherent in the research and development of new healthcare products; safety, quality or manufacturing issues; competition among generic drug manufacturers and distributors; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures; uncertainties regarding actual or potential legal proceedings; and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Novartis Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend people's lives. As a leading global medicines company, we use innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the world's top companies investing in research and development. Novartis products reach more than 800 million people globally and we are finding innovative ways to expand access to our latest treatments. About 130 000 people of nearly 150 nationalities work at Novartis around the world. Find out more at www.novartis.com. Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at http://twitter.com/novartis For Novartis multimedia content, please visit www.novartis.com/news/media-library For questions about the site or required registration, please contact media.relations@novartis.com # # # Novartis Media Relations E-mail: media.relations@novartis.com Sreejit Mohan Novartis External Communications +41 79 747 9157 (mobile) sreejit.mohan@novartis.com Eric Althoff Novartis Global Media Relations +41 61 324 7999 (direct) +41 79 593 4202 (mobile) eric.althoff@novartis.com Novartis Investor Relations Central investor relations line: +41 61 324 7944 E-mail: investor.relations@novartis.com English Danish Notice is hereby given that the Companys Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday, 11 April 2019 at 11:30 at Hermans (Tivoli Friheden), Skovbrynet 5, DK8000 Aarhus C, Denmark (the meeting will be held in Danish). Agenda: 1. Report by the Board of Directors on the activities of the Company during the past financial year 2. Presentation of the audited annual report for approval and resolution to discharge the Board of Directors and the Executive Management from liability 3. Adoption of a resolution on the distribution of profit according to the approved annual report 4. Proposals from the Board of Directors or the shareholders i) Approval of a remuneration policy for the Board of Directors and the Executive Management ii) Approval of the remuneration of the Board of Directors for 2019 The proposed remuneration policy submitted to the shareholders for approval is enclosed as annex 1 to the complete proposals. Both documents are available (in Danish) at the Companys website www.schouw.dk/gf. The Board of Directors propose to keep the annual basic fee at DKK 300,000 for 2019. 5. Election of members to the Board of Directors From the Board of Directors, Kjeld Johannesen is up for election. The Board proposes that he be reelected. A background description and a list of directorships of the candidate proposed for election to the Board of Directors is enclosed as annex 2 to the complete proposals, which are available (in Danish) at the Companys website www.schouw.dk/gf. 6. Appointment of auditors The Board of Directors proposes that Ernst & Young Godkendt Revisionspartnerselskab be reappointed. 7. Any other business Share capital and shareholder voting rights The Companys share capital amounts to a nominal value of DKK 255,000,000 divided into 25,500,000 shares of a nominal value of DKK 10 each. Each share of DKK 10 carries one vote. Adoption of any of the proposals on the agenda requires a simple majority of votes. The record date is Thursday, 4 April 2019, and shareholders possessing shares in the Company at 23:59 CET on the record date will be entitled to attend and vote at the General Meeting. Shareholdings are calculated at the record date on the basis of registration of shares in the register of shareholders and notifications of ownership received by the Company for entry into the register of shareholders. Attendance is also subject to the shareholder having obtained an admission card as described below. Admission cards Shareholders wishing to attend the General Meeting must request an admission card not later than on Friday, 5 April 2019. Shareholders may order admission cards by returning the registration form received to Computershare A/S, Lottenborgvej 26D, 1st floor, DK2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark or by contacting Computershare A/S by email to gf@computershare.dk. Admission cards may also be obtained from Aktieselskabet Schouw & Co.s website, at www.schouw.dk/gf, by using NemID or the user name and password set out on the registration form. If a shareholder appoints a proxy other than the Board of Directors, the proxy must request an admission card on the same terms as a shareholder. Proxies and voting by postal ballot Shareholders may appoint a proxy or vote by postal ballot. Proxies or votes by postal ballot may be submitted in writing by returning the proxy/voting form duly signed to Computershare A/S, Lottenborgvej 26D, 1st floor, DK2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark or otherwise by email to gf@computershare.dk. Shareholders may also vote electronically on Aktieselskabet Schouw & Co.s website, at www.schouw.dk/gf, by using NemID or the user name and password set out on the registration form. A vote cast by postal ballot cannot be revoked. Proxies must be received by Computershare A/S not later than on Friday, 5 April 2019. Votes by postal ballot must be received by Computershare A/S not later than on Wednesday, 10 April 2019 at 16:00 CET. Additional information The Company's website, www.schouw.dk/gf, contains further information about the General Meeting, including the 2018 Annual Report, the notice convening the General Meeting and the agenda, the complete proposals, background information about the candidate standing for election and his directorships, information about the total number of shares and voting rights as at the date of the notice, and a link to the investor portal for the purposes of registration, appointing a proxy or voting by postal ballot. For details about the Companys collection and processing of personal data in relation to the General Meeting, please see the information on data protection, which is available at the Companys website, www.schouw.dk/gf. Questions from shareholders Shareholders may submit questions concerning the agenda or documents to be used at the general meeting by contacting Aktieselskabet Schouw & Co., Chr. Filtenborgs Plads 1, DK8000 Aarhus C, Denmark in writing or by email to schouw@schouw.dk. Aarhus, 14 March 2019 Aktieselskabet Schouw & Co. Jrn Ankr Thomsen, Chairman Jens Bjerg Srensen, President Questions relating to the above should be directed to Jens Bjerg Srensen, President, on tel. +45 8611 2222. Attachment LONDON, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- European CEO has recognised Interxions David Ruberg as 2018s Best CEO in the Data Centre and Cloud Industry. The European CEO Awards celebrate key figures who drive innovation, encourage positive growth, and exemplify strong strategy and commitment to corporate governance. Ruberg has been at the helm of Interxion, a leading provider of carrier and cloud-neutral co-location data centre services in Europe, for more than 15 years and has served as CEO for the past 10. Throughout his tenure, Ruberg has overseen a steady growth in revenue, profit, customer base and employee development. At the heart of Interxions success is its focus on the customer, prioritising the delivery of superior service and the best possible value over all else. I am incredibly honoured to be named as European CEOs Best CEO in the Data Centre and Cloud Industry, Ruberg said. With the increased pace of cloud adoption, carrier and cloud-neutral co-location data centres will increasingly become the primary hubs where businesses will connect and grow their mission-critical activities. It is our vision at Interxion to be at the heart of this global economy, enabling customers to enhance their value proposition by effectively interconnecting their businesses within their communities of interest. Ultimately, Ruberg believes Interxion is anchored by its people: Everything we accomplish at Interxion is because of our employees. They are the reason why our customers continue to put their trust in our ability to deliver what they need and why we are in such a good position to take advantage of the outstanding opportunities that lie ahead. Carrier and cloud-neutral data centres first came into existence roughly 20 years ago, with the advent of the internet. These neutral interconnection hubs have since become a vital part of todays digital economy, providing organisations access to the cloud and connectivity providers their businesses need to succeed. As the leading European carrier and cloud-neutral co-location provider, Interxion provides superior data centre services to more than 2,000 customers in 11 countries across Europe. Click here to learn more. World News Media is a leading publisher of quality financial and business magazines, which enjoys a global distribution network that includes subscriber lists of prominent decision-makers around the world. CONTACT INFORMATION Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) Bigger and more readable license plates for motorcycles will soon be rolled out by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) under a new law. This comes after President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11235 or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act. The law was signed March 8 and released on March 14. It requires license plates to be readable from the front, the back, and the side of the motorcycle from a distance of at least 15 meters. Under the law, motorcycle owners shall renew their registration and apply for the required readable number plate not later than June 30, 2019. The LTO shall also devise a color scheme for motorcycles for every region. Riders driving without the required readable license plate shall face a punishment of prision correctional or six months and one day to six years imprisonment or may have to pay a fine of not less than 50,000 but not more than 100,000, or both. An oversight committee has also been created to review the implementation of the law. Facebook confirmed on Twitter that its suite of apps were offline for some users, but the company did not elaborate on the cause of the disruption or when the social networks and messaging services would come back online. (Martin Meissner/AP 2018) Industry analysts indicate growing demand for cloud services unlocks new market and recurring revenue opportunities Mitel and service providers look to capitalize on 12.4% CAGR in European UCaaS market over four years Advanced capabilities drive communications and collaboration for todays mobile-first world OTTAWA, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Within a year of reaching one million cloud users in Europe through its MiCloud Telepo for Service Providers offering, Mitel continues to expand in the region, gaining more than 300,000 additional users. The double-digit percentage increase reflects growing demand for unified communications-as-a-service (UCaaS) solutions, as mobile operators seek new revenue-generating opportunities and businesses demand always up-to-date and flexible ways of communicating and collaborating. MiCloud Telepo features simple-to-deploy, easy-to-integrate systems and applications that can be used to accelerate speed to market for new offerings and drive competitive advantage. Broadening their portfolios to offer subscription-based cloud services also enables service providers to benefit from a recurring revenue model and increased opportunities for customer retention. In turn, their customers can quickly access the latest collaboration applications specially-designed for the modern, mobile world of business while enjoying a predictable, monthly cost. A leader in global business communications, Mitel partners with more than 20 mobile operators worldwide to drive cloud growth including, 3 (Sweden & Denmark) , Setera and SolunoBC , as well as three of the top four mobile operators in Sweden. Quotes As enterprises embrace new ways of enabling their employees to work, the demands for service providers to deliver mobile solutions is increasing. Cavells latest research shows service providers are looking for ways to deliver enterprise-grade communications to their customers regardless of location, and mobility solutions play a key role in this, said Dominic Black, Senior Market Analyst, Cavell Group. Mobile operators who can take advantage of their network to offer UCaaS services over mobile are seeing success in all segments of the market, although Cavell believes that the SME segment will be a key area of success in the near future." As an early entrant into the European UCaaS market, Mitel has enabled fast-moving service providers to capitalize on cloud communications. Were seeing more of them leveraging cloud to increase their market share in the micro and SME segments, and even scale to meet the needs of large enterprises, said Rami Houbby, Vice President International Cloud Sales, Mitel. While cloud migration rates vary by country, its clear theyre advancing, and it is anticipated that the demand will further rise as digital transformation becomes even more of an imperative. Additional Facts Mitel powers more than 4.6 million cloud seats as well as 1.3 million UCaaS seats for service providers worldwide. Mitel ranks as the leading supplier of business communications systems in Western Europe and among the top three brands in North America (source: MZA). Mitel is the only brand recognized across the Gartner Magic Quadrants for Contact Center, Unified Communications and Unified Communications as a Service. Related Materials About Mitel A global market leader in business communications powering more than two billion business connections, Mitel helps businesses and service providers connect, collaborate and provide innovative services to their customers. Our innovation and communications experts serve more than 70 million business users in more than 100 countries. For more information, go to www.mitel.com and follow us on Twitter @Mitel . Mitel is the registered trademark of Mitel Networks Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Contact Information VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- International Cobalt Corp . ( CSE: CO ), (the Company or International Cobalt) is pleased to announce that it has acquired by staking, the JA Project (the Project) located in the Cobalt region of Lemhi County, Idaho. The Project is located within a geological trend that is prospective for cobalt and gold mineralization in the area of the Idaho Cobalt Belt (ICB). Based upon the Companys research and observations in the area, the 15 kilometre long Jackass Zone parallels the over-simplified trend of the ICB. Some researchers have connected the historical Blackbird mine, the Blackpine prospect and the Iron Creek deposit with a straight line to create the ICB. Detailed observations of the US Geological Survey Open File Report 90-0234A demonstrate that the properties of the Yellowjacket Formation rocks southeast of the ICB are amenable for cobalt mineralization. Observations include variably magnetic siltite beds of the Yellowjacket formation, and cobalt-bearing pyrite at another location. The Project is located approximately 25 km southwest of Revival Gold's Beartrack gold deposit. Geologically, the Project has the potential to host gold mineralization that is similar to other deposits located along the Panther Creek graben within the major northeast-trending Trans-Challis Structural Zone (TCSZ) (known as the Great Falls Tectonic Zone in Montana). This structural zone provides a controlling effect on the location of volcanic vents, dikes, mineralization, and normal faulting along its length. The TCSZ is about 260 kilometres long and has been active since Precambrian time. Gold deposits associated with the TCSZ include the Beartrack gold deposit (historical mines and current resources of Revival Gold), the historical Yellowjacket gold mines, the historical Grouse Creek gold mines, the Humbug gold prospect and other past producers to the northeast and southwest. ABOUT IDAHO Idaho has always been one of the most favourable jurisdictions in the U.S. and globally, but the region has seen a strong recovery in the past decade. Of late, Barrick Gold Corporation has recently invested USD$38 million into the Stibnite Gold Project in Idaho, and others such as Revival Gold, Otis Gold and Integra Resources are advancing major gold projects in the state. RAMSAY PROJECT The Company has given notice to the vendor of the Ramsay Cobalt Project, SLAM Exploration Ltd. of its intent to terminate the option agreement and return the property. SPECIAL MEETING The Company also wishes to advise that the special meeting of shareholders initially scheduled for February 20, 2019 at 10:00 am (local time) and subsequently adjourned to March 15, 2019 at 10:00 am (local time) at the offices of the Company has been cancelled. NI 43-101 DISCLOSURE Neil McCallum, PGeol., Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, supervised the preparation of the technical information in this news release. ABOUT INTERNATIONAL COBALT CORP International Cobalt Corp. (CSE: CO) is a Canadian based mineral exploration and development business focusing on the burgeoning cobalt sector. The Company seeks to add shareholder value by sourcing and developing projects in safe, progressive jurisdictions adhering to strict environmental and social standards. The company has projects in the Idaho Cobalt belt, one of the premier locations to explore for primary cobalt deposits and in Atlantic Canada with a rich history of mine development and operation. International Cobalt is well funded to pursue its objectives. ABOUT THE COBALT MARKET Cobalt prices recently reached a 10 year high of $42.75 US per pound and have shown a steady increase since the mid-point of 2015. As a vital component of many of the lithium-ion batteries used in a wide range of applications from cell phones to electric vehicles (EV), demand for Cobalt is anticipated to remain strong. Currently over 60% of the global supply of cobalt is sourced from mines operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). On behalf of: INTERNATIONAL COBALT CORP. Timothy Johnson Timothy Johnson, President +1 (604) 687-2038 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. Dublin, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "The Global Market for Quantum Dots to 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Since their synthesis over 30 years ago, QDs have featured in a range of optoelectronic devices, including TVs and displays, light-emitting devices (LEDs), solar cells, photodiodes, thermoelectrics, photoconductors and field-effect transistors, while QD solutions have been used in a number of in vivo and in vitro imaging, sensing and labelling techniques. The global quantum dots (QD) based products market will be potentially valued at more than $35 billion by 2030. The optoelectronics market represents the vast majority of this figure, chiefly High Definition TVs-QLED-TVs. TV displays still dominate the end user segment for QD-based products with a fast growing market for QD monitors. The use of QDs in solar conversion windows is also being heavily backed this year with a number of companies developing prototypes and funding multi-million dollar investments. The price of large QD-TVs is also falling. The market is moving towards more advanced application of quantum dots in TVs with major producers, especially Samsung developing technologies beyond Quantum Dot Enhancement Film (QDEF) such as: QD Glass on LGP Quantum dot colour filters (QDCF) for microLEDS and displays Active Matrix Quantum-dot Light Emitting Diode (AMQLED) Other notable growth markets include solar windows, lighting, sensors and anti-counterfeiting. This 215 page analysis report on the quantum dots market is now in its 12th edition (First edition 2009). Contents include: QD types, properties and production methods. Changing market dynamics in the quantum dots market. New market areas including QD Colour Filters and Solar Window Coatings. In-depth market segmentation and analysis. Quantum dots application roadmap. Regional analysis. Historical, current and projected market size in terms of volume and value. Revenue estimates for quantum dots market to 2030. Recent industry trends and developments. Competitive landscape. Regulatory issues. Strategies of key players and products offered. Market revenues forecasts to 2030 and historical figures from 2013. Markets covered: TV displays and smartphone displays, solar cells, security tags, security inks, sensors, quantum dot lasers, quantum dot transistors, photonic crystals, bio-imaging, quantum dot solar windows, biomarkers, solid-material-based memory, thermoelectric materials, quantum dot computers, artificial photosynthesis and light emitting diodes (LEDs). Market assessment in QLED TVs and displays, including market drivers, commercialization, market revenues to 2030, manufacturing and product development. Market assessment in LED lighting, including market drivers, commercialization, market revenues to 2030, manufacturing and product development. Market assessment in biotechnology and medicine, including market drivers, commercialization ,market revenues to 2030, manufacturing and product development. Market assessment in security and anti-counterfeiting, including market drivers, commercialization, market revenues to 2030, manufacturing and product development. Market assessment in sensors, including market drivers, commercialization, market revenues to 2030, manufacturing and product development. 75 company profiles. Additions from previous editions include: Expanded regional analysis, especially for Asia New sections covering Micro-LEDs, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), composites Latest developments in QD-OLED screens Expanded company profiles 13 additional company profiles Recent developments in quantum dot production by large chemical companies Companies Mentioned Acer BOE InVisage LGD Philips Samsung StoreDot and more... Topics Covered 1 Research Scope And Methodology 1.1 Report scope 1.2 Market definition 1.2.1 Categorization 1.3 Research methodology 1.4 Assumptions and limitations 1.5 Primary research 1.6 Secondary research 2 Executive Summary 2.1 Growth in high definition TV demand 2.1.1 QD advantages and definition of QLED 2.1.1.1 QLEDs/QD - OLEDs 2.2 Market growth since 2013 2.3 QD - TVs market 2.4 The Quantum Dot market in 2019 2.5 Cadmium vs. cadmium free 2.5.1 Cadmium QDs 2.5.2 Cadmium - free QDs 2.5.3 European commission ban use of cadmium in TVs and displays 2.5.4 Perovskite quantum dots 2.5.5 Graphene quantum dots 2.6 Quantum Dot Revenues 2015-2030 2.7 Market drivers and trends 2.8 Market challenges 3 Quantum Dots 3.1 Properties 3.2 Synthesis 3.3 Types 3.3.1 Cadmium Selenide, Cadmium Sulfide and other materials 3.3.2 Cadmium free quantum dots 3.3.3 Graphene quantum dots 3.3.3.1 Synthesis 3.3.3.2 Applications 3.3.3.3 Pricing 3.3.3.4 Investment 3.3.4 Carbon quantum dots (CQds) 3.3.4.1 Properties 3.3.4.2 Applications 3.3.5 Quantum rods 3.3.5.1 Properties 3.3.5.2 Applications 4 Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 Quantum Dots Industry Analysis 5.1 Quantum dots market dynamics 5.2 Market growth accelerators and inhibitors 5.3 Competitive analysis 5.3.1 Market Share Analysis 5.3.2 Opportunity Matrix Analysis 5.3.3 Key Players 5.3.4 Licensing, collaborations and partnerships 5.4 Supply chain 6 Quantum Dots Regulations 6.1 Europe 6.1.1 Cadmium exemption in TVs and lighting 6.1.2 August 2017 ruling 6.2 United States 6.2.1 Low Volume Exemption (LVE) 6.2.2 New Chemicals Program 6.3 Asia 7 Market Segment Analysis, By End User Market 7.1 Revenues 2013-2030 7.2 Production and prices 7.3 Market for quantum dots, by region 7.3.1 The market in Asia 7.3.2 The market in North America 7.3.3 The market in Europe 8 Quantum Dots In LCD TVs/Displays 8.1 Market drivers and trends 8.2 Applications 8.2.1 LCDS vs. OLEDs vs. QD - LCDs/QLEDs 8.2.2 QD - LCD TVs/QLEDs 8.2.3 Micro - LEDs 8.2.4 Augmented reality (AR) and Virtual reality(VR) 8.3 Synthesis and manufacturing 8.3.1 Integration into LCDs 8.3.2 Types of QD displays and materials used 8.3.2.1 On - edge (edge optic) 8.3.2.2 On - surface (film) 8.3.2.3 QD colour filter (QDF) 8.3.2.4 On - chip 8.3.2.5 Active Matrix Quantum - dot Light Emitting Diode(AMQLED) 8.3.2.6 Quantum dot electroluminescence 8.3.2.7 QD Glass LGP 8.3.2.8 Quantum dot/OLED hybrid 8.3.2.9 Quantum rods 8.3.2.10 Quantum converters with red phosphors 8.3.2.11 Electroluminescent (EL)QD displays 8.3.3 Flexible displays 8.3.3.1 Inkjet printed QD displays 8.3.3.2 Flexible LCDs 8.3.3.3 Flexible OLEDs (FOLED) 8.3.3.4 Flexible AMOLED 8.3.3.5 Flexible electrophoretic displays 8.3.3.6 Flexible QLEDs 8.4 QD - LCD products 8.4.1 Commercialization timeline for quantum dot display products 8.5 Industry and research developments 2013-2019 8.6 Global market for quantum dots in TVs and displays 8.6.1 OLED market 8.6.2 QD-OLED screens 8.6.3 QD-TV unit sales 2016-2030 8.6.4 QD Monitor Unit sales 2015-2030 8.7 Quantum dot TV and display companies 9 Quantum Dots In Photovoltaics 9.1 Market drivers and trends 9.2 Applications 9.2.1 Nanomaterials in solar cells 9.2.2 Advantages of quantum dots in photovoltaics 9.2.3 Types of quantum dot solar cells 9.2.3.1 Metalsemiconductor/ Schottky QD junction solar cell 9.2.3.2 Silicon/QD Film Hydrid Solar Cells 9.2.3.3 Silicon/Graphene QD Film Hydrid Solar Cells 9.2.3.4 Depleted-heterojunction QD solar cell 9.2.3.5 QD-sensitized solar cells (QDSSC) 9.2.3.6 Quantum dot solar windows 9.3 Market challenges 9.4 Industry and research developments 2013-2019 9.5 Global market for quantum dots in photovoltaics 9.6 Quantum dot photovoltaics companies 10 Quantum Dots In LED Lighting 10.1 Market drivers and trends 10.2 Applications 10.2.1 LED lighting 10.2.2 Horticultural lighting 10.3 Market challenges 10.4 Industry and research developments 2013-2019 10.5 Global market for quantum dots in LED lighting 10.6 Quantum dot lighting companies 11 Quantum Dots In Biotechnology And Medicine 11.1 Market drivers and trends 11.2 Applications 11.2.1 Imaging and diagnostics 11.2.1.1 Biomarkers 11.2.1.2 Photodynamic therapy 11.2.1.3 Point-of-care 11.2.2 Drug delivery 11.3 Market challenges 11.4 Global market for quantum dots in biotechnology and medicine 11.4.1 Imaging and diagnostics 11.4.2 Drug delivery 11.5 Quantum dot biotechnology and medicine companies 12 Quantum Dots In Security And Anti-Counterfeiting 12.1 Market drivers and trends 12.2 Applications 12.3 Global market size for quantum dots in security and anti-counterfeiting 12.4 Quantum dot security and anti-counterfeiting Companies 13 Quantum Dots In Sensors 13.1 Market drivers and trends 13.2 Applications 13.2.1 Food sensors 13.2.2 Chemical and gas sensors 13.2.3 Biosensors 13.2.4 Image sensors 13.3 Global market size for quantum dots in sensors 13.4 Market challenges 13.5 Quantum dot sensor companies 14 Other Markets 14.1 Batteries 14.2 Thermoelectrics 14.3 QD Lasers 14.4 Photocatalysts 14.5 Spectrometers 14.6 Quantum computing 14.7 Hydrogen production 14.8 Sunscreen 14.9 Composites 15 Quantum Dot Company Profiles (75 Company Profiles) 16 References For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/5gjjz5/global_quantum?w=12 Research and Markets also offers Custom Research services providing focused, comprehensive and tailored research. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rio2 Limited (Rio2 or the Company) (TSXV: RIO; BVL: RIO) is pleased to announce that Rio2 begins trading today on the OTCQX Best Market under the ticker RIOFF. U.S. Investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com. Alex Black, President and CEO of Rio2 stated: This is an important milestone for Rio2 as it enables a broader range of U.S. investors to participate in our growth. The OTCQX Market will provide greater exposure, accessibility and liquidity to our existing and potential U.S. investors. Rio2 Limited was sponsored for the OTCQX Best Market by Dorsey & Whitney LLP, a qualified third-party firm responsible for providing guidance on the OTCQX Best Market requirements and recommending membership. The company's shares will continue to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange and on the Bolsa de Valores de Lima (BVL) under the symbol RIO. ABOUT RIO2 LIMITED Rio2 Limited is building a multiasset, multijurisdiction, precious metals company focused in the Americas. With the Fenix Gold Project in development in Chile and exploration platforms in Peru and Central America, Rio2 Limited will continue pursuing additional strategic acquisitions to compile an attractive portfolio of precious metals assets where it can deploy its operational excellence and responsible mining practices to create value for its shareholders. Rio2 Limited has assembled a highly experienced executive team to generate significant shareholder value, with proven technical skills in the development and operations of mines and capital markets experience. Through its strategy of acquiring precious metals assets at exploration, development, and operating stages, the executive team will grow Rio2 Limited and create longterm shareholder value through the development of highmargin, strong freecashflowing mining operations. ABOUT OTC MARKETS GROUP INC. OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates the OTCQX Best Market, the OTCQB Venture Market and the Pink Open Market for 10,000 U.S. and global securities. Through OTC Link ATS and OTC Link ECN, we connect a diverse network of broker-dealers that provide liquidity and execution services. We enable investors to easily trade through the broker of their choice and empower companies to improve the quality of information available for investors. For more information about Rio2 Limited, please contact: Alex Black President and Chief Executive Officer Email: info@rio2.com Telephone: +1 (604) 260 2696 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities laws. The use of any of the words expect, anticipate, continue, estimate, objective, ongoing, may, will, project, should, believe, plans, intends and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. CALGARY, Alberta, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Alberta government could balance its budget by 2021/22and create the fiscal room for much-needed tax reliefif program spending were cut by 10.9 per cent over the next three years, finds a new study released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non-partisan Canadian public policy think-tank. Eliminating the deficit quickly and pursuing tax reform to regain the provinces former tax advantage across North America should be a priority for the Alberta government, said Ben Eisen, Fraser Institute senior fellow and co-author of A Spending Framework for Alberta: Balancing the Need for Deficit Elimination and Tax Reform . The study finds that a nominal spending reduction of 10.9 per cent over the next three years would not only balance the budget by 2021/22, but it would also create enough fiscal room to allow for personal and business income tax relief, carbon tax relief, and capital gains tax relief. While a 10.9 per cent spending reduction would be significant, it is substantially smaller than the reductions implemented by the Klein government in the 1990s. It would also bring Albertas per-person spending closer into line with neighbouring British Columbia, which currently spends 21 per cent less per person than Alberta does. Given Albertas dire economic situation, its fiscal policy needs to be focused on creating the conditions for prosperity, which means eliminating the deficit but also, importantly, regaining competitiveness to attract entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners, Eisen said. This study is part of a new book Alberta Prosperity: A Plan for Opportunity and Growth , which explores policy reforms in Albertas finances, the health-care and education systems, the investment climate and resource regulation, among others. Alberta no longer leads in several critical policy areas, which is a marked departure from just 10 years ago, said Jason Clemens, executive vice-president of the Fraser Institute. This new book provides policymakers with a clear plan to restore the provinces finances, improve competitiveness and raise living standards for Albertans. The new book is available as a free PDF download at www.fraserinstitute.org . MEDIA CONTACTS: Ben Eisen, Senior Fellow Fraser Institute Jason Clemens, Executive Vice-President Fraser Institute To arrange media interviews or for more information, please contact: Bryn Weese, Senior Media Relations Specialist (604) 688-0221 ext. 589 bryn.weese@fraserinstitute.org Follow the Fraser Institute on Twitter | Like us on Facebook English French MONTREAL, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TC Transcontinental (TSX: TCL.A TCL.B) is pleased to announce the appointment of Magali Depras to the position of Chief Strategy Officer. Ms. Depras serves on the Executive Management Committee of the Corporation. In addition, effective April 1st, 2019, Mr. Alex Hayden will be joining the Packaging Sector of the Corporation, as Senior Vice President, R&D, Innovation and Sustainability, TC Transcontinental Packaging. I am very pleased to welcome Magali Depras and Alex Hayden to TC Transcontinental, said Francois Olivier, President and Chief Executive Officer of TC Transcontinental. On the heels of our Gold Award for Sustainability from the Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards for a second year in a row, and as we are becoming today the first Canadian-based manufacturer to join the Ellen MacArthur Foundations New Plastics Economy Global Commitment , this is an exciting time for our company. We continue to be driven by our unwavering commitment towards sustainability throughout our transformation and I am certain that both these seasoned executives will make considerable leadership contributions in fostering innovation and performance within our teams. Thanks to their vast expertise in the global packaging industry, Ms. Depras and Mr. Haydens will support our corporate social responsibility vision, strategy and execution as we strive to set ourselves apart with our customers and in the industry. As Chief Strategy Officer, Ms. Magali Depras oversees the development and implementation of annual and long-term strategic plans. In support of the Corporations commitment to operating its activities sustainably, she also leads corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, including our corporate ambitions in the area of sustainability, and is tasked with aligning the CSR plan with TC Transcontinentals business strategy. As such, Ms. Depras works collaboratively with the R&D teams to ensure the development of high-performance and sustainable products. In this capacity, Ms. Depras will soon be working alongside Mr. Alex Hayden, who will join TC Transcontinental Packaging as of April 1st, 2019. In his role, Mr. Hayden will be responsible for R&D and Innovation, where he will oversee the development and commercialization of differentiated products and eco-responsible packaging solutions for customers. As TC Transcontinental is poised to make strides towards a circular economy for plastics, Mr. Hayden will work closely with Ms. Depras to achieve the Corporations objectives in light of its pledge to the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment. Magali Depras, Chief Strategy Officer, TC Transcontinental With over 25 years of experience in senior executive roles, Ms. Depras has worked internationally, namely in Europe, Asia and North America. She is recognized for driving growth globally through a successful track-record of new business development and for her expertise in strategic planning and execution. Ms. Depras previously held the position of Vice President of Strategy at Nakisa, where she acted as advisor to the Chief Executive Officer to articulate the companys growth strategy. Ms. Depras also held the position of President and Chief Operating Officer of CSA Group (Canadian Standards Association). Prior to that, she rose through the ranks to become Chief Commercial Officer at Br. Hartmann, a company specialized in the manufacturing and sale of molded fiber packaging for food and industrial products. Over her 20-year tenure with this Danish publicly listed corporation, she held various Sales and Marketing leadership positions, and was based in Frankfurt from 2002 to 2009. Ms. Depras holds an MBA from the Institute of Business Administration (IAE) of Paris, Pantheon-Sorbonne, as well as a Master of Foreign Languages applied to Business and Trade from University of Lille. Alex Hayden, Senior Vice President, R&D, Innovation and Sustainability, TC Transcontinental Packaging A global executive leader with over 20 years of experience in driving innovation, Mr. Hayden has built and led multiple cross-functional teams in developing and implementing innovation strategies and putting in place best practice innovation processes. A revered expert in identifying customer needs and translating those needs into engineering requirements, Mr. Hayden is well-known for his ability to fast track through feasibility and development stages to commercialize new products. Mr. Hayden previously held the title of Vice President, R&D and Product Commercialization at Amcor Flexibles Americas, based in Chicago. From 2012 to 2016, he was based in Zurich, Switzerland while he was Director, Research and Development, at Amcor Flexibles Europe, Middle East and Africa. Prior to this role, he also worked in technology and product development at the Amcor Flexibles Healthcare division in Madison, Wisconsin. Mr. Hayden holds a Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. About TC Transcontinental TC Transcontinental is a leader in flexible packaging in North America, and Canadas largest printer. The Corporation is also a Canadian leader in its specialty media segments. For over 40 years, TC Transcontinental's mission has been to create products and services that allow businesses to attract, reach and retain their target customers. Respect, teamwork, performance and innovation are the strong values held by the Corporation and its employees. TC Transcontinental's commitment to its stakeholders is to pursue its business activities in a responsible manner. Transcontinental Inc. (TSX: TCL.A TCL.B), known as TC Transcontinental, has over 9,000 employees, the majority of which are based in Canada, the United States and Latin America. TC Transcontinental had revenues of more than C$2.6 billion for the fiscal year ended October 28, 2018. For more information, visit TC Transcontinental's website at www.tc.tc . For information: Media Patricia Lemoine Specialist, External Communications and Spokesperson Telephone: 514-954-2805 Cell phone: 514-726-9849 patricia.lemoine@tc.tc Financial Community Mathieu Hebert Corporate Treasurer TC Transcontinental Telephone: 514-954-4029 mathieu.hebert@tc.tc Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9f3ef3c8-c2d2-46c6-aff3-e0930c9005cb http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/37892e4f-9950-4f43-ada6-24ac982d4739 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Riley Resources Corp. (Riley or the Company) (TSXV: RLY) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Stuart Smith to the Board of Directors. Dr. Smith has 30 years global exploration experience spanning the spectrum from global project generation to mine geology with a track record of discovery in brownfield and greenfield arenas. Most recently Dr. Smith was Technical Director Strategy & New Projects for Teck Resources Ltd., based in Vancouver, Canada. In this role Stuart lead the team with global responsibility for new exploration project review and capture. Prior to that Stuart held the role of Specialist Global Copper for Teck, based in Santiago, Chile in which he had responsibility for Tecks global Cu exploration portfolio. Prior to joining Teck, Stuart was Chief Geologist for the Oxiana-OZ Minerals-MMG group of companies and subsequently with the founders of Oxiana in the G-Resources, Tigers Realm and EMR companies. In these roles Stuart was responsible for activities across the full spectrum from global project identification and review to brownfields exploration and in-mine resource evaluation. Dr. Smith holds a BSc (Hons 1) degree from the University of New England, Armidale, Australia and a PhD from CODES at the University of Tasmania, Australia. We are excited to have Stuart join and strengthen Rileys team. His world-class technical experience will help the Company in sourcing and reviewing additional opportunities to achieve growth-oriented results for its shareholders, stated Mr. William Lamb, Executive Chairman of Riley. Stock Options Granted The Company also announces that, pursuant to its stock option plan, it has granted 100,000 incentive stock options to Dr. Smith, subject to certain vesting provisions. These options will be exercisable at a price of $0.15 per common share and will expire on March 12, 2029. The grant of the options and the appointment of Dr. Smith are subject to regulatory approval. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Riley Resources Corp. For Further information, please contact: 604-443-3831 Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SAN MATEO, Calif., March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PLUS Products Inc. (PLUS or the Company) (CSE:PLUS) (OTCQB:PLPRF), a cannabis branded product manufacturer dedicated to making cannabis safe and approachable, is pleased to announce that co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Jake Heimark, will present at the 31st Annual ROTH Conference on March 19, 2019 at 10:15AM PST. The conference will be held at the Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, California. ROTHs annual investment conference brings together executives from more than 500 public and private companies and approximately 1,000 investors. The event provides the over 4,700 attendees with investment ideas across a variety of sectors. Company presentations, Q&A sessions, panels, and one-on-one meetings offer investor clients opportunities for extensive interaction with executive management to gain in-depth insights into each business and sector. About PLUS Products PLUS Products creates safe and delicious cannabis food products. Founded by a chef from a Michelin Star restaurant, Ivy League chemist and food manufacturing experts, PLUSs mission is to make cannabis safe and approachable - that starts with high-quality products that deliver consistent experiences. The gummies are manufactured at PLUSs own factory in Adelanto, CA, where dosage is tested twice internally and then tested twice again by an independent lab. PLUS is headquartered in San Mateo, CA with 60 employees. About Roth Capital Partners ROTH Capital Partners, LLC (ROTH), is a relationship-driven investment bank focused on serving emerging growth companies and their investors. As a full-service investment bank, ROTH provides capital raising, M&A advisory, analytical research, trading, market-making services and corporate access. Headquartered in Newport Beach, CA, ROTH is privately-held and employee owned, and maintains offices throughout the U.S. For more information on ROTH, please visit www.roth.com . For further information contact: Jessica Bornn, Director of Investor Relations Email: ir@plusproducts.com Tel +1 650.223.5478 The CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains statements and information that, to the extent that they are not historical fact, constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking information. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company's management to predict all of such factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking information to reflect information, events, results, circumstances or otherwise after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law including securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities. English Dutch Regulated Information Nyrstar: Results of the extraordinary general meeting held on 14 March 2019 - Second extraordinary general meeting to be held on 4 April 2019 14 March 2019 at 1:00 p.m. CET Nyrstar NV (the "Company") held an extraordinary general shareholders meeting in Brussels today. The attendance quorum required for item 1 of the agenda of the extraordinary general shareholders' meeting with respect to the amendment of Article 23 of the Company's Articles of Association, was not met. Therefore, a second extraordinary general shareholders' meeting will be held for this agenda item on Thursday 4 April 2019 at 10:30 a.m. CEST, in Brussels. As from Monday 18 March 2019, the full notice for the second extraordinary general shareholders' meeting including the agenda and proposed resolution will be available on the website of the Company: https://www.nyrstar.com/en/investors/share-and-bondholder-information/shareholder-meetings There was no attendance quorum required for item 2 of the agenda of the extraordinary general shareholders' meeting with respect to the appointment of Mrs. Jane Moriarty as new independent Director of the Company. Mrs. Jane Moriarty was appointed by the extraordinary general shareholders' meeting as an independent Director of the Company for a term of four years. About Nyrstar Nyrstar is a global multi-metals business, with a market leading position in zinc and lead, and growing positions in other base and precious metals, which are essential resources that are fuelling the rapid urbanisation and industrialisation of our changing world. Nyrstar has mining and smelting operations located in Europe, North America and Australia and employs approximately 4,100 people. Nyrstar is incorporated in Belgium and has its corporate office in Switzerland. Nyrstar is listed on Euronext Brussels under the symbol NYR. For further information, please visit the Nyrstar website: www.nyrstar.com . For further information contact: Anthony Simms Group Manager Investor Relations T: +41 44 745 8157 M: +41 79 722 2152 E: anthony.simms@nyrstar.com Franziska Morroni Group Manager Corporate Communications T: +41 44 745 8295 M: +41 79 719 2342 E: franziska.morroni@nyrstar.com Attachment PHILADELPHIA, PA, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Though the Midas touch is the stuff of legend, its hard to argue that Rich Smith doesnt share at least something in common with folklores gilded hero. Smith with a storied record of sales growth success at every stage of his executive marketing career is now offering go-to-market insights as a member of the Executives-as-a-Service team at Chief Outsiders. Smith joins the nations leading provider of fractional Chief Marketing Officers to companies of all sizes after ringing up success for an impressive array of companies in the banking, insurance, mortgage, and healthcare verticals. Along his journey, Smith helped a start-up behavioral health company increase revenue by $50 million in one year of operation; drove loan production from zero to $25 billion annualized and achieved a #3 ranking from JD Power in less than two years as CMO of Ditech Home Loans; and developed and implemented a digital strategy for AIG Bank during the peak of the financial crisis that transformed the company and helped return it to profitability. With Chief Outsiders, Smith hopes to work with companies of all sizes in financial services, healthcare, insurance, banking, consumer finance, mortgage, and behavioral health to help them drive customer acquisition, customer loyalty and profitable growth. Rich is passionate about helping CEOs differentiate their businesses in the most competitive market segments, said Slade Kobran, Managing Partner of Chief Outsiders Northeast Team. Rich has a track record of delivering results in high-pressure situations, is adept at developing profitable business plans while aligning and fostering transparency between CEOs, CFOs and marketing, and has been the architect behind the building of remarkable brands. Smith holds an MBA from the Lerner School of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware and gained his undergraduate degree a B.S. in Economics at Penn State University. Additionally, Smith has his Associate in Personal Insurance from the American Institute of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters and the Insurance Institute of America. About Chief Outsiders Chief Outsiders, LLC is a nationwide "Executives-as-a-Service" firm, with more than 60 part-time, or fractional, Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) engaged from coast-to-coast. Unlike other strategic marketing and management consulting firms, each CMO has held the position of VP Marketing or higher at one or more operating companies. Chief Outsiders have served on the executive team of over 700 client companies to drive growth strategy and execution plans for a fraction of the cost of a full-time executive. Because of its market-based growth plans, quality of leadership, and experienced team, Chief Outsiders has been recognized for the past five years by Inc. Magazine as one of the 5,000 fastest growing privately held companies in the US, and was recognized in the Houston Business Journal's Fast 100. Chief Outsiders CEO Art Saxby and Principal Pete Hayes are the co-authors of The Growth Gears: Using a Market-Based Framework to Drive Business Success, an Amazon #1 best-seller for business owners and CEOs. For additional information about the companies who trust Chief Outsiders as their premier source for business growth acceleration, click here. Attachment Grubhub, which declined comment on Monday, filed a motion last week to send the case to arbitration. In court filings, the Chicago-based company has said it did not act deceptively nor breach its contracts with the two Tiffin eateries named as plaintiffs. The two restaurants, located in Elkins Park and Mount Airy, Pa., are part of a chain of 10 Tiffin eateries in the region. CALGARY, Alberta, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada can achieve significant domestic and global benefits if we resolve current market access challenges, according to a new report from the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), Leveraging Opportunities: Diversifying Canadas Oil and Natural Gas Markets. Canada has an abundance of natural resources, but a lack of pipelines and insufficient infrastructure are crippling our ability to compete for global market share. Global markets for liquefied natural gas (LNG) are expected to expand substantially by the mid-2020s, yet Canada is not moving quickly enough to capitalize on this growing demand. In addition, failure to reach these high-growth markets means we are missing an opportunity to help reduce net global greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Coal-fired electricity generation in China, India, Southeast Asia, and Europe, could be displaced using Canadian LNG, which has lower life-cycle emissions than LNG from other countries. Likewise, Canada is missing out on the opportunity to export responsibly produced oil to those same emerging global markets in China and India because there is not enough pipeline capacity nor access to tide water. CAPP has identified the barriers preventing Canada from realizing these opportunities. The path forward must include a clear government commitment to resource development, a competitive fiscal environment, and an efficient regulatory process to enable new projects to be approved and constructed in a timely manner. CAPP recommends the Government of Canada make meaningful and substantial changes to Bill C-69 which, as it stands now, will only compound the problems of our already protracted regulatory process. CAPP also calls for the government to withdraw Bill C-48 which proposes a tanker moratorium on a significant portion of Canadas West Coast. CAPPs full report, Leveraging Opportunities: Diversifying Canadas Oil and Natural Gas Markets, can be found here . The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers quotes: Tim McMillan, President and CEO Before they will invest in Canada, global investors need to see that the Canadian federal and provincial governments are firmly committed to resource development. Global energy demand is growing; however, without new pipelines, Canadas oil and natural gas industry cant compete for a share of the global market. Instead, growing demand will be filled by other countries like Iraq, Libya, and the United States. Canada is missing an opportunity to have our energy play a key role in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions by displacing energy from other countries who dont have our high environmental standards. The federal government must fix Bill C-69 to ensure there is a workable approvals process for future projects and pipelines in Canada. In its current form, the Bill only aggravates an already flawed process. Bill C-48 is a barrier to improving market access, and interferes with the ability of many Indigenous communities to benefit from resource development on their traditional lands. Supporting Information: In the International Energy Agencys, World Energy Outlook 2018 (New Policies Scenario), total global energy demand is projected to increase 27 per cent over 2017 levels by 2040. Together, oil and natural gas will account for 53 per cent of the worlds total energy demand by 2040. Capital investment in Canadas oil and natural gas sector dropped to about $41 billion in 2018, down from $81 billion in 2014. It is expected to drop another 10 per cent in 2019. Canadas oil and natural gas sector accounted for 5.34 per cent of real Canadian GDP in 2017. The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) represents companies, large and small, that explore for, develop and produce natural gas and oil throughout Canada. CAPPs member companies produce about 80 per cent of Canadas natural gas and oil. CAPP's associate members provide a wide range of services that support the upstream oil and natural gas industry. Together CAPP's members and associate members are an important part of a national industry with revenues from oil and natural gas production of about $110 billion a year. CAPPs mission, on behalf of the Canadian upstream oil and natural gas industry, is to advocate for and enable economic competitiveness and safe, environmentally and socially responsible performance. Bangalore, India, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IDS Next, a leading global provider of next-generation technology solutions for the hotel industry, today released their list of new clients in the coveted emerging markets of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, signing a total of 36 new deals in February 2019. With the explosion of travel into emerging markets, IDS Next has been positioned as the hotel industrys first choice in technology solutions for Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. For decades, IDS Next has demonstrated unrivalled domain expertise as a provider of leading-edge solutions that optimize operational costs, increase revenues, and surpass guest engagement goals for hotels in all market segments, whether enterprise or single property. Their line of innovative solutions include highly integrated hotel management software, restaurant management software, central reservations, hotel channel management, and mobile apps. The future of growth in emerging markets is tremendous, explains Binu Mathews, CEO of IDS Next. New generations of travelers are seeking out authentic, exotic experiences and leaving behind the once trendy, Euro Trip destinations. They are exploring Egypt, Sri Lanka, and Morocco. With news of at least 20 new hotels in the pipeline for South Africa, companies with global targeting need to take advantage of the dramatic opportunities for revenue growth in hospitality in the emerging markets of Africa, India, the Middle East and APAC. Those that deliver innovative solutions combined with client-centered, 24/7 support service in local languages, and a deep understanding of how to foster the sales relationship with different cultures will be the ones to watch. In February 2019, IDS Next successfully closed deals in the following countries: 22 deals signed in India including Mayfair Raipur, Ocean Pearl Mangalore , Godrej Tree Club Mumbai & Basilica , Panchagani 6 deals signed in Sri Lanka including Arangala Forest Lodge and Galawilla Boutique Hotel & Spa 1 deal signed in Nepal at Hotel Sabrina 1 deal signed in Rwanda with La Palme Hotel 2 deals signed in Ethiopia with Infini Coffee Bar and Dallol Resort Hotel & Spa 1 deal signed in Kenya at Maiyan Resort, Nanyuki 2 deals signed in the UAE including Spark Residence Hotel Apartments IDS Next software and technology solutions are trusted by over 4800+ hotels in 40 countries across South Asia, South-East Asia, Africa, Middle East, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Oceania. Consistently at the forefront of innovation, IDS Nexts team is determined to empower the hotel industry in emerging markets to exceed their operational and guest engagement goals. To learn more, please visit www.idsnext.com. About IDS Next IDS Next is a globally leading Hotel Technology Solutions provider with decades of unmatched domain expertise. Being pioneers in Hotel ERP architecture, our forte lies in providing unparalleled technology solutions for hospitality properties across categories. With unrivalled domain expertise, our USP lies in creating solutions that help hotels increase revenues, optimize costs and above all provide enhanced guest experience. We are a dynamic company, which fully understands emerging markets, and its high growth needs. We provide efficient solutions across categories such as large independent hotels, chain hotels, boutique or resort hotels and even small budget hotels. Our offerings include integrated hotel management software, restaurant management software, mobile apps and mobile analytic solutions etc. Armed with industry leading technology and overwhelming TCO, we command large market share in the markets we operate, and growing at an enviable speed. Our software and technology solutions have also earned the trust of over 4800+ hotels in 40 countries spread across South Asia, South-East Asia, Africa, Middle East, Sri Lanka & Maldives and Oceania. A truly dedicated 24/7-support centre ensures 98% retention of customers and unmatched customer satisfaction. Attachments French English PRESS RELEASE 14 March 2019 Aeroports de Paris SA February 2019 traffic figures In February 2019, Paris Aeroport welcomed 7.3 million passengers, an increase of 5.2% compared with February 2018. 5.1 million passengers travelled through Paris-Charles de Gaulle (+7.1%) and 2.2 million through Paris-Orly (+1.1%). International traffic (excluding Europe) was up (+6.5%), due to growth in the following destinations: North America (+13.0%), Latin America (+8.6%), Africa (+6.5%), the Middle East (+4.0%), Asia-Pacific (+3.8%) and the French Overseas Territories (+2.1%); European traffic (excluding France) was up by 4.5%; Traffic within France was up by 3.7%; The number of connecting passengers increased by 10.5%. The connecting rate stood at 23.8%, up by 1.1 points compared with February 2018. Since the beginning of the year, Paris Aeroport passenger traffic has increased by 3.5%, with a total of 15.0 million passengers. The number of connecting passengers has risen by 7.0%. The connecting rate stands at 25.2%, up by 0.8 points. Passenger traffic at TAV Airports, 46.1%-owned by Groupe ADP, increased by 6.4% in February 2019 and by 4.8% since the beginning of the year. Passenger traffic at Santiago de Chile Airport, 45%-owned by Groupe ADP, increased by 8.3% in February 2019 and by 9.6% since the beginning of the year. Passenger traffic at Amman Airport, 51%-owned by Groupe ADP, increased by 9.2% in February 2019 and by 6.9% since the beginning of the year. Passengers Feb. 2019 % change 2019/2018 Jan.-Feb. 2019 % change 2019/2018 Last 12 months % change 2019/2018 Paris-CDG 5,086,660 +7.1% 10,453,578 +4.9% 72,720,056 +4.1% Paris-Orly 2,212,412 +1.1% 4,588,110 +0.3% 33,136,572 +3.3% Total Paris Aeroport 7,299,072 +5.2% 15,041,688 +3.5% 105,856,628 +3.9% Santiago 2,296,895 +8.3% 4,800,046 +9.6% 23,744,687 +7.9% Amman 593,427 +9.2% 1,247,970 +6.9% 8,505,418 +6.6% Istanbul Ataturk 4,725,218 -0.2% 9,844,031 -1.4% 67,843,347 +2.7% Antalya 792,440 +17.6% 1,682,463 +15.1% 31,786,615 +22.0% Ankara Esenboga 1,112,866 -18.8% 2,324,498 -20.5% 16,133,588 -3.4% Izmir 862,791 -7.8% 1,835,573 -8.8% 13,249,276 +1.1% Milas Bodrum 88,688 -7.6% 184,807 -9.8% 4,165,929 +17.6% Gazipasa 31,429 +2.7% 65,072 +1.1% 1,216,319 +45.7% Medinah 631,532 +2.2% 1,300,505 -2.8% 8,106,647 +1.7% Tunisia 64,388 +37.4% 131,605 +45.5% 2,531,757 +49.2% Georgia 252,342 +16.1% 519,946 +15.8% 4,471,319 +18.4% Macedonia 144,822 +7.5% 305,246 +6.7% 2,361,658 +13.8% Zagreb (1) 181,154 +6.2% 372,351 +2.9% 3,346,727 +6.9% Total TAV Airports (2) 8,887,670 +6.4% 18,566,097 +4.8% 152,447,031 +28.2% Total TAV Airports restated (3) 8,887,670 -1.6% 18,566,097 -3.2% 155,213,182 +7.1% Groupe ADP and TAV Airports have, a shareholding of 21% and 15%, respectively, in Zagreb Airport. To be compliant with TAV Airports presentations, Zagreb Airport traffic figures are integrated into the TAV Airports group traffic figures. TAV Airports has taken a stake in Anlalya Airport since May 2018. To be compliant with TAV Airports' presentations, the % change presented above takes into account Antalya traffic just from May 2018. Restated figures taking into account Antalya's traffic on a like-for-like basis for 2017. Aircraft Movements Feb. 2019 % change 2019/2018 Jan.-Feb. 2019 % change 2019/2018 Last 12 months % change 2019/2018 Paris-CDG 34,781 +4.8% 72,372 +3.7% 483,518 +1.6% Paris-Orly 15,322 +0.4% 32,442 -0.5% 228,893 +0.4% Total Paris Aeroport 50,103 +3.4% 104,814 +2.4% 712,411 +1.2% Santiago 14,283 +8.0% 29,740 +7.5% 153,325 +6.3% Amman 5,521 +8.6% 11,584 +7.7% 77,718 +5.3% Istanbul Ataturk 32,560 -1.3% 68,482 -1.1% 453,259 +0.8% Antalya 5,462 +13.4% 11,886 +16.0% 187,864 +24.4% Ankara Esenboga 7,471 -18.3% 15,602 -18.6% 106,265 -4.2% Izmir 5,501 -6.6% 11,674 -6.4% 83,296 +0.7% Milas Bodrum 606 -4.6% 1,271 -4.1% 27,412 +18.5% Gazipasa 250 +6.8% 502 +8.0% 8,079 +43.9% Medinah 4,462 -3.4% 9,291 -4.8% 60,196 +1.3% Tunisia 554 +21.5% 1,165 +30.5% 16,468 +38.9% Georgia 2,722 +19.1% 5,802 +20.5% 45,108 +16.2% Macedonia 1,201 +0.5% 2,564 -0.9% 19,726 +6.5% Zagreb 2,826 +5.0% 5,871 +2.4% 43,828 +4.5% Total TAV Airports (1) 63,615 +5.8% 134,110 +6.0% 1,032,110 +22.5% Total TAV Airports restated (2) 63,615 -2.0% 134,110 -1.9% 1,051,501 +5.8% TAV Airports has taken a stake in Antalya Airport since May 2018. To be compliant with TAV Airports' presentations, the % change presented above takes into account Antalya traffic just from May 2018. Restated figures taking into account Antalya's traffic on a like-for-like basis for 2017. Geographic split Paris Aeroport (Paris-CDG and Paris-Orly) Feb. 2019 % change 2019/2018 Share of total traffic Jan.-Feb. 2019 % change 2019/2018 Share of total traffic France +3.7% 15.4% +0.6% 15.5% Europe +4.5% 42.1% +2.6% 41.0% Other International Of which +6.5% 42.5% +5.4% 43.5% Africa +6.5% 12.1% +4.0% 12.2% North America +13.0% 8.4% +11.6% 8.9% Latin America +8.6% 3.9% +6.1% 4.0% Middle-East +4.0% 5.7% +1.7% 5.6% Asia-Pacific +3.8% 7.1% +5.5% 7.3% French Overseas Territories +2.1% 5.3% +2.2% 5.4% Total Paris Aeroport +5.2% 100 % +3.5% 100 % Paris Aeroport (Paris-CDG and Paris-Orly) Feb. 2019 % change 2019/2018 Jan.- Feb. 2019 % change 2019/2018 Connecting Passengers (1) 893,610 +10.5% 1,910,686 +7.0% Connecting rate 23.8% +1.1 pt 25.2% +0.8 pt Seat load factor 84.3% +0.8 pt 82.8% +0.1 pt (1) Departing passengers Investor Relations: Audrey Arnoux, Head of Investor Relations +33 1 74 25 70 64 - invest@adp.fr Press contact: Lola Bourget, Head of Medias and Reputation Department +33 1 74 25 23 23 Groupe ADP develops and manages airports, including Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly and Paris-Le Bourget. In 2018, the group handled through its brand Paris Aeroport more than 105 million passengers and 2.3 million metric tonnes of freight and mail at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly, and more than 176 million passengers in airports abroad through its subsidiary ADP International. Boasting an exceptional geographic location and a major catchment area, the Group is pursuing its strategy of adapting and modernizing its terminal facilities and upgrading quality of services; the group also intends to develop its retail and real estate businesses. In 2018, group revenue stood at 4,478 million and net income at 610 million. Registered office: 1, rue de France, 93 290 Tremblay-en-France. Aeroports de Paris is a public limited company (Societe Anonyme) with share capital of 296,881,806. Registered in the Bobigny Trade and Company Register under no. 552 016 628. groupeadp.fr Attachment CONTACT - Media: CONTACT - Investor Relations: Amsterdam +31.20.721.4488 Brussels +32.2.620.15.50 +33.1.70.48.24.17 Dublin Paris +353.1.617.4266 +33.1.70.48.24.45 Lisbon +351.210.600.614 EURONEXT ANNOUNCES DETAILED DIVIDEND PAYMENT SCHEDULE FOR 2019 Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin, Lisbon, London and Paris 14 March 2019 Euronext today announced its dividend payment schedule for 2019. In line with the current dividend distribution policy of Euronext, it is proposed to distribute 50% of 2018 reported net profit. As a consequence, subject to shareholder approval at the companys Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on 16 May 2019, the annual gross dividend on the 2018 results to be paid in 2019 amounts to 1.54 per share. Payment of the annual dividend would then occur on 24 May 2019. Belgium, Ireland, France, Netherlands and Portugal Ex-dividend Date: 22 May 2019 Record Date: 23 May 2019 Payment Date: 24 May 2019 Contacts: Media Pauline Bucaille: +33 1 70 48 24 45; mediateam@euronext.com Analysts & investors Aurelie Cohen: +33 1 70 48 24 17; ir@euronext.com About Euronext Euronext is the leading pan-European exchange in the Eurozone, covering Belgium, France, Ireland, The Netherlands, Portugal and the UK. With 1,300 listed issuers worth 3.4 trillion in market capitalisation as of end December 2018, Euronext is an unmatched blue chip franchise that has 24 issuers in the Morningstar Eurozone 50 Index and a strong diverse domestic and international client base. Euronext operates regulated and transparent equity and derivatives markets and is the largest centre for debt and funds listings in the world. Its total product offering includes Equities, Exchange Traded Funds, Warrants & Certificates, Bonds, Derivatives, Commodities and Indices. Euronext also leverages its expertise in running markets by providing technology and managed services to third parties. In addition to its main regulated market, Euronext also operates Euronext GrowthTM and Euronext AccessTM, simplifying access to listing for SMEs. For the latest news, find us on Twitter (twitter.com/euronext) and LinkedIn (linkedin.com/euronext). Disclaimer This press release is for information purposes only and is not a recommendation to engage in investment activities. This press release is provided as is without representation or warranty of any kind. While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the content, Euronext does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Euronext will not be held liable for any loss or damages of any nature ensuing from using, trusting or acting on information provided. No information set out or referred to in this publication July be regarded as creating any right or obligation. 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With regard to the processing of these personal data, Euronext will comply with its obligations under the Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 (General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR), and any applicable national laws, rules and regulations implementing the GDPR as provided in its privacy statement available at: https://www.euronext.com/en/privacy-policy . In accordance with the applicable legislation you have rights as regard to the processing of your personal data: for more information on your rights, please refer to: https://www.euronext.com/data_subjects_rights_request_information , , for any request regarding the processing of your data or if you want to unsubscribe to this press release, please use our data subject request form https://connect2.euronext.com/form/data-subjects-rights-request or email our Data Protection Officer at dpo@euronext.com . Attachment HOUSTON, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- W&T Offshore, Inc. (NYSE: WTI) today announced that the Company is scheduled to participate in the 31st Annual ROTH Conference to be held in Dana Point, California on March 18-19, 2019. Janet Yang, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and William Williford, Executive Vice President and General Manager Gulf of Mexico will participate in one of several planned E&P panels, as well as meet with investors attending the Conference. An updated investor presentation prepared in conjunction with the Conference will be posted to the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.wtoffshore.com on Monday, March 18, 2019. About W&T Offshore W&T Offshore, Inc. is an independent oil and natural gas producer with operations offshore in the Gulf of Mexico and has grown through acquisitions, exploration and development. The Company currently has working interests in 48 producing fields in federal and state waters and has under lease approximately 720,000 gross acres, including approximately 515,000 gross acres on the Gulf of Mexico Shelf and approximately 205,000 gross acres in the deepwater. A majority of the Companys daily production is derived from wells it operates. For more information on W&T Offshore, please visit the Companys website at www.wtoffshore.com . CONTACT: Al Petrie Investor Relations Coordinator apetrie@wtoffshore.com 713-297-8024 Janet Yang EVP & CFO investorrelations@wtoffshore.com 713-624-7326 TORONTO, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nutritional High International Inc. ("Nutritional High" or the "Company") (CSE: EAT, OTCQB: SPLIF, FRANKFURT: 2NU) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a consulting agreement (the "Consulting Agreement") with Thai political operator and businessman, Tom Kruesopon (the "Consultant") to develop business opportunities for Nutritional High in Asia. As part of the arrangement, Apple Wealth Holding Company Limited ("AWH"), to which Mr. Kruesopon is the senior advisor, completed a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") whereby AWH purchased an aggregate of 5,000,000 common shares for gross proceeds of C$1,350,000. Mr. Kruesopon will assist Nutritional High in developing opportunities in legal jurisdictions across Asia, as well as bringing Asian brands and products to North America. Mr. Kruesopon is the senior advisor to AWH, as well as an Advisor to the former Prime Minister of Thailand, CEO of Tune Insurance, President of Panda Securities, and former Director of Thai AirAsia X. Pursuant to the terms of the Consulting Agreement, an aggregate of 700,000 common shares were issued to AWH. All of the common shares issued as part of the Offering and the Consulting Agreement are subject to a four month and one day hold period. A referral fee of $27,000 and 100,000 common shares was paid to a third party in conjunction with the completion of the Offering. "With my advocacy for cannabis legalization in Thailand, I was driven to conduct a search for a North American cannabis company to work with that could offer a platform for growth in Asia, said Mr. Kruesopon. After meeting with several companies and performing extensive due diligence, I'm happy to have formed this strategic alliance with Nutritional High. As both a shareholder through Apple Wealth, and as a strategic adviser, I look forward to actively seeking business opportunities for Nutritional High in Asia, and having Nutritional High act as a bridge to combine Asian medicinal practice with CBD and other cannabis derivatives. Working with Tom allows us to diversify our portfolio of brands and expand our distribution pipeline, added Jim Frazier, CEO of Nutritional High. "Q4 2018 saw a massive paradigm shift in Asia with Thailand and Korea legalizing cannabis products for medical purposes, and we expect more countries on the continent to follow suit. We are constantly monitoring global developments in the industry and looking to leverage synergistic opportunities wherever we can. As a manufacturing and distribution leader, gaining a first-mover advantage overseas is a logical step in growing and maintaining our market share. In addition to expanding our pipeline, we look forward to adding Asian brands and products to our domestic portfolio, allowing us to corner additional segments of the cannabis derivatives market. Adam Szweras, Co-Chair of the Nutritional High board added: We are excited to work with Tom to build a business plan to allow us to expand internationally to an emerging cannabis market. While we will not waver from our immediate focus of expanding our California and Nevada footprints and those of our operations elsewhere in the western US, Asia is an exciting new frontier where, along with Tom, Apple Wealth, and their team, great things are possible. About Apple Wealth Holding Company Ltd. Apple Wealth provides securities brokerage and corporate finance services in Thailand. Its securities brokerage services include equity, fixed income/debt, derivatives, and unit trusts. Corporate finance services comprise organization restructuring, financial advisory, securities dealing, and M&A. It also provides e-trade, market information, brokerage services, and securities underwriting and distribution services. The company was founded in 1999 and is based in Bangkok, Thailand. About Nutritional High International Inc. Nutritional High is focused on developing, manufacturing and distributing products under recognized brands in the cannabis products industry, with a specific focus on edibles and oil extracts for medical and adult recreational use. The Company works exclusively with licensed facilities in jurisdictions where such activity is permitted and regulated by state law. The Company follows a vertically integrated model with a fully developed strategy for acquisitions in extraction, production, sales, and distribution sectors of the cannabis industry. Nutritional High has brought its flagship FLI edibles and extracts product line from production to market through its wholly owned subsidiaries in California and Oregon, as well as Colorado where its FLI products are manufactured by a third-party licensed producer. In California, the Company distributes its products and products manufactured by other leading producers through its wholly owned distributor Calyx Brands Inc. and is entering the Nevada, Washington State and Canadian markets in the near future. For updates on the Company's activities and highlights of the Company's press releases and other media coverage, please follow Nutritional High on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and Google+ or visit www.nutritionalhigh.com . For further information, please contact: David Posner Co-Chairman of the Board Nutritional High International Inc. 647-985-6727 Email: dposner@nutritionalhigh.com Ethan Karayannopoulos Director, Investor Relations Nutritional High International Inc. 416-777-6175 Email: ethan@nutritionalhigh.com NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR OTC MARKETS GROUP INC., NOR THEIR REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDERS HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. The statements relate to potential market expansion and the use of the proceeds of the Offering. Risks that may have an impact on the ability for these events to be achieved include completion of due diligence, negotiation of definitive agreements and receipt of applicable approvals. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. The Company's securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking information expressed in this press release include, but are not limited to: obtaining and maintaining regulatory approvals including acquiring and renewing U.S. state, local or other licenses, the uncertainty of existing protection from U.S. federal or other prosecution, regulatory or political change such as changes in applicable laws and regulations, including U.S. state-law legalization, market and general economic conditions of the cannabis sector or otherwise. Right on schedule, the first Android Q developer preview has arrived, and theres a lot to unpack. As with the last few releases, there arent a ton of user-facing features just yetthose will likely be reserved for Google I/O and the Pixel 4 launch in September. Nonetheless, the changelog is still filled with plenty of interesting tweaks and additions that will make your phone better than ever once the OS lands in late summer. The biggest change is one that most people wont get to enjoy for years to come. Google already previewed its new folding interface with Samsungs ultra-expensive Galaxy Fold, but now its making those new app actionssuch as pause, resume, and resizing when opening a screenavailable to all developers in order to make sure apps are displayed properly on the new crop of foldable screens. But while a folding phone is still an unaffordable pipe dream for most of us, there are many features in Android Q that will make non-folding Android phones better than ever. Here are seven ways that your phone will benefit from the changes in Android Q. Your data will be more secure One of the biggest advantages iPhone users lord over their Android-using friends is Apples commitment to privacy. From apps to data, Apple locks down iOS so developers have little to no access to sensitive information, far beyond what Google demands in Android Pie. Thats changing with Android Q. Among the changes Google is bringing to the update is the ability to select whether to limit an apps permission to see location to only when its in the foreground. Users will also be able to control apps access to photo, video, and audio files. And finally, Google will be limiting developer access to non-resettable device identifiers, which include IMEI and serial numbers. Youll be able to stay focused for longer If youve ever had an app take over your screen just because it needs to tell you something, thats going to change in Android Q. Google is opening up access to high-priority notifications that alert you to an alarm or phone call via a banner at the top of the screen so you can decide for yourself whether to dismiss it or stop what youre doing to address it. Google Some of the changes coming to Android Q include faster share sheets (left) and stronger location privacy (right). Sharing will finally be fast and easy For as fast and reliable as Android has gotten over the years, one area where its always been frustratingly slow is sharing. Google is fixing that in Android Q. Now when you tap the share icon the share UI will load instantly when launched, eliminating the annoying lag we experience now. Thats due to a new Sharing Shortcuts API that takes its inspiration from the App Shortcuts introduced with Android 9. The right settings will always be at your fingertips Google is also making a big change to how it manages settings. A new Settings Panel API will enable developers to build quick settings right into their apps so you wont need to jump to a different app or even pull down the notification shade to tweak something. As Google explains, a browser could display a panel with connectivity settings like Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi (including nearby networks), and Mobile Data all without needing to leave the app. Google Google will be supporting foldable displays (left) and in-app setting shortcuts (right) in Android Q. Wi-Fi calls and gaming will be better than ever Wi-Fi 6 is on the way, and were already starting to see phones that use the new chip, but Android Q will make your Wi-Fi faster and smarter even if you arent able to take advantage of the new standard. A new feature will allow for specific Wi-Fi modes so developers will be able to enable high performance and low latency modes to help with gaming and Wi-Fi calls. That means those annoying delays when streaming games over Wi-Fi or making calls could be a thing of the past. Youll be able to do more with your portraits Portrait mode is pretty much standard on all 2019 Android phones, so Google is exploring ways to enhance it. In Android Q, Google is tapping into that data by letting apps request a Dynamic Depth image, which is made up of JPEG, XMP metadata related to depth related elements, and a depth and confidence map embedded in the same file on devices that advertise support. So camera and photo apps will be able to do more with portrait mode, including specialized blur and bokeh options, the creation of 3D images, and even AR applications. Google Google is giving developers access to depth-mapping data in Android Q so portraits will be better than ever. Apps will launch even quicker Every Android release brings changes to the code that make the system feel snappier, and Android Q is no exception. Google is beefing up its ART runtime to help apps start faster and consume less memoryand developers dont even have to change their apps to benefit. Starting with Android Q, Google Play will begin delivering anonymized cloud-based profiles that let parts of an app pre-compile before it even starts running, resulting in a significant jump-start to the overall optimization process. But what will it be called? Well surely learn more about Android Q at Google I/O in May, and more features will be unveiled during the Pixel 4 launch that will likely take place in October. But I just have one question: What dessert starts with the letter Q? Quindim? Quiche? Quik?Well just have to wait and see. This story, "7 tweaks and changes in Android Q that will make your phone better than it is now" was originally published by PCWorld . College is expensive. This is something that is common knowledge at this point, which is why its hard for me to believe the county hasnt received a lot of applications for its scholarships in the past. The Sweetwater County Commissioners are once again seeking applications from Sweetwater County high school students who are going to graduate with the class of 2019. Commissioner Randy Wendling said the Commissioners will give three $1,000 scholarships to three applicants. Wendling said he was surprised when the commission only received a few applications last year. Even though those applicants were more than qualified to receive the scholarships, he knows there are more students out there who would also qualify and could benefit from the scholarship. With five high schools in Sweetwater County, they should be receiving more applications. The application itself is fairly simple and even includes a check list for those applying to complete ensuring the applicant didnt miss anything that would disqualify them from the process. The application is three pages long. It just asks for the applicants name, which high school they will graduate from, what activities they are involved in, what jobs theyve had and any honors of recognitions they have received. The applicants are also asked to obtain an endorsement from their principal or counselor, attach two letters of recommendation, provide their ACT or SAT scores, attach their high school transcripts and write a brief essay on What are my goals and how attending college will help me achieve these goals. They must also meet the deadline of April 5. The only requirement attached to the scholarship is that the applicant must attend a Wyoming college after graduation. It seems pretty simple. Most students who have been already applying for scholarships will already have copies of these already. So why hasnt there been more applicants? Thats something the Commissioners are trying to figure out. Were just not getting the message out there, he said. In an effort to increase the amount of applicants, Wendling personally visited with all of the high schools in Sweetwater County to tell them about the scholarship. Those who are interested in applying for the scholarship can obtain an application form from the countys website https://www.sweet.wy.us/document_center/Board/County%20Commissioners/2019-%20Fillable%20County%20Commissioners%20Scholarship%20Application.pdf Medicare has just announced it is penalizing more than 700 of the nations hospitals because they have higher rates of patient safety mishaps, which the government and patient advocacy groups have been trying for years to prevent. What are those incidents that have resulted in a one percent cut in a hospitals Medicare payments over the year? They are mistakes you wouldnt want to have happen to you or a family member, things like infections caused by incisions made during colon surgeries and hysterectomies, by urinary catheters and by central lines inserted into a large vein to draw blood and administer fluids and medicines. Those infections cause thousands of deaths each year. Most are preventable and they account for three-fourths of Medicares safety score. The rest of the assessment is based on eight other complications such as collapsed lungs, broken hips, surgical tears, and wounds that opened. Whats significant is not that so many hospitals apparently are still not taking steps to prevent these common and well-documented harms to patients, but that so many of the hospitals are stars in their communities advertising for local patients. Others are marquee names that advertise their medical prowess nationally. As I read down the state-by-state roster of those facilities that were penalized, I found hospitals well-known in their regions: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles; the Denver Health Medical Center; Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago; Indiana University Health in Indianapolis; and the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Medicare also penalized the Cleveland Clinic and a couple of hospitals in the Mayo Clinic system in Minnesota. Both the Clinic and Mayo are heavy promoters of their brand in an effort to build a national patient base. Some big advertisers in my home state of New York also showed up on the governments list. But as government data show, spending big bucks to promote the hospital brand doesnt necessarily mean the hospital has a better safety profile. This is the second year the government has released safety penalties that were authorized by the Affordable Care Act. As you browse through the list of hospitals, youll see that more than half of those penalized this year also were penalized last year. The ACA requires that one-quarter of the hospitals that can be penalized (VA, childrens and critical access hospitals cannot be) will receive some penalty even if all the hospitals improve. Penalizing those in the bottom quarter is a way to encourage continuous quality improvement, explained Jordan Rau who reports on the topic for Kaiser Health News. And that, of course, brings up the obvious question: Why are so many hospitals this year making the same medical mistakes they made last year especially since the errors are preventable? The answer is complicated and calls into question a hospitals commitment to safety, a subject I have explored several times with Ashish Jha, professor of public health at the Harvard School of Public Health and one of the countrys experts on patient safety. He told me there has been clear progress with reductions in surgical site infections and central line infections, which are down 40 to 50 percent nationally. Yet he said that as many as half all hospitals are not using a simple checklist that calls for four steps including hand washing and wearing sterile gloves to cut down on infections. The field of patient safety is full of stories about amazing interventions that can save patients lives but do not end up getting widely adopted, he explained. Why? I asked. It really isnt anyones priority except maybe the patients, Jha said. How many times have you heard stories about hospital CEOs getting fired because of the hospitals infection rates? I havent. He added theres also no evidence that high infection rates or high mortality rates have any effect on CEO salaries. So what does affect hospital CEO salaries? Is it all those advertising dollars that bring in gobs of new patients and brand recognition? I have no evidence one way or other, but I do know Ive interviewed enough families whose relatives suffered harm in a hospital to know that someone should be paying closer attention to preventing preventable infections. Marouane Mahamid thought long and hard before he applied to come to the University of Bridgeport to study analytics intelligence. The U.S. was not on my map, Mahamid admitted recently. He thought about Europe so much closer to his home in Morocco. His parents worried about their son coming to the Unites States. It was such a big investment. But the one-year MBA program he was offered at UB was too good to pass up. Mahamid arrived five months ago, and said he has no regrets. He is not alone in thinking long and hard about taking the plunge and studying in America. Overall, international enrollment at U.S. colleges and universities was still higher in 2018 than it was in 2017, with more than one million students from abroad studying here. But the number of first-time undergraduates nationwide has declined by 6.6 percent, according to the Institute of International Education, which keeps track. It is not one factor its a mixture of things, Allan Goodman, president and CEO of the institute, said in releasing the latest statistics last fall. A survey conducted at 500 U.S. universities found some students were hampered from coming to America by delayed visas, some had concerns about the social and political climate and worried they would feel unwelcome. For others, cost and growing competition from other countries were things to consider. International students have more choices than ever before, Goodman said. The drop-off of international students at U.S. colleges is not universal, Goodman added. For every institution that saw a decline last year, another had an increase. Some universities have stepped up recruitment efforts, worked to boost visibility, provided more scholarships and more outreach. Others are turning to domestic students to fill the void. Bucking the trend In Connecticut, the overall number of international students slipped, according to state figures, although top institutions like Yale and the University of Connecticut continue to see solid gains. There were 11,215 international students studying at Connecticut colleges and universities in 2018, compared to 11,438 in 2017, according to state figures. At Yale, according to the state Office of Higher Education, there were 2,775 students enrolled as of the fall of 2018 up from 2,639 the year before. Those fall 2018 figures represent the largest international student enrollment in Yales history, representing 123 countries and more than 22 percent of the universitys overall population, according to the Ivy League schools website. International students continue to want to experience the extraordinary education and support they receive at the Ivy campus, said Tom Conroy, a Yale spokesman. At Yale, Ph.D. students are fully supported, receiving a full tuition scholarship, stipend, and health insurance, Conroy said. International undergraduates are eligible for the same need-based financial aid as students from the United States. The University of Connecticut, meanwhile, had 4,030 international students in the Fall of 2018, according to the state. In 2017, there were 3,851. UConns growth in international students is driven by a strong increase in new undergraduates from China, according to Stephanie Reitz, a spokeswoman for the university. Of 1,788 undergraduate students from other countries, 1,607 are from China. That includes about 400 Chinese students who came to UConn in the fall of 2018 as freshmen. Weve found that those from China have usually become interested in UConn through word of mouth, Reitz said. A decade ago, UConns total international enrollment was at 1,585. Decline at UB Contrasting those gains were dips at UB, Sacred Heart University in Fairfield and Quinnipiac University in Hamden. UB, which for decades has relied on international students as it worked to rebuild after nearly closing in 1991, still has the third highest number of student from other countries in Connecticut with 841. That, however, is 32 percent less than the 1,235 it had in the fall of 2017. The biggest decline is among international graduate students at UB. The universitys overall fall enrollment for all students, foreign and domestic, stood at 5,485 or 51 more students than it had in fall 2017. Jason Rivera, UBs new vice president for University Systems, Effectiveness and Planning, said competition from other institutions more than Trump era international rules are to blame for the international shift on his campus. Everyone is realizing (international students) benefit everyone else on campus, said Rivera. With domestic college-age students still on the decline, more universities are recruiting international students who generally have a higher ability to pay he said. Likewise, UB is focusing more aggressively on domestic students by adding programs in nursing and other fields. Our recruitment policies are the same, Rivera said. We want to keep international enrollment as strong as we can, but we are starting to look at how and where we recruit more carefully. For Mahamid, coming to study in the U.S., even for a year, was a big investment. But he said it will pay off with a good job when he returns to his country in July. I would encourage friends to come, definitely, yes, Mahamid said. So would Yasmine Bouziane, another student from Morocco, who has been at UB since August 2017. She called it the best decision of her life. An accounting major, Bouzaine said she chose the U.S. for three reasons: its cultural diversity, the reputation of a U.S. education, and the exposure she hoped to get to professional leaders. Choosing to study in the U.S. wasnt a hard decision, she said. Even getting a visa, she said, wasnt all that complicated. OK, a little overwhelming, she added. Well, nothing is easy to get you should work hard to get it, Neither UB student said they pay too much attention to what is going on in Washington. When Donald Trump became president two years ago, the warning bells were sounded at UB and other institutions that rely heavily on international students. Students have received reassuring letters from university officials ever since, telling them they will be OK. When the U.S. Supreme Court denied the constitutional challenge to the Trump travel ban in June, Yale issued a statement saying it could hurt the universitys ability to recruit the worlds most talented individuals and carry out its teaching, research and scholarship mission. Yales international student population has increased by more than 50 percent over the past decade. At Sacred Heart, where overall enrollment was up 4.9 percent last fall, spokeswoman Deborah Noack said the university doesnt consider the decline in international student population an issue. We had an uptick for a couple years, because of an influx of students from two countries (Saudi Arabia and India) and now are numbers have settled back to where they usually are, she said. GREENWICH Joahanna Zunigas 7-year-old son used to struggle with to find the words to express his needs. If he was hurt or sick, he wouldnt say anything, his mother said. It was very hard for us to tell if he got hurt or had bad day. But after two years in the Family First in Education program, the boy now has learned the skills to tell adults when something is wrong and to verbalize his feelings. Now, when he gets hurt, he tells me, Zuniga said. Thats been a huge help for me. Families of students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Greenwich who have taken part in Family First have found it to be much more than an after-school program. The collaboration between nonprofits Family Centers and YMCA of Greenwich along with the Greenwich Public School offers free tutoring, enrichment activities, family counseling, outpatient behavioral health, home visits, parent workshops, connections to resources and lessons in how to advocate for a childs education to families who meet the free and reduced-price lunch guidelines. This program is unique in the sense that it puts all that under one roof and supports the entire household rather than an individual demographic within the household, said Michael Chambers, executive director of the Per and Astrid Heidenreich Family Foundation, the sole funder of Family First. The program was created in an effort to bridge the achievement gap for low-income students in Greenwich. Connecticut has the widest achievement gaps in the nation between white students and minority students, according to the Connecticut Council for Education Reform. More than 8,000 students drop out of high school in the state each year due to the achievement gap, according to the nonprofit, which costs Connecticut about $4 billion in lost revenues and increased social services. On top of focusing on academic performance, Family First also tackles students social-emotional learning. It helps parents to become co-teachers by fostering adult literacy, community engagement, employment and earning power. Tutoring from certified teachers and homework helper volunteers four to five days a week after school helps get the kids up to speed in their academics. Case conferences between program facilitators, parents, principals and school liaisons ensures every adult in the childs life an opportunity to talk about their needs in a holistic way. Family First administrators have also helped to identify and advocate for students who needed Individualized Education Programs in the public school system. When the program started, there were two students with IEPs. There are now 13. About 80 percent of the families in the program are Hispanic. For many of the families, language is the biggest barrier they face in the education system. They dont necessarily feel comfortable communicating with the school, said Carolina Ahumada, program coordinator for Family First. Theyre not able to communicate with the teachers, but theyre also not able to support the child. That parent-child connection when it comes to the academics, thats a challenge because the parent isnt able to engage in reading and writing comprehension. By creating a community within Family First, the parents have formed their own support systems. We really have been working hard to empower these families to feel comfortable within their communities and their schools, said Ahumada. That effort has yielded many success stories, she added. We have a parent who started with us in 2016 and now, shes the PTA board, Ahumada said. Seeing their parents become engaged in their education helps kids to better in school, said Ahumada. It motivates them once they see how invested their parents are, she said. Theyre willing to push themselves more. Weve had kids that have gone up six, seven reading levels in a year just because the difference was, My mom came to a school literacy night. Affordable housing is another common issue among the families in the program. They struggle to find places, but they make extra efforts because the Greenwich Public School system is so great and education is important, said Ahumada. Some families are undocumented, she added, which hinders their ability to access resources. Some of our families also have the challenge of finding a healthy sense of entitlement, Ahumada said. They (learn they have a right to) access some of the resources that are in Greenwich. Test scores prove this approach is working, Chambers said. If you look at our scores and compare them against the districts scores, you see where we have success that the district has also seen that success, he said. Every student in the program increased their math scores, administrators said, and 66 percent increased their math scores by more than 100 points. All the students improved their reading by at least one level, with 44 percent improving their reading abilities by three to four levels. When the program first began in 2016, all of the available slots quickly filled up. Last year, Family First served 119 people: 45 students, 31 parents and 43 other family members. There are several families currently on the wait list, administrators said. The need is obvious, said Chambers. If you look at the districts statistics, there are about 450 kids districtwide that (qualify for) free and reduced lunch and potentially in need of services like this. And the numbers are growing. Because the need is growing, Chambers said the foundation has begun looking for other investors so it can expand. The annual cost of the program is about $460,000. The nonprofits are trying to raise about $250,000 more to serve 100 children a year. The program has opened up a new world of opportunities for Zuniga and her family. In addition to the direct support she receives from Family First, Zuniga said she has also been introduced to countless other resources she was previously unaware of. Its kind of another blessing for our family, she said. She keeps you guessing on every score. Her characters reserves of intelligence are matched by her impetuous, short-tempered side, as well as her reflexive, people-pleasing nature. Shes trying to do the right thing by the people in her life, who are few but meaningful. The movies about someone who also learns to watch out for herself without being a jerk about it. GREENWICH Armed with new data in hand, the Greenwich Commission on Aging is moving toward an action plan to meet the needs of the growing population of seniors in town. The plan comes as the next step in the towns effort to receive a designation as an Age Friendly Community by the AARP and the World Health Organization. That would allow Greenwich to join a network of communities across the country that are developing sustainability plans and providing resources and assistance to seniors. According to Lori Contadino, director of the Commission on Aging, survey results are being used to draft an action plan for the advisory board in mid-June. The goal is to have a final plan for the Board of Selectmen in September. The goal of this action plan is to enhance the age friendliness and livability of the town of Greenwich, Contadino said. An age-friendly as has structures and services that are accessible and inclusive of older people with varying needs and capacities emphasizes enablement rather than disablement and is friendly for people of all ages and abilities. Contadino said they are trying to move Greenwich toward a future that fosters physical, social and service environments that would make Greenwich a community for all ages. And the time to do this is now, she said. In 2016, there was a Greenwich United Way Needs Assessment that found 17.5 percent of the town of Greenwich was over the age of 65 and they projected that number would increase to 19.5 percent of our population by 2020, she said. These are compelling reasons for Greenwich to be involved in this process. Contadino was part of a three-member panel Wednesday night that discussed the findings of a survey completed last spring of town seniors. She was joined by Steven Katz, vice chair of the commissions board, and Bill Armbruster, manager of the AARPs network of age friendly states and communities. The survey, with 1,805 full responses, found strong support for such amenities as well-lit streets and intersections, safe parks, easy to read traffic signs, sidewalks in good repair, well-maintained public buildings, special transportation services, public restrooms and opportunities for physical fitness. A few things that stood out in the survey, Katz said. A total of 91 percent of respondents said it was either very important or somewhat important to stay in Greenwich as they aged, he said. But when asked if it was likely they would move outside of Greenwich upon retirement, 63 percent said they were very likely, somewhat likely or not sure. He said that showed there is a lot of work to be done. Armbruster said it was important for Greenwich to be involved as an Age Friendly Community because it could benefit the growing population of seniors. Without the organization, he said, services may not be connected or cohesive. You have the opportunity to bring all these actions and items together under an umbrella, Armbruster said. And you also create partnerships that you probably wouldnt have before. You can come together with like agencies and organizations. There can be the creation of volunteer opportunities. Not only can you do this, you can do it at a whole other level. The age-friendly community designation is built around the idea that there are eight domains of livability to address senior needs and make a town into a place worth living in. They are: community support and health services, outdoor spaces and building, transportation, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, and communication and information. The Board of Selectmen gave its authorization for Greenwichs participation back in 2016, and it is a five-year process to gain the designation. Approving an action plan occurs in the second year. In years three through five, the plan will be implemented and revises made. The program started in 2012 with nine communities. As of this week, Armbruster said it would be up to 345 communities. Greenwich was the first in Connecticut to join, followed by Newtown, Glastonbury and Simsbury. Wednesdays presentation attracted a crowd of more than 40 to the Bruce Museum, including town Selectman John Toner and Director of Health Caroline Calderone Baisley. There were also representatives from several area agencies, including The Nathaniel Witherell, At Home In Greenwich and River House Adult Day Center. kborsuk@greenwichtime.com "Move fast and break things" is a philosophy that many entrepreneurs subscribe to. The idea being: don't wait until it's perfect; launch now and fix it later. For many aspects of business, this is a process that works. Glitches get fixed, tweaks are made, problems eventually get solved. But for your business's online reputation, the "fix it later" approach can result in disaster. Hersh Davis-Nitzberg, founder and CEO of crisis management firm Reputation Control Inc., says that entrepreneurs need to be proactive about managing their online reputation before irreversible damage is done. Here are four steps he recommends you take to protect and improve your business. "Your online brand is your entire digital footprint -- every news article, video interview, Facebook post, Yelp review, Instagram photo, or other information about you on the internet. While each piece of data influences your overall presence, those that appear on the first two pages of search engine results have the most significant impact. Research by Hubspot shows that 75% of users never scroll past the first page. Regularly Google searching your name can help you keep an inventory of the content you wish to showcase and the information you want to suppress. Related: 10 Steps to Building an Impeccable Professional Reputation In order to suppress unwanted data, a reputation management consultant designs a campaign to create positive content that is in line with the subject's brand. This resulting press and media are optimized to rank at the top of Google search results. Consequently, undesirable content is pushed out of focus, and a new reputation is nurtured." 2. You can't build a brand if you don't know who you are. "Often, entrepreneurs want to nurture a positive online reputation, but they don't know where to begin. Powerful brand building isn't just about removing and suppressing harmful content -- it is about aligning your overall online image with your authentic brand. You cannot specify your brand without first determining your goals. Take the time to visualize your ideal online reputation. What are you trying to communicate? Who is your target audience? When your intention is clear, you can successfully create content that supports your voice and highlights your success." Related: 7 Ways to Recover After a Reputation Crisis 3. It's easier to build a good reputation than fix a bad one. "It's easy to ignore your online reputation when everything is going well. But when a crisis strikes, suddenly the information about you on the internet can determine how the media, clients, and even your personal relationships will react. An entrepreneur needs to be proactive. Be on top of your digital footprint before a crisis happens. If you lack an online presence or have a negative reputation, a crisis situation can become a top story. But, if you have established an authentic, positive, and robust reputation, the same event can be a blip on the radar. If something happens, take a step back and look at the big picture. There may not necessarily be a quick fix, but with a solid strategy, you can repair your brand. The biggest mistake you can make in a crisis is to respond without thinking. Quick reactions can turn a minor crisis into a disaster." Related: 4 Mistakes You're Making That Can Jeopardize Your Reputation 4. Know your tools. "As you develop a strategy to repair, build, or monitor your reputation, it is essential to understand the distinctions between different tools and management methods. Public Relations firms generally focus on publicity -- they aim to obtain general media coverage for you or your business. Press can be a powerful tool when sculpting a reputation, but without proper optimization, the press you receive from PR may not even show up in search results. Online Reputation Management (ORM) takes a different approach. ORM's objective is to ensure that all existing online content is consistent with your goals. After designing a campaign, Reputation Management firms often work with PR firms to create positive content or use a press team in house. Then, they use a variety of methods to make sure that the attained publicity consistently ranks on the first two pages of search results. Regardless of how you choose to manage your online presence, remember: authenticity is key. Think of your reputation as a portfolio book of your most outstanding work." Related: 4 Ways to Protect Your Company's Online Reputation How to Prepare for an Unexpected, Unwanted and Unwelcome Business Setback Here's How Crisis Management Can Make Your Operations Streamline Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved EASTON Though the house at 145 Norton Road has much to recommend it spacious rooms full of light, a unique design and a two-sided floor-to-ceiling fireplace among them in many ways, its just a glorified picture frame. The 4,635-square-foot contemporary Colonial, built in 1978, is set on three acres of property overlooking a huge swath of land protected by the Aspeck Land Trust, a nonprofit organization that has preserved more than 1,800 acres of land, most of it in Easton, Westport, Fairfield and Weston. Were looking out over hundreds of acres of protected open space, said the propertys listing agent, Carol Cutler, while staring out at the land from the huge wall of windows in the homes great room. The home is for sale, listed at $750,000, and Cutler said it offers a unique mix of modern design and country living. The homes exterior has an unusual look, all wood and glass and modular design. Glancing at the house from the outside, it looks as though it could have sprung from the mind of arguably the most famous fictional architect of the 1970s, Mike Brady. But the inside is far more chic and modern, as all those windows create a main living space that is full of light. The aforementioned fireplace provides an elegant, towering stone focal point in the great room. The open, loft-like design of the second floor allows those living in the house to enjoy the great rooms towering views even as they walk to the upstairs bedroom. The house has three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, a wine cellar, a pool and a screened-in porch. But, as Cutler pointed out, the home is basically a love letter to living in nature. Not only do those big windows beautifully frame the vast open space outside, but the property includes a detached barn with stalls and a paddock, which Cutler said was built around 1990, making it younger than the house itself. Its just really unusual to find a contemporary home with a barn like this, Cutler said, The barn is great for a homeowner with horses, but could also be converted into a party barn. The property also includes miles of trails again ideal for horseback riding, but also great for hiking. This just sort of blends this sleek, modern style with the benefits of living in the country, Cutler said. Do you know of a house or apartment building with an interesting story? Contact acuda@ctpost.com, and the home could be featured in an upcoming installment of Habitat. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) Cloud-seeding operations in parts of the country begin this week to mitigate the impact of El Nino, a government agency said. In a statement released March 13, the National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said cloud-seeding operations will be conducted in Cagayan Valley and SOCCSKSARGEN. In a separate interview Wednesday, Philippine Air Force Spokesperson Major Aristedes Galang said operations would happen on Saturday and Sunday (March 16 and 17). "A per info sa akin, initial na cloud seeding nila it will be conducted supposedly tomorrow, however namove sya ng, siguro by Saturday or Sunday na magstart na to, kasi piniprepare pa natin yung mga eroplano...so most probably tentative pa naman is on Saturday or Sunday," he said. [Translation: As per the info I have, the initial cloud seeding was supposedly tomorrow, however it was moved to maybe Saturday or Sunday, because we are still preparing the planes...so most the most probable tentative date is Saturday or Sunday.] Galang also said the priority areas will depend upon the Department of Agriculture (DA), but he added the initial deployment of air assets will be to Cauayan, Isabela. The NDRRMC added a total of 18.3 million has been released to regional offices of the DA for the operations to be conducted with the Philippine Air Force. The NDRRMC report, however, did not identify which DA regional offices received the funds. The NDRRMC met with representatives with several government agencies Wednesday to discuss action plans in regards the impact of El Nino in the country. "We want to assure the public that the government is doing everything to ensure adequate water supply for all," NDRRMC Executive Director, Undersecretary Ricardo Jalad said. The NDRRMC statement comes after Agriculture Secretary Manny Pinol ordered the start of cloud-seeding opearation to replenish the dwindling water levels in dams. Pinol said the operations would induce rains in Bulacan, Pampanga, and Rizal to fill up La Mesa Dam, where water levels are at its lowest in 12 years. In a separate press briefing Tuesday, Pinol said while cloud seeding may not be the most effective way to address the water supply shortage, it could lessen the effects of El Nino. Pinol said the target for the cloud seeding operations were agricultural lands, but also acknowledged these could benefit Metro Manila residents. The last year has been exceptional for screen equines. Lean on Pete (very good) and The Rider (great) dealt with damaged young men living very close to the land, and to the animals in their life. Dwelling in a similar but more claustrophobic realm of poetic realism, The Mustang necessarily confines Roman to a series of tight, suffocating, fenced-in spaces. Schoenaerts, a native of Belgium and an established European star, uses his size and rolling gait for easy intimidation. Yet in the films sharpest scene, his physicality diminishes before our eyes as Roman and his fellow inmates answer the prison psychologists question about the time span between thought and action the action being the crime that put these men behind bars. Haiti - Education : The Ministry seeks funds from the World Bank On Wednesday, March 13, a working session was held between senior officials of the Ministry of Education and representatives of the World Bank. The search for additional funds for the project "For Quality Education in Haiti" (PEQH) was the focus of discussions. At this meeting, which was attended by members of the coordination of the Minister's Office, Jacques Yvon Pierre and Harold Narcisse, the PEQH coordinator, Schiller Caton, and the heads of technical directorates, the PEQH review document was reviewed. Remember that the PEQH project follows the Education for All (EFA) project. It focuses primarily on improving the quality of education in public schools. This document, validated by the highest authorities of the Ministry, supports the search for additional funds for the project. The additional funds amount to $50 million from the World Bank which is the main donor of the project. This step has been taken, it is now a question of reviewing the project's procedure manual. To this end, a workshop will be organized on March 27 to finalize this manual. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Security: The Ministry condemns the assault of armed individuals at the University Hospital of Peace In a note, Dr. Marie Greta Roy Clement, the Minister of Public Health and Population strongly condemns the intrusion and aggression perpetrated by unidentified armed individuals, in the enclosure of the University Hospital of Peace (Hopital Universitaire de la Paix ) (Delmas 33) on the night of Saturday 9 to Sunday 10 March. Minister Clement points out "At a time when great efforts are being made to improve the health care provided to the population in the various health structures, such acts only sabotage the work of the Ministry." "The Minister presents her solidarity not only to the service doctor victim of this attack but also to all the staff of the hospital, traumatized by this unspeakable attitude." Minister Clement urges the authorities concerned, particularly those of Justice and the Police, to take legal measures against the aggressors and that such a situation does not happen again. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - DR : 69 Haitians arrested for cutting trees in Los Haitises National Park Over the past weekend, 69 Haitian illegal immigrants have been arrested by members of the National Environmental Protection Service (SENPA) for cutting trees in Los Haitises National Park, the largest Dominican protected area, to illegally produce coal for the Haitian market. The arrest took place on denunciation during an operation led by Colonel Omar Gitte Mejia, Director General of the National Service for Environmental Protection. He said that the authorities had dismantled 12 coal kilns for the production of coal and seized 108 bags of coal close to be shipped to Haiti SENPA also said that 90 other Haitians had been jailed in the last two months for violating the Environment and Natural Resources Law 64-00. Gitte Mejia warned that environmental protection operations would continue throughout the country under the orders of the Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Ruben Dario Paulino Sem, and the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Angel Estevez . According to a study by the Dominican Ministry of the Environment, these environmental destruction operations are managed by groups of Haitian and Dominican businessmen who finance the illicit manufacture of charcoal and who benefit from complicity among those responsible of the border surveillance. This study estimated in 2009 more than 200, the number of clandestine producers of charcoal on the border, mostly of Haitian origin. This study estimated that more than 30,000 bags of coal were produced each month for US $2.5 million ($30 million annually). Generally, producers receive 50%, truckers or carriers by boat 25%, local intermediaries 13% and bribes represent 12% of turnover. By the end of 2017, the military seized 18,000 bags of illegal wood carbon destined for Haiti. Every month Dominican agents seize smuggled charcoal produced in their forests. See also : https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-23248-icihaiti-flash-dr-haitians-burn-the-dominican-forest-18-000-bags-of-charcoal-seized.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-13115-haiti-environment-haitians-deforest-illegally-the-dominican-border-area.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-12141-haiti-environment-the-fight-against-the-predators-of-the-environment-strengthens.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-10764-haiti-environment-first-bilateral-meeting-on-environmental-monitoring.html https://www.haitilibre.com/article-4538-haiti-environnement-surveillance-environnementale-aux-frontieres.html (in french) https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2311-haiti-environment-33-illegals-charcoal-kilns-destroyed-on-the-border.html SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... PM interpellation confirmed The meeting of the Prime Minister, Jean Henry Ceant, is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at the Senate of the Republic. Correspondence was sent to this effect to the Prime Minister on Wednesday 13 March 2019. More than 20 people killed by bullets More than 20 people were shot dead and four firearms seized since the beginning of February 2019, according to a report presented by police spokesman Michel Ange Louis Jeune. Concerns in the private sector Wednesday Bernard Crann, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Haiti (CCIH) has expressed the concerns of some members of the private sector to Senate Speaker Carl Murat Cantave. PNH denies the death of "Bawon" Wednesday, March 13, Michel-Ange Louis Jeune spokesman of the National Police of Haiti denied the rumor that suggested that the number 2 of the dangerous leader of the gang "Ti Je" Emmanuel Ulysses aka "Bawon", arrested at the Adventist Hospital in Diquini on February 27th, https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-27060-icihaiti-security-arrest-of-the-2-of-gang-of-ti-je.html , was dead. Affirming that he was still under the control of the Central Directorate of Judicial Police (DCPJ). The opposition met Religions for Peace On Wednesday, the opposition Popular and Democratic Sector coalition spoke with Religions for Peace. "This meeting, held at the request of the opponents of the ruling power, does not mean support for this sector," said Religions for Peace, which reaffirms its neutrality. Large tax operation in PAP Launch this Wednesday, by the mayor of Port-au-Prince, Youri Chevry of a vast operation of recovery of taxes. 40 officers were deployed, in this sense, in the field. An initiative that is part of the project to revitalize tax revenues, launched last December. 2 robbers arrested in Petion-ville On Wednesday morning, the agents of the sub-police station of Delmas 62 arrested in the neighborhood Jacquet Tibul (Commune of Petion-ville) two individuals suspected of robbing houses in the neighborhood. Two pistols of 9 mm caliber and a dummy weapon were found in their possession, said the police commissioner of Petion-ville Gospel Monelus. HL/ HaitiLibre The Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center in Hampton Bays was founded by Virginia Frati in the late 1990s to provide care and rehabilitation for injured wildlife. It's the only facility of its kind on Long Island. The Center cares for and rehabilitates injured wildlife until they are able to be released back into the wild. Some that cannot be fully rehabilitated have permanent homes there. Saunders & Associates agent Jane Gill, a member of the Center's Board of Directors, is involved in making major decisions, and as a trained handler for birds of prey she is... Published on 2019/03/13 | Source A second "Kingdom" staff member has passed away. Advertisement Netflix Original drama "Kingdom - Season 2" told MBN Star, "A production staff member recently passed away in a car accident. This is a terrible thing to happen and we give our condolences to the family". The youngest props staff member got into a car accident while on the move from Kangwondo to the next location on the 12th. It's even more tragic with the knowledge that he just joined the production. The making of "Kingdom - Season 2" has been put on hold to mourn the loss. Previously, during the making of "Kingdom", an art direction staff member died in an accident. In January last year, the staff member collapsed after claiming dizziness. The person was taken to the hospital right away, but sadly passed away. Criticism is being made about the filming environment with these continuous mishaps. The castings marvelous, from Rogowskis plaintive, somewhat dazed Georg (he looks like Joaquin Phoenixs overseas cousin) to Iranian actress Maryam Zaree, as the mother of the boy befriended by Georg. What emerges in Transit is a fresco of displacement, of people on the run but stuck in place. A mordant sense of humor informs many of the scenes, as when Georg asks for a room and is told by the landlady that he must produce papers proving his travel plans. So I can only stay here if I can prove that I dont want to stay? he asks. Then, in voiceover, a narrator more or less plopped into the story tells us: He knew the woman would betray him, tomorrow, if not today. In response to the multiple hurricanes, floods, wildfires and other natural disasters over the past few years, the United Methodist Committee on Relief is coming to Havre to hold early response team training for people interested in becoming team members to assist survivors in the early days following a disaster. Trainees will learn the basics of disaster response, how to work effectively with survivors and the response team, and will develop skills to help survivors get back into their homes and begin the recovery process, a press release about the training said. Training is available to anyone 18 years or older who is willing to serve in disaster relief. The training takes place Saturday, March 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The training will be held at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church. UMCOR said participants do not need to be a member of the United Methodist Church. People completing the training will receive a certification badge good for three years. The training provides people the ability to prepare for and respond to disaster and to help people recovering from disasters. Participants will learn the basics of disaster response, including how to stabilize and secure home safely, and how to work effectively with survivors and others. Lunch will be provided to people at the training. The Rev. William Mac McGrew, pastor of the Van Orsdel church, said this is the first United Methodist Committee on Relief early response team training offered in north-central Montana. To register for the training, people can email [email protected] and can can learn more about the program by visiting https://www.mtnskyumc.org/ERTprogram/. Last Thursday Kathy, Richard, Nancie and I drove into Guadalajara for a night of highbrow music. El Teatro Santo Degollado, in the Centro Historico district where the Orquesta Filamonica performs, is a spectacular building of European architecture, a treat in itself. Are you impressed? I am. I grew up minus music, other than what I heard on the radio broadcast from Havre. Kathy, however, an avid cello player for many years, is in a different league and knows music intimately, classical music, that is. I envy her knowledge. I love classical music in which I can lose myself while listening, transported to imaginary worlds. Of musical knowledge, I have none. Thanks to long winters when I was housebound in Dodson, snowed in on the ranch south of town, thanks to radio from Saskatoon and Regina, every Saturday morning I tuned to opera. Knowledgeable? No. Enjoyable? Yes, very much. The orchestra preformed works by three Russian composers. The first presentation, by Gliere, should have been last, in my estimation. I did not want it to end. It was alive, purely magical. The second, a grouping by Tchaikosky, while romantic, with glimpses of love stories, was inconsistent, alternating wonderful with ho-hum. Remember, now, I, an ignorant of music, just telling it like I heard it. Technically, the performance was excellent. It lacked that indefinable spark that creates, what else, magic. Shostakovich: Mostly I wanted to go home. I heard horses charging through narrow streets. I heard moans of pain and hunger, of war-torn fears. The music was savage. The music cried tears. The music exhausted me. Later, after much urging by Kathy and hesitation by myself, I told her my impressions. I could have listened, transported, to Gliere all night. I wanted the magic. Interestingly, Kathy, in more sophisticated musical terms, agreed and added knowledge to my assessments. Thus, I discovered my hidden musical talent identifying the magic. I went on to discuss the magic of other music, unknown to Kathy, of Hank Sr., of Elvis, of Freddie Mercury. I felt redeemed. I felt good. Its true. I got friends in low places and perhaps I aint big on social graces. But I know magic when I hear it. The following night at the Casa de Cultura in Etzatlan, a different cultural experience unfolded. It was the International Day of the Woman. Etzatlan held a pagaent to honor the Working Woman of the Year. Samantha had nominated her mother, Bonnie, and Id helped Sam prepare the nomination paper. Bonnie, who manages the rancho, is a licensed practitioner of Chinese medicine. So I was happy to be in the audience for support. A dozen women were in the running. The impressive program was well presented. The women nominated consisted of a professional, an woman who runs a dress shop, another who makes and sells crafts such as pinatas, a domestic worker and cooks and vendors of simple foods. Five women were honored for various categories and I wish I could have taken notes. Bonnie was selected as Elegancia Woman of the Year. Chosen for The Working Woman of the Year was a quiet and humble woman from Santa Rosalia who made and sold tacos, tamales and atole from her home kitchen. Santa Rosalia, an ehido about 10 kilometers from here, is included in the greater Municipalia of Etzatlan. The only thing that would have made the night better would have been subtitles. But as a bonus, I learned that the Casa de Cultura sponsors a movie night. Using discretion, of course, being as cultured as I am, I plan to show up regularly at the cinema. Popcorn, please. Sondra Ashton grew up in Harlem but spent most of her adult life out of state. She returned to see the Hi-Line with a perspective of delight. After several years back in Harlem, Ashton is seeking new experiences in Etzatlan, Mexico. Once a Montanan, always. Read Ashtons essays and other work at montanatumbleweed.blogspot.com. Email [email protected] The rest of the guys went out to get tacos and I was alone, listening over headphones to that beat over and over a loop of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings singing the Woody Guthrie song, This Land is Your Land, and it felt like a rap song, but Im not a rapper, so where do I take this? Clark says in a phone interview from the same Austin, Texas, studio where he recorded the track last year. What does This Land is Your Land mean to me now? I remember singing that once in school but not really thinking anything about the words, then growing up and realizing that song doesnt mean the same thing to everyone. You listen to that song and you realize that its really about whose land is this? And that were a divided people, that were talked about and treated a certain way because of the way we look, and then you think about how that applies to you. It was a personal statement as much as anything. This time around, though, its a little less impromptu, with Wurtz having had more time to curate a festival that will feature eight double-bill concerts over two four-day periods (March 21-24 and 28-31). And though Wurtz and her colleagues at New Music Chicago, which is presenting the event, had hoped to return to the intimate confines of the Chopin Theatres downstairs space, the scheduling didnt work out, she says. Renting in Dublin is now more expensive than in Paris Dublin is now the fifth most expensive city in Europe for renting a home, international research has shown. The cost of renting in the capital is dearer than in Paris, Copenhagen and Stockholm, having increased by 8pc since last year. Only London, which remains the costliest city in Europe, Moscow, Zurich and Geneva are more expensive. A report from global mobility experts ECA International also shows that Dublin rental accommodation has climbed 35 places to 26th in the worldwide rankings over the past 12 months. The average rent for a three-bedroom home in Dublin is now 3,406 a month. One reason cited for the rapid rise in Dublin's rents is companies coming to Ireland to take advantage of our low corporation tax rate and re- locating their staff. "The past 10 years have seen a significant turnaround in the fortunes of Dublin's residential rental market," said Alec Smith, the accommodation services manager at ECA International. "The global financial crisis exposed a property bubble in Dublin and rents have increased significantly with each subsequent year of recovery. Loopholes "The cost of renting has also been affected by elevated demand from international companies relocating staff while looking to take advantage of Ireland's low corporate tax rate." Mr Smith said the Irish Government has tried to counter spiralling rent costs by introducing Rent Pressure Zones, which limit annual rises to 4pc. "In reality, this has had limited success, with landlords exploiting loopholes, allowing them to increase above the rent cap," he added. Rental costs across Europe rose significantly through 2018, due in part to the strength of the euro. While Dublin saw the biggest rises in expat rental costs in Europe, other major cities including Madrid, Rome, Paris and Barcelona all saw increases of more than 120 a month. Hong Kong remains the most expensive location in the world for expat rent, with New York keeping its place as the second most costly city for overseas workers. Earlier this month, a Simon Community study found only 8pc of private rental properties on Daft.ie analysed in a three-day snapshot were available within the Housing Assistance Payments (HAP). There was a 51pc decrease in the number of properties available to rent in November 2018 (569) compared with Simon Community's first "locked out of the market" study, published in May 2015. Daniel Murphys life had been totally out of control A young father who tried to steal a motorbike was caught after his DNA was found on the petrol tank. Daniel Murphy (20) caused 200 worth of damage to the Honda when he pulled the ignition wire out in an attempt to take it, Blanchardstown District Court was told. The incident happened at an underground car park at Surehaven in the Phoenix Park on October 3, 2017. Det Gda Bernard Connaugh- ton said a sample was taken off the petrol tank and it matched Murphy's DNA. Gda Connaughton said Murphy did not manage to get away with the motorbike. As well as damaging it, the defendant, of Rathvilly Drive, Finglas, admitted driving without insurance or a licence last August 24. Murphy further admitted possession of cannabis worth 40 at Virginia Drive, Finglas, on March 8 last year. On that date, Murphy and a second youth were seen on CCTV as they discarded a bag under a car. Convictions It contained four Samsung tablets worth 657. The court heard Murphy had 39 previous convictions, mostly for theft and road traffic matters. Judge Paula Murphy imposed a six-month prison sentence, suspending the final two months for six months. She also imposed a separate three-month sentence, which she suspended for 12 months, and disqualified Murphy from driving for 10 years. He had a difficult time as a teenager, the court heard, and had suffered from anxiety and depression while engaging in anti-social behaviour. Defence solicitor Damien Coffey said Murphy's life was "totally out of control" during the past year. He first showed signs of difficulties at 10. His parents separated when he was 11 and by 13 he was out of control at school. Mr Coffey added that Murphy had a partner and two children. He needed residential treatment and was trying to turn his life around. He asked Judge Murphy to structure a sentence to allow his client to get the help he needed. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with Mike and Karen Pence during his visit to the White House last year Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will be accompanied by his partner Matt Barrett when he meets the conservative US vice-president Mike Pence in Washington today. Later, Mr Varadkar will have talks in the Oval Office with president Donald Trump on Brexit and undocumented Irish immigrants. The day will start with the breakfast meeting with Mr Pence in his residence at the US Naval Observatory. There was controversy last year when the event was closed to the media, but reporters will be all-owed in today. Mr Varadkar confirmed last night that Mr Barrett will attend the breakfast with him. "He was able to get time off work and make the journey, so he'll be taking up the invitation from Mike and Karen Pence to attend," he said. Mrs Pence will not be present as she is in Abu Dhabi for the Special Olympics. Dr Barrett will not be part of the traditional shamrock ceremony in the White House. Mr Varadkar is one of very few openly gay leaders. Dr Barrett is a cardiologist who has spent time working in the States. Mr Pence has previously faced criticism for his conservative views on LGBT issues. Mr Varadkar discussed equality and LGBT rights in Ireland and America with him last year. Gesture At the time, Mr Pence extended the invitation for the Taoiseach and his partner to visit his home, which Mr Varadkar said was "a very nice gesture". Asked about his talks with Mr Trump, the Taois- each said: "We're not asking anyone here in America to take sides between the UK and the European Union and Ireland. We know they will want to negotiate a free trade agreement with the UK into the future. "We also want to negotiate a free trade agreement between the US and the EU and would like to do that before there is any agreement with the UK." He said it will be emphasised that protecting the Good Friday Agreement "has to be paramount." Mr Varadkar added that it would be "very welcome" if Mr Trump is open to appointing a special envoy to Northern Ireland. On his first day in Wash- ington, the Taoiseach had meetings with US and Irish business figures and attended the American- Ireland Fund dinner. Actress Tina Malone has avoided jail after she admitted breaching an injunction protecting the identity of James Bulger's killer Jon Venables by sharing a post on social media. The UK's High Court heard she shared a post on Facebook in February last year which purportedly included an image and the new name of Venables. She was handed an eight-month suspended sentence by Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett. The court heard she was suffering from mental health problems when she shared the post and that she is the main carer for her five-year-old daughter and elderly mother. Contempt "We have concluded that, although the custody threshold is undoubtedly passed in this case, the personal circumstances and mitigation of this defendant are such that we should impose a suspended committal order," said Lord Burnett. "Taking account of everything we have heard, we order the defendant be committed to prison for eight months, but we suspend that order for two years." The judge said that, if Malone committed another contempt of court within two years, she would be jailed for eight months plus any additional sentence she might be given. Malone's barrister, Adam Speker, told the court that on reflection after giving evidence, the 56-year-old accepted she was in breach of the injunction. The Shameless star told the court she was not aware she was doing anything wrong when she shared the post. A court order was made "against the world" in 2001, banning the publication of any-thing that purports to reveal the identities of Venables and Robert Thompson. They have been living with new identities since being released from a life sentence for the kidnap, torture and murder of James Bulger in Liverpool 1993, when they were aged 10. The first two episodes were made available for review. So far what strikes me about Fosse/Verdon is its unapologetic focus on two showbiz troupers, weaned on burlesque and exploitation as old-before-their-time teenagers, feeding off one another in rehearsal. These scenes, at their best, deal with how their rehearsal life their dream life fed or undermined or salvaged their real lives, right until Fosses death at 60, in 1987. (Verdon died at 75 in 2000.) She was Fosses third wife; he was her second husband. They married, separated but never divorced. Fosses myriad addiction issues are glanced upon in the first two episodes, presumably with more to come. We see Millies supervisor Karens banal yet ruthless calculations of how to cut costs and rid herself of Millie. We see her co-worker Kristin contemplating how her newly acquired habit of meditating every morning may have accidentally enabled her to pick up on some kind of collective, gentle human loneliness. We see another co-worker, Jessica, repeating to herself that she didnt feel guilty for skipping out on her friends to stay home, get high, and eat with abandon. This was a conscious choice she was making, not some weird antisocial reaction to stress and pressure. And because of this ingenious construction, we realize, with the full force of dramatic irony, that just when Millie thinks she has cause to feel sunny and positive about her future, she is about to learn that she has been devastatingly incorrect. By Candace Jordan | Candid Candace Giordano Dance Chicago hosted its 2nd annual Legacy Ball at the Ravenswood Event Center on March 9. Nearly 300 guests enjoyed high energy dance performances, a lavish buffet, a live auction and an award presentation to benefit GDC and its educational outreach programs. The Giordano dancers brought the Ravenswood space alive as they exploded from the wings and onto the dance floor performing Don Diablo from Momentum. Next, former Dancing with the Giordano Stars contestants Ben Hess and Tina Monaghan performed with the company. During La Belleza de Cuba, GDC artistic program manager Cesar G. Salinas taught partygoers how to salsa. GDC artistic director Nan Giordano and executive director Michael McStraw greeted guests and thanked the board, led by president Kip Helverson, and the associate board, helmed by Hess. Open dancing followed to the sounds of DJ Matthew Harvat. Giordano introduced Legacy Ball honorees Liz Connelly, CDW chief of human resources, and Matt Connelly, Shamrock Group president, and thanked them for their 15 years of support for GDC and for their many contributions in the community. During a video tribute, choreographer Marinda Davis surprised the couple by dedicating the world premiere of Flickers, which will debut at the Harris Theater, in their honor. The evening concluded with a performance of SOUL, choreographed by Ray Leeper, followed by a live auction, which featured the chance to star in a production number with the dancers that will be performed at GDCs popular Dancing with the Giordano Stars event on Oct. 3. Board member Chris Dhondt won the prize for $7,000. The Legacy Ball represents everything Giordano Dance Chicago is energy, beauty, community, elegance, kindness and touching people of all ages and demographics. Its important that everything we do comes from our soul and we want people not only to see greatness but to feel it, Giordano said. Comprised of fifteen dancers, including apprentice company Giordano II, the company has toured worldwide, including as the first jazz company in the Soviet Union, and provides training and mentoring in communities across the country. The event raised more than $130,000 for GDC and its programming. Freelance writer Candace Jordan is involved in many local organizations, including some whose events she covers. More coverage: Find more photos and events at www.chicagotribune.com/candidcandace . Visit Candid Candaces website at www.candidcandace.com , or follow her on Twitter @ CandidCandace Get into the spirit of the season with these holiday activities It may be that as you go through life, you will find other pizzerias, and theres places with variations of pizza that are wonderful, Samuelson said. Perhaps the old pizza you have thats familiar may not stack up to the new pizzas. But just like memories of first love, memories of first pizza stay with you and youre loyal to them. Waguespack is correct. And thats where the politics comes in. Its not as if the thumbs of the Supreme Being shaped 50 aldermen out of clay and smelly mud from the Chicago River. The culture of Chicagos City Hall is shaped and reinforced by deals like the Sterling Bay business right out before Chicagos eyes. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro "Teddy Boy" Locsin Jr. is visiting China next week, his first official trip to the East Asian giant as the country's top diplomat. The visit is set for March 18 to 21 upon the invitation of Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement Thursday. "Secretary Locsin and his Chinese counterpart will hold a bilateral meeting to discuss the strengthening of the friendly relations between the Philippines and China in the spirit of mutual respect and through enhanced functional cooperation," the DFA said. It added that the ministers will also "discuss ways to advance the larger goal of bringing about peace and prosperity to the region." The Philippines and China have overlapping claims in the South China Sea. Beijing rejects the 2016 arbitration ruling that invalidated China's sweeping claims to almost the entire sea and largely favored Manila in the long-standing maritime row. Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Brunei are the other claimants to the disputed area. President Rodrigo Duterte has been criticized for pursuing warm ties with China despite Beijing's alleged militarization and supposed harassment of Filipino fishermen in contested areas. Locsin's trip is an official visit, which means China as the host country will shoulder the official delegation's expenses. Wang has said he wants a "close personal friendship" with Locsin, whom he congratulated in October 2018 for being appointed DFA chief. Wang also visited the country that month, where he said Duterte is an important ally of China and its President, Xi Jinping. Locsin's upcoming visit to Beijing comes amid continued concerns that the Philippines could fall into a debt trap due to billions of pesos in grants and investment pledges from China. Manila and Beijing officials have assured this would not happen. The task force also proposed a uniform requirement for data from all ride-share companies such as information about where passengers are picked up and dropped off which would help the city figure out how ride-share is affecting traffic. The ride-share industry has exploded in the city, from 2 million monthly trips in 2015 to 9 million in 2018, and has been blamed both for increased congestion downtown and lower use of transit, the report said. Castillo, who himself broke barriers as both the first Latino federal judge in Chicago and its first Latino chief judge, praised Pallmeyers love of the court, dedication and work ethic, saying she is often the first to arrive at work and the last to leave. We dont claim to know exactly what happened, he said. Weve got two things to go with: the word of Jussie Smollett, who says he was a victim, and weve got police. And well go with Jussie Smollett. I think as a movement for social justice, we dont have a choice. Actors Akshay Kumar, Aamir Khan and filmmaker Karan Johar have responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modis tweets to Bollywood celebs, asking them to inspire fans to vote. Music composer AR Rahman has also promised that he will do what is asked. Akshay wrote, Well said @narendramodi ji. The true hallmark of a democracy lies in peoples participation in the electoral process. Voting has to be a superhit prem katha between our nation and its voters. Karan wrote, Honourable Prime Minister @narendramodi we as a fraternity are dedicated to the cause of creating high voter awareness and will make sure every endeavour is made to communicate the power of voting for a solid and Democratic INDIA! Jai Hind! AR Rahman tweeted, We will ji ..Thank you. Honourable Prime Minister @narendramodi we as a fraternity are dedicated to the cause of creating high voter awareness and will make sure every endeavour is made to communicate the power of voting for a solid and Democratic INDIA! Jai Hind! https://t.co/aoMnfwvIjA Karan Johar (@karanjohar) March 13, 2019 Well said @narendramodi ji. The true hallmark of a democracy lies in peoples participation in the electoral process. Voting has to be a superhit prem katha between our nation and its voters :) https://t.co/rwhwdhXj1S Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) March 13, 2019 Aamir tweeted, Absolutely right sir, Hon PM. Let us all engage as citizens of the biggest democracy in the world. Let us fulfill our responsibility, and avail of our right to get our voice heard. Vote! Also read: Nick Jonas gifts Priyanka Chopra a Maybach, she names it Extra Chopra Jonas. See pics The PM asked stars like Deepika Padukone, Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh, Amitabh Bachchan, Varun Dhawan and others to creatively ensure high voter awareness and participation in the coming elections. Dear @akshaykumar, @bhumipednekar and @ayushmannk, The power of a vote is immense and we all need to improve awareness on its importance. Thoda Dum Lagaiye aur Voting ko Ek Superhit Katha banaiye, he had shared in one of the tweets. Recently, a contingent of Bollywood celebs met the Prime Minister in Delhi to discuss the role of film in youth empowerment. Karan Johar and other film stars shared their pictures with the Prime Minister to mark their meeting. Follow @htshowbiz for more It was an eventful day for Bollywood celebrities, who were spotted attending events, catching their flights, gymming or simply enjoying lunch dates or shopping. Rani Mukerji attended the ET Edge Maharashtra Achievers Awards 2019 and looked stunning in a pink silk sari. Alia Bhatt was also spotted at the event in pink co-ords. Rani Mukerji and Alia Bhatt at an awards event in Mumbai. (Varinder Chawla) Actor Arjun Kapoor, who is currently shooting for the film Panipat these days, was seen outside rumoured girlfriend Malaika Aroras residence in Khar. On the other hand, Arjun Rampal was spotted with girlfriend Gabriella Demetriades on a lunch date. Aditi Rao Hydari was shopping in the city whereas Nushrat Bharucha and Kim Sharma were spotted during their gym sessions. Arjun Kapoor spotted outside Malaika Aroras house. (Varinder Chawla) Nushrat Bharucha, Kim Sharma, Arjun Rampal with girlfriend Gabriella Demetriades spotted in Mumbai. (Varinder Chawla) Aditi Rao Hydari spotted at a store. (Varinder Chawla) While there are still a few months till the release of Salman Khan and Katrina Kaifs film Bharat, the actors are all set to kick-start their Da-Bangg Tour. Katrina, along with Jacqueline Fernandez and Aayush Sharma, was spotted at the airport while leaving for Dubai. Jacqueline Fernandez, Katrina Kaif and Aayush Sharma leaving for Dubai. (Varinder Chawla) Meanwhile, rumoured couple Disha Patani and Tiger Shroff were spotted at a dance class. The two were last seen on screen in Baaghi 2 and had also featured in a music video, Befikra. Tigers father and actor Jackie Shroff had recently told Mumbai Mirror in an interview, Tiger found his first friend who is a girl at 25, till then he never looked around. He added, They share the same passions, dance and workout together. She comes from a family of army officers, so she understands the value of discipline. Who knows they may get married in future or remain friends for life, for now they are just friends. Tiger Shroff with Disha Patani post a dance class. (Varinder Chawla) Disha Patani spotted post a dance class. (Varinder Chawla) Tiger Shroff spotted post a dance class. (Varinder Chawla) Actor Saif Ali Khan was spotted taking son Taimur for a walk. He was spotted with the little one in his arms, and Taimur did not seem to be in a good mood. He was later seen going out with his nanny. Meanwhile, Kareena Kapoor was spotted at her residence post her gym session. Kareena Kapoor seen post her gym session. (Varinder Chawla) Saif Ali Khan and Taimur on their usual walk. (Varinder Chawla) Taimur goes on an outing. (Varinder Chawla) Also read: Ranveer Singh cant stop kissing Deepika Padukones wax statue at Madame Tussauds, London Actors Sumeet Vyas, Amol Parashar and Maanvi Gagroo ,who were last seen together in web series Tripling, attended the trailer launch of the second season. Amol Parashar, Maanvi Gagroo and Sumeet Vyas at the trailer launch of Tripling season 2. (Varinder Chawla) The team of Tripling season 2 during the trailer launch. (Varinder Chawla) Follow @htshowbiz for more Randeep Hooda has not been seen onscreen for a long time - the actor says it was because he was busy with a film on the Battle of Saragarhi for two to three years, which didnt fructify, but refrains from saying on why the film was shelved. He adds, Ask if he wishes his film was made, Randeep laughs, I think the story of the Battle of Saragarhi is still begging for a better film despite all the films out there. Also read: Parineeti Chopra on Kesari: We joke that I did the film just for the romantic song with Akshay Kumar Though Randeeps film never saw light of the day, the subject continues to interest filmmakers there has been a web show 21 Sarfarosh: Saragarhi 1897 starring Mohit Raina, and the Akshay Kumar-starrer Kesari is also based on the battle. The worst things in life teach you the best things. I think I am a better person now. I imbibe a lot of Sikhism and [theres] a sense of seva, and gratitude [in me], Randeep added. He likes to give his heart and soul to acting and has done films for less money and even for free. Hes also known to undergo extreme transformations for his roles in films such as Sarbjit (2016) and Do Lafzon Ki Kahani (2016). While many feel Randeep Hooda is yet to get his due in Bollywood, the actor isnt complaining. You can look at it in two ways your internal journey, which I think has been a great experience. Secondly, my external journey thats not in my hands. If I talk about [the fact that] I havent got my dues, its just unbecoming and uncool, he says, adding that one should forget that the world owes you something. Randeep is now gearing up for his next film, with Imtiaz Ali. The two had earlier collaborated for Cocktail (2012) and Highway (2014) and the actor calls it a very colourful association. There are some things in common like the love for arts and purity of approach to work. Weve teamed up again and I enjoyed the process, shares Randeep, who recalls how Highway, despite the characters quirkiness, stood the test of time. Randeeps career graph shows he seems to be taking it slow and steady. After a packed 2016, he didnt do a single film in 2017 and even last year, he had a cameo in Baaghi 2 (2018). Follow @htshowbiz for more Now we have a better sense about why Cook Countys top prosecutor Kim Foxx recused herself in the criminal case involving Empire actor Jussie Smollett. Turns out Tina Tchen, onetime chief of staff to former first lady Michelle Obama and a high-profile attorney in the #Metoo movement, raised concerns about the case on behalf of Smolletts family. The family wanted Foxx to ask police Superintendent Eddie Johnson to turn the case over to the FBI, concerned about leaks in the case coming from the Police Department. Foxx texted Tchen and a Smollett family member that she indeed made the request. Read that story here. Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor are preparing for their big release around Christmas this year with Brahmastra and the team has begun promotions already. Director Ayan Mukerji, new to Instagram, has been sharing moments from the film (which includes promotion) routinely. Many of these include behind-the-scenes candid moments from the making of the film. On Wednesday, he shared a shot of three of them--Alia, Ranbir and himself--seated on a sofa and wrote: And then, there were 3... from our vfx studio in london, way back in 2016. these were early days on this movie. alia was the new force in our creative life... the brief was simple... ranbir and alia needed to work as one unit and that relationship was more important than their individual characters because at its heart, our movie is... a love story... There has been a lot of love since then. After all, Love is Brahmastras guiding Light. It might come as a revelation to many that Brahmastra has been in the making since 2016. That is exactly what Ayan informs us. The shot is from a London studio, where the VFX of the film was underway. He also says that the brief given to his lead actors was simple -- they had to make it work onscreen, as at its heart, Brahmastra is a love story. He also mentions how Alia was new to Ranbirs and his creative synergies and that there has been a lot of love since 2016. Is that alluding to the Alia-Ranbir relationship? We will never know. Also read: Trolls shame Saif Ali Khan for letting Kareena Kapoor wear bikinis. Heres how she gave it back to them Meanwhile, Brahmastra team was at the Kumbh Mela on Maha Shivratri, to launch the logo of the film. The event saw an appropriate 150 drones in use to create the logo in the night sky. On the occasion, both Alia and Ayan released a video where Amitabh Bachchan explains to Ranbir and Alia the significance of this god of all weapons called Brahmastra. Ayans subsequent Instagram posts have taken us through the process of conceptualisation of the film. Sharing a photo of Ranbir, he had said how Ranbir was his first sounding board (during the making of Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani) and how his character was first visualised as Rumi but later became Shiva. Brahmastra hosts of a galaxy of stars in supporting roles including Amitabh, Mouni Roy, Telugu superstar Nagarjuna among others. The film has been shot in Israel, Bulgaria and Mumbai. Follow @htshowbiz for more A 53-year-old member of banned terrorist group, Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), was arrested from Delhi, police said on Wednesday. Police said the man was once a key associate of separatist militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was killed in an encounter by the security forces in 1984 during Operation Blue Star. According to police, the arrested man, Gursewak Singh Babla, was planning to re-constitute the organisation on the instructions of KCFs current chief Paramjeet Singh Panjwar, who is based in Pakistan. Babla was also in touch with Jagtaar Singh Hawara and other alleged militants lodged in different jails in India, police said. Babla had spent around 26 years in prison until 2010. After coming out of jail, the man was arrested thrice by Ludhiana police in 2014, 2015 and 2016 for robberies. Additional deputy commissioner of police (crime) Ajit Kumar Singla said that Babla was caught on Tuesday from outside the Kashmere Gate interstate bus terminal when he reached there to meet his associate. Babla was previously involved in more than 50 cases of terrorist activities, murders of police officials and informers, robberies in banks and police stations, among others, said deputy commissioner of police (crime) Bhisham Singh. He remained in jail for more than 26 years in different cases and was in regular touch with some Pakistan-based terrorists. Non-bailable warrants for his arrest were issued by the Patiala House court in two cases in which he was evading trial, DCP Singh said. Babla was born in a farmer family residing in Raikot village in Punjabs Ludhiana district. His elder brother Swaran Singh was a member of terrorist group led by Bhindranwale in Punjab in 1980s. Babla also joined the group in 1982, police said. In 1984, DCP Singh said, when Bindranwale was killed, most of his associates fled to Pakistan where they were trained and supported by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). During that time, Babla joined the newly formed KCF constituted by terrorist Manveer Singh Chehdu and actively participated in anti-national activities. In May 1984, Babla with his associates, Labh Singh, Gurinder Singh and Swaranjit Singh had also killed group editor of a newspaper in Jalandhar. In 1986, he, along with his associates, attacked the residence of Julio Riberio, Ex-DGP Punjab, in Jalandhar. In the same year, they killed eight police personnel of Punjab Police while freeing the KCF chief Jarnal Labh Singh and terrorists Gurinder Pal Singh Bhola and Swaranjit Singh from police custody in court complex in Jalandhar after a shootout, said DCP Singh. They had also attacked a police station in Punjab and robbed 16 rifles, six carbines, cartridges, two revolvers, a police jeep and a Fiat car. Babla was arrested and sent to Tihar jail, where he remained in high risk ward for 18 years. While at Tihar Jail, he planned to smuggle arms including AK-47 and explosives from Pakistan to carry out an attack in Delhi. However, this conspiracy was foiled by the Delhi Police, which arrested two terrorists from Punjabi Bagh on July 9, 1998, the officer said. China has once again decided to put a technical hold on the listing of Masood Azhar as a global terrorist under United Nations Resolution 1267. Azhar Masood, as is well known, is the chief of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), the group responsible for a number of terrorist attacks against India, including the one in Pulwama on February 14. The proposal to list Azhar was initiated by France and backed by the US and the UK among other members of the Security Council. What are the lessons for India from this incident? First, one should be clear that the listing process is a symbolic move. The JeM is already a proscribed organisation and that hasnt stopped it from launching dastardly terrorist attacks on Indian soil. The Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief, Hafiz Saeed, too, features in the United Nations sanctions list. However, he continues to enjoy all kinds of freedom in Pakistan and has even floated a political party that contested the 2018 national elections. The listing, therefore, itself wouldnt have achieved a great deal. Second, China responds to incentives. At the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) summit in February 2018, it agreed to grey listing of Pakistan in return of being offered a vice-presidency of the inter-governmental body. India obviously did not have an equivalent offer to make in exchange for Azhars listing. New Delhi needs to find a range of bargaining options with China in the future. The options could be economic (access to Indian markets, tenders, etc.) as well as political (affecting Tibet, Taiwan and Xinjiang). Third, India needs to realise the limits of its relationship with China. The informal summit in Wuhan in April 2018 was aimed at the two leaders Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping understanding each others concerns. Either our concerns about Pakistan-backed terrorism werent clearly communicated to him or Mr Xi simply chose to ignore them. In either case, the Wuhan exercise seems to have failed. Not just Pakistan-backed terrorism, China has not yielded ground on anything else (from trade imbalance to Indias membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group). At a time when China was facing economic pressure from the US in the form of a tariffs war, North Korea was increasingly moving out of Beijings shadow and Australia was making noises about Chinas interference in its domestic politics, the Wuhan summit only helped remove the pressure on Beijing from one front altogether. India needs to add a dose of reality to its China relationship. The students had a mixed reaction to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 10 science examination that was held on Wednesday. Some students said the paper was easy and some said it was difficult. Vibhore Gaur, a student of Class 10 said, The paper was easy and set on the expected lines as I had studied the previous years question papers along with a few sample papers. They helped me a lot. Saawan Kapoor, another Class 10 student, said, Science is not my strong subject. I found the paper too difficult for even attempting. Many questions were tricky. I almost managed to complete the paper on time; I believe many students might have missed their paper. Another student Arjun Bisht said, The three-mark questions in the paper were easy. There were a few questions in section E which were somehow difficult to attempt as they required a conceptual understanding of the subject. TEACHERS SPEAK Roshni Malhotra, a Chandigarh-based science tutor, said, Physics questions were moderately difficult; some students were unhappy with the biology section. Students with poor math skills found physics tougher. Poonam Kapur, another teacher based in Chandigarh, said, The paper was fine. Students managed to finish it in time, however, the difficulty level of certain questions demanded students to require Higher Order Thinking Skills. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON CBSE Class 12 students who appeared for business studies from Bhopal gave a mixed reaction about the questions asked in the exam. Many students were happy with questions of marketing management and controlling. Meanwhile a number of them complained of brainy case studies, which wasted their lot of time. The teachers also said the pattern was changed slightly in terms of giving weightage to questions of certain chapters. Unlike past few years, the fewer questions were asked from chapter one-nature and significance of management while more questions were asked from controlling, marketing management and financial market. In terms of difficulty level, students gave seven marks out of 10. Queen Marys Higher secondary school student Alfina Parveen said, I found the paper very easy. The direct questions of NCERT book helped me in completing before the designated time. Jawahar Lal Nehru School student Vikramaditya Singh said, The case studies were very tricky. Most of my time was spent in solving case studies. St Josephs Co-Ed School Pawan Gupta said, I found a change in pattern in the paper. This year more questions were asked from controlling. I am expecting good marks. A private school teacher Shobha Trivedi said, It was overall easy paper. The case studies were brainy. There is a slight change in the pattern. The more questions were asked from controlling. Students of GD Goenka Public school in Lucknow after their business studies exams on Thursday. (Rajeev Mullick) Lucknow Many students in Lucknow said they were satisfied with their performance in the CBSE Business Studies exam on Thursday. Yashmeet, a student of GD Goenka Public School Lucknow said, it was an easy paper with some tricky cases, which confused us. Komal Sharma said, The paper was very good. It finished well before time and we got time to revise too. A student of GD Goenka Public school, Ravi Verma said, Paper was very good. Straight questions were all expected and we completed the paper on time. I expect to score good marks. Suhani Agrawal, a student of the same school said, I felt that the paper was average in terms of difficulty though many students found a few questions tricky. My preparation and practice was enough for todays exam. I am sure Ill score great marks said Bhavya Yadav, a student said. Samriddhi Kapoor, a student of Lucknow Public School, South City branch said, The questions were easy and interesting and it was easy to draw conclusion. Another students from Lucknow Public School, South City, Pramanshi Saxena said, The question paper was good and moderately lengthily. Application based questions were not very tough. A senior teacher of Lucknow Public School, South City branch, Kanak Ojha said, The Business Studies question paper of 2019 has maintained a balance between direct and application based questions. The standard of question paper is average i.e. neither tough nor easy, the teacher said. (with inputs from Mujeeb Faruqui in Bhopal) Lets pay our homage to on Pi day which is celebrated around the world today on March 14 (3/14). To the uninitiated, that is with two significant digits! It also happens to be the greatest scientist Einsteins birthday! It was started by physicist Larry Shaw in 1988. is one of the select few numbers which has its own symbol and continuously tantalizes us by appearing in the most unexpected places! In 1737, the great mathematician Leonhard Euler popularized the symbol . Many schools across the country hold fun events on this day. Lets explore some of the reasons about what makes it so special but first some basics! Understanding the nature of is an irrational number which means it cannot be expressed as a simple fraction and goes on forever (non-terminating), without repeating (non-periodic). In school, we sometimes use 22/7 for but that is only for ease of calculation. It is a rational approximation and not really ! It is defined as the ratio of the circumference of the circle to its diameter. The first 50 decimal digits of are 3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419716939937510.... Even a cursory glance shows the randomness of the digits! On Pi day, many contests are held in which one has to recite the maximum number of digits of from memory! The current Guinness World Record is held by Lu Chao of China, who, in 2005, recited a whopping 67,890 digits of pi! Origins of the value of It is believed that the Babylonians between 1900-1680 BC were the first to approximate the value of at around 3. In 1650 BC, mathematicians in ancient Egypt calculated the value using a formula to be 3.1605. In 287-212 BC, the first calculation by Archimedes was completed by using the Pythagorean theorem to be 3.142857. Around the 5th century AD, Indian mathematics made a five-digit approximation and Chinese mathematics approximated to seven digits, both using geometrical techniques. The historically first exact formula for , based on infinite series, was found in the 14th century- the MadhavaLeibniz series was discovered in Indian mathematics. In the 20th and 21st centuries, mathematicians and computer scientists combined new approaches with powerful computers, extended the decimal representation of to many trillions of digits after the decimal point. But why this obsession with ? It is just another irrational number! As it turns out, it is observed in countless important and significant places in natural sciences and mathematics and rather unexpectedly at times! Here are a few samplings! in Mathematics in Physics in Nature If we take the length of a natural river from start to finish and divide it by the straight path from start to finish, we get what is known as the Sinuocity. It measures how bendy a river is. In the 1990s, Hans-Henrik Stolum published in a paper in science that the average sinuosity of all the natural rivers in the world should be ! Although, it is a daunting task to measure the Sinuocity of all-natural rivers in the planet, a study of rivers in Norway has shown this to be true! There you have it! The exposition of why we celebrate and why it continues to dazzle and amaze us! Perhaps by the next years event, you would have discovered many more instances where it appears magically. Till then Happy Pi day! (Pankaj Jha is the founder of makeageek.com. Having been educated in three continents- US, UK and India, he works closely with schools, teachers and students to help them achieve their very best. Views expressed here are personal) Actors Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr are known for their bromance online and often have their fans in splits with their banter. In a new Twitter exchange, the two gave Marvel fans more reasons to root for Captain America and Iron Mans friendship ahead of the release of Avengers: Endgame. Downey shared a picture of Captain America and Iron Man toy figures taking refuge underneath Caps shield from raining fire (or a simple sparkler in this case). BFFs let you share their umbrellas, right @ChrisEvans ?, Downey wrote in his tweet. Evans replied, Technically its YOUR umbrella. But Im happy to hold it. Evans is not wrong though. The vibranium shield was made by Tonys father many years before he was born. It was given to Steve Rogers when he became Captain America. The shield is currently at perhaps the Avengers headquarters where Tony must have put it after taking it from Steve in Captain America: Civil War. Technically its YOUR umbrella. But Im happy to hold it. https://t.co/tFqWFqCSv3 Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) March 13, 2019 Of course, their fans loved this social media flirting. Iconic duo and they know it, wrote a fan. Super friends helping each other out makes me happy, tweeted another. Just get married already, wrote another. Check out more reactions: Watching all this flirting pic.twitter.com/ZXwjiAUU11 saiel (@lockgers) March 13, 2019 I LOVE MY PARENTS pic.twitter.com/qRTjkx5T7D Karen Castle (@ms_swannFCB) March 13, 2019 pic.twitter.com/KHYjPbAiaN Laru saw Captain Marvel x2 (@hiddlesherlock) March 13, 2019 OH MY pic.twitter.com/OJvPY1FUSV ~ endgame (@avengrvs) March 13, 2019 I LOVE YOU GUYS. pic.twitter.com/E1eRZm7KCx edith SAW CAPTAIN MARVEL (@symbioticstark) March 13, 2019 Chris announced last year on Twitter that he has officially wrapped Avengers 4 and also talked about his character as if he was leaving it for good. Chris had written, Officially wrapped on Avengers 4. It was an emotional day to say the least. Playing this role over the last 8 years has been an honor. To everyone in front of the camera, behind the camera, and in the audience, thank you for the memories! Eternally grateful. He had said it before the release of Mays Avengers: Infinity War that Endgame will be his last movie in the MCU. Also read: Priyanka Chopra reacts to Miley Cyrus post about her ex Nick Jonas However, Chris later said at an event: I should clarify that regardless of how Avengers 4 ends, I would have tweeted the exact same thing. That last day of filming was a very emotional day and it was the culmination of almost 10 years of filming and 22 movies, this unbelievable tapestry. Even Russo Brothers said that Evans is not yet done with the MCU. I think it was more emotional for him than it was us because hes not done yet. I wont explain what that means but fans will soon understand what Im talking about, Joe Russo had said. Whether Endgame marks the end for Captain America, we will know when the film releases on April 26. The film is expected to be 3 hours long, the longest runtime for any Marvel movie ever. Follow @htshowbiz for more The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is firming up its policy on the Indo-Pacific even as it looks to India playing a larger role in regional peace and stability and development in the coming years, experts and envoys said at a seminar here on Wednesday. India has embraced the concept of the Indo-Pacific first spelled out by the US, and New Delhi has indicated that Asean is central to its approach to the issue. However, experts and envoys participating in a seminar on the theme India-Japan-Asean: Promoting stability in the Indo-Pacific said nations in the region were looking for more clarity on Indias overall role in the emerging architecture. Chutintorn Gongsakdi, the ambassador of Thailand to India, said senior officials of Asean recently agreed on an outlook for links between the 10-member grouping and the Indo-Pacific, though this would have to be approved by the top leadership of the member-states. A peaceful Indo-Pacific is good for the world. This is not only about China but also about the future India, Chutintorn told the gathering at the event organised by Carnegie India. India is on the rise and Thailand wants a positive engagement, he added. Kenji Hiramatsu, the Japanese ambassador to India, said Asean is crystallising its vision for the Indo-Pacific, including what shape the concept must take and how nations in the region can work together to tackle common challenges. In this regard, he spoke of the need for the two sides to take up concrete projects that can be jointly implemented. Hiramatsu gave the example of cooperation between Japan and India in the region, including in the troubled Rakhine state of Myanmar, where the two countries are working in the housing and education sectors. Chutintorn said the work done so far had reinforced Aseans centrality in the Indo-Pacific concept and also focused on concepts such as openness, inclusiveness, mutual trust, mutual respect, mutual interests and a rules-based approach. He added that existing sub-regional cooperation frameworks such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association, Mekong-Ganga Cooperation and Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) could be dovetailed into the Indo-Pacific concept. India has a big role to play and interlocutors want to know more about what India wants to do in the Indo-Pacific, he added. Both Chutintorn and Hiramatsu favoured India becoming a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. Azim Premji, the billionaire chairman of Indian conglomerate Wipro Ltd., will give a further 34 percent of shares in the company worth $7.5 billion to support philanthropic activities, the most generous donation in Indian history. The shares held by entities controlled by Premji have been irrevocably renounced and earmarked to the Azim Premji Foundation, the foundation said in a statement on Wednesday. With this action, the total value of the philanthropic endowment corpus contributed by Mr. Premji is $21 billion, which includes 67% of economic ownership of Wipro. His foundation works directly in education and supports over 150 other non-profits serving under-privileged and marginalized Indians through multi-year financial grants. The foundation set up the Azim Premji University to develop professionals in education and related human development domains, offer degree and education programs, and conduct research. The foundation will scale up significantly in the coming years, it said in the statement. The team working in education will scale from the current 1,600 people and grant-making activities will triple. The Bengaluru-based university will expand to 5,000 students with over 400 faculty members. The foundation intends to set up another university in northern India. Ultra-rich Indians, those with a net worth of over $50 million, are less charitable than they were five years ago, the Mint newspaper reported last week, with Premji being the exception. The 73-year-old Bengaluru-based billionaire is Indias second-richest man and ranks 51 in Bloombergs list of global billionaires. Some permanent members of the UN Security Council are considering other actions to counter Beijings persistent opposition to the designation of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist even as China said on Thursday that it needs more time to study the issue . On Wednesday, China used a technical hold at the UNs Islamic State and al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee to block the latest move spearheaded by France to list Azhar, whose group claimed responsibility for the Pulwama terror attack of February 14. The hold is valid for six months and can be extended by three months. The other 14 members of the Security Council supported the listing. Watch: Explained: Three possible reasons why China blocked UN move on Masood Azhar A Security Council diplomat said: If China continues to block this designation, responsible member-states may be forced to pursue other actions at the Security Council. It shouldnt have to come to that. The diplomat did not elaborate on the other actions that could be taken by permanent members of the Security Council. But other UN officials familiar with rules for listing terrorists said the stalled proposal can be escalated to the Security Council for an open discussion and vote. This would be an unprecedented move and a public rebuke of China. Beijing will then be forced to defend its defence of a well-known terrorist in full public view as open Security Council proceedings are telecast live, they said. India did not co-sponsor the Masood Azhar listing as it wanted this to be part of global coalition against terror and not reduced to an India-Pakistan issue. The proposal was kept straight and narrow so that China would come on board. The remaining members of the Security Council are most disappointed by the Chinese block, said a second UN diplomat. Hindustan Times learns that India spoke to China ahead of the meeting and, in an attempt to make the listing more diplomatically palatable to Beijing, ensured that the location of Masood Azhar was not mentioned in it. Masood Azhar lives in Bahawalpur in Punjab, Pakistan, and is directly responsible for six major terrorist attacks against India, with the Pulwama car bombing, which killed at least 40 paramilitary troopers, being the latest. India has been critical of the opaque process by which the Sanctions Committee lists terrorists. Its proceedings and decisions are confidential and members dont have to explain their decision. If the designation is put before the Security Council, China will be forced to take a stand publicly, in full view of those watching the live feed as it either defends its opposition to the designation of a man who is undeniably a terrorist or gives up, the officials said. The Security Council diplomat who spoke for France, the US and Britain, which backed the latest proposal to list Azhar criticised Pakistan for depending on China to protect it from the listing of Pakistan-based terrorist groups and individuals. Asked about the reason for blocking the move, Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said this was in line with the rules of the Sanctions Committee. The UNSC 1267 committee has clear standards and procedures for designating terrorist organisations and individuals. China conducts thorough and in-depth assessment of these applications and we still need more time. That is why we put forward the technical hold, he said. China hopes the action of the committee will help relevant countries to engage in dialogue and consultation and prevent adding more complicated factors into regional peace and stability, he said. The technical hold will give China enough time to study the issue and enable stakeholders to have a dialogue, he added. Interestingly, HT learns that the listing proposal blocked by China contains only one new line, previously approved by the UNSC in its February 21 Pulwama attack resolution, which has been added to the US January 2017 proposal on the listing of Azhar (which too was blocked by Beijing). Lu further said, Only a solution acceptable to all sides could fundamentally provide a chance for a lasting solution to the issue. China is ready to communicate and coordinate with all sides, including India, to properly handle this issue. The external affairs ministry in New Delhi expressed disappointment at the blocking of the move. The school's Chief Illiniwek symbol was dropped in 2007 after the NCAA labeled it hostile and abusive, but it has remained a campus symbol. Students for Chief Illiniwek, a student group that aims to keep the banned symbol on campus, urged its supporters to campaign against the referendum. The otter also drew ire from a wave of alumni on social media as an otterly ridiculous idea. The debriefing of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has been completed by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and other agencies, according to sources. A medical review board in the near future will assess the medical fitness of the Wing Commander and decide when he can resume his operations as a fighter pilot, the sources said. The sources added that Wing Commander Varthaman will now go on sick leave for a few weeks on the advice of doctors of Armys Research and Referral Hospital. Watch: Deprived of sleep and choked: Inside details from Abhinandans debriefing Varthaman was chasing Pakistani jets on a MiG -21 Bison fighter plane in Jammu and Kashmir on February 27 and crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) where his aircraft was shot down during the fierce dogfight. He ejected safely and was taken into custody by the Pakistan Army when his parachute drifted and fell inside the PoK. He was released on March 1 after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on February 28 announced to release him as a peace gesture. Earlier sources said that Wing Commander Varthaman had informed the top brass of IAF that he was subjected to a lot of mental harassment, though he was not physically tortured by Pakistan military authorities. On March 4, IAF Chief Air Marshal BS Dhanoa clarified that Varthaman will fly an aircraft again after he is declared fit. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.) External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday said India cannot have dialogue with Pakistan unless the neighbouring country acted against terror outfits on its soil, asserting that talks and terror cannot go together. Talking on Indias World: Modi Governments Foreign Policy, she stated that Pakistan needs to control the ISI and its army who are bent on destroying the bilateral relations time and again. We do not want talk on terror, we want action on it. Terror and talks cannot go together, she said. Swaraj also questioned Pakistans retaliation to the Indian air strikes in Balakot when, she said, India had specifically targeted the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Why did the Pakistani military attack us on behalf of JeM? You not only keep JeM on your soil, but fund them and when the victim country retaliates, you attack it on the terror outfits behalf. If Imran Khan (Pakistan prime minister) is so generous and a statesman, he should give us Masood Azhar, she said. The external affairs minister said India can have a good relationship with Pakistan, provided the neighbouring country takes action against terror groups on its soil. On her invitation to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting, she said India avenged the humilation meted out to it 50 years ago by becoming the guest of honour at the OIC meet this year. In 1969, India was humiliated when it was not allowed to participate in the meeting even after reaching the venue after Pakistan protested against Indias then foreign ministers participation. But now, 50 years later, it was India that was on the seat of the guest of honour, while Pakistans seat was empty, she said. Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had expressed reservations about the invitation to Swaraj for the OIC meeting, and later decided to boycott the meeting of the 57-member Muslim grouping held earlier this month. Talking about the foreign policy of the current government, Swaraj said it was based upon the two principles of national interest supreme and world is our family. People often ask us what we get by our frequent travel to countries. I want to tell them we do not travel to have fun, we travel to build our relationship with other countries and it is because of our ties with these countries that we were able to rescue 7,000 people from Yemen. The strength of our bilateral ties was also reflected in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) elections, she said. I have seen the strength of this relationship time and again, the senior BJP leader said, adding that at the ministerial level, Indian leaders have visited 189 out of 193 countries. Swaraj added that the countrys global profile has improved in the last five years. The first meeting between India and Pakistan experts to discuss the modalities and draft agreement for facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib was held today in a cordial environment. Addressing a media briefing after the talks got over, home ministry joint secretary SCL Das, said that the government had placed three demands before the Pakistani delegation. Among the three demands was that Pakistan allow at least 5,000 pilgrims to visit to the Gurdwara on a daily basis and that on special days, such as Gurpurab, baisakhi etc, it let as many as 10,000 pilgrims visit the shrine. The Indian government has also asked Pakistan to allow the Indian pilgrims, including non-resident Indians, visa free access to the Gurdwara and that if any pilgrims so desired, they be allowed to visit the shrine on foot. We have also emphasised from our side that in the spirit of Kartarpur corridor, it should be absolutely visa free. There should not be any additional encumbrances in the form of any additional documentation or procedures, Das said. During the course of the meeting between both sides, it was also impressed upon the Pakistani delegation that there be no closed days for visiting the shrine and that it be kept open all seven days of the week, Das said. Das said that the delegation from Pakistan assured that they would consider the requests and revert on them during the next round of talks. The next meeting at Wagah will be held on April 2, 2019. Technical experts from both the countries will, however, meet on March 19, 2019, at the proposed zero points to finalise the alignment a statement issued by the ministry of external affairs said. Watch: India, Pakistan delegations meet for talks on Kartarpur corridor The statement said that both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement. Both sides agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalizing the Kartapur Sahib Corridor, the statement said. Regarding the possibility of pro-Khalistani propaganda being disseminated at various Sikh shrines visited by Indians, Deepak Mittal, MEA joint secretary said, that it had been made clear to the Pakistan delegation that no such miscreant should be allowed. Our expectations were made clear to the Pakistan side that we would like them not to allow any miscreant. We would not like them to allow any kind of activity which would be against the spirit with which pilgrims would be going to Kartarpur Gurudwara, Mittal said. At the same time, Mittal also clarified that the talks on the Kartarpur corridor did not mean that a bilateral dialogue had begun between the two countries. Our position on the dialogue is very clear... Today what we had was a meeting on the issue of the Kartarpur corridor, with an objective that pilgrims can have an easy access to Kartarpur Sahib, Mittal said. The next meeting at Wagah will be held on April 2, 2019. Also read: India to take up Sikh extremism issue with Pakistan at meeting over Kartarpur today The Indian delegation was led by SCL Das, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Pakistan delegation was led by Dr. Mohammad Faisal, DG (SA & SAARC) of Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Among the numerous things that the two sides were scheduled to discuss were the modalities and coordinates for the crossing point of the corridor on the international border as well as an agreement that would allow Indian pilgrims to travel without visas to visit the Gurdwara. The talks, exclusively on Kartarpur corridor modalities, took place a day after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that India cannot have a dialogue with Pakistan unless the neighbouring country acted against terror outfits on its soil. The Kartarpur corridor talks come exactly a month after the Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF men were killed. The Masood Azhar-led Jaish-e-Mohammad had claimed responsibility for the attack. This was followed up by an aerial strike of the IAF on a Jaish camp at Balakot in Pakistan. A day later, both the Indian air force and Pakistan air force were involved in an aerial engagement across the Line of Control. India will take up the issue of insulating Sikh pilgrims visiting shrines in Pakistan from pro-Khalistan propaganda when officials of the two sides gather at Attari on Thursday to discuss the Kartarpur corridor, people familiar with developments said on Wednesday. The two sides are holding their first meeting on modalities for the corridor against the backdrop of tensions created by the Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide attack at Pulwama on February 14 that killed 40 soldiers. India responded to the terror attack by conducting an air strike on a JeM facility within Pakistan on February 26. Even at the height of tensions, New Delhi had decided to go ahead with the meeting on the Kartarpur corridor although officials have made it clear this was not a signal for the resumption of bilateral dialogue. They have said the opening of the corridor in time for the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak in November is in line with a long-standing demand of the Sikh community. Last year, the two countries had announced plans to build the corridor, which will link Dera Baba Nanak in India with Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. People familiar with planning for the meeting said India will take up the pro-Khalistan propaganda at the talks, which will focus on a draft agreement for the corridor and technical issues related to the alignment of the Indian and Pakistani sections. We would like to see that Pakistan doesnt work in a manner that disappoints our pilgrims. We hope it doesnt indulge in propaganda or support secessionist tendencies, said a person. India had protested to Pakistan and expressed grave concern in the past about pro-Khalistan propaganda at several Sikh shrines visited by Indian pilgrims, including Gurdwara Janamsthan in Nankana Sahib, built at the site where Sikhisms founder was born. Pro-Khalistan banners and posters were displayed at several Sikh shrines and Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), which is spearheading the non-binding Referendum 2020 on creating a separate nation of Khalistan, has announced plans to open an office in Lahore. India plans to complete a 190-crore passenger terminal building for the Indian side of the corridor by September. It will have 54 immigration counters to handle 5,000 pilgrims a day. However, on special religious occasions, the complex will be capable of handling up to 15,000 pilgrims a day, the people said. Fifty acres of land have been acquired for the Indian stretch and the passenger terminal will be a green building that will be part of a total built-up area of more than 21,600 sq m. Foolproof and intrusion-free security is being put in place for the Kartarpur Corridor and there will be no compromise in this regard, the people said. Security is paramount and it is a national concern and it will not be diluted on any count. All the concerned agencies have ensured that the security architecture is foolproof, one of them said. The BSF will guard the facility as it is located along the border and it will have robust security measures, including CCTVs and surveillance systems, the people cited above said. India and the United States are likely to conduct their first exercise involving their armies, navies and air forces towards the end of the year, two officials said on Wednesday on condition of anonymity. The tri-service exercise was discussed last September during the inaugural 2+2 dialogue between the foreign and defence ministers of the two countries. The two sides are about to begin the groundwork for the maiden exercise. The initial planning conference for the exercise will be held in April followed by a final planning conference. The scale and scope of the exercise will be discussed during these meetings, said one of the officials cited above. He said the exercise was likely to be conducted in Bay of Bengal around November. US has a rich experience in joint operations in actual war conditions. Its good that a joint tri-service drill is being planned. India stands to gain a lot from the US experience in its drive towards jointness, said Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (retd), additional director general, Centre for Air Power Studies. The existing military exercises between India and the US are army-to-army, navy-to-navy and air force-to-air force. Russia is the only country with which India holds a joint tri-service exercise the first of these was held in Vladivostok in October 2017. Pakistans Foreign Office on Wednesday expressed disappointment at Indias decision not to issue visas to Pakistani journalists to cover a meeting to be held in Attari , Punjab, Thursday to discuss details on the construction of the Kartarpur Corridor. Regrettable that India has not given visas to Pakistani journalists for the Kartarpur meeting tomorrow. Hope the #PakKartarpurSpirit and meeting tomorrow will bring a change for the better for people of both countries, Foreign Office spokesman Mohd Faisal tweeted. People familiar with developments in New Delhi said the meeting is focused on discussing technical matters, and not a public event such as groundbreaking ceremonies for the corridor organised by the two countries last November. They said there was no need for media coverage of such a meeting and the media would be briefed. In another tweet, Faisal pointed out that the groundbreaking ceremony on the Pakistani side was covered by several Indian journalists. They also met Prime Minister Imran Khan and were hosted by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi for a dinner during their stay, he added. Pakistani media reported that in January, Islamabad had shared its draft of the proposed agreement on the Kartarpur Corridor with India and called for negotiations for its finalisation. In February, after a bit of wrangling over the venue for the talks, the two countries agreed on a meeting of officials for finalising the agreement and other modalities. The groundbreaking ceremony in Pakistan on November 28 was attended by Union ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh and Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sindhu. India sought visa-free access for 5,000 pilgrims a day to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan during the first round of talks on Thursday between the two sides on the Kartarpur corridor, which is expected to be opened in time for the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, in November. Only limited progress was made at the meeting. The talks, which focused on details of the construction and a draft agreement for facilitating pilgrims to visit the gurdwara, the final resting place of Guru Nanak,were held at the integrated check post in Attari, in Amritsar, in a cordial environment, a joint statement said. It was the first official contact between India and Pakistan since the February 14 Pulwama attack, for which Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) claimed responsibility, escalated tensions between the two nations. SCL Das, joint secretary in the home ministry who led the Indian delegation, told journalists that three key issues were discussed. One, access should be visa-free and no documents other than passports should be needed to visit the shrine; two, at least 5,000 pilgrims should be allowed to visit the gurdwara everyday and another 10,000 on special occasions such as Baisakhi; and three, people of Indian origin who live outside the country should be allowed to use the corridor. However, Pakistan fell short of our expectations on several counts, said a senior official aware of details of the meeting. In response to Indias proposal for allowing 5,000 people to use the corridor every day, Pakistan indicated that only 500 to 700 people would be allowed daily. The Pakistani side did not agree to Indias proposal to permit Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card holders to use the corridor. Watch: India, Pakistan delegations meet for talks on Kartarpur corridor While India took the position that the corridor should be open through the week, Pakistan said it would be open on visiting days. The official quoted above said: We do not have a firm commitment on the number of days. Pakistan countered Indias position that access should be visa-free by saying pilgrims would be allowed in with special permits with a fee. The Pakistani side also ruled out visits by individual pilgrims and travel on foot, saying groups of at least 15 people would be permitted and they would have to travel in vehicles, people familiar with the discussions said.. Initially, Pakistan had limited access only to Sikhs, but agreed to allow people of all faiths after India insisted, the people said. It is learnt the Indian side also protested against the encroachment of land belonging to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, which was donated by Maharaja Ranjeet Singh and other eminent Sikhs, and acquisition of land by Pakistan government. The Indian side made a strong demand for the early restoration of this land. Also read: India to take up Sikh extremism issue with Pakistan at meeting over Kartarpur today The Indian team also shared its concerns about the activities of pro-Khalistan elements at Sikh shrines in Pakistan. Pakistani officials offered an assurance that they wouldnt allow anyone to use the gurdwaras or the corridor to spread any anti-India agenda in the name of Khalistan. The two sides agreed to hold the next meeting on the corridor at Wagah on the Pakistani side on April 2. This will be preceded by a meeting of technical experts on March 19 at the proposed zero points to finalise the alignment of the corridor. Both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalising the corridor, the joint statement said. The Pakistan delegation was led by Mohammad Faisal, director general (South Asia) at the Pakistan foreign ministry. The hearing in the National Investigating Agency (NIA) court in the Samjhauta Express blast case could not take place on Thursday as the lawyers were on strike. The case was adjourned to Monday, NIA officials said. The court had on Monday sought replies from NIA and accused Naba Kumar Sarkar alias Aseemanand after a last-minute intervention by a Pakistani national through her lawyer. The NIA and Aseemanand were to file their replies to the intervention by Rahila Wakil, who hails from Dhingrawali village of Hafizabad district of Pakistan. She said that her father Muhammad Wakeel was one of the victims of the train blasts and added that all Pakistan nationals who were witnesses in this 2007 case are ready to appear as witnesses. The surprise application was mentioned as soon as the court assembled on Monday afternoon to deliver the verdict amid tight security. Media was not allowed inside the courtroom. Read: Amid Indo-Pak tensions, Ambala youth ties the knot with Sialkot girl Wakils counsel, Momin Malik, submitted an e-mail that he received from her on Monday at 2.28pm asking him to move the application to hear out the 13 Pakistani nationals who were witnesses in this case. in this case most of the eye witnesses are Pak[istani] nationals and they want to appear before this courtbut they have not received summonsvisa was not granted to the eye witnessesall the witnesses are ready to appear before this courtwithout their evidence this case cannot be decided on the merits her application read. The Samjhauta Express runs twice a week between Delhi and Attari in India and Lahore in Pakistan. It is run jointly by Indian and Pakistani Railways. Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) set off a fire in the Samjhauta Express on the night of February 18, 2007, killing 68 people on board, including Pakistan nationals. The explosion took place near Panipat in Haryana. Read: Pakistan resumes Samjhauta Express, 176 passengers arrive at Attari An investigation by NIA established that two general bogies of the train caught fire after two bomb explosions. Two unexploded suitcase bombs were also found in other compartments of the train. In its charge sheet, NIA named eight persons as accused in the terror blast case, including former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activist Aseemanand who is out on bail. Three of the accused are absconding and three others are in judicial custody. Sunil Joshi, the alleged mastermind of the bombing, was killed in December 2007. According to NIA investigators, the agency recorded the statements of 224 witnesses; 51 witnesses turned hostile; and nine witnesses died; and 13 Pakistan nationals did not record their statements. NIA officials said during the trial that they sent several summons to the Pakistani witnesses through the external affairs ministry that werent responded to. Thirteen-year-old Muhammed Asims determination has paid off. Born without hands, Keralas Asim had approached everyone he could for the last two years to help him continue his education. Asim got a boost from the Prime Ministers office on Wednesday, four days after he started a protest march from his house to the state secretariat after all his attempts get his school in Omassery panchayat in Kozhikode district upgraded to a high school failed. Prime Minister Narendra Modis office has directed the Union human resource development ministry to consult with the state education department and address his issue immediately. We are really happy the Prime Ministers office responded so quickly. We hope at least next year he can go to his school, social activist Naushad Thekkeyil, who sent an online complaint to the Prime Minister last week, said. The son of a madrassa teacher, who has 90% disability, had completed his Class 7 from the Government Mappila Upper Primary School in Omassery, which is just 250 metres from his house, in 2018. His father Mohammed Shaheed said after that his son had to sit at home for a year as for a boy who needs his parents help to commute and do everyday tasks, the nearest high school 5km away from his house was too far. Asim had written several letters with his feet to many leaders, including Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, to seek their support. Everyone promised to help but nothing came up. We have met many leaders in last two years, MLAs, ministers, opposition leader and Congress president Rahul Gandhi, and they were ready to help. But the state education department found refuge in many technicalities, Shaheed said. In June last year, the Kerala High Court directed the state education department to take steps to help him continue his education but nothing happened, he said. His school, which was till Class 4, was upgraded to upper primary in 2014 after then chief minister Oommen Chandy intervened. But last year the chief ministers office had forwarded a letter from the education department, saying it was not possible to add more classes to the school, said his father. With the intervention of the PMs office, Asim said his goal is now in sight. Asim said if the school had been upgraded it will benefit many other children, including some from the nearby tribal colonies. My education is my right. I want to study well and want to become a teacher. Once I achieve this, I will work among people like me to improve their lives, he said. Even as the Pollachi sexual assault case continues to rock Tamil Nadu with massive protests, the Chennai Police on Thursday registered a case against Sabareesan Vedamurthy, son-in-law of DMK president MK Stalin, on the charge of spreading rumours alleging involvement of ruling AIADMK functionaries in the issue. Acting on a complaint by deputy speaker of Tamil Nadu assembly Pollachi V Jayaraman, the cyber crime wing of the city police registered the case. Sabareesan has sent a legal notice to Jayaraman, threatening to sue him for remarks which tarnished his reputation and dignity. The sexual assault case pertains to an organised gang in Pollachi town near Coimbatore befriending college students and women, including a doctor and housewives and luring them to places of their choice and sexually assaulting them and making videos of the act. Later, the victims were forced to oblige to their sexual demands and also extorted on the threat of publicising the videos. Unable to bear the torture by the gang, a college girl opened up to her family and she lodged a complaint with the Pollachi police on February 12, accompanied by her brother. This had led to the arrest of eight people so far, including the kingpin of the gang, Thirunavukkarasu (25) and his associates, Sabarirajan (25), Sathish (28) and Vasantha Kumar (27). An AIADMK functionary, A Nagaraj, who came to the defence of the accused and assaulted the sex abuse survivors brother, was booked but let off by the police. But he was expelled from the party. Now, fresh videos which have surfaced on Thursday showed Nagarajs active involvement in the case. Following this, his shop has been ransacked by irate locals. DMK MP Kanimozhi had held a massive protest in Pollachi two days ago to press for justice for the victims. The gang had been having a free run for over seven years. Lives of several women and girls have been ruined. And this could not have continued without the patronage of influential people. The guilty have to be brought to book, she had said. Jayaraman, elected to the assembly from Pollachi constituency, had earlier alleged that the DMK and particularly Sabareesan, was behind the rumours being spread through the local media and on social media linking the case to AIADMK. The DMK is trying to gain political mileage by blowing this issue out of proportion and by tarnishing the image of the AIADMK ahead of the Lok Sabha election. Stalins son-in-law Sabareesan is behind the orchestrated campaign linking my family with this , he had told the media. Cutting across party lines, political leaders have demanded a fair and speedy inquiry and stringent punishment for the guilty. According to Jayaraman, he had advised the victims family, which approached him, to lodge a complaint and had ensured that action was taken. But speculation is rife in local media about his son, Praveens, involvement in the . TN Womens Commission chairperson Kannagi Packianathan had made it clear that the panel would summon Praveen if necessary for inquiry. The Commission would conduct an impartial inquiry. We would question the Coimbatore SP, R Pandiarajan, for making public the sex abuse survivors name. Also, we would call for inquiry, Pollachi Jayaramans son if necessary, she had said. While the CBI has taken over the case, the state governments letter to the Centre recommending a probe by the premier investigating agency, had revealed the identity of the survivor, raising a fresh storm against the state government. Initially, the Coimbatore SP had ruled out involvement of politicians or their wards and asserted that only four of the arrested were involved in the , drawing a lot of flak. Not only had he revealed the identity of the survivor, but he was also accused of trying to sabotage the probe from the beginning. Rights activist, Henry Tiphagne of Peoples Watch, said Coimbatore SP, R Pandiarajan should be removed immediately. May said, "If the House finds a way in the coming days to support a deal, it would allow the government to seek a short limited technical extension... to provide time to pass the necessary legislation and ratify the agreement we have reached with the EU. But let me be clear, such a short technical extension is only likely to be on offer if we have a deal in place." Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday launched a counter-attack Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his tweet targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi after China blocked a UN resolution against terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar. Prasad said Gandhi seems to be happy over technical hold placed by China on the UN resolution. Prasads strong remark followed Gandhis attack on PM Modi which saw a war of words between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the backdrop of Chinas decision to block a fresh move to designate Masood Azhar as a global terrorist at the UN Security Council. Gandhi attacked PM Modi over his China policy. In a tweet, Gandhi said PM Modi is weak and scared of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NoMos China Diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat 2. Hug Xi in Delhi 3. Bow to Xi in China, read Gandhis post on Twitter. Prasad hit back at the Congress president saying, Rahul Gandhi is in celebratory mood when the country stands pained over this attitude of ChinaWhat has happened to you Rahul Gandhi? Your tweet must be headline news in Pakistan. This was the fourth time in 10 years that China has blocked move to designate Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. Prasad This was the fourth time that China blocked the move at the UN Sanctions Committee, a move that has come as a relief to Pakistan which was under international pressure to take action against terror groups, including JeM, operating from its soil. The pressure escalated after the February 14 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed by a JeM suicide bomber. Gandhi has been critical of Modi and the government over the Doklam issue. Addressing booth workers of Delhi on Monday, the Congress president claimed that when Modi was giving company to Chinese President on a swing during his visit to India, the Chinese army same time entered Doklam. The BJP was quick to hit back at Gandhi, saying his great grandfather and Indias first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was responsible for Chinas entry in the UN Security Council. China wouldnt be in UNSC had your great grandfather not gifted it to them at Indias cost. India is undoing all mistakes of your family, the BJP said on its twitter handle. Be assured that India will win the fight against terror. Leave it to PM Modi while you keep cosying up with the Chinese envoys secretly, it added. At his press conference, Prasad cited a 2004-article published in The Hindu to claim that Nehru had declined a US offer to take a permanent seat on the UNSC. The Union minister also quoted senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor to state that Nehru suggested the name of China for the UNSC seat then held by Taiwan. Please see if there are pitfalls in the course you are taking Mr Rahul Gandhi, Prasad said adding, the Congress president is seen closer to Masood Azhar with his comment posted on Twitter. He said the Congress partys commitment to fight terror is suspect today. On Wednesday, France, the US and the UK moved a resolution at the UNSC to designate Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. But the resolution could not be passed as China stuck to its old stand. Later, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing needed more time to conduct thorough and in-depth investigation in the matter. Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi weak after China blocked a fresh attempt to blacklist Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), drawing a sharp response from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which asked why the opposition leader was in a celebratory mood at a time when Beijings move had pained the nation. In response to Gandhis tweet targeting the Prime Minister, the BJP also said on Twitter that the countrys first Prime Minister and Gandhis great grandfather, Jawaharlal Nehru, compromised Indias interests at the UNSC. It shared an image of what it said was Nehrus letter dated August 2, 1955, supporting Chinas bid for a UNSC berth. As the war of words over national security continued, Gandhi was first off the blocks. Weak Modi is scared of Xi [Chinese president Xi Jinping]. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India, he tweeted, questioning Modis policies on Beijing. NoMos China Diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat 2. Hug Xi in Delhi 3. Bow to Xi in China, he said in the same tweet, recalling the Chinese leaders three-day visit to India in 2014 during which the two leaders sat on a swing in Ahmedabad at the Sabarmati riverfront. His Twitter tirade came a day after China, for the fourth time, put on hold a request by the UK, France and the United States to add Jaish-e-Mohammed leader, Azhar, on a UN sanctions blacklist that would subject him to a global travel ban, an assets freeze and an arms embargo. In its response, India said it was disappointed by Beijings stand. Azhars JeM has claimed responsibility for the February 14 suicide bombing of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 40 security personnel. The attack brought India and Chinas all-weather ally, Pakistan, to the brink of a military standoff, and prompted the international community to urge the neighbours to exercise restraint. Read more| Modis foreign policy a series of diplomatic disasters: Congress on Masood Azhar issue Responding to Gandhi, finance minister Arun Jaitley posted on Twitter, Will the Congress President tell us who the original sinner was? Pt. Nehrus infamous letter... dated August 2, 1955, states Informally, suggestions have been made by the US that China should be taken into the United Nations but not in the Security Council, and that India should take her place in the Security Council. ...We cannot, of course, accept this as it means falling out with China and it would be very unfair for a great country like China not to be in the Security Council, he tweeted, quoting from the letter. The original mistake, both on Kashmir and China, was committed by the same person, he added. Mounting pressure on the opposition party, BJP leader and Union minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad, asked at a press conference, Why is Rahul Gandhi in a celebratory mood when the country stands pained with this attitude of China? He added that foreign policies were not run on Twitter. Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday sharpened his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after China blocked a UN resolution against Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar. Gandhi hit out at PM Modi saying he was scared of Chinese President Xi Jinping. He said the prime minister swings with the Chinese president in his home state Gujarat but maintains silence after China blocks UNSC resolution against Masood Azhar. Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NoMos China Diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat 2. Hug Xi in Delhi 3. Bow to Xi in China, Gandhi wrote on Twitter. The Bharatiya Janata Party countered Gandhi attempting to put the onus of the Chinese action at the UNSC on Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of the country. The party alleged that Nehru gifted China a seat at the UNSC giving the country leverage over India. The ruling party also attacked Gandhi alleging that the Congress president holds meeting with the Chinese envoys secretly. China wouldnt be in UNSC had your great grandfather not gifted it to them at Indias cost. India is undoing all mistakes of your family. Be assured that India will win the fight against terror. Leave it to PM Modi while you keep cosying up with the Chinese envoys secretly, the BJP said on Twitter. Gandhi has been critical of Modi governments diplomacy especially in the context of Indias relation with China. The Congress president had targeted PM Modi when he flew to China for an informal meet with President Xi Jinping amid Doklam face-off in Bhutan. On Wednesday, Indias bid against Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist suffered a setback as China placed technical hold on a proposal moved by France, the US and the UK. The technical hold placed by China at the UNSC means a fresh proposal against Masood Azhar cant moved over next six months. This can be extended by three months. During this nine-month period the member nations have to present documents to establish Masood Azhars link with Jaish-e-Mohammed. Masood Azhars Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for Pulwama terror attack killing 40 CRPF soldiers on February 14. India launched a diplomatic campaign to put sanctions on Masood Azhar, whose Jaish-e-Mohammed already figures in the UN list of terrorist organisations. The Supreme Court will on Thursday resume hearing petitions calling for a review of its judgement in the Rafale case from December last year that said there was no reason to doubt the purchase process or the need for the fighter jets. The hearing follows a controversy after attorney general KK Venugopal told the top court that the petitioners used stolen documents in their review petitions and should not be relied on. The top court had declined to order a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the purchase of 36 French-made Rafale jets on December 14, saying perceptions of individuals cannot be a basis for a roving inquiry. The petitions challenging the 59,000 crore deal were filed by activist and lawyer Prashant Bhushan, former Union ministers Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha, Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh and advocates ML Sharma and Vineet Dhanda earlier this year. Also read: Without Rafale, how can we resist F-16s: Centre to Supreme Court They had questioned the deal over the lack of transparency over the pricing of the jets; an offsets deal that seemed to favour a private firm; flouting of due process in closing the deal; and that the deal isnt a government-to-government deal at all as it has been pitched because France refused to offer India a sovereign guarantee and instead gave it a letter of comfort. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has denied most of these charges. And on Wednesday, the Centre told the Supreme Court in an affidavit that the widely-circulated review petition against its December verdict in the Rafale deal that includes leaked defence ministry documents jeopardises national security and should be dismissed. The Centre has also argued that the documents presented a selective and incomplete picture of internal secret deliberations on a matter relating to national security and defence. Also read: Secret papers in Rafale petition hurt India: Govt In the last Supreme Court hearing on March 6, the Centres top law officer, attorney general KK Venugopal, had asked the court to reject petitions seeking review of the Rafale verdict claiming that the petitioners case rested on stolen papers acquired from present or former employees of the defence ministry. Venugopal later claimed the Rafale documents were not stolen from the defence ministry and that what he meant in his submission before the Supreme Court was that petitioners in the application used photocopies of the original papers, deemed secret by the government. The NDA government has been under sharp criticised by the opposition, which accuses Prime Minister Narendra Modi of single-handedly pushing through the deal to buy overpriced jets without following procedures. The government has also been attacked for buying only 36 aircraft when the Indian Air Force needed a lot more. The governments decision to enter the $8.7 billion government-to-government deal with France to buy the warplanes made by Dassault was announced in April 2015, with an agreement signed a little over a year later. This replaced the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regimes decision to buy 126 Rafale aircraft, 108 of which were to be made in India by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It has become controversial, with the opposition, led by the Congress, claiming that the price at which India is buying Rafale aircraft now is 1,670 crore for each, three times the 526 crore, the initial bid by the company when the UPA was trying to buy the aircraft. The opposition has also questioned the deal over the fact that one of the offset deals signed by Dassault is with a joint venture it has with Reliance Group of Anil Ambani. The Congress claims the earlier deal was scrapped and a new one signed just to provide Ambani with this opportunity for an offset deal. Both the government and Reliance Group have repeatedly denied this. The Uttar Pradesh government has paved way for constitution of one fast track court each in all the 75 districts of the state to adjudicate cases involving women. These courts will hear cases including those related to violence against women. A government order to this effect was issued on March 8, the international womens day. The state government has sanctioned 648 posts for these courts. These posts include 81 of judicial magistrates. According to a senior official of the state law department, the sanction for the posts has been conveyed to the registrar general of the Allahabad High Court by principal secretary (law) Dinesh Kumar Singh. The order, which came just days before the 2019 parliamentary poll schedule was announced by the Election Commission, states that these posts would remain valid from the date of joining of the individual till February 29, 2020 unless dissolved earlier, the official added. The posts sanctioned include 81 posts each of civil judge (judicial) and shorthand clerk (grade 3), 162 posts each of senior and junior assistants, and 81 posts each of orderly and office peons. The last category of staff is to be hired through outsourcing. The importance of the government move can be gauged from the fact that state-wise, Uttar Pradesh has seen highest rise in the number of women voters between 2014 and 2019. The number of registered women voters rose by 54 lakh during the period to 6,61,11,941. At 14,40,61,892, Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of registered voters in the country. In the 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, women voters had outnumbered their male counterparts. About 63.26 per cent of women voters in the politically crucial state had gone to the polling booths as against 59.43 per cent of men. Immediately after coming to power, the Yogi Adityanath government had proposed 100 special fast-track courts in the districts of Uttar Pradesh. Prepared by the department for law and justice, the proposal, however, remained pending before the department of finance in over huge cost involved, to the tune of Rs 400 crore. The proposal was in line with the BJPs sankalp patra (manifesto) wherein it had proposed fast tract courts for cases involving women. As of June 2016, Uttar Pradesh topped the list of states where women filed the maximum number of court cases. According to the data highlighted by a Supreme Court Committee, 20,94,086 cases were filed by women in various courts. These cases constitute 9.58 per cent of the total 2.18 crore pending cases in various courts. Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 4,40,927 cases were filed by women, followed by Maharashtra with 2,55,122 cases. The state is also among the states where maximum crimes against women have been reported. As China again blocked a UN resolution to designate JeM chief a global terrorist, Congress president Rahul Gandhi Thursday hit out at Prime Minster Narendra Modi, saying he was weak and scared of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Congress chief attacked the prime minister and said he had not spoken on China blocking the resolution in the UN Security Council. Also read: UN members warn of other actions as China blocks move on Masood Azhar The party accused the BJP of letting Masood off the hook again and also questioned Modi what was the use of swinging with Xi. Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NoMos China diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat. 2. Hug Xi in Delhi. 3. Bow to Xi in China, Gandhi said on Twitter. Watch: Opinion I Pak dictating Chinas decision on UN sanctions on Masood Azhar? Indias bid to designate the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammeds chief as a global terrorist suffered a setback with China on Wednesday putting a technical hold on a proposal to ban him following the Pulwama terror attack. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UNSC was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the JeM killed 44 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. With China having blocked our bid to designate Masood Azhar a global terrorist, the question on every Indians mind is, what was the use of all the swinging with Modi and President Xi, the Congress said on its official Twitter handle. A terrorist responsible for such bloody murders is let off the hook again by the BJP, it claimed. Congress chief spokeserson Randeep Surjewala said it was a sad day in the global fight against terrorism. China blocking Masood Azhars designation as global terrorist reaffirms Chinese position of being an inseparable ally of terrorisms breeding ground-Pakistan, he tweeted Wednesday. Sadly, Modijis foreign policy has been a series of diplomatic disasters, the party spokesperson said. The Congress has also been attacking the BJP over Azhars release in the Kandahar hijacking case. Gandhi has asked Modi to tell the nation that it was a BJP-led government which released Azhar from an Indian jail in 1999. Gandhi has also alleged that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, a top intelligence official back then, had escorted Azhar to Kandahar where he was handed over to terrorists. Azhar and two other terrorists, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar and Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, were released from Indian prison in 1999 by the then BJP-led government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in exchange for the passengers held hostage on board IC-814 flight hijacked to Kandahar in Afghanistan. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.) The #Trashtag challenge is neither silly nor dangerous but is still gaining momentum among the netizens all over the world. Whats more, the challenge - with thousands of shares and likes on the social media - is being hailed as a worthwhile challenge on the Internet. Those clued in on the #trashtag challenge say that the globally trending hashtag has been around since 2015 and was started by outdoor gear company UCO. Indians have been associated with it since the early days. Afroz Shah, a Mumbai-based lawyer, used the hashtag to encourage citizens to participate in the cleaning up the dirty Versova Beach and was bestowed the Champion of the Earth award by the United Nations. According to reports, in its present avatar, the hashtag became viral on the Internet when Bryon Roman posted the challenge on his Facebook page about a week ago. He shared, Here is a new #challenge for you bored teens. Take a photo of an area that needs some cleaning or maintenance, then take a photo after you have done something about, and post it. Here are the people doing it #BasuraChallenge #trashtag Challenge, join the cause. #BasuraChallengeAZ . The challenge requires participants to clean up a public space and post before and after pictures of it on social media nominating others. Given that initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission have led to public discourse on cleanliness, many Indians have taken to the #trashtag challenge in a big way. Here are a few samples of what the tweeple have to say about this challenge: #trashtagchallenge #trashtag challenge - this is how we can make our surrounding nd environment clean ... Sometime you have to be your own Hero .. be a part of change @NewDelhiindia #southdelhi #ridgearea pic.twitter.com/8TzePHaaiw Mohit Vaid (@mohitrules02) March 12, 2019 What do you think of this challenge? SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Candidature is their birthright in dynasty politics, and they shall have it the next generation of leaders from Maharashtras political families is swearing by the dictum ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. And the belief has translated into ambitious and even aggressive actions in the past few weeks. While Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil entered the BJP, at a time when his fathers party, the Congress, is fighting a bitter battle against the ruling alliance, NCP chief Sharad Pawar had to make way for his grand-nephew and Ajits son, Parth. Sujays step is seen as a setback for Vikhe Patils, one of Maharashtras prominent political families. While Vikhe Patils are blaming Pawar for the move, the latter himself had to succumb to the pressure by Ajit, despite a public announcement that he would contest. A former Congress minister explains the scenario. The new generation is in a hurry to make it big. At 36, Sujay thought it was now-or-never for him to become an MP and took on even his father without caring about the latters political future. Pawar appears to have compromised against his will to launch Parth, he said. At least a third of the 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra have at least one member of a political family contesting. These families tend to be closer to the power centres or ruling parties to safeguard their family businesses or get rid of the irregularities. As political power becomes imperative for their businesses to flourish, the introduction of the next generation becomes inevitable, said Bhalachandra Kango, CPI leader. Almost every district in western Maharashtra has its own political family to reckon with. NCP state chief Jayant Patil and Congress leader Pratik Patil belong to a family with strong presence in politics and cooperative sector in Sangli. Pratik, a former union minister, is grandson of former CM Vasantdada Patil and son of former MP Prakashbapu Patil. Jayant Patil, a powerful leader from Sangli, is the son of former state minister Rajarambapu Patil. The tussle for control over district politics between two families surfaces regularly, latest being the corporation election late last year. Mohite Patils enjoy their bastion in Solapur, with the baton passed on to the next generation leader Ranjitsinh, who was an NCP legislator in the upper house. Son of former deputy chief minister Vijaysinh, the young politician is exploring the possibility of joining the BJP if the NCP neglects him. Sushilkumar Shinde, a former CM, and his MLA daughter Praniti have established themselves as key leaders from the district. In the adjoining Kolhapur district, Satej Patil, son of former Bihar governor DY Patil, and MP Dhananjay Mahadik are carrying the legacy forward. The power struggle between rural development minister Pankaja Gopinath Munde, her MP sister Pritam Munde (both BJP) and their cousin Dhananjay is apparent in every election in Beed. Dhananjay and Pankaja are likely to be pitted against each other from Parli in Assembly election later this year. Maharashtra Congress chief Ashok Chavan enjoys undisputed control over Nanded, the district nurtured by his father Shankarrao Chavan and is sure of the victory of his MLA wife Amita this time. In Latur, the feud between Patil-Nilangekar family members has no signs of settling down. Former CM Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar (Congress) have political rivals within the family, in his grandson Sambhaji Patil Nilangekar, who is the labour minister in the BJP-led state. Sambhaji had defeated his uncle Ashok in the 2014 Assembly polls. Just a few km away in Latur, Congress MLA Amit and his brother and ZP member Dhiraj have been taking political legacy their father and former CM Vilasrao Deshmukh forward. Amits uncle Dilip was MoS in Shindes cabinet. Vilasrao was mentored by Ashok Chavans father and former chief minister Shankarrao Chavan. In North Maharashtra, senior BJP leader and former revenue minister Eknath Khadses daughter-in-law Raksha is an MP, while his wife Manda is chairman of Mahananda, the cooperative dairy federation. NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal and his nephew Sameer and son Pankaj call the shots in Nashik. Sameer is likely to be the party candidate for Lok Sabha, while the father-son duo may contest the Assembly polls. BJP leader Vijay Gavit has political control over Nandurbar district. He defected the NCP ahead of 2014 elections to ensure a ticket for his daughter Heena, who is an MP. Vijay Gavits younger brother Sharad was an MLA until 2014. Narayan Rane and sons Nilesh and Nitesh have a stronghold over Sindhudurg. Nilesh has been announced as MSPs candidate. Nitesh, who is an incumbent Congress MLA, is likely to join the MSP ahead of the Assembly polls. Thackerays are perceived as the first political family of Mumbai. Sena founder Bal Thackerays decision to make son Uddhav, and not nephew Raj, the political heir, led to the latter forming his own outfit, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, in 2006. Uddhavs son and head of partys youth wing , Aaditya, has no competition within until his younger brother Tejas joins politics. Politics is being treated as a full-time business with no ethics, loyalty, ideology or compassion to play a role. Families are interested only in safeguarding their own interests, said social commentator Kumar Saptarshi. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra delivered an eight-minute speech in Gujarat, her first after entering electoral politics in January this year. The speech, which saw her attempting to steer the political discourse to bread and butter issues ahead of the national elections, saw her launch a sharp attack at the government. But there was one little detail that most people appeared to have missed out. Priyanka Gandhi had started her address with meri behnon aur mere bhaiyo (my sisters and brothers). She had flipped the usual formulation in which men are mentioned first, mostly as my brothers and sisters. Watch: Priyanka Gandhi takes potshots at PM Modi in her 2019 debut speech On Thursday morning, Congress MP from Silchar, Assam Sushmita Dev tweeted a video clip of Priyanka Gandhis speech. Dev pointed out how Priyanka Gandhi reversed the order of address from bhaiyon aur behnon (brothers and sisters) to meri behnon aur mere bhaiyon (my sisters and my brothers). The speech of @priyankagandhi ji in Gujarat stood out for many reasons. I loved the fact that in her address she changed the order most people follow by referring to women before men i.e. behnon aur bhaiyon & not the other way around, Dev wrote on Twitter. Priyanka Gandhi retweeted Devs post with comment: and I thought no one noticed!!. In her speech at Gandhinagar in Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state, Priyanka Gandhi launched a stinging attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre. She said the government was trying to distract peoples attention over needless issues ahead of the Lok Sabha election. Uttar Pradesh health minister and BJP spokesperson Sidharth Nath Singh on Wednesday questioned her partys stance on patriotism, a day after Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra raised the issue at a public meeting in Gujarat on Tuesday. She had called upon the voters to take right decision in the Lok Sabha election. Singh said the BJP wanted to know from Priyanka whether calling terrorists with respect and asking for evidence of surgical strike on Pakistan an example of patriotism. He also asked whether restraining the army from carrying out counter-attack on terrorist camps in Pakistan in 2008, supporting divisive forces and the corrupt amounted to patriotism. Speaking at a press conference, Singh said the BJP supported Priyankas call for awareness among voters. When voters are enlightened, only then will they vote for the right political party, he said. The BJP was clear that patriotism and nationalism could not be separated, he said, adding that the opposition was jittery and was questioning the attack on terror camps in Pakistan. By contrast, BJP leader Atal Behari Vajpayee had supported Indira Gandhi during India- Pakistan war in 1971, he said. The appointment of chairmen and members of various government organisations before announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule was not violation of the model code of conduct, he said. Lashing out at the BSP- SP alliance, Singh said if the BSP chief was opposing the Congress, she should field candidates in Amethi and Rae Bareli, the parliamentary constituencies of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. Asked on NBC's "Today" show Thursday whether there was evidence the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines flights were brought down by the same cause, Elwell said: "We are much closer to that possibility, and that's why we grounded the airplanes. We got new information yesterday, and we acted on it. It is in our minds now a link that is close enough to ground the airplanes." In a surprise move, Congress leader Tom Vadakkan on Thursday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing his former party of questioning the integrity of armed forces. If some political party that takes a position against the country, then I do not have an option but to leave that party This is not right, he said, citing the Congresss stance on the Balakot air strike against terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed camp in Pakistan that followed the Pulwama suicide bombing. I believe in the Prime Ministers development, the former Congress spokesperson said, stressing that he was grateful to BJP president Amit Shah who has trusted me and accepted my membership to the party. I am also thankful to the Prime Minister who has wished me good luck, he said. At a media briefing where the BJP showed off its prized catch, Vadakkan attacked his former partys stand after the Pulwama terror attack. I left Congress party because when Pakistani terrorists attacked our land, my partys reaction to it was sad It hurt me deeply when you question the integrity of the armed forces. I am deeply hurt and that is precisely the reason I am here, Vadakkan said. Tom Vadakkan, once considered close to Vincent George, a long time aide of Sonia Gandhi, had been associated with the partys media department for nearly two decades, many of them under leaders such as Pranab Mukherjee and VN Gadgil. Vadakkan was the Congress spokesperson and a familiar face on television. In recent years, a Congress leader said, the prominence of other spokespersons such as Pawan Khera, Jaiveer Singh and Priyanka Chaturvedi had riled him. Vadakkan is lately reported to have been interested in contesting elections. Back in 2014, Vadakkan did make it to the shortlist of candidates from Thrissur but the Congress had to drop him after resistance from local workers. Tom Vadakkans exit has stunned the Kerala Congress. It is an isolated incident, says party leader Rajmohan Unnithan in Kerala. He added that the leadership would have to ensure that such seniors wont cross over. The party will examine reasons for his exit, he said. Chhota Udaipur is one of the 26 parliamentary constituencies in Gujarat. Reserved for the members of Scheduled Tribe community, Chhota Udaipur has elected only Rathwas since 1977 Lok Sabha election. Rathwas are a tribal group in Gujarat. Two-time sitting MP Ramsinh Rathwa of the BJP defeated Naranbhai Rathwa of the Congress in 2014 at the Chhota Udaipur seat. The two have dominated this parliamentary seat in the last eight general elections. Naranbhai Rathwa has won this seat five times the last three as Congress candidate - while Ramsinh Rathwa was elected on the other three occasions. With a strong agricultural economy, Chhota Udaipur is one of the most prosperous districts of Gujarat. It was carved out of the Vadodara district in 2013. Seven assembly segments comprise the Chhota Udaipur Lok Sabha constituency. These assembly segments are, Chhota Udaipur, Halol, Dabhoi, Nandod, Sankheda, Jetpur and Padra. Four of these assembly seats are reserved for ST candidates. Heres all you need to know about the constituency Name of constituency: Chhota Udaipur, Gujarat Date of polling: April 23 2019 candidates: Rathva Gitaben Vajesingbhai (BJP), Rathva Furkanbhai Balajibhai (BSP) and Rathava Ranjitsinh Mohansinh (Congress) Sitting MP, Party: Ramsinh Rathwa, BJP Winning margin in 2014: 1,79,729 Runner-up candidates name, party (2014): Naranbhai Jemalalbhai Rathwa, Indian National Congress Total number of voters in 2014: 1,101,623 Votes polled in 2014 elections: 68 per cent Number of polling booths in 2014: 1,979 Number of women voters: 5,07,350 On February 14, a suicide bomber killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers in Pulwama in the deadliest attack on security forces in Kashmir since 1989. The Pakistan-based terrorist group, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), claimed responsibility for the attack. In response, India launched air strikes on a JeM terrorist camp deep inside Pakistan on February 26. While the actual details of the air strikes, and the Pakistan militarys subsequent response, havent been disclosed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received wide praise in India for a decisive response to the terror attack. This couldnt have come at a better time for the government with a national election around the corner and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) getting hammered by the Opposition for its failure to create enough jobs and for alleged wrongdoing in the Rafale fighter jet deal. In the aftermath of the air strikes,political pundits have ranked the BJP as the front runner in the upcoming general elections. But what do we really know about how military action against Pakistan affects voters? Based on survey evidence, Devesh Kapur has argued that the impact of Indian foreign policy on voter preferences is typically limited to a small group of elite. But Pakistan is different. It ties into a narrative of Hindu-Muslim enmity and vivid memories of previous wars and Partition. Indeed, Vipin Narang and Paul Staniland have documented how from Indias first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru onwards, leaders have dealt with Pakistan in ways to keep the domestic audience happy in particular, to avoid being seen as weak on Pakistan to prevent negative electoral consequences. Who is most likely to be swayed to vote for the BJP based on military action against Pakistan? One hypothesis is that the electoral impact will be greatest in areas where the BJP is more active, as these are areas that are more ideologically aligned to the BJP and where the party cadre can campaign and mobilize support around anti-Pakistan sentiment. A second hypothesis is that the impact is strongest where voters have more national (and less regional) preferences. In particular, the gains for the BJP should be the greatest in direct competition with the other major national party, Congress. Where voters are mobilized around regional concerns, i.e., where the BJP must compete against a regional party, the effects of military action against Pakistan should be more muted. To disentangle the impact of military action against Pakistan on voters, it is useful to look at the 1999 national election. In 1998, the BJP and then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee came to power at the head of a shaky coalition. By July 1999, Indian forces had scored a decisive victory over Pakistan in the Kargil war. Elections came soon after (and because the shaky coalition saw the exit of a large partner, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) and they returned the BJP to power in a more stable coalition that would last a full five years (ending a period of instability in which India saw three national elections in three years). In 1999, the BJP formed a broader electoral coalition, contesting 339 seats as opposed to the 388 seats it contested in 1998. The BJPs average vote share (in seats that it contested) rose from 36% in 1998 to 40% in 1999, suggesting a significant but modest impact of the Kargil war (and also of the BJPs governance between 1998 and 1999). When we restrict the data to the 331 parliamentary constituencies the BJP contested in both 1998 and 1999, we see a very strong relationship between the BJPs 1998 vote share and BJPs 1999 vote share (see chart 1). This suggests that the Kargil war was not a game-changer for the BJP as vote share remained stable at the constituency level and was largely driven by constituency-level factors. But where did the BJP gain the most in 1999? In order to see whether gains were driven by the BJPs presence, chart 2 looks at the difference in average constituency-wise vote share between 1998 and 1999 for the BJP across the seven states in which the BJP contested at least 15 seats Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. There is no real discernible pattern, with the BJP gaining 7.4 percentage points in Rajasthan while losing 7.3 percentage points in Uttar Pradesh. In fact, the BJP lost vote share in three states Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh where it was up against strong regional parties. Indeed, the BJP gained the most vote share in places it competed against the Congress (see chart 3). In head-to-head contests against the Congress (where both the BJP and Congress finished first or second), the BJP saw a significant increase in vote share from 44% in 1998 to 48% in 1999. By contrast, the BJP actually lost vote share in direct competition against other (regional) parties from 40% in 1998 to 36% in 1999. This effect was largely driven by its performance in Uttar Pradesh, where the BJPs seat share dropped from 57 in 1998 to 29 in 1999. But times are different. The BJP contests far more seats nationally than it did in those days (it contested 428 seats in 2014), so there may be more impact nationally of a strike against the JeM in Pakistan. Or perhaps voters have fewer regional preferences than they did in the 1990s. On the other hand, the Kargil war was a more decisive victory and the BJP was not facing the same concerns over the economy that it is today. Nonetheless, this data is instructive. As this writer has argued in the past, the BJP will need a commanding performance in states in which it battles head-to-head against the Congress, and the post-Pulwama response may provide the fillip the BJP needs. But the Congress is a far weaker party than it was in the late 1990s, and the BJP will likely have to perform well against regional parties as well where the electoral effect of military action against Pakistan may be less pronounced. For all the tall claims made by political pundits, the data suggest that military action in Pakistan wont be a game-changer in this election. (Neelanjan Sircar is an Assistant Professor, Ashoka University, and Visiting Senior Fellow, Centre for Policy Research) The Vadodara Lok Sabha constituency was one of the most high-profile parliamentary seats in 2014 general elections. Then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi contested from Vadodara Lok Sabha seat as Bharatiya Janata Partys prime ministerial candidate. Click here for Lok Sabha Election Results 2019 Click here for Election results 2019 Coverage PM Modi had defeated Madhusudan Mistry of the Congress by a margin of over 5.70 lakh votes. It was the second seat from which PM Modi had filed nomination in 2014 Lok Sabha election. The other was Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, which he retained after winning from both the constituencies. In the bypoll held after PM Modi vacated the Vadodara Lok Sabha seat, BJPs Ranjanben Bhatt won. The BJP had won this seat in 2009 Lok Sabha election also. For 2019, as well, Ranjanben Bhatt has taken a comfortable lead over opponents after the counting began. Click here for full Lok Sabha elections 2019 Coverage Vadodara parliamentary constituency comprises of seven Gujarat assembly segments. These are Savli, Vaghodia, Vadodara, Sayajigunj, Akota, Raopura and Manjalpur. Vadodara is one of the most developed districts of Gujarat. It was the seat of governance of erstwhile Baroda princely state, which laid the foundation for development of the city on the modern lines. Vadodara Lok Sabha Constituency: Key Facts Date of voting: April 23 2019 candidates: Prashant Patel (Tiko) (Congress), Ranjanben Bhatt (BJP) and Rohit Madhusudan Mohanbhai (BSP) Sitting MP, Party: Ranjanben Dhananjay Bhatt , BJP (won bypoll) Name of runner-up candidate in 2014: Madhusudan Mistry , Congress Winning margin in 2014: 5,70,128 Total number of voters in 2014: 1,162,168 Votes polled in 2014 elections: 80 per cent Number of polling booths in 2014: 1,591 Number of women voters: 5,36,532 Until February 14, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s 2019 prospects did not look very good. In December 2018 it lost elections in three key Hindi belt states Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to the Congress. A Hindustan Times analysis showed that the BJPs losses in these three states cut across regional, caste and occupational divide (see https://bit.ly/2PKacL3 for details). The BJP swept the 2013 elections in these states. In fact, it was this election cycle which heralded the beginning of the Narendra Modi wave, which catapulted the BJP to a majority in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. However, the political narrative seems to have changed after a suicide terror attack killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14, 2019. Amid widespread anguish in the country, the Indian Air Force carried out what were described as non-military, pre-emptive strikes at a terror camp in Pakistani territory on February 26, 2019. A lot of commentators believe that this military action has given the BJP a decisive edge vis-a-vis its opponents, as voters might prioritise national security over the prevailing economic disenchantment which had hurt the BJP in the previous election cycle. Watch: Opinion I Balakot, Rafale or Jobs what will be 2019 decider? The political developments after the air strikes in Balakot also suggest that the BJP is looking to create a polarisation on the issue. Questions by the Opposition trying to seek proof of exact damage and casualty in the air strikes have been portrayed as unpatriotic and targeted at questioning the credibility of the armed forces. The BJPs larger design of trying to portray the Opposition as anti-national has been commented upon by political scientists earlier as well. For example, Suhas Palshikar wrote in an August 2018 Economic and Political Weekly article, Of course, from the beginning, Hindutva has claimed to be coterminous with nationalism. But since he appeared on the national scene, [Narendra] Modi has spoken less about Hindutva and more about nationalism. This tactical shift has helped him generate enormous support for not only his personal leadership but also the overarching nationalist narrative a narrative that encompasses development, national power and Hindutva. Academic arguments aside, the question is whether such a polarisation could help the BJP in the forthcoming general elections. This author had argued in an earlier piece that there is mixed evidence on whether military conflicts impact political outcomes in India (https://bit.ly/2HcNKJU). Would 2019 be different from earlier times, as the BJP tries to convert the elections into a polarisation between nationalist and anti-national forces? Looking at what could perhaps be described as Indias two most polarised elections 1993 assembly election in Uttar Pradesh and 2002 assembly election in Gujarat could offer some insights on what could happen. The 1993 Uttar Pradesh elections happened in the aftermath of demolition of the Babri mosque. The 2002 Gujarat polls were held months after the communal riots in Gujarat. In both these elections, the BJP was the incumbent party and was seen has having forced a polarisation by the Opposition. The BJP increased its previous vote share in both these elections. This suggests that polarisation worked in its favour. However, its seat share went down in Uttar Pradesh while it increased in Gujarat. The former happened because the BJP had to face an alliance of the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party in Uttar Pradesh. In other words, a rise in polarisation behind the BJP might or might not create a counter-polarisation behind the Opposition. See chart 1: BJPs seat share and vote share in Uttar Pradesh 1993 and Gujarat 2002 Herein lies an important lesson on why even a favourable polarisation in terms of vote share might or might not work for a party in terms of seats. In a first-past-the-post (FPTP) system, it is extremely difficult to predict change in seat shares for a given change in vote share. This can be seen from chart 2, which gives the ratio of percentage point change in seat shares for the Congress and the BJP for one percentage point change in vote share. See chart 2: Ratio of change in seat share and vote share for Congress and BJP Last, but not the least, is the question of what was the level of support which the BJP and its opponents had before the Pulwama terror attack. The electoral impact of polarisation and counter-polarisation, which might happen in the aftermath of Pulwama, will critically depend on these base levels. AAP national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal Wednesday appealed to the Congress to join the proposed alliance between his party and that of Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) in Haryana for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. While Kejriwal said the alliance could together defeat the BJP on all 10 seats in Haryana, the JJP was quick to decline the offer, citing ideological differences with the Congress. Kejriwals comment came at a time when speculations have been rife about a possible alliance between the AAP and the Congress for the seven seats in Delhi. While the AAP has been keen on an alliance, the Congress has officially refused it so far. Speaking to reporters at the AAP headquarters, Kejriwal Wednesday said, In Delhi, we do not need the Congress. Here, we will alone win all seats, he said. Congress president Rahul Gandhi had, on Monday, ruled out any alliance with the AAP in Delhi and asked his party workers in the capital to win all seven Lok Sabha seats. Justifying his proposal for Haryana, the AAP chief said such an alliance in the neighbouring state will help in a big way to defeat the Modi-Shah duo at a national-level. Today, I am offering a proposal to Rahul Gandhi ji. In Haryana, if AAP, JJP and Congress fight the elections together then the alliance will be able to defeat BJP on all 10 seats there, he said. The recently launched JJP is a breakaway of the Indian National Lok Dal. However, within minutes after Kejriwals comments, the JJP issued a statement, saying it can never have any truck with the Congress. The JJP has been formed on the ideology of late Choudhary Devi Lal who has always fought against Congress so JJP will never enter into any alliance with the Congress and will not be part of any alliance which includes Congress, said KC Bangar, JJPs national general secretary. In January, the Aam Aadmi Pary had supported Jannayak Janta Party in the Jind bypoll in Haryana and both parties have been in talks for an alliance for the assembly elections scheduled later this year. Asked about Kejriwals comments on Wednesday, Congresss chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said, that may be his viewpoint. Kejriwal is free to think whatever he wants but the ground reality is different from his imagination. Our countrymen ... will vote for the BJP again, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar told the media. (With agency inputs) The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Himachal Pradesh has drawn up an elaborate election strategy to reach out every household in the hill state in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Eyeing a victory in all the four parliamentary seats in the state, the BJP has named Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah among dozens of star campaigners and plans to hold around 400 election rallies across Himachal Pradesh. State BJP chief Satpal Singh Satti said the party would organise workshops for BJP workers in all the four parliamentary constituencies. There are 256 zila parishad wards in Himachal and the party will hold rallies in the all of them, he said. Read | Lok Sabha election 2019: Issues, key players and more on Himachal Pradesh Satti said the partys campaign would focus on publicising the achievements of the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre and the state government. Meanwhile, All India Congress Committee (AICC)-incharge for Himachal Pradesh Rajni Patil and co-incharge Gurkirat Kotli on Wednesday met party leaders from the state in Chandigarh to finalise candidates for the four Lok Sabha seats in hill state. Himachal Congress legislature party leader Mukesh Agnihotri, former state party chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and frontrunners for the ticket for Kangra seatformer ministers Sudhir Sharma and GS Bali were present. Patil and Kotli gathered feedback and opinions on the two ticket aspirants. Also Read | Lok Sabha election dates announced: Know when your state goes to polls For complete coverage of Lok Sabha Elections 2019, click here Former Maharashtra chief minister Sushilkumar Shinde, and city Congress leaders Milind Deora and Priya Dutt are among the first candidates announced by the Congress for the state. Five candidates from Maharashtra figured in a list released by the All-India Congress Committee on Wednesday. Shinde will contest from Solapur, his Lok Sabha constituency. Deora was renominated from Mumbai south, while Dutt will contest the Mumbai north-central constituency. Dutt had earlier expressed unwillingness to contest, but was asked by the party leadership to fight the polls. She will challenge Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) member of Parliament, Poonam Mahajan. The Congress has named Nana Patole from Nagpur, to take on Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari. In 2014, Patole was elected from Bhandra-Gondia as a BJP candidate, but quit the party last year protesting the Centres anti-farmer policies. Namdev Usendi is the partys Gadchiroli-Chimur candidate. Except Patole, all other candidates had contested the 2014 elections on a Congress ticket. A second list of at least seven more candidates from Maharashtra is expected to be released in next few days. The Central Election Committee, headed by Congress president Rahul Gandhi, will meet again on Saturday to finalise the remaining candidates from the state. Meanwhile, the working committee of the state Congress is meeting on Thursday morning to finalise seat-sharing deals with smaller allies. A meeting of senior Congress and Nationalist Congress Party leaders is expected to take place later, to decide the formal announcement of the Opposition coalition in the state. BJP leader Krishan Pal Gurjar, 61, was catapulted to limelight in his debut Lok Sabha election in 2914 when he trounced his rival and four-time Congress MP, Avtar Singh Bhadana, by a whopping 4.6-lakh votes from Faridabad seat. Then, Modi wave made his win remarkable. The same effect, however, is not being felt this time around. And unexpectedly, Gurjar again faces competition, though of a different kind, from Bhadana, the man whom he defeated in 2014. A moneybag, Bhadana quit the Congress and joined BJP about three years ago. He is pretty clear on wanting to contest from Faridabad LS seat on the saffron party symbol. Bhadana, who was Congress MP in 1991, 2004 and 2009 from Faridabad and in 1999 from Meerut (UP), says he devoted 30 years to the Congress but his past three years were just for the BJP. Now, a member of the national executive of the BJP, Bhadana, who like Krishan Pal comes from the Gujjar community, is emphatic when he says that voters of Faridabad know the kind of work he has done all these years. The BJP leadership should compare my and Gurjars standing before taking a decision on the candidate from Faridabad, he says. VOICES WITHIN PARTY, AND MAJOR WORKS Gurjar, who is minister of state for social justice and empowerment, faces criticism from within the party in his constituency. BJP leaders and workers, requesting anonymity, say he was concentrating only on people and areas of his choice. He also faces allegations that illegal mining and illegal plying of buses in Faridabad continue despite his knowledge. Several major works completed during his stint in this constituency, however, speak for him. And he is quick to name them Delhi Metro, which was up to Ajronda has been made operational up to Ballabhgarh; completion of much delayed Kundli-Manesar-Palwal and Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal expressways and six flyovers on Delhi-Faridabad-Agra national highway (NH-2). All these works have brought a major relief from painful traffic jams for motorists not only from his constituency but the entire National Capital Region (NCR). Gurjar names several other works done during his stint, including the setting up Shri Vishwakarma Skill University and the smart city status to Faridabad. His forceful narration of what he did for the constituency notwithstanding, the going does not seem to be easy for him in the upcoming parliamentary polls. However, his home town Faridabad continues to stink. Poor civic amenities, traffic congestion and unhygienic conditions have been a challenge he has failed to address, say his rivals. RIVALS TERM HIM A FAILURE Though Faridabad has bagged the smart city tag and 400 crore funds, the work on the ground is moving at a snails pace. Critics, including MLAs from rival political parties, are vocal about his failures and inadequacies. Out of the nine assembly segments in Faridabad Lok Sabha constituency, only three are represented by the ruling BJP legislators. Badkhal, Ballabhgarh and Faridabad are represented by BJP MLAs, Seema Trikha, Mool Chand, and Vipul Goel, respectively. The rest six are represented by the INLD (Hathin and Faridabad NIT), the Congress (Palwal, Tigaon and Hodal) and the BSP (Prithla). Congress MLAs Karan Dalal and Jagdish Nagar are critical of Gurjar for not doing enough for the people of constituency and its people. Crime is on the rise like never before and the works he takes credit for were started during the Congress rule, says Dalal. Nagar, on the other hand, accuses the MP of patronising illegal mining and illegal plying of buses in the constituency, a charge dismissed by Gurjar. Interestingly enough, INLD MLA from Faridabad NIT Nagender Bhadana, lauds the ruling BJP especially chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar for various major works done in his segment. I may be from an opposition party but the fact is that the chief minister deserves kudos for getting a five-km long open sewerage cemented with wide roads on both sides, besides bringing drinking water facility through a 25-km pipeline for a particular pocket of villages in my segment, Nagender says. He is likely to shift camps in the coming days. Though the Congress is yet to name its candidate, party insiders say Dalal and Nagar were interested in fighting the upcoming election. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been rocked in Punjab by frequent upheavals in the past five years, but there was one leader who remained totally aloof. Professor Sadhu Singh, partys Member of Parliament from Faridkot Lok Sabha constituency, maintained an uncanny silence. He is exactly the same in his constituency as well neither seen, nor heard much. The first-time MP, who is not articulate, has remained low-key throughout. His office in a rented accommodation on the outskirts of the city has never been crowded, making people often wonder about the electoral prospects of Sadhu Singh whose astounding victory in 2014 was attributed to popular support for the AAP in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. He is banking on the development works carried out with transparency from funds received under the MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) Scheme this time. I am the only MP in Punjab who has achieved the target of allocating the entire sum of 25 crore sanctioned in five years under the scheme, said the AAP MP, calling it his trump card. CLEAN IMAGE HIS STRENGTH Sadhu Singh, who taught at Brijindra College and then served as principal of KK Marwaha College, has the image of a clean politician. A staunch Marxist, he was vocal against the Khalistan ideologues during the militancy period in the state, but his complete silence on issues raised by the disgruntled party leaders has been termed as lack of spine by his critics. The Faridkot MP, who has remained loyal to the partys central leadership, dismisses members of the breakaway group as people who would not achieve anything and will gradually fade out. (Patiala MP Dharamvira) Gandhi is a good man, but those who leave the party do not go a long way, his said about his friend who was suspended by the AAP three years ago for anti-party activities. INFIGHTING REMAINS A CHALLENGE The internal bickering, which has led to rebellion by seven of the 20 party legislators in the state, has played out in his parliamentary constituency as well. Jaitu MLA Baldev Singh was among the three AAP legislators in his Lok Sabha constituency, but he revolted against the party leadership and has resigned to join a new outfit, Punjabi Ekta Party (PEP), floated another rebel MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira. The dissidents are also creating problems for the party in the Kotkapura assembly constituency. The PEP, which is directly targeting the AAP, has formed an alliance Punjab Democratic Alliance with Lok Insaaf Party, Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali) and some other outfits. The alliance has decided to field its candidates and could affect Sadhu Singh, who is among the five candidates named by the party, in his re-election bid. While former SAD MP Paramjit Kaur Gulshan, who lost to Sadhu Singh in 2014, has been preparing to throw her hat in the ring again, the Congress, which got pushed to the number three position, is looking for a strong candidate this time. Gulshan said Sadhu Singh will be rejected by the people this time because his performance was nil. Congress leader Joginder Singh called Sadhu Singhs five-year term a failure. Distributing the central grants has been the criterion to judge any MP or MLA. People need a representative who raises their issues, he said. However, the AAP MP differed, saying the breakaway faction would not be able to make any dent in his support base in Jaitu, Kotkapura or other assembly segments of the constituency. I am sure people will reward me for my work, he said, banking on grants given from his development fund to the municipal bodies and health and educational institutions. He has also been instrumental in getting a drain cleaning machine worth 30 lakh, the only such equipment in the entire state, for the Jaitu municipal committee. Despite his image of clean and non-controversial politician, Sadhu Singh has been politically inactive and never showed initiative to mobilise masses for the party during the panchayat elections or the war within. There were like six shots, and then there were three more, one witness, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told the Daily News. The man was on the ground face-up. His head was by his SUV, and the truck was open. The northeast has been an area of focus for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the Bharatiya Janata Partys ideological parent, and the party itself. As early as January 2018, BJP president Amit Shah said in an interview with Hindustan Times that the northeast was one region where the BJP hoped to achieve significant gains in the Lok Sabha elections. Of the 25 Lok Sabha seats in the region, the party currently holds eight. However, the alliance that the BJP had carefully stitched together starting in 2016, with the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) a coalition of indigenous parties, including many in power in the northeastern states now threatened to come apart on account of the contentious Citizenship Amendment Bill, which the ruling party sought to push. The bill, which promises Indian citizenship to non-Muslim minorities from neighbouring countries including Bangladesh and Pakistan, was passed in the Lok Sabha on January 8, despite widespread protests in the northeast against it. Citizen groups, students unions and indigenous political parties even BJP chief ministers and the Congress state units claimed that it was detrimental to the interest of indigenous populations of the states. Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), one of the coalition partners of the BJP in Assam, exited the alliance, with three ministers quitting a day before the bill was passed in the Lok Sabha. Meghalaya CM and NPP chief Conrad Sangma too, threatened to call it quits with the BJP due to the citizenship bill row. The NPP is in a coalition with the BJP. However, on Wednesday morning, BJP general secretary Ram Madhav took to social media platform Facebook to announce that its alliance with the six northeastern political parties was on. The BJP, NPP, NDPP, AGP and BPF (Bodoland Peoples Front) will fight together in Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh with the mission of defeating Congress party at the hustings, Madhav wrote in a post, adding that the alliance will win not less than 22 of the 25 seats in the region. Madhav met the chief ministers of BJP-led governments, including Sarbananda Sonowal (Assam), N Biren Singh (Manipur) and Pema Khandu (Arunachal Pradesh), and the heads of coalition governments Neiphiu Rio (Nagaland) and Sangma. Madhav also met AGP leaders and brought them back on board. However, AGP leader and former Assam chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta said, I am against this alliance with the BJP and I am firm on my stand. AGP leaders Lachit Bardoloi and Hemen Borah tendered their resignations after the alliance was announced. In Sikkim, the BJP will ally with the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, the main opposition party. Madhav also met coalition partner Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (the two rule the state in partnership), which intends to fight the Lok Sabha elections alone. By joining hands with the BJP again, AGP leaders have put the last nail in the partys coffin. They have exposed themselves as power-hungry and betrayed their grass root workers. It will make the BJP irrelevant soon, said senior Congress leader from Assam Pradyut Bordoloi. (With inputs from Utpal Parashar, Sadiq Naqvi and David Laitphlang) The National Conference (NC), which is in talks with the Congress for an alliance in Jammu and Kashmir for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, has finalised candidates for two of the three parlimentary seats in the Valley. Leaders of another regional party, the (PDP), have also begun exercise to select candidates for the six seats in the statethree in Kashmir valley, two in Jammu and one in Ladakh. NC provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani said the partys parliamentary board would meet shortly to announce candidates. Formally, we have not named any candidates. We are in talks with the Congress and there is a possibility that may contest the elections jointly, he said. The two parties, which are part of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), had contested the 2014 Lok Sabha polls jointly but could not win a single seat in the state. Congress candidates lost Jammu, Udhampur and Ladakh to BJP while the National Conference candidates were defeated by PDP nominees in Anantnag, Baramulla and Srinagar. This time, however, leaders of the two parties feel the situation in the state had changed and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kashmir and the BJP in Jammu have lost ground. Read |Lok Sabha election dates announced: Know when your state goes to polls NC leaders said party president Farooq Abdullah could contest from Srinagar former minister Akbar Lone from Baramulla. Abdullah had won the Srinagar seat in 2017 byelection in, having lost it in 2014 general polls. Meanwhile, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has started consultations with senior party leaders to finalise candidates. Party leaders said the PDP was unlikely forge an alliance and had already named Abdul Qayoom Wani as its candidate for the Baramulla seat in place of the sitting MP Muzuffar Beigh. Wani had recently quit government service and joined the PDP. Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2019: All you need to know about Jammu and Kashmir A senior PDP leader said there was pressure Mehbooba Mufti to contest from south Kashmir as assembly elections had been delayed. He said the party had shortlisted three namesMehbooba Mufti, former minister Abdul Rehman Veri and former MP Mehboob Beighfor south Kashmirs Anantnag Lok Sabha seat. The party could field a former minister from Srinagar, he added. J&K Pradesh Congress Committee has sent a panel of names to the party high command which will decide the party candidates from the state. For complete coverage of Lok Sabha Elections 2019, click here Union minister and Lok Sabha election in-charge for Rajasthan BJP, Prakash Javadekar said on Wednesday that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was becoming stronger with new alliances and the mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) was coming undone. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of party core committee meeting for selection of candidates for Lok Sabha elections, Javadekar said people thought Shiv Sena wont remain in the NDA, it remains; theres a new alliance in Tamil Nadu and many other parties have joined the NDA. The mahagathbandhan on the other hand is almost dead: Congress couldnt have an alliance with Aam Aadmi Party in Delhi, theres no alliance with Mamata Bannerjee in Kolkata nor with Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh. In Uttar Pradesh, the SP-BSP combine has isolated the party by conceding only two seats to it. In Karnataka, the alliance with JD(S) is breathing its last, he said. Javadekar said BJP will contest LS poll on four issues: terror-free India, poverty-free India, garbage-free India and corruption-free India. Also read | Lok Sabha elections 2019: Here is all you need to know about Rajasthan The HRD minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, national vice president and former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje and other state and central leaders will launch public campaign from next week. He said people have to choose between a mazboot (strong) government and a majboor (helpless) government. Even BSP chief Mayawati has said Modi leads a strong government. He gave a free hand to the Army to take revenge for Pulwama terror attack but Opposition is raising questions on Armys action, he said. Javadekar said that the BJP was moving towards victory with full confidence and Congresss nervousness over this was evident in the Ahmedabad meeting. Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee vice president Archana Sharma said, Those who are running coalition government are questioning the coalition. BJP that calls itself a big party is compromising in different states on small numbers on the name of coalition. Congress is doing alliance based on its ideology and mahagathbandhan will form the government at the Centre. For complete coverage of Lok Sabha Elections 2019, click here. Outside the iconic Darul-Uloom Deoband in Saharanpur district is a small shop selling shawls and scents. Mohammad Talha, who is in his late 50s, has been running it for close to a decade and speaks of the limited returns the shop gets, even as his living costs have kept increasing. Talha is following the electoral process closely. He believes that Narendra Modi must lose. It is about livelihood. Dangon ka dar nahin hai (We are not scared of riots). But his governments policies like demonetisation broke our back. For weeks, there was no sale. But he is not too hopeful, for there are two candidates challenging the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here: Imran Masood of the Congress; and Haji Fazlur Rahman of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) representing the alliance of BSP-Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). Muslim votes will split between the Congress and the BSP, and the BJP could make it. A little further up the road, Amrez Alam, another shopkeeper in his 40s, agrees that there is a possibility of some split in the communitys votes. But he believes that the BSP candidate is way ahead. Masood is a strong leader but he wont get much Hindu votes. The BSP candidate will get Dalit votes also. I think the alliance will win. Will the Balakot air strikes change things? Alam does not think so. The BJPs own supporters have become vocal but those who were against them remain against them. Mohammad Azim, a bystander, argues that people are educated now, and livelihood concerns will matter most. But he has a piece of advice. The Congress should ally with the alliance in the state. The SP-BSP is much stronger. Here, SP-BSP should back Masood. Less than half-an-hour from the Deoband Madrasa is the Shabirpur village. In 2017, tensions had broken out here between Thakurs and Dalits, posing a serious political and law and order challenge for the Yogi Adityanath government. The polarisation between the communities remains pronounced. Out of approximately 2,400 voters in the village, one-third are from the Jatav community (the Dalit sub-caste which is perceived to be most loyal to Mayawati), says a local Dalit leader, sitting below a picture of Babasaheb Ambedkar. He did not wish to be identified. Even as the Thakurs of the village continue to support the BJP, the Dalits are firmly with the BSP. The leader says, Behenji has done the right thing by allying with SP. The BJPs loss here will be justice for us. In Nanauta, a bazaar on the state highway in Saharanpur, similar voices of support for the BSP can be heard. Shyam Singh, in his 40s, is sharply critical of the Narendra Modi government and mocks its claims. They said open bank account. But there is nothing in the bank account. The government said we are giving gas cylinders but we dont get subsidy. Under the BJP, Thakurs of Shabirpur can celebrate Maharana Pratap, burn Dalit homes, but will not allow Dalits to celebrate Babasaheb. This government is anti-Dalit. It is in these voices that both the strength and the potential vulnerabilities of the Opposition can be discerned in Uttar Pradesh (UP). With a substantial Jatav and Muslim population, which is wedded to voting out the BJP, Saharanpur should have represented an easy seat for the opposition. Take the arithmetic of 2014. The BJP won the seat with 4,72,999 votes (39.59% vote share); the Congress Masood came a close second with 4.07,909 votes (34.14% vote share); and the BSPs Jagdish Singh Rana got 2,35,033 (19.67%) votes and the SP candidate got 52,765 votes. But here is the rub. The Congresss candidate has a strong electoral background, but he missed the bus last time and now faces a stronger BSP. Unlike last time, the BSP has put up a Muslim candidate this time who could eat into Masoods votes. The BSP continues to enjoy tremendous support among Jatavs of the area, but it is difficult to spot support among other communities. In this fragmented non-BJP landscape, the saffron outfit could well pull through. And this is the story across many districts HT travelled to in west UP. The Opposition has strong, but limited, pockets of support. Where it has influential local leaders, the BJP has a challenge. But the split between the SP-BSP and the Congress is harming both. In addition, besides the advantage of arithmetic, the Opposition is lacking in key respects. It does not have a strong overarching narrative, strong national leadership and needs wider social coalitions beyond its caste and religious vote base. The strengths If there is one seat the SP-BSP is confident about in the west UP belt, it is Budayun. Represented by Dharmendra Yadav, a member of the SPs ruling family, the party was able to withstand the Modi wave here in 2014. The support persists and spreads across caste. On the Manikapur road in Ujhani, Rohitash Kumar Prajapati, a B.Tech student, says he would like Modi to return as PM. But in this constituency, he would vote for Yadav. He has worked hard here. He recently brought a medical college to the area. Indeed, Yadav got 48.5% of the vote, followed by the BJP which got 32.3% vote share. The BSP came third with 15% vote share. With the BSP supporting the SP in this election, their combined vote share extrapolated from the 2014 election is close to 65%. There is, however, one challenge for Yadav. As in Saharanpur, here, too, the Congress has put up a Muslim candidate: Saleem Iqbal Shervani, who has been a four-time MP from the constituency between 1996 and 2009 from the SP. Will Shervani cut Muslim votes? Locals do not think so. A group of Muslim men Liaqat, Rashid, and Ali Mohammed in Ujhani blame the Congress. Shervani is ruining his reputation. They should just back Yadav. The model Yadav represents of a strong local face is what the alliance will seek to play on in another seat, Muzaffarnagar. RLD supremo, Ajit Singh, is contesting here; the BJPs most likely candidate will be the incumbent, Sanjeev Baliyan. The stark communal polarisation in the wake of the riots last time had given the BJP a comfortable win here. Baliyan won close to 59% of the vote alone across Hindu communities. This time around, a local Muzaffarnagar journalist, who did not wish to be identified, points out the challenge is severe. Ajit Singh is telling people this is his last election. Jats feel nostalgic about the RLD as their own party. There is also resentment because of pending sugarcane dues. We will have to see if Muslim voters of the SP-BSP and Dalit voters of the BSP also support Singh because of the alliance. If the communal divide is actually bridged, then this Jat-Muslim-Dalit coalition is unbeatable. But he adds that the situation is fluid. On the other hand, Jats could still go with the BJP or split; Muslims may not be as enthusiastic about a Jat candidate. And Baliyans margin of victory was huge last time around. It is also unclear yet what the Congress, admittedly a marginal player in the seat, will do. If it puts up a Muslim candidate, it could suit the BJP. This combination of strong local leaders, and a committed support base of Muslims and Jatavs in particular, is what the Opposition is banking on most in these parts of the state. Whats not working But while local permutations in select seats may give non-BJP forces more seats this time around in UP, the Oppositions campaign is marked by several key gaps. The single biggest issue is leadership. Voters are making a distinction between a national election and state election. And across constituencies, even those who were willing to entertain other options, argued that there was little point in voting for the SP-BSP or the Congress in a general election. Sahib Singh belongs to the Dhobi sub-caste. In Kasganjs Manpur Nagariya, which falls under the Etah Lok Sabha constituency, Singh has a litany of complaints against the state BJP government of Yogi Adityanath. But he says he will back Modi for PM. The Congress is not a factor here and Rahul Gandhi cannot be PM. Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav are UP parties and wont win enough seats. For the big [national] election, I will vote for Modi. For the small [state] election, I will vote for Akhilesh. This is coupled with the absolute narrative dominance of the BJP. A drive through Budayun, Etah and Hathras with a dozen stops across bazaars and villages threw up the same story last week. At each stop, across castes, the political conversation revolved around the Pulwama attack and the governments response; the central governments welfare schemes in rural areas; the farm income support initiative and how many had begun getting the first instalment of ?2,000 in their accounts while others were waiting in the queue; and how India needed five more years of Narendra Modi. This is exactly the messaging that has emanated from the BJP. Issues the Opposition would have liked to push from the difficulties posed by stray cattle to the agrarian distress, from the impact of demonetisation to the lack of jobs barely figured. And finally, the Opposition, especially the SP-BSP alliance, may appear strong because of its existing support groups of Yadavs, Jatavs and Muslims. But the absence of support from other groups will hurt its prospects. Back in Kairana, a seat RLD won in a bypoll last year, a local SP leader explains, Muslims will vote for us anyway. If we give a ticket to a Muslim, though, Jats will shift to the BJP. If we want to retain the seat, we must give a ticket to a Jat. In fact, across constituencies, our strategy must be to give tickets to non-Yadav, non-Muslim, non-Jatav candidates to expand our social base. Non-BJP parties may do better in 2019 than they did in 2014 in UP, but if they want to stop the saffron juggernaut, they have a lot of ground to cover in quick time. Two years after he led the Congress to a landslide victory in the Punjab assembly poll on his 75th birthday (March 11), Captain Amarinder Singh faces his first major electoral test not an easy one, at that in the Lok Sabha elections. Though a worsening financial crisis forced the ruling Congress to water down or shelve some of its key poll promises, Amarinder is counting as much on his performance chiefly Rs 4,678-crore debt waiver to 5.8 lakh small farmers and a tough action against gangsters and terror modules as on his uncanny ability to rival Akalis on the Panthic turf. On the eve of the second anniversary of his government, two-time chief minister sat down with Executive Editor Ramesh Vinayak and Senior Assistant Editor Navneet Sharma in an impressively well-stocked study at his official residence on Wednesday and fielded a range of questions with his signature candour. Dismissive about the BJPs new-found poll narrative on national security, he insisted that the Congress attack line on joblessness, farm distress and Rafale deal would prevail over Narendra Modis nationalism pitch in the run up to D-day. Excerpts: How do you look at your two years? It has been an interesting journey. We took over the state when it was in a completely dismal financial position, with a debt of Rs 2.10 lakh crore on us. In 2007, when we left the government, it was Rs 43,000 crore. They (SAD-BJP government) added over Rs 1 lakh crore and left another Rs 31,000-crore food credit account debt for us. It took us a while to settle down. We had two types of promises to fulfil. Those related to management, such as doing away with halqa in-charges, and those with financial implications. As the finances started improving, we started implementing our plans. Things such as anti-drug drives were kicked off right away. On employment front, we have given about 6.5 lakh jobs in government and private sector. But, Punjab is still drowning in debt ? There is no denying that. Unfortunately, the goods and services tax (GST) and demonetisation also added to our burden. For a long time, land was not transacting and revenue from stamp duty too nosedived. But things are now picking up. Power consumption in the industrial sector has gone up by 13%. Places such as Mandi Gobindgarh, which were totally shut with only 8-10 units operating, are buzzing again. All 300 are now operating and they are expanding business. We are giving full support to industry. As for finances, we could not do many things we wanted to. If things improve, we will do more for people. For instance, we could take debt waiver from current Rs 2 lakh to a higher level. Any specific steps you have taken? We have brought down fiscal deficit from 12% to 2%. Revenue from stamp duty is going up. In Mohali alone, over 300 registrations have been done in two months. We have had a bumper crop and tax collection is looking up. However, the procurement by the Centre has been tardy. My godowns are choc-a-bloc. I dont have even a single room for the coming wheat crop. We have told the Centre to lift the old stock, but they are not doing it. There are reports that FCI may opt out of procurement. Then, Punjab will be in crisis. They have to procure till crop diversification takes off. For instance, the Centre has announced MSP for maize, but there is no agency such as FCI to support it. The maize price drops to 50% of MSP sometimes. If you want diversification, we need consumption agencies. Thats why we are encouraging the food industry. Punjab has kept the nation afloat for long, but the government has to create new markets as wheat and rice are being grown in many other areas now. What about the promises such as smartphones, unemployment allowance, minimum income to farmers and Rs 1,500 welfare pension? Our first priority was debt waiver for which we needed Rs 9,500 crore. I could have easily given mobile phones, but we needed smartphones. We have selected the phone, but could find only 25,000 units. Orders have been placed, and we will distribute about three lakh phones in the first phase after the Lok Sabha elections, starting with schools and colleges. Do you review performance of your ministers? If yes, are you satisfied? I dont interfere in their functioning unless we lay down a policy that a minister has to stick to. It is their job to run their show. We have very good ministers and other who try very hard. When I became agriculture minister for the first time, I used to flounder sometimesyou learn gradually. Some newcomers are taking time, but they are doing alright. It will not be right for me to single them out. Even after two years, your ministers keep blaming the previous SAD-BJP govt for everything. Is it fair? Yes, I and everyone else blame them for financial mess because we faced that situation. I dont think there is any blame otherwise. We have shortage of doctors, nurses, teachers and policemen, but I cant get these because of fund shortage. We have 50% staff shortage. There are bushfires of protests by farmer unions, teachers, government employees and other groups. Will these impact the election? These protests were brought to a head with the impending elections. They are trying to extract whatever they could before the polls by twisting the governments arm. The Congress didnt do well in 2014 Lok Sabha elections, winning just three seats. How confident you are this time? It was a different scenario in 2014. The AAP had become a great symbol of future. They got lot of support. In Patiala, the Congress got 15,000 less votes than the AAP. The situation was similar in Sangrur and Bathinda. Everyone was running to the AAP. But now the party has split, and same is the case with Akalis. The Congress is united and other are divided. This suits us very much. The people have begun to realise that the Congress is delivering on development. When we came, gangsters were running amok. They are now in the lock-up or have been eliminated. We have knocked down 22 terror modules that were being pushed by Pakistan. They are totally on the defensive. A year ago, you handed over a list of 10 active handlers of Khalistani terrorists to Canadian PM Justin Trudeau. Has it helped? During the diplomatic standoff with Harjit Sajjan (Canadian defence minister) and later Trudeau, the Government of India fully backed me. Trudeau wanted to go to Amritsar, but they said he must call on the CM. He refused and was told to go to Bangla Sahib (Delhi) instead. (External affairs minister) Sushma Swaraj called me up to inform about it. Then, it was all sorted out and we met at Amritsar where I handed over the list to him. Subsequently, both countries have been working together on it. Where there was a total freeze on Canadian information earlier, now a thaw has come. Due to Ranjit Singh Commission and subsequent withdrawal of sacrilege cases from CBI, Akalis are alleging vendetta. Are you targeting the Badals? If there is any feeling that we are trying to target the Badals, it is not correct. Its for the SIT to carry out investigation, reach conclusion and decide who they want to prosecute. I am told that over 300 persons have been interviewed and they are reaching a conclusion. The Ranjit Singh Commission also points in the same direction. I can only quote the commission report. We are not interested in anyone particular. But Akalis have rejected the Ranjit Singh Commission and want a CBI probe instead. They have rejected the findings of their own panel Zora Singh Commission. They just want to delay matters. You dont trust your own commission. You dont trust Ranjit Singh commission. You dont trust SIT. Whom do you trust? They gave it (probe) to the CBI which said no and returned it. Our SIT head is an officer who has been in the CBI for 14 years. Even before the Ranjit panel came out with its findings, some ministers were demanding action against the Badals and ex-DGP Sumedh Singh Saini. Two of them are now accusing the government of colluding with the Badals. Some people just want me to catch hold of Badals and put them behind the bars. How do I do that? If a man is proven guilty, the law will take its course. The last time also I did not put him in jail. It was the court that put him in jail because his lawyer never showed up. We have got a law in this country. You may not like Badal or Sukhbir but they cant be put in jail just like that. The SIT has to take its own decision. Some Congress ministers have been making a Panthic pitch and are keenly looking at SGPC elections. The Congress never interferes into functioning of any religious body. But every Sikh has a right to decide who should run the SGPC. The gurdwara body polls have been due for three years. The BJP will never allow the elections till Badals are ready. Whenever elections come, I will support whichever group opposes the Badals. Enough is enough. Its not their fiefdom. After the Pulwama attack and Balakot strikes, the pre-poll narrative is being dominated by national security and nationalism. Will this affect Congresss poll prospects in Punjab? I dont see it happening here or elsewhere. It was the job of Air Force. When 40 soldiers were killed in Pulwama, it was governments duty to act. I have read that the strikes have been partially successful. Till we get proof, people are going to doubt it. The BJP is trying to sell it because there is nothing else to sell but they should not play with national security. But it seems to have overshadowed the Congress campaign on rural distress, jobs and even Rafale. There are still two months to go (for the elections). A realisation will come that this (airstrikes) would have been done by any government in power... Unemployment and farm distress are going to affect the people more. How do you look at poll prospects of the Congress given that the grand alliance is still to take shape? I think a time has come and parties will realise it is in the interest of the country that we get together to defeat the BJP and protect the secular structure (of the country). I dont think India can afford it. How confident are you about the Kartarpur corridor coming up this year? I am sure it will come up. But they (Pakistan) want to get the Sikhs sympathy towards the 2020 Referendum (demanding a separate Sikh state). Thats why he (Bajwa) wants the Kartarpur corridor to be made. It is a different agenda for them. Do you still believe it is an ISI project? 100%. ISI does all these things. Who ran the Tarafalgar Square thing (on the referendum)? It was an ISI fellow. All these foreign operations are ISI-controlled. Two senior-most IPS officers have challenged Dinkar Guptas appointment as DGP. What do you have to say? Its a Supreme Court judgment. We had 13 officers and their names were sent to UPSC. We were supposed to send six, but we sent all 13 names. The DGP was selected from the panel of three sent back by the UPSC. I am against this entire process because it amounts to encroaching upon the federal system. The states powers are being usurped. We have challenged this in the apex court. You promised to discourage liquor consumption, but liquor quota has been increased this year. Why this contradiction? Till such time we can resolve the financial crisis, we cant do this. Liquor is one of major sources of income. How are we going to pay our salaries? We were hoping to mop up Rs 6,000 crore from excise, but we got 5,400 crore. Another poll promise was to make it compulsory for industrial investors to recruit 50% of their workforce from Punjab. Whats the status? All jobs in industry are being given to Punjabis. They have good skill levels and are getting these jobs. We keep hearing from your ministers and MLAs that you have outsourced governance to bureaucrats. Is this true? There is no truth in this. All ministers are independent. They function independently. Their secretaries report to them. If they need to meet me, they come together. They were probably talking about is DCs and SPs in districts. They have been told that all MLAs are public representatives and have to be shown due respect. There is nothing in the hands of bureaucrats. How do you look at poll prospects of Congress given that mahagathbandhan is still to take shape? I think a time has come and parties will realise it is in the interest of the country that we get together to defeat the BJP and protect the secular fabric. We have large Muslim and Christian population. All sorts of people live here. After Rana Gurjit Singh, another minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu is now facing charges of wrongdoing. What are you doing about it? I have already ordered an inquiry. I will not pre-empt it. Let the report come. To say that lets pull down the building, it is not on. There is a law to deal with these things. If we do this, its goonda raj. Navjot Singh Sidhu and you took contradictory stands on the IAF strikes. Hasnt that sent confusing signals to party supporters? I think friendship makes Navjot forget other realities. He says talk peace but you talk peace when the time is right, not anytime... There is a feeling that Sidhu is in a hurry to become CM. What will you tell him? Come and take it over today. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by its national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, on Wednesday burnt the 2014 general election manifesto of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that promised full statehood to Delhi. Party leader and Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia read out the manifesto to AAPs volunteers and pointed out that the very first promise made five years ago was to provide full statehood to the national capital. Kejriwal also criticised Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari for saying that statehood will no longer be a part of the BJPs manifesto. Dilli tumhari baap ki nahi hain (Delhi does not belong to you nor do you own it). Who is Manoj Tiwari to comment on Delhiites like this ? Full statehood for Delhi is a right of the Delhiites, grant it otherwise the people of Delhi know how to snatch it, he said. Tiwari responded by tweeting, Arvind Kejriwal, your mammoth failure as CM is hitting hard on your face. Delhi understands your frustration and this is why you are shamelessly attacking my late father who took immense pride in his poverty and was a far bigger nationalist.unlike you! (sic) Addressing party volunteers at AAPs office in ITO, Kejriwal said Delhi will witness an unprecedented struggle for full statehood. Time has come for all of us to wage a joint struggle. I will not hesitate to lay down my life for the statehood of Delhi if the situation so demands, he said. He also criticised Tiwari for his remarks where he said Delhi could not be granted statehood as long as it had a chief minister like Kejriwal who had protested outside the Rail Bhawan in 2014. Are they aware how many chief ministers of different states have gone on dharnas for the rights of people in their respective states, including Mr Narendra Modi himself, when he was the chief minister of Gujarat? Kejirwal asked. Sisodia and Delhi BJP spokesperson Harish Khurana also engaged in a Twitter spat, with the Khurana challenging the deputy chief minister to a public debate on the issue of full statehood. The United Kingdoms high court has upheld an order banning an Indian-origin doctor, who had been found responsible for the death of a cancer patient at Mumbais Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital (KDAH), from practicing there. In August 2018, a UK medical tribunal had found Dr Pantula Sastry, an oncologist, responsible for the death of a 55-year-old woman who suffered from non-Hodgkins lymphoma. According to the tribunal, Dr Sastry had performed a stem cell transplantation on the patient Sushma Agarwal, knowing that her condition was not suitable for the procedure. Agarwal died 21 days after the procedure. After the tribunal banned him from practicing in the UK, Dr Sastry appealed against the decision with the high court but it was dismissed. I am satisfied that there has been no error of approach by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, said the UK high court. The deceased patients son Avtansh Agarwal had alleged medical negligence and reported his mothers case to the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK soon after he learned that Dr Sastry had relocated and started practicing there. According to a news article in British Medical Journal, published after the tribunals order, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal found that Sastry had knowingly given high dose chemotherapy followed by stem cell transplantation to the patient whose test results suggested she would not survive. Sastry moved to the United Kingdom and the patients son reported the case to the UK General Medical Council, which, under the Medical Act 1983, can consider overseas events to determine a doctors fitness to practice. The British Medical Journal article quoted tribunal chairman Matthew Fiander stating that the public would find it unacceptable and disgraceful that a doctor proceeded with high dose chemotherapy knowing that the patient would not be able to recover from it. The tribunal investigated the case and found that Dr Sastry was incompetent as the procedure was outside his area of expertise. Dr Ram Narain, chief executive officer, KDAH said the matter in India has been put before various legal forums and therefore would not like to comment on it. Avtansh said the high courts decision has finally given him a sense of closure. Theres a sense of relief that the GMC and UK authorities have diligently pursued the case of gross medical negligence and delivered the highest level of sanction as per the local laws. He, however, added that there was no movement on the case registered in India with the Maharashtra Medical Council. It will be a travesty of any semblance of justice in case Sastry returns to India and resumes practice and, thereby, endangers cancer patients with his arrogance, recklessness, and incompetence, Avtansh added. A number of reasons, including the role Pakistan plays in Chinas ties with the Muslim world and a sense of alarm that listing Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar will have spillover security problems in Xinjiang, could have played a role in Beijing blocking the move to list Azhar as a global terrorist in the UN Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday. As it readies a defence to explain its move later today, Beijing is likely to cite Indias failure to provide updated materials on Azhar as the reason for blocking the fresh move. It is, however, clear that strategic reasons were a crucial factor in the decision. Not the least would have been to ensure that Pakistan isnt isolated in the international community - iron brother Beijing stands by Islamabad through the thick of global pressure to act on the JeM and Azhar. Watch: Opinion I Pak dictating Chinas decision on UN sanctions on Masood Azhar? It is also evident that despite routine diplomatic talk about having a common front on terrorism, India and China stand apart on the issue - the post-Wuhan bilateral bonhomie can only gloss over the issue. Earlier on Thursday, China blocked the latest international move to designate Azhar - whose group JeM claimed responsibility for the deadly Pulwama attack in February - as a global terrorist at the UNSC, allowing a major bilateral irritant with India to fester. A statement issued by the external affairs ministry in New Delhi expressed disappointment at the UNs Islamic State and al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee being unable to come to a decision on the move to sanction Azhar on account of a member placing the proposal on hold. The statement did not name the Security Council member responsible for the outcome in view of the official protocols followed for the working of the Sanctions Committee, people familiar with developments confirmed that China was behind the technical hold on Azhars listing. This has prevented action by the international community to designate the leader of JeM, a proscribed and active terrorist organisation which has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 14 February 2019, the statement said. Despite the post-Wuhan upswing in Sino-India bilateral ties, what explains Chinas repeated blocking of the move to list Azhar as terrorist? Pakistan also suffers a lot from terrorists activities, to designate Azhar as a terrorist wont eradicate the origin of the problem and may cause more security spillovers in the region. Therefore, China is cautious to take the stand, Lu Yang, south Asia expert at Tsinghua University, said. In Chinas ties with the Muslim world, Pakistan is an important partner. China worries the general security situation in the region which would also affect Chinas west, Lu said, indicating the problems Beijing is facing in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). The way China deals with terror threats within its borders is also clearly different from what another country - like India - face. Xinjiang and Kashmir are different: Kashmir is a disputed area while Xinjiang is not, Xinjiang is a province of China. We negotiated with Pakistan and got cooperation from Pakistan (to keep Xinjiang safe), said Liu Zongyi, general secretary of the Centre for China-South Asia Cooperation Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies. This issue had been a problem between China and India in the past years even before the Donglang (Doklam) standoff in 2017. This problem has heavily influenced our bilateral relations, Liu said But I think the reason is that the Indian government always connects one issue, like the Azhar issue, with the whole bilateral relations; they think if China cannot resolve this issue, it will affect the whole bilateral relations. And, the Indian side thinks they are special so China should accept their requirement, he added. This is the first time that Pence has hosted the partner of an openly gay world leader at his residence, though that may simply be a reflection of their low numbers. After he met Pence at his home last year, Varadkar told Irish reporters that the two discussed LGBT issues and that the vice president told the Irish leader that his partner would be welcome at his home. US aerospace giant Boeing is suspending deliveries of its top-selling 737 MAX aircraft following a second deadly crash, but production of the planes will continue, a company spokesman told AFP. We are pausing the delivery of the 737 MAX until we come up with a solution, the spokesman said. We are going to continue the production but we are assessing our capacities. The crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight on Sunday, which killed 157 people, led governments worldwide to ban the planes until the cause is determined. China on Thursday said it put a technical hold on the fresh move to list Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist as it needed more time to study the matter but added that it was sincere about building better ties with India. Earlier on Thursday, China blocked the latest international move to designate Azhar - whose group JeM claimed responsibility for the deadly Pulwama attack in February - as a global terrorist at the UNSC, allowing a major bilateral irritant with India to fester. A statement issued by the external affairs ministry in New Delhi expressed disappointment at the UNs Islamic State and al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee being unable to come to a decision on the move to sanction Azhar on account of a member placing the proposal on hold. Watch: India and Indians are hurt: Ravi Shankar Prasad on Chinas veto on Masood Azhar When asked about the reason for blocking the move initiated by the US, France and UK, foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said China always carries out thorough and in-depth investigation of the applications to the UN sanctions committee. Also read: Behind Chinas move to block Masood Azhars listing, a strategic reason The UNSC 1267 committee has clear standards and procedures for designating terrorist organisations and individuals. China conducts through in-depth assessment of this application and we still need time. That is why put forward the technical hold, Lu said. This is in line with the rules of the committee and China sincerely hopes that relevant action taken by this committee will help relevant countries to engage in dialogue and consultation and prevent adding more complicated factors into regional peace and stability, he added. China will continue to adopt a constructive and responsible attitude and communicate and coordinate with all sides relevant to properly handle this issue, Lu said. Also read: UN members warn of other actions as China blocks bid to list Masood Azhar as global terrorist When asked about the state of Sino-India ties, Lu said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping had met four times last year. President Xi and PM Modi met four times. Particularly, the Wuhan summit made great progress. China is full of sincerity and ready to work with India to build on the consensus of our leaders for greater progress in the bilateral relations, he said. As for the technical hold, our action is to make sure that China will have enough time to study the matter so that relevant sides will have enough time for discussions and consultations to find a lasting solution, Lu added. I said earlier that only a solution that is acceptable to all sides could fundamentally provide a chance of a lasting solution to the issue. China is ready to communicate and coordinate with all sides including India to properly handle this issue. More Indian experts and professionals will be able to take up jobs in the United Kingdom later this year following a major announcement made by the Theresa May government on Wednesday amidst the cut-and-thrust of Brexit-related developments in Parliament. Chancellor Philip Hammond said in a written ministerial statement in the House of Commons that the annual recruitment cap of 20,700 for non-EU professionals will be revised to remove PhD-level occupations, which means there will be no limit to such individuals being recruited. Hammond said: From Autumn 2019, PhD-level occupations will be exempt from the Tier 2 (General) cap, and at the same time the government will update the immigration rules on 180-day absences so that researchers conducting fieldwork overseas are not penalised if they apply to settle in the UK. The change is likely to be part of post-Brexit plans to scrap the current annual limit as recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) in September 2018. The announcement has been welcomed by UK universities, one of the major employers of international researchers. Indian experts and professionals are already granted 54% of all work-related visas. The new change is likely to make it easier for Indian students in UK universities on PhD-level courses to take up work after completion, as it will help UK companies recruit more experts from India. Vivienne Stern, director of Universities UK International, said: This is fantastic news for Indian researchers who would like to work in the UK, and for UK universities, who thrive on bringing together a diversity of brilliant minds from around the world. UK universities consistently produce world class research. Despite making up only 0.9% of the global population, the UK is responsible for 15.9% of the worlds most highly cited research articles. We simply could not achieve this without the international community of researchers that work at and with our institutions. Many of the UKs leading researchers, in fields ranging from biomechanics to gender politics, come from India. Outside of Europe, India is the third largest country of origin for academic staff in the UK, the director of the body that represents UK universities globally added. Ending preferential access of EU citizens to the job market is one of the key implications of Brexit. As an EU member-state, the UK is obliged to allow full rights to EU citizens, but ministers have announced that there will be a level-playing field between EU and non-EU applicants after Brexit. As the MAC said in its major report, We recommend that the cap is abolished it creates uncertainty among employers and it makes little sense for a migrant to be perceived as of value one day and not the next which is what inevitably happens when the cap binds. If the UK is in a position where it is deciding the main features of its immigration policy our recommendation is that there should be a less restrictive regime for higher-skilled workers than for lower-skilled workers in a system where there is no preference for EEA over non-EEA workers. Some permanent members of the UN Security Council plan to pursue other actions to counter Chinas continued opposition to designating Jaish-e-Mohammad founder Masood Azhar, a Security Council diplomat said Wednesday, stressing the case for listing the Pakistan-based terrorist was undeniable. The diplomat did not elaborate but other UN officials familiar with the rules and regulations of the listing of terrorists by the UN said the stalled designation proposal can be escalated to the Security Council itself now, which would be an unprecedented move and a public rebuke of China, which will be forced to defend its defense of a well-known terrorist in full public view. Open UNSC proceedings are telecast live. China should not protect terrorists from Pakistan or any other country from being held accountable to the Council, the diplomat said on background to Hindustan Times. If China continues to block this designation, responsible member states may be forced to pursue other actions at the Security Council. It shouldnt have to come to that. Also read: India disappointed after China shields Masood Azhar at UNSC for 4th time The diplomat, who spoke presumably for all three Security Council members who moved the Azhar designation proposal, also criticized Pakistan for depending on China to protect it from the listing of Pakistan-based terrorist groups and individuals, tying Islamabad, at the same time, to the terrorists it harbors and shelters from proscription. Also watch: China blocks Indias bid to designate Masood Azhar as global terrorist There was anger and frustration all around with China preventing the designation of Azhar on Wednesday by putting a technical hold on the proposal moved jointly by three Security Council permanent members, France, the United States and the United Kingdom. India said it was disappointed by the failure of the designation of the head of the outfit which killed 40 CRPF personnel in a terrorist attack in Pulwama last month. Also read: India, US seek tangible, irreversible action by Pakistan against terrorism This is the fourth time that China has placed a hold on this listing, the Security Council diplomat said pointedly. China should not prevent the Committee from doing the job the Security Council has entrusted it to do. Chinas move to hold the listing is inconsistent with its own stated goals of combatting terrorism and furthering regional stability in South Asia. The official did not expand on what other actions were being considered by the responsible members. But other UN diplomats familiar with the functioning and rules of the 1267 sanctions committee of the UN Security Council, which lists and delists global terrorists, said the designation can be escalated to the highest level and be presented before the Security Council itself for an open discussion and vote that would force the opponents of Azhars designation to publicly acknowledge their defense of terrorism. India has been critical of the opaque process by which the sanctions committee lists terrorists. Its proceedings and decisions are confidential and members do not have to explain their vote. But if the designation is put before the Security Council, speculated upon, China will be forced to take a stand publicly, in full view of those watching the live feed as it either defends its opposition to the designation of a man who is undeniably a terrorist or give up. H ouse prices have been dropping slowly across the capital since last summer to an average of 614,000 with certain boroughs recording particularly dramatic falls. However, new figures from Rightmove show that the picture of doom is not spread evenly throughout London's highly localised property market. The research has identified the areas where house prices have risen the most in a year, as well as those where they have fallen fastest. Hampstead Topping the list for house price growth is the sprauncy hilltop village of Hampstead in north-west London. From Harry Styles and Boy George to Thierry Henry and Ricky Gervais, the affluent area has long been a desirable destination for the rich and famous to set down roots in. The average asking price for a property in this leafy part of London is currently 1,521,867, up from 1,463,648 last year. Vivienne Harris of Heathgate Properties, an estate agency based in Hampstead, is unsurprised by the news. "Hampstead is a jewel and there is little wonder why the property prices remain robust, even in these uncertain times," she says. As popular as Hampstead is, it has not been immune to a fall in house prices over the past few years, however. "The Hampstead property market has seen times of depressed prices, but as it is such as unusual place to reside and its appeal is so broad, there are always more people wanting to live in the area than properties available," says Harris. "Due to the demographic nature of the buyers and tenants, money is not always the overriding factor and whilst everyone is conscious of market forces, populations move for a variety of reasons," she said. Surrey Quays Southwark's Surrey Quays came in second place, with the average asking price of a property increasing by 3.7 per cent to 533,607 over the past year. The area is sandwiched between Bermondsey and Canary Wharf with excellent train links and lower house prices then its neighbours. "When you look at the long term future for Surrey Quays and Canada Water, it is completely understandable that prices and demand have continued to do well here, despite the current short term negativity affecting most of London," says Jaimie Beers of Madley Property in Surrey Quays. "The property prices in the area were starting from a position of value and the addition of the Canada Water Masterplan and other new developments have only added to the appeal of an area that already had fantastic transport links and amenities," he said. Kilburn, Battersea and Highgate saw the next three highest house price rises over the past year. Victoria At the other end of the scale sits Victoria in Westminster. Here, the average price of property has dropped 10.9 per cent from 1,543,806, to 1,375,160. Richard Jacobs, director of the Victoria estate agency Soames, was circumspect, however. I think these statistics should be taken with a pinch of salt. "The markets weak everywhere, except for first time buyers and those buying outside the centre of London, and we know why that is. Any property for over 1 million is proving difficult to sell and this is due to the banks and the political situation." Where London house prices are falling Prices have dropped 9.7 per cent over the past year in Stockwell in Lambeth, down from 1,012,578 to 914,106. Sydenham in Lewisham has seen a drop of 7.5 per cent, while Islington's Finsbury, and Notting Hill in Kensington have seen prices fall by 7.3 per cent and 6.9 per cent respectively. House prices in the UK The Welsh seaside town of Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan topped the list for the largest house price growth in the UK. 155,000: three-bedroom terrace house on the same street as Uncle Bryn's and Gwen's homes in Gavin and Stacey Made famous as the hometown of Stacey in the popular BBC series Gavin and Stacey, the area has the most thriving house market in the UK, with the average asking prices rising by 11 per cent over the last year. This compares with an overall increase in Wales of just 2.9 per cent. Situated under ten miles away from Cardiff, the average asking price of a property has risen from 172,752 to 191,050 over the past year. Andrew Fenton, sales director at Vale of Glamorgan-based Chris Davies Estate Agents, said: Barry is the place to be, so Im not at all surprised by Rightmoves findings. Property prices here compared with Cardiff and its suburbs are comparatively reasonable. Weve seen a lot of economic growth and there are 2,500 new homes being built down at the waterside called The Quays. Weve also got very good schools down here, he said. L ondons biggest regeneration project has been handed a 250 million lifeline after it was awarded crucial funding by Chancellor Philip Hammond in yesterdays Spring Statement. The money from the Governments Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) will allow key work on utilities, drainage, an energy centre and an access road at Old Oak Common in west London to go ahead. This will open up land for development that will support up to 13,000 homes close to planned Elizabeth Line and HS2 stations. The successful bid for the funds by Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC), the body responsible for the 11.3 billion transformation of the area, is seen as vital in allowing significant progress to be made. OPDC board member William Hill, said: I think we will look back on this decision in years to come as the moment when vision and aspiration became reality in the form of an implementable regeneration project...The starting gun has now been fired on the UKs largest regeneration scheme. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, said: Im pleased that government have shown its support for our vision through this funding grant. This money will let us enter a new stage in the development of Old Oak, delivering the essential infrastructure to make the Old Oak dream a reality. In a separate award from the HIF, 320 million was allocated to Barnet council to be spent on a new Brent Cross West Thameslink station which will lead to 7,500 new homes being built. Communities Secretary James Brokenshire said: We are working to create homes, opportunities and thriving communities, especially in London which faces the most severe and unique housing pressures in the country. "After consultations with my Generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States Government will not accept or allow Transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military," Trump wrote at the time. "Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail. Thank you." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) Magdalo Party-list Representative and senatorial candidate Gary Alejano slammed Finance Secretary Carlos "Sonny" Dominguez for supporting the faster rollout and construction of a China-funded dam in Quezon. "Why does this administration have such huge fondness for China? Why are they using this chaos in advancing the interests of China? As per the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), there is no need to worry as the water levels in Angat Dam, the main water source for Metro Manila, are still within the normal range. According to authorities, water from Angat Dam can supply Metro Manila for another 125 days," Alejano said in a statement Thursday. Dominguez, in the Development Budget Coordinating Council press briefing Wednesday, said the current water crisis should prompt the creation of the Kaliwa Dam, which would be funded partly through an official development assistance (ODA) grant from China. In November, China signed a soft loan deal with the Philippines, which includes a pledge of 12 billion for the 18.7-billion project. The dam is said to augment the water supply in the metro. But critics and environmental groups have called for a stop to the dam construction, saying it will harm the indigenous communities living in the area and will leave the Philippines indebted to China. Beijing reportedly influences nations through their "debtbook diplomacy," but the government shrugged off concerns of falling into the so-called Chinese debt trap. Alejano, a staunch critic of the Duterte administration and Chinese encroachment in the South China Sea, said the water crisis must be assessed before resorting to the China-funded dam project. "Bago siguro isubo na naman sa atin ng administrasyon ang China, imbestigahan at alamin muna kung bakit may krisis gayung may tubig naman sa Angat Dam na siyang pangunahing pinagkukunan ng ating suplay," Alejano said. [Translation: Before the administration forces us to engage with China, let's investigate first why there is currently a water crisis and if there is indeed water in Angat which is the primary supply source] "Para naman tayong sinisindikato o iniisahan ng sarili nating gobyerno [It's like we're being duped by our own government]," he added. "Instead of offering immediate solutions to the water crisis, they are more after advancing Chinese loans that will drown us to debt." Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro "Teddyboy" Locsin meanwhile, ranted at those who oppose the dam's construction. "Is any other country willing to finance it? No. Can something else be done to acquire it? Yes; if you all get shovels and start digging the hole for the reservoir and piling up the dirt for the dam. I'd be happy to know I am wrong. Know, ha, not told," said in his Twitter post. The water level at Angat Dam was at 199.63 as of March 14. The dam's minimum operating level is at 180 meters -- enough to supply both domestic and irrigation demands. Angat Dam is connected to the La Mesa Water Reservoir in Quezon City, which is at it lowest water level in 12 years. Manila Water, the concessionaire which supplies water to the eastern part of Metro Manila and some parts of Rizal, pointed to the La Mesa dam's critical level behind the series of water interruptions and low water supply since March 7. Various lawmakers and critics, however, said the shortage may be "artificial" and just a way to justify the Kaliwa Dam's construction, with President Rodrigo Duterte's warmer ties with China. The entrance of the embassy of the United States of America is seen in Caracas on March 12, 2019. The United States has withdrawn all remaining diplomatic personnel from its embassy in Caracas as the crisis in Venezuela deepens, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on March 14, 2019. (JUAN BARRETO / AFP/Getty Images) Appointment 14 March 2019 BirchStreet Systems today announced the addition of Dan Hiza to the executive team as the company's Managing Director for Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA). With 30 years of hands-on Operations, Sales and Business Development experience at Newmarket International and Amadeus Hospitality, Hiza brings a deep background in delivering enterprise-level hospitality software and services around the world. In his new role at BirchStreet, Hiza will work directly with the company's CEO, Steve Markle, and alongside Paul Rantilla, BirchStreet's CCO, to optimize growth opportunities and satisfy the existing, broad customer-base across the EMEA market. Hiza first joined Newmarket in 1989 as the company was just coming out of 'start-up' mode. After Hiza's first 10 years of growing the company, during which time he managed strategic accounts as well as Newmarket's sales team in the US and internationally, Dan moved to London to establish and manage Newmarket's EMEA operation in 1999. As MD for EMEA, Hiza will be responsible for leading and managing BirchStreet's SaaS revenue growth and related activities for the EMEA region and will partner cross-functionally with BirchStreet's customer success, services, support, and business development groups to drive sales and operations strategies. Hiza holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Hotel Management from the University of New Hampshire. Appointment 14 March 2019 Hotel Revival, a Joie de Vivre hotel located in the heart of Baltimore's historic Mount Vernon neighborhood, is pleased to welcome Scott Hines as the new executive chef. Chef Hines will collaborate to bring new life to the hotel's food and beverage program, which includes Topside, Square Meal and B-Side Cocktails and Karaoke as well as private events and room service. As the executive chef, Chef Hines is responsible for directing and over-seeing the entire food service operations throughout the property. He will develop menus for each outlet as well as special events and private events while ensuring quality assurance in culinary operations. He will manage the team, oversee budgets and work with Chapon to provide an exceptional experience for guests. Chef Hines' passion for the culinary world dates back to his pre-teen years when he learned the ins and outs of the kitchen at a Philadelphia restaurant where his father was a chef. Since then, Chef Hines has worked several positions, including his most recent position as executive chef at Baltimore's B&O American Brasserie, where he led the culinary team for the past three years. Prior to that, Hines was the chef de cuisine at Monogram Hospitality. Chef Hines has been featured in the Baltimore Sun, Baltimore magazine, Baltimore Jewish Times and numerous local television programs in recent years. In 2015, Chef Hines took home $14,000 as a winner on Food Network's "Guy's Grocery Games." Appointment 14 March 2019 Hotel Revival, a Joie de Vivre hotel located in the heart of Baltimore's historic Mount Vernon neighborhood, is pleased to welcome Lindsay Chapon as the director of food and beverage. Chapon will collaborate to bring new life to the hotel's food and beverage program, which includes Topside, Square Meal and B-Side Cocktails and Karaoke as well as private events and room service. As the director of food and beverage, Chapon is responsible for managing the daily operations of all outlets and banquets, maintaining established quality and service standards and responding to customers trends and needs to ensure outstanding experience. Chapon's culinary path began over 10 years ago when she worked for Winegardner and Hammons Hotel Group in Pittsburgh as a food and beverage supervisor. In 2010, she worked for the same company in Cleveland as a restaurant manager and an assistant general manager. Chapon also worked for White Lodging services in Austin, Texas and Indianapolis; Brickell Hotel Company in Miami; and Sheraton Baltimore North. Her most recent position was director of food and beverage at Renaissance Hotels in Charlotte, N.C. Chapon received a Bachelor of Science in finance and hospitality and tourism management from Virginia Tech. She also has an associate degree in culinary arts from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. Appointment 14 March 2019 Malliouhana, Auberge Resorts Collection is pleased to announce the appointment of Kapil Sharma as general manager of the iconic Anguillan luxury resort overlooking the sugar-white sands of Meads Bay and Turtle Cove. A legacy hospitality leader and Caribbean native with over 20 years of industry experience and a keen sense for culinary development, Sharma will embrace Malliouhana's deep ties to Anguilla while breathing new life into the property's legendary guest and dining experiences. The son of a luxury hotelier in Canada, Sharma found his passion for travel and hospitality at a young age, and then as both a certified FAA commercial pilot and a restaurant chef. Prior to joining Auberge Resorts Collection, Sharma served as hotel manager for Marriott International Hotels and Resorts where he managed a variety of top-performing properties including Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C. and The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. Previously, Sharma lent his industry ingenuity to various luxury properties and brands around the world, from serving as the vice president of operations at Kerzner International's Atlantis Bahamas to vice president and assistant corporate director of F&B operations at Sandals and Beaches Resorts International. Eager to make a meaningful impact at each property he touched, Sharma quickly graduated from assistant director of food and beverage at Sandals & Beaches Resorts in Montego Bay, Jamaica in his early career to the face of one of the most prominent Caribbean resorts in history. Sharma graduated with honors from the University of the West Indies with a bachelor of science in hotel management, and later received his Executive Leadership and Global Hospitality Certification from Cornell University in February 2009. An aviation enthusiast, he spends his free time navigating the skies as a pilot. Sharma got his start in hospitality while working at a restaurant and credits his father, a former luxury hotelier in Canada, for sparking his interest in the industry. Press Release 13 March 2019 Bangkok, Thailand - Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand's leading hotel operator, has revealed that it is on track to achieve its strategic vision, which includes the goal of doubling its global hotel portfolio by 2022. At present, Centara has 68 hotels and resorts worldwide - 45 in Thailand and 23 overseas - comprising 13,477 rooms. This includes 39 hotels in operation and 29 hotels under development. Centara secured a total of 10 hotels comprising 1,294 rooms in 2018, and will double its global collection to 134 hotels by 2022, with a multi-brand expansion strategy that will see new Centara properties rise in a variety of different markets. For over three decades, Centara has brought its Thai-inspired experiences to guests across the world. With a reputation for blending gracious, Thai-style hospitality with world-class accommodation and amenities, the company has developed strong relationships with trade partners, developers and owners in a wide variety of different markets. Now, with an expanded collection of innovative brands, Centara is aiming to build on this impressive legacy by bringing exceptional new hotels and resorts to exciting new destinations worldwide. In Thailand, Krabi is emerging as a major new tourism destination. Centara Hotels & Resorts currently operates three hotels in this tropical province with a further two to come in the near future. These include the highly-anticipated Centara Ao Nang Beach Resort & Spa Krabi, which will open in July 2019 and will become the only branded resort on Ao Nang Beach. Then in 2020, COSI Krabi Ao Nang Beach will open its doors. Following these openings, Centara will operate five properties and four distinct brands in Krabi, positioning it perfectly to cater for the rising number of travellers who are now choosing to visit this alluring province. Also in Thailand, Centara Sonrisa Residence and Suites Sriracha will soon make its debut on the country's Eastern Seaboard, and the new COSI brand, which caters for cost-conscious and tech-savvy travellers, is becoming a key driving force behind Centara's domestic expansion strategy. COSI Samui Chaweng Beachopened in December 2017, marking the brand's official debut, and further COSI properties are in the pipeline in Thailand, namely COSI Pattaya Naklua Beach which will open this September and COSI Chiang Mai Ta Pae Gate. This trendy lifestyle brand also forms part of Centara's international development plans, with the first COSI hotel outside Thailand currently under development in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Centara now has four properties being planned in Laos, including Centara Grand and Centra by Centara hotels in Luang Prabang, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed northern city, a COSI hotel in Vientiane, and a Centara resort in the southern city of Pakse. East Asia remains the fastest growing development area for Centara, with hotels currently operating or in the pipeline in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The company is also considering opportunities in Japan, including discussions over a new property in Osaka. Finally, Centara continues to move into the Middle East with properties in Oman, Qatar and the UAE. Most recently, the company opened the 152-room Centara Muscat Hotel in May 2017, and the 265-room Centara West Bay Residences & Suites opened in Doha in December 2017, setting a new standard for Thai hospitality in the Middle East. In addition, Centara Grand Hotel Doha is on track to welcome guests by the end of 2019, and the 601-key Centara Deira Islands Beach Resort Dubai is due to open in 2020, reinforcing Centara's ambitions in the Middle East. For more information about Centara Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com. Press Release 14 March 2019 SINGAPORE - Ctrip.com International, Ltd. (Nasdaq: CTRP), one of China's largest integrated travel services companies ("Ctrip"), today signed an agreement with upscale global hoteliers Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR) to develop a global distribution strategy promoting MHR properties to Ctrip's 300 million strong customer base. Advertisements The agreement was announced jointly at ITB Berlin by David Zhou, Chief Business Officer for Accommodation Business Unit of Ctrip and Nayan Peshkar, MHR Senior Vice President - Digital, Distribution & Revenue Strategy. It marks the start of an alliance enabling Ctrip to offer MHR's iconic portfolio of hotels in the USA, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia to its China-based business and leisure travel clients. Through the aegis of a strategic collaboration agreement, MHR will partner with Ctrip's membership programme, which will certify its properties as "Chinese Friendly Hotels" and enable them to benefit from Ctrip's influential ranking system. MHR and Ctrip will also work towards customer initiatives such as the launching of a flagship store on Ctrip's digital platforms, joint marketing campaigns as well as knowledge sharing and cross exposure programmes for team members. Ctrip is the number one platform for Chinese nationals travelling overseas. About one in four Chinese citizens use Ctrip to book and search for outbound flight tickets, making it the world's largest outbound travel platform. According to Ctrip's 2018 Travel Report, its customers' top destinations are England, France, Germany, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Indonesia, and USA, all of which are home to hotels owned or operated by MHR and its associates. MHR parent company Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Plc was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1996. At the end of 2018, it operated or branded a portfolio of 139 properties with over 40,000 rooms. Its respected brands are present in 28 nations around the world, including China where it owns and operates the iconic Grand Millennium Hotel Beijing, as well as operating properties in Hong Kong, Xiamen and other major Chinese destinations. The Group has always had a strong Asian franchise, thanks to its majority ownership by City Developments Limited, one of Singapore's leading corporations. This, combined with its unique range of iconic properties in popular destinations will make it a valuable addition to Ctrip's customer offering. Says David Zhou, Chief Business Officer for Accommodation Business Unit of Ctrip, "We are so grateful to be enhancing our relationship with MHR. Chinese outbound tourists reached nearly 150 million in 2018, and the growth for this year remains strong. By signing this China-focused distribution agreement with MHR, we are continuing to offer 300 million members the best hotel experience worldwide whilst enhancing MHR's presence and boosting new business opportunities for them in the China Market." Says Nayan Peshkar, MHR Senior Vice President - Digital, Distribution & Revenue Strategy, "We are delighted to be joining forces with Ctrip and thus raising the profile of our hotel offering in the large and fast-growing China travel market. Asia is our second biggest region of operations, so we already have a deep and embedded experience of what it takes to meet the high demands of business and leisure travelers from China. With hotels located in some of the world's most attractive destinations, we look forward to welcoming more of Ctrip's customers in the coming year." About Ctrip.com International, Ltd. Ctrip.com International, Ltd. is a leading provider of online travel and related services, including accommodation reservation, transportation ticketing, package tour and in-destination services, corporate travel management, and other travel related services. It enables business and leisure travellers to make informed and cost-effective bookings by aggregating comprehensive travel related information and offering its services through an advanced transaction and service platform consisting of its mobile apps, Internet websites and centralized, toll-free, 24-hour customer service center. The family of travel brands mainly includes: Ctrip, the largest online travel agency in terms of gross merchandise value and the best-known travel brand in China; Qunar, a leading online travel agency in China; Trip.com, an online travel agency for global consumers; and Skyscanner, a leading global travel search site. Since its inception in 1999, Ctrip Group has experienced substantial growth and become one of the largest travel service providers in the world. Performance 14 March 2019 HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee The Canadian hotel industry recorded mixed year-over-year results in the three key performance metrics during the week of 3-9 March 2019, according to data from STR. Advertisements In comparison with the week of 4-10 March 2018, the industry reported the following: Occupancy: -1.9% to 59.9% Average daily rate (ADR): +0.4% to CAD155.46 Revenue per available room (RevPAR): -1.5% to CAD93.17 Among the provinces and territories, Manitoba registered the largest increases in occupancy (+5.3% to 69.5%) and RevPAR (+9.8% to CAD88.97). Prince Edward Island posted the largest lift in ADR (+7.3% to CAD113.45) but the steepest decline in occupancy (-17.7% to 29.6%), which resulted in the second-largest decline in RevPAR (-11.7% to CAD33.61). Nova Scotia reported the largest drop in RevPAR (-13.7% to CAD77.65), due primarily to the only other double-digit decrease in occupancy (-11.0% to 60.8%). Newfoundland and Labrador saw the steepest decline in ADR (-7.0% to CAD123.11) and the third-largest drop in RevPAR (-11.2% to CAD55.75). Amy Champagne, Director of Sales & Catering, Antlers Hotel, will be recognized as the Hotel Sales Professional of the Year in the On-property category. Laura Dinu, Director, Groups & Meetings, Global Sales Americas, IHG, has been selected as the Above-property Hotel Sales Professional of the Year Award recipient. The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is pleased to announce the HSMAI Hotel Sales Professional of the Year Award recipients. Amy Champagne, Director of Sales & Catering, Antlers Hotel, will be recognized as the Hotel Sales Professional of the Year in the On-property category. Laura Dinu, Director, Groups & Meetings, Global Sales Americas, IHG, has been selected as the Above-property Hotel Sales Professional of the Year Award recipient. Champagne and Dinu will be honored with the awards at HSMAIs Mike Leven Leadership Conference, March 18-19, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO. The HSMAI Hotel Sales Professional of the Year Awards honor individuals that exemplify strong sales performance producing measurable results and demonstrate excellence in the following areas: creativity and initiative; sales acumen; innovative leadership; and advancement of the discipline. HSMAI is proud to honor Amy and Laura for their outstanding achievements in hotel sales, said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president & CEO of HSMAI. They are succeeding through a combination of innovation and teambuilding that should be models for the industry. Amy Champagne, Director of Sales & Catering at the Antlers Hotel in Colorado Springs, CO, will receive HSMAIs On-property Hotel Sales Professional of the Year Award. Champagne began her career at the Antlers Hotel in 2000 as a front desk agent. Over the years, has cross trained in all facets of hotel operations. Champagne left the Antlers in 2012 for a position that encompassed overseeing multiple select service properties. She returned to her home at the Antlers in 2015, and was promoted to her current position in February 2018, where she oversees the onsite day to day successful operation of sales, catering, and marketing productions. Since obtaining her current role, Champagne has exponentially increased the hotels overall revenue and cultivated a team passionate to provide the best guest experience in the city. Champagne was especially cited for her leadership in the promotion and advancement of the sales discipline at the regional and local level, serving as a leader of HSMAI Southern Colorado Chapter and supporting and mentoring colleagues at her hotel and community. She also demonstrated sales and business acumen from her keen business development skills to her work maximizing food & beverage spend on property and creatively utilizing hotel function space and partnerships to drive revenue in the slower season. Laura Dinu, Director, Groups & Meetings, Global Sales Americas, IHG, will be honored as the recipient of HSMAIs Above-property Hotel Sales Professional of the Year Award. Dinu leads the Corporate Group and Intermediary Sales, USA for IHG, based in San Francisco, CA. In this role, she and her team are responsible for delivering groups and meetings business to all IHG hotels globally. An experienced leader with more than 15 years working in the Domestic, International Group, and Luxury Segments, Dinu helps guide her team to find strategic ways to build IHGs customers business, and IHGs partnerships. Prior to joining IHG, Dinu worked for Omni Hotels & Resorts in a global capacity in New York City and San Francisco, overseeing their regional offices. Dinus experience also includes various roles in New York City, primarily focusing on luxury brands such as Peninsula and St. Regis. Dinu was especially cited for demonstrated sales and business acumen, going beyond the hotel business to the business of hotels to drive results. She leveraged her more than 15 years experience in the industry to drive significant growth from the corporate and association sectors, increase IHGs support of and engagement with the events industry at the national level (and in key markets), and increase profitability for her hotels. She also showed innovative leadership, successfully implementing new ideas that created a new dimension of performance. Daily News Delivery Join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest Hotel industry news and trends. Subscribe 2021 Hotel News Resource Nike and Foot Locker's ongoing "Home & Away" Collection will continue this Friday, March 15, as the focus shifts to Baltimore. Nike recently revealed official images of the Charm City themed "Home & Away" pack, which takes shape in the form of two Air Max 95s. In celebration of the release, Foot Locker dropped exclusive digital content featuring some of Baltimores favorite artist, designers and sneakerheads including Lil Key, deetranada, mrbez4everandkevykev. The Baltimore "Home" Air Max 95 comes equipped with a red upper equipped with colorful detailing around the sneaker's wavy mid panel and a triple crown logo on the tongue, inspired by the Preakness Stakes that are held in Baltimore each year. As a tribute to the Baltimore Orioles, the "Away" Air Max 95 arrives in a white, black and orange colorway, along with an orange crab logo on the tongue as a nod to Maryland's world renowned crab cakes. Both kicks, retailing for $170, are slated to release tomorrow, March 15. Take a closer look at the Baltimore "Home & Away" pack below. (Image Via Foot Locker) (Image Via Foot Locker) (Image Via Foot Locker) (Image Via Foot Locker) (Image Via Foot Locker) (Image Via Foot Locker) The reputed "acting boss" of the storied Gambino Crime Family was found shot to death outside his home Wednesday evening. According to a report published by CNN, Francesco "Frank" Cali was scooped up by investigators on the front steps of his Staten Island residence with fatal gunshot wounds across his torso. Investigators haven't made any arrests in the hours that have passed but insists the case remains an open book until they publicly state otherwise. https://twitter.com/_/status/1106018147671425024 Experts agree that Francesco Cali was the individual responsible for consolidating the Gambino family after John Gotti was sent to prison on murder and racketeering in 1992, leaving the mob outfit in a power vacuum so conspicuous, even the casual observer could sense their grip on the criminal underworld was on the fritz. https://twitter.com/_/status/1106037410377449472 Cali's demeanor, while he was alive, was completely unlike the manner John Gotti conducted himself, the latter an extravagant and ostentatious mobster the Mob hadn't seen since the days of Al Capone. As it stands, Francesco Cali, for reasons unknown (for now), was the first New York crime boss in 34 years to be whacked, although it should be noted: Cali did spend a little time in the bing in 2008-2009 for playing a pivotal role in an extortion plot over the construction of a Nascar Speedway in Staten Island, the same locale he was ironically found dead this morning with question marks looming over his head. New details have surfaced in the Jussie Smollett case, specifically pertaining to why Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx recently recused herself. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, in the days following the alleged attack, Foxx tried persuading Police Supt. Eddie Johnson to turn over the investigation to the FBI. It's being reported that Tina Tchen, former chief of staff to Michelle Obama and a Chicago attorney, contacted Foxx via text messages and emails. https://www.instagram.com/p/BVIynENFMG6 Tchen reached out to Foxx on behalf of the Smollett family saying, "I wanted to give you a call on behalf of Jussie Smollett and family who I know," Tchen wrote in a text. "They have concerns about the investigation." Tchen then attempted to set up a phone meeting with the next few hours of the text before she had to catch a morning flight. Not long after, one of Smollett's relatives texted Foxx after receiving her information from Tchen. The relative said they had questions regarding the leaked information to the media reportedly coming from police sources. They had no doubt about the quality of the investigation, but believed that the FBI would have a tighter lid on the information, said Foxx. She also added that Johnson seemed as if he was on board with an FBI investigation and said that she'd recommended the same for other cases in the past. Because she engaged in conversations with the relative during the time when the attack was being investigated as a hate crime and not a hoax, Foxx removed herself from the case. She formally did so on February 13, the last date she had contact with the relative and just a week before Smollett was officially charged. https://www.instagram.com/p/BIZIa52g5rP "Spoke to the superintendent earlier. He is going to make the ask. Trying to figure out logistics. Ill keep you posted, Foxx wrote to the relative. Then the relative, whose name has been blocked out in documents, replied, "OMG this would be a huge victory." Foxx also emailed Tchen, "Spoke to the Superintendent Johnson. I convinced him to reach out to FBI to ask that they take over the investigation. He is reaching out now and will get to me shortly. Meanwhile, Smollett recently was spotted walking into the Cook County courthouse to attend a hearing for his casea hearing he wasn't even required to be at. The actor's team will reportedly fight all 16 charges against him and are confident that their truth will prevail. Meek Mill's reign in the City of Brotherly Love is reaching undisputed status if it hasn't already. It's come to a point where the municipal council in Philadelphia is dedicating a weekend-long celebration in his honor. https://www.instagram.com/p/BuRpc2QHlqM Beginning on Thursday, March 14, 2019, as in today, the city of Philadelphia will be celebrating Meek Mill Weekend, designed to coincide with the rapper's homecoming concert off his ongoing Motivation Tour. City Council President Darrell L. Clarke is believed to be holding a press to mark the festivities "official" at this present moment. https://twitter.com/_/status/1106209878148812800 And yes, the festivities run longer than expected, as today's commencement will runneth over to Saturday night, giving Phillie fanatics just over three days to celebrate their favorite child. Not only that, but Pennsylvania Senator Sharif Street is trying to get an initiative passed last minute, so the whole State can join in on the celebrations. https://twitter.com/_/status/1083082334537052160 Meek Mill isn't only regarded for putting the Philly music scene on the map following the decline of The Roots and the Roc-A-Fella faction in the city. The Dreamchaser CEO is also responsible for helping push several philanthropic endeavors in his hometown, as well as plenty of criminal justice reform advocacy at the National level. Meek Mill barely needed any confirmation of grassroots support, but in any case, here's to hoping MM Weekend reaches levels of Statewide ubiquity, and Philadelphians enjoy every last minute of it. [Via] Netflix has been pumping out some pretty good true crime documentaries about real-life abduction and murder cases that still remain a mystery. From Making a Murderer, The Ted Bundy Tapes, and Abducted in Plain Sight to the latest offering that is The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann. Three-year-old Madeleine was kidnapped while she was vacationing with her family in Portugal in 2007 and 11-years, 10 months and 4 days later her case is still open and has been labeled as one of the most heavily reported investigations. The documentary blends interviews with more than 40 individuals who are journalists, friends, and investigators related to the case. However, parents of Madeleine, Kate or Gerry McCann, are not involved. "We are aware that Netflix are planning to screen a documentary in March 2019 about Madeleines disappearance," they wrote on their website. "The production company told us that they were making the documentary and asked us to participate. We did not see and still do not see how this programme will help the search for Madeleine and, particularly given there is an active police investigation, could potentially hinder it." Watch the trailer below and catch the eight-part series on Netflix as of March 15th. The Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday grounded Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9 planes operated by U.S. airlines or flying in U.S. territory, a move that could be particularly damaging to Dallas-based Southwest Airlines. Southwest, the largest carrier at Houstons Hobby Airport, operates 34 of the Max 8 planes, more than any other U.S. airline. There is no timeline for the grounding. The FAA simply said the planes would not fly pending further investigation when announcing that the U.S. would join other countries and airlines in banning the aircraft. The action came in the wake of the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines Max 8 that killed 157 people on Sunday and a Lion Air Max 8 crash in Indonesia that killed 189 people in late October. The FAA cited new evidence found and analyzed at the Ethiopian crash site for its decision to ground the aircraft, which was announced by President Donald Trump in the early afternoon. Any plane currently in the air will go to its destination and thereafter be grounded until further notice, Trump said. In a statement, Boeing said it remained confident in the safety of the planes, adding that after consulting with federal and international aviation authorities it recommended the temporary suspension of operations of the 737 Max fleet out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircrafts safety. The grounding comes during a particularly challenging period for Southwest, which is in the midst of contentious contract negotiations with the union representing its mechanics. Difficulties for the airline: Is Southwest's charmed run coming to an end? The grounding is not inconsequential to Southwest, said Henry Harteveldt, founder of travel research company Atmosphere Research Group. There will be a lot of short-term disruption. And part of the challenge for all airlines is how long this grounding will remain in effect. According to flight tracking data company FlightAware, five Southwest flights on Max 8 planes were scheduled to depart Hobby on Wednesday. Four took off before Trumps announcement. Another four flights were scheduled to arrive at Hobby, with one grounded before it could depart for Houston. At Bush Intercontinental Airport, 11 flights on Max 9 planes were set to depart on Wednesday with eight actually taking off. And 14 flights on Max 9 planes were set to arrive, though some were grounded before departing for Houston on Wednesday. Chicago-based United Airlines operates 14 of the 737 Max 9 planes, representing about 40 flights a day across its network. Fort Worth-based American Airlines operates 24 of the Max 8 planes. Southwests challenges Southwests 34 planes are less than 5 percent of its more than 750-plane fleet. Yet its use on longer flights means the aircraft account for about 6 percent of the airlines capacity, defined by the industry standard of available seat miles the number of seats on an airplane multiplied by the number of miles flown, said Joe DeNardi, managing director of financial services firm Stifel. He said Southwest will try to offset the groundings by using other planes in its fleet and any spare aircraft the company might have. Ultimately, he said Southwest might have to decrease the frequency of some of its flights. And while he had not been recently updated on the airlines labor conflicts, DeNardi expected the issues will continue until a new agreement is reached with the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association. In February, the airline blamed the union representing its mechanics for an unprecedented number of out-of-service aircraft, linking the grounded planes to contract negotiations that have lingered more than six years. The union responded that the airline is scapegoating its mechanics. A spokesman added that Southwest mechanics have become less fearful to write up legitimate maintenance issues. Mechanics attendance and overtime were at normal levels, he said, and they did not call out sick at an increased level or decline overtime work. Changes in route: Southwest Airlines discontinuing flights to Mexico City in March Harteveldt noted that the Max 8 groundings are beyond the scope of both Southwest and its union, but it does make their situation worse. Also adding a complication is Southwests route system. United and American tend to fly nonstop to a hub city and then back to the flights city of origin. But a Southwest flight could start its day in Corpus Christi, fly to Hobby and then Dallas, Albuquerque, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Jose and Portland before ending the day in Seattle, Harteveldt said. He said the airline will look at ways to operate with the least amount of disruption, seeking to use its other planes as much as possible and examining if they have to cancel flights. Busy season It doesnt help that the busy spring break travel period has begun. The groundings are going to create chaos at Southwest Airlines, Harteveldt said. Theres no way around it. The next couple of days are going to be chaotic if youre flying Southwest Airlines. Still, the scene at Hobby Airport was calm on Wednesday afternoon. A Max 8 plane from Las Vegas landed at 3:10 p.m. with some passengers glad they took off before Trumps announcement. Caroline Dabaghi of Houston, however, did not want to be on the Max 8. She tried avoiding it, as the plane made her nervous. Before the flight I asked my family to check for me, she said, and it wasnt supposed to be that kind of plane. I wish I would have double checked. Eddie Langston and his son also arrived on that plane from Las Vegas. Langston wasnt aware that his flight was on a Max 8 until he saw the information pamphlet in the seatback in front of him. He said safety concerns gave him pause, but he was not overly worried. Of course it crosses your mind, Langston said, but Southwest has a good reputation, so we felt safe. Loyal customers: Southwest Airlines' goodwill helps withstand crisis Like Boeing, Southwest stood by the planes safety record. While we remain confident in the Max 8 after completing more than 88,000 flight hours accrued over 41,000 flights, we support the actions of the FAA and other regulatory agencies and governments across the globe that have asked for further review of the data - including information from the flight data recorder - related to the recent accident involving the Max 8, the airline said in a statement. The safety of our customers and employees is our uncompromising priority. The airline plans to operate its schedule with every available aircraft in our fleet. Customers on a canceled Max 8 flight wont have to pay a fare difference if they rebook within 14 days of their original flight and book a new flight between the same two cities. United Airlines, the largest carrier at Bush Intercontinental Airport, said it had been working on contingency plans since Sunday. It doesnt expect a significant operational impact. Natural gas is touted as cleaner-burning fuel that will replace coal and lower carbon emissions until the global economy completes the transition to renewable energy over the next several decades. As a result, Big Oil companies are investing many billions of dollars into producing, processing and exporting natural gas, joining a boom in liquefied natural gas from the Texas Gulf Coast to Australia. But the dirty, not-so-secret problem with natural gas is the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Methane, the main component of natural gas, escapes from pipeline leaks and during oil and gas production, in which excess natural gas is often intentionally burned away, or flared. FUEL FIX: Get your Houston oil and gas updates delivered to your inbox Now, the world's biggest oil companies, including Exxon Mobil, Royal Dutch Shell and BP, and more are pledging to reduce methane emissions and push for more stringent regulations even as the Trump administration plans to significantly roll back the restrictions and oversight of methane emissions. "Natural gas does have a chink in its armor and that chink in its armor is methane," said Bernard Looney, chief executive of BP's exploration and production division. "We have to win the battle against methane." More than three years after some 200 nations agreed in Paris to work to dramatically slow global warming, the world isn't even close to being on track meet the accord's goal of keeping a global temperature rise less and 2 degrees Celsius by 2100. The increasing urgency around climate change was highlighted at the CERAWeek by IHS Markit energy conference in Houston this week. Youth strike On Friday, young people from around the world will strike and protest the lack of action to address climate change. In Houston, organizers plan a noon rally at City Hall. RELATED: BP CEO - The world is not on a sustainable path To meet that Paris goals, renewable energy must grow dramatically. Natural gas is considered important to making the transition to renewable power not only because it is cleaner, but also because it is flexible. Gas-fired plants can ramp up and down to fill in for intermittent wind and solar power much more quickly than coal and nuclear plants. But in June, a six-year study on methane led by the Environmental Defense Fund found that annual emission rates from energy companies are about 60 percent more than what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency projects. The study estimated the 13 million metric tons of methane emitted each year is the equivalent of about $2 billion in lost natural gas enough to fuel about 10 million homes. And, last year, methane emissions grew, especially in West Texas, because of leaks and, most notably, flaring because of pipeline shortages that leave oil and gas producers few other options. Bob Dudley, BP's chief executive, said this week that such practices are unsustainable. "Greenhouse gases are expected to rise by about 10 percent over the next two decades, when they need to be falling dramatically," he said at the CERAWeek conference. BP is partnering with the Environmental Defense Fund to develop and deploy technologies and strategies to reduce methane emissions. Meanwhile, an initiative led by European energy majors, aims to reduce its methane emissions 20 percent by 2025. Exxon Mobil, which joined the five-year-old initiative last year, says it has cut its onshore methane emissions by about 10 percent since 2016. TALKING THE TALK: Oil sectors climate pledges fall short of science But executives concede that voluntary efforts will only go so far, because most methane emissions in the industry are produced by smaller independent oil and gas firms. The federal government must continue to regulate methane, Big Oil executives say. Gretchen Watkins, president of Royal Dutch Shell's U.S. subsidiary, Shell Oil of Houston, called on the White House to tighten the rules on methane leaks from oil and gas production, rather than roll them back as the Trump administration has proposed. "We need to do more," Watkins said. Environmental advocacy groups such as Earthworks and Greenpeace agreed. They say that the biggest oil companies have certainly not done enough to press the case for tougher regulations with the Trump administration and bring the rest of the industry along. Trust, but verify Big Oil's methane emission run less than 1 percent of oil and gas production, while the overall industry releases about 1.6 percent of it, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. TEAMING UP: BP, Environmental Defense Fund partner on emissions The industry trade group, the American Petroleum Institute, has largely supported the Trump rollback. The API largely supports leaving methane rules to states while promoting voluntary efforts to lower methane emissions. Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods is the API Board chairman, but Exxon said discussions with API are ongoing on the topic and that Exxon Mobil is one of many API member companies. "Regulation is another means of moving industry along, leveling out the playing field and making sure there's consistent performance," said Staale Gjervik, president of Exxon's shale subsidiary, XTO Energy. Fred Krupp, president of the Environmental Defense Fund, said that Big Oil's pledges on methane are welcome, but regulators need to keep a careful eye on them. Rules are meaningless without adequate enforcement and inspections, he said. "There's a difference between making promises and keeping promises," Krupp said. "We need regulations that are enforced and ubiquitous monitoring to keep the pollution checked and dramatically lowered." 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. Michael Ciaglo/Staff Enterprise Products Partners CEO Jim Teague said Wednesday that a flood of oil, natural gas and other petroleum products could soon overwhelm ports in Houston and Corpus Christi. Speaking at the CERAWeek by IHS Markit conference, the pipeline CEO said the volumes of product moving to the Gulf Coast for export were increasing at a fast clip. The corrosive effects of the drug trade have been brought to tragic life on screens both big and small so often that there doesnt seem much new could be said on the topic. Thats where the film Birds of Passage, a hit at Cannes last year, winner of the top prize at the Miami Film Festival and Colombias entry for this years foreign-language Oscar, vividly proves otherwise. While set in rural Colombia in the late 60s and 70s, Birds of Passage is not largely about the birth of the Spanish-speaking cartels and its only remotely about the consumers in the United States at the end of the supply chain. Purportedly based on a true story, Birds of Passage is set among an indigenous tribe, the Wayuu of northern Colombia, and focuses on one of its members Rapayet (Jose Acosta) who senses theres money to be made selling marijuana to visiting American Peace Corps workers. (In fact, while Spanish and a smattering of English is used, the film is mostly in the Wayuu language.) Rapayet doesnt have any ethical problem with this; he needs some quick cash to afford the dowry demanded by the mother of the young woman, Zaida (Natalia Reyes), he plans to marry. Birds opens with a stunning courtship dance where Rapayet displays his intentions. Birds of Passage Rated: Unrated (violence) Running time: 125 minutes Where: Regal Edwards Greenway Grand Palace, Houston; Alamo Drafthouse LaCenterra, Katy In Wayuu and Spanish with English subtitles **** (out of 5) See More Collapse One of the reasons Zaidas mother dislikes him is that hes long been a trader and merchant of sorts, dealing with those outside the tribe the dreaded alijunas (foreigners) or the ones who damage when he needs to. Along with his alijuna best friend, Moises (Jhon Narvaez), he turns his marijuana side hustle into a thriving, pre-Pablo Escobar gangster empire but, faster than you can say say hello to my little friend, his world begins to unravel. Directed by Cristina Gallego and Ciro Guerra (who made the equally lauded Embrace of the Serpent), and stunningly photographed by cinematographer David Gallego, Birds of Passage illustrates not just the corruption of a mans soul but that of an entire family and community that both benefits economically and suffers spiritually from Rapayets hubris. Unlike many films about drug gangs, the deliberately paced Birds of Passage doesnt luxuriate in violence. With the exception of two scenes (one of which is shot from far away), its mostly about the threat of brutality or its horrific aftermath, not the actions themselves. Gallego and Guerra, working from a script by Maria Camila Arias and Jacques Toulemonde, care less about staging beautifully choreographed bullet ballets than showing the damage done to the spirit of a community. No ones going to confuse this with Scarface. Told in several cantos (songs) or chapters, Birds of Passage has the feel of a legend being told around a campfire, a warning to future generations to be very careful what you wish for. cary.darling@chron.com Patrick Wangs critically lauded, two-part, four-hour drama about the struggles of a community arts space stars Tyne Daly and James Marsters. Unrated. Playing at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Birds of Passage Colombian directors Cristina Gallego and Ciro Guerra, who made the acclaimed Embrace of the Serpent, return with a story of how the drug trade turned out to be disastrous for one indigenous Colombian tribe. It was a hit at Cannes last year, just won the grand jury prize at the Miami Film Festival and was Colombias entry for this years foreign-language Oscar award, though it didnt ultimately make the final list. Unrated. Playing at Regal Edwards Greenway Grand Palace 24, Houston; Alamo Drafthouse LaCenterra, Katy. Bruce!!! Eden Marryshow directs and stars in this romantic comedy about a guy who is nasty to everyone until he falls in love. Unrated. Playing at AMC Studio 30, Houston. Captive State Director Rupert Wyatt, best known for Rise of the Planet of the Apes, continues his fascination with dystopian fantasies with this story of Earth a decade after occupation by alien forces. Vera Farmiga, Machine Gun Kelly, John Goodman, Ashton Sanders (Moonlight) and D.B. Sweeney star. Rated PG-13. Playing throughout Houston. Chaal Jeevi Laiye A father takes his workaholic son on a trip to get him to appreciate life in this Gujarati-language drama from India. Unrated. Playing at AMC Studio 30, Houston. Chimera Strain Science fiction film about a scientist looking for a cure for his childrens illnesses by utilizing the DNA of the so-called immortal Turritopsis jellyfish. It has won several honors at global film festivals. Rated R. Playing at Studio Movie Grill Pearland. Climax Gaspar Noe makes films (Irreversible, Enter the Void) that people really have strong opinions about. Climax, in which a group of French dancers finds its all-night party taking a dark turn after someone spikes the drinks with LSD, probably will be no exception. Rated R. Playing at AMC Houston 8; Regal Edwards MarqE 23, Houston; Regal Edwards Greenway Grand Palace 24, Houston; Alamo Drafthouse LaCenterra, Katy. Five Feet Apart Two teenagers with debilitating illnesses meet at a hospital and fall in love. Haley Lu Richardson (Operation Finale, The Edge of Seventeen), Cole Sprague (Jughead in Riverdale) and Moises Arias (The Kings of Summer, Enders Game) star. Rated PG-13. Playing throughout Houston. Giant Little Ones This noted Canadian indie, about two teenage boys who find their lives changed after an incident at a birthday party, won the audience award at the Goteborg Film Festival and was nominated for the same prize at Toronto. Rated R. Playing at AMC Houston 8. Made in Abyss: Journeys Dawn Japanese anime film about a friendship between a girl and a humanoid robot and the subsequent search for her mother. Unrated. Playing throughout Houston on Wednesday (in Japanese with English subtitles) and March 25 (dubbed into English). More Than Blue Gavin Lins Taiwanese film follows two friends over the course of their friendship from high school through early adult years. Unrated. Playing at AMC Studio 30, Houston. Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase The classic kid-lit character gets updated returns to the big screen. Sophia Lillis, from It and Sharp Objects, plays the title role. Rated PG. Playing throughout Houston. No Manches Frida 2 Heres the sequel to the 2006 Spanish-language comedy about the adventures of a bank robber and a nerdy teacher at Frida Kahlo High School. Unrated. Playing throughout Houston. Violentia Canadian director/writer Ray Raghavan has made a low-budget but effective science fiction thriller about a scientist who uses nanobots to get into the mind of a killer. Raghavan was named best director at Berlin Sci-Fi Fest. Unrated. Playing on video-on-demand. The Wedding Guest Dev Patel (Lion) goes against good-guy type by playing a mysterious man on a mission who arrives at a wedding in India with more than best wishes and champagne on his mind. Its directed by Michael Winterbottom (Welcome to Sarajevo, Wonderland). Rated R. Playing at Landmark River Oaks, Houston. Wonder Park This animated adventure about a girl and her dream for a grand amusement park features the voices of Jennifer Garner, Kenan Thompson, Matthew Broderick, John Oliver and Mila Kunis. Rated PG. Playing throughout Houston. cary.darling@chron.com RoboCop 2 will go down in film history as no more than a cursory note regarding misguided sequels. Still, the 1990 film stands out in one way: it united Houston in the efforts to attract Hollywood productions. The film resulted in cooperation between the city and various businesses, including the Theater District, located in a downtown partially depressed after the oil-boom bust of the late 1980s. In 1989, downtown was different; there was not much activity after workdays, much less the weekend, says Rick Ferguson, current executive director of the Houston Film Commission who then was a location coordinator. Ferguson initially guided producers Jon Davison and Patrick Crowley, along with director Irvin Kershner, in search of location in July 1989, with the film set to shoot that October on a 76-day schedule. Like its predecessor, RoboCop, which was shot partially in Dallas, RoboCop 2 depicts a futuristic, dystopian Detroit beset with criminals that need to be thwarted by the man-machine known as RoboCop, played by Peter Weller. In this world, a highly addictive drug called nuke is the drug of choice and its manufacture is overseen by the evil Cain, played by Tom Noonan. Houston boulevards were reimagined as dark streets painted with DayGlo graffiti. Abandoned factories and hospitals were converted to drug labs and gang hideouts. Ferguson recalls showing the producers Jefferson Davis Hospital, which had recently been closed. In the 19th century, the land beneath was a municipal cemetery. The abandoned structure on Allen Parkway, which some of the people we spoke to called spooky, was converted to the films nuke laboratory and police station offices. I had driven into the parking lot from the front, and they didnt like the look and we went to the next place, says Ferguson, who knew it was a good location. After a day of driving around Houston, I told them I had another place in mind, and I approached the hospital from the rear. Then they loved it. The anecdote fits in with why producers chose Houston over other cities in the first place. Other than the extensive cooperation from Houston, much of the decision was location based. The director was totally sold on the look of the Wortham, Alley Theatre and the George R. Brown Convention Center, says Ferguson. At that time, downtown Houston was not the thriving place at night and on the weekend that it is today. It allowed for a great deal of flexibility in accommodating the production. During that time, there were numerous industrial areas that were in decay and offered the types of visuals they were looking for. Theatergoers hit the deck One of the first locations to be shot was outside both the Wortham and the Alley Theatre at the corner of Smith Street and Texas Avenue. The company would shoot from dusk until dawn for two weeks. RoboCop 2, with an estimated budget of $35 million, was the biggest thing shot in Houston at that point, says location manager Craig Busch. The Alley was in the middle of performances of Measure for Measure, and Busch would call the stage manager to find out when the play had lowered its final curtain in order to relate to assistant directors that they could start filming loud scenes with guns and explosions. Teresa Forrester Gladden, who worked at the Alley at the time as public relations manager, remembers leaving the play one night. A few of us were in the parking garage when we heard what sounded like gun shots, and we all hit the concrete!, she recalls. Once we drove out and saw the blocked off street, we realized it was part of the filming. Filming downtown brought other issues for scenes with gunfire and explosions. The tall buildings and narrow streets with hard surfaces created pingpong wall-to-wall concussions, says John Sheeren who was a camera operator. Car alarms went off for several blocks. John Troncale was a local hire as a production assistant on the crew. One of his duties was walking out the tall RoboCop 2 cardboard mock-up that was placed in the shot so the crew and actors would know where to look. We would shoot around the main unit, which meant waiting around a long time, says Troncale. After I wrapped my three weeks on that crew, the production coordinator offered me another job being Wellers assistant. I regretfully turned it down because I thought I was going to get another job paying more on a commercial. Weller would go way up in the Wortham and practice (his) trumpet, Troncale recalls. But that was time well spent, as the day after the world premiere in Houston, Weller appeared on The Tonight Show playing his horn in Doc Severinsens house band. Heart of sugar glass Brandon Smith, who played a thief, recalls how a scene filmed on Prairie Street between Travis and Main that takes seconds to transpire on screen, required multiple days to shoot. In the sequence, a police car blows up and spins in the air, landing on its tires. Only according to Smith: First it landed on its back, then it landed on its left side. It took hours for them to reset each scene. On the third try, it flipped and landed on the right side. The fourth attempt resulted in a smooth transition where the car landed perfectly. After each night of shooting, the art department would sweep up the sidewalk strewn with broken glass, or sugar glass in the parlance of the profession. The following morning, while dressing the set, the art department would liberally apply the sugar glass on the sidewalks. We came out with our arms loaded with guns, but then I slipped on the glass because it was like stepping onto ball bearings, says Smith, who fell and superficially injured his knee. On a union film if an actor scratches his knuckle or gets bit by a mosquito theres the possibility the set will shut down. I didnt want to be that guy, says Smith, So the stunt men made a wall in front of me while they got me back onto my feet. River Oaks premiere The premiere was held at the River Oaks Theatre on June 20, 1990. There were two screenings, with tickets priced at $100. Red carpet graced the outside sidewalk and across the street was a VIP tent that welcomed local celebrities. The money raised went to The Orange Show and the Citizens Environmental Coalition. Forrester,who had worked at the Alley during filming,was now working for a firm handling publicity for the premiere. I wore a silver-gray jumpsuit with a thick silver metal belt and big cuff bracelets, and several of the guests in the tent commented I was definitely dressed robo chic, she says. Weller brought his mother to Houston for the premiere. At an interview earlier that day, I spoke to Weller and Kershner for a local weekly paper. Hes a sad cat, really. This second film shows a more brutal version of science, said Weller. They ripped this guys life out of him. Hes a gentle beast. In the end, from the citys point of view, all the make-believe death and destruction was worth it. Says Ferguson, RoboCop 2 pumped $8,106,853 into the local economy. A man, played by Dev Patel, going through security at Heathrow Airport in London. He doesnt smile, but he seems pleasant enough. He lands in Pakistan, rents a car, then buys two guns. He gets to his destination, then kidnaps a woman who is to be married that day, accidentally killing a security guard on the way out. Thats the setup for The Wedding Guest, a film which, in grand film noir tradition, nothing is as it seems. For example, the woman, Samira (Radhika Apte), doesnt want to be married. She wants to be with her lover, Padesh (Jim Sarbh), who has paid our nameless professional to extricate her. But as the two head to their rendezvous in New Delhi, even that is not what it seems. Add some hot jewelry, fake passports, loads of money and a few more twists and then we discover Samira is addicted to thrills. If this were a 1940s Hollywood noir, maybe it would have starred Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer or Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck. But Patel and Apte do just fine in this British thriller directed by Michael Winterbottom. Patel, now 28, came into most moviegoers consciousness as the lead teenager in the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire, and he has been working steadily ever since (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The Newsroom). But Lion (2016), about an adoptee who goes looking for his real family in India, proved he could carry a movie, and in The Wedding Guest, he is smooth and professional, like his character, oozing confidence and, when called for, danger. The Wedding Guest Rated R: for strong language, violence, brief nudity Running time: 94 minutes *** (out of 5) See More Collapse Like the best noirs, The Wedding Guest is an efficient crime thriller that clocks in at around 90 minutes. Its a B movie with style the stuff that dreams are made of. ajohnson@sfchronicle.com NUECES COUNTY The bollards were boring. Sure, they were doing their job, but they needed a little whimsy, especially on bleak winter days at the Gulf Coast. Diana Vondra, a crochet enthusiast and winter Texan, took action. After measuring a few bollards before heading home to Iowa in May 2016, she spent the summer designing fanciful caps for 30 of the wooden sentinels that guard beach traffic. Today, more than 140 bollard caps liven up the beach-access road, January through March, on Mustang Island between Horace Caldwell Fishing Pier and the jetty just south of Port Aransas. Inspiration, Vondra says, came from the anonymous yarn-bombers of a small town in southern France whose handiwork she saw on vacation. She turned a corner and there it was: every tree on the street decorated with a scarf along its trunk. It was so beautiful; magical and delightful, she said. I thought it would be so much fun for Port A. With permission from Nueces County, she and her crew yarn-bombed a street-art movement widely thought to have been started by Houston native Magda Sayeg in the mid-aughts about 30 beach bollards that first year. Some caps are more elaborate than others, adorned with three-dimensional crocheted flowers and butterflies. Others are abstract patterns crafted from leftover yarn. Still others personify people and critters: a snowman and his wife with a tropical-style grass skirt; a fanciful bee and ladybug, an octopus, and the favorite of many a Mardi Gras-themed cap accented with strands of sparkling beads. I work on these all the time Im back in Iowa and do it on my own, Vondra said. My friends at home have no idea what Im doing; they might not understand. But her daughter and grandchildren understand, Vondra said, and her daughter has made a few, too. We share that love of whimsy, and the grandkids love them. Just the whole idea came to me as something to make people feel good; to surprise them and make them smile, she said. Scott Cross, director of coastal parks for Nueces County, said county officials approve of the display. She asks permission, and we allow her to do it because everybody gets a kick out of it, he said. We enjoy it; it doesnt take away from anything were doing. From the pier down to the jetty, theyre welcome. When Hurricane Harvey hit the barrier island in August 2017, Vondras crochet hooks shifted into high gear, yielding over 82 bollard caps. She had to wait to install them, though, as Harvey had washed away most of the bollards. While Sisters on the Fly an all-female RV camping group who Cross says adopted the county years ago helped install new bollards that fall and early spring, Vondra stuck to her mission. We just had to have something [after the hurricane] to keep us going, she said. It was very important to bring some whimsy and joy to Port A. If you go Heading to the Port Aransas area? Beyond delighting in the crocheted bollards, here are a few other things to see and do. SHOP Gratitude: 316 N. Station St., Port Aransas; 361-749-0302. Soap bubbles waft through the air, welcoming you to this colorful, eclectic gift shop full of grins and giggles. EAT Shell's: 522 Ave. G, Port Aransas; 361-749-7621; eatatshells.com. Cozy and casual, with a distinctive menu of island cuisine prepared by a professional chef. Open for lunch and dinner. The Crazy Cajun: 303 Beach 361, Port Aransas (corner of Beach & Station); 361-749-5079; crazycajunrestaurant.com. Family atmosphere, great seafood in the Cajun tradition. Crowded and rowdy on occasion, but what family isn't? Coffee Waves: 1007 State Highway 361, Port Aransas; 361-749-0825; coffeewaves.com. Artisan coffee drinks, tasty pastries and handcrafted gelato and sorbetto, all in a friendly, spacious setting with Wi-Fi. DO Roberts Point Park: 301 JC Barr Boulevard, Port Aransas; 361-749-4111; cityofportaransas.org. A 50-acre play space for all ages, with bocce court near the swings and a pirate ship-themed playground, with picnic tables and tower overlooking the ship channel and marina. Dolphins frequently escort ships and barges through the channel. Port Aransas Museum and Farley Boat Works: 101 E. Bundrett, 361-749-3800 (museum); 716 W. Avenue C, 361-816-9789 (boat works); portaransasmuseum.org. Learn Port A's history through the eyes of its fishermen, boat-builders and pioneer families. Third Coast Theater at Seashell Village: 502 East Ave. G, Port Aransas; 361-333-1258; thirdcoastmusic.biz. Live music from Texas artists such as Ray Wylie Hubbard, Kelly Willis, Keith Sykes, Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines, the Tejas Brothers, Hayes Carll and Slaid Cleves. See More Collapse The bollards continue to brighten the faces of locals as well as visitors who enjoy the beach in winter. Vondras traditions are evolving: bomb the bollards over the winter holidays and store them away after Spring Break. Repeat the next year. Like other public yarn-bombing installations, hers involves stealth moves under cover of darkness. She alerts her Port A crew via Facebook on the chosen day in late December or early January. They meet that night at the beach to bomb the bollards. Surprised smiles from beachcombers the next morning are the reward. People like them so much, I just decided to keep putting them up, she said. Were up to 140 now, so it takes a little bit of effort. While taking the bollards measurements back in 2016, Vondra discovered their topmost dimensions are about the size of a human head. So, no surprise that a few caps disappear every year, even though theyre securely stapled. If you really want one, or if you need a hat, go ahead and take one, she said. The first year we lost maybe 15; the second year, eight. This year, only two. Vondra welcomes others to join the fun. A unicorn-bedecked bollard appeared recently, and so did a Minnesota Vikings cap. Someone did the Green Bay Packers fan; I was so happy they did that, Vondra said. I did the Patriots one. A few weeks remain to enjoy this drive-thru gallery that perfectly fits the islands fun-loving, relaxed style. Like the winter Texan who created them, the bollard caps will pack up in early April and head back to Iowa for the summer. Theyll pop up again next winter no doubt with a dozen or so brand-new caps just in time to warm up the coastal landscape. Elizabeth Cernota Clark, a freelance writer, is on the journalism faculty at Texas State University. Email: travel@chron.com. An extension will, of course, prolong the Brexit debate that has paralyzed British politics and much of its interactions with the world for three years. Yet, it would create much-needed clarity on Britains economic relations with Europe and the rest of the world. Having rejected a hard Brexit, Britain would need to negotiate a softer Brexit that would continue its participation in the European single market, a customs union or both. Theres even the chance that, having seen what real Brexit entails, Britain would opt to stay in the Union. Sometimes you just cant succeed, no matter how many times you try. It's Sunday, March 16, 1969, and the three Apollo 9 astronauts have returned home for their 10-day mission in outer space. Apollo 9 is the first mission to test the lunar module that will carry astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon's surface. Astronauts Jim McDivitt, David Scott and Rusty Schweickart returned to Ellington Field after safely splashing down Thursday to a congratulatory crowd, relieved families and a 350-pound victory cake. Lt. Gen. Sam Phillips, head of the Apollo program, hailed the mission as "eminently successful." "The purpose was to get the lunar module into manned flight and to demonstrate it alone and in conjunction with the command module in the separate and joint maneuvers they have to accomplish." The mission's success puts NASA one step closer to achieving late President John F. Kennedy's goal of putting Americans on the moon by the end of the decade. Credit: NASA Here's what you may have missed this past week: Tuesday, March 11: The three astronauts took photos of their surroundings, spotting the Pegasus satellite -- launched in 1965 -- from almost 1,000 miles away. While the astronauts continued with their scientific work, NASA officials on the ground determined that they would need to take another orbit around the Earth because of a storm brewing over the Atlantic Ocean, where the spacecraft was supposed to land Thursday. Wednesday, March 12: Apollo 9 took an extra orbit, which allowed the spacecraft to splash down in the Atlantic Ocean about 265 miles from Puerto Rico. Thursday, March 13: The Apollo 9 spacecraft splashed down safely in the Atlantic Ocean after 151 orbits around Earth -- proving the readiness of a two-man landing section for touching down on the lunar surface. Friday, March 14: The astronauts returned home to Ellington Field aboard helicopters, and their families were ecstatic. Saturday, March 15: The astronauts spent time with their families at home today, taking a quick break before lengthy debriefings on the mission. Credit: NASA NASA officials still are deciding whether Apollo 10, scheduled to launch May 17, will touch down on the surface of the moon. Apollo 9 was so successful, but experts have mixed opinions about the best course of action. Assuming the schedule doesn't change and Apollo 11 goes to the moon in July, Phillips said NASA plans to carry out the second lunar landing, Apollo 12, four months later. Then, NASA will proceed with landings in four month intervals, for a total of five. "While we are doing that, to do some developments that would allow us to be able to stay longer and get around letter on the lunar surface," Phillips said. Alex Stuckey writes about NASA and the environment for the Houston Chronicle. You can reach her at alex.stuckey@chron.com or Twitter.com/alexdstuckey WASHINGTON Paul Manafort, President Donald Trumps former campaign chairman, has been ordered to serve a total of 7 1/2 years in prison after a second federal judge added more time to his sentence on Wednesday, saying he spent a significant portion of his career gaming the system. Judge Amy Berman Jackson of U.S. District Court in Washington sentenced Manafort, 69, on two conspiracy counts that encompassed a host of crimes, including money laundering, obstruction of justice and failing to disclose lobbying work that earned him tens of millions of dollars over more than a decade. It is hard to overstate the number of lies and the amount of fraud and the amount of money involved, she said, reeling off Manaforts various offenses, rapid-fire. There is no question that this defendant knew better and he knew what he was doing. Each charge carried a maximum of five years. But Jackson noted that one count was closely tied to the same bank and tax fraud scheme that a federal judge in Virginia had sentenced Manafort for last week. Under sentencing guidelines, she said, those punishments should largely overlap, not be piled on top of each other. Manafort was also expected to get credit for the nine months he has already spent in jail. Soon after the additional sentence was handed down, Manafort was charged in state court in New York with mortgage fraud and more than a dozen other felonies, an effort to ensure he will still face prison time if Trump pardons him for his federal crimes. Manafort asked the judge in Washington not to add to his time in prison. This case has taken everything from me, already, he said, running through a list of his financial assets that now belong to the government. Please let my wife and I be together, he added, hunched over in a wheelchair because of a flare-up of gout. Manaforts lawyer Kevin Downing told the judge that while he was not accusing the office of the special counsel, Robert Mueller, of mounting a politically motivated prosecution, but for a short stint as campaign manager in a national election, I dont think we would be here today. But the judge firmly rejected the argument that the prosecution was somehow misguided or invalid, saying it showed Manafort did not fully accept responsibility for his crimes. She suggested that defense lawyers kept repeating it not because they hoped to influence her thinking, but for some other audience an apparent reference to Trump, who has commented repeatedly on the Manafort case. Andrew Weissmann, one of Muellers top deputies, said Manafort had squandered his education and a wealth of opportunities to lead a criminal conspiracy for more than a decade. Once caught, he obstructed justice by tampering with two witnesses, he said, and then repeatedly lied to prosecutors and to a grand jury after he agreed to cooperate with the special counsels office in September. He served to undermine not promote American ideals of honesty, transparency and playing by the rules, Weissmann said. Manaforts case stood out in many ways, not the least of which is because it was brought by the special counsel investigating Russias interference in the 2016 presidential election. It is also rare that the government reaches a plea deal and then pulls out, claiming that the defendant has deceived them instead of cooperating. Jackson ruled earlier that Manafort breached his plea agreement by lying, but prosecutors have not publicly disclosed why they consider those lies important, saying they wanted to protect an open investigation. That was expected to make it harder for Jackson, who takes pride in explaining herself in terms that ordinary people can understand, to describe how she arrived at her sentence. In another oddity, Manaforts prosecution was divided into two cases the one before Jackson, and the related case overseen by Judge T.S. Ellis of U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia. Last week, Ellis sentenced Manafort to 47 months in prison for eight felony counts of tax evasion, bank fraud and failure to disclose a foreign bank account. Ellis sentence set off a firestorm of criticism from commentators who complained it was overly lenient for a defendant who had orchestrated a multimillion-dollar fraud over a decade. Much of the legal world considered the sentencing guidelines in the Virginia case, which called for a prison term of 19 to 24 years, far too harsh. But some public defenders and former prosecutors said a 47-month sentence exemplified the sentencing disparities in a criminal justice system that favors wealthy, white-collar criminals. Instead, some predicted, she would most likely allow Manafort to serve his sentences simultaneously, which would cap his prison term at 10 years. What is happening today is not and cannot be a review and a revision by a sentence imposed by another court, Jackson said Wednesday, referring to the sentence Manafort received last week. Hanging over the entire case has been the chance that Trump could pardon Manafort. Asked about that possibility, Trumps answers have varied. He said late last year that he wouldnt take it off the table. More recently, he said, I dont even discuss it. Asked about a pardon on Monday, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, said, The president has made his position on that clear, and hell make a decision when he is ready. Last June, when Jackson revoked Manaforts bail and sent him to jail after prosecutors filed new charges of witness tampering, Trump said Manafort was being treated like a mafia boss. 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? Trump wrote on Twitter. State prosecutors in Manhattan are said to be preparing charges against Manafort to help ensure he will serve prison time even if Trump pardons him for his federal crimes. Jackson is comfortable with complex decisions, said Robert P. Trout, a defense lawyer who runs the law firm where she worked for a decade before President Barack Obama appointed her to the bench in 2011. If anyone can get their head around the complexities and sensibilities of the sentencing considerations in play here, it is Judge Jackson, Trout said. The special counsel has not requested a specific sentence in any criminal case it has brought. In the case before Jackson, prosecutors said that Manafort had repeatedly and brazenly violated a host of laws and did not deserve any breaks. Even though sentencing guidelines recommended a prison term of up to 22 years, the maximum sentence was governed by the statutes, not the guidelines, and so was limited to 10 years. The judge sentenced Manafort to five years on the first conspiracy count, but said 30 months of that would be served concurrently with the Virginia sentence because of the overlap between the two cases. On the second conspiracy count, which involved obstruction of justice, she sentenced him to 13 months, saying that his efforts to influence witnesses had largely been nipped in the bud. Jackson tends to be relatively lenient on convicted criminals who appear before her. In the five years that ended in 2017, she handed down an average prison sentence of just 32 months, below both the Washington districts 46-month average and the nationwide average of 47 months, according to court data maintained by Syracuse Universitys Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. But Jackson has gone out of her way to make clear that being well-connected earns no chits in her court. She knows who commits white-collar crime, said Heather Shaner, a Washington lawyer who represented an embezzler in her court. And she thinks its perfectly fine to punish them if they commit a crime and hold them to a higher standard because they have the education, and because they have the wealth. Six years ago, she sentenced the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Jr., the former Illinois congressman and son of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, to 30 months in prison for stealing $750,000 from his campaign to pay personal expenses. He had asked for probation. But she told him: How would I explain a probationary sentence to those troubled youths who are locked up, who didnt start where you started, and were not given what you were given? It would be read one way and one way only, as a clear statement that there are two systems of justice: one for the well-connected, and one for everyone else, she added. I cannot do it. I will not do it. This article originally appeared in The New York Times No right to know? Texas public records get harder and harder to acquire No right to know? Texas public records get harder and harder to acquire Published March 14, 2019 Sunshine Week This is Sunshine Week, when advocates of open government celebrate the value of the First Amendment and assess the state of freedom of information. Look for more coverage Friday on houstonchronicle.com and Sunday on page A1. See ABC13's report on public records on Thursday evening's newscast at 6:30 and 10 p.m. --- Each year, the attorney general's office receives hundreds of thousands of requests to keep records private. They come from municipalities, agencies and other public bodies across the state. Officials in Harris County are routinely among the most prolific. In 2009, county officials submitted 116 denial requests. By 2016, the most recent year for which the attorney general's office has complete data, the number had ballooned to 890. That far outpaced the growth of requests statewide, and was behind only San Antonio, Fort Worth and El Paso for the highest number submitted that year. In 2018, the county received one of the biggest number of complaints about alleged records law violations. Complaints like this often include missed deadlines and overcharging. The Houston Independent School District is also sending in more appeals than ever before. It submitted 104 in 2016, up from just 21 in 2009. The school district's trustees are currently under investigation for potentially having violated Texas' Open Meetings Act when a majority of them engaged in private discussions that led to an abrupt and ultimately temporary ouster of Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan in October 2018. HISD has turned over only a few records about the communications between trustees more than four months after the Chronicle began requesting them. Kathryn Green just wanted to know what had happened to her son. It had been more than two months since 27-year-old Patrick died of bacterial meningitis while incarcerated at the Harris County jail, and still there were so many questions. How long had he been sick? Had he shown symptoms? What had been done to help him? So in early June 2015, Green, a Houston lawyer, did what thousands of Texans do every year: She asked for the records. She requested Patrick's autopsy report and the investigative report into his death. She demanded the video surveillance from inside the jail, and any other public clues that might help piece together his final hours. One by one, she was turned down. "Anybody would be devastated by the loss of their child," Green said in an interview last week. "But then to have to go through dealing with your grief, trying to return to work, trying to keep your home intact, and fighting to get information. It was so difficult for us." The Greens' plight is all too common in Texas, where records that might have once been public are increasingly difficult to obtain, according to an analysis of 10 years worth of attorney general's decisions by ABC13 in collaboration with the Houston Chronicle. The review found that the number of appeals from state and local agencies to withhold information has nearly doubled in the last decade, up to about 32,000 in 2018. Nearly all of those efforts to withhold records are granted, at least in part. Only about 5 percent fewer than 2,000 requests end in a full release of information. That's down from 8 percent five years ago. It's not just that there are more records requests overall. Since Attorney General Ken Paxton assumed office in 2015, the proportion of requests sent to his office that end in the withholding of documents has jumped six percentage points on average over the previous five years, according to the analysis. Agencies such as Harris County, where Green had sought information, are increasingly turning to a small list of exceptions in the open records law that allow them to conceal information. In 2018, officials across Texas asked the attorney general to withhold police and investigative records like those Green requested 16,739 times, making it by far the most-used exception. The attorney general approved the decisions 98 percent of the time, the analysis shows. The Boeing effect In Texas, unlike in other states, public officials who want to withhold or redact records have to appeal to the attorney general. The only way to contest an outcome from there is to sue, which can be costly and take years. The attorney general's office publishes its records opinions online, but the documents are difficult to search; there's no way to track how many requests involve certain kinds of information. ABC13 was able to make that possible by digitizing every decision going back 10 years, then running keyword queries. The review sheds new light on the impact of a series of contentious court decisions, chief among them the 2015 state Supreme Court ruling in Boeing v. Paxton, which allowed companies with government contracts to argue against the release of information on their deals if it could cause competitive harm. Before Boeing, businesses could only ask to block information if it was a trade secret, such as a product design or formula. Critics warned the ruling would set off a major shift toward secrecy. They were right. Since 2015, nearly 4,000 appeals to the attorney general's office have invoked Boeing, 95 percent of them allowing the denial of records. The number of appeals claiming competitive harm last year was up five-fold from 2009. In McAllen, the Boeing ruling stopped taxpayers from learning how much the city paid a pop star to sing at its holiday parade. In Houston, it blocked the release of data on permits issued to Uber. The bar has dropped so low, a lawyer at the attorney general's office warned lawmakers last year, that companies have even asked to withhold their names from the public record. "This ruling from the Supreme Court has tentacles everywhere," said Kelley Shannon, executive director of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. "It's being stretched and twisted to prevent all kinds of information from being released." Proponents of the ruling have argued that information about a company's operation should always be protected, even if their contract is funded by tax dollars. A bipartisan response to strengthen the law after the Boeing decision failed last session. Lawmakers are trying again this year. "Texas used to be one of the top states in terms of freedom of information," said Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, a Republican from suburban Fort Worth who is sponsoring one of the pieces of legislation. "I don't think it's there anymore. This bill will go a long way toward fixing that." 'I dare you' The Texas open records law is often described as stronger than those in other states because of its built-in appeals process. Transparency advocates such as Joe Larsen, a Houston lawyer who specializes in records cases, say the structure is flawed. Agencies are only required to send the attorney general's office a sample of the records they want to withhold, and there's no oversight to ensure it's representative. Officials can draw out the response process by asking for clarifications and lumping requests together when assessing fees, which might tie up smaller requests with those that are more costly and take more time. Even if a record is clearly public, officials can send it to the attorney general as a way to delay its release. The attorney general's office has 45 business days to respond. In 2015, the company that owns the Fort Bend Herald sued the Fort Bend County sheriff after he appealed to the attorney general to withhold the names of complainants in a local school bribery scandal. The name of complainants and other basic information about an investigation are considered public under the law. Soon after the lawsuit was filed, the sheriff turned over the information. By then, the newspaper had already incurred substantial legal fees. Larsen, who filed a brief on the newspaper's behalf, said often the only practical way to get records, and get them quickly, is to sue and force the government's hand. That's not feasible for many who request information. "It's basically, 'I dare you to sue me,' " Larsen said of agencies' responses. There are dozens of exceptions now carved into the Texas records law, and many of them have become more expansive over the years. Under the law, officials can withhold records such as internal emails and memos if they contain advice or opinions on "policymaking" decisions. The rule was designed to help employees speak freely when crafting rules and other lasting policy measures. It's not a blanket protection, however, as the state Supreme Court clarified in a pivotal 2000 decision. "We recognize that public disclosure of agency communications reflecting deliberative processes on any subject, even non-policy communications, could have a chilling effect on agency employees' communications in the future," the court wrote. "But the exception's purpose is not to prevent all disclosures that would chill all frank and open discussions." Today, though, the attorney general's office believes that only "routine" personnel and administrative discussions are public. That was the interpretation used earlier this year to block the Chronicle from obtaining email discussions among employees at the Health and Human Services Commission on how much to award the Heidi Group. The anti-abortion group was eventually awarded millions in family planning funding, then went on to serve far fewer low-income women than expected. "A governmental body's policymaking functions do include administrative and personnel matters of broad scope that affect the governmental body's policy mission," the attorney general's office wrote in a February opinion on the request. The use of the policymaking exception has more than doubled over the past decade, according to ABC13's analysis. It's up 14 percent since Paxton took office. Agencies are also failing more frequently to meet deadlines under the law, the analysis found. Complaints about officials not responding to requests in time reached a record high last year, at nearly 2,000. Most were allowed to withhold records anyway. A push for reform Green was eventually able to get records on her son's death, but only after a year of intense research and consultations with friends in the legal community. She has since sued the sheriff's office, which runs the jail, claiming it failed to give Patrick the care he was constitutionally afforded. Green's attorney in the suit, Randall Kallinen, has litigated civil rights cases in Texas for decades. He said most of the complaints he hears never move to a courtroom because he's unable to get the records he needs. Or when he finally does get them, a two-year statute of limitations has passed. "We may never know what really happened," he said. "And these governments know that. They know the Texas public records law is weak." Others believe the law has a strong foundation, and just needs some long-overdue maintenance. "It's pretty simple," Rep. Terry Canales, a Democrat from Hidalgo County, told lawmakers in a hearing last month, explaining a bill that would require cities to disclose how much they pay for public events. "I would say, put yourself in my shoes. Put yourself in McAllen's shoes, the residents of that city. Your city holds an event and they don't have to tell you what they spent with your tax dollars." "If you stand for public transparency, accountability; if you believe sunshine is the best disinfectant," he said, "then this is the bill for you." Nobody showed up to speak against the legislation. Jeremy Blackman is an investigative reporter in Austin, where he covers public health and other statewide issues. His previous work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Toronto Star, Concord Monitor, PBS NewsHour and Point Reyes Light. He is a graduate of U.C. Berkeley. You can follow him on Twitter @jblackmanChron or reach him by email at Jeremy.Blackman@chron.com Steve Gonzales is a senior staff photographer at the Chronicle. He came to the Chronicle as the Director of Photography in 2005. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter, or reach him by email at steve.gonzales@chron.com. Design by Jordan Rubio and Jasmine Goldband *** A Texas law banning a common second-trimester abortion procedure will remain blocked after federal judges Wednesday postponed a decision until the Supreme Court takes action on a similar case. A federal district court in 2017 struck down the ban, which was passed as part of state Senate Bill 8. Attorney General Ken Paxton and other officials then appealed the decision to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Abortion providers argue the dilation and evacuation procedure is the most common method used to perform an abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The state and the laws supporters say the practice is brutal and inhumane. For subscribers: Senate bill would block state, local funding for abortion providers The case the appeals court is waiting on may or may not ever make it to the highest court in the countrys judiciary. Still, it has captivated the attention of pro-choice and pro-life advocates alike for its potential to be the first abortion-related case before the Supreme Court since Justice Brett Kavanaugh took the bench. But the Supreme Court has yet to decide whether it will take up that case, which was launched by abortion provider June Medical Services. The case challenges a Louisiana law that required doctors who perform abortions to have hospital admitting privileges. For subscribers: Kavanaugh on Supreme Court would give Texas lawmakers a green light for conservative causes Justices struck down a similar law, House Bill 2, in Texas in 2016 in the Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt case, ruling that it placed an undue and unconstitutional burden on abortion access. Following that decision, a district court found Louisianas law unconstitutional. However, on appeal, the Fifth Circuit reversed that decision by claiming that the states situation called for a different means of review than the Texas Supreme Court case. After I followed Grandma into the kitchen to help retrieve a cake box from a high shelf, I could hear the two men conversing. It sounded similar to the fricative-filled Polish he and Grandma used when they spoke about money in front of me. I knew Grandpa to be fluent in at least four languages from running a gas station on the Near South Side after he returned from France as an American soldier in WWI, though, so I couldn't be certain. Elise Amendola, STF / Associated Press U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris is bringing her campaign for the White House to Texas. The California Democrats campaign announced she will hold a rally in Houston on March 23 at a location still yet to be announced. WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate agreed today to join the House in voting to nullify President Donald Trumps national emergency declaration, an embarrassing rebuke to the president and his unyielding drive to build a wall along the border with Mexico. Texas Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz voted to protect Trumps authority. A dozen Republicans voted against the presidents emergency declaration, designed to tap funds denied by Congress for wall construction. But Cornyn and Cruz also said Congress should step in to rein in presidential power in the future. The 59-41 vote for the resolution initiated by San Antonio Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro sets up a veto by Trump, the first of his presidency, as he seeks to deliver on the border wall promise that propelled his rise to the White House. The vote marked the first time Congress deployed a resolution of disapproval to cancel a national emergency order. Trump didnt prevail despite traveling to Capitol Hill before the vote to persuade senators and warning in recent weeks that defectors would pay a price at re-election time. But late efforts to reach compromise, including a plan to restrict future executive powers, came up short. And one by one, Republicans continued defect, among them Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox It opens the door for future presidents to implement just about any policy they want, Portman said, adding that presidents might of use the power to restrict the news media, seize industries -- or even tear down a Trump-built wall. The defections spoke to the discord among Republicans over siding with the president or protecting Congresss constitutional authority to dictate how tax dollars are spent. In the weeks leading up to the vote, Cruz declined to stake out a position on the emergency declaration an issue that put Cruzs alliance with Trump at odds with his zeal for the Constitution, which he memorized as a teenager and often cites as the deciding factor on his votes. Cruz said in late February that he was studying the underlying legal justifications for the presidents action. Related: Mission to defend Cruz becomes Trump family priority Thursday, Cruz offered this explanation of his decision to support the president: This was a difficult vote. I understand my colleagues real concerns regarding the vast emergency powers that Congress has given the President over the last half-century. I share those concerns. When President Obama violated the Constitution through executive amnesty, I led the fight against that lawless action. Unlike President Obama, here President Trump is acting pursuant to explicit statutory authority. He went on to say that the emergency powers act is over-broad, open to abuse and needs reform, points that Cornyn also made during debate. Castro, who began crafting the Democrats strategy weeks ago and engineered House passage, afterward called it probably the most important vote in a generation regarding the balance of power between the legislative and executive branch. He added in an interview, Stakes were very high for Texas. There likely will be hundreds of miles of private property seized. Our senators stood up for Donald Trump instead of Texas. Cornyn said in debate it was clear to him that Trump has the authority to declare an emergency under powers granted by Congress and used by presidents dozens of times since the 1970s. But like Cruz, Cornyn also asserted that the time has arrived for Congress to rein in the executive branch with regard to national emergencies. He described pending legislation that would require Congress to reaffirm a White House declaration every 30 days for it to continue. Rather than scolding Trump, Cornyn, said, we should fix this delegation, this massive delegation, not just to this president but to any president since 1976. The real cause of where we are today is just politics, Cornyn said, accusing Democrats of ignoring the arrival at the border of tens of thousands of people seeking asylum every month. They are going to keep coming, Cornyn said. Its clear that this problem isnt going away. Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia was among Democrats painting the declaration as an unauthorized effort to tap Pentagon construction funds. Congress has pressed the military to provide the list of projects that would be delayed or canceled, but no final list had been provided despite promises that Congress would receive one late today. The vote that we will be casting is about whether the president should be able to raid the Pentagons budget for $6.1 billion. We have been asking for a month what projects will be affected and they will give us that list after we vote today. Democrats produced their own list of vulnerable projects, several in Texas. They include $250 million for hospital construction at Fort Bliss and tens of millions of dollars in projects at Joint Base San Antonio, including $90 million for a recruit dormitory and $38 million for classrooms and a dining facility. Forty years ago this month, the United States dodged a major bullet with the Three Mile Island disaster in Pennsylvania. The fright was good for us, since it put the brakes on enthusiasm for nuclear power. Now, as presidential candidates discuss a Green New Deal, it is easy to envision renewed interest in nuclear to reduce our nations impact on global climate. After all, it produces no carbon dioxide emissions beyond those associated with the construction of power plants. And nuclear power is not burdened with the indirect health effects associated with the mining and combustion of coal for electricity, nor does it destroy mountaintops in West Virginia. Nevertheless, we should be cautious about nuclear. Weve seen two big examples of the dangers of nuclear power beyond the partial meltdown of a reactor at Three Mile Island, located near Harrisburg in Dauphin County. The 1986 disaster at Chernobyl left about 1,000 square miles of land uninhabitable by humans for the foreseeable future, including dangerous levels of Plutonium-239 in the soil. Plutonium-239 has a half-life of 24,000 years. Imagine the same for a nuclear power plant near you. For central North Carolina, where I live, this would involve the exposure of 2 million people and the instantaneous and permanent abandonment of the campuses of Duke, N.C. State and the University of North Carolina. The half-life of some of the other radioactive elements released at Chernobyl, such as Cesium-137 and Strontium-90, is about 30 years. Unfortunately, the contamination of the environment by these isotopes was more widespread, in part because they are lighter and more easily carried by winds and water. In this case, Cesium-137 was transported in the atmosphere and deposited in the United Kingdom, where dangerous levels may persist in the soil for more than 100 years. Levels of cesium in some sheep, which fed on grasses in contaminated soils, are above the standards for human consumption. Nuclear advocates are quick to point out that some wildlife populations in the exclusion zone have increased dramatically perhaps as a result of the relaxation of hunting and other human pressures after 1986. But the higher incidence of albinism in local barn swallows should be a reminder that radiation-induced genetic mutations afflict wildlife populations and potentially humans as well. Higher incidence of thyroid cancer and genetic irregularities are reported from human populations around Chernobyl. Severe contamination of the local environment also resulted from the disaster at Fukushima. It is unclear whether some areas will ever be inhabited again. The worst effects of a nuclear disaster are normally found in the region around the event itself, but fallouts spread worldwide. Within a month of the catastrophe in Japan, elevated levels of Iodine-131 and Cesium-137 were recorded in rainfall collected by the National Atmospheric Deposition Stations (NADP) across the United States. With nuclear power comes the associated problems of waste disposal, which have yet to be addressed effectively in the United States. And a proliferation of nuclear power also enhances the likelihood that nuclear materials will be diverted to nefarious purposes, such as the production of a dirty bomb by terrorists. Stripped of subsidies, the cost of nuclear power is higher than that for solar and wind power to generate electricity. When the hidden costs are included, there is no contest. Nuclear power may appear to be clean. We see no equivalent to black-lung disease among coal miners, no mercury accumulations in fishes downwind and no carbon dioxide emissions that change our climate globally. But when there is a problem with nuclear power, it is sure to be large, persistent and biocidal for the persistence of life on Earth. Accidents always happen; we cannot afford an accident with nuclear power. William Schlesinger H. is the James B. Duke professor emeritus of biogeochemistry and former dean of the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. Before the Feb. 26 election, we strongly endorsed incumbent Ald. Raymond Lopez. Recall that in May 2017, Lopez urged victimized and frightened residents to help police end gang warfare in the Brighton Park and Back of the Yards neighborhoods. "We need the people who live here to stand up and help us stop what's going on," Lopez said after an especially bloody week. If you are hanging out with people who are recruiting 12- and 13-year-olds to join gangs and sell drugs, then you are part of the problem in this community. He also voices determination to help fix Chicago's finances: When I was a teen, the City Council at the behest of the mayor punted its responsibilities to address pensions and taxes. Their inaction forced me to address these issues two decades later. I will not do the same to future generations. As we said in February, we'd hate to lose an alderman who has risked his safety to fight violence in his ward. Also on the ballot: Rafael Rafa Yanez. Lopez is endorsed. These are the talented people on the HowStuffWorks website team who currently contribute articles to or edit for HowStuffWorks.com. If you have comments on an author's article, you can submit your comments via e-mail. We look forward to hearing from you! Allison Loudermilk, Editor-in-Chief Allison Loudermilk earned her B.A. in environmental science from Barnard College and has a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Georgia. Kathryn Whitbourne, Senior Editor Kathryn Whitbourne has a communications degree from Cornell University and was previously a magazine editor and an editorial supervisor at PR Newswire. In addition to her editing duties, she's written several articles for HowStuffWorks ranging from Wayne Newton to the Winter Solstice. Sarah Gleim, Content Manager Sarah Gleim has a B.A. in journalism from Georgia State University and an A.A. in culinary science from the Art Institute of Atlanta. She has been on the editorial staffs of several magazines and has produced numerous cookbooks for the Southern Living brand. Teresa Crowder, Editor Teresa Crowder holds a B.A. in English/English Literature from Emory University. Jason Koch, Animator Jason Koch holds a bachelor's degree in visual communications from the Art Institute of Atlanta and has been pushing pixels around for the last 15 years. Nathan Chandler, Contributing Writer Nathan Chandler is a freelance writer and photographer based in Lincoln, Nebraska. He earned his B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa, and has researched and written about consumer tech for more than 10 years. Laurie L. Dove, Contributing Writer Laurie L. Dove began as a newspaper reporter, then built a career as a freelance journalist and editor for national magazines. She has been the owner and publisher of a magazine and newspaper, and is the author of several books. She earned a bachelor's degree in Communication Arts with a Mass Media emphasis from Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas, and is pursuing a master's degree. Kristen Hall-Geisler, Contributing Writer Kristen Hall-Geisler has been an automotive journalist since 2002 and has written about everything from electric car racing to exotic car test drives to the intricate insides of engines. She's also the author of "Take the Wheel," a car-buying guide for women, published September 2013. Alia Hoyt, Contributing Writer Alia Hoyt is a freelance writer living in Atlanta, Georgia. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism with a major in public relations from the University of Georgia. She has been published by such outlets as CNN, Yahoo! Shine, Animal Planet, TLC and upwave. Kate Kershner, Contributing Writer Kate Kershner has a degree in creative writing from Western Washington University. Patrick Kiger, Contributing Writer Patrick J. Kiger has written for publications ranging from GQ and Mother Jones to the Los Angeles Times. He also is a blogger for the AARP, National Geographic News and the National Geographic Channel. From 2007 to 2013 he was a blogger for the Science Channel. He also is the co-author of two books on American pop culture and the origins of trends. Robert Lamb, Senior Writer Robert Lamb holds a B.A. in creative writing from the University of Tennessee. Melanie Radzicki McManus, Contributing Writer Melanie Radzicki McManus has worked as a radio station news reporter, as a press secretary in the Wisconsin State Legislature and as editor of two local publications. Since 1994, she has worked as a freelance writer and editor, specializing in travel and fitness. John Perritano, Contributing Writer John Perritano is an award-winning journalist, writer and editor from Southbury, Connecticut. He holds a masters degree in American history from Western Connecticut State University. Dave Roos, Contributing Writer Dave Roos is a freelance writer and organic farmer based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He holds a B.A. in religion from Duke University. Jonathan Strickland, Senior Writer Jonathan Strickland holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Georgia. Cherise Threewitt, Contributing Writer Cherise is a freelance writer living in Chicago and holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Saint Michael's College Marshall Brain, Founder Marshall Brain is the founder of HowStuffWorks. He holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a master's degree in computer science from North Carolina State University. Before founding HowStuffWorks, Marshall taught in the computer science department at NCSU and ran a software training and consulting company. Learn more at his site. Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. When you click get started below it will walk you through creating an online account to attach your print subscription number to. After your account is created it will ask you to either add a subscription for online access or click on the print subscriber button. Click the print subscriber button header and it will open a dropdown, now click on get started. The page will reload and you will be prompted to enter an account number and a zip code. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO USE THE NUMBER OFF OF THE MOST RECENT ISSUE OR ANYTHING AFTER JANUARY 28, 2019 TO GAIN ACCESS! OLD ACCOUNT NUMBERS WILL NOT WORK The account number and zip code are easily available on your most recent issue of the High Plains Journal or Midwest Ag Journal in the address fields as is shown here. Sometimes the account number has extra zero's in front of it, just ignore those. In February we did not endorse 20-year incumbent Ald. Leslie Hairston, 5th, for re-election. We pushed voters to send someone with fresh ideas to City Hall. The potential for this beautiful South Shore-based ward simply has not been reached.Instead of progressing the ward has slipped, plagued by an exodus of stable, middle-class black families. That loss has led to increases in violent crime and slowing economic development. Example: It took years to find a tenant for an abandoned grocery store. William Calloway will work hard to reverse those trends. Hes a young community organizer who pushed City Hall to release the video of the Laquan McDonald shooting. Reducing gun violence and crime are among his top priorities. Calloway is independent, thoughtful and would support initiatives in the City Council to make government more accountable and transparent. He would oppose a Chicago casino, and he supports an elected school board. Calloway is endorsed for the runoff election. Regarding Chicago police Officer Brian Warner, who is on disability for post-traumatic stress disorder: Since the shooting in February 2011, Brians brothers, sisters, friends, family and I have been concerned about his well-being. After recovery from his bullet wound, he returned to duty in his Near North Side district, which included such challenges as Cabrini-Green. Brian confided to me that he was concerned he would respond to a high-stress situation too quickly or not quickly enough. Either could result in a deadly outcome. His frustration with the lack of department support for his situation, and what he quickly saw was a common condition experienced by other officers, led to his development of a support group. He was quickly identified by newspaper, radio and TV media as a resource for presenting insight into the stressful experiences of many of our street police officers. He even appeared on CBS 60 Minutes to provide this viewpoint. With another failed Brexit vote in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Theresa May and the British people are facing a no-deal crash out of the European Union. The IFJ has welcomed today's historic vote of the European Parliament to call for an end to the harassment and persecution of BBC Persian journalists and their families The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of a resolution criticising Irans treatment of human rights defenders, human rights lawyers and journalists. The resolution states that, freedom of the press, both on and offline, freedom of association, and freedom of thought are repressed in Iran and that Iranian authorities have systematically targeted journalists, including those working for the BBC Persian service, and their families, through the use of criminal investigations, asset freezes, arbitrary arrest, detention, surveillance, harassment, and by spreading false, malicious, and defamatory publicity. The resolution demands that the authorities in Iran stop the surveillance, arrest, harassment, and prosecution of journalists, online activists, and their families, end online censorship, and calls for the creation of conditions which tolerate freedom of expression and freedom of the media both on and offline. The IFJ has campaigned alongside the BBC and human rights lawyers Doughty Street Chambers to end the persecution and last month jointly lobbied MEPs to urge them to table today's motion. Speaking in the Parliament in Strasbourg, Jude Kirton-Darling MEP said that, the Iranian authorities have been systematically targeting BBC Persian staff and are moving onto the staff of other European broadcasters as well Many of those affected are EU/ Iranian dual nationals, mostly British Iranians. She described how 152 staff have been subjected to an unfair asset freeze, and their families in Iran endure arbitrary arrest, travel bans and harassment. She added, I would particularly like to raise awareness about the sexualised defamation campaigns being waged against brave female journalists at BBC Persian and I would call on the EU to no longer be silent about this attack on European women, European journalists. We have a duty and a responsibility to defend free journalism. The Joint Motion for a Resolution was supported by six political groups, including ECR (which includes Conservative MEPs from the UK), S&D (which includes Labour MEPs) and Verts/ ALE (which includes the Green Party). The full text, which was passed unamended, is available here. Todays motion is passed in the same week that Irans harassment of BBC Persian was raised before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, Professor Javaid Rehman. In his first report to the UNHRC, Rehman said he deplores the harassment of BBC Persian staff. The UK in their address to the Council and the UK Permanent Representative to the UN also spoke in support of BBC Persian in Geneva at a side-event co-hosted by BBC Persian, the International Federation of Journalists and Doughty Street Chambers. IFJ Deputy General Secretary Jeremy Dear said: "The persecution must stop. Condemned by the UN, the European Parliament and press freedom campaigners across the globe the Iranian government must halt the harassment, ditch the injunction, end the asset freeze and stop trying to silence independent media voices". Michelle Stanistreet of the National Union of Journalists said: The Iranian authorities have been systematically targeting BBC Persian journalists in the UK, and their families in Iran, since the service launched satellite television in 2009. Our campaign to stop the harassment will persist until the authorities stop targeting NUJ members for simply doing their jobs. Both the asset freeze and criminal investigations into the activities of journalists and other staff working for BBC Persian should be dropped. International counsel for the BBC World Service, Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC and Jennifer Robinson, welcomed the European Parliaments passing of this resolution today, saying,This is a historic day for BBC Persian: for the first time, the European Parliament has considered the harassment of BBC Persian staff and their families by Iran, and it has condemned this harassment in the strongest possible terms. We must remember that the Iranian authorities ongoing attacks on freedom of expression are not only devastating and damaging to the affected journalists and their loved ones. They also prevent audiences in Iran and around the world from having access to fair, full and independent reporting about matters of intense public interest. It is critical, now more than ever, that the international community takes action to protect freedom of expression in and concerning Iran. This content is from: Deals Its the first ever green bond from an issuer in the region that uses the Climate Bonds Initiative framework. Here, issuer AC Energy and its lawyers explain how they did it Imperial Valley News Center Energy Department Awards $6 Million in Wind Energy Research Projects Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) selected nine projects totaling $6.2 million that will reduce environmental compliance costs and environmental impacts of land-based and offshore wind energy. Funded by the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Wind Energy Technologies Office, these early-stage research projects are key to development of wind energy as part of DOE's "all-of-the-above" energy strategy. Technologies that reduce the impact to bats, birds and other wildlife can lead to less "curtailment" when wind turbines need to be shut down. In turn, this will lead to greater annual energy production and lower wind energy costs. The projects will develop technology solutions to environmental siting and operational challenges to reduce wind project permitting time and costs, increase the certainty of project development outcomes, and provide more deployment options at reduced costs. The $6.2 million will be invested in three areas: 1) Three projects will receive $2.3 million to further the advancement of smart curtailment strategies to minimize energy loss from curtailment and wind farm environmental impacts to bats. Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), of Palo Alto, California will field-test their new technology which makes automated decisions to curtail wind turbines based on real-time wind speed and bat acoustic data. American Wind Wildlife Institute of Washington, D.C. will develop and evaluate a predictive bat risk model that correlates bat risk with various environmental and weather variables, and integrate this model into a smart curtailment program in wind turbine software. Stantec Consulting Services of Topsham, Maine will develop a predictive model that links measured bat risk factors to the effectiveness of smart curtailment regimes. 2) Three projects will receive $1.4 million to advance the commercial readiness of bat deterrent technologies to minimize the need for curtailment. National Renewable Energy Laboratory of Golden, Colorado will improve the effectiveness of an ultrasonic acoustic deterrent that will keep bats away from wind turbines. General Electric Renewable Energy of Greenville, South Carolina will evaluate the relative effectiveness of ultrasonic deterrence versus wind turbine curtailment for different bat species. Iowa State University of Ames, Iowa will design a passive, blade-mounted ultrasonic bat deterrent device capable of producing a broad spectrum of ultrasonic tones. 3) Three projects will receive $2.5 million to develop and validate pre- and post-construction monitoring and mitigation solutions for the offshore wind environment to ease regulatory barriers to deployment. Imperial Valley News Center The Fentanyl Failure Washington, DC - In May 2016, a group of national health experts issued an urgent plea in a private letter to high-level officials in the Obama administration. Thousands of people were dying from overdoses of fentanyl the deadliest drug to ever hit U.S. streets and the administration needed to take immediate action. The epidemic had been escalating for three years. The 11 experts pressed the officials to declare fentanyl a national public health emergency that would put a laserlike focus on combating the emerging epidemic and warn the country about the threat, according to a copy of the letter. The fentanyl crisis represents an extraordinary public health challenge and requires an extraordinary public health response, the experts wrote to six administration officials, including the nations drug czar and the chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The administration considered the request but did not act on it. Between 2013 and 2017, more than 67,000 people died of synthetic-opioid-related overdoses exceeding the number of U.S. military personnel killed during the Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined. The number of deaths, the vast majority from fentanyl, has risen sharply each year. In 2017, synthetic opioids were to blame for 28,869 out of the overall 47,600 opioid overdoses, a 46.4 percent increase over the previous year, when fentanyl became the leading cause of overdose deaths in America for the first time. In Washington, Tom Frieden, the CDC chief during the Obama administration, notified several senior administration health officials about the increasing fentanyl overdoses, including a doubling of deaths in New Hampshire in one year. Frieden believed one of his roles was to alert government officials to dangerous trends in the field. In October 2015, the CDC issued a nationwide health advisory about the increasing dangers of fentanyl. It was up to the various agencies to take action, he said. I felt like I was a bit of a voice in the wilderness, Frieden recalled in a recent interview. I didnt have the sense that people got this as a really serious problem. That November eight months after the DEA issued its national fentanyl alert the Obama administration sent its annual National Drug Control Strategy to Congress. The 107-page report devoted one sentence to fentanyl, noting that it was showing up in heroin. It caught a lot of people by surprise, said Jon DeLena, the associate special agent in charge of the DEAs New England Field Division. People didnt understand until it was really put in their face. People werent paying attention to how rapidly this evolved and they werent prepared for it. The situation had become so desperate that health experts from around the country banded together to make an impassioned plea to the highest levels of the Obama administration. On May 4, 2016, a month after Obamas Atlanta appearance, the 11 public health experts wrote to the six administration officials, requesting the emergency declaration. Among the experts were Rich and Green, the two Rhode Island epidemiologists who had seen the devastation firsthand. [M]any leading voices in the field feel an emergency declaration could have saved lives by shining a bright spotlight that would have galvanized the administration, awakened the public and warned users of the danger they faced. A great deal would have been done by the White House simply saying we have this horrible danger out there, said Walters, the earlier drug czar. We saw more action by the White House over an outbreak of tainted food, giving out news releases telling people what to look for, telling people to protect their friends and family, than you did for fentanyl. Its a little ridiculous that we dont use the bully pulpit to at least provide a national warning. In the summer of 2016, a few months after the fentanyl letter, the Obama administration declared the Zika virus to be a public health emergency and had already requested $1.9 billion from Congress to address it. Two people in the United States died of Zika-related illnesses. At the same time, the DEA warned, counterfeit pain pills laced with fentanyl were posing a global threat. Read the full article here. Imperial Valley News Center Donald Trumps National Emergency Declaration is Constitutional Washington, DC - President Donald Trumps emergency declaration is a proper use of executive power to protect our countrys borders and keep Americans safe. Unfortunately, the crisis at the southern border is one that only the federal government may truly solve. With no solutions coming from Congress, the president is faithfully executing the duties of his office by invoking a law Congress already passed: the National Emergencies Act (NEA). In declaring a state of emergency pursuant to the NEA, President Trump is using pre-existing statutory authority to address a legitimate crisis created by lawless conduct at and beyond our southern border. This emergency declaration is not a case of the president relieving himself of restrictions under the law. To the contrary, our president is protecting our countrys borders through means contemplated by Congress and used many times by past presidents for matters less directly threatening than those present on the southern border. The NEA gives the president broad authority. In fact, Congress did not define national emergency in the NEA, leaving it entirely at the presidents discretion to determine what constitutes such an emergency. But any president who makes such a declaration must tell Congress the statutory authority upon which he is relying, as President Trump has done here. The presidents action is neither new nor extraordinary. As state attorneys general, we are the chief legal officers of our states, with the duty to defend our sovereigns from federal overreach. We have been quick to challenge executive actions that exceed the presidents lawful authority. President Trumps emergency declaration to address the crisis at the southern border is much different than the kinds of executive action we challenged in the past. Unlike President Barack Obama, who unlawfully used executive power to create new laws or rewrite laws Congress enacted, President Trump is lawfully using executive power to address a crisis worsened by congressional inaction. That is a stark difference but not the only one: This use of executive action is part of the core duties of the president to protect the borders of our country. In doing so, he properly invoked power that Congress expressly granted him to deal with a national crisis. The facts matter these facts show the president has acted lawfully and within the scope of discretion Congress and the people vested in him. Congress should support President Trump. Read the full op-ed here. Imperial Valley News Center Study identifies essential oil compounds most toxic to bed bugs West Lafayette, Indiana - The synthetic pesticides used to control bed bug infestations face two problems: the insects are gaining a tolerance to them, and many consumers are looking for green alternatives they consider safer to spray in their living spaces. Plant-based essential oils may offer the solution to both problems. And a Purdue University study, led by entomologist Ameya Gondhalekar and his doctoral student, Sudip Gaire, has identified some of the most effective essential oil compounds for bed bug control. Dozens of essential oils-based products on the market claim to kill or repel insects, but a previous Rutgers University study showed that few actually work against bed bugs. Gondhalekar and Gaire analyzed 15 essential oil compounds that are present in various aromatic plants for their toxicity to bed bugs and their ability to disrupt the insects nervous system function. Their findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports. Since bed bugs are found on beds and sofas, people want chemicals that are safe for humans. You cannot spray most of the currently available insecticides directly on your infested furniture. With these essential oils, you may have that flexibility because these compounds are considered to be low-risk options for bed bug control said Gondhalekar, a Purdue research assistant professor in the Department of Entomology. There is a growing demand for green products that people think have a minimal risk. All of the chemicals were effective when applied directly to the bed bugs, though the amount needed to kill them varied. Carvacrol, derived from oregano and thyme; thymol (thyme); citronellic acid (lemongrass); and eugenol (clove) were most effective. When tested as fumigants, thymol, carvacrol, linalool (common in basil) and camphor (camphor tree) were most effective. Four of the compounds did not kill bed bugs over a 24-hour period. It took about 70,000 times more of the most effective compound to kill a bed bug by contact than a control synthetic insecticide. With fumigants, this difference was only 400 times. That doesnt mean plant essential oil compounds are ineffective, Gondhalekar said. Now that toxicity levels are known, effective products can be formulated. Gondhalekar and Gaire also found that thymol, carvacrol and eugenol depressed the bed bug nervous system, whereas linalool caused excitation. If youre going to formulate a product, youre probably going to look to use higher concentrations of the compounds we show to be most effective, Gaire said. If you combine them, you might achieve better efficacy, but that research is still ongoing. Gondhalekar adds that its important for consumers to remember that the best practice for elimination of bed bugs is a combination of multiple strategies that includes pest monitoring, non-chemical techniques such as heat treatments, botanical compounds and synthetic insecticides. The Center for Urban and Industrial Pest Management and the O.W. Rollins/Orkin Endowment funded this research. Lumber Liquidators Enters into Corporate Resolution for Securities Fraud and Agrees to Pay $33 Million Penalty Washington, DC - Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc. (Lumber Liquidators) has agreed to pay a total penalty of $33 million for filing a materially false and misleading statement to investors regarding the sale of its laminate flooring from China to its customers in the United States. Lumber Liquidators, a public corporation headquartered in Toano, Virginia, and one of the largest retailers of flooring products in the United States, entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) in connection with a criminal information filed today in the Eastern District of Virginia charging the company with securities fraud. The case was primarily focused on the fact that Lumber Liquidators knowingly filed a false and misleading statement to investors broadly denying the allegations featured in a March 2015 episode of 60 Minutes, and affirming that the company complied with California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations. Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Departments Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney G. Zachary Terwilliger of the Eastern District of Virginia, Special Agent in Charge David W. Archey of the FBIs Richmond Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Kelly R. Jackson of IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Washington, D.C. Field Office and Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Washington Division, made the announcement. Lumber Liquidators lied to investors and to the public about its compliance with formaldehyde regulations for the flooring it sold all to protect its stock price, said Assistant Attorney General Benczkowski. False and misleading financial reports undermine the integrity of our securities markets and harm investors. The Department and our law enforcement partners are committed to doing everything we can to ensure that those who commit securities fraud are held accountable. This resolution holds Lumber Liquidators accountable for misleading the investing public, said U.S. Attorney Terwilliger. It also recognizes that the company has cooperated with the government's investigation, completely replaced its senior executive team, and installed experienced executives who have displayed a commitment to building an ethical corporate culture. We will continue to ensure that market participants can trust information communicated by public companies when making investment decisions. My thanks to our prosecutorial team and our investigative partners for their outstanding work on this case. This penalty should serve as a warning to other corporations who seek to mislead investors, said FBI Special Agent in Charge Archey. FBI Richmond is grateful for the commitment to this case of its partners at the U.S. Attorneys Office, the Justice Departments Fraud Section, the IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Lumber Liquidators knowingly deceived the shareholders they were entrusted to serve, said IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Jackson. IRS-CI will continue to work diligently with our federal law enforcement partners to ensure that the punishment for such crimes matches the seriousness of the offense. Those seeking to maximize profits while misleading investors should expect to pay a heavy price, said U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Rendina. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has investigated these kind of deceptive practices for years to protect investors and the integrity of the market place. Postal Inspectors work tirelessly to identify and hold accountable any company who uses the U.S. mail to defraud American citizens. According to court documents filed as part of the DPA, Lumber Liquidators was subject to various laws that regulated the chemicals used in wood products, including laminate flooring. Specifically, CARB enforced limits on formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products. In September 2013, CARB announced that it intended to use deconstructive testing to determine whether finished flooring products contained CARB compliant cores. In 2013 and 2014, CARB informed Lumber Liquidators that flooring samples collected from its California stores failed deconstructive testing for formaldehyde emissions. Lumber Liquidators own deconstructive tests of the same products yielded similar results. Also in 2014, foreign and domestic flooring suppliers alerted Lumber Liquidators of CARB compliance concerns related to the companys Chinese laminate products. In February 2014, Lumber Liquidators Chinese laminate suppliers requested a price increase citing concerns about the increased cost of CARB compliant cores and their ability to pass deconstructive testing for formaldehyde emissions. Approximately one month later, a U.S. laminate supplier informed Lumber Liquidators that it tested a Chinese laminate sample purchased from one of Lumber Liquidators stores in the United States and that the sample emitted high levels of formaldehyde. Lumber Liquidators took only limited steps to determine the validity of the suppliers concerns, and instead sought to generate support for its position that deconstructive testing was not a valid test method, the company admitted. To that end, Lumber Liquidators visited two Chinese laminate suppliers in August 2014 to collect and test samples. While collecting samples from Supplier A, a then-Lumber Liquidators employee noticed a pallet of laminate flooring that factory workers indicated was Lumber Liquidators product, but the label on the pallet indicated that it contained non-CARB compliant cores. The former employee took samples from this suspect pallet for testing along with other samples manufactured in his and other employees presence. Laboratory A later provided Lumber Liquidators with test results that undermined the companys criticisms of deconstructive testing. All but one of the products manufactured in front of the Lumber Liquidators employees passed deconstructive testing. But the samples from the suspect pallet, manufactured before employees arrived, failed deconstructive testing. Lumber Liquidators representatives again visited Supplier A in September 2014 and January 2015. Following these visits, Lumber Liquidators concluded that Supplier A had numerous recordkeeping anomalies, refused to implement CARB-related corrective action requests made by the company, and could not reliably demonstrate that its laminate flooring contained CARB compliant cores. Accordingly, in January 2015, the companys former senior management team decided to discontinue its relationship with Supplier A due to CARB compliance concerns. Nevertheless, that same day, Lumber Liquidators admitted it ordered more laminate flooring from Supplier A. In Fall 2014, Lumber Liquidators learned that the CBS news program, 60 Minutes, also retained Laboratory A to conduct deconstructive testing of Lumber Liquidators products. Shortly thereafter, Laboratory A secretly notified Lumber Liquidators that the deconstructive tests commissioned by 60 Minutes yielded significant test failures. The lab then allowed a former Lumber Liquidators employee to review and take pictures of these test results. In December 2014, the lab owner told former Lumber Liquidators employees that a high deconstructive test failure was a strong indicator that the product was not CARB compliant, the company admitted. On Feb. 25, 2015, Lumber Liquidators learned that 60 Minutes obtained undercover videos from three of its Chinese laminate suppliers, including Supplier A, in which the suppliers admitted that the laminates they made for Lumber Liquidators were not CARB compliant. Lumber Liquidators former senior management team retained outside counsel from Law Firm B to interview the suppliers in the undercover videos. On Feb. 28, 2015, Law Firm B informed former Lumber Liquidators executives that it recorded one person from each of the three factories in the undercover videos saying that the product they sold Lumber Liquidators was CARB compliant. Nevertheless, Law Firm B told these former executives that they had limited confidence in the suppliers statements because, among other things, a former Lumber Liquidators inspector alleged that suppliers offered bribes to him and other company employees, the company admitted. On March 1, 2015, 60 Minutes aired a segment alleging that laminate flooring sold by Lumber Liquidators in the United States did not meet CARB emission standards for formaldehyde. The episode featured the undercover videos and test results previously shown to Lumber Liquidators. The next morning, March 2, 2015, the New York Stock Exchange halted trading of the companys stock, with the expectation that Lumber Liquidators intended to issue a statement responding to the 60 Minutes episode. Later that morning, Lumber Liquidators, through its employees, knowingly filed a false and misleading Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Form 8-K broadly denying the allegations in the 60 Minutes episode and affirming Lumber Liquidators complied with CARB regulations, the company admitted. Specifically, Lumber Liquidators omitted material facts from investors, including CARBs investigation of the companys Chinese laminate products; its own deconstructive test results; the companys decision to discontinue sourcing from Supplier A due to CARB compliance concerns; and evidence that undermined the suppliers statements that all products provided to Lumber Liquidators were CARB compliant. Pursuant to its agreement with the Department of Justice, Lumber Liquidators agreed to pay a total criminal penalty of $33 million to the United States, including a criminal fine of approximately $19 million, and approximately $14 million in forfeiture. This amount represents the companys net profits from the sale of 100 percent of its Chinese laminate from approximately Jan. 16, 2015 through May 7, 2015. Lumber Liquidators also agreed to implement rigorous internal controls and cooperate fully with the Departments ongoing investigation, including its investigation of individuals. Under the DPA, prosecution of the company for securities fraud will be deferred for an initial period of three years to allow Lumber Liquidators to demonstrate good conduct. The SEC announced a separate settlement with Lumber Liquidators in connection with related, parallel proceedings. Under the terms of its resolution with the SEC, Lumber Liquidators agreed to a total of $6,097,298.42 in disgorgement of profits and prejudgment interest. The Department of Justice agreed to credit the amount paid to the SEC in disgorgement as part of its agreement. Thus, the combined total amount of criminal and regulatory penalties paid by Lumber Liquidators will be $33 million. This penalty reflects the nature and seriousness of the conduct, as well as Lumber Liquidators ongoing cooperation with the United States and the companys extensive efforts at remediation. Among other remedial efforts, Lumber Liquidators suspended the sale of all laminate flooring from China in May 2015; offered consumers in-home testing for already installed flooring; and implemented new policies and procedures regarding compliance with CARB emission standards and other environmental regulations, sourcing of flooring products, financial reporting and internal controls. The employees involved in wrongdoing either were terminated or resigned from Lumber Liquidators, and the company replaced its executive management team with experienced executives who have displayed a commitment to building an ethical corporate culture. Trial Attorney Cory E. Jacobs of the Criminal Divisions Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Lee Martin and Uzo E. Asonye of the Eastern District of Virginia prosecuted the case. The Criminal Divisions Fraud Section plays a pivotal role in the Department of Justices fight against white collar crime around the country. Governor Newsom Announces Legislative Proposals to Confront the Housing Cost Crisis Sacramento, California - Governor Gavin Newsom announced a major legislative proposal as part of his $1.75 billion package to confront the housing cost crisis. The new proposal sets higher short-term goals for housing that cities and counties must meet, and provides $750 million in support and incentives to help jurisdictions plan and zone for these higher, ambitious housing targets. The proposal would also update and modernize the states long-term housing goals, known as Regional Housing Needs Allocations (RHNA), to better reflect regional housing and transportation needs. This proposal is one part of Governor Newsoms ambitious $1.75 billion housing package for 2019, which includes $1 billion in tax credits and loans to spur low, mixed and middle-income housing production through separate legislative and budget proposals. Our states affordability crisis is undermining the California Dream and the foundations of our economic well-being, said Governor Newsom. Families should be able to live near where they work. They shouldnt live in constant fear of eviction or spend their whole paycheck to keep a roof overhead. Thats increasingly the case throughout California. In January, Governor Newsom unveiled his $1.75 billion budget proposal to spur housing in California and called on the Legislature to provide relief and stabilization for renters. He signed an executive order to build affordable housing on excess state lands and announced first-of-its-kind legal action against a city, Huntington Beach, for standing in the way of affordable housing production and refusing to meet regional housing needs. In his State of the State address, he offered state assistance to the 47 California cities out of compliance with state housing requirements and invited city leaders to meetings with state housing officials in Long Beach and Sacramento. As part of the plan to address the housing cost crisis, the Governor proposes: Accelerating and Incentivizing Housing Goals Through these proposals, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) will establish new, higher short-term statewide housing goals for jurisdictions. HCD will adjust statewide targets for 2020 and 2021 and jurisdictions will be incentivized to accelerate their three-year RHNA goals to reach those benchmarks within two years. HCD will distribute increased targets to jurisdictions based on factors such as jobs, households, and affordability. Jump-Starting Housing Production The trailer bills provide $750 million in one-time funding to help jump-start housing production. $250 million will go to cities for planning towards their new, higher short-term housing goals. $500 million will go to cities as incentives as they meet certain milestones of planning and zoning for more housing. Local governments will receive $250 million in grants to support technical assistance and staffing to adjust plans to reach the higher RHNA goals half directly to cities, and half through regions. Regions will create action plans to identify process improvements, barriers to production, and other activities needed to increase production. Cities will receive $125 million to begin work on improving their processes. Another $125 million will be distributed to regions to plan and award to cities in accordance with regional plans. If a jurisdiction is in a region or county that has not submitted a plan, they can submit their own for HCD approval. HCD will identify a methodology to distribute incentive rewards to these unique jurisdictions. An additional $500 million will be made available to cities in incentive grants. Beginning in 2021, incentive grants for general purposes will become available for jurisdictions that have made progress in implementing their plans and meeting increased production goals. Regions will develop the reward methodology, in furtherance of their regional housing plan goals, and with HCD approval. Steps Towards Long-Term Housing Reform To make meaningful reforms to the housing crisis in California, all stakeholders must work collaboratively to develop sustainable, long-term solutions. California must take a more comprehensive approach to planning for housing and transportation. This new proposal will ensure that by December 31, 2022, HCD, in collaboration with the Office of Planning and Research (OPR), will engage stakeholders and propose an improved RHNA process and methodology. Working with the California State Transportation Agency and OPR, HCD will engage stakeholders and propose opportunities to link transportation and other non-housing funds with housing goals by the end of 2022. Beginning July 1, 2023, SB 1 Local Streets and Roads funds may be withheld from any jurisdiction that does not have a compliant housing element and has not zoned and entitled for its updated annual housing goals. Expanding Middle Class Housing Opportunities A separate trailer bill will propose the creation of a major, new investment in spurring new middle-class housing production. This will happen by providing funding to support the development of affordable housing critical to spurring affordable communities. The Governors proposal would allocate $500 million for the expansion of the State Housing Tax Credit Program. These funds would pair with the existing underutilized 4 percent affordable housing federal tax credit program -- targeted at new construction projects. Up to $200 million of this new allocation may allowably fund the creation of a new program targeting development of moderate-income housing -- for households of up to 120 percent of AMI -- a population not typically served by the states housing programs. The final $500 million of the Governors housing package does not require a budget trailer bill. It is included in the proposed budget, and proposes a $500 million General Fund one-time allocation to expand CalHFAs Mixed-Income Loan Program. This investment would jumpstart the estimated $43 million in annual funding dedicated to this program, and would pair with the proposed tax credit program described above. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) The local government unit (LGU) of Mandaluyong City is expected to declare a state of calamity due to the crippling water interruptions affecting the city, a city officer said on Thursday. Mandaluyong Information Chief Jimmy Isidro said the heads of their 12 of 27 barangays are recommending placing the city under a state of calamity. "Nag-iisip na ang aming 12 kapitan na affected na mag-propose sa aming mayor ng state of calamity. Kino-collate na namin ang kanilang declaration so that madala sa city council," he told CNN Philippines. The recommendations will be transmitted to Mandaluyong Mayor Carmelita Abalos, then sent to the city council for approval. Isidro said the council will release its decision by March 18. Once a state of calamity is declared, price controls would be imposed on basic necessities and prime commodities and local government units could appropriate calamity funds. Water in several parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces has been scarce since March 7. Mandaluyong is one of the areas serviced by Manila Water that is hit hardest by the water crisis, with some households not getting any water from their faucets for six days. "Ang aming limang barangay, totally walang tubig anim na araw na. 'Yung iba naman dalawang oras lang magkakaroon ng tubig. Sa bagong ipinalabas ng Manila Water na rationing ng tubig, baka doon medyo maibsan ng kaunti," Isidro said. He added the Mayor has also ordered the temporary shut down of carwash and laundry shops and the monitoring of water refilling stations amid the water crisis. The LGU is also eyeing the revival of its deep wells to add to their water supply. Manila Water pointed to critical water levels in La Mesa Dam due to El Nino and rising demand as the causes of water shortage. However, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), the government agency that is in charge of water privatization in Metro Manila, said the decline of water supply in La Mesa Dam was caused by the increase in water treatment production of Manila Water. Authorities have also reiterated there is enough water supply in Angat Dam, which supplies 96 percent of Metro Manila's water. By afternoon, the weather had begun to adversely impact flights at both OHare International Airport and Midway Airport. At 2 p.m., OHare was reporting 387 canceled flights in the previous 24 hours and Midway 23. Midway had 56 departing planes reporting delays longer than 45 minutes and a total of 94 delayed departures, while OHare had 233 flights with delays longer than 45 minutes and a total of 336 delayed departures. Not surprisingly, the numbers jumped dramatically in the hours after the tornado watch was issued. A Sailor's Journey to Sailor of the Year San Diego, California - Facing adversity in life is inevitable, but as the famous Rocky saying goes, its about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. For the Commander, Naval Surface Forces Pacific (SURFPAC) 2018 Sailor of the Year (SOY), Interior Communications Specialist 1st Class Nick Natelli, his career has been a true example of what a Sailor can achieve by putting forth the effort to Rise Above. During his 19-year career, Natelli had been subjected to non-judicial punishment for missing ships movement and lost his security clearance while in his last semester at Old Dominion University for the Seaman-to-Admiral (STA-21) program. But through his honor, courage and commitment, he overcame these setbacks and earned recognition as the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) SOY, then Commander, Amphibious Squadron 3 SOY, Expeditionary Strike Group 3 SOY, SURFPAC SOY, and nomination for Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Surface SOY. "I encourage all our Sailors to 'Rise Above' and strive for success," said Capt. Rich LeBron, Bonhomme Richard's commanding officer. "I want to inspire our Sailors to aspire for excellence and serve as a model of what we can achieve Navy-wide with the right focus and the right message. IC1 Natelli is the perfect example of what I mean. He has successfully bounced back from many setbacks and is a Sailor who continuously makes the whole BHR family proud." From the age of 12 Natelli was a runaway. He lived more or less on his own, staying with his parents, grandparents, friends or on the street. I realized the error of my ways around the age of 17, and started looking for a way forward, said Natelli. I noticed a lot of Sailors in my hometown of Virginia Beach, Virginia, had nice cars, and the idea of the military being challenging excited me. So after getting my GED, I enlisted as an undesignated Fireman at the age of 18. After graduating from boot camp, Natelli described feeling like a new person. The way I walked, the way I talked, my aspirations and my drive - all felt as if they had been opened up, said Natelli. Now I wasnt just completing tasks because I was told to. I wanted to do these extra things so that I could be the best. Natelli began to form his goals and work toward them. He was top of his class at the Fireman Apprenticeship Training program and was sent to Interior Communications (IC) Advanced (A) school. After completing A school, Natelli was sent to his first command aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). He served one year on the carrier before duty swapping to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower (CVN 69), where he served four years. Natelli made Petty Officer 2nd class on Eisenhower before going to Continuation (C) school at Great Lakes, where he was promoted to 1st class petty officer, the rank in which he has served for the last 14 years. Ive seen a lot of friends, shipmates and even a lot of junior personnel - all advance into the Chiefs mess, said Natelli. I couldnt be deterred from not being committed to the job, even though I was not advancing. Regardless of the outcome, at the end of the day I have to tell myself that I gave 100 percent. Natelli says the key to commitment is to find the fun within each situation. If you are doing a job that you love, its no longer work, said Natelli. I love my job as an IC. We have a lot of diversity on what we can work on, and we work with every department on the ship - that keeps me motivated to keep going. Its the people too. The Navy is so diverse, that is one of my favorite things about the Navy. Youve got to enjoy time, thats the key. Natelli was later sent to Mid Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC), where he was selected to become a Surface Warfare Officer for the STA-21 program, and was sent to the Naval Science Institute (NSI) in Newport, R.I. After completing the officer program at NSI, Natelli moved on to the graduate program at Old Dominion Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) with a major in General Engineering Technology. While attending college, Natelli began to have troubles at home. I was going through a rough divorce and I lost my security clearance, said Natelli. The process to get my clearance back was going to take two years. After all of my hard work, things started falling down around me and I lost my footing. I was dropped from the program during my last semester. After losing his opportunity to become an officer, Natelli found the strength to continue by remembering his basic training at boot camp. He remembered how empowered he felt graduating boot camp and the honor that came with his first few days as a Sailor. I think of the movie Men of Honor, said Natelli. I think of the master diver, all the obstacles that he had to overcome. He never stopped, no matter the trial or tribulation, he stayed committed. I think honor and commitment go hand-in-hand. I believe that a person who behaves that way will always reflect positive credit upon themselves, upon the Navy and as an ambassador the United States of America. Natelli returned to the fleet and became part of the crew of the mine countermeasures ship USS Guardian (MCM 5). On January 13, 2013, Natelli and the rest of his crew received instruction from their captain to abandon ship after they ran aground 80 miles off the coast of the Philippines. During the casualty, I was an Engineer of the Watch, said Natelli. Basically, I was in charge of keeping the ship water-free and maintaining electrical power for as long as we could. I was one of the last ten people to abandon the ship. All of the damage control trainings we do all of the time happened all at once, said Natelli. All of them from flooding to abandon ship. It was total chaos. Half of the crew was picked up by one ship and half by another, we all returned to shore two weeks later with no ship. While in port with no ship, Natelli could see a problem with the morale of his shipmates, so he routed a proposal to his commanding officer to become head of the Morale, Welfare and Recreation program. We did a lot of volunteer events, so the Sailor felt a sense of purpose, said Natelli. We did a lot of sponsored trips. Finally we were given the mine countermeasure ship USS Warrior (MCM 10). Natellis experience during his time with the crew of the Guardian after they lost their ship allowed him to reflect on his character and what courage meant to him. It took some courage from us all to do what we did that day to make sure no one was hurt, said Natelli. But one thing about courage that I have learned is that it takes courage to be a leader. Ive learned to find the faith in others and enable them to do the things that need to be done for the team to succeed, said Natelli. Ive also learned to exchange your ideas and collaborate as a team. Its easy to think that you can do the job best by yourself but it takes a team to make big things happen. They say tough times make strong men and IC1 Natelli is a direct reflection of this saying, said Master Chief Information Systems Technician Rich Huerta, Natellis departmental leading chief petty officer. His challenges have developed his leadership and commitment to his family, Sailors and the U.S. Navy. Our department is proud of IC1 Natellis accomplishments and representation of the USS Bonhomme Richard. Natelli will compete for Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) Surface Sailor of the Year. The PACFLT winner is meritoriously advanced to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Bonhomme Richard is in its homeport of San Diego. Presidential Proclamation on National Agriculture Day, 2019 Washington, DC - On National Agriculture Day, we acknowledge the immeasurable value farmers, ranchers, growers, producers, and foresters contribute to our Nation. Americas agriculture families and communities lead the world in producing food, feed, fuel, and fiber. Today, we pay tribute to the men and women who expand opportunities for prosperity, economic development, and food security by cultivating the land across our country. American agriculture strengthens our economy. Valued at more than $141 billion, our countrys agriculture exports are critical to our Nations job market, with every $1 billion in exports supporting approximately 8,400 American jobs. Counting for approximately 5.5 percent of our gross domestic product, our agriculture, food, and related industries are vital to our Nations global economic success. Accordingly, my Administration is working to modernize and improve trade agreements to remove barriers and open foreign markets to goods grown and produced here in the United States. Last year, I made good on my promise to renegotiate the outdated and unbalanced North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with the signing of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Once approved by the Congress, the USMCA will help farmers, especially dairy producers, have improved access to markets for their products by lifting unfair restrictions by Canada on American dairy, wheat, and wine producers. We must continue to streamline our regulatory environment so that agricultural innovation can flourish and help our farmers, ranchers, and foresters meet the worlds growing demand for food. My Administration, therefore, is streamlining regulatory policy for biotechnology, removing the red tape that is slowing down the approval of powerful new agriculture products. We are also committed to training and supporting the next generation of farmers and agriculture professionals through technical assistance programs so that they have the knowhow to harness the full potential of our Nations abundant technological and national resources. To help ensure the continued success, stability, and prosperity of our Nations farmers, ranchers, and producers, I signed into law the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. This legislation bolsters farm safety-net programs, supports expanded markets for Americas agricultural production, promotes active management of natural resources, and maintains strong rural development and research initiatives. In addition, a key provision in the law requires the Federal Communications Commission to work with the Department of Agriculture to boost broadband deployment and adoption in rural areas. This initiative will provide more farmers, ranchers, and rural communities access to next-generation digital technologies that enhance profitability and sustainability, greatly improving quality of life for all Americans. The American farmer embodies the timeless virtues of our Nation: hard work, self-reliance, and dedication to family. On this National Agriculture Day, we express our gratitude to those who feed and clothe us, fuel our economy, and inspire us with their determination and perseverance. NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 14, 2019, as National Agriculture Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this day by recognizing the preeminent role that agriculture plays in our daily lives, acknowledging agricultures continuing importance to rural America and our countrys economy, and expressing our deep appreciation of farmers, growers, ranchers, producers, national forest system stewards, private agricultural stewards, and those who work in the agriculture sector across the Nation. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third. DONALD J. TRUMP On the Commemoration of the Anniversary of Pope Francis' Election Washington, DC - Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo: "On behalf of the United States Government, I wish to congratulate His Holiness Pope Francis on the sixth anniversary of his election to the Holy See of Rome. "I appreciate his steadfast leadership to promoting peace and advancing religious freedom and human rights around the world. While the U.S.-Vatican friendship dates back to the founding of the United States, this year marks 35 years since the establishment of formal relations. I join millions of Americans in congratulating the Holy Father on this anniversary, and I look forward to continuing the U.S. partnership with the Holy See to address the many challenges our world faces today." Whats in your pocket? Medford, New Jersey - Finally, the accessory we just cant do without a tee shirt with its own pizza pocket. Yes, says the Association of Mature American Citizens, no more will your hot slice of pizza go cold on you before you can munch away at it. Mike Hourani of Medford, NJ says hes raised more than enough money to bring his better mousetrap to market. He posted on his Kickstarter.com page that we have already surpassed our goal! The Pizza Pocket Hoodie will be brought to the masses all because of you guys! I can't thank you enough. Secretary Pompeo's Meeting With Indian Foreign Secretary Gokhale Washington, DC - Secretary Michael R. Pompeo met today with Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale. Secretary Pompeo affirmed that the United States stands with the people and government of India in the fight against terrorism. Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Secretary Gokhale discussed the importance of bringing those responsible for the attack to justice and the urgency of Pakistan taking meaningful action against terrorist groups operating on its soil. They noted the strength of our partnership and discussed ways to further enhance cooperation, including on counterterrorism. They also discussed our complementary visions for the Indo-Pacific, U.S.-India defense cooperation, and the growing U.S.-India economic partnership, including joint efforts to expand bilateral trade in a balanced and reciprocal manner. On the Withdrawal of U.S. Diplomatic Personnel from Venezuela Washington, DC - Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo: "The United States will withdraw all remaining U.S. personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela this week. Like the January 24 decision to withdraw all dependents and reduce embassy staff to a minimum, this decision reflects the deteriorating situation in Venezuela as well as the conclusion that the presence of U.S. diplomatic staff at the embassy has become a constraint on U.S. policy. Mauritius National Day Washington, DC - On behalf of the Government of the United States, I congratulate all citizens of Mauritius on the 51st anniversary of your countrys independence on March 12. The United States is committed to our cooperation that advances trade and investment and celebrates our long partnership in the region. We have worked with you for many years in protecting marine environments and growing our economies for mutual benefit. We appreciate this spirit of partnership and look to many years of joint achievements to come. A drawing bearing a striking resemblance to the Mona Lisa, which has long been attributed to Leonardo da Vincis studio may be by the master himself, experts at the Louvre museum in Paris have said. The charcoal drawing of a sideways-on semi-nude woman smiling is known as the Monna Vanna and had previously been thought to be by another artist working at the same time as Leonardo. The hands and body are in almost identical positions to those seen in the Mona Lisa, and recent re-examination by historians and scientific experts means the work may have to be reclassified. The sketch is believed to be a preparatory drawing for an oil painting and was not previously thought to be by Leonardo due to the presence of details done by a right-handed person. Leonardo is among the worlds most famous left-handed artists. However, the re-examination revealed large amounts of the work were in fact done by someone left-handed. Leonardo da Vinci: A brush with genius Show all 5 1 /5 Leonardo da Vinci: A brush with genius Leonardo da Vinci: A brush with genius 44visfea5_1.jpg Royal Academy of Arts, London Leonardo da Vinci: A brush with genius 44visfea1.jpg Photo Vatican Museums Leonardo da Vinci: A brush with genius 44visfea2.jpg THE PRINCES CZARTORYSKI MUSEUM, CRACOW Leonardo da Vinci: A brush with genius 44visfea3.jpg The Royal Collection 2011, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Leonardo da Vinci: A brush with genius 44visfea4.jpg RMN / Franck Raux There is a very strong possibility that Leonardo did most of the drawing, Mathieu Deldicque, a curator at the Louvre told news agency AFP. It is a work of very great quality done by a great artist, he said. Mr Deldicque led the investigation over several months, overseeing historians and specialists at the renowned C2RMF (Centre for Research and Restoration of the Museums of France) laboratory under the Louvre. It is almost certainly a preparatory work for an oil painting, Mr Deldicque said. Microscopic examinations show the sketch was drawn from the top left towards the bottom right, Mr Deldicque said, which points to a left-handed artist. In addition techniques known to have been favoured by Leonardo are in evidence, including sfumato the fine shading of tones to soften outlines and produce a slightly out of focus effect. When the painting was first re-examined in 2017, Mr Deldicque suggested the sketch may even be of Lisa Gherardini, the same woman the Mona Lisa is believed to portray. In addition to the similar composition and the position of the hands, other clues linking the two paintings are small holes on the canvas suggesting it may have been traced onto another canvas. The Monna Vanna, now better known as the Nude Mona Lisa (AFP/Getty) Another art expert, Bruno Mottin the Louvres conservation expert confirmed in 2017 the sketch dates from da Vincis lifespan and was of very high quality. But Mr Deldicque ruled out the possibility of 100 per cent certainty of it being by Leonardo. We want to be serious and scientific about this, he said this week. The quality of the drawing, both to the naked eye and under imaging analysis shows the work of an exceptional hand. But experts cannot be absolutely certain (it was by Leonardo) and we may never be, he admitted. The painting will be displayed at the Chateau de Chantilly, north of Paris, from 1 June to 6 October this year. The exhibition will mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Leonardo who was born in the Medici-ruled Republic of Florence in 1452 and died in France in 1519. There is good reason for caution in attributing the sketch to Leonardo. The last painting to be attributed to him, the Salvator Mundi, depicting Christ, was confirmed by experts as a genuine Leonardo in 2011 and sold for $450m (340m) in 2017. Auction house Christies confirmed the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism had taken possession of it. The Louvre Abu Dhabi was due to unveil the painting in September 2018, but it was cancelled with no explanation. Many experts have questioned aspects of the paintings authenticity. The New York Times, citing FBI files, identified the buyer as the Saudi prince Bader bin Abdullah, who had reportedly been acting as a proxy for the crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. Last month it was reported the Louvre in Paris wanted to borrow the Salvator Mundi for a Leonardo exhibition in Paris, but had not heard from the owner. Nobody outside the immediate Arab hierarchy knows where it is, Professor Martin Kemp, a Leonardo scholar who first saw the painting in 2008 and helped to authenticate it, told The Times in November last year. Director: JC Chandor. Starring: Oscar Isaac, Ben Affleck, Charlie Hunnam, Pedro Pascal, and Garrett Hedlund. Cert: 15, 125 mins From a few steps back, Netflixs Triple Frontier runs as smoothly and elegantly as youd expect of a film packed with such a heavyweight cast. Theres even a touch of the original Oceans 11 to its premise: a small gang of military veterans are brought together to pull off an impossible heist. Here, though, the target is a powerful drug lord, whose vast fortune is stashed in his home hidden deep within the South American jungle. Whereabouts exactly, were never told, suggesting our attention should only be on the story at hand, not the wider corruption that allowed this drug lord to thrive in the first place. Its a narrow focus, certainly, but Triple Frontier is a vehicle fuelled by testosterone, not sociological nuance. The films cast Oscar Isaac, Ben Affleck, Charlie Hunnam, Pedro Pascal, and Garrett Hedlund all exude an easy confidence onscreen. Were miles from Vegas, in a world where wit and glamour are traded in for bravado and sobering realism. Director JC Chandor, who proved himself a dab hand with 2014s A Most Violent Year, plays to his strengths here. His work isnt flashy, but is sophisticated. When shots are fired in Triple Frontier, and the mens military training instantly kicks in, Chandor mirrors their concentration in a series of long, smooth takes that instinctively scan the battlefield. At times, though, the lightness of touch does feel at odds with the films more blatant elements of machismo. Theres much gruff posturing to be found, perhaps more associated with the work of the films screenwriter Mark Boal (hes also an executive producer alongside Kathryn Bigelow, who he collaborated with on The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty, and Detroit). Key moments are soundtracked to classic rock hits such as Metallicas For Whom the Bell Tolls or Creedence Clearwater Revivals Run Through the Jungle. Best films of 2019 (so far) Show all 49 1 /49 Best films of 2019 (so far) Best films of 2019 (so far) The Favourite Macabre and fraught though The Favourite gets, this isnt so much a film about sex or power as it is about plain mischief. Its a hilarious, buffoonish pleasure, right down to the sets and costume design, and a breeze to spend 120 minutes with. Christopher Hooton Fox Searchlight Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) Beautiful Boy Casting Chalamet as Nic was a very clever move. The young actor from Call Me by Your Name and Lady Bird has a natural charm and charisma. He still engages an audiences curiosity and sympathy even when his behaviour is at its most selfish and erratic. Geoffrey Macnab Amazon Studios Best films of 2019 (so far) The House by the Sea Guediguians storytelling style is deceptive. At first, it seems as if this is low-key social realism in the Dardennes or Ken Loach mould, albeit set on the French Riviera. Gradually, though, we realise how stylised and theatrical his approach really is. Geoffrey Macnab Best films of 2019 (so far) Stan & Ollie Director Jon S Baird, whose previous film was scabrous Irvine Welsh adaptation Filth, wrings every last drop of pathos he can from his material. This is very much a case of the tears of the clowns. Geoffrey Macnab Entertainment One Best films of 2019 (so far) Vice Vice is bravura storytelling. McKay isnt only taking us through Cheneys life and career but is giving us a whistle stop tour through US politics from the Nixon administration almost right to the present day. Geoffrey Macnab Annapurna Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) Can You Ever Forgive Me? Playing Lee Israel, McCarthy manages something very special: she makes a character who is odd, obnoxious, difficult and alcoholic seem lovable and even heroic. The rest of the world is at fault, not Lee. Geoffrey Macnab Fox Searchlight Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) Green Book "Green Book flatters the audience about its own good sense and tolerance. It deals with racism and homophobia but still has a fairytale, fantasy feel to it. Whatever humiliations Don endures on their road trip, we know no real harm will ever come to him as long as Tony is at his side. Geoffrey Macnab Universal Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) Velvet Buzzsaw The golden age of bonkers horror movies is gloriously evoked by Netflixs latest feature length presentation. Beginning as a satire of the arts world, Velvet Buzzsaw swiftly and gleefully descends into a savage splatter-fest, smeared in paint, viscera and garishly-bright blood. Ed Power Netflix Best films of 2019 (so far) If Beale Street Could Talk The setting is New York in the 1970s. Anyone who has watched Martin Scorseses Taxi Driver knows this was an era of violence, corruption and sleaze on a monumental level, but [Barry] Jenkins somehow makes the city seem like a modern-day Eden. Geoffrey Macnab Annapurna Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) All Is True Written by Ben Elton and directed by its star Kenneth Branagh, the film plays so fast and loose with the playwrights final years that they neednt have bothered fitting Branagh with a prosthetic nose accuracy is clearly not the priority here. Alexandra Pollard Sony Pictures Classics Best films of 2019 (so far) The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part "The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part is the doomed progeny of a celebrated genius brilliant but slightly stunted by the knowledge they will never live up to their predecessor. Clarisse Loughrey Warner Bros. Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) Piercing Nicolas Pesces sleek and stylish horror comedy is repulsive and funny by turns. In adapting Ryu Murakamis cult novel, Pesce strikes just the right balance between humour and Grand Guignol-style shock tactics. Geoffrey Macnab Universal Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) Capernaum "The best moments here are remarkable. Labaki elicits an astonishing performance from her young lead. Hes an irrepressible figure with such an inbuilt sense of moral decency the film seems upbeat and optimistic, even at its darkest moments. Geoffrey Macnab Sony Pictures Classics Best films of 2019 (so far) The White Crow "Ralph Fiennes combines thriller elements with poetic flashbacks to ballet legend Rudolf Nureyevs childhood and keeps a tight focus on the dancer. When he is most at risk, Nureyev makes decisions with his artistic future more in mind than his personal safety. As Fiennes reminds us again and again in what is his best film yet as a director, the 'white crow' will do anything to put himself in the limelight, the one place he is convinced he belongs." StudioCanal Best films of 2019 (so far) Border "Border reverses the perspective taken by most other horror films. In more conventional genre fare, Tina and Vore would be portrayed as malevolent outsiders, but in the world conjured up by director Ali Abbasi, the humans are the monsters. Tina is the innocent a visionary who hardly understands her own powers but who can sense human venality and corruption wherever it appears." TriArt Film Best films of 2019 (so far) Fighting with My Family "Certain scenes feel very trite and predictable but the film gets you in a choke hold early on and wont let you go. It is far more gripping than its subject matter might suggest. Who ever would believe a story about a wrestling family from Norwich could have quite such heart and resonance?" James Field Best films of 2019 (so far) Us "Doppelgangers abound in Jordan Peeles weird, creepy and ingenious new horror film. As in his Oscar-winning 2017 feature Get Out, Peele leavens matters with ironic humour but the joking becomes increasingly uncomfortable once the main characters come face to face with dark shadows of themselves which wish them extreme harm." AP Best films of 2019 (so far) Avengers: Endgame "The Avengers cycle comes to a rich and very satisfying conclusion with Endgame, surely the most complex and emotional superhero movie in Marvel history. At 181 minutes, this is a veritable epic, but with so many characters and plot strands, it fully warrants its lengthy running time." AP Best films of 2019 (so far) Eighth Grade "Its a rare and precious feeling when a film completely dismantles you. Eighth Grade the directorial debut of US comedian Bo Burnham breaks down every delusion we have about ourselves and burrows deep into those parts weve made such an effort to lock away. You may cry. You may shudder as every awkward social interaction thats kept you up at night replays in your head all at once. You may feel the sharp pain associated with those moments when you feel completely isolated from the world. Burnham may have crafted a simple story about the most ordinary of teenage girls, but it speaks with the emotions of a true cinematic epic." A24 Best films of 2019 (so far) Vox Lux "Natalie Portman gives her fiercest, most memorable performance since Black Swan in Brady Corbets enjoyably subversive satire about a troubled pop star whose loss of innocence mirrors the fall from grace of the US itself. Portmans character, Celeste, is certainly one of the most objectionable figures she has played: a pampered, hard-drinking drug-taking floozy whose appearance and high-handed behaviour rekindle memories of Liz Taylor and Joan Crawford at their monstrous worst." Neon Best films of 2019 (so far) High Life Robert Pattinson gives one of his most striking performances as Monte, the death-row criminal in outer space, tricked into making a voyage described at one stage as a class-one suicide ride. The former Twilight star makes his shaven-headed, gaunt-faced character seem hyper naturally sensitive and feral at the same time. A24 Best films of 2019 (so far) Amazing Grace Amazing Grace is as uplifting a film as you will see all year. Its a concert movie filmed over two nights and featuring Aretha Franklin, the first lady of soul, performing gospel standards in a church in Los Angeles in 1972, with a huge backing choir and an enthusiastic congregation. Neon Best films of 2019 (so far) Aladdin Disneys live-action remake of its 1992 animated feature is a rip-roaring, old-fashioned matinee-style spectacle that turns out far better than we had any right to expect. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) Booksmart Olivia Wilde is a visually inventive director, who keeps the tempo here so brisk that we hardly notice how glib the storytelling sometimes becomes. We can tell exactly how the film will end, but it still feels original both in its screwball energy and in the deft way it continually reverses stereotypes and gender cliches. Geoffrey Macnab Annapurna Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) Late Night Late Night is a caustic satirical comedy that turns into an unlikely tearjerker. Its by turns snide and uplifting, and often very funny too. Its writer/producer/star Mindy Kaling makes vicious observations about the inanity, narcissism and corruption of the mainstream US media at the same time as she celebrates the professionalism of many of those who work within it. The film has a glorious performance from Emma Thompson and a very sly one from Kaling. Thompson is at her most imperious as Katherine Newbury, a legendary entertainer, the only female in a male-dominated field, but one whose career is beginning to slide. Geoffrey Macnab Amazon Studios Best films of 2019 (so far) Gloria Bell Gloria Bell is somewhat exhausting both unbearably intimate and at a constant remove but it is endlessly pulled back into focus by Moore, who has a firm understanding of the delicate balance between contentment and yearning, joy and pain, recklessness and spontaneity. In a remake that could have felt indulgent in the hands of people less skilled, she more than justifies its existence. Geoffrey Macnab Curzon Best films of 2019 (so far) Toy Story 4 "The brilliance of the new film lies in the surefooted way it caters both for children too young to have seen its predecessors and for adults whove grown up (or grown older) watching the previous instalments. It takes some kind of genius for the Pixar animators to give such a searing emotional charge to a story in which one of the main characters is a single use plastic spork retrieved from the trash." Pixar/Disney Best films of 2019 (so far) In Fabric In Fabric feels like Peter Strickland at his most free and playful, drawing as much from the British sense of humour dry and morbid to a fault as from Italian glamour. Curzon Artificial Eye Best films of 2019 (so far) The Flood "Perhaps The Flood isnt quite the urgent, profound film a crisis of this scale deserves, but in a culture where refugees are so rarely shown any empathy in mainstream media, maybe this is the film we need right now." Best films of 2019 (so far) Midsommar "Ari Aster's follow-up to Hereditary serves up much of the same: its a break-up movie wrapped up in pagan horror. Its also bound to be one of this years most memorable films, proving that Aster is far from a one-hit wonder." A24 Best films of 2019 (so far) The Lion King "The Lion King is undoubtedly a technological marvel that, much like Avatar, will come to be viewed as a milestone in special effects history, yet its just as interesting to see how all this innovation has been employed." AP Best films of 2019 (so far) Varda by Agnes "For a film thats almost entirely narrated by Agnes Varda's own voice, it doesnt feel driven by ego, but by pure intellectual and emotional curiosity." Best films of 2019 (so far) Animals "Animals treats its subjects with patience and generosity. Youll find no life lessons here. Its main characters are free to pursue their desires, to whatever end." Best films of 2019 (so far) Blinded by the Light "Blinded by the Light offers not only a reminder of Springsteens lyrical genius, but of how hes always served as a beacon for the disenfranchised." Warner Brothers Best films of 2019 (so far) Good Boys Lined up against some of this years other more heartfelt offerings, including Booksmart, Good Boys offers further proof that putting a little humanity in our comedy always gets the best results. Best films of 2019 (so far) Hustlers "Hustlers is an electrifying response to the deluge of stories weve had over the years about very rich, very bad dudes. Finally, we can turn the tables on every film thats used women, specifically strippers, as decorative accessories to drape over businessmen as they conduct their illicit backroom meetings. Or, failing that, to shake their out-of-focus tits in the background of a shot." AP Best films of 2019 (so far) For Sama For Sama is one of the most profoundly intimate depictions of the Syrian conflict ever put to film. Its the push to help those on the outside process something so incomprehensible in the depth of its horrors. Republic Film Distribution Best films of 2019 (so far) Ad Astra The real drama here is not whether or not apocalypse can be avoided but whether Brad Pitts character can reconcile himself with his father and overcome his own extreme emotional repression. In other words, in spite of all the jargon and the hardware, this is an intimate family melodrama at heart. Thanks to Pitts performance and Grays delicate direction, it turns into a very moving one. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Best films of 2019 (so far) The Farewell Wrapped up in all the intricacies of immigrant identity and family politics, The Farewell is a comedy of warmth and bracing honesty. Simply put, its one of the best films of the year. A24 Best films of 2019 (so far) Judy This is Renee Zellwegers Judy. It doesnt belong to Rupert Goold, its director. Nor does it belong to Tom Edge, its screenwriter. Its a performance of such overwhelming force that it wrests authorship from every other hand that guided the films creation. Pathe Best films of 2019 (so far) Ready or Not As absurd and self-indulgent as Ready or Not can get, it doesnt mess around with its social commentary. The class system is the game we never asked to play, dont get a fair chance at, and have no hope of winning. Its a timeless metaphor. 20th Century Fox Best films of 2019 (so far) A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon Despite its mouthful of a title, A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is an utter delight proof that good storytelling and strong craft are what matters, however familiar the packaging. Studio Canal Best films of 2019 (so far) The Beach Bum Clearly, Harmony Korine is steered by his attraction to the theatrical, the absurd and the grimly nihilistic. The Beach Bum is all of that and absolutely none of it, too a leisurely, neon-soaked stroll through chaos and hazy bohemia, full of slapstick and pathos. It is as much Korines most mature film as it is his most juvenile. Neon/Vice Best films of 2019 (so far) The Last Black Man in San Francisco Its a beautiful, frightening and tragic vignette of the urban nightmare, though The Last Black Man in San Francisco isnt really an angry film. Its less of a rallying cry against gentrification than a rumination on the kind of pained acceptance those who suffer its effects must face. A24 Best films of 2019 (so far) The Irishman Scorseses signature camerawork goes down like a glass of fine whisky, as smooth and as elegant as youd expect. The violence arrives in short, sharp shocks. Steven Zaillians screenplay even nails the mobster patter, with arguments about fish, tardiness, and business shorts that feel destined to one day be quoted to death. Netflix Best films of 2019 (so far) Le Mans '66 The films greatest trick is saved for its final reel. For much of its running time, youd be easily fooled into thinking Mangold had made a grand ode to the American dream. Its a film about an immigrant worker who, through perseverance and toil, gains the respect of one of the richest men in the country. And then the rug is pulled right out from underneath you. Le Mans 66 may relish in the high life, but its final moments feel devastatingly hollow. AP Best films of 2019 (so far) Marriage Story The film never loses its sense of humour and absurdity. Somehow, in spite of the bleakness of the subject matter, it feels more redemptive than despairing. Best films of 2019 (so far) The Report Adam Driver plays Jones, Annette Bening Senator Feinstein, and director Scott Z Burns captures the events in a cold, rigorously factual, and largely dispassionate manner. But thats the point. The Report chooses to value the truth over bombastic displays of morality. AP Best films of 2019 (so far) Knives Out Casting an ensemble film is a little like perfecting a cocktail blend, balancing flavours until they sing together in harmony. Knives Out hits the mark here: the actors all feel well-suited to their roles and they bounce off each other with ease. Lionsgate Yet its the moment that Bob Dylans Masters of War kicks in that some of these illusions start to shatter. Its lyrics I can see through your masks/ You that never done nothin/ But build to destroy allow a soft blanket of melancholy to settle over Triple Frontier. We start to see what drives these men. Hunnams William recalls, in the films opening scene, the moment he found himself in the cereal aisle of a local grocery store, with my arm around some guys throat. He concludes: Thats the price of being a warrior. What these men have sacrificed becomes only clearer when their determination to finish the job deteriorates into a kind of blind desperation. They have been chewed up and spat out by the military system, left with PTSD and little sense of financial security. Afflecks Tom just wants to send his kids to college. The men each feel rudderless and the film invites us to look beyond the usual motivations of greed this money represents, to them, a second chance at life. In turn, those emotions are all poured back into the films action scenes, so that their tension comes directly from the looming threat that these men will be consumed by their own single-mindedness. We can indulge in our suspicions of who may be the weak link of the pack, or how it could all come crashing down. The answers, regrettably, arent particularly surprising. Still, Triple Frontier makes a decent stab at looking beyond the usual ambitions of the genre. Theres thought behind all this gun-toting. Triple Frontier is available on Netflix now Felicite Tomlinson, a social media influencer and sister of pop star Louis Tomlinson, has died age 18. According to The Sun, Tomlinson collapsed at her home in Earls Court, London on Wednesday 13 March after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: Police were called by London Ambulance Service at 12.52pm on Wednesday, 13 March to a residential address ... following reports of a female in cardiac arrest. A female believed to be aged 18 was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination will take place in due course. The London Ambulance Service said: We were called at 12.51pm. We sent two ambulance crews, a single responder in a car and an advanced paramedic to the scene. Sadly, despite efforts of our medics, a person died. The death of Felicite, known as Fizzy, is being treated as unexplained at this stage. Culture stars we lost in 2019 Show all 91 1 /91 Culture stars we lost in 2019 Culture stars we lost in 2019 Dean Ford Ford, whose real name was Thomas McAleese, was the frontman of guitar-pop group Marmalade. The band the first Scottish group to top the UK singles chart, with their cover of the Beatles Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da in December 1968. Ford died in Los Angeles on 31 December 2018, at the age of 72 from complications relating to Parkinson's disease. Getty Culture stars we lost in 2019 Pegi Young A singer, songwriter, environmentalist, educator and philanthropist, she was also married to Neil Young for 36 years. She died of cancer on 1 January, aged 66, in Mountain View, California. Getty Culture stars we lost in 2019 Daryl Dragon The singer and pianist achieved fame as half of the musical duo Captain & Tennille, best known for their 1975 hit "Love Will Keep Us Together". Dragon died on 2 January, from kidney failure in Prescott, Arizona, aged 76. Getty Images Culture stars we lost in 2019 Darius Perkins The actor was best known for playing the original Scott Robinson on Neighbours when the show launched in 1985 on Australia's Channel Seven. Perkins died from cancer on 2 January, aged 54 Ten Culture stars we lost in 2019 Bob Einstein The Emmy-winning writer appeared in US comedy shows Curb Your Enthusiasm and Arrested Development, becoming known for his deadpan delivery. He died on 2 January, shortly after being diagnosed with leukemia, aged 76. HBO/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock Culture stars we lost in 2019 Carol Channing The raspy-voiced, saucer-eyed, wide-smiling actor played lead roles in the original Broadway musical productions of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Hello, Dolly!, while delivering an Oscar-nominated performance in the 1967 film version of the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. Channing died on 15 January of natural causes at her home in Rancho Mirage, California at the age of 97. Getty Culture stars we lost in 2019 Mary Oliver Oliver, a winner of the Pulitzer Prize, wrote rapturous odes to nature and animal life that brought her critical acclaim and popular affection, writing more than 15 poetry and essay collections. She died on 17 January, aged 83, in Hobe Sound, Florida. Getty Culture stars we lost in 2019 Windsor Davies The actor was best known for his role as Battery Sergeant-Major Williams in the TV series It Ain't Half Hot, Mum, which ran from 1974 to 1981. He died on 17 January, aged 88, four months after the death of his wife, Eluned. Getty Culture stars we lost in 2019 Jonas Mekas The Lithuanian-born filmmaker, who escaped a Nazi labour camp and became a refugee, rose to acclaim in New York and went on to work with John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Janis Joplin and Andy Warhol. He died on 23 January, aged 96, in New York City. Chuck Close Culture stars we lost in 2019 Andre Previn Andre Previn, the four-time Oscar-winning composer, conductor and pianist, died at his Manhattan home aged 89. The German-born virtuoso, who enjoyed a career spanning eight decades, worked on more than 500 albums and films including Gigi, My Fair Lady, and Porgy and Bess. Alongside success in Hollywood, the pianist also memorably performed a beloved classic music sketch with the comedy duo Morecambe and Wise. Getty Culture stars we lost in 2019 Diana Athill The writer, novelist and editor worked with authors including Margaret Atwood, Philip Roth, Jean Rhys and VS Naipaul. She died at a hospice in London on 23 January, aged 101, following a short illness. Getty Culture stars we lost in 2019 Michel Legrand During a career spanning more than 50 years, the French musician wrote the scores for over 200 films and TV series, as well as original songs. In 1968, he won his first Oscar for the song The Windmills of Your Mind from The Thomas Crown Affair film. He died in Paris on 26 January at the age of 86. Getty Culture stars we lost in 2019 James Ingram The singer and songwriter, who was nominated for 14 Grammys in his lifetime, was well known for his hits including Baby, Come to Me, his duet sung with Patti Austin and Yah Mo B There, a duet sung with Michael McDonald, which won him a Grammy. Ingram died on 29 January, aged 66, from brain cancer, at his home in Los Angeles. Getty Culture stars we lost in 2019 Dick Miller The actor enjoyed a career spanning more than 60 years, featuring hundreds of screen appearances, including Gremlins (1984) and The Terminator (1984). The actor died 30 January, aged 90, in Toluca Lake, California. Warner Bros Culture stars we lost in 2019 Jeremy Hardy The comedian gained recognition on the comedy circuit in the 1980s and was a regular on BBC Radio 4 panel shows, including The News Quiz and I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue. He died of cancer on 1 February, aged 57. Rex Culture stars we lost in 2019 Clive Swift Known to many as the long-suffering Richard Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances, the actor's first professional acting job was at Nottingham Playhouse, in the UK premiere of JB Priestleys take the Fool Away, in 1959. He died on Friday, 1 February after a short illness, aged 82. Rex Culture stars we lost in 2019 Julie Adams The actor starred in the 1954 horror classic Creature From the Black Lagoon, playing Kay Lawrence, the girlfriend of hero ichthyologist Dr. David Reed (Richard Carlson) and the target of the Creatures obsessions. She died 3 February in Los Angeles, aged 92. Rex Culture stars we lost in 2019 Albert Finney The actor was one of Britains premiere Shakespearean actors and was nominated for five Oscars across almost four decades for Tom Jones (1963), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), The Dresser (1983), Under the Volcano (1984) and Erin Brockovich (2000). He died aged 82, following a short illness. Getty Culture stars we lost in 2019 Peter Tork Born in 1942 in Washington DC, Tork became part of The Monkees with Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith and Davy Jones in the mid-sixties, when the group was formed as Americas Beatles counterpart. All four were selected from more than 400 applicants to play in the associated TV series The Monkees, which aired between 1966 and 1968. GETTY IMAGES Culture stars we lost in 2019 Mark Hollis As the frontman of the band Talk Talk, Hollis was largely responsible for the band's shift towards a more experimental approach in the mid-1980s, pioneering what became known as post-rock, with hit singles including Lifes What You Make It (1985) and Living in Another World (1986). Culture stars we lost in 2019 Andy Anderson Musician Andy Anderson, former drummer for The Cure and Iggy Pop, died aged 68 from terminal cancer, after a long and successful career as a session musician Alex Pym/Facebook Culture stars we lost in 2019 Lisa Sheridan Having attended the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama in Pittsburgh, Sheridan went on to star in a string of film and TV credits of the next two decades, including Invasion and Halt and Catch Fire. She died aged 44, at her home in New Orleans. Getty Images Culture stars we lost in 2019 Janice Freeman Freeman appeared on season 13 of the TV singing competition The Voice, making a strong impression early on with her cover of 'Radioactive' by Imagine Dragons, performed during the blind auditions. She had an extreme case of pneumonia and had a blood clot that travelled to her heart. She died in hospital on 2 March. Getty Images for COTA Culture stars we lost in 2019 Keith Flint Flint quickly became one of the figureheads of British electronic music during the Nineties as a singer in the band The Prodigy. He died, aged 49, on 4 March. EPA Culture stars we lost in 2019 Luke Perry Perry rose to fame as teen heartthrob Dylan McKay in 'Beverly Hills, 90210', and most recently played Fred Andrews in The CW's 'Riverdale'. He died on 4 March after suffering a 'massive stroke', his representative said in a statement. AFP/Getty Images Culture stars we lost in 2019 Jed Allan Allan was best known for his role as Rush Sanders, the father of Ian Zierings Steve Sanders, on Beverly Hills, 90210; Don Craig on Days of Our Lives; and CC Capwell on Santa Barbara. He died on Saturday, 9 March, aged 84. Rex Features Culture stars we lost in 2019 Hal Blaine As part of the Wrecking Crew, an elite group of session players, Blaine played drums on some of the most iconic songs of the 1960s and 1970s, including The Beach Boys's Good Vibrations, the Ronettess Be My Baby, and Simon & Garfunkels Mrs Robinson. He died on 11 March, aged 90. Getty Culture stars we lost in 2019 Pat Laffan The Irish-born actor had roles in almost 40 films and 30 television shows, including in BBCs Eastenders, Stanley Kubricks Barry Lyndon, and RTEs The Clinic. He died on Friday, 15 March, aged 79 PA Culture stars we lost in 2019 Mike Thalassitis Mike Thalassitis was a semi-professional footballer before finding fame on the third season of Love Island. He died aged 26. Rex Features Culture stars we lost in 2019 Dick Dale Dale is credited with pioneering the surf music style, by drawing on his Middle-Eastern heritage and experimenting with reverberation. He is best known for his hit "Misirlou", used in the 1994 film Pulp Fiction. He died on Saturday, 16 March, aged 81. Getty Culture stars we lost in 2019 Bernie Torme Guitarist Bernie Torme rose to fame in the seventies before joining Ozzy Osbourne on tour in 1982, following the death of guitarist Randy Rhoads in a plane crash that same year. The Dublin-born musician died on 17 March, 2019 at the age of 66. YouTube Culture stars we lost in 2019 Andre Williams R&B singer and songwriter Andre Williams co-wrote "Shake a Tail Feather" among many other hits, signing first with Fortune Records then with Motown. The Alabama native, who relocated to Detroit as a young man, died on 17 March, aged 82. YouTube Culture stars we lost in 2019 Scott Walker The American British singer-songwriter and producer who rose to fame with The Walker Brothers during the Sixties and was once referred to as "pop's own Salinger", died on 22 March, aged 76. He was one of the most prolific artists of his generation, despite shunning the spotlight following his brief years as a teen idol, and released a string of critically acclaimed albums as well as writing a number of film scores, and producing albums for other artists including Pulp. Rex Culture stars we lost in 2019 Agnes Varda French New Wave filmmaker Agnes Varda died on 29 March, aged 90. She was best known for the films "Cleo from 5 to 7" and "Vagabond" and was widely regarded to be one of the most influential experimental and feminist filmmakers of all time. AFP/Getty Culture stars we lost in 2019 Tania Mallet Model and Bond girl Tania Mallet died on 30 March, aged 77. She earned her only credited acting role opposite Sean Connery in 1964 film Goldfinger, playing Tilly Masterson. United Artists Culture stars we lost in 2019 Boon Gould (right) One of the founding members of Level 42, Boon Gould, died on 1 March, aged 64. He was a guitarist and saxophone player. Rex Features Culture stars we lost in 2019 Nipsey Hussle Grammy-nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle was shot outside his clothing store in Los Angeles on 1 April. He was 33. Hussle, who was once signed to Sonys Epic Records, had a breakthrough with Victory Lap, his critically acclaimed major-label debut album on Atlantic Records. The album appeared on several "best of" lists including Complex and Billboard. (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Warner Music) Culture stars we lost in 2019 John Singleton John Singleton, the famed director best known for his film Boyz N the Hood, died aged 51. Singleton had been on life support following a stroke on 17 April, at which point he was taken to an intensive care unit in Los Angeles. His family decided to take him off of life support on 29 April. The acclaimed filmmaker was the first African American nominated for a best director Oscar for Boyz N the Hood, and was the youngest ever to be nominated for that same award at the time in 1991. He directed that film while he was in his 20s, and fresh out of film school. Getty Culture stars we lost in 2019 Freddie Starr Comedian Starr was the star of several eponymous TV shows during the 1990s such as Freddie Starr, The Freddie Starr Show and An Audience with Freddie Starr. Starr was the subject of one of the most famous tabloid headlines in the history of the British press, splashed on the front page of The Sun in 1986: "Freddie Starr ate my hamster." Starr was found dead in his home in Costa Del Sol on 9 May 2019. Rex Culture stars we lost in 2019 Peggy Lipton Twin Peaks star Peggy Lipton died of cancer, aged 72 on 11 May. Culture stars we lost in 2019 Doris Day Doris Day became Hollywoods biggest female star by the early 1960s starring in Calamity Jane, Pillow Talk and Caprice to name a few. Day died on 15 May after a serious bout of pneumonia. Rex Culture stars we lost in 2019 Andrew Hall Andrew Hall died on 20 May, 2019 after a short illness, according to his management group. The actor was best known for playing Russell Parkinson in the BBC show Butterflies and Marc Selby in Coronation Street. He had also recently appeared as The Gentleman in Syfy's Blood Drive. Photo by ITV/REX Culture stars we lost in 2019 Carmine Cardini Carmine Cardini, who was most famous for playing two different roles in the Godfather franchise, died on 28 May, 2019 at Cedars Sinai Hospital, aged 85. He played Carmine Rosato in The Godfather Part II (1974) before returning to the franchise in 1990 as Albert Volpe in The Godfather Part III. Paramount Pictures Culture stars we lost in 2019 Judith Kerr Judith Kerr, the author and illustrator best known for The Tiger Who Came to Tea, died at the age of 95 on 23 May. Born in Berlin in 1923, the daughter of a German-Jewish theatre critic, Kerr was forced to flee Germany with her family after the rise of the Nazi Party because her father had been openly critical of the Nazis. His books were burnt shortly after they left the country. The Kerrs travelled first to Switzerland, then to France and finally to Britain, where Kerr remained for the rest of her life. Although she had always wanted to be an author, she only began to write and draw when her own children were learning to read. Alongside The Tiger Who Came to Tea which concerns a young girl and her mother, whose afternoon tea is interrupted by the arrival of said feline Kerr is also known for her 17-book Mog series, which details the adventures of an ordinary house cat. AFP/Getty Images Culture stars we lost in 2019 Dr John The celebrated pianist and musician who for decades delighted audiences and fans around the world using the stage name Dr John, died aged 77 on 6 June. The man who combined blues, honky-tonk and elements of ragtime to create a style as memorable and captivating as his home city of New Orleans, died early on Thursday from a heart attack. Rex Culture stars we lost in 2019 Peter Mayhew Peter Mayhew, best known for his role as Chewbacca in the Star Wars film series, died at the age of 74. The film star stood over seven feet tall and played the fictional character who serves as a loyal friend to the franchises protagonist, Han Solo. REUTERS Culture stars we lost in 2019 Leon Redbone Leon Redbone died on 30 May, 2019, aged 69. The singer-songwriter, who was noticed by Bob Dylan in the Seventies and was an early guest on Saturday Night Live, released more than 15 albums over the course of four decades. Photo by Chris Capstick/REX Culture stars we lost in 2019 Paul Darrow Blakes 7 and Doctor Who star Paul Darrow died in June aged 78 following a short illness. The Surrey-born actor was best known for playing Kerr Avon in BBC sci-fi series Blakes 7 during the 70s and 80s, but also appeared in more than 200 other shows including The Saint, Z Cars, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and Little Britain. PA Culture stars we lost in 2019 Cameron Boyce Disney Channel star Cameron Boyce died in his sleep on 6 July, aged 20. His family later confirmed the actor, who appeared in Jessie and descendants, had epilepsy. Getty Culture stars we lost in 2019 Rip Torn Rip Torn, the film, TV and theatre actor, died on 9 July, 2019, aged 88. His career spanned seven decades. AFP/GETTY Culture stars we lost in 2019 Michael Sleggs Michael Sleggs, who appeared as Slugs in hit BBC Three sitcom This Country, died from heart failure on 9 July, 2019, aged 33. BBC Culture stars we lost in 2019 Freddie Jones Emmerdale actor Freddie Jones died aged 91 in July. The British star was most recently known for playing Sandy Thomas in the soap from 2005 until 2018. He also starred in Hollywood films Dune, The Elephant Man and Firefox. ITV Culture stars we lost in 2019 Rutger Hauer Dutch actor Rutger Hauer famously played replicant Roy Batty in Ridley Scott's Blade Runner. As Batty, he delivered the iconic "tears in the rain" monologue. Hauer died on 19 July, 2019 aged 75. TIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images Culture stars we lost in 2019 Paula Williamson Actor Paula Williamson, who starred in Coronation Street and married criminal Charles Bronson, was found dead on 29 July, 2019. Getty Culture stars we lost in 2019 Toni Morrison Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison died at the age of 88 on 6 August. Her death was confirmed with profound sadness by the Morrison family, who said she had passed away in the Bronx, New York, following a short illness. The celebrated writer of 11 novels was known for her searing works about slavery and the experiences of black women, including 1987s Beloved, the story of a runaway female slave for which she won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction the following year. She became the first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993. Bettmann Archive Culture stars we lost in 2019 David Berman David Berman, frontman of Silver Jews and Purple Mountains, died by suicide on 7 August, 2019, aged 52. MediaPunch/REX Culture stars we lost in 2019 Peter Fonda Peter Fonda died of respiratory failure due to lung cancer on 16 August, 2019. aged 79, his family said. He was the co-writer and star of counterculture classic Easy Rider (1969). AP Culture stars we lost in 2019 Ben Unwin Home and Away star Ben Unwin was found dead aged 41 on 14 August, according to New South Wales Police. He starred as 'bad boy' Jesse McGregor on the popular Australian soap between 1996-2000, and then 2002-2005 before switching to a career in law Getty Culture stars we lost in 2019 Franco Columbu Italian bodybuilder, who appeared in The Terminator, The Running Man and Conan the Barbarian, died on 30 August, 2019, aged 78. The former Mr Olympia enjoyed a successful career as a boxer and was best friends with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Getty Images Culture stars we lost in 2019 Kylie Rae Harris The country singer died in a car crash on 4 September, 2019, at the age of 30. Harris, of Wylie, Texas, she was scheduled to perform at a music festival in New Mexico the next day. YouTube / Kylie Rae Harris Culture stars we lost in 2019 LaShawn Daniels Songwriter and producer LaShawn Daniels died 4 September aged 41. He was best known for his collaborations with producer Darkchild, and had songwriting credits on a number of pop and R&B classics by artists including Beyonce, Destiny's Child, Janet and Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Brandy and Whitney Houston. Rex Culture stars we lost in 2019 Carol Lynley The actor, best known for her role as Nonnie the cruise liner singer in The Poseidon Adventure, died on 3 September at the age of 77. Dove/Daily Express/Getty Images Culture stars we lost in 2019 Jimmy Johnson Jimmy Johnson, revered session guitarist and co-founder of the Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, died 5 September 2019, aged 76. AP Culture stars we lost in 2019 John Wesley John Wesley, the actor who played Dr Hoover on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, died in September 2019 aged 72 of complications stemming from multiple myeloma, according to his family. His other acting credits included Baywatch as well as the the 1992 buddy cop comedy film 'Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot'. YouTube / Warner Bros Domestic Television Distribution Culture stars we lost in 2019 Daniel Johnston Influential lo-fi musician Daniel Johnston died in September 2019 following a heart attack, according to The Austin Chronicle. His body of work includes the celebrated 1983 album 'Hi, How Are You'. ALAIN JOCARD/AFP/Getty Images Culture stars we lost in 2019 Ric Ocasek Ric Ocasek, frontman of new wave rock band The Cars, died 15 September at the age of 75. Ocasek was pronounced dead after police were alerted to an unresponsive male at a Manhattan townhouse. A cause of death has yet to be confirmed, though The Daily Beast reports that an NYPD official said Ocasek appeared to have died from natural causes. Ocasek found fame as the lead singer of The Cars, who were integral in the birth of the new wave movement and had hits including Drive, Good Times Roll and My Best Friends Girl. Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Netflix Culture stars we lost in 2019 Suzanne Whang The former host turned narrator of HGTV's House Hunters died on 17 September. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and initially recovered, until the disease returned in October 2018. Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images Culture stars we lost in 2019 Robert Hunter The lyricist, who's behind some of the Grateful Dead's finest songs, died on 23 September at the age of 78. His best known Grateful Dead songs include 'Cumberland Blues,' 'It Must Have Been the Roses,' and 'Terrapin Station'. Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame Culture stars we lost in 2019 Linda Porter Linda Porter, best known for her role as elderly supermarket employee Myrtle on the US sitcom Superstore, died 25 September after a long battle with cancer. She also appeared in series including Twin Peaks, The Mindy Project, ER and The X-Files Tyler Golden/NBC Culture stars we lost in 2019 Ginger Baker Ginger Baker, the legendary drummer and co-founder of rock band Cream, died at the age of 80 on Sunday 6 October after being critically ill in hospital. The musician co-founded Cream in 1966 with Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce. Alamy Culture stars we lost in 2019 Alicia Alonso Legendary ballet dancer Alicia Alonso died aged 98 on 18 October. Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel said: Alicia Alonso has gone and left an enormous void but unbeatable legacy. She positioned Cuba at the altar of the best of dance worldwide. Thank you Alicia for your immortal work. Alonso was born Alicia Ernestina de la Caridad Martinez del Hoyo on 21 December 1921. She first appeared on stage at the age of 10, and fell in love with ballet. When you look out and you see the theatre full of people, you feel that you are alive, that you have been born, she told the BBC in 2015. It's wonderful, it's unique. Getty Culture stars we lost in 2019 Robert Evans Producer Robert Evans died on 26 October aged 89. He backed seminal films such as 'Chinatown', 'The Godfather', 'Harold and Maude' and 'Love Story'. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Culture stars we lost in 2019 Ariel Burdett Ariel Burdett died on 12 November, aged 35. She appeared on The X Factor in 2008 and is considered to have had one of the most memorable auditions in the ITV show's history. ITV Culture stars we lost in 2019 Jill Galloway Heitz Jill Galloway Heitz died at the age of 78 from congestive heart failure on 13 November. Her TV appearances included Glee and Prison Break, and she also starred in David Lynch film The Straight Story. Fox Culture stars we lost in 2019 Terry O'Neill Terry ONeill, who died aged 81 on 17 November, photographed some of the worlds most legendary stars and public figures, from Audrey Hepburn to David Bowie, Elton John, Winston Churchill and Frank Sinatra. He also shot members of the Royal Family, including the Queen. Among his most recent works was an image of Amy Winehouse at the height of her fame in 2008. Rex Culture stars we lost in 2019 Goo Ha-ra South Korean singer and actor Goo Ha-ra died in November 2019 at the age of 28. AFP Culture stars we lost in 2019 Gary Rhodes Gary Rhodes died on 27 November, aged 59. The English restaurateur and television chef, known for his love of British cuisine and ingredients and for his distinctive spiked hair style, fronted shows such as MasterChef, MasterChef USA, Hell's Kitchen, and his own series, Rhodes Around Britain. AFP Culture stars we lost in 2019 Godfrey Gao Godfrey Gao died on 27 November, aged 35. He suffered a cardiac arrest after collapsing on set of a game show in China. Gao was considered the first Asian supermodel, and appeared in 2013 Hollywood film The Mortal Instruments. Getty Images Culture stars we lost in 2019 Ron Leibman Ron Leibman, who played Rachels father in Friends, died 7 December at the age of 82. The actor died from pneumonia, a representative for his family confirmed. Leibman won a Tony Award in 1993 for originating the role of the closeted gay lawyer Roy Cohn in the first Broadway production of Tony Kushners Angels in America. He also appeared in films including Norma Rae and Slaughterhouse-Five. Kevin Winter/Getty Images Culture stars we lost in 2019 Juice Wrld Chicago-born rapper Juice Wrld, real name Jarad Anthony Higgins, died 8 December at the age of 21. The Associated Press confirmed that the Lucid Dreams rapper suffered a "medical emergency" at Chicago's Midway International Airport, and was later pronounced dead in hospital. Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Power 105.1 Culture stars we lost in 2019 Caroll Spinney Puppeteer Caroll Spinney, who portrayed Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on the childrens programme Sesame Street, has died at the age of 84. Spinney died 8 December at his home in Connecticut after suffering from Dystonia for some time, the Sesame Workshop confirmed. Robin Marchant/Getty Images for SiriusXM Culture stars we lost in 2019 Rene Auberjonois Prolific character actor Rene Auberjonois died 8 December at the age of 79. His credits included the Robert Altman film MASH and TV shows Benson and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Getty Images Culture stars we lost in 2019 Marie Fredriksson Marie Fredriksson, one-half of the pop duo Roxette, died 9 December after suffering a long illness. Roxette's most famous hits include "It Must Have Been Love" and 'Listen to Your Heart". Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images Culture stars we lost in 2019 Chris Cotton The US comedian Chris Cotton, best known for the Comedy Central web series Every Damn Day, died on 13 December at the age of 32. A cause of death has yet to be announced. Cotton is survived by his wife Ericalynn, who is due to give birth to their first child in February. Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Comedy Central Culture stars we lost in 2019 Danny Aiello Actor Danny Aiello, best known for his role as Sal in Spike Lees Do The Right Thing, died on Thursday, 12 December at the age of 86. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images Culture stars we lost in 2019 Chuy Bravo Comedian and entertainer Chuy Bravo, who found fame as the sidekick to comic Chelsea Handler, died 15 December at the age of 63. Bravo was taken ill during a trip to his native Mexico, and died in hospital. David Livingston/Getty Images Culture stars we lost in 2019 Kenny Lynch Entertainer Kenny Lynch, known for roles in Carry On Loving and TV show The Sweeney along with a successful pop career, died aged 81. Lynch was born in east London in 1938, to a Barbadian father and a mother of British and Jamaican heritage. He was one of the UKs first black pop stars, who toured with The Beatles and achieved two top 10 hits including Up on the Roof, which was originally recorded by The Drifters. He was also the first artist to cover a Beatles song, when he released a version of Lennon and McCartney composition Misery in 1963. Rex Culture stars we lost in 2019 Jerry Herman The Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist Jerry Herman, who wrote the music and lyrics for shows including Hello, Dolly! and La Cage aux Folles, died 26 December at the age of 88. Hermans death was confirmed by his goddaughter, who told the Associated Press that he died of pulmonary complications in Miami, Florida. Herman created 10 Broadway shows, and won two Tony Awards for Best Musical for Hello, Dolly! (1964) and La Cage aux Folles (1983). He also won two Grammys and, in 2010, became a Kennedy Center honouree. Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty Images Culture stars we lost in 2019 Andrew Dunbar The extra, who worked as a body double for Theon Greyjoy actor Alfie Allen, reportedly died at his home in Belfast on 23 December. He was in his thirties. Pamela Smyth, head of Crowd Makeup on the hit HBO show, told Belfast Live: Even among the thousands of extras that came through the crowd room on Thrones Andrew always stood out. Dunbars co-star and friend Andy McClay said: Everyone always wanted Andrew. There was just something about him that was special." The Extras Dept Culture stars we lost in 2019 Kelly Fraser Kelly Fraser, the Canadian pop artist who gained worldwide attention for her Inuit-language colour of Diamonds by Rihanna, died in December aged 26. Fraser was known for her advocacy efforts for her indigenous culture, and wrote or translated songs into the Inuit language of Inukitut with the aim of using pop music to raise awareness of it. Rex Culture stars we lost in 2019 Neil Innes Comedian and musician Neil Innes, who collaborated with Monty Python and played with The Rutles, died on 30 December aged 75. Essex-born Innes wrote music for Monty Pythons albums including Monty Pythons Previous Record and The Monty Python Matching Tie and Handkerchief, after becoming involved with the comedy group in the 1970s. Getty Images The news comes after Tomlinsons mother died of leukaemia in 2016. Earlier this month, he released his new single Two of Us which he said helped him deal with his grief at her passing. It was something I needed to get off my chest. I used to lean on my mum for a lot of things anytime I needed advice on something she would be the first call I made, he said. Lyrics to the track include the lines: Its been a minute since I called you/ Youll never know how much I miss you/ The day that they took you/ I wish it was me instead/ But you once told me dont give up. Louis Tomlinson performs Just Hold On on Xfactor after mothers death The Independent has contacted Louis Tomlinsons representative for comment. Chicago goes green this weekend, in terms of sustainability obviously, but also in terms of St. Patricks Day, a holiday in which the entire city seems to participate, regardless of any personal Irish affiliation. The celebrations most famous festivities take place downtown: the dyeing of the Chicago River from a weird shade of green to a cool shade of green, best viewed from the east side of State Street, the west side of Columbus Drive or along Wacker Drive between those two streets. Theres also the St. Patricks Parade, which steps off at Balbo and Columbus Drives and heads north along the latter. 9 a.m. Saturday for river dyeing, noon Saturday for parade, Balbo and Columbus; chicagostpatricksdayparade.org One in four deaths worldwide can be linked to pollution and other environmental damage caused by humans, the United Nations has warned. Polluted drinking water, filthy air and land destroyed by mega-farms are among the threats that must be urgently addressed, according to a new report compiled by hundreds of scientists. Based on data from 2015, they estimated 9 million deaths each year can be attributed just to pollution with outdoor and indoor fumes posing the biggest danger. The reports authors warned humanity faces a bleak future, as parts of Asia and Africa, in particular, could see millions more premature deaths in the coming decades. The gap between rich and poor countries is expected to grow as overconsumption and food waste in the developed world are matched by hunger and the spread of preventable diseases elsewhere. Pollutants entering freshwater systems could lead to anti-microbial resistance becoming the number one cause of death by the middle of the century as infections become harder to control. The most polluted towns and cities in the UK Show all 25 1 /25 The most polluted towns and cities in the UK The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 25. Middlesbrough 11 micrograms per cubic metre. A report from the World Health Organisation has given figures for fine-particle air pollution across the world. Here follow the 25 most polluted towns and cities in the UK The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 24. Derry 11 micrograms per cubic metre Getty The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 23. Hull 11 micrograms per cubic metre (estimate) Getty The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 22. Coventry 11 micrograms per cubic metre Getty The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 21. London 11 micrograms per cubic metre PA The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 20. Stoke-On-Trent 12 micrograms per cubic metre Getty The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 19. Sheffield 12 micrograms per cubic metre (estimate) Getty The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 18. Sandy, Bedfordshire 12 micrograms per cubic metre Google The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 17. Royal Leamington Spa 12 micrograms per cubic metre Getty The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 16. Prestonpans 12 micrograms per cubic metre Richard Webb The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 15. York 12 micrograms per cubic metre Getty The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 14. Plymouth 12 micrograms per cubic metre Getty The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 13. Nottingham 12 micrograms per cubic metre Getty The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 12. Eccles 12 micrograms per cubic metre (estimate) Rept0n1x The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 11. Grays 12 micrograms per cubic metre (estimate) Getty The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 10. Liverpool 12 micrograms per cubic metre Getty The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 9. Leicester 12 micrograms per cubic metre Getty The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 8. Leeds 12 micrograms per cubic metre Getty The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 7. Chepstow 12 micrograms per cubic metre Getty The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 6. Carlisle 12 micrograms per cubic metre The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 5. Gilllingham 13 micrograms per cubic metre Philip Halling The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 4. Swansea Getty The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 3. Manchester Getty The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 2. Gibraltar Getty The most polluted towns and cities in the UK 1. Scunthorpe Getty The UN released its Global Environment Outlook, a project six years in the making, at a major meeting in Nairobi on Wednesday. It draws on hundreds of data sources to establish various factors driving the prevalence of more than 100 diseases. The report concluded preventable environmental problems will cause approximately 25 per cent of global disease and mortality. The science is clear. The health and prosperity of humanity is directly tied with the state of our environment, said Joyce Msuya, acting executive director of UN Environment. We are at a crossroads. Do we continue on our current path, which will lead to a bleak future for humankind, or do we pivot to a more sustainable development pathway? That is the choice our political leaders must make, now. The Paris climate agreement was established in 2015 as a strategy to address climate change, with nations committing to cut their carbon emissions and hold back soaring global temperatures. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events But while awareness of climate changes catastrophic impacts grows, there is no equivalent agreement by nations to deal with the other environmental challenges facing the planet. Negotiations taking place at the current UN environment assembly are expected to focus on critical issues including tackling food waste and plastic pollution in the oceans. However, the team behind the new report said that most of the policies and technologies that can help avoid the worst already exist. What is currently lacking is the political will to implement policies and technologies at a sufficient speed and scale, said Joyeeta Gupta, who co-led the reports production. According to their analysis, investing 2 per cent of each nations GDP would ensure economic growth continues while avoiding much of the impact of climate change, water loss and habitat destruction. The UN team called for nations to take responsibility for the harm they are causing and implement such policies as soon as possible. With lockdown restrictions in the UK now almost entirely lifted, that long awaited trip away may be finally on the cards. But for those who are holding off booking any far flung travels for the time being, theres still the option of sunny staycations to explore. If the last year has taught us anything about travel, its how much there is to explore right here in front of us, from the vast expanses of the Lake District to the frankly tropical beaches of Cornwalls coast. And the best bit is that its all so accessible; theres something pleasingly simplistic about throwing all your essentials in an overnight bag and hopping in the car or train for an adventure. Luggage brands are feeling this shift too. SteamLine luggage saw its 30 per cent handheld luggage to 70 per cent large luggage sales ratio flipped on its head last year. Cuan Hanly, chief design officer at Away, says that with travellers leaning into shorter haul trips closer to home, weve certainly seen an increase in demand for our soft goods, including our coveted weekender bag. Its never hurt to have a dependable weekend travel bag in your arsenal, but now were getting so much use out of them, it seems theres never been a better time to invest in a great one. Read more: So, what is it that makes the perfect short-haul travel companion? Well, that will depend on the type of trips you like to take, and how light a packer you are (be honest with yourself here). For country escapes youll likely need a durable weekender, with space for boots and a raincoat, and for overnight city breaks you may only need something sleek and compact. Either way youll want it to look great and be easy and light to carry, with plenty of compartments to keep your belongings organised. To find the best of the best, we tried, tested and lugged around as many as we could find and came up with this shortlist to simplify your search. Weve covered all needs and budgets but the general rule with classic luggage is, if you spend a bit more now, you wont find yourself buying twice. The best overnight bags for women for 2021 are: Best large bag Away the weekender: 195, Awaytravel.com Away the weekender: 195, Awaytravel.com Best duffel bag Paravel net sustain fold-up leather and grosgrain-trimmed recycled shell weekend bag: 60, Amazon.co.uk Paravel net sustain fold-up leather and grosgrain-trimmed recycled shell weekend bag: 60, Amazon.co.uk Best multi-tasker Seasalt idless bag: 45, Seasaltcornwall.co.uk Seasalt idless bag: 45, Seasaltcornwall.co.uk Best small bag Antler chelsea overnight bag: 129, Antler.co.uk Antler chelsea overnight bag: 129, Antler.co.uk Best designer bag Ted Baker immenyy softside holdall: 174.99, Caseluggage.com Ted Baker immenyy softside holdall: 174.99, Caseluggage.com Best canvas bag Longchamp Boxford travel bag L: 205, Longchamp.com Longchamp Boxford travel bag L: 205, Longchamp.com Best for a touch of luxury Katie Loxton Kensington bag: 99.99, Katieloxton.com Away the weekender Best: Large bag Away calls this the ultimate travel bag, and after testing we simply have to agree. The brand has been topping the market for chic yet practical luggage pretty much since its launch in 2015, and theres a reason why. Thoughtfully designed, timeless and hard-wearing, these are bags youll keep forever. Theres two main short-stay bags in its collection: the everywhere bag (145, Awaytravel.com) which is slightly smaller, perfect if youre a light packer, and the weekender, our favourite. Not only does it look beautiful (perfect for those holiday grams) but its designed beautifully too, in durable canvas with luxury leather accents (there are other colourways too) and intuitive pockets that you didnt even know you needed. It has plenty of basic zip and slip pockets, but also a separate waterproof compartment for dirty shoes (great for muddy trips to the country), a clip to keep keys safe, a large padded laptop pocket and external sleeve to attach it to a trolley suitcase with ease. The top handles are long enough to throw over your shoulder but theres also a detachable padded long shoulder strap if you prefer. Size wise, its roomy and you could fit in everything for a long weekend without making any omissions. Given that its not bulky or heavy, it doesnt feel like too much to take for just one night either. Bonus: it fits in the overhead of most major airlines so itll take you from the Cotswolds to cabin baggage when we eventually get to fly. Buy now 195 , Awaytravel.com {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{/hasItems}} {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} {{#hasItems}} {{/hasItems}} Paravel net sustain fold-up leather and grosgrain-trimmed recycled shell weekend bag Best: Duffel bag Its not often you get a mix of practical and luxury done well, at least not at the affordable end of the scale. Paravels eco-friendly luggage is an exception. Functional and chic, the weekend bag comes in a double layered durable nylon shell (made from 22 recycled plastic bottles, dont you know) that feels like it could withstand a British rainstorm or two with no problems. We found it to be super lightweight but the leather details and understated logo mean you dont compromise on style points. The duffel design is a great size for overnight trips, but you can also slip the back panel over the handle of a suitcase and use it as hand luggage when needed. The best part? No need to stress about storage, the design folds in on itself and zips into a handy kindle-sized pouch when not in use. Versatile or what? We love this for being a great example of investing in quality without spending hundreds of pounds. Buy now 60 , Amazon.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{/hasItems}} {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} {{#hasItems}} {{/hasItems}} Seasalt idless bag Best: Multi-tasker If youre looking for a multitasking bag that you can just as easily use in your day to day as your travels, we highly recommend Seasalts idless bag. Coming in a casual yet hard-wearing cotton canvas, this is a bag that will get used a lot. From beach days, to mini breaks, and even work if youre someone who needs to carry a lot around with you. We liked that it was spacious but not cumbersome and the top handles fit comfortably over the shoulder. Theres also a handy detachable, adjustable long strap too for crossbody carrying if needed. Buy now 45 , Seasaltcornwall.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{/hasItems}} {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} {{#hasItems}} {{/hasItems}} Antler chelsea overnight bag Best: Small bag Antler has over 100 years of experience designing luggage, and you can tell when it comes to this sleek little overnight bag. Its perfectly compact but fits a surprising amount given the handy pockets, including a zip up laptop pouch. Being made of hardy water-resistant nylon, its practical and very light, but still felt feminine with the luxe leather finishes and cute colour palette options. We loved the smaller size for a quick trip and it would also easily fit neatly under an airplane seat (it has the back sleeve to slide over trolley handles too) or even for the gym on a day to day basis. If youre an overpacker though, you may want to opt for the similar Chelsea Weekender which has the same functionalities but more space. It was slightly frustrating that the top handles dont fit over your shoulder, but it does come with a longer detachable strap for hands-free carrying. If youve invested in any more of the bands popular luggage, this would be a lovely little addition to a set, or if not, a great to start to anyones Antler collection. Buy now 129 , Antler.co.uk {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{/hasItems}} {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} {{#hasItems}} {{/hasItems}} Ted Baker immenyy softside holdall Best: Designer bag Ted Baker may not be known for its luggage over its dresses, but our tester has owned a wheelie case of theirs that has lasted for years in great condition, so can vouch for the surprisingly impressive quality. This roomy holdall is also one of the smartest travel bags we could find, and it would be perfect for those who need something to travel for work with. Otherwise its great if youre after that polished traveller look (who knows, it could even land you an upgrade one day dont quote us on that). Its not all about looks though, this style has its practicalities as well. From small touches that will prolong its lifespan like a tough base and protective studs, to the thoughtful design features. We particularly loved the large front section (which even has pockets inside the pocket) which helps you keep essentials close to hand and avoid any frustrating rummaging around for your purse or documents, which can often be the let down of large holdalls. Despite feeling comfortably large (there was plenty of room for our testers multiple pairs of shoes, jumpers and full washbag), it is cabin-sized so great for travelling further afield when we can. Buy now 189 , Caseluggage.com {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{/hasItems}} {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} {{#hasItems}} {{/hasItems}} Longchamp Boxford travel bag L Best: Canvas bag If our tester could have kept hold of any bag they tried, it probably would have been this one. Thats not to say its necessarily the most practical (theres only one inner pocket for example) but it certainly feels like the most timeless. The fact that the le pilage style that this bag is based on has been one of the brands bestsellers for nearly 20 years proves this point. This updated version seems to be better tailored towards travel, with leather corners to avoid any scuffing over time, a detachable long strap and a more hard-wearing canvas fabric. This also felt like the most luxurious bag in our list which makes sense with it being the most expensive (although only by a slim margin). The selling point of the pilage is its origami style folding when not in use, and although this Boxford doesnt tuck away quite as small, it still folds flat and neatly in on itself which is a nice bonus feature if youre short on space. Buy now 220 , Longchamp.com {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{/hasItems}} {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} {{#hasItems}} {{/hasItems}} Katie Loxton Kensington bag Best: For a touch of luxury Katie Loxton is all about lifes little luxuries. A great brand for gifts (to yourself counts) and coming in around the mid-range price point, its accessible but still feels like a treat. This rich khaki green leather-look travel bag is no exception, and one of the brands particular highlights. The style comes in lots of colours to suit your style (personalisation is available on some), but this one in particular is eco-friendly (made from recycled plastic bottles) so you can feel good about it too. Its more structured than other styles on this list which gives it a more sophisticated look if thats something youre after. Theres plenty of room inside too whether youre off for a long weekend or just an evening youll be able to throw this over your shoulder without a worry. Buy now 99.99 , Katieloxton.com {{#hasItems}} Price comparison {{/hasItems}} {{#items}} {{ merchant }} {{ price }} Buy now {{/items}} {{#hasItems}} {{/hasItems}} The verdict: Overnight bags for women Plenty of these bags have worthy top spot qualities but Aways weekender beats them all, for us, as the best all rounder. Roomy enough to fit everything you might need for any short excursion, but still light; practical and versatile with its many pocket options, without sacrificing on style. Although it has a higher price tag, this is a forever bag that will happily join you on many adventures to come, near or far Voucher codes For offers on womens bags and fashion, try our discount code pages: Oliver Bonas discount codes Monsoon discount codes Nasty Gal discount codes Prefer your holiday luggage on wheels? Weve found the 9 best carry ons for easy travel and weekends away IndyBest product reviews are unbiased, independent advice you can trust. On some occasions, we earn revenue if you click the links and buy the products, but we never allow this to bias our coverage. The reviews are compiled through a mix of expert opinion and real-world testing. Facebooks chief product officer Chris Cox is leaving the tech company after more than a decade. Cox announced his departure on Thursday in a note to employees, the New York Times reports. In the note, Cox, who joined Facebook in 2005 as one of the companys first 15 software engineers, wrote: For over a decade, Ive been sharing the same message that Mark and I have always believed: Social medias history is not yet written, and its effects are not neutral. As its builders we must endeavour to understand its impact all the good, and all the bad and take up the daily work of bending it towards the positive, and towards the good. This is our greatest responsibility. 11 useful Facebook features you didn't know existed Show all 11 1 /11 11 useful Facebook features you didn't know existed 11 useful Facebook features you didn't know existed Clean up your News Feed Most of us are Facebook friends with some people we dont actually care about, and there are several ways to keep their updates off your News Feed. The easiest option is to head to the column on the left and open News Feed Preferences. From here, you can prioritise friends, unfollow friends, refollow friends you unfollowed in the past and even block specific apps. 11 useful Facebook features you didn't know existed Change ad preferences You can view a list of everything Facebook thinks youre into and tinker with your ad preferences. A lot more information is displayed on the desktop site than the app, so wed recommend doing this on a computer. Just open Settings and select Advert Preferences. 11 useful Facebook features you didn't know existed Manage notifications You can get notifications about pretty much anything on Facebook these days, and that can be seriously irritating. Choose what you do and dont want to be notified about by going into the Settings menu and selecting Notifications. You might be surprised by the number of sections you have to trawl through. 11 useful Facebook features you didn't know existed Save data Facebook automatically plays videos in your News Feed, and thats a problem if you arent on a generous data plan. You can change this by going to Videos in the Settings menu and disabling autoplay. On the app, theres feature in the left-hand column called Data Saver, which also does this, but reduces the size of pictures too. 11 useful Facebook features you didn't know existed Reorder your News feed You can choose to order the updates that appear in your News Feed by time or importance. Just hit the three buttons next to News Feed Preferences on the Facebook site and choose between Top Stories and Recent Stories. 11 useful Facebook features you didn't know existed Download your data Facebook lets you download all of the immense amounts of 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 lot of information, which youll want to get your hands on if you decide to quit the social network. 11 useful Facebook features you didn't know existed Find nearby places Nearby Places is actually a really handy tool, which lets you quickly find and research things like restaurants, hotels, museums and nightlife hotspots around you. It lives in the left-hand column, and also shows useful information like customer ratings, prices and distance. 11 useful Facebook features you didn't know existed Find free Wi-Fi Similarly, Find Wi-Fi is ideal for when youre bored, running low on data or lost. It shows you all the places in your vicinity that offer free Wi-Fi, so you can head over and either relax or get some work done. 11 useful Facebook features you didn't know existed Save things for later Facebooks ideal for killing time, but every now and again youll stumble across something youre interested in right as you need to put your phone away. Fortunately, you can save posts for later by hitting the arrow in the top-right corner and selecting the Save option. Everything you save goes straight to the Saved section in the left-hand column. 11 useful Facebook features you didn't know existed Control tags When people tag you in posts or pictures, they dont have to automatically appear on your profile. You can switch on Facebooks Review Tags feature by going to Settings and Timeline and Tagging. 11 useful Facebook features you didn't know existed Delete your account To permanently delete your Facebook account, you need to head to Facebooks Delete Account page. The site can take up to 90 days to process account deletion requests, but once your account's gone, its gone. You can deactivate your account instead, by going to Security and Login in the Settings menu. In a separate note to employees, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg reflected on his relationship with Cox, who has reportedly wanted to leave the company for some time. Chris and I have worked closely together to build our products for more than a decade and I will always appreciate his deep empathy for the people using our services and the uplifting spirit he brings to everything he does, Zuckerberg wrote. The Facebook CEO also announced that WhatsApp vice president Chris Daniels, would be leaving his role. Daniels previously ran the companys business development team and internet.org, before helping to define the business model for messaging services, according to Zuckerberg. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Chris is one of the clearest and most principled business thinkers Ive met and the diversity of challenges he has helped us navigate is impressive, the Facebook founder wrote. Ive really enjoyed working with Chris and Im sure he will do great work at whatever he chooses to take on next. The news comes as the company is under increased pressure on several fronts, including additional political scrutiny. This week, the New York Times reported federal prosecutors were conducting a criminal investigation into data deals Facebook struck with some of the worlds largest technology companies. Federal prosecutors are conducting a criminal investigation into data deals Facebook struck with some of the worlds largest technology companies, intensifying scrutiny of the social media giants business practices as it seeks to rebound from a year of scandal and setbacks. A grand jury in New York has subpoenaed records from at least two prominent makers of smartphones and other devices, according to two people who were familiar with the requests and who insisted on anonymity to discuss confidential legal matters. Both companies had entered into partnerships with Facebook, gaining broad access to the personal information of hundreds of millions of its users. The companies were among more than 150, including Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and Sony, that had cut sharing deals with the worlds dominant social media platform. The agreements, previously reported in The New York Times, let the companies see users friends, contact information and other data, sometimes without consent. Facebook has phased out most of the partnerships over the past two years. Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Show all 15 1 /15 Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Facebook is born On 4 Feb, 2004, 19-year-old Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg launched a website called 'TheFacebook' from his dorm. Within 24 hours the college social network had more than 1,000 users Wikimedia Commons Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Winklevoss twins sue Zuckerberg Within one week of launching, fellow Harvard students Cameron Winklevoss, Tyler Winklevoss and Divya Narendra accused Zuckerberg of stealing their idea. It would be four years later when the resulting lawsuit was finally settled Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Open for business The social network finally opened it platform to everyone on 26 September, 2006. The move proved the catalyst in supercharging the site's already explosive growth PA Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Billion-dollar bid Yahoo offered $1 billion to buy Facebook in September 2006 but Zuckerberg turned it down. 'I dont know what I could do with the money,' Zuckerberg reportedly said. 'Id just start another social networking site' Reuters Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network In the money In September 2009, almost five years since the site launched, Facebook turned a profit for the first time Getty Images/iStockphoto Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Taking the lead Facebook overtook MySpace in 2010 to become the worlds most popular social network Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Taking on the tech giants In 2011, Google launched its own social network that it hoped would knock Facebook from its perch. Despite its initial success, Google+ ultimately failed and will be shut down completely in 2019 Getty Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Facebook goes public On 18 May, 2012, Facebook went public. The initial public offering raised $16 billion the third largest in US history Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Gobbling up the competition Facebook acquired Instagram in April 2012 for $1 billion, consolidating its position as the world's leading social network Reuters Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network One billion users On 4 October, 2012, Zuckerberg announced that Facebook had hit 1 billion users. 'If youre reading this: thank you for giving me and my little team the honour of serving you,' he wrote in a blog post Getty Images Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Expanding its empire In February 2014 Facebook acquired the messaging app WhatsApp for $19.3 billion REUTERS/Dado Ruvic Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Two billion users In June 2017, Facebook passed the 2 billion user milestone REUTERS/Dado Ruvic Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Privacy scandal On 17 March 2018, news broke that UK firm Cambridge Analytica had harvested data from around 87 million Facebook users for the purpose of political profiling in the build up to the 2016 US presidential elections Shutterstock Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Record profits Despite the scandals and subsequent #DeleteFacebook campaign, Facebook posted record profits just before its 15th anniversary, the equivalent of $7.37 from each of its 2.32 billions users iStock/Independent Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Unhappy users A study found that people are happier when they dont use Facebook, adding to mounting evidence surrounding the impact social media has on mental health Rex Features We are cooperating with investigators and take those probes seriously, a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement. Weve provided public testimony, answered questions and pledged that we will continue to do so. It is not clear when the grand jury inquiry, overseen by prosecutors with the US attorneys office for the Eastern District of New York, began or exactly what it is focusing on. Facebook was already facing scrutiny by the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission. And the Justice Departments securities fraud unit began investigating it after reports that Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm, had improperly obtained the Facebook data of 87 million people and used it to build tools that helped president Donald Trumps election campaign. The Justice Department and the Eastern District declined to comment for this article. The Cambridge investigation, still active, is being run by prosecutors from the Northern District of California. One former Cambridge employee said investigators questioned him as recently as late February. He and three other witnesses in the case, speaking on the condition of anonymity so they would not anger prosecutors, said a significant line of inquiry involved Facebooks claims that it was misled by Cambridge. In public statements, Facebook executives had said Cambridge told the company it was gathering data only for academic purposes. But the fine print accompanying a quiz app that collected the information said it could also be used commercially. Selling user data would have violated Facebooks rules at the time, yet the social network does not appear to have regularly checked that apps were complying. Facebook deleted the quiz app in December 2015. Facebook, Instagram, Etsy and US postal taken down amid major outages The disclosures about Cambridge last year thrust Facebook into the worst crisis of its history. Then came news reports in June and December that Facebook had given business partners including makers of smartphones, tablets and other devices deep access to users personal information, letting some companies effectively override users privacy settings. The sharing deals empowered Microsofts Bing search engine to map out the friends of virtually all Facebook users without their explicit consent, and allowed Amazon to obtain users names and contact information through their friends. Apple was able to hide from Facebook users all indicators that its devices were even asking for data. Privacy advocates said the partnerships seemed to violate a 2011 consent agreement between Facebook and the FTC, stemming from allegations that the company had shared data in ways that deceived consumers. The deals also appeared to contradict statements by Mark Zuckerberg and other executives that Facebook had clamped down several years ago on sharing the data of users friends with outside developers. FTC officials, who spent the past year investigating whether Facebook violated the 2011 agreement, are now weighing the sharing deals as they negotiate a possible multibillion-dollar fine. That would be the largest such penalty ever imposed by the trade regulator. Facebook has aggressively defended the partnerships, saying they were permitted under a provision in the FTC agreement that covered service providers companies that acted as extensions of the social network. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The company has taken steps in the past year to tackle data misuse and misinformation. Last week, Mr Zuckerberg unveiled a plan that would begin to pivot Facebook away from being a platform for public sharing and put more emphasis on private communications. The New York Times The worst disruption in WhatsApp's history caused millions of users to flock to rival messaging app Telegram, the firm's founder has revealed. Pavel Durov, who founded Telegram in 2013, told his followers on the encrypted messaging app about the significant boost to user growth following WhatsApp's difficulties. The Facebook-owned app experienced around 14 hours of disruption on 13 March, along with the main Facebook app, Facebook Messenger and Instagram. Compared to the more than 1.5 billion users of WhatsApp, Telegram is a relative minnow in the messaging world with an estimated 200 million users as of March 2018. During the Facebook apps outage, some users took to Twitter to encourage people to switch over to the lesser-known rival. Figures from Mr Durov suggest millions of people did. Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Show all 15 1 /15 Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Facebook is born On 4 Feb, 2004, 19-year-old Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg launched a website called 'TheFacebook' from his dorm. Within 24 hours the college social network had more than 1,000 users Wikimedia Commons Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Winklevoss twins sue Zuckerberg Within one week of launching, fellow Harvard students Cameron Winklevoss, Tyler Winklevoss and Divya Narendra accused Zuckerberg of stealing their idea. It would be four years later when the resulting lawsuit was finally settled Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Open for business The social network finally opened it platform to everyone on 26 September, 2006. The move proved the catalyst in supercharging the site's already explosive growth PA Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Billion-dollar bid Yahoo offered $1 billion to buy Facebook in September 2006 but Zuckerberg turned it down. 'I dont know what I could do with the money,' Zuckerberg reportedly said. 'Id just start another social networking site' Reuters Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network In the money In September 2009, almost five years since the site launched, Facebook turned a profit for the first time Getty Images/iStockphoto Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Taking the lead Facebook overtook MySpace in 2010 to become the worlds most popular social network Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Taking on the tech giants In 2011, Google launched its own social network that it hoped would knock Facebook from its perch. Despite its initial success, Google+ ultimately failed and will be shut down completely in 2019 Getty Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Facebook goes public On 18 May, 2012, Facebook went public. The initial public offering raised $16 billion the third largest in US history Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Gobbling up the competition Facebook acquired Instagram in April 2012 for $1 billion, consolidating its position as the world's leading social network Reuters Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network One billion users On 4 October, 2012, Zuckerberg announced that Facebook had hit 1 billion users. 'If youre reading this: thank you for giving me and my little team the honour of serving you,' he wrote in a blog post Getty Images Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Expanding its empire In February 2014 Facebook acquired the messaging app WhatsApp for $19.3 billion REUTERS/Dado Ruvic Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Two billion users In June 2017, Facebook passed the 2 billion user milestone REUTERS/Dado Ruvic Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Privacy scandal On 17 March 2018, news broke that UK firm Cambridge Analytica had harvested data from around 87 million Facebook users for the purpose of political profiling in the build up to the 2016 US presidential elections Shutterstock Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Record profits Despite the scandals and subsequent #DeleteFacebook campaign, Facebook posted record profits just before its 15th anniversary, the equivalent of $7.37 from each of its 2.32 billions users iStock/Independent Facebook birthday: 15 defining moments for the social network Unhappy users A study found that people are happier when they dont use Facebook, adding to mounting evidence surrounding the impact social media has on mental health Rex Features "I see 3 million new users signed up for Telegram within the last 24 hours," he told his followers on Thursday. "Good. We have true privacy and unlimited space for everyone." It is the worst collective outage in Facebook's history, though the tech giant is still yet to give a reason for the trouble. "We're aware that some people are currently having trouble accessing the Facebook family of apps," Facebook said in a statement posted on Twitter. "We're working to resolve the issue as soon as possible." Speculation initially hinted at the possibility of a major DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack, whereby servers are flooded with huge volumes of rogue traffic. Facebook dismissed this idea, suggesting the outages were the result of a more mundane issue, such as overloaded databases. While Telegram has never experienced an outage of this scale, attempts have been made in the past to block it in certain regions. Russia's media watchdog recently attempted to take down Telegram for failing to give up its encryption keys to the security services, however the attempt was unsuccessful. A wolfdog hybrid named Yuki who lives on an animal sanctuary in Florida has captured the hearts of the public. Yuki, 12, was just eight months old when he was rescued from a kill shelter and sent to his new home at Shy Wolf Sanctuary in Naples in 2008. According to the sanctuary, Yuki was found to be 87.5 per cent grey wolf, 8.6 per cent Siberian Husky, and 3.9 per cent German Shepherd. But, despite living in relative anonymity for most of his life, Yuki, who is terminally ill, recently become a viral internet star after the sanctuary posted photographs of him on social media in an effort to raise money to care for him and for a larger space for the animals. One video in particular, which illustrates just how big Yuki is compared to a human, received more than 65,000 views on Instagram and prompted speculations of photoshop. The dogs from Instagram Show all 6 1 /6 The dogs from Instagram The dogs from Instagram Noodle the Dachshund is just over a year old and comes with her own hashtag (#OodlesOfNoodle) The dogs from Instagram Three-year-old Staffie Ramsey was malnourished when he was adopted as a puppy but is now big and boisterous with ripped muscles and a cheeky grin The dogs from Instagram Winny the Welsh Corgi has been credited with the breed's upsurge in popularity The dogs from Instagram Bruno the miniature Dachshund has 66,700 followers The dogs from Instagram Mika the Husky has 58,900 followers The dogs from Instagram Elle the French Bulldog has 8,868 followers Although Yuki is not actually exceptionally larger than the average dog at 120lbs (just slightly larger than the average large dog), Shy Wolf employee Brittany Allen disputed that the picture was photoshopped, writing on Instagram: Its just his fat angle guys. We all have one. And despite the wolfdogs size, the sanctuary describes Yuki as a loving and super goofy. According to the International Wolf Centre, because Yuki is mostly wolf, he is considered a high-content wolfdog ,a breed that has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. The centre also says that wolves and dogs can breed together, but are rare in the wild because the territorial nature of wolves leads them to protect their home ranges from intruding canines such as dogs, coyotes and other wolves. Despite receiving numerous requests from people keen to adopt Yuki, sadly the sanctuary has declined the offers because of Yukis blood cancer. In a recent post, the sanctuary wrote on Facebook: Sorry everyone, but I am not available for adoption. I am 12 years old and terminally ill so I will be staying with Shy Wolf with my pack friend Bella in our enclosure. However, you can sponsor me! Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events To sponsor Yuki and the other animals at Shy Wolf Sanctuary, you can go here. A photograph circulating on Twitter has been lambasted as "sexist" for seemingly depicting a young girl as a nurse in pink scrubs, and a young boy as a doctor in green scrubs. The picture in question, which shows the children walking away from the camera and holding hands, was shared on Twitter earlier this week by an account called @TheMedicalShots. "This is cute, isn't it?" reads the tweet's caption, which also includes a heart-eyed emoji. The tweet has sparked a huge response on the social media platform, garnering more than 20,000 likes, more than 4,700 retweets and thousands of comments. "No it's not. Why isn't she a Dr as well? Or why is the boy not a nurse?" one person tweeted in response to the claim the picture is "cute". The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Show all 12 1 /12 The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Anne Hathaway The 32-year-old actress said she has already experiences job rejections because of her age. Now I'm in my early thirties and I'm like, 'Why did that 24-year-old get that part? I was that 24-year-old once. I can't be upset about it, it's the way things are, she told Glamour. EPA The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Helen Mirren On news that Maggie Gyllenhaal had been turned down for being too old, aged 37, to play a 55-year-old mans partner: Its f***ing outrageous. Its ridiculous. Honestly, its so annoying. And twas ever thus. We all watched James Bond as he got more and more geriatric, and his girlfriends got younger and younger. Its so annoying. Getty The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Maggie Gyllenhaal Gyllenhaal revealed she was told by a Hollywood producer that she was too old, aged 37, to play the love interest of a 55-year-old man. It was astonishing to me. It made me feel bad, and then it made feel angry, and then it made me laugh, she said at the time. Getty Images The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Meryl Streep Meryl Streep has helped fund an all-female screenwriters group called The Writers Lab to encourage more women to pen Hollywood scripts. She previously told Vogue in 2011: Once women pass childbearing age they could only be seen as grotesque on some level. Getty The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Emma Thompson The actress said she thought Hollywood is still completely s*** when it comes to treating women equally to men. When I was younger, I really did think we were on our way to a better world. And when I look at it now, it is in a worse state than I have known it, particularly for women, and I find that very disturbing and sad. EPA The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Elizabeth Banks Banks said she was driven from acting to directing due to the lack of roles for older women in Hollywood. "[Industry sexism] drove me to direct for sure. I definitely was feeling that I was unfulfilled and a little bit bored by the things that were coming across my desk. I mean look at Gwyneth Paltrow who has her Oscar [for Shakespeare in Love] and played fifth banana to Iron Man, she told Deadline. PA The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Viola Davis I had never seen a 49-year-old, dark-skinned woman who is not a size 2 be a sexualised role in TV or film. I'm a sexual woman, but nothing in my career has ever identified me as a sexualised woman. I was the prototype of the mommified role, she told The Hollywood Reporter. Getty The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Liv Tyler The Lord of the Rings actress said she only get cast in roles where she is treated as a second class citizen at the age of 38. When youre in your teens or twenties, there is an abundance of ingenue parts which are exciting to play. But at [my age], youre usually the wife or the girlfriend - a sort of second-class citizen. There are more interesting roles for women when they get a bit older, she told More magazine. Getty Images The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Cate Blanchett The actress famously called out sexism on the red carpet at the 2014 Screen Actors Guild Awards. When a camera operator scanned her up and down, she said: Do you do this to the guys? In her Oscar acceptance speech for Blue Jasmine, she reminded the film industry that movies with leading women can still be successful. And thank you to... those of us in the industry who are still foolishly clinging to the idea that female films, with women at the centre, are niche experiences. They are not -- audiences want to see them and, in fact, they earn money. The world is round, people. Gareth Cattermole/Getty The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Ellen Page Asked if she had ever encountered sexism in Hollywood, Page told The Guardian: Oh my God, yeah! It's constant! It's how you're treated, it's how you're looked at, how you're expected to look in a photoshoot, it's how you're expected to shut up and not have an opinion, it's how you... If you're a girl and you don't fit the very specific vision of what a girl should be, which is always from a man's perspective, then you're a little bit at a loss. Getty Images The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Zoe Saldana The actress says she refuses roles where she has to play the generic girlfriend, wife or sexy bombshell. "It's very hard being a woman in a man's world, and I recognised it was a man's world even when I was a kid. It's an inequality and injustice that drove me crazy, and which I always spoke out against and I've always been outspoken, she told Manhattan magazine. Getty The actors fighting against sexism in Hollywood Charlize Theron The actress spoke to ELLE about negotiating equal pay for the Snow White and the Huntsman sequel: "This is a good time for us to bring this to a place of fairness, and girls need to know that being a feminist is a good thing. It doesn't mean that you hate men. It means equal rights. If you're doing the same job, you should be compensated and treated in the same way." Andreas Rentz/Getty Images "How did you tweet this from the year 1950?" another added. Some Twitter users took it upon themselves to make edits to the photograph, with one altering the picture so both children have the phrase "health professional in training" written on the back of their scrubs. Another took their edit a step further, also removing any colour from the picture. "I de-pinked it too, for good measure. #marriedtoaladydoctor #workwithladydoctors #everysingleday," the person tweeted. While many have concurred on the view that the photograph is sexist, some have claimed assuming the "nurse" in pink is a girl and the "doctor" in green is a boy is, in itself, a stereotypical supposition. "Why do people assume just because someone with short hair and wears blue is a boy? The gender stereotype is pure excusable sexist [sic]," one person tweeted. "All the replies calling this sexist and gender stereotyping are making their assumption based on what - the hair styles? Really!?" another remarked. However, it seems the overwhelming consensus among Twitter users was that the picture does perpetuate sexist stereotypes. "Sorry, I live in a world where women can be doctors too," one person tweeted, alongside a GIF of actor Gillian Anderson in The X-Files rolling her eyes. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events A recent study conducted by gender equality and women's rights charity the Fawcett Society claimed that being exposed to gender stereotypes in childhood can have a detrimental impact on individuals later in life. According to the research, seven in 10 women aged between 18 and 34 who were affected by stereotypes said their career choices were restricted. It was also found that by six years old, many children associate intelligence as a predominantly male trait. When Andrew Berends mentioned where he was emailing from, it wasnt uncommon to have to look it up. Just spent the night in Makassar and headed to Palu this afternoon, he wrote to me in October shortly after the tsunami in Indonesia, sending me yet again to search Google Maps. Recommended Yannis Behrakis covered the most tumultuous events around the world We were last supposed to meet December. I was coming through San Francisco and he was living in Berkeley but a last-minute project sent the award-winning documentary maker and photographer to Mali the night before. So it went with Andy. Though he grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson, about 40 miles north of New York City, and spent much of his adult life based in Brooklyn, Berends, who died aged 46, was most at home when he was out there. In the world. He lived for several stretches in Nairobi. His filmmaking took him from fishing boats off the Netherlands to war-torn villages in the Nuba Mountains of South Sudan; rebel bases in the Nigerian delta and combat zones in Iraq. Berends rushed straight to Haiti after the devastating earthquake in 2010, without so much as an assignment. In the past year or two he filmed projects for organisations such as the UN, Unicef and the Red Cross, covering natural disasters in Indonesia and North Carolina, and the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh. But it was never the battles or devastation that he was looking to frame. It was the humanity caught in the middle. A humanity that this tall, lanky and blond American could uniquely connect to with deep empathy, no matter how out of place he looked in these remote villages of the world. At Nayapara Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh last year (Andrew Berends/Facebook) (Andrew Berends / Facebook) When Berends posted photographs in the field, they were frequently of him with that big smile, surrounded by children. Berends feature-length documentary, Madinas Dream (2015), offered an unflinching, intimate look of the rebels and refugees of what he described as the forgotten war in South Sudan. A year earlier, the New York Timess Op-Docs series ran a five-minute version of that film, featuring two 11-year-old girls whom Berends came across in a refugee camp. When I met them, they were making open-air dollhouses filled with intricate figures they had sculpted from clay, Berends wrote in the accompanying write-up. They filled the houses with beds, pots and stoves, all remnants of their former lives. In Yida, South Sudan, in 2012 (Andrew Berends/Facebook) (Andrew Berends / Facebook) This was the exact kind of observation that defined his filmmaking, grounding his work with a touching specificity. Berends asked the girls to make more figures to express their experiences to him. The next day he found theyd made over a hundred, including tanks, helicopters, rebels, machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. He wrote, [they] told me stories of witnessing family members killed by soldiers and how they hid in caves while airplanes bombed their village. They told me about walking for days to escape the war, and how they dreamed of one day returning home. Berends often risked his life to tell these stories. He spent six months working in and out of combat situations in Iraq in 2003, emerging with two documentaries released in 2005. The Blood of My Brother, which won the International Documentary Associations courage under fire award, portrays the aftermath for the family of an Iraqi man killed by an American patrol while he was guarding a mosque. When Adnan Comes Home follows the tragedy that unspools for a boy who is arrested for stealing two metres of electric cable. Berends always sought the complex humanity, not the simple headlines, from points of view that were scarcely seen. In 2008 Berends spent weeks working his way into the camp of Nigerian rebels for what became The Delta Boys (2012), in which he explores the story of what drives two very different militants. The film also pauses to capture the ordeal of a 22-year-old woman struggling to give birth in a nearby fishing village, with no medical care, as the rebels launch raids just across the river Before he could finish filming, Berends was arrested by Nigerian officials and accused of spying. His passport and equipment were confiscated. He swallowed his sim card to protect his contacts. He was detained for 10 days before getting deported with no charges, worrying for the safety of his local translator. One of Berends last projects, Free Solo (2018), for which he did additional camerawork, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature less than a week before he died. Andrew was born to author Polly Berrien Berends and Jan Berends. (He is survived by his brother, also called Jan, his sister-in-law Marsha Brofka-Berends, his niece Sylvia, and his father.) After graduating from Hastings High School, he graduated with a BA in film studies from Wesleyan University in 1994. He then embarked a career of film-editing for advertising firms while directing his own documentaries and shooting and editing for a host of other filmmakers and NGOs on locations around the world. Berends survived bouts of serious depression, but a diagnosis of Parkinsons disease last year, combined with other circumstances, appears to have resulted in his decision to take his own life. Two years ago, while in the depths of his struggles, Berends created a short showreel that is currently being shared widely as a testimony to his talents. It highlights the fluid poetry of his cinematography, the intense intimacy, the closeness to battle and its effects on those caught around it that defined his filmmaking. But nothing captures the essence of Andrews work like its final moments. A girl dashing to safety amid a violent clash, barefoot. Another girl kneeling in a field, staring as a band of soldiers march past her in the background. Perhaps his key strength was capturing these contrasts, the innocence surrounded by chaos that seemed to drive him. Andrew Berends, documentary filmmaker and photographer, born 19 March 1972, died 1 March 2019 Enormous seismic events that took place at the equator are responsible for the plummeting global temperatures that have marked each of Earths ice ages, according to a new study. As the plates of the planets crust smashed into each other, they left vast areas of oceanic rock exposed. Scientists think the high temperatures of the tropics triggered a chemical reaction that led to these rocks sucking massive volumes of CO2 from the atmosphere. Just as the rising CO2 from human industry is causing global temperatures to rise, removing it has had the opposite effect, bringing temperatures down and triggering ice ages. Over the course of Earths history, the planet has experienced three enormous ice ages in which glaciers and frozen regions extend far beyond the polar caps each lasting several million years. Glacier collapse shows climate impact Show all 20 1 /20 Glacier collapse shows climate impact Glacier collapse shows climate impact An iceberg floats in a fjord near the town of Tasiilaq Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Meltwater pools on top of the Helheim glacier near Tasiilaq Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Safety officer Brian Rougeux works with student Febin Magar to assemble a radar dome while working in a science camp on the side of the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Airplane Mechanic, David Fuller, left, works with a local worker to move a Nasa Gulfstream III during a pre-flight inspection before a flight to support the Oceans Melting Greenland research mission Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Meltwater pools on top of the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Earth Science Flight Programs Director at Nasa, Eric Ianson, looks out at the Greenland ice sheet Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Glacial ice is seen from the window during the Nasa flight Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Oceanographer David Holland's science camp on the side of the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact An iceberg floats in a fjord near the town of Tasiilaq Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact A large crevasse forms near the calving front of the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Safety officer Brian Rougeux uses a drill to install antennas for scientific instruments that will be left on top of the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Tabular icebergs float in the Sermilik Fjord after a large calving event at the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Radar Engineer, Ron Muellerschoen, monitors data collection inside a NASA Gulfstream III flying above Greenland to measure loss to the country's ice sheet Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact GPS tracking equipment is left on top of the Helheim glacier REUTERS Glacier collapse shows climate impact Sunshine lights up the Helheim glacier Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact A glacial terminus above the east coast of Greenland REUTERS Glacier collapse shows climate impact Student Febin Magar watches as leftover wood burns in a research camp Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Tabular icebergs float in the Sermilik Fjord after a large calving event Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact Oceanographer David Holland repairs a broken GPS module at his research camp Reuters Glacier collapse shows climate impact An iceberg floats in a fjord near the town of Tasiilaq Reuters The most recent ice age began 35 million years ago and is still technically on-going, marked by the spread of ice sheets across Greenland and Antarctica. At the point where two plates collide, they create mountain ranges containing sutures clear fault lines containing newly exposed rock. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology realised the emergence of sutures over the course of millennia coincided with the onset of each major ice age. Recommended Giant fish washed up dead in Japan raise fear of earthquake or tsunami They also found that while some sutures, such as the one located in the Himalayas, had over time moved away from the equator, each one had its origins in the tropics. We found that every time there was a peak in the suture zone in the tropics, there was a glaciation event, said Dr Oliver Jagoutz, a geologist at MIT who led the study. So every time you get, say, 10,000km of sutures in the tropics, you get an ice age. While the reaction of substances like calcium and magnesium in the rocks with CO2 was the starting point for global cooling, it has also had a role in ending each ice age. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Once all the rock that was available to react with the CO2 had been weathered away, it could no longer store any more climate-warming gas, leading to temperatures rising. Despite the planet currently experiencing a relatively icy period, global temperatures are rising as human activity pumps huge volumes of carbon emissions into the atmosphere. While employing the planets geology to somehow reverse this process seems like an appealing idea, Dr Jagoutz said it is unlikely to be much help. The Earth does this in a slow, geological process that has nothing to do with what we do to the Earth today. And it will neither harm us, nor save us, he said. These results were published in the journal Science. 14 March is celebrated by some as the most exciting day in mathematics when the date lines up in the numbers of the famous constant, Pi or . But some people would rather it isnt celebrated at all. The day looks like 3.14 for those that write dates in the month then day format, but that is rarely used outside of the Americas. Many people instead opt to celebrate the potentially more interesting Pi approximation day, which takes place on 22 July or 22/7 a way of working out an approximate value for Pi for use in rough calculations. And still others would rather that Pi day was not celebrated at all, and say that the number should not be treated with such reverence. Instead, they say that we should use Tau a number that serves much the same purpose and can be celebrated on 28 June, or 6/28 in America. Science news in pictures Show all 20 1 /20 Science news in pictures Science news in pictures Pluto has 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen Pluto has a 'beating heart' of frozen nitrogen that is doing strange things to its surface, Nasa has found. The mysterious core seems to be the cause of features on its surface that have fascinated scientists since they were spotted by Nasa's New Horizons mission. "Before New Horizons, everyone thought Pluto was going to be a netball - completely flat, almost no diversity," said Tanguy Bertrand, an astrophysicist and planetary scientist at NASA's Ames Research Center and the lead author on the new study. "But it's completely different. It has a lot of different landscapes and we are trying to understand what's going on there." Getty Science news in pictures Over 400 species discovered this year by Natural History Museum The ancient invertabrate worm-like species rhenopyrgus viviani (pictured) is one of over 400 species previously unknown to science that were discovered by experts at the Natural History Museum this year PA Science news in pictures Jackdaws can identify 'dangerous' humans Jackdaws can identify dangerous humans from listening to each others warning calls, scientists say. The highly social birds will also remember that person if they come near their nests again, according to researchers from the University of Exeter. In the study, a person unknown to the wild jackdaws approached their nest. At the same time scientists played a recording of a warning call (threatening) or contact calls (non-threatening). The next time jackdaws saw this same person, the birds that had previously heard the warning call were defensive and returned to their nests more than twice as quickly on average. Getty Science news in pictures Turtle embryos influence sex by shaking The sex of the turtle is determined by the temperatures at which they are incubated. Warm temperatures favour females. But by wiggling around the egg, embryos can find the Goldilocks Zone which means they are able to shield themselves against extreme thermal conditions and produce a balanced sex ratio, according to the new study published in Current Biology journal Ye et al/Current Biology Science news in pictures Elephant poaching rates drop in Africa African elephant poaching rates have dropped by 60 per cent in six years, an international study has found. It is thought the decline could be associated with the ivory trade ban introduced in China in 2017. Reuters Science news in pictures Ancient four-legged whale discovered in Peru Scientists have identified a four-legged creature with webbed feet to be an ancestor of the whale. Fossils unearthed in Peru have led scientists to conclude that the enormous creatures that traverse the planets oceans today are descended from small hoofed ancestors that lived in south Asia 50 million years ago A. Gennari Science news in pictures Animal with transient anus discovered A scientist has stumbled upon a creature with a transient anus that appears only when it is needed, before vanishing completely. Dr Sidney Tamm of the Marine Biological Laboratory could not initially find any trace of an anus on the species. However, as the animal gets full, a pore opens up to dispose of waste Steven G Johnson Science news in pictures Giant bee spotted Feared extinct, the Wallace's Giant bee has been spotted for the first time in nearly 40 years. An international team of conservationists spotted the bee, that is four times the size of a typical honeybee, on an expedition to a group of Indonesian Islands Clay Bolt Science news in pictures New mammal species found inside crocodile Fossilised bones digested by crocodiles have revealed the existence of three new mammal species that roamed the Cayman Islands 300 years ago. The bones belonged to two large rodent species and a small shrew-like animal New Mexico Museum of Natural History Science news in pictures Fabric that changes according to temperature created Scientists at the University of Maryland have created a fabric that adapts to heat, expanding to allow more heat to escape the body when warm and compacting to retain more heat when cold Faye Levine, University of Maryland Science news in pictures Baby mice tears could be used in pest control A study from the University of Tokyo has found that the tears of baby mice cause female mice to be less interested in the sexual advances of males Getty Science news in pictures Final warning to limit "climate catastrophe" The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has issued a report which projects the impact of a rise in global temperatures of 1.5 degrees Celsius and warns against a higher increase Getty Science news in pictures Nobel prize for evolution chemists The nobel prize for chemistry has been awarded to three chemists working with evolution. Frances Smith is being awarded the prize for her work on directing the evolution of enzymes, while Gregory Winter and George Smith take the prize for their work on phage display of peptides and antibodies Getty/AFP Science news in pictures Nobel prize for laser physicists The nobel prize for physics has been awarded to three physicists working with lasers. Arthur Ashkin (L) was awarded for his "optical tweezers" which use lasers to grab particles, atoms, viruses and other living cells. Donna Strickland and Gerard Mourou were jointly awarded the prize for developing chirped-pulse amplification of lasers Reuters/AP Science news in pictures Discovery of a new species of dinosaur The Ledumahadi Mafube roamed around 200 million years ago in what is now South Africa. Recently discovered by a team of international scientists, it was the largest land animal of its time, weighing 12 tons and standing at 13 feet. In Sesotho, the South African language of the region in which the dinosaur was discovered, its name means "a giant thunderclap at dawn" Viktor Radermacher / SWNS Science news in pictures Birth of a planet Scientists have witnessed the birth of a planet for the first time ever. This spectacular image from the SPHERE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope is the first clear image of a planet caught in the very act of formation around the dwarf star PDS 70. The planet stands clearly out, visible as a bright point to the right of the center of the image, which is blacked out by the coronagraph mask used to block the blinding light of the central star. ESO/A. Muller et al Science news in pictures New human organ discovered that was previously missed by scientists Layers long thought to be dense, connective tissue are actually a series of fluid-filled compartments researchers have termed the interstitium. These compartments are found beneath the skin, as well as lining the gut, lungs, blood vessels and muscles, and join together to form a network supported by a mesh of strong, flexible proteins Getty Science news in pictures Previously unknown society lived in Amazon rainforest before Europeans arrived, say archaeologists Working in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, a team led by archaeologists at the University of Exeter unearthed hundreds of villages hidden in the depths of the rainforest. These excavations included evidence of fortifications and mysterious earthworks called geoglyphs Jose Iriarte Science news in pictures One in 10 people have traces of cocaine or heroin on fingerprints, study finds More than one in 10 people were found to have traces of class A drugs on their fingers by scientists developing a new fingerprint-based drug test. Using sensitive analysis of the chemical composition of sweat, researchers were able to tell the difference between those who had been directly exposed to heroin and cocaine, and those who had encountered it indirectly. Getty Science news in pictures Nasa releases stunning images of Jupiter's great red spot The storm bigger than the Earth, has been swhirling for 350 years. The image's colours have been enhanced after it was sent back to Earth. Pictures by: Tom Momary The complaints about the date are relatively obvious. Most places around the world use a different system to the US, where Pi Day was born. By far the most popular date format is day/month/year, as is used in the UK as well as much of Asia, Australia, Africa and South America. It is not possible to write Pi day using that format, but it is easy to write Pi approximation day. In China and many other countries in south-east Asia, dates are written year/month/day. It is possible to do Pi day in that format since the day (14) does follow the month (3), but the year comes first and throws that off slightly. But the complaints about the competitor to Pi Day, Tau Day, are much more aggressive and campaigners for the change have made a website and a full manifesto, laying out exactly why the world is wrong. That manifesto, written by Tau fan Michael Hartl, is dedicated to the true circle constant, which he says should be referred to by the Greek letter Tau. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The number itself is simply Pi, but doubled 6.28318, and so on. That makes it easier to use in many applications, campaigners claim. But those behind the Tau manifesto admit that they are facing a difficult challenge: a powerful conspiracy, centuries old, determined to propagate pro-Pi propaganda. But they hope that they can prove that Pi is a confusing and unnatural choice for the circle constant, they say, even if the name of the constant and its day doesnt actually change. To settle the argument, some people have taken to celebrating a specific Tau time on Pi day 6.28pm. That is when, for instance, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology sends out its admissions decisions over the internet, which was a change made to welcome Tau into the celebrations. 1845 N. Orchard St., Chicago: $5,989,888 | Listed: Nov. 9, 2021 This six-bedroom home has six full bathrooms, two half baths, and a carved limestone and brick exterior. The Christopher Peacock kitchen has Waterworks fixtures, a farmers sink and two Subzero refrigerator/freezers. It also opens to the living room, which leads to an outdoor area with a full kitchen, seating areas, and a wood-burning fireplace. On the second floor, the primary bedroom suite features a dressing room and morning kitchen and an en suite bath with a separate shower and soaking tub. Three additional en suite bedrooms are also on the second floor. Other features include a wine cellar, a library, a media room with a Savant projection and audio system and an attached four-car garage with extra storage. Agent: Carrie McCormick, @properties, 312-961-4612 *Some listing photos are virtually staged, meaning they have been digitally altered to represent different furnishing or decorating options. To feature your luxury listing of $800,000 or more in Chicago Tribunes Dream Homes, send listing information and high-res photos to ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com. Join our Chicago Dream Homes Facebook group for more luxury listings and real estate news. Two police officer lovers who showed cynical disdain for child abuse victims by effectively sabotaging investigations into their suffering have been found guilty of criminal misconduct. After the guilty verdicts against Sharon Patterson and Lee Pollard, it can also be reported that the two detective constables were part of a specialist Essex police team that had to be split up amid concerns about 55 child abuse investigations involving 59 potential victims. When the IPCC revealed it was investigating in 2015, Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston admitted it was likely that there were people subsequently abused because of a failure by police to investigate. But Pollard and Patterson were the only ones to be put on trial for criminal offences relating to the scandal that hit Essexs North Child Abuse Investigation Team . The Old Bailey trial heard that in their professional life the two lovers had for three years acted out of laziness, self-preservation and sometimes a cynical disdain for complainants. On one occasion, the court heard, Patterson cancelled an appointment to view social service records connected with a case by saying: Im required to assist another officer with something more pressing. In court she denied that the more pressing matter was getting her nails done before enjoying a long lunch and lashings of Chinese grub with her lover and fellow officer Pollard. But she had to admit she couldnt remember what the real more pressing matter had been. Leaving Neverland photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Show all 9 1 /9 Leaving Neverland photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Leaving Neverland photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Michael Jackson with accuser Wade Robson Sundance Insitute Leaving Neverland photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Accuser Wade Robson meeting Michael Jackson for the first time Channel 4 Leaving Neverland photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Michael Jackson with the Robson family Channel 4 Leaving Neverland photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Michael Jackson at the home of accuser James Safechuck Channel 4 Leaving Neverland photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Dan Reed approached the Michael Jackson documentary with 'all the scepticism and rigorousness that I would approach a story about a terrorist attack' Channel 4 Leaving Neverland photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Michael Jackson leaves the courtroom on a break at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse for the second day of closing arguments in his child molestation trial in Santa Maria, California, 2005 AFP/Getty Leaving Neverland photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Michael Jackson accuser Wade Robson Channel 4 Leaving Neverland photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers James Safechuck, another of Jackson's accusers Channel 4 Leaving Neverland photos show Michael Jackson with his accusers Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed Channel 4 The court heard the couple had begun an affair soon after Pollard, 47, joined the unit in the autumn of 2011. Patterson, 49, a mother-of-three, told the court that when her husband became suspicious just before Christmas 2011, she composed a text, intended for Pollard, saying [He] knows about us, before accidentally sending it to her husband. She moved out of the family home in early 2012 and divorced in 2013, the year Pollard permanently split from his wife. The couple now live together in Colchester, Essex. They denied three counts each of misconduct in a public office between 2011 and 2014. After jury deliberations spread over four days, Patterson was found guilty of one charge and cleared of a second while Pollard was convicted of two charges of misconduct. The jury was discharged from considering one more charge against each defendant. These will lie on court file. Patterson and Pollard will be sentenced on 3 May. Alexandra Healy QC, prosecuting, had told the jury the pairs conduct went beyond incompetence [and] the effect was that allegations involving child sex offences were not properly investigated. The court heard that on 23 November 2012, 14 minutes after cancelling the appointment to view social services records, Patterson emailed Pollard: I'm going to get my nails done - what colour would you suggest? There was then a four-and-a-half-hour gap in the email exchange, before Pollard sent Patterson a message at 2.17pm, saying Thank you for lunch. I love you." Patterson replied: It was lovely to spend time with you. Thank you and I love you heaps!! LOL." Pollard wrote back saying "We ate lashings and lashings of Chinese grub," receiving the reply: And it was scrumptious. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Patterson denied cancelling the social service records appointment so she could get her nails done, and insisted the Chinese restaurant was not suitable for a long lunch because it only offered a buffet menu and had uncomfortable chairs. In their defence, the pair said they had been overworked, their case load increasing to hard-to-manage proportions through other officers going off sick and the revelations about Jimmy Savile creating a climate where people felt able to come forward with their own historic abuse allegations. Patterson and Pollard are likely to remain the only officers to be convicted of criminal offences after problems were uncovered with cases investigated by Essex's North Child Abuse Investigation Team between 2011 and 2014. The CPS ruled that the evidence did not support the prosecution of four others of detective constable or detective sergeant rank. After 296 Essex child abuse cases were looked at, 55 were referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). A total of 30 officers, including Patterson and Pollard, were subject to some form of disciplinary investigation. One DC, who had remained a serving officer, was sacked for gross misconduct after a hearing in October 2018. Of the 27 other officers, 11 were subject to some form of internal police discipline, including three who had misconduct proven against them. Seven officers retired or resigned prior to a full investigation into their conduct. Seven others were found to have no case to answer and two were cleared of misconduct after a disciplinary hearing. After the Old Bailey trial ended on Thursday, Essex Polices Assistant Chief Constable Andy Prophet apologised to the affected child abuse victims, saying: Nothing is more important than protecting children. The trial highlighted that between 2011 and 2014 we let a number of victims and their families down. Those victims had suffered child abuse, one of the most heinous crimes imaginable. On behalf of the force, I would like to reiterate our apologies to those affected we are sorry. My commitment to those affected, and the wider public, is that since this came to light, Essex Police has improved greatly in the way we investigate these complex crimes. The concerns about the unit came to light in 2014 after a victim complained her signature had been forged - and misspelled - on a statement taken by Patterson. The case was reassigned and resulted in a conviction in 2015. The Old Bailey heard that Pollard failed to investigate an allegation of sexual touching by a teenager then lied by claiming no further action was to be taken, on CPS advice. It can now also be reported that in September 2015 he was dismissed for gross misconduct. According to a report at the time, he accessed, copied and disclosed another officer's computerised application for a job promotion without the individual's permission and then disclosed it to another officer who was considering applying for the same post. This was described as "a deliberate and flagrant breach of honesty and integrity". Following the convictions, Busola Johnson, from the CPS, said that Patterson and Pollard showed complete contempt for the positions they held". Only one former British soldier is to be put on trial after the Bloody Sunday shootings that left 13 dead in Derry, Northern Ireland, 47 years ago. The announcement of the single prosecution is the latest controversial addition to the bitter legacy of an incident that still sours UK politics. On 30 January in 1972, British paratroopers opened fire on what was classed as an illegal civil rights march through Derrys Bogside area. Seventeen former soldiers of the 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment had been awaiting decisions on whether or not there was enough evidence to prosecute them. The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) of Northern Ireland decided to put only one of those ex-soldiers on trial, without taking action against the other 16. Relatives of those who died said they were terribly disappointed but vowed: The Bloody Sunday families are not finished yet. In marked contrast, UK defence secretary Gavin Williamson issued a statement saying the soldier facing prosecution would receive the Ministry of Defences full legal and pastoral support, and the government would urgently drive through a package of safeguards [to] ensure our armed forces are not unfairly treated. His statement made no mention of the 13 who died on Bloody Sunday, or their relatives. Remembering The Troubles in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Remembering The Troubles in pictures Remembering The Troubles in pictures A British soldier attacks a protester in Derry on Bloody Sunday Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures The Northern Ireland Civil Rights movement marches in London in 1968 to demand the same voting rights afforded to the rest of Britain Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association marching on the streets of Derry in 1968 BBC Remembering The Troubles in pictures The Battle of the Bogside in Derry in August 1969 was among the first violent episodes of the Troubles The Battle of the Bogside in Derry in August 1969 was among the first violent episodes of the Troubles Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures British soldiers take cover behind their armoured cars as they use CS gas to disperse rioters in Derry on Bloody Sunday PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures Hugh Gilmore (third left) clutches his stomach after being shot by a British soldier on Bloody Sunday. Gilmore was one of 14 to be shot dead on 30 January 1972 PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures A man receives attention after being shot on Bloody Sunday in Derry PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures A young man is led away by paramedics after being injured on Bloody Sunday PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures The British Embassy at Merrion Square in Dublin is bombed following a march to protest three days after the Bloody Sunday shootings Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures Independent MO for Mid-Ulster Bernadette Devlin talks to the press after she hit Home Secretary Reginald Maudling for lying about the Bloody Sunday shootings in his statement to the House of Commons the day after the incident. Devlin had been in Derry at the time of the shootings and was moved to strike the Home Secretary after he claimed that British soldiers had only fired at protesters in defence Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures Members of a Catholic community in Newry stage a protest against the Bloody Sunday shootings AFP/Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures Relatives mourn over the coffin of a victim of Bloody Sunday on 1 April 1972 Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures Thousands attend the annual Bloody Sunday memorial march in Derry on 30 January 1995 PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures UK prime minister Tony Blair and the Irish taoiseach Bertie Ahern sign the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures A view over residential Derry in 2019 shows a mural on Rossville Street, where soldiers opened fire on Bloody Sunday Getty The ex-serviceman facing charges is the former paratrooper referred to as Soldier F. He is to face two charges of murder, in connection with the deaths of James Wray and William McKinney, and four charges of attempted murder of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick ODonnell. After meeting bereaved relatives to explain the decisions, Stephen Herron, director of the PPS, admitted many families had been left greatly upset. Mr Herron said: I am mindful it has been a long road for the families to reach this point and today will be another extremely difficult day for many of them. We recognise the deep disappointment felt by many of those we met with today. He stressed: I wish to clearly state that where a decision has been reached not to prosecute, that this is in no way diminishes any finding by the Bloody Sunday inquiry that those killed or injured were not posing a threat to any of the soldiers. There has been a level of expectation around the prosecution decisions in light of the findings of the Bloody Sunday inquiry. However, much of the material which was available for consideration by the inquiry is not admissible in criminal proceedings, due to strict rules of evidence that apply. As prosecutors, we are required to be wholly objective in our approach. However, that does not mean that we do not have compassion for all those who are affected by our decisions. The decisions announced on Thursday relate only to allegations of criminal conduct on Bloody Sunday itself. Mr Herron said allegations of perjury by the former soldiers remained to be considered. But expectations had been much higher among bereaved relatives who had marched through Bogside on Thursday morning, before the PPS decisions were announced. Many of them had been campaigning for criminal trials since 1972. John Kelly, who saw his 17-year-old brother Michael die on Bloody Sunday, insisted that morning: Those soldiers have to face the consequences of what they did. It was pure carnage. Afterwards, as the families gathered in Derrys Guildhall to give their reaction, Mr Kelly said many had received a terrible disappointment. But he welcomed the positive news for the six families impacted by the decision to prosecute Soldier F. Their victory is our victory, he said. And highlighting that there were legal means of challenging the decisions not to prosecute, Mr Kelly added: The Bloody Sunday families are not finished yet. Ciaran Shiels, a solicitor for some of the bereaved relatives, explained: We will give detailed consideration to the reasons provided for decisions not to prosecute the other soldiers, with a view to making further submissions to the prosecution service. We shall ultimately challenge in the High Court, by way of judicial review, any prosecutorial decision that does not withstand scrutiny. Meanwhile, Mr Williamson confirmed the MoD would pay Soldier Fs legal costs. He said: We are indebted to those soldiers who served with courage and distinction to bring peace to Northern Ireland. The MoD is working across government to drive through a new package of safeguards to ensure our armed forces are not unfairly treated. The government will urgently reform the system for dealing with legacy issues. Our serving and former personnel cannot live in constant fear of prosecution. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr Williamson was backed by Alan Barry, the founder of the Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans group, who said the prosecution of Soldier F was one soldier too many. Its very one-sided, he said. No soldier should be charged. It happened 47 years ago. A line in the sand needs to be drawn and people need to move on. Two former members of the Official IRA a rival faction to the better known Provisional IRA also faced decisions on whether they could be prosecuted over their actions on Bloody Sunday. But the PPS ruled the two former IRA men and the 16 ex-soldiers would not stand trial because there was insufficient evidence against them. The controversy surrounding the decisions suggests that even now the UK is still struggling to come to terms with one of the defining incidents of what became known as the Troubles. An image of a Catholic priest waving a blood-stained handkerchief as he tried to help a victim to safety shocked the world, but over the years, bitterly opposed narratives have emerged to explain what caused the bloodshed that day. Representatives of the soldiers insisted they only started shooting after fearing they themselves were about to come under attack from the 30,000-strong crowd. But others called the incident a massacre, accusing the paratroopers of indiscriminate shooting that left 13 innocent civilians dead and at least 15 others wounded. One of the injured, John Johnson, 59, who was shot twice, died five months later from an inoperable tumour and is counted by some as the 14th fatality. Immediately after the shootings, the Conservative government of Edward Heath seemed to side with the soldiers. The day after it happened, then-Home Secretary Reginald Maudling told the House of Commons the army returned fire after coming under attack from gunmen and bombers. Shortly after that, the Ministry of Defence put out a statement insisting: The army fired only at identified targets at attacking gunmen and bombers. At all times the soldiers obeyed instructions to fire only in self-defence or in defence of others threatened. In April 1972, a hastily convened public inquiry conducted by then Lord Chief Justice John Widgery effectively exonerated the soldiers who opened fire, by concluding that there were strong suspicions that some of those killed had been firing weapons or handling bombs on the day. The findings provoked outrage among the bereaved, who denounced the Widgery report as a whitewash. And then in January 1973, Lieutenant Colonel Derek Wilford, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours list. But eight months later, signs emerged that not everyone in the British establishment agreed with the official narrative. After an inquest jury returned an open verdict on those who died on Bloody Sunday, coroner Major Hubert ONeill said he thought that some soldiers ran amok that day and shot without thinking what they were doing. He said: They were shooting innocent people. These people may have been taking part in a march that was banned but that does not justify the troops coming in and firing live rounds indiscriminately. In 1992, John Major refused the families demands for a fresh inquiry, but in 1998 Tony Blair appointed Lord Mark Saville to chair an official investigation. It became the longest-running and most expensive public inquiry in British history, racking up 200m in costs and taking more than 2,000 witness statements, including from ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness and former prime minister Mr Heath. In 2010, the Saville Inquiry concluded that none of the soldiers fired in response to attacks by petrol-bombers or stone-throwers; none of the casualties was posing a threat; and some of those killed or injured were clearly fleeing or going to help others who had been hit. David Cameron apologised on behalf of the government and described the armys actions on Bloody Sunday as unjustified and unjustifiable. As a result, in 2012 the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) launched a long criminal investigation into the events of Bloody Sunday. After files were passed to the PPS, a senior official revealed in 2017 that the prosecution service was considering possible charges for 18 ex-soldiers, adding that four others who were originally under investigation had since died. The decision-making process was hit by delays, during which one of the 18 ex-soldiers died, bringing the total facing possible prosecutions to 17. Seventeen former British soldiers will find out today if they are to be charged in relation to the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre in Derry. The men have been told they may face trials for murder, attempted murder and causing grievous bodily injury with intent to endanger life if prosecutors in Northern Ireland believe there is enough evidence against them. Charges may also be brought against two former Official IRA members involved in the days bloodshed. Fourteen people were killed and at least 15 more wounded when British paratroopers opened fire against what was classed as an illegal civil rights march through the border city on 30 January 1972. Representatives of the soldiers who have never been publicly identified insisted they only started shooting after fearing they themselves were about to come under attack from the 30,000 strong crowd. Remembering The Troubles in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Remembering The Troubles in pictures Remembering The Troubles in pictures A British soldier attacks a protester in Derry on Bloody Sunday Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures The Northern Ireland Civil Rights movement marches in London in 1968 to demand the same voting rights afforded to the rest of Britain Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association marching on the streets of Derry in 1968 BBC Remembering The Troubles in pictures The Battle of the Bogside in Derry in August 1969 was among the first violent episodes of the Troubles The Battle of the Bogside in Derry in August 1969 was among the first violent episodes of the Troubles Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures British soldiers take cover behind their armoured cars as they use CS gas to disperse rioters in Derry on Bloody Sunday PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures Hugh Gilmore (third left) clutches his stomach after being shot by a British soldier on Bloody Sunday. Gilmore was one of 14 to be shot dead on 30 January 1972 PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures A man receives attention after being shot on Bloody Sunday in Derry PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures A young man is led away by paramedics after being injured on Bloody Sunday PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures The British Embassy at Merrion Square in Dublin is bombed following a march to protest three days after the Bloody Sunday shootings Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures Independent MO for Mid-Ulster Bernadette Devlin talks to the press after she hit Home Secretary Reginald Maudling for lying about the Bloody Sunday shootings in his statement to the House of Commons the day after the incident. Devlin had been in Derry at the time of the shootings and was moved to strike the Home Secretary after he claimed that British soldiers had only fired at protesters in defence Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures Members of a Catholic community in Newry stage a protest against the Bloody Sunday shootings AFP/Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures Relatives mourn over the coffin of a victim of Bloody Sunday on 1 April 1972 Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures Thousands attend the annual Bloody Sunday memorial march in Derry on 30 January 1995 PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures UK prime minister Tony Blair and the Irish taoiseach Bertie Ahern sign the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures A view over residential Derry in 2019 shows a mural on Rossville Street, where soldiers opened fire on Bloody Sunday Getty But initial official attempts to suggest the dead had been armed with guns or nail bombs were dismissed in what became the longest-running and most expensive public inquiry in British history. The Saville Inquiry, which lasted 12 years and ran to millions of words, concluded in 2010 that the killings had been "unjustified and unjustifiable" a finding which first opened up the possibility of criminal charges being made against the veterans involved. In a statement to the Parliament at the time, then prime minister David Cameron unreservedly apologised to the families of the victims. A police inquiry was subsequently launched against 20 suspects 18 former members of the 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, as well as two former "Official IRA" members although one soldier has since died. The complex investigation took in 668 witness statements as well as numerous physical exhibits including photographs and audio recordings before files were passed to the Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland. Reacting to the news that a decision on charges was imminent, families of those killed said they had spent almost half a century searching for justice. John Kelly, who saw his 17-year-old brother Michael killed that day, told The Guardian: He would have been 64 had he lived. Those soldiers have to face the consequence of what they did. I believe they should get a life sentence. None of them have ever shown any remorse, not at the Saville Inquiry or since. The 70-year-old added: I was with Michael when he was shot. I went in the ambulance with him. I can still see him lying there. He was a young boy. His face turned grey and a sort of green colour. I was in the mortuary afterwards. There were nine or 10 bodies. It was pure carnage. My mother never got over the loss of her son. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events In a letter to MPs pre-empting the announcement of the potential charges, the Ministry of Defence said, if any were brought, it would fund the defence bills of the veterans most of who are thought to be in their 70s and 80s. It said: We are committed to providing high-quality welfare and pastoral support to all those veterans affected by historic investigations Barristers, including senior counsel, will be instructed to represent individual veterans in any court proceedings that follow or to advise on specialist areas of laws as necessary. David Miliband, a former foreign secretary, has said Shamima Begum and other Isis suspects held in Syria should be brought home to face justice. His comments come after the death of Ms Begums three-week-old baby, which has sparked criticism of the British governments handling of her case. It is only right that the foreign women at the camp should return to their countries of origin and where it is deemed necessary ensure they face due process, he told The Independent. Whatever the possible crimes of the parents, foreign children at al-Hol camp are clearly innocent victims of the conflict and should be repatriated to their home countries in order to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Mr Miliband currently heads the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which is providing aid to thousands of Isis families like Ms Begum in al-Hol displacement camp in northern Syria. The camp has been overwhelmed by the arrival of more than 60,000 people in the last few months, mostly women and children who have fled the shrinking Isis caliphate further south. Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Show all 14 1 /14 Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Trucks full of women and children arrive from the last Isis-held areas in Deir ez-Zor, Syria Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Zikia Ibrahim, 28, with her two-year-old son and 8-month-old daughter, after fleeing the Isis caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Men who fled the last Isis-held area of Syria line up to be questioned by American and Kurdish intelligence officials Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate A young girl pulls her belongings after arriving Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate An SDF fighter hands out bread to women and children after they arrive Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Sita Ghazzar, 70, after fleeing from the last Isis-held territory in Syria Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate A family from Russia who recently fled the last Isis-held area of Syria Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent More than 100 people, mostly infant children, have died at the camp or on the journey to it during that time. Another 1,500 arrived at the camp on Thursday morning, even as the territory held by Isis has been reduced to little more than a few fields. The only thing we know for sure about them is that they lived under the control of Isis, Mr Miliband said of the camps residents. The IRC knows from our experiences helping people who fled Mosul and Raqqa that its incredibly dangerous to escape Isis territory. People either have to risk crossing an active frontline as a battle rages around them or they have to pay an exorbitantly high price to be smuggled long distances. He added that many of the deaths at the camp are due to the terrible conditions they have lived in for the past few months, in the surrounded Isis enclave. They have gone for many months without healthcare and have struggled to get enough food or water. The main causes of death have been hypothermia, pneumonia, dehydration or complications from malnutrition, he said. Women and children flee Isiss last holdout of Baghouz which is surrounded by US-backed forces (Getty) (DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP/Getty Images) Ms Begum left her home in Bethnal Green in 2015 to join Isis with three of her school friends. She arrived heavily pregnant at the al-Hol camp in early February, now aged 19, after leaving the last-held areas under the terror groups control. She gave birth to her son there shortly after, having already lost two children. The British government stripped her of her citizenship just days after he was born, leaving her unable to return to the UK. The child, named Jarrah, died a British citizen. The Independent understands there are around seven other British women in the camp, and as many as 20 children. The UK government has refused to bring any of its citizens back from Syria, and has instead taken measures, such as removing citizenship, to prevent their return whenever possible. Save the Children, which also operates in the camp, said more children may be at risk unless urgent action is taken. Many are starved, sick and emotionally distressed from what they have been through. In the overcrowded displacement camps, their lives are still at risk from infectious diseases, cold and hunger, said Sonia Khush, Save the Childrens Syria response director. A Syrian girl looks on as aid items are delivered to the al-Hol camp, where hundreds of European women and children suspected of Isis links are being held (Getty) The charity said there are an estimated 3,580 foreign children from more than 30 nationalities living in camps in northeast Syria, nearly two-thirds of them under five years old. The international community must step up its response to ensure we can meet families basic needs. In the case of foreign nationals, governments must urgently take responsibility for their citizens and put in place plans to repatriate them. There is no excuse for leaving children to die in a foreign displacement camp. The charity said that almost 30 per cent of children under the age of five screened by Save the Children for malnutrition at al-Hol camp since the start of February were acutely malnourished. A quarter of those were suffering from severe acute malnutrition, it added, meaning they could lose their lives if they are not urgently treated. Defence secretary Gavin Williamson has provoked condemnation from relatives and calls for an investigation after being accused of making grossly inappropriate comments about whether former soldiers should face prosecutions over their actions on Bloody Sunday. Relatives of some of the 13 people who were killed on Bloody Sunday have called upon the attorney general to investigate whether Mr Williamson interfered in the judicial process with remarks made six days before the decision was taken to prosecute Soldier F for two murders. Mr Williamson was also accused of insensitivity after his official statement, issued minutes after the decision to prosecute Soldier F was announced, made no mention of the 13 who died in the January 1972 shootings. Instead, Mr Williamson confirmed the Ministry of Defence would pay Soldier Fs legal costs and added: The MoD is working [on] a new package of safeguards The government will urgently reform the system for legacy issues. Our serving and former personnel cannot live in constant fear of prosecution. Labour called this statement grossly inappropriate, while others contrasted the ex-fireplace salesmans reaction with that of a former British soldier who grew up in Northern Ireland and won the military cross in Afghanistan. Remembering The Troubles in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Remembering The Troubles in pictures Remembering The Troubles in pictures A British soldier attacks a protester in Derry on Bloody Sunday Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures The Northern Ireland Civil Rights movement marches in London in 1968 to demand the same voting rights afforded to the rest of Britain Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association marching on the streets of Derry in 1968 BBC Remembering The Troubles in pictures The Battle of the Bogside in Derry in August 1969 was among the first violent episodes of the Troubles The Battle of the Bogside in Derry in August 1969 was among the first violent episodes of the Troubles Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures British soldiers take cover behind their armoured cars as they use CS gas to disperse rioters in Derry on Bloody Sunday PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures Hugh Gilmore (third left) clutches his stomach after being shot by a British soldier on Bloody Sunday. Gilmore was one of 14 to be shot dead on 30 January 1972 PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures A man receives attention after being shot on Bloody Sunday in Derry PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures A young man is led away by paramedics after being injured on Bloody Sunday PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures The British Embassy at Merrion Square in Dublin is bombed following a march to protest three days after the Bloody Sunday shootings Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures Independent MO for Mid-Ulster Bernadette Devlin talks to the press after she hit Home Secretary Reginald Maudling for lying about the Bloody Sunday shootings in his statement to the House of Commons the day after the incident. Devlin had been in Derry at the time of the shootings and was moved to strike the Home Secretary after he claimed that British soldiers had only fired at protesters in defence Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures Members of a Catholic community in Newry stage a protest against the Bloody Sunday shootings AFP/Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures Relatives mourn over the coffin of a victim of Bloody Sunday on 1 April 1972 Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures Thousands attend the annual Bloody Sunday memorial march in Derry on 30 January 1995 PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures UK prime minister Tony Blair and the Irish taoiseach Bertie Ahern sign the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures A view over residential Derry in 2019 shows a mural on Rossville Street, where soldiers opened fire on Bloody Sunday Getty While Mr Williamson made no mention of those who died or their loved ones, Doug Beattie MC, now an Ulster Unionist Party member of Northern Irelands Legislative Assembly, wrote: There are no winners here. Just victims. Its important to remember their families today. As the bereaved families expressed terrible disappointment that only one out of 17 ex-soldiers investigated would face prosecution, John Kelly, who saw his 17-year-old brother Michael die on Bloody Sunday, criticised Mr Williamson for his earlier comments about spurious prosecutions. Six days before Northern Irelands Public Prosecution Service (PPS) was due to give its decision on the Bloody Sunday soldiers, Mr Williamson had told the BBCs Nick Robinson: We need to give protections to service personnel ... to ensure we dont have spurious prosecutions. No-one in the armed forces wants to be above the law, but what we did need to do is ensure that they do have the protection so that they dont feel under threat. Its not just about Northern Ireland, but about Iraq and Afghanistan, conflicts before that and in the future. Asked whether the new protections would make a difference to the expected Bloody Sunday prosecutions, Mr Williamson had replied: Sadly, I dont think that will come in time. Speaking at the Guildhall in Derry on Thursday, Mr Kelly said the attorney general should now decide if Mr Williamson or other politicians have broken the law. Mr Kelly said: If they have, they should be charged. They cannot attempt to interfere in a judicial process just because they dont like it, or because their voters dont like it. Mr Williamson faced further criticism over the statement he made after the PPS decision was announced. Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Tony Lloyd said it was grossly inappropriate to issue a statement focusing on soldiers rights minutes after bereaved families learned that one ex-paratrooper would be prosecuted for murder and 16 others would face no action. Social media users also contrasted Mr Williamsons approach with that of former prime minister David Cameron. In 2010, after the Saville Inquiry found no soldiers fired in response to attacks, no casualties were posing a threat, and some were clearly fleeing or going to help others who were hit, Mr Cameron apologised on the governments behalf, calling the armys actions on the day unjustifiable. One Twitter user wrote of Mr Williamson: He does realise the soldier has been charged with MURDER, not bunking off guard duty or the like. MURDER! Incredible statement, but in all honesty not unexpected. MPs will vote today on whether to give the public a fresh referendum on Brexit after John Bercow selected an amendment that could lead to a Final Say vote. It will be the first time the Commons has held a formal vote on the issue of another referendum and will take place during another day of high drama in Westminster. The motion, tabled by The Independent Group's Sarah Wollaston, will be voted on tonight during a debate on whether to seek a delay to Brexit. It orders Theresa May to seek to delay Brexit for the purposes of legislating for and conducting a public vote in which the people of the United Kingdom may give their consent" for either leaving the EU on the terms of a deal agreed by Parliament or remaining in the bloc. The amendment is backed by MPs from Labour, the SNP, Plaid Cymru, the Liberal Democrats and The Independent Group. Recommended MPs bid to control Brexit agenda with votes on all options However, it is unlikely to pass unless it is supported by the Labour leadership and around 25 Conservative rebels. Labour's position on another referendum has been unclear in recent days, with shadow Brexit secretary Keir Starmer saying he was "proud" to support one while shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said it would be "disastrous". Other pro-referendum MPs had wanted to hold off on tabling a motion calling for a fresh public vote until it was more likely to be approved by MPs. A spokesperson for the People's Vote campaign said: "We do not think today is the right time to test the will of the House on the case for a new public vote. Instead, this is the time for parliament to declare it wants an extension of Article 50 so that, after two and a half years of vexed negotiations, our political leaders ca finally decide on what Brexit means." Mr Bercow, the Commons speaker, did not select a rival amendment that suggested another referendum "would be divisive and expensive, and therefore should not take place". That prompted anger from Tory Brexiteers, with senior Eurosceptic Sir Bernard Jenkin suggesting it was a sign of the speaker's pro-EU bias. "What are we to conclude on your own views on these matters?", he asked Mr Bercow. The vote on the proposal for another public vote will take place shortly before MPs vote on a government motion proposing a short delay to Brexit until June if MPs pass a withdrawal agreement by 20 March, or a much longer extension if they do not. A number of amendments have been put forward suggesting different courses of action. One, tabled by a group of senior cross-party backbenchers, calls for Brexit to be delayed "to enable the House of Commons to find a way forward that can command majority support". It proposes holding a series of "indicative votes" to determine what kind of Brexit MPs might support. Another motion, put forward by Labour's Chris Bryant, seeks to stop Ms May holding another vote on her Brexit deal next week. It says that parliamentary rules prevent a vote being held on a motion or amendment that is the same as one that has already been voted on in the current session. As such, the motion "orders the government not to move a further motion" asking MPs to approve the exit plan that has already been twice rejected by the Commons. A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Show all 65 1 /65 A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit An estimated 700,000 people marched through London to demand a final say on the withdrawal agreement Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Red smoke from a canister hangs in the air as around 100,000 demonstrators march through London during a People's Vote anti-brexit demonstration savings banners and placards Anti-Brexit People's Vote March for the Future in London Rex A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Mayor of London Sadiq Khan takes part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 Protesters wearing final Say shirts and holding placards Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit MP Chuka Umunna (left) and MP Vince Cable (right) as MP Anna Soubry (centre) addresses Anti-Brexit campaigners at a rally after the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A Peoples Vote march attendee calls for a Final Say Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators with banners 'We're with EU' during the People's Vote March for the Future in London, Britain, 20 October 2018. Reports state that the 'March for the Future' is to be led by a column of young people and call for a Peopleas Vote on the Brexit deal. After marching through central London, there will be a rally on stage in Parliament Square, including speeches from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. EPA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Protesters at Londons march for the future in October The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Editor of The Independent Christian Broughton speaks to demonstrators in Parliament Sqaure after they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A poster at the March for the Future in October The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 campaigner wrapped in EU flag Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Angela Christofilou/The Independent A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Final Say campaigners take part in the peoples vote march for the future in London 20/10/2018 Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators pass Trafalgar Square as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators wave Union and European flags and hold up placards as they pass Trafalgar Square, taking part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators hold placards as they take part in a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A demonstrator holds a message during a march calling for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal, in central London on October 20, 2018. - Britons dreading life outside Europe gathered from all corners of the UK to London on Saturday to try to stop their country's looming breakup with the EU. AFP/Getty A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum. PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Demonstrators take part in the 'People's Vote March for the Future,' in central London, Britain, 20 October 2018. Reports state that the 'March for the Future' is to be led by a column of young people and call for a Peopleas Vote on the Brexit deal. After marching through central London, there will be a rally on stage in Parliament Square, including speeches from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan EPA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit A protester brandishes an Independent t-shirt during the Brexit March Angela Christofilou A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum PA A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Tens of thousands of people take part in People's Vote March for the Future in central London. The march organised by the People's Vote campaign is led by young people calling for a People's Vote on the Brexit deal Rex A historic moment: thousands march to demand Final Say on Brexit Anti-Brexit campaigners take part in the People's Vote March for the Future in London, a march and rally in support of a second EU referendum PA Reports suggest the government is planning to hold a third "meaningful vote" on the plan on Monday or Tuesday next week in the hope of winning over Eurosceptics by presenting them with the threat of Brexit being delayed. Speaking after MPs voted last night to rule out a no-deal Brexit, Ms May told the Commons: "If the House finds a way in the coming days to support a deal, it would allow the government to seek a short limited technical extension to Article 50 to provide time to pass the necessary legislation and ratify the agreement we have reached with the EU. "But let me be clear: such a short technical extension is only likely to be on offer if we have a deal in place. "Therefore, the House has to understand and accept that, if it is not willing to support a deal in the coming days, and as it is not willing to support leaving without a deal on 29 March, then it is suggesting that there will need to be a much longer extension to Article 50. Such an extension would undoubtedly require the United Kingdom to hold European Parliament elections in May 2019. "I do not think that would be the right outcome, but the House needs to face up to the consequences of the decisions it has taken." Britains departure from the EU looks set to be delayed until June after Theresa May launched a desperate last-ditch bid to make MPs vote on her Brexit deal a third time. On a farcical night in Westminster, Ms May was forced to concede she would go to Brussels and ask for the short extension but only if the Commons approves her deal next week. If MPs reject her deal at the third time of asking, she warned that a longer extension would leave Britain at the mercy of EU demands for new concessions and mean the UK must take part in European elections in May. The prime minister was pushed to make the offer after a chaotic night for the government which ended with Tory rebels including several cabinet ministers helping to pass a vote demanding a no-deal Brexit be completely ruled out. The move is Ms Mays final gambit as she scrambles to cajole her party behind her deal, with reports that some hardline Eurosceptic Tories were last night changing their minds to consider backing her out of fear that Remainer MPs and the EU will water down Brexit. Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Show all 15 1 /15 Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Pork There will be tariffs on pork in order to protect British farmers Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Cheese There will be tariffs in place on some cheeses including 22.10/100kg of cheddar, 19.10/100kg of processed cheese and 18.60/100kg on some blue cheeses Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Milk There will be no tariffs in place on milk Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Car Parts There will be no tariffs on car parts imported from Europe PA Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Cars However finished cars will face tariffs of 10.6% Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Alcoholic drinks There will be no tariffs on alcoholic drinks - except on some rums due to ingredients used in their distilling process Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Beef There will be tariffs on beef in order to protect British farmers Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Fish There will be no tariffs on many types of fish including cod, haddock, salmon and sea bass Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Fruit and vegetables There will be no tariffs on almost all fruit and vegetables Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Chocolate There will be no tariffs on chocolate or other cocoa products Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Poultry There will be tariffs on poultry in order to protect British farmers Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Ceramics There will be some tariffs in place on ceramis Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Steel There will be no tariffs on steel Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Coal There will be no tariffs on coal Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Lamb/Mutton There will be tariffs on the meat of sheep in order to protect British farmers Getty The growing possibility of Brexit being taken off the table altogether grew as a cross-party group of Remainers formed plans to amend Ms Mays motion on Thursday, to allow the Commons to vote on alternative courses potentially including a Final Say referendum. With just 15 days to go until the UK is supposed to drop out of the EU, Ms May will on Thursday put a motion in front of the house stating that the government will agree with the European Union an extension to the Article 50 negotiating period, so delaying Brexit. The motion states that if MPs finally back her deal by 20 March she will seek a one-off extension ... for a period ending on 30 June 2019 in order to pass necessary Brexit legislation, but if they do not the EU will demand a longer extension, a change in negotiating stance and for the UK to elect new members of the European parliament. The Independent understands the third vote on Ms Mays deal could take place as early as Monday, leaving time for a fourth attempt before 20 March if it is defeated again. Theresa Mays spokesperson said: The house needs to understand that if its not willing to support a deal in the coming days and not willing to support leaving without a deal by 29 March, its suggesting there has to be a much longer extension. The house needs to understand that if its not willing to support a deal in the coming days and not willing to support leaving without a deal by 29 March, its suggesting there has to be a much longer extension Theresa Mays spokesperson On Wednesday night the government lost a vote on whether or not to take a no-deal Brexit off the table, in the end being beaten by 321 votes to 278 a majority of 43. The night began with Ms May proposing her own weakly-worded motion saying the house wanted to rule out no deal, but accepting that it is the default legal position that the UK leaves the EU on 29 March if no other deal is arranged It was an attempt to prevent Tories from backing a more strongly-worded cross-party plan to amend her motion, in a way that made it rule out no deal more clearly at any point in the future. But with the support of Labour and a handful of rebel Tories, the amendment to Ms Mays motion was passed by a majority of four, meaning government whips were then forced to tell loyal Conservative MPs to vote against the amended plan in a bid to stop it tying the prime minister to a stronger rejection of a no-deal Brexit. John Bercow discusses repeated meaningful votes on Theresa May's Brexit deal As confusion took hold in the voting lobbies around the Commons, it emerged that around a dozen ministers including cabinet members Amber Rudd, David Gauke, Greg Clark and David Mundell refused to back the whips orders and instead abstained. The result does not change the fact that it is still the legal position that the UK should leave the EU on 29 March, but it makes the political pressure to either change that statute or delay Brexit irresistible. Members of the Eurosceptic Tory European Research Group (ERG) were furious that Remainer ministers had defied the whip without being forced to resign, with some of the frontbenchers revealing later they had been told they would be able to abstain without facing sanction. ERG vice-chair Mark Francois said: Collective responsibility is disintegrating and we may as well tell the whips office to pack up and go home. As it emerged that Ms May would definitely seek a third attempt to pass her deal, he stubbornly refused to back it, saying it is unacceptable. CBI director Carolyn Fairbairn: no deal Brexit is a 'sledgehammer hanging over business' The ERGs deputy-chair Steve Baker also stood in the Commons to vow he would still oppose the deal, but others in the group were starting to give way. Senior figure Simon Clarke MP said: There is a gun to my head. I think voters will appreciate that increasingly we are getting a very, very, very limited range of options left, if we want to actually honour the manifesto commitment to leave at all. Its now effectively a bad Brexit deal or no Brexit, which is absolutely ghastly. Its not what we should have done. Ms Mays hopes of eventually passing her deal were also buoyed after it emerged that her Northern Irish DUP allies, whose MPs prop up her slim Commons majority, agreed to hold talks on finding a way that they might support her plans. One complicating factor could be speaker John Bercow who suggested he may seek to enforce Commons rules aimed at preventing a government from forcing MPs to vote on the same question over and over. But a bigger threat could emerge on Thursday when MPs table amendments to her motion on seeking an extension to Article 50, with one likely to be backed by Labours Yvette Cooper and ex-Tory minister Oliver Letwin attempting to give the Commons an opportunity to have indicative votes on all the possible options to determine if anything has a majority. The avenues that could be looked at include having a second referendum, leaving the EU but staying in a permanent customs union, or adopting the Norway model. Close Moment MPs vote to delay Brexit until 30 June - if MPs approve the Prime Minister's deal MPs have overwhelmingly voted to delay Brexit after the Commons backed a motion ordering Theresa May to ask the EU to extend article 50 until at least June. Amid dramatic scenes, Labour provoked fury among pro-EU MPs by abstaining on a bid for a Final Say referendum, which was defeated by 249 votes. Rebel calls to allow parliament to take control of the Brexit process through "indicative votes" were also defeated, though narrowly. It comes after the US president Donald Trump also made an explosive intervention into the debate, saying a public vote would be "unfair" and he was "surprised at how badly" the Brexit talks had gone. But worryingly for Ms May cabinet unity crumbled when it came to a free vote on the government's Brexit delay motion. Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Show all 15 1 /15 Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Pork There will be tariffs on pork in order to protect British farmers Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Cheese There will be tariffs in place on some cheeses including 22.10/100kg of cheddar, 19.10/100kg of processed cheese and 18.60/100kg on some blue cheeses Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Milk There will be no tariffs in place on milk Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Car Parts There will be no tariffs on car parts imported from Europe PA Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Cars However finished cars will face tariffs of 10.6% Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Alcoholic drinks There will be no tariffs on alcoholic drinks - except on some rums due to ingredients used in their distilling process Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Beef There will be tariffs on beef in order to protect British farmers Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Fish There will be no tariffs on many types of fish including cod, haddock, salmon and sea bass Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Fruit and vegetables There will be no tariffs on almost all fruit and vegetables Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Chocolate There will be no tariffs on chocolate or other cocoa products Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Poultry There will be tariffs on poultry in order to protect British farmers Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Ceramics There will be some tariffs in place on ceramis Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Steel There will be no tariffs on steel Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Coal There will be no tariffs on coal Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Lamb/Mutton There will be tariffs on the meat of sheep in order to protect British farmers Getty Eight of her top ministers voted against it and a further 180 Conservative MPs did likewise. Ms May will now eye a third vote on her withdrawal agreement while Britain asks the EU for a delay to the date of its exit from the bloc. See below how we covered Thursday's events live MPs will attempt to wrestle control of the Brexit agenda from Theresa May with votes on all the options including a fresh referendum on another day of Commons drama. A cross-party alliance - tabled by Labour's Hilary Benn and Yvette Cooper, and Tory grandee Oliver Letwin - seeks to force the indicative votes, even as the prime minister makes a third attempt to pass her battered deal, while threatening MPs with a long delay to Brexit if they refuse. The Commons will vote on a Final Say referendum on leaving the EU, or staying in the EU customs union and single market, among other options, if as seems likely the key amendment passes later today. Greg Clark, the business secretary, one of four cabinet ministers who defied Ms May to help veto a no-deal Brexit on Wednesday night, offered his backing for widening the approach. During the days ahead, in the next week, I hope there will be a series of votes, including on the prime ministers deal, he told ITVs Peston programme Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Show all 11 1 /11 Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray (left) and a pro-Brexit protester argue as they demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A pro-Brexit protester argues Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police surround the pro-Brexit protester after he confronted Steve Bray, a pro-European protester Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A leave supporter is spoken to by a police officer as he argues with a remain supporter, Steve Bray, outside Parliament PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament MPs in Parliament are to vote on Theresa May's Brexit deal next week after her December vote was called off in the face of a major defeat Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A leave supporter is spoken to by a police officer PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police look on as anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament. Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police hold back a leave supporter PA Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament A police officer speaks with anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Police surround a pro-Brexit protester after he confronted a pro-European protester Getty Images Police separate clashing Brexit protesters outside Parliament Conservative MP David Davies, wearing a gopro camera, speaks to anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray Getty Images I think that the prime minister and parliament should promote a sense of parliament establishing what there is a big majority for. More than 70 MPs have already signed the amendment - including Nicholas Soames, Nick Boles, Antoinette Sandbach, Dominic Grieve and Caroline Spelman - with the aim of a day of debate next Wednesday, ahead of votes soon after. The move, and a blizzard of other amendments, threatens the prime minister with further defeats one day after her humiliation over the no-deal veto. The Independent Group hopes to push for a new referendum, with the option to Remain, but cannot succeed unless the vast majority of Labour MPs support it. The Labour frontbench has sent out mixed signals in the last 24 hours Jeremy Corbyns aide backtracking, while Keir Starmer, his Brexit secretary, said he was proud to be backing a further referendum. However, a Tory amendment, with 13 Labour supporters says a public vote would be divisive and expensive, and therefore should not take place. Labours own amendment does not address the controversy, simply urging the prime minister to provide parliamentary time for this House to find a majority for a different approach. Meanwhile, Philip Hammond, the chancellor, applied gentle pressure on Geoffrey Cox, the attorney general, to clarify his legal advice, in the hope of winning over opponents to the deal. Talks are ongoing with the Democratic Unionist Party in the hope of persuading the party that despite Mr Coxs devastating advice this week there is an escape route from the Irish backstop. The European Research Group (ERG) of Tory Brexiteers appears split, some ready to get behind the deal while Steve Baker, its vice-chairman, said come what may, we will continue to vote down this deal. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr Hammond said Mr Coxs advice was clearly very important, adding: I'm sure the attorney-general will want to consider very carefully all the evidence and opinion. The chancellor said he was certain MPs will vote for an Article 50 extension later, with the prime minister warning delay until about June will only be possible if her deal passes by next Wednesday. Otherwise, she told MPs, EU leaders will insist on a much longer extension and the UK would have to take part in Mays European Parliament elections. Theresa May could be breaking Commons rules if she keeps bringing her Brexit deal back to the Commons after multiple defeats, a cabinet minister has admitted. MPs should not be asked the same question in the same session, Andrea Leadsom acknowledged potentially allowing the Speaker to rule a third meaningful vote out of order. The bombshell admission came after John Bercow selected an amendment to todays Brexit motion, allowing MPs to vote on the controversy later today. There is something called the same question issue, which is where you cant put exactly the same wording to the House in the same session multiple times, Ms Leadsom, the Commons leader, said. So there is a technical question in terms of House procedures as to whether you can keep doing that. Recommended MPs will vote on giving British public a second Brexit referendum The Independent revealed in January that pro-EU MPs believed that Ms Mays tactic to bludgeon her deal through, despite heavy defeats, was barred by parliamentary rules. Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Show all 15 1 /15 Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Pork There will be tariffs on pork in order to protect British farmers Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Cheese There will be tariffs in place on some cheeses including 22.10/100kg of cheddar, 19.10/100kg of processed cheese and 18.60/100kg on some blue cheeses Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Milk There will be no tariffs in place on milk Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Car Parts There will be no tariffs on car parts imported from Europe PA Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Cars However finished cars will face tariffs of 10.6% Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Alcoholic drinks There will be no tariffs on alcoholic drinks - except on some rums due to ingredients used in their distilling process Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Beef There will be tariffs on beef in order to protect British farmers Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Fish There will be no tariffs on many types of fish including cod, haddock, salmon and sea bass Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Fruit and vegetables There will be no tariffs on almost all fruit and vegetables Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Chocolate There will be no tariffs on chocolate or other cocoa products Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Poultry There will be tariffs on poultry in order to protect British farmers Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Ceramics There will be some tariffs in place on ceramis Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Steel There will be no tariffs on steel Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Coal There will be no tariffs on coal Getty Tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit Lamb/Mutton There will be tariffs on the meat of sheep in order to protect British farmers Getty Erskine May, the parliamentary bible, states a motion should be ruled out of order if it is the same, in substance, as a question which has been decided, to prevent the executive bullying the legislature. An amendment tabled by Labour MP Chris Bryant, to prevent further votes on the deal will be voted on as part of the motion on extending Article 50, to delay Brexit. Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Ms Leadsom said she believed more meaningful votes were allowed if it were felt that the view of the House had changed. Talks are ongoing with the Democratic Unionist Party in the hope of persuading the party that despite devastating legal advice this week there is an escape route from the Irish backstop. The European Research Group (ERG) of Tory Brexiteers appears split, some ready to get behind the deal rather than face the long extension Ms May is threatening. Ms Leadsom added: If the EU were to concede a resolution to the backstop that might command the majority of the House, then theoretically there could be a way to bring that meaningful vote back again. The comments follow Mr Bercow announcing that a ruling would be made on the controversy, setting himself on a fresh collision course with the government. Downing Street is thought to believe it can disapply any ruling he makes by winning a Commons vote on whether the vote should go ahead. On Wednesday, the Speaker said: There are historical precedents for the way such matters are regarded. I dont need to treat of them now and no ruling is required now. A ruling would be made at the appropriate time, and Im grateful for [Labour MP Angela Eagle] reminding me that such a ruling might at some point in the future be required. Significantly, Mr Bercow has sought to build a reputation as a champion of backbenchers against the government and has sided with MPs in many disputes. A TV station in Chile has received a record number of complaints after it broadcast fake footage of people hurling stones on International Womens Day. Mega, a TV network whose headquarters are in the capital of Santiago, said the images of the stone-throwing were taken from the global womens march. But it was actually archive material from an earlier and wholly unconnected protest months ago in December. The countrys National TV Council, who is responsible for supervising proper use of licenses, has received 1,187 complaints from users after the fake images were shown on International Womens Day (IWD) on Friday. It marks a record amount for a single case, according to data from the public service broadcaster. The 25 best books by women Show all 25 1 /25 The 25 best books by women The 25 best books by women Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen Austen remains one of historys greatest masters in two tricky literary fields: the world of romance and the world of social satire. Pride and Prejudice, then, sees her at the peak of her powers. Through the eyes of Elizabeth Bennet, her sharp-witted protagonist, we witness upper-class Regency England as both a dream and a farce. Not all is as it seems, and society betrays its holloweness when it deems that money should trump love. The 25 best books by women Their Eyes Were Watching God - Zora Neale Hurston Despite the fact that Hurston was a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s, Their Eyes Were Watching God was largely rejected by her peers. It was during the 1970s and 1980s that her novel was essentially rediscovered, with many contemporary black feminists heralding the genius of her work. The novel focuses on Janie Crawford, a black woman who refuses to give in to bitterness or sorrow, as she navigates three marriages and a life marked by poverty. Its a story bursting with passion and soulfulness. The 25 best books by women The Lottery and Other Stories Shirley Jackson Jackson probed the darkest corners of the American psyche during the 1940s and 1950s, all thanks to her collections of ghost stories, including 1959s The Haunting of Hill House, which was recently adapted into a Netflix series. With several novels and over 200 short stories for readers to get lost in, there are very few horror writers like her. Thats especially true when it comes to (arguably) her greatest work, 1948s The Lottery, which traces a small towns annual tradition to its sinister conclusion. The 25 best books by women To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee A Pulitzer Prize winner, To Kill a Mockingbird has carved its place in history. Its depiction of racial injustice in the American Deep South was startling frank for the 1960s, in a way that undeniably had a social impact at the time it became an instant sensation and is now widely taught in American schools. Lee writes about the worlds cruelties with an honesty and compassion that still resonates, with the character of Atticus Finch becoming a enduring model of integrity for the legal profession. The 25 best books by women Kindred - Octavia E Butler Butler was a key figure in sci-fi history, expanding the boundaries of what the genre could achieve and what it could come to represent. First published in 1979, the book still feels as fresh as ever in its first-person account of a young black writer, Dana, who through strange circumstances, finds herself travelling between her own reality and a pre-Civil War Maryland plantation. Its through this unusual theme that Butler can explore the lasting trauma of Americas history on African-Americans today. The 25 best books by women Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte Jane Eyre feels, in many ways, thoroughly modern today. Although originally published under the pen name Currer Bell, it feels likes a dive into the mind of Bronte herself. The story is told through a first-person narrative that feels so psychologically intimate, its as if shes sharing the secrets of her own world with us. We follow Jane through her school years, all the way to her later employment by Mr Rochester, a tortured soul who she falls madly in love with, with many aspects of her journey reflecting elements of Brontes own life. The 25 best books by women Half of a Yellow Sun Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Adichie, who was born in Nigeria, is considered one of the most original literary voices of her generation. You can see why this is when reading Half of a Yellow Sun, which depicts the brutality of the Nigerian Civil War of the late 1960s, as seen through four different perspectives: twin daughters of a wealthy businessman, a British citizen, a professor, and a houseboy. Its history via an achingly human lens. The 25 best books by women White Teeth Zadie Smith Smith remains a modern titan of the British literary scene, thanks partially to White Teeth, which is considered one of the most sensational fiction debuts of all time, becoming an immediate bestseller and sweeping up multiple awards. Its a tale of two men Bangladeshi Samad Iqbal and Englishman Archie Jones who become friends after being stationed together during WWII. Their return to London sees the book examine British post-war attitudes to those from formerly colonised countries, although Smith ensures the subject is approached with both heart and a sense of humour. The 25 best books by women The Hour of the Star - Clarice Lispector Lispector was a literary innovator. The Hour of the Star, published posthumously in 1977, invents a narrator named Rodrigo SM, who in turns tells the story of Macabea, a poor young woman who hails from Alagoas, where Lispectors family first settled when they immigrated to Brazil. However, the way Rodrigo perceives Macabea, and reckons with her story, itself creates a dialogue between the two characters, calling into question notions of identity and authorship. The 25 best books by women Mrs Dalloway Virginia Woolf One of literatures sharpest minds and inspiration to the feminist movement in the 1970s, Woolf not only helped pioneer the use of the stream of consciousness as a narrative device, but utilised it to speak openly about sexuality, mental illness, and gender roles. The novel largely follows the inner thoughts of two characters, Clarissa Dalloway and Septimus Smith, one a high-society woman in post-WWI England and the other a veteran suffering from shell shock. The 25 best books by women A Good Man Is Hard to Find and Other Stories Flannery OConnor OConnor wrote hard stories for a hard world. Her unsentimental, sardonic use of the Southern Gothic style helped weave her own take on the parable, in which the morally weak often face violent, painful punishment for their misdeeds. That said, the door is always open for transformation and spiritual awakening by the storys conclusion, with her work frequently confronting ideas of morality and ethics through the lens of her own Catholic faith. The 25 best books by women Persepolis Marjane Satrapi At times, it seems less like Persepolis is a story. Satrapis graphic novel, published in two volumes in 2000 and 2004, feels more like an invitation, as she takes our hand and leads us through her childhood and early adult years, so that we can see through the eyes of a curious, funny, smart young girl who must face the personal repercussions of war and religious extremism in Iran during and after the Islamic Revolution. Its the political seen through the personal, but its always Satrapis own spirit that shines the brightest. The 25 best books by women Frankenstein Mary Shelley Many have now come to consider Shelleys Frankenstein as the first pure work of science-fiction, with a central narrative driven a characters exploration of a world beyond what we already know. Not only is it significant for its later influence on culture, but Shelleys work, initially published anonymously, is astonishing in both its emotional vitality and its philosophical implications. Its a work where we both feel the anguish of the misunderstood, while also reckoning with the concept of mans unbridled power. The 25 best books by women Beloved Toni Morrison Beloved takes its inspiration from the true story of Margaret Garner, who escaped slavery in Kentucky in 1856 and fled to Ohio, a free state. However, the story itself focuses on a protagonist named Sethe, a former slave, whose home is haunted by a malevolent presence that she believes is her eldest daughter. Its through this vivid sense of magical realism that Morrison can confront the unfathomable trauma that slavery has inflicted on the African-American collective memory. The 25 best books by women The Handmaids Tale Margaret Atwood Although the book has received increased attention thanks to Hulus critically acclaimed TV adaptation, its all thanks to the fierceness of Atwoods critical analysis of gender politics. Her 1985 book, which imagines a near-future New England controlled by a totalitarian state, in which women are completely subjugated to men, has only become increasingly relevant and prescient. Her work provides a continued reminder that it doesnt take much for our world to slip into complete dystopia. The 25 best books by women Middlemarch - George Eliot Mary Anne Evans, amongst other concerns, feared that her work, Middlemarch, would be dismissed entirely due to the notion that womens writing was strictly light and romantic. And so, instead, it was published in eight instalments across 1871 and 1872 under the name George Eliot. The book is far from light; set in the fictitious Midlands town of Middlemarch, it follows a vast, sweeping narrative that encompasses subjects of religion, idealism, and political reform. The 25 best books by women Little Fires Everywhere Celeste Ng Ng writes about American suburbia with an astounding clarity, perhaps partially because she considers the act of writing about ones hometown as a little like writing about a relative, with an attachment that perceives both their greatest attributes and their flaws. Little Fires Everywhere is her second novel to take place in Shaker Heights, Ohio, where she grew up, and focuses on a new arrival to the town, who sense of mystery disrupts its residentss obsession with structure and rules. The 25 best books by women The Bell Jar Sylvia Plath Famous for its popularity with teenage girls, Plaths work speaks to clearly to an adolescent precisely because it makes no attempt to sugar-coat the prospect of the entrance into adulthood. The books protagonist, Esther, a young woman attempting to establish herself in New York, feels more like a front for Plath to discuss her own experiences of struggling with mental health, especially in the context of the 1950s, when womens concerns were so rarely paid attention to. There is an honesty to Esthers frustration that has been a comfort to many. The 25 best books by women My Brilliant Friend - Elena Ferrante My Brilliant Friend is only one part of Ferrantes four-book series, known as the Neapolitan Novels. As the first chapter, it is, de facto, the most well known of the series, but its also an invitation to such raw intimacy that readers will be unable to resist delving into the rest. Ferrante serves as a pseudonym, allowing the books to illuminate with candor the friendship between two women, born in Naples in 1944, who try to find peace in a world of violence and misogyny. The 25 best books by women The Age of Innocence Edith Wharton Edith Wharton captures with vigour both the opulence and the suffocating claustrophobia of New Yorks Gilded Age, as two future newlyweds in every other way societys perfect vision of man and woman find their union disrupted by the arrival of a cousin shrouded in scandal. The Age of Innocence is a wistful, romantic novel that still succeeds in treating societys hypocrisy with an acute sense of disdain. The 25 best books by women The Color Purple Alice Walker Marking a rare mastery of the epistolary novel, The Color Purple focuses on the experiences of black women living in the US South during the 1930s. Although it deals with themes of abuse and violence, the honesty in Walkers voice is disarming in a way that opens us up to her protagonists journey towards self-realisation and personal freedom. Its no wonder that the books continued relevance saw it both adapted into 1985 film, directed by Steven Spielberg, and a Broadway musical. The 25 best books by women Rebecca Daphne du Maurier Rebecca remains one the finest examples of Gothic literature, despite the fact that du Maurier wasnt writing within the confines of some drafty Victorian castle; rather, she was examining the world of spirits during the interwar period. In its story of a woman whose whirlwind courtship with a widower turns sour when she becomes haunted by the lingering presence of her husbands first wife, Rebecca is a book filled with suppressed desires, loss, and a looming sense of threat. The 25 best books by women The God of Small Things - Arundhati Roy As Roys debut novel, its an extraordinary first outing. Roy contrasts the innocence of childhood, as seen in the books protagonists, fraternal twins Rahel and Estha, with the rising political turmoil in Kerala during 1969. It also features a non-sequential approach to narrative, with the novel intricately weaving between the twinss reunion in 1993 and the lengthy flashback and sidetracks, all painted with a massive sense of scope and imagination. The 25 best books by women Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha Christie We may know every twist and turn of Christies best works by now, but theres still a frisson to how intricately and confidently she pulls the rug from underneath readers. Murder on the Orient Express still feels like her most enthralling work, as famed Belgian detective Hercule Poirot finds himself in the midst of a murder scene, after his train is blocked by the heavy snowfall and a passenger is found dead, making the rest of those on board all instant suspects. The 25 best books by women The Tale of Genji Murasaki Shikibu The oldest book on this list, this classic of Japanese literature was written by Shikibu, a noblewoman and lady-in-waiting, in the early 11th century. Although the original manuscript no longer exists, whats been passed down to us now was translated initially into modern Japanese, with English translations being published at a later time. An account of the life Hikaru Genji, the son of the emperor, its a masterful work of psychological portraiture, which offers a rare glimpse into the cultural customs of post-classical Japan. Around 190,000 people marched peacefully in Santiago on Friday calling for equal rights for women and voicing their opposition to violence against women. They joined millions of other women around the world who also marked IWD - which is celebrated on 8 March every year and has provided a chance to reflect on female achievements and celebrate the movement for greater rights for more than a century. The National Council of TV of Chile (CNTV) said it had also received 266 complaints after Canal 13 used stock images of former president Michelle Bachelet, who is now high commissioner of the UN Human Rights office, during a report on the Venezuela blackout without giving proper context. Chile has a deeply entrenched patriarchal culture with women in the country facing wage disparity and high rates of domestic violence. Women hold up placards with slogans while they took part in a march on the International Womens Day in Santiago last week (AFP) The South American country was home to one of the most restrictive abortion policies in the whole world until 2017 the practice was criminalised without exception. After years of campaigning, Ms Bachelet, the former Chilean president, pushed through a bill to allow the termination of a pregnancy in three cases: when the womans life is in danger, when the foetus will not survive the pregnancy, or in cases of rape. However, the latter is only permitted in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, or 14 weeks if the girl is under 14 years old. A young woman holds a placard reading We are not all of us, the dead ones are missing while taking part in a march on International Womens Day in Santiago last week (AFP) The bill allowing abortion was approved by the National Congress in August 2017 becoming law a month later. Ms Bachelets right-wing successor, Sebastian Pinera, has fiercely opposed any further reforms. Womens rights activists have raised alarm bells that his government could roll back reforms. The reputed crime boss of the New York mafias Gambino family, Francesco Franky Boy Cali, has been killed outside his Staten Island home. Cali was fatally shot multiple times in the Todt Hill area shortly after 9pm on Wednesday, according to the New York Police Department. Upon arrival, officers found a 53-year-old male with multiple gunshot wounds to the torso, said the department. EMS also responded to the scene and transported the victim to Staten Island University North, where he was pronounced deceased. US media outlets, citing police sources, reported that he was shot at least six or seven times and the gunman sped off in a blue pickup truck. Cali was a real quiet old-school boss, a source told the New York Post. 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 Gambino crime operation is widely believed to be one of the five historic Italian-American mafia families in New York. Charges against Gambino family operatives have included murder and racketeering, according to The New York Times. Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn had referred to Cali in court filings in recent years as the underboss of the Gambino organisation, related through marriage to the Inzerillo clan in the Sicilian Mafia. NYPD responded to shots in Todt Hill section of Staten Island (AP) Multiple accounts in the press since 2015 claimed Cali had become the boss of the organisation, but he did not face any criminal charge describing him as its leader. Cali was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison and was released in 2009 after he pleaded guilty to an extortion conspiracy involving a failed attempt to build a Nascar track on Staten Island. There is no known motive for the shooting of Cali, a police watch commander said. There are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing, police said in a statement. The last reputed crime family boss to be shot in New York City was Paul Castellano. He was assassinated outside Sparks Steakhouse in Manhattan in 1985. Additional reporting by agencies US wildlife officials want to strip grey wolves of their remaining endangered species protections and declare the species recovered following a decades-long restoration effort. The US Fish and Wildlife Service proposal released Thursday would put wolves under state authority and allow hunting in more areas. Critics argue the move is premature, with wolves still absent across most of their historic range. Government officials say their goal was to protect against extinction, not restore wolves everywhere. Trapping, poisoning and hunting exterminated wolves across most of the Lower 48 early last century. They bounced back under federal protection, and more than 6,000 now live in portions of nine states. Endangered African grey parrots trafficked for the pet trade Show all 10 1 /10 Endangered African grey parrots trafficked for the pet trade Endangered African grey parrots trafficked for the pet trade African greys during transportation Endangered African grey parrots trafficked for the pet trade An African grey parrot kept as a pet in Scotland World Animal Protection Endangered African grey parrots trafficked for the pet trade Birds caged in Qatar; feather plucking caused by stress and boredom is common in captive birds World Animal Protection Endangered African grey parrots trafficked for the pet trade An African grey parrot kept as a pet in Scotland World Animal Protection Endangered African grey parrots trafficked for the pet trade An African grey parrot kept as a pet in Scotland World Animal Protection Endangered African grey parrots trafficked for the pet trade An African grey parrot kept as a pet in Scotland World Animal Protection Endangered African grey parrots trafficked for the pet trade Poached African greys are caged before being taken to Kinshasa, from where they are trafficked World Animal Protection Endangered African grey parrots trafficked for the pet trade Birds being put in a basket for transport to market TL2 project / Lukuru foundation Endangered African grey parrots trafficked for the pet trade African greys crammed into crates for transportation Endangered African grey parrots trafficked for the pet trade African greys crammed into crates A final decision on lifting protections will follow a public comment period. Wolves had previously lost federal protections in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, where hunters and trappers now kill hundreds of the animals annually. Wildlife advocates and some members of Congress reacted with outrage to the latest proposal and promised to challenge any final decision in court. Jamie Rappaport Clark, a former director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service now with the group Defenders of Wildlife, warned of an all-out war on wolves if the plan advances. Recommended Grey wolves could soon lose endangered status in US We dont have any confidence that wolves will be managed like other wildlife, she said. But government officials countered that the recovery of wolves from widespread extermination last century has worked and they no longer need the Endangered Species Act to shield them. Recovery of the grey wolf under the Endangered Species Act is one of our nations great conservation successes, with the wolf joining other cherished species, such as the bald eagle, that have been brought back from the brink, US Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman Gavin Shire said in an emailed statement. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Agriculture groups and lawmakers from Western states are likely to support the administrations proposal. Additional reporting by AP Close Empire actor Jussie Smollett faked Chicago attack because he was dissatisfied with salary, Chicago Police say Empire actor Jussie Smollett pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges that he falsely report to police that he was the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago's downtown area on 29 January. His attorney Tina Glandian entered the plea on his behalf during a court hearing in the morning. Judge Steven Watkins has been assigned to oversee Smollett's case, including the trial. The next court date has been scheduled for 17 April. Prosecutors allege that the actor hired two friends to help stage an attack on him in downtown Chicago early on the morning of 29 January. Police say Smollett told detectives that two masked men beat him while hurling racist and homophobic slurs, and that they poured an unknown substance on him and hung a noose around his neck before fleeing. Smollett, 36, has denied staging the attack and maintains his innocence. A grand jury in Chicago previously indicted him on 16 felony counts, which his attorneys have called prosecutorial overkill. Please allow a moment for our liveblog to load Federal prosecutors have unveiled child pornography charges against accused sex trafficker Keith Raniere, founder of the alleged sex cult Nxivm. In an indictment unsealed in a Brooklyn court on Wednesday, prosecutors accused Mr Raniere of coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing one or more visual depictions of such conduct in 2005. The 58-year-old is also accused of possessing child pornography between 2005 and 2018. It came just hours after a former top associate in the Albany, New York-based Nxivm group pleaded guilty to engaging in a criminal conspiracy with him. Mr Raniere, a self-styled spiritual leader who was known within Nxivm as Vanguard, was arrested in March 2018 on charges including sex trafficking. 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 Prosecutors said Mr Raniere led a group within Nxivm called DOS or the sorority in which women were branded with his initials, blackmailed and coerced into having sex with him. Marc Agnifilo, a lawyer for Mr Raniere, has said his clients sexual relationships with members were consensual, and denied the latest child pornography-related charges. If these charges were legitimate the government would have brought them a year ago, he said. The charges were unsealed several hours after former Nxivm president Nancy Salzman, known in the organisation as Prefect, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy before US District Judge Nicholas Garaufis. Nancy Salzman outside federal courthouse in Brooklyn (Reuters) (REUTERS) Salzman, who has not reached any agreement to cooperate with prosecutors as part of her plea, admitted to hacking the email accounts of Nxivm critics and overseeing the destruction of video evidence in a civil lawsuit involving the organisation. It has taken some time and soul searching to come to this place, said Salzman, choking back tears. I accept that some of what I did was not just wrong, but criminal. If I could go back and do it all over again, I would. But I cant. Her daughter, Lauren Salzman, has also been charged in the case, along with Smallville actress Allison Mack, Seagram liquor heiress Clare Bronfman and Nxivm member Kathy Russell. All have pleaded not guilty. Allison Mack outside Brooklyn court after a bail hearing (Getty Images) Prosecutors have said Mr Raniere and his associates ran pyramid-structured schemes, including selling expensive courses, to bring in money and new members. They have said that members of DOS were required upon joining the group to provide so-called collateral that could be used against them if they tried to leave, including compromising information about family and friends, nude photographs and rights to their assets. Only Mr Raniere and Ms Mack are accused of sex trafficking. Other defendants face charges including conspiracy to commit racketeering, wire fraud and identity theft. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr Raniere was arrested in Mexico in 2018 and is being held without bail in Brooklyn on the sex-trafficking charges. At the time of his capture, Ms Mack was living with him at a luxury villa in Puerto Vallarta, according to court papers. Nxivm on its website calls itself a community guided by humanitarian principles that seek to empower people and answer important questions about what it means to be human. Salzman will be sentenced in July. Mr Ranieres trial is scheduled to begin in April. Additional reporting by agencies With New York state facing one of its most severe measles outbreaks in decades, public health officials in a suburban community took the extraordinary step in December of banning unvaccinated students from attending school, regardless of whether they had received religious or medical exemptions for the vaccine. The parents of 42 children affected by the ban at the school, the Green Meadow Waldorf School, sued the Rockland County health department, asking a federal judge to issue an injunction to allow the children to return. On Tuesday, the request was denied. In a hearing at US District Court in White Plains, judge Vincent Bricetti said the parents failed to prove that public interest weighs in favour of granting an injunction, according to The Journal News. While no one enjoys the fact that these kids are out of school, these orders have worked, the countys attorney, Thomas E Humbach, said in a statement about the decision. They have helped prevent the measles outbreak from spreading to this school population. The famous faces of the anti-vaccine movement Show all 7 1 /7 The famous faces of the anti-vaccine movement The famous faces of the anti-vaccine movement Charlie Sheen Sheen fought a legal battle against ex-wife Denise Richards to try and block her from vaccinating their children. Richards of course won and Sheen was reportedly so bitter that he paid the paediatrician bill entirely in nickels Getty The famous faces of the anti-vaccine movement Gwyneth Paltrow Paltrow's "health and wellness" company Goop hosted a notorious anti-vaccine speaker at their 2018 Goop Summit Getty The famous faces of the anti-vaccine movement Rob Schneider Schneider demanded the freedom to decline vaccination Getty The famous faces of the anti-vaccine movement Jenny McCarthy McCarthy has claimed that "people are dying from vaccinations", believes that her son caught autism from a vaccine and has pushed her opinions on the topic publicly for many years AFP/Getty The famous faces of the anti-vaccine movement Bill Maher Maher has long spoken against vaccines sating on Larry King live that "a flu shot is the worst thing you can do." His stance appears to stem from a distrust of government AFP/Getty The famous faces of the anti-vaccine movement Alicia Silverstone In Silverstone's book The Kind Mama, she wrote that "there is increasing anecdotal evidence from doctors who have gotten distressed phone calls from parents claiming their child was never the same after receiving a vaccine." Getty The famous faces of the anti-vaccine movement Andrew Wakefield Godfather of the anti-vax movement, disgraced doctor Andrew Wakefield famously published a report in the medical journal Lancet claiming a link between the MMR vaccine and autism in 1998. The Lancet retracted the report in 2010 and Wakefield was struck off the medical register PA The decision added to a growing public pushback against people who do not vaccinate their children. Last week, an Ohio teenager who got vaccinated against his familys wishes testified before Congress that he believed his mother had fallen prey to widely debunked conspiracy theories about immunisation dangers. Days later, New York lawmakers proposed a bill to allow teenagers to get vaccinated without parental consent. On Monday, local chapters of the American Academy of Paediatrics expressed their support for the legislation. So far, no confirmed cases of measles had been reported at Green Meadow, a private school offering early childhood and K-12 programs that, like other Waldorf schools, follow a teaching philosophy focused on nondenominational spiritual development. Recommended Italy bans unvaccinated children from school But Rockland County has been the epicentre of the measles outbreak in New York, with 146 confirmed cases since October, the vast majority of them among those 18 and under. Many cases have involved members of Orthodox Jewish communities where vaccination rates tend to be lower than average, public health officials have said. All of the children at the centre of the lawsuit had received approved religion-based exemptions to vaccination, according to Michael Sussman, a lawyer for the parents who sued Rocklands health department. But neither they nor their parents are Orthodox Jews, he said. Rockland Countys so-called exclusion orders in December was the first time county officials had taken the step to ban unvaccinated children from schools, a county spokesperson said. Under the orders, unvaccinated children were not allowed to attend targeted schools until the schools vaccination rate reached 95 per cent. Even when schools did not have confirmed cases of measles, as with Green Meadow, officials were still worried that unvaccinated children could be exposed to measles in other public places, like shopping malls, and would then spread the disease at their schools, said Ed Day, the Rockland County executive. At one point, 60 schools, many of them in ultra-Orthodox communities, and 6,000 students were affected by the orders, officials said. About half of the schools have reached the required vaccination rate, county officials said. The complaint filed in court said that Rockland County officials violated the childrens constitutional rights by forcing them to stay home. The order also substantially disrupted the childrens education, the complaint said. Vicki Larson, a spokesperson for Green Meadow, said the school had no official stance on vaccinations but was complying with New York state law, which allows religious exemptions to vaccination and immunisation requirements. But she said that the school was following the countys exclusion order and working with the Rockland County Health Department. To return to school students would have to prove immunity to measles or receipt of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination, she said. Were ready to welcome back our excluded students as soon as its legally possible, Ms Larson said. The New York Times Relatives of one of Americas most notorious school shootings have been told they can sue the manufacturer of the gun used to kill 26 adults and children at Sandy Hook. In a decision that could have huge implications for a country where gun makers have typically been shielded from liability by a 2005 federal judgement, the Supreme Court in Connecticut said Remington could be sued over the way it marketed the Bushmaster rifle. This was the weapon used by Adam Lanza to kill 20 youngsters and six teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown in December 2012. Lanza had earlier in the day killed his mother, and subsequently took his own life as emergency teams arrived at the school. At the time, the shooting at Sandy Hook appeared to mark a new low for the nation when it came to gun violence and the 10,000 or so people who lose their lives to it every year. At the White House, on the day of the shooting, Barack Obama wiped away tears as he updated the media. When he later attended a prayer memorial in Newtown, he struggled to find words that matched the gravity of the situation Mass shootings in America Show all 8 1 /8 Mass shootings in America Mass shootings in America Camden shootings 1949 Howard Unruh killed 13 people, including three children, during a 12-minute walk through his neighborhood on September 6, 1949, in Camden, New Jersey, when he was 28 years old. The incident became known as the "Walk of Death". Unruh was found to be criminally insane and died in 2009 after a lengthy illness at the age of 88, following 60 years of confinement. Alamy Mass shootings in America University of Texas tower shooting 1966 Charles Whitman killed 17 people and injured 31 others in Austin, Texas. After stabbing his mother and wife the night before, he headed to the University of Texas, where he opened fire on people in the campus and streets from the observation desk. He was shot dead after a policeman and civilian reached the scene. Austin History Center, Austin Public Library Mass shootings in America Easter Sunday Massacre 1975 James Ruppert killd 11 family members in his mother's house, which included his mother, brother and his wife, as well as their eight children. He used a magnum, two handguns and a rifle. Mass shootings in America Wilkes-Barre shootings 1982 Former prison guard, George Banks, shot dead 13 people in Pennsylvania, including five of his own children. AP Photo/Times Leader Mass shootings in America Wah Mee massacre 1983 Three men, Kwan Fai Mak, Wai-Chiu Ng, and Benjamin Ng, killed 13 people who were in Seattle's Wah Mee gambling club. YouTube/KIRO 7 News Mass shootings in America San Ysidro McDonald's massacre 1984 James Huberty killed 21 people and injured 19 others after he walked in a McDonald's in San Diego. He was shot dead by a sniper after 78 minutes of him entering the restaurant. Alamy Mass shootings in America Palm Sunday massacre 1984 Ten people were shot dead from handguns at close range in a New York home. A baby girl was the only survivor after convicted dealer, Christopher Thomas, shot three women, one teenage girl and six children in their Brooklyn home. Thomas was convicted of manslaughter and cleared of murder. He was released from prison after 32 years. Mass shootings in America Edmond post office shooting 1986 Patrick Sherrill, a postal worker at the Edmond post office in Oklahoma, killed 14 co-workers and injured 6 others, before he shot himself. Oklahoma Highway Patrol Collection I come to offer the love and prayers of a nation. I am very mindful that mere words cannot match the depths of your sorrow, nor can they heal your wounded hearts, he said I can only hope it helps for you to know that youre not alone in your grief; that our world too has been torn apart; that all across this land of ours, we have wept with you, weve pulled our children tight. And you must know that whatever measure of comfort we can provide, we will provide. The shooting has also become the subject of wild conspiracy theories, not the least those espoused Alex Jones, host of Infowars, who claimed the massacre never happened. In 2017, Megyn Kelly was criticised for giving time on her NBC show to let him double down on his opinions. When you say parents faked their childrens deaths, people get upset, she said. He replied: But they dont get angry about half a million dead Iraqis killed by sanctions. Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones addresses his thoughts on Sandy Hook shooting being a hoax Connecticuts highest court was divided in its decision on Thursday, ruling 4-3 to reinstate a wrongful-death lawsuit and overturn a lower court decision that said the lawsuit was prohibited by a 2005 federal law that shields gun manufacturers from liability in most cases when their products are used in crimes. The plaintiffs include a survivor and relatives of nine people killed in the massacre, the Associated Press said. They have argued the AR-15-style rifle used in the incident is too dangerous for the public and Remington glorified the weapon in marketing it to young people. Remington has denied wrongdoing and previously insisted it cant be sued under the federal law. The majority of the high court agreed with most of the lower courts ruling and dismissed most of the lawsuits allegations, but allowed a wrongful marketing claim to proceed. The regulation of advertising that threatens the publics health, safety and morals has long been considered a core exercise of the States police powers, said justice Richard Palmer. Joshua Koskoff, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, told the state Supreme Court during arguments in November 2017 the Bushmaster rifle and other AR-15-style rifles were designed as military killing machines and should never have been sold to the public. The families goal has always been to shed light on Remingtons calculated and profit-driven strategy to expand the AR-15 market and court high-risk users, all at the expense of Americans safety, Mr Koskoff said. Todays decision is a critical step towards achieving that goal. Remington, based in Madison, North Carolina, filed for bankruptcy reorganisation last year amid years of slumping sales and legal and financial pressure as a result of the Sandy Hook shooting. Remington did not immediately respond to enquiries. Madeline Peltz works the night shift at the liberal media watchdog group Media Matters for America. Given the timing of that particular shift, one of her main responsibilities is watching Tucker Carlson's 8pm show on Fox News. And she has watched a lot of Tucker Carlson. Mr Carlson has been in the public eye for some 20 years - first as a print journalist, then a television commentator, founder of the conservative site the Daily Caller, and now, Fox News host, with a prime time slot and a salary in the millions. But people have been confused by Mr Carlson's tone on Fox since he took over for Bill O'Reilly in 2018, noting concern about diversity and demographics in his show. After many Carlson-watching hours, the 24-year-old researcher developed a working theory, which she outlined on the nonprofit's website: that Mr Carlson is using his platform on Fox News to introduce white nationalist ideas to the mainstream, making him a uniquely prominent "mouthpiece for white supremacy." Ms Peltz dug into his recent past and discovered a trove of appearances he made on shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge's radio show between 2006 and 2011. She found a series of misogynistic, racist and homophobic remarks Mr Carlson made, the audio of which Media Matters published this week. 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 response, Mr Carlson was defiant, casting himself as the victim of "the great American outrage machine," a mob of power-seeking organisations and people that he says are waging a political war to censor him. In reality, credit for the tapes' publication is due to Ms Peltz: a 20-something in her first adult job who lives in the basement of a Washington, DC, house she rents with five other people, a few cats and a dog named Noodles. "I'm not like some high-power wielding globalist," Ms Peltz said, adopting the conspiracy-inflected jargon of the far right. "I'm this kid who's been on the Internet my whole life and knows how to get around it." It has been a busy week at Media Matters, which tracks conservative media trends and has engaged in a years-long effort to cast light on the ways Fox News and its hosts sidestep traditional journalism guidelines. The organisation released the first audio of Mr Carlson on Sunday. In that, Mr Carlson called rape shield laws "totally unfair" and was adamantly supportive of Warren Jeffs, the former leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who is serving a life sentence for child rape. Mr Carlson also said he would "love" a scenario involving young girls sexually experimenting and described women as "extremely primitive." The next day, Media Matters for America released another audio file just moments after Mr Carlson's show began. In that, Mr Carlson said that white men deserve credit for "creating civilization," called Iraqis a bunch of "semiliterate primitive monkeys," and spoke about his desire for a presidential candidate to blame the "lunatic Muslims who are behaving like animals." There was more on Tuesday. This time, Mr Carlson could be heard joking about having sex with what he thought was an underage beauty pageant contestant. On his Tuesday night show, Mr Carlson did not address the audio itself. Instead, he took aim at Media Matters, calling it "a George Soros-funded lobbying organisation whose sole mission is to punish critics of the Democratic Party." But the tapes have turned up pressure on the show, teeing off an advertiser boycott and a protest in front of Fox News's headquarters in New York City on Wednesday, which Media Matters helped organise. When asked for a comment for this story, Fox News spokesperson Carly Shanahan pointed to Mr Carlson's statements on his show this week. Media Matters for America is not currently funded by George Soros; he has not donated to the organisation in many years, its president, Angelo Carusone, said in an interview. While Mr Carlson described it as working to "bully" corporations, it is the fraction of the size of Fox News, whose revenue for 2018 has been estimated to be more than $3bn (2.3bn). Media Matters has about 80 employees and a budget of about $14m (10.6m) that mostly comes from private donors, Mr Carusone said. Tucker Carlson makes sexist and misogynistic comments in unearthed recording The group does media analysis from a left-leaning perspective, studying trends and themes to see how political discussions play out in the nation's media bubbles. Its staff monitors some 50,000 of live programming on television and radio every year and the organisation tapes another million hours of audio and video on top of that. Media Matters, which has an active website that highlights and contextualises some of these moments, drew criticism during the 2016 for what some saw as an attempt to malign coverage that was critical of Hillary Clinton. But it has found a renewed prominence in the Trump era by turning its sights to the new information economy: the rise of conspiracy theories and misinformation online, the increased visibility of fringe right-wing websites and ideas, and an energised conservative media ecosystem that helps amplifies those ideas - an news cycle that often peaks with a tweet from President Donald Trump. "When we did a power mapping of the landscape at the end of 2016 early 2017, what we found was that so much of what used to be dismissed as the fringes was now where power was being organised: 4chan; Daily Stormer comment sections; subreddits," Mr Carusone said. "These would never have been considered worthy enough or important enough to monitor [before]. But we looked at it and they were - they were driving a lot of the misinformation and fake news of 2016. They were creating a lot of material that was making it onto Fox News or Donald Trump's Twitter feed." Mr Carusone said the organisation had to build some new digital technology to track the online conversations in forums and message boards that he said have such a large effect on the political discourse in the United States. "It's basically it's just a giant DVR for the 'chans, an archive of these message boards," Mr Carusone said. And it has been doing studies and using other data to advocate for better practices. It pushed Google to stop allowing what it had assessed as fake news-purveying websites to use the company's AdSense program. It has met with the big three technology companies - Facebook, Google and Twitter Mr Carusone said, but said NDAs prevented him from disclosing more about that. It also works with journalists to publicise problems or issues when other methods of persuasion fail. "It's a combination of building up public pressure or direct lobbying," Mr Carusone said. Ms Peltz's project was her idea, Mr Carusone said. And he said the organisation decided to publish portions of what she had found after deciding it was relevant to understanding Mr Carlson's current political views. "We didn't just try to embarrass him," Mr Carusone said. "We took things that directly echo his show now, and things that had some relevancy today." Tucker Carlson makes sexually explicit jokes about Miss Teen USA contestant in latest audio Mr Carlson has responded by attacking Media Matters for America, along with the Southern Poverty Law Centre, whose categorisation of hate groups is used widely by media organisations. He has also been engaged in a long-running feud with CNN; on Tuesday he called anchor Brian Stelter a "eunuch," multiple times, name-calling that was omitted from the text of his monologue later posted on the Fox News website. "This is what an authoritarian society looks like," Mr Carlson said. "It was only a matter of time before they came for Fox News." He also took aim at Media Matters' designation as a tax-exempt nonprofit and urged viewers to call the IRS. "In its original tax application to the IRS, Media Matters claimed that the American news media were dominated by a pro-Christian bias and that they were needed to balance it," Mr Carlson said. "It has been violating the terms of that status ever since." He interviewed Boyden Gray, a former counsel to President George HW Bush, who has filed a complaint with the IRS about Media Matters. "There is something wrong with the IRS," Mr Gray said. "There is nothing more harmful than to keep silent when you shouldn't be defending yourself." The Daily Caller, which Mr Carlson founded in 2010, also repurposed a story it had written previously about some racist and transphobic slurs Mr Carusone used on a blog in 2005. Mr Carusone had spoken in a derogatory way about "trannies," "jewry," and "japs," in a series of posts. He wrote about his boyfriend, now husband, saying that "despite his jewry, you KNOW he's adorable," in October 2005, for example. Mr Carusone said the story, which he intended as satire, recirculates every time Media Matters is in the news. And he said the persona of the blog, which he wrote in college, was designed to parody a "right-wing blowhard." "It didn't work very well and I killed it," he said. "It's not funny and it's not nice." Ms Peltz said there is no doubt in her mind that Mr Carlson has been trying to "thread the needle of mainstreaming overt white nationalism," while also avoiding the consequences for it. She cited well-publicised instances: when Mr Carlson said immigration was making the country "dirtier," in December and another segment in which Mr Carlson claimed the South African government was seizing land from white owners, simply because they were white. Mr Carlson has defended that story. Ms Peltz said she believes the extremism has been escalating. "It's clear in the editorial choices that he makes that he covers demographic change as basically the end of white people," Ms Peltz said. "As someone with one of the largest platforms in media he frequently portrays himself as a victim. And that's a long tactic of white nationalists, going back all the way to the civil rights struggle in the South." She said Mr Carlson's response to the audio's publication is a sign that it had an effect. Media Matters says they have more material; it is not clear if the releases will continue. "There's a lot of stuff that I don't think Fox News is super proud of," Ms Peltz said. "It just took 10 hours a day [listening to] Bubba the Love Sponge to figure out." The Washington Post Beto ORourke has formally announced that he will seek the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, ending months of intense speculation over whether he'd try to translate his newfound political celebrity into a White House bid. "This is going to be a positive campaign that seeks to bring out the very best from every single one of us, that seeks to unite a very divided country," O'Rourke said in a video announcement with his wife on a couch. "We saw the power of this in Texas." Mr O'Rourke promises in the video posted Thursday: "I'm going to travel this country and listen to those I seek to serve" and then will return to El Paso on March 30 for a campaign kickoff. He invites would-be supporters "to the greatest grassroots campaign this country has ever seen." The 46-year-old who gained a national following with his long-shot election battle against Senator Ted Cruz last year had earlier told the KTSM news channel: Im really proud of what El Paso did and what El Paso represents. Its a big part of why Im running. This city is the best example of this country at its best. The former three-term US congressman was a heavy underdog when he challenged Mr Cruz, a Republican in mostly conservative Texas, but he quickly demonstrated an ability to draw capacity crowds and raise money from voters nationwide. His candidacy also generated a torrent of media coverage. 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 Early opinion polls on the 2020 race have consistently ranked him in the top tier of contenders, behind former vice president Joe Biden, who has not yet said whether he is running, and veteran Vermont senator Bernie Sanders. This weekend Mr ORourke is to campaign in the politically crucial state of Iowa alongside Eric Giddens, who is running in a special election for a state senate seat. His communications director tweeted: Beto will be in Waterloo on Saturday to kick off an afternoon of canvassing, [get out the vote] and grassroots organising for state senate candidate Eric Giddens. Earlier, Mr Giddens had tweeted a video of the Texan wearing a University of Northern Iowa hat and encouraging students to support the fellow Democrat in the upcoming race. Supporting him for state senate is the way that we get Iowa, and by extension, this country, back on the right track, Mr ORourke says. Were counting on you, and were looking forward to seeing you soon. Adios. Iowa, which holds its primary election, or caucus, in January 2020, the first in the nationwide election cycle, is a crucial test for anyone seeking the presidency, as it the first time voters cast actual ballots on candidates. It has been the making of many campaigns. Donald Trump ran a narrow second to Ted Cruz there in 2016 while it has also been a graveyard for others. In the same cycle, Bernie Sanderss campaign was boosted when he almost beat Hillary Clinton she won 49.8 49.5 while Martin OMalley, a governor of Maryland whom many believed was an attractive candidate, dropped out to the race after winning barely 0.5 per cent of the vote. Since his Senate bid ended, Mr ORourke has worked to keep himself in the public eye, regularly staying in touch with his supporters and sitting for an interview with Oprah Winfrey. He took a well-publicised road trip across the American Southwest, stopping at colleges and diners and he visited students in the key swing state of Wisconsin. He also held a rally in El Paso on the same night in February that Mr Trump staged one there. Both events in the Texas city that borders Mexico drew thousands and put the two mens divergent positions on the border wall on sharp display. He's running but who is he? Beto O'Rourke captured the attention of the Democratic Party nationwide during his long shot senatorial campaign in Texas against Republican incumbent Ted Cruz, breaking fundraising records and establishing himself as a uniquely progressive lawmaker in the deeply red Lone Star state. However, the growing liberal faction of his party may be surprised to know Mr ORourkes voting record is far more conservative than many of his fellow Democrats who have already thrown their hats into the ring, from Kamala Harris to Bernie Sanders. The former El Paso congressman espouses a set of liberal ideals on issues ranging from gun control to immigration, while his centrist take on some other issues could set him apart from opponents vying for a shot at taking on Donald Trump in the next general election. Heres where Mr O'Rourke stands on several of the major issues heading into 2020. 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 Immigration Mr ORourkes record on border walls is complicated. Last March, he supported a spending package that other leading Democratic contenders opposed that included billions of dollars for border wall construction in Texas Rio Grande Valley and elsewhere. Buried in that was hundreds of millions of dollars for repairs of existing fencing elsewhere including El Paso. He later explained the vote as a compromise to win approval of another proposal he backed, expanding access to mental health care for military veterans who had received other-than-honourable discharges. But his action attracted criticism from people who know the border best. His nuanced position on border barriers, sometimes willing to use them as a bargaining chip, could be politically awkward in a national campaign but its mostly supported in El Paso. Meanwhile, Mr ORourke has made immigration reform a hallmark of his campaign, calling for humane laws surrounding immigration and the border. Mr ORourke now opposes pumping any money into new walls. Instead, hed like to see a coalition of border Democrats and Republicans in Congress hammer out a broader immigration overhaul. Impeachment During his 2018 senate campaign, Mr ORourke previously suggested that hed support impeaching the president over alleged collusion with Russia and obstruction of justice. But he went further while appearing at a CNN town hall from the US-Mexico border town of McAllen, Texas, saying that even as members of Congress wait for more evidence to emerge during federal investigations, I do think theres enough there for impeachment. Even Mr ORourke conceded to moderator Dana Bash, I know that this not politically easy or convenient to talk about. Gun Control The Democrat has described himself as a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and Texas gun culture but added, We lose 30,000 of our fellow Americans every year to gun violence. Either theres something wrong with us, something bad, something evil about the United States of America, or theres a human solution to a human-caused problem, he said to sustained applause at an event last year. The people of Texas should be able to lead the way on this conversation. Marijuana and drug reform Mr ORourke noted that the language of a later-vetoed 2009 resolution he helped author while an El Paso City Council member was inartful at best for endorsing legalising narcotics as a way to curb the drug violence across the border in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. He still supports decriminalising marijuana but said he was never in favour of expanding that to heroin, as his former opponent Mr Cruz had suggested in attack ads. Green New Deal His record in Congress has drawn criticism from some for being too moderate, but Mr ORourke also spoke at length on Thursday about combating climate change and supporting the Green New Deal, a sweeping environmental plan backed by liberal Democrats. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The Associated Press contributed to this report Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has taken advantage of an official visit in Washington with vice president Mike Pence to tell the socially conservative politician that he is proud to live in a time when his political actions are the metric by which he is judged, not his sexual orientation. The comment made during a trip where Mr Varadkar was accompanied by his partner, Matt Barrett comes after a conversation between the two last year in which Mr Varadkar raised LGBT+ rights and equality issues with the Republican. Mr Varadkar, Irelands first openly gay prime minister, told Mr Pence on Thursday that American politics had inspired him as a child to do good because that is what politics is all about. It helped inspire me to run for office, he said. I also knew at the time that I lived in a country where if I tried to be myself, at the time I would have ended up breaking laws. He continued: But today that has all changed. I stand here as a leader of my country, flawed and human, where I am judged by my political actions and not my sexual orientation, my skin tone, gender, or religious beliefs. Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade Show all 8 1 /8 Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AP Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AP Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AP Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AP Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AFP/Getty Images Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AP Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AFP/Getty Images Thousands march against Donald Trump in LGBT rights parade AP While Mr Varadkar told reporters before the meeting that the ties between the US and Ireland are strong, the pointed message on gay rights and equality highlights stark differences between the administrations in Washington and Dublin. Mr Pence has long held socially conservative opinions, and has been a critic of LGBT+ rights and pursued policies that critics say were hurtful to the gay community during his time serving as governor of Indiana. His reputation among the LGBT+ community has been so fraught that it once led the president of the Human Rights Campaign to call Mr Pence the face of anti-LGBTQ hate in America. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events During his time in public life, Mr Pence has argued against equality in the United States, saying during his congressional campaign in 2000, for instance, that congress should oppose any effort to put gay and lesbian relationships on an equal legal status with heterosexual marriage. And, during his time in congress, Mr Pence pushed to make a bill that would withhold federal dollars from organisations that celebrate and encourage behaviour that leads to the spread of HIV. In doing so, Mr Pence also pushed for legislation that would only give money to institutions that helped gay individuals if they were interested in changing their sexual orientation. This opinions followed him into the governors office in Indiana, where he supports an amendment banning same-sex marriage in the states constitution, and did not support measures to ban discrimination against the LGBT+ community in the workplace. The US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted in support of a resolution demanding special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election be made public and provided to Congress upon its completion. The House resolution is unable to actually force Donald Trump, the White House or the US Justice Department to send Congress materials related to the report that may violate current law or the agencys rules surrounding official releases of investigatory findings, however. Still, the vote is seen as a critical demand from the Democrat-controlled House to be able to review the full report from the special counsels investigation into whether the presidents campaign wrongfully conspired with Russia to sway the election against Hillary Clinton an effort the Kremlin was pushing throughout the last general election, according to the US Intelligence Community. House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerrold Nadler said the vote was meant to send a clear signal both to the American people and the Department of Justice that Congress expects a full review of Mr Muellers findings. Not a single politician voted no for the resolution. Four voted present, while 420 voted in support. The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Show all 17 1 /17 The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Paul Manafort Mr Manafort is a Republican strategist and former Trump campaign manager. He resigned from that post over questions about his extensive lobbying overseas, including in Ukraine where he represented pro-Russian interests. Mr Manafort turned himself in at FBI headquarters to special counsel Robert Muellers team on Oct 30, 2017, after he was indicted under seal on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. Getty The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rick Gates Mr Gates joined the Trump team in spring 2016, and served as a top aide until he left to work at the Republican National Committee after the departure of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort. Mr Gates' had previously worked on several presidential campaigns, on international political campaigns in Europe and Africa, and had 15 years of political or financial experience with multinational firms, according to his bio. Mr Gates was indicted alongside Mr Manafort by special counsel Robert Mueller's team on charges that include conspiracy against the United States, conspiracy to launder money, unregistered agent of a foreign principal, false and misleading US Foreign Agents Registration Act statements, false statements, and seven counts of failure to file reports of foreign bank and financial accounts. AP The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation George Papadopoulos George Papadopoulos was a former foreign policy adviser for the Trump campaign, having joined around March 2016. Mr Papadopoulos plead guilty to federal charges for lying to the FBI as a part of a cooperation agreement with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. Mr Papadopoulos claimed in an interview with the FBI that he had made contacts with Russian sources before joining the Trump campaign, but he actually began working with them after joining the team. Mr Papadopoulos allegedly took a meeting with a professor in London who reportedly told him that Russians had "dirt" on Hillary Clinton. The professor also allegedly introduced Mr Papadopoulos to a Russian who was said to have close ties to officials at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Papadopoulos also allegedly was in contact with a woman whom he incorrectly described in one email to others in the campaign as the "niece" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Twitter The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Donald Trump Jr The President's eldest son met with a Russian lawyer - Natalia Veselnitskaya - on 9 June 2016 at Trump Tower in New York. He said in an initial statement that the meeting was about Russia halting adoptions of its children by US citizens. Then, he said it was regarding the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. In a final statement, Mr Trump Jr released a chain of emails that revealed he took the meeting in hopes of getting information Ms Veselnitskaya had about Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. He and the President called it standard "opposition research" in the course of campaigning and that no information came from the meeting. The meeting was set up by an intermediary, Rob Goldstone. Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort were also at the same meeting. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jared Kushner Mr Kushner is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key adviser to the White House. He met with a Russian banker appointed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in December. Mr Kushner has said he did so in his role as an adviser to Mr Trump while the bank says he did so as a private developer. Mr Kushner has also volunteered to testify in the Senate about his role helping to arrange meetings between Trump advisers and Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Rob Goldstone Former tabloid journalist and now music publicist Rob Goldstone is a contact of the Trump family through the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant, which took place in Moscow. In June 2016, he wrote to Donald Trump Jr offering a meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalya Veselnitskaya, who had information about Hillary Clinton. Mr Goldstone was the intermediary for Russian pop star Emin Agalaraov and his father, real estate magnate Aras, who played a role in putting on the 2013 pageant. In an email chain released by Mr Trump Jr, Mr Goldstone seemed to indicate Russian government's support of Donald Trump's campaign. AP images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Aras and Emin Agalarov Aras Agalarov (R) is a wealthy Moscow-based real estate magnate and son Emin (L) is a pop star. Both played a role in putting on the previously Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant in Moscow. They allegedly had information about Hillary Clinton and offered that information to the Trump campaign through a lawyer with whom they had worked with, Natalia Veselnitskaya, and music publicist Rob Goldstone. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Natalia Veselnitskaya Natalia Veselnitskaya is a Russian lawyer with ties to the Kremlin. She has worked on real estate issues and reportedly counted the FSB as a client in the past. She has ties to a Trump family connection, real estate magnate Aras Agalarov, who had helped set up the Trump-owned 2013 Miss Universe pageant which took place in Moscow. Ms Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort in Trump Tower on 9 June 2016 but denies the allegation that she went there promising information on Hillary Clinton's alleged financial ties to Russia. She contends that the meeting was about the US adoptions of Russian children being stopped by Moscow as a reaction to the Magnitsky Act, a US law blacklisting Russian human rights abusers. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Mike Flynn Mr Flynn was named as Trump's national security adviser but was forced to resign from his post for inappropriate communication with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. He had misrepresented a conversation he had with Mr Kislyak to Vice President Mike Pence, telling him wrongly that he had not discussed sanctions with the Russian. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sergey Kislyak Mr Kislyak, the former longtime Russian ambassador to the US, is at the centre of the web said to connect President Donald Trump's campaign with Russia. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Roger Stone Mr Stone is a former Trump adviser who worked on the political campaigns of Richard Nixon, George HW Bush, and Ronald Reagan. Mr Stone claimed repeatedly in the final months of the campaign that he had backchannel communications with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and that he knew the group was going to dump damaging documents to the campaign of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton - which did happen. Mr Stone also had contacts with the hacker Guccier 2.0 on Twitter, who claimed to have hacked the DNC and is linked to Russian intelligence services. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeff Sessions The US attorney general was forced to recuse himself from the Trump-Russia investigation after it was learned that he had lied about meeting with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Carter Page Mr Page is a former advisor to the Trump campaign and has a background working as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Mr Page met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Mr Page had invested in oil companies connected to Russia and had admitted that US Russia sanctions had hurt his bottom line. Reuters The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Jeffrey "JD" Gorden Mr Gordon met with Russian Ambassador to the US Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 Republian National Convention to discuss how the US and Russia could work together to combat Islamist extremism should then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump win the election. The meeting came days before a massive leak of DNC emails that has been connected to Russia. Creative Commons The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation James Comey Mr Comey was fired from his post as head of the FBI by President Donald Trump. The timing of Mr Comey's firing raised questions around whether or not the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign may have played a role in the decision. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Preet Bharara Mr Bahara refused, alongside 46 other US district attorney's across the country, to resign once President Donald Trump took office after previous assurances from Mr Trump that he would keep his job. Mr Bahara had been heading up several investigations including one into one of President Donald Trump's favorite cable television channels Fox News. Several investigations would lead back to that district, too, including those into Mr Trump's campaign ties to Russia, and Mr Trump's assertion that Trump Tower was wiretapped on orders from his predecessor. Getty Images The biggest names involved in the Trump-Russia investigation Sally Yates Ms Yates, a former Deputy Attorney General, was running the Justice Department while President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general awaited confirmation. Ms Yates was later fired by Mr Trump from her temporary post over her refusal to implement Mr Trump's first travel ban. She had also warned the White House about potential ties former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn to Russia after discovering those ties during the FBI's investigation into the Trump campaign's connections to Russia. Getty Images Both parties have noted an additional resolution will be required upon the completion of Mr Muellers report into the 2016 election. Politicians on either side of the aisle have used the two-year investigation to both discredit and uplift Mr Trump, with Democrats hoping the report proves their assertions the presidents campaign was involved in deceitful activity throughout the election, while Republicans have echoed Mr Trumps claims of it being a witch hunt and distraction. Recommended Trump rants about Mueller probe as Roger Stone returns to court It is unclear exactly what documentation will be produced at the end of the probe into possible coordination between Mr Trumps associates and Russia, and how much of that the Justice Department will allow people to see. Mr Mueller is required to submit a report to attorney general William Barr, who can decide how much of that is released publicly. Mr Barr said at his confirmation hearing in January that he takes seriously the department regulations that say Mr Muellers report should be confidential. Those regulations require only that the report explain the decisions to pursue or to decline prosecutions, which could be as simple as a bullet point list or as fulsome as a report running hundreds of pages. I dont know what, at the end of the day, what will be releasable. I dont know what Bob Mueller is writing, Mr Barr said at the hearing. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The top Republican on the Judiciary panel, Georgia representative Doug Collins, said the vote on the resolution was unnecessary but he would support it anyway. He said he has no reason to believe Mr Barr would not follow the regulations. Additional reporting by Associated Press The Republican-led US Senate has approved a resolution seeking to end support for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in the war in Yemen, in a rebuke of Donald Trumps policy towards the kingdom. The vote was 54-46 in the Senate, more than the 51 needed to pass in the 100-member Senate, as seven Republicans joined Democrats in backing the measure. The war powers resolution seeks to end any US military involvement in the conflict, including providing targeting support for Saudi air strikes, without authorisation from Congress. The four-year-long civil war in Yemen, which pits the Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels backed by Iran, has killed tens of thousands of people and spawned what the United Nations calls the worlds most dire humanitarian crisis, with the country on the brink of famine. Backers of the resolution, including a handful of Mr Trumps fellow Republicans as well as Democrats, argued that US involvement in Yemen violates the constitutional requirement that Congress, not the president, should determine when the country goes to war. Were helping a foreign power bomb its adversaries in what is undoubtedly, irrefutably, a war, said Republican Senator Mike Lee, who sponsored the resolution, urging a "yes" vote. Food aid for Yemenis stolen Show all 21 1 /21 Food aid for Yemenis stolen Food aid for Yemenis stolen People walk in a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen People stand near their rooms inside a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A baby sleeps inside a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A woman sits with her baby inside a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen Sisters play in their room at a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen The entrance of the hangar of the United Nations in Aden, Yemen, in this 23 July 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A man sells aid supplies at a market in Aden, Yemen, in this 23 July 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen The entrance to the port where aid is received, in Aden, Yemen, is shown in this 23 July 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen This 24 July 2018 photo shows a gas station on a road in Shabwah, Yemen. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A worn-out list of registered names for aid by Relief International, part of the World Food Program, is posted in Aden, Yemen in this 23 July 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A truck carries aid on a road in Aden, Yemen, in this 23 July 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A man fixes his scarf at a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen Children play in a room at a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen Children look out of their room at a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A woman holds her baby as she leaves her room in a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A family poses for a photograph in their room at a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A family sits in their room at a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A bucket filled with bread at a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, is shown in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A family poses for a photograph in a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A child stands in a room at a shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) Food aid for Yemenis stolen A shelter for displaced persons in Ibb, Yemen, is shown in this 3 Aug 2018 photo. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty) The Yemen vote could be only the first of two major setbacks for Mr Trump this week, as senators are due to vote tomorrow on a resolution disapproving of his use of his emergency powers to pay for a wall on the border with Mexico, even though Congress has not approved it. The resolution must still be approved by the House of Representatives to be sent to the White House, which said earlier that Mr Trump plans a veto. It would be the first of his two-year-long presidency. Democrats and Republicans reintroduced the resolution two weeks ago as a way to send a strong message to Riyadh and to Mr Trump about the humanitarian disaster in Yemen. Many legislators also want to push the president to demand a stronger response from the Saudi government to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey in October. Yemeni mother Shaima Swileh arrives at San Francisco International Airport to see dying son for last time Mr Trump has held back on criticising Saudi Arabia, calling them an important strategic ally and counterbalance to Iran in the region. He has also touted Saudi purchases of US defence equipment as a generator of American jobs. Resolution opponents argued that support for the Saudi-led coalition is not an appropriate use of the war powers act limiting the presidents ability to send troops into action, because US forces are not actively engaged in fighting. Some also contended that stopping US support would help Iran, and potentially prolong the conflict by ending Washingtons ability to influence Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, a partner in the conflict, to pursue a sustainable political settlement. We need to stay engaged with the limited engagement that we have, said Senator Jim Risch, the Republican chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. He also said the resolution sets a bad precedent because the United States is not directly involved in Yemen. The Senate had approved the war powers resolution in December, during the last Congress, the first time such a measure had passed the chamber. But Republicans, who controlled the House until January, did not let it come up for a vote. With the Democrats in control, the House passed its own version of the resolution in February, but a procedural issue meant the House must vote on the Senates version of the measure. Overcoming a veto would require two-thirds majorities in both the Senate and House, more votes than it has garnered so far. Reuters Donald Trump has lambasted the latest Democrat to throw their name into a growing pool of 2020 White House hopefuls, questioning Beto O'Rourke's sanity and pointing out his hand gestures on Thursday. Well I think he has got a lot of hand movements, the president said during a White House meeting with Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. I've never seen so much hand movement. He added, Is he crazy or is that just the way he acts? The president declined to comment on whether Mr ORourke was a stronger opponent than former Vice President Joe Biden, who has not yet launched a bid for the White House. Mr Trump also commented on Brexit, claiming things had become difficult with the European Union, and the Senate vote on Thursday to condemn his national emergency declaration that would allow him to circumvent Congress and pull federal funds to build his long-promised US-Mexico border wall. 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 While the president has regularly attacked lawmakers entering the 2020 race, Mr ORourke called for unity and a positive campaign during an announcement video on Thursday morning. This is going to be a positive campaign that seeks to bring out the very best from every single one of us, that seeks to unite a very divided country, he said alongside his wife, Amy. The southern Democrat added, We saw the power of this in Texas, referring to his long shot 2018 senatorial campaign in the deeply red Lone Star state. Recommended Trump rants about Mueller probe as Roger Stone returns to court Mr ORourkes entry is already reverberating around the crowded field of Democratic presidential hopefuls. Kamala Harris singled him out by name in a Thursday email to supporters, noting that a record number of women and people of color are running and adding she was looking forward to substantive debates with candidates including the newest to join the race today, Beto ORourke. He had never before visited Iowa, which kicks off presidential voting, but said during his first stop at a coffee shop there on Thursday, I could care less about your party persuasion, your religion, anything other than the fact that, right now, we are all Americans. His comments were carried live on several cable TV networks, the kind of exposure other 2020 Democrats dont often get. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr ORourke has promised to travel the country listening to voters, then will return to El Paso, on the border with Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on March 30 for an official campaign kickoff. Additional reporting by AP Before Donald Trump decided to ground all Boeing 737 MAX planes, the president reportedly fretted over the damage it could do to the US stock market. America lagged behind almost every other major country in deciding to suspend the 737 MAX after a crash involving the jetliner killed more than 150 passengers in Ethiopia over the weekend. But on Wednesday, Mr Trump finally announced the move, saying he did not want to take any chances on a plane he privately told aides sucked, The Washington Post reported. He said the jetliner paled in comparison to Trump Force One, his private Boeing 757 jet, according to administration officials who spoke to the newspaper. Mr Trump was reportedly inclined to announce a suspension on Tuesday, but received pushback from the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) amid his own doubts over the impact on the stock market and the prospect of triggering panic. Plane crash kills 157 in Ethiopia Show all 15 1 /15 Plane crash kills 157 in Ethiopia Plane crash kills 157 in Ethiopia People stand near collected debris at the crash site AFP/Getty Plane crash kills 157 in Ethiopia A man carries a piece of debris on his head at the crash site AFP/Getty Plane crash kills 157 in Ethiopia Wreckage lies at the crash site of the Ethiopia Airlines Boeing 737 near Addis Ababa EPA Plane crash kills 157 in Ethiopia Debris at the site of the crash near Addis Ababa Reuters Plane crash kills 157 in Ethiopia CEO of Ethiopia Airlines, Tewolde Gebremariam inspects the crash site AP Plane crash kills 157 in Ethiopia Debris from the crashed aeroplane AP Plane crash kills 157 in Ethiopia UN staff observe a minutes silence for the victims of the plane crash. 19 UN workers were killed in the crash AFP/Getty Plane crash kills 157 in Ethiopia Rescuers work at the scene of the crash near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia AP Plane crash kills 157 in Ethiopia Rescuers work at the scene of the crash near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia AP Plane crash kills 157 in Ethiopia An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 (ET-AVM), the same type of aircraft that crashed EPA Plane crash kills 157 in Ethiopia Rescuers work at the scene of the crash near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia AP Plane crash kills 157 in Ethiopia Members of the search and rescue team work at the scene of the crash near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Reuters Plane crash kills 157 in Ethiopia A boarding pass at the scene of the crash Reuters Plane crash kills 157 in Ethiopia Rescuers remove body bags from the scene of the crash near Addis Ababa AP Plane crash kills 157 in Ethiopia Wreckage at the scene of the Ethiopia Airlines flight AP After agreeing with aides it should be left to the FAA to announce the decision to ground the planes, industry officials were caught by surprise when the president scrapped the plan and told reporters at the White House he was issuing an emergency order to ground all flights of the 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9. We didnt have to make this decision today. We could have delayed it, Mr Trump said. We maybe didnt have to make it at all. But I felt it was important both psychologically and in a lot of other ways. But the FAA said the order was the result of new evidence collected at the site and analysed today and newly refined satellite data that Canada had cited earlier in its decision to halt flights. The FAA did not disclose the new evidence at the scene but said it was the missing pieces that aligned the track of the two fatal Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashes since October. While Mr Trump announced the ban on television, acting FAA administrator Dan Elwell said he made the decision with the support of transportation secretary Elaine Chao. We were resolute in our position that we would not take action until we had data to support taking action, Mr Elwell told reporters. That data coalesced today and we made the call. For decades, the US has led the world in aviation safety, often setting standards that were later adopted by other countries. So the agency came under heavy criticism from US lawmakers and others who questioned why the FAA waited so long to ground the Boeing 737 MAX. Canada grounded the planes earlier on Wednesday while the European Union acted on Tuesday. China and some airlines ordered the planes not to fly within hours of the crash on Sunday. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) grounds Boeing 737 MAX 8 The grounding was an abrupt reversal as the US had repeatedly insisted the plane was safe to fly even as regulators and airlines around the world grounded the plane. Mr Trump spoke to Boeing chief executive Dennis Muilenburg on Wednesday before the announcement. Additional reporting by agencies Donald Trump has made a last-minute Brexit intervention - claiming his administration is looking forward to "negotiating a large scale Trade Deal with the UK" - after reportedly being lobbied to do so by Nigel Farage. The former Ukip leader allegedly told the US president to support the UK leaving the EU without a deal during a meeting in Washington this month. And just hours after parliament voted to rule out a no-deal Brexit - and hours before further votes on a potential extension of Article 50 - Mr Trump posted an early morning tweet which will be interpreted by many as meeting Mr Farage's request. He wrote: "My Administration looks forward to negotiating a large scale Trade Deal with the United Kingdom. The potential is unlimited!" High-profile Brexiteers have long claimed a trade deal with the US would be one of the key benefits to breaking with the EU, but critics have cautioned any agreement would likely take years and result in lowered food and agriculture standards, as well as further privatisation of the NHS. Trump and Farage - a working friendship Show all 7 1 /7 Trump and Farage - a working friendship Trump and Farage - a working friendship Donald Trump and Nigel Farage pose in the golden elevator at Trump Tower on 12 November 2016, four days after Trump was elected president. Farage was the first British politician to meet with Trump after the election LeaveEUOffical/Twitter Trump and Farage - a working friendship Not long after their meeting at Trump Tower, then-president elect Trump tweeted in favour of Nigel Farage being appointed ambassador to the US Trump and Farage - a working friendship Farage appears at a Trump campaign rally in Jackson, Mississipi on 24 August 2016. Farage drew parallels between the recent vote for Brexit in the UK and a vote for Trump in the US, saying "they could take back control of their country, take back control of their borders and get back their pride and self-respect" Getty Images Trump and Farage - a working friendship Trump introduced Farage as "Mr. Brexit" Getty Images Trump and Farage - a working friendship President Trump with Nigel Farage when they met met face-to-face to discuss why the President should back a no-deal Brexit on 3 March 2019 PA Trump and Farage - a working friendship From left to right: Gerry Gunster (US pollster and campaign adviser to Leave.EU), Arron Banks (Leave.EU founder who is being investigated over the funding of the Brexit campaign), Donald Trump (then president-elect), Nigel Farage (then leader of UKIP), Andy Wigmore (communication director of Leave.EU) and Raheem Kassam (then-advisor to Farage and later UK editor of Breitbart news) Trump and Farage - a working friendship Farage and his adviser Raheem Kassam arrive to meet with Trump on November 12 2016 Getty Images The US trade representative's office had said it would launch talks with Britain after what was initially its planned exit from the EU on 29 March. Last month it laid out its objectives for a deal that included reduced tariff and non-tariff barriers for US industrial and agricultural goods. Mr Trump has made the US economy and trade a cornerstone of his presidency in line with his "America First" campaign, and has sought to renegotiate pacts with China, Canada and Mexico as well as the EU. Mr Farage said he made the request to the president at the Conservative Political Action Conference (Cpac) in the capital last week. The pair were pictured at the meeting, smiling with their thumbs raised. "I was talking to him about Vietnam, where he had said that a bad deal was on the table so sometimes you have to walk. That was the exact quote from Trump." Mr Farage told The Daily Telegraph. "I said in the case of Vietnam that no deal was better than a bad deal and I gave my opinion that the same principle applied to Brexit," he said. "I think if you read the comments from his ambassador in London, I don't think it takes much reading between the lines. "This American administration firmly believes in the nation state, not supranational structures and this administration are hugely keen on the defence, security and indeed business relationships that exist between our two countries. Anne Coulter on Donald Trump: ' You've been lied to' "And I think it's fair to say they see Brexit as a great opportunity." Mr Trump became friends during his campaign when the former Ukip leader, dubbed "Mr Brexit", was greeted at a rally in Mississippi before the 2016 election. The two were also pictured just after the election, at Trump tower in New York, where Mr Farage appeared to be spearheading a new relationship between the UK and US. Mr Trump has spoken highly of Mr Farage in the past, stating that he would do "a great job" as British ambassador to the US. Additional reporting by PA China is in a league of its own when it comes to human rights violations and is trying to erase Islamic culture and religion, the US government has said. The treatment of Muslim minorities in Xinjiang province is worse than anything seen since the 1930s, said a Trump administration official at the launch of a State Department report on global abuses. The report also highlighted violations by Iran, South Sudan and Nicaragua, but Washington singled out Beijing over its detainment of millions of Uighur and Kazakh Muslims in so-called re-education camps. For me, you havent seen things like this since the 1930s, said Michael Kozak, the head of the State Departments human rights and democracy bureau, in an apparent reference to Nazi Germany and Stalins Soviet Union. Rounding up, in some estimations ... Millions of people, putting them into camps, and torturing them, abusing them, and trying to basically erase their culture and their religion and so on from their DNA. Its just remarkably awful. 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 Speaking during the same briefing on Wednesday, secretary of state Mike Pompeo told reporters that China was in a league of its own when it comes to human rights violations. China hit back with an unusually strongly worded response, accusing the US of groundless accusations fuelled by racism and ideological prejudice. We also advise that the United States take a hard look at its own domestic human rights record, and first take care of its own affairs, added foreign ministry spokesperson Lu Kang on Thursday. Beijing has long rejected international criticism of its Muslim internment camps, depicting them as vocational training facilities aimed at de-radicalising Islamic extremists. On Tuesday, the governor of Xinjiang said the camps were the same as boarding schools. But Amnesty International has compared the detainment centres to wartime concentration camps, and former internees have said they were tortured, forced to renounce their religion, and made to swear allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party. At least were starting to make them realise there is a lot of international scrutiny on this, Mr Kozak said. It is one of the most serious human rights violations in the world today. Donald Trump has been accused of failing to take meaningful action over Chinas repressive policies, with a cross-party group of politicians writing to Mr Pompeo earlier this month urging the government to stand up for the oppressed. Mr Trumps administration has weighed sanctions against senior Chinese officials in Xinjiang, including the regions Communist Party leader, but Beijing has warned of retaliation. In a riposte to the US human rights report, Chinas State Council said America was a self-styled human rights defender with a flawed and lacklustre record. It pointed to the high rate of gun deaths and racial discrimination in the US. The council also cited a lack of media freedom in America, despite China being ranked 176 last year on the Reporters Without Borders world press freedom index ahead of only Syria, Turkmenistan, Eritrea and North Korea. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The State Department report also criticised the Iranian government, which Mr Pompeo noted had killed more than 20 people and arrested thousands for protesting, continuing a pattern of cruelty the regime has inflicted on the Iranian people for the last four decades. In South Sudan, the report said military forces inflicted sexual violence against civilians based on their political allegiances and ethnicity, while in Nicaragua, peaceful protesters had faced sniper fire and government critics faced a policy of exile, jail or death. The report also dropped a description of Golan Heights as Israeli-occupied, favouring instead Israel-controlled, in the latest sign the US is backing Israels disputed claim to the land it captured from Syria. A man in India killed his wife by hurling her off a balcony because he thought she was celebrating his mothers death, according to police. Initial media reports said Shubhangi Lokhande killed herself in western Maharashtra on Saturday because she was overwhelmed with grief over her 70-year-old mother-in-law's death. But an investigation into her death revealed the 35-year-old woman was actually murdered by her husband, who was apparently furious after she openly exhibited joy at his mother Malati Lokhandes death, a police official said. Sandeep Lokhande is accused of throwing her off the second-floor balcony of their house in the Apatenagar suburb, according to India Today. Mr Sandeep is currently in police custody and has admitted to the crime, the police official said. 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling Show all 20 1 /20 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling Someone celebrates underneath a rainbow-coloured flag as the Supreme Court in India rules that gay sex is longer a crime. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling People celebrate in the street following the ruling. The Chief Justice of India stated that the outlawing of gay sex had been "irrational, arbitrary and indefensible". AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling Up until now, gay sex in India had been punishable by up to 10 years in prison under Section 377 of the Indian constitution. AFP/Getty 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling The law was originally imposed during the Victorian era while India was still under the rule of the British Empire. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling "Any consensual sexual relationship between two consenting adults - homosexuals, heterosexuals or lesbians - cannot be said to be unconstitutional," said Dipak Misra, Chief Justice of India. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling Members and supporters of the LGBT+ community in India were overjoyed by the decision, with the celebrations awash with rainbow-coloured paraphernalia. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling "They have opened the door to discussing rights," Anjali Gopalan, founder of the Naz Foundation charity that has been fighting against Section 377 told The Independent. "They have apologised to the gay community, and they have said copies of the judgement will be handed to every police station. It is the best judgement we could have hoped for." AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling People were dancing and smiling as the Supreme Court's ruling was announced. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling Bismaya, an activist with the Delhi brand of LGBT+ advocacy group Impulse, told The Independent: "I'm so happy, it's overwhelming. I cried when we heard the news. I'm gay and I'm not afraid of that. It's something I used to say, but now for the first time I have the legal backing." AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling The rain did little to dampen people's spirits as they celebrated the historic ruling in New Delhi. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling A woman exclaims with joy as she holds hands with others on the day of the ruling. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling Members of the LGBT+ community in India hold a placard reading "Love is genderless" while standing outside the Supreme Court in New Delhi. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling The celebrations in India were bright, colourful and full of happiness. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling Bismaya, activist for LGBT+ advocacy group Impulse, said: "It's great for me but it's also a great day for the whole of India. Acceptance in wider society will take time, because we cannot expect change overnight. It has been a battle for two decades for this judgement. If now we get full acceptance in a couple of years, that would be great." AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling Members and supporters of the LGBT+ community in member celebrate the landmark ruling in Siliguri with a cake and confetti. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling People join in the jubilant festivities in Kolkata. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling A woman cries with happiness in Chennai as the ruling made by the Supreme Court in India is announced. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling The celebrations in Kolkata were full of happiness and energy. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling A group of people stand in heavy rainfall in New Delhi as they celebrate the outlawing of the outdated ban on gay sex in India. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling The movement to reconsider Section 377 started in 2001 with a legal challenge made to the Delhi High Court from the Naz Foundation. AFP/Getty Images During the investigation, Sandeep said his wife was happy with the death of his mother and therefore, in a fit of rage, he killed her, the police said. After the ailing Malati died on Saturday morning, Shubhangi became happy. She couldnt hide her feelings. Sandeep was enraged by this behaviour of his wife and killed her the same day. The couples two children are now with Mr Sandeeps parents after their father was arrested on Wednesday. Violence against women is a widespread problem in India more than 50 per cent of Indian men and women still believe that wife-beating can be justified. One woman is killed every hour for not providing enough dowry an amount of property or money given by a bride to her husband at the time of marriage. But the conviction rate for crimes against women overall in India is very low only 18.9 per cent and the lowest in a decade according to the latest official crime statistics from 2016. The average conviction rate for all crimes is 47 per cent. Sexual abuse in India is also highly prevalent - according to National Crimes Records Bureau (NCRB) data, a woman is raped every six hours in India. Across all rape cases, 95 per cent of rapists were not strangers but family, friends and neighbours. Rape is one of the most under-reported crimes in India with some estimates indicating 90 to 95 per cent of rape cases remain unreported. An Indian businessman has died following a 12-hour hair transplant in Mumbai. The 43-year-old, named in local media as Shrawan Kumar Choudhary, was rushed to hospital with breathing problems after undergoing the procedure at a private clinic. He died the next day from multiple organ failure triggered by a suspected allergic reaction, police said. Mr Choudhary, who ran a logistics firm, had paid 500,000 rupees (5,400) for the hair transplant at a clinic in the Chinchpokli area of Mumbai. According to The Times of India, surgeon Vikas Halwai told police the patient had received 3,700 hair grafts in a single sitting. 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 Choudhary had reportedly asked for 9,000 grafts to be transplanted in one procedure, although it is unclear if the doctor agreed to this. It is unusual for more than 3,000 hairs to be grafted in a lone sitting. The lengthy surgery reportedly began on Friday and was completed at 2.30am the next morning. He was taken to hospital with breathing difficulties and swelling on Saturday, but doctors were unable to save his life. He is thought to have suffered anaphylactic shock, a severe and potentially fatal allergic reaction. Mr Choudhary had reportedly not told his family he was undergoing the operation. Police have provisionally recorded an accidental death and launched an investigation into whether medical negligence was a factor. India's Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons said breathing difficulties were "a rare complication that only few patients of hair transplant suffer from" and that Mr Choudhary should have been kept under observation for at least 24 hours before being discharged. China has blocked a UN Security Council proposal to blacklist the leader of a Pakistan-based militant group which India says was behind the 14 February suicide bombing in Kashmir. Masood Azhar is the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), an anti-India Islamist group with links to al-Qaeda that is already itself blacklisted by the Security Council. Western countries moved to declare Azhar a global terrorist after JeM claimed responsibility for the Kashmir attack, in which a local Kashmiri man killed 40 Indian paramilitary police officers. Yet for the fourth time in 10 years, China vetoed the proposal to hit Azhar with sanctions including an asset freeze, a travel ban and an arms embargo. Beijing did not provide a reason for placing a technical hold on the proposal, which delays the request for at least nine months, but has in the past been accused of protecting Azhar as part of Chinas close alliance with Pakistans military establishment. In a statement released late on Wednesday, Indias foreign ministry said it was disappointed by this outcome, without mentioning China by name. We will continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens are brought to justice, the statement read. India had hoped that international condemnation of the 14 February bombing would finally break the cycle whereby its Western allies - the UK, US and France - would move to sanction Azhar and Pakistans ally and permanent Security Council member China would intervene. Social media users have been demanding action in the wake of the bombing in Pulwama, Kashmir, which led to a dramatic escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan that saw both countries claiming to have shot down each others fighter jets. Angered by the latest development, Indians on Twitter called for a boycott of Chinese products, with #China and #BoycottChineseProducts the top trends in the country. And with a general election looming in April and May, the opposition Congress party in India accused prime minister Narendra Modi of bowing to Beijing over the Azhar issue. Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted: Weak Modi is scared of [Chinese president] Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. Since it is not a member of the UN Security Council itself, India will rely on its allies to keep up the pressure on Pakistan, which earlier this month admitted Azhar is in Pakistan but very unwell to the extent that he cannot leave his house. India said it was grateful to the member states who moved to designate Azhar a global terrorist. Speaking to the Reuters news agency on condition of anonymity, a UN Security Council diplomat said that if China continued to prevent the designation of Azhar, member states "may be forced to pursue other actions at the Security Council." The diplomat said: "The case for designating Masood Azhar - the leader of a group the UN already calls an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organisation - is undeniable." Western powers could also blacklist Azhar by adopting a Security Council resolution, which needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes by permanent members Russia, China, the US, Britain or France. While JeM claimed the Pulwama bombing, and the bomber pre-recorded a video declaring allegiance to the group, the extent to which the attack was ordered and coordinated from Pakistan remains unclear. Pakistans foreign minister said the country had not moved to arrest Azhar, ill or not, because the evidence provided in a dossier by India was insufficient to bring a case to trial. In interviews with The Independent last week, the family of the Pulwama bomber played down Pakistans role, suggesting that the bomber, Adil Ahmad Dar, was a separatist motivated by the struggle for freedom for Kashmir. They questioned Indian media reports that Dar made several visits to Pakistan in the year before the attack. Azhar founded JeM in 2000 after a hostage exchange that freed him from an Indian prison in return for 155 people held on a hijacked aircraft. In December 2001, the group collaborated with another Pakistan-based militant outfit, Lashkar-e-Taiba, in an attack on India's parliament that nearly triggered a fourth war between the two countries. Pakistani authorities have also linked JeM with two assassination bids on former President Pervez Musharraf in 2003, as well as the kidnap and video-taped beheading of US journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002. A mans mobile phone blocked an arrow allegedly fired at him by an attacker outside his home, police in the Australian state of New South Wales said. Photos released by New South Wales police show how the arrow pierced and shattered the 43-year-olds phone but did not entirely go through the device. The mobile owner was taking a photo of a man allegedly clutching a bow and arrow outside his driveway before the man was said to draw the bow and shoot the projectile in his direction. The victim was left with a small cut to his chin when the force of the missile pushed his phone backwards and into his face. Police later arrested a 39-year-old man at the scene in the village of Nimbin, less than 20 miles outside the city of Lismore. 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 alleged attack happened after the 43-year-old man drove into his driveway on Nimbin Road and stepped out of his car around 9am on Wednesday, police said. He noticed another man, who is known to him, standing outside his property allegedly armed with a bow and arrow, said a spokesperson for New South Wales police. The resident held up his mobile phone to take a photo of the armed man who then engaged the bow and was ready to fire. Its alleged the man fired the arrow at the resident which pierced through the mans mobile phone causing the phone to hit him in the chin. It left a small laceration that didnt require medical treatment. Mobile spiked by arrow (New South Wales Police Force) The 39-year-old man arrested at the scene was taken to Nimbin Police Station where he was charged with being armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and malicious damage. The accused was granted conditional bail to appear in Lismore Local Court on 15 April 2019. A gang of thieves thought they had got their hands on a 3m (2.6m) painting, only to learn they had stolen a fake masterpiece after some artful policing. Pieter Bruegel the Youngers The Crucifixion seemingly vanished from a church in northwest Italy this week after robbers smashed open its case with hammer. It looked to have been a perfectly executed heist, until police revealed on Thursday they had swapped the Flemish artists original 1617 oil painting with an exact replica. After being tipped off about the planned theft last month, officers had also installed secret cameras in the church in town of Castelnuovo Magra in Liguria to catch the culprits in the act. The towns mayor Daniele Montebello was also in on the bluff, initially telling the media the loss of the work of inestimable value was a hard blow for our community. 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 He later admitted the real painting had been placed in secure storage weeks ago. The rumour had started to circulate that someone could steal the work and the Carabinieri [national military police] decided to keep it safe, replacing it with a copy and installing some cameras, he told Italian news agency Ansa. For investigative reasons we could not reveal anything. Recommended Recovering stolen art The mayor also thanked parishioners, some of whom had noticed the Bruegel on display in the Santa Maria Maddalena church was not the original but did not reveal the secret. The painting, a reproduction of a work by the artists father, Bruegel the Elder, was donated to the church in the 19th century by a family of Italian nobles. The thieves pulled up in a Peugeot at lunchtime on Wednesday before speeding off with the fake masterpiece in a smash-and-grab raid. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Police are now studying the surveillance footage in a bid to identify the gang. The president of the European parliament is facing calls to resign after he praised some of the positive things fascist dictator Benito Mussolini had done for Italy. Antonio Tajani told Italys Radio 24 broadcaster the dictator did positive things to improve infrastructure in his country until he declared war against the whole world following Hitler and promoted racial laws against Jews. Mr Tajani, who made the comments on the popular radio show La Zanzara, said that one must be objective about Mussolinis legacy. Im not a fascist, I have never been a fascist and I dont share his political thought, but if we must be honest, he built roads, bridges, buildings ... he reclaimed many parts of our Italy, he said. The remarks, made on Wednesday evening, prompted widespread criticism from across the European parliament. Udo Bullmann, leader of the centre-left socialist group, said the comments were unbelievable. How can a president of the European parliament fail to acknowledge the nature of fascism? We need swift clarification, he said. A spokesperson for the parliaments Left group demanded Tajanis immediate resignation. Europe is now facing a tough fight against the extreme right and openly neo-fascist organisations, the spokesperson said. This parliament cannot be represented by a president who tolerates the fascist initiator himself. Mr Tajani, who is an MEP from Silvio Berlusconis conservative Forza Italia party, responded to his critics on Twitter, stating: Shame on those who manipulate what Ive allegedly said on fascism. 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 Ive always been a convinced anti-fascist, I will not allow anyone to suggest otherwise. The fascist dictatorship, racial laws and deaths it caused are the darkest page in Italian and European history. French authorities are rushing to contain a major fuel spill off the coast of Brittany after an Italian container ship sank following a fire. Rescue teams from France and the UK saved all 27 people aboard the Grande America after it sank after a major blaze broke out on Tuesday, The ship was carrying over 2,000 vehicles, 365 shipping containers, of which 40 contained hazardous materials and some 2,200 tonnes of heavy fuel oil, according to Jean-Louis Lozier, head of the regional maritime authority in Brittany. For now the possible pollution risk consists mainly of the 2,200 tonnes of heavy fuel oil on board, Mr Lozier told reporters in Brest. Around forty containers fell into the sea before the ship sank, he said. Most of them were badly damaged by the fire. Environment news in pictures Show all 8 1 /8 Environment news in pictures Environment news in pictures Davos 2019: David Attenborough issues stark warning about future of civilisation as he demands practical solutions to combat climate change Sir David Attenborough has issued a stark warning about climate change to business figures gathered in Davos, telling them that "what we do now...will profoundly affect the next few thousand years". On the eve of this year's World Economic Forum, the renowned naturalist told the audience that the worlds of business and politics should "get on with the practical solutions" needed to prevent environmental damage. "As a species we are expert problem solvers. But we've not yet applied ourselves to this problem with the focus it requires. "We can create a world with clean air and water, unlimited energy, and fish stocks that will sustain us well into the future. But to do that, we need a plan," he said. The broadcaster made his speech after receiving a Crystal Award, which is awarded by the forum to "exceptional cultural leaders". AFP/Getty Environment news in pictures At least 60% of wild coffee species face extinction triggered by climate change and disease Two decades of research have revealed that 60 per cent of the worlds coffee species face extinction due to the combined threats of deforestation, disease and climate change. The wild strain of arabica, the most widely consumed coffee on the planet, is among those now recognised as endangered, raising concerns about its long-term survival. These results are worrying for the millions of farmers around the world who depend on the continued survival of coffee for their livelihoods. As conditions for coffee farming become tougher, scientists predict the industry will need to rely on wild varieties to develop more resilient strains Alan Schaller Environment news in pictures Warming Antarctic waters are speeding the rate at which glaciers are melting The Antarctic ice sheet is losing six times as much ice each year as it was in the 1980s and the pace is accelerating, one of the most comprehensive studies of climate change effects on the continent has shown. More than half an inch has been added to global sea levels since 1979, but if current trends continue it will be responsible for metres more in future, the Nasa-funded study found. The international effort used aerial photos, satellite data and climate models dating back to the 1970s across18 Antarctic regions to get the most complete picture to date on the impacts of the changing climate. It found that between 1979 and 1990 Antarctica lost an average of 40 gigatonnes (40 billion tonnes) of its mass each year. Between 2009 and 2017 it lost an average 252 gigatonnes a year. This has added 3.6mm per decade to sea levels, or around 14mm since 1979, the study shows Nasa/Getty Environment news in pictures Greater Manchester to ban fracking, paving way for confrontation with government over controversial industry Greater Manchester is to effectively ban fracking, raising the prospect of fresh confrontation with the government over the controversial industry. All of the regions 10 councils are to implement planning policies which create a presumption against drilling for shale gas in their areas, Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has announced. Campaigners said the move was the latest sign that the tide was turning against fracking, which has been the subject of multiple legal battles across the country. Critics of fracking say it poses environmental and health risks. Drilling at the UKs only operational fracking site, run by Cuadrilla in Lancashire, has repeatedly been halted due to earth tremors. But ministers support the industry and last year unveiled plans to accelerate the development of new drilling sites Ross Wills Environment news in pictures Japan confirms plan to resume commercial whaling in its waters from next year Japan will resume commercial whaling next year for the first time in more than three decades, in a move that has provoked strong criticism from campaigners and the international community. Chief cabinet secretary Yoshihide Suga said his nation would leave the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to resume hunting the marine mammals in Japanese waters. However, he stated the activity would be limited to Japans territory and the 200 mile exclusive economic zone along its coasts. This means controversial scientific trips to Antarctica in which Japanese vessels killed hundreds of whales, as well as activity in the northwest Pacific, will stop in 2019 AP Environment news in pictures COP24: Environmental groups criticise morally unacceptable climate deal reached after major Poland summit Diplomats from around the world have agreed a major climate deal after two weeks of United Nations talks in Poland. But climate campaigners warned the deal effectively a set of rules for how to govern the 2015 Paris climate accord agreed between almost 200 countries lacked ambition or a clear promise of enhanced climate action. Activists cautiously welcomed elements of the plan, saying important progress had been made on ensuring that efforts to tackle climate change by individual nations can be measured and compared. But environmental groups were also highly critical of the agreement, warning it lacked ambition and clarity on key issues, including financing for climate projects for developing countries. The COP24 deal, which is aimed at providing firm guidelines for countries on how to transparently report their greenhouse gas emissions and their efforts to reduce them, was confirmed on 15 December, after talks overran Reuters Environment news in pictures Unprecedented changes needed to stop global warming as UN report reveals islands starting to vanish and coral reefs dying Greenhouse gas emissions must be cut almost in half by 2030 to avert global environmental catastrophe, including the total loss of every coral reef, the disappearance of Arctic ice and the destruction of island communities, a landmark UN report has concluded. Drawing on more than 6,000 scientific studies and compiled over two years, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) findings, released this morning, warn enormous and rapid changes to the way everyone on Earth eats, travels and produces energy need to be brought in immediately. Though the scientists behind the report said there is cause for optimism, they recognised the grim reality that nations are currently nowhere near on track to avert disaster AFP/Getty Environment news in pictures Africas three biggest elephant poaching cartels exposed using DNA from illegal ivory shipments DNA taken from massive shipments of ivory has been used to identify the three largest wildlife trafficking gangs operating at the height of Africas elephant poaching epidemic. Ivory tends to be shipped around the world from African ports in bulk, and scientists have used genetic evidence gleaned from intercepted batches to reveal their origins. Led by Dr Samuel Wasser from the University of Washington, they traced a number of these shipments to three cartels operating out of Kenya, Uganda and Togo. Evidence collected by Dr Wasser has already helped convict ivory kingpin Feisal Mohamed Ali, and as his team joins the dots between shipments they plan to shore up the cases against more of the continents most prolific smugglers Art Wolfe French authorities will try to tackle the spill by deploying four ships and preparing for a cleanup operation on land. According to the AFP news agency, the fire is believed to have broken out on the car deck before spreading to a container, but the cause remains unknown at this stage. The contents of the containers include a hundred tonnes of hydrochloric acid and 70 tonnes of sulphuric acid, but Mr Lozier said the pollution risk posed by the chemicals would be very localised, and most of it would have already been burned in the fire. Images released on Thursday by the French navy showed flames and plumes of black smoke spewing from the ship as it listed hard over to one side. The maritime authority said the ship has already leaked fuel over an area of about 10 kilometres (6 miles) long and one kilometre wide. It is believed it could reach the south coast of Brittany by the end of the weekend. The Grande America sank about 200 miles west of La Rochelle (AFP) The Grande America sank about 200 miles west of La Rochelle (AFP) A French cleanup ship is on its way to the area. France has also asked the European Maritime Security Agency for help using satellites to locate leaks. The ship sank about 330 kilometres (200 miles) west of the French city of La Rochelle, while en route from Hamburg to Casablanca. The regional prosecutor has opened an investigation, and France has issued a formal warning to the ships operator to assess the damage and help prevent more leaking, the French government minister in charge of the environment, Francois de Rugy said. According to AFP, French environmental campaign group Robin des Bois (Robin Hood) said it intends to file a complaint over the environmental damage. Two thousand vehicles its a car crash at the bottom of the sea, representing hundreds of tonnes of toxic materials in an area very rich in fish, plankton and marine animals, said Jacky Bonnemains, spokesman for the NGO, adding he also feared possible coastal pollution. The Amoco Cadiz oil spill in 1978 is still etched in the collective memory of Brittany. It remains the worlds worst oil spill of its kind, with the region taking decades to recover after 220,880 metric tonnes of oil were spilled when a ship broke up in stormy weather. Nato is considering taking action in response to security concerns posed by Chinese tech giant Huawei. Secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said that members states had raised issues over potential investment in its 5G communications technology. Allies will continue to consult, continue to assess, and look into whether Nato has a role to play, Mr Stotlenberg said, adding: Nato takes these concerns very seriously The United States is lobbying European and other allies to shun the biggest maker of network technology as their phone carriers invest billions in upgrading to next-generation mobile networks. The major concern surrounding Huawei is that, if it is allowed to build out this critical next-generation infrastructure in western countries, it could allow the Chinese to spy or control networks. Samsung claims breakthrough in 5G mobile broadband: Download films in a second with 100 times faster smartphones Show all 2 1 /2 Samsung claims breakthrough in 5G mobile broadband: Download films in a second with 100 times faster smartphones Samsung claims breakthrough in 5G mobile broadband: Download films in a second with 100 times faster smartphones samsung.jpg Getty Images Samsung claims breakthrough in 5G mobile broadband: Download films in a second with 100 times faster smartphones samsung-reu.jpg Reuters The company has denied that their technology could facilitate that spying or control. However, concerns remain. Recently, a representative of the German BND intelligence service told politicians in the country that past incidents involving Huawei show that it is not a trustworthy partner. Its above all a matter of trustworthiness and of the impact on our relationship with our allies, a foreign ministry official told Bloomberg. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The rhetoric from the US and other allies has raised some concerns for the Chinese firm, prompting Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei to push back and warn that the US efforts would damage the countrys international reputation. We chose to have our voice heard at this moment because the US government considers us a threat to national security, Mr Ren said, according to CNN. They have to have evidence. Everybody in the world is talking about cybersecurity and they are singling out Huawei. Donald Trump, meanwhile, has urged the US to adopt 5G and even 6G technologies as soon as possible. I want 5G, and even 6G, technology in the United States as soon as possible, Mr Trump tweeted last month. It is far more powerful, faster, and smarter than the current standard. American companies must step up their efforts, or get left behind. I want the United States to win through competition, not by blocking out currently more advanced technologies. We must always be the leader in everything we do, especially when it comes to the very exciting world of technology, he continued. A right-wing newspaper in Poland has published an article on its front page instructing readers on how to recognise a Jew. The Tylko Polska, or Only Poland, ran a list of names, anthropological features, expressions, appearances, character traits, methods of operation and disinformation activities which it said could be used to identify Jewish people. How to defeat them? This cannot go on! the front page also said, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. The article was printed alongside a headline reading Attack on Poland at a conference in Paris, a reference to a Holocaust studies conference last month whose speakers were accused of being anti-Polish. The newspaper caused an outcry among Polish politicians when it was distributed in the Sejm, the lower house of the Polish parliament. Remembering the Holocaust Show all 16 1 /16 Remembering the Holocaust Remembering the Holocaust 119165.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119169.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119229.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119167.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119162.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119166.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119163.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119224.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119168.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119228.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119152.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119226.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119150.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119151.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119147.bin Hannah Bills Remembering the Holocaust 119231.bin Hannah Bills Michal Kaminski, an MP for the centre-right Poland Comes First party, said it was an absolute scandal such filthy texts, as if taken from Nazi newspapers were sold in the Polish parliament, Polsatnews reported. Mr Kaminski asked for an explanation from parliament speaker Marek Kuchcinski, a member of the ruling right-wing Law and Justice party, for how such an antisemitic front page was made available in parliament. The director of the Sejm Information Centre, Andrzej Grzegrzolka, initially said his office could not take action as the paper was being sold from kiosks inside the Sejm who were responsible for the choice of newspapers. He also suggested a court could look into the front page and decide whether the title should be suspended under Polish law, which bans hate speech motivated by race or religion. However, Mr Grzegrzolka later announced his office would request the publication be removed from the Sejms press kit. Nelly Sachs: Who was the poet who escaped Nazi Germany and recorded the horror of the Holocaust in verse? The newspapers front page also featured an image of Jan Gross, a Polish-Jewish academic at Princeton University who has courted controversy for suggesting Polish people were complicit in the murder of Jews during the Holocaust. Mr Gross argument that Poles collaborated with the Nazis during the Second World War has made him a regular target of outrage by Polish nationalists. Volkswagen's chief executive officer has apologised for alluding to a Nazi propaganda slogan while speaking at a company meeting. Herbert Diess used the pun 'EBIT macht frei' during a speech at the firm's management gathering on Tuesday. "EBIT" stands for 'earnings before income and taxes', but his choice of words echoed the phrase "arbeit macht frei", which translates to "work will set you free". The latter slogan was famously emblazoned across the entrance of the Auschwitz death camp. Mr Diess told Wirtschafts Woche magazine that he had not intended to cause offence. 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 "It was in no way my intention to put my statement in the wrong context I honestly didn't think it would at the time," he said. "It was in fact a very unfortunate choice of words and if I unintentionally hurt any feelings, I am truly sorry." Mr Diess added that he and the company were "aware of the particular historical responsibility of Volkswagen in connection with the Third Reich". The Volkswagen Beetle was developed in Nazi Germany, after being conceived in the early 1930s by engineer Ferdinand Porsche. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr Porsche was commissioned by Adolf Hitler to develop a mass production car that could carry a family of four. Saudi Arabia on Thursday resisted growing demands for transparency in the trial of government operatives allegedly behind the brutal murder and dismemberment of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Turkey, where Khashoggi's killing took place, said Interpol had issued "red notices" for 20 suspects at the request of the Istanbul prosecutor pursuing the case. The move is meant to put pressure on Riyadh. Rejecting growing calls for an international inquiry, president of the Saudi Human Rights Commission Bandar al-Aiban claimed the defendants had been brought to a third hearing after their 3 January indictment. But Turkey and others have demanded more transparency in a trial that has been largely hidden from public view. "Shedding light on the incident and bringing to justice all murderers and instigators is a requirement under our international order and a guarantee of the kingdoms international reputation," said Fahrettin Altun, a spokesperson for Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a statement. We urge Saudi Arabia to tell the world which individuals are currently on trial on what charge(s), in order not to raise any questions about the sincerity of the judicial proceedings in the kingdom. The Interpol red notices which Turkey has requested do not mean the suspects will be arrested but would complicate their attempts to travel. The EU has in the past criticised Turkey for abusing Interpol by requesting red notices for political dissidents. However, the latest filings are in likely to be in line with western aims to bring a measure of accountability to the Khashoggi killing. Mr Aiban failed to disclose the exact number of suspects hauled into court and the exact date the third hearing was held. But he did say they attended with their lawyers, with unspecified non-governmental organisations observing the proceedings. He rejected what he called attempts to internationalise the murder, a reference to calls by human rights organisations, the UN, and dozens of governments for an independent inquiry into the case. Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Show all 7 1 /7 Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Jamal Khashoggi Washington Post journalist who was critical of the Saudi regime and the young Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he was murdered on 2 October in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul AFP Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Heir to the Saudi throne, Mohammed bin Salman has been implicated in the murder, with US officials claiming that he must have known of the plot AFP/Getty Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures 15 man hit squad Turkish police suspect these 15 men of being involved in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, issued 10 October, 8 days after the journalist disappeared EPA Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Saud al-Qahtani Aide to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saud al-Qahtani is claimed to have ordered Khashoggi's murder Saud Al-Qahtani/Twitter Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb A former diplomat who often travelled with the Crown Prince, Mutreb was initially claimed to be the leader of the hit squad and is pictured here entering the Saudi consulate on the day of the murder AP Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Mustafa al-Madani First implicated in the 15 CCTV photos released by the Turkish police, al-Madani was later found to have been used as a body double for Khashoggi, leaving the Saudi consulate dressed in his clothes on the day the journalist was killed CNN Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Salah bin Jamal Khashoggi (L) Son of the murdered journalist met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on 23 October EPA But in many respects, the case has been an international matter from the start, crossing multiple jurisdictions. Khashoggi, a resident in the US, was murdered in October in his own nations Istanbul consulate by a team of killers dispatched from the Saudi capital, Riyadh. His body has yet to be found. The case prompted global outrage and accusations by US officials and Saudi experts that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, an ally and friend of US President Donald Trump and his family, likely ordered the kill, something the royal court has repeatedly denied. The latest developments in the Khashoggi trial come amid increased pressure on Saudi Arabia and its Crown Prince. The US Senate voted on Wednesday to pull the plug on Washingtons support for Prince Mohammeds war effort in Yemen, a conflict that has been described as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. The 54-46 vote included a number of members of Mr Trumps own Republican Party. If they had taken some meaningful step in the Khashoggi situation they might have increased the odds that some of us wouldnt vote to repudiate their efforts in Yemen, but theyve done nothing, said Senator Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, according to political website The Hill. So that means youre going to get a lot of votes for the Yemen resolution. Meanwhile, the US State Department raised the Khashoggi affair on Wednesday in its annual review of human rights around the world. Even some of our friends, partners, allies have human rights violations, said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at the launch of the report. The report, without mentioning Prince Mohammed, described how government agents carried out the killing. It also took Saudi Arabia to task for failing to name the suspects, describe their alleged roles, or provide details about the investigation. A western diplomat confirmed to The Independent that an official of their nation attended the first hearing. But neither journalists nor human rights monitors have been able to attend any of the court hearings, and none of the diplomats who have purportedly been allowed inside the courtroom have publicly spoken about the proceedings. Mr Aiban said Saudi Arabia was horrified at the Khashoggi killing, which he described as a heinous crime. But he also described the killing as an unfortunate accident, apparently harking back to a long-discredited theory Riyadh offered shortly after the killing, even though Saudi officials have since admitted the killing was premeditated. Nike has been condemned for depicting a celebrated mathematician in a hijab, despite the fact she chose not wear the garment while she was alive. Maryam Mirzakhani, who died of breast cancer in 2017, was the only woman to date to have won the Fields Medal, one of the highest awards in the field of mathematics. She left Iran after graduating university in 1999 and moved to the US, where she chose not cover her hair. But screenshots of an internal Nike newsletter sent to staff in its Ascend employee network were shared by a number of social media users. They display a drawing of the mathematician wearing a white hijab, which some on Twitter suggested was based on an image first doctored by Iranian officials for propaganda purposes. The headscarf is often worn by Muslim women, but many choose not to use the garment. Welcome to Womens History Month! the email from Nike reads, before going on to detail various upcoming events and promotions. Maryam Mirzakhani, first woman to win the prestigious Field Medal, might describe it as Y + Z = , it adds. The drawing of Mirzakhani can be seen below the text, a decision that has attracted widespread criticism. This is how @Nike decided to portray Maryam Mirzakhani who was the first woman to win the Fields Medal, wrote Amir Sariaslan, one of the people who shared the images online. 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 She never wore the hijab once she had left the country that enforced it. You should be ashamed of yourselves. While not offering an apology, a Nike spokesperson told The Independent: Nike respects all people, culture and religions and we take concerns of this nature seriously. This employee-led, internal communication was intended to celebrate Maryam Mirzakhani and her accomplishments. It was not intended to offend anyone. Were reviewing our internal processes. Women who live in Iran are required by law to wear the hijab and are harshly punished for rebelling against the rule. When Mirzakhani won the Fields Medal in 2014 some newspapers in the country digitally altered her photos and added a hijab to her image. Others used sketches of her wearing the hair covering or used older photographs of Mirzakhani, dating from the time she lived in Iran and had to wear the hijab. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events But multiple Iranian newspapers broke a taboo when the mathematician died in 2017 and published images of her with hair uncovered. Three Saudi womens rights activists are being honoured by PEN America a day after standing trial in Riyadh. Nouf Abdulaziz, Loujain al-Hathloul and Eman al-Nafjan arrested in May 2018 have won the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award, the organisation announced on Thursday. The writer-activists have publicly spoken out against the government and the oppressive guardianship system in Saudi Arabia, which restricts womens travel, education and other rights unless a male guardian gives permission. The women have been subjected to imprisonment, solitary confinement, and torture by the Saudi Arabian government as part of its brutal crackdown on individuals who raise their voices in defence of womens rights in the Kingdom, the literary and human rights organisation said Thursday. On Wednesday, Ms Hathloul and Ms Nafjan were among a group of womens rights activists who stood trial at a closed-door hearing at the Criminal Court in the capital but the government is yet to issue any formal charges. Ms Abdulaziz was also due to stand trial, but was not present on the day, The Independent understands. 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Show all 10 1 /10 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In October 2014, three lawyers, Dr Abdulrahman al-Subaihi, Bander al-Nogaithan and Abdulrahman al-Rumaih , were sentenced to up to eight years in prison for using Twitter to criticize the Ministry of Justice. AFP/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2015, Yemens Sunni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi was forced into exile after a Shia-led insurgency. A Saudi Arabia-led coalition has responded with air strikes in order to reinstate Mr Hadi. It has since been accused of committing war crimes in the country. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Women who supported the Women2Drive campaign, launched in 2011 to challenge the ban on women driving vehicles, faced harassment and intimidation by the authorities. The government warned that women drivers would face arrest. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Members of the Kingdoms Shia minority, most of whom live in the oil-rich Eastern Province, continue to face discrimination that limits their access to government services and employment. Activists have received death sentences or long prison terms for their alleged participation in protests in 2011 and 2012. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses All public gatherings are prohibited under an order issued by the Interior Ministry in 2011. Those defy the ban face arrest, prosecution and imprisonment on charges such as inciting people against the authorities. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses In March 2014, the Interior Ministry stated that authorities had deported over 370,000 foreign migrants and that 18,000 others were in detention. Thousands of workers were returned to Somalia and other states where they were at risk of human rights abuses, with large numbers also returned to Yemen, in order to open more jobs to Saudi Arabians. Many migrants reported that prior to their deportation they had been packed into overcrowded makeshift detention facilities where they received little food and water and were abused by guards. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses The Saudi Arabian authorities continue to deny access to independent human rights organisations like Amnesty International, and they have been known to take punitive action, including through the courts, against activists and family members of victims who contact Amnesty. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1000 lashes and 10 years in prison for using his liberal blog to criticise Saudi Arabias clerics. He has already received 50 lashes, which have reportedly left him in poor health. Carsten Koall/Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Dawood al-Marhoon was arrested aged 17 for participating in an anti-government protest. After refusing to spy on his fellow protestors, he was tortured and forced to sign a blank document that would later contain his confession. At Dawoods trial, the prosecution requested death by crucifixion while refusing him a lawyer. Getty Images 10 examples of Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses Ali Mohammed al-Nimr was arrested in 2012 aged either 16 or 17 for participating in protests during the Arab spring. His sentence includes beheading and crucifixion. The international community has spoken out against the punishment and has called on Saudi Arabia to stop. He is the nephew of a prominent government dissident. Getty The official Saudi Press Agency said the group of women were accused of suspicious contact with foreign entities to support their activities, recruiting some persons in charge of sensitive government positions, and providing financial support to hostile elements outside the country. London-based Saudi rights group ALQST said the women were charged under the kingdoms cybercrime law, which if convicted, could see prison sentences of up to 10 years. Ms Hathlouls family have said that she has been tortured and sexually harassed in jail. Saudi officials have denied those allegations. They saw that her hands were shaking, they saw the signs of torture the burns and bruises on her legs, Mr Hathloul, her brother, told The Independent last month. The PEN award comes amid international condemnation for the governments human rights records in the wake of its brutal crackdown against activists, its involvement in the killing of Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, and its role in the ongoing war in Yemen. The fleeting hope that generational transition in the Saudi leadership would open the door towards greater respect for individual rights and international law has collapsed entirely, with individuals paying the highest price as the government resorts to rank barbarism as a blunt means to suppress and deter dissent, PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said in a statement. These gutsy women have challenged one of the worlds most notoriously misogynist governments, inspiring the world with their demand to drive, to govern their own lives, and to liberate all Saudi women from a form of mediaeval bondage that has no place in the 21st century. The United Nations Human Rights Council called on the Saudi Arabian government earlier this month to release human rights activists exercising their fundamental freedoms, including Ms Hathloul. After Ms Abdulazizs arrest, fellow womens rights activist Mayya al-Zahrani posted online a letter she had written in case she was captured. Why is our homeland so small and tight, and why am I considered a criminal or an enemy that threatens it! I was never but a good citizen that loved her country and wished the best for it, a loving daughter and a hardworking student and a devoted worker, who never demeaned hated or envied anyone. Video shows damaged buildings and homes in Yemen village hit by Saudi-led coalition airstrikes The award was established in 1987 and is given to writers imprisoned for their work, with previous recipients coming from Ukraine, Egypt and Ethiopia among other countries. It has not been decided yet who will pick up the award on behalf of the women at the PEN gala on 21 May. The training calls for alerting police and others in the building about a shooter, sharing information in real time and deciding whether to evacuate, lock down or encounter the gunman. The Syrian army, aided by Russian warplanes, attacked rebel-held towns in northwestern Syria on Wednesday in the most extensive bombardment in months against the last remaining rebel bastion in the country, rebels, rescuers and residents said. Rebels who have fought to topple President Bashar al-Assad for eight years are now largely confined to the enclave in the northwest near the Turkish border. Around four million people now live there, including hundreds of thousands of opponents of Mr Assad who fled there from other parts of the country. The enclave is protected by a "de-escalation zone" agreement brokered last year by Mr Assad's main international backers Russia and Iran, and Turkey which has supported the rebels in the past and has sent troops to monitor the truce. Residents said Russian planes conducted at least 12 aerial strikes on residential areas in Idlib city, including a civilian prison on its outskirts, where they said dozens of prisoners escaped. At least 10 civilians were killed and forty five injured. Russia's defence ministry confirmed it had hit Idlib in coordination with Turkey, targeting drones and weapons stores of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadists it said were intended for use in an attack on a major Russian air base near the Mediterranean coast. Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Show all 14 1 /14 Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Trucks full of women and children arrive from the last Isis-held areas in Deir ez-Zor, Syria Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Zikia Ibrahim, 28, with her two-year-old son and 8-month-old daughter, after fleeing the Isis caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Men who fled the last Isis-held area of Syria line up to be questioned by American and Kurdish intelligence officials Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate A young girl pulls her belongings after arriving Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate An SDF fighter hands out bread to women and children after they arrive Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Sita Ghazzar, 70, after fleeing from the last Isis-held territory in Syria Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate A family from Russia who recently fled the last Isis-held area of Syria Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent Syria at war: Fleeing the caliphate Richard Hall/The Independent The jihadist group vowed to take revenge, saying they had recaptured most of the prisoners who escaped whom it said included members of a cell working for Russian intelligence it claimed were behind bombings in Idlib city last month that killed 17 civilians and injured dozens. "There is no solution against the Russian occupier, Assad's forces and the Iranian militias except confrontation and confrontation only," Hayat Tahir al Sham said in a statement. The Syrian army has escalated its shelling of the enclave since early February. The attacks have killed dozens of civilians and injured hundreds, and led to tens of thousands of people fleeing frontline areas to camps and towns closer to the Turkish border, rescuers and aid agencies said. The Syrian army denies targeting civilians and says the army is responding to stepped-up attacks staged by al Qaeda-inspired fighters who aim to wreck the truce and control the area. Residents along the border area with Turkey could hear heavy overnight aerial strikes that covered a wide stretch of territory from rebel-held areas near government-held Latakia province on the Mediterranean to Idlib city towards the east and extending to adjoining opposition-held parts of northern Hama. "They burnt the land ... The sounds were heard very clearly," said Ibrahim al Sheikh, a father of five in the border town of Atmeh. He quoted relatives as saying the shelling was the heaviest yet in the two weeks of escalation. The escalation in the northwest is taking place as a US-backed Kurdish-led militia has launched a separate assault on the final bastion of Islamic State fighters on the opposite, eastern end of the country, creating turning points on both major fronts of Syria's multi-sided civil war. In the northwest, residents said white phosphorous munitions were fired overnight on the town of al Tamana in northwestern Idlib countryside, where rescue workers on Wednesday said they put out several fires caused by more than 80 rocket strikes. Among the targets of the aerial campaign was a makeshift tent camp in Kfr Amim, east of Idlib city, that shelters displaced families, where two women were killed and at least 10 children injured when bombs landed after midnight. "Whoever did this is a beast, truly a beast. It's a camp with only women and children. There is nothing we can say except that this Russian beast is coming to kill," said Laith al Abdullah, a civil defence worker in Sarqeb town who helped in the rescue effort, reached by mobile phone. Rocket shelling from a major army base in Joreen, in Hama province, escalated a week-long bombardment of rural areas near the town of Jisr al Shaqour, said Ahmed Abdul Salam, a rebel commander in the Turkey-backed National Liberation Front. A Russian army base, south of government-controlled Halafaya town, also targeted Kafr Zeita in northern Hama countryside while cluster bombs hit several rebel-held towns in southern Idlib, rebels said. The stepped-up bombardment has depopulated opposition-held towns in the buffer zone that straddles parts of Idlib to northern Hama and parts of Latakia province. The opposition-held city of Khan Sheikhon had become a ghost city with most of its more than 70,000 people fleeing, said Yousef al Idlibi, a former resident who moved to Idlib city. Turkey, which began patrols in the buffer zone on Friday, has condemned what it said were increasing provocations to wreck the truce, and warned that a bombing campaign by the Russians and the Syrian army would cause a major humanitarian crisis. Many residents are exasperated by the failure of Turkish forces to respond to the bombardments. The Syrian army has called for Turkish forces to withdraw. Reuters As the Syrian civil war enters its ninth year, a new wave of violence looms for millions of civilians in the countrys north. Over the last year, the Syrian government has recaptured all rebel-held territory in the south, securing President Bashar al-Assads position. All that remains of the armed opposition is cornered in the province of Idlib and parts of Aleppo. And yet in those areas, a militant force that shows little regard to the original aims of Syrias uprising has consolidated power, and looks set for a showdown with the Syrian army and its Russian backer. The Syrian army says it is responding to an increase in attacks from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham jihadists a group designated as a terrorist organisation by the UK, with former ties to al-Qaeda. After a string of victories against other opposition groups, it is the dominant force in Idlib and controls border crossings into the area. In consolidating its power, it has engaged in the same kind of repression that sparked the uprising against Assads rule, with its notorious security branch rounding up and imprisoning those who call for the democratic ideals of the revolution. Fears for 3m people in rebel-held Idlib ahead of regime offensive Show all 13 1 /13 Fears for 3m people in rebel-held Idlib ahead of regime offensive Fears for 3m people in rebel-held Idlib ahead of regime offensive A Syrian protester waves a flag of the opposition as during a protest against the regime and its ally Russia, in the rebel-held town of Maaret al-Numan in the north of Idlib province AFP/Getty Fears for 3m people in rebel-held Idlib ahead of regime offensive Syrian rebel fighters from the recently-formed "National Liberation Front" stand guard over a trench as rebels prepare defensive positions in anticipation for an upcoming government forces offensive AFP/Getty Images Fears for 3m people in rebel-held Idlib ahead of regime offensive AFP/Getty Images Fears for 3m people in rebel-held Idlib ahead of regime offensive Syrian rebel fighters pile-up sandbags AFP/Getty Images Fears for 3m people in rebel-held Idlib ahead of regime offensive AFP/Getty Images Fears for 3m people in rebel-held Idlib ahead of regime offensive A Syrian rebel fighter looks through an embrasure in a make-shift bunker AFP/Getty Images Fears for 3m people in rebel-held Idlib ahead of regime offensive AFP/Getty Images Fears for 3m people in rebel-held Idlib ahead of regime offensive Syrian rebel fighters walk through a trench AFP/Getty Images Fears for 3m people in rebel-held Idlib ahead of regime offensive A Syrian protester waves a flag of the opposition AFP/Getty Images Fears for 3m people in rebel-held Idlib ahead of regime offensive A Syrian rebel fighter stands guard over a trench AFP/Getty Images Fears for 3m people in rebel-held Idlib ahead of regime offensive AFP/Getty Images Fears for 3m people in rebel-held Idlib ahead of regime offensive AFP/Getty Images Fears for 3m people in rebel-held Idlib ahead of regime offensive AFP/Getty Images The group is also accused of being behind the assassinations of several well known activists, including Raed Fares and Hamoud Jneid, who ran a local radio station where they spoke out against the militants. Hundreds have died in Syrian government and Russian attacks on de-escalation zones in Idlib over the past two months, and some 40,000 civilians have fled their homes to escape the fighting. The province is home to more than 3 million people, around half of whom are displaced from other parts of the country. Aid groups on the ground have warned that camps are bursting at the seams. There is a huge sense of panic now in Idlib as more health facilities are forced to close and people are dying or suffering in acute pain because they cannot get the treatment they need, says Naser Haghamed, CEO of Islamic Relief, a charity that operates in Idlib. Its a very crowded city. The casualties will be a lot. People are really terrified, trauma is clear on the faces Abdulkafi al-Hamdo, a university lecturer in Idlib Once again, its the beleaguered civilians who are finding themselves under attack on all fronts. Wherever they are and regardless of who is controlling them, people must have access to lifesaving healthcare and the international community must step up to ensure that aid continues to reach those in crisis. But charities are at risk of falling foul of the law if they send aid into Idlib via a crossing controlled by a designated terrorist organisation. The risk of being caught up in the fighting is increasing by the day. Wednesday saw some of the worst bombing in weeks, with Russian and Syrian government forces targeting the Idlib countryside and the city itself. Its horrific, everything is being bombed in Idlib city right now, says Abdulkafi al-Hamdo, a university lecturer living in Idlib, originally from Aleppo. Its a very crowded city. The casualties will be a lot. People are really terrified, trauma is clear on the faces, he tells The Independent. This woman was displaced with her family from Eastern Hama. They are now living in a temporary camp in Idlib (Save The Children) Many in Idlib now fear a government offensive is imminent. A long-threatened plan to recapture the province was put on hold last year following an agreement between Russia and Turkey, which has military forces on the ground there and backs a number of rebel groups in the area. The UN has warned that a large-scale military assault on Idlib would create the worst humanitarian catastrophe the world has seen in the 21st century. Turkey, which has deployed military forces on the ground in Idlib to deter an all-out government offensive, had hoped the deal would allow time to reach an agreement between Damascus and the remaining rebel holdouts. But since then the extremist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has increased its control of the province, dimming those hopes. We are too scared now to speak out now against the group anyone that speaks of democracy is a criminal, Hazaa, an Idlib resident, tells The Independent. But now we are more scared of the bombing of the regime and Russia, he added, giving only his first name. Acknowledging the attacks on Wednesday, the Russian military said it struck a warehouse belonging to Sham, and that those airstrikes were coordinated with Turkey. Yasser, who lives in the Idlib countryside and gave only his first name, said he heard the bombing from his village. All of the residents and refugees in the liberated areas are confused and afraid of what will happen now, he tells The Independent. Will the regime and Russia attack, or will Turkey stop this bombardment? In many ways, Syria enters its ninth year of war much as it did the first. Extreme violence and repression plagues much of the country, but despite the governments best efforts, the original conditions for the countrys upheaval remain. Last week, hundreds protested in the city of Deraa, the cradle of the revolution, against the erection of a new statue of Assads late father. It was in that city, eight years ago, that peaceful protests against Assads rule began, before spreading to the rest of the country. The protest represented the first large-scale peaceful demonstration in government-controlled areas for some time, and comes despite a widespread crackdown across the south. The government recaptured the city in the middle of last year, and despite a number of reconciliation agreements with former rebels, has picked up where it left off. Upon its return, the regime arrested hundreds of formally cleared rebels and civilians with a track record of unarmed opposition activity, marking the reappearance of unaccountable security agencies, the Crisis Group wrote in a report on the situation in the south last month. This approach will further hamper the governments efforts to retain control over the entire country, as it has expressed a desire to do, the report added. As long as the situation in the south does not improve significantly, refugees and the internally displaced will not return in substantial numbers, fearing joblessness, homelessness and arbitrary arrest. Displaced Syrians at a flooded camp near Kah, in the Idlib province in December (AFP/Getty) Elsewhere in Syria, events are moving apace outside of the governments control. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces now control one third of the country, and is finishing off the last remnants of the Isis caliphate. Despite some signs the Kurdish-led administration that rules the area would seek reconciliation with Damascus, uncertainty over the future of the US presence in the country has led them to be more cautious. President Donald Trump announced an abrupt withdrawal of his 2,000 US soldiers in the country in December, but he has gone back and forth ever since. Turkey, which considers the SDF a terror group, has long threatened to cross the border and set up a safe zone in areas it controls, setting up the potential for a new conflict between the two US allies. That potential conflict, much like Idlib, is frozen while the big powers negotiate its fate. Despite a grim outlook for many across Syria, eight years of war have not entirely crushed the ideas and anger that brought thousands to the streets. I cannot say the revolution has finished, says Hamdo. I have been displaced once, if I am displaced again Im not gonna be convinced the revolution has ended, because its in my heart. Passengers who feel a degree of anxiety about flying will be forgiven for feeling more than usually concerned about safety, after the uncoordinated shambles of banning the Boeing 737 MAX from the air. Following the tragic loss of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 on Sunday, a patchwork of ground-stop orders began to develop. From China to the Cayman Islands, national safety officials banned the latest version of the 737 from their runways and airspace. Two Turkish Airlines planes were most of the way to the UK from Istanbul when the Civil Aviation Authority issued its ban. They turned around over central Europe to head back to the airlines hub. Passengers were waiting to board the return legs of those flights, from Birmingham and Gatwick airports to Istanbul. Absurdly, as they were told that the plane was deemed too dangerous to carry them, across the Atlantic travellers were boarding the very same jet with the planemaker saying: Safety is Boeings number one priority and we have full confidence in the safety of the 737 MAX. Boeing 737 MAX grounding: Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 in pictures Show all 9 1 /9 Boeing 737 MAX grounding: Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 in pictures Boeing 737 MAX grounding: Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 in pictures This picture taken on March 11, 2019, shows debris of the crashed airplane of Ethiopia Airlines, near Bishoftu, a town some 60 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. - An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 crashed on March 10 morning en route from Addis Ababa to Nairobi with 149 passengers and eight crew believed to be on board, Ethiopian Airlines said. (Photo by Michael TEWELDE / AFP)MICHAEL TEWELDE/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Boeing 737 MAX grounding: Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 in pictures Family members mourn the victims at the crash site of the Ethiopian Airlines operated Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, at Hama Quntushele village in the Oromia region, on March 13, 2019. - A Nairobi-bound Ethiopian Airlines Boeing crashed minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa on March 10, 2019, killing all eight crew and 149 passengers on board, including tourists, business travellers, and "at least a dozen" UN staff. Families of the victims were taken to the remote site on March 13, 2019, where the plane smashed into a field with 157 passengers and crew from 35 countries, leaving a deep black crater and tiny scraps of debris. (Photo by TONY KARUMBA / AFP)TONY KARUMBA/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Boeing 737 MAX grounding: Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 in pictures A page of a Boeing flight crew operations manual is seen at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash, near the town of Bishoftu, near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia March 12, 2019. REUTERS/Baz Ratner REUTERS Boeing 737 MAX grounding: Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 in pictures epa07434278 Rescue workers search the site for pieces of the wreckage of an Ethiopia Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft near Bishoftu, Ethiopia, 13 March 2019. Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 302 carrying 149 passengers and 8 crew was en route to Nairobi, Kenya, when it crashed on 10 March 2019 by yet undetermined reason. All passengers and crew aboard died in the crash. The Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft has come under scrutiny after similar deadly crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia within a few months. Several countries have banned the plane type from their airspace and many airlines have grounded their 737 Max 8 planes for safety concerns after the Ethiopian Airlines plane crashed minutes after take-off on 10 March. EPA/STRINGER EPA Boeing 737 MAX grounding: Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 in pictures A grounded Boeing 737 MAX 8 passenger plane of the Norwegian low-cost airline Norwegian is parked at the tarmac at Vantaa airport in Vantaa near Helsinki, Finland on March 13, 2019. - A number of countries have banned Boeing's 737 MAX 8 medium-haul workhorse jet from their airspace in response to the Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed all 157 people on board. (Photo by Heikki Saukkomaa / Lehtikuva / AFP) / Finland OUTHEIKKI SAUKKOMAA/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Boeing 737 MAX grounding: Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 in pictures Rescue workers search the site for pieces of the wreckage of an Ethiopia Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft near Bishoftu, Ethiopia, 13 March 2019. Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 302 carrying 149 passengers and 8 crew was en route to Nairobi, Kenya, when it crashed on 10 March 2019 by yet undetermined reason. All passengers and crew aboard died in the crash. The Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft has come under scrutiny after similar deadly crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia within a few months. Several countries have banned the plane type from their airspace and many airlines have grounded their 737 Max 8 planes for safety concerns after the Ethiopian Airlines plane crashed minutes after take-off on 10 March. EPA/STRINGER EPA Boeing 737 MAX grounding: Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 in pictures A heap of debris from the wreckage of an Ethiopia Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft are piled at the crash site near Bishoftu, Ethiopia, 13 March 2019. Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 302 carrying 149 passengers and 8 crew was en route to Nairobi, Kenya, when it crashed on 10 March 2019 by yet undetermined reason. All passengers and crew aboard died in the crash. The Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft has come under scrutiny after similar deadly crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia within a few months. Several countries have banned the plane type from their airspace and many airlines have grounded their 737 Max 8 planes for safety concerns after the Ethiopian Airlines plane crashed minutes after take-off on 10 March. EPA/STR EPA Boeing 737 MAX grounding: Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 in pictures A crew working with an investigative team to clear the site after the Sunday crash of the Ethiopian Airlines operated Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, carry debris at Hama Quntushele village in the Oromia region, on March 13, 2019. - A Nairobi-bound Ethiopian Airlines Boeing crashed minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa on March 10, killing all eight crew and 149 passengers on board, including tourists, business travellers, and "at least a dozen" UN staff. Families of the victims were taken to the remote site on March 13, 2019, where the plane smashed into a field with 157 passengers and crew from 35 countries, leaving a deep black crater and tiny scraps of debris. (Photo by TONY KARUMBA / AFP)TONY KARUMBA/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Images Boeing 737 MAX grounding: Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 in pictures FILE PHOTO: An American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8, on a flight from Miami to New York City, comes in for landing at LaGuardia Airport in New York, U.S., March 12, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo REUTERS Within 24 hours the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had changed its tune and banned the aircraft. Boeing said: We are supporting this proactive step out of an abundance of caution. Grounding a plane is an extreme step, taken very reluctantly. I have spent the week talking to pilots and aviation safety experts about their concerns. They start with the difference between the Boeing 737 MAX and previous versions of this very popular and successful jet. In order to reduce fuel burn and harm to the environment, Boeing needed bigger and more efficient engines. They have to be carried higher on the wing, and moved a little forward to comply with minimum ground clearance requirements. 'Yeah I would watch for that airplane' says Former FAA Safety Inspector on the Boeing 737 MAX 8 That changes the balance of the aircraft, and Boeing calculated that in some circumstances the new design could increase the possibility of a stall, in which an aircraft loses lift. The best indicator of an imminent stall is an excessive angle of attack. This is the angle between the wing and the airflow and is one of the fundamentals of flying. If it is too high, the plane slowly loses speed then swiftly loses lift and altitude. Boeing installed a pitch trim system to protect against the risk. This stall-protection measure kicks in when the angle-of-attack sensor indicates danger. By operating an elevator in the tail, it automatically nudges the nose downwards. The pilots can then take action to address the problem. Could something designed to enhance safety actually put the plane at risk? How to tell if you're on a Boeing 737 Max From reading the preliminary accident report into the loss of Lion Air flight 610 in October 2018, shortly after take-off from Jakarta, it appears the answer is that it could. The report warns that a single faulty angle-of-attack sensor can cause increasing nose-down control forces. In other words, the planes brain its flight control system can wrongly be told that a stall is imminent, tilt the nose down in response and increase resistance to the pilots efforts to correct it. The accident report makes clear that there is a simple solution: operate two switches marked Stab Trim Cutout. But serving pilots and safety experts are uneasy. Some say that Boeing failed to be sufficiently upfront about what they believe is a very significant design difference between the MAX and previous versions. Pilots are accustomed to encountering all manner of potential disaster scenarios in flight simulators, and learning how to deal with them. But not one where the plane takes on a mind of its own and keeps tilting the nose down despite you using all your strength to fight against it. This condition, if not addressed, could cause the flight crew to have difficulty controlling the airplane, and lead to excessive nose-down attitude, significant altitude loss, and possible impact with terrain, said the FAA in an Emergency Airworthiness Directive issued shortly after the Lion Air crash. When things start going wrong on a flight deck, the most valuable commodity is time which generally correlates with altitude. Plenty of height should provide time to assess the situation calmly and take the appropriate action. But the Lion Air jet was barely a minute into its flight and less than 1,000 feet off the ground when the pilots started reporting problems. Over the next 10 minutes, the aircrafts height varied wildly as the increasingly fraught pilots were confronted with conflicting information. The profile of the Ethiopian Airlines flight turns out to have been similarly erratic. Which is why air safety regulators grounded the Boeing 737 MAX until more is known about the second tragedy. But they did so messily, which will spark insecurity among nervous fliers and perhaps deepen the grief of those who are mourning their loved ones. Air safety regulators have a common aim, and they should speak with a united voice. The historic inquiry into the Bloody Sunday killings, one of the most violent, emotive and painful episodes of recent British history, began in March 2000, with a public promise that the truth shall be sought whatever the political consequences. Lord Saville of Newdigates investigation, seeking to answer how and why 13 civilians were shot dead by paratroopers on the streets of Derry, was then the biggest in British legal history and hugely controversial; it reopened old wounds and rekindled memories of a violent time when a part of the United Kingdom was effectively in a state of war. Many prominent Conservative and Unionist politicians as well as senior army officers saw the tribunal, 28 years later, as a betrayal of the armed forces and pandering to republicans. An inquiry by Lord Widgery soon after the 1972 shooting exonerated the British army. Many Irish nationalists, for their part, believed that the new hearing, too, would end in a whitewash. Remembering The Troubles in pictures Show all 15 1 /15 Remembering The Troubles in pictures Remembering The Troubles in pictures A British soldier attacks a protester in Derry on Bloody Sunday Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures The Northern Ireland Civil Rights movement marches in London in 1968 to demand the same voting rights afforded to the rest of Britain Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures The Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association marching on the streets of Derry in 1968 BBC Remembering The Troubles in pictures The Battle of the Bogside in Derry in August 1969 was among the first violent episodes of the Troubles The Battle of the Bogside in Derry in August 1969 was among the first violent episodes of the Troubles Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures British soldiers take cover behind their armoured cars as they use CS gas to disperse rioters in Derry on Bloody Sunday PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures Hugh Gilmore (third left) clutches his stomach after being shot by a British soldier on Bloody Sunday. Gilmore was one of 14 to be shot dead on 30 January 1972 PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures A man receives attention after being shot on Bloody Sunday in Derry PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures A young man is led away by paramedics after being injured on Bloody Sunday PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures The British Embassy at Merrion Square in Dublin is bombed following a march to protest three days after the Bloody Sunday shootings Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures Independent MO for Mid-Ulster Bernadette Devlin talks to the press after she hit Home Secretary Reginald Maudling for lying about the Bloody Sunday shootings in his statement to the House of Commons the day after the incident. Devlin had been in Derry at the time of the shootings and was moved to strike the Home Secretary after he claimed that British soldiers had only fired at protesters in defence Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures Members of a Catholic community in Newry stage a protest against the Bloody Sunday shootings AFP/Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures Relatives mourn over the coffin of a victim of Bloody Sunday on 1 April 1972 Getty Remembering The Troubles in pictures Thousands attend the annual Bloody Sunday memorial march in Derry on 30 January 1995 PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures UK prime minister Tony Blair and the Irish taoiseach Bertie Ahern sign the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 PA Remembering The Troubles in pictures A view over residential Derry in 2019 shows a mural on Rossville Street, where soldiers opened fire on Bloody Sunday Getty I covered that inquiry, which turned the Guildhall in Derry into one of the most high-tech courts in the world, filled with television screens and equipment for the sound system. Among the innovations was a virtual reality model of the Bogside the way it had been on that fateful day. There were 70 lawyers, among them some of the most eminent QCs in the land. Friends and relations of those killed on Bloody Sunday all sat on one side of the Guildhall. Unlike the rest of the court, not one of them rose when the judges entered. This, after all, was Free Derry. After 116 days and 600 hours of evidence, at a cost of 200m, Lord Savilles 5,000-page report concluded that none of the casualties was posing a threat of causing death or serious injury to the British soldiers and, damningly, that some of the paratroopers had lost their self-control. David Cameron, prime minister at the time, made a public apology and a police investigation was launched. Police eventually sent a file, 125,000 pages long, to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in November 2016. That report has resulted in the decision today to charge a former soldier with two counts of murder and four of attempted murder. The PPS said there was enough evidence to prosecute this Soldier F for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney. He also faces charges for the attempted murders of Patrick ODonnell, Joseph Friel, Joe Mahon and Michael Quinn. The PPS said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute 16 other soldiers and two Official IRA men who were also allegedly involved in the bursts of shooting that day. The decision brought to the surface, once again, the deep divisions over what had happened. Stephen Herron, director of the PPS, acknowledged: It has been a long road for the families ... and today will be another extremely difficult day for many of them. We wanted to meet them personally to explain the decisions taken and to help them understand the reasons. Herron continued that the decisions to prosecute relate only to allegations of criminal conduct on Bloody Sunday itself. Consideration will now be given to allegations of perjury in respect of those suspects reported by police, he said. But James Wrays brother Liam said that he was very saddened for the other families of those killed on Bloody Sunday. There are a lot of sad and heartbroken people today. It has been a sad day but the Wray family are relieved, he added. For those of us covering the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the legacy of Bloody Sunday was only too clear to see. The bereaved families who we spoke to wanted justice. Their mood was not vengeful, but they held the belief that those deemed responsible must be brought before a court. But there is great bitterness among many in the British military about what has happened. Some of the paratroopers who were there that day gave vivid descriptions of the confusion and the threat they perceived they were under. They also expressed anger that while those convicted of terrorist offences republican and loyalist were freed under the Good Friday Agreement and, indeed, some went on to pursue successful careers in politics, old soldiers now faced the possibility of spending their remaining years behind bars. Sitting outside the Maze prison with other journalists and seeing the prisoners, some convicted of mass murder, come out grinning and with fists pumping, one can understand that anger. However, one also has to accept that prison releases were one of the key conditions of the Good Friday Agreement which, apart from sporadic acts by dissident republican groups, has held until now. The sense of persecution in the forces has been reinforced by the prosecutions brought over operations in Afghanistan and Iraq the latter a war that many in the military felt deep unease over. Most of these have ended in acquittals, and questions have been raised over the charges. Phil Shiner, a solicitor who was prolific in bringing cases on behalf of Iraqi clients, was struck off the roll of solicitors two years ago over misconduct relating to false claims of abuse against British troops. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events There are moves to restrict the scope for prosecution of military personnel, past and present. The defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, wants a time limit on charges. He said today: We are indebted to those soldiers who served with courage and distinction to bring peace to Northern Ireland. The welfare of our former service personnel is of the utmost importance... the Ministry of Defence is working across government to drive through a new package of safeguards to ensure our armed forces are not unfairly treated. And the government will urgently reform the system for dealing with legacy issues. Our serving and former personnel cannot live in constant fear of prosecution. Any such move, however, will be deeply contentious and undoubtedly lead to protests. The Bloody Sunday inquiry, it was said during the opening all those years ago, would lead to a sense of closure for that painful day. That prospect, with the latest development, seems far away. Gardai will be out in force checking motorists for driving under the influence this St Patricks weekend (Niall Carson/PA Wire) More than 1,400 drivers have been arrested for driving under the influence of drink or drugs in the first two months of this year. New figures issued by the Gardai and the Road Safety Authority showed there was a 17% increase in arrests for driving under the influence in January and February, compared with the same period last year. A total of 1,429 drivers were arrested. The Medical Bureau of Road Safety also reported an increase in the number of blood and urine specimens being sent for analysis this year. The figures were released as Gardai warned they will be checking motorists for driving under the influence of drink and drugs over the St Patricks weekend. Last year one person died and three others were seriously injured over the same weekend. Transport Minister Shane Ross said some motorists continue to ignore warnings about the dangers of drink and drug driving. He said penalties for drink driving at lower levels have increased since the introduction of the Road Traffic Amendment Act 2018 and apply at any time. Drink driving is drink driving whether it is at midnight or midday and any drink drivers detected with a blood alcohol concentration between 50mg and 80mg now face losing their licence for three months, he said. The aim of road safety legislation is to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads. RSA chief executive Moyagh Murdock said: If you are heading out this weekend please plan ahead. Make sure you know how youre getting home, whether by taxi, with a designated driver or public transport. She also warned people not to walk home if theyre drunk. Almost half of pedestrians killed on our roads have consumed alcohol, she said. Im also reminding drivers and passengers to wear seatbelts and to understand that there is a close link between drinking alcohol and the non-wearing of seatbelts in fatality statistics. To date, 34 people have been killed on Irish roads since the start of the year. Gardai will be testing for drink and drugs driving this weekend Gardai will be "out in force" over St Patrick's weekend as new figures show a 17pc increase in the number of people arrested for driving under the influence. The Road Safety Authority said this weekend is traditionally a high risk period for alcohol and drug related crashes. Four were killed and seriously injured on Irish roads on St Patrick's weekend last year. Figures released from gardai show there has been an increase in the number of arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs in the first two months of 2019 compared to the same period last year. To date 1,429 drivers have been arrested from 1 January to 28 February. The Medical Bureau of Road Safety, which analyses the blood and urine specimens of drivers arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence for the presence of alcohol and drugs, has also reported an increase in the number of specimens being sent for analysis to date this year. Transport Minister Shane Ross condemned how some motorists continue to ignore the rules. "Drink driving is drink driving whether it is at midnight or midday and any drink drivers detected with a blood alcohol concentration between 50mg and 80mg now face losing their licence for three months. "The aim of road safety legislation is to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads." RSA CEO, Moyagh Murdock, cautioned people who are drinking at home and planning on driving the next day. "You may be unknowingly consuming larger measures and therefore increasing the amount of time it will take to eliminate the alcohol from the body and be safe to drive. It takes the average person an hour to get rid of a single unit of alcohol from the body thats a half pint, small glass of wine or single measure of spirits." THE British Labour Party will not support a proposal for a second Brexit referendum due to be voted on in the House of Commons later on Thursday, the party's Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said. The British Parliament will later vote on a government proposal for a three-month delay to the Article 50 Brexit negotiation period if a deal is approved by March 20, and a longer delay if it is not. MPs have proposed changes to that including one, amendment H, which says a delay should be used to hold a second referendum. "We will not be supporting H tonight," Starmer told the House of Commons. "Today is about the question of whether Article 50 should be extended." Starmer said Labour would support holding a public vote on any Brexit deal which is approved by parliament. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Theresa May has piled renewed pressure on reluctant MPs to back her EU divorce deal at the third time of asking. Expand Close DUP leader Arlene Foster. Photo: Getty Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp DUP leader Arlene Foster. Photo: Getty Images Two weeks before Britain is due to leave the European Union, Mrs May is using the threat of a long extension to the Brexit deadline to push eurosceptic rebels in her Conservative Party to finally back her deal. That vote could come next week. Her authority hit an all-time low this week after a series of parliamentary defeats and rebellions, but finance minister Philip Hammond said her plan was back on the agenda. That plan, struck by May after two-and-a-half years of negotiations with the EU, was defeated heavily in parliament in January and again on Tuesday. "Quite a number of colleagues changed their mind on this issue between the January vote and the vote earlier this week," Hammond told Sky News. "It's clear that the House of Commons has to find a consensus around something, and if it isn't the prime minister's deal I think it is likely to be something which is much less to the taste of those on the hard Brexit wing of my party." Although the House of Commons on Wednesday voted against the prospect of a no-deal Brexit, the default position if nothing else is agreed remains that Britain will exit without a transition arrangement on March 29, a scenario business leaders warn would bring chaos to markets and supply chains. Brexit supporters say in the longer term it would allow Britain to thrive and forge trade deals across the world. Mrs May will put her deal to another vote if the circumstances are right, her spokesman said. "If it was felt that it were worthwhile to bring back a new vote, then that's what we would do. But that's a decision we would have to judge on circumstances at the time," he said. European Union leaders meeting next week will consider pressing Britain to delay Brexit by at least a year to find a way through its domestic deadlock, an EU official said. "I will appeal to the EU27 to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it," European Council President Donald Tusk said, referring to EU leaders who will meet May next Thursday and must agree to any extension. But there was no sign the prospect of a long delay - which could lead to Britain having closer ties to the EU than planned by May or even a second Brexit referendum - was causing a major shift in the views of pro-Brexit lawmakers who have so far thwarted May. Andrew Bridgen, a eurosceptic from May's Conservative Party accused her of pursuing a "scorched earth" policy of destroying all other Brexit options to leave lawmakers with a choice between her deal and a delay of a year or more. Another eurosceptic Conservative lawmaker said he would not vote for her deal, even if there was a risk of a long Brexit delay. "If it's a rancid deal, why vote for it?" Mark Francois told BBC television. BREXIT DAY May also needs to win over the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) that props up her minority government in parliament and which has so far refused to back her plan. DUP leader Arlene Foster said the party was working with the government to try to find a way of leaving the EU with a deal. On Wednesday, parliament rejected leaving the EU without a deal, paving the way for Thursday's vote that could delay Brexit until at least the end of June. While the motion approved by parliament has no legal force - March 29 remains the day enshrined in law that Britain will leave the EU - and ultimately may not prevent a no-deal exit, it carries considerable political force. Sterling surged, hitting nine-month highs against the U.S. dollar and a nearly two-year high against the euro, as investors saw less chance of Britain leaving the EU without a transition deal to smooth its exit. It lost some of those gains on Thursday. Although May supported the idea of ruling out a no-deal Brexit in the short term, she suffered another humiliation when - in an evening of parliamentary mayhem on Wednesday - four of her ministers disobeyed her by abstaining from a vote on an amendment which ruled out a no-deal Brexit in any circumstances. The amendment was passed by parliament. What is the UK plan for tariffs in the event of a no-deal Brexit? The British government will cut to zero the tariffs on 87pc of imports to the UK. But key industries will see taxes applied. These industries include agri-products like meat, as well as shoes, cars and even underwear. Does this mean prices will increase? A number of consumer goods will be more expensive if a deal is not agreed. Of most concern is the impact on farm produce. It is expected beef will go up by almost 7pc which could cripple the industry here. Tins of tuna could go up by 24pc while underwear made from synthetic fibre would be hiked by 12pc. So that must mean a hard Border between Northern Ireland and the Republic? No. The proposal makes an exception for goods travelling from southern Ireland to the North. There will be no customs checks or physical infrastructure on this island, and no tariffs on goods moving across the Border, no matter their place of origin. Can these goods then move from Northern Ireland to the mainland UK without charges? There will be no checks on goods crossing from the North to Britain. In theory, a product made in Dublin can be transported into Northern Ireland and then on to England without any customs checks. What about goods moving from the Republic across the Irish Sea to the mainland UK? These exports will be subject to the same tariffs as goods arriving in the UK from other parts of the EU. What about smuggling? The UK admits that the proposed regime could leave Northern Ireland vulnerable to smuggling. Sources in Dublin said it would turn the North into a back-door route to Britain. If the situation becomes untenable the UK will consider upping checks at ports. How long will the tariffs apply for? The new tariff schedule would apply from 11pm on March 29 in the event of a crash out of the EU with no deal, and would be in place for up to 12 months. What happens after 12 months? That time will be used to negotiate an arrangement that maintains an open Border but doesn't leave the UK as exposed to smuggling. The EU says the answer already exists in the form of the backstop. The UK says "a negotiated settlement is the only means of sustainably guaranteeing no hard Border and protecting businesses in Northern Ireland". So, will the EU apply reciprocal tariffs? The EU has refused to engage in an immediate trade war, saying it needs time to "analyse" the UK plan. European Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas said: "Look to London, not Brussels, for answers." What happens if the UK gets a Brexit extension? In this scenario the can will be kicked down the road by months or possibly years while the politicians try to find a new way forward. The building was once the administration building for the Fox Valley Park District. When the district was first organized, it was actually known as the Fox Valley Park District and Pleasure Driveway the pleasure driveway was River Street along the Fox River, and the districts offices were there. Britain's Prime Minister, Theresa May (L), greets Arlene Foster, the leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party at 10 Downing Street, London. Photo: GETTY UK ministers are to vote today on whether to delay Brexit beyond March 29 as UK Prime Minister Theresa May prepares to push ministers to accept her EU divorce deal, which they have twice rejected. Key to Mrs May's plan will be an attempt to persuade the most pro-Brexit lawmakers to reverse their opposition to her deal in the face of a possibly long delay. Expand Close Cornered herself: British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Downing Street yesterday on her way to the House of Commons. Photo: REUTERS/Henry Nicholls / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cornered herself: British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Downing Street yesterday on her way to the House of Commons. Photo: REUTERS/Henry Nicholls Arlene Foster, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) that props up Mrs May's government, is reportedly working with both governments to try to find a way of leaving the EU with a deal. "The [DUP] has confirmed it has been speaking to ministers to find a sensible deal for the entire UK and for the Irish Republic," BBC Northern Ireland Political Correspondent Enda McClafferty said in a report. He also said that DUP leader Arlene Foster had met Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during his St. Patrick's Day visit to Washington. Ms Foster this morning said she wanted Northern Ireland's regional assembly to have a "meaningful say" on Brexit. "What people need to do is hold their nerve and to look for a deal that works for the whole of the United Kingdom," Foster told BBC Northern Ireland in an interview, adding that Northern Ireland must remain "constitutionally and economically" within the United Kingdom. On Wednesday, parliament rejected the prospect of leaving the European Union without a deal, paving the way for Thursday's vote that could delay Brexit until at least the end of June. Brexit delay inevitable The move came ahead of another extraordinary night in the House of Commons where British Prime Minister Theresa May claimed a Brexit delay is now inevitable. MPs voted to rule out leaving the EU without a deal under any circumstances but this is merely a declaration of intent. As things stand, the UK remains on course to crash out on March 29 by default. The chairman of European Union leaders Donald Tusk said on Thursday he would ask EU heads of state and government to be open to granting Britain a long extension of Brexit talks if London needs time to rethink its strategy of leaving the EU. "I will appeal to the EU27 to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it," Tusk said on Twitter. EU leaders meet to discuss Brexit on March 21-22. Tusk said he would ask for openness to this option in his consultations with leaders in the run-up to the summit. Mrs May said the only alternatives left are a short extension to get her deal across the line or a lengthy delay. The development was viewed as a massive moment in Dublin with a source saying the day of reckoning is coming for hardline Brexiteers. The British no-deal plan allows products entering Northern Ireland across the land border from the Republic to be exempt from charges. While this will temporarily ensure no Border checks on traffic going north, it has prompted major fears that Ireland will become a smugglers paradise. In Washington, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Ireland has a cash pile of between 10bn and 15bn that we can access should there be any market turbulence. Read More Numerous senior Tory ministers defied Theresa May last night by helping pass a vote that supported taking a no-deal Brexit off the table. There is now an expectation she will table a third 'meaningful vote' on the Withdrawal Agreement next week. Irish officials expressed relief that a no-deal crash-out is now the least likely scenario - but also acknowledged that preparations for a disorderly Brexit continue apace. Tonight MPs will vote on a motion which states that if they agree to a Brexit deal by next Wednesday, then a short Brexit extension will be requested in order to allow the House of Commons to pass the relevant legislation. If a deal isn't signed off in the coming days, Mrs May will seek "a much longer extension". This would require the UK to take part in European Parliament elections in May. Read More There is no guarantee EU capitals would sanction a lengthy postponement without a clear purpose, such as a second referendum. The European Commission responded to developments in London by stating there are only two ways to leave the EU: "With or without a deal. "To take no-deal off the table, it is not enough to vote against no-deal - you have to agree to a deal. We have agreed a deal with the prime minister and the EU is ready to sign it," a spokesman said. Responding to another chaotic night in Westminster, Mr Varadkar said: "Things are looking a little brighter today than they did yesterday. "The House of Commons has voted decisively against leaving the EU without a deal." He now anticipates the UK will seek an extension and the EU will want to know "what the purpose of that extension is and for how long." He also said the UK's tariff approach would not work for very long and the common external tariff will apply to any goods exported from the UK to the EU. An EU Commission spokesman said the differential treatment of trade on the island of Ireland and other trade between the EU and UK "raises concerns". "In the event of no-deal, the Union has already made clear that it will apply its normal third-country trade regime to all trade with the UK, and accordingly charge MFN tariffs on imports from the UK into the EU. "This is essential for the EU in order to remain a reliable trade partner to the rest of the world, including upholding internationally-agreed rules on global trade," he said. Mr Varadkar accused Brexiteers of "chasing unicorns now for a very long time". He insisted Ireland is "well prepared for a no-deal" and the Government would support businesses, farmers and fishermen. "There will be damage limitation, we will protect incomes, we will protect jobs and we will support businesses to overcome whatever happens in the next couple of weeks," he said. The no-deal trade arrangements put forward by the UK are to be "strictly temporary" and introduced as part of efforts to maintain a free-flowing Border. However, they represent only the UK side of what a post-Brexit Border would look like. It will be for the EU to set out what tariff regime would apply to goods travelling North-south. Mr Varadkar said the UK approach would not work for very long and the common external tariff will apply to any goods exported from the UK to the EU. He predicted that "within a matter of months that would lead to the need for checks at Northern Ireland's ports", which is essentially a border in the Irish Sea rather than a land border. In a clear dig at the DUP, the Taoiseach said the UK tariff plan proposes "to treat Northern Ireland differently from the rest of the United Kingdom in a few weeks' time". "Let's not forget one of the big objections to the backstop was that might happen in a few years' time." Senior officials from the Department of Agriculture were in Brussels yesterday meeting EU Commission representatives about potential bailouts for the sector in a worst case scenario. Job satisfaction: Ed Sibley says he is committed to his role and has no interest in the top job at the Central Bank. Photo: Tony Gavin Central Bank deputy governor Ed Sibley has the air of a man comfortable in his own skin - and in his own job - as he glides through the serene corridors of the Central Bank's plush new docklands headquarters. An air of calm isn't a bad characteristic in a financial regulator, especially with the Brexit storm about to hit. Even before that, the upper echelons of the Central Bank have been going through their own more contained period of instability. Governor Philip Lane is leaving in May, if all goes to plan, to take up the senior role of European Central Bank chief economist in Frankfurt. That followed a year of fairly intense politicking by Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe. Sibley's peer as deputy governor, Sharon Donnery, was pipped late last year for the top job at Europe's Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) and is understood to be considering a run at Lane's soon-to-be vacant seat. There's a lot going on in the rooms off those corridors. But the Englishman is happy to take himself out of any speculation. "There's still a little bit of process to go through in terms of the Governor's appointment, assuming that all goes OK and I'm sure we'll find out later this month. Then, yes, you are right, there will be a vacancy here. "I'm not interested in it. I'm genuinely committed to the role I have here, I hope to be in this role for a long time, I have a five-year contract (and) it can be rolled over for another five years if whoever the new Governor is likes the cut of my jib, and we haven't had a large failure on my watch. "I would like to continue to do it for the long-term and the governor role isn't for me," he says. The point could hardly be made any clearer. It leaves Sibley to face into the greater uncertainties and challenges thrown up by his home country of the UK's impending exit from the EU. He reckons the risk of a hard Brexit is underpriced by the markets, but is satisfied the Irish financial system is now resilient enough to withstand the shock. To date, the most obvious fallout from Brexit for the Central Bank has been the migration of some London-based financial services business to Dublin. It's a boost to the Irish economy, although Sibley is firm in his view that the real fallout for Brexit will be economic damage to Ireland, not gains. Even so, a slew of firms have pitched up seeking Irish authorisation. One UK-based think tank even claimed Ireland had been the main winner of this so-called Brexodus, based on the number of firms moving. So what will the final breakdown be, I ask? "We'll see at least two phases to it. We are a long way through the first phase, which, as we probably talked about, is more than a hundred applications either as fresh authorisations, or changes, or extensions to existing authorisations." However, it ranges from firms with fewer than a handful of employees to banks and insurers shifting hundreds of jobs here, Sibley says. None has involved really big job numbers, comparable to a Facebook or an Apple. In fact, most of the firms coming will have little to do with the Irish economy. "The majority of firms that are coming as a result of Brexit are coming to continue to serve EU clients post-Brexit. So by their very nature they are most likely to be exporting financial services, rather than serving the domestic economy," he says. Insurance will be a bit different, but overall what the Central Bank has seen fits with what is already in the IFSC. "A lot of it we are used to and familiar with, but there is more complexity coming in. Again, if we talk about the banking side and the investment firms, we are seeing more investment banking activity. We've had pieces of that before but not to the same extent that we have now." As a regulator the Central Bank is ready for it, he said. "We've skilled up. We've got some support in terms of training and from consultants, we've recruited and we've used the expertise we have." That also means being able to draw from teams across Europe under the ECB umbrella, he said. "So, it's not solely what we have here, we're part of the senior supervisory mechanism, we're part of banking - overall banking supervision across the eurozone - and we work very closely with our colleagues in the ECB. So, whether a firm is situated in Frankfurt, or Paris, or Dublin, the supervision is the same. The skill set we have, we can draw on from the sense of the learning and methodologies we follow - there is a good deal of consistency." Even so, the deluge of applications from firms and executives seeking Central Bank authorisation to operate here has stretched capacity at the regulator. "It's not without its challenges. Overall, the Central Bank has done a really good job on Brexit - authorisation is only one aspect of that. But we've had to make some hard choices in order to do that - in terms of prioritising Brexit over other work that we might have done." Sibley accepts that this decision brings with it a risk that problems will be missed elsewhere in the system, but thinks things like less-frequent or extensive engagement than normal with some regulated entities was a choice that had to be made. "That's all been done in a very conscious way, not entirely without risk, but in a conscious way - weighing up the resource demand the risks associated with Brexit relative to some other risks and prioritised Brexit. We have finite resources both in terms of numbers and skills sets so, you know, you have to make those choices." Brexit necessarily dominates our conversations, as we move into the end game in what could yet be a very messy British exit from the EU. As an Englishman settled here - Sibley's wife and children are Irish, he describes himself as at home here, and he has no plans to ever leave the country - it's an extraordinary time. What does he make of it all? "I have to be slightly careful. From a post perspective I'm apolitical, although it can be difficult to talk about Brexit and the politics of Brexit and maintain that stance," he says. "Personally, I am deeply saddened by it. I think it is entirely regrettable - albeit understandable in some respects. I think it is to the detriment of the UK and to the detriment of the EU and it's really unfortunate that Ireland is going to suffer collateral damage as a result," he says. As financial regulator, Brexit is just one of many challenges that face Irish financial institutions and their customers. Cyberattacks are a particular concern for Sibley "because the burn is so fast" and firms are vulnerable in part as a legacy of underinvestment during the financial convulsions that followed the crash. The tracker mortgage scandal and the redress process that is still going on has also been a huge undertaking for the wider Central Bank. Derville Rowland - the Central Bank's director general for financial conduct - has the lead role in the current probe, but, as regulator, Sibley's job will be to ensure lessons are learned to prevent a repeat. The Central Bank is all over the consumer protection aspect of the scandal now. However, in 2012, when Sibley joined the bank, the concern for regulators was the damage tracker deals posed to lenders. I put it to him that that attitude - the characterising of trackers as a problem for the system - might have given some bankers the nod for what we now know became a 1bn scandal. Has the regulator examined its own role in this, I ask? "I came back to Ireland in 2012 - there were discussions about trackers, but it was more about what could be done from a wider bank perspective. Were there options in term of moving trackers - having trackers in a different form away from the banks. There was never any conversation about moving individuals off trackers," he says. In fact, he says it was the regulator's own 2008 and 2009 consumer protection actions that provided the tools now used to extract redress. But does he think the then attitude of the regulator had an impact on how the banks went on to misbehave? "I genuinely don't and even if it were the case, I don't think it would be any excuse for the behaviours that we've seen," he says. "The fault for that lies with the banks. We have been very consistent in making sure that customers to the greatest extent possible are put right, recognising that financial compensation doesn't address all the emotional hurt and difficulties that some people have experienced through the mistreatment by the banks." Legislation is wending its way through the Oireachtas that in future will make individuals directly legally responsible if wrongdoing occurs. Meanwhile, the Central Bank is pushing a cultural shift within firms as the other cornerstone to contain the risk of future wrongdoing, including nudging firms for greater diversity and inclusiveness at the higher levels within organisations as a guard against groupthink. The Central Bank itself was slow to tackle the tracker-overcharging scandal, which individual borrowers forced through the courts and was a major issue in the media before it was really accepted as a major scandal. However, Sibley doesn't accept that having consumer protection and financial regulation functions under a single roof at the Central Bank means it is less able or willing to take on banks. "Personally, I think probably the most important aspect of my role is the consumer protection role. The bulk of what we do in prudential supervision is aimed, certainly when we talk about the domestic market, at protecting consumers both here, and when you talk about the international firms, abroad," he says. "So I would see them as being entirely complementary." He isn't naive to the fact that a shift in language and tone by lenders represents a definitive break with the sometimes more obviously grasping policies of the past. He cites, as an example, the fact that many banks charge existing customers more than new borrowers in mortgage interest, for example. "When I hear banks talk about putting their customer first and all this kind of management speak about their customers and then I see that they have put a percentage point or more between back book [existing customers] and front book [new borrowers] I'm very sceptical." However, the solution he suggests - that more mortgage customers switch - suggests he's happy to push the onus to police such behaviour onto the public, rather than intervene himself. The high cost of borrowing here goes well beyond that however. ECB President Mario Draghi recently told the Oireachtas that high prices here were the result of a "quasi-monopoly". Was he right, I ask? There's no simple answer to this one, it seems. "There is certainly still dysfunction in the mortgage market in Ireland and if one thinks about what one would expect a functioning mortgage market to do - we would expect there to be risk-based lending - pricing according to risk to be present, good amount of choice, a relatively high degree of market discipline and clear contracts, strong consumer protection and a degree of stability and certainty about the legal system," he says. More than a decade after the crash, Sibley says there are still problems with every aspect of that, though they're getting smaller. One of those issues is the difficulty of repossessing houses even when the mortgage hasn't been paid for year. Knowing he's in a minefield, the regulator picks his way through this one with more than his customary caution. "Ultimately that's a choice that the country makes. Relative to other jurisdictions it does take a long time to effect security in Ireland and in some cases it's very, very difficult," he says. Other countries, he notes don't report statistics for two, three, four or five-year arrears, because that simply doesn't arise. "I am living in Ireland, I will live in Ireland for the rest of my days, but certainly my experience from the UK is if you stop paying your mortgage you'll lose your home, and it's relatively quick," he says. Even so, he says he sees the positive side to the Irish post-crash experience. "So there clearly are some elements there that affect how one thinks about security in Ireland, but I would also say if you look at how mortgage arrears have been dealt with in Ireland the vast, vast majority has been dealt with through engaging, giving people time to recover from whatever shock has hit them, restructuring where it makes sense to do so and so on. "So if we look at the numbers and I am always conscious... behind each number there is a person, but at a broad level we have over 100,000 restructured owner-occupier mortgages in the system. Since 2009, really from the onset of the crisis, there's been in the order of about 9,000 cases of loss of ownership and about two-thirds of those have been through the handing back of the keys, the voluntary surrender of voluntary sale," he says, rattling through the numbers with impressive fluency. "So only - I use that word advisedly - but about 3,000 have been repossession through the court process. For those borrowers that have engaged and continued to try and engage to do the right thing, to make sacrifices, they have been met with a willingness to restructure and if that hasn't been the case there are other avenues, structures, supports within the State that go beyond a lot of other jurisdictions." EU Council President Donald Tusk gives a statement after a meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at the European Council headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Photo: REUTERS/Yves Herman The EU will fight fire with fire by levying tariffs on UK food exports to Europe if Britain enacts draconian new taxes on Irish farm products in a no-deal Brexit. In the event of a disorderly Brexit, the UK will levy beef, lamb, pork, poultry and some dairy imported from the EU, including Ireland. The moves will lead to retaliatory measures by the EU, imposing levies on UK foodstuffs coming into EU markets under its normal third party trade regime. The move came ahead of another extraordinary night in the House of Commons where British Prime Minister Theresa May claimed a Brexit delay is now inevitable. MPs voted to rule out leaving the EU without a deal under any circumstances but this is merely a declaration of intent. As things stand, the UK remains on course to crash out on March 29 by default. Mrs May said the only alternatives left are a short extension to get her deal across the line or a lengthy delay. The development was viewed as a massive moment in Dublin with a source saying the day of reckoning is coming for hardline Brexiteers. The British no-deal plan allows products entering Northern Ireland across the land border from the Republic to be exempt from charges. While this will temporarily ensure no Border checks on traffic going north, it has prompted major fears that Ireland will become a smugglers paradise. In Washington, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Ireland has a cash pile of between 10bn and 15bn that we can access should there be any market turbulence. Read More Numerous senior Tory ministers defied Theresa May last night by helping pass a vote that supported taking a no-deal Brexit off the table. There is now an expectation she will table a third 'meaningful vote' on the Withdrawal Agreement next week. Expand Close Empire State: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (centre left) and his partner Matt Barrett walk in the St Patricks Day parade in New York City. Photo: PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Empire State: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (centre left) and his partner Matt Barrett walk in the St Patricks Day parade in New York City. Photo: PA Irish officials expressed relief that a no-deal crash-out is now the least likely scenario - but also acknowledged that preparations for a disorderly Brexit continue apace. Tonight MPs will vote on a motion which states that if they agree to a Brexit deal by next Wednesday, then a short Brexit extension will be requested in order to allow the House of Commons to pass the relevant legislation. If a deal isn't signed off in the coming days, Mrs May will seek "a much longer extension". This would require the UK to take part in European Parliament elections in May. Read More There is no guarantee EU capitals would sanction a lengthy postponement without a clear purpose, such as a second referendum. The European Commission responded to developments in London by stating there are only two ways to leave the EU: "With or without a deal. "To take no-deal off the table, it is not enough to vote against no-deal - you have to agree to a deal. We have agreed a deal with the prime minister and the EU is ready to sign it," a spokesman said. Responding to another chaotic night in Westminster, Mr Varadkar said: "Things are looking a little brighter today than they did yesterday. "The House of Commons has voted decisively against leaving the EU without a deal." He now anticipates the UK will seek an extension and the EU will want to know "what the purpose of that extension is and for how long." He also said the UK's tariff approach would not work for very long and the common external tariff will apply to any goods exported from the UK to the EU. Expand Close Cornered herself: British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Downing Street yesterday on her way to the House of Commons. Photo: REUTERS/Henry Nicholls / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cornered herself: British Prime Minister Theresa May leaves Downing Street yesterday on her way to the House of Commons. Photo: REUTERS/Henry Nicholls Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said this morning that the European Union may offer Britain to delay its exit from the bloc by up to 21 months in what may lead to a "fundamental rethink" of British policy on the matter. "If you have a long extension of Article 50, that opens up the debate in a much broader way to the overall approach that the United Kingdom takes to Brexit. That may facilitate a fundamental rethink, it may not, we just don't know," Coveney told Sean O'Rourke on RTE radio. "If you have a long extension of, say 21 months to the end of 2020 - whatever the period would be - then Britain has a legal entitlement to have representation in the European parliament" and so must take part in EU elections, he said. An EU Commission spokesman said the differential treatment of trade on the island of Ireland and other trade between the EU and UK "raises concerns". "In the event of no-deal, the Union has already made clear that it will apply its normal third-country trade regime to all trade with the UK, and accordingly charge MFN tariffs on imports from the UK into the EU. "This is essential for the EU in order to remain a reliable trade partner to the rest of the world, including upholding internationally-agreed rules on global trade," he said. Mr Varadkar accused Brexiteers of "chasing unicorns now for a very long time". He insisted Ireland is "well prepared for a no-deal" and the Government would support businesses, farmers and fishermen. "There will be damage limitation, we will protect incomes, we will protect jobs and we will support businesses to overcome whatever happens in the next couple of weeks," he said. The no-deal trade arrangements put forward by the UK are to be "strictly temporary" and introduced as part of efforts to maintain a free-flowing Border. However, they represent only the UK side of what a post-Brexit Border would look like. It will be for the EU to set out what tariff regime would apply to goods travelling North-south. Mr Varadkar said the UK approach would not work for very long and the common external tariff will apply to any goods exported from the UK to the EU. He predicted that "within a matter of months that would lead to the need for checks at Northern Ireland's ports", which is essentially a border in the Irish Sea rather than a land border. In a clear dig at the DUP, the Taoiseach said the UK tariff plan proposes "to treat Northern Ireland differently from the rest of the United Kingdom in a few weeks' time". "Let's not forget one of the big objections to the backstop was that might happen in a few years' time." Senior officials from the Department of Agriculture were in Brussels yesterday meeting EU Commission representatives about potential bailouts for the sector in a worst case scenario. A MOTION to seek a Brexit extension beyond the scheduled date of March 29 has been passed by British MPs by a majority of 210 votes this evening. The British Government's amendment was passed by 412 yes votes to 202 no votes in the House of Commons. The vote came after British Prime Minister Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement was rejected for the second time on Tuesday and MPs voted the following day to rule out a no-deal Brexit. Only a refusal by the leaders of the 27 remaining EU states at a Brussels summit next week could now preserve March 29 as Brexit Day. If MPs approve a divorce deal by March 20, the British government are going to seek from the EU a 'one-off extension' until June 30 to pass Brexit legislation. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has this evening welcomed todays Westminster vote for an extension to the UKs departure from the EU. He said: "It reduces the likelihood of a cliff edge, no-deal Brexit on March 29th. "But we now need to hear from London about what purpose an extension would serve and how long it would last. "There seem to be two emerging options: ratification of the withdrawal agreement followed by a short extension into the summer, or a much longer extension that would give the UK time and space to decide what they want to do, including considering options that had been taken off the table like participation in the customs union and single market. "I think we need to be open to any request they make, listen attentively and be generous in our response. "This matter will be now discussed further at next weeks European Council meeting and hopefully we will have more clarity from London in the meantime about their intentions. Unanimity by the 27 will be required for any extension." An earlier motion to extend Article 50 to hold a second referendum was rejected by a majority of 249. 334 MPs votes against the proposal, compared to 85 who favoured it. The Labour Party's Amendment E, calling for Mrs May to use a delay to give parliament time "to find a majority for a different approach" was defeated by 318 votes to 302. A subsequent motion to delay Brexit until June 30 to find a way forward with a majority of support in the House of Commons has also been defeated by a majority of three votes. The amendment was rejected in the House of Commons by 314 no votes to 311 yes votes. A proposal by lawmaker Hilary Benn which would take control of the parliamentary agenda on March 20 with the aim of forcing a discussion of Brexit options at a later date was also defeated by a 314 to 312 majority. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he welcomed the House of Commons vote for an extension "as it reduces the likelihood of a cliff edge, no-deal Brexit". "But we now need to hear from London about what purpose an extension would serve and how long it would last. There seem to be two emerging options: ratification of the withdrawal agreement followed by a short extension into the summer, or a much longer extension that would give the UK time and space to decide what they want to do, including considering options that had been taken off the table like participation in the customs union and single market. "I think we need to be open to any request they make, listen attentively and be generous in our response. This matter will be now discussed further at next weeks European Council meeting and hopefully we will have more clarity from London in the meantime about their intentions. Unanimity by the 27 will be required for any extension." US President Donald trump has also criticised British Prime Minister Theresa May's handling of Brexit negotiations. Speaking as he met with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in the White House this afternoon, he said he will stay out of Britain's Brexit negotiations but say Mrs May did not listen to his advice on the matter. Mr Trump said: "I'm surprised how badly it's all gone from the standpoint of negotiations. "I gave the prime minister [Theresa May] my ideas on how to negotiate... she didn't listen to that and that's fine. "She's got to do what she's got to do but I think it could have been negotiated in a different manner. "I hate to see everything being ripped apart right now. "I don't think another vote would be possible because it would be very unfair to people who want [Brexit]." BELOW ARE THE RESULTS SO FAR: AMENDMENT H: SECOND REFERENDUM - REJECTED 334 TO 85 Led by Independent Group lawmaker Sarah Wollaston, this amendment would have instructed the government to request a delay to Brexit to allow time to hold a second referendum. AMENDMENT TO AMENDMENT I - REJECTED 314 to 311 A technical change to add a time limit to Amendment I which seeks to pave the way for indicative votes in parliament on Brexit options. AMENDMENT I: FIND ANOTHER WAY - REJECTED 314 to 312 Led by lawmaker Hilary Benn, a cross-party group have put forward a proposal which would take control of the parliamentary agenda on March 20 with the aim of forcing a discussion of Brexit options at a later date. This process, which would overturn the usual rule that the government controls what is discussed in parliament, is aimed at trying to find a majority for an alternative Brexit path that would break the parliamentary deadlock. AMENDMENT E: DIFFERENT APPROACH - REJECTED 318 to 302 Jeremy Corbyn's opposition Labour Party has submitted an amendment calling for May to use a Brexit delay to give parliament time "to find a majority for a different approach". GOVERNMENT MOTION - PASSED 412 to 202 This will form the basis of the debate and says three things: 1) Notes parliament has rejected May's deal and a no-deal scenario, and agrees the government will seek an extension to the Brexit negotiating period, which currently ends on March 29. 2) Parliament agrees that if lawmakers approve a divorce deal by March 20, the government will seek to agree "a one-off extension" until June 30 to pass legislation needed to smooth Britain's departure from the EU. 3) Parliament notes if it has not approved a divorce deal by March 20, then it is "highly likely that the European Council at its meeting the following day would require a clear purpose for any extension, not least to determine its length, and that any extension beyond 30 June 2019 would require the United Kingdom to hold European Parliament elections in May 2019". AMENDMENT J: NO MORE BREXIT VOTES - Withdrawn This amendment, submitted by Labour lawmaker Chris Bryant, seeks to prohibit the government from asking parliament to vote on May's exit deal for a third time, citing parliamentary convention that the same question should not be asked of lawmakers more than once. More to follow... With additional reporting by Reuters Edmund Graham, a beef farmer on the Border, is already counting the economic impact of Brexit. With beef farmers you might say Brexit has happened already with the cuts in beef prices, says the father-of-three who is raising his family just a mile from Monaghan town. Beef farmers are already on their knees and cant bear any further blows. Edmund, who has been farming for 40 years, questions who is going to bear the costs of the potential tariffs on the vital UK beef trade in the case of a no-deal Brexit. If it is pushed back on the primary producer then it is curtains for us all. He also feels the circumstances being suggested in relation to produce travelling to Northern Ireland may lead to a rise of smuggling. It must be avoided at all costs, he says. With 500 cattle aged up to two years, Edmund has been taking cuts of up to 200 a head on animals since November as uncertainty has already taken its toll on beef prices. Ive suffered losses already. If there are more then we might as well just close up shop, he says. Edmund points out that it is different for beef farmers as the production of an animal can take up to 30 months, so many have a lot of stock already in their systems. Others, like Edmund, will be headed to the marts to buy stock for summer grazing. Ive a lot of stock in hand and Ive more to buy in, says Edmund, who is the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) beef chair. He also buys animals for other farmers and travels through Northern Ireland to deliver them to Donegal. In addition, he brings animals for slaughter to Foyle Meats in Donegal via Northern Ireland. Would I be able to get my produce up through Northern Ireland to go to the factories? he questions. Otherwise, it means an extra three hours to drive the lorry on main roads via Sligo. It all has a knock on effect, he says. State aid to get us out of a hole is not the answer. After farming all his life, Edmund says oldest son is eager to farm but he wants him to have an education so he has options to generate money off farm as well. It is the family farms that are totally dependent on farming that will be hardest hit, he says, with tens of thousands of those farms in parishes throughout the country. Return business: Christchurch multi-storey car park is located immediately adjoining the 182-room Jurys Inn Hotel and within close proximity of both the Christchurch and Temple Bar areas Return business: Christchurch multi-storey car park is located immediately adjoining the 182-room Jurys Inn Hotel and within close proximity of both the Christchurch and Temple Bar areas The sale of one of Dublin city centre's best-located and most successful car parking facilities is expected to see demand from a range of domestic and international investors and car park operators. Christchurch multi-storey car park is being offered to the market by joint agents JLL and Knight Frank at a quoting price of 15.5m - or the equivalent of 72,800 per parking space. Based on prevailing market rents, the scheme offers the prospective purchaser an investment return of over 5.2pc. The 213-space car park is being sold subject to a short-term lease which expires in June 2019, allowing the purchaser the flexibility to either continue to lease the car park on a long-term basis or enter into a management agreement with an operator. The purchaser could also choose to act as owner-operator of the facility. Christchurch multi-storey car park is acknowledged as one of Dublin city's leading parking facilities, owing to its close proximity to the Christchurch and Temple Bar areas of Dublin 2 and 8 as well as the Four Courts and Thomas Street. Situated in Dublin's historic quarter, approximately half way between Christchurch Cathedral and Dublin City Council's Wood Quay headquarters, the property enjoys a significant throughput of business and tourist traffic all year round. Quite apart from its location immediately adjoining the 182-room Jurys Inn Hotel, the car park is perfectly-positioned to benefit from the ongoing regeneration and development of High Street and Thomas Street, and the wider Dublin 8 area. With numerous office, retail and student accommodation schemes either underway or in the pipeline, the selling agents expect demand for car parking at the facility to remain strong. That demand could be bolstered even further should Dublin City Council move to limit the number of new car parking facilities it permits in the city. Developed in 1994, the Christchurch multi-storey car park is of reinforced concrete construction, and has 213 marked car spaces, fully-automated barriers, payment machines and also has a passenger lift. The facility extends over four floors and occupies a site area of approximately 0.4 acres. The property immediately adjoins the Jurys Inn Hotel, with direct access from the car park to the hotel lobby. The car park was leased to Q-Park on a five-year FRI lease which expired in December 2018. The owners entered into a short-term extension with the company to allow a purchaser the maximum flexibility. A number of established car parking operators have already expressed their interest in leasing or managing the car park for the successful bidder, according to the selling agents. Financial markets are underestimating the risk and potential impact of a hard Brexit, even with just 15 days to go before the UK could crash out of the European Union, the deputy governor of the Irish Central Bank has warned. Ed Sibley, the Central Bank Deputy Governor responsible for prudential regulation, said: "As it stands I don't think a hard Brexit is fully priced in so there would be inevitably some market dislocation if that's where we emerge in a short number of weeks, or if there is a short delay to that." But he said Irish banks that came through the crash were now strong enough to withstand what could be a major shock. "That's not to say an economic downturn in the UK and Ireland wouldn't be painful and difficult, but it's not to my mind of a scale that would cause us - across the system - financial stability issues," he said. Mr Sibley has ruled himself out of the race to replace Philip Lane as Central Bank Governor when Prof Lane goes to the ECB in May, as expected. The England-born regulator who is watching Brexit unfold from Dublin said his personal response is sadness. "Personally, I am deeply saddened by it. I think it is entirely regrettable - albeit understandable in some respects. It is to the detriment of the UK and to the detriment of the EU and it's really unfortunate that Ireland is going to suffer collateral damage as a result." Crucially, however, he thinks the fallout from a hard Brexit would not be made worse by contagion in the banking system looping back into the economy. "That is based on not just the work of the last three years when we've done a lot of specific work on Brexit, but on the work of the last decade," he told the Irish Independent. "So one can never be 100pc there isn't something that is going to cause a problem. But my view - based on all the work we've done, the analysis we've done, the interventions we've made - is that the financial system shouldn't be a cause of further problems. It should be operating to continue to serve the needs of the economy and customers, albeit given the level of market disruption that I think a hard Brexit could cause - because it is not priced in - it will be bumpy. But bumpy in a way that is not catastrophic as we have seen here before," he said. The bigger issue for Ireland will be the wider economic impacts including on some vulnerable sectors such as agri-foods and traditional manufacturing that are heavily reliant on exports to the UK, he said. "What I have been very much focused on is to make sure, as much as we can, to mitigate the risks to the financial system such that the financial system is resilient enough to withstand the shock of a hard Brexit and resilient enough to serve what will be acute needs of the economy and customers in that scenario, rather than being an extra headache, or a cause of problems." A decade ago, the global financial crisis triggered a so-called doom loop between banks, the real economy and national governments. "We are in completely different circumstances for the domestic banks than we were a decade or so ago in terms of the level of capital that is in the system," Mr Sibley said. "There is three times as much - more than three times as much in terms of risk-weighted assets. Their funding profile is much more deposit-funded than on the wholesale and short-term markets - so much less vulnerable to a shock; and their business models are different. They are heavily concentrated in property but more mortgages than commercial real estate as was the case," he added. A national strategy on anaerobic digestion should be developed as a priority, a new report has recommended. The draft report from the Joint Committee on Climate Action also states that low-interest loans or grants need to be provided to cover the high costs of installing anaerobic digesters, which convert slurry into heat and energy. The report, due to go to Government shortly, says the Department of Agriculture should implement mitigation practices as recommended by Teagasc, with a focus on those with the greatest Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction potential. While the Citizens' Assembly recommended a tax on GHG emissions from agriculture, the latest draft report does not include this in its main recommendations. It also calls on the Department of Agriculture to bring forward a draft of the new state forestry programme no later than 2020. The draft report calls for a comprehensive review of the climate mitigation potential of the country's forests, with a reformed forestry policy to address the disparity between broadleaf and conifer plantations. It says there are problems with the planting, management and clear-felling of spruce plantations, including impacts on biodiversity and water quality, along with growing public opposition to forestry in regions where there have been high planting rates. Other recommendations include: the setting up of a Climate Action Council in conjunction with other relevant bodies. The completion of a review of national land use by spring of 2020 building on the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) review and other relevant analysis on land use. County-based hedgerow surveys should be extended nationwide by local authorities. Once completed, by 2020, the Government should commission a study to quantify the climate mitigation and adaptation functions of this resource by 2021. Pictured from left is, Emily Walsh, Aoibhinn Leahy, Jane McNamara, Susan O'Neill and Aishling O'Neill from Laurel Hill secondary school in Limerick City who were announced as winners of the 2019 Certified Irish Angus Beef Schools Competition created by Irish Angus Producer Group, ABP and Kepak. Five students from Laurel Hill secondary school in the heart of Limerick City were announced as the overall winners of the 2019 Certified Irish Angus Beef Schools Competition. The students, Susan ONeill, Jane McNamara, Aishling ONeill, Aoibhinn Leahy and Emily Walsh took the top prize, in spite of the fact that none of them come from a farming background. The Certified Irish Angus Beef Schools competition, created by Irish Angus Producer Group, ABP and Kepak, challenges students to rear five Irish Angus calves for beef production. It aims to promote the Certified Irish Angus Beef brand while communicating the care and attention required to produce quality beef for consumers. Announcing the winners, Charles Smith, General Manager, Irish Angus Producer Group said, The students from Laurel Hill were deserving winners of this competition not only for their work ethic, commitment and interest in the project they were given but also because for them, everything was a bigger challenge and they met that challenge head on. None of them have a farming background or any agricultural knowledge, yet they fully embraced this project and excelled in its delivery. The winning students helped to rear their Angus calves at the Saleisan College Farm in Pallaskenry over an 18 month period, until they accompanied them to the meat factory where they were processed as beef. They also explored a project on The Importance of Irish Agriculture, creating lesson plans that could be used by primary school teachers to explain agriculture, beef production and the unique characteristics of Irish Angus beef. The girls created the slogan From Wellies to Bellies and a cartoon of Alfie the Calf to appeal to a younger audience. Runners Up The runners up in the 2019 competition were Cathal Moran and John Duignan from Glenamaddy Community School in Galway who explored the sensitive theme of Mental Health and Wellbeing Among Farmers and Rural Communities. Throughout the project several high-profile issues including extreme weather and the fodder crises affected the farming community and the students held farm talks and shared social media videos on mental health with farmers. The judges said, These exceptional young men showed a commitment beyond their years and a huge empathy for the issue of mental health and the importance of addressing the issue at farmer level.. I decided in December that I was going to try and get on the board because I think different voices need to be heard and we need to make sure the public is involved with decisions which they nearly werent with the Crown development, he said. The most important issue for me is that Sugar Grove is going to be undergoing a lot of development in the next 15 years and the board needs to control and shape what the future is going to look like. Threatened tariffs and import quotas in a cliff-edge Brexit would be 'disastrous' for beef farming. With the growing prospect of a no-deal exit now just days away, there were calls from the valuable agri-export sector for an extension to the process to avoid a crash out. Amid rising pressure, Tanaiste Simon Coveney said the Government would move to seek a further relaxation of State aid rules and EU supports for agri-business in such a scenario. Cormac Healy, from Meat Industry Ireland (MII), which represents the country's meat processors, urged rapid action. Expand Close Cormac Healy Meat Industry Ireland Director / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Cormac Healy Meat Industry Ireland Director "The fact that the political disarray is driving us in the direction of this cliff-edge Brexit is a real concern for our export business," he warned. "A long extension is now needed to avoid a no-deal exit," he added. Plans unveiled by the UK government outline tariffs on beef of 53pc, with the option of low-cost produce from South America also displacing Irish beef on the supermarket shelves. It would deliver a direct hit of almost 800m. Irish Farmers' Association president Joe Healy said it would be "disastrous" and most exposed sectors "will not survive". "This would have a devastating effect in the rural economy," he said, as the UK remains the closest and most lucrative market. Mr Healy said that such tariffs would make the produce simply uncompetitive. Eimear McGuinness, manager of Donegal Livestock Mart, said it would make farmers very uncertain about buying in cattle this spring. "The factories won't take the hit so it will fall back on the farmer," she said. The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association said the tariffs would be catastrophic and would have a knock-on impact in every parish. The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) also warned the impact must not be underestimated. ICSA president Patrick Kent said it "poses an immense barrier to continued beef exports to the UK". "In the short term, we should expect that contracts already signed with UK supermarkets will be honoured, but in this kind of scenario all bets are off. "In any event, it is certain that these tariffs will soon begin to cause calamity for our beef exports." The Ulster Farmers' Union has slammed proposals by the UK government to implement a free-trade zone on Northern Ireland as giving no protection to the industry there. It was shocked at the timing of the publication of the tariff schedules, a mere 16 days before the UK's scheduled departure date. It will take decades to fully eradicate TB from cattle, says Prof More (Chris Bacon/PA) Concerns have been raised over moves to cut TB outbreak compensation for farmers who have not acted to reduce their disease risks, writes Louise Hogan. It is understood an interim report from the TB forum suggests that farmers should be incentivised to undertake a range of actions. This would include voluntarily slaughtering any animals within 12 months that have previously tested inconclusive and re-tested negative. Farmers who fail to act would face cuts to compensation levels for any future outbreak while the inconclusive animal remains in the herd. ICSA animal health chair Hugh Farrell warned it would not agree to farmers' TB status being disclosed in any way, shape or form. "Any suggestions which would result in less than 100pc compensation for affected farmers are totally unacceptable and the minister is barking up the wrong tree if he thinks department proposals as outlined will wash," said Mr Farrell. "ICSA will not sign up to any new strategy unless key issues around wildlife and compensation details are agreed. The ongoing head-in-the-sand approach from the Department regarding the role of deer in TB spread is untenable and is a red-line issue," said Mr Farrell. It is understood the proposals to go to the Minister also currently state that if a farmer chooses not to implement biosecurity advice, the compensation should also be cut in any future TB breakdown. It says this would have a significant impact on the eradication of TB by 2030. The report highlights that a farmer who puts in place a risk management plan should see an improvement of their bovine TB herd risk category. It warns that the eradication programme as it stands is not sufficient to remove the disease by 2030 or reduce it significantly below the current 3.5pc herd incidence annually. However, it was unable to reach agreement on policies that would have the most impact. It is understood these included placing a farmers' TB status on mart boards. It is also planned that the Department's system for rating a herd's risk status would be simplified to include the number of years since a herd was restricted and whether it is low, medium or high risk. This risk category could then be carried on TB-related correspondence. Senior officials from the Department of Agriculture were in Brussels yesterday meeting EU Commission representatives about potential bailouts for the sector in a worst-case scenario. Making the case for supporting measures at EU level that recognise Brexit represents a serious disturbance to the Irish economy is a key pillar of the Irish Governments response to Brexit. There is a firm understanding at EU level of the unique and disproportionate impact that Brexit will have on Ireland and Ireland is expected to petition for cash injections and a loosening of strict EU rules on aid in order to combat the fallout from a chaotic Brexit. The EU can drum up emergency aid, as it did following the Russian embargo on EU fruit and vegetables in 2014 - when 1.7bn was found from outside the agriculture budget to support (mainly continental European) growers. A 2.8bn agricultural crisis reserve fund was set up under the 2014-2020 budget to deal with emergencies like the Russian embargo. And EU rules on "common market organisation" (CMO) provide for intervention in specific markets during a crisis, as the Commission did for skimmed milk powder in 2016 (although there is no advance funding set aside for this in the EU budget). Another option open to the EU - and widely used during the banking crisis - is a suspension of competition rules, which dairy producers and cooperatives availed of during the milk price crash, when they were allowed to band together to limit production. Agriculture Commissioner Hogan reiterated the EUs readiness to respond and support Ireland, and we will remain in contact on these issues as the situation evolves. In Washington, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Ireland has a cash pile of between 10bn and 15bn that we can access should there be any market turbulence. He insisted Ireland is "well prepared for a no-deal" and the Government would support businesses, farmers and fishermen. "There will be damage limitation, we will protect incomes, we will protect jobs and we will support businesses to overcome whatever happens in the next couple of weeks," he said. The no-deal trade arrangements put forward by the UK are to be "strictly temporary" and introduced as part of efforts to maintain a free-flowing Border. However, they represent only the UK side of what a post-Brexit Border would look like. It will be for the EU to set out what tariff regime would apply to goods travelling North-south. Mr Varadkar said the UK approach would not work for very long and the common external tariff will apply to any goods exported from the UK to the EU. He predicted that "within a matter of months that would lead to the need for checks at Northern Ireland's ports", which is essentially a border in the Irish Sea rather than a land border. In a clear dig at the DUP, the Taoiseach said the UK tariff plan proposes "to treat Northern Ireland differently from the rest of the United Kingdom in a few weeks' time". "Let's not forget one of the big objections to the backstop was that might happen in a few years' time." Irish officials expressed relief that a no-deal crash-out is now the least likely scenario - but also acknowledged that preparations for a disorderly Brexit continue apace. Tonight MPs will vote on a motion which states that if they agree to a Brexit deal by next Wednesday, then a short Brexit extension will be requested in order to allow the House of Commons to pass the relevant legislation. If a deal isn't signed off in the coming days, Mrs May will seek "a much longer extension". This would require the UK to take part in European Parliament elections in May. There is no guarantee EU capitals would sanction a lengthy postponement without a clear purpose, such as a second referendum. The European Commission responded to developments in London by stating there are only two ways to leave the EU: "With or without a deal. "To take no-deal off the table, it is not enough to vote against no-deal - you have to agree to a deal. We have agreed a deal with the prime minister and the EU is ready to sign it," a spokesman said. Responding to another chaotic night in Westminster, Mr Varadkar said: "Things are looking a little brighter today than they did yesterday. "The House of Commons has voted decisively against leaving the EU without a deal." He now anticipates the UK will seek an extension and the EU will want to know "what the purpose of that extension is and for how long." He also said the UK's tariff approach would not work for very long and the common external tariff will apply to any goods exported from the UK to the EU. An EU Commission spokesman said the differential treatment of trade on the island of Ireland and other trade between the EU and UK "raises concerns". "In the event of no-deal, the Union has already made clear that it will apply its normal third-country trade regime to all trade with the UK, and accordingly charge MFN tariffs on imports from the UK into the EU. "This is essential for the EU in order to remain a reliable trade partner to the rest of the world, including upholding internationally-agreed rules on global trade," he said. Mr Varadkar accused Brexiteers of "chasing unicorns now for a very long time". Devastating tariffs will mean that the price of Irish food for British consumers will skyrocket - forcing many to turn away from our produce. Tariffs would apply to 13pc of goods going to the UK, including key products from our agri-food sector - beef, lamb, pork, poultry and some dairy products. For Ireland's most vulnerable sector, beef, the UK proposals suggest tariffs ranging from approximately 1,500/tonne on manufacturing beef (mince) up to over 2,500/t on steak exports. This would represent an approximate 45pc increase in the price of Irish mince and a 20-25pc increase in the price of Irish steaks for consumers in the UK. The proposed tariff of 221/t on cheddar will see Irish cheese having to shoulder an annual tariff in the region of 200m. The 22m proposed tariff on Irish butter could also increase significantly, as a range of other costs inflate this figure. However, related factors such as customs costs, currency issues and an increase of international competition could mean that the final bill for Irish manufacturers and farmers will be a multiple of this. Experts have suggested the increased tariffs and costs could see an 8pc price rise for cheddar and perhaps up to 15pc for butter. Cormac Healy, senior director of Meat Industry Ireland (MII), warned it would severely undermine trade. "On top of this, the UK government has proposed zero tariff import quotas, that on the one hand fall massively short of existing beef import volumes entering the UK market and on the other hand open these quotas to all global suppliers. "Very quickly we can expect to see an erosion of our position in the UK market in both volume and value terms, due to stiff competition from lower-priced beef from other regions of the world," said Mr Healy. Meanwhile, Conor Mulvihill of Dairy Industry Ireland said the proposed tariff level would put Irish butter and cheddar under severe pressure in the UK markets at current consumer price rates and would necessitate increases at consumer level in the UK - something that their government desperately wishes to avoid. "Worryingly, the British proposals again offer no solution for the island of Ireland milk origin issue or the regulatory divergence threat." Branching out: Oaktree co-chairman Howard Marks is to join Brookfields board of directors Brookfield Asset Management is to buy a 62pc stake in Oaktree Capital Group in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about $4.8bn (4.2bn) the two asset managers said, sending Oaktree shares up 12pc on Wednesday morning. Oaktree shareholders can choose to get either $49 in cash or 1.0770 Class A shares of Brookfield for each Oaktree share held. However, Brookfield said the total amount will be paid in 50pc stock and the rest in cash. The cash offer represents an 11.8pc premium to Oaktree's Tuesday closing price. "This transaction enables us to broaden our product offering to include one of the finest credit platforms in the world," Brookfield chief executive Bruce Flatt said. Both companies will continue to operate as independent businesses, while Oaktree co-chairman Howard Marks would join Brookfield's board of directors. When the deal completes, expected to be in the third quarter this year, the combined entity will have about $475bn of assets under management. Oaktree shareholders, consisting primarily of its founders, certain members of management and employees, will own the remaining 38pc of the company. Both Brookfield and Oaktree have been very active in Ireland. Brookfield's renewables arm has bought and sold a number of Irish wind farms, while the company has also invested in broadband firm Imagine. Oaktree was instrumental in establishing listed housebuilder Glenveagh Properties, though it sold down its Glenveagh stake substantially when the company was looking to raise funds last year. Glenveagh boss Justin Bickle said last week that this was because of the nature of private equity, where returns typically have to realised within a certain timeframe. TRANSCRIPT OF FULL INTERVIEW with Irish Independent Business Editor Donal O'Donovan. DONAL ODONOVAN: The topic of the week, the month, the year, is Brexit. There are two things happening - one is that there is some movement of financial services firms out of London, some to Ireland. So just in terms of the raw numbers and the value of that as a process, what have you seen what do you think the final break down of firms and jobs coming here? ED SIBLEY: I mean, I think well see at least two phases too it. So we are a long way through the first phase, which as weve probably talked about more than a hundred applications either as fresh authorisations or changes or extensions to existing authorisations. And were working our way through those at pace as Im sure you know and that has varied from very large so some of the banks that are in the public domain - some big insurers as well - to some much smaller payments institutions investment firms and the like so the raw number of well over 100 isnt really indicative of what it means from an economic point perspective. We are seeing a good number of jobs, again youd see some of the numbers that have been reported in terms of the likes of the bigger banks - so low hundreds - and some kind of medium size moves which would be 10s and scores and then some smaller - ones and twos. So there is that aspect to it. I think thats obviously of interest from a commentator perspective from a broader economy perspective and from how the financial system evolves. DONAL ODONOVAN: From a regulators perspective some of them are by definition going to a little bit unanchored in the Irish economy, more like the IFSC, what is the mix of activities that you are seeing and does it radically alter the mix of activities here and does that put a strain on you as regulator? ED SIBLEY: So what weve seen is that the majority of firms - if I put insurance to one side for a moment the majority of firms that are coming as a result of Brexit are coming to continue to serve EU clients post Brexit. So by their very nature they are most likely to be exporting financial services rather than serve the domestic economy The insurance industry is a little different because there was more cross border activity from the UK a little bit from Gibraltar from the UK into Ireland and they need to solve for that. So there has been some movement in the insurance industry but other than that it is mostly externally focused. A lot of it we are used to and familiar with but there is more complexity come in, again if we talk about the banking side and the investment firms we are seeing more investment banking activity weve had pieces of that before but not to the same extent that we have now. Weve skilled up. Weve got some support in terms of training and from consultants, weve recruited and weve used the expertise we have. Ive got personal expertise in terms of dealing with some of these firms when I was in the UK. But we are also part of a much wider organisational arrangement. So, its not solely what we have here, were part of the single supervisory mechanism, were part of banking overall banking supervision across the eurozone and we work very closely with our colleagues in the ECB. So, whether a firm is situated in Frankfurt, or Paris, or Dublin, the supervision is the same. The skill set we have, we can draw on from the sense of the learning and methodologies we follow there is a good deal of consistency. And thats hardwired in banking. Where we see activity that is similar areas we can obviously leverage that in terms of some of the larger areas, DONAL ODONOVAN:And thats working, because obviously Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt in particular are getting some of that new mix of exiting institutions from the UK at the same time. ED SIBLEY: Yeah, yeah. Overall Im satisfied that its working reasonably well. Its not without its challenges. Overall I think the Central Bank has done a really good job on Brexit authorisation is only one aspect of that. But weve had to make some hard choices in order to do that in terms of prioritising Brexit over other work that we might have done had it not been for Brexit and all the work that weve had to do to; primarily make sure the system here is resilient enough to continue to support the economy and its customer in the eventuality of a hard Brexit. DONAL ODONOVAN:So what did you - in terms of the hard choices what did you have to not do or do less of? We have a supervisory methodology around how often we engage with firms, the extent that we do pieces of work and in fairness some degree of optionality about areas that we are interested in and think that we should be looking at. So some of that weve deferred, some of what weve said were not going to do right at this moment. Thats all been done in a very conscious way, not entirely without risk, but in a conscious way weighing up the resource demand the risks associated with Brexit relative to some other risks and prioritising Brexit. We have finite resources both in terms of numbers and skills sets so, you know, you have to make those choices. DONAL ODONOVAN:Do they know? The banks the financial firms do they know the places where you werent necessarily looking hard this year? I wouldnt necessarily be explicit about these things, what weve made sure weve continued to engage in an its a bit of cliche but in an outcomes focused way. But there are some areas where maybe we didnt meet all the management team that we might have done or weve moved to a if we had a 12 month cycle for the work - maybe have an 18 month cycle - but not I think within the bounds of good risk management INTERRUPTION: DONAL ODONOVAN: So, we were talking about Brexit and the potential for a Brexit bonus in terms of financial services in Ireland, but the bigger context really is the Irish economy if were thinking about Brexit. ED: Obviously more important but maybe just - I talked about a first wave. I think probably therell be secondary movement given the level uncertainty still at this stage about the outcome. Some firms have moved definitively and they have done everything that they need to continue to fully operate. Others have, are a little bit more conditional in term s of the moves theyve made so enough for them to continue in the immediate post a hard Brexit but with a potential I think that later investment decisions and later choices that will be made over time. So Id imagine that once we have more clarity about precisely what the UK exiting the UK looks like we will then see some more iterations and some more developments. But you are right. The bigger issue for Ireland is very much the concerns about the wider economic impacts given the close connections culturally and economically. A lot less than they were if you go back 45 years when Ireland and the UK joined the EU. Theres a lot more trade that Ireland does that goes beyond the UK. Not as dependent but still very close connections. DONAL ODONOVAN: And the economy is much more financialised now than it was 45 years ago so we did obviously export overwhelmingly goods to the UK at the time but its a much different economy the integration is almost total in some parts of the economy you almost dont export - or it feels like you dont export or import services for instance. ED SIBLEY: Yes. The nature of a hard Brexit with both tariff and non tariff friction coming in to trade with the UK would be, particularly for certain sectors and we published our - as much as you can do anything - our views for what potentially impacts would be in certain areas and certain sectors particularly indigenous industries. So theres that side of things, theres also a lot of the large international players think of UK / Ireland as one place to supply goods to so and so on and there are inevitably going to be impacts in terms of that. So what my role has been, I think, and what I have been very much focused on is to make sure that as much as we can we can mitigate the risks to the financial system such that the financial system, as I touched on earlier, is resilient enough to withstand the shock of a hard Brexit and continue to serve what will be acute needs of the economy and customers in that scenario rather than being an extra headache or a cause of problems. And Im satisfied that with the work that weve done and the work thats been done by other important parts of the infrastructure of the State and the EU and really importantly actually the continued rebuilding of resilience of the financial system over last decade, were in a reasonably good place and Im reasonably confident we can manage those risks. But thats not to say it wouldnt be bumpy and difficult particularly if, as it stands I dont think a hard Brexit is fully priced in, so there would be inevitably some market dislocation if thats what were to emerge in a short number of weeks or if there was a short delay to that. DONAL ODONOVAN: In terms of resilience there are two elements to it I think maybe there are two elements to it. The financial plumbing - so the actual systems: money moving across the border, the settlement of big transactions the deep financial plumbing are you happy that thats all ok? Because we are historically very integrated into London in terms of that. ED SIBLEY: Yeah. I dont think we re alone in that though. If you think about London today, it provides a lot of the plumbing as you describe it, the infrastructure, clearing and so on for the whole of the EU. So its not just Ireland that is potentially impacted. There are some unique aspects to the Irish interconnection so securities settlement is done through or largely through London and thats a unique aspect for Ireland. But the work that has been done at a central level the Commission announcements in mid December about central clearing and securities clearing and deeming that London will be deemed equivalent in those respects for a period at least, allows us to have degree of confidence that the plumbing will continue to work. DONAL ODONOVAN:And the other aspect is the actual hit, the financial hit, so if the UK goes into recession the Irish economy will inevitably suffer. The Irish banks which are exposed to the Irish economy and to the UK will suffer. So how bad do you think that might get have you had to do an assessment of the potential for losses in the banking system here in the event of a hard Brexit, for instance? ED SIBLEY: So, perhaps a better, the way weve looked at that, we clearly look at downside risk and downside scenarios not just for banks but for insurers and others as part of our ongoing supervision and analysis work. There was the European Banking Authority stress test last year which continued to show that there are vulnerabilities in the Irish banks to economic down turns. Still vulnerabilities associated with relatively high levels of non performing loans for example but they are much stronger than they were. The outcome of those was published, you can see that relative to two years ago they are stronger now than they were two years ago both in terms of their starting position balance sheet strength today and also in terms of the business they are doing today, so thats one element. We would also be thinking about, ourselves and with our colleagues in Frankfurt, where are the particular vulnerabilities to that economic downturn you describe and how satisfied are we from a financial stability perspective they can withstand a hit, we are in completely different circumstances for the domestic banks than we were a decade or so ago in terms of the level of capital that is in the system theres three times as much more than three times as much - in terms of risk weighted assets. Their funding profile is much more deposit funded than on the wholesale and short term markets - so much less vulnerable to a shock. And their business models are different they are heavily concentrated in property but more mortgages than commercial real estate as was the case. But thats not to say an economic downturn in the UK and Ireland wouldnt be painful and difficult, but it is not to my mind of a scale that would cause us across the system - financial stability issues. DONAL ODONOVAN:And is it banking that you see as the more vulnerable, obviously insurance us different? ED SIBLEY: We have I think we have a really interesting financial system in Ireland. A lot of attention is paid, and understandably so, to the domestic parts of it so the banks, the non life insurers, credit unions. But there is a very big funds industry here, there are global insurers here, there is a very significant and growing international banking sector here and large numbers of payment institutions and the like. Each of those has different vulnerabilities or different potential risks associated with a hard Brexit. We have engaged across all sectors to make sure that the firms here or that are operating here are preparing themselves because it ultimately responsibility is on the firm to make sure that they are protecting their business and are protecting their customers and we have engaged to make sure that is the case, and then to think about specific issues that might impact individual firms or if there are and there arent many of these if there are issues that are more systemic in nature then maybe they cant be self-solved by the firms themselves and there is some very small number of that, I think, and an example of that is what weve done in terms of the proposed run off regime within the Brexit Omnibus Bill and that is very much about protecting consumers of insurance policies that have been written outside the State. DONAL ODONOVAN:Its very stark thing that we could be looking down the barrel of a hard Brexit this month, but you are reasonably confident that the resilience is in the financial system to ride it out its not going to be good for anyone but to ride it out? ED SIBLEY: The short answer to that is yes and that is based on not just the work of the last three years when weve done a lot of specific work on Brexit, but on the work of the last decade. So, its very difficult to predict precisely how a hard Brexit would impact both economically and in terms of market conditions. So one can never be100pc there isnt something that is going to cause a problem but my view, based on all the work weve done, the analysis weve done, the interventions weve made is that the financial system shouldnt be a cause of further problem. It should be operating to continue to serve the needs of the economy and customers albeit given the level of market disruption that I think a hard Brexit could cause because it is not priced in it will be bumpy, but bumpy in a way that is not catastrophic as we have seen here before. DONAL ODONOVAN:There are other structural things going on in the banking and financial services system generally. Even if Brexit wasnt going on, the banks would be facing into a big change, insurers are facing into a big change around technology around internationalisation, around at, some point cross border movement into the country. So what are you seeing there? If you were to park Brexit, what are you seeing in the financial sector? ED SIBLEY: So, maybe a good way of thinking about it is if I talk a little about how we are thinking about our strategy, the aspects that are directly relevant to your question are really three-fold if we put Brexit to one side - the resilience piece - there is consumer protection. So from a resilience perspective the way I think about resilience from a regulators perspective is I think about four things. I think about the capital and liquidity the financial resources of a firm; I think about its business model - I think about how its run, governance, control, culture; and can we deal with it if it gets into difficulties can it recover, can it be resolved? Those are my four things outcomes that Im seeking to achieve. And when we think about disruptive change which is coming, inevitably it really goes to thinking about certainly three and maybe even four of those things. So we have to think about business model risk. So for an incumbent firm what are the threats that are out there in terms of say financial innovation? For the large banks, is that an existential risk or is it? And actually you can think about this in a number of ways but there absolutely are changes to the services that customers expect and how they expect to get them. And that necessarily will impact on business models. And on how firms need to think about this - they need to have sufficient financial resources to invest to continue to serve the customers as theyre expected and they need to manage the risks well. And we all, we are increasingly reliant on technology. Even if you put financial innovation to one side, the risks associated with outages, weaknesses in resilience and indeed cyber crime threats are very sizeable and quite instantaneous. So, the way that I think about these things to make sure that the risks around that are understood and are being well managed, that firms are investing in their infrastructure, are making smart decisions and their strategies take account of it. And you can apply that to the banking sector and also to insurance, probably even in some respects insurance is more in the front line that banking, because that really is reflecting on the what and the how. Think about self drive cars as an example, ultimately that will impact on insurance. And then there are other issues that are maybe slightly longer term but not that much longer term that we need to think about which includes the likes of climate change, which I think has something of an exponential threat to it; and slightly longer term demographic change where we have a very significant aging in the population Ireland has a relatively young population - relative to other parts of Europe - but there are some issues there and you then combine that with decline in home ownership those are kind of macro and micro aspects. So we need to do the day job really well in terms of supervision and making sure risks are being mitigated. Where we see risks that arent, where we see risks in the it area which Im happy to talk about a little bit more if you wanted but we also need to try and look forward more. I would differentiate between this strategic plan and previous strategic plans. I would hope that during the course of this strategic plan we are as much about looking forward as looking back, which I think over the course of previous strategic plans for obvious reasons and correctly were trying to look back and fix things that were broken, and were not completely out of that. DONAL ODONOVAN:There is a sense some of the banking technology infrastructure in the incumbent banks is creaky and at the same time, this month weve seen an awful lot of money allocated for dividends out of the same banks for shareholders. Are you happy A that the plumbing the technological plumbing in the banks is fit for purpose and B that the level of investment that is happening in them is appropriate? ED SIBLEY: So I think it is beyond doubt that most of the banks and certainly those that are paying dividends are also investing heavily in their IT infrastructure. Generally speaking the dividend pay-outs in Ireland are lower than in other parts of the Eurozone, whether in terms of as a ratio of profits, and it is important that banks operating here are investible. DONAL ODONOVAN:Are they investing enough in their technology? ED SIBLEY: Im slightly careful about how Ill answer that question. DONAL ODONOVAN:Dont be too careful. ED SIBLEY: What I mean is I dont want to get into specifics, I cant get into specifics. But if you look at what is in the public domain for those firms that have just recently released their results, particularly those that are paying dividends they are also investing in technology infrastructure. I think what we have also seen, and Im not complacent about this at all, we have also seen over the last six months or so a reduction in the level of incidents in the payments system. Now that could change tomorrow, we have pushed very hard to make firms improve their IT infrastructure and their IT risk management capabilities. We have now created a central IT risk team. That was originally created in bank supervision it now covers all sector. We are very active in terms of being out inspecting, finding issues, getting issues resolved. Weve issued policy guideline and the like to outline our expectations, our expectations arent met in every instance and where they are not met we are engaging with each individual firm to make sure that they are. I think we have, some firms have a degree of catch up to make, because theyve had years of almost existential crisis themselves and maybe didnt invest enough in IT three /four / five years ago and are having to make more costly interventions now both on a resilience perspective but also in terms of that capability to continue to serve their customers as they are expected to do. Honestly the thing I worry about most today is IT cyber related issues because the burn is so fast, whereas other issues we have done a lot of work to make sure the system is much more resilient. DONAL ODONOVAN:It is the same solution though presumably its investing in the best technological capability? ED SIBLEY: Yes, Ive spoked about this publicly before, my own view is yes you have to invest. But one can see how firms across the different sectors get picked off. So its not necessarily that everyone has to be best in class but you definitely dont want to be worst. DONAL ODONOVAN:But in terms of a regulatory intervention have you had to make significant regulatory interventions with regulated entities to tell them to bring their it up to scratch? ED SIBLEY: Yes, yes most definitely and over many years now. So weve had the unfortunate experience of the outage in Ulster in 2012, that we were clear and public in terms of what we thought of that and the need to address that both here and at the RBS level. And there are lots of things we do at an intervention level which obviously we cant talk bout in the public domain, but we have been very active and increasingly active in terms of it risk over the last few years. Its an area that I would like us to continue to do more in. The broader question about operational resilience I think is a really important topic for now and into the future for firms themselves and from a supervisory perspective so I think firms can expect us to be doing more and more in this area because its absolutely critical, because they are we are all - so dependent on technology working well. DONAL ODONOVAN:Then in terms of being a regulator, obviously a big regulatory issue has been the tracker mortgage scandal and then the redress and management of that. So where are you in terms of what the follow on having identified and addressed whats next? ED SIBLEY: Well , my colleague Derville Rowland leads on the Conduct side so shes leading on trackers but were very much connected in making sure we re working together on it and Im supporting the work that is being done, and as you rightly infer theres strong connection in terms of the specific issue and what do we think about the longer term. First and foremost tracker issue demonstrates a failure to comply with expectations, guidelines and rules, so at a minimum I expect regulated entities be they banks, be they insurers to comply with the rules that are in place. But that isnt enough because we also have to think about outcomes and its not ok for firms or individuals within firms to check-out when they think about decision making whether it if it - complies with the rules then it must be ok. And I think weve seen strong evidence not just in Ireland, you see it in the UK and the Royal Commission in Australia a combination of rule breaches and cultural challenges, so the culture of these firms needs to improve and be addressed and weve done a lot of work on culture and published a report last year on banks and we are in the process of following up on that. There s also a need, we think, to enhance individual accountability, so were engaging with Finance and wed hope that there will be legislation passed in due course when its ready, to implement a senior executive accountability regime here. And that gets away from the kind of Mr Nobody did it, at least it is clear from the get-go who is responsible for what and we would hope that that would actually help; and experience from the UK is that it is actually not unwelcome by firms as helping be clear as to responsibilities within a firm. We are also publishing tomorrow the latest figures around diversity - and there is a chronic lack of diversity at senior levels in financial services and I think if you put tend to put similar people in similar circumstances and ask them to make similar decisions under similar pressures - you are going to end up with similar outcomes. I think weve seen that in the Crisis the lead up to the Crisis and I think weve seen elements of that with the trackers. And so to continue to enhance diversity and inclusion I think the two go hand in hand is important. And then we are also strengthening the work we do ourselves. A lot in terms of whats happening is rooted historically, in terms of the good work that has been done more recently in terms of the examination but we also need to strengthen the work that we do ourselves. DONAL ODONOVAN:There was an obvious regulatory failure in that this happened across all of the financial institutions where it could have happened at the same time, in almost exactly the same way. If we were talking in 2011 or 2012 about the tracker mortgage problem here in this or rather the old building the problem wed have been talking about, the problem people at the Central Bank were talking about, the problem the Troika talked about, was the problem of how little money banks made from tracker mortgages and how that was a problem that needed to be resolved. And various things were looked at around resolving that we know but that couldnt happen because you cant take a contact off someone in Ireland unilaterally. Do you think and have you looked as an institution about whether that gave a nod or even a nudge to financial institutions to try and get people off trackers and did that go too far? ED SIBLEY: So there was the discussions I was involved in - I came back to Ireland in 2012, there were discussion about trackers but it was more about what could be done from a wider bank perspective so were there options in term of moving trackers having trackers in a different form away from the banks. There was never any conversation about moving individuals off trackers, in fact the interventions that were made by the Central Bank pre 2008, during the height of the crisis into 2009, and beyond was very much about the importance of clear communication, adhering to contracts, and the outcomes expected in the consumer protection code, so it was the actions that were taken at that point that have enabled the actions to be taken under the tracker mortgage examination. Io I think that the actions that were taken then were very important and were very much focused on insuring or trying to insure that what actually came to pass didnt come to pass. Now it is never to my mind a good outcome where you have a large amount of redress and compensation being paid, it would be obviously better were that not to have happened. The fault for that lies with the banks. We have been very consistent in making sure that customers to the greatest extent possible are put right, recognising that financial compensation doesnt address all the emotional hurt and difficulties that some people have experience through the mistreatment by the banks. DONAL ODONOVAN:Do you think it had any impact that idea that tracker mortgages which were great for people who had them were characterised as a problem - as problematic. They werent problematic the people who had them, they were problematic for the banks because the interest was low on them. Do you think it had any impact that characterisation of trackers as a problem that time? ED SIBLEY: I genuinely dont. And even if it were the case, I dont think it would be any excuse for the behaviours that weve seen. DONAL ODONOVAN:And following in from that. The Central Bank has a dual role in an issue like that that at that time were a drag on the financial viability maybe of lenders - but were something quite different for consumers. Having those two roles, consumer protection and financial regulation, and being responsible for the well being of the financial system it seems like were in conflict, that they were fighting with each other as roles. That maybe those roles were in contention at that time. Is there an argument for taking consumer protection away from the Central Bank? ED SIBLEY: So, personally I think probably the most important aspect of my role is the consumer protection role. The bulk of what we do in prudential supervision is aimed, certainly when we talk about the domestic market, is aimed at protecting consumers both here and when you talk about the international firms abroad. If we look at the detriment to people in Ireland of the financial crisis and the failings at that point, prudential supervision and macro-prudential measures have a hugely important role to play in protecting consumer. So I would see them as being entirely complimentary. And the work that we do is done in a complimentary way. So we think about macro-prudential rules is a good example - we try and build more resilience into the system also informed by building more resilience for consumers and learning the lessons of the Crisis. I think about that very hard in terms of macro-prudential supervision, those four outcomes that I described: business models are only sustainable if you are thinking about the longer term customer proposition and longer term treatment of your customers has to be a cornerstone of it. Investors, policy holders, depositors, all have to have concerns that their money, their funds are safe, their policies will be paid out and the in circumstances where that doesnt happen the crisis of confidence that causes, and theres detriment associated with that. And we work very hard to make sure that we are joined up in our interaction with the firms that have a high potential impact from a financial stability perspective and a consumer protection perspective Im sure well got on to more normal times but in my entire time in the bank we have tried very hard to make sure that that is done in a very joined up in a way that I dont think you could do with two separate agencies. DONAL ODONOVAN:And you dont think they are in conflict? As the regulator you also, you licence a bank to go and do its business and a consumer who feels that they have a been badly treated by a licenced entity, you dont think there is a conflict there? ED SIBLEY: I genuinely think they are complimentary. So take the authorisation process, we go through that, weve gone through that a lot recently. We would have those that are being led from the prudential side we would have our colleagues from conduct, consumer protection in the room as part of the authorisation process so that when we are looking at these things we are making sure that, actually, this does stack up both from a prudential and from a conduct point of view. There are lots of different models to approach financial regulation around the world I dont think theres a right one. More than model has been successful over time, more than one model has failed. I think that the nature of the organisation here and the jurisdiction, I think this one works pretty well not perfectly but pretty well and we do work hard to make sure we are joined up. DONAL ODONOVAN:The other consumer protection conversation or criticism at the moment is the price of borrowing the price of mortgages particularly. Mario Draghi said that the price was a function of having a quasi monopoly in Ireland. Do you think theres a quasi monopoly in Ireland, do you think he is right? ED SIBLEY: I think there is certainly still dysfunction in the mortgage market in Ireland and if one thinks about what one would expect a functioning mortgage market to do... So, we would expect there to be risk based lending pricing according to risk to be present, good amount of choice, a relatively high degree of market discipline and clear contracts, strong consumer protection and a degree of stability and certainty about the legal system. I think in each of those areas one could say there are problems, but in each of those areas Id also or many of those areas you could point to some improvements as well. I think that then, you can then see how that is playing through into the mortgage market today. The level of dysfunction in the mortgage market is reduced, so if you go back two or three years I think there wouldnt have been a lot to choose between the offerings of the different banks both in terms of price and products. I think if we look today, I think the lowest rate is around 2.3pc for a relatively short term fixed I think it is in or around that - I think it is a little under 3pc for a variable rate and theres differences in there around loan to value, theres elements of risk based pricing. You can choose to fix for a relatively short term out to - 10 years is about the longest - I person ally would like to see much longer - but we can see more differentiation. I think there is an issue with back book front book pricing, I would like to see more switching. When I hear bank talk about putting their customer first and all this kind of management speak about their customers and then I see that they have put a percentage point or more between back book and front book Im very sceptical that they truly mean what they are saying in terms of their customers. So I would firmly urge all those mortgage holders who have already been though the process once in terms of having taken out a mortgage to be looking at whats available to them, how much money they would save by switching and weve done lots of work there to enhance the information provided about the products that are available to them and how much they can save. So that market discipline is improving a bit, I think, because there is more choice and there is, if we look at comparisons, which is what the concern is in Ireland, there are different things at play relative to the likes of Germany, France and other countries which dont have the same level of loss history. DONAL ODONOVAN:Because the banks will say that they are not operating as a cartel and there is competition but that pricing is a function of the risk weighted asset. ED SIBLEY: I think I would certainly agree that the pricing has to reflect the risk and weve made choices implicit and explicit in the country around what security means. If lending isnt truly secured then youd expect pricing to be different than in jurisdiction where security can be realised more quickly or indeed in some jurisdictions where theres typically insurance and some jurisdictions where they have very long term fixes say 20 plus years where the risk profile of those loans is different. So there are lots of reasons why pricing in Ireland is different and higher than the European average but there are still areas that we continue to focus on. We continue to focus on addressing non performing loans in a way that ensures consumers are protected to the maximum effect but that the system is resilient enough; and Brexit which we talked about earlier; demonstrates the importance o a resilient system. DONAL ODONOVAN:You mentioned whether things are truly secured there is a difficulty in the amount of time that a bank has in repossessing a house where nobodys paid the mortgage in five years if thats the case that seems on the surface to be an extraordinary situation. Is that really the situation, is the mechanism for recovering a mortgage broken? ED SIBLEY: Elements of this are choices that the country makes. So the legal system that is in force in Ireland is ultimately a choice for, ultimately, the political system and the electorate. Although its quite convoluted how you get there, ultimately, thats a choice that the country makes. Relative to other jurisdictions it does take a long time to effect security in Ireland and in some cases it is very, very, difficult. And that I think is reflective of history and other factors and we will have views on aspects of legislation and we are asked about them. DONAL ODONOVAN:Im not sure that would have been the case if you had repossessed a house 30 years ago something has changed there because the contract that I have says if I dont pay my mortgage it can be repossessed? ED SIBLEY: Certainly from my perspective I am living in Ireland I will live in Ireland for the rest of my days, but certainly my experience from the UK is if you stop paying your mortgage you ll lose your home and its relatively quick. And if we talk to most of our European colleagues not exclusively not everyone but most we are reporting statistics on loans that are two years, three years, four years, five years passed due. Most countries dont report on that because they dont have them because that isnt the nature of how distressed loans are dealt with so there clearly are some elements there that affect how one thinks about security in Ireland. But I would also say if you look at how mortgage arrears have been dealt with in Ireland, the vast, vast, majority has been dealt with through engaging, giving people time to recover from whatever shock has hit them, restructuring where it makes sense to do so and so on. So if we look at the numbers, and Im always conscious with using with going to the numbers behind each number there is a person - but at a broad level we have over 100,000 restructured owner occupier mortgages in the system. Since 2009, really from the onset of the crisis theres been in the order of about 9,000 cases of loss of ownership and about two thirds of those have been through the handing back of the keys, the voluntary surrender or voluntary sale. So only I use that word advisedly but about 3,000 have been repossession through the court process. So for those borrowers that have engaged and continued to try and engage, to do the right thing to make sacrifices, they have been met with a willingness to restructure and if that hasnt been the case there are other avenues, structures, supports within the State that go beyond a lot of other jurisdictions. The CCMA, code of conduct for mortgage arrears, that we have, I think would stand up to scrutiny against any other comparable country in terms of protections that are in place for borrowers. There are lots and lots of protections in there theres the courts system and the time it takes, so theres lots of time for borrowers to try and get back on their feet. Then theres the likes of mortgage to rent, the insolvency service of Ireland, theres lots of options there. So I would urge anyone who is in difficulty to engage, knowing that that can be difficult. But ultimately if we want a secured lending market which ultimately we clearly do given the concern around pricing - then that security has to mean something at the end of the day. DONAL ODONOVAN:The other big problem in the financial system has been around insurance. Passporting of insurance is a relatively new phenomenon and has gone too badly wrong in too many cases for it to be a coincidence. Weve had Setanta, Qudos and Enterprise, weve had people who paid their insurance, whove taken out insurance with regulated entities finding themselves with had no insurance through no fault of their own. Thats a regulatory failure around passporting in particular because that hasnt happened with domestically licenced insurers? ED SIBLEY: I mean, thats not entirely true, we have had failures of insurance firms authorised in Ireland. Last year we had CBL New Zealand parented but Irish authorised. There is a single market for insurance in the same way as there is a single market for banking. What we havent to date in Ireland has is much cross border competition in the banking market certainly not through branches and freedom of service. There were big problems in that area leading up to the crisis and as a result of the crisis and as a result of the catastrophic failures in the banking sector internationally and a sovereign debt crisis and so on that resulted in banking union. So the crisis ended up with that. We have similar weaknesses in insurance that were present previously in banking. So we have the single market but we dont have a standard compensation scheme that works across the EU, and we dont have a consistent approach to recovery and resolution of insurance firms so there is a part of the infrastructure at a European level that isnt where it need to be, to my mind. There is lots of work being done through the European supervisory authority Eiopa to increase convergence to work to enhance supervisory standards across the EU. We are very actively involved in that and support peer reviews and the general thrust of convergence and that is having some success but there are certainly historical issues that have come to light in terms of Setanta and indeed in terms of engagement with Gibraltar where that convergence wasnt sufficient the standards the outcomes being achieved were not as we would expect. But there will also always be failures. We are not a zero failure regime. There is a lot of benefit to having cross border provision of financial services and we are both home and host. Theres a large amount of insurance that is written from Ireland internationally and there is a smaller amount of insurance that is written internationally into Ireland. And again to go back to Brexit one of the issues or risks arising from Brexit is that those firms currently providing services into niche areas or relatively small pockets of the market will decide that they are no longer going to provide them. So supply of services will be reduced certainly as a result of a hard Brexit. So there are benefits to the consumers of having a functioning single market for insurance, but it is not entirely without risk. Now, when things go wrong its really important that policy holders and claims are protected and there is certainty around them. That was the case with Qudos I think, it wasnt the case with Setanta and so there has been work done to address some of the issues that were at play with Setanta in terms of pay out, people being put right for policies they d taken out with Setanta. I dont think thats the case with Qudos but that doesnt rule out something like that happening in the future. We work with the European system to ensure that we understand as best we can what is written into Ireland and where there are issues they are dealt with in am way that protects consumers as best they can, but overall I think there are benefits. DONAL ODONOVAN:You mentioned Gibraltar. Are there jurisdictions that you think there should be a health warning, that consumers should know that maybe the regulatory standard isnt has high as Ireland for any financial product? ED SIBLEY: Anywhere within the EU plays by the same rule book, which is a starting point. The slightly trite answer would be to put it back onto consumer which I dont think is right the consumer should have confidence in products that they buy. What I would say in the conversations I would have directly with people know who your insurer is, know where they are from, try and this is slightly more difficult but try and understand what compensation scheme they have. One of the issues we have with insurance is it is very commoditised so people look only at the price, whereas within each insurance product there are different services that you are being offered maybe theyve come abroad, maybe they are Irish maybe they are covered by the Irish compensation scheme, maybe they are not? So I think its important for consumers to understand where they are buying from. We do all operate to the same rule book, we are trying to enhance convergence there are still some areas where things are not exactly the same across the EU, as they are for banking DONAL ODONOVAN:If that was true for food it would be a massive scandal. If you had to wonder is my Belgian pork up to EU standards or had to wonder is this milk English or Irish, it wouldnt be regarded as acceptable to say well you should have a quick look and see where its coming from, is there a responsibility on Central Banks to insist that a product has This product is covered by the Irish compensation fund written in big bold letters. ED SIBLEY: We have taken action to make sure its clearer where this insurance is being written from, so Im always open to look at can we do things that make things more clear and help consumers. There is always a little bit of this thats - if you think about the terms and conditions you get on your iphone upgrade and how many people actually read them or just click through them - so there is this disclosure aspect that almost abdicates responsibility on the person disclosing. So Im always open to review where we could do more but I think its as much trying to make sure the single market work s well and continues to improve and that s very much our mission when it comes to Eiopa. We invest a lot of time in it to try and enhance convergence and when things go wrong or look as though they are at risk of going wrong then we engage with the home authority, we engage with Eiopa. They set up platform calls for all countries potentially impacted and we do a lot of work behind the scenes to reduce the risk - to get firms to run off their book if we are concerned that there are problems emerging. So there are lots of things that we are successful at which no one ever sees which is right unfortunately there are always going to be failures and in those cases its about as much as we can do to mitigate the risk to consumers. DONAL ODONOVAN:In terms of yourself obviously theres a lot of change going on in the world and a lot of change at ECB level. Philip Lane is going, hes going to leave the bank in a couple of months. You are Deputy Governor, if there is a vacancy for the Governors job will you go for it? ED SIBLEY: So, I think theres still a little bit of process to go through in terms of the Governors appointment with the European Parliament. Assuming that all goes ok, and Im sure, well find out later this month then yes, you are right, there will be a vacancy here. Im not interested in it. Im genuinely committed to the role I have here. I hope to be in this role for a long time. I have a five year contract, it can be rolled over for another five years if whoever the new Governor is likes the cut of my jib, and we havent had a large failure on my watch, I would like to continue to do it for the long term and the Governor role isnt for me. DONAL ODONOVAN:And what is the process to appoint a new Governor? That is very much with the Department of Finance and the Minister, so there will be, as I understand it, an open competition and I think its the Minister for Finance makes a recommendation to the President ultimately. So its not for the Central Bank, within the bank, albeit our board or a member of our board is involved within that interview process. DONAL ODONOVAN:And Philip Lane going to the ECB, the first time an Irish person has been on the executive council. Does it matter? ED SIBLEY: So I think its a tremendous endorsement of the strength, intelligence and work of Philip Lane over a long number of years and the respect that hes held in at a European level and all that he has delivered. And Im fortunate enough to be with him in Europe and internationally and as I said, the respect he is held in, the esteem he is held in, based on his capabilities and the work he has done is very, very, high. So as I said I think it is first and foremost great recognition for that at a personal level but it is also, I think a recognition of where Ireland has come from and too. The general respect the Central Bank is held in, the work were doing in terms of building trust across a wide spectrum of areas. the fact that weve been are at the forefront of a lot of really important measures like the macro-prudential measures and lead the way and contributed very strongly in European international forums is a positive from that perspective. And clearly its positive having someone so familiar with Ireland in such a position of influence and authority. On a slightly less positive note clearly a loss for us in terms of his day to day leadership and the capabilities he shows here within the bank. DONAL ODONOVAN:Yourself - you are in Frankfurt a lot, youve obviously got an English accent. Is that becoming a lonely place for a guy from your background? I suppose thats question A and then how did you end up here? ED SIBLEY: Theres lots and lots of accents in Frankfurt. Im fortunate that the ECB language is English, so that helps me as a native speaker. But I am actually genuinely looked at as from Ireland when Im in Frankfurt or indeed in London when Im at the European Banking Authority or in other international fora and Im very much am at home in Ireland. I lived here from 1999 to 2007 and then I moved back to London for five years and came back in 2012. My wife is Irish, my children are Irish, I intend to be in Ireland for the rest of my days so, i feel as though I am committed to serving the Irish public through the work that I do. I do take a European view, as we are expected to do, in terms of the discussions we have in the European fora but Im very much taking the European view informed by the Irish position or my position in terms of whats good for Ireland. DONAL ODONOVAN:Personally, watching Brexit from afar but not that far, whats your impression, you are English its a famously stable country thats stopped being stable, it feels like? ED SIBLEY: So, I have to be slightly careful. From a post perspective Im apolitical although it can be difficult to talk about Brexit and the politics of Brexit and maintain that stance. Personally I am deeply saddened by it. I think it is entirely regrettable - albeit understandable in some respects I think it is to the detriment of the UK and to the detriment of the EU and its really unfortunate that Ireland is going to suffer collateral damage as a result. DONAL ODONOVAN:One final thing - there wasnt a big fuss this year in the banks annual results around bonuses and bonus caps and pay caps partly because there's something coming down the track from the Department of Finance, the review underway that Paschal Donohoe asked for. The pay cap doesnt apply at all banks, in fact most financial institutions arent affected, first of all have you guys been asked to contribute to the review and the do you have a view on the caps? ED SIBLEY: We have been consulted on the review and there has been some engagement at official level though Im not directly involved in that, but there has been some engagement. There was a lot of work done after the crisis looking at incentivisation and pay - so under regulations applying at a European level and also the European Banking Authority standard - to address some of the risks associated with short term incentives that were fairly typical of the pay structures before the crisis - so cash only, no claw back, focused on performance in any given year or time period as opposed to long term risks. So the issue is that some of the risks associated with what we saw pre crisis have been mitigated - not entirely - but again Ive said this publicly - I think its fine to have variable incentives to incentivise people. I mean theres no bonuses paid in the Central Bank of Ireland and the approach to pay is very rigid, but there are lots on incentives that are at play in the Central Bank like any organisation., in any organisation people are incentivised whether there are bonuses or not, and what we are very keen on is that whatever incentives are at play - monetary or not - they are consistent with good governance, long term success of the firm fair and correct treatment of the firms customers. So as long as those criteria are met, then ultimately, whatever pay structures are used are consistent with the culture and behaviour wed expect of a firm then I think its fine and in fact there are some advantages to having a variable pay element both in terms of how people are incentivised but also in terms of having a degree of capability of reducing the cost base in the event of a downturn. So on that basis - in terms of the absolute amounts I think that is ultimately a matter for the shareholder and there are trade offs there, so a cap of half a million euros thats a lot of money, its a large salary but clearly there are people who operate as CEOs who expect to be paid more than that - so its a trade off between - well the candidates that can be got within the cap and those candidates that cant. I think perhaps another thing to think about is, when you go down the layers and the levels, can the domestic banks that are subject to the pay caps, can they recruit the staff that they need to run the banks safely? And there is more competition in the market partly as a result of Brexit for certain types of skills. But at a headline level I think its up to the shareholders. DONAL ODONOVAN:So what Im getting from that is you dont think there is a competence crisis caused by having a pay cap, for instance? ED SIBLEY: No, I dont think so. Irish bank pay caps and bonus restrictions are now a major worry, a group of investors told Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, as the Government considers whether to ease pay caps at bailed-out lenders. Mr Donohoe met a shareholder group brought together by Deutsche Bank in Dublin last month. At the meeting, investors told Mr Donohoe that restrictions on executive pay at AIB and other partly-state-owned lenders were "now a huge concern", even as they recognised the political sensitivity around easing restrictions, according to an internal summary of feedback prepared for the minister. The documents were released to Bloomberg News through a Freedom of Information Act request. The group of six investors highlighted the decline in AIB's stock after chief executive Bernard Byrne resigned in October, the summary noted. The Government has hired Korn/Ferry International to review the caps. While that review may recommend easing the constraints, Mr Donohoe told Bloomberg in January he had no plans to do so. Europe also has banker pay restrictions in place. Ireland's 'bad bank' Nama has been urged to verify all so-called 'section 172' declarations that claim buyers of assets are not connected to the original developers by the Dail's powerful Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Section 172 of the National Asset Management Agency Act 2009 bans any buyer of an asset from the agency having a connection to the debtor who'd originally borrowed against it. Buyers must sign a declaration to that effect. But the PAC described as "unacceptable" a lack of "systematic and routine verification of section 172 declarations" by the agency. The legislation was designed to ensure no conflict of interest arose on the sale of Nama assets. However, there was a "lacuna" in the legislation, PAC chairman Sean Fleming said. The Fianna Fail TD said that it was not envisaged at that time that the rules would need to apply to loan sales and not just assets. It also did not automatically assume that a director of a company is a connected person. However, he said that a "practical view" had been taken by the committee that with 90pc of its work complete, it did not need to legislate at this stage. The issue was discussed privately by the committee and it was decided to make its recommendations on cases going forward only. The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) reviewed the sale of 80 assets and found that 78 of these were required to have a Section 172 declaration, but that no verification process was carried out on these declarations. Committee member Catherine Murphy said that Nama should be obliged to look back on cases if there is a complaint made. Ms Murphy was previously informed via a parliamentary question that there had been a Garda complaint under the section - which carries criminal sanctions - but that that investigation appeared to be ongoing. Separately Nama - headed by CEO Brendan McDonagh - also examined an alleged breach of the rule in another case, but no issue was found. She said the issue was a "point of frustration" for people and claimed there was "anecdotal evidence" that more declarations may require investigation. She also questioned whether gardai had sufficient resources to pursue such cases. Nama declined to respond to queries about what the PAC had said when contacted by the Irish Independent. During its examination of Nama's remit the PAC also looked at its functions in providing housing. PAC also said that the acceptance by local authorities of just 40pc of the 7,000 residential units and sites suitable for housing needed to be looked at again due to the housing crisis. It has recommended that those housing units and sites which are suitable for housing be re-offered to councils as the country struggles to meet housing demand. There has been a rise in the number of residential properties sold in Dublin city and county. House sales rose from 17,491 in 2017 to 18,523 last year, an increase of 5.9pc, according to the MyHome.ie website. Meanwhile, Dublin is now the fifth most expensive city to rent a home in Europe, according to research from ECA International. The level of property sales rose in 14 out of 22 of Dublin's postcodes last year. There was a fall in eight postcodes in the capital city. Sales rose in County Dublin, according to an analysis of the Property Price Register carried out by MyHome.ie. Dublin accounts for roughly a third of the Irish property market. Dublin 15, which covers Castleknock, Clonsilla and Mulhuddart, was the postal district with the largest number of sales, for the second year in a row. It recorded 1,700 sales. It was followed by Dublin 18, which comprises Carrickmines, Foxrock and Sandyford, where there were 1,000 sales. Dublin 24, which includes Firhouse, Jobstown and Tallaght, was third on the list, with 961 sales. Managing director of MyHome.ie Angela Keegan said it was positive to see new developments coming to the market. "However, the downside is that the city is sprawling out beyond the M50 at an alarming rate and that raises a host of questions around public transportation policy, commute times and the kind of city we want to live in." She said that the number of sales is continuing to increase but the rate of increase is slowing. Meanwhile, a report shows it is more expensive to rent in Dublin than in Amsterdam, Paris and Stockholm. The average cost of a three-bed home in Dublin is now 3,406 per month, according to ECA International, a company that provides information to multinational firms to help them manage staff. London, Moscow, Zurich and Geneva are the most expensive cities to rent, with Dublin in fifth place and a new entrant into the index. On the line: The EU hasnt broken up any monopolies yet, but it has made some strong antitrust rulings against the internet giants. Stock image American politicians, who, like Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, want to break up the big technology companies are treading onto a path that has long drawn their European colleagues. Europe has better opportunities and more compelling reasons to dismember Amazon, Facebook and Google. Yet it hasn't done so, despite years of discussion. There are at least three reasons the EU is better positioned to break up the internet giants. One is that they're even more dominant in Europe than in the US. Only Amazon, according to some incomplete data, isn't dominant in Europe; Google and Facebook are beyond any competition in their narrowly defined markets of search and social networking. Another reason is recent regulatory practice. The US hasn't broken up a company since AT&T in 1982. The example of Microsoft - which was kept intact by regulators but lost a number of competitive battles, including in browsers and mobile operating systems - has contributed to a laissez-faire attitude. As Frank Pasquale, a University of Maryland law professor, put it, US regulators have "taken a curious turn toward trying to help Google and other massive digital platforms to consolidate market power, rather than policing them." The EU hasn't broken up any monopolies yet, but it has made some strong antitrust rulings against the internet giants. At least one of them was followed by rather defiant behaviour by Google: The remedy it implemented after being fined for using its search dominance against competing shopping comparison engines has done nothing to fix the situation. According to EU competition rules, breaking up a company is possible "where there is a substantial risk of a lasting or repeated infringement that derives from the very structure of the undertaking." That's an adequate description of Google's intrinsic power in comparison shopping. In Facebook's case, too, if EU authorities link its compulsive data-gathering to its monopoly power, as the German antitrust regulator recently did, no remedy but dismemberment will make much sense. The European Commission is also investigating Amazon for the same alleged sin that Warren, a contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, wants to address: serving both as a platform and as a seller on it. Again, it's hard to come up with a remedy other than making Amazon choose between the two roles and offloading assets related to the other. The third reason Europe is better positioned than the US to disband the tech monopolies is that they have less lobbying power in Brussels than in Washington. Google is the only one of these companies represented in the top 25 of the European Union's lobbying spenders with a budget of up to 5.5m. In the US, Google parent Alphabet, Amazon and Facebook are all in the top 20 with combined spending of almost $48m (42m). Even President Warren would be hard put to push through the new legislation she wants, which would break the companies into strictly regulated "utility platforms" and all other operations, or to force the toughest possible application of existing competition law to them. European politicians are aware of the EU's potential in fighting the US tech invasion. Back in 2014, the European Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution calling on the European Commission to "consider proposals with the aim of unbundling search engines from other commercial services". And it voted again last year to approve a report calling for the break-up of Google. Although the parliament has no power to order such action, its persistence shows that resentment against the US companies' dominance of the internet has been simmering for years. Last year, when Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg faced the European Parliament, a German member, Manfred Weber, said it was "time to discuss breaking up Facebook's monopoly, because it's already too much power in only one hand". He asked Zuckerberg to convince him otherwise, and he clearly wasn't satisfied with Zuckerberg's assurances that Facebook had plenty of competitors. Weber isn't just some MEP: He's the leading candidate to head up the commission later this year, enjoying the support of the biggest party in parliament and of the German government. As commission president, Weber could, if he chose, move resolutely toward a breakup of the internet giants. The current EU competition commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, however, has strong reasons for discouraging all talk of dismemberment, and in an interview with Recode's Kara Swisher last week argued that milder remedies can do the job - even though she must know how ineffective they've been so far. If the EU orders the unbundling of companies at the core of US economic dominance and soft power influence, many in Washington, and President Donald Trump first among them, will see that almost as an act of war. The EU will suffer the economic consequences, with punitive tariffs on European cars as just one likely response. For the US, breaking up the dominant internet players would mean voluntarily giving up the power that Europe is fearful of trying to take away. If the home country attacks Amazon, Facebook and Google as abusive monopolies, they'll be fair game elsewhere in the world, too. They'll have fewer opportunities to fund innovation, Chinese companies will get an edge in international competition, the stock market will react unfavourably - the string of ugly consequences for the US is easy to predict. Would even President Warren set it off? I find it highly unlikely, if only because Europeans back down even before a weaker threat. Ford Motor's executive chairman has said his firm and Volkswagen, which have been in talks to team up on electric and autonomous vehicles, make for good partners because they each recognise the extent of the challenges ahead (Andrew Matthews/PA) Ford Motor's executive chairman has said his firm and Volkswagen, which have been in talks to team up on electric and autonomous vehicles, make for good partners because they each recognise the extent of the challenges ahead. "We fit together geographically really well, product line-wise, we fit together well," Bill Ford, the great-grandson of founder Henry Ford, said at the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston. "We both came to the same realisation that as big as our balance sheets are, no company can do this alone." Talks between Ford and VW are still at an early stage, Ford said, but there's been promising progress made in building on the partnership the two companies solidified in January to jointly produce commercial vehicles. The US and German carmakers have established a framework for VW to invest in Ford's autonomous vehicle partner Argo AI, people familiar with the negotiations have said. The companies also are considering joining forces on electric cars."We're really in the early days of exploring what the possibilities could be," Ford said. "We have some clear ideas of where we want to go with it and they do, too." Such a deal could help position Ford for a future where electric and self-driving cars will help address problems including urban congestion and pollution, Ford said. He added he's attempting to re-position the 115-year-old company for the dramatic changes that are coming, which could include selling fewer cars and developing new forms of mobility such as electric scooters. "I'd like Ford to be around another 100 years, and if that's going to happen, it's clear that we really have to branch off into new directions to try to solve some of these problems," Ford said. "It's hard because our current business model is providing all the earnings and cash flow that fund a lot of this change. So we have to do both really well. Father Ted actor Pat Laffan has passed away at the age of 79. The actor, best known his role as Pat Mustard in the Channel 4 Irish comedy, was a tour-de-force on the small screen and stage. The Co Meath star seemed able to command any role, whether it on a soap, in a Hollywood movie such as Warhorse or treading the boards at The Abbey. He boasted an incredible 40 films on his CV and also gained roles in Eastenders and The Clinic. Mr Laffans death was announced by his agency, Lisa Richards, earlier today. A statement read: Pat was one the very first clients of the agency but more than that, he was a close friend, a mentor and a hugely important supporter of the companys founders Lisa and Richard Cook and for many of the staff of the agency, who had the pleasure to represent and work with him over almost 30 years. The agency added: While Pat is perhaps still best remembered by Irish screen audiences for his portrayal of Mr Burgess in Roddy Doyles film, The Snapper, and as Pat Mustard, the notorious milkman in Father Ted, he had almost 40 film credits and 30 television credits to his name. All here will remember him first and foremost as our friend and mentor and we will miss him terribly. We send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Sad news about Pat Laffan, who has passed away We perhaps knew him best as Pat Mustard, but he was a fine and established actor with a resume to be proud of. Check out 1993's The Snapper, if you've not seen it. Thoughts with his family and those close to him pic.twitter.com/AwgC8qtnOs Father Ted Speak (@FatherTedSpeak) March 14, 2019 Mr Laffan was a member of the Abbey Theatre Company in the 1960s and 1970s and even directed at the Gate theatre in Dublin during the 70s and 80s. Video of the Day Father Ted creator Graham Linehan tweeted: Just heard the sad news that Pat Laffan, who played Pat Mustard in Father Ted has died. Rest in peace, Pat, a pleasure to work with you. Love/Hate actor Laurence Kinlan posted a black and white headshot of the actor and tweeted: Im devastated to hear of the passing of the amazing Pat Laffan. I was very fortunate to get to work with him over the years. He was one funny man under his hard exterior. A gentle giant. He left us with some incredible performances, most notably as George Burgess. RIP my friend. The Gate also took to Twitter to pay tribute to the actor, stating Mr Laffan had enjoyed a prolific career as an actor and director. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. While the Abbey Theatre also joined in the tributes writing how staff were very sad to hear of Mr Laffans death. His career at the Abbey started in 1961 and spanned five decades. He will be sorely missed. The theatre posted a photograph of Mr Laffan, one of his earliest on the theatres stage, while performing in The Enemy Within in 1962. The Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, where the performer had been a board member, stated it had learned of Mr Laffans death with great sadness. The director, founder, board, staff and students express their sincere sympathies to Pats family and friends. Irish actor Pat Laffan has passed away. Over the years, Pat was an incredible force in the Irish theatre community and was no stranger to the Gate throughout his prolific career as an actor and director. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/f9LGqDWRt1 Gate Theatre (@GateTheatreDub) March 14, 2019 Very sad to hear that Pat Laffan has passed away. His career at the Abbey started in 1961 and spanned five decades. He will be sorely missed. He is pictured (centre) in one of his earliest appearances here in The Enemy Within in 1962. pic.twitter.com/F1zOdtBK0E Abbey Theatre (@AbbeyTheatre) March 14, 2019 Just heard the sad news that Pat Laffan who played Pat Mustard in Father Ted has died. Rest in peace, Pat, a pleasure to work with you. https://t.co/ej9ZnsPlv0 Graham Linehan (@Glinner) March 14, 2019 Among a glittering array of films, the star also appeared in recent movie hits, including Warhorse and The Queen and prior to this, Intermission and The General. The parents of Madeleine McCann have said they chose not to participate in a Netflix documentary about the disappearance of their daughter. According to reports, the streaming giant is expected to air a programme about the three-year-olds disappearance later this month. Madeleine was three when she was last seen while on holiday with her parents Gerry and Kate in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007. Expand Close Madeleine McCann (Family handout/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Madeleine McCann (Family handout/PA) In a statement, her parents said: We are aware that Netflix are planning to screen a documentary in March 2019 about Madeleines disappearance. The production company told us that they were making the documentary and asked us to participate. We did not see and still do not see how this programme will help the search for Madeleine and, particularly given there is an active police investigation, it could potentially hinder it. Consequently, our views and preferences are not reflected in the programme. We will not be making any further statements or giving interviews regarding this programme. Mr and Mrs McCann have always pledged to never give up the search for their daughter. Video of the Day Scotland Yard launched its own investigation, Operation Grange, into her disappearance in 2013, after a Portuguese inquiry failed to make any headway. In November last year, a further 150,000 was granted to the investigation to allow it to continue until March 31. Force bosses have been applying for funding from the Home Office every six months to continue the inquiry, which has cost about 11.75 million so far. Netflix has been contacted for comment. Netflix has finally released the trailer for their docuseries about the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, a day before it becomes available for streaming globally. The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann comes a month after Madeleine's parents Gerry and Kate McCann outlined their opposition to the series while other key figures also reportedly declined to partake in filming. Netflix says the series, helmed by Chris Smith, who directed Netflix's Fyre Festival documentary, blends interviews with more than 40 contributors, 120 hours of interviews, archival news footage, and reenactments. Among the contributors are 'friends of the McCann family, investigators working the case, and those who became the subject of media speculation and rumour', some of whom give 'never-before-heard' testimonies. Madeleine was three when she was last seen while on holiday with her parents Gerry and Kate in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007. The ensuing Portuguese and Scotland Yard investigations have rarely left the news as Madeleine's disappearance became one of the most high profile missing child cases in history. The Netflix documentary, which was commissioned in 2017 after the success of true crime series including Making a Murderer, charts the facts of the case and looks at its impact on media standards around the world. Among the theories explored in the documentary is the possibility that Madeleine was abducted by a human traffickers as the "value that Madeleine had was really high" and it is easy to move children to other countries from Portugal. However, Kate and Gerry McCann have expressed concern about the documentary, in particular that it could potentially "hinder" the ongoing investigation. Video of the Day In a statement released last month, they said, We are aware that Netflix are planning to screen a documentary in March 2019 about Madeleines disappearance. Expand Close Madeleine McCanns parents speak out against reported Netflix documentary (John Stillwell/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Madeleine McCanns parents speak out against reported Netflix documentary (John Stillwell/PA) The production company told us that they were making the documentary and asked us to participate. We did not see and still do not see how this programme will help the search for Madeleine and, particularly given there is an active police investigation, it could potentially hinder it. Consequently, our views and preferences are not reflected in the programme. We will not be making any further statements or giving interviews regarding this programme. The Guardian reports that some leading British journalists who covered the story at the time also declined to take part in the documentary. Expand Close Madeleine McCann (Family handout/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Madeleine McCann (Family handout/PA) Mr and Mrs McCann have always vowed to never give up the search for their daughter. Scotland Yard launched its own investigation, Operation Grange, into her disappearance in 2013, after a Portuguese inquiry failed to make any headway. In November last year, a further 150,000 (175,000) was granted to the investigation to allow it to continue until the end of this month. UK police force bosses have been applying for funding from the Home Office every six months to continue the inquiry, which has cost about 11.75 million (13.77 million) so far. The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann will be available to stream on Netflix on Friday, March 15. Concerns: Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, of the Waterford and Lismore diocese, and Archbishop Michael Neary, from Tuam, at the Bishops Conference. Photo: Steve Humphreys Catholic bishops have accused Holles Street National Maternity Hospital of undermining doctors' freedom of conscience not to perform abortions. The hospital recently advertised to fill two consultant posts. However it said only doctors who are willing to perform elective abortions will be considered for the roles. The bishops have been holding their spring general meeting in Maynooth this week and last night issued a statement in which they accused Holles Street of undermining "the whole concept of freedom of conscience which was guaranteed in the recent legislation". The ads were for two consultant posts - one in obstetrics/gynaecology and the other in anaesthesia. Expressing concern over a doctor's constitutional and human right to freedom of conscience, the hierarchy said the hospital's precondition ran totally counter to those rights. "A doctor who is eminently qualified to work as a consultant in these fields is denied employment in these roles because of his/her conscience," they said. The bishops said doctors who are pro-life and who may have spent more than a decade training in these areas and who may otherwise be the best candidate for these positions, are now being told that if they apply, they won't be considered. The bishops claimed that the entire training and recruitment of doctors to work in these positions in hospitals in Ireland had been "greatly undermined" by the advertisements. However, a spokesman for the National Maternity Hospital yesterday told the Irish Independent: "The conscientious objection guidelines for staff in both hospitals remain unchanged." He said that the posts advertised were additional posts and were being funded from a specific financial allocation from the HSE to the hospital for "the very specific purpose of providing termination of pregnancy services". "They are, therefore, for individuals willing to contribute to the provision of these services. Other past and future posts are not affected," he maintained. The Irish Independent understands that these particular consultant roles will be shared between Holles Street and St Vincent's Hospital. However, the successful candidates will not have to perform any elective abortions in St Vincent's. Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin is chairman of the board of the National Maternity Hospital but has not attended a board meeting since he became Archbishop in 2004. He has written to past health ministers asking to be removed from his role as chair of the board. He has also stated in the past that Holles Street is not a Catholic hospital. The Catholic bishops' 'Code of Ethical Standards for Healthcare' states that there "may be specific procedures which a Catholic healthcare facility cannot provide, by virtue of its ethos". These include any form of artificial contraception, provision of the morning after pill, any form of assisted fertility treatment, surrogacy, abortion, referral for abortion, sterilisation and gender reassignment surgery. A man receiving attention during the shooting incident in Derry, which became known as Bloody Sunday Few could have predicted the bloodshed on the afternoon of January 30 1972. A week before Bloody Sunday, soldiers fired plastic bullets and CS gas at protesters at a banned civil rights demonstration on Magilligan Strand near Londonderry. Four days later, two Royal Ulster Constabulary officers were shot dead by republicans in the nationalist Creggan area of the city. While tensions in Derry were high as the morning of January 30 1972 arrived, few could have predicted the bloodshed that followed. It was just after lunchtime when demonstrators started assembling on the Creggan estate for the latest Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (Nicra) protest march, an event outlawed by a Stormont ban on large public assemblies and processions. This time the destination was the city's Guildhall. Expand Close Fr Edward Daly waves a white handkerchief as he tries to escort 17-year-old Jackie Duddy. Duddy died of his injuries soon after and Daly administered the last rites / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Fr Edward Daly waves a white handkerchief as he tries to escort 17-year-old Jackie Duddy. Duddy died of his injuries soon after and Daly administered the last rites 2.50pm: Due to get under way at 2pm, the start is delayed by 50 minutes to accommodate the steady stream of late arrivals. Marchers leave Creggan Drive and set off for the city centre, with hundreds joining in at almost every turn. 3.25pm: The march passes the Bogside Inn bar and continues on to William Street. Estimates of the size of demonstration at this point vary. Organisers claimed up to 20,000 people were involved, while the authorities put it at a more conservative 3,000 to 5,000. 3.45pm: With the Army having erected barricades blocking the way to the Guildhall, the main body of the march turns left on to Rossville Street towards the revised rallying point at the famous Free Derry corner at the entrance to the nationalist Bogside estate. A number break off and continue down William Street to confront soldiers at a barricade. Some rioting ensues. Minor clashes between stone-throwers and security forces at this junction were commonplace, with locals dubbing the area "aggro corner". Expand Close Bloody Sunday in Derry / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bloody Sunday in Derry 3.55pm: Before the main shooting incident and at a location away from both the riot and march, two soldiers in a derelict building on William Street fire a number of rounds after claiming they had come under attack. An Official IRA member is believed to have fired at the building during this incident. Two men are injured when the soldiers opened fire. One of them, 59-year-old John Johnston, dies four months later. Campaigners have long acknowledged him as the 14th victim of Bloody Sunday. However, the Bloody Sunday inquiry said the wounds he sustained on the day did not contribute to his death, noting he had an inoperable brain tumour. 3.56pm: Rioters disperse from William Street after the Army deploys water cannons. Paratroopers request permission to commence an arrest operation on those who had fled down Chamberlain Street and Rossville Street. 4.07pm: A company of paratroopers, led by Major Ted Loden, is given an order to start arresting any remaining rioters in William Street. But they are told not to engage in a running battle down Rossville Street. 4.10pm: The soldiers open fire on people in the area of Rossville Flats. Where the victims were shot: - Car park of Rossville Flats: Jackie Duddy. - Forecourt on the other side of the flats: Pat Doherty, Barney McGuigan. - Rubble barricade in Rossville Street beside the flats: Hugh Gilmour, Kevin McElhinney, Michael Kelly, John Young, William Nash and Michael McDaid. - Glenfada Park on other side of Rossville Street: James Wray, Gerald Donaghey, Gerald McKinney and William McKinney (not related). 4.40pm: The shooting ends. As well as the 13 fatalities, 15 other people are wounded. More than 20 soldiers fired in the incident, expending 108 rounds in total. The Army claims it came under fire in the Rossville Flats area, allegedly from the Provisional IRA. Eyewitnesses insist none of the dead were armed. Consent: Fianna Fails Eamon O Cuiv has called on the IFA to stop collecting levies unless farmers have given their permission. Picture: Oisin McHugh The Data Commission has confirmed it will meet the IFA over aspects of its levy collection system that allows the sharing of some farmers' data. "We will be engaging with the IFA to establish what their legal basis is" for receiving the data of farmers who opt out of paying a levy, a spokesperson for the Data Protection Commission said. IFA confirmed it contacted the Data Protection Commission on Tuesday this week, after the legality of the levy collection, which includes a process for identifying farmers who do not pay the levy, was called into question by a leading data protection expert. The levy, collected by meat processors, marts and co-ops on the IFA's behalf, was worth 3.2m to IFA in 2018. The IFA says it allows all farmers to contribute fairly and proportionately based on the scale of their enterprise to support the association's work on their behalf. According to IFA, a farmer's information is only passed to them if the farmer signs the form and gives explicit consent to do so. However, Dr TJ McIntyre, a solicitor and law lecturer at UCD, said there must be a legal basis to provide information to third parties and this must normally be done on an "opt-in" basis. "If the form does not allow farmers to opt out of the levy without their personal data being passed on to the IFA, then it is not valid consent for the purposes of the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)," he said. Under GDPR, the Data Protection Commission investigates complaints from individuals, data breaches and carries out its own volition inquiries. The majority of processors who were contacted did not respond to clarify if they have shared data with the IFA of farmers who do not pay the levy. Kepak did not respond to queries about its levy arrangements. Nor did dairy processors Glanbia, Aurivo, Arrabawn or LacPatrick. It's understood that Dawn Meats operates an opt-in levy arrangement, but that it does not share data and has never shared such data with IFA. A spokesperson for Kerry Group said it deducts the levy from individual suppliers that have requested it. "We pay it over to the IFA and have not passed on any lists to IFA and have not been asked to," they said. Dairygold confirmed it has a levy deduction agreement with IFA and it is committed to its obligations under GDPR and does not share the personal data of Dairygold milk suppliers who do not pay the levy. Lakeland Dairies also confirmed it collects levies and said it does not pass on information to the IFA. A spokesman for the Irish Grain Growers said malt barley growers contracts include a stipulation that a deduction is taken from the purchase price for IFA. "All levies should be optional," he said. Fianna Fail's Eamon O Cuiv has called on the IFA to stop collecting the levies, "except from farmers who have expressedly given permission". Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice said farm organisations should rely on membership subscriptions. A seven-year-old boy who cut his eyebrow when he hit a bollard while walking with his mother at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre in Dublin has been awarded 20,000 damages in the Circuit Civil Court. Barrister Grainne Berkery, counsel for Conor Askin, who is now aged 13, said the boy's claim was based on the inadequacy of lighting at a taxi rank on the south side of the centre where the bollard was situated alongside a footpath. Conor, who lives at Ravenwood Crescent, Clonee, Dublin 15, sued Green Property Investment Fund, Fitzwilliam Square West, Dublin, owners of the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, through his mother Tracie Askin. Ms Askin told Circuit Court President Mr Justice Raymond Groarke that she and her two young sons were walking along the footpath on the night of November 20, 2012, when Conor hit the top side of a bollard with his left eyebrow. Ms Berkery said he was taken to the emergency department of Temple Street Children's Hospital where a cut to his eyebrow had been closed with medical glue and paper stitches. She said he had been left with an almost inch-long scar which fortunately remained partly hidden by his eyebrow. Awarding Conor damages of 20,000, Judge Groarke said the court had to decide if reasonable care had been taken by the defendant to make sure that all people using the footpath were alerted to the fact that there was a bollard actually constructed in the footpath. He said there was an edge to the bollard and "a child coming in contact with it was likely to sustain an injury". South Africa: Over 29 000 South Africans to vote abroad A total of 29 334 South Africans have been approved to vote in the 2019 national elections. The Electoral Commission said initially 30 532 voters applied to cast their votes at South Africas 121 foreign missions. In terms of the breakdown, about 2 868 South Africans will cast their votes on the African continent, 7 174 in Asia, 14 838 in Europe, 2 196 in North America, 2 133 in Oceania and 125 in South America. The top 10 foreign missions with the most applications are London with 9 084 approved applications, 1 542 in Dubai, 1 355 in The Hague, 1 195 in Canberra and 1 061in Abu Dhabi. In Wellington, the IEC approved 927 applications, 817 in Dublin, 797 in Kinshasa, 605 in New York and 566 applications in Doha. Voters whose applications have been approved will vote on Saturday, 27 April 2019 between 07H00 and 19H00. They are required to take with them their South African ID document (either a green bar-coded ID, a smartcard ID or a valid temporary ID certificate) and their valid passport. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-03-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) The government's investigation on Metro Manila's water supply problem is underway, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Thursday. Panelo, in his regular media briefing, said the probe will look into the possible "mismanagement" and "inefficiency" of water distribution, even as water levels in Angat dam-- the main water source of Metro Manila-- are still within normal range. The spokesman said they are not discounting the possibility of an "artificial" water shortage, and assured the public that responsible officials will be held accountable. "Kung totoo nga na puno ang Angat Water Dam, ibig sabihin inefficiency 'yan, mismanaged," Panelo told reporters in Malacanang. [Translation: If the water supply in Angat Water Dam is indeed full, then it just means it's inefficiency, mismanagement.] "Because if the source (Angat Dam) is puno (full), and other concessionaire (Maynilad) is puno (full) also, bakit naman yung isa ay hindi? Yun ang logic doon (why is the other concessionaire not providing water? That's the logic)," he added. CNN Philippines on Wednesday was able to fly over the mountains of Sierra Madre to check on the situation in the dam in Norzagaray in Bulacan, located over 46 kilometers north of Metro Manila. Upon checking, the water level was at 199.94 meters, which authorities said was normal. RELATED: LOOK: Angat Dam water level normal Panelo, citing the report, said there could have been a mismanagement in water distribution. "Something is wrong with the efficiency in distributing as well as the quotas or the shares," the spokesperson noted. "That's why may executive order na ginagawa nga (that's being crafted), to do something about it." Since last week, a few cities in the metropolis-- particularly Manila Water customers-- have been experiencing widespread water service interruptions which have affected businesses and individual activities alike. The water concessionaire pointed to the critical water levels in the La Mesa reservoir as reason behind the low supply. Lawmakers said they will also look into the water supply problem. READ: All Manila Water customers start experiencing 6-18 hours of no water daily CNN Philippines Correspondent Carolyn Bonquin and Digital Producer Alyssa Rola contributed to this report. Rosalyn Joy Few, who was killed in a pony and trap accident in Kerry Canadian Normand Larose (62) lost his life alongside his partner in a freak accident in Co Kerry Normand Larose and Rosalyn Joy Few died last April after falling from a pony and trap in the Gap of Dunloe Normand Larose and his partner Rosalyn Joy Few died in a pony and trap accident in Kerry AN AMERICAN tourist died alongside her partner during a dream Irish holiday when she suffered catastrophic head injuries after a freak pony and trap accident in the Gap of Dunloe in Kerry. Rosalyn Joy Few (64) died in the tragic accident at the famous Irish beauty spot just seconds before her daughter arrived at the scene of the tragedy in another pony and trap. The revelation came as Ms Few's inquest was opened before Kerry Coroner Aisling Quilter to allow a death certificate to be issued. Ms Quilter said that Ms Few, a resident of Phoenix in Arizona, died on April 9 2018 after a freak accident in the Gap of Dunloe. Expand Close Normand Larose and Rosalyn Joy Few died last April after falling from a pony and trap in the Gap of Dunloe / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Normand Larose and Rosalyn Joy Few died last April after falling from a pony and trap in the Gap of Dunloe The tragedy also claimed the life of Ms Few's partner, Normand Larose (62). The coroner said that a post mortem examination conducted at University Hospital Kerry (UHK) determined that Ms Few suffered blunt force trauma to the head, inflicting a fatal traumatic brain injury, following a fall from a pony and trap. The inquest was immediately adjourned though a death certificate can now be issued to Ms Few's US family. The accident was the worst in modern times at one of Ireland's most popular tourist attractions. Mr Larose and Ms Few were from Phoenix in Arizona and were in Ireland as part of a dream family holiday last April. The two US tourists died from horrific injuries sustained when they were catapulted almost eight metres down into a ravine and onto rocks after a pony pulling their trap-style carriage suddenly became startled and the cart flipped over. Expand Close Normand Larose, who was killed in pony and trap accident in Kerry / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Normand Larose, who was killed in pony and trap accident in Kerry Ms Few's daughter, Tonya, was following her mother that day in another pony and trap with her husband and two children. The family were horrified to come upon the accident scene - and realised that Ms Few and Mr Larose had been critically injured when thrown down into the ravine. Read More The accident happened in the Gap of Dunloe, not far from Kate Kearney's Cottage, as the tourists were undertaking one of Kerry's most popular visitor attractions. A Garda investigation was immediately launched to determine the precise cause of the tragedy. Last August, Mr Larose's inquest was opened and closed before Ms Quilter once medical evidence had been dealt with. The inquest heard the 62 year old, who was originally from Quebec in Canada, died from blunt force trauma injuries to his skull and brain caused by a fall onto rocks from a pony and trap. Expand Close Rosalyn Joy Few, who was killed in a pony and trap accident in Kerry / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Rosalyn Joy Few, who was killed in a pony and trap accident in Kerry Tragically, the accident happened as the steepest part of the descent where the Gap of Dunloe road passed a bridge parapet by a deep ravine. The Mayor of Killarney Councillor Niall Kelleher warned last year that any lessons required would be learned from the tragedy. "If theres lessons to be learned then it is incumbent on us to act upon it, he said. Read More Last August, Kerry coroner's court also heard the inquest into the death of another US tourist in the Gap of Dunloe after a separate accident. Janet Price (69) died from multiple injuries when she came off her hired bicycle near a notorious bend in the Gap of Dunloe on May 30 2017. Her daughters warned the mother of two would never have attempted the steep descent had proper warning signs been in place. The Price family insisted that signage should be in place warning that the descent is not for inexperienced cyclists. Last year, Ms Few's daughter paid a moving tribute to her mother and Mr Larose after the fatal accident and acknowledged the incredible support and sympathy the family had received since then from the people of Kerry. Tonya said the couple "radiated happiness everywhere they went." "Joy and Norm...touched many people's lives. They loved their family and their friends deeply and unconditionally." "They both loved life and lived their lives to the fullest." On the hook: Colette (black jacket) and Ciara (beige scarf), daughters of Sean Quinn, at the Four Courts yesterday. Picture: Collins Anglo Irish Bank behaved in a "morally reprehensible" manner towards Sean Quinn's children when they signed guarantees for loans of hundreds of millions of euro aimed at propping up its falling share price, the High Court has been told. These five young people were ignorant of the bank's true financial position when signing guarantees in 2007 and 2008 and were never contacted by Anglo about the guarantees, Bernard Dunleavy SC said. The five were aged between 20 and 32 in 2007 but Anglo "did not even know their ages", counsel added. Its conduct was such the court should find the children have no liability under the securities, he claimed. Brenda Quinn, the youngest, was 20 when she signed a guarantee for a loan to a Cypriot company in the Quinn group, he said. She was then pursuing a college course in business and human resources. Aoife Quinn was aged 26 in 2007 and already had a degree in health fitness and leisure and was attending the Law Society. She was an apprentice solicitor in 2008 on a salary of about 18,000. Sean Quinn Junior, who has a business studies degree, was 28 in 2007 and working in middle management at Quinn Insurance. Ciara Quinn was 31 and working as a claims manager in Quinn Insurance. She had previously worked as a nurse before joining Quinn Insurance in 2005. Colette Quinn, who has a commerce degree, was 32 and working as an assistant operations manager with Quinn Hotels. Mr Dunleavy was continuing his opening of the siblings' action against Irish Bank Resolution Corporation (IBRC), Anglo's successor in title, and against receivers appointed over shares. In their action, the five contend the guarantees and share pledges signed by them are invalid and have no legal effect. Mr Dunleavy said the guarantees were required by Anglo for loans advanced by it to Quinn companies for the purpose of unwinding financial instruments called Contracts for Difference (CFD) held by their father in the bank. He said it was "morally reprehensible" of Anglo to take guarantees from the siblings when it never contacted them about those or advised them to take independent legal advice. Counsel agreed with Mr Justice Garrett Simons the guarantees stated that independent legal advice should be taken. When the judge asked why the children did not take independent legal advice, counsel said that did not arise because their relationship with their father was such they signed "whatever they were asked to sign". The hearing continues. Fr Edward Daly waves a white handkerchief as he tries to escort 17-year-old Jackie Duddy. Duddy died of his injuries soon after and Daly administered the last rites ONE former British soldier will face prosecution for opening fire on Bloody Sunday in Derry in 1972. A total of 14 innocent civil rights demonstrators were killed during protests and a further 15 were injured, on January 30 1972, on one of the most notorious days of the Northern Ireland Troubles Expand Expand Previous Next Close Kay Duddy (centre) whose brother Jackie Duddy died on Bloody Sunday hugs Andrew McCartney, watched by Sinn Fein politician Michelle O'Neill Families of the victims walk through the Bogside before the announcement. Photo: REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kay Duddy (centre) whose brother Jackie Duddy died on Bloody Sunday hugs Andrew McCartney, watched by Sinn Fein politician Michelle O'Neill The Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland this morning recommended that one former paratrooper soldier F is to be charged with two murders and four attempted murders during Bloody Sunday in Derry in 1972, Northern Irelands Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has announced. The solider will face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell. Prosecutions against the 16 other former members of the 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment in relation to the events of January 30 1972 will not be taken. The soldiers had potentially faced charges of murder, attempted murder and causing grievous injury with intent. A decision has also been made not to charge two Official IRA suspects present on the day. Expand Expand Previous Next Close Families of those who died march through the Bogside in Derry, Northern Ireland, towards the Guildhall Fr Edward Daly waves a white handkerchief as he tries to escort 17-year-old Jackie Duddy. Duddy died of his injuries soon after and Daly administered the last rites / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Families of those who died march through the Bogside in Derry, Northern Ireland, towards the Guildhall The PPS said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute 16 other soldiers and two official IRA men. Relatives have emerged in a sombre mood from the City Hotel. As one reporter asked "Is this justice?" one of the relatives replied: "No comment." They are once again marching together, this time to the city's Guildhall, holding pictures of those killed. John Kelly, whose 17-year-old brother Michael was killed, said many had received a "terrible disappointment". He said: "The dead cannot cry out for justice, it is the duty of the living to do so for them. "We have cried out for them for many years, and now we have succeeded for them. Do not deny us justice any longer." But he welcomed the positive news for the six families impacted by the decision to prosecute soldier F. "Their victory is our victory," he said. Mr Kelly highlighted there were legal means of challenging the decisions not to prosecute. Expand Close Bloody Sunday in Derry / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bloody Sunday in Derry "The Bloody Sunday families are not finished yet," he said. Mickey McKinney, whose brother Willie was shot dead, said: "Everyone deserves justice, including those whose loved ones were murdered by the British state." He said it was "disappointing" for families who had not received news of prosecutions. But he added: "For us here today it is important to point out that justice for one family is justice for all of us." He said: "We would like to remind everyone that no prosecution, or whenever it comes to it no conviction, does not mean not guilty. It does not mean that no crime was committed. It does not mean that those soldiers acted in a dignified and appropriate way. "It simply means that if these crimes had been investigated properly when they happened, and evidence gathered at the time then the outcome would've been different." The Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland, Stephen Herron, said: It has been concluded that there is sufficient available evidence to prosecute one former soldier, Soldier F, for the murder of James Wray and William McKinney; and for the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick ODonnell. In respect of the other 18 suspects, including 16 former soldiers and two alleged Official IRA members, it has been concluded that the available evidence is insufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction. Mr Herron said that there was a "level of expectation" in light of the recent Bloody Sunday inquiry. But he said that much of the material would not be admissible in the criminal proceedings. "Therefore many of the statements made by the soldiers cannot be used," he added. "I would stress that the prosecution's decision in no way undermines the finding of the inquiry that those killed or injured were not posing a threat." Reflecting on his meeting with the families the Director added: "I am mindful that it has been a long road for the families to reach this point and today will be another extremely difficult day for many of them." Taoiseach Leo Varadkar responded to todays news on Bloody Sunday saying: "The most important people in this matter are the families of the victims. I know that the Department of Foreign Affairs is in contact with them on behalf of the Government. "All of our thoughts are with the families on what must be a very emotional day." Solicitor for a number of the Bloody Sunday families, Ciaran Shiels, said: "This is a remarkable achievement by the families and victims of Bloody Sunday. "Notwithstanding the unprecedented attempted political interference with the independence of the judicial process, the families have not only succeeded in consigning the Widgery report to history, and securing the complete vindication and declaration of innocence of all of the victims of Bloody Sunday through the Saville Inquiry, they have now secured the prosecution of Soldier F for the murder and attempted murder of six innocent people. "We are disappointed that not all of those responsible are to face trial. "We will give detailed consideration to the reasons provided for decisions not to prosecute the other soldiers, with a view to making further submissions to the Prosecution Service and we shall ultimately challenge in the High Court, by way of judicial review, any prosecutorial decision that does not withstand scrutiny." Denis Bradley, a former priest who was present on the day in 1972, said that it was a "bad day for justice". "I think that some of the families will be disappointed," he said. "Personally I feel a bit annoyed at the words that the PPS used that there wasn't sufficient evidence...that is almost an insult. UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed the UK Ministry of Defence would support soldier F and pay the legal costs. He said: "We are indebted to those soldiers who served with courage and distinction to bring peace to Northern Ireland. "The welfare of our former service personnel is of the utmost importance and we will offer full legal and pastoral support to the individual affected by today's decision. This includes funding all his legal costs and providing welfare support. "The Ministry of Defence is working across government to drive through a new package of safeguards to ensure our armed forces are not unfairly treated. "And the government will urgently reform the system for dealing with legacy issues. Our serving and former personnel cannot live in constant fear of prosecution." Earlier this morning the families gathered outside The Museum of Free Derry, just yards from where the killings took place 47 years ago, before marching together to a city centre hotel for the Public Prosecution Service decision. As the march approached the hotel the families began singing We Shall Overcome, an anthem of the civil rights movement. Those entering the hotel shook hands and hugged relatives before leaving them to learn the news from the prosecution service. One of the crowd shouted: "Bring us back justice." Sinn Fein's leader in Northern Ireland, Michelle O'Neill, and SDLP leader Colum Eastwood marched with the families this morning. The families of the victims have been fighting for almost 50 years to bring about justice. The image of Fr Edward Daly, waving a blood-stained white handerchief as he tried to carry an injured bloody man to safety, went around the world. Soldiers had been sent into the Bogside nationalist housing estate to deal with riots which followed a Derry march defying a ban on public processions. A public inquiry conducted by a senior judge shortly after the deaths was branded a whitewash by the dead victims' families and thus began a campaign for a new public inquiry. A fresh probe was eventually ordered by former prime minister Tony Blair in 1998. A decade-long investigation by Lord Saville of Newdigate concluded that the troops killed peaceful protesters and seriously criticised the decision to send them into the Bogside estate in vehicles. Following the inquiry's conclusion in 2010, then prime minister David Cameron said the killings were "unjustified and unjustifiable". An investigation by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) followed the 195 million inquiry and files on 18 soldiers were submitted to prosecutors in 2016 and 2017 for consideration. One former soldier has since died. Four other soldiers included in the Saville Report died before police had completed their investigation. The deaths of the innocent demonstrators helped galvanise support for the Provisional IRA early in the Troubles. Papers before prosecutors included 668 witness statements and numerous photos, video and audio evidence. More to follow Rafal Winter (37) took up to 30 books of scratch cards A former shop assistant manager admitted he stole over 10,000 worth of scratch cards because he had been jealous at his friends talking about pay rises, a court has heard. Rafal Winter (37) later told gardai he took up to 30 books of scratch cards, won between 2,000 and 3,000 in total and cashed the amounts at different shops. Winter, a father-of-one of Swallowbrook Crescent, Clonee, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to stealing lottery scratch cards at Spar, The Crescent, Mulhuddart, Dublin, on dates between July 2 and September 24, 2017. He has no previous convictions in Ireland or his native Poland. Garda Rachel Trappe told Diarmuid Collins BL, prosecuting, that a retail management company contacted the Spar general manager about a discrepancy in scratch cards. The manager reinstated a practice, which had been axed by a previous boss, of counting the scratch cards every night and approached Winter while making her inquiries. He admitted responsibility in a private conversation. He said he had been at a BBQ with friends who had been talking about money and pay rises and he became jealous. He admitted taking up to 30 books of scratch cards over several weeks. He offered to resign and pay back the money lost to the shop. Winter presented himself voluntarily to gardai and explained he took between two and four scratch card books a week and scratched them all himself. The court heard the Spar shop is still at a 10,567 loss as none of the money has been repaid. Gda Trappe said Winter claimed he spent his winnings on life expenses. He said he had asked for a pay rise but had not received one. Gda Trappe agreed with Jennifer Jackson BL, defending, that her client had shown remorse, made full admissions and pleaded guilty at the earliest date. She further agreed that Winter had no trappings of wealth and was not a man of significant means. The garda said she was unaware Winter was sole earner for his family, when counsel put this to her. Ms Jackson submitted to Judge Melanie Greally that her client was in line for another job, but was awaiting police vetting from Poland. She said this was the reason for the delay in raising compensation. Counsel said if Winter was given some time, he would be able to raised funds for repayment. Judge Greally took into account Winter's lack of previous convictions and adjourned the sentence to October to give him a realistic prospect of getting some recompense. A MOTHER wept as she told an inquest she was horrified to realise that a dark object lying in the middle of a busy Kerry road was her daughter. A Killarney Coroner's inquest heard that Denise Crowley (26) suffered fatal injuries when she was struck by a car as she tried to cross the road at a notorious spot at Glenflesk to meet her mother for a spin home. The inquest heard both the driver and pedestrian's visibility could have been restricted by the shadow of a street sign - and a senior Garda said he couldn't understand how a 100kmh speed limit was in place at such a built up area. Ms Crowley's mother, Grace, was travelling to Glenflesk at 7pm on December 1 2017 to collect her daughter who was returning home from University College Cork (UCC) when she spotted something lying in the middle of the road. The inquest heard it was a very dark evening with both fog and heavy showers. "Something black was in the middle of the road," Mrs Crowley told the inquest. "(I wondered) was it a body? I could then see the body in the middle of the road. A person was trying to turn the body over. I could then see that it was my daughter." Mrs Crowley rang her daughter's phone at the scene in the desperate hope it was not her involved in the accident. However, a man answered the phone and explained that there had just been a terrible accident. One eye-witness described how Mrs Crowley was later beside her daughter's body as people desperately worked to stabilise the young woman and was crying out: "Denise - come back to me." Coroner Aisling Quilter was told by Garda Damien Calnan that the entire incident was caught by CCTV camera footage from a nearby garage. The CCTV footage indicated that the driver, Gerard Hourigan, had just half a second to react to Ms Crowley walking directly out onto the road. Garda Calnan said that Ms Crowley was viewed having got off the Cork bus at Glenflesk and was waiting by the roadside outside a small wall. He said the young woman appeared to recognise a parked car, adjusted the hood of her coat, checked her knapsack and then walked out into the roadway without having looked to her right. She walked four paces into the roadway before being struck by a passing car just three seconds later. The inquest heard that a white van was parked by the roadside which may have restricted Ms Crowley's visibility up the road. The van driver left the scene after the accident. Numerous witnesses described how the young woman was heavily impacted by the small car and was catapulted into the air. She struck the ground and sustained severe head injuries. Alan Hourigan, who was a front seat passenger in the vehicle which struck Ms Crowley, said it was a dark, wet night and his father, Gerard, had refused to allow him to drive from Cork to Killarney. He said they heard a thud as they passed Glenflesk and then shattered glass came into the car. He thought they had hit a bump in the road but his father was worried the car had just hit someone. "He (father) was stammering and couldn't speak," he said. The young man got out of the passenger seat and ran back from the stopped car while his father rang emergency services. He was horrified to realise a young woman's body was lying in the middle of the road. The inquest heard the car driver was very distressed when it was later confirmed the young woman had died at the scene. The driver, Gerard Hourgian, broke down in evidence as he agreed with the coroner that he had only a split second to react that evening. "Shock - it was literally shock," he wept. Nico Roche, who was driving directly behind that evening, said he saw a person was peering from behind a parked white van and then stepped out into the roadway where she was struck by the vehicle travelling in front of him. "I didn't think she was going to cross the road but she did unexpectedly," he said. Another eyewitness, Conor Hoare, said he suddenly saw shoes flying into the air after the impact. "The body was flipped up into the air and hit the ground and rolled a bit." Garda James O'Brien said the CCTV footage indicated Ms Crowley did not appear to have looked to her right. "It does not appear to me that she had any comprehension of the proximity of that car," he said. Garda O'Brien said an analysis indicated the car involved was travelling at between 51kmh and 60kmh in a 100kmh zone. There were no aggravating factors and the vehicle involved was in very good condition. "It was travelling well below the posted speed limit. The driver had very little time to react to what happened," he said. "I don't believe the driver had sufficient time or room to avoid the pedestrian." Garda O'Brien said a local signpost and a reflection from it may have obscured the driver and pedestrian from each other He said the local street lighting was also inadequate. "I cannot understand why there is not a speed reduction (sign and limit) in the village." "It is very unusual." The site where the accident occurred at Glenflesk has been the focus of a long-running local campaign for the posted 100km speed limit to be reduced to 60km. Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster found Ms Crowley died from severe head and brain injuries due to a road traffic accident. Ms Quilter recorded a verdict of accidental death. She also formally recommended that the Glenflesk village speed limit be reduced for safety reasons. Former Killarney Mayor, Councillor Niall Kelleher, said that after years of lobbying for a reduced speed limit, the council were informed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) that changes to the Glenflesk roadway are now planned. Councillor Kelleher, a longtime road safety campaigner, said that as well as a new reduced speed limit, the council will be allowed by TII to implement traffic calming measures in the area as well. Kerry Co Council voted through the new reduced speed limit at its February meeting. Denise Crowley (26), a UCC computer science student who was named after her father, Denis, was on her way home to the village of Rathmore, Co Kerry, when she died. She was scheduled to be collected at Glenflesk Church by her mother just minutes after the tragedy occurred. Ms Crowley, a former Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra pupil, had been a teenage member of the Social Action Group in Rathmore - where she devoted her spare time to visiting the elderly in her community. She is survived by her parents and brother, Shane. Indentations on a sheet of paper found in Patrick Quirke's office revealed evidence of previously written points, including "What the guards will know" and "dispose of clothes\phone\other evidence". The notes were discovered on an A4 sheet of paper on which was written a series of visible questions heard by the jury on Tuesday. Mr Quirke (50), of Breanshamore, Co Tipperary, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Bobby Ryan (52), a part-time DJ known as Mr Moonlight on a date between June 3, 2011 and April 2013. Detective Garda Jeremiah Moloney from the document and handwriting section of the technical bureau told the murder trial that he used an electrostatic detection apparatus that can detect, or cause to be detected, indentations on a sheet of paper. Michael Bowman SC for the prosecution asked if it rendered visible to the naked eye what would otherwise be invisible and the garda said that in some cases the indentations are visible but in the main the indentations are not visible. Det Gda Moloney explained he could not decipher all the words in each line and so left a blank where he could not make the word out. On the front on the page found in Mr Quirke's office, he discovered indentations at the top which read "pallet chains", followed by "Gary ( ) empty tank two loads", as well as "agitate need water". Line nine on that page read "get load of ( ) following". Amongst the indentations on the back of the page was found: "What the guards will know", "murdered poss in house" and the words "dispose" and "Mary". The word "location?" was found, followed by the word "yes" encircled. Line 16 read "dispose of clothes\phone\any other evidence", said Dt Gda Moloney. Between lines 20 and 21 were the words "phone pinged". Line 25 read "Mary had to see\be with him". Line 29 read "Mary ( ) needle in haystack". Line 33 read: "very strange re token search for photos". Line 36 read "Did not act on leads ie travelling - salesman", while line 37 read: "Bobby stayed in yard ie 2 mins\10 mins". The point "relieved after" was next found, followed by "later ripping down photos". Part of a mobile phone number was also deciphered by the garda. Mr Bowman put it to him that it appeared more words could be observed but that he was not confident enough to transcribe them and Det Gda Moloney agreed, saying: "Anything I couldn't interpret or read I didn't transfer into handwritten form." Words might be less legible because the pressure on the page might not be so high, he agreed. Under cross-questioning, by Lorcan Staines SC for the defence, the garda agreed there were many more indentations on the page. Mr Staines put it to him that there was "at some point so much cross writing you can't make out anything" and he agreed. He also agreed the indentations may have come from multiple pages. The trial also heard from solicitor Aidan Leahy who acted for Ms Lowry in 2012 when she notified Mr Quirke she was terminating the lease on her land. Mr Leahy told the trial that on December 12 he sent a letter to Mr Quirke saying Ms Lowry had "reluctantly" instructed him to write to him because she had "a number of matters of concern" and wished to terminate their lease arrangement. The letter stated that Mr Quirke should be aware the intruder alarm at Ms Lowry's home had been activated "on numerous occasions", and while she was not making any allegations she did report the matter to the guards, though had not made an official statement. Mr Leahy said it was also noted that Mr Quirke appeared to have interfered with Ms Lowry's letters, looked through her windows and "interfered with items on her clothes line". The letter asked Mr Quirke to refrain from entering Ms Lowry's property and restrict his activities to the farmland and to daytime hours, if possible. A reply from Mr Quirke's legal representative said there were "many inaccuracies" in the previous letter that he was not going to comment on at that stage. He was "extremely disappointed" matters had deteriorated between them. And he said his mother-in-law lives at Fawnagowan and "looks forward" to his visits and he was anxious this would continue. A reply from Ms Lowry said these terms were acceptable and also asked Mr Quirke to empty the slatted tank which was full. A subsequent reply said Mr Quirke would not do this as they were full when he took over the lease. The trial continues. THREE Irishmen have been arrested after allegedly targeting pensioners in Australia in a roof scamming operation. The men, who are accused of stealing thousands of dollars from elderly people after promising to carry out repair work, were arrested while trying to leave the country. An Irishman, 20, was arrested by Australian Federal Police at Sydney Airport on March 7 when he was due to board a UK-bound plane. He was taken into New South Wales custody and police found large amounts of cash and jewellery in his luggage. He was charged with 'aggravated break and enter' and denied police bail. A second Irishman (22) was arrested on Saturday evening at Sydney airport as he prepared to fly to Qatar. Large amounts of money and jewellery were also found in his bags, he charged with fraud and deal in proceeds of crime; and refused police bail. The two men appeared before Sutherland Local Court on Thursday for allegedly defrauding a 72-year-old man out of AUD$42,000 (26,000) after offering to do roof repairs. Their cases were adjourned until March 29. A third Irishman (20) was arrested on Monday at Melbournes Tullamarine airport as he tried to board a flight to Shanghai, China. He has been extradited from Melbourne to Sydney and is due to appear before Sutherland Local Court on Thursday. The hunt for a fourth alleged offender is continuing. St George police are working with other commands and Victoria Police in relation to similar alleged fraud offences involving elderly victims. Gardai are investigating if an elderly couple died after suffering injuries in separate falls in their bedroom. The bodies of Patrick Doherty (85) and his wife Margaret (76) were found by a relative at their home in Convoy, east Donegal, yesterday afternoon. The couple were well known in the area and moved back from the UK almost 10 years ago. The alarm was raised at around 1.30pm and gardai attended the scene immediately. The house was sealed off and a full forensic investigation was carried out. Donegal coroner Dr Denis McCauley also attended the scene. The bodies were removed from the house and post-mortems are due to take place at Letterkenny University Hospital. The course of the Garda investigation will be determined by the findings of the post mortems. Mr Doherty worked in construction for many years and was still able to make trips to the shops up until recently, while Ms Doherty had been in and out of hospital in recent times. A Garda source said that there was no sign of trauma to the couple and there were also no indications of a break-in to the white-washed terraced home on the outskirts of the village. "We obviously have to examine every possible cause of death but at this stage it does not appear as if there was a break-in or that there was any sign of trauma. "The results of the post-mortems will determine what direction any future investigation will take," said the source. Local county councillor Liam Doherty is a relative of the late couple. He said it appeared the deaths were simply a tragic accident. "I have spoken to gardai and they do not believe there was a break-in or any form of gas poisoning or anything like that. "I'm satisfied that the gardai have done a very thorough job in trying to find out what exactly happened. "It's just one of those tragic situations and it's very difficult for the family at this time," he said. Mr Doherty said it would appear the couple may have suffered falls in the bedroom of their home. "My sister found the couple and I was next there at the scene. Margaret took a fall. "It seemed Margaret had come out of her bed and fell and possibly hit her head on the dresser." He added: "I was in with them yesterday evening. "Different people called in every day, to see what they needed. It's just so tragic, they're gone. "I looked at Pat's hand, you could see the way he was lying, he was trying to help Margaret. It's a very sad day." Empire State: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (centre left) and his partner Matt Barrett walk in the St Patricks Day parade in New York City. Photo: PA Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (left), who is on an official visit to the United States, is accompanied by his partner Matt Barrett (right) as he stands in a group photograph with the US Vice President Mike Pence (second right) and the VP's sister Anne Pence Poynter at the VP's official residence in Washington DC Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's partner Matt Barrett has accompanied him to breakfast with US Vice-President Mike Pence this morning. Later, Mr Varadkar will have talks in the Oval Office with president Donald Trump on Brexit and undocumented Irish immigrants. The day started with the breakfast meeting with Mr Pence in his residence at the US Naval Observatory. In the presence of the Christian conservative US Vice-President Mike Pence Mr Varadkar said he once lived in a country where if he had been himself he would have been breaking laws. Expand Close US vice president Mike Pence / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp US vice president Mike Pence He said: "I stand here this morning as leader of my country, flawed and human, but judged by my political actions and not by my sexual orientation or my skin tone or my gender or religious beliefs. "And I dont believe my country is the only one in the world where this story is possible. "It is found in every country where freedom and liberty are cherished. "We are after all, all gods children. Expand Close Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (right) with Congressman Richard Neal at the American Ireland Gala Fund dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington DC during his visit to the US. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Taoiseach Leo Varadkar (right) with Congressman Richard Neal at the American Ireland Gala Fund dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington DC during his visit to the US. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire "Thats true of the United States as well, the land and home of the brave and free." Mr Varadkar said Ireland is not the only country where his story was possible and its true of the US as well. Mr Varadkar who, along with his partner Matt Barrett, attended a breakfast at Mr Pences Washington home, thanked the Vice-President for his wonderful hospitality. Mr Pence said Mr Varadkar had offered Inspiring words. Mr Pence has previously faced criticism for his conservative views on LGBT issues. But last year he and his wife extended an invitation for both the Taoiseach and Mr Barrett to visit his Washington home. Mr Varadkar is one of very few openly gay world leaders. Mr Barrett is a cardiologist who has spent time working in the United States. Mr Pence opened his speech at the Washington Naval Observatory saying Top of the morning and welcome to the official residence of the Vice President. He said President Donald Trump is looking forward to meeting Mr Varadkar at the White House later. Mr Pence said that the United States stand with Ireland during Brexit. He thanked Mr Varadkar for an invitation to visit Ireland and Mr Pence, an Irish American, said he is making plans to travel to Ireland with his mother. There was controversy last year when the event was closed to the media. Honored Mr Varadkar said he and Mr Barrett were honored to attend the breakfast. Earlier Mr Pence welcomed Mr Barrett referring to his time working as a doctor in Chicago saying: Chicagos home for you. Mr Pence added: all my family are from Chicago. The Taoiseach will travel to the midwestern city tomorrow. Mr Pence spoke of the economic ties between the US and Ireland highlighting trade of almost $130bn a year. He said: "I want to assure the Taoiseach that this administration is committed to growing these economic ties and making them stronger than ever before. " He added: "The United States also stands with the Irish Republic as the United Kingdom continues to work through the issues of Brexit and we look forward to the day that we can even begin talks about expanding trade with a trade agreement to grow our two economies and prosper both of our peoples." Mr Pence thanked Mr Varadkar for visiting and "honouring us with your presence." He added: "Thank you also for the invitation to make an official visit to Ireland. "You did say the one condition was that I had to bring my mother and I'm happy to report to Taoiseach Varadkar that I have spoken to mom a first generation Irish American and she has now confirmed that she would travel with me to Ireland and we are making plans to return to my grandfather's homestead." Mr Varadkar said he hopes Mr Pence and his mother Nancy would be able to visit very Ireland very soon. He said a "very warm welcome awaited Mr Pence in Clare and Sligo where his forebearers come from. Mr Pence was accompanied by his sister Anne Poynter. His wife Karen is in Abu Dhabi to attend the Special Olympics. Dr Barrett will not be part of the traditional shamrock ceremony in the White House. Mr Varadkar discussed equality and LGBT rights in Ireland and America with him last year. Asked about his talks with Mr Trump, the Taoiseach said: "We're not asking anyone here in America to take sides between the UK and the European Union and Ireland. We know they will want to negotiate a free trade agreement with the UK into the future. "We also want to negotiate a free trade agreement between the US and the EU and would like to do that before there is any agreement with the UK." He said it will be emphasised that protecting the Good Friday Agreement "has to be paramount." Mr Varadkar added that it would be "very welcome" if Mr Trump is open to appointing a special envoy to Northern Ireland. On his first day in Washington, the Taoiseach had meetings with US and Irish business figures and attended the American- Ireland Fund dinner. A status yellow snow-ice warning has been issued for Donegal this weekend as snow, showers and wind are forecast nationwide. St Patrick's weekend festivities may be hampered by the unsettled conditions over the coming days, and the north of the country may feel the brunt. Donegal's warning is due to come into force shortly after midnight on Friday and will remain in place until noon on Saturday. Snow on Friday night and and early Saturday morning across the region will lead to poor driving conditions and accumulations of up to 3cm. The alerts comes as tens of thousands of people are getting ready to travel to destinations all over the country for the long bank holiday weekend. Forecaster Matthew Martin said: "A low pressure [system] is going to move across on Friday night, and into Saturday and that is going to bring some heavy rain and the risk of some strong winds, and indeed there could be some falls of snow across northern areas." "It's going to be an unsettled and changeable few days, and often cooler than normal too," he added. Meanwhile, it looks like the rain tomorrow will be largely confined to parts of south Munster. "It's looking like it could be a fairly decent day of bright spells, and just a few passing showers, these mainly in the north," Mr Martin said. He told the Irish Independent: "With regards to St Patrick's Day itself, at the moment, it looks like a cold, blustery day with sunshine and passing showers. Some of those showers could be of hail," he said. He said that maximum temperatures typically will be between 6C and 9C. It looks like nationwide a fresh, strong, north-westerly wind with occasional showers will be moving through on Sunday. In Dublin, where the parade will attract over 500,000 people into the city, it will be similar but there is "probably more chance of better sunshine". Storm Gareth, which battered the country on Tuesday, saw wind gusts of 130kmh recorded in Malin Head weather station in Donegal. ESB networks said that 2,000 homes, farms and businesses were left without power due to high winds associated with the storm, with the majority of these customers in Donegal. Its crews worked from early on yestreday to restore power. The only thing that's real is love, said Long. Love is everywhere. There are a million acts of love and kindness, and it's there if you choose to see it. Michael was a teacher of love, and that's what he did for 7 years and that's what I will continue to do. We don't have Michael, but we have people pouring love on us every minute. If we only focus on the body, we miss all the love. What Have The Irish Ever Done For Us? is available now in bookshops or online at currachbooks.com. St Patrick's Day is a national day like no other, a chance for 'brand Ireland' to show off to the world. But Ireland has been making a positive impact around the globe for centuries. In an edited extract from his new book, 'What Have the Irish Ever Done For Us?', David Forsyth takes a closer look at the men and women who've made waves. Margaret Haughery Margaret Haughery emigrated to the United States as a child to escape the ravages of the Famine in south Leitrim and, once in America, was orphaned when her parents were killed in a yellow fever outbreak. Her life was further blighted by tragedy when her own husband and only child also succumbed to disease. Despite her personal tragedies, she successfully managed and opened many orphanages in New Orleans, becoming known locally as 'The Angel of the Delta'. When she died in 1882, her funeral was one of the largest the city has ever seen, such was her standing in the community. William Mulholland Without the efforts of Irish engineer William Mulholland, the city of Los Angeles could never have existed. Mulholland was the engineer responsible for successfully supplying the growing city with fresh water. He built one of the world's biggest ever civil engineering projects to transport the water from hundreds of miles to the east to the city and the scheme still serves the needs of millions of people every day. Mother Jones Mary Harris, better known as 'Mother Jones', rose from humble beginnings in Cork City to become one of the most effective labour activists in the United States. Once described as "the most dangerous woman in America", she was a tireless campaigner for the rights of the poor and the working class, particularly women and children. She once led a march of women and children from Pennsylvania to the home of President Theodore Roosevelt on Long Island to demand an end to child labour. James Hoban Among the world's most recognisable buildings, the White House in Washington DC was inspired by an Irish building and designed and built by an Irish architect. The official residence of US presidents for more than 200 years and home to the president's offices and staff, its design was the brainchild of a farm boy from Kilkenny named James Hoban, who based the design on Dublin's Leinster House. Mary Elmes Cork woman Mary Elmes became the only Irish citizen to be honoured as Righteous Among the Nations by the State of Israel. She joined the University of London Ambulance Unit in Spain to help the innocent victims of the vicious ongoing Spanish Civil War and later worked in refugee camps in southern France following the outbreak of the Second World War. At great personal risk, she saved the lives of hundreds of Jewish children by smuggling them to safety, often in the boot of her car. Eileen Gray One of the most influential figures in the Modern movement of design and architecture was an Irishwoman from Wexford. Eileen Gray was little-known in her homeland during her long lifetime, but in recent times, she has been recognised as one of the most important and influential contributors to Modernism. Vincent Barry Cork doctor Vincent Barry played a vital role in developing a cure for leprosy - one of the most feared and misunderstood of diseases. He led a small team at Trinity College working on the related disease tuberculosis. In 1954, Barry was able to synthesise the compound clofazimine which would become a crucial part of the multi-drug treatment now used for leprosy around the world. Ninette de Valois Ninette de Valois was the stage name of Edris Stannus from Blessington, Co Wicklow. When injury cut her career as a ballet dancer short, she formed her own ballet company, performing in Dublin and London. The company she set up at the Sadler's Wells theatre in London would go on to become England's national Royal Ballet. What Have The Irish Ever Done For Us? is available now in bookshops or online at currachbooks.com. A view of Amsterdam Noord from across the River IJ. Done the Dutch capital's Old City? Try Amsterdam Noord, says award-winning travel writer Yvonne Gordon. Set the mood Amsterdam is famous for its pretty canals, bicycles and its spring tulips. On this visit, however, I've crossed the River IJ (pronounced Eye) by free ferry to explore the city's hottest area, Amsterdam Noord. The regenerated district, which was once home to three large shipyards, now boasts a film institute, art and music studios, quirky architecture that uses the area's industrial past, and funky restaurants and hostels - all giving it a vibrant, creative atmosphere. My first port of call is the EYE Film Museum (eyefilm.nl, pictured above) on the waterfront, where you can see films and exhibitions and then enjoy coffee or cocktails on the terrace while admiring the river views. Guilty Pleasure Expand Close Restaurant Stork, Amsterdam Noord / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Restaurant Stork, Amsterdam Noord Hotel de Goudfazant (hoteldegoudfazant.nl) is a hip restaurant set in a refurbished warehouse on the River IJ. This is dining in an industrial space, so don't be surprised if there are old cars parked near your table, chandeliers hanging from rusty beams or a row of 1970s-style office chairs nestling against the crisp white tablecloth. Don't expect to rest your head after dinner either - despite the name, there are no guest rooms. The cuisine is mainly French with lots of seafood and a three-course meal comes in at 31.50. In another nearby warehouse (the former Stork factory), Cafe-Restaurant Stork (restaurantstork.nl, above) specialises in seafood with mains from around 18. Cheap kick One of the prettiest areas of Amsterdam Noord to explore by bike is Nieuwendammerdijk, a long crooked street with old wooden houses built on a dam and dating back to the 18th century. Over at the old shipyard, check out the NDSM warehouse now converted into 'Art City' with art, design and media studios for 250 artists. Nearby at the Noorderlicht - Northern Lights - cafe, (noorderlichtcafe.nl), in a transparent greenhouse-like construction, you'll find DJs and outdoor festivals during the summer months. Top tip One of Noord's landmarks, Shell's old Overhoeks tower, will open as A'DAM tower (Amsterdam Dance And Music, adamtoren.nl) this spring, with a design hotel, nightclub, offices, a 22nd-floor observation deck and revolving restaurant. Insider Intel Expand Close Clink Noord, Amsterdam / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Clink Noord, Amsterdam Noord's funkiest new space is the hostel Clink Noord (clinkhostels.com, beds from 20pp). Part of a chain founded by Dublin sisters Anne and Shelly Dolan, it's a creative hub with a bar, cafe, club and events space. Dorms are en-suite, bunks have lockers and power points and there's free Wi-Fi. There are programmes for visiting musicians, artists and writers too. As an alternative, the quirky Faralda Crane Hotel (faralda.com, from 435) has three private suites set in a crane! Glitches Amsterdam Noord is regenerating. Many parts are still quite run down and the shipyard areas are not residential and are partly derelict. Take care of personal security and belongings, and avoid walking alone at night. Get me there Free ferries (gvb.nl) run day and night from behind Amsterdam Centraal station. Take the Buiksloterweg ferry for the Eye Film Institute, Clink Noord and A'DAM tower. The crossing takes around five minutes. For the NDSM shipyard, plus restaurants Pllek, IJKantine or Noorderlicht cafe, take the NDSM ferry (around 15 mins). For Hotel de Goudfazant and Stork, take the IJPlein ferry. Bike hire from Mac Bike (macbike.nl) starts from 7.50. For more, see iamsterdam.com. Nothing quite compares to Sunday morning industriousness. Up with the dawn and both the kitchen floor and the work surfaces gleaming by the time Lilian Smith has finished her early morning RTE radio show. What a beautiful, modulated voice she has, plus she plays such feelgood music from days of old. I'm working towards an 8.30am deadline with my mop so I can have tea and toast organised by the time John Bowman comes on. I love how he delves back in history and to things, often original radio interviews, that I remember from first time around. Funny how the memory plays tricks on you. You can't remember where you put that book or keys, but you have perfect recall of schoolbook text you absolutely hated, like Latin grammar! Frustrating that, but just another midlife challenge to juggle, and beat. 'What It Says In The Papers' came on and it was there, in the middle of a boring Brexit story, that I hear a phrase I haven't heard in years. I was rooted to the sudsy floor. Critics say Theresa May has "run out of road". She certainly has, but I've mentally moved on from the backstop debate and whether the Conservative PM will survive much longer at No 10. I've been transported back 10 years and I'm talking to a man with honest eyes who brings my world crashing down around me with four simple words. I can still vividly remember my physical reaction and the sensation of my broken heart thumping so loudly, I thought it was going to jump out of my chest. "We've run out of road," he tells me matter of factly. I'm shocked but, in my confusion, I still manage to cobble together a reply. This man who I'd never met before has just broken the worst news possible to me in a shiny hospital corridor. There was nothing more they could do for my mum and, a year after she had suffered a bleed on the brain and had got better and then disimproved, here we were. We'd "run out of road". As shocking as the news was, ultimately I came to respect and appreciate the medic's straight forward approach. He didn't do the empathic tilt of the head or the tone of his voice didn't change. Playing that hospital corridor conversation back over and over in my head, I've often wondered how many times in a day or a week that consultant had to break bad news to people? It's part of his job. It goes with the territory, but having to break bad news can never be easy. Do you wait, deal with the butterflies in your stomach after rehearsing the lines and taking a drop of Dutch courage or do you just do it straight, with honesty and humanity, and then tick it off the list? Beyond life and death issues like my mum's (Anne Power died a few weeks later, aged 78), it seems to me that daily life increasingly presents us with situations where the best way is to approach problems with clarity, honesty and courage. Be honest with yourself, your family and friends and, above all, in your dealings with people. Telling the truth to people is littered with emotional landmines. Remember the teenage years - those high-octane romances that were destined for tears when the cryptic news was delivered: "It's not you, it's me!" As devastating and cruel as it seemed at the time, I remember once being in the midst of a personal crisis and being told over a Monday morning espresso "s*** happens, get over it - it could be the makings of you". And, as fate would decree, it was the makings of me, but at the time, it didn't quite feel like that. Honesty is good, but it can also hurt at times. When do you have the right to turn honest talking into plain blackguarding, like telling someone they have put on too much weight? Learning to know when to zip your mouth is an art. Best advice comes from the legendary Maureen Potter who used to say at the end of her Gaiety panto: if you didn't like the show, "keep your breath to cool your porridge". That doctor taught me more than I could have guessed that day. Sometimes people just need to be told the truth, even if it hurts. Yesterday the UK government announced how it might (everything was in draft) put import taxes on some goods entering the British market from the Republic and continental Europe in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The starkness of the detail and the hard numbers brought home what is looming. In just 15 days the UK is scheduled to leave the EU. Those who would be most affected by these new import taxes - farmers and food producers - reacted in almost apocalyptic terms, and not without good reason. London's other big announcement yesterday - a commitment not to police the northern side of the Border on this island for a year after a no-deal Brexit - highlighted the very uncomfortable position Dublin is in. If the Irish Government was to announce now that it would not police the southern side of the Border it would be telling its 26 EU partner countries that it was not prepared to meet its obligations to them (goods entering the EU from non-member countries have to be checked to ensure they meet the bloc's product standard laws and have relevant import taxes paid). When Ireland has had so much support in Brexit negotiations from other EU countries, and will need more support in the days to come, an explicit rejection of those obligations was impossible. As such, the Government did not match what its British counterpart put on the table yesterday by ruling out changes to the southern side of the Border. Much of these trade technicalities and rules around how borders operate are so complicated that they make people's heads hurt. The blizzard of Brexit and backstop news has already caused heads to spin for many months. In an effort to see the wood from the trees, it might be worth a brief recap on where we are now before considering what could unfold in the days ahead. The Brexit backstop put on the table by the Irish and EU sides 16 months ago was a dramatic demand. It always ran the risk of triggering a no-deal Brexit. It will take something big to happen in the coming days if that outcome is to be prevented; and it is imperative that everyone be clear about this: a no-deal Brexit is by far the worst outcome for both sides of the Border on this island. After the second huge rejection of the backstop by the British parliament on Tuesday, the already minuscule chance of the British swallowing it has diminished further. As anyone who has glanced at a newspaper in recent times knows, the political situation in London has gone from chaotic to utterly bonkers. Last night's vote in the House of Commons to reject a no-deal Brexit means little. The current (and unchanged) position in both EU and British law is that Brexit will happen in 15 days because that is when Britain's membership expires. Something big will have to change to prevent it. There now appear to be three possible ways to avoid no deal: the British parliament backs the deal it has twice rejected; some sort of extension to the March 29 deadline is agreed by the 28 countries involved; or Ireland backs down on the backstop. Theresa May, the British prime minister, is likely to ask the EU to extend the deadline to leave very soon. If this is granted she could ask the House of Commons for a third time to accept her withdrawal deal. If that happens it is very likely that more Brexiteers would switch sides out of fear that Brexit might never happen otherwise. But it is very difficult to see all those MPs who have opposed the backstop on the (valid) grounds that it will have constitutional implications for the United Kingdom as a whole, including those of the DUP, reversing their position. As such, there is almost no chance of Britain leaving on March 29 on the terms Theresa May has agreed with the EU. What about an extension? This will be the big issue over the next few days, and it offers the only real hope of avoiding massive disruption at the end of the month. But it is far from a foregone conclusion. I am writing this from Brussels. To say that there is intense frustration with the degree to which Brexit has absorbed the time and energies of so many people over such a long period of time does not begin to describe it. As such, it cannot be taken for granted that the 27 remaining members of the EU will agree unanimously on a postponement - and they need unanimity to make that happen. Many questions have been asked about the logic of extension. What is the purpose of prolonging the agony, some ponder, usually rhetorically? Others ask whether a short extension would give insufficient time for the British to decide on an achievable course, particularly given that they have failed to do so over nearly three years? Will the British refuse any extension that involves them having to hold elections for the European Parliament at the end of May, as it appears they would have to do if they were still in the EU? These questions are likely to dominate the news over the coming week. Things should come to a head when the Taoiseach and his EU counterparts meet in Brussels in seven days' time. Hopefully, an extension will be agreed - the British political system might be brought to its senses as the cliff edge approaches. But if that does not happen we need to be clear about the choice facing this country. It could be that the only way to avoid the worst-case scenario is to take the backstop off the table. If that is where things end up, this column will be examining the matter in seven days' time. IF Britain leaves the European Union without a deal on March 29, the economy here will be hit badly and growth will slow sharply, although it will not be enough to tip the country into recession. Yesterday's vote in Westminster to remove a no-deal option did not actually eliminate the possibility of that being the outcome on March 29, so it remains a very real risk to Irish businesses. The shock of a hard Brexit would be felt immediately in financial markets with the pound falling sharply. The Bank of England put the worst case probability at a 25pc drop in the value of sterling, although most economists say that parity with the euro is the furthest it would fall. That, and the fear of regulatory barriers, would prompt businesses with direct exposure to Britain to put investment on hold, according to the Central Bank of Ireland, which could then feed through into a hit to consumer sentiment as workers fretted over job security. What is clear, however, is the impact of Brexit will spread far beyond the confines of agriculture, which accounts for output of 3.4bn annually in an economy of 234bn. The Central Bank has estimated growth would drop sharply to just 1.5pc this year in the event the UK plunges out of the EU without a deal, compared with forecasts of 4pc-plus if it stays in the bloc. There is of course a rosier outlook. After a short, sharp recession in the wake of a hard Brexit, the UK could return to growth. After all, in 2018 it outperformed Germany and France in terms of growth, even with Brexit hanging round its neck. The problem with that view is that the risks are so heavily tilted to the downside, and a cliff-edge exit could permanently scar the economy here, saddling the State with lower growth than could otherwise have been achieved and lowering wages relative to where they would have been without Brexit. Copenhagen Economics, which was commissioned by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation to study the impact of Brexit, forecast it would lower the economy's output by approximately 3pc to 7pc in 2030. According to the consultancy, measured relative to Irish gross domestic product in 2015, the difference between the "best" scenario - a European Economic Area deal - and the worst, in which tariffs were charged at the prevailing global rates, would be a loss to the economy here of 11bn in 2030. Up until now, Brexit has been a boon for Ireland and the relocation of firms here has created 4,500 jobs, many of them in skilled and highly paid industries. That sunny scenario may not survive a hard Brexit in which real wages for low-skilled workers could be 8.7pc below the non-Brexit baseline by 2030, according to Copenhagen Economics. At least the State will have the financial firepower to lean against any slowdown, after running a budget surplus in 2018. Families in the Burr Ridge School District struggle with the same challenges that affect many low-income households, including financial, linguistic, and logistical barriers to accessible health care, said Tom Schneider, superintendent of CCSD180. Our families currently would have to travel about 10 miles in either direction to find a community health center. That is not always feasible in households with one parent, an inflexible work schedule, and often unreliable transportation. Offering these services on-site makes so much sense. Our students, their parents, and siblings can get their school physicals and dental check-ups right here. They will be healthier and better prepared to learn. It would be easy to feel sorry for a clearly tired and hoarse Theresa May as she battles to keep her vision of a sensible Brexit alive. Her authority over the Conservative Party, never mind the House of Commons, has melted away. She has lost the respect of many European leaders who wanted to believe she was capable of delivering on a deal they negotiated. And, every day, the 62-year-old has to play politics with the DUP, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson. But forget about the woman for a moment and it becomes clear that Theresa May, the incompetent politician, is her own, and our, worst enemy. The vicar's daughter may not share the brashness of the hardline Brexiteers - but her position means the prime minister has the power to inflict an awful lot more damage on this island. The Irish Government has for a long time worked behind the scenes to ensure nobody in the EU hastens her now inevitable downfall - but there is a growing wariness with her inability to find a consensus in Westminster. Yesterday May struggled to take part in the daily shouting match that qualifies as debate in the House of Commons. But even as her voice faded out, she croaked at Jeremy Corbyn that she still understands the voice of the country. But which country? Throughout the Brexit negotiations, May has turned a deaf ear to the people of Northern Ireland, instead listening to the extremists in the DUP. The fact a majority in the North voted 'Remain' may be moot when taken in the wider UK context, but the popular view of the backstop should matter more than the narrow-minded approach of Nigel Dodds's crew. Read More Likewise May has pandered to the hardliners in her own party, giving top jobs to Boris Johnson and David Davis, who showed no interest in actually securing a good compromise with the EU. Take this quote from Johnson: "It is no deal, or WTO terms, that actually corresponds to [people's] idea of coming out; and they view that option with a confidence that is now directly proportional to the growing strength of the government's warnings against it, because these doom-laden predictions are so hyperbolical as to suffer from the law of diminishing returns." May's early insistence that "no deal is better than a bad deal" set the tone for the shambles currently being played out in the House of Commons. It was her who told the public that no deal was not an unreasonable outcome to two years of negotiations. Yet she is now painting a picture of general chaos and openly admitting that the region she vowed to protect, Northern Ireland, will be worst affected. Rather than allowing it easy access to the UK and EU markets (the best of both worlds), May is on course to turn it into bandit country. A smugglers' paradise. Of course, the prime minister has fought tooth and nail in the UK parliament for the backstop - but she can't escape the clutches of the duplicitous DUP, which has sucked the life out of it. Again this might lead you to feel sympathy for May. Having to deal with Sammy Wilson is clearly not a pleasant experience - but it's her own fault. She called an unnecessary general election in June 2017 and was such a poor campaigner that the Conservatives lost their House of Commons majority. Her only option was to buy off the DUP, which has made the most of its moment in history. With May, it's regularly about survival for her premiership and her party. In order to stave off a heave earlier this year, she promised not to lead her party into the 2022 election. May backed herself into a corner by producing 'red lines' before talks with the EU got serious. They were designed at keeping her party together even though she openly admits her country is being torn apart. In summary, after two years of negotiating on how to avoid a hard Border, May's fresh plan is to negotiate on how to avoid a hard Border. In the meantime, 'taking back control of UK borders' means leaving its only land border wide open. And all the while 'Brexit means Brexit'. 'I am sure if it suits Britain the new prime minister will state that Mrs May should have sought parliamentary agreement before signing the backstop agreement.' Photo: Reuters/Toby Melville Do not be surprised if Britain discards the recent agreements made with the Irish Government. It has a record of discarding agreements, some of which are set out as follows. 1. Ratification and Catholic Church support for the Act of Union was supposed to grant Catholics in Ireland emancipation. It did not happen for 25 years. 2. Parnell was promised Home Rule in 1874 for supporting the Liberal government. 3. John Redmond, in return for recruiting 150,000 Irishmen to fight in World War I, was promised Home Rule. Instead the UK government passed the act of 1920 establishing the Border. 4. In return for Arab support in defeating the German/Ottoman axis, the Arabs were promised Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Palestine. 5. Before the war was over, Britain, in return for US help, gave Palestine as a homeland to the Jewish people on condition they did not interfere with the lives and welfare of the Palestinian people (the Balfour Declaration). 6. It gave Syria and Lebanon to the French (the Sykes-Picot Agreement). 7. At the wars end, it refused to honour the binding agreement with Sharif Hussein, the temporal and spiritual leader of the Arab people, because the foreign secretary Arthur Balfour declared that black people including Arabs were incapable of governing. 8. Finally I am sure if it suits Britain the new prime minister will state that Mrs May should have sought parliamentary agreement before signing the backstop agreement. Hugh Duffy Cleggan, Co Galway How a different bellow from Bercow could unlock Brexit I THINK I see a solution to the current impasse in the British parliament regarding its failure to reach a decision on Brexit. Instead of the speaker, John Bercow, shouting unlock after reading out the ayes and noes, he just keeps the shower locked in until they reach a conclusion. Liam Power Dundalk, Co Louth Antics of MPs is a throwback to another British disaster THE destructive antics of the 600 MPs at Westminster reminds me of the poem The Charge of the Light Brigade, written by Alfred Tennyson about the British cavalry charge into a guarded valley during the Crimean war. Due to very poor communication, half of the 600 cavalry were killed or wounded, with victory to the Russians. The following words are very prophetic: Someone had blundered; Theirs not to make reply; Theirs not to reason why; Theirs but to do and die; Into the valley of death; Rode the six hundred. Aidan Hampson Artane, Dublin 5 Help should be given to those who want to start a family I REFER to your article Irish birth rate still high but first-time mothers are among oldest in EU (Irish Independent, March 13). As stated in the article, some 2.1 births per woman is required to sustain population levels. Irelands level is 1.77. Over the past few years, my wife and I have been trying to start a family. We are in our 30s. Were home owners and we both work. Unfortunately, we require assisted reproduction. As you can imagine this is a very costly process. Weve already paid 7,000 and have yet to get pregnant. As an Irish citizen, and one who pays our fair share of taxes (and bills), I find it perplexing that the Government does not provide funding to help start a family. (Upon contacting a TD, this will not occur until 2020.) Should the Government wish to increase the birth rate, I believe helping those who are finding it difficult to start a family should be prioritised. After all, those who have children get benefits, but starting off we get no help, unlike our EU counterparts. They could see it as an investment in their fiscal needs for the future. Name and address with editor More resources are urgently needed in fight against cancer THE report by Health Correspondent Eilish ORegan (Weve taken one step forward, two steps back in treating cancer patients within set timelines, Irish Independent, March 13) said cancer patients are not getting diagnosed and treated as early as they should. This is a startling new development and a huge concern to many. Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power said in recent days that recommended timelines for patients are not being met, and inadequate resources are being directed towards the National Cancer Strategy to deliver care for growing numbers of people with the disease. The last thing people diagnosed with this disease need is the added stress, fear, worry and anxiety that delayed diagnosis and access to life-saving treatments can bring, as this can be a major stumbling block to patients ongoing cancer care and recovery. Let us hope more adequate resources will be made available as a priority. Tom Towey Co Sligo In the never-ending coverage of doom and gloom coverage, there has emerged one positive retail story. On Wednesday, Inditex, the Spanish retail giant which owns, Zara, announced profit growth of 3%, which, 10 years ago, would hardly make headline news, but in 2019, when retailers are crashing at an alarming rate, it prompts think pieces such as this. Inditex owns Pull & Bear, Bershka and Massimo Dutti, among others, but the undoubted jewel in its crown is Zara. Its attainability has long been at the core of its long-standing dominance in the cutthroat retail market and its styles transfer universally, attracting shoppers in everyone from royals like Kate Middleton and Spain's Queen Letizia to the literal girl next door. As Instagram tightens its grip on the youth market, which expects teenagers and younger women in particular to embrace a copycat culture, Zara is using this practice to its advantage. Last year, Zara significantly overhauled its digital department, putting more of a focus on online sales, while simultaneously investing heavily in their brick and mortar stores. In 210 of its biggest selling stores, mostly in the US and continental Europe, they launched augmented reality experiences allowing customers to see models wearing the clothes theyve chosen via sensors. It was a dream marriage of the appealing ease of online shopping with a modernised in-store experience. Shopping patterns are changing - as we see with the near-monthly announcement of former retail behemoths being forced into administration - but Zara is a business which places the customer at its core. Its products are appealing, yes, but they are no better or worse than competitors like H&M, Marks & Spencer or Mango. They are, however offering a fast, quantity rich response to trends dictated by the big fashion houses and they have it down to an art. Last year, they released a near-identical version of Hermes tan leather sandals for 29.99 (in comparison to Hermes 480) which resulted in a near-instant sell-out and enough buzz for them to repeat the style again this spring/summer. Unsurprisingly, theres already a waiting list for the next delivery. Expand Close High street: Kate Middleton keeps it classic in a navy blazer from Zara / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp High street: Kate Middleton keeps it classic in a navy blazer from Zara They are particularly adept at their marketing strategy, carefully choosing which hero pieces which could be easily traced back to a runway show during Fashion Week (like the feather embellished robe first seen in Prada last summer) instead of adopting a one-trend-fits-all model and rolling out duplicate after duplicate. While fast fashion brands like Boohoo and Missguided react to Kim Kardashian-inspired looks within a few days; Zara will roll outs inspired looks a full season later, like a real designer. Their customers are part of the experience and building brand loyalty through these tactics is a key to its endurance as a market leader. Considerable thought and care goes into replicating Balenciaga and Yeezy runners, which are done so effectively, few care about the fact they are not the real deal. And unlike smaller designers like Issa, which crumbled under the weight of trying to cope with global demand after Kate Middleton wore their royal blue wrap dress announcing her engagement in 2011, Zara thrives in this type of reactive environment. On social media, bloggers and fashion influencers are also taking a step back to evaluate their #OOTD strategy. On the one hand, they want to showcase - or at the least the appearance of - their frugality with designer dupes; on the other, they require cheaper clothing in order to allow their black Givenchy Antigona tote to be the focal point of a picture. Both of these are opportunities for Zara to shine. Video of the Day A bargain in Zara is one which is shouted from the rooftops and their response to sell-out stock in the form of waiting lists and email sign-ups allows the pattern to continue. It doesn't have quite the same effect as, "Thanks hun Penneys", but it's not far off. It retains its identity as a mid-scale store with designer look-a-likes aplenty mixed with respectable basics for reasonable prices. These days, simple, solid colour tops are hard to come by. These days, labels prefer signature designs, fabrics and styles to stand out on social media and in real life, but Zara understands that no day is the same for any woman, who requires an arsenal of clothing hanging in her wardrobe. It sells two collections: TRF, its low-priced basics line, which is aimed at younger women, while the more expensive Women's range is for when you've 'grown up', thus allowing a built-in customer experience to last years. It also has men's, children's and a homewares range. Last year, I was on holidays in Istanbul and I was wearing a black floral bomber jacket I bought in Zara back in 2016. As I walked past a restaurant, a man asked confidently, Zara? He said he used to work as a designer there and seemed genuinely thrilled to see it in real life, two years after it was on the market. That same jacket is one I joined two different waiting lists to get my hands on after seeing someone share it on Instagram. Such is the cult of Zara, that more than one colleague of mine owns it as well and we have been to known to double up on it in the office. Expand Close Queen Letizia of Spain in Zara / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Queen Letizia of Spain in Zara So, what's the secret to its success? The effective model they've built over the last 44 years. It's just that now the rest of the world is noticing. The suit has stormed its way back into style in the last few years, and is now a well-established staple for workwear, off-duty dressing and the red carpet. Hillary Clinton's fashion legacy lives on as everyone from Bella Hadid to Brigitte Macron turns to the trouser suit when they want to make a statement. At this stage, most women will have a suit in their wardrobe - but yours is more than likely in a safe, muted tone such as black, navy or grey. This season, you'll want to take it up a notch. Designers are seeking to refresh spring tailoring by ditching the sombre shades and predictable pastels for something a lot louder - the coloured suit. In the spring-summer collections, the shapes range widely from slouchy and gently oversized to fitted and cropped, but it's the colour palette that matters most. Meghan Markle's go-to brand Givenchy teamed an emerald suit with a wide belt and a black cutout top for a glamorous evening look, while Gucci's wide-legged turquoise suit was adorned with brooches and layered over a red tartan knit in typically eccentric style. Warm tones dominated in many shades: magenta satin at Escada, dressed down with trainers and natural-look make-up; Kaia Gerber in hot pink duchesse satin with a clashing scarlet shirt at Salvatore Ferragamo; a sharp double-breasted style in warm bordeaux at sustainable brand Gabriela Hearst; and tomato red paired with a sparkling crochet knit and silver sandals at Ermanno Scervino. Elsewhere, the look was breezy and almost beachy: at Etro, big sunglasses and flat thong sandals finished off a yellow single-breasted suit, and Roksanda's fluid longline blazer in zesty orange was tempered with a rust-coloured belt and offset by a flash of aqua blue in a silk scarf. Here is where to take your lead when choosing your colours. For ease of wear, it can be simplest to style a bright suit with neutralising tones of black and white, but contrasting hues can be even more effective. Burberry championed the now-ubiquitous beige trend, injecting shots of bold red tailoring to liven up the look, or try juxtaposing a vivid green suit with sugary pink accessories. An apple green blouse or knit will complement a cobalt blue suit beautifully, especially when topped off with white boots or trainers. For a dressy take, Victoria Beckham is urging the return of the lace camisole, and a plain black or white number will elevate even the slouchiest styles for evening. The suit has long been a celebrity favourite, but now the A-list are swapping faithful monochrome iterations for their more colourful counterparts. Video of the Day Tracee Ellis Ross's Ralph and Russo suit at the Grammys last month (right) was a standout and illustrated how the masculine silhouette can carry an admirable amount of bling, whether you prefer it wrapped around your waist or dangling from your earlobes. The neon trend is going strong for spring, as demonstrated by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (far right) in Versace. She lets the coral pink pop with minimal accessories and barely-there satin sandals. If acid brights sound too daunting, primary colours provide a more accessible route. Emily Blunt (left) opted for a straight-cut jacket and wide trousers by Elie Saab for a recent film premiere, toning down the striking red with a knit top and black accessories that gives us major workwear inspiration. The versatile suit would work just as well with a T-shirt and trainers or a cami and heeled sandals - call it 2019's answer to power dressing. Emergency: Hundreds of people surround the collapsed building as children are pulled from the wreckage by rescue workers. Photo: Reuters/Temilade Adelaja Twelve people died and more than 100 were believed to be trapped after a building housing a private school caved in yesterday morning in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital. At least 25 children were rescued from the rubble of the three-storey structure yesterday. Forty three people were injured and taken to hospital. Locals, some digging amid dusty concrete slabs with their bare hands, joined the emergency services in a rescue operation to find people trapped underneath. Many people were brought out motionless but full casualty figures were last night unknown. Footage shared on social media showed crowds of people overlooking the scene, cheering on rescuers as they continued to search for survivors. The cause of the collapse was not confirmed, but the densely populated district is home to many old buildings - some the relics of colonial times - that have had haphazard additional building work done to them. Locals said the building had been marked for demolition more than once by the government, but had somehow managed to escape being bulldozed. Government officials said the owners had no permit to run a school in what was a residential building. "It is evident that Lagos state is not aware of such a school", Akinwunmi Ambode, the Lagos state governor, told reporters at the scene. "It is illegal and the culprits will face the law," he added. The building was in the Ita-faji area of Lagos island, the original heart of the lagoon city before it expanded onto the mainland. Local resident Yomi Olaniy said four buildings had collapsed in the area in the past few years. In 2016, more than 100 people were killed when a church came down in the southeast. ( Daily Telegraph, London) Lead roles: North Korea leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump meet in Hanoi, Vietnam last month. Photo: Getty Images SPANISH investigators believe two assailants who broke into the North Korean embassy in Madrid last month and took hostages have links to the CIA, according to reports. Ten individuals who broke into the embassy, before tying up and beating staff as they looked for information on computers, remain at large. But sources from the investigation told 'El Pais', the Spanish newspaper, that they were able to identify several of the attackers from videos. Although the majority of the assailants, who sped away in two of the embassy's cars before vanishing, have been identified as Koreans, two "have been recognised by Spanish secret services as being linked with the CIA", 'El Pais' reported yesterday. According to the newspaper, investigators from the Spanish police and CNI secret service contacted the CIA to ask for an explanation. The response, according to Spanish government sources, was "unconvincing". Computers and mobile phones were taken during the break-in, which happened five days before the start of the Hanoi summit between US President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader. Summit Kim Hyok-chol, North Korea's most recent ambassador to Spain, played a key role ahead of the summit, leading the negotiating team that received a US delegation in Pyongyang last month to discuss denuclearisation. He was expelled by Spain in September 2017 in protest at North Korean nuclear tests and has not been replaced. Police were alerted to the break-in when a woman - one of the eight members of embassy staff on duty - began shouting in the street. Soon after officers arrived, the 10 assailants sped away. A court in Madrid is in charge of the investigation into the break-in. No arrests have been made. The US embassy in Spain has been asked to comment. ( Daily Telegraph, London) A giant human shamrock has been created in Londons Trafalgar Square. A crowd of more than 200 volunteers, and one dog, gathered by Nelsons Column to take part in the stunt to mark upcoming St Patricks Day. The event came as London prepares for a three-day St Patricks Day Festival. Julie Wakley, Tourism Irelands Head of Britain, said: Our aim is to bring a smile to the faces of Londoners and to convey the message that Ireland offers the warmest of welcomes and great fun, as well as wonderful scenery and heritage. More than 50,000 people are expected to attend a parade on Sunday led by actor James Nesbitt. Former Vatican treasurer Cardinal George Pell has been jailed for six years for sexually abusing two choirboys. "In my view, your conduct was permeated by staggering arrogance," Victoria state County Court chief judge Peter Kidd told the 77-year-old as he ordered that he serve a minimum of three years, eight months before he is eligible for parole. Pell, who faced a 10-year maximum sentence for each of his crimes, is the most senior Catholic to be convicted for child sex offences. Pope Francis's former finance minister was convicted by a unanimous verdict in December of orally raping a 13-year-old choirboy and indecently dealing with the boy and the boy's 13-year-old friend in late 1996 and early 1997. The abuse took place in a room and a corridor at St Patrick's Cathedral, in Melbourne, where Pell was archbishop. He was convicted in December, but the verdict was suppressed from being made public by a court order until February 26 when further child sex offence charges against Pell dating back to the 1970s were dropped. He maintained his innocence throughout and has filed an appeal, which is to be heard in June. Expand Close A member of the public reacts to Pell's sentence. Image: AP Photo/Andy Brownbill / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A member of the public reacts to Pell's sentence. Image: AP Photo/Andy Brownbill The judge also took pains to note he was sentencing Pell for the offences on which the cardinal had been convicted and not for the sins of the Catholic Church. "As I directed the jury who convicted you in this trial, you are not to be made a scapegoat for any failings or perceived failings of the Catholic Church," Mr Kidd said. However, he stressed that Pell had abused his position of power and had shown no remorse for the assaults, which he described as egregious, degrading and humiliating to the victims. The cardinal showed no emotion during the hearing, standing silently with his hands behind his back as the judge read his sentence. He later signed documents that registered him for life as a serious sexual offender before he was led from the dock by four prison officers. One of Pell's victims called the judge's sentence "meticulous and considered" in a statement read outside court by his lawyer Vivian Waller. "It is hard for me to allow myself to feel the gravity of this moment, the moment when the sentence is handed down, the moment when justice is done," the man said. "It is hard for me, for the time being, to take comfort in this outcome. "I appreciate that the court has acknowledged what was inflicted upon me as a child. However, there is no rest for me. Everything is overshadowed by the forthcoming appeal." Australian law prohibits the publication of sex crime victims' identities. Pell has been held in a maximum security prison since February 27 when his bail was revoked. His lawyer, Robert Richter, argued for a light sentence, based on his client's age, heart problems, no prior history of offending, no physical injuries to the victims and the duration of the offences was short. Mr Richter sparked a furore when, in seeking a light sentence, he called the offence "a plain vanilla sexual penetration case". He later apologised. Pell's abuse "was imbued with arrogance, aggression and impunity", said Mr Kidd, Chief Judge of the Court of Victoria. "Your obvious status as archbishop cast a powerful shadow over this offending," Mr Kidd said of Pell during the sentencing, where he described Pell's crimes as "brazen" and "grave". Pell, who has been held in custody for the past two weeks, now faces years in an Australian prison, a far cry from the apartment where he lived in Piazza Citta Leonina, a small square just across the street from the Vatican's St Ann's Gate. He spent most of his first three decades as a priest in Ballarat, an old gold mining town in the state of Victoria, about 120km from Melbourne. State and federal inquiries would later find it to be one of the Catholic dioceses worst-affected by cases of abuse, though none of the complaints against Pell stem from his time there. It was after Pell left his hometown to become Archbishop of Melbourne in 1996 that he committed offences against two choir boys in the city's St Patrick's Cathedral for which he was found guilty by the 12-person jury. ( Independent) Beto O'Rourke, the Texan who gained a national following his election battle against Senator Ted Cruz last year,has announced he will seek the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. O'Rourke, a 46-year-old former three-term US representative from West Texas, made the announcement online. "I'm really proud of what El Paso did and what El Paso represents," O'Rourke said of his hometown in a text to TV station KTSM, which first reported his entry into the race. "It's a big part of why I'm running. This city is the best example of this country at its best." O'Rourke plans to follow his announcement with a trip to Iowa, the state that will hold the first Democratic nominating contest in February 2020. O'Rourke has Irish and Welsh ancestry. With his presidential effort, O'Rourke is hoping to leverage the fame he gained with his Senate race. He was a heavy underdog when he challenged Cruz, a Republican, in mostly conservative Texas, but he quickly demonstrated an ability to draw capacity crowds and raise money from voters nationwide. His Senate bid generated a torrent of media attention and excited voters in a party desperate for fresh political faces. He lost the race by less than 3 percentage points, the tightest U.S. Senate contest in the state in four decades. Early opinion polls on the 2020 race have consistently ranked O'Rourke in the top tier of more than a dozen declared or possible Democratic contenders, behind former Vice President Joe Biden, who has not yet said whether he is running, and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, a 2016 presidential contender who announced his 2020 candidacy last month. Vanity Fair quoted O'Rourke as saying in an interview published on Wednesday that he was aware of his disadvantage as a white man at a time when many in the Democratic Party want a woman or a person of color for president. "So if I were to run, I think its just so important that those who would comprise my team looked like this country. If I were to run, if I were to win, that my administration looks like this country. Its the only way I know to meet that challenge," O'Rourke told the magazine. Since his Senate bid ended, O'Rourke has worked to keep himself in the public eye, regularly staying in touch with his supporters and sitting for an interview with Oprah Winfrey. He took a well-publicized road trip across the American Southwest, stopping at colleges and diners. He visited with students in the key swing state of Wisconsin. He also held a rally in El Paso on the same night in February that Republican President Donald Trump staged one there. Both events in the Texas city that borders Mexico drew thousands and put the two men's divergent positions on the border wall on sharp display. In El Paso, Trump ridiculed O'Rourke as "a young man whos got very little going for himself, except hes got a great first name. O'Rourke accused Trump of stoking "false fear" about immigrants. Starting with the Iowa caucuses next year, the Democrat who amasses the majority of delegates nationwide in a series of nominating contests will be nominated at the partys convention in the summer, and will likely face Trump in November's general election. The boss of outsourcing giant Capita has called on the Government for a swift resolution of Brexit to end damaging uncertainty for UK business ahead of another critical vote in Parliament. (Andrew Matthews/PA) The boss of outsourcing giant Capita has urged the Government to find a swift resolution to Brexit and end damaging uncertainty for UK business, ahead of another critical vote in Parliament. Chief executive Jon Lewis told the Press Association a no-deal Brexit would not be a good outcome, but warned over the impact of prolonged talks. He said: The ongoing uncertainty is unhelpful. Like every business, we want a swift resolution. Our transformation still has some way to go. But I am very pleased with our progressJon Lewis, Capita CEO It comes as MPs are set to vote on whether to keep Britain in the EU longer than planned after they defied the Government on Wednesday and dramatically decided to rule out a no-deal withdrawal from the EU. But Mr Lewis said Brexit might provide opportunities for Capita, which is Britains biggest outsourcer. He said: There clearly are going to be contracts that are provided by the EU today, which the British Government will have to decide if it wants to replace them with a British-based capability. I suspect there will be opportunities for companies like ourselves. The comments came he insisted Capitas overhaul is on track despite having some way to go. The group Britains biggest outsourcer reported a 26% fall in underlying pre-tax profits to 282.1 million for 2018 after revenues fell 5% to 3.9 billion. But its profits were higher than expected. On a statutory basis, Capita swung to a profit of 272.6 million against losses of 513.1 million in 2017. Capita said it was expecting broadly flat profits in 2019, guiding for between 265 million and 295 million. It said the successful delivery of its ongoing overhaul was critical to the future performance of the group. Mr Lewis said: Weve successfully completed year one of our multi-year transformation, fixed the basics and are firmly on track. He added: Our transformation still has some way to go. But I am very pleased with our progress. Capita has been undergoing a large-scale transformation under Mr Lewis. The boss has said Capita will centralise its procurement, consolidate its UK footprint and exit leases on properties as he seeks to slash costs. Capita also raised 700 million through a recent rights issue, as well as selling off units to garner 400 million. The companys order book at the end of the year stood at 7.1 billion, compared with 8.2 billion in 2017. It said it was accelerating plans to achieve next 175 million of cost savings, brought forward from 2020 to the end of 2019. The Grande America vessel on fire off the west coast of France (Loic Bernardin/Marine Nationale via AP) French authorities are working to contain a fuel spill off the Atlantic coast after an Italian container ship sank following a fire. French and British rescue teams saved all 27 people on board the Grande America after it sank on Tuesday, according to a French government statement. Images released on Thursday by the French navy showed flames and plumes of black smoke spewing from the ship as it listed sharply. Expand Close The Grande America vessel on fire off the west coast of France (Marine Nationale via AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Grande America vessel on fire off the west coast of France (Marine Nationale via AP) The regional maritime authority said the ship has since leaked fuel over an area of about six miles long. The ship was carrying about 2,200 tons of fuel before the accident, a French government minister said. France has reached out to the European Maritime Security Agency for help using satellites to locate leaks. The ship sank about 200 miles west of the French city of La Rochelle, while en route from Hamburg to Casablanca. The regional prosecutor has opened an investigation and France has issued a formal warning to the ships operator to assess the damage and help prevent more leaking. Grief: Members of the Ethiopian Airline Pilots Association mourn at a memorial service for the victims of the crash. Photo: REUTERS Passengers' personal belongings are seen at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash, near the town of Bishoftu, near Addis Ababa A page of a flight crew operations manual is seen at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash A man holds passengers' passports found at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash, near the town of Bishoftu, near Addis Ababa Flight data recorders from an Ethiopian Airlines plane which crashed in the African country have arrived in France for analysis. The black boxes arrived as frustrated relatives of the 157 people killed in the crash stormed out of a meeting with airline officials in Addis Ababa. Expand Close Victim Michael Ryan / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Victim Michael Ryan Sunday's crash was the second fatal flight for a Boeing 737 Max 8 in less than six months. Irishman Michael 'Mick' Ryan was among the 157 people who died in Sunday's crash. More than 40 countries, including Ireland and Britain, have now grounded the planes or refused to let them into their airspace. After holding out for several days, the US Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency order grounding the planes on Wednesday, saying they had new satellite data and evidence that showed the movements of the Ethiopian Airlines plane were similar to those of Lion Air Flight 610. Read More That flight crashed into the Java Sea off Indonesia in October, killing 189 people. Officials at Lion Air have said sensors on their plane produced erroneous information on its last four flights, triggering an automatic nose-down command that the pilots were unable to overcome on its final voyage. Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said its pilots had received special training on how to deal with that problem. "In addition to the basic training given for 737 aircraft types, an additional training was given for the Max version," he said. "After the Lion Air crash, questions were raised, so Boeing sent further instructions that it said pilots should know." Expand Close Families mourn victims of the Ethiopian air crash. Picture: Reuters / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Families mourn victims of the Ethiopian air crash. Picture: Reuters He said he is confident the investigation will reveal that the crash is not related to the safety record of Ethiopian Airlines, widely seen as the best-managed in Africa. Firm answers about what caused the crash could take months. The French air accident investigation authority, known by its French acronym BEA, said it will handle the analysis of the flight data recorders retrieved from the crash site. The BEA has experience with global air crashes, and its expertise is often sought whenever an Airbus plane crashes because the manufacturer is based in France. A BEA official said that the recorders have already arrived in France but gave no timeframe on how long the analysis could take. In Addis Ababa, about 200 angry family members of crash victims left a briefing with Ethiopian Airlines officials, saying the airline has not given them adequate information. Officials said they have opened a call-in centre that is open 18 hours a day to respond to questions, but family members said they are not getting the answers they need. People from 35 countries died. At the crash scene in Hejere, about 31 miles from Addis Ababa, growing numbers of family members have arrived. Blue plastic sheeting covered the wreckage of the plane. Expand Close A man holds passengers' passports found at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash, near the town of Bishoftu, near Addis Ababa / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A man holds passengers' passports found at the scene of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302 plane crash, near the town of Bishoftu, near Addis Ababa The 737 Max was supposed to boost Boeing's fortunes for years to come, but instead the groundings will have a far-reaching financial impact on Boeing, at least in the short term, said John Cox, a veteran pilot and CEO of Safety Operating Systems. In addition to the planes that have been grounded, there are more than 4,600 Boeing 737 Max 8 planes on backlog that are not yet delivered to airlines. "There are delivery dates that aren't being met, there's usage of the aircraft that's not being met, and all the supply chain things that Boeing so carefully crafted," Mr Cox said. "If they can't deliver the airplanes, where do they put the extra engines and the extra fuselage and the extra electrical components?" Read More Impacted airlines also may come knocking on Boeing's door claiming damages. Norwegian Airlines said it would pursue reimbursement from Boeing for lost business and if other carriers follow suit, that could be costly. The US Federal Aviation Administration was under intense pressure to ground the planes and resisted even after Canada relented on Wednesday and agreed to bar the Max from the air, leaving the US almost alone. The agency, which prides itself on making data-driven decisions, had maintained there was nothing to show the Boeing jets were unsafe, and flights continued. But US President Donald Trump, who announced the grounding, was briefed that same day on new developments and it was determined the planes should be grounded, the White House said. Boeing issued a statement saying it supported the FAA's decision even though it "continues to have full confidence" in the plane's safety. Politicians in the US states of Arkansas and Utah have backed legislation banning most abortions 18 weeks into a woman's pregnancy. It moves the states closer to enacting bans that could be among the strictest in the country. The Arkansas House gave final approval by an 86-1 vote to the bill there, which Republican Governor Asa Hutchinson has said he supports. Arkansas already bans abortion 20 weeks into a woman's pregnancy. Mr Hutchinson told reporters he believed the restriction would likely survive a court challenge. "It's within the second trimester that states are allowed to pass restrictions on, and this, with the science we have today it seems like a very appropriate restriction," Mr Hutchinson said shortly before the measure passed the House. The House had approved an earlier version of the bill and on Wednesday backed an amendment adding exceptions for rape and incest. The measure already included an exception for medical emergencies. The 18-week bans would be the strictest in the country if enacted, though proposals to ban abortion earlier in a woman's pregnancy are advancing in several other state legislatures. Utah also passed an 18-week ban with exceptions for rape, incest, life of the mother and fatal foetal defects on Wednesday, sending it to Republican governor Gary Herbert. He has not said whether he will sign it, though he has said he is generally against abortion. The American Civil Liberties Union of Utah responded to the vote by saying it would sue over the measure if Mr Herbert signs it. Opponents have warned the measure could embroil the state in a costly lawsuit if signed into law, though supporters in the Republican-dominated Legislature argue it is worth it to reduce the number of second-trimester abortions. Another abortion measure banning the procedure if the only reason is a diagnosis of Down's syndrome has also been passed by Utah politicians and is on the governor's desk, though it would only go into effect if a similar measure is upheld elsewhere. In Arkansas, the 18-week proposal is among several abortion restrictions that have moved quickly through the majority-Republican Legislature. Mr Hutchinson last month signed into law a measure banning abortion in the state if the US Supreme Court overturns its landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalising the procedure nationwide. Abortion rights groups called the ban an unconstitutional attempt to challenge the Roe v. Wade decision. "Arkansas already has some of the most extreme anti-abortion restrictions in the country, as well as some of the nation's highest rates of teen pregnancy and maternal mortality," Gloria Pedro, Arkansas lobbyist for Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, said in a statement. "Instead of continuing to attack access to safe, legal abortion, politicians should focus on improving Arkansans' health." Other abortion measures advancing in Arkansas also include a proposal to prohibit doctors from performing abortions solely due to a Down's syndrome diagnosis. That measure was endorsed by a US senate panel on Wednesday afternoon. The US House of Representatives will likely attempt to override President Donald Trump's expected veto of a border emergency resolution on March 26, a House Democratic leadership aide said on Thursday. The aide spoke after the US Senate on Thursday voted on a bipartisan basis to end Trump's emergency declaration at the southern border. The House had already passed the measure, and the president has vowed a veto. The Republican-run Senate firmly rejected US President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the south-west border on Thursday. They set up a veto fight and dealt him a conspicuous rebuke as he tested how boldly he could ignore Congress in pursuit of his highest-profile goal. I look forward to VETOING the just passed Democrat inspired Resolution which would OPEN BORDERS while increasing Crime, Drugs, and Trafficking in our Country. I thank all of the Strong Republicans who voted to support Border Security and our desperately needed WALL! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2019 The Senate voted 59-41 to cancel Mr Trump's February proclamation of a border emergency, which he invoked to spend $3.6bn more for border barriers than Congress had approved. Twelve Republicans joined Democrats in defying Mr Trump in a showdown many Republican senators had hoped to avoid because he commands die-hard loyalty from millions of conservative voters who could punish defectors in next year's elections. With the Democrat-controlled House's approval of the same resolution last month, Senate passage sends it to Mr Trump. He has shown no reluctance to casting his first veto to advance his campaign exhortation "Build the Wall," which has prompted roars at countless rallies. Approval votes in both the Senate and House fell short of the two-thirds majorities needed to override. "VETO!" Mr Trump tweeted minutes after the vote. Though Mr Trump seems sure to prevail in that battle, it remains noteworthy that members of both parties resisted him in a fight directly tied to his cherished campaign theme of erecting a border wall. The roll call came just a day after the Senate took a step toward a veto fight with Mr Trump on another issue, voting to end US support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalition's war in Yemen. In a measure of how remarkable the confrontation was, Thursday was the first time Congress has voted to block a presidential emergency since the National Emergency Act became law in 1976. At the White House, Mr Trump did not answer when reporters asked if there would be consequences for Republicans who voted against him. Presidents have declared 58 national emergencies since the 1976 law, but this was the first aimed at accessing money that Congress had explicitly denied, according to Elizabeth Goitein, co-director for national security at New York University Law School's Brennan Center for Justice. Mr Trump and Republicans backing him said there is a legitimate security and humanitarian crisis at the border with Mexico. They also said Mr Trump was merely exercising his powers under the law, which largely leaves it to presidents to decide what a national emergency is. The National Emergency Act gives presidents wide leeway in declaring an emergency. Congress can vote to block a declaration, but the two-thirds majorities required to overcome presidential vetoes make it hard for lawmakers to prevail. The United States joined Europe, China and other countries in grounding Boeing Co's 737 MAX jets, because of safety concerns after an Ethiopian Airlines plane crash that killed 157 people, the second disaster involving the 737 in less than five months. The world's biggest planemaker is facing its most serious crisis in years, as the decades-old 737 program, one of its most reliable sources of cash and profits, takes a severe blow to its prestige. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cited new satellite data and evidence from the scene of Sunday's crash near Addis Ababa for its decision to ground the planes. It was the second time the FAA has halted flights of a Boeing plane in six years. It had grounded the 787 Dreamliner in 2013 because of problems with smoking batteries. Shares of the Seattle-based company ended up 0.5pc at $377.14, recovering from a more than 3pc fall in the afternoon when the FAA announcement was made. Tim Ghriskey, chief investment strategist at Inverness Counsel in New York, said the grounding gives Boeing time to address any problems and not face another potential disaster. US airlines that operate the 737 MAX, Southwest Airlines Co, American Airlines Group Inc and United Airlines, said they were working to re-book passengers. Southwest is the world's largest operator of the 737 MAX 8 with 34 jets, while American flies 24 MAX 8s and United 14 MAX 9s. Shares of Southwest fell 0.4pc. "The agency made this decision as a result of the data gathering process and new evidence collected at the site and analysed today," the FAA said in a statement, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the planes would be grounded. "This evidence, together with newly refined satellite data available to FAA this morning, led to this decision." The grounding will remain in effect as the FAA investigates. Boeing, which maintained that its planes were safe to fly, said in a statement that it supported the move to temporarily ground 737 MAX flights. "Boeing has determined - out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircrafts safety - to recommend to the FAA the temporary suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of 371 737 MAX aircraft." The still-unexplained crash followed another involving a Boeing 737 MAX in Indonesia five months ago that killed 189 people. Although there is no proof of any link, the twin disasters have spooked passengers. France's air accident investigation agency BEA will analyze black-box cockpit voice and data recorders from the crashed plane, a spokesman said. The French announcement resolved uncertainty over the fate of the two recorders after Germany's BFU said it had declined a request to handle them because it could not process the new type of recorder used on the 737 MAX jets, in service since 2017. Travel website Kayak was making changes to let customers exclude specific aircraft types from searches, and booking sites were looking to reroute passengers. The grounding was welcomed by air workers in the United States. John Samuelsen, international president of the Transport Workers Union of America, which represents aviation workers and flight attendants, said the grounding of the fleet was right "both for air travellers and aviation workers." NEW SATELLITE DATA Canada also grounded 737 MAX jets on Wednesday, saying satellite data suggested similarities to the previous crash involving the same plane model in October. US-based aircraft-tracking firm Aireon provided the satellite data to the FAA, Transport Canada and several other authorities, company spokeswoman Jessie Hillenbrand said. Aireon's space-based system can monitor data from aircraft equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transponders. The data is considered less detailed than that in black boxes, which look at systems running inside the plane. Ethiopian Airlines spokesman Asrat Begashaw said it was still unclear what happened on Sunday, but its pilot had reported control issues as opposed to external factors such as birds. "The pilot reported flight control problems and requested to turn back. In fact he was allowed to turn back," he said. The chairman of the US House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Democrat Peter DeFazio, called for a probe into why the 737 MAX received certification to fly. "There must be a rigorous investigation into why the aircraft, which has critical safety systems that did not exist on prior models, was certified without requiring additional pilot training," he said. Panama's Copa Holdings said it would also suspend operations of its six Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, but Latin America has largely left it up to carriers to make their own decisions. As of Wednesday night, regulators in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico, the largest air travel markets in the region, had not forced the grounding of planes. Norwegian Air have said that they will temporarily deploy a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner to operate US flights from Dublin Airport to support affected customers, with many stranded last night. A growing number of airlines around the world have grounded their Boeing 737 Max 8 jets following the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines plane that killed 157 people on Sunday. Hundreds of passengers bound for Dublin were stranded last night in the U.S after their flights were cancelled due to concerns surrounding the Boeing 737 Max 8. Norwegian Air, which flies the Max 8 from Dublin and Shannon airports, cancelled routes from Dublin to Providence, Rhode Island, Newburgh and New York. Expand Close Boeing 737 MAX 8 factfile (PA Graphics) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Boeing 737 MAX 8 factfile (PA Graphics) A flight from Dublin to Providence at 2.55pm today has been cancelled, and another one from Dublin to New York Stewart has been delayed this evening. Customers were told that they will be re-booked onto the next available service or can rebook or refund their ticket free of charge online. A Norwegian Air spokesperson said that customers booked on affected transatlantic routes to and from Ireland serviced by the 737 Max will be re-booked onto flights using the 787-9 Dreamliner instead. The 787 Dreamliner, registered G-CKWF with Charles Lindbergh on the aircraft tail, will operate the Dublin-New York Stewart route. Boeing has already stated it has full confidence in the safety of the plane but the European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued an emergency airworthiness instruction after the Ethiopian air disaster in which Irish aid worker Micheal Ryan died alongside 156 others on Sunday. The airline said today that it will seek compensation from plane maker Boeing for costs and lost revenue . "We expect Boeing to take this bill," Norwegian said in an emailed statement. Here is a list of airlines and countries that have grounded the aircraft so far: Expand Close A Boeing 737 Max 8 being built for Oman Air (Ted S Warren/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A Boeing 737 Max 8 being built for Oman Air (Ted S Warren/PA) Ireland Aviation authorities have suspended all variants of Boeing 737 Max aircraft into and out of Ireland's air space. Officials said they made the decision "based on ensuring the continued safety of passengers and flight crew". UK The Civil Aviation Authority said it had, as a precautionary measure, "issued instructions to stop any commercial passenger flights from any operator arriving, departing or overflying UK air space". Five 737 Max aircraft are registered and operational in the UK, while a sixth was due to come into service later this week. France The French Civil Aviation Authority has closed French air space to all Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. Officials said France is "carefully following the progress of the inquiry" relating to the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash in Addis Ababa. It said French airlines do not have any Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, but as a precautionary measure authorities have decided to "forbid all commercial flights on a Boeing 737 Max departing from, travelling to, or flying across, France". Germany The transport ministry said the country is closing its air space to Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. The ministry confirmed to news agency dpa comments made by transport minister Andreas Scheuer to n-tv television. The broadcaster quoted Mr Scheuer as saying safety is the priority, and "until all doubts are cleared up, I have ordered that German air space be closed for the Boeing 737 Max with immediate effect". Norway Norwegian Air Shuttle says it has grounded its Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft on a recommendation from European aviation authorities. The low-cost carrier has 18 of the planes. Acting chief operating officer Tomas Hesthammer said: "The safety and security of our customers and colleagues will never be compromised, and once authorities advise to cease operations we will of course comply." Australia Australia has suspended all flights into or out of the country by Boeing 737 Max aircraft. Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority says no Australian airlines operate the aircraft type, but two foreign airlines - SilkAir and Fiji Airways - fly them to Australia. Director of aviation safety, Shane Carmody, says that because of the two accidents, the temporary suspension of Boeing 737 Max operations is in the best interest of safety. Netherlands Infrastructure and water ministry spokesman Roel Vincken says the government decided to close its air space following advice from the Dutch aviation authority. Poland State carrier LOT said it is grounding its five Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. LOT received its first Max 8 in December 2017. It had been planning to have 15 by January next year. Italy The Italian Civil Aviation Authority says the Max 8 cannot operate to and from airports in Italy until further notice. The authority said the measure is precautionary, given the lack of "reliable information" regarding the cause of the crash of the Ethiopian Airlines jet. Canada Canadian charter airline Sunwing is suspending use of its four Boeing 737 Max 8 planes. Expand Close A Lion Air jet crashed in October (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim, File) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A Lion Air jet crashed in October (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim, File) Canadian Transport Minister Marc Garneau said he had no plans to ground Canada's fleet of 737 Max aircraft, but that "all options are on the table". Ethiopia A spokesman for Ethiopian Airlines says it will ground its remaining four Max 8 jets as an "extra safety precaution" while it investigates Sunday's deadly crash. Asrat Begashaw said investigations and the search for bodies and aircraft debris will continue. The airline is awaiting the delivery of 25 more Max 8 jets. Brazil Brazil's Gol Airlines has suspended the use of 121 Max 8 jets. The airline said it is following the investigation of the Max 8 closely and hopes to return the aircraft to use as soon as possible. Gol said it has made nearly 3,000 flights with the Max 8, which went into service last June, with "total security and efficiency". Cayman Islands Cayman Airways, a Caribbean carrier, said it stopped using its two Max 8 jets starting on Monday. President and CEO Fabian Whorms said the airline is committed to "putting the safety of our passengers and crew first". Mr Whorms said the move will cause changes to flight schedules. Cayman is the flag carrier of Cayman Islands, a British overseas territory. It received its first Max 8 in November and its second earlier this month. China China has 96 Max 8 jets in service, belonging to carriers such as Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines. The civilian aviation authority directed the planes to be grounded indefinitely on Monday. It said the order was "taken in line with the management principle of zero tolerance for security risks". There were eight Chinese citizens on the Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed shortly after taking off on Sunday. The authority said it will consult the US Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing before deciding when to lift the ban. India India's Jet Airways says it is "in contact with the manufacturer" of Max 8 jets and has grounded five of them starting on Monday. Indian airline SpiceJet also uses the aircraft, but it is unclear if those planes are grounded. On Monday, India's aviation watchdog ordered a safety assessment of the aircraft. It also issued safety instructions for flying the Max 8 jet. Indonesia Indonesia says it will temporarily ground Max 8 jets to inspect their airworthiness. Director general of Air Transportation Polana B Pramesti said the move was made to ensure flight safety. A Lion Air model of the same plane crashed in Indonesia in October. Indonesian airlines operate 11 Max 8 jets. Lion Air, which owns 10 of them, said it will try to minimise the impact of the decision on operations. The other Max 8 jet belongs to national carrier Garuda. Mexico Mexican airline Aeromexico has suspended flights of its six Max 8 jets after the crash in Ethiopia. Aeromexico said it "fully" trusts the safety of its fleet but ordered the grounding to ensure "the safety of its operations and the peace of mind of its customers". It said other planes will take over the routes usually flown by the Max 8. Singapore Singapore has temporarily banned Max 8 jets - and other models in the Max range - from entering and leaving the country. The civil aviation authority said it was "closely monitoring the situation" and the ban will be "reviewed as relevant safety information becomes available". It added that it was in close communication with the FAA, Boeing and other aviation authorities. SilkAir, a regional carrier owned by Singapore Airlines, has six Max 8 jets. It said the ban "will have an impact on some of the airline's flight schedules". The authority said flights to Singapore by China Southern Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Shandong Airlines and Thai Lion Air will also be affected. South Korea An Eastar Jet official said that the planes will be replaced by Boeing 737-800 planes from Wednesday on routes to Japan and Thailand. She said the airline has not found any problems, but is voluntarily grounding Boeing 737 Max 8s in a response to customer concerns. She says the planes will not be used until the completion of a government safety review on the aircraft. An official from South Korea's Transportation Ministry says it has yet to find any problems from safety reviews on Eastar's planes that started on Monday. Oman The sultanate's Public Authority for Civil Aviation announced it is "temporarily suspending" flights by Boeing 737 Max aircraft at its airports. State-owned Oman Air operates five Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. Malaysia Authorities say all flights by Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft into and out of the country have been suspended. The Civil Aviation Authority said no Malaysian carriers operate the Max 8, but that foreign airlines are banned from flying the plane in Malaysia, and from transiting in the country, until further notice. Turkey Turkish Airlines said it is grounding all Boeing 737 Max aircraft in its fleet until further notice. Chief executive Bilal Eksi said all Boeing 737 Max flights are suspended until the "uncertainty affecting safety is cleared". He added that passenger safety is the company's priority. Vietnam Vietnam said it is banning Boeing 737 Max planes from flying into its airspace. Dinh Viet Thang, director of Vietnam's civil aviation authority, said that airlines flying those models of planes will have to change the aircraft for safety purposes. The ban lasts until further notice. None of Vietnam's four airlines uses the Max model planes in their fleets, but Korea's Eastar Jet, Thai Lion Air and Malaysia's Malindor Air fly those planes to Vietnamese destinations. South Africa Comair, the operator of British Airways and Kulula flights in South Africa, says it has grounded its Boeing 737 Max 8 while it consults with Boeing, other operators and technical experts. A statement did not say how many planes were affected. It said the decision was made without intervention from regulatory authorities. New Zealand New Zealand and Fiji have suspended Boeing 737 Max 8 flights in and out of the two countries. The decision only affects one operator, Fiji Airways. No New Zealand airlines use the Max 8 planes. UAE The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority said its ban on the aircraft in its airspace was "a precautionary measure". The 737 Max is the workhorse of the Dubai government-owned budget carrier FlyDubai. It operates 11 Boeing 737 Max 8 and two Max 9 jetliners. Its total fleet is around 60 aircraft, including other models of the 737. Lebanon The 737 Max has reportedly been banned from Lebanese airports. It may not quite be the Tardis, but scientists have built what could loosely be described as a time machine. In an experiment that would have challenged Doctor Who, researchers defied the second law of thermodynamics, which governs the direction of "time's arrow" from past to future. Working in the realm of quantum mechanics, they achieved the equivalent of causing a broken rack of pool balls to re-order itself. It was as if the balls scattered randomly around a pool table went into reverse and packed themselves back into their original triangle formation. To an observer, it looks as if time is running backwards. Lead researcher Dr Gordey Lesovik, who heads the Laboratory of the Physics of Quantum Information at the Moscow Institute of Physics & Technology (MIPT), said: "We have artificially created a state that evolves in a direction opposite to that of the thermodynamic arrow of time." The "time machine" described in the journal 'Scientific Reports' is based around a quantum computer that carries out calculations using basic elements known as superconducting "qubits". A qubit is a unit of information described by a "one", a "zero", or a mixed "superposition" of both states. In the experiment, an "evolution programme" was launched which caused the qubits to become an increasingly complex changing pattern of zeros and ones. During this process, order was lost - just as it is when the pool balls are struck and scattered with a cue. Uncertainty ruled the system as it does when balls fly randomly to different corners of a pool table. Another programme then modified the state of the quantum computer in such a way that it evolved "backwards", from chaos to order. The state of the qubits was rewound back to its original starting point. An analogy would be giving the pool table such a perfectly calculated kick that the balls roll back into an orderly triangle. A plot to delay Brexit by up to two years was under way last night after four British Cabinet ministers betrayed Theresa May by helping to kill no deal for good. Brexit will be delayed until June 30 even if MPs can be persuaded to back a deal next week. If a deal is rejected again a "much longer" delay will be inevitable, Mrs May warned. It is now understood that ministers have already begun discussing the possibility of a two-year delay. A total of 18 members of the Government either voted for or abstained from a motion to block no deal for good, despite them standing on a manifesto that promised Britain would be prepared to walk away from the EU without a deal. On a historic night in the Commons, Mrs May lost control of her party - and the Brexit process - as MPs Amber Rudd, David Gauke, Greg Clark and David Mundell defied a three-line whip by abstaining from a vote that would have kept no deal on the table if the British government had won. The government lost the vote by 321 votes to 278, forcing Mrs May to give MPs a vote on delaying Brexit tonight. But Brussels will tell Theresa May to ask for a lengthy extension to the Brexit negotiations at an EU summit next week. "Somebody must tell her the truth," said one senior EU source. "Asking for a short extension is simply pre-programming no-deal Brexit for the summer." After MPs voted to take no deal off the table last night, Mrs May said she would hold another vote on her discredited deal on the eve of the EU summit where leaders would decide on a British request to extend the deadline beyond March 29. If her deal is passed, she would ask for a shorter extension until June 30. If it fails, the request would be for a longer period. Officials are privately resigned to the fact that the British Parliament is too divided to deliver a stable majority in favour of one course of action in the short-term and expects a British request to extend the deadline. "The Withdrawal Agreement is dead," the senior EU source said. "We don't see how you get over a defeat of 149 in six to eight weeks. The problem is too fundamental to overcome by just tinkering with changes to the Irish border backstop." The EU is desperate to avoid the blame for no deal so is likely to accept a demand for a longer extension at the March 21 summit, sources in Brussels said. But an extension of nine months to a year would enrage Brexiteers who will fear it means Brexit will be postponed indefinitely. Brussels' position is that it will grant an extension to allow time for a general election or a second referendum, and it would consider a short extension to give more time to prepare for no deal but is likely to reject a British request for a brief extension simply to try to get the Brexit deal ratified. The source warned that Mrs May had to tell Brussels her plans the moment MPs asked for an extension to give the EU-27 time to prepare their response for next week. "But she has always been slow and she has always been stubborn," the source said. "The history books will be cruel," the source added before the prime minister revealed she was going to give leaders less than just 24 hours' notice of her intentions. May 24 is the preferred short deadline for the commission as it avoids any legal complications caused by the European Parliament elections soon after. The resolution passed by a vote of 54 to 46, with seven Republicans breaking with Mr Trump to back the resolution (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) Bernie Sanders, Chris Murphy and Mike Lee meet before holding a news conference on the Senate vote (J Scott Applewhite/AP) The US Senate has voted to end US support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalitions war in Yemen, bringing Congress one step closer to a unprecedented rebuke of President Donald Trumps foreign policy. Politicians have never before invoked the decades-old War Powers Resolution to stop a foreign conflict, but they are poised to do just that in the bid to cut off US support for a war that has triggered a humanitarian catastrophe. The vote puts Congress on a collision course with Mr Trump, who has already threatened to veto the resolution, which the White House says raises serious constitutional concerns. The measure was co-sponsored by Senator Bernie Sanders and Senator Mike Lee. Next, it will move to the Democratic-controlled House, where it is expected to pass. Expand Close Bernie Sanders, Chris Murphy and Mike Lee meet before holding a news conference on the Senate vote (J Scott Applewhite/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bernie Sanders, Chris Murphy and Mike Lee meet before holding a news conference on the Senate vote (J Scott Applewhite/AP) The resolution passed by a vote of 54 to 46, with seven Republicans breaking with Mr Trump to back the resolution: Sensators Susan Collins of Maine, Steve Daines of Montana, Mike Lee of Utah, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Todd Young of Indiana. The bottom line is that the United States should not be supporting a catastrophic war led by a despotic regime with an irresponsible foreign policy, Mr Sanders said on Wednesday from the Senate floor. He said a vote in favour of the measure would begin the process of reclaiming our constitutional authority by ending United States involvement in a war that has not been authorised by Congress and is unconstitutional. In its statement threatening a veto, the White House argued the premise of the resolution is flawed and that it would undermine the fight against extremism. US support for the Saudis does not constitute engaging in hostilities, the statement said, and the Yemen resolution seeks to override the presidents determination as commander in chief. By defining hostilities to include defence cooperation such as aerial refuelling, the White House statement said, the Yemen resolution could also establish bad precedent for future legislation. Today the Senate took back its constitutional responsibility to authorize waran authority that belongs to Congress alone, not the presidentby moving to end the catastrophic war in Yemen. This is an historic day. https://t.co/omfrciqIBY Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) March 13, 2019 Mr Trumps support for Saudi Arabia has been a point of tension with Congress since the killing of US-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year. Politicians from both parties have criticised Mr Trump for not condemning Saudi Arabia strongly enough for the killing. Senator Majority Leader Mitch McConnell addressed those tensions when he urged his colleagues to oppose the measure. We should not use this specific vote on a specific policy decision as some proxy for all the Senates broad feelings about foreign affairs. Concerns about Saudi human rights issues should be directly addressed with the administration and with Saudi officials, Mr McConnell said from the Senate floor. (The Yemen resolution) seeks to override the president's determination as commander in chiefWhite House Mr McConnell argued the Yemen resolution will not enhance Americas diplomatic leverage and will make it more difficult for the US to help end the conflict in Yemen and minimise civilian casualties. Senator James Risch, who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, argued that US support for the Saudi-led coalition helps facilitate peace talks and withdrawing from the conflict would delay an eventual political settlement. We need to stay engaged (in Yemen) with the limited engagement weve had, Mr Risch said. A similar resolution to end support for the Yemen war passed the Senate in December, but it was not taken up by the then Republican-controlled House. Approaching its fifth year, the war in Yemen has killed thousands and left millions on the brink of starvation, creating what the United Nations called the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. Senator Chris Murphy said before the vote that the resolution will be seen as a message to the Saudis that they need to clean up their act. We are made weaker in the eyes of the world when we willingly participate in war crimes, when we allow our partners to engage in the slaughter of innocents, Mr Murphy said. Oak Forest Mayor Henry Kuspa paid tribute this week to slain McHenry County sheriffs deputy Jacob Keltner, noting he was killed in the line of duty just days before the fifth anniversary of the death of the only Oak Forest officer to be killed while doing his job. By: Jaclyn Hall and Kaniehtonkie Mohawk Council of Akwesasne held their monthly general meeting, on March 7th at the Kana:takon School. The meeting was scheduled to take place in Tsi Snaihne, but the location was changed due to a community member... The Frank's Landing Indian Community cannot engage in gaming on its homelands in Washington state, a federal appeals court ruled this week. While Congress has recognized Frank's Landing as a "self-governing dependent Indian community," it is not a federally recognized tribe, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals concluded in the unanimous decision on Monday. That means it cannot follow the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act , Judge Morgan Christen wrote. "Congress clearly and unambiguously intended federal recognition by the Secretary to be a prerequisite for participation in IGRA gaming," Christen wrote in the 21-page decision in reference to the Secretary of the Department of the Interior The Wa He Lut Indian School is located at Frank's Landing Indian Community in Washington. Photo: David H. Barehand Frank's Landing is known for its prominent role in the so-called Fish Wars of the 1960s and 1970s. The six-acre community, located along the Nisqually River, was frequently targeted by state officials who asserted authority over the fishing and subsistence rights of tribal citizens. "Franks Landing is a unique place," the community's website states. "It is the site of the historic fishing disputes that eventually led to the Boldt Decision." The Bold decision, named for the judge who wrote it in 1974 , confirmed that tribes reserved their rights to fish through treaties signed with the United States. The landmark ruling split the catch 50-50 between tribes and Washington state. The 9th Circuit's action in the IGRA case does not change that history. But it's a setback for Frank's Landing, where leaders like the late Billy Frank Jr. have long been at the forefront of modern-day tribal sovereignty movements. Turtle Talk has posted briefs from the case, Franks Landing Indian Community v. National Indian Gaming Commission 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Decision 9th Circuit Court of Appeals: Frank's Landing Indian Community v. National Indian Gaming Commission Join the Conversation MSU sets March 29 American Indian Hall ground blessing By Carol SchmidtMSU News Service Montana State University will launch the American Indian Hall building project with events set for Friday, March 29, at the buildings location on the lawn south of Hannon Hall. Walter Fleming, head of the MSU Department of Native American Studies , said that, in keeping with Native American values and the sacredness of the Earth, the events celebrating the beginning of the American Indian Hall project have been labeled a ground blessing rather than a ground breaking. The ceremony is open to the public and will open the universitys 44th annual American Indian Council Powwow weekend The importance of holding ceremonies on the site of the American Indian Hall is more than symbolic, Fleming said. It represents our thanksgiving to the Earth for her gifts and we ask forgiveness for harming her as we build. Also, with the ground blessing ceremony, we ask for divine protection for all who walk into this space. The 2019 American Indian Council Powwow at MSU will be held March 29-30 at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. The American Indian Council Powwow is one of the largest powwows held in Montana. The event is free and open to all.MSU Photo by Jackson Harris A formal ground blessing ceremony is set for 3 p.m. Henrietta Mann, MSU professor emeritus of Native American studies and Cheyenne prayer woman, will offer a prayer. Tony Incashola, Salish spiritual leader and a member of the MSU Council of Elders, will lead a traditional smudging ceremony in which sage is burned to purify and cleanse an area. A round dance will follow. MSU officials announced late last year that funds had been secured for the universitys American Indian Hall , a building that will serve as a home to MSUs Native American community as well as a bridge between American Indian culture and other cultures on campus. First proposed in 2005 by architect Dennis Sun Rhodes, an MSU graduate and enrolled member of the Northern Arapahoe Tribe, MSU secured the majority of the funding for the building in October with a pledge of $12 million from the Kendeda Fund. In announcing the pledge at Indigenous Peoples Day, MSU President Waded Cruzado called the building a promise kept and a dream fulfilled. Several other pledges followed, including an ASMSU pledge for $1 million. In December, Jim and Chris Scott of Billings and the Terry and Patt Payne family of Missoula each gave $1 million respectively to complete the $20 million campaign The new 25,000-square-foot facility is planned to open in 2021. It will house the Department of Native American Studies offices, classrooms for use by all students and an auditorium for lectures. Also planned are rooms for tutoring, counseling and advising. Sun Rhodes and his Great Horse Group of St. Paul, Minnesota, will serve as a consultant on the project, working with ThinkOne architects of Bozeman and TSP architects in Rapid City, South Dakota. Currently the American Indian Student Center is located in a heavily used 1,100-square-foot room in the basement of Wilson Hall, the same place since it has been since Wilson Hall opened in 1974 and when there were fewer than 25 students who identified as American Indian. This fall, 776 American Indian students were enrolled at MSU. The university expects to reach an enrollment of more than 1,000 American Indian students by fall of 2020. We know that one key to the retention of Native students on a campus like ours is if they can develop a sense of home in this new environment, Fleming said. The American Indian Hall will be not just a home away from home, but something of a homecoming, as the Gallatin Valley has always been a part of tribal homelands. For more information about the MSUs American Indian Hall, go to: montana.edu/aih While the ceremony is free and open to the public, those planning to attend are asked to RSVP here: montana.edu/calendar/events/29055 MSU News Service shares stories about Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana, and the accomplishments of its students, faculty, alumni and staff. Follow on Facebook and Twitter Join the Conversation Sherry Wounded Foot, 50, died after being seen at IHS facility The daughter of a Lakota woman who died after she was found severely beaten and unconscious near South Dakotas Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in August 2016 is suing federal Indian health officials and a private health care company for medical negligence. Sandra Wounded Foot Graham, a citizen of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, filed a civil complaint on March 5 in U.S. District Court in Rapid City, South Dakota, alleging Indian Health Service employees and employees of a private company hired by the federal government to oversee the Pine Ridge hospitals emergency medical department failed to properly diagnose and treat her mother, Sherry Wounded Foot. Sherry Wounded Foot , 50, was found August 5, 2016, severely beaten in Whiteclay , a town in Nebraska that's just across the border from the reservation. She died 12 days later at a Rapid City, South Dakota, hospital. No one has been charged in relation to her death, though her death remains under investigation. According to Wounded Foot Grahams civil complaint, Sherry Wounded Foots boyfriend, Greeley White, called 911 around 9:40 a.m. after she became unresponsive behind a building in Whiteclay. The Oglala Sioux Tribes ambulance service arrived about five minutes later to take Wounded Foot to the Pine Ridge hospital, about two miles away. The ambulance crew gave no indication that Wounded Foot had suffered a head injury or any other traumatic injuries, despite the presence of blood and bruising on her body, according to the civil complaint. From left: The deaths and murders of Wilson Black Elk, Ronald Hard Heart, Sanford Wounded Foot and Sherry Wounded Foot in and around Whiteclay, Nebraska, remain unsolved. Sanford and Sherry were siblings. After arriving at the hospital, a doctor employed by AB Staffing Solutions an Arizona-based health care company examined Wounded Foot but found no evidence of a brain injury and did not order a CT scan, according to the lawsuit. White Face told doctors and nurses she had been drinking heavily and had gone into an alcoholic seizure. It took nearly two hours before the late Dr. Ralph Alving ordered a CT scan of Wounded Foot. The scan showed she was suffering from intracerebral bleeding and needed immediate surgery, which the Pine Ridge hospital was unable to provide. As a result, the hospital decided to send her to a hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota, though it took nearly another hour for her to leave the reservation hospital on a helicopter life-flight. According to the lawsuit, Wounded Foots severe head injury, combined with the lack of competent triage or a timely CT scan, wasted the Lakota womans Golden Hour window when she could have been saved. The lawsuit also criticizes the Pine Ridge hospital for refusing to order CT scans in order to save money. After the CT scan was completed, White Face finally admitted to medical staff that Wounded Foot had been assaulted and had hit her head the day before, according to the lawsuit. Frank LaMere stands near where Sherry Wounded Foot was found beaten and unconscious in Whiteclay, Nebraska. Photo by Kimberly Greager / Native Sun News Today Alving and other medical staff who treated Wounded Foot failed to diagnose Wounded Foots critical condition, despite obvious bruising to her chin and under her right eye, the lawsuit states. Medical staff also failed to note Wounded Foots medical history on file at the hospital, which showed she had suffered abuse before at the hands of her boyfriend, White Face. Shortly after she arrived at Rapid City Regional Hospital, doctors ordered a second CT scan of Wounded Foot, which again showed she had suffered a subdural hematoma, as well as fractures to her right-side ribs. A neurosurgeon operated on Wounded Foot shortly before 5 p.m. on August 5, 2016, and she was taken to intensive care in stable condition afterward. However, Wounded Foot never regained consciousness and remained in a deep coma five days later, having suffered irreversible brain injury. Her family eventually decided to have her taken back to the Pine Ridge hospital on August 17 and took her off life support there. She died later that night. In her lawsuit, Wounded Foots daughter criticizes federal Indian health officials for hiring AB Staffing Solutions, which she describes as a rent-a-doc corporation. She said IHS routinely hires such companies to handle public health care for Native people at troubled healthcare facilities, such as the Pine Ridge hospital. She said those rent-a-doc companies often hire medical staff who have criminal backgrounds or tarnished professional records. She said the federal government hires these questionable for-profit corporations to handle Indian health care as part of a long-term goal of ending treaty-based healthcare by creating poorly managed facilities that Indians will choose to avoid. The proposed plan and vicious cycle is intended to create a pattern of neglect and abuse so bad that the Native American people will quit visiting these hospitals, and if the people quit coming, then the U.S. politicians can slash the IHS budgets based upon the declining numbers of patients, the lawsuit states. Sandra Wounded Foot Graham is seeking financial compensation for the medical expenses accrued by her mother, as well as for the costs of her mothers funeral and memorial expenses, all of which amount to more than $100,000. She is also seeking unspecified compensation for her mothers and her own pain and suffering. The federal government has about two months to respond to her lawsuit. Join the Conversation Related Stories By Acee Agoyo NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- Tribal leaders expressed optimism after a federal appeals court here heard arguments in a case that will determine the fate of the Indian Child Welfare Act ICWA was enacted by Congress in 1978 to address the high rates of Indian children being removed from their homes. The law recognizes the need for tribes and their families to be involved in proceedings affecting their most precious resource. "The Indian Child Welfare Act is a best practice that has been very successful policy for Indian Country, to right the wrongs of the Indian removal period and make sure that our families remain whole and our nations remain whole," Tyson Johnston, the vice chairman of the Quinault Nation , told Indianz.Com after the hearing on Wednesday. Vice Chairman Tyson Johnston of the Quinault Nation is among the tribal leaders who came to New Orleans to attend the Indian Child Welfare Act hearing. #ProudtoProtectICWA pic.twitter.com/5H826epkDB indianz.com (@indianz) March 13, 2019 ICWA "has been in place for 40 years," Chairman Tehassi Hill of the Oneida Nation added. "It does a great job in making sure that Indian families stick together," he said after arguments in the case, known as Brackeen v. Bernhardt "It does the best to ensure that tribes, as political entities, can maintain our rolls and our membership for as long as possible," Hill told Indianz.Com outside of the historic courthouse where some of the key battles of the civil rights era played out. Despite being recognized as the "gold standard" for child welfare policy, ICWA is under attack. A group of non-Indian families, backed by three sympathetic states, contend the statute is unconstitutional because it requires the "race" of Indian children to be taken into account. Chairman Tehassi Hill of the Oneida Nation @OneidaNationWI also came to New Orleans for the hearing in the Indian Child Welfare Act case. #ProudToProtectICWA pic.twitter.com/0yQDYgMUEx indianz.com (@indianz) March 13, 2019 Such an argument goes against decades of precedent in which the government-to-government relationship between tribes and the United States is classified as political -- not racial. Still, the plaintiffs struck their own gold when they managed to get their case before a federal judge with little experience in Indian law and policy "They kind of shopped around for a while to find a court that would side with them," Hill said of the unusual legal maneuvers that resulted in ICWA being struck down last October. But with the case now before a higher power, a coalition of tribes including Quinault and Oneida joined forces with the federal government in defense of ICWA. During a lengthy hearing on Wednesday morning, they called on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to rebuke the plaintiffs and reverse that prior ruling. "If this court were to adopt plaintiffs' theory for affirming that unprecedented ruling, an entire title of the U.S. Code would be effectively erased," Eric Grant, a deputy assistant attorney general at the Department of Justice , told a panel of three judges. "But that theory, and that ruling, are wrong." Adam Charnes , an attorney who advocated for tribal interests, described ICWA as a law enacted pursuant to the "centuries-old trust obligation" owed by the U.S. to tribes. He said the law was written at a time when "upwards of one-third of all Indian children" were being removed from their families, communities and sovereign nations. Against that backdrop, Charnes said the plaintiffs are seeking an "expansive holding" regarding ICWA that "would rewrite federal Indian law, overturning doctrines accepted, in some circumstances, for nearly two centuries." "This court should reject those arguments," said Charnes, whose firm represents, the Quinault Nation, the Oneida Nation, the Cherokee Nation the Morongo Band of Mission Indians , the tribal government that intervened in the case to defend ICWA. But Matthew McGill , an attorney representing the non-Indian plaintiffs, presented a different interpretation of the law. He said tribes shouldn't be able to play an "ICWA trump card" -- a quote taken from a recent U.S. Supreme Court case -- and interrupt proceedings affecting the welfare of Indian children. If #ICWA opponents in Brackeen v. Bernhardt are successful, it will potentially impact the sovereignty of every tribe, because the plaintiffs view tribes as racial entities, not sovereign governments. #ProudtoProtectICWA #ICWAFact@chiefbillbaker @NCAI1944 @NativeChildren CherokeeNation (@CherokeeNation) March 13, 2019 "My clients opened their hearts and their homes to a child in need and embraced that child as a part of their family," McGill said of the plaintiffs, which include a non-Indian couple in Texas who was able to adopt child whose biological mother is a citizen of the Navajo Nation , which also has intervened in the case, and whose father is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. "They are here because the Indian Child Welfare Act turned their lives and their families upside down, solely because the children they took in were Indian children," McGill told the judges. But McGill's arguments, as well as those of Kyle Hawkins, the Solicitor General of Texas , took a different turn during the hearing, which lasted about 90 minutes. Rather than focus on the "race" aspects of ICWA, they said the law must be struck down because it requires state officials -- including state court judges -- to follow child welfare policies that are not of their own making. "The federal government may not command states and state officials to carry out a federal regulatory program, yet that is exactly what ICWA does," Hawkins said. "ICWA commandeers states to implement the federal government's preferred policies, contrary to state law." "Our commandeering argument is not about whether ICWA is good policy or bad policy," Hawkins added in an attempt to steer the case away from the underlying issue of protecting Indian children. "The commandeering doctrine is about means, not ends." In Minnesota, Natives Americans are only 1.4 percent of the population, but Native kids represent 23.9 percent of the kids in the state foster care system. Without ICWA in place, these alarming numbers would be even HIGHER.#ProudtoProtectICWA Rebecca Nagle (@rebeccanagle) March 13, 2019 That line of thinking goes to the heart of the anti-commandeering doctrine that has been the subject of a number of recent Supreme Court cases . It's one that has been championed by conservative groups, including those seeking to undermine ICWA That's when the judges, who had largely been silent for most of the hearing, began to speak up, seemingly raising doubts about the positions being taken by the non-Indian couples and the states. "ICWA has been around for a long time," observed Judge James L. Dennis "It definitely is to protect the culture of Indians. I don't see how you can call that commandeering." Congress, he added, has the "authority to pass such laws and to finance them, also." Several minutes later, a second member of the panel spoke up when Hawkins raised a state sovereignty argument against ICWA. That led to one of the most dramatic moments in the hearing. "You used the words, 'your children,'" Judge Priscilla Owen told Hawkins. "They are not 'your children.'" "They are members of the tribe before they are 'your children.'" Though the 5th Circuit gave no indication of when -- or how -- it will rule, tribal leaders, advocates and attorneys who attended the hearing believe a strong case was made for ICWA. Vice Chairman Johnston of the Quinault Nation noted that his tribe works closely with Washington state to protect Indian children, which he said was a sign that the complaints advanced by opponents lack merit. ICWA has always been questioned by "states that don't partner well with Indian tribes, like Texas, for example," he said. In addition to Texas, the states of Louisiana and Indiana are seeking to invalidate the law and the Bureau of Indian Affairs regulations that were written to strengthen compliance with the law "I think those challenges will continue to exist," said Johnston. "When nations like us are able to come together and work through these processes, it again reaffirms the decades and decades of good policy that this has been for our communities." The Oneida Nation also enjoys a good relationship with Wisconsin when it comes to protecting Indian children, according to Chairman Hill. The state has enacted its own law to mirror the provisions of ICWA , he said. "I think that's a great opportunity, when tribes have great relationship with their and their state legislatures, to bring these issues," Hill said of the Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act , which was enacted in 2009. "So not only is there federal protection, there is state protection of tribes, at the local level, at the local courts," said Hill. "I vow, as the Principal Chief of @CherokeeNation , that we will continue to devote the necessary resources to defending this most important law, and we will continue to be a leader in #IndianCountry... CherokeeNation (@CherokeeNation) March 13, 2019 A bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from 21 states in fact submitted a brief in defense of ICWA as part of the case. They took action after their counterpart in Texas -- who issued a statement on Wednesday calling for the end of a "separate and unequal system" affecting Indian children -- had instructed subordinates to stop following the law and to stop complying with the BIA's regulations. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services has since pulled back on that directive , which had been issued by Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, barely three weeks after the lower court's ruling in the case. The 5th Circuit subsequently placed a hold on that decision pending resolution of the appeal. Briefs were also filed on behalf of 325 tribal nations, 57 Native organizations, 31 child welfare organizations, Indian and constitutional law scholars and seven members of Congress from both parties. ICWA is vital to the well-being of Native children and the stability and integrity of Native families today, the National Indian Child Welfare Association , the National Congress of American Indians , the Association on American Indian Affairs and the Native American Rights Fund said in a joint statement after the hearing. We cant afford to go back to the days when massive numbers of Native children were forcibly removed from their loved ones and were often separated from their families with little hope of ever seeing them again, the organization said. Its not an option. Protect Native identity. Protect Native sovereignty. Protect Native families. Protect Native children. Protect our future. Protect ICWA. #ProudtoProtectICWA pic.twitter.com/ruzFJJgGTt Whitney Sawney (@whitneysawney) March 13, 2019 Regardless of the way the 5th Circuit rules on ICWA, further appeals are expected. The court could be asked to put the case to a larger panel of judges, meaning another hearing would be required. An appeal to the Supreme Court, whose membership has shifted in a more conservative direction, is also a reality. The last ICWA case that went before the justices was Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl and it didn't turn out so well for tribal interests. In the 5-4 decision, the court allowed a non-Indian couple to adopt a Cherokee Nation girl over the objections of her biological father, who is a citizen of the tribe. The majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito was the one that sounded the alarms on the "ICWA trump card." The five justices who went against tribal interests in that June 2013 ruling remain on the court. In contrast, one of the members who defended the ICWA rights of the Cherokee parent, is no longer there. "This father wants to raise his daughter, and the statute amply protects his right to do so," the late justice Antonin Scalia wrote in his dissent. "There is no reason in law or policy to dilute that protection." ICWA and Congress In passing the Indian Child Welfare Act in 1978, Congress reacted to a crisis of Indian children being taken from their communities at high rates, often without input from their families or their tribal governments. Key findings from the law: "[T]here is no resource that is more vital to the continued existence and integrity of Indian tribes than their children and that the United States has a direct interest, as trustee, in protecting Indian children who are members of or are eligible for membership in an Indian tribe" "[A]n alarmingly high percentage of Indian families are broken up by the removal, often unwarranted, of their children from them by nontribal public and private agencies and that an alarmingly high percentage of such children are placed in non-Indian foster and adoptive homes and institutions" I told Cheesman I was interested in how a locale that appears to have ceased to exist in the real world many years ago could gain new life in the virtual world. I asked whether Yelp ever updated its database and if places were ever removed from the site. For an actor, there are several perks of being successful and being good at what they have chosen to do. Apart from a luxurious life, there are several lucrative offers that come their way. For Deepika Padukone, one such offer came from luxury Swiss brand Chopard. Twitter If reports are to be believed, Deepika Padukone has been approached by Chopard- a brand that's popular for its fine jewellery and watches. After Rihanna, who has been one of their faces for the brand, this surely is a big opportunity for Deepika Padukone. Twitter While DP is yet to comment and confirm, we won't be surprised if the reports turn out to be true. Agencies If we talk about films, Deepika is busy with Chapaak, in which she won't be just starring in but she will also be producing the film. (Also read: Walking Hand-In-Hand With Big Smiles On Their Faces, Power Couple DeepVeer Leave For London) 3 months into 2019 and it is safe to say that this year is about self-liberation and freedom. While last year was about the #MeToo movement where people spoke about their shocking stories in professional set ups, this year has begun with #IAmNotOk Twitter And we're SHOOK with #IAmNotOk because people on social media are discussing about their traumatic lives which has been sending shivering down our spines. American actress Evan Rachel shared her story of self harm during her abusive relationship. Twitter In a series of tweets, Westworld actress described the brutality she went through in the past with her abuser. From forcing her to make videos, smile at his inappropriate jokes and self harm, she has admitting to some upsetting events. Take a look. 2 years into my abusive relationship I resorted to self harm. When my abuser would threaten or attack me, I cut my wrist as a way to disarm him. It only made the abuse stop temporarily. At that point I was desperate to stop the abuse and I was too terrified to leave. #IAmNotOk pic.twitter.com/VtZ1cA7JdB #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) March 11, 2019 The day of this photoshoot, I was so weakened by an abusive relationship. I was emaciated, severely depressed, and could barely stand. I fell into a pool of tears and was sent home for the day. #IAmNotOk pic.twitter.com/aVUQ1w8ayQ #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) March 11, 2019 "The day of this photoshoot, I was so weakened by an abusive relationship. I was emaciated, severely depressed, and could barely stand. I fell into a pool of tears and was sent home for the day," she said. #IAmNotOk because I had to pretend like I was ok when people were around me and my abuser, But they never knew what happened when they left and I was alone with him. #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) March 13, 2019 #IAmNotOk because my abuser forced me to do things on video that I hated so that he could use it against me if I ever talked. #revengeporn #blackmail Is #DomesticViolence #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) March 13, 2019 #IAmNotOk because when I tried to tell certain partners about my past abuse, they blamed me or wouldnt listen. It was never safe to open up fully because I felt like they wouldnt understand, and I couldnt handle anymore shame or guilt. #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) March 13, 2019 #IAmNotOk because when I was worried someone close to me was being abused, I was told to calm down and it was just my trauma talking. But it was my experience and wisdom talking. Hysteria comes when no one believes or listens to you. #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) March 13, 2019 I hope #IAmNotOk encourages people to ask Are you ok? And empowers someone in an abusive situation to say I am not ok. And they wont have to say anything else. Well know. #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) March 13, 2019 #IAmNotOk because if you research how to leave an abusive relationship online, most websites have a quick exit button, in case your abuser catches you looking for a way out. #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) March 13, 2019 After her story, many other people came out to share their sorrows. #IAmNotOk A loved one is in an abusive relationship. And it effects me. I am not physically in that home, but the abuser is powerful beyond walls BraveByDesign (@Marieluvunivers) March 14, 2019 I didn't know how to get out. First lawyer I asked for help said that divorce would bankrupt me. He told me to work harder and save up some money and maybe I'd be able to leave in a few more years. He told me I had made a bad choice and needed to face the consequences #IAmNotOk Katie (@ktkipper) March 13, 2019 The fact that I not only lived, but got out, is still miraculous to me. But even though I've done a lot of healing, #IAmNotOk and I'm not sure I ever will be again. Katie (@ktkipper) March 13, 2019 #IAmNotOk because being made to believe your feelings are invalid and irrational, to feel like youre always wrong and in the wrong, is no way to live in a relationship. Emotional abuse matters too Eden Neidert (@edenrose95) March 13, 2019 #IAmNotOk because I cannot snap out of this severe depression/chronic anxiety from the CPTSD as a result of the domestic abuse that he denies he did, or that it ever even occured. The only people that know the truth are my closest friends, and I pretend to the world that I am ok. https://t.co/TZeUzHXbfj *Nameless Narrator* (@SlowBoiledFrog) March 13, 2019 #IAmNotOk and sometimes when people get angry at me I am suddenly 8 years old again, being hit by a man twice my size that until then had groomed me into thinking he cared about me and was a loving and caring step father. Beate (@beaterast) March 13, 2019 My ex tried to kill me twice. I testify this summer in his criminal trial. He verbally, mentally, financially, physically and emotionally abused me for years. One day I had enough and got out. I have perm scars and injuries from it. I have post-concussion syndrome. #IAmNotOk Surviving Hell (@HellSurviving) March 13, 2019 We have all been a part of #IAmNotOk at some point of our lives. While some talk about it, some are still not ready but more power and love to those who have the courage to go out there and talk about their issues around domestic violence. In 2011, Census estimated that internal migrants in India are at 139 million, majority of which travel in search of employment as labourers. Since, general elections are set to commence next month onward, the problems faced by this staggering number has never been on the political agenda. Jean Dreze studied Mathematical Economics at the University of Essex and did his Ph.D. at the Indian Statistical Institute, New Delhi. He has taught at the London School of Economics and the Delhi School of Economics, and is currently Visiting Professor at Ranchi University as well as Honorary Professor at the Delhi School of Economics. He has made wide-ranging contributions to development economics and public policy, with special reference to India. His research interests include rural development, social inequality, elementary education, child nutrition, health care and food security. Jean Dreze is the author of Sense and Solidarity: Jholawala Economics for Everyone (Permanent Black, 2017) and co-author (with Amartya Sen) of Hunger and Public Action (Oxford University Press, 1989) and An Uncertain Glory: India and Its Contradictions (Penguin, 2013)". BCCL We spoke to him about the concerning issues of migrant labourers in India and do they act as a potent political voter base. In a lot of pieces which you have written for several newspapers, you have stated the NREGA scheme hasn't developed post a certain point of time. Why do you think so? There are several things, one of the main problems is that the wage payment system has been messed up. Delays in wage payments go back a long way but now there is a new generation of problems such as rejected payments and misdirected payments, which has largely to do with the Aadhar payment bridge system. Aside from this, the wages are very low, and this further saps the motivation of NREGA workers. NREGA cannot work well unless there is a strong demand for it. Otherwise, what happens is that peoples vigilance goes down and middlemen step in, which is exactly what we are seeing in Jharkhand today. You are stating that there is a huge issue regarding the payment system, what are the exact specifics to this issue? Delayed payments for sure but also uncertain payments because sometimes the payments are not made at all, or they go to a wrong account. These are basically problems associated with the Aadhar payment bridge system, where Aadhaar becomes a financial address. There are serious flaws in that system, I have written about this and a recent study by the Indian School of Business also highlights the problem . The fact that the wage payment system is neither reliable nor timely is a huge stumbling block for NREGA. There are also other issues, such as growing centralisation and technocracy. All NREGA processes are now internet based, this creates an illusion of transparency because government officials can see everything on their screen but for the workers nothing is visible anymore. The system has become very non- transparent for workers and this opens the door to corruption. Do you think De-monetisation has increased the rural-urban migration or has some impact on it? There is no statistical information on this and it is not something that you can necessarily ascertain from casual observation. The effect of demonetisation on migration could go either way. On the one hand, demonetization may cause some distress migration, on the other hand it may reduce migration opportunities. How long these effects lasted is another thing on which we know very little. AFP If you were to ping down the most basic problems that the migrant workers face, what would it be? This is not something I have studied, but from a common-sense point of view, one of their basic problems must be harsh living conditions in the destination area, including for instance lack of shelter and living on pavements or shacks. Another problem I often hear about is the uncertainty of wage payments. Very often, workers migrate based on assurances of payment from contractors that may not materialize later on. There are also other forms of exploitation of migrant workers, such as poor working conditions and health hazards. Basically, migrant workers are even more powerless and vulnerable than other workers in the unorganized sector. There are also other issues, such as the impact of labour migration on family life, and on the lives of women and children who are left behind in the village. Do you think the migrant labourers have any electoral presence whatsoever? They count like other workers, because the working class is very large, but not necessarily as migrant workers. I don't think the issues of labour migration are part of the political agenda, except perhaps in specific states. For instance, I havent seen any discussion on what could be done to protect migrant workers from some of the vulnerabilities they face, or to enforce minimum wages. One problem, I guess, is that many migrant workers dont having voting rights in their area of destination. So it is difficult for their predicament to become a political issue, though that may change in the future. The interviewers are New Delhi based freelance contributors. India's second-richest man, Azim Premji, on Wednesday gave away 34 per cent of his shares in Wipro Ltd to charitable causes, cementing his status as the most philanthropic Indian. He has earmarked economic benefits of shares worth Rs 52,750 crore, for his foundation involved in philanthropy, according to a statement. With this, the total value of the endowment corpus, which supports Azim Premji Foundation's philanthropic activities, contributed by Premji has swelled to a staggering Rs 1.45 lakh crore, which includes 67 per cent of economic ownership of Wipro Ltd, it said. bccl "He has done this (contribution) by additionally earmarking all economic benefits for philanthropic purposes, in approximately 34 per cent of the shares in Wipro Limited (current market value Rs 52,750 crore), held by certain entities controlled by him," according to the statement by the Azim Premji Foundation. Social media was abuzz with praises for the philanthropist with some calling him 'corporate robinhood'. Seeing the philanthropic activities of Bill Gates, Azim Premji... they are like Corporate Robin Hoods George Philip (@sacredjobshr) March 14, 2019 Hats off to Mr Azim Premji for his unprecedented philanthropic activities & charitable contribution to the Society; his latest contribution of 7.5 billion US $ brings total to 21 billion US $; he still flies economy class, avoids costly cars & ostentatious displays of wealth.. Vikas Pahwa Sr Adv (@vikaspahwasradv) March 14, 2019 This is in addition to his earlier donations to philanthropy, which included Wipro's shares, as well as other assets owned by him. The promoter holding in Bengaluru-based IT services giant Wipro Ltd stood at 74.3 per cent as on December 2018. The Azim Premji Foundation works in education in the country and supports other not-for-profit organisations working in some specific areas through multi-year financial grants. bccl "The Foundation's extensive field work in education has been in some of the most disadvantaged parts of India, to help contribute to the improvement of quality and equity of the public (government) schooling system," it added. The Foundation works closely with various state governments. It currently works in Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Puducherry, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and the northeast region. Its field strategy focuses on creating and scaling up a network of institutions at district and state levels, to help in overall improvement in the school education system on a continued and sustained basis. reuters The Azim Premji Foundation has also established the Azim Premji University in Bengaluru. Over the next few years, the activities of the Foundation are expected to ramp up significantly, the statement said adding that a university in the northern part of India may be set up by the Foundation at some point. (With PTI Inputs) In a bid to strengthen the civil nuclear cooperation, the US and India have agreed upon setting six nuclear power plants in India, the two countries said in the joint statement. The two days of talks between two sides in Washington led to this agreement and it appears that the Trump administration eyes to sell India more energy options. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project near Tirunelveli, photo courtesy: bccl/representational image In talks between Andrea Thompson, the US undersecretary of state for arms control and international security and Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, the agreement was finally reached upon. "They committed to strengthen bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, including the establishment of six U.S. nuclear power plants in India," the joint statement said. However, no information was divulged further. India has massive energy requirements and post the 2007-08 nuclear deal, the two countries have been in talks over the supply of the US nuclear reactors to answer the energy needs of the country. One of the major longstanding obstacles has been Indias reservation in abiding by the norms which the US claims to be global where in case of an accident, the cost is to be channelled to the operator and not the maker of the nuclear power station and India has been opposing it. India plans to increase its nuclear energy capacity by triple fold by 2024 and its looking to avoid the use of fossil fuels as the import of fossil fuels take a major share of Indias money apart from polluting the country. Last October, India and China had signed an agreement to build six nuclear reactors at a new site in India. India bccl/representational image India and Russia also signed a pact to build six more nuclear reactors at a new site in India following summit talks between their leaders in New Delhi. India has a long history of seeing protests against the construction of the nuclear plants as many environmentalists have time and again expressed their concerns for the safety of population living nearby. ] The Fukushima disaster in Japan in 2011 had raised a series of concerns surrounding the safety of the Kudankulam plant. Till March 2018, India had 22 nuclear reactors in operation in 7 nuclear power plants with a total installed of 6,780 MW. (With the Reuters and PTI inputs) A prominent Iranian human rights lawyer has been sentenced to a total of 38 years in prison and 148 lashes. Nasrin Sotoudeh was charged with multiple national security-related offences. She has denied all the charges. Her husband Reza Khandan wrote in a post on Facebook on Monday. Sotoudeh's lawyer, Payam Derafshan, told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) in December that Sotoudeh - arrested last June - had been charged with spreading information against the state, which include insulting Irans Supreme Leader Sayyid Ali Hosseini Khamenei and spying. Nasrin is known for representing women who have protested having to wear the headscarf. The shocking sentence has received widespread criticism from noted human rights groups. AFP "Nasrin Sotoudeh has dedicated her life to defending women's rights and speaking out against the death penalty," Philip Luther from Amnesty International told the BBC. "It is utterly outrageous that Iran's authorities are punishing her for her human rights work." Nasrin is among at least seven human rights lawyers who were arrested in Iran last year. She represented several women arrested in public without a hijab or headscarf, which is a punishable offence in the Islamic country. A few years earlier, she has been imprisoned for activities against national security and propaganda against the regime. Her work has earned her the European Unions Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, while she was serving time for her conviction for allegedly spreading anti-government propaganda. AFP Khandan described the sentences in a Facebook post, saying that his wife had received a five-year prison term in one case and a sentence of 33 years in another, along with the lashes. The flogging, if ordered and carried out, would amount to a dreadfully harsh punishment, which of course, is not unusual for Iran. According to a report by United Nations, over 100 flogging sentences were handed down in Iran in 2017, and at least 50 were carried out. Samsung took MWC by storm last month when they revealed their latest device, the Galaxy Fold. And yet, it seems that isn't the end of their attempts at innovation. Now, another patent has emerged, with a different kind of foldable Samsung device, that aims for your wrist instead. Images courtesy: Lets Go Digital The latest patent, spotted by Lets Go Digital follows close on the heels of a different design that leaked recently, one that featured a device folding outwards like the Huawei Mate X, as opposed to the Galaxy Fold. This latest patent is somewhat different however. Also Read: The Galaxy Fold Is Samsung's New Foldable Smartphone, But Will You Buy It For Rs 1.5 Lakh? Though also a foldable phone, this one is inordinately long. That's because the device seems to bend into a wristwatch shape that you can wear like a smartwatch. The patent itself is in Korean, so it's hard to glean any info from it, though the images give a pretty clear picture of what it would look like. The top section of the device marked out clearly won't bend, seeing as it will also house the smartphone's front and rear cameras. The rest of it though is what will wrap all the way around your wrist, either held in place by a rigid mechanism or snapping closed with magnets. Also Read: Huawei Releases A Foldable Smartphone Of Its Own, The Mate X For Rs 1.85 Lakh In fact, looking closer, this may not be the most comfortable wearable to sport on your wrist. Then again it's still just a patent, and Samsung would heavily rework a device it plans to actually release. There are already devices like this in the market, like the Nubia Alpha we spotted at MWC 2019, so it's not too much of a stretch Samsung is considering this. Maybe we'll even see a consumer-ready model in a year or so. OPINION: If You Are Buying A Foldable Screen Phone In 2019, You Are Actually Wasting Your Money Board exams in UP have already come to an end and that means examiners are getting flooded with answer scripts for correction. Like every year, UP examiners are bracing themselves to deal with some bizarre answer scripts and equally ridiculous bribery attempts. PTI Sample this answer, 'Pass me in the board exam and be my brother-in-law or else I will be your brother-in-law'. That's just a sneak-peek into the 'ridonculous' bribery attemps to influence teachers. According to amarujala.com, another answer sheet read 'Please pass it because the government gives you money ....' With the pressure to memorise things at the last minute, many students tend to get confused and end up writing things in desperation and it's just hilarious! 'I will give my land for your name, send me the address, I will give 10 thousand rupees even after passing the exam' was another unforgettable one to come by this year! Examiners began to evaluate the answer sheets from March 8, 2019. In almost all the exam centres, along with CCTV cameras, voice recorders were also installed to keep a check. For evaluation of the copies, the centres have been set up at State Queens Inter College, Prabhu Narayan PG College Ramnagar and Mahabodhi Inter College, Sarnath. Center's Deputy Director Praveen Srivastava informed that so far 20,994 copies have been evaluated. Dressed in a skirt, a wig and a mask to cover his face, this guy confidently entered the female dormitory of Tamkang University in Taipei City, to secretly film girls. Source Just as he thought he was getting away with it, one student grew suspicious with his gait and frequent trips to the bathroom, reports Taiwan News. That's when a group of students notified a warden. One being nabbed, Chen tried to run for his life and hid in one of the bathrooms When the police rushed to the hostel to arrest him, Chen revealed that he was a graduate from National Tsing Hua University and worked in the IT industry. The police found a pinhole camera attached to a pen in his possession and it had a thousand nudes. After confessing his crimes, the parents were informed and brought to the police station. His father was so furious that he beat his son black and blue with an umbrella! Chen is now facing charges of Offenses Against Privacy after being questioned by the police. After Christopher Freeman got a Facetime call from his son who was crying because he was slammed by his teacher, Freeman showed up at the school an hour later, carrying a loaded semi-automatic AK-47 Mini. "I want to see the guy who slammed my son," Freeman said, according to a police report. "I've got something for him." After the incident, Bear Lakes school was on lockdown and Freeman was arrested on the charges of possession of a firearm on school grounds. His bond was set up at Rs 52,00,237 at South Florida, Sun Sentinel reported. gofundme.com According to the arrest report from the Palm Beach County school police, an assistant principal at the middle school had called Freeman that afternoon to talk about the incident involving his son. Noticing that Freeman was really angry, the principal had already alerted the police. As Freeman reached the school, he was "visibly upset" and "yelling and screaming," according to the report. During the conversation, police noticed that he was carrying a gun with him and arrested him. "You ain't touching me," Freeman reportedly said when the officer inquired about a gun and asked to search him. When the backup arrived they found the gun loaded with bullets in the chamber, the police said. Freeman told authorities that he purchased the gun from a friend about a year ago to use for protection and had no intention to harm anyone, according to the arrest report. Freeman told authorities he had forgotten the gun was there because he carries it all the time. Melody Squares original proposal earmarked about 140 acres of the site for housing development and more than 80 acres for parks and open space. Six to 10 acres of the total site would be set aside for commercial uses, with potential interest in a hotel and movie theater, according to Melody Square. Akshay Kumar will be seen next in Kesari, releasing March 21, followed by "Sooryavanshi" and a web series. Kumar will also feature in films like "Mission Mangal," "Housefull 4" and "Good News." (IANS photo) Musician Ricky Kej with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 after his Grammy Award win. Kej said that Modi spoke on the impact music could have on society and inspired him to make music on environment. (IANS photo) A CBS special featuring the Indian American Sikh community is slated to air March 31. The project is part of the Sikh Coalitions multi-year campaign to raise awareness about the Sikh religion. (photo provided) Indian American pediatric hematologist-oncologist Akshat Jain is seen with one of his patients in Los Angeles, Calif. Jain was one of three doctors who led the team at the Loma Linda University Childrens Hospital in Loma Linda, Calif., that performed a successful stem cell transplant on a young patient. (photo provided) Former Chesterfield Township, New Jersey committeeman Sam Davis, who lost his re-election bid last November to Shreekant Dhopte, has apologized for his racist remarks post-election, in which he claimed that Indian Americans voted illegally. Davis often dresses up like George Washington, as he is pictured here. (Sam Davis photo via Facebook) The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has announced that it has deported two detainees held at the El Paso Processing Center to India. SALDEF, a national Indian American civil rights organization, was part of a coalition of civil rights groups that had planned a Feb. 15 rally outside the El Paso Processing Center to bring attention to this issue. (representational image/John Moore/Getty Images) A CDC report last month estimated the effectiveness of this years flu vaccine against the more potent strain was at 47 percent and particularly effective more than 60 percent for children between the ages of 6 months and 17 years. That contributed to the milder start to the flu season, and was far better than last years vaccine, which was only about 25 percent effective against that seasons more potent strain, the CDC said. Insurance fraud seems like it might be an easy thing to do. Insurance companies are often so huge, one wonders how they might not even notic... Cold weather US states struggling to hire snowplow drivers AP - Thu Dec 9, 11:02PM CST HELENA, Mont. (AP) More U.S. drivers could find themselves stuck on snowy highways or have their travel delayed this winter due to a shortage of snowplow drivers a reality that could hit home Friday... $SPX : 4,667.45 (-0.72%) $DOWI : 35,754.69 (unch) $IUXX : 16,149.57 (-1.49%) Cocoa (CC) Tries Reclaiming Weekly Chart Upchannel Support Tradable Patterns - Thu Dec 9, 10:03PM CST Cocoa (CCH22) slid almost 1% yesterday, but reversed much of the days early losses by its close. Significantly, any weekly close above upchannel support (on the weekly chart) will dramatically increase... CCH22 : 2,451s (-0.77%) NIB : 28.14 (-1.12%) Cattle Fade on Thursday Barchart - Thu Dec 9, 4:55PM CST Thursdays fat cattle futures trading left prices 37 to 42 cents in the red. The special Thursday FCE auction sold 278 of the 1,708 head listed. One pen went for $140, with another having sold at $140.25.... LEZ21 : 136.725s (-0.60%) LEJ22 : 141.225s (-0.46%) GFF22 : 164.075s (+0.41%) GFH22 : 165.075s (-0.48%) While weve previously asked community groups to apply for RACQ Foundation funding, and have had some great applications, we want to do more to help relieve some of the pressure those battling the drought are facing, said Lucinda Ross, RACQ Foundation spokesperson. Weve added some new programs into the mix so now the worst-affected farmers will have access to EFTPOS vouchers for necessities, so they can buy supplies like fuel, groceries, and produce. We know graziers in drought are really struggling, and something simple like knowing your groceries are paid for, can really take the pressure off. The second phase of the drought program will see RACQ Foundation make regular visits to communities across Queensland to provide on-the-ground support. We know many locals are struggling to keep their farms afloat, and thats why well send in our own people, and other volunteers, to help farmers fix tractors and farm equipment, to construct fencing and get other jobs done, Ross said. Next week, well kick off in the drought-ravaged South Burnett, where well lend a hand to dairy farmers whore struggling to keep their businesses going. By getting out into rural Queensland, we can show our support and help communities build resilience and strength for the locals who are doing it tough. RACQ Foundation is now accepting applications for the funding on its website. Those were the words of group chief executive Mike Wells when the firm released its full-year financial results for 2018. In Asia we have again delivered double-digit growth across our key metrics of new business profit (up 14%), operating profit (up 14%), and underlying free surplus generation (up 14%), reported Wells. This performance is both broad-based, with 10 markets achieving double-digit growth in new business profit, and high-quality, with health and protection new business profit growing by 15%. Here are last years pre-tax operating profits for Prudential Plc, with the 2017 comparison based on constant exchange rate: Group 4.8 billion (around $6.3 billion), up 6% Asia 2.2 billion (around $2.9 billion), up 14% US 1.9 billion (around $2.52 billion), down 11% UK and Europe 1.6 billion (around $2.12 billion), up 19% Meanwhile profit before tax and profit for the year rose 14% and 30%, respectively, to 3.6 billion and 3 billion. Demerger progress A year after Prudential Plc announced its intention to demerge M&GPrudential from the group, it is now citing good progress towards the move. The goal is to create two separately listed companies with distinct investment characteristics and opportunities. After the demerger, our shareholders will have shares in Prudential Plc, which will be even better positioned to capture the structural opportunities ahead of us, and M&GPrudential, with greater freedom to deploy its capital where and how it likes to meet the changing needs of customers, said Wells. On the structural side, we have established the holding company for M&GPrudential, and we have completed the first stage of approval from the High Court of England and Wales for the transfer of part of the M&GPrudential annuity book to Rothesay. On the operational side, we are moving forward with separating the functions of the two businesses and building new ones to prepare M&GPrudential for its post-demerger future. Meanwhile the London-headquartered enterprise has raised 1.6 billion of subordinated debt with substitution clauses to be activated on demerger. Wells said this will support the capital rebalancing of the two businesses, whose strategic focus will be enhanced by the split. The change allows for more schedule flexibility and could benefit those students who do better socially, emotionally and physically with a more individualized fitness plan, U46 student wellness coordinator Tracey Jakaitis said last week. It will also help students learn how to be physically active outside of school and should reduce the number of students seeking waivers to opt out of a PE so they have time to take a different class, Jakaitis said. There is a way to test for type of contaminant, but its quite complex and expensive, Pecci told Insurance Business. Its an advanced analytical technique called GCMS (gas chromatography mass spectrometry) testing, which goes well beyond the Table 2 parameters defined under the ISO 8217 requirements. Testing bunkers with the GCMS technique before loading them into vessels is the best step for proactive owners and charterers to take if they want to avoid this problem. GCMS testing is not a standard testing procedure for bunkers and there arent many laboratories in shipping ports around the world that have this capability. Furthermore, the GCMS testing period normally lasts five to 15 days, which can present challenges for charterers and ship owners who are up against the clock for submitting bunker contamination claims. This contractual time bar is particularly restrictive if a vessel needs to de-bunker because that can cause tremendous delays and could potentially result in a breach of contract for timed charterers. Read more: How might the IMOs 2020 fuel changes impact shipping firms exposures? Bunker suppliers tend to have restrictions in their contracts which state claims must be made within 25 days of loading the bunker. If an issue is identified after this period of time, the ship owner or charterer might lose the opportunity to go against the supplier. Today, there are many cases in arbitration where the ship owners are challenging the restrictions imposed by the suppliers, and the industry is waiting to see the outcomes of these arguments, Pecci commented. One thing the shipping industry could do is require charterers under contract to carry out a GCMS test prior to loading bunkers. So far, this step has not been taken for two reasons. The first is that there arent enough laboratories able to carry out the test to justify ship owners and charterers carrying out GCMS testing. The second, according to Pecci, is the expectation that this type of contamination will soon fade away. Theres a lot of effort being put into avoiding this type of contamination, Pecci commented. The P&I insurance industry is taking a proactive approach, in the sense of recommending clients take the adequate steps to avoid having a claim. Because of that, theres an expectation that this type of contamination will eventually fade away. A Rhode Island insurance agent who specializes in insuring horses has been sentenced to three years in prison for defrauding clients, insurance companies and finance companies out of $1.3 million. Federal prosecutors say 57-year-old Randall Levesque, of Middletown, was also sentenced Monday to two years probation and ordered to pay restitution. Levesque pleaded guilty in December to wire fraud. Authorities say Levesque, owner of Equine Insurance Services LLC, overbilled and double-billed customers credit cards for premiums due on policies, some of which the client did not request or did not agree to finance, sometimes forging clients signatures. He also collected premiums from customers, but did not forward the payments to the insurance companies; and fraudulently obtained more than $500,000 in financed premiums from at least two finance companies. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Carriers Fraud Hamilton Insurance Group Ltd., the Bermuda-based holding company of re/insurance operations in Bermuda and at Lloyds, announced it has signed a definitive agreement with Liberty Mutual Group to acquire the Pembroke Managing Agency Ltd. platform at Lloyds and Ironshore Europe DAC (IEDAC). Financial details of the deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, were not disclosed. It is expected to close later this year. After a strategic review, Liberty Mutual said it decided to sell the businesses, which were acquired through the purchase of Ironshore in May 2017. Liberty Specialty Markets said it will continue to serve the Lloyds market through its Syndicate 4472. For Liberty, the transaction supports our International specialty business by eliminating the multiple Lloyds syndicates and business overlap that resulted from Liberty Mutuals acquisition of Ironshore, noted Matthew Moore, president, Liberty Specialty Markets. Clarifying our operations including selling Pembroke and focusing on our Lloyds Syndicate 4472 makes it easier for brokers and customers to partner with us to meet their risk management needs. Hamilton said the transaction will almost double its total premium base. The complementary profile of Pembroke and IEDACs business both accelerates the Hamiltons goal of establishing a leadership position in specialty insurance and its ability to expand its reinsurance franchise, Hamilton added. Dublin-based insurer IEDAC provides flexibility and strategic options for Hamilton, particularly with respect to its growth initiatives in Europe and the U.S., Hamilton continued. Given our objective of building a global, diversified specialty insurance and reinsurance organization, our agreement with Liberty is a meaningful step towards achieving that goal, said Hamilton CEO Pina Albo. In addition to the opportunities this transaction presents at Lloyds, in Europe and in the U.S., we will bring together talented teams who are aligned on culture, underwriting discipline and a commitment to providing superior customer service, she added. The result will be a company well-positioned to respond to our clients and the markets needs. Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Hamilton will be responsible for the 2019 year of account for Syndicate 4000 and Liberty will retain the corporate member for prior years. IEDAC was formed in 2010 by Ironshore, while Pembroke Managing Agency was formed in 2004. IEDAC is authorized to write business throughout the EEA and has licenses to write business as a re/insurer in a number of other countries worldwide. Pembroke Syndicate 4000 underwrites a portfolio of specialty insurance products including financial institutions, global property and professional liability. Libertys Syndicate 4472 is the third largest syndicate at Lloyds, offering coverages such as aviation, casualty, construction, contingency, cyber, marine, energy, equine, financial lines, fine art & specie, legal indemnities, personal accident, political violence, professional indemnity, property, specialty binders, surety, and war & terrorism. TigerRisk Capital Markets & Advisory served as financial adviser and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP served as legal adviser to Hamilton. Liberty Mutuals financial adviser was Evercore, while Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP acted as legal adviser. Source: Hamilton Insurance Group Ltd. Topics Mergers Excess Surplus Talent Europe Reinsurance Lloyd's British lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to seek a delay in Britains exit from the European Union, setting the stage for Prime Minister Theresa May to renew efforts to get her divorce deal approved by parliament next week. Lawmakers approved by 412 votes to 202 a motion setting out the option to ask the EU for a short delay if parliament can agree on a Brexit deal by March 20 or a longer delay if no deal can be agreed in time. The vote makes it likely that the March 29 departure date set down in law, which May has repeatedly emphasized, is likely to be missed, although it is unclear by how long. The short delay envisaged in the motion could last until June 30, but the longer extension is not currently time-limited. Either would require unanimous approval from the other 27 EU members, whose leaders meet in a summit next Thursday. May hopes the threat of a long delay will push Brexit supporters in her Conservative Party and members of the Democratic Unionists, the small Northern Irish party that props up her minority government in parliament, to back her deal at the third attempt. A new vote on Mays deal is likely next week, when those lawmakers must decide whether to back a deal they feel does not offer a clean break from the EU, or reject it and accept that Brexit could be watered down or even thwarted by a long delay. Her spokesman said ministers had agreed to redouble their resolve to secure a deal. Earlier on Thursday, lawmakers voted by 334 to 85 against a second referendum on EU membership. Few opposition lawmakers backed the measure and even campaigners for a Peoples Vote said the time was not yet right for parliament to vote on it. Brexit Delayed? The government narrowly averted an attempt by lawmakers to seize the agenda on March 20 with the aim of forcing a discussion of alternative Brexit options possibly limiting Mays options when she takes her case for delay to the EU. Thursdays vote does not mean a delay is guaranteed; EU consent is needed, and the default date for Britain to leave if there is no agreement is still March 29. Mays spokesman said the government was still making preparations for a no-deal exit. Her authority hit an all-time low this week after a series of parliamentary defeats and rebellions. But she has made clear her deal remains her priority, despite twice being overwhelmingly rejected, in January and again on Tuesday. Mays spokesman said earlier on Thursday that she would put that deal, struck after two-and-a-half years of talks with the EU, to another vote if it was felt that it were worthwhile. Britons voted by 52-48 percent in a 2016 referendum to leave the EU, a decision that has not only divided the main political parties but also exposed deep rifts in British society. Sterling, which swung more wildly this week than at any point since 2017, fell on Thursday from nine-month highs as investors turned cautious about Mays chances of getting her Brexit deal approved next week. She Didnt Listen U.S. President Donald Trump, who had earlier said he looked forward to negotiating a large scale trade deal with Britain after Brexit, added to Mays headaches by criticizing her handling of the crisis. I will tell you, Im surprised at how badly its all gone from the standpoint of a negotiation, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office as he met Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. But I gave the prime minister my ideas on how to negotiate it and I think you would have been successful. She didnt listen to that, and thats fine. But I think it could have been negotiated in a different manner, frankly. Business leaders warn that tearing up 40 years of agreements with the EU and its market of 500 million people without a transition deal would cause chaos. Brexit supporters say that, in the longer term, it would let Britain forge trade deals across the world and thrive. EU leaders meeting next Thursday will consider pressing Britain to delay Brexit by at least a year, European Council President Donald Tusk said. I will appeal to the EU27 (remaining members) to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it, he said. France said that a short Brexit delay merely to discuss Mays existing deal was out of the question. But there was no immediate sign of any major shift in the views of Conservative hardline eurosceptics who have so far thwarted the prime minister. Lawmaker Andrew Bridgen accused her of pursuing a scorched earth policy of destroying all other Brexit options to leave lawmakers with a choice between her deal and a long delay. May also needs to win over the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which has so far refused to back her plan. DUP leader Arlene Foster said the party was working with the government to try to find a way of leaving the EU with a deal. (Writing by Michael Holden, Giles Elgood and Guy Faulconbridge; additional reporting by William Schomberg, Paul Sandle, Michael Holden, Andrew MacAskill and Kate Holton in London, Alastair Macdonald, Alissa de Carbonnel, Francesco Guarascio and Jan Strupczewski in Brussels; editing by Janet Lawrence and Kevin Liffey) Related: Topics Legislation Europe Uk Johnson & Johnson must pay $29 million to a dying California woman who blamed asbestos-tainted talc for causing her cancer, the companys latest loss over its iconic baby powder. Jurors in state court in Oakland, California, on Wednesday held J&J responsible for Teresa Leavitts mesothelioma, a cancer linked to asbestos exposure. The panel, which included a lawyer and a state-court judge, also found the worlds largest maker of health-care products didnt warn Leavitt its baby powder was tainted with the carcinogen. The verdict is J&Js seventh trial loss over claims it hid the health risks of its baby powder for 50 years. Its the first defeat since a Missouri jury ordered the company last year to pay $4.69 billion to 22 women who blamed their cancer on the product. Kim Montagnino, a spokeswoman for J&J, didnt immediately respond to a call and email seeking comment on the verdict against the company. J&J still faces more than 13,000 lawsuits claiming its 135-year-old baby powder line caused mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. Thats up from more than 11,000 as of last year. It has more than two dozen trials scheduled around the U.S. this year. Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics California Millions of Americans get their health insurance and retirement accounts through their employers. Now some are getting help with their debt. Companies including insurer Aetna and accounting firm PwC help employees pay down student loans. Others partner with startups to offer debt solutions as an employee benefit. Among the approaches: MedPt negotiates discounts on medical debt and offers interest-free loans that are repaid through payroll deductions. Brightside connects workers to debt consolidation loans and student loan refinancing. HoneyBee, PayActiv and TrueConnect, among others, provide payday advances or emergency loans so struggling workers can avoid the payday loan trap. Employers increasingly are aware that money worries can reduce productivity and increase absenteeism. More than half of the 1,600 full-time employees polled by PwC in 2017 reported feeling stressed about their finances, and human resources company Mercer has estimated financial stress costs U.S. businesses up to $250 billion a year. Debt appears to play a leading role in creating that stress. Seven out of 10 employers in a survey last year said that debt was the No. 1 financial challenge faced by their employees, according to the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. Programs to help workers pay student loans were among the first debt-focused employee benefits companies offered, but theyre still not common. More companies offer pet insurance (11 percent) than student loan assistance (4 percent), according to a 2018 survey for the Society for Human Resource Management. Employers that offer the benefit typically provide about $100 a month for a set number of years or with a lifetime maximum, often around $10,000. Insurance company Unum allows employees to transfer up to 40 hours of paid time off to student loan repayment. Paycheck-to-Paycheck Employers know many of their workers are burdened by education debt, which has reached record levels. But employers may not know how many of their workers need emergency loans to make ends meet, says Ennie Lim , HoneyBee president and chief executive. Its not just the lowest paid who have trouble. The 35-day government shutdown that ended Jan. 25 highlighted the financial fragility of even better-paid workers, Lim notes. Federal workers were lining up at food banks because they were unable to cover their basic needs, she says. Twenty-two percent of HoneyBees borrowers last year earned less than $30,000, while 52 percent made between $30,000 and $50,000 and 26 percent were paid more than $50,000, Lim says. HoneyBee, like competitors TrueConnect and Salary Finance, offers small loans that can be repaid over time . PayActiv, meanwhile, allows employees to tap into wages theyve already earned through payday advances. Brightside does not loan money directly. Instead, it trains financial assistants to work with employees who have money issues, says Sophie Raseman, Brightsides head of financial solutions. If someone needs a loan, the assistants can discuss the costs, risks and potential benefits of products the company has vetted, as well as offer alternatives, she says. MedPut, meanwhile, audits medical bills for errors, negotiates discounts in return for prompt payment, then loans workers the money to pay the debt. The startup focused on medical bills since those can be a huge stressor for employees, says Harsha Puvvada, MedPut cofounder. MedPut, Brightside and HoneyBee were among the winners of this years Financial Solutions Lab, an initiative sponsored by the financial services company JP Morgan Chase & Co. and the Center for Financial Services Innovation, a nonprofit consultant focused on the financial health of struggling workers. FinLab highlighted companies that address financial health in the workplace, according to CFSI president and CEO Jennifer Tescher. Many employers are focused on improving their workers physical health to reduce insurance costs but often ignore the financial stress thats undermining physical wellness, Tescher says. That approach is like bailing a leaky boat, she says. The workplace can be a good venue for debt help and education, because its where people get paid, have the opportunity to save for retirement and participate in other voluntary benefits, she says. Research and experience show that employers offer a `right place, right time dynamic for workers to deal with money, Tescher says. Of course, debt assistance programs have the same drawback as employer-provided health insurance and workplace retirement accounts: Not everyone has access, and even those who do could lose the benefit in the next layoff. But employer-provided debt assistance is potentially helpful enough, and the need is great enough, that more companies should consider offering it. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Commercial Lines Business Insurance Boston-based insurtech company Corvus Insurance has expanded its underwriting appetite for its Smart Cyber Insurance product lines with the launch of an excess cyber insurance policy designed to give brokers the ability to participate on the coverage towers of larger companies. Under its new underwriting mandate from its risk-taking partner Hudson Insurance, Corvus can now underwrite excess cyber insurance for most types of organizations with up to $1 billion in annual revenues in addition to its primary offering. Corvus can write its Smart Cyber Excess Insurance policies with up to $10 million in aggregate limits. According to Mike Karbassi, head of Cyber Underwriting, Corvus uses data to improve underwriting as well as to provide its brokers and policyholders with data analytics that differ from traditional underwriting. Corvus Insurance is a broker-friendly insurtech MGA offering Smart Commercial Insurance policies and technology that utilizes new forms of data to predict and prevent claims. Their Smart Cargo Insurance tools analyze data from temperature sensors that are already used in the shipments of goods that are subject to spoilage. This allows Corvus to score the temperature stability for each individual manufacturer/shipper of goods. The companys Smart Cyber Insurance product utilizes data to assess the performance of any enterprise and their IT vendors and partners across critical security criteria, providing holistic visibility into their security programs. Corvus uses the data as a foundation to produce its Corvus Score. Corvus Scores are used to better inform underwriting, and to provide commercial insurance brokers and buyers with Dynamic Loss Prevention (DLP) recommendations and business intelligence. In addition, Corvus online platform, the CrowBar, provides brokers and policyholders on-demand access to policy information, claims reporting, loss prevention recommendations, and business intelligence. DLP Reports are available to all Corvus policyholders including those who purchase Smart Cyber Excess Insurance. Smart Cyber Insurance policies are distributed by Corvus on a managing general agency basis with its partner, Hudson Insurance Group. Policies are distributed by major insurance brokerage firms across the United States. Corvus Insurance Holdings, Inc., founded in 2017, is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Corvus is funded by Bain Capital Ventures and other investors. Topics Cyber Agencies InsurTech Excess Surplus Tech Underwriting New Markets The marijuana industry is an opportunity for insurers as more states have legalized the drug. But there are still risks in play that could limit wider carrier participation, A.M. Best said in a new report. One of the key barriers is the federal government still classifies it as a controlled substance, continuing its status as an illegal drug even as individual states increasingly legalize its use. Those directly and tangentially involved in the industry need insurance that addresses the specific needs of growers, retailers, distributors, property owners and lab researchers, the A.M. Best report says. However, despite growing demand from both producers and retailers alike, many carriers are reluctant to embrace the industry, owing to its classification as a Schedule I drug in the eyes of the U.S. federal government, under the Controlled Substance Act of 1970. Because marijuana is not legal at the federal level, some carriers see marijuana insurance as a debatable move, A.M. Best said. Legality Grows The market for marijuana is as wide as its ever been in the United States, with 33 states and the District of Columbia now allowing the use of medical marijuana. Out of that number, 10 states plus D.C. also legalized recreational marijuana use (Canada made it legal as well in late 2018). The A.M. Best report identifies a number of marijuana-related market segments that need insurance coverage. They include cultivation, dispensaries and retailers, infused products and landlords. Some insurers have responded. Approximately 25 carriers (mostly non-admitted) provide coverage in the space in both the U.S. and Canada, A.M. Best said. The Lloyds Market offers coverage in Canada but doesnt offer coverage to businesses in the U.S., because the federal government still considers it illegal. Carriers that have entered the market are typically partnering with agencies and producers that have a better understanding of the industry and the needs of cannabis businesses, A.M. Best said. One example: Topa Insurance Group, which supports Cannasure, an Ohio-based MGA and wholesale brokerage solely focused on the cannabis industry. Existing Coverage Limited Insurers that are just entering the market offer basic policies that typically cover: commercial general liability, with limits of $1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate; property liability and product liability, both with limits of $1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate, A.M. Best said. The ratings agency warned that these limits may not be enough for marijuana business owners, who may need higher aggregate limits. Even insurers that jump in remain cautious. Because this is an emerging market for insurance companies, insurers believe that their risk in these businesses is best managed with their current limits. Another reason for the low limits is the challenge of finding reinsurers to back marijuana-related books of business, as reinsurance is typically a separate book or tower to cover these risks, A.M. Best said. A.M. Best warned that shared limits between general liability and product liability, plus non-stacking endorsements and policies that often lack a duty to defend remain problems for marijuana businesses. Insurers, if they can address these obstacles, stand to gain plenty by embracing coverage in the marijuana space. A.M. Best noted that the industry (medical and recreational) produced $8 billion in sales in 2017, while sales of illegal marijuana hit the $42 billion mark. Some projections call for legal marijuana sales to reach $22 billion by 2022, with illegal sales of the drug to drop to less than $5 million over the same period, as more states legalize use of the drug. A.M. Bests full report is Cannabis: New Opportunities for Insurers, But with Burgeoning Risks. Source: A.M. Best Topics Carriers Trends USA Cannabis Market AM Best Canada Drugs A New Mexico non-profit thats assembled gift bags for the Oscars and Grammys is facing a class action lawsuit brought by disabled employees who say it pays as little as 18 cents an hour. The suit is the latest to challenge a little-knownbut often legalpractice of segregating disabled workers and paying them less than the federal minimum wage. In it, current and former employees accuse the Adelante Development Center of underpaying its developmentally disabled employees in violation of Albuquerque and New Mexico wage laws. Plaintiffs and their coworkers perform rote, repetitive tasks in a setting where they are isolated and entirely segregated from the broader community, alleges the complaint filed by the advocacy group Disability Rights New Mexico and the legal non-profits Towards Justice and Public Justice. Adelante offers dead-end sweatshop jobs with few chances for advancement or transition to better employment. Adelante says its in full compliance with employment law. Adelante has had a mission to support people with disabilities for over 40 years in New Mexico, the organizations vice president Jill Beets said in an email Monday. We place a priority on community employment, and finding jobs for people with community businesses. Ever since Congress created a national minimum wage in 1938, the federal government has encouraged companies to hire disabled workers by letting them pay at rates below the minimum. As long as an employer can show that a workers disability slows him or her down, they can ask the U.S. Department of Labor for permission to pay that employee a sub-minimum wage. More than 150,000 workers were covered by such waivers last year. State and local wage laws still apply, but many jurisdictions have a similar process for exemptions. The lawsuit alleges Adelante didnt get the required state approval to pay some staff hourly rates as low as $0.18 or $1.82.According to the organizations website, Adelante helps people push past social barriers and stereotypes, set goals, and move forward in their lives. Workers in the facility do jobs like scanning, shredding and driving around documents. They packaged and shipped lipsticks for celebrity swag bags at 2018s Grammy Awards and Oscars, according to a press release. The lawsuit alleges that Adelante profits tremendously by underpaying its staff, while also receiving money from the state for each hour it helps them participate as active members of their communities by employing them, as well as other subsidies paid to Adelante by supportive living facilities where its employees live. In some cases, the complaint alleges, Adelante itself is paid more per hour in subsidies for an employees work than the amount that Adelante is actually paying that person. Were just here so Adelante can get paid, said plaintiff Tammy Duggan in an email. Shes worked at the organization for 17 years, and yet, No one gives me more responsibility or more challenging work to do.The practice of paying disabled workers less than the minimum is increasingly controversial. When President Obama signed an executive order requiring federal contractors to pay staff at least $10.10 an hour, he notably declined to include an exception for disabled workers. Since 2015, New Hampshire, Maryland, and Alaska have abolished disability exceptions to their state wage floors. In a letter last year, seven U.S. senators including 2020 presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders condemned sub-minimum wage exemptions as an inherently discriminatory practice that should be phased out. The Department of Labor last year announced it was revoking a companys authorization to pay around 250 employees a sub-minimum wage, following an investigation that found it had concealed information from investigators and paid some employees with gift cards rather than money. In 2012 and 2013, a judge ordered Texas company Hill County Farms to pay $1.3 million for disability-based wage discrimination, and in a related case, a jury awarded a record $240 million to the plaintiffs for discrimination and abuse. (A judge eventually shrunk the award.) The sub-minimum wage for people with disabilities is really a relicit entered the law in the 1930s at a time when we didnt have a sense that people with disabilities could work in the competitive economy, said University of Michigan law professor Sam Bagenstos, who served in the Department of Justices Civil Rights Division under President Obama. It really sticks out like a sore thumb these days. Related: Copyright 2021 Bloomberg. Topics Lawsuits Fraud Profit Loss Mexico Legislation that would make the Small Employer Quality Jobs Program more accessible to startup companies and small businesses has passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives with a bipartisan vote of 88 to 5. The Small Employer Quality Jobs Program is a state business incentive for qualifying businesses with 500 employees or less that elect to locate or expand in Oklahoma. Qualifying businesses can receive cash payments of up to 5 percent of new payroll for up to seven years. House Bill 2536, authored by Rep. Meloyde Blancett (D-Tulsa), modifies the eligibility criteria for the Small Employer Quality Jobs Program. Currently, to qualify, businesses must have 75 percent of its total sales to out of state customers or buyers. The measure lowers that requirement to 35 percent for the first two years and 60 percent thereafter. From an economic development standpoint, this bill diversifies our economy by making it more entrepreneur friendly, Blancett said in a House-issued press release. Many startups have to work to grow their out-of-state business before they qualify. By lowering these thresholds, we are allowing more businesses to enter into this program, which will create more quality jobs for Oklahomans. The Small Employer Quality Jobs Program, as it stands, is underdeveloped. The Small Employer Quality Jobs Act is a great program, but it isnt even close to reaching its potential, Blancett said. Analysis shows that we are missing 99.8 percent of the potential economic benefit of this program. That number represents a broader tax base and quality jobs that Oklahoma is leaving on the table. By expanding its reach, we are making it a much more powerful economic development resource. This legislation now heads to the Senate. Source: Oklahoma House of Representatives Topics Commercial Lines Business Insurance Oklahoma Small Business Miranda, of the 2800 block of S. Central Park Avenue, Chicago, was found dead in a yard in the 1800 block of Simpson Street near Evanstons William H. Twiggs Park, according to police. The park is adjacent to the North Shore Canal on Evanstons western edge. As Florida lawmakers weigh reform for the states assignment of benefits crisis, the insurance industry and regulators are closely monitoring a case addressing post-loss policy language that is currently before the states high court. Initial briefs are being filed in the case of Restoration 1 of Port St. Lucie vs. Ark Royal Insurance Company, (SC18-1624) after the court agreed to hear the case at the end of 2018 in response to the plaintiffs appeal of the Floridas Fourth District Court of Appeal decision finding an insurers anti-assignment provision was not prohibited. On Feb. 11, 2019, attorneys for Restoration 1 of Port St. Lucie filed their initial brief in the case, arguing that the Fourth DCA was incorrect in allowing insurers to require the consent of all insureds and mortgagees to assign benefits under a homeowners insurance policy post-loss. The case will have far-reaching implications on how insurers can limit the use of an assignment of benefits, a practice that insurance regulators and the industry contend is being abused by attorneys and contractors. In this case, the homeowners insurance policyholders were husband and wife who contracted with a water restoration company to fix water damage to their insured home. The home also had a mortgage. The wife, without the consent of her husband or the mortgagee, also agreed to an assignment of benefits agreement assigning any and all insurance rights, benefits, proceeds and any cause of action under any applicable insurance policies' to the water restoration company. The policy at issue contained a condition that [n]o assignment of claim benefits, regardless of whether made before a loss or after a loss, shall be valid without the written consent of all insureds, all additional insureds, and all mortgagee(s) named in the policy. In September, the Fourth DCA sided with insurer Ark Royal, finding that a homeowners insurance policy may contain a provision requiring the consent of other insureds and the mortgagees before a valid assignment of benefits may be made. The Fourth DCA found that the prior case law from the Florida Supreme Court prevented the insurance company from conditioning an AOB upon the insurers consent, but not the other insureds or mortgagees consent. The court found that an assignment restriction was not prohibited if it required the consent of all the insureds and all of the mortgagees named in the policy, stating that the insureds and mortgagees have a vested interest that a reputable, legitimate third-party contractor perform repairs on the home. On Dec. 27, 2018, the Florida Supreme Court accepted jurisdiction in the case, certifying conflict between the Fourth District Court of Appeal and the Fifth District Court of Appeal, which ruled in 2017 in the case of Security First Insurance Co. vs. Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) that similar policy language was prohibited. The Fifth DCA found that Security First could not require that another homeowner or the mortgagee consent to the assignment of proceeds from the policy to a third party after a loss. In its brief, Restoration 1 argues that the Florida Supreme Court should adopt the Fifth DCAs stance and reject the Fourth DCAs decision. Restoration 1 relies heavily on OIRs treatment of other carriers attempts to file language similar to Ark Royals filing, with OIR denying those attempts. In the past, OIR has disapproved of insurance policy forms that restrict an insureds post-loss assignment of benefits. However, in 2012, OIR allowed carriers to submit informational filings, meaning the forms were not subject to review for approval or disapproval if the insurer certified that the policies conformed with Florida law. Ark Royal filed such an informational filing with the restriction. Restoration 1 argues in its brief that the court should reject the language because OIR has disapproved of policies with similar language from other carriers. However, in the Fourth DCAs opinion on the matter it found that OIR has never taken steps to retroactively disapprove Ark Royals specific policy, even though it had that ability. Restoration 1 points to cases cited by OIR and the Fifth DCA when they refused to allow anti-assignment provisions. Primarily, the Fifth DCA relied on a footnote in a 2008 Florida Supreme Court case, Continental Casualty Co. v. Ryan Inc. Eastern. The footnote paraphrases the 1917 Florida Supreme Court decision in West Florida Grocery Co. v. Teutonia Fire Insurance Co., the seminal case on the issue. The Continental Casualty Co. footnote read, when quoting West Florida Grocery, that it is a well settled rule that [anti-assignment provisions do] not apply to an assignment after loss. The Fourth DCA found that that the language was misquoted and overstated the holding in West Florida Grocery, with the original West Florida Grocery quote stating that it is a well-settled rule that the provision in a policy relative to the consent of the insurer to the transfer of an interest therein does not apply to an assignment after loss. Restoration 1 also argues that only one insured is necessary to assign benefits under an insurance policy and that it is not necessary or practical for any other insureds to consent to the assignment. Ark Royal must now submit a reply to Restoration 1s initial brief. What is decided in the case could have far reaching effects in what many contend has become a fraud scheme over the last decade targeting Florida homeowners who have been the victim of practices by dishonest contractors which result in fake or exaggerated claims. The contractors have homeowners, often unknowingly, assign their benefits under an insurance contract to the contractor. The contractor may then escalate the scope and cost of remediation or repairs beyond the actual damage and bills the insurance company for the inflated claim. Should the insurer not pay the inflated claim, vendors then sue the insurer. If the vendor prevails the vendor is awarded their attorneys fees under Floridas one-way attorney fees statute. This practice has led to a dramatic rise in claims and insurance rates. According to Florida OIR, claims associated with an assignment of benefits are 85 percent more expensive than claims without one. Editors Note: Holland & Knight LLP represents the Florida Justice Reform Institute in the preparation of an amicus curia brief in this case. However, Marcus has played no role in that matter. Topics Carriers Florida Profit Loss Homeowners Contractors Insurance Office of America (IOA) has added three new staff members to its offices in Florida. Michelle Newton joined the companys office in Tampa. With nearly 20 years experience, Newton specializes in working with condominium associations, and has extensive knowledge of flood insurance and risk management. She holds a property and casualty general lines license and a surplus lines license. Also joining IOAs team as a commercial risk management specialist in Tampa is Cabell Vildibill. With over 20 years of experience, Cabell has a background in insurance and risk management that includes the construction, food and beverage, automotive, and manufacturing and distribution industries. He has expertise in related specialty lines in all 50 states. Cabell has knowledge in business ownership, civil and structural engineering, project management, and risk management. IOA also hired Nick DiBattisto to its office in West Palm Beach. DiBattisto is a risk management specialist with experience in risk management strategy for mid to large market capacity clientele. He specializes in all facets of construction, commercial real estate, manufacturing, agriculture, and employee benefits. Insurance Office of America (IOA) is a full-service insurance agency founded in 1988. IOA is ranked 13th on Insurance Journals 2018 Top 100 Independent Property/Casualty Agencies report. Headquartered in Longwood, Florida, part of the greater Orlando community, IOA has more than 1,000 associates located in over 50 offices in the U.S. and London. Topics Florida Risk Management The daughter of an Alabama woman whose cremated remains were lost by a funeral home has been awarded $12 million. Al.com reports the jury verdict was announced Monday after Pine Crest Funeral Home in Mobile lost the remains of Shelley Hoods mother, Cecille Howard Taylor Gardner. Although Hoods mother died in 2011, court documents show, Hood first inquired about the remains in 2015 and was repeatedly told by management that they would be found. In 2016, the companys general manager told Hood that the remains hadnt been located and no record existed of their whereabouts. Hood filed a lawsuit in 2017. The funeral home is owned by Service Corporation International, a leading provider of death care services and products in North America. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Alabama The family of a black man killed by a Nashville police officer filed a federal lawsuit Monday, naming the city and the white officer who fatally shot the man from behind as he ran with a gun. Attorney Joy Kimbrough said the suit filed in federal court in Nashville seeks $30 million in connection with the fatal shooting last July of Daniel Hambrick, 25. The lawsuit names Officer Andrew Delke and Nashvilles government as defendants, arguing that the citys police department has a culture of fear, violence, racism and impunity and that the shooting was at least partly motivated by race. The police department blasted the lawsuit as an inflammatory attack on the agency, its officers and its training academy. The suit is unfolding as Delke is slowly nearing trial on state first-degree murder charges. Delke is due back in court next month for another pretrial hearing in his criminal case, but a trial date is still yet to be determined. The shooting has sparked anger and tension in Nashville, mirroring the national attention on cases in recent years of young black men who have died in shootings by police. Hambricks death prompted a November referendum passed by voters to create a citizen oversight board for Nashvilles police force. The lawsuit filed by Hambricks family alleges that the police department and Delke violated Hambricks constitutional rights through excessive force and race discrimination. It also brings a wrongful death claim against Delke. Additionally, the suit said, the police departments training programs reinforce the message that officers should live in fear of citizens and that violence is an officers only way to avoid being killed by citizens. Nashville police department spokesman Don Aaron said his agency looks forward to vigorously defending this lawsuit and correcting the plethora of misinformation it contains. Delkes attorney, David Raybin, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit. In the criminal case proceedings, Delkes attorneys have argued that the officer, who was also 25 at the time of the shooting, had followed his training and state law when he saw Hambrick had a gun. But District Attorney General Glenn Funk has said Delke could have sought cover and called for help. According to Delkes arrest affidavit, the officer pulled into an apartment parking lot and mistook a car for one he had been following while looking for stolen vehicles and known juvenile offenders. Several people were in the area at the time, including Hambrick, who began to run, according to the affidavit. The affidavit says Delke believed Hambrick may have been connected to the car he thought might be stolen, and he chased him and yelled at him to stop. It says Delke shot Hambrick in the back, torso and the back of his head. A fourth shot missed him. Neither side has disputed that Hambrick had a gun. But the defense has said the weapon became pointed at Delke during the chase, and prosecutors have cast doubt about that. Meanwhile, the Nashville Fraternal Order of Police has been running a public relations offensive aimed at boosting Delkes public image while casting scrutiny on Hambrick. James Smallwood, the local police union president, said the lawsuit contains so many false allegations and hateful stereotypes about police officers that it bears no resemblance to reality. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Law Enforcement Training Development CAMDEN, N.J. - March 14, 2019 (Investorideas.com Newswire) American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE: AWK), the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company, announced it has signed a Community Investment Agreement with Mayor Frank Moran and the City of Camden. This agreement will help establish a comprehensive plan of community education and outreach, job training programs and hiring initiatives to benefit residents, business, and organizations throughout the city. American Water's move to the Camden Waterfront represents a milestone in the company's long-term investment in Camden's future. Empowered by the move to its new home in Camden, American Water is strengthening their relationships with local organizations, creating new partnerships, and contributing to the renaissance of this City on the Rise making Camden a thriving place to live, work, serve, and play. About American Water With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 7,100 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to more than 14 million people in 46 states and Ontario, Canada. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Contacts Joseph Szafran External Affairs Manager 856-309-4690 joseph.szafran@amwater.com Water-Stocks.com: investing ideas in water stocks Like Water Stocks? 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Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp By Bella Genga, Layan Odeh, and Padraig Hoare Norwegian Air International, which flies Boeings 737 Max to the US east coast from Irish airports, has no plans to abandon orders of the aircraft, even as the Ethiopian Airlines crash looks increasingly likely to hit the planemakers $55bn (49bn) global order book. VietJet Aviation, which doubled its order to 200 of the aircraft, priced at about $25bn, only last month, said it will decide on its future plans once the cause of the tragedy has been found, while Kenya Airways could switch to Airbus rival, A320. Thats as Indonesias Lion Air firms up moves to drop a $22bn order for the 737, in favour of the Airbus jet, according to sources, while a $5.9bn order by Saudi carrier Flyadeal hangs in the balance. Boeing, whose shares have lost 12% of their value this week, faces escalating financial risk, after two disasters in the past five months involving its newest narrow-body jet. Norwegian has 18 of the aircraft in its fleet, with more than 100 on order. A spokesman for the airline said orders for the 737 Max would be maintained. The airline flies to the US east coast from Cork, Dublin, and Shannon. Its flight to Providence, Rhode Island, an hour from Boston, was the first-ever direct transatlantic flight from Cork, when it took off in July 2017. It has suspended use of the 737 Max, as investigations intensify into the cause of the Ethiopian Airlines crash. Norwegian, the biggest European operator of the 737 Max, said it will ask Boeing to cover the costs of the planes grounding. It is obvious that the costs incurred by the temporary grounding of brand-new aircraft should be covered by those who have made the airplane. We have not made any cost calculations at this time, as our main priority is to ensure that affected passengers are being taken care of in the best possible way, the firm said. Ryanair is due to take charge of its first 737 Max next month, and will take another 50 before the summer of 2020. Sundays loss of an Ethiopian Airlines 737, in which 157 people died, bore similarities to a Lion Air 737 Max crash on October 29. The latter plunged into the Java Sea, off Indonesia, just minutes after take-off. Lion Airs relations with Boeing soured after the manufacturer pointed to maintenance issues and human error as the underlying cause, even though the flightss pilots had been battling a computerised system that took control following a sensor malfunction. The 737, which first entered service in the late 1960s, is the aviation industrys best-selling model and Boeings top earner. The re-engined Max version has racked up more than 5,000 orders, worth in excess of $600bn. Boeing is in crisis, as airlines around the world ground the plane, with regulators from Australia to Europe denying it access to their airspace. The Irish Aviation Authority ordered 737 Max aircraft grounded on Tuesday. In a dramatic development, the European Aviation Safety Agency has split with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in banning the Max, leaving the US regulator isolated in insisting that its still safe to fly. Picture: EPA/STRINGER In grounding the 737 Max, centuries-old American allies, including the UK and Australia, broke convention by snubbing the FAA, an authority that has defined whats airworthy and whats not for decades. Yesterday, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam became the latest countries to block the 737 Max, legitimising Chinas early verdict, on March 11, that the plane could be unsafe. VietJet will decide whether to go ahead with its purchase following official conclusions from global regulators and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, it said. In December, Saudi carrier Flyadeal said it would switch from Airbus and purchase up to 50 737 Max jets, subject to final terms being reached. The carrier, a unit of Saudi Arabian Airlines, said its waiting on the results of the investigation. Were closely monitoring the situation and are in constant contact with Boeing. There are no conclusions to be drawn at this time, it said. Lion Air was looking at scrapping its Boeing deal after Octobers crash, which killed 189, and the African disaster has made co-founder, Rusdi Kirana, more determined to cancel the contract. Kenya Airways will consider switching to Airbus or could opt to take more of the older 737-800 version of the Boeing jet, which doesnt feature the suspect system, chairman Michael Joseph said, without ruling out sticking with the Max. Last year, the company revived plans to expand its network with a proposal to buy as many as 10 of the planes, worth about $1.2bn. Some 32 of those killed in the Ethiopian crash, six minutes after the plane took off from Addis Ababa for Nairobi, were Kenyan citizens, the most for any single country. Mr Joseph said: We will carefully follow the developments around the 737 Max. No decision has been taken yet Sub-Saharan Africas third-largest carrier is almost 50% state-owned, after a reorganisation in 2017, with long-time investor, Air France-KLM Group, shrinking its holding to less than 10%. Kenya Airways has about 40 aircraft, including eight 787 wide-bodies and the same number of 737-800s. The Dreamliner fleet will likely expand to add long-haul services, Mr Joseph said, requiring more smaller planes to feed them with customers. Those might include turboprops and Airbus A220 or Embraer SA E2 regional jets, as well as 737-sized models. Canadian transport minister, Marc Garneau, told lawmakers he wont hesitate to take action on Boeing, if needed, but said its too early to determine the cause of the Ethiopian Airlines crash. FAA acting chief, Daniel Elwell, said the agency continues to closely monitor an investigation into the fatal crash in Ethiopia and will take action, if necessary. No other civil aviation authorities have given the FAA data that would warrant action, the agency said. Bloomberg and Irish Examiner Name: Patricia DuChene Occupation: Vice president of sales and general manager EMEA, Wrike Background: The companys Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) headquarters, based in Dublin, opened in June 2015. Wrike has since added 80 jobs and increased revenues in the region by 347%. WHEN Wrike was looking at prospective locations in the EU, Dublin found itself competing with Amsterdam, London and Berlin. Irelands capital city eventually won out as the companys top choice for its Europe, Middle East and Africa headquarters for a number of factors; these included the availability of talent as well as the supportive ecosystem for technology companies. Wrikes collaborative work management platform helps organisations align work with key business objectives and create increased efficiencies through a single digital workplace complete with tools, features and integrations needed to manage, automate and complete work at scale. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Silicon Valley, it is the partner of choice for more than 19,000 organisations, including Google, Tiffany, and Edelman, and two million users across 140 countries. We have had incredible success since opening the first Dublin office, and it gives me great pride to say that EMEA is the companys fastest growing region, explains Patricia DuChene. When we were deciding on where in Europe was best for us, the draw was about who was already there and where could we pull from. Dublin was the best match for us. There is still tremendous opportunity here, in terms of talent and market share, and we are just getting started in EMEA, she adds. Having increased its workforce by 44% in 2018, Wrike currently employs 84 in Dublin, with plans to expand that number with a minimum of 50 more jobs over the next three years. Given the uncertainty that has since grown around the issue of Brexit, the companys successful four years so far in Dublin have underlined its correct location decision. While many tech companies locate in London, we are pleased in having had the foresight to plan on Dublin. Brexit will obviously result in some companies migrating to Dublin and Ireland, and we will be tracking those firms that are choosing to move here, and to compare candidate pools and see what talent is coming in. Since Wrike opened in Dublin in 2015, it has increased its customer base by 532%, and achieved annual recurring revenue by 347% in the EMEA region. The company has tripled its worldwide headcount over the last three years and aims to double in size over the next 36 months as more companies adopt collaborative work management tools to help overcome the challenges presented by digital transformation. The definition of the word workplace is changing, and I expect well start to see some very real differences in how Dublin and EMEA offices operate in 2019, she explains. Were going to see a tremendous uptick in the number of people working remotely on at least two or three days a week. Remote work and at-home work are fairly new concepts in Ireland, the UK and continental Europe, but they are catching on very quickly. Companies should embrace this change and provide secure technology that enables and supports both, she says. Today, tools such as enterprise-grade instant messaging, video conferencing, and collaborative work management platforms are vital. Offering employees the option to work from home and the flexibility to create their own work schedules provides a number of benefits to companies, ranging from increased employee productivity to the ability to attract and retain an expanded talent pool. Nearly all of the applicants I have interviewed in the last few months have asked about working from home part-time and about flexible work hours, she adds. In a recently commissioned Wrike Happiness Index survey conducted in USA, UK, France and Germany across 4,000 gender-balanced respondents, over half of UK employees had taken a pay cut to accept a job that made them happier. In addition to accepting less money in exchange for happiness, they were also largely uninterested in perks. The results suggest that work perks should be replaced by measures that increase happiness, productivity and flexibility, including working from home and flexible hours. It should also serve as a wake-up call for employers if your staff isnt happy, they will go elsewhere, no matter how good their salaries are. If the traditional 9-to-5 is no longer realistic in todays digital work, it does not necessarily mean the sacrificing of a life-work balance. Companies that provide their employees with technology that enables more efficient processes and increased productivity will be able to offer the kind of flexibility and balance people are truly looking for and, in turn, will reap the benefits of having a happier workforce, she says. The new world of flexible and remote work arrives just in time to help solve Dublins growing accommodation problem, Patricia believes. It should come as no surprise that Dublin is in the midst of a real estate crisis, both residential and commercial. Ireland and particularly Dublin has done an amazing job of attracting companies from around the globe, but we are now tasked with accommodating everyone that wants to be here. In one sense, this is a great problem to have. And one that has pretty straightforward solutions remote and flexible work, micro-offices, and commercial development outside Dublin. She predicts an increase in remote work options and flexible work schedules in 2019, helping to reduce city congestion and make living outside the city centre more feasible. It should be stressed that interest in remote and flexible work isnt just a fad, it is about people exercising control and about making work fit into their lives rather than trying to fit life into their work. Companies should support this emerging preference if they want to retain top talent. The future of business will be marked by an increase in satellite offices and the rise of micro-offices just outside the city, with companies opening two or three smaller locations, rather than one large office space. It often feels as if those who dont live near a Luas or Dart line might as well be living in a different city. By taking advantage of these smaller offices, companies can get the space they need while becoming more appealing to a geographically dispersed talent base. And they retain all the benefits of calling Dublin home, she adds. Patricia also sees a branching out into less populated suburban areas or fast-growing cities throughout the country, such as Cork and Limerick. Irelands economy is booming and we can anticipate an influx of international companies looking to move their EMEA headquarters here after Brexit. I think 2019 will be the year in which we finally throw out the antiquated 9-to-5 model it just isnt realistic anymore. Workers have been sacrificing their lives for work for too long. We now have the tech to automate routine tasks and help us plan, manage, and execute work at scale. Its time to take advantage of this. Hozier and Florence top Electric Picnic bill Hozier has been announced as one of the headline acts of this years Electric Picnic festival. He will be joined by US indie rockers The Strokes and chart toppers Florence and The Machine and The 1975 at this years festival, which will take place in Stradbally, Co Laois, from August 30 to September 1. Tickets for the festival sold out on December 3, 2018, just 15 minutes after they went on sale. It was the first time that the festival had sold out before a single act had been announced. That is despite the festival capacity being increased to 57,000 this year, too. A 15m contract has been awarded for the design stage of the 100km Cork-Limerick motorway. However, it is unlikely that the planned 900m M20 will be completed before 2027. Limerick City and County Council, the lead local authority for the project, has appointed JB Barry Transportation and its project partners, WSP and Sweco, as technical advisers. An original design was approved by An Bord Pleanala but planning lapsed following the Governments decision to mothball the project after the 2008 financial crisis. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) The Manila Regional Trial Court allowed Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, who is facing a cyber libel case, to travel outside the country. Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa of Branch 46 initially set the travel bond at 500,000 but Ressa moved to reduce it to 100,000 for each trip. The court granted Ressa's motion, setting the bond at 300,000 for all her three travel dates. Ressa asked the court's permission to travel to Singapore this month, and to Italy and the U.S. in April. In granting her motion, the court said Ressa's travel will not deprive it of the power to exercise its jurisdiction over her. It pointed out Ressa attached her travel itinerary including her confirmed return tickets to the Philippines. "Further, her position as the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Editor of Rappler, Inc., which has its principal office address at Pasig City, diminished the risk of flight," it added. The court reiterated the constitutional right to travel is part of liberty which a citizen cannot be deprived of, without due process. But it also stressed this right is not absolute as "it is subject to constitutional statutory, and inherent limitations." "One of the inherent limitations is the power of courts to prohibit persons charged with a crime from leaving the country," it explained. The court also reset Ressa's arraignment from April 12 to April 16. Ressa and former Rappler researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. are facing a cyber libel charge that stemmed from a complaint filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng in October 2017. The complaint was in connection with an article that said former Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was a subject of an impeachment trial, used a vehicle registered under Keng's name. The article was published in May 2012 - months before Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 was enacted - but was updated in February 2014 due to a typographical error. READ: Ressa, Rappler's ex-staffer urge court to junk cyber libel raps Ressa is currently out on bail after being arrested over the charge last February 13. Groups see the cases against Rappler as a violation of press freedom and an attack on media critical of the administration. The Rappler head was among journalists hailed by Time Magazine as 2018 Person of the Year and dubbed as "guardians on the war on truth." READ: Rappler CEO calls arrest 'abuse of power' A seven-year-old boy who lacerated his left eyebrow when his head hit a bollard while walking with his mum at Blanchardstown Shopping Centre has been awarded 20,000 damages in the Circuit Civil Court. Grainne Berkery, counsel for Conor Askin, who is now 13, said the boys claim was based on the inadequacy of lighting at a taxi rank on the south side of the centre where the bollard was situated alongside a footpath. Conor, who lives at Ravenwood Crescent, Clonee, Dublin 15, sued Green Property Investment Fund, Fitzwilliam Square West, Dublin, owners of the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, through his mother Tracie Askin. Ms Askin told Circuit Court president Mr Justice Raymond Groarke that she and her two sons were walking along the footpath on the night of November 20, 2012, when Conor caught the top side of a bollard with his left eyebrow. Ms Berkery, who appeared with Mason Hayes and Curran Solicitors, said he had been taken to the emergency department of Temple Street Childrens Hospital where a laceration to his eyebrow had been closed with medical glue and paper stitches. She said he had been left with a scar almost an inch long which, fortunately, remained partly hidden by his eyebrow. Awarding Conor damages of 20,000, Judge Groarke said the court had to decide if reasonable care had been taken by the defendant to make sure that all people using the footpath were alerted to the fact that there was a bollard actually constructed in the footpath which was something for users of the path to see and avoid. The court heard that the centre was opened in 1996, with the bollard in place since then without incident, until the 2012 accident. The bollards were put in place to stop motorists parking on footpaths. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that he will ask US president Donald Trump not to agree a new free trade deal with the UK if it undermines peace on the island of Ireland. He also said he favours the appointment of a new US peace envoy for Ireland and that he will raise the importance of the Good Friday Agreement when he meets Mr Trump today. Mr Varadkar also confirmed that his partner Matt Barrett would attend the traditional breakfast in the residence of vice-president Mike Pence in Washington DC, as part of this weeks St Patricks Day celebrations. Mr Varadkar and Mr Trump will meet in the White House today and both are expected to discuss Brexit, trade, and visas for Irish citizens, among other issues. Asked if he favoured the appointment of a new US peace envoy for Ireland, the Taoiseach said: Certainly if the president is open to wanting a special envoy to Northern Ireland, that would be very welcome. We know historically that when the United States has taken an interest in the affairs of Northern Ireland it has helped bring peace to conclusion so that will certainly be welcome. While not wanting the US to take sides over Brexit, Mr Varadkar said he wanted authorities in Washington not to pursue any new trade deal with London if it undermined the Norths peace process. We know they will want to negotiate a free trade agreement with the UK into the future and we also want to negotiate a free trade agreement between the US and the EU and would like to do that before there is any agreement with the UK, but we will be saying to them, of course, that the Good Friday Agreement has to be paramount, that the peace process has to be paramount, said Mr Varadkar. The US was so involved in making the Good Friday Agreement possible, in helping to bring about peace in Northern Ireland, and well be saying to them, of course, that we would ask that no trade deal that is done with the UK should ever undermine the peace process. More than 20 US congressmen wrote to British prime minister Theresa May in recent days warning that a US-UK free trade deal could be delayed indefinitely and to avoid imposing a new border in Ireland at all costs. Mr Varadkar revealed that Mr Barrett would join him at a breakfast meeting with Mr Pence this morning. The Taoiseach said he intended to raise gay rights issues with Mr Pence at last years breakfast. Mr Pence afterwards invited him to return to his Washington residence with Mr Barrett. Mr Pence has described himself as a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican and has been criticised for his views on LGBT rights. Mr Varadkar yesterday said: [Matt] was able to get the time off work and make the journey so he will be taking up the invitation from Mike and Karen Pence to attend tomorrow. By Daniel McConnell, Elaine Loughlin,and Juno McEnroe British prime minister Theresa May lost control of her government last night as the House of Commons voted to reject a no-deal Brexit under any circumstances. In a night of chaos and confusion in Westminster, MPs inflicted two more defeats on Ms May, rejecting the idea of Britain leaving the EU without a deal, and clearing the way for Brexit to be delayed. As many as 17 of Ms Mays MPs defied her in the votes, which saw 321 MPs vote to reject a no-deal in all circumstances compared to 278 who supported her. Four cabinet ministers, the work and pensions minister Amber Rudd, the justice minister David Gauke, the business minister Greg Clarke, and Scotland minister David Mundell abstained on the motion. In Washington DC, Leo Varadkar insisted the UK will have to have a good reason before any extension can be accepted. Things look a bit brighter today than they did yesterday, the Taoiseach said. I anticipate the UK will seek an extension and we will want to see what the reason for that extension is. As a result of the vote, Ms May has tabled a motion seeking an extension of Article 50, which would delay Brexit, until June 30, to be debated today. The British governments motion will ask MPs to back an extension until June 30 to pass legislation if the Commons can back a deal. If the Commons has not passed a deal by March 20, it is highly likely the European Council would require a clear purpose for any extension, the motion adds. A commission spokesperson said: We take note of the votes in the House of Commons. There are only two ways to leave the EU: With or without a deal. The EU is prepared for both. To take no-deal off the table, it is not enough to vote against no-deal you have to agree to a deal. We have agreed a deal with the prime minister and the EU is ready to sign it. There was also outrage in Ireland and throughout the UK following the publication of Britains proposed tariff regime in the case of a no-deal Brexit. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said the proposed tariffs on Irish exports would lead to Armageddon in Irish farming. He said the announcement of a tariff regime by the British government would wipe out the beef industry. EU Commissioner Phil Hogan questioned its legality, and said the UK was clearly trying to break unity among the EU 27 ahead of the next Council meeting. There is so much political chaos in London at the moment in the context of the EU-UK negotiations that there is obviously an effort being made to change the news cycle because this is a very ill-thought-out proposal, we dont even know if its legal, if its compatible with the World Trade Organization Rules, said Mr Hogan. In the US, Mr Varadkar said that there is a supreme irony in the tariff proposals put forward by the British government t in seeking to treat the North differently to the rest of the UK. He raised the spectre of a tariff trade war between the EU and Britain after debate about any new levies on goods in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Well, what will happen is European law and European customs code will apply, so the common external tariff will apply to any goods exported from the United Kingdom to the European Union, said Mr Varadkar. And obviously, that will have a severe impact on the British economy and on the Northern Ireland economy in particular. He said those who advocated for Brexit have been chasing unicorns for a very long time. As we head into the next few weeks, it should be blatantly obvious that unicorns only exist in fairytales, he said. I would say to people who advocated Brexit is this really what they wanted? Protectionism, borders, tariffs, restrictions on trade? Cork City retailers need to tweak their offering to capitalise on the arrival of thousands of new workers, according to one of the developers leading the multimillion-euro regeneration of the docklands. John Cleary of JCD was speaking yesterday as US cybersecurity firm Forcepoint moved into its new centre of excellence, developed by JCD, at 85 South Mall a building with capacity for 400 workers. Mr Cleary, who spoke out last year in support of bus lanes in the city centre as part of wider measures to improve public transport, is also developing the huge Penrose Dock office campus for 2,500 workers. He said thousands more city jobs are in the pipeline. The proposed introduction of tariffs by Britain on Irish exports would lead to armageddon in Irish farming, the Dail heard. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said the announcement of a tariff regime by the British government would wipe out the beef industry. Many primary producers, including beef and suckler farmers, would go to the wall, he said. I refer to producers of cheddar cheese, poultry, lamb, and pork. Such an outcome would devastate the rural Irish economy and sectors of our agricultural industry. The cost to the beef sector alone would be more than 800m if these tariffs were ultimately to apply, he said during leaders questions. It is time for everyone to stand back and reflect, he said. I dont think Ireland is as prepared as the Government likes to think. Mr Martin said it is important to have some shape fleshed out for an aid package for farmers and food producers fearful of market disruption because of tariffs. The meat and farming industries have known this threat (from tariffs and a no-deal Brexit) was possible for some time, he said. A no-deal would be devastating for rural Ireland the border areas in particular, he warned. This is nonsense, this carry-on. Mr Martin, on RTE Radio, said he would not get into a petty party-political row. If a no-deal Brexit happens then tariffs will apply. The Government knows this is the elephant in the room. It was understandable that if negotiations are under way people are not going to show their hand. However, he called on the Government to face up to the challenges ahead and to be transparent. Tanaiste Simon Coveney, in response, said the tariffs will be very damaging to trade and businesses, farmers and consumers in Ireland and the UK. We will study the impact of these proposals carefully, together with our EU partners, he said. The imperative is to work together, and with our EU partners, to ensure we deliver on the shared goal of avoiding a hard border, deal or no deal. Mr Coveney added that, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, the Government will seek further relaxation of state aid rules and EU support for businesses and agribusiness. In its contingency plan, the EU Commission noted the specific challenges faced by Irish businesses and committed to helping Ireland find solutions, he said. Mr Coveney said the Government is in close contact with the EU Commission on the matter of state aid. In February, the EU Commission announced a relaxation of state aid rules regarding supports for farmers. Aid limits per farm were raised from 15,000 to 25,000. Mr Coveney said that should a no-deal Brexit occur, the Government will need to borrow money. We may well have to dip into a rainy day fund and we will have to work in partnership with the European Commission to protect vulnerable sectors that are exposed in the context of a no-deal Brexit and the type of tariff regime that could be imposed, as we saw this morning, he said. It will cost money and it may well result in Ireland going back into deficit rather than staying in surplus, should that be necessary, but it would be wrong at this stage to raise expectations in terms of the amount of money we are speaking about. The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has said the imposition of tariffs as outlined by UK proposals in a no-deal Brexit would put Irish farmers in a vulnerable position, threatening the Irish beef sector and seriously damaging the countrys agri-food exports. The publication of proposed tariffs, were the UK to bounce out of Europe, has rattled the agricultural sector with the IFA claiming farmers now need to hear more from both the Irish Government and the EU about what supports would come into play if no deal is agreed by March 29. IFA president Joe Healy said Irish farmers are in an awful vulnerable position, and especially the beef sector, which currently exports half its produce to the UK. It could face tariffs of 53%. Realistically it would be armageddon for the Irish beef sector, he said. Farmers need to see a bit more from the EU on what sort of supports are going to be there [in the event of tariffs being imposed]. This week of uncertainty has only added fuel to the fire. Earlier, the IFAs livestock chairman Angus Woods told RTE Radio: The obvious thing that would happen here is that Irish beef is displaced from the UK market. Youre looking at consequences which would affect the whole European market, in terms of Irish beef would more than likely be displaced from the UK and spread right across the European beef market which is already under pressure at the moment. This has a much wider, broader knock-on effect right across the continental European market. The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) said it is deeply concerned at tariffs that might now be imposed. ICMSA president Pat McCormack said the imposition would be catastrophic and could make some trade completely unviable. The effects would be felt quite literally in every parish from the perimeter of Dublin Airport westwards to Connemara and from Malin Head south to Mizen Head, he said. He also reiterated the ICMSA warning from last summer against the tactic of overtly prioritising the North-South Political over the East-West Economic and for Government to give farmers parity of focus in their strategy. He said that had not happened and ICMSAs worst fears about drifting towards what would be an economic catastrophe for rural Ireland are now being borne out. Possible tariffs on fish being exported into the UK also sparked alarm among fishermen. Killybegs Fishermens Organisation CEO Sean ODonoghue said there is now a heightened state of anxiety surrounding how events may unfold in the coming weeks. Weve been beating this drum for a long time in stating that the seafood and fishing industries are uniquely exposed given the sharing of fishing grounds with the UK, said Mr ODonoghue. The Department of the Taoiseach reiterated last night that all of the important commercial fish stocks which we rely on are shared with the UK and approximately one-third of all landings of fish by Irish vessels come from UK waters. An orderly Brexit is imperative. Otherwise we face chaos and conflict on the high seas in the very near future, not to mention the major conflict issues around exports and landings. A child who tripped over a gully near his home and broke his arm in two places has been awarded 20,000 damages. The boy, who was five at the time of the accident, fell near his home in Dungloe, Co Donegal, on July 3, 2015. Insurance companies have been accused of making hundreds of millions of euro while putting small businesses at risk of closure. Junior finance minister Michael DArcy claims he is not afraid to take on the insurance companies, suggesting that they are taking advantage of customers. Speaking during a Dail debate on a Fianna Fail motion, Mr DArcy, who holds special responsibility for insurance and financial services, said companies can no longer justify the level of hikes on premiums. He acknowledged the State does have a role to play, especially in ensuring excessively high payouts are not the norm, but he told the Dail that the insurance industry needs to reflect on its current position. In a period of buoyant profitability, three major firms have made a combined profit of over 200m and there seems to be increasing premiums, very significantly in certain sectors of the market, or else withdrawing from these markets altogether, said Mr DArcy. Insurers are being selective about the risks they will cover and they are picking and choosing the prices in such a way as to maximise profits at the expense of small businesses in particular. I really believe that most people in the House would agree that it is very difficult to justify such behaviour in an environment where significant profits are being made. Calling on insurance companies to give policyholders a break, he said continued price increases risk closing down many businesses, with major concerns for much of civil society as we currently know. However, Fianna Fails Michael McGrath said the Government has taken little practical action to tackle what he described as an insurance crisis faced by play centres, pubs, nightclubs, hotels, leisure centres, and other small businesses. To give just one example, a childrens play centre I am familiar with had an insurance bill of 3,500 in early 2016, he said. This increased to 5,500 in 2017 and to just under 10,000 in early 2018. The renewal quote for the next 12 months is almost 18,500. This play centre has had no claims since it opened a decade ago. It is now facing closure with the loss of jobs and a valuable local amenity. Sinn Feins Maurice Quinlivan said one could be mistaken for thinking insurance companies are struggling to operate in the Irish market due to the much-cited excuses of fraud and the high cost of claims, but he said the reality is very different. In the past few weeks alone, Aviva Ireland posted profits of 113m, up 14m on 2017, he said. RSA Insurance announced profits of 35m for the past last year, while FBD Insurance reported profits of 50m. The four cases claiming breach of the Working Time Directive (WTD) within the Defence Forces have been adjourned after the Department of Defence offered to enter into mediation talks with the organisation taking them. PDForra, which represents enlisted personnel in the Defence Forces, planned to take the cases later this month in the High Court, having successfully won a landmark decision on behalf of a female soldier last year. Last June, the organisation won a test case on behalf of soldier Susan ODonnell and as a result she has got back the annual leave she lost in 2015 and has received an ex-gratia sum in compensation. PDForra has estimated that its 6,000-plus members lost in the region of 37,000 days of annual leave in 2016 because they were overstretched and constantly plugging gaps. As a result, a number of other cases claiming breaches of the WTD are also being prepared by PDForras legal representatives. It had repeatedly accused the Department of Defence of not engaging on WTD breaches. That was until its officials offered mediation. PDForra has agreed to the talks, which will be mediated by senior counsel Mark Connaughton. However, PDForra issued a statement to its 6,000-plus members, saying that it reserves the right to proceed with the High Court cases if progress is not made expediently. Its general secretary said his organisation was also seeking a strict deadline for the finalisation of the mediation talks. The four cases are listed again for mention in the High Court on April 4. The shortage of personnel in the Defence Forces has led to many soldiers, sailors, and aircrews working longer hours to plug gaps. The Representative Association for Commissioned Officers has said this has become particularly noticeable in areas where there are severe shortages of officers, especially bomb disposal experts and Naval Service marine engineers. They often work 65-70 hours a week without any overtime payments. Army officers guarding Portlaoise Prison were, on average, doing 65 hours a week, and those on guard duties at Shannon Airport were doing 53 hours a week. Meanwhile, a naval aervice officer on the watch was doing 63 hours a week. Under the WTD, their work should be capped at 48 hours a week. While Germany, Britain, and Sweden have already implemented the WTD for their armed forces, the Government here has failed to do so. However, it has done it for gardai. Meanwhile, Paul Kehoe, the minister of state with responsibility for defence, and chief of staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett attended the commissioning of 24 officers yesterday at a ceremony in Dublin. The officers completed an 11-month training course and will take up appointments in the Army and Air Corps. All of them were originally non-commissioned officers. Between them, they have accumulated 94 individual overseas missions and have a combined service of 401 years. The Governments Slaintecare action plan has been blasted as deeply underwhelming by the woman who chaired the committee that produced the Slaintecare report. Social Democrat TD Roisin Shortall said it took a special kind of brass neck to produce another report on a report on a report, but still no proper budget. Todays wishy-washy report is yet further proof that the Fine Gael Government is not remotely committed to delivering... the kind of universal public health service which this country has lacked for so long, Ms Shortall said. Slaintecare, the Government blueprint for health reform, produced by the Future of Healthcare Committee, has as its core vision a universal single-tier health service, based on need and not ability to pay. The Irish Exporters Association has said it believes the UKs proposed tariff regime in the event of a no-deal Brexit is against World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules. The announcement of the proposed tariffs sent shockwaves through various industry sectors, even though the UK said there would be no tariffs on goods travelling from the Republic into the North. By contrast, damaging tariffs such as the 53% that would be levied on beef and 60% on poultry meat would apply to goods travelling across the Irish Sea. However, Simon McKeever, chief executive of the Irish Exporters Association, said on closer inspection our sense is that under WTO rules they cannot unilaterally do this. A young man accused of kicking in his mothers front door and assault causing harm to her at Christmas argued through his solicitor yesterday that the charges should be struck out because she had died on Monday night. Joseph Cuddigan, solicitor, said in the case against Christopher Ruby that his mother, Rosamond Ruby, fell at home sustaining a fatal injury and died in hospital on Monday night. Mr Cuddigan argued that in the circumstances the two charges of assault and criminal damage should be struck out. Performances are at We have a preacher who has given up on preaching and Buddy, a little boy who is terrified, just terrified of water, and yet he can find water and sense water and knows when its going to rain, she said. US Vice President Mike Pence has said his country stands with Ireland as Brexit continues and will expand trade between the two nations. Welcoming Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at his private residence in Washington DC, Mr Pence also confirmed he is making plans to travel to Ireland, writes Juno McEnroe, Political Correspondent in Washington DC. Mr Varadkar was joined by his partner Matt Barrett at the breakfast meeting, alongside an Irish delegation and US congressmen. Mr Pence expressed solidarity with Ireland as Brexit continues, saying the US stands with the Republic and that the US looks forward to expanding trade with Ireland. The US also stands with the Irish Republic as the UK continues to work through issues with Brexit, he said. Mr Pence is also making plans to travel to Ireland and Co Sligo and Co Clare and is making plans to visit his grandfathers homestead. The one condition, which he agreed to with Mr Varadkar, was that he would bring his mother, guests at the observatory residence were told. The Taoiseach said he looked forward to seeing Mr Pence in Ireland in the next year or two. Mr Varadkar also delivered a powerful speech in which he described there was a time in Ireland where, if he tried to be himself, he would have broken laws. Instead, he now stood as a leader of a country in the Vice Presidents home and was not judged by his sexual orientation. Mr Pence has been a vocal critic of gay marriage and in one previous speech suggested that it would lead to societal collapse. But Mr Varadkar, describing growing up in Ireland, told the guests: I knew at the time that I lived in a country where if I tried to be myself at the time, it would have ended up breaking laws but today that has all changed. I stand here, leader of my country, flawed and human but judged by my political actions and not by my sexual orientation, my skin tone, gender or religious beliefs. Mr Varadkar later this morning will meet US president Donald Trump in the White House. Kay Harte is proprietor of the Farmgate Cafe at the English Market in Cork. She grew up in Youghal, described as an idyllic childhood with miles of sand and sea. We lived about a mile from the beautiful old historic town. Currently managed by Kays daughter Rebecca, the Farmgate is a venue for various cultural events through the year. Next Tuesday at 6.30pm, the cafe will host the inaugural Farmgate Cafe National Poetry Award, as part of Cork International Poetry Festival. At the event, Leanne OSullivan will be presented with an award of 2,000 for her collection, A Quarter of an Hour. The World Restaurant Awards celebrated two Irish restaurants, both of them from Cork: Paradiso for its locally sourced ingredients, and Ballymaloe for its iconic dessert trolley. Joe McNamee meets the makers Frankly, there are times when a body might wonder if the modern hospitality world is more concerned with putting awards up on the mantlepiece rather than good food in the belly, the culinary calendar now busting at the seams with whatever constitutes this weeks latest gourmet glamour parade and I write this as someone who has actively participated in the food awards process in the past and most probably will do so again in the future. Certainly, those administrated and delivered with integrity have their merits: acknowledging and encouraging achievement, fostering deserved recognition and aiding the public in making dining decisions that can have a profound impact on the businesses of deserving chefs, restaurants and producers and benefiting the hospitality sector as a whole. But, equally, there have been more than a few individuals who have lost sight of what they originally set out to do in their subsequent blind pursuit of culinary stardom. Worst still are those awards born out of greed, whereby unscrupulous hucksters identify the gold to be prospected from the Western worlds current lifestyle obsession with all things food, accordingly, bilking money from the gullible or naively innocent through promotional costs or dishing out spurious gongs to the undeserving. And so, the intial inclination on first hearing of the new World Restaurant Awards, is to shrug and move on, deeming it some tawdry facsimile of the illustrious Worlds 50 Best Restaurants, until you realise that it is co-founded by Andrea Petrini and Joe Warwick. Petrini, a 58-year-old Italian domiciled in France for over 30 years, is one of the most influential food critics in the world, chair of the Worlds 50 Best Restaurants awards and, incidentally, a long time champion of Irish food and hospitality since his first visits to Ireland in the 80s, while London-based Warwick is one of the co-founders of the Worlds 50 Best Restaurants and author of the hugely popular volumes, Where Chefs Eat. Employing a worldwide network of 100 judges, the WRA differs from the Worlds 50 Bests straightforward grading of restaurants in numerical order, from one to 50, by instead awarding in various categories, divided into two overall sections, Big Plates and Small Plates. From 18 overall, there were two Irish winners, both from Cork: Paradiso restaurant, with Gort na Nain Farm, and Ballymaloe House. The 12 Big Plates categories are conceived to champion excellence and integrity while trying to better promote the diversity of the worlds restaurant community, and cover areas such as atmosphere, ethical cooking and particular dishes, along with restaurant of the year (Wolfgat, in South Africa, also awarded for Best Off-Map Destination) and Paradiso and Gort na Nain farm, in Nohoval, Kinsale, won Collaboration of the Year category, which rewards restaurants for their work with their suppliers. With categories such as Best Tattoo-free Chef, Best Tweezer-Free Kitchen and Best Red-Wine Serving Restaurant, the six Small Plates section appears rather more whimsical and the organisers indeed acknowledge it is very much tongue in cheek but at the same time is attempting to subvert current gastronomic fashion and also make a point of championing tradition, both culinary and literary. It was in this grouping that Ballymaloe House won their award, for Trolley of the Year, because, the judges noted, tableside service should always be in fashion. The Big Plates is easy to understand, all the categories, best restaurant, new arrival of the year, says Andrea Petrini, enduring classic, for a restaurant running for more than 50 years. We are trying to cover all sorts of restaurants, trying to spread out the most proper and honest picture of how diverse and rich the restaurant could and should be and of course we would like them to be more accessible, less reserved for the usual fine dining, expensive, white male-run restaurants which has been the norm, the rule, the code, for 100 years. We wanted to express something that was a bit more democratic and you can also do that with the big awards. The Small Plates section is funny at first sight, a little bit ironic, but look closely and you see they are serious. Tattoo-free chef? You start thinking, when did the passion really start, when did chefs start to consider they had to have tattoos before even entering culinary school to fit this macho new look of the chef? The answer to to this is the chef who doesnt follow trends, the chef who doesnt look like all the other chefs with tattoos, the chef who thinks differently. Best Tweezer-free? Again, its ironic. Traditionally chefs went around with a spoon in their apron and probably a knife in their back pocket. When did it start to happen that all the chefs have a tweezer stuck in their jacket? Chefs have been losing the manual touch in their cooking, that craftsmanship. Chefs used to have burned hands all the time from touching the hot food and pots. Now with tweezers, it is a much more clinical cuisine, carefully building up all these dramatic layers of herbs and micro-greens and flowers. This award celebrates those who still care about food cooked a la minute. So, yes, they may sound whimsical but they are serious awards, it is a little comment on our society. BALLYMALOE Ivan and Myrtle Allen, from 1964, at Ballymaloe House. Ballymaloe House, the country house and restaurant, in East Cork, established in 1964 by the late lamented Myrtle Allen is justly renowned worldwide as a true innovator in modern hospitality, the first by several decades, to establish a fundamental synergy between a professional kitchen and finest local, seasonal produce, an ethos now at the core of many of the worlds very best restaurants. Yet it was in the Small Plates section that Ballymaloe was acknowledged, winning Trolley of the Year for their simple wooden trolley bearing a deliciously decadent array of desserts made fresh each day, with the judges noting the sight of a trolley trundling majestically towards your table is one of the joys of old-fashioned restaurant service. Such a whimsical accolade for such a venerable old stager may appear something of a slight but it is in fact an acknowledgement of Myrtle Allens enduring philosophy of remaining true to what is best about tradition, even if it flies in the face of current trends or fashion. In the food world, says Petrini, Ballymaloe is one of the most historical places, known all over Europe and the rest of the world. I personally went the first time I went to Ireland, in 1989. For me, coming from France, it was an incredible shock to see how this beautiful house in the middle of nowhere could be so caring for such beautiful produce. Yes, there was a French influence on the cooking but using a totally Irish selection of Irish products. For me, it was a discovery of a much more relaxed, earth-based cuisine, the vegetables, the herbs. Back then, it was 20, 30 years ahead of where the food world is now. I personally fell in love with Ballymaloe, then Ireland after that. For a lot of people around the world, Ballymaloe is a fantastic institution. We have been doing the trolley almost forever, says Fern Allen, Myrtle Allens youngest child, its a lovely thing because it is an interaction with the customer; you bring along the trolley and theres a real wow as they see it going around the dining room and youd be passing tables still on their starters and theyd almost hijack it, wanting it straight away. It is actually a very generous way of serving because the customer doesnt just have to choose just one dessert, they can have a bit of everything and people see it as a generous thing, it gives a good feeling. Once upon a time, trolleys were in all fine dining restaurants, for serving cheeses, desserts, soups and other dishes directly at the table, but as chefs began more and more to plate up in the kitchen, trollies became passe. While Head Chef Dervilla OFlynn may run the overall kitchen, it is JR Ryall, head pastry chef, who is in charge of all baking and desserts, and with fellow pastry chef Anne Healy is responsible for the daily replenishment of the legendary trolley. Now 31, he has been working at Ballymaloe since he was 15 years old. I had done a number of short courses in the cookery school, says Ryall, and got to do some work experience there. One day, Darina Allen, Myrtles daughter-in-law and founder of the nearby Ballymaloe Cookery School] said she thought I should try working in the kitchen over in Ballymaloe House and arranged it with her brother Rory OConnell who was head chef at the time. The evening did not go well and ended with him falling on the floor and upending an entire tray of lettuces. I just remember the feeling of embarrassment and by the time I walked out the door I thought, Im glad I did that, I now know what I dont want to do! The next day I was in the school and Darina was asking me how I got on and she said,I bet you had a fantastic time you know the way she can almost put words in your mouth and I lied and said, yes, I had a fantastic time. She said, brilliant, Ill send you again, and picked up the phone in front of me and called Rory to tell him. Literally bit my tongue. I couldnt tell Darina I had lied to her so I was over the second night in the pastry kitchen. I was doing very simple things, dipping truffles in chocolate, sorting through biscuits, watching what other people were doing but by the end of the shift I realised there was something in Ballymaloe House that I wanted to see more of and I asked could I come back. JR Ryall, Head Pastry Chef, Ballymaloe House, with the Worlds Best Trolley of the Year 2019. Ryall pondered doing a doctorate but the pull of Ballymaloe was too great. Picture: Jim Coughlan again at the end of each shift. He worked alongside Myrtle Allen each day and then returned for the entire summer holidays during his final two years in school, continuing the pattern while studying natural sciences in Trinity College Dublin. At the end of his third year, Myrtle told him the permanent job as head pastry chef was his if he wanted it after finishing college. Ryall thought long and hard about doing a doctorate after graduation but the pull of Ballymaloe was too strong: I was always fascinated by Mrs Allen and the idea of coming back to spend at least a solid year with her, that there was so much more to learn. I came back three days after my final exam and that was it, Ive been here ever since. The trolley, as delivered by Ryall, is resolutely unfashionable: there are no vegan alternatives to dairy, no egregious excesses of outre or on trend ingredients and any of the clinical sterility of molecular gastronomy appears to have entirely bypassed Ryall, as it has Ballymaloe. These are simply superb renditions of old school favourites. Part of the philosophy I learnt in my first year from Mrs Allen was how important it was that you should resist trends and do what youre good at. It meant that she could serve food to her guest that she had been serving to her family. I was probably brainwashed but I agreed with it. Theres an old fashioned generosity that used to go with eating but doesnt seem to be there any more. Nowadays, in most restaurants, the chef decides the portions and, if youre still hungry afterwards, you grab something else on the way home. And thats partly why so many of our customers like it, you might be having a main course, and you catch a glimpse of the trolley out of the corner of your eye and at that moment you decide to save some space for it, instead of having seconds of mains, you decide youre going to have seconds of dessert. PARADISO Denis Cotters Paradiso, in Cork City, is a restaurant that just happens to serve vegetarian food as opposed to a vegetarian restaurant and its reputation is truly global, thanks in no small part to Cotters ongoing collaboration with Ultan Walsh and Lucy Stewart and the produce they grow on Gort na Nain farm, in Nohoval, Co Cork. Despite sharing the shortlist with some truly spectacular operations, they secured the top spot because they are innovators of longstanding in this regard, rather than mere followers of the comparatively recent locavore trends in dining, with the judges noting that while there were countless [worldwide] examples of close chef-farmer collaborations [Denis] Cotter and [Ultan] Walshs is marked out by its longevity and synergy. Paradiso seems to me to be one of the most interesting places in working for the future, says Andrea Petrini, a future with closer and more prolific collaborations between chefs and suppliers. When I go to a restaurant, I want locally sourced, the best you can find, that supports the local farmers, growers and producers and is an expression of the region. Paradiso was very firmly established, both nationally and internationally, by the time Ultan Walsh emailed Cotter in 2001 to enquire whether he might be interested in Walshs produce. Walsh, a post-doctoral researcher in UCC, had quit his job to grow vegetables on a leased acre of land in Minane Bridge. I had other suppliers and there were only so many I could take on board, says Cotter, but he did say he was interested in produce that I was interested in, that I couldnt get or would have to import. I was very hung up on organics at the time, and was having to import poor quality organic stuff so he said he could grow it. We started with simple stuff, a mutual interest in particular vegetables and how to treat them. It gradually changed, quantities were small at the start, but it changed the way we worked from recipe driven to produce driven, a response to produce rather than coming up with a recipe and sourcing the ingredients. The first vegetable Walsh sold to Paradiso was globe artichokes, which turned out to be both he and Cotters favourite vegetable. Then Cotters main growers said they were emigrating to New Zealand and Walsh found himself as the restaurants main supplier by the following year. Within a few years, Walsh and his partner Lucy Stewart acquired a smallholding comprising some ten acres and turned it into a hugely impressive organic farm, that included an award-winning vegetarian B&B and at one stage was producing over 100 different types of vegetable each year. Though that figure is now closer to 60, Gort na Nain continues to produce a whole list of exotic or unusual vegetables to rank alongside the more prosaic staples, growing many of them for the first time ever in Ireland despite a preponderance of experts saying it couldnt be done. No other restaurant that we have supplied in the past has any relevance or comparison to what we do with Paradiso, says Walsh. Some restaurants and I wont mention who they are would ring you up in February asking whether the tomatoes are ready yet. Its just wild to me, it shows a total lack of understanding of ingredients, theres not that real curiousity about ingredients, even in the last couple of years, its bizarre, and these are trained chefs. There is no other restaurant that has any sort of an influence on what we grow. We have a market and that is largely Paradiso. We are sitting at the table when two gorgeous dishes featuring Walshs asparagus, newly in season only this week, turn up at the table. If you have only ever tasted the woody, flavourless stalks grown throughout the year in Peru, then flown half way around the world to the shelves of your nearest supermarket, a single tasting of Walshs verdant green spears, bearing impossibly exquisite flavours, will be nothing short of an epicurean epiphany. Delivered with minimal intervention from a canny kitchen that recognises the value of fine produce, they are the perfect encapsulation of that special something that persuaded the WRA judges to decide Paradisos collaboration with Gort na Nain farm was quite simply the best in the world. Candles are a luxury but anything that lights up your life and is not a screen has to be a good thing, says Rachel Marie Walsh AS Mothers Day approaches, you may go shopping in search of an expression of the bright and fragrant presence the woman is and wonder just when candles got so pricey. Matthew Williamsons Winter Oud Candle, 98, Fornasettis LApe Candle, 161, and Jo Malone Londons Peony & Blush Suede Luxury Candle, 365, all get you puzzling about content. It is still just wax, perfume and dye in there, isnt it? Hand-poured candles, measured consistency, a unique fragrance based on months of testing at the worlds finest perfume housesyou really are getting your moneys worth when you buy a luxury candle, says Tobi Tobin, an LA-based entrepreneur whose eponymous brand makes candles that Britney Spears and Reese Witherspoon light at home. The fragrance part, it seems, is especially tricky. Some popular perfume ingredients dont smell so pretty when burned, for example, while others are dulled when mixed with soy wax. Around this time last year, the CEO of French candlemaker Diptyque told Business Insider their customers get a good deal. Our candles are made of very specific materials. They are developed carefully with a lot of raw materials, said Fabianne Mauny. The work is done manually, and production can only be done in small batches. Its not a simple cooking recipe. It takes a lot of time and adjustment to make sure we create the right wick and wax mix to ensure that the candle will burn in the right way. Few among us actually need candles. And yet sometimes you take one as a hostess gift, look around the party and realise your thoughtful choice is a bit coals to Newcastle. What is going on? Are they a harmless indulgence or just a pretty way to burn money. Status and screen-time While candles may seem more expensive than ever, in luxury terms they are affordable or entry level ways of attaining a designer name. Louis Vuitton and Gucci both introduced branded candles in larger stores last year and lifestyle-pioneers like Dior and Versace have long been waxing extravagance. While their prices would make eyes bulge if shelved next to mass names like Yankee, they look like a steal when set among designer handbags. Like any entry level-product, it is the logo-stamp that attracts savvy (some would say insecure) eyes as much as any scent or design detail. A Cire Trudon candle could be perceived as upgrading an Ikea-furnished flat the way a Mulberry bag smartens up cheerful slip-dress. Plus, their reusable jars long outlast the wax. Candles are a lifestyle accessory and it is a truth universally acknowledged that a celebrity in possession of a beating heart must be in want of product associations. It is widely reported that Beyonce loves Diptyque Vanille Candle, 70, for example, and Taylor Swift told Vogue.coms camera of her love for Byredo Tree House, 55. The candles scent as a status item is further aided by television and film. A Diptyque candle is lit by Sex and the Citys Carrie Bradshaw and Gossip Girls Blair Waldorf is shown surrounded by the things (in Season 4 of both series). Pretty packaging also makes them eminently Instagrammable in real (or curated) life, with art-decorated jars like those of Italian brand Fornasetti looking especially good in photos. The perfect present? Vogue UK beauty and lifestyle director Jessica Diner describes candles as her go-to beauty gift. You cant go wrong, you can never have too many candles in your life. Makeup and skincare are a bit more prescriptive but candles are foolproof. Candles encourage calm, wellbeing and relaxation. They seem caring but not too personal, like perfumes less intimate cousin. They are also a relatively affordable way for corporate offices to show clients they care (especially now nutritional sensitivities make hampers a minefield), with brands like Molton Brown receiving bulk orders from relationship managers each Christmas season. They convey generosity with some staying power. Flowers die, eaten chocolates are soon forgotten but candles can hang around up to 80 hours and that is only if you keep them lit. They are both family-appropriate (stood at a childproof height) and as unisex as their fragrance allows. They are also seasonless (disregarding obviously festive scents), as they provide more ambiance than actual warmth. Ive mentioned two French brands so far Diptyque and Cire Trudon and though the French are exceptionally good at every luxury, the Irish can hold their own in this particular category. You can support small businesses around the country by picking up a candle from brands including Waters + Wild in West Cork, Galway-based Cloon Keen, Max Benjamin and Brook & Shoals in Wicklow and Purcell & Woodcock in Dublin. Sligo-based Voya does excellent soybean and rapeseed candles. It is important to choose natural waxes like these over paraffin, which can release chemicals and known carcinogens including toluene and benzene when burned. These can cause instant problems for asthma sufferers, as well as affecting your respiratory health long-term (the particles release by burning even natural candle-fragrance and dye in cosy spaces can also irritate asthmatics, who may be the exception to the foolproof gift rule above). Making memories, changing moods The fragrance industry is well aware of how scent (including scented candles) influence consumers. The olfactory bulbs are part of the limbic system and connect with structures that process emotion (the amygdala) and associative learning (the hippocampus). None of our other senses have such an intimate link with these neural areas, therefore there is a strong neurological basis for why odours trigger emotional connections and memory. So-called aromachology, is used to steer us commercially. Perfumes are sold as indicative of personality type elegant, feminine, etc with notes that suggest these characteristics to noses chosen accordingly. Creed Green Irish Tweed and Chanel No.5 are instantly recognisable as classic and expensive, for example, while Marc Jacobs Daisy collection is as sweet and fresh as the name suggests. Even bestsellers are subjective, however, and you never know who has had a traumatic experience with Elizabeth Ardens White Diamonds or feels suffocated by the sheer ubiquity of Hugo Boss. This risk is just another reason the less intimate candle is a safer gift-choice than fragrance. Scents can also influence your mood and perception, studies show, and this can be useful in candle selection. Cucumber and apple scents, according to the New York-based Scent Marketing Institute, can make a room seem bigger, while leather and cedar can evoke an expensive hotel suite and rich floral scents encourage women to linger longer (it is worth noting that some of this bodys research results may be US-peculiar, they do credit the smell of pumpkin pie with stoking male arousal). Rosemary can improve cognitive performance and lavender is famously relaxing. The smell of coffee and baked goods clearly draws in cafe customers but has also been shown to make people more open to helping others. 9Mrs May might light Jo Malone Londons Sweet Almond and Macaroon Home Candle, 52 at Brown Thomas, in her office and then pour herself a cup of ambition.) Beyond enhancing your environment, fragrance spurs memory and candles can be used to mark special occasions in the mind. Companies including Jo Loves, the current home of fragrance mogul Jo Malone, offer to professionally scent events for both purposes. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle filled their wedding with Diptyques fresh and floral candles (though the brand didnt reveal exact choices, their Figuier Candle, 70, was once spotted on the now Duchess of Sussexs Instagram account), and who wouldnt want a scent that helps you better recall the most special moment of your life? Burning love Candles are a growing part of the fragrance industry but still unpretentious, at least compared to perfume. I have sat in an office listening to someone explain how to pack a fragrance wardrobe for a weekend (using a devoted travel box), and am glad candle brands dont seem to be there yet. They are also a luxury aimed at promoting shared enjoyment. Any such thing that lights up and flickers and is not a screen is good for our social sustenance as a species. Candles probably are overpriced, no matter what Diptyque says, but while you cant cost time with people you care about (nor the enhanced memory of this time),the shelf price is not really the whole ball of wax. The first victory of day two of this years Cheltenham Festival came early. Very early. It was 6.10am when the phone buzzed into action. Normally this is an unwelcome development. Not yesterday. Not when the news was the wind that had threatened the card has receded sufficiently to allow racing go ahead. After a positive precautionary inspection, we were good to go. Fast forward seven and a bit hours and we are off and running, in front of an attendance of 59,209. Top Irish trainer Gordon Elliott had endured a tormenting Tuesday, and the opening race didnt improve his mood as 3-1 favourite Battleoverdoyen failed to land a blow. Other Irish eyes were smiling, though, as City Island, ridden by Tuesdays Champion Hurdle hero Mark Walsh, gave his Kildare trainer Martin Brassil his first Festival success. Its been a long time coming, said the man who trained 2006 Grand National victor Numbersixvalverde. You need good horses to bring here and we found one. Things got a little better for Elliott in race two, as 15-8 favourite Delta Work ran creditably to finish third to British horse Topofthegame. Team Britain dominated the feature race, the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, with home favourite Altior winning for a fourth successive Festival and the Willie Mullins-trained Min faring best of the Irish, back in fifth. That left Britain 6-5 ahead in the battle for the Prestbury Cup, but Team Ireland took over from there, winning the last three races. Grand National hero Tiger Roll provided the first of them, the 5-4 favourite bringing the house down with his fourth Festival triumph when powering to victory in the Glenfarclas Chase. I was never so happy to win a cross-country, winning owner Eddie OLeary said. Dont mind those graded races! Winning here is remarkably difficult at the best of times, but to come back here and win four times in three different races is extraordinary. Hes an amazing horse. Ive had four favourites in the first two days beaten out of the park, theyre all running shite and then your man comes out and Ive never seen an easier winner round here. Tiger Roll is trained by Elliott, who ended a day that started poorly with a double after Envoi Allen became the fourth successive winning favourite by capturing the finale, the Weatherbys Champion Bumper. Two hours I was on the ground and now I have two winners, its unbelievable, he said It was a poignant success for winning jockey Jamie Codd, whose brother Willie died suddenly 13 months ago. Weve had a tough year, the Wexford jockey said as he struggled to fight back tears. I lost my brother last year and its been a tough year. Hes up there looking down on us today and I hope hes very proud. Its brilliant to have Mam and Dad here. William was a big supporter of mine, he was here two years ago and, God, I wish he was here. The penultimate race, the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, saw a first official Cheltenham winner for Irish trainer Joseph OBrien as Band Of Outlaws landed the spoils. Im delighted, the 25-year-old said. Its nice to get a winner. Roll on day three. Outlining unpleasant-looking tariffs that will cost Irish farmers dearly could cause the alliance between Ireland the other EU member states to creak a little, says Noel Baker. Q. Whats happened? A. We woke up yesterday morning to proposals from the UK regarding the tariffs it would impose on key sectors in a no-deal scenario. A general sense of alarm ensued, particularly in the agricultural sector. Q. Wait a minute, I thought there was a vote last night in the Commons to take the prospect of no deal off the table? A. Yes, but even in the event of that vote succeeding, it does not in itself mean a no-deal Brexit is impossible. If theres literally no deal, with the clock ticking down to March 29, the UK could stumble into one by default. Q. Tremendous. So what are the tariffs about then? A. As taxes applied to goods that are traded on international markets, Irish produce is particularly vulnerable, especially agri produce. The tariffs outlined by the UK are based on the Most Favoured Nation principle from the World Trade Organization that the same tariffs must be applied to any trading partner, unless an exception applies, such as a trading agreement. The new tariff regime would mark a shift in favour of products from non-EU countries, with 82% of imports into the UK from the EU tariff-free, down from 100% currently. Q. But I thought the UK said there would be no tariffs on produce going from the Republic into the North? A. Correct. But the tariff-free movement of goods to the North wont help Irish exporters who send more produce direct to the British mainland, even though its thought unlikely that sufficient checks could take place in such a scenario to ensure goods taken north across the border couldnt continue on across the Irish Sea. Q. Right. What kind of tariffs are we talking about here? A. They range from 0.6% on precious stones and jewellery to 53% on beef, 60% on poultry meat, and a potential 83% on milled and semi-milled grains. Q. Oh-oh. Presumably farmers are not happy? A. Absolutely not. While the focus has consistently been on ensuring there was no hard border, groups such as the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) and the ICMSA were flagging that east-west cross-channel trade was much more important to livelihoods than the south-north trade flow. In the week of Cheltenham, its fair to say some believe the Government backed the wrong horse. Q. But we dont know for sure these tariffs will apply? A. Thats correct, but as March 29 looms into view, we cant say it wont either. As one person in the agri sector said to this newspaper: Is touching the brake between Dundalk and Newry worth 5bn? Q. Whod be worst affected by all this? A. The aforementioned beef sector would be all but wiped out, according to the IFA. Of that 5bn in total annual agri-food exports to the UK, only around 750m of that goes to the North. Beef farmers main business is across the water and, in an already struggling sector where prices have already taken a hammering, the imposition of tariffs would be a potentially fatal blow. Q. But I thought there had been an increased focus on non-UK markets? A. Thats true, but as the IFA pointed out, despite those efforts, 37% of our agri-food exports went to the UK last year, up 2% from the 2017 figure. Half of Irish beef goes to the UK. Q. Theres a lot of focus on beef, but who else is affected? A. Take your pick. There would be a 13% tariff on pigmeat, the same again on cheddar, a 32% tariff on butter, almost a 12% tariff on fish and seafood, with smaller tariffs on products such as wood, footwear, textiles and machinery. Q. Whats the Government got to say about it? A. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed said any tariff regime is unambiguously very serious for Irish agri-food exports to the UK, and most particularly for the beef sector which would be worst affected. However, he said the majority of those in the House of Commons were still opposed to a no-deal Brexit, so its not nailed on to happen and the Governments objective is a negotiated and orderly Brexit. Q. Will that calm the worries? A. Doubtful. As some commentators have pointed out, whether by accident or design, the British government has played a strong card here in a week when Government ministers are on planes to locations around the world for the St Patricks Day celebrations, its cranked up the pressure on both Ireland the the rest of the EU27 by outlining just how grim a no-deal Brexit might be. With ministers absent, stress levels around this announcement have gone through the roof. Q. So is it a case of who blinks first? A. Quite possibly. Outlining these unpleasant-looking tariffs could cause the alliance between Ireland the other EU member states to creak a little, in theory. As one person told this newspaper, the proposals put the Government in a bit of a pincer movement even if the EU holds firm, in a no-deal situation the backstop will not come into play and it would be left to the Government to impose a border on behalf of the EU. For its part, the EU is thought unlikely to simply allow tariff-free transport of goods from the south to the north when its other member states wouldnt have access to a half-open backdoor. It would more likely impose its own EU-wide tariff regime on UK goods. Q. Who will ride to the rescue then? A. The hope is that a no-deal Brexit does not come to pass. But Tanaiste Simon Coveney has said recently that measures would be put in place to help those affected by a no-deal Brexit, and in particular the beef sector. Farming groups have heard something similar from the EU and its Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan, but no-one as yet knows the detail, outside of a pledge of cash supports, greater flexibility within and relaxation of state aid rules, etc. Q. So there are known unknowns and maybe some unknown unknowns. What happens now? A. Following last nights vote, attention will turn to the next crunch House of Commons vote on a possible extension, due to take place today. But if the Commons cant agree what it is seeking an extension for and it has struggled to define that up to now an accidental crash-out Brexit would still happen. Q. So after all that, where are we? A. We are where we are. Theresa Mays premiership is hanging by the threads after the British House of Commons voted down by 391-242 the Brexit withdrawal deal on Tuesday night. While the scale was less than the 432-202 margin in January, it was another historic defeat and Ms May could now lose control not just of the EU withdrawal process, but also her wider term of office. Despite her last-minute shuttle diplomacy on Monday in Strasbourg, the accord she reached with the EU simply wasnt enough to deliver victory on the central mission of her government. Ultimately, the fate of Tuesdays big vote was sealed by the advice of Ms Mays own attorney general, Geoffrey Cox. He ruled the accords reduced, but did not eliminate the likelihood that the UK could remain, indefinitely, in the so-called backstop arrangements against its will. This legal judgment simply did not give sufficient political cover for many of the hardline Conservative Brexiteers, and the 10 Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MPs who prop up Ms Mays government, to fall behind the deal. Many had been hoping for further concrete legal assurances that the backstop will not become a permanent arrangement which would leave Britain effectively tied up in a customs union with the EU which is strongly opposed by many Brexiteers and the DUP. In a nutshell, Ms May lost because only 43 of the 118 Tories that voted against her deal in January came over to her side on Tuesday. This doomed the measure, and possibly her premiership. With many Tories unhappy with the way Ms May has led withdrawal talks , there are now growing risks to her premiership. Brexiteers, for instance, argue that a change of occupant and more robust approach is needed in Downing St for more next-steps talks, if a withdrawal deal is ultimately agreed, on a future UK/EU trade deal. Ms Mays political strategy failed not only with Tory and DUP backbenchers, but also Labour counterparts too. She failed to peel off any more Labour MPs in constituencies that voted leave in the 2016 referendum beyond the three who voted for her deal in January. With Ms Mays future now so uncertain, her tenure in Downing St will be particularly precarious if the UK parliament votes for an Article 50 extension potentially delaying Brexit Day beyond the currently scheduled March 29 date. It is likely, but no means certain, that the commons would take up this opportunity to request an extension to Article 50 and it is in this scenario that a general election and/ or further referendum would grow in likelihood. A key question, however, if such an extension is sought from the EU is how long this would be for? Even if London asks for only a very short technical extension to try to complete the Brexit withdrawal process, Brussels may want to see a longer timeframe to avoid another mini-deadline crisis in April. There has even been some discussion in Brussels of a much longer extension of Article 50 to potentially as long as December 2020 which is when the planned transition period, if a withdrawal is agreed, is planned to end. However, a key challenge with this proposal is that any extension that goes beyond July 2 the first day the new European Parliament meets is that UK politicians would have to take part in the May 23-26 elections. It is for this reason, and the complications this would bring, that an extension no later than June is perhaps most likely. Any extension to Article 50 would probably not be finalised with the EU until next weeks March 21-22 summit of presidents and prime ministers in Brussels. In this context, there are now still several days in which Ms May could, potentially, have one further attempt at getting her deal through. One trigger for this is the possibility she could get further concessions from Brussels next week. If this were to happen, she could maybe seek to expedite votes from March 23 through both the House of Commons and the Lords. The reason why this scenario cannot be ruled out is Ms May knows she will be most vulnerable in the event that Article 50 being pushed out. There are several ways that she could be forced out of office in the coming days or weeks, short of her own resignation. Such an immediate resignation can only happen if she tells Queen Elizabeth II who should replace her. This may see the effective deputy prime minister, David Liddington, act in a sitting capacity while a Conservative leadership contest happens. Other ways that could see Ms May ousted include losing a vote of no-confidence in the Commons after the last one in January failed. Moreover, there remains a possibility that the cabinet demands that Ms May go, possibly by several of them resigning , to make the prime ministers position untenable. Taken overall, Ms May is at the weakest point yet of her premiership. In coming days, she could yet be forced from office and much may now depend upon whether there is any extension of Article 50, and the prime minister will be particularly vulnerable if the currently scheduled Brexit is delayed for several months or more. Andrew Hammond is an associate at LSE Ideas at the London School of Economics. Food Try Buthee For a Village-Style Burmese Lunch A kyaw sone with tamarind sauce and tea. / Aung Kyaw Htet / The Irrawaddy YANGON Bogalayzay Street in downtown Yangon has been getting increasingly popular of late thanks to a growing number of good restaurants, cafes, an art gallery, an old-school barbershop and now a traditional village-style restaurant called Buthee, courtesy of Rangoon Tea House (RTH). Opened in July, the space combines Buthee, which means bottle gourd, with Mr. Wok, an RTH chain popular for its fried noodles and rice. I stopped in for the first time this week after a few strong recommendations from colleagues. From the street, the white storefront gives the appearance of a coffee shop more than a typical Yangon lunch spot. When you enter, the staff greet you with a mingalar bar. There are tables both downstairs and upstairs. And though Buthee bills itself as a traditional restaurant, the space is much more modern. Buthee offers village-style Burmese lunches with a wide choice of a ywat thoke (vegetable salad), a kyaw thoke (fried salad) and desserts, coffee, tea and other drinks. Like many Myanmar lunch spots, all the main dishes and sides are behind glass. You can take a look at the options and place your order at your table. They have a very clean ngapi yay (fish sauce) station, an all-time favorite with most Burmese. There are many fresh vegetables including bamboo shoots, cucumbers and eggplant to eat with the sauce. My friend and I tried the nga phel hinn (fried fish cake curry) for 2,300 kyats, mixed vegetable salad for 500 kyats, a kyaw sone (deep fried vegetables) for 1,000 kyats, and Pyinmana-style salad, named after a township in Naypyitaw. Most of the dishes and salads are prepared in the Pyinmana style because its the hometown of RTH owner Htet Myat Oos father, according to Buthees Facebook page. Except for the salads, the dishes are ready to eat, so they wont take too long to reach your table. The nga phel hinn was cooked with tomato gravy, so it was a bit sour, but I loved it. The fish was fresh and the gravy not too oily. The mixed vegetable salad was excellent. The leaves were perfectly boiled and the combination tasted great. But I didnt much like the Pyinmana-style mixed salad; It was sweet and had too much bean powder. But the complimentary gourd soup was also great. I loved it. And the rice is all-you-can-eat. The a kyaw sone is served with delicious tamarind dipping sauce. The fries are crispy and crunchy, not very oily, and the portion is enough for two. We had a very pleasant lunch and I wanted to try their desserts but I was full. The whole meal cost about 7,000 kyats, cheap for what you get. I fully recommend Buthee for those who want to try a typical Burmese lunch. Though the food and prices are perfect, the restaurant does need to train its staff. While friendly, they dont pay the customers enough attention. I called and waved to place my order, but they hardly noticed. And while a few of the dishes are written in English, most are in Burmese. So if you cant read Burmese, try to ask the staff for help. Other than that, Buthee is a perfect choice for lunch, coffee and tea. News Activists Point to Links Between Exploitation of Waterways and Conflict, Rights Abuses Residents of Ei Tu Hta on the Salween River near the Thai border demand no dams and call for peace on their river on the International Day of Action for Rivers on March 14, 2019. / Hsa Moo / Karen River Watch YANGONLet the rivers flow freely means Stop the civil war, said prominent poet Ko Lay (or Innwa Goneyi), during a panel discussion in Mandalay to raise awareness about protecting rivers and to commemorate the International Day of Action for Rivers, which fell on Thursday. The poet, who is in his 80s and has witnessed the 70-year-long civil war, remarked on Wednesday that the prolonged conflict is not a sincere one and I would say its a financial war: Every group uses guns to make money and sells natural resources. So when we talk about protecting rivers, we need to talk about ending the civil war. River networks and environmentalists from both the majority and minority ethnic groups have been consistently outspoken about protection of rivers, largely as a way to preserve their ethnic identity, traditions and way of life. This year, on March 13-14, the Burma Rivers Network, the Save the Salween Network and those who care for the Irrawaddy River raised awareness together about the need to let rivers flow freely with panel discussions, documentary film screenings and cultural exchanges in Mandalay. They urged the government to listen to the locals concerns and include their views whenever they consider development projects, including dams on rivers, whether big or small ones, in minority ethnic regions. On Thursday, the network members also conducted a prayer service at the Irrawaddy Myitsone area and on the Salween riverbank, according to Boi Nu, a spokesperson for the BRN. Boi Nu, an ethnic Kuki woman who lives near the upper Chindwin River in Homalin Township, Sagaing Region, added that the local residents are never consulted on development plans, and by the time they learn about it, the projects are already implemented. Being a woman, I urge other women to participate in those discussions whenever we hear about the projects, because women suffer most from the consequence of these projects, said Boi Nu. She stressed that the local people, both men and women, know when there are changes in the rivers, citing her experience with the Chindwin River. The Chindwin River is contaminated mostly through the Uru (Uyu) River, which suffers from contamination from mining in the Hpakant areas in Kachin State. Women also know if the color of the river water has changed. But there is no awareness-raising or immediate instructions about whether the water is safe for drinking and for household use, she added. Regarding approaches to development projects, the authorities and the ethnic minorities have different perspectives, said Saw Tha Poe from the Save the Salween Network. Saw Tha Poe added that the ethnic villagers living along the Salween riverbanks have a lot of different traditions, cultures, languages, knowledge and skills, and these need to be taken into consideration. Sharing his experience working as a researcher on the way of life of people along the Salween River, he said, They have their own knowledge of life skills built upon the ecosystem of the rivers. The rivers are their schools for survival, and for fishing and river transportation. If the rivers were closed, and the waterways changed, it would directly impact their ways of life. But sadly their views are not included for consideration in the policy drafting process. Our culture also largely depends on those rivers, as the locals use the names of the waters and rivers for their villages. If the dams are built for development, their traditional knowledge would be disregarded, Saw Tha Poe added, citing the example of the Karen communities in Irrawaddy Region, many of whose residents can no longer speak the Karen language and are unable to practice their customs. The Karen environmentalist added that his community envies the attention the Irrawaddy River is getting thanks to the presence of the majority Burman group, which speaks out against dams on the mighty river, while many seem to forget about other crucial rivers and tributaries. Instead of talking about protecting one river or a key river, this time we have to have a unified voice for free-flowing rivers so that we can leave behind a good legacy for our younger generations. The legacy that we must leave is not the dams, but the free-flowing rivers, said Saw Tha Poe. To protect rivers, the environmentalists and authors urged protection of the marine species they contain. In the case of the Irrawaddy River, many Irrawaddy dolphins have been killed due to electric-shock fishing. If law enforcement was good enough and trustworthy, and if our people were more aware of the need to value the dolphins, we could reduce electric-shock fishing, said Nyi Pu Lay, a prominent author based in Mandalay. The panelists also highlighted the dangers of building too many bridges across rivers, which can cause changes to the waterways and sand accumulation. Large dams drive conflict In southeast Myanmar, Karen Rivers Watch and some 2,000 members of local communities gathered in Ei Tu Hta on the Salween riverbank to urge that all proposals [of the government] for the construction of large dams on our [Salween] rivers be completely abandoned on Thursday. The Karen communities oppose the government-planned Hatgyi Dam on the Salween River, fearing it will flood and starve their ancestral territories. [It] permanently displaces us from our heritage, and inflames conflict and [threatens] security. For our Karen people the Hatgyi Dam is a symbol [of] violence and a tool used by the Burma [Myanmar] Army to occupy our territory, reads the communities statement issued on Thursday. Locals suffered from armed conflict due to the dam project along the eastern access road leading to the Hatgyi Dam site in September 2016, when the military-backed Border Guard Force moved to the area to take control of the dam site, which lies in Paan district. The action forced the displacement of over 5,000 residents of 28 villages to Myaing Gyi Nyu. Those displaced people are still not able to return and now live without access to adequate food, medicine or humanitarian support, said Hsa Moo of Karen River Watch. Our people want peace, not mega-development projects, as they will not bring us any benefits, said Hsa Moo. She said large dams like the Hatgyi project drive conflict and uproot people from their homes and indigenous territories. Asia China Prevents UN Blacklisting of Leader Behind Kashmir Attack Demonstrators step on the posters of Maulana Masood Azhar, head of Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad which claimed an attack on a bus that killed 44 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in south Kashmir on on Feb. 14 during a protest in Mumbai, India on February 15, 2019. / REUTERS UNITED NATIONSChina prevented a United Nations Security Council committee on Wednesday from blacklisting the head of Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), which said it attacked an Indian paramilitary convoy in disputed Kashmir. The Feb. 14 attack that killed at least 40 Indian paramilitary police, making it the deadliest in Kashmir during a 30-year-long insurgency, increased tensions between Pakistan and India. The nuclear-armed neighbors both said they had shot down each others fighter jets late last month. The United States, Britain and France asked the Security Councils Islamic State and al Qaeda sanctions committee to subject JeM leader Masood Azhar to an arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze. The 15-member committee operates by consensus. China placed a technical hold on the request, according to a note from Chinas U.N. mission to the committee, seen by Reuters. China gave no reason for the hold, which places the request in limbo. China had previously prevented the sanctions committee from sanctioning Azhar in 2016 and 2017. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said earlier on Wednesday that discussions on this issue must be conducted following the rules and procedures of the U.N. Security Council and its subsidiary bodies. A U.N. Security Council diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that if China continued to prevent the designation of Azhar then other council members may be forced to pursue other actions at the Security Council. The case for designating Masood Azhar the leader of a group the U.N. already calls an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organization is undeniable, the diplomat said. Another way for western powers to blacklist Azhar would be through the adoption of a Security Council resolution, which needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by Russia, China, the United States, Britain or France to pass. JeM is a primarily anti-India group that forged ties with al Qaeda and was blacklisted by the U.N. Security Council in 2001. In December 2001, Jaish fighters, along with members of another Pakistan-based militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, attacked Indias parliament, which almost led to a fourth war between the two countries. Burma Bangladesh Probes Possible Misuse of Funds for Rohingya Refugees Rohingya refugees stand in a line to collect meat from a relief distribution center in the Balukhali refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Aug. 23, 2018. / Reuters DHAKA The Bangladesh government on Wednesday asked intelligence agencies to look into the possible misuse of funds meant to help the more than 1 million Rohingya refugees in Coxs Bazar. I received allegations and there is also prima-facie evidence, said Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, who heads the government cabinets law and order committee, which requested the probe. He told The Irrawaddy that the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and National Security Intelligence (NSI) were given one month to look into how the funds have been used and report back. The DGFI is the intelligence unit of the Bangladesh Armed Forces and considered the most powerful intelligence agency in the country. The NSI is the principal intelligence agency of the state. Law Minister Anisul Huq, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Home Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury attended Wednesdays committee meeting along with the heads of law enforcement and intelligence agencies and others. Huq accused some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working with the Rohingya in the refugee camps of having ill motives. We have received information that NGO officials have spent 150 crore taka [$17.87 million] since September on hotel rooms in Coxs Bazar. They spend only 25 per cent of the funds they receive from different agencies to assuage the miseries of the Rohingya, he said. The chiefs of both agencies were present at the meeting and I asked them to complete their inquiries, he added. I will come up with evidence and disclose our findings to the public to show how funds were used, because those who donate should also know how funds are being utilized. Reporting on Thursday on the same committee meeting, the Dhaka-based daily New Age said the government has dismissed the U.N.s concerns about its plans to relocate tens of thousands of Rohingya from Coxs Bazar to an uninhabited, flood-prone island in the Bay of Bengal. It is an internal matter for us where we should provide accommodation for Rohingya people seeking shelter here. They [the U.N.] can talk about humanitarian issues, if any, Huq was quoted saying. He reportedly said the government had made all preparations to start relocating refugees, as per orders from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Yanghee Lee, the U.N.s special rapporteur on Myanmar, told the U.N. Human Rights Council recently that relocating refugees to the island risked creating a new crisis. There are a number of things that remain unknown to me even following my visit, chief among them being whether the island is truly habitable, said Lee, who visited Bhasan Char island in January. Ill-planned relocation and relocations without the consent of the refugees concerned have the potential to create a new crisis. It is incumbent on the government of Bangladesh to ensure that this is not brought about, she added. In early 2018 the government formed a 10-member committee headed by Disaster Management and Relief Ministry Additional Secretary Muhammad Mohsin to assess whether Bhasan Char was suitable for Rohingya relocation. The committee consists of five members each from the Bangladesh government and the United Nations. In late June, the Special Branch police in Coxs Bazar reported to the Prime Ministers Office that about 13 percent of the Rohingya refugees were willing to be relocated to Bhasan Char. Among the main reasons most refugees gave for not wanting to move to the island was its isolation, fearing it would mean receiving less aid. Bhasan Char is about a one-hour boat ride from Sandwip, the nearest inhabited island. More than 700,000 Rohingya have entered Bangladesh from Myanmar since August 2017 to escape a military crackdown in northern Rakhine State, taking the total number of refugees in Coxs Bazar to about 1.14 million. Burma Kachin Govt Vows to Crack Down on China-Backed Banana Plantations Local laborers work on a banana plantation in Bhamo Township, Kachin State on March 5, 2019. / Myitkyina Journal YANGONThe Kachin State agriculture minister will investigate controversial Chinese tissue-culture banana plantations across Kachin State, and plans to tighten regulation of the plantations in response to local residents concerns about their social and environmental impacts. The newly appointed minister of agriculture, livestock and irrigation for Kachin State, U Kyaw Kyaw Win, told The Irrawaddy he would soon submit a proposal to the state cabinet to form a special committee. Subcommittees will be formed under the panel with responsibility for illegal plantations, environmental impacts, local labor rights, and illegal migration from China by banana plantation workers, U Kyaw Kyaw Win said. The state government has been criticized by local environmental experts for neglecting the social and environmental impacts of banana plantations. Banned from Laos and Thailand, the controversial China-backed tissue-culture plantations started appearing in war-torn Kachin State in 2007. Despite the backlash by local residents, the plantations have been expanding rapidly, particularly in Waimaw Township, close to the state capital of Myitkyina. The operators are accused of unfairly taking over land previously leased from the authorities by locals, many of whom were displaced by conflict. As the plantations expand, villagers displaced by fighting and living in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) are increasingly concerned that their land may be occupied, and that they will not be able to farm when they return home. The state Agriculture Ministry has officially documented around 63,000 acres of banana plantations, but civil society organizations have recorded more than 170,000 acres across Waimaw, Bhamo, Shwegu, Mansi, Momauk and Dokphoneyan townships. U Kyaw Kyaw Win said, We will take testimony about the discrepancy between the government data and information on the ground. He said he had found that bananas have been planted in restricted forest areas, and that serious action would need to be taken against the operators. I also see banana plantations expanding in the restricted forest area near my house, U Kyaw Kyaw Win added. According to the state Agriculture Ministry, there are 40 local companies registered to operate banana plantations. However, civil society and environmental organization say 85 percent of the plantations are operated by Chinese companies disguised as local businesses. U Kyaw Kyaw Win said, Most of the companies are backed by the Chineseeverybody knows about it. We will force them to register officially. We will instruct them to follow MIC [Myanmar Investment Commission] procedures if they want to plant bananas here. A recent report by the Land Security and Environmental Conservation Group comprising 11 civil society organizations said local workers are suffering rights abuses at the hands of the companies, particularly in the form of low pay compared with Chinese workers. Moreover, locals said the huge influx of Chinese workers had resulted in an increase in human trafficking and drug abuse. According to the minister, the committee will draw up a framework to control the influx of Chinese workers into banana plantations. We will also make strict rules for Chinese workers who want to work for the banana plantations. That issue needs to be worked out together with the Immigration Department, he said. We all face challenges, particularly supervising the banana plantations under the armed groups, the minister said. Kachin-based civil society organizations allege that large areas are being planted with bananas in Kachin States Special Region 1, which is under the control of the government-allied New Democratic Army-Kachin militia. However, data on this issue is hard to obtain for security reasons. Last week more than 50 farmers from multiple villages in two townships of Myitkyina District told the media that China-backed plantations were causing suffering among local communities. The famers also said they have been threatened by Chinese companies for opposing banana plantations near their villages. Recently, a mining company detained and assaulted two journalists for reporting local residents concerns over a controversial Chinese tissue-culture banana plantation in Waimaw Township According to a 2017 environmental study by the Lisu Civil Society Organization, the companies are using insecticides, weed killers and fertilizers and disposing of them carelessly. This has led to the pollution of water supplies in these areas, in turn causing soil damage and killing fish and livestock. One of the things we were trying to do with this project is extend the Northwestern brand effectively into Lake Forest and also have the new facility reflect the character and uniqueness of Lake Forest, hospital president Tom McAfee said recently. I think we have done a beautiful job of balancing. I think we have hit out of the park. Burma Proposed Coast Guard Belongs in Military Hands: Deputy Defense Minister Myanmar Navy personnel take part in a military exercise. / Myanmar Navy NAYPYITAWThe Myanmar military is taking steps to establish the proposed coast guard as a unit of the Defense Ministry, despite the stated goal of the Presidents Office that the force will be under its control. Deputy Defense Minister General Myint Nwe told the Lower House of Parliament on Wednesday that the ministry plans to seek Parliaments approval to form the coast guard under the command of the Myanmar military (or Tatmadaw). The deputy minister revealed the plan in response to a question from lawmaker Daw Aye Mya Mya Myo, who asked about the governments maritime security plans. We will be able to better protect Myanmars waters by exchanging information among concerned organizations and making decisions in real time, the general said. An integrated command center (ICC) will be formed and led by the Myanmar Navy. The center will consist of officials from the Maritime Police Force, Customs Department, Immigration Department, Department of Marine Administration, Myanmar Port Authority, Fisheries Department and Directorate of Water Resources and Improvement of River Systems, among others. The Ministry of Transport and Communications held a meeting on establishing a coast guard in December. Minister U Thant Sin Maung told the media that the Presidents Office wished to place the new force under its control. The coast guard is intended to protect national security and fight drugs and arms smuggling, as well as human trafficking, the minister told reporters. Citing Article 338 of the 2008 Constitution, which says that all armed forces in the Union shall be under the command of the Defense Services chief, Gen. Myint Nwe said the Defense Ministry would take charge of the coast guard. The most important thing is to have strong coordination between departments, no matter which ministry controls the coast guard, lawmaker Daw Aye Mya Mya Myo told reporters. As an example of the current lax state of maritime security, she said local authorities only found out about a boat carrying some 100 Muslim Rohingya in Thante village, Yangons Kyauktan Township, after locals made a report. It is a cause for concern that neither the Maritime Police nor troops stationed in four of the 10 coastal villages in the area detected the vessel, Daw Aye Mya Mya Myo said. The Myanmar Navy has installed radar in strategic positions along coast, but more installations are needed if the entire coastline is to be covered, said Gen. Myint Nwe. He added that the Navy has no vessel-monitoring system. The Navy can distinguish whether a vessel of 300 tons or more is friend or foe using the coastal radar, but for smaller vessels, it cant due to the lack of a vessel-monitoring system, he said. According to the Defense Ministry, Myanmars territorial waters cover 14,491 sq. miles, and its coastline is a little over 1,260 miles long. The coast guard will be tasked with promoting the rule of law in Myanmars waters, ensuring the security of maritime vessels and ports, investigating maritime accidents, protecting marine resources including the fishery industry, promoting sea environmental conservation, and preventing and counteracting water pollution, the general said. It will also be responsible for the security of cruise ships along the coastline and island resorts, and for search-and-rescue operationsa range of responsibilities currently assumed by the Myanmar Navy. Total seizures of smuggled fish, drug, teak, cattle and oil were worth 220 billion kyats from 2011 to 2018; the Navy also took action against 3,677 local and 1,598 foreign smugglers and human traffickers. Burma Rakhine Govt Sitting on 3-Billion-Kyat Fund for IDPs Hundreds of villagers from Lay Nyin Taung flee their homes to escape armed clashes in northern Rakhine's Mrauk-U Township last week. / Khine Murn Chan / Mrauk-U YANGONDespite the fact that the Rakhine State Parliament last month voted in favor of using the states 3-billion-kyat (US$1.96 million) disaster management fund to assist 10,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in northern Rakhine, the state cabinet has opted not to touch the money, preferring to request funds from the Union government. Regional lawmaker U Phoe San of the Arakan National Party (ANP) explained that the vast majority of regional lawmakers on Feb. 27 voted in favor of the proposal urging the state government to spend disaster management funds on the IDPs. State cabinet member U Aung Kyaw San requested the speaker not approve the proposal, saying the Union government was also considering contributing to the relief effort for displaced Arakanese villagers. He pointed out that the state government had provided assistance on only one occasion, providing 50,000 kyats in cash to each IDP in early February. Since then, the IDPs have been relying mainly on donations from local relief groups. Rakhine State Parliament Deputy Speaker U Mya Than said he had been told that Union Social Welfare Minister Dr. Win Myat Aye recently offered to provide relief funds when Rakhine State Chief Minister U Nyi Pu, a National League for Democracy (NLD) appointee, visited the minister in Naypyitaw. As of this week, the cabinet members still have not explained whether they plan to use the Union funds. U Mya Than said the state government had spent several hundred million kyats on other projects and still had more than 2.5 billion kyats available for spending. When asked whether the state government had ignored the state parliaments endorsement of the use of state funds for IDPs, the deputy speaker remarked that lawmakers would have to wait and see what action the state government takes. He pointed out that the IDP population is now over 10,000 in northern Rakhine State. We have to wait and see whether they desire to allocate relief funds from the state budget or not, said U Mya Than. Rakhine State Municipality Affairs Minister U Win Myint acknowledged that his government recently received about 14 million kyats and a one-month supply of rice for 4,000 IDPs but said the fate of the other 6,000 IDPs is still uncertain. According to him township-level authoritiesespecially from the General Administration Department (GAD)have not provided timely IDP numbers. He claimed that ground-level reports indicated only 6,332 IDPs as of March 5. U Win Myint said local authorities in different townships were providing humanitarian assistance to the IDPs. But he said he had no idea whether these funds were being allocated from the 3-billion-kyat disaster management fund or from a separate fund. Although regional minister U Win Myint claimed local authorities are helping IDPs on the ground, local relief worker Ko Zaw Tun from Mrauk-U Township said that in reality the contribution from local authorities had been poor. Thus, self-motivated Arakanese youth volunteers had collect donations from locals and distributed food for the IDPs daily. His hometown of Mrauk-U alone had received more than 3,200 IDPs from 10 villages in recent days. Nearly 2,000 IDPs are currently seeking refuge in eight monasteries downtown and in the schools of Mrauk-U. More than 1,000 other IDPs are staying in neighboring villages without proper shelter, safe drinking water or sanitation facilities. As a consequence, some displaced children are suffering from diarrhea. Fortunately, a doctor from Mrauk-U was treating the ill. I dont see any humanitarian assistance from local authorities here. Even international relief agencies like the International Red Cross (ICRC) just showed up once and distributed some buckets to the IDPs in Shwe Taung monastery in town this week, said Ko Zaw Tun. He said locals speculated that the ICRC relief was delayed because authorities were intentionally blocking it. With the exception of the ICRC and the World Food Program, international relief agencies have been barred from northern Rakhine State since January. And even these two groups are only allowed partial access. Rice vessels are blocked from traveling to upper Kyauktaw and Chin States Paletwa. Ko Zaw Tun said many locals are already struggling to get by and cannot afford to share food for long. He pointed out that if the authorities or relief agencies fail to set up IDP camps, and the fighting continues until the monsoon season, then displaced villagers will really be in trouble. He urged state Chief Minister U Nyi Pu and the Union government to immediately assist those caught in the armed violence, regardless of race or religion. He said he had learned that Japan had made a huge donation to the Social Welfare Ministry and hoped those funds would be used properly to help IDPs. We just need help, no matter whether it comes from the state level or the Union, he said. But as a priority, he requested the authorities take a look at the situation in Bon Kyaung village. He had received complaints that a military unit was stationed near the village and was questioning every single villager attempting to visit a neighboring village or go to the market. He explained that previous military units had also encamped in many villages and bought chicken, rice and other commodities at street prices, and treated the locals reasonably. However, the military unit currently stationed in Bon Kyaung village was treating people badly, taking chickens and rice without paying for them, he said. The European Union, Canada and Norway issued a joint statement on Thursday morning encouraging the Arakan Army and the Myanmar military to halt their armed conflict, as it was worsening the humanitarian situation in Chin States Paletwa and in Rakhine. They also urged the AA to stop targeting police officers and civilian authorities and individuals. It said the AAs killing on March 9 of nine police officers in Ponnagyun Township, Rakhine State, could not be justified. The EU urged the AA and the Union government to resolve their historical grievances through dialogue and an inclusive political process. The joint statement urged both sides to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and allow the delivery of humanitarian aid. It mentioned that restrictions on humanitarian work by aid agencies in five townshipsRathedaung, Buthidaung, Maungdaw, Ponnagyun and Kyauktawwere having a serious impact on the already precarious humanitarian situation of at least 95,000 people. To prevent further deterioration, seasonal agricultural and rehabilitation works must be allowed to be carried out before the start of the rainy season, it said. Burma Rohingya Militants Condemn Violence in Refugee Camps Amid Reports of Killings Rohingya refugees gather at a market inside a refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, on March 7. / Reuters YANGON Myanmars Rohingya militants urged their followers on Wednesday to refrain from crime in Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh, following reports of killings and abductions attributed to the group, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA). ARSA, which emerged with attacks on border posts in Myanmars Rakhine state in 2016, is focused on winning rights for Rohingya, the mostly stateless Muslim minority long persecuted in Myanmar. The government calls them terrorists and says sweeping military action in the western state of Rakhine, which triggered an exodus of refugees into Bangladesh, was justified. In recent weeks, Bangladesh-based media have blamed the group for organized violence in the refugee camps, including a series of killings. The group acknowledged the violence but denied that the leadership sanctioned it. Those people are not only going against the Bangladesh government but are also making ARSA responsible for their own crimes, the group said in a video statement posted on Twitter. And because of their activities the whole community is being defamed all over the world, the group said. ARSA expressed gratitude towards the Bangladesh government and urged refugees to refrain from any wrongdoing against authorities there, where close to a million Rohingya are living. More than 700,000 Rohingya refugees crossed into Bangladesh from western Myanmar, U.N. agencies say, after the insurgents attacked Myanmar security forces in August 2017, triggering an extensive military response. Since then, the insurgents have been blamed for sporadic attacks in Rakhine State, including an ambush on a border guard post in January that wounded six. Our activities for our legitimate rights are ongoing against the Burmese terrorist government and its genocidal military, the groups statement said, adding that attacks would continue until basic rights were restored. The Myanmar military has rejected almost all accusations of rights abuses. Burma Suu Kyi Repeats Call for Wider Perspective on Myitsone Dam State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi meets with residents of Htamanthi village in Sagaing Regions Homalin Township on Friday. / Myanmar State Counselors Office / Facebook YANGONAmid increasing pressure from China to resume the controversial Myitsone Dam project, the State Counselor has promised that her government will make a final decision on the dam based upon political, economic and environmental considerations, and vowed to make public the details of the decision. When asked her opinion of the Myitsone Dam project at a meeting with local residents in Pyay, Bago Region on Thursday, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said, I would like you to think [about the project] from a wider perspective. She said, We should not think based on one perspective. If we think from only one perspective, we could make the wrong [decision]. The State Counselor said the final decision would have to be politically, socially, economically and environmentally sound and sustainable. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi did not offer her own stance on whether the dam project should be scrapped, nor did she say when a decision would be made. However, she said her government should not abolish projects approved by a previous government just because it did not comply with the current administrations policies. If government of the day were to break promises made by previous governments, the country would lose credibility, she said. She added that her government would make decisions transparently, not only when it comes to the Myitsone project, but also on other projects. The proposed US$3.6-billion (approximately 5.48 trillion kyats) Myitsone Dam is one of seven hydropower projects planned for the upper reaches of the Irrawaddy River as well as the Mali and NMai rivers, at whose confluence the Irrawaddy begins. Work on the project started in 2009, but then-President Thein Sein suspended it in 2011 amid widespread public concern over the dams social and environmental impacts. Experts point out that the dam site is important for its biodiversity, and environmentalists warn the project would both destroy the natural beauty of the Irrawaddy River and disrupt water flow downstream. The project remains in limbo. After the National League for Democracy took power in 2016, the government set up a 20-member commission including the chief minister of Kachin to review the project, including its environmental and social impacts. The commission has produced two reports to date, but the government has yet to release either. Recently, Chinese officials strongly pressured Kachin political and religious leaders on the need to restart the Myitsone project, saying it was an important part of Chinas ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Initiative. In late January, Investment and Foreign Economic Relations Minister U Thaung Tun said at a press conference the government is working hard to come up with a final decision on how to proceed with the controversial Myitsone Dam project. The minister said the government and a commission studying the project are in very serious discussions and considering all possibilities, including downsizing the dam, relocating it or developing other projects instead. U Thaung Tun said the China-backed project is dogged by major problems and has received nationwide pushback. He said the dam project as it was initially conceived under the previous government was misguided. Many experts believe the Myanmar government needs to a make final decision on Myitsone before Daw Aung San Suu Kyi visits Beijing to attend a BRI forum in April. She is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the forum. World U.S. and India Commit to Building Six Nuclear Power Plants A fisherman stands on his boat on a beach near the Kudankulam nuclear power project in Tamil Nadu State, India, On Sept. 13, 2012. / Reuters WASHINGTON The United States and India on Wednesday agreed to strengthen security and civil nuclear cooperation, including building six U.S. nuclear power plants in India, the two countries said in a joint statement. The agreement came after two days of talks in Washington. The United States under President Donald Trump has been looking to sell more energy products to India, the worlds third-biggest buyer of oil. The talks involved Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Andrea Thompson, the U.S. undersecretary of state for arms control and international security. They committed to strengthen bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, including the establishment of six U.S. nuclear power plants in India, the joint statement said. It gave no further details of the nuclear plant project. The two countries have been discussing the supply of U.S. nuclear reactors to energy-hungry India for more than a decade, but a longstanding obstacle has been the need to bring Indian liability rules in line with international norms, which require the costs of any accident to be channeled to the operator rather than the maker of a nuclear power station. Pittsburgh-based Westinghouse has been negotiating to build reactors in India for years, but progress has been slow, partly because of Indias nuclear liability legislation, and the project was thrown into doubt when Westinghouse filed for bankruptcy in 2017 after cost overruns on U.S. reactors. Canadas Brookfield Asset Management bought Westinghouse from Toshiba in August 2018. Last April Westinghouse received strong support from U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry for its India project, which envisaged the building of six AP1000 reactors in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The agreement to build the reactors, announced in 2016, followed on from a U.S.-India civil nuclear agreement signed in 2008. India plans to triple its nuclear capacity by 2024 to wean Asias third-largest economy off polluting fossil fuels. Last October, India and Russia signed a pact to build six more nuclear reactors at a new site in India following summit talks between their leaders in New Delhi. Specifically, Weppler said, the judges decision to require The Roanoke Group to install a traffic light at Lake Street will not fix the safety issue Libertyville officials identified. The proposed subdivisions exit would be a few blocks south of the proposed new traffic light and the left turns would still be unregulated, he said. Thursday, March 14th, 2019 (2:26 pm) - Score 1,380 The CEO of UK fibre optic network builder Cityfibre, Greg Mesch, has today become the first person to receive the first Charles Kao Award at the annual FTTH Conference in Amsterdam, which recognises the extraordinary contribution of an individual to the acceleration of full fibre (FTTH / FTTB) broadband deployment. The award itself is given in honour of Nobel Prize winner Sir Charles Kuen Kao (aka Father of Fibre Optics), whom in 2009 was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for ground-breaking achievements concerning the transmission of light in fibres for optical communication.Sadly Charles passed away last year in Hong Kong after a long battle with Alzheimers disease (here). Over the past few years Cityfibre has built itself up to become one of the UKs largest alternative network providers for Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) and Dark Fibre networks. At present theyre in the process of creating a 2.5bn investment to reach 1 million UK premises in 10 cities with FTTP by the end of 2021 (phase one expected cost of c.500m), which should rise to 5 million across 37 cities and towns by the end of 2024 (here). Suffice to say that the competitive pressures being created by Cityfibre, as well as other AltNet ISPs in the market (e.g. Hyperoptic, Gigaclear, Community Fibre etc.), have helped to light another flame under the established players (Openreach, Virgin Media) and is thus helping to encourage even more full fibre deployments. Ronan Kelly, President of the FTTH Council Europe, said: When we decided to create the Charles Kao Award, it was clear that the winner had to be a firm believer in the benefits of full fibre. CityFibres strategic partnership with Vodafone, its recent fundraise of over 1.1bn towards its rollout to at least 20% of the UK market as well as his global experience of several other markets such as the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany is testament to Gregs leadership and the scale of his contribution to our industry. Greg Mesch said: To be associated with Charles Kao, such an innovator in our industry, is a real honour so Im delighted and grateful for this award. With the potential of a full fibre future dawning on countries around the world, it has been a rare privilege to help set the four different countries on a path to making it happen. I urge all those individuals keen to do the same to reject the status quo and harness the desire for a new generation of businesses to take the reigns. Congrats! Thursday, March 14th, 2019 (7:34 am) - Score 3,216 The mains fixed line and mobile telecoms operator for the Isle of Man (British Crown Dependency), Manx Telecom, has recommended that its shareholders accept a 255.9m offer from Basalt Infrastructure Partners II GP Limited to acquire the business. The move is likely to boost investment in their FTTP and 5G roll-out. At the end of 2018 Manx reported Revenues of 81.5m (2017: 78.5m) and reported Profit Before Tax of 11.6m (2017: 11.9m), as well as an increase in net debt to 63.0m (2017: 56.9m). Some 99% of the island can already access their 4G mobile network, while 93% are within reach of their fixed line Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC / VDSL2) based superfast broadband technology. Back in 2017 Manx also announced that they were preparing to start the roll-out of a new 1Gbps capable ultrafast Fibre-to-the-Premise (FTTP) broadband network (here) and since then this has grown its coverage to reach 10% of premises, with early take-up of 13.5% and rising. Apparently Basalt, which is an infrastructure investment firm, was attracted to Manx because of its stable business, a proven financial and operational track record led by a strong management team, and the opportunity to continue investment in the new network build out and new business strategies. Kevin Walsh, Chairman of Manx Telecom, said: Since its IPO in 2014, Manx has performed well and delivered consistent returns for its shareholders through resilient earnings, strong cash generation and a growing dividend. Basalts cash offer recognises the quality of the business, the management team and the employees and provides certainty to shareholders. After careful consideration and negotiation the Board concluded that it would unanimously recommend the offer as being in the best interests of shareholders, employees and other stakeholders. Steven Lowry, Partner of Basalt Infrastructure Partners LLP, said: We are pleased to announce Basalts board recommended offer for Manx, which provides cash certainty to shareholders. We are keen to support the company through its next phase of capital investment, which includes funding fibre to the premises, its commitment to Vannin Ventures and the future requirement of a 5G network roll out. We look forward to working closely with Manxs management team and employees realise their vision to continue to provide high quality services to customers and position the company for the future. The acquisition values Manx Telecom at 215p per share and is expected to complete in early May 2019. Thursday, March 14th, 2019 (8:30 am) - Score 11,068 After years of waiting were pleased to report that the United Kingdom has finally been included into the FTTH Council Europes annual 2019 country ranking, which lists the countries with the strongest subscriber penetration of full fibre (FTTP/H/B) ultrafast broadband ISP networks. Predictably.. were at the bottom. The most recent data from Ofcom (here) states that full fibre networks now cover just 6% of UK premises and, while still low, that figure is double what it was a year ago (3%). Much of this improvement has come from the Governments increasing support for such networks, such as via their business rates holiday on new fibre, as well as Gigabit connection vouchers, various funding schemes and regulatory changes via Ofcom (summary). As a result weve seen a rise in competition between Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) ISPs during 2018 (Cityfibre, Hyperoptic, Gigaclear, Community Fibre etc.), which are almost jumping over each other to see who can roll-out the most fibre optic lines (Summary of UK Full Fibre Plans). Many of those are commercial roll-outs that only really began at any scale last year and for the time being most are only focused on urban areas. Meanwhile the Government has set an aspiration for nationwide coverage of full fibre networks to be achieved by 2033 (here), although this would require the market to be adding around 2 million premises (not overbuild) to the national coverage every year for the next decade or more. Deployments are ramping up but were nowhere near this.. yet. Suffice to say that last years progress was enough to finally see us enter into the council and IDATEs annual ranking, which crucially looks at household penetration rather than raw network coverage. Unsurprisingly we enter the table at quite a low position, but its a start. The United Kingdom enters the ranking with a penetration rate of 1.3% and a take-up rate of 13.1%. Related subscriptions grew by 83% compared to September 2017 (total of 369,250 subscribers) and its homes passed grew by 22.8% (total of 2,817,000 homes passed). The latter figure seems to be more optimistic than Ofcoms most recent data. Overall the number of Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) and Fibre-to-the-Building (FTTB) subscribers in Europe (EU39 countries) increased by 15.7% since September 2017 with more than 59.6 million FTTH/B subscribers in September 2018. Russia is still the leader in terms of FTTH/B subscribers in the European region, although it has showed a lower growth rate compared to other European countries which are catching up quickly with a 21% growth. The deployment of FTTH/B networks has also increased significantly. By September 2018 it is estimated that the coverage of such networks had reached 46.4% in the EU39 and 36.4% in EU28 countries. This shows a clear upward trend from September 2015 where the estimated coverage rate in the region was 39% in the EU39 and 27,2% in the EU28, said the council. This year the country adding the most subscribers was Spain (1,858,743), while France comes second with an addition of 1,480,220 and Russia saw its FTTH/B subscriber base increase with 1,256,000 new additions. As for take-up of the service, its jumped to 37.4% for the EU39 (up from 34.8% last year) and take-up in the EU28 is even higher at 38.2%. Countries like Andorra, Belarus, Belgium, Latvia, Netherlands and Romania experience a take-up rate surpassing 50%. Ronan Kelly, President of the FTTH Council, said: These new figures show a momentum that is accelerating over the last few years. Full fibre is the way forward and the results of the Market Panorama provide compelling evidence of this. Fibre expansion is booming in many countries and today more consumers are aware of the benefits of fibre. Our job is not done, however, there is still a long way to go until every citizen and business has access to the benefits of full fibre in Europe. Obviously its still early days for the UK and for the time being most of our fixed broadband connections will continue to be dominated by cheaper and often slower hybrid fibre solutions (e.g. FTTC VDSL / G.fast and Cable DOCSIS), probably for quite a few years to come. Plus theres always the chance that 5G could throw a spanner into the works by undercutting FTTP as an alternative broadband product. Otherwise its worth considering that country-to-county comparisons never tell the whole story. For example, some countries have funded the deployment of fibre almost entirely from public money, while offering very little in the way of competition (e.g. consumer choice of ISPs). Meanwhile other countries may see a significantly larger proportion of people living in big apartment blocks (e.g. Spain, Portugal), which are a lot cheaper to reach. The thing to watch in future years is our rate of growth and whether or not we start skipping ahead of other countries, which at the current pace is a distinct possibility but its still a long ladder left to climb. Many other countries will have reached the finish line long before weve even got to the halfway point. On the other hand todays report includes a market forecast based on an individual analysis of 15 countries. The forecast finds that while Russia is expected to continue leading the ranking for FTTH/B homes passed in 2020 and 2025, they also say it is very interesting to note that the UK is likely to catch up to become 2nd in the ranking in 2025, ahead of France and Spain. In our view this seems very unlikely to happen by 2025. UPDATE 8:58am (GMT) Another useful slide from this mornings event, which shows how fast the UK is growing vs others. We also have a future forecast to reflect that 2025 prediction above, which looks wildly optimistic for the UK (particularly since the Government only expects 15 million premises by 2025 and thats more realistic). It has often been said that on the Internet content is king. The current batch of parasitic social media monopolists discovered this long ago and, ever since, they have ripped off and exploited unwitting content producers. Consider this. As an active user of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube, you have agreed to hand over your personal details, allow the owners of the platforms to sell your data to third parties, and provide them with free content. And what do you get in return for the value you provide so freely? Nothing. Content providers to social media receive zero compensation. They receive no money, no direct access to the subscriber base they have painstakingly built up except through the platform, and no way of safely keeping an archive of their own content or subscribers. Many YouTube content providers with hundreds of thousands and even millions of subscribers to their channels, and years of videos with millions of views, have woken up to find their channels wiped overnight. In any commonsense world, the content and the subscriber bases rightfully belong to the content creators and nobody else. As a journalist of 33 years standing, I am well aware of the copyright laws surrounding the content I produce I own it, regardless of where I choose to have it published. I have worked for the two major newspaper publishers in Australia. As part of the conditions of my employment, in addition to my salary each year, I would receive a substantial payment from the publisher as a copyright fee for the license to publish my articles. Quite often my newspaper would receive a request from a third party to reprint one of my articles. The request was always passed on to me as the copyright holder and I had full authority to grant or deny the request, as well as command a fee if I so desired. Likewise, several government departments and educational bodies would often reprint multiple copies of my articles. The Copyright Agency in Australia to which I subscribed would police these activities, obtain payment and forward the funds to me. Why should it be any different in the online space? If you wish to post licence-free content to Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, then thats your choice. However, why should they be able to make money off your content from the advertising and your personal data without giving you a fair share of the spoils? YouTubes demonetisation activity over recent years, involving several popular channels, is nothing short of scandalous. Highly popular alternative news channels have been arbitrarily demonetised using the spurious excuse of content deemed not suitable for advertising". Since when is any sort of news or opinion that stays within the bounds of legality considered not suitable for advertising? Just as bad is the disgraceful practice of withholding direct contact between content producers and their subscribers. As a result, content creators have no subscriber database and hence no security in the audience they have painstakingly built. LinkedIn, until recently, was a notable exception to this. The business-oriented social network made a song and dance about its users being the owners of their connections database. With LinkedIn, it was easy to download and export your contacts to an Excel spreadsheet or another database. Alas, no longer. Since Microsoft got hold of the company, it has become increasingly difficult to export your contacts. And most recently, LinkedIn incredibly no longer allows users to export their contacts email addresses, rendering the download facility useless. That being the case, LinkedIn has ceased to be a valuable business tool for me. Last year, I deleted my Facebook account as I hardly ever used it. I dont miss it. YouTube for me is just a platform for viewing rather than posting. As for Twitter, I cant remember the last time I tweeted anything. Not one of these social media companies could survive without the content so willingly donated by the rank and file users who allow themselves and their privacy to be abused for no return. I can do without these insidious organisations having access to my content and my life and it is my best hope that others will come to the same conclusion sooner rather than later. Australian Government data stored by American companies which have been certified as Protected cloud providers is not subject to the US CLOUD Act, which allows Washington to obtain data stored overseas by American companies in the event that it is deemed to be needed by law enforcement authorities. A spokesperson for the Australian Cyber Security Centre told iTWire in response to a query sent to the Australian Signals Directorate: "The Australian Government is not subject to the US law under the Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act 2018 (the CLOUD Act) as it only applies to US citizens or individuals residing in the United States." Cyber law expert Helaine Leggat, principal lawyer for cyber law at local firm Sladen, told iTWire that the position stated by the ACSC was correct as of the moment. "It will change for us if/when The US and Australia enter into an agreement," she added. In April last year, it was reported that Australia would seek an agreement with the US in order to gain access to data located there when needed upon execution of a local warrant with a US tech outfit. It said then Law Enforcement and Cyber Security Minister Angus Taylor would visit the US soon to set the stage for an agreement. Taylor has since moved to the energy portfolio and it is unclear whether the matter has progressed given the ructions with the government. In a paper Leggat presented to the Information Security Forum's World Congress in Las Vegas last year, she pointed out that there was a way by which the US could obtain any data it wanted from another country. "Recent amendments to US Rules of Criminal Procedure (Rule 41), authorise extra-territorial governmental hacking," she wrote. "US law enforcement agencies, (local police and federal agents), can compel US and foreign technology companies to disclose communications data of US and foreign users that is stored overseas, regardless of the physical location of the data, potentially bypassing privacy and data protection laws." Last year, when the Act was passed, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, an American organisation that fights for digital rights, outlined the following scenario as one that could eventuate under the Act: "London investigators want the private Slack messages of a Londoner they suspect of bank fraud. The London police could go directly to Slack, a US company, to request and collect those messages. "The London police would not necessarily need prior judicial review for this request. The London police would not be required to notify US law enforcement about this request. The London police would not need a probable cause warrant for this collection. "Predictably, in this request, the London police might also collect Slack messages written by US persons communicating with the Londoner suspected of bank fraud. Those messages could be read, stored, and potentially shared, all without the US person knowing about it. "Those messages, if shared with US law enforcement, could be used to criminally charge the US person in a US court, even though a warrant was never issued." Two American companies Microsoft and Amazon Web Services are among the six firms that can bid to store top-secret data from Australian federal agencies. The others are Vault, Macquarie Government and Sliced Tech (all Australian) and Dimension Data (South Africa). The CLOUD Act was passed to overcome an obstacle faced by the FBI in obtaining data which Microsoft had stored in Ireland. The agency said the data in question was related to a drug-trafficking case. The Act was tagged onto a defence spending bill, ensuring that it would get through the US Congress, as very few US politicians vote against such bills. Cisco's plan to increase the rate of digital transformation is part of an international effort. Cisco announced last month its $61 million plan to boost digital transformation in Australia. According to Cisco vice-president and global innovation officer Guy Diedrich, this is part of a broader move to engage with various governments to accelerate the uptake of digitisation. It started in France, before extending to the UK, Italy, Germany and India, he said. Cisco ANZ vice-president Ken Boal started working on a local plan four years ago, and the company decided now was the right time to add Australia to the list of 25 countries where Cisco is running such projects, said Diedrich. Boal explained that Cisco has for some time been working with federal, state and territory governments in areas such as employment, health, education, transport, and other aspects of city infrastructure, and recently decided to "supercharge our efforts" in this regard. If economic growth is starting to falter in Australia, digitisation is a way to kick things along, he said. "Australia needs more digitisation," he said, but while the nation's leaders are more committed, the technology is here, but the "skills are not necessarily fully available". "It's all about public-private partnerships." The Australian government wants to bring universities and industry closer together, and "we're trying to bridge that gap", for example, by working with Flinders University and other organisations to research issues around the use of Wi-Fi in hospitals The plan also takes in the SMB sector, said Boal. Cisco is working with NBN Co and managed service providers to help 20,000 small businesses a month not merely transition to the NBN, but also transform the way they work. Boal suggested that Australia would not get the full benefit of digitalisation by enterprises and governments unless SMBs also get on-board. But for that to happen, owners must be convinced of the value of digitisation, and the industry must deliver right-sized products. "We're open for business on all these programs," he said, emphasising that "Cisco expects a commercial return over the longer term" from these activities: "it''s very much a commercial investment". Michelle Rowland: "If cash flow is healthy you can invest more, be flexible on prices and provide services that the market would otherwise not deliver." The Australian Labor Party will not make any quick changes to the rollout of the national broadband network if it comes to power in the Federal Election later this year, but will take a "responsible" approach to the project. Shadow Communications Minister Michelle Rowland told the Sydney Institute, a current affairs forum, on Thursday night that the multi-technology mix adopted by the Coalition Government in 2013 had made the rollout more expensive. "The irony of this situation is that the Liberal Party promised its multi-technology mix would be faster and cheaper, yet we now have a business model that is in more need of cash flows but has less capacity to generate it because of inferior technology and higher costs," she said, according to a transcript of the speech provided to iTWire. When construction of the NBN was begun in 2009, Labor was in power and it envisaged fibre being rolled out to the premises for 93% of the populace, with the remaining 7% to be supplied with connectivity through either wireless or satellite. The rollout became a political issue when the Coalition Government, that took power in 2013, decided to change the technology of the network to what it called a multi-technology mix. The MTM includes fibre-to-the-node, HFC cable, satellite, and wireless, apart from fibre-to-the-premises which is being provided only to new dwellings. As the MTM plan and the connections provided have come under increasing criticism, fibre-to-the-distribution-point, which considerably reduces the copper lead-in to premises what the network builder, NBN Co, calls fibre-to-the-curb has been introduced as well. The rollout of the NBN is scheduled to be completed in 2020. Rowland said Labor would not promise a quick fix, nor would the party make promises in haste that it could not keep in the long term. She said improving the cash flow at the NBN Co, the company rolling out the network, was a problem over which the party had been spending many sleepless nights. "If cash flow is healthy you can invest more, be flexible on prices and provide services that the market would otherwise not deliver," she added. "The decisions in 2013 to change the technologies used on the NBN has had an unfortunate impact on cash flow. "Relative to the original fibre plan, the multi-technology mix costs more to operate and requires higher capital expenditure. This is due to copper and HFC technology producing more faults, requiring more technicians and consuming more power." The NBN Co has said for a long time that it needs to increase the average revenue per use to $52 in order to break even. But in February, when it announced results for the second half of the fiscal year 2019, the ARPU stood at $45. The company has been bleeding red ink since it started the rollout. For example, for the full-year 2018, NBN Co made a loss of $4.1 billion, slightly less than the loss of $4.24 billion for the full-year 2017, but much more than the $2.75 billion loss the company posted for the full-year 2016. There has been much talk about a possible write-down of the value of the network, with Labor not ruling it out. Rowland said the outcomes she would like to see for the NBN, six years hence were: Making its mark as a Canberra-based web development company in 2001, Link Digital began moving towards open data services about five years ago, based on CKAN, Drupal and Amazon Web Services (AWS). This soon led to picking up contract work for data.gov.au and similar work in other jurisdictions. Link Digital jumped on this opportunity after becoming involved in the early stages of the re-booting of GovHack in 2012. Since migrating data.gov.au from WordPress to CKAN, the business has grown the platform from about 3000 data sets to almost 30,000, and along the way, has worked with a range of government agencies to help achieve their open data initiatives. Were building more than just web experiences for a typical website, but data catalogues that extend open government data and put it into the hands of the general public, Link Digital founder, Steven De Costa, explained. As a steering group member in CKAN since 2014, contributing into the projects core technology roadmap, De Costa was also involved in the GovHack committee. But according to the entrepreneur, it was simply a matter of coincidence. After 12 years of building websites and the commoditisation of web development, meant that clients were expecting more, but expecting to pay less and it became a much less viable business, De Costa said. If youre focusing on quality professional services, we would have to strip back the quality and use cheaper outsourcing suppliers, and yet even in the mix of that, the clients still demand more, putting more responsibility on web developers. This was a winning outcome for us in the end, and we wanted to move to more of a niche and focused area in open data. The company largely operates out of its Canberra headquarters but also has staff in Perth and Melbourne. In April 2018, De Costa made the move to Berlin, Germany to help expand its services as it was accepted into the Australian Landing Pad in Berlin, which is run by the Australian government. This acts like a hub to meet other international start-ups and major German and European corporations, providing access to investment opportunities. Ive been working on that prospect for about three years, as personal goal, and it was only in April that we really kicked that off and well be in Germany for a couple years, he said. Outside of Australia, Link Digital collaborates with partners to service clients in Denmark, Saudi Arabia (through its collaborative partnership with Master Works) and New Caledonia. Over the next two years, Link Digital expects to expand operations with a strong European team, funded directly by new client acquisitions. Were currently working on establishing a global partner network and looking to set up a parent company, and within the structure set up a non-profit to do research and development in the area of open data, De Costa explained. Weve recently established an R&D team, which has just got two people at the moment, but we see that expanding and growing to about the same size as Link Digital through the new non-profit that will be set up in the next three to four months. The biggest area of focus for Link Digital is within open government data, followed by corporate data management with one of its corporate clients being LEGO Systems. De Costa also pointed out in the years ahead, it will also turn its focus onto academia in open research data. The company has grown at a fairly steady rate over the years, and will continue to do so as were doing more work with large corporates, he said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) The controversial narco list, containing names of politicians allegedly involved in illegal drug operations, will be released Thursday, an official of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said. Interior Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya told CNN Philippines that the government's drug watchlist will be made public at the National Peace and Order Council meeting in Davao City at around 6 p.m., with President Rodrigo Duterte in attendance. Malaya said senior government officials and high-ranking officers from the police and military will be present. "The press should be allowed in when the announcement is made," he added. The narco list is said to contain over 80 names of politicians supposedly involved in illegal drugs. The impending release happens amid dissent from several government agencies and officials, including the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), which takes lead role in the government's war on drugs. PDEA chief Dir. Gen. Aaron Aquino earlier told CNN Philippines he would rather work silently and just file charges against so-called narco politicians. Media organizations have warned against the publication of the names, saying this could result in trial by publicity. The Commission on Human Rights also opposed the release of the list, warning that it may lead to more election-related violence ahead of the May 13 midterm polls. The President, meanwhile, has left it to the discretion of the DILG, saying he would not interfere with the release of the narco list. Malacanang said candidates on the drug list could simply file libel charges if they refute their inclusion in the list. READ: Palace advises 'narco pols' to file libel case if allegations not true Works of poetry, all dealing with loss and separation, inspire each movement. One contains passages from the Virgin Mary speaking to Jesus as he was dying on the cross. In another, which Chen calls the heart of the whole symphony, is taken from an inscription from an 18-year-old to her mother that was written on the wall of a concentration camp. In the third, a mother reflects on losing her son in war. (All amounts in US dollars, unless otherwise indicated) 2018 Highlights include: Gold production of 302,550 ounces and sales of 300,053 gold ounces; Revenue of $376.5 million ; ; Adjusted EBITDA 1 of $89.5 million ; of ; Net income of $15.3 million and earnings from mine operations of $58.3 million ; and earnings from mine operations of ; All-in sustaining costs (AISC) 1 of $974 per ounce of gold sold; of per ounce of gold sold; AISC margin 1 of $83.2 million ; and of ; and Cash balance of $53.0 million at December 31, 2018 . VANCOUVER, March 14, 2019 /CNW/ - Leagold Mining Corporation (TSX:LMC; OTCQX:LMCNF) ("Leagold" or the "Company") reports Q4 and full year 2018 financial and operating results with consolidated gold production in 2018 of 302,550 ounces (oz) at AISC of $974 per oz sold and resulting in an AISC margin of $83.2 million. These results generated full-year earnings from mine operations of $58.3 million and net income of $15.3 million. Leagold's 2018 results include the Brazilian operations on a post-acquisition basis from May 24 to year end. Leagold CEO Neil Woodyer commented: "2018 was a transformational year as we grew into a diversified, multi-mine operator with four mines in two countries. In only two years, we have completed two significant acquisitions and established Leagold as a mid-tier gold producer. We are now producing gold at an annual rate of about 400,000 oz per year. Our internal growth projects have potential to grow production to 700,000 oz per year. These growth projects are the expansion of the Los Filos mine complex and the restart of construction of the Santa Luz project. Both have recently completed feasibility studies. We are advancing with construction planning and optimizing the sequencing of the major expansion projects as part of our financial planning." Table 1: 2018 Gold Production by Quarter (oz) Mine Q1 2018 Q2 2018 Q3 2018 Q4 2018 Total 2018 Los Filos 51,003 43,541 42,617 58,201 195,362 RDM i,ii - 7,889 16,596 4,913 29,398 Fazenda i - 7,460 20,167 19,041 46,668 Pilar i - 5,627 13,889 11,606 31,122 Total 51,003 64,517 93,269 93,761 302,550 i For Q2 2018, the results for RDM, Fazenda and Pilar are included in Leagold's results for the 38-day post-acquisition period from May 24, 2018 to June 30, 2018 (inclusive). ii During Q4 2018, the RDM mine experienced a temporary shutdown from early October until November 20 due to regional drought conditions. Table 2: Production and Costs for the Year Ended December 31, 2018 Mining physicals Unit Los Filos RDMii Fazendaii Pilarii Total Gold produced oz 195,362 29,398 46,668 31,122 302,550 Gold sold oz 190,614 29,389 48,066 31,984 300,053 Cash cost details Gold revenue $000s 241,126 36,028 58,992 39,256 375,402 Mining costs open pit 33,905 9,808 2,933 - 46,646 Mining costs underground 47,083 - 17,650 18,705 83,438 Processing costs 78,571 14,324 9,742 8,709 111,346 Site G&A costs 23,089 3,030 3,782 2,998 32,899 Change in inventory (28,183) 113 (23) 382 (27,711) Other 831 535 805 985 3,156 Total cash costsi $000s 155,296 27,810 34,889 31,779 249,774 Land access payments 14,966 - 2 23 14,991 Royalties 1,809 897 848 582 4,136 Sustaining capitali 10,224 943 4,561 2,072 17,800 Sustaining capitali stripping 5,477 - - - 5,477 Total AISCi $000s 187,772 29,650 40,300 34,456 292,178 AISC margini $000s 53,354 6,378 18,692 4,800 83,223 Cash costsi $/oz sold 815 946 726 994 832 AISC i $/oz sold 985 1,009 838 1,077 974 i Cash costs, sustaining capital, AISC, and AISC margin are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standard meaning under IFRS. Refer to the section Non-IFRS Measures for a reconciliation to IFRS. AISC includes cash costs, royalties, land access and community payments and sustaining capital. ii Includes the period May 24-December 31, 2018 for the RDM, Fazenda, and Pilar mines. Table 3: Production and Costs for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2018 Mining physicals Unit Los Filos RDM Fazenda Pilar Total Gold produced oz 58,201 4,913 19,041 11,606 93,761 Gold sold oz 54,001 5,574 18,849 11,580 90,004 Cash cost details Gold revenue $000s 65,906 7,025 23,111 14,128 110,170 Mining costs open pit 7,492 1,641 1,278 - 10,411 Mining costs underground 13,146 - 7,454 7,851 28,451 Processing costs 21,908 3,237 4,387 4,063 33,595 Site G&A costs 6,041 1,066 1,714 1,417 10,238 Change in inventory (8,624) 583 (791) (761) (9,593) Other 223 174 350 396 1,143 Total cash costsi $000s 40,186 6,701 14,392 12,966 74,245 Land access payments 3,668 - - 12 3,680 Royalties 389 171 356 217 1,133 Sustaining capitali 2,223 184 2,717 745 5,869 Sustaining capitali stripping 1,614 - - - 1,614 Total AISCi $000s 48,080 7,056 17,465 13,940 86,541 AISC margini $000s 17,826 (31) 5,646 188 23,629 Cash costsi $/oz sold 744 1,202 764 1,120 825 AISC1 $/oz sold 890 1,266 927 1,204 962 i Cash costs, sustaining capital, AISC, and AISC margin are non-IFRS financial performance measures with no standard meaning under IFRS. Refer to the section Non-IFRS Measures for a reconciliation to IFRS. AISC includes cash costs, royalties, land access and community payments and sustaining capital. At the Los Filos mine complex in Mexico, production of 58,201 oz in Q4 2018 was up 37% over the previous quarter and set a new quarterly production record since acquisition. This production result was due to the significant increase in contained gold placed on the heap leach pad during the year and the delayed gold recovery rates that improved at the end of 2018, and have continued at expected levels into 2019. During Q4 2018, mining operations continued to perform well with ore mined from the open pits up 21% to 2.6 million tonnes and ore mined from underground operations up 3% to 177,000 tonnes. Full-year production at Los Filos totalled 195,362 oz at AISC of $985 per oz sold. During 2018, growth capital expenditures (e.g. non-sustaining) at Los Filos totalled $22.2 million which included $11.3 million for development of the Bermejal Underground, $3.1 million for the installation of additional conveyors and the agglomerator, $1.5 million on the CIL plant studies, and $6.3 million for the Los Filos Underground exploration drilling program that extended mine life. At the RDM mine in Brazil, Q4 2018 production was impacted by a six-week shutdown due to regional drought conditions. As a result, the RDM mine only produced 4,913 oz of gold during Q4 2018 compared to 16,596 oz in Q3 2018. Water in the reservoir has continued to build up over the rainy season (typically November through March) and RDM is expected to be positioned for stable and continuous operations in 2019. Also in Q4 2018, the grid power project at RDM continued to progress with 90% of the towers constructed by quarter-end. During Q1 2019, the installation of the remaining towers and power cable has been completed and commissioned, and the switch-over to grid power is scheduled for mid-March 2019. The lower cost grid power has the potential to reduce annual power costs by $6 million, and the increased power availability will also improve mill performance and gold recovery rates. Production at RDM for the post-acquisition period of May 24, 2018 to December 31, 2018 totalled 29,398 oz of gold at AISC of $1,009 per oz sold. At the Fazenda mine in Brazil, Q4 2018 production was ahead of expectations with 19,041 oz. Since acquisition, Leagold has focused on optimizing the excess throughput capacity of the plant using open pit material, which has contributed to consistently strong performance at Fazenda. Production for the post-acquisition period of May 24, 2018 to December 31, 2018 totalled 46,668 oz of gold at AISC of $838 per oz sold. At the Pilar mine in Brazil, Q4 2018 production was 11,606 oz, slightly below Q3 2018 due to processing of lower grade ore. Processing costs increased compared to the prior quarter due to the timing of increased preventive maintenance in the plant. Since acquisition, total ore mined from underground was 645,047 tonnes at an average grade of 1.36 g/t. Total ore processed was 895,835 tonnes of which 253,659 tonnes came from low-grade stockpiles, allowing the plant to operate at its throughput capacity. By doing this, management achieved record monthly throughput in H2 2018 and has maximized production despite grade issues from the underground mines. Production for the post-acquisition period of May 24, 2018 to December 31, 2018 totalled 31,122 oz of gold at AISC of $1,077 per oz sold. Expansion and Development Projects Los Filos Expansion At the Los Filos mine complex in Mexico, Leagold completed the Los Filos Expansion Feasibility Study in March 2019 which was prepared by independent consultants. The study incorporates the potential for developing the Bermejal underground mine, enlarging the Los Filos open pit mine, re-phasing the Bermejal open pit into two distinct sections (Bermejal and Guadalupe), and building a 4,000 tonne per day (tpd) carbon-in-leach (CIL) plant to complement the existing heap leach facilities. The Expansion Feasibility Study builds on the large scale exploration program that Leagold commenced in April 2017, shortly after Leagold acquired the Los Filos mine complex from Goldcorp. This exploration program delineated several new areas of high-grade mineralization as part of the Bermejal Underground, and in Q4 2017, an exploration ramp was started. In Q4 2018, development of the 1,330-metre ramp to access the ore body at Bermejal underground was completed on schedule. Since the acquisition of the Los Filos mine complex, Leagold has carried out extensive exploration programs for both open pit and underground deposits, developed the Bermejal access ramp, completed the Bermejal underground mine design, and completed comprehensive metallurgical test work on all of the mineral deposits to support the CIL plant design. This work, with a total investment of approximately $30 million, has contributed to increasing the Proven and Probable Reserves from 1.7 Moz to 4.5 Moz3 at an average cost of less than $10 per oz, and now forms the basis of the Expansion Feasibility Study. Highlights of the Expansion Feasibility Study include: Gold production of 3.2 Moz over a 10-year mine life (2019 to 2028) at an average AISC 2 of $740 /oz of /oz Post expansion (2021 onwards): Average annual production of 350,000 oz at AISC 2 of $694 /oz Average annual production exceeding 420,000 oz from 2021 to 2024 Proven and Probable mineral reserves of 104.2 Mt at 1.31 g/t containing 4.5 Moz 3 Capital cost of $180 million to develop the Bermejal underground and construct a new 4,000 tpd CIL plant with related infrastructure to develop the Bermejal underground and construct a new 4,000 tpd CIL plant with related infrastructure Current operations to fund capitalized stripping during the initial expansion phase (2019 to 2020) at the Guadalupe and Los Filos open pits At $1,250 /oz gold price: NPV 0% of $884 million NPV 5% of $679 million IRR of 86% /oz gold price: Leagold is advancing with Los Filos expansion construction planning, optimizing the sequencing of the major expansion projects as part of its financial planning, and discussing the social and economic benefits created by the expansion with its employees, contractors, unions and community members. Santa Luz Project At the Santa Luz project in Brazil, Leagold completed the Santa Luz Restart Feasibility Study in October 2018. Santa Luz is a previously operating open pit mine and processing plant which was shut down in 2014 by a previous owner to focus on optimizing gold recoveries. Leagold's independent metallurgical testwork, review of the pilot plant results, and updated Santa Luz Restart Feasibility Study demonstrates that resin-in-leach (RIL) processing will successfully achieve gold recoveries of 84%. The study outlines the potential for Santa Luz to add 100,000 oz per year of gold production within a 10-month construction period at a capital cost of $82 million. Leagold is considering the timing of the Santa Luz restart in the context of its overall corporate business plan and the opportunities presented in the recently completed Los Filos Expansion study. Leagold Financial Results Leagold reported revenue of $110.3 million in Q4 2018 and net earnings of $1.3 million, or $0.00 per share. On a full-year basis, revenue totalled $376.5 million and net earnings totalled $15.3 million, or $0.07 per share. Tables 4 and 5 provide details of Q4 and full-year 2018 financial results. Table 4: Leagold's Financial Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2018 $000s Three months ended Dec 31, 2018 Three months ended Dec 31, 2017 Revenue 110,250 65,265 Operating expenses 77,653 47,059 Depreciation and depletion 13,331 7,690 Royalties 1,132 324 Earnings from mine operations 18,134 10,192 Exploration costs 167 36 Share-based payments 28 225 Acquisition and restructuring costs 2,525 - General and administration costs 4,801 4,359 Brazil regional office costs 1,342 - Foreign exchange loss 4,152 58 Finance and accretion expense 5,780 3,514 Other expense/(income) 5,035 (336) (Loss)/earnings before taxes (5,696) 2,336 Current income tax expense 1,355 2,040 Deferred income tax recovery (8,379) (1,474) Net income 1,328 1,770 Basic and diluted earnings per share 0.00 0.01 Basic and diluted (loss)/earnings before taxes per share (0.02) 0.02 Table 5: Leagold's Financial Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2018 $000s Year ended Dec 31, 2018 Year ended Dec 31, 2017 Revenue 376,511 193,694 Operating expenses 267,178 148,330 Depreciation and depletion 46,862 16,859 Royalties 4,136 994 Earnings from mine operations 58,335 27,511 Exploration costs 674 119 Share-based payments 30 10,181 Acquisition and restructuring costs 8,038 7,636 General and administration costs1 11,304 8,178 Brazil regional office costs 3,375 - Foreign exchange loss 2,733 260 Finance and accretion expenses 6,314 11,961 Other expenses/(income) 4,902 (553) Earnings/(loss) before taxes 20,965 (10,271) Current income tax expense 7,797 2,326 Deferred income tax (recovery) (2,117) (5,072) Net income/(loss) 15,285 (7,525) Basic and diluted earnings/(loss) per share 0.07 (0.07) Basic and diluted earnings/(loss) before taxes per share 0.09 (0.09) Outlook and Strategy Leagold expects to produce 380,000 to 420,000 oz in 2019 at AISC of $920 to $970 per oz. Beyond 2019, Leagold's internal growth projects have the potential to increase production to 700,000 oz per year. Leagold is currently reviewing the results of the Los Filos Expansion Feasibility Study and the Santa Luz Restart Feasibility Study while preparing financing alternatives that prioritize cash flow generation and long-term shareholder value. Leagold's long-term growth strategy also includes acquiring operating gold mines and projects nearing construction where the acquired assets complement its existing operations and provide further operational diversification. Leagold's experienced management team has a history of operational success which provides the foundation for executing on its acquisition strategy. Supporting Documents Leagold's Q4 and full year 2018 financial statements and related MD&A are available on SEDAR and in the Investor Relations section of Leagold's website here. Conference Call A conference call and live webcast will be held on Thursday, March 14 at 10am PDT/1pm EDT. Participants may dial in to the conference call using the numbers below (no access code is needed). Toll free Canada/US: 1-800-319-4610 International: +1-604-638-5340 The live webcast can be accessed through the following link: Click Here The conference call will be available for playback until April 14, 2019 by dialling 1-800-319-6413 (toll free Canada/US) or +1-604-638-9010 (international), quoting access code 2841. The webcast playback will be available on Leagold's website here. About Leagold Mining Corporation Leagold is building a mid-tier gold producer with a focus on opportunities in Latin America. The Company is based in Vancouver, Canada and owns four operating gold mines in Mexico and Brazil, along with an expansion opportunity in Mexico and a near-term gold mine restart project in Brazil. Leagold is listed on the TSX under the trading symbol "LMC" and trades on the OTCQX market as "LMCNF". CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains "forward looking information" or "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including without limitation, statements related to full-year production forecasts and AISC, expectations for increased recovery rates and the impact of cost savings initiatives at Los Filos, cost savings from low-cost grid power and anticipation of stable and continuous operations at RDM, statements about potential future production at Santa Luz, future operating costs and capital costs, and the projected IRR for the Santa Luz project are forward looking statements. Generally, these forward looking information and 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", "will continue" or "believes", 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". The material factors or assumptions used to develop forward looking information or statements are disclosed throughout this document. Forward looking information and forward looking statements, while based on management's best estimates and assumptions, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Leagold to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or forward looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to international operations; risks related to general economic conditions and credit availability, unanticipated reclamation expenses; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; fluctuations in prices of metals including gold; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, increases in market prices of mining consumables, possible variations in mineral reserves, grade or recovery rates; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations, and political and economic developments in countries in which the Company operates, actual resolutions of legal and tax matters, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled "Description of the Business Risk Factors" in Leagold's most recent AIF available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although Leagold has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information or statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information or statements. The Company has and continues to disclose in its Management's Discussion and Analysis and other publicly filed documents, changes to material factors or assumptions underlying the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements and to the validity of the information, in the period the changes occur. The forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are made as of the date hereof and Leagold disclaims any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. TORONTO, March 14, 2019 /CNW/ - Excellon Resources Inc. (TSX:EXN; OTC:EXLLF) ("Excellon" or the "Company") is pleased to report further exploration results from the Evolucion Property in the state of Zacatecas, Mexico. This program is the first drilling in the area since 2010 and follows an extensive, year-long prospecting and mapping program which has identified several priority targets. Highlights Broad intersections of continuous silver, lead and zinc mineralization with anomalous gold intersected on the Lechuzas vein, with an open strike of 600 metres and open below 500 metres with high grade zones, including: 101 g/t silver equivalent ("AgEq") (22 g/t Ag, 0.4% Pb, 1.0% Zn and 0.1 g/t Au) over 154 metres in EX18MAZ-251, including 532 g/t AgEq (188 g/t Ag, 4.4% Pb, 2.9% Zn and 0.1 g/t Au) over 2.4 metres and 238 g/t AgEq (48 g/t Ag, 0.7% Pb, 2.8% Zn and 0.1 g/t Au) over 17.7 metres; and 70 g/t AgEq (14 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.7% Zn and 0.1 g/t Au) over 219 metres in EX18MAZ-253, including 274 g/t AgEq (70 g/t Ag, 1.3% Pb, 2.2% Zn and 0.4 g/t Au) over 12.6 metres; 663 g/t AgEq (175 g/t Ag, 4.3% Pb, 5.4% Zn and 0.4 g/t Au) over 3.4 metres in EX18MAZ-257; and and 259 g/t AgEq (64 g/t Ag, 1.4% Pb, 2.2% Zn and 0.3 g/t Au) over 24.9 metres in EX18MAZ-258. "We are still in the early days of exploring at Evolucion, but the grades, widths and consistency of mineralization that we have intersected along strike and down dip are very encouraging," stated Ben Pullinger, Senior Vice President Geology. "This drilling has loosely defined a large disseminated mineralized zone and we are working to use this data to vector in on higher grades in future drilling. We continue to view these results as evidence of a large mineralized system especially considering the amount of metal represented in these intersections and the numerous additional veins to be tested regionally." Highlighted Results Lechuzas Vein Hole ID Dip Azi Interval Interval Ag Pb Zn Au AgEq(2) (o) (o) From To (m)(1) g/t % % g/t g/t EX18MAZ-245 -66 314 233.27 236 2.7 29 0.5 0.4 0.3 70 and 355.4 360.4 5.0 20 0.3 0.6 0.0 62 EX18MAZ-246 -50 314 410.9 436.1 25.2 9 0.2 0.4 0.1 35 including 410.9 418.5 7.6 20 0.5 0.7 0.1 75 and 424.7 436.1 11.4 6 0.1 0.3 0.1 27 EX18MAZ-251 -74 314 164.4 318.3 153.9 22 0.4 1 0.1 101 including 179.1 181.5 2.4 188 4.4 2.9 0.1 532 and 210 316.8 106.8 23 0.4 1.3 0.1 118 including 228.5 246.3 17.7 48 0.7 2.8 0.2 238 and 253.1 286.2 33.1 17 0.3 1.2 0.1 106 EX18MAZ-253 -78 314 174 393.1 219.1 14 0.3 0.7 0.1 70 including 186.8 199.4 12.6 70 1.3 2.2 0.4 274 and 229.3 254.3 25 30 1 1.4 0.1 147 EX18MAZ-254 -77 314 279 439.5 160.5 9 0.1 0.7 0.1 56 including 318.8 348.4 29.6 12 0.2 1.1 0 80 and 400.8 432.4 31.6 17 0.2 1.1 0.2 97 EX18MAZ-255 -68 314 410.4 556.5 162.1 5 0.1 0.5 0 37 EX18MAZ-256 -50 314 284.6 298.1 13.5 23 0.5 0.6 0 73 EX18MAZ-257 -60 314 132.4 135.8 3.4 175 4.3 5.4 0.4 663 EX18MAZ-258 -75 314 26.7 207.3 178.6 19 0.4 0.6 0.1 71 including 81.8 123.3 41.5 29 0.6 0.8 0.1 100 and 182.4 207.3 24.9 64 1.4 2.2 0.3 259 EX18MAZ-259 -80 314 223.8 370.2 122.7 13 0.3 0.5 0.1 58 including 224.8 316.8 84.4 18 0.4 0.6 0.1 74 including 252.9 308.8 55.9 21 0.5 0.8 0.1 88 including 273 298.7 25.7 30 0.8 1 0.1 122 (1) All intersections reported as core length. (2) AgEq drill results assumes $1,250 Au, $16.00 Ag, $0.95 Pb and $1.24 Zn with 100% metallurgical recovery. This program followed up on promising results encountered in earlier drilling on the Lechuzas structure in EX18MAZ-236 and EX18MAZ-235 (see Lechuzas sections below). The program succeeded in tracing mineralization along strike for 600 metres and to a depth of approximately 500 metres, where it remains open along strike and down dip. Follow up drilling associated with this target will be focused on delineating higher-grade vectors within the system. Mineralization at the Lechuzas target is hosted within the Caracol formation, which is a host to the most significant deposits within the Fresnillo trend. Precious and base metal mineralization occur within and associated with carbonate veining in structures in the host formation. Pyrite, sphalerite and galena are the most commonly observed minerals within the mineralized intervals. Drilling to the north west in EX18MAZ-258 and 259 also encountered mineralization associated with silica and quartz veining. Textures observed within the calcite veins display blading with banding, with similar textures also observed when silica is noted in veins. Other Targets Drilling at other targets including the Abejas, El Cobre, Pastizal and Negrillas veins was also conducted as part of this program. Holes EX18MAZ-242, EX18MAZ-250 and EX18MAZ-252 drill tested a quartz-calcite vein at Abejas. All holes intersected the target structure with anomalous precious metals values intersected in EX18MAZ-242. At El Cobre, EX18MAZ-241 encountered no significant mineralization. Anomalous mineralization was encountered in EX18MAZ-243 and EX18MAZ-244 which targeted the Pastizal vein. EX18MAZ-243 intersected 65 g/t AgEq (50 g/t Ag, 0.01% Pb, 0.04% Zn and 0.27 g/t Au) over 0.7 meters and EX18MAZ-244 intersected 197 g/t AgEq (131 g/t Ag, 0.1% Zn and 0.8 g/t Au) over 0.7 metres. Three holes were completed at the Negrillas target following up on mineralization intersected in historical drilling. EX18MAZ-247 intersected 43 g/t AgEq (23 g/t Ag, 0.3 %Pb, 0.2% Zn) over 4.2 metres and EX18MAZ-248 returned 506 g/t AgEq (477 g/t Ag, 0.3% Pb, 0.3% Zn, 0.3 g/t Au) over 1.14 metres. EX18MAZ-249 encountered no significant mineralization. Mineralization in the Evolucion region is hosted in epithermal quartz veins typical of the Fresnillo silver belt, most proximally at Hecla Mining Company's San Sebastian Mine, 42 kilometres to the northwest and along strike from Evolucion. Mining was historically undertaken on the Calvario Vein and via multiple shafts along the structures being tested as part of this program. The Evolucion property covers 45,000 hectares (450 km2) and 35 kilometres of strike in one of the world's premier silver districts. The property includes a mineral processing facility, which the Company utilizes to process ore from its Platosa Mine in the state of Durango, Mexico. The mineral processing facility currently has capacity of 800 tonnes per day ("tpd"), with a 650 tpd ball mill in operation and a second, 150 tpd ball mill on standby, with opportunities available for further expansion. Ample capacity remains available to process increased Platosa Mine production and potential new discoveries at either Platosa or Evolucion, along with ore from San Sebastian expected to enter bulk sample testing pursuant to a toll milling arrangement later this year. Qualified Person Mr. Ben Pullinger, P. Geo., Senior Vice President Geology, has acted as the Qualified Person, as defined in NI 43-101, with respect to the disclosure of the scientific and technical information relating to exploration results contained in this press release. About Excellon Excellon's 100%-owned Platosa Mine has been Mexico's highest-grade silver mine since production commenced in 2005. The Company is focused on optimizing Platosa's cost and production profile, discovering further high-grade silver and carbonate replacement deposit (CRD) mineralization on the 21,000 hectare Platosa Project and epithermal silver mineralization on the 100%-owned 45,000 hectare Evolucion Property, and capitalizing on current market conditions by acquiring undervalued projects in the Americas. Additional details on the La Platosa Mine and the rest of Excellon's exploration properties are available at www.excellonresources.com. Forward-Looking Statements The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this Press Release, which has been prepared by management. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 27E of the Exchange Act. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of the Company, including potential property acquisitions, the timing, content, cost and results of proposed work programs, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits/resources/reserves, geological interpretations, proposed production rates, potential mineral recovery processes and rates, business and financing plans, business trends and future operating revenues. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. 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. 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, including, but not limited to, variations in the nature, quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, significant downward variations in the market price of any minerals produced, the Company's inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies. All of the Company's public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties, and particularly the September 7, 2018 NI 43-101 technical report prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. with respect to the Platosa Property. 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. Figure 1 - Exploration Results Nobody stops in Lago Agrio unless they have to. This uninviting Ecuadorian town is dirty, humid and leaves the visitor with a general feeling of insalubrity. Located just a few kilometres from the Colombian border, it is often associated with drug trafficking, prostitution and other forms of organised crime. Two main reasons drive people there, both linked to two conflicting economic activities. The first is fossil fuel extraction: the town was created in the 1960s as a base for Texacos oil extraction activities. Its name Lago Agrio translates as Sour Lake. The second is tourism: Lago Agrio is a starting point to access various lodges and tours to the Amazonian forest. Today Lago Agrio is mostly associated with the unprecedented crude oil pollution, which has been destroying the areas rivers and lakes, impacting the fauna, flora and indigenous population. For those interested in this tragedy, Donald Moncayo, a non-indigenous inhabitant of the town who has lived with the contamination for decades, organises and leads toxic tours, which would fit perfectly in the dark tourism category after genocide and war crimes tours. These tours take journalists, activists and the accidental tourist to the affected zone, a selection of abandoned oil-well waste pits scattered in a large area of the rainforest and to the most affected indigenous communities. Hundreds of contaminated sites It is not an easy task to get to the sites of the disaster or to the indigenous communities. The journey to Lago Agrio requires a 10-hour bus drive from Quito. Ripped from the rainforest, which lost hectares to it, the road is almost entirely bordered by an extensive network of oil-carrying pipes, carrying the precious commodity to Quito and Esmeraldas, a major seaport of North-western Ecuador and the location of its biggest refinery. There are hundreds of contaminated sites, scattered over an area of at least 450,000 hectares. Only a few can be seen within a day, and not all are easily accessible. Donald Moncayo selected four of them for the tailored toxic tour he accepted to give me, which also included a visit to a settlement of one of the communities affected, the Cofanes. Recommended reading Can criminal courts help save the environment? Moncayo works for an Ecuadorian organisation created in May 1994 to defend the interests of the people affected by the contamination. Today called UDAPT (Union of People Affected by Texaco), the organisation used to be the Amazon Defence Coalition (Frente de Defensa de la Amazonia). For years, Moncayo has been fighting for recognition of the suffering of communities affected by the pollution caused by the crude oil extraction conducted in the area since the 1960s. The life before It all started in 1965, when the Ecuadorian Military Junta then in power reportedly granted a concession of 1.4 million hectares to Texaco Petroleum Company for oil exploration and exploitation. The Junta was later replaced by the military government of Guillermo Rodriguez Lara. In 1972, the contract was reportedly renegotiated and the concession area reduced to about 480 000 hectares. Between 1974 and 1992, the Ecuadorian State progressively bought Texaco shares, until the State-owned company Petro Ecuador eventually became the sole shareholder and Texaco left the country in 1992. Throughout this 30-year period, hundreds of oil wells were perforated and drilled. This type of operation requires an immense quantity of drilling fluid, a mixture of highly toxic products used as a lubricant in the process. Instead of using the expensive techniques available at the time to prevent their leaking into the environment, Texaco stored the toxic fluids in uncovered holes in the ground built with no protection. 880 waste pools spread over the 450,000 hectares of Texacos former operation zone. According to a judgment delivered on 14 February 2011 by the Court of Lago Agrio, no less than 880 waste pools spread over the 450,000 hectares of Texacos former operation zone. Each of these pools has received gallons of waste from the exploitation of crude oil. In some cases, a draining system conducts this waste to the closest rivers. These unprotected waste pools, the attached draining system combined with the effect of the weather resulted in the contamination of the ground and water of the whole region. Naturally, the local communities whose subsistence depended on the abundant resources of the rainforest were affected by the toxicity of the environment. One of the oldest surviving members of the Cofanes community, a grandmother whom Donald Moncayo introduced as Marina, can tell how her people used to live before the arrival of Texaco. Until then, there was no contact with modern society and no need for it, she said. No need for money. No need for work. For water, they had the forest rivers; for food, the forest fauna; and for health, the forest flora. The Cofanes territories covered a much larger surface, which had not been reduced or divided by mineral and oil extractions. When game or fish got scarce, the community would just move to another part of their territories to allow time for nature to take a break and renew its resources. The life after Today, the Cofanes territory has shrunk away to almost nothing. Extraction continues and so does the expansion of Lago Agrio. Deforested land becomes accessible for farming and sold to new settlers. Large areas of tropical forest keep disappearing to make way for more roads. There is no more game. Since the water is toxic, so is the fish, which cannot be eaten unless it was raised in a cleaned artificial pool. The rate of cancer and other kinds of infections is much higher than in other parts of the country. The Cofanes traditional shaman himself died of a liver disease: I was told that he got addicted to the alcohol Texaco gave him to gain his communitys trust. He was Marinas husband. Even if he had survived, his ancestral knowledge would probably have been powerless against this kind of curse. The Cofanes now depend on money. For most members of this community, the only option to survive is to look for work in the industry which has brought death to their family and destruction to their culture. After the departure of Texaco from Ecuador in 1992, the Government took over the extraction. The Cofanes and other affected communities commenced proceedings against Chevron Texaco the year after, first in the United States, then in Ecuador before expanding to other jurisdictions, with multinational lawsuits and arbitrations. These complex legal disputes have lasted for more than 25 years and yet, to this day, no one has been found definitely responsible. The 14 February 2011 judgment of the Court of Lago Agrio recognized the extent of the damage suffered and sentenced the multinational to pay a fine of 9.5 billion dollars The 14 February 2011 judgment of the Court of Lago Agrio recognized the extent of the damage suffered and sentenced the multinational to pay a fine of 9.5 billion dollars in compensation and various remedies. This judgment was affirmed first by the Appellate Court of Lago Agrio on 3 January 2012, then by the National Court of Justice on 12 November 2013 and finally, by the Constitutional Court which dismissed Chevrons appeal on exceptional grounds on 27 June 2018. Private justice Yet, on 30 August 2018 a decision of the Hague Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) invalidated this final judicial result. The tribunal analysed the proceedings and ruled that the appellate and constitutional courts had failed their obligations to perform a comprehensive review of both the facts and the law regarding the dispute. It invalidated the expert report on the waste pools, concluded in favour of Chevron and found inter alia there had been procedural fraud, judicial misconduct and ghost-writing of the Lago Agrio judgment. No further judicial remedy is available to either Ecuador or Texaco-Chevron to challenge this decision. It appears that a private arbitral decision can supersede a judgment ratified by all the national judicial instances of a sovereign State. Consequently, the prejudice suffered by the victims, not represented in these arbitration proceedings, will never be repaired. The law, which arguably should have been protecting those who lived in harmony with their environment, ends up guaranteeing the impunity of those responsible for its destruction. Chevron-Texaco arbitration sets a dangerous precedent: in giving priority to the commercial interests of companies over the human rights of the affected communities Indeed, as noted by Anna Berti Suman from Tilburg University, this arbitral decision sets a dangerous precedent: in giving priority to the commercial interests of companies over the human rights of the affected communities, it creates the risk that such proceedings be used to protect from accountability other powerful companies which, with the complicity of states, commit human rights violations and environmental crimes in the context of their lucrative mining or industrial activities. Preventing more toxic tours The example of Chevron Texaco in Ecuador highlights a wider issue: no international laws, international jurisdiction or international judicial mechanism exist for the investigation, prosecution and punishment of this type of conduct and the resulting damages. Yet, these conducts involve actors operating internationally and the resulting damages. And their impact is never confined within the borders of a single country. In 2016 the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a Policy Paper on case selection and prioritisation. She announced her intention to investigate destruction of the environment in peacetime that potentially constitutes crimes against humanity. Given the extent of the damage and the gravity of the impact on the population, the ICC could be one of the relevant fora for this kind of claims. But the ICC Prosecutor indicated that she can only consider environmental crimes if they are part of one of the four crimes in the Rome Statute, which does not provide for ecocide. And even for those, since the jurisdiction of the ICC is limited to natural persons, the prosecution of business or government-related crimes under international law would not be possible. In a global context where the vast majority agrees to acknowledge that climate change is the most serious threat to humanity, many would argue that this has to change, and the sooner the better. Creating a new international mechanism or providing amendments to the existing ones could contribute to improving a situation already critical, particularly in light of the policies envisaged or already implemented by world leaders such as Donald Trump or Javier Bolsonaro, which may only lead to more toxic tours. MAUD SARLIEVE Maud Sarlieve is a lawyer and lecturer at the University of Paris-Ouest-Nanterre. She worked for the ECCC Office of Investigating Judges in Cambodia, for the EULEX Special Prosecutors in Kosovo and for a Defence team at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Germanys under-fire Catholic Church admitted Thursday it must urgently confront its child sex abuse scandal, but victims accused it of continued stonewalling, especially on compensation. As in Australia, Chile, France, Ireland and the United States, Germanys Catholic Church has had to admit to abuses by predator priests and clergy and their systematic cover-up over decades. We carry responsibility toward those affected around the world no-one among us can still negate the problem or treat it as a taboo, said Cardinal Reinhard Marx, head of the German Bishops Conference. To the thousands of German victims and to other critics, Marx said, we see and hear you we have understood, speaking at the end of a four-day episcopal conference in the western city of Lingen. The era of silence is over, he stressed weeks after a Vatican conference also addressed the issue, and he admitted that it should have been dealt with perhaps 20 years, 30 years ago. But Cardinal Marx also cautioned that the process of cleansing is not finished in three days, its a continuing path, and offered no timetable for concrete reforms. Matthias Katsch of the main victims group Eckiger Tisch welcomed the general sentiment of more openness but stressed that what were missing is clear words on the issue of helping, in particular on the compensation of victims. The Church keeps stonewalling on compensation, he said in a statement, adding that the truth is that the bishops are scared rightly that very, very many people will insist on compensation. Call for truth commission The Church had so far received 1,900 applications for benefits in acknowledgement of suffering, the bishop charged with addressing the child abuse crisis, Stephan Ackermann, said Wednesday. Katsch urged German Justice Minister Katarina Barley to support victims quest for justice, days after an Australian court jailed Cardinal George Pell, one of Pope Franciss closest advisers, for six years for molesting two choirboys in 1996. Katsch said the victims groups main goal remained an independent, state-mandated truth commission that openly investigates all abuses, combs through archives, hears witnesses and names the perpetrators. Germanys Church last September released a study that showed 1,670 clergymen had committed some form of sexual attack against 3,677 minors, mostly boys, between 1946 and 2014. The authors said the figure was the tip of the iceberg as many Church documents had been destroyed or manipulated. Overall, more than half of the victims were 13 years old or younger, the study concluded. Predator priests were often transferred to another parish, which was usually not warned about their criminal history. The true figure of German Catholic abuse victims was estimated at 114,000 in a recent Ulm University study based on a randomised survey of the general population that was published in the Journal of Sexual Child Abuse. Survey leader Joerg Fegert, whose study estimated similar figures for the Protestant Church, told Die Welt newspaper that he hoped the bishops meeting will finally face up to the true dimensions of the sexual abuse of minors. Turn the lights on At the start of the meeting Monday, some 300 protesters rallied outside the conference, chanting turn the lights on and symbolically illuminating the church facade with hand-held electric torches. The rally, organised by the Catholic Womens Community of Germany, handed over a petition with 30,000 signatures calling for far-reaching reforms, including giving women a greater role in the Church. Marx said in his closing comments that the bishops had indeed held controversial talks that would continue in the wider Church, which has 23 million followers in Germany. The bishops had focused on three key issues Church power structures; the training and lifestyles of priests, including the issue of celibacy; and questions of sexual morality. We realise that often we are speechless on questions of sexual behaviour today, he conceded. But Marx also cautioned that, on wider doctrinal questions, the German Catholic Church cant go its own way but was part of the worldwide religious community. As similar events took place around the country and the Indiana Farm Bureau continued to celebrate its 100th anniversary this year, Hayden and other farmers reflected on the contributions farmers make, the obstacles they face, and the particularly challenging year they just had, which included bearing the brunt of a tariff war between the United States and China and other countries. Assistant U.S. Attorney Abizer Zanzi said the government has gone through most of the discovery that is not confidential and given it to the defense. Next, prosecutors need to go through the confidential items to see what would be subject to the Classified Information Procedures Act, or CIPA. Happy 10th Anniversary to Predictive Analytics World! Check Out this Brief History of PAW Dear Colleagues, 2019 marks the 10 year anniversary of the Predictive Analytics World conference series. During this decade-long run leading the commercial deployment of machine learning, PAW has delivered value to over 14,000 attendees across more than 60 industry-leading events that have included over 1,200 sessions, internationally. Watch PAW Founder Eric Siegels Five Reasons to Go to Mega-PAW Vegas Mega-PAW 2019 June 16-20 at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas is the most valuable machine learning event to attend this year. Only by keeping up with the most valuable trends has PAW remained the leading event. This June in Vegas, Mega-PAW will bring together five industry-focused events: PAW Business, PAW Financial, PAW Industry 4.0, PAW Healthcare, and Deep Learning World. This is five simultaneous two-day conferences all happening alongside one another at Caesars Palace in Vegas plus a diverse range of full-day training workshops, which take place in the days just before and after. Mega-PAW delivers brand-name, cross-industry, vendor-neutral case studies purely on machine learning deployment, and the hottest topics and techniques. See the history of the PAW conference series below, and register now for Mega-PAW 2019. The History of PAW The field of machine learning has come a long way, and PAW has grown and adapted right along with it. In fact, the many cross-industry PAW events have helped catalyze and solidify the field, following predictive analytics from a nascent industry to the commercial movement it is today. Check out these historical PAW milestones, from spawning the Target-predicting-pregnancy publicity debacle, to getting dinged by the Hollywood action movie star Chuck Norris, to growing into the leading international event series it is today. February 2009: The inaugural Predictive Analytics World. The first PAW was held in San Francisco as a two-track event. It blazed the trail as the very first vendor-neutral conference focused on machine learning's commercial deployment in comparison with existing academic or vendor-run conferences at the time and remains the leading such event. October 2010: PAW spawns the Target-predicting-pregnancy story. A PAW keynote from Target on predicting customer pregnancy (see the full session video here) spawned a publicity debacle for the large retailer, which took place more than a year later in early 2012, by way of a front-page New York Times Magazine article by Charles Duhigg an excerpt that served to publicize the launch of his book "The Power of Habit" at the time which expounded upon the keynote's contents and was regurgitated by a media frenzy. However, this flame-igniting article probably misled the public about the reality behind an alleged anecdote involving a pregnant teenager. November 2010: PAW begins holding annual events in London. September 2011: Predictive Analytics World for Government launches in Washington, DC. March to October 2012: PAW begins holding three main business events per year in the U.S.: East coast, west coast, and Chicago. November 2012: PAW begins holding annual events in Germany. February 2013: Eric Siegel's book, "Predictive Analytics". The first edition of PAW Founder Eric Siegel's book, Predictive Analytics: The Power to Predict Who Will Click, Buy, Lie, or Die, publishes in the U.S. It will be used in courses at over 35 universities, rank as the #1 Amazon bestseller in 2 categories, and be translated into 12 languages. The updated edition was released in 2016. March 2014: The Predictive Analytics Times news site launches as an informative sister property to the PAW events. April 2013: Chuck Norris writes about Predictive Analytics World. Famed Hollywood action film star Chuck Norris mentioned PAW in a derogatory manner in an article expressing privacy concerns over the IRS's collection of social media data, as covered by a speaker from the IRS at PAW Government. June 2014: PAW for Manufacturing (now PAW Industry 4.0) begins as an annual event. September 2014: PAW for Healthcare begins as an annual event. October 2016: PAW for Financial Services begins as an annual event. February 2017: PAW Industry 4.0 begins also as a repeated event in Germany. Noteworthy Speakers and Keynotes Along the way, PAW audiences have enjoyed guidance and inspiration from a stellar range of keynote speakers from the likes of Google, Lyft, Uber, Facebook, UPS, Verizon, HP, IBM, FICO, Amazon, MetLife, Charles Schwab, etc. as well as the following sample of noteworthy keynote speakers: John Elder, chair of Elder Research, the most widely experienced data consultancy in North America. An extremely popular speaker, author, and workshop instructor, John has spoken at the vast majority of PAW events, internationally, over the last decade. He's the chair of PAW Government and his firm also heads up the PAW Healthcare event, which is chaired by Elder Research's Jeff Deal. Dean Abbott, the founding chief data scientist of SmarterHQ. Previously a leading "rock star" consultant, Dean is famed for his fluency with more machine learning tools than any other practitioner we know. Like John Elder, Dean is an extremely popular speaker and workshop instructor who's participated at the vast majority of PAW events, internationally -- these two speakers are easily the two most frequent speakers, far surpassing even the frequency of PAW Founder Eric Siegel. Karl Rexer, founder of Rexer Analytics, a leading boutique consulting firm in predictive analytics. Karl is a a frequent plenary speaker who often presents on his firm's well-regarded, industry-standard Data Scientist Survey. His firm has completed projects for an impressively diverse portfolio of clients. David Gondek, who led the design of machine learning integration for IBMs Jeopardy champion computer, Watson. Watson's triumph on this TV quiz show is one of the top few bullets in the history of machine learning. Thomas Davenport , president's distinguished professor Babson College and co-author, "Competing on Analytics." This famed thought leader is known for his insight and gravitas. Roger Craig , an analytics expert who used this technology to guide his own study to compete on the TV quiz show Jeopardy, thereby setting many records on the show, including the highest one day winning total ever and the fourth highest overall total ever. Usama Fayyad , former chief data officer of both Yahoo! and Barclays. Anthony Goldbloom , CEO and founder of the renowned data science competition facilitator Kaggle. Stephen Baker , author of "The Numerati" and senior writer at BusinessWeek. Obama for America 2012 campaign's Daniel Porter and Rayid Ghani , who served as director of statistical modeling and chief data scientist, respectively. Brett Goldstein, the chief data officer of the City of Chicago. Christopher Wiggins, Columbia professor and chief data scientist of The New York Times. Mega-PAW Is Born June 2018: The first Mega-PAW event five co-located events in Vegas. Predictive Analytics World in North America continued its growth trajectory by bringing together all industry-specific PAW events in Las Vegas. Convening all the key industry figures and verticals greatly expands the networking potential. The wide range of jointly scheduled events includes: PAW Business, PAW Financial, PAW Industry 4.0 (formerly PAW Manufacturing), PAW Healthcare, and Deep Learning World, June 2018: Deep Learning World launches as an annual sister event in Vegas. Deep Learning World covers deep learning's commercial deployment across industry sectors. This relatively new form of neural networks has blossomed, both in buzz and in actual value, scaling machine learning to process, for example, complex image data. November 2018: Deep Learning World also begins as an annual event in Germany. Onward and Upward: Mega-PAW Vegas 2019 In 2019, there will be only one Mega-PAW: June 16-20, 2019 at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. With 2018's first-ever Mega-PAW being a stunning success, this new multi-event format continues in 2019 as a regular annual event. By design, this mega-conference is where to meet the who's who and keep up on the latest techniques, making it the leading machine learning event that excites and unites. Mega-PAW brings together five co-located events: ... plus a range of full-day training workshop options that include two on deep learning and TensorFlow, as well as R, Spark, and advanced topics such as ensemble models and other advanced techniques. Cross-registration options are available so you can pick and choose which parts of this seven-track mega-event are right for you. Register now to secure the early bird rates. I hope to see you there! Best Regards, Eric Siegel Founder Predictive Analytics World Watch PAW Founder Eric Siegels Five Reasons to Go to Mega-PAW Vegas A new press aide on Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign has apologized for comments online questioning whether American Jews held a "dual allegiance" with Israel. "In a conversation on Facebook, I used some language that I see now was insensitive," Belen Sisa, Sanders' incoming deputy press secretary for Latino outreach, said in a statement. "Issues of allegiance and loyalty to one's country come with painful history. At a time when so many communities in our country feel under attack by the president and his allies, I absolutely recognize that we need to address these issues with greater care and sensitivity to their historical resonance, and I'm committed to doing that in the future." As first reported by Politico late Tuesday, Sisa, in the course of a Facebook exchange over Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar's controversial recent remarks, asked another commenter, "Do you not think that the American government and American Jewish community has a dual allegiance to the state of Israel? I'm asking not to rule out the history of this issue, but in the context in which this was said by Ilhan." Sisa deleted the comment after she was first approached by a Politico reporter, according to that outlet. Speaking on a panel last month in Washington, Omar, a Democrat, discussed the backlash to her use of what many have described as anti-Semitic tropes in her criticism of Israel and some pro-Israel American lobbyists. "I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is OK for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country," she said. Her comments struck many, including some of her Democratic colleagues, as anti-Semitic tropes, including that suggestion that Jews might have dual allegiances, to their home country and Israel or some other entity. Omar's February comment was met with swift condemnation from the Democratic chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, New York Rep. Eliot Engel. "I welcome debate in Congress based on the merits of policy, but it's unacceptable and deeply offensive to call into question the loyalty of fellow American citizens because of their political views, including support for the US-Israel relationship," Engel said in the statement. It was not the first time Omar had been criticized for imputing that Israel's most vocal American backers had been in some way compromised by their support for the state, leading to Democratic infighting over how to respond. The House eventually passed a resolution last week, with only a few Republican dissenting, condemning "hateful expressions of intolerance" against Jews, Muslims and other minorities. Omar, over the course of a few weeks of being confronted over several statements, has apologized and defended herself. "When I talk about places like Saudi Arabia or Israel or even now with Venezuela, I'm not criticizing the people," Omar said in a recent appearance on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah." But she's also continued to employ controversial rhetoric when discussing Israel, American foreign policy and lobbying. Omar is one of the first two female Muslim House members, along with Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, and has been the target of Islamophobic and racist attacks. Republicans have pushed to have her removed from the Foreign Affairs Committee, but Engel has not asked Democratic leadership to take that step. Sanders, who is Jewish, defended Omar in a statement last week. "Anti-Semitism is a hateful and dangerous ideology which must be vigorously opposed in the United States and around the world. We must not, however, equate anti-Semitism with legitimate criticism of the right-wing, Netanyahu government in Israel," the Vermont independent said. "What I fear is going on in the House now is an effort to target Congresswoman Omar as a way of stifling that debate. That's wrong." Sens. Kamala Harris of California and Massachusetts' Elizabeth Warren also posed similar concerns, with Harris expressing her worry "that the spotlight being put on (Omar) may put her at risk." HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - UPDATE 9:15 A.M - - A divided Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled gun maker Remington can be sued over how it marketed the Bushmaster rifle used to kill 20 children and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. Justices issued a 4-3 ruling that reinstated a wrongful death lawsuit and overturned a lower court ruling that the lawsuit was prohibited by a 2005 federal law that shields gun manufacturers from liability in most cases when their products are used in crimes. The plaintiffs include a survivor and relatives of nine people killed in the massacre. They argue the AR-15-style rifle used by shooter Adam Lanza is too dangerous for the public and Remington glorified the weapon in marketing it to young people. Remington has denied wrongdoing and previously insisted it can't be sued under the federal law. (ORIGINAL) - The Connecticut Supreme Court is scheduled to rule on whether gun maker Remington can be sued for making the Bushmaster rifle used to kill 20 children and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. Justices are split on the question as the court is scheduled to release majority and dissenting opinions Thursday. The plaintiffs include a survivor and relatives of nine people killed in the massacre. They argue the AR-15-style rifle used by shooter Adam Lanza was designed as a military killing machine and is too dangerous for the public, but Remington glorified the weapon in marketing it to young people. A lower court judge dismissed the lawsuit in 2016, agreeing with Remington that federal law shields gun makers from liability when their products are used in crimes. CENTRAL POINT, Ore. -- The construction project at exit 33 will make the intersection comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and should make it safer by decreasing heavy traffic. Workers began Wednesday evening. They are making a temporary stripe to shift the traffic about four feet, so they can begin making the new lane. ODOT officials say growth in Central Point keeps increasing traffic at exit 33. Project Inspector Dennis Steers says this project will make it easier for cars to get off the freeway. "There have been some traffic backups that have been a safety issue backing up onto the freeway, so we're getting a second lane to eliminate that." Officials say traffic also got worse when Costco relocated to Central Point. Costco contributed $377,000 to the $967,000 project. Contractor Knife River Materials will buils an additional right turn lane to complement the existing single right turn lane onto eastbound Pine Street. In addition to the new lane, new signals and sidewalk ramps will be constructed. These will all comply with the Americans Disability Act. Steers says traffic shouldn't be a problem during construction. "We're keeping at least three lanes open," Steers said. "So it's just going to be a little different configuration." Officials ask drivers to slow down, take your time and not come into the exit at a high speed. Surrounding businesses will remain open during construction. Knife River Materials say it partnered with the businesses to try to minimize any impact construction could have on them, including noise. The exit will remain open during construction at all times. Workers will be present during the day and sometimes at night. For the next two weeks, drivers can expect to see workers primarily out at night. The project is estimated to be complete on July 12, but so far, Steers says they are on track to be finished early. Workers are hoping to finish before the fair comes to town. On August 18, 1971, a traveling father and his son stopped along the Redwood Hwy. near MP 35 in Josephine County to spend the remainder of the night. The next morning, they both stepped into the nearby woods and discovered the scattered skeletal remains of a young female. At the time, Sheriffs investigators did all they could to identify who the remains belonged to, the cause and manner of death and how the remains came to be in Josephine County. When all the investigative leads were exhausted, the case was deemed inactive and the remains were placed in storage at the Sheriffs Office warehouse and listed simply as Jane Doe Josephine County 71-940. In August 2004, Cold Case detectives renewed activity in the case as forensic science now allowed investigators to put a face on Jane Doe Josephine County 71-940. Forensic Artist and Clackamas County Sheriffs Deputy Joyce Nagy completed a clay facial reconstruction of our Jane Doe. Deputy Nagy nick-named her work Jane Annie Doe as she felt the likeness she created displayed features inspiring the name Annie. Investigators distributed the image of Jane Annie Doe nationwide resulting in numerous leads that kept the case active for several more years. Anne Annie Marie Lehman at age 14, Photo Circa: 1969. Anne Annie Marie Lehman at age 14, Photo Circa: 1969. In the latter part of 2016, forensic isotope analysis of Jane Annie Does hair, teeth, and bones indicated she was most likely from the northeast portion of the United States and migrated along the northern US border to the Pacific Northwest. This revelation along with a new forensic drawing of what Jane Annie Doe may have looked like was also published nationwide with emphasis in the New England states. Again, several leads were generated with one particular lead having strong similarities to a state of Massachusetts missing person. Investigators from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) based in Alexandria Virginia worked those leads but DNA failed to make a match. In February of 2017, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, funded and sponsored a case study of this Josephine County Sheriffs Office investigation. In November of 2018, Sheriffs Cold Case Investigator and retired Major Crimes Unit Detective Sergeant Ken Selig, received news that at the request of the NCMEC and the DNA Doe Project, DNA from Jane Annie Doe was submitted to the DNA Doe Project by Dr. Nici Vance of the Oregon State Medical Examiners Office. The Oregon State Medical Examiners office assumed custody of her remains in 2013. The DNA Doe Project is a non-profit all-volunteer organization which uses donated funds to analyze DNA from John and Jane Does to compare with GEDmatch (a public genetic genealogy database) to identify them through their DNA-cousins. After weeks of careful analysis and painstaking ancestral research, Jane Annie Does family was traced to relatives in England, New Zealand and Canada. In February, DNA Doe Project volunteers were able to notify Detective Selig that a potential match was found with a sister living in Washington State. As a result, Detective Selig, with the help of NCMEC, established contact with the sister and obtained a DNA sample from her. Today, Sheriff Dave Daniel is pleased to announce that Jane Annie Doe Josephine County 71-940, has been identified as Anne Marie Lehman of Aberdeen, WA. through a confirmed match with her full sisters DNA. The family has been notified. Anne Lehman would have turned 65 years old this year. Cold case investigators learned that Anne Annie (a nickname her family affectionately used for her) Lehman was born and raised in southwestern Washington State, primarily in Aberdeen, WA. Investigators believe Annie Lehman went missing from Aberdeen in the winter or spring of 1971 under troubling circumstances. Some say Annie Lehman was a runaway and others feel she was abducted and traded to a criminal human trafficking organization. These claims, how she ended up in Josephine County and the cause and manner of her death remain under investigation. If anyone knows of any information concerning Anne Annie Marie Lehman (age 16 at the time of her disappearance) and her activities in years 1970 and 1971, we ask that you contact the Josephine County Sheriffs Office Detective Ken Selig, phone 541-474-5123 case #71-940 Sheriff Daniel would like to extend his sincere gratitude and thankfulness to all the employees and volunteers who worked on this case over the years. These include not only members of the Josephine County Sheriffs Office, but also the Oregon State Police, Oregon State Medical Examiners Office, NAMUS, The University of North Texas, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, all of whom contributed to years of investigative and forensic investigation. It has taken nearly a half century to identify the mysterious Jane Annie Doe Josephine County 71-940. Our gratitude and thanks are humbly extended to Dr. Margaret Press, Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick, and the many volunteers of the DNA Doe Project whose hard work on Jane Annie Does genetic genealogy led to her identification. Without the DNA Doe Project orchestrating the effort to bring Annie Marie Lehman home, it may well have taken another 47 years before Annie would be identified and reunited with her family. Forensic genetic genealogy is fast becoming the most powerful new tool for solving cold cases that have resisted all other approaches. Annie's case illustrates how far the field has come. Her DNA was heavily degraded, making it difficult to obtain the data needed for finding matches in GEDmatch. These matches were only distantly related, and each one whose family tree was used to solve her case was from outside the US. These unique challenges made the DNA Doe Projects identification of Anne Marie Lehman groundbreaking. It takes a dedicated staff of genetic genealogy volunteers to spend the hundreds if not thousands of hours needed to perform the complex investigative work necessary to solve such cases. The management and volunteer staff of The DNA Doe Project are to be recognized for this success. Anyone who has ever researched their family knows how hard and frustrating tracing family members can be. The records are often missing, hard to interpret with names and places misspelled, and often contain incorrect information. This work requires much dedication and compassion towards reuniting lost loved ones with their families. In addition to the tenacity of the investigators and to the dedicated volunteers at the DNA Doe Project, Annie's identification depended on painstaking bioinformatics work by Dr. Greg Magoon of Aerodyne Research. We who work these cases are keenly aware that our success often brings pain to those who have lost their loved ones. The long-awaited closure brings with it the details of the investigation not easily accepted, causing family members to relive the pain of their loss. We offer our sincere condolences to the family and extend our continuing support in any way possible. -- Josephine County Sheriff Department You can click the video above to hear from the team leader at DNA Doe Project. She said Kildee is focused on the reauthorization of the Hardest Hit Fund because its funding runs out at the end of the year. Gary has received more than $11 million through the fund and the money has largely gone toward demolition. The loss of more than 500 students cost the district nearly $3.7 million this year. Hammond could lose about $2 million by 2021 based on an estimated state funding formula thats still under consideration in the General Assembly. Police were called the morning of Jan. 30 to Sparks-Wade's home on Martin Luther King Drive in Gary for a welfare check, a probable cause affidavit states. Sparks-Wade told police the two had been arguing on Jan. 29, including when she told Washington that she was going to make another person her campaign manager, according to the affidavit. 241 Shares Share The pediatric emergency departments fluorescent light cast its glow on our heads, drifting and drooping, at 3 a.m. Torn between taking a chance on rest and anticipating the next fever, headache, abdominal pain, wheezing or rash that came through the doors, we sat suspended. The nurses tried to stay awake with a parade of old cat videos and Kardashian memes, their Facebook feeds stale no one really posts much at that hour. I pushed myself out of my scratchy rolling chair and shuffled toward the coffee machine, seeking its sour black watered-down high. It grumbled, filling the squishy styrofoam cup only three-quarters. I held it close to my nose the smell was so much better than the taste and headed toward the break room. The respiratory therapist sat on the vinyl couch. It was the first time wed worked together. After brief introductions earlier in the shift, we busied ourselves with nebs and nasal cannulas for our wheezers and hypoxics, now finally able to chat in the early morning lull. The usual get-to-know-you questions immediately revealed differences. She was a veteran and a proud gun owner, I a child of pacifist hippies. When painted with a wide brush, our political views and upbringing couldnt have been more different. In many spaces of life, our conversation would have stopped. But perhaps the fatigue of the hour softened us; as we delved beyond the superficial, we began to find common ground. We shared a passion for womens rights, her views shaped by witnessing the treatment of women during her deployment in the Middle East. We talked frankly about guns and their regulations, helping me realize the practical issues affecting my assumptions. We shared a fierce pride and love for our children. We found each of us was less to the right or left than wed supposed. Patients soon arrived, and we got back to work. But I kept thinking about our conversation. It had been years probably since late night hallway chats in college that Id talked so directly and productively with someone so different from me. And It turned out our differences werent so very different. It seems lately, in both our actual and virtual communities, we are ever more divided and siloed, clustering more with our various tribes. But I realized its our countrys hospitals and clinics where our nations diversity shows. My decade working in health care has provided friendships with those from walks of life entirely opposite to mine. As a New York-bred white liberal woman, Ive scrubbed in with surgeons who came here from Mexico as undocumented children, bagged patients with Alabama-raised evangelical Christian respiratory therapists, learned to suture from a doctor whose parents survived the Holocaust, consulted with Pakistani Muslim physical therapists, shared a laugh with devout Irish Catholic environmental service workers, done urine caths with nurses who also run cattle ranches and helped calm scared patients with child life specialists who came here after the Haitian earthquake. All corners of the world meet in the hospital. All kinds of people commit their lives to helping the sick. We are there to alleviate suffering and save lives. With these shared goals, other differences suddenly seem petty. We may differ in our belief systems, our life experiences, our opinions on policy. But when I am assessing a critical patient, the respiratory therapist is getting the endotracheal tube, the nurses are swiftly placing IVs, the radiology tech is wheeling in the portable X-ray machine, the clerk calling the social worker to help the family standing agape nearby, no one cares who we voted for or who we worship. We are one team there to save a life. So maybe the place to start resuscitating our community and healing our nations divisions is within health care, where our nations great diversity comes together. Where unity around common goals of curing cancer, fixing fractures, treating addiction, preventing heart disease and lifting people out of the shadow of suicide brings out our common humanity, helping us realize we are often more the same than we are different. I am thankful for the bad coffee, overnight lull, and conversation that brought me this reminder: That true connection is there when we reach beyond Facebook posts, and Twitter feeds to find that which we share. Julia Michie Bruckner is a pediatrician who blogs at Julia, M.D. She can be reached on Twitter @JuliaMDWriter. Image credit: Shutterstock.com 35 Shares Share Jimmy McMillan might have been right. Mr. McMillan ran for mayor of New York City as the founder and candidate of the Rent Is Too Damn High Party. And while he was talking about real estate rent, he might have made a similar complaint about health cares rent payments made for costs over what is needed to produce a good or product. Rent is not profit, because, in economic terms, profit comes from a human activity that adds value. Rent, on the other hand, is unearned, requiring little or no risk. Rent evolves when an uneven distribution of resources, creates scarcity. Medical platforms As soon as the land of any country has all become private property, the landlords, like all other men, love to reap where they never sowed, and demand a rent even for its natural produce [the laborer] must give up to the landlord a portion of what his labor either collects or produces. This portion, or, what comes to the same thing, the price of this portion, constitutes the rent of land - Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations Rent initially referred to those common lands, enclosed and taken by the elite. Todays landlords are platforms, like Facebook, Twitter or Apple using their patents, copyrights, and proprietary algorithms to extract rent. Electronic health records (EHR) are health cares poster child of the rent-seeking platforms with high purchase costs, private practices spend roughly $30,000 to 50,000 per physician and health systems, like Kaiser Permanente, $4 billion. But then comes the rent: maintenance, software and hardware upgrades and the cost of moving and translating all of those records. Proprietary algorithms and data structure, make purchasers an indentured servant to their EHRs obstructing the flow of data and competition. Intuitive Surgical, with over 5,000 installed robotic platforms globally, uses the same business model as razor blades the initial cost, at $1.5 million, quickly eclipsed by a long tail of annual maintenance and proprietary instrumentation. According to one calculation, those costs, roughly $2400 per operation surpass the purchase cost by two-fold. Even in the world of inflated hospital prices, $2400 every time you use the platform for proprietary maintenance and disposables is a significant form of rent. Medical journals charge rent, requiring payment from authors, allowing them to produce work on the land they control. They charge rent again to libraries at our Universities to make that platform available to students. The University of California spends $10 million to access Elseviers journals, not including another million spent in preparation fees making their faculty research freely available. What more appropriately reflects the plantation sensibilities of rent then the lopsided costs of journals? Authors provide the materials for free, editorial decisions are made by their peers, often at no costs, and then researchers are charged for preparation, publication, and access. What value is added by the publishers, other than owning the journal? The cost of pharmaceuticals Rent often comes from information known only to one party in an exchange, creating a bargaining advantage. Informational rent thrives in secrecy and lack of transparency. Pricing medications involve rent; the manufacturers acquire rent through patents while the rest of the supply chain uses their proprietary information. Insurance companies know what medications their beneficiaries need, wholesalers and retailers know what they actually pay for medications, and pharmacy benefit managers are privy to all of those numbers. While these players add value by lowering the price, the prices would be lower still if the rent they charged was not as great. The synergy of merging retailers and health insurers is, in part, about rent. The fertility of land was another classic economic source of rent, some ground was just better. Health systems are healthcares version of fertile land. Health systems pay rent to cities in property and labor cost while acquiring dense populations to increase care volume and expertise, creating markets for highly specialized medical care. These landlords of brand, include many well-known health systems like the Cleveland Clinic, subsequently, collect rent affiliating with hospitals outside their geography. Some affiliations are tightly integrated, others are mere signage, a halo of quality around a Florida or Arizona hospital, both a source of rent providing a biosimilar but not the real deal. High demand and low supply When demand outstrips supply, scarcity affords a rental premium. Scope of practice is a barrier to entry forming a physician-controlled rent. While the issue is often posed as more education reflecting greater competence, every physician has a story when a less educated but more experienced nurse prevented a mistake or bailed their patient out of a jam. Less trained individuals can provide some forms of care. While vocally opposing a nurse practitioner or pharmacist reading a rapid strep test and initiating care, we less vocally give a pass in these turf battles to other physician-specialists already in our club. Scarcity of primary care leads to a rise of concierge practices charging an additional fee to belong in practice and receive greater access and attention. Those fees become rent when you consider the turn-key companies in this practice space. MDVIP, for example, has over 900 practices, more than 300,000 patients and is currently owned by an investment firm. What value do they add? Building a free-standing medical facility is a tradeoff between the substantial cost of building and staffing and the subsequent return a market-driven competition. Many states require certificates of need to build testing and treatment centers a cumbersome bureaucratic process designed to reduce duplication and assure quality, but creating artificial scarcity. To the extent that a certificate of need constrains entrants more than it monitors competence, it acts as another form of economic rent. If we viewed health care costs in terms of rent, we might find other means to reduce our spending. Jimmie McMillan is right: The rent is too damn high. Charles Dinerstein is a surgeon. Image credit: Shutterstock.com SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon lawmakers are looking to put an end to rampant political spending that defined last year's record-breaking governor's race. They're pushing for the voters to weigh in on a change to the state constitution that would give governments the authority to regulate political fundraising. Campaign finance reform remains illegal under the state's constitution. The Oregon Supreme Court has previously ruled that political donations are free speech and can't be limited. Oregon has been called "the Wild West" of campaign finance reform because it is only one of five states to have no limits on campaign contributions. Last year's governor's race was the most expensive in state history when the two candidates raised a combined total of $30 million. Gov. Kate Brown has publicly supported campaign finance reform. SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Oregon will pay off half of its Medicaid debt through new taxes on health care providers. Gov. Kate Brown on Wednesday approved a six-year tax on hospitals and insurance plans to help fund the state's $950 million Medicaid shortfall. The move is expected to bring in over $430 million. The state has been struggling to keep up with Medicaid funding after a drop in federal contributions. The governor hopes to make up the rest of the money through a tax on tobacco and e-cigarettes. She's also exploring a tax on employers who don't provide workers affordable health care coverage. Legislative budget leaders say that without new revenue, Oregon will have to fill the rest of the approximate $450 million funding gap through its general fund. SALEM, Ore. -- Gov. Kate Brown will officially proclaim Thursday as Rise Above Plastic Pollution Day at the Oregon State Capitol. The event is co-hosted by a number of environmental groups and the Oregon Coast Aquarium. From 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., students from all over the state will be able to tour plastic education stations to learn about pollution and what Oregonians are doing about it. Students will also meet with state legislators to discuss the issue. Aquarium staff, volunteers, doctoral students and a plastic bag monster will present at our station about the effects of plastic on Oregon coast wildlife and ecosystems, said Kerry Carlin-Morgan, who is the director of education and volunteer services at the aquarium. Our youth volunteers will be there to show how theyre testing different methods for cleaning microplastics off the beach. Two environmental committees in the Oregon Legislature will be hosting a panel of experts at 1 p.m. The general public will be able to tour the stations from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors and legislators will have an opportunity to take a pledge to reduce their use of single-use plastics. The Rise Above Plastics campaign is a national initiative to reduce the impact of plastic in the ocean by raising awareness. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 15) In what seems to be another change of tune, President Rodrigo Duterte said he does not care if all priests are killed -- there are enough cemeteries to bury them in. "They try to picture pag namatay sila, 'yung mga pari, I should be blamed because of my outbursts. Wala akong pakialam kung mamatay kayo ngayong lahat, maluwang pa ang ating cemetery," Duterte said in a command conference in Davao City Friday. [Translation:They try to picture that if they die, the priests, that I should be blamed because of my outbursts. I don't care if you all die. Our cemeteries are still wide open.] He then said, "Magdahan-dahan kayong mga Katoliko [You better be careful you Catholics]. Better shut up or else." The President has been at odds with the Catholic Church with his series of tirades against bishops, church officials, and the religion itself. Duterte previously warned groups out to harm members of the Catholic church to "lay off." This was in response to a text message sent by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle regarding the supposed death threats received by the clergy. The President has denied having a hand in the threats. Lawson notes that she has the utmost confidence in Clerk Baileys ability to execute the responsibilities of her office in an efficient and competent manner, but as evident during the March 8 meeting, it is clear that she has already come to experience the dysfunction plaguing the county. 1 of 2 India, U.S. agree to build six nuclear power plants in India India and the U.S. said they have agreed to build six American nuclear power plants in India, in a boost to bilateral civil nuclear energy cooperation. The two countries said this in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the 9th round of India-U.S. Strategic Security Dialogue, co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Andrea Thompson, the U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, on March 13.

They committed to strengthen bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, including the establishment of six U.S. nuclear power plants in India, the joint statement said.

India and the U.S. signed a historic agreement to cooperate in civil nuclear energy sector in October 2008. The deal gave a fillip to bilateral ties, which have been on an upswing since. A major aspect of the deal was the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), that gave a special waiver to India enabling it to sign cooperation agreements with a dozen countries.

Post-waiver, India signed civil nuclear cooperation agreements with the U.S., France, Russia, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Sri Lanka, the U.K., Japan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan and South Korea. On March 13, the United States also reaffirmed its strong support to Indias early membership in the 48-member NSG. Notably, China has blocked Indias pending membership to the elite grouping that seeks to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons. Read More... The Vickers Movie Theatre, just over the state line in Three Oaks, Mich., is described as "a classic art house and cinema" with only seats for 126, including cafe seating, and limited private balcony seating. It is handicap accessible and located just off Interstate 94 at 6 N. Elm St. in Three Oaks. Owned by Bill Lindblom, this movie house has been officially reopened for 20 years, but the theatre celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2011 with a history of showcasing "moving pictures" since back in 1911, the same year Oliver Hardy, at age 18, began working at the local movie house as both ticket taker and projectionist in his hometown of Milledgeville, Ga. A student at Ballyfacey National School in South Kilkenny has been announced as this years winner of the County Kilkenny Eason Spelling Bee Final. Orlaith McDonald, who is in sixth class, came out on top after stiff competition from her 20 fellow spelling enthusiasts. She will go on to compete in the Leinster Provincial Spelling Bee in May. Orlaith is an avid reader and particularly loves the Harry Potter series. Now in its ninth year, the Eason Spelling Bee is the very definition of fun for school kids, encouraging them to read more, expand their vocabulary and fall in love with literacy. Along with the prestigious title of Eason Spelling Bee 2019 Champion, the winning speller will also take home a collection of books for their school library, worth 7,500 as well as a personal collection of books worth 500. Were now in the ninth year of the Eason Spelling Bee and were incredibly proud to see it going from strength to strength annually, says Group Head of Marketing at Eason Brendan Corbett. Each year, the children involved continue to impress us with their level of spelling skill and its wonderful to see schools across the country continuing to support this competition. This year, 900 schools around Ireland will take part in the nationwide contest. Eason are partnering with Today FM for a fourth year and, in early summer, presenter Alison Curtis will host the provincial and All Ireland Spelling Bee Finals. Keep up-to-date with all the Spelling Bee buzz on www.easons.com/spellingbee and Twitter @easons and #EasonSpellingBee. KIMT NEWS 3 Its a hot topic issue that had many eye trained on the Minnesota Legislative Session legalizing recreational marijuana. A bill was shot down Monday by a Minnesota Senate panel, making it unlikely that any recreational weed legislation will pass this year. Theres many arguments for and against marijuana in the recreational sense. You have two different kinds of people, Danielle Parks, of Memphis, Tenn., said. Some that are looking to get benefits from it and some that are looking not to reap the benefits of what it can do for your body but more for what it can do as a high. Opponents warn about impaired driving and the effect on teen drug use. Proponents cite the medical benefits, as well as the money the state would get from taxing the drug. So many people smoke recreationally you know and all they're trying to do is just have some fun. That's it, Justin Morris, of Dodge Center, said. They're not really trying to go out and do things that people using harder drugs would do, you know they are like the 70s stoner. They just want to chill out and relax. The state of Minnesota does already allow for medicinal use under strict guidelines. However, some think the program should be improved before anything else moves forward. The medicinal program here in Minnesota is very, very restrictive, Dylan Blade, of Med City Vapors, said. Med City Vapors is a shop that hopes to fill the void with Cannabidiol, or CBD, a chemical that comes from cannabis. Aches, pains, migraines, multiple sclerosis, fibro myalgia, nerve pain, cancer, just a whole myriad of afflictions and CBD is effective for them and they're finding relief, Blade said. Unlike THC, CGD does not make you feel high. If there was a recreational program in the state, shops that get licensed to serve marijuana clientele would have a larger base. Most people who go into a recreational store, or dispensary, are going in there to find something to get high, Blade said. Same way you go into a liquor store to find alcohol to relax and get drunk, they're not really looking for the medicinal benefits. Whereas people who are looking specifically for CBD are looking for those medicinal properties that the CBD can provide. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has said he would sign a bill legalizing recreational marijuana if it ever reaches his desk. ROCHESTER, Minn. Two people were arrested on drug charges after a motorcycle crash. One is going to prison. The other is still pleading not guilty. Brig Thomas Kough, 32 of Blaine, and Kimberly Ann Lemmerman, 42 of Rochester, were accused of multiple drug crimes after the crash in July 2018 led to a search of the Oronoco home where the bike was registered. Authorities say they found 13 ounces of methamphetamine, prescription pills, and $2,400 in cash. An 18-year-old female and a 10-year-old male were also at the home when law enforcement searched it. Kough pleaded guilty to 1st degree possession of meth and was sentenced Monday to 11 years and three months in prison, with credit for 237 days already served. Lemmerman entered a not guilty plea Wednesday to 1st degree sale of meth and 1st degree possession of meth. No trial date has been set. ROCHESTER, Minn. Disability service organizations in the area are coming together to make their voices heard. On Tuesday, over a hundred people from these agencies in Olmsted County went to the St. Paul to fight for funding. Last year, the field was knocked with a 7% decrease in budget from the state which only catalyzed the staffing shortage. With the staff shortage the way that it is right now, and then providing such low wages to those folks...it's really becoming a dangerous situation, Kasi Haglund, executive director of Adapta and one of the people who went to the capital, said. According to the Minnesota Department of Human Services, wages for direct support professionals in this field are about 17% less than that of similar jobs. When you have staff working with very ill people sometimes or people who are medically fragile or behavioral, and they're working double shifts, sometimes dangerous things can happen or you're just not having shifts covered, Haglund said. While at the states capital, the group asked legislators to support the bills SF06 and HF 179, which would give them an about 8% increase in funding. Haglund hopes this would allow them to participate in the competitive workforce, and recruit and retain employees. With the unity of all the organizations, she said she does feel like their message was heard. We all serve a certain niche and we all work so well together that having a bus with multiple agencies on one bus together to share a common message is very powerful. And that doesn't happen everywhere, she said. Senator Carla Nelson and Senator David Senjem are just two of the legislators the group met with. Lawmakers gave no timeline on the fate of the legislation other than the end of the session in May. Until then, people in the field plan to keep fighting. We know there are a lot of people fighting for the same pool of money. So, our message is really, we need to continue doing what were doing, Haglund said. We want to keep that movement up at the capitalwe know that that works, and we know that that is important and lawmakers really do hear what their constituents are saying. So, what were asking is for people to continue to share that message. To learn more about the proposed legislation, click here. ROCHESTER, Minn. - Alisa Walz-Flannigan is openly bisexual -- happy to be part of the community at First Unitarian Universalist Church -- a church that opens its doors to all people of all gender and sexual orientations. Walz-Flannigan is grateful since she knows acceptance is not always the case. "There are places that would probably feel less safe for my family," Walz-Flannigan said. But even she has had struggles with discrimination. "I struggled to find healthcare that was welcoming and understanding," Walz-Flannigan said. It is something Dee Sabol -- the Executive Director of the Diversity Council -- says is still too common...she cites one example of an apartment complex turning a man down due to his sexual orientation. "A couple of days went by and he called them back and they said, did you really think we were going to rent our apartment to a black gay man?" Sabol said. Jessi Heath is a member of the LGBTQ community and says Washington's latest moves are long overdue. "This should have happened 20 years ago," Heath said. "I feel like we are still so far behind and we're just playing catch-up." But heath says legislation is just a step in the right direction. "Various communities that are gonna support people, when we have various religions that support our LGBTQ people, then we're finally on the right track," Heath said. Minnesota and Iowa are considered to be already working toward equality according to the Human Rights Campaign. But there are still 28 states that have no explicit laws that shield them from any discrimination. CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa A Rockford man is going to federal prison for illegal gun possession. Duane Richard Fisher, 48, was sentenced Wednesday in Cedar Rapids Federal Court to 15 months behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release. Law enforcement says it found a vehicle registered to Fishers girlfriend in rural Rockford in March 2018. There was a loaded rifle inside the vehicle and Fisher was found hiding in some nearby woods. He initially claimed to be looking for deer antlers but Fisher eventually admitted the rifle was his. Fisher was convicted of felonies in 2001, 2015, and 2018 and pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm. This case was investigated by the Floyd County Sheriffs Office, with help from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. DES MOINES, Iowa Rising waters Wednesday have closed seven different highways across western Iowa. As of 6:30 pm, the Iowa Department of Transportation says flooding has closed US 18, US 30, US 59, US 71, US 75, I-680, and IA 44. The IA DOT says drivers are urged to closely monitor conditions and never enter a water-covered roadway. If you are driving and come upon rapidly rising waters, turn around and find another route. Flood waters can force a vehicle off the roadway. In addition, it is not uncommon for roadways and shoulders to be damaged when flooded, presenting unsafe conditions for motorists. The DOT also says if your route is blocked by barricades, find another route. Barricades are put up by state or local officials to protect travelers from unsafe roads. Driving around them can be a serious risk. For Iowa road conditions, click here. For Minnesota road conditions, click here. ROCHESTER, Minn. A homeless man is facing charges after Rochester police say he threatened a woman with a knife. Edward Leroy Milner, 40, is accused of terroristic threats, 2nd degree assault with a dangerous weapon, obstructing the legal process, 4th degree assault on a peace officer, disorderly conduct, and possession of drug paraphernalia. As of 10:30 am Thursday morning, hes being held at St. Marys Hospital for evaluation. Police say the incident happened around 6:43 am Tuesday when a woman walking to work reported Milner screaming at her with what appeared to be a knife in his hand. The woman told officers she thought she was going to be killed or stabbed and ran away. Police say they located Milner near the bicycle path in the area of 6th Street SE and 10th Avenue SE, where he allegedly confronted his victim, and placed him under arrest. Police say after Milner was handcuffed, he refused to get in a patrol car and kicked one officer three times in the chest. Rochester police say a kitchen knife with an eight-inch blade was found in the snow near where Milner was arrested. MASON CITY, Iowa A man arrested for what authorities called a large amount of meth pleads guilty to possessing far less. Michael James Anderson, 31 of Northwood, has entered a guilty plea to possession with intent to deliver less than five grams of methamphetamine. Law enforcement says he was caught with well over that after a traffic stop on November 11. Anderson also pleaded guilty to failure to use a drug tax stamp. As part of his plea deal, Anderson has been sentenced to three to five years of probation. He must also spend up to 180 days in a residential correctional facility and follow all recommended treatment from a substance abuse and mental health evaluation. Tucker Carlson is complaining about the mob attacking him for his vicious comments. These critics believe that politics is war and will do whatever it takes to gain power. If that includes getting you fired or silencing you, they know what their goal is. If you are in the way, they will crush you. Did Carlson forget that he works at Fox News, where that is their entire goal to crush their opponents? Can anyone be this tone deaf? CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Minn. Two people are hurt, one seriously, after a Wednesday morning collision in Olmsted County. It happened around 7:31 at the intersection of Broadway Avenue North and 55th Street NE. Witnesses said Alma Zavala-Carmona, 37 of St. Charles was driving north and turned left in front of the southbound Brett Tradup, 32 of Plainview, when Tradup had the green light. Both drivers were taken to St. Marys Hospital for treatment. Authorities say Zavala-Carmona suffered a minor injury while Tradup had to undergo surgery for internal injuries. Zavala-Carmona has been cited for failure to yield and not have a Minnesota drivers license. ROCHESTER, Minn. After record snowfall this winter, theres serious cause for concern with flooding. The US Army Corps of Engineers is traveling across Minnesota and Wisconsin to measure the snow in order to help predict the risk of flooding. On Wednesday, they were in Rochester with a quick stop at Eastwood Park for two men working in a field of snow. I've been doing this job for eight years now and this is the snowiest season I've saw with the snow surveying, Bill Odell, a hydrologic technician with the US Army Corps of Engineers, said. As they trudge through the snow, Odell and his colleague collect data that will be helpful to the national weather service once spring comes. They did forecast an increased chance of major flooding in the basin though, Odell said. Theyre working to find the snow-water equivalent. If all the snow melted at one time, that's how much water would be on the ground in place of that snow, Odell explains. They take five measurements total, put the snow in a plastic bag, then on the scale. Odell said once ounce of snow equals about one inch of water on the ground. As far as the totals in Rochester go. That just means we're gonna have a lot more potential for a lot more water here, Odell explains. At this particular location, we had an average snow depth of 17.1 inches and we had a snow-water equivalent average of 5.7 inches of water." Technicians survey areas like the softball field at Eastwood Park because there's not a lot of foot traffic. That gives them a good representation of what the rest of the city will look like. As they venture forward on their journey, theyre ready to conquer their next site as well as natures next season. CHARLES CITY, Iowa A 100 mph chase results in Floyd County jail time for a Wisconsin man. Leonard Michael Lewis, 21 of Madison, WI, was arrested after a pursuit on January 15 that started with high speeds on Highway 27 and ended in a foot chase through a farm field after Lewis abandoned his vehicle. A Floyd County deputy and a Charles City police officer suffered minor injuries in the incident. Lewis pleaded guilty to eluding, operating a motor vehicle without the owners consent, and interference with official acts resulting in bodily injury. Hes been sentenced to 30 days in jail, a $315 fine, and two years of probation The longest government shutdown in history is now historybut its impact on the economy may linger well into the year. Consumer confidence is key to a healthy economy because consumer spending accounts for 70% of the U.S. economy. Economists say the shutdown may lead to increased savings and reduced spending among some of the 800,000 federal workers whose paychecks were delayed, as well as the hundreds of thousands of federal contractors and service providers who wont get back pay. And it may cause others to prepare for a financial shock, too. But the shutdown is unlikely to dampen consumer spending overall, economists say. There is one silver lining to the shutdown: Democrats and Republicans in Congress have introduced legislation to ban shutdowns. At one time or another we have all wondered if the person we are speaking with is on the level. Some of us are good at spotting fakes and cons, while others get scammed repeatedly financially, emotionally, in life and love. Being scammed or the victim of misrepresentation is a catalyst that brings people in to see a lawyer. After many years in law practice, many attorneys and paralegals tend to become skeptical of everything. In that respect, I plead guilty. So, when a new client tells us what problem happened to bring him to our office, so often my paralegals and I can see the danger signs flashing brightly signs that our client just didnt see or didnt want to see. Why? Is there a way to reduce the possibility of it happening again? And, when faced with stories or explanations for behavior that we just know on a gut level cant be so, why do some people still persist in believing them? You know someone like this, right? We all do. New York journalist Abby Ellin asked herself those same questions after discovering the man she had been engaged to was a con, spinning exciting tales of danger and mystery, spanning the globe, where he always saved the day. She turned this experience into a virtual handbook on how not to get taken. Duped: Double Lives, False Identities, and the Con Man I Almost Married takes readers through the emotional highs and lows Ellin went through. She holds nothing back. I had the pleasure of speaking with her recently, finding the same degree of honesty and openness during our conversation as she revealed in the book. A Nerdy, Asthmatic, 58-Year-Old Superhero In March 2012, Ellin discovered the truth about the Navy doctor she had been engaged to. Meeting The Commander in 2006, she was swept off her feet by this somewhat nerdy, inhaler-obsessed, 58-year-old guy suffering from numerous health issues. The stories he told made himself appear to be a real-life character out of a spy movie. The stories were so ludicrous they had to be true, she says. After all, someone has to do these sorts of things, right? Isnt that what weve learned from Homeland and Zero Dark Thirty? One of the key points she makes in the book is that Nothing was verifiable. Its not like I could call up Human Resources at the CIA and ask if he was an employee, she says. When you cant verify what youve been told, thats a huge warning signal. I didnt want to doubt him, she continues. I was trying to throw my natural skepticism aside and be a person in a relationship and not a journalist in need of answers, she says. I wanted this relationship to work. I wanted to believe in him. But how can you have that if you doubt the things the person you love is telling you? The other issue is that so many of the things he told her were true. He really was a doctor in the Navy and did work at the Pentagon. He just wasnt a war hero who took off for secret missions at a moments notice. I have no idea what he was really up to when he was supposedly off saving the world, she says. Sucker Tattooed on a Friends Forehead? Give them Duped! Duped is a tremendous gift to people who have been harmed by feeling a duty to trust and believe. If you want to do something for a friend who has the word "sucker" tattooed on their forehead and no matter what you say, they just wont listen get them Ellins book. A theme in Duped is that a healthy dose of doubt is the safest course to follow until you can verify what youve been told. She learned this the hard way after growing suspicious of The Commanders claims of having once treated Osama bin Laden and later learning his gift of pearls, which he claimed were expensive Mikimotos, were actually fakes. In 2012, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) told her that The Commander had illegally prescribed Vicodin and other drugs, forging her name and his familys names, along with people he worked with at the Pentagon. She later discovered on her own that he had been married not once but twice before her, and that he was actually engaged to another woman while he was engaged to Ellin. He had never been a Navy SEAL, nor had he worked for the CIA. He wound up serving 21 months in prison. Valuable Takeaways from Duped Duped takes readers through a history of cons, crooks, spies and morally challenged people from all walks of life. While the entire book is a compelling read I went through it in a couple of days it gets especially useful from page 144 onward, when the author discusses the idea of trust and why its so potentially dangerous. Thats right. Too much trust too early is often a trap, Ellin says. So, what are the most critical warning signs of deception to look for in any relationship, personal or business? How does someone get duped? If you are asked for money in a dating relationship especially a large sum of money run! she says. Next, if that person has endless stories about his heroic adventures, if hes always off saving lives but you can never find any news stories about the event, then they probably never happened. Or else they happened on TV. Finally, trust your gut. Your instincts are usually right on, she says. But too often we swat those nagging voice inside us away we dont want to see things as they really are, because its too painful. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. You can order Duped here or at your local bookstore. For more information on the author go to www.abbyellin.com. William James, Kylie MacLellan, Elizabeth Piper LONDON (Reuters) - The British parliament on Wednesday rejected leaving the European Union without a deal, further weakening Prime Minister Theresa May and paving the way for a vote that could delay Brexit until at least the end of June. After a day of high drama, lawmakers defied the government by voting 321 to 278 in favor of a motion that ruled out a potentially disorderly no-deal Brexit under any circumstances. It went further than the governments position of keeping the threat of a no-deal Brexit on the negotiating table a stance many in her party said was essential to push Brussels to make further concessions to the deal they have rejected. While the approved motion has no legal force and ultimately may not prevent a no-deal exit, it carries considerable political force, especially as it passed thanks to a rebellion by members of Mays own Conservative Party and her cabinet. May, who still insists it is not possible to rule out a no-deal Brexit entirely, said lawmakers would need to agree a way forward before an extension could be obtained. The European Commission repeated that a delay would indeed require a justification - but positive comments from Germany and Ireland suggested that EU members at last saw a prospect that a viable deal would be found, and were inclined to help. The pound rose more than 2 percent on the rejection of no-deal and was headed for its biggest daily gain this year. [GBP/] The government said there were now two choices - agree a deal and try to secure a short delay to Brexit, or fail to agree anything and face a much longer delay. May said her preference was for a short delay, which would mean the government trying to pass the deal she negotiated by the middle of next week. THIRD ATTEMPT She hopes to find a way to persuade hardline pro-Brexit lawmakers to back her deal at the third attempt, on the grounds that the alternatives offer a less clean break with the EU. But on Wednesday evening, senior eurosceptic lawmakers were defiant, with one, Steve Baker, declaring they would keep on voting against Mays deal if it was put forward again. Another eurosceptic Conservative lawmaker, Andrew Bridgen, said parliament no longer represented the people, who had voted for Brexit, by 52 percent to 48, in a referendum in 2016. This is very dangerous territory we are going into with regard to our democracy, he told Reuters. In the text of a motion scheduled for a vote on Thursday, the government said if a deal was reached by March 20, the day before an EU summit, Britain would ask for the Brexit negotiating period to be extended from March 29, the date set in law, until June 30, just before the new European Parliament meets. If no deal was agreed by March 20, then it is highly likely the European Council at its meeting the following day would require a clear purpose for any extension, not least to determine its length, and any extension beyond 30 June 2019 would require the United Kingdom to hold European Parliament elections in May 2019, the motion said. After Wednesdays vote, the European Commission promptly restated its position that it was not enough for parliament to vote against leaving the European Union without a deal it also needed to find a deal that lawmakers could accept. SIGN OF REASON Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said the EU would want to know the purpose of any British delay, but added: I think things look a bit brighter today than they did yesterday. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas welcomed the British vote as a sign of reason. The outcome of the vote angered many pro-Brexit members of the Conservative Party, who had wanted to retain the option of a no-deal exit as a bargaining chip, knowing that it would cause disruption in the EU as well as Britain. After two-and-a-half years of negotiations and two failed attempts to pass the Brexit deal that May agreed with the EU, the vote against a no-deal exit still leaves undecided how, when and on what terms Britain will leave the club it joined in 1973. After lawmakers crushed her deal for a second time on Tuesday, May said it was still the best option for leaving in an orderly fashion. If Britain does seek a delay, it will require the agreement of all the blocs other 27 members. The EU would prefer only a short extension, ending before EU-wide parliamentary elections on May 24-26. Mays deal covers such issues as citizens rights, the status of the Irish border and Britains divorce bill from the EU. It takes Britain out of the EU single market and customs union, common fisheries and farm policies and the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. It also offers a status-quo transition period in which to negotiate trade arrangements. Under a no-deal exit, there would be no transition period to soften the disruption to trade and regulations. Britain would quit the EUs 500 million-strong single market and customs union and fall back on World Trade Organisation rules, which could mean tariffs on many imports and exports. Additional reporting by Elisabeth O'Leary and Alastair Macdonald in Brussels; Writing by Michael Holden, Guy Faulconbridge and Giles Elgood; Editing by Janet Lawrence and Kevin Liffey LIMA, March 13 (Reuters) - Southern Copper Corp , one of the world's biggest copper producers, is considering an investment in a lithium project in Mexico that has also attracted interest from a Chinese firm, the company's chief executive told Reuters on Wednesday. Oscar Gonzalez said company officials visited the lithium project in the state of Sonora, Mexico, although he could not recall the name of the Canadian miner he said was "trying to sell it." Junior miner Bacanora Lithium Plc, said earlier this month that it owned 10 lithium concessions in Sonora and was focused on securing funding this year to start production in 2021. The company was headquartered in Canada before it moved to London last year. Bacanora did not respond to requests for comment outside of working hours in London. A spokesman for Phoenix-based Southern Copper, which is controlled by Grupo Mexico , said he could not confirm if Bacanora was the firm Gonzalez referred to. Investing in lithium would be Southern Copper's first venture into the white metal, which has sparked a flurry of exploration projects because of expectations of strong demand from electric vehicle makers. "It's interesting and profitable," Gonzalez said about lithium in an interview in Lima. The company has several mining operations in Peru. He said Southern Copper had not made an offer on the lithium project in Mexico but that "there's also a Chinese company that's interested. The Canadians will have to decide whom to accept." Gonzalez added that Southern Copper was wrapping up designs for a new foundry and refinery in Ilo, Peru, which would cost about $1.3 billion. The proposal will likely be put to Southern Copper's board for approval "in coming months," with construction potentially starting this year, he added. Southern Copper would build the foundry and refinery in Ilo regardless of whether it can start work on its $1.4 billion Tia Maria copper project this year, Gonzalez said. Other copper mines in Peru, such as MMG Ltd's Las Bambas and Freeport McMoRan Inc's Cerro Verde, could process their copper concentrates in Ilo to save on shipping costs to China, Gonzalez said. Tia Maria has been stalled for a decade because of opposition from farmers worried about its environmental impact. The Peruvian government recently told Reuters, however, it planned to grant a construction license for Tia Maria before its environmental permit expires in August. "If they don't give us the license, the country will suffer, the company will suffer and jobs will suffer," Gonzalez said. (Reporting by Mitra Taj and Marco Aquino; Editing by Sandra Maler and Peter Cooney) By Tom Arnold LONDON, March 14 (Reuters) - European shares rallied to five-month highs on Thursday after Britain's parliament removed a key source of uncertainty by rejecting a no-deal Brexit though sombre economic data and trade fears kept a lid on gains. A pan-European equity index jumped 0.7 percent to the highest since October after Britain's parliament vote on Wednesday. The vote paves the way for a delay to Brexit beyond the current March 29 deadline which could lead to an EU divorce deal being agreed or even another referendum. British stocks also rose 0.5 percent. Goldman Sachs analysts told clients the probability of a no-deal Brexit had fallen to 5 percent from 10 percent after Wednesday vote. Despite the vote having no legal force, it carries considerable political force. However, data from China, signalling further weakness in the world's second-biggest economy, extended the steady stream of economic indicators that are painting a lacklustre picture of the global economy -- the figures showed industrial output at 17-year lows and sluggish retail sales. That pushed MSCI's index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan 0.7 percent lower, though world shares trod water, staying well off 4-1/2 month highs hit recently. Wall Street was set for a marginally firmer open, futures showed. Reports that China was seeking to delay trade talks also weighed on sentiment. "Global markets have had a good start to this year but people are now starting to focus on the real issues like will there be a (U.S.-China) trade deal, Brexit and the expectation that the Fed will raise rates possibly once more this year before maybe cutting rates," said Peter Lowman, chief investment officer at Investment Quorum. He was speaking of the U.S. Federal Reserve which signalled recently that it was pressing pause on rate rises. Some players however reckon it could still raise interst rates one more time before calling time on its tightening campaign. Lowman noted that despite China's slowing growth, markets have had an impressive rally this year, with the MSCI index climbing about 10 percent, spurred by the Fed's change of heart. But many remain sceptical about how much further the share rally can run. The state of trade talks also weighed on investors after President Donald Trump said he was in no rush to complete an agreement. Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping had been expected to hold a summit at the president's Mar-a-Lago property in Florida later this month, but no date has been set for a meeting. "Before we conclude that this market still has decent legs, we'd like to see equity prices supported by stronger macro data, lifted by better earnings trends, and confirmed by stable-to-rising yields," David Lafferty, chief market strategist at Natixis, told clients. BREXIT On currency markets, most action was in sterling which rallied after Wednesday's vote by more than 1 percent to $1.3380, the highest since June 2018. However, it has retreated from those levels to stand half a percent lower as lawmakers prepared to vote again later in the day to delay Brexit until at least the end of June. But analysts risks have not been eliminated with parliament still needing to find a way forward and all 27 EU nations needing to agree an extension on Brexit. "There is gradual optimism being priced in and barring something highly unlikely, the possibility of an actual no-deal is not zero but less than 5 percent," said Tim Graf, head of macro strategy at State Street Global Advisors. But he added: "There is always the chance the EU won't grant an extension if they are just going to be trying to push this deal through... that's where the caution comes in." Elsewhere, the Australian dollar was down 0.35 percent , hit by the lacklustre economic data from China, Australia's major trading partner. The yuan too fell 0.3 percent Oil prices extended overnight gains Brent adding 0.8 percent to $68.05, boosted by OPEC-led supply cuts, U.S. sanctions against Venezuela and Iran and an unexpected dip in U.S. crude oil stocks and production. (Additional reporting by Swati Pandey in Sydney, Tom Finn and Abhinav Ramnarayan in London; Editing by Alison Williams) Editor's Note: Get caught up in minutes with our speedy summary of today's must-read news stories and expert opinions that moved the precious metals and financial markets. Sign up here! Goldcorp Inc. (TSX: G, NYSE: GG) reports that operations have restarted at the Cerro Negro mine in Argentina, following a work stoppage by workers representing the Asociacion Obrera Minera Argentina union that began Friday. A conciliation process resolution was issued by the provincial government of Santa Cruz and accepted by the parties, Goldcorp says. All personnel have been remobilized and the site is ramping back up to normal operations. During the conciliation period, Goldcorp is committed to working cooperatively with employee representatives and government officials on a fair and equitable resolution, with dialogue focused on safe operations, environmental protection and full permit compliance. By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com Goldcorp: Telfer Will Not Joint Newmont Goldcorp Board Goldcorp Inc. (TSX: G, NYSE: GG) says that its chairman, Ian Telfer, has informed Newmont Mining Corp. (NYSE: NEM) that he will not be join the Newmont Goldcorp board of directors after a planned merger, assuming the deal gets shareholder approval next month. Earlier this year, the companies announced an agreement in which Newmont will acquire Goldcorp in a mostly all-stock transaction. Goldcorp says Telfer will focus his efforts on encouraging Goldcorp shareholders to approve the pending transaction with Newmont. "I am excited about the creation of the world's premier gold-mining company, Newmont Goldcorp, and appreciate Newmont's support in my decision to not join the board, as they have supported all of the agreements that have brought this merger together," Telfer says in a prepared statement. Goldcorp has come under fire over executive management compensation as a result of the proposed merger. By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com Barrick Anticipates Revised Guidance After Newmont Joint Venture In the aftermath of the joint venture announced with Newmont Mining Corp. (NYSE: NEM) this week, Barrick Gold Corp. (NYSE: GOLD; TSX: ABX) officials say they are taking another look at their production guidance and anticipate providing an update sometime this year. Executive Chairman John L. Thornton and the companys president and chief executive officer, Mark Bristow, are traveling to update shareholders on the companys operations, Barrick says. Barricks merger with Randgold Resources Ltd. created significant value for shareholders, and the Newmont joint venture should do the same, Bristow says. We are engaged in reviewing the impact of the new JV on our guidance for both 2019 and the five-year outlook, and expect to provide an update during the year, Bristow says. Our current 2019 gold production guidance is 5.1-5.6 million ounces, at cost of sales of $880-$940 per ounce, cash costs of $650-$700 per ounce, and all-in sustaining costs of $870- $920 per ounce. We currently expect our five-year gold production and cost outlook to be within that range, albeit that cash costs and all-in sustaining costs are expected to decline over that period to below the bottom of these ranges. By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com Gran Colombia Gold Reports Monthly Output Record Gran Colombia Gold Corp. (TSX: GCM) announces a monthly production record 21,335 gold ounces in February. The company says this brings total output for the first two months of 2019 to 39,276 ounces and the trailing 12 months total gold production at the end of February to 223,237 ounces, up 2% over 2018 annual production and near the top end of Gran Colombias guidance range for 2019 of between 210,000 and 225,000 ounces. Our investment in our Segovia operations continues to pay dividends, says Serafino Iacono, executive co-chairman. Our development reached a very high-grade area in our Providencia mine in February where we mined material with between one and two ounces of gold per tonne. This gave us an unexpected boost in production. The Segovia operations set a new monthly record with 19,160 ounces of gold in February, which was 12% higher than its previous best month of 17,164 ounces in July 2018. By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com Fortuna Silver Mines Reports Smaller 4Q Adjusted Profit Fortuna Silver Mines Inc. (NYSE: FSM; TSX: FVI) reports fourth-quarter adjusted net income of $4.4 million, down from $12.3 million in the same quarter of 2017. The company says the decrease was due mainly to lower sales at both San Jose and Caylloma. Higher production costs were partially offset by lower share-based payment charges and a realized gain in commodity derivative instruments of $0.9 million, compared to a loss of $1.5 million in 2017, Fortuna says.Net income was listed at $2.2 million, or a penny per share, compared to $34.1 million, or 21 cents, in the year-ago period. The main items affecting the October-December results were the reversal of an impairment charge and foreign-exchange losses on Lindero project construction, Fortuna says. Quarterly silver and gold production was 1,937,703 ounces and 12,070 ounces, respectively. For full-year 2018, the company reports reported net income of $34 million, compared to $66.3 million in 2017. Adjusted net income fell to $38.4 million from $48.7 million in 2017. Editor's Note: Get caught up in minutes with our speedy summary of today's must-read news stories and expert opinions that moved the precious metals and financial markets. Sign up here! /> (Kitco News) - Although gold has been unable to hold recent gains above $1,300 an ounce, one bank isnt ready to give up on precious-metals uptrend just yet. In her latest precious-metals report Thursday, Georgette Boele, coordinator of foreign exchange and precious metals strategy at ABN AMRO, said that the metals technical outlook supports higher prices. Despite the recent sharp decline in prices, prices are still above the 200-day moving average at around $1,250 per ounce, Boele said. We are confident that prices will stay above this level. It is possible that prices drop towards this level and test it, but this would be an opportunity to position for higher gold prices. The comments come as gold prices see significant selling pressure. April gold futures last traded at $1,295.30 an ounce, down 1% on the day. Boele said that her firm is maintaining its year-end target for gold prices to rally to $1,400 an ounce. However, she added that the market will be susceptible to lingering strength in the U.S. dollar and a spike in U.S. bond yields. It is likely that in the near-term, the US dollar will be more resilient and therefore gold prices are unlikely to take off and break above the key resistance area at $1,365-1,375 per ounce, she said. Ultimately, Boele said that the U.S. dollar will be unable to maintain its current momentum as the Federal Reserve and other central banks look to loosen monetary policy this year. Finally, ABM AMRO also sees potential for gold as the Chinese government looks to stimulate its economy and support its wavering currency. We think that the Chinese authorities will continue to take measures to support the economy, albeit less aggressive than in the past. This and a possible U.S.-China trade deal will support the yuan and gold prices, she said. Although Boele is unabashedly bullish on gold, she is a little bit more reserved on silver. Although higher gold prices will also pull silver higher, the metal could struggle because of weak industrial demand, particularly as the U.S. economy is expected to see lower economic growth. We think that in the near-term, there is less upside potential in silver prices given the less favorable cyclical outlook. However, we continue to expect higher silver prices later in the year, she said. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate began debating a proposal on Thursday to terminate President Donald Trumps declaration of an emergency at the southern border, with enough Republicans indicating they would support the measure for it to pass, with Trump vowing a veto. Passage of the legislation would mark the second Senate rebuke of the president in two days. Senators on Wednesday approved a resolution seeking to end U.S. support for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in the war in Yemen, rejecting Trumps policy toward the kingdom. During the first two years of his term, the Republican-led Congress mostly accommodated Trump, who has not yet used his veto pen. That could change now in response to Trump making the emergency declaration as an alternative way to get billions of dollars in funding for the wall after Congress turned him down. At least seven Republican senators have now said they back the measure passed in February by the U.S. House of Representatives, which is controlled by Democrats. At least four Republicans are needed to pass it in the 100-seat Senate, along with all 45 Democrats and two independents. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urged his fellow Republicans to defeat the measure but Senators Mitt Romney and Lamar Alexander announced that they would vote the opposite, becoming the latest Republicans to express defiance of Trump. A vote for todays resolution by Republican Senators is a vote for (Democratic House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi, Crime and the Open Border Democrats! Trump tweeted on Thursday. McConnell said Trump was operating within existing law and that if senators did not like the powers provided to the president under the National Emergencies Act, then they should amend it. The measure is unlikely to become law since a two-thirds vote of Congress is needed to override a presidential veto, which Trump vowed to issue if it passes the chamber Thursday. Vice President Mike Pence met with Republican senators this week to try to tamp down support for terminating the declaration. Some Republicans are concerned future Democratic presidents could usurp the power of Congress to fund the government and use the emergency declarations to fund their own pet programs. Pence told senators that Trump would back a second bill offered by Republican Senator Mike Lee, which would end future emergency declarations after 30 days unless Congress votes to extend them. Lee said on Wednesday the White House had subsequently made clear his bill did not have an immediate path forward. He said he would vote on Thursday to end the emergency declaration. At stake are billions of dollars in funding for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border that Trump is demanding but Congress has refused to fully provide. The stalemate led to a 35-day partial government shutdown that ended in January. Under the emergency declaration Trump signed on Feb. 15, he would take money from other federal programs to build the barrier, which he says is needed to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Democrats deny there is an emergency at the border, saying border crossings are at a four-decade low. Democrats and Republicans both know the sad truth: the president did not declare an emergency because there is one, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor. He declared an emergency because he lost in Congress and wants to get around it. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will stay in its lane while Britain negotiates its exit from the European Union, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday ahead of his meeting with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at the White House. Varadkar, speaking to reporters, said he looked forward to discussing Brexit with Trump. The U.S. president said he wants Brexit talks work out and reiterated that he would like to see a U.S. trade deal with the United Kingdom. Reporting by Jeff Mason and Makini Brice; Writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication. ZURICH, March 14 (Reuters) - The Swiss government has again cut its economic growth forecast for 2019, citing a weaker world economy that is weighing on exports and investment activity. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) said on Thursday it now saw growth slowing to 1.1 percent this year, compared with the 1.5 percent it forecast in December, when it revised its projection sharply lower. In 2020, it sees growth recovering to 1.7 percent, in line with its December view. SECO's experts expect the domestic and international economy to regain momentum only gradually in 2019. "In particular, the outlook in other European countries has recently become much gloomier, and growth forecasts for major trade partner Germany have been revised significantly downwards. As a result, international demand for Swiss products is weaker and the export economy is losing momentum," it said. It thought the global economy would regain momentum in 2020 provided an international trade war does not escalate. Still, it warned that political uncertainty remained high in Europe. "In particular, it is unclear whether Brexit will come into force in late March 2019 and what the relationship between the EU and the UK will look like then. Moreover, Italy's economic and financial situation harbours more substantial risks again, following the countrys slide into recession," it said. Swiss-EU ties also remain in flux amid debate over a new treaty that Brussels wants and corporate tax reform. "Should relations with the EU deteriorate significantly, companies investment activity could suffer. In view of simmering imbalances, the risk of a major correction in the Swiss real estate sector also remains," it said. (Reporting by Thomas Seythal; additional reporting by Michael Shields in Zurich; editing by Riham Alkousaa and Mark Potter) (Adds analyst comment) By Alwyn Scott and Sanjana Shivdas March 14 (Reuters) - General Electric Co promised on Thursday that its earnings would improve in 2020 and beyond after a difficult, "reset" year in 2019, sending shares higher in midday trading. Chief Executive Officer Larry Culp said GE will invest $2.5 billion in restructuring that will yield returns after 2019. "This is what constitutes a reset," Culp said on a conference call, using a word many analysts said they wanted to hear. The U.S. conglomerate said 2019 adjusted profit would fall below analyst estimates of 70 cents a share, and it could lose as much as $2 billion in cash from its industrial businesses, putting a number on a warning it issued last week. GE shares surged nearly 3 percent to $10.30 in midday trading, after dropping as much as 4 percent in premarket activity shortly after the forecast was released. GE bonds rose slightly. The company did not warn about a potential hit to its jet engine division from the recent global grounding of Boeing Co 737 MAX aircraft, following the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight on Sunday that cost 157 lives. GE and partner Safran SA of France make the engine that powers all of Boeing's 737 MAX planes. Culp reiterated his priorities of trimming debt and improving the performance of GE's industrial businesses, especially the ailing power-plant division. GE expects free cash flow at power to remain negative in 2020 before turning positive in 2021. Investors are looking closely at GE's cash and earnings after the company lost nearly $23 billion last year. Adjusted free cash flow for all industrial business should be between break-even and negative $2 billion, before turning positive in 2020, Culp said. That outlook is "arguably better than expected," said Deane Dray, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets. But GE left an unusual amount of wiggle room by including an unspecified amount of "contingency" money to cover hard-to-predict costs, such as when it will conclude big asset sales and how its power unit will perform. JPMorgan analyst Stephen Tusa voiced concern that the gap between GE's cash flow and earnings forecasts was the widest he has seen, which likely will mean analysts' profit estimates are too high. GE predicted 2019 profits of 50 cents to 60 cents a share. <^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ BREAKINGVIEWS-Larry Culp struggles to get new GE off the ground nL1N2110O4 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^> (Additional reporting by Rachit Vats in Bengaluru and Kate Duguid in New York; Editing by James Emmanuel and Bernadette Baum) Messaging: alwyn.scott.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) Newshub reports: Newshub has obtained a video of Ron Mark seemingly pitching for votes at an event he attended as a minister. Nationals accusing him of threatening to pull government funding if his party didnt get votes. Mr Mark is both Defence and Veterans Affairs Minister and a NZ First MP and it seems the lines are bit blurry. In December he gave a speech to No Duff a charitable trust that offers support to veterans. The Minister slipped on his NZ First hat talking about his partys polling and calling attendees out for their lack of support. To be perfectly honest, when I look at the polling results of my political party New Zealand First, then the veterans, the Defence base, you guys havent supported us. At all, he said. This should be a sackable offence as the Minister also told the attendees that the $25,000 grant they got from the Government was due to him personally and that they should recognise that and the responsibility that comes with it ie to vote for them. If he was a Minister in any other Government, he would be sacked for those comments. This is not far off stand over tactics. Ministers should not be going to events to complain that not enough people there voted for their party and that the grant they got was due to him personally and imply it obliges them to vote for his party. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr At first there was a reason to believe there was a threat directly outside her building, so they blocked off the roadway, Swaback said. We thought there might be something suspicious, a suspicious package out front that they didnt know what the contents of it were. Thats the reason for blocking the roadway. You are here: Arts China's Ministry of Education said a full review of mobile apps used by schools will be conducted to ensure they are free of harmful content. Local education departments were urged to work out regulations of the utilization and development of mobile apps intended for schools, according to a circular released by the ministry. The ministry issued a ban on harmful apps at schools in December 2018, listing several detailed measures for eradicating such apps. According to the ban, mobile apps containing inappropriate information involving pornography, violence, online games or commercial advertisements are to be excluded from school use. The ban also called for stricter review on mobile apps for educational purposes to ensure that they do not increase students' academic burdens or teachers' workloads. Every Sunday evening, Ronald Sebutiko is glued to his television set for the learning the Chinese language. Sebutiko is among thousands of Ugandan youths who are taking up Chinese lessons either through formal class or television, as the ties between Uganda and China deepen. Urban Television, a semi-autonomous state-owned television station this week started airing Chinese language lessons with support from the Confucius Institute at Makerere University, the country's top University. The 30-minute program dubbed "Let's talk Chinese" airs every Sunday. The teachers, one Chinese and another Ugandan, take viewers through the basics of Chinese language learning. Viewers like Sebutiko will win a trip to China once they are chosen as the best students. Using television is another mechanism of reaching a wider audience apart from going to learning centers in some parts of the east African country. Late last year a total of 33 language teachers graduated in teaching Chinese language after a nine-month intensive course. They were the first batch of teachers who were sent to designated schools across the country to teach the language. Grace Baguma, director National Curriculum Development Center, told Xinhua in a recent interview that Chinese language is the sixth language in the country's secondary school curricula. "We have the syllabus ready, instruction materials are ready and now the teachers have been trained. So they will go and start teaching in those schools. Overall, 100 teachers will be trained," Baguma said. Baguma projected that in the next four years, about 60,000 students would have learnt how to speak Chinese language. The Confucius Institute at Makerere University is supplementing efforts to increase Chinese language learning. In addition to offering short courses, the Institute also teaches students who take Chinese as one of their majors. According to Oswald Ndoleriire, Ugandan Director of the Confucius Institute, Makerere University will this year roll out a bachelor's degree program on Chinese and Asian studies. The university will also unveil a master's degree program in Chinese and Asian studies. In a bid to expand its programs across the country, the Confucius Institute early this month signed a memorandum of understanding with Ntare School in the western part of the country to become a learning center. Two teachers from the secondary school were taken to China for training. The institute also send two Chinese language teachers to the school. Uganda's ties with China are strengthening in recent years. "More and more companies are investing in Uganda. More and more factories are being established in the industrial parks," Zheng Zhuqiang, Chinese ambassador to Uganda recently said. Cui Yujun, vice president of China National Offshore Oil Corporation Uganda Ltd, told reporters early this month that the company would conclude the Final Investment Decision in Uganda's oil sector by June or July this year. This may lead to the commercial oil production. All these investments, according to Sebutiko, offer immense opportunities that youths like him can seize. "China is an economic powerhouse, to move with them you have to learn their language," he said. Rebecca Kadaga, Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament early last month said learning the Chinese language would open up opportunities for locals to work in Chinese companies and also do business in China. "I am encouraging Ugandans to learn more languages, specifically the Chinese, because we have many Chinese investors in the country who will need translators as they carry on their businesses in the country," Kadaga said. "I am focusing on Chinese language because I know Chinese are here to offer our people jobs and people who know their language will be the first people to have those jobs," she added. Seungri, former member of K-pop boy band BIGBANG, walks toward Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in Jongno-gu on Thursday for questioning on charges of sex-for-business favors and illicit drug use. He arrived at the agency about four hours after Jung Joon-young went inside for questioning on charges of filming and distributing sex videos. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk China's bookstore chain brand Fang Suo Commune clinched the Bookstore of the Year Award of The London Book Fair (LBF) International Excellence Awards, the LBF announced Tuesday. Located at Taikoo Hui, one of the high-end shopping malls in southern Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou, Fang Suo Commune is an innovative bookstore nestled among luxury shops. It beat BOA Bookstore of Vietnam and Unity Books Wellington of New Zealand on the shortlist to win the award. "This award goes from strength to strength and the entries were exceptionally strong this year," the LBF judges said. "Fang Suo is ... breath taking in scale and conception. (There are) A vast range and constant activities and events ... that gives you a glimpse of what bookstores of the future will be." Opened in 2011, Fang Suo Commune Guangzhou has bookshelves covering the walls from floor to ceiling. The 1,800-square-meter store boasts a coffee bar, a boutique and a handicrafts shop, and welcomes more than 2 million visitors through her doors every year. Fang Suo Commune Bookstore regularly hosts art exhibitions, lectures and book launches about art, culture and lifestyle, turning it into the omphalos for the city's book lovers. The brand, now with branches in China's southwestern cities of Chengdu and Chongqing, and northeastern city of Qingdao, Shandong Province, aims at creating a new system for the Chinese aesthetics of life and exploring the possibilities of becoming an urban cultural complex, according to its official website. Other winners of the LBF International Excellence Awards included Finland's Espoo City Library, which won the Library of the Year Award, and Ukraine's Book Arsenal Literary Festival, which took home the Literary Festival Award. The Audiobook Publisher of the Year Award went to Booklava from the United Arab Emirates. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Cloudy skies with periods of rain later in the day. Thunder possible. High 47F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight A steady rain early. Showers with perhaps a rumble of thunder developing late. Low 46F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Angola, IN (46703) Today Rain developing later in the day. High 46F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Rain likely. Thunder possible. Low around 45F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Auburn, IN (46706) Today Cloudy with occasional rain in the afternoon. Thunder possible. High 48F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Rain with thunderstorms by morning. Low 47F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. China in the Eyes of the British, a series of themed books were launched on the opening day of the annual London Book Fair on March 12, 2019. Liu Dawei (left), vice president of the China International Publishing Group, presents a themed-book to Yu Peng, minister counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in the UK at the event, March 12, 2019. [Photo by china.com.cn] This event, hosted by the China International Publishing Group (CIPG), is to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 65th anniversary of the establishment of China-UK diplomatic relationship at the level of charge d'affaires. As the first of its kind held at the London Book Fair, a number of books including China-themed books by the British and UK-themed books by the Chinese were launched and exhibited, which had attracted many political, academic, cultural and publishing celebrities from both countries. Ma Hui, minister of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, delivers a speech at the event, March 12, 2019. [Photo by china.com.cn] Ma Hui, minister of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, delivered a speech at the event. He noted that the CIPG had shown readers all over the world China's development achievements on the platform of the London Book Fair and told them what kind of the path China had taken in the past 70 years. Liu Dawei, vice president of the CIPG, said the themed-book exhibition showcased more than one hundred books published by the CIPG over the past 70 years on the subject of bilateral relationship and communication. These books are historical witnesses and cultural symbols of the exchanges between the two countries and reflect the profound and close friendship between the two peoples. They are of special and important significance to the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the CIPG. Michael Bates, a former member of the UK Parliament, delivers a speech at the event, March 12, 2019. [Photo by china.com.cn] Michael Bates, a former member of the UK Parliament, and Frances Wood, sinologist and former curator of Chinese collections at the British Library, delivered speeches at the ceremony, discussing their understanding of Chinese politics, philosophy and culture, with reference to the books they wrote or prefaced. And they introduced their observation on the life changes in contemporary China, the tradition of Chinese opera and China's efforts of building a community of shared future for mankind. About 1500 exhibitors from more than 60 countries have attended the three-day book fair held in west London. (OMAHA, Neb.) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Thursday that water releases from Gavins Point Dam in South Dakota will be increased. The water released from the dam, located near Yanton, has been increased to 50,000 cubic feet per second and will be increased further to 60,000 cubic feet per second Thursday afternoon. A release from the Corps says that efforts are being made to minimize downstream impacts and are aware of flooding happening or forecast along the Missouri River. A Flood Warning remains in effect from the Iowa border to south of Atchison, Kan. Against the backdrop of the ongoing annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, Beijing Reviewreporter Zhang Shasha asked Urs Bolt, founder of Bolt.now, a tech advisory, and former Director of Credit Suisse bank's external asset management department, about his views on the Two Sessions and China's economic development. This is an edited excerpt of the interview: Beijing Review: What are your observations about the Two Sessions? Urs Bolt: They're trending globally. I'm impressed how the Chinese Government is adjusting goals and measures to maintain the strong economic growth momentum. In my view, one of the most important factors will be to create an open market, which gives access to foreign businesses, including fully owned Chinese subsidiaries. In addition, a free capital flow will further help to stimulate the economy. I have also observed the rapid improvement in the air by reducing the use of polluting fossil fuels for electricity and heat generation. Increasing energy efficiency, measured in terms of economic output compared to energy use per capita, has to be continued. It will decrease health costs and improve the quality of living and health. In addition, I'm impressed by the continued efforts for poverty reduction. To me, China has a far better track record than the United Nations' in the last 40 years. What about the economic development? Any highlights or experiences that can be shared with other countries? In 40 years, China has achieved much more than anyone else, in terms of numbers, the size of the country and also the poverty alleviation. Some people feel China's economy is falling into recession. But the GDP growth is still confirmed at 6-6.5 percent. For me, that's far from recession. Recession would be zero or negative growth. China has already gone ahead of most countries in terms of its digitalization. This will continue because everything is service-, information- and data-driven in China. China has big data that can be used for pattern recognition, which is important for artificial intelligence (AI). So many things can be done based on this, which will help China to be ahead of the productivity curve. China has an inclusive economy because the decision-makers understand poor people's need to have a better life. How do you see China's role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution? I think China will lead the revolution. The Fourth Industrial Revolution combines physical and digital transformation. Things today are combined with digital capabilities, called the Internet of Things. And things will be more integrated. For this you need technology. China already has WeChat Pay and platforms such as Baidu, Tencent and Alibaba, which are the best foundations to digitalize the economy. The Chinese Government endorses technological openness. I think China will be a big digital economy. The Western world has to understand how China actually runs the economy. How can China deal with risks and challenges in the financial sector? Let's look at peer lending, for example. Some entrepreneurs see that as an opportunity. They want to try out new things and benefit. The problem is when you benefit at the cost of others. People join peer lending because of high yields but maybe they cannot really afford to take the risks and others benefit from it. I think regulation is needed to help the investors. To automate investor protection into technologies, what we call regulatory technology or regtech, there is still a lot to be done. The other example is shadow banking. Under an unregulated environment, people might use their position to benefit from others unaware of investment risks. Big data and AI will help to understand the risks. Platforms need risk-monitoring capabilities not only for themselves, but also for investors. The data has to be used by the regulator, the platforms and by investors so as not to invest in too high risks. I know the Chinese Government is aware of this. China's large-scale data is an advantage to develop financial technology (fintech) and regtech, which will be conducive to and efficient in risk monitoring and control. The technologies implemented along with the data, including biometrics, are also China's advantages. China can export these technologies but relevant regulations should be implemented. Technology per se is not to be blamed for the controversial voices in society. A sound regulatory environment and ethical environment is crucial. The founders of Tencent and Baidu were calling for ethical rules vis-a-vis technologies such as AI. This is very important for the government to take note of. Switzerland can assist in and provide technology and policy advice in the areas of wealth management and regulatory compliance. Both are complex systems requiring integration of many tasks and processes into one platform so that all stakeholders, such as customers, service providers and the regulator, benefit. As an example we can look at investing in financial products. The investor might ask to buy or be offered certain financial products. Before allowing the client to invest, a risk profiling has to be performed, which can be mapped against suitable products with specific risks and expected performance. If such a process had been in place for people investing in peer lending, the damage would have been largely avoided. And all this needs technologies, including wealthtech and regtech, to automate and integrate the processes into customer-focused platforms. What role does technology play in China's economic development? I can't imagine how China could manage a country with 1.4 billion people without using technology. E-governance plays a big role. This is a topic we talk about all over the world. Governments, if they want to provide better services, need to digitalize. I think in China there is both potential and a gap. Doing things with technology is a thousand times more efficient than doing it the traditional way. Things can be managed through WeChat rather than going to a counter. I'm a frequent user of WeChat, but for foreigners, payment is still a problem because we cannot use foreign credit cards in WeChat Pay. This should be improved. If China can digitalize governance services, these capabilities can be exported to other countries, such as the countries along the Belt and Road, which could create more value. I am a beneficiary of wearable technology. I suffered from hearing loss. The Phonak Audeo Marvel (hearing device) I wear is Swiss hi-tech including AI. I have stopped calling it a hearing aid as it is an integrated device, which can be connected to smartphones through bluetooth. It is not limited to correcting hearing loss but has other functions including getting call and message notifications and listening to podcasts. It actually helps me to be more productive. In Switzerland, when you have the concept or prototype, you have a lot of engineers from the applied science universities to work on it. That will be the biggest potential for China. We will make progress only if we embrace technology. As an ecomodernist, what do you think China can do to balance its economy and ecology? First, China needs to decarbonize energy. It's important to have less polluting energy sources by increasing the use of clean power and reducing the need for fossil fuels. Energy density is an important factor, which means you have the biggest output from the least resource. Second, how to use energy, since energy efficiency is important. China needs to use energy-efficient technologies to run its computer centers and factories. Switzerland is really one of the leaders when it comes to energy efficiency. For instance, we have an energy efficiency standard. I use three to four times less energy for my household than a typical American household. What else can China learn from Switzerland's experience in economic development? China can learn many things from Switzerland, but the two countries are of different scale. For a small country like Switzerland, we are what we are today only because we have an open market. In the 19th century, when Switzerland was opening up, we were the only country where women could study in Europe. Apart from an open economy, innovation leadership is another thing China can learn. We have many specialists, scientists and professors from outside Switzerland. Now we have American professors coming to Switzerland. We have Chinese professors. Switzerland's university system is number three worldwide. That's the ambition China has to have. Universities such as Peking University and Tsinghua University need to be in the top 10. China can benefit from collaboration with Swiss academic institutions. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) The Senate is pushing for a supplemental budget to include the itemizations made by congressmen to the budget bill after it was ratified in the hopes of breaking the deadlock between the chamber and the House of Representatives. Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III told CNN Philippines' The Source that Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson yesterday spoke with San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora to suggest that Congress convene in a special session to pass a joint resolution for a supplemental budget containing the House's itemizations of lump sums in the 2019 budget "The suggestion was that, again, get back, recall the submitted [General Appropriations Bill] to us. And from there, we could probably amend or let the President veto that portion, then we can convene kahit [even] one day for a special session and pass a joint resolution approving a supplemental budget for that," Sotto said Thursday. While not directly answering whether the House would agree to holding a special session to pass a supplemental budget, House Appropriations committee chair Camarines Sur 1st District Rep. Rolando Andaya told CNN Philippines' Newsroom Ngayon that they have always been open to talks on the budget. "Kami naman, matagal na kaming bukas sa pag-uusap dito. Hindi naman ito kwestiyon ng ligalidad eh. Kwestiyon na lang ito kung gusto mong pirmahan o hindi," Andaya said. [Translation: We have long been open to discussions on this. This is not a question of legality. This is a question if you want to sign it or not.] Sotto has bucked signing the budget bill transmitted by the House to the Senate, saying that he may be charged for falsification of legislative documents by certifying the bill which contains provisions not approved by Congress - effectively blocking its transmittal to the Malacanang for President Rodrigo Duterte's signature. This latest impasse between the House and the Senate is rooted from the House's itemization of lump sums and their realigning of funds in the budget after its final version was ratified by Congress. Senators have said that this is illegal and unconstitutional, but congressmen have insisted that this is above board and that the Senate also itemized lump sums in the budget after its ratification. But Sotto said the Senate's itemization of lump sums only pertain to their budget, while the House touched and shaved off 96 billion in funds from the Public Works department and realigned these towards certain districts, especially those that are represented by congressmen allied with Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. "[Itemization is] what has been done in all Congresses. Okay 'yun. Pero hindi eh. Ibang budget 'yung ginalaw mo Ang kinuha mo [budget] ni Presidente and nilagay mo sa mga distrito niyo na wala sa bicam 'yan, wala sa usapan natin 'yan," Sotto said. [Translation: Itemization is what has been done in all Congresses. That's okay. But no. They made changes to a different budget They took the President's budget and placed it in their districts which was not tackled and agreed upon during the bicam.] Andaya no longer wants to respond to these charges, saying that he does not want lawmakers to be battling it out in public when they are holding discussions behind the scenes. However, House leaders have come up with their own allegations against the Senate, with Andaya claiming that the Senate removed billions of funds originally allocated for scholarships of rehabilitated drug addicts and former rebels. Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Fredenil Castro and House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Rodante Marcoleta have said that senators also shaved off billions of funds which should have been for the Environment department's greening project, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, right-of-way acquisitions and foreign assisted projects. "The Senate removed all those allocations and we don't know where they put them," Castro said. Elections a 'major factor' Sotto said the campaign season for the midterm polls is the "major factor" behind congressmen's moves in the budget, which has been delayed for three months. Responding to this, Andaya said the same can also be said of the Senate, as some of its members are running for re-election. "Budgeting is also the biggest political tool every year. It's not just an economic tool, it's a political tool. You have half of the senators seeking re-election at this time," he said. House leaders have also accused Lacson who has long been crusading against the supposed existence of "pork" or discretionary funding in the budget of holding the budget hostage due to his grudge against Arroyo. "It seems that Senator Ping Lacson is holding President Duterte and the entire Filipino people hostage to his continuing animosity towards our Speaker. He has obviously convinced the Senate leadership to do his bidding," Castro said. Lacson has denied this charge. Sotto also said that Arroyo is not their problem, but the people around her, particularly Andaya and the other members of the House Appropriations committee. Lacson has said that the Senate is looking at the possibility of the government continuing to operate under a reenacted budget until August, when Arroyo and Andaya have stepped down from their posts and replaced by new leaders. "Siyempre magiging very cordial and perhaps ika nga eh mas magkakaroon ng impluwensiya ang Pangulo," Sotto said. [Translation: Of course they'll be very cordial and perhaps, they say, the President will have more influence.] READ: Political shakeup shows Duterte not in control analyst But the National Economic and Development Authority has warned that if the budget is only passed in August, the country's economic growth will only be around 4.9 to 5.1 percent, while growth can further stunt to 4.2 to 4.9 percent if the budget is reenacted for the entire year. Economic managers also slashed the country's growth forecast yesterday from seven to eight percent to six to seven percent due to the delay of the 2019 budget. You are here: Business China Mobile is shutting down its 3G network in certain regions in China, said a Wednesday report by Chinanews.com. The company is to close its 3G standard TD-SCDMA base stations in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian province, according to a notification from the city's radio regulator. China's three major operators China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom have begun reducing their 2G and 3G frequencies, allowing for radio frequency to be reallocated to high-speed mobile services. The decommissioning will not occur immediately, according to a previous China Unicom statement. Ministry of Industry and Information Technology data shows China had 1.57 billion mobile users by the end of 2018, of whom 1.17 billion are 4G users, indicating that approximately 400 million people still use 2G or 3G. Of China Mobile's 927 million subscribers by the end of January, 717 million are 4G users while 210 million use 2G and 3G, the report said. 3G and 4G networks could be shut down in the future, but it's hard to cease 2G services, given the persistent need for 2G, which is often used for making phone calls, said Xiang Ligang, telecom expert and CEO of industry website Cctime. TD-SCDMA, a network mainly used for data services, is hampered by low traffic volume, Xiang said. Phasing out outdated network helps radio frequency to be used more efficiently, because the reallocation of frequency can improve 4G quality and coverage, said Fu Liang, a telecom analyst. The move will also benefit China Mobile in its 5G development, Xiang said. China last December issued licenses to the country's big three telecom carriers to use low-and medium-band spectrum, in order to construct trial 5G networks nationwide. Total volume of trade between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries hit a record high of 587.87 billion U.S. dollars in 2018, up 14.1 percent year on year, an official with the Ministry of Commerce said Wednesday. China-ASEAN trade maintained a strong upward momentum last year, with two-way investments amounting to 205.71 billion U.S. dollars, said Yang Weiqun, deputy head of the Department of Asian Affairs, Ministry of Commerce. The mutual investment stock has grown 22 times since 2004, Yang added when attending a senior officials meeting for the 16th China-ASEAN Expo, which is scheduled to be held from Sept. 20 to 23 in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The theme of this year's expo is "Building the Belt & Road, Realizing Our Vision for A Community of Shared Future," with Indonesia as the Country of Honor. Yang said China hopes to take this chance to strengthen communication and cooperation with ASEAN countries. Gustanto, Consul General of the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Guangzhou, said the expo has made positive contributions to bilateral trade between Indonesia and China. As the Country of Honor, Indonesia plans to bring more exhibitors and deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation, he said. Initiated in 2004, the expo is an important platform to promote trade and relations between China and the ASEAN. The British pound soared as markets welcomed British parliament's rejection of a no-deal Brexit on Wednesday night that paves way for a an upcoming vote on Brexit delay on Thursday. The pound had been climbing against major currencies during the day and was trading at 1.3221 against the U.S. dollar and 1.1671 against the euro just before the parliamentary vote began at 1900 GMT. It surged by 2.13 percent against the U.S. dollar at 1.3353 and 1.7 percent against the euro at 1.1781 in two hours after the vote. The pound's jump came after it sank on the defeat of May's revised Brexit deal at the parliament on Tuesday, which opened the door to the vote on whether the lawmakers would support a no-deal Brexit on Wednesday. The market was optimistic that the no-deal option could be averted. The British currency has been volatile during the week with a series of Brexit-related parliamentary votes held to decide the final path of Brexit. Brexit has been the main driver for the Pound this week, according to TorFX, a currency transfer provider. The pound rose strongly after May said on Monday she had secured "legally binding" changes from the EU to the Irish "backstop", which means the insurance policy designed to avoid a hard border in Ireland, could not "become permanent". However, it shed all the previous gains since earlier Tuesday when British Attorney General Geoffrey Cox said the legal risk of the UK being tied to EU rules after Brexit "remains unchanged", and the country would not be able to leave the "backstop" without EU agreement. Though lawmakers voted down a no-deal Brexit, May warned that the legal default in EU law remains that "the UK will leave without a deal unless something else is agreed", but the EU has been clear that the deal on the table is the only one available. She said the government could continue negotiations or have a second referendum, but this would damage the trust between the British public and the parliament. Commenting on the vote, Miles Celic, Chief Executive Officer of TheCityUK, said: "MPs have said 'no to no deal,' but without an agreement between the UK and the EU, this vote sadly delivers very little." "A constructive and practical way forward must be found. Unless the Withdrawal Agreement or some other realistic course of action is agreed very soon, the UK will still crash out, regardless of MPs' wishes," Celic said. A vote on a possible delay to Brexit on Thursday is expected to pass but the pound will remain highly sensitive to Brexit turbulence, according to TorFX. It believed following an extension of Article 50, there are again a series of possible outcomes, ranging from no-deal, renegotiation, second referendum to Brexit abandoned. The World Economic Forum (WEF) said on Wednesday it had invited 127 of the world's most promising social activists, business leaders, public servants, artists and technologists under the age of 40, including nine from China, to join its Class of Young Global Leaders. The Forum of Young Global Leaders is a diverse community of leaders from all walks of life and every region of the world, pushing boundaries, achieving firsts, and breaking traditional rules to improve the world, the WEF said. Current members lead governments and Fortune 500 companies, hold Nobel Prizes and Academy Awards, and have become United Nations goodwill ambassadors and social entrepreneurs. The class of 2019 includes the most decorated Olympian female swimmer, the founder of the first app providing advice on contraception in Bangladesh, the managing director of a leading supermarket chain looking to ban plastic packaging and a female scientist whose work is revolutionizing batteries. "We look to these leaders to take forward the challenge of improving the state of the world," said Mariah Levin, head of the Forum of Young Global Leaders at the WEF. This year, the list includes the Georgian and Costa Rican heads of state, both in their thirties, and Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe's Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, who has won more Olympic medals than any other female swimmer in history. This year, more than half of the new members are women, and many of the Young Global Leaders are from emerging economies. The construction of U.S. electric carmaker Tesla's new gigafactory in Shanghai is going smoothly, according to Shanghai officials with direct knowledge of the project. "The assembly workshop is expected to be completed in May," Chen Mingbo, a national lawmaker and director of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, told reporters on the sidelines of the second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC). Wu Xiaohua, an official with the Shanghai Lingang Area Development Administration, where Tesla's plant is located, described the progress of the project as "better than expected." Tesla's team in Shanghai has also confirmed the smooth progress of the project, which, with an investment of over 50 billion yuan (7 billion U.S. dollars), is the largest foreign-invested manufacturing project in Shanghai's history, and Tesla's first outside the United States. At the groundbreaking ceremony in January this year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said his company was "hoping to have initial production of the Tesla Model 3 toward the end of the year and volume production next year." Tesla signed the agreement with the Shanghai municipal government in July 2018 to build the factory. In October, the company was approved to use an 864,885-square-meter tract of land in Lingang for its Shanghai plant, which has an annual producing capacity of 500,000 electric cars. China will push for Artificial Intelligence (AI) courses to be offered at primary and secondary schools and popularize programming education in steps, according to a directive issued by the Ministry of Education. This is among major actions demanded by educational authorities across the country for the cultivation and improvement of information literacy of teachers and students. Information literacy is the ability to discover and use various types of information and is an essential skill for navigating the information age. Big data, virtual reality and AI technologies should be more deeply applied to education and teaching, says the directive. Programs will be launched to train primary and secondary school teachers on the application of information technology, and advanced courses on big data will be also offered to teachers across the country, it adds. The directive also calls for more investment into the application of information technology in education. In Elgin, the final short story in Bryan Washingtons debut collection, Lot, a young man reflects on Houstons East End, the neighborhood hes called home his whole life. Between the chop shops and busted laundromats and abuelas like scarecrows on every corner, theres no reason to stick around unless youre a kid, he thinks. But the recurring narrator, a biracial gay man who goes unnamed through most of the book, sticks around anyway. Home is home, for better or for worse, and that particular slice of Houston is his. The sprawling Texas city is essentially the main character of Lot the stories take place in various neighborhoods in Space City. Washington, 25, is a Kentucky native who grew up in Texas and was educated at the University of Houston and the University of New Orleans. Washington spoke to The Times via telephone about his book, Houston and gentrification. This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity. Advertisement Bryan Washingtons Lot: Stories. (Riverhead Books) How old were you when you started writing fiction? Was that something you picked up in college, or have you been doing it for a while? I picked it up in university. I guess it would be the end of the first or the beginning of the second year of undergrad. It wasnt really something that I had a habit of doing, but I took a nonfiction class with Mat Johnson. It meant a lot. Hes just such a cool guy, and I wanted to take more classes with him, so I eventually took a fiction class with him. Was it difficult structuring the book? Or did it come pretty easily to you? Originally, when I was plotting the book, I thought I wanted to have a collection of stories highlighting each of Houstons hubs. I thought that just made sense as a through line. In each story, the setting would be a character in and of itself, and each of those settings would be a particular part of the city, and the through line would be the city of Houston. With the recurring narrator, once Id written a few stories with his voice, the collection started to feel more like a collection than just a series of random standalone stories. Theres a lot of violence and harshness in the book. Did you find it emotionally hard to write that, or was it more of a cathartic thing for you? I dont know that I would call it cathartic. There were some stories that were difficult to condense the weight that I needed for certain scenes and put those on the page. As I was writing, I was thinking of the events that took place for each character from their perspective, and while for some readers the violence might be deemed abrasive or it might be deemed out of the norm, for other readers that just might be a fact of life, you know? So as I was trying to write it and thinking through it from the perspective of each of those individual characters, some of them may face traumatic incidents, or they may face structural violence put upon them by the city or the state or whatever. For some it might be a transformative, highly traumatic experience, and for others its just a fact of life and something they have to negotiate and work around. Volleying between those two spaces was tricky, but while I was actually writing it, I was trying to have each voice be so singular that the reader could approach each of those issues on each characters own terms. The main character, the narrator of many of the stories, has such a distinct voice. How did he come to you? The first two stories that I wrote were Lockwood and Navigation. I work usually with dialogue first; I usually start with a conversation of some sort or another, because just by merit of one person talking with another, there is some sort of tension or conflict, irrespective of whether theyre agreeing on something or whether theyre disagreeing on something. Because the question becomes why? What are they talking about? And I was really preoccupied with the recurring narrators concerns. You dont reveal the name of the narrator until the final pages of the book. Was there a reason you decided to have him remain nameless for most of the book and have that big reveal at the end? I would say it was twofold. The first reason was that a friend and mentor was reading over the manuscript, and she made the suggestion that we reveal the name at the very end. It was one of those things that sounded kind of wild, but I wanted to try and see how it worked. And it ended up fitting really cleanly and nicely, given that I think one of the books preoccupations, or one of the concerns that I was trying to imbue throughout the text, was this idea of self-realization: how one comes to terms with oneself outside of the context of their family, or outside of the context of their city, or outside of the context of their immediate surroundings. Who are you when you dont have anyone telling you who you should be? So for the narrator to finally have his name on the page in the last story when things seem to be settling into some sort of coherence made structural sense in the end. Who are you when you dont have anyone telling you who you should be? Bryan Washington Lot is the name of a story in the book, as well as the title of the collection itself. How did you settle on that name for the collection? That particular story felt like the crux of the recurring narrators situation. I have had a few folks that have talked to me about the story, and they immediately point towards the biblical connotations behind the name Lot. And I totally cant take credit for having that idea. But, really, that story felt like the heart of the narrative and also this idea of someone being given a lot in life, because for the great majority of people, we dont really have any larger control over the circumstances that you find yourself in, or the circumstances that youre born in. But what you can control, or what most people can control, is how you maneuver within those. Your book concentrates a lot on neighborhoods and real estate, and Houston is kind of unique in that it doesnt really have zoning, and its a really sprawling city. Was it difficult for you to evoke the geography of Houston to readers who maybe have never been there before? It was initially difficult, because I think that with the initial stories and in my initial drafting, I was trying to approach the citys geography from a very critical apparatus and from a very analytical, comprehensive apparatus. And at some point it just clicked. And I came to the conclusion that your experience of the city, of any city, is very particular, right? So once I started attempting to give each character a very singular experience of their negotiation of their respective hubs, or their respective movements and constellations throughout the city, then there was less pressure to get this right, to have this book about Houston be comprehensive and be correct in every aspect of Houston. Because theres really never going to be a singular experience for Houston or any city, but particularly Houston because its just so diverse. Youve got the sprawl and theres so many different ways to live here. The 1891-built St. John Church in Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston. (Mark Mulligan / AP) Especially toward the end, Lot deals with gentrification in Houston. You wrote in an essay about the Third Ward for the Awl, Those who historically didnt have a place to call their own could find themselves displaced once again. In the three years since you wrote that, have you become more or less hopeful about the future of the Third Ward and other neighborhoods that are undergoing some degree of gentrification? Im very hopeful. I dont know that Im the most optimistic person, but Im very hopeful about Houston, because theres just so much possibility here. And I think that whats been really fascinating over the past few years, by merit of the Astros success, by merit of the attention given to the city immediately after Harvey, by merit of the attention thats been given to the city as being an international food hub. People are trying to figure out how to define the city, or how to give it a cohesive narrative, and no one really seems to be able to agree on any one thing. And I think that thats really lovely. That you have a place that is so vibrant and so messy, and yet everyone seems to be able to do what they want to do and get along with one another, irrespective of where theyre coming from, because you have people here from all over the world. The fact that theyre able to figure it out here, I think, is cause for optimism. In a piece for Catapult, you wrote about being asked what Houston means to you, and the answer you came up with was gratitude. What did you mean by gratitude being the meaning of Houston for you? I think that my specific experience in the city has been one in which Ive felt welcome, and Ive felt welcomed by people who come from a plethora of different cultures. People who celebrate, or dont celebrate, a plethora of different religions. People who speak any number of languages. People who view the world any number of different ways. And from my specific experience, I cant help but feel thankful to live in a city where all of that can be in one place, you know? The act of sharing a cuisine with someone is an act of love. Bryan Washington And you can also keep a very low overhead in Houston, so its a very livable city, but its also a very international one. I think the people here are generally pretty laid-back. I think theyre generally very open to difference or people who are coming from different perspectives on life, different ways of life, different ways of viewing the world. I feel very lucky to live here at this point in time. You wrote this great piece recently for the New Yorker about cooking Korean tofu stew. And in the book, the recurring narrator works in a series of restaurants and theres a lot of writing about food. How important do you think food is to Houston and to your book? I think its integral to the city, and it was a slow realization for me while writing the book, the importance that food would hold. As I was writing it, you know, the descriptions of food, the fact that people treat eating as a communal experience. Theres a scene at the very end in Elgin where two people are just sharing a meal, and yet as I was writing it, I was trying for that to be one of the heaviest scenes in the text. I mean, just the idea that in Houston, you have so many different options as far as what to eat, cuisines from all over the world. That is as close as a lot of folks come to sort of broaching the scope of the citys diversity. Like, the ability that you have to have Nigerian cuisine and Vietnamese cuisine and Filipino cuisine and cuisines of the American South, all in the same strip mall, lets say. And thats an illustration of what the city can mean. The act of sharing a cuisine with someone is an act of love. Youre showing someone how you live and where youre coming from, and theres something very intimate about having someone cook something for you and then you take it and then you eat, you know? Youre sharing a very soft part of yourself, and someone is accepting you for it. Schaub is a writer in Texas. Following two deadly crashes, the U.S. joined the rest of the world in temporarily grounding the Boeing 737 Max, the newest version of one of the most popular planes in the world. The causes of the crashes one in Indonesia and the latest in Ethiopia havent been determined, but plane manufacturer Boeing Co. agreed with the Federal Aviation Administrations decision to ground the planes out of an abundance of caution and to reassure the flying public of the aircrafts safety. For the record: A previous version of this article said that Southwests grounded 737 Max 8 planes flew about 39 daily flights. The correct number is 150. How have travelers been affected by the grounding? The three U.S. carriers that fly 737 Max planes Southwest, American and United Airlines say the FAAs decision has had minimal impact on their operations and on their customers. All of the passengers who were scheduled to fly on 737 Max planes have been rebooked on other similar-sized or larger planes at no extra charge or refunded their money. In some cases, airlines said they upgraded passengers to more expensive fares that come with free meals. Southwest Airlines officials acknowledge there have been some delays for fliers but say that bad weather across the country is contributing to the problems. Advertisement Several travelers who were scheduled to fly on 737 Max planes expressed frustration on social media about the delays and confusion. Flying out of AUS at the end of spring break & SXSW & after the 737 Max got grounded. No flights to DFW. Theyre putting us in a bus. Yes, a bus. Thanks to the @AmericanAir gate agent for her professionalism and humor. Jeff Jarvis (@DrJeffJarvis) March 14, 2019 @SouthwestAir #southwest please help me! I cant check in and I have no clue if my flight tomorrow is on the grounded 737 max 8 plane... the app and site both wont let me check in and 120 minute hold time.... Huddy Bield (@that1whiteman) March 14, 2019 Why hasnt the impact on fliers been more significant? Although Boeing describes the plane as its best-selling model, based on about 5,000 orders, the manufacturer deliveries began fairly recently, in 2017, with 370 planes in commercial use so far. Which airlines have been most affected by the worldwide grounding of the 737 Max? Southwest Airlines is the U.S. carrier with the greatest number of 737 Max 8 planes 34. But that represents only about 4% of its fleet of more than 750 planes, almost all of which are older model 737s. The grounded planes flew about 150 daily flights out of more than 4,000 flights operated by the airline a day. American Airlines, the worlds largest carrier with more than 960 planes in its fleet, has 24 of the 737 MAX 8 aircraft, which operate 85 flights a day. That is a fraction of the approximately 6,700 daily departures throughout the American Airlines system. United Airlines has 14 of the 737 Max 9 plane out of more than 770 planes, representing 40 flights a day, out of about 4,800 departures a day. What does this mean for the future of Boeing? Industry experts and financial analysts have expressed faith in the stability of Boeing but note that the outlook for the manufacturer could change, depending on what investigators determine caused the two deadly crashes. S&P Global Ratings noted in a report Thursday that Boeing has a strong financial position and liquidity and that we currently do not see any effect on our rating of Boeing. Boeing stock dropped sharply on Monday and Tuesday from its high of about $420 before the latest crash in Ethiopia. Shares closed Thursday at $373.30. After the market closed, Boeing said it was pausing delivery of the 737 Max. S&P Global noted that it would be difficult for any airline to now abandon their orders of Boeings 737s and switch to a competing model, such as the Airbus SE A320neo, because it is more efficient to operate a fleet from a single manufacturer. Has the 737 Max had safety problems in the past? Following the fatal October crash of the Lion Air flight in Indonesia, Boeing issued a warning about potential issues with an automated anti-stalling system on the 737 Max plane that could push the nose down. Boeing was criticized by pilots and others who said this was not disclosed when the plane was unveiled. Boeing has since announced that it would take several steps to make the planes even safer, including updating the flight control software as well as pilot displays, operating manuals and crew training. The company said these changes would be implemented over the coming weeks. The accidents in Indonesia and Ethiopia involved the 737 Max 8. (Shaffer Grubb, Lorena Elebee / Los Angeles Times) What made the 737 Max so popular among airlines? Boeing marketed the 737 Max as being 14% more fuel efficient than the earlier 737 planes produced in the 1990s, such as the 737 Next Generation 600, 700, 800 and 900. Boeing attributes the fuel efficiency to new engines built by CFM International, a joint venture between a division of General Electric and a division of Safran of France, and other aerodynamic features, including the winglets that look like shark fins but point up and down on the end of the wings. As a result, the 737 Max 8 has a range of about 4,000 miles, compared to about 3,370 miles for the older 737 models. In addition, Boeing said the 737 Max makes less noise on takeoff, compared to its older 737 planes, thanks to acoustic treatments in and around the engines. How have the planes been used in the U.S.? The 737 Max is a single-aisle plane that can seat between 172 and 230, depending on the version of the plane and the seat layout. The plane has been manufactured in four versions the 7,8,9 and 10 each with the same CFM engine and wingspan but different lengths. The 737 Max 7 is the shortest, at 116 feet in length, and the 737 Max 10 is the longest at 143 feet long. Southwest and American have primarily used the plane for mid-range and long-haul flights, including transcontinental routes and flights to Mexico from Florida. hugo.martin@latimes.com To read more about the travel and tourism industries, follow @hugomartin on Twitter. Ethiopia has sent the black box recording devices from a crashed Boeing 737 Max jet to France for analysis after refusing to hand them over to U.S. authorities, who had kept the Max model flying after most other regulators had grounded it. The flight data and cockpit voice recorders have arrived at Frances Bureau of Inquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety, known by its French abbreviation BEA, with coordination meetings underway and technical work set to start Friday. The BEA said it will download data but hasnt been asked to conduct an analysis. Ethiopian Airlines, which operated the crashed jet, says the decision to send the devices to a European agency was a strategic one after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration was left isolated in arguing that the Max should continue flying. The U.S. regulator finally grounded versions of the Max on Wednesday amid mounting concern about similarities between the African tragedy and a crash in Indonesia in October in which a computer system took control of a flight. Germanys Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation earlier declined to work on the boxes, saying it wasnt technically possible. France has a direct link to the crash, which killed 157, since the Maxs engines are made by the CFM International venture of General Electric Co. and Paris-based Safran SA. Advertisement The choice of the BEA for the decoding of the recorders still represents a snub for U.S. regulators used to taking a leading role in probes of Boeing planes. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board will still have a role given that the 737 is made in Washington state, and plans to send three investigators to France to help the BEA with the downloading and analysis, according to a statement. The NTSB also emphasized its own expertise in recorders, flight crew operations and human factors, and stressed that the Ethiopian Aircraft Accident Investigations Bureau remains in charge of the probe. The Washington-based agency already has officials in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, assisted by advisors from the FAA, Boeing and GE/Safran. The BEA made headlines in 2011 when it took just weeks to recover the full contents of data and voice recorders from an Air France plane at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean after the devices had spent two years in seawater at a depth of 12,800 feet. The breakthrough helped explain the worst accident in the carriers history. French President Emmanuel Macron has meanwhile held discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed about a new contract for Airbus SE of Toulouse, France, as part of a renewal of the Ethiopian Airlines fleet, a French official said Thursday. Though the African carrier already operates the European plane makers A350 wide-body, all of its other jets are Boeings, including 787 Dreamliners for which it was one of the first global customers, and a variety of 737s. Macron will also discuss a major Airbus order during his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinpings state visit to France later this month, the official said. China has 20% of all delivered Max jets and was the first major authority to ground the model after Sundays tragedy. The Asian nation will itself be looking to benefit from the 737s travails by attracting more sales for the Comac C919, which the company says has more than 800 orders worldwide. Boeings $600-billion-plus backlog for the 737 Max is also looking shaky after several big customers reconsidered their purchases, among them VietJet Aviation JSC, which doubled its order to about $25 billion last month, and Lion Air, operator of the plane in the Indonesia crash, which plans to drop a $22-billion deal, according to a person with knowledge of the plan. Indonesia will send two officials to Addis Ababa as observers of the crash investigation, and will share data and insights from its own probe into the loss of Lion Air flight 610 in October, according to Soerjanto Tjahjono, chairman of the countrys National Transportation Safety Committee. The Lion Air 737 experienced more than two dozen sharp dips shortly after takeoff, with a preliminary report suggesting the jet was automatically commanded to dive because software thought it was in danger of losing lift following a sensor malfunction. A rift opened between Lion Air and Boeing when the U.S. company said the disaster could have been avoided if pilots had followed procedure, though it has since cooperated positively with Indonesia in the probe, according to Tjahjono, who said Indonesias aviation investigators havent received any reports of further malfunctions concerning the Max. The British Air Accidents Investigation Branch, which has sent three experts to the Ethiopia crash, as British citizens were among those killed, said that whichever body processes the boxes, the airline and other relevant parties would attend as observers to ensure that proper protocols are followed. Boeing executives sat down in November with pilots at the Allied Pilots Assn.s low-slung brick headquarters in Fort Worth. Tensions were running high. One of Boeings new jets hailed by the company as an even more reliable version of Boeings stalwart 737 had crashed into the ocean off Indonesia shortly after takeoff the month before, killing all 189 people aboard the flight, operated by Lion Air. After the crash, Boeing issued a bulletin disclosing that this line of planes, known as the 737 Max 8, was equipped with new software as part of the planes automated functions. Some pilots were furious that they were not told about the new software when the plane was unveiled. Dennis Tajer, a 737 captain who attended the meeting with Boeing executives, recalled, They said, Look, we didnt include it because we have a lot of people flying on this and we didnt want to inundate you with information. Advertisement Im certain I did say, Well, thats not acceptable, said Tajer, a leader in the association representing American Airlines pilots. A Boeing spokesman said the company disputes that any of its executives made that statement. On Wednesday, federal regulators ordered the grounding of the 737 Max 8 and a similar plane, the 737 Max 9, after another crash involving the plane, on this occasion in Ethiopia on Sunday. Many other countries had already acted. In statements throughout the week, Boeing has said that safety is its top priority. But it also announced that it would take several steps to make the planes even safer, including updating the flight control software as well as pilot displays, operating manuals and crew training. The company said these changes would be implemented over the coming weeks. The announcement comes after years in which Boeing had trumpeted the new plane as offering a seamless transition from previous models, a changeover that would not require carriers to invest in extensive retraining. And it highlights concerns from pilots and other groups about whether Boeing moved fast enough to address potential problems after the Lion Air crash. Congress, regulators and the companys shareholders are now scrutinizing the decisions. On Wednesday, Rep. Peter A. DeFazio (D-Ore.), chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said he would hold hearings to study the Federal Aviation Administrations process for approving the planes. DeFazio cited a concern that has particularly alarmed pilots: the software that was flagged in the bulletin sent after the Lion Air crash. The software, known as the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS, can in some rare but dangerous situations override pilot control inputs unless it is switched off. This can interfere with pilots longtime training that pulling back on the control yoke raises a planes nose, putting the plane into a climb. That means that as a pilot tries to maneuver an airplane, the automated system may be counteracting that pilots inputs. Im going to investigate how they came to the conclusion that retraining was not necessary, and then obviously were going to want to look at how foreign countries certify their pilots and retrain them, DeFazio said. After the Ethiopian Airlines crash Sunday, Boeing said it would update flight control software, provide more training, introduce enhancements to external sensors that measure the direction of an aircraft and make changes to how MCAS is activated. But two pilots who attended the meeting with Boeing in November after the Lion Air crash said pilots had suggested that the company take these actions at that time. Whatever level of training they decided on [before the Lion Air crash], it resulted in an iPad course that I took for less than an hour, Tajer, the American Airlines pilot, said. A lot of pilots here at American did that course. But he said the course did not cover the new MCAS. There was nothing on the MCAS because even American didnt know about that. It was just about the display scenes and how the engines are a little different, he said. Boeing did not comment on the pilots concerns. The same week Boeing executives met with pilots in Fort Worth, they also asked pilots at Southwest Airlines which also owns 737 Max planes to meet with them. They hurriedly arranged a conference room at the Reno airport the Sunday after Thanksgiving, said Jon Weaks, president of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Assn. At that meeting, they told us that a software update would probably be forthcoming in the near future, Weaks said. But no update came in the following two months. Boeing did not comment on the meeting. In a statement earlier this week, Boeing said it had been working on the software enhancements for the 737 Max for the last several months in the aftermath of the crash of Lion Air Flight 610. The company said it had been working closely with the FAA on the software update and had also been soliciting feedback from airlines that operate the plane. The concerns in meetings with Boeing executives were not the only signs that pilots were worried about the airplane. A federal flight safety reporting system contains about a dozen reports by pilots expressing exasperation about systems that limited their control of the 737 Max. Nearly two-thirds of the complaints were mainly flagging perceived faults with the aircraft or shortcomings and ambiguities in instruction, according to an analysis of the Aviation Safety Reporting System by the Washington Post. The Dallas Morning News first reported on the pilots complaints. I think it is unconscionable that a manufacturer, the FAA, and the airlines would have pilots flying an airplane without adequately training, or even providing available resources and sufficient documentation to understand the highly complex systems that differentiate this aircraft from prior models, one pilot wrote in November. The fact that this airplane requires such jury rigging to fly is a red flag. Now we know the systems employed are error prone even if the pilots arent sure what those systems are, what redundancies are in place, and failure modes. Pilots expressed confusion about various features of the airplane. I reviewed in my mind our automation setup and flight profile but cant think of any reason the aircraft would pitch nose down so aggressively, one pilot wrote. How can a captain not know what switch is meant during a preflight setup? asked another. Poor training and even poorer documentation; that is how. The FAA pushed back against the idea that these pilot complaints could have assisted in identifying problems, saying they did not involve the MCAS that has been at the heart of pilots concerns. Some of the reports reference possible issues with the autopilot/autothrottle, which is a separate system from MCAS, and/or acknowledge the problems could have been due to pilot error, it said in a statement. Boeing declined to comment on the system. Southwest, which uses the 737 Max planes, said it had received no reports of issues with the MCAS. American Airlines said it reviewed data for more than 14,000 flights since the Lion Air crash in Indonesia and has not seen a single anomaly related to the MCAS. In its order grounding the planes Wednesday, the FAA said it had received information from the Ethiopian Airlines wreckage concerning the aircrafts configuration just after takeoff that, taken together with newly refined data from satellite-based tracking of the aircrafts flight path, indicates some similarities between what happened with that flight and the Lion Air flight in Indonesia. Boeing is scrambling to maintain its reputation for making safe and profitable airplanes. Chief Executive Dennis A. Muilenburg called President Trump on Tuesday, the White House said, to vouch for the safety of the planes. On Wednesday, the company issued a statement saying that out of an abundance of caution and to reassure the flying public of the aircrafts safety, it agreed with the FAAs decision to ground the planes. Boeing continues to have full confidence in the safety of the 737 MAX, the company said. Boeing designed the 737 Max to fly up to 3,850 miles, and it became a key tool in the companys global ambitions. The Max uses engines that are both bigger and more fuel-efficient, and the new engines have been moved slightly forward on the wings compared with previous models. To compensate for the repositioning, Boeing added MCAS to replicate the handling characteristics of earlier models. In the Lion Air crash, according to a preliminary report, the 737 Max seemed to careen up and down repeatedly. Analysts said this suggested the MCAS was redirecting the plane whenever it went into a nose-up position by pointing the nose down. In an appearance on CNBC in December, Muilenburg was asked whether the company was doing enough to ensure pilots were properly trained after the October crash. Muilenburg said that the companys bulletin on the software helped in directing pilots and airlines to these existing procedures and that Boeing was taking a look at that to make sure all the appropriate training is in place and that the communications with our customers are there. Its very, very important to us, but I will say bottom line here, very important, is that the Max 737 is safe, he said. Muilenburgs comments came about a week after the meetings in Texas and Reno, when pilots said they heard similar promises. Sitting around pullout tables in leather-backed chairs, Tajer said, some of the companys top engineers were apologetic. We said, Shame on you. They said, I know. Brookfield Asset Management agreed to buy a majority stake in Oaktree Capital, a combination that would create one of the worlds largest alternative money managers. The Canadian firm will acquire a 62% stake in Los Angeles-based Oaktree in a cash-and-stock deal worth roughly $4.7 billion, the companies said Wednesday. As the private equity industry gathers near record sums of assets, institutional investors aim to make big allocations to fewer firms with a wide range of products. The Brookfield-Oaktree deal creates such a one-stop shop: It bolsters the credit business of Brookfield, which has traditionally focused on real estate, and provides Oaktree, a specialist in distressed debt, exposure to assets that thrive outside turbulent economic times. We had difficulty, up until now, meeting the strict terms of some of those mandates, Brookfield Chief Executive Bruce Flatt said in a telephone interview. Very few firms in the world are able to do that. Advertisement Oaktree co-Chairman Howard Marks said in the interview that the two firms mesh culturally and in terms of product lines without competing and overlapping. Brookfield, which approached Oaktree in October, will acquire shares of the firm for $49 in cash or 1.077 Brookfield shares, a 12.4% premium as of March 12. Oaktree rose about 12% to $49.14 in New York, the biggest gain since the company went public in 2012. Brookfields shares were little changed. Brookfield, founded 120 years ago, is Canadas largest alternative investment firm and owns companies ranging from real estate to infrastructure and renewable power. Holdings include Manhattan West, the new complex at New Yorks Hudson Yards, and Brookfield Place near Wall Street. In the past year the firm acquired mall owner GGP Inc. for $13 billion, Forest City Realty Trust for $6.7 billion and a power-solutions business from Johnson Controls for $13.2 billion. Shares of Brookfield have been a stellar performer for decades, posting a 21% annual return since 2009, double the gain of the S&P/TSX Composite Index, Canadas main equity gauge. Marks, Bruce Karsh and other partners founded Los Angeles-based Oaktree in 1995. The firm managed $120 billion in distressed debt, private equity holdings, real estate, infrastructure and other equity assets as of Dec. 31. It has returned 78% since its initial public offering. We could see more M&A across the sector as aging founders of alternative managers seek a liquidity event and money managers bolster capabilities in alternatives, Morgan Stanley analysts led by Michael Cyprys said in a note to clients. This could increase investor perception of strategic value across the sector. The firms together will have about $475 billion of assets under management, according to Wednesdays announcement. Blackstone Group had $472 billion at year-end, according to its earnings release. Blackstone said its comparable assets figure would be more than $650 billion because its number doesnt include debt. Under the terms of the deal, Brookfield could take over full ownership of Oaktree by 2029. The companies will continue to operate independently, with each keeping its brand and led by existing management. Marks, 72, will join Brookfields board. Johnson & Johnson must pay about $29 million to a dying California woman who blamed asbestos-tainted talc for causing her cancer. The jury decision is the companys latest loss in nationwide litigation over its iconic baby powder. Jurors in state court in Oakland held J&J responsible Wednesday for Teresa Leavitts mesothelioma, a cancer linked to asbestos exposure. The panel, which included a lawyer and a state court judge, also found that the worlds largest maker of healthcare products didnt warn Leavitt that its baby powder was tainted with the carcinogen. The verdict was announced after the stock market closed. On Thursday, J&J shares fell 1% to $138.02. The stock has been under pressure over the last six months because of the growing talc litigation. The verdict is J&Js seventh trial loss over claims it hid the health risks of its baby powder for 50 years. Its the first defeat since a Missouri jury ordered the company last year to pay $4.69 billion to 22 women who blamed their cancer on the product. Advertisement J&J officials contend Superior Court Judge Brad Seligman made errors in rulings on procedure and evidence in the latest trial that should have resulted in a mistrial. We are disappointed with todays verdict and will pursue an appeal because Johnsons Baby Powder does not contain asbestos or cause cancer, Kim Montagnino, a J&J spokeswoman, said in an emailed statement. The company has had some talc-related verdicts thrown out and is appealing others. Joseph Satterley, Leavitts lawyer, said another jury has rejected the decades-long deception by Johnson & Johnson claiming that their baby powder was free of asbestos. Hundreds of internal J&J documents showed the truth that it has been hiding for years. We are proud of the jurys hard work and confident that jurors in future cases will likewise follow the science and the law, he said. J&J, which has steadfastly denied its baby powder is contaminated with asbestos, still faces more than 13,000 lawsuits claiming its 135-year-old baby powder line caused mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. Thats up from more than 11,000 as of last year. It has more than two dozen trials scheduled around the United States this year. The Oakland jury of five men and seven women ordered J&J to pay $29 million in actual damages for Leavitts injuries after finding that the companys handling of the asbestos-laced baby powder was a substantial contributing factor in her cancers development. The panel also cited J&J for failing to adequately warn about the powders potential risks. The panel found J&J responsible for 78% of Leavitts award and its consumer products unit is on the hook for 20%. Cypress Mines, one of J&Js former talc suppliers, is answerable for the remaining 2%. Imerys Talc America Inc., which also supplied talc for J&Js powder, had been named as a defendant, but was dropped from the case after seeking bankruptcy protection to avoid being swamped with talc suits. Its a unit of Paris-based Imerys. Leavitts doctors say her mesothelioma is advanced and she is not expected to live beyond 2020, according to testimony in the case. The mother of two testified that baby powder was used on her when she was a child, and she continued that practice into adulthood, sometimes as a dry shower and as foundation for her makeup. Her lawyers noted that internal J&J documents indicated officials knew since the 1970s that baby powder mined in places such as Vermont and Italy contained trace amounts of asbestos, but failed to alert consumers or regulators. Asbestos is often found intertwined with talc. Even though Leavitt stopped using baby powder two decades ago, recent tests of her lung tissue showed evidence of asbestos, an expert witness testifying for the plaintiff told jurors at one point in the trial. He said the specific type of asbestos wasnt industrial grade; if it had been, that would have indicated she was exposed to it on the job. J&Js attorneys countered that there was no credible evidence the companys baby powder caused her mesothelioma and that evidence of talc in her tissue could have come from a myriad of sources. The company has long argued that multiple studies have shown the powder to be free of the carcinogen and that plaintiffs cancers were tied to asbestos exposures at work or though building materials in homes or offices. J&J has refused to put a warning on its bottles of the powder, even though a separate California jury last year asked a judge to order it to do so. After the judge refused, that panel ordered J&J to pay a total of $27.5 million in damages to a woman who sued the company over her cancer. One juror said after Wednesdays verdict that she probably wont buy any more J&J baby powder. They knew there was asbestos in it, and for me thats the worst part because they failed to warn the consumer, said Kate Alessandri, an Oakland librarian. Another juror, Anu Agarwal, a product manager in Castro Valley, said J&J was irresponsible for failing to adequately follow up on studies that showed the presence of asbestos in its baby powder. But she added that she didnt think Leavitts lawyers proved that her cancer was the result of exposure to talc. I dont think they made a good case that J&Js Baby Powder contained a significant enough amount of asbestos contamination to cause the illness, she said. To the untrained eye, the shipping containers clustered on the outskirts of Borrego Springs dont look like an innovative clean-energy technology that could help California cope with wildfires. But these containers, in the remote desert of eastern San Diego County, are packed with lithium-ion batteries and theyre part of one of the worlds most advanced microgrids. It combines solar panels, diesel generators, energy storage and something called an ultracapacitor to power Borrego Springs, even when electricity isnt flowing through the single transmission line that connects the town to the main power grid. I believe this is the only microgrid in the world that does what this does, said Steven Prsha, an engineer for San Diego Gas & Electric Co., as he wrapped up a tour last month. The technology SDG&E is demonstrating in this rural town could serve as a lifeline to homes and businesses in fire-prone areas. Advertisement The states biggest investor-owned utilities, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. and Southern California Edison Co., are expected to de-energize power lines more frequently this year to stop them from igniting fires when the weather is dry and windy. Its one of the fastest and cheapest ways for utilities to keep wildfires from sparking. But theres an obvious downside: Whole communities can go dark for hours or even days, preventing residents from cooling homes, refrigerating food and charging phones. If a fire ignites despite the shutoff, the lack of electricity could imperil the work of first responders and complicate evacuation plans. With those concerns in mind, some energy companies are urging state officials to incentivize microgrids and smaller standalone energy systems, such as rooftop solar paired with batteries, in fire-prone communities. Those technologies, the companies say, could help keep the lights on during preemptive power shutoffs. At the same time, the typical start of Californias peak fire season is coming in June, and its not clear how much support there is among regulators or the states biggest utilities for quick action on backup power sources. In their recent wildfire plans, Edison and PG&E had little to say about microgrids and home energy systems for areas facing preemptive power shutoffs. And the California Public Utilities Commissions safety chief downplayed the potential for microgrids to make a significant difference in the immediate future. It doesnt seem like we have the technical capabilities right now to do systemwide microgrids that can withstand multiday outage events, said Elizaveta Malashenko, director of the commissions Safety and Enforcement Division. Even if thats where we end up going as a state as a long-term solution, you cant just plug in a bunch of batteries and [protect] communities in the next six months. San Diego Gas & Electric engineer Steven Prsha approaches one of several shipping containers packed with lithium-ion batteries at SDG&Es Borrego Springs microgrid. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Theres no one definition of microgrid. The term generally refers to an energy system thats either disconnected from the main grid or can be islanded from the grid to keep supplying electricity during an outage. Microgrids have typically been powered by diesel or other fossil fuels, but they increasingly combine solar power and lithium-ion batteries, especially in places such as California that prioritize clean energy. Navigant Research projects the global microgrid market will grow from $6.3 billion in 2018 to $30.9 billion by 2027. So far, microgrids have found their biggest opportunities at hospitals, universities and other institutions willing to pay a premium for backup power, as well as places where the grid isnt reliable. In Puerto Rico, for instance, microgrid installations jumped after Hurricane Maria wrecked the islands energy infrastructure. But theres growing opportunity for the technology in fire-prone California communities facing preemptive power shutoffs, said Peter Asmus, a microgrids expert at Navigant Research. Microgrids are still relatively expensive, but Asmus sees a financial case for them at fire stations, water utilities and emergency shelters. Microgrids that incorporate solar power and batteries could be especially valuable, Asmus said. Unlike diesel generators, the solar panels will never run out of fuel, and they can recharge the batteries each day. California set a goal of 100% clean energy, and now other states may follow its lead Michael Wara, a Stanford University energy expert, was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to a commission on wildfire costs and utility infrastructure. He thinks microgrids would make it easier for utilities to prevent fires by allowing them to shut down power lines without totally cutting off electricity to critical infrastructure. Take the Camp fire, which killed at least 85 people and decimated the town of Paradise. In the days leading up to the fires ignition in November, PG&E warned 70,000 customers it might shut off power in areas including Paradise. But the utility kept the power on, and it now says its infrastructure probably sparked the blaze. Installing a microgrid is not super cheap, but its feasible and can be done quickly, Wara said. If the benefits are avoiding burning down a community in Northern California, thats a pretty darn big benefit. This 26-megawatt solar farm on the outskirts of Borrego Springs, which is owned by Clearway Energy, can provide power to San Diego Gas & Electrics nearby microgrid. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Something new under the sun The technologys potential is on display in the California desert. Supported by federal and state funding, SDG&E started building the Borrego Springs microgrid in 2012, several years after a wildfire took down the towns single transmission line and knocked out power for two days. The investor-owned utility, a subsidiary of Sempra Energy, expanded the microgrid after receiving a $5-million grant from the California Energy Commission in 2015. Today, SDG&E performs a complicated dance in Borrego Springs, coordinating power flow from two diesel generators, a commercial solar farm owned by New Jersey-based Clearway Energy, 4.5 megawatt-hours worth of lithium-ion batteries and an armada of solar panels on rooftops throughout the town of 3,500 people not to mention electricity from the main power grid. SDG&E has islanded Borrego Springs during outages, tests and regular maintenance, using the microgrid as the towns sole power source for several hours at a time. SDG&E has also installed an ultracapacitor, a sort of super-powerful short-term battery designed to balance rapid shifts in supply and demand, although the utility hasnt tested it yet. The ultracapacitor was built by San Diego-based Maxwell Technologies, which Elon Musks Tesla agreed to acquire for $218 million last month. Critically, SDG&Es engineers can operate the microgrid remotely from a control center in Mission Valley, 80 miles away. The utility also partnered with the Colorado-based energy company Spirae to develop advanced microgrid control software, known as Wave, that helps synchronize all the moving pieces. Jose Cardenas, an engineer with SDG&E, shows the interior of one of several shipping containers packed with lithium-ion batteries at the utilitys microgrid in Borrego Springs. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) The San Diego utility is still working through some challenges. The company was able to island the town using the microgrid for 4 hours during a planned outage in May, operating the system remotely and keeping the town fully powered with the batteries, diesel generators and Wave software. But a more ambitious test involving the 26-megawatt solar farm didnt go according to plan, lasting just two minutes. The diesel generators are the workhorses of the microgrid, said Mike Schneider, SDG&Es vice president of clean transportation and asset management. He expects that to change as energy storage gets cheaper and SDG&E adds more batteries. We want to move toward a carbon-free solution, Schneider said. Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have studied the microgrids capabilities. They say the technology and software being proved out in the desert could benefit Californias more fire-prone areas. SDG&E turns in its wildfire plan for 2019 and its different than other power companies in California The federally funded research lab, which is based in Golden, Colo., has conducted simulations of how the microgrid and its advanced control software might function during different scenarios. The lessons derived from that research could ultimately be used to help microgrids island from the main power grid in areas threatened by wildfires, either during a preemptive power shutoff or during an outage caused by an actual fire. The research problems are complex, said Martha Symko-Davies, NRELs laboratory program manager for Energy Systems Integration. But in Borrego Springs, she said, we havent seen any showstoppers. The town of Borrego Springs, in the remote desert of eastern San Diego County, is home to a microgrid facility operated by SDG&E. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) This is a clear and present danger California policymakers have made it clear they want more microgrids. Last year, the Legislature passed a bill written by state Sen. Henry Stern (D-Canoga Park) that directs regulators and utilities to facilitate the commercialization of microgrids that use clean energy. Separately, the California Energy Commission recently awarded $50 million to microgrid demonstration projects. Some companies say the state should more aggressively support microgrids and other decentralized energy resources, including rooftop solar and storage especially in areas facing preemptive power shutoffs. Theres a lot of focus on what are we going to ultimately do [to prevent wildfires], and not a lot of focus on what are we going to do this summer, said Tim Hade, a co-founder of Scale Microgrid Solutions. When youre taking mortar fire, thats not the right time to have a strategic conversation about how to prevent mortar fire in the future. Youve got to do something now, because this is a clear and present danger. A million California buildings face wildfire risk. Extraordinary steps are needed to protect them San Francisco-based Sunrun, one of the countrys largest rooftop solar and battery installers, has encouraged the California Public Utilities Commission to focus on areas facing preemptive power shutoffs as it distributes energy storage incentive funding. The solar-plus-storage systems sold by Sunrun and other firms arent exactly microgrids some people call them nanogrids but they can help homes and businesses keep the lights on during power shutoffs, at least for a few hours each day. Solar plus storage isnt cheap. But Anne Hoskins, Sunruns chief policy officer, said Californians are already paying the costs of wildfire damage, and will pay more as utilities ramp up their spending to prevent fires. Customers are going to be facing really significant rate increases, Hoskins said. Its really a question of whats the best approach, and to try to take a little bit of a longer view. SDG&E engineer Steven Prsha walks past a substation next door to the utilitys microgrid in Borrego Springs, in the desert of eastern San Diego County. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Preventing the power grid from igniting fires is a major focus for the Public Utilities Commission. Malashenko, director of the commissions Safety and Enforcement Division, described microgrids and home solar-plus-storage systems as a tool in the portfolio of tools for strengthening communities against fires. A key question, she said, is how useful those tools will be in the long term. State officials hope preemptive power shutoffs will become increasingly rare as utilities take other steps to make the power grid safer. It would be good to be in a place where proactive power shutoff is not necessary, Malashenko said. The utilities commission is looking for ways to minimize the negative effects of Public Safety Power Shutoffs, as preemptive de-energizations are known. While microgrids and home solar-plus-storage systems are part of the conversation, its not clear how quickly they could be rolled out on a large scale, Malashenko said. Its not as simple as rolling in a bunch of generation and battery storage and plugging it in, she said. Starting in 2020, all new homes in California must come with solar panels. Builders are getting ready Edison doesnt mention microgrids in its wildfire mitigation plan, although it says it will consider requests to provide temporary mobile backup generation to local governments and first responders during an extended outage. Asked about microgrids and wildfires, the company said it is evaluating microgrid technologies and working on new protocols for hooking up microgrids to the main grid, as required by state Sen. Sterns legislation. PG&E is working on a resilience zone pilot project in the Napa County town of Angwin, where preemptive power shutoffs could occur. In its wildfire mitigation plan, PG&E says it is working with Pacific Union College to build infrastructure, before June 1, that would allow the company to quickly and safely connect temporary mobile generation to power the fire station, gas station and student housing. The utility is also developing a microgrid demonstration project in Arcata, and is exploring microgrids as an opportunity to quickly and safely provide electric power to areas where a Public Safety Power Shutoff has been initiated or key electric power lines are out of service, PG&E spokeswoman Lynsey Paulo said in an email. An up-close view of the ultracapacitor at SDG&Es Borrego Springs microgrid. The ultracapacitor was built by San Diego-based Maxwell Technologies, which Tesla recently agreed to acquire for $218 million. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) sammy.roth@latimes.com Twitter: @Sammy_Roth Lawmakers scolded Wells Fargo & Co. Chief Executive Tim Sloan for hours Tuesday, telling him the bank had not done enough to rehabilitate itself after years of scandals about its allegedly abusive practices toward customers. Some called for Sloan to be fired. The next day, the banks board of directors gave Sloan a 5% raise, increasing his total compensation to $18.4 million. Of that, $2 million is an annual incentive award that is, a bonus. Sloans pay is now 283 times the median pay of the banks more than 200,000 employees. The bonus was based on Wells Fargos financial performance and Sloans continued leadership on the companys top priority of rebuilding trust, Wells Fargo said in its annual letter to shareholders. The companys stock price fell 27% last year in a tough market, but its yearly profit rose to $22.4 billion, up from $22.2 billion in 2017, and the companys board noted that Sloan had led a massive stock buyback program. Advertisement Would have loved to ask questions about this, Rep. Katie Porter (D-Irvine) said on Twitter of Sloans pay raise. Porter had questioned the sincerity of Wells Fargos efforts to reform itself during Tuesdays hearing. Wells Fargo CEO Tim Sloans message of contrition and improvement draws bipartisan rebuke Despite his raise, Sloan still earns less than many of his competitors. JPMorgan Chase & Co. CEO Jamie Dimon earned $31 million last year after the bank reported record profits. Bank of America Corp.s Brian Moynihan received a 15% raise to $26.5 million. Michael Corbat of Citigroup Inc. earned $24 million last year. The industry has been enjoying what Dimon has called a golden age. Regulators have begun loosening tough rules put in place after the global crisis, and the corporate tax cut has helped boost profits to record levels. Wells Fargo has weathered sustained backlash from its admission two years ago that it had opened millions of accounts in customers names without those customers knowledge or consent, and from more recently saying it had mistakenly foreclosed on hundreds of customers and improperly repossessed thousands of cars. Sloan, who has been at Wells Fargo for more than 30 years, has spent years apologizing for the banks bad behavior and attempting to rebuild its reputation with customers, regulators and lawmakers. But the company still faces a lot of skeptics. The Federal Reserve has banned the bank, which has nearly $2 trillion in assets, from growing any bigger until it reforms itself. The Office of Comptroller of the Currency, another big regulator, has said it was disappointed by Wells Fargos rehabilitation efforts. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a presidential hopeful, has led an effort calling for Sloan to be fired. Rep. Maxine Waters on Thursday called for the firing of Wells Fargo & Co. Chief Executive Tim Sloan after the bank reported his pay increased last year by nearly $1 million despite continued consumer scandals. The 4.9% increase in total compensation in 2018, to $18.4 million, included a $2-million bonus, Wells Fargo said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday. Sloan earned $2.4-million base pay both years. He did not receive a bonus in 2017, but received more in stock, pension and other awards to bring his overall compensation to $17.6 million. The filing came a day after Sloan faced bipartisan anger about what Waters (D-Los Angeles) called the banks ongoing lawlessness during a hearing by the House Financial Services Committee, which the Los Angeles Democrat chairs. After the hearing, Waters suggested that regulators remove Sloan. Advertisement But Waters went a step further on Thursday. She called Sloans pay increase outrageous and wholly inappropriate, particularly because the bank was hit last year with an unprecedented regulatory cap on its growth because of its history of consumer abuses. Mr. Sloan shouldnt be getting a bonus, he should be shown the door, Waters said in a written statement. She joins Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in calling for Sloans removal. Warren, the Democratic presidential candidate, has pushed for his firing since 2017. I could go on but I don't need to: its clear that Tim Sloan isn't the right person to try to clean up @WellsFargo. His hands are too dirty from overseeing years of scams and scandals. Thats not just an informed opinion. Thats a fact. Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) January 28, 2019 Waters was not happy with Sloans performance during the four-hour hearing and concluded it by promising to reintroduce legislation that would direct regulators to downsize or even shut down banks with a pattern of violating consumer protection laws. It was very clear from Mr. Sloans testimony that Wells Fargo has failed to clean up its act, Waters reiterated Thursday. Maxine Waters wields gavel on powerful committee, but freshmen could make it challenging She noted that after the hearing, one of the banks regulators, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, took the unusual step of publicly declaring disappointment with Wells Fargos performance under consent orders designed to improve its operations and the banks inability to execute effective corporate governance. A Wells Fargo spokesman declined to comment. The Los Angeles Times first reported Wells Fargos high-pressure sales practices in 2013. Three years later, the bank acknowledged that its employees had opened millions of checking, savings and credit card accounts that customers never authorized. Sloan was promoted to chief executive shortly after the scandal exploded in 2016. He replaced John Stumpf, who retired in the wake of the controversy. Wells Fargo has paid about $4 billion in settlements with regulators and plaintiffs who have brought private lawsuits over the unauthorized accounts and other problems. Last year, Federal Reserve regulators ordered the bank to cap its growth until it could show it had improved its corporate governance. Sloan has said he expected the cap to remain in place through this year. On Monday, a report from the Committee for Better Banks, an advocacy group that includes some current and former Wells Fargo employees, said the bank has not fixed its culture of fear and intimidation. Wells Fargo announced in 2017 that it was overhauling the incentive compensation system that was at the root of the unauthorized-accounts scandal. But the report said new customer-unfriendly sales incentives have been put in place. An artist exploring the concept of home and the immigrant experience, a performance artist who made his name exploring the AIDS epidemic and a textile artist who tackles the complexities of being black and queer in the U.S. these three have been selected for Artadias 2019 Los Angeles Awards. Artists Carmen Argote and Ron Athey each will receive $10,000 in unrestricted funds, the national nonprofit announced Thursday. And as the inaugural Marciano Artadia Award winner, Diedrick Brackens will receive $25,000 in unrestricted funding. The annual prize is open to visual artists at any stage of their career who have lived in Los Angeles County for more than two years. A panel of jurors including Erin Christovale, assistant curator at the Hammer Museum, and Anna Katz, associate curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art, selected this years awardees. The other finalists for the prizes were artists Eddie Aparicio, Gelare Khoshgozaran and Jennifer Moon. ARCHIVE: Ron Athey on the solar eclipse and his exhibit at the Broad Advertisement Ron Athey stands for a portrait in his apartment in Silver Lake. (Claire Hannah Collins / Los Angeles Times) ARCHIVE: The Hammer biennial is the right show for disturbing times Christovale noted in a statement that the three awardees exemplified creativity in Los Angeles. I appreciate how thoughtful and incredibly dedicated they are to their crafts, she said, and how labor-intensive their respective practices are. Philanthropists and art collectors founded Artadia in 1997 as a response to the National Endowment for the Arts elimination of grants to individual artists. Since 1999, the nonprofit has awarded over $5 million to more than 325 artists in Atlanta, Chicago, New York and other cities. Past L.A. winners include performance artist EJ Hill (2018), video artist Kahlil Joseph (2017) and mixed-media artist Kerry Tribe (2013). When Klaus Biesenbach took over as director of Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art in October, he was immediately intrigued by some of the architectural details of the museums Grand Avenue building. There is the ticket office, a cube wrapped in aluminum panels rendered in forest green. The barrel vault, containing a library, that hovers on a pair of pillars clad in red Indian sandstone. And there are the skylights 11 of them, in various scales all prominently rendered as glass pyramids on the roof. These stripped-down geometric forms, Biesenbach says, remind him of minimal works by artists featured in MOCAs galleries. He points to a row of color printouts spread out across the floor of his MOCA office. One image reveals Roni Horns cast-glass cylinders. Another shows an early geometric structure made of reflective glass by Dan Graham. For the record: An earlier version of this article stated that aspects of the Museum of Contemporary Art building reminded director Klaus Biesenbach of work by artists he had worked with in Berlin. He actually said the buildings shapes reminded him of work by some of the artists featured in MOCAs galleries. It was an immediate dialogue with the artists Ive worked with, he says of the building designed by Japanese Postmodern architect Arata Isozaki. So he picked up his cell phone and began taking pictures. I felt [Isozaki] is so clear about these simple geometric shapes. There is clarity. Advertisement At his first meeting with MOCAs board last fall, he did an informal slide presentation on the buildings design, a little photo essay of every circle and cylinder, the triangles, the squares, the cube. Everyone said, Do you like the building? he recalls, conveying the surprised tone with which his presentation was received. I said, This is such an important piece of architecture, we need to let it shine. ALSO: Arata Isozaki, the Japanese architect who designed MOCA, wins the 2019 Pritzker Prize MOCA director Klaus Biesenbach, in his office, is working on restoring the pyramidal skylights to their original state. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) Biesenbachs high opinions of MOCA Grand, a building that is respected, if not necessarily beloved, by Angelenos, got a significant boost last week when it was announced that the 2019 Pritzker Architecture Prize would go to Isozaki, who is now based in Okinawa. In its citation, the Pritzker jury described Isozakis work as a search for meaningful architecture, in which he created buildings of great quality that to this day defy categorizations. The announcement was a happy coincidence for Biesenbach. The director recently did away with a program established by his predecessor that wrapped the structures facade in images of art. (A practice that only served to obscure the buildings profile.) In addition, Biesenbach presented a plan to the museums trustees in January to restore one of the buildings original design elements: the skylights. Over the years, Isozakis glass pyramids have been covered up to prevent sunlight from damaging works of art. It was a good move for delicate drawings and nearly century-old canvases, but its had the effect of divorcing the museum, much of which is huddled below grade, from the outdoors in the process, erasing one of the buildings most attractive qualities. The covered skylights at MOCA. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) In an early review of MOCA, critic Jed Perl described the light in the galleries as beatific, serene. Today, the museum is illuminated by less inspiring artificial spotlights. Since the museums opening, more sophisticated technologies for managing light have made it possible to consider uncovering the skylights without damaging the collection. Currently, the museum is conducting a light study with the support of trustee Marina Kellen French to see what methods might be deployed, including scrims that automatically fall into place if the sun gets too intense. Biesenbach hopes to put the recommendations into action at some point this year. (Houstons Rothko Chapel, which displays 14 large-scale canvases by the late Abstract Expressionist Mark Rothko in a gallery capped by a skylight, is in the midst of a similar exercise.) There are other elements to the plan too. Biesenbach doesnt just want the skylights to draw light into the museum; he wants them to emit it as well. We want to light them at night, he says. Isozaki envisioned them as beacons. The mechanics for this were installed in the skylights as part of their original design. They simply need to be unearthed. It is, Biesenbach says, a lot of uncovering. Strings attached Isozakis Pritzker win, along with Biesenbachs tweaks to the architecture, is certain to stir debate about the legacy of a building whose submerged public profile has been vastly overshadowed in the last 15-plus years by the arrival of splashy new structures on Grand Avenue. Among them: Frank Gehrys ebullient Disney Hall to the north in 2003, and Diller Scofidio + Renfros honeycomb Broad museum across the street in 2015 the latter of which is often described as the cheese grater. When it opened its doors in 1986 with an exhibition titled Individuals, MOCA joined Welton Beckets 60s-era Music Center as the only other cultural player on what was then a denuded Bunker Hill. The museums immediate neighbors to the north (the Colburn School) and east (the Omni Hotel) had yet to be built. In its earliest days, the museum felt more prominent a 98,000-square foot Postmodern mirage. An illustrated rendering by Arata Isozaki of his design for MOCA Grand. (MOCA) Philip Johnsons AT&T Building has always been vain, idiosyncratic and flawed. Lets keep it that way MOCAs design was generally well-received by critics. The Times William Wilson described the structure as a self-evident architectural masterpiece. In the New York Times, critic Joseph Giovannini waxed rhapsodic about the clarity and purity of the ways in which Isozaki arranged his geometric forms. Paul Goldberger, the Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic who was then at the New York Times, was generally pleased with the building, commenting on the spectacular profile of the pyramidal skylights and the sensuous air of the Indian sandstone. He was less impressed, however, with Isozakis approach to the galleries, which require descending down a flight of steps from the ticket office on Grand Avenue. There is something disquieting about going down rather than up to enter a building that aspires to a certain monumental presence, he wrote. It feels a bit like going into a basement to view art, even if the basement is as grandly conceived and as handsomely detailed as this one. Its a common critique of the building. David Gebhard and Robert Winter, in their Architectural Guidebook to Los Angeles, sing the praises of the buildings design, but note that the layout of the the museum seems a bit strange. The public galleries are approached down a flight of stairs From the street, these stairs are hardly apparent. Much of this had to do with the museums infamously complicated site: a steep patch of Bunker Hill real estate that abuts the double-decker Grand Avenue. In addition, the museum rests on top of a parking structure to which Isozaki had to conform his column grid. The view up towards MOCAs barrel vaulted library from the museums sunken patio entrance. (Carolina A. Miranda / Los Angeles Times) After months of turmoil, Museum of Contemporary Art gets a new director with ties to New Yorks famed MoMA As with most things real estate in L.A., the less-than-ideal location came as a result of wheeling and dealing between the city, a state community redevelopment agency and the developers who were looking to turn a moribund patch of Grand Avenue into an 11-acre, $1.2 billion commercial center called California Plaza. By carving out space for MOCA, and contributing $20 million to construction costs, the developers could fulfill their percent-for-art requirement voila, a museum. But no gift comes without strings attached. In addition to the difficult terrain, all kinds of restrictions were put on Isozakis design for the museum: MOCA couldnt grow too tall, lest it block the commercial towers that were soon to spring up, nor could it block pedestrian access to the plaza from Grand Avenue. Isozaki, therefore, was given the impossible task of making a building that was really a non-building something that wouldnt get in the way but that would still be a great place to see art. (L.A. seems to have a knack for selecting the most inhospitable sites for its important art institutions: The Los Angeles County Museum keeps its objets next to the tar pits; the Hammer Museum occupies a portion of a petroleum office tower; the Getty Center sits on top of a mountain.) Architect Arata Isozaki in 2013. (Kyodo News via AP) Village or bunker? Isozakis response to the myriad demands put forth by developers was to sink much of the museum below street level. Once the skyscrapers were built, he once noted, MOCAs roofline, with its jagged pyramid shapes would function as a village in a valley of skyscrapers. On the northern end, the administrative offices and their barrel vault arm emerge several stories above the street and face a small public plaza that allows access to the rest of the California Plaza development. Unfortunately, Isozaki underestimated the visual clutter that would one day rise around museum and obscure it. The main entrance, under the barrel vault, feels reticent, facing away from the street rather than toward it a problem that has evaded solution no matter how much signage MOCA throws up around it. And the staircase that descends into the galleries is blocked from passing pedestrian view by a wall. Like many 1980s structures on Bunker Hill, MOCA lives up to the name of bunker. The barrel vaulted trustees board room at MOCA Grand. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) ALSO: At MOCA Geffen, Barbara Kruger reprises mural that asks Who is beyond the law? In addition, the museum has never quite figured out what to do with its rather barren plaza, which offers little in the way of shelter or engagement an issue that Biesenbach would also like to tackle. But something about the procession down into and through the museum are elements that nonetheless retain their power. The descent down the steps into the galleries offers a gradual disconnection from the hubbub of the street, putting visitors in a meditative state by the time they see their first Giacometti. Biesenbach says that once the skylights have been uncovered, the experience of descending into the museum will feel like slipping into a a sunken pool, filled with light. In the wake of the opening of the Broad museum across the street, a place in which sidewalk and lobby all seem to be part of a single raucous, selfie-station, Isozakis contemplative descent is a quieting tool I have come to deeply appreciate. A rendering by Arata Isozaki of Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art. (MOCA) This is such an important piece of architecture; we need to let it shine. Klaus Biesenbach, director, MOCA The conversation about the MOCA building comes at a critical time for the museum with yet another leader planning its future but also for Postmodernism. The architectural style, with its clever historical references and its playful attitude towards form and material, is not widely beloved. In recent years, important works of Postmodern architecture have come under threat: Michael Graves Portland Municipal Services Building in Oregon was in danger of being demolished (it is being renovated instead), while Philip Johnsons AT&T building in Manhattan was almost deracinated by a proposed makeover that would have punctured the solid granite facade with a glassy, Apple store look. (The developer and architect have since pared back their redesign plans.) MOCA Grand offers an interesting case study in Postmodernism (and a wild lesson in L.A. development history). It also serves as a somewhat curious architectural anomaly: A structure of unfinished sandstone in a commercial development composed largely of gleaming glass and polished granite. A building that sinks down instead of towering up. A little bit of wry Postmodernism in a buttoned-up late Modern complex that feels like someone slipped an asymmetrical, geometric-print shirt from the 80s underneath a beige, double-breasted suit. When the Pritzker Prize was announced, Zachary Kaplan, who oversees the digital art organization Rhizome, which is affiliated with New Yorks New Museum, tweeted that his first job ever had been at MOCA Grand. What can I say, he wrote of the building. It taught me it was okay to be weird. For an art museum, that can only be a good thing. More views of Arata Isozakis MOCA building The Museum of Contemporary Art as seen from Grand Avenue. (Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times) A view of one of the pyramid skylights at MOCA Grand. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) In 2016, MOCAs Grand Avenue building was covered in a facade by artist Jonas Wood. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times) A 1996 view of MOCAs below-street courtyard in where a cafe shares the space with the museum entrance. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) A view of MOCA Grand in downtown Los Angeles from above. Much of the museum sits below grade. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) Sign up for our weekly Essential Arts & Culture newsletter carolina.miranda@latimes.com | Twitter: @cmonstah Looking to get you out of the house after all that rain? May we suggest pianist Yuja Wang with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, a new edition of the Block Party festival at the Kirk Douglas Theatre and the return of the national musical tour of Aladdin. The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields tunes up in Santa Monica, Ragtime: The Musical closes in Pasadena, two different works inspired by Greek tragedies go up at the Getty Villa and the Theatre at Ace Hotel, and theres a free Iranian New Year celebration Sunday at UCLA. The devils in the details Pianist Yuja Wang reunites with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the world premiere of John Adams new piano concerto, Must the Devil Have All the Good Tunes? If thats not enough, the program also includes Mahlers Symphony No. 1. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $87-$258. laphil.com Block Party gets rolling Center Theatre Groups third annual Block Party series reviving small-theater productions kicks off with a remount of Theatre of Notes For the Love Of (Or, the Roller Derby Play), Gina Femias comedy-drama about young women in a high-impact sport. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. 8 p.m. Saturday, 6:30 p.m. Sunday; other dates through April 8. $25-$72; series passes available. centertheatregroup.org A remount of Theatre of Notes For the Love Of (Or, the Roller Derby Play) is the first offering at this years Block Party festival at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. (Darrett Sanders) Advertisement Magic carpet ride Aladdin, Genie, Princess Jasmine and the evil Jafar are all back on the boards in the national tour of Disneys Aladdin. The hit stage adaptation of the 1992 animated musical makes another swing through Southern California, this time at Segerstrom Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday; other dates through March 23. $26.50 and up. scfta.org Lissa deGuzman and Clinton Greenspan costar in the national tour of Disneys Aladdin at Segerstrom Center. (Deen van Meer) Outstanding in their field The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, the acclaimed chamber orchestra led by violin virtuoso Joshua Bell, offers a varied program that includes Haydns Symphony No. 44 and Brittens Young Apollo, plus Mozarts Piano Concerto No. 12 featuring pianist Jeremy Denk. Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. $89 and up. thebroadstage.org The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields will perform at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica on Saturday. (Upstream Photography) Tragedies retold The Theater Lab Series at the Getty Villa presents workshop performances of choreographer and UCLA professor Lionel Popkins new multimedia-enhanced, mythologically informed performance piece, The Oedipus/Antigone Project. Getty Villa, 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades. 7:30 p.m. Friday, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. $7. getty.edu Speaking of Antigone, Sophocles ancient Greek tragedy serves as the inspiration for Carrie Mae Weems Past Tense. This multidisciplinary exploration of violence, gender politics and identity by the noted contemporary artist gets its West Coast premiere courtesy of the Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA. Theatre at Ace Hotel, 929 S. Broadway, L.A. 8 p.m. Friday. $29-$69. www.cap.ucla.edu A projected image that will be part of Past Tense, artist Carrie Mae Weems theatrical exploration of violence, gender politics. (William Strugs) Ringing down the curtain on Ragtime The Pasadena Playhouse production of Ragtime: The Musical, the stage adaptation of E.L. Doctorows novel about life in early 20th century America, ends its extended run. An L.A. Times Critics Choice. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday. $25 and up. pasadenaplayhouse.org A revival of the musical Ragtime closes this weekend at the Pasadena Playhouse. (Nick Agro) Out with the old, in with the new Celebrate Iranian New Year with the return of the Nowruz Festival. The 11th edition of this family-friendly get-together will include live music, puppetry and folk tales, a parade featuring traditional costumes and performances by Djanbazian Dance Company, Firuze Dance Company and others. Dickson Court, UCLA, 10745 Dickson Court, Westwood. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Free. farhang.org Actor Jussie Smollett pleaded not guilty Thursday to 16 counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly lying to investigators about being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack. The 36-year-old Empire star walked confidently into the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago, where Cook County Circuit Court Judge Steven Watkins was assigned to preside over the attention-grabbing case. He wore aviator sunglasses and a blue suit, and kept his head held high. He was accompanied by attorney Tina Glandian and an entourage. Glandian entered the plea on his behalf. Smolletts next court date was scheduled for April 17, according to the Associated Press. Smollett will be allowed to travel to New York and Los Angeles, where his attorneys are based, without asking court permission, but he must notify pre-trial services before leaving the state, CBS Chicago reported. L.A.-based celebrity attorney Mark Geragos joined Smolletts legal team in recent weeks. Advertisement FULL COVERAGE: The Jussie Smollett story JUSSIE SMOLLETT IN COURT: #JussieSmollett arrives at a courthouse in Chicago, to enter his plea over charges accusing him of lying to the police about being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack. pic.twitter.com/l2MNs4H6dp The Associated Press (@AP) March 14, 2019 Smollett was indicted on Friday by a Cook County grand jury in relation to a Jan. 29 incident that law enforcement officials believe the Empire actor orchestrated because he was dissatisfied with his pay on the Fox series and to advance his career. Smollett has denied staging the alleged attack in Streeterville, and he made a surprise appearance at a court hearing on Tuesday to show confidence in his innocence, his representative told NBC News. A judge at that hearing ruled that cameras would be allowed in the courtroom on Thursday. In January, the actor, who is black and gay, told police that he was the victim of a racial and homophobic hate crime. He said that two men hurled slurs at him, beat him up, threw bleach on him and put a noose around his neck. As his story went viral, Smollett appeared to ride the wave of attention during a sold-out Los Angeles concert and a now-infamous interview with Good Morning Americas Robin Roberts. A timeline of how the Jussie Smollett case unfolded Jussie Smolletts booking photo from his Feb. 21 arrest. (Chicago Police Department) But his narrative has been repeatedly called into question, and the investigation abruptly shifted last month following testimony from two brothers who became persons of interest in the case. Smollett surrendered to authorities on Feb. 21 after the brothers, Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, who said they were hired by Smollett to carry out the attack, provided Chicago Police with evidence and testimony that investigators said implicated the actor. The Nigerian American brothers have said they have tremendous regret over their involvement in this situation. They do not face any charges. Prosecutors initially charged Smollett with a single felony count at the time and he was released from Cook County Jail after a friend posted a $100,000 bond. Cook County States Atty. Kim Foxx has recused herself from the case and has asked for it to be turned over to the FBI, according to local reports. Empire returned for its midseason premiere on Wednesday, debuting the first of Season 5s nine remaining episodes. Smollett will still feature in seven of them but was written off of the final two episodes due to his case. Twitter: @NardineSaad The Sunken Place was just the beginning. In Us, the monsters Jordan Peele wants his audience to confront are right there in the mirror glaring straight back. While our fractured America remains under the metaphorical microscope of the Oscar-winning Get Out auteur, his aim has only grown more complex and ambitious in his second directorial effort. When Us opens March 22, its guaranteed to leave audiences with a few burning questions, the hip-hop classic I Got 5 On It ringing in their ears, and a healthy fear of scissors. Oscar-winner Lupita Nyongo stars as Adelaide Wilson, a woman whose Santa Cruz vacay with husband Gabe (Winston Duke), teenage daughter Zora (Shahadi Wright Joseph) and young son Jason (Evan Alex) is interrupted when a quartet of deranged doppelgangers appear one night in their driveway. The shadow family is led by Adelaides twisted double a woman known as Red and she has a plan. Mayhem is unleashed, along with Peeles signature humor and deftly orchestrated chills and thrills. The cast delivers stunning dual performances as both their primary characters and their malicious mirror-image counterparts, known as the Tethered, who sport red jumpsuits and a single glove. Advertisement Tim Heidecker and Elisabeth Moss are also on board as well-to-do white friends of the Wilsons, but the film avoids the sort of specific examinations of race that might be expected of Peeles Get Out encore in search of more internal and wide-reaching targets. Where Get Out interrogated a kind of racism that hides in plain sight within liberal America, Us is not a movie about race but it is, to me, about filling in another gap in representation, says Peele, and that is this idea that I havent seen a horror movie about a black family. Debuting Us to a rapturous reception and rave reviews last week on opening night of the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas, the feeling was electric, Peele said a few days later in Los Angeles, still excited by the early forming discussions around the film. I felt like peoples eyes and ears were open and ready to receive this film, and there are so many ways this movie is designed to be challenging. Jordan Peele directs a new horror tale about one family terrorizing another in Us, which stars Lupita Nyongo and Winston Duke. Two years ago, Get Out made a similar splash as a surprise midnight screening at Sundance, premiering to a wave of positive reactions before riding that buzz all the way to four Oscar nominations and an original screenplay win for Peele. Joined by Nyongo and Duke at the London West Hollywood, Peele explained how the seeds of Us took root when he was finishing Get Out, unable to ignore the post-election division he was seeing all across America. I think [Us] is more than a political movie, said Peele, but in the post-Trump era, the finger-pointing in this country was turned up to a whole different notch whether its the finger-pointing at the outsider, the mysterious invader, or the finger-pointing at other Americans who voted a different way. The feeling that we all feel we are the good guy in our own story prevents us from facing our demons, he continued. I wanted to make a movie that allows everybody to face their demons, in whatever faction you want to put this movie through the prism of. But as a starting point ... the United States and our xenophobia was the front and center idea to grapple with. Although primarily set in the present day, Us opens at a beachside boardwalk carnival circa 1986, and cultural landmarks of that era reverberate throughout the film. [Its] a time that held a great duality for me, said Peele, who makes references early on in his film to Thriller and Michael Jackson a person with a great duality attached as well. (Peeles film arrives in theaters a few weeks after HBOs incendiary documentary Leaving Neverland, which he has not yet seen. Apparently, I must, he said with a nod.) Its no mistake, its no coincidence, that the Tethered are wearing red and have one glove, either, he said. We address a few of the phenomena that were happening at that time. For me, growing up, it was a very confusing time. Jordan Peele reveals the secrets of Us at South by Southwest The Wilson family doppelgangers (from left), Abraham (Winston Duke), Umbrae (Shahadi Wright Joseph), Pluto (Evan Alex) and Red (Lupita Nyongo) in Us. (Claudette Barius / Universal Pictures) The duality that a young Peele saw in Thriller-era Jackson was the superstar and the monster, he said. But you talk about things like Hands Across America and even the Challenger disaster, Peele says of the Reagan years, and there was this kind of almost Stepford-creepy sense of American hope that we can do anything as long as we just hold our hands together, that we can reach the moon if we want. And theres a very dark side of that which I still feel. All of that imagery, Michael Jackson included, is about the duality of that time. While working on the screenplay for Us he ran into Nyongo, who won her Oscar for 12 Years a Slave and starred in last years blockbuster Black Panther, at an event and told her he was writing something with her in mind. Later, they dove deep into the script during a long phone conversation. She started asking really good questions, questions that I didnt have answers for, he said, so the discussion immediately challenged me. [That] was one more piece of excitement for me because your fear as a director comes from, What happens when I get to that thing I dont know the answer to? And when we got to those points, beautiful realizations came from it. In addition to analyzing the themes, motifs and references Peele planned to employ in Us including the charitable stunt Hands Across America, white rabbits and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk made famous in the 80s classic The Lost Boys his stars did their cinematic research to become more fluent in a previously unfamiliar world: horror movies. Special report: The age of horror (2017) I wanted to be able to talk to these guys the way I can talk to my horror fan buds, super nerds, about horror movies. And part of it is just having these reference points and being able to go, You know how in that one movie, that happened? This is kind of like that, but different, said Peele. Among those film references: Kenneth Branaghs Dead Again, Alfred Hitchcocks The Birds, the sci-fi classic Alien, the Korean psychological horror A Tale of Two Sisters, and Mirror Image, a chilling episode of Rod Serlings The Twilight Zone, the spooky sci-fi anthology series Peele is rebooting for CBS All Access this April. But there was also mischief to Peeles method: Lupita was very clear that she was very scared of horror movies, and that to me was like, Mwahahahaha! Nyongo agreed. I didnt think about that aspect when I said yes to his film, she said. I was like, Give me some films to watch and he sent me this list. With the last one, he wrote: Enter at your own risk. It was Martyrs, she said of the ultra-violent 2008 French horror film. There was a slow progression it started with Dead Again, which I was like, OK ; Let the Right One In quite romantic. And then it just kept getting more and more dark and horrific. By the time I watched Martyrs, I tried to watch it early at night, so I asked my friend to come over at 7 and we were done by 9:30, and I was so shaken. Then he said, OK, see you. And I just started crying, Please dont go. And he had to stay for like another two hours. Its also very fun, interesting and informative for me to understand what specifically makes these guys afraid, said Peele. With Lupita, I found that things that have her questioning her own sanity is the sweet spot. Accurate, she answered. Duke, who previously worked with Nyongo on his debut film, Black Panther, had a different relationship with the genre. I didnt have any experience with it other than, like, watching It or Critters as a kid, he said. I was like, There are no black people in here. Or, They die quick. Theyre the first sacrifices to the genre, so theres not really anything that gives us a chance to show ourselves, so I had a weird, distant relationship with horror. Peele turned to Duke. I had you experience one of my worst fears, which is an open body of water at night. Yeah, that wasnt fun, Duke said with a laugh. Its rare to feel completely dropped in and living in your purpose, he said. The film is attached to everything that Ive identified for myself as the kind of artist I want to be in the world. I want my work to have a social justice footprint. This is a social justice burying-your-whole-body-in-the-sand. He turned to Peele. One of my favorite things about your movies is that they are essentially reframing and redefining things. With our movie, we interrogate what power and convenience and privilege actually look like and how violent it actually is, whether youre intentionally participating in it, or if youre just like Zora and clicking and swiping [on a smartphone] but not thinking about arms or legs being cut off overseas to get you the parts and minerals to get you these phones that you buy. Review: The evil is Us in Jordan Peeles smart, relentlessly scary follow-up to Get Out Lupita Nyongo as Adelaide, with Evan Alex as Jason and Shahadi Wright Joseph as Zora. (Claudette Barius / Universal Pictures) Its a re-imagination of violence: What does violence really look like? Whos actually being violent? The people with the scissors the actual weapons or the people with the toys who are blind to it? Which culture is actually more violent? Both Duke and Nyongo speak of the psychological impact of the demanding shoot, which required the actors to flip between their main characters and their Tethered counterparts, sometimes in the span of the same filming day. For a key moment in the final act, Nyongo spent 16 hours a day staging a challenging stunt sequence. The actress has been earning early acclaim for her gut-wrenching dual performance as Adelaide and Red, probing deeply into both characters to craft different movements, accents and mannerisms that distinguish them as wholly disparate women. She rooted the Adelaide character in the spatial awareness of a former ballet dancer, as Peele had written her in the script, and gave Reds movements an unpredictable and uncannily cockroach-like scurry. Even more challenging was locating equal empathy within herself to bring both characters to life. This story is very much about Adelaide, but its also very much about Red; theyre both heroes of their own stories, she said. So it was about making sure I approached them with that commitment and it was a challenge, to have to advocate for two diametrically opposed sides, but its also the thing that made me grow the most as an artist. To find Reds voice a haunting, halted cadence that escapes from her throat Nyongo was inspired by a neurological voice disorder she researched and developed for her character. I was actually inspired by the condition spasmodic dysphonia, which is a condition that is caused by trauma, Nyongo said of her painstaking process of research and vocal training. Sometimes, it can be physical, sometimes it can be emotional or even spiritual; its inexplicable sometimes how people end up with this condition but it results in your vocal chords involuntarily spasming and creating an irregular flow of air. The mood when these guys were in the bad it was just crazy how the atmosphere in the room on set would shift. Jordan Peele A couple weeks before shooting, she pulls me into a room and shows me the voice for the first time, and it really was like nothing Id ever heard in film, said Peele. The mood when these guys were in the bad it was just crazy how the atmosphere in the room on set would shift. And these guys were in it, by the way. They were not budging from their characters. It was particularly hard to wait in [the character of] Red, said Nyongo. Because there is a very isolated quality to the Red world. On set, she says, people would avoid making eye contact with the actress when she was in her Tethered character. Everybody whispered around me, which I really liked. Only Peele was brave enough to come visit her on set while she was in the bad place. Shed be standing in the corner, just terrifying, he joked. As Red reflected the darkest counterparts to Adelaides seemingly idyllic life, so too did Dukes Tethered persona, the imposing and brutal Abraham, represent a polar extreme to Adelaides loving if status-obsessed husband, Gabe. I felt like Abraham needed Red at all times, said Duke. She was the light in the tunnel. So on the days when we were the Red family, I never felt comfortable if she wasnt in sight. Which was its own challenge, Nyongo quipped with a grin. Jordan Peele, left, with Lupita Nyongo and Winston Duke: There are so many ways this movie is designed to be challenging, and with the idea that it would provoke conversation. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) All three hope that Us sparks conversations around a range of topics including systems of privilege, inequality, violence and destruction. Accepting the duality that, actually, evil is human, said Nyongo. Darkness is a part of being human. Oftentimes, youll hear there have been atrocities in the world and people will say, How inhumane. But the more distance we put with such things, the harder it is to keep them under control, because humans do heinous things and they do not lose their humanity when they do. They employ it, said Duke. She just perfectly pitched my overall thesis with my movies, said Peele. I seek to point out the inherent evil in the DNA of humanity, and hope that by inviting an audience in to experience this story that there is a positive that the goodness in humanity can reign by facing that. jen.yamato@latimes.com @jenyamato Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase Introduced riding a skateboard in ripped jeans, the young heroine here is not your grandmothers girl detective. But while Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase updates the 16-year-old sleuth to the 21st century smart ways, this version of Nancy Drew should please kids as well as their parents who grew up reading her adventures. Nancy (Sophia Lillis) and her father, Carson (Sam Trammell), are new to River Heights, but theyre already making an impact on the quiet town. A lawyer, hes fighting a train coming to the village, while shes solving whos behind the cyber bullying of her BFF Bess (Mackenzie Graham) with the help of another pal, George (Zoe Renee). Soon the quirky Flora (Linda Lavin) hires her to investigate her house, which seems to be haunted by ghosts. Director Katt Shea ably makes the transition from more adult fare like The Rage: Carrie 2 and Poison Ivy, though the film works better in its comedic moments than the mystery scenes. The script from Nina Fiore and John Herrera smartly answers previous criticism of the old-school series handling of class and race, but it still remains true to what made Nancy appeal to generations of readers. As played by It standout Lillis, Nancy is smart, independent and loyal, and its easy to see how shell charm a new generation of viewers and hopefully readers. Kimber Myers Advertisement Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase Rated: PG, for peril, suggestive material, thematic elements and language Running time: 1 hour, 29 minutes Playing: In general release ------------- Superpower Dogs Ricochet, a golden retriever, is a veteran therapy dog and the first ever to surf with children with special needs and veterans with PTSD, in the documentary Superpower Dogs. (Danny Wilcox Frazier / IMAX/ Cosmic Picture Limited) Superpower Dogs, the new 3-D Imax documentary at the California Science Center, throws a bone to dog lovers in conjunction with an interactive exhibit. Narrated by noted enthusiast Chris (Captain America) Evans, the film introduces a number of canines working with humans to rescue people and endangered species. They employ their special abilities on mountains, at sea, in rubble after disasters, and even in cases of emotional peril. Lead dog Halo goes from runt of her litter to aspiring heroine in an elite rescue training course, with a human who goes by Cat. The Dutch shepherd must overcome her natural inclinations toward distraction to focus on her task of finding disaster victims. Another star is Ricochet, a surfing golden retriever providing emotional support to humans, including special-needs children and a veteran haunted by wartime experiences. Kids will be Awww-ing at the dogs shows of affection toward their humans. Superpower Dogs leans heavily on reenactments and demonstrations. As its aimed at young audiences Evans narration is presented as the voice of mountain-rescue dog Henry its light on the science and heavy on the action. For those interested in dogs biology and history, theres the exhibit Dogs! A Science Tail (separate admission, but combined tickets discounted). It includes the trivia game Jeopawdy and a chance for kids to measure their speed against several dog breeds and one very fast human. Spoiler alert: Usain Bolt tops out at 28 mph; greyhounds hit 44 mph. There are also live demonstrations with highly trained dogs showing off their skills as seeing-eye companions, police or fire-and-rescue team members, or therapy animals. All dogs in question are, in fact, good. Michael Ordona Superpower Dogs Rated: G Running time: 45 minutes Playing: Starts March 16, California Science Center and Imax Theater, Los Angeles ------------- Bruce!!!! Eden Marryshow and Mle Chester in the movie Bruce!!!! (Juan Carlos Borrero) At least you cant say you werent forewarned by those capital letters and exclamation points on the poster Bruce!!!!, a lead-footed comedy by first-time feature filmmaker Eden Marryshow turns out to be about as pleasant and understated as its abrasive, attention-grabbing title. As directed, co-written and portrayed by Marryshow, the Bruce in question is a scheming, 30-something slacker of a first-class jerk who has thus far managed to squeak by on the seemingly inexhaustible patience and goodwill he has wrung out of his family members and a succession of taken-for-granted girlfriends. When his buddy Greg (Jason Tottenham) abruptly moves out of their high-end Brooklyn apartment (with its own washer and dryer and recessed lighting!) to start a new life with his pregnant fiancee (Jade Eshete), aspiring actor Bruce auditions prospective, preferably hot female roommates, ultimately selecting and falling head over heels for the lovely Kiera (Mle Chester). Could he really be on the threshold of turning over a new leaf, despite making her pay 80% of the monthly rent? Unfortunately Marryshow, in his various capacities, has neglected to instill his terminally obnoxious character with a vital shred of audience empathy, let alone to provide sufficient comedic beats that would have better engaged his thoughtfully diverse cast. As a result, in the absence of something funnier or more appealing and despite the character being handed an obligatory, last-minute shot at redemption, Bruce!!!! proves stubbornly irredeemable. Michael Rechtshaffen Bruce!!!! Not rated Running time: 1 hour, 43 minutes Playing: Starts March 15, AMC Citywalk 19, Universal City ------------ See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers calendar@latimes.com @LATimesMovies Like a speaker blast from a not-exactly-distant past, the 1980 British film Babylon is only now getting an inaugural American release, and its late arrival is a welcome one in this era of long-overdue, jump-started representation in cinema. Franco Rossos film, co-written with Martin Stellman (Quadrophenia) and starring Aswad frontman Brinsley Forde, is a raw, propulsive and authentically music-driven glimpse of South London black culture in the pressurized hot zone of Thatcherite England. (It has frequently been called the U.K.s own The Harder They Come.) Forde plays Blue, a reggae deejay in a sound system crew of similarly crafty, ambitious young Brixton-ites set to face legendary dub star Jah Shaka (as himself) in an upcoming club night battle. Baked into that contest story line, though, is a thumping bass line of tension-filled humanity that lays bare black immigrants struggle living under a National Front-emboldened cloud of racism and dispossession. Assertive and ebullient, Babylon is as alive as a movie can be to the everyday mesh of liberating art, humorous camaraderie and hazardous political reality. It also feels like a corrective now in this time of Green Book-tinted nostalgia. (Nothing about watching Babylon today feels like a time machine, save maybe certain clothes.) The casts rumble and spark are draw enough, but theres also Chris Menges textured urban cinematography and Rossos empathetic direction, like neorealism rewired and amplified. Even the subtitles for the slang-riddled Jamaican patois (considered too thick originally for moviegoers) are a cultural statement: They educate as they translate. Dennis Bovells reggae soundtrack, however, is a master class of mood a sonic heartbeat full of joy, pain and fury, the needle drops like matches struck and the music an insistent, scented flame you hear, see and feel. ------------ Advertisement Babylon In English and Jamaican patois with English subtitles Not rated Running time: 1 hour, 35 minutes Playing: Starts Friday, Laemmle Glendale; Laemmle Monica Film Center, Santa Monica See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers calendar@latimes.com @LATimesMovies An archaeological murder mystery is rendered with serviceably visceral flair in German filmmaker Felix Randaus Neolithic saga Iceman. Its the kind of movie one can easily imagine Mel Gibson growing a beard, learning an ancient language and honing a vengeful howl for should it ever be remade. Inspired by the supposed life of a frozen, arrow-slain Copper Age hunter discovered in 1991 in Central Europes Otztal Alps, Randau extrapolates a familiar odyssey for Otzi the Iceman (Jurgen Vogel) intended to suggest a moral pivot point in humankinds history. Named Kelab in this scenario, hes a farming, animal-raising, tent-dwelling family man entrusted with the protection of his tight-knit mountain tribes precious box shrine, which they call Tineka but which isnt translated for us because Iceman doesnt provide subtitles for the Rhaetic language grunted by its fur-and-leather-clad, woolly-haired performers. (In a rather cocky touch, an introductory note by the filmmakers declares you wont need them.) When traveling marauders slaughter Kelabs family, burn his village and steal Tineka, Kelab whod been away hunting grabs his copper ax, surviving infant child and one goat (cleverly utilized for feeding the baby), and begins his alp-traversing journey toward retribution. Marked by stunning locations and Jakub Bejnarowiczs fleet, evocative cinematography, Iceman is almost like something unearthed itself: a recognizable B western sharpened as much by its glints of psychology as by its kinetic savagery. When you learn what Tineka is, you might roll your eyes, but theres enough skill in the films sweep and bluntness to distinguish itself. ------------ Advertisement Iceman In Rhaetian Not rated Running time: 1 hour, 37 minutes Playing: Starts March 15, Laemmle Music Hall, Beverly Hills See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers calendar@latimes.com @LATimesMovies Its easy to see what inspired busy actor Idris Elba to make Yardie his feature directing debut. Based on a 1992 cult novel by Victor Headley, the story explores a thread of criminal culture that spans from 1970s Jamaica to 1980s England as told through the eyes of D (for Dennis), a Jamaican gang member (or yardie) haunted by the murder of his peace-loving brother in a gang conflict 10 years earlier. Its a gritty, evocative tale with a conflicted protagonist struggling to survive a risky existence yet also do right for those he cares about. Sounds good, no? So why isnt the film better? Unfortunately, the script by Brock Norman Brock and Martin Stellman loses its way once D (Aml Ameen) leaves Jamaica for London in 1983 to deliver cocaine for crime boss/father figure King Fox (Sheldon Shepherd). The deal goes south and D becomes entwined in the underground drug and music worlds. Advertisement Ds often rash or tenuous choices lead to some ineffective plotting and, in turn, uneven pacing. His yo-yoing relationship with Yvonne (Shantol Jackson), the childhood sweetheart he reunites with in London (along with their young daughter), also lacks coherence. Elba brings care to the films performances, period look and musical elements. But the freeze frames, needless voice-over bits and stalled narrative momentum undercut the pictures potential power and uniqueness. ------------- Yardie Not rated In English with English subtitles to clarify Jamaican and British dialects Running time: 1 hour, 42 minutes Playing: In limited release ------------ See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers calendar@latimes.com @LATimesMovies Blue really is the warmest color in Sorry Angel, a superbly acted and swooningly intelligent romance between two men looking at life and love in opposite directions. But it is also the coolest color, the brightest, the darkest and by far the most prominent. Like an early 20th-century Picasso of 21st-century French cinema, the writer-director Christophe Honore allows shades of blue to saturate every frame. It seeps into the characters clothes and bedrooms, and also the tiled walls of a bathroom where one grievously ill man, Jacques (Pierre Deladonchamps), poignantly cradles another in the tub. A blue glow suffuses the medical clinic where Jacques discreetly snaps a photo of a handsome young stranger smoking nearby, stealing a precious moment of beauty from a world shrouded in death. You might say that Honore does something similar throughout. Like the excellent 2017 French drama BPM (Beats Per Minute), though with a less activist focus, Sorry Angel offers a moving flashback to the 1990s, a time when communities decimated by AIDS were at last finding sources of support and resistance. And what you are likely to remember from this movie is not just its heartache but its puckish wit, its soigne visuals and its ardent sensuality, all of which feel like armaments against the reflexive dourness and sentimentality that mar so many dramas of terminal illness. Blue, often associated with sadness, is here recoded as a color of joy, lust and defiant possibility. The English title aptly conveys the movies dexterous tone, which is by turns tender, wistful and oddly insouciant. (It is also a delightful non-translation of the French one, Plaire, Aimer et Courir Vite, which means To Please, Love and Run Fast.) Fittingly, the story divides its attention and sensibility between two protagonists: Jacques, a 35-year-old Parisian novelist facing his own mortality, and Arthur (Vincent Lacoste), a 22-year-old college student from Rennes, Brittany, who is just beginning to explore, and enjoy, his attraction to men. Advertisement Its clear from the spirited opening-credits montage, which smashes together images of Jacques, Arthur and their respective skylines, that the mens paths are destined to converge. The gently crisscrossing narrative doesnt feel schematic so much as sensible, especially as it steers the characters toward an unusually delightful meet-cute. By the time Jacques pays a work visit to Rennes and spies Arthur in a movie theater showing Jane Campions The Piano, their quick, indelible exchange of glances and their subsequent exchange of wits and pleasantries bears out everything we already know about them. For Jacques, Arthurs arrival is both a thrill and an inconvenience. His writing and his finances have dried up. He has a young son, Loulou (Tristan Farge), who faces the prospect of his fathers death with devastating calm. Jacques loyal, exasperated friend Mathieu (a terrific Denis Podalydes) disapproves of his decision to look after an ex-lover, Marco (Thomas Gonzalez), who is even sicker than Jacques is. Taking on a new boyfriend doesnt seem a much wiser course of action. Vincent Lacoste, left, and Pierre Deladonchamps in a scene from the movie Sorry Angel. (Jean-Louis Fernandez) And Sorry Angel, in its own wisdom, is in no hurry to accelerate Jacques and Arthurs heady first encounter into a full-fledged romance. Their differences in age, experience and outlook make the prospect of a deeper commitment both improbable and exciting. If Arthur seems hesitant at first, it has less to do with Jacques HIV diagnosis than with his own gradual sexual awakening: He has a girlfriend (Adele Wismes) to whom he pays little attention, preferring to cruise for men after dark. But although Arthur forges an immediate physical bond with Jacques, the emotional and intellectual contours of their relationship take longer to reveal themselves. And Honore, whose style is playful, erudite and unrepentantly French, gives their drawn-out courtship a teasing, scholarly frisson. Arthur is a lover of literature himself, and one of the movies funniest and most revealing scenes finds Jacques schooling him over the phone on W.H. Auden, Chester Kallman and Christopher Isherwood, crucial touchstones for a life of the mind as well as the flesh. At one point during that conversation, Honore artificially collapses the distance between Jacques and Arthur, one of a few throwaway flourishes that give clever visual description to their feelings. In some of his earlier pictures, including Dans Paris and Love Songs, the director infused his characters emotional and sexual confusion with a bracing, sometimes show-offy stylistic vigor, proudly announcing himself as a disciple of the French New Wave. Honore is still a consummate cinephile at one point, someone visits Francois Truffauts grave but rather than piling on the mannerist tics, he seems content to sit back and let his actors do the heavy lifting. Deladonchamps came to international attention as the handsome young star of Alain Guiraudies Stranger by the Lake, a rather more Hitchcockian treatise on death and gay desire. The actor bares less of himself physically here Honores gaze, while uninhibited, is far from clinical but a great deal more of himself emotionally. In scene after scene, he makes Jacques a charming, needling contradiction, by turns engaged and distant, warmly inviting and coolly self-analyzing. He captures the mercurial fluctuations of a brilliant intellect and a restless, often agitated mind. Next to Jacques and his sharply planed features, Arthur seems unformed, even putty-like in his youthfulness. And Lacoste makes him no less rewarding a camera subject, with an elastic physicality and a mischievous little half-smile that at times suggest the makings of a great silent-screen clown. But hes also a beautifully expressive actor, giving Arthur an outwardly brash, self-assured demeanor that doesnt hide his inner vulnerability so much as coexist alongside it. And coexistence, whether it means straddling generational differences or holding conflicting feelings side-by-side, is in many ways the grand theme of Sorry Angel. The movie is premised on its own surprising contradictions: Its urgent but digressive, romantic yet pragmatic, and its finest moments feel both sculpted and improvised. Its as if love were a calculation of fate and something happily, casually stumbled upon and fully appreciated, perhaps, only with the knowledge that its about to be wrested away. ------------ Sorry Angel French dialogue with English subtitles Not rated Running time: 2 hours, 13 minutes Playing: Nuart Theatre, West Los Angeles justin.chang@latimes.com | Twitter: @JustinCChang With mislaid alliances and stealthy maneuvering, the Keira Knightley vehicle The Aftermath, about an English womans affair with the German man whose home shes occupying in postwar Hamburg, truly is a film that embodies the phrase the war at home. But though it purports to be pleasurable, with taboo trysts unfolding in a palatial estate, this adaptation of Rhidian Brooks novel feels overly staid, often ridiculous and, sadly, cant bring the heat. The setting of Allied-occupied Germany in the months immediately after the war is rich thematic territory, and it begs contemporary comparison. While the people of Hamburg are still digging bodies from the rubble caused by Allied bombing, the British are trying to restore rule and quell insurgent terrorism wrought by those who remain loyal to Hitler. Col. Lewis Morgan (Jason Clarke) witnesses the desperation every day on the job, from the riots to the rescues to the work camps. His work stokes his natural empathy. His wife, Rachael (Knightley), who has come to Germany to join him, remains rooted in the past, unable to process the loss of their son, who was killed in a bombing in London. She harbors hatred and fear of the Germans, so when the couple occupy the home of German architect Stefan Lubert (Alexander Skarsgard) and his daughter, Rachael is deeply upset. Advertisement But hate is closer to love than indifference, and her heated emotions quickly turn to lust. Brook collaborated with Anna Waterhouse and Joe Shrapnel to adapt his novel, but the screenplay doesnt work, and James Kents direction is both scattered and too obvious. Events occur without adequate motivation established, and it doesnt help that none of the characters are sympathetic, with the exception of Lewis. Rachael is particularly egregious. We take in the story through her point of view, but shes grating shrill, insecure, flighty. We know why shes struggling emotionally, but were unable to take in the full scope before the affair is already underway. Everything feels shortened, condensed or completely predictable. There are many rich veins of inquiry beyond the affair, but they arent explored with as much nuance as they could be. Whats most fascinating in The Aftermath is what war makes people into strangers, lovers, terrorists. One cant help but think of the Islamic State when Stefans daughter Freda (an incredible Flora Thiemann) becomes caught up with a local Nazi insurgent who is aiming his ill will toward the British occupiers. When it comes to the intimate affairs, Kent shoots the sex scenes lovingly. But with this kind of bodice-ripping, one needs actors who can embody a roiling lustiness; Knightley and Skarsgard are both incredibly beautiful, but their performances here are too reserved to sell torrid passion thats believable. In fact, Clarke, as the remote, cuckolded husband brings far more animalistic desire to the screen. Clarke also does an incredible job of making Lewis emotional toil real as he balances peacekeeping with frustration and fear. And yet the focus of The Aftermath is in all the wrong places, spending time with characters in which we are unable to gain an emotional foothold. This misplaced attention makes for an erotic drama that feels cold, and a political thriller that feels empty. Katie Walsh is a Tribune News Service film critic. ------------ The Aftermath Rated: R for sexual content/nudity and violence including some disturbing images Running time: 1 hour 48 minutes Playing: Starts March 15, Arclight Hollywood; The Landmark, West L.A. ------------ See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers calendar@latimes.com @LATimesMovies The Highwaymen has none of the glamour and romanticism of Bonnie and Clyde. And thats the point. The new Netflix film from John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side) stars Kevin Costner as Frank Hamer and Woody Harrelson as Maney Gault, the real-life former Texas Rangers who came out of retirement in 1934 to hunt the ballyhooed outlaw couple. But while the 1967 Arthur Penn film about Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow was often comic and energetic, rife with the charisma that made the duo folk heroes (despite being unabashed killers Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway in the roles probably had something to do with that charm), Highwaymen is a decidedly grown-up meditation on the price of lives and the thoughtlessness of idol worship. Its also truer to the facts in its portrayal of Hamer, whos a fool in the Penn film but here is a low-key, shoe-leather detective. And damn good at his job. The film does allow some old-age humor, as when Hamer practices his shooting for the first time in years (and it shows), or when he has to pursue a teen suspect on foot, with non-action-hero results. But the weight of the task is always present in his mind, especially as Bonnie and Clydes killing spree continues two steps ahead of him. The superstar criminals are a major presence in the film, but mostly through the shadow they cast. Theyre rarely on-screen. Highwaymen captures, through the eyes of common people, the perceived rebel spirit that made the couple folk heroes during the Great Depression. It establishes through wardrobe and production design how rough that era was. Its not just a setting; its a grim and desperate worldview. The film also provides, as a counterpoint to the couples fandom, the grim reality of their actions and Hamer and Gaults revulsion. Advertisement Screenwriter John Fusco (Thunderheart) provides plenty of memorably folksy dialogue (If today was a fish, Id throw the son of a bitch back, says the exasperated governor, played by Kathy Bates). But he and Hancock also let a great deal be told through gestures, expressions and dialogue that rarely lands directly on the point. Hamers relationship with wife Gladys (Kim Dickens) comes across mostly in this manner; its effective and touching. Theres plenty of grumpy-old-men comedy in the Hamer-Gault relationship. But the actors expertly convey a sense of shared history, a pecking order and ancient camaraderie without relying on You remember that time ? cliches. In fact, the distinct lack of crime-movie macho pronouncements allows Hamers all-business seriousness and Gaults qualms to ring true. Death is dealt with, not swept aside with a one-liner. Coming upon an unintended victim of the pursuit, Gault is genuinely shaken and Harrelson sells it. As Hamer, Costner turns in yet another remarkable performance. Over the years, he has honed the ability to not strain to be something he isnt. From his closed but deeply caring father in Mollys Game, to his Vito Corleone-in-a-cowboy-hat in TVs Yellowstone, to this cautious retiree with a full understanding of the task on his hands, the actor has settled into a groove of grounded believability thats a genuine pleasure to watch. There are no false moves in his portrayal of Hamer, no portentousness, just focus and well-earned worry. When a child asks, Was you really Frank Hamer? we believe he was. Highwaymen confronts the cost of violence. Even an angry fistfight leads to regret. These two have blood on their hands from their storied Ranger past, and neither has washed it off. That sobriety casts the famous outlaw couple in quite a different light than what the Penn film, or the adoration of their contemporaneous fans, shined upon them. Theyre killers, and thats no laughing matter. Framed thus, their celebrity disturbs despite the films obvious sympathy with the average folks struggling to get by, rooting for these two who seem to be beating the system. The films true feelings about this idolization are best expressed in the dialogue-less aftermath of their downfall. The Highwaymen Rated: R for some strong violence and bloody images Running time: 2 hours, 12 minutes Playing: at The Landmark in West Los Angeles and the iPic in Pasadena starting March 15; streams on Netflix starting March 29 See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour Movie Trailers michael.ordona@latimes.com @MichaelOrdona I walked on the red carpet, and I heard people gasp, Billy Porter says. The Pose actor has made bold fashion choices before, but none quite as showstopping as what he delivered at this years Academy Awards. Cloaked in a luxurious black velvet tuxedo gown, Porter sparked a social media frenzy a polarizing one, to be sure as dramatic as the frocks flared bell skirt. I felt like Cinderella at the ball, Porter recalls by phone. Thats what he does. He is Christian Siriano. Porter enlisted the fashion designer for the custom creation. After all, Siriano is known to buck convention. Advertisement The 33-year-old designer has established himself as a rising talent within the high-end fashion ranks and one of the busiest red carpet couturiers, largely by ignoring the one-size-fits-all approach. Hes a designer who will dress people the physically elitist industry often neglects. And as this years Oscars demonstrated, hes a designer willing to bend and fold fashions gender norms like a box pleat. Billy Porter, wearing a Christian Siriano design, during the arrivals at the 91st Academy Awards in February 2019. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) I walked on the red carpet, and I heard people gasp. Billy Porter, on his tuxedo gown designed by Christian Siriano Quite the Where are they now? turnaround for a former reality show contestant. Which brings us to a hotel bar in Pasadena, a few weeks prior to the Oscars look that stopped red carpet traffic, where Siriano is reflecting on the platform that helped launch it all. That was a crazy long time ago, he says sheepishly. In TV years, sure. In 2008, the year he reached the legal drinking age, Siriano became the winner of the fourth season of fashion-centric reality competition Project Runway. (He remains the youngest ever to win the top prize in the shows run.) Now hes going back to his TV alma mater in a different role. When the 17th season of Project Runway launches Thursday on Bravo returning to its original home after an 11-season run on Lifetime Siriano will make his debut as the shows new mentor for contestants. He steps into the role made famous by Tim Make It Work Gunn. It came about in such a random way because I was definitely not thinking about it at all, Siriano says. I was confused at first. Siriano says he knew the show was moving to Bravo from Lifetime. But when he got the call to join, he had just assumed the shows veterans, Gunn and host Heidi Klum, would still be onboard. But Gunn and Klum announced last September they would not return to the series. (Both are developing a new fashion series for Amazon.) I was very focused on opening my store [The Curated] in New York and I wasnt paying attention to other projects so much, Siriano says. I feel like I was probably like, Oh, cool [but] I really didnt wrap my brain around it. When it got closer and then closer and then closer, then I was like, Oh, this is like a thing. Changes on the Runway Thats what Bravo is hoping for as it seeks to revive the threadbare reality competition. Its 16th season, which aired on Lifetime, averaged 1.77 million viewers about half what it averaged in its heyday. Judge Nina Garcia, the editor of Elle, is the only remaining original cast member. Shes joined by new judges Elaine Welteroth, the former editor of Teen Vogue, and designer Brandon Maxwell, who recently dressed Lady Gaga for the Oscars. Meanwhile, model and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss takes over as host. The new season will feature 16 designers from all over the world, including Colombia and Samoa one contestant is a Syrian refugee. The show is also amplifying its inclusion efforts with a more size-diverse group of models, as well as the shows first transgender model. Its hardly surprising producers would come calling on Siriano for his expertise. He is easily the most successful alumnus in the shows history. He began his label after his Project Runway win and has spent the years since building his empire. Hes had design partnerships with Payless, Puma, Starbucks and Spiegel, and has launched a fragrance. And his line which goes up to size 28, a rarity in high-end designer clothes sells at select retailers, including Neiman Marcus, as well as through his website and his store in lower Manhattan. His creations have been worn by the likes of Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Amy Adams, Cardi B, Leslie Jones, Laverne Cox, Octavia Spencer and Regina King. Tim is such a beloved person on the show in a lot of ways, he and Heidi were the heart and soul of the show from the beginning, says executive producer Dan Cutforth. So to have to replace Tim Gunn is obviously a huge thing. Christian was really the first person we thought of. We felt like it was a great opportunity to get someone who has a different point of view. Fellow executive producer Jane Lipsitz added: Hes got two perspectives for them. Hes got the perspective of having been in their shoes and now the perspective of being a designer and giving them information from a point of success and building a business. Fashion designer Christian Siriano is a sought-after designer to the stars and is returning to the new season of Project Runway as a mentor, the role long occupied by Tim Gunn. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) I didnt really think about it as me giving advice. I just treated them like they were somebody working in my design studio. Christian Siriano So, how does Sirianos mentoring style differ from Gunns? For one, hell tell you hes not sure if he has a catchphrase quite as distinct as Gunns Make it work I think I say, Youre killing me a lot. I approached it totally different, I think, he says. I didnt really think about it as me giving advice. I just treated them like they were somebody working in my design studio. It would go something like this: Id be like, Oh, are you really sure about that sleeve shape? Do you think thats interesting? Do you really think thats new? Like, havent we seen this dress a million times? Would Beyonce wear that? Thats a table-turning development since his days as the young contestant with the trademark thick-framed glasses and asymmetrical hair who wasnt always receptive to Gunns critiques. Siriano says he hadnt really watched Project Runway before he joined its ranks all those years ago. The Maryland native had studied designed at the American InterContinental University in London, interning for Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen, during its first few seasons. It was at the urging of a friend who worked at Bravo that he auditioned. I was a kid, he says. Like, I didnt know anything. But I felt like I had nothing to lose by going on it. It gets him talking about how much the fashion industry has changed in the intervening years and how Project Runway, which has been dinged for not launching enough success stories, can still be a valuable springboard if contestants have a strategy. Actresses Mariska Hargitay and Christina Hendricks, model Coco Rocha and actress Christina Ricci attend the Christian Siriano runway show during New York Fashion Week in February. (Brent N. Clarke / Invision) It was a totally different time when my season was on, he says. There was no Instagram. The Kardashians were new. The pop culture was different. There are no rules anymore. You can build a brand and be successful with nothing. There are some changes in place to better prepare contestants for life after the show. Challenges will better reflect the the fashion industry in the digital age; flash sales will be a component to some episodes, allowing viewers to purchase their favorite looks. Bravo has also upped the prize money to $250,000 the biggest sum in the shows history. And the winning designer will, for the first time, receive a mentorship from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The show, Siriano continues, is an unbelievable experience for someone who has no access. Its hard to get that as an intern at a brand sometimes. I think now, because the show has been on for so long, anyone on it should have a plan. If youre eliminated, or if youre on until the end, the moment its over, whats your plan? I was very unprepared. I didnt know anything. In the words of Gunn, he at least made it work. In a few hours, hell catch a red-eye to New York, where he lives, to begin the casting process for his New York Fashion Week show, which has a futuristic glam theme and will close with plus-size model Ashley Graham. And hell have to finish taping the finale of Project Runway, of course. Like fashion, life comes full circle sometimes. Project Runway Where: Bravo When: 8 p.m. Thursday Rating: TV-PG (may be unsuitable for young children) yvonne.villarreal@latimes.com Twitter: @villarrealy Catching up with Craig Robinson during intermission at opening night for Black Super Hero Magic Mama at the Geffen Playhouse, we asked the Brooklyn 99 actor how he was enjoying the new play. I love it, he said. Im along for the ride and cant wait to see whats next. Like Robinson, the audience for this play was an enthusiastic one. Advertisement The event Craig Robinson at the opening night of Black Super Hero Magic Mama, a new play at the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood. (Jordan Strauss Photography) The Wednesday world premiere of Black Super Hero Magic Mama took place at the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood. Following curtain calls, the cast, donors and other friends of the theater adjourned for an after-party at the restaurant Fellow. The scene Inda Craig-Galvan and Matt Shakman. (Jordan Strauss Photography) Not only did this plays cast turn up, but several actors from Lights Out: Nat King Cole at the adjacent Gil Cates Theater also joined in the celebration. Every time I walk by their theater, I can see all the bright lights and projections and the colorful costumes, said Zonya Love, who plays Coles mother, Perlina, in the other play. Im drawn like a moth to light. I really want to see this show. The show Written by Inda Craig-Galvan and directed by Robert OHara, the play centers on Sabrina Jackson (Kimberly Hebert Gregory), who retreats into a comic book world after the shooting death by police of her 14-year-old son. As the invincible Maasai Angel, she then battles villains in her more-psychedelic-than-Wonder-Woman-style costume, against an elaborate backdrop of comic book projections, before finally learning to cope with the tragedy. The quotes Kimberly Hebert Gregory, left, and Cynthia Kaye McWilliams. (Jordan Strauss Photography) It was a challenge to try to inhabit Sabrinas mind, to have to sit in that imagination and in that avoidance of pain and grief, Hebert Gregory said at the after-party, but it was also rewarding, because a lot of times as black women, were seen stereotypically as strong. And oftentimes, theres no real acknowledgement of the fragility and the trauma and the loss. I was grateful that I could sit in that space temporarily to honor those women who live there. The play is actually dealing with something very important and very real that is happening right now, and that is the killing of young black bodies by police, said OHara. But also in America, weve been talking about black bodies a lot lately with R. Kelly, with Jussie Smollet, with Michael Jackson. Theres also blackface and Black Lives Matter. So this is part of that whole conversation. Every play that we do has to have a resonance and a relevance to whats happening today, said the Geffens artistic director, Matt Shakman. So my hats off to Inda, as she was able to do something ripped from the headlines in a fresh, unique way. This play is powerful and deeply emotional, while at the same time being nothing youve ever seen before. Its magical, seeing a transformation before your eyes. Theres no CGI. Theres no Wakanda being created by a million artists at Marvel. Its something you can only see in a theater. Black Super Hero Magic Mama Where: Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood When: 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays; ends April 14 Tickets: $30-$120 Info: (310) 208-5454, geffenplayhouse.org image@latimes.com For fashion news, follow us at @latimesimage on Twitter. Joy, a year-old Highland Park treasure, is at once remarkable and unremarkable. Remarkable in its Taiwanese menus immense appeal; balanced, like too few things are these days, in the scales of justice between virtue (this food feels very fresh and bright) and indulgence (this food is seriously comforting). And unremarkable in the most loving sense: Im not putting Joy on a list of the top 20 places a visitor to Los Angeles should dine right now. But as a local? Im meeting a friend here once a week, or Im having dinner delivered from Joy as an antidote to handicapping Californias forthcoming Michelin guide. With most dishes priced under $10 and a tirelessly cheerful staff, the place is a 2019 paradigm of a terrific neighborhood restaurant. The menu stretches across the wall, banner-style, behind the counter where you order. Its concise: a few wonton soups and bowls of noodles, a handful of rice dishes, half a dozen riffs on sandwiches. Just below it sits a case full of cold appetizers, the family of dishes that most distinguish this restaurant. Food Sign up for the Tasting Notes newsletter In rows of unceremonious metal bins youll spy wood-eared mushrooms, curled and inky; bamboo shoots, resembling a jumbled pile of woodwind reeds; pig ears, sliced into squiggles; a seaweed number made with early-spring-green kelp; and, my favorite of the lot, braised peanuts. Not that anyone wants to skip wontons, but, mixed and matched in restrained portions, these salads alone would make for an energizing meal. Shared seasonings often meander through the dishes garlic, ginger, five spice, chile oil, soy sauce though each comes off as distinct, particularly in the crunch or chew or satisfying squish of their textures. Advertisement A selection of Joys cold appetizers. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times) The changing array of salads has become a signature for Joys owner, Vivian Ku; a similar spread greets customers at the counter of Pine & Crane, Kus first restaurant, which opened in Silver Lake in 2014. At both places Ku channels the lighter, cleaner flavors preferred by her grandmother, who immigrated to Taiwan from China in 1949 before the family moved to America, and also the memories of meals at Taiwanese restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley, where she gathered with relatives growing up. Some of the vegetables on prominent display are harvested from her cousins farm in Rowland Heights. Rarely does the place calm down. The line to order can snail along, 20 minutes or longer, during prime lunch and dinner hours; dishes tend to come rapid-fire once your order number is in hand and a server points you to an available table. But its not the restaurants style to rush or prod people out the door. I like the familiar, edited scruff of the room: brick walls scrubbed clean of their previous whitewash, splotchy concrete floors stained sepia, knotty wood panels racing across the ceiling. Lu rou fan, a dish of gently spiced pork over rice, is a favorite at Joy. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times) Some crossover exists between the menus at Kus two restaurants. Her take on lu rou fan, a dish of gently spiced pork sauce over rice, is a welcome presence at Joy. Sweet spices suffuse the ground meat; its juices seep into the grains that you mix with tea egg and crisp pickled daikon, and its all so easy to shovel down. I wish more of that richness anointed the Chiayi chicken rice, a classic Ku serves only at Joy that comes from southwestern Taiwan, where it was first made with turkey meat. Broth (a frequent addition at its origin) and a bit more shallot-infused oil would rescue the mix from bland dryness. Speaking of broth, L.A.s coldest, wettest winter in forever has drawn me back again and again to Joys clear soups, particularly the shrimp wontons (the slippery wrappers giving way to firm minced seafood) lulling in chicken and pork stock. The same meaty base slicks the ingredients in slack season noodles, a single shrimp perched atop the twirl of strands, named for Taiwanese fishermen who sold noodles during down spells from their main profession. Interwoven through the menu are Taiwanese staples that point to some of the islands many culinary influences. Joys simple, wonderful dessert of mochi rolled in crushed peanut and black sesame is a Hakka specialty. (Kus father is Hakka, a distinct group of the Han Chinese; his family can trace its arrival in Taiwan to 1772.) Two million people from various regions of China arrived in 1949 after Communists took power of the mainland; the plush sesame scallion bread out of which Ku makes sandwiches (it was a favorite of her grandfathers) has origins in Northern China. She stuffs squishy wedges with pork belly, five-spice beef or soy-braised tofu, garnished with crushed peanuts and pickled vegetables; Ill hoist one of these brutes with two hands and for a few minutes nothing else exists. Customers dine along the banquette at Joy in Highland Park. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times) Ku has been visiting Taipei since grade school; shes always remembered street vendors serving a snack, often for breakfast, of thousand-layer pancakes enfolding egg and American cheese, with the options of basil leaves and chile sauce. Her re-creation at Joy, hot enough to make your fingers dance and by turns crackly and soft, is a thing of universal contentment. Breakfast is on Kus mind. As Joy recently passed its first year, she hosted a thank-you event at Joy, serving regulars a morning meal of Taiwanese daybreak traditions: dan bing (Taiwanese egg crepe), rice porridge, daikon rice cakes and savory and sweet variations of house-made soy milk with you tiao (Chinese crullers). Shes thinking hard about starting breakfast service. Joy brings plenty of its namesake to afternoon and evening meals; Id readily show up for an earlier shot at happiness too. Garlicky snow pea leaves at Joy. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times) At around 7 p.m. in Mexico City the days rhythm slows to a torpor. Cars are stuck in traffic and its pouring, rain flooding the streets as it does at twilight for most of the year. There are so many days of rain in Mexico City, a good reason to go, sings Julia Holter, reasonably. The moment calls for something to eat. (This is not dinner; dinner is still a couple of hours away.) Its time for esquites, time for street pancakes, time for a quick fix at 7-Eleven or Oxxo. Its time for tacos: It always is. The options are as endless as the city. At Don Guero in Cuauhtemoc, influential food writer Pedro Reyes gets his usual: tongue, cheek and bistec tacos. Each one, he says, calls for a specific salsa: cooked green salsa for the lengua, red morita for the cheek, and pico de gallo for the bistec. Over in San Cosme the venerable Califa de Leon gets its third wind of the day and it still has one left in the old smoky lung. Heres where gaoneras filet mignon tacos were supposedly invented; the beef served on handmade tortillas, sprinkled with sea salt and finished with salsa verde cruda, pounded with the mighty tejolote. Consider the writing on the wall at Califa de Leon: Out of respect for the others, and yourself, DO NOT blow your nose. Some of the good new wave taquerias are just getting going around this time: Visit Tizne in Del Valle, where the charred eggplant taco is king, or Paramo in Roma, which slings a meatball taco to rule them all. Advertisement Charred eggplant taco from Tizne Tacomotora. (Andrea Tejeda Korkowski / For The Times) But, importantly, 7 p.m. means tacos al pastor are getting there. Of course al pastor can be found at any time of day, but this taco is truly a creature of the night, a yellow-red moon that shines over chilango cuisine. There are at least four iterations of tacos al pastor in the the city: Theres the proto-pastor, purist pastor, red pastor and stewed pastor. The proto-pastor called taco oriental on most menus are the taco arabes most recognizable offspring. (Tacos arabes are, of course, the direct antecedents of the al pastor family of tacos.) In these proto-pastor tacos you see the evolution of shawarma into a more distinctly Mexican food: lamb shifts to pork, pita gives way to corn tortillas, and yogurt-tahini sauce is swapped out for greenish salsas. Still, the taco will welcome you with the piquant spices youd expect in a shawarma, the veritable great-great-great-aunt of all al pastor. Try one at Hayito Tacos Arabes in Narvarte or at Baltazar in the Centro Historico. Baltazar taqueria, which specializes in tacos arabes, on Bolivar Street, downtown Mexico City. (Andrea Tejeda Korkowski / For The Times) You can taste the next step of al pastor evolution in purist al pastor, as served by the likes of El Huequito and Taqueria Arandas in the old citys center. Youd never mistake their seasoning for that of a shawarma; they are gently scented with achiote, chiles and adobo. They are the taco equivalent of a fetus on an ultrasound screen, future undecided as yet, waving to its parents who dont know what to expect. Purist al pastor does not contain pineapple, although most places will have it around and there is no reason to deny yourself that pleasure if it appeals to you. Review: At Konbi in Echo Park, Japanese sandwiches with a cult following If the meat in a purist pastor is still the color of flesh, charred in parts, the meat in a red pastor is fully tinted by the achiote, the reddest of adobos. It has been said that red pastor tacos were born with the emergence of taquerias al carbon taquerias with charcoal fires to scorch their trompos, or vertical rotisseries such as El Farolito, El Kaliman and El Tizoncito sometime in the 60s. This taqueria triumvirate is responsible for the popularity of red pastor. El Tizoncito, especially, got to be an extremely famous taqueria. Last time I checked, there were 16 of them at all points of the citys compass rose. Of course al pastor can be found at any time of day, but this taco is truly a creature of the night, a yellow-red moon that shines over chilango cuisine. The original El Tizoncito in the Condesa neighborhood. It claims to have created the taco al pastor. (Andrea Tejeda Korkowski / For The Times) The history of al pastor tacos inspires all manner of conjecture. Some surmise that El Tizoncito the original Tizoncito, that is, which still stands at the corner of Campeche and Tamaulipas in Condesa is responsible for the miraculous appearance of the first slice of pineapple on the al pastor taco, one of the great gifts chilango cuisine has bestowed on mankind. No one truly knows where it first happened. The stewed pastor is probably the least widespread variation, possibly born of necessity at taquerias that are not outfitted with the vertical rotisseries and big chunks of charcoal that have come to define al pastor. Its meat is not roasted, but cooked over medium heat in its own juices and fat. These tacos are heavy on the achiote and obviously light on the char. Pineapple, when available, is optional. El Paisa de Coruna, in Viaducto Piedad, has one of the most famous. El Paisa is always packed, which never guarantees anything but tends to be a good sign. These tacos, fully loaded with onion, will stay with you several days, if not in your memory then at least in your digestive system. Preparation of an al pastor taco at El Tizoncito. (Andrea Tejeda Korkowski / For The Times) There is always someone saying that we are witnessing the decline of al pastor tacos. Film critic Leonardo Garcia Tsao wrote, back in 1991, that he no longer made the obligatory post-cinema ritual at El Tizoncito because nowadays those tortillas taste like cardboard. Industrial tortillas in particular are met with derision. All these people dont know what a good tortilla is, ranted Diana Kennedy, a historian and cook in her 90s, in a 2014 interview with writer Daniel Hernandez. Joaquin Cardoso, the young chef behind Roma Bistrot, when asked the 693-year-old question, what is your favorite food to eat in Mexico City?, told this to Ambrosia magazine: Review: Homey Hayats Kitchen, starring Lebanese meats and sweets, goes Hollywood Tacos. Al pastor is one of my favorites. But then you talk about specific places. Its kind of sad, that in the city in which tacos al pastor were created, you have to think twice about where to have good ones, right? It should not be like that. The tortilla is declining in quality. They dont pay much attention to the meat. They pay more attention to cost or what kind of music they will have at the taqueria. Arturo Rivera Martinez, a grill master at Califa de Leon. (Andrea Tejeda Korkowski / For The Times) Al pastor tacos were not created in Mexico City. They were created nowhere: They have sprung up in many cultures, many cities, many times. They are universal. Al pastor can be found in paintings of 14th century meat roasters in the Luttrell Psalter; in photographs of 19th century Ottoman donerci or Lebanese proto-taqueros in the 1950s. Al pastors legacy is truly never ending. Nothing comes from nothing, and al pastor tacos are part of an unremitting history of translation and remix, copy and plagiarism, of roasted meats wrapped in some kind of bun. But the lines of people eating tacos at all times all over the city that did not create al pastor pay little attention to such grievances. Of course there are conservative people of all ages, and they will always talk about the good old days, be it 20 or 40 or 60 years ago. There will always be people who think their city is robbing them of something they once had, or thought they had. But in Mexico City, the city of a million tacos, no time is better than another. The city suffers no nostalgia: tacos change, people change. That is all. One can rant against changes, but the city is not listening. The city wins. The city always wins. Alonso Ruvalcaba is a a writer, editor and critic based in Mexico City. This is an adaptation, rewrite and update of 24 horas de comida en la ciudad de Mexico (Editorial Planeta, 2018), Chapter 12. Addresses Tacos Don Guero: Rio Nilo 66, Cuauhtemoc, 06700 Cuauhtemoc Califa de Leon: Av. Ribera de San Cosme 54, San Rafael, 06470 Ciudad de Mexico Tizne Tacomotora: Diagonal No. 39, Col del Valle Centro, 03100 Ciudad de Mexico Paramo: Av. Yucatan 84, Roma Nte., 06700 Ciudad de Mexico Hayito Tacos Arabes: Av. Universidad S/N, Benito Juarez, Narvarte Poniente, 03020 Ciudad de Mexico Baltazar: Simon Bolivar 100, Centro Historico, Centro, 06000 Ciudad de Mexico Tacos El Huequito: Ayuntamiento 21, Centro, 06050 Cuauhtemoc El Farolito: Altata 19, Hipodromo Condesa, 06100 Ciudad de Mexico El Kaliman: Calle Ensenada 74, Hipodromo Condesa, Hipodromo, 06100 Cuauhtemoc El Tizoncito: Av. Tamaulipas 122, Condesa, 06140 Ciudad de Mexico Taqueria Arandas: Calle de Bolivar 91, Centro, 06080 Cuauhtemoc El Paisa de Coruna: La Coruna 302, Viaducto Piedad, 08200 Ciudad de Mexico food@latimes.com When actress Selma Blair strode onto the Vanity Fair red carpet on Oscar night, her most public appearance since announcing in October that she has multiple sclerosis, what drew most attention was not her couture but her cane. Not utilitarian medical supply, foam and stainless steel, but sheathed in patent leather, and embellished with a pink diamond and gold monogram a signal, both brash and heartening, to others living with the disease. Kudos to her for her stepping out like that, and looking beautiful. I think she encouraged a lot of people, said Dawnia Baynes, 39, of Compton, who was diagnosed with MS in 2006. She helped me be like, Who cares? This is what Im dealing with. Now I want to trick out my walker! Bling it out! Put some spinners on it! Blair, who first gained a cult following with 1999s Cruel Intentions, walked carefully and deliberately across the carpet, pausing and smiling for each barrage of paparazzi strobes, waving the diaphanous cape of her Ralph & Russo gown, maintaining her balance while showing off that cane. She broke down momentarily halfway along, and with the help of her friend and manager Troy Nankin, composed herself, then turned an unflinching gaze toward every lens trained on her. Advertisement Actress Selma Blair wipes a tear as she walks the arrival carpet. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) That was awesome, said Nandi Bowe, 55, a writer and director in Silver Lake, diagnosed 13 years ago. All of a sudden, it took a little bit of the fear away. Im not in a club of one, or a club of 10. MS can look lots of ways. MS can look like a fabulous, beautiful actor. Blairs confidence and openness about the disease come at an especially important time, according to Cyndi Zagieboylo, president and chief executive of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Not just that March is MS Awareness Month, but because a study published earlier this year revealed that twice as many people in the United States have MS than previously thought. The disease strikes the central nervous system, causing symptoms ranging from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. But because its not infectious, doctors arent required to report cases, so prevalence has been hard to pin down. The old estimate, about 400,000 people nationwide, was extrapolated from a 1975 study; the new research, published in the medical journal Neurology, puts the number at almost 1 million. The new tally shows the urgency for more funding and research, and will help indicate whether the disease is growing, or appears in geographic clusters, Zagieboylo said. At the same time, Blairs panache can dispel insecurities among those with MS, and raise awareness not just for donations, but to spur people into getting checked. After Blair revealed her diagnosis in October, the MS Society said traffic on its web site increased 200% from the same time a year earlier though theres no guarantee the two are related. And after her red carpet turn in February, visits to the page Definition of MS were more than 300% higher than the same time in 2018. Harvella Printup joins David Santini in a support group for people with multiple sclerosis at the Rancho Los Amigos Center in Downey. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) Blair announced her diagnosis on Instagram, and since then has chronicled her life with the disease, with honesty and self-deprecating humor, via the web and through interviews on Good Morning, America and in this months Vanity Fair. The actress said shed had symptoms for years fatigue, numbness, loss of coordination and others but either ignored them, or was misdiagnosed. Finally, after an MRI in August, she got a definitive answer, and cried tears of relief. Ive heard that from people, that an MS diagnosis is not devastating, Zagieboylo said. To have a name for it You have MS, and heres what you can do for it is much more powerful. One of the things so tricky about MS is that it varies from person to person, but also that it varies within each person, she said. Thats why people often take so long to get diagnosed. According to the NMSS, the disease is rarely fatal, but its complications increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and other problems. Researchers are still unsure what causes MS, and though theres no cure, treatments can alleviate some symptoms. It affects women up to three times more often than men, usually between the ages of 20 and 50. Women in the prime of their lives, Bowe said. What a cruel time to be affected by this debilitating disease. (Unable to hike with her three sons, Bowe said now a simple trip to the mall requires mental calculations about walking distance, bathrooms, crowds and even temperature.) Blair, currently starring in the Netflix series Another Life, wisecracks about the ordeal of simply getting dressed, even with help. She has long ventured into the fashion realm as a collaborator with numerous designers, the onetime face of Chanel and a frequent guest at New York Fashion Week. Now she hopes to create her own line of adaptive clothing, joking that shell make elastic waistbands chic. Zagieboylo credits Blair for talking frankly about her appearance, and how she looks, and how thats important to her. Some people, thats what keeps them hidden, she said, shame over not presenting like they used to. But Zagieboylo said Blair is owning it: I got a cane, and its beautiful, and it should be beautiful. The widely seen images of Selma Blair owning that cane were an inspiration to many. (Nina Prommer / EPA-EFE/REX) Baynes, who runs a support group for people with MS in their 20s through 40s, lauds Blairs desire to keep working, and said people with the disease sometimes shut down. Dont cancel things, or feel like youre being a burden to someone, she said. You do need a community. Luis Lemus, 31, of Norwalk, was diagnosed in 2014, and like Blair exhibits the rare symptom spasmodic dysphonia, which affects the larynx and causes strained, halting speech. But hes also a communications major at Cerritos College, planning to graduate in the spring then move on to Cal State Fullerton. If someone tells me, Oh, you cant do that, I personally see that as a challenge, he said. I lost coordination, but Im still pursuing school. I dont let this define me. Lemus said he feels the disability has cost him friendships and party invites, but admits his own fears sometimes made him cautious and closed-off. But Blair inspired him. Because of her, and her fancy cane, she put her own fashionable spin on the horrible disease, and I can only hope it works out in her in our favor, he said. In my case, I see it as a second chance to do what, in the past, I would have passed on. An East Los Angeles woman was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years to life behind bars in connection with the death of her 82-year-old grandmother in 2016. A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge handed down Rebecca Surratts state prison sentence immediately after the 28-year-old pleaded no contest to one count of second-degree murder as part of a negotiated plea agreement with prosecutors, according to court records. Prosecutors said Surratt got into an argument with her grandmother, Martha Yslas, inside a home in the 300 block of Woods Avenue in East Los Angeles on May 6, 2016. The fight escalated to a physical altercation and Surratt beat the woman, authorities said. Surratt lived with her mother and grandmother at the time. Advertisement As far as we can tell, she got upset at her grandma and beat her up, Los Angeles County Sheriffs Det. Theo Baljet said in 2016. She punched her and kicked her and possibly choked her. Yslas was taken to the hospital with multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at 10:22 a.m. the day after the attack, according to coroners records. hannah.fry@latimes.com Twitter: @Hannahnfry New charges have come to light in the case against James Alan Neal, who is charged in the 1973 sexual assault and killing of 11-year-old Linda OKeefe of Newport Beach. Prosecutors have brought charges related to two other child sexual assault victims in Riverside County, Orange County Dist. Atty. Todd Spitzer said Wednesday after Neal appeared in a courtroom at Orange County Jail. Neal is charged with one felony count of murder while committing or attempting to commit sexual assault upon a child, as well as five felony counts of sexual assault of a child younger than 14, the district attorneys office said. The charges carry possible sentencing enhancements for multiple victims. Prosecutors charged Neal with three counts of lewd acts on a child committed in Riverside County between July 1995 and July 2000. Two additional counts are related to crimes against another child between March 2002 and March 2004, according to court documents. The victims cities of residence are not in the documents. Advertisement In light of the newly identified victims, Spitzer said, his office is absolutely looking for possible additional victims and charges against the defendant. Neal, 72, of Monument, Colo., was originally charged with special circumstances murder, kidnapping and lewd and lascivious acts on a minor under 14 in connection with the strangulation death of Linda, who disappeared while walking home from summer school on July 6, 1973, in Corona del Mar. Her body was found the next day in a ditch off Back Bay Drive. Neal was arrested in February in Colorado after police matched him to evidence with DNA obtained via surveillance methods. The case, which was cold for more than four decades, was the subject of a social media campaign last summer for the anniversary of Lindas death. The arrest was due in part to the use of genealogical DNA data. Neal, previously known as James Albert Layton Jr., lived in the Newport Beach area at the time of Lindas slaying and left shortly afterward, the district attorneys office said. He moved to Florida and changed his name following an unspecified incident, the D.A.s office said. Neal later moved to Colorado. Neal was extradited to Orange County from Colorado on Monday and booked at Orange County Jail, where he is being held without bail. He could face a maximum sentence of 82 years to life in prison if convicted of the charges in the latest complaint, the district attorneys office said. Neals arraignment was continued Wednesday, and he is now scheduled for arraignment and a bail hearing March 29. Members of San Diegos Laotian community have launched a statewide movement to get their history added to California textbooks. Lao Advocacy Organization San Diego, or LaoSD, formed last fall after then-Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill that added lessons on the Vietnamese American refugee experience, the Cambodian genocide and Hmong history to the states model curricula. The group believes that bill left out the experiences of many who fled Laos during the Vietnam War. The bill is a great start, but its incomplete, said Pida Kongphouthone, a Mira Mesa resident and chair of the groups organizing committee. It left out almost an entire country. Advertisement As Hmong people make up a minority group in Laos, that communitys history includes some of the link between Laos and the U.S. Kongphouthone said hes happy Hmong history is making its way into California schools, but he wants to see the stories of other Laotians represented as well. Laos is part of American history, which is why its important for it to be part of the K-12 curriculum, Kongphouthone said. We would like our fellow Americans to take a moment to explore Laotian culture, cuisine and heritage. As the U.S. fought the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, it found allies in the Laotian royal army and civilians who fought alongside American troops during the ensuing conflict. After the new communist government took over Laos, those who had fought against it were sent to reeducation camps. Many escaped and fled to Thailand, where they were placed in refugee camps. The U.S. resettled many from those camps over the course of about a decade, Kongphouthone said. There are close to 7,000 who claim Laotian ancestry in San Diego County, according to data from the 2017 census update. The U.S. also waged a secret war in the region, through which Laos became the most heavily bombed country per capita in history. The Laotian American community avoided talking about its past for years, Kongphouthone said, because of the trauma many went through on their journeys to the U.S. Now, he and others are encouraging Laotians to be more open about their past and to get more civically involved. LaoSD has been raising funds to lobby for Assembly Bill 1393, introduced in late February by San Diego Assemblywoman Shirley Weber, which would add Laotian American history to Californias model curricula. The group plans to meet with legislators in Sacramento in late March, and in April, members of LaoSD will be encouraging the community to get involved in their efforts as part of their celebration of Lao New Year. San Diego Union-Tribune writer Lauryn Schroeder contributed to this report. kate.morrissey@sduniontribune.com After the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Matt Vecere dropped what he was doing, flew to the island and spent months helping the recovery efforts. When the Camp fire broke out in Northern California, Vecere immediately flew from his home in Long Beach to Chico to help people in shelters. And when the migrant caravan crisis erupted at the Mexican border, Vecere picked up his surfboard and went there, too, hoping to help the migrants. Vecere, a writer, humanitarian and surfer, followed tragedies as often as he could to give as much as he could to victims, his family said. His desire to help was unmatched and profoundly genuine, they said. Advertisement On March 8, Vecere began a long trip for work traveling to Washington, D.C., with a layover in Ethiopia, before a planned arrival in Nairobi, Kenya. The Boeing 737 Max 8 jet Vecere was on crashed early Sunday in Ethiopia, killing all 157 passengers on board, including 21 United Nations employees. He was 43. Surf circle or business circle, within 30 minutes of knowing the guy, you knew he would give everything he had for somebody who didnt have anything, said Mike Reola, the owner of Catalyst surf shop in San Clemente, where Vecere formerly worked as a manager. Vecere was traveling to a UN environmental conference for IQ Air, the air filtering and monitoring company he worked for. It was a trip that would bring him closer to marrying his passion of helping others with his career, said Tiffany Allegretti, a spokeswoman for IQ Air and friend of Veceres. We will miss his laugh, his wit, his sense of humor, but most of all, the kinship and friendship that he brought to everything he did, the company said in a statement. Our heart is with Matts family and friends, as well as the loved ones of all who lost their lives in this horrible tragedy. Vecere had started working at IQ Air two years ago as a writer and communications specialist, likely drawn by its mission to providing better air quality to those in need. On one of his regular trips to Haiti, he brought along IQ air filters and purchased water filters to distribute to orphanages and other local people, Allegretti said. Vecere went to Haiti often to distribute water and air filters and help residents recover from the 2010 earthquake. (Tiffany Allegretti) He did the same after the 2010 earthquake. Pretty soon, I was on a plane to Haiti with a suitcase full of water filters and not much of a clue as to what I was going to do with them, he told The Times then. When he returned to work, IQ Airs chief executive suggested that Vecere attend the UN conference on behalf of the company, Allegretti said. For his professional career to merge with his passion, it was the pinnacle of success, Allegretti said. He had a day to prepare for the flight and on the way to the airport went shopping for professional clothing: a single button-down shirt and a blazer. Allegretti asked him if he was ready. Yeah, I got my button-down and blazer, he texted. No pants? she asked. He was wearing them, Vecere replied. Then, he hopped on the plane. He just made every one of us better people, just by his presence, she said. I pushed for him to do this and I really was excited for him to do it. I have felt and continue to feel a lot of guilt. Vecere, a New Jersey native, had lived along Californias coast for about 12 years. He made the jump after meeting Reola at a surf competition he was participating in and covering for a surf magazine. Reola was opening a store in San Clemente, and he needed a manager. Reola was drawn to Veceres charisma and his ability to talk about politics and social issues so eloquently. Plus, he wasnt afraid to cut loose, Reola said. Vecere helped launch the store and its website in 2005. He would have been a great, game-changing politician, Reola said, struggling to describe Vecere. He would connect with people. He was good. He was striving to make things happen. Vecere left behind nonprofit organizations, including Emprofit, which provides economic opportunities to Haitian people, and a GoFundMe fundraising campaign to finish building an orphanage in Haiti. Matt was passionate about the environment, civil rights, social and environmental justice, and advocating for those less fortunate, his mother, Donna Vecere, said in a statement. His passion turned to direct action, rolling up his sleeves to serve causes where he could make a tangible difference. On Friday evening, Catalyst surf shop is hosting a memorial service for Vecere in San Clemente. In New Jersey, the surfing community is organizing a memorial paddle, to be held in the summer. Vecere is survived by his mother and sister, Allegretti said. Vecere at his IQ Air office. (Tiffany Allegretti) alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Twitter: @r_valejandra Carlsbad resident Glenn Johnny Peter Bengtsson, 43, and Raul Gonzalez Valerio, 61, of Laguna Hills, were identified by the county Medical Examiners Office on Sunday night as the two men who died in a paragliding collision Saturday at the Torrey Pines Gliderport in La Jolla. The solo pilots crashed into each other about 35 feet in the air, became entwined and plummeted onto the steep cliff face, about 45 feet below the edge, San Diego Lifeguard Lt. Rich Stropky said. Bengtsson was certified to fly on his own; Valerio was working on his certification but had flown 20 to 25 times, Stropky said. The incident occurred at 2:41 p.m. at the popular cliffside launching point for paragliders and hang gliders off Torrey Pines Scenic Drive. Advertisement Stropky said the less experienced pilot was flying south when he made a hard right turn, into the path of the northbound pilot. The lines leading from their harnesses to their canopies entangled. One canopy kept some air in it for moments, but the men fell straight down for 75 feet, Stropky said. They caught on a knoll on a vertical section of north-facing cliff, stranding them in a precarious position. Authorities did not know whether the fatal injuries were caused by the initial impact or the cliff crash. Lifeguards were assisted by a San Diego Fire-Rescue Department helicopter. One medic rappelled down the slippery, deeply gorged sandstone. The helicopter then hoisted the medic and one body at a time to the top of the cliff. Medics and firefighters carried the bodies on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance. Bengtsson was declared dead at 3:20 p.m. Valerio was declared dead at 3:25 p.m., the Medical Examiners Office reported. Kragen writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune. pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) Amid renewed calls for the reimposition of the death penalty following the killing and skinning of a teen in Cebu, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III urged voters to elect senatorial candidates who favor capital punishment. "If they are in favor of the death penalty, vote for senators who are in favor of the death penalty. If you are not in favor of the death penalty, then vote for senators, candidates who are not in favor," Sotto told CNN Philippines' The Source on Thursday. He added that the crimes of rape and murder should also be punished by death. He previously expressed support for reviving the death penalty for high-level drug trafficking, despite having filed a bill which sought to punish heinous crimes by death. He said that capital punishment will be the "defense mechanism of the government" and ensured that it will have safeguards. A bill restoring death penalty for drug-related offenses swiftly passed in the House, but stalled in the Senate, as many of its members are not receptive to the measure. Sotto admitted that the measure reviving death penalty has still not yet received backing from majority of the senators, but added that more members of the chamber are signifying their support for the proposal. There are at least eight bills pending in the Senate which seeks to bring back death penalty, including those filed by Sotto and Senators Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, Sherwin Gatchalian and Manny Pacquiao. Lawmakers and President Rodrigo Duterte see death penalty as a deterrent to crimes, but the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has said that capital punishment does not lower crime rates. A majority of Filipinos also prefer imprisonment over death penalty for drug-related crimes, a CHR-commissioned October 2018 Social Weather Stations survey showed. The 1987 Constitution abolished the death penalty but allowed Congress to bring it back for heinous crimes. It was brought back under the administration of President Fidel Ramos and abolished again under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. From early 2014, China started a new and wide-ranging program to reduce the nation's poverty. This grand endeavor can also be viewed as a key part of the global plan to lift people out of poverty. In the past 40 years, since the era of "reform and opening up" began in 1979, China has made remarkable progress in poverty reduction. Its massive efforts in this area have also inspired other countries around the world to accelerate their work to alleviate poverty. From a global perspective, extreme poverty rates are at an all-time low. Since 1990, the total number of people living in extreme poverty fell by more than 1.1 billion. The UN's "Millennium Development Goals" (MDGs) to reduce the world's poverty rate by half between 1990 and 2015 was met ahead of schedule. China also made its own contribution to the UN's MDG in a significant way. China is also eager to share and leverage its experience internationally. On the basis of its expanded South-South cooperation programs, China launched its new global platform the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). With its heavy investment in infrastructure building, energy exploitation, industrialization and other social sector needs, the BRI has the potential to act as a global poverty reduction accelerator across a number of low income countries facing economic turmoil. However, despite the significant progress it has made, there are still millions of people living in poverty in China. As a result, the Communist Party of China (CPC) and local and regional governments, are now devoting additional resources and shaping policies to improve poverty alleviation efforts. Because of its extensive work, China can share its experience in poverty reduction with other members of the international society within the framework of the UN's "Sustainable Development Goals 2030" (SDGs 2030). The UNDP has stated that it is crucial to see development as a process that depends on economic growth, in which the nature of economic growth will ultimately determine how successful people are in eradicating poverty. What should be noted, however, is that the economic growth alone is not enough to effectively alleviating poverty. That is why China, the UNDP as well as governments in many other countries are now trying an "all inclusive" model to lift people out of poverty. In recent years, both China and the world have been enjoying rapid reduction in poverty, which have come alongside economic growth and technological innovation. However, the distribution of wealth and social justice are still serious problems. In addition, there has also been a breakdown in the relationship between increasing labor productivity and income levels of a median household. For example, according to the UN's official report, the typical family in a number of developed countries has not shared in the gains of expanding economies since the early 20th century. Similar problems of income distribution are even worse in developing countries, in which economic benefits are rapidly accumulating at the top. Numerous reports in the U.S. have warned repeatedly that in both developing and developed countries, political processes have interacted with economic ones in ways that have led to the vast accumulation of income at the top. This comes as a result of the weakening of trade unions' bargaining power, the deregulation of the financial sector as well as the weakening of social protection due to fiscal policies that have made transfers for those "left behind" more difficult. These inequalities have caused a series of "chain reactions" and has caused the global underclass widespread suffering. Given this, people should understand the paramount importance of China's "targeted poverty reduction" and the UN's "SDGs 2030" program. Both programs aim to narrow the growing gap of rapid economic development and the increasingly severe social problem of an accelerating wealth gap. Whether people can solve this chronic social problem in a systemic and institutional way directly determines the sustainability of economic development. Fortunately, aside from China, a growing number of states with the assistance of the UN's SDGs 2030 are recognizing the serious problem of unequal wealth-distribution and imbalanced economic development, and have begun to include new policies to narrow this gap. In conclusion, both China's "targeted poverty reduction" and the UN's "SDGs 2030" program contain the central goal of "leaving no one behind and reaching those furthest behind first." The Chinese government and the UN have shown a strong will and developed pragmatic approaches, not only to reach this goal, but also to provide the world a new roadmap to achieve it. Now we are confidently looking forward to seeing an integrated and indivisible future world, in which, the sustainable development model and the "all-inclusive principle of common prosperity" will transform the world by enabling people to eradicate poverty for the first time in human history. Wang Peng is an associate research fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China, and a researcher at the Charhar Institute. Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, 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. Its official: California is 100% drought-free. For the first time since 2011, the state shows no areas suffering from prolonged drought and illustrates almost entirely normal conditions, according to a map released Thursday by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Former Gov. Jerry Brown issued an executive order in 2017 that lifted the drought emergency in most of the state, leaving some breathing a sigh of relief. But he cautioned Californians to keep saving water as some parts of the state were still suffering from extreme drought. Now, two years later, that deficit seems to have been erased, thanks to an exceptionally wet winter. Advertisement The reservoirs are full, lakes are full, the streams are flowing, theres tons of snow, said Jessica Blunden, a climate scientist with the National Climatic Data Center at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. All the drought is officially gone. The Drought Monitor, which collects data from scientists from the National Drought Mitigation Center, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and dozens of weather agencies, last showed a drought map that was clear in December 2011. In updating the map, scientists consult with hydrologists, water managers, meteorologists and other experts to determine the amount of water in the states reservoirs, the snowpack level and other key measurements. With the wet winter streak going strong, their reports have been good. In January, storms filled up many of the states water reserves almost to capacity and added about 580 billion gallons of water to reservoirs across the state. That month, the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada, a major source of Californias water supply, doubled and then doubled again in February. California has been getting a tremendous amount of rain, storms and snow, Blunden said. Its just been extremely wet and its been so wet that weve been able to alleviate drought across the state. A year ago, just 11% of the state was experiencing normal conditions while 88.9% of the state was abnormally dry, according to the drought report. Some parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties were still colored dark red, meaning they were experiencing extreme drought. Even last week, a small portion of Northern California was labeled as having moderate drought conditions. But as of Thursday, 93% of the state was experiencing normal conditions and none of it was in drought, Blunden said. Small portions in the far northern and southern parts of the state were still marked as abnormally dry, but elsewhere, the map registered no drought conditions at all. In San Diego County, reservoirs were only 65% full, which contributed to the dry conditions in that area, Blunden said. And conditions are expected to return to normal next week in Northern California, she said. With another storm expected within a week in San Diego, that area also would likely come out of its dry spell entirely. After a cold winter in Southern California, the Santa Ana winds are returning, while a high pressure system will help raise the temperatures, said Jimmy Taeger, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. The winter chill set records in downtown Los Angeles, which recorded its coldest February in nearly 60 years. There had never been a February since July 1877, when record-keeping began in downtown L.A., that the temperature failed to reach the 70-degree mark. In contrast, the highs for this weekend in the Los Angeles area are expected to hit 78. In San Diego, the mercury could reach 75 degrees Sunday for the first time since late January. The warm weather is rolling into the region on strong winds. In Los Angeles, the weather service issued a wind advisory Thursday morning, noting that winds between 15 and 25 mph would roll through, with gusts up to 40 mph from Malibu to the Hollywood Hills. Temperatures might be creeping up, but as for the rain, Taeger said were not completely over with it yet. Offshore winds will subside, bringing a 40% chance of a storm coming through San Diego over Wednesday and Thursday. Next weekend will bring more warm temperatures, but another storm could materialize toward the end of March, forecasters said. The rainy trend has extended across the United States, making for vast improvements in drought conditions, especially in the Western part of the country. Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming, for example, have made significant progress, though much of those states are still classified as abnormally dry and are still experiencing drought conditions, Blunden said. But storms are raging in some areas. A blizzard is moving over Colorado and Arizona, and New Mexico on Wednesday had heavy thunderstorms, which could significantly alleviate drought conditions in the next few weeks. Californians have a lot to be happy about, she said, but Blunden warned that could change. Dry conditions can easily creep back in, she said. Thats why we adjust the map every week. The conditions change and they can change fast sometimes. Browns declaration was made after record rainfall in 2017. Then, in 2018, the state broke more records following an extremely dry winter. We did see such major drought for five years, Blunden said. All of these storms came along and alleviated the drought. Everybody thought we were out of the woods, but then it came right back. I think drought conditions can sneak up on you very quickly. It is good to be cautious and always think about conserving water. alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Twitter: @r_valejandra In the hills of Lake Elsinore, children carried drooping apricot-colored poppies while panting dogs ran alongside them, their paws tainted orange. Girls braided flowers into their hair and nature photographers juggled tripods and cameras, waiting for the lighting to be just right in Walker Canyon. Throngs of visitors are trooping to the fields in Riverside County and elsewhere as Southern California revels in a super bloom of wildflowers, thanks to an unusually wet winter. Its better than going to Disneyland, said Randy Solis, a patrol officer with the Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency, who was stationed at a trailhead Saturday in the Temescal Mountains, where the hills were carpeted in Day-Glo orange poppies. Advertisement But with all of the crowds, some flowers are paying the price. Blooms are being trampled, despite efforts by park rangers to keep people on trails and walkways. Look at those people. Theyre stepping all over the poppies, Solis said. The people are nice except when theyre fighting about poppies. In Lake Elsinore, the rolling green hills, splashed with touches of bright orange and purple, were interrupted by moving dark specks people veering off the paths to find the perfect patch of poppies to pose for a photograph. And many came down the trail with bright-orange souvenirs, plucking the flowers from their beds. The only enforcement were the visitors themselves, who sometimes scowled at people stepping on or plucking the flowers. One young woman walking past a pair of photographers loudly commented on the poor positioning of their tripods, edged right on top of the poppies. 1 / 17 Poppies are abundant as visitors take in the scenery of the super bloom in Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 17 Surrounded by the super bloom, visitors pose for photos in the middle Poppy fields in Walker Canyon, Lake Elsinore. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 17 A California Poppy stands out amid the super bloom in Walker Canyon, Lake Elsinore. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 17 Poppies bloom on the slopes of Walker Canyon near Lake Elsinore. (Etienne Laurent / EPA/Rex/Shutterstock) 5 / 17 Floral-pattern clothes go with the theme in Walker Canyon, where visitors snap photos. (Etienne Laurent / EPA/Rex/Shutterstock) 6 / 17 Poppies turn Lake Elsinore hillsides into a patchwork of orange hues. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 17 The super bloom creates a super traffic jam of wildflower enthusiasts along the 15 Freeway in Lake Elsinore. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 17 An aerial view of the flowers blanketing Walker Canyon. (Mario Tama / Getty Images) 9 / 17 (Gregory Bull / Associated Press) A wet year after a drought has triggered the great bloom of wildflowers in parts of California, including near Borrego Springs. 10 / 17 Wildflowers draw appreciative visitors to Borrego Springs. (Gregory Bull / Associated Press) 11 / 17 Less than a week before the start of spring 2019, Rene Garcia and her 3-month-old son, Brandon, dawdle in the Anza-Borrego. (Gregory Bull / Associated Press) 12 / 17 Posing for a picture in a field near Borrego Springs. (Gregory Bull / Associated Press) 13 / 17 Wildflowers create a sea of yellow in the Carrizo Plain in southeastern San Luis Obispo County. (April Orcutt / For The Times) 14 / 17 Wildflowers known as baby blue eyes are in abundance. Theyre among Californias 7,000 species and varieties of native plants, according to the state Fish and Wildlife Department. (April Orcutt / For The Times) 15 / 17 Wildflowers in the Carrizo Plain. (April Orcutt / For The Times) 16 / 17 A few pops of color and plenty of green are seen along a Griffith Park hiking trail. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 17 (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) Wildflowers flourish in Griffith Park. Southern California last experienced a great wildflower bloom in 2017 (see super bloom photos ). Southern California last experienced such a super bloom in 2017. The eruption of flora was the largest in more than a decade after years of punishing drought. Great blooms are the natural product of a wet year following a bad drought and thats whats happening now, said Richard Minnich, a professor in UC Riversides earth and planetary sciences department. Sightseers have been anticipating this years flowers, wondering whether they would be as exceptional as those from two years ago. Orange and purple flowers compete for space in Walker Canyon. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Sang Han came to Lake Elsinore this week with his brother, Mathew Kim, to photograph the super bloom. The 69-year-old Han seemed oblivious of his faux pas or his neighbors disdain as he scooted his tripod across a clump of orange flowers. He and Kim, 58, were waiting for passing clouds to let in a ray of sunshine and bathe the hillside flowers in light. The two men follow the blooms every year, Han said, checking wildflower websites to learn when and where the blooms will be best. This is the hill, Kim said after shuffling to his camera. Its beautiful. It was their second day at Lake Elsinore in a week, and the brothers were planning a new trek to Carrizo Plain National Monument. Thats going to be prettier than here, Han said, every so often pointing toward the mountains and motioning for his brother who was honing his photography skills to get the shot. Super bloom comes to Carrizo Plain, wildflowers pop in Griffith Park and on Catalina Graciela Fonseca said she didnt know about the blooms in Walker Canyon until her daughter saw photos of the flowers on Instagram and urged the family to make the trip from San Marcos. Standing on the edge of a trail and watching her daughter pose for a picture among the poppies, Fonseca said she wasnt expecting the crowds or the hike. Im not dressed for this, she said. But this is beautiful! Kim Cousins, president of the Lake Elsinore Chamber of Commerce, said about 1,000 people have been traveling each day to see the super bloom there. The spectacular sight is creating a bit of a traffic nightmare around Walker Canyon, though. An extra parking lot was opened, but even with the additional space, drivers can still anticipate a jam on the 15 Freeway, with cars backing up as much as 20 miles at times. In 2017, frustrated drivers left their vehicles on the shoulder of the freeway to reach the blooms. This season has been no different as visitors descend on the flowered hillsides. During the last super bloom, there were two-hour delays on nearby roads as more than 140,000 people visited Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, according to park official Dennis Stephen. Most headed to the visitors center, overwhelming staff. But this year, he said, rangers were making sure people know exactly where to go to see the flowers. The super bloom is creating a super traffic jam along the 15 Freeway as wildflower enthusiasts wait to exit toward Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) Prior to 2017, there wasnt the social media experience, Stephen said. We were not quite as prepared. We just want everyone to enjoy the flowers. To do so with large crowds always requires a lot of patience. Two years ago, the park reported several instances of visitors being overcome by the heat, and off-leash dogs as well as humans trampling the flowers. This year, Anza-Borrego has placed booths throughout the park to assist visitors, including notices for guided hikes and tours. November rains gave the blooms a head start, said Jim Dice, a reserve manager for UC Irvines Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center. But unlike 2017, when the flowers blossomed all at once in one area, Stephen said, theres no need to rush to take in the spectacle this year. This winters rains were scattered across different areas at different times, which means the blooms to the south will be around until April. Officials at the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve are also expecting a later bloom there. But in Lake Elsinore, the poppies are already at their peak, decorating the hillside with splashes of color. Ive seen it on the way, when Ive driven by, said Diane Bosma of San Diego, who recently stopped for the first time. From the freeway, you get a taste, but theres so much more than that. In the middle of a butterfly crisis, California sees a burst of painted ladies Times staff writer Mary Forgione contributed to this report. alejandra.reyesvelarde@latimes.com Twitter: @r_valejandra When Donald Trump was elected president, rancher John Ladd said smuggling traffic on his ranch immediately dipped, and he slept soundly for the first time in years. Ladd, 63, a fourth-generation cattle rancher, had voted for Trump and his promise to build a border wall and have Mexico pay for it. But the wall hasnt been constructed, the respite didnt last, and Ladd, along with other vocal southern Arizona ranchers, has lost faith in the Border Patrols barrier plans. If they build a wall and do what they did to us, it isnt going to work, Ladd said last week as he drove through the 10-mile stretch of his ranchland that borders Mexico roughly from the community of Naco west to the San Pedro River. All but about half a mile of the border on his ranch is already fenced, a patchwork of varying heights, all erected on his land prior to the Trump administration. To his immediate west, at the foot of the Huachuca Mountains, the fence ends. Advertisement The first stretch of new fence planned for construction by the Trump administration is not slated for the Arizona desert but for Texas and is mired in environmental and land disputes. Even if that project moves forward and is expanded to Arizona, Ladd and some other ranchers now doubt it will stop smugglers unless the Border Patrol changes its policies and deploys agents closer to the new barriers. Arizona rancher Jim Chilton has been calling for more border security, including a wall, for many years. Traffickers use his land to transport drugs, he says, and immigrants have died crossing his ranch, in what he calls a horrible, horrible human Ladds friend and fellow rancher Jim Chilton still believes in Trumps wall, but describes the project as three-pronged. You need a wall. You need roads. And just as important, you need the Border Patrol at the border, said Chilton, 79, whose cattle ranch on the border a dozen miles west of Nogales is fenced with only barbed wire and frequented by smugglers, he says. Chilton was invited to meet the president at the American Farm Bureau Federation convention in New Orleans in January, where Trump acknowledged smuggling traffic on Chiltons ranch and brought him up to speak. Mr. President, Chilton said after taking the stage in his Stetson and bolo tie, we need a wall. Chilton didnt mention the need for Border Patrol agents to monitor traffic along the barrier. He figures once the wall is built, then we put pressure on the Border Patrol to change their strategy. (Los Angeles Times) But other ranchers who voted for Trump say his big, beautiful wall wont work without first improving how the Border Patrol monitors existing barriers. They say a trip along Ladds property illustrates their concerns. Fred Davis, 67, a fourth-generation rancher east of Tombstone, about 30 miles from the border, calls the barriers erected on Ladds 16,500-acre ranch the greatest technological boondoggle on the border and says they show that it doesnt matter what you put on the border if you dont have boots on the ground to monitor it. Ladds friend Gary Thrasher, a rancher and veterinarian, voted for Trump and supported the wall, but has doubts after whats happened at Ladds ranch. Its sickening to me that that much has been invested in something not well thought out, said Thrasher, 73. He pointed to one stretch of fence, a black ribbon winding up a hill and ending at the San Pedro River. The Border Patrol has spent about $54 million on fencing, cameras, towers, radar and other technology on Ladds ranch since 1992, he said. Most of the construction started after the Secure Fence Act of 2006 was passed, and ended in 2017 before Trump took office. But its by no means secure, he and his friends say. The money would have been better spent on manpower, said Ladd, a mustachioed cowboy who chewed tobacco as he drove in his pickup beside a stretch of fence built in 2009. The fence here is a patchwork of 18-foot-tall steel bollards, 13- and 10-foot mesh fence, waist-high X-shaped Normandy vehicle barriers, and floodgates that sit open during summer monsoons. Ladd says the barriers slow smugglers but dont stop them, especially in gaps under the fence called draws where cameras cant spot them. They should have an agent here, he said last week as he stopped near Gringo Draw. No agents were in sight. Gary Thrasher looks over a Normandy vehicle barrier near the San Pedro River bordering his friend and fellow rancher John Ladds property in Cochise County, Ariz., on March 2. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) The Border Patrol has stationed an agent near the ranchs eastern entrance beside the Naco crossing, and another to the west at the San Pedro River. But they keep watch by sitting on Xs, as Ladd put it, instead of surveying gaps in the fence. At one point, a third agent passed slowly in an SUV, on patrol. Thats one, Ladd said wryly. Most of the fencing on Ladds property was built during the Obama administration. Trump sent active-duty U.S. troops to the border, and worked with governors to send National Guard troops, but the guardsmen hes seen are not armed like they were under President Obama. The irony is not lost on Ladd. He has made his views known to the Naco Border Patrol station advisory committee he serves on, testified in Washington, hosted members of Congress and 2016 presidential candidates including Ben Carson and Rick Perry. He also attended a border security meeting about 190 miles to the northeast in Deming, N.M., on Saturday where Ladd said Thrasher and other Arizona ranchers addressed a crowd of more than 400 people upset with Border Patrol strategy in rural areas that in recent months have seen an influx of migrant family groups. Ladd and other ranchers feel ignored. Rancher John Ladd is reflected in a mirror as he checks on cattle at his ranch on the southern Arizona border. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Instead of Trump changing the strategy of the Border Patrol, he sees the president taking his cues from agency managers and the agents union. The Border Patrol has relied over the years on shifting agents to high-traffic areas, often around border cities. Critics say that leads to a water balloon effect, driving smugglers and migrants to ranches patrolled by fewer agents. Agent Dan Hernandez, a spokesman for the Border Patrols Tucson sector, is aware of complaints from Ladd and other ranchers. He wants agents holding hands along the border, Hernandez said. And while that might improve security in densely populated urban areas, Hernandez said, it wouldnt help in places like Cochise County, with a population of about 125,000 spread across an area larger than Los Angeles and Orange counties combined, including Naco. In Texas Rio Grande Valley, agents patrolling fenced stretches of the border have backup patrols stationed along highways farther north and at checkpoints on every major highway. Arizonas Cochise County is assigned fewer agents and checkpoints, which often are closed due to storms. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent Daniel Hernandez patrols along a dirt road yards from Mexicos Highway 2, which closely parallels the U.S.-Mexico border in Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, Ariz., on March 5. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Once you beat us in rural southern Arizona, Hernandez said, youre home free. As smuggling traffic shifted during the last 20 years away from Arizona toward Texas, so did agents. Frustrated, Ladd partnered with the local sheriffs office two years ago. The sheriff, who serves on a national Homeland Security advisory committee, used state and federal grants to send a team of five deputies to Ladds ranch, where they installed 50 camouflaged game cameras usually used to track wildlife at a cost of $1,000 each. Authorities tracked and charged 50 drug traffickers, all of whom were prosecuted. For the past 13 months, no drug activity has been seen in the area as a total of 500 cameras have been stationed across the county. The number of migrants caught on Ladds ranch has also declined, from 300 a day in the early 2000s to 50 a week recently. But Ladd remains worried. Across the Tucson Border Patrol sector that includes his ranch, 4,915 migrants were caught last month, compared with 3,824 in February 2018. Migrant traffic has shifted this year toward southern Arizona, with large groups arriving at remote crossings to the west of him in Yuma and to the east across the New Mexico state line. That could change overnight and the infrastructure isnt in place to respond and secure the border here, said Cochise County Chief Sheriffs Deputy Thad Smith, who runs the departments border enforcement team. John Ladd walks to open a gate on his ranch where a Border Patrol agent is stationed. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Ladd hopes to pass his ranch on to his children and grandchildren. But he and other ranchers say they have been worn down by Border Patrol mistakes. Agents often leave ranch gates open and cattle escape or mix, they say, to the point that Ladd has given up on segregating his herd of Angus, Hereford, Brahman and Charolais cattle. When it comes time to gather them up for sale or vaccinations, a process that once took a week now takes months. Other ranchers, fed up with the added costs of coping with Border Patrol and migrants on the border compared with ranches just 50 miles north, have sold out to investors, he said. An entire way of life is just being lost. Thats a real shame. America is losing a part of our culture because we cant secure our border, Smith said. Ladd says he isnt selling the ranch thats been in his family for 123 years. But hes losing patience with the Border Patrol. There is no compassion for those of us who live on the U.S. border in what theyre doing, he said. Last week, as he drove through the heart of his property, he stopped by a Border Patrol tower, one of four he let the agency erect. But it seemed futile. An agent sat beneath the tower in his truck, parked next to two portable toilets, watching an empty pasture. Ladd waved. The agent waved back. Ladd wished the truck was patrolling by the border fence. No matter what you give them, they want more, Ladd said. Im at the point where Im not giving them anything. Should activists aid migrants in the desert, or leave their fate to the Border Patrol? Bulldozers sit idle at border amid legal confusion over Trumps emergency U.S. database on immigrant-rights advocates, lawyers and journalists sparks outrage The Senate voted Wednesday to end U.S. support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalitions war in Yemen, bringing Congress one step closer to a unprecedented rebuke of President Trumps foreign policy. Lawmakers have never before invoked the decades-old War Powers Resolution to stop a foreign conflict, but they are poised to do just that in the bid to cut off U.S. support for a war that has triggered a humanitarian catastrophe. The vote puts Congress on a collision course with Trump, who has already threatened to veto the resolution, which the White House says raises serious constitutional concerns. The measure was co-sponsored by Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah). Next, it will move to the Democratic-controlled House, where it is expected to pass. Advertisement The resolution passed by a vote of 54 to 46, with seven Republicans breaking with Trump to back the resolution: Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Steve Daines of Montana, Mike Lee of Utah, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Todd Young of Indiana. The bottom line is that the United States should not be supporting a catastrophic war led by a despotic regime with an irresponsible foreign policy, Sanders said on Wednesday from the Senate floor. He said a vote in favor of the measure would begin the process of reclaiming our constitutional authority by ending United States involvement in a war that has not been authorized by Congress and is unconstitutional. In its statement threatening a veto, the White House argued the premise of the resolution is flawed and that it would undermine the fight against extremism. U.S. support for the Saudis does not constitute engaging in hostilities, the statement said, and the Yemen resolution seeks to override the presidents determination as commander in chief. Nadia Nahari with 5-year-old son Abdelrahman Manhash at a clinic in western Yemen in November. The United Nations Food Program says nearly 3 million children and pregnant or nursing mothers are malnourished in the war-ravaged country. (AFP/Getty Images) By defining hostilities to include defense cooperation such as aerial refueling, the White House statement said, the Yemen resolution could also establish bad precedent for future legislation. Trumps support for Saudi Arabia has been a point of tension with Congress since the killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year. Lawmakers from both parties have criticized Trump for not condemning Saudi Arabia strongly enough for the killing. Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) addressed those tensions when he urged his colleagues to oppose the measure. We should not use this specific vote on a specific policy decision as some proxy for all the Senates broad feelings about foreign affairs. Concerns about Saudi human rights issues should be directly addressed with the administration and with Saudi officials, McConnell said from the Senate floor. McConnell argued the Yemen resolution will not enhance Americas diplomatic leverage and will make it more difficult for the U.S. to help end the conflict in Yemen and minimize civilian casualties. Its the worlds worst humanitarian disaster. But its rarely ever discussed A similar resolution to end support for the Yemen war passed the Senate in December, but it was not taken up by the then Republican-controlled House. Approaching its fifth year, the war in Yemen has killed thousands and left millions on the brink of starvation, creating what the United Nations called the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. Sen. Christopher S. Murphy (D-Conn.) said before the vote that the resolution will be seen as a message to the Saudis that they need to clean up their act. We are made weaker in the eyes of the world when we willingly participate in war crimes, when we allow our partners to engage in the slaughter of innocents, Murphy said. A man said by federal prosecutors to have been a top leader of New Yorks notorious Gambino crime family was shot and killed Wednesday on Staten Island. Francesco Franky Boy Cali, 53, was found with multiple gunshot wounds to his body at his home in the boroughs Todt Hill section just after 9 p.m. EDT. Cali was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. There have been no arrests in the case. No other information was provided by police. Advertisement Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn had referred to Cali in court filings in recent years as the underboss of the Gambino organization, related through marriage to the Inzerillo clan in the Sicilian Mafia. Multiple media accounts since 2015 said Cali had ascended to the top spot in the gang, although he never faced a criminal charge saying so. His only mob-related criminal conviction came a decade ago, when Cali pleaded guilty in an extortion conspiracy involving a failed attempt to build a NASCAR track on Staten Island. He was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison and was released in 2009. The last crime family boss to be shot in New York City was Paul Castellano. The Gambino crime boss was assassinated outside Sparks Steakhouse in Manhattan in 1985. The Gambino family was once among the most powerful criminal organizations in the U.S., but federal prosecutions in the 1980s and 1990s sent its top leaders to prison and diminished its reach. The Nevada state Senates Democratic leader tearfully announced his resignation Tuesday after saying he took campaign funds for personal use. Due to mistakes I have made, I will be vacating my seat immediately, Kelvin Atkinson said Tuesday on the floor of the Senate. Regretfully, it has been discovered I have used campaign funds for personal use. Thus I will be taking responsibility for that. I will be pleading guilty for those actions when the time comes. Atkinson did not offer details about the charges, which he indicated resulted from a federal investigation. In this most difficult of circumstances, I have been treated respectfully by the prosecutors and investigators and I have no one to blame but myself, he said. Advertisement Court documents were not immediately available and it wasnt clear when his plea will take place. Atkinsons attorney, Richard Wright, did not immediately respond to messages. Neither the FBI in Las Vegas nor the U.S. attorney for Nevada commented about Atkinson, spokeswomen said. Top Republicans in the Legislature seized on Atkinsons announcement to call for a full corruption probe. Senator Atkinson has violated the integrity of our elections and broken the trust of the voters and his colleagues, Senate Minority Leader James Settelmeyer said in a statement. We hope this is an exception, but we must get all of the facts and determine how far this corruption goes. Assembly Minority Leader Jim Wheeler called Atkinsons admissions more than troubling. Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak said in a statement he was extremely disappointed about the developments. This admitted violation of the law goes against the integrity every elected officer in the state of Nevada should uphold. By doing so, he betrayed the trust of the public, and therefore should be held accountable, Sisolak said. Atkinson was first elected to the Assembly in 2002 and to the state Senate in 2012. He was the first black, openly gay member of the Legislature when he came out in 2013 during a debate in the Senate on same-sex marriage. Atkinson was named majority leader last November. Cheryl Bruce, executive director of the Nevada Senate Democratic caucus, said in a statement that Assistant Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro will become the acting leader. Bruce said Democrats were saddened and disappointed to learn about the circumstances of Atkinsons resignation and said it was appropriate that he step down. The charges levied against him are serious, and allege conduct that we strongly condemn, Bruce said. Cannizzaro declined to comment Tuesday. The allegations and news of Atkinsons resignation were first reported by the Nevada Independent on Tuesday. The House voted overwhelmingly and in bipartisan fashion to urge the Justice Department to publicly release the entirety of special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs report into Russian interference in the 2016 election, once completed. The move is an attempt to send a clear signal both to the American people and the Department of Justice that lawmakers expect to see the full account of Muellers work, according to the House Judiciary Committees chairman, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.). The final vote count was 420 in favor, with no one voting no. Four lawmakers voted present. But the resolution by itself cannot force Atty. Gen. William Barr to publish more of the report than he intends to and that is why even some of the Republicans supporting it complained that the measure was a waste of time. Advertisement Atty. Gen. Barr said he wants to be transparent with Congress and the public consistent with the rules and the law, Rep. Douglas Collins (R-Ga.), the Judiciary Committees ranking member, said on the House floor Thursday, adding that the resolution was simply a restatement of the regulation. RELATED: White House prepares for Robert Muellers report whatever it says As such, it is not clear if the Republican leader of the Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, will put the resolution on the Senate floor for a vote. For Democrats, however, passing the resolution was an important gesture, because during his confirmation hearing, Barr refused to pledge to release the full report to the public. Democrats are worried that Barrs strict defense of his own prerogative, combined with his stated respect for Justice Department rules advising against both the indictment of a sitting president or impugning an unindicted individual in an investigative report, means potential information implicating Donald Trump in alleged wrongdoing could be buried. To maintain that a sitting president cannot be indicted no matter how much evidence there is because hes a sitting president, and then to withhold evidence of wrongdoing from Congress because the president cannot be charged, is to convert the DOJ policy into a the means for a coverup, Nadler said on the House floor just before the vote. Democrats and several Republicans want Barr to release more than just Muellers full report. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) said the Justice Department had set itself a precedent of providing Congress with sensitive materials and making law enforcement and intelligence officials available for interviews, when the GOP-led House was investigating federal probes of Trump and Hilary Clinton. RELATED: Schiff says it would be a mistake for Mueller not to put Trump under oath Disclosure is uniquely imperative here because the special counsel reportedly is investigating whether the president himself engaged in misconduct, Schiff said. Several Republicans have also agreed that Mueller should release not simply the full report, but any and all investigative materials that informed it. I want the American people to know as much as they can and to see as much as they can ... it should have been broader, said Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas), a member of the Intelligence Committee and former CIA officer. The taxpayers paid millions for this information, and they should get to see all of it. Demirjian writes for the Washington Post. Evidence suggests the pandemic has made U.S. drivers more reckless more likely to speed, drink or use drugs and to leave their seatbelts unbuckled. Flash Following a warning letter by the U.S. ambassador in Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Tuesday that it "goes without saying" that the German government would define its own security standards in its 5G expansion. Merkel added that security in the expansion of Germany's 5G mobile network was a "precious asset" for the German government, and security standards would be discussed with Germany's partners in Europe and the United States. U.S. ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, had reportedly warned that intelligence cooperation between the United States and Germany could continue at its current level only if Chinese firms were excluded from the construction of Germany's 5G network, according to a letter sent to German economy minister Peter Altmaier. Other German politicians were also critical of Grenell's letter. "This federal government does not need any prompting or information from the American ambassador to take steps that make sense from a security policy point of view," said Michael Grosse-Broemer, the parliamentary director of the governing conservative union (CDU/CSU) in the Bundestag. Vincent Pang, head of Western Europe with China's telecoms firm Huawei, told the German newspaper Handelsblatt that "a country should not use its political power to harm a commercial enterprise. The U.S. is going too far." Germany is currently considering tightening the security rules for its telecoms infrastructure and Huawei's involvement in the construction of Germany's 5G network. Bidding for the licenses for the expansion of Germany's new 5G network is expected to start on March 19. Talk about leading from behind: The Federal Aviation Administration waited until 51 other countries air safety regulators barred flights by Boeings 737 Max aircraft before announcing Wednesday that it too would ground the planes indefinitely. Well, technically, the FAA didnt announce the move. President Trump did, at an impromptu news conference at the White House on Wednesday. Its not clear what role, if any, Trump played in the FAAs decision to issue the emergency order; the order itself says the agency received new information Wednesday that prompted the move. The agency was expressing confidence in the 737 Max planes as late as Tuesday evening, three days after a second devastating crash within five months involving a freshly minted 737 Max 8. What finally prompted the FAA to act, according to the agency, was new information from the wreckage of the second plane and satellite tracking data that indicated the possibility of a shared cause for the two incidents that needs to be better understood and addressed. Its not clear what role, if any, Trump played in the FAAs decision to issue the emergency order. Advertisement Most other countries evidently felt it was bad enough that two new planes of the same model would crash shortly after takeoff in the clear light of day, one near Indonesia last November and the second in Ethiopia on Sunday. After the first crash, Boeing warned airlines that a new stabilizing system on the plane meant to detect and respond to a dangerous loss of lift could, under some conditions, improperly send the aircraft into a dive. It also planned a software update to address the problem. Then the second crash happened, causing some to worry that the sensor malfunction had claimed both planes. As it happens, a number of pilots filed complaints with U.S. authorities about the stabilizing system and what they say was the insufficient training provided for it. The FAA may not have reviewed those complaints, however, because the complaint database is maintained by a different agency. Its easy to criticize the FAAs actions with the luxury of hindsight. Whats key for public confidence and public safety, though, is that the agency strike the right balance between two important but sometimes competing wishes: that its decisions be based on solid data and scientific analysis, not emotion or political influence, and that vulnerable travelers be protected against potentially fatal risks. In addition, any move to ground planes throws a monkey wrench into the transportation system, potentially preventing airlines from providing all the flights theyve committed to making. Its also worth remembering that air travel is, statistically, much safer than other modes of transportation. Thats especially true in the United States, which is a testament to both the industry and its regulators here. To help preserve public confidence in those regulators, its important for Congress to examine why the FAA decided not to ground the 737 Max planes until after the software update was completed (reportedly next month), and why it suddenly changed its mind Wednesday. The latter was the right move, but was it made for the right reasons? Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute Trumps own comments were, as usual, less than reassuring. I didnt want to take any chances, he said, but added, We didnt have to make this decision today. We could have delayed it. We maybe didnt have to make it at all. But I felt it was important both psychologically and a lot of other ways. The president isnt exactly watching from the sidelines on this issue. He spoke to Boeing Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg by phone Tuesday, and Muilenburg reportedly lobbied against grounding the planes. Trump also has pitched Boeings products to foreign leaders; while in Vietnam to negotiate with North Koreas Kim Jong Un, Trump witnessed a deal by two Vietnamese airlines to buy $15.7 billion worth of Boeing jets, including 100 737 Max models. Did a president notorious for governing by gut instinct push the FAA one way or another on how to handle the 737 Max crashes? Thats another issue Congress should explore. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinionand Facebook Jerry Brown must be stomping around his Colusa County ranch at the moment. His successor, Gov. Gavin Newsom, just threw two of Browns big, visionary projects the high-speed rail line from San Diego to Sacramento and the twin water tunnels under the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta under the political bus during his first State of the State speech Tuesday. After professing respect for the vision for a bullet train that would whisk people from San Francisco to Los Angeles in a few hours, Newsom said: Lets be real, the current project as planned would cost too much and take too long. Instead, Newsom said he will cut back the project to the Merced-to-Bakersfield leg that is already underway, then use it as the economic engine to unlock the economic potential of the Central Valley. What that means exactly is not clear, but it would probably involve more housing development and increased pressure on existing agriculture. Newsom also said that he will not support two delta tunnels. Instead, he supports a single tunnel approach such as the proposal floated a year ago. (The Los Angeles Times Editorial Board endorsed the two-tunnel solution but is open to a single tunnel.) Advertisement Does this make Newsom more practical than Brown? No, just a leader with different priorities. Brown believed in making large investments in infrastructure that may pay dividends for generations to come, but not so much in expanding social programs that might pay off immediately. Newsom has made clear during the campaign and now, in his first State of the State speech, that he is of the opposite opinion. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute The Senate gave final approval Thursday morning to a House-passed resolution to end the state of emergency declared by President Trump in order to steer billions of additional tax dollars to his pet project, a bigger, more extensive wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Its the second rebuke to Trump in two days the body voted Wednesday to cut off U.S. aid to Saudi Arabia for the war against Yemeni rebels. But there does not appear to be enough GOP support for the wall resolution to overcome a certain Trump veto. Thats because of members like Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), who either do not recognize the principle at stake or do not care about it. The resolution passed, 59-41, with 12 Republicans joining all the chambers Democrats and independents in support. Thats well short of the two-thirds majority it would take (in both chambers) to override a veto. Lankford took to the floor for several minutes Thursday to support Trumps argument that the situation at the border was an emergency. He made a much better case than Trump had, focusing on the amount of illegal drugs that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has seized on its way into the United States between official ports of entry in Texas. Advertisement Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute With deaths from opioid overdoses rising sharply in this country, it makes sense to try harder to stem the flow of illegal drugs even if the vast bulk of them arrive through official points of entry, tunnels and other means not impeded by a border wall. And according to Lankford, Trump is simply seeking to put barriers on what Customs and Border Protection says are the 10 highest drug-trafficking corridors in all of the southern border. But heres the thing: The administration made that case to Congress, and lawmakers chose not to give him the full $5.7 billion he was seeking for the wall. Instead, they put up a little less than $1.4 billion. Thats how the process works. Administrations throughout history have gone to Congress, hat in hand, and asked for money to fund a slew of priorities. They get much of what they ask for, and what they dont get, they either drop or try again the next year. Rather than respect Congress constitutional power over the federal purse, Trump decided to flout it. He used his statutory power to declare a state of emergency, unlocking emergency powers that were intended for addressing problems that were so fast-moving or unpredictable that Congress could not address them in time. Then he used one of those powers to shift $3.6 billion from previously appropriated military construction projects to his wall in other words, to overrule Congress and write himself a check. Its worth noting that, separate from the emergency declaration, Trump used the reprogramming authority Congress gave him to shift billions of dollars to the wall project. According to Lankford, the $3.6 billion wont even be tapped until next fiscal year after Congress considers another round of spending bills. One of Lankfords more senior colleagues, Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), ably laid out the issue in a statement announcing his support for the resolution ending the emergency declaration. I support the president on border security, Alexander said. I have urged him to build the 234 miles of border wall he has asked for in the fastest possible way by using $5.7 billion already approved by Congress. But his declaration to take an additional $3.6 billion that Congress has appropriated for military hospitals, barracks and schools is inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution that I swore an oath to support and defend. Never before has a president asked for funding, Congress has not provided it, and the president then has used the National Emergencies Act of 1976 to spend the money anyway. The problem with this is that after a Revolutionary War against a king, our nations founders gave to Congress the power to approve all spending so that the president would not have too much power. This check on the executive is a crucial source of our freedom. This declaration is a dangerous precedent. Already, Democrat presidential candidates are saying they would declare emergencies to tear down the existing border wall, take away guns, stop oil exports, shut down offshore drilling and other leftwing enterprisesall without the approval of Congress. Yup. Sadly, Republicans already appeared to be backing down from that principle to maintain their bona fides with Trump supporters back home, who are more swayed by Trumps fearmongering about border security than by concerns about the constitutional separation of powers. A good example is North Carolinas Thom Tillis, an early supporter of the resolution who announced minutes before the vote that he had flip-flopped. Why? Because the president said hes willing to work with us to narrow the White Houses power to declare emergencies. Thats the compromise Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is floating, even though Trump was refusing to support it as recently as Wednesday. And its, ahem, irrelevant to the situation at hand. If I misappropriated your money but promised to talk about giving you less access to your bank account in the future, would you let me keep your money? Of course not. But Republicans are eager to find a way to give Trump and the party a win on border security without appearing to open the door for the next president to commit a similar crime against the Constitution. Note to Republicans in Congress: No matter how narrow a definition of an emergency you write, presidents will find a way to fit the facts to the definition. And besides, the issue here isnt whether there are big problems at the border. The issue is that Congress considered them and decided not to address them the way Trump wanted, so he used emergency powers to reverse that decision. Thats the precedent being set here, and its one Congress ignores at its peril. In California and across the country, voters of all stripes are asking elected leaders to focus on crime prevention and treatment and stop overcrowding prisons with poor, vulnerable people who pose little safety threat to our communities. At the forefront of this fight are locally elected prosecutors who have the power to implement critical criminal justice reforms. In Los Angeles County, voters heartily supported measures to decriminalize marijuana, reduce draconian sentences for low-level offenses such as shoplifting, and increase parole opportunities for people who commit certain nonviolent offenses. These are common-sense policies that make the justice system more fair and humane, while keeping Californians safe. With such widespread support, its disheartening that Los Angeles Countys top prosecutor, Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey, hasnt embraced some criminal justice reforms.Take the incarceration rate of Los Angeles County. We have about 618 people in prison per 100,000 residents, which is significantly higher than Californias overall rate of 496 per 100,000 residents and more than four times higher than San Franciscos rate. Black residents are incarcerated at four times the rate of white residents. Its disheartening that Los Angeles Countys top prosecutor, Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey, hasnt embraced some criminal justice reforms. Advertisement Yet Lacey has opposed key reforms, such as ending cash bail, that could bring that rate down. Criminal justice is supposed to be about safety, not wealth. But thats not how our bail system operates. Wealthy people can raise bail for their loved ones; poor people often cant. This often means that a person who is wealthy and charged with a serious offense can purchase his or her freedom while people who struggle to make ends meet are locked in jail on comparatively minor charges. Elected prosecutors in Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, and St. Louis have recently implemented or supported bail reform in their offices. In San Francisco, Dist. Atty. George Gascon called cash bail inherently unfair and archaic. Another issue on which Lacey has fallen short is addressing violence by police. In communities nationwide, reform-minded district attorneys are appointing independent prosecutors within their offices to investigate police shootings, which disproportionately affect people of color. An impartial investigation helps ensure justice is served and police are held accountable. Lacey has not taken this route. Moreover, the D.A.s office has repeatedly declined to charge police officers in fatal shootings of unarmed black people, including in one case in which then-Los Angeles police chief Charlie Beck said the officer should be criminally prosecuted. Lacey has been out of step with voters in the county on other key criminal justice measures as well. She opposed Proposition 57 (supported by 67% of L.A. voters), which increased parole chances for certain people convicted of nonviolent crimes who posed no ongoing threat to their communities. She also opposed Proposition 64, which legalized recreational marijuana, again placing her out of step with the 59.5% of Los Angeles voters who supported the measure. Though Los Angeles voters twice voted to replace the death penalty with life-without-parole sentences, the D.A.s office, according to data aggregated from annual reports from the Death Penalty Information Center, has sent more people to death row over the last five years than any other prosecutors office in the U.S., except Republican Dist. Atty. Mike Hestrin in Riverside County, and more than the states of Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Virginia combined. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute Thats why Mayor Eric Garcettis endorsement of Lacey this month for a new term as the countys top cop was so surprising. Garcetti called Lacey a proven leader who always puts the mission of advancing justice for all above everything else. Lacey still has a long way to go to earn such praise from our mayor. As the city, state and nation seek wholesale change in our criminal justice system, its crucial that locally elected prosecutors reflect the will of the people they serve and are working to enact pragmatic reforms. We expect more from Lacey and from all of L.A.s leaders. There is finally widespread support across the political spectrum for changing the criminal-justice system in meaningful ways. Now we just need key public officials, including Lacey, to get on board. Patrisse Cullors is co-founder of Black Lives Matter, founder of Dignity and Power Now and chair of Reform L.A. Jails. A coup is unfolding in Guatemala. Last week, President Jimmy Morales sent riot troops to the countrys main airport in Guatemala City to block the entry of a human rights investigator working for a United Nations-backed anti-corruption panel. The panel, called the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala, had been investigating Morales brother and son for campaign graft. They were both scheduled to face criminal proceedings this week. After the airport standoff, Guatemalas Constitutional Court ruled that the commission should be permitted to continue its work. Meanwhile, allies of Morales in Guatemalas Congress attempted to impeach the judges who ruled in the commissions favor. Morales then ordered the U.N. anti-corruption commission to leave altogether. Its team has now fled the country. The criminal proceedings against Morales relatives have reportedly been suspended. Advertisement The U.S. cant be absolved of the decades of harm it helped inflict on Guatemala, but it can choose to be on the right side of history now. Morales, a television celebrity-turned-politician, appears to be betting that President Trump will turn a blind eye to his contempt for the rule of law. After relentless interference in Guatemalan affairs for 65 years, the United States cannot look the other way. Nor should it continue sending aid to Guatemala unless the U.N. commission is allowed to resume its work. The Central Intelligence Agency overthrew Guatemalas first democratic government in 1954. Following that coup, Washington backed a long series of brutal military dictatorships. Together these dictatorships killed at least 200,000 civilians, mostly indigenous people. A U.N. truth commission concluded that the carnage was nothing short of genocide. I first moved to Guatemala in 1993, right after the Serranazo coup. President Jorge Serrano had attempted to suspend Guatemalas Constitution and dissolve its Congress, allegedly in an effort to fight corruption. Within days, the Clinton administration cut off aid and threatened trade sanctions. Serrano was ultimately ousted, and the military agreed to appoint a human rights lawyer, Ramiro de Leon Carpio, as interim president. Guatemala signed peace accords three years later, ushering in a brief period of tranquility after four decades of civil war. A U.N. peacekeeping mission helped the nascent civil society to establish nonprofits and document human rights abuses. After a decade, in 2004, U.N. observers were preparing to leave Guatemala when local leaders asked for continued support to investigate criminal networks within the state linked to the drug trade and human rights violations. So Guatemala signed another agreement with the U.N. two years later, establishing the anti-corruption commission. With a modest budget financed by foreign donors, the team has helped the Guatemalan attorney generals office establish basic legal procedures, such as witness protection and wiretaps. The commission has also helped to root out the impunity concealed by Guatemalas leaders. In 2009, for instance, the panel uncovered a conspiracy to frame the sitting president, Alvaro Colom, for murder. Colom was later arrested on corruption charges. In its most stunning case, the commission compiled evidence that brought down Guatemalas last president, Otto Perez Molina, for his involvement in a customs fraud scheme. In the wake of Perez Molinas downfall, Morales won Guatemalas next election, campaigning with a populist slogan: Not a criminal, not a crook. But scandals soon proved otherwise, and Guatemalans have since held regular strikes and demonstrations to demand his resignation. The U.S. continues to wield significant influence in Guatemala, with Washington providing tens of millions of dollars in aid to the country every year. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute Morales has made obvious efforts to curry favor with Trump by making Guatemala the second country to move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The Trump administration has been disturbingly silent since Morales expelled the international investigators last week. The U.S. cant be absolved of the decades of harm it helped inflict on Guatemala, but it can choose to be on the right side of history now. However Congress votes on Trumps wall, Democrats and Republicans could agree to take action to prevent a new flood of political refugees from Guatemala. As Norma Torres, congresswoman from Californias 35th District, wrote last week, putting our heads in the sand would be a serious mistake. Congress should immediately suspend all U.S. aid to Guatemala most especially military aid and condition its renewal on the return of the anti-corruption team. Lawmakers should also support legislation such as HR 7314, the Guatemala Rule of Law Accountability Act, a bill introduced by Torres that would require visa and travel sanctions against Guatemalan officials who engage in corruption and undermine the rule of law. Guatemala is a sovereign nation, and its citizens will choose the right course if the U.S. is not silently complicit with yet another coup. With strong condemnation of Morales from Washington, more Guatemalans will take to the streets to restore honesty, democracy and justice to their government. Liza Grandia is a cultural anthropologist and professor of Native American studies at UC Davis. She is the author of Enclosed: Conservation, Cattle, and Commerce Among the Qeqchi Maya Lowlanders. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook No childs first choice of a Christmas present would be 1001 SAT Words and underwear. But thats what I got the year I was 10. My parents came to the U.S. as Korean War refugees, and the gifts represented what they considered most important: education and primary needs. As a child, I broke curves on tests and studied instead of going out with friends. I had an index card posted over my typewriter, HARVARD 86!!! because thats what my two older brothers had done. I remember PTA meetings in which teachers pleaded with my parents to let me just relax and play. But that wasnt going to happen. As a teen I rebelled by surreptitiously sending an essay to Seventeen magazine and getting it published. My parents feared it might mean I was losing focus on my science track, though my father consoled himself that it might help my Harvard application. It didnt. I attended Brown University after being rejected from Harvard, which broke their hearts. Ive regaled friends for years with stories about my parents excessive ambition for their children. But last weeks news about how dozens of wealthy, scheming white parents (and one Asian dad) allegedly approached college admissions for their kids has helped me appreciate my tiger parents. Advertisement One benefit of my upbringing was that when I got to college, I had a work ethic and a belief in myself. I needed it. Prosecutors described bribery, faked disabilities, substitute test-takers, and Photoshopped pictures of kids pretending to be athletes all part of alleged attempts by parents to buy their children admission into top-tier schools, including Yale and Stanford. As a child, I wanted desperately to fit in. Being part of the only family of color in a Minnesota mining town made that hard. And the stigma was compounded by my having to stay in after school and on weekends to study and complete the additional work my father assigned to make up for schools he thought were far easier than those in Korea. Math was always a sore subject. I had little aptitude for it, but my parents pushed me onto the honors track, where I took analytic geometry as an elective fun class. Almost everything post-algebra stymied me. You cant fake your way through integrals and logarithms. I begged my parents to let me just stay on the regular math track as I feared I was nearing a nervous breakdown. My fathers reply was always, Sorry, Charlie (cribbed from a TV ad at the time, in which Charlie the Tuna was rejected by StarKist because he just wasnt good enough). Having encountered racism early on in Jim Crow Alabama in the 50s, the lessons my parents took away from that experience were that we had to do better than whites, be incontestably great. The message about skipping out on math was clear: I had to work harder. This is why it is so painful to learn that the college admissions system hardly resembles the meritocracy Id imagined. The indictment describes how some kids didnt even have to show up for their SAT exams because others took the exam for them. When I took it, my father had to take a day off of work to drive me an hour away to the next town. I didnt have any famous people to write my letters of recommendation in fact my counselor wrote mine. Having never been asked to write an Ivy League recommendation, she didnt understand Id waived my right to see it, and obligingly made me a copy of it after she sent it. I was aghast to see she had mixed me up with my younger sister and wrote about different extracurriculars; seeing her mistakes always made me wonder a bit about my Harvard rejection. I have often made gentle fun of my parents obsession with education. This scandal has helped me to see their efforts as the expression of love they were. As immigrants and refugees, they had no resources to give me other than the time and attention to my education. Teachers sometimes criticized my upbringing as unnatural, but the details revealed in Tuesdays indictment were far more unnatural. They make clear that my parents obsessive strategy was a rational and smart choice given the horribly unlevel playing field. One benefit of my upbringing was that when I got to college, I had a work ethic and a belief in myself. I needed it: Even as valedictorian, I was seriously under-prepared for college by my Midwestern public high school. My four years of German classes didnt even qualify me for skipping beginning German, and even though my parents took me to the library weekly, from which Id bring home books in Hefty garbage bags, I was staggered by how much I hadnt read. But having been tiger-parented into college, I had the foundation the underwear, so to speak to get through. Currently, a group of Asian American students who were rejected by Harvard, not unlike me, are suing, accusing the university of discriminating against Asian Americans in favor of black and Latino affirmative action candidates. The truth is, however, that its not blacks and Latinos who benefit from a rigged admissions process: Overwhelmingly, its rich, mediocre whites who feel entitled to their place as a kind of birthright, that earning it is irrelevant. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute Elite education, like healthcare, is a limited resource. Why in a rational world would we waste precious resources on someone like actress Lori Loughlins daughter Olivia Jade, who was admitted to USC as a crew athlete even though she didnt row. The hundreds of thousands of dollars her parents are accused of spendingto bribe admissions officials for an underachiever who publicly stated, I dont know how much of school Im gonna attend. She was looking forward, she said, to game days and partying. A few days later, she apologized for the remarks, but its hard not to think the money spent on getting her into school could have been much more profitably used to fund a dozen Dreamer immigrant students. An acquaintance, trying to reach me through an old email, laughed recently at my newest ".edu incarnation, Columbia. You are such an Ivy League snob! she exclaimed, not exactly meanly, but not nicely, either. I felt a gut-punch that Im sure many people of color who have had elite educations would recognize. Did people think I was a snob? Did I really deserve the opportunities Id been given? Was I a fraud? I somehow doubt that the kids who get into top schools because of white privilege ask themselves those questions maybe now they will start. Marie Myung-Ok Lee has taught writing at Yale, Brown, and Columbia. Her novel The Evening Hero will be published in 2020. @MarieMyungOkLee To the editor: In your editorial criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, you express hope for a secure Israel that will make peace with its neighbors. Israel withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula and made peace with Egypt. It signed a treaty with Jordan and withdrew from most of the West Bank. It unilaterally withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005 and has been met with a barrage of rockets, incendiary devices and terror tunnels. It has made numerous peace proposals and offers to withdraw from almost all of the disputed territories on which the Palestinians can create their state. Every single attempt has been rejected. How about, for a change, suggesting that its neighbors make peace with Israel? Advertisement And, for the record, the political rhetoric of its embattled prime minister notwithstanding, Israel is an egalitarian and democratic state. It is not perfect, but it stands heads and shoulders above all those surrounding it on human rights, freedom of speech and more. Pauline Regev, Santa Monica .. To the editor: Netanyahu insists that Israel is a state only of its Jewish citizens, thereby trashing the one in five Israelis who are Arab. Netanyahu even cites the new nation-state law to back up his comments. That would be like an American president saying America is a state for only its white, Christian citizens. American politicians claim shared values in gifting Israel more than $3 billion each year, defending Israeli soldiers killing more than 200 Palestinians in Gaza in the last year, and accepting the occupation of Palestinian territory for more than 50 years, denying them civil, human and economic rights. What shared values? Jeff Warner, Los Angeles Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook. House Democrats accused Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in a contentious face-off Thursday of having lied to Congress about his role in a Trump administration effort to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census. Confronted by Democrats for the first time since they won control of the House, Ross reiterated testimony he gave last year that the question was added to the draft census form at the request of the Justice Department. Democrats cited calls, emails and depositions showing that he worked with White House officials to add the question, for the first time since 1950, before the Justice Departments request in December 2017. The administration has said that the question is needed to help the department enforce the 1965 Voting Rights Act. California and other states with large immigrant populations have sued, contending that some people will refuse to answer the census, resulting in under-counts that will cost them clout and federal funds for their residents. The Supreme Court is expected to consider the issue next month. Advertisement Rep. William Lacy Clay of Missouri was the most confrontational of the Democrats at the hearing of the House Oversight Committee, charging that documents obtained by the panel prove Ross lied under oath. Mr. Secretary, you lied to Congress. You misled the American people and you are complicit in the Trump administrations intent to suppress the growing political power of the nonwhite population, Clay said. You have already done great harm to the census in 2020, and you have zero credibility. And you should, in my opinion, resign. Ross denied any nefarious purpose, adding, I testified truthfully to the best of my ability in response to what my understanding of the questions were. He said the conversations Democrats pointed to were an attempt to gather information because he heard the Justice Department might ask to have the citizenship question included. Acting Assistant Atty. Gen. John Gore told the committee in a deposition last week that he was given a memo from a Commerce Department official justifying the question two months before he made the official request for the Justice Department. Democrats pointed to depositions of other federal employees indicating Ross was looking for a department to press for the citizenship question. Yet the rationale of citing the Voting Rights Act originated in his Commerce Department or elsewhere in the administration, Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) said. Ross has declined to produce some documents the committee sought, citing the pending lawsuits. Chairman Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.) gave Ross until Tuesday to provide the documents or, he said, the committee might subpoena them. Ross appearance came a week after a second federal judge said he had violated the Constitution and the law. The Supreme Court is scheduled to weigh the issue in April, and is expected to decide before it adjourns in June. The Constitution requires the government to count all U.S. residents every 10 years. The results are used in many ways, including to apportion congressional districts and federal funding and, at the local level, to decide locations for firehouses, schools and polling places. The census stopped asking Americans about citizenship after 1950, when the government determined it would get a more accurate estimation by polling a fraction of the population. Federal law prohibits the Census Bureau from sharing information from respondents with other agencies. Ross stressed that answers will not be used for immigration enforcement. The latest from Washington More stories from Sarah D. Wire As clumsy and offensive as Rep. Ilhan Omars remarks were when she questioned the patriotism of pro-Israel members of Congress, some Democratic lawmakers and left-leaning Mideast peace advocates say the episode could nevertheless open the door to a more robust debate about U.S. foreign policy and rekindle interest in the plight of Palestinians, particularly among younger Democrats. I think there will be more and more willingness on the part of members of Congress and policymakers to speak up and be critical of the policies of the U.S. and the government of Israel. Theres been more reluctance in the past, said Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of J Street, an advocacy group that supports Israel but opposes many of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus policies. Ben-Ami said that congressional newcomers like Omar (D-Minn.) now one of three Muslim House members and young Democratic voters are interested in exploring issues like the growth of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, a topic that has been pushed aside as the Trump administration adopted a strong pro-Israel stance. They want to change the reality on the ground, Ben-Ami said. Ultimately they are worried about the impact of cutting off funds for schools. They are worried about the impact of violence and drinking water in Gaza. I think the space to have the discussions around that are opening up here. Advertisement Others say that paints too rosy of a picture and worry that the political backlash against Omar from those within her party could end up stifling debate by making politicians afraid to discuss or even question U.S. policy on Israel. The widespread criticism of Omar could also make other lawmakers reluctant to side with her. Aaron David Miller, a Middle East policy expert at the Woodrow Wilson International Center, said a strategy to change policy or even attitudes on Israel requires patiently building coalitions of lawmakers on Capitol Hill. My sense is that several of the progressive Democrats who have been most outspoken dont have that kind of strategy, he said. These are perhaps genuinely held positions driven by emotion and ideology. But there isnt a strategy behind it. The controversy also gave Republicans another political cudgel to use against Democrats, who have long been the favored party by far for American Jewish voters. President Trump last week outraged Democrats by calling them anti-Jewish. But despite the internal Democratic Party battle triggered by Omars comments, progressives on Capitol Hill remain optimistic. This is a start of the conversation that didnt happen in a positive way, said Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Fremont). But the conversation is not going away. Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.), a Muslim, agreed. I think that it could spark a series of conversations that seek to address the Israeli-Palestinian question with more depth, more objectivity, more compassion, more readiness to have a dialogue that will foster greater relationships between Muslims, Jews, Christians, secularists and other faiths, he said. Though that could have been Omars goal, it didnt come across that way to her peers. Omar said this month that pro-Israel advocates push for allegiance to a foreign country a comment widely interpreted as questioning the loyalty of Jewish Americans and feeding into a long-held trope about Jewish people. It came weeks after she suggested that Americans who support Israel hold that position because of political donations from pro-Israel lobbyists, a comment for which she apologized. Veteran Democrats immediately called for a resolution to condemn anti-Semitism. But other Democrats, many on them at the younger end of the Democratic caucus, launched a surprise revolt, questioning if the party was unfairly piling on a freshman Muslim lawmaker and creating a double standard by putting greater emphasis on anti-Semitism compared with other forms of bigotry, including Islamophobia and white nationalism. They demanded and won a broader resolution, which condemned virtually all forms of discrimination. Even as most Democrats disavowed Omars comments, the debate led to a more open discussion on U.S. foreign policy. When Rep. Juan Vargas (D-San Diego) said questioning support for the U.S.-Israel relationship is unacceptable, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), a high-profile freshman, balked. She compared such blanket statements of support to the kind of uncritical thinking that led the U.S. into war in Iraq. Im curious if Rep. Vargas will further explain his stance here that its unacceptable to even *question* US foreign policy, Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. But Democrats also hope the Omar controversy will serve as a lesson to ensure future debate is respectful.This made it very clear that people can take whatever domestic or foreign policy positions they want, but we dont impute motives to our colleagues based on racial, religious or ethnic stereotypes or tropes or superstitions, said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.). When Omar apologized for her comments suggesting support for Israel was based on money, she insisted she never intended to repeat anti-Semitic tropes. But she has also said she hopes to shake up the debate because thats the way to make change. I know what my mission is. I know what my purpose is, she told a gathering of supporters several weeks ago. I know that as long as I breathe that I will continue to make people uncomfortable in the best way possible. Israel is likely to bubble back to the surface within weeks. In addition to the Israeli election next month in which Netantayu is trailing in some polls, AIPAC, the powerful pro-Israel advocacy organization that has been the target of some of Omars prior comments, is hosting its conference in Washington later this month. Netanyahu is slated to speak at the gathering and could meet with Trump while he is in town. That could make it harder to avoid a debate over Israel. Theres a divide on the policies being pursued by the state of Israel under Benjamin Netanyahu and people are asking questions, said James Zogby, head of the Arab American Institute, which advocates for Arab Americans. Maybe the last place on Earth where the question is being asked is in Congress. But theyre not going to be able to escape it any longer. The latest from Washington More stories from Jennifer Haberkorn Senate Republicans on Wednesday confirmed the 36th circuit court judge under President Trump a rapid clip of confirmations that may slow in the coming months simply because the GOP will have filled all the existing vacancies on the powerful federal appeals courts. The confirmation of Neomi Rao to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, on a 53-46 vote, as well as Paul Matey earlier this week to the Philadelphia-based 3rd Circuit, now means one out of every five appeals court judge will have been nominated by Trump. Now, just nine vacancies remain in the circuit courts, which handles the vast majority of cases that never reach the Supreme Court, and Trump has nominated candidates for six of them. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) could muscle through confirmations by midyear, leaving few openings if a Democrat wins the White House in 2020. This nominee is yet another of the presidents excellent choices to serve as a federal judge, McConnell said of Rao on Wednesday. He said during her confirmation hearing that she demonstrated a commitment to maintaining the public trust and upholding the rule of law. Advertisement While more seats could open up as judges retire, some tapped by Democratic presidents may choose not to do so as long as Trump remains in office and can nominate conservatives as their successors. The scenario is a dramatic turnaround from the situation that Trump inherited in January 2017, when he came into office with 17 circuit court vacancies as well as an open Supreme Court seat that McConnell had kept vacant for more than a year by refusing to allow a vote on President Obamas nominee, Merrick Garland. In the two years since, McConnell, the Senate Judiciary Committee and the White House have worked expeditiously to fill those vacancies while dismissing the loud protests of Democrats who say theyve been cut out of the traditional consultation process between the White House and senators who represent a state that has a court vacancy. Matey, a former deputy chief counsel to former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, was confirmed 54-45 earlier this week despite objections from both of his home-state senators, Democrats Robert Menendez and Cory Booker of New Jersey. They said the White House did not consult with them on the nominee, and they declined to return Mateys blue slip, which for decades has served as a permission slip of sorts for a judicial nominee to proceed, and which if withheld would essentially block a confirmation vote. Infuriated over being out of the process, some Democratic senators are vowing payback if they take back control of the Senate next year by not automatically deferring to Republican home-state senators on judicial candidates. I say, you cant put Humpty Dumpty back together again, said Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), a vocal critic of Trumps judicial nominees. Of the thought that Democrats would impose limits that Republicans have absolutely no intention of imposing on themselves, I think that train has left the station. Now, a majority of the judges appointed to the 3rd Circuit will have been nominated by Republican presidents. There is one current vacancy on the Philadelphia-based court for which Trump hasnt chosen a nominee. Rao, confirmed to replace now-Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh on the District of Columbia court, ran into some confirmation struggles of her own, but among Republicans. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who disclosed earlier this year that she had been sexually assaulted in college, raised concerns about columns Rao wrote about date rape while an undergraduate student at Yale University. The nominee apologized for her college writings in a letter to the Judiciary Committee. Then, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), a conservative freshman who opposes Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court ruling legalizing abortion, publicly questioned how Rao would rule on cases involving abortion before ultimately voting to confirm her. Rao clerked for Justice Clarence Thomas, now one of her chief supporters, who praise her legal acumen and track record at the influential Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, where she has quietly led the administrations efforts to significantly scale back federal regulations. Thomas had also spoken privately to GOP senators including Hawley and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) to boost Rao and to assure Republicans of her conservative legal philosophy. There is little that McConnell prioritizes more in the Senate than confirming judges. In the first two years of Trumps presidency, the GOP-led Senate successfully installed two justices to the Supreme Court, as well as 30 circuit court judges and 53 judges to the lower-level district courts. So far this year, the Senate has confirmed a half-dozen circuit court judges. And of the six remaining circuit judges who have been nominated by Trump, three have cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee and are awaiting a confirmation vote in the full Senate. The panel also held hearings for two nominees to California-based seats on the 9th Circuit Court earlier Wednesday Daniel Collins and Kenneth Lee. Both are opposed by the states two Democratic senators, Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, but are likely to be confirmed anyway. Senate Republicans now plan to quickly pivot to filling the 129 vacancies in the lower-level district courts. Those confirmation fights have generally drawn less controversy than those at the appellate level, but the GOP-led Senate is preparing to take unilateral action to change the chambers rules to allow for speedier confirmation of district judges and other non-Cabinet level presidential nominees. The planned change, which the GOP conference has been preparing for since a party retreat in January, would limit debate on what could be hundreds of Trump nominees to just two hours once senators invoke cloture a vote that officially cuts off unlimited debate on a nomination. Currently, the debate can last as long as 30 hours on the Senate floor, and Democrats dragging out that time have increasingly irritated Senate Republicans and an administration that still has a sea of posts to fill. At a party lunch on Tuesday, McConnell told GOP senators he has locked down the 51 Republican votes necessary to muscle through the rules change without any support from Democrats, according to an official with knowledge of the majority leaders announcement who requested anonymity to discuss the private remarks. I have said that when we change the rules around here, what we really need to work to do is to ensure that we do that within our own rules, and I still believe very strongly about that, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said. Im also very frustrated with how our own rules have been used to really thwart the effort for this administration to get their people into place. Flash The United States is grounding all Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 aircraft, said U.S. President Donald Trump Wednesday, as the country becomes the last major country to do so after two crashes by the model in recent months. "All of those planes are grounded, effective immediately," Trump told a press event, referring to the Boeing 737 Max variations. "The safety of the American people, of all people is our paramount concern," Trump said. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) followed up on Trump's remarks with a statement, ordering the temporary grounding of Boeing 737 Max aircraft operated by U.S. airlines or in U.S. territory. The FAA said that "new evidence collected at the site and analyzed today" led to the latest decision. "The grounding will remain in effect pending further investigation, including examination of information from the aircraft's data recorders and cockpit voice recorders," the FAA statement said. The announcement, reversing the FAA's statements defending Boeing, came hours after Canada announced it is pulling Boeing 737 Max aircraft from the sky, indicating that the United States is bowing to the mounting pressure from the international community to ground the aircraft. Boeing said in a statement that "out of an abundance of caution," it recommended to the FAA the suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of 371 aircraft in the 737 Max category. The United States is the last major country to halt operation of the questioned model, despite repeated calls from U.S. lawmakers, experts, and the public in the past couple of days for the regulatory body to prioritize safety. An Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 plane en route from Addis Ababa to Nairobi, Kenya crashed Sunday, killing all 157 people on board. A Lion Air of the same model crashed in October in Indonesia, killing all 189 people on board. Two Burbank Girl Scouts have received Gold Awards, which is the highest honor in the program and is achieved by completing a service project that benefits the community. No one knows the girls or their projects better than Gena Downey, of Burbank, who has been a Girl Scout leader for 15 years and is a Gold Mentor for Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, which covers Burbank and surrounding areas. As a member of the Gold Mentor Board, she sees the proposal reports the girls submit initially for their Gold Award projects and she is also on the board that judges their final reports. She usually works with 12 girls a year. So I really get to see most every girl I work with before, during and after, she said. Elizabeth Yamarone, 18, who graduated from Immaculate Heart High School in May, conducted her project, called Little Church Book Drive, at St. Finbar Catholic Church, where she attends. Downey has known Yamarone since she was 5 years old. She is a leader and a thinker and a planner and very compassionate, Downey said. Ernest Kings vehicle is packed with food, hygiene products and books for farm workers and their families. (Courtesy of Julia Coronado-King) Yamarone set up a book drive and created a reading area at her church. The book drive was for the preschool Sunday School program, which is called Little Church. She built shelves, created murals with the children and collected coat racks, chairs and rugs for the space. She bought chairs at garage sales and sanded them down. She also left behind a binder with lessons that teachers can refer to for projects, such as a preschool literacy program. She gave bookmarks to those who donated books and created tags she placed in the books with donors names, so they would get credit for having donated them. Another thing she learned was budgeting, Downey said. She bought too much paint and not enough for this and that, so her budgeting was off, but she feels like now shes a resourceful problem-solver, so she got a lot out of that. Girl Scout Elizabeth Yamarone conducted a book drive at her parish, St. Finbar Church, and created a reading area for the Sunday preschool program. (Courtesy of Elizabeth Yamarone) Julia Coronado-King titled her project Girl Scouts for Farm Workers. The 18-year-old graduated in May from Burroughs High. She took note that farm workers in Californias Central Coast work in extreme heat, make very low wages and arent able to provide enough food for their families. They often stand in line for hours to get a single bag of groceries. Working with the United Farm Workers labor union, Coronado-King organized fundraisers and went out and purchased food, toiletries and books for the farm workers and their families. She also created an awareness video. Buds Odyssey receives top honor in local festival Buds Odyssey, created by Burbank filmmaker Mark Kirkland and members of the Kingsbury family won Best Documentary Short for at the Burbank International Film Festival this past weekend. Families and friends gathered for the 2:30 p.m. screening on Sunday at the Burbank AMC 16. Awards were presented later that evening. It was an honor, Kirkland said, to share the story of 1st Lt. Robert Bud Kingsbury. Kingsburys B-17 bomber was shot down over the Tyrrhenian Sea in 1943 during World War II. He was captured and spent 22 months in a German prisoner of war camp. Buds Odyssey director Mark Kirkland, from left, with the films producers Bob Kingsbury and Jennifer Kingsbury at the screening during the Burbank International Film Festival on Sunday. (Joyce Rudolph / Burbank Leader) As a filmmaker and the stepson of a World War II combat veteran, I am overjoyed to have our film, Buds Odyssey recognized, Kirkland said. I will always be proud of and inspired by my late friend, 1st Lt. Robert Bud Kingsbury. Also attending the screening were Kirklands wife, Letty Kirkland, and Kingsburys son Bob Kingsbury and granddaughter Jennifer Kingsbury, who is the films narrator. Winning in the Burbank International Film Festival was the culmination of four years of working on and sharing our documentary, Bob Kingsbury said. This documentary will be an inspiration to many for years to come. It will also show others the toll of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the need to obtain help in overcoming this terrible problem that so many have today, he added. The family has created the Buds Odyssey Foundation, which helps veterans and first responders with PTSD using neuro-feedback treatments. These treatments are provided through donations at no cost to the recipients. For more information, visit budsodysseyfoundation.com. JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com. Representatives with the California High-Speed Rail Authority met with Burbank and Glendale residents last week and told them how the 800-mile bullet train state project would likely affect them. During community meetings at the Buena Vista Branch Library in Burbank on Tuesday and the Adult Recreation Center in Glendale on Thursday, state officials briefed residents about the planned 12-mile section of the project, which spans from a proposed new railway station next to Hollywood Burbank Airport to Los Angeles Union Station. Excluding some portions in Burbank, the authority is looking to connect the two stations by primarily using the railroad right-of-way currently used by Metro, Metrolink, Amtrak and freight operators. Join the conversation on Facebook >> Because the high-speed train would be going through urban environments in Burbank and Glendale, the state agency will be working with those entities as well as other local agencies to minimize the impact it would have on surrounding communities, said Michelle Boehm, the Southern California regional director for the authority. The California High-Speed Rail Authority is considering four new grade separations in Glendale to accommodate the proposed high-speed railway system, although construction is likely more than a decade away. (Courtesy of the California High-Speed Rail Authority) It is a corridor-renewal program, she said. As we do this, we will be able to integrate high-speed rail. We will electrify some of the tracks, and high-speed rail will share this corridor with these other providers. While most of the proposed railway will be at-grade, officials are still determining if the bullet-train station platform at the airport should be underground or at surface level, said Melissa De La Pena, the project manager for the Burbank-Los Angeles stretch of the high-speed rail. As the train passes through Glendale, the authority is proposing there be new grade separations probably running the tracks over streets at four locations: Sonora, Grandview and Goodwin avenues and Sperry Street. An alternative to Sperry would be Doran Street, De La Pena said. Were working with the cities and local stakeholders to identify the configurations of the grade separations, but there will be no at-grade crossings remaining in this [Burbank-to-Los Angeles] section, she said. De La Pena added that the state would be addressing the grade separations at Sonora, Grandview, Flower and Goodwin and that Metro would be looking into the separation at Sperry. During the Glendale meeting, one resident had a question regarding when construction of the grade separations would begin. Boehm said that the entire project is expected to be completed by 2029 and that construction of the grade separations would not start until possibly 10 to 15 years down the road. -- Anthony Clark Carpio, anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com Twitter: @acocarpio The Burbank City Council decided this week to keep its seat at the table where talks about the future of a coal-fired power plant are taking place. Council members voted unanimously on Tuesday to have the general manager of Burbank Water and Power submit a compliance filing with the California Energy Commission that would allow the city to participate in discussions regarding the Intermountain Power Plant in Delta, Utah. Lincoln Bleveans, assistant general manager of power supply for the local utility, said during a town hall meeting on Aug. 6 there is no shortage of power in Burbank, and he told the City Council on Tuesday the main reason to remain in the arrangement is to have access to the Southern Transmission System, the transmission line that currently transports power from the Utah plant into Southern California. He added that, although natural gas is what some of the cities and agencies want Intermountain to cover in its operations, other types of renewable energy solar, wind, geothermal or a mixture of those resources could be available at the site in the future. I see it as a renewable [energy] superhighway, Bleveans said. While the compliance filing would allow Burbank officials to have a say in what Intermountain becomes, Bleveans emphasized that it is not a commitment to purchase power from the Utah plant. He said a decision about whether the city should enter into a deal with the updated facility might happen in November 2019. When asked if the city could just have access to the transmission line, Bleveans said the current deal on the table would require cities and agencies to purchase energy from the power plant in order to use the line. However, he added that some agencies, including Burbank Water and Power, are trying to negotiate a deal that would allow the city-owned utility to opt out of its contract early but still maintain access to the transmission line. Bleveans said its important the city has access to the transmission line because its an existing infrastructure. Constructing new lines would be expensive and time intensive, he added. The Utah power plant will be ending its coal-powered operations by 2025 and was proposed to be converted into a natural gas-fired facility similar to the Magnolia Power Plant in Burbank with about four times the capacity, Bleveans said. The original plan for the natural gas-fired plant in Utah was to produce about 1,200 megawatts of energy but was recently scaled down to 840 megawatts, Bleveans said. The Intermountain plant has been losing many of its customers from California due to California Senate Bill 1368, which bars cities from buying or renewing long-term contracts with energy projects that produce too much pollution. Besides Burbank Water and Power, other participating utilities in the Intermountain project are in Glendale, Pasadena, Anaheim, Riverside and Los Angeles. anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com Twitter: @acocarpio An environmental consulting firm hired by the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority has determined that the preferred site for a replacement terminal is safe for construction to begin. Authority commissioners voted 8-0 on Monday to approve the findings in a draft human-health-risk assessment by Geosyntec Consultants and to submit the document to the Los Angeles region of the California Water Quality Control Board, the state Office of Environmental Human Hazard Assessment and the city of Burbank. Commissioner Steve Madison of Pasadena was absent. Norman Dupont, an attorney with the law firm Ring Bender and an outside legal consultant for the authority, said the report determined that construction workers, airport employees and passengers will be safe at the site, known as the B-6 parcel and located in the northeast quadrant of the airfield. This past February and March, EFI Global Inc. was hired by the authority to collect soil and soil-vapor samples from 144 locations on the B-6 site, which used to be the home of Lockheed Corp.s Skunk Works. Dupont said EFI Global collected and analyzed 74 soil samples, some of which were collected as deep as 25 feet below the surface, and 137 soil-vapor samples. EFI Globals findings were then sent to Geosyntec, whose job was to determine if the materials left behind by Lockheed would pose any threats. Geosyntec concluded that the cancer risk for those involved in the construction of the terminal, airport employees or passengers was below the minimum level. Dupont pointed out that while the report determined that the materials found in the soil do not pose a health risk to the public, its assessment does not mean no hazardous materials were found. anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com Twitter: @acocarpio For Kayla Chai, fresh from posing with her college diploma, theres only one spot to rush to for a treat Diamond Jamboree. At the bustling shopping and dining destination, she entered 85C Bakery Cafe one Friday and, grabbing a tray and tongs, moved through the display to satisfy her cravings with garlic and cheese bread, washed it down with pick-me-up sea salt coffee. Its my favorite, said the newly minted UC Irvine graduate, a psychology major. This is one of those places that you come to every chance you get. Others share the same idea. Countless families at the Irvine hotspot say theyre regulars, even if on many weekends, every parking space all 747 are full. Diamond Jamboree spokeswoman Suzie Won says customers constantly ask her: What time of day is best to visit for best parking? As for business owners, they clamor to hear about restaurant vacancies. Were so lucky people come back again and again, says Diamond Jamboree owner Alethea Hsu. We exist to give the consumer a taste of Asia. And since Irvine has changed to be so much like Asia, were meeting the need, but we never knew it would be so crowded. Hsu, who also owns Diamond Plaza in Rowland Heights, bought the 12-acre Jamboree property in 2003, opening it in 2009 with tenants who now sell tempting bites from taro balls and gogi sliders to amberjack and bluefin toru. Folks head upstairs for laser skin treatments while downstairs, every manner of service from Asian banks to jewelers to wig and hair restoration is on offer. Anchoring the center is H Mart, a Korean grocer thats home to fresh ingredients needed for beef seaweed soup, along with favorites such as dragon fruit, Thai desserts and Japanese green tea cake. Thai Phi and Kenny Cheng from Toronto select their food from an electronic menu at the Kula Revolving Sushi Bar restaurant at Diamond Jamboree. (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot) In Irvine, boasting a population of more than 262,000, with 45% Asians, Hsu doesnt worry about future sales. She walks around the center weekly, taking photos of areas that could use touch-ups and sending them to her staff. A city needs a gathering spot, says James Zarsadiaz, an assistant professor of history at the University of San Francisco whose research involves ethnic enclaves. This is that for Irvine, which has transformed in ways that are similar to how San Gabriel Valley transformed. Its now solidly on the map for communities of Asians to venture to because its set up to offer them everything. And, he adds, people come back to a place that fills their longing, and its a longing of what theyve experienced, what they used to have, or what they once treasured where they came from. The multicultural center has become so popular that visitors from across the globe say whenever they mention Irvine, friends ask if they want to meet up at Diamond Jamboree. Toronto tourists Kenny Cheng and Thai Phi, both information technology consultants, squeezed in a recent stop, noshing on sashimi at the revolving Kula Sushi, where dishes slide on a conveyor belt, allowing guests to pick the plate they want. Totally, I couldnt miss it, says Cheng, 31, of the cuisine, before heading to an Angels game. Weve only been here half an hour, and we couldnt believe how crowded it is, adds Phi, 27. A few doors down, Alex Hy, 85C Bakery supervisor, says his staff sells more than 1,500 loaves of tender, fragrant brioche a week, each for $2.25 an item almost as popular as berrytale, a blueberry and cream cheese pastry at $1.50 a pop. The store touts 85-cent Mondays, when its famed sea salt coffee is heavily discounted to that price, sparking lines as long as an hour. Sweets just draw people, he said, grinning. Julian Lai, 8, and his mom, Fiona Kwei, look at the pastries at 85C Bakery Cafe at Diamond Jamboree. (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot) The nook to the left of the bakery houses Lollicup, a beverage vendor selling the peachee lychee and the anteater, a concoction of milk tea and Thai tea mixed in honor of the mascot at nearby UC Irvine. The top businesses at the center, aside from the bakery, include Tokyo Table, Kula Sushi, Ajisen Ramen and Capital Seafood, tied for fifth with the 24-hour BCD Tofu. This is a city known for housing, but now it has more attractions, says Barry Payne, an advertising executive in his 40s whose office is a short drive from the center and who stops by weekly for a sushi lunch. In the beginning, I saw all these Asians and since Im not, I thought I would stick out. I found that actually, everyone comes for the food. They pay more attention to flavor. Iranian Monica Shrif, a UC Irvine business major, says she too cant resist swinging by for sushi. Everyone talks about waiting for a quiet time but theres hardly quiet time, adds the 28-year-old. This is a like a downtown. Palace Beauty owner Jay Bae says foot traffic convinced him to stay open every day of the year. You never know who will show up, he said. People celebrate during the holidays, and theyre ready to eat and spend. Rita Bai, shopping for skin potions one evening at Baes store, pops in whenever shes in town. At 24, shes studying for a masters degree in fashion management at Englands University of Southampton and misses the lures her Irvine hometown has to offer. This place is really central and it has all the products from Asia and by that, I mean everything you need for daily life from karaoke to groceries to cosmetics, she says. I feel like, why dont people go to other plazas? Why do they all come here? anh.do@latimes.com Twitter: @newsterrier A 24 Hour Fitness in Costa Mesa was evacuated Wednesday when a fire broke out, fire officials said. Firefighters were dispatched to the gym in the 1600 block of Adams Avenue just after 10 a.m., said Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Department spokesman Joe Noceti. The blaze, which was confined to a second-floor utility closet, was extinguished in minutes, the department said. About 25 gym members and employees were evacuated, the department said. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The facility was to remain closed until building inspectors and fire investigators cleared it for entry, Noceti said. The Newport Harbor High School theater was packed Monday night with community members lining the walls and crowding for a place to sit on steps. In the wake of a weekend party in which smiling students were pictured giving Nazi salutes around a swastika made of red plastic cups during a drinking game, parents and students rose from the steps to give standing ovations to speakers who talked of change. This isnt an isolated incident, said Max Drakeford, a Newport Harbor senior who said anti-Semitic symbols often are invoked in comments and antics among students. I pee next to swastikas in the bathroom. I write essays on desks with swastikas etched in them. But this time, he said, it happened to be photographed and shared widely on social media, triggering community outrage. Administrators in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District held a public forum Monday to address what transpired at the off-campus party Saturday night in Costa Mesa attended by sophomores and juniors from area high schools. Students have said teenagers from Newport Harbor, Costa Mesa and Estancia high schools were present. Shock and disgust on campuses after Newport-Mesa students are pictured saluting a makeshift swastika, though some arent surprised More than anyone at the meeting, students aimed to focus the conversation not on the specifics of the incident and who was involved but on changing the social climate in which it occurred. I dont think condemnation of the kids that did it or harassment of the kids that did anything is justifiable, said Drakeford, who is Jewish and was accompanied Monday by his grandmother, a Holocaust survivor from Budapest, Hungary. What we need to focus on is educating people to the point that they arent ignorant enough to commit something like this, Drakeford said. The blame is on all of us. This environment allows [students] to feel comfortable doing that. Some who were at the party and others who defended it have said the Nazi symbolism was a joke and doesnt mean the students who participated support Nazism. With Nazi salutes around a makeshift swastika, Newport Beach students spark outrage But Newport Harbor sophomore and student government member Gina Leaman spoke of social and racial divisions on campus, including a tendency for Hispanic and white students to group among themselves. She said it foments a culture in which racial and anti-Semitic prejudices rarely are challenged. This is not OK, she said. We live in an extremely privileged community, and that privilege can lead to bigotry and hate, said Gina, who told of hearing jokes and other remarks jabbing at her Jewish faith as early as fourth grade. It is your responsibility to stand up for what is right. It is the communitys responsibility to change the perception of hate in this community. It has been like this for far too long. Hold your children and your peers accountable. This must come to an end. One parent released apology letters from some students Monday evening. I am ashamed none of us stepped up to take down this sign, and we should have stepped up right then and there to say its not right, the parents child wrote. Teens involved in swastika party apologize as outrage grows. My actions were disgusting Phil DAgostino, Newport-Mesa director of student and community services, said the district began investigating the party early Sunday and has had conversations with more than two dozen students and their families. Where we have concluded it is appropriate to apply consequences, we have done so, DAgostino said. A teacher who did not want her name used said three of her students who were identified as being at the party didnt attend her class Monday. She said she didnt know the details of why. This isnt a time for us to be shaming kids who do stupid things, said Jeanne Pepper Bernstein, the mother of Blaze Bernstein, 19, who was killed a little over a year ago in Lake Forest. Samuel Woodward of Newport Beach, a former arts school classmate of Bernsteins, is accused of murdering him because Bernstein was gay. Its time to educate, Pepper Bernstein said. Its a learning opportunity for these kids and this community. I dont think you realize when you live in such a beautiful, privileged place that there is a lot of ugliness in the world. Drakeford and Ben Kwong, a Newport Harbor senior who also is Jewish, wrote an open letter widely shared among students on social media in response to the events at the party. This is really just not who we are, said Kwong, adding that most students dont harbor any anti-Semitic values. There might have been like two kids with anti-Semitic views who participated in the Holocaust-themed drinking game, Kwong said. But he was troubled that of 20-plus people there, no one stepped up and said anything, he said. I think they were just ignorant, a little insensitive, Kwong said. They didnt know about the harm that the swastika carries. He implored parents in the theater to tell your kids how to handle that, be a role model for shutting that idea down. During school Monday, students organized to wear blue in a show of solidarity with the Jewish community. At Newport Harbor, students in all grade levels streamed out of school buildings at lunchtime in every shade of blue jeans, button-down shirts, T-shirts and school hoodies. It felt safe today, Kwong said, like anti-Semites receded back into the shadows. The Los Angeles Times contributed to this report. The owner and an employee of a Fountain Valley-based treatment facility, along with five doctors and four so-called body brokers, have been arrested and charged in what authorities say was a scheme to fraudulently bill insurance companies millions of dollars for experimental, unnecessary and potentially harmful surgeries on recovering addicts, the Orange County district attorneys office announced Wednesday. The charges against the 11 defendants represent the first major prosecution by the district attorneys Sober Living Home Investigation and Prosecution task force, which was formed this year to investigate potential crimes related to addiction treatment and recovery centers. Exploiting addicts vulnerabilities to conduct unnecessary and dangerous surgeries for profit is unconscionable, District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said during a news conference in Santa Ana. Its simply wrong to use human beings as ATM machines. Prosecutors allege that two administrators at Fountain Valley-based SoberLife USA owner Thuy Rucks, 78, of Mission Viejo and Christianne Tiemann, 66, of Trabuco Canyon hired four people as marketers, or body brokers, to pay people up to $1,000 to receive surgical implants of naltrexone, a prescription drug used to manage opioid and alcohol dependence. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved use of naltrexone in pill and injectable forms, but the surgical insertion of a pellet of the drug has not yet been sanctioned and is considered experimental, according to the district attorneys office. According to prosecutors, the marketers identified as 27-year-old Huntington Beach residents Dylan James Walker and Harrison Anthony Romanowski; John Kahal, 67, of Dana Point and Jordan Tyler Hendrickson, 25, of Studio City went to sober-living homes and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and used word of mouth to entice people to have the surgery. Two doctors David Michael Scarpino, 53, of Huntington Beach and Nabil Charle Morcos, 66, of Irvine are accused of misleading patients about the safety and appropriateness of the surgery which involves cutting open a patients back or stomach to implant a naltrexone pellet and recommending the procedure without proper examinations to determine whether a patient was a suitable candidate for the operation. Naltrexone is ineffective as a treatment for some addictions, such as to stimulants including methamphetamine, according to the district attorneys office. The three other doctors in the case Michael Henry Wong, 53, of Irvine, Gary Lamont Baker, 54, of Tustin and Fritz John Baumgartner, 61, of Rancho Palos Verdes are accused of performing the surgeries for profit. A PowerPoint presentation shows the 11 defendants in the case. (Photo by Luke Money) Rucks and Tiemann are accused of submitting fraudulent billing to insurance companies of $40,000 per surgery, on average. All told, prosecutors allege, SoberLife USA billed the insurance providers over $6.8 million in healthcare claims for this experimental, non-FDA-approved and potentially dangerous surgery, according to Rackauckas. This scheme misleads the desperate and creates a hope of recovery when this implant that theyre using might cause greater harm, he said. The defendants are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday. If convicted of their specific charges, they could face maximum sentences ranging from 10 years and eight months to 43 years and eight months in state prison, according to the district attorneys office. Rackauckas said investigating insurance fraud allegations can help combat the proliferation of unscrupulous sober-living and addiction treatment operations an issue thats become so widespread in recent years that Orange County is sometimes referred to as the Rehab Riviera. Costa Mesa has grappled for years with issues stemming from sober-living homes, which residents say have led to increased crime and noise, worsened parking and traffic woes and harmed their overall quality of life. Huntington Beach officials this month announced plans to collaborate with the district attorneys office to find ways to crack down on illegal in-home businesses in residential areas. We really have to protect not just our residents but all recovering users too, said Orange County Supervisor Michelle Steel, whose district includes both cities. So we need a better law to protect us and protect all other Orange County residents. Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, speaking alongside Steel at Wednesdays news conference, said the county hopes to craft an ordinance to crack down on body brokers and some of these other illegal activities so authorities are empowered to take appropriate action and put these criminals in jail. luke.money@latimes.com Twitter @LukeMMoney In the theater where a different community forum was held last week, the nonprofit One Recovery presented a panel at Newport Harbor High School on Wednesday night in response to a recent off-campus party in Costa Mesa where area high school students were photographed flashing Nazi salutes over a makeshift swastika. Wednesdays meeting focused neither on the party-goers nor the hurt and outrage the incident sparked. Instead, it focused on the good that could come out of it a change in culture, mirroring sentiments shared at forums last week at Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar high schools. Although the recent events definitely prompted this awareness panel theres a bigger issue going on, said Chelsea Reeves, director of culture development for One Recovery. The organization says it is dedicated to the inspiration of young people, their loved ones and conscious members of the community looking to raise their awareness through meetings, speakers and events. One Recovery has a program called One-On-Campus that works with the Newport-Mesa Unified School District to take in students that may be suspended and grants them the option of attending eight meetings with their parents. The district has not publicly disclosed any disciplinary actions for students involved in the party, which included teenagers from Newport Harbor, Costa Mesa and Estancia high schools. One Recoverys approach is restorative justice, which emphasizes the rehabilitation of offenders through meetings with victims and others in the affected community. One Recovery founder Lynne Pedersen speaks during a One-On-Campus awareness panel Wednesday night at Newport Harbor High School. (Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer) One-On-Campus believes when one person can connect with another person with the lens of love and inspiration, then theres one, Reeves said. Were all in this together and lets figure out how to navigate this life and inspire one another and create a change. The program was piloted in 2015 at Corona del Mar High School, where the nonprofit has a drop-in center. It also has a location at Ensign Intermediate School in Newport Beach. One Recovery founder Lynne Pedersen said the hope is for Newport Harbor to also have a location, if interest is high. We can be the change, Pedersen said. When one person changes, a group can change. Where a group can change, a campus can change. Where a campus culture changes, a community changes. Though students typically are referred to the program, others, such as Corona del Mar seniors Johnny Lujan and April Clark, went willingly. Lujan, who moved from Pennsylvania last year, said he was more on the feminine side and in the third grade was separated from jump-roping with girls and told to play with other boys. After moving, he said, he felt he was still in the Pennsylvania method Let me be who they want me to be. But he came to accept himself because of the organizations support, he said. Clark, whom Lujan invited to One, said the organization is another family to her and that she was thankful to join before she graduated. In addition to student speakers from Corona del Mar, the group Wednesday night brought a panel of speakers on everything from social media to LGBTQ education. Parents and students had the opportunity to ask questions. No single person has the right answer, Reeves said. Were all one and figuring out how to navigate through this life together, and rather than focus on the hate and whats been done wrong and there is wrong, were not taking from that its about how we can rise from this. A Glendale attorney admitted in federal court last week to using bank accounts meant for his clients to help launder money as part of a $14-million tax-fraud and identity-theft scam. Arthur Charchian, 44, pleaded guilty on Dec. 14 to one count of money laundering and one count of making a false statement to the Social Security Administration. He faces a maximum of 15 years in prison followed by three years on parole, according to a copy of Charchians plea agreement with the U.S. Attorneys Office. Prosecutors will argue for a reduced sentence in return for his guilty plea when he is scheduled to reappear in court on Sept. 9 for sentencing, according to federal officials. His participation in the scam lasted from 2012 to 2015 and involved using trust bank accounts meant to hold funds for his clients to launder around $549,000. At least 16 other people were involved. Federal officials said the scam included opening hundreds of bank accounts using stolen identities and fake passports for the Republic of Armenia. The accounts were then used to launder money from IRS refunds that were issued based on falsified tax returns. About 7,000 of the fake returns were sent to the IRS and requested a combined $38 million. The agency ultimately issued roughly $14 million in refunds. Fake accounts were frozen by the banks, and Charchian was hired to seek the release of the frozen funds, which [he] did in exchange for a fee of 10% of the frozen funds, according to court documents. Specifically, [the] defendant was aware of a high probability that the financial transactions that he was conducting involved criminally-derived property, but he deliberately avoided learning the truth, according to the plea agreement. Charchian received the checks derived from the scam, deposited them into his clients accounts and then wrote outgoing checks for the money minus his 10% cut. Authorities said this was done over 15 times by the attorney. Charchians lawyer, Mark Werksman, said his client did not know about and never intended to be a part of the money laundering operation when he first became involved. He was used by unscrupulous clients, Werksman said. But hes liable and accepts full responsibility for what he did, and hes going to do all he can to resolve this case and move on with his life. In addition to money laundering, federal officials said Charchian admitted to sending a letter to the Social Security Administration on his law firms letterhead saying a client of his received a settlement check for $51,468 after it was flagged by the federal agency. The check was, in fact, part of the proceeds from the laundering scam and not a settlement. It was written by Charchian on behalf of a person involved in the scam so they could continue to get Social Security benefits, according to the plea agreement. Werksman said Charchians serious act of poor judgement should not define him as a person and that he has done a lot of great things for the community and has been very active in civic affairs over the years. Outside of his law practice Charchian also served on Glendales design review board, having first been appointed to the position in 2014 by Mayor Zareh Sinanyan. His resignation from the board was announced during its Dec. 13 meeting, a day before his guilty plea became public. He was not present at the meeting and no reference to his federal case was made when Vilia Zemaitaitis, the citys principal planner, made the announcement. We wanted to thank him for his over four years of service, his dedication and his thoughtful comments, she said. He was definitely an asset to this board, and we will miss him. City officials did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication. Charchians attorneys license remains active, according to the State Bar of Californias website. A spokesman for the agency said bar officials cannot comment on whether any disciplinary actions will be taken as they are kept confidential and are only made public when charges are filed. andy.nguyen@latimes.com Twitter: @Andy_Truc You are here: World Flash Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Wednesday issued a decree forming a new government of 19 ministers. Sudan's National Prime Minister, Mohamed Tahir Ella, announced the decree at a press conference in capital Khartoum. According to the decree, Fadul Abdalla Fadul has been appointed as Minister of the Presidency and Ahmed Saad Omer as Minister of the Council of Ministers. Barakat Musa Al-Hawati has been appointed Minister of Federal Government Bureau and Bushara Gumaa Aro as Interior Minister. Al-Dirdiri Mohamed Ahmed has been appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mohamed Ahmed Salem as Defence Minister. Magdi Hassan Yassin has been appointed as Finance Minister, while Al-Khair Al-Nur Al-Mubarak has been appointed as Education Minister. Other ministers in charge of like labor, trade, transport, agriculture, tourism and health have also been appointed. In the meantime, the new government included 18 state ministers. On Feb. 22, al-Bashir declared the state of emergency all over Sudan and dissolved the central and state governments in the wake of popular protests which the country has been witnessing since Dec. 19 last year over the deteriorating economic conditions and price hikes of basic commodities. A week after the Glendale Unified school board voted to release Supt. Winfred Roberson Jr. from his contract without cause, the same five-member governing board voted to begin the process to find his replacement. At their first regular meeting since last Tuesdays action, board members decided to hire an outside party to conduct a job search rather than assign the task to district personnel. District staff and legal counsel Howard Friedman both favored hiring an outside firm. For a district this large, with three comprehensive high schools and that type of thing, the usual practice is to use a search firm that gives you full extension to as many potential candidates that you can, Friedman said. The boards decision to seek outside help officially began Wednesday. From now until Wednesday, the board will be mailing and emailing requests for proposals from search firms. Interested parties who do not receive district correspondence can still find information about filing a proposal request at the districts website, gusd.net. Interim Supt. Kelly King said the aggressive timeline was necessary, to attract the strongest pool of candidates so that the board has those strong candidates to choose between. On Wednesday, board president Greg Krikorian and vice president Jennifer Freemon are set to review the proposals and select no more than four candidates for further consideration. Notably, Krikorian was one of three votes in favor of dismissing Roberson during a closed-door evaluation on Jan. 29, while Freemon was one of two votes against the move. This is now the will of the board, Freemon said. I will be supporting the boards decision, and you will not hear me speaking against the decision because that is not appropriate and that is not our protocol. Those search-firm finalists will then be invited to a board meeting on Feb. 19 to make a public pitch, with the board ultimately voting for one. The eventual choice will then meet with the board during a special meeting to discuss specifications for the superintendent search. Board members have already identified seven firms all outside Los Angeles County including California companies Cosca Group of Fairfield, Dave Long & Associates of Laguna Beach, Leadership Associates of La Quinta, Educational Leadership Services of Oakdale and Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, Ltd. of Palo Alto. Firms Ray and Associates, Inc., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and the California School Boards Assn., represented by Omaha-based McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C, are also under consideration. Ultimately, the board has set a June 1 deadline to find a new superintendent. As for Robersons dismissal, board members spoke out against rumors that spread after their 3-2 vote on Jan. 29. There are no details, said board member Armina Gharpetian, who voted for dismissal. First of all, this is a personnel matter, and I dont think anybody who is an employee of the district would like us to share any more details than that. Robersons termination means the district is on the hook for his salary, which Krikorian described as close to a $300,000-per-year package, until March 2020 or until Roberson finds new employment. According to the website transparentcalifornia.com, Roberson earned a base pay of $255,000, with benefits and other pay totaling $321,971 in 2017. King, a prominent member of districts team that investigated a brawl that broke out last year at Hoover High School, said she wanted to make it clear that the rumored involvement of Krikorian sons in the Hoover fight was untrue and played no factor in Robersons dismissal. I can confirm, with 100% certainty, that Mr. Krikorians son was not on campus when the situation unfolded, King said. Therefore, the implication that theres a connection between trustee Krikorians son and his decision, or the boards decision, is baseless. Kirkorian said he was disappointed about innuendos that race played a role in the dismissal of Roberson, the districts first African American superintendent, or that Roberson was let go because of his handling of a brawl at Hoover High and its aftermath. It wasnt a specific issue or incident, Krikorian said. The board of education made a very difficult decision, and we didnt take it lightly. There have been a lot of rumors that it has been based on one incident or another, and there is so much that goes into a decision like this. Krikorian added that the hiring process will not be based on race or religion. I want the best person for the job, regardless of race, religion, gender or whatever. andrew.campa@latimes.com Twitter @campadresports A certified nursing assistant accused of raping a patient at a Glendale care facility for dependent adults is claiming the encounter was consensual, police say. Luis Silverio, a 25-year-old from Inglewood, was arrested by the Glendale Police Department on Feb. 18 on suspicion of raping a person incapable of giving legal consent because of a mental, development or physical disability. According to authorities, the victim is a woman in her 50s who is a patient at the Griffith Park Health Care Center at 201 Allen Ave. Sgt. Dan Suttles, a police spokesman, said the woman is a dependent adult, and the department was first alerted to the incident after she told a doctor about an issue with her private parts. The doctor informed authorities out of concern for the womans well-being. Prior to the incident, Silverio would allegedly allude to the fact that he wanted to have sexual encounters with the woman, according to Suttles. She finally gave into his request a few days prior to his arrest, he said. After his arrest, Silverio allegedly claimed there was no wrongdoing because the woman gave her consent. However, because of the womans status as a dependent adult, Suttles said it was questionable she would be able to give her consent in the first place. He added that it appears to be an isolated incident, and there is no indication there are any other victims. Silverio was eventually released on $50,000 bail, and the case remains under investigation. Its unknown how long Silverio has worked at the center or if he is still an employee following his arrest. An administrator for the healthcare center who declined to give his name said he could not discuss the accusation against Silverio or confirm anything as he was new to the facility. I dont have anything to say, at this point, regarding that, the administrator said. According to the California Department of Health a man by the name of Tito Eugene is listed as the centers administrator, holding the position since May 2017, but its unknown if hes still the administrator. In the past five years, the center has received seven complaints of patient sexual abuse, according to state records. Of those, only two complaints were found to have sufficient evidence that an abuse had occurred. Both were lodged in June 2017 within days of each other. andy.nguyen@latimes.com Twitter: @Andy_Truc City officials have chosen Silvio Lanzas to head the Glendale Fire Department as its 11th fire chief. His appointment was made official on Tuesday during a Glendale City Council meeting. Lanzas joined the department in December 2017 as a deputy and succeeds Greg Fish, who retired from the agency in September and became chief of the Carpinteria-Summerland Fire Department. Glendale City Manager Yasmin Beers praised Lanzas on Tuesday, saying the new chief has excelled during his time with the department and that he places a priority on building strong relationships within the fire department and the community. Lanzas said he was humbled and honored by the appointment and took time during the meeting to thank city officials, his family and members of the fire department for their support. Lanzas singled out his appreciation for Deputy Chief Bill Lynch, referring to him as a great partner. Without him, his humility, his desire for whats best for the organization, his ability to show me every secret, every nook and cranny of our organization today, would not be possible, Lanzas said. Lynch served as the interim fire chief during the two months following Fishs departure before switching with Lanzas, who acted in that role from December to January. Both were under consideration for the chiefs position. Mayor Zareh Sinanyan congratulated Lanzas during the meeting, saying he looks forward to working with him in the years to come while also mentioning the council was unfortunate in this selection process in that we had great candidates, two very good candidates. Prior to joining the department, Lanzas spent the majority of his professional career with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, where he was a division chief. Referring to the past year he has been in Glendale, the new chief said he and the rest of the citys employees have been fortunate to work for the city and referenced Glendales nickname. We are the Jewel City because of the over 1,500 gems who work here, Lanzas said. And I am humbled to lead 271 of them in the Glendale Fire Department. andy.nguyen@latimes.com Twitter: @Andy_Truc Speaking at the 20th annual prom for teens battling kidney disease, organizer Lori Hartwell noticed that all the attendees had their phones out. Of course. Then she realized the screens were all trained on her. They were listening to every word I said, said Hartwell, who founded the nonprofit Renal Support Network that puts on the event. It makes me realize how much they need these types of activities, to connect over their common issues. About 200 young adults descended on the Glendale Hilton on Sunday night to dance and socialize with peers who understand their struggles with chronic illness. Many of the attendees, who come from all across Southern California, are on dialysis or are learning to live with a kidney transplant, Hartwell said. Frequent Renal Teen Prom entertainer Jack Black stopped by to perform and take pictures with the young attendees all festive lighting and sparkly curtains in the background that underscored this years theme, All That Glitters. Most important is just seeing all the kids and young adults with I cant even express it just this happiness, glee face, Hartwell said. When Hartwell created the first Renal Teen Prom, when she was about 30 years old, she said she wanted to connect with her younger peers in a fun setting, outside of lectures about lifestyle and medication. She wanted to see them doing well. The first prom of its kind was held at Notre Dame High School in 1999 with the help of four seniors. To this day, its still a tradition for Notre Dame students to volunteer at the event. Unfortunately, some teens who want to go to Renal Teen Prom end up staying home because they dont feel well. Hartwell, now 52, missed her own senior prom at Herbert Hoover High School because she was on dialysis between 12 and 24 years old the same age range of event attendees. We do often have a lot of disappointment because of our illness, said Hartwell, who wasnt sure she would be able to attend the 20th anniversary event because shes recovering from a recent surgery on her ankle. Diagnosed with kidney disease at the age of 2, Hartwell has had four kidney transplants and more than 50 surgeries. In Hartwells speech at the event, she acknowledged her husband, Dean, in a shout-out to caregivers. We all have those people that help us, she said. What surprised Hartwell was how many attendees came up to her after the talk to let her know that she is their inspiration. Some told her they had been meaning to let her know that for years. I was overwhelmed, Hartwell said. I felt really loved and cherished. Also on hand at the event were state Assemblywoman Laura Friedman and state Sen. Anthony Portantino, who offered proclamations of support. Its been a tradition to hold the event on Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend because teens do not undergo dialysis on Sundays and Monday is a holiday, improving their chances of attending the festivities, Hartwell said. lila.seidman@latimes.com Twitter: @lila_seidman Liz in Newport Beach posed a good question about commas. Consider the following two sentences. Days are usually great, but, when they arent great, they still pass in 24 hours. Every word should bring something to the table and, if it doesnt, it should be chopped out. MORE: Read more of Junes columns >> In both examples, a conjunction is connecting independent clauses. In the first, that conjunction is but. In the second, its and. But the but has a comma before it and the and does not. What, Liz wants to know, is the right way to handle these? The rules for commas seem, at first glance, to be pretty clear. They state that when any of the coordinating conjunctions and, but or so connects two clauses that could stand alone as sentences, put a comma before the conjunction unless the whole sentence is short, simple and poses no danger of confusion. In other words, use a comma before the conjunction or dont. Thats why both these sentences are punctuated correctly. Its also why you could change your mind about both removing the comma after great and inserting one after table and still be correct. Punctuation rules are full of gray areas where you can call the shots. In fact, the rules can be so subjective that when I was writing a book about punctuation a few years ago, I recruited a panel of professional copy editors to answer the question What would you do? in different situations not clearly covered by the rule books. The most interesting of their answers involved the sentence She lives with her husband, Tim, her dog, Bruno, and two cats, Bella and Charlie. Technically, the rules call for commas after husband, dog and cats (and would probably involve some semicolons in the sentence, too). Without a comma before Tim, you imply that she has more than one husband. Without the comma before Bruno, you imply that she has more than one dog. This subtle point about commas is easier to understand if we talk about brothers. If I have just one brother, I could say My brother will attend without any confusion on which brother Im talking about. If I threw in his name, My brother, Joe, will attend, that in no way narrows down who Im talking about. It just adds some supplemental information: a name. But if I had two brothers, a name would perform a very different function. It would add specificity to the noun brother, narrowing down its meaning. So if I happened to have two brothers, the sentence about Joe would be written My brother Joe will attend. Nonessential, parenthetical information gets set off with commas. Restrictive information, like a name that adds specificity, does not take commas. Thats the basic rule. In our Tim and Bruno sentence, we can presume that the woman has just one husband and just one dog. Their names dont narrow down our list of possible husband and dog suspects. So technically, the names Tim and Bruno are nonrestrictive and should be set off with commas, as I did above. But many copy editors feel that too many commas turn a sentence into such an eyesore that theyre not worth it. When theres no danger of confusion, editors sometimes break the rules in the interest of paving a smoother path for the reader. So its no surprise that most of the copy editors who weighed in for my book said they would omit the commas around Tim and Bruno in that sentence. Yes, commas have some very inflexible rules. But they have some flexible rules, too. And even in the most clear-cut instances, professional publishers might defy any of them in the interest of creating an smooth ride for the reader. -- JUNE CASAGRANDE is the author of The Best Punctuation Book, Period. She can be reached at JuneTCN@aol.com. SANTA CLARITA Hundreds of law enforcement officials gathered Wednesday to remember a sheriffs deputy who earlier this month unexpectedly lost her life. Cecilia Hoschet, known to loved ones as Cee Cee, was remembered as a loving mother and a compassionate first-responder with an infectious laugh. Always smiling, she loved country music, Hello Kitty and being outdoors. PHOTOS: Memorial service held for sheriffs deputy killed in La Canada On Sept. 6, Hoschet, 32, was fatally shot by her husband in their La Canada home before he turned the gun on himself. The couples 6-year-old son was home at the time of her death. Hoschets husband, six-year Los Angeles County Firefighter James Taylor, was found dead that evening at a county fire facility in Pacoima from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Loved ones gathered at Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church Wednesday morning for her funeral service, where colleagues called her a tough cookie with a sense of humor. Hoschet started the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Academy despite having a fractured foot. Though she bowed out midway, she was placed in the next class, and excelled to the top, a colleague said. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Departments Homicide Division is still investigating the details of the case. Lt. Dave Coleman said Thursday that officials learned an argument between the couple that day may have precipitated events. We do know that on the night of the incident, [Hoschet] indicated to her husband she wanted a separation, so its obvious there were some marital problems, Coleman said. At the time of her death, she worked at the Inmate Reception Center of the Los Angeles County jail. Her longterm goal was to join the agencys special enforcement bureau. Sara Cardine contributed to this report. A decision on the potential territory transfer of the 380-acre Sagebrush area of La Canada Flintridge from the Glendale public school system to La Canada Unified will be postponed another two months. Officials with both school districts requested the delay during Wednesday mornings meeting of the Los Angeles County Committee on School District Organization and was approved on a 5-1 vote. Glendale asked for a one-month postponement so its interim superintendent, Kelly King, can become more familiar with the matter. King took over her current post after Glendale Unifieds board voted Jan. 29 to dismiss Winfred B. Roberson Jr. from the superintendents position. La Canada petitioners asked the committee to hold off from making any decision during its April 3 meeting because the district would be on spring break. After hearing the requests, the committee voted to postpone any decision until a May 1 meeting. The 56-day delay comes after committee member AJ Willmer said he suspected a decision 60 days from now when the group reviewed a transfer California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, study in October. The formal petition process began in June 2016 when the Los Angeles County Office of Education received a transfer petition from Sagebrush area property owner Tom Smith, who has since been replaced on the group of petitioners by Nick Karapetian and Nalini Lasiewicz. The county committee gave preliminary approval to the petition in May of 2017, but only, according to committee secretary Keith Crafton, as a means to conduct a CEQA study. As for the 66-page CEQA report, it noted a few issues should the territory transfer be approved. One item was the matter of the many students who would be transferred from Glendale Unifieds Mountain Avenue Elementary School, Rosemont Middle School and Crescenta Valley High School to La Canada Unifieds Palm Crest Elementary and La Canada High. Glendales interim superintendent King pointed to a potentially negative impact for some of those students. She noted Rosemont and Crescenta Valley were honored under the 2019 California Distinguished Program on Feb. 25. La Canada Unified had no schools lauded this year. Achieving this recognition with the new state accountability system is truly exceptional and was unique to Glendale Unified School District in comparison to our surrounding school districts, King said. The CEQA study utilized a figure of 356 students, as provided by Glendale Unified, which equals a loss of roughly $2.7 million in state funding. La Canada has argued the total is closer to 151 students. It must be said that Glendales assertion of $2.7 million revenue loss is grossly exaggerated since it ignores the fact that 215 territory students are already enrolled in La Canada schools, former La Canada school board president Scott Tracy said on Wednesday. A couple of committee members spoke of delays to the process, including Frank Ogaz, who indicated he may not consider boilerplate letters or form letters submitted that did not include names, signatures or addresses. You can sit down in front of a liquor store and say, hey, sign this thing and send a bunch of letters, Ogaz said. You dont even know where they live. Allison Deegan, LACOEs regionalized business services coordinator, said her staff has received maybe hundreds of these types of letters and has forwarded them to the committee. Committee member Frank Bostrom said the constant influx of new material from both sides has been overwhelming. Weve never received this much volume of information on any board item, he said. Were all drowning. Bostrom added the committee couldnt make a decision until the information spigot was turned off. Everybody wants to hear the matter, hear the matter, but we cant hear the matter because they keep submitting information, he said. So if you stop submitting information, we can make a decision. andrew.campa@latimes.com Twitter: @campadresports La Canada Flintridge has been named one of the 50 Safest Cities in California, it was announced Monday by a firm specializing in home security and safety advice. According to Salt Lake City-based SafeWise, La Canada Flintridge comes in at No. 37 in this years rankings, which it based on the 2015 FBI crime report, the most recent data available. According to the report, the city reported 0.96 violent crimes and 13.82 property crimes per 1,000 (population) during the period studied. The citys SafeWise ranking improved from No. 57 the previous year. We are pleased to be recognized for the safe community that we know La Canada Flintridge to be, said City Manager Mark Alexander, in an emailed response to a request for comment. This comes, in large part, due to the combined diligence of our residents and the hard, steady and dedicated work of our Sheriffs Department deputies and detectives that are so committed to protecting our community. As with every city, there will be times when we will be faced with crises or events that challenge our thinking or approach, but the expertise and resources of the Sheriffs Department has come through every time to meet those challenges and this is reflected in the results of this survey. Thank you to our residents and our Sheriffs Department for helping make this happen. Capt. Chris Blasnek, who in April arrived to oversee the Crescenta Valley Sheriffs Station, was quick to credit the attitudes of residents, as well as the support from the LCF City Council and the city manager for the improved safety ranking. In an email, he said that in his 34-year career with the county Sheriffs Department, hes finding a higher level of citizen involvement in this community than others and that such activity is paying dividends. These residents are involved! he said. They care about the community they live in and they volunteer. Crescenta Valley Station has an incredible ratio of citizens that are either on our premier Mountain Rescue Volunteer Team, our Station Support Group, and even as our Volunteers on Patrol. Many work around our station side by side with our deputies who patrol daily. They know what is going on and they support our efforts to maintain safety. When they see something, they say something. Noting that there has been an uptick in property crime in recent months, a statewide issue, Blasnek said the station is receiving local support in fighting it. With the help from the involved residents, new technology, and deep care towards maintaining our low crime rate, we have seen successful apprehensions, he said. Imperial, at the southern tip of the state, garnered the No. 1 rank in this years SafeWise report. The nearby city of Sierra Madre also made the Top 50 list, ranked No. 16, slipping from the No. 9 spot last year. To see the complete list, visit https://www.safewise.com/blog/safest-cities-california/ carol.cormaci@latimes.com Twitter: @CarolCormaci Fresh off his surprise election victory in the Maldives, President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had a warning for his economic team. The island nation had racked up huge debts to China during an unchecked, five-year building spree by the autocrat he had just defeated. Be prepared for it to be worse than we think, one advisor recalled Solih saying. He was right. Soon after the Sept. 23 election, Solih met the Chinese ambassador and learned that the Maldives owed the Chinese government not $1.5 billion, as had been widely estimated, but nearly $3 billion. Thats more revenue than the Maldivian government raises in two years a staggering figure that makes the diffuse island chain a prime example of how Chinese loans have swamped smaller economies. Advertisement As Beijing has pursued a mammoth infrastructure-building program spanning dozens of countries, it found perhaps its most pliant partner in the president of the Maldives, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who silenced opposition and shrugged off corruption allegations while steering his country firmly into Chinas orbit. With minimal oversight, Yameen leased an island near the capital to Beijing at a cut-rate price and invited Chinese state-owned developers to build a mile-long bridge, thousands of apartments and a new runway, fuel farm and passenger terminal at the main international airport. Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen, right, met with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Beijing in December 2017. (Fred Dufour / AFP/Getty Images) It was more construction, more quickly, than had ever been seen in this Indian Ocean archipelago of fewer than half a million people. And nearly all of it was done under secret terms, without other bids and at inflated prices that raised questions of graft, according to people with knowledge of the contracts. Details of the debt and how much might have been stolen will only begin to emerge after Solih takes office Nov. 17 and his aides gain complete access to documents that Yameens government hid from lawmakers and the public. But information already collected by Solihs transition team indicates that the liabilities are greater than initially believed and will soon outpace the islands ability to pay. We have to find out exactly what happened, because nobody really knows, said Ahmed Naseem, a former Maldivian foreign minister. Its a huge amount of money, and we need Chinas help to get to the bottom of it. Read more: How politics spoiled the Maldives tropical paradise The Maldives offers one of the starkest examples of the scope of the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese President Xi Jinpings multi-trillion-dollar effort to build transport, energy and communications links across nearly 70 countries. China bills it as friendly development assistance. But critics say that the bridges, highways, power plants and ports are mainly designed to further Chinas diplomatic and security objectives, and that poorer countries could be forced to surrender land or other resources as collateral. In several Asian countries, concern over Chinese debt has become a political issue as newly elected governments search for ways out of deals struck by predecessors. This year, Malaysias new prime minister canceled two projects worth $22 billion. Pakistan where $60 billion in Chinese-funded infrastructure is planned, the most of any country is trying to delay or revisit some projects. From left, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Maldivian President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. All three leaders have pushed back against Chinas Belt and Road Initiative projects in their countries. (Associated Press) The scenario that most worries leaders in the Maldives is what happened in nearby Sri Lanka, which tried to renegotiate loan payment schedules but failed and last year ceded a port on its southern coast to China under a 99-year lease. The Maldives consists of 1,192 palm-fringed coral islands, most of which are uninhabited, with about 120 developed for high-end hotels. Yameens government changed a law to allow islands to be leased to tourism companies in closed bidding, paving the way for dozens more unpopulated islands to be turned into resorts. At least seven islands went to Chinese companies, according to a foreign official in the region who was briefed on the plans. One island a short speedboat ride from Male, the capital, was leased to a Chinese developer for $4 million for 50 years far below market value. I dont think anyone should view what Chinese companies have done in the Maldives or anywhere else as development assistance or commercial arrangements, said former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed. This is a land grab. Nasheed, the father of Maldives multi-party democracy and a close friend of Solih, returned this month after 2 years in exile during which he became a vocal critic of China. Stung by the backlash against Xis signature initiative, Beijing recently lashed out at Nasheed for irresponsible remarks and said its relationship with the Maldives would continue on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. Former President Mohamed Nasheed, center, waves during a rally in Male, Maldives, celebrating his return from exile. President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is on his right. (Mohamed Sharuhaan / Associated Press) But the Maldives is now dependent on China in a way few could have imagined. Eight years ago, Beijing didnt even have an embassy here. Now China accounts for one-quarter of the Maldives foreign tourists and some two-thirds of its external debt. It has become one of the islands main sources of imports, on par with longtime trading partner India. China has opened the tap, and if they decide to close it, that would be horrifying for the Maldives, said the foreign official, who requested anonymity under diplomatic protocol. The growing relationship has most alarmed South Asias biggest power, India, which worries that China is attempting to establish a permanent presence on its doorstep. Last year, Yameen pushed through parliament a free trade agreement with China that makes explicit reference to provisioning a military establishment and nuclear materials. Indian officials speculated that Beijing could deploy a nuclear submarine. A few months later, China denied a report in the Indian news media that a marine observatory it was developing in the northern atoll of Makunudhoo 250 miles from Indian shores, along a key shipping lane between Asia and the Middle East would be used for military purposes. A Chinese family is seen on vacation at a resort in the Maldives in 2016. (Giulio Di Sturco / Getty Images) Eager to ratchet down the tensions, Solihs incoming administration has told the Indian government it plans to examine that lease and those involving other islands. I dont know the purpose for it but I believe this arrangement has to be carefully looked into, said Naseem, the ex-foreign minister. Maldives cannot be the center of a cold war in the Indian Ocean. Solih has also pledged to investigate whether Yameen and cronies profited from foreign deals. In 2014, a government audit found that tens of millions of dollars in tourism revenue had been diverted to private accounts belonging to Yameens vice president and others. Yameen denied wrongdoing and jailed the vice president. The auditor lost his job and went into exile. The soaring costs of Chinese-backed projects have made them a focus of corruption allegations. Five years ago, plans for a mile-long, six-lane bridge connecting Male with the airport put the cost at about $100 million. Under Yameen, the bridge was narrowed to four lanes but the cost jumped to nearly $200 million, more than two-thirds of which was covered by a loan from Chinas Export-Import Bank. In the airport renovation, Yameens predecessor in 2012 abruptly canceled a $500-million contract with an Indian company, GMR. After an arbitrator ordered the Maldives to pay GMR $271 million in damages, Yameen raised cash by issuing a $200-million sovereign bond last year through BoCom, a Chinese investment bank. By then, the cost of the airport expansion had doubled to $1 billion. Yameens government brought in a new developer to start work: Chinas Beijing Urban Construction Group. Solih said in an interview that he would consider asking the FBI and other U.S. agencies to help trace missing funds and unravel contract details. A senior State Department official said the U.S. government was prepared to help them in any way. Solihs aides are still trying to determine whether debt to China could rise beyond $3 billion. The Maldives government backed some loans with sovereign guarantees, meaning the recipient assumes liability if projects flop. The fastest ongoing project in Phase II is the development of #Hiyaa 7000 social housing units. This is the largest housing initiative ever in the country, aimed to provide affordable housing in #Hulhumale to the public. pic.twitter.com/1dealIBgZ0 HDC (@hdcmaldives) September 5, 2018 One guarantee, worth $370 million, was issued last year for the construction of 7,000 public housing units on reclaimed land north of Male, where more than 140,000 people are squeezed into two square miles. But the state-owned Maldivian developer is close to bankruptcy. Last month the government had to inject $24 million to prop up the company, raising questions about the projects viability and the Maldives ability to repay the loan. We will have to talk to China not necessarily about canceling deals, because we need development, but about renegotiation, Naseem said. We cant pay something that is ridiculous. We cant give them our blood, can we? shashank.bengali@latimes.com Shashank Bengali is South Asia correspondent for The Times. Follow him on Twitter at @SBengali You are here: World Flash United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, and the African Union (AU)'s Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ismail Sharqi, on Wednesday stressed their support for political settlement in Libya. The two officials made their remarks during a meeting with Libya's eastern-based army commander, General Khalifa Haftar, in eastern Libya. "The UN-AU delegation reiterated full support for a political settlement aimed at ending the transitional period in Libya," the UN Support Mission in Libya said. On Tuesday, the delegation met with the Libya's UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez Serraj in the capital Tripoli and discussed the latest political and security developments in Libya, as well as future elections in the country. Following the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime, Libya has been suffering escalating violence and political division between western and eastern governments. The North African nation is struggling to make a democratic transition, despite signing a UN-sponsored political agreement by the Libyan parties later in 2015 and appointment of Serraj's unity government. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen joined a U.S. envoy Monday in advocating more religious freedom in Asia, a joint jab at China, where the government restricts worship and resents American officials for political dealings with the island. The president of the self-ruled island told Sam Brownback, U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, during a closed-door meeting that Taiwan wants to help the United States contribute to the development of religious freedom and democracy, officials said. Tsai told Brownback she expects that Taiwan and the United States, through more cooperative exchanges, can in the future continue promoting joint values and strengthen the two sides partnerships, according to a statement on the presidential office website. China and Taiwan have been separately ruled since the Chinese civil war of the 1940s, but China insists that the two sides eventually unite. More than 80% of Taiwanese oppose unification, government surveys indicate. Advertisement Taiwan has no restrictions on religion. About 35% of its 23 million people practice Buddhism, followed by 33% who follow Taoism, the U.S. government found in a 2017 study. Around 5% follow Christianity. In China, churches are required to register with the government and are subject to Communist Party supervision. The Trump administration has stepped up informal contact with Taiwan to harden his stance against China during the past years Sino-U.S. trade disputes. Brownback told a 15-country religious freedom forum Monday in Taipei that Beijing should negotiate with the Dalai Lama over the exiled Tibetan spiritual leaders return to China. He further accused China of detaining ethnic Uighurs, a Muslim population in China, to silence their family members living abroad. What does the Chinese government have to fear from people reading the Bible or Uighurs naming their children Mohammad? Brownback said at the forum. The Chinese are a strong and vibrant people. They do not need to fear people who have strong religious beliefs or convictions. The Chinese foreign ministry objected to Brownbacks comments. We urge the U.S. to face up to and respect the basic facts, abandon prejudice, be cautious and objectively consider Chinese religious policy and freedom of religious belief, and stop using so-called religious issues to interfere in Chinas internal affairs, foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a news briefing. Brownback was expected to spend several days in Taiwan. After the envoy gave a speech Friday in Hong Kong, where he spent four days, Chinas foreign ministry accused him of slander. He had said Beijing should allow investigations of detainment camps where ethnic Uighurs say theyve been tortured. Ambassador Brownbacks visit this time not only showcases the values of human rights and freedoms that both sides enjoy, but its also a great example of ongoing Taiwan-U.S. partnership relations, the foreign ministry in Taipei said Sunday. Jennings is a special correspondent. Thailands Constitutional Court on Thursday banned the political party that nominated a former princess to run for prime minister, dealing a blow to opposition forces vying to defeat allies of the military-led government in the first election since a 2014 coup. The court ruled that the Thai Raksa Chart partys nomination of Ubolratana Mahidol, the eldest child of Thailands revered late king and sister to its current monarch, undermined the monarchy and was hostile to the democratic system. The party will be dissolved and its executives barred from politics for 10 years, judges said. It is necessary for the Thai monarchy to stay above politics and stay neutral in politics, Taweekiat Meenakanit, one of the judges, said in a verdict broadcast live on television. Do not allow any opportunities for the Thai monarchy to be used for political purposes. Advertisement Thai Princess Ubolratana Mahidol, shown in a 2013 appearance in Santa Monica to promote Thailand as a filming destination, was not in the Constitutional Court for Thursdays hearing on the dissolution of the party that nominated her for prime minister. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times) The ruling was not a surprise. The partys decision last month to nominate the 67-year-old Ubolratana a UCLA masters graduate who relinquished her royal title when she married an American in 1972 but is still treated as royalty by Thais stunned the nation and broke with a more than century-old tradition of the royal family avoiding elected office. It also raised the prospect of the return of Thaksin Shinawatra, the telecommunications tycoon and former prime minister who is linked to Thai Raksa Chart and lives in exile to avoid corruption charges that he says are politically motivated. Thaksin is regarded as a dangerous upstart by the military which ousted him from office in 2006 and by supporters of the royal family, who regard him as insufficiently deferential to the monarchy. The nomination of a royal to lead a Thaksin-linked party suggested a rapprochement that could have ended more than a decade of political clashes between rival Thai political factions that have occasionally turned deadly. But the nomination was short-lived. The party withdrew her candidacy after her brother and Thailands current monarch, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, called it extremely inappropriate. Election officials formally canceled her nomination days later and asked the Constitutional Court to punish the party, which led to Thursdays ruling. The ex-princess did not appear for the verdict but responded on Instagram, where photos on her private account indicated she was in Berlin. Followers commented that the party had been dissolved, to which Ubolratana responded: It is sad and depressing. Human rights groups denounced the verdict, saying it would diminish the fairness of the March 24 election that the Thai military has held up as a sign of the countrys return to democratic rule. This decision highlights the Thai authorities abuse of judicial powers to restrict the peaceful association and expression of the political opposition, Amnesty Internationals Thailand campaigner, Katherine Gerson, said in a statement. This far-reaching measure raises strong concerns about the human rights to freedom of association and expression in the period leading to the elections. Two parties associated with Thaksin have previously been banned, and his sister Yingluck was removed as prime minister in 2014, the most recent of more than a dozen coups in Thailands modern history. Constitutional changes enacted by the junta since 2014 have given the military power to appoint members of the upper house of parliament, while making it more difficult for major parties such as Pheu Thai the largest Thaksin-backed party to win large numbers of seats in the lower house. Both houses vote to select the prime minister, giving the military outsize influence over the winner. Thai Raksa Chart was formed just four months ago as one of several Pheu Thai offshoots in a bid to secure more parliamentary seats for pro-Thaksin candidates. Thai Raksa Charts nomination gamble, and the courts ruling, have left that strategy in tatters and boosted the chances of the military-backed leader, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who is running at the head of a pro-military party to remain in power via the ballot box. We had pure intentions through the course of our actions, Thai Raksa Charts leader, Preechapol Pongpanich, told reporters after the ruling. I would like to thank all the candidates and the people who walked side by side with us. Special correspondent Amatatham reported from Bangkok and Times staff writer Bengali from Singapore. Tijuana was the most violent city in the world in 2018, according a new report by a Mexican nonprofit group that ranked cities based on their homicide rates. The report by the Citizens Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice found that five out of six of the worlds most violent municipalities were in Mexico, where homicides have risen to historic levels in recent years amid a military-led war against criminal groups. Meth and murder: A new kind of drug war has made Tijuana one of the deadliest cities on Earth In Tijuana, where local gangs have been battling over a lucrative domestic drug market, the report tallied 138 killings per 100,000 residents last year, or about seven killings on average per day. The Mexican resort city of Acapulco was in second place, with 111 killings per 100,000 people. Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, which has been beset by crime and food shortages amid the countrys political crisis, was in third place with 100 killings per 100,000 people. Advertisement The fourth- and fifth-most violent cities, according to the Citizens Council, were in two of Mexicos northern border states: Ciudad Victoria, in the state of Tamaulipas, and Ciudad Juarez, in Chihuahua. Irapuato, a city in the state of Guanajuato that has been the site of fierce battles over control of stolen gasoline, is sixth on the list. There were 15 Mexican cities on the list of 50, more than any other country in the world. The report paints a picture of a nation in crisis, and calls into question the efficacy of Mexicos militaristic approach to fighting crime. Since 2006, when then-president Felipe Calderon declared war on the countrys drug traffickers, a combination of soldiers, marines and federal police has taken to the streets to break up powerful cartels. While the so-called kingpin strategy proved successful in weakening some groups, it also unwittingly spawned new ones who sought to capitalize on the disruption. Many of those newer groups have branched into businesses beyond drug trafficking and are now involved in fuel theft, migrant smuggling, local drug sales and other forms of illicit activity. Mexicos new president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, campaigned on a promise of pacification, criticizing Calderon for converting the country into a cemetery. The military-led strategy was maintained under Calderons successor, Enrique Pena Nieto, the predecessor of Lopez Obrador. As a candidate, Lopez Obrador pledged to use economic development, not the military, to address the root causes of crime. He also proposed a controversial amnesty plan that would allow some non-violent criminals to walk free. Lopez Obrador made headlines shortly after he was sworn into office when he declared there is officially no more war against criminal groups. Still, he recently sent a large battalion of soldiers to Tijuana and has pushed for the creation of a 70,000-member national guard to help restore public safety. Critics say a national guard, which would be made up of ex-soldiers and marines and report in part to the Defense Ministry, would simply be a continuation of the militaristic strategy criticized by Lopez Obrador. What is needed, they say, is more training for police and investments in the justice system. Government statistics show only about 7% of all crimes are properly investigated and about 2% result in convictions. Lopez Obrador says the national guard would be different from the military because unlike the armed forces, it would have the mandate and capacity to assist in criminal investigations. Violence in Mexico has come under added scrutiny in recent months since the U.S. began sending some Central American migrants who have applied for political asylum back to Mexico to await rulings in their cases. The program began in Tijuana and is expected to expand to other border cities. Migrant advocates on both sides of the border decried the program after two Honduran teens were killed in Tijuana late last year while waiting to cross into the U.S., and after more than two dozen migrants were kidnapped off buses in Tamaulipas in recent weeks, not far from the U.S. border. In recent months, President Trump has pointed to rising levels of violence in Mexico as justification for construction of a border wall between the two countries. The U.S. has long played a prominent role in Mexicos militaristic approach to crime fighting. Since 2008, the U.S. has appropriated more than $2.6 billion for the Merida Initiative, a partnership with the Mexican government aimed at disrupting organized crime and reforming Mexicos ailing police and justice systems. kate.linthicum@latimes.com Twitter: @katelinthicum Lawyers representing the family of an American citizen from San Diego detained in Iran said Thursday that the Navy veteran has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for insulting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and for disclosing private information by posting a photo on Instagram of a woman he was visiting. Michael White, 46, was detained in Mashhad, a religious city in eastern Iran, last July after traveling there to visit the woman. It was his third time visiting her in the Islamic Republic, said Jonathan Franks, a spokesman for his family. White is being held in Vakilabad Prison, which is known for its executions of drug traffickers. The inappropriate photo was of White sitting with a woman we think is his girlfriend, said Mark Zaid, a lawyer representing Whites family. Advertisement Navy veteran from San Diego has been imprisoned in Iran, authorities there confirm White is the first U.S. citizen arrested in Iran since President Trump took office. His sentencing could worsen already rocky relations with the United States. Franks said Whites family has been told he was beaten and interrogated about his naval service after his arrest, adding that White has not been able to communicate directly with his family. The family learned of his detention in January. Diplomats from the Swiss Embassy in Tehran visited White in February, Franks said. The United States broke off formal diplomatic relations with Iran during the 1980 hostage crisis, and Switzerland has since represented U.S. interests in Tehran. White served 13 years in the U.S. Navy, working in aviation maintenance administration. After retiring, he attended San Diego State, where he earned a bachelors degree in political science. Zaid said the State Department informed him and the family Monday that White was convicted in a trial that was held without prior notice. A local lawyer assigned to represent White in the court hearing, Zaid said, did not speak English. White, a cancer survivor, has 22 days to appeal the courts actions, according to Zaid. Whites family has become increasingly worried about his health and has been scrambling to raise money to hire a lawyer in Iran to represent him and gain more clarity about the charges of which he was convicted. In addition to concerns that his cancer might reemerge, Whites family said that he suffers from asthma and that his immune system has been compromised by chemotherapy treatments. White was detained in Mashhad after plainclothes police pulled over a taxi he was riding in around July 22, shortly before he was scheduled to return to the United States, his family says. Several months went by before Whites family learned of his whereabouts. In February, the family said it was informed by Iranian authorities that White did not face espionage charges and that his arrest was linked to a private complaint. But on Monday, Mashhads prosecutor, Gholamali Sadeghi, announced that White was convicted of crimes related to national security issues. None of the crimes he was convicted of are related to national security issues, Zaid said Thursday. And White is being held separate from political prisoners. In recent years, hard-liners in Irans judiciary and security apparatus have increasingly targeted Iranian dual citizens and Western nationals whom they accuse of attempting to infiltrate the Islamic Republic. Members of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have typically used these individuals as bargaining chips for future negotiations. As of January, White was the eighth known foreigner with U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status held in Iran, according to the the New York-based nonprofit Center for Human Rights in Iran. Although Trump had said freeing Americans held overseas is a priority in his administration, worsening relations with Iran make negotiating their release much more difficult. Last year Trump withdrew from the landmark nuclear deal that sought to restrict Irans nuclear activities and imposed tough economic sanctions. melissa.etehad@latimes.com Twitter: @melissaetehad The United States on Saturday urged the United Nations Security Council to recognize a Venezuelan opposition leader as the countrys president to replace authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro, but Russia quickly voiced stiff opposition to the move. Late in the day, an immediate clash between the U.S. and Venezuela was averted when Maduros government announced that it was stepping back from a Sunday deadline it had set for U.S. diplomats to leave the country. Instead, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said, it had negotiated a 30-day delay during which the two nations would seek to establish interests offices in each country. The U.S. had initially said it would defy the order issued Wednesday but then began moving out nonessential personnel. At the emergency U.N. session called by the U.S., Moscow and Washington clashed openly over what the Trump administration characterized as a return to democracy, and what Russia labeled an illegal coup that meddled in a sovereign nations domestic affairs. The time is now to support the Venezuelan people, recognize the new democratic government led by interim President [Juan] Guaido, and end this nightmare, U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo told the Security Council in New York. No excuses. Advertisement Pompeo emphasized the humanitarian catastrophe that Venezuela is suffering, blaming Maduro and his looting of government coffers for plunging Venezuelans into abject poverty, starvation and death. He then segued into a core concern for the Trump administration: the financial, political and military support the Maduro government receives from Russia, China and, especially, Cuba. Its not a surprise that those who rule without democracy in their own countries are trying to prop up Maduro while he is in dire straits, Pompeo said. Saturdays session was not aimed at producing a resolution, as Russia would probably veto, but to air the issue and measure support for one side or the other. The Trump administration recognized the 35-year-old Guaido on Wednesday, when he proclaimed himself interim president because of his role as head of the National Assembly, and as tens of thousands of Venezuelans filled the streets of Caracas in protest of Maduro. The U.S. immediately granted the Guaido forces $20 million in humanitarian aid in an attempt to shore up its claim on power. Pompeo called for other members of the Security Council to back Guaido as interim president while Venezuela moves through a transition government to new, free elections. The most recent elections, last year, which gave Maduro a second six-year term, were regarded as a sham by most international observers. Now, it is time for every other nation to pick a side, Pompeo said. No more delays; no more games. Either you stand with the forces of freedom, or youre in league with Maduro and his mayhem. The U.S. position received support of varying degrees from about half a dozen of the councils 15 countries, including France and Germany, which said they would recognize Guaido unless Maduro calls new elections within eight days. In addition to Russia, at least three other countries were strongly opposed; several abstained. No formal resolution was drafted. Venezuela, which is not a member of the Security Council, was represented in the session by Maduros foreign minister, Jorge Arreaza, who condemned what he cited as Washingtons long history of arrogant interventionism. I cannot say the United States was behind this coup, Arreaza said. No. The United States was not behind but at the forefront of the coup! In the vanguard! Giving the orders! In the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, Guaido expressed thanks for the international support and promised not to abandon his effort to chase Maduro from office. Speaking at a rally of about 2,000 followers in the affluent Las Mercedes neighborhood, he paid special thanks to the United Kingdom, which he said has refused to turn over $1.2 billion in gold to the Maduro government. The decision of the Bank of England to not return gold to the usurpers is the beginning of the protection of Venezuelan assets, Guaido said. We are not going to permit more abuses and that they rob the money, food and medicines of Venezuelans. The [gold] does not belong to the government, it should be used to attend to the health and feeding of Venezuelans. He also took an informal vote among those present on a proposed amnesty law that he has promoted in the National Assembly. The majority there expressed support for the proposal to exonerate members of the police and military who support the oppositions restitution of democracy while forcing the release of political prisoners. According to the civil society group Penal Forum in Caracas, Maduro is holding 281 political prisoners. The immediate effect of an amnesty law is questionable as a rival constitutional assembly Maduro formed in 2017 has taken over powers claimed by the freely elected National Assembly headed by Guaido. On Tuesday, Maduros constitutional assembly declared null and void all legislative acts by the National Assembly, including Guaidos designation as president. At the U.N., an effort by the U.S. to sponsor a joint presidential statement of support for Guaido was blocked by Russia and China, Pompeo said. Russia then sought to stop Saturdays session before it started, saying Venezuelas internal politics were not a rightful topic for the Security Council to review. The Russian ambassador to the U.N., Vassily Nebenzia, said that doing so was a gross abuse of Security Council members power in support of the shameless and aggressive actions of the United States and its allies. Speaking later in the full Security Council session, Nebenzia invoked U.S. attempts to control politics in Latin America through the generations as proof of Washingtons true goals now: a change of government as a favorite game, he said. Pompeo stared icily at Nebenzia as he spoke. The administration sought to underscore the seriousness with which it regards the Venezuela crisis by dispatching Pompeo to Saturdays meeting. The secretary of State only rarely makes such an appearance, although the United States is without an ambassador to the U.N. after the resignation of Nikki Haley at the end of last year. Pompeo was accompanied by his newly appointed special envoy for Venezuela, veteran U.S. diplomatic hawk Elliott Abrams. Abrams, who served in the Reagan and George W. Bush administrations, was an unusual choice. His efforts to overthrow the leftist government of Nicaragua in the 1980s ultimately failed and landed him in a criminal case as part of the notorious Iran-Contra scandal that exposed illicit U.S. activities. Abrams pleaded guilty to withholding information from Congress. Abrams debuted his new role Saturday, speaking toward the end of the session after Pompeo had departed. He lashed out at Arreaza and the Russians for referring to countries that support the U.S. as satellites. The true satellite here, Abrams said, is Venezuela. A satellite of Cuba. , Times staff writer Wilkinson reported from Washington and special correspondent Mogollon from Caracas. They lined up for hours in the woody grounds of the former presidential compound to see a movie not just any film but Roma, Alfonso Cuarons autobiographical reverie, named after the shabby-chic Mexico City neighborhood where the director was reared. With some breathless reviewers already declaring it a masterpiece, the cache of prizes expanding and the inevitable Oscar chatter growing, Roma has become a kind of cultural touchstone here even before most people had the chance to view Cuarons meditation on 1970s Mexico City. A dispute between big Mexican theater distributors and the Netflix streaming service limited release in Mexico, though the movie finally debuted Friday on Netflix. A free showing on a big screen in Los Pinos, the former presidential residence, attracted a large and diverse crowd from backpack-toting film aficionados to curious families and elderly couples. Advertisement I havent been able to see Cuarons picture; it has been very frustrating, said Laura Quiroz, 21, a film student who was near the front of a line that snaked for the equivalent of about six blocks through the winding woodlands of Los Pinos. Thats why I came early, to be among the first and be sure to have a place. Some 3,500 viewers sat contentedly on straw mats on a lawn that was formerly a presidential heliport, eating complimentary popcorn and sipping non-alcoholic punch, also provided gratis. The film and its underlying themes of class and race, political and familial upheaval dramatized though episodes in the life of a middle-class Mexico City family and their housekeeper come as Mexico may be undergoing a hinge moment. Newly elected President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the countrys first avowed leftist chief executive since the tumultuous 1970s, has greatly raised expectations with his vows of transformation and regime change after decades of desultory leadership. The venue of the showing Thursday evening, Los Pinos, was charged with symbolism. The new president has eschewed the lush compound as too opulent and haunted, turning it into a cultural center a breakaway success, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to the long inaccessible estate. I came early with my two daughters after they finished school to have a look at Los Pinos, and we decided to stay for the film, said Maria de la Rosa Aguirre, 56, a housewife. What luxury there is here, she added, echoing the sentiments of many viewing for the first time the long-shuttered grounds. While he resides in London, Cuaron the first Mexican movie-maker to win a best director Oscar, in 2014, for Gravity counts among a Mexican film elite with Hollywood cache whose members have been critics of past Mexican governments. Finally, Mexico is liberated, Cuaron wrote in a Twitter message Dec. 1, the day of Lopez Obradors inauguration. Mexico has suffered from corrupt, repressive and cowardly presidents. Ironically, his nostalgia-infused contemplation of his hometown was screened in the very palatial grounds that Mexican presidents have called home for eight decades. It was a great experience to see the film here, in Los Pinos, in the open air, said Matias Robledo, a teacher. The movie is a reflection of how we live in this country the injustices, the abuses of power, the poverty. Though Roma may be as melancholy and sentimental as an Irish pub ballad, and its glacial early pace frustrated some viewers, the black-and-white film has a transcendent visual beauty, and its many fine-grained moments of authenticity brought smiles of recognition. A man is shot from a cannon at a neighborhood carnival on muddy street; kids gather up ice during one of the capitals periodic hail storms; brass bands march down streets where clunky American sedans and Volkswagen Beetles are parked. The politics are subtle. Cuaron strives to avoid lefty preachiness even when depicting a notorious instance of Mexican government repression of student protesters in June 1971, an episode known as El Halconazo, after a feared paramilitary squad, los halcones, or the hawks. I witnessed myself in my youth how the government attacked the students, said Rogelio Ortega, 60, a retiree who lived many years in Colonia Roma during the era depicted in the film and was in Los Pinos. It brought it all back for me. A dramatized moment of a brief earthquake at a hospital debris cascades down on an infants ward brought collective shudders to an audience all too familiar with that singular sense of terror. The movie revolves around a central protagonist: Cleo, the familys live-in maid, nanny, chief hugger and nurturer, said to be modeled on a housekeeper in the young Cuarons family. Cleo is an ethnic Mixtec woman from southern Oaxaca state working for a white family whose members clearly cherish her deeply, despite the social chasm inherent in the relationship. The film was set a generation ago, but the Mexican version of the Upstairs Downstairs-style class conflict remains very contemporary here. It shows the inequalities here in Mexico, the poverty that forces people to leave their towns, come to the cities and suffer discrimination, said Fatima Rodriguez, 36, a lawyer who saw the film at Los Pinos. Hopefully this will bring new sensitivity to the way people treat their [domestic] workers. People watch Roma in the former presidential residence of Los Pinos in Mexico City. (Ronaldo Schemidt / AFP/Getty Images) Yalitza Aparicio, the breakout novice actress who played Cleo as part of an ensemble cast, has been vaunted improbably into the dizzying part of A-list celebrity perhaps the screen discovery of 2018, according to the New York Times. Her looks and slight stature may be a radical departure from starlet central casting, but the former pre-school teacher trainee from Oaxaca with no previous acting experience recently posed in designer garb for Vanity Fair a display that drew both blatantly racist put-downs on Mexican social media and declarations of support. Aparicio, fresh from spending her 25th birthday at Disneyland, showed up at the Los Pinos screening, later urging compatriots to share Roma in homes and theaters as part of a Cuaron-backed social media campaign, #Romaton. How incredible to see so many people united to share this with us! the actress gushed on Instagram. The male characters in Roma are mostly problematic, one-dimensional cutouts. A father walks out on his family. A boyfriend is a thuggish hothead who angrily denies paternity of a womans child. Those portrayals too resonated with many. The movie made me very sad because I am a single mother and the father of my children never did anything for me and my children, said Maria de los Angeles Cruz, 42, a restaurant worker among the multitudes at Los Pinos. It showed how we women always suffer. But the general consensus seemed to be more on the upbeat side. I want my mom to see the movie, said Rosalinda Ramirez, 24, a student and waitress whose own mother was a domestic worker for years. Im sure this will touch her very deeply. McDonnell is the Times Mexico City bureau chief and Sanchez, a special correspondent in the bureau. patrick.mcdonnell@latimes.com Twitter: @PmcdonnellLAT patrick.mcdonnell@latimes.com Twitter: @PmcdonnellLAT You are here: World Flash Russia has decided to suspend Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in its airspace until further notice following two deadly plane crashes in the past five months, the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency said Thursday. The agency will assess directives and reports from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and Boeing, head of the agency Alexander Neradko told reporters. The decisions came amid rising global concern over the safety of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes after two fatal crashes in five months. A Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane of Ethiopian Airlines crashed shortly after taking off from Addis Ababa on Sunday, killing all 157 on board. Another jet of the same model, flown by Indonesian budget carrier Lion Air, crashed in October last year, killing all 189 passengers on board. The FAA said in a statement on Wednesday that it had ordered the temporary grounding of Boeing 737 Max aircraft operated by U.S. airlines or in U.S. territory. Ghanaian corporate culture is a male-dominated organisation that sees very few women in position of real and overall power, controlling affairs and calling shots. The reason for which women are left behind from the top of organisations are many. While some of it is age-old sexism, others bore down to a lack of women in the field, a phenomenon that plays out in fields of science and technology, especially. However, over the last decade, foreign and indigenous companies have appointed women as chief executives or managing directors. Some of these appointments have come with varying degrees of success. Legit.ng lists some of the top female CEOs of notable Ghanaian companies at this beginning of 2019. READ ALSO: Iyabo Ojo surprises daughter with white limousine, serenade and flowers on her 18th birthday (videos) 1. Beatrice Agyemang-Abbey of Media General The Media General Group replaced one woman with another in 2018 when Beatrice Agyemang-Abbey became the CEO of the company. Media General own among other outfits, TV3 News Network. This puts Agyemang-Abbey in the position of so much control and influence. 2. Patricia Obo-Nai of Vodafone Ghana Earlier in 2019, Vodafone appointed the first ever Ghanaian to head their operations in Ghana. It was in the person of Patricia Oba-Nai. Vodafone, as the third largest telecommunications firm makes Obo-Nai the head of the company that provides service for millions of Ghanaians. PAY ATTENTION: Get your daily relationship tips and advice on Africa Love Aid group 3. Patience Akyianu of Hollard Ghana Patricia Akyianu was formerly the managing director of Barclays Bank Ghana Limited. A professional business executive, Akyianu in late 2018 landed another job as the CEO of insurance company, Hollard. Akyianu is one of the very few major executives in Ghana who happen to be women. 4. Boatemaa Duffuor Barfuor-Awuah of Star Assurance Boatemaa Duffuor Barfuor-Awuah of Star Assurance. Photo credit: Star Assurance Boatemaa Duffuor Barfuor-Awuah is a daughter of politician and business mogul, Dr Kwabena Duffuor. But she is also an acclaimed business manager. Boatemaa heads Star Assurance, one of the leading insurance companies in Ghana. READ ALSO: Ghanaian Prof Wisdom Tettey becomes principal of University of Toronto 5. Carol Annang of New Times Corporation Carol Annang of New Times Corporation. Photo credit: Daily Guide Carol Annang is currently the most powerful woman in Ghanaian print media. As the managing director of New Times Corporation, she oversees the operations of one of Ghana's oldest and most widely read newspaper. PAY ATTENTION: Get your daily relationship tips and advice on Africa Love Aid group 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 CEO's Interview: Meet Nigerian Woman Who Quit Banking for Farming on Legit TV Source: Legit An Easton city councilman has proposed cutting his pay and the pay of his council colleagues in order to offset the cost of the mayors raises. Councilman Peter Melan refused to go along with the vote authorizing pay raises over the next five years for whoever is elected Eastons mayor this year. The vote on Feb. 28 bumped the mayors salary from $86,306 this year to $91,500 next year. Thats a 6 percent hike. After that the mayor will get the same annual raises awarded to the citys non-union employees. Those raises have run 2 to 3 percent annually for the past 10 years, city Administrator Luis Campos said. Melan noted the mayors salary is among the highest for mayors statewide. Mayor Sal Panto Jr. earns less than the mayors of Allentown and Erie. He is running for re-election this year against Democratic challenger Taiba Sultana in the May 21 primary election, the winner of which will face Republican Timothy D. Reilly in the Nov. 5 election. The mayors raise takes effect next January. It will be the highest salary of any mayor of a Pennsylvania Third Class City with at least 20,000 residents by 2023, assuming at least 2 percent raises each year until then and the other mayors dont get raises. To be fiscally responsible I thought that to accommodate his increase for the next five years that we should take a pay cut. Thats my opinion, Melan said. When the mayors salary was discussed Feb. 28, Panto said he made much more in the private sector than he does now. If I was here for the money I wouldnt be here, Panto said Feb. 28. Its a pittance compared to the amount of hours you should put in. Melan on Wednesday introduced an amendment to the citys salary ordinance at the city council meeting March 13 to lower city council members pay from $9,731 a year to $4,686 a year. The salary ordinance amendment will come up for a vote March 27, Melan said. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. PennDOT has unveiled a handful of new license plates, which include more ways to honor veterans and raise money for distracted driving education. The women veterans plate costs $35, $15 of which will go toward the Veterans Trust Fund for programs and resources for women veterans. The distracted driving plate cost $40, and proceeds will be used for public education and outreach on the dangers of distracted driving. Three plates allow veterans to display specific medals or awards: the Soldiers Medal, the Presidential Service Badge or the Legion of Merit. Those cost $20 each, and veterans must be able to prove they received the respective awards. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation says it also added a Purple Heart medal motorcycle plate, which displays the words Combat Wounded Veteran," and a Veterans of an Allied Foreign Country plate. Finally, PennDOT is offering a historic military vehicle plate for antique or classic vehicles that were manufactured for use in any countrys military forces. Cost for the plate is $75. More information about speciality license plates in Pennsylvania can be found here. PennDOT recently released a series of new registration plates for motorists to purchase for their vehicles. Learn more about the new plates which include two special funds plates that will help raise funds for worthy causes at: https://t.co/lXbzBxG2uW pic.twitter.com/K6KmJfsXge PA Department of Transportation (@PennDOTNews) March 8, 2019 Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. Eight people have been indicted by a federal grand jury, part of one of the most violent drug dealing organizations Berks County authorities have ever seen, authorities said Thursday. Berks County District Attorney John. T. Adams said the group was involved in shootings, kidnappings and murders, as well threats and planned shootings. We have repeatedly stated that this has been the most violent drug organization that we have ever encountered, Adams said at a news conference Thursday. The following defendants were indicted on 21 counts of drug distribution and firearms offenses: Jesus Feliciano-Trinidad, known as Chewey" or Che, 29 Sharon Melendez-Ortiz, known as La Rubia, 39 Fitzgerald Daliot-Rios, 29 Yomar Velazquez-Figueroa, known as Negrito, 21 Dewayne Quinones, known as Hombre, 25 Gisela Mendez, 42 Mariela Alvarado, known as Onyx, 38 Owen Malave-Medina, 22 It is an ongoing investigation, and there could be more arrests in the large organization that authorities referred to as the Trinidad drug trafficking organization. This may end up being just one step in a many-step process, U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain said. These are serious federal charges with serious federal penalties, if the defendants are convicted." WFMZ-TV69 reported at least three people were in custody following a Wednesday morning raid at a rooming house at 125-127 S. Fourth St. in Reading. Feliciano-Trinidad, Daliot-Rios, and Velazquez-Figueroa are already facing murder charges in connection with the Jan. 24 death of Hector Gonzalez-Rivera, according to The Reading Eagle. McSwain said authorities spent months investigating the group, who are accused of processing and dealing a wide variety of drugs including methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack, using at least 10 stash houses in Reading. The group also used acts of violence as part of the drug dealing business in and around Reading, and conspired to shoot certain individuals and commit a kidnapping in February 2018, authorities said. Fifteen people were initially charged a year ago in county court in connection with the same alleged drug dealing organization; all those indicted by the grand jury, except Dewayne Quinones, were a part of that group. FBI Special Agent Joe Bushner said the investigation and arrests should be a message to any other groups that the federal government is here ... and were not going away." McSwain said the past year, frankly, has been hard on this area," noting Berks Countys 2018 homicide rate was its highest in a decade. Federal authorities are paying attention, and have multiple open investigations and cases, based in Reading and the Berks County area, McSwain added. I am very pleased that the U.S. Attorneys office has gotten involved in this case. I am very grateful to the prosecutors for their involvement and I look forward to a continued partnership with federal authorities for acts of violence and drug dealing and many other crimes occurring in our county, Adams said. We need their partnership, we need their involvement. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @SarahCassi. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. In the century of the city, Easton is showing that urban renewal is no longer a pipedream, according to its mayor. Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr. discussed the citys successes over the past year and unveiled his new plans Wednesday at his State of the City address. His new plans include: A recommendation to create an Affordable Housing Task Force to help the citys homeless population and to supplement the proliferation of high-end downtown housing. A proposal to enact a 0.1 percent fee on building permits for projects over $50,000 to fund public art. He touted the citys growing collection of art, in particular along the Karl Stirner Arts Trail. An initiative to replace all street lights with LED lights in the next 18 months to two years. He also pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by adding to the citys car share program and expanding the number of electric charging stations in city parking garages. The optimism and positive momentum were experiencing are clear indications of why Eastons future is now, Panto said. Now is the time to capitalize on our success. Panto touted major development projects such as the Rockwell Science Center at Lafayette College, the Simon Silk Mill redevelopment and the upcoming restoration of the Heritage Lanes building into the offices of Hearst Publishing. The mayor said the city has seen a 56 percent uptick in building permits over the last four years. Now the city wants that economic development to spur the upward mobility of its residents, Panto said. The mayor noted the opening of a Pennsylvania Career Link job center and a branch of Northampton Community College. The mayor touted the citys fiscal stability and the challenge of addressing its growing pension liability. He said crime is down for the 12th straight year. He named major public works projects on the horizon, including a pedestrian bridge from the arts trail to the silk mill development and improvements to Wood Avenue at 13th Street and Route 22. All the preceding reasons contribute to the turnaround the city has enjoyed since transitioning from the suburban flight of the 20th century, he said. Easton has become a destination for residents and a place natives can boast of as their hometown. I want people to be proud of where they live again. And that is happening, Panto said. Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @RudyMillerLV. Find Easton area news on Facebook. A reputed top leader of New Yorks notorious Gambino crime family was shot and killed Wednesday on Staten Island, authorities said. Francesco "Franky Boy" Cali, 53, was found with multiple gunshot wounds to his body at his home in the borough's Todt Hill section just after 9 p.m. Cali was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. There have been no arrests. No other information was provided by police. Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn had referred to Cali in court filings in recent years as the underboss of the Gambino organization, related through marriage to the Inzerillo clan in the Sicilian Mafia. Multiple press accounts since 2015 said Cali had ascended to the top spot in the gang, although he never faced a criminal charge saying so. His only mob-related criminal conviction came a decade ago, when Cali pleaded guilty in an extortion conspiracy involving a failed attempt to build a NASCAR track on Staten Island. He was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison and was released in 2009. The last crime family boss to be shot in New York City was Paul Castellano. The Gambino crime boss was assassinated outside Sparks Steakhouse in Manhattan in 1985. The Gambino Family was once among the most powerful criminal organizations in the U.S., but federal prosecutions in the 1980s and 1990s sent its top leaders to prison and diminished its reach. Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey voted Thursday to block President Trump from using emergency powers to build a wall along the Mexican border. This is not about border security," Toomey said in a conference call with reporters before the vote. "Its about the process the president has chosen for funding that policy. The Senate voted 59-41 to end Trumps emergency order to build the border wall. Toomey was one of 12 Republicans voting for the measure. A Lehigh County Republican, Toomey said he fully supports Trumps goal of building a wall along the border. He noted that he voted in favor of spending $25 billion on border security, including $18 billion for a wall. But Toomey said the presidents use of the emergency order undermines the Constitutions separation of powers and subverts the will of Congress. After a bruising battle that led to a government shutdown, Congress agreed on a compromise on funding for border security. The biggest concern is that its very, very important that we honor the constitutional responsibility that is assigned to Congress to determine spending, Toomey said. Toomey also raised the prospect of a very dangerous precedent for future presidents. He specifically cited the possible scenario of a Democratic White House led by Elizabeth Warren issuing a national emergency to combat climate change. Warren, the Massachusetts Democrat, is one of a host of Democrats running for president in 2020. Toomey joined several Republicans who have opposed Trumps use of emergency powers to build the wall, one of the primary goals of his administration and a key promise of his presidential campaign. Earlier Thursday, Republican U.S. Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee said they would vote to block Trumps use of the emergency order. Other Republicans who opposed Trumps emergency order include Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Mike Lee of Utah and Jerry Moran of Kansas, according to Politico and other media reports. In his statement, Romney said he is not casting a vote against border security but rather for the constitution. The former GOP presidential nominee, Romney said a physical barrier is needed. I am seriously concerned that overreach by the Executive Branch is an invitation to further expansion and abuse by future presidents, Romney said in a statement. Democrats have denounced Trumps use of the emergency order. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr., the Pennsylvania Democrat, has slammed what he described as the presidents egregious use of a national emergency to build his wall. Casey voted to end the emergency order. After the Senate vote, Casey noted that a bipartisan majority of the House and Senate rejected Trumps gross abuse of power. Its time for President Trump to withdraw his phony national emergency declaration and work with Congress to secure the border and reform our immigration system, Casey said on Twitter. Eleven members of Pennsylvanias congressional delegation wrote a letter panning the emergency order. They said they were concerned money would be withdrawn from planned military construction projects in Pennsylvania, including $8 million for a National Guard project at Fort Indiantown Gap. Trump has promised to veto the measure, which Toomey said he fully expects will happen. Toomey said he doesnt think there are enough votes in Congress to override the veto. The president said the emergency order is necessary to address a crisis at the Mexican border to curb the influx of illegal drugs streaming into the country. On Twitter, Trump thanked the strong Republicans who stood with him on the issue. Ultimately, Toomey said hed like to see Congress pass legislation to ensure that presidents could only declare national emergencies with the consent of Congress. Such a move would prevent other questionable uses of emergency powers by any future presidents. He challenged Democrats to get behind that effort and questioned if Democrats were serious about reforming a flawed system or only wanted to place obstacles to Trump. Toomey said he didnt think any money for military construction projects in Pennsylvania was in danger in the near future. But in the long term, he said he is concerned about the possible impact on military construction funds for Pennsylvania projects. This story has been updated to include the Senate vote. Excitement hit the roof in Mountrath Community School last week when Irish online influencer James Patrice swooped in to award a Junk Kouture Wild Card to one lucky team. Butterfly Effect, was created by Roisin Scully, Orla Brinkley and Fianna Byrne (model), students of art teacher Therese McGrath. The gorgeous outfit is made from newspaper and scrap farm wire, symbolises the delicacy of mental health and how one small occurrance can have a huge knock-on effect. It also highlights awareness of suicide reporting, and its devastating effect on families. The outfit will join one other Laois design that made it to the glitzy final featuring over 80 creations, to be modelled in the 3Arena in Dublin on May 2, with celebrity judges and live Irish music performances. Scoil Chriost Ri from Portlaoise has an entry called Truth Lies Within (pictured below), created by Grace Kearney who is also the model, Rachel Lewis and Amy Boyle. Their art teacher is Jayne Kelly. Also a focus on mental health and hidden distresses, the front of the dress is of pretty hand knitted twines, plaited wool and crocheted flowers while the back features black leather and flowers, symbolising how we all have a 'less pretty' side. Picture by Patrick Ryan Photography. In all 30 Laois outfits entered Junk Kouture and nine made it as far as the Eastern regional final. Both designs will be seeking Grand Final votes, to help them towards a win. The voting is open from April 1 to 5, and votes will make up to 10% of the final mark for all of the 80 creations in the Grand Final. Both Laois entries can be found in the Eastern Region. Log into the Junk Kouture app here to place your daily vote from April 1 Early Childhood Ireland, the national representative body for the early years sector is calling on childcare services in Kildare to get involved in their annual fundraising drive National Pyjama Day. Taking place on May 10, 2019 the Day will see thousands of children nationwide sponsored by their families to wear their pyjamas to preschool on that date. Once they arrive at preschool, participating children will take part in activities such as PJ picnics, den-building, pillow fights, bear hunts, and storytelling. All funds raised will then be donated to charities that work with children with additional needs. Get involved 60 childcare services in Kildare were involved in our initiative last year, said CEO Teresa Heeney. We hope to build on that number this year so were calling on all childcare services in Kildare to register now and get involved. Early Childhood Ireland is calling on early-years services nationwide to register their interest in getting involved now at: www.earlychildhoodireland.ie All participating services receive an event pack from Early Childhood Ireland with posters, a collection box, collection envelopes, balloons and stickers. All funds raised through National Pyjama Day go to the Early Childhood Ireland National Pyjama Day Fund. The Fund is administered with support from the Community Foundation for Ireland. Any charities working in Ireland with children with additional needs (aged 0-6) can apply to the Fund for support. Last year, six charities were awarded funding amounting to almost 280,000 in the aftermath of National Pyjama Day: Down Syndrome Ireland, Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland, the Irish Neonatal Health Alliance, Temple Street Foundation, AsIAm, and ReCreate. Its been three decades since the Rathangan Drama Festival first came into being. This is a huge milestone for the town and the committee is hugely grateful for the tremendous support shown for the event over the years. This years festival will run from March 15 to 22. This is an important cultural event, which brings some of the best amateur drama groups in the country to Rathangan. We are very pleased to have on our programme again this year a great variety of productions from many different parts of the country and a number of the plays will be performed for the first time in Rathangan, said festival director, Sean Glennon. This keeps the festival fresh and the audience happy. Its a great achievement for a small village like Rathangan to keep the festival going over 30 years and its continued success depends greatly on the generous support of our patrons and sponsors. Mr Glennon thanked everyone for their support over the last 29 years and looked forward to the same response this year as in previous years. The festival is fully affiliated to the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland and the winners will be nominated to the All Ireland Finals in both categories Open Finals in Athlone and the Confined Finals in Doonbeg, Clare. Mr Glennon also thanked Kildare County Council for their support in funding a new lighting system. Cllr Mark Stafford will be officially opening the festival on March 15 while Deputy Fiona OLoughlin will be closing the event on March 22. Billy Doyle, representing the Doyle family at the presentations in 2015 The Doyle family will be special guests as they have been the main sponsors of the event for most of its lifetime. Without their support the festival simply wouldnt be around today, said Mr Glennon. Anna Walker will be the adjudicator. She has a wealth of experience, having adjudicated at the All Ireland Festival last year. There will be the usual tea/coffee and refreshments served at the interval. Tickets cost 12 and 10 concessions. Season tickets are also available. People can book in advance by calling 087 9670138. The plays begin at 8pm each night and there is a commemorative programme to mark the 30 years of the festival. Founder member of the festival, Mr Glennon, will act as MC each night. The full line up is as follows: Friday March 15 Holycross/Ballycahill Drama Group, Tipperary in The Beauty Queen of Leenane by Martin McDonagh Saturday 16 Prosperous Drama Group in An Enemy of the People by Henrick Ibsen Sunday 17 Sliabh Aughty Drama Group, Clare in Sive by John B. Keane Monday 18 Brideview Drama Group, Waterford in Philadelphia, Here I Come! by Brien Friel Tuesday 19 Tinahely VG, Wicklow in Eclipsed by Patricia Bourke Brogan Wednesday 20 Mullingar Theatre Lab, Westmeath in The Lonesome West by Martin McDonagh Thursday 21 Dalkey Drama Society, Dublin in The Mill on the Floss by Helen Edmundson Friday 22 The Moat Club, Naas in Push Up by Roland Schimmelpfennig. The festival will be held at Rathangan Community Centre once again this year. People can book in advance to ensure their seats. All enquiries to 087 9670138 A senior army officer's High Court action over the States refusal to provide him with an independent report into his allegations of corruption and misconduct within the military has been resolved, and the case was withdrawn yesterday. The action was brought by the Defence Forces Head of Legal Services Colonel Jerry Lane against the Minister for Defence, Ireland and the Attorney General. The State Parties, represented by Margaret Nerney SC and Ronan Kennedy Bl, denied any wrongdoing and argued Col Lane was not entitled to any of the reliefs he sought. Following talks between the parties on Wednesday morning Col Lane's counsel Roughan Banim SC told Mr Justice Michael Twomey that the case had been "settled." Counsel said his client was "no longer seeking the independent report", known as the Smyth report, and that the proceedings were being "withdrawn." The case could be struck out, counsel added. When the case commenced on Tuesday the court heard the proceedings arose over concerns raised by Col Lane several years ago that preferential treatment was being afforded to another member of the Defence Forces to the detriment of other members. Counsel said in 2010, his client attempted to raise the issue of the other officer's alleged preferential treatment through the chain of military command, but claimed that nothing was done. Col Lane's concerns were that the other officer was selected for, but ultimately did not get, a senior position which Col Lane claimed the other person was ineligible for. Col Lane, from Bandon, Co Cork, made a protected disclosure to members of Seanad Eireann regarding his concerns which were raised in the Seanad in 2011. Arising out of the disclosure, he claims he was subjected to a range of penalties, including threats of dismissal and involuntary retirement from the Defence Forces, but those threats were subsequently set aside. Arising out of his complaints, the Minister for Defence had in 2016 appointed Colm Smyth SC to conduct an independent review of the allegations. Due to the issues raised by Col Lane, the Department of Defence decided it would not be placing any reliance on Mr Smyths report, that it would not be published and would be kept in a sealed file. A fresh review was established into the allegations, to be conducted by Frank Callanan SC. In his action, Col Lane sought to have sight of the first report because any findings or conclusions in that document could affect his reputation. Col. Lane claimed the refusal to give him the report breached his constitutional rights and fair procedures. In judicial review proceedings, Col Lane sought an order quashing the refusal to provide him with a copy of the first report and directing he be provided with that. He also sought damages and a declaration the respondents have acted unlawfully and in excess of jurisdiction by failing to provide him with a copy of the report. The respondents had opposed the action and denied the claims. Kildare-based company Ryan's Pharmacy has won the Services Category at the SFA National Small Business Awards 2019. Read also: Rathangan Drama Festival marks 30th anniversary The awards took place last Thursday, 7 March and celebrate the achievements of small business in Ireland. They recognise the vital contribution of the sector to the Irish economy. The winners were selected from hundreds of applications received for the 2019 programme. Shane Ryan, who runs five pharmacies in Kildare and Offaly is thrilled with the award. "To receive this recognition on a national scale has been amazing - to recognise us, as a small group, and validate the service that we provide for all our customers. This award is for all the staff and for all our customers who have supported us. We will continue to innovate, and go above and beyond their expectations and listen to what our customers want. We are extremely appreciative," he said. Mr Ryan also praised his hardworking staff for their commitment. The trophy and certificate are being displayed in the Rathangan store and customers have been congratulating the staff all week. Announcing Ryan's Pharmacys win, Sue ONeill, SFA Chair and Chair of the Awards Judging Panel, said: This is not your traditional pharmacy. Ryans has won this award for the way the company has demonstrated how it responds to evolving trends and changing customer requirements. Ryans is the only pharmacy in Ireland registered with the Design and Craft Council of Ireland and stocks at least 10 Irish craft and design brands at any one time. SFA Director Sven Spollen-Behrens added: We continue to grow an Awards programme that positions the small business brand, as the backbone of the Irish economy. It has been great tonight to celebrate the best in small business. Small businesses contributed to the recovery of our economy by making difficult decisions in times of recession. They are proving yet again their resilience and flexibility when faced with new challenges." Sarah Donnelly, Philip Spellman, Clodagh Conlon all from Ryans Pharmacy The seven category winners are: Manufacturing: Blueacre Technology (Louth) Food & Drink: The Foods of Athenry (Galway) Highly commended: Fenit Fruit & Veg (Kerry) Services: Ryan's Pharmacy (Kildare) Highly commended: Contracting PLUS (Dublin) Innovator of the Year: NVP Energy (Galway) Highly commended: OVVO (Louth) Exporter of the Year: Prodigy Learning (Dublin) Sustainable Energy: Monasterboice Inn (Louth) Outstanding Small Business (up to 5 employees): Horan Automation (Tipperary) The following Emerging New Businesses (under 2 years) were recognised on the night. Get the Shifts (Clare) Gym+Coffee (Dublin) PeachyLean (Dublin) Zarrdia (Dublin) The UX Studio (Galway) A special Congo Display Day remembering and honouring those who served with the United Nations in the Congo was held in Rathangan last Saturday, March 9. Organised by John O'Byrne at the NC & JO'B Photography Studio & Gallery, it was a very special day for one local man. Mr O'Byrne explained: "The day was a huge success with a large array of displays including weapons and vehicles. There was however one main reason for the day, and that was to present a local veteran of the Congo Paddy Shiels with a replacement set of medals as his were 'left behind in country'. Paddy was one of a number of Rathangan men who served in the Congo, he served overseas with the 37th Infantry Battalion and his replacement medals were presented to him in the studio surrounded by family and local community with many serving and retired member of the Defence Forces." "I have something to show for it now, you can talk all you want about going overseas but now I can show something for it," said Paddy. "A huge thanks to the IMVG for the excellent displays, the 2nd Inf Batt Association for their help in organising and presenting the medals, and to Ruth from the Burrow for providing refreshments it was a great day and one that won't be soon forgotten," added Mr O'Byrne. Rathangan based photographer John OByrne, who was involved in the organising of the community presentation, and Lt. Conor Jamieson of the Defence Forces, Curragh Camp, pictured at the event on Saturday, March 9. Photo Tony Keane Paddy being presented with his medals PHOTOS: JOHN O'BYRNE Theresa Murray looks back at times gone by in the Leinster Leader archive. Here is a story from 20 years ago An elderly Sallins priest held at gunpoint in his own home by two men last week shrugged off his ordeal to say Mass just 20 minutes after the raiders left, the Leinster Leader reported on March 25, 1999. Read also: Chronic overcrowding at Naas General Hospital today Fr Colm Swan denounced the attack as a symptom of the greed which permeates Irish society from top to bottom. The heroic cleric proved more than a match for his assailants, however, and pressed a panic button while being held at gunpoint to ward off the cowardly crooks. The priest, who is in his sixties, answered his door at 6.45am on March 16 to two men who asked him to attend an urgent sick call. But once the unsuspecting Fr Swan turned his back, the thugs grabbed him and then tied the priests hands. It is believed the raiders were after the proceeds of a parish raffle, as it was known in the area that over 30,000 had been raised. After the thieves had ransacked the downstairs rooms of the parochial house, the calm Fr Swan told them that the only money in the house was the money in his wallet, which was in the priests bedroom upstairs. Dirty and smelly As he was led upstairs by the two men, whom Fr Swan described as dirty and smelly, the priest worked on loosening the knot on his wrists, and managed to free his left hand without the men noticing. Once upstairs, the burglars took around 70 as well as Fr Swans watch and mobile phone, Then one of them spotted Fr Swans shotgun under the bed, and pointed it at the priest, saying now youll f***ing talk. But the defiant priest instead leapt to his left to press a panic button on the wall, to set off sirens and flashing lights. The two men fled immediately, leaving Fr Swan to wait for Gardai. The guards were very quick out, but they just missed them, said Fr. Swan. Concerned parishioners gathered outside the well-liked priests house and presented him with a brand new watch when they heard his had been stolen. It was a lovely gesture, said Fr Swan. The raiders left at about 7.10am, but after talking to Gardai, Fr Swan proceeded to Sallins Church to say 7.30 mass. He emerged unscathed apart form a slight cut from a knife one of the raiders was carrying. Gardai are investigating the incident. Both men are described as being dirty and smelly. The first is around 50 and wore a zip-up windcheater and dirty cap. The second was between 35 and 40 and wore jeans and a cap. Waterford-based Brideview Drama Group were the big winners at Kildare Drama Festival. They scooped the Leinster Leader Perpetual Cup for best overall production with their staging of the Brian Friel classic Philadelphia, Here I Come, under the direction of Jack Aherne and assistant director Tomas Roche. Open Winners, Brideview Drama Group, producer John Aherne receives the Leinster Leader Cup, presented by managing editor Laura Coates The festival, now in its 61st year, ran for a week and a half at the CMWS in Kildare town, and featured a range of plays from across the country, with all participants hoping to qualify for the All Ireland Drama Final in Athlone this May. The festival also included a night of youth drama, featuring performances from Kildare Youth Theatre. There was a strong showing also from the sole Kildare representative group at the festival, Prosperous Dramatic Society with their production of Henrik Ibsens Enemy of the People. Prosperous, under the direction of TJ Duggan, took home the Runner Up Perpetual Trophy (Open Section); the Del Weld Trophy for best overall characterisation in the festival, which went to Gerard OShea for his portrayal of the character Aslaksen; the Playlight trophy for the best overall lighting and scenery; the Betty McConville Perpetual Trophy for best costume and design, which went to Jenni Hawkins; Best Actress, which went to Cyrena Hayes for her portrayal of of Catherine Stockman and Best Actor in a Supporting Role, which went to James Murphy for Hovstad. The festival was adjudicated by Gene Rooney, who paid tribute to all of the productions and the hard work of the dedicated committee. Kildare Drama Festival secretary called for the establishment of a new Kildare town-based drama group to bring stage productions back to the town. SEE ALSO: Rathangan Drama Festival marks 30th anniversary We're sorry that the ministry you were looking for is no longer available on LightSource.com. However, below are some great ministries that offer related content. Enjoy the inspiration, encouragement, and Biblical challenge from these LightSource.com ministry partners! LIMERICK should be the centre of a greenway network stretching from Kerry into Clare. Thats the view of local Green party election candidate Brian Leddin, who believes that the city area can follow the example of the volunteers who established the Great Southern Trail, which links Rathkeale to North Kerry. He believes a trail can begin in the West Limerick town and stretch as far in as the city along the old railway alignment. Adding a high quality city centre corridor from the railway station to the greenway to UL would create a greenway spanning the whole county, Mr Leddin said. He pointed out that the Westport to Achill greenway brings 80,000 visitors and a spend of 7m, while a quarter of a million people have used the Waterford greenway. According to Failte Ireland, Limerick receives roughly a quarter of the tourists that Galway and Cork receive. A greenway spanning the city and county could be a real boost to the city, and it has proven to attract visitors in other counties, Mr Leddin said. A greenway would not only attract tourists, but would form part of our commuting infrastructure, helping to reduce traffic and provide a safe way to cycle to school and work. A feasibility study is urgently needed to help us take advantage of the infrastructure on our doorstep. Mr Leddin who is running in City North said putting a greenway in place would preserve the old Foynes/Limerick train line, if ever a time came where it became possible to reinstate it. The Limerick to Foynes railway cannot be reinstated in its current form as the deterioration of the alignment would need a complete relaying of track and ballast. What a greenway would do is to help preserve the alignment. As the overpasses built as part of the M20 are all double-track width, a greenway could co-exist beside the railway at a later date if a decision was taken to re-open the line, he added. The local elections take place on Friday, May 24. A PLASSEY-based IT services and software company is on point for yet another prestigious award. Action Point, based in the National Technology Park, has been named as one of Irelands best managed companies in the annual Deloitte Best Managed Companies awards for 2019. The company, which was founded by University of Limerick graduates David Jeffreys and John Savage, was recognised at a gala awards dinner in Dublin. Mr Jeffreys said: Achieving this award for the third consecutive year is fantastic recognition for the wider Action Point team. The capabilities and dedication of the team, as well as the structures and processes in place within the company, have enabled our British expansion and allowed us to take on high-profile projects such as our recent announcement with Dubai-based motorsports organisation, The ATCUE. Deloitte partner Anya Cummins said: The best managed companies process is a rigorous one, examining every facet of an organisation, and the bar is set high by our judging panel. As ever, the spread of companies, right around the country and across a number of industries, underlines the importance of Irish and Northern Irish companies to the economy and in the midst of economic uncertainty, technology disruption, an open competitive market and full employment, the continued strong performance of these businesses is admirable. In the current environment, it is important for this contribution to be recognised, supported and showcased. Tom Hayes, chief executive, Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking said: Its a challenging time for businesses in general, with the operating environment consistently and rapidly changing, due to technological developments, new ways of doing things, and challenges on the macroeconomic horizon. The Best Managed Companies this year have demonstrated that they can optimise each area of their business while always operating with an acute awareness of their environment, recognising the opportunities of expansion into global markets, in addition to strategic alliances and partnerships. I look forward to their continued growth. The judging panel was this year chaired by Frank Ryan, and he was joined by Shannon Group chairperson Rose Hynes, Deloitte chief executive Brendan Jennings, Tom Hayes, chief executive, Bank of Ireland corporate banking; Siobhan McAleer, commercial director at the IMI, and Feargal Mooney, former chief executive of HostelWorld. A MAN in his 30s has pleaded guilty to causing 1,295 worth of damage to a taxi after he caused the driver to to lose control during an argument. Jakub Braszka, 38, of Coolyheenan, Ballysimon, appeared before Judge Marian OLeary at Limerick District Court, charged with one count of criminal damage. Sergeant Sean Murray told the court that at 4.20am on August 13, 2017, Mr Braszka entered the injured partys taxi and sat in the passenger seat. When the driver turned on the meter, the accused took issue with this and an argument ensued. Sgt Murray said that this caused the injured party to lose control...and mount the kerb. The court heard that the damage caused in total exceeded 1,000 as a result of the incident. Judge OLeary said: What a dangerous thing to do. Solicitor Sarah Ryan said that they were offering no excuses over the incident. Judge OLeary asked: Are you offering any compensation? to which Ms Ryan replied: We are. The court heard that there was 1,200 worth of damage caused to the car and 95 worth of damage to the taxi meter. The court heard that Mr Braszka has no previous convictions. Judge OLeary had expressed concerns that the incident was going back to August 2017, and that it will be two years the injured party is waiting for compensation. Ms Ryan said that she was asking for the matter to be adjourned to July for the purpose of paying compensation. Judge OLeary adjourned the matter to July 24 for finalisation. A COUNTY Limerick DJ will be bringing some Luimneach Abu spirit to Abu Dhabi for St Patricks weekend Dermot Condon, known as Dermot C, is the general manager of Eden - one of the super clubs in Ibiza. But on Friday night he will be on the decks in Yas Marina as part of Edens winter tour. It is their first ever event in the United Arab Emirates. Aged 42, the Pallasgreen man has risen to the top of his chosen profession. He has performed with many of the greats including the late Avicii who Dermot described as a very genuine guy. His love affair with dance music began when he was 16. I remember I went to a house party and saw a set of decks there. I asked could I have a go on them. I think I was only about 16 and they couldn't get me off them. The next day, me and one of my mates went halves on a set of decks but they were kept in my house and that was it then. It started from there, said Dermot, who is a son of Mike and Joan. When he was old enough he started going to Strictly Rhythm, top floor of the Savoy in the city. Dermot and his friends also headed to another mecca for dance music - Sir Henrys in Cork. Meanwhile, his own career began to take off. "It was slowly but surely. Any time there was a chance to play I'd go in and throw my arm at it. Joe Clarke was doing a lot of tours with The Gutter Brothers and I was brought in as a residence with them. "We used to do Docs, Temple of Sound, the back room of the Glentworth. When we started out we used to be out in Rathkeale, Abbeyfeale, we used to go down to Tralee. I did the Lynx after Dark tour back in the day with Robbie Nelson. We toured all over Ireland with that, said Dermot. He went over to Ibiza in the late nineties and has climbed the ladder. "I'm doing it now nearly 24 years. I used to run a bar called Plastic - I had residencies for Avicii for four years. I had residencies all over Ibiza. I always wanted to have a back up and get into the management side of it. The enthusiasm is definitely still there but I'm not doing as many gigs now because I'm GM of Eden one of the super clubs. The owners have spent 6m refurbishing Eden which can accommodate 3,000 revellers. Its growing and growing every year and getting bigger and bigger. Last year was one of the best years we've ever had, and this year looks even bigger again for us. We have got big acts coming into the club. Despite being away for two decades Dermot hasnt lost his Limerick accent and he loves coming home to Pallasgreen. I always swore I'd come back for Christmas every year no matter what. Gigs can come and go but your family wont. Christmas is the time for family, said Dermot, who got engaged to girlfriend Alex Watson on his visit home. The top DJ has two brothers - Eoin who is a mechanical engineer while Brendan is a garda. You couldn't get any further from each other really, laughs Dermot. There is a perception that Ibiza is the home of hedonism but he says no matter where you go there are temptations. I went over there, got my head down and focused on work. I'm very work orientated and theres a great team her in Eden. The owners of the club are an inspiration. My right hand man is Niall Fennessy. Niall's from Limerick and used to run the Blind Pig. On an average night, Dermot gets there around 11. The club opens at midnight and closes at 6am. I don't get out of there until 8.30 or 9 in the morning, seven days a week. Then sometimes during the week you are in during the day time. I love it. As he works nights maybe it isnt so different to being a garda like his brother after all! METROPOLITAN mayor Daniel Butler says its a huge mistake Limericks All-Ireland winning hurlers were not asked to take part in the citys St Patricks Day parade. Limerick City and County Council decided the theme of this years parade which is expected to draw tens of thousands to the city will be One Giant Leap in recognition of the fact that it is 50 years since Neil Armstrongs moon landing. But since the theme was unveiled, there have been growing calls to have our All-Ireland winning hurlers involved, in celebration of the unforgettable year they have brought to the Treaty county. Cllr Butler said: If they went with the Liam MacCarthy down O'Connell Street for St Patrick's Day, it would be such an iconic moment for Limerick. We would have given them a huge welcome if they had came down OConnell Street holding the cup aloft after such a long wait. It would be a great opportunity to once again relive one of those special moments. Indeed, the day after Limerick ended a 45-year famine with Croke Park victory over Galway last August, almost 100,000 people welcomed them home, as they travelled on an open-topped bus through the city and out to the Gaelic Grounds. It was a magical day, a hugely emotional day for me. I remember the last time when I was there, when we lost to Offally, I was there with my late father, and I remember on the full-time whistle, my thoughts went to him. I think a lot of people had very similar experiences. A huge amount of emotion was attached to this victory beyond winning, he said. Cllr Butler said inviting the hurlers who are without a match this weekend to lead the parade would have been a fitting way to thank them for all their generosity over the last few months. He added: Their presence would have brought a big energy that nothing else could have brought. The guys have been hugely generous of their time and I think it would have been an opportunity to thank them not just for the victory, but the generosity with their time over the last number of months. We have it this year for the first time in a long time, we really want to make the most of it, the metropolitan mayor said. Hopefully we will have it again next year though. But it is a huge opportunity, for our national holiday, and celebrating us being champions of our national sport, he added. A council spokesperson said the parade is a civic event, with the only invite issued to a Grand Marshal to fit in with the agreed theme. This year, it is Dr Norah Patten, who is bidding to be the first Irish person in space The only curated aspect is the creative content and all other participants including all GAA clubs as well as all other sporting clubs, community and voluntary groups, schools and companies are asked to respond to the theme in a creative and entertaining way, they added. A DEFIBRILLATOR has been donated to the Mungret Park and Playground by Limerick based company, Fleming Medical, along with the help of Councilor Daniel Butler, Mayor of the Metropolitan District of Limerick. The Cardiac Science Powerheart G5 is the only AED on the Irish market that provides customised shocks tailored to each patient needs to both include adults and children. It also provides faster shock times and real-time CPR feedback with a unique CPR Device that instructs the correct pressure to be applied when performing CPR. The popular Mungret playground offers a wide range of equipment with careful consideration for children with disabilities. Founded by CEO, Mark Fleming 30 years ago, Limerick based Fleming Medical employs more than 60 people both domestically and internationally providing quality healthcare products under the Medicare brand name, among others. We are delighted to donate the Powerheart G5 to Mungret Park and Playground, this amazing facility is a fantastic example of a community coming together to promote exercise and healthy living for both adults and children, Mr Fleming said. We are delighted to have supported Mungret Park & Playground with a @CardiacScience Powerheart G5 recently with @DanielButlerFG - https://t.co/Qt6mkPRJKX pic.twitter.com/zOjbT0al9u Fleming Medical (@FlemingMedical1) March 12, 2019 Councilor Daniel Butler welcomed the news. The donation of the Powerheart G5 is a fantastic resource for all those who use the Mungret Park and Playground on a regular basis. Knowing that there is an AED close to hand provides great reassurance for those who use the park, I would like to thank Mark Fleming for his generous donation, said Cllr Butler. A DOCUMENTARY maker living with Aspergers Syndrome will bring his highly moving documentary back to Limerick this Thursday. Nicholas Ryan-Purcells This is Nicholas Living With Autism Spectrum Disorder has already gone down well with Limerick audiences after its first screening sold out. Nicholas spoke to the Limerick Leader about the documentarys success, and how it came about. I felt I wasnt properly understood as a person. The film chronicles the personal story of living with Autism as well as depression, which was brought on by a childhood trauma. The childhood trauma was the death of a friendly neighbour who drove me home from school at the time, said Nicholas. I was ten years of age, when my neighbour died. As a result of his death, I plunged into depression. I heard voices and saw a black figure. I was 10 at the time. The depression was then cleared in 2016 by a boutayko breathing therapist in Bantry in west cork, he added. The film, which runs for 52 minutes, will be shown at the Omniplex cinema, Dooradoyle this Thursday, March 14 at 6.30pm. Nicholas is expecting a big crowd following the films previous success in Limerick. The film was completely sold out and 35 people were turned away, Nicholas explained. The film has been successful at home and abroad, with it bringing home the prize of Best Editing of a Feature Documentary at the London International Filmmakers Festival 2019. I was very moved by getting the award. When it was announced, just like that, I felt this thump in my stomach, said Nicholas. Nicholas is now 29 and living independently since April of 2018. He credits Limerick woman Deirde Taylor in the movie. The only parts of the documentary I didnt do myself were music composition, drone filming and interviews. A lady from Limerick did the interviews. A psychologist from Barrington street named Deirde Taylor. Deirdre made everyone feel so calm and relaxed, she is credited in the movie for her interviews, said Nicholas. Nicholas is no stranger to success, after winning two gongs at the Hollywood International Independent Documentary Awards for his film on the champion racehorse Gordon Lord Byron. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has moved to seize plots of land and duplexes which values have been put at over N264 million from three civil servants working in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. The properties, which are owned by Poloma Kabiru Nuhu, Mangset Longyl Dickson and Daniel Obah, currently under investigation by the Commission include 19 plots of land, 10 hectares of farm land and two duplexes, spread around Abuja and three towns in Rivers State. The 10 hectares of farm land located in Kuje, Abuja, was allegedly acquired through corrupt acts by Nuhu, a Principal Accountant with the ministry. The move to seize the properties follows an investigation by the Commission of the assets of Nuhu, Dickson and Obah, all staff of the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, which has established that the trio allegedly have assets whose values are well above their legitimate earnings and incomes. ICPC, relying on Section 48 (2) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, which gives it the power of seizure of assets obtained by individuals through corrupt means will seize 15 plots of land, all located in Gwagwalada, Abuja from Nuhu. Nuhu will also temporarily lose ownership of 10 hectares of farm land valued at N50 million and an uncompleted duplex, valued at N90 million, at Apo Estate, Abuja, to the Commission. On his part, Obah, a Principal Accountant in the Finance and Account Department of the same Ministry will also lose temporary ownership of a N60 million-valued four-bedroom duplex located in Karsana, Abuja, and three plots of land with a collective value of N64.5 million located in Abe Ndoni, Obio-Akpor and Port Harcourt, River State. While the third suspect, Dickson, will lose ownership of a plot of land valued at N7 million, located at Kubwa, a suburb of Abuja. The management of the National Youth Service Corps have been asked by House ... Paris Jackson was involved in a heated argument with her boyfriend Gabriel Glenn during their wild two-day trip to New Orleans, Louisiana this week. The model and actress, 20, who recently defended her late father and Pop king, Michael Jackson after he was accused of child abuse in the shocking Leaving Neverland documentary, was spotted with her man at a bar arguing. At one point, Paris broke down in tears before she was then seen puffing on a cigarette while sitting down to relax on the street A source told US Weekly: 'They were drinking and started arguing at the bar BMC. They were shouting at each other.' It was also claimed by the source that at one point Paris begged Gabriel to stop before 'turning away in tears'. However, a few seconds later she reportedly yelled: 'Dont f***ing touch me right now' as Gabriel 'tried to touch her face'. 'They seemed to be arguing about drugs, and she looked messed up. Her eyes were wide, and she was fidgety,' it was continued of the altercation. See full photos below. Justice Turaki Mohammed of the Federal Hgh Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday, March 11, 2019 convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment, Mr David Nimdu, a fake staff of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arrested and put to trial by the Port Harcourt's Zone of the Commission. The convict was arraigned on one- count charge bordering on obtaining the sum of N250, 000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) only under false pretences from a petitioner that alleged that he claimed to be an EFCC Staff. Trial commenced in the matter but Nimdu later pleaded "guilty" on a plea bargain arrangement and was sentenced to one year imprisonment. He was also ordered to make restitution of the money involved in the scam. Nimdu's ordeal began when he struck an agreement with a petitioner to assist in the recovery of a loan of N15,300,000.00 (Fifteen Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira) only owed by a banker, Patience Amaewhule, in Port Harcourt. The banker allegedly obtained the loan from the petitioner and promised to pay back in 120 days. However, she failed to keep faith with the promise and Nimdu came on the scene to assist in the recovery of the loan. To demonstrate to the petitioner that he was indeed an EFCC's Staff, Nimdu allegedly went with the petitioner to Amaewhule's office to arrest her. He even recorded a Statement made by the banker and collected her house's documents. He ordered the banker to commence the repayment of the loan to the petitioner and directed her to pay an initial sum of N250,000,.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) only into his (Nimdu) bank account, promising that the money would be payed into EFCC's loan recovery account. The petitioner later found out that Nimdu was an impersonator and reported him to the Commission. Investigations by the EFCC showed that, Nimdu was a mobile Policeman dismissed in 2012 after an Orderly Room trial occasioned by allegations of corrupt practices imputed to him and for which he was found guilty. Before being dismissed from the Nigeria Police, he worked as a seconded staff to the EFCC and had since been disengaged from the Commission. Nimdu was also found to have sent several text messages to different individuals claiming to be an EFCC's operative from the Abuja office. Police in Lamu County, Kenya, on Wednesday, were hunting for a suspected criminal believed to have hidden in a house at Pambaroo-Kashmiri area. They were shocked, when they discovered a female suspect they had arrested was actually a man. Police officers were told by neighbours that the man had moved into the neighbourhood recently, and not so much information about him was known. The law enforcement agents were looking for a suspected criminal, who, they believed, lived among the Pambaroo residents. When neighbours were asked to share any information that could help lead to the arrest of the said-gangster, they directed the police officers to the mans house, saying they suspected he engaged in criminal activities. Upon storming the suspects house, the officers, however, met a woman in the house. Neighbours insisted that they had never seen any woman inhabiting the place, prompting police to interrogate the suspicious woman. Upon being questioned, the woman said (s)he relocated to Lamu from Nairobi recently. The law enforcement officers, however, sensed something was amiss about the suspect, given his voice and inconsistencies in the details he shared about himself. They arrested him and took him to the police station, where they discovered he was actually a man despite sporting a buibui, and womens clothes. Bras, ladies panties, make-up and other womens clothes were found in his house. In another bag, however, were mens clothes and a driving license bearing his name. Police say they are detaining the man to establish his motive of impersonating women. It was established that the 24-year-old man, who initially told the police his name is Farida Chemutai, hails from Kithuku Location in Makueni County. The name on his identity card is Mutuku Nzambia. Sergeant Justina Aghomon pictured above was amongst those killed by unknown gunmen at the Afuze police station in Owan East local government area of Edo state. Sadly, preliminary investigation report by the state police command says Aghomon was pregnant when she was killed by the gunmen. Recall that on Tuesday March 12th, gunmen said to be about 10 in number, stormed the police station and began shooting sporadically, killing the Divisional Police Officer DPO Tosimani Ojo; the Divisional Crime Officer, Inspector Sado Isaac and Corporal Glory David. Aghomon was said to have been recently transferred to Afuze from Benin where she met her untimely death alongside her unborn child. The state Commissioner of Police, Muhammed DanMallam, said efforts are being made to arrest the criminals that were set free from police custody during the attack. He added that the remains of the pregnant police officer and others killed during the attack have been deposited in the morgue. A prosecution witness, Abdulraheem Jimoh, in the ongoing trial of Erastus Akingbola, a former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, on Wednesday, March 13, 2019, told Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, how the defendant diverted funds from the bank and bought some properties in London for the total sums of 9.7m. The prosecution had, on Tuesday, March 12, opened the trial of the former bank chief. One of the counts reads: "That you, Dr. Erastus B.O. Akingbola, whilst being the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Intercontinental Bank Plc, between November 2007 and July 2008, at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, caused to be created a misleading appearance of active trading in the shares of Intercontinental Bank Plc on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, by being connected with the utilization of an aggregate sum of N179, 385, 000, 000 (One Hundred and Seventy- Nine Billion, Three Hundred and Eighty-five Million Naira) of the bank's funds for the purchase of Intercontinental Bank Plc's shares." At the resumed hearing today, Jimoh a former Chief Inspector with the defunct Intercontinental Bank, told the court how he unravelled fraudulent transactions by Akingbola. Led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, the witness said: "I was given a letter by the Management of the bank, which came from Tropics Securities Limited, a company owned by Dr. Erastus Akingbola, his wife and some other shareholders. "The letter was addressed to the Group Managing Director, Dr. Erastus Akingbola and was attentioned to Mr. Olayinka Adebiyi, requesting the payment of N10billion, N1.2billion and N4.3billion to Tropics Securities Limited and other companies". "Investigation report on the issuance of N10billion to Tropics Properties, Tropic Securities Limited and Bankinson Nigeria Limited showed the monies paid and cleared by Access Bank were said to have been used to pay for the "indebtedness to Access Bank". The witness said the N10b fraud was discovered by the bank and later forwarded to him for further enquiry. In his further evidence, he said he discovered, during investigation, that the defendant acquired properties in London with the sums of 8.5m and 1.2m allegedly diverted from the bank. He added: "This was discovered when the bank received a letter via e-mail from Deutsche Bank of London. "Monies were transferred to Soo-Kok Holdings Limited; Tofa General Enterprises; Cinca Nigeria Limited; Harmony Trust and Investment Limited; Stanzus Investment Limited." Counsel to the defendant, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, during cross-examination, confronted the witness with a documented evidence he gave to an Ikeja High Court some years ago, where he contradicted himself over his MBA qualification. "I enrolled, but the MBA programme was aborted because I didn't finish some project works in 2000 from the University of Ilorin", the witness told the Judge. Olanipekun also told the court that the witness was misleading the court, adding that "The witness is not a witness of truth and, therefore, should not be believed by the court of his testimony." When asked to explain to the court the origin of the statement to the court marked exhibit L, he said: "The statement was written in my office when the EFCC investigators came to interview me. "They gave me their letter head. "The statement was typed by someone else in my office. "I sat beside the person who typed the statement, while I dictated the hand- written statement to her." Under further cross-examination, he said he never interrogated or met with the defendant. The witness, however, admitted to have interrogated various Heads of Departments in the bank. "I interrogated various Heads of Departments in Intercontinental Bank because they acted upon the instructions of Akingbola", the witness said. The witness also told the court that no loan was granted to the defendant or his companies. Justice Olatoregun adjourned the case to March 14, 2019 for continuation of trial. The defendant was first arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris of the same court on a 26- count charge of fraud, granting reckless credit facility, abuse of office and mismanagement of depositors' funds in 2009. The case was later transferred to Justice Charles Archibong on October 25, 2010. Justice Archibong, however, struck out the charge for want of diligent prosecution by the prosecution. Dissatisfied, the Commission approached the Court of Appeal on February 20, 2015. The appellate court, in its ruling, overturned the judgment of the trial court. The defendant subsequently headed for the Supreme Court, where the decision of the Appeal Court ordering him to face the charges preferred against him by the EFCC was affirmed. The prosecution counsel, Mr. Mabas Mabur, represented the EFCC in the case. Oral care brand and advocate, Pepsodent has called for increased awareness on oral hygiene to combat poor oral health in Nigeria. While making the call at a press briefing to commemorate this years World Oral Health Day, the Category Manager, Oral Care, Unilever Nigeria, Salu Toluwaleke, said that poor oral health not only damages teeth especially children's teeth, it can also lower their self-esteem and harm their performance at school. According to a global study* commissioned by Unilever Oral Care. The report, published ahead of World Oral Health Day on March 20, shows that the quality of a childs oral care can have an impact beyond obvious medical problems like bad breath and dental pain; it can also limit their potential and negatively impact their self-esteem. She said. Joining the call to raise awareness for oral hygiene in Nigeria, the President, Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), Dr Evelyn Eshikena said that the time has come, for all stakeholders in the private and public sectors to address the challenge of poor oral health among Nigerians through partnership. Dr. Eshikena, said, "through the FDI and Unilever Oral Care partnership to raise awareness of oral health globally on Brush Day and Night, a public health program, millions of children and adults have been impacted on tooth brushing behaviour. I use this medium to commend Unilever Nigeria PLC for their commitment and continuous support as Nigeria participates in the Brush Day and Night initiative to achieve the actualization of improved oral health for all Nigerians. Also speaking at the press briefing, the Corporate Affairs and Sustainable Business Director, Unilever Ghana and Nigeria, Soromidayo George, said, The Pepsodent Brush Day and Night initiative is part of Unilevers sustainability commitment to ensure good health and wellbeing for children. Through this initiative we have reached 5million children, and we hope to reach 10million children by 2020. Pepsodent, NDA, The Federal Ministry and State ministries of health alongside dental health practitioners will engage 2,000 school children on March 20 as part of efforts to promote oral hygiene, by brushing Dy and Night. World Oral Health Day commemorated on March 20 every year, is an international day set aside to promote good oral health for everyone and empower individuals to maintain a healthy oral hygiene for all ages. White-armored Stormtroopers in the "Star Wars" movies are practically identical and nearly impossible to tell apart. That uncanny similarity recently inspired a team of scientists who had discovered a new spider genus; the arachnids were so alike each other in size and markings that the researchers named them after the helmeted troops, calling the creatures Stormtropis. These eight-legged Stormtroopers belong to a family dubbed bald-legged spiders, which are native to South America and Central America. Like the Stormtroopers, the spiders "are very similar to each other, with some capacity for camouflage"; the sci-fi soldiers and the newfound spiders are also alike in being somewhat clumsy, according to the study. However, there is no evidence (yet) that the spiders, like their movie namesakes, are terrible at hitting moving targets with a blaster. [9 Animals with 'Star Wars'-Inspired Names] Stormtroopers are a common sight across the Empire's conquered worlds in the "Star Wars" universe, and Colombia's bald-legged spiders turned out to be surprisingly numerous, too. Though the arachnids had never been reported in that country before, the study authors described two species in two previously known genera Paratropis, Anisaspis and four in the newfound Stormtropis genus. All the newly described species were scattered across a diverse range of habitats in Colombia. Male Stormtropis spiders have just two claws on their feet, while other bald-legged spiders have three claws. Stormtropis males also lack the group's signature leg spines and have genitals that are more elongated. Female Stormtropis spiders' genitals have a tubular "neck" and an overall mushroom shape, which also differs from the typical shape found in bald-legged spiders. Some of the newfound female spiders unexpectedly demonstrated a previously unknown behavior: digging burrows in soil, the researchers reported. One Stormtropis species S. muisca was collected in the central Andes at an altitude of 11,155 feet (3,400 meters) above sea level, making that creature the highest-dwelling bald-legged spider species confirmed to date, the authors wrote. However, S. muisca's cousins may live even higher than that. The scientists gathered evidence of other bald-legged spider species living at altitudes as high as 13,123 feet (4,000 m), but that data is yet to be published, according to the study. The findings were published online today (March 14) in the journal ZooKeys. Originally published on Live Science. A flu pandemic could strike without warning in the coming years, global health experts warn. The World Health Organization addressed the possibility of a flu pandemic a flu that emerges and spreads around the world in a statement released on Monday (March 11). But in this ever-connected world, why doesn't the flu become pandemic every year? For a flu to become pandemic, a new strain of the virus needs to emerge, said Adolfo Garcia-Sastre, the director of Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. [10 Deadly Diseases That Hopped Across Species] The typical strains that cause yearly epidemics smaller-scale rises in infections typically confined to certain areas are those that have been around for a while, Garcia-Sastre told Live Science. (Pandemics are epidemics that spread over a much larger distance, typically worldwide.) This means that a good number of people have already been infected by these viruses, and therefore carry some immunity toward them. This collective immunity acts as a roadblock for the viruses, keeping them from spreading very far through a population, Garcia-Sastre said. Pandemics happen when there's a "new strain that's very different" from those our immune systems are used to, Garcia-Sastre said. These strains typically emerge in animals say, pigs or birds and hop to humans, he said. But these jumps don't happen often, because animal viruses are very different from human ones. For a human flu pandemic to happen, the animal virus needs to be able to do three things: efficiently infect humans, replicate in humans and spread easily among humans. For a virus to do all three, it's like winning the lottery. "Viruses are changing all the time," and flu viruses are particularly good at it, Garcia-Sastre said. And every once in a while, an animal flu virus has "a lucky combination of mutations" that allow it to meet those three requirements, he added. The most recent flu pandemic, for example, was caused by a flu virus that hopped from pigs to humans in 2009. Commonly known as the swine flu, that pandemic killed more than 200,000 people. The devastating 1918 flu pandemic, which killed 30 million to 50 million people worldwide, had its roots in birds. "There is no good way to predict [when a flu pandemic will occur], but this is something that happens every 10 to 40 years," Garcia-Sastre said. Even so, there are certain steps we can take to prevent pandemic flu, he said. These steps include conducting more research into finding out how to recognize the viruses that may jump from animals to humans; finding ways to stop contact between virus-infected animals and humans; and, as some teams around the world are doing, working to find a universal vaccine that could protect against all flu viruses. Originally published on Live Science. Scientists have seen something magical happening inside graphite, the stuff that your pencil lead is made of: Heat moved in waves at the speed of sound. That's pretty rad for a couple of reasons: Heat isn't supposed to move like a wave it usually diffuses and bounces off of jiggling molecules in every direction; If heat can travel as a wave, it can move in one direction en masse away from its source, sort of zapping energy all at once from an object. Some day, this heat-transfer behavior in graphite could be used to cool down microelectronics in a snap. That is, if they can get it to work a reasonable temperature (they were working in bone-chilling temperatures of minus 240 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 151 degrees Celsius). "If it makes it to room temperature in some materials, then there would be prospects for some applications," study researcher Keith Nelson, an MIT chemist, told Live Science, adding that this is the highest temperature anyone has seen this behavior occur. [The 18 Biggest Unsolved Mysteries in Physics] Get on the heat train The researchers described "normal" heat movement using a heated kettle After turning off the burner, that heat energy hitches a ride on air molecules, which bump into each other and hand off heat in the process. These molecules bounce around in every direction; some of these molecules scatter right back to the kettle. Over time, the kettle water and the surroundings reach equilibrium at the same temperature. In solids, molecules don't move because the atoms are locked into position. "The thing that can move is sound waves," said Nelson, who spoke with Live Science along with co-author Gang Chen, a mechanical engineer at MIT. Rather, heat hops onto phonons, or little packets of sound vibration; the phonons can bounce and scatter, carrying heat sort of like air molecules do from the kettle. [What's That Noise? 11 Strange and Mysterious Sounds on Earth] An odd heat wave That's not what happened in this new experiment. Previous theoretical work by Chen predicted that heat might travel like a wave when moving through graphite or graphene. To test this out, the MIT researchers crossed two laser beams on the surface of their graphite, creating what is called an interference pattern in which there were parallel lines of light and no light. This created the same pattern of heated and unheated regions at the graphite surface. Then, they aimed another laser beam at the setup to see what happened once it hit the graphite. "Normally, the heat would gradually diffuse from the heated regions to the unheated regions, until the temperature pattern was washed away," Nelson said. "Instead, the heat flowed from heated to unheated regions, and kept flowing even after the temperature was equalized everywhere, so the unheated regions were actually warmer than the originally heated regions." The heated regions, meanwhile, became even cooler than the unheated regions. And it all happened breathakingly fast at about the same speed that sound normally travels in graphite. [8 Ways You Can See Einstein's Theory of Relativity in Real Life] "Heat flowed much faster because it was moving in a wave-like fashion without scattering," Nelson told Live Science. How did they get this weird behavior, which the scientists call "second sound," to occur in graphite? "From a fundamental perspective, this is just not ordinary behavior. Second sound has only been measured in a handful of materials ever, at any temperature. Anything we observe that's far out of the ordinary challenges us to understand and explain it," Nelson said. Here's what they think is going on: Graphite, or a 3D material, has a layered structure in which the thin carbon layers hardly know the other is there, and so they sort of behave like graphene, which is a 2D material. Because of what Nelson calls this "low dimensionality," the phonons carrying the heat in one layer of the graphite are much less likely to bounce about and scatter off other layers. Also,the phonons that can form in graphite have wavelengths that are mostly too big to reflect backwards after crashing into atoms in the lattice, a phenomenon known as backscatter. These little sound packets do scatter a bit, but travel mostly in one direction, meaning that on average, they could travel a large distance much faster. Their research was published today (March 14) in the journal Science. Editor's Note: This article was updated to clarify some of the methods in the experiment and the fact that the heat traveled at about the same speed that sound would travel through graphite, not air, as was previously stated. Originally published on Live Science. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chair Neil Chatterjee said Thursday he was struggling with the possibility that the commission might need to intervene to address the rapid shift on the power grid into natural gas and renewable sources and away from coal and nuclear. State power regulators have increasingly taken action to stop more coal and nuclear plants from closing, at the same time FERC is analyzing the phenomenon to figure out its implications for power prices and reliability of the grid. "It's vexing. I'm a conservative. I believe in states' rights. It's been made clear to me don't mess with Texas," he said in an interview ahead of of an appearance at the CERAWeek by IHS Markit conference in Houston. "But I also need these markets to operate efficiently." ENERGY CRUX: FERC delays on LNG decision frays nerves The Trump administration has advocated for federal intervention to stop the plant closures, arguing their on-site fuel supplies offer a unique protection for the power grid. FERC rejected a proposal by Energy Secretary Rick Perry to raise power rates for coal and nuclear plants last year, and Chatterjee said it was too early in their analysis to say whether the closures would raise the risk of power outages. "Are there any short term or long term threats to the resilience of the grid, and if there are, then we need to determine what steps we need to take," he said. "Though I would prefer those steps be within markets." FERC has been in the spotlight of late after a months long delay in approval of the Calcasieu Pass LNG export terminal in Louisiana, as commissioners were divided over the project's implications for climate change. That has raised concern among many in the oil and gas sector that the FERC approval process for fossil fuel projects is becoming bogged down. Chatterjee is working to reassure developers that is not the case, saying the compromise on Calcasieu Pass reached last month was, "a big deal," considering "there's been so much talk about gridlock in Washington." Climate change is increasingly hanging over FERC and Chatterjee, the former chief of staff to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky. Chatterjee has been outspoken among Republicans on the need to address the pending crisis and said Thursday he was "very bullish on the future of renewables." "We need to create an ecosystem for these new technologies to flourish," he said. President Donald Trump is reportedly assembling a group of scientists, including physics professor and climate skeptic William Happer, to review the national climate assessment released by federal agencies last year, which warned the national economy could suffer serious blows from side effects like rising sea levels and crop failures. Asked about that process, Chatterjee said, "I'm not following it. I've had so much on my plate." The Lindale Park neighborhood is set to get a new Mexican-themed bar when veteran restaurant partners open Monkey's Tail at 5802 Fulton this spring. The new project, which will occupy the former Ike's Place, is a collaboration among Jessie Gonzalez, Sharif Al-Amin and Greg Perez. Al-Amin is the former director of operations at Helen Greek Food and Wine and Perez has Edison & Patton and Calle Onze on his resume. CITY OF SALSA: The restaurants serving Houston's best salsa The partners will be working with Steven Ripley (Jonathan's the Rub, Helen Greek Food and Wine and D&T's Drive Inn) who is developing the food menu and will initially oversee the kitchen. The menu will feature items such as wing baskets made with Mexican dry rubs and sauces, street corn, and New York-style pizzas. Mark Nichols of Quality Draught has created a draft system for the bar that will feature 20 taps dispensing 15 beers, one nitrogenated ale, four signature cocktails and one carbonated and nitrogenated cocktail. Perez, who will serve as beverage director, has created a variety of craft cocktails including 3 Milks (rum, tres leches, pineapple, strawberry, cherry and nutmeg), Mama Coco (charanda sugarcane spirit, coconut, passionfruit, cilantro and poppy seeds) and Sabe Con Madre (vodka, chamomile, sage, elderflower liqueur, lemon and lychee). Design-wise, expect to see a 3,000-square-foot bar with rolling garage doors, a dog-friendly patio, light fixtures and furniture from Mexico and a mid-century modern look embracing a Mexican heritage. Leslie Slade of Letterset has been sourcing design elements for the bar. Monkey's Tail gets its name from the slang term for a train handle. It also references the nearby Metro rail line station. HUNGRY? Find recipes, food news and restaurant reviews in our weekly Flavor newsletter delivered to your email here. The bar is set to open late April. It will be open Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. and noon to 2 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Greg Morago writes about food for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter. Send him news tips at greg.morago@chron.com. Hear him on our BBQ State of Mind podcast to learn about Houston and Texas barbecue culture. It's a phrase used more often than you'd expect to describe the Hill Country Film Festival (HCFF), a true indie event combining big-city cinema quality with small-town Texas charm and hospitality, taking place April 25-April 28th in Fredericksburg, Texas. Now celebrating their 10th anniversary, the Hill Country Film Festival team is pulling out all the stops to provide an unforgettable experience for the weekend road-tripper whether it's listening to award-winning actor/director David Arquette or catching a flick (with cold beer in hand) that just world premiered at South by Southwest or sampling wine at Pedernales Cellars while taking in the views and enjoying film industry panel discussion. Nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, HCFF makes its home at Fredericksburg's four-screen Fritztown Cinema, a top-notch digital theater paired with an equally impressive 2,500-capacity concert venue, The Backyard Amphitheater, which hosts the festival's crowd-pleasing VIP Lounge. The Backyard will also host a Saturday night (April 27) concert with Dennis Quaid and The Sharks (tickets at thebackyardamphitheater.com). The 10th annual festival will screen more than 85 independent films, host filmmaker Q&A sessions, panel discussions, festival parties, community screenings and more. A full festival lineup will be announced March 20 on the HCFF website (http://www.hillcountryff.com). FESTIVAL A SMALL-TOWN FAMILY AFFAIR Nine years ago, brother-sister duo Chad Mathews and Amy Miskovsky started HCFF because they wanted to share their love of the visual arts with the community they loved. "When we were kids, we would spend our summers in Fredericksburg," Miskovsky said. "It was essentially our home away from home. We wanted to showcase and share independent film in a community that didn't have access to that." Mathews founded the Hill Country Film Festival in 2010 after graduating from Texas Christian University and working in the LA film industry for 15 years. "I'd been to film festivals all over the U.S.," said Mathews, who lives in Fort Worth, "and when I was at a unique, smaller festival, I would always think about how perfect Fredericksburg would be as a festival location. So in 2010, with the help of some friends, we launched the first film festival here and it's been growing ever since." DAVID ARQUETTE TO BE HONORED The Hill Country Film Society, a non-profit organization committed to creating experiences that educate, inspire and engage, will recognize award-winning actor and director David Arquette with the society's first Luminary Award at its annual fundraiser, Film Affare. This cinematic and culinary journey and awards presentation will be held Wednesday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. at Hoffman Haus, 608 East Creek Street, Fredericksburg, TX. Arquette and Brandon Dickerson, a local award-winning filmmaker, will have an in-depth conversation covering everything from food and film, interspersed with clips from some of Arquette's most well-known films. Dickerson will explore Arquette's introduction to acting at an early age with major roles in hit films including BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (d. Fran Rubel Kuzui, U.S.) and SCREAM (d. Wes Craven, U.S.) as well as his success in independent film. "The Hill Country Film Society Luminary Award celebrates David Arquette's artistic achievements over his nearly 30-year career in film and television and highlights his work as an inspiration for other storytellers," said Wade Lee, director, for Hill Country Film Society. "We are excited to recognize David with this prestigious new honor at this year's Film Affare. This not-to-be-missed event will provide guests a unique opportunity to experience Texas Hill Country wine paired with incredible fare from themed food stations specifically tailored to some of David's inspirations and favorite dishes as well as an intimate conversation with one of the industry's most talented professionals." FIRST SELECTIONS ANNOUNCED FOR 2019 FESTIVAL Filmmaker Paul Osbourne whose documentary OFFICIAL REJECTION was the first film screen at the first annual Hill Country Film Festival will return to HCFF in 2019 with his narrative feature CRUEL HEARTS, festival programming director Gary Weeks announced. Five Texas films were also confirmed to be included in this year's event, including narrative feature films GOOD FEELS ON WHEELS (d. Ronald Short, U.S.), and TEJANO (d. David Blue Garcia, U.S.); documentary feature films JUMPSHOT: THE KENNY SAILORS STORY (d. Jacob Hamilton, U.S.) and, NOTHING STAYS THE SAME: THE STORY OF THE SAXON PUB (d. Jeff Sandmann, U.S.); and short documentary ALL GUT THINGS: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF TEXAS GERMAN (d. Chase Honaker, U.S). JUMPSHOT: THE KENNY SAILORS STORY will screen in Fredericksburg following its world premiere at this month's South by Southwest Film Festival. FESTIVAL BADGES AND FILM PASSES All access festival badges and film passes are available online via the festival's web site at www.hillcountryff.com. Tickets to Film Affare are available online at www.hillcountryff.com/film-affare. Additional festival news can be found on the HCFF Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HillCountryFilmFestival and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/HC_Film_Fest. Editor's Note: This content is made possible by Hill Country Film Festival. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of The San Antonio Express-News' or mySanAntonio.com's editorial staff. Learn more about our advertising products at www.hearstmediasanantonio.com. Courtesy Photo The civic-minded Alexander High School Class of 2020 collected several articles of clothing, personal care products and bedding for donation to the Bethany House of Laredo. The students received praise from Cindy Leyendecker, director of community relations for the charitable organization. A man was arrested for driving over 100 mph on Interstate 35, according to Laredo police. An officer spotted the speeding vehicle at about 1 a.m. Tuesday on North I-35. The radar in the marked unit recorded the silver Toyota Corolla traveling at 101 mph. An unsatisfied customer threatened employees at a truck wash with a knife because he did not like how his tractor was washed, according to Laredo police. LPD officers responded to an armed person report at about 11:35 a.m. Monday in the 13600 block of FM 1472 Road. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III sees removing salt from seawater as a solution to Metro Manila's present water woes. "Mag-desalination plant na tayo. Bakit ang Saudi Arabia, ang mga Middle East countries ang lakas ng tubig? Napakaraming tubig Kasi nag-desalinate sila," Sotto told CNN Philippines' The Source on Thursday. [Translation: Let's have a desalination plant. Why does Saudi Arabia and Middle East countries have lots of water? It's because they desalinated.] Sotto added that there should not be qualms about the cost of water desalination. "Mas marami tayong pinagkakagastusan na kung anu-anong kabulastugan," he said. [Translation: We're spending a lot on many nonsensical things.] In a text message to CNN Philippines, Sotto said a desalination plant that would serve around 300,000 people previously cost around $100 million. But he added, "The cost of putting up a plant has gone down tremendously over the past decade." Manila Water Communications Manager Dittie Galang told CNN Philippines in a text message that using desalination in the country would be "very costly" and will raise tariffs, or water rates. "Treatment of water is part of the operations expense of a water utility company. If desalination is used, the cost will be part of the operations expense and may be part of the computation of the tariff," Galang said. However, the project did not push through as the local water service provider could not afford taxes and the cost of acquiring lands for the proposed facilities. West zone water concessionaire Maynilad also sought for a feasibility study into the construction of a desalination plant using Manila Bay as a water source in 2015 and 2018, but it is unclear whether they have received such studies. Sotto said he had long been calling for the country to tap into its vast sea resources through desalination. Presently, Metro Manila relies heavily on Angat and La Mesa dams for its water supply. Several countries, especially in arid areas like the Middle East, rely on desalination for potable water. Desalination is a process by which salt is removed from seawater for it to be potable. In 2010, the Japan International Cooperation Agency proposed an approximately 2 billion water desalination plant in Cebu province to service Lapu, Lapu City in Mactan Island. Parts of Metro Manila have experienced water interruptions in the past week, which east zone concessionaire Manila Water attributed to lower water levels in La Mesa Dam due to El Nino or a pattern of scarce rainfall. Recent Manila Water advisories said scheduled water interruptions could last until the end of the summer season. But the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, the government agency that oversees water supply in Metro Manila, said the decline of water supply in La Mesa Dam was caused by the increase in water treatment production of Manila Water. LOOK: Angat Dam water level normal The Senate will start a probe on the water shortage in Metro Manila next Tuesday. CNN Philippines Multi-platform Writer Xave Gregorio contributed to this report. A new human rights report says Mexican marines improperly used a helicopter-mounted minigun that fires 3,000 rounds per minute in a 2018 shooting that killed three civilians in Nuevo Laredo. The rotating-barrel machine gun is a powerful weapon that according to Mexican guidelines should be used "proportionately," that is, to counter an equivalent threat. But the National Human Rights Commission said in a report Wednesday that drug cartel gunmen didn't present a threat to the helicopter when the gunship opened fire. Last year in March, a woman and her two children were killed when they drove through a running gun battle between marines and cartel gunmen in the northern border city of Nuevo Laredo. One marine was also killed in the gun battles and 12 were wounded. Four gunmen also died. READ MORE: Children among those killed in crossfire in Nuevo Laredo Mexican marines later accepted responsibility for the deaths of the civilians. The Navy said it accepted responsibility after a prosecution ballistics expert found evidence that gunfire from a helicopter supporting the marines in a confused series of pre-dawn gun battles killed the female passerby and her children. The Navy said in a statement that "this department accepts responsibility for this unintentional act which affected a car carrying civilians who were not connected to the events." It said it would offer reparations and support to the victims' families. The father and one boy who were travelling in the car were wounded and survived. A girl was not hit by the bullets. The car carrying the woman and children was apparently hit when it passed by a point where two truckloads of gunmen had pulled to the side of the road and opened fire; dead gunmen were found next to those vehicles. RELATED: Shootouts in Nuevo Laredo leave six dead, including civilian In a statement issued one day after the March 25 shootout, the Navy had denied the family was hit by bullets from the helicopter, saying "preliminary investigations by competent authorities indicates the bullets that hit the civilians were from crossfire at ground level and not from the air." The army, and to a lesser extent the marines, have been accused in the past of excessive or indiscriminate use of force, and of trying to cover up those abuses. The acceptance by the Marines marked one of the first times the military had come out and said it was at fault. On Saturday in Nuevo Laredo, a civilian was killed in a shootout between soldiers and presumed organized crime members. Five others were killed. The Nuevo Laredo area is controlled by Cartel del Noreste, which splintered from the Zetas and has been warring with its remnants since 2014 in Tamaulipas and other nearby states. WASHINGTON - Twelve Republican senators defied President Donald Trump on Thursday, rebuffing his public and private pleas for GOP unity and voting for a resolution overturning his declaration of a national emergency at the border. The vote marked congressional Republicans' first significant defection from Trump in more than two years. Throughout his presidency, he has enjoyed almost universal support from his party save for a few GOP lawmakers who bucked him in big moments like the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and some foreign policy issues. But this was a rejection of Trump on his signature campaign promise. Since the day he announced his candidacy for president, Trump spoke about ending illegal immigration and building a wall along the southern border - that he originally said would be paid for by Mexico. It is the defining issue among his core supporters. "Build the wall" is a Trump rallying cry. The Senate Republicans who voted to block Trump's ability to unilaterally circumvent Congress and shift money to build his wall were swift to point out that they still supported the wall, but that they were voting to preserve the constitutional separation of powers. "To make clear, a border fence, a border barrier is a policy that I support, wholeheartedly, unequivocally," said Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, on the Senate floor, in announcing his support for the resolution. Republicans had warned Trump not to declare an emergency under the National Emergencies Act to grab $3.6 billion appropriated by Congress for military construction projects nationwide to build barriers along the border. They warned that a future Democratic president could take a policy priority like climate change and declare it a national emergency to work around the legislative branch, which holds the power to appropriate money. "Declaring a national emergency to access different funds sets a dangerous, new precedent," Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, said in a floor speech. "No president has ever used what's called the National Emergencies Act in this way. As a result, it opens the door for future presidents to implement just about any policy they want and to take funding from other areas Congress has already decided on without Congress' approval." In addition to Lee and Portman, the Republicans voting for the resolution were: Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Roy Blunt of Missouri, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, Marco Rubio of Florida, Patrick Toomey of Pennesylvania, Roger Wicker of Mississippi and Rand Paul of Kentucky. Collins, Murkowski and Paul had made known their decision to oppose the president's action a week or more before the vote, while others were noncommittal. The GOP senators who ultimately decided to buck the president had previously noted their discomfort with what they saw as executive overreach. "Well before the president declared this national emergency, I made clear that such a declaration was ill-advised," Toomey said in a statement. "The president's emergency declaration undermines the fundamental constitutional principle of the separation of powers, and it sets a dangerous precedent that future presidents could use to advance controversial policies." The most surprising was Blunt, the only member of GOP leadership to vote against Trump. He, like his colleagues, explained that it had nothing to do with the president or border security, but rather protecting the institution of Congress from future presidents. Notably, of the GOP senators up for reelection in 2020 who could be vulnerable, just Collins voted against Trump. Sens. Cory Gardner of Colorado and Thom Tillis of North Carolina ended up siding with the president. "It should never have come to this, but in the absence of congressional action, the President did what Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer refused to do," Gardner said. Tillis had previously stated he would support the resolution, but he flipped under intense pressure from the White House and fear of a primary challenge from the right. In a commentary in The Washington Post on Feb. 25, Tillis had written: "As a U.S. senator, I cannot justify providing the executive with more ways to bypass Congress. As a conservative, I cannot endorse a precedent that I know future left-wing presidents will exploit to advance radical policies that will erode economic and individual freedoms." But in a floor speech explaining his reversal, Tillis said he would vote against the resolution in hopes of facilitating future debate around what constitutes an emergency actions. "My main concern with this executive action is future potential abuses," Tillis said. "I have a concern with the executive action that the president took, the emergency order, that's why I voiced it. But I'm sympathetic to what he was trying to do." Also standing with Trump were GOP Sens. Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Lindsey O. Graham of South Carolina, and Ted Cruz of Texas, who had made a last-ditch effort to get Trump to work out a compromise in an unplanned visit to the White House Wednesday night. Sasse, a self-described "constitutional conservative," blamed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., for the "politically motivated resolution" and urged Senate leaders to change the law that allowed Trump to declare the emergency. LONDON - British lawmakers voted Thursday to seek to delay Brexit - maybe for weeks, maybe for months - after Prime Minister Theresa May's plans for leaving the European Union have been repeatedly rejected by a raucous Parliament trying to wrest control from her. Since being elected, May has insisted that "Brexit means Brexit," that she would negotiate a good deal, and that Britain would leave on March 29. The March date was a deadline the prime minister herself triggered when she - alongside the British Parliament - initiated Article 50 in the EU treaty two years ago. Now Britain almost certainly will not leave the European Union in two weeks - unless EU leaders reject its request and it crashes out with no deal. The vote to delay Brexit was 412 to 202. Also on Thursday, lawmakers voted against holding a second Brexit referendum, a complete do-over that could see the results of the historic June 2016 plebiscite overturned. While many members of Parliament may ultimately back a second referendum - a highly contentious prospect, marketed as a "People's Vote" - even supporters of the move withheld support on Thursday, hoping instead to push the idea in tumultuous days to come. May is offering lawmakers a stark choice. Either support her now twice rejected Brexit deal in a third "meaningful vote" next week - dubbed MV3 - or face the prospect of a very long Brexit delay, which could stretch far into the future, perhaps for a year or more. Christopher Chope, a hard-line Brexiteer and fellow member of May's Conservative Party, confessed he felt May's cold steel. "Instead of accepting verdict of House, she is stubbornly continuing to assert that her deal is a good deal. And now she is holding a pistol to our heads by threatening that we will lose Brexit altogether," he told the House of Commons on Thursday. May said that if the lawmakers back a Brexit deal by Wednesday - the day before a European summit - she will ask EU leaders for a "one-off extension" ending on June 30. Those three months would be necessary to pass legislation in Britain and on the continent and to provide for an "orderly Brexit." If the lawmakers reject May on her third attempt to win approval for her half-in, half-out compromise plan for Brexit, then the prime minister said she will ask EU leaders for a longer delay - the government's motion didn't say how long. Staying in beyond June would likely require Britain, as one of the 28 EU member states, to hold European Parliament elections in May 2019. This would essentially keep Britain in the economic and political union a good long while. How long? Maybe forever, opponents of Brexit hope and hard-line Brexiteers fear. President Donald Trump weighed into the debate on Thursday, offering May a hand via a morning tweet: "My Administration looks forward to negotiating a large scale Trade Deal with the United Kingdom. The potential is unlimited!" But in a later meeting with the Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at the White House, Trump was critical of May's leadership. "I'm surprised at how badly it's all gone from the standpoint of a negotiation," Trump said. "I gave the prime minister my ideas on how to negotiate it, and I think you would have been successful. She didn't listen to that and that's fine - she's got to do what she's got to do. I think it could have been negotiated in a different manner, frankly. I hate to see everything being ripped apart now." European leaders will have to decide what to do with Britain when they gather for a two-day conclave in Brussels next Thursday. They are divided over how much rope to give. The Italian Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero Milanesi compared the suspense of Brexit to a "Hitchcock film." Some countries, especially France, feel that if a no-deal departure is going to happen anyway at the end of an extension, it would be preferable to face the pain sooner. President Emmanuel Macron would also prefer to take Brexit off the table as an issue in May elections for European Parliament, since euroskeptic far-right groups in France have been energized by the Brexit turmoil. Others think a long extension would be best, so voters don't blame mainstream leaders for whatever economic turmoil arises. Or they want to preserve good relations with a country that will continue to be an important trading and security partner even after its departure. Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, tweeted Thursday that he would urge EU leaders to support a "long extension" if Britain needed to "rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it." "Once they sort themselves out, I'm pretty sure the 27 will still be united on the next steps forward," European Commission Vice President Frans Timmermans told Sky News. "But many member states are saying, yes, you're talking about an extension, but to do what?" Conservative party lawmaker Ken Clarke, who opposes Brexit, told Sky News that the government should ask Brussels for the longest possible extension. "I think we should suggest to the Europeans a good, long delay," Clarke said. "Go back to square one and work out . . . over a proper time, the final relationship." Passions are high - as hard-line Brexiteers fear May's strategy will either force them to accept a deal they don't like or they will lose their beloved Brexit. A headline in the Telegraph newspaper read: "Britain's Remainer elites have declared war on democracy itself." Nigel Farage, the frontman for Brexit and former leader of the U.K. Independence Party, warned, "Brexit's betrayal is one of the most shameful chapters in British history." The vote against the second referendum was decisive: 85 to 335. The opposition Labour party asked its members to abstain and urged angry members pushing for a second referendum to be patient. The Labour leader on Brexit, Keir Starmer, told angry backbenchers, "It is obvious that we are supportive of the principle. It's a question of timing." Vince Cable, the leader of the pro-referendum Liberal Democrats, said there was still hope for a do-over: "We've seen Theresa May's proposals coming back again and again. We'll come back again and again." Cable said the key was Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who until now has been only lukewarm about a second referendum. Speaking after the vote, Corbyn said, "I also reiterate our support for a public vote." He was jeered, in part, because members did not believe him. Lawmakers also voted against an amendment that would have seen Parliament hold "indicative votes" on a range of Brexit options to help determine whether there is a majority for anything. The amendment reflected an effort by Parliament to take control of Brexit away from May. The vote was close: 312 to 314. Members of May's party have been brazen in saying that a compromise deal could be crafted - but they beg the prime minister to drop her plan. "There is a majority in this house for a Brexit deal. It's just not the prime minister's deal," Conservative lawmaker George Freeman told the BBC. "We have got to find a way to find that cross-party deal." Arlene Foster, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party and who is currently in Washington, told the BBC they were in talks with May's government. Many think that if the DUP were to fall in behind the government, then other hard-line Brexiteers would follow. "When you come to the end of a negotiation, that's when you really start to see the whites of people's eyes," said Foster, "and you get down to the point where you make a deal." - - - The Washington Post's Quentin Aries in Brussels contributed to this report. WASHINGTON - A federal judge set a Nov. 5 trial date for Roger Stone on charges of lying to Congress and obstructing justice in a Thursday hearing. She also postponed any decision of whether a new book by the longtime GOP operative and Trump confidant violated a gag order in his case. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson in Washington said the trial would be expected to last at least two weeks on the accusations that Stone lied about his efforts to gather information about hacked Democratic Party emails during the 2016 presidential campaign. Stone, 66, has pleaded not guilty and remains free pending trial with travel limitations. Jackson said she was setting aside for now her assessment of explanations from Stone's attorneys about delays and misrepresentations about the release date of a book by Stone with an updated introduction that criticizes special counsel Robert Mueller. "I don't intend to dwell on it this morning," said Jackson, who on Wednesday completed sentencing in the Mueller prosecution of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort. "I really have not had the opportunity . . . to study the exhibits in any detail so I will continue to review them and decide if I have any questions." Jackson in February ordered Stone to stop talking publicly about his case - and the parties involved in it - to try to tamp down pretrial publicity that could affect seating an impartial jury. Her full gag order on Stone also followed a posting on Stone's Instagram account of an image that court security officials said appeared to place a gun sight's crosshairs next to Jackson's face. Stone said the image was a Celtic cross. Stone was brought into court after the Instagram incident and apologized to Jackson, who put him under tighter restrictions on what he could say about his case. The book dispute followed soon after, with his attorneys apologizing Monday for "confusion" in a March 1 court filing that had said the book was due for "imminent release," phrasing Jackson suggested could appear to be an attempt to build publicity for the book. On Monday, Stone's attorneys, led by Bruce Rogow of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, denied using the filing to spike interest in the book, which had been available online since Feb. 19, before the gag order, they noted. Stone had planned the book update for weeks, Rogow said in court filings, but it was only after the Feb. 21 gag order was in place that Stone "reminded" his attorneys of the book and "brought the issue home." "There was/is no intention to hide anything," Stone's defense said in explaining how the book did not come up during the hearings Jackson held sorting through the need and terms of a gag order. "Having been scolded," about representations about the book, "we seek only to defend Mr. Stone and move ahead without further ado," his attorney wrote. Stone's new book introduction attacks Mueller as "crooked" and accuses "Deep State liberals" of seeking to silence him. Mueller prosecutor Jeannie Rhee said at the Thursday hearing that five days after the gag order, Stone and a member of his defense team were notified by his publisher that most of 13,000 to 14,000 copies of the book had been shipped to stores, although they had "not been selling particularly well so far," and had been available online since Feb. 19 "So what they told me on March 1," that the book's release was imminent, "you're saying there is evidence they knew before then that it was already accomplished?" Jackson said. "That is what the document on its face seems to represent," Rhee said, adding that emails seem to contradict Stone's statement that he did not have direct communication with his publisher after the gag order and could not recall when the books were available. Jackson set another pretrial hearing is set for April 30, after Stone defense attorney Robert Buschel said the government had turned over voluminous evidence. She did not indicate when she would weigh in on the dispute over the dates of the book release. Under President Donald Trump, the National Labor Relations Board told its employees that tight budgets will require cuts to compensation and even downsizing, an agency union said. So it came as a surprise when the union learned the board wants to pay subcontractors to do work employees traditionally perform themselves. Congressional Democrats were surprised, too-especially when they found out what the subcontractors would be doing. In a March 14 letter to NLRB Chairman John Ring, a management-side attorney appointed by Trump, House Democrats said they are "extremely concerned about reports" that the agency is planning to contract with a third party to review public comments on its proposed new "joint employer" rule. The rule would govern subcontractors' business relationships and liability. The proposed rule would alter the standard by which corporations can be held liable for the mistreatment of workers paid by its subcontractors or franchisees. It would also change the standard by which those corporations can be forced to collectively bargain with those workers. In both cases, the new rule will significantly shift the standard in favor of corporations. "All we have heard from our leadership for more than a year is that because of a budget crisis they have to cut employee compensation and downsize the agency," said Karen Cook, president of the NLRB Professional Association. "So it was particularly galling to find out that Chairman Ring is making plans to spend the agency's limited funds to hire contractors." The Democratic lawmakers, Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia, chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, and Rep. Frederica Wilson of Florida, who chairs its Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions, wrote that contracting out the work of reviewing comments "appears to be an alarming course of action." They said the agency "risks further fueling public concerns that it is tainting the rulemaking with conflicts of interest," especially if the comment review work goes to a law firm or other company that's consulted or represented any organizations or associations that have submitted comments about the rule. The agency "already has the most qualified staff" for the task on its own payroll, the Democrats said in their letter. The NLRB didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Under President Barack Obama, the NLRB (then with a majority of Democratic appointees) made it harder for companies to avoid being considered "joint employers" when it came to alleged wrongdoing by subcontractors or franchises. Undoing that precedent has been a priority for business lobbyists since Trump took office. But their efforts to make it happen have hit some snags. The board, now with a Republican majority, issued a ruling in a December 2017 case that would have overturned the earlier precedent, but the decision was set aside after the agency's inspector general said one of the Trump appointees, another management side attorney, should have recused himself due to a conflict-of-interest. Last summer, the NLRB signaled it would move forward with rulemaking rather than finding another case to remake the existing employee-friendly standard. The strategy sparked furious lobbying from advocates on both sides as well as tens of thousands of public comments which the agency is legally required to review. In their letter, the Democratic lawmakers request that Ring provide documents regarding the potential outsourcing, including any draft contracts or solicitations for the work, plans to avoid conflicts of interest, and legal analysis about how it would adhere to rules restricting who can perform "inherently governmental" functions. The prospect of sub-contracting is the latest flashpoint in months of tension over joint-employer liability between the NLRB and congressional Democrats. In a letter to Ring last May, Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. -now all presidential candidates-cast the rulemaking effort as an inappropriate effort to evade the ethics rules that derailed its last attempt to end the Obama-era rule. In January, Democrats including Scott wrote a letter urging Ring to abandon the effort after a federal court upheld core aspects of the existing standard, which the lawmakers argued foreclosed the NLRB's attempts to undercut it. In response, Ring wrote that abandoning the proposed rulemaking "would be unfair to the thousands of individuals and groups that have expressed such a strong desire to be heard on this important topic." Beto ORourkes first foray into Iowa as a presidential candidate will be a three-day romp over 400 miles. Shortly after announcing his campaign for president in an early morning video to supporters on Thursday, ORourke arrived in Keokuk, in southeast Iowa. Keokuk is the first stop in our campaign to be president of the United States, ORourke said to a roar of applause at Lost Canvas, a coffee shop and art gallery. ORourke told the crowd that with so many great candidates running in 2020, it is important for Democrats to avoid negative campaigning against one another. For subscribers: Who is Beto ORourke and how did he get here? Critically important that we do not denigrate or demean any other candidate, ORourke said. From there, he will hold meet-and-greet sessions in Burlington and Muscatine later today. On Friday, ORourke is scheduled to hold three more meet-and-greets in Mount Pleasant, Washington and Mount Vernon before ending the day doing a live podcast in Cedar Rapids. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox On Saturday, ORourke will run a 5K in North Liberty before stops in Waterloo, Independence and Dubuque. It is ORourkes first test in Iowa, the state that votes first in the presidential primary calendar. The Iowa Caucuses are scheduled for Feb. 3, 2020. In Keokuk, ORourke repeated many of the same themes he mapped out in his video announcing his campaign, calling it a challenging time to fix our democracy. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has come under fire over claims that ever increasing levels of bureacracy are making it more difficult for hauliers to make a living. Judge Seamus Hughes took aim at the state agency during a prosecution taken by it against an Armagh man who had allegedly failed to keep community licence certificate in his vehicle during an incident at Toneywarden, N55 on October 6, 2017. Shane Lappin, of 27 Armagh Breague Road, Tassagh, Armagh was charged as a result. Asked as to what a community licence entailed, Judge Hughes was informed the document was effectively a European licence which allowed its holder to engage in the international carriage of goods for hire. Taking umbrage at confirmation a community licence was a supplementary certificate to that of a driving licence, Judge Hughes warned of the rising tide of administration being rolled out by state bodies like the RSA. You are from the RSA and yet there is more and more regulation and more and more burden is being imposed at the behest of the RSA so that ye have more and more work to do, he told the RSA official sitting in court, as he gave evidence of the incident which took place in Longford almost 18 months ago. Before you know it, you are now cajoling the minister on speed limits for cars and he has launched a new campaign recently about that. Its more and more regulation all the time. The Mayo-born judge accused the RSA of overstepping their powers, citing escalating governance as a reason for Britain's impending exit from the European Union. Its more and more regulation all the time and Britain are getting out of Europe because of regulation. The fact they are getting out it is going to cause us more trouble. Judge Hughes lamented how rigid licensing and legislative requirements were similarly making it more onerous on ambitious entrepreneurs in their attempts to set up new enterprises. If you want to go out and start a burger stand on the Market Square, you are chased down with trading laws, health and safety. There are regulations everywhere you go. After making those comments, Judge Hughes said he would be sparing Mr Lappin a criminal conviction in this instance and, as such, issued him with Section 1 (1) of the Probation Act. Dear Alain Finkielkraut, Allow me to begin by saying salamtak, the word we use in Arabic to wish the best to someone who has suffered an accident, or, as in your case, an attack. The violence and hatred directed at you inspire my indignation; it pains me inwardly. Things being as they are, shall I succeed in finding the words that will convey to you not only my solidarity but what I truly think ? I shall try. For in addressing you, I address too, through you, those who wish for peace. Perhaps you remember. We met in the early 1980s, at the Seuil publishing house in Paris, and carefully avoided each other thereafter. When Lebanon was invaded by Israel, you found it intolerable to hear me say that a building had collapsed like a house of cards when struck by an Israeli fragmentation bomb. That truth did too much violence to your own to get a hearing. It was the unexpected arrival of the Israeli historian Saul Friedlander in the office where we were that allowed truth to prevail. He knew the facts. I could breathe again. You left without giving room to my anger. There was no place in you for any but your own. Over the decades since, the syndrome has intensified. You might well love Levinas, that unequalled thinker of the Other, but it has become increasingly difficult, if not indeed impossible, for you to cede an inch to those whom you feel to be a threat. Perfectly understandable given the history that is yours, this degree of obduracy would not have posed a problem had it not turned into an intellectual crusade. This way you have of getting carried away in the face of the slightest disagreement has never failed to inspire in me, on hearing you, both empathy and exasperation. Empathy, for I know you to be sincere, and exasperation because your intelligence is decidedly more devoted to making yourself heard than to listening to the other. The most lucid of your thought is repeatedly overtaken by your aversion to anything that might hinder it or cast it into doubt. Thus the existence of Salafism, our common enemy though by reason of life experience rather mine before yours has more than once led you to confuse two billion Muslims and an age-old culture with a book, a verse, a slogan. For you, time stopped when Nazism decapitated humanity. There was no longer any future, no road but back, in a return to a civilisation such as a European might have imagined it before the catastrophe. That is all the easier for me to understand for my sharing your attachment to the great intellectual ventures of the early 20th century. But you have allowed yourself to so fuse thought and nostalgia as to put the former at the service of the latter, at the expense of lucidity. More worryingly, you have given up, of the world of yesterday, all that was most attractive in it: the cosmopolitanism, the mixing. Colours, languages, faces and memories from elsewhere sully for you the world of your regrets; you would prefer to see them vanish or fall into oblivion. You say that two threats weigh on France, judeophobia and francophobia. Why do you obstinately refuse to register islamophobia among your anxieties? Giving room to Muslims does not mean giving way to Islamic fundamentalism. In your unwillingness or inability to see that your concerns are shared by a very great many French Muslims, you are doing what Zionism did at its beginnings, when it claimed that the land of Israel was a land without a people for a people without a land. You are denying part of reality to usher another into existence. Without troubling yourself to imagine the frustration, the silent rage of those your language conjures away. You have given in to what Canetti so brilliantly warned us against in Crowds and Power. You have developed the fear of contact that prompts a community, folded in on itself like a clenched fist, to strike a blindly defensive attitude, with no eyes for anything other than itself. Typical of a certain Israeli politics rather than of the tradition of Jewish thought, this stance makes for an intractability that goes beyond your own case to become one of the chief obstacles to peace. This is all the sadder seeing that the world that you mourn has its counterpart in the experience of so many who live in Arab countries in thrall to corrupt and/or fundamentalist regimes. Why do they count for so little in your eyes? Why do you stake all on attacking enemies, rather than cultivate potential friends? The renunciation of the ideal, the necessity of which I discuss at length in my recent book on Edward Said, is a step you are unwilling to take. By ideal, here, I mean self-projection made into a collective project. Yet the only viable political dream, utopia we could call it, is one that takes cognizance of reality, proposing to make the best of it, rather than seeking to have reality dance to the tune of fantasy. It is precisely the opposite of the self-enclosure of the ideal, which operates in the mode of infantile fixation only then to suddenly discover in some bruising encounter that it provokes the hatred of those who have not the means not to hate. This man who insulted you insulted the world, injuring you, the Jews and all those disgusted by such ignominy. Yet it is not enough to say that, if what we want to do is to fight it, even less is it all to be said on the subject. In that connection, I would thank you for having declared on the radio that antisemitism and anti-Zionism are not simply to be conflated. Perhaps you would have the ear of the government were you tell them that they will not succeed in silencing the opponents of the Israeli regime by shutting up such hotheads. One is too inclined in France to take words and minds hostage, to privilege feeling at the expense of reason every time the question of Israel and Palestine is raised. We are now being asked to recognize, without objection, that anti-Zionism is synonymous with antisemitism. Let them then tell us what they mean by Zionism, and thus by anti-Zionism. If to be anti-Zionist means to be against the existence of Israel, I am not an anti-Zionist. If it means to be against a strictly Jewish Israel such as is wished for by Netanyahu and many others, then yes I am anti-Zionist. Just as I am against all ethnic cleansing. Was Mandela antisemitic in championing equal rights for Palestinians and Israelis? Antisemitism and Holocaust-denial are abominations against which I have always battled, as have many other Arab intellectuals. Can we please not be asked now to accept another denial, the denial of our own memory, just because we have been defeated. Yes, the Arab world has died. Yes, every country of the region in which I live is fractured, breaking apart. Yes, the Palestinian resistance has as yet come to naught. Yes, most of the so-called Arab revolutions have been hijacked. But I hadnt heard that memory belongs only to the victors. As far as I know, it is not yet forbidden to think on ones knees. A last thought, before leaving you. In Lebanon, I work with women exiled by war, from Syria, Palestine, Iraq. They do embroidery. Some of them are Christian, most of them Muslim. Three have lost a son. All are observant. God, one might say, is all they have, their only reason for living. Gathered around a large table with a broad stretch of hemp fabric lying upon it, some twelve of us were engaged in picturing a ship that carried a country for cargo. Into this, everyone put something of their own. One a rug, another a door, a Roman column, a field of olive trees, a water-wheel, a glimpse of sea, a village on the banks of the Euphrates. When the question arose of putting in a place of worship, the woman who ran the workshop said she would rather not. In the face of the general perplexity, it was then suggested that if such things had to be there, they should be discreet. But when someone proposed adding a synagogue, one of the women immediately declared: If there are a church and a mosque, you have to put a synagogue so that everyone can go and pray where they want. She then added, in the vocabulary she had available to her: We are not antisemites, we are anti-Zionists. All agreed, remarking that in the old days all these people lived side by side. Dear Mr Finkielkraut, I would ask both you and Frances politicians not to discount these little victories of good sense over stupidity, of the banality of good over the banality of evil. Prefer true adversaries who address you to the false friends who slander you. Help us to help you in the fight against antisemitism: do not limit it to this permanent recourse to enjoinder, threat and ultimatum. Those who are called antisemites without justification have been no less insulted than you. Do not so lightly disregard the lived experience of those who have a different view of the world than yours. If anti-Zionism is now an inappropriate word, then offer us another equal to the occupation, to Israels confiscation of lands and homes, and we might be willing to give it up. It is true that many of us have stopped speaking out, but do not trust quiet when it is no more than a passing lack of noise. A forced silence can give birth to monsters. To close, then, I would offer you this Igbo proverb: The world is like a Mask dancing. If you want to see it well, you do not stand in one place. Dominique Edde is a Lebanese novelist and essayist. (This letter was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour on the 9th of March. This article was translated from French by Dafydd Roberts) --- Authors Note Written on 23 February this year, this open letter to Alain Finkielkraut was accepted by the newspaper Le Monde, who asked for it to be made exclusive to them. It was then pulled without notice, nine days later, when it had been readied for the press. The article that did end up being published that day, with no counterbalancing contribution, was the work of sociologist Pierre-Andre Taguieff. A historical survey of the question of Zionism, anti-Zionism and the demonization of the Jewish state, it accomplished the feat of emptying past and present of any hint of Palestine or Palestinians. For Taguieff, there existed only an innocent Israel imperilled by Hamas. Some months earlier, an article by sociologist Dany Trom (published in on-line journal AOC) had likewise offered a lengthy assessment of 70 years of Israels existence without once mentioning the Palestinians, not even by mistake. This new wave of denial by omission is strangely reminiscent of the one that in 1948 saw Zionism installed in a land it deemed uninhabited. The defective sense of the other that underlies this unilateral fashion of dealing with memory and the past not only fosters injustice but is very dangerous. It is this that prompted me to write the letter. And if, after that curious volte-face by Le Monde, I decided to approach LOrient-Le Jour in Beirut rather than any French publication, it was because I felt that the moment had come for me to speak up on these matters from the place that is mine, in a land that shelters hundreds and thousands of Palestinian refugees, victims of 1948 and 1967. As I was writing these lines I learnt that there had been, that very week, an antisemitic manifestation in Belgium, as part of the Carnival parade in the city of Aalst. Its hard to believe that hatred and stupidity could take so frank and grotesque a form. For myself, I shall not cease to struggle, with the few means at my disposal, against Jew-hatred and Holocaust denial, against dictatorship and Islamist fanaticism, against Israeli colonialism. Yet such efforts seem feeble, so much have brutality and blindness gained ground everywhere. To be absolutely clear: antisemitism is not for me a racism like any other, for it marks a distinctive breakdown in the psychic economy of the human. To fight it with all our strength is not to weaken Palestine, but to strengthen its cause. And to warn certain intellectual and political circles of the danger of a Zionist monopoly of memory is not only to warn of the grave injustice that it signifies, it is also to draw attention to the disastrous addition of fuel to the antisemitic fire that can result from this occultation of the other. D.E. Award-winning author Saladin Ahmed, a Dearborn native, had the honor of having his newest comic, The Magnificent Ms. Marvel, release just days after a movie starring Captain Marvel came from the same parent company. The buzz surrounding the movie seemed to work as crowds came to Ahmeds native Dearborn to see him and get a copy of the book. While Ahmeds version of Ms. Marvel is not Carol Danvers, who is now Captain Marvel and headlined the movie that was just released, his character is popular in the comics. The Ms. Marvel Ahmed is writing is teenager Kamala Khan, Marvels first Muslim character to headline her own monthly title. She debuted in 2013s Captain Marvel No. 14 and starred in her own monthly title that ended last year. Kamala is the creation of writer G. Willow Wilson and editor Sana Amanat. Wilsons work on this character has been well-received by fans and critics alike the world over. The success of Ms Marvel is due as much to its absolute brilliance as to the fact that our store is on the east side of Dearborn, boasting the second largest concentration of Muslim Americans outside of New York, said Dan Merritt, co-owner of Green Brain Comics. Ahmed said he was profoundly intimidated to take over the character from Wilson. These two women who created this character and wanted to pass her on, which is the tradition of superheroes you dont become a full-fledged comic book superhero until more than one writer has told your story, which is why we love Batman, Spider-Man, and Superman so much, said Ahmed, 43, an alumnus of Henry Ford College, the University of Michigan, Rutgers University and Brooklyn College in New York City. Reporter Kurt Anthony Krug contributed to this report. Dozens of residents were displaced after a Boston North End building was condemned Wednesday night. A city engineer was reviewing a five-story brick building at 464 Hanover Street because of falling bricks and unsafe conditions when they found decayed steel beams, said William Christopher, commissioner of Inspection Services. An inspection report identified multiple areas of the second floor where the beams had rotted. These conditions will significantly affect the stability of the exterior walls, the inspection report states. The building on the corner of Hanover and Commercial streets has roughly two dozen condominiums and two commercial spaces, Christopher said. City inspectors evacuated the building and closed it off except to let residents retrieve medicine or critical documents. Giancarlo Tiberi, a real estate agent who owns a condominium in the building, said he learned Wednesday afternoon that the building was condemned. His tenant who rents the unit spent the night in a hotel. I was there this morning to see what the next steps are that are going to be taken, Tiberi said. The biggest thing is nobody got hurt, he added. "We just want to make sure that everybody has a place to go and stay, which is important. Engineers plan to remain on site the rest of the week to stabilize the building. Christopher said he wont know how long the building will be closed off until his engineers complete their reviews. Until I get the stabilizing report Im not going to even venture a guess, he said. We dont do this kind of thing lightly. Ride-share services like Uber and Lyft will now pick up and drop off customers at designated curb spaces as part of a new pilot program launching in Boston this week. The program, launched with the Boston Transportation Department and the mayors new Office of Urban Mechanics, will dedicate zones for ride-share activity. The Fenway neighborhood will be the first testing site, with a zone at the intersection of Boylston Street and Kilmarnock Street. According to Boston Mayor Marty Walshs office, the designated zones will be used for all ride-share pick-ups and drop-offs each day from 5 p.m. and into the early hours of the following morning. There will be signage to indicate where the drivers and passengers should go to find the zones. The goal of the new program is to increase safety and minimize traffic caused by ride-share services. Often vehicles park in illegal spots, or even the middle of the street, to find or drop off passengers. Our goal through this pilot, and through all of our transportation initiatives, is to make sure Bostons neighborhood streets are safe, accessible, and equitable for all residents, Walsh said in a statement. The mayor said the pilot program is also a step toward meeting safety and environmental goals outlined in the Go Boston 2030 plan and Vision Zero. Transportation officials plan to evaluate the program to see if actually eases vehicle congestion or has any other impacts on the streets where the pilot is implemented. The piloted Fenway zones will be enforced starting on Friday, March 15. Boston is getting a new 3,500-seat concert venue thats set to anchor a mixed-use development in the Brighton neighborhood. Concert promoter The Bowery Presents has announced plans to build the venue at Boston Landing. It will anchor The TRACK at New Balance development and is set to open in fall 2021. We are proud to be part of the fabric of the Boston music community, and we are excited to continue our growth as part of New Balances new development at Boston Landing, Jim Glancy and John Moore, partners at The Bowery Presents, said in a statement. The general admission venue will break ground April 1 and its name and further details will be announced at a later date, the company said. Jim Halliday, managing director of New Balance Development Group, said the new music venue will complement the districts retail and restaurant offerings to provide an 18-hour experience on the Guest Street corridor. The Bowery also owns Bostons Royale nightclub, The Sinclair in Cambridge and Great Scott. The Bowery Presents has a rich history of developing artists and offering fans great live music experiences from small to large venues, Josh Bhatti, vice president of Boston at The Bowery Presents, said in a statement. We are excited to bring our passion for developing the best venues for artists and fans alike to Boston Landing. Victor Pena, who was arrested in January after allegedly kidnapping a woman in downtown Boston, has been indicted. Pena, 38, was indicted by a Suffolk County Grand Jury Thursday on one count of kidnapping and 10 counts of aggravated rape after he allegedly held a 23-year-old woman against her will and repeatedly sexually assaulted her in his Charlestown apartment. Olivia Ambrose was at Hennessys bar with friends on January 19 when she went missing. Her disappearance sparked a massive city wide search. Surveillance footage from the MBTA shared in the midst of the search showed a man - later identified as Pena - leading her onto a train the night she went missing. Its obvious from the video surveillance that she did not go along willingly," Boston Police Commissioner William Gross said in January. A ping from Ambroses cell phone led police to Penas apartment door in a Charlestown housing project. She was standing in his apartment crying with a horrified look on her face, according to court documents. At least three women in Boston have taken out restraining orders against Pena in the last 15 years, according to court records. The women, who all previously dated Pena, described him as physically and emotionally abusive. In August 2004 one of the former girlfriends wrote that Pena had forced her to have sex with him and insulted her constantly. He was never charged in that case. A woman who filed a 2008 restraining order in Dorchester District Court said when she tried to break up with him he became aggressive. He choked her and locked her in his sisters apartment, according to the application for a restraining order. Penas daughter is now 14, according to court documents. He also has a son who lives in the Boston area, according to Jose Pena. In 2013 another woman, who is the mother of Penas son, filed a request for a restraining order after she said Pena called her repeatedly suggesting to have a sexual relationship. After the woman changed her phone number Pena broke into her car, stole money, and also threatened to poison her two dogs, according to court documents. The indictment moves Penas case to Suffolk Superior Court where he is scheduled to appear March 20. The decision to ground Boeing 737 Max 8 and Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners following a deadly crash in Ethiopia last weekend has meant cancellations at two New England airports. Fifteen flights at Boston Logan International Airport were canceled Thursday die to the grounding, according to WBZ Newsradio. The grounding also canceled Delta and Norwegian Air flights at T.F. Green Airport in Rhode island. The grounding was not felt at all New England airports. Jennifer Mehigan, a spokeswoman for Logan, said tat the grounded planes 737s make up less than 2 percent of the traffic to and from Logan. American, Southwest and United all fly them. The planes do not regularly fly to and from Worcester Regional Airport, according to officials there Thursday. Likewise, the Boeing 737 didnt operate on a regular basis from Bradley International Airport when they were flying, said Kevin A. Dillon, executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority. However, as with any airline,maintenance issues and inclement weather conditions across the country, can reorient how aircrafts get dispatched and it could end up here at the airport, Dillon said in a prepared statement. According to NBC News, Southwest Airlines had the most flights with the Boeing Max planes in the United States with about 150 flights per day out of the airlines total of about 4,100 flights daily. American Airlines had roughly 85 flights a day on the Boeing Max 8 and Max 9 jets. United Airlines had about 40 flights with the planes. Southwest, United and American all also serve Bradley, but with different aircraft. HARTFORD The Connecticut Supreme Court said a wrongful death lawsuit brought by families of the Sandy Hook shooting victims can move ahead against gunmaker Remington Arms Co., Westfield-based firearms wholesaler Camfour and the East Windsor guns shop that sold the rifle to the shooters mother. Riverview Gun Sales owner, David LaGuercia, lives in Agawam, according to news coverage at the time of the 2012 shooting and to recent phone records. Camfour Inc. distributed the Bushmaster-brand AR-15 used in the shooting. Camfour is owned by a group of local investors led by Peter A. Picknelly, chairman and CEO of Peter Pan Bus Lines. Picknelly declined comment Thursday as he has throughout the lawsuit. The families of nine of the children and adults killed by disturbed gunman Adam Lanza and one adult who survived the December 2012 attack at Sandy Hook elementary school sued in 2014. In total, Lanza killed 26 that day, including 20 first graders. The 4-3 decision released Thursday in Hartford most assuredly will send the case to the U.S. Supreme Court because it deals with the conflict of state versus federal laws. Defendants, including Camfour, had argued that the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act known as PLCAA protects them from liability when the guns they sell are used in crimes, according to a summary of the case included with Thursdays decision. Plaintiffs in the case argued that the Bushmaster semiautomatic rifle shooter Lanza used was promoted as a military-style rifle. Lanza, despite profound mental illness, fantasized about a military career and his mother bought the gun for him as a way of forging a connection with him. She was one of his victims. Connecticut Supreme Court Justice Richard Palmer, writing for the majority, said that question should be up to a jury and he that the case should proceed under Connecticuts consumer protection law. "Specifically, if the defendants did indeed seek to expand the market for their assault weapons through advertising campaigns that encouraged consumers to use the weapons not for legal purposes such as self-defense, hunting, collecting, or target practice, but to launch offensive assaults against their perceived enemies, then we are aware of nothing in the text or legislative history of PLCAA to indicate that Congress intended to shield the defendants from liability for the tragedy that resulted, Palmer wrote. Picknelly and partners bought Camfour in 1998 from the Albert F. and Amelia "Millie" A. Ferst. The Fersts were well-known philanthropists in Westfield. SPRINGFIELD Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito visited the Springfield Museums Thursday to unveil the Dr. Seuss license plate, produced in cooperation between the Registry of Motor Vehicles and the Springfield Museums, home of The Amazing Word of Dr. Seuss Museum. Polito also swore in Vanessa Otero, chief operating officer for Partners for Community, as a new member of the Board of Directors at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The Amazing Word of Dr. Seuss Museum celebrates Springfield author Theodor Geisels life, his writings as Dr. Seuss and his connection to his hometown. It drew 148,000 ticketed visitors in the first year of operation. The license plates, which feature the mischief-making Cat in The Hat, serve as a fundraiser for the Springfield Museums costing $40 a set. That $40 is on top of the regular $60 plate fee. There is also a renewal fee every two years at a cost of another $100 of which $40 is for the museums. Motorists who get the plates will also be on the hook for a $20 plate swap fee plus any applicable registration fees due at the time the pick up their plates. An application and more information are available on the museums website at springfieldmuseums.org Geisel was born here in Springfield in 1904. He died in 1991. This plate is an opportunity to celebrate all that makes learning fun, said Kay Simpson, president and CEO of the Springfield Museums. The museums staff, Simpson said, is excited by this opportunity especially because driving with this plate is a way for the entire state to celebrate the fact that Dr. Seuss is a Massachusetts native. Plus, Simpson added, Dr. Seuss was all about nurturing curiosity, which is the foundation of any good museum. He once wrote: Think and wonder. Wonder and think. That is the recipe for expanding your mind available at the Springfield Museums. The registry requires at least 750 customers before it will make a batch of plates. Dr. Seusss creativity has inspired generations to dream big and his own ingenuity taught millions the joy of learning, said Sen. James T. Welch, D-West Springfield. Were lucky to be able to call Dr. Seuss our own here in Springfield and these license plates will be a reminder to all residents of the Commonwealth of the joy and impact his stories and illustrations have made in all of our livesforever joining the spirit of Seuss and Massachusetts. Manufacturing of the plates begin will begin when 750 pre-orders have been collected, according to a news release. Once the plates are in production, the special plate fee is non-refundable. It will take approximately six to eight months to manufacture the plates and ship them to the Registry of Motor Vehicles Service Centers. There will be a License Plate Party to auction off license plate numbers from 1-99 at a date to be determined. Later Thursday, Massachusetts gaming industry regulators will release the agreement they reached to dispense with a lawsuit brought by Steve Wynn, and gaming commission members on Friday are expected to learn details of the agencys investigation into sexual assault allegations against Wynn and what his former casino industry colleagues might have known about them. After an executive session of more than an hour Thursday morning, Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairwoman Cathy Judd-Stein announced that the legal agreement, which will allow the commission to rid itself of the legal headache Wynn's lawsuit represented and move forward with its investigation of Wynn Resorts' suitability, and redacted minutes from six commission executive sessions will be made public Thursday afternoon. "Over the course of several executive sessions, the Commission conducted a meticulous and deliberate review of the legal complexities and investigative considerations involved in this matter. The decision to execute a resolution accomplished two important goals: ensured commissioners with access to critical investigative information and eliminated the uncertainty of prolonged litigation," she said. "With the public release of the resolution and relevant meeting minutes, the Commission aims to share an understanding of its careful decision-making and seeks to underscore MGCs commitment to a transparent process." The Gaming Commission voted in February to finalize an agreement to resolve the lawsuit, which Wynn filed against the commission in November seeking to keep certain documents out of the commission's investigative report. The commission had previously ordered an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against Steve Wynn and whether those allegations were shielded from the commission during the casino licensing process. Executive Director Edward Bedrosian told commissioners that he expects to deliver a copy of the investigative report on Friday. Once they have read it, the commission will look to set a date to start the adjudicatory hearing. "It sounds like we will be reading over the next several days and will get back to staff with that we think is appropriate," Commissioner Gayle Cameron said. The commissions report -- which will be edited to comply with the agreement with Wynn -- will be the foundation upon which regulators decide whether to revoke the Greater Boston area casino license awarded to Wynn Resorts in 2014. The story of Celtic-tinged Dicey Riley echoes that of Fleetwood Mac in the mid 1970s: Established band is infused with a pair of young talents and finds a whole new exciting sound. Thats what happened to us when 20-something fiddle phenom Zoe Darrow joined the band in 2017, said Tim OBrien, who plays guitar in the band. Not only was she a whiz on her instrument, she also sings like the proverbial bird and opened up a whole new realm of songs and styles for us. Darrow was already a renowned Celtic fiddler; she began playing the instrument at age 3. We knew she was a top player, but she immediately demonstrated a lovely voice, too, OBrien said. She sings some songs in the Irish language, which fans enjoy. Zoe already knew a wide variety of Irish melodies and standards, so her solos and fills meshed very naturally and beautifully with the music were playing, he continued. And Zoe has a great ear for harmony, so adding that sweet top note really livens the vocal mix. A year ago Highland bagpiper/guitarist Jarad Weeks was recruited to replace the Northampton-based bands retiring piper, and in combination with Darrow, helped to produce a new sound they are calling Alt-Irish. Zoe and Jarad both had excellent reputations as musicians and people, said OBrien, a project manager. And in both cases, within a few minutes of the first audition song, we knew they were terrific players and the excitement grew quickly from there with minimal growing pains. Other members of the group are: John McLaughlin vocals, bodhran; Jeff OHinrichs drums and percussion; and Juan Vasquez bass. McLaughlin and OBrien write music for the group. The former has a special talent for creating what they call tradiginal works a mix of traditional and original. Hell tweak centuries-old Celtic melodies, boost the tempo and give the lyrics a cool modern twist, OBrien said. I come from a more pop and rock background but discovered I could create wholly new melodies, hooks and song structures that were honest to the genre, too. Darrows knowledge of the Celtic canon helps accelerate the evolution of new songs, and she has brought in a couple of her own instrumental compositions. Were constantly writing and experimenting, OBrien said. The group recently recorded a new five-song EP of original songs called Moments of Love that deals with different types like romantic, love gone wrong, love of family and country, love of friends at the pub. Other work includes the 2013 CD Rows of Pints and Walking Dead. Dicey Riley performs original Alt-Irish and fired-up traditional tunes. Its current sound often celebrates Irish culture and history and includes rollicking pub songs, too, but with a fresher rock or even-country-rock edge. Were somewhere at the intersection of the Pogues, the Beatles and the Old 97s. You wont hear the old-style Danny Boy or No Nay Never at our shows, thats for sure, OBrien said. The group has wide appeal: Louis Armstrong famously once said that music could be subdivided into only two categories: good and bad, OBrien said. We work very hard at crafting good music. Wherever we play, were always impressed by the broad demographic appeal. Well see Millennials dancing right alongside retired folks, and everyone is smiling! Dicey Riley used to do a handful of punk-feeling originals, now theres only one of that type in the regular playlist. When Zoe arrived, John and I both brought in songs wed had sitting on the sidelines that we felt were best sung from a female perspective, OBrien said. And Zoes done a great job bringing them to life. But whatever we do, theres always been an emphasis on being melodic, telling stories and keeping it fun. Dicey Riley appears at Celtic festivals and events throughout New England and beyond including the St. Patricks Music Festival in Boston, the East Durham, N.Y., Irish Festival, Hartfords Pipes in the Valley Celtic Music Festival and the Hartford St. Patricks Parade. The band has shared stages with groups including Enter the Haggis, The Saw Doctors, Black 47, Screaming Orphans, The Red Hot Chili Pipers, The Tossers, Celtica and Gaelic Storm. The group also performs pub dates and private functions. McLaughlin, an attorney, cant pick a favorite venue: A loud, packed pub is incredibly fun; a huge audience at a festival can be intoxicating; and a devoted attentive audience at a great listening venue is so rewarding. I cant choose! The band will perform Friday, March 15, at 7 p.m. at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton. SPRINGFIELD Jury selection will continue Thursday for the drug trial of Melvin Jones III. Jones, 36, is on trial before Hampden Superior Court Judge John S. Ferrara on a charge of possession of PCP with intent to distribute from a June 2017 arrest. In 2012, Jones won a $499,000 settlement in a civil case involving Springfield Police Officer Jeffrey Asher, who in a separate criminal case was convicted and sentenced to 18 months in jail for assaulting Jones. The assault was filmed by a woman trying out her new camera, and the video was later obtained by The Republican and posted on MassLive. Weeks after his legal victory, however, Jones was sentenced to three years in state prison in a drug trafficking case. In a second case, he was placed on probation on a domestic assault charge. In 2017 he was sentenced to six months in jail for violating probation. In the case on trial now, Jones is charged as a subsequent offender. Jones was charged after a traffic stop on June 23, 2017, Ferrara told jurors. Ferrara, Assistant District Attorney Kerry A. Beattie and defense lawyer Aliki Recklitis questioned about 75 potential jurors sequentially at the judges bench in the all-day jury selection session Wednesday. Ferrara wanted 14 jurors to allow for two alternate jurors in case any juror needed to be excused before 12 were selected to deliberate. There were 12 selected by the time the jury pool was depleted. Ferrara said two more will be selected Thursday and the trial can begin. He gave each side six challenges that they could use without giving a reason. Jurors were told it would be a short trial, with the expectation that deliberations would start Friday. A city lawyer, at the time Springfield settled with Jones in 2012, said the money was split into two components: $275,000 to a structured settlement company and $300,000 to Jones lawyers. Under the structured settlement, Jones was to receive $1,028 monthly for 30 years beginning Sept. 14, 2022, with the last guaranteed payment on August 14, 2052. In addition, he was to receive six lump payments in five-year increments beginning Sept. 14, 2017, totaling $129,084. Through the structured settlement, with compounded interest over time, it totals $499,164. Jones was represented in the civil matter by Holyoke attorney Shawn P. Allyn and William Newman, director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. BOSTON Attorney General Maura Healey, who investigated the sudden shuttering of Mount Ida College, found that the colleges senior leadership knew of the schools precarious finances and failed to alert the campus or notify students about transfer possibilities. But the attorney generals office has decided not to sue the school. The AGO has also determined that with Mount Ida now closed and effectively assetless, pursuing litigation would be costly, time-consuming, and of limited public benefit, Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Green wrote in a letter to Department of Higher Education Commissioner Carlos Santiago, dated Wednesday. Green wrote that the conduct of Mount Idas board and President Barry Brown fell short of what is expected of a charitable board in meeting its obligations to an educational mission and may have violated the states consumer protection law. By failing to alert students of the potential for closure, the schools leaders, he said, put students, parents, employees, and others under incredible stress and time pressure that could have been avoided had Mount Ida reasonably prepared for that contingency. Brown, in a statement through his attorney Howard Cooper, said Healey threatened the college with a lawsuit last fall and asked for a substantial settlement. In response, all Mount Ida parties informed the Attorney General that they would not pay one cent because they had done nothing wrong, Browns statement said. After months of silence, the Attorney Generals decision today to decline to pursue litigation followed. That decision speaks volumes. Cooper said Brown and the board complied with the law and did all they could to save the school and help its students. It is disappointing that after fully cooperating with the Attorney Generals investigation by voluntarily providing testimony, documents and legal analysis, the Attorney General decided to make public a letter today which ignores the facts and law presented, and is woefully replete with inaccuracies, the statement said. A statement from the Mount Ida trustees said they were gratified with Healeys decision not to pursue litigation and maintained there were no violations of law. The trustees also said the letter from the attorney generals office contained numerous incorrect facts and conclusions. Jillian Fennimore, a spokeswoman for Healey, said, Our office stands by the letter in its entirety. Mount Ida, a small private college in Newton, revealed abruptly last April that it was closing and its campus would be acquired by the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Green wrote that although UMass Dartmouth offered admission to Mount Ida students, officials failed to properly negotiate a transfer agreement to account for the students in Mount Idas specialty programs who would not find similar programs at UMass Dartmouth. They did not consider the needs of students who could not transfer to UMass Dartmouth for other reasons, such as a lack of living arrangements. The late spring closure provided little opportunity for students to find other options. Green said Mount Idas board and president knew of the schools precarious financial situation, since Mount Ida had faced financial difficulties as early as 2012, when it failed to retain half its freshman class and was facing a significant burden of deferred maintenance on its buildings. Between 2016 and 2017, Mount Ida anticipated a budget deficit of over $16 million, and officials predicted budget deficits for future years. Brown and others began to look at nontraditional financing options, like selling campus land, finding private lenders and pursuing a merger with Lasell College. Green said during that time, officials should have notified the Board of Higher Education of their financial troubles and tried to create transfer agreements for students should closure become necessary. Instead, they recruited new students and failed to notify faculty. Without that planning, Green wrote, Students were left educationally stranded while regulators scrambled to hammer out transfer options that already should have been in place. This story was updated with a comment from Fennimore. Two years ago, he was coordinating the Vatican's financial and administrative affairs as head of a central department Pope Francis created for better accountability in such matters. On Wednesday, Australian Cardinal George Pell was the face of a different accountability when he became the Vaticans most senior member to be sentenced for a sex crime. Pells sentencing comes during a week when members of the U.S. hierarchy including Boston Cardinal Sean OMalley - have taken steps to address both the hierarchys past failures in handling charges of clergy sex abuse of minors as well as establish a separate hotline for allegations against bishops. A Melbourne court judge sentenced Pell to six years in prison after being convicted by a 12-member jury in December of five sexual offenses against two 13-year-old choir boys in 1996 that carried a maximum possible sentence of 10 years each. The judge had directed the jury that Pell was not to be made a scapegoat for any failings or perceived failings of the Catholic Church, but at sentencing said Pell had abused his power and would be required to serve a minimum of three years and eight months before he is eligible for parole and that he will be registered as a sex offender for the rest of his life. The 77-year-old Pell, who has maintained his innocence and is appealing the conviction, was 55 at the time the offenses were said to occur and the newly appointed archbishop of Melbourne. One of the boys never reported the alleged abuse and died of a heroin overdose at the age of 31 in 2014. A year later, the surviving victim reported the allegations to a police task force set up for that purpose. Pell had taken a leave of absence from his post as prefect of the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy in June 2017 to return to Australia to face the charges. His five-year term as head of the secretariat expired Feb. 24. Three days later, after a gag order was lifted in Australia and the media there were allowed to report Pell's conviction, the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, where Francis created a tribunal to fast-track allegations against bishops, announced that it was beginning a canonical investigation of the cardinal. It was this tribunal that removed Theodore E. McCarrick, former U.S. cardinal and archbishop emeritus of Washington, from the priesthood last month after finding him guilty of sexual abuse of minors and adults. Protocols on reporting such abuse established by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002 provide less safeguards around allegations against bishops and reviews by independent boards generally report to bishops. The U.S. bishops were in discussions during their fall meeting about the possibility of a national board to handle allegations against bishops when the Vatican asked that their effort be put on hold until after the recent Rome summit that brought together leading bishops from around the world with survivors. In his March 6 Lenten letter to parishioners, OMalley, who attended the summit as president of the Pontifical Commission for Protection of Minors, said he was deeply impacted by the survivors who addressed us. A dominant theme at the meeting was the need for an effective reporting mechanism when a Bishop or Cardinal has failed in his duty to protect children or has himself abused children or vulnerable adults, states OMalley in the letter. "Although I believe an effective set of procedures will be developed by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, I nonetheless wish to address this need immediately for the Archdiocese of Boston." O'Malley's letter said he decided "to implement EthicsPoint, a confidential, anonymous and third-party system, exclusively for the reporting of misconduct by a Cardinal, Bishop or Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Boston." Like the existing system currently in use, this will be web based and have a toll-free hotline to make a report, OMalley stated. "Reports will be sent to members of my Independent Review Board who will be charged to immediately notify law enforcement for claims of abuse as well as the apostolic nuncio; the diplomatic representative to the U.S. of the Holy See." In the letter, OMalley says that the crisis of sexual abuse by clergy is the greatest failure of the Church in my lifetime and that no bishop could possibly say that his diocese is not affected by these issues. The system to be implemented in Boston is similar to one recently enacted in Baltimore where this week Archbishop William Lori announced that his diocese had completed a preliminary investigation into allegations of sexual harassment of adults and financial improprieties by Bishop Michael Bransfield, who retired in September as head of the West Virginia Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, with the results forwarded to the Vatican for final determination. Loris announcement said he had removed Bransfield from public ministry in the West Virginia diocese as well as in Baltimore and that he had enacted the new protocols for reporting allegations of abuse against bishops in Wheeling-Charleston as well where he has been apostolic administrator. Lori announced similar restrictions on former Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore, Gordon Bennett, a Jesuit who served there from 1998 until 2004, and was the subject of an allegation made in 2006. Reactions from survivors and other Catholics to Pells sentencing as well as the expanded protocols where mixed in a Church that has fought removal of the statute of limitations for survivors to pursue criminal charges or where survivors have given up that right in settling civil lawsuits and where in some dioceses outside the United States there is no system of accountability. SHEFFIELD State law enforcement agencies are conducting an extensive investigation after authorities discovered five people dead inside a recently built house where a fire broke out Wednesday morning, according to Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington. The DAs office has not confirmed the names of the victims. According to reports in The Berkshire Eagle and The Boston Globe, they are a husband, wife and their three young children. Luke Karpinski and his wife, Justine Wilbur, secured a $412,000 bank loan to build their home at 1343 Home Road in July of 2017, Berkshire County Registry of Deeds records show. Albany television station WRGB / CBS6 reported Thursday that the Albany law firm Hoffman Warnick, where Wilbur was an attorney, released a statement mourning her death. It is with grief and immeasurable sorrow that we learned of the death of our friend and colleague Justine M. Wilbur, who died with her family yesterday in Sheffield, Massachusetts," WRGB reported. Justine was a talented attorney who joined our team in 2017 after having built a reputation both domestically and internationally as a patent expert. Her work was both meaningful and challenging. ... She was a devoted mother to her wonderful children, and a true friend to everyone in our firm," the statement said. The Berkshire Eagle reported Wednesday night that they had spoken with a sister of Wilbur, who said authorities disclosed to her that her sister was among the dead, along with her brother-in-law and the couples three children, 7-year old twins and a 3-year-old. The Globe, citing a spokesperson from the state fire marshals office, reported that investigators were granted a search warrant at the house and were on the scene and inside the home until 2 a.m. Thursday. The State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Section and Crime Scene Services Section, The Globe reported, have been gathering and analyzing various types of evidence in coordination with the Berkshire DA, according to a state police spokesman. A statement from Harringtons office says: A primary search revealed the presence of a deceased individual. A secondary search revealed four additional individuals who were deceased. Neither the names of the victims nor the causes of death were available for release on Wednesday. This is an ongoing, extensive investigation with multiple local and state agencies, including the State Police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal and detectives from the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorneys Office, Harrington said Wednesday. A report by Massachusetts gaming investigators into Wynn Resorts is expected to conclude that some company managers knew of allegations against casino mogul Steve Wynn but failed to report or investigate them. An internal investigation by Wynn Resorts board, as well as the investigation undertaken by Massachusetts gaming investigators, found that some individuals who were members of management at the time the (Wynn Resorts) Special Committee issued its report were aware of those allegations but failed to report or investigate them, contrary to Company policy, according to a settlement released to the public Thursday. One crucial piece of evidence is expected to be a 2014 complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, according to state gaming investigators. The details of that complaint have not been made public. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission in 2014 awarded Wynn Resorts a license to build a resort casino in Everett. In January 2018, the Wall Street Journal published a bombshell story alleging sexual misconduct by Steve Wynn. Wynn has since left the company. The Massachusetts Gaming Commissions Investigation and Enforcement Bureau has been looking into whether Wynn Resorts is still suitable to hold a Massachusetts casino license. The commission is looking into whether the company was aware of the allegations, what steps the company took to address them and what information the company disclosed when applying for the casino license. The casino is on track to open later this year, if Wynn Resorts is able to retain the license. The Investigation and Enforcement Bureau is preparing to provide a report to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. At the same time, Wynn Resorts board of directors commissioned its own internal investigation, referred to as the Gibson Dunn report. Wynn Resorts provided that report to Massachusetts Gaming Commission investigators. Steve Wynn sued the Gaming Commission in a Nevada court, alleging that Wynn Resorts provided information that was confidential to commission investigators. Wynn attempted to block the release of the commissions report and sought financial damages. A judge blocked the release of the commissions investigative report while the litigation was ongoing over what information was privileged. Under the settlement, signed March 1, Gaming Commission investigators and Wynn reached an agreement that investigators may use some documents but not others in their report. The commission will not be allowed to use the Gibson Dunn report. Massachusetts investigators must also return some documents to Wynn Resorts. There were no financial penalties paid by either side, with both sides paying their own attorneys fees. State investigative officials say the documents they agreed not to use will not ultimately affect the outcome of their investigation into whether Wynn Resorts remains suitable to hold a casino license. Loretta Lillios, chief enforcement counsel and deputy director of the Commissions Investigation and Enforcement Bureau, told commission members in a closed meeting on Feb. 20 that the missing information has little, if any, risk of having an impact on the Commissions determination of suitability. According to the settlement, nothing in Wynn Resorts internal investigation is materially inconsistent with the Gaming Commissions investigation. It says Wynns internal investigation includes interviews with more witnesses who recounted additional allegations similar to those discovered by Gaming Commission investigators. Lillios called the 2014 EEOC complaint a crucial piece of evidence in terms of the evidence and the timing. She said there were a small number of other items investigators felt were critical for the commission to have, and all of those were preserved through settlement negotiations. The meeting minutes for six executive sessions relating to the Wynn investigation were heavily redacted and made public on Thursday along with the settlement. Wynns litigation was dismissed as a result of the settlement, which means the Investigation and Enforcement Bureau can move forward with issuing its report on suitability to the Gaming Commission. Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chair Cathy Judd-Stein said the decision to enter into a resolution accomplished two goals. (It) ensured commissioners with access to critical investigative information and eliminated the uncertainty of prolonged litigation, Judd-Stein said in a statement. Judd-Stein said commissioners explored all their legal options. They sought an assessment from investigators about the quantity and quality of investigative material available to the Commission under the settlement and required assurance from investigators that the resolution would guarantee access to all of the substantive information necessary to make a fully informed decision about the suitability of Wynn Resorts. SPRINGFIELD When Sherri Casey and Briana Merkel walked onto the MGM Springfield project site two years ago, they were both nervous and excited to be there. We got to be a part of the project from the ground up, said Merkel, a Putnam Vocational Technical Academy graduate who is now a member of Laborers Union Local 999. When you hear someone talking about MGM at the grocery store or a bank, you think, I helped build that, and its a proud feeling, said Casey, a Local 999 member who graduated from Springfield Central High School and served two tours in Iraq with the U.S. Army. Both women were at the Massachusetts Girls in Trade event held at Springfield Technical Community College on Thursday to expose young women from across the state to building jobs. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, this is mission central. We are excited to host the Girls in Trade event for a second year, said STCC President John B. Cook. He said the college offers programs in areas like construction and heating, ventilation and air conditioning, and it can serve as a gateway for many students to begin their careers after high school. STCCs Scibelli Hall was filled with teenage girls from various vocational technical schools who are interested in nontraditional career paths. Alexa Ramirez, a sophomore at Putnam, said she is taking up carpentry. I would really like to be a vet, but I also love to build things ... so it was interesting to hear what the women in different trades had to say, she said. Casey and Merkel both shared their experiences with the girls of how they got into construction work. Having gone to a college prep school, that was always the path everyone was pushing on me. I tried it, but I ended up going into the military instead, she said. Casey served for six years before deciding that making a living getting shot at every day was not what she wanted to do anymore. Now I still get to do a job where I am physically active, a job thats challenging, she said. Every day you can learn new skills and do new things. Merkel enjoys driving large forklifts and seeing projects completed that she worked on. It can be intimidating at first, like with any job, but when you have the training necessary and the skills to do it you feel more confident going into that environment, she said. Ray Johnson, an apprenticeship coordinator, said he has been in the business for more than 25 years and has seen an increase in women taking on construction jobs. Right now 25 percent of our apprentices are women, he said. To be an apprentice, a woman has to be at least 18 years old, have a valid drivers license, a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate, and pass a drug test. The program is two years and apprentices need to have 300 hours of classroom experience and 4,000 hours of on-the-job training, he said. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rosalin Acosta and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno attended the event and encouraged students to consider alternative job opportunities. Think about the construction industry in Massachusetts. Its rapidly growing because our economy is growing, she said. Compared with other trades, she said, construction has the greatest proportion of women, but it is still only 5 percent. So we have great opportunities and so much more work to do, Polito said. She told the girls to think about what they like, what their skills are and what that could lead to. These career paths can take you to a place where you can earn more, she said. We talk about equal pay for equal work, and of course thats a no-brainer. But I want women to engage in careers and jobs that pay more, and I think if you continue down this path of exploration it will lead you to a job that will bring economic security and opportunity to your life as well as an enriching and satisfying career. Gov. Charlie Baker and police officials are urging lawmakers to pass a bill that would suspend the license of any driver stopped by police who refuses a drug test despite the lack of a fully accurate roadside test for marijuana impairment. Bakers bill which also includes additional training for police officers, an expansion of the states open container law, and a range of other provisions would help the state crack down on impaired driving after marijuana legalization. The state is also involved in a public education campaign, in which marijuana dispensaries have agreed to provide a postcard with every marijuana purchase warning customers of the danger of drugged driving. The main message is if you feel different, you drive different, said Keith Cooper, CEO of Revolutionary Clinics and president of the Commonwealth Dispensary Association, which represents medical marijuana dispensaries. Baker introduced a bill in January that is based on the recommendations of a special commission tasked with examining issues related to driving and marijuana use. That commission recommended imposing the same sanction for refusing to take a drug test as for refusing a breathalyzer for alcohol: a six-month license suspension. But there is no breath, saliva or blood test today that can accurately measure impairment from drugs the way there is for alcohol, since marijuana is metabolized differently from alcohol. Marijuana can be detected in someones system for days, long after the person is no longer impaired. Also, different people become impaired after consuming different amounts, so there is no single amount of marijuana that can be considered a universal point of impairment. Test is years away Daniel Zivkovich, executive director of the Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee, said researchers are working on developing a test, but he thinks a conclusive test of marijuana impairment is years away. During commission meetings, Matt Allen, field director of the Massachusetts ACLU, said it is too early to talk about license suspensions before there is an accurate test. Our position is if a motorist faces legal penalties for refusing to take a test, that test should be based on evidence and science, Allen said. But at a press conference touting Bakers bill on Thursday, advocates for the policy said tests like a saliva or blood test are only one part of how police officers measure impairment. Walpole Police Chief John Carmichael, who was also on the commission, said an officer will pull someone over for a traffic violation, then talk to the person and observe them. Someone who is impaired from marijuana may have bloodshot eyes, smell like marijuana or be lethargic. The police will administer a field sobriety test, which includes roadside tests like requiring someone to walk and turn. The person may then be interviewed by a drug recognition enforcement officer, someone with special training who administers a 12-part test for impairment. The driver may then be asked to submit saliva for a confirmatory test. The state police are currently training more drug recognition experts and moving to a system where an expert can be called in from off-duty to test a driver. Baker said the police generally only pull someone over if they have a reason. If the training is sufficient and accurate and done the way its supposed to be done, there is research that supports the idea that this will in fact answer the question (of impairment), and if someone refuses to take it, you should treat it the same way you treat alcohol, Baker said. The governors bill would extend the state law prohibiting driving with an open container of alcohol to marijuana, in order to discourage smoking while driving. It would authorize the courts to accept that ingesting marijuana can cause impairment. It would expand training for police officers in ways to recognize impairment, among other provisions. 100 percent preventable Colleen Sheehey Church, public policy liaison for the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility and a former national president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, lost her son Dustin in 2004. Dustin, 18 and sober, was in the backseat of a car with a driver who had been drinking and taking drugs. The speeding driver lost control of her car, careened off the road, flipped, went airborne and landed in a river. It was a two-door car, and while the driver and front seat passenger escaped, Dustin was trapped and drowned. The pain of losing someone leaves this hole in your heart and we full well know ... its 100 percent preventable, Sheehey Church said. Sheehey Church said there is not enough data available to know the full magnitude of the drugged driving problem. But according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of fatal crashes involving drugs has risen by 15 percent since 2005, and 40 percent of those drugged drivers tested positive for marijuana. State statistics provided by Bakers office found that between 2013 and 2017, 30 percent of drivers in fatal accidents had drugs in their system at the time of the crash, and marijuana was the most prevalent drug. During that time, 11 percent of drivers had both alcohol and drugs in their system. A postcard warning of the dangers of driving after consuming marijuana will be enclosed in every purchase of marijuana at many of the state's dispensaries. (Shira Schoenberg / The Republican) Cannabis Control Commissioner Britte McBride said the bill is important to deter bad decisions, identify unsafe behavior and remove unsafe drivers from the road. Drugged driving under the influence of marijuana is not new. What is new is our decision as a commonwealth to legalize, regulate and tax cannabis, McBride said. In my opinion, that means that we have an enhanced obligation to address the issue of impairment anew as regulators, as industry, as participants in the criminal justice system and as policymakers. Bakers bill is pending before the Legislature, where it is expected have a public hearing, then be considered by a legislative committee. The Massachusetts House on Wednesday voted to ban conversion therapy for minors. Conversion therapy tries to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. In some forms of therapy, a therapist causes pain each time a person has a sexual reaction to someone of the same sex. The vote was 147-8 in favor of the ban. Conversion therapy is an inhumane practice that denies individuals their cores selves, their true identity and robs the world of their beautiful, authentic selves, said Rep. Tami Gouveia, D-Acton, who has a 17-year-old transgender son. Its an abusive practice that must be banned immediately. The bill now goes to the Senate. The Massachusetts House and Senate both voted overwhelmingly last year to ban conversion therapy for minors. But the votes were taken in the waning hours of the last day of the legislative session, and lawmakers did not take the final vote that would have sent the bill to Gov. Charlie Bakers desk. Baker, a Republican, said last week that he would be inclined to support a bill banning conversion therapy for minors if one reaches his desk. The bill bans state-licensed therapists from practicing conversion therapy on minors. It does not prevent the practice for adults, and it does not limit pastoral counseling by a religious minister. Its a terrifically important piece of legislation because it would protect kids in Massachusetts from undergoing a discredited kind of therapy which the medical profession condemns and which does extreme harm to youth, said Arline Isaacson, co-chair of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus. It brings them to the point of despair, depression, drug abuse and sometimes suicidality. The socially conservative Massachusetts Family Institute released a radio ad warning that parents could be labeled as child abusers under the bill if they did not want to allow their child to change their gender, and that the Department of Children and Families could have more power to remove a child from a parents custody if the parent wants a child to seek counseling rather than gender reassignment surgery. Rep. Josh Cutler, D-Duxbury, vice chair of the Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, called those claims brazenly false, and said all the bill does is prevent state-licensed medical providers from practicing conversion therapy. Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, said the bill could help parents who are looking for assistance after their child comes out as gay. For those parents who are seeking answersthey should be able to turn to any professional in this state to get good therapy and not be told that the best way to help your child is to go throughthis barbaric practice, she said. Some Republican lawmakers tried unsuccessfully in past debates to ban only aversive therapy, where pain is caused, but to allow talk therapy. The Democratic-led Legislature has rejected those attempts, and the current bill would ban any therapy aimed at changing a childs sexual orientation or gender identity. Rep. Kay Khan, D-Newton, chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, said conversion therapy can be emotionally and psychologically traumatizing for any individual, but particularly for gay and lesbian youth, who already have high rates of anxiety, depression and suicidality. Theres a broad consensus in the medical community that any attempts to change minors sexual orientation or gender identity through conversion therapy are unnecessary, ineffective and harmful, Khan said. Fourteen states and Washington, D.C. have already banned conversion therapy. SOUTH HADLEY Mount Holyoke College will review its hiring practices after a campus bartender with a criminal past which includes serving probation in an infamous local bullying case has been accused of sexually assaulting a student. On Wednesday The Boston Globe reported Sean Mulveyhill, 26, is a suspect in the investigation of an alleged rape of a 21-year-old student. College President Sonya Stephens on Thursday issued a statement to students and staff promising to ensure that hiring practices at the college protect the campus community. The Globe story brought questions about why Mount Holyoke College would hire Mulveyhill, who was one of six South Hadley High School teens involved in the Phoebe Prince bullying case, a story that generated headlines around the world nearly a decade ago. "I recognize that this specific incident is especially troubling because it calls into question our employment practices and the ways in which we can best provide a safe environment for all members of our community," Stephens said. There are currently no criminal charges pending in court against Mulveyhill, said Mary Carey, communications director for Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan. Mulveyhill has been placed on administrative leave because of the allegations, the Globe said. According to the Globe, a student told police she gave Mulveyhill a ride to his home, where he sexually assaulted her. She filed an affidavit with Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown naming Mulveyhill as her attacker. Mulveyhill was served with a protection order on March 4, and on Friday a judge extended it for 10 more days, according to the Globe. Stephens said she understands staff and students are looking for more information, but the college is bound by confidentiality obligations due to the sensitive nature of the accusation, the open investigation and policies on personnel matters. In my initial review of our hiring practices, I have learned that we conducted a reference check of the staff member in question, as is standard practice for positions of this type, Stephens said. The reference check did not raise any concerns, and consequently an offer of employment was made. Stephens said she is convening a Hiring Practice Task Force to review policies and procedures and make recommendations to refine hiring practices to ensure they are safe, equitable and effective. The group will discuss how to balance the statutory limitations on candidates disclosure of past legal problems, the practice of not discriminating when hiring employees, and safety of students and staff on campus, she said. The critical focus of our attention needs above all to be on providing for the safety and well-being of the community, she said. These events are a reminded of the tremendous responsibility borne by those of us who constitute the faculty and staff of Mount Holyoke College. The task force will be made up of leaders in the colleges department of human resources and hiring managers at the college who will work with external experts, she said. It will review all policies and procedures and develop recommendations to refine hiring practices before the start of the next semester in September, she said. The college will also create a dedicated page on its website where the task forces progress will be regularly updated, she said. Anyone with concerns about the health and safety of anyone at the college should contact Title IX Coordinator Shannon DaSilva by email, phone or by visiting the campus office, Stephens said. Prince, a native of Ireland who moved to South Hadley with her family, was bullied by a group of fellow high school students and killed herself in 2010 by hanging herself with a scarf her sister gave her. The case generated headlines across the world and the fallout resulted in the Massachusetts Legislature creating an anti-bullying law. Mulveyhill pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor charge of criminal harassment and was sentenced to a year of probation. Three other charges statutory rape, disturbing a school assembly and violation of civil rights resulting in bodily injury were dropped. In 2013, Mulveyhill was arrested in South Hadley and charged with nighttime breaking and entering and underage possession of liquor. He was placed on probation for another year. A local lawyer killed his wife and three young children in a murder-suicide that was discovered when firefighters responded to a blaze in their Berkshire County home Wednesday. Two 41-year-old adults and their children, a set of 7-year-old twins and a 3-year-old, were found dead after firefighters extinguished the blaze at 1343 Home Road in Sheffield, Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington said at a press conference Thursday. Harrington identified the victims as Justine Wilbur and her husband, Luke Karpinski. She did not release the names of the children. Sources said the children are Alex and Zoe, both 7, and Marek, 3. We are investigating this matter as a murder-suicide. At this time, the evidence indicates that Luke Karpinski was the assailant, Harrington said. She said Karpinski is a lawyer. The U.S. Department of Commerce listed him as a patent examiner in its Sheffield office in 2017. Harrington offered her condolences to the relatives of the family. Firefighters responded to reports of a fire at about 7:50 a.m. Wednesday at the two-story home. After extinguishing the flames, they searched the home and found the victims, she said. Wilbur was found first and was separate from the rest of the family. Karpinski and three children were found together on the second floor when the search continued, she said. Karpinski and Wilbur are listed as the owners of the home, which is built on about 5.6 acres of land and valued at $349,300, according to assessor records. Wilbur is a patent attorney and senior associate at Hoffman Warnick in Albany, New York, according to the law firms website. She had a masters degree in chemistry and previously worked for a pharmaceutical company. Harrington declined to explain the circumstances of the fire and other details of the murder-suicide because the investigation is continuing. She also declined to say what weapons, if any, were found in the home. This is a comprehensive and ongoing investigation, she said. Members of the State Police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal and detectives from the State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorneys Office are still combing through the scene and searching for evidence. The bodies of the five people were brought to Boston so the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner can conduct autopsies. Officials have not released the cause of death on any of the five, Harrington said. The scene is secure and there is no reason to believe that the public is endangered at this time, she said. Departments that assisted at the scene of the fire on Wednesday were the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section, forensic scientists assigned to the Massachusetts State Police Crime Laboratory, the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, Sheffield and Great Barrington police, and fire department crews from Sheffield, Great Barrington, Monterey, Egremont, Richmond, New Marlborough, Canaan, Connecticut, and Norfolk, Connecticut, she said. SPRINGFIELD Police arrested a suspect in an arson fire shortly after firefighters extinguished a blaze that burned the front porches of a Forest Park neighborhood home. The fire at 74 Vermont St. was reported at 9:37 p.m., Wednesday. When firefighters arrived, they found the first and second floor porches were in flames, said Dennis Leger, executive aide to Fire Commissioner Bernard J. Calvi. The fire was quickly extinguished and did not extend to the interior of the house. It caused about $10,000 in damage, he said. The Springfield Arson & Bomb Squad determined the fire was set. It began on a first floor front porch and extended to the second floor porches, Leger said. The Arson Squad and Springfield Police, with the assistance of a Massachusetts State Police K9 unit, were able to locate and take a suspect in the arson into custody. The suspect is currently being treated at an area hospital, he said. The suspects name or charges were not immediately released. SPRINGFIELD - A city police officer was stabbed in the chest during a struggle Wednesday night with a suspect in a Vermont Street arson fire, police said. The unnamed officer suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries in the assault, said police spokesman Ryan Walsh. The officer is recovering, he said. Acting Police Commissioner Cheryl C. Clapprood is scheduled to discuss the incident at an 11 a.m. press briefing Thursday, Walsh said. The suspect in the stabbing, Ruben Barrero of 74 Vermont St. is now facing an attempted murder charge, two counts of assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, and arson. According to Walsh, the officer was one of several police officers dispatched to 74 Vermont Avenue at about 9:30 p.m.to assist the fire department at the scene of a house fire. The fire damaged the front porches of the house but was extinguished before it could enter the interior. Damage was estimated at $10,000. Barrero was identified quickly as a suspect in the fire, but he had fled the scene. He was spotted by police on Island Pond Road and attempted to flee. In the area of 300 Island Pond Road, he turned toward the officer chasing him and thrust a knife toward the officers chest. The blade of the knife hit the trauma plate in the officers protective vest, which prevented it from going deep into the officers chest. Walsh credited the plate with saving his life. Barrero continued to assault the officer until other officers arrived to subdue him and take him into custody. As he was handcuffed, he continued to kick at police. Walsh said that Barrero at one point is reported to have yelled I stabbed one officer tonight and I will stab another. Barrero is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Springfield District Court. WESTFIELD Westfield Promise, a program that allows students earn up to 12 college credits while still high school juniors and seniors, has received another $190,000 in state funding. The funding comes as Westfield State begins recruiting another cohort of 125 or so high school sophomores in Holyoke, Springfield and Westfield to form a new class, and as the first students to enter Westfield Promise prepare to graduate from the 2-year-old program. "The big thing that has been exciting to see is to see them all excited about getting accepted to college and what their plans are for the future," said Ryan Meersmann, Westfield State early college access coordinator. Students save time and money, completing nearly a semester of requirements before entering college. Westfield Promise plans to graduate 61 students in May, Meersmann said. Many of the participants are the first in their families to attend college and hadn't seen it as a viable option before starting the program. The early success of this program is due to the hard work of our facilitators and faculty members who have made this program a priority, Westfield State President Ramon S. Torrecilha said in a news release. This important collaboration between secondary and higher education provides greater accessibility and demystified pathways to a four-year degree. Westfield Promise has a capacity of 125 students in each incoming class, so 250 for both years. The first class was small because word wasnt out, Torrecilha said. Now the program is more popular because younger students and their families are hearing positive things from older students. The university began the program in 2017 with a $148,000 state grant, and received another $140,000 from the state in the summer of 2018. In February 2018 , the university received from the state a fiscal 2018 Performance Incentive Fund program grant of $66,178, and a $10,000 Massachusetts Early College Grant. We are really excited to keep bolstering the program both at the university and the high school levels, Meersmann said. With 180 high schoolers currently enrolled, Westfield Promise accounts for 21 percent of the students enrolled in all nine Massachusetts Designated Massachusetts Early College Programs, according to a news release this week. It received 21 percent of the available funding, according to the news release. Westfield Promise is open to students at Holyoke High School, Westfield High School, Westfield Technical Academy and at two Springfield high schools: Roger L. Putnam Vocational Academy and the High School of Commerce. Meersmann said there is a possibility that more high schools could join in the future. Students apply through their high school guidance office. Meersmann said he hosts daytime and evening information sessions for high schoolers and their families. As juniors, qualifying students have an overnight summertime orientation experience in Westfield where they learn about the resources available to them like the library, get a college ID and find out whats expected of them. Then, once the school year begins, they take one or two college courses at their high schools with both a high school teacher and a Westfield State professor. The courses are English composition and either modern U.S. history or modern world history, depending on the high school. The courses are called stretch courses one-semester college classes taught over a full academic year. In their senior year, the high school students take classes on campus with Westfield State professors and students. Meersmann said the high school students get a chance to pick their courses in their senior year. But the classes must be ones required in most majors and easily transferable to another college or university. Examples include intro to psychology or elementary statistics. Students dont pay tuition but may have to buy books for the senior year on-campus classes. The sending schools provide buses to campus, but some students drive, he said. The United States is supposed to lead, not fall in line. Soon after a Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed after takeoff in Ethiopia on Sunday, echoing a similar deadly crash in Indonesia five months earlier, China banned the planes from flying. One by one, other nations followed suit -- until Wednesday, when the United States became the last country to ground the planes. Better late than never and all, but still, this isn't how things are supposed to play out. As recently as Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration was busy doubling down on its support for the Boeing aircraft, stating that it had seen "no systemic performance issues" that would prompt it to issue a ban. By Wednesday afternoon, after bans had been put into place by some 42 other nations, the United States finally fell in line. By that time, of course, it had been left with no other choice. On Sunday, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed just minutes after takeoff, killing all 157 people aboard the plane, a 737 MAX 8. Five months earlier, another 737 MAX 8, that one operated by Indonesian carrier Lion Air, crashed under similar circumstances, killing 189. Though the second crash was enough to prompt grounding of the planes by many nations, it was only after analyses of data from the two crashes began to show enough similarities indicating a possible systemic problem with the aircraft that Canada and the United States finally got on board the move to ground the planes. After the crash of the Lion Air 737 last October, pilots unions said they had not been informed of a software change that could force the nose of the aircraft down in some situations. It's that change -- and both the failure to distribute information about it and the lack of subsequent pilot training -- that is suspected of being behind the cause of the October crash, and may now be linked to Sunday's disaster in Ethiopia as well. There are, of course, many questions that remain regarding the causes of the two crashes. There's one that didn't linger, however: Until all the mysteries have been solved, the planes could no longer be allowed to fly. Anywhere. The United States did the right thing, finally, but shouldnt have been the last nation in line. As I write this, the Democratic leadership in the House is preparing to vote on a resolution condemning dual loyalty and other Anti-Semitic tropes, which is universally recognized to be a rebuke of Rep. Ilhan Omar for her remarks about the Israel Lobby. As a Jewish-American, my reaction to this chorus of condemnation is, Really? Is there anyone that doubts that what she says is true? Does anyone really believe that our Congress sends billions of dollars of aid to Israel every year, protects it from any diplomatic or political fallout, in the UN and elsewhere, only because we share their values? And does anyone really doubt that AIPAC and other Lobby groups are pushing the interests of Israel, a foreign country? Come on. For instance, consider this quote from Tom Friedman, the very main-stream foreign policy columnist in the New York Times, a strong supporter of Israel, discussing Netanyahus reception before Congress when he spoke there in 2011: I hope that Israels prime minister understands that standing ovation he got in Congress this year wasnt for his politics. That ovation was bought & paid for by the Israel lobby. In the Al Jazeera-produced documentary, The Lobby USA (suppressed by the government of Qatar after extensive pressure from the Israel Lobby), the role of the Israeli Ministry of Strategic Affairs in directing lobby efforts in the U.S. is striking. Stephanie Schriock of Emilys List, a mainstream liberal feminist organization, explained how, when she was a young congressional aid, one went about, in her words, to raise money from the Jewish community. As she put it, But before you went to the Jewish community, you had a conversation with the lead AIPAC person in your state and they made it clear that you needed a paper on Israel. And so you called all of your friends who already had a paper on Israel that was designed by AIPAC and we made that your paper. Finally, regarding dual loyalty", note this revealing statement from none other than Elliot Abrams, a darling of the Israel Lobby: " It is the very nature of being Jewish to be apartexcept in Israelfrom the rest of the population" (Note, I, and undoubtedly most Jewish Americans, do not share this view.) So how should we think about this? On the one hand, the idea, so vividly portrayed in the Protocols, that Jews secretly plot to rule the world is indeed a vicious anti-Semitic slur. In fact Trump himself engages in this form of dog whistling when he speaks of globalist bankers and demonizes George Soros. On the other hand, it is just a fact - one that every member of Congress knows and many admit behind closed doors - that there is an Israel Lobby, it has enormous power, and if you cross it you risk political doom. Can we honestly acknowledge both truths? Yes, of course we can. First, we need to emphasize that anti-Jewish bigotry is real, and it can be deadly (as weve seen recently in Pittsburgh). Anti-Semitism is a matter of hating people merely by virtue of their Jewish identification, and nothing that any Jewish person or organization does can justify it. Keeping that simple truth in mind is the best protection against bigotry and hate. But, second, this cant mean sticking your head in the sand and refusing to acknowledge the pernicious effects that organizations like AIPAC and others that claim to represent the Jewish community (along with zealous Christian allies like Christians United for Israel) have on our political process. And lets be clear. AIPAC, The Israel Project, and the State of Israel itself, do NOT represent the Jewish community, despite their claims. There are more and more Jewish organizations like Jewish Voice for Peace, If Not Now, and others, along with millions of Jewish individuals, who identify themselves as Jews, feel a strong link with Jewish history, but completely disavow the agenda of the Israel Lobby. This is what really scares these organizations, and why they feel the need to engage in such blatant fear-mongering. So I wasnt offended by Ilhan Omars remarks, nor those of Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American in Congress. They are my allies. I say this as a Jew, as someone who recognizes that our current socio-economic success could quickly wash away should the storm of anti-Semitic feeling weve seen recently engulf our nation. It is to the Ilhan Omars, the Linda Sarsours, and the Jeremy Corbyns of this world that we should look if its safety from bigotry that we seek. Joseph Levine is a member of Jewish Voice for Peace, Western Mass., and Professor of Philosophy, UMass Amherst. For generations of Americans, purchasing a home was the first step on a path to building wealth and economic security for themselves and their families. Home equity can be used to finance other venturesto start a small business, send a kid to college, or give a leg up to the next generation. Thats the story of how many families in Holyoke achieved their version of the American dream. But not all families were allowed to follow the same path. The United States has a long and shameful history of systematically excluding Black and Brown Americans from homeownership and all the benefits that go along with it. Until the mid-1960s, it was the official policy of the Federal government to exclude neighborhoods where African Americans and other marginalized communities lived from Federal mortgage programsa practice known as redlining. Private lenders followed their lead. Redlining happened all over the country, including here in Holyokethe maps are online for everyone to see. Decades after housing discrimination was formally outlawed, just as the homeownership rate for African Americans was starting to tick up, lenders started targeting these same, formerly segregated neighborhoods with the most abusive loans. These shady practices cut the legs out from under millions of homeowners when the subprime bubble burst. Through the generations, redlining and abusive lending have contributed to a staggering gap in homeownership rates and wealth between white and African American families. Today, the homeownership gap between African American and white families is larger than it was when housing discrimination was legal, with similar disparities still present between white and Hispanic families. Senator Elizabeth Warren recently reintroduced the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act, which takes steps to confront and address this shameful legacy. Im proud to announce my support for this bill. Senator Warrens legislation creates a new down payment assistance program targeted at residents of low-income, formerly redlined communitiesincluding those who were displaced by a foreclosure after the subprime boomto help longtime residents buy homes and build wealth. Families can buy homes in any community they choose. Senator Warrens bill makes big, new investments in helping families that are still struggling to recover from the financial crisis and owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth. Senator Warrens bill also gives a boost to renters who are getting crushed by rising rents. It would invest billions of federal dollars to fill funding gaps and build or rehabilitate new housing units, one of my administrations top priorities over the past few years. These new homes would be required to have rents that poor and working families can afford, ensuring that rising costs dont displace our residents. These new dollars would build approximately 3.2 million units across the country, bringing down rents by 10 percent or about $100 month, according to an independent analysis. Im proud that in Holyoke, weve created a robust and nearly unprecedented pipeline of over 400 gut rehab or new construction residential units that have been completed over the past few years or will start construction in the coming years, precisely in the areas that this bill would help most. But the need is so much greater, and Senator Warrens bill is the right approach to meet this challenge. The American Housing and Economic Mobility Act also contains a provision designed to win over wary neighbors and help communities address infrastructure constraints. Cities, regions, or states that make it easier to produce well-located, affordable housing will be eligible to compete for a new Federal grant that will provide funding to build roads, infrastructure, and schools. Communities like Holyoke, and many of our neighbors, could use this funding to help make affordable housing investments work for renters, prospective buyers, and long-time residents. Cities and towns can only do so much on their own. Having strong federal partners in Washington enables us to think big, move the needle, and make real improvements in the lives of the people we represent. Im proud to stand with Senator Warren in the fight to pass the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act and put every family on a path toward having a decent home at a decent price and achieving the American dream. Alex B. Morse is the mayor of Holyoke. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 15) Another lawyer was gunned down in Davao del Norte, bringing the total number of lawyers slain in the country since August 2016 to 38, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines said Thursday. The latest victim is Rex Jasper Lopoz who was gunned down on March 13 in front of a shopping mall in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. IBP President Abdiel Dan Elijah Fajardo said Lopoz' death marks the most recent in a quick succession of violent attacks against lawyers, and prosecutors. "We are almost losing count, but there have been 38 such reported killings since Atty. Rogelio Bato, Jr. was killed by unidentified gunmen in Tacloban, Leyte on August 23, 2016," Fajardo said. Bato was the lawyer of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa, who had been accused as a drug personality in Leyte and was killed inside his jail cell. Call for speedy, impartial probe The IBP called on the police and investigative authorities to solve these cases "with a real sense of duty and competent dispatch." The national organization of lawyers also renewed its call for the Supreme Court (SC) to initiate a thorough and impartial investigation into all the killings of Filipino lawyers. There should be a dialogue, it explained, among SC, IBP, State security forces, and other relevant agencies in order for the parties to "engage in open and constructive discussion on ensuring the safety and security of lawyers." "Lawyers, prosecutors, and judges are being targeted with surging frequency and impunity," Fajardo pointed out. He explained Lopoz' death closely follows the assassination of Prosecutor Mary Ann Castro in Quezon City last January 17, 2019, and the abduction of lawyer Alwyn Mendoza in Nueva Ecija last February 23, 2019. "Murder and other forms of mindless violence have no place in civilized society. Lawyers are professionals who must not be associate with the perceived crimes of their clients. We are sworn to advocate our clients' causes within the bounds of law, free from fear and intimidation, and regardless of our own opinions as to their guilt and innocence," Fajardo said. Judges not spared Philippine Judges Association President Judge Felix Reyes said in a span of three decades 29 judges have been killed - or one judge per year. Based on available data, Reyes pointed out there are only five convictions, involving hitmen but no mastermind. The New England Patriots trade for Michael Bennett is official. That means the former Seahawks and Eagles defensive end is set to take on the 2019 season with a team that long served as a heated rival. As part of his introductory interview with Patriots.com, Bennett revealed that he used to be a Patriots hater, but now his viewpoint has changed. I used to hate the Patriots, Bennett said. I used to hate it. I hated because they win so much, hated because Tom Bradys hair was long, hated because Bill Belichick wore sweaters. But now that Im here, I love it. I love Tom Bradys hair. I love being a Patriot, obviously, because its all about winning. So did Bennetts perspective on Patriots hate change when they acquired his brother Martellus in 2016? Yes, but not the way youd think. I hated them even more, Bennett said. Why? He loved it," Bennett added. But the fact that he loved it made me hate it. ... I was the brother that was the Super Bowl champ, then he took that from me. He just took it. Now Ive got to get it back. The 33-year-old Bennett was a noted adversary of the Patriots back when he faced them with the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. He now projects to take over at defensive end for Trey Flowers, who signed with the Detroit Lions earlier this week. Another Patriots starter and another player named Brown is cashing in on free agency. Defensive tackle Malcom Brown wont make as much as his unrelated namesakes Antonio Brown, Trent Brown and John Brown, but the 25-year-old former first round pick is going from New England to New Orleans with a new 3-year, $15 million contract according to NFL.coms Ian Rapoport. Source: The #Saints are signing DT Malcom Brown to a 3-year deal worth $15M. The former #Patriots first-rounder has a new home, while New Orleans adds a big piece. Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2019 Brown, a standout at Texas, started 51 of 60 regular season games he played for the Patriots including 14 of 15 in 2018. He had 8.5 sacks and 186 tackles in his career. He started 10 of 11 playoff games including the last three Super Bowls. Chris Hogan could be part of the Giants plan to replace Odell Beckham Jr.s production. According to the New York Daily News Pat Leonard, the Patriots receivers representatives have spoken to the Giants, who traded their star receiver earlier this week. Some news: According to a league source, the #Giants have talked to reps for Patriots free agent WR Chris Hogan recently. Hogan, 31, a two-time Super Bowl champ, of course out of N.J.'s Ramapo High School & Monmouth U. Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) March 14, 2019 Hogan, 31, saw his production go down in 2018 despite questions at wide receiver all year for New England. While his 35 catches for 532 yards were more than his 34 for 439 in 2017, Hogan played just nine games in 2017 and all 16 in 2018. Trading Beckham put the Giants in a likely rebuilding mode. Part of their attempts to keep fans interested might include putting local products on the field. They got Jabril Peppers, a New Jersey native from the Browns in the Beckham trade. Hogan attended Ramapo (N.J.) High School and Monmouth. NORTHAMPTON, MASS. -- U.S. Sen. Ed Markey will be in Northampton next week to take his case for a Green New Deal" to combat climate change directly to Western Massachusetts voters, his office has announced. The Massachusetts Democrat, who is sponsoring the Senate version of the high-profile climate measure, will promote his Green New Deal agenda and answer constituent questions about the legislation during a March 24 town hall-style meeting at Northampton High School. The event, which is free and open to the public, will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Markeys office noted that the Northampton event will mark the first in a series of town halls the senator plans to hold across Massachusetts on the Green New Deal, a legislative agenda which he unveiled with Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, in early February. The sponsors, in announcing their plan, said the Green New Deal lays out goals and projects to be achieved over a 10-year period, including: building resiliency against climate change-related disasters; repairing and upgrading U.S. infrastructure; meeting 100 percent of Americas power demand through clean, renewable and zero-emission energy sources; and building or upgrading to smart power grids. It further seeks to spur growth in clean U.S. manufacturing, overhaul American transportation systems and make the United States the international leader on climate action, among other things. The Republican National Committee, however, has called the plan a long socialist wish list that is woefully short on details" and argued that it lacks a funding mechanism, offers no tangible framework for transitioning to renewable energy and would cost an estimated $2 trillion. The AFL-CIO, in turn, argued that the Green New Deal is not achievable or realistic," the Washington Post reported this week. U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren will return to New Hampshire Friday to rally support for her 2020 presidential bid, amid the growing field of Democratic White House hopefuls. The Massachusetts Democrat, who has regularly stumped in the first-in-the-nation primary state since announcing her presidential ambitions late last year, will attend an afternoon house party in Salem, her campaign announced Thursday. Warren will then hold a 7 p.m. public organizing event at Exeter Town Hall, according to officials. Doors for the rally will open at 6 p.m. The senators latest stops in New Hampshire will come just days before she embarks on a campaign swing through Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama. She has previously campaigned in Manchester, Concord, Claremont, Dover, Laconia, Plymouth and Nashua, New Hampshire. Warren is not the only Massachusetts Democrat set to stop in New Hampshire this weekend. U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, a Salem Democrat who is seriously considering a White House bid, will also visit the Granite State before heading to Columbia, South Carolina for a pair of events with veterans and college Democrats. Moulton will attend a SaturdayPints and Politics event at The Barley House in Concord before joining the Young Democrats of New Hampshire for a pre-St. Patricks Day Party at Teatotaller in Somersworth, his campaign confirmed. Attorney General Maura Healey announced Wednesday that Massachusetts has signed on to a multi-state lawsuit challenging President Donald Trumps declaration of a federal emergency at the United States border with Mexico. Healey joined a coalition of 20 state attorneys general in the lawsuit, which questions the constitutionality of the presidents emergency declaration and seeks to block construction of a border wall and diversion of federal funds away from drug interdiction and military projects. The Massachusetts AG said she decided to join the legal challenge "because the presidents declaration endangers critical law enforcement and military projects in Massachusetts that depend on federal funding. Healey added that declaring a national emergency to build a wall repeatedly rejected by Congress is an illegal power grab by President Trump and a violation of the constitutional separation of powers. States involved in the lawsuit have contended that the Trump administrations actions go beyond the power of the executive office and violate the U.S. Constitution and federal law. They further argued that the presidents declaration would illegally and unconstitutionally divert federal funds approved by Congress for other purposes. Healeys office noted that funds put at risk by the presidents declaration include: $965,000 that has not yet been received in fiscal year 2019 from the Department of Defense for counter-drug activities for the Massachusetts National Guard; $90 million for a new compound semiconductor facility and microelectronics integration facility at Hanscom Airforce Base; $42.6 million for construction of a new hangar at Westover Airforce Base; and $8.9 million for a multi-purpose machine gun range for the Massachusetts National Guard. Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin have also signed on to the lawsuit. Healey, who has previously joined other states in trying to block controversial Trump administration policies, said last month that her office was looking into what role it could play in the multi-state challenge. She noted at the time that her team had been in contact with officials behind the lawsuit opposing the federal emergency declaration. Trump, who acknowledged that his declaration would likely face legal action while announcing it at a mid-February news conference, has taken issue with Democrats opposition to his executive action. In addition to the legal challenge, Democrats have also sought to halt the presidents declaration, voting late last month on resolution to block Trumps controversial executive action from taking effect -- marking the first time Congress has sought to cancel a presidential national emergency declaration. U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican and former Massachusetts governor, crossed the political aisle Thursday to join Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey and other Democrats in voting to block President Donald Trumps declaration of a federal emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. Romney, who was among a handful of GOP lawmakers to endorse the House-passed resolution, helped Democrats advance the controversial measure through the Republican-led Senate on a 59 to 41 vote. The resolution, which seeks to terminate Trumps Feb. 15 executive action, now heads to the presidents desk. Trump, who had urged Republicans against supporting the legislation, reiterated his pledge to veto the measure. I look forward to vetoing the just passed Democrat-inspired resolution, which would open borders while increasing crime, drugs, and trafficking in our country, he tweeted Thursday afternoon. I thank all of the strong Republicans who voted to support border security and our desperately needed wall! VETO! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2019 Ahead of the Senate vote, Romney announced he would back the resolution of disapproval. This is a vote for the Constitution and for the balance of powers that is at its core, he said in a statement posted on Twitter. "For the executive branch to override a law passed by Congress would make it the ultimate power rather than a balancing power." The GOP senator stressed that his vote is not one against border security, offering that he agrees a physical barrier is needed at the southern border. He added that Trump administration already has $4.5 billion available within existing authority to fund a barrier -- even without an emergency declaration. In the case before us now, where Congress has enacted specific policy, to consent to an emergency declaration would be both inconsistent with my beliefs and contrary to my oath to defend the Constitution, Romney concluded. My statement on todays emergency declaration vote pic.twitter.com/QbP7VCL81S Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) March 14, 2019 Warren, meanwhile, praised her Senate colleagues for approving the resolution. The Senate, House and majority of Americans agree, (Donald Trump): your scheme to build a monument to hate at the border isnt an emergency, she tweeted shortly after the chambers vote. We have real emergencies in this country that our govt needs to address. Gun violence. Climate change. The opioid epidemic. Student debt. The Senate, House & a majority of Americans agree, @realDonaldTrump: your scheme to build a monument to hate at the border isnt an emergency. Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) March 14, 2019 Calling the presidents national emergency declaration unnecessary and unconstitutional, Markey said senators did the right thing by voting to resist executive overreach, assert Congress authority and defend the separation of powers. Donald Trumps fake national emergency declaration is both unnecessary and unconstitutional. Today, the Senate did the right thing by voting to resist executive overreach, assert Congresss authority, and defend the separation of powers. Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) March 14, 2019 Trump urged GOP lawmakers against joining Democrats in backing the measure, tweeting Thursday that a vote for todays resolution by Republican senators is a vote for Nancy Pelosi, crime and the open border Democrats! He added that prominent legal scholars agree that our actions to address the national emergency at the southern border and to protect the American people are both constitutional and expressly authorized by Congress. If, at a later date, Congress wants to update the law, I will support those efforts, but todays issue is border security and crime! Dont vote with Pelosi, the president said. ....If, at a later date, Congress wants to update the law, I will support those efforts, but todays issue is BORDER SECURITY and Crime!!! Dont vote with Pelosi! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2019 The Democrat-led House passed the resolution on a a 245 to 182 vote in late February. All nine members of the states U.S. House delegation voted in favor of the measure, which reportedly marks the first time Congress has sought to cancel a presidential national emergency declaration. Trump signed an executive order to address what he called an invasion of the United States after unsuccessfully pressing Congress to include $5.7 billion in border wall funds in must-pass spending bills. The president said he needed to declare an emergency to more quickly crack down on the drugs, human trafficking and violence coming into the country at the southern border. This is a breaking news story and will be updated. SPRINGFIELD The lawyer for Ruben Barrero waived his clients presence at an arraignment in Springfield District Court on Thursday. Attorney Thomas Bessette also asked that Barrero be given a mental health exam. Barrero faces a series of charges after city police officer Gregory A. Vatrano was stabbed in the chest during a struggle Wednesday night. Barrero struggled with the officer when he was being sought as a suspect in a Vermont Street arson fire, police said. Vatrano suffered serious, but not life-threatening, injuries in the assault, said police spokesman Ryan Walsh. Barrero faces charges of attempted murder, two counts of assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, and arson. Judge Charles W. Groce III entered not guilty pleas for Barrero. At the request of Assistant District Attorney Jill OConnor, Groce ordered Barrero held without right to bail until a dangerous hearing is held to determine if Barrero is too dangerous for release under any conditions. According to Walsh, Vatrano was one of several police officers dispatched to 74 Vermont St. at about 9:30 p.m. to assist the fire department at the scene of a house fire. The fire damaged the front porches of the house but was extinguished before it could enter the interior. Damage was estimated at $10,000. Barrero was identified quickly as a suspect in the fire, but he had fled the scene. He was spotted by police on Island Pond Road and attempted to flee. In the area of 300 Island Pond Road, he turned toward Vatrano and thrust a knife toward the officers chest. The blade of the knife hit the trauma plate in Vatranos protective vest, which prevented it from going deep into his chest. Walsh credited the plate with saving Vatranos life. Barrero continued to assault Vatrano until other officers arrived to subdue him and take him into custody. As he was handcuffed, he continued to kick at police. Walsh said that Barrero at one point is reported to have yelled I stabbed one officer tonight and I will stab another. Contrast Media is a substance which is used to enhance the contrast of fluids in the body during medical imaging. It is basically used to enhance the visibility of blood vessels and GI tract. Over the past few years, Contrast Media has evolved greatly, making phenomenal headways in terms of products and their approvals. Which have subsequently helped its market to address the augmented demand meeting the expectations of patients and radiologists simultaneously garnering exponential traction all over the world. Global Contrast Media Market Key Players GE Healthcare (US), Daiichi (Japan), Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals (Germany), AMAG Pharmaceuticals (US), NanoScan Imaging (US), Medrad Inc (US), Targeson (US), Guerbet (Japan), Bracco Diagnostic Inc. (Italy), Guerbet Group (France), Covidien (Ireland), Lantheus Medical Imaging (U.S.), ), Bracco Imaging S.p.A. (Italy), Subhra Pharma Private Limited (India), nanoPET Pharma GmbH (Germany), CMC Contrast AB (Sweden), Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals (UK) Get Free Sample Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1284 Industry News: In November 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the clinical use of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner which allows spotting pituitary tumors in crushings patients. The new ultra-high field 7T Terra MRI scanner allows more reliable images of the brain and facilitates identification of very small tumors which standard MRI fails to spot. In October 2018, Israeli startup iNNOGING innovated breakthrough in sonography technology. The innovation will enable physicians to manipulate captured ultrasound video and allow virtual dynamic examination by conversion of the video clip into a 3D model without the presence of the patient. Global Contrast Media Market Segmentation By type, the Market for Contrast Media has been segmented into intravenous contrast materials, iodine-based, and, other. By procedures, the market has been segmented into X-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and, other. By application, the global contrast media has been segmented into X-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and, other. Global Contrast Media Market Regional Analysis By region, the market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia, and, Middle East & Africa. The investments and developments have been multiplying in North America market which when coupled with the presence of established healthcare services providers are the key drivers responsible for catalyzing the expansion of the market. The demand for better healthcare facilities, initiatives taken by government institutions such as FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration), escalating prevalence of devices requiring imaging technologies, etc. are also stimulating revenue generation from the region. The rising count of cancer patients has intensified a fear among the population leading to an increase in pre-diagnosis treatments which is expected to escalate the demand in the market throughout the projection period. Europe market accounts for the second largest share of the global market. The increased expenditure in healthcare, growing awareness about diseases, availability of efficient healthcare services, etc. have led to development in revenue generation from the market. An increase in the incidence of gastrointestinal diseases has also catalyzed the expansion of the market in the region. Asia Pacific region trails Europe and will be the fastest growing market during the projection period. The huge population base of Asia is the key market growth driver. Other factors responsible for the growth in this region are developments in the healthcare sector, increased awareness and healthcare spending, large-scale penetration by major market players, etc. The rising demand will infuse growth in Middle East & Africa market. Browse Complete 80 Pages Premium Research Report Enabled with Tables and Figures @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/contrast-media-market-1284 About Market Research Future: At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services. In order to stay updated with technology and work process of the industry, MRFR often plans & conducts meet with the industry experts and industrial visits for its research analyst members. Contact: Market Research Future Office No. 528, Amanora Chambers Magarpatta Road, Hadapsar, Pune 411028 Maharashtra, India +1 646 845 9312 Email: salesteam@marketresearchfuture.com The global dental consumables market is growing rapidly mainly due to the technological advancements that took place in the dental industry. Though the integration of technology & consumables in dental practices is not a new trend and in fact, it goes back to decades, the uptake of consumables has been increasing over the past few years, which is boosting the growth of the dental consumables market. Furthermore, factors such as the broad adoption of dental consumables along with the increasing geriatric populace, and common dental disorders & surgeries are driving the growth of the market. Get Free Sample Copy @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1806 Considering the ascending graph, the market is climbing continually, Market Research Future (MRFR) in its recently published analysis asserts that the global dental consumables market poised to touch a valuation of USD 28,345 MN by 2024, posting approximately 7 % CAGR throughout the forecast period (2016 2024). Additional factors such as the broad uptake of advanced dental consumables are propelling the growth of the market, offering lucrative opportunities to the market players. Besides, factors such as the proliferation of the Internet and smart connected devices act as a major tailwind pushing up market growth. Simultaneously, the market penetration of smartphones along with the uptake of various mobile applications are fostering the growth of the market. Furthermore, factors such as the uptake of dental consumables and the increasing applications of these consumables in the related market, products, and services are positively impacting the market growth, targeting more users for branding solutions. The sale of dental consumables is forecasted to upsurge, especially in small and medium setups. On the other hand, dental consumables are costlier in developing as well as underdeveloped nations. Hence, factors such as the high cost and operational complexities of these consumables are expected to impede its market growth, restricting its uptake. Global Dental Consumables Market Segments For enhanced understanding, the market has been segmented into two key dynamics: By Type : Dental Prosthetics, Dental Implants, Dental Restorative Materials, Dental Regenerative Materials, and others. By Regions : Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Rest-of-the-World. Global Dental Consumables Market Regional Analysis The European region, heading with the well-spread awareness among people towards oral health, dominates the global dental consumables market. Moreover, factors the increasing per capita healthcare expenditures led by the resurging economy and the proliferation of healthcare sector in the region. Countries such as Italy, Germany, and the UK support the growth of the regional market on a large scale. The dental consumables market in the North American region accounts for the second -largest market, following the European market, closely. Factors impacting the growth of the market, positively, include the increasing digital advancement in medical technology and the uptake of advanced technologies. The US, heading with the high healthcare expenditures into the dental segment supports the regional market, majorly. The Asia Pacific dental consumables market has emerged as a profitable market, increasing rapidly. Factors such as the burgeoning dental treatment markets, especially in India & China, backed by the vast population and the large unmet clinical needs propel the growth in the regional market. Demonstrating substantial growth opportunities with the increasing technological advancements in untapped markets; the APAC dental consumables market is projected to grow at approximately 7% CAGR throughout the estimated period (2016-2024). Furthermore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia are estimated to contribute to the growth of the regional market significantly. Global Dental Consumables Market Competitive Analysis The dental consumables market appears to be highly competitive and fragmented owing to the presence of several large and small-scale players. These players are adopting strategic initiatives such as partnership, M&A, collaboration, and product/ technology launch to support their business expansion plans. They strive to acquire small but promising companies in emerging markets. Matured players also invest substantially in R&D activities to develop cost-effective product portfolio and to develop state-of-the-art facilities and a stable marketing network which can help them to gain the leadership position in the market. Major Players: Key players leading the global dental consumables market include 3M, Straumann, Septodont, KERR Corporation, GC orthodontics, Henry Schein, Patterson Dental, EnvisionTEC, Dentsply Sirona, American Orthodontics, Planmeca OY, and Nobel Biocare (Danaher Corporation) among others. Industry/ Innovation /Related News: March 4, 2019 - MedX Health Corp. (the US), a leading medical device and software company announced the signing of an agreement with Richmar (the US), a Compass Health Brands Company, to manufacture and supply selected Private Label Laser and Light products in the US rehabilitation market. MedX is also involved in designing, manufacturing, and distributing quality photo biomodulation therapeutic and dental lasers that provide drug-free and non-invasive treatment of tissue damage & pain. On the other hand, Richmars product portfolio includes modalities as electrotherapy, combination, laser, diathermy, ultrasound, and their corresponding consumables. Browse Complete 110 Pages Premium Research Report Enabled with 113 Respective Tables and Figures @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/dental-consumables-market-1806 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 An expert on premium research reports, Market Research Future has added a report titled Global Mortuary Refrigerator Market 2023 to its offering. The report provides an in-depth analysis of regional data and an accurate projection of the market size and share of the Top 10 market players across the globe. Mortuary refrigerators are the largely used equipment in the whole mortuary equipment market. These refrigerators have available with several features such as temperature adjustable knob, multiple chambers. Mortuary refrigerators are available in both positive and negative temperature facility. The positive temperature refrigerator slows down the degradation process of dead bodies for a period of time, and the negative temperature mortuary refrigerators are used to storage the body by freezing it and prevent degradation for longer duration. The increase in technology and rising demand for automation in mortuary procedures is one of the reasons for the larger share of the market. Get Free Sample Copy @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/7437 The global mortuary refrigerator market is expected to register a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period of 2018 to 2023. Mortuary refrigerators are used to keep dead bodies as a solution to maintain hygiene requirements in hospitals. The key factors contributing for the market growth are growing number of cancer patient and cancer-related research, increasing organ transplant, and growing demands for automation in mortuary procedures. Also, the increasing geriatric population, is contributing to drive the market. According to the United Census Bureau, the global-female-geriatric population is estimated to reach 4,139 million by 2030 from 3,601 million in 2015. However, the minimal awareness about mortuary equipment and fluctuating prices of raw materials and substituting products for mortuary refrigerators hinders the market growth. Global Key Players LEEC Hygeco Paragon scare Ltd. Thalheimer Kuhlung Barber Medical CEABIS EIHF Isofroid EVERmed Fiocchetti and Funeralia Segmentation The global mortuary refrigerator market is segmented on the basis of product type, application, application, end user, and region. On the basis of product type, the market is segmented into positive temperature, negative temperature refrigerators. By application, the market is categorised into corpses storage and forensic investigation. On the basis of end-user, the global mortuary refrigerator market is categorised into forensic labs, research and academics, funeral homes, hospitals and clinics, and others. Regional Market Summary The Americas dominates the global market for mortuary refrigerator owing to the increase in cancer and cancer-related research activities, increasing number of geriatric populations with health-related problems and presence of major market players within the region boosts the market growth. According to the Administration for Community Living in 2016, the number of older women within the region was estimated to be 26.7 million. Furthermore, the presence of developed economies and regulations by various authorities in healthcare sector within the region boosts the market growth. In 2017, it was estimated that Europe stood second in the global mortuary refrigerator market. The increase in demand for mortuary refrigerator by forensic labs and hospitals to store the dead bodies for investigation increases the market growth. These equipments are also, used to store the entire body donated for medical research purpose, which are used in medical colleges to teach human anatomy. Asia Pacific was the fastest growing region for the global mortuary refrigerator market in 2017. Factors such as increasing awareness about the advanced and innovative mortuary refrigerator, growing regulations and policies by various authorities regarding the hygiene in hospital drives the market growth. On the other hand, the Middle East and Africa holds a least share in the global mortuary refrigerator market due to the lack of awareness about the advanced mortuary procedures and mortuary refrigerator hinders the market growth in this region. Browse Complete 110 Pages Premium Research Report Enabled with Respective Tables and Figures @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/mortuary-refrigerator-market-7437 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 by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, March 13, 2019 New Mexico's top law enforcement official is pressing to proceed with a lawsuit accusing Google of violating federal and state laws by placing apps developed by Tiny Lab Productions -- which allegedly collect data from children -- in the Designed for Families program. Google knowingly made misleading representations to parents who browsed the Family section," New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas argues in papers filed Tuesday with the federal district court in Albuquerque. Specifically, Google represented that the Tiny Lab Apps were suitable for play by children -- despite knowing that the Tiny Lab Apps unlawfully collect childrens personal information. The dispute between Google and the New Mexico Attorney General dates to last September, when Balderas sued Tiny Lab Productions, Google, Twitter and other tech companies for allegedly violating state and federal laws, including the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. That law prohibits app developers and website operators from knowingly collecting data -- including names, email addresses, device IDs, geolocation information and other "persistent identifiers" -- from children younger than 13 without their parents' consent. advertisement advertisement The complaint alleges that the Lithuania-based Tiny Lab gleans personal data from young users who download games like "Fun Kid Racing," and that Google's AdMob, Twitter's MoPub, and other tech companies facilitate the data transfers. Balderas also alleges that Google violated a state consumer protection law by duping parents into thinking Tiny Lab's apps were appropriate for children, despite being told by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley that the apps collected personal data. Google -- which removed Tiny Lab apps from the Play Store last year -- recently asked for the lawsuit to be dismissed at an early stage. The company contends in a motion filed earlier this year that it isn't responsible for any violations of the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act by Tiny Lab. That law prohibits app developers from knowingly collecting a host of data -- including names, email addresses, device IDs, geolocation information and other "persistent identifiers" -- from children younger than 13 without their parents' consent. Google Play is merely a platform for the sale or distribution of apps and the Federal Trade Commission -- the agency charged with rulemaking and enforcement under COPPA -- has made clear that COPPA does not apply to such platforms, the company wrote. Google added that its Play platform wasn't alleged to have collected data from children through any Tiny Lab apps. Google separately argued that its mobile ad network AdMob was entitled to rely on Tiny Lab's representations that its apps weren't directed at children. Balderas is now asking U.S. District Court Judge Martha Vazquez to reject Google's arguments and allow the case to continue. The states complaint provides detailed allegations demonstrating that Google had actual knowledge that the Tiny Lab Apps were child-directed and that children were playing them, and that Google used that knowledge for commercial exploitation, Balderas argues in papers filed Tuesday. Balderas refers in his legal papers to a report published last year by Berkeley's International Computer Science Institute, which found that many free children's apps may have violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. The researchers presented Google with a case study of 84 of the Tiny Lab apps, with 75 million downloads worldwide, as an object lesson in COPPA-violative behavior, Balderas says in his new legal papers. Last year, Google allegedly responded to the researchers by stating that the apps didn't violate the law. Google chose to do nothing to prevent the illegal collection and use of childrens personal information for targeted advertising in child-directed apps, Balderas writes. by Tanya Gazdik , March 13, 2019 Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is launching the Dough-nate for a Doughnut campaign to support two childrens charities, Kaboom and the SeriousFun Childrens Network. Now through May 4, customers can donate a $1 or more to benefit both organizations at participating Krispy Kreme locations and receive an original glazed doughnut in return. The microsite for the program includes the headline Be Sweet By Helping Others. SeriousFun Children's Network, founded by actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, is a global community of 30 camps and programs serving children with serious illnesses and their families, always free of charge. Kaboom is a national nonprofit dedicated to giving all kids -- especially those living in poverty -- the childhood they deserve through safe places to play. advertisement advertisement The "Dough-nate for a Doughnut" campaign builds on Krispy Kreme's history of giving back to communities, including through its FUNdraising program, which assists organizations and businesses by helping to raise millions of dollars annually for educational, religious, community and charitable causes. Giving back to communities through fundraising and philanthropic work is at Krispy Kremes core, says Krispy Kreme CEO Mike Tattersfield. "We passionately believe in the KaBOOM! mission to build strong communities through enabling play, and we have experienced firsthand the incredible impact SeriousFun camps have on children and their families, Tattersfield states. For a decade, Krispy Kreme has raised money for Victory Junction, the SeriousFun camp located in Randleman, N.C., and will continue its tradition of hosting a doughnut dipping station at Victory Junction and another camp within the SeriousFun network. In addition to corporate fundraising for Kaboom, Krispy Kreme team members will join Kaboom and hundreds of community volunteers, city leaders and corporate partners to build playgrounds. "Our work is centered around bringing people together to ensure kids have a place in their community to thrive," states Lysa Ratliff, Krispy Kreme vice president of partnership development. "A great, safe place to play shouldn't just be a treat for some kids, it should be accessible to all." by Tanya Gazdik , March 13, 2019 Sheraton Hotels & Resorts is updating its logo after 82 years as part of a larger brand transformation. The design for what Marriott International calls its most global brand "pays homage to its past and depicts its vision for the future, according to the hotel. Grey New York created a 39-second video explaining the logo change. If features the tagline Where The World Comes Together. Serving as a reminder of the brand's long-standing history, at the center of the new logo, the Sheraton "S" remains. The new logo reimagines the signature laurel as "a circle representing the world," with the modernized Sheraton "S" redrawn at the center, according to the company. Guests will start to see the new logo on collateral and websites starting in April. advertisement advertisement It is a symbolic statement of Sheraton's vision for its new guest experience, said Mara Hannula, vice president, global brand marketing, Classic Premium Brands. "This was the final piece of the redesign puzzle, Hannula states. This new logo offers a modernized look and feel to match the reimagined space while maintaining the powerful equity and recognition of the original logo. The new Sheraton experience will be available to guests later this year in Phoenix. The transformed 1,000-room Sheraton Grand Phoenix hotel will showcase innovations in design using new technology and insights that bring a unique community vibe to the space, according to the company. More than 30% of the hotels properties worldwide are under some sort of renovation, says Indy Adenaw, vice president and global brand leader of Sheraton Hotels and Resorts. by Ray Schultz , March 14, 2019 Gmail is running smoothly again after global service problems on Tuesday and Wednesday, but some users say their Microsoft Outlook is not working with the service. My gmail seems to be working fine; however its integration with outlook has failed since the past 2 days, complains one user on downdetector. No emails are getting downloaded on Outlook. Orders not coming through to Gmail from my Woocomm website, not happy,writes another. On Wednesday, Google reported: "We're investigating reports of an issue with Gmail" in a service message. We will provide more information shortly. The affected users are able to access Gmail, but are seeing error messages, high latency, and/or other unexpected behavior." Service was most heavily disrupted in the Northeast U.S. and Japan, with lesser outages in Georgia, the UK and parts of the Asia Pacific region, according to the downdetector map. Google Drive was also affected. advertisement advertisement Users complained of being unable to log in and receive message and attachments. UPI reports that Facebook users have also faced some issues. On Wednesday, one Gmail user wrote: Still getting: Address not found, when emailing to eastern USA usual addresses. This is the second day. Unable to send emails, preview attachments, move emails from inbox to other folders and mark emails unread, said another. Federal prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into Facebook, which focuses on its data-sharing partnerships with other top tech companies. Sources tellThe New York Times a grand jury in New York just subpoenaed records from some top smartphone makers. Companies that rely on Facebook for access to consumers personal information include Apple, Amazon and Microsoft. In general terms, Facebook said it was cooperating with the investigation. advertisement advertisement Weve provided public testimony, answered question, and pledged that we will continue to do so, a company spokesperson stated on Wednesday. Lawmakers have been looking into Facebooks data tracking practices for some time. In light of a recent report accusing the company of spying on consumers most sensitive information, critics called for new investigations into the company. In particular, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he was directing state agencies to investigate what he called the invasion of consumer privacy. I also call on relevant federal regulators to step up and help us put an end to this practice and protect the rights of consumers, Cuomo said last month. Published by The Wall Street Journal, the report in question found Facebook gathers sensitive information that consumers share with apps -- even when consumers are not logged into the social network. Last year, Facebook told Congress it collects information from and about the computers, phones, connected TVs and other web-connected devices our users use that integrate with our products. We combine this information across a users different devices. As Facebook sees it, all this tracking is necessary to offer consumers the personalized -- and free -- experiences they have come to expect. Our core service involves personalizing all content, features and recommendations that people see on Facebook services, the company told Congress, last year. No two people have the same experience on Facebook or Instagram. They come to our services because they expect everything they see to be relevant to them. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, March 14, 2019 New Engen on Thursday unveiled a self-service platform that enables marketers to run search engine marketing campaigns on Bing and Google, as well as Facebook and Instagram, from one platform. The company, which has been getting feedback from brands like 1-800-Flowers, also plans support for Amazon, Pinterest, Shopping, and Snap later this year. Amit Shah, 1-800-Flowers CMO, said the company works with New Engen to support its algorithmic marketing model. They have been working together for two years. We were using an agency, but given the rate of change on Google and Facebook, we felt the need to continually learn, he said. We are approaching a new wave of advertising and marketing that requires us to pay more attention to algos. Essentially, marketers get stuck when competitors bid against their every online move. The ability to create our own algorithms and keep in touch with the correct audiences requires a deeper understanding of how campaigns work. It means getting more involved, he said. advertisement advertisement New Engen focuses on technology rather than an agency model, which allows for rapid change. It makes a difference, Shah said. 1-800-Flowers has been working with New Engens managed services for about two years, and stepped up to offer input on the self-service offering. Shah identified three main benefits to a self-serve platform. Having a consolidated platform spanning across channels provides agility and allows marketers to see how each channel performs to determine whether it makes sense to take the same bid rates from search into social. It also fosters a learning environment, he said. Shah said two of the companys smaller brands have begun to use the self-serve platform, but he declined to name them. Some of the more well-known sister brands include Harry & David, Moose Munch, and Simply Chocolate. Rothys also uses New Engens managed services and is expected to make the transition to this self-service platform, which will enable its marketers to manage campaigns, keywords, and ads to better target customers and optimize budgets for the most efficient spend. Dave Atchison, CEO of New Engen, said larger companies seem to care more about the sophisticated and granular nature of the technology, and smaller companies care more about the automation and making it easy to use. Walmart, Good American, The Hershey Company, TUMI, Timbuk2, FanDuel, and Urban Outfitters are among the other brands that work New Engens managed services. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, March 14, 2019 Planned Parenthood may be under constant attack from the White House and conservatives in Congress, but it has plenty of friends in the glamorous beauty business. The reproductive healthcare provider says Benefit Cosmetics and MAC Cosmetics are joining it to help raise funds and awareness, especially among younger consumers. MAC, owned by Estee Lauder, has long been devoted to fighting HIV/AIDS and other infections that impact women, people of color and the LGBTQ community, the company says. It is making a $500,000 commitment to Planned Parenthood over the next two years. The grant from its MAC Viva Glam lipstick efforts will help support Roo, the organizations new sexual health chatbot. Via text, the bot provides nonjudgmental information within seconds. Benefit is steering 100% of its brow wax proceeds from its annual the Bold Is Beautiful Project to Planned Parenthood. Since the project started back in 2015, its raised over $16 million for causes that benefit women and girls. advertisement advertisement Additionally, the San Francisco-based company plans to offer a special-edition Bold Is Beautiful 3D BROWtones, with all proceeds going to its nonprofit partnerships, including Planned Parenthood. For beauty brands, this kind of commitment that makes sense. Planned Parenthood cites research from Greenwald & Associates that finds 72% of U.S. consumers say that brand values are important to them when making purchases. And 81% say womens reproductive health decisions are a major concern, with 54% saying they are extremely or very important. Among millennials, those numbers rise to 90% and 69%. But for the threatened Planned Parenthood, every source of funding is becoming increasingly important. Conservatives have yet to achieve a complete defunding of Planned Parenthood, which has provided healthcare to one in five women in the U.S., including abortions. The president recently signed the so-called gag rule, which prohibits organizations from accepting Title X funds if they refer patients for abortions. The rule change would shift millions in funding away from Planned Parenthood and toward religiously based anti-abortion providers. So far, 21 states have filed lawsuits to block the administrations changes. In the past, Planned Parenthood has partnered with Warner Bros., the WNBA, Tumblr, OkCupid and the Council of Fashion Designers. by Tanya Gazdik , March 14, 2019 Pedigree is using some star power to highlight pet adoptions as part of a brand campaign. Katherine Schwarzenegger, a New York Times best-selling author, pet adoption advocate and philanthropist, will be the spokesperson for the Every Pups Superpower campaign. The campaign is launching in support of Pedigree's sponsorship of the new IMAX documentary, "Superpower Dogs," which highlights the extraordinary abilities of dogs who save lives and make the world a better place. Schwarzenegger, the eldest child of actor and politician Arnold Schwarzenegger and broadcast journalist Maria Shriver, recently released a book, "Maverick and Me," introducing children to the concept of animal rescue. She joined Pedigree recently at the premiere of the movie in Los Angeles. advertisement advertisement As part of the campaign, Pedigree and Schwarzenegger are asking consumers to join them in promoting pet adoption and celebrating the superpowers in all dogs by sharing what is special about their own dog on social media. For every engagement or personal story shared using the hashtag #EveryPupsSuperpower, the Pedigree brand will donate one bowl of food, up to 500,000 bowls, to shelter dogs awaiting adoption. In addition, the Pedigree Brand will donate $250,000 to the Pedigree Foundation to support shelters around the country. The program is a demonstration of the brands commitment to finding loving homes for all dogs, says Elizabeth Barrett, brand manager at Pedigree, which is a Mars Petcare brand. "Every Pup's Superpower" is an extension of the Pedigree brand's global Feed the Good campaign, which is based on the insight that dogs and humans benefit each other. The program will serve as a way to highlight the importance of pet adoption while showing the remarkable abilities of dogs to bring out the best in the people around them, Barrett, says. At a time when kids around us are losing their touch with innocence and almost constantly fighting a losing battle to seize the good ol' times of undiluted childishness that we attached to young kids, all thanks to the skewed influences brought in by the idiot box and social media, there has emerged a woke and humane young mind which has sent netizens into a frenzy. A Twitter user recently shared a photo of a math answer sheet that belongs to a class 7 student, and the student and his answer have since gone viral on social media for the humane and hatke approach to the math problem. It is a Maths question. But look at the last line. This student is thinking beyond arithmetic. Teacher who shared this with me; her joy is unbound #education #criticalthinking #reasoning pic.twitter.com/q1kUAUK4Xr Rajagopal (@rajagopalcv) March 12, 2019 Though the student's identity and school are not known, the student's awareness and empathy are being lauded by one and all on social media. As can be seen in the shared picture of the answer sheet, the question gives the amount a woman earns over a span of 15 months, which comes to Rs. 18,000. On further inspection, it can be seen that the student has also calculated the woman's earnings in a month, seven months, as well as the amount of time it would take her to earn Rs. 30,000. Thinkstock/Getty Images We presume that the calculations and the conclusive answer were correct, but that isn't what has won a million hearts online. The student's end remark is what that did it! The kid has concluded his answer with a remark that reads This woman worker is underpaid, and it is this awareness, empathy and sensitivity of the class 7 student that the netizens are lauding, and rightly so. Thinkstock/Getty Images It is good to see that young minds are still thinking loud and clear, despite all the external noise that is constantly trying to distract them. The student has not only made his/her teacher and parents proud but has also given us a sense of hope for our future as an empathetic and caring society. This is exactly why continuous evaluation can be the only fair way of evaluating children and not giant public tests. Shreya Roy Chowdhury (@ShreyaR_C) March 12, 2019 Love this humane student Sangeetha Vasudevan (@imoneypenny) March 12, 2019 Student with not just a brain but an Outlook of the world too. You earned my respect buddy Sushma Shaw (@SushmaShaw8) March 13, 2019 Hope we have more such sensitive students who learn to link science(and knowledge) with humanity. Thanks for sharing this. Roshan (@RoshanReach) March 13, 2019 Parents and the teacher can be proud of this kid. One great upbringing.. Raj (@Inspector_raj) March 12, 2019 I am sure you've heard stories of a phone physically saving someone's life. Yes, it's usually a Nokia phone, but this time it's said to be an iPhone which seems to have saved an Australian man's life. In an incident that took place in the city of Nimbin in New South Wales, Australia, a man managed to block a bow and arrow shot with his mobile phone. NSW Police confirmed that the 43-year old man managed to survive the lethal attack with only a deep cut on his chin. According to the Police's statement, it was about 9AM when the victim drove into a driveway and noticed a man armed with a bow and arrow. He pulled out his mobile phone to take a photograph of the armed man, at which point he got attacked with the arrow shot. It's alleged that the arrow pierced through the man's mobile phone causing it to hit him in the chin. Luckily, the man escaped the lethal attack with just a deep cut on his chin. Following the incident, officers from Richmond Police District were called, and the man who shot the arrow was arrested at the scene. He's been charged with armed with intent to commit an indictable offence, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and malicious damage. He was granted bail, but he's due to appear in court next month. Bye Bye America (Hello Europe!) The Final Show of the North American WorldWired Adventures Mar 14, 2019 BY STEFFAN CHIRAZI They came to Grand Rapids, Michigan in their fineries and fancy get-ups, their hearts heavy in the knowledge that this was the final North American show, yet fortified by the friendships and bonds created during these North American WorldWired legs. More than anything, they signed up for a journey and got back not just a ticket to ride all over, but a family and community which will last longer than any Metallica tour even WorldWired! I am speaking of the Black Ticket holders, who through no fault or desire of their own, have become the undeniable core and heartbeat of these returns to classic old school Tallica towns throughout the continent. Queuing up outside every venue at obscenely early hours, doing Planes, Trains and Automobiles journeys to get from gig to gig, braving elements which mocked normal elements, these bravest of the brave came to symbolize the North American WorldWired Tour in a way no one could ever have predicted. And as they gathered in the thin, sheeting rain for one last time outside the Van Andal Arena, they did so with equal measures of warmth and sadness, yet also celebration at what the last seven months have brought. When this entire WorldWired adventure started in late 2016 (with the first single firing the words were so fucked, shit outta luck off the bough) little did anyone know just how prophetic those words would be in global terms. Yet as the world has become increasingly fucked, WorldWired has continued to juggernaut through from strength to strength, already hitting stadiums and arenas once around before coming back to North Americas smaller cities starting last September. And it feels as though these gigs no events, because thats what the North American WorldWired dates have felt like: Events with a capital fucking E have increasingly become places for the ever-growing Black Ticket family to congregate and escape from said-world and all its attendant bullshit. It feels intrinsically linked; world bullshit quota goes up? Metallicas WorldWired crowds get crazier, thicker, heavier, and more engaged with each other as both a lifestyle and an escape to good times with good people. Make no mistake, the Black Ticket idea has created an even tighter community than anyone couldve imagined. The Met Club has always been a hotbed of togetherness, but these road dogs have accumulated miles and stories which will both continue to be told and accrued for years to come. Thus seeing so many of them, from Norway to Brazil to New York to Mexico, show up in fancy dress, formal wear, and evening attire for this final North American tour night was quite something. Tonight the band also met Mike Mueller and Russell Forrest, the only two Black Ticket holders who made every single North American show (Mike was a very entertaining So What! Diary scribe last year) and the clear reverence from each towards the other was something to see, Lars in particular summoning his inner journalist to ask them each how they did it and express both gratitude and admiration. Already some others have planned to be Black Ticket holders for Europe and beyond the lifestyle is real, and there is no doubt that the US Metallica fan base includes a couple of new generations of youth who will ensure that said- lifestyle continues in earnest. The Van Andal Arena heaved with life and good spirits, and like all the North American venues before it, thousands upon thousands relished the opportunity to see Metallica again for the first time in decades. Behind the backstage curtain, I can genuinely say in all my years I have never seen the backstage corridors as full of people right before the guys went onstage, and equally, I cannot ever remember everyone being so OK with it. Itd be like a CEO walking into their office and finding it mobbed with people, but again, the vibe was decidedly warm and congenial, with the guys having more last minute chinwags before the sprint-to-stage than Ive ever witnessed (team Stone Brewing was in strong attendance!). The band have found rhythm, stealth, and magical muscle memory on these North American legs, pulling out a few rarities for cities which havent seen them in (some cases) decades, and this final gig saw a royal blasting of Phantom Lord as well as recent addition Here Comes Revenge (with Jess Copes excellent video art adorning the cubes). Hetfield has loved re-engaging with these towns, and his pride and pleasure was again abundant in Grand Rapids. Another highpoint was Rob and Kirk jamming Grand Funk Railroads Were An American Band with James stepping up to provide enthusiastic vocals. I believe that the jam spot specifically has helped Kirk find a level of joy in his overall performance that pretty much supersedes everything hes done live in the last 20 years, and North America has, in my opinion, witnessed some of his best-ever performances. Rob spoke enthusiastically of how much fun it has been to see an enthusiastic and engaged Kirk taking off on fire like this regularly. And the LU meter has been in fine fettle, on point, on target, and providing the vital platform for these shows to deliver all that that they have. Earlier, Honorary Black Ticket Metclubbin Family Members Jim Breuer and Joe Sib did their final round of hosting, and as you will read in an upcoming SW! chat with Jim, he has found a new level of engagement and interaction with the fans. In fact, I can tell you that Jim seemed genuinely sad at the impending conclusion, and joked that he would find himself yelling for the bus call in his living room and asking where catering was. As the minutes ticked down, as Blackened scorched another few minutes off the WorldWired North American run, as Nothing Else Matters glided into Sandman, signaling the final moments of Merican performed Metallica music for a while, I reflected on the fact that as the world struggles to turn, Metallica has broken SEVENTEEN attendance records in North America, with a glorious blend of old-school and young-gun fans making up those numbers. So when I tell you how fucking strong this band is right here, right now, dont take my measly word for it. Just look at the facts as they stand. Here are those records venue by venue. METALLICA ATTENDANCE RECORD BREAKING SHOWS NORTH AMERICA 2018/19 September 11, 2018 - Sioux Falls, SD Denny Sanford Center 12,447 September 13, 2018 Winnipeg, MB Bell MTS Place 17,129 September 15, 2018 Saskatoon, SK SaskTel Centre 15,806 October 16, 2018 Milwaukee, WI Fiserv Forum 18,788 October 20, 2018 State College, PA Bryce Jordan Center 15,588 November 26, 2018 Las Vegas, NV T-Mobile Arena 20,428 November 30, 2018 Salt Lake City, UT Vivint Smart Home Arena 17,574 December 2, 2018 Spokane, WA Spokane Arena 13,184 December 7, 2018 Sacramento, CA Golden 1 Center 17,281 January 18, 2019 Tulsa, OK BOK Center 19,228 January 28, 2019 Raleigh, NC PNC Arena 20,052 January 30, 2019 Cincinnati, OH U.S. Bank Arena 16,587 February 28, 2019 El Paso, TX Don Haskins Center 12,546 March 4, 2019 Wichita, KS INTRUST Bank Arena 15,690 March 6, 2019 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center 19,646 March 9, 2019 Louisville, KY KFC Yum! Center 23,084 *also the highest attendance for the tour March 11, 2019 Indianapolis, IN Bankers Life Fieldhouse 18,274 Our night flight is about to land in Oakland, the end of this run officially signed, stamped, and sealed. Europe is on the horizon. Stadiums again. Rob and Kirk have already had a couple of little chats about the first few gigs in May, and I can hear tour manager Eric Johnson and Marc Reiter from management going over a couple of details regarding the run. One WorldWired ends, but another whole new WorldWired is about to begin. We are family Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Bolaris today received the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Greece, Kate Smith, with whom he exchanged views related to issues in his portfolio, in a very positive climate. Further to the briefing by the Deputy Minister on the recent two-day conference on religious and ecclesiastical diplomacy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs 28/2 - 1/3), the Ambassador stressed that defending religious liberty and protecting religious minorities across the globe constitutes a priority for the Government of the UK. In relation to this, she briefed the Deputy Minister on the document that the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office is preparing on the persecution that Christian populations face around the world, aiming for proposals to follow by the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Hunt, on targeted intervention by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Views were exchanged on the possibilities for close collaboration between the two countries centred on the protection of Christians in the Middle East. Discussing religious liberty in the region, the Deputy Minister briefed the UK Ambassador on the pending issue of re-opening the Theological School of Halki, as well as on the most recent developments on the issue of recognition of Autocephaly in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Deputy Minister referred to Greeces long-standing request for the return of the Parthenon Marbles by the British Museum. Finally, in light of the 200th anniversary from the start of the Greek Revolution of 1821, the possibilities for cooperation were discussed in organising events, in Greece and the UK, aiming to showcase, in both countries, the common historical memory on the events that led to the independence of the Greek State, the contribution of Great Britain, and the actions of British philhellenes. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Bolaris received today the Exarch of the Holy Sepulchre in Athens, Archimandrite Damianos. Talks focused on issues of interest to the Exarchate of the Holy Sepulchre in Athens, as well as relevant priorities set by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Other issues such as the planning of work on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the establishment of a postgraduate department of Theology at the Holy Monastery of the Sacred Cross in Jerusalem, the Deputy Minister's visit to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem together with the Delegation of the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece, as well as the Deputy Minister's visit to Jordan. Finally, details were discussed pertaining to the mission to receive the Holy Fire from Jerusalem on Holy Saturday. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) The bounty for the killers of the 16-year-old student found dead with her face skinned in Cebu province has reached at least 2 million. Presidential Adviser to the Visayas Michael Dino and Philippine Postal Corporation chair Normal Fulgencio each pledged 100,000 for anyone who can provide information about the suspects behind the brutal slaying of Christine Silawan. The Lapu-Lapu city government on Wednesday pledged P1 million for anyone who can provide information that would lead to the arrest of the teen's killers. Ormoc-based American retiree Don Davis, the Police Regional Advisory Council and the Cebu Provincial Council for the Welfare of Children pledged P500,000, P100,000, and P200,000, respectively. Dino also handed Silawan's family P20,000 from President Rodrigo Duterte for financial aid. Meanwhile, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in Cebu said it is open to providing legal aid to prosecute the suspects. "The brutal killing of the teenage girl in Lapu-Lapu is an act of pure evil and we call upon our authorities to catch the monster/s responsible. We also call upon witnesses to come out and speak for the early resolution of this dastardly act," it said. Police said the victim sustained 20 stab wounds to her neck and body and was also believed to have been raped. She was found with her skull exposed and without undergarments. Cebu-based journalist Dale Israel and CNN Philippines Correspondent Anjo Alimario contributed to this report. UPPER THUMB Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State University Extension, in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division, USGS Great Lakes Science Center and local fishery organizations will be hosting regional workshops across Lake Hurons coastline. Open to the public, these workshops will provide valuable information for anglers, charter captains, resource professionals and interested community members. Workshops will include information and status updates on topics such as fish populations and angler catch data, forage or prey fish surveys, offshore fisheries and native Lake Trout, status of Saginaw Bay Yellow Perch and Walleye, as well as updates on fisheries management activities, citizen science opportunities for anglers, and a variety of other Lake Huron topics of local interest. UPPER THUMB Tuscola County officials are stunned after hearing the construction of a new state psychiatric hospital in Caro which was supposed to start next month has been delayed. The announcement that construction is delayed while a consultant reviews information that could potentially lead to building it in a new location came from a press release from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. "My jaw dropped when I heard the news. I'm in shock. We worked hard to gather information on the economic importance of the Caro Center to the Thumb and other statistics of why this is the best location," said Controller Mike Hoagland, who helped spearhead the effort to inform lawmakers of the need and reasons to keep the center local. The press release issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services states a variety of concerns as reasons to delay construction and reassess building the facility in Caro. There are concerns about staffing shortages; lack of staff recruitment; the center not having a permanent psychiatrist on staff; the ability for patients' families to be involved in their treatment; and water accessibility to the Center. "Based on these issues, we have decided to seek outside consultation to review the proposed Caro Center project to determine what is in the best interest of those who need critical state hospital services," stated the agency's director, Robert Gordon. "Bed capacity, access to trained staff and proximity to family and community services will be a part of the reexamination." The state's consultant is expected to have a recommendation of the findings June 30. Gordon noted only 30 percent of the current 86 patients live within 75 miles of Caro, and the current location created challenges for patients and their families to be engaged. His findings are different from information gathered last year to keep the center in Caro. During a study of the center in late 2017, the center had about 150 patients, and there was a waiting list of about 200 to receive care. "I believe the same talking points that were made before to keep the hospital in Caro are still valid. About 80 percent of the people housed in Caro come from the south and east, so moving the hospital is not an advantage," said Edward Canfield, a Sebewaing physician and the 84th District state representative who helped gather and present information to the lawmakers who decided to keep the hospital in Caro. "About 70 percent of the staff live within 30 miles, and how are you going to find the talented workers if it is moved? There is state land available. The plans have been drawn, and not every community welcomes a psychiatric hospital. I think those points will prevail." Canfield also said he isn't sure if the governor has the right to stop the project because the money and the location for it was appropriated and outlined by Legislature. He thinks the decision to delay the project is because Whitmer, Gordon and many new lawmakers were not part of the previous decision-making process. "I think they are second guessing," he said. Besides sending shockwaves of concern throughout the greater Thumb area, the state's decision has some in Washington D. C. concerned as well. "I am concerned about reports that Gov. Whitmer's administration is delaying construction ... of the new 200-bed psychiatric hospital in Caro, Michigan," said U.S. Rep. Paul Mitchell, who represents the Thumb region in Congress. "Rural communities in the Thumb rely on facilities like this for both mental health care and jobs." Mitchell said he plans to do what he can to keep the project in Caro. "In the coming days, I will speak more with local community leaders and will attempt to speak to Gov. Whitmer to seek an explanation for why her administration would make this financially irresponsible decision to delay construction," Mitchell said. The loss of the Caro Center would have a "huge devastating" impact on the area. The center is the second largest employer in the county. The center brings an estimated $54 million in revenue to the county. It has 349 employees, and 398 other jobs indirectly benefit from it. Locally gathered data also showed about one third of the center's employees live in the Caro area zip code. The Caro Center is one of five state psychiatric hospitals. It treats adults with serious mental illnesses, those who are not competent to stand trail, and those determined to be criminally insane. Those who previously gathered information on the importance of the center to show lawmakers were: Hoagland, Tuscola Intermediate School District Superintendent Gene Pierce, former Caro City Manager Ryan Piche, Tuscola County Economic Development Corporation Director Steve Erickson, former county Commissioners Craig Kirkpatrick and Matthew Bierlein, and commission Chair Thom Bardwell. They went to Lansing in May 2017 to meet with former Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon to plead their case for building in the county. In June 2017, it was decided the $115 million, 200 bed-hospital that will replace the 106-year old Caro Center facility will be built in Caro. There was a groundbreaking in October to kick off the project. Some structures were demolished last fall to make way for the construction that was scheduled this spring with completion in 2021. The state has already spent about $3 million on the project so far, and doing another evaluation of what was previously done will increase the cost, said Hoagland. The state's other key concern is water to the facility. Because the City of Caro and Indianfields Township could not reach an agreement to spend $2.4 million to extend the water line 1.9 miles to the center, Tuscola County commissioners stepped in. They hired an engineer for $5,000 to determine if a viable solution can be found by using the wells that are on site at the Caro Center. "They have determined it is viable to use the water that is there with some upgrades and at a much lower cost," said Hoagland, noting the county has put in a lot of time, money, and effort in keeping the Caro Center. "We will have to go back over everything that we've previously done to show keeping the center here is the best option, and that the staff and resources are here." Whitmer's Press Secretary Tiffany Brown referenced the points Gordon made about the center's issues as the reason for the decision to delay construction and reevaluate the center's placement. "This is $115 million of taxpayer dollars we are proposing to spend and we owe it to each and every one of them to ensure any hospital is constructed in the most appropriate location, providing the greatest access to patients and staff," said Brown. "While there have been some expenditures on design, development and demolition of some unused buildings at the site, building has not commenced," Brown added. "The administration will use this opportunity to ensure that those funds are directed to their best use." While the fate of the new state hospital is being determined, the current facility will serve patients and complete routine maintenance and repairs through the hospital's budget. You could spend years transforming your abode into a vintage pad that would make Don Draper feel right at home. Or you could skip all the work and snap up this time-capsule ranch in Palm Springs, CA, which is back on the market for $1.7 million, listed with Kenny Jervis with Berkshire Hathaway HomeService. Built in 1969 in the Twin Palms neighborhood, the 3,350-square-foot home comes completely furnished, so a buyer doesnt have to scour the internet for acid-hued floral sofas or macrame wall hangings. And it's apparent the sellers of this three-bedroom, three-bathroom property took its decor very seriously. The purchase price includes everything down to the coffee table books and the booze in the bar, according to Jervis. And the jukebox actually works. The listing is being pitched to all kinds of newspapers around the U.S., he says of his marketing strategy. Were targeting the New YorkL.A. movie types, the urbanites who want a time capsule. Lots of the L.A. movie crowd all have houses in Palm Springs. Ten percent of the country loves this design but only 1% can afford it, Jervis says. Weve had really great interest but no physical offers yet. A potential buyer from Barcelona toured the property via FaceTime and plans to fly out to see it soon. Two guys flew out from New York last week, says Jervis. They fell in love with it and then disappeared. He points to several new hotel openings, including Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel, as driving more interest in the area. Featured on the Netflix show Stay Here, the property was available as an Airbnb rental for $1,100 per night. Which means a return on investment remains a real possibility as long as you're into the idea of opening this classic design to travelers. And if youre the type who abhors fix-it projects, this is your ideal property. Every detail of the house is in perfect condition and shape, says Jervis. Theres very little wear and tear. This vintage vibe even includes a relatively new popcorn ceiling, a request that stunned the contractor: Nobody puts up popcorn now, he says. Among the home's many charms is an all-pink master bath. Vintage velvet-flocked wallpaper in the entryway and den, combined with shag carpeting, are also true to the 1970s. A floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace in the living room is joined by wood paneling on the walls. It's also a home well-suited to entertaining. A three-seat bar next to the jukebox features wood paneling as a backdrop. The kitchen was updated around 18 months ago by the current ownerswho have had the property for less than two yearsto accommodate todays lifestyle, adding Caesarstone countertops and hand-painted Moroccan tile flooring. Outdoor entertaining will be a breeze for the next owners. Everything is wrapped around the pool to enhance the mountain views, says Jervis. This includes hedges, white rock, flowerbeds, and ficus trees. So, a buyer's only decision will be whether to move right into this turnkey retro palace or run it as a lucrative vacation rental. It's truly a win-win. The post Amazing Palm Springs Time Capsule Awaits a Buyer Who Loves Vintage Vibes appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com. After committing late last year to a big expansion of services in Connecticut, the fitness membership club ClassPass has expanded to more than 80 venues, the bulk of them in the triangle formed by Greenwich, Bridgeport and Danbury, but extending as far east as New Haven and north to Hartford. ClassPass members have access to traditional CrossFit workouts, martial arts, yoga, dance, fencing and even rowing. Members can download an app as well that will recommend other studios for them to try based on their history and preferences. Nationally, members have booked more than 70 million classes to date; the company does not disclose its membership count. In southwestern Connecticut, rates range from $29 a month which ClassPass estimates covers anywhere from three to five sessions depending on the studio; to a $79 package with credits good for as many as 16 classes. Members can purchase extra studio time if they run through their monthly allotment, and the company will roll over a limited number of credits to a following month if left unused. More for you A food-delivery app saves the day for an ailing food critic Besides getting the word out about its existence, ClassPass biggest challenge early on was a dynamic pricing model designed to cater to members by giving them discounts on off-peak workout hours, according to Kinsey Livingston, the companys senior director for partner development. Many gyms had flat pricing in place, requiring them to change their own revenue model to adopt ClassPass. The biggest change that we have made to our revenue model is dynamic pricing, similar to the hotel industry, Livingston told Hearst Connecticut Media. The fitness industry had never really utilized dynamic pricing models. Weve helped them with that. The New York City-based company also offers corporate memberships for companies to extend ClassPass as a benefit to their workers. The company also has gift cards that can be cashed in regardless of whether an individual belongs to ClassPass but the gift giver must provide the recipients credit card number to cover any late fees, and the company automatically rolls that recipient into a regular monthly membership that can be canceled. ClassPass financed its growth in part with backing from L Catterton, a private equity fund in Greenwich focused on consumer products and services that contributed to an $85 million investment last year in ClassPass. This week, L Catterton sold the CorePower Yoga chain to TSG Consumer Partners, with the firms not disclosing financial terms, with prior L Catterton investments having included Equinox and Peloton. Were category investors first, so we focus on categories with strong growth, said Michael Farello, a managing partner who put together L Cattertons investment in ClassPass, during a Bloomberg interview last year. The average category that we are investing in ... is growing over 30 percent, and then we look for brands within that, that are distinctive. Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman WASHINGTON With new momentum on Capitol Hill for gun-violence-prevention measures, Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal unveiled a proposal Wednesday to extend gun-purchase background checks to sales of ammunition. The Democratic-controlled House has approved bills to expand background checks to most private firearms transactions as well as lengthening the time limit on FBI employees who conduct the checks. But the Senate remains in Republican hands, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is said to be unlikely to bring up gun legislation that would force potentially controversial votes by Republicans seeking re-election in 2020. But the political calculations were absent as Connecticut Democrats Blumenthal and Murphy joined the parent of a victim of last years Parkland, Fla., shooting in unveiling the ammunition bill. Connecticut already requires background checks for ammunition purchases. Background checks on both guns and ammo go hand in hand, said Blumenthal. All the same reasons (that apply to gun-buyer background checks) should apply to ammunition. The bill is called Jamies Law, after Jamie Guttenberg, one of 17 killed in the shooting at Parklands Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School a year ago. Her father, Fred Guttenberg, was at the news conference Wednesday to support the bill. I dont belong here, said Guttenberg, who has become a gun-violence-prevention advocate since the shooting. This isnt what my life was supposed to be. Murphy said that Connecticut had seen a 40 percent reduction in gun homicides after the legislature adopted state-required background checks and a host of other gun laws in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting on Dec. 14, 2012. The computerized checks on average take just a few minutes, he said. Legal gun owners pass them easily, while those not qualified to own guns under the law mostly cannot, he added. Dont let anyone tell you we are going to create impediments to legal gun owners buying ammunition, Murphy said. The ammunition bill is just one item on a laundry list of measures that Democrats are pushing for a strategy to channel new-found power in the House into an offensive on new gun laws after years of seeing Republican majorities in both House and Senate give them short shrift. Other measures include a Red-flag statute, similar to the one Connecticut has had on the books since 1999. Under that law, family members and friends of troubled individuals can petition judges to have guns removed temporarily during acute phases when such persons are a danger to themselves and others. On Thursday, Blumenthal and Murphy will join with Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., to present another bill. It bars the U.S. Department of Education from using federal funds for the purpose of arming teachers. President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos have advocated for arming teachers as a way of preventing mass shootings in schools. dan@hearstdc.com WASHINGTON Dating back to his days as Connecticut attorney general, Sen. Richard Blumenthal is no stranger to issues involving consumer protection and transportation safety. So when the grim implications of Sundays Ethiopian Airlines crash settled in, Blumenthal was out of the gate quickly to bang the drums for grounding the new Boeing Max 8 and its big sister the Max 9. The FAA, under orders from President Donald Trump, finally agreed on Wednesday the last major aviation power to do so after Canada capitulated and joined China, the U.K., Australia, Singapore and just about everyone else in grounding the Max 8 and 9. Aviation experts now have the time to determine what flaws in the pilot-control system might have caused the Ethiopian Airlines crash and an eerily similar one in October involving a Lion Air Max 8 that fell into the Java Sea after takeoff in Indonesia. The grounding came not a moment too soon, as far as Blumenthal is concerned. These planes are tragedies waiting to happen, he told me Tuesday night in a phone call. Blumenthal is a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, so this kind of flag-raising goes with the territory. The aviation industry and regulatory types evidently suffer a collective stomach churn when he comes into view. Blumenthal has been out front on an issue of more immediate importance to Connecticut Positive Train Control, PTC, the futuristic satellite-transponder system that, when fully functional, will be able to stop runaway trains in (and on) their tracks. After Trump announced the grounding Wednesday, Blumenthal offered some qualified praise. This step is right, but unacceptably overdue. he said. Our nation should be leading, not lagging, in air safety. Surprisingly, Blumenthal was one of just a handful of senators calling for a temporary halt. Why so few? Blumenthal said he didnt blame colleagues. Theres a lot going on up here on Capitol Hill, he said. Progressive policies Lawmakers like AOC (Rep. Alexandria Cortex-Ocasio, D-N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar have been the lightening rods for the progressive political direction of the Democratic-controlled House. Even early on the presidential trail, you have Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Kirsten Gillibrand brandishing progressive street cred that just might be the ticket to the Democratic 2020 nomination. But back in the bowels of the Capitol, its the pot-stirrers like Rep. Rosa DeLauro who are adding the meat and potatoes to the stew of progressive policymaking. If you believe in government as a positive force in peoples lives (or just plain more government), DeLauro has your favorite recipe covered. As chair of the House Appropriations Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS, for short), DeLauro has her fingers on the pulse of spending for all or most of Democrats beloved social programs and laws. Its a combo Franklin D. Roosevelt could love. In just the past month or two, Labor-HHS has held hearings on private-college student rip-offs, predatory student-loan financing, administration attempts to derail the Affordable Care Act (yes, Obamacare), separation of children at the U.S.-Mexico border and the public-health dimensions of gun violence. On Wednesday, they were set to grill HHS Secretary Alex Azar on his departments budget, which got slashed 11.9 percent in Trumps just-released spending plan. We will reject these cuts to health programs, medical research, public health, home heating assistance and so many others, DeLauro told Azar. Instead, we are going to invest in health, education and protections for the middle class. I think it can be said objectively that DeLauros agenda represents a 180 from Republicans when they ran the committee from 2011 to this past January. The subcommittee saw Obamacare as a ripe target, not something to prop up. And it looked for duplicative trims in the Education Department, in addition to de-fanging OSHA and the NLRB. With the Senate in Republican hands, theres no guarantee all of DeLauros progressive policy preferences will see the light of day. But DeLauro wont have to look back on her career in Congress and feel like she just twiddled her thumbs while the other guys ruled the roost. dan@hearstdc.com HARTFORD Bills in three different committees will be the core of the General Assemblys wide-reaching legislation on the full legalization of marijuana for recreational use and retail sales, Democratic committee leaders announced Thursday afternoon. The regulatory framework, at this point, does not include provisions for backyard cultivation of cannabis, a potentially divisive issue for lawmakers who will consider the raft of complicated legislation that if enacted could yield an estimated $170 million a year in taxes, once it gets off the ground. For up-to-date information on public policy issues, sign up for the CT Politics newsletter. The leaders said that the current producers of marijuana for the states medical cannabis program would have the extra capacity needed to provide retail marijuana in the first months of a new retail program, while an anticipated three tiers of new growers - small, medium and large operations - jump through the initial regulatory hoops. The bills will originate in the Judiciary, General Law, and Finance committees and will include the erasure of criminal records for possession of small amounts of marijuana; a standard for driving while under the influence; and a tax rate for sales, with a chance for cannabis licenses to go to inner-city communities that have been impacted by the racially disproportionate law enforcement. Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said that a key component of the bill would allow those convicted of marijuana possession to show police reports or sworn affidavits to state judges, who could expunge criminal records for possession of amounts up to an ounce-and-a-half of cannabis. Another bill would protect the rights of employers to prohibit the use of the drug by their workers. Legislation would allow those over 21 to possess up to an ounce-and-a-half of marijuana. The legislation would also allow towns to prohibit or restrict marijuana sales, but Rep. Michael DAgostino, D-Hamden, co-chairman of the General Law Committee, told reporters that he believes if towns and cities were given financial incentives to host growers, packagers and retail outlets, enough locations could be found to support retail sales. Legalizing a substance that has been illegal for more than 80 years is a complicated process, said DAgostino, whose committee will consider the regulatory structure of the program. This is just the start of the process. Under the draft legislation, cultivators could not sell marijuana to the public. Rep. Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford, co-chairman of the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee, said he is planning for a tax program similar to Massachusetts, a destination in recent months for Connecticut residents to obtain legal cannabis. Rojas is planning on a 10.75 percent excise tax, a 6.25 sales tax, and a possible 3 percent local option. We want to be somewhat close to Massachusetts in terms of taxation and having an overall rate of about 20 percent, Rojas told reporters during an afternoon news conference. Fees and revenue would help fund the administration of the program, which he anticipates would be reviewed after two to three years to measure its success. Levels of THC, the active chemical in the drug, would also be limited under state law. DAgostino said he hoped that the highest levels of THC, which creates the so-called high - the psychotropic effects - would be reserved for the current 30,000 medical-program patients. While it remains to be seen whether enough support can be mustered for the marijuana bills in the Democratic-controlled House and Senate, the comprehensive legislation would be administered in a new agency, the Cannabis Control Commission, within the state Department of Consumer Protection, similar to the state Liquor Control Commission. Consumer Protection has run the states successful medical-cannabis program since 2012. Rep. Juan Candelaria, D-New Haven, who for years has unsuccessfully attempted to legalize marijuana for adult use, said that the states current, estimated $350-million-a-year underground marijuana market is fed by gangsters and international cartels that could be made impotent by a legalized cannabis market. Candelaria said he excited about the prospect for equity to people who have been arrested for possession, to become eligible for getting involved in the market. I want to be sure that the dollars generated in this particular bill are reinvested in the communities, he said. We want to ensure that children dont have access to it. Children have access to marijuana in our schools today. Were going to be listening to those who have been most affected by the drug laws over the past 80 or years because a large part of this bill is making sure that there is equity moving forward, said Rep. Josh Elliott, D-Hamden, a marijuana proponent who serves on the Finance Committee. There is the financial component but there is also the recognizing of who has been affected by the war on drugs component as well. Equity must be at the forefront of the conversation around the legalization of cannabis, said Sen. Gary Winfield, D-New Haven, the co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee who has also favored full legalization for years. Part of our job is to ensure that those who have been most impacted by the war on drugs are not left behind in this conversation, and instead are at the center of it, he said in a statement Thursday. Prioritizing equity applicants and sending a significant portion of the revenue raised from cannabis legalization back into the urban communities that bore the brunt of the unjust war on drugs are all important. kdixon@ctpost.com Twitter: @KenDixonCT It is "simply unacceptable" that trash, tools, nuts and bolts ended up scattered inside aircraft, which is why the Air Force will keep tabs on Boeing Co. as it again takes delivery of new KC-46 Pegasus tankers, the service's top acquisition official said Thursday. "Debris translates into a safety issue," Dr. Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, told lawmakers Thursday during a House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces hearing. Last month, the Air Force stopped accepting deliveries of its new tanker over foreign object debris (FOD) problems only weeks after the first aircraft was transported from Boeing's Washington state facility to McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. The Seattle Times first reported that the debris led to a week-long grounding of the tankers and safety concerns from top service officials. All aircraft under assembly are supposed to be swept routinely for debris. Loose objects are dangerous because they can cause damage over time. Related content: Roper, who visited Boeing's facilities in Washington state earlier this week, said he's satisfied with the company's containment plan going forward, which requires up to five sweeps of the aircraft to check for FOD. But it shouldn't take sweeps to make a plane safe, he said. "They should be clean on delivery. If we don't see progress, we'll have to raise the stakes." The Air Force received another Pegasus tanker from Boeing at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, on Monday, nearly three weeks after the service stopped deliveries, Air Mobility Command spokeswoman Rose Riley said in a statement. Roper told audiences Wednesday at the McAleese and Associates conference in Washington, D.C., that Boeing needs a culture change at its assembly-line facilities to improve their work. "I have big concerns about the FOD issue because that's simply adherence to process," he told reporters after his speech at the conference. "It has nothing to do with design; it has nothing to do with production. It's simply following processes that Boeing has on the books, and having a culture all the way down to the mechanic level that embraces them." Roper said he believes the company is improving, but he remains "concerned" and will be checking Boeing's progress for the foreseeable future. "We're going to be measuring as we go, and we expect to see many months of pristine airplanes [before] we'll say the culture is back. So for the next year or so, we're going to be monitoring month by month, saying, 'Is it getting better?'" he said during his speech. "I also left thinking Boeing understands they've got a severe situation that's going to take top-level engagement from their company," Roper added later. "They are committed to doing that." The FOD issue arose as the Air Force grapples with other problems with the aircraft. The service said in January said it would accept the tanker, based on the 767 airliner, despite the fact it has a number of deficiencies, mainly with its Remote Vision System. The RVS, which is made by Rockwell Collins and permits the in-flight operator to view the refueling system below the tanker, has been subject to frequent software glitches. The first tankers were delivered despite that problem. The systemic issue, which will require a software and hardware update, may take three to four years to fix. Roper said Wednesday that Air Force engineers with the 711th Human Performance Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, are testing technology solutions and imagery overlays that could help Boeing fix the visual interface. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. The U.S. Air Force has sent B-52 Stratofortress bombers to the United Kingdom for strategic missions in Europe, according to the service. A "bomber task force" arrived at RAF Fairford on Thursday from the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, U.S. Air Forces Europe-Africa (USAFE) said in a release. Up to six of the long-range bombers are expected to arrive before the weekend, a source told Military.com on background. It marks the largest deployment of one bomber platform to Europe since the command had nearly 20 bombers on the ramp at Fairford in 2003 for Operation Iraqi Freedom, the source said. The command has had a bomber rotation at least once a year as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. Related content: The Pentagon sent two B-2 Spirits and three B-52s to Europe that year for similar training events days after then-President Barack Obama announced he would increase the U.S. military presence in the region in what appeared to be a response to Russia's actions. Since then, the bomber variants -- including the B-1B Lancer -- have operated in European airspace alongside NATO allies. The latest deployment will test how the bombers can conduct missions out of Fairford, with the airfield acting as USAFE's forward operating location for the heavy aircraft, the release said. "The deployment also includes joint and allied training in the U.S. European Command theater to improve bomber interoperability," according to the release. "Training with joint partners, allied nations and other U.S. Air Force units contributes to our ready and postured forces and enables us to build enduring and strategic relationships necessary to confront a broad range of global challenges." USAFE did not disclose how long the bombers will remain in theater. Meanwhile, U.S. Strategic Command, which oversees strategic deterrence and global strike capabilities, including the B-52 mission, kicked off its annual command-and-control (C2) exercise this week to support EUCOM, officials said in a separate release. "Global Lightning 2019" is a battle staff exercise designed to train Defense Department forces "to integrate and synchronize efforts," in this case with EUCOM and other participating commands, the release states. The C2 exercise includes personnel from a variety of nations, including foreign liaison officers from Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, officials said. -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Defense Department officials have preached three goals for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) over the last several years of cost-cutting reforms: preserve shopper savings; reduce taxpayer support and reverse an alarming slide in sales, which have fallen 25 percent since peaking at more than $6 billion in 2012. In what might be seen as a stunning disregard for number three, to reverse the exodus of patrons, the Trump administration's fiscal 2020 defense budget asks Congress to slash funding for commissaries by $271 million, or 21 percent. If lawmakers agree, appropriated dollars on which stores still depend would fall to $995 million next year, a 30 percent cut overall over three years to a benefit still prized as a key element of military compensation -- grocery discounts. How can commissaries absorb a 21 percent funding cut in a single year? What impact will it have on store staffing, on operating hours and on the multiple initiatives underway to try to reverse plummeting sales on stateside bases? "DeCA has been preparing for these budget cuts since they were announced in 2013. We have been moving our business mindset from a cost center mentality where under execution is a bad thing, to a more profit and loss mindset where underexecution can help funding in the next year," the Defense Department said in response to questions about the budget-cutting proposal. "Changes to our business model, specifically, revenue generation, will play an important role in filling the gap to ensure we maintain current levels of service and the mandated levels of patron savings. It could be that Pentagon overseers of the benefit hope the funding cut will persuade Congress to rescue commissaries by accepting their plan to merge that taxpayer-funded system with the military's three profit-generating exchange services, creating a single more business-like resale enterprise. The contention must be that consolidation of headquarters and back store operations will, over time, produce efficiencies and cost savings to make up for what might be seen now as a reckless choke off of traditional funding. The other personnel-related highlights of the budget call for raising military pay next January by 3.1 percent to keep pace with private-sector wages and to cut 15,000 uniformed medical billets to free up slots for more "lethal" specialties. Last week, just days before the Trump administration unveiled its 2020 defense budget request, the retail executive who has led efforts to modernize commissaries since November 2017 agreed to discuss ongoing reforms. Retired Navy Rear Adm. Robert J. Bianchi is chief executive of the Navy Exchange Service Command (NexCom). But for the last 17 months, he also has run commissaries, first as interim director and more recently as special assistant for commissary operations to the acting assistant secretary of defense for manpower and reserve affairs. Under this administration, many top civilians in defense serve in an "acting" status, including as the defense secretary and his deputy. Bianchi discussed the steady sales slide and why ending it has been tough, despite many new initiatives to do so. He also reviewed progress in implementing congressionally backed reforms, such as introducing new DeCA-brand products, variably pricing some grocery items by region, and conducting more business-like negotiations with manufacturers over prices and competing for shelf space. In the first five months of fiscal 2019, compared to the same period a year ago, commissary sales fell 4.3 percent. The drop was nearly 5.5 percent at stateside stores where competition for shoppers is fiercer than at bases overseas. In a year-ago interview, Bianchi said four straight years of falling sales was alarming. It continues but, for various reasons, he said he is less alarmed now. "It's all about perspective," he said. What he faced in late 2017 were falling sales like a "runaway train," losing six percent in the year before he hopped aboard. The train is still headed downhill, he said, but he sees signs of it leveling out. "I do believe we've arrested the precipitous decline," Bianchi said. "I would offer to you the fact we ended 2018 at a four percent reduction," comforted that "it wasn't 8 percent or some other number, right? I feel like we sort of bottomed out a little bit changed the slope. And now we've got to start climbing back up hill, which obviously is literally hard for a train [and for] gaining sales back." One positive sign he found in January, compared to the same month in 2018, was a decline in store transactions of only .9 percent. That decline might have been narrowed more, or arrested entirely, except for unexpected "headwinds" the last several months from distributors in DeCA's supply chain. "I've had situations with some distributors where we have 50 percent fill rates coming out of their warehouses" for products that shoppers expected to find on commissary shelves and didn't. "My intent here is not to throw industry under the table because they're aware of this. I've had direct discussions with the CEO of SpartanNash and others," Bianchi said, referring to one major distributor. For more than a month, Bianchi said, the distribution center serving commissaries across southeastern states had delivered only "50, 60, 70 percent fill rates" to base stores. The timing couldnt have been worse. Bianchi has been pressuring store managers and vendor-paid stockers to ensure shelves are full. He even tested an alternative to vendor-paid stockers at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia, using teams of exchange employees. That has been successful, and Bianchi will expand the test to three commissaries in San Diego. But distribution problems remain. "I am struggling," he conceded. "My overall average right now for distribution is running in 85-89 percent fill rate. You do the math and say, 'Gee, that equates to maybe $50 million in [missed] sales.'" Bianchi reviewed numerous initiatives to lure shoppers back. One begun last June puts "YES" labels for "Your Everyday Savings" on 800 popular products priced aggressively against outside competitors. It's been "extremely successful," he said. "I'm not getting comments anymore that 'Your bananas are more expensive than at Kroger's' or wherever. So, while I'm trying to turn around the consumers' mindset, it hurts me when I don't have stuff on shelves that I can sell." Bianchi also has urged a focus on customer service. He introduced new convenience features such as bagger-less checkout stations and pre-packaged meals for busy families, and he is testing online ordering with curbside pick-up. He also led the effort, approved last year, to allow commissary employees to shop on base too. Falling sales have consequences, however. DeCA is cutting staff this year by an equivalent of 1,000 full-time employees, or seven percent of 14,000 workers. It's a "pretty big reduction," he said. "But I looked at our workforce versus sales, and we're out of whack." The DoD on Thursday attributed staff cuts this year to efficiency gains that helped "position us to absorb a portion of the cut. We will continue to right size our organization, to include the reduction of an additional 500 [full-time equivalent employees] in 2020, always ensuring that our stores will have the right number of people to deliver the expected level of service. The FY20 budget reduction will not result in any degradation of store operating hours or service levels, and we will continue to maintain the congressionally mandated market basket savings rate." In 2017, commissaries stopped selling products at cost plus a five percent surcharge as they had for decades. Defense leaders no longer felt it necessary to spend $1.4 billion annually to protect grocery discounts. Congress cut the subsidy to $1.27 billion this year. It would drop below $1 billion next year. Variable pricing and the introduction of DeCA brands were new authorities Bianchi was tasked to try for the first time to generate profits from commissary sales and use them to replace cuts to the annual appropriation. Prices on up to 10,000 commissary products now vary by region. But Bianchi conceded that generating profits from variable pricing remains a "bit of a challenge" when overall savings to patrons by law must be maintained at 23.7 percent. Stores also now sell more than 700 DeCA-brand items. So far, however, they account for only three percent, or $113 million, of total sales. Scanning data show heavy shoppers in particular favoring the lower prices of new commissary brands. "I think people have accepted it because we know they are buying [store brands] in other retail locations. So, I can offer it to them at a value that maybe it will keep them from going to a Walmart or somewhere else," Bianchi said. Here's something Bianchi didn't say but now seems obvious: As he continues to pull every lever he can dream up to reverse falling sales, the primary goal at the Pentagon continues to be to reduce funding for commissaries, whatever the risk. Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the location of the commissary stockers' test. It took place at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia. To comment, write Military Update, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA, 20120 or email milupdate@aol.com or twitter: Tom Philpott @Military_Update In the wake of a startling report from the organization Open the Books showing massive federal government expenditures in the final month of the fiscal year, troops everywhere want you to know that they deserve steak and lobster every once in a while. But the Defense Department spending problems highlighted in the report may have little to do with surf and turf dinners. The 32-page Open the Books report, published this month, showed the federal government as a whole spent an astounding $97 billion in September 2018 as the fiscal year was drawing to a close -- up 16 percent from the previous fiscal year and 39 percent from fiscal 2015. DoD spending accounted for $61.2 billion of that spending spree, awarding "use-it-or-lose-it" contracts and buying, among other things, $4.6 million worth of crab and lobster and a Wexford leather club chair costing more than $9,300. "This kind of waste has to stop. It's an insult to taxpayers," Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, tweeted, sharing a Fox Business story about the seafood buy. This kind of waste has to stop. It's an insult to taxpayers. https://t.co/o0Z9uAzaqp Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) March 12, 2019 Military veterans were quick to protest, however, saying the nice food is often used by military units to boost morale on grueling deployments or to soften the blow when bad news comes. "Surf & turf night was a regular thing even when I was in Iraq," tweeted Maximilian Uriarte, a former Marine Corps infantryman and creator of the popular comic strip Terminal Lance. "Feeding troops lobster a few times a year is not a waste of money." They did, surf & turf night was a regular thing even when I was in Iraq. Feeding troops lobster a few times a year is not a waste of money. https://t.co/m8eud7AO2U Maximilian Uriarte (@TLCplMax) March 13, 2019 Fred Wellman, a retired Army officer and the CEO of veteran-focused PR firm ScoutComms, also chimed in. "Nothing that ever beat the morale boost like steak and lobster night downrange. Period," he tweeted. "Taking care of the troops that you and your peers sent to war isn't 'waste.' Gutlessly letting the war go without supervision of the actual effort is! But no...let's take their good food." Nothing that ever beat the morale boost like steak and lobster night downrange. Period. Taking care of the troops that you and your peers sent to war isn't "waste". Gutlessly letting the war go without supervision of the actual effort is! But no...let's take their good food. https://t.co/In6qDa9xFn Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) March 13, 2019 Focusing on the lobster, though, misses the point on how the Pentagon's spending habits actually do troops a disservice, according to Mandy Smithberger, director of the Center for Defense Information at the Project on Government Oversight. "The lobster tail example captures one's imagination, but that's not where congressional oversight needs to focus," Smithberger told Military.com. "As you see spending go up, you see the amount of this use-it-or-lose-it spending going up as well, and that's really not to the good." She said the billions of expenditures demonstrated DoD efforts to "use money to paper over management problems." "None of our weapons systems are affordable and arriving on time; we can't take care of military housing," Smithberger said. "[There are] recruitment and retention problems; [the military] prioritizes procurement over training. As long as you keep having money thrown at these problems, people aren't making tough decisions." For the Pentagon, the biggest year-end expenditure was professional services and support, accounting for $9.6 billion of spending in September 2018. Then came fixed-wing aircraft, a buy of $8.6 billion. Other top spending items include IT and telecom hardware services and support, $4.7 billion; combat ships and landing vessels, $3.9 billion; and guided missiles, nearly $2 billion. More than the individual items and services purchased, the biggest problem may be the way the spending happens -- and the perverse incentives not to end up with leftover money at the end of the year, because it might negatively impact efforts to obtain funds the following year. "Congress is a lot of the problem," Smithberger said. "Appropriators look and see whatever is not spent, they take and use for their pet project." As the Pentagon budget request continues to balloon year after year, Smithberger said she'd like to see incentives to save money and a system that would keep planners from worrying about a loss of resources the following year. "If the department showed that it was able to save tens of billions of dollars, they would have a more credible case for the topline," she said. There's plenty of evidence, Smithberger said, that money alone doesn't solve or prevent institutional problems. For example, she said, the Navy was making big investments in shipbuilding when two guided-missile destroyers collided with commercial ships in separate deadly incidents within months of each other in 2017. While investigations did cite scarcity of resources, training was found to be a major shortfall contributing to the disasters. When it comes to defense spending, "it's a lot of hollow rhetoric and it's really costly when we decide to only express our support through appropriations and not through real decision-making and responsibility," she said. -- Hope Hodge Seck can be reached at hope.seck@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HopeSeck. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan took the case for a $750 billion defense budget to the Senate on Thursday, amid charges that the White House proposal is rife with spending "gimmicks" and controversial plans to build the southern border wall. The hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee might be an audition for Shanahan to get President Donald Trump's nomination as the permanent successor to former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who resigned the day after Trump announced the Syria withdrawal in December. "The president has a great deal of respect for Acting Defense Secretary Shanahan," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said at a briefing Monday after the budget rollout. "He likes him and, when the president is ready to make an announcement on that front, he certainly will." In his opening remarks at the hearing, Shanahan, a former long-time Boeing executive with no military background, said that the "undisputed driver" of the budget proposal is the need to counter Russia and China. Related content: However, he was immediately challenged from both sides of the aisle on the huge increase in the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) account, the diversion of military construction projects to fund the border wall, and the retirement of the carrier Harry S. Truman. Hours after the hearing, the Senate voted 59-41 to void Trump's proclamation of a national emergency at the border with a "motion of disapproval" that had already passed the house. The vote sets up a new scuffle with the White House; Trump has already threatened to veto the motion. The administration suffered another setback Wednesday in the 54-46 Senate vote to end U.S. military assistance to the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in the war in Yemen. "Every line of our FY2020 request is designed to implement" the National Defense Strategy of 2018 that focused on "near-peer competitors" such as Russia and China, Shanahan said in his prepared remarks. "Therefore, every dollar of it -- both in baseline funding and Overseas Contingency Operations -- is critical." The fiscal 2020 budget request includes $164 billion for OCO, sometimes called the "war budget" for funding the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. OCO funding in fiscal 2019 was $69 billion. The account is not subject to the spending caps of the Budget Control Act of 2011. In his testimony, Shanahan said the overall budget request reflects "difficult but necessary choices," while acknowledging that $98 billion of the $164 billion in the OCO request is not related to current conflicts. Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, the ranking member on the committee, said that what Shanahan is proposing amounts to "an egregious misuse of the OCO account." He said that "overloading" the OCO account by $98 billion "far exceeds any precedent and cannot be justified." Shanahan also was repeatedly challenged on the diversion of as much as $6.2 billion from military construction projects to the border wall. Shanahan said he had yet to receive a list of wall construction projects from the Department of Homeland Security and repeated previous assurances that none of the military construction projects that might be diverted or delayed would include military housing. After being pressed by Reed, Shanahan agreed to deliver a state-by-state list of the military construction projects that might be affected to the committee later Thursday. As with past budgets, the $750 billion defense budget proposal recommended by the White House and endorsed by the Pentagon will be debated and reshaped with major additions and subtractions by Congress, but the planned 3.1 percent pay raise for troops and retirees is almost certain to stay untouched going into an election year. The $750 billion for defense, part of Trump's overall $4.5 trillion budget proposal for fiscal 2020, which begins Oct. 1, includes $718 billion for the military and $32 billion for Department of Energy spending on nuclear weapons. The budget proposal is a $34 billion increase over the $716 billion in fiscal 2019. Shanahan was joined at the hearing by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford and Pentagon Comptroller David Norquist, who has also been serving as acting deputy defense secretary since Mattis' resignation. At the hearing's outset, Sen. James Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, the committee's chairman, questioned the plan to scrap the mid-life nuclear refueling of the carrier Truman and retire the ship. "It was a very difficult decision for us," Shanahan said, but added that the Navy plans to buy two-more of the new Ford-class carriers. "I'm still not happy with the results of that," Inhofe said. In his prepared remarks, Shanahan said, "China's organized approach to stealing foreign technology has allowed China to modernize its missile, space and cyber capabilities, as well as project power far beyond its borders." Russia, for its part, "continues to compete asymmetrically with the United States, modernizing and developing its own missile, space and cyber capabilities," Shanahan said. But the lawmakers repeatedly drew him back to the use of military construction funds to pay for the border wall. Trump originally demanded $5.7 billion for the wall but Congress, with Democrats now in control of the House, refused to come up with more than $1.375 billion for border security. The impasse led to the 35-day partial government shutdown. The president then issued an executive order declaring a national emergency at the border to seek more than $8 billion for the wall, partly from $3.6 billion in military construction projects already authorized and appropriated by Congress in the fiscal 2019 budget. In the proposal for the fiscal 2020 budget, the White House also requested a $9.2 billion emergency fund, which would go partly to hurricane damage at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, but would also include another $3.6 billion in deferred or delayed military construction projects for the border wall that Trump originally said would be paid for by Mexico. Shanahan pledged, "Military construction on the border will not come at the expense of our people, our readiness, or our modernization." He was challenged, however by several Democratic senators. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, called the wall a Trump "vanity project" and asked Shanahan whether he agreed with Air Force Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, commander of U.S. Northern Command, that the flood of asylum seekers at the southern border does not pose a military threat. "I agree with him," Shanahan said. Dunford added, "It's a security challenge, not a military threat." Shanahan said he sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security last month asking for a list of wall projects that the military could be expected to support. He said he expected a reply this week. Reed told Shanahan that for "an emergency, this seems to be a pretty casual approach to the issue." Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, questioned Shanahan on whether he has given any assurances to senators that military construction projects in their states would not be affected by funding for the border wall. Shanahan said he had not, but then Sen. Martha McSally, R-Arizona, said she had received assurances that four projects in Arizona would not be touched. King interjected: "How does that square with what he just told me?" There was no response from Shanahan. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. The Navy's 2020 budget has more ship-building funds than the service has seen in decades, but it also cuts money for the vessels that bring Marines to the fight. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller said Wednesday that he'll talk to members of Congress about the lack of funding for the warships and the effect that could have on national security. The National Defense Strategy makes it clear that Marines and sailors must be prepared to compete with China in the Asia-Pacific region, he said. "It's a maritime theater and ... we have a Marine Corps that comes from the sea," Neller said. "But we can't come from the sea if I don't have a way to get underway." The Navy budget scraps plans for a multiyear contract on the new LPD Flight II amphibious transport dock ships, set to replace the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships. Instead, the budget includes plans for one ship buy in 2021 and another in 2023. Related content: Marine leaders say they need 38 amphibious warfare ships to conduct operations around the world -- half a dozen more than the Navy has now. Pushing the amphibious ship buys back beyond the year 2024 will make it harder for the service to meet that mark. Neller said he plans to speak with the leaders of the House Armed Services seapower and projection forces subcommittee about the plans. But he added that he recognizes there are always competing requirements. The Navy's 2020 budget also includes plans to retire an aircraft carrier early, rather than paying to refuel its nuclear reactor core. The money saved would be used to pay for new technologies, Navy officials said this week, but the concept is already facing pushback from members of Congress. "I've always prided myself on being a member of the Joint Chiefs, but I'm also the commandant," Neller said. "... I've got to be able to make the case to move [up the timeline] or increase the number of amphibs -- that it's a better value for your dollar than buying something else." Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson told reporters this week the Navy will get to 36 amphibious ships, which is "pretty close to the requirement of 38." Neller said his service will work through the delays, and he's preparing to make the case for getting more amphibious ships to transport Marines around the world. "I'm willing, at the appropriate time, to express my opinion on that," Neller said. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. In the near future, an Air Force pilot's wingman could be flown by artificial intelligence. The two might fly side-by-side in a highly contested war zone -- and the AI aircraft not only takes the lead, it begins making choices. Does it fire missiles or drop bombs ahead of its fighter counterpart? Probably, because the human response has a lag time, unlike a machine that can detect and react immediately, if necessary. It sounds very much like the Air Force's proposed Loyal Wingman program. But the service wants to take the concept even further, with an AI plane that trains with its pilot, acting as a sidekick. In short, it's R2-D2 from "Star Wars" in an aircraft of its very own. The Air Force foresees training generations of AIs and pilots together. Welcome to Skyborg, an Air Force Research Lab program aimed at pairing AI with a human in the cockpit so the machine can learn how to fly, according to Dr. Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. Skyborg for now is all about developing the AI itself. But Roper said the lab plans to experiment with putting it in BQM target drone variations; the XQ-58A Valkyrie, which the service just flew as a long-range, high subsonic unmanned aerial vehicle; and QF-16 converted unmanned fighters. Related content: The AI could graduate and be imported into a manned aircraft someday, he said. That could include the pilot talking to it, much like Amazon's Alexa or Apple's Siri. "I might eventually decide, 'I want that AI in my own cockpit,'" Roper said during a gaggle with reporters Wednesday at a conference sponsored by McAleese and Associates and Credit Suisse in Washington, D.C. "So if something happened immediately, [the AI] could take hold, make choices in a way that [a pilot would] know because [a pilot has] trained with it." The Air Force plans to have "real operational demonstrations" of Skyborg in the next few years. The money has already been allocated from past budgets for experimental testing, Roper said. The service is also relying on partnerships with universities to develop the AI. Roper downplayed questions that the AI might ever be fully autonomous, bypassing the human completely. It will just study how a human senses, responds, thinks and decides in order to learn, he said. "I'm not a proponent of that future where everything is turned over to AI because machine learning right now is just a bunch of data connected and the ability to process through those 'neuronets' quickly enough to map an event that you're seeing in the historical database," he said. Once operational in the battlespace, the AI could collect hours of data -- exposing it to new information and opportunities to learn. Roper explained this is how the AI establishes a learning curve to get ahead of an adversary, and it will pass down its "thinking" mechanisms to future fleets of aircraft. "Imagine having trained person after person, generation after generation what if, once you get on the curve, what if it's exponential? And whoever gets on it first has an advantage forever?" he said. "I don't want China on that curve, I want us on that curve, and us accelerating ahead of the pack." The Air Force is also exploring how the AI shares knowledge. For example, if the service puts the AI into a QF-16, can it operate only on that model? "Learning is taking place on one platform to be shared across a fleet of those platforms [but] you may want to share that across the entire Air Force," Roper said. "I would love to have an Air Force that did that." He said the technology may even make its way into Air Education and Training Command's Pilot Training Next program, a first-of-its-kind study testing the ability of students to learn faster and absorb more through cutting-edge technology aids and simulations. "Young pilots don't view this as competing [with] a human pilot, they view this as something that will make a human pilot a more exciting job to have," Roper said. "And our young pilots in the Pilot Training Next program are super excited about training an AI pilot." He added, "I'd like to get it in a simulator so that it can fly with our pilots and against our pilots." Roper does question how much autonomy is too much. Based on the AI's response, that's "how we'll know how much we trust, and how much [responsibility] we're willing to turn over to it," he said. "That technology moves so quickly and the technology will be changing faster than the [ethical] policy will ever be able to keep up." And people may be skeptical. A "smart" robot scrubbing paint off an old airplane is one thing. But putting AI into a combat operational airplane is another, Roper said. "We're finding it tougher to get into new programs, so what we're doing is studying AI into existing programs and hoping this will force us to determine, 'How do we use this technology?'" Roper said the system could go on expendable aircraft, a program the Air Force is studying for future use. "It starts by getting AI in the operators' hands," he said. "Believe me, this will be cool and awesome, and I hope I'm in this job to see it happen. "You can't spell Air Force without A [and] I," Roper added. "It's going to make being a pilot more exciting." -- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 The Twins have already extended a pair of young players this winter, inking both Max Kepler (five years, $35MM) and Jorge Polanco (five years, $25.75MM) to long-term deals, and they at least made an attempt to hammer out a long-term arrangement with Jose Berrios as well. The young righty tells Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he and his representatives at Wasserman turned away an extension offer this winter. Berrios, however, didnt rule out signing a contract that would extend his stay in Minnesota perhaps even before Opening Day 2019. I have to manage my business, too, said the 24-year-old. Were waiting for the best for both sides. If it doesnt happen this year, maybe next year. Miller lists the recent extensions signed by Aaron Nola (four years, $45MM) and Luis Severino (four years, $40MM) as data points, though its not clear that Berrios camp is seeking that type of guarantee. Furthermore, Severino was a Super Two player when he signed that deal, and Nola was had already reached three years of MLB service. Both players were already eligible for arbitration and were in line for salaries of at least $4.4MM for the coming season, whereas Berrios has two years, 44 days of MLB service and wont be eligible for arbitration until next winter. As such, signing a comparable contract to either Nola or Severino would set a new precedent for the two-to-three service class. As MLBTRs Tim Dierkes explored when looking at a potential extension for the Rockies Kyle Freeland, Berrios finds himself among a group of quality players with two-plus years of service who still seem likely to fall shy of record-setting money. Corey Klubers $38.5MM extension, signed on the heels of a Cy Young season, is the largest ever for a non-Super-Two pitcher with between two and three years of MLB service. Berrios case, clearly, isnt as strong; historically speaking, hes more in line with a large group of starters who signed in the realm of $30MM over five years (though many of those contracts are close to a decade old). Its worth emphasizing, of course, that Berrios asking price and the parameters put forth by the Twins earlier this winter arent known. Berrios had an awful rookie campaign as a 22-year-old but has since settled in as very solid big league starter one whose raw stuff and former prospect pedigree create optimism that theres still a fair bit of improvement left in the tank. Dating back to 2017, the Puerto Rican-born righty has worked to a 3.86 ERA with 9.1 K/9, 2.9 BB/9, 1.06 HR/9 and a 40 percent ground-ball rate in 338 innings. Hell take the hill for Minnesota in his first career Opening Day start this season as the Twins hope the long touted right-hander can take another step forward and keep them in competition for a division title in the AL Central. If Berrios is able to do that, hell vault himself into another tier of earning potential. At that point, hed line up more comparably with Nolas $45MM guarantee or the $51MM guarantee attained by the Cardinals Carlos Martinez, the latter of which stands out as the largest deal ever promised to a pitcher with between three and four years of MLB service (as can be seen in MLBTRs Extension Tracker). For the time being, Millers colleague La Velle E. Neal III reports (via Twitter) that Berrios agreed to a one-year contract worth $620K for the upcoming season his final pre-arbitration salary before at least entering the arb process next winter. Minnesota controls Berrios through the 2022 campaign. YPSILANTI, MI -- Nearly a year after Ypsilanti City Council asked state police to review the legality of a 12-day, developer-funded trip to China for city officials, a conclusion doesnt seem near. State Police Lt. Darren Green on Tuesday, March 12 said detectives still have boxes of documents to review and interviews to conduct, and theyll need a Chinese translator in order to complete the investigation. The probe revolves around a proposed Ypsilanti development dubbed International Village, pitched as a 36-acre, $300-million commercial and residential development with a Chinese architectural theme. It was never built. Developer Amy Xue Foster of Global Capital Finance first pitched the project to Ypsilantis former Economic Development Director Beth Ernat in January 2017. City Council in May 2017 unanimously approved the drafting of a purchase order to sell city-owned land to the developer. With a stated purpose of learning more about Chinese culture for the benefit of the development, Ernat, who left city government after her contract wasnt renewed last year, Mayor Amanda Edmonds, who decided not to run for reelection amid the controversy, City Council member Nicole Brown and Police Chief Tony DeGiusti took a trip to China from Sept. 21 to Oct. 3 in 2017. Estimated to have cost up to $40,000, including food, lodging and airfare, financing of the trip was determined to have come from the developer, possibly in violation of ethics rules and state law. Prior to the trip, City Manager Darwin McClary, who was ousted from his job last week, notified council members himself and through the city attorney that it would be illegal and unethical for the developer to cover the cost of the China trip. Amid public criticism following the China trip, Ypsilanti City Council in November 2017 unanimously voted to hire Farmington Hills-based Plato Law Firm to conduct an independent review of the financing. The findings revealed Ernat accepted a jade bracelet as a gift from Foster, which she kept visible in her office, and failed to return it, even after being told to do so, stating that its considered bad etiquette to return gifts in the Chinese culture. The report also revealed suspicious financial transactions that might have been made with the purpose of concealing the true source of the China trip money, which was presented as an educational and cultural scholarship from the Wayne State University Chinese Student and Scholar Association. The funds for the alleged scholarship check were deposited by people connected to the developer, Plato Law Firm determined through a review of bank records, interviews and bank surveillance videos. Edmonds argued last year the she and her staff were simply misled about the source of funding for the trip, denying any wrongdoing. Attorney Edward D. Plato in April 2018 signed a summary of findings recommending the case be turned over to authorities for potential charges of misconduct in office, a misdemeanor punishable by up a year in jail. Based on the findings, City Council voted 4-1 on April 17, 2018, to forward the Plato Law Firm findings to Michigan State Police for further investigation. The sole no vote came from Council member Lois Richardson, who argued the investigation was incomplete. There was no evidence of any unethical conduct or breach of any fiduciary duty committed by City Manager McClary, Police Chief DeGiusti or Councilwoman Brown, the report said. State police have not said when they expect their investigation into the China Trip to be completed. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports that officers seized nearly 10 pounds of methamphetamine off of a Canadian man crossing 7 a.m. Wednesday, March 13 at the Blue Water Bridge. According to a Thursday news release from the federal agency, driver Constantine Xethalis and a passenger were unable to provide proof of citizenship to the border agents in Port Huron. The two were ordered to receive a secondary inspection, which is where CBP officers found a bag containing nearly ten pounds of methamphetamine in tablet form. Related: Border agents seize more than 1,600 pounds of pot at Michigan-Canada bridge A sample of the tablets was sent to the Oakland County Laboratory for examination, which then determined that the tablets contained meth. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan is prosecuting the case, as Xethalis is being charged with importation of a controlled substance and possession with intent to distribute controlled substance. "This is a perfect example of the type of activities that CBP sees every day at Ports of Entry around the United States, Michael Fox, the ports director, said in a news release. Our officers here in Port Huron are true professionals and can be proud today knowing they stopped ten pounds of drugs from making it to the streets of America. Related: Nearly 300 pounds of cocaine found in berry shipment headed for Canada Coming off of the 2018 election, House Democratic Leader Christine Greig noticed a major theme on the campaign trail - whether they were concerned about the state of Michigans roads, education or healthcare, the people she talked to wanted meaningful legislative action to change the current landscape. Now that Michigan is in a divided government, getting major public policy through the Republican legislature and approved by a Democratic governor could be even harder than in recent sessions. But Greig is hopeful going in with a solution-oriented mindset can help state officials make inroads on complicated, controversial issues. We have a decision to make - do we want to work together and get things done, or do we want to just fight for two years? Greig said. And I think its clear going into this that were choosing to get things done together. Greig, of Farmington Hills, is currently in her third term as a state representative. Prior to her time in the legislature, she co-owned Fulcrum Computer Services and served on several boards, including the Farmington/Farmington Hills Education Foundation and the Farmington Area PTA Council. Greig is leading a 52-member Democratic caucus in the Michigan House of Representatives - many of whom are serving their first-ever terms in state government. She said one of her priorities has been learning about the passions of individual members and directing their excitement towards specific policy priorities and legislation. We have some that are just phenomenal organizers, some that are phenomenal communicators, some that have certain topic areas like the environment or appropriations, she said. Its about harnessing the talent of the members and I think when you do that, it only pays dividends down the road when it comes to legislation." House Democrats count strengthening public education by getting better and more focused resources into classrooms, coming up with a long-term road funding fix and making sure Michigan residents access to health care is protected and affordable, Greig said. She agrees with House Speaker Lee Chatfields sentiment that making Michigan an example for the rest of the country by showing Republicans and Democrats can accomplish things, but noted there havent been many major bills up for a vote in the legislature yet. Greig is encouraged by the current dialogue between the four legislative leaders and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, adding the governors past experience as a lawmaker gives her perspective on how to bring a thoughtful approach to legislative conversations. She said she considers herself pretty well-aligned with the governor where priorities are concerned. We were side by side out on the campaign trail too, and we were talking and hearing the same priorities from the voters in the state of Michigan, she said. When we get in the details, maybe well have different approaches or timing of how to roll things out. Greig said she is hopeful having a Democrat in the governors office will prevent what she characterized as constant attacks on labor in recent years, specifically referencing lame duck actions to significantly amend a citizen-initiated law to raise the minimum wage. House and Senate Democrats introduced legislation this session to undo legislative amendments to the law, although legislative Republicans have expressed no interest in reverting those changes. On issues like roads and auto insurance, Greig said buy-in from Democrats and Republicans is crucial to coming up with policies the majority of Michigan residents are comfortable with. Shes encouraged by initial efforts in the legislature to hear from all sides of the auto insurance issue instead of letting a specific bill drive the conversation. Whats different this time is that because we had one-party control, there was an attempt to have a single-party solution, she said. Greig said the ultimate test of whether bipartisan overtures will translate into effective government is whether the Legislature and Governor can continue the pattern of agreeing to a budget ahead of schedule. During former Gov. Rick Snyders tenure - when Republicans were in charge of both the administration and the two legislative chambers - the states budget was signed into law ahead of the deadline. Whitmer has released her budget plan with a 45-cent proposed gas tax increase to raise funds for Michigan roads, bridges and other crumbling infrastructure, although Republican legislative leaders have called the idea as written a nonstarter. Im hopeful that well follow the tradition - to his credit, Governor Snyder did get budgets done, Greig said. If we really want to be an example to the rest of the country, then lets have that budget done the same time we did when it was a one-party control. The charity run by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is giving the state of Michigan $10 million to address the opioid crisis. Billionaire philanthropist Bloomberg appeared Thursday with Governor Gretchen Whitmer at the City of Eastpointe Fire Department near Detroit. Firefighters there told them they save more people from drug overdoses than from burning buildings. The $10 million gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies is a piece of its $50 million nationwide initiative, which will fund drug intervention efforts in 10 states in the next three years. The charity selected Michigan and Pennsylvania to be the recipients of the first round of funding. The opioid crisis is a national emergency that calls for bold leadership and big ideas. Governor Whitmer is committed to reversing the epidemic, and our goal is to support her administration with resources and expertise that can help them save more lives, Bloomberg said in a statement. We hope our work in places like Michigan and Pennsylvania spares more families the heartbreak of losing a loved one to opioid addiction or overdose. And by showing that progress is possible, we can create a model for action that other states and organizations can follow. In Michigan, the money will be used to expand existing efforts like extending medication for opioid use disorder to prisons and jails, distributing more naloxone -- the overdose revival drug also known as Narcan -- and speeding up data collection. Bloomberg said Michigan was chosen to receive the funding because of Whitmers leadership on the issue. In Michigan, the number of drug overdose deaths rose by 14 percent from 2,335 deaths in 2016 to 2,694 deaths in 2017 -- of which opioids were responsible more than 75 percent of the time. Michigan ranks as the state with the 14th highest death rate from drug overdoses in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pennsylvania has the third-highest death rate from drug overdose. The opioid epidemic is one of the greatest health crises of our lifetime, and we need to marshal all forces necessary to fight back, Whitmer said in a statement. The opioid crisis affects nearly every county in Michigan. These funds will help our state advance a comprehensive plan and implement critical interventions that can make the biggest impact to reduce overdose deaths. Bloomberg, who last ran for mayor as an independent, previously helped Michigans former Republican Governor Rick Snyder with his re-election campaign in 2014 by paying for TV ads and hosting a fundraiser. Bloomberg also took Snyder out-of-state on a tour in 2015, fueling speculation that Snyder was being eyed as a presidential candidate for 2016. Bloombergs political allegiances in Michigan have been across the aisle. He endorsed Democrat Gary Peters during his campaign for U.S. Senate. Bloomberg -- who at 77 is one of the richest men in the world -- announced this month that he wont be joining a crowded field of Democratic candidates seeking the presidency in 2020. TAYLOR, MI Flipping the bird can have consequences, but not when its directed at law enforcement. Thats the opinion of a federal appeals court that ruled Wednesday that a Michigan woman's constitutional rights were violated when she was handed a speeding ticket after giving the finger to a suburban Detroit officer in 2017. According to the Associated Press, the court ruled in a 3-0 decision that Taylor police officer Matthew Minard should have known better even if the driver, Debra Cruise-Gulyas, was rude. Minard stopped Cruise-Gulyas and wrote her a ticket for a lesser violation. But when that stop was over, Cruise-Gulyas raised her middle finger, according to the Associated Press. Minard pulled her over again in response and changed the ticket to a more serious speeding offense. Cruise-Gulyas sued, saying her free-speech rights and her rights against unreasonable seizure were violated. The court ruling means her lawsuit will proceed. PARADISE, MI - Law enforcement from several agencies worked together early Thursday to rescue a 5-year-old boy from the ice on Lake Superior after two alleged child abductors - including a convicted sex offender on parole whod cut off his GPS tether - took the child from a home near Whitefish Bay, prompting a statewide Amber Alert. The two men had taken the boy about two miles out onto the ice and were headed for Canada when police and DNR officers on snowmobiles tracked them down and arrested them around 1 a.m. today. The young boy was reportedly unharmed and was taken to a local hospital. The suspects have been identified as George Stephen Cunningham, 53, and Jon Scott Stygler, 68, according to police and WLUC. They have been charged with kidnapping, assault, home invasion, and child endangerment. Other charges are possible. Cunningham was out on parole and had cut off his GPS tether, police said. According to the television station, Cunningham was convicted in Ohio in 2015 of gross sexual imposition with a victim under 13. The boy abducted is Cunninghams biological son, police said today. Authorities say the two suspects were armed with knives, chemical spray and other weapons when they went into the home in Paradise. They reportedly used zip-ties and chemical spray to immobilize two adults and four other children in that home before taking the 5-year-old, WLUC reported. In the hours before the mens capture, Chippewa County Sheriffs staff sent out frequent updates on the situation via social media. They shared the suspects photos and descriptions of the camouflage truck with a canoe on the top that the suspects had driven down Whitefish Point Road - a dead-end area. Police warned neighbors in that area that the suspects were armed and dangerous, and might be looking for a place to hide since their access via a road was cut off. The incident began about 7 p.m. Wednesday when the boy was abducted from a home in Paradise. Once police knew who they were looking for, they alerted residents. We are warning the residents in that area to be cautious for anyone approaching their residence, sheriffs officials said on social media just before 11 p.m., asking people to call 911 with tips. The suspects are ARMED AND DANGEROUS. It is believed the suspects are somewhat trapped on the Whitefish Pt rd as there is no outlet this time of year. Just before midnight, police let people know that theyd identified Cunningham as a suspect. Deputy Sheriffs have the truck and owner information. One of the suspects appears to be on Parole and has cut his gps Tether. Again, we want to warn the residents in the area that these two suspects are Armed and Dangerous. We have found witnesses that has seen the suspect vehicle on Whitefish Pt Rd since this incident. It is possible the suspects are looking for a place to hide. Residents in the area remained on high alert. Many connected on Facebook and other social media platforms, talking about what theyd seen on that road or what they were hearing on the police scanner. When the good news came that the child had been found, people celebrated the news online. At 1:14 a.m. today, sheriffs officials announced the boy was safe and the two suspects were in custody. After several hours of searching it was found the suspects took the child to a residence on Whitefish Bay off of Whitefish Pt Rd.," Chippewa Sheriffs officials posted online. "Suspects then fled the residence with the abducted child out onto the ice. Officers followed the tracks which lead them to the suspects. "BIG THANK YOU to all the LE agencies who assisted.Mi DNR, MSP, and the Whitefish Twp EMS thank you. Thank you to all of the Chippewa Co Sheriffs who worked diligently on this. PRAYERS ANSWERED!!!! Sheriff Michael D. Bitnar sent out a more heartfelt note later to all involved: I would like to personally thank all the LE Officers involved in tonights child abduction. I love to see all the police agencies working together. This is what it is all about. Volkswagen is expected to cut between 5,000 and 7,000 jobs from its workforce by 2023 as the automaker further turns to automation. The German automaker said Wednesday, March 13 that it will cut the positions by not hiring replacements for those who retire. VW reportedly said that this will most likely allow it to restructure along the demographic curve. The automaker estimates that about 11,000 of its employees will be of retirement age in the next few years. Volkswagen adds that it will create about 2,000 jobs in its technical development department, and that it has given its workforce a job security guarantee through 2025. Related: Ford, Volkswagen to build trucks, vans for each other in strategic alliance German newspaper Handelsblatt reports the automaker says the move will mainly affect administration workers in Germany as it frees up $9 billion for research and development. Volkswagen made this announcement, along with a series of others as it recapped 2019 and looked to the future on Wednesday. Nonstaff overheads and personnel requirements in administration are to be cut by 15 percent each," the automaker says in a statement. "The focus is increasingly moving towards the digital transformation. Implementation of a digitalization roadmap is designed to prepare employees for the digital world of work. On Wednesday, the automaker also announced it plans to introduce about 70 new electric models by 2028 and that it plans to build 22 million electric vehicles in the next decade. Its important to note that the automaker increased its planned new electric vehicles from 50 to 70 by 2028. Volkswagen CEO Dr. Herbert Diess said that the automaker will change radically as it takes responsibility with regard to key trends of the future -- particularly in connection with climate projection. Related: Volkswagen to invest $800M, create 1,000 jobs at U.S. plant for electric vehicle development We will significantly step up the pace of our transformation so as to make Volkswagen fit for the electric and digital era. Volkswagen is to become more efficient and agile and a more attractive and modern employer, especially in administration, Ralf Brandstatter, Chief Operating Officer of the VW brand, said in a statement. We will significantly step up the pace of our transformation so as to make our company fit for the electric and digital era." You missed our Annual Press Conference yesterday? No problem! We have a four minute summary for you https://t.co/5Su0KBeU1V Volkswagen Group (@VWGroup) March 13, 2019 The automaker says it is targeting to be fully CO2-neutral by 2050 with a three-step plan. First, VW will find an effective and sustainable way to reduce CO2, and then switch to renewable energy for power sources. In the last step, VW says it will attempt to compensate for any remaining remissions that cannot be avoided. Related: Ford, BMW, Daimler, VW team up to add 400 charging stations in Europe by 2020 We will be systematically aligning production and other stages in the value chain to CO2 neutrality in the coming years, Diess said in a statement. "That is how we will be making our contribution towards limiting global warming. Volkswagen is seeking to provide individual mobility for millions of people for years to come -- individual mobility that is safer, cleaner and fully connected. In order to shoulder the investments needed for the electric offensive we must make further improvements in efficiency and performance in all areas. ANN ARBOR, MI - Carl Calfin bought his first two rental properties in 1969 with down payments of $500 a piece. Fifty years later, his portfolio has grown to 17 Ann Arbor properties with more than 400 student rental units. At its largest in the early 2000s, his companyAnn Arbor Apartments, formerly called CMB Managementmanaged about 700 rental units. When Calfin bought Geddes Hill Apartments in 1989, rent for a four-person unit was $895. Today, that unit goes for $2,600. The cost of housing in Ann Arbor has increased exponentially over the years, and Calfin, 80, doesnt see the rental market cooling off anytime soon. As long as the University of Michigan continues to grow enrollment and people continue to find Ann Arbor an attractive place to work and live, there will be demand for more housing, he said. Here were getting this constant influx to Ann Arbor, so the rental market bodes well, Calfin said. Ann Arbor has this unique bubble around it. Its an economic bubble, its a social bubble. Luxury high-rises have dramatically changed Ann Arbors student housing market in recent years, he said. He thinks that segment of the market could become oversaturated, because not every student can afford or is seeking that type of housing. They brought a level of pricing thats unheard of, Calfin said. It really added expense to the student body. If they dont know different, they pay it. Rent at one of the downtown student high-rises that opened last fall is $1,225 per person for a standard room in a five-bedroom apartment. A studio apartment is $2,059 a month. Calfin doesnt see his propertieswhich are older and more modestly pricedas being in competition with the high-rises. With less overhead, due to property tax caps and not needing to cover new construction costs, he can afford to charge less for rent than Ann Arbors newer student housing. Geddes Hill Apartments, 1700 Geddes Ave., is Ann Arbor Apartments most affordable property, with rent, including utilities, starting at $650 per person. On the other end of the spectrum, the apartments at 406 Packard St. cost as much as $1,700 for a one-bedroom apartment, and a four-bedroom house on Miller Road rents for $2,850 a month. All of Ann Arbor Apartments properties are at 100 percent occupancy, Calfin said, and students typically begin signing leases in November for housing the following academic year. Still, more people are being priced out of Ann Arbor, he said, and he expects to see more communal living as a result. Someone needing (to pay) $600 a month or $800 a month, they need a roommate, he said. Originally from Detroit, Calfin moved to Ann Arbor to enroll in UMs dental school, where he graduated in 1964. He ran a dental practice until 1986, when he decided to focus on property management full time. Calfin found an emphasis on customer service and commitment to a high standard of ethics applied to both dentistry and property managementbut theres less saliva in property management, he joked. Calfin wasnt satisfied with the level of service provided by other people managing his first rental properties so in 1992, he formed CMB Management, which is still a family-owned company. It was very rewardingfinancially as well as spiritually, he said. Youre giving, youre taking care of (people), youre interacting, youre with family. Care and service and basically treatment like a family is the most important amenity. Many of Calfins relatives and people who have worked at CMB Management for decades remain among Ann Arbor Apartments approximately 20 employees. Norm Calfin, Ann Arbor Apartments marketing director and Carls brother, noted Carls commitment to supporting the UM students who live at his properties. He gave $10,000 this year to scholarships for UM students, and Ann Arbor Apartments holds monthly raffles to award a $2,500 scholarship to a resident. ANN ARBOR, MI - Trevor Brownlee was never meant to step outside the Macomb Correctional Facility as a free man. But he did, in September 2018, at the conclusion of a decadeslong war in the U.S. court system. At its crux was the idea of justice, and how it was served to juveniles sentenced to life in prison without a chance at parole. Brownlee learned his sentence in 1990 on an August day in a Washtenaw County courtroom. He'd fatally shot 16-year-old Robert Gilbert the year prior during a turf war while on probation. Brownlee had "no likelihood, whatsoever" of successful rehabilitation, the judge said at the time. But, in 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court determined Brownlee, and the 1,000 to 2,000 other juvenile lifers across the country, deserved a shot at proving otherwise. The death penalty was never on the table for the estimated 370 juvenile lifers in Michigan, which houses the second highest number in the country. The state became the first to abolish capital punishment in 1847. Brownlee, however, fell subject to inflexible sentencing laws against juveniles convicted of murder. At the time of his sentence, Michigan judges could send convicted killers ages 15 to 17 to either mandatory life in prison or to a juvenile facility for release no later than 21. In 1997, laws were toughened further to allow mandatory life sentences for even younger convicted killers. But in the years that followed, the approach started to change across the country. The U.S. Supreme Court in 2005 decided against the death penalty for juveniles 17 and younger and, in 2010, it found they couldn't be sentenced to life without parole in non-homicide cases. There are special difficulties encountered by counsel in juvenile representation, given juveniles impulsiveness, difficulty thinking in terms of long-term benefits, and reluctance to trust adults," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the 2010 majority opinion. Those concerns played into 2012 and 2016 high court rulings that ultimately granted a new shot at freedom for juvenile lifers like Brownlee. The first ruling, Miller v. Alabama, found in a 5-4 decision that mandatory life sentences without parole were cruel and unusual for juveniles, except in rare cases where rehabilitation isn't possible. The mandated nature prevented consideration of "a juveniles `lessened culpability and greater `capacity for change ... and runs afoul of our cases requirement of individualized sentencing for defendants facing the most serious penalties," Justice Elena Kagan wrote in the opinion. Then-Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette fought against making the 2012 ruling retroactive, citing the re-traumatization of victims families. However, in 2016, the court ruled 6-3 in Montgomery v. Louisiana in favor of lifers like Brownlee. Released at 44 last year, Brownlee now makes a living in Genesee County working at a plastics factory. Still, it hasn't been all smooth sailing for juvenile lifers since the Supreme Court rulings. Both the state and courts struggled to decide how to apply the decision. And prosecutors in many cases sought to have life sentences reaffirmed. That's happened for at least seven juvenile lifers deemed killers beyond rehabilitation, according to data provided by the Michigan Department of Corrections. Others have been resentenced to terms of years, including about 70 already released on parole. That includes Brownlee. Though the war may be over for him, others are still fighting. An estimated 219 juvenile lifers remain in legal purgatory, awaiting the decision of judges, their fates again in the hands of the U.S. court system. FLINT, MI-- Flint police have reassigned a police officer they say could be put to better use than mediating squabbles between city council members. The news broke to 9th Ward Councilwoman Eva Worthing during a March 11 Flint City Council meeting. She was disappointed the Flint Police Department feels a police presence is no longer necessary at council meetings. It felt like a slap in the face. Its not just protection for me or anyone else on council, its protection for those who come to the council meetings, Worthing said. There have been times where residents have yelled back and forth at each other. I will be pursuing other avenues if the Flint police do not want to protect council as they would the mayor. Flint Police Detective Sgt. Tyrone Booth said the officer serving in the role has been shifted to the new child protection task force. Two officers from the departments Crime Area Target Team are also being shifted onto the task force. Moving the officer from the council gatherings came after an evaluation of where resources could best be utilized, Booth noted. There was a need we found in putting together a task force to address crimes against children because of that escalation," he said. Booth noted the officer was originally placed at the council meetings during the height of the water crisis and citizens were angry. The policy of smart policing (informed us to) put an officer there to deter any crimes, he said. Booth noted there were no encounters between police and residents from while the officer was present. The same cant be said about unruly council members, however. Booth said theres been a shift in the officers responsibilities to intervening between council members. That officer is not there to protect council member from council membernot there to mediate," Booth said. "They want that security not because they think security is going to go in there to do something. hey could not hear because they were talking over each other. That is not a criminal matter and that is not a place where police should be involved. First Ward Councilman, Eric Mays, said he believes there are more important places police can be. If a police officer was in council they should be ready to go wherever theyre needed at any given time, Mays said. But I do see in some cases the need for a police officer to help people, not so much for councilpersons but to protect the public as well. Sometimes emotions get high... During the water crisis we had residents coming in with open carry ... Thats an issue. Mays has been removed from council meetings in the past by police, most recently on Jan. 23. If an incident were to arise at a council meeting where police were needed, Booth said the councilmember may call 911 and the situation would be handled appropriately. They will not sit in a city council meeting for six hours, he said of the departments officers. Booth said the elongated disputes between council members comes down to respecting one another and thats not happening." He hopes that the governing body would see the value in using the officer to protect the citys vulnerable citizens via the task force. We have asked time and time again for support to hire more officers. You can only do so much with a certain number and then at that point it becomes a chess game, he noted. The number one objective is to provide better service to the citizens of Flint and this move does exactly that. UPDATE: On Friday, March 15, Spectrum Health announced that Liz Worthey is no longer coming to West Michigan. A hospital spokesperson declined to provide a reason, calling it an HR matter. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Grand Rapids Medical Mile is moving closer to becoming a destination for DNA diagnostics and treatments of rare diseases thanks to the addition of an internationally renowned genomics scientist. Liz Worthey, a faculty investigator at the Huntsville, Alabama-based HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, has accepted the position of associate professor and director of rare disease and population genomics at Michigan State Universitys College of Human Medicine. Additionally, she accepted research appointments at Spectrum Health, Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital and the Van Andel Institute. Wortheys expertise is in rare diseases and understanding the nature of the mutations which cause them, according to Peter Jones, chief scientific officer for the Van Andel Institute. Jones called her the glue in strengthening the connection between the Grand Rapids medical institutions, thus increasing future collaboration. Dr. Worthey brings a wealth of world-class big data expertise to Grand Rapids, which will catalyze collaboration and innovation along the Medical Mile, Jones said. "She is an outstanding scientist who bridges the realms of research and medicine in novel ways, immediately elevating our ability to transform human health in West Michigan and beyond. Worthey comes from HudsonAlpha in Alabama, where she serves as director of software development and informatics, and director of informatics of HudsonAlphas Clinical Services Lab. Since her start at HudsonAlpha in 2015, she and her team have developed tools used to identify and interpret molecular variation in diagnosing patients with rare or undiagnosed diseases, and to assist with selecting, defining and developing treatments. Genomics and precision medicine represent the new frontier in health care and were thrilled to welcome Dr. Worthey to West Michigan to advance our work in this area, said Spectrum Health President and CEO Tina Freese Decker, in a press release. Were also excited that our partnership with MSU College of Human Medicine and Van Andel Institute has resulted in bringing Dr. Worthey to Grand Rapids. Her expertise in rare diseases offers the potential of new answers and more hope for the children and families we serve. Worthey has served as an adjunct associate professor at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, and is an honorary fellow in the department of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. She earned her doctorate in genetics from the Department of Clinical Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College in London, and a postgraduate diploma in quantitative genetics from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Two deaths that police are calling suspicious happened in the home of a woman described as a prayer leader in her Southeast Grand Rapids neighborhood. The woman, Jacquline Baber-Bey, was not home when the deaths occurred. She arrived at the scene Wednesday afternoon to find her home, in the 500 block of Sheldon Avenue SE, surrounded by police tape with detectives combing areas both inside and outside. Police several hours later asked for the publics help to find a person-of-interest, identified as 45-year-old Derrell Demon Brown. Brown is wanted for multiple unrelated warrants and should be considered dangerous, police said. Officers responded to the home about 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 13 after someone called 911 from inside the residence. Police did not identify the caller. Baber-Bey stood along a nearby sidewalk, comforted by family and friends, as police processed the scene for hours. She prayed with others at times. Police finally removed the police tape about 9 p.m. Christy Knetsch, a pastor at Madison Church where Baber-Bey attends, described her as a prayer warrior" who has done much to promote safety in the neighborhood. She has been an elder at the Ford Campus of the Madison Church. Knetsch described the situation as tragic. Baber-Bey has lived in the home for decades and shared the residence with a daughter and other adults. Police did not say how the two people died or disclose any details about age or their relationship. At least one is a relative to Baber-Bey, family friends at the scene said. Knetsch asked the community to lend their support and thoughts to the family. We just ask the whole community to keep them lifted up and to keep praying for them, she said. JACKSON, MI Wearing chains and jail-house orange, Tracy Ott stood before a judge for sentencing on Thursday and apologized to the 84-year-old woman he tied up during his 22nd home invasion more than a year ago. You are a strong woman, he said. I look at you like my grandma. I am deeply remorseful for what I did. I Never thought drugs would take my life over like that. The victim looked back at him from the court gallery and simply said, OK. Circuit Judge Thomas Wilson sentenced Ott, March 14, to 20 to 40 years in prison. Ott, 37, pleaded no contest, Feb. 1, to six felony charges stemming from the Oct. 28, 2017 home invasion in Tompkins Township. He was charged with one felony count each of assault with intent to rob while armed, carjacking, first-degree home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, larceny of a firearm and felony firearms. My clients criminal record is horrific, and he knows he is going to prison, Otts attorney Susan Dehncke said. He did these criminal acts to support a drug habit where he was self-medicating for PTSD and being diagnosed as bipolar. Ott admitted his drug use had grown out of his control. He said he needs help. Its crazy what drugs do to people, Ott said. I thought I was on the right path when I kicked heroin, but then I started using meth. In 2005, Ott was sentenced to seven to 15 years in prison for 21 home invasions crossing multiple counties, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections. He was released from prison in June 2017. He made it four months as a free man before he entered a home in the 9000 block of Pope Church Road looking for cash, police said. Ott used a wire ripped from a landline telephone he found in the living room to tie up the elderly woman living there, officials said. After searching the home for cash, he fled, stealing the womans car, cellphone and a shotgun kept near a doorway, prosecutors said. Shortly after Ott left, the woman freed herself and called 911 from a different landline phone on her kitchen wall, she said during his preliminary examination. The womans vehicle, a silver 2011 Dodge Journey, was found unoccupied at a park-and-ride lot in Portland, northwest of Lansing. Ott was identified as a suspect and apprehended three days later after leading police on a chase through multiple counties that ended with him crashing into a tree in Allegan County, police said previously. Wilson credited Ott for 495 days served for the felony firearms charge. He was not credited any days for the remaining charges. Additionally, Ott is ordered to pay $3,773 in restitution to the victim. JACKSON, MI Jackson County schools are sticking with a seven-day head start on many Michigan school districts for at least three more years. The Michigan Department of Education has granted a waiver to the Jackson County Intermediate School District, allowing its 13 public K-12 school districts to sidestep a 2005 state law mandating that school not start until after Labor Day. For the 2019-20 school year, classes start Wednesday, Aug. 21, according to the countywide common calendar. County districts agreed to a common calendar in 2016-17, which was the first year the JCISD was approved for a pre-Labor Day start waiver. That initial waiver expires after this year, and another three-year waiver was approved by the state a few weeks ago, JCISD Superintendent Kevin Oxley said. Initial input from parents and teachers was clear, Oxley said: People wanted to keep 10-week summers, but start earlier to allow for more breaks. And so far, it's worked well, Oxley said. "What we heard from teachers was, it can really affect the environment of a school and the disposition of people if there aren't periodic breaks in there," Oxley said. Changes have included spacing out days off and adding to Thanksgiving and Presidents Day breaks, Oxley said. When reaching out to districts about reapplying for the waiver, Oxley said they all said yes. "The feedback we received from the county schools is that this is working and it's achieved the goals we hoped it would," Oxley said. While the 2019-20 calendar is set, Oxley said there could be tweaks to future schedules. One idea is to build in extra days to the calendar on top of the state minimum requirement of 180 school days to allow for flexibility if there are too many snow days. In their 180-day school year, districts are allowed to cancel up to six days and can apply for a state waiver for three more. Most districts have canceled school between eight and 10 days so far this year largely for ice, snow or cold temperatures. KALAMAZOO, MI A support group for men and women abused by members of the Roman Catholic Church has called on the Diocese of Kalamazoo to publicly list the former Kalamazoo-area priests who have credible allegations against them. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests on Thursday, March 14, called for Diocese of Kalamazoo Bishop Paul Bradley to post the names of all church staff accused of molesting children on the websites of Kalamazoo churches. The post should include photos and work histories, SNAP said. David Clohessy, director of SNAP Networks St. Louis chapter, said he has found six priests who have worked in the Kalamazoo area and have been publicly accused of sex abuse. For the most part, they worked most of their career somewhere else, they molested somewhere else, they were publicly exposed somewhere else, they were criminally charged somewhere else, or they were civilly sued somewhere else or they were suspended by a bishop somewhere else but they all spent time in this diocese, Clohessy said. They could have molested a Kalamazoo-area child. They could still be in Kalamazoo or come back to visit families they befriended when they were here. Clohessy said about half of the bishops in America have now posted lists on their websites of priests who have been credibly accused of sex abuse. He said the lists, though, are never comprehensive. Clohessy also had a message for survivors of sex abuse. He asked them to come forward and get help. If you were hurt by a member of the clergy in any way, we would beg you to find the courage and strength to break your silence and tell someone you love and trust, Clohessy said. Ann Phillips Browning, who was allegedly abused by the Rev. Jacob Vellian at St. Johns Catholic Church in Benton Harbor in the 1970s, has since returned to the Catholic Church and said she has become a watchdog. Vellian and another cleric with the Catholic church, the Rev. Leroy White, were also named by Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests as members the diocese should list publicly as alleged abusers. Browning said she has reported her abuse to police and has spoken to the Michigan Attorney Generals office as part of their investigation into sex abuse by clergy in Michigan. Browning said she left the church for 30 years but has since healed and especially benefited from a trauma recovery program run through the Kalamazoo diocese. She said she went back to the church nine years ago and the first thing she did was to ask the bishop to publish a list of abusers who had worked in the diocese on the dioceses website. She said she has asked the bishop to publish a list several times but he has declined to do so. Theres going to be a lot of survivors out there, like myself, who took a long time to step forward, or who havent stepped forward," Browning said. "Once they see that someones already been reported theyre going to feel more free to come out and say, me too. The Diocese of Kalamazoo released a statement saying it is committed to promote greater protection of all people. The Diocese of Kalamazoo remains steadfast in its commitment to promote greater protection and safeguards of all people, particularly for children and vulnerable adults. The gathering of members of SNAP today outside the Diocesan Pastoral Center provides the opportunity to affirm our care for all survivors of abuse and our work toward healing. Information on clergy highlighted by SNAP today has been publicly available for years and, in most cases, reported on by the media. As we stated previously, the Diocese has and will continue to cooperate with the Attorney Generals investigation and encourages anyone with information related to misconduct to call the reporting number set-up by the Attorney Generals office at: (844) 324-3374. SNAPs list of priests who have served in the Kalamazoo area and who have been credibly accused includes: SAGINAW, MI The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw said it has learned of new allegations against a deceased former priest accused of sexually abusing minors. According to a statement released by the diocese on Wednesday, March 13, Francis M. Landwermeyer, a former Jesuit priest who served as principal of Nouvel Catholic Central High School from 1985-88, was credibly accused of multiple allegations of sexual abuse. Landwermeyer was removed from ministry in 2010 and left the Jesuit order and priesthood in 2011. He died in 2018. The diocese was unaware of this information until today, the release stated. The diocese said that it is not aware of any abuse that took place during Landwermeyers time at Nouvel and has no further details at the present time. Landwermeyers name will be added to the diocese website of names of clergy accused of sexual abuse of a minor, according to the diocese. The diocese encourages anyone who has an allegation or information regarding sexual abuse by a priest, including Landwermeyer or other church personnel, to contact the Attorney Generals office at 844-324-3374. The diocese statement regarding Landwermeyer followed a one-man protest Wednesday outside the dioceses main office. The man said he was a Catholic sex-abuse survivor from Missouri and part of a survivors group known as SNAP. A US watchdog has filed a complaint against acting Pentagon chief Patrick Shanahan over his alleged lobbying of Boeing, his former employer. The company is still reeling from the recent Ethiopia crash, that sent its stock sliding. The complaint was filed by the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a non-profit US government ethics watchdog, on Wednesday, just as the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) joined the rest of the world in grounding all Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 9 models over safety concerns. The group cited numerous media reports that Shanahan, who used to work in various subdivisions at Boeing for more than 30 years before he was handpicked by President Donald Trump to serve as Deputy Secretary of Defense, has been doing the airspace manufacturer's bidding at internal meetings and in private. Also on rt.com Top 5 money-sucking megaprojects funded by US taxpayers After former Pentagon chief James Mattis stepped down in late 2018, Shanahan took over the Pentagon as Acting Defense Secretary. Before embarking on a career in the Trump administration, Shanahan signed an ethics agreement that precludes him from getting involved in any matters concerning Boeing. In its complaint, CREW cited earlier reports by Politico and Bloomberg claiming Shanahan lobbied the inclusion of Boeing fourth-generation F-15X fighter aircraft in the newly-released Pentagon budget request. The budget proposal released Tuesday envisions Pentagon buying eight F-15X jets and up to 80 aircraft over the next five years. The proposal, according to Bloomberg, was championed by Shanahan and eventually came through despite reportedly facing strong opposition from the Air Force which reportedly called the jet "ineffective against enemies like China and Russia." The initial budget proposal did not include the funding for the jets, according to Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, who subsequently resigned. Reports have also suggested that while promoting the Boeing equipment, Shanahan unloaded heavily on its competitor, Lockheed Martin, and, in particular, on its fifth-generation stealth fighter F-35, beset with delays, groundings and cost overruns has racked up a price tag of $1,5 trillion. Shanahan reportedly referred to the program as "f***ed up" suggesting that if the contract would go Boeing's way it would have performed "much better". "Acting Secretary Shanahan's conduct regarding Boeing and its competitors indicate that he may have violated his Ethics Pledge for the same reasons that they raise significant concerns of an appearance of a lack of impartiality," CREW wrote in the complaint to the Department of Defense Acting Inspector General Glenn Fine, asking him to investigate a possible violation of ethics rules by Shahanan. During his three decades at Boeing, Shanahan, among his many occupations, worked as senior vice president of Commercial Airplane Programs. Among his duties on that job was "managing profit and loss for the 737, 747, 767, 777 and 787 programs," his Pentagon profile states. Shanahan has denied allegations of bias towards his former employer in a statement on Wednesday, saying that he has continued to stick to his ethics agreement "at all times." A potential new scandal comes at a time when Boeing is struggling to contain a fallout from the recent crash in Ethiopia, which killed 157 people and triggered a wave of temporary bans of the troubled 737 MAX 8 jet by all major nations and airlines. The controversy fueled by safety concerns saw the company's stock plummeting for the third day in a row after the US joined other nations in grounding the planes. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! The president of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, was again branded a secret fascist sympathizer after saying the government of Benito Mussolini did some good things for Italy. The Italian EU politician offered some cautious praise to the policies of the notorious dictator and ally of Adolf Hitler during World War II when he appeared on a popular Radio 24 news show. Tajani acknowledged that Mussolini did a lot of terrible things from joining forces with Nazi Germany, which was a suicidal move for Italy, to imposing anti-Jewish racial laws, to possibly being behind the assassination of his political opponent, Giacomo Matteotti, who was killed by members of the fascist secret police. But, he did positive things to realize infrastructures in our country, Tajani said. One must be objective. Im not a fascist, I have never been a fascist and I dont share his political thought, but if we must be honest, he built roads, bridges, buildings... he reclaimed many parts of our Italy. Despite the hemming and hawing, many were angered by his words, including fellow EU officials. Some said he is secretly exactly what he said he is not a fascist sympathizer. Tajani responded to the criticism, reiterating that he is anti-fascist and accusing critics of manipulating his words. The Italian politician saw a similar wave of accusations in February after he took part in a ceremony to commemorate the deaths of Italian soldiers killed by Yugoslav partisans during World War II. Some people, including the Slovenian president and prime minister, said the speeches delivered there, in which the killings were compared to ethnic cleansing, were historical revisionism. Tajani immediately apologized for causing offence, saying he did not intend to hurt anyones feelings. In my speech, I wanted to highlight the path to peace and reconciliation between the Italian, Croatian and Slovenian peoples and their contribution to the European project, he said in a statement. Also on rt.com US-funded Ukrainian radio defends neo-Nazi group, deletes article when called out Mussolini was one of many right-wing European political leaders who allied with Hitlers Nazi Germany and ended up suffering the consequences. For him the choice proved fatal, after he was caught and summarily executed by Italian partisans. Others fared better. Spains Francisco Franco remained neutral in the war and remained in power till 1975 as a treasured NATO ally. Finlands Carl Mannerheim maneuvered his country from fighting against the Soviet Union alongside the Nazis to signing a separate armistice and fighting a new war against retreating German troops. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! The European Parliament has called on the EU to shut down Turkey membership talks, citing its crackdown on media and alleged human rights abuses. Ankara has slammed the vote as a meaningless show by the far-right. The European Parliament on Wednesday voted in a non-binding resolution to call on EU member states to bar Turkey from joining the 28-member bloc for at least the near future. The resolution urges the EU to formally put Turkeys long-stalled membership talks on hold. They were launched in 2005 but have been virtually non-existent since the failed 2016 coup, which resulted in Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tightening the screws on dissent at home. Also on rt.com The EU must be grateful: Turkish PM says Ankara serves as bulwark against terrorism The European Parliament remains seriously concerned about Turkeys poor track record in upholding human rights, the rule of law, media freedom and the fight against corruption, as well as its all-powerful presidential system, the MEPs said in a statement after the resolution was adopted by 370 votes. It was rejected by 109 lawmakers, and 143 abstained from voting. The motion was sponsored by the rapporteur for Turkey, MEP Kati Piri, who said that Ankara appears to be ignoring concerns repeatedly voiced by the bloc over its human rights record. Piri went on to accuse the Erdogan government of a power grab with recently-introduced amendments to the Turkish constitution. READ MORE: Le Pen, Orban, Wilders among Kremlins 5th column hell-bent on destroying Europe, says EU bigwig I realize that stopping the accession talks is not a step which will help Turkeys democrats. For that, the EU leaders must use all possible tools to exert more pressure on the Turkish government, Piri said, urging the EU to redirect funds earmarked for Turkey to supporting civil society, human rights advocates and local journalists. The move by the parliamentarians does not carry any legal consequences for Ankara, as it would take a majority of EU member states to put the talks on hold. While non-binding, the vote carries symbolic value, and has provoked a harsh rebuke from Ankara. The Turkish Foreign Ministry has denounced the vote as meaningless and grounded in prejudice. European Parliaments stance against Turkey should be to promote ties, interaction and dialogue between Turkey and EU, the foreign ministry said. Erdogans ruling Justice and Development Party (AK) slammed the vote as a disrespectful decision that reflects the European Parliaments far-right ideological tendency. The vote on Wednesday drew on the 2018 Commission report on Turkey, compiled by Piri and adopted by the European Parliaments Committee for Foreign Affairs last month. AK party spokesman Omar Celik accused proponents of the report and the MEPs of racism and cozying up to terror supporters. Erdogans spokesman echoed the sentiment, describing the vote as null and void. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! The latest crash of Boeings best-selling passenger jet has sent shockwaves through the entire airline industry. Dozens of countries grounded the 737 MAX following national regulators requirements. The aircraft saw two deadly accidents in less than five months. Sundays tragedy in Ethiopia took the lives of 157 people. The crash in Indonesia in October killed 189 people. The narrow-body Boeing 737 MAX 8 that hit the market in 2017 has been generally recognized by dozens of air carriers across the globe for its bigger engine and improved fuel efficiency in comparison with previous versions. According to the producer, 355 MAX 8 jets were operated by global carriers as of January 31, 2019 with 5,123 total orders for the aircraft. The average price of the unit reportedly reaches $121.6 million. Also on rt.com Trump grounds troubled 737 MAX aircraft, Boeing stock tumbles Both crashes involving MAX 8 planes are currently under investigations that could take months to complete. RT has decided to look into potential losses for the air carriers that have the most MAX jets in their fleet in the worst case scenario that may include full grounding and a halt to the deliveries of the plane. Chinese air carriers reportedly accounted for about 20 percent of 737 MAX deliveries worldwide through January. On Monday, the countrys aviation regulator ordered national operators to ground nearly 100 planes. The move reportedly hit 29 international and domestic flights on Monday alone, forcing the airlines to replace the plane on 256 other flights that had been scheduled to use it. The US carriers are reportedly the second biggest outlet for the worlds largest aerospace group. Despite two deadly crashes, the US Federal Aviation Administration hasnt put any restrictions on the use of the 737 Max 8s by domestic carriers so far and Boeing has refused to ground the aircraft worldwide. The agency said the model is airworthy, and stressed that Boeing is currently developing a software update on the aircraft in cooperation with the FAA. Meanwhile, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines is operating 34 of the aircraft with the number of orders reportedly totaling 249. American Airlines orders reportedly totals 78 with the carrier flying 22 planes, while United Airlines placed orders for 124 jets with 12 planes in its current fleet. Emirati low-cost airline Flydubai is also among Boeings biggest customers. With 11 aircraft currently in service, the airline reportedly has 237 planes on order. The company had to ground its Boeing 737 Max 8 and 737 Max 9 aircraft following the directive issued by the United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority. Indonesias Lion Air, which had the MAX jet crash in October, has reportedly ordered 187 units of the aircraft. Earlier this week, the airline grounded its remaining MAX fleet after the second crash in Ethiopia. Also on rt.com Boeing in big trouble for not immediately grounding jets aviation law expert tells RT Low-cost airline Norwegian Air Shuttle which had been operating 18 of Boeings 737 MAX 8 jets before it was forced to ground them also announced plans to demand financial compensation from the producer. Norwegian reportedly has 110 MAX jets on order. Air Canada, which is operating 24 planes of the type, has reportedly ordered 41 jets of the 737 family. So far, Canadian authorities refused to place any ban on using the aircraft despite the latest tragedy. Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair is not currently operating any 737 Max 8 planes. However, the company has reportedly placed an order for 100 jets. Airlines stand to lose billions from the grounding of one of the world's most popular planes as they scramble to find replacement aircraft. Smaller carriers may suffer much bigger losses, as they do not have as many alternatives in their fleet as their larger rivals. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section The Pentagon plans to test two types of missiles banned for over 30 years under the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty reinforcing suspicions it has been preparing for this for years. Pentagon officials outlined a plan to produce a low-flying cruise missile with a potential range of around 1,000km and a ballistic missile capable of traveling 3,000 to 4,000km. Neither would be nuclear armed, the officials said, though with no treaty to abide by, there would be little holding them back from embracing a return to a Cold War-style arms race. The tests are scheduled to take place immediately after the US' official withdrawal from the INF treaty with Russia is finalized. Also on rt.com Calling Dr. Strangelove: The threat of nuclear war cannot prevent World War III forever The cruise missile would be ready for flight-testing in August, while the longer-range projectile would be set for testing in November, according to the officials, who spoke to the press on Wednesday on condition of anonymity. A successful bid to rescue the INF Treaty could theoretically head off development of both weapons, but arms race skeptics appear to be in short supply in Washington, with even the treaty's supporters blaming Russia for breaking it with their 9M729 cruise missile accusations the Russians have countered by pointing to the US' massive drone fleet and Tomahawk-compatible "defensive" missile systems stationed in Europe. "It is unwise for the US and NATO to match an unhelpful action by Russia with another unhelpful action," AP quoted Daryl Kimball of the Arms Control Association as saying. Kimball pointed out that the Pentagon hadn't even made a case that such missiles were strategically necessary. "If the United States tries to bully NATO into accepting deployment of such missiles, it is going to provoke a destabilizing action-reaction cycle and missile race." Also on rt.com US withdraws from INF Treaty in 180 days Pompeo The Pentagon announced on Monday that it would begin manufacturing components for the banned missile systems "activities that until February 2 would have been inconsistent with our obligations under the treaty," a Pentagon spokeswoman was careful to point out, citing the date on which President Trump officially announced the start of the US' withdrawal from the treaty. The Russian Ministry of Defense, however, said last month it believes the US has been building a Raytheon production facility with the intent of producing the banned weaponry since 2017 and has merely been looking for an excuse to ditch the treaty. The INF banned both nuclear and conventional ground-launched missiles with ranges between 500km and 5,500km in 1987. US and Russian officials alike have expressed concern the Trump administration is using the dissolution of the treaty as an excuse to stock its arsenal with previously-banned weapons. If you like this story, share it with a friend! Italy is moving towards greater economic cooperation with China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Beijings development & investment megaproject in 152 countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. This week, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the government is exploring methods to monitor deals under the BRI brand. Conte also said Italy will take special measures to safeguard strategic activities and national interests. US officials effectively responded, warning that the BRI is a debt trap for other nations. RTs Boom Bust discusses the issue, pointing out that the public debt of the Eurozones third largest economy, Italy, is currently measured at 130 percent of GDP. READ MORE: Italy joining Chinas new Silk Road raises eyebrows in Washington For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section (CNN) England will provide free sanitary products to high school students, Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond said Wednesday in his spring statement, in a fully funded government program aimed at tackling period poverty. Sanitary products will be available to secondary school and college students, who are typically between the ages of 11 and 18. The program, which will be developed by the Department for Education, will be implemented in the next school year, Hammond said. In December 2017, a survey of 1,000 women and girls in the UK, carried out by charity Plan International UK, revealed that 10% had been unable to afford sanitary products, while 15% had "struggled" to afford them and 12% had used makeshift sanitary protection. The same month, more than 2,000 people protested outside Downing Street as part of the #FreePeriods campaign, started by teenage activist Amika George in order to secure free sanitary products for school students. Dawn Butler, the shadow minister for women and equalities, said in a statement that the government's announcement was "a victory for all those who have campaigned for an end to period poverty." "I set out Labour's support for free sanitary products in secondary schools at the Labour Conference in 2017 so we're pleased that the Government has adopted yet another Labour policy," Butler said. "It's a disgrace that period poverty exists in the sixth richest country in the world." The Scottish government launched a similar program in August 2018, announcing a 5.2 million ($6.8 million) fund to give students at schools, colleges and universities access to free sanitary products. According to a government release, Scotland was the first country in the world to offer free products to all students. Earlier this month, NHS England said it would provide free sanitary products to hospital patients who needed them, after a report by the British Medical Association found that 42% of hospital trusts and health boards in the UK did not offer free sanitary products or provided only a limited amount. In a further 14% of trusts and health boards, patients could not buy sanitary products anywhere on site. This story was first published on CNN.com, "England to provide free sanitary products to high school students." A worldwide recall was announced by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday, Mar. 7 on all containers of Life-Line Water. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a potentially deadly bacteria was found by the FDA contaminating the drinking water additive. According to Life-Line Waters website, it is described as: Life-Line Catalytic Activated Energy Water, which contains protoplasm to balance the bodys metabolism. Get alerts: In the alert issued on Thursday the FDA said that using the contaminated product may remotely necessitate the possible use of medical or surgical intervention for preliminary or reversal of any permanent bodily damage or function. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections usually occur due to external uses of contaminated water in inadequately chlorinated hot tubs or swimming pools. Some examples of exposure to the infection caused by pseudomonas aeruginosahave been ear infections especially in children, and general skin rashes and even eye infections due to poor maintenance of contact lenses, equipment and solutions. Pseudomonas aeruginosainfections are also found in hospital environments when hands of healthcare workers or equipment become contaminated with the bacteria are not properly cleaned and usually lead to surface infections but if it is ingested could lead to blood infections and pneumonia and in people with low immune systems it could lead to death. Therefore, because Life-Line Water is an additive to be mixed with regular drinking water, severe internal complications and even death can result using it in its contaminated state withpseudomonas aeruginosa. It is possible for this infection to be treated with antibiotics but it is difficult according to the CDC. If consumers have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using the Life-Line Water additive, they should contact their doctor or healthcare provider immediately. Any questions regarding this recall by consumer can be directed to McDaniel Life-Line by phone 806-647-1741, Monday thru Friday 8 AM-5 PM, Central Time or by e-mail [email protected]. Life-Line Water was created by Russell McDaniel of Felt, Oklahoma who began selling it in the late 20th century then in 2002 he formed the McDaniel Life-Line, LLC company with his son Bruce McDaniel and his daughter, Kathleen Parsley. Russell McDaniel passed away in December of 2004 at which time his son, Bruce and daughter, Kathleen, maintained the business to continue their fathers passion to help people. European planemaker Airbus and Ethiopian Airlines are discussing a possible new contract as part of the airline's fleet renovation, a French presidential source said on March 14. The offical said President Emmanuel Macron and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had spoken about a possible new contract during Macron's visit to Addis Ababa earlier this week. Azim Premji on March 13 earmarked economic benefits of about 34 percent of his shares in Wipro, worth $21 billion (Rs 52,750 crore) for his foundation involved in philanthropy. While this has made Premji India's most generous billionaire, does he join the world's top 10 philanthropists? Scroll down to find out the world's top 10 philanthropists. (Image: Reuters) Rank 10 | Ma Huateng - China | Net worth (2018): $45.3 billion | Amount donated: $2 billion | Percentage of new wealth: 4.43% (Image: Reuters) Rank 9 | Sergey Brin - US | Net worth (2018): $47.5 billion | Amount donated: $2.2 billion | Percentage of new wealth: 4.63% (Image: Reuters) Rank 8 | Li Ka-shing - China | Net worth (2018): $34.9 billion | Amount donated: $1.8 billion | Percentage of new wealth: 5.33% (Image: Reuters) Rank 7 | He Xiangjian (On the left of CM Devendra Fadnavis) - China | Net worth (2018): $20.1 billion | Amount donated: $1.1 billion | Percentage of new wealth: 5.47% (Image: PTI) Rank 6 | Carlos Slim Helu & family - Mexico | Net worth (2018): $67.1 billion | Amount donated: $4 billion | Percentage of new wealth: 5.96% (Image: Reuters) Rank 5 | Michael Dell - US | Net worth (2018): $22.7 billion | Amount donated: $2 billion | Percentage of new wealth: 8.89% (Image: Reuters) Rank 4 | Phil Knight & family - US | Net worth (2018): $29.6 billion | Amount donated: $2.9 billion | Percentage of new wealth: 10.10% (Image: Reuters) Rank 3 | Michael Bloomberg - US | Net worth (2018): $50 billion | Amount donated: $6 billion | Percentage of new wealth: 12% (Image: Reuters) Rank 2 | Bill Gates - US | Net worth (2018): $90 billion | Amount donated: $41 billion | Percentage of new wealth: 45.56% (Image: Reuters) Ravindra V Rao A victim of the supply glut and one of the major losers of 2018, palm oil showed signs of gains in early 2019. The rise in prices, however, was short-lived, given the oil's high inventories in Malaysia. Benchmark Malaysian palm-oil futures have declined almost 11 percent from the January high. India being the largest importer of palm oil from Malaysia, domestic crude-palm-oil (CPO) prices are mainly driven by Malaysian palm-oil futures. Accordingly, domestic crude-palm-oil prices also declined, by around 8 percent. The January price gains were on expectations that palm-oil output in Malaysia would shrink due to seasonally lower yields and thus stockpiles might be reduced to some extent. Moreover, the export picture was optimistic, given the attractive quotes. Exports, however, declined 21.4 percent in February while output contracted just 11.1 percent. Thus, inventories continue above the three-million-tonne mark. In the home market, year 2017-18 (oil year i.e. Nov-Oct), India imported around 14.51 million tonnes of edible oil, which comprised 60 percent palm oil variants. In the first three months of oil year 2018-19, edible oil imports were around 34.29 lakh tonnes, constituting 68 percent of palm-oil variants. On the recent modification in the duty structure, the difference between CPO and RBD palm olein duties has shrunk to just 5 percent, against 10 percent previously. This resulted in a sharp increase in imports of RBD palm olein, to 1.67 lakh tonnes in January 2019, from 1.3 lakh tonnes in December 2018, up 28 percent. This is likely to increase in coming months considering shipments of RBD palm olein to India lined up from Malaysia. Moreover, the currency factor affects the quantum of imports and thereby prices of CPO in the home market. Back to global palm oil giants. Palm-oil output in Malaysia is expected to decline further in March before rising in April and May. The weather will continue to play a major role in determining the output. Malaysia's palm production is now estimated to rise 3.5 percent from a year earlier to a record 20.2 million tonnes in 2019. Indonesia's output is seen increasing 7 percent to 42.4 million tonnes. Global output is likely to rise 5.6 percent to 73.4 million tonnes this year, the slowest growth in three years and a return to a normal pace after bumper-production years (Source: Bloomberg). Supply-side fundamentals may continue to exert pressure on Malaysian palm-oil futures. For benchmark prices to rise once again, palm inventories need to fall substantially, from 3.05 million tonnes at present. The bullish factor that would drive prices higher is demand-side fundamentals, including bio-diesel consumption and demand from key importers such as India and China. The author is Head - Commodity Research & Advisory at Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers. : The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. "Warning: Don't do anything stupid!" reads the sign to the right of Rick Haas' office computer. It is the same tongue-in-cheek warning affixed to the dashboard of every off-road Mahindra Roxor vehicle that Indian automaker Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd assembles in a suburb north of Detroit. The motto might also apply to the Indian automaker's latest attempt to enter the US auto market - an effort Haas, a former executive at Ford Motor Co and Tesla Inc, is leading. A decade ago, Mahindra tried to break in to the US market with a low-cost pickup truck. The foray ended in failure and a lawsuit from dealers demanding their franchise fees back. Haas, the automaker's North American chief executive, says this time Mahindra has a more cautious "pay-as-you-go strategy." Instead of starting with a truck or passenger car, Mahindra is reintroducing its brand with the Roxor, a vehicle that looks like a vintage Jeep. Mahindra has built around 3,000 off-road Roxors and is using the model, which starts at around $15,000, to demonstrate to American consumers and dealers "acutely aware of our previous experience" here that the Indian automaker can build a reliable product before it launches mainstream models for use on American roads, Haas told Reuters. "Getting burned makes you cautious," Haas said. RICH PROSPECTS, BIG RISKS Mahindra is one of a handful of European and Asian automakers gearing up to enter the US market in hopes of gaining sales as well as credibility that can boost their brands at home. France's PSA and China's Zotye and GAC all have outlined plans for establishing beachheads in the world's second-largest market by sales, which offers rich pickings in segments including pickup trucks, SUVs and crossovers. But the United States is a mature market that most industry executives say is heading for a downturn, and it is already crowded with over 40 automotive brands and 300-plus models on sale. "There's not a line waiting out the front door of every potential newcomer to North America of people saying 'I cannot wait for a new car to show up here today,'" said Larry Dominique, North American head of PSA, which has also taken a cautious approach to relaunching here. PSA announced last month the Peugeot brand will lead its US return - the same brand that crashed out of this market less than three decades ago. Analysts and auto executives say new entrants must stand out in a crowd to crack the US market, as Tesla Inc has with electric vehicles. Just offering a cheap car may not be enough, said Mark Wakefield, head of the North American automotive practice for consultancy AlixPartners. The higher quality of used vehicles presents a challenge, while delivering the expensive safety features American consumers and regulators demand. "If you fail to deliver on that then you're a pariah in the market," he said. Prospective US entrants might look to the example of South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Co, the last foreign automaker to successfully enter the US car market. The Korean carmaker launched cheap models in the United States in 1986, as Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co Ltd had done before. Hyundai scored early successes, but quality problems set the brand back, and forced a relaunch. Now, it is overhauling its US strategy, shifting from sedans to SUVs. The problem for prospective entrants is that if they do find an untapped niche, consultants and analysts expect other automakers to rush to fill it themselves. A NEW STRATEGY Mahindra's first foray into the US auto market was a disaster, as plans to launch a low-cost pickup with high fuel efficiency never came to fruition, in part because it failed to meet federal emissions standards. Angry dealers who had signed on to sell the Scorpio pickup sued Mahindra. Mahindra regrouped. Haas set up Mahindra's US office in 2013 with just a handful of people, and that has risen to 450. The company decided not to go into direct competition with major automakers, but to enter the much smaller and less heavily regulated market for off-road recreational vehicles sold mainly in rural America. The Roxor stands out because it looks like a World War II Jeep. Mahindra has had a license since the end of that war to make such vehicles in India. Municipalities, mining and construction companies, and many others seeking rugged off-road vehicles have shown interest, Haas said. The Roxor also has caught the eye of the owner of the Jeep brand, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) NV, a potential competitor whose US headquarters is just up the road from Mahindra's. Last August, FCA asked the US International Trade Commission to block Roxor sales because the model is too similar to its own Jeep. The commision has ruled FCA can pursue its intellectual property claims against the Roxor, but on February 21 Mahindra asked the agency to review that ruling. Mahindra has signed up a network of 390 powersports dealers all over the country to sell the Roxor. Haas said around a third of powersports dealers also own car dealerships so the Roxor allows him to establish the brand, then build relationships with car dealers. "I can't say what our plans are, but the smoke is going to clear out of the air in the next year to 18 months," Haas said. Among the vehicles under consideration for the US market is the new Marazzo, a minivan designed by Mahindra's Michigan engineers for sale in India that has scored well in international crash safety tests and features Apple CarPlay. Instead of low prices, Mahindra plans to focus on its image of building rugged, durable vehicles for India's roads. "We're India tough," Haas said. "That's a value that resonates with a chunk of the population here." The speed of Mahindra's US rollout will depend not only on retail consumers but the US Postal Service, Haas said. The Postal Service is searching for its next generation of delivery vehicles and Mahindra is one of five finalists for the $6 billion project, which may be decided this year. That contract would make a fast (US) entry easier, as you might imagine, Haas said. If it doesnt happen, then we have to decide what were doing here. The long awaited written order approving ArcelorMittals resolution plan for Essar Steel is available now. Key highlights: The NCLT has approved the ArcelorMittal resolution plan but it's subject to observations and conditions. Essar Steels dependence on ancillary infrastructure that belongs to the Essar group has been raised as part of the resolution plan. The resolution professional had sought directives from the NCLT to ensure continuance of these arrangements and also directions to statutory authorities to ensure it gets all necessary approvals and exemption from levies to run the plant. The NCLT has not stepped into areas that it considers in the domain of other laws or statutory authorities. This leaves a few crucial loose ends for ArcelorMittal to tie up. Earlier, it was assumed that financial creditors were getting back 86% of their outstanding loans. But they are actually getting back 92%, based on the committee of creditors (CoC) distribution schedule. The order makes a case for a more equitable distribution of proceeds to financial creditors and operational financial creditors, in the ratio of 85:15. Note that this is in the form of an advisory from the NCLT and is not an order. Heres a brief (well, not so brief!) look into the key aspects of the 153-page NCLT order. Why banks get 92% and not 86%: Standard Chartered Banks contention is that it is not getting its rightful dues. While total financial creditors claims amounted to Rs49046crore, its portion was Rs3487crore. But Standard Chartered Banks share under the resolution plan is only Rs61crore, with Rs3426crore denied. It asked for an equitable distribution among the financial creditors. Therefore, Rs42000crore less Rs61crore or Rs41939crore is being distributed to the remaining financial creditors whose claims amount to Rs45559crore. That is a 92.1% claim acceptance. The Wednesbury principle: The NCLT order raises the Wednesbury principle while dealing with Standard Chartereds case, where it was getting back only 1.7% of its claim, despite being a financial creditor, while others were getting 92%. It has prayed for this ratio to change to 86% for all secured financial creditors. The NCLT order cites two Supreme Courts which cited the Wednesbury Principle of unreasonableness and doctrine of proportionality. Heres a partial quote from the SC order.Normally, a Court should not interfere with an Administrative decision unless it is illogical or suffer from procedural impropriety or was shocking to the conscience of the Court in the sense that it was in defiance of logic or moral standards (Wednesbury Principle). The NCLT then says it will not review the commercial decision of the Committee of Creditors but make some observations and suggestions, following the Wednesbury Principle. Statutory requirements and exemptions: The resolution professional has sought reliefs on issues under the law on stamp duty and income tax. It has also sought exemptions on taxes, levies, transfer premiums and so in, in connection with the resolution plan. It has also sought directions that Essar Steel should get all necessary government approvals such as environmental approvals, and for the crucial gas procurement/contracts, the relevant entities should engage with ArcelorMittal for a viable solution for longterm gas procurement contracts. It has sought that Essar Steel should be given uninterrupted supply of essential services and goods during the period between the plan approval date and the effective date. Dependency on the Essar Group: The resolution plan states that the Essar Steel operation is dependent on three power companies of the Essar Group for uninterrupted supply of power and on another group company for access to power transmission infrastructure. It seeks continuation of these supplies on the same terms as at present. Similarly, it has asked for current terms to continue for port access at Hazira and for cargo services at Paradip and Vizag. These are critical requirements for the steel plant. The resolution plan itself: ArcelorMittal will pay Rs42000crore as upfront payment. It will invest Rs8000crore as fresh equity. The Committee of Creditors has decided the distribution plan. This is what it looks like. Rs17.4crore will be paid to the unsecured financial creditors. It will also pay Rs196crore to trade and government creditors and Rs18crore to workmen. The rest will go to the financial creditors. ArcelorMittal will acquire 100% of the equity capital of the existing shareholders of Essar Steel and extinguish all shareholding (equity and preference). Operational creditors: The NCLT has observed that while the operational creditors were owed Rs4700crore, only those with debt below Rs1crore are being paid in aggregate Rs196crore. Here, it observes that if the CoC had adopted some other reasonable and fair formula then the maximum debt of all stakeholders, including financial and operational creditors, would be paid off. It again cites the Wednesbury Principle in support. It then reiterates that Standard Chartered should be given equal footing with other financial creditors, with all of them getting 85% of their claims. The remaining 15% or Rs6300crore, it has advised, may be distributed among other operational creditors and other stakeholders. Thus, it has said that those with Rs1crore and above should be paid such that they get back at least 50% of their principal dues. The NCLT order then says, If such suggestion is accepted and followed, then we find no infirmity in the Resolution Plan as it will achieve the true spirit of law compliant under Section 30(2) of the I&B Code. In conclusion: The NCLT has approved the resolution plan submitted by ArcelorMittal subject to the observations and conditions. It has not agreed to the reliefs and concessions sought from the NCLT by ArcelorMittal, such as directions to authorities and external stakeholders. It has said that the law gives the resolution applicant one years time to obtain any approvals required under any law. Thus, clarity on issues such as statutory approvals or levies in relation to the transfer will come only later. The dependence on the Essar Groups infrastructure to run the steel plant is also an issue, and the NCLT order does not contain any specific directions on this aspect. Whether ArcelorMittal is able to ensure continuity in these commercial arrangements with the Essar Group will be a key issue in determining the success of the steel plant operations once ArcelorMittal takes over. With the order now available, the parties looking to appeal will proceed with their cases in the NCLAT. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More MR Kumar has taken charge as the Chairman of Life Insurance Corporation of India at a time when the country's largest insurer faces the twin challenges of managing the growth of its core insurance business and turning around its new acquisition, IDBI Bank. Kumar was named LIC Chairman on March 13 and took over from Hemant Bhargava, who had been serving as the interim chairman since January 2019. Kumar has been with LIC for 36 years, having joined the insurer in 1983 as a direct recruit officer. This gives him the in-depth experience required to steer LIC. Premium figures volatile Kumars appointment coincided with the release of the monthly premium collection numbers. As in previous quarters, private life insurers outpaced LIC in first-year premium collection. LIC's market share has also slipped to 66.26 percent as of end-February from 70 percent four years ago. When it comes to individual business, the adjusted market share of LIC is 41.2 percent compared to 58.8 percent for the private sector. One year ago, private insurers had 56.8 percent share in this category. Though LIC continues to be the countrys largest insurer, the market will keenly watch how Kumar is able to turn around the premium growth story of the corporation. This includes both the premium numbers as well as the number of policies being sold. Since Kumar has worked as a sales manager in LIC, company insiders believe he understands the dynamics of sales, especially in the smaller towns. This will also be a key area where his insights will come handy. Investment corpus With a balance sheet of Rs 29.67 lakh crore, LIC is also an active player in the equity as well as debt markets. Considering the investment corpus of the insurer, its non-performing assets (NPA) are also under watch. At the end of Q3, the gross NPA ratio (debt portfolio) stood at 6.06 percent compared to 5.74 percent a year ago. LIC also has exposure in debt-laden IL&FS group through a 25.34 percent equity stake making it necessary to maintain adequate provisions for debt defaults by IL&FS group companies. The immediate task for Kumar will be to ascertain how much is the actual provisions that will have to be made for all the possible future defaults in the debt instruments. IDBI Bank LIC is now the largest shareholder and promoter of IDBI Bank. It has been handed over the task of helping the bank reduce its bad loans. IDBI Bank's third-quarter loss widened sharply to Rs 4,185 crore, a near three-fold increase from the Rs 1,524 crore loss posted a year ago due to higher provisions. Lower NII, other income and operating income also dented bottom-line. On asset quality front, gross non-performing assets (NPA) as a percentage of total assets declined to 29.67 percent in Q3 against 31.78 percent in Q2FY19 and net NPA also dropped to 14.01 percent against 17.30 percent sequentially. But the NPA ratios are still very high compared to the peers in the banking sector. LIC has already infused about Rs 14,500 crore in December 2018 into IDBI Bank. The bank has sought another Rs 10,000 crore from LIC to spruce up its balance sheet, on which LIC is yet to take a decision. Further, the insurance regulator has sought a detailed plan on how and by when LIC will bring down its stake in IDBI Bank to 15 percent. Kumar will be entrusted with the responsibility of detailing LIC's vision on the bank. While IDBI Bank may help LIC fulfil its banking aspirations, it comes at a cost. How the new chairman brings the bank back in the black while ensuring its insurance growth numbers stay intact, will be a development keenly watched by the BFSI sector. The most important factor which is contributing to the recent market rally is the strong appetite shown by foreign institutional investors (FIIs) for equities. They have poured in nearly Rs 24,000 crore year-to-date in Indian market, while domestic institutional investors were net sellers of nearly Rs 3,000 crore in the same period, data showed. Broader market has also seen a pullback with S&P BSE Smallcap index rallying over 13 percent from intraday low of 13,099 recorded on February 18. S&P BSE Midcap index has risen a little over 10 percent from intraday low of 13,784 registered on February 18. In comparison, S&P BSE Sensex is up 6.3 percent as of March 12 from its low. We have entered a phase in the markets that is led by liquidity which is chasing quality stocks and the impact can be felt in FII-heavy stocks or where foreign investors hold more than 10 percent stake. In the smallcap index, as many as 38 FII-heavy stocks rose 10-40 percent in 2019. The list has names like JustDial, Jindal Saw, Karnataka Bank, NIIT Technologies, Ipca Laboratories, Dr. Lal Pathlabs, DB Corp and JSW Holdings (see the table below). Meanwhile, in S&P BSE Midcap index, as many as 13 FII-heavy stocks rose 10-50 percent which includes RBL Bank, Avanti Feeds, SRF, Info Edge, The Ramco Cements, Divis Laboratories and Vakrangee. And among Nifty50 names, only 9 FII-heavy stocks gave double-digit returns in 2019 Yes Bank, Bharti Infratel, Axis Bank, UPL, Titan Company, Tech Mahindra, Bajaj Auto, Bharti Airtel and RIL. Geopolitical concerns cooling off and expectations of a stable government at the Centre fuelled risk-on sentiment in Indian equity market. The recovery seen in small & midcaps, which were trading at attractive valuations after deep correction, could be called FoMo or fear of missing out. However, experts refrain from naming the rally as FOMO, as yet, but they are convinced that there is now a strong case of investing in broader market. We would not like to term it as a big rally or FoMo as yet. Small and mid-cap stocks are just playing catch up. We are nowhere near panic buying. Investors will have opportunities to buy into this market; there is no need to chase stocks, Dipan Mehta, Director, Elixir Equities told Moneycontrol. The next bull market, whenever it starts, will again be in small and mid-cap stocks which are a play on the underlying India story be it consumption driven by demographics or pick up of the capex cycle or financialization of savings/growth in retail demand for credit, he said. The risk appetite has picked up significantly, and the valuations of mid-caps are in a neutral zone compared to largecaps, suggest experts. The value is emerging in select bottom-up opportunities in the mid-cap space, CLSA said in a note last week. The Mid-cap Index has still underperformed the Nifty on a year-to-date (YTD) basis. The valuation discount to the Nifty now stands at 8.5 percent. CLSA analysis suggests that 44 percent of the NSE Mid-cap companies (59 companies) are trading below their 5-year average P/E, and on a price-to-book value basis, 41 percent of the companies (82 companies) are trading below their 5-year average. On the other hand, 49 percent of Nifty midcap companies (43 companies) are trading below their 5-year average P/E multiple. Experts feel that mid-caps and are likely to outperform largecaps in 2019; hence, investors should stay with quality. Our expectation is that midcaps will outperform largecaps, though the extent of outperformance may not be as high as in previous cycles, Vivek Ranjan Misra, Head of Fundamental Research at Karvy Stock Broking told Moneycontrol. One noteworthy point is that mid-caps have a higher weight of cyclical stocks which are leveraged to the domestic growth story, and as the economy picks up in the second half of the year, mid-caps are likely to outperform, he said. : The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, the investors are shifting focus to political developments. The market is hoping that Modi will come back to power and the recent rally has been on the back of foreign investors pumping in money. In March itself, the Nifty50 is the best performer globally and overall Indian equities attracted more Rs 27,000 crore of FII inflow since February, which is highest in last many months. "In March19 till date, the institutional activity has presented very contrasting picture wherein FIIs have displayed relentless aggressive buying spree, whereas DIIs have been constant sellers. If political stability continues and economy revives, the current rally can be expected to sustain," Jagannadham Thunuguntla, Senior VP and Head of Research (Wealth) at Centrum Broking told Moneycontrol. Jagannadham also believes buying will sustain in quality mid and smallcaps. However, investors should stay away from the companies with high debt and high promoter share pledge, he advised. Many stocks are so attractively valued (after falling 20-50-60 percent from all-time or 52-week highs) that brokerages started looking at them closely and revised their ratings, price targets and some even initiated coverage on select stocks. Here are top 10 stocks where brokerages initiated coverage in March with a buy call: Brokerage: ICICI Securities M&M Financial Services: Buy | Target: 500 | Return: 14% Buoyancy in rural India and MMFS' focus on rural financing are expected to support valuations. MMFS has ingredients to sustainably command premium valuation - 1) rural reach providing huge opportunity with pricing power, 2) robust AUM growth (AUM, earnings CAGR of 20 percent, 25 percent, respectively, in FY18-21E), 3) higher rural income led by farm loan waivers and cash flow receipt during election, 4) strong management and 5) adequate risk management with limited losses. We value core auto business at 2.6x FY21E ABV (1.8x FY21E BV) and add Rs 50 as value for subsidiaries like housing that is picking up pace. Assuming 20 percent holding company discount in lieu of subsidiaries, we initiate coverage with buy recommendation and a target price of Rs 500 per share. Brokerage: Yes Securities Capacite Infraprojects: Buy | Target: Rs 330 | Return: 39% Revenue visibility of more than 25 percent CAGR over FY18-21 is backed by strong order book; preferred contractor for Super/high-rise buildings. Niche in construction of complex structures aids better margins which are likely to sustain at more than 14 percent at operating level. Growth will sustain without asset ownership and largely through internal accruals. Return on capital employed is higher than several EPC peers on account of asset light model, segment focus and region focus and better working capital control. Leverage is under control unlike many EPC peers; generates positive operating cashflow. Return on equity depressed due to fund infusion from IPO; holds Rs 270 croren cash to be utilized in 2 years. Return on equity will move to around 17 percent in FY21. The stock is trading at an attractive valuation of around 9x FY21E P/E. We value business at 13x FY21E P/E, arriving at target price of Rs 330. It is the top pick in EPC space. Brokerage: Reliance Securities Hindustan Unilever: Buy | Target: Rs 2,000 | Return: 15% We are initiating coverage on Hindustan Unilever (HUL) with a buy recommendation and a target price of Rs 2,000. Looking ahead, we expect HUL to witness the fastest earnings growth among the major FMCG companies, notwithstanding the size and scale of operations. HUL is expected to register earnings CAGR of 23 percent over FY19-21 driven by both organic and inorganic initiatives. Acquisition of GSK Consumers India business provides HUL a strong foothold in the foods segment in terms of diversifying its portfolio and reducing dependence on homecare and personal care segments. At CMP, the stock trades at a premium valuation multiple of 50x FY20E earnings, which we believe to sustain owing to strong growth visibility. We value the stock at 45x FY21E earnings to arrive at our target price. Brokerage: Edelweiss Securities GMDC: Buy | Target: Rs 105 | Return: 15% We initiated coverage with a buy call on the stock and price target of Rs 105 apiece. The conviction is underpinned by two Vs i.e. volume & valuation. We sees imminent volume uptick post production ramp-up at new mines, despite stagnant prices. On valuation front, we believe the stock is trading at the lowest end of its 8-year EV/EBITDA band. We expect GMDC to surpass the Rs 5,000 crore (3 percent CAGR) EBITDA barrier by FY21. Brokerage: Arihant Capital Markets Oberoi Realty: Buy | Target: Rs 634 | Return: 31% Oberoi Realty (ORL) is a Mumbai focussed premium real estate developer, primarily catering to the ultra-luxury and luxury segment. With city-centric operations well spread out across the Mumbai region, ORL has a project portfolio of around 34 million square feet (msf) spread across 24 projects. With a strong brand name and a dominant position in each of its micro market, ORL has a strong visibility of future cash flows. With lowest debt/equity ratio in the industry (0.2x) and robust execution, ORL can achieve substantial value creation in the medium term. We remain positive on ORL's future prospects and initiate coverage with a buy rating and a target price of Rs 634. Brokerage: JM Financial Ashoka Buildcon: Buy | Target: Rs 170 | Return: 19% With a life time high orderbook, we believe ABL is at an inflection point, which can trigger at least 20 percent plus revenue CAGR in FY19-21E (versus guidance of 40 percent). Despite assuming slow execution (20 percent sales growth) and 11 percent fall in NHAI ordering (versus FY18) in FY20-21, we find ABL delivering 12 percent CAGR in earnings (FY18-21) while stock trades at P/E of 6x FY21 (core EPC business). Our bull case, which factors 40 percent sales growth as per guidance, implies 17 percent EPS CAGR in FY18-21. We value the stock at EV / EBITDA of 6x (50 percent discount to L&T) for the EPC business and NPV value of BOT (implied P/BV of 1.1x) for a target price of Rs 170. We initiate with a buy. Brokerage: Elara Capital Container Corporation: Buy | Target: Rs 590 | Return: 18% We initiate on CONCOR with a buy rating and a target price of Rs 590 based on 23x FY21E P/E (at par with past five-year average one-year forward P/E). It posted a revenue CAGR of 3 percent over FY15-18, with muted return ratios, due to an increase in rail haulage charges by Railways Ministry in FY15. Although risk remains, diversification to multi-modal logistics player would help add new revenue streams. With market leadership position in container rail operations, CONCOR would be a key beneficiary of the rise in rail containerization post DFC. Owing to huge scalability potential, the stock currently trades at premium valuation with 67 percent of value attributable to long-term growth (earnings beyond FY21). We expect a revenue CAGR of 14 percent and an earnings CAGR of 14 percent over FY18-21E. Future Supply Chain Solutions: Buy | Target: Rs 743 | Return: 17% We initiate on Future Supply Chain Solutions with a buy rating and a target price of Rs 743. Our TP is based on 23x FY21E P/E and currently we have not factored in any value from the Vulcan subsidiary. We expect a revenue CAGR of 37 percent over FY18-21E and an earnings CAGR of 24 percent. Superior EBITDA margin led by a sturdy business mix act as key differentiator. Despite a moderate drop in EBITDA margin in the near term due to a recent foray in the foods business, we expect an operating profit CAGR of 34 percent over FY18-21E. At the CMP, the stock trades at 19x FY21E P/E which is below the lower end of the one year forward P/E band since IPO in December 2017. VRL Logistics: Buy | Target: Rs 314 | Return: 15% We initiate on VRL Logistics with a Buy rating and a TP of INR 314 based on 23x FY21E P/E. Our TP implies 22% potential upside. We expect a revenue CAGR of 11 percent over FY18-21, with increasing EBITDA margin. Current benign diesel prices (down 11 percent since peak in October 2018) augur well. Despite expected improvement in EBITDA margin, depreciation on capex and interest expenses on incremental debt would keep earnings CAGR at 10 percent over FY18-21E. At the current price, the stock is trading at 18.8x FY21E P/E. Brokerage: Geojit Mold-Tek Packaging: Buy | Target: Rs 312 | Return: 12% Mold-Tek Packaging (MTEP), one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of high quality airtight and pilfer proof containers/pails in India for Paints, Lubricants, Food and FMCG. MTEP's revenue grew by 12 percent CAGR whereas PAT grew by whopping 41 percent CAGR over FY13-FY18. EBITDA margin expanded by 830bps to 18.7 percent over FY13-18. Strong profitability growth was led by margin expansion on account of increasing share of in-mold volumes. Development of molds and labels in-house and use of robots in production process has significantly helped in reducing cost and maintaining competitive advantage. Incremental volumes owing to capacity expansion, higher contribution from in-mold sales and rising share of FMCG in revenue mix will be margin accretive. We factor earnings to grow by 22 percent CAGR over FY19E-FY21E. We value at P/E of 17x on FY21E with a target price of Rs 312 and initiates coverage with buy rating. : The above report is compiled from information available on public platforms. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. The Indian stock market has seen significant price action this week, and, with crossing 11,300, there is a good possibility that it will go past record highs in a quicker fashion, said market expert Jai Bala. "If you are left out on the market, wait for a pullback. I think the market is going to do a bullish consolidation in a narrow fashion and that might be an entry point or reentry point, but if you go an entry two to four weeks ago, you are not going to get back those kind of positions. Don't let go of it. Hold on to it," he added. He expects the next resistance for the Nifty Bank is 29,750. On individual stocks, Bala is positive on Hindustan Unilever and Reliance Industries. "HUL is the driving force behind the FMCG index. I am expecting something like 33,000 for Nifty FMCG index. HUL is heading for Rs 1,900," he said, "Reliance, I have always been positive since February 2015 and I am expecting Reliance to touch about Rs 1,500," he further added. Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Jubilant Foodworks shares rallied 3 percent intraday on March 14 after a block deal of 40 lakh equity shares in early trade today. Jubilant Foodworks was quoting at Rs 1,336.00, up Rs 8.70, or 0.66 percent on the BSE, at 1119 hours IST. A CNBC-TV18 report said about 40 lakh shares (representing a 3 percent of total paid-up equity) exchanged hands at a price of Rs 1,312.40 in early trade. The company and its subsidiary operate Domino's Pizza brand with the exclusive rights for India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. HDFC Securities believes Jubilant Foodworks has enough levers to sustain healthy performance in FY20/21E given (1) Return to store expansion (focus on splitting stores in metros and expansion in smaller towns), (2) Filling gaps in the Menu, (3) Focus on new customer acquisition and driving frequency, (4) Benefits from sporting events (Cricket World Cup 2019 and reschedule in IPL will support 1HCY19 performance), (5) Turnaround of Dunkin and Launch of Hongs Kitchen. "We model 18/11/10 percent same-store-sales growth during FY19E/FY20E/FY21E. We value JFL at 46x on Mar-21 EPS, arriving at a target price of Rs 1,750. Reiterate buy," the research house said. : The above report is compiled from information available on public platforms. Moneycontrol advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. The Nifty50 likely to open flat on Thursday following mixed trend seen in other Asian markets. The index closed 40 points higher at 11,341 on Wednesday. Trends on SGX Nifty indicate a flat opening for the broader index in India, a rise of 1.5 points or 0.01 percent. Nifty futures were trading around 11,385-level on the Singaporean Exchange. US stocks rose on Wednesday, led by gains in healthcare shares, and Boeing edged upward even as the United States joined other nations in grounding the companys 737 MAX jets, said a Reuters report. Asian shares paused on Thursday as investors awaited data from China for clues about the health of the worlds second largest economy while the pound shot up to near nine-month highs as the risk of a no-deal Brexit receded following a late-night vote, it said. The Indian rupee on Wednesday clocked its third straight session gains, rising 17 paise to close at a fresh two-month high of 69.54 against the US dollar on sustained foreign fund flows. Stocks in news: Promoter entities of Bajaj Consumer Care have sold 6.85 percent stake in the FMCG firm for about Rs 320 crore through an open market transaction. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal Tuesday reserved its order on a petition by Reliance Communications which has approached the tribunal seeking the release of income tax refunds to clear dues of Ericsson. Grappling a shortfall in tax revenues, the government has pressed cash-rich PSUs like Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) to pay a second interim dividend for the current fiscal after seeking regulatory nods. Technical Recommendations: We spoke to ICICIDirect and heres what they have to recommend: PVR Limited: Buy| Target: Rs 1805| Stop Loss: Rs 1497| Upside 11%| Time Frame 6 months Canara Bank: Buy| Target: Rs 280| Stop Loss: Rs 245| Upside 7% | Time Frame 14 days Narayana Hrudayalaya: Buy| Target: Rs 262| Stop Loss: Rs 199 | Upside 17%| Time Frame 6 months live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Vishal B Malkan The market has begun the week on a cheerful note, continuing the positive move that had begun last week. The volumes have been good, with the price getting into a higher top and higher bottom formation. More importantly, as we head into an important time cycle this week, March 21, the equinox signals an important change in market trend. So the next two weeks could show some substantial movement across various sectors. A few sectors are displaying signs of major shifts in trends. An analysis of their monthly charts reveal some important signals. Here is the Sectoral analysis using the technical tools: PSU Banks The weekly chart of Nifty PSU Index has made a higher bottom that indicates strength in the medium term. The momentum indicator RSI is also poised at important support at 40. This indicates that the bottom of 2,660 could hold good. A few banks that look good from this sector are Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Bank of Baroda, which are at multiple support levels along with bullish divergences on momentum as well as volatility indicators. Metal Sector The weekly chart of Nifty Metal Index displayed a Hammer Pattern last month on price, which is bullish trend reversal signal candle. The significance of this pattern is exaggerated since it appears at the Fibonacci support zone between 50-61.8 percent of the major upswing. The RSI is taking support at 40, the lower support zone for the bull trend. Auto Sector The Nifty Auto Index shows a similar pattern with price taking support with an indecisive candle pattern at the important support zone of Fibonacci 50 percent retracement levels. Maruti Udyog, Baja Auto and Ashok Leyland are good buy candidates from this sector. The above analysis confirms that a confluence of indicators brings more probability to trend change indications. To conclude, these sectors indicate a major shift in their trends in the weeks to come. Nifty too seems to be heading to the higher levels of 11,800 with the market getting more conducive to swing and positional trades. The coming fortnight could see important moves on the above indices. The author is Founder of MalkansView. : The views and investment tips expressed by investment expert on moneycontrol.com are his own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Here are stocks that are in the news today: Lupin: USFDA classifies the inspection at the company's Mandideep (Unit 1) facility as 'Official Action Indicated'. Satin Creditcare Network: CARE revised its rating on the company's commercial paper to A2+ from A1. Reliance Communications: NCLAT reserves order on RCom plea to release funds IOC, ONGC: Facing revenue shortfall, government pushes companies to pay 2nd interim dividend - PTI Bajaj Consumer Care: Company engaged the services of Bain & Company which will help the company in formulating a front-end strategy for growth and also help in implementing it. Sun Pharma: Subsidiary increased its stake in PJSC Biosintez, Russia to 96.96 percent from 85.10 percent earlier. Lemon Tree Signed a non-binding term sheet with Berggruen Hotels GE T&D India: Company received a technology-driven grid modernization project from Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (RRVPL). Wipro: Chairman Azim Premji has earmarked another 34 percent of his equity in Wipro worth Rs 52,750 crore towards Azim Premji Foundation. Unichem Labs: USFDA approved the company's ANDA for Allopurinol tablets, USP 100 mg and 300 mg. Essel Propack: Company redeemed commercial papers amounting to Rs 50 crore and Rs 35 crore. Star Cement received Rs 115.18cr owards its Freight Subsidy claims from the Central Government and a further amount of Rs 42.55 cr s expected to be received within a week's time Deep Industries: Company received 2 orders from ONGC in the rigs segment valued at around Rs 183.50 crore. Sicagen India: Company made additional investment to the extent of SGD 1 million in subsidiary Wilson Cable Private Limited, Singapore. HCL Technologies: Company to acquire Strong-Bridge Envision (SBE), a digital transformation consulting firm with offices in Seattle, Denver, Atlanta, and New York City. IOC: Company has fixed March 28 as the record date for payment of 2nd interim dividend, if declared, at the board meeting scheduled on March 19. Jet Airways: Additional five aircraft have been grounded due to non-payment of amounts outstanding to lessors under their respective lease agreements. DCM Shriram: Company commissioned its 30 MW power plant at DSCL Sugar Hariawan Unit. SRS: Company appointed Vikash Sharma as CFO. SpiceJet will seek compensation from Boeing and demand credit on maintenance, repair, and overhaul for the 12 grounded 737 MAX aircraft. The airline, which had an aggressive expansion plan that banked on the delivery of the Boeing 737 Max, will now look to lease old planes - BS Reliance halts diluents export to Venezuela, not raised oil buying- Reuters Disclaimer: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd. Bulk Deals on March 13 NSE Nagarjuna Oil Refinery: Multiplier S and S Adv Pvt Ltd sold 29,42,339 shares and Nagarjuna Trust also sold 51,00,000 shares of the company at 30 paise per share. Reliance Communications: IndusInd Bank Ltd client A/c sold 1.4 crore shares of the company at Rs 4.97 per share. Saketh Exim: TIA Enterprises Private Limited purchased 40,000 shares of the company at Rs 105 per share. BSE SAB Events & Governance Now Media: Union Bank of India sold 74,930 shares of the company at Rs 1.33 per share. Hisar Metal Industries: Abhiram Tayal purchased 27,500 shares of the company at Rs 40.27 per share. Indo US Bio-Tech: Riddheshkumar Girishbhai Bhandari bought 36,000 shares of the company at Rs 82.50 per share. Palm Jewels: Sagar Rajeshbhai Jhaveri bought 1,04,000 shares of the company at Rs 30.66 per share. (For more bulk deals, click here) Analyst or Board Meet/Briefings Alembic Pharma: NCD Committee meeting will be held on March 19 to consider the issue and allotment of unsecured listed redeemable non-convertible debentures (NCDs) of up to Rs 150 crore on private placement basis. Virinchi: Officials of the company will be meeting investors and analysts (participants) on March 14. Alankit: Management will be attending the Valorem Analyst Conference 2019, organized by Valorem Advisors to be held on March 15 in Mumbai. Container Corporation of India: Company's officials will meet analysts/institutional investors on March 15, 18 and 26. DCM Shriram: Company's officials will meet Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company on March 18. Magma Fincorp: Company's officials will meet fund houses on March 14 and 15. Voltas: Company's officials will meet analysts/investors on March 14 and 15. Mahindra Logistics: One-on-one meeting with Premji Invest, Institutional Investor is scheduled to be held on March 15. Saurabh Kumar, Executive Vice Chairperson (EVC) of EESL, said, We hope that the success we will achieve through our projects will encourage many more players to explore avenues for strengthening their energy efficiency and conservation initiatives. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Lemon Tree Hotels has signed a non-binding term sheet with Mauritius-incorporated Berggruen Hotels and Berggruen Investments, that builds and operates hotels under the Keys brand, to acquire a 100 percent stake in Keys Hotels in India. Lemon Tree shares spiked on news of the deal, but could not hold on to gains for long. -Los Angeles-based venture capital firm Berggruen Holding is the owner of Berggruen Hotels which was formed in 2006 to own and operate the Keys Hotels brand. -The current term sheet is a non-binding agreement and the actual transaction is expected to be completed only after proper due diligence. -Keys Hotels portfolio includes 21 owned/managed hotels with 1,911 rooms in 19 cities in India. The company also owns two land parcels for hotel development in Goa and Raipur. -The company operates three brands, Keys Prima Hotels, Select Hotels, and Lite Hotels to cater to the midscale and economy hotel segments. -Keys Hotels had been looking for buyers and there were reports in February this year about OYOs interest to acquire the company. - Keys has seen a spate of senior-level exits in the last 2-3 years. -As per reports, Keys has around Rs 160 crore estimated debt on its balance sheet currently while Lemon Tree had a debt of around Rs 1,050 crore as on September 30, 2018. -With the finalisation of the acquisition, Lemon Tree will expand its operating portfolio to 75 Hotels with 7,322 rooms in 44 cities in India Follow @Ruchiagrawal For more research articles, visit our Moneycontrol Research Page. Disclaimer: Moneycontrol Research analysts do not hold positions in the companies discussed here Moneycontrol News Systematic investment plans, popularly known as SIPs, seem to be losing sheen. As per data with Association of Mutual Funds in India, collections via SIPs stood at Rs 8,095 crore last month - higher than January - while industry witnessed 4.96 lakh discontinuations of accounts. However, the silver lining is that the number of SIPs discontinued in February were less than that of December and January - 5.36 lakh discontinuations. Indian Mutual Funds have currently about 2.59 crore (25.9 million) SIP accounts through which investors regularly invest in Indian Mutual Fund schemes. Volatile markets & Aadhaar impact Fund managers said that volatile equity market have played spoilsport while some said SIPs may have lost some of its sheen after Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) disallowed Aadhaar-based authentication to complete Know Your Client (KYC) norms. Generally, the MF industry used to add close to 10 lakh SIPs each month before the Supreme Court verdict on Aadhaar, AMFI data shows that the industry had added merely 7 lakh SIP accounts each month since November. On October 12 last year, UIDAI wrote to the MF industry the registrar and transfer agents (R&T) and some online distributors asking them to discontinue using Aadhaar-based authentication to complete KYC norms. In September 2018, the Supreme Court verdict banned the use of Aadhaar data for financial transactions. This means a Permanent Account Number (PAN) is mandatory for every investor KYC. Poor performance "Lacklustre performance across equity scheme categories in the past one-year, where majority of large cap funds, mid cap funds, small cap funds, multi cap funds, have under-performed their respective benchmark indices. As a result, those who started SIPs towards the end of 2017 haven't made much money in last 12-15 months," said a fund manager from a private fund house. Large-cap, mid-cap and small cap mutual fund categories have delivered negative returns in the range of 4-10 percent in the last one year. In terms of net SIPs, which is new SIP registered minus discontinued SIPs, the numbers are falling even faster. In fact, in February 2018, the industry added just 2.58 lakh net new SIP accounts, compared with 2.62 lakh accounts in January, as per AMFI. AMFI data also reveals that the number of SIP discontinuations have increased in the current financial year compared to FY18. In FY18, the total discontinuation of SIP accounts stood at 34.83 lakh, while in 11 months of FY19, this number has already touched 52.99 lakh. On the other hand, the number of new SIPs registered in FY18 was 116.41 lakh, while until February, 100.67 lakh news SIPs were registered. MF DATA Inflows into equity funds, including equity linked saving schemes, have declined 17 percent on a month-on-month (MoM) basis to Rs 5,122 crore in February. Monthly equity inflows have come off significantly from the high of Rs 20,308 crore seen in November 2017. Assets under management (AUM) for the MF industry stood at Rs 23.16 lakh crore as at February-end, almost flat compared to the previous month. Representative image On March 12, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) decided to ground Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with immediate effect until appropriate modifications and safety measures are undertaken by the flight operators to ensure safety measures of passengers. At present, Jet Airways' all five Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are already grounded due to the bad health of airline's financial. SpiceJet though will now stop operating 12 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Due to this, passengers may face inconvenience as more flights may get cancelled, delayed or rescheduled. As per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) traffic reports, between September 2018 and January 2019, approximately 8.64 lakh domestic passengers faced issues on account of airline companies denying boarding, delays and cancellation of flights. For this, passenger airline companies have paid compensation of over Rs 16 crore to customers. Last month, the Ministry of Civil Aviation released the much-awaited passenger charter to address such problems faced by flyers. Some of the major changes in rights on flights cancelled, denied boarding or delayed are explained in table: Source: Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Guidelines Look-in option Many a times passengers decide to change the travel itinerary after booking the flight tickets. But now passengers will have an option to cancel or amend their flight tickets without any additional charges, except for the normal fare of the revised flight. This facility is newly introduced by airlines under Look-in option to passengers for a period of 24 hours after booking flight tickets. However, its important to note this facility will not be available for a flight whose departure is less than 7 days from booking date. Also, after 24 hours this look-in option will not be available and the passenger will have to pay the relevant cancellation fees for amendments. For instance, a passenger has booked an air ticket for Delhi-Mumbai sector on March 4, 2019 at 11 am and his date of departure is March 15, 2019 from Delhi. The passenger can avail the look-in option for cancelling or amending ticket till March 5 10:59 am. Denied boarding? Heres how much you can claim in compensation If boarding is denied to a passenger due to overbooking of his/her flight, the airline shall not be liable for any compensation if it provides alternate flight that is scheduled to depart within one hour of the original scheduled departure time. Failing to do so, the airline shall compensate the passengers as per the following provisions: Source: Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Guidelines If an airline cancels the flight booked by a passenger and informs less than two weeks before and up to 24 hours of the scheduled time of departure, the airline will have to offer an alternate flight or refund the ticket, as acceptable to the passenger. Passengers who have not been informed or have missed the connecting flight booked on the same ticket, the airline will have to either provide alternate flight as acceptable to the passenger or provide compensation in addition to the full refund of air ticket: Source: Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Guidelines If you are holding confirmed tickets, carrying valid travel documents and are present at the airport on specified time by the airlines for check-in. Then you are entitled to file a claim. One cannot claim any financial compensation if you have not provided adequate contact information (email id or a phone number) at the time of booking tickets. Another condition that the charter mentions for no compensation is if cancellations occur due to circumstances beyond the control of the airline which include natural disaster, civil war, flood, meteorological conditions, cancellations and delays due to Air Traffic Control (ATC), etc. If a passengers has been denied boarding a flight or the flight booked has been cancelled or delayed, customers may complain directly to the airline for compensation. If an airline does not provide the compensation/facilities as specified by DGCA, passengers can file grievances on Air Sewa app or portal. Air Sewa is grievance redressal system initiated by aviation ministry. Passengers can further file a complaint to any statuary body/court if not satisfied with the resolution by Air Sewa. The compensation will have to be paid in cash, bank transfer or travel vouchers by the airlines. Representative image India's first REIT to be launched by Embassy Office Parks, a joint venture of Blackstone and realty firm Embassy, is raising Rs 4,750 crore through the issue. The REIT issue will open on March 18 with a price band of Rs 299-300 per unit. The issue closes on March 20. Over 30 countries now have REITs with US being the first country to introduce it in the 1960s. In Asia, Japan was the first country to introduce REIT, followed by various Asian counties like Singapore, Indonesia and South Korea. Initially, growth in these countries was slow but it gradually picked up with changes in the REIT tax and regulatory regime, making it commercially viable and more acceptable to investors. Some learnings from international REITs that have not been included in the structure in India include concepts of stamp duty remission, overseas property portfolio, etc. Globally, REITs have a proven and successful track record in several Asian countries such as Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, and Hong Kong. In 2017 alone, total acquisitions undertaken by REITs in APAC crossed $20 billion, with an approximate share of 15 percent in the overall commercial real estate acquisitions undertaken in the region. In the first half of 2018, REIT acquisitions touched $10 billion, accounting for a share of 17 percent in the overall investment volume in the region during the period, said Anshuman Magazine, chairman & CEO, India, South East Asia, Middle East & Africa, CBRE. For many real estate markets in the world and Asia, REITs have proven to be a game-changer for the sector and have the potential to boost investor sentiment. India offers major advantages such as a wide variety of quality assets, sustained government support in easing regulations, a wide investor base, and opportunities for capital appreciation, among others. Hence, we are hopeful that India's first REIT will be a big success and will help elevate global sentiments on the Indian real estate market, he said. The US REIT market journey began in the 1960s. In the 1970s and 1980s, it was at a developing phase. It was in the 1990s, where the sector had achieved a substantial growth due to increase in acceptance of REIT among the investors as an alternative mode of investment in real estate properties. The reason behind such growth was majorly because of positive changes in the US tax and regulatory laws. The US REITs are classified on the basis of their investment form such as equity REITs, investing directly in properties and mortgage REITs, investing in housing loans and other real estate finance, which can be managed either internally or externally. According to a report titled REIT-able Space In India A Closer Reality by Knight Frank and KPMG, the two important tax and regulatory breakthroughs for the US REITs have been the Tax Reform Act, 1986 and the REIT Modernisation Act effective from 2001. The TRA pushed for real estate investments to become more tax-transparent and for integration of REITs with ancillary real estate business, like property management, leasing or development, thereby facilitating more effective management of REITs. The RMA made way for creation of taxable REIT subsidiaries, which can independently engage in such ancillary business activities. Australian REIT Market The first Australian REIT was established in 1971. Australian REITs (erstwhile famous as the Listed Property Trust or LPT) are relatively simpler tax effective corporate structures enabling pooled property investment. Following the first Australian REIT, the market for listed Australian REITs developed progressively until the 1980s. However, the Australian REIT market received a boost from the lessons learned from the failure of the commercial property market in the early 1990s an essential lesson being the importance of holding some liquid assets along with holding direct properties. REITs offered a convenient mechanism effectively blending investment in property along with a good liquidity position. This led to a huge roar in the Australian REIT market during the late 1990s, reinforced by both private players as well as institutions, around 60 REITs were listed on the ASX during this time. Further, increase in the popularity of stapled securities and internationalisation of Australian REITs further pushed the growth of the Australian REIT market. Japanese REIT market Japan is a leading REIT market in Asia. The first two J-REITs were listed in 2001 and thereafter the J-REIT market grew rapidly with around 41 J-REITs listed by early 2007. This was due to reforms such as lowered tax rate on capital gains and dividends, allowing funds-of-funds to invest in REITs. Other factors such as large gap (spread) between dividend yields of J-REITs and interest yields of 10 year government bonds, track record of stable dividends among listed names greatly contributed in promoting J-REITs as a lucrative investment alternative. Singaporean REIT market The first Singapore REIT was established and listed in July 2002. The growth of S-REITs market after the launch of the first REIT was slow until 2005. However, post the declaration of the policy of remission of stamp duty in 2005, the S-REITs market experienced a major boost and the number of REITs more than doubled by 2006. The year 2009 was the first year, when the value of S-REITs assets were significantly written down owing to the impact of the great global financial crisis in 2008. However, S-REITs market gradually improved back to the normal conditions. Most initial S-REITs are focused on domestic property portfolio, while the more recent S-REITs have expanded their property portfolio base to include overseas, primarily regional properties from China, Japan, Australia and India. Since 2010, Singapore REIT market has achieved huge success with increased focus on securitisation, overseas exposure in the S-REITs. REITs in the UK The UK REIT vehicle was launched with effect from 1 January 2007 by the Finance Act 2006. Within the first year of the regime itself, the number of registered REITs grew significantly, but since then the growth has been sluggish. The UK REIT regime operates through a combination of legislation (primary and secondary) plus guidance. The primary legislation has been reworked as part of a project to simplify the U.K.s tax legislation which forms part of the Corporation Tax Act 2010. The legislation now separates the property rental business from the other business activities termed as the residual business for taxation purposes. Over the seven years from its launch, the UK REIT regime has evolved with a number of changes that have resulted in a more attractive REIT regime which are worthwhile to note. Key changes brought about in the regime were, relaxation of listing requirement to allow listing on secondary markets, abolition of flat 2 per cent tax charged on value of properties of groups entering the REIT market, allowing cash to be a good asset for the business test of 75:25 as also modification of stamp duty on bulk purchases of residential property, which were especially aimed at encouraging smaller real estate players seeking to start-up REITs and boosting the residential property markets. Hong Kong REITs H-REIT was introduced through the Hong Kong REIT Code in 2003. However, since its emergence, the H-REIT market growth has been sluggish. Its development story significantly lags behind the other REIT markets in the Asia-Pacific region mainly due to relative restrictiveness and want of some tangible incentives. Recognising the need of the current REIT market, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has revised Hong Kongs Code on Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) on August 29, 2014, taking immediate effect. Under the new regime, Hong Kongs REIT portfolios have been expanded to allow investment in retail properties, commercial and hotel properties, as well as properties in Mainland China. Further permission has now been granted for REITs to invest in developing properties, also engage in development activities and to purchase financial instruments (including local and foreign property funds), subject to the criteria of minimum investment in rent-generating property, says the report titled REIT-able Space In India A Closer Reality by Knight Frank and KPMG. Malaysia REIT The first Malaysian REIT was listed in 1989. It is regulated by the Securities Commission of Malaysia. There is no requirement concerning the number of investors and no restrictions on ownership by non-resident investors. Domestic corporate unit holders are taxed at 24 percent withholding tax, foreign corporate unit holders at the same rate and individuals and institutional investors at 10 per cent withholding tax. The market is growing although the pace is slow, says a report titled Indias Real estate and Infrastructure Trusts: The Way Forward by PwC. Representative image live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Shares of Reliance Infrastructure slipped nearly 4 percent intraday March 14 after the company signed an agreement to sale entire stake in its subsidiary company. In its BSE release Reliance Infrastructure announced the signing of definitive binding agreement with Cube Highways and Infrastructure III Pte for the sale of its 100 percent stake in Delhi-Agra (DA) Toll Road (DATRPL). The total deal enterprise value is over Rs 3,600 crore and in addition, NHAI claims of Rs 1,200 crore to be filed by DA Toll Road will flow directly to Reliance Infrastructure. The transaction is subject to all requisite permissions, sanctions and approvals, including the shareholding transfer restrictions set out in the concession agreement executed between NHAI and DTRPL. DATRPL is not a material subsidiary of the company. The sale of equity interests in DATRPL to Cube Highways is not a related party transaction. Reliance Infrastructure will utilise the proceeds of this transaction entirely to reduce its debt, company said. After the completion of the transaction for Delhi-Agra Toll Road, the debt of Reliance Infrastructure will reduce 25 percent to less than Rs 5,000 crore, it added. At 1430 hours, Reliance Infrastructure was quoting at Rs 126.15, down Rs 3.40, or 2.62 percent on the BSE. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More Voltas shed 3 percent intraday Thursday as broking house CLSA maintained its sell call on the company. It kept a target at Rs 500 per share, which is 17 percent lower than the current market price. According to CLSA, Voltbek JV is seeing a good response, also there is reduction in AC inventory as demand from South India is improving. The Voltbek JV products are now leveraging 85 percent of company's distribution network. Meanwhile, refrigerators and washing machines will be the focus segments for the JV, it added. The company's projects business is seeing steady performance, while currency appreciation could impact margin going ahead, CLSA said further. At 10:52 hrs, Voltas was quoting at Rs 605.35, down Rs 13.10, or 2.12 percent on the BSE. The stock touched its 52-week high Rs 664.60 and 52-week low Rs 471 on 23 April, 2018 and 08 October, 2018, respectively. Currently, it is trading 8.92 percent below its 52-week high and 28.52 percent above its 52-week low. live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More After China blocked UN's move to designate Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, another wave of boycotting Chinese products surfaced in India. China's move to put a technical hold on the proposal was despite the terrorist outfit claiming responsibility for Pulwama terror attack where 40 CRPF jawans were killed. Angry Indians took to Twitter to talk about China's absolute lack of empathy and disregard for India's safety using the hashtag #BoycottChineseProducts. Read: #BoycottChineseProducts trends on Twitter as China blocks UN move to list Masood Azhar global terrorist While a number of social media users agree that boycotting Chinese goods would be the best way to send across a message to China, what will be the impact of an Indian boycott of Chinese goods? In 2017, the India-China bilateral trade reached a historic high of $84.44 billion, up 18 percent year-on-year (YoY), according to World Integrated Trade Solution data. This was notwithstanding bilateral tensions over a host of issues including the Doklam standoff, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and Beijing blocking India's entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). While bilateral trade reached a new landmark, the trade deficit continues to remain high. India's trade deficit with China was a huge $63 billion in 2017-18, which was more than a third of the country's total trade deficit, according to Commerce Ministry data. The country's exports to China stood at $13.3 billion and imports from the country at $76.38 billion in 2017-18. Read: India-China bilateral trade hits historic high of $84 bn in 2017 In 2017, India's trade deficit with China was $51.75 billion, registering a growth of 8.55 percent YoY. Acknowledging the need to take steps to check the deficit, China signed three export protocols on rice, fishmeal and tobacco to allow imports of the three items. If India chooses to boycott Chinese products, it may affect the imports of capital goods, machinery and electrical, chemicals, as well as intermediate and consumer goods. These imports are important for industries in India to manufacture goods, medicines as well as gadgets. "India is considerable dependent on China for many of the finished products such as gadgets. If India boycotts Chinese products, it will considerably impact the country," said Biswajit Dhar, Professor and Head of the Centre for WTO Studies at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. With raw materials being exported to China, the neighbouring country is able to manufacture and export its goods at such low prices owing to subsidies and support from the government. Boycotting Chinese goods would mean fewer cheap goods for consumers in India. A reduction in the imports of cheaper capital goods would also push up production costs, making products costlier, thereby, affecting the consumers. Since India also imports a high number of electrical products, it would impact the prices of electrical gadgets and smartphones. Chinese companies such as Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo and OnePlus nearly control 51 percent of India's over $8 billion smartphone market. Even in the power sector, India is heavily dependent on China when it comes to achieving its renewable energy target. India's import dependence for meeting its solar equipment demand was over 90 percent in past three financial years, Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister R K Singh said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha last year. A majority of these imports were from China. The value of solar cells/photovoltaic cells whether or not assembled in module/panel, imported from China jumped to $3.41 billion in 2017-18 from $596.73 million in 2013-14, the minister informed. In 2018-19, China supplied over 80 percent of the antibiotics imported by India and well above 60 percent of electronic products and components. Thus, some of the key sectors of the Indian economy are critically dependent on China. Even though the percentage of imports from India to China remains low, it would impact China in the long run. In 2017, India became the 24th largest exporter to China. If India chooses to boycott, it would impact China's entry into a large market such as India, but the intensity of impact would be felt more at home. "If India decides to boycott Chinese products, it will not make any economic sense given the kind of dependency that we have," Dhar said. Latest trade data, however, shows that India's bilateral trade deficit with China has shrunk this year, according to a report by The Hindu BusinessLine. In the first nine months of 2018-19, India's exports to China have grown by an impressive 34 percent (as against less than 10 percent overall), while imports from its northern neighbour have declined by nearly 4.5 percent (as against an increase of 14 percent overall). The decline was mostly due to the increased exports of petroleum products to China. Reliance Industries' aromatic production capacities over the past couple of years have found its way into the export market with China emerging as one of the major destinations, according to the report. Even though it may indicate a reversal in the rising trend in the trade deficit, there remains a significant area of concern - the absence of adequate manufacturing facilities. A number of these sectors would be affected if India decides to boycott Chinese products. To be able to boycott Chinese goods, India needs to reduce its trade deficit with China and strengthen its manufacturing sector to be able to produce goods back home, providing cheaper products to customers. Representative Image Anand Kochukudy The Kerala State Election Commissions warning to political parties on invoking the Sabarimala verdict for political propaganda has created a flutter ahead of the general election. State Election Commissioner Teeka Ram Meena has thrown a spanner in the works of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s hopes of cashing in on the Supreme Court verdict allowing the entry of menstruating women at the famous hill shrine. Kummanam Rajasekharan, who resigned as the Mizoram Governor nine months into his term to contest elections in the state, has declared the BJP's intention to approach the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) in Delhi for redress. The explicit directive could take the wind out of BJP's concerted campaign against the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government led by Pinarayi Vijayan on the Sabarimala issue. Curiously, even the Congress has joined issue with the state Election Commission's (EC) directive. The ECs directive comes in the wake of the agitations and law and order issues witnessed in the aftermath of the SC verdict. Although BJP leaders have panned Meena for his directive and questioned its constitutionality, legal experts weighing in on the issue have backed the EC's position. In fact, Rule 3 of the model code of conduct explicitly states that There shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes. Mosques, Churches, Temples or other places of worship shall not be used as forum for election propaganda. The BJP, which has struggled to find a toehold in the state over the years have been desperately trying to polarise the Hindu vote-bank in Kerala on the issue of Sabarimala with the resolve to defend Hindu customs and traditions. A leaked video of state BJP President PS Sreedharan Pillai stating how the Sabarimala issue is a "golden opportunity" to exploit had given away the party's strategy to make political capital out of it. As for the Congress, their tactical position on Sabarimala has been to profess their solidarity with devotees while claiming to respect the SC verdict. The Congress has been highlighting the state government's failure to prevent law and order issues and the lack of consensus-building in the aftermath of the verdict. Although the EC's directive will deter explicit campaigning on this issue, it is not beyond the politicians used to speaking in forked tongues to exploit the issue. Still, it levels the playing field for the LDF which had its back to the wall in the run up to the election. Multiple surveys have predicted a Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) resurgence and near sweep in Kerala. The BJP, though they are tipped to make incremental gains, is unlikely to convert a 2-3% gain in vote share into a seat. The BJP's best bet is in Thiruvananthapuram where Rajasekharan is likely to be named the candidate but incumbent Shashi Tharoor is expected to retain the seat in a triangular contest with Communist Party of India's (CPIs) C Divakaran. The BJP also senses an opportunity in the Pathanamthitta constituency which houses the Sabarimala hill shrine with both the LDF and UDF fielding Christian candidates. Pillai and BJP general secretary K Surendran are both vying for the seat with the caste factor expected to tip the scales in Pillai's favour unless he backs out of contesting. The LDF has gained an early advantage by naming the candidates before others and have put up strong candidates in all constituencies. UDF heavyweights KC Venugopal, PCC Chief Mullapally Ramachandran and former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy seem reluctant to contest for varying reasons although they have no dearth of formidable candidates in all seats. The Chief Electoral Officer met with the representatives of political parties on March 13 to clarify the contours of his directive but stood firm on his decision. The BJP, which hoped to mount their campaign around the Sabarimala issue, might have to content with the EC's punitive measures if they are to go ahead with their plan. Although the EC directive may not have too much of an impact on the final outcome, it will definitely facilitate a cleaner and less vicious political campaign on concrete issues of policy and governance. Anand Kochukudy is a Delhi-based academic and political commentator. Views are personal. For more Opinion pieces, click here A hotel in Delhi's posh Chanakyapuri area, which houses the diplomatic enclave, was the first stop of Masood Azhar, the founder of Jaish-e-Mohammad, when he first arrived in India in January 1994 and dodged immigration officials' queries about his Portugese passport by claiming he was a "Gujarati by birth". The Pakistan-based terrorist, who was arrested in Jammu and Kashmir within the next two weeks, had also stayed in capital's hotel Janpath and visited Lucknow, Shahranpur and Islamic seminary Darul-uloom Deoband, according to his interrogation report. Azhar, whose JeM was responsible for a series of terror strikes in India including the attack on Parliament in 2001 and a CRPF convoy in Pulwama last month, had arrived in India on a fake Portuguese passport after visiting Bangladesh. "I spent two days in Dhaka and thereafter travelled to Delhi by Bangladesh Airlines (Biman), reaching the IGI Airport in early hours of January 29, 1994. The Immigration officials at IGI commented that I did not look like a Portuguese but when I replied that that I was a Gujarati by birth, he did not hesitate to stamp my passport. "I hired a taxi and asked (the driver) for a good hotel. I was taken to the Ashok hotel in Chanakyapuri where I stayed," according to the interrogation report available with the security agencies here. During the night, Azhar told his interrogators, that he rang one Ashraf Dar, a Kashmiri, who came to the Ashok hotel along with Abu Mehmood, a member of terrorist group Harakat ul-Ansar. "I expressed my desired to visit Deoband to pay obeisance at the graves of Deobandi intellectuals. As such Ashraf Dar escorted me in his Maruti car, accompanied by Abu Mehmood to Deoband. We stayed in Darul-uloom Deoband for the night. After offering prayers at Deoband, next morning we went to Gungoh and then proceeded to Saharanpur," the report said. At Saharanpur, Azhar stayed for the night at a mosque of Tabliq-ul-Jamat and at none of these places, he had revealed his true identity. On January 31, 1994, he came back to Delhi by the same car after staying overnight at Khan Ji of Maulana Masir-ul-ullah Khan at Jalalabad. On reaching Delhi, Azhar stayed at hotel Janpath located near Connaught Place. Since his flight to Srinanagr was booked for February 9, he decided to visit one Maulana Abu Hassan Nadvi alias Ali Mian at his madrassa in Lucknow. Accordingly, Azhar went to Lucknow in a bus on February 6 or 7, 1994, where again he did did not disclose his identity. As he could not meet Ali Mian and another another person whom he intended to meet, Azhar returned to Delhi by bus. This time, he stayed at hotel Sheesh Mahal in Karol Bagh. In all Delhi hotels, Azhar registered himself in the assumed identity of Portuguese national Vali Adam Issa. "In Delhi, on February 8, 1994, I visited the Centre of Tablig-ul-Jamat at Nizamuddin but did not meet any particular person. I had also purchased 12 compasses (to give direction of Mecca) from Nizammudin to offer them as gift to militants in the Kashmir valley," he told the interrogators. After his arrival in Srinagar on February 9, 1994, Ashraf Dar escorted him to Madrasa Qasmian in Lal Bazar where a room was arranged for him. Later in the evening a militant, Sajjad Afghani, came to meet him along with his deputy named Amjad Bilal of Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami, who was armed. Next morning, on February 10, he was escorted by Afghani to a place called Matigund where all Pakistan/PoK terrorists gathered. "They (the terrorists) were happy about my visit and merger of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami. I had taken their addresses and letters so that I can communicate their welfare to their families on return to Pakistan," he told the interrogators. While returning from Matigund, accompanied by Afghani and one Farooq, a militant of Matigund area, who was armed and had a wireless set, the car developed some trouble and stopped. Then Azhar and his accomplice boarded a three-wheeler and proceeded to Anantnag. After travelling for about 2-3 km, the auto rickshaw was stopped by the Army personnel, according to the report. "Farooq started running and opened fire which was returned by the Army men. Farooq managed to escape but I along with Afghani was arrested," he told the interrogators. Azhar was freed from an Indian prison in 1999 along with two other terrorists in exchange for passengers of an Indian Airlines aircraft which was hijacked and taken to Kandahar in Afghanistan. Claiming that the Narendra Modi factor has not ebbed, political analysts said it would play a decisive role in the coming Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka. " In 2014, if any state in India that Modi factor has played itself out it has been Karnataka. Six out of 10 voters had voted for Modi then. Nationally, the number was 3 out of 10. This Lok Sabha election too, Modi factor will play a decisive role," Political scientist Sandeep Shastri said. Apart from Modi factor, JDS-Congress arithmetic and their political chemistry on ground level would play a decisive role in the elections, given the old rivalry between JDS and Congress in Mysuru region, he told PTI. "The alliance arithmetic seems to favour Congress and JDS combine, but it has to be seen whether their party workers and supporters accept the alliance at the ground level, especially in old Mysuru region. They have been rivals for the last two decades," he said. Shastri pointed out that the bickerings between the Congress and JDS over the issue of fielding candidates in Mandya seat is one such case. Asked if BJP would repeat its 2014 performance in Karnataka, Shastri said no party would sweep the elections. The BJP would not repeat its performance of winning 17 seats in 2014 elections. Modi's election has the potential of changing the fortunes of BJP, which was witnessed during last assembly election, Harish Ramaswamy, a political analyst said. "There is enough data to show that Modi is a big factor in Karnataka. In the last assembly elections, things changed drastically for BJP after Modi started to address the rallies, before that the party was on a sticky wicket," he said. The main reason for BJP's under-performance would be B S Yeddyurappa's leadership, who has been committing "political mistakes," Ramaswamy said. "The latest comments by Yeddyurappa that BJP would win 22 Lok Sabha seats due to Balakot air strike has created lot of problems for the party," he said. Yeddyurappa also "lost" some sheen after his "unsuccessful attempt" to topple the JDS-Congress government, Ramaswamy said. Representative Image The government has released pending dues of Rs 171 crore to cash-strapped MTNL for paying February salaries to employees, a senior official said. On the other hand, BSNL will clear salary dues of around Rs 850 crore by March 20 from its internal accruals. Both companies have failed to pay salaries of their employees for last month, according to employees' representatives. BSNL Chairman and MD Anupam Shrivastava said the company expects internal accruals of around Rs 850 crore in this month and the entire amount will be used for disbursal of salaries. "There will be no pending amount following this disbursal," he said. The company has informed its employee representatives that the disbursal of salaries would be made by March 20. BSNL spokesperson Sanjay Kumar Sinha said the salaries of BSNL employees in Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala and BSNL Corporate office (excluding senior officers and board members) have already been released. A senior DoT official said MTNL has been provided with Rs 171 crore on March 12 as part of an internal settlement. Both BSNL and MTNL have been ailing due to decisions taken by the government in the past including transfer of a large number of DoT employees to these PSUs and allocation of expensive spectrum for mobile services without giving them any choice. BSNL has 1.76 lakh employees across India and MTNL has around 22,000. It is estimated that 16,000 MTNL employees and 50 percent of BSNL employees will retire in the next 5-6 years. The PSUs have approached the government for relief and partial equity investment in line with industry practice to compete in the market. Both firms have sought permissions to monetise their land assets as well as support for the voluntary retirement scheme for its employees. MTNL, which operates in only Delhi and Mumbai, expects that asset monetisation and other measures can help the company is doing away with the debt of around Rs 19,000 crore. BSNL, which has the lowest debt of Rs 14,000 crore among all telecom operators, has sought 4G spectrum across India through equity infusion of Rs 7,000 crore to help it compete in the market. Rakesh Sharma | Harish Puppala Let's start our story today with Ghana, a country the size of Jammu and Kashmir in West Africa. It is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, needing more and more power each year to run its expanding economy. A Turkish company is generating part of Ghana's power supply. Another Turkish company completed the construction of Ghana's new international airport. The running of the Electricity Company of Ghana, which also happens to be the largest distributor in West Africa, is now taken over by the Meralco consortium, an entity based in the Philippines. The highest and longest flyover in Ghana, and West Africa, named for its liberation hero Kwame Nkrumah, was built by Brazilians. What's happening in Ghana is a but a screenshot of the larger motion picture being screened in Africa, where the producers and distributors of the film are mostly foreign entities. This "new scramble for Africa" has several non-western nations vying for dominance. In these African nations, several of which were erstwhile colonies of European colonial powers and the US, countries of the Middle East, Russia, Brazil, and Turkey have been increasingly jockeying for influence. In a relationship that some analysts have termed "post-postcolonial," the patterns of engagement are also beginning to change. If during the era of colonialism by European powers, the relationship between the colonising power and the colonised was regarded paternalistic, extractive, when not downright exploitative, in the 21st century, African nations with their ambitious leaders, have more manoeuvring power. The Financial Times noted that Africa-India trade jumped more than 10-fold from $7.2bn in 2001 to $78bn in 2014 making India Africas fourth biggest trading partner, according to the UN Economic Commission for Africa. According to Brookings, between 2006 and 2016, the value of African imports from Russia and Turkey rose 142 per cent and 192 per cent respectively. But in this rediscovered interest in Africa, one name stands out: China. It goes without saying that Washington is watching the rise of the dragon in Africa keenly. King Leopold II of Belgium, under whose watch the Congolese genocide that claimed millions of lives took place, called the bounties of the continent "magnifique gateau africain." Clearly, everyone still wants a slice of that pie. This time around, the terms of engagement are different. The rise of China in Africa, and what it means for China, Africa, and the rest of the world are the topic of our discussion as we dig deeper into the heart of a rich, opportunity-abundant continent and the many attractions it holds for a country whose red flag and five yellow stars are on the rise. This is Digging Deeper with Moneycontrol, with me Rakesh Sharma. 2009 was a landmark year in Africa - China replaced USA as Africas biggest trading partner. As we noted in a previous podcast, China loaned a whopping $95.5 billion across Africa between 2000 and 2015. Currently, that number is estimated to be closer to 135 billion USD. One Quartz.com article claimed that between 2012 and 2017, Chinese lending to sub Saharan African countries jumped to more than $10 billion a year, up from less than $1 billion in 2001, according to credit analysts at Moodys. The Middle Kingdom had pledged a further 60 billion USD in aid to African countries last year, including credit lines, aid and interest-free loans, development financing, import financing and other types of investments. Yesterday, a Chinese diplomat in Namibia said his country is ready to back Africa with unwavering support in infrastructure development and financial investment as part of implementing the deals made at the 2018 Forum for China-Africa Cooperation. China has also become one of the main weapons exporters to the continent after Russia, USA and some European nations. Chinas first overseas military base opened in Djibouti in 2017. (For those that do not know, Djibouti is a small country that is bordered by Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea and sits at the place where the Red Sea opens out into the Gulf Of Aden.) Africas growth China has invested billions of dollars in Africa building all those massive infrastructure projects as part of a project called the Belt and Road Initiative, or BRI - an estimated one trillion dollar plan to connect China with trade routes all over the world. The Guardian described this project as ...a 21st century Silk Road, made up of a belt of overland corridors and a maritime road of shipping lanes. China is carrying out and/or planning construction projects in over 60 countries along these routes to bring its plan to fruition. BRI has been called many things - a state-backed campaign for global dominance, a stimulus package for a slowing economy, a massive marketing campaign for something that was already happening Chinese investment around the world. Since its announcement in 2013, the project has morphed into a broad catchphrase to describe almost all aspects of Chinese engagement abroad. Essentially, BRI could be defined as Chinas broader foreign policy in one acronym. It includes 71 countries that account for half the worlds population and a quarter of global GDP. Many countries like Panama, Madagascar, South Africa and even New Zealand officially pledged support for this mega connectivity plan. India, of course, is no fan of any such belts or roads, and has rejected BRI as part of Chinas plan to advance its geopolitical agenda at the expense of smaller developing nations. Going back and forth, India has at best been equivocal about the initiative. India also fears that BRI could diminish its influence in the Indian Ocean zone, a region where it enjoys somewhat stronger sway. And, if truth be told, those fears could turn out to be true given Indias foreign policies that are perceived as wishy-washy. Because China usually has a plan, and India usually doesnt. By July last year, Chinese companies had secured more than $340bn in construction contracts along the Belt and Road. But, as The Guardian observed, Chinas dominance in the construction sector came at the expense of local contractors in partner countries. The vast sums raked in by Chinese firms seemed to be at odds with official rhetoric that Belt and Road is open to global participation, suggesting that the initiative is also motivated by factors other than trade, such as Chinas need to combat excess capacity at home. Africa, for its part, has been growing. The United Nations estimates that by 2025 Africas population will exceed that of even China. Governments and businesses from around the planet are working to strengthen diplomatic, strategic and commercial ties with African nations. This creates vast opportunities. Between 2010 and 2016, over 320 embassies and consulates were opened in Africa. Turkey alone opened 26! India also announced it would open 18 embassies. (Hey, if we dont have a cogent foreign policy roadmap, we can always follow the leaders.) Military ties are deepening as well. USA and France are lending weapons and technology to the struggle against extremism in northern Africa. China is, as we mentioned earlier, one of the biggest weapons sellers in sub-Saharan Africa and has defence-technology ties with 45 countries. Russia has signed 19 military deals with various African states. Oil-rich Arab states are building bases on the Horn of Africa and hiring African mercenaries. In 2006, Africas biggest trading partners were America, China and France. In 2018, that list read China, India and USA. France fell way down to seventh place. Over the same period, Africas trade has trebled with Turkey and Indonesia, and more than quadrupled with Russia. Trade with the European Union has grown by 41%. The biggest sources of foreign direct investment are still firms from America, Britain and France, but Chinese firms, including state-backed outfits, are pouring in. We had briefly covered this in a previous podcast. Also, investors from India and Singapore are eager to join the fray. Many countries are engaging with Africa seriously. Since 2008 Turkeys leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has paid more than 30 visits to African countries, most of them sub-Saharan. Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, has visited the continent nine times since taking office in 2017. Narendra Modi has visited eight African countries. But none of them have engaged with the continent quite like China has. Chinas top officials made 79 visits to Africa between 2008 and 2018. Chinese money leads the way Lets look at Chinas investments in Africa. Many African countries have joined the BRI party. One of them, Ethiopia, is a curious case - it is so in love with all things China that political training programmes for Ethiopians are undertaken where members of ruling parties, labour unions and ministries head to China to meet members of the Chinese Communist Party. Ethiopias ruling EPRDF party has copied much of what it has witnessed in China, tightly controlling business and investment, and replicated Chinas Central Party School and party cadre system. Many more African nations, which desperately want to boost infrastructure, economic growth, and global competitiveness, have increasingly turned to China for loans. Take South Africa, for instance - more than half the members of the executive committee of the ruling African National Congress have attended such schools in China, a country the ANC calls its guiding lodestar. The Belt and Road projects showpiece in Africa is Kenyas 465-kilometre railway from Nairobi to the port city of Mombasa, which opened in 2017 - the countrys largest infrastructure project since independence. There are plans to extend that network into South Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. Chinas African protege, Ethiopia, got a 750 kilometre long electric railway from capital city Addis Ababa to the very important port in neighbouring Djibouti. The 3-billion-dollar project was financed by a Chinese bank and built by Chinese companies. Addis Ababas new light rail system was also funded and built by China, and is operated by Shenzhen Metro Group. Djibouti, as we mentioned earlier, allowed China to build its first overseas military base.in exchange for investments, preferential loans, a pipeline and two airports. French president Emmanuel Macron will soon visit Frances oldest and biggest foreign military base, the one in Djibouti. France has had a military presence in the nation of a million people since granting it independence it in 1977, and currently has about 1,500 soldiers stationed there. Interestingly, Macrons visit will also take him to Ethiopia and Kenya. Mathieu Duchatel, head of Asian studies at the Institut Montaigne in Paris, said, ...hes going there to respond to the huge infrastructure push China is making with the Belt and Road initiative. The US also opened its own base in 2002 and has about 5,000 troops. The new Chinese base could eventually hold up to 10,000 military personnel. Interesting days ahead, what say? Bloomberg reported that the China Merchant Group had tekn Djiboutis container port of Doraleh and planned to invest up to $15 billion over the next 17 years in order to expand energy terminals and transform it to an entry point to East Africa. Onward transit to Ethiopia will be facilitated by the train line China built to Addis Ababa last year. The Guardian reported that Chinese infrastructure projects stretch all the way to Angola and Nigeria, with ports planned along the coast from Dakar to Libreville and Lagos. Beijing has signalled its support for the African Unions proposal of a pan-African high-speed rail network. And Chinese presence seems to be so enmeshed at this point, youd be hard pressed to parse Chinese investments from African development. Professor Steve Tsang, director of the Soas China Institute, told The Guardian, If youd like a project to be Belt and Road, it can be Belt and Road...You can fit anything into it. Its a way of getting support for your project. According to Winslow Robertson, a specialist in China-Africa relations, it is as much a centralised initiative as it is a brand. He said, Who determines what is a Belt and Road project or a Belt and Road country? Nobody is sure. Everything and nothing is Belt and Road. The flip side All this rush to invest in Africa has a lot of people worried. The Centre for Global Development found that Djibouti was among eight Belt and Road countries significantly or highly vulnerable to debt distress from the loans. IMF figures showed its public external debt swelled from 50% to 85% of GDP in just two years. The affected nations Djibouti, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, the Maldives, Mongolia, Montenegro, Pakistan and Tajikistan are among the poorest in their respective regions and will owe more than half of all their foreign debt to China. Former US secretary of state Rex Tillerson accused China of predatory loan practices. His predecessor Hillary Clinton had warned of Chinas new colonialism. Some governments, from Malaysia to even all-weather friend Pakistan, may have begun to rethink the costs of such projects. Malaysia has complained that its belt and road projects are too costly. The US$60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC, is fiercely opposed by India because it runs through PoK. The most widely quoted example is Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan government leased the port of Hambantota to a Chinese company for 99 years after struggling to make repayments. Critics are concerned that China could use debt-trap diplomacy to extract strategic concessions such as over territorial disputes in the South China Sea or silence on human rights violations. One example - in 2011, China wrote off an undisclosed debt owed by Tajikistan in exchange for 1,158 sq kms of disputed territory. Scott Morris, one of the authors of the Washington Centre for Global Development report, told The Guardian, There are some extreme cases where China lends into very high risk environments, and it would seem that the motivation is something different. In these situations the leverage China has as lender is used for purposes unrelated to the original loan. What all this means is, as Chinas Belt and Road project grows in scope, so do the concerns that it is a form of economic imperialism that gives the worlds second largest economy too much leverage over smaller, poorer countries. Take, for instance, Chinas plan to set up international courts, in the cities of Shenzhen and Xian, the former hub of the original Silk Road, to resolve commercial disputes related to Belt and Road. Jonathan Hillman, director of the Reconnecting Asia project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said, Its a reminder BRI is about more than roads, railways, and other hard infrastructure...Its also a vehicle for China to write new rules, establish institutions that reflect Chinese interests, and reshape soft infrastructure. Officials have said the courts, to be based on the judiciary, arbitration and mediation agencies of Chinas Supreme Peoples Court in Beijing, will follow international rules and will invite legal experts from outside China to participate. However, critics of the independence of the countrys judicial system, which traditionally answers to Chinas ruling communist party, worry the courts will favour Chinese parties over foreign firms. Then theres the argument that many investments merely funnel the money back to China. One analysis claimed, Often Chinese policy banks make money available for a particular project in a recipient country on the condition that Chinese companies execute the project...So, for a large part, the money flows from Chinese policy banks to Chinese construction companies..The railroad is being built, the highway is being built. Maybe it will never be used, but those construction companies reached their goal. A report by The Economist indicated that as many as 10,000 Chinese companies could be operating in Africa, 90% of them privately owned. Many reported earning juicy returns, in some cases enough to pay back investments in less than a year. Many said they planned to keep investing because of the plentiful opportunities to make money. Is it just me, or does that sound worryingly similar to the statements from a century or two ago when certain other nations went around the world promising fantastic trading opportunities? If we look at the scenario dispassionately, the fact is that, as of now, the Sri Lankan port and Tajikistan remain the only places in the world where Beijing took over state assets. Observers noted that officials understood the damages debt book diplomacy could bring to China. Yet Beijings debt relief or repayment actions, according to W Gyude Moore, a visiting fellow at the Center for Global Development, remains haphazard...unpredictable. Theres nothing written. Its confusing. Africas problem with debt For all the allusions to neo-colonialism, it is also well worth our time to looking at the struggles African nations have had with loans. One Deutsche Welle report says, In 2017, the International Monetary Fund identified nine low-income sub-Saharan states, including Cameroon, Ethiopia and Zambia, as countries at high risk of debt distress. According to the IMF, six more countries are deep in debt: Chad, the Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Mozambique, Southern Sudan and Zimbabwe. They are considered Highly Indebted Poor Countries (or HIPCs), able to benefit from debt relief under the Western group of most industrialized countries G8's HIPC Initiative. So far, the initiative has approved debt reduction packages totaling $76 billion for 36 countries, including 30 in Africa. Approximately 35% of Africas debt is owed to institutions like the World Bank. Annalisa Prizzon, Senior Research Fellow at the British think tank Overseas Development Institute, observed that, China is the largest moneylender for only three of these countries: Djibouti, DR Congo and Zambia. She added that China was not primarily responsible for the debt crisis in Africa. Lucy Corkin, business manager at Rand Merchant Bank Africa, pointed out that Beijing regularly pardons a certain amount of debt at the triannual China-Africa Cooperation Forum. While they may not be huge sums, they do have positive effects on diplomatic relations. She said, In most cases if there is exploitation, it occurs in terms of the relationship or the responsibility and the lack of responsibility that is shown by the African governments to their own people. She added, African governments are the ones that go to China to seek these loans and then they will negotiate the terms for it. As for China, the National Peoples Congress spokesman and former foreign affairs vice-minister Zhang Yesui refuted all talk that the Belt and Road project lacks transparency and creates debt traps for participating countries. He said, China attaches great importance to the problem of debt sustainability and will neither force others to cooperate on projects nor create any traps. Obviously, like other international cooperation initiatives, there will be some difficulties, problems, risks and challenges during the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative. However with continued overall improvement, I believe that the Belt and Road Initiative will certainly bring better development and even more rewards to participating nations. Harry Verhoeven, convenor of the Oxford University China-Africa Network, said, Beijing has in reality been stung by the mounting criticism in Africa, South America and the West about the unexpectedly high financial and political cost of its infrastructure diplomacy in general, and BRI in particular. Also, lets face it - there is nothing wrong with infrastructure investment or promoting global connectivity. The Asian Development Bank estimates that Asia alone needs about $26 trillion of investment in infrastructure until 2030 in order to sustain current growth rates. According to the International Monetary Fund, a lack of adequate infrastructure is one of the biggest hurdles for growth and development in Africa and Latin America. So, Chinas BRi is only filling huge gaps that exist in many places. International development banks, like the African Development Bank and the World Bank, have limited funds that are not enough to finance all necessary infrastructure development. Western commercial banks cannot provide risky loans anymore since the economic crisis. Frans-Paul van der Putten, who works with a Dutch international relations think tank named Clingendael, said, Chinas role is crucial here...Not only is it an alternative source of financing, it is also a really big one. Quartz noted that in recent years, countries like Cameroon, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Botswana have all sought to have their debts restructured or written off, with varying degrees of success. But Beijings actions - taking over land in Tajikistan and the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka in exchange for the waiving of outstanding debt - are definitely cause for concern. And countries that have held power in the last few centuries - Western European countries and the USA - are keeping a close watch. Global reponse Last August, several US senators wrote to Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary, and Mike Pompeo, secretary of state, accusing Beijing of "weaponising capital" in Africa, by using debt to create an economic world order in China's image. The Trump administration has been trying its bit to cosy up to Africa. It backed a big expansion of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, a private sector focused development agency whose lending limit is to be more than doubled to $60 billion. It even found rare bipartisan support in the House. The supporters of this Act, called BUILD (Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development) are explicitly linking national security to China's growing influence in Africa. Analysts, however, have noted that America is not going all in yet simply because it is still concentrating on the threats in Africa, and not the opportunities. Britian is still the second biggest investor in Africa, not least due to its history with the continent. It is still one of the biggest aid donors to Africa. But analysts have noted that London has become diplomatically disengaged with Africa. Poor Mrs May really has a lot of catching up to do, said Mark Malloch Brown, a British diplomat and former deputy UN secretary-general under Kofi Annan, as reported by the Financial Times. The rise of China did not just creep up on them, but murmurs of the rise were just never taken seriously enough. And now there has been attempts at correcting their blase attitude, although it is safe to say Theresa May's dancing may not have been the best route to reassert Britain's relevance. The other European powerhouse, Germany, has launched something called the "Marshall Plan with Africa," pledging public money to companies investing on the continent. We are going to create more security for ourselves and we will put an end to trafficking, said German chancellor Angela Merkel, launching a scheme that has been slow to get off the ground. Kwasi Prempeh, executive director of the Center for Democratic Development in Accra, also points out how the development of Africa and Europe's investments there could be connected to immigration taking place from Northern Africa to Europe, specifically Germany. He says: "Theyre thinking: If we can get these countries to be economically viable, either through direct investment or aid, then maybe we can stem the flow'" It is perhaps in this regard that Volkswagen has committed to assemble 5000 cars in Ghana. It is perhaps also in this vein that France has sought to articulate a new vision for the continent. As FT notes, "Whether driven by fear or a sense of commercial and diplomatic opportunity, the wider variety of actors has presented African leaders with greater choice." Howard French, a professor at the Columbia School of Journalism and an expert on Africa, said to FT, " "At the end of the cold war, the west very much withdrew and stopped asserting its interest in Africa. It has taken all this time for the vacuum that this created to draw in a panoply of new players. China is the most obviously important, but Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Turkey, Brazil, Russia and the Gulf states have all been drawn in." China leads the pack thus far. But not without obstacles. Civil society groups across Africa are asking for checks and balances, accusing many leaders of cutting corrupt deals helping them line their pockets in projects that they deem bad for their respective countries. Accusations of lack of transparency in loans from China and other countries are often brought up by critics who also say that the projects thus financed do not/cannot make sufficient returns to pay back the underlying debt, thus also pushing these countries into an ever-worsening debt trap. Africa's theme for this century has been one of growth. We do not yet see a big improvement in living standards across the continent, but there are several numbers to indicate robust growth, and hopefully eventually, better living standards in the coming decades. Of the worlds top 10 fastest-growing economies in 2018, according to the World Bank, six were in Africa, including Ethiopia, a country of 105m people where China, Turkey and the Gulf states are all active. From 2018 to 2035, the UN predicts that the worlds 10 fastest-growing cities will all be African. With a median age of just 19, the continents population is expected to double to more than 2bn by 2050 and to double again by the end of the century. And China, more than any country, knows these numbers well. A series of tweets revealed that a British woman, a mother of two children, has converted to Islam and has traveled to Syria to join and fight for the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The tweets that were posted by the British mother were threats directed towards Christians around the world and warned them of beheadings. The woman who was responsible for posting these tweets is Sakinah Hussain who uses the pseudonym Umm Hussain al-Britani. She was believed to be from Kent in England and known as Sally Jones before her conversion to Islam. Even now around 500 English citizens are reported to be monitored by the British government for the possibility of traveling to the Middle East to join ISIS. Hundreds are believed to have already joined the militants and are active members. The tweets that Hussain posted online were public after the beheadings of the two American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff. The posts stated threats to Christians around the world in light of the beheadings of the two reporters. One such post read, "You Christians all need beheading with a nice blunt knife and stuck on the railings at raqqa Come here I'll do it for you!" Sally Jones public Twitter account was deleted and later replaced with a private account. However, there were more tweets that were posted and stated praise for Osama bin-Laden the founder of the worlds leading terrorist organization, al-Qaeda. One quoted the militant leaders words when al-Qaeda took responsibility for the 9/11 terrors in the United States: "If our messages could reach you by words, then they wouldn't have traveled by planes' Shaykh Usama Bin Ladin." Sally Jones was a woman from Kent who lived as a single mother with her two children for many years. Many were astounded that a Caucasian woman would convert to Islam and even join the jihadists until Jones married 20-year-old hacker and jihad, Junaid Hussain who was imprisoned in 2012 for hacking into and posting personal information of former British Prime Minister Tony Blaire. It is believed that while Hussain was out on bail, he fled the country and convinced Sally Jones to leave her children behind and join him in the Middle East. Jones is one of hundreds of British citizens who are believed to have joined ISIS. Her husband Junaid Hussain and other British members of ISIS are likely candidates who may be responsible for the beheading of James Foley and Steven Sotloff, for the video revealed that the executioner had a British accent. As of now, intelligence believes that ISIS has a million active members and are earning millions of dollars a day from selling oil, hostages and other resources. Moneycontrol Contributors Scott Gottlieb, the chief of the US Food & Drug Administration, announced he will be stepping down next month. This has raised eyebrows among Indias drug makers on who will replace him and whether there will be continuity in some of the policies implemented by him. Gottlieb, who has led the FDA for nearly two years, is said to be leaving on account of personal commitments. Gottlieb has earned praise as well as criticism for the FDA's speedy approval of many new drugs, including low-cost generic medicines. Indias pharma sector mostly concurs. One executive at an Indian pharmaceutical company told Moneycontrol that Gottlieb's tenure was 'action packed' in terms of speeding up of approvals and measures to bring in generic versions of complex drugs. He said, There was more certainty on the direction of the agency, it's interesting to see who will replace him. Speaking about his resignation, Gottlieb said, It was a very hard decision...This is the best job I will ever have. Im leaving because I need to spend time with my family. I get home late Friday, work on weekends and come back to Washington on Sunday. I did the job 100 percent." One interesting aspect of Gottliebs time at the FDA - even Donald Trump liked him, despite their differences! Gottlieb was nominated by President Trump in part to aid in his anti-regulation agenda, but Gottlieb took an aggressive stance toward e-cigarette makers. Yet, Trump tweeted, ...Scott has helped us to lower drug prices, get a record number of generic drugs approved and onto the market, and so many other things. He and his talents will be greatly missed! This, for a man who had some policy disagreements with the White House and is also widely respected. Some officials said he could even be asked to take another post. The FDA and its India connection Heres why we in India are talking about the change in leadership in an American regulatory body. Indian drug makers exported medicines worth about $5.1 billion in FY18, making medicines around 30 percent of total exports. The FDAs actions impact Indian drug companies which generate significant revenues by selling copycat drugs at a fraction of the cost in the world's largest market for medicines. The Economic Times reported that India has the maximum number of US FDA-approved manufacturing sites outside the US and supplies 40 percent of the generic formulations marketed in the US. What that means is, any major changes in the FDA will have an impact in India as well. The past two years have been a difficult phase for Indian pharma companies. While it is a positive that the FDA under Gottlieb approved a record number of drugs, the pressure on drug pricing also peaked in his tenure. Several Indian drug firms had to recall medicines especially those used for treating hypertension after a clamp down by the US regulator. The Trump administration is quite keen on bringing down the prices of medicines and containing the opioid crisis in the US, so it remains to be seen whom the administration chooses to helm the agency. As of now, media reports indicate that the next FS chief will have to be, and seen to be, hard on the opioid problem. Some media reports claim that the head of the Americas National Cancer Institute, Norman Ned Sharpless, has been tapped as the acting head of the FDA. One USA Today piece was particularly acerbic about Gottlieb, claiming: When Scott Gottlieb was sworn in as Food and Drug Administration commissioner in May of 2017, many advocates hoped to finally get a bulldog who would take on the opioid crisis with the urgency it deserved. But Gottlieb proved to be a better friend to big pharma than to the roughly 85,000 people who have died from opioids since he took office on May 11, 2017. Which is why, when he announced his resignation last week, it was met with standing applause by many affected by Americas addiction crisis. That harsh indictment aside, Gottlieb was a fairly popular commissioner. Why? Heres another way to explain it - Wells Fargo analyst Bonnie Herzog said, his exit will be broadly viewed as a positive for the tobacco industry, although this introduces some uncertainty. This popularity was due to Gottlieb using his post to tackle public health issues like youth vaping to the opioid addiction in fact, early skeptics worried about his close ties to drug industry or the evil big pharma. But those fears were assuaged after it became clear that Gottlieb was a vocal critic of popular e-cigarette startups like Juul, which he has repeatedly slammed for its popularity among teens. Earlier this month, he pulled up 15 retail businesses including Walmart for illegally selling tobacco products to children. Gottlieb, a qualified doctor himself, played a role in initiating the generic drug user fee program. One ET report explained that, according to data from Bloomberg, the FDA approved a record 971 generic drugs in the fiscal year ended September 30. The total number stood at 937 in fiscal 2017 and 835 in fiscal 2016. Also, the FDA conducted 11 percent fewer surveillance inspections of drug manufacturers in fiscal 2018 from a year ago level. Surjit Pal, a pharma analyst with brokerage firm Prabhudas Lilladher, told ET, Gottlieb had approved drugs faster, laid down a foundation to make the FDA more communicative that helped companies expedite drug launches. Now it goes back to the square one. Pals reservations are not without basis. A slowdown in the approvals could indeed prove to be a negative for Indian pharma that, in the words of that report by ET, is busy building a pipeline of limited competition products to be launched in the US. Companies would also be apprehensive of an increase in FDA inspections and renewed pressure on drug pricing. Scott Gottlieb, friend of Indian Pharma or friend of fairplay? Indian drug companies are fond of the outgoing FDA commissioner. Heres why: Indian drug manufacturers received a shot in the arm when the FDA chief came out in support last month of generics manufactured in India and the US to dispel fears over such medicines. Gottlieb wrote in a newsletter on February 22, Generic drugs are just as safe and effective as their branded drug counterparts Generic medicines use the same active ingredients as brand-name medicines and work the same way, so they have the same risks and benefits. he also wrote that his agencys rigorous standards and inspections apply equally to both generic and branded drugs, irrespective of where the medicines are being manufactured - Shandong, India, or Indiana. In FY2017-18, the FDA tested 323 products from around the world, including over 100 products from India, to examine if foreign manufacturers had a higher incidence of product failure. The FDA said all 323 samples met the US market quality standards using testing standards set by the United States Pharmacopeia or submitted in marketing applications. Though the inspections by the USFDA declined slightly in China from 2017-18, inspections in India increased substantially, according to Gottlieb. Indian drug makers, who are affected by such regulatory action on their manufacturing factories, finally began seeing a recovery with most of their factories being cleared by the FDA. One important statistic to bear in mind here is that generics account for 90% of the US drug market, a huge rise from the 33% three decades ago. Indian phramaceutical companies, for whom a major part of business comes from the sale of generics in the US, embraced Gottliebs endorsement statement which gave them a respite from the poor perception of generics as well as Indian-made drugs. Under Gottlieb, the USFDA in 2017 permitted a record 844 generic drugs, a 36 percent rise compared to previous year. Indian companies alone accounted for 42 percent of all those approvals. In 2018, the regulatory body approved 810 generic drugs, out of which India's share was a substantial 40 percent. That said, as Moneycontrol reported, a higher number of approvals was not necessarily great news for Indian generic drug makers. That only meant more intense competition and much lower realisations at a time when the trade was impacted by consolidation of buyers and distributors in the US. Another of Gottliebs moves that Indian drug makers appreciate is his effort to bring low-cost generic versions of complex drugs such as inhalation drugs, transdermal patches, injectables and biosimilars faster to the market, which have long avoided competition. Complex generics are drugs that are harder to copy under traditional approaches. As a result, these drugs often face less competition and are more expensive. Further, branded drug makers are known to use citizen petitions in order to make it difficult for generic drug makers to access samples of the original drug product. Under Gottlieb, the FDA released guidance for dozens of such drugs, providing much needed clarity on what the regulator expects from a generic filer when they file for such product. In particular, Natco Pharma and Biocon are two the Indian companies that benefited from the outgoing commissioners efforts to bring complex and biosimilar products faster to the US market. Following his resignation, the mood in Indias pharma sector is one of trepidation. To quote Surjit Pal once again, Now it goes back to the square one. Facebook's election war room at its Menlo Park office (Image: Facebook) Social media has now become an inevitable part of the political discourse in India. All the national, as well as regional, political parties and leaders have established a social media presence and significant follower base. For the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Election Commission has issued a demarche to political parties on the use of social media for campaigning. The polling body said it will closely monitor any content that is aimed at vitiating conduct of elections or has the potential to disturb social harmony. In fact, this is the first time that social media giants Facebook, Twitter and Google have confirmed their willingness to work with the EC to uphold the integrity of political campaigns on their respective platforms. The demarche included the following postulates: 1. The EC has broadly identified five types of social media platforms a) collaborative projects (e.g. Wikipedia) b) blogs and micro-blogs (e.g. Twitter) c) content communities (e.g. YouTube) d) social networking sites (e.g. Facebook) e) virtual game-worlds (e.g. Apps) The rules which apply to campaigning on other forms of media Model Code of Conduct shall now also apply to social media. 2. The EC has asked candidates to furnish information such as verified social media accounts at the time of filing nominations. 3. National, as well as regional political parties and leaders, can no longer release political advertisements on social media without pre-certification from monitoring committees. 4. Candidates and political parties now have to furnish expenditure on election advertisements on social media. This expenditure includes payments made to PR agencies, digital content agencies as well as staff hired to maintain an individuals/partys social media account. The cap to total expenditure, of which the aforementioned spends on social media is now a part, is Rs 70 lakh per candidate. 5. Political parties are also expected to adhere to the 48-hour silence period online as well. Considering that it is online, this would warrant pulling down existing ads from social media. Read Also: Comment | Code of conduct cannot put the Social Media genie in the bottle 6. The EC, through the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee, will work with social media companies to flag objectionable content to grievance officers who will then pull them down within a specific time duration. This essentially means: Not all memes will be acceptable Don't worry India, we'll explain it to Modi in his own style.#PakodaYaadRakhna pic.twitter.com/4yOXu0MRuf Congress (@INCIndia) March 13, 2019 Political parties cannot make personal attacks at each others candidates. However, they are allowed to criticise based on policies and past records. Any posts laced with caste or communal undertones will not be tolerated. Say no to Fake News Political parties are not allowed to base a criticism on unverified reports. Fake news, which has unfortunately become the meat and bone of social media platforms, is not only difficult to track but also cannot be attributed/traced back to a single source. In such a situation, the onus is on social media platforms to self-regulate in a more efficient manner. Un-blur the lines between advertisement and post Insightful read on how Jawaharlal Nehru compromised India's interest with respect to UNSC. May be Rahul Gandhi should read before he tweets. Excerpt from his letter dated Aug 2, 1955. Source: 'Letters for a Nation: From Jawaharlal Nehru to His Chief Ministers 1947-1963'. pic.twitter.com/eMthTobAO7 BJP (@BJP4India) March 14, 2019 Even though advertisements need to be pre-certified by the EC, it is difficult to demarcate the difference between sponsored content and a personal blog post laced with a political partys agenda on social media. In fact, this is a loophole which is going to be salvaged the most by parties. What about WhatsApp? Forwarded messages on WhatsApp cant ideally be considered advertising if they havent officially come from the party. Hence, its extremely tough to police that. Image: WhatsApp Even though the Election Commission has laid out an expansive social media policy ahead of general elections this year, the efficiency of it on ground is still to be tested. And one big question still looms how much cover do these rules actually provide? Maharashtra Assembly Election Results 2019 LIVE updates, Haryana Assembly Polls: Check constituency-wise poll-results, candidates, winners, losers The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) returned to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance in Assam on March 12, months after severing its ties with the saffron party over The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill issue. The alliance was finalised in a meeting that included BJP General Secretary Ram Madhav, AGP President Atul Bora and others that ended post-midnight. BJPs in-charge for the state, Ram Madhav tweeted early on March 13 that the two parties had decided to work together to defeat Congress". The Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) will be the third partner in the alliance. AGP had stormed out of the BJP-led alliance over The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill that seeks to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955 to make illegal immigrants (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan) eligible for Indian citizenship. As the bill was already passed in Lok Sabha, it only had to be pushed through Rajya Sabha. However, as the 16th Lok Sabha concluded its final scheduled sitting on February 13, the bill now stands to officially lapse on June 3. The Bill faced severe opposition in the Northeast, especially in Assam. There was a movement against the Bill being led by civil society organisations, students and native intellectuals. At one point, 11 political parties some of which were BJP allies had publicly opposed the bill. Congress was hoping to capitalise on the prevailing sentiments in the state. It had also unsuccessfully tried to get AGPs support. Former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi had told ThePrint, Our doors are open for them (AGP). If they are willing to talk, we are willing to look at an alliance. We are not ruling it out. However, the Congress offer received a cold response from the AGP. What makes AGP important? In 2014, the BJP had won seven out of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in the state. The Congress and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) had won three seats each. An Independent candidate had won one seat. Despite contesting 12 seats, the AGP had failed to win any. However, it commanded a 3.87 percent vote share in the state. The three seats where it finished third were Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur and Jorhat. All of the three seats were won by the BJP while Congress finished second. AGPs support would have helped Congress chances. Now, an alliance with the AGP will help BJP consolidate the anti-Congress votes. This arithmetic has worked in the past. In the 2016 Assembly polls, the two parties fought together with an aim to defeat the Congress. The BJP and the AGP won 60 and 14 seats in the 126-member Assam Legislative Assembly. Their ally Bodoland Peoples Front (BPF) won 12 seats. In 2009, the BJP and AGP had won four and one Lok Sabha seat, respectively. While it remains to be seen how AGP and BJP will bury their differences over the citizenship bill, the alliances has dented Congress chances of recovering some of the losses made in the state last time. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is likely to contest all 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, rejecting the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)s offer. According to a report in The Indian Express, BSP supremo Mayawati has conveyed the decision to party leaders. A party leader told the newspaper that BSP has identified 10 seats on the basis of social equations and proximity to Uttar Pradesh and will be paying special attention to them. BSP has not been historically strong in Bihar. However, had it joined the Opposition alliance, it would have held half-a-dozen Lok Sabha constituencies along the UP-Bihar border, an RJD functionary told the newspaper. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had met Mayawati after the latter announced BSPs tie-up with arch rival Samajwadi Party (SP) in Uttar Pradesh in January. It was reported that Yadav had hoped to have an understanding with BSP in Bihar. In 2014, BJP had won 22 seats in the state. This was followed by LJPs six. JD (U), which had then fought the polls separately, had managed to win just two seats. RJD had won four seats followed by RLSP and Congress three and two seats, respectively. Sharad Pawars Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) had won one seat. The BSP had failed to win a single seat in 2014 despite contesting all 40. It finished third in one seat. Yet, its vote share was 2.17 percent. A year later, in the Assembly polls, its vote share was 2.1 percent. It had contested 228 seats but failed to win any. Marya Shakil With less than a month to go for the Lok Sabha polls, Union Finance Minister, in an exclusive interview with News18's Marya Shakil, addresses a wide range of issues. Question 1: You wrote that this election is a clash of ideas and ideologies. Which topics is the BJP fighting on? A: India's economic and social character is changing. In 2005, 18percent were in middle-class category. It will rise to 25 percent by 2024. People from lower strata of society are trying to make their lives better. People from lower strata of society want to migrate to the cities. They want to ensure better education for their children, send them to cities. They are trying to make lives of future generations better and more secure. We are growing at a greater speed and the world is recognising that. Today's politics is completely different from the politics of the past. If we analyse the 2014 elections, it was a Modi wave. Parties involved in caste-based politics were demolished. Even people from their own caste did not support such parties. Parties involved in dynastic politics whether in UP, Bihar or Delhi, were all decimated. Ideology, performance and values to be the core issues in upcoming elections. The family or background of a politician won't be the basis for votes. People will decide if a candidate has good policies or are simply doing drama. The truth will be decided by the people themselves. What you put on social media, reaches to youth in schools and colleges. This election and the ones that follow will have a very different character. Question 2: Caste-based parties and family parties coming together in UP and Bihar. Will this affect BJP? A: When society's status changes, when it wants to see development, there is a harsh judgement. Elections are not simply about arithmetic, they're about chemistry. On the ground, caste and myths about dynasty break down and make way for impactful governance. In dynasties, there is family politics and opposition from within. Confucius said just like the sky can only have one sun, earth can only have one ruler. In dynasties there can only be one ruler, if there are two, the impact is different. In Bihar there are two brothers, in UP there is a father and son. See what happened between them. If families are trying this formula, we can predict the end right now. Question 3: What do you think of the equation between BSP and SP? A: Despite having a huge vote bank, BSP didn't get any seats in Lok Sabha. They got 19 seats in Assembly polls. The Samajwadi party had a huge Muslim-Yadav vote bank. In a three or four cornered fight, these two communities could have made SP win. But they only got 5 family seats. Congress' dynasty was supposed to be very powerful in UP they only got 2 family seats. That is why the presence of such parties is shrinking. Even among those communities, the aspirational class are leaving. If you're just fighting on numbers without any agenda, people will ask one question. If this country can have development, it will be under whose guidance? This country is safer because it is under someone's guidance. Question 4: Anti-incumbency is a phenomenon when unhappy people vote out an incumbent person and the opposition wins by default. So are you calling this a pro-incumbency election? A: What we used to call anti-incumbency is not a permanent phenomenon. Anti-incumbency happens when a government's performance is poor and people are upset with it. If unhappy people think governance is bad and they should be voted out, the opposition wins by default. Pro-incumbency is an election when leadership and government's performance can be strictly analysed. People can choose that government again. Now that 5 years of Modi government are over, show me one opinion poll that says his personal rating is falling. After 5 years, there is still so much of a gap between PM Modi and the person who is in second place. As elections approach, all polls are showing that the situation is only improving from 6 months ago. Elections have one basic principle; hung parliaments and assemblies only exist on channels and opinion polls. The electorate is smarter than you and me. The electorate is decisive. In the last elections we started with 150 and then 180. Then the polls gave us 200-210. Question 5: But the elections in Madhya Pradesh were a cliffhanger. A: It wasn't a case of anti-incumbency in Madhya Pradesh. Both the parties had almost equal number of votes. Sometimes anti-incumbency is on a candidate-level. When you're in power for 15 years, a section of people get upset. This election will be of a different formula and chemistry. You have a government that has governed with honesty, taken tough decisions. This government has made India the world's fastest growing economic power. The corrupt who thought they could evade, were brought back into the system. Defence spending increased, infrastructure improved and the poor were given resources. I can guarantee that no government in India has done the same. Question 6: Alliances are being made in every state, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, in order to beat the BJP. Even in Tamil Nadu. A: Political parties can be negative but people cannot be. Biggest pro-incumbency argument is that even after 5 years, people are afraid of your strength. They are so worried by PM Modi's popularity. We should analyse the alliances that you talk of. Question 7: You've said Mayawati is strengthening BSP and she wants to make Congress weak. She holds her cards close to her chest and will show them only when results are declared. A: This isn't an alliance, it's a coalition of rivals. Smaller alliances are pulling each others legs. Mamata's politics is 'I won't give you a single seat, I will maximise my seats and want your seats decreased. Mayawati's politics is 'I have made a strategic alliance in UP to increase my seats and will put up my candidates across the country. People are saying Mayawati may even put up her candidate in Amethi. Congress' politics is Where I am weak, I will be a part of any alliance. All 3 parties have the same objective to increase own strength and reduce strength of all parties against BJP. This is all so that in a tug of war, they can claim a bigger stake. In 2014 Pawar said he won't be running for the Lok Sabha elections. He thought if things got chaotic, maybe his wish would come true. So later he announced he will run. Then family bickering and opposition from within happened. So now Pawar is saying he won't contest. In the sky, there can only be one sun and not two. This coalition of rivals have no politics, or a manifesto, or a good past performance to speak for. They don't have one leader who can take them forward. Before the elections, they are only engaged in bringing each other down. Are they only trying to bring chaos in the country? Charan Singh, Chandrashekhar, VP Singh, Deve Gowda, Gujral were all tried, tested and failed ideas. A coalition of rivals just won't work for an aspirational society. Question 8: After this 'tried and tested' idea, they brought in Priyanka Gandhi. Maybe they were done with the tried and tested? A: Maybe due to some internal issue, Priyanka Gandhi was never tried and tested. But it's like they've given her a piece of land and told her to go farming. This is the outcome of the 'tried and tested'. Question 9: Will BJP have special focus on Rae Bareli? A: All constituencies are the focus of the BJP. That's why we are the party with a difference. BJP is a big political party and the NDA's nucleus is strong. The entire alliance accepts Modi as PM. We have shown generosity towards allies, even given our sitting seats to them. We have brought a national coalition to the Northeast. In the future, 3-4 people from the Northeast can become central ministers and work for their states. That is the very meaning of a parliamentary democracy. Question 10: BJD, TRS, YSRCP are all not with the Mahagathbandhan - so are these your potential post-poll allies? A: Every state party tries to come to the centre with the idea of benefiting the country. These parties are trying to take care of their own states. I can't say what will happen tomorrow and if we will need them or not. But we know how to exist with regional parties. When we brought GST, we made sure that 42% of resources go to the states. States questioned why Congress wasn't able to make this happen. States were worried about what will happen to their revenue. I put in constitutional guarantee that for first 5 years, revenue will grow by 14%. Even the states against BJP could not claim any discrimination. Finance Commission said Andhra could not have special status. I took out another formula, instead of special status we said we will give a special package. This special package would give Andhra as much money as special status would have. Naidu first welcomed this by writing a letter and thanked me in a press conference. When Naidu wanted to make a political change, he said no and made it an issue again. This change of stand was made from a political perspective. Question 11: So all doors closed to the TDP? A: TDP have chosen their own path, see how much of a presence they will have post elections. I don't think there is any hope for a conversation with TDP. Question 12: Rahul Gandhi called GST 'Gabbar Singh Tax'. A: I challenge such people to give a 10-minute speech. They need to know how amalgamation of taxes has helped the country. GST has helped end any harassment, there are no barriers now. This government is the first to not increase income tax by even 1%. We have instead lowered taxes and improved tax collection by 80-90%. Question 13: Opposition claims this government is hiding its failures by putting the spotlight on nationalism and terrorism A: The opposition has no agenda left. They are taking up fake issues like Judge Loya's death, Rafale, EVMs. An election can't be fought on fake issues. Pulwama was a terror attack. What kind of reaction did the opposition want? There was a certain emotion in the country after the Pulwama attack. PM gave the nod to the air force to cross the international border. There is no link between the Balakot strike and Pulwama attack. The perpetrators of the Pulwama attack were eliminated on Indian soil. We had intelligence of a Jaish camp where fidayeens were being trained to target India. Sitting on such information would've amounted to betraying the country. With utmost precision, the air force did a brave act and the country should be proud. It's unfortunate that those against PM Modi are not standing with the country and are tools in Pakistan's hands. Just like Pakistan, the opposition claims the strikes were carried out with a political purpose. When Pakistan asked for proof of Balakot strike, the Opposition did the same. News channels have done investigations, shown before and after pictures, interviewed locals in Balakot. Question 14: But, the New York Times and The Guardian said it was unclear if anything significant had been hit by the fighter jets. A: Those sitting at their desk and doing relaxed journalism can write anything. Rather than trusting space-filler columns, I would trust scientific evidence. Indian Air Force Chief said we went to bomb a target, that's the final word. News channels interviewed locals and used independent satellites to find the truth. Masood Azhar's brother gave a speech admitting that their camp was targeted. If Masood Azhar's family can accept it, but Rahul Gandhi can't, it's misfortune for the country. Question 15: The public thinks that when the Air Force Chief says it, a strike happened. A: If there was no strike, why did Pakistan send their F16s here? Why did Pakistan tell the world that India had crossed the border? Why did Pakistan have an extended parliament session on the strikes? Pakistan lied because their government is controlled by the army. Pakistan army doesn't want to tell the world that we destroyed terror camps. If Pakistan had admitted to the strikes, they would be asked what was the damage. Question 16: Imran Khan says the sole purpose of their jets entering India was to show that they can retaliate too. Are you convinced with this argument? A: Pakistan's retaliatory action was extremely botched up. When we struck Balakot, IAF knew Pakistan would retaliate. When Pakistan F-16s came on Feb 27, our fighter jets were ready. As soon as they got the alert, our jets swung into action. When the Pakistan air force saw our aggression, they turned back. Our brave pilot shot down an F16 and kept chasing them away till his plane was attacked. Two F-16 pilots ejected first, our pilot ejected a bit later. To save face, even before the civilian government could react, Pakistan army claimed nothing happened. The public there thought all 3 pilots were from India, they thought the army rescued one pilot. What happened to the other two? Pakistan were confused about who was shot and how many were captured. Pakistan later admitted to having only one Indian pilot in their custody. So how could two aircraft be destroyed if there was only one pilot? Those who are trying to form Mahagathbandhan shouldn't become military statisticians. Biggest demand of the opposition was a body count, they can't be more foolish. The air force's job is to strike the target and come back. It is not the air force's job to land and count have many have died. What interest do we have in counting the corpses? We can have an assessment as to how many people were there. Whether or not anybody would have survived can be an assessment. But why reduce the entire debate to a frivolous issue like body count? Would those who had prior information, be able to go to the spot and do a body count later when the Pakistan military has surrounded us? Next time we will say send someone from Mahagathbandhan to verify the number of corpses. Question 17: There is discussion that the government has all the resources, including satellite monitoring of the area. A: I feel this would not be fair to the country. Military operations are never made public. How many of our planes went, what was their make, what missiles were used - why should we share this? Why would we declare what evidence was collected by our satellite and aircraft? Secrecy of military or intelligence operations is for the country's benefit. Rahul Gandhi was wrong in claiming that Ajit Doval went to Kandahar. When a plane is hijacked, it's a national security issue. Doval was only the additional director of IB at the time, there were people above him. Our intelligence network was working in the background. Rahul Gandhi didn't end up scoring a political point. By making a false statement, rahul gandhi has put lives at risk. Due to his frustration, Rahul Gandhi is unaware of the consequences of his words. Question 18: How do you plan to tackle this? A: I have been the defence minister twice, i am in the CCS. There are a lot of facts that will leave this world after I am gone. We can't even talk about it with our family, that would be treason. Will you have a TV debate on the intelligence people who were involved? Question 19: Do you see what happened with Masood Azhar at the UN as a setback for Indian diplomacy? A: This is an old stand of China's, I consider Indian diplomacy an absolute success. Not a single country has said we were wrong in crossing the LOC. We wanted sanctity of LOC to be maintained, but Pakistan would attack daily and kill our people. Every country criticized Pakistan, even nations which are their friends, gave neutral statements. The biggest achievement is that despite Pakistan's objection, the OIC invited Sushma Swaraj. No country in the OIC backed Pakistan's boycott call. At the UNSC, all members spoke in one voice. Only China had the same stand as it did even during UPA. China has its reasons to help Pakistan in the terror debate and increase their economic control over them. Pakistani economists say CPEC is a big debt trap that Pakistan will fall into. We have suffered at the hands of the East India Company, other countries can suffer too. Question 20: If we talk about the Wuhan spirit, is China's move to block the ban on Azhar, the act of a friend? A: We have our own issue with China, we have several areas of agreement and co-operation. We have an ongoing relationship, there are some grounds for disagreement too. Question 21: There is some confusion regarding the Lok Sabha polls. Will those over the age of 75 years get tickets? A: Our parliamentary board and election committee is scheduled to meet thrice. You will get to know everything after the meetings. It's not possible for me to announce something before the meetings. Question 22: Since the 2002 Gujarat elections, you have a policy that there is anti-incumbency against sitting MPs or MLAs. A: The chances of winning is certainly a relevant criteria and will remain so. Question 23: Are you thinking of a shake-up in ticket distribution to counter the Mahagathbandhan? A: There is no set formula, those with maximum chances of winning will naturally get tickets. We are in politics after all. Question 24: Is there a possibility of fielding fresh faces in Haryana, Punjab and J&K? A: The BJP is a cadre-based party with maximum flexibility. There is scope of lateral entry into the party. We use every election as an opportunity to induct new people. If we are limited to our cadre, we won't be able to attract voters in different parts of society. Question 25: You have formed a rainbow coalition in Tamil Nadu. But this AIADMK is not the same as when Jayalalithaa was alive. Is there a realisation that this alliance may only get you a toehold in the state? A: Our priority is to strengthen BJP in every state. During the Jan Sangh, there was politics of isolation. We won 166 seats in 1996, Vajpayee became the PM for 13 days. Apart from Shiv Sena and Shiromani Akali Dal, no one supported us. When we reached 183 seats, we gained 24 allies. We've remained in the centrestage since, we have understood power-sharing in central and state-levels. The Northeast, Bihar, Punjab, UP are all examples of that. The states where our strength was less, like in West Bengal, we hardly got 2-4% votes 10 years ago. Our vote share in Bengal has gone up to 16%, we've marginalised Left and Congress. In Assam, we have become the primary party. We were a small party in Odisha, but today we can give the BJD a tough fight. Coalitions in states are done on principle by regional parties, that's not the case with us. At least 80% of the Mahagathbandhan like Mayawati, Mamata, Naidu, DMK have worked with us in the past. Question 26: The government is being asked a lot of questions on unemployment and farmer distress. A: The opposition only raises fake issues like Rafale and EVM, they claim institutions are in danger. The opposition abuses the Election Commission and criticises the Supreme Court. I read a letter from Tejashwi Yadav to Rahul Gandhi to boycott the media because it has become fake. The opposition attacks the media, EC and SC and then claims that institutions are under attack. We are growing at the rate of 7-7.5% every year unlike any other country. If you take an average, the economy has expanded in these last 5 years. Productivity of the nation increased, so can we employ only half the people and have 10 times the output? CII just released its report outlining how many jobs were produced in the last 5 years. Question 27: There was NSSO as well. A: The real proof is who will come in the formal sector, will give PF and come under EPFO. The number of people under EPFO are increasing every year. You give Mudra loans to 13 crore people for self-employment, but no jobs were created? There has not been a single big movement against the government. When there are no jobs, there is social unrest. Where is that now? If there was some big social unrest, would you see pro-incumbency? We have distributed Rs 1,90,000 crore worth low-cost grains as well as subsidized food. Rs 60,000 crore was set aside for MNREGA and given to rural areas. We will give Rs 6,000 to every small farmer which means Rs 75,000 crore more in rural areas. We have connected villages with roads, homes with toilets, electricity and cooking gas. All BPL card holders will have homes by 2022. 50 crore people will get free hospital treatment. Ayushman Bharat has not reached the people of West Bengal. The leader of bengal is against the Centre and so will oppress farmers and not take a penny from Centre. Karnataka sent a list of three farmers first, even now their list is of only 60,000-70,000 farmers. Economic formulation of the Modi government will strengthen the country's economy. The idea is to reduce taxes and transfer the resources towards the poor and rural areas. Since Indira Gandhi's time, Congress has given slogans to the poor. We have given them resources. Question 28: It's being said that this a similar moment for BJP as that of India Shining in 2004. A: That we will get to know on May 23. The opposition has nothing but fake issues. Fake issues are picked up and the opposition speaks on it. Question 29: In 2014, there was a Modi wave. Is there a Modi wave in these elections? A: There is a wave. But the media will understand that only on results day. Those in politics can see the wave beforehand. Question 30: Is there any parallel to the 2019 election in the history of India? A: I consider three elections as the closest to this year's elections 2 domestic, one international. I think this election is a reverse of 1971. That was the first election in which I worked as a student activist. All opposition parties came together in that election. At that time, we said it was a grand alliance and Indira Gandhi would be defeated. People were with Indira Gandhi, she won 320+ seats and we were nowhere. 2014 was an election of hope, we put our faith in one person. He has made no mistake and has led a strong and honest government. My third example was when Margaret Thatcher was removed and John Major came to power. Fear of the opponent made the conservatives win, which was contrary to all the polls. When people see this absurd coalition, they think we don't need a six-month government but a 5-year one. This country has a five-time history of six-month governments. Question 31: Do you think what has happened in UNSC will have consequences on Chinese goods in the Indian market? A: That is a diplomatic issue which India will take after deliberation. Foreign policy cannot be knee-jerk. The Congress president has suggested foreign policy through his tweets. God save the country if foreign policy decisions are taken via tweets. Question 32: What happens to India and China's trade equation? A: These are measured and not knee-jerk reactions. Those who deal with it will have deeper considerations. Question 33: What is your forecast for the elections? A: I believe the choice before the people of India is very clear. I have written that the choice is Modi or chaos. Question 34: The opposition says BJP will be a goner on May 23. A: The opposition speaks with a lot of negativity, I don't expect anything positive from them. National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said on March 14 the BJP cannot claim to have been tough on terror as Prime Minister Narendra Modi "surrendered" to China on Masood Azhar. He also said the NDA government had given Pakistan a "big victory" by not conducting the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir simultaneously with parliamentary polls. "PM Modi surrendered to China on Azhar and surrendered to Pakistan & its proxies by delaying elections in J&K. How can the BJP claim to have been tough on internal security and tough against terror?" Omar, the vice-president of the NC, wrote on Twitter. He targeted Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad over his remarks on Congress president Rahul Gandhi who had criticised the prime minister for being "scared" of Chinese President Xi Jinping. "Mantri jee, your Government gave Pakistan a small victory when you postponed the Anantnag by-poll in 2017 and a big victory now that you've failed to conduct assembly elections. If anyone is giving Pakistan a reason to celebrate it isn't @RahulGandhi. Look closer to home sir," the former chief minister said. China on March 14 defended its fourth "technical hold" on the designation of Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, saying the move would give it time for a "thorough and in-depth assessment" of the case and help the parties concerned to engage in more talks to find a "lasting solution" acceptable to all. The Shiv Sena on March 14 asked ally BJP to be cautious while inducting leaders from opposition parties, saying doing so may pose problems in future. The remark came two after after senior Maharashtra Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil's son joined the BJP. Hitting out at opposition parties, the Sena also referred to a recent blog post of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which he alleged that Congress and corruption were "synonyms". "The incoming from the Congress and NCP may be seen as beneficial today, but it can cause problems in future, we have this experience. Today, people are coming because there is power. When there is none, they will find other relations," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'. It recalled that Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil was once a Shiv Sainik and the Sena had simultaneously given ministerial berths to him and his father in the state and central governments, respectively. "But he turned against us when our government went out of power. As leader of the opposition, he did not behave like one. Even when in power, he did not take firm stands (on various issues) like the Sena did. On the contrary, he used to oppose us," it said. The situation today is such that people are asking him to resign on moral grounds, said the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in Maharashtra. "These are households which do not believe in a specific ideology. They turn in the direction where the wind is blowing," the Marathi publication said. Earlier, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil had expressed disappointment over the NCP's refusal to exchange the Ahmednagar Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra with the Congress. The senior Congress leader's son, Sujay Vikhe Patil, joined the BJP on March 12 in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Fadnavis said his party's parliamentary committee will recommend his name for the Ahmednagar Lok Sabha seat. As China again blocked a UN resolution to designate JeM chief a global terrorist, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on March 14 hit out at Prime Minster Narendra Modi, saying he was weak and scared of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Congress chief attacked the prime minister and said he had not spoken on China blocking the resolution in the UN Security Council. The party accused the BJP of letting Masood off the hook again and also questioned Modi what was the use of "swinging" with Xi. Also read: #BoycottChineseProducts trends on Twitter as China blocks UN move to list Masood Azhar global terrorist "Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NoMo's China diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat. 2. Hug Xi in Delhi. 3. Bow to Xi in China," Gandhi said on Twitter. India's bid to designate the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief as a global terrorist suffered a setback with China on Wednesday putting a technical hold on a proposal to ban him following the Pulwama terror attack. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UNSC was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the JeM killed 44 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. "With China having blocked our bid to designate Masood Azhar a global terrorist, the question on every Indian's mind is, what was the use of all the swinging with Modi and President Xi," the Congress said on its official Twitter handle. "A terrorist responsible for such bloody murders is let off the hook again by the BJP," it claimed. Congress' chief spokeserson Randeep Surjewala said it was a sad day in the global fight against terrorism. "China blocking Masood Azhar's designation as global terrorist reaffirms Chinese position of being an inseparable ally of terrorism's breeding ground-Pakistan," he tweeted Wednesday. "Sadly, Modiji's foreign policy has been a series of diplomatic disasters," the party spokesperson said. The Congress has also been attacking the BJP over Azhar's release in the Kandahar hijacking case. Gandhi has asked Modi to tell the nation that it was a BJP-led government which released Azhar from an Indian jail in 1999. Gandhi has also alleged that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, a top intelligence official back then, had "escorted" Azhar to Kandahar where he was handed over to terrorists. Azhar and two other terrorists, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar and Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, were released from Indian prison in 1999 by the then BJP-led government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in exchange for the passengers held hostage on board IC-814 flight hijacked to Kandahar in Afghanistan. Luxury car market leader Mercedes-Benz has launched the C 43 AMG Coupe in the India market at a starting price of Rs 75 lakh (ex-showroom). This is second of the 10 launches that the German brand has promised for the year. The first was the V Class launched in January. The company hopes to fuel its sales through these launches after a subdued 2018. Mercedes-Benz saw its sales increase a percent last year to 15,538 units. This, after a sustained pressure on retail demand impacted volumes. Issues like liquidity concerns, higher insurance payout, price hike and weak consumer sentiment hit demand. The company now has more than 15 AMG cars in its portfolio. AMG is the performance car division of the German giant. Cars built under this brand are imported fully from Germany. The AMG range is sold through limited outlets, currently numbering just six in the country. The two-door coupe is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine, producing 287 kW of power and 520 Nm of torque, which accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. Performance offerings from the AMG line-up, such as the E63S 4MATIC+, S 63 Coupe and the G 63, which was launched in 2018, received a good response from the customers and brand loyalists, the company said. Martin Schwenk, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, We have been very successful with our AMG product strategy in India, which comprises a wide array of performance cars under the 43, 45, 63 and the GT range. The response to the AMG 43 range has been amazing since its debut with the AMG GLE 43, and today we give a further fillip to the line-up with the AMG C 43 Coupe. The interiors of the AMG C 43 features new generation steering wheels, 10.25-inch high resolution media display screen and Audio 20 system with navigation. There is a 64-colour ambient lighting with advanced sound system. The car also comes with multi-beam LED headlamps with adaptive high beam assist plus, red colour seat belts, 18-inch AMG 5- spoke light-alloy wheels and panoramic sunroof. Mercedes-Benz India's product portfolio comprises the locally produced Maybach S 560, S-Class, E-Class Long Wheelbase, C-Class, CLA luxury sedans and the GLA, GLE and the GLS luxury SUVs. The CKD GLC was the ninth product added to Mercedes-Benzs local production portfolio. Completely built imported cars portfolio includes the A-Class, B-Class, CLS, E-Class Cabriolet, E-Class All-Terrain, S-Class Coupe, C-Class Cabriolet, S-Class Cabriolet, the S 600 Guard, plus a range of other guard vehicles. Representative image With election dates and poll schedule being announced, millions of young voters are waiting with bated breath to exercise their voting franchise for the first time. This year, as the country goes to polls from April 11, 15 million first-time voters in the 18-19 years age group are expected to cast their votes. Though they constitute barely 1.66 percent of the total electorate of 900 million people, their contribution to the electoral process is just as important. While visiting a polling booth, standing in long queues, and understanding the mechanism of electronic voting machines may come across as a daunting task for first timers, we can help ease it out by giving a walkthrough of the steps involved in the process. Checklist for Voting First and foremost, those above 18 years of age and are permanent domiciles must begin checking if their name is up on the electoral roll. Electoral rolls enlist all citizens who have been guaranteed the right to cast a vote. In case ones name doesnt feature on the list, there are always ways to register proactively. However, one can only register at one place in the country. Carry Right Documents to the Polling Booth Next comes the need to carry the right documents. Carrying voter identification card issued by the Election Commission of India (EC) at the time of the polls is a must. In case one doesnt have it, they can carry their passport, driving licence, PAN card, or Aadhar card, etc. Reaching the polling booth on the right date and exact time specified by the EC is mandatory. What happens at Polling Booth: The Voting Procedure After entering a booth, a polling officer verifies the identity. If cleared, a second polling officer will mark your left forefinger with indelible ink. This signifies that one is clear to cast vote. A third polling officer presses the Ballot button on the Control Unit of the electronic voting machine thereafter. He/ she will also show you the way to the voting compartment. Once inside the voting booth, press the blue candidate button on the Balloting Unit. Be sure to press button placed against the name and symbol of your candidate of choice, because you can cast a vote only once. Theres no second chance. So, in case you cannot identify a candidate by name, look for his/ her party symbol. A red light glows against the name of the candidate you voted for after the button has been pressed. It will be accompanied by a sharp beep indicating your vote has been recorded. China for the fourth time blocked a bid in the United Nations (UN) Security Council to designate Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief Masood Azhar as a "global terrorist" by putting a technical hold on the proposal on Wednesday, a move India termed as disappointing. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. The Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee members had 10 working days to raise any objections to the proposal. The no-objection period deadline was scheduled to end at 3.00 pm local time (New York) Wednesday, (12.30 am IST Thursday). Just before the deadline, China put a "technical hold" on the proposal, a diplomat at the UN told PTI. The diplomat said China asked for "more time to examine" the proposal. The technical hold is valid for up to six months and it can be again extended by up to three months. Reacting to the development, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi expressed disappointment. "We are disappointed. We will continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that terrorists involved in attacks on Indian citizens are brought to justice," the MEA said. "We are grateful to all countries who supported the bid to designate Azhar as global terrorist," it said. India's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Syed Akbaruddin said in a tweet: "Big,Small & Many...1 big state holds up, again...1 small signal @UN against terror. Grateful to the many states - big & small - who in unprecedented numbers, joined as co-sponsors of the effort." The proposal was the fourth such bid at the UN in the last 10 years to list Azhar as a global terrorist. The Committee makes its decisions by consensus of its members. All eyes were on China, which has in the past blocked India's bids to get Azhar listed as a UN-designated global terrorist thrice. According to the listing rules of the Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee, if no objection is received by the end of the no-objection period, the decision will be deemed adopted. As it has done in the past, Beijing put a technical hold on the proposal just as the deadline was about to end. An inkling of China's stand on the issue came during Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang's press conferences on Monday and Wednesday in Beijing when he was asked about the proposal to list Azhar as a global terrorist by the UNSC. "The UN Security Council and its subsidiary bodies are run on strict rules. We already stressed China's position on the listing of terrorist organisations and individuals in the UN Security Council 1267 Committee on many occasions," Lu said on Monday. "China will continue to adopt responsible attitude and participate in the deliberations in the UNSC 1267 Committee," Lu said on Wednesday. On the issue of listing Azhar, he said, "I want to say that China always adopts a responsible attitude, engage in consultations with various parties and properly deal with this issue." "The discussions, I want to say must follow the rules and procedures of the relevant bodies and only the solution that is acceptable to all sides is conducive for resolving the issue," he said, indicating that Beijing may again block the move to list Azhar as a global terrorist. According to sources, the statement of the case of the latest proposal by France mentioned that JeM had taken responsibility for the Pulwama suicide attack on February 14 in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed. The statement also noted that Azhar is a former leader of the terrorist group Harakat al-Mujahadin and he had given a call to volunteers to join the fight in Afghanistan against Western forces. In 2009, India moved a proposal by itself to designate Azhar. In 2016 again India moved the proposal with the P3 - the United States, the United Kingdom and France in the UN's 1267 Sanctions Committee to ban Azhar, also the mastermind of the attack on the air base in Pathankot in January, 2016. In 2017, the P3 nations moved a similar proposal again. However, on all occasions China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, blocked India's proposal from being adopted by the Sanctions Committee. An assets freeze under the Sanctions Committee requires that all states freeze without delay the funds and other financial assets or economic resources of designated individuals and entities. The travel ban entails preventing the entry into or transit by all states through their territories by designated individuals. Under the arms embargo, all states are required to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale and transfer from their territories or by their nationals outside their territories to the designated individuals and entities. Hectic diplomatic and political parleys had preceded the closely-watched March 13 deadline as New Delhi reached out to the UNSC member countries. In the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, India launched a major diplomatic offensive against Pakistan, holding briefing for envoys of 25 countries, including those from the five permanent UNSC members -- the US, China, Russia, the UK and France -- to highlight Islamabad's role in using terrorism as an instrument of state policy. The US Senate dealt a stinging bipartisan rebuke of Donald Trump's foreign policy and his alliance with Riyadh, voting to end support for the bloody Saudi-led war effort in Yemen. By a 54 to 46 tally, lawmakers in the Republican-controlled chamber approved on March 13 a historic curtailment of presidential war powers, citing congressional authority under the decades-old War Powers Resolution to direct Trump "to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting the Republic of Yemen." The text now heads to the Democrat-led House of Representatives, which approved a similar measure that stalled earlier this year, and which is likely to pass the latest effort. The White House has threatened a veto. Swedish teen Greta Thunberg Moneycontrol News Swedish teen Greta Thunbergs efforts on climate change sensitisation are finally gathering momentum worldwide. The young green activist embarked on her crusade in August last year to challenge inaction on climate change issues. Thanks to her efforts, students across 40 countries will march out of classrooms on March 15 to take part in the school strikes against climate change inaction. As per a report by The Jakarta Post, 350.org, a climate advocacy group, has claimed that the actual count of countries joining the protests is much higher and stands at 72. Greta Thunberg has been striking from school every Friday for a year almost. She has been standing outside the Swedish parliament building, demanding that the country adheres to the tenets of Paris Agreement on climate change. Related stories Ban welcomes PM's call for early implementation of Paris deal However, this Fridays strike is expected to be of the largest magnitude and is also the first time it has gone international, according to a Reuters report. Students across the world will skip school to demonstrate against climate change. The 16-year-old, now with a global following, has been crusading so far on just a bicycle and with a hand-painted placard reading: "School strike for climate". Speaking to Reuters, Thunberg had said: I think this movement is very important. It not only makes people aware, and makes people talk about it more, but also to show the people in power that this is the most important thing there is. The powerhouse now has close to 2,50,000 followers on Twitter. Posts about her movement on the social media platform carry the hashtags #FridaysForFuture and #SchoolStrike4Climate. In a historical speech she delivered at COP24 climate talks in Poland last year, she had reprimanded global leaders for their inaction on climate change. Thunberg had said: You only speak of green eternal economic growth because you are too scared of being unpopular. You only talk about moving forward with the same bad ideas that got us into this mess, even when the only sensible thing to do is pull the emergency brake. You are not mature enough to tell it like it is. Even that burden you leave to us children. In the same speech, she underscored that climate change is a childrens issue since it is her generation that will bear the brunt of the consequences. British MPs have voted to reject the possibility of the UK leaving the European Union without a withdrawal agreement in place, raising prospects of delaying the March 29 deadline for the divorce to end months of political deadlock. After her Brexit deal was heavily voted down for a second time on Tuesday, May announced a government motion ruling out a no-deal Brexit on March 29. May promised MPs a free vote, but the motion was carefully worded, with the final sentence stating that "leaving without a deal remains the default in UK and EU law unless this house and the EU ratify an agreement. The motion said the UK should not leave the EU without a deal specifically on March 29, but with the option of a no-deal Brexit at any other time. The government wanted to keep control of the Brexit process and keep no-deal on the table. MPs voted by 312 to 308 to support a backbench amendment which struck out that last phrase so as to rule out a no-deal exit altogether. In chaotic scenes, the government then rescinded its promise of a free vote; and whipped its MPs to vote against the amended motion. Several cabinet ministers who have warned about the risks of a no-deal Brexit, including Philip Hammond and Amber Rudd, appeared to abstain, but the government still lost the vote, by 321 votes to 278 a majority of 43. This would now require the Commons to pass a new vote, expected on Thursday, which will authorise May to go back to the EU and seek an extension to Article 50 the legal mechanism for Britain's exit from the union. May said there was a "clear majority" against a no-deal Brexit but the "legal default" was that the UK would leave without a deal on March 29 if no deal is reached unless that is legally changed with another vote and EU ratification. "The legal default in UK and EU law remains that the UK will leave the EU without a deal unless something else is agreed. The onus is now on every one of us in this House to find out what that is," May said in her statement soon after another long Brexit day in the Commons. She also warned that any extension to the Brexit deadline will be pointless unless the House also set out a plan for the kind of deal it can support. MPs also voted by 374 to 164 to reject a plan to delay the UK's departure from the EU until May 22, so that there can be what its supporters call a "managed no-deal" Brexit. Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said that Parliament must now take control of the Brexit process and his party will work across the House of Commons to seek a compromise solution. He said: "In the last 24 hours Parliament has decisively rejected both her [May] deal and no deal. "While an extension of Article 50 is now inevitable, responsibility for that extension lies solely and squarely at the Prime Minister's door." All eyes will now be on a vote on Thursday, which is most likely expected to seek an extension to the time available for the UK to negotiate a new divorce arrangement with the EU. This would have to be ratified by the EU and the length of extension will become the next focus on both sides. However, how the EU will react to an extension request remains unclear at this stage, given that it is preparing for its own EU elections towards the end of May. The EU side has expressed dismay at the agreement being rejected by Britain for a second time since the last vote in January and said it would need "a credible justification" before agreeing to any extension. Unless agreed otherwise, Britain leaving the EU by March 29 remains the default Brexit option by law. The March-end deadline had kicked in when the UK triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty following a referendum in favour of Brexit by nearly 52 percent to 48 percent in June 2016. Unless MPs are able to rule out leaving by March 29 without any exit strategy or agreed terms, the UK is set to crash out of the bloc leading to deep uncertainties for businesses relying on cross-border arrangements. First the good news. One must congratulate the Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunals (NCLT) for restoring our faith in the system. NCLT refused to accept at face value the outrageous proposal by 90% of the committee of creditors (CoC) to accept a one-time settlement (OTS) offer by the Sandesara family (promoters of Sterling Biotech) to retain control over the company. In fact, the NCLT bench slammed the bankers , Andhra Bank, which leads the CoC, and exposed the questionable and hasty manner in which the Bank has tried to withdraw the bankruptcy application. At the hearing on 11th March, it became clear that the CoC has not shared any details of the proposal with the NCLT or the resolution professional (RP). Instead, the Bank had the temerity to tell the RP that should the NCLT seek information about the OTS offer, including sources of funds, time frame for payment to each lender, compliance with RBI norms and whether the interest of all stakeholders/CoC members have been provided for under the OTS offer, the applicant Andhra Bank and CoC will address all such queries posed by the NCLT directly and not with the Resolution Professional (emphasis as in the NCLT order). The judges also pointed out that the OTS proposal is from some Farhad Daruwalla, signed on behalf of the Sandasera Group when the applicant before the NCLT is a specific legal entity Sterling Biotech. Meanwhile, the four promotersNitin Sandesara, Chetankumar Sandesara, Dipti Chetan Sandesara and Hiteshkumar Patel - are absconding from India and have extradition orders issued against them by a Delhi court. The CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) has initiated action against the all the Sandesaras as well as Rajbhushan Omprakash Dixit and Vilas Joshi, chartered accountant Hemant Hathi as well as a former director of Andhra Bank Anup Garg. The last name needs to be noted in the context of the OTS. The withdrawal application merely says that 90.32% of the bankers had accepted the OTS offer with no details provided to NCLT. Fortunately, NCLT refused to accept this impertinence and has issued notices to financial regulators and investigation agencies that have been pursuing various violations by Sterling Biotech offering them an opportunity to make their representations at the next hearing on 26th March. Meanwhile, details of the deal, which were not provided to the NCLT, were leaked to various media houses. These show that banks were willing to accept an offer of just Rs5,500 crore from the Sandaseras, which entailed a haircut of a massive 65%. There is no mention of the offer from ACG Associated Capsules Pvt Ltd that was rejected by the lenders. In effect, a bunch of mainly public sector banks (PSBs), led by Andhra Bank, were brazenly willing to settle for less than half the amount due, to allow the Sandesaras to fly back to their 40,000sq ft (square feet) mansion at Vadodara in their Rs100 crore Gulfstream Jet and retain control of the company at a time when fugitive industrialists, from Vijay Mallya to Nirav Modi, are finding it difficult to live their lavish lifestyles with dignity or respectability abroad. If such a scandalous deal, with a huge hair-cut, was contemplated for one of the biggest and most scandalous defaulters like Sterling Biotech, whose promoters are absconding, one can only imagine what is going on at banks with regard to loan write-offs and settlements. What is to stop these brazen banks from offering fresh loans to the company once the OTS has faded from public memory? By accepting this proposal, bankers have established that they cannot be trusted to take the right decisions to protect, either the banks or public interest. Moneylife has repeatedly argued that recapitalising PSBs with lakhs of crores of public money paid through the exchequer, without any effort to make top management accountable and independent of political influence only means throwing good money after bad. It sets the stage for the creation of newer bad loans, even as the earlier ones are written off, through such settlements. The NCLT order makes it imperative for the finance ministry and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to question the CoC and initiate action against them if phone banking has truly come to an end, as asserted by the prime minister (PM). Otherwise, it leaves plenty of room for suspicion and drawing negative conclusions, given the disreputable antecedents of this company. Background of Sterling Biotechs Promoters To understand why this attempt to let Sterling Biotech back into his business is so scandalous, here is a quick rundown on actions against it. Apart from defaulting on loans to the tune of Rs8,100 crore, the promoters have been accused of fraud, which is being investigated by CBI. The enforcement directorate (ED) and the serious frauds investigation office (SFIO) are probing various charges, including money laundering, and have attached assets worth Rs4,700 crore, say media reports. We further learn that the tax authorities are looking at the suspiciously low price at which a bungalow was sold by them to a leading Mumbai politician. Their closeness to the former CBI special director Rakesh Asthana had been making news while the top two officials of the investigation agency squabbled and traded charges against each other. While an OTS proposal has been made in the case of Sterling Biotech, this is not the only group company in a financial mess or under investigation. Sterling SEZ and Infrastructure Ltd also faces bankruptcy proceedings and money laundering charges by the ED. Implications for Other Deals We need to watch what happens on 26th March and how the regulators and investigators respond; but, if a company with the antecedents of Sterling Biotech gets away by paying 45% of what it owes banks, then ArcelorMittal that has paid over Rs8,000 crore (to settle Uttam Galvas debt, among others), merely to have the right to bid for Essar Steel, can kiss its money goodbye. After all, how can banks justify accepting its Rs42,000-crore bid when the promoters of Essar Steel (who have already filed an appeal before the appellate tribunal) have offered a 100% repayment totalling Rs53,000 crore, including money owed to operational creditors, such as Standard Chartered Bank, who are also in court. Bhushan Power and Steel could also demand a generous OTS, doesn't matter that both these groups have already availed multiple bailouts by PSBs over the past decades. Similarly, if the Sandaseras source of funds is not questioned, then why question Essars or Bhushans? Nitpickers would argue that Essar Steels case is different because the CoC in that case has already accepted the Arcelor Mittal bid. But that would make it even worse. If the quality of the bidders and the colour of their money doesnt matter, then PSBs that are surviving on money gouged from customers and frequent bailouts by the exchequer ought to be held accountable for failing to recover Rs11,000 crore extra that the Ruia family is offering. Put in perspective, this extra is significantly more that the full outstanding loan of Sterling Biotech. Bad Loan Cycle Continues One of the biggest concerns over the past five years, as banks teetered under the weight of bad loans (mostly inherited pre-2014), is that banks have been allowed to write off bad loans furiously and are being re-capitalised by the exchequer even as there is no move to improve management accountability. While PM Narendra Modi is correct in poking fun at the phone banking culture that prevailed in the past decades, he has little to show about making PSBs independent or accountable. The Sterling Biotech deal, as well as State Bank of Indias attempt to sell off the Essar Steel loans to an asset reconstruction company when it is close to a resolution, are both indicators that little has changed on the ground. The same machinations, pressures and collusion that have given us over Rs12 lakh crore of bad loans, remain. The bankruptcy process may lead to a temporary cleanup; but the furious pace of creating fresh bad loans that require a government bailout will continue. Meanwhile, nothing has also been done to make regulators like RBI or the National Housing Bank (NHB) accountable. The GST Council will not announce any "beneficial decisions" like rate cuts or extensions of time period for any schemes or compliance to GST rules at its meeting scheduled on March 19. Sources said that the Council does not want that its decisions are seen as clashing with the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) that came into force post the announcement of the dates of the Lok Sabha election last Sunday. With this, the Council has also received permission from the Election Commission to hold its next meeting - the 34th - on the scheduled date. "The Council will desist from announcing any beneficial decisions including rate cuts and extension of time period for any compliance of rules of GST till elections are over to abide with the Model Code of Conduct. "We have received Election Commission of India's approval to hold the March 19th meeting on discussion and announcement of various issues including implementation of lower GST rates for the real estate sector as the decisions were already announced in the last meeting when the MCC was not in place," sources said. At its 33rd meeting, the Council had slashed tax rates for under-construction flats to 5 per cent and affordable homes to 1 per cent, effective April 1. As far as further lowering of rates are concerned under GST with an eye on on polls, after the Council's 31st meeting in December where it was announced that rates were being rationalised on a number of products and services, there are only 28 items left now in top 28 per cent tax bracket. Among the items consumed/used by the common man, only cement continues to remain, along with luxury and 'sin' goods, in the top bracket. This major tax rationalisation, ahead of the 2019 general elections, had come after Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to bring 99 per cent of the goods under the 18 per cent or lower GST slab. But all the rate cuts have had their impact on GST collections, which in February dropped to Rs 97,247 crore from Rs 1.02 lakh crore in the previous month. The government has lowered the GST collection target for the current fiscal to Rs 11.47 lakh crore in the Revised Estimates, from Rs 13.71 lakh crore budgeted initially. 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. Everyone falls sick one time or other and needs to go to a doctor for medical attention. A misdiagnosis, an inaccurate treatment or a tragedy leads to disputes we classify in law as medical negligence. Patients worry if they are getting the best care while doctors worry about the legal implications. These worries are a result of lack of proper understanding of the law on medical negligence. The law on medical negligence is affected by developments across the world. It creates a few dos and donts for the patients and doctors alike. With the help of significant court judgements from India and across the world, this article aims to acquaint the patients, doctors and medical practitioners with some basic guidelines to prevent litigation. Diagnosis and Treatment The law on the acceptability of diagnosis and treatment is well developed. In short, the doctors are required to be prudent when it comes to diagnosis and treatment. Practically, it means that a general body of experts should concur with the doctors action. Doctors and hospitals are legally responsible for the standard of care. The standard of care has two parametersfirst the standard should be acceptable to a general body of experts. The standard of care should also be up to date considering developments in the field of medicine. Thus, doctors and hospitals are required to keep abreast of new practices in medicine. Further, all the medical professionals involved in providing the treatment procedure are required to possess the necessary skills. Second, the standard of care should also meet the common-sense test. Related examples of cases are blood transfusion of the wrong type, employing unqualified nurses, empty oxygen cylinders etc. From my personal experience, I could add some moresuch as quack medical supervisors, over-worked resident doctors, improper medical records, hospitals and nursing homes not having appropriate permissions from the Medical Council of India and local authorities, open/exposed medical waste in patient area, etc. As clarified in Balram Prasad case, the liability of the hospital is residuary and therefore in many cases maximum. The responsibility of the hospitals is two-fold. First is the substantive responsibility. The hospitals are required to ensure efficient and effective diagnosis and treatment. They need to ensure that the doctors are qualified, that they have tools and techniques available at their disposal for the best possible patient care. Second, the hospitals also have procedural responsibility. Any shortfall in either of these two duties creates a liability. The hospitals need to ensure that the standards on these two aspects meet the requirement. Information Legally, the decision with respect to diagnosis rests exclusively with the doctor. Whether the diagnosis is correct can only be determined by a doctor or a body of expert doctors. But the decision with respect to treatment is taken jointly between the doctor, patient, patients family and other stake-holders. The interests of the patient are paramount in this decision. To arrive at both these decisions we need information. The law expects the patients to supply the information about their conditions to the doctor. This information covers symptoms, allergies, etc. but also much more. Court decisions indicate that a patient should also highlight her concerns and apprehensions that help her decidei.e. her decision parameters. Thus, incessant questioning was held as an indicator of patients apprehension about possible complications arising from an operation. An explicit comment about not wanting to lose her voice was found to be a relevant concern raised by the patient. Thus, the law expects patients to be curious about the risks involved at all stages - diagnosis, treatment and possible side-effects or possible complications. The patients, therefore, should also seek information about the diagnosis, treatment and the risks involved in all the procedures. Doctors must understand that informing the patient is absolutely critical. The information must be complete and easily understandable. In general, it is absolutely essential to discuss the possible outcomes, possible risks and potential complications arising from the procedure. Various decisions indicate that the doctors must be vigilant about understanding the patients decision-making process as well. They must glean from patient interaction as to what sort of risks the patient is accepting and what risks the patient does not wish to take. Using this information, the doctors must determine the kinds of risks they should inform the patient about. If it is unclear, they must directly point out the risks and seek the patients consent. The information, in the words of Lady Hale is enough information [is] given so that the doctor is not acting negligently and is giving due protection to the patient's right of autonomy. Even in the matter of getting information from the patient, substantial responsibility rests with hospitals and clinics who deal in out-patient care. Many hospitals have separate professionals, junior doctors usually, who get detailed information from the patients based on predesigned forms. While the intent is salutary, such over-reliance on forms is also not good. Hospitals must aim for materiality and relevance and allow for judicious departure from norms. Informed Consent The question of informed consent in important in the Indian context. Firstly, Indian hospitals and doctors tend to get blanket consent that the common law jurisprudence rejects. Secondly, the concept of informed consent, while accepted in Indian jurisprudence, has not been rigorously tested. We find that the Indian law does not approve of the term informed consent and favours real consent, a legacy of English law. However, both are practically the same. Thus, in the Samira Kohli case, the court, while using the term real consent has described various principles associated with it. The principles enlisted are quite illuminating and should be read entirely in the case description. The courts states that the consent should be prior consent before undertaking the procedure. The consent should be obtained after providing adequate information but not overburden the patient with remote risks. The court has clarified it as the doctor should disclose (a) nature and procedure of the treatment and its purpose, benefits and effect; (b) alternatives if any available; (c) an outline of the substantial risks; and (d) adverse consequences of refusing treatment. The court further states that the consent for diagnostic procedure cannot be extended to treatment and a separate consent is required for that. However, in certain cases consent for both may be taken together but the same must be clearly explained to the patient. Many hospitals have specialists who inform the patients of the risks related to the diagnosis and treatment. The process is iterative, and more information must be sought and given to meet the high standard of consent required by law. The standard of consent globally established is quite high and Indian law is expected to progress rapidly towards that standard. There are two additional complications when it comes to informed consent in India. First, in many cases you have patients who are illiterate and do not comprehend the kinds of risks they are undertaking. Second, Indian doctors are still seen in their paternalistic role when it comes to general patient. Thus, I venture, the patient has to demonstrate a clear preference for knowing all the risks before the onus can be shifted to the doctor. Further, the patient needs to actively protect herself from the judicial presumption that sees doctors in a paternalistic role. Nevertheless, I expect we shall soon see developments with respect to informed consent in Indian law. Therapeutic Privilege The law recognises that there are cases of emergency where a doctor has to make a choice in the absence of information or consent. The law allows for the doctor to take any and all actions in the interest of the patients health and safety. There are two conditions: the doctors action should be in good faith and there has to be an emergency. In the Samira Kohli case, the Supreme Court established that the consent had not been proper though it concluded that the action of the doctor was in good faith and in the interest of the patient. There is another condition in which the doctor is allowed to withhold information if she determines that it will affect the patients mental health. Interference by Patient and Kin Unfortunately, this aspect has no parallel in the international jurisprudence. While a paternalistic role is attributed to the doctors generally, it is not always the case. Therefore, Indian law also allows for defence of a non-cooperating patient and interference from the patients kin. In the Martin Dsouza case, the court concluded that the doctor was faced with a non-cooperative patient with multiple maladies and it therefore justified the deployment of extraordinary measures by the doctor. However, the courts are careful in ascribing interference to the patient or patients kin and strong evidence is required for the same. Thus, in the Malaykumar Ganguly case, faced with the doctors incompetent handling of the patient, the patients husband (who was also a doctor) interfered with the treatment but it was held to be acceptable. Patients and their kin should not interfere in the diagnosis and treatment. However, the patient and their kin are not restrained from making inquiries, making suggestions and indicating their views on the diagnosis or treatment. Doctors should also note that what is interference is determined by a post-facto judicial scrutiny. Thus, if the patient is reasonable in her inquiry, suggestions or views on the diagnosis or treatment, then the burden on the doctors increases. The consequences of ignoring just and reasonable suggestions of the patients and their kin are quite drastic. We can infer that consulting doctors need to keep a record of interference by the patient herself or by their kin, along with the case files and record the inquiries, suggestions and views in the said file along with the opinion of the relevant doctor. It is in the interest of the treating doctors and the hospitals that such instances be recorded and maintained properly. Damages Indian jurisprudence is compensatory and does not usually award exemplary damages. However, Indian jurisprudence is progressing rapidly in the case of award of damages. In this regard two landmark cases, Nizam Institute and Balram Prasad, have laid new ground rules. The Indian courts have transitioned from relying on multiplier method to more ad hoc damages that are closer to appropriate compensation for the loss suffered. There are two areas where, in the future, there may be further enhancement. First, computation of legal costs. In Balram Prasad, we have seen some costs awarded for legal expenses. However, the determination of these costs is arbitrary and not in keeping with the actuals. This may change. Second, award of exemplary damages may be around the corner. The jurisprudence with respect to damages is affected from various quarters - motor vehicles, civil suits on contracts and those on other forms of negligence too. Since this particular element is a kind of tort law, as the tort law develops, we will see further development in the computation of damages. Conclusion Thus, as seen above, the law on medical negligence is keeping up with the changes in the society. These changes cast a duty on patients, doctors and hospitals to improve the standard of care in every aspect of medical practice. I believe the doctors and hospitals need to continuously review their procedures and ensure that the provided care meets the ever-stricter standards laid down by the courts. You would think it would be hard for anyone to hate Hugh Jackman. Whether he is wielding his adamantium claws as Wolverine or singing show tunes and bringing magic to our lives in The Greatest Showman - he is one lovable guy! But, as with anything, there are some who don't appreciate him or his work so much. The Greatest Showman topped the charts to become the best-selling album of 2018 and has shifted a big top-toppling 1.6 million copies. The album has been in the Top 5 of the UK Official Top 40 since its debut in 2017, making it the longest to ever sit at #1 in UK chart history. Despite some people sick of hearing The Greatest Show for the millionth time, Jackman is brushing his haters off in classic Jackman style. A version of this article appeared in September 2019. Company retirement plans have changed significantly over the past few decades, with a few trends coming on strong. In light of the fact that 401(k) participants are famously hands-off, plans have increasingly added nudge features to get more people saving: Roughly two thirds of plans now offer automatic enrollment, for example, up from just about half in 2012. Roth accounts have also shot up in popularity. Whereas 37% of plans offered a Roth option in 2009, about 70% of plans do so today. Yet even as automatic and Roth features have grown more popular, another trend is clearly on the wane: company stock on the 401(k)-plan menu. Whereas nearly half of employers offered company stock in their 401(k) plans a decade ago, either as part of the 401(k)-plan menu or as part of an employee stock-ownership plan, that figure had dropped to less than 40% as of 2019, according to the Callan Institute. Why the demise? Well-publicized employee stock-ownership debacles like Enron and Lehman Brothers have surely contributed to the diminished presence of company stock on 401(k)-plan menus. General Electric (GE), whose shares have dropped a stunning 34% on an annualized basis over the past three years, is the latest example of a firm whose employees have gotten burned by holding company stock in the 401(k) plan. In an effort to avoid such issues, plan sponsors have taken steps to reduce their liability in case the stock runs aground. And employees also appear to have gotten the message about the dangers of company stock: Vanguard's "How America Saves" report about defined-contribution plan participant behavior shows that just 4% of employees in Vanguard-administered plans had concentrated positions in employer stock in 2019, down from 11% at the end of 2008. Why Avoid It The drop in popularity of employer stock in 401(k)s--both on plan menus and in the percentage of employees who invest in it--is a positive development for one major reason: risk. At the portfolio level, heavily weighting single stock--any stock--has the potential to make that portfolio more volatile than one that's more diffuse. Moreover, because company stock ownership is much heavier among larger-cap stocks than smaller ones, it's much more likely that the investor who owns a heavy stake in the company also owns additional shares in that same company through any mutual funds in the portfolio. More on This Topic How Good Is Your 401(k) Plan? And then there are human-capital considerations: Employees who invest heavily in company stock have both their human capital and financial capital riding on the fortunes of a single company; difficulties at their employer could cause their stock shares to sink at the same time they suffer job loss or an income reduction. Of course, employees might like to own company stock because they believe they have an information advantage over other market participants. Although one might expect that workers who own shares of their employers' stock would benefit from their knowledge of the company, Morningstar Investment Management's head of retirement research, David Blanchett, found the opposite: Companies whose employees have high aggregate allocations to company stock have tended to underperform those without, even when controlling for market capitalization, investment style, sector, and other factors. Blanchett concedes that employee-stock ownership, while less than ideal, is less bad in a small handful of situations, such as when one's company is especially large and well-diversified. In that case, however, its also more likely that the stock would appear elsewhere in the investors portfolio. Company stock is also less dangerous if the employee is able to purchase it at a discount, as is the case with some 401(k) plans, or if the employee's portfolio is already extremely large and well diversified. The flip side is that company-stock ownership can cause the greatest harm to investors who can least afford it: those with small and relatively undiversified portfolios. Because of portfolio-diversification and human-capital considerations, Blanchett notes that the optimal allocation to company stock, from a "pure research perspective," is zero. Such a Draconian approach might not be practical for some investors, however. Blanchett notes that 10% of total portfolio assets is a reasonable upper limit for company-stock ownership. What About the Match? Why wouldn't a total divestiture be practical in some cases? The key reason is that some plans match employees' contributions in stock rather than cash. If youre matched on your 401(k) contribution in the form of company stock, its a best practice to periodically liquidate those holdings and deploy the cash into better-diversified positions within your plan. Thanks to the Pension Protection Act of 2006, participants who have logged three years of service under the plan can transfer the value of the company stock into better-diversified options within the plan. In addition, the rules regarding net unrealized appreciation are another reason why investors might take a deliberate approach to liquidating company stock. Blanchett says investors who hold company stock in their 401(k)s will have to weigh the potential tax savings of being able to take advantage of the NUA rules against the loss of diversification that accompanies holding a substantial stake in company stock. A tax advisor can provide guidance for the best course of action; the longer your time horizon to liquidation, the greater the risk of a high allocation to employer stock. More than eight out of 10 Canadian organizations suffered data security breaches over the past year, according to new research by cyber-security firm Carbon Black. In its analysis, Carbon Black raised the alarm on the mounting cyber threats pressing upon organizations nationwide, especially financial institutions. Our first Canadian threat report indicates that organizations in Canada are under intense pressure from escalating cyberattacks, Carbon Black chief cyber-security officer Tom Kellermann said. The research indicates increases across the board in attack volume and sophistication, causing frequent breaches. It is increasingly clear that the development of smart cities is coming, and the only question that remains is when? Two days ago in Vancouver, a panel shed light on the answer to that question. The cities of Vancouver and Surrey are together exploring what kind of smart city features will benefit their respective corridors and improve the lives of residents. They have both invited companies from all over the world to submit applications, with the winner receiving $50 million to bring their visions to fruition on the West Coast. Jessie Adcock, the City of Vancouvers chief technology officer, told MortgageBrokerNews.ca that the ultimate goal of the cities initiative is to improve citizens safety, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and collisions while ameliorating mobility. Technology has been transforming the Permian's oil and gas industry, and the industry has been transforming technology as the region serves what's been called the world's largest living laboratory. St. Louis-based Emerson, a longtime presence in the Permian Basin with its automation technology and engineering services, recently celebrated the opening of its new $4 million Permian Basin Service Center at 320 E. Interstate 20 in Odessa, adjacent to Vinson Process Controls, a local Emerson Impact Partner. The center is designed to meet the industry's growing demand for digital technologies to optimize production efficiencies, support producers facing labor and equipment shortages and address workforce preparedness issues. Emerson's portfolio ranges from intelligent field devices and instrumentation to control systems, operations management and enterprise management software. Drew Baker, sales director, South Central U.S. with Emerson Automation Solutions, discussed via email the company, the new center and its design to serve as a collaboration point for upstream, downstream and midstream customers. Q: Emerson has a longtime Permian Basin presence. What has the company been doing in the Permian? A: Emerson has been providing comprehensive solutions for oil and gas companies in the Permian to help them leverage automation as a way to overcome resource and infrastructure constraints, all while providing local service and support for our products. The newly expanded $4 million, 16,000-square-foot facility will also serve as a collaboration point for over 200 midstream and upstream customers in the Permian and provide lifecycle services that support the full Emerson Automation Solutions product and service portfolio. Q: Automation has been evolving rapidly in the Permian Basin oilfields. What new technology is Emerson offering at its new service center? A: Emerson is showcasing leading measurement technologies that help provide more insight into customer operations than ever before, as well as software and systems that allow customers to use data to optimize and control their operations. Emerson also offers the industry's most complete offering for valves and valve technologies. Emerson will also offer its new Performance Learning Platform, a portable and compact automation technology training solution that enables hands-on learning for operators. It can help workers become adept at applying, using and maintaining the latest digital automation technologies. In addition, the center is uniquely located to provide timely and specialized support to all corners of the Permian Basin, with dozens of certified product and service technicians available to resolve issues quickly and eliminate unnecessary maintenance and labor costs. Customers can also access Emerson's complete Lifecycle Services offering for valves, actuators, regulators, and other assets to improve reliability and optimize production. This center, which is focused on providing local training, service, and support for automation technology used in upstream and midstream oil and gas, will also help customers develop digital oilfield solutions that will enable operational excellence and help customers achieve Top Quartile performance (meeting performance metrics within the top 25 percent of peer companies). Q: How exactly will Emerson connect pipeline operators and local experts and technologies? A: The Emerson Service Center connects pipeline operators with local experts and advanced technologies to help expand capacity while meeting regulatory and environmental concerns. To further engage customers in digitally transforming their operations and achieving/maintaining Top Quartile performance, Emerson is providing access to Operational Certainty Consultants via the Permian Service Center to provide extensive guidance on integrating Industrial Internet of Things technologies and updated organizational work practices into their operations. The Integrated Customer Engagement room also enables customers to work with Emerson to digitally transform their operations and see the technology firsthand. Q: Will the center's training capabilities be available to other companies? And how are you teaming with local schools on STEM education? A: Our 40-seat training center is open to any and all companies that want to participate in classes hosted by Emerson Educational Services. We are having preliminary talks with local schools and have engaged with local leaders from Ector County, city officials and the Chamber on how we can complement their efforts to upskill the workforce in the Permian Basin. As a hub for customers to collaborate and share knowledge, the center will help facilitate digital transformation and train the digital workforce of the future. Emerson partners with academia and invests to promote STEM education at all education levels. We are focused on enhancing on-the-job training at our facilities, investing in trade-school partnerships and continuing our university sponsorships to prepare workers at all levels for the manufacturing jobs of the future. OPEC is sending a clear message to Wall Street banks and big investors: If Washington passes legislation that would allow the U.S. government to sue the cartel, the first victim will be shale. Suhail Mohammed Al Mazrouei, the United Arab Emirates oil minister and the former president of OPEC, told a group of U.S. financiers Monday that if the so-called NOPEC bill becomes law, the cartel would stop working and therefore every member would raise production to maximum capacity, causing a crash in oil prices, according to people who attended the meeting. The discussion took place in a closed-door meeting between Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries officials and the financial community on the sidelines of the annual CERAWeek conference by IHS Markit in Houston, according to the people who asked not to be identified because the talks were private. While lower oil prices would be pleasing to consumers -- and to a U.S. president who has called several times for OPEC to keep output levels high -- the warning is an example of how the organization is trying to convince U.S. shale producers and their financial backers that they should join the effort to try to stop the bill. The American Petroleum Institute has stated its opposition to the measure, but OPEC is taking aim at the financial industry that plays a big role providing billions of dollars in debt and equity to U.S. drillers. OPEC has been publicly vocal about its opposition to the measure, without painting a doomsday scenario as it did privately. "NOPEC legislation won't serve the U.S. interest," OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo said on Tuesday in Houston. Some oil executives have joined in the fight. The Chief Executive Officer of London-based BP said Tuesday that one of his messages to the Trump administration is to avoid disrupting oil markets too much. He singled out the NOPEC legislation, which "could have severe unintended consequences if it unleashed litigation around the world." If OPEC weren't around and countries started producing at will, "you'd end up with another price collapse and then you'd see the boom and the bust in the oil fields around the world. I think OPEC, in its own way, moderates the highs and the lows and really has helped the shale industry, in my view." The meeting included Michael O'Dwyer, a senior energy banker at Morgan Stanley; Bob Maguire, a senior dealmaker at Carlyle International Energy Partners; and Osmar Abib, chairman of global energy at Credit Suisse Group. The meeting also had representatives from pension funds, including the one run by the state of New Jersey, managers such as Fidelity and Guggenheim Partners, and hedge funds including Moore Capital Management LP. OPEC has used its capacity to send oil prices down in the past -- at times flooding the market as it did in 1985-86, 1998-99 and more recently in 2014-15. Saudi Arabia, which is currently pumping less than 10 million barrels a day, can boost its production to 12.5 million. While Wall Street has been largely quiet on the NOPEC bill, the U.S. petroleum sector is strongly campaigning against it. The American Petroleum Institute head Mike Sommers wrote in a letter last year to Congress that while "cartels for any commodity are harmful to consumer interests," the current legislation "threatens serious, unintended consequences for the U.S. natural gas and oil industry." U.S. politicians have tried several times since 2000 to pass the NOPEC bill, but the White House opposed it -- both George W. Bush and Barack Obama threatened to use their veto. The risk for OPEC is that Donald Trump may break with his predecessors. The U.S. administration so far has given mixed message about its views about the NOPEC bill. Energy Secretary Rick Perry has vocally opposed it, but Trump has remained silent. In an interview with Bloomberg Television on Tuesday, Perry said that OPEC was "appropriately concerned" about the potential legislation. Before becoming president, Trump didn't just support the NOPEC bill, he was a cheerleader. "We can start by suing OPEC for violating antitrust laws," he wrote in his 2011 book "Time to Get Tough: Making America #1 Again" about the problem of high oil prices. Petro Waste Environmental, which has grown to seven landfill sites serving the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford oil and gas industry, has been sold to WM Energy Services Holdings, a subsidiary of Waste Management Inc. "We're extremely happy with this outcome," George Wommack, who had founded Petro Waste Environmental with Tailwater Capital LLC in 2014, said in a phone interview. "Waste Management couldn't be a better company for our employees to work for." "We are excited about the opportunity and pleased to welcome the employees of Petro Waste to the Waste Management family. The Petro Waste business will continue as they have, with no significant changes expected at this time," Scott Bradley, vice president of Waste Management Energy Services Holdings LLC, told the Reporter-Telegram by email. Wommack said that the ultimate goal when he founded Petro Waste with funding from Tailwater was to build a company with key infrastructure in place so a company like Waste Management could then take it to the next level of growth. "There's a lot of growth yet in this company," he said. The San Antonio-based company currently has four landfills that process and dispose of oilfield waste, a fifth under construction, a permit approved for a site in Pecos County and a permit pending for a site in McMullen County. Wommack said he will serve as a consultant during the transition to Waste Management. He is founding a new company, Headwall Investments, that will be making real estate investments, oil and gas investments and "we're also planning on raising a large real estate investment fund to invest in shopping centers." While Wommack has no specifics yet "details to come," he said he plans to remain active in the oil and gas industry. "I'll still be watching oil and gas, I'll be active in that space," he said. The college admissions fraud scandal, which led to charges against more than 30 parents accused of cheating their children into elite universities, sparked a rare moment on social media Tuesday: thoughtful analysis and self-contemplation. Many Twitter personalities wrote that they didn't need a "fancy" college degree to succeed in life; others acknowledged the immense privilege that enabled them a spot at a top school. "The whole system of college admissions is broken," wrote Laurens Gunnarsen, one of many people tweeting about the inequity of the college admissions process. ALSO: How were students in admissions scandal able to cheat on SAT so easily? "Even after decision-makers have imposed (unreasonably) stringent threshold SAT and GPA requirements," he continued, "they're left with many thousands of applicants they cannot distinguish objectively." Actress Zoe Kazan issued a "casual reminder," raising the issue that "lots of upper middle class parents (perfectly legally) improve their kids' SAT scores by paying tutors to teach them to game the system." "Mine did," she added. Soul-searching aside, the scandal also inspired you guessed it hilarious memes, generally featuring actors Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, who were indicted Tuesday for their participation in the corrupt scheme. ALSO: Tweets by Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin take on new meaning after scandal One tweet features the opening sequence of "Full House" Loughlin appeared on the show as the aunt character, Rebecca, between 1988 and 1995 with the text, "If you squint, you can see Alcatraz." Another clever meme-maker created a March Madness-style bracket to determine who will play Felicity Huffman in the "College Cheating Film." Some jokes were more self-directed. Wrote journalist Ben Dreyfuss, the son of actor Richard Dreyfuss, "I got into college the old fashioned way: by letting my father's celebrity speak for itself." You can see more memes and reactions in the above gallery. Read Michelle Robertson's latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfgate.com. Start receiving breaking news emails on wildfires, civil emergencies, riots, national breaking news, Amber Alerts, weather emergencies, and other critical events with the SFGATE breaking news email. Click here to make sure you get the news. With a full floor of vendors, cosplayers and special guest booths, the very first Permian Basin Comic Con X displayed big ambition in 2015 at one of the Ector County Coliseum barns in Odessa. Fortunately for West Texas geek culture, that ambition remains as the event heads into its fifth year. Today, its swelled into a lollapalooza of attractions, parties and special events that stretch across four days. As organizer Chris Slatosch readies for this weekend, he confirms that PB Comic Con X continues to grow. Attendance has averaged up to 4,000, he said. And this year, weve upped our guest list and added some different genres. Except for the VIP Mixer pre-party today at the DoubleTree by Hilton and subsequent after-parties, PBCCX is held at the Horseshoe Pavilion giving the event space to spread out. The shopping and trader booths, as well as the panel discussion, autograph tables and cosplay contests continue. But these days, the event now includes board game demos, the Kids Cosplay contest, live matches by Old School Wrestling, a gaming tournament and this year, the Plan 9 Replicas Vehicle Tour with cars from movies such as Jurassic Park and Ghostbusters. More for you Know before you go: Permian Basin Comic Con X Its like weve become this pop culture fest once a year where we all get back together and do it again, Slatosch said. But PBCCX hasnt been without its growing pains. Slatosch and the rest of the SilvrFire team that organizes the event turn those into positives. After years of bringing in comic book artists and illustrators, none of those are part of this years lineup. We stopped booking certain artists because visitors werent familiar with who they were. It was hard for fans to grasp who they were seeing and meeting, he said. We have more celebrities this year. A bit of Hollywood beefs up PBCCX with the likes of television actor Erik Estrada, star of the 1970s cop drama CHiPS; Jonathan Lipnicki, the former child actor from Jerry Maguire and Stuart Little films; and Sam Jones, who played the first Flash Gordon. Anime fans will have a chance to meet voice actors Clifford Chapin and Brittney Karbowski of My Hero Academia, Sonny Strait of Dragon Ball Super: Broly and Maile Flanagan of Naruto. Former wrestler and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T also is scheduled to appear at the event. Five years in I am surprised that weve lasted but its cool to see that weve had this longevity, Slatosch said. In five years, weve learned how our demographics change and how to adjust. And our goal is to be the con for West Texas that pulls in people from Hobbs and San Angelo and elsewhere and weve been able to do that. RTHK: Nobel urged for Swedish girl in climate campaign Greta Thunberg, the Swedish school girl climate campaigner who has inspired worldwide protests, should be awarded this year's Nobel Peace price, Norwegian lawmakers said on Thursday. "We have proposed Greta Thunberg because if we do nothing to halt climate change it will be the cause of wars, conflict and refugees," said Norwegian Socialist MP Freddy Andre Ovstegard. Greta Thunberg, the Swedish school girl climate campaigner who has inspired worldwide protests, should be awarded this year's Nobel Peace price, Norwegian lawmakers said Thursday. "We have proposed Greta Thunberg because if we do nothing to halt climate change it will be the cause of wars, conflict and refugees," Norwegian Socialist MP Freddy Andre Ovstegard told AFP. "Greta Thunberg has launched a mass movement which I see as a major contribution to peace," he added. Six months ago no one knew who Thunberg was when, as a 15-year-old, she camped outside Sweden's parliament next to a hand-written sign: "SCHOOL STRIKE FOR CLIMATE". Since then she has gone global, striking a chord with younger people disillusioned by the slow progress of the adult world in halting climate change. On Friday, thousands of students are expected to demonstrate in more than 100 countries in what activists say could be a milestone moment in a grassroots campaign to push world leaders into doing more. "We are only seeing the beginning," Thunberg, now 16, tweeted recently. "I think that change is on the horizon and the people will stand up for their future." has launched a mass movement which I see as a major contribution to peace," he added. Six months ago no one knew who Thunberg was when, as a 15-year-old, she camped outside Sweden's parliament next to a hand-written sign: "SCHOOL STRIKE FOR CLIMATE". Since then she has gone global, striking a chord with younger people disillusioned by the slow progress of the adult world in halting climate change. On Friday, thousands of students are expected to demonstrate in more than 100 countries in what activists say could be a milestone moment in a grassroots campaign to push world leaders into doing more. Some students in Hong Kong are also organising a protest to join the event. "We are only seeing the beginning," Thunberg, now 16, tweeted recently. "I think that change is on the horizon and the people will stand up for their future." (AFP) This story has been published on: 2019-03-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. (CNN) Hundreds of demonstrators protested outside an Italian court this week after it emerged that two men were acquitted of rape partly because the judges believed the alleged victim looked too "masculine." In 2016, the two Peruvian men were convicted of raping a woman in the Italian city of Ancona in 2015. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was 20 years old at the time of the alleged attack and is also of Peruvian origin. The ruling was subsequently thrown out by the Ancona appeals court, with the judges -- three women -- claiming that the woman's report was not credible, despite doctors confirming that her injuries were consistent with rape. "It's a sentence that has shocked us, I was astonished when reading the motivation," Cinzia Molinaro, the woman's lawyer, told CNN. Molinaro said the judges overturned the initial ruling with a 22-page reasoning, claiming that the woman's account of the incident was not reliable as the men "didn't find her attractive, she was too masculine." The judges added that one of the defendants had saved the woman's number in his phone as "Viking," and stated that the "photograph present in her file would appear to confirm this." They also ruled that it was "not possible to exclude the possibility that it was" in fact the woman who had "organized the 'exuberant' evening." The alleged victim claimed she was raped in a park in Ancona on March 9, 2015 by a man who was known to her, while another stood guard. "That night she returned home and went to hospital only the day after," Molinaro said. "Doctors in A&E had to put 14 stitches in her vagina." The woman subsequently reported the rape to police and was "very honest" in her account, Molinaro said. "She had confused memories of what exactly happened during the night because she was drugged," Molinaro said, adding that doctors had confirmed that traces of a "date rape" drug, were found in her blood. "I don't remember how it all started, but I remember I shouted 'enough, enough'," Molinaro reported the girl as saying to the police. The woman was subsequently forced to return to Peru with her mother, as she "couldn't stand the burden, she felt like the accused," Molinaro said. She added that Ancona is a relatively small town and the Peruvian community is very close-knit. One of the defendants was initially sentenced to five years in prison in 2016 for the rape, while the other was sentenced to three years for standing guard. The ruling was subsequently overturned in 2017. The reasons behind the acquittal only emerged last week, when the Italian supreme court annulled the appeal verdict and ordered a retrial. The case will now be reheard from scratch at a court in Perugia on a date to be confirmed. The revelation of the reasons for the acquittal sparked outrage among women's rights organizations and trade unions, which organized a protest in front of the Ancona appeals court Monday. "It is an outrage that it is still female victims of violence who are judged, rather than the authors of the violence," a local branch of the CGIL trade union wrote on Twitter. Protesters carried placards bearing the slogan: "Stop justifying male violence on women." The Italian justice minister has subsequently opened an investigation into the Ancona appeals court ruling, according to the Ansa news agency. This story was first published on CNN.com "Women judges quashed rape verdict as alleged victim was 'too masculine'" Michael Ciaglo/Staff ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) New Mexico regulators are going after a Texas-based oil and gas company over alleged air quality violations. The environment department issued the notice of violation to Hilcorp Energy on Thursday, saying the company has violated state and federal laws by improperly controlling emissions from one of its wells in the San Juan Basin. President Donald Trump in an interview published Tuesday said his administration is thinking "very seriously" about designating Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. "We are. We are," Trump told Breitbart News. "We're thinking about doing it very seriously. In fact, we've been thinking about it for a long time. . . . As terrorists - as terrorist organizations, the answer is yes. They are." The mayor of Devers, Texas, issued a proclamation Tuesday banning the state's STAAR exams within city limits. Steven Horelica, who also is a fifth grade teacher and bus driver in Devers ISD, said the statement does not have legal teeth and was made symbolically to give voice to growing opposition against the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR tests. Everything is judged by one single event. Kids are labeled by what they do on one day of the year, Horelica said. Students are judged by that number, teachers are judged by that number instead of, lets look at the big picture lets see how much the child has grown this year, lets look at them and see how they can get better. LEGISLATURE: Families worry bill could help accused Santa Fe shooter win early parole He said the mayor of Sour Lake, near Beaumont, will put forward a similar proclamation in the next month. The idea to symbolically ban the standardized test within Devers population: 447 in 2010 began with a Jan. 29 Facebook post in which Horelica half-jokingly presented a draft resolution. At the time, he said it was not serious, but more and more people began to ask him to actually do it. Texas Education Agency officials declined to comment on the proclamation, but federal laws require standardized testing and other accountability measures in order for districts and state departments of education to receive federal funding. The Texas Education Code also states that school districts accreditation and funding are tied to test participation and performance, and students who fail the exams can be held back. In 2017-2018, about 35,000 Texas students were counted as not tested in the state's accountability ratings. Since 2012, only about 1 percent of all eligible students have not taken the STAAR test each year, although the state does not separate out that data to show who missed the test intentionally and how many students missed it due to medical issues or emergencies. Horelica said since news broke that he was doing it for real, messages of support have flowed into his inbox from across Texas and the country from people sick of year-round test preparation and the stakes tied to the once-a-year exams. Its a bad thing for education, Horelica said. I think we should all be working to put an end to it no matter who we are. shelby.webb@chron.com SPRINGFIELD LGBTQ advocates say they are deeply disturbed by legislation that would ban some forms of health care for transgender persons under the age of 18. Filed by GOP Rep. Tom Morrison of Palatine, House Bill 3515 would add certain medical services such as sex-change procedures or the delivery of puberty-suppressing drugs to the list of acts punishable by revoking or suspending a doctors license. Myles Davis, spokesperson for LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Illinois, called the bill an attack on families; the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community; and child health care in a news conference Tuesday, where various transgender persons stood alongside House Leader Greg Harris, a Democrat from Chicago, to voice their opposition to the bill. This bill takes health care options away from Illinois children just because of their identity, Davis said. Harris agreed. [The bill] is harmful physically, it is harmful mentally, it is anti-science, and it seems to be designed to be personally hurtful to a group of people very intentionally, Harris added. I just dont know why this would be before the Legislature. The bills sponsor, however, says hes been hearing from many parents who say their children are moving too swiftly to seek such medical services, which they might later regret. What were talking about here is life-changing surgeries or drugs that are given to minors, before we really have any deep studies about their long-term or short-term effects, Morrison said. And they are permanent effects. Morrison referenced an anecdotal story of a teenage girl who received a double mastectomy because she believed she was born in the wrong body. At age 22, she realized what a mistake she made, and she regrets she wasnt given all the information she needed, Morrison said. Nor was she mature enough to make that kind of decision. Those at the news conference rebutted this by saying the choice to have such treatments and procedures is strictly between an individual, their family and their doctor. [The bill] takes away from a family the right to work with their children and medical professionals, Harris said. Government should not be interfering in these decisions, much less outright banning them. Asked whether it was necessary to make the medical procedures illegal, rather than promoting outreach efforts and ensuring accurate information available, Morrison said, I need to give that more thought. Reach reporter Grant Morgan at gmorgan@capitolnewsillinois.com A thriving e-commerce sector benefits American manufacturers, retailers, consumers and entrepreneurs. To preserve and further unleash this economic power and promise, the United States needs to restructure or end its relationship with the Universal Postal Union. This United Nations-affiliated organization sets international postal rates and standards, significantly influencing e-commerce sales prices and U.S. business prospects. UPU international postal prices for small packages, those under 4.4 pounds or 2 kilograms, are based on political rather than market factors. And the big winners are e-commerce powerhouses China, Singapore and a few other industrialized countries that have mastered political gamesmanship at the UPU to secure subsidized Third World rates. Renowned postal consultant Jim Campbell has documented that the U.S. Postal Service delivers these smaller packages for 50 percent or less of what it charges U.S. mailers for similar services. China gets discounts of 65 percent or more. Jayme Smaldone, chief executive officer of consumer products company Mighty Mug, points out that Chinese counterfeiters pay $1.40 to send his product from China to the United States. The cost to Mighty Mug to send the legitimate product within the United States is $6.30. The Trump administration understands these arcane and important issues and has taken strong action. Following an August Presidential Memorandum, the administration is moving forward with setting self-declared rates for packages entering the United States. It is also prepared to leave the UPU in October 2020 without a new international postal agreement. Self-declared rates mean that foreign shippers will be charged the same amount by the U.S. Postal Service as U.S. shippers. In fact, with self-declared rates, it is probably appropriate to charge foreign shippers slightly more than 100 percent of the cost to U.S. businesses. This is because foreign packages enter the United States at only a few locations and must then be delivered to all 50 states, presenting typically higher average costs than domestic packages. The United States is far from alone in its strong frustrations with the UPU. Canada and 30 countries are also working to revamp the organization. Pierre Morin, Canadas chief representative to the UPU, recently said, Canada does not always agree with the U.S. administration, but we are 100 percent aligned with our neighbor to the south on the need to move to self-declared rates. The need for marketplace reforms in international shipping is long overdue. In voicing support for the administrations actions, Robert Taub, chairman of the Postal Regulatory Commission, said, The anticompetitive nature of the Universal Postal Union has concerned the United States government since the Reagan administration. It is wrong to think of internationally subsidized postal prices as a win for U.S. consumers. The losses that the U.S. Postal Service incurs are made up by higher domestic package prices. And U.S. postal rates are rising significantly. In January, the price of small box, priority mail package rose by 10 percent, as did the price of a first-class stamp. With the Postal Service projected to lose $6.6 billion this year and in dire financial straits, getting foreign shippers to pay their fair share is a must. While the United States is in a strong negotiating position and may be able to reach an agreement with the UPU, it should not bend over backward to do so. If necessary, the United States should leave and negotiate fair and reciprocal agreements with all countries that want to ship to the U.S. market. The U.S. economy is increasingly headed to e-commerce, generating jobs and business opportunities along with lower costs and conveniences for consumers. It makes no sense for the United States to jeopardize this by remaining captive to an international postal system favoring competitors. Paul Steidler is a senior fellow with the Lexington Institute, a public policy think tank based in Arlington, Virginia. He wrote this for InsideSources.com. 1 year after elections, some Ghanaians say ... Columbia College Dogwood Theatre View Photos The MotherLode Storytelling Guild and Tuolumne County Arts presents the return of For Adult Ears Only, which will be two evenings of stories for adults . B.Z. Smith, who is helping to host both events, was Thursdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Before there is any misconception of what these events are all about, the stories are not blatantly profane or over-the-top. In fact, the stories are considered safe for those 13 years and over. The subjects however, can be quite emotional at times. This years theme is Native American Stories. Special guest Dovie Thomason is the featured storyteller. As a narrative voice and teller of traditional stories from her Lakota and Kiowa Apache relations, Dovie has been featured in documentaries about Native People and storytelling for the BBC, NPR, and PBS. According to Smith, When she adds stories from her own life and her peoples experience, the result is a contemporary vision of the rich cultures of the First Nations of North America told with elegance, wit and passion. She is a favorite voice at major storytelling festivals throughout North America and abroad. As a member of the National Storytelling Network, Thomason is an honoree in NSNs Circle of Excellence, receiving their prestigious Oracle Award in 2007. Tonights event is free of charge and will take place at Columbia College inside of the Dogwood Forum beginning at 6:30 PM. Parking is $2. Fridays evening is both a benefit and fundraiser. The storytelling event will be held at the Historic Sonora Inn Hotel, in the Rose Room (Conference Room) beginning at 7 PM. The evening will include a full buffet of traditional indigenous food, that will be served in the breakfast bar area. Smith believes that live storytelling is a very personal and individual connection that a storytelling artist makes with his or her audience. This is a benefit for community-based family literacy projects in the Sierra foothills. For tickets and more information, log on to mytuolumnecountyarts.org 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. Mariposa, CA Mariposa County Sheriff Doug Binnewies is voicing out against Governor Gavin Newsoms moratorium on the death penalty. The Governors decision will impact high profile killer Cary Stayner, who was convicted of murdering four people in the region between February and July of 1999. Stayner, who was working as a handyman at the Cedar Lodge just outside of Yosemite, in Mariposa County, abducted, raped and murdered three women that were staying there. Two, 16-year-old Silvina Pelosso and 42-year-old Carol Sund, were located one month later, that March, in the trunk of a burned out rental car abandoned off Highway 108 in the Long Barn area. One week later, the remains of the third victim, 15-year-old Juli Sund, were found near Lake Don Pedro. The fourth murder, of Yosemite National Park Naturalist Joie Armstrong, occurred months later, on July 22, near her cabin. The investigation into Stayner was carried out by officials with the Mariposa County Sheriffs Office, Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office, FBI, and others. He has been awaiting capital punishment and serving his time at San Quintin Penitentiary. Mariposa Sheriff Doug Binnewies says, The Cary Stayner case is considered one of the most callous crimes that have occurred in Mariposa County. The horrific murders of Carol, Juli, Silvina and Joie have deeply impacted us all. The people have spoken and Stayner has earned his consequence, which Ill add is far kinder than what he offered his victims. In addition, Binnewies has released a joint statement with Mariposa County District Attorney Walter Wall, arguing that voters in 2012 and 2016, twice, voted down ballot measures that would have abolished the death penalty, and that Newsoms executive order is going against the directive of Californians. To view an earlier story regarding Newsoms moratorium, click here. Mesa Airlines Capt. Matthew Hoshor bought burgers for his entire plane on Tuesday afternoon when weather delayed their flight to Houston by more than two hours. Operating United Airlines flight 6329 from Tulsa, Okla., to Bush Intercontinental Airport, Hoshor bought 70 hamburgers from Fat Guy's Burger Bar to feed the passengers. After Gov. Gavin Newsom announced plans to suspend the death penalty in California via executive order, the governor's office shared a series of striking photos of the execution chamber at San Quentin the only place in the state where executions were authorized to occur being taken apart. In one of the images, two men carry a chair used to restrain people during executions away from the chamber. ALSO: Trump not 'thrilled' with California's plan to halt executions In another, the chair and other equipment from the chamber can be seen loaded on a truck, waiting to be taken away. Others show signs indicating that the lethal injection chamber and gas chamber at San Quentin have been closed (Gas had not been used for an execution since the mid 1990s; Cyanide gas executions were ruled to be cruel and unusual by a San Francisco district court judge in 1994, a decision that was later upheld by the 9th Circuit). Some found the photos to be a powerful symbol of progress, while others called the executive order and subsequent photos a political stunt. MORE: California governor announces moratorium on executions "Grateful for Gov. Newsom's bold and courageous stand! Death in response to death brings no healing or restoration to the families of victims or perpetrators, their families or communities," wrote Bishop M. G. Carcano of the United Methodist Church. "Let's ask that the billions used for death row go to address root causes of violence." Others disagreed. "Purely fluff since there hasn't been one since 2006 & only 13 since 1972. Not to mention total disregard for the will of the people & the democratic process that has rejected attempts to overturn it twice in recent years by vote," wrote Paul M. Benoit. In 2012, voters rejected a ballot measure to abolish the death penalty 52 percent to 48 percent. In 2016, voters were again asked to consider the question, and rejected death penalty abolition by a similar margin, 53 percent to 47 percent. By a narrow margin of 51 percent to 49 percent, they also narrowly approved a proposition to streamline and expedite the death row appeals process, leading some experts to predict that a "wave" of executions might follow. In a statement and remarks at a Tuesday press conference, Newsom called the death penalty a costly failure. "I come here today to say this: The intentional killing of another person is wrong. And as Governor, I will not oversee the execution of any individual," Newsom said at a press conference. The 737 inmates on California's death row make it the largest in the nation, although a prisoner has not been executed in the state since 2006. Note: This is a Just a Taste review, which the Express-News does soon after a restaurant or bar opens to give our first impressions. Where shall I wine? For most San Antonians, the answer to that question is seldom found along the St. Marys Strip until now, that is. The soulful new wine bar Little Death has brought a grown-up refuge of refinement to the party. Little Death is the latest project from the Empty Stomach Group, which includes Barbaro, Chisme, Hot Joy and Paper Tiger. At first blush, the riotous swirl of graffiti adorning the bars exterior scream irreverence and revelry. Those elements exist across the threshold, too, but in a relaxed whisper instead. On ExpressNews.com: Review: At Monte Vistas Barbaro, pizza cant take the spotlight from the drinks The room is a cozy and snug one Little Death is carved out of a 90-year-old gas station painted in a crisp white tempered by moody candle light. Shelving around the shop displays an eclectic selection of wines, mostly from small and idiosyncratic producers representing just about every point on the globe where grapes are grown. Each of those bottles has a price scrawled on in it white paint, and nearly all fall between $20 and $60. Retail customers who want take a bottle to go can knock $10 off of that. Walk up to the counter, place an order and sit back. Youre in for an evening to remember. On the menu: During my visit, Little Death had about 10 wines available by the glass. The bar serves 3-ounce pours priced from $4 to $7, so sampling a wide range of flavors is not only easy, but encouraged. The establishment doesnt have a kitchen to speak of. That doesnt prevent Little Death from offering up the kind of menu that feels like a visit to an imaginary cool French flat simple and sexy nibbles like slices of radish alongside a tiny pot of butter ($5) and giant white beans simmered to a perfect al dente bite then doused with lemon and parsley ($5). Want to luxe it up a notch? Then go for the stellar pate en croute ($10). Its a bygone relic of ground, chopped and minced meat swaddled in a flavorful gelee, baked into a crust and served on a plate with a vibrant parsley salad. On ExpressNews.com: Roasted cauliflower gets Mexican twist with pipian mole at Chisme Of course, what good are those old-school eats without wine? I handed the reins over to Little Deaths friendly and knowledgeable crew and let them guide me into a trio of wines paired to my evenings meal. That meant getting my funk on with a glass of orange wine thats a white wine made with the grape skins left on, not a citrus-based sipper from the microscopic German producer Enderle & Moll to start. Its as good an opening salvo as any to give a sense of Little Deaths purpose in life. A bracingly acidic picpoul de pinet from the French vintner Les Costieres de Pomerols slashed through the fatty pork excess of my pate, and counterpunched the peppery radishes with little licks of pear and grapefruit. For dessert? A pour of Clovis Cotes du Rhone. Its a little spicy, a little sultry and just the way to wrap up a night at what is one of San Antonios more compelling recent openings. Location: 2327 N. St. Marys St., Instagram: @littledeathwine Hours: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (or later) daily Paul Stephen is a food and drink reporter and restaurant critic in the San Antonio and Bexar County area. Read him on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | pstephen@express-news.net | Twitter: @pjbites | Instagram: @pjstephen By now, you've seen the alarming headlines proclaiming wireless headsets, like Apple AirPods, could potentially cause cancer. But does this mean you should ditch those beloved Bluetooth headphones for old-school earbuds? The answer isn't so simple, some experts say. Here's why people are talking about this: Last week, a Medium article questioned the safety of AirPods and other Bluetooth headphones. The story quotes Jerry Phillips, a biochemistry professor at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, who believes wireless headphones aren't as safe as we assume. My concern for AirPods is that their placement in the ear canal exposes tissues in the head to relatively high levels of radio-frequency radiation, he said. Phillips told the website that risks include abnormal cell functioning, which may cause tumors or other health conditions. The story re-surfaced a petition urging the United Nations and World Health Organization to strengthen guidelines and regulatory standards for Bluetooth devices. The document is signed by 250 researchers from more than 40 countries who caution that using certain devices may increase cancer risk. However, the petition isn't new it originated in 2015 and specifically calls out non-ionizing electromagnetic fields (used in all Bluetooth devices), as well as radio frequency radiation-emitting devices (like cellphones and Wi-Fi) as dangerous. There's no question that Bluetooth headphones emit radiation, but that doesn't mean you need to give them up, said Dr. Michael Schulder, director of Northwell Health's Brain Tumor Center in Lake Success, New York. Although most experts agree that there is no safe level of radiation, it's simply not possible to avoid exposure, Schulder says. "We cannot avoid radiation in our lives even if we lived a completely pastoral existence off the grid," he said. That's because radiation is in our food, plants, airplane travel and even the sun. The bigger question, then, is how much do you willingly want to expose yourself to radiation? "For me, the added convenience of the AirPods doesnt matter so I choose not to use them," Schulder said However, if you really enjoy wireless headphones, there's no reason to give them up. Schulder explains that wireless headphones emit less radiation than another gadget most of us are glued to: cellphones. "There has not been a major bump in tumors to suggest that cellphones are causing it (the tumors) and we know that the Bluetooth radiation is less than cellphones themselves," he said. Bottom line: If you want to wear AirPods, go ahead. The baby seemed real up until the moment she was supposed to be born. Laura and Matt Trayte were in the waiting room, wondering why they couldn't seem to find her. They had flown all the way from Orange County, California, to witness the baby girl's birth at a hospital in Kingsport, Tennessee, a few miles from the Virginia border. The couple had struggled with infertility for years and planned to adopt the baby from 34-year-old Elizabeth Jones. Hudson, the Traytes' 6-year-old son conceived through in vitro fertilization, was wearing a shirt that said, "Best Big Bro." But before long, the Trayte family's excitement drifted toward anxiety. In text messages and phone calls early the morning of Nov. 29, 2018, Jones told Laura she had gone into labor on the way to the hospital, had to flag down an ambulance on the side of the road, and then, without any medication, painfully gave birth to the baby girl as the ambulance roared toward the emergency room. "There's so much blood," a frantic Jones texted Laura from the ER, according to messages provided to The Washington Post. "Omg. . . . I don't think any of us expected this to happen like this." "You did it!!" Laura responded, trying to push Jones through the pain - until realizing something was wrong. "Elizabeth," she texted minutes later, "we are in the ER in Holston Valley and they are saying you are not here??" There was no Elizabeth Jones in the hospital who had given birth, the nurses at the front desk told the couple. There was only an Elizabeth Jones who had checked herself in for back pain. Laura needed to see for herself, so she followed a nurse to Jones's bed. The nurse pulled back the curtain that concealed her, and there was Jones: calm and fully clothed. There was no blood. "There was no baby," Laura said. "There was never a baby." Since leaving the hospital empty-handed that morning, the Traytes have been tormented by a bizarre question that, as far as they can tell, doesn't have an answer: Why would someone make up a pregnancy? Why would someone then deceive two excited adoptive parents into believing it was real? "Well, that's the million-dollar question," Jones herself told local news station WYCB 5 in January. She said she honestly didn't know the answer either. On Monday, Jones was arrested on nine counts of felony larceny for allegedly obtaining gifts and other perks from the Trayte family under false pretenses, according to court records. Prosecutors in Scott County, Virginia, accused Jones of eating out at restaurants on the Traytes' dime; accepting numerous presents from the couple; and causing them to pay for an expensive professional photo shoot for the announcement of the nonexistent baby's birth. The Traytes called Jones's deeds a "psychological attack." But since they did not pay Jones for the adoption, and there is no law on the books in Virginia outlawing invented pregnancies, prosecutors were limited in how they could charge Jones. In fact, Jones said in previous interviews that because no money was exchanged, she didn't see how her conduct was criminal. "People get emotionally hurt every day," she told the Southern California News Group in December. "How is that a crime?" Prosecutors got creative after the Traytes provided them all of their receipts, the Traytes said. Because Jones has multiple prior credit-card fraud convictions in Virginia, prosecutors were able to enhance the larceny charges to felonies. She was also charged with violation of probation, a felony for which prosecutors are seeking a five-year prison sentence, according to the Orange County Register, which identified Jones as an Army veteran and former cake decorator. A bond hearing is scheduled for Jones on Wednesday morning, court records show. "We have gone through a lot of struggles over the past 10 years on our journey to have a family," Matt Trayte, 40, told The Washington Post in an interview Monday, "and so we're unfortunately used to things not working out. But there was no thought in our mind that anything remotely close to this could have happened." The fiasco began in September 2018, when the Traytes met Jones on Facebook. They had created a website and Facebook page called "A Sibling For Hudson," where they welcomed expecting mothers who wanted to put their baby up for adoption to consider the Traytes as prospective parents. Over the past decade, the couple had endured five cycles of in vitro fertilization, only one of which was successful, giving the couple their "miracle son," they said. But the failures were exhausting, and so when Hudson began asking for a sibling, they turned to adoption instead. Right away, Jones seemed like a good fit. Other expecting moms who reached out on Facebook said the baby's father was in prison, or had committed suicide. But in Jones's case, she said she was just not ready to have a third child. She was a working, married mom of two who said she just needed to focus on finishing school and starting a career, according to the Traytes. Soon enough, Jones and Laura were talking every day. It was "like when you're dating someone," Laura said. "We were just getting to know each other: how we were raised, our backgrounds, our hopes and dreams. We talked about everything," 41-year-old Laura said. "I remember telling my sisters she felt like a sister to me." In early November, Laura flew cross-country to Nickelsville, Virginia, to meet her. They went shopping for baby clothes and for their own matching shirts for the photo shoot: "Birth mother strong," Jones's read. "Adoptive mother strong," read Laura's. The two met with a lawyer, who drew up the paperwork that authorized Laura and Matt to have power of attorney to make medical decisions after the baby's birth. The signed document, which was provided to The Post, listed Jones's due date as Jan. 7. But when the time came for a hospital visit so that Laura could meet Jones's doctors, everything seemed to fall apart. Just before the doctors called Jones back for her appointment, Jones asked Laura if she could run out to the car to get her water bottle, Laura said. Laura obliged - and returned to find Jones had gone to the appointment without her. In retrospect, Laura said, it should have been a red flag. But her first instinct was never to worry the pregnancy was fake, she said. She only worried Jones might change her mind about the adoption. "In fact, I tried several times to convince her to keep the baby," Laura said. "I said, 'You have such a nice family. You can do this.' That was her out, really. She could have been like, 'You know what, I think I will keep the baby.' She could have released us from this lie so many times along the way, but she decided to keep it going until the day our daughter was supposed to be born." Her birth date was coming a lot sooner than expected, Jones soon informed them, and so just after Thanksgiving, the family flew to Virginia with a baby bag. For several days, Matt said, "she was literally faking contractions." The night before the baby was born, Jones started sending Laura and Matt photos of all the blood, they said. Blood in the toilet. Blood on her sheets. Early the next morning, Laura woke up to a text: The pain was unbearable, Jones said. She couldn't wait anymore. "I'm sorry," Jones later wrote, "I have to push her out." The baby seemed so real, Laura said, that she was helping Jones through breathing exercises over the phone as she screamed in pain. So real, Laura said, that just before the baby was born, she and Matt had decided on a name for the girl: Noella. Upon finding Jones behind the curtain, Laura was so confused she didn't think to ask for an explanation. "How could you do this to us?" she asked, before storming out of the room. Jones has since publicly apologized to the Trayte family in her interview with WYCB 5. She said she would try to figure out why she did this through therapy. "I mean, I don't know if I just needed someone to talk to or . . . I don't know," she said, adding that perhaps the Traytes should have noticed "the red flags" sooner. But her explanation of the faked pregnancy has shifted, the Traytes said. She said in a Facebook post viewed by The Post in the aftermath of the botched adoption that she had a miscarriage at 13 weeks, long before the birth date, but that she was afraid to tell the Traytes. The couple said she told them the miscarriage happened much later. She told WYCB 5 she was never pregnant. The truth is unclear. She could not be reached by The Post for comment, and no lawyer was listed for her in court records. "What I did . . . I never should have done it," she told WYCB 5, "but I'm not a horrible person. I'm really not. And I really wish people would see that. People make mistakes all the time." The Traytes are now in therapy, too wounded to decide whether they will try to adopt again, they said. They were also worried about their son, afraid he was still hoping for a sibling. But when they asked him, he told his parents he would have to think on it. He came back with an answer one recent Saturday afternoon. "He said, 'I think we're okay,'" Laura recounted. "'I like our family the way it is.'" Bogota, Colombia (CNN) New videos obtained by CNN provide chilling insight into a mystery drone attack against Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro last year the world's first known attempt to kill a head of state with a retail drone, purchased online and armed by hand with military grade explosives. One man has come forward as an organizer of the attack, saying it was perpetrated by a group of Venezuelan Army defectors and others. In an exclusive interview with CNN, he recounted how they prepared for the attack, and provided cell phone videos of their drones, explosives, and practice flights in the rural farmlands of Colombia. "We have tried every peaceful and democratic way to bring an end to this tyranny that dresses itself as democracy," he told CNN on condition of anonymity, referring to the Maduro regime. "We have friends who are in custody, tortured. This was a hard decision." He also acknowledged that the attack could have killed innocent civilians alongside their target. "That was the risk we had to take," he said. "We cared about that as the Venezuelan people are always the ones feeling the consequences." The self-declared interim president of Venezuela, its opposition leader Juan Guaido, told CNN he disapproved of the attack. "Such options are not good," he said. He added that he suspected the attack was staged. "I think this was something internal, done by the government. It ends up making them look like victims." US National Security advisor John Bolton said the morning after the attack that it might have been faked to provide the Maduro government with a "pretext," perhaps for a crackdown. Yet since then, US officials briefed on the intelligence tell CNN they believe it was a genuine attack gone wrong. Chaos in Caracas In August 2018, chaos descended in the middle of Caracas. As Maduro addressed a military parade on Avenida Bolivar, one of the capital's main thoroughfares, the sound of an explosion suddenly scattered civilians and soldiers alike. State news cameras and social media at the event captured fragmented images of mass confusion smoke rising above the city, a formation of soldiers scattering, bodyguards leaping to shield the president. Only later would the story be pieced together: Two small drones flying over the event had exploded. Neither was close enough to do lethal damage, though seven members of the Venezuelan National Guard were injured. An unharmed Maduro would later say that he thought the explosions were fireworks. In the aftermath, dozens of people were arrested as Venezuelan officials launched an investigation to work out who had orchestrated the apparent attack. Some were tortured, activists say, while others on the government's list of suspects remain at large. Maduro also blamed far-right activists and the Colombian government, which denied any responsibility. The attack organizer told CNN that Colombia was not involved. He said that the drone attack was orchestrated by a group including defectors from the Venezuelan military, with the aim to assassinate Maduro. The attacker claimed that he met with several US officials three times after the attack. "After, they set up three meetings which I imagine was to collect information to study the case, but it didn't go past that," he said. "They wanted to get information and then we asked for things in return. They took notes on this, and we asked if they would be able to help. Then they simply left with their notes, and they never appeared again." A US State Department spokesman declined to comment on the alleged meetings, but said: "Our policy is to support a peaceful transition in Venezuela." CNN has not found proof that the meetings happened. The plan was foiled by guards who caused the drones to explode prematurely, the attacker says. The cell phone signal blockers that protect the president suddenly came back on, causing the blasts. The Venezuelan government's account of the attack, provided by the interior minister, confirms parts of their story, including the drones' flight paths. The attack was prepared on a rented farm in rural Colombia. Weeks before Maduro's speech, the Venezuelan defectors had ordered commercially available drones online from the United States, and customized them to detonate a homemade bomb through the remote control app. In the videos the defector provided to CNN, you can hear men complaining that the drones' screws are too tiny. It's hard to read the Chinese lettering on the boxes, one says. Videos also show the group practicing the tricky bit: flying the drones high enough to avoid detection, and then swooping down at a steep angle to strike their target. They practice in different scenarios: amid green hills over a swimming pool, launched out of a car window, under cover of night. One drone would be later blown up in a test. Later, they dismantle the machines to be smuggled across the border into Venezuela. Once back in their homeland, they would slowly rebuild the two drones destined for the president. This story was published on CNN.com, "Inside the August plot to kill Maduro with drones." A 22-year-old man was arrested Thursday after San Antonio police said he sexually assaulted a teenager during a party at a North Side apartment. Shawn Collier faces a second-degree felony charge of sexual assault. He was booked into the Bexar County Jail on a $50,000 bond. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox According to his arrest affidavit, the party was held early Wednesday at the victim's cousin's apartment. The victim, a girl under the age of 18, attended the party with another relative. Collier, whom the victim has known for about five years, was also in attendance, police said. The victim told investigators she had too much to drink at the party and became ill. Collier helped her to a couch in the living room, where she fell asleep, the affidavit says. At about 4 a.m., she awoke to him sexually assaulting her, according to the arrest warrant affidavit. She told investigators she tried to push him away and told him to stop, but he allegedly continued to assault her. RELATED: Details emerge after S.A. mom killed in hit-and-run Eventually, she was able to run into a bathroom and lock herself in, according to the affidavit. She then took a Lyft home and told her mother what had happened. Based on her testimony, authorities secured a warrant for Collier's arrest. Text "NEWS" to 77453 for breaking news alerts from mySA.com Caleb Downs covers crime in San Antonio and Bexar County. Read him on our breaking news site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com | cdowns@mysa.com | @calebjdowns A 40-year-old mother of seven and the man accused of striking and killing her with an SUV had met at a club earlier that night and gone to his home together, he told San Antonio police. Luis Diaz-Quijas, 22, was arrested on suspicion of murder Wednesday, two days after he allegedly killed Christy Cantu near North San Joaquin Avenue and Rivas Street. Diaz-Quijas is also being held in Bexar County Jail on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer, jail officials confirmed. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox An arrest affidavit released after he was taken into custody provides more details about what police think happened at about 1 a.m. Monday morning. According to the affidavit, a surveillance camera from a nearby auto shop captured the incident on video. The footage showed Cantu hiding behind a street sign before a large black SUV turned toward her and drove onto the sidewalk. The video shows the SUV striking a sign, then Cantu. The vehicle drags her, killing her, as it continues south, the affidavit says. Witnesses told police they could hear Cantu trying to get away from the vehicle and yelling for help shortly before the wreck was reported. READ MORE: Man charged with murder in fatal hit and run on San Antonio's West Side After the driver sped away, police found a license card placard at the scene that belonged to Trevi Auto Sales. Records at that dealership led police to Diaz-Quijas, according to the affidavit. Police found Diaz-Quijas in his home, less than a mile from the scene of the crash. They also found a black SUV that had damage consistent with the crash, according to the affidavit. Diaz-Quijas was taken into custody and interviewed by police. He told them he met Cantu at a club hours before the killing and the two went to his home. He said she pulled a kitchen knife on him when he tried to touch her and accused him of trying to kill her, according to the affidavit. Cantu left the home and Diaz-Quijas went to a Valero, he reportedly told officers. On his way home, he saw Cantu and accidentally struck her, he said, according to the affidavit. He told police he tried to help her into his car after the crash, but fled when he saw another car coming. Diaz-Qujas' bail was set at $100,000, jail records showed. 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 San Antonio police identified the woman accused of drunkenly striking and killing a man on the West Side Wednesday with two children in her car. Melissa Nicole Woodard, 32, was charged Thursday with intoxication manslaughter and two counts of endangering a child. FIND OUT FIRST: Get San Antonio breaking news directly to your inbox Woodard was driving in a white Honda with a 7-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl when she struck a man from behind who was walking on the sidewalk near the 800 block of Enrique M. Barrera Parkway around 12:40 p.m., according a police report. Police did not detail the woman's relationship with the children. The impact launched the man about 200 feet, police said. Woodard allegedly left the roadway and side-swiped a utility pole before dragging the man to his death, police said. Woodard sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized Wednesday, but jail records showed she was booked into Bexar County Jail later that day. It was unclear if the children were injured but they were not hospitalized. Woodard's criminal past includes multiple prostitution convictions. She was also arrested on a drug possession charge, but records showed the case was dismissed pending further investigation. The victim was not yet identified by the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office as of Thursday. 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 Families of those killed and injured in the 2018 mass shooting at Santa Fe High School gave emotional testimony at the Texas Capitol on Wednesday, raising concerns that a bill allowing inmates convicted as juveniles to get out of prison earlier could reduce the amount of time accused gunman Dimitrios Pagourtzis will spend behind bars. The bill, House Bill 256, gives those sentenced to life in prison for juvenile crimes to a chance to petition parole boards for release 20 years after being convicted; the law now requires them to wait 40 years. I have a problem with it being 40 years, said Rosie Stone, mother of Santa Fe student Christopher Stone, one of 10 people killed. While us parents live a life sentence, he has the opportunity to serve four years per life that he took. With this bill, it gives him the opportunity to come forward and serve only two years per life that he took. The bill was filed by Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, who said it is aimed at people who were sentenced as juveniles for less significant crimes. Stone urged Moody to remove juvenile mass shooters from consideration for early parole, and Moody agreed to make that change. But Moody added that no parole board would let Pagourtzis go free if its members heard the testimony from the meeting. Texas Take: Get the latest news on Texas politics sent directly to your inbox every weekday I want you to think about how you felt hearing that and what you would do, Moody said. Lets say youre the parole board, would you let the Santa Fe shooter out? I know I wouldnt. Not in 20 years, not in 40 years, probably not ever. And my bill here wouldnt make the parole board do that. Family members of people convicted as juveniles also crowded the committee room, supporting Moodys bill. Elizabeth Henneke, executive director of the Lone Star Justice Alliance, said the bill would allow for people convicted as juveniles to have their cases simply get a second look. For every single school shooter, there are hundreds of others who were sentenced to die in prison for a minor role in a crime in which no one was killed, Henneke said. We need to trust the parole board to sort out the shooter from the kids. The bill also requires a parole board to review more factors when considering whether juvenile offenders should be released including age at the time of the offense, intellectual capacity and family and community involvement. Families, school employees and faith leaders could also submit statements about the inmates personal growth and maturity before the first parole hearing. There still would be no guarantee the inmates request for parole would be granted. Of the 4,500 juveniles in the custody of the Texas Department of Juvenile Justice, about 1,510 have been given sentences of 40 years or longer. The families of incarcerated individuals also made emotional pleas at the meeting. Larry Robinson choked up while recounting the case of his son, Jason, convicted of capital murder in the 1990s. Jason Robinson, who was 16 at the time, was addicted to drugs, physically abused by a family member and suffering from nightmares about his fathers deployment in Operation Desert Storm, Robinson said. My son will die in prison, and I cannot let that happen, Larry Robinson testified. Jason Robinson and two other teens robbed the 19th Hole Pawn Shop in Killeen in 1994. Jason bound and gagged clerk Troy Langseth before one of his accomplices stabbed him multiple times, according to court documents. Despite the seriousness of his sons crime, Larry Robinson said he thinks his son who has spent more than 20 years in prison would be granted parole if he was given a hearing and the board considered his situation at the time. I fought for this country, and now Im fighting for my sons life, he said. Fair enough: President Donald Trumps heartless and whackadoodle budget, released on Monday, will never actually become law. Even when his party had unified control of government, he couldnt get Capitol Hill to take major portions of his budget terribly seriously. Still, a presidents budget plan is a statement of his priorities. And based on this latest statement, Trumps priorities continue to be redistributing wealth ever upward, from poor to rich, and selling the public more fantasies and lies. Federal deficits have widened immensely under Trumps leadership. This is striking not only because he promised fiscal responsibility at one time even pledging to eliminate the national debt within eight years but also because its a historical anomaly. Deficits usually narrow when the economy is good and were not engaged in a major war. Trumps own policies are to blame for this aberration. Specifically, the 2017 tax law, which gave two-thirds of its benefits to the top income quintile last year, added $1.9 trillion to deficits over the coming decade. A grand-bargain spending bill last year that increased funding for both defense and nondefense programs here the Democrats deserve a share of the blame also spilled plenty of red ink. Trumps plan for addressing these issues? Extend the plutocratic tax cuts (currently slated to partially expire in 2025), which would add $1 trillion to deficits; double down on defense spending increases (and money for his border wall); and then balance the budget on the backs of the nations most vulnerable. The presidents 2020 budget proposal would slash government spending pretty much across the board on entitlements and other nondefense spending. That includes programs such as food stamps, low-income housing assistance and Social Security disability insurance. Among the biggest spending categories on the chopping block is health care, even though most Americans want government to do more to improve access to affordable care, not less. Despite campaign promises to the contrary, Trumps plan would slash hundred of billions of dollars from Medicare over the next decade. His budget also endorses enactment of the final (and arguably worst) Affordable Care Act repeal bill that failed to make it out of the Senate in 2017, known as Cassidy-Graham. This would lead to sharp cuts to Medicaid and the subsidies for insurance purchased on the individual market exchanges. The administration would also mandate that all states impose work requirements on Medicaid, a policy that has been disastrous in the first state to attempt it, Arkansas. The Trump administration says such tough choices will lead to a balanced budget, which it claims it would achieve by 2034. But even that is untrue. In fact, the only way you end up with anything approximating balanced budgets, even with some of these draconian cuts, is by making delusional predictions about economic growth. Or put another way: lying to the American people. Buried in the new budget is a table with the administrations forecasts for the economy. According to the White House, we should expect gross domestic product growth of about 3 percent as far as the eye can see. Unfortunately, every independent forecaster or scorekeeper including the Congressional Budget Office, Federal Reserve, International Monetary Fund and legions of private-sector analysts says otherwise. They all predicted that the U.S. economy would experience a short-term burst of growth from Trumps fiscal stimulus in 2018, and possibly for a year or so after. Eventually, alas, the sugar high will wear off, and well return to our longer-term trend of about 1.8 to 2 percent annual growth. In any case, its no accident that the White Houses predictions are so far outside the consensus; Trump needs to promise magical levels of growth to get his math to work. As Ive said before, a good rule of thumb is that the more economic growth a politician promises, the worse his or her economic proposals probably are. Now, you could argue that the big lessons of this budget that Trump cares little about the little guy, and appears generally unconstrained by reality are things we already knew. Still, every now and then, it is useful to see the president lay it all out so clearly. crampell@washpost.com We Texans are fiercely independent and like to make our views known. Using our First Amendment right to speak out goes hand in hand with access to public information that helps us understand how our government functions. Unfortunately, both basic American principles free speech and the peoples right to know are under attack in Texas. Theres no better time to urge our state lawmakers to protect these precious freedoms than this week, Sunshine Week, a nationwide celebration of open government. The Texas Sunshine Coalition, a diverse public awareness alliance of more than 15 organizations, has formed over the past year and is working at the Capitol to improve government transparency by repairing the Texas Public Information Act. Atop the coalitions agenda is restoring the publics right to information in government contracts with private businesses and in government agreements with nonprofits that do extensive government work. Two Texas Supreme Court rulings in 2015 blocked off much of this information. Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, and Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, R-Southlake, filed bipartisan legislation Senate Bill 943 and House Bill 2189 to try to plug the information black hole that the court created. Yet another attack on the publics right to know is the recent Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruling declaring part of the Texas Open Meetings Act unconstitutionally vague. The ruling dealt with the walking quorum provision that bans leaders of a governmental body from meeting in small separate groups to deliberate and undermine the open meetings law. In response, Watson and Rep. Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, quickly filed Senate Bill 1640 and House Bill 3402 to clarify the law. As for free speech, the good news is we already have a strong state law that protects Texans from meritless lawsuits filed against them in an attempt to bully them into silence and trample their First Amendment rights. Its known as the anti-SLAPP statute and protects people posting online reviews, domestic violence victims speaking about abuse, journalists reporting on alleged wrongdoing, law enforcement officers doing their jobs and others who find themselves on the receiving end of a court case meant only to intimidate a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation. The Texas Citizens Participation Act, the formal name of the anti-SLAPP law, allows a defendant to get a nuisance lawsuit dismissed fairly quickly if a judge determines its a SLAPP case. One bill filed in the Legislature, however, House Bill 2730, would drastically weaken the Texas Citizens Participation Act. Alternative positive legislation, House Bill 3547 by Speaker Pro Tempore Joe Moody, D-El Paso, would provide some clarifications in the law, with a narrower approach that preserves free speech protections. In Texas, lawmakers convene in regular session only every two years. Now through May theyre meeting, and this is the time to let legislators know we want them to guard our rights to free speech and public information. We Texans dont want to live our lives any other way. Kelley Shannon is the executive director of the nonprofit Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, based in Austin. For more information go to www.foift.org. For the last two decades, employers and entrepreneurs have fled California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, and other high-tax states to seek the American dream in Texas. And were happy to welcome them and the career opportunities they create. But one challenge to the Texas economy seriously risks our growth and threatens to put the Lone Star State into the same category as these other states rapidly escalating property taxes. At our 2018 Republican Party of Texas convention, thousands of delegates from across the state adopted a legislative priority calling for relief from these skyrocketing taxes. Our Republican legislators have done a tremendous job on legislation such as Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 2, which seek to put a 2.5 percent cap on the property tax rate. House Bill 3, in addition to proposing sweeping school finance reform, will provide not just relief from future taxes, but a tax cut right now for Texas families. These are meaningful and important steps toward ensuring Texans arent taxed out of their homes, and important steps toward replacing financing of the school maintenance and operations costs with a state consumption tax instead of property tax. Moving away from property taxes towards a consumption tax is a realistic way to provide meaningful relief for hard working taxpayers while enabling the state to pay a higher share of public education at the same time. Republican legislators have already begun to move the state in this positive direction. The important thing is that when this legislative session ends Texans see real action to both reduce property taxes and limit the rate of growth in the future. Meanwhile, the Democrats and various school administrator lobby groups are trying to pull a bait-and-switch on Texas property taxpayers. Texas House Democrats recently released a school finance plan that offers no tax relief to employers. Thats right, the job creators that have fueled the economy and brought a record number of new career opportunities to Texans get no relief from Texas Democrats. To make matters worse, the Democrat plan involves $14.5 billion in new spending, with no suggestion on how to pay for it. If youre curious to find out how that works in practice just ask someone from Detroit or Chicago. The school lobby groups are equally disingenuous. They frequently say that the solution to spiraling property taxes is for the state to pay a larger share of public school costs. But when you read the bills these organizations support, they involve a lot of new spending with either no or token property tax relief. This is an issue that the taxpayers have called upon Republicans and Democrats to find a solution. That is why both the Republican and Democrat platforms include true property tax relief. We encourage our elected officials to work toward meaningful change for the hardworking taxpayers of Texas. Republican leadership and responsible policies have made our state the economic powerhouse it is. Texans should be encouraged by the progress that is being made and the Republican Party of Texas, our leadership and our activists, look forward to working with our elected leaders towards meaningful property tax relief. James Dickey is chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. If I was President Donald Trump, Id send Kim Jong Un the following tweet: Dear Kim, we had a couple good meetings in the past to help North Korea prosper, settle past differences and put you on a path to join the world team. I thought all was going well. However, our intelligence community has just shown photos that you are ramping up the refurbishing of a missile site you promised would be destroyed. That truly upsets me and the citizens of our country. Yes, we can ramp up sanctions and all that stuff. However, we could also give you a date and time when we will destroy that site with lethal precision to show what you may be up against if you wish to continue the path you have chosen. Please join the world team, give your citizens an opportunity to enjoy their lives, or pay the consequences for not keeping up with past commitments. Your buddy, Donald. John Gretz, Windcrest Good idea, but Julian Castro is endorsing the idea of giving monetary reparations to the descendants of former slaves. This sounds like a good plan to correct a great injustice until one thinks about the Native Americans who are still at the bottom of the American totem pole. It is flagrantly hypocritical of Castro and Elizabeth Warren, among others, that Native American tribes are not a large enough voting bloc to be concerned about. Robert Hausser Jr. Little or no trust Lets see, virtually all the Democratic hopefuls to be president, as well as most of the Democratic Party, are in favor of things like the green initiative, free health care and free college tuition. All these things require more spending by government. Yet, according to the Gallup organization, 48 percent of the public trusts Congress little or not at all, while only 11 percent trust it a great deal or quite a lot. Now, why would you give more spending money to people you dont trust? William F. Malec, Fredericksburg Teflon Don With so many of Donald Trumps associates facing legal problems and prison sentences, if he escapes their fate, will he then become the new Teflon Don? Judy Peterson, Beorne Sen. Kamala Harris is no longer the sole favorite to win the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, as Sen. Bernie Sanders has tied her atop the leaderboard. OddsShark, a betting resource that tracks odds across a number of online betting sites, gives Harris and Sanders identical +600 odds (meaning a bet of $100 would win $600) of becoming the next president of the United States. Harris, D-Calif., was in sole possession of first place for months, but Sanders, I-Vt., has been trending upwards since he announced his candidacy in February. The government has apologised after teachers who cannot speak Ndebele were recruited to take infant classes in Bulawayo. Officials are blaming a computer-based teacher deployment software and possible corruption for the error, which has caused outrage in Matabeleland, and Bulawayo in particular. Locals say most of the teachers recruited on a list published on March 8 were Shona speakers, whereas government policy is that the language of command for infant classes and the first three years of primary school is the mother language of the majority of pupils. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education said the teachers wrongly deployed were now being recalled, and will likely be redeployed elsewhere. In line with the ministrys policy, the deployment of teachers at infant level takes into consideration the language of instruction, especially the mother tongue spoken by the learners themselves, the ministrys secretary Tumisang Thabela told a news conference in Harare on Monday. For this reason, measures are being taken to rectify the deployment mismatch that was noted so that the rights of learners as enshrined in the Constitution are safeguarded. The ministry takes note of the concerns raised particularly by Bulawayo Province with regards to mismatch in the deployment of teachers at infant level. It is a result of some glitches in the e-recruitment process and due attention is being given to this issue by the ministry. The ministry would like to apologise to the nation, the affected communities and recruited teachers for any inconveniences caused as the ministry goes through e-recruitment for the first time in order to improve efficiency and subsequently root out possible corruption in the recruitment process. Last Friday, Zimbabwe held delayed commemorations of International Mothers Language Day (IMLD), and Thabela in a speech read on her behalf underscored the importance of the mothers language in foundational education. She suggested teachers may need to learn at least three indigenous languages to be competitive on the job market. Since learners are supposed to learn in their mothers language in the first four years of their education, the ministry requires a trained primary school teacher to know at least three indigenous languages because that will be the medium of instruction from the 16 official languages it is possible, Thabela said. The Progressive Teachers Union, which was represented at the event, accused the government of trying to mask its failures to recruit locals in Matabeleland with the new proposal, which it said The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) regional officer for Southern Africa Moses Mukabeta, who also spoke at the event, said Zimbabwe had failed to meet United Nations guidelines which stipulates that learners should be taught in indigenous languages in the first six years of schooling. Unesco encourages the use of the home language for at least the first six years of formal education, he said. ZimLive Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News A woman from Mbare has approached the courts seeking to be protected from her husband whom she claims is forcing her to have se_xual intercourse with her despite the fact that she is now pregnant. According to H-Metro, Tsitsi Kaduwa told the Harare Civil Court that her husband was relentless in se_xually abusing her despite the fact that she does not feel up to it due to back pains and morning illness. In pleading her case, Tsitsi told the court, I live in fear that every day my husband will force me into having se_x with him which is painful. He is very aggressive and whenever I tell him that I am not feeling well, he insists that he wants se_x and I end up forcing myself into se_x which increases the pain. Whenever he forces me to have se_x with him, I end up crying even my neighbours can testify. I do not want him to force me and I want a break so that I have peace of mind. However, her husband Hamandishe Kaduwa was unapologetic saying that he could not live without se_x as he did not want to cheat on his wife. I am a human being with feelings so how can I spend nine months without sx. I only forced her once not every day. We have a marriage certificate, I cant cheat on her and she should be able to satisfy me any time. Harare Magistrate Noah Gwatidzo who was presiding over the case ruled in favour of Tsitsi and ordered Hamandishe to stop forcing his wife into having se_xual intercourse. HMetro Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Chickens gang up to kill intruder fox on French farm BBC (Dr. Kevin) These states want you to eat more roadkill Popular Science (resilc) A Bomb Cyclone Is Thwacking The Central U.S. NPR (David L) Scientists reverse time with quantum computer in breakthrough study Independent (David L) Sensors go undercover to outsmart the brain Harvard Gazette. John C: erhaps under the heading Our Coming Cyborg Selves? Ketamine: Now By Prescription Slate Star Codex. UserFriendly: Anecdotally, I have found racemic Ketamine does wonders for my depression but once S-Ketamine was found to be a more potent dissociative and started replacing the racemic it didnt work as well. Making people jump through hoops like this to get a shittier more expensive version of one of the safest, most essential drugs is just asking for trouble. Especially since as the street version got popular it inspired knock offs and its hard to be sure what youre really getting. Eating More Mushrooms Could Improve Your Mental HealthHeres Why Martha Stewart (David L). Great, but you have to eat a LOT of them!!! Daily! I like mushrooms but sheesh China? North Korea Millions of Myanmar farmers face arrest under disastrous land law dpa International (furzy) Nord Stream 2 eyes way to curb EU oversight Financial Times Brexit Will Northern Ireland dissidents be able to exploit Brexit chaos? Financial Times From Politicos morning European newsletter: EUs response: The length of the delay will depend on what Britain asks for, but the EU will also be attaching some conditions to either possible solution. Mainly, leaders want to know what exactly May intends to use the extra time for. The EUs Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier put it bluntly, asking: Prolong this negotiation, to do what? Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas echoed that sentiment when asked what the EU would expect May to say. A reasoned request is a request based on a reason, Schinas noted. Possible justifications, according to EU diplomats: An extension could be granted if May needs a few more weeks to ratify a deal (keep your giggles to yourselves please), to prepare for no deal, or for political reasons such as a second referendum or a fresh election. Venezuela Big Brother is Watching You Watch Trump Transition Offshore illegal GOP campaign megadonors receive record FEC fines after The Intercept reveals their crimes Boing Boing (furzy) Green New Deal AFL-CIO criticizes Green New Deal, calling it not achievable or realistic The Washington Post. UserFriendly: Not only do we barely have a labor movement, the one we have is worse than useless. 2020 Testicular Bill of Rights would restrict mens access to Viagra and porn Alternet (furzy) Admissions Bribery 737 Max MMT Market Concentration Is Threatening the US Economy Joseph Stiglitz, Project Syndicate (David L) Wall St tries to clean up $8tn market for credit derivatives Financial Times. Way smaller than pre-crisis. I read 1,182 emergency room bills this year. Heres what I learned. Vox (Adrien F) Uber in talks to sell stake in self-driving unit to SoftBank Financial Times (David L) Class Warfare Antidote du jour. William B: White Rock Lake, Dallas, TXYoure probably wondering why I called yall here today' And a bonus (martha r): Family love pic.twitter.com/40VlXvjr3F Welcome To Nature (@welcomet0nature) January 19, 2019 See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. By Barry Eichengreen, Professor of Economics and Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley, Arnaud Mehl, Principal Economist in the Directorate General International, European Central Ban and Livia Chitu, Economist in the Directorate General International, European Central Bank. Originally published at VoxEU Both economics and geopolitics matter for trade agreements. In particular, defence pacts raise the probability of a trade agreement between a pair of countries by as much as 20 percentage points. This column estimates that were the US to alienate its geopolitical allies, the likelihood and benefits of successful bilateral agreements would diminish significantly. Expected trade creation from an agreement between the US and EU countries would decline by 0.6% of total US exports. Much ink has been spilled over the economic and political motives for negotiating trade agreements (e.g. Tarlea 2018). While governments negotiate trade agreements for economic reasons, they also have geopolitical motives. Geopolitical alliances, for their part, make trade ties stronger. But not everyone agrees on the importance of these links. Baldwin and Jaimovich (2012), for example, conclude that geopolitical factors do not matter for trade agreements. One possible explanation for this negative finding is that efforts to understand bilateral trade relations and alliance partnerships are confounded by the existence of multilateral and regional trade agreements. Multilateral and bilateral trade agreements are correlated with one another. Multilateral trade negotiations are also correlated with geopolitics, insofar as trade talks since WWII have often been conducted among military alliance partners, not least with a view to cementing the alliances in question. We turn to the years prior to WWI to address these challenges. Insofar as there was no General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade or WTO, the confounding effects of multilateral negotiations and of the current global rules-based order will be absent. Moreover, evidence from this period is likely to be informative for identifying the impact of economic factors on trade negotiations insofar as those economic factors were growing stronger. Trade was growing, and the number of trade agreements was growing as well (see Figure 1). The period also saw a proliferation of military and strategic alliances, alliance politics featuring prominently in virtually all analyses of the factors heightening tensions in the run-up to WWI. Figure 1 Evolution of the number of trade agreements, 1871-1913 Note: The figure shows the number of bilateral trade agreements in force between 1871 and 1913 as reported in the data base of Pahre (2007). Data and Analysis We analyse 271 bilateral trade agreements among 44 countries in the period 1871-1913. We measure pecuniary factors using gravity-model covariates, and geopolitical motives using military alliances, including defence pacts, non-aggression treaties, neutrality treaties, and ententes. We provide propensity score matching estimates of the average treatment effect among countries of defence pacts. In addition, we use an instrument for military alliances: diplomatic representation, i.e. the presence and rank of diplomats from a sending nation in the host nation. The presence of diplomats plausibly helps to forge or sustain international agreements and will therefore be positively correlated with military alliances. Diplomatic representation is unlikely to be otherwise correlated with trade agreements in this era. Governments sent or accredited diplomats based on broad foreign policy considerations, not mainly in order to directly affect trade relations. But to be safe we calculated the residuals from a regression of diplomatic presence and rank on standard arguments of the gravity model, including distance, remoteness, contiguity, common language and common colonial relationship. This provides a measure of diplomatic representation that is orthogonal to trade frictions. The one bilateral alliance measure that is consistently significant is defence agreements. This is in contrast to less ambitious agreements such as non-aggression treaties, neutrality treaties and ententes. Evidently, only the highest level of military alliance commitment influences the conclusion of a trade agreement. Put differently, only when countries invest significantly in their geopolitical relationship is there an enhanced likelihood of a trade agreement. This echoes the results of Long (2003), who found that defence pacts are associated with higher trade volumes among alliance members, but that trade between members of non-defence pacts, such as neutrality or nonaggression treaties, is statistically indistinguishable from trade between non-allies. Scenario Analysis Given these findings, what would be the impact on the likelihood of conclusion of a trade agreement of a scenario in which the US is no longer a reliable ally of its geopolitical and commercial partners? Figure 2 shows the estimated probabilities of a trade agreement between the US and selected NATO members. It first assumes that the US remains committed to its NATO obligations (see the estimated probabilities shown as dark grey bars where the defence pact dummy is set to 1). It then assumes that the US no longer commits to its NATO obligations (see the estimated probabilities shown as light grey bars where the defence pact dummy is set to 0). The probability of the successful conclusion of a bilateral trade agreement between the US and the countries in question clearly declines. Figure 2 Estimated trade agreement probability US and its NATO allies Note: The figure shows the estimated probabilities of a trade agreement between the US and selected NATO members (including Japan, which has the status of major non-NATO. ally). The probabilities in question are computed by assuming (i) that the U.S. remains committed to its NATO obligations (i.e. setting the defence pact dummy to 1; dark grey bars) as well as (ii) a hypothetical scenario where the U.S. no longer remains committed to its obligations, hence implying that the military alliance with NATO members is as if inexistent (i.e. setting the defence agreement dummy to 0; light grey bars). Figure 3 highlights the difference in the two probabilities in Figure 2. The smallest relative probability decline, for Canada, is about 20%. Proximity implies low trade costs and strong gains from trade for these neighbouring countries. It follows that economic considerations create incentives to sign bilateral trade deals, whether or not these are reinforced by geopolitical considerations. This is in line with the fact that the US signed bilateral trade agreements with Canada and Mexico, replacing NAFTA with the USMCA trade deal in 2018. Figure 3 Relative difference in estimated probabilities by country Note: The figure shows the relative difference in estimated probabilities for the two scenarios. This is obtained as the difference of the two estimated probabilities (including and excluding Mars effects), scaled by the probability including Mars effects. For countries that are remote from the US or that did not have existing trade agreement with America the story is different. In some cases, such as Japan and Germany, which have benefited extensively from US military protection, the probability decline is about 50%. For the UK, this decline is more than 40%. US disengagement from global geopolitical affairs and pursuit of a trade policy focused on bilateralism, not multilateralism, would significantly reduce the odds of bilateral deals. These estimates also suggest that expected trade creation from any future bilateral trade agreements between the US and other countries would decline significantly were the US seen as a less predictable military ally. Table 1 reports the results of a scenario analysis where we simulate the decline in trade creation from the conclusion of a hypothetical trade deal between the US and EU countries when the US no longer credibly adheres to its NATO obligations. This scenario is motivated by Mr. Trumps proposal on 25 July 2018 to cut all tariffs on non-auto industrial goods with EU countries to zero to appease transatlantic trade tensions. In the first row we report total exports in goods from the US to selected EU countries in 2017. Expected trade creation is in the second row; this reaches about 60% of the countries total trade. Expected trade creation including Mars effects is in the third row; this is computed as trade creation multiplied by the probability of a trade agreement; expected trade creation excluding defence-pact effects is computed analogously (with probabilities lowered by about 20 percentage points). The expected decline in trade creation were the US no longer seen as a predictable alliance partner is the difference between the latter two rows. Table 1 Scenario analysis Note: The table reports the results of a scenario analysis simulating the decline in expected trade creation from hypothetical trade agreements between the US and selected (EU) countries where we assume that the US is no longer seen as a predictable military ally and committed to its NATO obligations. The resulting total, at about $21 billion, is about 0.6% of total US exports in 2017, or 0.1% of US GDP. Relative to the US population of working age, this translates into a cost of about $100 per person. Conclusion Both economic and geopolitical factors matter for trade agreements. Defence pacts raise the probability of a trade agreement between a pair of countries by as much as 20 percentage points. Were the US to alienate its geopolitical allies, our estimates imply the likelihood and benefits of successful bilateral agreements would diminish. Expected trade creation from an agreement between the US and EU countries, for instance, would decline by 0.6% of total US exports. Authors note: The views expressed in this column are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Central Bank or the Eurosystem. See original post for references The NATO Military Committee conducted their annual meeting at the NATO Allied Command Transformation, in Norfolk on the 11th and 12th of March 2019. The programme also included a visit of the recently stood up Joint Forces Command and the USS Harry S Truman, currently assigned to the US Second Fleet. After being welcomed to the Allied Command Transformation by its Commander General Andre Lanata, the NATO Military Committee started their two-day visit with a series of workshops on different strands of Warfare Development aimed at improving their situational awareness and enhancing their understanding of tactical challenges. General Lanata also provided an insight to the commands current tasks, the issues and challenges that affect the future of the Alliance and, how critical it is to maintain NATOs military edge. Along with its unique contribution to development of the Alliances Military Instrument of Power, Allied Command Transformation is the only NATO command that intervenes at all stages of the capability development cycle. It means, from prospective analysis to capacity building, including doctrine and concepts development, innovation, training, and lessons learned, said General Lanata. Discussions touched upon Cyber, Resilience, Counter Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Experimentation with an emphasis on how Allied Command Transformation prioritises Allied interoperability and bolsters cooperation with its partners to deliver operational effectiveness. The Military Committee also gained an understanding of how the Warfare Development agenda develops in line with Alliance member states requirements and expectations. NATOs member states are the ultimate beneficiaries of Command work and thus will enable forces that are robust, flexible and ready to fight and win. Taking the floor, Chief Air Marshal Sir Stuart Peach thanked ACT for hosting this visit and for its singular role in engendering a culture of continuous improvement across the Alliance. Over the last two-days, the NATO Military Representatives have received a series of briefings and participate in topical discussions that have helped improve their situational awareness, enhancing their understanding of tactical challenges and providing a thorough update on ongoing adaptation, highlighted the Chairman. The NATO Military Committee then headed to the new NATO Joint Forces Command (JFC) in Norfolk, one of the latest addition to the NATO Command Structure, to receive a comprehensive briefing on their activities. JFC Norfolk is responsible for preserving the transatlantic maritime lines of communication and, as required, the troop reinforcement between Europe and North America. The 29 Allied Military Representative and the Chairman, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach concluded their visit with a briefing onboard the USS Harry S Truman, currently assigned to the US Second Fleet which was re-established last year. Re-establishing the 2nd Fleet is an example of how we need to continuously adapt and how we are all responding to the changed security environment which we have felt ripple across the Alliance, underscored Air Chief Marshal Peach. The NATO Military Committee will then continue its journey to Washington, DC for the second leg of this trip. (Natural News) A freshman Republican senator lambasted Google on Tuesday for invading users privacy by tracking them and building profiles on them that the tech giant later seeks to monetize, and all without their consent or ability to opt out. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), grilled Will DeVries, senior privacy counsel for Google, on Tuesday as he appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee during a hearing on data privacy. Hawley accused the tech behemoth of tracking users of its Android cellphones, collecting all kinds of data on them, and accusing the company of continuing to track users even if tracking services has been disabled. Im concerned about the implicit bargain that consumers are being asked to ratify by which they get supposedly free services but actually have enormous amounts of personal data extracted from them without knowing what is going on, Hawley said. The GOP lawmaker went on to question DeVries opening statement in which he claimed that Googles flagship products have been free-of-charge for more than 20 years and that the tech giant clearly explains how it makes money and uses personal information. Is that really true? Hawley asked, pointing specifically to Googles Android phones and tracking services. Supposedly, according to Google, users can simply turn off tracking services, but Hawley who sued Google as Missouri attorney general over alleged anti-trust law violations before beating incumbent Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill in November. Do you think the average consumer would be surprised to learn that her location is recorded and sent to Google hundreds of times every day, even when she is not using her phone? he asked. DeVries said that Google takes as strong an effort as possible to explain these things clearly. I understand its complicated, the way a mobile phone works, he added. Hawley said that even when Android consumers arent using their phones, information about their geolocation is updated every four minutes, or 14 times an hour and roughly 340 times per 24-hour period. Thats without use of the phone, he said. Do you think shed be surprised to learn that? When someone turns off tracking, they expect it to be OFF DeVries said that gathering location data is what makes maps work, what makes routing of calls work, and other functions. He added that Android-powered phones come with a location history function in which Google collects geolocation information when its activated, but that users can opt out. (Related: Heres why the big tech firms like Google dont fear regulations: Money.) Hawley disputed that, arguing that Google continues to collect geolocation histories even when the function is off, which DeVries, on the record, admitted is true but that in doing so, Google provides value back to the consumer. Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), the committee chairman, interjected, calling DeVries revelation fascinating. What value are you talking about? Graham asked. So, in order to, say, make [Google] Maps work, to be able to locate you, give you directions where you need to go, Maps needs to know where you are, he said. The phones off, Graham interjected. Hawleys history of taking on big tech extends beyond his tenure as Missouris attorney general. On Monday, he criticized the Federal Trade Commission over the agencys response to privacy scandals at Google and Facebook, describing them as toothless. Any robust definition of consumer welfare must acknowledge that [Google and Facebook] have harmed consumers by conditioning participation on giving away enormous and growing amounts of personal information, Hawley wrote. Yet the approach the FTC has taken on these issues has been toothless. Hawley also forced DeVries to admit that Google uses location information it isnt supposed to be collecting to direct ads to users as well. I think when somebody turns off their user information, their location history, they expect the location tracking to be off, Hawley noted. But its not. They dont have a way, apparently, to turn it off. Watch: Read more about the evils of Google and other tech giants at EvilGoogle.news and TechGiants.news. Sources include: TheHill.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Theres a sinister movement afoot thats aiming to brainwash more Americans in to sacrificing their Second Amendment rights on the altar of political correctness by having physicians, rather than just politicians, tell them that guns are bad. According to reports, House Democrats working feverishly to eliminate the individual right to bear arms in the United States are now teaming up with Leftist doctors to convey a message that gun violence is out of control, and that the only solution is to restrict gun ownership strictly to those who work in government. Following their recent passage of new legislation mandating federal background checks on all gun sales, House Democrats are joining up with the so-called #ThisIsOurLane social media movement, which like the previous March For Our Lives scheme intends to exploit the publics emotions in an attempt to stamp out the Second Amendment. They bring the human factor into it, the human element, stated Representative Pete King, a Leftist Republican from New York who co-sponsored the universal background check bill that was recently passed by the House and who basically admitted with this inane statement that many Americans dont see politicians as legitimate human beings anymore, which is why these same soulless politicians are now exploiting medical professionals as their new spokesmen for gun control. For more news about guns and the Leftist assault on gun ownership, be sure to check out Guns.news and SecondAmendment.news. If politicizing the medical profession doesnt work, Democrats plan to stage more gun violence false flags to push gun control The newest excuse that both Leftist Democrats and RINO (Republican in name only) Republicans like Rep. Pete King are giving as to why doctors perspectives on gun control somehow matter more than both the Second Amendment and public opinion at large is that gun violence is now a public health issue. These gun-grabbers want to see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal agencies study the issue and come to the conclusion that gun ownership is a public health crisis, which they hope will lead to an eventual ban on gun ownership, and the removal of all existing guns from the public. If this doesnt work, the gun-grabbers will simply stage more gun violence false flag events to continue chipping away at gun rights in the U.S. something that, as we previously reported, theyve openly promised to do. Why arent these same gun-grabbing doctors speaking up about being traumatized by the tens of thousands of Americans who die annually from taking prescribed pharmaceuticals? There are apparently a number of doctors already onboard with this agenda, including American Medical Association (AMA) President Barbara McAneny, who told the mainstream media that having to deal with gun violence wounds in trauma wards traumatizes us. This is obviously some kind of joke, seeing as how tens of thousands of Americans are injured and killed by doctor-prescribed pharmaceuticals every single year, and we never hear a peep about doctors being traumatized by the fallout of this. Nevertheless, doctors preaching to their patients against guns is now going to be a thing, and its already been condemned by the National Rifle Association (NRA) as yet another lame attempt at overriding and eliminating the Second Amendment using emotion and feelings as some kind of justification for basically eliminating the Bill of Rights. The NRA is absolutely right, and these physicians need to get back in their lane, says Arthur Przebinda, the project director at Doctors For Responsible Gun Ownership, an association of doctors in support of gun rights that has several thousand members nationwide. Physicians are trained and educated to be physicians and surgeons, and that is what they are qualified to do. Read more news about medical fascism at MedicalExtremism.com. Sources for this article include: Politico.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) After discussions with several legal experts, we are putting out the call to law firms to initiate a billion dollar class action lawsuit against Twitter. Natural News (Twitter handle name @HealthRanger) is one of thousands of users who have been maliciously silenced by Twitter without warning, without justification and without any means of recourse. Twitter continues to silence thousands of channels based on political views, pursuing an unfair, discriminatory policy of censorship thats designed to rig the 2020 elections for Democrats by eliminating conservative and Christian voices through a sweeping campaign of politically motivated censorship. Its time for a large law firm to go after Twitter on behalf of the thousands of users who have been maliciously silenced without cause. Several legal strategies for pursuing Twitter are detailed below. Natural News is in contact with dozens of prominent independent media publishers who have all been silenced, and through our publishing networks we run hundreds of websites we can gather a thousand more plaintiffs to join the lawsuit effort. A class action lawsuit against Twitter would be no easy task, but Twitter has made itself vulnerable to a specific legal strategy through its recent silencing of channels engaged in conservative speech (see explanation below). Law firms seeking to pursue legal action against Twitter may contact Natural News through our contact page. Legal strategy for defeating Twitter: CDA, Sec. 230 Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act grants Big Tech legal immunity from the content that appears on their platforms if those platforms are operated as free speech platforms to the public, or to a specific subset of the public. However, this legal immunity does not apply to publishers organizations that exert strong editorial control over the content that appears on their websites (such as a newspaper publisher). There exists a significant history of case law that grants tech companies Sec. 230 legal immunity for engaging in minor control over the quality of posts on their platforms. For example, courts have ruled that public content platforms are not engaged in publishing for merely removing malicious content or illegal content (i.e. content that espouses violence or calls for killing individuals, etc.). Content platforms are also granted leeway to reformat contact, including altering algorithms that determine the sort order in which content appears. A quick search on the legal history of Sec. 230 provides more information on the legal precedent in this area, which is surprisingly sparse. However, what Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and other tech giants are carrying out now is a politically targeted online ethnic cleansing type of campaign to identify and remove all speech that advocates for President Trump or conservatism in general. Far beyond merely exerting control over the quality of posts on their platforms, this action is de facto editorialization of speech on those platforms. In essence, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other tech giants are staffed by left-leaning staffers and executives who strongly despise President Trump and are exploiting / abusing their influence over their platforms to selectively target and eliminate individuals or organizations engaged in speech they dont like. Even those channels engaged in thoughtful quality debate speech are targeted for being silenced, based solely on their political persuasions. Perhaps the best example of this would be Prager U. This politically-motivated censorship of selected channels and there are seemingly endless examples of this taking place would, under the Communications Decency Act, render these tech companies vulnerable to thousands of lawsuits that seek to hold the tech giants responsible for the speech taking place on their platforms. For example, when a user on Twitter threatens to kill someone, Twitter itself can now be sued for publishing that threat, since Twitter is theoretically no longer afforded Sec. 230 legal immunity since Twitter is no longer a fair and unbiased host of public content (proving this in a court of law will be the real challenge). The fact that Twitter now targets channels for censorship based on its internal editorial desires i.e. to eliminate all pro-America, pro-Trump, pro-Christian voices means that Twitter is instantly vulnerable to lawsuits for all the other content that exists on its platform. In other words, Twitter is now legally responsible for all its content and can be sued for any one of literally millions of Tweets it carries which contain threats of violence, malicious and false accusations, defamatory content and so on. Thanks to efforts like James OKeefe of Project Veritas, there already exists some recorded evidence of former Facebook or Twitter employees plotting to engage in malicious, politically-motivated censorship. The discovery phase of a lawsuit against Twitter would certainly uncover an enormous amount of additional evidence proving this bias. This realization makes two legal strategies potentially viable for pursuing legal action against Twitter: #1) Find tweets that contain defamatory smears against the Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky, in which Kentucky minors were maliciously smeared with false information. Lawyers for Nick Sandman, one of the students, have already filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against the Washington Post and another $275 million lawsuit against CNN. Whats new now is that Twitter itself is also theoretically liable for those tweets, and Twitter may be independently sued for publishing those tweets, since Twitter now exercises editorial control over what gets published vs. what is silenced. There are obviously tens of thousands of potential plaintiffs who have been smeared, maligned and otherwise harmed by malicious tweets that are still published by Twitter. Those plaintiffs can be easily located via their Twitter handles. The Covington Catholic school students are a particularly relevant example because of the strong anti-defamation laws in Kentucky and the fact that Nick Sandman is a minor (and not a public figure). #2) The milestone in this action is to achieve a court ruling that confirms Twitter is acting as a publisher, not as a free speech public platform. Once this ruling is achieved, Sec. 230 legal immunity is stripped from Twitter. In addition to the defamation lawsuits mentioned above, a ruling that confirms Twitter has been acting as a publisher with strong editorializing activities to silence selected voices gives rise to a breach of contract class action lawsuit. In this action, potentially thousands of plaintiffs would join an effort to seek compensatory and punitive damages from Twitter for falsely promising one thing in its terms of use (i.e. an open forum for free speech) while secretly plotting to violate that contract by selectively silencing users. Actual damages for users can be established by recognizing the importance of Twitter as the top platform for social influence, business influence and professional networking. The mere act of banishing someone from Twitter without cause is a form of both corporate cyber-bullying of innocent victims, as well as a form of defamation against the individuals or organization which are targeted. Furthermore, Twitters silencing of political targets prohibits those victims from being able to defend themselves against malicious cyber-bullying attacks which are then carried out on Twitter itself. Effectively, Twitter becomes complicit in the acts of cyber-bullying by silencing victims. I apologize for the graphic nature of this comparison, but what Twitter is doing is the cyber equivalent of binding the mouth of a rape victim so that she can no longer scream as she is repeatedly raped by the same people. Twitters actions are not merely dishonest and highly unethical, but are actually complicit in the malicious cyber-bullying of individuals who have been targeted by Twitter. Here at Natural News, we have developed other potential legal strategies in consultation with various attorneys. The consensus is that Twitter is now more vulnerable than ever before because it has overstepped its bounds and is now vulnerable to a lawsuit that would initiate a court ruling which could nullify its Sec. 230 legal immunity. If Twitter wishes to enjoy Sec. 230 legal immunity, it must act as an open free speech platform and avoid editorializing in the form of selected censorship against the voices it does not like. If you represent a law firm thats interested in exploring this case, contact Natural News to learn more about the legal strategies we have already assembled. (Natural News) Monsanto remains unfazed with Tennessees recently imposed restrictions against its dicamba pesticides. The state officially became the fourth in the nation to ban or limit the use of dicamba after evidence was presented suggesting that drifting from the herbicide compromised surrounding crops not genetically modified to withstand it. Tennessee followed Illinois, Kansas, and Arkansas in suing the global giant who, along with BASF and DuPont, heavily recommends the use of dicamba to address the problem of weed growth. The problem, farmers say, is that the dicamba formulations only work for crops that have been designed for it. Wind and weather conditions affect the pesticide, which cause dicamba to spread over to neighboring farms and damage other crops. Weed specialists from Missouri have stated that off-target movement from dicamba has damaged at least 203,045 acres of soybeans, along with 73 acres of watermelons, 18 acres of cantaloupes, 24 acres of certified organic vegetables, five acres of vineyards, and two acres of pumpkins. (Related: Mass-poisoning: Monsantos toxic new pesticide can go airborne.) Most of these crops displayed discernible changes in leaf size and shape, but experts in the state have warned that some chemical changes caused by dicamba may not be easily seen. In response to these allegations, Monsantos Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Robb Fraley, said on a phone press conference in Illinois that these claims are baseless. Fraley insists that these difficulties are less caused by the companys products but in improper handling by farmers. Most agronomists will tell you that uniform, corner-to-corner leaf cupping across an entire field is not consistent with drift; its symptomatic of another problem. Are those uniform problems with cupping because of a problem with a contaminated sprayer unit? Are they due to improper spraying of older dicamba formulations that have a propensity to vaporize? he asked. Fraley said that improper handling by farmers has created a snowball effect. He argues that this, along with using older formulations of dicamba pesticides, accounts for at least 25 percent of the supposed damaged crops. Many (farmers and consultants) noted that sales of [older dicamba formulations] spiked this year, despite the fact that corn and wheat acres were down, he pointed out. This, he says is significant, since older dicamba products are used for corn and wheat crops at this time of the year. The extent of off-label product use was surprising to me and very troubling, and its also illegal. Moreover, Fraley talks about these concerns as typical headaches seen by all new technologies. He recalled a similar problem when RoundUp Ready crops were first introduced nearly two decades ago. Monsanto has since claimed that RoundUp does not have any negative effects to crops (or human health), despite data suggesting otherwise. Still, Monsanto, along with BASF and DuPont, have agreed to look into adding more safety precautions to their products, including a more detailed directions list on how to apply the pesticide. Tennessee officials, however, are not taking any risks and have imposed strict provisions for dicamba usage in all farms and fields. This includes spraying pesticides at a specific time and eliminating the use of all older dicamba formulations. Late last year, Monsanto introduced its newest dicamba formulation which the company claims has low volatility, meaning that it has been formulated to have less drift while still maintaining its potency. See Dicamba.news for more coverage of dicamba herbicide. Sources include: BlacklistedNews.com CropLife.com Agriculture.com 1 Agriculture.com 2 (Natural News) You might have a few complaints about your job, but has it ever made you want to end your life? Not long ago, horror stories emerged of workers at Amazon warehouses being seriously overworked and having to urinate in bottles to meet their quotas. While Amazon tried to brush these off as isolated incidents, its becoming more difficult for them to deny that there is a serious problem with their working environment and its driving people to take their own lives. A recent investigation revealed that emergency services were called on at least 189 occasions for attempts at suicide, suicidal thoughts, and other types of mental health episodes at Amazon warehouses during a five-year period. The incidents occurred at 46 different Amazon warehouses across 17 states. The accounts are troubling, with 911 calls detailing people trying to cut and kill themselves. Workers have told the press that breakdowns are a common occurrence at warehouses. Investigative journalist James Bloodworth, who worked undercover at a U.K. Amazon warehouse, told Business Insider that the atmosphere was how he imagined prison must feel. Dozens of workers interviewed by the publication reported having to work long shifts that caused physical pain. He reported that some of the 700,000-square-foot facilitys 1200 workers had to take a 10-minute, quarter-mile trek to the two toilets situated on the ground floor. A fear of being reprimanded for wasting time on the journey to the restroom prompted many of them to urinate in bottles and garbage cans. He also said workers only get 15 to 20 minutes for lunch in 10.5-hour work days. Last year, Amazon raised the minimum wage it offers workers to $15 per hour following pressure from lawmakers and labor groups. However, the conditions at its warehouses have yet to improve, according to those who work there. Workers trying to cut themselves with box cutters, writing suicide notes One 41-year-old worker told The Daily Beast that the crack the whip atmosphere there left him suicidal, telling a security guard he was going to drive his car off a cliff after months of at-work misery. He said he ended up on a 72-hour hold in a psych ward over the issues caused by the working environment. A man who worked at the same facility did take his life after working 280 hours in five weeks. In one emergency call that has come to light, a worker called to say an employee was trying to leave the building to kill herself and asked for medical help. Another employee called for help after a worker was found with a suicide note to her children. On another occasion, an Amazon worker asked for EMS to come for a suicidal employee who attempted to cut himself several times with a box cutter at work. This isnt the first time weve heard about the horrific working conditions at Amazon. In 2011, reports emerged that the company hired ambulance crews to wait outside on hot days for workers who experienced problems related to the heat as they tried to keep up with demanding production requirements. A local ER doctor who had treated some employees for heat stress actually reported it as an unsafe environment to OSHA, who stepped in and gave them corrective steps. A year later, the Seattle Times reported that the underpaid, overworked employees at a warehouse in Campbellsville said they were pressured to manage their injuries in ways that wouldnt trigger an OSHA report for example, by claiming to medical personnel that their workplace injuries were actually due to pre-existing conditions. One worker said certain doctors refused to work with them because their managers would call them and argue with them. The next time youre marveling at how quickly and cheaply Amazon can deliver goods to your door, keep in mind how much all that efficiency is costing the people who work there and their loved ones. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com BusinessInsider.com TheHill.com (Natural News) As each year passes, more studies are finding evidence that chronic diseases, as well as degenerative ones, are associated with poor lifestyle choices. A study from the Tel Aviv University shows that general cognitive decline may be accelerated by insulin resistance. Published in the Journal of Alzheimers Disease, researchers find that unhealthy habits such as a sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition may lead to an imbalance and defect in insulin response in both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that allows your body to use sugar from carbohydrates (glucose) for energy. Properly functioning insulin regulates blood sugar levels, thus preventing hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. When insulin resistance occurs, cells fail to respond to the hormone, and prevents the muscle, fat, and liver cells from absorbing glucose. Without sufficient insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, causing pre-diabetes, diabetes, and other serious health disorders. Following a group of almost 500 patients with existing cardiovascular disease (CVD), scientists first assessed the patients standard insulin resistance using the Homeostasis Model of Assessment (HOMA). Scientists also calculated fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin levels. The patients cognitive functions were assessed using computerized tests which examined memory, function, visual spatial processing, and attention. After 15 years, follow-up assessments were conducted, and the final assessments were done after five more years. Results of the collected data showed that individuals at the top of the HOMA index were at a high risk for cognitive degeneration as compared to those in the remaining three quarters of the index. Researchers suggest the use of certain insulin-sensitizing drugs to cope with the resistance of insulin. But instead of using medications, they also suggested maintaining a healthy lifestyle through exercise and proper nutrition to better prevent insulin resistance and promote overall well-being. The two-decade study was led by professors David Tanne and Uri Goldbourt, assisted by Drs. Miri Lutski and the whole of the TAU Sackler School of Medicine. The researchers are looking to conduct more studies on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle to improve insulin resistance, as well as to promote wellness in all areas physical, social, and mental. Fast facts Alzheimers disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. In 2015, there were 46.8 million people with dementia. By 2030, there will be 74.7 million individuals diagnosed with the disease, and 131.5 million by 2050 if left ignored. One in three pensioners die with Alzheimers disease or another form of dementia. Someone in the world develops dementia every three seconds. The worldwide cost of dementia was $818 billion in 2015, and is projected to rise above $1 trillion by 2018. Cognitive decline comes with age and is hastened by poor lifestyle choices. As early as now, people should start preparing for the future by maintaining their weight, eating healthy and natural food, and sharpening the mind. The Alzheimers Association indicates that the risk of cognitive degeneration can be prevented by adopting healthy habits. These include regular exercise, taking classes that challenge your brain, quitting unhealthy habits like smoking and excessive alcohol drinking, eating foods that lower the risk of CVDs, sleeping well, and keeping a healthy social relationship with friends and relatives. Sources include: IOSPress.nl Alz.org California Gov. Gavin Newsom has placed a moratorium on executions in the state. Here are some notable inmates out of more than 700 people on the nations largest death row: SCOTT PETERSON After he reported his pregnant wife missing on Christmas Eve 2002, police pursued nearly 10,000 tips, and looked at parolees and convicted sex offenders as possible suspects. Ultimately, Peterson was arrested and convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Laci Peterson and second-degree murder for their unborn son in Modesto, California. Now 46, hes housed at San Quentin State Prison. RICHARD ALLEN DAVIS [[507117141,C]] Davis, 64, has been on death row at San Quentin since his 1996 conviction in the kidnapping and murder of 12-year-old Polly Klaas of Petaluma, California. The case helped gain support for Californias three-strikes law for repeat offenders. A third conviction for a serious felony leads to an automatic life sentence. LONNIE FRANKLIN Al Seib/Los Angeles Times via AP A serial killer nicknamed the Grim Sleeper, Franklin was convicted in 2016 for the killings of nine women and a teenage girl in Los Angeles dating to the 1980s. He was linked at trial to 14 slayings, including four women he wasnt charged with killing. Police have said Franklin, now 66, may have had as many as 25 victims. CHARLES NG He was convicted along with an accomplice, Leonard Lake, of killing 11 people at a cabin in the Sierra Nevada foothills during the 1980s. Lake killed himself in 1985. Ngs prosecution cost California approximately $20 million, the most expensive trial in state history at the time. Now 58, Ng is housed at San Quentin. RODNEY JAMES ALCALA Prosecutors said Alcala, now 75, stalked women like prey and took earrings as trophies from some of his victims. He was sentenced to death in 2010 for five slayings in California between 1977 and 1979. In 2013, he received an additional 25 years to life after pleading guilty to two homicides in New York. Investigators say his true victim count may never be known. VINCENT BROTHERS A former high school vice principal, Brothers was convicted of killing his wife, their three young children and his mother-in-law. Prosecutors said he tried to create an alibi by flying to Columbus, Ohio, with the pretext of visiting his brother. He then drove his rental car to Bakersfield, California, to kill his family and returned to Ohio. Now 57, hes been on San Quentins death row since 2007. ANGELINA RODRIGUEZ Her husbands death was initially ruled undetermined, which meant Rodriguez was ineligible for a payout on his life insurance. After she pushed for more testing, it was determined that Frank Rodriguez died of antifreeze poisoning. She was arrested for his death and convicted in 2004. She also was accused but never convicted of killing her infant daughter in 1993. Heated accusations and finger pointing on Wednesday followed the arrest an undocumented immigrant in the brutal slaying of a San Jose woman. Carlos Carranza, 24, a transient is behind bars at Santa Clara County jail, suspected in the killing of 59-year-old Bambi Larson at her South San Jose home. The case has re-ignited the fight between San Jose and Santa Clara County over sanctuary policies and whether the slaying could have been prevented. San Jose Police Department Carranza, an undocumented immigrant and admitted gang member, has a long criminal history, including prior convictions for false imprisonment, battery on a police officer, trespassing and burglary. Immigration authorities said they tried to deport Carranza nine times. On Wednesday, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo led a public attack on Santa Clara Countys sanctuary policy, which disregards requests by ICE to detain undocumented immigrants in custody beyond their release dates .. "Theres never been a court in this county that has deemed it unconstitutional for the county to pick up the phone and call federal authorities when they have a predatory felon who is due to be released into a community," Liccardo said. An ICE spokesman said hes baffled by the county's claims that ICE has at times not shown up to take custody of a person in a timely manner. The agency says the county has not cooperated with ICE since October 2011.. San Jose police Chief Eddie Garcia also finds the county's claim puzzling. "I would hope that were cooperating a little bit better than just simply saying that somebody didnt show up," Garcia said. The county counsel says there is no exception for violent offenders when talking constitutional rights and due process. He says ICE needs a judicial warrant, not just a detainer. "The real question here is why isnt ICE seeking a judicial warrant," said James Williams, Santa Clara County counsel. "In the occasions they have, and sometimes they have, not very often, when they get one, those we honor. We have always honored warrants." Carranza in due in court for arraignment Thursday. The Senate voted Wednesday to end U.S. support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalition's war in Yemen, bringing Congress one step closer to a unprecedented rebuke of President Donald Trump's foreign policy. Lawmakers have never before invoked the decades-old War Powers Resolution to stop a foreign conflict, but they are poised to do just that in the bid to cut off U.S. support for a war that has triggered a humanitarian catastrophe. The vote puts Congress on a collision course with Trump, who has already threatened to veto the resolution, which the White House says raises "serious constitutional concerns." The measure was co-sponsored by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Sen. Mike Lee, R- Utah. Next, it will move to the Democratic-controlled House, where it is expected to pass. The resolution passed by a vote of 54 to 46, with seven Republicans breaking with Trump to back the resolution: Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Steve Daines of Montana, Mike Lee of Utah, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Todd Young of Indiana. "The bottom line is that the United States should not be supporting a catastrophic war led by a despotic regime with an irresponsible foreign policy," Sanders said on Wednesday from the Senate floor. He said a vote in favor of the measure would "begin the process of reclaiming our constitutional authority by ending United States involvement in a war that has not been authorized by Congress and is unconstitutional." In its statement threatening a veto, the White House argued the premise of the resolution is flawed and that it would undermine the fight against extremism. U.S. support for the Saudis does not constitute engaging in "hostilities," the statement said, and the Yemen resolution "seeks to override the president's determination as commander in chief." "By defining 'hostilities' to include defense cooperation such as aerial refueling," the White House statement said, the Yemen resolution could also "establish bad precedent for future legislation." Trump's support for Saudi Arabia has been a point of tension with Congress since the killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year. Lawmakers from both parties have criticized Trump for not condemning Saudi Arabia strongly enough for the killing. Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., addressed those tensions when he urged his colleagues to oppose the measure. "We should not use this specific vote on a specific policy decision as some proxy for all the Senate's broad feelings about foreign affairs. Concerns about Saudi human rights issues should be directly addressed with the administration and with Saudi officials," McConnell said from the Senate floor. McConnell argued the Yemen resolution "will not enhance America's diplomatic leverage" and will make it more difficult for the U.S. to help end the conflict in Yemen and minimize civilian casualties. Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, argued that U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition helps facilitate peace talks and withdrawing from the conflict would delay an eventual political settlement. "We need to stay engaged (in Yemen) with the limited engagement we've had," Risch said. A similar resolution to end support for the Yemen war passed the Senate in December, but it was not taken up by the then Republican-controlled House. Approaching its fifth year, the war in Yemen has killed thousands and left millions on the brink of starvation, creating what the United Nations called the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said before the vote that the resolution "will be seen as a message to the Saudis that they need to clean up their act." "We are made weaker in the eyes of the world when we willingly participate in war crimes, when we allow our partners to engage in the slaughter of innocents," Murphy said. A free food pantry is now open on the Salem State University campus, helping to provide food to a number of students and nearby residents who have said they lack access to food. The Fresh Harvest Pop Up Stand opened on the Salem State campus Wednesday and about 30 people stopped by to grab fresh produce at no cost. The Salem News reports a university survey found last year that 35 percent of student respondents had difficulty affording food. The city also assessed food needs last year, finding a substantial low-income area of Salem near Salem State lacked access to food pantries. The mobile food pantry was organized by The Salem Pantry, Citizens Inn in Peabody, and Salem State University, with funding from the Brace Cove Foundation of Gloucester. "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett entered a plea of not guilty on multiple disorderly conduct charges Thursday. He arrived at the Cook County courthouse shortly before 9 a.m. CT ahead of a hearing to assign a judge to his case, followed by his arraignment. Within minutes, Judge Steven Watkins was assigned to his case, with the arraignment beginning an hour later. Smollett, standing quietly alongside his three attorneys, pleaded not guilty to 16 felony counts at the arraignment. Watkins also granted a motion to allow Smollett to travel to New York and California, where his attorneys' offices are located, as needed to meet with his counsel, provided he notify his pre-trial officer of any travel. Smollett's lawyer Tina Glandian requested that the next court date, for discovery, be "as soon as possible." Watkins, prosecutors and Smollett's legal team agreed on the morning of April 17 for his next court appearance. Smollett was initially charged with one felony count of disorderly conduct in filing a false police report in February, with Chicago police alleging that he staged a hate crime attack on himself the month before because he was "dissatisfied with his salary." A Cook County grand jury then indicted Smollett on 16 felony counts last Friday in connection with his reporting of the alleged attack he claimed to have suffered in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood. Smollett reported the alleged attack to police on Jan. 29, claiming to have been beaten by two men who shouted racist and homophobic slurs, beat him, put a noose around his neck, and poured bleach on him, according to the indictment. Initially investigating the incident as a possible hate crime, Chicago police said new information "shifted" their approach to the case, leading them to allege that Smollett orchestrated the assault by hiring two brothers who worked on "Empire" to execute it. The lawyer for the brothers, Obabinjo Osundairo and Abimbola Osundairo, said Monday that the pair has evidence backing their claim that he orchestrated the attack. Smollett's lawyers said "misinformation" has been reported in the case and noted they plan to prove a lack of evidence in the case. Smollett was indicted on 16 additional counts of disorderly conduct in filing a false report, court documents show, superceding the previous charge brought by the Cook County state's attorney's office. All 16 counts are Class 4 felonies, the most serious of which carry a maximum sentence of one-to-three years in prison. Probation is also possible. The indictment issued by the grand jury lays out two separate sets of charges against the actor. The first set alleges that Smollett lied to responding officers, making false statements about the nature of the attack in his initial report to police. The second set of charges alleges that Smollett made false statements to detectives in a follow-up interview about the case. "Allegations against Mr. Smollett are shameful and if proven, they are an affront to the people of Chicago who embraced him as a neighbor and respected him as a role model," Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement. "We stand behind the work of our detectives." Smollett's attorneys said they will "push back against" the additional charges filed against their client, which his attorney Mark Geragos said were "not unexpected." "What is unexpected however, is the prosecutorial overkill in charging 16 separate counts against Jussie," Geragos said. "This redundant and vindictive indictment is nothing more than a desperate attempt to make headlines in order to distract from the internal investigation launched to investigate the outrageous leaking of false information by the Chicago Police Department and the shameless and illegal invasion of Jussie's privacy in tampering with his medical records." "Jussie adamantly maintains his innocence even if law enforcement has robbed him of that presumption," he said. Smollett previously appeared in Cook County court on Tuesday at a hearing in which a judge ruled that cameras would be allowed in the courtroom Thursday. A spokeswoman for his attorneys said Smollett's appearance Tuesday wasn't required, but that he wanted to "show up and show respect to the court." "He wants to hold his head up high, show confidence in his innocence," Anne Kavanagh said, adding that he plans to "go the extra mile" to prove his innocence. "He's not hiding from anything," she said. "He will do everything he needs to do." The half-sister of an Illinois man accused of fatally shooting a sheriff's deputy says he is "not a monster." Christina Brown spoke after a hearing Monday for her half-brother, 39-year-old Floyd E. Brown. He's charged with first-degree murder in the Thursday death of McHenry County Sheriff's Deputy Jacob Keltner. Investigators say Keltner was shot while trying to serve an arrest warrant at a hotel in Rockford, and that Floyd Brown fled in a vehicle that crashed along an interstate about 170 miles (273.6 kilometers) away. Christina Brown says she'll be with her half-brother "every step of the way." She also offered Keltner's family sympathies, saying: "My heart honestly, truly goes out to all of them." She says she's scared to think her half-brother, who didn't enter a plea Monday, faces a potential death penalty. Authorities say five people have been found dead after a fire in a home in western Massachusetts. Berkshire District Attorney Andrea Harrington says the bodies of five people were found inside the Sheffield home after the blaze reported at about 8 a.m. Wednesday. No additional details about the victims have been disclosed. The cause remains under investigation. An American Airlines flight that was heading to Boston was diverted to Bradley International Airport on Thursday afternoon because of reports of mechanical issues. Officials from Connecticut Airport Authority said the plane, an Airbus, was traveling from Charlotte to Boston and landed safely at Bradley. No additional information was immediately available, but airport officials said there was no impact to airport operations. The American Airlines website says Flight 452 from Charlotte to Boston was diverted to Bradley and landed at 1:24 p.m. Its estimated to leave for Boston at 6 p.m. and arrive at 6:50 p.m. This story has been updated with a new statement from Customs and Border Protection and a response from the ACLU. Documents obtained by NBC 7 Investigates show the U.S. government created a secret database of activists, journalists, and social media influencers tied to the migrant caravan and in some cases, placed alerts on their passports. At the end of 2018, roughly 5,000 immigrants from Central America made their way north through Mexico to the United States southern border. The story made international headlines. As the migrant caravan reached the San Ysidro Port of Entry in south San Diego County, so did journalists, attorneys, and advocates who were there to work and witness the events unfolding. But in the months that followed, journalists who covered the caravan, as well as those who offered assistance to caravan members, said they felt they had become targets of intense inspections and scrutiny by border officials. One photojournalist said she was pulled into secondary inspections three times and asked questions about who she saw and photographed in Tijuana shelters. Another photojournalist said she spent 13 hours detained by Mexican authorities when she tried to cross the border into Mexico City. Eventually, she was denied entry into Mexico and sent back to the U.S. These American photojournalists and attorneys said they suspected the U.S. government was monitoring them closely but until now, they couldnt prove it. Now, documents leaked to NBC 7 Investigates show their fears werent baseless. In fact, their own government had listed their names in a secret database of targets, where agents collected information on them. Some had alerts placed on their passports, keeping at least two photojournalists and an attorney from entering Mexico to work. The U.S. government created a secret database of activists, journalists, and social media influencers tied to the migrant caravan. NBC 7's Mari Payton has more. The documents were provided to NBC 7 by a Homeland Security source on the condition of anonymity, given the sensitive nature of what they were divulging. The source said the documents or screenshots show a SharePoint application that was used by agents from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations and some agents from the San Diego sector of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). The intelligence-gathering efforts were done under the umbrella of Operation Secure Line, the operation designated to monitor the migrant caravan, according to the source. The documents list people who officials think should be targeted for screening at the border. The individuals listed include ten journalists, seven of whom are U.S. citizens, a U.S. attorney, and 48 people from the U.S. and other countries, labeled as organizers, instigators or their roles unknown. The target list includes advocates from organizations like Border Angels and Pueblo Sin Fronteras. To view the documents, click here or the link below. PHOTOS: Leaked Documents Show Government Tracking Journalists, Immigration Advocates NBC 7 Investigates is blurring the names and photos of individuals who havent given us permission to publish their information. The documents are titled San Diego Sector Foreign Operations Branch: Migrant Caravan FY-2019, Suspected Organizers, Coordinators, Instigators and Media and are dated January 9, 2019. Emblazoned on it are the American and Mexican flags, with a banner that reads: "ILU-OASSIS-OMEGA." An official at the Department of Homeland Security said the seal indicates that the documents are a product of the International Liaison Unit (ILU), which coordinates intelligence between Mexico and the United States. For each person, the documents show their photo, often from their passport but in some cases from their social media accounts, along with their personal information. That information includes the persons date of birth, their country of commencement, and their alleged role tied to the migrant caravan. The information also includes whether officials placed an alert on the persons passport. Some individuals have a colored X over their photo, indicating whether they were arrested, interviewed, or had their visa or SENTRI pass revoked by officials. In addition to flagging the individuals for secondary screenings, the Homeland Security source told NBC 7 that the agents also created dossiers on each person listed. We are a criminal investigation agency, were not an intelligence agency, the Homeland Security source told NBC 7 Investigates. We cant create dossiers on people and theyre creating dossiers. This is an abuse of the Border Search Authority. One dossier, shared with NBC 7, was on Nicole Ramos, the Refugee Director and attorney for Al Otro Lado, a law center for migrants and refugees in Tijuana, Mexico. The dossier included personal details on Ramos, including specific details about the car she drives, her mothers name, and her work and travel history. After sharing the documents with Ramos, she said Al Otro Lado is seeking more information on why she and other attorneys at the law center have been targeted by border officials. The document appears to prove what we have assumed for some time, which is that we are on a law enforcement list designed to retaliate against human rights defenders who work with asylum seekers and who are critical of CBP practices that violate the rights of asylum seekers, Ramos told NBC 7 by email. In addition to the dossier on Ramos, a list of other dossier files created was shared with NBC 7. Two of the dossier files were labeled with the names of journalists but no further details were available. Those journalists were also listed as targets for secondary screenings. Customs and Border Protection has the authority to pull anyone into secondary screenings, but the documents show the agency is increasingly targeting journalists, attorneys, and immigration advocates. Former counterterrorism officials say the agency should not be targeting individuals based on their profession. NBC 7 Investigates sent the information to all border and law enforcement agencies the source listed, asking whether the information was valid and if these tactics were legal. A Customs and Border Protection spokesperson did not answer NBC 7s list of questions or confirm the validity of the documents shared. By email, the spokesperson said, Criminal events, such as the breach of the border wall in San Diego, involving assaults on law enforcement and a risk to public safety, are routinely monitored and investigated by authorities. To read CBPs full statement, click here. It is protocol following these incidents to collect evidence that might be needed for future legal actions and to determine if the event was orchestrated, the statement read. CBP and our law enforcement partners evaluate these incidents, follow all leads garnered from information collected, conduct interviews and investigations, in preparation for, and often to prevent future incidents that could cause further harm to the public, our agents, and our economy. UPDATE - 4:20 p.m. Minutes after our story published and five days after a Customs and Border Protection spokesperson gave us the agency's statement above, CBP told our colleagues at NBC News that the names in the database are all people who were present during violence that broke out at the border in November. The agency also said journalists are being tracked so that the agency can learn more about what started that violence. CBP never clarified that point directly to NBC 7 Investigates. UPDATE - 8:20 p.m. Staff attorney Esha Bhandari with the ACLUs Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, called the government's targeting of journalists and migrants "outrageous." This is an outrageous violation of the First Amendment. The government cannot use the pretext of the border to target activists critical of its policies, lawyers providing legal representation, or journalists simply doing their jobs. We are exploring all options in response, Bhandari said. Senior staff attorney Mitra Ebadolahi with the ACLU of San Diegos Border Litigation Project called NBC 7's report the latest example of abuse of power by the CBP. For years, the U.S. government has used the pretext of border security' to trample on Americans constitutional rights. This most recent example is just the latest in a steady stream of CBP abuse of authority, and once again underscores the dire need for meaningful agency oversight and accountability," Ebadolahi said. Journalists Targeted for Border Inspections NBC 7 Investigates spoke with seven of the journalists listed on the database as targets for secondary screenings, including freelance photojournalist Ariana Drehsler. I'm interested in covering social and political issues, Drehsler said, adding that she covered the migrant caravan in Tijuana for Buzzfeed News and United Press International. I think there's a lot of misconceptions, maybe from both sides, about who are these people that are trying to seek asylum, Drehsler said. So I think as a photojournalist, it is my responsibility to cover that to the best of my abilities. Drehsler estimated she had crossed the border from San Ysidro dozens of times covering the caravan. UPI I was very transparent about what I was doing, Drehsler said. Sometimes you would see me carrying a camera and if I was asked by an agent what was I doing, I would tell them I was photographing the [migrant] shelters. But on December 30, 2018, when Drehsler was crossing back into the United States, she was pulled into secondary inspection and questioned by border agents. Two people in plainclothes came down and took me to another room, Drehsler said. They questioned me in a small room, asking me questions about the shelter, what was I seeing there, who was I working for. They said that I was on the ground and theyre not, which I thought was really interesting. After about an hour, Drehsler said she was allowed to leave but agents warned her that an alert had been placed on her passport and that she would be pulled into a secondary screening again if she crossed the border. The agents told her to plan accordingly, given the screenings could last an hour or more. When she asked why this alert was placed on her passport, agents told her they had no idea. Drehsler said she was pulled into secondary screenings two more times while crossing the border. Each time she said she was questioned by the same agents in plainclothes. The second time was on Jan. 2, 2019, and the third time was on Jan. 4, 2019. On the third occasion, Drehsler said she was told to leave her gear, including her camera and cell phone, on a table outside of the interview room. When she returned, she said it didnt appear to her that the gear had been looked through. Agents asked Drehsler if she could show them the photos she had taken but she said she declined. Some of the questions agents asked Drehsler on the third screening struck her as odd. They asked about the new caravan and if word had gotten out about how difficult it is to seek asylum in the U.S., Drehsler said. Then before I left, the female agent asked if I rented or owned my home. Drehsler told NBC 7 the personal details listed for her in the leaked screenshots are accurate. She confirmed the photo officials used came from her passport. The screenshots include a green X over Drehslers photograph, indicating she had been interviewed by agents. Sharing the documents with Drehsler, she told NBC 7 she was blown away. I have so many questions; I have more questions than answers, she said. Personally, I don't understand what [agents] are hoping to find. Other journalists and attorneys have previously told news outlets like NPR and The Intercept that they too faced the same kind of increased scrutiny surrounding their work involving the migrant caravan. Evidence of increased scrutiny of journalists at the border was detailed in an October 2018 report prepared by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ.) The report identified 37 journalists who said they found the secondary screenings by border officials invasive, and said 20 cases involved border agents conducting warrantless searches of [the journalists] electronic devices. The journalists featured in the leaked documents said they were separated from their electronic devices and gear but had no evidence that agents had gone through their items. Kitra Cahana is another freelance photojournalist and U.S. citizen listed as a target in the documents. By phone from Honduras, Cahana told NBC 7 she also faced increased scrutiny and was eventually denied entry into Mexico for no apparent reason. Kitra Cahana Cahana's work has been featured in National Geographic magazine, The New York Times and the CBC out of Canada. One night in late December, she said Mexican authorities photographed her passport while she and other journalists were working near the border. Then, on Jan. 17, 2019, while traveling from Canada to Mexico City, Cahana said she had a connecting flight in Detroit, Michigan. Cahana said in Montreal, her passport was flagged while going through U.S. Customs pre-clearance. Cahana said she was pulled into a secondary screening where border agents asked her a list of questions about her work. They were interested in whether I had an assignment when I was going down to cover the caravan, Cahana said. And they wanted to know how I was funding my work. Cahana said she was asked to explain how freelance photojournalism works, which she found strange. Afterward, her passport was flagged again in Detroit but eventually, she was allowed to board her flight and fly to Mexico City. But when she arrived in Mexico, her passport was flagged again. Cahana said she brought this to a Mexican official and was taken into a back room with another group of detained individuals. There, Cahana said her phone was taken away and she couldnt leave the room. When she needed to use the restroom, an agent escorted her. I wasn't allowed to be in communication with anyone, I wasnt allowed to contact my embassy, Cahana said. It was very confusing because my Spanish is quite limited and no one there really spoke English. Cahana said the whole ordeal lasted 13 hours and in the end, she was denied entry into Mexico. She had to wait until a plane arrived that could take her back to Detroit, where her flight originated. Since then, Cahana said she tried one more time to cross the border into Mexico. I was trying to cross into Mexico through Guatemala to continue my work covering the caravan and then I was denied again, Cahana said. NBC 7 Investigates confirmed another journalist was denied entry into Mexico after covering the caravan in January. That journalist is also listed in the SharePoint files leaked to NBC 7. In the documents shared with NBC 7, Cahana confirmed her personal details were accurate and that the photo used is from her passport. Cahana said shes been in contact with the Committee to Protect Journalists and the ACLU as far as the alert placed on her passport, preventing her access to Mexico. Cahana said the increased scrutiny by border officials could have a chilling effect on freelance journalists covering the border. In the current state of journalism, it's really freelancers who are bringing so much news to the public, Cahana said. And the uncertainty of having an alert placed on your passport and not knowing where and when that's going to prevent you from doing your work is really problematic. Correction: A previous version of this story stated three photojournalists were denied entry into Mexico. After speaking with those involved, it was clarified that only two photojournalists were denied entry into Mexico. The article above has been updated to reflect this. Want to know if you're on the target list? Have you faced increased scrutiny while covering a story at the border? NBC 7 Investigates wants to hear from you. Contact us at cbptargetlist@nbcuni.com. Wednesday afternoon President Trump ordered Boeing 737 MAX 8, MAX 9 aircraft grounded across the country. American Airlines says the grounding of the Boeing Max 8 planes affects 24 of its more than 1,500 aircraft. American added it operates 85 flights per day on the MAX 8, out of 6,700 departures throughout the American Airlines system. The president of the flight attendants union applauded the move. "Safety is in our DNA," said Lori Bassani, president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. "For us, if there's one minuscule -- one little piece that might be unsafe with that aircraft, we want to make sure our flight attendants, our crew and our passengers are definitely not in any kind of harm's way." The head of the flight attendants union applauded the move. "Safety is in our DNA," said Lori Bassani, president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. "For us, if there's one minuscule -- one little piece that might be unsafe with that aircraft, we want to make sure our flight attendants, our crew and our passengers are definitely not in any kind of harm's way." The Allied Pilots Association, which said on Monday night it had full confidence in the Max 8 planes, issued a new statement saying it understood the reason for grounding the plane. It's still unknown exactly how many flights out of DFW could be impacted by the grounding of the Max planes at other airports. "It seemed like a good time to do that, we were the last country to come around and I think it's probably the right thing to do," said passenger Dan Smith. Before checking in at the airport, Smith confirmed his flight to Sydney, Australia was not on a Max 8 aircraft. "I'm always curious as to what plane Im going to be on and its just nice to know that I didnt have to worry about that," Smith said. American Airlines says it first began flying Max 8's in November of 2017. The airline says it is complying with the FAA's order and is rebooking impacted passengers as soon as possible. American Airlines issued the following statement. In a stunning rebuke, a dozen defecting Republicans joined Senate Democrats Thursday to block the national emergency that President Donald Trump declared so he could build his border wall with Mexico. The rejection capped a week of confrontation with the White House as both parties in Congress strained to exert their power in new ways. The 59-41 tally, following the Senate's vote a day earlier to end U.S. involvement in the war in Yemen, promised to force Trump into the first vetoes of his presidency. Trump had warned against both actions. Moments after Thursday's vote, the president tweeted a single word of warning: "VETO!" Two years into the Trump era, a defecting dozen Republicans, pushed along by Democrats, showed a willingness to take that political risk. Twelve GOP senators, including the party's 2012 presidential nominee, Mitt Romney of Utah, joined the dissent over the emergency declaration order that would enable the president to seize for the wall billions of dollars Congress intended elsewhere. "The Senate's waking up a little bit to our responsibilities," said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who said the chamber had become "a little lazy" as an equal branch of government. "I think the value of these last few weeks is to remind the Senate of our constitutional place." Many senators said the vote was not necessarily a rejection of the president or the wall, but protections against future presidents -- namely a Democrat who might want to declare an emergency on climate change, gun control or any number of other issues. "This is constitutional question, it's a question about the balance of power that is core to our constitution," Romney said. "This is not about the president," he added. "The president can certainly express his views as he has and individual senators can express theirs." Thursday's vote was the first direct challenge to the 1976 National Emergencies Act, just as Wednesday's on Yemen was the first time Congress invoked the decades-old War Powers Act to try to rein in a president. Seven Republicans joined Democrats in halting U.S. backing for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in the aftermath of the kingdom's role in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Even though there's not likely to be enough numbers to override a veto, the votes nevertheless sent a message from Capitol Hill. "Today's votes cap a week of something the American people haven't seen enough of in the last two years," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, "both parties in the United States Congress standing up to Donald Trump." The result is a role-reversal for Republicans who have been reluctant to take on Trump, bracing against his high-profile tweets and public attacks of reprimand. But now they are facing challenges from voters in some states where senators face stiff elections -- who are expecting more from Congress. Centrist Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins, who's among those most vulnerable in 2020, said she's sure the president "will not be happy with my vote. But I'm a United States senator and I feel my job is to stand up for the Constitution, so let the chips fall where they may." Trump's grip on the party, though, remains strong and the White House made it clear that Republicans resisting Trump could face political consequences. Ahead of the voting, Trump framed the issue as with-him-or-against-him on border security, a powerful argument with many. "A vote for today's resolution by Republican Senators is a vote for Nancy Pelosi, Crime, and the Open Border Democrats!" Trump tweeted. "Don't vote with Pelosi!" he said in another, referring to the speaker of the House. A White House official said Trump won't forget when senators who oppose him want him to attend fundraisers or provide other help. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on internal deliberations. "I don't think anybody's sending the president a message," said Jim Risch of Idaho, the GOP chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He blamed the media for "reaching" to view every action "through the prism of the presidency, and that isn't necessarily the way it works here." Trump brought on the challenge months ago when he all but dared Congress not to give him the $5.7 billion he was demanding to build the U.S.-Mexico wall or risk a federal government shutdown. Congress declined and the result was the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Against the advice of GOP leaders, Trump invoked the national emergency declaration last month, allowing him to try to tap some $3.6 billion for the wall by shuffling money from military projects, and that drew outrage from many lawmakers. Trump had campaigned for president promising Mexico would pay for the wall. The Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse, and lawmakers seethed as they worried about losing money for military projects that had already been approved for bases at home and abroad. The Democratic-led House swiftly voted to terminate Trump's order. Senate Republicans spent weeks trying to avoid this outcome, up until the night before the vote, in a script that was familiar -- up until the gavel. The most promising was an effort from Sen. Mike Lee of Utah for legislation that would impose limits on future presidential actions. That would give senators some solace as they allowed Trump's order to stand. GOP senators huddled with Vice President Mike Pence and seemed optimistic the White House might support their plan. Then Trump called Lee in the middle of a private Republican lunch meeting and, in the time it took the senator to step out of the room to take the call, it was over. Trump was opposed. Lee and other senators were peeling off against the president. In a last-ditch effort the night before the vote, Lindsey Graham and other senators dashed to the White House to try once again for Trump's support to broker an alternative plan. Trump was frustrated by their arrival. They mostly failed. Trump did tweet ahead of the vote that he would be willing to consider legislation to adjust the 1976 law at some later time. That was enough of a signal for GOP Sen. Thom Tillis, who faces a potentially tough re-election in North Carolina, to flip his vote, according to a person unauthorized to discuss the private thinking and granted anonymity. Tillis had been one of the first senators to say he would oppose the declaration, writing in a Washington Post opinion column last month that there'd be "no intellectual honesty" in backing Trump after his repeated objections about executive overreach by President Barack Obama. But on Thursday, he did. Trump's public support in that tweet also helped bring on board several other Republicans, including Ted Cruz and Ben Sasse, who had been part of the private huddles, the person said. For some, said Sen. John Thune, the GOP whip, "the emergency declaration was just a bridge too far." The 24-year-old "transient" who was arrested in connection with the brutal slaying of a 59-year-old woman in South San Jose last month is an undocumented immigrant with a long criminal history, officials said. Carlos Eduardo Arevalo Carranza, a Salvadorian national, was arrested Monday and booked into the Santa Clara County jail for murder, officials said. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said agents tried to deport Carranza nine times before, but their detainer requests were not honored in Los Angeles and Santa Clara counties, both so-called "sanctuary cities." In every occasion, local authorities declined to cooperate with a federal request to hold Carranza in jail due to his immigration status as is often the policy with "sanctuary cities" and counties and he was released back on the street. ICE typically asks jails to hold undocumented inmates for an extra 48 hours after they would otherwise be released in order to get a warrant to begin deportation proceedings. The Department of Homeland Security has said that complying with these requests is voluntary because keeping someone in jail without a warrant violates the 4th Amendment. In Santa Clara County alone, Carranza has prior convictions for kidnapping, drug possession, battery on a police officer, trespassing and burglary. Carranza was diagnosed with psychosis back in 2016, according to a source. Erik Bonnar, an acting field office director for ICE, said Carranza has been arrested numerous times for criminal activity and convicted of more than 10 crimes in the past three years. He called for lawmakers to reconsider a policy that ignores federal hold requests for predatory felons. "How many more people have to be killed or injured before California lawmakers will open discussions to revise the state policy prohibiting local law enforcement agencies from working with ICE to apprehend dangerous criminal aliens?" Bonnar said in a statement. "Its unfortunate that our communities face dangerous consequences because of inflexible state laws that protect criminal aliens. These sanctuary policies have unintended, but very real, and often tragic consequences to public safety." In a press conference Tuesday afternoon, San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia did not mince words. "The City of San Jose and our police department has no control over how the county interacts with federal immigration enforcement or deportation of violent or serious felons like Carlos Arrevala Carranza," Garcia said. "Those policies are not set at our level." Garcia also said Carranza stalked Bambi Larson and the South San Jose neighborhood where she lived for some time before allegedly beating and stabbing her to death. The chief said Larson's son and a co-worker discovered her body on Feb. 28 at her home on the 900 block of KnollfieldWay, just east of the Almaden Expressway. Both were checking on her after she didn't show up for work. Police said Larson's body was found with multiple stab wounds and determined it was a homicide. Neighbors also shared surveillance video they believe shows the suspect walking to and from Larson's home on the day of the murder. At one point, surveillance video shows the suspect wiping his face with a shirt as he's walking away from the home. "Hopefully, they've got the right person and they'll pay for it for what they've done to take away a beautiful, beautiful person," neighbor Laura Bisceglia said. Larson attended San Jose State University and the University of California at Santa Cruz, and was a manager at medical testing company Roche Sequencing Solutions in San Jose. Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith released the following statement on Tuesday: "This is a senseless act, and very well may have been preventable. My deepest sympathy goes out to the family and friends of Ms. Larson. Carlos Arevalo is a violent predator who should have remained in custody until officials with ICE had the appropriate time to evaluate his immigration status. It has been my long standing position that all undocumented immigrants who are a serious or violent felons, should be held for ICE evaluations. I will advocate to change the county policy to try to prevent this from happening again. Storms continued to pile on snowpack and fill California's water reservoirs over the past week, pulling even more of the state out of drought. Last week, a small sliver of extreme Northern California was the only part of the state in moderate drought. That area and a swath of California near its border with Mexico were listed as abnormally dry, a less severe condition than drought, in this week's U.S. Drought Monitor report. That means California is free of drought for the first time since Dec. 20, 2011, according to the National Drought Mitigation Center. One year ago, nearly 50 percent of California was in moderate to extreme drought. Part of Ventura County and a northwest Los Angeles County were in the extreme drought category -- the second-most severe category in the drought monitor's ranking system -- at this time last year. Just three months ago, 75 percent of the state was in moderate to extreme drought. Even the Salton Sea area, a southeastern California region that has consistently been among the driest parts of the state, returned to what the Monitor described as normal conditions. "The rest of the region in Southern California is still abnormally dry due to very dry previous years," the weekly report noted. "Reservoirs in San Diego County are only at 65 percent capacity." [LA GALLERY UPDATED 4/2019] California Snowpack Through the Years Big Bear Lake in the mountains east of Los Angeles was down 18 feet in early March, but it's expected to continue to rise, according to the report. Also in Southern California, Lake Piru in Ventura County is at 74 precent capacity, Cachuma Reservoir in Santa Barbara County is at 73 percent capacity, and Lake Casitas near Ventura is up to 43 percent capacity. One of the most encouraging signs is the giant pillow of snow covering the Sierra Nevada Mountains. A manual survey of snowpack at Phillips Station late last month indicated a snow depth of 113 inches and a snow water equivalent of 43.5 inches. [NATL-la gallery] The Otherworldly Landscape of the Salton Sea in Photos That's double what was recorded a month before at the same location. Statewide, the Sierra snowpack was at 153 percent of average for the late February survey. The snowpack is a critical part of California's water supply because that snow melts in spring and runs off into the state's water system. [NATL-LA] How Water Gets From the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Rest of California The drought-busting winter is in keeping with California's history of dry spells followed by wet winters. Researchers for Californias Fourth Climate Change Assessment last year noted that the state has a highly variable climate with wet or dry periods that can span years and that are heavily affected by extreme precipitation events. As the climate continues to warm, atmospheric rivers, responsible for many of the heaviest extremes, will carry more moisture and extreme precipitation may increase, the assessment says. Atmospheric rivers, bands of moisture in the sky over the Pacific that fuel colossal rain-making storms, have contributed to some of California's wettest winters. Storms draw moisture from the rivers as they move toward California, sometimes unleashing days of steady rain on the West Coast. But warming air can also exacerbate periods of drought. One group of researchers last year dubbed the change from extreme dry to wet conditions in the state as precipitation whiplash events, Quartz reported. In 2014, then-Gov. Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency for California, ordering prohibitions on wasteful water use like hosing off driveways and sidewalks, and watering lawns within days of a rainstorm, after a several dry years. That emergency order was lifted for most of the state in 2017 after a historically wet winter. A prominent gender-reassignment surgeon has resigned from a Florida hospital after being accused of posting photos of patients' genitalia along with racist and homophobic comments on his Instagram account. He denies making the posts, saying his account was hacked. Dr. Christopher Salgado also told The Associated Press on Thursday that he planned to continue his efforts to support transgender people. The accusation surfaced in an anonymous petition filed with the American College of Surgeons. The petitioner accused the University of Miami Health System surgeon of posting graphic photos of male and female genitalia in various stages of surgery on his personal Instagram account @sexsurgeon. The account has since been deleted. The petitioner said the comments were "horrifically inappropriate," and harmful to an already vulnerable population. The person also questioned whether Salgado had violated patient privacy laws. In a statement, the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine said Salgado was no longer employed by the university. "The University of Miami is committed to promoting and supporting diversity in its students, faculty, and staff and finds any transphobic comments unacceptable. As health care providers, we continue to have a team of experts dedicated to delivering the full continuum of care for gender reassignment patients," the statement read. WARNING: Some of the details may be disturbing to some readers. A South Florida man accused of choking and kicking his girlfriend's dog to death after believing she might be with another guy is facing multiple animal cruelty charges. Lawrence Graham, 19, was arrested in Tamarac Wednesday on six counts of animal cruelty, according to a Broward Sheriff's Office arrest report. The report said Graham told detectives he became angry and jealous when his girlfriend wouldn't answer his phone calls or text messages, and was still mad when he went to her home and she wasn't there, saying he was jealous that she might be with another guy. Graham sent the girlfriend a text referring to the dog, a 1-year-old Shih Tzu mix, that read "u got till 10 30 if u not here by then I swear 4 god ill finnishjordon off," the report said. The report said Graham then kicked the dog multiple times, slammed it to the ground, and choked it while he called his girlfriend. He then put the dog in a trash bag while it was still alive then picked the dog up again and continued to choke the dog, the report said. The dog died while Graham was waiting for his girlfriend to come back, the report said. Graham then took the dog's body and placed it in a trash bag with its head and front legs sticking out, and put it next to the front door with flowers next to it along with a written note that read "Coulda Made It RIP Jordan," the report said. "He also wrapped an electrical cord around the dog's neck to make it appear that he died by being choked with a wire," the report said. According to the report, Graham continued to send messages to his girlfriend, telling her "if you really loved him u woulda made it in time 2 save him" and "hope it worth it." The report said Graham was charged with six counts of animal cruelty for each separate act committed on the dog. He appeared in court Thursday where he was ordered held on $15,000 bond. Attorney information wasn't available. "It's a small puppy that he eventually ended up killing," BSO Det. Sira Arroyo said. "Thank God that she didn't come home because who knows what would have happened to her." Trump administration officials say there are no U.S. plans to intervene militarily in the crisis in Venezuela. That's despite the fact that President Donald Trump and others have repeatedly said all options on are on the table to support the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro. The special envoy for Venezuela Elliott Abrams and director of the U.S. Agency for International Development Mark Green told Congress that the administration is promoting a peaceful political transition in Venezuela. Both said their instructions were to work only to that end. Abrams said the administration was wholly focused on exerting diplomatic and economic pressure on Maduro through sanctions. He said more sanctions would soon be announced and foreign banks may be targeted if they are found to be assisting Maduro in hiding state assets. Abrams and Green testified Thursday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The U.S. is among more than 50 governments to recognize Juan Guaido as interim president, arguing that Maduro's re-election last year was illegitimate. The Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency order Wednesday grounding all Boeing 737 Max aircraft in the wake of a crash of an Ethiopian airliner that killed 157 people, a reversal for the U.S. after federal aviation regulators had maintained it had no data to show the jets are unsafe. The decision came hours after Canada joined some 40 other countries in barring the Max 8 from its airspace, saying satellite tracking data showed possible but unproven similarities between the Ethiopian Airlines crash and a previous crash involving the model five months ago. The U.S., one of the last holdouts, also grounded a larger version of the plane, the Max 9. Daniel Elwell, acting head of the FAA, said enhanced satellite images and new evidence gathered on the ground led his agency to order the jets out of the air. The data, he said, linked the behavior and flight path of the Ethiopian Airlines Max 8 to data from the crash of a Lion Air jet that plunged into the Java Sea and killed 187 people in October. "Evidence we found on the ground made it even more likely that the flight path was very close to Lion Air's," Elwell told reporters on a conference call Wednesday. Satellite data right after the crash wasn't refined enough to give the FAA what it needed to make the decision to ground planes, Elwell said. But on Wednesday, global air traffic surveillance company Aireon and Boeing were able to enhance the initial data to make it more precise "to create a description of the flight that made it similar enough to Lion Air," Elwell said. The Ethiopian plane's flight data and voice recorders will be sent to France for analysis, Elwell said. Some aviation experts have warned that finding answers in the crash could take months. Officials at Lion Air in Indonesia have said sensors on their plane produced erroneous information on its last four flights, triggering an automatic nose-down command that the pilots were unable to overcome. President Donald Trump, who announced the grounding, was briefed Wednesday on new developments in the investigation by Elwell and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, and they determined the planes should be grounded, the White House said. Trump spoke afterward with Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenberg and Boeing signed on. "At the end of the day, it is a decision that has the full support of the secretary, the president and the FAA as an agency," Elwell said. Airlines, mainly Southwest, American and United, should be able to swap out planes pretty quickly, and passengers shouldn't be terribly inconvenienced, said Paul Hudson, president of flyersrights.org, which represents passengers. The Max, he said, makes up only a small percentage of the U.S. passenger jet fleet, he said. "I think any disruptions will be very minor," he said. "The first quarter of the year is the slow quarter, generally for air travel,"adding that the airlines have planes on the ground that aren't being used on trans-Atlantic flights that could be diverted to domestic routes. Boeing issued a statement saying it supported the FAA's decision even though it "continues to have full confidence in the safety of the 737 MAX." The company also said it had itself recommended the suspension of the Max fleet after consultations with the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board. "We are supporting this proactive step out of an abundance of caution," Boeing said. The groundings will have a far-reaching financial impact on Boeing, at least in the short term, said John Cox, a veteran pilot and CEO of Safety Operating Systems. In addition to those that have already been grounded, there are more than 4,600 Boeing 737 Max 8 planes on backlog that are not yet delivered to airlines. "There are delivery dates that aren't being met, there's usage of the aircraft that's not being met, and all the supply chain things that Boeing so carefully crafted," Cox said. "If they can't deliver the airplanes, where do they put the extra engines and the extra fuselage and the extra electrical components" Even so, Cox thinks Boeing will recover, because the planes typically fly for 30 to 40 years, and any needed fix will be made quickly, he said. Boeing's shares have plummeted almost 11 percent since Sunday's Ethiopian Airlines crash. On Wednesday, the stock sank to $363.36 after the FAA announcement but then recovered to close at $377.14, up 0.5 percent for the day. It rose slightly in after-hours trading to $378. In making the decision to ground the Max 8s in Canada, Transport Minister Marc Garneau said a comparison of vertical fluctuations found a "similar profile" between the Ethiopian Airlines crash and the Lion Air crash. Garneau, a former astronaut who flew in the space shuttle, emphasized that the data is not conclusive but crossed a threshold that prompted Canada to bar the Max 8. "This is not the proof that is the same root problem," he said. "It could be something else." Canada lost 18 of its citizens in Sunday's crash, the second highest number after Kenya. A Canadian family of six were among the dead. Lebanon and Kosovo also barred the Boeing 737 Max 8 from their airspace Wednesday, and Norwegian Air Shuttles said it would seek compensation from Boeing after grounding its fleet. Egypt banned the operation of the aircraft. Thailand ordered budget airline Thai Lion Air to suspend flying the planes for risk assessments. Lion Air confirmed reports it has put on hold the scheduled delivery of four of the jets. Ethiopian Airlines, widely seen as Africa's best-managed airline, grounded its remaining four models. The growing number of countries joining the ban put the FAA in a difficult position, said Peter Goelz, a former managing director of the NTSB who is now an aviation consultant. He said the FAA, which certified the 737 Max as airworthy and has been the lead regulatory body for the airplane, prides itself on making data-driven decisions and not based on "anecdotes or political pressures." Goelz said Trump likely was feeling pressure from Congress and the public to step in. "There's probably nobody in the administration who's got more of a sensitive ear to cable television," said Goelz. The FAA is also certain to be looking into anonymous reports from at pilots of at least two U.S. flights who wrote about problems last year in a NASA database, Goelz said. The pilots reported that an automated system seemed to cause their Boeing 737 Max 8 planes to tilt down suddenly. The pilots said that soon after engaging the autopilot, the nose tilted down sharply. In both cases, they recovered quickly after disconnecting the autopilot. After Trump's announcement, American Airlines said its "teams will make every effort to rebook customers as quickly as possible." United Airlines, which grounded its 14 Max planes, said the aircraft account for roughly 40 flights per day. Through a combination of spare aircraft and rebooking customers, the airline did not anticipate a significant operational impact. Southwest Airlines said it immediately complied with the order and removed its 34 Max 8 from scheduled service. The airline said the Max 8 planes account for less than 5 percent of the airline's daily flights, adding that it remains confident in the airliner after completing more than 88,000 flight hours over 41,000 flights, but that it supports the FAA's decision. Boeing's technical team joined U.S., Israeli, Kenyan and other aviation experts in the investigation of the Ethiopian Airline crash, led by Ethiopian authorities. An Ethiopian pilot who saw the crash site minutes after the disaster told AP that the plane appeared to have "slid directly into the ground." Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said their pilots had received special training. "In addition to the basic trainings given for 737 aircraft types, an additional training was given for the Max version," Tewolde told state news reporters. "After the Lion Air crash, questions were raised, so Boeing sent further instructions that it said pilots should know." Tewolde said he is confident the "investigation will reveal that the crash is not related to Ethiopian Airlines' safety record." Forensic DNA work for identifications of the remains recovered so far has not yet begun, Asrat said. The dead came from 35 countries. AP writers Elias Meseret and Yidnek Kirubel in Hejere, Ethiopia, Tom Krisher in Detroit and Cathy Bussewitz and Alexandra Olson in New York contributed to the story. What to Know Butterball is recalling nearly 80,000 pounds of raw ground turkey products that may be contaminated with a certain strain of Salmonella The prepackaged raw ground turkey was produced on July 7 and shipped to institutional and retail locations nationwide Health officials say they're concerned the turkey may be in people's freezers -- and if it's in yours, you're advised to toss it right away Butterball is recalling nearly 80,000 pounds -- 39 tons -- of raw ground turkey products that may be contaminated with a certain strain of Salmonella. Federal officials investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Schwarzengrund infections found Butterball ground turkey samples closely related, genetically, to samples taken from four of five patients in two states, officials said Wednesday. The prepackaged raw ground turkey was produced on July 7 and shipped to institutional and retail locations nationwide. Authorities say they're concerned the turkey could be in people's freezers -- and if that's the case, they're urging the turkey be thrown out or returned to the place of purchase. The following products are subject to recall: 48-oz. plastic wrapped tray containing BUTTERBALL everyday Fresh Ground Turkey WITH NATURAL FLAVORING (85% LEAN/15% FAT) with sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18, lot code 8188, and UPC codes 22655-71555 or 22655-71557 represented on the label. 48-oz. plastic wrapped tray containing BUTTERBALL everyday Fresh Ground Turkey WITH NATURAL FLAVORING (93% LEAN/7% FAT) with sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18, lot code 8188 and UPC code 22655-71556 represented on the label. 16-oz. plastic wrapped tray containing BUTTERBALL everyday Fresh Ground Turkey WITH NATURAL FLAVORING (85% LEAN/15% FAT) with sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18, lot code 8188 and UPC code 22655-71546 represented on the label. 16-oz. plastic wrapped tray containing BUTTERBALL everyday Fresh Ground Turkey WITH NATURAL FLAVORING (93% LEAN/7% FAT) with sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18, lot code 8188 and UPC codes 22655-71547 or 22655-71561 represented on the label 48-oz. plastic wrapped tray containing Kroger GROUND TURKEY FRESH 85% LEAN 15% FAT with sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18, lot code 8188, and UPC code 111141097993 represented on the label. 48-oz. plastic wrapped tray containing FOOD LION 15% fat ground turkey with natural flavorings with sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18, lot code 8188 and UPC code 3582609294 represented on the label. Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella can cause salmonellosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. The most common symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating the contaminated product. The illness usually lasts four to seven days. Most people recover without treatment. In some people, however, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Older adults and infants are more likely to develop a severe illness. Get more details here. What to Know A 27-year-old Indiana man has been arrested in his hometown in connection with a 2017 hit-run that hurt a 7-year-old NY girl The girl was walking to school in Rockland County on Nov. 21, 2017 when she was hit; she appeared to have suffered a broken leg The suspect, Carlos Osvaldo Garcia-Gonzalez, is awaiting extradition to New York; it wasn't clear if he had an attorney A 27-year-old man has been apprehended by U.S. Marshals in Indiana in connection with a hit-run in Rockland County more than a year ago that injured a 7-year-old girl on her way to school. Carlos Osvaldo Garcia-Gonzalez, who lives in Indiana, was identified as a suspect in the Nov. 21, 2017 hit-run in Congers over the course of an "intensive investigation," Clarkstown police said Thursday. He is awaiting extradition. Officials believe he was the driver who hit the little girl near Lakewood Drive and Lakeland Avenue around 8 a.m. that November morning. The child survived, but she was left with what at the time appeared to be a broken leg. Clarkstown police said they developed information that led to Garcia-Gonzalez over the last 14 months or so and learned where he lived. Then they handed it off to U.S. Marshals, who apprehended the suspect in his hometown of Brazil, Indiana. It wasn't clear what he was doing in New York at the time of the hit-run. "The Clarkstown Police Department applauds the outstanding work of the U.S. Marshals Service for their never ending pursuit of this suspect," Clarkstown Police Chief Raymond McCullagh said in a statement. "You cant come into this community, hit a 7-year-old girl on her way to school, drive away and think we will not do everything in our power to apprehend you. Todays arrest shows the commitment of the law enforcement community throughout the nation." It wasn't immediately clear if Garcia-Gonzalez had an attorney. What to Know More than 70 cellphone stores were robbed in New York City in 2018 alone NYPD officials say companies need to do more to help curb the black market for stolen phones The NYPD said in many cases, a stolen phone is often sold for cheap on the black market More than 70 cellphone stores were robbed in New York City in 2018 alone. There are thousands of other cases of cellphone thefts each year as well. Many of the incidents are violent. Like a man punched and knocked out in Cypress Hills for his phone. Or a 68-year-old Bronx man, beaten for his phone. Of course, there was last months T-Mobile robbery in Queens that ended in the friendly-fire shooting death of Detective Brian Simonsen. The head of the New York City Detectives Endowment Association says mobile phone companies need to do more to help curb the black market for stolen cellphones. "I just find it hard to believe the carriers will activate a stolen cell phone," union president Mike Palladino said. Today it was Detective Simonsen. Tomorrow it could be an innocent civilian. Palladino went so far as to say cellphone companies share some blame in Simonsens tragic death. The technology exists to place stolen phones on a so-called "blacklist." Once on that list, the devices cant make or receive calls on cell networks, reducing the black market for them. If there wasnt a market to resell these phones, this incident would not have occurred, Palladino said. Each phone has its very own IMEI number. Its this code that should end up on the blacklist which is kept by the cell phone trade group, GSMA. But Palladino says wireless companies arent consistently "blacklisting" stolen phones. For example, in October at a T-Mobile store in Queens, 35 phones were stolen at gunpoint. Law enforcement officials tell NBC New York that none were added to the blacklist. Then, last March, a Verizon store was robbed in Queens. Officials say 64 phones were stolen; sources say none of them were on the blacklist. Also in March, another Verizon store was hit in Brooklyn. Forty-seven phones were stolen at that store, and law enforcement sources say that just one phone was found to be on the blacklist. The NYPD said in many cases, a stolen phone is often sold for cheap on the black market. Its frustrating personally, said the NYPDs Chief of Detectives, Dermot Shea. We are in 2019 now, where we still have devices such as cell phones that are such a lucrative target for some wishing to commit crime." The chief added that there is no excuse for the continued spate of robberies, like the T-Mobile hold-up in which Simonsen died. The criminals know something and there is still an incentive to go into these stores and it is with firearms, Shea said. The NYPD said that in 2018, out of 12,913 reported cases of robbery, 40 percent involved the theft of a cellphone. Shea added that carriers and manufacturers have to do more. We are speaking to cellphone carriers and manufacturers to take the incentive away that is putting people in harms way," he said. News 4 reached out to all the major cell phone carriers. As of Wednesday evening, Sprint and AT&T did not provide official responses to requests for comment. T-Mobile deferred News 4 to their lobbying organization, the CTIA The Wireless Association. On behalf of the CTIA, the vice president of cybersecurity and technology, John Marinho, sent the following statement. Our members diligently follow established policies and procedures to ensure that stolen devices are reported to the blacklist and taken out of network service. Last year, U.S. wireless carriers placed almost 3.4 million devices that were reported lost or stolen on the blacklist, including thefts from retail establishments. We continue to partner closely with the NYPD and other law enforcement groups on this important public safety issue. In an official statement, the spokesperson from Verizon said the company is "constantly working to prevent theft, and we've taken significant steps to improve security in our stores. This includes tools that keep phones inoperable until they're activated by our team. Above all, we're always concerned about the safety and security of our customers and employees who may potentially be victims of criminal activity. We'll continue to review, enhance, and focus our security measures to protect our employees and customers." Shea agrees, but saying more can and should be done. In this case, we are speaking to cellphone carriers and manufacturers to take the incentive away that is putting people in harms way," he said. What to Know Human bones found buried behind a home in Queens could reveal a decades-old murder mystery that the NYPD never knew existed A woman called police Monday night to report she knew about a killing that took place in the late 1970s and where the body was buried Sure enough, cops found skeletal remains at the spot; they're so old, though, the medical examiner is bringing in anthropologists to help New details are emerging about the human remains discovered buried behind a home in Queens earlier this week, a find that appears to have unveiled a decades-old murder case the NYPD never knew existed. A torso, hip bones and possible lung and heart tissue were recovered from the yard of the home in Richmond Hill, a law enforcement source familiar with the case told News 4 Thursday. Police believe the person was a man, likely between the ages of 30 and 35, though they have yet to confirm an identity. Cops found the remains Tuesday morning, hours after a woman called police to say she knew about a murder that happened in the late 70s -- and she told them she knew where the body had been buried, the source said. Sure enough, police found the skeletal remains exactly where the woman had said they were -- behind a home on 115th Street, between 89th Avenue and Jamaica Avenue. The bones are so old the medical examiner's office is bringing in anthropologists to help try to identify the person, the source said. At this point, investigators believe the murder happened between 1977 and 1979. It's considered a new case because police didn't know about the killing before the woman called Monday. Cops are now going through old police reports, which were handwritten at the time, and sorting through missing persons reports that may have been filed in the late 1970s. They're also hoping to rely on the missing persons database; if the skeleton's DNA has a match in the system, they might be able to identify the individual, the source said. Right now, it's not clear who the person was or how they died. But authorities are hoping to begin to unravel the mystery. The woman's connection to the case wasn't immediately clear. A neighbor told News 4 he has lived next door for 45 years and doesn't remember anything strange, but is hoping for an arrest. What to Know A 16-year-old boy died and another 16-year-old boy was treated for injuries after the two were found shot in a parking lot on Long Island The teens were found in a rear parking area in Hempstead around 5:48 p.m. on Wednesday, police said Police didnt immediately provide additional details about the shooting or release the name of the boy who died A 16-year-old boy died and another 16-year-old boy was treated for injuries after the two were found in a Long Island parking lot with gunshot wounds, police said. Officers responding to a 911 call found the two teens in a rear parking area on West Columbia Street in Hempstead around 5:48 p.m. on Wednesday, Hempstead police said. The teens were taken to the hospital, where one of them was pronounced dead, police said. The other boy was treated for a non-life threatening gunshot wound, according to police. Police didnt immediately provide additional details about the shooting or release the name of the boy who died. An investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. A newborn baby was found dead in a ditch in South Dakota, but the case went cold. Then a detective picked up the case again 28 years after the crime, NBC News reports. "This case felt solvable, it always felt like we were so close," retired Sioux Falls Detective Michael Webb told NBC News. Ten years after he picked up the case, the baby's mother has been arrested and faces murder charges. The key was DNA and a searchable database that led to a match between the mother and the newborn. DNA technology company Parabon NanoLabs found two possible genetic familial matches using GEDMatch.com, a free open-source website that allows people to upload their genetic information retrieved from genetic testing companies like 23andMe and Ancestry to find other relatives or for research. Results from the open-source database together with old wedding and birth announcements allowed investigators to build "limited" family trees, eventually leading them to Theresa Bentaas the baby's biological mother, who still after nearly four decades lived in Sioux Falls. Perhaps Lori Loughlin should have asked her daughter if she even wanted to go to college. Olivia Jade Giannulli, the 19-year-old daughter of the Full House star who is facing arrest as part of a college admissions scheme, came under fire just last year for dismissive comments she made showing indifference toward attending the University of Southern California, where she is a freshman. The comments, which Giannulli later apologized for, resurfaced as Loughlin faces charges for participating in a college admissions cheating scam. In a YouTube video answering fan questions, the teen who has her own popular YouTube channel pondered how she would juggle academic life while flying to Fiji, New York, and other locations for work. I dont know how much of school Im gonna attend but Im gonna go in and talk to my deans and everyone, and hope that I can try and balance it all, Giannulli said near the five-minute mark. But I do want the experience of like game days, partyingI dont really care about school, as you guys all know. Users immediately took to the comment section to vent their frustration with the current University of Southern California students statements. This video shows how shallow this girl is, one commenter wrote. There are legit kids having to work and sacrifice their entire childhood without an education, and here she is stealing spots in college from people who actually who want an education and benefit their future...so disappointed. Other users called her spoiled and undeserving. Many described their own struggles to get into and succeed in college, Wow, so many people cant even afford college, and youre going to a UC and paying 50K a year for "parties" and "game days, another user wrote, referring to the University of California campuses. Something like that may sound completely normal to you, but for most people, they can't even imagine it. After two days, Giannulli posted an apology video, where she calls comments the comments super ignorant and stupid. It totally came across that Im not grateful for college Im going to a really nice school. And it just kind of made it seem like I dont care, I just want to brush it off, Im just gonna be successful at YouTube and not have to worry about school, Giannulli said in the black-and-white video. Im just really disappointed in myself. On Tuesday, commenters have returned to point out the irony in the video in light of the charges against Loughlin, who is among 50 people charged in a $25 million college entrance exam cheating scheme. Loughlin and husband Mossimo Giannulli allegedly agreed to pay $500,000 in bribes to increase their two daughters chances of being accepted into the University of Southern California. The family allegedly faked photos of one of her daughters to falsely claim that she was on the L.A. Marine clubs rowing team, according to the NBC News report. A spokesperson for Loughlin refused to comment on the charges when contacted by NBC News. Loughlin has already been made the subject of memes on social media, with many based on Loughlins role as Aunt Becky in the ABC sitcom Full House. If you squint, you can see Alcatraz. pic.twitter.com/InxC8mKmCo Archbishop Deshaies (@HouCounterplot) March 12, 2019 Another familiar celebrity face, Desperate Housewives star Felicity Huffman, paid $15,000 to get one of their daughters unlimited time for her SAT test, NBC News reported. Both Loughlin and Huffman were charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services fraud. What to Know A worker at Little Friends Daycare is accused of sexually assaulting four children between the ages of 3 and 7 at the day care. James Anthony Battista is charged with rape of a child, unlawful contact with a minor, aggravated indecent assault, and other offenses. Investigators believe more victims are out there and encourage them to come forward. A man who worked at a now-closed suburban day care with his wife is accused of sexually assaulting several young children. James Anthony Battista, 70, is charged with rape of a child, unlawful contact with a minor, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault and endangering the welfare of children. Battista is accused of raping at least four children, between the ages of 3 and 7, at Little Friends Daycare, the in-home day care that his wife owned in Penn Township, Chester County. The alleged assaults occurred between 2006 and 2009. Little Friends Daycare was located near Penn London Elementary School and Avon Grove Intermediate School in West Grove. The investigation first began in August of 2009 when the first victim came forward accusing Battista of sexually assaulting her. A second victim came forward in April, 2010. "No charges were brought forth back then," Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Stefano Gallina said. "The victims were 3 and 4. A decision was made based on that and other factors to hold off on prosecution at that time." The business later closed and Battista and his wife moved to Delaware County in 2010, according to police. "To have a pedophile so close ... it's sickening," Sandra Laxton, Battista's former neighbor, told NBC10. Two more victims later came forward, accusing Battista of sexually assaulting them when they were children. The latest allegation was made on June 14 of last year. Battista was arrested on Wednesday during a traffic stop in Drexel Hill. He was arraigned and remanded to the Chester County Prison on $500,000 straight bail pending a preliminary hearing on March 19. Police announced Thursday that they believe more victims are out there. "Due to the severity of the crimes and the fact that Battista came into contact with numerous children over the years, we have reason to believe that there are more victims that have yet to come forward," Pennsylvania State Police Lt. William Donahue said. Trooper Gallina had a message for potential victims. "We are there for you," he said. "You may be scared. You may not want to come forward but we will keep your anonymity as best we can. And we will investigate whatever crime occurred to you to the fullest extent." If you believe you've been victimized by Battista or know someone who was, please call Trooper Gallina at (610) 268-2022. What to Know Ex-NJ priest and teacher who was credibly accused of sexual abuse was found shot to death in his Nevada home Saturday, authorities said Clark County Coroners Office confirmed John M. Capparelli, 70, was found dead when Henderson Police Department conducted a welfare check He is among the clergy listed by Archdiocese of Newark who were credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors in the Archdiocese of Newark." A former New Jersey priest and teacher who was credibly accused of sexual abuse was found shot to death in his Nevada home over the weekend, authorities said. The Clark County Coroners Office confirmed that John M. Capparelli, 70, was found dead Saturday when the Henderson Police Department conducted a welfare check in a residence around 9:30 a.m. A preliminary investigation indicates the victim died in suspicious circumstances, and the incident is being investigated as a homicide, police say. They added that a suspect has not been identified at this time and police are following up on developed leads. Capparelli is among the clergy listed by the Archdiocese of Newark who were credibly accused of sexual abuse of minors in the Archdiocese of Newark. Last month, the five dioceses in New Jersey released names of priests who were credibly accused of sexually abusing minors in incidents that dated back to 1940. The Archdiocese of Newarks list reports Capparelli as having had multiple victims. He was ordained in 1980 and was assigned to churches around New Jersey, including: Our Lady of Fatima, North Bergen; Oratory Prep, Summit; Holy Trinity, Westfield; and St. Theresa, Kenilworth. He was also a temporary chaplain at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, according to the archdiocese. Capparelli was permanently removed from ministry and laicized, according to the archdiocese. According to NJ.com, Capparelli was accused of groping teenage boys in the 1970s and 1980s when he was active in ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. After he stopped working as a priest, Capparelli began working as a math teacher in Newark public schools in 1993 until allegations surfaced against him in 2011, NJ.com reported. The state ultimately revoked his teaching certificates. In a statement Tuesday, the Archdiocese of Newark said: The Archdiocese of Newark has no information concerning Mr. Capparellis death or any investigation related to his death. The new honorary mayor of Fair Haven, Vermont a 3-year-old goat named Lincoln was officially sworn into office this week. Lincoln was dressed in a sash reading "Mayor" for the Tuesday ceremony at the Fair Haven town offices. Town Clerk Suzanne Dechame and the select board were present to deliver the oath of office. Fair Haven, a town of about 2,500 along the border with New York just west of Rutland, does not have an actual mayor. Town Manager Joseph Gunter says the honorary pet mayor idea was conceived as a fundraiser for a playground, but it turned into a civics lesson for kids. On the way out of the offices, the honorary mayor defecated on the floor leaving clean-up to the police chief and other attendees. A fast-growing San Diego-based chain is expanding again, this time opening locations in Hillcrest and Little Italy focused on the brands main dish: a build-your-own superfood bowl. Everbowl, a quick-serve eatery founded locally in October 2016, is opening two new locations Thursday: one along University Avenue in Hillcrest and the other on India Street in Little Italy. Both locations will offer free bowls to patrons Thursday, valid from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Little Italy eatery, and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Hillcrest spot. Everbowl is known for its craft superfood bowls and smoothies build on base ingredients like acai, pitaya, acerola, and graviola. Patrons can customize those bowls to include liquid mix-ins like cashew milk and coconut water, add-ons like agave, flax, or hemp protein, and healthy toppings such as fresh fruit, almonds, and chia seeds. The build-your-own bowls start at around $9. The freebies at the Hillcrest and Little Italy eateries include bowls built with acai or pitaya, a rep for the company said. Everbowl With these openings, Everbowl will now operate 19 eateries in Southern California. This includes more than a dozen locations spanning San Diego County from San Marcos and Oceanside, to Mission Valley, Bonita, San Diego State University, and Santee. Earlier this year, Everbowl secured $3 million in funding from Toronto-based private equity firm, Serruya Private Equity. In the past, Serruya has worked with brands like Pinkberry, Jamba Juice and Cold Stone Creamery, among others. At the time of that announcement, Everbowl said it planned to use the funding towards its 2019 expansion plans in California and to possibly expand to other states like Arizona and Nevada. That growth, the chain said, would also include opening as many as 45 Everbowl locations this year. The mother of a toddler whose disappearance prompted the biggest criminal investigation in Maine history says she's been unable to locate the father. In a Facebook post that has gone viral, Trista Reynolds wrote that no one can find Justin DiPietro, who reported then-20-month-old Ayla Reynolds missing in 2011 in Waterville. Court documents show DiPietro's last known address was in Winnetka, California. State police have long believed the girl is dead, and a judge declared her legally dead in 2017. Reynolds has blamed DiPietro for the toddler's death. But the body has never been found and no charges have been filed. Last year, Reynolds filed a wrongful death lawsuit but she says her team is running out of time to serve DiPietro with legal papers. She asked for information about his whereabouts in her social media plea. Maine toddler Ayla Reynolds has been missing for five years, and her mother says she may have to wait even longer for answers in her daughters death. Reynolds also said she seeks to depose DiPietro's sister and his ex-girlfriend, who were with DiPietro at the time of Ayla's disappearance. Investigators say those three people have not been forthcoming and may hold the key to the case. "I hope they do kind of contradict each other [in their testimony] and someone slips," Reynolds said in 2017. "I hope somebody tells the truth." A Virginia woman who admitted putting her blood in her sons nose and mouth while he was in the hospital said she did it because she wanted her son to get attention from the hospital staff. Elizabeth Malone, a mother of three from Fairfax County, pleaded guilty to child abuse Wednesday. She denies any intention to harm her child, her attorney told the judge. She loves her child like any mother. Malone had recently moved from Texas to Fairfax County when her disabled 5-year-old son, who is unable to speak, was hospitalized at Inova Fairfax last spring. Malone often disagreed with his treatment, but she liked the response she saw once when the boy was bleeding. Thats why she injected her son with her own blood to recreate those symptoms, her defense said. But the prosecution said the injections left the child with infections and high fevers. In April, after a nurse saw a syringe hidden in Malones shirt sleeve and a bloody napkin in the bathroom, a camera was installed in the boys room. Video played in court shows Malone using a syringe to inject blood into the childs trach tube and central line. Police watched the video and arrested Malone. In a police interview, Malone first denied doing anything to her son, but she broke down in tears and admitted it when detectives told her they had it on video. I don't want to intentionally cause him harm, she said. I know I did, I know I did. Punish me but please let me see my children again. Since Malone has been in jail, her little boys condition has improved dramatically, and he is now attending school, the prosecution said. Malone will be sentenced in mid-July. What if a high school girl in Virginia is the key to discovering hundreds of new planets? Ana Humphrey, a senior at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, won one of the nation's top honors for student scientists on Tuesday. Humphrey, 18, took home $250,000 and the top prize in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, which bills itself as the oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. Humphrey is the first Hispanic first-place winner in 20 years. Video footage shows her grinning as streamers rained down on her. The longtime student scientist and self-proclaimed "space nerd" developed a mathematical model to determine possible locations of planets outside our solar system, called exoplanets. "Hypotheses in the field say planetary formation creates dynamically packed systems, so Ana used her model to find 'unpacked' spaces where as many as 560 new planets might fit, and identified 96 locations as primary search targets," the Society for Science & the Public explained in a statement. "Her research could aid our understanding of the formation of planets and inform our search for life in outer space." It wasn't until 10th grade that Dr. Mareena Robinson Snowden was pushed to embrace her math skills But then she went on to become the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's first African-American female graduate to earn a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering. CORRECTION (Feb. 26, 10 a.m.): An earlier version of this text misspelled Dr. Robinson Snowden's first name. Humphrey, who plans to become an astrophysicist, said her overall dream is simple. "My goal has always been to do good science," she told News4. Humphrey told the Alexandria Times last year that she fell in love with science as a seventh-grader. "I really started enjoying science fairs and the process of creating a project and learning really in depth about a particular topic," she said. "It was just the thing I wanted to do." News4 examines the stories of women of color breaking barriers from politics to science and the arts. Her mom, Luisa Tio, compared her to Harry Potter. "You know in the first Harry Potter movie when hes taking that first class in flying?" she said. "Thats how I feel about Ana with math. Something thats really hard for normal people just doesnt seem to be too hard for her." Federal prosecutors have requested copies of communications Michael Cohen had with a New York attorney who broached the possibility of a pardon from President Donald Trump, the attorney said Wednesday. The attorney, Robert J. Costello, released a statement disputing Cohen's claim that Trump "dangled" a presidential pardon in front of Cohen before he began cooperating with federal prosecutors and special counsel Robert Mueller. "We have documents to back our position up, and are preparing to provide these to the U.S. Attorney's office, who has asked for them," Costello said in the statement. The statement referred to Cohen's account of the pardon discussions as "utter nonsense." Federal prosecutors requested emails and documents from Costello last week amid an investigation into "possible violations of federal criminal law," The New York Times reported Wednesday, citing a copy of the request. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan declined to comment. Attorneys for Trump and Cohen have offered dueling versions of events about the pardon talks and whether Cohen misled a congressional committee during testimony last month. Trump last week called Cohen, his former personal attorney, a liar and alleged in a tweet that Cohen "directly asked" for a pardon. Costello, in an interview with CNN Wednesday, said it was Cohen who raised the specter of a pardon, and said he brought the matter up with Trump's legal team even though he thought it was premature at the time. Costello was not retained by Cohen but had several conversations with him after the FBI raided Cohen's home and office last April. Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani confirmed that Costello, a former federal prosecutor, reached out to him after the raid. "My answer was the president is not going to consider or give any pardons now," Giuliani told The Associated Press. "As I have said in the past, the president has the right to, and that doesn't mean he won't consider it when the investigation is over." Costello did not respond to repeated messages from The Associated Press. Lanny Davis, an attorney for Cohen, declined to comment. Costello's remarks came a day after Cohen's lawyers sent a letter to the House Oversight Committee seeking to clarify Cohen's testimony last month that he never sought a pardon from the president. Cohen declared under oath Feb. 27, "I have never asked for, nor would I accept, a pardon from President Trump." But his attorney Michael Monico told the committee in a letter Tuesday that Cohen asked his lawyer to explore the possibility of a pardon before Cohen left a joint-defense agreement and turned against Trump last June. Associated Press writers Jonathan Lemire and Michael R. Sisak contributed to this report. A Massachusetts man was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, and authorities say the police response to this incident launched a lockdown of a western Massachusetts college campus Wednesday night. The man, only identified as a 27-year-old Amherst resident, was found dead in a wooded area on Mill Lane near Groff Park in Amherst, according to the Northwestern district attorney's office. The lockdown at nearby Amherst College was lifted by 10:45 p.m. Foul play is not suspected in this shooting, according to the DA, and the official cause of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing. If you are in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting 'Home' to 741741. There's no need to panic during geometry. A Maine math teacher has you covered. Biddeford High School teacher Jon Jacques is continuing his tradition of celebrating Pi Day with parodies of popular songs, this year with his revision of "High Hopes" by Panic! at the Disco. His version is called, "Pi Hopes." Jacques is always fired up about the faux holiday on March 14 that celebrates the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, or 3.14. He said his goal is to have fun and make math accessible to everyone, not just "geeks." His past Pi Day efforts have parodied Michael Jackson's "Thriller," Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive," and Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." Get ready to scoot your way around Brookline, Massachusetts! Town officials reached a deal with Lime and Bird Scooters to launch a pilot program in the community starting April 1. "Our hope and expectation is that it will, and will be a successful program once we see the demand," Hachem Alaoui Soce, Lime's Northeast general manager, said Wednesday. Both Bird's and Lime's scooters work in conjunction with a phone-based app that unlocks the electric scooters. Lime says it will initially launch 100 of the electric scooters around Brookline, but that could go up based on demand. The scooters can go up to 15 mph. Bird launched scooters in Somerville and Cambirdge last summer, only to pull them out after town officials in both complained about the lack of an agreement. "Bird is thrilled to bring our fun and environmentally friendly transportation option to Brookline this spring," a Bird spokesperson said. "We look forward to doing the same for Brookline. We have been working closely with city officials as they move forward with this pilot program and we applaud their leadership on the important issue of transportation innovation." Lime officials say scooter users should use bike lanes when possible, and never ride on the sidewalk. "If it is anything like the rest of the world, it should catch on, it is convenient, affordable, reliable sustainable, and that really speaks to people," Alaoui Soce said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 11) Malacanang on Monday retracted its earlier statement that Alexander Balutan was fired as Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager amid allegations of corruption. In a statement Monday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo now revealed Balutan has resigned "out of delicadeza." "We wish to clarify that former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Alexander Balutan has indeed tendered his resignation through a letter submitted to the Office of the President," Panelo said in his statement. "Mr. Balutan resigned out of delicadeza because of, as we have said, serious allegations of corruption in the PCSO. He has requested the President for a fair and impartial investigation to ferret out the truth on the matter." Reports that Balutan was relieved from his post circulated on Friday. PCSO Deputy Spokesperson Florante Solmerin claimed the former general manager resigned due to "personal reasons." But in a statement later that day, Panelo said that he was fired due to "serious allegations of corruption." Panelo on Monday clarified that Balutan's letter was only formally received by the Office of the President after the Palace had already released its first statement. "We hope this sets the record straight on the timeline of what transpired," Panelo added. Balutan's stint as the general manager of the PCSO was marred by accusations of improper spending, especially on the government agency's Christmas party at luxury five-star hotel EDSA Shangri-la. Balutan admitted that they spent 6.3 million for the party for their 1,580 employees and guests. The Commission on Audit, in its 2017 audit report, also flagged the "extravagant expenditure" for the Christmas party, saying the state lottery firm could have held it at a much cheaper venue. The state audit agency also found that the PCSO's 5.89 billion charity fund was not used for charity programs and was overspent by officials. Balutan is a former Marine general who availed of early retirement in anticipation of an appointment to the Bureau of Corrections. Duterte instead appointed him to the PCSO in 2016. CNN Philippines' Ina Andolong, Alyssa Rola, and Xave Gregorio contributed to this report. A weak wave of low pressure crossed New England with a few intense snow showers from Vermont to Maine Wednesday night, leaving some areas of snowy and damp ground. That damp ground turned a little bit icy in a few spots, but it is melting rapidly Thursday morning. It was pretty much a warm front Wednesday night. Counterclockwise flow around that huge storm out west is generating wind the south here Thursday, gusting past 25 mph. Temperatures are going to top 50 degrees in a lot of spots, with a good amount of sunshine. We'll experience significant snow melt on Thursday. Clouds return Thursday night, with a few rain showers and some patchy fog and drizzle, low temperature above freezing, mostly in the 40s. An old front around the big storm is coming into western New England Friday, but its losing its energy, and just a few showers are possible. It is a mostly cloudy day with a high temperature close to 60 degrees. Wind from the south may gust past 40 mph. We have low pressure that may develop on the front near Cape Cod late in the day, resulting in a heavier burst of rain or thunderstorm in southeastern New England by the evening. For most of New England rainfall of less than 1/4 of an inch is anticipated, which is good news because too much rain along with the snowmelt could result in flooding, but it looks like we will not have too much flooding this go around. Colder air works in up in the sky Friday night, meaning snow showers for the mountains. Otherwise, slow clearing with a low temperature mostly in the 30s to low 40s. Other than clouds and some upslope snow in higher elevations of western and northern New England, Saturday looks like a nice day with a mixture of sun and clouds and a high temperature again close to 50 degrees. [NATL] Extreme Weather Photos: Record Heat Threatens Europe An additional cold front passes through Saturday night pushing the temperature back down to freezing for many of us. Saint Patricks day Sunday looks bright and brisk with a high temperature close to 40 degrees, wind from the northwest 15 to 20 mph. The weather map next week features little impulses of low pressure, mostly missing to the west and south. We'll be tracking an arctic air mass coming into Southeastern Canada. That may produce some weather here around the first day of spring, which is on Wednesday. Its also the full moon, and theres a possibility for a large ocean storm developing at that time. But at this point, it looks like it may stay offshore. Its definitely something to keep an eye on in our First Alert 10 Day-Forecast. A Massachusetts community helped its police department say goodbye to its K-9 that had been battling an untreatable form of cancer with a final ride through the town on Thursday. Saugus Police K-9 Bruin's "One Final Ride" kicked off just after 11:30 a.m. with a procession of 30 police cruisers taking him through the streets of Saugus and other North Shore communities until they reached the VCA Wakefield Animal Hospital in Wakefield in the early afternoon. Bruin, a 9-year-old German shepherd, was diagnosed with an untreatable cancer in February, according to officials, and his health quickly declined. He was 9 years old when he died Thursday. NBC10 Boston's SkyRanger caught residents lining up along the streets with signs and waiving as the cruisers went past. "We fully support the police all the time, but this is something special," Tina Obdens said, who lined up outside town hall. "It's an unconditional love, I think. We want him to know that we appreciate him, his service and everything that he did for us." The K-9 joined the Saugus Police Department in February of 2011, when he was 16 months old, and attended training with his human partner, Officer Timothy Fawcett. NBC10 Boston spoke with Fawcett after the procession. "I've never seen an outpouring like that in my life," Fawcett said. "I feel, sadly, so happy that I was treated like that, my family, my dog, the tribute alone was unbelievable." In addition to being a patrol K-9, Bruin was also trained to detect narcotics. "He had a big heart, but he could do his job," Fawcett said. "He was just a wonderful animal and I feel so blessed." Bruin, who was also an ambassador for the department, enjoyed "a special place in the heart of the community," Saugus' interim Police Chief Ronald Giorgetti said. Saugus Police said the department is also planning to honor K-9 Bruin with a memorial service in the coming days. British Prime Minister Theresa May says Parliament will vote Thursday on whether to seek a delay to Britain's March 29 departure from the European Union. May said lawmakers are at the point where they must approve a withdrawal agreement in coming days and request a short postponement to Brexit day or request a "much longer" extension from the EU to negotiate a new arrangement. The prime minister warned that a long extension would mean Britain would have to take part in European Parliament elections in late May. She says this is not her preferred outcome and urged Parliament to "face up" to the consequences of the decisions it has made. Britain's political crisis sparked anxiety across the European Union on Wednesday as fears rose that Britain would crash out of the bloc on March 29 without a withdrawal agreement to smooth the way. Residents, businesses and politicians across Britain and the bloc were bracing for a chaotic Brexit after British lawmakers rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit agreement for a second time by a decisive 391-242 vote on Tuesday. Parliament was due to vote later Wednesday on whether to rule out leaving the EU on March 29 without a deal though that won't eliminate the risk it could happen anyway. As Britain teeters ever closer to the edge of the Brexit cliff, lawmakers are trying to seize control from the divided and squabbling government, although it's far from clear if they can agree on a way forward. There are competing factions that support May's deal, a "softer" deal that would keep close ties with the EU, a no-deal Brexit, or even a new referendum on Britain's EU membership. A weakened May, her authority shredded by successive Brexit defeats in Parliament, said her Conservative lawmakers could vote Wednesday night according to their conscience, rather than having to follow a party line. Even her voice was almost gone. Environment Secretary Michael Gove opened the House of Commons debate as a stand-in for the prime minister, who was hoarse as she answered questions earlier in the day. Opposition Labour Party Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said "a no-deal Brexit could be terminal for Britain's manufacturing." He said May's "mantra of 'my deal or no deal' needs to be dead and buried tonight." Across the Channel, top EU officials warned that the prospect of no deal could not be eliminated unless the U.K. Parliament approved some type of exit deal. By law, Britain will leave the EU on March 29, with or without a deal, unless it cancels Brexit or secures a delay from the EU. "The risk of a no-deal has never been higher," chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier said. "I urge you please not to underestimate the risk or its consequences," he told European lawmakers in Strasbourg, France. Both Britain and the EU have ramped up planning for a no-deal Brexit, which would rip up decades of rules for travel and trade between Britain and the bloc. Economists say it could cause huge upheaval, with customs checks causing gridlock at U.K. ports, new tariffs triggering sudden price increases and red tape for everyone from truckers to tourists. The U.K. government announced its plans for the Irish border in the event of a no-deal Brexit, saying it wouldn't impose new checks, duties or controls on goods coming from EU member Ireland into Northern Ireland. It also said it wouldn't slap tariffs on 87 percent of goods coming into Britain from the EU though there would be new levies on imports of some items including meat and cars. The tariffs, intended to be temporary, wouldn't apply to goods crossing from Ireland to Northern Ireland, raising fears the plan would spark a rise in smuggling. In Irish border communities and U.K. ports, no-deal anxiety was mounting. "Potentially it is going to be a nightmare," said Michael Eddy, a district councilor who lives in the aptly named town of Deal, a few miles from the major Channel port of Dover on England's south coast. He says local authorities have modeled potential disruptions and believe that even "a two-minute delay for every truck going through the port of Dover" would lead to a 50-mile (80-kilometer) traffic jam. "What then happens with local people wanting to go about their business, wanting to get to hospitals, wanting to get their kids to school, all of that kind of stuff?" he said. U.K. Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay told the BBC the government was prepared but acknowledged "no-deal is going to be very disruptive for the economy." Carolyn Fairbairn, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry, said the no-deal arrangements would be "a sledgehammer for our economy." If a no-deal Brexit is ruled out, Parliament will vote Thursday on whether to ask the EU to delay Britain's departure. The EU openly exasperated by Britain's continuing Brexit crisis warned that the U.K. would need to present a strong reason for any extension. "I am against every extension whether an extension of one day, one week, even 24 hours if it's not based on a clear opinion of the House of Commons for something," said the European Parliament's chief Brexit official, Guy Verhofstadt. "Please make up your minds in London, because this uncertainty cannot continue." The European Parliament, meanwhile, approved measures to ameliorate the immediate hardships of a no-deal Brexit. It backed emergency plans to provide continuity for everything from air, port and road traffic to foreign students to the fishing industry. The U.K. Parliament has twice rejected the withdrawal agreement that May spent two years negotiating with the EU, and the bloc insists there will be no more talks. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas issued a warning to British lawmakers. "Whoever rejects the (Brexit) agreement plays with the welfare of their citizens and the economy in a reckless way," he said. Yet May has not given up on a third attempt to get her deal through Parliament again. "I am confident that we will do a deal," said U.K. Treasury chief Philip Hammond. Many Britons wish they could share his optimism. "I think that a bit of unity would be helpful now," said Katharine Beaugie, an artist in Dover. "It would be much better if we could have found some sort of decision." Renee Graham, Danica Kirka, Frank Jordans and Angela Charlton contributed. School says funding challenges mean crowdfunding is only way to provide learning tool A THATCHAM school is looking to augment its pupils learning experience by investing in virtual reality (VR) technology but it needs your help. Spurcroft Primary School wants to bring virtual and augmented reality headsets into the classroom and it has launched a crowdfunding bid to raise the money. The school said that the technology would improve childrens outcomes through increased engagement and better knowledge retention through personal experience. It added that its vision was to create future ready learners equipped with the ICT and computing skills to help them throughout their life. The school said that VR could take children on a tour of the Egyptian pyramids or for a trip underwater. Assistant headteacher Jo Philp said: We want the technology to be able to enhance childrens learning and be able to take them to places they may never see in real life and VR gives us the opportunity to do this. It is a tool which brings learning to life, making it memorable and enjoyable for children. Our school budget is allocated to giving children access to chromebooks and iPads as tools for learning and having VR headsets would allow us to give children opportunities above and beyond the capabilities of these current learning tools. The school needs to raise 1,528 for a set of four headsets for the benefit of 480 pupils. In its application, Spurcroft said that school funding is challenging and the only opportunity to bring this exciting resource is through crowdfunding. The school is fundraising on Rocket Fund, a free crowdfunding platform, which has helped 300 schools raise more than 200,000. If Spurcroft receives more than its target, it would like to buy resources for its Early Years Foundation Stage, including a light box. You can make a donation by visiting https://spsr.me/DJNb 'I voted to make it absolutely clear so that we would not be leaving without a deal and putting the needs of my constituency first' RICHARD Benyon rebelled against his party line last night after the Government was forced to whip its own MPs into voting against its own motion. The Government had proposed a motion to not leave the EU without a deal on March 29, but included the option of a no-deal Brexit at a later time. But before the main vote, MPs backed an amendment to reject the UK leaving without a deal under any circumstances by a majority of four. Mr Benyon was absent from the vote. However, the vote is not legally binding as the UK could still leave without a deal on March 29. MPs then voted down the Malthouse compromise, proposed by North West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse, to delay Brexit until May 22 to enable a managed no-deal Brexit. Again, Mr Benyon was absent from the vote. The results meant that the Government's proposal had to be changed to include no deal under any circumstances, with Conservative MPs being whipped into voting against the motion. Mr Benyon defied the party whip and voted for the amended motion. Reading West MP Alok Sharma, Mr Malthouse and Wokingham MP Sir John Redwood voted against the amended motion. Explaining his reasons, Mr Benyon said: "I have tried to be consistent throughout. I will continue to vote for the Prime Minister's deal at every opportunity I get. "I am respecting the result of the referendum, but the referendum did not ask us whether we wanted to leave with or without a deal. "Leaving without a deal would be very damaging to my constituency, so I was not happy with the Government's amendment last night because I thought it was equivocal. "I voted to make it absolutely clear so that we would not be leaving without a deal and putting the needs of my constituency first. "I think that the Government amendment would have been seen from both directions. That's not what the Prime Minister said the previous night and therefore I voted the way I did." When asked why he abstained from the Malthouse compromise, he said: "I am a good friend and admirer of Kit Malthouse but I don't think his option will work because the EU has said it won't work, therefore I was not going to support it and I didn't want to vote against it as I think Kit has done a good job of bringing people across Parliament together. "It came down to the Government motion as amended. I couldn't vote against that and I couldn't vote against him and his amendment, which meant voting against my party whip." MPs will vote today on whether to extend Article 50 past March 29. Theresa May has indicated that she will try and push her twice-defeated deal through the Commons again, although an amendment has been tabled to stop this. Mr Benyon said: "I will continue to support the Prime Minister leaving with a deal. If that comes to a vote next week then I will totally support it. "I think the deal is perfectly good enough to all those who voted to leave the EU and those, who like me, voted to remain." But when asked whether he should back his remain-voting constituency, Mr Benyon said: "I am a democrat. It was a national referendum and my side lost. "Many, many more constituencies voted leave than remain. On that basis we would have left with the hardest possible Brexit. People should be careful about what they wish for. "I am responding as best I can by supporting the result of the national referendum and that we leave sensibly with a deal." This post was updated on . Before Google, you just had to know the www address of the sites you could be interested in. It was fun. It helped be focus on the sites I was really interested about. I could easily find the sites for the famous stuff and products I needed. And I could email my friends. The internet was much more limited than what it became later. When Google took off, many people wondered how could they live before it. Now you could find everything much more efficiently than the other search engines could. The other search engines were awful in comparison. You still had to search and be lucky in finding the cintent you were looking for (by the way, Google, STILL has that Im feeling lucky button I STILL dont know what the fuck is about). Google magically found it immediately. Then Google became the monster it is now. Their algorythm was great, yes, but obviously they change it every hour. They refine it. And now Google sells phones, and products, with all that relatively useless and morally ambiguous AI tech. Google has the monopoly on the whole fucking internet. We all know that, those with a brain. And those with intellectual honesty and moral fiber know this isnt looking good. Google spies over people way too much, to begin. It is too intrusive. That wouldnt be much of a problem to me as I dont have anything to hide. But Google has lost its way and is not providing helpful tech anymore. Google doesnt want you to control it, but Google wants to control you. It wants to predict your very thoughts and then tell you what you think. Google is much closer to the Big Brother than Apple and Amazon, the other tech giants, who simply focus on the commerce of products. They might be politicized, and of course have a left-oriented gay agenda, but with Google it goes beyond. I knew it would happen. It starts with the search results. For a while I have noticed that the quality of my search results using Google was getting lower and lower. I was not finding the stuff I wanted like I used to. Google made the algorythm too contorlling of the results. It gives me what it wants me to give me. I feel I am back to the 90s, when I had to know the address of the site I wanted or find it via recommendations of other sites. Fucking circles of sites leading to other sites. Google announced it but people around me keep forgetting the news they heard a few months before, as they got distracted by those later (nobody around me talks about the dark web kidnap case of that british instagram model, which was everything they would talk about two months ago. They also dont talk about tye Texas shooting anymore, but consider I am not in the States. The ADD is obviously still there for modern news consumers in general. They tend to forget the things happened right before too easily and this too is getting worse and worse. Google announced it a while ago just like ISIS announced it would flood Europe with migrants and when it happened nobody remembered that and connected the dots. Nobody says the migrant crysis is an act of war by ISIS towards Europe, but it is obvious to me. They declared it, they explained, the west forgot. The muslims must be well aware of the stupidity and forgetfulness of westerners, Im sure. Too bad they suck as well. Back to Googles announcement. We must get rid of fake news, me must control the flow of information, too much fake news and racist content, they said. And they definitely put it into practice. Google now only finds me mainstream, factually fucking DUMB popular sites. Everything else is gone, I have to know it on my known or I have no hope of finding it. And it goes well beyond far right websites migrating to the dark web like Stormfront, which I am NOT interested in at all and I could be glad its gone what most people, being the mainstream dulltards they are, dont realize or care about is that EVERYTHING ALTERNATIVE, intelligent, creative, free-spirited, free from their dogmas, myths and misconceptions, is either banned or ignored. Only banality and conversation that doesnt go anywhere is approved. Of course this follows a merchantile logic by which you cater to the wishes of the masses. It is an expression of the foolishness that is the rule of the masses. The masses must NOT rule and decide tastes, ideology and direction! But this is the modern horror anyone above the masses witnesses but of course the masses believe that nobody knows better than them. No entity and no individual is more narcissistic and megalomaniac than the masses. Im talking of more interesting yet not mainstream sites that I previously found through Google, and now Google has out on the back or blacklist. Just consider how the personal blog and the expression of ones articulate opinion is now out of fashion, replaced by the retardedness that is Twitter, which is literally just birds shouting SOUNDS that mean and get to nothing, for its own sake. This is insanity: what are you achieving by shouting a few words without PROVING any of them and then having some thousands monkeys expressing their I agree with their stupid thumb-up or heart? How does this lead to sanity, wosdom and understanding? It promotes the exact opposite: ignorance, delusion and confirmation bias fucking literally. Is Twitter designed with this very goal in mind? Of making people more and more deluded their completely false ideas are true because, hey, so many people agree with me! Its a basic logical fallacy, to believe an assertion is true just because others believe it. Its a factual fallacy, its not an opinion. And people ignore that fact. Whats the good outcome of this system? Why the fuck does Twitter exist, what need does it serve? I can understand Facebook even though it falls for the same mistake, but who the fuck WANTS to be limited to 140 character or whatever? I never understood the appeal pf such restriction but see, apparently most people WANT TO BE SLAVES, want restrictions to their creativity, simply because they have none. They want creativity to not be any standard by which they are judged. I still judge them according to that one criteria. No creativity and loving the few characters that prevent you from actually forming your thought, premise, analysis and conclusion means youre fucking stupid and have nothing valid to say, as simple as that. That you have no arguments. You cant make an argument on Twitter, there just isnt the space. People just shout, or tweet. Its certainly below what human communication should be. Also I am surprised I havent seen more criticism of Twitter specifically, but certainly some other people agree with me on this one. That Twitter is the most fucking retarded communication tool ever created. Even gestures performed by monkeys are superior. You cant even do that there. Emoticons? Only immature teenage girls can actually fight for them and think theyre a proper communication method. They arent for anyone evolved. Why is nobody saying this? At least nobody in the mainstream or that Google gives me to read. I know thatmy elementary school teachers would agree with me on both emoticons and twitter. And no this doesnt mean being backwards. It means caring about proper communication between humans, and logic. Apparently most people dont. They just expect you to believe theyre good enough and have no criticism. It takes a lot of imagination to believe common people using Twitter like its character limit was a good thing arent fucking stupid. Unless I am the stupid one...can anyone please tell me how the character limit is a good thing in terms of expressing an idea?!? And its not like I have ever seen anyone making great-author quality aphorisms there, of the eternally quotable kind. People are incapable of that kind of synthesis, they lack the required life experience. Google has definitely changed. Again, only mainstream and popular sites which as anyone with a brain knows, they are the ones most filled with actual false or misleading, certainly not factual, honest and genuine information. Biased as fuck. Google is either fucking stupid enough to not understand that information isnt correct just because it comes from a popular source, and isnt fake news just because it comes from an alternative source...or its censoring those out of pure malice. The premise seems to be that everything not as popular and not as mainstream just isnt as good. Its the dogma of the mainstream normies, the unenlightened person who just hasnt matured enough. Its the dogmas of fucking millennials and teenagers: popularity is value, lack of popularity means its shit. Its the standards of narcissists: popularity as the only value. Its fucking factually pathological. These people are not capable to discern truth. Ok, so I made it longer that it had to be. My point: Google has changed its algorythms and its becoming more and more useless for me to research information freely as I could prior. I really want to stay away from Tor and the dark web as I would rather die than accidentally end up in a child porn website, but at times I wonder if I could find more true information in there. I have always used and loved the internet for its ability of helping me search for THE TRUTH. But the truth is just a laughable word today, huh? Nobody gives a shit about truth. People only care about their solipsism. They dont search facts and truth. They search confirmation bias. Thats all they always used any tool for. Confirming their factual delusions. And Google delivers. And google is taking advantage of peoples lack of interest for the truth, to bring on a full communist big brother agenda, no more no less. Its happening. Googles changes to its search engine I believe are an obvious and relevant aspect, historically speaking even, towards complete mind control and eradication of free and independent thinkers. Mainstream normies are today incredibly intolerant of anything that is not as banal, base and inaccurate as they are. All grit in wanting to know the truth, all actual spirit, all soul in anything, all that is not reduced to petty materialism and comfort, is completely foolish to them and must be banned. To them, a better world is a world without independence of spirit, not even thinking. A narcissistic society that can only be abusive to anyone who doesnt blindly follow the lowest common denominator, anyone with any sense of quality and standards, and any concern for anything higher than sofa and tv. This is a society that hates anyone different, where different is what used to be normal and is normal in absolute, for most people today are factually insane according to those absolute and eternal standards. Google is not finding any political of philisophical content I would be interested in. It is now only useful for the weather, tech news, and the sorts. For the former it is useless, as it censors content obviously with an obvious questionable political bias and agenda. The popular one, the one that is sure to be incorrect to any thinking individual. This isnt democracy even, at all. This is enforcing a leftist agenda which is precisely what communism is. It is high-tech, it is sophisticated, but for the rest is akin to cults, to north korea and soviet russia. It is not a freeand democratic society where any different incouding superior specimen is welcome. Anyone above or below mediocrity is treated the same: he must go. This is the progressively more aggressive mentality of the wealthy liberals who now control society due to being souless emotionally, empathically and socially retarded basic humans who dispose of wealth and power solely due to luck or to skill in tricking the system and becoming wealthy by being parasites who dont offer much of value at all. These are people who never questioned what value is as theyre just servants of mammon: value is money and comfort, nothing else. Theyre philistines and hard core materialists how hypocritical their social justice talking is. And as for those who arent wealthy...theyre as bad, minor soldiers serving the same souless cause aka zombies. This is mainstream modern society and thats all Google now indexes. The internet used to offer me much wanted respite from this retardation, Google isnt helping me with that anymore. He wants me to be normie, or understand I am worthless according to their extremely bigoted and infantile unenlightened standards. An enlightened person knows that the value of man is not in how much he earns and fits into a society of morally retarded zombies. No, they dont know that, they laugh at the idea. And to be clear, most conservatives are as bad. The core sickness is materialism and communism is bad because it is a materialistic stance. Its therefore as bad as conservatism/capitalism as both only think about money and nothing else as its the goal and not the means. They both see no higher goal in life than material wealth. Theyre both evil. I am posting this here in hope of hearing some intelligent insight on the matter. Thank you for reading. I hope my writing isnt too shitty I feel like I have lost my capacity of writing decent english due to not practicing it enough, I dont live in an english-speaking country. edit: just like the least one should expect from a statue is to not move, the least you should expect from the Law, and from a search engine giving you information, is to be impartial and not enforce any ideological bias. I am not a Rightist, I am in the middle, ie impartial. It is obvious that most people endorse mainstream values that today happen to be leftist even if they declare themselves to be alt righters. The Left and Right paradigm creates much confusion here. The Evils are: materialism, philistinism (anything that isnt basic comfort and entertainment is worthless; linked to hedonism) and equality. All three are expressions of hubris, narcissism and the refusal of man to submit to a higher power or even accept that he is fallible. Basically atheism. Equality is the absurd notion that nobody is better than anybody in any meaningful way. Hubristic, arrogant bullshit. It is loved by most people, of course, as they are inferior to those who are good and dont like it, thus invented a mindset according to which they are not inferior. Its a narcissistic lie for the lazy worthless fucktards who unfortunately seem to me to be most modern people. (CNN) The Senate delivered a high-profile rebuke to President Donald Trump over his signature agenda issue Thursday when 12 Republicans joined Democrats to overturn the President's national emergency border declaration. The vote was 59-41, an overwhelming vote against the President's executive action. Lawmakers don't have enough votes, however, to override a certain veto from the President, but passage of the resolution in the Senate after it passed the House last month is nevertheless an embarrassing blow to Trump delivered by his own party over the President's top campaign pledge of a wall at the US-Mexico border. The 12 Senate Republicans who voted in support of the resolution were: Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Marco Rubio of Florida, Rob Portman of Ohio, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Roy Blunt of Missouri, Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Mitt Romney of Utah, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Jerry Moran of Kansas and Mike Lee of Utah. An administration official said plans are underway for Trump to publicly veto the resolution rejecting his national emergency declaration. The official said aides are hashing out a plan for Trump to use his veto pen in front of the cameras as soon as Friday. The setback for the President also comes on the heels of another high-profile break with his administration after the Senate voted just one day earlier to curtail U.S. military support for a Saudi-led war in Yemen, which has created a humanitarian crisis in that country. Senate Republicans have struggled for weeks over how to vote on the resolution to overturn the national emergency. The vote forced many to choose between loyalty to a President unafraid to attack members of his party who defy him and an emergency declaration that conservative critics describe as executive overreach and warn could set a precedent used by Democratic presidents to declare emergencies over liberal priorities such as action on climate change. "Declaring a national emergency to access different funds sets a dangerous new precedent," GOP Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio warned in remarks on the Senate floor ahead of the vote. "It opens the door for future presidents to implement just about any policy they want." The senator went on to say, "a future President could seize industries ... a future President may well say that climate change is a national emergency and use emergency authorities to implement the Green New Deal," referencing a sweeping progressive policy proposal to tackle global warming. Portman announced during his remarks that he would support the resolution, but made a point to say as have many other Republicans that he believes "President Trump is right about the crisis at the border." Republicans had to take a tough vote on the border declaration after House Democrats pushed for a resolution to terminate the national emergency that the President announced last month in an effort to unlock money for wall construction at the southern border. The President declared an emergency when it became clear that Congress would not meet his demand for more than $5 billion in border wall funding. The resolution is privileged, which means that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell could not block it from coming to the floor for a vote. Enough Republican senators had already stated their support for the resolution ahead of Thursday's vote to guarantee it would pass. But the President continued to publicly pressure Republicans to vote against the resolution in the hours leading up to the vote, framing the vote as a choice between supporting border security or siding with liberal Democrats on immigration. A number of GOP senators announced ahead of the vote on Thursday that they would vote in favor of the resolution, including Mitt Romney, Lamar Alexander and Pat Toomey. Prior to the day of the vote, GOP Senators Rand Paul, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Thom Tillis had said they planned to vote for the resolution. In an apparent last-minute reversal, however, Tillis announced just ahead of the vote on Thursday that he would vote against the resolution, despite previously saying he would vote in favor in a Washington Post op-ed. "Today, I come to the floor to say that I do not intend to vote for the resolution of disapproval," the senator said, adding "The White House has been very gracious and I should say very patient given my initial position in working with us." This story was first published on CNN.com, "Senate passes resolution to overturn Trump's national emergency declaration." Who doesnt want 35 acres of Connecticut woods and hills? Well maybe the Town of New Milford. Acreage near Torys Cave might be donated to the town but the town needs to think about it. Rather than a valuable resource, some Town Council members worry the gift would be a financial liability. The land would connect a protected Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust property with the 25 acres donated to the town in 2012, for 170 continuous acres, said Chris Charles, who is representinglandowners Eagle Holdings. It really is the linchpin to this whole area, Charles said. The property is valued at $400,000, and he said it has pristine wetlands, as well as a portion of the Blue Trail a statewide hiking trail. About three acres of it is considered core farmland. But some Town Council members wondered if the town can take on this property, especially as it grapples with state funding cuts and is trying to sell unused properties it already owns. During the councils Monday meeting they requested more information on the site. Councilwoman Katy Francis said the town might not be able to do anything with the property without spending money it doesnt have right now, adding it could be a liability to the town that would require more insurance. She said the property was very sloped and probably couldnt be developed. Council members wondered if this property has been on the market and questioned the precedent of waiving the taxes for this half of the year which the owner is requesting in mid-March. This is the first time this piece has been listed by itself. The entire property was listed a while ago, but 25 acres were donated to the town in 2012 and 22 acres were sold to be developed into condos once the property was cleaned up, Charles said. He said the property has some level parts and though initial access to the property isnt easy, they are working with an engineer about fixing that and creating parking. Charles said the owner wants to donate it to the town, which can determine its best use, while a land trust would focus on preservation. He said Weantinoge wants the property but was unable to come to terms with the owner. Your economic development team has an excellent process for reviewing a piece of land and determining whats the best comprehensive plan for something, he said. Thats something the town of New Milford can bring to the table that a land trust cant do. kkoerting@newstimes.com; 203-731-3345 New Milford Mayor Pete Bass will hold the next coffee with the mayor March 16 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in the E. Paul Martin Meeting Room at Roger Sherman Town Hall at 10 Main St. Residents are invited to come with ideas, questions or concerns, and general conversation. New Milford Mayor Pete Bass will deliver his second annual State of the Town Address on March 28 at 7 p.m. in the E. Paul Martin Meeting Room of Roger Sherman Town Hall. The speech will be presented to a gathering of elected officials, town employees and residents at the Main Street town hall. The New Milford Commission on the Arts will sponsor an Irish music and dance event March 16 in recognition of St. Patricks Day. Live music by Wildcat Creek will be offered and members of the McArdle School of Irish Dance will perform at the Makery Coworking on Bank Street from 1 to 3:30 p.m. A 16-year-old is facing an inducing panic charge after making a threat against Willoughby-Eastlake Schools last week. Eastlake police arrested the suspect in Willowick around 2 a.m., March 7. In a message to district parents, Willoughby-Eastlake Superintendent Steve Thompson said a threat was made late March 6 on social media. The post allegedly stated that North and South high schools would be shot up. The post was reported to the Eastlake and Willoughby police departments. Eastlake police handled the main investigation with the help of Souths student resource officer, Eastlake Det. Sgt. Derrick Stewart said. Willoughby police and Willowick police were also involved in the investigation, Thompson said. Stewart said the juvenile suspect is a student in the school district. In addition to the second-degree felony inducing panic charge, he is also charged with misdemeanors of making false alarms and aggravated menacing. The case is being handled in the Lake County Juvenile Court. Thompson told parents to remind their children that threats made against the schools are taken seriously and the persons making them can be, and generally are, prosecuted by law enforcement agencies. Willoughby-Eastlake does not, and will not, tolerate threats against our schools and our students, Thompson wrote. If it is found that a person making a threat is a student, in addition to legal action, that student is subject to consequences, to include expulsion. Despite the suspects arrest, there was an increased police presence at the two high schools on March 7. It was the second threat made against the district in just over two weeks. On Feb. 20, a 14-year-old Willoughby Middle School student allegedly made a shooting threat against the school. The student was interviewed by Willoughby police and told them he just doesnt like the school and didnt mean anything by it. That suspect is facing charges of second-degree felony inducing panic and misdemeanor resisting arrest. Security at the middle school was increased Feb. 21 as a precautionary measure. Willoughby police also investigated a possible threat against South High School in mid-January. Willoughby Lt. James Schultz said the complainant reported receiving a Snapchat about someone shooting up the school. The student who had found the post, shared it and then notified a parent who contacted the department. It was initially believed the post came from a South High School student, but that turned out to be false. The department along with agencies in Lake, Ashtabula and Cuyahoga counties investigated the threat along with the Cleveland FBI. The FBI was able to locate the source of the post and determined that the threat was not credible. Schultz said the account belonged to a homeschooled student in Cleveland. The students account may have been hacked. No arrests were made, Schultz said. The Willoughby Police Department and the Willoughby-Eastlake School District take all threats of school violence seriously, the department stated in a Facebook post. Please remind your students that threats of school violence should be reported immediately to their parents/teachers and local police department. The department stated that students should not share/repost/retweet the threats on social media. Students who choose to share threats could face criminal delinquency charges and/or school sanctions, the department stated. The only gift that can hold a candle to the gift of life is the kind of gift that can save a life. And when that gift is shared among community members, everyone wins. Recently, the Willoughby Fire Department accepted grant money for eight defibrillators, also referred to as AEDs, effectively equipping all fire department vehicles with the ability to save a life. Area Firehouse Subs restaurants raised just under $12,000 through their program the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation which was given to the department after firefighters applied for the grant and requested AED equipment for eight vehicles that were lacking it. On March 13, the AEDs were presented to the department at Firehouse Subs. Chief Todd Ungar spoke to the firefighters and restaurant staff present. He highlighted that the new AEDs would fill the gaps in the departments fleet of vehicles. The importance behind this is that the American Heart Association calls for firemen to do defibrillation every time someones down in cardiac arrest, Ungar said. This is a very generous donation from Firehouse Subs and we certainly appreciate the awarding of the grant. In closing, Firehouse Area Representative Paul Belle said We know theyll be put to good use. Saving a life is what its all about. Thats what you guys do every day. Willoughby Firehouse Subs Owner Nicholas Kalafatis said that the Firehouse foundation started in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, to provide a charity for the needs of public safety departments. That support comes in the form of grants, Kalafatis said. He said that part of the grant money is generated by reselling the buckets used to ship pickles into Firehouse restaurants. The five-gallon buckets are sold for $2 each. Kalafatis also said that he was glad to be part of the community and that opportunities like the one between Firehouse Subs and the fire department are what he loves about it. The Firehouse foundation has provided other grants to departments in Mayfield Heights, Cleveland Heights, Maple Heights and more, with a total of about $1.9 million raised in Ohio since the foundation began. Mayor Bob Fiala said that the AEDs are beneficial tools to Willoughbys firefighters and that the grant displayed a positive community story. These devices can save lives, Fiala said. So should we have them? Yes. Its a great story about local firefighters coming together and applying for the grant and a local business providing these defibrillators for us, Fiala added. Thats the Willoughby story. BOUQUETS>> To Perry Joint Fire District Chief James McDonald on being recognized as the 2018 Hero of the Year. He probably has been called a hero more than a few times in his long career. But now, he has an award that declares him as the top hero of 2018 as decided in a Facebook competition for local first responders. McDonald, during a March 7 ceremony, received the 2018 Hero of the Year award that he earned in an online contest sponsored by Mormile Agency Inc. of Mentor and the Farmers Insurance Group. Representatives of Mormile Agency Inc. presented McDonald with a plaque, and made financial donations to two causes chosen by the chief. The award was given as part of the annual Thank our Local Heroes Campaign that Mormile and Farmers Insurance launched in 2016. This program provides area residents with an opportunity to nominate a first responder that they consider a local hero in their respective communities. With 36 local heroes being nominated for 2018, Mormile Agency then whittled down the field based on the most likes, comments and other social media interaction generated on its Facebook page for each nominee. At the March 7 award presentation, McDonald thanked an audience that included his wife, Perry firefighters, elected officials from the Perry area and other well-wishers. McDonald chose two recipients to receive equal shares of a $500 charitable contribution from the Mormile Agency. Well done, chief. BOUQUETS>> To Lake Health and University Hospitals on their new collaboration at the Lake Health Beachwood Medical Center. University Hospitals will join the two founding members of Lake Health Beachwood Medical Center Lake Health and Manna Isle Ohio, who developed the hospital in collaboration with more than 20 independent physicians. We agree with Cynthia Moore-Hardy, president and CEO of Lake Health, in the belief that collaboration is part of the culture of health care. We think this partnership is a model that can and should be replicated, she said. The point isnt the structure the point is what were able to do together in collaboration to help patients. This partnership will make healthcare delivery in our region more efficient, cost-effective and simply better for patients we serve. Lake Health and University Hospitals have collaborated for over 20 years to provide cancer services at the Lake Health/University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center in Mentor. We look forward to the facilitys full opening in June, and are hopeful this partnership will prove a success for patients. BRICKBATS>> To those peddling fake oxycodone in Lake County. The county Crime Lab recently finished processing a case with more than 250 oxycodone tablets, something lab officials said is on the rise. Some of the pills in this particular case contained only fentanyl. Some contained fentanyl with the powerful synthetic opioid analogs. Others contained a fentanyl with the seizure and nerve pain medication gabapentin, which is sold under brand names like Neurontin, Gralise and Horizant. Still others contained no controlled substance at all, said Doug Rohde, the labs supervisor of chemistry & toxicology. In recent years, fake oxycodone pills made in clandestine labs in Mexico have been making their way into the U.S. With the presence of fake oxycontin pills locally, the Lake County General Health District stated access to opioid overdose reversal medication naloxone, in conjunction with community treatment and response efforts, is key. We cant say it enough: Drug dealers, be warned. You will be caught and prosecuted. Those in the grip of addictions, help is available. insights from industry Dr. Masoud Toloue Vice President of Applied Genomics PerkinElmer In this interview, Masoud Toloue, vice president of Applied Genomics at PerkinElmer, provides an overview of the chemagic Prime Junior Instrument and gives his inside tips for scientists thinking of purchasing this product. How are nucleic acids typically used by researchers? Recent advances in molecular biology are making a significant impact on clinical diagnosis, drug discovery and other related areas. Methods used by researchers in these fields include NGS for transcriptomics, metagenomics analysis, long-read sequencing, as well as targeted sequencing and PCR analysis. vchal | Shutterstock What are the main challenges for researchers when carrying out an assay such as PCR? Most applications used for analyzing DNA or RNA require high quality input, and many of the challenges researchers face when analyzing nucleic acids are generated during the isolation step. These issues include inhibitor carryover, the fragmentation of the nucleic acid during isolation, cross contamination, and processing bottlenecks. What is the chemagic Prime Junior instrument and how does it address these issues? PerkinElmers chemagic Prime Junior instrument, in combination with the chemagic kits, enables a streamlined workflow from primary sample to ready to use nucleic acids. The instrument performs eluate handling and has reserved deck space for automated PCR, NGS or general assay setup. It is compatible with any human sample materials and delivers clean, high molecular weight DNA ready to use for PCR and NGS analysis. The chemagic Prime Junior instrument uses proprietary chemagen technology to capturing nucleic acids using M-PVA magnetic beads, which are subsequently attracted to metal rods transiently magnetized by an electromagnet. The magnetized rods transfer the M-PVA magnetic beads through the different processing solutions, avoiding potential sample cross-contamination by eliminating the liquid transfer steps used with other nucleic acid extraction technologies. The rod rotation is switched on after deactivation of the electromagnet, leading to efficient and homogeneous resuspension of the particles during the sample resuspension and the subsequent washing steps. This proprietary process allows the chemagic Prime Junior instrument to deliver high yields of pure nucleic acids, which are not fragmented during processing. Automating nucleic acid isolation with the instrument minimizes user intervention and extraction-to extraction variability. Magnetic bead based DNA/RNA isolation with chemagen Technology Play Which applications are currently available for the chemagic Prime Junior Instrument? To serve the unique needs of users and keep the operation as convenient as possible, PerkinElmer offers a choice between two kits, covering a wide range of human sample materials, independent of volumes and targets. This reduces costs and facilitates the warehousing of kits, available for the isolation of genomic DNA or viral and bacterial DNA and RNA. How easy is it to set up an assay using this instrument? Discover the instrument for yourself: From primary sample to ready to use DNA, RNA or assay setup. The set-up for 48 samples can be completed in less than 10 minutes. The operator places the primary samples, consumables and magnetic beads on the deck of the chemagic Prime Junior instrument. Next, the kit reagents are dispensed automatically according to the number of samples used in the run. PerkinElmers easy-to-use software also guides the operator through each of these steps. If you could send one message to a scientist who is thinking of purchasing this instrument, what would it be? The chemagic Prime Junior Instrument was designed to alleviate many of the challenges researchers face by reducing inhibitor carryover, fragmentation of the nucleic acid during isolation, cross-contamination and processing bottlenecks. About Masoud Toloue Masoud Toloue, Ph.D., is the vice president and general manager of Applied Genomics at PerkinElmer. Masoud graduated from the University of Buffalo with a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology. He completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biochemistry at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, where he studied membrane protein structure and function. He is the recipient of several grants and patents from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Physician-scientists in the Cancer Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have developed a preclinical, potent therapy attached to an antibody that targets a surface protein expressed in most childhood neuroblastomas, effectively killing cancer cells. The researchers published their findings today in Science Translational Medicine. "If there is an ultimate 'bad guy' of neuroblastoma cell surface proteins--present on most tumors, but not on healthy tissues, and also vulnerable to immunotherapeutic targeting--this just may be it," said study leader Yael Mosse, MD, a pediatric oncologist and researcher at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). "In 2008, we discovered mutations in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene as the major cause of the inherited form of neuroblastoma and showed that these same mutations are present in about 14 percent of neuroblastoma tumors from patients with the most aggressive form of this disease. This established ALK as a druggable target in neuroblastoma and provided the rationale for the clinical development of ALK inhibition therapy. We now show that native ALK (in the absence of a mutation) is present on most neuroblastoma tumors, providing us with an exciting opportunity to target ALK in the majority of patients." Neuroblastoma, a pediatric cancer of the developing peripheral nervous system that usually occurs as a solid tumor in a child's chest or abdomen, is the most common cancer in infants, and accounts for more than 10 percent of all childhood cancer deaths. Children with the high-risk form of the disease continue to have a poor prognosis, despite intensive drug therapy. Mosse, along with other scientists in her lab, demonstrated that the ALK protein appears on the surface of most neuroblastoma cells and is not detectable on normal cells, indicating that ALK is a useful target for immunotherapy. Researchers worked with pharmaceutical colleagues to weaponize an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), one of a rapidly growing class of anticancer agents. That ADC, called CDX-0125-TEI, combines a specific monoclonal antibody engineered to recognize ALK with a potent chemotherapy drug--an alkylating agent called thienoindole (TEI). In cell cultures and animal models of neuroblastoma, the ADC-ALK approach killed neuroblastoma cells, with no discernible toxicity to healthy cells. "The goal of this approach is to harness the presence of ALK to precisely deliver a poison only to the cancer cell, without harming the healthy surrounding cells," said Mosse. "This study is proof of concept that the ALK protein is a good immunotherapy target and, as we optimize this approach for the clinic, has the potential to be useful for the majority of aggressive neuroblastomas and to minimize the harsh consequences of therapy," said Mosse. She added, "In addition, our research could have great relevance for other cutting-edge immunotherapeutic strategies, such as CAR T-cell therapy, that harness the immune system to kill cancer, and is currently showing tremendous efficacy in children with leukemia. Our new data support clinical development of an immunotherapy drug not just for neuroblastoma, but for other hard-to-cure childhood cancers expressing the ALK gene, including rhabdomyosarcomas." Over decades, CHOP clinicians and researchers have built one of the world's leading programs in neuroblastoma. The Mosse laboratory is focused on the underlying molecular mechanisms by which ALK gene activation contributes to development and progression of pediatric neuroblastoma, and to identify targeted, less toxic cancer therapies for children with ALK-mediated disease. The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) announced today the launch of a new schistosomiasis program within its neglected tropical diseases (NTD) portfolio. The program focuses on developing rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for detection of circulating anodic antigen (CAA) in blood and/or urine, to support national control and/or elimination programs in countries where schistosomiasis is regularly found. Schistosomiasis is caused by parasitic worms carried by freshwater snails and affects over 206 million people across 78 tropical and sub-tropical countries, with most of the burden found in sub-Saharan Africa. People can become infected when they come into contact with fresh water that is infested with worm larvae, while carrying out routine activities. The infection triggers immune reactions resulting in progressive organ damage, which can lead to chronic ill-health and ultimately death, if left untreated. Current World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for schistosomiasis diagnosis recommend examination of stool and/or urine samples by microscopy to detect worm eggs, but this can be challenging especially when the intensity of the infection is low. Analysis of multiple samples over several days by highly trained microscopists is both time-consuming and challenging to deploy; inaccurate diagnosis can lead to treatment being stopped too soon and, as a result, infections quickly returning to their original levels. CAA is secreted continuously by living schistosomes. A laboratory-based test for the antigen, with high sensitivity for all species of schistosomes that are of public health importance, is available. However, in order to achieve optimal sensitivity, the test requires complex sample processing steps and a reader for detection. FIND is leading a consortium, together with WHO, that includes Mologic, UK, and Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Netherlands, to develop novel RDTs for schistosomiasis infection. Two RDTs for CAA are being developed: one to support ongoing schistosomiasis control programs by providing data to estimate prevalence and intensity of infection, supporting the update of guidelines on routine use of RDTs for schistosomiasis; the other one with a higher sensitivity to support elimination efforts by identifying low infection intensities. Initial work streams are being supported by catalytic funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with additional funding from Merck, through the Merck Global Health Institute, which is amongst the scientific partners of this program. The science and technology company Merck launched its Global Health Institute in April 2017 with the mission to develop transformative health solutions to support control and elimination programs related to infectious diseases such as schistosomiasis, and to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Schistosomiasis is contracted from contaminated water, putting whole communities at risk. The new diagnostic technologies will be a huge step forward, but to achieve real impact their use cannot be confined to labs. The RDT format will allow testing in community settings and enable essential surveillance and disease tracking. Joseph Ndungu, Head of Neglected Tropical Diseases at FIND Contributing to the schistosomiasis control and elimination agenda is a priority for Merck. This program clearly addresses the need for new sensitive diagnostics in the fight against schistosomiasis. Beatrice Greco, Head of R&D and Access at the Merck Global Health Institute Seven out of the 10 diseases identified in the London Declaration for eradication, elimination or control by 2020 lack critical diagnostic solutions including schistosomiasis. With this addition to our neglected tropical diseases program, we are pleased to extend our long-standing commitment of bringing diagnostic excellence to the fight against these diseases, contributing to WHO goals for control and, ultimately, elimination. Catharina Boehme, CEO, FIND The program to develop the CAA RDTs is expected to be complete within 4 years, with the first milestone of feasibility testing for the disease control test anticipated in 2019. Cancer presents an ongoing challenge for physicians, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. This is, amongst other things, due to tumor heterogeneity. A team of scientists from the Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, the Juelich Research Center, the Technical University of Munich and the Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf has now shown that harmless purple bacteria of the genus Rhodobacter are capable of visualizing aspects of this heterogeneity in the tumors. With the aid of optoacoustic imaging, the researchers used these microorganisms to visualize cells of the immune system, so-called macrophages* (Greek for 'big eaters'), that also play a role in tumor development. Their research findings have now been published in Nature Communications. Many cancers form solid tumors. Inside, such tumors reveal major differences at the cellular and molecular level. One of these concerns the localization and activity of macrophages. Although these cells are essential for a healthy immune system, they also play a key role in tumor development. With the aid of photosynthetic bacteria, new optoacoustic techniques, which indicate where such macrophages are present and active, have now been developed. "We were able to demonstrate that bacteria of the genus Rhodobacter**, which are harmless to humans, are suitable as indirect markers of macrophage presence and activity," says Dr. Andre C. Stiel, head of the Cell Engineering Group at the Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging (IBMI), Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen. Rhodobacter bacteria produce large quantities of the photosynthetic pigment bacteriochlorophyll a. This pigment enabled the researchers to detect bacteria in a tumor by means of multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT)***. How does the principle work? Macrophages engulf bacteria as part of their natural scavenging activity, which is known as phagocytosis. This alters the surroundings of the bacteria, their absorption of electromagnetic radiation and, as a result, also the optoacoustic signal. Rhodobacter bacteria thus act like sensors for scientists, providing them with information about the presence and activity of macrophages. "In further steps, these bacteria will enable novel approaches to non-invasive technologies and so open up entirely new possibilities for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic procedures," adds Dr. Thomas Drepper, who heads the Bacterial Photobiotechnology Group at Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf. In future, bacteria may be able to reveal the location of a tumor and also detect increased macrophage activity. Depending on their localization, the macrophages could provide information about unwelcome inflammations or the desired response to immunotherapies, and could ultimately be used to improve treatment strategies. Source: https://www.helmholtz-muenchen.de/en/aktuelles/latest-news/press-information-news/article/46018/index.html Heart attack, or myocardial infarction, is the number one cause of death worldwide. A study published in the European Heart Journal by scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen and colleagues from a range of other Bavarian institutions shows that the risk of suffering a heat-induced heart attack has increased significantly in recent years. During the same period of time, no comparable changes in cold weather heart attack risks have been recorded. jijomathai - stock.adobe.com The environment can have a major effect on the human cardiovascular system. It has long been assumed that severe spikes in temperature increase the risk of heart attack. In the case of very high and very low temperatures in particular, this has been clearly demonstrated. In this latest study, we wanted to see to what extent the heat and cold-related heart attack risk has changed over the years. Dr. Kai Chen, researcher at the Institute of Epidemiology at Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen Together with colleagues from Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, Augsburg University Hospital and Nordlingen Hospital, he examined data from the Myocardial Infarction Register Augsburg. The study looked at more than 27,000 heart attack patients between 1987 and 2014. The average age of the patients studied was around 63, 73% were men and about 13,000 ended in the death of the patient. The individual heart attacks were compared against meteorological data on the day of the attack and adjusted for a range of additional factors, such as the day of the week and socioeconomic status. The key finding from the study, explains Chen was that, Over a period of 28 years, we found that there has been an increase in heat-induced heart attack risk in recent years. In order to demonstrate this, the researchers compared data from 1987 to 2000 with data from 2001 to 2014. Our analysis showed that, over the last few years, the risk of heat-induced heart attack with increasing average daily temperature has risen compared to the previous investigation period, explains Chen. Individuals with diabetes or hyperlipidemia were particularly at risk over the latter period. The researchers suspect that this is partly a result of global warming, but that it is also a consequence of an increase in risk factors such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia, which have made the population more susceptible to heat. Is climate change a heart attack risk? Our study suggests that greater consideration should be given to high temperatures as a potential trigger for heart attacks especially in view of climate change, explains lead researcher Dr. Alexandra Schneider. Extreme weather events, like the 2018 heat waves in Europe, could in future result in an increase in cardiovascular disease. At the same time, there is likely to be a decrease in cold-related heart attacks here in Germany. Our analysis suggests a lower risk in the future, but this lower risk was not significant and very cold days will continue to represent a potential trigger for heart attacks. To what extent increases in heat-related heart attacks will be counterbalanced by a decrease in cold-related heart attacks is not yet clear, explains the epidemiologist. Her group is currently performing extrapolations aimed at modeling this change in risk both in scenarios where the world meets the Paris Agreements 1.5 C and 2 C targets and in scenarios where these targets are missed. In addition, the researchers are also planning to corroborate their findings by carrying out additional, multicenter studies. Insilico Medicine a biotechnology company specializing in the application of artificial intelligence for drug discovery, biomarker development, and aging research has announced its second year of partnership with Master Investor at the annual Master Investor Show. The event will take place on Saturday, April 6th 2019 at the Business Design Center, London. Around 5,000 private investors will gather in London, to meet nearly 100 CEOs of public companies and start-ups. Insilico Medicine will host The Lab, a laboratory themed interactive experience room presenting Young AI an AI-powered platform that enables users to manage their health, track changes over time and optimize their lifestyle. The company provides a range of consumer-facing applications using the advanced bioinformatics techniques and deep learning approaches. Young.AI is an innovative platform that keeps track of aging from the inside out. Consumers can upload their photograph or recent blood test and the system will assess and generate their biological, predicted age. The system makes it possible to track progress over time, to see how lifestyle factors affect biological age. Alex Zhavoronkov Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Insilico Medicine, presented the latest advances in artificial intelligence for drug discovery and longevity biotechnology at Master Investors autumn longevity investment event and last years Master Investor Show. The presentation covered the applications of artificial intelligence transforming pharmaceutical industry R&D and accelerating the drug discovery process. Insilico Medicine will this year be participating in the Main Stage panel discussion, Investing in the Age of Longevity where they will be joined by fellow longevity expert, Aubrey de Grey and others to discuss the latest developments in longevity and the opportunities for investors. Dr. Zhavoronkov is delighted to be returning to the event as a partner: We are very happy to present our work in aging research and artificial intelligence at one of Europes largest investor shows. The topic of AI for Aging research and Productive longevity is rapidly gaining popularity, and we are happy to be at the leading edge of this research and one of the innovation drivers in the area. Amanda Taylor, Master Investors Chief Commercial Officer said: We are excited to have Insilico Medicine hosting their laboratory themed experience at the show for the second year running. We hope the interactivity of The Lab will showcase Insilicos work in a way that educates and excites our attendees about the opportunity for investment in the longevity technologies. To meet Insilico at The Master Investor Show, sign up for your free ticket using code: LONGEVITY Patients understanding their medications and taking them as instructed are important parts of improving the care and outcomes of heart attack patients, as well as potentially reducing avoidable readmissions, according to research presented at the ACC Quality Summit in New Orleans. A heart attack is typically an unexpected event, which can leave patients overwhelmed by new medications, clinicians and other additions to their health care upon release from the hospital. When patients are discharged from the hospital, hospital staff educate them about their medications. However, many patients have difficulty understanding and following these instructions. A new quality improvement plan, developed at Olathe Medical Center in Olathe, Kansas, and initiated as part of the American College of Cardiology's Patient Navigator Program: Focus MI, showed promising results and shed light on how to approach the issue. The study group considered the patient perspective on the hospital discharge and follow-up experience when developing solutions. "When patients leave a hospital, they often feel there has been little preparation for the discharge plan of care," said Tara See, RN, BSN, Olathe Medical Center and a leader in the initiative. "Another complaint is that follow-up care is not well established at discharge, there is limited communication with providers receiving them after hospitalization, medication reconciliation and instructions may be hard to understand, and expectations are unclear regarding their recovery and needs when they are discharged." In April 2018, an interdisciplinary team at Olathe Medical Center, including an assigned bedside RN, cardiology nurse navigator, floor pharmacists and outpatient cardiac rehab staff, established and implemented the following medication education communication process: After a patient is admitted, an assigned bedside nurse reviews any new medications with the patient, family member, or caregiver, including what they are used for and any side effects of that particular medication. "This can be easily done through patient medication cards that are premade and ready to go," See said. Once the discharge medications have been prescribed by the physician, the cardiology nurse navigator asks the patient to write out medication information on a visual aid form called a medication log. This include the names of their discharge medications, what the medications are used for, dose, frequency and what time of day the medications should be taken. See said, "This can be done in conjunction with the floor pharmacist's instructions at discharge or done separately depending on similar availability." Next, the floor pharmacist educates the patient in greater depth about their medications, explaining potential side effects and any drug interactions, what to do if a dose is missed and offering any other needed instructions. After discharge, the patient will receive a transition of care phone call within 48 hours from a care coordinator or the nurse navigator. This call includes medication teach back, which requires the patient to read back from memory or read from their prescription bottles the name and usage of their medication. At the patient's first outpatient cardiac rehab appointment, they are asked to place a check mark by their current medications from a list of common cardiac medications. This helps ensure they are knowledgeable about their medications. Using the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey--a satisfaction survey required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for all U.S. hospitals, the study group found the hospital's HCAHPS scores for medication understanding increased by 10 percent between quarter one and quarter two in 2018 following program implementation. Additionally, before plan implementation, the 2018 quarter one unadjusted readmission rate was 8.2 percent. Since implementation, the quarter two rate went down to 3.4 percent and quarter three was 3.6 percent. "We realize improving medication understanding is only part of what hospitals need to do to help reduce readmissions," See said. "We are also continuing to focus on other goals, such as increasing risk assessment and appropriate interventions placed on high risk patients. We believe this will optimize our process and further decrease readmissions." Source: http://www.acc.org/ The media play a key role in informing society and at the same time an important role in shaping perceptions and judgments about social issues, particularly concerning issues on which there is insufficient knowledge and/or a lack of experience. For example, one issue that is beginning to arouse public debate about which most audiences do not have any direct experience is the matter of surrogacy on the part of homosexual couples. The main goal of the research was to explore how public opinion on surrogacy and gay parenthood is shaped. It was carried out by Rafael Ventura and Carles Roca-Cuberes, researchers with the Department of Communication at UPF, together with Xose Ramon Rodriguez-Polo, a researcher at Rey Juan Carlos de Madrid University, published in Journal of Homosexuality. Focus groups regarding information on television According to the barometer of the Sociological Research Centre, 86.8% of the Spanish population claims to get its news via the television. Although in principle television news programmes aim to produce the most objective content possible, it is also true that they construct discourses about reality that may promote certain behaviors and attitudes by their audiences. "In our study, we focus on the formation of attitudes about surrogacy and gay parenthood analyzing the audience's interpretation of a news item broadcast on Spanish television", says Rafael Ventura, first author of the paper. To test this, the authors set up four discussion groups consisting of 6 to 10 people each, two adults (40- 60 years) and two younger people (20-30 years), a total of 17 women and 16 men, from Barcelona and Madrid. We analyzed each person's interpretation of a television news item broadcast in Spain to perform a qualitative content analysis of the discourse produced by the participants. The researchers based themselves on three main issues: the values transmitted by the media about surrogacy; what relationship they attributed to surrogacy and gay parenthood, and finally, if the interpretation of a news item differed according to the age of the audience. "To study the formation of participants' attitudes, we used a Spanish news item about surrogacy that included all of these key issues. The selected item was broadcast at prime time on TV1, the news programme with the largest audience in Spain", explain the authors of the study. The news item dealt with the fact that surrogacy is illegal in Spain and, therefore, there are increasing numbers of Spanish couples, including homosexual couples, traveling to other countries, such as India, to have a child. The story was illustrated with a real case and the argument revolved around the desire of homosexual couples to become parents and the consequences for the women involved. Surrogacy, gay couples and the commodification of the female body Initially, the two groups of participants (adults and youths) stated that they had limited data and a lack of contextual information that prevented them from forming an opinion based on the evidence explained in the news. Nevertheless, both groups agreed in that they rejected surrogacy after watching the news programme, mainly due to the way the news had presented the Indian women: as victims of exploitation and in a situation of poverty. The authors found that as the debate progressed, there was greater rejection towards homosexuals due to the fact that they were taking advantage of the poverty of women in countries like India to achieve their goal of having a baby. The results show that the focus of the content of the news put to debate contributed to defending an attitude of the repudiation of surrogacy, with a feeling of aversion that also extended to gay couples wishing to become parents. "As we saw in the results of our study, attributing responsibilities, placing the debate on surrogacy on the conflict of homosexual couples who want to become parents, on the one hand, and the feminist rejection of the commodification of the woman's body, on the other, may have very negative consequences for the traditional link between the feminist movement and the LGBT community", alert the authors. "It may feed discriminatory attitudes towards gay couples and create a clash between the feminist and the LGBT causes, forcing the public to adopt a position in favor of one of the two sides, as it is interpreted as a controversy", they add. It's been estimated that the human brain contains roughly 100 billion neurons, together completing countless tasks through countless connections. So how do we make sense of the roles each of these neurons play? As part of the United States BRAIN Initiative, scientists from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) have outlined a way to classify neurons based not only on how they look, but on with which other neurons they are capable of communicating. So, why is this necessary? Think of it this way: if you were mapping a city, you'd want a sensible system for identifying streets, buildings, and landmarks, and understanding the distinctions between them. In a similar way, in mapping a brain, it's logical to name and distinguish between neuronal types in order to understand how they relate to each other. CSHL Professor Z. Josh Huang, a project leader at the Center for the Mouse Brain Cell Atlas, explains that to classify a neuron as a specific neuronal type, "what is needed is a comprehensive image of a whole cell, and then to label the cells that are like it--to quantify those and to register them in the whole brain to compare. This has never been achieved, but technology is finally catching up." Now, in the latest issue of Cell Reports, Huang and colleagues from the US and China describe how they've created a process for classifying neurons in a mouse brain in a suitably comprehensive manner. According to the team, the new platform embraces four major aspects of brain mapping: First, the team identifies and labels neurons of the same shape by discerning key genetic clues that are unique to the cell type. Importantly, because this genetic information describes how a neuron's synapses are structured, it can also indicate with which other cells a neuron is capable of communicating. Second, through cutting-edge technology, the scientists are able to image the entire brain. This "wide angle" look at a neuronal type's home regions provides exceptionally important context for the third aspect: reconstruction. By pairing imagery and genetic labeling at the single-neuron resolution with an "atlas" of the whole brain, the team can painstakingly "reconstruct" a brain, providing data on each and every neuronal type's location. Lastly, with this information about shape, connectivity, and location in hand, computational biologists can crunch the numbers, determining what is relevant and unique to any one cell type, and what is not. As a proof-of-concept, Huang and CSHL computational neuroscientist Partha Mitra looked specifically at axo-axonic cells (AACs) found in the cortex. Despite already being remarkably specific in location, shape, and purpose, the team determined that there are actually a wide variety of AAC subtypes. According to Huang, the BRAIN Initiative will continue to refine their process until neuron classification is not only easy, but second nature in the quest to accurately map an entire brain. The world of cannabis is at an important moment. After decades of criminalization, the drug has been subject to a wave of legalizations, in various locations around the world and within the United States, for both recreational and medical use. But this new era of legal cannabis has resulted in several fields being left to play catch up. In the United States, many states laws are now out of step with federal legislation and the rapid pace of change along with the legal discordance between individual states means there is a lack of standardization in cannabis production and testing that is ideally needed to ensure safe cannabis use and foster an environment for medical research. Pittcon 2022: March 6-10 Click here to learn more Ernest N. Morial Convention Center New Orleans, LA USA Pittcon 2019, taking place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 17-21, will take a look at these pressing issues within the industry while highlighting how recent advances in analytical technologies can help assist and advance the rapid developments in this field. Demonstrating the wide range of parties with interest in this space, the conference will bring together chemists, systems engineers and patient advocates along with representatives from the leading companies delivering tools to meet the growing demand for cannabis analysis. Challenging times While there has been a rapid change of pace in cannabis laws, those who wish to see access to cannabis expanded or conduct medical research on the drug may find themselves frustrated. In particular, in the United States, the previously mentioned conflict between state and federal laws can come between scientists and their ability to legally obtain marijuana for research. This impediment to research means that although medical cannabis is legal in many states, there is not a large body of evidence to support its use for a number of medical conditions. For the field of cannabis production, the increased demand and emergence into the mainstream has created a need for standardized procedures throughout the process from seed-to-sale, to ensure consistent, safe and high-quality product. The role of analysis One major concern with the emergence of legalized cannabis is the necessity to verify what is actually present in a particular cannabis product. This includes the profile of the cannabis, such as its strain, potency and aromatic profile, as well as ensuring the absence of potentially harmful contamination like heavy metals, pesticides and residual solvents. Here, analytical methods have a clear and critical role to play. Swapan Photography/Shutterstock.com For example, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a useful method for analysis of cannabis samples and can be used to rapidly determine factors such as location, strain and quality. At Pittcon 2019, Andrew Fornadel from Shimadzu Scientific Instruments will describe analytical workflows using ICP-MS for the detection of heavy metals, such as cadmium and lead, which can accumulate within cannabis plants and be harmful to health. Jack Henion from Advion will also show the utility of single quadrupole mass spectrometry for detecting pesticides in cannabis samples. Safety first Particularly in the medical cannabis arena, safety is a major issue that needs to be addressed. If cannabis is going to gain traction as a therapy to be used alongside conventional medicine, then it will need to undergo the same rigors as pharmaceutical drugs to ensure patient safety. At Pittcon 2019, you can hear from Lori Dodson, deputy director of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission, who will explain how her organization have developed regulations for the production, dispensing and testing of medical cannabis and the challenges they have faced along the way. Where next? A major focus of the cannabis analysis program at Pittcon 2019 will be on the call for greater standardization across the industry. Katherine K Stenerson of Merck will outline workflows that can used for some of the most common tests performed on cannabis: potency, pesticide residue and terpene profiling, The conference will also introduce the patient perspective, with a talk from Tracey Ryan, a mother who became involved in medical cannabis research after sourcing the drug for her daughter who was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor as a baby. The cannabis analysis program at Pittcon 2019 Pittcon 2022: March 6-10 Click here to learn more Ernest N. Morial Convention Center New Orleans, LA USA Pittcon will be taking place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania March 17-21, 2019. In addition to the talks mentioned above as part of the symposia program, the Pittcon expo will be attended by all of the major companies operating in the analytical space. Confirmed exhibitors include Shimadzu, Bruker, Phenomenex. Advion and Merck (previously known as Millipore Sigma). Given the pace of change in this industry, there is no better time to get up to date with the latest developments in the field of cannabis analytical research, and no better place to do it than at this years Pittcon. References About Pittcon Pittcon is a registered trademark of The Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, a Pennsylvania non-profit organization. Co-sponsored by the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh and the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh, Pittcon is the premier annual conference and exposition on laboratory science. Proceeds from Pittcon fund science education and outreach at all levels, kindergarten through adult. Pittcon donates more than a million dollars a year to provide financial and administrative support for various science outreach activities including science equipment grants, research grants, scholarships and internships for students, awards to teachers and professors, and grants to public science centers, libraries and museums. Visit pittcon.org for more information. Sponsored Content Policy: News-Medical.net publishes articles and related content that may be derived from sources where we have existing commercial relationships, provided such content adds value to the core editorial ethos of News-Medical.Net which is to educate and inform site visitors interested in medical research, science, medical devices and treatments. Law enforcers rely on forensic scientists to provide reliable interpretation of evidence taken from crime scenes and specimens from people of interest. Forensic scientists, in turn, rely on analytical methods and techniques to help them meet the challenges of forensic analysis both in the laboratory and in the field. Pittcon 2022: March 6-10 Click here to learn more Ernest N. Morial Convention Center New Orleans, LA USA The Pittcon 2019 Conference will feature the 2nd Annual Forensic Science Symposium organized by the National Institute of Justice, and this article outlines some of the latest trends that will be covered there. Advances in forensic profiling Forensic profiling involves building a profile of an offenders lifestyle based on trace evidence left at a crime scene. Chemicals left on persons skin from food, beauty products, hygiene products, environmental conditions, medications, and drugs can be transferred to fingerprints, or personal belongings left crime scenes. Analysis of trace chemicals can then be used to create a forensic profile of an individual, which can narrow a pool of suspects and aid prosecution. Dr Amina Bouslimani from the University of California will outline her latest research into lifestyle profiling using personal objects at Pittcon 2019 in her presentation entitled Lifestyle Profiling Using Metabolomics of Personal Objects.1-4 In this research, Dr Bouslimani used an UltiMate 3000 UPLC system from Thermo Fisher Scientific combined with a Maxis Q-TOF mass spectrometer from Bruker Daltonics, to identify chemical residues. Both will be exhibiting at Pittcon 2019, along with other leaders in UPLC equipment, such as Thermo Fisher Scientific and Phenomenex. Arkadiusz Fajer/Shutterstock.com In addition to leaving chemical residues on our skin, our lifestyle habits also affect the composition of our microbiomes. Analyzing microbes at crime scenes using new, high-throughput analysis techniques can, therefore, aid forensic profiling. Dr Kathleen Brim of Virginia Commonwealth University will give a talk entitled Forensic Body Fluid Identification Using Microbiome Signature Attribution through 16S rDNA High-Throughput Sequencing. Her presentation will describe her research into analyzing bacteria from crime scenes to identify bodily fluids.5 Applications of innovations in mass spectrometry to forensic analysis Mass spectrometry (MS) has been a staple of forensic analysis for decades. It is considered the premier technique for analysis of trace compounds and unknown substances, which is often required in forensics, due to its high sensitivity and specificity.6 Newly developed MS technologies are beginning to be applied to forensic science. For example, MS imaging techniques can be used to map trace chemicals on fingerprints, hair strands, and tissues. Dr Young-Jin Lee from Iowa State University will outline developments in MS imaging for forensic science in his presentation Recent Progress in MS Imaging of Latent Fingerprints.7 Portable technology for on-scene investigations Many applied analytical sciences are now utilizing portable technology to conduct analyses in the field, and forensic science is no exception. Technologies that enable identification of substances such as illegal drugs at crime scenes and other points of interest could significantly reduce the workload for forensic laboratories and speed up criminal investigations. Portable Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, MS, and GC-MS have all been utilized to conduct analyses at crime scenes. PerkinElmer will be available at the Expo at Pittcon 2019 to provide an overview of their GC-MS devices. For forensic scientists wishing to learn about the latest developments in portable spectroscopy, Pittcons short course entitled Modern Portable Analytical Spectroscopy is essential. Pittcon will also feature a number of presentations on portable MS technology including one from Dr William L Fatigante of Illinois State University entitled Towards On-Site, High-Throughput Drug Evidence Confirmation Using Ambient Sampling, Portable MS, and another from Dr Brooke Weinger Kammrath of the University of New Haven on Portable GC/MS Identification of Mitragynine in Kratom. Additionally, David Nash of the University of Central Florida will give a talk on A Novel Method for the Identification of Controlled Substances Using Photoluminescent Indicators and its Implementation into a Portable System for Field Use. Analyzing new psychoactive substances (NPS) NPS, also known as designer drugs or legal highs represent a significant challenge to forensic scientists due to their unknown and constantly changing nature. As a result, novel techniques are required to identify and classify NPS. Dr Rabi Musah from the University at Albany will describe one method for NPS analysis in his presentation entitled Chemometric Processing of Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) Mass Spectrometric Data for the Identification and Classification of New Psychoactive Substances.8 The rise of e-cigarettes and their use to consume illicit substances also brings new challenges to the field of forensic science. E-cigarette analysis will be discussed in a presentation by Dr Michelle Peace from Virginia Commonwealth University entitled The Efficacy of Electronic Cigarettes - The Public Health Challenge Became a Criminal Justice Problem.9 Conclusions Forensic science is a challenging and interdisciplinary field that frequently relies on the identification, quantification, and mapping of unknown substances. The 2019 Pittcon Conference and its forensic science symposia will feature a range of cutting-edge contributions from experts, making it a fantastic opportunity to learn about the latest trends in forensic analysis. Forensic analysis relies heavily on a range of analytical techniques including MS, spectroscopy, and chromatography. The Pittcon 2019 Expo will feature all the leading technology suppliers and is the ideal place to find companies providing the latest analytical technology for forensic science. References and further reading Detection and mapping of illicit drugs and their metabolites in fingermarks by MALDI MS and compatibility with forensic techniques Groeneveld G, de Puit M, Bleay S, Bradshaw R, Francese S, Scientific Reports, 2015. An update on MALDI mass spectrometry based technology for the analysis of fingermarks stepping into operational deployment Francese S, Bradshaw R, Denison N, Analyst, 2017 Lifestyle chemistries from phones for individual profiling Bouslimani A, Melnik AV, Xu Z, Amir A, da Silva RR, Wang M, Bandeira N, Alexandrov T, Knight R, Dorrestein PC, PNAS, 2017. Revealing Individual Lifestyles through Mass Spectrometry Imaging of Chemical Compounds in Fingerprints Hinners P, ONeill KC, Lee YJ, Scientific Reports, 2018. The Human Microbiome A New Potential Fingerprint in Forensic Evidence? https://www.news-medical.net/news/20180329/The-Human-Microbiome-e28093-A-New-Potential-Fingerprint-in-Forensic-Evidence.aspx A History of the Forensic Applications of Mass Spectrometry Jackson GP, Barkett MA, The Encyclopedia of Mass Spectrometry, 2016. Detection and mapping of illicit drugs and their metabolites in fingermarks by MALDI MS and compatibility with forensic techniques Groeneveld G, de Puit M, Bleay S, Bradshaw R, Francese S, Scientific Reports, 2015. New psychoactive substances: catalysing a shift in forensic science practice? Tettey J, Conor Crean C, Philosophical Transactions B, 2015. Are Electronic Cigarettes Facilitating Illicit Drug Use? https://www.news-medical.net/news/20190205/Are-Electronic-Cigarettes-Facilitating-Illicit-Drug-Use.aspx About Pittcon Pittcon is a registered trademark of The Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, a Pennsylvania non-profit organization. Co-sponsored by the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh and the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh, Pittcon is the premier annual conference and exposition on laboratory science. Proceeds from Pittcon fund science education and outreach at all levels, kindergarten through adult. Pittcon donates more than a million dollars a year to provide financial and administrative support for various science outreach activities including science equipment grants, research grants, scholarships and internships for students, awards to teachers and professors, and grants to public science centers, libraries and museums. Visit pittcon.org for more information. Sponsored Content Policy: News-Medical.net publishes articles and related content that may be derived from sources where we have existing commercial relationships, provided such content adds value to the core editorial ethos of News-Medical.Net which is to educate and inform site visitors interested in medical research, science, medical devices and treatments. File photo of the Supreme Court of India. Former Delhi chief minister and the head of the Congress unit in the national capital, Sheila Dikshit, has made a startling admission in an interview with CNN-News18. She accepted that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was not as tough on Pakistan and terror as his successor Narendra Modi. But she said that the action taken by Modi has been more for political gains. The Nationalist Congress Party has released its first list of candidates for the Lok Sabha election, a day after alliance partner Congress fielded five candidates from the state. The NCP list of 12 names includes one seat for the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, which has fielded a candidate from Hatkanangale. The party said discussions are still underway and the party is likely to release its second list on Friday. Even as Rahul Gandhi is campaigning in Kerala ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan switched over to the BJP camp on Thursday. Hurt over Congress questioning the armed forces in the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack, Vadakkan joined BJP in the presence of Ravi Shankar Prasad. He also slammed the Congress for its "dyansty politics", alleging the party has a culture of "use and throw". Vadakkan, who was a key aide of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, has never contested an election. Earlier on Thursday, the Bharatiya Janata Party hit out at Rahul Gandhi after the Congress chief said a weak Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scared of Xi Jinping and not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. Gandhis statement came after China, for the fourth time, blocked the move of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to designate JeM chief Masood Azhar as a terrorist. The BJP, responding to the charges, said the Congress president should have used his proximity with China to influence its decision on Azhar. Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asked Congress could still speak a different tone even in case of a cruel killer and global terrorist like Azhar. Adding that he needed to learn that foreign policy was not run on Twitter, Prasad said Gandhi must look at his partys history vis-a-vis China. Meanwhile, Gandhi addressed a fishermens parliament in northern Kerala on Thursday and is scheduled to visit the families of Youth Congress activists allegedly killed by CPI(M) men. The political parties have been campaigning in full swing since the Election Commission announced the dates for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Lok Sabha elections will begin on April 11 and polling would be held over seven phases through May 19, followed by counting of all votes on May 23. Assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal, Odisha and Sikkim will also be held simultaneously, the Election Commission (EC) said. However, elections for the Jammu and Kashmir assembly, which was dissolved after the ruling coalition between the BJP and the PDP fell apart, will not be held along with the Lok Sabha polls. The election will pit the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance against several opposition parties, including the Congress, the Left and regional forces who are continuing to work out a grand alliance to minimise a division of votes against Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led ruling combine. Space News space history and artifacts articles Messages space history discussion forums Sightings worldwide astronaut appearances Resources selected space history documents advertisements Crew of Soyuz launch abort lifts off to space station on second try March 14, 2019 Nick Hague's second launch to space went much better than his first. The NASA astronaut joined his Soyuz MS-10 crewmate, cosmonaut Aleksey Ovchinin of Roscosmos, for a second attempt at reaching the International Space Station, five months after an in-flight abort cut their first launch together short. This time, Hague, Ovchinin and NASA astronaut Christina Koch safely made it into Earth orbit on Russia's Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft. The three lifted off atop a Soyuz FG rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 3:14 p.m. EDT (1914 GMT or 12:14 a.m. on March 15 Kazakh time) to begin a six-hour rendezvous with the space station. Unlike on Oct. 11, 2018, when a booster separation problem with the Soyuz rocket's first stage triggered the Soyuz MS-10 spacecraft to make an emergency landing two minutes into the flight, the Soyuz MS-12 launch proceeded smoothly and to plan. Hague, Ovchinin and Koch are scheduled to dock to the station's Rassvet module at 9:07 p.m. EDT (0107 GMT), marking the start of the orbiting laboratory's 59th crewed expedition. Update: Docking occurred at 9:01 p.m. EDT (0101 GMT) while the two vehicles were 255 miles (410 km) over the Pacific. "The abort, for me, definitely underscores that what we do is risky, but we knew that going into this. So you then think about the risks that are associated with spaceflight and why we do those things," said Hague at a pre-launch press conference on Wednesday. "The science we are going to perform on board the station and the benefit that it is going to have not only to help us go deeper into space and explore the universe, but also help those on the ground and just better understand the world around us and ourselves. That is an important mission." Once at the space station, Hague, Ovchinin and Koch will join their Expedition 59 crew mates, Oleg Kononenko of Roscosmos, NASA astronaut Anne McClain and David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency, who have been aboard the orbital complex since December. Together, the six crew members will continue work on hundreds of experiments in biology, biotechnology, physical science and Earth science. Hague and Koch will also join McClain and Saint-Jacques on a series of three spacewalks to upgrade the station's power system and install hardware for a future science platform. The second of these extravehicular activities (EVA), to be conducted by McClain and Koch, will be the first-ever spacewalk by two women. "I am greatly looking forward to the potential opportunity to do a spacewalk. Not only is it an exceptional professional opportunity, but moreover it is an opportunity to contribute to upgrading the station so that it can continue to work like a well-oiled machine for many years into the future and can continue to be a platform and a laboratory for great science," said Koch. "If I am fortunate enough to do the spacewalk with Anne McClain, it will be a great honor for me to potentially inspire future space explorers, as well as pay homage to those who paved the path for us to be where we are today." Koch, 40, is on her first space mission. Selected as an astronaut in 2013, Koch previously worked as an electrical engineer at the Goddard Space Flight Center's Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics, contributing to scientific instruments on several cosmology missions. Hague, 43, is making his second spaceflight after reaching the fringes of space aboard the Soyuz MS-10 abort. Also a member of NASA's 2013 astronaut class (nicknamed the "8 Balls"), he is a colonel in the U.S. Air Force and has a masters degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Ovchinin, 47, is on his third mission to the space station. In 2016, he logged 172 days as commander of Soyuz TMA-20M and an Expedition 47/48 flight engineer. Ovchinin will become the commander of the Expedition 60 crew when Kononenko, McClain and Saint-Jacques leave on board Soyuz MS-11 for Earth in June. Soyuz MS-12 is slated to return in October, but who will be aboard the spacecraft is still to be determined. One of the three Soyuz MS-12 crew members is expected to remain on the station after the other two leave to free up a seat home for a United Arab Emirates (UAE) astronaut who is launching on a short-stay taxi flight to the complex in September. "This question is currently being decided," said Ovchinin on Wednesday. "There are some options available, but after our launch, the issue will be resolved and we will have the final information about who of us is going to stay there for longer than expected." Update: Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA's Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, speaking at a post-launch press conference confirmed that Koch will "stay longer than the 180 days" on the station. "We're working with Roscosmos to finalize the flight plan for this year, and in that flight plan our crews will end up staying a bit longer, the U.S. crews will, and that will allow the UAE expedition in the fall." Soyuz MS-12 is Russia's 58th Soyuz spacecraft to launch toward the International Space Station since 2000 and 141st to fly since the first Soyuz mission in 1967. Soyuz MS-12 launches for the International Space Station from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, March 14, 2019. (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Soyuz MS-12 crew members Aleksey Ovchinin, Nick Hague and Christina Koch wave from the base of their Soyuz FG rocket prior to boarding the vehicle for launch, March 14, 2019. (NASA/Bill Ingalls) Soyuz MS-12 crew mission patch. (Roscosmos/spacepatches.nl) The Soyuz MS-12 spacecraft is launched with Expedition 59 crewmembers Aleksey Ovchinin of Roscosmos and Nick Hague and Christina Koch of NASA, Thursday, March 14, 2019 (March 15 Kazakh time) at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. (NASA/Bill Ingalls) 2021 collectSPACE.com All rights reserved. GamesRadar+ is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more All the new Star Wars comics, graphic novels, and collections arriving in 2021 and beyond Feature Every single new Star Wars comic books arriving in the next few months that you need to get excited about Sorry! This content is not available in your region Dear Newsie Readers, Newsie has now permanently ceased it's services as of Friday 20th December 2019. Newsie has been an owner-funded operation since day one. Coming up to three years old, while we still firmly believe Newsie has a place in the New Zealand media landscape, the cost in both time and money has become too burdensome for the owners to continue alongside other ventures. With the current government looking to restructure public broadcasting, and seemingly supporting NZME buying a ring-fenced Stuff, the time seems right to call it a day. Should it happen, the combination of NZME and Stuff will ensure New Zealands national media will die a death by a thousand opinion-based articles. Newsie has always tried to stick to balanced news, to inform readers of the facts of a situation, amid being largely ignored by government. Hopefully, one day someone else will take up the challenge to fight the good fight. The good news, however, is that there were no job losses as a result of Newsie closing. Thanks to careful structuring, everyone involved in Newsie will retain their current positions. We hope you all have a happy Christmas and new year. Stay safe, and stay out of the news. The team at Newsie Washington: The United States is not in a rush to enter into a trade deal with China, the negotiations for which has been undergoing since December last year, US President Donald Trump said. At the same time, talks with the Chinese on a bilateral trade deal has been going on quite well, Trump said, amid reports that Chinese President Xi Jinping has postponed his trip to the US presidents Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida later this month. I think things are going along very well. Well just see what the date is. Im in no rush. I want the deal to be right, much more importantly. Somebody said Im in a rush. Im not in a rush at all, Trump told reporters at the White House. Right now, were getting billions and billions of dollars of tariffs paid into our coffers. I am not in a rush whatsoever. Its got to be the right deal, and its got to be a good deal for us. And if its not, were not going to make that deal. But I will say that deal is going along very nicely, Trump said. Responding to a question, Trump said his Chinese counterpart does not end up in what he did in Hanoi last month when he walked out of his summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un because the deal on the table was not in the best interest of the US. I think President Xi saw that Im somebody that believes in walking when a deal is not done. And, you know, theres always a chance it could happen, and he probably wouldnt want that. That could be a reason, Trump said when asked about the cancellation of his proposed summit with Xi in Mar-a-Lago. ?But we can do it either way. We can have the deal completed and come and sign, or we can get the deal almost completed and negotiate some of the final points. I would prefer that, but it doesnt matter that much,? he said. Trump said the US economy is doing very good, but that is not the case with China. ?Our country is doing great. China would like to make a deal and wed like to make a deal. Well see. We have a very good relationship. I have a very good relationship with President Xi. Were going to see what happens,? he said. "But its an exciting time in terms of trade. We just made a deal with Mexico, Canada. We just made a deal with South Korea. We have other deals that we have cooking," he said. Trump reiterated the US was being taken advantage of by everybody. "What was happening to our country on trade was a horrible thing; that this wasnt done years ago. And Im not talking about the Obama administration. Im talking about that and plenty of other administrations before it. That they could have allowed this to happenwe lost, over the last number of years, almost $800 billion a year on trade. Whos making these deals?" he said. "?So were making great deals or were not going to make them at all. Were going to go tariffs," said the US President. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Aizawl: Ahead of the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Mizoram, Congress and Mizoram's Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) have formed an alliance, party sources said. According to the agreement between the two parties, which will formally be announced later, Congress will field a candidate from the only Lok Sabha seat in the state and the ZPM will contest the Aizawl West-I Assembly seat. The Congress and the ZPM have five and eight legislators in the 40-member Mizoram Assembly. Congress needs a new candidate for the Lok Sabha seat since its sitting lawmaker, 84-year-old CL Ruala, has refused to contest. The by-election to the Aizawl West-I Assembly seat had to be held after the ZPM's chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma vacated his seat. Lalduhoma had defeated the then chief minister Lal Thanhawla in Serchhip constituency, and former minister K Sangthuama of the Mizo National Front (MNF) in the Assembly polls held on November 28 last year. Meanwhile, the ruling MNF, the BJP and the People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) party had announced that they would go it alone in the polls. Aizawl: The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) Wednesday announced that C Lalrosanga, a former Director General of Doordarshan, would be the party's official candidate for the lone Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram. Chief Minister and MNF president Zoramthanga announcing the name of Lalrosanga also said that the MNF would not have an alliance with any party and would contest the Lok Sabha polls alone. Lalrosanga is a former Indian Broadcasting Programme Service (IBPS) office and he retired as Director General of Doordarshan. Zoramthanga also announced that Zodintluanga, a former student leader would be the party's candidate for the byelection to the Aizawl West-I seat, which would be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls. The MNF president said the party would have no truck with the BJP or any other political party and would contest the polls alone. Meanwhile, the BJP state unit president Prof John V Hluna announced that the saffron party would contest both the election to the lone Lok Sabha seat and also the bypoll to the Aizawl West-I Assembly constituency. The National People's Party (NPP), which is also a constituent of the NEDA and the People's Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) party had also announced their intention to contest the polls without forming any alliance. ' The opposition Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) and the Congress party have decided to forge an electoral alliance for the parliamentary polls and also the Assembly bypoll by fielding common candidates. New Delhi: In a major jolt to Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader and close aide of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Tom Vadakkan joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday. He joined the saffron party in the presence of Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. After joining the BJP, the former Congress leader said, "It gives me great pleasure to join BJP. He said that, "It hurts me deeply when you question the integrity of Armed Forces. The reason I left Congress was that I did not like their reaction on Pulwama attack." A staunch Congress supporter, Vadakkan was chosen by Sonia Gandhi to send out the message of her willingness to enter active politics. In 1998, Vadakkan witnessed the power shift at 24, Akbar Road. BJP president Amit Shah welcomed former Congress leader Tom Vadakkan on Thursday. (Photo: ANI) Vadakkan was summoned by Sonias office to carry an important message to the party chief Sitaram Kesri. I got the letter and went to Kesri-jis office but his peon didnt allow me inside. I handed over the letter to Harish Khare, his advisor then. In the letter, Soniaji had expressed her willingness to campaign for the party, which was an indication that she would be finally stepping into active politics, Vadakkan was quoted as saying by the Economic Times in a 2016 report. With several Congress leaders joining the BJP just days before the country goes to the Lok Sabha polls, it is quite evident, as the opinion polls had predicted, that the BJP-led NDA government is likely to retain power at the Centre, riding the "Modi wave", and is expected to win 270 of the 543 seats in the highly anticipated Lok Sabha elections. On the other hand, the Congress, despite being buoyant after the victories in Assembly polls in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, will be able to win only 134 seats (with its partners) while others are expected to win 139 seats. and However, according to the opinion poll, the NDA will get a combined vote share of 34 per cent 4.5 per cent less than what it got in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The UPA is expected to get a vote share of 28 per cent while Others may get 29 per cent of the votes. New Delhi: After Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Baijayant Panda joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), another former BJD veteran Damodar Rout is likely to join the saffron party soon. Utkal Bharat president Kharabela Swain is also set to join the BJP, if BJP sources are to be believed. The two leaders had gone to Delhi to discuss their political plan, a source said. Rout, a seven-time MLA and former minister in the Naveen Patnaiks Cabinet, said he would not have a problem joining any party which will work for Odishas development. What was, however, seen as a hint of his intention to join the BJP, Rout said, Why cant lotus bloom in saline water? In the outgoing assembly, Rout represented Paradip off Bay of Bengal where water is saline, reported ToI. Panda, a former BJD MP from Odishas Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat, joined the BJP in the presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Panda, one of the prominent Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders, had quit the party in May 2018 following a long-standing rift with Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is also the chief of the BJD. In a three-page letter written to Patnaik, who is also the chief of BJD, Panda had said, Its with deep anguish, hurt and sorrow that I have decided to quit the politics into which our BJD has descended. Pandas decision to quit the party had come days after the party suspended his primary membership on accusations of conflict of interest and anti-party activities aimed at weakening BJD in Odisha. Pandas father Bansidhar Panda shared a very close relationship with former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik, the father of current Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik. New Delhi: The Congress has sought the view of its Delhi unit workers over the issue through an audio clip released on its mobile app. The survey on Shakti app was launched Wednesday and will wrap up Thursday. This comes after there is buzz over alliance of Congress with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). "The Congress through its Shakti app has uploaded an audio clip by AICC in-charge PC Chacko who is asking party workers in Delhi their view on alliance with the AAP," said a senior party leader. The Congress is trying to untangle the contentious issue of alliance with AAP. Congress insiders said the alliance with AAP is "almost certain" and will be finalised by end of this month. "The result of the survey through Shakti app will be sent to the high command of the party that will take a final call on the issue," said the party leader. The development comes amid Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit, after a meeting with Congress national president Rahul Gandhi, claiming there is unanimity against alliance with the AAP. Sources said the grand old party is ready for alliance if the AAP agrees to leave New Delhi, Chandni Chowk and North West seats for the Congress. Earlier, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said his party will contest on all the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi alone. "There will be no tie-up and the Congress will go it alone on all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi," Gandhi said while addressing a party meeting in New Delhi. On Saturday, Delhi Congress president Sheila Dikshit met senior party leader Sonia Gandhi and rejected the issue of alliance with the ruling AAP for the Lok Sabha polls. However, there were speculation that the issue of alliance with the AAP in Delhi was discussed during the meeting. The decision (against alliance with AAP) after meeting Rahul Gandhi still continues, that is all, Dikshit told news agency PTI when asked whether the alliance issue came up during her meeting with Sonia Gandhi. New Delhi: Kalidas Kolambkar, seven-time Congress MLA from the Wadala constituency in Mumbai, is set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This comes as a big jolt for the Maharashtra Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and after Maharashtra Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patils son Sujay Vikhe Patil joined the BJP in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday. Meanwhile, speculations were rife about Kolambkar after banners featuring Fadnavis image were put up at his Dadar office, which is bang opposite to Congress Tilak Bhavan office. Kolambkar reportedly has said that he found the chief minister very approachable who had fulfilled the demands of his constituency, as reported by Times Now. I dont want to remain in the Congress anymore. Fadnavis possesses strong will power for the development of the state, The Asian Age quoted Kolambkar as saying. After joining the BJP, Sujay Vikhe Patil had said, I've taken this decision against my fathers wishes. I dont know how much my parents will support this decision, but I'll try my best to make my family proud by working under the guidance of BJP. CM & other BJP MLAs were supportive & helped me take the decision. While addressing the media, CM Devendra Fadanavis said, "Sujay Vikhe Patil's name has been forwarded by state unit to Central Parliamentary board for Lok Sabha candidature and we are sure that the recommended name will be accepted by the Central Parliamentary board." Earlier, a functionary of the Amit Shah-led party had indicated that Sujay Vikhe Patil, son of senior Congress leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil will join BJP on Tuesday. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil is also the Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly. Sujay joined the BJP Tuesday in presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, a district BJP leader said earlier. The development follows the Sharad Pawar-led NCP spurning a request by Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil to leave aside the Ahmedanagar Lok Sabha seat for his son. New Delhi: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is very new on Twitter, three tweets as of now. But looks like she has massive fan following on the micro-blogging site. Her online interaction with another Congress lawmakers has understandably gone viral on Twitter. Sushmita Dev, the Congress MP from Assamas Silchar, posted the video of Priyankaas maiden speech in Ahmedabad and said, aThe speech of @priyankagandhi ji in Gujarat stood out for many reasons. I loved the fact that in her address she changed the order most people follow by referring to women before men ie aaaa aa aaaaaa & not the other way around.a To this, sister of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi wittingly replied saying, a...and I thought no one noticed!!A a A ...and I thought no one noticed!! Y https://t.co/neQADGP35y a Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) March 14, 2019 This tweet no. 3 is being loved by Twitter. It has already garnered 1.2K LIKES in just one hours. Meanwhile, on political front, Priyanka has sparked an alliance speculations in Uttar Pradesh. The Congress general secretary on Wednesday met Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad at a hospital where the Dalit leader was admitted a day earlier. Chandrashekhar Azad was taken into custody by police on Tuesday for violating the model code of conduct, officials said. aHe is a young man who is struggling and raising his voice, but this government is trying to suppress his voice. I am here because I like his energy and the way he raises voice for youth,a said Gandhi. There are reports that Azad may contest from Varanasi, which happens to be Prime minister Narendra Modias parliamentary constituency. A On March 12, nearly two months after she was given a key party post, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi launched her first political rally taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his home state of Gujarat over "unfulfilled" promises and also alleged that hatred was being spread under his rule. With her brother and Congress president Rahul Gandhi and mother Sonia Gandhi by her side, Priyanka said she was "saddened" by what was happening in the country and asked where were the promised jobs. Priyanka officially joined Congress and was made AICC in-charge of Uttar Pradesh(east) on January 23. With Lok Sabha elections round the corner, Priyanka asked people to be vigilant, treat their vote as a "weapon", raise the right issues and take wise decisions. "Our institutions are being destroyed. Wherever you see, hatred is being spread," she told the rally near Adalaj village of Gandhinagar district. (With agency inputs) New Delhi: Former bureaucrat, Shah Faesal is all set to launch his political party on March 17. JNU student leader Shehla Rashid Shora is likely to join Faesal, according to media reports. Shora is going to join Shah Faesal, who is launching a new political party. She is getting a central position in the core team. She has been working closely with Faesal over the past few months and was involved in the decision-making process for the inception of the party, The Print quoted a source as saying. Earlier reports suggested Faesal might contest the Lok Sabha polls and National Conference is likely to give a ticket to Faesal. Faesal has been travelling through different districts in the Valley, meeting and bringing like-minded individuals into the fold. Shehla emerged as a prominent face after Kanhaiya Kumar, Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya were arrested for a February 2016 protest in 2016 against the execution of Afzal Guru. Faesal has been in the limelight since becoming the first Kashmiri to top the civil services exam in 2009. In a brief statement on Facebook, the 35-year-old Faesal, who belongs to 2010 batch of the IAS, said his resignation was also to protest "the marginalisation and invisiblisation of around 200 million Indian Muslims at the hands of Hindutva forces reducing them to second-class citizens; insidious attacks on the special identity of the state and growing culture of intolerance and hate in mainland India in the name of hyper-nationalism". "I wish to reiterate that voices of reason in this country cannot be muzzled for long and the environment of siege will need to end if we wish to usher in true democracy," he had said. Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq also welcomed Faesel's resignation. "Welcome the stand to resign by @ShahFaesal to protest unabated killing of Kashmiris by GOI." "Hope his outrage over killings and his sentiment that #KashmiriLivesMatter guide his choice of politics and gets reflected in representing his people's collective deep driving desire of right to self-determination and their relentless struggle and sacrifice in achieving it - also the reason behind killings and repression on them by the state," the Hurriyat leader had said in his tweet. New Delhi: In a surprise move, Congress veteran Tom Vadakkan joined the BJP in presence of Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday. I left Congress party because when Pakistani terrorists attacked our land, my party's reaction to it was sad, it hurt me deeply. If a political party takes such a position that is against the country then I'm left with no option but to leave the party, Vadakkan was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala gave a measured response on the shocking development. The voice of Congress for last 15 years, Vadakkan has been known as close confidant of Sonia Gandhi. In fact, he was the man who witnessed the change of guard at 24, Akbar road in 1998. A staunch Congress supporter, Vadakkan was chosen by Sonia Gandhi to send out the message of her willingness to enter active politics Vadakkan was summoned by Sonias office to carry an important message to then party chief Sitaram Kesri. I got the letter and went to Kesri-jis office but his peon didnt allow me inside. I handed over the letter to Harish Khare, his advisor then. In the letter, Soniaji had expressed her willingness to campaign for the party, which was an indication that she would be finally stepping into active politics, Vadakkan was quoted as saying by the Economic Times in a 2016 report. Apart from being Congress spokesperson, Vadakkan was also a member of National Central Film Censor Board and a delegated Member of Kerala Film Censor Board. In 2009, Kerala Congress had faced revolt over Vadakkans Thrissur candidature. In fact, state spokesman of Youth Congress Gopa Prathap was expelled from party for six years for speaking against Vadakkan. This election season, Congress has faced major blows with prominent faces joining the BJP. On March 12, Sujay Vikhe Patil, son of the leader of opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, joined the BJP in the presence of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai. Reportedly, the development comes after NCP chief Sharad Pawar, whose party is in alliance with the Congress in the state, rejected Sujays request to contest the polls from Ahmednagar Lok Sabha seat. "I am impressed with PM Modi's leadership. We can count on BJP," Sujay said while addressing reporters after joining BJP. He had said, "I've taken this decision against my fathers wishes. I dont know how much my parents will support this decision, but I'll try my best to make my family proud by working under the guidance of BJP. CM and other BJP MLAs were supportive and helped me take the decision." New Delhi: Just weeks after Johnny Depp filed a $50 million lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard for defamation, the Pirates of the Caribbean star now alleges that Heard punched him and severed his finger. Aquaman star Amber Heard talked about the domestic abuse in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed, which prompted Johnnys defamation lawsuit against her. The op-ed depended on the central premise that Ms. Heard was a domestic abuse victim and that Mr. Depp perpetrated domestic violence against her, the complaint read. It also stated that all of Ambers claims were categorically and demonstrably false and that there are testimonies from two separate police officers, third-party witnesses, and 87 newly-obtained surveillance footage that could refute her. The lawsuit also listed down incidents of Ambers alleged abuse since the start of their marriage, including punching and kicking, as well as staging her attacks. The Blast managed to obtain a photo of Johnnys black-eye which was allegedly caused by Amber after he was late for her 30th birthday dinner on April 21, 2016. The suit also mentioned that she had thrown a vodka bottle at him and severed the middle finger and shattered the bones. She allegedly punched him in bed. Fans from across the globe have forward in support of Johnny Depp and he is reported to be quite overwhelmed by the response. A source told Hollywood Life, "Johnny is overwhelmed by all the love and support hes receiving from fans on Twitter. He is finally feeling vindicated after years of looking like the 'bad guy' and not believing his side of the story it added. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Hollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: India on Thursday sought visa-free access for 5,000 pilgrims per day to Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistani town of Kartarpur. Our side pressed on the need for arranging the visit of at least 5000 pilgrims per day to begin with, in the phase 1 of the project. This should include not only Indian nationals but people of Indian origin as well, said SCL Das, Joint Secretary of MHA, while addressing the media on India-Pakistan meeting on Kartarpur. We have also emphasised from our side that in the spirit of Kartarpur corridor, it should be absolutely visa free. There should not be any additional encumbrances in the form of any additional documentation or procedures, he added. India also suggested that pilgrims be allowed to travel on foot to Kartarpur shrine and that the corridor should remain open for seven days a week. Amid the escalating tension in their ties, India and Pakistan held their first meeting to finalise the modalities for a corridor linking Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistani town of Kartarpur with Gurdaspur district in Punjab. A joint statement issued after the talks said both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the project and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalising the Kartapur Sahib Corridor (KSC). The meeting took place on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border. The meeting took place amid heightened tensions between the two neighbours following India's air strike on a terrorist training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Pakistan's subsequent retaliation. It was agreed to hold the next meeting at Wagah on April 2 and it will be preceded by a meeting of the technical experts on March 19 at the proposed zero points to finalise the alignment of the corridor, according to the statement. Last November, India and Pakistan agreed to set up the border crossing linking Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur - the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev - to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district. Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four km from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. The Indian delegation at the meeting was led by SCL Das, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs while the Pakistani team was headed by Dr Mohammad Faisal, DG (South Asia and SAARC) of Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: India'sA Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) on Wednesday night conducted successful test firing ofA Man-Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile (MP-ATGM) in Rajasthan desert. The MP-ATGM is being developed for infantry troops of the Indian Army. The DRDO carried out the trial of the missile with 2-3 km strike range last night. The MPATGM is a third-generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), which has been under development by DRDO in partnership with Indian defense contractor VEM Technologies Ltd. since 2015. Fitted with a high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead, the MPATGM reportedly boasts a top attack capability and has a maximum engagement range of about 2.5 kilometers. #WATCH: India successfully carried out trial of the Man Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile (MP-ATGM) being developed for infantry troops of the Army. The DRDO carried out the trial of the missile with 2-3 km strike range last night in Rajasthan desert. pic.twitter.com/fUcDj3Jlww a ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 It need be mentioned that Indian Army requires quite a substantial number of such missiles for its inventory and it would benefit all if the missile finally makes it indigenously. DRDO has promised the Indian Army to hand over the first MPATGM prototype by the end of 2018 for user trials. Mass production of the missile is expected to begin in 2021. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Hours before the UN Security Council is to take up a resolution on listing Jaish-e-Muhammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, China on Wednesday hinted that it may once again block the move, saying only "the solution that is acceptable to all sides" is conducive to resolve the issue. The United States issued an emergency order to ground all Boeing 737 Max aircraft, a decision a number of countries, including India, have taken following the second deadly crash of the plane in less than five months in Ethiopia. "All those planes are grounded immediately," US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White HouseStay hooked here for all the latest from India and around the world through the day. 15:04 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In In Uttar Pradesh, SP-BSP will have joint election rallies during the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, said former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. 15:04 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BCCI case: Supreme Court orders that those member cricket associations which have any grievances with regard to the release of funds have to be heard by Amicus Curiae P S Narasimha, and he will make appropriate recommendations to CoA. 15:04 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In India successfully carried out trial of the Man Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile (MP-ATGM) being developed for infantry troops of the Army. The DRDO carried out the trial of the missile with 2-3 km strike range last night in Rajasthan desert. 15:03 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Tamil Nadu Bishops Council wrote earlier this week to State Election Commission seeking change in polling date in TN & Puducherry. The letter states that 'polling date (18th April) coincides with Maundy Thursday & it would not be conducive for the people of Christian community.' 13:43 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Whatever had to be done after 26/11 Mumbai attacks was not done by previous govt: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. 13:41 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Congress leader and Maharashtra LoP Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil in Mumbai: Sujay (son) did not consult me before joining BJP. About my resignation from the post of Leader of Opposition, I would say that I will follow whatever my party leadership asks me to do. Congress leader and Maharashtra LoP Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil in Mumbai: Sujay (son) did not consult me before joining BJP. About my resignation from the post of Leader of Opposition, I would say that I will follow whatever my party leadership asks me to do. pic.twitter.com/kmDQdF5qPP ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 13:30 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Two contractual workers died and four contractual workers suffered severe burn injuries in fire that broke out yesterday at an ONGC well at Nandej near Gujarat's Ahmedabad while repair and maintenance operations were being carried out. 12:41 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Former Congress MLA Dr. Umesh Jadhav who submitted his resignation to Speaker of Karnataka assembly on 4 Mar: Still my resignation has not been accepted. I have given them one more reminder. It is not an intentional delay. It will be accepted in a day or two. I have joined BJP. Former Congress MLA Dr. Umesh Jadhav who submitted his resignation to Speaker of Karnataka assembly on 4 Mar: Still my resignation has not been accepted. I have given them one more reminder. It is not an intentional delay. It will be accepted in a day or two. I have joined BJP. pic.twitter.com/zXgvj7pQUH ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 12:23 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Karnataka: Election Commission officials demonstrated the use of EVM & VVPAT, at a mass marriage function in Hatti village of Koppal district, on couples' request. Guest at the wedding also participated in the public awareness campaign. Karnataka: Election Commission officials demonstrated the use of EVM & VVPAT, at a mass marriage function in Hatti village of Koppal district, on couples' request. Guest at the wedding also participated in the public awareness campaign. (13.03) pic.twitter.com/s3tX9fs7WD ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 12:22 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Delhi: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat conferred with Param Vishisht Seva Medal by President Ram Nath Kovind, at Rashtrapati Bhawan, today. Delhi: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat conferred with Param Vishisht Seva Medal by President Ram Nath Kovind, at Rashtrapati Bhawan, today. pic.twitter.com/B8IjVh1eXw ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 12:22 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Supreme Court will hear after Holi break a plea seeking fixation of criteria for minimum education qualification and maximum age limit for candidates contesting polls. 12:21 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Himachal Pradesh: Bodies of 2 jawans have been retrieved on the 23rd day of operations underway to rescue six Army men trapped at an avalanche site since Feb 20 at Namgya, Kinnaur. Bodies of 4 of the six missing Army personnel have already been recovered. Rescue operations have been concluded. 11:37 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Rahul Gandhi in Thrissur: In 2019, when we come to power, we've decided to take a big decision of Minimum Guarantee Income. With Guaranteed Minimum Income, anybody who earns less than minimum income line will be given money by GoI to bring them up to minimum income line. 11:37 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Rahul Gandhi at Fishermen's Parliament in Kerala's Thrissur: I want to give you your own amplifier so that when you feel something, your voice is immediately heard in Delhi. In my view, there is only one amplifier that will solve your problem, that is your own ministry in Delhi. 11:36 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Gujarat: Chhabil Patel, the main accused in Jayanti Bhanushali murder case, has been arrested by police from Ahmedabad airport. 11:36 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Supreme Court asks West Bengal to file reply on GJM leader Roshan Giri plea seeking court protection to let him participate in the upcoming general elections. 10:54 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Andhra Pradesh: Jana Sena Party (JSP) has announced its first list of 4 MP candidates and 32 MLA candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha & assembly elections in the state. 10:54 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In A team of Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested a sharp shooter of Neeraj Bawana gang who was wanted in many cases. 10:53 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Punjab: Indian delegation arrives at the integrated check post at Attari-Wagah Border. They will be meeting a delegation from Pakistan for discussions over Kartarpur Corridor today. 10:53 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Rajnandgaon: In a joint operation, District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Chhattisgarh task force unit busted a Naxal hideout in the jungle of Nakti Ghati in Gatapar police station area yesterday. Arms & ammunition in large quantity along with Naxal literature recovered. 09:49 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Delhi: Enforcement Directorate has summoned Congress worker Jagdish Sharma, in connection with an investigation under PMLA. He has to appear before ED at its Jamnagar House office today. 09:39 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Sensex rises over 150 points, Nifty above 11,350 in opening trade. 09:10 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Deputy Commissioner for Excise Department, Basavaraj (Karnataka): We carried out search operation on 12 Mar at 18 locations in Shivamogga circle & seized 7526.160 litre of illegal liquor valued at Rs. 35,21491 & two bikes. Seven people sent to judicial custody. 09:08 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In US Embassy Spokesperson: With respect to China, the United States and China share a mutual interest in achieving regional stability and peace, and a failure to designate Masood Azhar runs counter to this goal. 09:07 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In US Embassy Spokesperson: As UN sanctions committee deliberations are confidential, we dont comment on specific matters, but we will continue working with the sanctions committee to ensure that the designations list is updated and accurate. 09:04 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Andhra Pradesh: In three separate incidents, police has seized Rs 16 lakh unaccounted cash from a man travelling in a bus from Kadapa to Prodduturu, Rs 4.5 lakhs in cash recovered from a car near Viswanathapuram village and sarees worth Rs 5 lakhs seized, in Kadapa district. 08:57 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In SoftBank, others in talks to invest $1 billion in Uber's self-driving unit: Reuters 08:56 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Gail India called on U.S. liquefied natural gas producers to offer more flexibility contract terms as the state-owned gas distribution gas company hunts for supplies from the middle of the next decade: Reuters. 08:56 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Andhra Pradesh: Police have seized Rs 19 lakh of unaccounted cash from a car in Visakhapatnam 08:48 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Madhya Pradesh: A woman was allegedly gangraped in Kotma, Anuppur on 12 March. SN Prasad, SDPO Kotma says, "Case under relevant sections of the IPC has been registered. We are on the lookout for the accused and accessing CCTV footage of the area." 08:10 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The US Senate has dealt a stinging bipartisan rebuke to Donald Trumps foreign policy and his alliance with Riyadh, voting to end support for the bloody Saudi-led war effort in Yemen. Lawmakers in the Republican-controlled chamber approved on Wednesday a historic curtailment of presidential war powers that directs Trump to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting the Republic of Yemen within 30 days. 08:09 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In British MPs have voted to reject the possibility of the UK leaving the European Union without a withdrawal agreement in place, a move set to delay the March 29 Brexit deadline. British Prime Minister Theresa May had tabled a government motion against a no-deal Brexit within the March 29 deadline, which was passed by the House of Commons with a majority of 43 votes as 321 MPs backed it and 278 opposed it on Wednesday. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In what could leave the Congress red-faced, partys Delhi chief Sheila Dikshit on Thursday acknowledged that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs reaction after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks was not as string and determined as that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the Pulwama strike but added that the latter does everything for politics. Manmohan Singh, yes, I agree with you, was not as strong as and as determined as he (Modi) is. But there is also a feeling that he is doing it all for politics, ANI quoted Dikshit as saying in an interview to Vir Singhvi for CNN-News18 channel. She, however, later clarified saying that her remarks were taken out of context. "If something is taken out of context, I can't say," she said. "I have seen some media is twisting my comments made in an interview. Here is what I said - it may seem to some people that Mr Modi is stronger on terror but I think this is a poll gimmick more than anything else," Dikshit wrote on Twitter. The admission by Dikshit is likely to come as a major embarassment to the Congress which has been accusing PM Modi and the BJP of politicising the sacrifices of armed forces. The Congress has praised the Indian Air Force for its air strike but asked the government to give proof of the number of terrorists killed in the IAF strike in Balakot Official sources here have put the death toll at 300-350. BJP president Amit Shah has said that 250 terrorists were killed in the air strike. Hitting back, the BJP accused the Congress of speaking the language of Pakistan and lowering the morale of security forces by seeking evidence of casualties among terrorists. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Holding the BJP-led Central and state governments responsible for the Mumbai foot overbridge collapse, the Congress on Thursday demanded the resignation of Railway Minister Piyush Goyal. So far five persons have lost their lives and 36 are reported to be injured after a major portion of the bridge collapsed at around 7:30 pm. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said he was deeply saddened to learn about the Mumbai bridge collapse where several people are still reportedly trapped under the debris. "Modi Government and Maharashtra government are criminally culpable for inaction leading to repeat tragedies - 29/9/2017 - Elphistone Stampede. 3/7/2018 - Andheri Bridge Collapse. "Railway Minister's tall claims of the audit have failed time and again. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal must resign or be sacked," he said on Twitter. He offered condolences to the families of the victims and expressed hope that the administration will take swift action and provide urgent medical help to the injured. Congress president Rahul Gandhi has also offered condolences to the families of those killed in the incident and prayed for speedy recovery to the injured. "I am saddened on hearing the news of the Mumbai foot overbridge collapse. I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have died. I pray that injured get relief soon," he said in a Facebook post in Hindi. The bridge which connected the area near the Times of India building with the iconic CSMT station was commonly known as 'Kasab bridge' as the 26/11 Mumbai attack terrorist passed through it during the terror strike. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In a tragic incident, five persons were killed and over 30 injured after a major portion of a foot overbridge near a train station in south Mumbai collapsed on Thursday evening. The bridge which connected the area near the Times of India building with the iconic CSMT station was commonly known as 'Kasab bridge' as the 26/11 Mumbai attack terrorist passed through it during the terror strike. Click here for latest updates on Mumbai bridge collapse Several politicians, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president, expressed grief on the tragic incident. PM Modi Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the foot overbridge accident in Mumbai. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wishing that the injured recover at the earliest. The Maharashtra Government is providing all possible assistance to those affected, he tweeted. Rahul Gandhi Congress The Congress party also took to Twitter to express condolences on the tragedy and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. We are deeply saddened by the news of the #MumbaiBridgeCollapse, our thoughts & prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives & we wish the injured a speedy recovery. We urge all Congress workers to help in any way they can, the tweet read. Devendra Fadnavis Pained to hear about the FOB incident near TOI building in Mumbai. Spoke to BMC Commissioner and @MumbaiPolice officials and instructed to ensure speedy relief efforts in coordination with @RailMinIndia officials. He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the kin of the deceased and compensation of Rs 50,000 each to the injured. Randeep Surjewala "Deeply saddened to learn about the #MumbaiBridgCollapse where several people are still reportedly trapped. My deepest condolences to the families of innocent victims of this terrible tragedy. Hope administration takes swift action & provides urgent medical help to injured." "Modi Govt & Mah. Govt are criminally culpable for inaction leading to repeat tragedies-: 29/9/2017-Elphistone Stampede. 3/7/2018-Andheri Bridge Collapse. Rly Mins tall claims of Audit have failed time and again. Rly Min, Piyush Goyal must resign or be sacked." Rajnath Singh "The collapse of a foot overbridge in Mumbai is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the families who lost their loved ones in this accident. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured." Piyush Goyal "Railway Minister @PiyushGoyal expresses his sincere condolences to the family of the victims in Mumbai Bridge Collapse. Railway doctors and personnel are cooperating with BMC in relief and rescue operations." Akhilesh Yadav "My thoughts and prayers are with all those who have lost their loved ones in the tragic bridge collapse in Mumbai today. I wish the injured a speedy and complete recovery." Milind Deora, Congress If the government wants to send a message to the common Mumbaikars that this won't happen again then they should immediately lodge an FIR under IPC Section 302 which amounts to murder, against the concerned officers and auditors. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The debriefing of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has been completed by the Indian Air Force and other agencies, sources said on Thursday. Sources privy to the information said that the IAF pilot will now go on sick leave for a few weeks. "Now the officer would be going on sick leave for a few weeks on the advice of doctors of Armyas Research and Referral Hospital," tweeted ANI.A According to senior officials of the IAF, a medical review board in the near future will assess his medical fitness and decide on when can he resume his operations as a fighter pilot. IAF Sources: A medical review board in the near future will assess the medical fitness of Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman and decide on when can he resume his operations as a fighter pilot. https://t.co/B4DAZR4jhY a ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 Earlier, senior officials debriefing the 35-year-old fighter pilot - who was in Pakistanas captivity after he ejected from his plane when it took a hit on February 27 a said that he was grilled by the Pakistani forces during the first 24 hours of his captivity. Reports suggest that at least three to four separate teams comprising a select group of officers were debriefing the Wing Commander on various aspects of his captivity.A During his captivity, Varthaman was made to stand for long hours and subjected to loud music to increase his discomfort, the official said, requesting anonymity. The official also added that Varthaman showed immense resilience even as Pakistani officers tried to extract information from him about the frequencies that the IAF uses to transmit messages, deployment of fighter jets and logistical arrangements. All fighter pilots in India are taught to hold back for as long as possible when captured so that transmitting frequencies and deployments can be changed in the first 24 hours to deny the adversary any advantage, the officer said. aWing Commander Abhinandan did exactly that,a the officer said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: A California jury on Wednesday has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $29 million to a woman who alleges that the asbestos contained in the company's talcum-powder-based products, caused her cancer. This isnt the first time, the pharmaceutical company has come under fire for its products. In July 2018, a jury in Missouri ordered the pharmaceutical company to pay $4.7 billion in damages to 22 women who alleged that they had developed ovarian cancer after using the companys talc products. Following the allegations by several women, the US Food and Drug Administration had commissioned a study of a variety of talc samples, including Johnson & Johnsons, from 2009 to 2010. It has then stated that the products had no asbestos in any of them though the prosecution lawyer told the Missouri court that the FDA and Johnson & Johnson had used flawed testing methods. Terry Leavitt, the petitioner said she used Johnsons Baby Powder and Shower to Shower during the 1960s and 1970s before being diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2017. The verdict issued by the California Superior Court in Oakland marks the latest defeat for the pharmaceutical company, which, which, according to reports face more than 13,000 talc-related lawsuits nationwide. J&J said it was disappointed with the verdict and would appeal, citing "serious procedural and evidentiary errors" in the course of the trial. We respect the legal process and reiterate that jury verdicts are not medical, scientific or regulatory conclusions about a product, Johnson & Johnson said in a statement. The jury deliberated for two days before delivering its verdict, which was broadcast online by Courtroom View Network. New Delhi: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto on Wednesday attacked Pakistan government for lack of action against groups that killed children in Pakistan and carried out attacks on foreign soil. Earlier, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had said no militant group would be allowed to operate from Pakistani soil to carry out attacks abroad, days after his government announced a crackdown against Islamist militant organisations. Bilawal Bhutto has claimed there are at least three ministers from Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party who have links to banned groups. Ties between India and Pakistan have plummeted since a Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed the Pulwama attack. On February 14, at least 42 CRPF personnel were killed in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district when a Jaish suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 30 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. Earlier, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan had assured the world that Pakistani soil will not be used for carrying out terrorist strikes in other countries. Addressing a public a rally at Chachro in southern Sindh province near border, Khan had accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of resorting to the "politics of hatred" and beating war drums just to win the coming Lok Sabha elections scheduled to be held in May this year. "The politics of hatred, dividing people for votes, is easy politics. This is the politics of Narendra Modi. Divide humans, spread hatred and when a leader starts this, the workers under him do what we saw happened to the Kashmiris in India after Pulwama," Khan had said referring to a series of attacks on Kashmiris across the country. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Islamabad: Pakistan will have better relations with its neighbours including India after the upcoming general elections, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday, claiming that Islamabad has taken the first step on a new path to peace and progress. Recently, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama district in February 14. Khan, who announced visa reforms at a ceremony here, said that Pakistan is confident today that it has taken the first step on a new path to peace and progress. Pakistan will have better relations with its neighbours including India after the end of their elections. We will have good relations with all our neighbours and a peaceful Pakistan will be a prosperous Pakistan, he said as he announced major visa reforms, including online visa issuance facility, to attract tourists and investors. The elections in India will begin on April 11 and polling would be held over seven phases through May 19, followed by counting of votes on May 23. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party tweeted that the new e-visa scheme will available to visitors from 175 countries. This is the first step to open up the country, the Naya (new) Pakistan, Khan said, adding that it would revive the confidence of 60s when Pakistan was making fast progress The Prime Minister said that Pakistan would attract religious tourism from all over the world. Taxila was the centre of Buddhism. We have discovered a 40ft Buddha the worlds largest sleeping Buddha which we have yet to share with the world. Sikhs holiest places like Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur were also in Pakistan. We also have very old sites for Hinduism in Pakistan, including Katas Raj, Khan said. He also announced that the next season of the Pakistan Super League will be organised in Pakistan instead of Dubai. Officials said that initially, the e-visa facility will be available to nationals of Turkey, China, Malaysia, the UK and the UAE and later extended to other 170 countries. Business visas will be given to 90 countries, while 55 countries will be granted visa-on-arrival. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: India and the United States sought "tangible and irreversible action" by Pakistan against terrorist groups and leaders, with the US national security advisor saying Washington stands shoulder-to-shoulder with New Delhi in its fight against terrorism. The US support to India was expressed by American NSA John Bolton during a meeting with Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Wednesday. "Met with Indian FS Gokhale to advance progress on the US-India strategic partnership & our shared vision for the Indo-Pacific, as well as reiterate that the US stands shoulder-to-shoulder with India in the fight against terrorism," Bolton said in a tweet. Met with Indian FS Gokhale to advance progress on the U.S.-India strategic partnership & our shared vision for the Indo-Pacific, as well as reiterate that the U.S. stands shoulder-to-shoulder with India in the fight against terrorism. Official White House Photo by Keegan Barber. pic.twitter.com/27MPOFniuK a John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) March 14, 2019 Post the Pulwama attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad, Bolton and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have emerged as strong supporters of the India-US relationship. "Both underlined the importance of Pakistan taking tangible and irreversible action against terrorist groups based in territories under its control and denial of safe haven for these groups to launch cross -border attacks," the Indian Embassy said in a readout of the meeting. This came after India's bid to designate Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist was blocked by China. A veto-wielding permanent member of the Security Council, China has already blocked the move thrice since 2009. Reacting on the development, Ministry of External Affairs said awe are disappointed by the outcomea and will continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that terrorists involved in attacks on Indian citizens are brought to justice. aThis has prevented action by the international community to designate the leader of (Jaish), a proscribed and active terrorist organization which has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 14 February 2019,a MEA said.A MEA also said that India is grateful to all countries who supported the bid to designate Azhar as a global terrorist. aWe are grateful for the efforts of the Member States who moved the designation proposal and the unprecedented number of all other Security Council members as well as non-members who joined as co-sponsors,a tweeted ANI. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Washington : US President Donald Trump warned the European Union on Thursday of consequences that will be severe economically if Brussels fails to enter trade talks. The comments came after the European Parliament on Thursday failed to back the launch of trade talks with Washington, dealing an unexpected blow to efforts to avert a trade war. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on auto imports, which would hit German carmakers especially hard. Pursuing a trade deal was the central part of a truce agreed in July when Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker pledged no new tariffs following the US tariffs on steel and aluminum. Also Read | Imran Khan says Pak will have better ties with India after polls The European Union treats us very, very unfairly, Trump told reporters at the White House. Theyre willing to talk to us. If they dont talk to us well do something that will be severe economically. Well tariff a lot of their products coming in. But he added, It will probably work out. Theyre negotiating. Juncker is working with the European Council on the parameters for negotiations with the United States. While the parliament only has an advisory role, the setback underlines deep transatlantic divisions: Washington insists the talks include agriculture, but the EU has steadfastly refused. Powerful Germany deeply wants the deal in order to placate Trump and avoid the auto tariffs that would punish the countrys cherished exports, a prospect Chancellor Angela Merkel has labeled frightening. France is dragging its feet, fearing that entering trade negotiations with Trump could fire up domestic opposition just months ahead of European elections, set for May 22 to 26. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. London: British MPs have voted to reject the possibility of the UK leaving the European Union without a withdrawal agreement in place, a move set to delay the March 29 Brexit deadline. British Prime Minister Theresa May had tabled a government motion against a no-deal Brexit within the March 29 deadline, which was passed by the House of Commons with a majority of 43 votes as 321 MPs backed it and 278 opposed it on Wednesday. This would now require the Commons to pass a new vote, expected on Thursday, which will authorise May to go back to the EU and seek an extension to Article 50 - the legal mechanism for Britain's exit from the union. May said there was a "clear majority" against a no-deal Brexit but the "legal default" was that the UK would leave without a deal on March 29 if no deal is reached unless that is legally changed with another vote and EU ratification. "The legal default in UK and EU law remains that the UK will leave the EU without a deal unless something else is agreed. The onus is now on every one of us in this House to find out what that is," May said in her statement soon after another long Brexit day in the Commons. She also warned that any extension to the Brexit deadline will be pointless unless the House also set out a plan for the kind of deal it can support. Before the vote on the government's motion, a non-binding vote tabled to demand that a no-deal Brexit is ruled out under all circumstances marked yet another defeat for May as her Conservative Party MPs defied the government whip to vote in favour of it 312 to 308. While that vote was intended as indicative rather than prescriptive, it reinforced the Parliament view to ensure that some kind of a withdrawal agreement must be in place before Britain can formally leave the EU. MPs also voted by 374 to 164 to reject a plan to delay the UK's departure from the EU until May 22, so that there can be what its supporters call a "managed no-deal" Brexit. Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said that Parliament must now take control of the Brexit process and his party will work across the House of Commons to seek a compromise solution. He said: "In the last 24 hours Parliament has decisively rejected both her [May] deal and no deal. "While an extension of Article 50 is now inevitable, responsibility for that extension lies solely and squarely at the Prime Minister's door." All eyes will now be on a vote on Thursday, which is most likely expected to seek an extension to the time available for the UK to negotiate a new divorce arrangement with the EU. This would have to be ratified by the EU and the length of extension will become the next focus on both sides. However, how the EU will react to an extension request remains unclear at this stage, given that it is preparing for its own EU elections towards the end of May. The EU side has expressed dismay at the agreement being rejected by Britain for a second time since the last vote in January and said it would need "a credible justification" before agreeing to any extension. Unless agreed otherwise, Britain leaving the EU by March 29 remains the default Brexit option by law. The March-end deadline had kicked in when the UK triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty following a referendum in favour of Brexit by nearly 52 per cent to 48 per cent in June 2016. Unless MPs are able to rule out leaving by March 29 without any exit strategy or agreed terms, the UK is set to crash out of the bloc leading to deep uncertainties for businesses relying on cross-border arrangements. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The United States issued an emergency order to ground all Boeing 737 Max aircraft, a decision a number of countries, including India, have taken following the second deadly crash of the plane in less than five months in Ethiopia. "All those planes are grounded immediately," US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday. The United States is one of the major last countries to have taken a decision to ground Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 aircraft. These planes would be grounded till further orders, he said. That crash was the second involving the jet after a 787 Max operated by Lion Air, an Indonesian carrier, crashed into the Java Sea in October similarly and 189 people died. Several other countries, including India, China and all of Europe, have ordered the jets off air after the crash of a Boeing 737 Max 8 in Ethiopia on Sunday. The aircraft crashed minutes after takeoff, killing all 157 people on board. Four Indians were among those killed. A growing number of countries around the world have barred Boeing 737 MAX 8 from their airspace following the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines plane. Earlier, India decided to ban the use of Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft by the country's airline companies. "DGCA has taken the decision to ground the Boeing 737-MAX planes immediately. These planes will be grounded till appropriate modifications and safety measures are undertaken to ensure their safe operations," the Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a tweet. "As always, passenger safety remains our top priority. We continue to consult closely with regulators around the world, airlines, and aircraft manufacturers to ensure passenger safety," it added. Trump's announcement came as political and international pressure on the airliner started to build. He said all 737 Max planes currently in the air would be grounded upon reaching their destination. Boeing, the company, agree with the action, he added. "Safety is our paramount concern," Trump added. He expressed hope that Boeing will get to the bottom of the problem with the planes, but until then the jets will remain grounded. Boeing said "out of an abundance of caution", it has decided to recommend to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) the temporary suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of the jets. "On behalf of the entire Boeing team, we extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in these two tragic accidents," said Dennis Muilenburg, president, CEO, and chairman of Boeing Company. "We are supporting this proactive step out of an abundance of caution. Safety is a core value at Boeing for as long as we have been building airplanes; and it always will be. There is no greater priority for our company and our industry. We are doing everything we can to understand the cause of the accidents in partnership with the investigators, deploy safety enhancements and help ensure this does not happen again," he said. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Iran has lost $10 billion in revenue since US sanctions in November have removed about 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) of Iranian crude from global markets, a US State Department official said yesterday. Brian Hook, the State Departments special representative on Iran, said in remarks at the CERAWeek energy conference that due to a global oil surplus in part due to record US production the United States is accelerating its plan of bringing Iranian crude exports to zero. US sanctions on Iran and Venezuela, two of the largest oil producers in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, and production cuts by OPEC and Russia have boosted global oil prices to near four-month highs. Iran reached an agreement with world powers in 2015 over its nuclear program which led to the lifting of sanctions in 2016 but US President Donald Trump pulled out of the deal in May last year and reimposed restrictions in November. Trump has made it very clear that we need to have a campaign of maximum economic pressure on Iran, Hook said, but he also doesnt want to shock oil markets, he wants to ensure a stable and well-supplied oil market. That policy has not changed. The global oil market is looking for signs that Washington may extend sanctions waivers for Irans key customers in early May. The United States surprised the market in November last year by allowing eight countries to keep importing Iranian oil in part causing Brent crude futures, the international benchmark, to fall to near $50 a barrel in late December after surpassing $86 a barrel in October. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) has projected that world supply will exceed demand in 2019 by 440,000 bpd, Hook said. When you have a better supplied oil market it enables us to accelerate our path to zero. But we also know that there are a lot of variables that go into a well-supplied and stable oil market, said Hook, a senior policy adviser to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Washington sanctioned Venezuelan oil exports in January in an effort to oust President Nicolas Maduro and a massive power outage since last week halted crude exports from its primary port, essentially crippling the South American countrys principal industry. We are aware that our diplomatic and economic pressure, the timing and the pace of that affects Venezuelas oil industry, Hook said. Bahraini duo Mazen and Vish released their debut Dar Disku extended play record, a blistering two-track release that brilliantly updates longlost Middle East music for todays dance floors. Merging Middle East music with club-ready disco and house, Bahraini DJ and producer duo Mazen Almaskati and Vish Mhatre have created their own cutting-edge, homegrown label Dar Disku, that has quickly become a cult name, securing a guest mix and interview for BBC radio plus headline DJ slots in Dublin, London, Mumbai and Bahrain in just six months. Dar Disku, which literally means home of the disco in Arabic, has quickly proved its skill in their first official release which was out worldwide on January 21 where the duo are currently prepping for their tour, starting from April 16 in Kent, United Kingdom. Speaking to Tribune, Mazen Almaskati, said: This project aims to encapsulate a collective culture and various forms of artistry from the Middle East that was right before our eyes growing up in Bahrain. Many of us looked to the West for valuable art, things that were worth our time and attention and unfortunately may have turned a blind eye to our homegrown talents and schools of thinking and creativity. Bahrain is rich in culture and art owing to it being a melting pot of not only all Middle Eastern cultures but cultures from all over the world. This has manifested in the music and art and physical forms around us and even the way we speak. All in all, Bahrain has a lot to offer. We hope to not only revive peoples keen ear for middle eastern music but also to bring people together with the shared experience of growing up in a place like this whilst reclaiming the pride and awe that it deserves. Echoing a similar view, Vish Mhatre said, Bahrain has not only the talent but also the means to harness this creative potential and produce fantastic art and music. During our time making music in Bahrain we have met many incredible artists making fantastic art and music from home studios and bedrooms and so with the technical barriers of entry changing year by year. We foresee the future of Bahrains creative output not being limited by the skill and talent of homegrown artists, but instead by the presence of an all-encompassing creative platform and collective. Cincinnati, OH (45221) Today Cloudy with occasional light rain in the afternoon. Thunder possible. High 59F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Low 57F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier Mayor Alan Casavant notes the city's successes but says there are problems and all must work together to solve them. BETHEL A few months after opening, the towns new $14.4 million police headquarters is still missing a railing and crews are trying to figure out why water has appeared on the walls of the firing range, among other problems. Downes Construction Co., which built the headquarters, completed New Britains $36 million police station in 2012 and that city has spent nearly $1 million fixing about a dozen problems with the building. Jodi Latina, chief of staff for the New Britain mayors office, said it is absurd how much the city has had to spend on its station. City officials are combing through contracts and fighting with contractors to get repairs covered through warranty, she said. Its extremely frustrating, Latina said. This is a huge project ... You expect that youre going to get the best for that kind of money. Bethel officials want their police stations problems, but dont think the situation is as severe as New Britains where even the bullet-proof windows have cracks. In a statement, Downes Construction officials said the company followed building codes and standards for all of its projects, including in Bethel and New Britain. We are committed to excellence and stand firmly behind and honor all warranties related to all areas of construction, the company said in a statement. Bethels biggest struggle has been completing the stations work rather than failings like New Britain has experienced, said Josh Adams, chairman of the Public Site and Building Committee. I dont know if were having issues, he said. Its getting things done, which is happening finally. Bethel police Capt. Stephen Pugner said he is confident everything will be fixed. Overall, were very happy with the building, very happy with the construction company, he said. It is hard to determine how abnormal Bethels situation is, said Don Shubert, president of Connecticut Construction Industries Association. Typically, items remain unfinished for some time after a building opens, while sometime there are kinks to work out, he said. Youre going to have things that need to be corrected, things you don't realize until the building is complete and in operation, he said. The good rule of thumb, he said, is if the architect or engineer is worried, then the owners should worry. Downes, a New Britain-based company founded in 1934 that has built and renovated schools, museums and corporate buildings, said the town should not be concerned. As with all of our projects, the Bethel Police Department is no exception to our commitment to excellence, Downes said in a statement. No complaints against Downes have been filed with the state Department of Consumer Protection, the departments spokeswoman said. The company is not facing any lawsuits, according to court records. Complex projects In Danbury, about two years passed before problems in its new, $37 million station, constructed by KBE Building Corp. in 2009, were resolved. The department initially dealt with elevator and wiring issues, but more concerning was the inadequate chiller system, Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton said. Crews used a computer programming system to diagnose the problem, eventually realizing the chiller was built to handle the station at its highest capacity, but did not work well when fewer people were in the building, he said. It was a bear to figure out what was going on and why it wasnt working because the equipment was the best you could buy, Boughton said. Replacement of the cooling system, which took about a month, was covered under warranty, but the city agreed to pay for the system to be checked each year. The problems the city and others faced were a result of the extent of needs in police stations, Boughton said. Generally, police departments are very complex buildings with complex systems, he said, Old Saybrook had to find another place to house prisoners when floors started bubbling in the detention center shortly after officers moved into a new, $10 million building, First Selectman Carl Fortuna said. Downes completed those headquarters in 2015. The town worked for two summers with its HVAC contractor to fix the humidity controls and hired a subcontractor to improve the incapable technology in the interview room, he said. At the time, officers were frustrated, Fortuna said. We wanted a perfect building when we moved in and then when theres a problem, we wanted it fixed yesterday, he said. Because you spent the money and then you don't understand why a floor is bubbling. In retrospect, Fortuna said he is happy with the building and understands why problems arose. A police station is not like building a shell, he said. Its not building office space. These are very complex buildings. The to-do list In Bethel, crews plan to repair the cracking trim boards and fix the cause of the moisture in the firing range. A temporary railing has been installed until the arrival of the permanent one, which was delayed because the manufacturer went out of business. Project architect Brian Humes said it is normal to have a to-do list months after a building opens. Officers moved into the station in October. What I see at Bethel Police Department appears to be no different than any other municipal project that we have, said Humes, whose firmed designed stations in Danbury, Old Saybrook, Stamford and several other Connecticut and Massachusetts towns. Much of the work, including addressing erosion by the tower, will need to be completed in the spring, he said. Various factors, such as the complexity of the design or whether innovative products were used, affects how long it takes for the to-do list to be completed. Some projects are very sophisticated, Shubert said. Some projects are very simple ... Every construction project is unique. Voters approved $889,000 in additional funding after the station went over its $13.5 million budget, but officials said the town should not have to spend any more money on the station. Any repairs should be covered under warranty. Maintenance headaches New Britain officers were thrilled in 2012 when they moved into their new headquarters. Their old station had crumbling walls and poor air quality, among other problems, so the new building was a big improvement, despite initial issues with plumbing and the HVAC system. It was fantastic, said Chris Chute, acting chief. But Jon Delgadillo, manager of facilities for the city, said the station has become New Britains biggest maintenance headache, despite being the citys newest building. During heavy rain, water leaks into the building, while for a time water flowed from a transformer conduit onto the electrical panel. It would literally be like a waterfall in here, Delgadillo said as he stood in the electrical room. Water also drains underground into the area surrounding the 5,000-gallon diesel tank, risking wear-and-tear on the tank. The scratches on the bullet-proof glass apparently do not affect their effectiveness, but some needed to be replaced, Delgadillo said. The smell of exhaust from the generator wafts into the building, so the exhaust pipes need to be moved, an expense he said he hopes Downes will help the city cover. The generator was installed to code, but its location still doesnt work, Delgadillo said. Downes, a New Britain-based company, hired various subcontractors to build the station, but was in charge of overseeing the project, Latina said. City officials met with Downes last month to go over the problems. There was no resolution, no acceptance of fault, Latina said. Basically, we were told to check our warranties. First selectmen in North Haven, where Downes renovated its four firehouses, and East Hampton, where the company renovated its high school, were happy with Downes job. The University of Hartford also had no problems with Downes when the company renovated its performing arts center. Bethel First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker was surprised to learn this week of New Britains problems. He said the generator issue, in particular, sounded like a design flaw. Its something we should look at and be aware of, but I have no other knowledge of those things, Knickerbocker said. Adams said he did not think New Britains situation foreshadows problems in Bethel, agreeing they sounded like design issues. If they said the building was falling apart around them, thats a different story, he said, adding the craftsmanship in Bethels station was top notch. WILTON The Aquarion Water Company withdrew a permit request Thursday morning that would have allowed it to divert up to a million gallons of water a day from a Cannondale well field. The company cited discussions with residents, state and town officials, environmental organizations and other stakeholders as the main driver behind its decision. Over the past several months, Aquarion has held a dialogue with both community stakeholders and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) on the proposed diversion permit for our Cannondale well, said Dan Lawrence, Aquarions director of engineering and planning. Given the feedback weve received and our ability to continue using our other water sources to ensure the reliable delivery of safe, clean, quality water to our customers, we will be withdrawing the permit application. Residents and Norwalk River stakeholders alike had been up in arms over the plan to divert water from a Cannondale well field, which the company built in 1982, since the application was submitted to the state on Oct. 3. Wilton First Selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice said she was very pleased by Aquarions decision. I would like to thank all who assisted Wilton in our efforts, beginning with our leadership team of Environmental Affairs Director Mike Conklin, Town Counsel Ira Bloom, Special Counsel Steve Studer and Consultant Brian Blum. Thank you to my fellow members of the Board of Selectmen for approving the necessary funding to support our team, Vanderslice said. Louise Washer, president of the Norwalk River Watershed Association, heralded the decision as a victory for the public. None of this would have been possible, she said, without the support of hundreds of people who turned out to oppose the diversion plan. I felt very unsure of how it would go in terms of dealing with this large water company, and I really appreciate their responses. Im just so happy that they listened to our concerns and are not doing this, Washer said. Vanderslice added that environmental groups, local legislators and DEEP officials also played a large role in the decision. Our combined efforts demonstrate that transparency and collaborative, fact-based advocacy lead to good outcomes, Vanderslice said. Peter Fazekas, the director of public relations for Aquarion, said the company will instead focus on using other Aquarion water sources to improve the areas drought resiliency, while continuing to expand conservation efforts throughout the region. With the plan withdrawn, Washer is calling on municipalities such as Ridgefield, Wilton and Norwalk to draft water conservation ordinances to prepare for future droughts. We need something so, when we see trouble coming like weve seen in the past, the towns can do something about it. We could have the ability to enforce some alternate-day outdoor irrigation, for lawn watering and those kinds of things, that can really make a difference in preventing the types of shortages that brought about this application, Washer said. Governor Lamont seems to have joined those who think justice requires concealing criminal records. According to The Day of New London, the governor has proposed legislation requiring the state Office of Policy and Management to compile and post on the internet each year a list of all criminal defendants and convicts, including their age, race, ethnicity, gender, and town, as well as details of the charges against them and their sentences. But while law-enforcement officials would have access to the lists names of the accused and convicted, the public would not. The criminal-records project arises from the murder of three members of the Petit family in their home in Cheshire in 2007 by two career criminals on parole about whose records the parole board claimed to be inadequately informed. Presumably there will be no more such excuses if all arrest, prosecution, conviction, and sentencing information is in one place. Then everyone employed in the criminal-justice system can be held more accountable within the system itself. But there will be no accountability to the public if the names of the accused and the convicted are concealed outside the criminal-justice system. Indeed, journalistic investigation of the negligence of the parole system in the Cheshire case might not have been possible if the identities of the killers had been redacted from the public portion of their criminal records as the governors legislation proposes. The governors legislation follows proposals by urban Democrats in the General Assembly to erase or conceal criminal records of people whose offenses were not violent and who have gone some years without offending again. Supporters of the proposals argue that former offenders wont be able to obtain jobs and housing if the public has access to their criminal records. Yes, criminal convictions impose some handicaps on offenders, but then they should. Otherwise there is no point to the criminal law. If drug-dealing convictions are unfair, as many people now believe, the drug laws should be repealed, as Connecticut seems about to repeal its law against marijuana. But criminal convictions are the smaller part of the handicaps suffered by drug offenders in employment and housing, since most of these offenders are also uneducated and unskilled, which is why they went into drug dealing in the first place. A law suppressing their criminal records wont improve their qualifications as employees and tenants. Indeed, such a law probably wont conceal many criminal records at all, since reports of many arrests and convictions will remain posted at the internet sites of news organizations, as they should remain posted to protect the public. The proposals to conceal criminal records are typical of state legislators mere posturing to look concerned about a problem without incurring expense to solve it. The solution here would be to make sure that offenders gain an education and job skills before they leave prison so they might become good employees and tenants. Chris Powell is a columnist for the Journal Inquirer in Manchester. The 48th Annual JUNO Awards and JUNO Week events are bullfrogpowered with green energy LONDON, ON, March 13, 2019 /CNW/ - Bullfrog Power, a Spark Power company, and The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (CARAS) are partnering to bullfrogpower 2019 JUNO Week with clean, renewable energy. This year's JUNO Week will be held from March 11 to 17, 2019 in London, ON. "Bullfrog Power is proud to continue our partnership with CARAS and the JUNO Awards for the 12th straight year," said Sean Drygas, Executive Vice President, Bullfrog Power Sustainability Solutions. "Events like the JUNO Awards and JUNO Week play an important role in raising conversations around green energy choices available to us and how we can transition Canada towards a cleaner future. Let's all play for the planet!" Bullfrog Power is also partnering with Canadian musicians to help them take environmental action and reduce the carbon footprint of their Canadian tours. This year, East Coast musician Tara MacLean is bullfrogpowering her 2019 tour with green electricity. "The choice to go Bullfrog was an easy one," said Tara MacLean. "With no special equipment or extra wiring required, it's one small step I am proud to take as a Canadian and as a musician to reduce my environmental footprint and support a cleaner, healthier world. Climate change affects everyone and we all must do our part." Generating electricity from a blend of wind and low-impact hydropower; Bullfrog Power will provide the JUNOS with 290MWH of green power [fed] into the grid to match the amount of conventional electricity usedenough clean power to run more than 1,270 Canadian homes for one week. The emissions reductions achieved by CARAS choosing green power is the equivalent of taking 530 cars off the road for one week! These positive impacts are why CARAS chooses Bullfrog Power for the JUNOS year-after-year. In addition, whenever possible, CARAS reduces resource consumption, manages waste and opts for socially and environmentally responsible goods and services. Over the past decade, Bullfrog Power has been proud to partner with major Canadian musicians including: Anne Murray, Billy Talent, Blue Rodeo, Dave Carroll, Dave Gunning, k-os, Sam Roberts Band, The Sheepdogs, and The Tragically Hip have who have demonstrated their support for green energy by bullfrogpowering their homes, tours, concerts or companies. Through their partnerships with Bullfrog Power, these Canadian icons support renewable energy, reduce their carbon emission footprints, and help inspire action to reduce climate change. About Bullfrog Power Bullfrog Power, a Spark Power Company and Canada's leading green energy provider, offers renewable energy solutions that enable individuals and businesses to reduce their environmental impact, support the development of green energy projects in Canada and help create a cleaner, healthier world. As a Certified B Corporation, Bullfrog Power meets higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Thousands of individuals and businesses in Canada are doing their part to address climate change and air pollution by choosing green energy with Bullfrog Power. Sign up easily, quickly and affordably at bullfrogpower.com . Join the bullfrogpowered community online on Facebook ( facebook.com/BullfrogPower ), Instagram ( @bullfrogpower ) and Twitter ( @bullfrogpower ). About Spark Power Corp Spark Power Corp., (TSX: SPG, SPG.WT) is a leading independent provider of integrated power solutions to industrial, commercial and institutional customers across North America. Spark Power's 700+ employees help deliver powerful solutions that reduce costs, make the environment a priority and empower our 6,500 + customers to transition to the grid of the future. Learn more at www.sparkpowercorp.com. About CARAS: The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences/L'academie canadienne des arts et des sciences de l'enregistrement (CARAS) is a not-for-profit organization created to preserve and enhance the Canadian music industry and to contribute toward higher artistic and industry standards. CARAS' mandate is comprised of four key pillars: Educate through our music education charity MusiCounts programs and initiatives, Develop emerging artists through mentorship and development programs, Celebrate Canadian artists with year round JUNO Awards showcasing, and Honour music industry icons through the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. For more information on the 48th Annual JUNO Awards or The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) please visit www.junoawards.ca SOURCE Bullfrog Power Inc. For further information: Media Contact: Natasha Kucerak, Corporate Communications Specialist, [email protected], 365.323.1421; For more information on the JUNO Awards or interview requests, please contact: Sheri Clish, rock-it promotions, [email protected] 416.656.0707 ext. 122, Or Tonisha Bath, rock-it promotions, [email protected] 416.656.0707 ext. 107 Related Links www.bullfrogpower.com A New Haven womans work will be part of an upcoming Western Connecticut State University Master of Fine Arts candidate thesis exhibition to will be held from March 29 through April 8. The exhibition will be held at the Art Gallery of the Visual and Performing Arts Center on the universitys Westside campus in Danbury and opening reception for the student artists will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. March 28, at the gallery, according to a release. Admission to the reception and gallery viewing are free and the public is invited to attend, the release said. NEWTOWN The lawsuit brought by Sandy Hook families against a gun giant is no longer implausible after gaining ground in the states highest court. The split decision reached after 16 months of deliberation in Connecticut Supreme Court clears the way for what experts said was highly improbable: bringing a gunmaker to trial over the criminal misuse of a firearm. While it remains the burden of the 10 families who lost loved ones in the Sandy Hook shooting to convince a jury that Remington is liable for the worst crime in modern Connecticut history and not the disturbed gunman who took his mothers AR-15-style rifle and killed 26 first-graders and educators the high courts decision to reinstate the case in trial court bolsters the families argument. They claim gunmakers can be liable if they are recklessly negligent in marketing military-grade weapons to civilians. There is a reason why this particular consumer product is the one that is used by people who want to inflict the most damage, and weve seen examples of that time and time again, said David Wheeler, whose son was killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook shootings, at a Thursday news conference in Bridgeport with other families who are suing Remington. Members of Connecticuts Democratic Congressional delegation agreed. For far too long, gunmakers have been allowed to produce and market products that kill thousands each year with no liability for their actions, said Sens. Richard Blumenthal, Chris Murphy, and U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, in a prepared joint statement. Today's ruling allows the victims of these horrific acts of violence to have their day in court, and hold gun manufacturers accountable. The state Supreme Courts 4-3 ruling comes two years after a Superior Court judge threw out the families suit on grounds that Remington was shielded from liability in federal law. Thursdays ruling means the families argument that Remington negligently entrusted the rifle to the shooter Adam Lanza could be decided by a jury. It falls to a jury to decide whether the promotional schemes alleged in the present case rise to the level of illegal trade practices and whether fault for the tragedy can be laid at their feet, reads part of the Supreme Courts majority opinion. Remingtons response Lawyers for Remington could not be reached for comment Thursday. A spokeswoman at the companys North Carolina headquarters did not return messages seeking comment. The Newtown-based trade association for the firearms industry called the majority ruling overly broad in interpreting an exception in the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which shields gun manufacturers from most liability when firearms are misused. Lawrence Keane, the senior vice president for government and public affairs and the general counsel for the 12,000-member National Shooting Sports Foundation, called the ruling disappointing. The majoritys decision today is at odds with all other state and federal appellate courts that have interpreted the scope of the exception, Keane said in a prepared statement. The families lead attorney disagreed. The families are grateful that our states Supreme Court has rejected the gun industrys bid for complete immunity, not only from the consequences of their reckless conduct but also from the truth-seeking discovery process, said Josh Koskoff, in a prepared statement. The families goal has always been to shed light on Remingtons calculated and profit-driven strategy to expand the AR-15 market and court high-risk users, all at the expense of Americans safety. Remington has enough problems. Early last year, the company had to agree to a restricting deal in bankruptcy court to stay in business. Remingtons financial troubles started when it took on crushing debt after the 2012 Sandy Hook shootings to cover investors who left because they didnt want to be associated with the shooting. Meanwhile, the companys legal bills are mounting. From the beginning, Remingtons lawyers argued the company manufactured a legal gun and distributed it legally to a store that sold it legally to Adam Lanzas mother. The families case But the companys marketing tactics came under the harshest scrutiny in court. The (families) second theory of liability was that (Remington) marketed the rifle, through advertising and product catalogs, in an unethical, oppressive, immoral and unscrupulous manner by extolling the militaristic and assaultive qualities of the rifle and reinforcing the image of the rifle as a combat weapon that is intended to be used for the purposes of waging war and killing human beings, wrote the justices in the majority opinion. The justices went on to overrule the lower court judge and side with the families, saying they had the right to argue their case under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act. The court ruling was supported by state leaders. Our consumer laws were designed to protect consumers from harmful commercial activities of the type alleged in the complaint, said state Attorney General William Tong in a prepared statement. The military-type gun designed to inflict maximum lethality used by Adam Lanza to kill innocent children and adults on that tragic day should not have been marketed to civilians. State Senate President Martin Looney agreed. I am pleased that the Connecticut Supreme Court has recognized the appropriate role for the states use of its police powers to prevent the wrongful marketing of a highly dangerous product that may jeopardize the publics health and safety, said Looney, a Democrat from New Haven. The ruling means both sides can begin the pre-trial phase known as discovery, where each side is entitled to request and review evidence to build a case. The return of the familys lawsuit to the national headlines comes at a time when Democrats are gearing up for the 2020 presidential primary. In 2016, the lawsuit became an issue between Hillary Clinton, who opposed the federal bill shielding the gun industry from most liability, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, who supported the bill. A Sandy Hook man who lost his son in the shootings said Thursdays news was far from a victory for grieving families. I cant say Im excited by this ruling, I wish it was never here, Ian Hockley said. But what weve said from the outset is all we want is our day in court, for the law to be upheld and for a jury to decide our case. Staff writers Ken Dixon and Ethan Fry contributed to this report. rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342 EAST HAVEN Board of Education Chairwoman Michele DeLucia has called for state auditors to come in to sort out what she termed an ongoing discrepancy in accounting of the school systems state Alliance District grant. DeLucia told the school board at a meeting this week that after an impromptu meeting last week, I asked the superintendent on behalf of the board to contact the state auditor immediately regarding this concern. At last weeks meeting, which also included board member Tom Hennessey, Superintendent of Schools Erica Forti and schools Finance Manager Lynn Boisvert, suggested that we most certainly do so and that by doing so the state would cover legal fees to recover any money the schools are entitled to, DeLucia told the board. It also was suggested that the superintendent meet with (town Finance Director) Paul Rizza to discuss the discrepancy, DeLucia said. She did not want to do so alone, so both myself and Mr. Hennessey voiced availability to accompany her. Asked whether she could be more specific about her concerns, DeLucia said Wednesday the issue had been going on for some time. One year, the town and their auditor said we were underspent and overspent in the same year, she said. She explained as did Rizza that when Alliance District grants, which go to Connecticuts 33 lowest-performing school districts, first began as a program, they came as part of a communitys Educational Cost Sharing Grant. But more recently, there has been a change and the grants about $1 million for the current fiscal year and about $930,000 for the coming fiscal year, according to Rizza go straight to the school administration. DeLucia said her concern is that if money is unspent at the end of a fiscal year, the town takes it back but with Alliance District money, which is not supposed to go to the town at all, that is taking our money... Maybe theres not wrongdoing. Maybe theres simple mistakes maybe, DeLucia said. But I owe it to this town to have it investigated. Hennessey, who brought the issue to DeLucias attention, said he actually thought that perhaps we had too much money. The rumors that I heard was that we got it twice and we were only supposed to get it once. I dont understand why its so complex, he said. Its simple math. But Im nervous about it that we did get it twice, and that we werent aware of that, which scares me. Rizza said he thinks that school board members just dont fully understand the process. Thats why they really need a top-notch financial person there... he said. Theyre confused because its a new way of reporting how much you get, and how it flows. They were counting on the money twice, he said. While in the past, Alliance District grants would be delivered as part of ECS money, Last year, the governor came out and said, EH, your ECS is going to be $19 million. But then, when the state finally formulated its budget, they determined that the $19 million included the revenue from the Alliance, about $1 million. When all the dust settled, we got about $18 million, plus $1 million that went directly to the school system, Rizza said. But just a few weeks ago, Gov. Ned Lamont comes out and says, Now, theres a change in the ECS money and theres now two columns, not one, Rizza said. For the coming fiscal year, theres $18.1 million that will pass through from the state to the town and then to the schools as the ECS grant, plus another $930,000 that goes straight to the school system, Rizza said. Forti, in a budget presentation to the Board of Finance Wednesday night, projected that the Alliance District grant actually would be $865,711 for the coming fiscal year but said the figures are subject to change, depending on what the General Assembly does with the state budget. State Department of Education spokesman Peter Yazbak said the department has an internal audit division which has heard from East Haven in the past and I know our director has been out there once already. If the department were to get involved after receiving a request, they would reach out to our division of internal audits and we would go out and explain it to them ... walk them through any changes that they dont understand, Yazbak said. We also have a Turnaround Office, which works with all the Alliance Districts, he said, adding, I dont want to give the impression that our internal audit division is going to do an internal audit. It might just be an informational meeting. DeLucia said that before she left the meeting last week, I reiterated my directive to make this a top priority, to immediately send a letter to the state and to send a copy of that letter to the board. While preparing for the meeting this evening, I was concerned that the board never received that requested correspondence, and contacted the superintendent, she said. After receiving a somewhat ambiguous reply, she said she asked Forti again to send the letter. Forti, who pitched her $49.72 million recommended schools budget and corresponding 3.7 percent increase, Wednesday night to the Board of Finance, told that board, We just reached out to the head state auditors office today. She gave the finance board no further details and did not immediately respond to a subsequent request for comment. NEW HAVEN A Greek restaurant is opening its second location in the area. Peter Vouras, owner of Freskos, is celebrating the grand opening of his second restaurant at 21 Whitney Ave. in New Haven on March 25. Freskos is a fast-casual Greek restaurant featuring gyros, souvlaki, Greek salads and imported yogurt, according to a release. The restaurants Hamden location has won numerous awards for Best Gyro, Best Greek Restaurant & Best Salad in New Haven Living Magazine and CTNOW, the release said. A native of Meriden, Vouras has drawn on his familys long restaurant heritage. Both of his grandfathers owned numerous establishments in Meriden and Hartford, according to the release. His Uncles Jimmy and Frank Vouras operated the Chateaubriand Restaurant in Dallas, which was, at one time, considered one of the top ten restaurants in the United States, the release said. Peters concept for Freskos is to present fresh, healthy Greek food in a clean comfortable environment with take-out and dine-in options, the company said in the release. Freskos will be celebrating its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1:30 p.m. on March 25. The event will be attended by New Haven Mayor Toni Harp, various members of the New Haven Economic Development Office as well as members of the Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce. At 4 p.m., Freskos will be offering complimentary Greek wine, appetizers and live music to not only celebrate the opening but to also celebrate Greek Independence Day commemorating the start of the War of Greek Independence in 1821, the restaurant said in the release. NEW HAVEN The pension of the city employee suspected of embezzlement will be targeted as the city seeks payback for any missing funds. A longtime employee the payroll division, who recently filed paperwork to collect his pension, is under investigation for allegedly siphoning off just under $100,000 since 2003. Controller Daryl Jones said the citys insurance policy will cover the missing funds to make the city whole, but Mayor Toni Harp said beyond that, New Haven will enlist the state attorney generals office to reclaim as much of the loss as it can. The state would do this under the pension revocation or reduction act applicable to state and municipal employees. The regular meeting of the trustees of the City Employee Retirement Fund is Wednesday morning. Harp said the city does not have the power to deny someone their pension benefits, but it can bring in the attorney generals office to help to cover its losses. More News New Haven city employee under investigation for alleged embezzlement We will likely make the attorney general aware of it, but my understanding is that he is already paying some attention to this, Harp said Thursday. He can do it on his own accord, and we dont necessarily have to request it, but we will once everything has gone through the process. That can take awhile. The state statute reads ... if any public official or state or municipal employee is convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to any crime related to state or municipal office in state criminal or federal criminal court, the attorney general shall apply to the Superior Court for an order to revoke or reduce the pension of any kind to which such public official or state or municipal employee is otherwise entitled under the general statutes for service as a public official or state or municipal employee. The court, in making its determination, takes into consideration the severity of the crime; the amount of the loss; the degree of public trust reposed in the official. If it agrees that the pension should be reduced, it may order that some or all of the reduced pension be paid to an innocent spouse, dependents and designated beneficiaries. A warrant has not yet been issued for the employee in question. The city was attempting to arrange an interview with him in what is called a Loudermill hearing, when he applied for his pension. A Loudermill hearing is required if the city is considering disciplining or firing a worker. The mayor said the city is prohibited from denying a worker his or her pension benefit. The city has already adjusted the employees earnings to deduct the suspected ill gotten gains, according to city spokesman Laurence Grotheer. The employee has been on sick leave since late summer. Harp, in an earlier statement, said new internal controls and auditing procedures were put in place after another worker was charged with misusing a city credit card to cover some $13,000 in expenses. Bianca Bowles was charged with second-degree larceny, illegal use of a credit card and first-degree identity theft. She has filed a wrongful termination suit against the city. Some of the new procedures include verification steps aimed at all the citys major functions, covering vendors and accounts payable, benefits and human resources, accounting and internal sources of revenue, and pension and payroll payments, Harp said in a statement. There are now quarterly reports to ensure no unauthorized, supplemental vendor, payroll, or pension checks are issued, the mayor said in the statement. There are also independent Information Technology reports that are reconciled with the citys internal audit division. mary.oleary@hearstmediact.com; 203-641-2577 An Indiana homeowner made a shocking discovery in his garage. George Hollingsworth found the body of a suspected burglar pinned underneath an overturned antique safe that weighed more than 900 pounds. The Marion, Indiana, resident reported to police on Tuesday that he believed someone broke into his cluttered garage. The next day, he began sifting through his things and saw that an antique safe, suspended by a floor jack, had been knocked over, according to the Marion Police Department. The burglars body was lying underneath it. The fire department had to be called to lift the safe and remove the mans body, police said. The man has not been identified, pending notification of family members, the Indianapolis Star reported. DURHAM A Meriden man was arrested Thursday after he allegedly made generalized statements about shooting his fellow employees at Durham Manufacturing, according to state police. Jeffrey Wilson, 46, of Catlin Street, was charged with second-degree breach of peace, police said in a report. State police at Troop F received a report Thursday morning that an employee at Durham Manufacturing had been escorted off the premises after they made statements about harming other employees, according to the report. The initial report indicated that the accused, Jeffrey L Wilson, had gotten upset at work and made generalized statements about shooting fellow employees at the company, said Trooper trainee Jose Rivera in the report. Two witnesses were identified and statements were obtained supporting the initial complaint. Wilson left the area before police arrived on scene, according to the report. As a precaution, local schools were directed to have students shelter in place. He was later located at his Meriden home and arrested without incident, according to the report. Wilson cooperated with the investigation and admitted to making those statements, but indicated that he had no intent cause harm to anyone, said Rivera. Wilson is scheduled to appear in court March 28, according to the report. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com Judging by the many supportive phone calls and emails Ive received since my column last week criticizing Quinnipiac University President Judy Olians decision to close radio station WQUN, she should think about a way out of this public relations disaster. Olian, who took over last year, has decided the radio station is no longer sufficiently relevant to the lives of QU students, and so it will go dark June 1. In last weeks column, I quoted a news release from Lynn Bushnell, QUs vice president for public affairs: The number of students who even consider a career in radio, or who want to intern at WQUN-AM has declined sharply, prompting the university to re-examine the prudence of continuing to operate a community radio station. But I learned recently there are four student interns at WQUN this semester. Three are being paid and one is being unpaid, having offered to do it for free since he loves radio so much. QU also has a student-run radio station, WQAQ (98.1 FM). But students who are at that station do not get the benefit of working alongside veteran radio professionals. WQAQs one-watt signal is much weaker than that of WQUN. Emma Spagnuolo, a QU senior majoring in journalism who is the general manager at WQAQ, told me that those who intern at WQUN find it very valuable for their careers. Spagnuolo said of Olians view about students and radio careers: I think shes super-misinformed. I know a lot of students who are interested in radio as a career. She said she is one of those students who intends to pursue that kind of work. Asked about the pending closing of WQUN, Spagnuolo said, Its disheartening and its sad. An internship there is invaluable. There are so many students who have interned there and go onto broadcasting careers. Yes, and Jackie Downing of Hamden noted in a letter to the editor in the New Haven Register that WQUN had five interns last year and had to turn other students away. She added, I work with two QU interns who are disappointed they will not have the opportunity to learn about radio in a practical setting. Downing also addressed Olians other regrettable decision to have another QU community and student resource, Irelands Great Hunger Museum become self-sustaining rather than rely on QU for funding. Downing asked: Why not offer the same option to WQUN? Im sure with outreach to advertisers and philanthropy, there would be support for this community asset. Indeed, WQUN is an asset to our community, and Olian should recognize this. WQUN listener Al Daniels emailed me to say: The loss of WQUN is a terrible blow to our community. He noted, President Olian is from another place and time across the country. She doesnt realize how densely populated the Northeast is and how we are closely knit by the radio waves of WQUN. I hope the school finds a way to maintain the communication with the Greater Hamden area they have already established. In a phone message to me, Lois Jason of Hamden called WQUN the heartbeat of the area. I feel terrible that theyre going to be erased. Theyre an integral part of the community. I listen all the time: traffic, weather, interviews, whats going on. Im on the Hamden Arts Commission and we always count on them to to provide information about our events. Jason added: I have frizzy hair! I cant go out without listening to the weather report. Gaetano DeFrancesco of West Haven called me to say; Its a wonderful radio station! Im 68 years old and Ive been listening to it for at least 5-7 years. They have great djs, theyre very casual and informal. Its like having them next door to you or in another room in the house with you. DeFrancesco said he also likes hearing about pet adoptions and information about local businesses. They talk to people in West Haven. There are many things they do for the community. It would be a shame to see it close. Dorinda McKiernan of Hamden called to tell me, My late husband (Robert McKiernan) and I are Quinnipiac graduates. Im appalled at the things she (Olian) is doing to the radio station and the Hunger Museum. Kay Petraiuolo of New Haven told me over the phone: We rely on that station: the temperatures, traffic, people in the area with their businesses, if the schools are having an auction. There should be a solution, she added. Maybe the station can be purchased. It would be a good investment and an asset to the community. During a meeting this week with the New Haven Registers editorial board, Olian said: Were working on a podcasting center that will be available to the students, faculty, staff, and to the community to the extent they want to use it, which is more representative of where student interests lie and more tied to the curriculum. Olian called this a repurposing of the station for community uses. She said, Im hoping this podcasting studio will be available to the mayor, to the first selectman, to the Chamber of Commerce and other community members if they want to use our channels for podcasting. When I asked Spagnuolo about this idea, she said she needs to hear more information about it. But she added, I think shes just trying to appease the community. I think Spagnuolo knows exactly whats going on. Ill bet people such as Gaetano DeFrancesco and Lois Jason and thousands of other WQUN listeners will not be thrilled to hear that a podcasting studio will be replacing their community radio station. What are they supposed to do with that? randall.beach@hearstmediact.com BRANFORD Last week, Gambero Rosso, the worlds foremost authority on Italian food, wine, and travel, recognized Strega Restaurant in Branford for its excellence in authentic Italian cuisine. Its the first time its bestowed such an award on an Italian restaurant in Connecticut, according to Strega owner Danilo Mongillo. We are so happy, he said. We are thrilled. According to Mongillo, its no coincidence that, a few months ago, a 28-year-old world-renowned chef quietly took his place in Stregas kitchen. His mission: to create dishes that youd discover while traveling through Italy. The chef is Marco Giugliano, who opened his first restaurant when he was 20. After working his way through the ranks in Italy, Greece, and Spain, he was tapped as Executive Chef at Quattro Passi in Londons Mayfair District and Taverna Estia in Brusciano, Italy. Both added highly coveted Michelin stars, one of the highest honors given in the restaurant industry, under his watch. As it happens, a younger brother of Mongillo is Giuglianos best friend. Both of Mongillos younger brothers, coincidentally, are also celebrated chefs one in Moscow, the other in London. The brothers grew up in Puglianello, a sleepy village in the province of Benevento. Its a farm town of 1,000 people, said the charismatic 35-year-old in his signature flat cap on a recent afternoon at the Main Street restaurant across from Branford Jewelers. My parents owned a butcher shop. The meat came from my family farm. We killed the animal and the same day the meat is for sale. Same for cheese, milk, vegetables. Sometimes, when his parents worked late, Mongillo cooked dinner for his younger brothers. Pasta, broth and eggs, a little parmigiana. Everyone cooked, he said. You watched and you learned. Its like a chain. Following a three-year tenure in Afghanistan with the Italian army, he took a position as a police officer in the Ministry of Agriculture investigating violations against Italys strict regional product controls on food, wine, and cheese. Its a way to guarantee the product is from a certain region in Italy, he said. Every step, from the production, to the traditional ingredients, to the way its packaged, is regulated. It was a steady job, but Mongillo missed his wife Rosanna, a Sicilian native who was studying graphic design at Southern Connecticut State University. In 2014, he decided to take a year off in New Haven. There, he said, I missed my food. That was when he began to consider opening a restaurant. It would serve the food I missed, the food I loved, the food I grew up on, he said. It would be an adventure. There were a few early bumps when, in late 2016, Strega opened in the Main Street space formerly occupied by Brunellos. What the restaurant was offering, it seemed, wasnt the Italian cuisine its customers were expecting. Where was the chicken parmesan? The garlic bread? The pepperoni pizza? As for the pizza, it didnt even look like one. Or taste like one. People were asking for things that were here already, Mongillo said. We wanted to introduce them to something else. Judging from the group that thronged the lively space on an early-March Friday night, the Shoreline population, it seems, has come around. One of those diners, Lucy Camarda of Branfords Lucys Tailor, who spent her first 16 years in Beneventos tiny Puglianello, perhaps put it best. It tastes like Benevento, she said, as she dug into the Osso Buco. No doubt the recent arrival of Giugliano has been a factor. We kept in touch, Mongillo said. He came with his wife last April to see the area and loved it. He met my wife, my son [Samuele, 3], he saw something that made him want to stay. He wanted to be a part of this. Another factor: an emphasis on seasonal ingredients that hearkens back to his life in Puglianello and on the freshness and strict quality control that informed his work in the Ministry of Agriculture. You have to wait for the right time of year, Mongillo said. You can find corn in January here, bananas from Chile. No way. Its not the right time. Its not fresh. You wait. But every month we have something different. So in winter there is meat, sausage, prosciutto, and beans and soup. For summer there is Pesto alla Genovese. That philosophy likely explains why Mongillo named his restaurant Strega, which is Italian for witch. For us, in Benevento, the witch is nothing else but the women who take care of the population, with the herbs, the roots, the simple and natural ingredients that are seasonal and healthy, he said. These are the women who feed us, who keep us strong and with energy. In that connection, theres also the hospitality that radiates through the space, according to Sylvia Ionoro, a Friday night regular. Danilo and Rosanna are genuinely lovely people, she said. Everyone the servers, the bartender, the customers seems to feed off that. Shelly Johnson agreed. You feel at home, she said, as she prepared to sample the antipasto Misto, an assortment of Italian cured meats and cheeses, which Mongillo, a sommelier, had paired with an Aglianico wine imported from Benevento. This is the way we are in Italy, Mongillo said. All together, all friends, together, around the table, enjoying a meal. This is all part of offering an original experience of a town in the Naples area. That kind of authenticity is no more apparent than in Stregas popular Neapolitan pizza that was, in December 2017, designated by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanitybasically, a wonder of the world. The art of the pizzaiuoli preparing and flipping the dough, and then topping it and baking it in a wood-fired oven has been handed down for centuries, according to Mongillo. The result is an individual pizza thats famously light and digestible. In a rare concession, Strega slices its pizza. (In Italy you eat it with a knife and fork.) But thats about it. Just ask regular Jim Camuti of Branford. Ive been to Italy numerous times, he said. I guess you could say Im an aficionado. What they do at Strega is equal to or better than anything Ive tasted there. Apparently, no less than the worlds authority on Italian cuisine agrees. Strega is at 576 Main St. Branford; 203-208-2744. stregarestaurant.com. The owner of a New Jersey-based vending machine company has been indicted on charges he embezzled more than $186,000 from a pension fund set up for his employees, authorities said Wednesday. Howard Preschel, 62, of Teaneck, faces 10 counts of embezzlement from an employee benefit plan and three counts of failure to file an annual report. He surrendered to authorities Tuesday and made an initial appearance before a federal judge, according to U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito. Beginning in 2011, Preschel served as trustee for the CMG Vending Inc. Pension Trust Fund. The company operates, leases and rents vending machines in New Jersey and New York. In his role as trustee, Preschel was required to act solely in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the fund, Carpenito said. The criminal complaint alleges Preschel wrote checks to himself or cash in various amounts. The first was for $20,000 on Oct. 15, 2013, according to the complaint. Since October 2013, Preschel has embezzled $186,123 from the pension trust fund, authorities said. Preschel was also required to publish and file annual reports with the U.S. Secretary of Labor. To conceal the ongoing embezzlement, Preschel failed to inform the participants and beneficiaries that insufficient funds were being forwarded to the pension trust and failed to file a required annual report for the plan, Carpenito said in a statement. Preschel faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of both charges, Carpenito said. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. 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. Aleshia Hill and John Valerio were engaged to be married in 2016 when they were brutally killed during a robbery by a sex offender with numerous previous convictions. After gunning them down, Gary Johnson, now 39, of Camden, slid the engagement ring off Hills finger and later tried to sell it, prosecutors said. Jurors were deliberating in Johnsons month-long double-murder trial Tuesday when he apparently had a change of heart and accepted a plea deal that will see him sentenced to 15 years in prison. He had been facing the possibility of two life sentences if the jury convicted him of killing Hill, 24, and Valerio, 23. In front of Hill and Valerios family members in Superior Court in Camden, Johnson pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of aggravated manslaughter in with the robbery and killings on April 4, 2016, according to a release from the Camden County Prosecutors Office. Johnson is a registered sex offender whose past convictions include drug distribution and failing to register under Megans Law, court records show. According to the New Jersey Sex Offender Internet Registry, Johnson has the words, All about crime tattooed on one arm. Authorities found the couples bodies that night in their apartment on North 26th St. Both had been shot to death but Hill also suffered blows to the head, the prosecutors office said. Her engagement ring was missing, as well as their cell phones, prosecutors said. After a four-month investigation, authorities arrested Johnson, who worked with Valerio. At the time, Assistant Prosecutor Peter Crawford said the couple was known to keep quantities of cash at their home, and Johnson went there to rob them. Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. 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. Mark Elwell witnessed the horrors of war during his military service in Afghanistan. He served there with the U.S. Marines from 2009 to 2012 and saw combat as a machine gunner during Operation Enduring Freedom. On his first day of combat, he witnessed a member of his platoon lose both legs and an arm. Elwell received an honorable discharge and returned home to Cumberland County, where he got a job as a corrections officer at a federal prison and tried to resume his life. The husband and father struggled to leave his experiences in the Middle East behind, however, and his life was torn apart by PTSD and alcohol. Two friends from his platoon committed suicide in 2018 and his family feared he might harm himself. Now hes fighting a new battle - to stay out of prison. Following two run-ins with the law in 2018 he punched a New Jersey State Police trooper, then was arrested on a gun charge weeks later Elwell was denied admission to two diversionary programs and faces the possibility of prison time. His lawyer, who shared court documents detailing Elwells military service, mental health diagnosis and criminal charges, says the U.S. Veterans Administration initially failed to help him when he returned home, and accused prosecutors of failing him again. Can he get a second chance? Does he deserve one? He thinks so. Elwell was drinking and watching a movie about the Afghanistan war in 2017 when his experiences came flooding back. His wife tried to stop him when Elwell grabbed his shotgun and went looking for the shells she had hidden, according to court documents. He located the ammo and fired off a round in his backyard. When the police arrived, he surrendered the gun, but slugged a New Jersey State Police trooper as he was being placed in an ambulance. Elwell was afraid that being hospitalized for mental health issues would cost him his prison job, according to his attorney, Joseph C. Corbi. He was charged with aggravated assault. In March 2018, prosecutors recommended Elwell for the countys Veterans Diversion Program, an effort to keep vets out of jail by helping them get treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and related issues. He was told he would have to enroll in treatment for psychiatric issues. Just weeks after that recommendation, though, Elwell was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. He had been drinking again and argued with his wife before driving to his parents house, where he retrieved a handgun. When he returned home, his wife noticed he had the gun strapped to his leg. Family members convinced him to give up the weapon and his wife obtained a temporary restraining order. Based on comments he had made, his wife feared he would harm himself, Corbi said, but noting that Elwell never pointed a gun at anyone in either incident and never threatened anyone. Following the second incident, Cumberland County Prosecutors Office rejected Elwells bid for pre-trial intervention (PTI) or the veterans diversion program. While prosecutors praised Elwells military service in her letter rejecting the bid, they described his issues as beyond the scope of the diversionary programs. Alcohol, marital stress and firearms are always a dangerous, volatile combination that present a danger to all parties present and can have injurious consequences, a prosecutor wrote. Allowing this defendant to enter the PTI program is outweighed by the need to protect his family as well as keep the public safe. Mark Elwell, kneeling on the right, is shown with his platoon in Afghanistan. He was jailed for 45 days following the second incident and was charged with violating the restraining order when he allegedly called his wife from Cumberland County Jail. Superior Court Judge Michael Silvanio then ordered Elwell released into an inpatient treatment program with the VA. Elwell had wanted this kind of help all along, his attorney says. He gave a tremendous sacrifice for his country but was virtually abandoned by the VA when he returned home with PTSD, Corbi said. While Elwell received outpatient treatment in 2012, the VA denied his bid for in-patient care the next year, Corbi said, and even indicated he no longer needed out-patient care. It wasnt until his trouble with the law that their evaluation changed. His family believes Elwell is a danger only to himself, Corbi said, but that this danger is reduced as long as he continues to get help. During his court-ordered treatment last year, Elwell was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety disorder, and alcohol use disorder and was given a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD and physical injuries resulting from his military service. He completed inpatient treatment in July of last year and continues outpatient treatment. The 29-year-old can no longer work, but rented an apartment and attends community college classes. He also shares joint custody of his two children, including unsupervised overnight visitation. Elwell praised the care hes received from the VA in the last year. The VA kind of dropped the ball the first time, but since then they really have set me up for success, he said. And he calls himself a new person. I have a better relationship with my daughters than I ever did before. I was numb before. His parents and an uncle have remained by his side throughout his troubles, Elwell said, and he also credited the members of his church, Cohansey Baptist in Roadstown. They heard what happened to me, but they took me in with open arms, he said, when everybody else was not wanting to deal with the crazy Marine. Elwell was indicted in both criminal cases and faces a pre-trial hearing on Monday. Prosecutors are offering a plea deal of five years in prison with the requirement that he serve a minimum of one year behind bars. Elwells wife, other family members and even the trooper he punched think he needs help, not time behind bars, according to Corbi. Nobody wants him to go to jail, he said. The prosecutors job is to promote justice. Is justice served by sending him to prison? Elwell sought PTI a second time and was rejected again in December. He has no prior criminal history and has demonstrated that he is serious about getting treatment and turning his life around, Corbi said. The attorney accused the prosecutor of abusing her discretion by failing to consider the progress Elwell has made and by not speaking with his VA counselors about his diagnosis. Corbi argued that a lengthy prosecution and imprisonment would only harm Elwells chances at recovery. In the second denial of PTI, Assistant Prosecutor Shari-Ann Sasu said PTI is a low-level supervisory intervention program thats not equipped to monitor Elwells needs. In referencing his December 2018 indictment on the second-degree gun charge, the prosecutor also noted that state statute bars admission to the diversion program for veterans if the crime is a first- or second-degree offense and if it involved violence or the threat of violence. Counsels argument appears to propose a blanket rule that any veteran suffering from PTSD should be channeled into PTI, Sasu said. Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae declined to comment on Elwells case when contacted this week. Elwell feels the stigma of PTSD is hindering his case. They hear Marine, they hear PTSD, they hear assault charge. Theyre not going to take a chance on me. He doesnt see the plea offer of a year in jail as much of a break, since it means losing the connection he has built with his kids. Thats cutting me a break? he asked. Hes still hoping for PTI. Give me a chance to prove myself. Give me an opportunity to still vote and get a job and not be a felon for the rest of my life. Im starting over, he said. I still have a future. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattGraySJT. 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. Joe Giudice, husband of Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Teresa Giudice, was transferred on Thursday morning to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after the completion of his 41-month prison sentence. Giudice, 46, had been an inmate at a federal prison in Allenwood in Union County, Pennsylvania. In October, a judge ruled that Giudice should be deported to Italy upon completion of his sentence. In November, the New Jersey reality TV personality appealed that decision. Mr. Giudice has finished serving his federal prison sentence and was transferred early this morning from the Bureau of Prisons to a facility in western Pennsylvania which houses immigration detainees," the Giudice family lawyer, James J. Leonard Jr., told NJ Advance Media in a statement. "His lawyers and his family are hopeful that justice will prevail and Mr. Guidice will return home to his wife and four daughters who love him and miss him. Leonard, who is based in Atlantic City, did not specify which Pennsylvania facility Giudice had been transferred to, but ICE has several in the state Clinton County Correctional Facility in McElhattan, York County Prison in York, Pike County Correctional Facility in Lords Valley and Berks Family Residential Center in Leesport, Pennsylvania. Giudice was born in Saronno, Italy and moved to the U.S. with his family when he was 1 but never became a citizen. He is waiting on an appeal of his deportation order. Teresa and Joe Giudice have four daughters ages 10 to 18: Gia, Gabriella, Milania and Audriana. The family lives in the Towaco section of Montville in Morris County. In 2014, Teresa and Joe were sentenced in federal court after pleading guilty to bankruptcy fraud and conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. Teresa was sentenced to 15 months in prison and served just shy of a year in 2015. Joe reported to prison in 2016. Permanent residents who commit crimes of moral turpitude are eligible for deportation. Teresa, 46, has said she would separate from Joe if the deportation appeal is not successful, and that she will not be moving her family to Italy to be with her husband. You know, I want somebody with me every day and I know exactly what happens," she told Bravos Andy Cohen during a recent reunion episode of the show. Like, you know, Im sure hell be with other women. You know, it happens. We do the long distance thing, its not going to work. Like, Ill be like, bye-bye.'" She said their eldest daughter, Gia, is headed to college and her daughters do not speak Italian. It could be several months before a decision is made in the case. Gia, 18, posted a message on Instagram Thursday in response to her fathers release from prison. Sending you my love and strength today and always I love you, she posted alongside an old photo of her father holding her when she was a toddler. 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. New Jersey comedian Ramy Youssef plays a version of himself in a series coming to Hulu in April. In the half-hour comedy, Youssef, who grew up in Rutherford, plays Ramy Hassan, a Muslim-American New Jerseyan from an Egyptian family. The logline: Ramy Hassan is a first generation Egyptian-American who is on a spiritual journey in his politically divided New Jersey neighborhood. Ramy follows Hassans efforts to navigate cultural expectations, exploring the challenges of what its like being caught between a Muslim community that thinks life is a moral test and a millennial generation that thinks life has no consequences. On Monday, after the show premiered at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, Hulu released a trailer for the 10-episode series (caution: clip contains very slight profanity). A sign for Jersey City can be seen in the clip. Ramy Youssef, star of the new Hulu series "Ramy," at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in February. (Erik Voake | Getty Images) In 2017, Youssef made his late-night comedy debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. My name is Ramy Youssef and Im Muslim, he said, introducing his set. Yeah, like from the news. Have you guys seen our show? Fox News or any of the newses, really. Theyre all about us. Youssef, 27, who co-created Ramy," spoke to Vanity Fair about his intentions for the show. He said he didnt want the series to be defined by a defense of Muslims. Like many families, Hassans has its imperfections. Theyre messy, theyre ignorant, theyre loving, theyre a little racist, theyre ... you know theyre everything everyone in America is, he said. Meeting at our fault lines is much more interesting to me than meeting at shared values. Im not trying to sell you something. If anything, Im trying to show you where we are. There is nothing to hide. Hiam Abbass (Succession) plays Hassans mother, Maysa. Steve Way, who has been friends with Youssef since fourth grade, plays his friend in the show. May Calamawy (The Long Road Home) plays his sister, Dena, and Laith Nakli (24: Legacy) plays his uncle. In the trailer, Dena addresses the double standard that seems to hold sway when she leaves the house. Does anyone even care where Ramy goes?" she tells her parents as Ramy says hes going out, but doesnt specify where. You guys never ask him where he is. Youssef attended Rutgers University and has appeared on several episodes of the USA series Mr. Robot, starring Oscar winner Rami Malek. He was also a regular cast member on the Scott Baio Nickelodeon series See Dad Run" from 2012 to 2014 and a member of the sketch comedy duo Inside Joke Films with Jonathan Braylock. Youssef serves as executive producer of Ramy alongside Jerrod Carmichael. The show is produced by A24 and Youssefs co-creators are Ari Katcher (The Carmichael Show") and Ryan Welch. Bridget Bedard (Transparent) is the showrunner for the series. Ramy isnt the only big project from Youssef debuting this year. Summer will bring his first HBO comedy special, which is also being produced by A24, with Carmichael as executive producer. All episodes of Ramy will be available starting April 19 on Hulu. 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. JERSEY CITY On the final day of his trial, the man accused of causing the traffic deaths of Timothy ODonnell and his 5-year-old daughter three years ago testified in open court that a seizure had compromised his reasoning and that he had no visual memory of the ride that day. Scott Hahn took the stand Wednesday morning and faced questioning from his attorney, Scott Finckenauer, who worked to illuminate the circumstances leading up to the fatal crash from Hahns point of view. But Hahn, 39, also faced cross-examination from Assistant Prosecutor Leo Hernandez, who hammered away at his story specifically Hahns claims that he had not been under the influence of any drugs at the time. I dont mean to diminish the severity of what happened in this case its horrible, Finckenauer later said in his closing statement. But you have to decide, based on the evidence, whether or not you think he was under the influence at the time he was operating this car. The two-week trial in Hudson County Superior Court has reexamined the tragic events of Feb. 22, 2016, when Hahn rear-ended ODonnells Chevrolet Malibu in the New Jersey Turnpike 14C toll plaza lane while going 53 mph in a 5 mph zone. ODonnells car was propelled into oncoming traffic and collided with a McCabe ambulance vehicle as a result. The 48-year-old died at the scene, while Bridget was pronounced dead later at Jersey City Medical Center. Hahn, a Hamilton resident formerly of Jersey City, faces two counts each of aggravated manslaughter and vehicular homicide, and could spend decades in prison if convicted. Hahn anchored his defense on his history of seizures, and described the pain and discomfort he felt as he was exiting the Holland Tunnel. After leaving Manhattan, Hahn said that he "knew I had to pull over ... but I was dealing with a compromised set of reasoning. He then drove nearly 3 miles on the Turnpike passing four gas stations and a 7/11. He said he stopped on the side of the road at one point to ask a police officer for assistance, but was told to continue driving. During this time, Hahn said he had no visual memory of much of the drive leading up to the toll plaza, and said he was disoriented when he was taken to the hospital. I kept asking if anybody had been hurt, Hahn said as he became emotional. I dont know if it was just to keep me placated everyone said Dont worry about that right now... Afterward, Hernandez took aim at Hahns claim that he had not taken methamphetamine or GHB (which both appeared in a blood test taken after the crash), and that Hahn said he had taken 10 Adderall pills throughout the day a day earlier. Lets assume he did have a seizure, Hernandez said to the jury in his closing statement. Ask yourself: should a person with a history of seizures voluntarily accept 10 unprescribed Adderall pills in a 16-hour period? Who takes 10 of anything in 16 hours? Hahn said that on at least two occasions during the weekend, he was offered a hit of crystal meth but declined. Second hand smoke was why it appeared in his system, he said. He also testified that a friend had left the vial of GHB or the date rape drug in his car, and that he accidentally spilled it on his hand while driving. The Adderall pills, meanwhile, he characterized as harmless caffeine pills. He didnt sleep for more than 24 hours prior to the crash. "He engaged in this reckless behavior," Hernandez said "And as a result of that, he killed these two people." The jury will reconvene Thursday in the Hudson County Administration Building to begin deliberations. JERSEY CITY A legal team that includes former Acting U.S. Attorney Ralph J. Marra Jr. is handling an internal inquiry into the actions of Jerry McCann, the ex-Jersey City mayor who until recently was an aggressive city code enforcer, sources told The Jersey Journal. The law firm Marra works for, Calcagni & Kanefsky, was hired by the city last year to review and provide guidance pertaining to employment issues, according to the Nov. 7 resolution awarding the firm a $50,000 contract. As part of that work, attorneys with the firm have questioned numerous people about McCann in what has been dubbed an investigation, the sources said. Its not clear why the attorneys are asking about McCann or whether he is the only subject of the inquiry. He has angered business owners and residents citywide who allege he uses his public position to target them. McCann, who declined to comment for this story, has defended himself in the past by saying he gives out tickets to people who violate the city code. Calcagni & Kanefskys co-founders are former federal prosecutors. It announced it hired Marra in October 2018, about a month before the Jersey City council awarded the firm its contract. Requests for comment from Marra and another attorney at the firm, as well as from the citys spokeswoman, were not returned. McCann, 68, has a long and complicated history in Jersey City politics. He was elected the Ward A councilman in 1977, then became the citys mayor in 1981. He was voted out of office four years later, then elected mayor again in 1989. During his second term, he was convicted in federal court of 15 counts of bank fraud and other crimes, sentenced to 33 months in prison and ousted as mayor. He later attempted returns to elective office. He was barred from running for mayor again in 2001 and lost a freeholder race in 2003 before winning a school board seat in 2007. He is brash, known for reveling in political brawls. During a council meeting once, he accused a councilman of having a cocaine habit as television cameras rolled. Later, he said hed get the U.S. Attorney who was prosecuting him a job as a garbage man. He returned to municipal government in 2002, working for the now-defunct Jersey City Incinerator Authority. He was fired in 2005, then re-hired in 2010. He joined the citys payroll in 2016 after the JCIA was eliminated. He makes $85,000 annually. His title, according to city payroll records, is supervising motor broom driver. He is close to Mayor Steve Fulop. His sister, Barbara McCann-Stamato, is a Fulop political operative, an aide to a Fulop ally on the City Council and chair of the Jersey City Democratic Party. Her husband, Patrick Stamato, is director of the citys Department of Public Works and McCanns supervisor. An earlier version of this story should have said McCann was barred from running for mayor in 2001. Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook. The man accused of stabbing his neighbor to death after a night of drinking in East Windsor will remain jailed, a judge ordered Thursday morning. Jefrey Vasquez-Calderon, 37, appeared in Mercer County Superior Court before Judge Thomas Brown and consented to the states motion to detain him. Public defender Nicole Carlo said Vasquez-Calderon maintains his innocence, but would be subject to an immigration detainer if released from Mercer County custody. The Guatemalan national, who is in the country illegally, was in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement prior to being moved to Mercer County last week. He faces charges of first degree murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon in the death of 30-year-old Luis Sanchez. Sanchez was found dead behind his home on Feb. 27, just hours after he was seen leaving a local bar with Vasquez-Calderon. Vasquez-Calderon said he went back to his house down the street to get some beers late that night, and returned to find his neighbor face down, dead, according to police documents. Police found blood-stained clothing and a knife during a search of his home. He is scheduled to appear in court again March 25. Amanda Hoover can be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. A man accused of stabbing his neighbor to death after a night of drinking left traces of blood and stained clothing in his home and the trash bin behind his work, according to police records. Jefrey Vasquez-Calderon, 37, was arrested March 1 and charged with the murder of Luis Sanchez. The both lived on Bennington Drive in East Windsor. Police received a call from a man at 15 Bennington Drive around 8:30 a.m. Feb. 27, who had found his roommate, 30-year-old Sanchez, dead behind their home, according to a criminal complaint charging Vasquez-Calderon with murder. Sanchez had two receipts on him, both time stamped between 1 and 2 a.m. from Exit 8, a local bar and liquor store. Viewing surveillance footage obtained from Exit 8, police watched Sanchez leave the bar with another man shortly after 2 a.m., the pair getting into Sanchezs car, police said. The second wore a light colored zip-up Polo sweatshirt, a green striped shirt, dark pants and dark sneakers. Sanchezs roommate identified him as Flaco," whom Sanchez had previously worked with at Diversified Rack and Shelving in East Windsor. The manager of the store told police Flacos real name was Jose Alvarez, and that Alvarezs girlfriend worked there, too, according to the document. But the girlfriend told police her boyfriends name was actually Jefrey Vasquez, and that he lived down the street from Sanchez at 46 Bennington Drive, where she had seen him just hours before Sanchez was reported dead. She said she had received a message from her boyfriend, telling her that he was the last person to see Sanchez alive, according to the complaint. The girlfriend also told police Vasquez worked at the Cranbury Inn, but police did not find him there that Thursday until 10:15 p.m., when a manager contacted detectives to let them know Vasquez had come to work, according to the complaint. In an interview with police, Vasquez said he was the man in the video, and admitted to leaving Exit 8 with Sanchez, driving his car back to their street. He had walked over to his house to grab some beers and found Sanchez face down, dead, upon returning, he allegedly told police. But his lunch bag was covered in red-brownish stains, and a zip-up hoodie like the one in the surveillance footage had been dumped behind the inn, according to the complaint. Vasquez allegedly explained those details by saying the blood had spread to his clothing when he went to pick up his friend. He admitted to trying to wash the sweatshirt before dumping it, along with his sneakers. He threw his pants out at another job, he told police. Police searched Vasquezs home, finding blood on the screen door and wall, a knife with a wooden handle on the kitchen counter and a pair of blood-stained pants stashed in the dishwasher. They also interviewed his roommate, who said she cleaned the knife and hid the pants in the dishwasher upon Vasquezs request. She said hed told her earlier that afternoon that he did something bad, according to the complaint. The complaint did not reveal a motive for the crime. Vasquez-Calderon, who is in the country without documentation, was arrested in Trenton by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Feb. 28, before he was charged by East Windsor Police March 1. An ICE spokesman said he is from Guatemala. At the conclusion of the criminal case pending against him, to include any potential conviction and prison term, he will be returned to ICE custody for removal proceedings, New Jersey ICE spokesman Emilio Dabul told NJ Advance Media last week. Vasquez-Calderon faces charges of first degree murder and unlawful possession of a knife. Sanchez was a budding artist who moved to Mercer County from Queens, New York, a few years ago, his family wrote on a GoFundMe page seeking money for funeral expenses. He was a a devoted husband, and a loving father-- a son, brother, nephew and faithful member of our family. Vasquez-Calderon has been in Mercer Countys custody since last Wednesday, when ICE agents turned him over. A detention hearing is scheduled in Mercer County Superior Court for Thursday morning. Amanda Hoover can be reached at ahoover@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandahoovernj. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. A man was arrested after he launched a multi-town crime spree that included a carjacking, a chase on the New Jersey Turnpike and a false bomb threat and shooting in Middlesex County, police said Wednesday. Andrew Vayda forced a woman from her car at an East Brunswick Walmart store on Sunday and took off with her vehicle, according to a police news release. Patrol officers briefly chased the carjacker on the Turnpike, but he escaped. The spree continued when Vayda phoned in a bogus report of a bomb and shots fired at a Walmart in Woodbridge, authorities said. Shortly thereafter, Vayda committed an armed robbery of a pharmacy on New Brunswick Avenue in Woodbridge, East Brunswick police Lt. Sean Goggins said in the release. Detectives tracked Vayda to the East Brunswick hotel where he was staying and arrested him on an open warrant, according to Goggins. During a police interview, the 58-year-old Linden man admitted to the crimes. He was charged with offenses, including armed robbery, weapons offenses, causing a false public alarm and carjacking. Officials said he was being held at the Middlesex County jail. Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters An African-American woman is suing Verizon and her coworkers at the company, claiming she found a noose constructed of wires hanging above her work area last month. Marisa Powell, 50, of Mount Bethel, Pennsylvania said in the suit that the noose at Verizons office in Madison was the culmination of several years of harassment from her colleagues, most of whom were white males. Ms. Powell has repeatedly sought assistance from her supervisors and Verizons Human Resources Department to no avail, her attorney, Robert R. Fuggi Jr., wrote in a press release Wednesday. After the harassment, discrimination and intimidation rose to the level of a noose hung above her workspace, Ms. Powell realized that litigation was her only option. The suit said the Morris County Prosecutors Office is investigating the incident as a hate crime, though the office did not confirm that. Filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Trenton, the civil complaint names as defendants Verizon, a specific male coworker, and other John Does at the company. Attempts to reach the coworker for comment were unsuccessful. David Weissmann, a spokesman for Verizon, said he couldnt comment on the litigation. Verizon does not tolerate harassment or discrimination. We received this litigation today and are actively looking into these allegations, he said in a statement. When discrimination or harassment comes to our attention, we investigate and take appropriate action. As this matter is subject to pending litigation, we have no comment at this time. The suit says Powell, a Verizon employee for 30 years, now works as a network technician in the Madison office. She said a coworker started stalking her at work and yelling at her in June of 2015 when she was working at the Morristown office. Her complaints were never adequately addressed and she eventually went on leave for nine months due to the documented medical condition she had developed over the constant stalking, the suit said. When she returned, the suit said, she was reassigned to the Madison office and her supervisors ignored her requests to work elsewhere so she would not have to interact with the alleged stalker. In August of 2017, the lawsuit claims, Powell found someone had placed in her desk drawer an advertisement for Playboy magazine that prominently featured a naked woman and the message, Every Mans Christmas Wish. On Feb. 14, she arrived at work in Madison to find a noose made of cable wires hanging from a support beam directly above her desk, the suit said. She could tell it was purposely constructed outside of the office because wires of those colors are not used at the Madison office, the suit said. The suit says she believes John Doe coworkers whose names are unknown hung it. Defendants were fully aware of the fact that Plaintiff is an African-American woman, the history of African-Americans and symbols such as nooses, and the harm that would come to the plaintiff by hanging this noose for her to see, the suit said. She claims in the suit that her supervisor downplayed the incident, saying it could be a noose. But, the suit said, he ultimately cut it down, talked to her as she cried and walked her out of the building when she wanted to leave. Among other claims, the civil complaint alleges that Verizon allowed sexual harassment and racial discrimination in the workplace, and also retaliated against her for reporting her issues with the coworker. It also claims the company violated the Americans with Disability Act for not giving her special accommodations when she returned from her medical leave related to the alleged stalking. Powells suit seeks damages, costs and fees. Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. 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. For Janet Duran, it was just another night of work in Atlantic City. She was having sex in a casino bathroom with a customer a married man. Police showed up and placed her under arrest for prostitution, she said. In New Jersey, prostitution is either the offering or accepting of sex in exchange for money. So her customer should have been brought to the station, too. But thats not what happened, Duran said. He was patted on his back," she said. The security guy shook his hand, and they sent him back upstairs to his wife. Prostitution can be a thinly veiled cover for heinous criminal acts such as human trafficking, as seen last month with the arrest of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft on charges of soliciting women in Florida who had been forced into sex. But in more common cases where women are working the street on their own, the paying customers rarely pay any price at all. Its usually the sex workers like Duran typically woman who face arrest, while the buyers typically men are not targeted. Nearly 70 percent of the 4,715 prostitution-related arrests by New Jersey law enforcement agencies from 2012 through 2016 were of women, according to an analysis of FBI crime statistics. It brands you forever, said Duran, who co-founded New Jersey Red Umbrella Alliance, a sex worker advocacy group. You see all the media they put out there when they make a bust, they plaster, you know, our faces and information out there so it becomes public knowledge that, you know, weve been busted. The numbers are even more striking in some individual departments. In Atlantic City, where Duran was arrested, women accounted for 84 percent of all prostitution-related arrests. They accounted for 88 percent of arrests in Paterson, and 95 percent or 280 out of 294 arrests in Camden. For police trying to rid a neighborhood of the sex trade, its more efficient to focus on the sex workers rather than the customers, said Stuart Green, a professor at Rutgers Law School. If you have a sex worker who is selling sex to ten separate buyers, and your goal is eliminate the sex trade, then it would make sense to arrest the seller who is selling to 10 buyers as opposed to arresting 10 separate buyers, Green said. Other police officials defend the practice as a lifeline to women in desperate situations who need help. When we do these prostitution details, its mainly just to get them some help, said Vivian Coley, a lieutenant in the Camden County Police Department. We have had girls out on the streets addicted on heroin, theyre offering $5 for oral sex." But an arrest and subsequent conviction for prostitution in New Jersey can mean up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. The criminal record makes it harder to find jobs and housing, reinforcing a cycle of homelessness, said Meredith Dank, research professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Theres this long, continued never-ending level of stigma, shame and trauma that these individuals are facing, Dank said. Kurt Fowler, a professor at Rutgers University-Camden, said sex workers want nothing to do with police, even if they have been the victims of assault or needed other help. If workers are going to be targeted by police, theyre not going to reach out if theyre being victimized, said Fowler, who has conducted interviews with sex workers over the past couple of years as part of research into sexual commerce. In many communities, who the police arrest depends a lot on the type of operation. If theyre investigating human trafficking or sex slavery, they nearly always treat women as victims and get them help. Guidelines issued by the state Attorney Generals Office say trafficking victims should not be charged with prostitution, and instead should be directed to additional protection and services. In South Hackensack, a small town near a major highway with several motels, Capt. Robert Kaiser said every situation is different. From 2012 through 2016, the township reported 73 prostitution-related arrests, about 70 percent of which were women. We always interview every girl, male or female, that weve arrested for prostitution, Kaiser said. There have been cases when some people are being trafficked and some are not being trafficked and are doing it because this is how theyre making a living so every situation is different. Departments sometimes use female officers to go undercover as sex workers to target buyers. More often than not, however, officers pose as buyers or track down sex workers in the street, said Sgt. David DArco, a spokesman for the Paterson Police Department. The officers can do it in the course of the year, if they have some downtime, DArco said. Its always out there, and its not that hard to find. In Newark, women accounted for 74 percent of all prostitution-related arrests. A spokesman for the citys vice task force said those arrests usually occur after residents complain about women soliciting sex in a neighborhood. The Atlantic City Police Department declined comment on its numbers. Overall, of the 256 New Jersey law enforcement agencies that reported prostitution-related arrests to the FBI during the five-year period, about 63 percent reported arresting more women than men. Coley, the lieutenant in Camden, said her department has put extra resources into helping women avoid the criminal justice system by giving those arrested a choice: spend the night in jail or go to a shelter run by the non-profit She Has A Name, where sex workers receive a bed, food and free counseling to get them off the street. Were basically saving lives, she said. That message is not being received on the ground, researchers say, which is hurting efforts to stop human trafficking. Non-trafficked women with information are unlikely to come forward for fear of being arrested themselves. Right now, most [non-trafficked] sex workers wouldnt feel empowered to [report any human trafficking] because the system is against them, and theyd be more likely arrested for prostitution than thanked for bringing that forward, said Dank, of the Urban Institute. Groups including Amnesty International, New Jersey Red Umbrella Alliance and the American Civil Liberties Union advocate for the complete decriminalization of sex work. The state Attorney Generals Office said that while municipalities cannot categorically decriminalize any offense, they can prioritize which cases to prosecute and which to let go. When was the last time you heard of somebody getting arrested that helped them? Duran said. That doesnt help nobody. Carla Astudillo may be reached at castudillo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @carla_astudi. The Hamilton Police Department asked for the publics help to identify a man they said robbed a 7-11 at gunpoint Wednesday evening. Police were called to the 7-Eleven at 2200 S. Broad St. at 6 p.m. after a man pointed a silver-colored semi-automatic handgun at two clerks and demanded money from the cash registers, according to a statement from the Hamilton Police. The clerks were forced to hand over an undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes to the man, who fled the store in an unknown direction, police said. The man was wearing a face mask that partially covered his face during the robbery, officials said. Police asked anyone who could help identify the man to contact Detective Jason Aspromonti at 609-581-4030 or via email at jaspromonti@hamiltonpd.org or Detective Thomas Clugsten at 609-581-4027 or email at tclugsten@hamiltonpd.org. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrisrsheldon 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. WASHINGTON The Republican-run Senate rejected President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency at the southwest border on Thursday, setting up a veto fight and dealing him a conspicuous rebuke as he tested how boldly he could ignore Congress in pursuit of his highest-profile goal. The Senate voted 59-41 to cancel Trump's February proclamation of a border emergency, which he invoked to spend $3.6 billion more for border barriers than Congress had approved. Twelve Republicans joined Democrats in defying Trump in a showdown many GOP senators had hoped to avoid because he commands die-hard loyalty from millions of conservative voters who could punish defecting lawmakers in next years elections. Both New Jersey senators -- Democrats Robert Menendez and Cory Booker -- voted in favor of overturning Trumps declaration. With the Democratic-controlled House's approval of the same resolution last month, Senate passage sends it to Trump. He has shown no reluctance to casting his first veto to advance his campaign exhortation to "Build the Wall," and it seems certain Congress will lack the two-thirds majorities that would be needed to override him. Ill do a veto. Its not going to be overturned, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. Its a border security vote. Though Trump seems sure to prevail in a veto battle, it remains noteworthy that lawmakers of both parties resisted him in a fight directly tied to his cherished campaign theme of erecting a border wall. The roll call came just a day after the Senate took a step toward a veto fight with Trump on another issue, voting to end U.S. support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalition's war in Yemen. In a measure of how remarkable the confrontation was, Thursday was the first time Congress has voted to block a presidential emergency since the National Emergency Act became law in 1976. Even before Thursday's vote, there were warnings that GOP senators resisting Trump could face political consequences. A White House official said Trump won't forget when senators who oppose him want him to attend fundraisers or provide other help. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on internal deliberations. At the White House, Trump did not answer when reporters asked if there would be consequences for Republicans who voted against him. Underscoring the political pressures in play, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who last month became one of the first Republicans to say he'd oppose Trump's border emergency, said Thursday he'd vote to support it. Tillis, who faces a potentially difficult re-election race next year, cited talks with the White House that suggest Trump could be open to restricting presidential emergency powers in the future. Still, the breadth of opposition among Republicans suggested how concern about his declaration had spread to all corners of the GOP. Republican senators voting for the resolution blocking Trump included Mitt Romney of Utah, the party's 2012 presidential candidate; Mike Lee of Utah, a solid conservative; Maine moderate Susan Collins and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, a respected centrist. Republicans control the Senate 53-47. Democrats solidly opposed Trump's declaration. Presidents have declared 58 national emergencies since the 1976 law, but this was the first aimed at accessing money that Congress had explicitly denied, according to Elizabeth Goitein, co-director for national security at New York University Law School's Brennan Center for Justice. Trump and Republicans backing him said there is a legitimate security and humanitarian crisis at the border with Mexico. They also said Trump was merely exercising his powers under the law, which largely leaves it to presidents to decide what a national emergency is. "The president is operating within existing law, and the crisis on our border is all too real," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Opponents said Trump's assertion of an emergency was overblown. They said he issued his declaration only because Congress agreed to provide less than $1.4 billion for barriers and he was desperate to fulfill his campaign promise on the wall. They said the Constitution gives Congress, not presidents, control over spending and said Trump's stretching of emergency powers would invite future presidents to do the same for their own concerns. "He's obsessed with showing strength, and he couldn't just abandon his pursuit of the border wall, so he had to trample on the Constitution to continue his fight," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Republicans had hoped that Trump would endorse a separate bill by Utah's Sen. Lee constraining emergency declarations in the future and that would win over enough GOP senators to reject Thursday's resolution. But Trump told Lee on Wednesday that he opposed Lee's legislation, prompting Lee himself to say he would back the resolution. The strongest chance of blocking Trump remains several lawsuits filed by Democratic state attorneys general, environmental groups and others. On Twitter, Trump called on Republicans to oppose the resolution, which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., helped drive through the House last month. "Today's issue is BORDER SECURITY and Crime!!! Don't vote with Pelosi!" he tweeted, invoking the name of a Democrat who boatloads of GOP ads have villainized in recent campaign cycles. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who is backing Trump, went to the White House late Wednesday with other senators to see if some compromise could be reached that would help reduce the number of GOP senators opposing Trump, according to a person familiar with the visit who described it on condition of anonymity. The effort fell short. The National Emergency Act gives presidents wide leeway in declaring an emergency. Congress can vote to block a declaration, but the two-thirds majorities required to overcome presidential vetoes make it hard for lawmakers to prevail. Lee had proposed letting a presidential emergency declaration last 30 days unless Congress voted to extend it. That would have applied to future emergencies but not Trumps current order unless he sought to renew it next year . A driver was intoxicated when he plowed his Range Rover into pedestrians over the weekend in Elizabeth, injuring two people in an attack that was captured on video, authorities said Wednesday. Robenson Louis, 32, of Orange, argued with a boyfriend of one victims relative before he got behind the wheel of his luxury SUV, jumped a curb, drove on the sidewalk and repeatedly struck the woman, the Union County Prosecutors Office said in a statement. The woman - a 29-year-old Orange resident - suffered severe limb threatening injuries from the incident around 3:40 a.m. Saturday near New Point Road and Seventh Street, a city spokeswoman said Tuesday. Police rushed to reports of the SUV driving erratically and hitting multiple pedestrians in the area, where they found the badly injured woman, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Alaina Caliendo, who is handling the case. Emergency crews initially believed her injuries were life-threatening. Officers arrested Louis moments later near Elizabeth Avenue and U.S. Routes 1&9, authorities said. A portion of the incident was captured on video and shared on social media. The clip showed the SUV jump a curb, crash into a utility box along with the wall of a building while bystanders appear to try and stop the driver. A second person, a 24-year-old man from Union, was also struck by the SUV, according to city spokeswoman Kelly Martins. His condition was not immediately clear. Officials said Louis remained held at the Union County Jail on charges, including aggravated assault, assault by auto while driving while intoxicated, knowingly leaving the scene of an accident causing serious bodily injury, and weapons offenses for the vehicle. The investigation was continuing and anyone with information was asked to call police at 908-558-2048. Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook. TAMPA, Fla. Yankees manager Aaron Boone had just been talking about Estevan Florial, a 21-year-old center fielder with the raw skill set to be a star. Boone, predictably, spoke glowingly of the Dominican Republic native, about his maturation since last spring training, about the improvements hes made. Then Boone was asked who else has caught his attention at camp. The first name that came to mind was that of a youngster who would have been on the big-league radar last year had he not gotten shot: Thairo Estrada, whom the Yankees actually sent to minor-league spring training Tuesday night. He hit .278 with an RBI and a .770 OPS in 18 at-bats this spring. Get tickets to see the 2019 Yankees: StubHub, SeatGeek, PrimeSport, Ticketmaster Hes a guy we think can absolutely play in the big leagues, Boone said, sitting in the the dugout before Wednesdays game against the Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Last January, Estrada was shot at a restaurant in Bejuma, Venezuela. He was with his wife when two teens approached him and demanded cash and his cell phone, Estrada said. When Estrada told them he didnt have either on him, a fight ensured, and one of them shot him, Estrada said. He waited until July to get the bullet out. Estrada played in just 18 games, dealing with various injuries which he's said he thought might have been connected to the bullet. He hit .192. In 2017, Estrada broke out as a prospect, hitting .301 with six homers and 48 RBI in 122 Double-A games. This time last year, hes rehabbing from the bullet wound and it really cost him a lot of his season, Boone said. This year, I came in really excited. He was talked about a lot of as guy and I think we can see that this year. The ability to play the middle of the diamond, the hands, the ability to impact the ball he did a lot of good things this spring that hopefully are the start of him going out and having a full, healthy season. Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook. A Kenner mother accused of killing her 6-week-old daughter by breastfeeding the infant while she had methamphetamine in her system appeared Wednesday (March 13) in a Jefferson Parish court, where a judge set her bond at $250,000. Suspect will be booked Wednesday with 4th murder charge in Terrytown hammer attack Brandie Froeba, 35, began weeping immediately as a prosecutor described the details surrounding the death of Daisy Froeba. Shackled and seated in the front row of the magistrate commissioners court, she bowed her head and her shoulders shook with sobs as the inmate seated next to her raised cuffed hands to pat Froebas back. Kenner police received a 911 call from Froebas Spartan Lane home on the afternoon of Aug. 16 asking for medical help for a baby who wasnt breathing, authorities said. Paramedics arrived and found Daisy lying on a bed with a small amount of blood in her mouth, Assistant District Attorney Christina Fisher told the court. The paramedic also noticed a small amount of blood on Froebas shirt. They began performing CPR and took Daisy to Ochsner-Kenner Medical Center, but she was pronounced dead just before 5 p.m., according to Mark Bone, chief death investigator with the Jefferson Parish coroners office. Froeba told police she had earlier fallen asleep while nursing Daisy, according to Fisher. When she woke, Froeba prepared to bathe the infant but discovered Daisy wasnt breathing when she returned to the room. Officers noticed that Froeba had slurred speech and seemed lethargic, police said. They asked for, and Froeba consented to, a blood test. Daisy was added to the American Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Institutes memorial page in September. But two months later, the coroners office in determined that Daisy death was a homicide. 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 A toxicology screen revealed the baby died of mixed methamphetamine and methamphetamine toxicity, according to the prosecutor. The mother tested positive for the same drugs on the date of the childs death, Fisher said. Investigators suspect Daisy ingested the drugs through her mothers breastmilk. Froebas defense attorney, Gregory Noto, asked Magistrate Commissioner Patricia Joyce for a reasonable and minimal bond Wednesday, explaining that Froeba is a mother of three children, ages 3, 5 and 10. Shes not a danger to the community. Shes not a danger to herself. Shes not a danger to anyone, Noto said, later adding, The kids are in need of their mother. Froebas youngest child tested positive for opiates and marijuana when born in 2016, Kenner police have said. Authorities, at the time, gave Froeba information about the dangers of using drugs while pregnant or breastfeeding, according to authorities. Noto admitted his client has some issues. And though she has been booked by police with murder, he said he doesnt believe that the charge brought by the district attorneys office will be as severe. Locking her up, at this point does no good, he said. Froeba was remanded back to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center on the $250,000 bond. She is scheduled to return to court on March 27. A North Shore man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for killing his estranged girlfriend and burning her body in 2015, authorities said. Gary L. Harris, 57, of Bush, was sentenced Tuesday (March 12) in the death of Nanette King, 42. State district Judge Raymond Childress sentenced Harris to 40 years for manslaughter and 10 years for obstruction of justice by tampering with evidence, District Attorney Warren Montgomerys office said in a news release. The sentences are to be served consecutively. Harris pleaded guilty to the charges Feb. 14. Childress also sentenced Harris brother, Ray S. Harris, 67, of Bush, to five years in prison for being an accessory after the fact. The case surfaced Sept. 20, 2015, when King was reported missing after she left work and never made it back to the Bogalusa motel where she and her daughter were staying, the DAs office said. Three weeks later, Kings badly burned body and car were found in a wooded area near Sun in northern St. Tammany Parish. 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 Gary Harris, who had lived with the victim many years and had an adult daughter with her, became a prime suspect when the investigation found inconsistencies in his story. His relationship with King was volatile, resulting in the victim and her daughter moving to Bogalusa. Investigators said Gary Harris lured King to the home they once shared, ostensibly so she could pick up her things, and then strangled her, the DAs office said. Ray Harris ultimately confessed to picking up his brother from a location near where Kings body was found and to helping hide evidence of the crime. Assistant District Attorney Blake Peters prosecuted the case with assistance from Amanda Gritten, a student practitioner. Two arrested in death of woman whose remains were found inside burned-out car: St. Tammany Sheriff's Office A former New Jersey priest who was credibly accused of groping young boys was shot to death in his Nevada home, NJ.com reported. The body of John Capparelli, 70, was found in the kitchen of his home in Henderson, Nevada, by police who were conducting a welfare check on Saturday (March 9). He had been shot once in the neck, the website reported. Capparellis name was included in a list of 188 clergymen in New Jersey who had been credibly accused of sex crimes against children. The states five Catholic dioceses released the names while under mounting pressure to identify clergy accused of sexual misconduct, according to NJ.com. Other dioceses across the country, including the Archdiocese of New Orleans and three others in Louisiana, have made similar releases as part of a transparency movement designed to help the church address its ongoing clergy abuse crisis. Though he was never convicted of a crime, Capparelli was suspended from the ministry in 1992 after being accused of groping and brutalizing teenage boys. He was also linked to a fetish website that he allegedly ran from his home, NJ.com reported. Nearly two decades after being cut loose by the church, The New Jersey Star-Ledger revealed Capparelli was working as a public school teacher in Newark. The state then revoked his certificates, the website reported. Read the entire NJ.com story here. A St. Tammany Parish sheriffs deputy was injured Thursday morning (March 14) when he crashed his vehicle while responding to a call, authorities said. The Sheriffs Office declined to name the deputy involved but said he suffered moderate injuries and was being treated at a hospital. The deputy was responding to a call when his vehicle ran off U.S. 190 near Monteleone Junior High School, east of Mandeville, and hit a tree, department spokesman Capt. Scott Lee said. The investigation of the single-vehicle crash is being handled by Louisiana State Police, Lee said. The Sheriffs Office, in a post on its Facebook page, asked for prayers for the deputy. The St. Tammany Parish Coroners office is expanding its Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program to include examinations of the dead in certain cases. The agency three years ago launched the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program (SANE), under which specially trained nurses are dispatched to hospitals to collect evidence from survivors of sex crimes who report to emergency rooms. Now, Coroner Charles Preston wants those nurses to play a role in some death cases, making St. Tammany one of the few coroners offices in the country with such a program. "Although pathologists routinely check for obvious signs of sexual trauma, sometimes there are red flags that should indicate a more thorough evidence-collection process should be invoked," Preston said Wednesday in a news release announcing the initiative. "Elderly patients with suspicious caregivers, obvious homicide victims, women with a history of domestic abuse and transgender individuals are all more likely to have been sexually abused before death." Preston said he realized that while the sexual assault nurses are deployed to a total of about 100 calls a year in St. Tammany and four other Florida Parishes, their skills are rarely put to use with post-mortem examinations. Its a logical expansion of what they do in living cases, he said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up SANE nurses will be doing pretty much the same examinations and same evidence recovery procedures that they do on a living person, according to Preston. I think the benefit that we see is that its creating a standard examination and helps us to better delineate what normal and not normal post mortem changes would be. Last fall, coroners office pathologist Dr. Michael DeFatta, SANE program coordinator Ginesse Barrett and nurse Cassandra Billiott presented their new protocols to the International Association of Forensic Nurses conference. The presentation was well-received and supported by examiners from around the world, the news release said. Under the SANE program started in 2015, the nurses respond to hospitals to evaluate and collect evidence from assault victims, who often compete with other patients in the emergency department who need doctors attention, said Preston, a former emergency room doctor. The program allows the nurses to give full attention to sexual assault victims. Sexual assault response nurses win praise in St. Tammany The Jefferson Parish School Board shook up its elementary and middle schools Wednesday (March 13), approving a bold plan to close three and expand nine to educate children from kindergarten all the way through eighth grade. The vote was 8-0, after an hourlong public hearing with mostly encouragement but some wariness for Superintendent Cade Brumleys proposal. Brumley grounded his proposal in national and local research showing higher attendance and academic performance for sixth, seventh and eighth graders who are educated at K-8 schools than for those in conventional middle schools. Proponents like the idea of keeping students and faculty together on a single campus for nine years, instead of uprooting them after fifth grade and again after eighth grade. As we got older, we were with the same peers we had known for years - not being thrown into yet another school for middle school having to readjust and then adjusting again for high school," said Jennifer Fahrenholt, a real estate agent, product of a K-8 school and parent of a daughter in a K-8 school. Those awkward pre-teen years are perhaps a little less awkward. Thousands of Jefferson Parish students affected by reorganization plan These changes take effect over the summer: Closing - Live Oak Manor Elementary in Waggaman, Catherine Strehle Elementary in Avondale and Miller Wall Elementary in Marrero. That makes for the biggest reorganization of Jefferson public schools in seven years, since a previous board decided in 2012 to close seven schools. Five of those were on the West Bank, including two in Waggaman. 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 An opponent of Brumleys plan, Eula Pierce of Waggaman, cautioned that it risks crowding students in a growing areas remaining schools. Waggaman is a community thats building up. Avondale Shipyard is coming back, she said. Thats a lot of people coming to that community. We have a new subdivision thats coming, and thats more people that [are] coming in. Jefferson has been closing schools in part because its enrollment is only about 50,000, roughly the same as it has been for 15 years and well down from a peak of the late 1970s peak of 70,000. Another factor is overall mediocrity - a systemwide C grade that Brumley is trying to raise to an A in the next five years. No board members opposed Brumleys proposal. But member Mark Morgan was absent for the vote. Can Jefferson schools vault from C grade to A in five years? School Board commits to goal . . . . . . . Drew Broach covers Jefferson Parish politics and education plus other odds and ends. Email: dbroach@nola.com. Facebook: Drew Broach TP. Twitter: drewbroach1. The Orleans Parish school district has issued its most severe warning to James M. Singleton Charter School for the third time this school year, saying the school again violated federal and state special education law, The Lens reports. The Lens reported Tuesday (March 12) that a parent contacted the district in mid-January because a student wasnt receiving services in their Individual Education Program, or IEP, which is a contract between the school and parent outlining special education services. The concerns spurred the district to investigate Singleton, which was found to have patterns of systematic and student-specific non-compliance as it pertains to the delivery of special education services, including not providing appropriate services under students IEPs, both a violation of federal and state law, The Lens reported. In a statement, Singletons school leader Tia Robertson told The Lens that students triennial re-evaluations, one of the districts concerns, are in progress for completion. Singleton teaches 405 students in New Orleans Central City neighborhood, according to the Louisiana Department of Education. Last year the state deemed Singleton an F-rated school with a D growth score, which measures a student's progress in class over the course of a school year. Fifteen of the citys 80-plus public schools received an F last year, including three schools that closed in early 2018. Orleans Parish School Board superintendent Henderson Lewis, Jr. is giving four of those F schools, including Singleton, an additional year to raise their scores under improvement plans. Three other F schools are closing, and the remaining F schools are alternative schools for students who are expelled from other schools. Lewis has stated these schools have more flexibility in state ratings because theyre in a totally different set of circumstances from the average school. 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 state Education Department told NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune last year that officials learned many Singleton students received help on LEAP tests without authorization by their Individualized Education Program. The department voided dozens of tests at Singleton as a result. Singleton charter CEO to resign after standardized test cheating scandal: report Read the full story at The Lens. Wilborn P. Nobles III is an education reporter based in New Orleans. He can be reached at wnobles@nola.com or on Twitter at @WilNobles. Voters in the Lacombe and Bush areas will be asked March 30 to ante up more money for fire protection. Fire District No. 3, in the Lacombe area, seeks a $72 fee on developed lots for 10 years. And Fire District No. 9, in the Bush area, seeks a $40 parcel fee on all developed lots for 20 years. The week-long early voting period begins Saturday (March 16) and ends Mach 23. There is no voting on Sunday (March 17). The chiefs of both districts said they believe the parcel fees, which would be on any parcel of land with a structure on it, are a fair way to raise needed revenue for their departments. This brings everybody in to pay for essential services, Lacombe area Chief Patrick Sicard said. Unlike property taxes, parcel fees are not subject to the states homestead exemption, which exempts the first $75,000 of value of an owner-occupied home from property taxes. Nearly 72,754 St. Tammany taxpayers claim a homestead exemption, Assessors Office statistics show. But while Sicard and 9th District Chief Scott Brewer say its a fair way to raise money, the parcel fees have come under fire from others. For instance, last December, the St. Tammany Parish Council delivered a blistering critique of the Lacombe districts parcel fee proposal before eventually agreeing to put the measure on the March ballot. Several council members told Sicard they dont think the electorate is inclined to approve new taxes and noted the defeat last November of a parcel fee that the Mandeville-area fire district had sought. A parcel fee doesnt play well in St. Tammany Parish," Councilman Rykert Toledano told Sicard. Councilman Steve Stefancik noted that the parcel fees also impact homeowners who are fully homestead exempt or whose taxes have been frozen. I just wonder how youre going to sell that, he told Sicard. The St. Tammany Parish Assessors Office sent letters to residents in the two fire districts who are fully homestead exempt or have had their property taxes frozen to let them know the parcel fees are on the upcoming ballot. In the letters, the Assessors Office did not take a position on the fees, officials with the agency said. At the Assessors Office, we feel we have an obligation to provide pertinent facts and information to the voting public, spokeswoman Sheri Campbell said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Sicard said the Lacombe area has a history of strong support for the fire district. He believes the department can convince voters of the need for the additional revenue on top of the districts 34.94-mill property tax rate, he said. The money from the parcel fee, estimated on the ballot at around $250,000 annually, will help the department upgrade its equipment and add two firefighters, Sicard said. The district has nine full-time firefighters and two more in training, Sicard said. Were understaffed. The district has three stations, operates its own ambulance service and had total revenue of around $1.8 million last year. Sicard said theres no specific schedule for updating old equipment, but if the parcel fee passes the board that runs the district could opt to use some of that money to back bonds to cover equipment purchases. In making his pitch to the council in December, Sicard noted that the district includes several schools, a coffee plant, a community college, the new 911 center and 12 miles of Interstate 12. The district will outline its specific plans during the two town hall meetings, Monday (March 18) and March 25, at the John Davis gym, he said. Both meetings start at 6 p.m. The people of this district have always supported us, Sicard said. Chief Scott Brewer of Fire District No. 9, which covers the Bush area, said the district plans to reduce its property tax collections by 2 mills, to 33 mills, if the $40 parcel fee passes. Our taxpayers are already taxed the max, he said. If the parcel fee passes, Brewer said the money would be used for the district to issue bonds to cover an assortment of capital improvements, ranging from a new station on Louisiana 40 to a new tanker and CPR machines. Any funding left over would go to supplement the districts roster of nine full-time employees, three part-time employees and 20 trained volunteers. (Click here for more on Fire District No. 9s plans for the money if the fee passes.) The parcel fee would bring in around $76,000 annually, according to the election ballot. Brewer said the districts total budget is around $821,000. We had a recent open house. It was eye opening for a lot of people," he said. I think we have a lot of support." Comments from some council members notwithstanding, how voters will view the parcel fees is anyones guess. Thirteen governmental bodies across the parish have parcel fees or authorization to impose one. Only one fire department, Fire District No. 1 which covers the Slidell area, has one. Voters overwhelmingly approved that $39 fee in March 2015. But most recently, voters narrowly rejected the Mandeville Fire Departments $75 fee proposal last November. $30 million in roadwork on the way An ugly fight over an audit that found the city of Zachary paid two vendors $3.5 million without having contracts in place has died down some, but the city councilman most upset about the matter has made clear he is not giving up on his quest for The New Orleans Saints will likely be losing one of their defensive starters in free agency this year. Defensive end Alex Okafor, who started for the Saints the past two seasons, is very unlikely to re-sign with New Orleans, according to a league source. Although Okafor helped solidify the right defensive end spot the past two years, the team hopes to have 2018 first-round pick Marcus Davenport move into the starting role sooner rather than later, which makes the Saints less inclined to pay Okafor. The 28-year-old Okafor signed with the Saints on a one-year deal in 2017 as a free agent, joining a team that offered him a chance to compete for a starting role after he lost it with the Arizona Cardinals in 2016. Okafor started 10 games in 2017 before suffering a torn Achilles, but he returned to start all 16 games for the Saints in 2018. In 26 games with the Saints, Okafor had 79 tackles, 10 for loss, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and four passes defensed. Okafor joined the Saints on a one-year deal in 2017, and they re-signed him to a two-year deal last offseason. However, language in the deal led the 2019 year to void automatically as a result of Okafor reaching a sack incentive. With Okafor likely moving on, the Saints will be seeking depth on the edge. Cameron Jordan and Davenport are the projected starters, and 2017 third-round pick Trey Hendrickson will compete for a role. However, the teams interest in free agent Ezekiel Ansah, formerly of the Lions, indicates the Saints are looking to add an edge rusher to their rotation this offseason. Saints to sign defensive tackle Malcom Brown The New Orleans Saints addressed one of their needs in free agency on Thursday as they agreed to a deal with a defensive tackle. Malcom Brown, formerly of the New England Patriots, is set to sign a three-year deal, according to a league source. The agreement is pending a physical. NFL Network first reported the deal on Thursday afternoon, noting its worth $15 million over the three years. The 25-year-old Brown was a first-round pick out of Texas in 2015. In the past four seasons, he played 60 games with 51 starts. He made 186 tackles and 8.5 sacks, peaking at 50 tackles in 2016 and three sacks in 2015 and 2016. The 6-foot-2, 320-pound Brown could be a replacement for nose tackle Tyeler Davison. With Davison a free agent, Sheldon Rankins recovering from a torn Achilles and David Onyemata potentially facing a suspension, defensive tackle was a top need for the Saints when free agency began this week. The Saints were also hosting defensive tackle Mario Edwards on a visit, but its unclear if Browns deal will impact the interest in Edwards. How a family meeting brought Craig Robertson and Chris Banjo back to New Orleans The New Orleans Saints gave kicker Wil Lutz the largest contract in terms of total value on Wednesday when he signed a five-year, $20.25 million deal. The new contract includes $9.2 million guaranteed, which ranks second among active kickers, behind only Baltimores Justin Tucker at $10.8 million. Lutzs average annual salary of $4.05 million ranks fifth among active kickers, though details from Jason Myers new deal with the Seahawks are not available yet. Myers was a Pro Bowler with the Jets last season. Regardless, this is a monster deal for the 24-year-old Lutz, who made 87 percent of his field goals the past three years and had the most accurate full season ever by a Saints kicker. Here are more details from Lutzs new deal: Signing bonus: $5.25 million Total guarantees: $9.2 million 2019 Base salary: $850,000 (guaranteed) 2020 Base salary: $3.1 million (guaranteed) Workout bonus: $50,000 2021 Saints news in your inbox If you're a Saints fan you won't want to miss this newsletter. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Base salary: $3.4 million Roster bonus: $200,000 Workout bonus: $50,000 2022 Base salary: $3.4 million Roster bonus: $200,000 Workout bonus: $50,000 2023 Base salary: $3.4 million Roster bonus: $250,000 Workout bonus: $50,000 Saints restructure Drew Brees contract to create $10.8M in cap space Thank you for reading The Cascadia Advocate, the Northwest Progressive Institutes journal of world, national, and local politics. Founded in March of 2004, The Cascadia Advocate has been helping people throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond make sense of current events with rigorous analysis and thought-provoking commentary for more than fifteen years. The Cascadia Advocate is funded by readers like you and trusted sponsors. We dont run ads or publish content in exchange for money. Help us keep The Cascadia Advocate editorially independent and freely available to all by becoming a member of the Northwest Progressive Institute today. Or make a donation to sustain our essential research and advocacy journalism. Your contribution will allow us to continue bringing you features like Last Week In Congress, live coverage of events like Netroots Nation or the Democratic National Convention, and reviews of books and documentary films. Become an NPI member Make a one-time donation [Update: The slain Gambino boss shunned the limelight. Heres the latest.] Francesco Cali, the reputed boss of the Gambino crime family, was fatally shot outside his home on Staten Island on Wednesday night, a senior police official said. Mr. Cali, 53, was shot six times, the official said. The police said they received a report about the shooting outside 25 Hilltop Terrace in the Todt Hill section of Staten Island around 9:20 p.m. There was also a report of a blue pickup truck leaving the scene around the time of shooting. Mr. Cali was pronounced dead at Staten Island University Hospital. A 58-year-old neighbor who gave only his first name, Salvatore, said that he heard a burst of about seven gunshots shortly after 9 p.m. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] It was a novel defense for two men federal prosecutors had accused of being in control of one of New Yorks oldest crime families: they claimed the Mafia had long ago been dismantled and they were being unfairly profiled as gangsters because of their Italian ethnicity. But the strategy seemed to work. On Wednesday, a jury in federal court in Manhattan acquitted the men, Joseph Cammarano Jr. and John Zancocchio, of racketeering and conspiracy to commit extortion charges, after a colorful two-week trial. Prosecutors had presented evidence that Mr. Cammarano and Mr. Zancocchio were the boss and consigliere, respectively, of the infamous Bonanno crime family, one of the five families that once controlled organized crime in New York. Gina Castellano, the lead prosecutor, had said in her opening statement that Mr. Cammarano, 59, of Long Island, and Mr. Zancocchio, 61, of Staten Island, had worked together and with other members of the mob to commit crime after crime extortion, loan-sharking, drug dealing, assault and fraud. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] The call came in to the New York police on Monday: A woman who had lived in Queens in the 1970s had something she needed to get off her chest. As a child, she had witnessed a body being buried in her backyard. It had been decades, but she was sure she knew exactly where it was. Twenty-four hours later, forensic anthropologists unearthed decaying human bones from the very spot the woman described, behind the Richmond Hill townhouse where she had grown up. For more than 40 years, the remains had rested there undisturbed, buried in a makeshift grave. The sensational if grim discovery is one of the rare moments when the reality of police work all but trumps fictionalized TV true crime tales. The excavation has captivated conspiracy theorists and sent the department into a scramble to try to crack the case, which is being treated as a homicide. Wed really like to put a collar on it, said Patrick Conry, the director of the Police Departments public information unit. William C. Powers Jr., a long-serving president of the University of Texas who earlier produced a scathing report in 2002 on the wrongdoing that led to the collapse of the Enron Corporation, died on Sunday in Austin. He was 72. His family said the cause was complications of a fall and of oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy, a rare, adult-onset muscle disorder. Mr. Powers was president of the University of Texas at Austin, the flagship campus of the states sprawling university system, from 2006 to 2015. But it was while he was a top legal scholar and dean of the University of Texas law school that he came to national prominence. In 2001 he joined Enrons board and agreed to lead a committee to investigate the companys financial dealings. Its findings led to one of the nations largest corporate scandals and the collapse of Enron, a Houston-based energy company that had started to implode in 2000. Gov. Gavin Newsom of California announced Wednesday that no executions will occur on his watch, granting temporary reprieves to all 737 inmates on the states death row. Mr. Newsoms executive order also withdraws Californias lethal injection protocol, which has been mired in litigation for years. I do not believe that a civilized society can claim to be a leader in the world as long as its government continues to sanction the premeditated and discriminatory execution of its people, Mr. Newsom said . In short, the death penalty is inconsistent with our bedrock values and strikes at the very heart of what it means to be a Californian. The governor can stop executions only at the back end once sentences have been imposed. The law still empowers local prosecutors, many of whom remain staunchly supportive of the death penalty, to seek the ultimate punishment. In 2016, voters narrowly approved a ballot measure to speed up executions, and in the past they have defeated attempts to repeal the death penalty statute. Yet this act of executive mercy recognizes the extreme failures of the death penalty. In announcing his order, Mr. Newsom noted a National Academy of Sciences report estimating that one out of every 25 people on death row is innocent. If that's the case, that means if we move forward executing 737 people in California, we will have executed roughly 30 people that are innocent, he said. Other research suggests that it also does not deter crime. This is a dispiriting epoch of strongmen and bullies, yet side by side with the worst you find the best. So today lets find inspiration in two heroes. They are women who bravely challenged misogyny and dictatorship, one in Iran, the other in Saudi Arabia. Those two nations may be enemies, but they find common cause in their barbaric treatment of women and since they are trying to squelch and smother these two women, we should shout their names from the mountaintops. Nasrin Sotoudeh, 55, is a writer and human rights lawyer who for decades has been fighting for women and children in Iran. Her family reports that this week she was sentenced to another 33 years in prison, on top of a five-year sentence she is now serving, plus 148 lashes. Loujain al-Hathloul, 29, a leader of the Saudi womens rights movement, went on trial Wednesday after months of imprisonment and torture, including floggings, sexual harassment, waterboarding and electric shocks. In their perverse way, dictatorships know full well theyre doing wrong when they imprison dissidents. They betray this by the absurdity of the accusations they make against their critics, as if trying to conceal the real intent of their persecution. The result, of course, is the opposite the silenced dissenter emerges as the righteous accuser, the tyrant as crook. The latest proof of this is the new prison sentence handed down against Nasrin Sotoudeh, the Iranian human rights lawyer in jail since June, on charges of colluding against the system and insulting the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. She had already been convicted, in absentia, of belonging to a human rights organization and stoking corruption and prostitution an apparent reference to her defense of women arrested on charges of removing the mandatory Muslim head scarf. A few years earlier , Ms. Sotoudeh had been imprisoned for activities against national security and propaganda against the regime. It does not require a lot of investigating to discern that Ms. Sotoudeh is guilty of none of the above. She is a lawyer who has represented abused children and mothers, activists and journalists. In doing so, she has lawfully and peacefully insisted that the theocracy at the helm of Iran abide by the rule of law and the human rights obligations it has signed on to. She has done so fully aware that law and truth are forces that the Islamic Republic abhors, and that simply invoking them incurs the wrath of the regime. Her work has earned her the European Unions Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought (awarded in 2012, while she was serving time for her conviction for purportedly spreading anti-government propaganda) and numerous expressions of support from international human rights organizations. Its so much better, she said. Its so much freer. It needs to be reported. It is, of course, being reported but news about positive L.G.B.T. developments in cities and states tends to garner a small fraction of the attention that stories about the Trump administrations anti-L.G.B.T. plotting do. When the Department of Health and Human Services circulates an anti-transgender memo, social media is aflame for days; by comparison, when New Hampshires Republican governor signs a transgender nondiscrimination bill that passed with bipartisan support, we barely bat an eye. When we focus too intently on the actions of the Trump-Pence administration, we miss the bigger and better picture: A majority of Americans in all but six states now support same-sex marriage. Most support transgender military service. Most oppose businesses turning away L.G.B.T. customers in the name of religion. Public opinion on L.G.B.T. people is finally turning a corner, not just on the coasts but between them as well. That shift is thanks in large part to the increasing proportion of Americans who identify as L.G.B.T. themselves. According to Gallup polling data, 4.5 percent of American adults now identify as L.G.B.T., which is a full percentage point higher than in 2012. Millennials may not be more likely to be L.G.B.T., but their increased willingness to come out of the closet is driving the communitys numbers up. Queer people, simply put, are everywhere. (We are most definitely in Dollywood, a theme park owned by Dolly Parton in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and my favorite stop on my road trip, where I saw Bible Belters and lesbian couples peaceably ride roller coasters side-by-side.) As more millennials move to the South and West and as more Americans all over the country come out as L.G.B.T. cities like Louisville, Ky.; Norfolk, Va.; New Orleans; and Salt Lake City are all seeing huge spikes in the percentage of their residents who identify as L.G.B.T., as data from the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, shows. At the same time, between 1990 and 2014, that same statistic stayed relatively static for longstanding hubs of gay culture like San Francisco and Los Angeles and it even fell in New York City. Americas queer center of gravity is moving toward the middle. Before we know it, this country will have become L.G.B.T.-friendly not from the outside in but from the inside out. There are plenty of reasons for L.G.B.T. Americans to feel despondent right now. But hope is just down the road. Samantha Allen is the author, most recently, of Real Queer America: LGBT Stories From Red States and a senior reporter covering L.G.B.T. issues for The Daily Beast. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram. Ah yes, St. Louis in 1916. Woodrow Wilson didnt bother to show up, but a good time was had by all. The civic leaders who spent the last year and a half trying to make the deal called themselves The Good Land Committee after a scene in Waynes World, where the guys meet Alice Cooper after a Milwaukee concert and ask him if hes there often. Cooper, stone-faced, then reels off a list of factoids about the city, including that its name is Algonquin for the good land. The Milwaukee Public Library quietly issued a correction, explaining that it comes from terms originating in the Ojibwa, Potawatomi and Menominee languages. Really, sometimes its hard to get this stuff right. More possible Milwaukee convention slogans: A) Not About the Algonquins B) Ninety-two Miles North of Chicago C) Not Socialist at All Ignore the Republicans! As soon as the site selection was announced, sniping started from the right. No city in America has stronger ties to socialism than Milwaukee, said the director of the Wisconsin Republican Party, veering off into a mention of Bernie Sanders. Milwaukee did once have a few mayors who called themselves socialists, although the last left office in 1960, and their goal was not so much taking over the means of production as tossing out crooked politicians. Which of course has no relation whatsoever to anything going on today. Now, the city has strong union ties and a kind of working-class aura. The D.N.C. passed up the glitzier options of Miami, which is sometimes known as The Magic City, and Houston, which once called itself The Golden Buckle of the Sunbelt and is now supposed to be nicknamed The City With No Limits, which perhaps refers to the lack of zoning laws. Federal prosecutors are conducting a criminal investigation into data deals Facebook struck with some of the worlds largest technology companies, intensifying scrutiny of the social media giants business practices as it seeks to rebound from a year of scandal and setbacks. A grand jury in New York has subpoenaed records from at least two prominent makers of smartphones and other devices, according to two people who were familiar with the requests and who insisted on anonymity to discuss confidential legal matters. Both companies had entered into partnerships with Facebook, gaining broad access to the personal information of hundreds of millions of its users. The companies were among more than 150, including Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and Sony, that had cut sharing deals with the worlds dominant social media platform. The agreements, previously reported in The New York Times, let the companies see users friends, contact information and other data, sometimes without consent. Facebook has phased out most of the partnerships over the past two years. We are cooperating with investigators and take those probes seriously, a Facebook spokesman said in a statement. Weve provided public testimony, answered questions and pledged that we will continue to do so. SAN FRANCISCO What would happen if Facebook and some of its apps such as Instagram and WhatsApp were to all go down at about the same time? And then stay intermittently out for hours? On Wednesday, people around the world found out when all three services experienced interruptions throughout the day. The problems began around 11 a.m. Eastern Time and affected users in countries including the United States, Japan, Australia and Mexico, according to DownDetector, an analytics service that calls itself a weather report for the internet. On Instagram, profiles refused to load. Some Facebook users logged on to empty news feeds, while others could see their friends updates but couldnt like them. And WhatsApp users had trouble sending and receiving messages. Cupid can be a real jerk. Myth gifts him two sets of arrows, golden ones that spark desire, leaden ones that infuse disgust. Sometimes the twerp looses both at once. How else to explain why Layla (Kavi Ladnier), a professor of contemporary literature, ends up tangled in the sheets with Imran (Sendhil Ramamurthy), a prizewinning novelist whose books she finds inimical to humanity? That inimical to humanity bit is what she tells him just before she smashes her lips into his. So much for foreplay. Smart, sexy and not entirely satisfying, Rehana Lew Mirzas Hate____, a production of WP Theater and Colt Coeur, is a political drama gartered and stockinged as a relationship comedy. (If the full title is unpublishable, its eminently guessable.) Just beneath the couples pheromone-spiked banter lurks a feeling discussion about representation and identity. Layla, a practicing Muslim, attacks Imrans best-sellers because she believes they rely on ugly assumptions about Islam and feed white Americans fears. They have titles like The Dishonored, The Savage or Sacrilege. (Does this nod to Ayad Akhtars Disgraced, a play some saw as reinforcing anti-Muslim stereotypes?) Are you a terrorist? Layla asks him when she corners him at a book party in his luxury apartment. All six of his books feature male Muslim terrorists, so she figures the odds are pretty good. michael barbaro From The New York Times, Im Michael Barbaro. This is The Daily. Today: When a federal prosecutor revealed a $25 million scheme to purchase college admissions for the children of celebrities and executives, he declared, There can be no separate college admissions system for the wealthy. But there is. Its Thursday, March 14. archived recording Were here today to announce charges in the largest college admissions scam ever prosecuted by the Department of Justice. Weve charged 50 people nationwide with participating in a conspiracy that involved michael barbaro Jenny and Katie, where does this story begin? katie benner So according to prosecutors, the first lead in this case came about a year ago. michael barbaro Katie Benner covers the Department of Justice. Jennifer Medina is a national correspondent for The Times. jennifer medina So this story begins with a totally different investigation. katie benner Federal prosecutors are investigating an entirely separate case when one of the targets in that investigation gave them a huge tip. There could be a bribery and cheating scandal occurring in the college admissions process. jennifer medina The feds think that this is pretty interesting, and it turns out katie benner They discovered a man named Rudolph Meredith, a soccer coach at Yale. And they thought that he might be taking money in order to falsely recruit students to the team so they could get into the university. Once the F.B.I. understands how big a deal this is going to be, and as they investigate and more and more schools become involved jennifer medina They bring in more and more investigators. They give this a name: Operation Varsity Blues. michael barbaro As in the James Van Der Beek movie? jennifer medina As in the James Van Der Beek movie. michael barbaro Which we all saw. jennifer medina I didnt see. archived recording 1 Dozens of actors, coaches and C.E.O.s are among those charged. ARCHIVED RECORDING 2: The former C.E.O. of Pimco, the investment firm. ARCHIVED RECORDING 3: Actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin. archived recording 4 You also have William McGlashan. Hes a senior exec at TPG. archived recording 5 Huffman starred on ABCs Desperate Housewives, and Loughlin is best known for her role on Full House. jennifer medina And it all leads back to this guy in Newport Beach, California, who charges somewhere in the ballpark of $15,000 to more than a $1 million to guarantee your kid a spot in a school. michael barbaro And who is this guy in Newport Beach, California? katie benner So this guy is Rick Singer. archived recording (rick singer) Hi, my name is Rick Singer, and Im the founder of The Key. katie benner Singer is a guy in his 50s who lives in Newport Beach, California. archived recording (rick singer) As a father myself, I understand the stress the college admissions process can put on your family. katie benner He is sort of a player in this world of academic coaches who help students, oftentimes who can pay a lot of money, get into colleges, including some of the nations top schools Yale, Stanford, Harvard. archived recording (rick singer) For the past 25 years, our coaches have been helping students discover their life passion and guiding them and their families through the complex college admissions maze. jennifer medina He was doing legitimate college counseling work, catering to the wealthy, trying to get their kids to school, but legitimate stuff. archived recording (rick singer) My Key method unlocks the full potential of your son or daughter and sets them on a course to excel in life. jennifer medina So he does that for several years, then seems to somehow take a break and works in a call center, but then somehow gets back into this and starts making connections for people to get their kids into schools that they want to get to. archived recording (rick singer) Getting into the right college will set the trajectory for the rest of your son or daughters life. Dont leave it to chance. Let a Key coach come alongside you and your family to truly unlock your students potential. katie benner Eventually, the F.B.I. lands on Singers door. jennifer medina He looks in all this huge amount of evidence that theyve got against him. He thinks about what hes going to do, and he agrees to flip. katie benner And Singer begins to help the F.B.I. jennifer medina He agrees to wear a wire. He agrees to go back to the clients that hes worked with for years and tape, in excruciating detail, what hes done. He agrees to call all these people hes worked with people hes accepted bribes from and people hes given bribes to. Some of these are parents. Some of these are coaches. Some of these are associates people hes paying off in one way or another. katie benner Theyre discussing extremely strange, bizarre, extraordinary measures that very, very few people could imagine ever taking in order to get their kid into school. jennifer medina Theres sort of two different ways that he operates. The first is this athletic scheme where he amasses a number of coaches at a number of different schools more than a dozen schools who agree to accept his bribes and say, I want this person on my team. All these coaches get special slots for athletes. They get admitted to universities on a totally different track than anybody whos not an athlete. michael barbaro So these coaches are communicating with the admissions departments at these colleges. Theyre almost getting, like, their own personal bucket of student athletes. jennifer medina Absolutely, thats exactly the way it works. You get to say, this is who I want on my team, and the admissions office essentially agrees to go along with what you say. So hes paying off these coaches in all these different colleges. michael barbaro And how do the coaches pretend that someone is a legitimate athlete when theyre not? And how do the parents play along with that as well? jennifer medina So he had a very elaborate scheme in lots of cases. One of his typical ways of operating apparently was to fake photos. In one case, he said, I need a picture of an Asian girl playing soccer. And were going to Photoshop the applicants face onto this photo. michael barbaro Wow. jennifer medina Almost every case that we know about, this person never played on the team. They would drop out as soon as they arrived on campus. In some cases, the kids didnt even know that they were expected to play on this team. They created a profile saying that this kid ran track, and he gets to campus and is speaking to a college counselor, and the counselor says, oh, so I see you run track. And the kid says, what are you talking about? He didnt even know. michael barbaro O.K., so thats one scam, this kind of sports coaching method scam. What was the other scam that the F.B.I. discovered? katie benner He talked about how he arranged for students to take their SAT or ACT exams at special sites where he had bribed the proctors on those tests to basically correct the students answers. He talked about how he encouraged the parents to get their children tested for disabilities so that they could have more time to complete the exam. He talked about how he would sometimes even have a man an adult pose as the students at the test centers that he, quote, unquote, controlled, and that adult would take the test for the kids. And this guy was so good at it, he could basically get any score that they wanted. michael barbaro Jenny and Katie, youve described an elaborate system of wealthy parents bribing their childrens way into college. Arent there less risky ways for rich people to get their children into college? jennifer medina The world of college admissions for the extremely wealthy is really complicated. So there are three ways to get in. First, youve got the front door. Theres tests. Theres grades. Theres your extracurricular activities, your achievement. Theres also the issue of legacies. If your parent went to this college youre trying to get to, youll probably get some extra points. If you play a sport, you might get some extra points so you can be on their team. Thats the front door. And then theres the back door. katie benner There are so many legal ways that the ultra-wealthy have been gaming the system for a long time to get their kids into school. They donate tremendous amounts of money. They help people build buildings and work on development projects. jennifer medina And this is also the world where you have incredibly high-end tutoring. This is not just spending a couple hours learning how to navigate an SAT. This is hundreds of thousands of dollars, many times over years, to come up with all sorts of elaborate ways to brand yourself, essentially, into something that you think will get you into the right college, whatever you consider the right college to be. So then theres this third door, what Singer referred to as a side door, which is essentially just bribing. katie benner Cheating. jennifer medina Cutting out the middleman or cutting out the pretense of anything other than paying people off and bribery. And I think the reason why this case is so fascinating, and were sitting here talking about it and everybody is so interested in it, is the difference between these two doors the side door and the back door. Now, if youre the F.B.I., that line is very clear. Its clear that it is completely illegal to simply bribe somebody to get your kid into the college of your choice. But if youre one of these parents, where youre operating in a world where you know many people are paying tens of thousands of dollars or hundreds of thousands of dollars to universities in an often successful attempt to get your kid into the college, then maybe this doesnt seem so strange. katie benner Certainly we know its breaking the law. And certainly you can tell from the recordings that were transcribed by the prosecutors that the parents knew they were breaking the law. But they also dont act like breaking the law is a completely big deal. And they seem to operate in a parallel universe, with different consequences for them. jennifer medina They knew that this crossed a line. They did it anyway. The why of why they did it anyway is actually really interesting and really complicated. Its not as though if these kids went to college their income potential was going to grow enormously. michael barbaro Because theyre already rich. jennifer medina Theyre already wealthy, and studies have shown that people who go to colleges and are already coming in with wealth do not necessarily see a huge jump in their income over a lifetime. On the other hand, thats not true for kids who come from poorer families. There is a lot that shows especially if you go to a highly selective college and if youre successful, theres lots of things that show your income potential goes way up. It is a path to the middle class. Thats what weve always thought of college as being a path to the middle class. But its not clear that if youre already part of the most-upper class, that you need to go to some specific college to stay in that upper class. michael barbaro So why then? Why do these parents who can afford to participate in this kind of scam why do it? If theres no tangible benefit, why take that risk? jennifer medina I dont think its about economics. That might be part of it, or they might tell themselves that its part of it. But it is obviously at least somewhat about status, about maybe being able to put that sticker on the back of your car that says, my student goes to Yale University. Maybe its that you want to give your kid some perfect social experience that you think theyre going to have at this right school. Or maybe you just want to save your kid embarrassment. Clearly these parents didnt have a lot of faith in their kids. And whats also really fascinating here is that its not just Ivy League schools. Yale is, of course, the one that is sort of eye-popping. And theres Stanford, and theres all sorts of elite schools. Theres also U.C.L.A. But theres also schools like Wake Forest University and University of Texas at Austin all schools that they might have been just fine getting into on their own, and are not schools that we think of as holding a lot of cachet in these elite circles. So what was that about? Why were they so willing to spend so much money and so much effort and break the law to get into schools? We really dont know the answer to that yet. katie benner Another way to look at it from the point of view of the parents is that no matter what their motivations are, whether they be social or whether they want an education for their children that they believe is the best education that money can buy, they have this feeling that the kids face really long odds. College has never been more competitive. I think that Harvard accepted about 5 percent of all of the students who applied last year. And they understand that colleges are also looking for a wide array of students as well. They dont want a class just packed with all of the people who can pay full tuition, donate a million dollars to a development fund and continue to give for the rest of their lives because theyre extremely well-heeled. Theyre looking for something more. And they might worry that their students are not extraordinary enough to get in. And so theyre going to use the money that they have to try to offset not a systemic inequity, like socioeconomic inequities or racial inequities, but to offset their childrens own inability to get in. jennifer medina A lot of it seems to be about the certainty of it, about the security. Its not a question of maybe you will or wont get into this school. Its, Im going to make sure that you have a spot at this specific school that you want to be at, that I know I can get you into. And I am going to be able to breathe a sigh of relief or celebrate or congratulate you much earlier, with much more confidence, than I would if I had gone through the front door, or even if I had gone through the back door. michael barbaro And where do these privileged kids who were actually implicated in this scheme where do they fit into all of this? archived recording I dont know how much of school Im going to attend, but Im going to go in and talk to my deans and everyone and hope that I can try and balance it all. But I do want the experience of, like, game days, partying I dont really care about school. jennifer medina So the kids whose parents participated in this scheme are fascinating. It is clear that some of them knew what was going on, but many of them didnt. Many of them are probably waking up this week stunned to learn the great lengths that their parents not only went through to cheat on their behalf, but the great lengths they went to to hide it from them. katie benner The parents worked so hard to keep their children from knowing what was going on. And this creates a whole other layer of privilege that we see in education, that we see in business, that we see that these adult parents certainly had in spades this idea that if you do not know all of the winds at your back pushing you forward, helping you along, you will believe that you deserve everything that you got. jennifer medina Theyve been operating under the assumption that they earned their spot. They deserve it. And I think this is forcing us to have a conversation, to think about, what does deserving it really mean? What this has done is really laid bare, for all of us to see in plain view, how unequal the system truly is that if you have enough money, you can buy your way in. But at the same time, there are thousands of students who are taking out massive loans to come in and are desperate to get into higher education, which our country has long believed is the way to get into the middle and upper class. Its supposed to be this system based on your academic merit thats going to give you a path to get from wherever you started from to where you want to be. But what weve seen is thats not true. If you believe that education, and that a college education specifically, is the great equalizer or can be the great equalizer of our country, what this shows you is that that system is completely broken. katie benner Its difficult to think of a scenario that speaks more clearly to the idea of inequity. jennifer medina What this really shows is that theres all sorts of ways people have been using money and power and influence in this system for years that is completely legal and completely accepted. And its perpetuated every single admissions cycle. michael barbaro Jenny Medina, Katie Benner, thank you both very much. jennifer medina Thank you. katie benner Thank you. michael barbaro But Republicans are struggling with the vote. Conservatives such as Mr. Lee and Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky another Republican who says he will vote for the resolution of disapproval believe that members of Congress have ceded far too much power to the executive branch over the years in an effort to avoid taking politically tough stances themselves. Republicans regularly accused President Barack Obama of executive overreach on issues such as immigration, health care and the environment and now risk being accused of hypocrisy if they stand by while Mr. Trump ignores Congress to do as he wishes. Many Republicans believe that allowing Mr. Trump to redirect money at his own discretion after Congress explicitly forbade it would amount to a final acquiescence to the executive branch that could set a precedent for future Democratic presidents. But they are also in no rush to irritate a president who has shown vast capacity to stir Republican voters or to rile the activist groups that back him. On Wednesday, The Hill newspaper reported that conservative groups such as the Club for Growth were considering backing a primary challenge next year to Senator Thom Tillis, Republican of North Carolina, because of his opposition to Mr. Trump on the emergency declaration and other issues. Looking for a way to not anger Mr. Trump and salvage some congressional pride, Mr. Lee introduced his proposal that would require Congress to approve any emergency declaration or it would terminate after 30 days at most. That would mean approval by Congress would be required rather than the current arrangement in which Congress is given the option of disapproving an emergency declaration and the president can veto it. Under the current legislative arrangement, Congress can block an emergency declaration only if opponents can muster the two-thirds vote to override a veto. If we dont want our president acting like a king, we need to start taking back the legislative powers that allow him to do so, Mr. Lee said. The Lee bill, however, would have no impact on the presidents current emergency declaration. Republicans saw it as a way to both back Mr. Trump and close the door to future use of the declarations by presidents notably Democratic presidents to circumvent Congress. WASHINGTON He prefers Sharpies over email. His aides cart around cardboard boxes of work papers not laptops for him to sift through on Air Force One. On pressing technology matters, including drones at the border, clean energy and, most recently, the evolution of airplane engineering, he prefers a nonscientific approach. In short, President Trump often operates on the theory that older is better. Airplanes are becoming far too complex to fly, Mr. Trump said on Twitter on Tuesday, sharing his views on the still-unconfirmed cause of an Ethiopian Airlines plane crash last weekend that killed all 157 people on board. Pilots are no longer needed, but rather computer scientists from MIT. I see it all the time in many products. Always seeking to go one unnecessary step further, when often old and simpler is far better. At a time when experts are citing a serious need to bolster the nations infrastructure and science initiatives to remain globally competitive, Mr. Trump has long used partisan language to encourage his supporters to follow him in embracing a 1950s Rockwellian approach to technology. In his continuing crusade to build a wall along the countrys southwestern border, for instance, Mr. Trump dismissed the idea of drones to secure the border. He wanted a wall, an ancient technology he has said never fails, much like its Mesopotamian cousin, the wheel. WASHINGTON The House Judiciary Committee voted along party lines on Wednesday to approve a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act after Democrats turned back Republican attempts to gut protections of transgender people and restrict some gun ownership. The measure will soon head to the full House, but the partisan sparring, particularly over provisions that would require prisons to house transgender people based on the gender they identify with, will continue. That promises to make a once broadly bipartisan law, first passed in the years after the Anita Hill hearings in 1991, rancorous. Protections for gay, bisexual and transgender people have been included in the Violence Against Women Act since the last reauthorization in 2013. The current proposal to reauthorize the act includes additional provisions that would require an expansion of those protections and require the Bureau of Prisons to consider the safety and protection of transgender prisoners when giving housing assignments. Multiple amendments offered by Republicans on Wednesday, however, sought to eliminate the gender identity and sexual orientation language. WASHINGTON The former acting attorney general Matthew G. Whitaker did not deny in a private meeting with House lawmakers on Wednesday that he had spoken to President Trump about an investigation in New York that had ensnared the president and his business, the Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee said. Speaking after the meeting, the chairman, Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York, presented Mr. Whitakers comments as being at odds with his public testimony last month before the Judiciary Committee. In that hearing, Mr. Whitaker generally would not say if he had communicated with the president about the case, which led to charges against Michael D. Cohen, Mr. Trumps former personal lawyer and fixer. Mr. Whitaker at the time denied a CNN report that Mr. Trump had yelled at him about the case after Mr. Cohen pleaded guilty to federal campaign finance charges that implicated Mr. Trump. A report by The New York Times after the February hearing recounted another call between the two men about the case in which Mr. Trump asked about the possibility of putting the United States attorney whom the president had appointed in charge of it. Unlike in the hearing room, Mr. Whitaker did not deny that the president called him to discuss the Michael Cohen case and personnel decisions in the Southern District of New York, Mr. Nadler told reporters. The Defense Department, after months of litigation and controversy over the issue, is establishing a new policy for transgender troops: They can enlist and serve, but only if they stick to their biological sex. No transitioning allowed. The department issued a memorandum late Tuesday ordering the military to adopt the policy, which will take effect April 12. Under the new rules, troops and recruits can identify as transgender, but must use the uniforms, pronouns, and sleeping and bathroom facilities for their biological sex. They will not be allowed to serve if they have a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, a disorder in which a persons gender identity does not match their physical gender at birth. The policy exempts transgender troops who have already transitioned or have begun the medical process. Anyone who defies the regulations in the future would be forced out of uniform. Pentagon officials were at pains on Wednesday to insist that the new rules which already face a number of legal challenges do not exclude people based on gender identity. A scheduled vote in Guatemalas Congress on amnesty for war crimes was suspended on Wednesday when several lawmakers walked out, leaving the session without a quorum. The proposal would have freed more than 30 former members of the security forces and paramilitaries convicted of human rights violations during Guatemalas long armed conflict. The bill would also halt thousands of investigations. But it drew impassioned opposition from victims groups and human rights activists who rallied in front of the Congress in Guatemala City on Wednesday. International organizations and foreign governments, including the United States, called on Guatemalan legislators not to move forward with the vote. On Tuesday, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ordered the Guatemalan Congress to withdraw the proposal. GENEVA As China prepared to defend its record before the United Nations Human Rights Council, the United States on Wednesday led Western governments, academic experts and human rights supporters in challenging Beijing over its mass detention of Muslims in the western region of Xinjiang. Chinas oppression of religious and ethnic minorities is well known. Whats new is the breadth of the repression and how the Chinese government is using breakthroughs in technology to increase its effectiveness, Kelley Currie, a senior United States diplomat, told a meeting on the sidelines of the council in Geneva. The United States would consider targeted measures against Xinjiang officials to promote accountability for violations there, said Ms. Currie, who serves with the State Departments Office of Global Criminal Justice. She urged China to reverse its policies and allow access to the region by United Nations experts. The United States withdrew from the human rights council last year, accusing it of having an anti-Israeli bias and serving as a platform for some of the worlds worst rights abusers, but it has since pulled back from complete disengagement. China on Wednesday blocked a United Nations Security Council measure that would have blacklisted the Pakistani founder of Jaish-e-Mohammed, the militant group that nearly brought South Asia to the brink of war last month after one of its suicide bombers attacked Indian forces. The vote was the councils fourth attempt to blacklist the founder, Masood Azhar, in a decade and was proposed by the United States with the support of France and Britain. Since 2009, the Indian government has tried to designate Mr. Azhar as a global terrorist for orchestrating the 2001 attack on Indias Parliament and the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, which killed more than 160 tourists and local civilians. But every attempt has been blocked by China, which has served as a shield for Pakistan internationally as the two countries strengthen their military and economic ties. LONDON Back in the Obama years, when a recalcitrant Congress was obstructing any major piece of legislation the president put forward, his adviser David Axelrod used to look envyingly across the pond at his British counterparts, who seemed to find it so easy to get things done. We used to sit in the White House thinking it would be great to have a parliamentary system, where youre guaranteed to rule with your allies, he said. Then he laughed. It doesnt look very appealing now. On Wednesday, the authority of Britains executive branch was diminished to a point not seen in recent history. The country watched an increasingly empowered group of backbench legislators take control of the governments principal piece of legislation on the countrys exit from the European Union, suddenly altering the negotiating strategy sustained for more than two years by Prime Minister Theresa May. No more can Britain boast about its streamlined, predictable Westminster model, in which a strong executive presides over a unitary state. MAASTRICHT, the Netherlands Exploring the Bonnefanten Museums David Lynch retrospective here, Someone Is in My House, one starts to conjure an image of Mr. Lynchs hands: They must never stop moving. The American filmmaker known for macabre, enigmatic films such as Eraserhead, Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive, as well as his recently revived hit 1990s supernatural crime TV series Twin Peaks, seems to have a manic creative drive that has compelled him to explore every conceivable form of art: paintings, lithographs, black-and-white photographs, drawings, comics, collage, sculptures, stop-motion animation and even anthropomorphic design lamps. Yeah, I love to work, Mr. Lynch said in a telephone interview from Los Angeles, where he lives and has his studio. Every medium is so beautiful but each in their particular way, and you learn about them by getting in there and working with them and talking with them. More than 500 of Mr. Lynchs artworks are on display in the sprawling exhibition, which runs until April 28 and coincides with the Tefaf Maastricht art fair. A smaller version of the show will travel to HOME, a cultural center in Manchester, England, where it opens July 6. Founded a decade ago by a small group of private dealers, New York Citys Asia Week now includes dozens of shows mounted by local and international galleries as well as auctions at all the major houses. Its a rare opportunity to see antiquities and esoterica that are otherwise hidden away in private collections. [Read more about what to see in New York art galleries this weekend.] In all, 16 museums and cultural institutions are participating in Asia Week New York, which is running through March 23. Here we explore Manhattans most notable exhibitions, along with a sprinkling of interesting gallery shows. And if looking at art from the other side of the world inspires you to travel, consider heading to the Charles B. Wang Center at Stony Brook University for a show of Islamic poster art, or to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which just finished renovating its Chinese galleries. The Korea Society ROME The thieves who took The Crucifixion, a painting by the Flemish artist Pieter Brueghel the Younger, from a church in a Northern Italian town on Wednesday, knew what they were doing. They planned the heist at the church, Santa Maria Maddalena, for lunchtime, when the parish priest was sure to be out. They worked quickly, smashing the showcase protecting the 17th-century work with a hammer, before jumping into a getaway car (a white Peugeot, according to Italian news media reports) that screeched out of town. The speeding car attracted the attention of a resident, who saw that the church door was wide open (unusually so), and raised the alarm. What the thieves didnt know was that the painting was a copy that had been substituted for the original artwork a few weeks earlier, after the carabinieri, Italys military police, were tipped off that burglars had their sights set on the Brueghel. The only people besides the carabinieri who knew about the substitution were the priest of the church and the local mayor, and in the hours after the theft, they pretended to be distraught. There are also two portraits that hark back to Miros great early efforts in the genre. One is the majestic Self-Portrait I of 1937-38, in which the artists visage emerges from a panoply of pale grays and pastel-tinted whites and a veritable universe of vegetal husks and spores. Finally there is his Portrait of a Man in a Late Nineteenth-Century Frame. This is a found portrait (and a nicely pretentious one) that Miro ingeniously altered, sanding it down here and there and adding the signs and symbols of his antic universe. This hilarious violation dates from 1950, a few years before the Danish artist Asger Jorn began reworking thrift-store paintings. (Coincidentally Jorns influence is traced in Strategic Vandalism: The Legacy of Asger Jorns Modification Paintings at the Petzel Gallery in Chelsea.) This exhibition has been organized by Anne Umland, senior curator in the museums painting and sculpture department, who was also responsible for its 2008 show Joan Miro: Painting and Anti-Painting, 1927-1937. Theres a caveat: limiting this effort to MoMAs admittedly glorious Miros distorts the singularity of The Birth of the World and underserves Miros career as a whole. From 1923 to 1927, Miro made scores of paintings with thin, brushed surfaces of one or two colors embellished with symbols, letters and words. Though not as extreme in their use of chance as The Birth of the World, at least one or two examples should have been borrowed. In addition, after visiting New York in 1947 and encountering the work of the Abstract Expressionists, Miro pursued the implications of his 1925 masterpiece into new areas. The exhibition might have included a glimpse of late Miro, which MoMA has collected very little and which is due a reconsideration. Its great to see all the early gems, but the full story of The Birth of the World awaits a truer telling, perhaps at a different institution. Joan Miro: Birth of the World Through June 15 at the Museum of Modern Art, Manhattan; 212-708-9400, moma.org. Our guide to new art shows and some that will be closing soon. HILMA AF KLINT: PAINTINGS FOR THE FUTURE at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (through April 23). This rapturous exhibition upends Modernisms holiest genesis tale that the male trinity of Kandinsky, Malevich and Mondrian invented abstract painting starting in 1913. It demonstrates that a female Swedish artist got there first (1906-7), in great style and a radically bold scale with paintings that feel startlingly contemporary. The mother of all revisionist shows regarding Modernism. (Roberta Smith) 212-423-3500, guggenheim.org LUCIO FONTANA: ON THE THRESHOLD at the Met Breuer (through April 14). The art of this Argentine-Italian modernist looks a bit like it comes from another planet, and it might as well, given how seldom we see it in New York. The Met Breuer show, with single environments at the Met Fifth Avenue and El Museo del Barrio, is the artists first museum survey here in over 40 years. This wouldnt be especially notable plenty of his Latin American peers never get seen at all were Fontana, who died in 1968, not so influential a figure. The threshold in the title refers not only to the early phase of his career, which the Met Breuer exhibition highlights, but also to his position as a forebear of contemporary art as we know it. Things we take for granted installation, new media and the poly-disciplinary impulse that defines so many 21st-century careers Fontana pioneered in the 1950s. (Holland Cotter) 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org THE JIM HENSON EXHIBITION at the Museum of the Moving Image. The rainbow connection has been established in Astoria, Queens, where this museum has opened a new permanent wing devoted to the career of Americas great puppeteer, who was born in Mississippi in 1936 and died, too young, in 1990. Henson began presenting the short TV program Sam and Friends before he was out of his teens; one of its characters, the soft-faced Kermit, was fashioned from his mothers old coat and would not mature into a frog for more than a decade. The influence of early variety television, with its succession of skits and songs, runs through Sesame Street and The Muppet Show, though Henson also spent the late 1960s crafting peace-and-love documentaries and prototyping a psychedelic nightclub. Young visitors will delight in seeing Big Bird, Elmo, Miss Piggy and the Swedish Chef; adults can dig deep into sketches and storyboards and rediscover some old friends. (Jason Farago) 718-784-0077, movingimage.us FRIDA KAHLO: APPEARANCES CAN BE DECEIVING at the Brooklyn Museum (through May 12). This is not exactly an exhibition of Kahlos art it contains just 11 paintings, from compelling self-portraits to ghastly New Age kitsch but an evocation of an artistic life through her elegant Oaxacan blouses and skirts, not to mention the corsets and spinal braces she wore after a crippling traffic accident. Do her outfits have the weight of art, or are they just so much biographical flimflam? Your answer may vary depending on your degree of Fridamania, but the woven shawls and color-saturated long skirts here, as well as gripping photographs of the artist by Carl Van Vechten, Imogen Cunningham, Manuel Alvarez Bravo and other great shutterbugs, suggest Kahlos real accomplishment was a Duchampian extension of her art far beyond the easel, into her home, her fashion and her public relationships. (Farago) 718-638-5000, brooklynmuseum.org Their second theme is preservation, and their urging of museums to protect, document and contextualize vulnerable work carries special weight at a time when questions around the restitution of cultural property are in the air. Should objects be returned even when the return might place them in danger? The issue is ethically many-sided and emotionally complicated, but at least one reaction feels clear looking around the show: You cant help but feel relief that whats here is safely here. And there are magnetic things. One is a tiny Babylonian Venus, her nude body carved from milky alabaster, her eyes set with rubies, a gold crescent moon in her hair. A tomb relief of a young Palmyrene woman named Bata is another; traces of original paint intensify her riveted, direct-address gaze. And theres a marvelous life-size carving of an eagle from Petra. Possibly conceived as a protector of the dead, it stands alert, wind-tousled and spread-winged, as if braced for a storm. And a singular piece that ends the show, a late-third-century Sardonyx cameo, marks the start of a new Middle East history. Two decades or so before the cameo was carved, the Sasanian Empire rose to power in what is now Iran. Its first ruler, Ardashir I, vanquished the Parthians. His son, Shapur I, triumphed over the Roman army and, shockingly, captured its emperor Valerian. This is the event etched in the cameo, which, like so much art in the show, sends complex political and ideological messages echoing back and forth through time. The cameo form itself was one anciently associated with the celebration of Greco-Roman imperial rule, but here, adapted for use as Sasanian propaganda, it advertises the ignoble defeat of that rule. And although the event depicted is grim Valerian died in captivity the object that records it is a thing of unusual beauty, with colors dark as the sea, bright as the sky. The World Between Empires: Art and Identity in the Ancient Middle East March 18 through June 23 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Manhattan; 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org. BERLIN From a silver fireplace screen to a jacket spun with golden thread, artifacts from the state apartments of Dresdens Royal Palace represent the dynasty of August the Strong in full splendor. The property was destroyed during the Allied bombing of February 1945 that reduced much of the Saxon citys center to rubble, but will rematerialize this September in the palaces west wing. The opening, three centuries after the apartments inauguration to celebrate the marriage of the Electoral Prince Friedrich August and the Archduchess Maria Josepha, follows a $38 million reconstruction involving handmade tapestries and ceiling paintings. Also soon to open is the Semper Gallery, after a $57 million renovation. The 19th-century building adjacent to the palace, which was also damaged in World War II, will be home to a permanent exhibition juxtaposing its old masters collection with a variety of sculpture. As a preview of the new additions to Dresdens museum landscape, a selection of 23 paintings, swords, porcelain vases and more will be on display at Tefaf, the fine art fair in Maastricht, the Netherlands, this month. The exhibit is a tribute to both imperial might and the craftsmanship of a bygone age. If you want to see how an orchestra can give a fresh polish to dusty old Mozart, head to Lincoln Center. There youll find a surprisingly novel Mozart program played by the New York Philharmonic on Wednesday night under Manfred Honeck and continuing through Tuesday that, like a fugue, tells a story of the composers final year while mapping a journey of death and transcendence. Unlike Schubert, whose later works have an autumnal mood colored by sickness and melancholy, Mozart didnt begin the year 1791 knowing that, months after his 35th birthday, he would fall ill and die soon after, on Dec. 5. So you would be hard-pressed to find a sense of farewell in his music from that time. In fact, for most of the year Mozart was as stylistically nimble and prolific as ever. He presented the premieres of not one, but two operas, La Clemenza di Tito and Die Zauberflote. And, in what would be his final public appearance as a pianist, he gave the first performance of his Piano Concerto No. 27 in B flat, which the Philharmonic opened its program with on Wednesday, featuring Richard Goode. Our guide to stand-up, improv and variety shows happening this weekend and in the week ahead. ALIENS OF EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY at Cmon Everybody (March 15, 8 p.m.). The federal government hands out O-1 nonimmigrant visas to foreigners who wish to live and work in the United States and can prove they have extraordinary abilities. Orli Matlow, whos originally from Canada, and Felipe Torres, from Colombia, host this show not only to spotlight their fellow funny aliens, but also to raise money for Raices, an organization providing legal services to refugees and immigrants. This shows lineup features comedians from Norway, Kenya, Syria, Palestine and Australia. cmoneverybody.com FROM ESTHER TO HAMAN: A ROAST OF CANCELLED MEN at Housing Works Bookstore Cafe (March 19, 7 p.m.). The Jewish holiday of Purim is as good a time as any to celebrate the women who save civilization from the men who wish to destroy it. The 92nd Street Y presents this comedy show in SoHo, hosted by Josh Gondelman, a writer for Desus & Mero, and featuring Emmy Blotnick, a Late Show With Stephen Colbert writer; the host of NPRs Ask Me Another, Ophira Eisenberg; Alison Leiby; and Jess Salomon. 347-473-7400, housingworks.org/events Paul Gilroy, a British scholar known for his studies of black cultural expression on both sides of the Atlantic, has won Norways Holberg Prize, awarded each year to a scholar who has made outstanding contributions to research in the arts, humanities, the social sciences, law or theology. The prize committee, in a citation, called Mr. Gilroy, 63, one of the most challenging and inventive figures in contemporary scholarship. His landmark 1993 book The Black Atlantic: Modernity and Double Consciousness, which argued that slavery and the slave trade created a hybrid culture that transcended national boundaries, transformed the study of the African diaspora and offered an alternative to essentialist conceptions of identity by showing how race, nation and ethnicity are culturally constituted, the prize committee wrote. The prize, first given in in 2004, comes with an award of 6 million Norwegian kroner, or about $700,000, making it one of the largest international awards in the humanities. Previous winners include the American legal scholar Cass Sunstein, the British philosopher Onora ONeill, and the French sociologist Bruno Latour. Mr. Gilroy, currently a professor of American and English literature at Kings College London, established his reputation in 1987 with There Aint No Black in the Union Jack: The Cultural Politics of Race and Nation, a study of racism in Britain and longstanding black contributions to a culture often imagined as resting on a purely white and Christian history. MAASTRICHT, the Netherlands Tefaf, one of the worlds most opulent art fairs, held every year in the southern Netherlands town of Maastricht, offers an encyclopedic array of paintings, sculpture, antiques and antiquities, presented in custom booths designed as mini-museums. This years showcase takes place at the Maastricht Exhibition and Congress Center from Saturday to March 24, decorated, as usual, with wall-to-wall carpeting and thousands of tulips. Because it was originally organized by a group of dealers, who wanted to remain exclusive, Tefaf Maastricht has often seemed like a closed circuit to many art dealers. Those who took part were almost always invited to return, leaving very little room for new exhibitors. Even very successful newer galleries didnt bother to apply, sure that they wouldnt stand a chance. When he became the new chief executive of Tefaf Maastricht in 2015, Patrick van Maris said one of his primary objectives was to make the application process for the Maastricht fair more transparent, to encourage new applicants and to bring in fresh blood. This year, for the first time, visitors will start to see the results of that process, as 40 new dealers replace some longtime participants about a 15 percent turnover in a showcase of 279 exhibitors. The greatest change is taking place in the Tefaf Modern section, which welcomes 14 new galleries, including international heavy-hitters such as Pace Gallery from New York; Galerie Gmurzynska, based in Zurich; Germanys Spruth Magers; and Simon Lee from London. The European Fine Art Fair in Maastricht, the Netherlands, is a cornucopia like those sometimes depicted in the old master paintings on view, spilling over with riches. A sparkling display of jewelry here, a pale ancient Greek statue over there, not far from a contemporary work in glowing neon. But everything that goes on view is vetted to ensure that it is authentic, and that process has always been a point of pride for the fair. Now, measures are being taken to make the vetting even stronger and more independent as about 275 dealers show their wares from Saturday to March 24 at the Maastricht Exhibition and Congress Center. The policy also applies to Tefafs other fairs, which take place in New York twice a year. In an increasingly litigious world, fair organizers thought that more safeguards were needed, even though the decision didnt exactly thrill the galleries at first. Two years ago, Aidan Sleeper needed to find an apartment. Sleeper, the locations manager for Billions, returning Sunday for its fourth season on Showtime, scouted more than 100 places that list for tens of millions of dollars, but he couldnt find the right one. It was impossible, he said. The apartment wasnt for his own use he and his wife rent in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. No, he had to lock down a Manhattan residence for Bobby Axelrod, the Billions hedge fund phenom played by Damian Lewis. The space couldnt be comfortable or cozy. It needed to intimidate, astound, overwhelm, gut punch your breath away. We always joke, billionaire, not millionaire, Sleeper said on a January morning at the Billions production office in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, as he scrolled through a desktop folder of photos. He clicked for a moment on a $65 million triplex that hadnt impressed him when he toured it: You walk in there and its like, really? He shrugged and scrolled on. Months after his initial deadline had passed, as he was viewing a ho-hum TriBeCa penthouse, he saw, from its terrace, another penthouse blocks away. A glass box plunked on top of an old print factory, it had a double-height living room, a wraparound terrace, 270 views of the Hudson and the East River, too. It was urban, masculine, almost stark in its poured concrete floors and severe lines it said billionaire, not millionaire. He rented it. Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous nights highlights that lets you sleep and lets us get paid to watch comedy. If youre interested in hearing from The Times regularly about great TV, sign up for our Watching newsletter and get recommendations straight to your inbox. He Gives Us No Choice President Trump came after the late-night TV hosts on Wednesday, accusing them on Twitter of one-sided hatred. Trump referred proudly to recent comments from Jay Leno, who lamented late-night TVs current obsession with Trump (though Leno also had plenty of his own criticisms of the president). Jimmy Kimmel pushed back, saying that Trumps presidency is so extraordinary it has become virtually impossible not to talk about him every day. I dont want to talk about Donald Trump every night. None of us do, he said. But he gives us no choice. CHICAGO The Empire actor Jussie Smollett pleaded not guilty on Thursday morning to 16 counts of felony disorderly conduct stemming from his report of a hate-crime attack that the police say was staged. Smollets lawyer Tina Glandian entered the plea on Smollets behalf an hour after Judge Steven Watkins was assigned the high-profile case. Smollett, dressed in a dark blue suit, blue overcoat and scarf, stood silently as Glandian addressed the court. The plea comes six weeks after Smollett filed a police report on Jan. 29 that caught attention around the world. In the report, he told the police that he was jumped while walking in downtown Chicago just after midnight. Smollett, who is black and openly gay, said two masked men shouted racist and homophobic slurs before physically assaulting him, pouring a chemical on him and placing a rope around his neck. He also said the assailants told him he was in MAGA country, a reference to President Trumps Make America Great Again campaign slogan. The Chicago police investigated Smollets claims, dedicating at least 12 detectives to the case, but when they found no evidence on surveillance video to support it, they began to examine Smolletts story more closely. After questioning two brothers, Olabinjo and Abimbola Osundairo, who knew Smollett, the police said the brothers implicated Smollett in a scheme to draw more attention to the actor in hopes that he would get a pay raise from Empire. AN AMERICAN SUMMER: Love and Death in Chicago, by Alex Kotlowitz. (Nan A. Talese/Doubleday, $27.95.) Kotlowitzs detailed account of reckless brutality in Chicagos poorest neighborhoods probes the damage stemming from exposure to violence. He interviews an expansive cast of characters, including ordinary people whose lives have been shredded by bullets and guns. Our reviewer, Eric Klinenberg, calls it a powerful indictment of a city and a nation that have failed to protect their most vulnerable residents, or to register the depth of their pain. Kotlowitz aims to tell unforgettable stories about the afterlife of homicide, how it penetrates the minds, bodies and communities of those it touches. He succeeds. GOOD KIDS, BAD CITY: A Story of Race and Wrongful Conviction in America, by Kyle Swenson. (Picador, $29.) Swensons reporting for The Cleveland Scene, an alternative weekly newspaper, led to the exoneration of three men who served decades in prison after they were wrongfully convicted of murder in the 1970s. Here he expands that account to take in the larger circumstances behind their arrest. Its the story of a grave injustice, whose long-overdue correction delivers a strong emotional punch when it finally arrives, Alec MacGillis writes in his review. More broadly, its a story about negligence, about all the ways in which residents of cities such as Cleveland have been left abandoned by government and society at large. Theres so much talk these days about the great urban rebirth that the persistent struggles of non-superstar cities are too often overlooked. Swenson does a service simply by capturing the daily demoralization of existence in such a place. THE WALL, by John Lanchester. (Norton, $25.95.) After an environmental disaster renders much of the globe uninhabitable, Britain largely unscathed barricades itself inside a massive concrete barrier. Alec Nevala-Lee, reviewing Lanchesters dystopian novel, calls it a gripping story, especially as it progresses: The last hundred pages are full of tense action and sudden reversals that are mercifully unburdened by any allegorical significance, Nevala-Lee writes. The novel gathers momentum as it goes, and few readers will stop until they reach its final page. DAISY JONES & THE SIX, by Taylor Jenkins Reid. (Ballantine, $27.) This stylish and propulsive novel, presented in the form of an oral history, explores the ascent of a (fictional) hard-partying, iconic 1970s rock band. It reads like the transcript of a particularly juicy episode of VH1s Behind the Music. Our reviewer, Eleanor Henderson, calls it a mockumentary without the mocking, and applauds it as Reids most sophisticated and ambitious novel. Its easy to fall under the musical spell of these voices, which shift fluidly from speaker to speaker as the characters hand off the microphone. Reid has a great ear, both for the way people talk in interviews and for the music they describe. CHEROKEE AMERICA, by Margaret Verble. (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $27.) Verble, a voting member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, explores her heritage in this historical novel, a sprawling family saga that opens in 1875 and includes subplots about murder, politics, romance and, always, Cherokee culture. The pacing of the novel mimics the rhythm of a Cherokee neighborly visit, Melissa Lenhardt writes in her review, and offers the same joy and satisfaction in spending time with friends and family. Thats how you will feel about Check and the other characters by the end of the novel. Youre invested in them, their culture, their life. Verble has given historical fiction lovers a real gift: Cherokee America is an excellent illustration of how diverse books enrich literature, and the minds of those who read them. This is more or less the point of George Orwells 1984, of course. As in Margaret Atwoods The Handmaids Tale which shares the crown with 1984 for most important speculative novel of the 20th century the more omnipresent the role of the law, the less visible it becomes. We learn early on that in Oceania keeping a diary is not illegal (nothing was illegal, since there are no longer any laws), but if caught doing so one could be reasonably certain that it would be punished by death, or at least by 25 years in a forced-labor camp. To enforce these nonexistent laws, Orwell gave us the most famous imaginary cabinet departments of them all: the Ministries of Love, Peace, Plenty and Truth. A very different alternate-universe England is that of Jasper Ffordes Thursday Next series, starting in 2001 with The Eyre Affair. Ffordes engineering of postwar Britain includes not just a lot of bizarro genetic science and winking literary jokes but also a comprehensively detailed investigational infrastructure. Thursday is an officer of SO-27, a special operative of the Literary Detective Division; her father, Colonel Next, was a member of the ChronoGuard, affiliated with the Office for Special Temporal Stability. In the follow-up series, officers investigate crimes in childrens literature under the auspices of the Nursery Crime division. (Obviously.) Ffordes speculative universe is playful; Orwells is cautionary and high-dystopian. The tonal range of the genre extends yet further, into worlds that feel not only intricate, but grounded imaginary universes that are every bit as fanciful, but feel less so. For Everfair, the titular African nation of Nisi Shawls magisterial 2017 novel rewriting the history of the Belgian Congo, the author created an entire country and its institutions from scratch. Kingsley Amis likewise builds a complete legal language suited to the alternate England of The Alteration (1976), in which the Reformation never occurred Martin Luther having reconciled himself to Catholicism and become Pope Germanian I and laws are not laws at all, but Acts of Convocation. Of course, suspension of disbelief is involved: These laws and statutes and cabinet departments never sound quite real. On the other hand, consider that the language of public life, of real life, often has a certain invented ring to it. Think of all the scraps of language that float into everyday consciousness from the public sphere: Sarbanes-Oxley. The Department of Homeland Security. How about the long-awaited Mueller report? Say it a few times and it starts to sound like make-believe. Little wonder that authors seize on the same sorts of phrasing so their make-believe worlds might feel less so. Sometimes writers dont even have to invent. I remember being astonished by the chutzpah of Michael Chabons premise for The Yiddish Policemens Union (2007): the endangered Jews of Europe being handed a scrap of Alaska instead of Palestine. And I remember my subsequent astonishment to discover that Chabon had stolen the idea from Franklin Delano Roosevelts secretary of the interior, Harold Ickes, who first proposed it in 1938. Data leads U.S. to ground Boeing jets The U.S. and Canada, two of the last major holdouts, joined other countries in grounding all Boeing 737 Max 8 jets in the wake of a plane crash in Ethiopia. Their decisions came after new satellite-tracking data suggested similarities between the crash and another involving a Boeing 737 Max 8 in Indonesia in October. Despite a personal appeal from the chief executive of Boeing, President Trump reversed an earlier decision by U.S. aviation regulators to keep the planes in service. Heres a guide to all the developments in the aftermath of the crash on Sunday of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, which killed more than 150 people. What went wrong: Though no cause has been determined yet, one of the Ethiopian Airlines pilots reported flight-control problems to air traffic controllers, requesting permission to turn back minutes before the crash. According to two people familiar with the matter, a grand jury subpoenaed records from at least two of more than 150 companies, including Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and Sony, that had deals with Facebook. Reminder: Facebook has spent the last year under scrutiny, with investigations by the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as the Justice Department, which is specifically looking into reports that the political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica used the platform to help President Trumps election campaign. One sticking point: The data-sharing partnerships could be a violation of a 2011 consent agreement between Facebook and the F.T.C. to protect user privacy. The F.T.C. is currently weighing a possible multibillion-dollar fine against Facebook, which would be the largest such penalty by a trade regulator. Heres what else is happening Border Wall: The U.S. Senate, in a bipartisan rebuke, voted to overturn President Trumps declaration of a national emergency at the border to fund his wall. The Senate vote was the first time Congress has blocked a presidential emergency declaration and almost certainly sets up Mr. Trumps first veto. Malaysia: Prosecutors refused to dismiss the case of a Vietnamese woman accused of assassinating Kim Jong-nam, the half brother of North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, in Kuala Lumpur in 2017 by smearing him with a nerve agent. Her co-defendant was released days ago without any charges or any explanation. Pakistan: China, which has close military and economic ties with Pakistan, blocked a U.N. Security Council vote that would have blacklisted the founder of Jaish-e-Mohammed, Masood Azhar, derailing a yearslong effort by India to designate the group as a terrorist organization. The group recently claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on Indian soldiers in Kashmir that dragged India and Pakistan to the brink of war. The decision by the U.S. and Canada, two of the last countries to ground the jets, came after satellite-tracking data suggested similarities between the crash on Sunday and another involving a Boeing 737 Max 8 in October. Whats next: The short-term costs for Boeing are most likely manageable, but the bigger question is whether airlines will lose confidence in the aerospace giants best-selling jet. Q. and A.: Passengers who were to fly on the Boeing aircraft with U.S. carriers will be rebooked or scheduled on different planes. Heres more information. The pricey, legal world of college consultants The fallout from the college admissions scandal announced by federal prosecutors has exposed an array of corrupt and illegal practices. But it has also shed light on perfectly legal ways to game the admissions process. It was sold as a next generation aircraft. But it has now been involved in two fatal crashes in just five months. The Boeing 737 Max 8 entered the market in 2017, a part of the 737 Max class, and became an instant hit. Within the first six months, more than 4,000 Boeing 737 Max 8 planes had been ordered. It quickly became the companys best-selling plane ever. The new model was advertised as a rare win-win for both airlines and passengers. Its going to give them max efficiency, which leads to profitability; max reliability, and to the flying public: max passenger appeal. The demand for something new. Boeing debuted the new planes in response to market pressures. In late 2010, Boeings archrival, Airbus, had just announced a new fuel-efficient version of its best selling A320. Boeing countered with the introduction of the 737 Max The Max uses 14 percent less fuel than current 737s its own version of fuel- and cost- efficient aircrafts. Their message to customers was: These are new planes that arent that new. Boeing 737 Newest arrival in the Boeing family of airliners, the 737 attracts a crowd. Boeings first 737 model took off in 1967. A new queen of the sky. For the Max class, Boeing upgraded the engine and design. They added more cabin space, bigger windows and multicolored ceiling lights to help modernize the planes. But the company kept the 737 name because it evoked a legacy of reliability and built trust. Ill tell you what, its just a beautiful, beautiful airplane. Not only were they able to modernize the airplane with new engines, and new winglets, but they were able to keep that classic iconic 737 look. But that isnt the whole story. The new model was also designed to help carriers save money. Which means CEOs like the Max. Really like the Max. Major changes to the plane would have required pilots to be retrained. But Boeings position was that the new models handled enough like the old ones. Though the 737 Max 8 planes did actually have a number of changes, including the size and location of the engines. The higher and more forward position of the larger engines can cause the planes nose to pitch up, a potential danger. To compensate for this, Boeing added a computerized system called MCAS to prevent the planes nose from getting too high and causing a stall. But the F.A.A. initially said pilots did not need to be informed of this system update. Experts say that the lack of training for the new system may have helped cause a deadly crash with a Max 8 off the coast of Indonesia in October, killing 189 people. All of the Boeing 737 Max 8s in the world are believed to have been grounded, while a second crash in Ethiopia is investigated. Boeing said it supported the decision to ground the planes and is cooperating with investigators. Bankruptcy experts say the judge, Dennis Montali , will almost certainly approve bonuses in some form. In general, courts are extremely deferential to managers who say they need to pay bonuses, said Jared A. Ellias , a professor at the University of Californias Hastings College of the Law. At the end of last year, PG&E had $77 billion in assets and $64 billion in liabilities, including $14 billion in wildfire claims. But the figures on the liability side continue to grow. PG&E has estimated that it faces wildfire claims of at least $30 billion, a sum that reflects the devastating fires of 2017 and 2018. Among them was the Camp Fire, the deadliest in state history, which killed at least 85 people in November. PG&E said last month that its equipment had probably caused the fire, making the utility liable for property damage under state law even if it was not negligent. There is widespread sympathy for the wildfire victims in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom has asked the bankruptcy court to give strong representation to the victims. But even if PG&E offered to make payments to some wildfire victims, other parties with claims might successfully block such a move. Legal scholars struggled to think of any large bankruptcy case in which individuals claims were paid before others. All these fire victim claims are unsecured claims, said Kenneth Ayotte , a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley. The wildfire victims have an organized voice in the proceedings through an official committee set up last month. Another committee represents other unsecured creditors, including investors, contractors, union members and wholesale power suppliers. Though the committees have equal standing in the court, the groups may not always want the same thing. Johnson & Johnson said in a statement that it was disappointed with the verdict, citing serious procedural and evidentiary errors in the proceeding, and that it planned to appeal. As in past cases, which the company has fought with mixed success, it said decades of testing showed that its baby powder did not contain asbestos or cause cancer. Its shares fell 1 percent in trading on Thursday. More than 13,000 plaintiffs have sued Johnson & Johnson over what they say are cancers caused by its talc products. The New York Times reported last year that the company had spent decades trying to keep negative information about the potential risk of asbestos contamination from reaching the public. Ms. Leavitts complaint claims that Johnson & Johnson has, since the early 1900s, possessed medical and scientific data that raised concerns regarding the presence of asbestos in talcum powder and that demonstrated the existence of health hazards to those exposed to asbestos-containing talcum powder products. Johnson & Johnson said in a regulatory filing last month that it had received subpoenas from the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission for more details about its talc products. I have to emphasize that this was not an all-encompassing tasting or a complete comparison. This was a cross-section of the available wines and, if we could not after the blind tasting precisely describe differences between Taurasi and Aglianico del Vulture, we could at least say that the wines had a lot in common. We could safely reaffirm that they both belong at the top of the aglianico hierarchy. The wines showed very well in the tasting, and confirmed our belief in the versatility of the grape. Some wines were made in a lighter, more elegant style, while others were burly and tannic. Some were predominantly fruity, while others were complex and savory, with great minerality. Two elements were blessedly absent: Pronounced oakiness and powerful, jammy wines that showed more cooked fruit than fresh. It was a sign that the wine culture wars, during which these exaggerated styles were rewarded by high ratings from powerful critics, have largely ended. Rather than following fads, the important distinctions these days among the wines were in interpretations of ripeness, a producers preferred style and in terroir. It was nice to see no trendy wines, Joe said. The Taurasi appellation requires that wines be aged a minimum of three years before release, with at least one year in barrels. Taurasi Riservas require an additional year of aging, with a minimum of 18 months in barrels. By contrast, Aglianico del Vulture can be released roughly a year after harvest. As a result, while the vintages in our tasting ranged from 2016 back to 2011, the wines from 2016 and 2015 in the tasting were from Basilicata. The youngest Taurasi was from 2014. Youth in aglianico is not a bad thing, just different. The 2016 Gricos Aglianico del Vulture from Grifalco, at No. 7, was the youngest among our top 10. It was made in an easygoing, accessible style, from the producers younger vines, though it showed aglianicos intensity and bittersweet mineral flavors. Its a great value at $20. As much as we liked this wine, we had to give deference to the wines that were made for the long haul. Our top wine was a 2011 Taurasi Riserva, the Radici from Mastroberardino, a historic producer that was almost alone through the mid-20th century in producing great aglianicos. Ms. Hostin: As a woman, as a woman of color, I have to fit into this box of what success looks like or smarts look like. They used to say, Dress for the job you want, but I see a lot of people get those jobs, and they werent dressing for them. It really bothers me because I feel Ive had to work twice as hard to get half as far. I cant get past it. Joy [Behar] says, That really gets to you, doesnt it? And it does. I dont know that Ill ever be able to reconcile that. Is hair an issue? Ms. Hostin: Once I became comfortable at CNN, and once my contract was renewed, I was off to the races: curly hair, hair back, whatever I wanted to do. Anderson Cooper was always very good about letting me do that. I was wearing my hair curly, then one day I straightened it, and right after my segment, I got a call from an executive. They said, This is your look! This was 2012 or so. It was a not-so-subtle way of saying, Dont do the other thing anymore. I wondered, Why is this my look? Ms. Maxwell: When you work in predominantly white spaces, especially in news, and you change your hair, its a thing. People touch you, and they ask crazy questions. I started out in television with the 18-inch Indian Remi hair that everyone has. For me, it was an evolution, personally. I had to get to the point where I was comfortable enough to take my hair out: This is how my hair looks, and its this big. and Im letting it be bigger. Its been a cool experience. Once, on Today, a hairstylist, a black woman, saw me backstage and said: Come over here. Do you mind if I make your Afro a little bigger? She took that expensive Dyson dryer and in two seconds blows the roots out, and its big. Then I went out on Megyn Kelly, and I was like, Yes, I wish I could do it myself! I want my Afro to be as big as possible. ============================================= LUKE: An Englishman, an Irishman and a Scottishman walk into a bar. The Englishman wants to leave, so everyone has to leave TOUTS: music This paranoia ,... TITLE: DISPATCH FROM NORTHERN IRELAND TOUTS: Singing KASSIE: How was Northern Ireland considered when this was - MATTHEW CROSSAN / LUKE MCLAUGHLIN - I dont think it was considered at all. JASON FEENAN: Brexit is the exit of the United Kingdom based on the wishes of Great Britain. MATTHEW: (When Article 50 was actually triggered) The exact words that Theresa May used was that because of the wishes- THERESA MAY file: Under accordance with the wishes of the British people, the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union MATTHEW: Great Britain consists of Scotland, England and Wales. And the United Kingdom consists of Scotland, England and Wales and Northern Ireland. (MAP) So even in her language it shows that definitely when it first happened there wasnt much thought. MATTHEW: I am struggling to see any positives for the North of Ireland. But that didnt last long. The question of Northern Ireland and its border has frustrated negotiations over Brexit. We came here to find out why. And to understand the consequences for people who live here. For the last century, Northern Ireland has had to wrestle with its identity- torn between Protestants who consider themselves British Unionists and Catholics who mostly identify as Irish Nationalists. The divide has brought years of conflict. In 1968 the Catholic minority rose up against Unionist and British control, spurring 30 years of brutal sectarian violence known here as The Troubles. In 1998 both sides came together under the Good Friday Agreement, It created a somewhat unique reality here. Northern Ireland would continue to be a part of the UK, but also, open its border completely with the rest of Ireland. But the history of The Troubles is inescapable. Murals are everywhere. And Neighborhoods are color coded along sectarian lines. Here in Londonderry, or Derry, depending on whom you ask, there are walls that separate Protestants from Catholics. And the gates are locked every night. For punk band Touts, this us and them mentality, has informed more than just their music. LUKE: Ive lived here 22 years - me whole life, basically and theres places in Derry Ive never been, or Ive never walked to. I think thats crazy. MIRIAM WHYTE: Well its kind of rough,cause theres the Bogside - the mostly Catholic area then theres here, which is clearly the more Protestant area, but very divided, even though theres trying to do more what is it called when they like - integration or something. People told us those divisions have deepened since the Brexit vote. Under Brexit, Northern Ireland would leave with the UK, and the Republic of Ireland would remain in the EU. An idea that appears to overlook the reality on the ground here. We headed east, thinking we could drive along the border - but it wasnt so simple. In part because the border is mostly invisible. To get from one town in Northern Ireland to another, we crossed into the Republic of Ireland multiple times - without even realizing it. The roads continuously zigzag across international lines. Nat sound Kassie: Oh! We just crossed. Speaker: Ah good morning everyone, my name is Florence and welcome to our cross-border conference, Brexit and Young People, Can You Hear Us? These high school students live in border communities. Many commute seamlessly from one side to the other to attend school. SPEAKER: The project recruits young people from both Protestant and Catholic communities on both sides of border. LARRY: Now does anyone have some strong views on that like how would you see yourselves different than someone in the north? GIRL: If you have an Irish passport, in my mind youre Irish, doesnt matter where youre parents are from, doesnt matter what background you have, if you carry an Irish passport, youre Irish. Its part of the Good Friday agreement: residents of Northern Ireland can choose a British or Irish passport. Or both. DOIRE FINN: People living in Northern Ireland are allowed to have a British passport and an Irish passport and I think I identify as Irish but I mean I hold a British passport so really, for my identity isnt ever something that in my family was a massive issue. My parents kind of said, You identify as how you feel and I think that that was a really nice way to bring us up. DOIRE: The census that was happening here you could either say you were Irish or British my mum wanted to identify as European and they were like, Well, youre not allowed and she was like, No, Im identifying myself as European. And they were like You have to pick. By aiming to separate the UK from the EU, Brexit could interrupt the free flow of people and goods - and violate the Good Friday Agreement. ALAN (walking with Kassie) - I hope, I hope when youve got photographs my cows now, that we finish up getting a better price for these cows. Alan Mc Farland raises cattle and sheep a few miles north of the border. But he gets his feed from a distributor in the South. Its a transaction that happens regularly, without border checks, customs duties or tariffs. ALAN McFARLAND: No one knows what the final result is yet going to be - we just approach our business each and every day having made an assumption that post-Brexit we will be trading with the same people on the same terms. KASSIE: Did you feel strongly about staying or leaving? ALAN: I was actually undecided in the matter, to the extent that I didnt vote at all. But having that said in Northern Ireland the majority of the vote was remaining in the E.U. **GRAPHIC of vote breakdown** ALAN: But one thing I would say you always have the right to change is to change your mind - I would be in favor of a second referendum, to do away with the ambiguity. Thats because many people here remember the border as a source of hostility and violence. And a whole generation since then has grown up without one. HARD BORDER MONTAGE FARMER: NO HARD BORDER GIRL: HARD BORDER LEAD TO TROUBLE SOMEONE ELSE: IT JUST MAKES THINGS HARDER But when Prime Minister Theresa May tried to introduce a provision.. MONTAGE: BACKSTOP BACKSTOP ..that would guarantee an exit without a hard border in Northern Ireland, hardline Brexiters rejected it...arguing an open border would essentially keep the UK tethered to the EU. So no hard border, no deal, and so far no Brexit. ... Also, no sense of where all this could lead. ALAN: I think there should be a second referendum FR. McVEIGH (287_2358.MFX 09:08): I want to see Ireland reunified. Because I think its the only hope for this island. Economically, culturally. ANGLICAN: We need to stay with England for their money And while everyone saidsays they didntdont want a return to violence, the uncertainty seems to be threatening what is already a fragile peace. //testing the countrys fragile peace. (i think that can cover the pessimists and optimists) Police are investigating a recent bombing outside the courthouse in Londonderry reminder that the past is not far behind. ANGLICAN: We were in the sun and now Brexit destroyed the sun SIOBHAN: If there is a hard Brexit I think there will be damaged but we will have to be OK at the end of it. And weve been through harder times than this before. FIRST NAME, LAST NAME Siobhan is a mental health expert who studieds? the effects of the countrys history on mental health. SIOBHAN: Well, weve got to adopt a trauma-informed approach and think about everything from the perspective of those whove been a victim of violence. We have no way of describing it. We have no common narrative. And its going to take a while for us to generate those materials. TOUTS: This paranoia, when will it end, Ive heard it all before and Im hearing it again. DAOIRE: I think Im just really scared about the future of Northern Ireland. I love living here and I think its a lovely place to be. The craics really good and everyones really friendly and I dont want that to be dragged backwards into a past that was really, really dark for so many people. And I think, you know, theres so many good things about Northern Ireland and I just dont want those to go away. (credits with funny tag of Farmer asking about our Mexican border) Producer Kassie Bracken Cinematography Souki Mehdaoui Editor Shane ONeill Senior Producer Mona El-Naggar Graphics Aaron Byrd Nicole Fineman Dave Horn Archival Research Dahlia Kozlowsky Archival Footage Tktktk Tktktk Tktktk Aerial Cinematography Adithya Sambamurthy Executive Producer Marcelle Hopkins SIOBHAN: In 2008 we studied the Northern Ireland population and we asked people whether they had witnessed violent events that were related to the troubles such as bombings and shootings and we found that 39% of the population had. Theres some evidence that biological changes that happen in response to trauma, that thats passed to the next generation and in effect its programming the next generation to be able to respond more quickly and rapidly if theres a bombing or a shooting or whatever. But of course when a child has that it increases the risk of mental illness. Um, thereve been more deaths by suicide since the signing of the Good Friday agreement than there were through the whole of the troubles through violence. END!!!******* BENCHWARMERS SIOBHAN ONEILL: I mean the hard border is very symbolic I think if that happened theres a place to attack theres a place to focus that anger. Siobhan ONeill is a leading mental health researcher who has studied the legacy of the Troubles SIOBHAN: Part of the GFA was that British forces that were there that that would no longer be the case and that there would be free movement. Anth the remove of the border was an amazing think and now if you pass through the border theres absolutely no evidence of it. You would maybe see that the signs that the speed limits were miles and then kilometeres and that would really be it. Or Its called bomb scare We grow up with it, not as bad as it used to be Match shots of Northern Ireland today Match shots of The Undertones with the Touts OPEN BEAT ONE - INTRO TOUTS An afterthought during the Brexit referendum in 2016, Northern Ireland and how do deal with its Southern Border if and when it leaves the EU has been the main issue threatening the entire deal. (MAYBE A MAP HERE THAT SHOWS REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (E.U) and NORTHERN IRELAND (U.K) But to understand why this remains unresolved two years later, and whats at stake in the decision you need to know a bit about recent history in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland was created in 1922. But since its creation its been characterized by conflict between two groups, each claiming the In 1968 hostilities intensified during the period known as the troubles An afterthought during the Brexit referendum in 2016, Northern Ireland and the unresolved issue of how do deal with its Southern Border when it leaves the EU now threaten the deals collapse. (MAYBE A MAP HERE THAT SHOWS REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (E.U) and NORTHERN IRELAND (U.K) But to understand why this remains unresolved two years later, and whats at stake-you need to know a bit about the history of Northern Ireland and the border itself. In Derry, The Touts singer and drummer werent old enough to vote in the referendum, but they live in the country many expect to be most impacted by the deal. We drove The singer and drummer werent old enough to vote in the referendum, but they live in the country many expect to be most impacted by the deal. Theirs is the generation that grew up after the good Friday agreement that ended decades of sectarian violence has only known relative peace in the region. ASSEMBLY 031019 - KASSIE NOTES Notes - I think we need in the narration a sense that, despite the fact this generation is defined by growing up in peace, there are still deep divides and conflict. Brexit has already impacted this by exacerbating polarization and creating economic uncertainty and anxiety that violence could return. I would love to try to use the Touts/kids in park/Derry to establish the us v them nature of Northern Ireland - I agree the piece is not about sectarianism per se, but it sets up and personalizes the visual sense of place - the dispatchy-ness - peace walls and murals, and also then might have more impact when we see that it seems most young people are united in the feeling like they werent considered. Also, Brexit was prompted in large part by the us v them mentality in England, but in NI, as compared to the rest of UK, they already have their own us v them which continues today. **** Its here in Derry where many say The Troubles began, in 1968, - when the predominantly Catholic community protested against housing and employment discrimination. A civil rights march was brutally shut down by police/army. It led to roughly 30 years of sectarian violence between the predominantly Catholic Nationalists who consider themselves Irish, and the Unionists, who consider themselves British, the majority, Protestant. BEAT TWO: THE BREXIT Generation in Northern Ireland - Youth/Derry/Recent History - fear of retriggering violence felt most acutely by people nearest the border BEAT THREE: YOUNG PEOPLES CONFERENCE Challenging Identity, Good Friday - which allowed people to claim Irish or British citizenships - the idea that the fluidity of movement will be stopped BEAT FOUR: along the actual border between the countries, it is much more complicated - interwoven - FARMER BEAT FIVE: The members of Touts call Derry their home. Many say its here where the period known as the The Troubles began, in 1968, - when the predominantly Catholic community protested against housing and employment discrimination and unfair voting policies under British rule. But some claimed it to be a cover for paramilitary actors, and a peaceful civil rights march was halted by police in a brutal crackdown. 30 years of deadly sectarian violence followed between the predominantly Catholic Nationalists who consider themselves Irish, and the Unionists, who identify as British - the majority, Protestant. Sound up on Touts Touts may have grown up in the comparatively peaceful era marked by the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. But their city, called Derry by nationalists and Londonderry by unionists remains fractured. The tensions never way and in fact many say Brexit has exacerbated it TOUTS: Line about divisions still there Schools are still mostly segregated along sectarian lines. As are neighborhoods. A TKTK fence/wall helps secure the border between a Catholic community and a Protestant community. Every night, it is locked for protection. TOUTS Line about impact of Brexit already? Or line about Brexit? Just 100 feet away from the wall, in the mostly Protestant community The Fountain, we spoke with a group of teenagers about TKTK MIRIAM: Nearly everyone I spoke with mentioned/agreed the same worst case scenario HARD BORDER MONTAGE To impose a hard border, with check points and official crossings would cause headaches both practically and symbolically. And thats where the Irish backstop comes in. THERESA MAY: The Irish backstop was the UKs provision to ensure that Brexit would not Sounds good, but The problem is, Northern Ireland is in a customs union that requires a customs border PROTESTANT PRIEST: WE had a number of years that we thought we were seeing the sunshine, and now with Brexit its as if the sun has gone behind the clouds. GIRL: Its going to become again a situation of us and them. LARRY: Who is them and us? GIRL: LIke Catholics and Protestants or Irish people and people from Northern Ireland, were not going to see each other as the same country LARRY youre saying were both live in the same country, in my mind thats true, but yet I live under a British jurisdiction, Kassie: they have a lot to be fucked about Cut to: kids workshop Yeah, these kids are confused because this shit is confusing. Brexit, and Northern Ireland itself. 45 second history lesson of Northern Ireland And this is the legacy theyve inherited. NOW made worse by Brexit! Borders are usually about keeping people in or keeping people out, In this case, But its about something more nuanced and complicated, like the border itself DRONE SHOT OF MEANDERING BORDER And Ireland, with its taste for storytelling and humor has a singular relationship with its own border People wandering in and out, funny smuggling stories. LOYALISTS EQUANIMOUS STATEMENT ABOUT BREXIT (maybe from mental health professor) CONCLUSION: AT THE BAR IN DERRY WITH THE TOUTS (with compelling TOUT SOT) One of the other key stipulations of the Good Friday agreement was a free border with the south. Now, Brexit is threatening this. Its the thing people I spoke with said worried them most. HARD BORDER Montage. Before I got here Id planned to drive along the border - it wasnt so simple. Heres the border. On my TKTK mile journey from TK to TK, I crossed international lines/crossed TKTK times. THIS SECTION TBA BASED ON GRAPHIC I often didnt even realize Id crossed. Thirty years ago, this crossing would have looked more like this: FR. McVEIGH (287_2356.MXF 03:23)): The hardline Brexit people are determined to leave without a deal if necessary, or with a deal without a backstop - (thats the only thing thats going to satisfy them, and the DUP who are propping up the London government) 04:50 The Brexiteers in London dont care all that much. Father Joe McVeigh grew up along the border and remembers the checkpoints as violent hotspots. Sound up: Fr. McVeigh shows Kassie photos of the border But this bridge at the border in Belleek shows none of the vestiges of Thats help spur a new momentum for a united Ireland. 13:35 If the Brexit people want to continue their line, they have to consider whats going to happen to us. We needed to be treated separately and differently. The fear of a hard border, with all of the economic and practical implications has given rise to another potential outcome. FR. McVEIGH (287_2358.MFX 09:08): I want to see Ireland reunified. Because I think its the only hope for this island. Economically, culturally. (08:54 It has to happen, it just has to happen 09:45 Partition has run out of road. ) FARMER: Voted to remain in the EU. So leaving the EU would go against the voting majority of Northern Ireland. But leaving the UK altogether would go against the wishes of some of Northern Irelands Protestant majority. ANGLICAN: Protestant people would certainly be nervous of any changes. Theres a huge amount of money that comes from Westminster and London. Ironically, the hardline Brexit position has revived some calls for a United Ireland FR. McVEIGH : I want to see Ireland reunified. Because I think its the only hope for this island. But positions like Friar McVeighs arent very popular, especially among Protestants in Northern Irelands 6 counties, who would become a minority overnight if they joined Irelands 26 as one country. So maybe they could have a political border that remains somewhat relaxed. Thats called a Soft Border or an Irish Backstop. Theresa May: Irish Backstop montage But no one really knows how that would work or what it would look like, which is why its been such a bee in the bonnet of the Brexit process. Some hardline Brexiters are calling for the re-establishment of a hard border, a fringe position that proved very unpopular with most of the people I met while I was here: HARD BORDER MONTAGE The hard border was both inconvenient and psychologically fraught. TO SIOBHAN Leaving the United Kingdom altogether would mean losing money from England. The DUP advocates it effectively mean keeping the And thats why the Irish backstop came up and failed?. THERESA MAY: BACKSTOP MONTAGE. When May tried to introduce a deal that said no hard border, hard brexiteers, including forcing Britain to play by the rules of a single European market even after it separates from the EU, it wouldnt pass. It was meant to guarantee that there would be no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after the UK separates from the EU. But then, how and where would goods undergo checks as they travel between the UK and the EU. Theres no easy answer? The backstop provision says Britain should continue to play by the rules of a single European market until politicians can agree on how and where goods will undergo checks as they travel between the UK and the EU. But how can the UK leave without violating the terms of the peace treaty that calls for an open border here? Which is, in part, why politicians do not agree on the terms of the backstop, and its unclear if they ever will. They didnt want to feel tethered to the EU. It leaves the question of Brexit unsolved and opens up new questions for Northern Ireland. It all leads to this renewed interest among some people for a united ireland. Of leaving the UK altogether. Siobhan ONeill is a leading mental health researcher who has studied the legacy of the Troubles, And the border debate has, somewhat ironically, revived an old argument (for reuniting the north with the south) Is FR. McVEIGH (287_2358.MFX 09:08): I want to see Ireland reunified. Because I think its the only hope for this island. Economically, culturally. The present is more closely tied to the past here than Theres been a fragile peace here for 20 years but Brexit Well, weve got to adopt a trauma-informed approach and think about everything from the perspective of those whove been a victim of violence. We have no way of describing it. We have no common narrative. And its going to take a while for us to generate those materials. But despite 20 years of fragile peace And Brexit has also had a real psychological impact on the citizens of Northern Ireland For a country that is only a generation away from one of the most bitter conflicts in modern history the tumult How will Northern Ireland SIOBHAN: LINE ABOUT HOW BREXIT HAS ALREADY HAD AN IMPACT Photographers often talk about making pictures rather than taking them: constructing something from the scene in front of the camera that is related to it but not subordinate to it. A photo of a tree or a soldier has a life independent of its subject. Bruce Polin began making these images in Brooklyns Prospect Park around the time of the last presidential campaign. He had been shooting mostly in his home studio, but when the divisive rhetoric of the election heated up, he felt the need to get out among strangers, from all cultures he could find. The park was ideal. The camera was big. Paul Allens original goal was to find the U.S.S. Indianapolis, a heavy cruiser sunk by a Japanese submarine during World War II. While many of the ships crew members survived the torpedo attack, hundreds died from exposure, drowning or shark attacks while awaiting rescue. Allens crew found the Indianapolis in August 2017. Since Allens death from non-Hodgkins lymphoma, his team aboard the Petrel has continued its quest to find other sunken warships from the war in the Pacific. What does the U.S. Navy do when one of its sunken warships is found? The Navy has no intention to touch the wreck at all. Its interest is in studying the Wasp and other wrecks the Petrel has found, in part to assess the damage the ships suffered and to see what lessons can be applied to how the service builds ships in the future. The Wasp is sitting upright on the bottom of the Pacific, in pretty deep mud, says Sam Cox, a retired admiral who heads the Navys historical department. The mud actually comes up to about where the water line was, so you cant see where the actual torpedoes hit. According to Cox, the Wasp was one of the most important ships of the Pacific Fleet in the early days of the war a time when the Navy had only a few operational aircraft carriers available to help stop the Imperial Japanese Navy. When the Wasp was sunk in September 1942, it left the U.S.S. Hornet as the sole operational carrier in the Pacific, until repairs on the U.S.S. Enterprise were completed and the ship returned to action. The Hornet was sunk not long after the Wasp, during the Battle of Santa Cruz on Oct. 26, 1942. The Petrel crew found it too, on the same trip, resting on the bottom about 400 miles northeast of Guadalcanal. Some folks say: Why do you want to talk about a wreck? You know you lost that battle, Cox says. It has to do with the sacrifice, the valor of U.S. sailors. These were at that time mostly professional sailors; the draft had not been in effect for that long. How do you preserve a sunken warship? According to Cox, illegal salvage operations in the Java Sea and the South China Sea have destroyed some British and Dutch ships from World War II that sank in relatively shallow water. Their hulls were turned into scrap metal. And American warships have not been immune the wrecks of the submarine U.S.S. Perch and the destroyer U.S.S. Pope have disappeared sometime in the last two or three years. The only good news is that neither one of them went down with any of their crewmen, Cox says. So it was a case of they salvaged U.S. Navy property, but we dont know who did it. Few can smolder like Skarsgard, yet his inevitable affair with Rachael has little heat. Each has a heartbreaking reason to distrust the other; but instead of exploring the wary psychological dance between victor and vanquished, grief and acceptance, the director, James Kent (working from Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouses adaptation of Rhidian Brooks 2013 novel), leaps from hostility to adultery with preposterous speed. While the cinematographer, Franz Lustig, conjures gauzy flashbacks and glowing glamour shots, promising subplots like Stephans possibly murky past and his daughters dalliance with a dangerous young Hitler sympathizer are hastily snuffed out. Had Kent (who excelled in 2015 with the World War I drama Testament of Youth) diverted a fraction of the cost of his lavish production design to beefing up the screenplay, this corny melodrama might have had a chance of pleasing our minds as much as our eyes. The American writer Robert Warshow famously said that movie critics were obligated to convey their immediate experience of a picture. The documentarian Mark Cousins clearly feels similarly. Cousins, whose best known work is the 15-hour television documentary The Story of Film: An Odyssey, can be seen as the anti-Ken Burns. While Burnss explorations of history and culture aspire to standards of objectivity, Cousins is unabashedly, unapologetically personal. Cousinss new film, The Eyes of Orson Welles, takes his own approach to a new level. The narration is framed as a letter from Cousins to Welles. Cousins opens with shots of todays Times Square while observing that the despots you were fascinated by are gaining ground. He wonders if theres anything new to say about Welles before opening a box from an archive that contains a stash of the filmmakers paintings and drawings. To call The Highwaymen revisionist or even reactionary would be an understatement. This retelling of the Bonnie and Clyde story is not content to posit that those two Depression-era outlaws got what they deserved when they died in a hail of bullets on a Louisiana back road. It has a sackful of bones to pick with the modern world as a whole. Violent criminals are a problem, yes, but so are movies, airplanes, car radios, women in politics, newspapers you name it. If Grandpa Simpson could figure out how to get himself a Netflix subscription, this movie would be the whole algorithm. Im here to say I didnt entirely hate it. As Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow rampage across a half-dozen states, the governor of Texas, Miriam Ma Ferguson (Kathy Bates), is persuaded by her head law enforcement honcho, Lee Simmons (John Carroll Lynch), to bring a couple of old Texas Rangers out of retirement. The governor has disbanded the Rangers and brags about raising taxes to replace them with a more up-to-date police force. J. Edgar Hoover is doing the same thing at the federal level, and while we never see Hoovers face we do hear him called a high-flying sissy by one of our heroes. Hoovers men are smug, citified so-and-sos in trim suits who set great store by fancy crime-fighting techniques like fingerprint analysis, wiretaps, two-way radios and aerial surveillance. The ex-Rangers, reclassified as highway patrolmen for their new mission, prefer to rely on horse sense and cowboy folk wisdom. Outlaws and mustangs always come home, says Frank Hamer (Kevin Costner), the older, gruffer one. He reckons that Bonnie and Clyde will circle back to the Dallas neighborhood where they grew up. Hes mostly right, but the feds and other busybodies keep getting in the way. The plan is not to take the fugitives alive. Before he sets out in pursuit and before hes joined by his erstwhile partner, Maney Gault (Woody Harrelson) Frank purchases a small arsenal at a Lubbock gun shop. Even though hes a bit rusty on the draw, Frank is a professional, and he takes the job personally. Barrow and Parkers slaughter of police officers enrages him, and hes disgusted by the aura of Robin Hood chic that has gathered around them. Graffiti on a rural water tower reads Go Bonnie and Clyde! Young women sport berets in imitation of Bonnies signature look. Coldblooded killers who are more adored than movie stars is Lee Simmonss assessment. The story tracks Roman as he reluctantly joins the rehab program (his resistance being a narrative given), goaded by his unfailingly patient psychologist-counselor (Connie Britton). The program is run by another professional instigator, Myles, a classically cantankerous old man with a hard crust and 24-karat core who once upon a time would have been played by a grumbling, muttering Walter Brennan. The patent now belongs to Bruce Dern, who grumbles and mutters and squints into the sun in a performance that is as recognizable as the cover of a favorite song. You know every beat and lyric, and its pleasurable to watch Dern interpret each one anew. Theres no John Wayne, the sun around which Brennan sometimes orbited. Even so, Schoenaerts here brings to mind one of those Wayne swaggerers, the kind who tower over movies and other men. Schoenaerts who excels at hard-body men who yield, to hurt, tenderness and love affects a slight bob and weave, suggesting a life in the ring. Unexpectedly, Roman often seems beaten down. He has the hunched shoulders and bowed head of the defeated, though sometimes he looks like a boxer heading into the next fight. Even a bowed head can carry a threat, as everything that we have been taught about men and violence reminds us. By the time the mustang arrives, Roman is about halfway through his 11-year sentence. Theirs isnt an easy match, partly because it verges on a romantic meet cute that strains narrative credulity and your tolerance for stacked decks. The horse, locked in a shed, is furiously kicking, pounding out a rhythmic S.O.S. that the curious Roman answers. Soon, the two are warily circling each other in a corral under the tutelage of Henry (the winning Jason Mitchell), one of the programs successes. Roman and the horse he names him Marquis, pronouncing it Marcus dont take to each other, but after a brutal exchange and some more time in solitary for both, they reach an understanding that opens into love. Now and again, a European filmmaker heads to the American West to re-explore (and of course reconquer) it, often to grim and grimly obvious ends. De Clermont-Tonnerre, by contrast, takes on the western as a milieu and a genre with an appreciable lack of cynicism. Some of her storytelling can be shaky. A predictable death and a resentful teenage daughter (a fine Gideon Adlon) nearly help push the story over the melodramatic edge; and a drug subplot with its easily breached medicine cabinet is distracting. Yet de Clermont-Tonnerre has an eye for beauty, for swirling dust and resonant silences, and she taps into the soul of this place and its inhabitants even as she reminds you of its terrors. Like Marquis, Roman can sometimes seem like too facile a symbol of the terrifyingly primitive, but he is also never less than effortlessly alive. Straddling the intersection of drug dealing and the music industry, Yardie, the big-screen directing debut of the actor Idris Elba, struggles to carve a path between warring gangs and reggae beats. Leaping from 1970s Jamaica to 1980s London, the story follows D (Aml Ameen), a drug courier and aspiring music artist who arrives in Hackney with a package for Rico (the reliable Stephen Graham, whose queasily hilarious performance of cultural appropriation is mitigated by his Jamaican heritage). But D, in a pointlessly stupid move that endangers his newly rediscovered childhood sweetheart (an excellent Shantol Jackson) and their young daughter, decides to give his package to the Turks instead. Organized crime leaders have long been shrouded in a layer of mystique that has made their deaths a matter of public intrigue and Mafia folklore. But it had been decades since a mob boss was killed in New York City, until Wednesday. Francesco Cali, the reputed boss of the Gambino crime family, was fatally shot outside his home on Staten Island on Wednesday night. Mr. Cali, 53, was shot six times, a police official has said, and there was a report of a blue pickup leaving the scene around the time of shooting. [Read about Francesco Calis death and the neighborhood on Staten Island where he was killed.] Mr. Calis sudden, violent death potentially places him in a long line of mob leaders who have been targeted for assassination. Past mob figures have often been shot in moments of vulnerability while eating out, or relaxing at the barber. Their killers were rarely brought to justice. In fact, the slayings often led to more violence, and in some cases, the killers ended up being killed themselves. Heres a look at some other high-profile mob hits in New York. Paul Castellano, 1985 Paul Castellano led the Gambino crime family for years, conducting business from a mansion in Todt Hill the same Staten Island neighborhood where Mr. Cali was killed Wednesday. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] Cloaked in green, perched high above the city and offering the kind of privacy that would appeal to mob bosses, Todt Hill on Staten Island would in many ways be a fitting location for an old-fashioned Mafia hit. It has the history. Paul Castellano, who led the Gambino crime family until he was murdered in Manhattan in 1985, conducted business from his Benedict Road mansion. It has also been the home of many other reputed mobsters, including Salvatore Gravano, known as Sammy the Bull, a onetime hit man who informed on his boss, John Gotti. It also has the look. A Tudor-style house on Longfellow Avenue famously served as the setting of Vito Corleones home in The Godfather, where the Mafia don greeted guests during his daughters wedding in the opening scenes of the movie. On Wednesday night, Francesco Cali, the reputed boss of the Gambino family, was fatally shot outside his home on Hilltop Terrace, opening a new chapter of Mafia folklore for a typically peaceful neighborhood with some of New Yorks Citys finest views and homes. Mr. Cali was shot six times and pronounced dead at Staten Island University Hospital. After Hurricane Sandy flooded Lower Manhattan and caused massive damage to the citys financial center, climate scientists agreed it was only a matter of time before a new superstorm would bring the same kind of damage or worse. That realization, in part, led Mayor Bill de Blasio to embrace an unconventional solution: Make Manhattan bigger. To safeguard the area from the effects of climate change, including storm surges and rising sea levels, the city is proposing artificially extending the southern tip of Manhattan. The idea would be to use landfill in front of the financial district and South Street Seaport to extend the coastline of the island by as much as 500 feet into the East River, creating a rising berm that would, at its highest point, be well above future sea levels. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] A poster hanging on the walls of New York City subway stations advertises a new book celebrating the life and work of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, calling the Supreme Court justice a trail blazer and a history maker. On Tuesday, the advertisement at one Brooklyn subway stop included another message: an anti-Semitic slur and a swastika scrawled over her face. The New York Police Departments hate crimes unit and officials at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority were investigating the incident, which came to wider attention after it was reported by a commuter on Twitter, officials said. The vandalism, which was swiftly condemned by city officials, came amid a rise in hate crimes in New York City, driven in large part by anti-Semitic attacks and incidents. There were 86 hate crimes reported in the city this year as of March 10, an increase of 62 percent over the same time period last year, the police said. About 60 percent of those were anti-Semitic crimes, with 52 such incidents reported so far this year, compared with 32 by the same time in 2018. [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] The Connecticut Supreme Court dealt a major blow to the firearms industry on Thursday, clearing the way for a lawsuit against the companies that manufactured and sold the semiautomatic rifle used by the gunman in the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The lawsuit mounted a direct challenge to the immunity that Congress granted gun companies to shield them from litigation when their weapons are used in a crime. The ruling allows the case, brought by victims families, to maneuver around the federal shield, creating a potential opening to bring claims to trial and hold the companies, including Remington, which made the rifle, liable for the attack. The decision represents a significant development in the long-running battle between gun control advocates and the gun lobby. And it stands to have wider ramifications, experts said, by charting a possible legal road map for victims relatives and survivors from other mass shootings who want to sue gun companies. In the lawsuit, the families seized upon the marketing for the AR-15-style Bushmaster used in the 2012 attack, which invoked the violence of combat and used slogans like Consider your man card reissued. The answer is quintessential Armstrong: Hes the guy who prefers to turn poetry into prose. The one time he seems least himself is when he utters the line thats supposed to immortalize him: Thats one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. Dropping the a before man winds up being his sole extraterrestrial mistake. Its not that Armstrong is incapable of eloquence. Its that his manner of eloquence is direct, gracious and above all modest when everyone else Walter Cronkite and Richard Nixon in particular strains for grandiloquence. To borrow a line from Barack Obama, he knows too well that he didnt build that. His sense of his place in history is that hes mainly an accident of it. And there lies the greatest marvel of the Apollo program: Not so much the size of the endeavor, or the machines that were built to accomplish it, but rather the quality of self-effacement among the men most associated with its success. Armstrong, easily one of the most celebrated men of the last half-century, refused to become a celebrity. He kept his politics to himself. He made no oracular pronouncements. He did not amass fabulous wealth. He stayed humble, and human, in the era of relentless puffery and self-promotion. This, too, feels as bygone as the Saturn V, the Right Stuff, and the one small step and as missed. How do we reclaim it? Thats a moonshot-scale question, but heres a worthy contribution. As I was writing this column, I got a call from Ken Burns, a friend and renowned documentary maker, who told me about a new prize endowed by Boston philanthropists Jonathan and Jeannie Lavine in collaboration with the Library of Congress and The Better Angels Society. The award, which is currently accepting applications through June 1, will annually grant $200,000 to a young documentary filmmaker in the final stages of producing a feature film. We are in a situation right now where we are dialectically preoccupied: red state or blue state, gay or straight, rich or poor, male or female, Ken told me by way of explaining the prizes significance. Hes looking for an antidote. Films that will reach a broad audience and speak to the enduring themes of what we are and what we share in common. Winning entries, he added, will focus on American history, be nonpartisan, Homeric in scope but intimate in details. Apollo 11 is such a film. Go see it. Now, more please. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram. This article is part of David Leonhardts newsletter. You can sign up here to receive it each weekday. Beto ORourke is entering the 2020 presidential race, and Im glad he is. Its far too early to know how he will do in the national spotlight. Running for president is far harder than running for the House or Senate. But ORourke has shown intriguing promise as a candidate. And Im a fan of a diverse field. As Matt Viser of The Washington Post wrote this week, ORourke offers a more centrist brand of politics that could appeal to an untapped portion of the party electorate. But unlike the other potential candidate who fits this description Joe Biden ORourke also excites many progressive voters because of his youth and energy. For more on ORourke, try a 2017 profile from Christopher Hooks in The Texas Observer or a 2018 profile from Eric Benson in Texas Monthly. Abolition wasnt even part of his original plan. He thought, as many people did at the time, that the Electoral College needed only a few tweaks. As chairman of the Senates subcommittee on constitutional amendments, Mr. Bayh arranged for hearings on various reform proposals. On the first day of hearings, he rejected the idea of a national popular vote out of hand. The smaller states, which believed they benefited from their disproportionate number of electoral votes, would never go for it. Putting it optimistically, he said, the chances of Congress passing a popular-vote amendment were extremely slim, if not hopeless. A few months later, he did a complete about-face. In a remarkable speech on May 18, 1966, Mr. Bayh said the hearings had convinced him that the Electoral College was no longer compatible with the values of American democracy, if it had ever been. The founders who created it excluded everyone other than landowning white men from voting. But virtually every development in the two centuries since giving the vote to African-Americans and women, switching to popular elections of senators and the establishment of the one-person-one-vote principle, to name a few had moved the country in the opposite direction. Adopting a direct vote for president was the logical, realistic and proper continuation of this nations tradition and history a tradition of continuous expansion of the franchise and equality in voting, he said. He then explained how the Electoral College was continuing to harm the country. The winner-take-all method of allocating electors used by every state at the time, and by all but two today doesnt simply risk putting the popular-vote loser in the White House. It also encourages candidates to concentrate their campaigns in a small number of battleground states and ignore a vast majority of Americans. It was no way to run a modern democracy. In short, Senator Bayh said, the president should be elected directly by the people, for it is the people of the United States to whom he is responsible. The speech was galvanizing, and by 1968, his popular-vote campaign had won the support of 80 percent of the country, according to a Gallup poll Republicans and Democrats, as well as organizations as varied as the Chamber of Commerce, the League of Women Voters and the American Bar Association. Then came the chaotic election of 1968, when George Wallace, the former Alabama governor and arch-segregationist, nearly managed to deadlock the vote and force Congress to pick the winner. Most people were just beginning to understand how bizarre and dangerous the Electoral College was. The prospect of an unreconstructed racist determining the presidency rightly horrified them. As the best-selling author James Michener wrote in a book advocating a switch to the popular vote, the Electoral College was a time bomb lodged near the heart of the nation. If youre an airline passenger, automation is your friend setting aside the fears over its role in the crashes of two Boeing 737 Max planes in the past five months. The gradual spread of automation through the civil aircraft fleet is a primary reason the accident rate worldwide has fallen from about four accidents per million flights in 1977 to less than 0.4 today. Pilots today, as one former pilot puts it, are less stick-and-rudder movers than they are overseers of systems. Automation is not without its own hazards, though. As it has become ubiquitous in cockpits, automation-related accidents have come to make up a significant proportion of all air disasters. In 2013, the Federal Aviation Administration published a study of accidents over the previous two decades and found that reports of unexpected or unexplained behavior of automated systems were present in 46 percent of the accident reports and 60 percent of the major incident reports collected by the researchers. There are two main ways in which automation can lead to catastrophe. Sometimes a malfunction causes the autopilot to run haywire and put the plane into a dangerous state. This is what seems to have happened to the Lion Air 737 Max that crashed last October shortly after takeoff from Jakarta, Indonesia. (It may have occurred in the case of Sundays Ethiopian Airlines crash as well; on Wednesday, the F.A.A. said that newly available satellite data indicates some similarities between the two accidents.) Because the 737 Max had been outfitted with larger new engines that could cause its nose to pitch dangerously skyward, Boeing had added a maneuvering characteristics augmentation system, or M.C.A.S., that would kick in and push the nose down if necessary. But a faulty sensor fed incorrect information to the Lion Air flights M.C.A.S., causing it to put the plane into a steep dive. Pilots on at least two flights in the United States reported similar problems, but in those cases they were able to disengage the autopilot system and recover control of the plane. Exactly when did Facebook become the Job of internet companies? Just like the beleaguered biblical character who endured woe after woe at Gods behest, this social media giant finds itself repeatedly hit by bad news. The difference is that Job was blameless while Facebook has brought many of these disasters upon itself. The biggest recent blow was a report on Wednesday that federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York were conducting a criminal investigation into deals Facebook had made with other companies that gave them access to data, allegedly without the consent of users. Other calamities within the last week alone include a report from the British government accusing Facebook and other companies of hindering consumer choice and stifling innovation and calling for strong regulation; Facebook managing to look as if it was trying to block Senator Elizabeth Warrens attempt to advertise her plan to break up big tech companies like Facebook on Facebook; its services, including the popular Instagram app, going down around the globe, and on Thursday, the announced departures of Chris Cox, Facebooks powerful chief product officer, and Chris Daniels, the boss of WhatsApp a giant neon sign that the company is in pain. I think we can safely say that only Aunt Becky from Full House that would be Lori Loughlin, captain of the college admissions bad parenting squad is having a worse time this week. For years, uncompromising gun enthusiasts have demanded that politicians, the press and the American people never slander their beloved military-style semiautomatic rifles with the name assault weapons. Even though the guns are marketed with military imagery. Even though theres a thriving business in aftermarket accessories, like thermal scopes and high-capacity magazines made to military specification. Even after these lethal weapons have been used to kill scores of people in massacre after massacre after massacre. Calling these rifles assault weapons is unfair, gun makers and their apologists insist, because it implies they are frightening weapons of war when they are sold for civilian use. This distinction, the fairness of it, matters not at all to the women, men and children wounded or killed by these guns. The Connecticut Supreme Court on Thursday permitted a civil suit to move forward against the companies that manufactured and sold the weapon used by the gunman to fire 154 rounds during a five-minute rampage through Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. It was an unexpected loss for the firearms industry, which has long enjoyed federal protection granted by Congress from legal redress for the victims of its products. Unlike the millions of Syrian refugees who hold on to their passports and travel documents with their lives, numerous foreign fighters of the Islamic State destroyed their passports to hide their identities and spent years traveling between Syria and Turkey with relative ease. Now that the Islamic State has been defeated in Syria and the dreams of a false caliphate have been crushed, many foreign members of the terrorist group, including women like Ms. Muthana and Ms. Begum, are crawling back to their countries of birth. Ms. Muthana and Ms. Begum, who were both recently arrested by the Syrian Democratic Forces, are being held, along with other Islamic State families, at al-Hawl refugee camp in northeastern Syria. Ms. Muthana, who left Alabama in 2014 to join the Islamic State in Syria, was recently arrested by the Syrian Democratic Forces. She has expressed regret for her actions in recent interviews but I remember her as the Islamic State member, who used social media to call for murder and worked as a recruiter. Ms. Begum, who left Britain and joined the Islamic State in 2015, rejected her familys many requests to return home. After she was arrested by the S.D.F., she spoke to Sky News television about her decision to join the terrorist group. Ms. Begum hesitated and replied that she didnt regret her decision because it changed her as a person, that she enjoyed her time with the group, and met her fighter husband because of it. It suggested little remorse; she and others like her still believe in the poisonous ideas of the Islamic State. I have long wondered whether I would find it in my heart to forgive the foreign members of the Islamic State, including women like Ms. Muthana and Ms. Begum, for what they did to my people and my home. I certainly couldnt forgive the male fighters and asked my female Syrian friends about Ms. Muthana, Ms. Begum and other jihadi women like them. Every Syrian woman I spoke to emphatically stated that they could never forgive anyone who joined or supported the Islamic State. When I asked them specifically about Ms. Muthana and Ms. Begum, every female friend replied that both women should be arrested and prosecuted to save the Syrians and world from the danger they might pose at some point. To the Editor: Re As Uproar Builds, U.S. Grounds Jets Days After Crash (front page, March 14): Daniel K. Elwell, acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Authority, originally said the Boeing 737 Max 8 plane would continue to fly because there were no known systemic performance issues (other than the fact that two of the same type of plane crashed within six months of each other ). It is exactly for that reason that you dont allow the planes to fly. The prudent thing to do would be to act on the side of caution and ground the planes. Lets face it. The main reason the planes were not grounded sooner is that Boeing is an American company and the Trump administration was greatly concerned about the financial hit to the economy that would inevitably follow. There was no concern about passenger safety . Mr. Trump views everything in terms of the bottom line. He always has and he always will. Gary Shareshian Hamilton, N.J. To the Editor: As a lifelong safety engineer, I am horrified by the events leading President Trump and the F.A.A. to finally ground the 737 Max 8 fleet. The relationship of the regulatory oversight guaranteeing the safety of travel and the companies involved the regulated represents a failure to establish and maintain an adequate safety culture. To the Editor: In Roadblock to Reform: Mitch McConnell (editorial, March 9), you quote the Senate majority leader saying something that should be astounding: Because I get to deci de what we vote on. He speaks the truth, its accepted as a routine matter of fact, and that is what should astound any believer in democracy. How can it be that one man can prevent a vote, for any reason he choo ses, in a body whose function is to vote on things? How can there be no possibility of overruling his decision, no possibility of, say, a petition signed by two-fifths of senators requiring a full airing of a bill a discussion, a debate leading to a vote? Or some such provision. Our system gives the Senate majority leader a veto power greater than the presidents because the decision is absolute and cannot be reversed. How can this be O.K.? Joel Raphaelson Chicago To the Editor: Re America, Say My Name, by Viet Thanh Nguyen (Sunday Review, March 10): My grandfather arrived in the United States from Armenia in the 1890s, and were still teaching folks how to pronounce our surname. (Its juh-RAH-yahn.) Ironically, immigrants read it and in most cases pronounce it correctly. Americans dont seem to take time to actually read it and think that they can wing it. It comes out wrong every time! Were not giving up, America! Stephen Vartan Jarahian Jersey City Senator Mitt Romney, Republican of Utah, explained, This is a vote for the Constitution and for the balance of powers that is at its core. Shortly after the vote Thursday afternoon, Mr. Trump took to Twitter. VETO! he wrote. For the record, the Republican senators voting for the resolution (and against the presidents power grab) were, in addition to Mr. Romney: Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Roy Blunt of Missouri, Susan Collins of Maine, Mike Lee of Utah, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Rob Portman of Ohio, Marco Rubio of Florida, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Roger Wicker of Mississippi. It is notable that this brushback of the president came just one day after the Senate voted 54 to 46 to end American support for Saudi Arabias brutal, four-year-old military venture in Yemen. Seven Republicans crossed party lines to pass a bill designed to claw back Congresss responsibility for declaring war. The measure is expected to pass the House as well, provoking a second presidential veto. In both cases, Mr. Trump lobbied Republicans, publicly and privately, to stand by him if only to limit his margins of loss. He reportedly dangled funding promises in front of some members, even as he continued his Twitter taunts, including this Thursday gem: A vote for todays resolution by Republican Senators is a vote for Nancy Pelosi, Crime, and the Open Border Democrats! But neither sticks nor carrots were enough to spare the president back-to-back humiliations. Senate Republicans were not exactly eager to cross Mr. Trump. In the lead-up to Thursdays vote, members scrambled to avoid a confrontation. Mr. Lee put together a proposal to reform the National Emergencies Act. His bill, introduced Tuesday, would have automatically ended future declarations after 30 days, unless Congress voted to extend them. As an opening bid, the idea was worth debating, seeing as how the current law is clearly prone to abuse. With the 2016 election, the chant to build that wall seemed to drown everything else. But interest in the Roosevelt idea is still alive on both sides of the river, even as President Trump seeks billions more for his wall. So whats the case for an international park? Opinion Conversation The climate, and the world, are changing. What challenges will the future bring, and how should we respond to them? What should our leaders be doing? Al Gore, the 45th vice president of the United States, finds reasons for optimism in the Biden presidency. Al Gore, the 45th vice president of the United States, finds reasons for optimism in the Biden presidency. What are the worst climate risks in your country? Select a country, and we'll break down the climate hazards it faces. Select a country, and we'll break down the climate hazards it faces. Where are Americans suffering most? Our maps, developed with experts, show where extreme heat is causing the most deaths in the U.S. Our maps, developed with experts, show where extreme heat is causing the most deaths in the U.S. What does climate devastation look like? In Sept. 2020, Michael Benson studied detailed satellite imagery. Here's the earth that he saw and the one he wants to see. The pitched battle over Mr. Trumps wall has focused on border security and immigration policy. These are critical issues, with lives at stake. But in the midst of this heated dispute, what if we could actually strengthen day-to-day relationships among people living on both sides of the border, without seizing any private land, and also enhance security in the process? An international park would send a strong message of cooperation and hope at a moment when the loudest words are about division and despair. A jointly managed park would recognize the region as a single ecosystem and encourage collaboration by focusing the two nations on shared environmental and climate challenges along the border, like droughts, floods and wildfires, and invasive plants and endangered species. Joint efforts at habitat restoration and water conservation would increase river flows, discourage illegal crossings and support agriculture. And the park would increase tourism, helping struggling people on both sides of the river. The park would be managed like its United States-Canadian counterpart, with the United States and Mexico retaining separate authority over their respective lands and park visitors carrying required documents as they cross from one side to the other. At the same time, park managers, with high-level support from both Washington and Mexico City, could collaborate on everything from search and rescue and wildlife protection to scientific research and native plant restoration. Republicans have a strong tradition, extending back to Teddy Roosevelt, of supporting parks and international conservation. Republicans and Democrats recently came together in overwhelming numbers in Congress to approve a sweeping land conservation bill. Protecting natural areas is not an alien concept for Republicans , even these days. On the Democratic side, Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico is a strong supporter of the idea. His father, Stewart, was instrumental in enacting the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act as head of the Interior Department in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. That law protects 196 miles of the Rio Grande in Texas and 68 miles in New Mexico. In the Ninth Congressional District, the Republican candidate, Mark Harris, hired Leslie McCrae Dowless, an election operative with a shady reputation, to ensure that there would be enough votes to send Mr. Harris to Capitol Hill. Even though Mr. Harriss son, an assistant United States attorney, repeatedly warned him against this hire. When the ballots were tallied, Mr. Harris was ahead by 905 votes. His total included 61 percent of the absentee ballots in Bladen County, though only 19 percent there were cast by Republicans. Something was also awry in Robeson County, where 40 percent of African-Americans absentee ballots and 60 percent of Native Americans absentee ballots were never officially turned in. Mr. Dowless, elections officials concluded, had illegally gathered, altered and discarded more than 1,000 absentee ballots in Bladen and Robeson Counties. The elections results were so bizarre that the state elections board refused to certify the vote. Mr. Dowless and four other people are now under indictment. Faced with this brazen attempt to steal a congressional seat, most of the national Republican leadership simply went silent. The Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, who has repeatedly articulated his contempt for voting rights, laid the blame for the election fraud debacle on Democrats and their refusal to back voter ID laws. This was catnip for the Republican base, which has been convinced that voter fraud happens regularly. And Mr. McConnell managed to swap the reality of election fraud for the fiction of voter fraud to mask that it was the Republican who hired the disreputable campaign operative. I had a flight from Jeddah that night back to Washington, where I now work as a diplomatic correspondent. If I boarded the train around noon, I could get to Jeddah by midafternoon, have time to walk around the old town and seaside corniche, maybe get dinner and catch my flight. Booking a ticket was as easy as making a reservation on Amtrak. From my hotel room in a desert canyon in Al Ula, I got on the website of the Haramain High Speed Railway, clicked on the English-language option and looked at the schedule. There was a train departing at noon the next day that would get me into Jeddah at 2:16 p.m. All economy-class tickets were sold out so, using an American credit card, I booked a business-class seat for 220.5 Saudi riyals, or $59. Ive always enjoyed train travel, but there was a particular reason this railway intrigued me. When I was Beijing bureau chief, my job at The Times before this one, I researched commercial projects abroad that involved Chinese companies. Chinese state-owned enterprises were getting infrastructure contracts in many countries, even before President Xi Jinping began heavily promoting his Belt and Road Initiative. I came across the fact that a Chinese state-owned enterprise was involved in the first phase of building a high-speed railway between Medina and Mecca. There was a certain dissonance here: The ruling Communist Party of China, officially atheist and repressive toward many of the countrys Muslims, was helping build a railway connecting the holiest sites in Islam. Last fall, Carmina Albaladejo Ochogavia came to New York to work in her familys growing business, Carmina Shoemaker. She represents the sixth generation of cobblers in the family, which is from Majorca, Spain. The business was named for her grandmother, and so was she. After graduating from Kingston University London last spring, Ms. Albaladejo, an only child, worked at the companys factory and headquarters on Majorca. Then, with her father, she headed to New York for a week of apartment hunting before starting work at the familys new store, just north of Grand Central Terminal. Their mission was to find her a home preferably a spacious one-bedroom where visiting relatives could stay for $2,400 a month or less. They found a few listings and visited some crowded open houses. One agent suggested that Ms. Albaladejo hunt downtown, figuring her social life would be there. But the inventory was disappointing. In the East Village and West Village, maybe the streets were cute, but the apartments were super-small, said Ms. Albaladejo, 22. I thought that in such a city there would be a lot of supply. And there was, actually, but they werent right. For thousands of years, the Iberian Peninsula home now to Spain and Portugal has served as a crossroads. Phoenicians from the Near East built trading ports there 3,000 years ago, and Romans conquered the region around 200 B.C. Muslim armies sailed from North Africa and took control of Iberia in the 8th century A.D. Some three centuries later, they began losing territory to Christian states. Along with historical records and archaeological digs, researchers now have a new lens on Iberias past: DNA preserved in the regions ancient skeletons. Archaeologists and geneticists are extracting genetic material spanning not just Iberias written history but its prehistory, too. We wanted to bridge the ancient populations and the modern populations, said Inigo Olalde, a geneticist at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Olalde is the lead author of a paper published on Thursday in Science that analyzes the DNA of 271 ancient Iberians. Also, be careful not to fall into that hoary cliche of abandoning your tried-and-true friends for an exciting new beau. Im not saying you have. But the more secure your roommates feel about your friendship, which you may shore up by spending time with them, the more likely they will be to support your romance (or, at least, not express their pretty natural jealousy of it). Image Credit... Christoph Niemann Of All the Names in the Baby Book My one-year-old daughter is named Raphaelle Lucrezia. My neighbor in our small apartment block recently acquired two dogs and named them Raphaelle and Lulu. I know the spelling of the dogs name is the same as my daughters because all apartment owners must approve a written request for new dogs in the building. I am offended that my neighbor used my childs name for a dog. May I ask her to rename it? AGHAST It seems to me you missed your golden opportunity. Why did you sign the permission slip for a dog named Raphaelle? You might have had a constructive talk about it, with some leverage, beforehand. (I gather you dont mind the Lucrezia-Lulu connection.) But now the dogs are named and presumably approved by the building. You can still go to your neighbor and say, Im uncomfortable that youve used my childs name for your dogs. Of course, shes under no obligation to rename them. You dont own the rights to Raphaelle. Can you possibly reframe this as homage to your outstanding taste? Short Answer: Be Nice At a family party, my son and my daughters husband argued over politics. It got nasty, then personal. (Yes, alcohol was involved.) The two men are close in age but dont have much else in common. Now, three months later, my daughter called to tell me they are not coming to my mothers 80th birthday party because of family tension. She wouldnt discuss it further. My son says he doesnt want to see his brother-in-law again. I am heartbroken, but I dont want to get in the middle of this. Is there anything I can do? Thanks to the internet, everything seems knowable. All of those little mysteries that used to fuel conversation Who was that guy in that movie? How big is the Pacific Ocean? Do you think that TV dog is dead now? are so easily solvable. Now everyone can just check their phone. But there is one part of the internet that is drawn to things that cannot be Googled. The mystical internet has arrived. New apps like Costar Astrology and the Daily Hunch are part of a suite of internet products rebranding the zodiac for the digital set. Astrological sign memes dominate Twitter. The Hoodwitch, an online retailer who sells everyday magic for the modern mystic, has amassed over 260,000 Instagram followers for her hashtag #witchtips and beautifully staged tarot readings. Even Spencer Pratt, the arch villain of The Hills, has reinvented himself as a crystal outfitter. The tigers eye, I wear for protection, and it worked, because I wore this in the Celebrity Big Brother all-star house, and I was super-protected. But a lot of the appeal of this stuff isnt really based in any strong held belief in the occult. You dont have to actually believe in astrology to be into it. Putting aside whether planetary alignments actually influence the personal lives of human beings, astrology and other nonscientific practices are sometimes less about predicting the future than they are about helping to understand ourselves. Posting a hermit tarot card to Instagram is a way of signaling introversion. A piece of rose quartz stone is an expression of unconditional love. Love is who I am. And astrology, its basically the cosmic Buzzfeed quiz. In other words, this is a content business as much as it is a spiritual practice. There are for sure enterprising capitalists who are eager to profit off of all of this. [singing] These eggs are on fire. Goop has built a whole online retail empire serving what it calls, the divine feminine. The egg is in, I think. But online mysticism is also filling a legitimate need. This is a turn to emotion in the face of all of the data that dominates the internet. Its a rejection of all the algorithmic, data-driven, hyper-logical, crypto-libertarian values that run so much of what we do online. In their place it carves out room for intuition and empathy. And yeah, it all feels pretty girly, but men have their online mysticism, too. It just looks a little more like this. And this is some satanist imagery here that goes over the connections of this symbolism. And if masculine mysticism is obsessed with conspiracies, drawing connections between historical events and random images, feminine mysticism, on the internet at least, seeks to draw spiritual connections between human beings. Im a Gemini, so theres two sides of me. Im a Gemini, too, so Im of two minds about this whole trend. My curmudgeonly twin points out that this is all a ploy to get women to spend more money on useless stuff, but my more compassionate twin appreciates a corner of the internet that values justice and empathy. The horoscopes are meant to be healing. After all, the woo-woo crazy of a vagina jade egg pales in comparison to this. We believe the Earth was a flattish disk surrounded by a solid dome barrier called the firmament. In this context, retreating into the mystical internet actually feels like a quite rational move. Hey, Im Amanda. Im Shane. She writes the videos. He edits the videos. And if you like the videos, just keep watching and another episode will play. [singing] Internetting with Amanda Hess. Retinols have long been touted as one of the most effective treatments for increasing collagen in the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, fighting acne and evening out pigmentation. They are, said Murad Alam, a dermatologist in Chicago and president of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the best-studied and most-evidence-backed topical medications for reducing the visible signs of aging due to sun exposure. While the benefits of retinols may not be news, the boomlet of products laced with them is. According to the market research firm NPD, sales of retinols in department stores and specialty retailers like Sephora, Ulta and Blue Mercury in the United States jumped 27 percent last year, while the overall category (clinical ingredients) increased by 7 percent. And yet, despite their popularity or perhaps because of it retinols are confusing and can be hard to use. Robin Shobin, the founder and editor of Charlottes Book, an online beauty portal, said she receives more questions about retinols than any other skin-care ingredient. I think its a function of there being so much information, and misinformation, out there, Ms. Shobin said. And so many different types of products. Here, then, we answer some of the most common questions about retinols. How is the retinol in my favorite brand of skin care different than the stuff I need a prescription for? It says on the packaging that it works just as well. All are derived from vitamin A, but the prescription-strength formulations are more potent. These include tretinoin (sold under brand names like Retin-A, Atralin and Renova) and tazarotene (Tazorac) and adapalene (Differin), which the Food and Drug Administration approved in 2016 to be sold without a prescription. The joy of printed books, according to Richard Christiansen, founder of the ad agency Chandelier Creative, is that you really feel as though you can wrap your arms around craft and culture in the world to really appreciate not just whats in those books, but the craft and skill that goes into making them. He vividly recalls the transformative effect that Madonnas 1992 coffee table book, Sex, had on him as a teenager. Edited by Glenn OBrien and photographed by Steven Meisel amazing luminaries I had no idea of at the time it offered him a glimpse outside his sheltered upbringing in rural Australia. I remember thinking, oh my god, I want to be able to create work like that. I want to be part of that world. Fast forward to our current digital age, and Christiansen still believes in the power of print. This week he opens his own bookstore, Owl Bureau, in Highland Park, a northeast Los Angeles neighborhood not far from the hillside home he bought in 2013. On Figueroa Street, where trendy new coffee shops have recently joined the longstanding mix of mom-and-pop storefronts, it shares space with Chandelier Creatives Los Angeles outpost inside a former pharmacy called Owl Drugs, which is still complete with its original signage. MUNICH When it comes to misery, the families in Greek tragedies really take the cake. The unhappy offspring of the houses of Atreus and Thebes are some of the oldest protagonists of world drama: They have relived their traumas onstage continually since the fifth century B.C., both in the original plays and in adaptations that draw psychological insights and contemporary relevance from the ancient texts. Throughout Germany this season, ambitious modern reinventions of plays by Sophocles and Aeschylus argue for the universality and timelessness of these works. Now in his last year as artistic director of the Residenztheater in Munich, Martin Kusej has invited back Ulrich Rasche, the visionary director whose 2017 production of Schillers The Robbers was one of the triumphs of Mr. Kusejs eight-year tenure. And Mr. Rasche, 50, has once again brought his distinctive brand of machine theater, which transforms the stage into an elaborate mechanical assemblage while treating the actors as cogs in an all-consuming apparatus, this time for a production of Elektra, adapted from Sophocles tragedy in 1903 by the Austrian writer Hugo von Hofmannsthal. In The Robbers, massive, continually rolling treadmills dominated the stage, in a production as dramatically gripping as it was technically ingenious. For this one-act Elektra, Mr. Rasche, who designs his own productions, has devised an even more sophisticated set. The action takes place on a raised disc that rotates on its axis and on which, safely harnessed, the actors march in a pack, fighting to stay in place as it is raised and lowered, often tilting at dangerous angles. Unfortunately, one walks away dazzled by the mechanics but underwhelmed by the drama. Much of the problem lies with how Mr. Rasche lets the rhythm of the production be dictated by Monika Roschers throbbing score, performed live by six capable musicians. The Robbers benefited from a pulsating soundtrack by the American composer Ari Benjamin Meyers that sustained a mesmerizing intensity over four hours. Sadly, in Elektra, a work half as long, both the individual performances and the production as a whole seem enslaved to the loud, droning music. Our guide to plays and musicals coming to New York stages and a few last-chance picks of shows that are about to close. Our reviews of open shows are at nytimes.com/reviews/theater. Previews & Openings AINT TOO PROUD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS at the Imperial Theater (in previews; opens on March 21). If you are too proud to beg for a ticket, now would be a good time to buy one for this jukebox musical honoring those R&B smoothies the Temptations. Directed by Des McAnuff and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, the team behind Jersey Boys, the show has a book by Dominique Morisseau (Skeleton Crew). 212-239-6200, ainttooproudmusical.com ANYTHING THAT GIVES OFF LIGHT at Joes Pub (in previews; opens on March 16). The Highlands of Scotland and the hills of Appalachia unexpectedly collide in this new work presented by the TEAM and the National Theater of Scotland, with music by the Bengsons. Directed by Rachel Chavkin, the play tracks an American woman, who finds herself alone on her second honeymoon in Scotland, and the two men she meets at a pub. 212-967-7555, joespub.com BURN THIS at the Hudson Theater (previews start on March 15; opens on April 16). Lanford Wilsons incendiary 1987 drama returns to Broadway with a pair of highly flammable stars: Adam Driver and Keri Russell. After the sudden death of a young dancer, his brother (Driver) and his artistic soul mate (Russell) plummet into love. Michael Mayer directs; David Furr and Brandon Uranowitz co-star. 855-801-5876, burnthisplay.com The actor and comedian Aidy Bryant has been a Saturday Night Live cast member since 2013, for which she has been nominated for two Primetime Emmys. Based in New York, shes currently starring in the Hulu comedy Shrill, which is set to have its premiere March 15th. Ms. Bryant didnt travel much in childhood. But these days, her current work schedule has meant that she has traveling down to a science. I can maneuver through an airport very quickly, I know the airports well, I can always get you a good sandwich at OHare Frontera Grill, its the absolute best, she says. She can also pack lightly. I used to do touring comedy, so I would get in a van for eight days and go all over Ohio and Indiana doing improv for people who didnt want to see it, she says. It made me really good at packing a small bag with everything I needed. In 2014, a 19-month-old child connecting on a flight from India passed measles on to a man at a Chicago airport, even though they didnt fly on the same plane. The man had arrived from Minnesota and disembarked at the same gate where the toddler was waiting to board the return flight. Although transmission could have occurred anywhere in the airport where the child and the adult shared airspace, it most likely occurred in the gate area, the C.D.C. wrote in its report on the incident. It did not identify the airport. The child had received a vaccination against measles at 12 months, but not the recommended booster. The mans immunization history was unknown. No notification system is set up to alert at-risk travelers of potential measles exposure in airports. On planes, however, the law requires that the C.D.C. be contacted when health officials identify someone with the measles as having been contagious while onboard. In those instances, health officials use the flight manifest to contact those seated within two rows of the infected passenger. They also notify anyone on the plane with a lap child, on the premise that they are more likely to wander around the aircraft, the C.D.C. said. If an unvaccinated person can be notified quickly, then within 72 hours of exposure they can receive a dose of the MMR vaccine, which might prevent them from getting the disease or lessen its severity. If notification comes within six days, or if the person is not eligible to receive the vaccine and is notified within that time frame, then they can receive a shot of immunoglobulin, which are pre-made antibodies. Either way, the extra turnout boost probably cut Mr. Cruzs margin of victory by two points. Mr. ORourke might have won with a turnout of around 10 million voters. (The actual turnout was around 8.4 million.) Without the extra edge of a Democratic wave year, it might have taken 11 million votes, a number that is not out of the question in 2020 if Texas is contested as a battleground state. So how did Mr. ORourke fare so well? He did it through old-fashioned persuasion, by winning voters who had voted for Republicans and for minor-party candidates. The results themselves make it clear that he won a lot of voters who supported Republicans in other races. He ran three points ahead of the overall Democratic state vote for the U.S. House in 2018 (adjusted for uncontested races), and ahead of every down-ballot Democrat running statewide. Mr. ORourkes personal appeal was probably a factor, and theres no guarantee a different Democrat can replicate it. His strong favorability rating (plus-10 in the exit polls, 52 percent to 42 percent) is consistent with that possibility, though he might have also had the benefit of a relatively unpopular incumbent in Mr. Cruz. Only 50 percent of voters had a favorable impression of Mr. Cruz in the exit polls (48 percent had an unfavorable one). But Mr. ORourkes personal appeal is not the whole story. After all, many Democrats running for the U.S. House or other statewide offices posted noteworthy performances. The tide lifting all Democratic boats in Texas was an anti-Trump rebellion. Over all, President Trumps approval rating was at 49 percent in the exit poll and 50 percent in the large AP/Fox Votecast poll. This is consistent with a variety of other survey data, including a recent Quinnipiac poll that put the presidents approval rating at minus-3 among registered voters in the state, 47-50. Gallup, measuring the much more diverse pool of Texan adults, put the presidents approval rating at just 41 percent in 2018. In his first appearance before a House committee controlled by Democrats, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross faced pointed questions on Thursday about his sworn testimony on his decision last year to add a question on citizenship to the 2020 census. Democrats at the hearing, held by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, expressed incredulity at Mr. Rosss insistence that he had sought the question at the behest of the Justice Department, an explanation that two federal judges have said was not credible. Representative William Clay, a Missouri Democrat, said one explanation of Mr. Rosss deliberations does not pass the laugh test, and disclosed that a draft of the Justice Departments request had been written by a former member of the Trump administrations political transition team. The committees questioning came ahead of a Supreme Court hearing next month on the legality of the citizenship question, which has been challenged by attorneys general for 17 states, the District of Columbia and a host of cities and counties. Critics say that adding the question will discourage immigrants from filling out the form and will improve Republican political fortunes. The odds were stacked against Dylan Chidick in the summer of 2017. A Jersey City high school student, he was homeless and struggling to study in a shelter. His twin brothers had heart conditions and needed extra care. His mother had lost her job. But this week, he learned that he had been accepted to 17 colleges, including Siena College, Kean University, Caldwell University and York College of Pennsylvania. His academic efforts stood in sharp contrast to the stories of privilege and wealth that emerged from the wide-ranging college admissions scam, in which dozens of wealthy and high-profile parents allegedly bought their childrens admission into elite universities. After the many lessons that Dylan, 17, has had to learn about lifes odds, here was one more. I think it is unfair that people could just buy their way in, said Dylan, speaking on Thursday during a break from classes. But I know that it has been happening for a long time, and there is always going to be someone with more privilege and more connections, to have it easier than others. And that means that you have to work harder to achieve the same goals, he said. Any lingering faith in a system of meritocracy was challenged on Tuesday when federal prosecutors charged 50 people in what they called the largest college admissions scam ever prosecuted by the Department of Justice. The prosecutors alleged that the parents involved paid millions of dollars in bribes to secure spots for their privileged children. The Republican-controlled Congress did not pass any gun control legislation then, but Mr. ORourke continues to support similar policies, including universal background checks, magazine size limits and restrictions on some semiautomatic weapons. He also opposes concealed carry reciprocity, which would make concealed carry permits granted in any state valid nationwide, forcing states with strict licensing requirements to recognize permits from states with looser standards. It is one of the National Rifle Associations legislative priorities. Health care While Mr. ORourke supports universal health care increasingly a litmus-test position for Democratic candidates he hasnt committed to a specific way to get there. During his Senate campaign, he suggested that universal health care could take the form of a single-payer system or a dual system, in which a government-run program would coexist with private insurance. He has given conflicting messages on the most prominent proposal, Medicare for all. In 2017, during his time in the House, he said unequivocally, A single-payer Medicare for all program is the best way to ensure all Americans get the health care they need. But during his Senate campaign, he carefully avoided those words, calling instead for universal, guaranteed, high-quality health care for all. He does support expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act and has urged Texas to do so. Other points in his 2018 platform included allowing the government to negotiate prescription drug prices with manufacturers and creating incentives for insurers to participate in the Affordable Care Acts exchanges. Climate change When it comes to proposals for mitigating climate change, opponents frequently cite the potential costs of those plans. But Mr. ORourke has emphasized the financial impact of climate change itself. Billions of dollars that are spent on steps like sea walls, which would be critical if climate change continues unchecked, is money not spent on other priorities, he noted at a town-hall event with Columbia University students last month. At that event, Mr. ORourke spoke positively about the Green New Deal, calling it technically and logistically doable. As for its political prospects, I dont know, he said. Thats up to all of us, right? The military and many airports nationwide have relied on PFAS-based firefighting spray because it can more quickly put out liquid fuel fires and it works when mixed with both fresh water and seawater. The Defense Department has been moving in recent years to phase out the use of the most worrisome version of these chemicals and replace them with a formulation that does not break down in the environment as easily or build up as much in the bloodstream if it ends up in drinking water. But this replacement chemical is also generating health concerns. The E.P.A. after intense criticism from communities facing contaminated water, as well as from both Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill is moving toward creating two new PFAS standards to address the problem nationwide. The first would establish guidelines for when cleanups will be required at federally controlled sites to try to prevent that contamination from reaching drinking water supplies. The second would set a legally binding, maximum allowable drinking water level for PFOS and PFOA, two of the most common forms of PFAS. Separately, the E.P.A. is preparing to designate these chemicals hazardous substances, meaning areas contaminated can be designated Superfund sites, formalizing the cleanup effort. The E.P.A. completed its work on the first step, the proposed groundwater cleanup standard, last August, and transferred it to the White House Office of Management and Budget for approval, with a prediction that it would be finalized and made public by last fall. But federal officials briefed on the negotiations, including the office of Senator Thomas R. Carper, Democrat of Delaware, the ranking member of the Senate committee that oversees the E.P.A., said major objections were raised by the Pentagon, as well as by NASA, another major user of PFAS, and the Small Business Administration. For all of its details of Russias hacking, the report is unlikely to settle the questions that linger around the dossier more than two years after it became public. But for those who believe the presidents loyalties are with Moscow, the reports suggestions of a link between Mr. Gubarev and Russian hacking is likely to spur new demands for renewed investigations, even as Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel, appears to be wrapping up his investigation. The dossier is made up of a series of reports compiled in the summer and fall of 2016 by Christopher Steele, a former British spy who runs a firm that conducts investigations for businesses and other clients. The work was done at the behest of President Trumps political rivals, a fact that Mr. Trump and his allies have seized on in an effort to undermine the Russia inquiry by falsely claiming that it began because of the dossier. Parts of the dossier have proved prescient. Its main assertion that the Russian government was working to get Mr. Trump elected was hardly an established fact when it was first laid out by Mr. Steele in June 2016. But it has since been backed up by the United States own intelligence agencies and Mr. Muellers investigation. The dossiers talk of Russian efforts to cultivate some people in Mr. Trumps orbit was similarly unknown when first detailed in one of Mr. Steeles reports, but it has proved broadly accurate as well. Other parts of the dossier remain unsubstantiated, or nearly impossible to verify, such as its most salacious charge: that the Russians have a video of Mr. Trump cavorting with prostitutes in a Moscow hotel in 2013. At least one accusation that Michael D. Cohen, Mr. Trumps former personal lawyer and fixer, met in 2016 with Russian officials in Prague now looks false after Mr. Cohen, who has turned sharply against Mr. Trump, denied last month during congressional testimony ever visiting Prague. The report commissioned by BuzzFeed to investigate the dossier did not set out to prove any of those accusations. It was done by FTI Consulting, a Washington-based firm, and focused solely on the accusations against Mr. Gubarev. It relied largely on analyzing internet traffic and other clues, and on digging through public records to glean insight into Mr. Gubarevs holding company, XBT, and its many affiliates, including Webzilla. Both XBT and Webzilla were named in the dossier as being used for the hacking. While the report found no direct evidence of a direct link to the Russian hackers, it did conclude that Mr. Gubarevs web-hosting services are rife with lawlessness. His clients routinely pirate copyrighted material and spread malware, the report found, and his executives appear unconcerned with stopping them or helping authorities track them down. Though Mr. Graham, the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, said he supported transparency, he asked to amend the resolution to include the appointment of a new special counsel to investigate the F.B.I.s handling of the Hillary Clinton email case and its surveillance of a former Trump adviser. Mr. Schumer rejected the request as political and beside the point, and the resolution failed. The Justice Department has given signals in recent weeks that after 22 months, Mr. Mueller is nearing completion of his work. Peter Carr, a spokesman for Mr. Mueller, offered what many viewed as fresh evidence of an imminent conclusion on Thursday when he confirmed that one of the special counsels top prosecutors, Andrew Weissmann, will be departing the special counsels office in the near future. The resolution sponsored by Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York, the Judiciary Committee chairman, and a handful of other Democratic committee leaders calls for the public release of any report Special Counsel Mueller provides to the attorney general, except to the extent the public disclosure of any portion thereof is expressly prohibited by law. Under the regulation that governs special counsels, Mr. Mueller is expected to produce a confidential report on his prosecution decisions to Mr. Barr, who will then review it and produce his own report to Congress. Thus far, Mr. Barr has demurred on just what he will release to Congress and the public, reserving the right to keep some matters secret. Democrats seized on Mr. Barrs resistance to making specific promises about the Mueller findings during his confirmation process in the Senate. They have not let the point rest in the weeks since, with prominent Democratic chairmen and other leaders laying out their case for why all of the special counsels findings including underlying evidence ought to be shared with Congress for review. House Democrats are prepared to use subpoena power and other tools at their disposal to force the Justice Department to turn over anything Mr. Barr chooses to withhold. They argue that the Justice Department set a new precedent in the last two years when it granted Republicans, who then controlled the House, extraordinary access to hundreds of thousands of pages of sensitive investigative material related to the F.B.I.s investigation of Mrs. Clintons use of a private server and the Russia investigation itself. Representative Lloyd Doggett, the Texas Democrat who questioned Mr. Mnuchin on the tax issue, found the response to be unpersuasive. What he said today was little more than mumble jumble double talk, Mr. Doggett said after the hearing. The Ways and Means chairman, Representative Richard E. Neal of Massachusetts, says his staff is working closely with the House general counsel, Doug Letter, to prepare documentation to make a request in the coming weeks. But as Democrats anticipate a legal challenge from the Treasury Department, he has been exceedingly tight-lipped about even his most basic plans. Democrats argue that the laws intent does, in fact, support requesting the presidents tax information, and held a hearing last month in part to bolster that interpretation. The provision in question, they point out, was born out of the Teapot Dome scandal of Warren G. Hardings administration and aided another congressional committee in an investigation of President Richard M. Nixons tax positions in the 1970s. Though the law does not require the chairman produce a rationale for a given request, Democrats believe it will help bolster their case in an eventual legal fight. In addition to the public hearing, Mr. Neal has asked other House committees to give him their own reasoning for why the documents are relevant to Congresss work. But the deliberative approach taken by Mr. Neal, a veteran Democrat who prefers striking legislative deals to the flash of oversight battles, has drawn the ire of liberal activists and some members of his own caucus who do not understand why he has not yet filed a request. They have tried to push Mr. Neal toward making a longer list of demands and to do so quickly though their effect is uncertain. Mr. Neal has repeatedly declined to answer key questions about what he will seek, including how many years worth of Trump returns he will request and whether he will try to obtain tax information on Mr. Trumps myriad businesses. The F.B.I. said David W. Archey, the lead F.B.I. agent in the special counsels office, left the special counsels team this month, a signal that the offices investigative work has come to a close. Mr. Archey moved to the F.B.I.s Richmond, Va., field office on March 4 to become the special agent in charge, the bureau said in a news release. The departures, which NPR first reported, have been closely scrutinized for clues about what they say about the apparent conclusion of the special counsels work. The inquirys findings seem sure to send shock waves through Washington, whether or not prosecutors found that President Trump or any member of his inner circle worked with Russia to interfere in the election or obstruct the investigation. Already the investigation and speculation about when it will end and what its findings will reveal has consumed the city, and is the focus of cable news reports, book deals and conversations at bars, restaurants and parties. Mr. Weissmanns departure also comes as his cases against Mr. Manafort and Mr. Gates are drawing to a close. Mr. Manafort was sentenced on Wednesday in the second of two cases brought against him, and faces a total of up to seven and a half years in prison. (More charges against Mr. Manafort were filed Thursday by the Manhattan district attorney; Mr. Weissmann is not involved in that case.) WASHINGTON A dozen Republicans joined Senate Democrats on Thursday to overturn President Trumps declaration of a national emergency at the southwestern border, arguing that the president had exceeded his powers in trying to build a border wall over Congresss objections. The 59-to-41 vote on a measure already approved by the House set up the first veto of Mr. Trumps presidency. It was not a big enough margin to override his promised veto, but Congress has now voted for the first time to block a presidential emergency declaration and on one of the core promises that animated Mr. Trumps political rise. Never before has a president asked for funding, Congress has not provided it, and the president then has used the National Emergencies Act of 1976 to spend the money anyway, said Senator Lamar Alexander, Republican of Tennessee. Our nations founders gave to Congress the power to approve all spending so that the president would not have too much power. This check on the executive is a crucial source of our freedom. It was the latest sign that the cautious Republican majority in the Senate, spurred on by a far bolder Democrat-controlled House, was beginning to reassert its authority with a president who had gone virtually unchecked during his first two years in office. Good Thursday morning. Here are some of the stories making news in Washington and politics today. _____________________ Beto ORourke, whose near-miss Senate run last year propelled him to Democratic stardom, joined the race for president this morning. In the crowded and competitive primary field, his entrance adds to the mix a relentless campaigner with a small-dollar fund-raising army. Heres where he stands on the issues. Paul Manafort, President Trumps former campaign chairman, will serve seven and a half years in prison, after a federal judge nearly doubled his sentence, denouncing him as a man who spent a significant portion of his career gaming the system. Its still far less than he couldve served. Mr. Manafort has also been charged in New York with mortgage fraud and more than a dozen other state felonies, in an effort by the Manhattan district attorney to ensure he will still face prison time if Mr. Trump pardons him for his federal crimes. WASHINGTON Time and again when President Trump stood by Saudi Arabia after the killing of a Virginia-based journalist, when it looked as if he might intervene in the special counsels Russia investigation and when he threatened to declare a national emergency to pay for his border wall lawmakers on Capitol Hill warned him not to push them too far. This week, in a remarkable series of bipartisan rebukes to the president, Congress pushed back. On Wednesday, with seven Republicans breaking ranks, the Senate joined the Democrat-led House in voting to end American military aid to Saudi Arabias war in Yemen in protest over the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post. On Thursday morning, the House voted unanimously on a nonbinding resolution to make public the findings of the special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III. And on Thursday afternoon, 12 Republican senators abandoned the president to pass legislation, already adopted by the House, that would block Mr. Trump from declaring a national emergency to build his border wall an act of defiance that he has vowed to overturn with the first veto of his presidency. Were saying today, No, we do not acquiesce to this, Senator Lisa Murkowski, Republican of Alaska, said after voting to block the emergency declaration. We do not agree that the president should be able to come in and go against the express intention of the Congress when it comes to these appropriated funds for his wall. A well-known Florida surgeon who specializes in transgender health care has resigned from his position at the University of Miami amid an uproar over pictures he posted on Instagram that showed surgical procedures and patients genitals alongside captions and hashtags that mocked transgender people and Asians. The surgeon, Dr. Christopher Salgado, 50, worked at the L.G.B.T.Q. Center for Wellness, Gender and Sexual Health at the University of Miami Health System until last month. Interspersed with photos of himself smiling with friends and colleagues, he posted images and text on his Instagram account, @sexsurgeon, that many people found disturbing. He deleted the account last month. One post showed a CT scan of a patient with a sex toy in his rectum next to a photograph of a surgeon holding the toy after it had been retrieved, while the patient lay on a nearby table with his legs in the air. Another post showed human tissue molded into the shape of a heart alongside the message, There are many ways to show your LOVE. At least one other post had hashtags mocking Asian mens genitals. In an emotional interview with The New York Times on Wednesday, Dr. Salgado defended the posts. But he said many of them had been misunderstood and he claimed not to have written many of the hashtags, which he said he suspected were the work of hackers. He said he regretted joining Instagram a few months ago at the urging of a friend. LAGOS, Nigeria Outrage mounted at government officials in Nigeria on Thursday over a deadly school building collapse and a shoddy rescue effort that followed. At least eight people were killed when the three-story building that housed the Ohen Nursery and Primary School pancaked into the ground about 10 a.m. Wednesday. It had been marked for demolition months before it collapsed with dozens of people inside, some of them toddlers. The authorities called off the frantic, daylong search for survivors early Thursday, after more than 35 people had been pulled from the slabs of concrete. Officials at the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency said the last person, an adult male, was pulled from the debris at 3 a.m. They denied earlier reports that as many as 100 people had been in the building when it came down. RIO DE JANEIRO The question hangs heavily over this city: Who killed Marielle Franco? It is raised in graffiti in virtually every neighborhood, emblazoned on T-shirts and written across banners displayed defiantly at mass demonstrations. This week, just days before the anniversary of her killing, prosecutors provided a partial answer, charging two former police officers with carrying out the killing. The cases main questions including who ordered the killing and why remain unanswered. A year after her execution-style killing, the call for justice for Ms. Franco a black, gay, feminist Rio de Janeiro city councilmember who was raised poor has morphed into a rallying cry in a deeply-polarized nation for those who felt represented by her. Her name and image have become an antithesis to the dominant political forces in Brazil as the right-wing president, Jair Bolsonaro, settles into office. WASHINGTON After pulling all remaining American diplomats from Venezuela on Thursday, the Trump administration warned the countrys leader, Nicolas Maduro, that any pressure on Juan Guaido, the self-declared interim president who has the White Houses support, would be met with an immediate reaction from the international community. But it remained unclear what that would mean. The administration issued the threat in the midst of a diplomatic retreat that has cast doubt on the United States ability to reinforce Mr. Guaido if Mr. Maduros government moved to arrest him on accusations of orchestrating a dayslong blackout that plunged Venezuela deeper into unrest before power was restored in most major cities on Tuesday. We hold former President Maduro and those surrounding him fully responsible for the safety and welfare of interim president Juan Guaido and his family, Robert Palladino, a State Department spokesman, said on Thursday. It would be a terrible mistake for the illegitimate Maduro regime to arrest Juan Guaido. Mr. Palladino said the United States would be seeking to recruit a country to act as a protecting power and support any United States citizens still in Venezuela. But in a briefing with reporters, Mr. Palladino urged Americans to strongly consider departing the country. Washington is increasing the legitimacy of the Taliban, Mr. Mohib said. And decreasing the legitimacy of the Afghan government. Such concerns were underscored by a recent television interview with the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, who said, with what many considered a triumphalist tone, that the insurgents would see themselves as returning victorious. Mullah Baradar tried to ease some of those fears in his message. Those who come to an understanding with us, and they dont cheat us or seek enmity, we will treat them like our brothers, he said. I am hopeful that all issues will be resolved, the countrymen should not be concerned. He added: Nobody has any thoughts of prejudice. It is our Islamic country, and all Afghans should sit together, show respect for each other, and we should have mercy on each other. Some Taliban fighters and field commanders have a very different concern, fueled by news reports and rumors that their political leaders many of whom have spent the war away from the battlefield could compromise on some of their fundamental demands. Many Taliban field commanders, speaking on the condition of anonymity to avoid angering their political leaders, said that while they trusted them, they would accept nothing less than a full withdrawal of foreign forces and soon. Their concerns seem fueled by reports that the United States wants to leave a residual force in Afghanistan for counterterrorism purposes. In all these meetings, in all these days, I cant think of a point or a thought that may have gone against our principles, Mullah Baradar said, seemingly responding to those fears. Mr. Frankel cited reports that the guerrillas had attacked civilians, backed up by independent rights groups, and said removing their posts was meant to curb their ability to organize or encourage violence. The bans are the latest sign of Facebooks growing power in many countries, where its control over the flow of information and public discourse makes it akin to national broadcaster, public utility and political regulator all rolled into one. And they are the latest test of Facebooks ability to wield that power responsibly. But Facebooks intervention has brought unintended consequences that have troubled humanitarian groups and conflict experts in Myanmar. The bans, they say, have swept up pages crucial for protecting some of the countrys most vulnerable communities. And some worry that they will further tilt control of information about the conflict toward the military, which rights groups consider to be guilty of far graver atrocities than the rebels. Senator Edward J. Markey, Democrat of Massachusetts, sent a letter to Facebook saying he was deeply troubled by the bans. He called the groups Facebook presence important to broader efforts at a lasting peace and warned that their removal would disrupt efforts by humanitarian groups and by international conflict observers, including the United States. Ms. Khon Ja, crediting the platforms reach in Myanmars conflict zones with helping to save lives, said, Facebook is very important for us. Without pages like that of the Taang rebels, she worried, it could become harder to shield civilians from violence. SHAH ALAM, Malaysia Malaysian prosecutors on Thursday refused to dismiss the case against a Vietnamese woman accused of assassinating the half brother of North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, just days after her co-defendant was set free with charges dropped. The Vietnamese woman, Doan Thi Huong, 30, is now the only person facing trial in the killing of Mr. Kims brother, Kim Jong-nam, in February 2017 as he prepared to catch a flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Both defendants were accused of killing Kim Jong-nam by smearing VX nerve agent on his face in the crowded terminal. But they said they thought they were participating in a prank for a reality show and had no intention of killing Mr. Kim. Their lawyers said they were made scapegoats by North Korean agents who, working on Kim Jong-uns behalf, recruited them and then fled the country. On Monday, prosecutors dropped the case against Ms. Doans Indonesian co-defendant, Siti Aisyah, 27, after intensive lobbying by the Indonesian government, including a personal appeal from President Joko Widodo to Malaysias prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad. The Australia Letter is a weekly newsletter from our Australia bureau. Sign up to get it by email. ___ When youre lucky enough to get a visit from Sam Sifton, The New York Timess food editor, you eat. And when you eat with Sam, you learn and you gorge. This week, we did oodles of both at Momofuku Seiobo in Sydney, thanks to the chef Paul Carmichael. He cooked for a small group of us. We were seated at the bar by the kitchen, giving us a chance to watch in awe as he and his team delivered a meal unlike any other. It started with a savory plantain doughnut, followed by sea urchin on crunchy cassava, duck, fish heads (they were amazing, really), a cold pork soup and a spiced cake Im hoping will appear in my dreams. This was the strong personal imprint that Pete Wells, The Timess main restaurant critic, identified when he wrote about Paul in 2017. Somehow, near a casino in Sydney, he wrote, there was a chef from the United States via Barbados, who treats Australia as a Caribbean island that somehow got loose and wandered thousands of miles into the Pacific. Weve ended the live portion of our coverage. Read our latest coverage. The views of pilots and instructors on the potential risks of trainees spending more time learning automated systems than manual control. A visual explanation of why investigators fear two Boeing 737 Max aircraft may have crashed for similar reasons. The United States decision to ground Boeings 737 Max aircraft on Wednesday. Passengers in the United States were bracing for delays on Thursday, a day after President Trump announced the grounding of all Boeing 737 Max aircraft in the wake of a deadly crash in Ethiopia, but experts said the three American carriers that operate the planes would replace the jets with other aircraft. The so-called black boxes, voice and flight data recorders, recovered from the wreckage of Flight 302 were sent to France for analysis on Thursday, Ethiopian Airlines said. Satellite data has revealed similarities between Sundays crash and the October crash of a plane flown by the Indonesian carrier Lion Air, but the recorders contain more detailed information about the Ethiopian flights final moments. The dispute comes as Muslim-majority Bosnia has accused Croatia for about a year of interfering in its internal affairs. It has said that Croatia is trying to wrest increased political influence for the Croatian ethnic group in Bosnia. Croatias ultimate hope, some in Bosnia have alleged, is the formation of a separate Croatian entity within Bosnia. Bosnias accusations of a plot to tarnish its reputation were first reported on Wednesday by a Bosnian investigative outlet, Zurnal. The publication said that a Bosnian man who lives in the European Union was intercepted when crossing the Croatian border by the countrys Security and Intelligence Agency. Over time, the agency used the mans support of groups associated with Salafism, a puritanical strain of Islam, to pressure him to take the weapons and explosives to a mosque in the vicinity of Zenica, a town northwest of Sarajevo. His support of Salifist causes, if known in the European Union country where he lives, would raise alarms. It is not known when the man was intercepted by the Croats or how far the plot progressed. The motivation of the Croatian security service, Mr. Mektic said in the interview with The Times, was to present Bosnia as a country of terrorists and terrorist camps, and a threat to regional security. They dug into his past and blackmailed him into doing this, Mr. Mektic said. This citizen was employed in a European Union country, and they threatened to cause problems for him there. With just 15 days left until Britain is scheduled to leave the European Union, and no consensus on how to do it, Parliament voted on Thursday to postpone the fast-approaching departure date. By the narrowest of margins, Prime Minister Theresa May beat back a power play by lawmakers who wanted to wrest control of the Brexit process from her. They also voted against holding a second referendum on the matter. Parliament has twice rejected Mrs. Mays proposed withdrawal agreement by resounding margins. They hemmed her in further on Wednesday by passing a measure opposing any attempt to leave without an agreement. Mrs. May remains in power but is seriously compromised. Many Conservatives backed the anti-no-deal motion, against her wishes, and several members of her cabinet declined to vote against it, leading to speculation she has lost control of her party and the process. She plans a third attempt at passing her preferred agreement next week. LONDON British lawmakers on Thursday voted to postpone the countrys departure from the European Union but, in a rare victory for Prime Minister Theresa May, narrowly failed to wrest control of the Brexit process from her battered government. After days of turmoil, Mrs. May fended off by just two votes a remarkable power grab by lawmakers frustrated at months of political deadlock that has left the country in limbo with just 15 days to go before its scheduled departure from the bloc. They later voted by 412 to 202 for a motion that means that Britain will almost certainly not leave the European Union as scheduled on March 29, as Mrs. May has repeatedly promised it would. What remains unclear now is how long the delay will be. Mrs. May plans to hold a third vote on her unpopular plan for withdrawal, despite have suffered two staggering defeats on it already. The release of the data, which church officials said was only a prelude to a closer examination of the issue, came weeks after a landmark Vatican meeting on sexual abuse at which Pope Francis called for an all-out battle against the abuse of minors and said that the church needed to protect children from ravenous wolves. The church in Poland is one of the most powerful in the world, with about 87 percent of the countrys 38 million people saying they are Catholic. But the churchs record on tackling abuse is patchy at best. In 2012, Archbishop Jozef Michalik, a former president of the Episcopal Conference, blamed divorced parents and feminists as well as children he said had lured priests for abuse by clergy. Other senior religious figures have deflected the subject of abuse, conflating it with homosexuality despite research finding no connection between being gay and abusing children. After pressure from Pope Francis, Polands church has changed its tone in recent years, with top figures publicly apologizing to abuse victims. The church now underlines the need to report those accused of hurting children or committing other crimes. Before the Vatican meeting, Archbishop Gadecki met with those who had suffered abuse as children. The publication of the statistics is the first time the church has presented any data about the scale of the problem in Poland. For decades, clergy who were told about the sexual abuse of minors were not required by their superiors to report the information to the police. Instead, they were supposed to investigate the allegations and, if proven credible, inform the Vatican. What began as one students vigil calling for action on climate change has gone global, with school strikes planned in more than 100 countries on Friday. Here is a look at how the climate protests spread and how political leaders are responding. [See pictures from the youth strikes around the world.] A lonely start to an international movement When a Swedish teenager, Greta Thunberg, sat before her countrys Parliament in August, she was a solitary protester, armed with fliers that said she was refusing to attend school to protest adults lack of concern for her future. She sought to draw attention to the perilous state of the climate: Data from NASA has shown the past five years to be the warmest on record, and a report last year by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that without aggressive action, the world will face worsening wildfires, food shortages and other catastrophic effects as early as 2040. Ms. Thunbergs protest quickly drew notice, with others joining in. After the Swedish elections in September, she made her strike a weekly event most Fridays. Then it began to spread, both online under the hashtags #climatestrike and #FridaysForFuture and on the streets. BRATISLAVA, Slovakia A few months before his murder, Jan Kuciak received a disturbing phone call from one of Slovakias most prominent businessmen. Mr. Kuciak had written more than a dozen articles about the businessman, Marian Kocner, outlining a pattern of corrupt dealings made possible by his connections with the police and prosecutors. Mr. Kocner, long thought to have ties to organized crime, was furious. You can be sure that I will start paying special attention to you personally, Mr. Kuciak, Mr. Kocner told the 27-year-old investigative reporter in September 2017. Mr. Kuciak reported the threat to the police but, after more than a month, he wrote on Facebook that officers had yet to pick up the case. When they did, they dismissed it without even interviewing Mr. Kocner, according to the authorities. In February 2018, Mr. Kuciak, 27, was shot dead in his home. His 27-year-old fiancee, Martina Kusnirova, was also killed there. BERLIN Volkswagens chief executive has apologized for using a phrase that echoed a Nazi-era slogan, Arbeit macht frei, or Work sets you free, that was emblazoned on the gates of Auschwitz and other concentration camps, saying the connection did not occur to him at the time. The German carmakers chief, Herbert Diess, repeatedly said, Ebit macht frei referring to profits within the companys divisions when speaking on Tuesday to hundreds of managers at an internal company event after Volkswagens annual earnings news conference, German news media reported. Ebit is an acronym for earnings before interest and taxes. The next day, Mr. Diess, who took over the company last year as part of efforts to move past its emissions scandal, posted an apology on his LinkedIn page. I did not in any way intend for this comment to be set in a false context, Mr. Diess said. I did not think of such a possibility at the time I said it. Mr. Diess said his use of the phrase had been in reference to brands within the Volkswagen Group that make more profit and therefore have more freedom to make decisions in the group, which includes the Audi, Porsche and Skoda brands, in addition to Volkswagen. WASHINGTON Afghanistans national security adviser on Thursday accused the American special envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, of seeking personal benefit by sidelining the Afghan government during peace talks with the Taliban in a broadside in which he raised concerns about a deal that doesnt end in peace. The comments by Hamdullah Mohib, a senior Afghan government official, displayed Kabuls high distrust of the Taliban just as negotiators edged closer to an agreement on at least one major element of a final deal: preventing more terrorist attacks from being launched from Afghanistan. Mr. Khalilzad was expected to brief military and diplomatic officials on the offer in meetings in Washington on Thursday and Friday. The Afghan government has not been part of the discussions because the Taliban refuses to meet with its representatives. Speaking to a small group of journalists in Washington on Thursday, Mr. Mohib said that Mr. Khalilzad and other American diplomats involved in the talks had dribbled out only bits and pieces of the negotiations to the Afghan government. American and Canadian regulators cited newly available satellite-tracking data in grounding all Boeing 737 Max jets on Wednesday, saying there were similarities between the deadly crash involving the plane in Ethiopia on Sunday and a Indonesian flight in October. The causes of both crashes are still under investigation. But the data cited by regulators points to preliminary indications that the two planes could have been brought down by the same cause, a malfunctioning automated system intended to keep the jet from stalling. 8:41 a.m. Last signal Addis Ababa Ethiopian flight path Chart below is from this portion of the flight 8:38 a.m. Takeoff Area of crash 5 miles Ethiopia 8:41 a.m. Last signal received Addis Ababa Ethiopian flight path Chart below is from this portion of the flight 8:38 a.m. Takeoff Area of crash Ethiopia 5 miles 8:41 a.m. Last signal received Addis Ababa Ethiopian flight path Chart below is from this portion of the flight 8:38 a.m. Takeoff 5 miles ETHIOPIA Area of crash By Scott Reinhard | Source: Path data from Flightradar24 Marc Garneau, Canadas transport minister, said on Wednesday that the satellite-tracking data revealed vertical variations in the Ethiopian Airlines flight reminiscent of those seen before the crash of the Lion Air Boeing 737 Max in Indonesia in October. The investigation of the Ethiopian crash is still in its early stages, and the full data cited by the authorities has not been publicly released. Many experts cautioned that any conclusions are far from certain and dont rule out other possibilities, such as pilot error or another malfunctioning system. But aviation experts who reviewed the patterns in publicly available data said it suggests that the newly installed automated system known as M.C.A.S. may have been activated on the Ethiopian flight and could have contributed to the crash. A Similar Pattern Many experts believe that during the first crash, the Indonesian pilots lost their battle with M.C.A.S. Possibly because of faulty sensor readings, the automated system pushed the nose of the Lion Air plane down. The pilots repeatedly counteracted it and pulled the nose back up, only to be overridden by the system again. Each interval took about 15 to 20 seconds, leaving a repetitive signature on the data for the planes vertical speed. Vertical speed of Lion Air flight (three-minute portion) 3,000 feet per minute 1,500 20 seconds Climb 0 Descent -1,500 Approximate periods of increasing and decreasing vertical speed 5 min. after takeoff +6 min. +7 min. Vertical speed of Lion Air flight (three-minute portion) 3,000 feet per minute 1,500 20 seconds Climb 0 Descent -1,500 Approximate periods of increasing and decreasing vertical speed 5 min. after takeoff +6 min. +7 min. Source: Flightradar24 That led to the series of variations of altitude until the pilots crashed. The public data for the Ethiopian flight is less clear and complete, but it appears to show a similar signature an interval where the plane was gaining altitude and then leveling out. Vertical speed of Ethiopian Airlines flight 3,000 feet per minute 21 seconds 1,500 Climb 0 Descent -1,500 Approximate periods of increasing and decreasing vertical speed Takeoff +1 min. +2 min. Vertical speed of Ethiopian Airlines flight 3,000 feet per minute 21 seconds 1,500 Climb 0 Descent -1,500 Approximate periods of increasing and decreasing vertical speed Takeoff +1 min. +2 min. Source: Flightradar24 The Canadian transport minister said that based on satellite data he had reviewed, M.C.A.S. may have played a role. The oscillation of roughly 15 to 20 seconds is a telltale sign that suggests the M.C.A.S. system may have been involved, said R. John Hansman Jr., a professor of aeronautics and astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Planes like the Boeing 737 oscillate naturally, he said, because of turbulence and other effects. But those swings have different time spans: either between five and eight seconds, or a minute or longer. The variations in the intermediate range of 15 or so seconds have no other obvious explanation, he said. Even from the available data, there are similarities between the Lion Air case and this case in terms of this 15 second periodicity. That would point toward a similar phenomenon. Well know more when we get the flight data recorder, Professor Hansman said. Westpac has announced a new mortgage product aimed at prefabricated homes following a successful nine month test pilot, which involved builders and customers from Albany to Invercargill. The Westpac Prebuilt product aims to help Kiwis get into prefabricated housing, which has been increasingly utilised as one solution to the lack of housing supply and shortages in affordable construction options. Westpac announced the trial run of its scheme in May 2018, saying that a prefab build could save on average 15% in construction costs and 50-60% in build time. However, the financial risks associated with prefab construction had previously prevented customers from obtaining lending from mainstream banks. A 59-year-old man from Taiwan has become an internet meme thanks to his ridiculously square hairdo that makes him look like a real-life Minecraft character. Wu Goren first made news headlines back in 2014, when photos of his bizarre square hairdo went viral on social media. Taiwanese news channels quickly tracked down the middle-aged man and questioned him about his unique hairdo. As it turns out, Wu, who works as a medical scientist at National Taiwan University Hospital, adopted the look after being rejected by a woman, as a way of making himself look like a man in his 20s or 30s. Its unclear how he came to the conclusion that square hair makes someone look younger, but theres no denying that it is eye-catching. Five years ago media reported about Wu Goren getting his five minutes of fame thanks to his ridiculous hairstyle, but the now 59-year-old man has actually been enjoying his online popularity for the past five years. People routinely take photos of him wherever he goes and then post them online. A recent set of pics of Taipeis Square Head Bro recently went viral on Asian social media, once again sparking a conversation about his glorious hairdo. Despite earning a decent salary, Wu is apparently still single, but continues to rely on his eye-catching block of hair to get the attention of the ladies. According to EToday, a professional hairdresser spends two hours and at least two bottles of gel to get Wus hairdo just right. Because is takes so much work, Wu only combs his hair every 15 days. When interviewed by reporters, Wu Gorens stylist said that he uses so much hair gel and hair spray to nail the block-like look that his hair ends up as tough as a rock. Not even a typhoon could mess up his hair, apparently. Square Head Bro has become somewhat of a local celebrity in Taipei, and hes always kind enough to pose for photos if people ask nicely. Photos: OMG Taiwan An Indian-born man living in New Zealand is fighting a David-vs-Goliath battle against a supermarket chain that accidentally sold him beef mislabeled as lamb. He is demanding a soul-purifying journey to India as compensation, but the supermarket is only willing to offer a $200 voucher. Jaswinder Pauls spiritual woes began back in September of 2018, when he bought a packet of lamb roast from a Countdown supermarket in Blenheim, New Zealand. He went home, cooked the meat and ate it, only to later discover that the packet had a second label that claimed the meat was actually beef. Cows are considered sacred in Hinduism and eating their meat is strictly forbidden, so a panicked Jaswinder went back to the supermarket, where his worst fears were confirmed the meat he had eaten was actually beef mislabeled as lamb due to an in-store labeling error. Photo: NjoyHarmony/Pixabay Countdown staff apologized for the error and offered the Hindu man a $200 gift voucher to be used at their stores, but Jaswinder Paul refused it and recently went back to ask for a more significant compensation that would help him cleanse his soul and atone for his sin. He wants the supermarket to pay for his cleansing journey back to India, where he would spend four to six weeks being purified by Hindu priests and do various sacred things to clean his soul. I understand this looks like a simple matter, but for me this is very hard. I break my religion (vows) because of someone elses negligence, Jaswinder told News.com.au. According to my religion, I have to go back to my country and do sacred things for four to six weeks, and be purified by priests, so I can continue on my religious path. Its a long process. The deceived customer, who runs a small barber shop in New Zealand, claims that the situation is more complicated than it seems. His family have apparently stopped talking to him after learning that he had eaten beef, and undertaking the journey on his own dime would put considerable financial strain on him, as he needs to pay for plane tickets, accommodation, food, etc. And thats not even counting the loss of income caused by temporarily closing his small business. Jaswinder Paul isimli Hindu adam, Yeni Zelandada bir marketten aldg etin koyun eti degil de inek eti oldugunu ogrenince hatal etiket basan marketten, arnmak icin gidecegi Hindistan yolculugunun yol parasn talep etmis. Market ise 200 dolarlk hediye ceki vermeyi onermis. pic.twitter.com/tslMIxXShb biacaip (@biacaipcom) March 13, 2019 A spokesperson for Countdown has admitted the labeling error, adding that the supermarket chain respects Jaswinder Pauls religious beliefs and is very sorry for the problems it has caused him. However, they have declined to comply with his request, instead saying that the voucher they originally offered was still available. Jaswinder is now considering going to court against the company. I dont want to go to court against a big corporation. I just want to go home, the Hindu man said. I know my society back from my home will not accept me with this breach of the religions conditions. A growing number of small businesses in the U.S. are bypassing traditional reputation management services and shifting toward digital-only resources to monitor what people are saying about their brand, according to a recent survey conducted by D.C.-based research and consulting firm Clutch. Social media is a cost-efficient way for businesses to monitor their online reputation, and this method appears to be the most popular resource small businesses use today. According to Clutchs survey, two-thirds of small businesses (66 percent) said they now rely on social media platforms to monitor their online reputation. Top three platforms small business use to monitor online reputation. Nearly half of the small businesses who said they use social media to monitor their online reputation (48 percent) said they also supplement their monitoring efforts with the use of least one other platform. Among these, Google search results (57 percent), third-party reviews sites such as TrustPilot and Yelp (42 percent), online reputation management tools like Google Alerts (34 percent) or social listening software such as Hootsuite and Mention (22 percent) were the most popular resources mentioned. It appears that people also remain a primary ingredient in most small businesses online reputation efforts. More than half of the businesses polled (54 percent) said they still rely on in-house employees to monitor their brands reputation online, and more than a quarter (27 percent) said they retain PR firms or online reputation management agencies. Nearly half of small businesses (44 percent) reported relying exclusively on human resources services to monitor their online reputation, including in-house employees or PR/reputation management agencies. By contrast, just about a quarter (26 percent) said they now use only digital resourcessuch as online reputation management tools, third-party review sites, and social listening softwarefor their reputation monitor efforts. On the whole, small businesses remain more likely to rely on some combination of human and digital resources (30 percent) to manage their online reputation as opposed to using only digital tools (26 percent). Digital reputation tools are especially popular among younger business owners. For small businesses owned or managed by Millennials, for example, the use of digital and traditional reputation management resources is about evenly split (68 percent traditional vs. 69 percent digital). Small businesses run by members of the Baby Boomer generation, on the other hand, remain more likely to retain human resources than digital services (81 percent vs. 34 percent), as are businesses run by GenXers (75 percent vs. 57 percent). Overall, the survey found that 88 percent of small businesses monitor their bands reputation online in some capacity at least quarterly. Clutchs 2019 Small Business PR Survey polled more than 520 U.S. small businesses (employing staff of 500 or fewer) at the end of December. Zach Olsen An Ethiopian Airlines flight a Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed on March 10, killing all on board. The fatal crash is the second in five months for this model of Boeing plane, after a Lion Air flight accident last October, also killing all passengers and crew. For the families that are impacted, the tragedy is profound. Around the world, airlines and aviation authorities are reacting in different ways. There are investigations, confusion and the logistical nightmares of ticket refunds, rescheduling and more. As a result of it all, there is a brewing crisis in confidence that could not only impact the Boeing brand, but have ramifications for the entire industry. Responses so far Due to concerns about apparent similarities between the crashes, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Oman, Turkey, Iceland and the European Union acted fast and grounded all 737 Max 8 planes; about a dozen airlines followed suit. The US and the FAA hesitated to act, along with carriers including Southwest, American, Air Canada and WestJet. For several days no formal statement (press release or other) was issued by airlines continuing use of the Max 8 as to why they believed the risk was worth taking. Rather, airlines appeared to have chosen to respond piecemeal to media inquiries with simple confidence statements summarized in this article. Presumably these airlines were taking this course of action in an effort to avoid stoking more concern. However, the dichotomy between the two extremes of response (grounding vs. barely a statement) created a problematic dissonance. Good crisis communications is contingent upon avoiding such dichotomies; where chasms between explanations exist, brands fall and can fall fast, whether the decision ends up being wrong or not. In the end on March 13 the US announced the grounding of the planes. Why the decision was delayed when others acted swiftly, and the PR ramifications of this delay, remain to be seen, but the delay does not look good for American aviation. Transparencys role A transparent approach to learning from failure is as fundamental to problem-solving (making sure it doesnt happen again) as it is to the discipline of crisis communications. A brand wanting to win back confidence must prove that it has learned from its mistake and implemented changes. Relatedly, failure (and attendant crisis) often arises because of a lack of transparency. In the Boeing situation, a recent article in The New York Times suggests that a rush to bring the new planes to market may have led to the decision to not provide additional training to pilots on the planes new stabilizing technology. Essentially, the paper reports, pilots were not aware that the technology had been added. And, as it turns out, this technology is being investigated as a possible cause of the crashes. The airlines appear to be suggesting that the existence of the technology is immaterial; that it should not have altered how pilots should handle stabilization in the event of a problem. However, public confidence in the industry is predicated upon transparency. The fact that it appears pilots were not fully briefed will likely be a long-term issue for the industry, no matter what is ultimately determined to have caused the crashes. Implications for the industry Matthew Syeds seminal book Black Box Thinking is a recommended read for crisis practitioners. The book zeros in on the importance of transparency to effective problem-solving, and it does so by using the example of the aviation industrys invention of the black box (virtually indestructible devices that carry voice and data recordings of what transpires inside a cockpit prior to a crash). Syed lauds aviations transparent approach to learning from failure as the gold standard. He contrasts this black box thinking with the approach taken in other industries riddled with problems, such as healthcare. (In the United States, medical errors kill more people than traffic accidents, and the industry struggles to learn from mistakes and better itself.) As a result of this transparent approach, public confidence in air travel has traditionally been high. According to the book: Whenever theres any sort of mishap, major or minor, the box is opened, the data is analyzed, and experts figure out exactly what went wrong, according to the publishers synopsis of Black Box Thinking. Then the facts are published and procedures are changed, so the same mistakes wont happen again. By applying this method in recent decades, the industry has created an astonishingly good safety record. Theres no doubt that the crisis at Boeing and the trickle down to its customer airlines with its geographic reach; complex web of stakeholders sending mixed messages; finger pointing between the pilots union, FAA, airlines and the manufacturer; and the grounding of planes will have a significant financial impact on the airline industry. How fundamentally the crisis shakes public confidence in the industry as a whole remains to be seen. But whats certain is the longer the perception of inaction remains, the more profound the potential for long-term damage. Thus the grounding stateside was a good decision, albeit a late one. *** Zach Olsen is the San Francisco-based president of Infinite Global, which was recently named the Best PR and Crisis Management Firm in the nation by the National Law Journal. Infinite provides PR, content and branding counsel to organizations and individuals in the professional services market in the U.S., UK, EU and beyond. Dan Arsenault Bostons ONeill and Assocs. has recruited Dan Arsenault to spearhead its Hartford government affairs unit. Hes the former public information manager for the Connecticut Dept. of Housing and assistant to the chief of staff to former Governor Dan Malloy. Arsenault also worked on the campaign of Ned Lamont, the governor of the Nutmeg State. At ONeill, he provides legislative, policy, PA and communications support for clients. Thomas ONeill III, founder of the firm and former Massachusetts lieutenant governor, praised Arsenaults extensive background in state government relations and media relations. The firm has handled Massport, General Motors, Pepsico, Boston Pride, Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, Tufts Medical Center and Boston Scientific. The New York Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America has extended the entry deadline for the 2019 Big Apple Awards to Monday, March 18. The theme of the 2019 Big Apple Awards, Changing the Landscape of Communications, will examine how communications is changing, and what those changes mean to practitioners. The awards are open to agencies, in-house teams, freelancers, nonprofit organizations, government agencies across the Tri-State region. It is not necessary to be a PRSA-NY member to enter the competition. The Chapter is also encouraging PR professionals to apply to judge the awards. Judges must complete an online assessment of a small pool of award nominations as well as attending a judging session in Manhattan on April 16. The Big Apple Awards ceremony will be held on June 24 at the Mandarin Oriental near Columbus Circle in Manhattan. To submit a campaign for the 2019 Big Apple Awards, click here. Apply to be a judge here. A year ago, Monica Benicio, lost the love of her life. On the night of 14 March 2018 her partner, Rio de Janeiro Council Member Marielle Franco, was shot dead with four bullets to the head while she was returning home from a public event called Young Black Women Moving Structures. The murder also claimed the life of her driver, Anderson Gomes. Franco was an outspoken critic of police brutality and an advocate for the rights of women, LGBTI persons and young people from the urban peripheries of her city. For the past few months, we have seen Monica Benicio wear the same campaign t-shirt in honour of her deceased partner. On it, Lute como Marielle Franco, meaning Fight like Marielle Franco, is inscribed as a new rallying cry for Francos thousands of supporters. I see a future of hope. That hope comes with a lot of resistance, it will not be built without a fight, but I hope that, contrary to what we have had in all moments of our history, it will come with less blood, Benicio says. This is the struggle of the feminist movement. It is the struggle for a fairer and more egalitarian society, Benicio says. At the end of February, during the latest session of the UN Human Rights Council, Benicio was in Geneva to talk about the situation of women human rights defenders in Brazil, and to seek international help so that the world knows what is happening in Brazil. These defenders, like the departed Marielle Franco, have been the victims of public shaming, online harassment, death threats and even killings according to a new UN expert report. In 2017, 65 human rights defenders from Brazil were reportedly killed, according to the NGO Front Line Defenders. Benicio herself has received serious threats to her own life that have forced her to leave the home she shared with her partner. Being a human rights defender An architect by trade and a human rights defender, Benicio believes it was fundamental for the international community to understand that her partners struggle was for human rights and in opposition to racism, gender discrimination and phobia towards LGBT people. She says that the participation of marginalized groups is seminal to transform society. The minority in political power but the majority in number, Benicio adds, would no longer accept a chaotic and violent society but deconstruct it with resistance. We have spoken out, more and more. Even looking at our reaction to Marielle's execution - although we, especially the black women, could all have remained stuck and taken a step back from the struggle we had the completely opposite reaction to that attempt to silence what Marielle represented, Benicio says. Black women in Brazil reacted to Francos murder by occupying more democratic spaces. When I look at a fight by a Quilombola woman, for example, that fight inspires me. The voices of these minorities, if viewed by the collective, can also be understood as inspirational for the struggle, she says. It is always minorities that seek to speak up, not only for themselves, but also for a collective construction. So I should look at these struggles and understand that if they inspire me it means that I too want change, Benicio adds. Beyond grief, the struggle Marielle Franco fought her way out of the favelas to become a popular Council Member of the City of Rio de Janeiro. She leaves behind a family and friends, as well as other survivors of violence to cope with losing a young woman in her prime. It's hard to keep going after so much violence. But I think that, in fact, what gives a new meaning to even life itself, is the essence of the struggle to understand that you must participate in some way, in a social construct with solidarity, so that no one feels the same pain as the one you felt, Benicio says. This is a personal project of mine. Not wanting someone else to endure a similar ordeal. So when I think that my fight can prevent this from happening, it helps me to go on. After Francos killing, global protests denounced her murder. As we have reached the first anniversary of her death, local protests and homages continue. So does the investigation into Francos murder: On 12 March 2019, two former police officers suspected of participating in the killing were arrested. Transforming society into what she struggled for is what she believed in. So, in a sense, for me, it's also a way to continue with her. And to tell people who have gone through similar violence and pain that, yes, we have reason to continue. Because otherwise we will say that the lives of our people who were taken away were in vain and this for me is inadmissible, Benicio says. To give new meaning to history itself in a struggle movement is also an act of solidarity and of social transformation; it is also an act of struggle for human rights standards. This is Marielle's legacy. That is it. 14 March 2019 Are you a current print subscriber? You qualify for online access to the Omak Chronicle. To receive your access, create a website account and then verify your print subscription or e-edition subscription with your subscriber number, which may be found on your bill or mailing label. Curfew in Ahmedabad extended till 6am on May 21; Night curfew to continue in 36 cities for another 3 days Lok Sabha polls: 400 I-T officers to monitor black money flow in Gujarat Ahmedabad pti-PTI Ahmedabad, Mar 14: The Income Tax department has deployed over 400 of its officers across Gujarat to keep a close watch on election expenditure and flow of black money during the Lok Sabha elections in the state, said officials here Wednesday. Polling on all the 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat will be held on April 23. As instructed by the Election Commission (EC) to curb the use of black money during the elections, the I-T department in Gujarat has set up a control room at their state headquarters here and it will function round the clock, said Director General (Investigation) Amit Jain. The department also released a toll free number - 18002337444 - for general public to share any information about suspicious cash transactions and movements, Jain told reporters. "We have formed our teams in all the 33 districts. The complaints monitoring cell of our control room would transfer the information about cash movements to these teams, depending on the area specified in the information. Akhilesh meets Mayawati after Priyanka Gandhi's surprise visit to Bhim Army chief "In all, we have deployed 404 of our officers across Gujarat to monitor illegal use of cash during polls," said Jain. Apart from Gujarat, the I-T department will also monitor cash flow in the adjoining Union Territories of Diu, Daman and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, he said. "We have divided our operation in six different zones. We have also roped in police to keep a watch on cash movement. "Our Air Intelligence Unit will be keeping a watch on all the airports of the state. District administrations will deploy their own teams to monitor cash movements," he said. As per the EC guidelines, if surveillance teams deployed by the local district administration recover Rs 10 lakh in cash or above from a person, then I-T department must be called in to do verification of the source of the cash, said Jain. "If the cash is below Rs 10 lakh then the district co-ordination committee, headed by the District Development Officer, can do verification from their own side without calling us. "But, if its above Rs 10 lakh, then I-T must be informed to do verification," said Jain. Cash will be seized if the holder fails to tender satisfactory explanation or evidences such as ATM withdrawal receipt, he said. The senior officer clarified that the I-T department can seek explanation and proofs regarding the source even if the cash is less than Rs 10 lakh. In the 2017 Assembly polls, unaccounted cash of Rs 1.39 crore and 27 kgs of gold were seized from different parts of the state, Jain said. PTI Umesh Jadhav warns legal action against Congress Bengaluru oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Bengaluru, Mar 14: Former Congress MLA Dr. Umesh Jadhav, BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Gulbarga, declined Congress allegations of horse-trading by the BJP. Jadhav warned that legal action would be taken against Congress leaders if they continue to level false charges against him. Umesh Jadhav, who submitted his resignation to Speaker of Karnataka assembly on 4 March, waiting for Speaker's nod to accept his resignation. "Still my resignation has not been accepted. I have given them one more reminder. It is not an intentional delay. It will be accepted in a day or two," news agency ANI quoted Jadhav as saying. Congress leader Tom Vadakkan joins BJP, says 'Hurt by party's reaction to Pulwama attack' BJP State President BS Yeddyurappa on Wednesday announced that former Congress leader Umesh Jadhav, who joined the BJP last week, may contest the Lok Sabha elections from Gulbarga constituency. Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, Yeddyurappa said, "Umesh Jadhav will definitely contest elections. There is no problem at all. He has every right to contest elections and he will contest elections from Gulbarga". Umesh Jadhav, a two-time MLA from Chincholi in Kalaburagi district, was one of the four MLAs whom the Congress top brass wanted to be disqualified for not following the party whip in attending the Budget session of the state Assembly. On Feb 11, a petition was submitted by Congress leaders to the Speaker under the anti-defection law. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 15:13 [IST] 2014 had 1,398 candidates with criminal record: Will the number reduce in 2019? India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 14: Out of the 8,163 candidates who contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, 1,398 had declared criminal cases against them. A report by the Association for Democratic Reforms stated that in the 2009 elections out of the 7,810 candidates, 1,158 had declared criminal cases against them. 889 (11%) candidates had declared serious criminal cases including cases related to murder, attempt to murder, communal disharmony, kidnapping, crimes against women etc. Out of 7810 candidates analysed during Lok Sabha 2009 elections, 608 (8%) candidates had declared serious criminal cases against themselves. Candidates with cases related to murder: 57 candidates have declared cases related to murder. Out of these 12 candidates have been fielded by BSP, 4 candidates have been fielded by BJP, CPI(ML)L and SP each, 3 candidates by RJD and JD(U) each, 1 candidate by INC, AAP, AITC, and CPI(M) each and 12 candidates are independents. Candidates with cases related to Attempt to Murder: 173 candidates have declared cases of attempt to murder. Out of these, 19 candidates have been fielded by BJP and CPI(ML)L each, 18 candidates by BSP, 14 candidates by SP, 7 candidates by AAP and JD(U) each, , 6 candidates by AITC and INC, 5 candidates by RJD, 4 candidates by JVM(P), 2 candidates by CPI(M) and DMK each and 28 candidates are independents. Chhattisgarh polls: Full analysis of the criminal cases and financial background of candidates Candidates with cases related to Crimes against Women: 58 candidates have declared cases related to crimes against women. 6 candidates have declared cases of rape. Out of 58 candidates with cases related to crimes against women, 6 candidates have been fielded by BSP, 3 candidates by AITC, BJP, INC and SP each, 2 candidates by JD(U), 1 candidate by AAP, CPI, CPI(ML)L, MNS, RJD, Shiv Sena and YSRCP each and 18 candidates are independents. Candidates with cases related to causing Communal Disharmony: 54 candidates with cases related to causing communal disharmony. Out of these, 18 candidates were fielded by BJP, 3 candidates by CPI(ML)L and BSP each, 2 candidates by AAP, SP and INC each, 1 candidate by RLD, YSRCP and TRS each and 6 candidates are Independents. Candidates with cases related to Robbery and Dacoity: 57 candidates have declared cases related to robbery and dacoity. Out of these, 10 candidates have been fielded by BJP, BSP and SP each, 3 candidates by AAP, 2 candidates by INC, JD(U) and RJD each, 1 candidate by AITC, CPI(M), DMK and MNS each and 9 candidates are Independents. Candidates with cases related to Kidnapping: 40 candidates have declared cases related to Kidnapping. Out of these, 6 candidates have been fielded by BSP and SP, 4 candidates by INC, 3 candidates by BJP and DMK each, 2 candidates by AITC and CPI(ML)L each, 1 candidate by AAP, JD(U), LJP, MNS and RJD each and 5 candidates are independents. Party wise Candidates with Criminal Cases: 128 (28%) out of 462 candidates from INC, 140 (33%) out of 426 candidates from BJP, 65 (15%) out of 427 candidates from AAP, 114 (23%) out of 501 candidates fielded by BSP and 307 (10%) out of 3182 Independent candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits. Party wise Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: 61 (13%) out of 462 candidates from INC, 89 (21%) out of 426 candidates from BJP, 42 (10%) out of 427 candidates from AAP, 75 (15%) out of 501 candidates fielded by BSP and 188 (6%) out of 3182 Independent candidates have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits. Graphic: Analysis of MPs/MLAs who have kidnapping charges Average Assets: The average assets per candidate contesting in the Lok Sabha 2014 elections was Rs.3.16 crores. Party-wise Average Assets*: Among major parties, the average assets per candidate for 461 INC candidates is Rs 13.27 crores, 426 BJP candidates have average assets of Rs.10.32 crores, 427 AAP candidates have average assets worth of Rs.2.77 crores and 501 BSP candidates have average assets of Rs. 3.53 crores. Party-wise Asset Rank: 348 (75%) out of 462 INC candidates occupy the top three highest assets positions amongst all the contesting candidates in their respective constituencies. Similarly, 283 (66%) out of 426 BJP candidates, 109 (22%) out of 501 BSP candidates and 115 (27%) out of 427 AAP candidates occupy the top three highest assets positions in their constituency. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 15:58 [IST] AgustaWestland case: Tihar jail rubbishes allegations of torturing Christian Michel India pti-PTI New Delhi, Mar 14: Tihar jail authorities on Thursday denied before a Delhi court the accusations of torture levelled by Christian Michel, the alleged middleman arrested in AgustaWestland chopper scam case. The authorities also told Special Judge Arvind Kumar that the accused was granted all the facilities according to the jail manual. The official appearing for the jail also submitted before the court a hard disk containing the CCTV footage, saying it showed that the accused was allowed to walk, access canteen and meet other inmates. Special Public Prosecutors D P Singh and N K Matta, appearing for the CBI and the ED respectively, told the court that the accused was a foreigner and was brought through extradition. "There is a responsibility of the country to ensure his security as per the treaty," the counsel said. The court had on March 11 allowed the ED to quiz Michel inside Tihar jail after the agency's lawyer Samvedna Verma told the court that new facts have emerged in the case which needs his questioning. The court will now hear the matter on March 16. On March 12, Michel told the court that former CBI special director Rakesh Asthana met him in Dubai and threatened to "make his life hell inside jail" here if he did not toe the line of the agency. "Sometime back Rakesh Asthana met me in Dubai and threatened that my life would be made hell in the jail and that's what is going on. My next door inmate is (gangster) Chhota Rajan... I don't understand what crime I have committed to be put along with the terrorists and those who have killed several people," he said. [Christian Michel levels serious allegations against former CBI chief Rakesh Asthana] The jail authorities said Michel was shifted to high-risk prison considering threat to his life. Michel was arrested by the ED on December 22 last year after his extradition from Dubai. The court previously lashed out at the jail authorities for failing to justify the shifting of Michel to a high-security cell in isolation, saying it will start an inquiry if it does not get a proper response. Michel is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the Rs 3,600 crore chopper deal scam by ED and Central Bureau of Investigation. The others are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa. PTI BJP stands for Jandhan, Aadhaar and Mobile but SP is for Jinnah, Azam and Mukhtar: Amit Shah Akhilesh meets Mayawati after Priyanka Gandhis surprise visit to Bhim Army chief India oi-PTI Lucknow, Mar 14: Hours after Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad at a Meerut hospital, the political atmosphere in Uttar Pradesh has suddenly got charged. According to the reports, Mayawati is allegedly upset with Priyanka's meeting with Chandrashekhar and is likely to announce the names of candidates from Amethi and Raibareli, from where Rahul and Sonia Gadhi contest. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav met Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati at her home. When contacted, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said the two leaders met to discuss joint public meetings and rallies, being planned for the Lok Sabha polls, news agency PTI reported. The meeting which lasted for about an hour and a half might have witnessed talks about seat share and other relevant strategies for elections. Meetings are being held constantly as the election is round the corner and the poll campaign has to be launched full scale after Holi next week, he said. I like his energy, the way he raises voice for youth,' says Priyanka after meeting Bhim Army chief The alliance has left two seats for the Congress in the state and will honestly support it on them, said Mr Chaudhary. After the meeting, Akhilesh tweeted: "Ek mulaqat mahaparivartan ke liye (A meeting for change)". A senior Samajwadi Party leader, who did not wish to be named, claimed Priyanka Gandhi's visit to Chandrashekhar Azad was in reaction to the BSP president ruling out any alliance with the Congress, news agency PTI said. "But Mayawati is not someone who will yield to any kind of pressure. This alliance will not come under pressure. It has already given two seats to the Congress," he added. Mayawati had Tuesday snubbed the Congress by slamming doors on it for any electoral alliance for the Lok Sabha polls anywhere in the country. The Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) recently forged an alliance on to divide the 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state. As per the deal, the Akhilesh Yadav's party will contest 37 Lok Sabha seats in UP and the Mayawati's party 38, leaving three for the Ajit Singh-led Rashtriya Lok Dal and two for Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The seven-phase Lok Sabha elections begin on April 11. The votes will be counted on May 23. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 10:22 [IST] About time: Why the Hurriyat Conference must be banned with immediate effect Arrested Hurriyat leaders accuse NIA of delaying terror funding case India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa New Delhi, Mar 14: Several Hurriyat leaders arrested by the NIA in a "terror funding" case told a Delhi court that the NIA was deliberately delaying the case against them. Farooq Ahmad Dar (Bitta Karate), Mohammad Akbar Khanday and Raja Mehrajuddin Kalwal, besides Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani's son-in-law Altaf Shah (Altaf Fantoosh) were among those who told the court that their bail applications were pending for a long time and the probe agency was seeking repeated adjournments. The submissions were made after the NIA sought adjournment on their bail applications on the ground that its Special Public Prosecutor was not available today. NIA charges 5 Hizbul operatives for planning terror strikes in Assam Meanwhile, Naval Kishore Kapoor, a UAE-based businessman arrested in the case, requested through advocate Shariq Reyaz that his bail application be heard separately as allegations against him were different from those against other accused persons. The court had earlier allowed the Enforcement Directorate to quiz Kapoor after Special Public Prosecutor Nitesh Rana, who is representing the agency pro bono (without charging), told the court that his interrogation was required to unearth the money laundering and the money trail. During the hearing on Wednesday, Advocate Rajat Kumar, appearing for Dar and other jailed accused, blamed the NIA for delaying the matter. "I am pressing for bail for my clients. Case is being delayed for some time now, only on the ground that Zahoor Watali's (co-accused) bail is pending with the Supreme Court. My case is entirely different. "The case is going on for last two years. Kindly give me an early date of hearing. For last several dates only adjournment is being sought continuously," he told the court. The court has now posted the matter for further hearing on April 6. The NIA had earlier filed a charge sheet against the accused persons, accusing them of "conspiring to wage war against the government" and fomenting trouble in the Kashmir Valley. The 12,794-page charge sheet and annexure also alleged that officials of the Pakistan High Commission were passing on money through businessman Zahoor Watali, who has been arrested, to separatists. The separatist leaders have been accused of taking a cut before handing over the money to foment trouble. Hafiz Saeed has been accused of using the services of Watali for passing on the money to separatists and some individuals who were actively indulging in stone-pelting in various areas of the Valley, the NIA said in the charge sheet. The agency has charged Pakistan-based Saeed and Salahuddin, besides 10 others with criminal conspiracy, sedition, and under stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Citing security threat, Kashmir separatist Mirwaiz refuses to appear before NIA All the 10 arrested accused are currently in judicial custody. The agency has charged the Hurriyat leaders with acting under the overall guidance of and instructions from Saeed and Salahuddin, and their "Pakistani handlers". They have been accused of plotting strategies to launch violent protests. Saeed, Salahuddin and their Pakistani handlers informed people about the agenda of violence through "protest calendars", the NIA said. These calendars were released through newspapers, social media and religious leaders, it said. These acts were aimed at creating an atmosphere of terror and fear in Jammu and Kashmir, the NIA alleged in the charge sheet. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 8:07 [IST] Ayodhya is getting its glory back with new grand Ram Mandir: PM Modi Ayodhya dispute: Mediation gets underway, 50 people meet panel India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa Faizabad, Mar 14: Twenty-five litigants in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land case appeared before a Supreme Court-appointed panel as it beg-an an attempt to resolve the dispute through mediation, officials said. The litigants and their counsels - altogether over 50 people - met the three-member mediation panel on the Avadh University premises. The Supreme Court has given the panel, led by former Supreme Court judge F.M.I. Kalifulla, eight weeks to explore the possibility of an amicable settlement over the disputed site in Ayodhya. The panel members, who also include spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and senior advocate Sriram Panchu arrived in Faizabad Tuesday and are expected to spend three days here. Ayodhya mediation begins, 3-member team aims to resolve mandir dispute Uttar Pradesh Advocate General Raghvendra Singh and Additional Advocate General Madan Mohan Pandey also attended the meeting. Swami Avimukteshwa-ranand of the Ram Jan-mabhoomi Punruddhar Samiti, said the meeting began at 10 am with over 50 participants. The discussions were being held in a "harmonious" manner, he said. Litigants Iqbal Ansari, Mohammad Umar and Haji Mahboob attended the meeting. The Faizabad administration had issued notices to the 25 litigants on behalf of the panel. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 6:44 [IST] Battle for UP: Priyanka Gandhi to formally kick off campaign today India oi-Vikas SV Lucknow, Mar 14: Uttar Pradesh is politically the most important state for Lok Sabha elections as the state sends 80 MPs to the Lower House. Winning 71 out of the 80 seats in previous general elections was one of the important factors which propelled the BJP to power in 2014. The Congress could just win 2 seats in UP in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. This time around, the Congress wants to leave no stone unturned to win the 'UP battle', and for this, the grand old party has made Priyanka Gandhi the in-charge of the crucial eastern UP. Priyanka Gandhi would formally kick off the party's poll campaign from Allahabad on Friday (March 15) and is likely to take the river route to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency Varanasi, a PTI report said. Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar said office-bearers of the state unit of the party discussed the details of her programme, which will be declared Friday after seeking certain official clearance. "Congress national general secretary in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh Priyanaka Gandhi Vadra is arriving here tomorrow," Babbar told reporters. A senior leader said she will begin her campaign from Allahabad, the birthplace of the first prime minister and her great grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru, from where she may take the river route to Varanasi. "She may take the river route to reach out to the poor people, especially those residing on the river banks, and who have been continuously facing hardships for the past 30 years," Babbar said. [UP to vote in seven phases, high octane political battle on cards] In Allahabad, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is also likely to visit the historic Anand Bhawan, the erstwhile ancestral home of the Nehru family, now dedicated as a museum housing the personal belongings of Jawaharlal Nehru and his father Motilal Nehru. The buzz in Congress circles is that she may take the river route to Varanasi via Mirzapur. She may offer prayers at Maa Vindhayavasini temple in Mirzapur and Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi. A high octane political battle is on the cards in UP and the state will vote on different dates over the 40 days beginning April 11. UP will vote on April 11, 18, 23 and 29 and May 6, 12 and 19. OneIndia News with PTI inputs Bank Employee's Association oppose merger of Bank of Baroda, Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank Bank merger in India: What are the pros and cons? Cabinet approves merger of Vijaya Bank, Bank of Baroda and Dena Bank BOB Recruitment 2019: Link to apply for 35 BOB SO jobs is active now; How to apply Bank of Baroda Recruitment 2021 registration: Last day to apply tomorrow BOB Recruitment 2019: Apply for Business Analyst and other Posts, last date Mar 29 India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, Mar 14: BOB Recruitment 2019: Bank of Baroda (BOB) has issued a recruitment notification for recruitment to the post of Business Analyst, Innovation Officer and Assistant Vice President. The last date for submission of the application form is March 29, 2019. They should visit the official website of BOB - bankofbaroda.co.in - for recruitment details. BOB Recruitment 2019: Vacancy Details Business Analyst Innovation Officer Assistant Vice President BOB Recruitment 2019 Age limit Business Analyst - 25 to 35 Years Innovation Officer - 25 to 35 Years Assistant Vice President - 30 to 42 Years BOB Recruitment 2019: Eligibility Criteria for Business Analyst and Other Posts Business Analyst - Graduate with MBA (any stream) and minimum experience of 4 years of which minimum 2 years in BFSI Innovation Officer - Graduate (any stream) and minimum experience of 4 years of which minimum 2 years in setting up / operating/ innovation / incubation centres Assistant Vice President Airlines /Aviation - MBA from a premier business school. Candidate having qualification in the prescribed field will be given preference i.e. Airlines / Aviation and experience of 7 years Assistant Vice President Railways- B. Tech with MBA from a premier business school / Chartered Accountant (ICAI) and experience of 7 years BOB Recruitment 2019: Selection process The candidates will be selected on the basis of a written examination, personal interview and Group discussion. BOB Recruitment 2019: How to apply The candidates may apply through bankofbaroda.co.in by March 29, 2019. The applicants should take a printout of the submitted online application for future reference. The candidates may apply early to avoid last-minute rush. They should be careful while filling in the application form, as any error or misinformation may lead to the cancellation of the same. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 17:41 [IST] Andhra Pradesh floods: Rahul Gandhi asks Congress workers to extend all possible help As Mamata Banerjee takes swipe at Rahul Gandhi, Cong says such posturing for personal ambition will help BJP What exactly is home ministry doing: Rahul Gandhi slams Centre over Nagaland incident Farmers should be given rights, compensation, jobs: Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha Case filed against Rahul Gandhi for addressing JeM chief as 'Masood Azhar ji' India oi-PTI New Delhi, Mar 14: A sedition case was Wednesday filed against Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Assam's Morigaon district for allegedly revering Jaish-e- Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar by suffixing honorific "ji" to his name. RTI activist Raju Mahanta filed the complaint, contending that the Congress chief has shown his "anti-India stance by addressing a terrorist with a 'ji'", Pradip Nath, the officer-in-charge of Morigaon police station. An FIR has been registered in the case and police are investigating the matter, Nath added. [Fire does not stop at Pulwama, it will reach, Delhi, Lucknow says Masood Azhar in audio clip] Azhar's outfit had plotted the February 14 Pulwama terrorist attack, which killed 40 CRPF personnel. On Tuesday, a social activist in Bihar had also filed a case against Gandhi in a Muzaffarpur court, asserting that the Congress chief's reference to JeM head as "Masood Azhar ji" has hurt people's sentiments. At a meeting of Congress workers in New Delhi on Monday, Gandhi had attacked the BJP, saying, "These people with 56-inch chest, you would recall, in their previous government, the current National Security Advisor Ajit Doval went in an aircraft with Masood Azhar ji and handed over Masood Azhar there in Kandahar. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 10:34 [IST] Is China the reason why Pakistan opted to skip Summit for Democracy hosted by Biden? China factored in diplomatic cost to oppose ban on Masood Azhar India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P New Delhi, Mar 14: Reacting to China's move to block listing of Masood Azhar at United nations Security Council (UNSC), former Indian ambassador said China must have factored in that there is a diplomatic cost of taking this step. Gautam Bambawale, former Indian ambassador to China, expressed disappointment with the Chinese blocking India's bid for the fourth time. He said, " We're disappointed that China has once again for 4th time blocked listing of Masood Azhar at UNSC under 1267 sanctions. It's quite obvious that China is doing this as they've said they don't have enough info about Masood Azhar." China is objecting to ban Masood Azhar though India have given enough information and global community is being convinced on the matter. After China blocks Azhar's listing, UN diplomats say other action may be pursued "We from India have already given more and more information. Rest of the world is convinced. So many countries, including France, UK, USA have backed the resolution. It is only one country China which is still objecting to it, " said Bambawale. On the reason for China's opposition to India's bid at UN, Bambawale said, " China must have factored in that there is a diplomatic cost of taking this step. If China opposes terrorism, it must allow this listing to go ahead." "We must continue to work with China to convince them to remove the hold, " he added. Meanwhile, in its first official statement after facing global ire for blocking the UNSC move against Masood Azhar, China said it needs more time to conduct a "thorough, in-depth investigation on the matter of listing Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist". For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 13:51 [IST] AAP leaders to visit Ram Lalla shrine before Ayodhya yatra, first list of UP candidates soon AAP to contest all seats in UP assembly polls, not in talks for any alliance: Sanjay Singh Confident of victory, AAP to contest all 3 assembly bypolls in Goa India oi-PTI New Delhi, Mar 14: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday said it will contest bypolls to all the three Goa Assembly seats scheduled next month. AAP Goa general secretary Pradeep Padgaonkar told PTI that the party was in the process of shortlisting its candidates for Shiroda, Mandrem and Maspusa seats, where by-elections will be held along with the Lok Sabha polls in the state on April 23. The bypolls to Shiroda and Mandrem were necessitated after the sitting Congress MLAs resigned from the Assembly and party and joined the BJP. Despite Congress' snub in Delhi, Kejriwal reaches out to Rahul for alliance in Haryana The Mapusa seat fell vacant due to the death of sitting BJP MLA Francis D'Souza. Padgaonkar claimed his party will win all the three seats as it has a strong base there. He said his party does not approve of the trend of MLAs resigning mid-way of their terms and forcing bypolls as it puts a stress on the state's finances. "But since the seats are vacant and the party has its base there, we have decided to contest and win to put a full stop to this trend of resigning mid-term," he said. The Arvind Kejriwal-led party earlier announced its candidates for the two Lok Sabha seats in the state. Former bureaucrat Elvis Gomes will contest from North Goa while Padgaonkar will be AAP's candidate from South Goa. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 15:17 [IST] Businessman in Kolkata shot at after his car was stopped by 18 men Election authorities take a cue from Satyajit Ray to encourage voters in Kolkata North constituency India oi-Shubham Ghosh Kolkata, March 14: This Lok Sabha election, ace filmmaker Satyajit Ray has also found himself getting involved in the electoral procedure in West Bengal. Kolkata Uttar (North) Lok Sabha constituency saw a poor turnout of 66 per cent in the 2014 general election while for the rest of the state, the average turnout was over 82 per cent. In 2009 election, the turnout in this constituency was also a poor 64 per cent. To raise polling awareness among the voters, the electoral office of the constituency has taken an unique initiative and it is related to Ray's renowned "Ek Dojon Goppo" (a dozen tales) series. The commission has decided to shoot 12 short documentaries and name them 'Ek Dojon Goppo' -- inspired by Ray's 1970 creation and show them around the streets of the constituency to encourage the voters to come out and cast their ballots. Lok Sabha election 2019: A look at West Bengal constituencies: JALPAIGURI Kolkata Uttar will go to elections along with eight other constituencies on May 19, the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha election. "Yes, our idea was inspired by Ray's 'Ek Dojon Goppo'," North Kolkata district electoral officer Dibyendu Sarkar was quoted as saying by Times of India. "People in Bengal love stories and story-telling and we feel reaching out to people through stories of everyday life will be effective. The documentaries will be in short-story format where the protagonist will explain the importance of voting." Going slow on Hafiz Saeed, looking up to Azhar, Pak is only worsening its case at FATF From plotting a hijack to creating the JeM, why Pakistan guards Masood Azhar so much Fire does not stop at Pulwama, it will reach, Delhi, Lucknow says Masood Azhar in audio clip India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 14: India has said that the Pulwama attack was planned by Jaish-e-Mohammad chief, Maulana Masood Azhar and his brother Rauf Asghar. As part of the evidence provided to Pakistan, India has shared an audio message by Masood Azhar in which he calls on Muslims from Kashmir to unite. He says in the February 5 audio message that if all the Muslims united, then they could achieve their goal in Kashmir within a few months. He further says that if Kashmir is not surrendered, the fire would reach Delhi, Lucknow and Mumbai. US says failure to list Masood Azhar as global terrorist against regional stability, peace The evidence also states that the Pulwama attack was carried out to avenge the death of Azhar's kin in the Valley. The duo hatched the plot in the aftermath of the killing of Talha Rasheed, Azhar's nephew. He was gunned down by the security forces at Pulwama on November 6 2017. Usman Haider, another son of Azhar's elder brother was killed in an encounter at Tral in October 2018. In the evidence that India produced to Pakistan, it is said that a massive recruitment driver of local youth was carried out following the death of Azhar's kin. They sought to cash in on the killings and roped in locals into the JeM to carry out the Pulwama attack. Further the technical evidence clearly suggests that the entire planning was done in Pakistan. The video that was uploaded in the aftermath of the attack was done from an IP near Rawalpindi. Another clip claiming responsibility for the attack too was done from the same place, evidence also suggests. Further the evidence also suggests that the operatives stayed in touch on a Telegram group named the Afzal Guru Squad al-Islam. The same group was used to upload the confessional video of the Pulwama bomber, Adil Ahmed Dar. Once the plot was hatched, Abdul Rashid Ghazi was sent into Kashmir by the Jaish-e-Mohammad. He was tasked with training the locals and during the radicalisation sessions, he repeatedly said that the deaths of Rashid and Haider have to be avenged. In the Chinese block on Masood Azhar, there is more than what meets the eye While Ghazi imparted the training, the last minute details and the execution of the attack was overseen by one Kamran, a Pakistani national who was killed in an encounter on February 18. Further India says that the JeM used a Kashmir local for the attack to send out a message that the youth in the Valley were disgruntled. Further it was also said that Pakistan could have the deniability factor by using a local. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 10:05 [IST] Five more travellers from 'at risk' countries test COVID-19 positive in Mumbai; nine so far Omicron 1st case in Maharashtra: What we know about it so, far? 12 facts Mumbai: Foot over bridge collapses; 6 dead, over 30 injured; FIR registered under section 304A India oi-Vikas SV Mumbai, Mar 14: At least five persons died and over 30 injured after a foot overbridge collapsed on Thursday near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) railway station in Mumbai. Reports quoted the Disaster Management Unit (DMU) of the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) as saying that six people have died in the incident. 36 persons are said to be injured. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the spot of the accident and assured strict action against those found responsible for the mishap. "It is unfortunate. I have ordered for a high level inquiry. A structural audit of the bridge had earlier been done and it was found to be fit. Even after that if such incident happened, it raises question on the audit. Inquiry will be done. Strictest action will be taken," Fadnavis told media. He also announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 Lakh each to the families of those who died in the incident and compensation of Rs 50,000 each to the injured. As per latest reports, an FIR has been being registered against concerned officials of Central Railway and BMC under section 304A (Causing death by negligence) of IPC at the Azaad Maidan Police Station. "Foot over bridge connecting CST platform 1 north end with B T Lane near Times of India building has collapsed. Injured persons are being shifted to hospitals. Traffic affected. Commuters to use alternate routes. Senior officers are on spot," Mumbai Police tweeted. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Railways has clarified that the bridge was under BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation). "However, we are extending all our supports to the victims. Railway doctors and personnel are cooperating with BMC in relief and rescue operations," reports quoted Ministry of Railways as saying. Meanwhile, the political blamegame has begun and the opposition parties are training gun at the CM Fadnavis-led government in Maharashtra. BJP leader and Maharashtra minister Vinod Tawde said that maintenance work of the bridge was underway. He further said that a probe would be ordered to ascertain the facts. "A slab of the bridge had collapsed. Railways and BMC will conduct an inquiry into its maintenance. Bridge wasn't in a bad condition, it required minor repairs for which work was underway. Why was it not closed until the work was completed, it will also be probed..The state will provide for the treatment of the injured...We will give further update to you as and when we get information," Tawde who visited the mishap spot told the media. Since it was peak traffic time, there were several people on the bridge as well as under it. Some of the injured are those who were walking on the bridge, while some are those who were underneath it when the bridge came crashing down. Pained to hear about the FOB incident near TOI building in Mumbai. Spoke to BMC Commissioner and @MumbaiPolice officials and instructed to ensure speedy relief efforts in coordination with @RailMinIndia officials. Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) March 14, 2019 Here are the visuals from the spot where a foot over bridge came crashing down: Mumbai: Visuals from St George Hospital where some of the people, injured in foot over bridge near CSMT railway station collapse, have been taken. 34 people are injured, 2 people dead. pic.twitter.com/G3vIrPU8yE ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 The reason behind the collapse of the bridge is yet to be ascertained, but the bridge was an old one. The injured have been admitted to St George Hospital. The rescue operations are underway and senior police officers have reached the spot. As per the information received, a part of foot over bridge near CSMT station in Mumbai collapsed. As per initial information 10-12 persons are feared to be trapped under the debris. An NDRF team has been moved from Andheri center, news agency ANI quoted NDRF as saying. There are at least two hospitals close to the place of the mishap because of which the casualties could be low and the injured can get fast medical assistance. In June last year, six people were injured after a part of Road Over Bridge (ROB) collapsed on the railway tracks near Andheri station towards Vile Parle on South end. The Gokhale bridge which connected Andheri East and Andheri West stations was built around 1976 and was used by thousands of commuters each day. [Mumbai Rains: 6 injured as foot overbridge collapses in Andheri west; rescue operation underway] In September 2017, twenty-three commuters had died in a stampede on foot-over bridge connecting Parel-Elphinstone Road stations on 29 September 2017. The incident had taken place between the Parel railway station and Prabhadevi railway station. Going slow on Hafiz Saeed, looking up to Azhar, Pak is only worsening its case at FATF In the Chinese block on Masood Azhar, there is more than what meets the eye India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 14: For the fourth time, China has stood in the way of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief, Masood Azhar being declared a global terrorist by the UN Security council. Azhar is accused of several deadly terror attacks that include the ones at Parliament, Pathankot, Uri, Nagrota and Pulwama. China, being a veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, has repeatedly blocked India's move. The US, Britain and France all back India to designate Masood Azhar a terrorist under the Al-Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council. India has always faced the Chinese block when it came to Azhar. This is not the first time that China has said that it will not support the ban. While on one hand, it continues to block the ban at the behest of Pakistan, on the other side it has its own vested interests. China blocks ban on Maulana Masood Azhar for fourth time, MEA says "disappointed by outcome" Officials explain to OneIndia that it is not just bi-lateral. China has called Pakistan an all weather friend, while Azhar the man himself has called China the almighty. Apart from these aspects and the fact that Azhar guards China's assets in Pakistan it is also to ensure that India does not become supreme in the region. China would not like India having its say in the UN. China has also been instrumental in blocking India's NSG bid several times. It is a case of being supreme and throwing its clout around says an informed officer in New Delhi. The officer says that although all nations say it openly that the war against terror is important, the fact of the matter is that all are divided in their approach. There are different equations at play. The stakes in Afghanistan are very high. Russian President Vladimir Putin in fact changed the country's long standing policy against the US in Afghanistan. US was able to take over Afghanistan after Putin allowed the US set up base in Central Asia. China too has a major stake in Afghanistan and the recent statement by the Taliban in which it said it would not target infrastructure projects in Afghanistan is also significant. China has high stakes in Afghanistan and would not want that to be disturbed. Any move in the UN on Azhar is likely to change China's equation with the Taliban which is considered to be close to the Jaish-e-Mohammad boss. More control in the UN for India would also tilt the balance against China. Officials explain that the reason for the block goes beyond the all weather friend or Azhar playing bouncer for Chinese investments in Pakistan. It is all about supremacy in the region, the officer also explains. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 5:47 [IST] Delimitation will happen, J&K statehood to be restored: Amit Shah in Srinagar India requests Pakistan government to allow Srinagar-Sharjah flight to use its airspace J&K: Suspected terrorists shoot at a NC worker India oi-Vikas SV Srinagar, Mar 14: Suspected terrorists have reportedly shot at a worker of the National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir' Bijbehara, said reports. The injured worker has been admitted to a hospital in Srinagar. The injured has been identified as one Mohammed Ismail Wani. He was the Block President National Conference. "My @JKNC_ colleague Mohd Ismail Wani, block President Bijbehara block in South Kashmir of has been shot & injured. He has been referred to Srinagar. Praying for his recovery," party's vice-president Omar Abdullah tweeted. Shujaat Bukhari: Not the first tryst with terror, was abducted in 2006 Last year in October, a 40-year-old PDP worker, Mohd. Amin Dar, was gunned down by militants in Srinagar. Mohd. Amin Dar was a resident of Gangbugh. Last year several incidents of terrorists shooting dead police personnel also took place. Even on an Id day in 2018, three cops were shot dead in a single day. In June 2018, senior journalist and Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari and his PSO were shot dead by terrorists outside the newspaper's office in the heart of Srinagar. After Pak allows access, India says yet to decide on opening Kartarpur Corridor India, Pakistan agree to expeditiously operationalise Kartarpur Corridor India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Mar 14: Amid the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan, the officials of the two countries met for the first time to discuss the technical aspects and draft agreement for setting up Kartarpur corridor that will allow a passport and visa free darshan' for the Indian pilgrims. The meeting at Attari was done in a cordial environment, according to the joint statement released by both countries. "Both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalizing the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor," said the statement. "Both sides also held expert level discussions between the technical experts on the alignment and other details of the proposed corridor. It was agreed to hold the next meeting at Wagah on 2 April 2019," added the statement. India has shared a draft memorandum of agreement with the Pakistani side. The sole purpose of the meeting would be to align infrastructure and security requirements between both sides to ensure smooth passage of pilgrims. Imran Khan meets 'Khalistani' Gopal Singh Chawla ahead of Kartarpur talks From the Indian side, officials comprised representatives from the Union Home Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, BSF, National Highways Authority of India and the Punjab government. Meanwhile, Islamabad has expressed disappointment over India allegedly denying visas to Pakistani journalists for the meeting. India-Pakistan relations hit a new low last month after the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personals were killed.Pakistan, on its part, has also decided to begin building the Kartarpur corridor, with Prime Minister Imran Khan laying the foundation stone. Kartarpur is located in Shakargarh in Narowal district of Pakistan's Punjab. Guru Nanak Dev had spent over 18 years of his life here. The Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara is located about three to 4km from the Indo-Pak border in Pakistan. Kinnaur avalanche: Rescue ops end on 23rd day India oi-Chennabasaveshwar P Shimla, Mar 14: With the recovery of bodies of two more jawans on the 23rd day, the operations to rescue six Army men trapped at an avalanche site ended on Thursday. The rescue operation had started at avalanche site on February 20 at Namgya, Kinnaur. The bodies of four of the six missing Army personnel have already been recovered. Six jawans of the Army's 7 JAK Rifles -- four from Himachal Pradesh, one each from Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir -- were trapped in the avalanche that occurred near Shipki La border outpost around 11 AM on February 20. Govt school in Himachal Pradesh to be named after slain CRPF jawan According to Army officials, 16 jawans were patrolling the Sino-India border area when the avalanche struck, burying six of them alive. One of them was rescued, but he succumbed to his injuries subsequently. A spokesperson of the Army had said the search-and-rescue operation would go on till the last man was retrieved. A team of about 150 persons, including Army personnel, was searching for the trapped jawans, along with the police. (With PTI inputs) For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 12:55 [IST] Lok Sabha election: TMC, BJP supporters peacefully share same wall for graffiti writing in Bengal India oi-Shubham Ghosh Kolkata, March 14: With the Election Commission having announced the schedule for the Lok Sabha election, all parties have launched their campaigns. Graffiti writing is in full flow, especially in Bengal where the ruling Trinamool Congress has a major challenger in the BJP. However, even as the two parties are always in a combative mood and spare no effort to attack the other, a rare instance was seen in Burdwan recently. Supporters of the TMC and BJP were seen sharing the same wall in the locality for painting their graffiti, Bengali news channel ABP Ananda reported. Kolkata: Green 'gulaal' sells high ahead of Holi; saffron and red low; an indication for May 23? Carrying the banners of their respective parties, the supporters were seen engaging in peaceful graffiti painting and it was quite an aberration, given the fact that there have instances of verbal and physical clashes between the supporters of the two parties. "We don't want any kind of problem. Didi (Mamata Banerjee) has told us not to get into any dispute. We are doing it peacefully and hence left a wall to them (BJP)," local TMC leader Mita Das was quoted as saying in the report. Shyamal Roy, a local leader was quoted as saying: "The TMC has no power in this area. There are a few and we left a wall to them as a goodwill gesture." For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 16:20 [IST] Going slow on Hafiz Saeed, looking up to Azhar, Pak is only worsening its case at FATF Did Pakistan ever act against Azhar? Intel reports show, he remained protected always From plotting a hijack to creating the JeM, why Pakistan guards Masood Azhar so much Masood Azhar ban blocked: Omar Abdullah says Modi surrendered to China India pti-PTI Srinagar, Mar 14: National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said on Thursday the BJP cannot claim to have been tough on terror as Prime Minister Narendra Modi "surrendered" to China on Masood Azhar. He also said the NDA government had given Pakistan a "big victory" by not conducting the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir simultaneously with parliamentary polls. "PM Modi surrendered to China on Azhar and surrendered to Pakistan & its proxies by delaying elections in J&K. How can the BJP claim to have been tough on internal security and tough against terror?" Omar, the vice-president of the NC, wrote on Twitter. [Fire does not stop at Pulwama, it will reach, Delhi, Lucknow says Masood Azhar in audio clip] He targeted Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad over his remarks on Congress president Rahul Gandhi who had criticised the prime minister for being "scared" of Chinese President Xi Jinping. "Mantri jee, your Government gave Pakistan a small victory when you postponed the Anantnag by-poll in 2017 and a big victory now that you've failed to conduct assembly elections. If anyone is giving Pakistan a reason to celebrate it isn't @RahulGandhi. Look closer to home sir," the former chief minister said. China on Thursday defended its fourth "technical hold" on the designation of Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, saying the move would give it time for a "thorough and in-depth assessment" of the case and help the parties concerned to engage in more talks to find a "lasting solution" acceptable to all. PTI Mont Blanc worth Rs 50 lakh recovered during raids on Mayawatis ex-secretary India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa New Delhi, Mar 14: Cash worth over Rs 1.64 crore, Mont Blanc pens valued at Rs 50 lakh, four luxury SUVs and documents indicating 'benami' assets of Rs 300 crore have been recovered during income tax raids on premises linked to a retired Uttar Pradesh cadre IAS officer, who served in top positions during Mayawati's chief ministership, officials said. The taxman had swooped down on a dozen premises linked to 1979-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Net Ram on Tuesday after it obtained "credible inputs" that the former top bureaucrat and his associates have made "accommodation or bogus entries of about Rs 95 crore from Kolkata-based shell firms" in the past, including during the post-demonetisation period, they said. Madhya Pradesh: IT raids at road contractor's premises in Bhopal They said that during the searches, that are still ongoing, the department recovered a total of Rs 1.64 crore in cash from three houses in Lucknow and Delhi, while another Rs 50 lakh is believed to be stashed in a bank locker, which will soon be opened. Crisp pink notes of Rs 2,000 form the bulk of the cash recovered, they said. The officials claimed that the former bureaucrat was "negotiating" for a Lok Sabha ticket from a UP-based party and that is when he came under the scanner of the tax department. It is understood that the taxman launched the raids after obtaining vital details of these transactions from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and subsequently mounting surveillance on the officer and his associates. Officials said the raid teams have also recovered Mont Blanc pens worth Rs 50 lakh, four 'benami' luxury cars, including a Mercedes and two Fortuners, and documents that indicate un-taxed assets worth around Rs 225 crore. Documents related to 30 'shell' firms, in which Net Ram's family members and in-law's were shareholders, have been recovered and are being scrutinised. "The officers' in-laws were also raided and they have expressed complete ignorance about the suspicious transactions that are under the tax radar," a senior official said. In a few cases, they said, the children of those who are being raided have been found to be the "authorised" people for operating the accounts of shell companies detected, the official said. The searches resulted in the detection of six properties in posh locations of Delhi (KG Marg and Greater Kailash-I) and Mumbai (Babulnath on Charni road and Huges road) and three houses in Kolkata purchased "out of bogus share capital of Rs 95 crore", the officials claimed. As per an I-T department search memo accessed by PTI, the sleuths have recovered "handwritten diaries recording transactions for acquiring shell companies and investments in properties in various locations of UP and Delhi" during the action. BS Hooda dubs CBI raids against him as 'political vendetta'; Congress says govt rattled Luxurious interiors at a house in Lucknow and one at GK-I in Delhi, a mini theatre and gym have also been found built, they said. Net Ram was secretary to then Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati during 2002-03, her third stint in power in the state. The officer has served in various capacities in UP, including heading the excise, sugar industries and cane department, stamp and registration, food and civil supplies department. NIA decodes Ghazwatul Hind, a call to conquer India India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, Mar 14: What is Ghazwatul Hind? The National Investigation Agency, while interpreting the term said that Ghazwatul Hind is an appeal to conquer India. Those attaining martyrdom in the process will reach heaven, the NIA also said. The phrase has been used by several terror groups like the al-Qaeda, Islamic State, Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. Amidst Khalistan threat, ISIS module probe reaches Punjab The submission was made before a court in Kerala, which is hearing the Kanakamala Islamic State case. During the investigation into the case, a writing by Ibn Nuhaas, an Islamic scholar was found in the house of one of the accused. The translated version of the writing was seized and it was found that the same was done by one Manzoor, who was killed while fighting alongside the ISIS in Syria. The NIA says that the term Ghazwatul Hind has been used frequently by various terror groups. Roughly translated, it means the conquer of India and if one attains martyrdom in the process, he reaches heaven. Five more travellers from 'at risk' countries test COVID-19 positive in Mumbai; nine so far Omicron 1st case in Maharashtra: What we know about it so, far? 12 facts Politics over Mumbai bridge collapse begins, Congress seeks Goyal's resignation India oi-Vikas SV Mumbai, Mar 15: The political blamegame over the overbridge collapse in Mumbai began with the ruling BJP government in Maharashtra assuring "strict action" against those found to be responsible for the mishap, while the Congress demanding the sacking of Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal. It needs to be noted that the Indian Railways has already made it clear that the upkeep of the collapsed foot over bridge near the Chhattrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai was the responsibility of the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation). The Congress held the BJP-led Central and state governments responsible for the bridge collapse, saying they are "criminally culpable" of inaction and also demanded the ouster of Railway Minister Piyush Goyal. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said he was deeply saddened to learn about the Mumbai bridge collapse. "Modi Government and Maharashtra government are criminally culpable for inaction leading to repeat tragedies - 29/9/2017 - Elphistone Stampede. 3/7/2018 - Andheri Bridge Collapse. Railway Minister's tall claims of audit have failed time and again. Railway Minister Piyush Goyal must resign or be sacked," he said on Twitter. Congress president Rahul Gandhi offered condolences to the families of those killed in the incident and prayed for speedy recovery to the injured. [Mumbai: Foot over bridge collapses; 6 dead, 36 injured; CM announces Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia] Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who visited the spot of the accident, assured strict action against those found responsible for the mishap and said a high level inquiry has been ordered. "It is unfortunate. I have ordered for a high level inquiry. A structural audit of the bridge had earlier been done and it was found to be fit. Even after that if such incident happened, it raises question on the audit. Inquiry will be done. Strictest action will be taken," Fadnavis told media. He also announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 Lakh each to the families of those who died in the incident and compensation of Rs 50,000 each to the injured. Congress leader Milind Deora had also raised questions on the safety audit that was carried out six months ago. He said an FIR should be filed under IPC Section 302 (murder) should be filed againt BMC officers responsible for the negligence. [Mumbai bridge collapse: PM Modi condoles loss of lives, says "Deeply anguished"] State minister Vinod Tawde, however, said the bridge wasn't in a bad condition. "It required minor repairs for which work was underway. Why was it not closed until the work was completed, will be probed," Tawde was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. A structural audit of 296 bridges in the Mumbai was conducted by the BMC last year. During the audit, it was found that 18 bridges would have to be demolished and rebuilt. The list included 10 major bridges and eight foot over-bridges, some belonging to the British era. Six people were killed and over 30 injured after a major portion of a foot overbridge near a train station in south Mumbai collapsed on Thursday evening. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, March 15, 2019, 1:09 [IST] Priyanka Gandhis Gujarat speech was elegant; for Congress, it was Michelle Obama moment India oi-Shubham Ghosh New Delhi, March 14: Two days after the Election Commission (EC) announced the dates for the seven-phase Lok Sabha election beginning April 11, the Congress launched its campaign in Gandhinagar - home turf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- where the party's newly appointed general secretary Priyanka Gandhi delivered her first speech after formally joining the party in January. The 47-year-old sister of Congress president Rahul Gandhi is in charge of eastern UP where the constituency of Modi - Varanasi - is located. The short speech that Priyanka delivered was not a regular attacking one centred around issues like Rafale or Nirav Modi or Masood Azhar - something that her brother loves to dwell on while targeting Modi and his party. Her speech was more had a philosophical/moral undertone, asking people to be more aware when exercising their rights to vote. "There is no bigger nationalism than being aware. Your awareness is a weapon, your vote is a weapon. It is a weapon that will not hurt or harm any one. It is a weapon that will strengthen you," she said. "This country is made on the foundations of love, harmony and brotherhood. Today whatever is happening in the country is very sad." A day of debuts for Priyanka Gandhi There was a striking similarity that Priyanka's style or speaking and the voice had with late prime minister Indira Gandhi, her grandmother, and it would be a big boost for the supporters of a party which is seen far from being a favourite to win the upcoming general polls. Her former arrival as a political leader is certainly a fresh change that many wanted to happen in the Congress party in particular and in Indian politics in general. By appealing to the voters' own intelligence and power to assess, Priyanka change the narrative of forcing an issue on them - be it anti-Rahul or anti-Modi. As a mature leader, she left it to the maturity of the people themselves by advising them to raise some basic questions against the rulers of the day. There was no direct and inferior attack and the delivery of the speech was marked by elegance. For those who still aspire to see some healthy precedents in Indian politics, Priyanka's speech would certainly bring some hope. The Congress perhaps brought her into direct action far too late. A whole lot of time was devoted to bring Rahul Gandhi up as a frontline leader but Priyanka's Gujarat speech showed that she perhaps has a better grip on the subject matter as a beginner. Her own elegance, coupled with the shadow of her grandmother and the 'yet-to-grow' image of Rahul could see her taking some big strides in the politics in the days to come. Priyanka's speech in Gandhinagar was somewhat of the Congress's 'Michelle Obama moment' and the party should take confidence from the fact. By making a simplistic appeal to the conscience and awareness of the people without actually indulging in any individual attack, Priyanka did something that the former US first lady had done during the 2016 presidential election and earned a major praise despite the Democrats' defeat. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 11:48 [IST] SC to hear Lalu Yadav's bail plea in fodder scam case on Friday India pti-PTI New Delhi, Mar 14: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Friday the petitions filed by RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav seeking bail in three cases related to the multi-crore fodder scam. A bench headed by chief justice Ranjan Gogoi will hear Yadav's petition challenging the January 10 verdict of the Jharkhand High Court, rejecting bail to him in these cases. Yadav is lodged in Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The fodder scam related to fraudulent withdrawal of government funds from the treasuries of various districts of undivided Bihar in the 1990s when RJD was in power and Yadav the chief minister. Yadav was lodged in Ranchi jail in December 2017 in these cases. In the High Court, the RJD supremo had cited old age and poor health for grant of bail. Yadav, 71, said he was suffering from diabetes, blood pressure and other ailments and that he had already obtained bail in one of the fodder scam cases. [Lalu to approve RJD Lok Sabha poll candidates; alliance partners] He has been convicted for fraudulent withdrawal of money from Deoghar, Dumka and two Chaibasa treasuries. He got bail in one of the two Chaibasa-treasury related cases. He is currently facing a fifth case pertaining to Doranda treasury. The RJD chief has been undergoing treatment at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi. The over Rs 900 crore fodder scam related to fraudulent withdrawal of money from treasuries in the Animal Husbandry department in early 90s when Bihar and Jharkhand were one state. PTI Going slow on Hafiz Saeed, looking up to Azhar, Pak is only worsening its case at FATF From plotting a hijack to creating the JeM, why Pakistan guards Masood Azhar so much Thoroughly disappointed says India after China blocks Masood Azhar ban India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa New Delhi, Mar 14: India said that it was disappointed with the outcome on the ban on Jaish-e-Mohammad chief, Maulana Masood Azhar being blocked. China for the fourth time blocked a move by three permanent members of the UN Security Council to declare Azhar as a global terrorist. We will continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens are brought to justice, the Ministry for External Affairs said. Read the full statement by MEA: The ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee (1267 Sanctions Committee), upon completion of the no-objection period on 13 March 2019, was not able to come to a decision on the proposal for listing Mohammed Masood Azhar Alvi under the UN Sanctions regime, on account of a member placing the proposal on hold. In the Chinese block on Masood Azhar, there is more than what meets the eye We are disappointed by this outcome. This has prevented action by the international community to designate the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a proscribed and active terrorist organization which has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 14 February 2019. We are grateful for the efforts of the Member States who moved the designation proposal and the unprecedented number of all other Security Council members as well as non-members who joined as co-sponsors. We will continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens are brought to justice. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 6:59 [IST] Why hasnt corruption ended and four more questions by Priyanka on demonstration anniversary Congress to go solo in UP polls, contest all 403 seats: Priyanka Gandhi Priyanka urges PM not to share stage with MoS Home Ajay Mishra during DGPs' conference UP polls: Now Cong to demonstrate strength at the Mahoba hotbed Thought no one noticed: Priyanka Gandhi on starting debut speech with behnon India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Mar 14: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in her debut election speech in Gujarat, reversed a tradition as she began her address with "behno aur bhaiyon (sisters and brothers)". Her gesture didn't go unnoticed as her party's lawmaker Sushmita Dev tweeted a video clip of Priyanka Gandhi's speech pointing out Vadra's improvisation. Dev pointed out how Priyanka Gandhi reversed the order of address from "bhaiyon aur behnon" (brothers and sisters) to "meri behnon aur mere bhaiyon" (my sisters and my brothers). A day of debuts for Priyanka Gandhi "The speech of @priyankagandhi ji in Gujarat stood out for many reasons. I loved the fact that in her address she changed the order most people follow by referring to women before men i.e. behnon aur bhaiyon & not the other way around," Dev wrote on Twitter. Priyanka Gandhi retweeted Dev's post with comment: "...and I thought no one noticed!!". ...and I thought no one noticed!! https://t.co/neQADGP35y Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) March 14, 2019 Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has made her debut speech wherein she has said that "your vote is a weapon and every citizen must ask right citizens in the polls." Attacking the BJP, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in her first election speech since she was appointed as the General Secretary of the UP East, said, "Our institutions are being attacked, hatred is being spread everywhere." For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 12:35 [IST] As Mamata Banerjee takes swipe at Rahul Gandhi, Cong says such posturing for personal ambition will help BJP "We'll honour fishermen with a dedicated ministry," says Rahul Gandhi in Kerala India oi-Deepika S Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 14: Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, who will be in Kerala today began his Kerala campaign with a 'fishermen's parliament' at Triprayar in Thrissur. Rahul Gandhi is interacting with the fishermen present at the venue. "Whenever India need you, you are there, without any questions or expectations. But when you need, there is no one. You are facing threats from Sri Lanka, new coastal rules. I don't like giving small solutions. I want to give you your own amplifier so that your grievances are heard immediately in Delhi," he said. "We want to honour all those fishermen. We have decided that the best way to honour them is to have a dedicated ministry for fishermen in Delhi," the Congress chief added. Later, Rahul would fly to Kannur, where he would meet the family of slain Youth Congress leader Shuhaib at the airport there. He would leave for Kasargod and meet the families of Kripesh and Sarathlal, the youth congress activists, who were allegedly killed by the CPI(M) recently. Gandhi would then leave for Kozhikode, where he would attend the Janamaha rally, in which thousands of party workers from six north Kerala districts are expected to participate. Though he was earlier scheduled to visit the house of slain CRPF jawan V V Vasanathakumar in Wayanad, there are media reports that it is unlikely to happen as the security agencies are yet to give clearance owing to Maoist threat. He is also expected to hold discussions with senior party leaders on the selection procedure of candidates, poll preparations and strategy as the crucial Lok Sabha polls is just 40 days away in the state. Though the Congress is yet to finalise and announce its nominees, Gandhi's visit is expected to rejuvenate the workers in Kerala, one of the states where the party is pinning its hopes high. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 11:37 [IST] PM Modi lauds UP govt for the work done for the benefit of sugarcane farmers Technology firms should contribute to preserving democratic societies: PM Modi at summit for democracy Weak Modi is scared of Xi: Rahul taunts PM over Masood Azhar India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, Mar 14: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a vield attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after China again blocked the UNSC resolution designating JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist saying the PM is scared of his Chinese counterpart. He also alleges that Narendra Modi doesn't say a word when China acts against India. Gandhi tweeted this morning: "Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NaMo's China Diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat 2. Hug Xi in Delhi 3. Bow to Xi in China," Gandhi tweeted accusing the PM of failed outreaches to Chinese President Xi Jinping. Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NoMos China Diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat 2. Hug Xi in Delhi 3. Bow to Xi in China https://t.co/7QBjY4e0z3 Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 14, 2019 The statement cames after China on Wednesday put a technical hold on a proposal in the UN Security Council to ban JeM Chief Masood Azhar following the Pulwama terror attack. This was the fourth time in a decade that China, a strategic ally of Pakistan, came to the rescue of Masood Azhar, whose terror organisation was banned by the UN. A veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council, China made a last-minute objection yesterday to the resolution that was backed by an unprecedented number of countries. Sources said the figure went into "double digits". Azhar's JeM recently claimed responsibility for the Pulwama terror attacked leading to the Indian Air Force attacking and destroying its terror bases in Pakistan's Balakot in unprecedented cross-border strikes, the first after 1971. The Pulwama attack had killed 40 CRPF jawans marking a shift in the Indian policy of strategic restraint in the face of Pakistan-sponsored terror. Five more travellers from 'at risk' countries test COVID-19 positive in Mumbai; nine so far Omicron 1st case in Maharashtra: What we know about it so, far? 12 facts Why was the collapsed overbridge in Mumbai known as 'Kasab bridge' India oi-Vikas SV Mumbai, Mar 15: The foot overbridge which collapsed in Mumbai on Thursday evening leaving six people dead and over 30 injured was commonly known as 'Kasab bridge'. The collapsed over bridge connected the area near the Times of India building with the iconic CSMT station. It was used by terrorists Ajmal Kasab and Ismail Khan during the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack in 2008. On November 26, 2008, Ajmal Kasab and Ismail Khan, armed with AK-47 rifles, had entered the passenger hall of the CST terminus and opened fire at people indiscriminately. While doing so, the duo had crossed this bridge. Since then it was commonly known as 'Kasab bridge' as the terrorists had passed through it during the terror strike. Ajmal Kasab was the only terrorist who was captured alive by the security forces. He was later sent to the gallows. Also, a photograph of Kasab crossing the bridge was produced before the court during trial and helped in his conviction. On 3 May 2010, Kasab was found guilty of 80 offences, including murder, waging war against India, possessing explosives, and other charges. On 6 May 2010, the same trial court sentenced him to death on four counts and to a life sentence on five counts. [Mumbai: Foot over bridge collapses; 6 dead, 36 injured; FIR registered under section 304A] Six people were killed and over 30 injured after a major portion of a foot overbridge near a train station in south Mumbai collapsed on Thursday evening. The exact reason behind the collapse of the bridge is yet to be ascertained, but the bridge was an old one. The injured were admitted to St George Hospital. [Politics over Mumbai bridge collapse begins, Congress seeks Goyal's resignation] A structural audit of 296 bridges in the Mumbai was conducted by the BMC last year. During the audit, it was found that 18 bridges would have to be demolished and rebuilt. The list included 10 major bridges and eight foot over-bridges, some belonging to the British era. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, March 15, 2019, 2:17 [IST] Centre renames 2 prominent institutes after Sushma Swaraj on the eve of her birth anniversary Wont escalate situation with Pak, but wont keep quiet if attacked: Sushma Swaraj India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa New Delhi, Mar 14: External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said she conveyed to several countries post Pulwama attack that India will not escalate the situation with Pakistan but if there is any other terror attack from that country, then it will not remain silent. In an address at a think tank on Modi government's foreign policy, she said Pakistan was worried that India would escalate the situation and she was contacted by a number of foreign ministers over it. "I used to receive calls from foreign ministers who used to first condole the Pulwama attack, then express their solidarity and then they used to softly say that we think India will not escalate the situation," she said. 'Can follow English of all accents and grammar': Sushma Swaraj's prompt reply on Twitter "To which I used to reply that no, I assure you India will not escalate the situation but if there is any other terror attack then we will not remain silent as we cannot say Pulwama is our destiny," she said. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after Indian fighter jets bombed terror group Jaish-e-Muhammed's biggest training camp near Balakot deep inside Pakistan on February 26. Pakistan retaliated by attempting unsuccessfully to target Indian military installations. However, the IAF thwarted its plans. The Indian strike on the JeM camp 12 days after the terror group claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir, killing 40 soldiers. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 6:52 [IST] Countries that have vetoed the most in the UN? Infographics oi-Madhuri Adnal The United Nations Security Council 'veto power' refers to the power of the permanent members of the UN Security Council (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States) to veto any "substantive" resolution. The veto power allows these members to thwart the implementation of any resolution that may be deemed substantial. However, the veto power has brought criticism to the Security Council. As it stands, a veto from any of the permanent members can halt any possible action the Council may take. One country's objection, rather than the opinions of a majority of countries, may cripple any possible UN armed or diplomatic response to a crisis. Here is the list of United Nations Security Council Resolutions that have been vetoed by one of the five permanent members of the security council between 16 February 1946 to the present day. Will UNSC listed Masood Azhar? D-day today How many vetoes have the permanent members of the UN had so far? The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was founded after the conclusion of World War II and its first resolution was issued on January 25, 1946. Ever since then, there have been a total of 220 vetoes by at least one of the five members. Russia tops the list with a total of 112 votes. The USA comes in at second with a total of 81 vetoes. Of the five states, China has been the most agreeable nation with a total of 11 vetoes. Mostly, China has elected to abstain from votes that do not necessarily concern them. China's most recent veto was in 2017. France uses its power sparingly has vetoed 16 times while the UK has done so 29 times. Both France's and the UK's vetoes were in 1989 during the situation that was in Panama, where the US also vetoed. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 19:12 [IST] Going slow on Hafiz Saeed, looking up to Azhar, Pak is only worsening its case at FATF From plotting a hijack to creating the JeM, why Pakistan guards Masood Azhar so much After China blocks Azhars listing, UN diplomats say other action may be pursued International oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa Washington, Mar 14: If China continues to block the designation of Masood Azhar, responsible member states may be forced to pursue other action. It should not have come to that a security diplomat quoted by PTI said. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the diplomat gave a feeling of what the other states felt after China yet again blocked the listing of the Jaish-e-Mohammad chief, Masood Azhar at the UN Security Council. Fire does not stop at Pulwama, it will reach, Delhi, Lucknow says Masood Azhar in audio clip Meanwhile India said that the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee (1267 Sanctions Committee), upon completion of the no-objection period on 13 March 2019, was not able to come to a decision on the proposal for listing Mohammed Masood Azhar Alvi under the UN Sanctions regime, on account of a member placing the proposal on hold. We are disappointed by this outcome. This has prevented action by the international community to designate the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a proscribed and active terrorist organization which has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on 14 February 2019. US says failure to list Masood Azhar as global terrorist against regional stability, peace We are grateful for the efforts of the Member States who moved the designation proposal and the unprecedented number of all other Security Council members as well as non-members who joined as co-sponsors. We will continue to pursue all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens are brought to justice. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 11:07 [IST] Brexit chaos: We have done all we could; now over to London, says EU International oi-Shubham Ghosh London, March 14: With the UK showing no signs of improvement in its Brexit imbroglio, the European Union (EU), it seems, is also leaving London to fend for itself. The office of European Council president Donald Tusk said that the EU had "done all that is possible to reach an agreement". "Given the additional assurances provided by the EU in December, January and yesterday, it is difficult to see what more we can do. If there is a solution to the current impasse, it can only be found in London," Tusk's office said. Donald Tusk's office writes pic.twitter.com/ibXC1w2Rcf Dave Clark (@DaveClark_AFP) March 12, 2019 On Tuesday, March 12, the Conservative government lost a second voting on the Brexit deal which spoke on how the UK would part ways with the EU on March 29. The EU though agreed to slightly change the deal compared to the one that bit the dust in a voting in January, it yet couldn't convince the parliamentarians to accept it. The deal witnessed a loss by a lesser margin compared to the thrashing loss it faced in January but yet it was a loss. Brexit: PM May's deal trashed again; MPs to vote on no-deal Brexit today On Wednesday, March 13, the UK parliament was set for another voting on whether to go for a no-deal Brexit - something that Prime Minister Theresa May opposed. A third voting is also set to occur on Thursday, March 14, on whether to seek a delay in enacting Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty under which a member of the EU can withdraw from the body. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 8:16 [IST] List of 28 agreements/MoUs signed during the 21st India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi Imran Khan meets Khalistani Gopal Singh Chawla ahead of Kartarpur talks International oi-Madhuri Adnal Islamabad, Mar 14: Ahead of India-Pakistan meeting at Wagah border on Kartarpur corridor, Pakistan PM Imran Khan met pro-Khalistan leader and Jaish chief Masood Azhar's aide Gopal Singh Chawla. Chawla is linked to Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and works in the capacity of its general secretary. He was earlier spotted shaking hands with Pakistan Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa at an event organised in Pakistan to lay the foundation stone for Kartarpur corridor. The pro-Khalistani is the General Sectary of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC) and had also met Congress MP Navjot Singh Sidhu during the same event. Chawla is also believed to be close to JuD terrorist Hafiz Saeed and was clicked with the Mumbai attacks mastermind recently. His photo with Saeed is also in public domain. Chawla was also involved in a controversy wherein Indian diplomats were prevented from entering a Gurdwara in Lahore to meet Indian pilgrims who had travelled from New Delhi. His name also figured during investigation into the grenade attack on Nirankari Bhawan near Amritsar. Meanwhile, India and Pakistan will hold their first meeting to finalise the modalities, three months after the two countries agreed on the project. India to raise Khalistan concern during Kartarpur talks with Pakistan In the meeting, to be held at the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border, New Delhi is likely to press for hassle-free travel of Indian pilgrims to the Pakistani side besides asking Islamabad to insulate them from any propaganda by Khalistani separatists, official sources said. Last year, there were reports that pro-Khalistan banners were shown to the pilgrims who were on their way to two Sikh shrines and apart from this Indian diplomats were forced to leave the Sachcha Sauda Gurdwara when they arrived there to meet Indian Sikh pilgrims. It was Chawla who had forced the diplomats to leave the Gurdwara. The Indian delegation comprises of representatives from Union Home Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, BSF, National Highways Authority of India and Punjab government. The meeting comes amid heightened tensions between the two neighbours following India's air strike on a terrorist training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Pakistan's subsequent retaliation. Last November, India and Pakistan agreed to set up the border crossing linking Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur - the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev - to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district. Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four km from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine.Phase-l will be developed over 15 acres of land and the passenger terminal will be a green building which will display murals and photographs based on rich Indian cultural values, sources said, adding the design of the complex will reflect values of oneness and humanity. The building will be differently-abled and will cater to the smooth movement of approximately 5000 pilgrims per day to Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan. Kamala Harris to become first woman with Presidential power: Here's why What we know about first case of Omicron reported in the US Watch: 'If you're on this call...' Indian-origin CEO fires over 900 employees over 3-minute Zoom webinar in US India, US agree to build 6 nuclear power plants in India International oi-PTI Washington, Mar 14: India and the US said they have agreed to build six American nuclear power plants in India, in a boost to bilateral civil nuclear energy cooperation. The two countries said this in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the 9th round of India-US Strategic Security Dialogue, co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale and Andrea Thompson, the US under secretary of state for arms control and international security, on Wednesday. "They committed to strengthen bilateral security and civil nuclear cooperation, including the establishment of six U.S. nuclear power plants in India," the joint statement said. India and the US signed a historic agreement to cooperate in civil nuclear energy sector in October 2008. The deal gave a fillip to bilateral ties, which have been on an upswing since. A major aspect of the deal was the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), that gave a special waiver to India enabling it to sign cooperation agreements with a dozen countries. Thoroughly disappointed says India after China blocks Masood Azhar ban Post-waiver, India signed civil nuclear cooperation agreements with the US, France, Russia, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Sri Lanka, the UK, Japan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan and South Korea. On Wednesday, the United States also reaffirmed its strong support to India's early membership in the 48-member NSG. Notably, China has blocked India's pending membership to the elite grouping that seeks to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on a wide range of global security and non-proliferation challenges and reaffirmed their commitment to work together to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems and to deny access to such weapons by terrorists and non-state actors. On March 12, Indra Mani Pandey, India's additional secretary for disarmament and international security affairs, and Yleem D. S. Poblete, US assistant secretary of state for arms control, verification and compliance, co-chaired the third round of India-US Space Dialogue. The two delegations discussed trends in space threats; respective national space priorities; and opportunities for cooperation bilaterally and in multilateral fora. PTI Pakistan will have better ties with India after polls: Imran Khan International pti-PTI Islamabad, Mar 14: Pakistan will have better relations with its neighbours including India after the upcoming general elections, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday, claiming that Islamabad has taken the first step on a new path to peace and progress. Recently, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in February 14. Khan, who announced visa reforms at a ceremony here, said that Pakistan is confident today that it has taken the first step on a new path to peace and progress. "Pakistan will have better relations with its neighbours including India after the end of their elections. We will have good relations with all our neighbours and a peaceful Pakistan will be a prosperous Pakistan," he said as he announced major visa reforms, including online visa issuance facility, to attract tourists and investors. [Imran Khan warns against escalation, says ready for dialogue] The elections in India will begin on April 11 and polling would be held over seven phases through May 19, followed by counting of votes on May 23. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party tweeted that the new e-visa scheme will available to visitors from 175 countries. "This is the first step to open up the country, the Naya (new) Pakistan," Khan said, adding that it would revive the confidence of 60s when Pakistan was making fast progress. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan would attract religious tourism from all over the world. "Taxila was the centre of Buddhism. We have discovered a 40ft Buddha the world's largest sleeping Buddha which we have yet to share with the world. "Sikhs' holiest places like Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur were also in Pakistan. We also have very old sites for Hinduism in Pakistan, including Katas Raj," Khan said. [Judge recuses himself from hearing disqualification petition against PM Imran] He also announced that the next season of the Pakistan Super League will be organised in Pakistan instead of Dubai. Officials said that initially, the e-visa facility will be available to nationals of Turkey, China, Malaysia, the UK and the UAE and later extended to other 170 countries. Business visas will be given to 90 countries, while 55 countries will be granted visa-on-arrival. PTI UK rejects no-deal Brexit: what is a no-deal Brexit? International oi-Shubham Ghosh London, March 14: After her deal was rejected by the UK parliamentarians twice in three months, UK Prime Minister Theresa May found a breather as the MPs also rejected a no-deal Brexit in a voting in the House of Commons on Wednesday, March 13. This in effect could give the cornered premier a third opportunity to push through her deal. Though it was rejected by the majority, yet it is important to know what is a 'no-deal Brexit'. It could have been an option after May's deal was rejected by most of the parliamentarians of the country that has been struggling over Brexit for some years now. A 'no-deal Brexit' means the UK would exit the European Union (EU) as per schedule on March 29 and there would be no agreement or framework in place about how the future relationship between London and Brussels - the headquarters of EU - would be like. British MPs reject no-deal Brexit in yet another voting; next is polling on delaying Brexit On ground, it was not the best option to avail since it would give rise to whole lot of complications but yet was being considered an option as the political leadership of the UK failed to agree over a better alternative. What could happen under a 'no-deal Brexit' Among things that could have happened under a 'no-deal Brexit', border checks could see a re-introduction; transport and trade between the UK and EU could be badly affected; movement of people in the EU countries could have been hit and above all, there would be no transition period towards a settled future relationship between the two sides as proposed by May in her withdrawal deal. 'No deal Brexit' is one subject over both the major parties of the UK showed an agreement and it was against it although May had in November last year refused to rule out a 'no-deal Brexit' if the parliament decided to vote against her deal. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 11:20 [IST] Five more travellers from 'at risk' countries test COVID-19 positive in Mumbai; nine so far Omicron 1st case in Maharashtra: What we know about it so, far? 12 facts Fake cop held for duping rape victim Mumbai oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa Mumbai, Mar 14: A 42-year-old man was arrested here for allegedly posing as a policeman and duping a rape victim of Rs 6 lakh on the pretext of registering a case, a senior official said. The accused, Uttam Horambare, was arrested a few days ago based on a complaint filed by the woman at Shivaji Nagar police station. The victim told the police that she had got married in 2007, after which she moved to suburban Andheri. "In the complaint, the victim said that her relative raped her multiple times since 2013 by threatening to reveal her pictures, which he had clicked secretly. In 2017, she moved to suburban Govandi. However, the accused continued to blackmail and sexually harass her," the official said. Fed up, the woman approached an NGO activist identified as Nafisa, to seek her help in lodging a case against the accused. Rajasthan: Man sentenced to life imprisonment for attempting to rape minor "Nafisa took the victim to Horambare, who posed as a policeman and demanded money to register a case against her relative. They used to meet outside a police station and many times, a relative of Horambare used to accompany him," police said. The victim told the police that she paid about Rs 6 lakh to Horambare for the purpose of registering a case. However, he kept delaying it by giving some reason or the other, the official said. "The victim finally realised that she was being cheated by Horambare, his relative and Nafisa," he said. She filed a complaint last week and acting on it, the police arrested Horambare a few days ago. Efforts are on to nab the other two, police said, adding that a probe into the case is on. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 10:52 [IST] Negative RT-PCR report must for all domestic passengers arriving at Mumbai airport Five more travellers from 'at risk' countries test COVID-19 positive in Mumbai; nine so far Omicron: In home quarantine? Mumbai control room will call you 5 times a day Three international travellers test positive for COVID-19 in Mumbai, total rises to 13 Omicron 1st case in Maharashtra: What we know about it so, far? 12 facts Maharashtra Board Exam 2019: No Lok Sabha poll duty for SSC, HSC teachers Mumbai oi-Deepika S Mumbai, Mar 14: Over 50,000 teachers of class 10 and class 12 in Maharashtra will no longer be enrolled for Lok Sabha election duties, as per the Election Commission. Assistant Chief Electoral Officer A N Walvi Wednesday issued a circular excluding teachers of class 10 (SSC) and class 12 (HSC), whose number is estimated to be over 50,000, from poll duties. The exams are conducted by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE). BJP-Shiv Sena to hold six mega rallies together; PM Modi, CM Yogi on star campaigners list After holding talks with various departments, the electoral office decided to exclude these teachers from election duties. Teachers of other classes will, however, are not excluded from this task. Election duties for teachers typically include undergoing training for the process, working at booths on days of voting and counting, collecting poll material etc. Under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, teachers are allowed three assignments Census, disasters and elections. However, teachers' groups say that poll duties result in wasting of teaching time, as they are also called for training a few days ahead of the elections . Lok Sabha elections for all 48 seats will be held in four phases in Maharashtra between April 11 and April 29. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Thursday, March 14, 2019, 14:45 [IST] Delhi restaurant staff arrested for cloning cards of customers, duping them New Delhi pti-PTI New Delhi, Mar 13: An employee of a central Delhi restaurant has been arrested for allegedly cloning debit and credit cards of customers and duping them of nearly Rs 4 lakh, police said Wednesday. The accused has been identified as Pankaj Kumar, they said. On February 14, a private bank filed a case that few of their customers who were having credit and debit cards have reported disputed transactions. Moreover, the cards were in possession of the customers at the time of those transactions, Madhur Verma, Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi), said. During investigation, it was revealed that one restaurant in Connaught Place was the common point of purchase for all the cards. Police matched all the dates when the cards were compromised at that restaurant and found that Pankaj, a steward staff, was the person who had attended all the customers whose cards had disputed transactions, the officer said. Facebook and Instagram down for over 8 hours: This is how people reacted on Twitter Thereafter, police laid a trap at the restaurant and apprehended Pankaj and one screamer was recovered from him, he said. During interrogation, he told police that he learnt to clone cards from one Rahul, the officer said. He used to re-swap cards of the customers and noted down their last four digits, PIN and bank name. He handed over the screamer having data of cards and other details to Rahul, police said. They were acting cleverly and didn't use the cloned card for one month so that no one would doubt about their card being compromised at that restaurant, Verma said. Total Rs 3,75,300 were transferred from the accounts, Verma said, adding police are looking to nab Rahul. PTI Bailey McCann, Opalesque New York: Could artificial intelligence (AI) help add diversity to hiring and make industries like tech or finance less homogeneous? New research from Kimberly Houser, Assistant Professor at the Spears Business School at Oklahoma State University, suggests that taking humans out of the hiring process and letting AI make decisions about which candidates to hire could solve the diversity problem. "One of the things that I started looking into were claims of meritocracy," Houser said in an interview with Opalesque. "Study after study shows that diverse groups of people are just as meritorious and perform just as well, and yet we aren't seeing that diversity show up in terms of who gets hired." Houser's paper focuses specifically on the lack of diversity in technology, but the overall lessons are the same for other male-dominated professions - e.g. finance, law, etc. In her research, Houser noted that companies do a lot with bias training with the hope that it will lead to more diverse hires. Often companies focus on unconscious bias, in an effort to help executives understand why they might not pick candidates from diverse backgrounds even if they aren't specifically prejudiced against women or minorities. This training can be helpful, but Houser found that it can also have the unintended impact of helping people feel more comfortable about their biases because they start to perceive bias as natural thing everyone needs to be tra...................... To view our full article Click here Laxman Pai, Opalesque Asia: The growth in crypto assets such as Bitcoin pose a threat to banks and global financial stability, despite relatively low levels of exposure among key players, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) has warned. The consortium of global bank regulators said: "The continued growth of crypto asset trading platforms and new financial products related to crypto assets has the potential to raise financial stability concerns and increase risks faced by banks." While crypto-assets are at times referred to as 'crypto-currencies', the Committee is of the view that such assets do not reliably provide the standard functions of money and are unsafe to rely on as a medium of exchange or store of value, it said. Crypto-assets are not legal tender, and are not backed by any government or public authority, it warned. Crypto-assets have exhibited a high degree of volatility and are considered an immature asset class given the lack of standardisation and constant evolution. "They present a number of risks for banks, including liquidity risk; credit risk; market risk; operational risk (including fraud and cyber risks); money laundering and terrorist financing risk; and legal and reputation risks," the Committee poined out. Currently, banks have very limited direct exposures to crypto-assets, the BCBS noted. Before a bank dips its toe in, the BCBS said, it needs to conduct a comprehensive analysis of all the above risks and ...................... To view our full article Click here Opalesque Industry Update - The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) has reprimanded and fined Merrill Lynch Far East Limited (Merrill Lynch) for failing to discharge its obligations as one of the joint sponsors in relation to the listing application of Tianhe Chemicals Group Limited (Tianhe) in 2014. The SFC's investigations revealed that Merrill Lynch had failed to follow the specific guidelines on due diligence interviews under paragraph 17.6 of the Code of Conduct. Involvement of Tianhe in due diligence interviews Merrill Lynch had interviewed ten customers of Tianhe: six of whom were interviewed either by telephone or at face-to-face interviews at Tianhe's offices in Jinzhou of Mainland China, and the rest of them were interviewed at the customers' own premises. Merrill Lynch did not have direct contact with Tianhe's customers for the purpose of setting up due diligence interviews or confirming the mode and place of the interviews. On the contrary, Tianhe informed Merrill Lynch which customers were unable to attend face-to-face interviews, and which customers refused to conduct interviews at their business premises. There is no evidence that Merrill Lynch had taken any steps to check with the customers as to why they were not amenable to be interviewed at their offices. Failure to address red flags in an interview Merrill Lynch had initially requested to interview the largest customer of Tianhe, Customer X, at its office, but eventually accepted Tianhe's explanation that since an anti-corruption campaign in Mainland China was underway, Customer X, a large state-owned enterprise, would normally turn down any third party request to visit its premises. Merrill Lynch then agreed to interview Customer X at Tianhe's office. At the end of the interview, the representative of Customer X refused to produce his identity and business cards and stormed out of the meeting room. He told Merrill Lynch and other parties that he would not have agreed to be interviewed under Customer X's internal procedure, and he only attended the interview to help the family of Tianhe's chief executive officer (CEO). Nonetheless, Merrill Lynch did not conduct any follow up inquiries to ascertain that the person it interviewed was the representative of Customer X and that he had the appropriate authority and knowledge for the interview. Several months after the interview, a potential cornerstone investor of Tianhe informed Merrill Lynch of its own due diligence conducted on Customer X, noting that when trying to locate the representative interviewed by Merrill Lynch by telephoning Customer X's general line, the operator said there was no such person. The potential cornerstone investor's apparent inability to locate the representative of Customer X should have raised a red flag. Even if this alone was not a sufficient red flag this is all the more so when it was compounded with what happened during Merrill Lynch's interview with the individual. As such, there was no basis for Merrill Lynch to claim to be satisfied with the identity of that individual without any or any sufficient follow-up inquiries after the interview. However, the evidence shows that Merrill Lynch had not undertaken any additional due diligence to ascertain the identity of the representative of Customer X. Unclear interview questions Tianhe conducted business with its customers through its subsidiary, Jinzhou DPF-TH Chemicals Co. Limited (Jinzhou DPF-TH), based upon the sales documents provided to Merrill Lynch. During the customer interviews, Merrill Lynch asked the interviewees questions in relation to the business between their companies and the "Tianhe Group", instead of Jinzhou DPF-TH. Although the interviewees were also asked a question "which entity of the Tianhe Group and which business department do you mainly contact with", only three out of ten customers interviewed confirmed that they had contact with Jinzhou DPF-TH. However, Merrill Lynch did not follow up with the remaining customers as to which entity of the "Tianhe Group" they had business with. One of the purported top ten customers of Tianhe interviewed by Merrill Lynch informed the SFC that when its representative answered questions about the dealings between the customer and the "Tianhe Group" during the interview, its representative was referring to the dealings with Liaoning Tianhe Fine Chemicals, a private company wholly owned by the family of the CEO of Tianhe but no longer a part of Tianhe's group to be listed at the material times. As both the listed and unlisted chemical businesses of the family of the CEO of Tianhe were named "Tianhe", the SFC considers that it was insufficient for Merrill Lynch to merely refer to the "Tianhe Group" during customer interviews and/or not to request the interviewees to identify the exact Tianhe entity with which their organisations had dealings. In deciding on the sanctions, the SFC took into account that: - Merrill Lynch allowed Tianhe to control the due diligence process and failed to take appropriate steps to address the red flags raised in and after the customer interviews; - the breaches and deficiencies identified above related to the due diligence conducted on Tianhe's top customers, including its largest customer, during the track record period; - Merrill Lynch cooperated with the SFC in accepting the disciplinary action and the SFC's findings and regulatory concerns; and - Merrill Lynch agreed to engage an independent reviewer to review its policies, procedures and practices in relation to the conduct of its sponsor business. Global Small Engine Market Industry Analysis, Key-competitors:Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., JEEMAR POWER CO., LTD, Chongqing Fuchai Industry Group, Value-Chain, Opportunities, and Forecast Period 2018-2026 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=2119553 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/global-market-study-on-small-engine-increasing-usage-of-outdoor-power-equipment-to-fuel-demand-report.html Market Research Hub (MRH) has recently broadcasted a new study to its broad research portfolio, which is titled as Global Market Study on Small Engine: Increasing Usage of Outdoor Power Equipment to Fuel Demand provides an in-depth analysis of the Small Engine with the forecast of market size and growth. The analysis includes addressable market, market by volume, and market share by business type and by segment (external and in-house).The research study examines the Small Engine on the basis of a number of criteria, such as the product type, application, and its geographical presence.The whole supply chain of Small Engine 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 Small Engine together with the recent developments have been given here to provide an exhaustive picture of this market.Request for sample report @Persistence Market Research (PMR) analyses the small engine market in its new publication titled Small Engine Market: Global Industry Analysis 20132017 and Forecast 20182026. The small engine market study considers 2017 as the base year with market values estimated for 2018 and a forecast developed for the duration of 2018 to 2026. The main objective of the report is to identify the dynamics of the market and illustrate recent updates and insights that may impact the different segments of the global small engine market. The CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) has been represented for the forecast period 2018 to 2026.This small engine market study includes various viewpoints of the global market including value chain analysis, market dynamics, macro-economic factors, competition analysis, pricing analysis, segmental and regional growth comparison and small engine industry growth analysis, along with segment-level projections in an inclusive representation. According to PMRs research, the global small engine market is anticipated to register a CAGR of 4.0% during the forecast period. Increase in recreation & leisure activities, growing preferences for gardening tools in the DIY (Do It Yourself) segment and growing popularity of ergonomically designed tools for gardening are some of the factor driving the growth of the globalPMRs report on the small engine market analyses the market at a regional and global level through market segmentation on the basis of key parameters, i.e. engine displacement, application, fuel and region. Market consolidation is one of the market characteristic observed during the study. Importantly, small engines are mainly sold through retails stores, dealers, and online channels.Small engines are internal combustion engines used to power garden equipment, utility vehicles (small vehicles) and auxiliary applications. The small engine market report has been designed to enable the reader to obtain detailed knowledge about the global small engine market. The global small engine market report starts with a market introduction, definitions and taxonomy, followed by the market view point, market dynamics and market analysis by key segments, regional analysis and competition landscape. Individual sections covered in the report include a qualitative as well as quantitative assessment based on several facts, historical as well as ongoing trends gaining momentum in the global small engine market. The key highlight of the report is considered to be the in-depth primary survey conducted around the globe. The survey focuses on the qualitative as well as cross-sectional information in the small engine market.The global small engine market report starts with an overview of the market, providing a summarized view of the report, and provides market definitions and taxonomy. In the subsequent section, the report defines the market view point, which includes primary survey, macroeconomic factors, forecast factors, value chain and various other qualitative data regarding the market. The section that follows includes market dynamics, such as drivers, trends, restraints, and opportunities, impacting the global small engine market during the forecast periodThe following sections of the report provide global market value (US$ Mn) and volume (000 Units) projections on the basis of the aforementioned segments. The global market values represented in these sections have been derived by gathering information and data at a country as well as regional level. The next section of the report represents a concise view of the global small engine market based on four prominent regions considered in the study. The section includes regional market position, growth potential and market attractiveness analysis for each of these regions. In addition, it is imperative to note that in an ever-fluctuating global economy, we not only conduct forecast in terms of CAGR but also analyse the small engine market on the basis of key parameters, such as Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) growth, to understand the predictability of the small engine market and identify the right opportunities available for value chain participants.Another crucial feature included in the PMRs comprehensive report is the analysis of all the key segments in the small engine market and the regional adoption, along with the revenue forecast in terms of absolute dollar opportunity. This is traditionally overlooked while forecasting the market; however, the absolute dollar opportunity is critical in assessing the level of opportunity that a provider can look to achieve in the small engine market.In order to offer an accurate forecast, PMR started by sizing the current market, which forms the basis of how the global small engine market is expected to develop in the coming years. Given the characteristics of the global small engine market, we triangulated the outcome of three different types of analysis, based on primary research, secondary research and our own analysis. However, forecasting the market in terms of various small engine segments and regions is more a matter of quantifying expectations and identifying opportunities rather than rationalising them after the completion of the forecast exercise.Global Small Engine Market: Competition LandscapeIn the final section of the report, PMR has provided the global small engine market structure and a detailed competition landscape with company market share and performance to provide a dashboard view of key players operating in the global small engine market along with their business strategies to report audiences. In addition to this, the section is primarily designed to provide clients with an objective and detailed comparative assessment of the key providers specific to a market segment in the value chain of the small engine market.This section includes market share analysis and tier structure analysis of the key manufacturers in the global small engine market. Detailed profiles of the providers have also been included under the scope of the report to evaluate their long- and short-term strategies, key offerings and recent developments in the small engine market. Examples of some of the key competitors covered under the small engine report include Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., JEEMAR POWER CO., LTD, Chongqing Fuchai Industry Group, Changchai Co., Ltd., Kohler Co., Motorenfabrik Hatz GmbH & Co. KG, Kubota Engine America Corporation, Loncin Motor Co., Ltd., and Generac Power Systems, Inc.Browse Full Report with TOC@Table of Contents1. Executive Summary1.1. Overview1.2. Market Analysis1.3. TMRR Analysis and Recommendations1.4. Wheel of Fortune2. Market Introduction2.1. Market Taxonomy2.2. Market Definition3. Market Viewpoint3.1. Macro-Economic Factors3.1.1. Global Population Overview3.1.2. Global Construction Industry Snapshot3.1.3. Global Real GDP Growth3.1.4. Global Industry-Value Added Growth3.1.5. Global Construction Industry and Urbanization Growth Outlook3.1.6. New Residential Sales in the U.S.3.1.7. Emission Related Data for the US.3.1.8. Installed Base of Lawn and Garden Equipment in the U.S.3.1.9. Per Capita Annual Spending on Gardening and Outdoor Living3.2. Market Dynamics3.2.1. Drivers3.2.2. Restraints3.2.3. Trends3.2.4. Opportunities3.3. Value Chain3.4. Forecast Factors Relevance and Impact3.5. Market Share Growth Recommendations4. Global Small Engine Market Analysis 20132017 and Forecast 201820264.1. Introduction4.1.1. Market Volume (000 Units) Projections4.1.2. Absolute $ Opportunity4.2. Global Average Pricing Analysis (US$ Per Unit)4.3. Market Size (US$ Mn) Analysis and Forecast4.3.1. Historical Market Size Analysis, 201320164.3.2. Current Market Size Forecast, 20182026Continued@@About Market Research HubMarket Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports of different sector like Machines 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 Global Alcohol Sensor Market Analysis 2026 With Focusing On Top Companies like Dragerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Abbott, Alcohol Countermeasure Systems Corp., AlcoPro., Giner Inc., Honeywell International Inc Global Alcohol Sensor Market Industry Trends and Forecast to 2026 https://databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-alcohol-sensor-market https://databridgemarketresearch.com/inquire-before-buying/?dbmr=global-alcohol-sensor-market Global Alcohol Sensor survey provides key information about the industry, including very helpful and important facts and figures, expert opinions, and the latest developments across the globe. The report on the Global market is an important document for every market enthusiast, policymaker, investor, and player. The report provides with CAGR value fluctuation during the forecast period of 2018-2025 for the market. The Alcohol Sensor Market Reports provides data on patterns and improvements, and target business sectors and materials, limits and advancements. In this report, a thorough SWOT analysis & investment analysis is provided which forecasts imminent opportunities for the Alcohol Sensor market players.Global Alcohol Sensor Market, By Application (vehicle controlling and healthcare application), End-users (Law enforcement agencies, Commercial and Individuals), Technology (Fuel cell technology, Semiconductor oxide sensor technology and Others) Geography (North America, South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa) Industry Trends and Forecast to 2026For In-Depth Review | Get Sample Copy@Global alcohol sensor market is expected to reach USD 4.33 billion by 2026 from USD 1.55 billion in 2018 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.7% in the forecast period of 2019 to 2026. The upcoming market report contains data for historic years 2017, the base year of calculation is 2018 and the forecast period is 2019 to 2026.Competitive Analysis: Global Alcohol Sensor MarketGlobal alcohol sensor market is 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 in order to sustain in long run. The report includes market shares of alcohol sensor market for global, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and South America.Key Players: Global Alcohol Sensor MarketThe renowned players in alcohol sensor market are Dragerwerk AG & Co.KGaA, Abbott, Alcohol Countermeasure Systems Corp., AlcoPro., Giner Inc., Honeywell International Inc., Asahi Kasei Corporation, Intoximeters, Lifeloc Technologies Inc., Quest Products, Inc., Akers Biosciences, Inc., MPD, Inc., AK GlobalTech Corp. and C4 Development Ltd.Market Drivers: Increasing demand for accurate alcohols and narcotics detection systems. Growing demand for diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), cancer and tuberculosis. Research and development took place to improve the measurement of breath carbon monoxide (CO) in smoking activitiesMarket Restraints: Complex structure in heat sensor. High cost of breath analyzers equipment sensors.Segmentation: Global Alcohol Sensor Market By applicationo Vehicle controllingo Healthcare application. By end-users,o Law enforcement agencieso Commercialo Individuals By technologyo Fuel cell technology,o Semiconductor oxide sensor technologyo OthersInquire about this report from our experts atKey Developments in the Market: In 2018, CABLExpress launched a new and enhanced website that used to provide innovative data center infrastructure products and structured cabling solutions which used to increase the space optimization, flexibility, efficiency and bandwidth. In 2015, The American government used the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS), which is beneficial in providing better result in national highway traffic safety.To Avail 10% Discount On This Report Mail Us on :-sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.comKey Insights in the report: Complete and distinct analysis of the market drivers and restraints Key Market players involved in this industry Detailed analysis of the Market Segmentation Competitive analysis of the key players involvedNote: If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.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 Medical Food Market Based on Product Type, Application, Form, Market Players and Future Growth 2026 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/enquiry.php?type=S&repid=2119555 https://www.marketresearchhub.com/report/global-market-study-on-medical-foods-increasing-spending-on-medical-food-products-in-metabolic-disorders-to-boost-growth-report.html This research report titled Global Market Study on Medical Foods: Increasing Spending on Medical Food Products in Metabolic Disorders to Boost Growth has been added to the wide online database managed by Market Research Hub (MRH). The study discusses the prime market growth factors along with future projections expected to impact the Medical Foods during the period between 2018 and 2026. The concerned sector is analyzed based on different market factors including drivers, restraints and opportunities in order to enlighten the readers about the actual scenario prevailing in the Medical FoodsRequest for sample report @A recent market study published by the company 'Medical Foods Market: Global Industry Analysis 2013-2017 and Forecast 2018-2026', consists of an inclusive assessment of the most important market dynamics on medical foods. We have directed a complete research on the current market structure and scenario for medical foods, which marks a direct market overview. Growth scenarios and market potential are obtained with maximum precision, and adjudged with suitable assumptions. The report features unique and relevant factors that may have a huge impact on the development of the concerned market during the forecast period. This report includes a detailed and considerable amount of inclusion, which would help new manufacturers with the most comprehensive way for better understandingChapter 1 Executive Summarythe report commences with the executive summary of the medical foods market report, which includes the summary of key findings and key statistics of the market. It also includes the market value (US$ million) for leading segments of the medical foods market.Chapter 2 Market IntroductionReaders can find a detailed market structure and definition of medical foods and product types in this chapter, which helps them better understand the basic information about the concerned market. The definition section considers the factors included and excluded for the purpose of this report.Chapter 3 Market OverviewReaders can find the global medical foods market outlook considering various factors associated with the growth, which would help them track the markets current scenario, with key inferences drawn from historical data, current trends, and future prospects. Macro-economic factors influencing the market are also discussed in this segment. A brief understanding of the global healthcare and food and beverage sector outlook is also provided in this section.Chapter 4 Market DynamicsReaders can find various macro-economic factors associated with the growth of the market. This chapter highlights key market dynamics, including the drivers, restraints, and trends. In this chapter, readers can understand the factors that are propelling the growth of the market, along with factors that may deter the growth of the market. Also, readers will understand the key trends followed by the leading manufacturers in the medical foods market.Chapter 5 Medical Foods Market: Key InclusionsKey pointers such as reimbursement scenario, labelling, patents issued, and parent market analysis are also included in the medical foods market report.Chapter 6 North America Medical Foods Market Analysis 20132017 and Forecast 20182026This chapter includes detailed analysis of the growth of the North America medical foods market, along with a country-wise assessment of the U.S. and Canada. Readers can also find historical trends and market attractiveness based on product type, form, application, distribution channel, and country in the North American region.Chapter 7 Latin America Medical Foods Market Analysis 20132017 and Forecast 20182026This chapter includes detailed analysis of the growth of the Latin America medical foods market, along with a country-wise assessment, including Brazil and Mexico. Market attractiveness based on various segments is provided for the Latin American region.Chapter 8 Europe Medical Foods Market Analysis 20132017 and Forecast 20182026Important growth prospects of the medical foods market can be found with market attractiveness based on product type, form, application, and distribution channel in several European countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, U.K. and the Rest of Europe are included in this chapter.Chapter 9 Asia Pacific Medical Foods Market Analysis 20132017 and Forecast 20182026India, ASEAN, China, and Japan are the leading countries in the Asia Pacific region that are assessed to obtain the growth prospects of the Asia Pacific medical foods market in this chapter. Readers can find thorough information about the growth parameters. Market attractiveness based on product type, form, application, and distribution channel for medical foods in the Asia Pacific region is also provided in this section.Chapter 10 MEA Medical Foods Market Analysis 20132017 and Forecast 20182026This chapter provides information on how the medical foods market will grow in major countries of the MEA region, such as GCC Countries and South Africa, during the period of 2018-2026.Chapter 11 Forecast Factors: Relevance and ImpactThis chapter provides forecast factors for relevance in building the market value for the medical foods marketChapter 12 Forecast AssumptionsThis chapter provides global assumptions taken in order to analyze the medical foods market.Chapter 13 Competitive AssessmentThis chapter includes company share analysis for various key players in the medical foods market. Readers can find a comprehensive list of all the leading stakeholders in the medical foods market, along with detailed information about each company, including company overview, revenue share, strategic overview, and recent company developments. Market players featured in the report include Nestl S.A., Abbott Laboratories, Alfasigma spA, Cerecin Inc., Danone S.A., Targeted Medical Pharma Inc., Primus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Fresenius Kabi AG, Metagenetics, Inc., and Reckitt Benckiser Group plc.Chapter 14 Global Medical Foods Market Analysis 20132017 and Forecast 20182026 by RegionThis section highlights medical foods in the overall global market by value (US$ Mn) forecast and analysis, by region.Chapter 15 Global Medical Foods Market Analysis 20132017 and Forecast 20182026 by Product TypeBased on product type market analysis, the medical foods market is segmented into nutritionally complete formulas, nutritionally incomplete formulas, and oral rehydration products.Chapter 16 Global Medical Foods Market Analysis 20132017 and Forecast 20182026 by FormBased on form, the medical foods market is segmented into powders, liquid, capsules, tablets, and bars.Chapter 17 Global Medical Foods Market Analysis 20132017 and Forecast 20182026 by ApplicationBased on application, the medical foods market is segregated into ADHD, depression, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimers disease, metabolic disorders, and others.Chapter 18 Global Medical Foods Market Analysis 20132017 and Forecast 20182026 by Distribution ChannelBased on distribution channel, the medical foods market is segregated into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, online pharmacies, drug stores, and supermarkets.Chapter 19 Global Medical Foods Market Analysis 20132017 and Forecast 20182026This section highlights the overall global market Value (US$ Mn) forecast and Analysis of medical foods with detailed incremental opportunity and absolute opportunity.Chapter 20 Assumptions and Acronyms UsedThis section consists of a glossary of the assumptions and acronyms used in the medical foods market report.Chapter 21 Research MethodologyThis chapter helps readers understand the research methodology followed to obtain various conclusions, important qualitative information, and quantitative information about the medical foods market.Browse Full Report with TOC@1. Executive Summary1.1. Market Overview1.2. Market Analysis1.3. TMR Research Analysis and Recommendations1.4. Wheel of Fortune2. Market Introduction2.1. Market Definition2.2. Market Taxonomy3. Medical Foods Market Overview3.1. Market Overview3.2. Macro-Economic Factors3.3. Global Healthcare Market Outlook3.4. Food and Beverage Sector Outlook4. Market Dynamics4.1. Market Dynamics4.1.1. Drivers4.1.2. Restraints4.1.3. Trends5. Medical Foods Market: Key Inclusion5.1. Key Regulations and Reimbursements5.2. Medical Foods Patent Issued5.3. Medical Foods Publication5.4. Parent Market ComparisonContinued@@About Market Research HubMarket Research Hub (MRH) is a next-generation reseller of research reports of different sector like Healthcare 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 Global Maritime Security Market Details with Top Players like FLIR Systems, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Thales Group, AAI, BAE Systems https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3781220-global-maritime-security-market-report-2019-history-present-and-future https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/3781220-global-maritime-security-market-report-2019-history-present-and-future The global market size of Maritime Security is $XX million in 2018 with XX CAGR from 2014 to 2018, and it is expected to reach $XX million by the end of 2024 with a CAGR of XX% from 2019 to 2024.Request Free Sample Report atGlobal Maritime Security Market Report 2019 - Market Size, Share, Price, Trend and Forecast is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global Maritime Security industry. The key insights of the report:1.The report provides key statistics on the market status of the Maritime Security manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry.2.The report provides a basic overview of the industry including its definition, applications and manufacturing technology.3.The report presents the company profile, product specifications, capacity, production value, and 2013-2018 market shares for key vendors.4.The total market is further divided by company, by country, and by application/type for the competitive landscape analysis.5.The report estimates 2019-2024 market development trends of Maritime Security industry.6.Analysis of upstream raw materials, downstream demand, and current market dynamics is also carried out7.The report makes some important proposals for a new project of Maritime Security Industry before evaluating its feasibility.There are 4 key segments covered in this report: competitor segment, product type segment, end use/application segment and geography segment.For competitor segment, the report includes global key players of Maritime Security as well as some small players. At least 8 companies are included:* FLIR Systems* Lockheed Martin* Northrop Grumman* Thales Group* AAI* BAE SystemsFor 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 Maritime Security market* ISR systems* Communication systems* BiometricsFor end use/application segment, this report focuses on the status and outlook for key applications. End users sre also listed.* Security* Disaster management* Communications applications* Search and rescue* OthersFor geography segment, regional supply, application-wise and type-wise demand, major players, price is presented from 2013 to 2023. This report covers following regions:* North America* South America* Asia & Pacific* Europe* MEA (Middle East and Africa)The key countries in each region are taken into consideration as well, such as United States, China, Japan, India, Korea, ASEAN, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, CIS, and Brazil etc.Reasons to Purchase this Report:* Analyzing the outlook of the market 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 non-economic 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.We also can offer customized report to fulfill special requirements of our clients. Regional and Countries report can be provided as well.View Detailed Report atTable of ContentsChapter 1 Executive SummaryChapter 2 Abbreviation and AcronymsChapter 3 Preface3.1 Research Scope3.2 Research Methodology3.2.1 Primary Sources3.2.2 Secondary Sources3.2.3 AssumptionsChapter 4 Market Landscape4.1 Market Overview4.2 Classification/Types4.3 Application/End UsersChapter 5 Market Trend Analysis5.1 Introduction5.2 Drivers5.3 Restraints5.4 Opportunities5.5 ThreatsChapter 6 Industry Chain Analysis6.1 Upstream/Suppliers Analysis6.2 Maritime Security Analysis6.2.1 Technology Analysis6.2.2 Cost Analysis6.2.3 Market Channel Analysis6.3 Downstream Buyers/End UsersChapter 7 Latest Market Dynamics7.1 Latest News7.2 Merger and Acquisition7.3 Planned/Future Project7.4 Policy Dynamics..Chapter 12 Historical and Current Maritime Security in Europe (2013-2018)12.1 Maritime Security Supply12.2 Maritime Security Demand by End Use12.3 Competition by Players/Suppliers12.4 Type Segmentation and Price12.5 Key Countries Analysis12.5.1 Germany12.5.2 France12.5.3 UK12.5.4 Italy12.5.5 Spain12.5.6 Belgium12.5.7 Netherlands12.5.8 Austria12.5.9 Poland12.5.10 RussiaChapter 13 Historical and Current Maritime Security in MEA (2013-2018)13.1 Maritime Security Supply13.2 Maritime Security Demand by End Use13.3 Competition by Players/Suppliers13.4 Type Segmentation and Price13.5 Key Countries Analysis13.5.1 Egypt13.5.2 Iran13.5.3 Israel13.5.4 South Africa13.5.5 GCC13.5.6 TurkeyChapter 14 Summary for Global Maritime Security (2013-2018)14.1 Maritime Security Supply14.2 Maritime Security Demand by End Use14.3 Competition by Players/Suppliers14.4 Type Segmentation and PriceChapter 15 Global Maritime Security Forecast (2019-2023)15.1 Maritime Security Supply Forecast15.2 Maritime Security Demand Forecast15.3 Competition by Players/Suppliers15.4 Type Segmentation and Price ForecastChapter 16 Analysis of Global Key Vendors16.1 FLIR Systems16.1.1 Company Profile16.1.2 Main Business and Maritime Security Information16.1.3 SWOT Analysis of FLIR Systems16.1.4 FLIR Systems Maritime Security Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019)16.2 Lockheed Martin16.2.1 Company Profile16.2.2 Main Business and Maritime Security Information16.2.3 SWOT Analysis of Lockheed Martin16.2.4 Lockheed Martin Maritime Security Sales, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2014-2019)16.3 Northrop Grumman.About Us:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe.Contact Us:NORAH TRENTsales@wiseguyreports.comPh: +1-646-845-9349 (US)Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK) Organic Cereals Market 2019 Global Analysis By Key Players Kellogg Co., Cereal Partners Worldwide, General Mills, Organic India Pvt. Ltd., Hain Celestial Group Inc Organic Cereals Industry https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/3695841-organic-cereals-market-by-source-wheat-rice-oat https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/3695841-organic-cereals-market-by-source-wheat-rice-oat https://www.wiseguyreports.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=3695841 WiseGuyReports.Com Publish a New Market Research Report On Organic Cereals Market 2019 Global Analysis By Key Players Kellogg Co., Cereal Partners Worldwide, General Mills, Organic India Pvt. Ltd., Hain Celestial Group Inc.Organic Cereals Industry 2019Description:-The global Organic Cereals Market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 9.2% during 2019-2026. In 2018, the breakfast cereal segment accounted for the highest Organic Cereals market share in terms of revenue. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the leading contributor to the global Organic Cereals market revenue in 2018.The obese and geriatric population is increasing worldwide, promoting the growth of the Organic Cereals market. The sedentary lifestyle is encouraging consumers to adopt organic cereals to stay healthy, and gain necessary nutrients. Increasing disposable incomes in developing countries, rising awareness about health benefits of organic cereals, and growing presence of fitness centres further foster the Organic Cereals market growth. Leading global players are expanding their presence in developing nations of China, japan, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia to tap the growth opportunities offered by these countries.Get a Free Sample Report @For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comHealth problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and others have increased significantly in the developed economies in past few years. Increasing incidences of health disorders have resulted in increased awareness regarding healthy eating habits. Health and fitness consciousness has also increased among consumers in countries such as China and India due to improving lifestyle and changing food habits. Consumers are more aware regarding their nutritional intake, and benefits of organic products, thereby accelerating the Organic Cereals market growth. Leading players in the market are also taking initiatives to increase awareness among consumers through health subscription and other marketing campaigns.Asia-Pacific generated the highest Organic Cereals market share in terms of revenue in 2018, and is expected to lead the global Organic Cereals market throughout the forecast period. The growing population, rising disposable incomes, and increasing health awareness has increased the adoption of Organic Cereals market growth in the region. The increasing awareness regarding wholesome living coupled with sedentary lifestyle of consumers drives the Organic Cereals market growth. The growing middle-aged and elderly population accounts for more than half of organic food in China.The well-known companies profiled in the Organic Cereals market report include Kellogg Co., Cereal Partners Worldwide, General Mills, Organic India Pvt. Ltd., Hain Celestial Group Inc., The Kroger Co, PepsiCo Inc., Post Holdings Inc., Medifast, Inc., and EcoFarms (India) Ltd. These companies launch new products and collaborate with other market leaders to innovate and launch new products to meet the increasing needs and requirements of consumers.Enquiry About Report @Table Of Contents Major Key Points1. Overview and Scope1.1. Research goal & scope1.2. Research assumptions1.3. Research Methodology1.3.1. Primary data sources1.3.2. Secondary data sources1.4. Key take-away1.5. Stakeholders2. Executive Summary2.1. Market Definition2.2. Market Segmentation3. Organic Cereals Market Insights3.1. Organic Cereals Industry snapshot3.2. Organic Cereals - Ecosystem analysis3.3. Organic Cereals Market Dynamics3.3.1. Organic Cereals Market Forces3.3.1.1. Organic Cereals Market Driver Analysis3.3.1.2. Organic Cereals Market Restraint/Challenges analysis3.3.1.3. Organic Cereals Market Opportunity Analysis3.4. Industry analysis - Porter's five force3.4.1. Bargaining power of supplier3.4.2. Bargaining power of buyer3.4.3. Threat of substitute3.4.4. Threat of new entrant3.4.5. Degree of competition3.5. Organic Cereals Market PEST Analysis, 20173.6. Organic Cereals Market Value Chain Analysis3.7. Organic Cereals Industry Trends3.8. Competitive Ranking Analysis4. Organic Cereals Market Size and Forecast, 2018-2026 by Source4.1. Key Findings4.2. Wheat4.3. Rice4.4. Oat4.5. Corn4.6. Barley4.7. Others5. Organic Cereals Market Size and Forecast, 2018-2026 by Type5.1. Key Findings5.2. Breakfast Cereals5.3. Cereal and Energy Bars5.4. Cereal Biscuits and Cookies5.5. OthersContinuedBuy 1-user PDF @ABOUT US:Wise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports features an exhaustive list of market research reports from hundreds of publishers worldwide. We boast a database spanning virtually every market category and an even more comprehensive collection of market research reports under these categories and sub-categories.Office No.528,Amanora Chambers,Magarpatta Road,Hadapsar,Pune-411028. Dental Imaging Equipment Market SWOT Analysis and Major Players Planmeca Oy, Dentsply Sirona, Midmark Corporation, LED Medical Diagnostics, Carestream Health Dental Imaging Equipment https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-pdf/531 https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/531 The global dental imaging equipment market was valued at US$ 1,721 million in 2017 and is expected to witness a robust CAGR of 6.9% over the forecast period (20182026).Factors such as increasing number of oral diseases as well as rising number of dental procedures performed across the world are expected to significantly contribute to growth of the dental imaging equipment market. According to the World Health Organization 2017, orofacial clefts occur in around 1 per 500-700 births, globally. Moreover, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dental visits accounted for around 64% of the adult population and 84.7% of total number of children in the U.S., in 2015. Moreover, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research 2016, around 8.52% of adults aged 20-64 years suffered from periodontal disease. Moreover, growing cosmetic industry leading to number of new dentists setting up their clinics is also expected to favor the growth of global dental imaging equipment market as dental images comprise a significant part in determining the faults and defects in the placement of the dental cavity.Access PDF Template Copy of this Report at:According to the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry 2012, almost one fourth of the entire population of the U.K. has undergone a cosmetic dental procedure. Moreover, the increasing number of dental implantation procedures is further expected to augment the market growth. According to a report published by American College of Prosthodontists, around 178 million people replaced a missing tooth with a dental implant, in the U.S. in 2015. However, high costs of advanced technology-based devices make dental imaging equipment unaffordable to for use, especially in low- and mid-size clinics, which in turn is expected to hinder growth of the global dental imaging equipment market.Among regions, North America holds a dominant in the global dental imaging equipment market. This is attributed to rapid development and launch of novel dental imaging tools and equipment by key players in the region. For instance, in March 2015, LED Medical Diagnostics introduced the new RioSensor intra-oral radiography system in the U.S. and Canada, which has a resolution of fewer than 20 line pairs per millimeter providing precise image quality. Moreover, the rising incidence of periodontal diseases is also expected to foster growth of the North American market. For instance, according to Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of every two people aged 30 years and above suffered from periodontal disease in 2012, in the U.S. On the other hand, Asia Pacific is expected to exhibit high growth over the forecast period, owing to increasing medical tourism in the Asian countries such as India and ASEAN regions for dental bone grafting and implantation procedures, which increases the demand for oral cavity scans before the treatment. According to the Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the cost of dental procedures in India are 10 times lesser that the cost of same procedures in the U.S. and Europe.Market players are engaging in innovative product launches to sustain their position in the global dental imaging equipment marketKey players in the market are focused on expansion of their presence through launch of new imaging tools and instruments worldwide. For instance, in February 2018, Planmed introduced Planmed Verity cone beam computed tomography scanner for head and oral imaging. Moreover, in February 2011, PreXion introduced PreXion 3D Elite cone beam CT imager that reduces radiation exposure by up to 53% in 8.6 sec scan. Key players operating in the global dental imaging equipment market include Planmeca Oy, Dentsply Sirona, Midmark Corporation, LED Medical Diagnostics, Inc., Carestream Health, Inc., Danaher Corporation, The Yoshida Dental Mfg. Co., Ltd., Vatech Co. Ltd., Flow Dental Corporation, and Acteon Group.Get Customized Report in your Inbox within 24 hours @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 Automotive ADAS Market Is Projected To Reach Nearly 48000 Million by Globally with Impressive CAGR By 2022 | leading Key player's (Bosch, Denso, Valeo, Autoliv, Continental Ag) Automotive ADAS Market https://www.businessindustryreports.com/sample-request/62832 https://www.businessindustryreports.com/buy-now/62832/single https://www.businessindustryreports.com/check-discount/62832 BusinessIndustryReports have new report on Global Automotive ADAS Market 2019-2022. The report provides the newest industry data and industry future trends. The industry report lists the leading competitors and provides the insights strategic industry Analysis of the key factors influencing the market.This Report covers the Major Players data, including: shipment, revenue, gross profit, interview record, business distribution etc., these data help the consumer know about the competitors better. This report also covers all the regions and countries of the world, which shows a regional development status, including market size.Get Sample Copy of this Report @Automotive ADAS market size to maintain the average annual growth rate of 20.51% from 8000 million $ in 2014 to 14000 million $ in 2017, market analysts believe that in the next few years, Automotive ADAS market size will be further expanded, we expect that by 2022, The market size of the Automotive ADAS will reach 48000 million $.The ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) technologies such as night vision, drowsiness monitoring system and road sign recognition systems among others are anticipated to grow considerably over the forecast period. Tire pressure monitoring system also expected to have significant penetration in the overall market owing to their low prices and easy aftermarket availability.By type segment, HEV is estimated to hold the largest share of the ADAS market, by electric vehicle. Stringent emission norms, environment safety, vehicle electrification, and government regulations are expected to boost the market for ADAS in HEV segment. Governments around the globe are promoting the sale of electric vehicles by offering incentives to customers and subsidies to electric vehicle OEMs. Government incentives are expected to drive the ADAS market for electric vehicles.Key Players:1 Continental Ag2 Delphi Automotive PLC3 Robert Bosch Gmbh4 Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd.5 Autoliv Inc6 Denso Corporation7 Valeo and more..............Purchase this report online with 125 Pages, List of Tables & Figures and in-depth Table of Contents on Global Automotive ADAS Market Outlook 2019-2022 @The report covers the Segments and sub-segments of the Global Automotive ADAS Market by:Regions:1 North America Country (United States, Canada)2 South America3 Asia Country (China, Japan, India, Korea)4 Europe Country (Germany, UK, France, Italy)5 Other Country (Middle East, Africa, GCC)Product Types:1 Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)2 Lane Departure Warning (LDW) System3 Park Assist4 Blind Spot DetectionIndustry Segmentation:1 Passenger Car2 Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV)3 Heavy Commercial Vehicle (HCV)Grab Your Report at an Impressive Discount @Key questions answered in the report include:1 What are the key factors driving the Automotive ADAS market?2 What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the global Automotive ADAS market?3 What are the challenges to Automotive ADAS market growth?4 Who are the key vendors in the global Automotive ADAS market?5 What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the global Automotive ADAS market?6 What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the global Automotive ADAS market?Table of Content:1 Automotive ADAS Product Definition2 Global Automotive ADAS Manufacturer Share and Market Overview3 Manufacturer Automotive ADAS Business Introduction4 Global Automotive ADAS Market Segmentation (Region Level)5 Global Automotive ADAS Market Segmentation (Product Type Level)6 Global Automotive ADAS Market Segmentation (Industry Level)7 Global Automotive ADAS Market Segmentation (Channel Level)8 Automotive ADAS Market Forecast 2019-20229 Automotive ADAS Segmentation Product Type10 Automotive ADAS Segmentation Industry11 Automotive ADAS Cost of Production Analysis12 ConclusionAbout us:BusinessindustryReports.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 Cloud Robotics Market Size, Share, Future Trends And Forecast By Industry Top Players (2018-2026): Google, CloudMinds, IBM, Amazon Robotics, Microsoft Cloud Robotics https://www.reportsanddata.com/sample-enquiry-form/1082 https://www.reportsanddata.com/checkout-form/1082 https://www.reportsanddata.com/make-enquiry-form/1082 https://www.reportsanddata.com/report-detail/cloud-robotics-market www.reportsanddata.com Cloud Robotics Market Size USD 2.21 billion in 2018, Market Growth - CAGR of 13.4%, Market Trends Penetration of IoT technologies.The Cloud Robotic market is expected to grow from USD 2.21 billion in 2018 to USD 9.41 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 13.4% during the forecast period. The driving factor for growth being the enhanced growth in use of smart phones and wireless technologies and the growing penetration of IOT.Cloud robotics is a part of robotics that uses cloud technologies like cloud storage, cloud computing, etc. It is used for the processing and sharing of information from other machines or humans. With the advancement of technology and involvement of IoT, cloud robotics has become an important part of the day to day life. It has made the human life easier by its easy use to implement tasks through the involvement of the network. The features of cloud computing allows the robot system to implement work faster by reducing the cost and help in building low cost, light weight and smarter robots. Many industries are using the cloud robotics in order to grow the business for a smarter and more advanced world.Players will require increased investments to tackle these challenges and facilitate growth in the coming years. This report comprises drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges pertaining to the Cloud robotics market; and extensive value chain analysis, patent analysis, analysis of the current manufacturing capability and technology status, commercialization potential in different devices, along with market size forecasts till 2026.In market segmentation by manufacturers, the Cloud Robotics report covers the followingGoogle (US), CloudMinds (US), IBM (US), Hit Robot Group (US), C2RO (Canada), Amazon Robotics (US), V3 Smart Technologies (Singapore), Microsoft (US), Huawei (China), Ortelio (UK),and Tend (US)Premium sample copy of Cloud Robotics market report available on demand@Cloud Robotics Market split by Deployment model, can be divided into: Private cloud Public Cloud Hybrid cloudCloud Robotics Market split by Application, can be divided into: Industrial Military Consumer CommercialCloud Robotics Market split by Application, can be divided into: Banking & Financial services IT & Telecom Healthcare & life science Government Education DefensesOrder Now (Customized report delivered as per your requirement)@Further key findings from the report suggest: The Cloud Robotic market is expected to grow from USD 2.21 billion in 2018 to USD 9.41 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 13.4% during the forecast period. The driving factor for growth being the enhanced growth in use of smart phones and wireless technologies and the growing penetration of IOT. Based on deployment type, the market is segmented as on private cloud, public cloud and hybrid cloud. The cloud deployment uses less expensive algorithms to perform along with the features of being flexible, easy and quite affordable, which makes it the faster growing deployment type accepted by various industries than the on premise. The installation and maintenance cost is also affordable than the on premise Based on Application type, the market is segmented as industrial, military, consumer and commercial. The industrial and military sectors uses both aerial and land based robots. The robots are used to perform many repetitive and dangerous tasks. The adoption and usage of cloud robotics will increase rapidly in the future due the involvement of IoT and AI. The Industry types are Financial and Banking, IT, Healthcare, Retail, Education, Government, Telecom & logistics, Hospitality & life science. The cloud robotics is becoming popular along with the involvement of IoT and AI. It helps to make the functions of a simple robot more efficient by the use of cloud computing as an extra source for memory and processing. The cloud robotics in the field of healthcare and life sciences is expected to bring the highest growth of 4%. It is use for several purposes such as keeping the electronic medical records, monitoring health conditions of a patient, analytics services, clinical solutions, e.t,c. The robot can connect to the cloud to provide clinical assistance for patients. Moreover, it can also provide collaboration service by sharing the information between doctors and patients. Some of the Key players in the Cloud robotics market are Google (US), CloudMinds (US), IBM (US), Hit Robot Group (US), C2RO (Canada), Amazon Robotics (US), V3 Smart Technologies (Singapore), Microsoft (US), Huawei (China), Ortelio (UK),and Tend (US).Make an Enquiry@Geographically, this report studies the key regions, focuses on product sales, value, market share and growth opportunity in these regions, covering: United States Europe China Japan Southeast Asia IndiaWe can also provide the customized separate regional or country-level reports, for the following regions:North America, United States, Canada, Mexico, Asia-Pacific, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Rest of Asia-Pacific, Europe, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Russia, Rest of Europe, Central & South America, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, Middle East & Africa, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Rest of Middle East & AfricaIn this study, the years considered to estimate the market size of Cloud Robotics are as follows:History Year:2017Base Year: 2018Forecast Year 2019 to 2026The Cloud Robotics further aims at providing insight into: The major industry terms and forecasts the Cloud Robotics, in terms of growth rate, value as well as segmentation on the basis of technology advancements, application share, and geography. The market size across major regions including North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, as well as Rest of the World. The micro markets with regards to company growth, prospects, as well as a contribution to the Cloud Robotics industry. Data regarding the major drivers, restraining factors, challenges and opportunities affecting the growth rate of the industry. Information about growing investment pockets and competitive landscape for prominent players in the industry. The value chain pertaining to the Cloud Robotics market.The report provides answers to the questions below: `What will be the status of competitive development including expansion, product and service launches and other developments? How much funds are major companies rolling out for their research and development activities in the Cloud Robotics space? Based on the end user, which category of the Cloud Robotics is projected to grow rapidly at the highest CAGR from 2019 to 2026? Among product and service types, which segment will lead the Cloud Robotics industry during the forecast period? Which region is expected to make more sales from 2019 to 2026?Key Points From TOC:Chapter 1. Market SynopsisChapter 2. Executive SummaryChapter 3. Indicative MetricsChapter 4. Cloud Robotics Market Segmentation & Impact AnalysisChapter 5. Cloud Robotics Market By Type of Service Insights & TrendsChapter 6. Cloud Robotics Market By Industry Verticals Insights & TrendsChapter 7. Cloud Robotics Market By Size of Organization Insights & TrendsChapter 8. Cloud Robotics Market Regional OutlookChapter 9. Competitive LandscapeChapter 10. Company ProfilesBrowse complete Cloud Robotics report description And Full TOC@About Reports and DataReports and Data. is a market research and consulting company that provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. Our solutions purely focus on your purpose to locate, target and analyze consumer behavior shifts across demographics, across industries and help clients make a smarter business decision. We offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a multiple industries including Healthcare, Technology, Chemicals, Types, and Energy. We consistently update our research offerings to ensure our clients are aware about the latest trends existent in the market.Contact Us:John WatsonHead of Business Development40 Wall St. 28th floor New York CityNY 10005 United StatesReports and Data | Web:Direct Line: +1-212-710-1370E-mail: sales@reportsanddata.com Virtualized Evolved Packet Core Market Analysis and Forecast to 2026: ZTE Corporation, Athonet, Affirmed Networks, Ericsson, Nokia Corporation https://www.reportsanddata.com/sample-enquiry-form/1119 https://www.reportsanddata.com/checkout-form/1119 https://www.reportsanddata.com/report-detail/virtualized-evolved-packet-core-market www.reportsanddata.com The major contributing factor for the growth of the market for Virtualized evolved packet core can bethe lowering of CapEx and OpEx since it reduces dependence on specialized hardware for capital and operational expenditure.Market Size USD 1.02 billion in 2018, Market Growth - CAGR of 34.2%, Market Trends Digitalized transformation of testingThe Virtualized evolved packet core market is expected to grow from USD 1.02 billion in 2018 to USD 8 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 34.2% during the forecast period. The reducing size of CapEx and OpEx, increasing LTE mobile subscribers, increasing use of smartphones, a rise of network function virtualization and growing demand for high-speed data networks are some of the driving factors of the market. Some other factors contributing to the rise of virtualized evolved packet core market are the growth of IoT and M2M and future in 5G. vEPC supports nearly networks of any scale and size, thus reducing the operational as well as capital costs of all business levels. Evolved Packet Core helps in combining voice and data on an Internet Protocol service architecture.Request for Sample Copy of Virtualized evolved packet core Market @The reluctance of businesses at all levels in adapting virtualized infrastructure, due to the current massive investment in traditional networking with many hardware appliances in use which are specialized to a single unit of application may restrain the growth of the virtualized evolved packet core market.Further key findings from the report suggest The virtualized evolved packet core market is segmented by deployment type into cloud and on-premises. The cloud segment is speculated to witness the highest growth of approximately 35.6% CAGR during the forecast period, due to the demand for decreasing costs of equipment and the growth in cloud data adaptation. The Virtualized evolved packet core Market is segmented by end users into telecom operators and enterprises. Telecom operator segment is expected to grow with the highest CAGR of approximately 35.2% during the forecast period, due to the adaptation of IoT in network architecture, aggressive penetration of mobile phones and the increasing telecom operator competition. The Virtualized evolved packet core market is segmented by use case into LTE, VOLTE, & VoWiFi, Broadband Wireless Access (BWA), IoT & M2M and MPN & MVNO. The IoT and M2M segments are expected to grow with the highest CAGR of approximately 36.2% during the forecast period since operators are adapting IoT packet core network for better connectivity for M2M devices. The Virtualized evolved packet core Market is segmented geographically into North, America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the World. North America dominates the segment with approximately 36.6% CAGR during the forecast period, since it is the home for large telecom operators, and readily keeps adapting new technologies. Since then, APAC has started adopting virtualized evolved packet core across multiple verticals, is expected to witness the highest growth in its CAGR during the forecast period. Key players within Virtualized evolved packet core market are Affirmed Networks (US), Ericsson (Sweden), Huawei Technologies (China), Mavenir (US), ZTE Corporation (China), Athonet (Italy), Cisco Systems (US), NEC Corporation (Japan), Nokia Corporation (Finland), Samsung (South Korea).Buy Virtualized evolved packet core Market Research Report @For this report, the market has been divided into segments on the basis of deployment type, end users, use case and regional analysis. Virtualized evolved packet core Market by deployment type (Revenue, USD Million; 2018-2026)o Cloudo On-Premises Virtualized evolved packet core Market by end users (Revenue, USD Million; 2018-2026)o Telecom Operatorso Enterprises Virtualized evolved packet core Market, by use case (Revenue, USD Million; 2018-2026)o LTE, VOLTE, and VoWiFio Broadband Wireless Access (BWA)o IoT and M2Mo MPN and MVNORead More @Virtualized evolved packet core Market Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2018-2026) North America Europe China Japan Middle East & Africa India South America OthersReports and Data. is a market research and consulting company that provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. Our solutions purely focus on your purpose to locate, target and analyze consumer behavior shifts across demographics, across industries and help clients make a smarter business decision. We offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a multiple industries including Healthcare, Technology, Chemicals, Types, and Energy. We consistently update our research offerings to ensure our clients are aware about the latest trends existent in the market.Contact Us:John WatsonHead of Business Development40 Wall St. 28th floor New York CityNY 10005 United StatesReports and Data | Web:Direct Line: +1-212-710-1370E-mail: sales@reportsanddata.com Load Monitoring Systems Market | Spreading Key players - Precia Molen ,Spectris ,Vishay Precision Group ,Honeywell International Inc.,Eilersen Electric Digital Systems A/S ,Euroload Ltd. KD Market Research https://www.kdmarketresearch.com/sample/3055 https://www.kdmarketresearch.com/report/global-load-monitoring-systems-market https://www.kdmarketresearch.com/discount/3055 http://www.kdmarketresearch.com/ Global Load Monitoring Systems market, 2018-2023, is a market research report by KD Market Research that offers extensive and highly detailed current and future market trends in the global and regional/market. The report offers market size and structure of the overall industry based upon a unique combination of industry research, fieldwork, market sizing analysis, and our in-house expertise. Global Load Monitoring Systems market was held at USD XXX Million in 2017 and is expected to garner USD XXX Million by the end of 2023.Download Free Sample Copy @The market research report demonstrates market dynamics including growth drivers, barriers and opportunities and trends spearheading current nature and future status of this market. The report is supplemented with various indicators which are believed to propel the growth of the market during the forecast period.In Addition, Porters Five Forces analysis demonstrates the five forces i.e. buyers bargaining power, suppliers bargaining power, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutes, and degree of competition in Load Monitoring Systems market. The report also offers value chain analysis for the Load Monitoring Systems market.Global Load Monitoring Systems Market Size & ForecastThe report reviews the preliminary estimates for 2018 and forecasts for growth in Load Monitoring Systems demand for 2019-2023. It analyses the market by geographies i.e. North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America & Middle East & Africa. Further, the geographies are fragmented into country and regional groupings:- North America (U.S. & Canada)- Europe (Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe)- Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand and Rest of Asia Pacific)- Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Rest of Latin America)- Middle East & Africa (GCC, North Africa, South Africa and Rest of Middle East & Africa)The report segments the market based on Load Cells into-- Beam Load Cells--Single Point Load Cells--Tension / Compression Load Cells--S-Beams Load Cells--Load Links--Load Pins--Load ShacklesThe report segments the market based on Loading Capacity into-- Up to 50 Tons-- 50 100 Tons-- Above 100 TonsAccess Full Report Details and Order this Premium Report @The report segments the market based on End Use Industry into-- Automotive-- Construction-- Oil & Gas-- Marine-- Aerospace & Defense-- Healthcare-- Food & Beverages-- AgricultureFurther, the market has been also segmented by Technology into -- Analog-- DigitalAlong with figures and tables, a market attractiveness and BPS analysis has been provided for every segment in the report.Global Load Monitoring Systems Market: Competitive LandscapeThe report also highlights the competitive landscape of the global Load Monitoring Systems market, positioning of all the major players in industry. Competitive landscape analysis provides detailed strategic analysis of the companys business and performance such as financial information, revenue breakup by segment and by geography, SWOT Analysis, risk analysis, key facts, company overview, business strategy, key product offerings, marketing and distribution strategies, new product development, recent news (acquisition, expansion, technology development, research & development expansion and other market activities.The research study includes profiles of leading companies operating in the global Load Monitoring Systems market. Some of the key players profiled include Flintec ,Mettler Toledo ,Precia Molen ,Spectris ,Vishay Precision Group ,Honeywell International Inc.,Eilersen Electric Digital Systems A/S ,Euroload Ltd. ,Load Monitoring Systems Ltd.,Straightpoint ,irop Industrial Co. Ltd.,Futek Advanced Sensor Technology ,Mantracourt Electronics ,Dynamic Load Monitoring ,JCM Load Monitoring ,LMC Systems ,PCE Deutschland GmbH ,Standard Loadcells ,Strainsert ,Tecsis ,Thames Side Sensors ,Keli Electric Manufacturing ,MinebeaMitsumi ,Yamato Scale ,ZEMIC ,LAUMAS Elettronica ,Magtrol ,Strainstall ,Power Jacks ,IMES International (Seanamic Group) ,Aanderaa (Xylem Analytics),,Unirope Ltd.,Airtec Corporation ,Sartorius Group ,Rice Lake Weighing Systems ,Trelleborg Marine Systems ,Interface, Inc.,HITEC Sensor Developments, Inc.,MinebeaMitsumi, Inc. ,ADI ARTECH ,TRANSDUCERS PVT. LTD.and Other Major Key Players .For more info ...Check exemption now @About KD Market ResearchKD Market Research is one of the best market research organization that provides B2B research on the growth opportunities of the industry which is the prime factor of the overall revenue of the organization. We identify the pain points which our client is facing around revenue methods and provide them with a comprehensive database which helps them to make intelligent decisions that could ensure growth to the organization.Our Services include market intelligence, competitive intelligence, and customized research. These research reports help the organizations to make quick and powerful decisions that make out highest growth in revenue.Contact Us150th State Street,Albany, NY, USA, 12207Phone number: - +1 (518) 300-1218Email: - sales@kdmarketresearch.comWebsite: Rosacea Treatment Market Incredible Possibilities & Growth Analysis and Forecast To 2025 Rosacea Treatment https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/requested_sample/75874 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/enquiry_before_buying/75874 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/reports/rosacea-treatment-market-2019 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/request_for_discount/75874 www.upmarketresearch.com The Rosacea Treatment Market Report provides critical data of Production, Supply, Sales, Demand, Market Status and Industry Development Trend of Orthopedic Implants. This Report is a Result of best research material, competitive landscape analysis that will help decision makers to excel based on futuristic chart.Request Sample Copy Of this Report @Rosacea Treatment Market research report delivers a close watch on leading competitors with strategic analysis, micro and macro market trend and scenarios, pricing analysis and a holistic overview of the market situations in the forecast period.It is a professional and a detailed report focusing on primary and secondary drivers, market share, leading segments and geographical analysis. Further, key players, major collaborations, merger & acquisitions along with trending innovation and business policies are reviewed in the report. The report contains basic, secondary and advanced information pertaining to the Rosacea Treatment Market global status and trend, market size, share, growth, trends analysis, segment and forecasts from 2019 2025.The scope of the report extends from market scenarios to comparative pricing between major players, cost and profit of the specified market regions. The numerical data is backed up by statistical tools such as SWOT analysis, BCG matrix, SCOT analysis, PESTLE analysis and so on. The statistics are represented in graphical format for a clear understanding on facts and figures.The generated report is firmly based on primary research, interviews with top executives, news sources and information insiders. Secondary research techniques are implemented for better understanding and clarity for data analysis.The report for Rosacea Treatment Market analysis & forecast 2019- 2025 is segmented into Product Segment, Application Segment & Major players.For More Information On This Report, Please Visit @Rosacea Treatment Market Segmentation covers:Region- wise Analysis: North America, Europe, China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia, Other regions (Central & South America, Middle East & Africa)Major Players Reported Are:ALLERGANBayerBausch HealthNestle Skin HealthSol-Gel TechnologiesProduct Segment Analysis:Topical Rosacea Treatment ProductsOral Rosacea Treatment ProductsApplication Segment Analysis:HospitalClinicPharmacyOtherRead More details Rosacea Treatment Market Analysis and Forecast 2019- 2025 report helps the clients to take business decisions and to understand strategies of major players in the industry. The report also calls for market- driven results deriving feasibility studies for client needs. UpMarketResearch ensures qualified and verifiable aspects of market data operating in the real- time scenario. The analytical studies are conducted ensuring client needs with a thorough understanding of market capacities in the real- time scenario.Key Reasons to Purchase:- To gain insightful analyses of the market and have a comprehensive understanding of the Rosacea Treatment Market and its commercial landscape.- Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by your competitors and leading organizations.- To understand the future outlook and prospects for Rosacea Treatment Market analysis and forecast 2019- 2025.If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Avail Discount On this Report @Customization of the Report:Up Market Research provides free customization of reports as per your need. This report can be personalized to meet your requirements. Get in touch with our sales team, who will guarantee you to get a report that suits your necessities.About UpMarketResearch:The UpMarketResearch () is a leading distributor of market research report with more than 800+ global clients. As a market research company, we take pride in equipping our clients with insights and data that holds the power to truly make a difference to their business. Our mission is singular and well- defined we want to help our clients envisage their business environment so that they are able to make informed, strategic and therefore successful decisions for themselves.Contact Info:Name: Alex MathewsEmail: Alex@upmarketresearch.comOrganization: UpMarketResearchAddress: 500 East E Street, Ontario, CA 91764, United States. Network Security Market Research Report to 2026: Top Key Players are Aruba Networks, Aerohive, Honeywell, Juniper Solutions, Motorola Solutions, Ruckus https://www.reportsanddata.com/sample-enquiry-form/399 https://www.reportsanddata.com/checkout-form/399 https://www.reportsanddata.com/report-detail/global-network-security-cameras-market-research-report-2017 www.reportsanddata.com The primary factors that are driving the growth of this market are the stringent data protection instructions and growing cyber terrorism.Market Size USD 248.26 Billion in 2019, Market Growth - CAGR of 10.2% between 2019 and 2026, Market Trends Extensive demand for cloud-based network security solutions by SMEsThe Network Security Market is expected to grow from USD 152.71 billion in 2018 to USD 248.26 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 10.2% during 2018-2026. The primary factors driving the rise of the market are stringent data protection instruction and growing cyber terrorism.Increase in the usage of network security solutions by SMEs, increasing demand for workforce mobility, and the growing landscapes of servers resulting in the deployment of innovative and up-to-date network security solutionsOther factors such as the rising penetration of mobile devices and the demand for encrypted security solutions are expected to drive the market.Improper security solutions and the difficulty of network infrastructure are the factors restraining the market.Request for Sample Copy of Network Security Market Report @This report comprises drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges pertaining to the network security market; and extensive value chain analysis, patent analysis, analysis of the current manufacturing capability and technology status, commercialization potential in different devices, along with market size forecasts till 2026.Further key findings from the report suggest The Network Security Market is expected to grow from USD 152.71 billion in 2018 to USD 248.26 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 10.2% during 2018-2026. The primary factors driving the rise of the market are stringent data protection instruction and growing cyber terrorism. On the basis of product type, the intrusion detection/prevention system (IDS/IDP) is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period. The major factors attributed to the growth of the market are the growing need to implement network security, due to the increasing use of smartphones is boosting the market growth. Additionally, new products and the increasing number of applications are likely to encourage growth in the near future. Furthermore, on the basis of region, North America is projected to witness progressive growth throughout the forecast period. Technological advancements in the field and increasing innovations are some of the key factors that are estimated to boost the growth of the network security market in North America during the forecast period. Major players in the Network Security Market are Symantec Corp. (US), McAfee (US), Sophos Ltd. (UK), Ruckus (US), Motorola Solutions (US), Juniper Solutions (US), Fortinet (US), Cisco Systems Inc. (US), Brocade Communications Systems Inc. (US), Aruba Networks (US), Aerohive (US), Honeywell (US) and ADT Security Services (US).Buy Network Security Market Report@Segments covered in the report:For this report, the market has been divided into segments on the basis of components, connectivity types, organization size, end user and regional analysis.Global Network Security Market, By Product (Revenue, USD Million; 20162026) Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) Application Control URL Filtering Anti-Bot Web Security Anti-Spam and Email Security Acceleration and ClusteringGlobal Network Security Market, By Services (Revenue, USD Million; 20162026) Network Security Market share by Services, 2019 & 2026 Managed Security Services Security Operation Services Consulting ServicesGlobal Network Security Market, By Industry Verticals (Revenue, USD Million; 20162026) Manufacturing Retail Aerospace and defense Healthcare Telecommunication and IT Government and Utilities Banking financial services and insurance (BFSI)Global Network Security Market, By Implementation Type (Revenue, USD Million; 20162026) On-Premise Hosted HybridGlobal Network Security Market, By Region (Revenue, USD Million; 20162026) North America Europe China Japan Middle East & Africa India South America OthersRead More @About Us:Reports and Data. is a market research and consulting company that provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. Our solutions purely focus on your purpose to locate, target and analyze consumer behavior shifts across demographics, across industries and help clients make a smarter business decision. We offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a multiple industries including Healthcare, Technology, Chemicals, Types, and Energy. We consistently update our research offerings to ensure our clients are aware about the latest trends existent in the market.Contact Us:John WatsonHead of Business Development40 Wall St. 28th floor New York CityNY 10005 United StatesReports and Data | Web:Direct Line: +1-212-710-1370E-mail: sales@reportsanddata.com miRNA Tools and Services Market 2019 Analysis By QIAGEN (Exiqon), Thermo Fisher Scientific, Illumina, Agilent Technologies, GE Healthcare Dharmacon, GeneCopoeia, Promega Corporation, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Merck & Co. miRNA Tools and Services https://www.reporthive.com/enquiry.php?id=1069358&req_type=smpl&utm_source=SP https://www.reporthive.com/enquiry.php?id=1069358&req_type=purch https://www.reporthive.com MiRNA Tools and Services Market report provides key information about the industry, including invaluable facts and figures, expert opinions, and the latest developments across the globe. The Report also calculate the market size, the report considers the revenue generated from the sales of This Report and technologies by various application segments.Download Sample PDF copy of this report @The key players covered in this study QIAGEN (Exiqon) Thermo Fisher Scientific Illumina Agilent Technologies GE Healthcare Dharmacon GeneCopoeia Promega Corporation Bio-Rad Laboratories Merck & Co. New England Biolabs WaferGen Biosystems and more.This 100 pages of report focuses on the MiRNA Tools and Services Market in global market, especially in United States, China, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia, India and more.Key Questions Answered in Report What are factor which lead this market to next level? What will the market Demand and what will be Growth? What are the opportunities to MiRNA Tools and Services market in future? What are the strengths of the key players? What are the key of MiRNA Tools and Services market?Market segment by Type, the product can be split into Extraction Tools qRT-PCR NGS Microarray Functional Analysis Tools OthersMarket segment by Application, split into Research & Academic Institutes IVD, Pharma & Biotech Companies CROsEnquire before purchase@:Table of Contents1 Industry Overview of miRNA Tools and Services1.1 miRNA Tools and Services Market Overview1.1.1 miRNA Tools and Services Product Scope1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook1.2 Global miRNA Tools and Services Market Size and Analysis by Regions1.3 miRNA Tools and Services Market by Type1.4 miRNA Tools and Services Market by End Users/Application2 Global miRNA Tools and Services Competition Analysis by Players2.1 miRNA Tools and Services Market Size (Value) by Players (2016 and 2017)2.2 Competitive Status and Trend2.2.1 Market Concentration Rate2.2.2 Product/Service Differences2.2.3 New Entrants2.2.4 The Technology Trends in Future3 Company (Top Players) Profiles3.1 QIAGEN (Exiqon)3.1.1 Company Profile3.1.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.1.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.1.4 miRNA Tools and Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.1.5 Recent Developments3.2 Thermo Fisher Scientific3.2.1 Company Profile3.2.2 Main Business/Business Overview3.2.3 Products, Services and Solutions3.2.4 miRNA Tools and Services Revenue (Value) (2012-2017)3.2.5 Recent Developments3.3 IlluminaTOC continued!About Us:Report Hive Research delivers strategic market research reports, statistical survey, industry analysis & forecast data on products & services, markets and companies. Our clientele ranges mix of global business leaders, government organizations, SMEs, Individual & Start-ups, top management consulting firms, universities etc. Our library of 700,000 + reports targets high growth emerging markets in the USA, Europe Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific covering industries like IT, Telecom, Semiconductor, Chemical, Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, Energy & Power, Manufacturing, Automotive & Transportation, Food & Beverages etc. This large collection of insightful reports assists clients to stay ahead of time & competition. We help in business decision-making on aspects such as market entry strategies, market sizing, market share analysis, sales & revenue, technology trends, competitive analysis, product portfolio & application analysis etc.500, North Michigan Avenue,Suite 6014Chicago, IL - 60611United StatesContact UsMike RossMarketing Managersales@reporthive.comPhone Number: +1-312 604 7084 Steering Robot Market 2019 With top key players Stahle, AB Dynamics, VEHICO, Shanghai Cotech, Etc. Steering Robot Market 2019 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/requested_sample/80369 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/enquiry_before_buying/80369 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/reports/steering-robot-market-2019 https://www.upmarketresearch.com/home/request_for_discount/80369 www.upmarketresearch.com Steering Robot Market report provides a comprehensive analysis of the Steering Robot Market by Key players and regions. 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The report contains basic, secondary and advanced information pertaining to the Steering Robot Market global status and trend, market size, share, growth, trends analysis, segment and forecasts from 2019 2025.The scope of the report extends from market scenarios to comparative pricing between major players, cost and profit of the specified market regions. The numerical data is backed up by statistical tools such as SWOT analysis, BCG matrix, SCOT analysis, PESTLE analysis and so on. The statistics are represented in graphical format for a clear understanding on facts and figures.The generated report is firmly based on primary research, interviews with top executives, news sources and information insiders. Secondary research techniques are implemented for better understanding and clarity for data analysis.The report for Steering Robot Market analysis & forecast 2019- 2025 is segmented into Product Segment, Application Segment & Major players.For More Information On This Report, Please Visit @Steering Robot Market Segmentation covers:Region- wise Analysis: North America, Europe, China, Japan, India, Southeast Asia, Other regions (Central & South America, Middle East & Africa)Major Players Reported Are:StahleAB DynamicsVEHICOShanghai Cotech Automotive Engineering CorpRMS Dynamic Test SystemsDynamic ResearchAnger AssociatesProduct Segment Analysis:Sideslip TestsAutonomous DrivingRollover TestingOthersApplication Segment Analysis:CarBusTruckRead More details Steering Robot Market Analysis and Forecast 2019- 2025 report helps the clients to take business decisions and to understand strategies of major players in the industry. The report also calls for market- driven results deriving feasibility studies for client needs. UpMarketResearch ensures qualified and verifiable aspects of market data operating in the real- time scenario. The analytical studies are conducted ensuring client needs with a thorough understanding of market capacities in the real- time scenario.Key Reasons to Purchase:- To gain insightful analyses of the market and have a comprehensive understanding of the Steering Robot Market and its commercial landscape.- Learn about the market strategies that are being adopted by your competitors and leading organizations.- To understand the future outlook and prospects for Steering Robot Market analysis and forecast 2019- 2025.If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.Avail Discount On this Report @Customization of the Report:Up Market Research provides free customization of reports as per your need. 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Metal Cutting Tools Market Shares of Top Players, Analysis, Trends, Opportunity and Forecast 2019-2026 Market Expertz https://www.marketexpertz.com/sample-enquiry-form/18831 https://www.marketexpertz.com/checkout-form/18831 https://www.marketexpertz.com/industry-overview/metal-cutting-tools-market www.marketexpertz.com A new market intelligence study, Metal Cutting Tools added by evidence to show the performance of the Metal Cutting Tools industry worldwide. This research holds critical and exclusive data to show the profound implications on the Metal Cutting Tools market for the forecast period 2019 to 2026. Some of the main proponents of this hypothesis that the size, growth, and share of the Metal Cutting Tools industry is up for a major shift is compelling for business owners, stakeholders, field marketing executives and others trying to zero in on effective business strategies to gain maximum yield.A business picture of what vital parameters, segments of manufacturers, applications and end-user may bring a profit forms an important section of the study. The inclusion of data on the competitive landscape, latest acquisitions and mergers and collaborations is a great place to start, of course, for a business strategist, weary of an outdated data. Other relevant information stakeholders would never like to miss out on such as product specifications, product pricing and applications also find a special place in the report.For those in the habit of performing deeper searchers, while staying on par with the latest trends, data on import and export trends, shifts in customer behavior, social, economic and political scenario as well as revenue generated from the various segments serve as a boon when making a potential investment decision.To get Free Sample Report Copy click here @The major manufacturers covered in this report:Sandvik, Kennametal, Iscar, Kyocera, Guhring, Sumitomo Electric, OSG , Mitsubishi, MAPAL, BIG Kaiser, LMT, Aloris, Nachi-Fujikoshi, YG-1, CERATIZIT, Union, Hitachi Metals, Korloy, Tivoly, Addison, ZCCCT, Tiangong, Shanghai Tool, Feidadrills, Hanjiang, Xiamen Golden Erge, Chengdu Chengliang, AHNO, Certrix-EG, Kilowood, EST Tools, Harbin No.1 Tool, SandhogGeographically, 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 IndiaThe report on Metal Cutting Tools market digs deep to uncover the different pillars that will help in the growth of a long-term sustainable business. Researchers exploring the industry for the forecast period, 2019 to 2026 aim at enabling the business owners to expand their customer base by enlightening them about what will be driving the behaviour of all the buyers and what the consumers will be expecting in the future.Market by Type Cemented Carbide High Speed Steel (HSS) Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN) Diamond Cermets CeramicsMarket by Application Automotive Industry Aerospace Industry Energy Industry Medical Industry Rail Industry Mold Machine Tool IndustryTo Purchase this Report click here @A complete coverage of how prominent leaders will compete on customer delight during the estimated period forms an important part of the study. The information contained in the Metal Cutting Tools market research report further uncovers the customers and region's companies need to target in the years to come.Those planning to develop and launch innovative products can benefit from the extensive research on how to create differentiation in the market that is already saturated. Business owners can also make the best of the data on the drivers/motivations behind the choices made by the consumers.The study objectives of this report are: To analyse and study the global Metal Cutting Tools capacity, production, value, consumption, status and forecast (2019-2026); Focuses on the key Metal Cutting Tools manufacturers, to study the capacity, production, value, market share and development plans in future. Focuses on the global key manufacturers, to define, describe and analyse the market competition landscape, SWOT analysis. To define, describe and forecast the market by type, application and region. To analyse the global and key regions market potential and advantage, opportunity and challenge, restraints and risks. To analyse the opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high growth segments. To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyse their growth strategies.There are 14 Chapters to thoroughly display the Metal Cutting Tools market. This report included the analysis of market overview, market characteristics, industry chain, competition landscape, historical and future data by types, applications and regions.Chapter 1: Metal Cutting Tools Market Overview, Product Overview, Market Segmentation, Market Overview of Regions, Market Dynamics, Limitations, Opportunities and Industry News and Policies.Chapter 2: Metal Cutting Tools Industry Chain Analysis, Upstream Raw Material Suppliers, Major Players, Production Process Analysis, Cost Analysis, Market Channels and Major Downstream Buyers.Chapter 3: Value Analysis, Production, Growth Rate and Price Analysis by Type of Metal Cutting Tools.Chapter 4: Downstream Characteristics, Consumption and Market Share by Application of Metal Cutting Tools.Chapter 5: Production Volume, Price, Gross Margin, and Revenue ($) of Metal Cutting Tools by Regions.Chapter 6: Metal Cutting Tools Production, Consumption, Export and Import by Regions.Chapter 7: Metal Cutting Tools Market Status and SWOT Analysis by Regions.ContinueRead more @About Us:Planning to invest in market intelligence products or offerings on the web? Then marketexpertz has just the thing for you - reports from over 500 prominent publishers and updates on our collection daily to empower companies and individuals catch-up with the vital insights on industries operating across different geography, trends, share, size and growth rate. There's more to what we offer to our customers. With marketexpertz you have the choice to tap into the specialized services without any additional charges.Contact Us:John WatsonHead of Business Development40 Wall St. 28th floor New York CityNY 10005 United StatesMarket Expertz | Web:Direct Line: +1-800-819-3052E-mail: sales@marketexpertz.com Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler had hoped to gain City Council approval this week to seek bids for a vendor to equip Portland police with body cameras for a pilot program starting this summer and lasting through early next year. But Tuesday, the mayor pulled the item off Thursdays agenda, apparently still uncertain whether he has the necessary three vote-majority to support the move. His decision to hold off also followed a letter from the police union to council members, reminding them that the city had agreed to negotiate policies regarding use of the cameras before requiring officers to wear them on patrol. Wheeler wants to give his colleagues more time to learn about the request for bids, said the mayors spokeswoman, Eileen Park. There appears to be a lot of confusion surrounding the ordinance, Park said, and the mayor decided its not urgent and wanted to provide more information to commissioners. Commissioner Amanda Fritz, for example, wants a council work session on the subject because she noted that Commissioners JoAnn Hardesty, Chloe Eudaly and Wheeler werent on the council when she supported setting aside money for body cameras in 2015, said her chief of staff, Tim Crail. There is much more information about the experiences of other cities now than when the decision was made. There is also a need for better estimates of the total cost of the program, including storage and record review, which council should consider before spending any more money on the pilot, Crail said. Eudaly hasnt taken a position on the ordinance yet. The City Council four years ago awarded $834,610 to put more cameras in police cars, but the Police Bureau decided instead to use the money for body cameras. The city also put aside another $1.6 million in annual funding for the program in fiscal year 2016. But the reserve remained untapped after Wheeler expressed a reluctance to move forward without more information. Since then, Nicole Grant, Wheelers senior policy adviser, and Katie Shipley, an analyst from the city budget office, traveled with Police Bureau members last spring to Phoenix and Oakland to review their body camera programs and policies. Portland police also visited police departments in Anaheim and Fullerton, Calif. In January, a new program manager in the Police Bureau kicked off a round of community meetings to seek public input once again to draft policies governing the use of the cameras, retention of recordings and access to footage. Program manager Tammy Mayer has said she hoped to post a request for proposals for vendors by late this month and select two companies to provide 212 cameras for testing by Central Precinct and Traffic Division officers during a six-month pilot program that would run from June through early next year. The goal, she said, is to equip officers across the bureau with cameras by October 2020. On Tuesday, the Portland Police Association said in a letter to Wheeler and the other city commissioners that the union expects the city to negotiate any policies for a body camera program through collective bargaining. A September 2016 tentative agreement the city signed with the police union said any final policy on the body camera use would be subject to mandatory negotiations. That agreement includes the citys commitment to negotiate the pilot program, Turner wrote. Park said the mayor understands that commitment, but it shouldnt bar the city from moving forward to solicit bids from prospective vendors. There is no requirement that the city negotiate with PPA before putting out a request for proposals, Park said. The bids being sought are about technological specifications and cost and dont involve policy, according to the mayors office. The ordinance had called for the city to seek bid proposals for the purchase, implementation and support of body- worn cameras and a comprehensive digital evidence storage system that will store and manage the Bureaus audio, video and still images. The bureau had hoped to submit a draft policy governing camera use to the City Council in June for approval and start testing the cameras from the top two selected vendors for three months each, starting this summer. The pilot is aimed at testing how the cameras function, their ease of use and software capabilities, according to the bureau. -- Maxine Bernstein Email at mbernstein@oregonian.com Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Two sets of parents filed suit against Portland Public Schools in federal court this week, accusing officials across the district of violating their childrens civil rights by helping facilitate protests advocating gun control in the wake of the shooting in Parkland, Florida last year. The suit, filed by attorney and Multnomah County Republican Party Chairman James Buchal on Wednesday, represents two Portland couples on behalf of their three children. The parents are suing to recoup attorney fees and at least $8,552 one says he paid Portland schools for records related to a student walkout and last years March For Our Lives. They also want a judge to declare the districts alleged support for those events as a violation of the First Amendment. In addition, they want the court to block Portland schools from taking steps, including using public resources to advocate for gun control, allowing students to protest during school hours without being marked absent and letting students post signs at school that advocate a position on a controversial topic unless signs presenting the opposite point of view are posted too. The suit claims the pro-gun parents fall into a political minority in the Portland district and that their views were unfairly sidelined as mass demonstrations swept across Portland and the rest of the country. The parents say they were forced to pay for political activity they disagree with since their tax dollars fund district operations. As was true in many other area school districts, students in Portland participated in large-scale demonstrations in support of stricter gun control in the weeks after the Parkland shooting. Two were during school hours. At issue is whether school district officials took a neutral stance and merely supervised students to keep them safe as they made choices driven by their own and their families wishes or whether district officials actively encouraged and enabled students to take part in gun safety protests. The suit alleges that Portland school officials made participation in those events compulsory. The suit acknowledges that Portland Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero sent emails with statements such as policies do not allow us to condone or participate in a walkout and saying district officials would merely allow students to express their views. But it alleges those were pretexts and that top district officials actually sided strongly with national and local march organizers and drummed up student support and participation, using district resources. These self-serving statements were directly contrary to defendants actual actions, it says. The district disputes those claims, saying the 16,000 emails it turned over to Buchal and his clients demonstrate the intentional and thoughtful planning that went into its response to the planned demonstrations and a charged political atmosphere. We believe the claims made in the lawsuit are baseless, and it is disappointing that this lawsuit will take time and resources away from providing support to our students, district spokesman Harry Esteve said in a statement. The suit centers on a March 14 walkout that took place during school hours at schools all around Oregon. That was ahead of and separate from The March For Our Lives, which drew thousands of students and parents to downtown Portland to protest gun violence. That event took place on a Saturday. A rally at Roosevelt High during the March 14 walkout was attended by hundreds of students while others remained inside the building. Roosevelt students had been panicked earlier in the year when their school went into lockdown after a Snapchat message featuring a photo of a gun made the rounds. At Glencoe Elementary, hundreds of students formed a human peace sign on the playground that day. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler opened the days city council meeting by talking about his having taken part in Lincoln Highs student walkout. The suit alleges, without citing evidence, that March 14 was lost as an instructional day across the district. It also claims, again without citing evidence, that several parents were so distraught over the political demonstrations that they pulled their students from Portland schools. The suit, citing a NextDoor post, says a special-needs fifth-grader told his or her parent that the child was forced to march with a political sign he didnt know the meaning of. It also alleges that district officials barred pro-gun speakers from appearing on campus even when requested by students. Gray wolves in the United States would be stripped of federal protection and subject to hunting and trapping in more states under a proposal released Thursday, which declared the predators recovered following a decades-long restoration effort. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to revoke the wolves endangered and threatened species status and put them under authority of state wildlife agencies across the Lower 48 states. The Associated Press reported last week that the proposal was in the works. Wildlife advocates and some members of Congress said the move was premature because wolves occupy only a fraction of a historical range that once stretched across most of North America. But Acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said it was indisputable that wolves had recovered enough to meet recovery goals. He said the agency could now devote more work to species in greater need. Livestock interests, hunters and officials in some states have wanted the government to make it easier to kill wolves. The predators periodically prey on livestock such as cows and sheep and have been blamed for declining numbers of elk, moose and other big game in some areas. In Oregon, there were a minimum of 124 wolves in at least a dozen packs, mostly concentrated in the northeast corner of the state, according to a 2018 report from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Of the 13 wolves that died in Oregon in 2018, 12 deaths were caused by humans. Those in favor of the proposal said the story of the gray wolf was one of success. The recovery of the gray wolf in Oregon and other states is a conservation success story by any measure, the Oregon Farm Bureau said in a statement after the plan to delist the species was announced. We are glad the Trump administration has joined both the Obama and Bush administrations in supporting the federal delisting of the gray wolf. In a statement, the Center for Biological Diversity blasted the proposal for lacking transparency, noting that, though there would be a standard 60-day public comment period, no public hearings were scheduled and there was little information on the peer-review process that went into crafting the document. MIchael Robinson, senior conservation advocate with the organization said that, if approved, the proposal would mean open season on wolves. This cowardly and undemocratic effort to delist wolves shows the Trump administration has already decided to approve trophy hunts, he said. Trump and his Interior Department are dead set on appeasing special interests that want to kill wolves, but well stop them. Trapping, poisoning and hunting campaigns early last century exterminated wolves across most of the Lower 48 states by the 1930s. More than 6,000 of the animals now live in portions of nine states, officials say. A final decision on lifting protections will follow a public comment period that begins Friday and runs through May 14. Government officials said their goal was to protect wolves from extinction, not return them to everywhere they were once found. The Endangered Species Act is not a means to keep species from being hunted in perpetuity once theyve met the threshold of recovery, said Gavin Shire, spokesman for the Fish and Wildlife Service. Environmentalists and animal advocacy groups have pledged to challenge in court any action to ease or eliminate protections. Putting gray wolves under state control would allow Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin to resume hunting and trapping blocked by a 2014 court ruling that returned them to the endangered list. In other areas, such as the Pacific Northwest, wildlife officials say they have no immediate plans for hunting but could consider it in the future. Aside from Alaska only three states Montana, Idaho and Wyoming currently allow the public to hunt wolves. More than 600 were killed in the Northern Rockies states during the most recent hunting and trapping seasons. Court rulings delayed hunting in the Northern Rockies for years after wolves reached the governments benchmark for recovery in the early 2000s. Members of the regions Congressional delegation ultimately inserted a provision into a budget bill that forced the animals off the endangered list. Protections will be retained under Thursdays proposal for two small populations of related species the Mexican gray wolf in New Mexico and Arizona and the red wolf in North Carolina. -- Kale Williams kwilliams@oregonian.com 503-294-4048 @sfkale Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Subscribe to get the Morning Briefing newsletter delivered to your email inbox weekdays at 7 a.m. Todays stories LOCAL WEATHER: Here comes the sun: 60-degree temps are in the Portland forecast. Read more. SEX ASSAULT TRIAL: Woman testifies that two respected community leaders flicked off the lights and sexually assaulted her. Read more. CASH ONLY: Here are 10 of Portlands last-standing cash-only businesses. Read more. ICE ARREST: A Portland school district parent was arrested by ICE, the superintendent says. Read more. OREGON ROADS: Rose Quarter freeway critics dominate a transportation meeting, then Chloe Eudaly throws a curveball. Read more. PUBLIC EDUCATION: School superintendents tell Gov. Kate Brown: No thanks on a 180-day school year. Read more. JOHN CANZANO: USC needs to drop the Sin City act. Read more. ASSAULT CHARGE: Proud Boy member Donovon Flippo pleads not guilty to assault and is ordered to have no contact with his co-defendant. Read more. PORTLAND THORNS: 13-year-old Olivia Moultrie doing great alongside professional players in her Portland Thorns training. Read more. OREGON BUSINESS: Flir, one of Oregons last big tech companies, will open a Virginia headquarters. Read more. BREAST CANCER: Providence clinical trials lead to the approval of a new treatment for aggressive breast cancer. Read more. PORTLAND SCHOOLS: Portland elementary school parents got to bid on their kids next teachers. The educators werent happy. Read more. BODY CAMERAS: The mayors push to seek bids from vendors for a pilot body camera program for Portland police hits a bump. Read more. BEHIND THE SCENES: Cirque Du Soleils Corteo arrives in Portland. Read more. More news Gov. Kate Brown signs legislation raising taxes on health providers In Little People, Big World 2019, Oregons Roloff family returns: 'I cant let the farm hold us back Ask Amy: Google search reveals supervisors illicit past Dear Abby: Oregon wife has endured 40 years of this at home AND work??? Carolyn Hax: His mom is a major pain with living in sin refrain Find more at oregonlive.com Todays comics Click here to see today's comics Todays obituaries Click here to find area deaths reported recently Today in history AROUND THE WORLD: On March 14, 1964, a jury in Dallas found Jack Ruby guilty of murdering Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin of President John F. Kennedy, and sentenced him to death. (Both the conviction and death sentence were overturned, but Ruby died before he could be retried.) This story is breaking and will be updated. Two giants of Oregon health care are set on a collision course as they both attempt to revive their heart transplant programs. Providence Health & Services announced on Thursday it intends to have its transplant unit up and running in six months to a year. In the middle of Providences press conference, Oregon Health & Sciences University went public with its own plan to restart a transplant unit, after it abruptly shut it down in August. The high-stakes competition got even higher Thursday when Oregons richest couple gave $75 million to Providence. Phil and Penny Knight donated the money to support the Providence Heart Unit and its transplant program, hospital officials said. Seven years ago, OHSU renamed its cardiac unit the OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute after the Knights donated $125 million. Oregon has been without a heart transplant program since August, when OHSU shut down its transplant operation. Providence says it is already the highest-volume heart care program between San Francisco and Seattle, with 900 to 1,000 surgeries performed each year. It has gotten larger since OHSUs difficulties, taking on about 350 former OHSU patients. OHSU issued a press release saying it would restart its heart transplant program, but gave few details about how they would pull it off. Later, officials said they have made two hires for the first time since the program imploded last summer. But to actually perform surgeries, the hospital will likely need more. Heart transplant patients require intense after-surgery care that is so specialized that essentially no nurses or residents can do it. When OHSU discontinued its transplant program last summer, it threw about 20 patients in desperate need of new hearts into limbo. OHSU halted its program after four cardiologists who specialized in working with post-transplant patients quit. Providence had moved cautiously and deliberately to fill the gap left by OHSU, staffing up its own heart failure program. But it wasnt ready to jump into the transplant business. As recently as three weeks ago, Providence doctors said they would prefer to collaborate with OHSU on a transplant program rather than go it alone. But negotiations between the two sides failed to produce a plan. A transformational gift Providence then got word of the hefty gift from the Knights, which convinced them to go ahead with its own heart transplant program, the Providence Heart Institute. Dr. Dan Oseran, executive medical director of the institute, called the Knights donation a transformational gift. Providence aims to have the program up and running within six months to a year. We believe our state needs a stable heart transplant program, Oseran said. These patients who felt orphaned, we want them to feel they have a home. Providence also has the largest advanced heart failure team in Oregon and has quietly hired two transplant doctors. The cardiology department has also hired a nurse from OHSUs advanced heart failure program and several support staff to deal with the influx of patients. One of the departed OHSU cardiologists, Dr. Jill Gelow, joined the Providence program. When asked about the parallel announcement on Thursday, Oseran said he did not think OHSUs restart would have much impact on Providence. Oseran added that there is no partnership between the two. Not right now, he said. Today is about Providence. This is not the first time the Knights have invested in heart medicine. They gave $125 million to start OHSUs Knight Cardiovascular Institute in 2012. It was the largest donation OHSU ever received at that point. The institute was co-founded and led by Dr. Sanjiv Kaul, who gave up his leadership role at the institute last year after the heart transplant program was put on hold and all the heart transplant cardiologists working under him left. Kaul now focuses on research at the university. The Knights previously gave Providence $25 million to use on heart disease treatment as well. Oregon patient overjoyed Karanjeet Samra learned he would need a heart transplant within days of OHSU suspending its program last summer. Providence had referred him to OHSU, only to call and be told the hospital was no longer accepting patients. Samra was nervous about what would happen. He had been sick awhile and had just been told he could die without a new heart. His family forced him to stay home and rest instead of keeping himself busy at the restaurant they run in Southeast Portland so he had plenty of time to worry. It was scary and very disappointing, Samra said. Last year, he ended back up at Providence as the hospital stepped up to offer advanced heart failure services to the orphans of OHSUs program. He received a device in May that will keep his heart running temporarily. After six months, Samra got on the waitlist for a heart at the University of Washington and started to make the three-hour train ride to Seattle every few weeks for check-ups. Now he is overjoyed that there might be a chance he could get a heart or even just the intensive after-care in Oregon, rather than staying in Seattle for at least three months with relatives, far from his wife and children. They are good," he said, "but its so far away from home. He might get the call for a heart before either OHSU or Providence are back up and running, which he would be fine with. But he is anxious about the procedure and the travel makes it worse. If its done here in Oregon, it would be a great relief to me and people like me who are getting after-transplant care here, Samra said. Not the first time competing When OHSUs heart transplant program first started, it competed against Providences at the time. Providence eventually bowed out after company officials found that there wasnt enough of a patient population in Oregon to justify both programs. It appears the states only academic university will again face competition but this time, Providence could have the edge with a larger staff and the fact its currently caring for the former OHSU patients. OHSU President Dr. Danny Jacobs said in an interview Thursday that the Providence announcement took him by surprise. The two hospital systems leaders have met regularly to discuss the care of patients that have moved from OHSU to Providence and about a possible collaboration on heart transplant services. Jacobs said that he doesnt know why Providence decided to strike out alone or what that means for their intentions to keep working with OHSU. Youd have to ask them that, Jacobs said. We remain open to continuing conversations with them in the future. OHSU had sent out their press release with the headline OHSU to reactivate heart transplant program based on an already-scheduled plan to update the public about their work anyway, Jacobs said. Two junior advanced heart failure cardiologists have signed contracts with OHSU in past weeks, said OHSU Healthcare vice-president and chief medical officer Dr. Renee Edwards. She refused to identify them or give more details, saying that they had just made the commitment and that OHSU would release more information about them soon. Officials are still trying to recruit cardiologists with more experience to lead the program, which could still take from days to years. Volume is key Both Providence and the University of Washington, which has had to absorb Oregon transplant patients, say that Oregon needs a resident heart transplant program, said Providence Dr. Jacob Abraham, executive director of advanced heart failure in a recent press conference Volume is key to any transplant programs success. Abraham said theres no doubt Oregon generates a sufficient number of transplant candidates -- 30 to 50 a year -- to support a program. About 2,500 to 3,000 heart transplants are conducted annually in the U.S., far less than the approximately 250,000 people a year who need a new heart. The imbalance is created by the shortage of donor hearts. OHSU has performed more than 700 heart transplants since the program started in 1985. However, whether that patient load could support two programs is another issue. OHSU officials said they are certain the academic hospital could sustain a competing program -- and that it is OHSUs duty to have a program. They might face an additional obstacle if OHSU cant perform any transplants before August. Heart transplant centers need approval from both the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and the United Network for Organ Sharing before launching. Providence must perform 10 heart transplants successfully to earn accreditation from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. That means that the hospital will likely have to eat the costs of those surgeries and after-care. OHSU would have to do the same if it goes a full year without performing a heart transplant. If the hospital hoped to beat the August deadline, those recruits would need to be locked into place soon. Jacobs said that building a exceptional team of cardiologists is a bigger priority than losing the CMS certification. He said the cost and time of having to do the 10 transplants would not be an obstacle. If we can do it before that deadline thats great but theres not a rush, Jacobs said. Jacobs said that the internal and external reviews of the cardiology program have not been finalized but again promised to share what he called high-level findings. He said those will include lessons learned and observations about what hurt the program and could do better. So far, OHSU has declined most of The Oregonian/OregonLives public records requests concerning individual doctors and the program in general. Dramatic testimony marked the opening day as two influential members of Portlands African American community went on trial on allegations that they sexually assaulted a woman from one of the citys most prominent families. Charles McGee, 33, and Aubre Lamont Dickson, 44, were indicted last year on sex crime charges after Erica Naito-Campbell accused them in a Willamette Week story of attacking her at McGees home nearly six years earlier. McGee was running for Multnomah County commissioner and Dickson was a vice president at KeyBank at the time the story published in February 2018. Naito-Campbell, the granddaughter of celebrated real estate developer Bill Naito, said she had decided to come forward because McGee was running for political office and she didnt want him to use his position of power to victimize other women. In opening statements Wednesday to a packed courtroom, defense attorneys portrayed Naito-Campbell, 38, as a Reed College graduate and Lewis & Clark law school alumna who hadnt done much with her life and was looking for attention. Defense attorney Stephen Houze accused the woman of conspiring with Willamette Week reporter Nigel Jaquiss to craft a story that -- as Houze said Jaquiss told the woman -- would put the two men in orange jumpsuits. Houze said Naito-Campbell had aspired to use the story as a launching pad to write a piece for The New York Times or Vanity Fair, then embark on a writing career by publishing a book about her experience as a victim. This is a case that turns exclusively on Ms. Naito-Campbell, said Houze, who is representing Dickson. Theres no forensic evidence. No photographs. No physical evidence. No visit to the doctor to show bruises, injuries, nothing. It all rests on her words. 20 Trial of Charles McGee and Aubre Dickson But Naito-Campbell took the stand to testify that she has never sought to use the case to gain financially and she didnt want the publicity but felt it was her duty to stop McGee as he rose in the ranks of power. Over the course of a few hours, Naito-Campbell testified about the night of May 10, 2012. She became friends with Dickson through Leadership Portland, a nine-month training program for business leaders. She accepted an invitation on that spring evening to meet Dickson for drinks at the University Club, a private social organization. When she got there, his friend, McGee, was also present, she said. Afterward, as the group was deciding where to go next in McGees car, it was McGee who made the first sexual overture by repeatedly putting his hand on her leg, she said. She repeatedly pushed it away, she said. I finally said, Youre married.' And he said, Not tonight, Naito-Campbell testified. And he took off his wedding ring and put it in the cup holder. And he told Mr. Dickson to do the same. Did Aubre Dickson do that? asked prosecutor Amity Girt. No, he did not, Naito-Campbell responded. Naito-Campbell told the prosecutor that she still felt comfortable going out with the two men because she thought Dickson was her friend and would protect her from anything bad happening. She said she had no sexual interest in either of the married men. McGee drove to a strip club and later his house, where she discovered his wife and child were gone, Naito-Campbell said. She had hoped the group would call it a night and Dickson would drive her back to her car parked in downtown Portland. But instead, she said, McGee pushed her down to the kitchen floor, knocking her into his childs high chair in the process. She struggled, but McGee succeeded in pulling off her underpants, she said. He wrapped his arms around my thighs and I couldnt get up, Naito-Campbell said. I started saying No! and he pushed my dress up and started performing oral sex on me. I was trying to push his head away. And I just kept saying, No, you dont want to do this!' Naito-Campbell said Dickson stood nearby watching, even flicking off the lights as the attack continued. Naito-Campbell said she clasped her hand over her vaginal area to prevent McGee from raping her. At some point, she testified, Dickson flipped the lights back on, told McGee that Naito-Campbell had had enough and took her into the living room. Naito-Campbell said she thought Dickson was trying by then to protect her from further harm. But soon, the lights were again turned off and Dickson began sexually assaulting her with his fingers, Naito-Campbell said. She managed to clamp her hand over her vaginal area when Dickson took out his penis, she said. McGee grabbed her by the wrist and tried to yank her hand off, but she was able to prevent the rape, she said. At some point, the men suddenly stopped, and Dickson agreed to drive Naito-Campbell back to her car parked near the University Club. Dickson texted her repeatedly within hours and throughout the next day. He said, How are you? and I said, Im not OK. And I said, Last night was not OK.' And he agreed that it was not OK, Naito-Campbell testified. She said in those first days and the nearly six years that followed, she decided not to call police because she didnt want the media attention her family name would draw to the case. She said she also didnt want her son, who was 12 or 13 at the time, to know what had happened to her. She also worried about the impact her report would have on the two African American men and their children, she said. And I just kept thinking of Jem in 'To Kill a Mockingbird and how many black men had suffered from the narrative that they couldnt be trusted around white women, Naito-Campbell said. And I didnt want to be a part of it. Everything just seemed terrible about going to the police. The trial will continue Thursday, with defense attorneys getting an opportunity to cross-examine Naito-Campbell. McGee and Dickson waived the right to have their cases heard by a jury and instead have asked Multnomah County Circuit Judge David Rees to rule. Both McGee and Dickson are charged with first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, first-degree sexual abuse and second-degree sexual abuse. McGee also is charged with first-degree sodomy. If found guilty, Oregon law calls for a minimum 8 years in prison. At the time Naito-Campbell went public with her story, McGee was a co-founder of the Black Parent Initiative, which aims to help parents steer their children to academic success. Dickson was chairman of the Oregon Housing Stability Council, in addition to his job as a KeyBank executive. Both lost or resigned from their jobs. -- Aimee Green agreen@oregonian.com o_aimee Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. SALEM Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney returned briefly from medical leave Thursday morning to preside over a Senate vote on a resolution declaring the Legislatures support for survivors of sexual violence. He had not been expected back at the Capitol until next week. Courtney is in the middle of a 10-day medical leave that he announced on March 5, related to a recurrence of thyroid eye disease. At the same time, Courtney has faced increasing scrutiny for his handling of sexual harassment complaints and an allegation by his former office manager that he forced her to resign because he disapproved of her dating a House lawmaker. The chief co-sponsors of Senate Concurrent Resolution 25 are Sen. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, and Sen. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis. Courtney was not originally among the fourteen other sponsors of the bill, but he and a couple other lawmakers added their names on Thursday. Gelser brought the issue of sexual harassment at the Capitol to the publics attention in 2017, when she complained of long-running groping by then-Sen. Jeff Kruse, R-Roseburg. Gelser has expressed frustration that Courtney did not do more to curtail Kruses alleged behavior, and recently she told Willamette Week she was disappointed that Courtney said his takeaways from a recent anti-harassment training was that he needed to be friendlier to his staff. In a powerful speech on the Senate floor, Gelser said the problem of harassment in the Capitol has been going on long enough that some people had come to accept it as something that had to be tolerated. Its been three years since the first time that I went to (legislative) leadership to ask for help with that situation, Gelser said. Despite that, my perpetrator was able to hurt other people in much more significant ways. We have not apologized yet, Gelser said, adding that the Legislatures failure to crack down on harassment largely impacted people with less power than lawmakers: legislative staffers, interns and lobbyists who might not want to report bad behavior for fear of relationships with lawmakers. Gelser read a statement from a lobbyist who was allegedly groped by Kruse during a photo-op in Gov. Kate Browns office in 2017. The anonymous woman lobbyist recounted the numerous decisions forced upon her as a survivor of sexual harassment, including whether to remain silent to avoid personal blowback or come forward to push for justice. She also described how a Senate leader recently told her they didnt want to be #metood, after she offered her work contact information so they could follow up on a legislative matter. Maybe they thought it was funny. But it wasnt funny. Gelser also recounted how after a newspaper first reported her allegations Kruse in 2017, Sen. Tim Knopp, R-Bend, called to tell her that he believed her, supported her and would work to improve the situation in the Capitol. Thats not words or a speech, Gelser said. Thats action that actually changed my life. Gelser, who said shes debated since 2017 whether to leave the Legislature, said Knopps support helped convince her to file a formal complaint. Courtney did offer an apology on Thursday. Senator Gelser, I publicly apologize to any and all survivors that have experienced any form of harassment, sexual harassment, workplace harassment, in the state Capitol, Courtney said. We must do better, I must do better and that is why I made sure today I was coming here to vote yes on this. So thank you. Later, Gelser wrote on Twitter that Courtney had co-opted the resolution. Also notable is that the survivor staff who wrote this were not asked for their consent to have their bill used for this purpose, Gelser wrote. This resolution and this day was supposed to be about survivors. Courtney also apologized on Thursday for not taking good enough care of his health, saying he let down lawmakers as well as loved ones by having to step away for medical leave. Carol Currie, a spokesman for Courtney, said he surprised staff by showing up Thursday and did not have his doctors permission to return to work. She expects him to return to work on Monday. Hillary Borrud | hborrud@oregonian.com | 503-294-4034 | @hborrud Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. A Washington woman admitted to plotting her ex-husbands death in Oregon last November and was sentenced Tuesday to seven and a half years in prison. Tanya R. Schmalz, 36, of Battle Ground, Washington, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and was ordered by a Washington County circuit judge to three years of post-prison supervision, to have no contact with Jonathan Schmalz and to participate in a mental health treatment program. Two of Tanya Schmalzs friends contacted Hillsboro police in early November 2018 and said that Schmalz had asked for help killing her ex-husband in the mans Hillsboro home, according to a search warrant affidavit. The friends said Schmalz planned to get her ex-husband drunk, have him inhale Rush and then inject him with insulin. Rush is an inhalant drug often used during sex that can have side effects that include dizziness and lightheadedness. Schmalz planned to smother him with a towel laced with the drug until he stopped breathing, the affidavit said. She asked one friend to get the drug for her and the other to aid in providing her with an alibi. One of the friends later met with Schmalz while wearing a body wire provided by police. The device recorded Schmalz talking about making sure her ex was blackout drunk, that she was going to jab him with a syringe while acting like she was going to hug him and that she planned to wear gloves and wipe everything down in the home, the affidavit said. Schmalz was arrested before the murder attempt occurred. Oregon court records show Tanya and Jonathan Schmalz divorced in Washington County in 2013. The former husband filed a motion two days after her arrest seeking temporary custody of their children and claimed in court documents that his ex-wife tried to kill him twice. The motion was later granted. A separate attempted murder charge related to an alleged past plot was dismissed. One of the friends told police that Tanya Schmalz told her in 2017 that she once met her ex-husband in Hillsboro, gave him vodka mixed with crushed Benadryl and abandoned him outside a 7-Eleven after he drank it, the affidavit said. The friend told investigators Schmalz claimed her ex was later found by police, who suspected he had overdosed, the affidavit said, but her intention was for him to do something stupid to get arrested. -- Everton Bailey Jr. ebailey@oregonian.com | 503-221-8343 |@EvertonBailey Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Ear, Nose and Throat Physician Said Sana, D.O., is welcoming new patients to his satellite office at MidMichigan Health Park - Bay, located at 3051 Kiesel Road in Bay City. Sana specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the ear, nose and throat, the neck and associated glandular structures of the head and neck, associated cancers and sleep disorders that are treated by surgery. He treats adults and children of all ages, and is trained in both medical and surgical care. Michigan Millers Insurance recently recognized Ieuter Insurance Group as one of its Preferred Agency partners for 2019. Ieuter Insurance Group joins an elite group of Michigan independent agencies that represent the top 15 percent in terms of production, profitability and professionalism with the company, Michigan Millers said. "The company continues to grow, and we value the trust our agents and policyholders put in us to provide for their insurance needs and promptly settle policyholder claims," said Russell Clark, vice president of sales and marketing. "We are very pleased and proud to be represented by Ieuter Insurance Group who has demonstrated their professionalism and commitment to their customers. We look forward to continued success and congratulate them on being included in our exclusive group." "We are proud to be a full-service agency that provides exceptional customer service to our clients," said Kurt Ieuter, agency principal. "We are proud to work with Michigan Millers to represent our clients and help provide that professional and personal service our customers deserve." Michigan Millers is a regional insurance carrier focusing on commercial and specialty lines business in Michigan and New York. They are affiliated with Western National Insurance and collectively write more than $750 million in direct written premium. Ieuter Insurance Group has been serving generations in the Great Lakes Bay Region since 1940. It has been rated "Best Insurance Agency" year after year and offers options for all personal, business, bonding, health, life and financial planning needs. An acclaimed photographic exhibition commemorating President John F. Kennedy's private life and public trajectory is coming to Michigan. "American Visionary: John F. Kennedy's Life and Times" opens at the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum at Saginaw Valley State University on Thursday, March 21. The opening event, which takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. March 21, will feature a talk with exhibition curator and noted photojournalist Lawrence Schiller, who photographed JFK. He will speak on the development of this unparalleled and historic collection. One of the most exhaustively researched collections of Kennedy photos ever assembled, "American Visionary" brings together images from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, Getty Images, private collections, and the Kennedy family archives that capture public and private moments from Kennedy's life. Some of the photographs on display are iconic; others have never been seen publicly. "The Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum is the only Michigan venue where this historically important exhibition will be shown," said museum director Megan McAdow. "We are honored to commemorate the centennial of John F. Kennedy's birth with this powerful and important exhibition." Highlights of "American Visionary" include images from Kennedy's political and private life. Unforgettable images are featured, such as Jacques Lowe's 1961 photograph of Kennedy standing hunched over his desk in the Oval Office, and a haunting photograph of the shattered First Lady departing the White House on the day of Kennedy's state funeral in 1963, captured by I.C. Rapoport as a brief glimpse through the crowd. The exhibition is based on "JFK: A Vision for America" (2017), the award-winning book celebrating the history of Kennedy's historic life by Stephen Kennedy Smith and Douglas Brinkley, and the visual re-telling through Schiller's unique photojournalistic perspective. The exhibition has traveled extensively around the United States, including to the Smithsonian American Art Museum, The New York Historical Society and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The museum has a robust schedule of fun and engaging programs for this exhibition, including: "Brews & Brushes" on March 15, 6:30 to10 p.m., invites attendees to paint their own one-of-a-kind creation while enjoying local beer and wine. Tickets cost $40 a person and include art supplies and a tour of the new exhibition. "Create & Take Saturdays," a free event, offers different hands-on art activities for all ages on select Saturdays. Activities include a JFK portrait scavenger hunt on April 6, and a JFK drawing contest on April 27, the winners of which will be displayed on the museum's online gallery. "Lunch & Learn," a free lunch and program series with presentations tied to the exhibition. Subjects include "John F. Kennedy and The Beatles," "The Election of 1960" and "Sea of Peace or Sea of War: Kennedy, the Cold War and NASA." RSVP is required for lunch at least one week prior to each program. For a full up-to-date list of programming, visit the museum website at MarshallFredericks.org. "American Visionary: John F. Kennedy's Life and Times" runs through June 29. It is free of charge and open to the public. Those who wish to attend the opening reception should RSVP by March 15 by calling 989-964-7082, or emailing mfsm@svsu.edu. The Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum is located on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University, 7400 Bay Road, University Center. Museum hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call (989) 964-7125 or visit the Museum's website at www.marshallfredericks.org. When MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland began operations 75 years ago, it offered medical, surgical and obstetrical care. The doors to the Midland Hospital opened for maternity patients on March 15, 1944, and the first patient -- a baby boy -- arrived later that day. More than 450 babies were born at the new hospital through the end of that first year. The original Midland Hospital boasted 47 beds in a combination of single rooms, double rooms and multi-bed wards. Today, the Medical Center is a 324 licensed-bed hospital with private patient rooms and employs nearly 2,200 people, offering a full range of services and advanced technology. The active medical staff includes nearly 250 health care providers, representing more than 30 medical specialties providing a full range of primary care, as well as outstanding specialty care. "We have been blessed with an awesome facility and campus," said Greg Rogers, president of MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland, and executive vice president of MidMichigan Health. It is truly an honor to be part of a team of employees, doctors and volunteers that are so devoted to providing excellent care to our community," he added. Rogers has been with the health system for 38 years and has been fortunate to witness some significant changes. "Many of the milestones were marked by building and expansion," he said. "I remember many improvements that included a new intensive care and day surgery units, the Plane Tree Cafe, the opening of the Campus Ridge Building, Center for Women's Health, our Emergency Department, Riecker Surgery Center, as well as the Infusion Center. The most memorable is the Medical Center expansion that opened in 2011 and allowed us to offer private patient rooms. And, soon, we will open the new Heart and Vascular Center next summer. We're continuing to expand in order to serve our community, as well as our region, better." His most vivid memories, however, are about the people who have come through the doors seeking help, and those offering help. "It's truly about the people who work here, the people in the community we care for, and the impact we have on their lives," Rogers said. "I think about the people who received emergency care at our Level II Trauma Center. I think about the people who have undergone heart procedures and how their quality of life improved," Rogers said. "I think about the people who would not be alive today if we did not have this facility and our outstanding staff." Caring for patients has always been the priority according to Susan Janke of the Case Management Department who has been with the Medical Center since 1984. "Our technology is vastly different, the employees change, and the building itself has been replaced, renovated, and updated," Janke said. "However, the compassion and caring from our employees continues to endure. We care for each other, our patients and their families." The Flood of 1986 stands out in her memory as a testimony to employees' dedication. "I will never forget boats delivering people who were rescued from the local neighborhoods," she said. "I remember sharing warm blankets, food and resource information with people who had been displaced. While part of the hospital was flooded, the staff continued to care for our patients and others even when they, too, were dealing with their own flooded homes." Another employee, Mary Jo Witer, a nurse in the Pre-Admissions Department, was born at the Medical Center in 1959. "I started here at my first -- and only -- job as a registered nurse in 1979," she said. "I have seen many changes over the past 40 years. One of the biggest changes was in labor and delivery when we transitioned to couplet care -- caring for the mother and the baby together as a family unit. I loved helping so many families get a great start here at MidMichigan." The original Midland Hospital cost $413,000. More than half of the total -- $268,761 -- came from members of the community. Midlanders donated their time and talent as well. Shortly before the hospital opened its doors, hundreds of volunteers helped with the finishing touches -- cleaning, stocking shelves and preparing for the first patients. It is a tradition that continues today. Whether greeting visitors, working in the gift shop, offering clerical help, or supporting concerned family members of surgical patients, hundreds of volunteers of all ages still play an important role at MidMichigan Medical Center-Midland. "From the very beginning, the community has been very supportive of our efforts, and we are truly thankful for that," Rogers said. "We're glad to be here and glad to be able to serve the people in our community." Recent Medical Center Milestones 2017 -- Broke ground on the new Heart and Vascular Center. 2013 -- MidMichigan Health affiliated with Michigan Medicine, the health care division of the University of Michigan Health System. 2011 -- A three-year expansion and renovation was completed and the Medical Center is now a 324 licensed-bed hospital with all private patient rooms. 2007 -- The first open heart surgery was performed at the Medical Center in Midland. 2001 -- The new Emergency Department opened, doubling the size of the former facility. Fingerprints found on the tape used to bind the hands, feet and mouth of a Midland woman found dead in June 2018 are a match for the man currently charged with her murder. Joel Brandon Wallace, 34, appeared in court Wednesday, March 13, before Judge Stephen Carras of the 42nd Circuit Court for the seventh day of his trial, which was originally scheduled to conclude March 21, though deliberation for the final verdict could begin today, Carras said. Wallace stands accused of the murder of his great-aunt, Victoria Kilbourne, 74, a Midland hair stylist, who was reported missing on June 26, 2018. Her remains were found on June 30 in a shallow grave on Wallace's hunting property near Onaway. Wallace faces five counts, including homicide-murder first degree premeditated, homicide-felony murder, unlawful imprisonment, forgery and uttering and publishing. If he is convicted on all counts, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole. Representing the people as prosecutor is Midland County Prosecuting Attorney J. Dee Brooks. Wallace is represented by attorney Dan Duke. Detective Sgt. Kenneth Binder, who works as a forensic investigator for the Michigan State Police, testified as an expert witness in fingerprint identification on Wednesday. Working at the State Police scientific lab in Bridgeport, Binder examined four segments of black tape that had been removed from Kilbourne's remains after her body was found. Kilbourne's body was bound at the hands and feet with 2-inch black tape, with the same tape also being wrapped around her head and on her mouth. While it was a closed-head injury that knocked her unconscious, the way in which the tape had been applied -- being wrapped completely around her head -- led to her jawbone being pushed back, preventing her from breathing and leading to her death by asphyxiation, said Midland County Chief Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Dennis Wagner, who appeared in court on Tuesdsay. Binder was able to find three fingerprints on both the adhesive and non-adhesive sides of the tape, including prints identified as belonging to a palm and left middle finger. The prints were then compared to samples taken from Wallace. When asked by Brooks, Binder said there is "no question" in his mind that the fingerprints found on the tape were left by Wallace, and agreed there was "no reasonable way" the prints could have been left on the tape without Wallace having contact with it. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The Burkinabe Movement for Human and Peoples' Rights (MBDHP) claims to have recorded and documented 60 alleged cases of summary executions of persons committed on 4 February 2019 in and around the village of Kain in the north of the country by the Burkinabe army, which announced it had "neutralised 146 terrorists" in that locality Tripoli, Libya (PANA) UN and Libyan officials Wednesday held talks here on the evolving political process in Libya, as a prelude to preparations for a national inclusive conference to be held in a month, officials told PANA here Nouakchott, Mauritania (PANA) - Mauritanian police have dispersed victims of a major real estate scam, demonstrating against the brain behind the scam, named Sheikh Ridha, who is also considered a "scholar", PANA reported on Thursday Cotonou, Benin (PANA) - The United Nations University Institute for Natural Resources in Africa (UNU-INRA), based in Accra, is organising quarterly conferences on the sector of natural resources in Africa this March This list is part of a Paste series of bottom shelf liquor and craft beer style tastings. Click here to view all entries in the series. Youd be forgiven for assuming that the rye whiskey landscape is basically the same as the bourbon landscape, but the two are more different than initially might meet the eyeand its not just the mashbills that separate them. Bourbons spicier, cocktail-friendly cousin exists in a world of its own. For starters, defining cheap or bottom shelf rye whiskey requires a more lenient starting point than in the world of bourbon. There are fewer rye whiskey brands in general, and although rye was somewhat ignored during the beginning of the brown liquor revival, that only led to its premiumization later when more brands appeared. Today, the primary bottom shelf brands of ryethe kinds of bottles youll find in the wells of your average barssimply command a higher dollar price as a result. Something cheap in the rye worldsay, Old Overholt or Rittenhouseis still likely to cost you almost twice the price of the winner of our bottom shelf bourbon blind tasting, Very Old Barton. When it comes to rye, you just expect to pay a bit more. This is not to say that ultra-cheap (and probably blended with non-aged spirit) rye whiskeys dont exist, but unlike in the world of bourbon, there really arent any major ultra value rye whiskey brands, coming from the biggest whiskey distilleries of note. As a result, the ultra-value stuff is especially sketchy and hard to reliably findyou can find tons of listings on Total Wine for obscure brands like Darbys Reserve or Deadwood Rye but good luck actually finding those in person, or at a bar. And then of course, theres the elephant in the room when it comes to rye whiskey: MGP of Indiana. This mega-distillery doesnt bottle its own products, but it sells its popular 95 percent rye whiskey at various ages to many different distilleries, including Bulleit, Dickel, High West, Templeton, Redemption and many others, who dilute, bottle and additionally age it as they see fitsome more affordably than others. Several show up in this tasting. So lets answer the question: With $25 in your pocket, whats the absolute best bottle of rye whiskey you can buy? This is a tasting of rye whiskeys, with a strict price limit of $25 or less for a 750 ml bottle. Some of the bottles we used in the tasting were merely pints, but every brand on this list was available for $25 or less on Total Wine at the time of purchasing. Please note, the $25 cutoff means certain mid-shelf brands such as Wild Turkey ($26.49), Redemption ($25.99), High West ($32.99), Jack Daniels ($29.99) or James E. Pepper (32.99) missed the tasting by a few bucks, as they cant reliably be had for less than $25. All ryes were tasted neat. All rye whiskeys in this tasting were acquired directly from liquor stores in Georgia, with the exception of the Old Forester, which was a press sample. Rye whiskeys were judged completely blind by how enjoyable they were as individual experiences and given scores of 1-100, which were then averaged. Entries were judged by how much we enjoyed them for whatever reason, not by how well they fit any kind of preconceived style guidelines. Distillery: Beam Suntory ABV: 50% (100 proof) Price: $22.99 (although bizarrely, Total Wine is selling 750 ml of regular Old Overholt for $20.99, but 1L bottles for $16.99. Explain that one.) Old Overholt is a legacy Beam brand that has been around forever, a low-rye (likely 51 percent, but not disclosed) example of the style in keeping with the Kentucky tradition of rye whiskeys that have just enough rye content to qualify for the label. Its a very common well whiskey, although were using the more expressive and newer bottled-in-bond (and 100 proof) version. Not that this did it any favorsthis young-tasting spirit was the consensus least favorite on the table, and the only whiskey we sampled that none of us would particularly like to taste again. On the nose, the initial shock is an unmistakable note of sweetened peanut butter, like the interior of a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup, which is immediately off-putting. Sweet and buttery, with an impression of peanut shells and dusty leather, this simply wasnt what any of our tasters were looking for. On the palate its overly sweet, like buttery toffee, and although you do get some faint rye bread/citrus impressions, the overwhelming peanut quality is distractingly impossible to ignore. This proved to be a common note of the Beam-style ryes, and we found ourselves rather quickly disillusioned with them as a result. Distillery: Beam Suntory ABV: 45% (90 proof) Price: $24.99 This is, quite simply, the same distillate as Old Overholt Rye, except aged a year longer and (in this case) cut to 90 proof rather than 100. Those changes actually do have a positive effectevery taster agreed that the end result here was superior to the Old Overholt bottle, and several tasters who disliked the Old Overholt actually enjoyed the Jim Beam Rye. However, the lingering similaritiesespecially the peanut butter on the nose, although it is considerably fainter hereled to many of the same criticisms. Overall, this supposedly pre-Prohibition style rye comes off as a bit grainier, spicier and more rye-focused than the Old Overholt, with a better degree of balance in its flavors, but it still feels dominated more by corn than by rye. Those who liked it appreciated this drams easygoing sweetness and silky texture, but those who didnt were turned off by the lack of fruit notes and the rye spice weve come to expect from higher-rye formulations. If anything, the performance of the two Beam products on this table is a perfect illustration of how the American taste preferences for rye whiskey profiles have substantially changed over the course of the last decade. Distillery: Bulleit/Diageo (sourced from MGP of Indiana) ABV: 45% (90 proof) Price: $24.99 Now heres a brand you would certainly expect to be a contender. No other rye whiskey has had such a huge, albeit polarizing effect on the industry in the last decade as Bulleit. Using the 95/5 (rye/barley) recipe out of MGP of Indiana to great effect, Bulleit has built a rye empire with this green bottle, to the extent that most of the other rye brands on the table also sport green labelssomething we hardly think is a coincidence. And indeed, although many other distilleries also make use of the same rye whiskey from MGP, no brand seems to be so indelibly associated with it as Bulleit Rye. In the world of cheap rye whiskey, this is undoubtedly the brand that represents the gatekeeper between affordable ryes and premium ryes, and its also to thank for helping to change the American perception of exactly what rye whiskey tastes like, starting a trend toward higher rye content in rye whiskey. If this was a contest of which brand was most influential, Bulleit would be the easy winner. In practice, though, Bulleit Rye falls somewhere in the middle of the pack. Slightly charred on the nose, with a subtly ashy character, Bulleit features the complex flavor profile of herbaceous/fruit/spice interplay that you often see in very high-rye whiskeys. Fresh cut grass and hints of dark fruit make an interesting combination with spearmint and pepper, although the overall profile is let down slightly by a hint of medicinal artificiality that was noted on several score sheets. Ultimately, Bulleit proved to be divisive among the blind tasters, just as it often seems to be among whiskey geeks at the bar. With that said, we havent seen the last of the MGP ryes. Distillery: Brown-Forman ABV: 50% (100 proof) Price: $22.99 Old Foresters entry is the newest of this field on the market, and represents the first new mashbill with the Old Forester name on it in just shy of 150 years. And its a unique mashbill at that, striking a balance between classic Kentucky ryes and the higher-percentage modern style at 65 percent rye, 15 percent corn and an unusually high 20 percent malted barley. That last element helps it stand out as a unique entry on the table, adding a lightly floral note to the nose, along with hints of maple syrup sweetness, grassiness and white pepper. On the palate, theres a little bit of banana fruitiness to this whiskey, chased by rye bread, peppercorn and slightly young, green oak. Particularly impressive is how easily it drinks at 100 proofits night and day, compared to the cloying qualities of the 100 proof version of Old Overholt. This profile is equal parts familiar, intriguing and versatile. The bottom line is that this is a solid, expressive, rye that represents a great value for just over $20, especially when you consider the proof. If you need something to make old fashioneds and Manhattans in bulk, Old Forester represents an excellent budget pick. Note: I think its worth noting that the scores for the #2 and #3 positions were incredibly close, when all was said and done. Between six tasters score sheets, they were ultimately separated by only one point. Distillery: Dickel/Diageo (sourced from MGP of Indiana) ABV: 45% (90 proof) Price: $24.99 This bottle from Dickel features the same 95/5 MGP whiskey found in Bulleit Rye, but its superior presentation (and notably different flavors) are proof of just how much the same liquid can be modified through a distillerys finishing processes. In this case, Dickels filtration through sugar maple charcoal has added both richness and smoothness to this rye, enhancing some of its more indulgent characteristics while simultaneously removing the slight medicinal tones that tasters were picking up in the Bulleit. To be honest, we wouldnt have thought it would be possible for the same liquid, at the same proof, to present so differently. On the nose this one is very citrus forward, with a flamed orange peel quality that pairs nicely with brown sugar sweetness on the palatealmost bourbon-like, in character. That impression is amplified by the darker fruity qualities of Dickel Rye, which suggest cherries, followed by lemon-orange citrus and black pepper spiciness. This is a richer take on rye, which some may find very surprising, given the way it runs counter to how we expect very high-rye formulations (such as the MGP 95/5) to taste. Certainly, it strikes us as very conducive to making an old fashioned in particular. All in all, Dickel was a very pleasant surprise. Distillery: Heaven Hill ABV: 50% (100 proof) Price: $24.99 There was a time, a decade ago or so, when you could probably find bottles of Rittenhouse Rye for $10 on the regular, but now its barely able to stay within a bottom shelf rye whiskey conversation. Thats a testament to this classic ryes qualityalthough it may have been a bartenders secret once upon a time, the word has long since gotten out. And suffice to say, theres a reason why this stuff appears on seemingly every list of the best budget whiskey. Regardless of style, Rittenhouse is an absolute classic, and it proved it here by being far and away the consensus blind tasting winner. The funny thing about Rittenhouse is how very rye-forward it seems, in comparison with the other Kentucky-style ryes from the likes of Beam. Its significantly thinner of body than richer entries such as the George Dickel, but makes up for that quality with a preponderance of rye-driven flavors. Peppery spice and green apple fruitiness merge with orange peel, grain and earthy rye bread, while the high proof hides itself surprisingly well. Dried fruit, grass and pepper linger on the palate long afterward, rounding out a profile that begs to be mixed into any classic cocktail. For under $25 you cant do better than this, as far as rye whiskey is concerned. Rittenhouse is the bottom-shelf rye king. Jim Vorel is a Paste staff writer and resident brown liquor geek. You can follow him on Twitter for more drink writing. Have you heard that the mayor of the second largest city in Maine has stepped down? Shane Bouchard, the Republican mayor of the second largest city in Maine, stepped down after leaked emails and texts showed he joked that elderly black people were antique farm equipment When I first saw the headline about a Maine government official resigning, I thought perhaps the states racist governor had finally stepped down. A moments checking revealed that Bouchard is a prominent Maine mayor, not the governor (and that the state finally replaced its racist governor in the last election). I have long been baffled that the states former governor, Paul LePage, didnt resign over his own commentsand at why his racism was so little covered. At a town hall meeting in January 2016, LePage began talking about how much of the heroin is coming into Maine from out-of-state drug dealers. These are guys with the name D-Money, Smoothie, Shifty these types of guys they come from Connecticut and New York, they come up here, they sell their heroin, they go back home, LePage told a large crowd. Incidentally, half the time they impregnate a young white girl before they leave, which is a real sad thing because then we have another issue we have to deal with down the road. In case the racial implications of his comments arent clear enough, LePage later dug in, saying this the following at another town hall meeting in August, when asked about his comments months earlier: Let me tell you this, explain to you, I made the comment that black people are trafficking in our state, now ever since I said that comment Ive been collecting every single drug dealer who has been arrested in our state, LePage said. I dont ask them to come to Maine and sell their poison, but they come and I will tell you that 90-plus percent of those pictures in my book, and its a three-ringed binder, are black and Hispanic people from Waterbury, Conn., the Bronx and Brooklyn. Someone obtained a copy of this binder via a FOIA request. LePages 90-plus percent claim isnt near true. Have you ever heard the studies about how men misestimate how much of a conversation women dominate? Im reminded of this study, which found that men overestimated the amount of time women spent speaking in mixed-sex conversations. But the pictures in LePages bizarre bookassembled for the expressed purpose of proving his comments rightwerent actually in step with drug-related arrests in his state. In other words, even they were cherry picked. The Maine Department of Public Safety doesnt include race when compiling and analyzing crime data. And the most recent crime data from the FBI suggest the governors claim doesnt pass muster. The FBI data show that blacks accounted for 14 percent of a total of 1,211 drug sale and manufacturing arrests and 7.4 percent of 5,791 total drug arrests in Maine in 2014, the most recent numbers available. Everything about this is racist as heckand yet LePage did not step down. When a reporter insinuated that Democratic State Representative Drew Gattine had called him a racist, LePage called Gattine and left this message on his voicemail: Mr. Gattine, this is Governor Paul Richard LePage. I would like to talk to you about your comments about my being a racist, you cocksucker. I want to talk to you. You want I want you to prove that Im a racist. Ive spent my life helping black people and you little son of a bitch, socialist cocksucker. You I need you to just fricking I want you to record this and make it public because I am after you. Thank you. Asked by reporters to explain his comments, LePage said: I wish it were 1825 and we would have a duel, thats how angry I am, and I would not put my gun in the air, I guarantee you I would point it right between his eyes, because he is a snot-nosed little runt and he has not done a damn thing since hes been in this legislature to help move the state forward. And yet, somehow, unbelievably, LePage never resigned. Ironically, one of LePages last acts as Governor was to pardon former Republican state representative Jeffrey Pierce for a felony drug trafficking conviction. Given all this, I am genuinely surprised that Bouchardthe mayor of Maines second largest city, who recently resigned for making racist jokesactually resigned. If nothing else, LePage made it clear that Maine is not a state where politicians who say racist things need to resign. The contrary. Ironically, one of LePages last acts as Governor was to pardon former Republican state representative Jeffrey Pierce for a felony drug trafficking conviction. Apparently drug trafficking doesnt count if youre white? I have a Patreon! Please support my writing! New York: The Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) observed "Bihar Diwas" for the first time at the Consulate of India in New York on March 18th, 2018 to commemorate the 106th anniversary of the formation of the Bihar state. More than 200 people from different parts of North America attended the function to show their pride and appreciation for their rich cultural heritage of Bihar. {gallery}newsimages2018/mar/032018{/gallery}The function commenced with the lighting ceremony by Mr. Vinay Singh, President of BJANA, Dr. Avinash Gupta, Vice President of BJANA, and honorable Consulate General of India in NY, Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty. Mr. Sanjeev Singh, Secretary of BJANA, welcomed all guests and thanked them for their participation. Mr. Alok Kumar, a BJANA executive committee member and the Executive Vice President of FIA recognized and applauded the achievements of some of the prominent BJANA members. The cultural program, consisting of songs in Bhojpuri and Maithili and dance performances by children, was the major attraction of the function. BJANA executive members shared a few words about the event and vision and mission of BJANA. Mr. Anurag Kumar, Treasurer of BJANA, presented a list of accomplishments and encouraged BJANA members to actively participate in philanthropic and charitable causes of BJANA, both in the United States and at the home states of Bihar and Jharkhand in India. The cultural function concluded with a video presentation on the history and achievements of Bihar. This was followed by a lunch comprising exquisite and ethnic Bihari cuisine that gave all participants nostalgic feeling of celebrating Bihar Diwas in Bihar. The Chief Minister of Bihar Mr. Nitish Kumar also sent his best wishes to BJANA and congratulated the members for their constant efforts and interest in maintaining their identity. BJANA also celebrates Holi and Diwali festivals every year and successfully organized Chhath Puja for the first time in Oct, 2017. The Puja was attended by a large number of people of Bihar and Jharkhand origin. The vision and mission of BJANA is to integrate the communities of people from Bihar and Jharkhand through the celebration of cultural festivals and philanthropic and charitable initiatives/activities in North America and home states of Bihar and Jharkhand. In the life cycle of corporations and the people who work for them, its been a bad week for Rite Aid, the East Pennsboro Twp.-based company that is the nations number three drugstore chain but caught in a strange, new world where that may not be big enough. The company announced Tuesday the elimination of approximately 400 corporate and administrative staff positions, along with the near-term ouster of CEO John Standley and several members of his senior leadership team. The bad news was probably overdue, if instant market reaction and analyses are to be believed, as the company continues to catch up with its 2017 sale of nearly 2,000 stores and three distribution centers to Walgreens, the nations number two drugstore chain. Were not surprised the board decided that a fresh perspective is needed, Jonathan Palmer, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, told business media outlet Fortune.com. The departing management team distinguished themselves with two failed merger attempts while retail pharmacy market became increasingly more difficult. To some, to be sure, the course correction is welcome. The leadership change is the big thing, said Chris Komatinsky, a Rite Aid shareholder from California who has been an outspoken critic of Standleys administration. He was more of a strategist to work that deal (like an aborted merger with the Albertsons supermarket chain last year), but he was never a good operations person. Standley has been Rite AIds CEO since 2010. You need new blood in there that can think more creatively, Komatinsky said, and help Rite-Aid become more profitable in its current life. What could that creativity look like? Komatinsky has some ideas. He contends, for example, the chain should seek to rebuild its shrunken national profile by inking partnership agreements to run pharmacies in regional supermarket chains that are currently running their own in-store drug dispensaries. That way, he believes, Rite Aid can expand its store footprint with minimal cost, the groceries can benefit from Rite Aids drug sourcing agreements, and both firms can help each other build traffic and make money. He suggests the Publix chain in Florida, or the Texas-based H-E-B as examples. Then, by Komatinskys logic, if a future merger or buyout offer comes about, the companys shareholders will be in a better position to get full value for their investment. Rite Aid Chairman Bruce Bodaken said the board is focused on recruiting a next CEO who will best position Rite Aid to create long-term value for shareholders. No timeline was offered for the search process. Market analysts were split about Rite-Aids future. Arun Sundaram, a Washington-based stock analyst for CFRA Research who tracks Rite Aid, said Wednesday he is maintaining his hold recommendation for the stocks owners, and keeping his one-year-out target price for Rite Aids shares at $1. Rite aid stock closed at 72 cents per share Wednesday afternoon. We remain cautiously optimistic, Sundaram wrote, as a new management team will likely help provide a new vision and the cost reduction strategy should help reduce the substantial debt levels. Another painted a much bleaker picture. All-in, given the (companys) elevated leverage levels and likely declining profit line, we think the outlook here is pretty dire, Evercore ISI analyst Ross Muken said in a note picked up widely in the financial press. We see no real scenario long-term whereby the company plays a meaningful role in the (drug) supply chain. Its already bleak for the hundreds of employees affected by this weeks announcements. Expanding on Tuesdays announcement, Rite Aid said Wednesday the company is shedding 260 of 1,280 corporate and administrative jobs in the greater Harrisburg area, as well as about 140 jobs in other locations. All told, spokesman Christopher Savarese said, the changes will cut that staff from about 1,750 to 1,350. While empathizing with those who find themselves out of a job this week and their careers turned upside down, Harrisburg Regional Chamber President and CEO David Black voiced hope that most will have a chance to find good new work opportunities in the midstates relatively strong economy. The jobless rate for Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties dropped to 3.2 percent in January, equalling a post-recession low set last May. Black also expressed ongoing concern for Rite-Aids long-term future as a homegrown Fortune 500 company, but he conceded that in the 21st Century health care economy, unfortunately, I dont think theres anything we can do about it. They have to figure out what the next evolution of Rite Aid is. He did have a kind word for Standley, who has become a bit of a whipping boy on market-oriented comment lines in recent months as Rite Aids stock prices languished below the $1-per-share mark. The exiting CEO, Black said, took a personal interest in the development of the new Rite Aid store in downtown Harrisburgs Strawberry Square, which Black noted has become a key tenant both for the mall, and is a key recognition of the chains founder Alex Grasss historic ties to Harrisburgs Lehrman family. Grass founded Rite Aid in 1962, when he opened a discount health and beauty-aids store in Scranton -- his birthplace -- under the name Thrif D Discount Center. Other stores soon followed, and by 1968, the chain had grown to 50 stores, took its current name and went public with its initial stock offering. By the time Grass left Rite Aid as its chairman and CEO in March 1995 and handed the reins to his son, Martin, it was the nations largest drugstore chain in terms of store numbers and the second largest based on revenue. Instead of strengthening Rite Aid, Martin Grass would bring the company to its knees in five years, hamstrung by disastrous deals, high debt, and ultimately illegal accounting practices designed to fictionalize Rite Aids profits. The accounting scandal and its related conspiracies would send Martin Grass to federal prison for seven years. The business fallout would send company stock on a tailspin, from the high-flying $50-range to historic lows. In many ways, leading Rite Aid has been a recovery effort ever since. Standley helped to steer the company to the proposed sale to Walgreens at $9 per share in 2015, but that deal was cancelled amid Federal Trade Commission competition concerns. Last year, then, the proposed merger with the Albertsons grocery store chain was called off in the face of fierce shareholder opposition. With about 2,500 stores book-ending Americas East and West coasts, Rite Aid is a distant third among retail pharmacy chains in size to CVS, which has about 9,700 stores, and Walgreens, with about 8,200 stores. In total prescription revenues, it has now slipped to seventh in 2018 according to a recent report by Drug Channels Institute, trailing - besides CVS and Walgreens - mail order operations run by Cigna and UnitedHealth, and the retailers Walmart and Kroger. The company isnt exactly small - it still ranked 94th in terms of corporate revenues in the most recent edition of the Fortune 500. The question is, where does it fit in a changing health care and retailing landscape, especially in drug dispensing where Moodys vice president Mickey Chadha told PennLive last summer size is essential to being able to compete for contracts with the largest health care networks that steer the most traffic into stores. A new CEO gets to tackle that question now. There are some positives. Rite Aid recently inked a 10-year extension of its drug sourcing agreement with McKesson Corp., a major wholesaler, that company officials said earlier this winter ensures a competitively-priced supply of drugs through the next decade. The company also owns a small pharmacy benefits manager business that, some feel, is helping increase foot traffic and prescription business in Rite Aids stores. Bodaken, the board chairman, acknowledged the pain that this weeks decisions - expected to save about $55 million annually once fully-implemented - are causing. But he asked battle-worn Rite Aid shareholders and staffers to keep the faith one more time. Komatinsky, the shareholder from California, said hes still in. Im more encouraged now that the board took the action that they did, he told PennLive. Im hopeful that theyll find the right person. Everything you need to know to start your day. Sign up now for Good Morning, Pa. A group of investors led by a man who previously expressed interest in buying the old William Penn High School has purchased the old Bishop McDevitt High School on Market Street for $300,000. The sale of the 115,000-square foot building on eight acres at 2200 Market Street was finalized Feb. 25, according to a deed filed in Dauphin County this week. The Harrisburg Diocese originally was originally seeking a minimum bid of $400,000 for the former Catholic school at an auction last August that did not draw any formal bids. After the failed auction, Diocese officials began negotiating with the investor group. The deed lists the new owner as the William Penn Holdings Company, which lists a principal named Jeremy Hunter, 36, of Camp Hill. When reached via Facebook late Thursday afternoon, Hunter said he could not immediately comment on his plans for the former McDevitt building, but invited PennLive to submit questions via email that he could submit to a board of directors. A laborer was on the site of the building Thursday securing the property, which has been vacant for nearly six years. City Engineer Wayne Martin said he was not aware of any permits or land development plans that had been filed for any projects on the site. Hunters company, William Penn Holdings, was started in 2017 and lists local attorney James Ellison as the companys chief legal officer. Ellison could not be immediately reached for comment. The attorney who facilitated the closing on the property said he could not comment, instead deferring comment to Hunter and Ellison. Hunter was one of two men who became ensnared in an election mishap in November 2017 when they distributed fliers to vote for Harrisburg mayoral challenger Gloria Martin-Roberts with fliers advertising a cell phone raffle for people who voted, to encourage more voter turnout. A judge ended up squashing the raffle on election day, ruling that it promoted a specific race-- the mayor's race-- and was "suggestive" as far as candidates on the ballot. The judge sent deputies to polling stations across the city who seized raffle tickets and photographed people distributing tickets. Hunter said at the time that he had donated $35,000 in in-kind gifts to Martin-Roberts campaign, but she lost the election. Ellison was one of Martin-Roberts campaign directors. Hunter previously said he had submitted a proposal to buy the old William Penn High School for $1.5 million to turn it into a trade and technology school. But the plan never materialized. That old vacant high school still remains for sale. The fact that the former McDevitt property was sold to this particular buyer without any public notification or conversation was completely irresponsible, said Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse. The fact that no one from the diocese or purchasing group reached out to the city in advance of the closing clearly shows a lack of due diligence, Papenfuse said. And it raises doubts of either partys commitment to the future development of the site. Former Bishop McDevitt building at 2200 Market Street in Harrisburg. The Diocese had been trying to sell the old McDevitt property since it opened the new Bishop McDevitt High School at a campus in Lower Paxton Township in 2013. There have been several misfires along the way. Past re-use efforts have centered around reopening the building as a charter school - blocked by Harrisburg School District's refusal of charters; or re-purposing the structure into housing. In the meantime, the Diocese had been paying roughly $60,000 annually in school, city and county real estate taxes on the property since its use as a school ceased. In recent years, several people familiar with the property have said, it's become an attractive nuisance in the Bellevue Park neighborhood. Residents say the school has become a target for graffiti artists and thieves seeking copper and other resalable items, and in the winter has come to serve as an informal base camp for some of Harrisburgs homeless. Neighbors are eager to see what the vacant property could become. Editors Note: This article was updated with comments from Mayor Papenfuse. A former priest with the Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg has been arrested on child molestation charges, according to the Dauphin County District Attorneys Office. John G. Allen, 75, of York was arrested Thursday by detectives from the District Attorneys Criminal Investigation Division. Allen is charged with four counts of indecent assault and two counts of corruption of minors. Allen is accused of molesting two boys between 1997 and 2002 while they served as altar boys for St. Margaret Marys Alacoque Church in Harrisburg, police say. Allens name appeared on a list released by the Harrisburg Diocese last year of priests against whom credible allegation of child sexual abuse had been made. He was also named as an abuser by a state grand jury. In a 900-page report released in August, the grand jury investigation revealed that more than 1,000 people, most of them children, were sexually abused by clergy in six of Pennsylvanias eight diocese over the decades. The grand jury identified 301 members of the clergy, including Allen, as having allegedly committed criminal or morally reprehensible conduct against children. Pope Benedict XVI formally removed Allen from the priesthood in February 2006. The investigation into Allen started in October when the Diocese of Harrisburg notified the Dauphin County District Attorneys Office of allegations made against Allen by a man. The man told police Allen grabbed his buttocks on multiple occasions between 1999 and 2002, when the man was 10 to 13 years old. That contact ended when the diocese removed Allen as a pastor of St. Margaret Marys Alacoque Church in 2002. He was removed, according to the district attorneys office, after the diocese learned of allegations of sexual abuse of another individual. The diocese notified the district attorneys office in February that another man had come forth to report abuse by Allen, according to the release. That man told police Allen touched him on the buttocks and in the genital area on multiple occasions from 1997 to 1999. The man said the the contact happened from the time he was 12 until he was 14, police said. There is a lot of confusion about the statute of limitations for sexual abuse crimes," Chief Deputy District Attorney Sean M. McCormack said in the release. "I encourage anyone who has been the victim of abuse, even if you think it is too late to report, please report your abuse to authorities. In this case, while the abuse occurred over 20 years ago, we are still able to bring charges because of the extended statute of limitations for sexual crimes committed against minors. Anyone who has information that may help investigators is asked to contact Det. John OConnor at joconnor@dauphinc.org. (Philadelphia) Commercial goods packed in giant capsules and moving in vacuum-sealed steel tubes at nearly supersonic speeds from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh? That means packages hurtling from one end of the state to the other in under a half hour. Pennsylvania transportation officials think its less futuristic than it sounds, and they have committed $2 million to study the cost and impact of building a hyperloop across the state. This is an emerging technology thats coming at us very quickly, said Carl DeFebo, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Its smart for the Turnpike Commission to be prepared. Popularized by engineer and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, a hyperloop is a trainlike system of sealed pods zooming at more than 700 mph, just below the sound barrier. No such system has ever opened, though India claims it is getting close. For years, governments have been abuzz about the possibility of such an ultrahigh-speed transportation network in the face of naysayers who cite the high cost and question the practicality of planning such a project. In Pennsylvania, DeFebo said turnpike officials are mostly interested in exploring how hyperloop technology can improve traffic conditions, noting that some 15 percent of vehicles on state roads are tractor-trailers. And, more critically to turnpike officials, commercial vehicles account for some 50 percent of toll revenue. In other words, hyperloop has the potential of being a threat to an essential piece of the turnpikes annual revenue. To an agency already careening toward a financial catastrophe, toll money is a dire matter. If theres a new way for shippers to ship goods, we need to be a part of that. Theres a chance it could take away a critical segment of our customer base, DeFebo said. Its not going to replace tractor-trailers. Its not going to replace trains. But itll work with existing modalities to be part of a wider transportation solution. A hyperloop for humans, at least in Pennsylvania, is secondary to its commercial potential, DeFebo said. And it might not be underground. Officials are exploring whether it could propel goods on the ground next to moving traffic or even suspended above state highways. There are fewer safety concerns with cargo than with passengers, he said. So, when it comes to passengers, they would be more impacted by the G-forces. The hyperloop for freight, for instances, can have sharper turns, since we wouldnt be trying to smooth out the ride for passengers. Not missing the boat The study approved this month by the Turnpike Commission, will be conducted by Dallas-based consulting group Aecom, which constructed Musks first SpaceX Hyperloop test track in the Los Angeles area. Questions involving cost, design, engineering, environmental impact and acquiring right-of-way near the turnpike will be addressed by the Pennsylvania study, which is expected to be released by spring 2020. Turnpike officials ordered the study at the direction of state Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-Luzerne, who wanted to make sure Pennsylvania didnt miss the boat on hyperloop, as other states made similar moves to study the technology. Kaufer proposed that the zippy transportation system could have a northeast extension to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area, which includes parts of his district. Martin Pietrucha, a civil engineering professor at Penn State University, said in the context of the state Department of Transportations nearly $4 billion budget, a $2 million study is a paltry sum. Thats like a sparrow farting in a hurricane, Pietrucha said. That said, its good for any organization to do a little blue sky thinking about the future, and that amount of money isnt really going to seriously affect any other elements of the transportation system. So why not? Pietrucha said investing in high-speed rail and expanding existing train track may make more, but it is unlikely that a cash-strapped agency will be in a hurry to start pursuing high-speed rail, similar to the Acela, from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, which state officials claim could cost nearly $40 billion. Michael Boyer, associate director of comprehensive planning at the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, welcomes the hyperloop study, though he is far from bullish on the concept. It provides an exciting opportunity for high-speed travel, but it will be competing for scarce resources against established and other new technologies, Boyer said. Benefits in travel speed need to be weighed against other considerations, such as safety, environmental stewardship, ridership, cost, and other transportation infrastructure needs. In the summer of 2017, Pennsylvanians were seeing headlines about Musks hyperloop dreams after he claimed officials in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., gave him the verbal go-ahead for a passenger train. Soon after, officials in those cities said no such talks happened and no approval was ever secured. That status quo remains, according to Philadelphia city officials. There are numerous hurdles for this unproven hyperloop technology before it can become a reality, said Kelly Cofrancisco, a spokeswoman for Mayor Jim Kenney. Philadelphia is focused on near term feasible improvements to bus service for city transit and supports proven technologies like high-speed rail, or intercity transit. Ultra-high-speed rail? For now, it remains a vacuum-sealed pipe dream. Keystone Crossroads is a statewide reporting collaborative of WITF, WPSU and WESA, led by WHYY. This story originally appeared at https://whyy.org/programs/keystone-crossroads/. The priest who was arrested Thursday on charges of child sex molestation was removed from ministry 17 years ago, according to officials from the Diocese of Harrisburg. In a written statement, the diocese noted that John G. Allen had been removed from ministry immediately upon receipt of a credible allegation of child sexual abuse against him. The diocese notified law enforcement of the allegation and announced it publicly at that time. Every allegation of child sexual abuse concerning Allen has been reported by the diocese to multiple law enforcement authorities, the statement read. Allens name was released by the Diocese of Harrisburg in our list of clergy, deacons and seminarians with allegations of child sexual abuse on August 1, 2018 and he was included in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. The Dauphin County District Attorneys Office on Thursday arrested Allen, 75, of York, charging him with four counts of indecent assault and two counts of corruption of minors. Allen is accused of molesting two boys between 1997 and 2002 while they served as altar boys for St. Margaret Marys Alacoque Church in Harrisburg, police say. According to the District Attorneys office, Thursdays charges were the result of reports made to their office by the diocese. We condemn John Allens actions and we fully support law enforcement and we cooperated with them on this case, the diocese said in its written statement. Allen is not now, and has not been for over a decade, a priest of the Catholic Church. Bishop Ronald Gainer, on behalf of the Church, extends our prayers, heartfelt sorrow and apologies to all survivors of clergy sexual abuse. Allen is among 301 priests identified as child predators by a grand jury report released last year by Attorney General Josh Shapiro. The report of the 40th Statewide Grand Jury investigation, released in August, found that more than 1,000 people, most of them children, had been sexually abused by clergy in six of Pennsylvanias eight diocese over the decades. Allen was defrocked in 2006, four years after the diocese received a credible allegation that he had engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor in 1979. He is among 72 priests and personnel the Harrisburg diocese has reported as being accused of child sexual abuse. Some of those on that list are dead. Christine Rodgers was just 5 years old when her mother Debra was found dead in the Tuscarora State Forest in April 1983. On Thursday, during the homicide trial of her father, Carl, she took the witness stand for the defense and told a Perry County jury about her last memory of her mom. It occurred, she said, on the night when her 23-year-old mother left their trailer on a Loysville-area farm, the same night she disappeared. I woke up and I saw her standing in the doorway. I went to get out of bed, and she told me to go back to sleep, Christine, now 41, said under questioning by defense attorney Geoffrey McInroy. She said she followed her mom anyway and saw her doing something at the gun cabinet in the living room. She tucked me back into bed and told me she loved me, Christine said. She said she then saw her mother walking outside the trailer, heard a car start and saw it drive away. I did not see anybody with her, she said. On cross-examination, Senior Deputy Attorney General Kelly Sekula cited a 1995 deposition Christine gave to her fathers lawyer regarding that final memory. Christine said it was she who approached her dad to tell him what she recalled. Her family didnt talk about her mothers death, she said. She never went to the police with the information, she said, nor did she convey it to any investigators who questioned her occasionally during the nearly 36 years since her mothers death. When Sekula mentioned her father told police he and Debra had argued on the night of Debras disappearance, Christine said she had no memory of such an altercation. Debra Rodgers with her then-5-year-old daughter Christine. Sekula and fellow prosecutor Heather Castinello are contending Carl Rodgers, now 63, of Shermans Dale, beat Debra to death, slit her wrists to simulate a suicide, and dumped her body in the woods. McInroy is countering that Debra slit her own wrists because she was distraught over her life and work and suffered other injuries, including a fractured skull, when she fell to the rocky forest floor. Carl Rodgers was charged with homicide in November 2017 after the attorney generals office revisited the case, one of the oldest cold cases ever brought to trial in central Pennsylvania. Christine Rodgers was one of several members of Rodgers family McInroy called as witnesses after President Judge Kathy A. Morrow rejected his plea to order the acquittal of his client. McInroy argued that the prosecutors, who rested their case Thursday afternoon, failed to provide any evidence on which a reasonable jury could convict Carl Rodgers for his wifes death. Castellino countered the prosecution had demonstrated there was a specific intent to kill Debra. Carl Rodgers younger brother Robert testified that Debra was very timid. It was hard to get her to talk at all. He said he didnt believe she was happy with her marriage or farm life. He said under cross-examination that his brother never discussed Debras injuries with him. He denied telling a grand jury in 2016 that he thought it was unusual that his mother had cleaned Carls and Debras trailer the day after Debras body was discovered on April 24, 1983. I dont remember saying it was unusual, Robert Rodgers said. I wish she wouldnt have done it, though. Carl Rodgers aunt, Edna Milligan, said her sister cleaned the trailer because there was mud all over the floor from the shoes of relatives who had been searching for Debra. The trial is to resume Monday. McInroy told the judge it has not yet been decided whether Carl Rodgers will testify. READING, Pa. (AP) Prosecutors have announced the federal indictment of eight alleged members of a violent drug organization blamed for as many as eight homicides in one Pennsylvania community. U.S. Attorney William McSwain says a drug gang called "Trinidad DTG" distributed methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and cocaine in the Reading area. McSwain announced the indictment at a news conference Thursday with other law enforcement officials. Eight Reading Residents Indicted on 21 Counts of Drug Distribution, Firearms Offenses https://t.co/Qd033XrzCP U.S. Attorney EDPA (@USAO_EDPA) March 14, 2019 Authorities blame Trinidad DTG for a spike in homicides in Berks County last year. Berks County District Attorney John Adams called it the most violent drug trafficking organization ever encountered in that area. The suspected gang members indicted are: Jesus Feliciano-Trinidad, 29 Sharon Melendez-Ortiz, 39 Fitzgerald Daliot-Rios, 29 Yomar Velazquez-Figueroa, 21 Dewayne Quinones, 25 Gisela Mendez, 42 Mariela Alvarado, 38 Owen Malave-Medina, 22 The suspected gang members operated out of multiple buildings and used firearms and violence to bolster their drug dealing, according to the Wednesday indictment, which also points out a conspiracy by the suspects to commit shootings and a kidnapping. 10 Operation Shattered These are serious federal charges with serious federal penalties, McSwain said in a statement. My Office is committed to working with the Berks County District Attorneys Office and all of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to keep the Reading community safe. Prosecutors say three of the defendants are already facing state homicide charges. McSwain says the probe is continuing and there could be more arrests. A freshman lawmaker is leading the charge on a government reform effort to let voters decide whether to bring an end to politicians making a career out of serving in the Pennsylvania Legislature. Rep. Andrew Lewis, R-Dauphin County, is proposing a constitutional amendment that would limit lawmakers to serving in their elective office for no more than 12 consecutive years. We believe that this is a way to bring cultural change where we have a citizen legislature where new voices and new ideas are constantly introduced, where work ethic and what you bring to the table are keys to success rather than simply accumulating years of service, Lewis said at a Capitol news conference this week to announce the proposal. He was joined by six of the 14 lawmakers supporting the proposal. Many of the ones who showed up are only in their first or second term and several, including Lewis, replaced lawmakers who held their office for decades. Lewis explained his phased-in proposal would limit senators to no more than three four-year terms and representatives to no more than six two-year terms. The 12-year clock for sitting lawmakers would only start once the amendment was ratified by a majority of voters. It allows term-limited lawmaker to run for their former seat again after sitting out a term. It also wouldnt bar them from immediately seeking another elective legislative office after their 12 years is up. Fifteen states impose term limits on their state legislators and a proposed constitutional amendment seeks to add Pennsylvania to that list. Fifteen other states place term limits on their legislators, according to research by the National Conference of State Legislatures. From conversations he has had with hundreds of voters, freshman Rep. Mike Jones, R-York County, said he was hard-pressed to think of a single one who opposed term limits. Other lawmakers who spoke at the news conference said they also heard widespread support for this government reform from their constituents. The public sees it as a way to introduce fresh ideas for addressing problems facing the state and giving lawmakers a desire to work faster to solve them since they would be on the 12-year clock, they said. After a while, Rep. Jared Solomon, D-Philadelphia, said lawmakers become too complacent in their position, coasting along instead of charging ahead We need to clear out the trees whose shade halts the shoots of new growth on the ground. Term limits let in the light to allow that new growth to thrive. Jones said the proposal is not intended to disparage long-serving legislators but rather to level the playing field and offset the advantages that incumbency holds that increase every time they stand for election. Aside from their name recognition growing, fund-raising gets easier. The chance of having a primary opponent diminishes over time. And the ability to curry favor with voters by delivering taxpayer-funded grants to community organizations. We think 12 years is more than enough, Jones said. He and others picked apart arguments often heard against term limits. One of them suggests institutional knowledge would be lost. The term-limit proponents said the phased-in approach would provide enough time for that knowledge to be passed along. Another argument is it would give too much power to staffers and bureaucrats to sway lawmakers decision-making. To that, Jones said, Wed be hard-pressed to say the current system is doing much to limit bureaucracy. If anything, term limits may actually help the situation. Changing the constitution is an uphill fight, though. It requires identical bills to pass the House and Senate in two consecutive sessions before going to the voters for ratification. Making this particular fight even harder is it essentially is asking veteran lawmakers who have turned politics into a career to put themselves out of a job sooner than they maybe would prefer. In the last legislative session, an effort that similarly would have forced some members out of office through a constitutional change was derailed in the final stages. That proposed constitutional amendment sought to reduce the size of the 203-member state House of Representatives to 151, starting in 2022. It failed because a large enough bloc of House members insisted on supporting it only if the 50-member Senate was downsized too, knowing the Senate previously rejected that idea. Rep. Cris Dush, R-Jefferson County, said this proposal is unlikely to receive the same pushback because of the phased-in approach that would allow incumbents the opportunity to seek re-election to up to six more House terms or three more Senate terms. By that time, he said many would be ready to retire anyway. If the nation can survive with a president limited to eight years, Jones said Pennsylvanias Legislature can surely manage by limiting lawmakers to 12 years. He said, Lets put it on the ballot and lets let the voters decide. Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy. Start your day in the know. Sign up for Good Morning, Pennsylvania. A woman suspected of shooting at a building in a Greensburg neighborhood was fatally shot by police after she aimed a handgun at police, police told local media. KDKA-TV out of Pittsburgh reported that a woman, who has not been identified by police, raised a gun at officers after they had already used a bean-bag shotgun to stun her. The station reported that police originally went to the area of Grant and Harvey streets in the city thats a little more than 30 miles east of Pittsburgh, for a call of shots fired. The shots resulted in the front door of the Red Cross PA Cyber building to be shattered, police said, and no one was hurt. When police determined where the shooter came from, they ordered the woman out of the house, KDKA reported. She came out holding a handgun and refused to drop it when police ordered her to. That was when police used the bean-bag shotgun. Greensburg Police Captain Robert Stafford told KDKA that when the woman was hit, she stopped for a couple seconds but regained composure and raised her gun toward officers. The officers shot her multiple times, and she was transported to a hospital for treatment, where she later died. Police in Middletown are investigating the death of woman whose body was found in an apartment Thursday morning. The womans body was found inside the apartment in the first block of South Union Street, Press & Journal reports. The woman lived in an apartment above Robertos Pizza. The woman has not yet been identified, and the Dauphin County Coroners Office will determine the cause of her death. Detective Sgt. Gary Rux II told the news agency that there are enough unanswered questions to prompt a criminal investigation. It is enough to merit a police investigation to determine where we go from here, he said. It raises suspicions. It may end up being natural. There are no suspects, and no arrests have been made. Rux also said police consider the death an isolated incident, and there is no danger to the public, according to the report. Rux also said there was no evidence of illegal drugs inside the residence. SITKA, Alaska (AP) A historic Alaska museum and library may be sold at the direction of Gov. Mike Dunleavy, according to a state official. The Sheldon Jackson Museum and adjacent Stratton Library building in Sitka, southwest of Juneau, are under consideration for sale or transfer. The Daily Sitka Sentinel reported . Patience Frederiksen, Alaskas director of libraries, archives and museums, informed a legislative subcommittee about the Republican governors plans last Friday. The museum founded in 1897 by Presbyterian missionary Sheldon Jackson is Alaskas oldest concrete struc... Omicron COVID-19 variant identified in Michigan: What you need to know The property with the red porch, 240 Earlham Terrace in Germantown, was operating as an unlicensed group home for intellectually disabled men until officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services removed the men on Feb. 25, seven weeks after a non-disabled resident there notified the state's Adult Protective Services Program. Read more Life at 240 Earlham Terrace, a short, narrow street in Germantown, was rough for three intellectually disabled men kept on the third floor. The furnace wasnt working in the depths of this bitter cold winter, and space heaters in the bedrooms regularly blew out a circuit breaker, cutting off the heat and plunging the house into darkness. The circuit breaker in what turned out to be an unlicensed group home was inaccessible behind a dead bolt in the basement. It felt like I was sitting outside on a park bench. Thats how cold it was, said Tiffani Melton, who rented a second-floor room in the house from late October until mid-February and promised to get the men out of there after one of them begged her for help because he couldnt stand the sight and smell of feces anymore. Another man, of fewer words, told her simply: I just want to leave. He got his wish, but not until seven weeks after the first official complaint Jan. 7, according to state officials. Thats when Melton raised an alarm and provided information needed to help the men she described as hostages whose monthly disability checks were being collected by the operators of the facility. The case highlights what advocates say are the failings of the states adult protective services system, established by a 2010 law to ensure adequate investigations of allegations of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or abandonment of people with intellectual disabilities aged 18 to 59. This is outrageous that these men were living in this condition for as long as they were and at risk in the way that they were without anything being done, said Judy Banks, deputy director of Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania, a Harrisburg nonprofit federally designated to protect the rights of and advocate for Pennsylvanians with disabilities. More than 50,000 Pennsylvanians participate in the states programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities, including 5,413 licensed group homes with the capacity to care for 18,713 people. Insufficient oversight For advocates, the Germantown case recalls the failings that led to a death in 2017, at Blossom Philadelphia, which was the subject of numerous complaints to Adult Protective Services. Blossom in 2017 lost its license to operate 32 group homes with 89 residents after regulators found gross incompetence. The state brought in new operators for the homes, but not before one client, Vincent McNamara, choked to death because his caregivers gave him the wrong food. Advocates also faulted the state for not yet having established regulations for Adult Protective Services nine years after the law was passed. The regulations will provide the guidance thats needed around investigations, Banks said. In the year ended June 2016, the latest available, Adult Protective Services received 9,168 complaints, conducted 5,032 investigations, and substantiated allegations in 1,225 cases. The system failed Melton, who rented her room for $100 a week, was not aware of that big picture, but she was convinced the men on the third floor possibly in their 50s deserved better. So she called the company coordinating state-funded services for at least one of the men. Responding to her call for help, representatives from Pennsylvanias Adult Protective Services visited 240 Earlham Terrace on Jan. 10. But nothing changed. Melton, 43, said she kept calling, first Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, responsible for taking such complaints, and then the Adult Protective Services directly. Still nothing. Exasperated, she contacted The Inquirer on Tuesday, Feb. 19. The following Friday this reporter passed her information along to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, which pays for and regulates services for intellectually disabled individuals. On Monday, Feb. 25, acting on The Inquirers tip, state officials removed three men from the unlicensed property and took them to a hospital for evaluation, officials said. DHS spokesperson Ali Fogarty said that one of the men removed from 240 Earlham was in a nursing home receiving rehabilitation. The two others were at licensed facilities while permanent arrangements are being made. An investigation is ongoing, Fogarty said, but she would provide no additional details, citing confidentiality rules. Any penalties for operating an unlicensed care facility and not complying with the mandated standards of care will be determined through the investigation, she said. Held hostage City records list Joyce L. Bowman, 75, as the owner of 240 Earlham Terrace. Bowman also shows up in public records with the last names Smith and Pugh, which is how Melton knows her. Im confused with her," Melton said. "The lady says shes God-fearing and then is holding these men hostage and not taking care of them. The goal of community homes for intellectually disabled individuals is to allow them to lead everyday lives" to the greatest extent possible. Melton said everyday life on Earlham Terrace meant not going anywhere, dealing with a kitchen that was locked in the evening after the caretakers left, and living in the dark because the operators were obsessed with keeping the lights out. Because of the darkness, they literally climbed the stairs on their hands and knees, Melton said of the men on the third floor. I busted my nose on the wall walking up the steps because the lights were out, she said. One man asked her for clean underwear because he had feces running down his leg, Melton said. She said she gave him a pair of her fiances underwear, which she had in her room. Reached by telephone Monday, Pugh had nothing to say about the emergency removal of the men from the unlicensed group home. I dont know anything about it, and Im tired of hearing about it. Its a done deal," she said. As to how she got into the group-home business, Pugh said: I wasnt into a business. I wasnt into a business. Please dont call back. Its been very upsetting. The statewide director of Adult Protective Services, Kirk Golden, did not respond to a request for more information about the Earlham Terrace case. Golden works for Liberty Health Corp., a Bala Cynwyd company that provides the protective services. Dee Coccia, co-president of Vision for Equality, a Philadelphia nonprofit that advocates for people with intellectual disabilities, was not surprised to hear what happened after Melton contacted Adult Protective Services. I havent seen anybody tell me a success story with them, Coccia said. To be forthright about it, I dont have much respect for the work theyre doing. State utility regulators on Thursday fined an electric generation supplier $52,700 for failing to conduct criminal background checks on its door-to-door sales people after Bensalem police in 2017 charged a salesman with rape. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission launched an investigation of Vista Energy Marketing L.P., of Houston, in 2017 after Fox 29 ran a report about Bensalem police charging Christopher Henneghan, of Delaware County, with rape and indecent assault at knifepoint of a young woman. Henneghan was employed by Platinum Advertising, a Langhorne company, to induce electricity customers to switch to Vista. Vista, as the licensed energy supplier, is ultimately responsible for the actions of its employees and contractors, the PUC said. Henneghan, who pleaded guilty to rape in 2018 and was sentenced to 12 to 25 years in prison, was not working nor was he engaged in work-related activities when the crime occurred, the PUCs investigators determined. But Vista Energy had allowed Henneghan and 123 other sales people to hit the streets without having completed criminal background checks, as required. Such a background check would have shown that Henneghan had a criminal history dating to 2013, including a charge of aggravated assault. One other salesperson was later found to have a criminal history. Platinum initially told PUC investigators that it gave Henneghan an ID because of a clerical error and terminated his employment several weeks later, in April, after conducting an audit. But the investigators found that Vista, at Platinums request, had agreed to allow some door-to-door marketers, including Henneghan, to be conditionally approved while their background checks were incomplete. Vista told Platinum in April it would no longer conditionally approve any more agents without completed background checks. Henneghan made 109 sales attempts before he was let go, and enrolled 40 residential customers. Platinum claimed that Henneghan reapplied as an independent contractor at another office under an assumed name and again began selling Vista electric generation services from May until August of 2017, according to the PUC filing. After his arrest in August, Platinum fired Henneghan. Vista terminated its contract with Platinum. The PUC staff negotiated a $37,500 settlement with Vista, saying the energy marketing company had cooperated with investigators. But Gladys M. Brown, the PUCs chair, on Thursday said the fine was insufficient and proposed increasing it to $52,700. Her motion passed unanimously. It is imperative to establish a penalty which will deter future violations from this company, and send a proper signal to the commonwealths marketplace on the severity of violations of this nature, she said. Vista Energys lawyer, Murray E. Bevan of Basking Ridge, N.J., did not respond to a request for comment. (Bloomberg) Johnson & Johnson must pay about $29 million to a dying California woman who blamed asbestos-tainted talc for causing her cancer, the companys latest loss in nationwide litigation over its iconic baby powder. Jurors in state court in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday held J&J responsible for Teresa Leavitts mesothelioma, a cancer linked to asbestos exposure. The panel, which included a lawyer and a state-court judge, also found the worlds largest maker of health-care products didnt warn Leavitt its baby powder was tainted with the carcinogen. J&J stock dropped as much as 2 percent in after-hours trading to $136.40 after the verdict was announced. It closed at $139.41 Wednesday in New York. The companys shares have been under pressure over the past six months because of the growing talc litigation. The verdict is J&Js seventh trial loss over claims it hid the health risks of its baby powder for 50 years. Its the first defeat since a Missouri jury ordered the company last year to pay $4.69 billion to 22 women who blamed their cancer on the product. J&J officials contend Superior Court Judge Brad Seligman made errors in rulings on procedure and evidence in the trial that should have resulted in a mistrial. We are disappointed with todays verdict and will pursue an appeal because Johnsons Baby Powder does not contain asbestos or cause cancer, Kim Montagnino, a J&J spokeswoman, said in an emailed statement. J&J, which has steadfastly denied its baby powder is contaminated with asbestos, still faces more than 13,000 lawsuits claiming its 135-year-old baby powder line caused mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. Thats up from more than 11,000 as of last year. It has more than two dozen trials scheduled around the U.S. this year. The Oakland jury of five men and seven women ordered J&J to pay $29 million in actual damages for Leavitts injuries after finding that J&Js handling of the asbestos-laced baby powder was a substantial contributing factor in her cancers development. The panel also cited J&J for failing to adequately warn about the powders potential risks. The panel found J&J responsible for 78 percent of Leavitts award and its consumer products unit is on the hook for 20 percent. Cypress Mines, one of J&Js former talc suppliers, is answerable for the remaining 2 percent. Imerys Talc America Inc., which also supplied talc for J&Js powder, had been named as a defendant, but was dropped from the case after seeking bankruptcy protection to avoid being swamped with talc suits. Its a unit of Paris-based Imerys SA. Leavitts doctors say her mesothelioma is advanced and shes not expected to live beyond 2020, according to testimony in the case. The mother of two testified that baby powder was used on her when she was a child, and she continued that practice into adulthood, sometimes as a dry shower and as foundation for her makeup. Her lawyers noted that internal J&J documents indicated officials knew since the 1970s baby powder mined in places such as Vermont and Italy contained trace amounts of asbestos, but failed to alert consumers or regulators. Asbestos is often found intertwined with talc. Even though Leavitt stopped using baby powder two decades ago, recent tests of her lung tissue showed evidence of asbestos, an expert witness testifying for the plaintiff told jurors at one point in the trial. He said the specific type of asbestos wasnt industrial grade, which would have indicated she was exposed to it on the job. J&Js attorneys countered there was no credible evidence the companys baby powder caused her mesothelioma and evidence of talc in her tissue could have come from a myriad of sources. The company has long argued multiple studies have shown the powder to be free of the carcinogen and that plaintiffs cancers were tied to asbestos exposures at work or though building materials in homes or offices. J&J has refused to put a warning on its recognizable white bottles bearing the powder, even though a separate California jury last year asked a judge to order the company to do so. After the judge refused, that panel ordered J&J to pay a total of $27.5 million in damages to a woman who sued the company over her cancer. Laura Taylor, founder of Mingle Mocktails, with her alcohol-free libations at McCaffrey's Market in Blue Bell. Read more As a graduate in industrial engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Diego native Laura Taylor had two career aspirations: She didnt want to be a lab rat or spend a lot of time in steel-toed boots. How that led to the now mother of two from the Main Line developing Mingle Mocktails, a line of nonalcoholic drinks, is a tale of corporate culture, changing consumer preferences, and a trait that the head of a local beverage distributor mentioned several times in describing Taylor: persistence. A heavy pour of it. Her journey to entrepreneurship in a market crowded with competitors specializing in water, juice, soda, tea, power drinks, and other alcohol-free beverages estimated to reach $190 billion by 2020 comes after numerous business functions where booze was as plentiful as business cards. Mingle Mocktails incorporation was the result of candid self-assessment by Taylor: I think Im drinking too much." In 2015, she gave it up the white wine, the mixed drinks. It was hard, said Taylor, 47, of Berwyn. But she found something even tougher to get used to: Participating in all these things I had done in my career without alcohol and feeling a little left out. Nonalcoholic options at corporate mixers and conferences werent just isolating, Taylor said. They were uninspiring. When I put down the wine, I had to pick up seltzer or water, said the veteran of Rockwell Automation, Accenture, IBM, and a high-growth data-visualization firm called Tableau. For the next couple of years she would drain countless two-liter bottles of seltzer as she conducted exhaustive online research on mocktails, which were trending along with coconut water and probiotic-rich kombucha, in part because of health-conscious millennials. Then came the game changer" a weekend in the Poconos with women from the neighborhood. Taylor knew alcohol would be on the menu, so she packed her own concoction. Its now known in Mingle Mocktails parlance as the Cranberry Cosmo, a bubbly blend of cranberry, lime and orange juices, and organic cane sugar. It was a literal aha, she said. As she sipped from a wine glass, she felt socially connected. Think of someone vegetarian at a barbecue restaurant being given something meat-free." Mix in a common ingredient in career unrest insufficient recognition by the boss and, six months after incorporating Mingle Mocktails, Taylor launched product in November 2017, generating $7,000 in sales by years end. She said she accomplished that by hoofing it in her spare time, while keeping the Tableau job until last month, taking her product to country clubs and specialty stores. Among the first to sign on was Carlinos, a 36-year-old family-owned food market and caterer in Ardmore and West Chester, largely because Taylor is really, truly passionate about her brand, said Nick Carlino, chief marketing officer. And because her flavor pairings are so good, he said. We go to the food shows around the country and weve noticed over the past two to three years, in particular, there have been so many companies that have started that do something similar to Mingle, but the taste isnt there, Carlino said. A 750-ml bottle retails for $8.99 on the Mingle Mocktails website. Taylor hired her only full-time employee a salesperson in May 2018. Beverage distributors helped expand Mingles reach. The drink is now in 400 Stop & Shop grocery stores in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, and, more locally, a variety of food markets, restaurants, and stores, including McCaffreys, ShopRite, Bed Bath & Beyond, Flemings Steakhouse in Radnor, Talulas Table in Kennett Square, and Porta in Center City, and even a retirement community for happy hour. Sales for 2018 totaled $85,000 for a four-flavor line of Cranberry Cosmo, Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini, Melon Mojito, and Moscow Mule, according to Taylor. More than $100,000 has been raised from friends and family to fund growth, said Taylor, who hopes to hit $500,000 in sales this year and wants revenues "exceeding $10 million within five years. To get there, Taylor wants to partner with a major manufacturer of alcoholic beverages. Talks with one have proven a bit premature, she said. I feel her pain because youre up against the big boys Coke, Pepsi they control a lot of the market," said Tony Salvatore, chief customer officer of the locally based Hanks Gourmet Beverages, makers of a craft soda line launched in 1995. You have to find your niche and if youre Philly, you have to keep the ties to Philly, really push that Philly end of it, because Philly people love that." In that vein, his company has partnered with Campos Deli on a cheesesteak with a rub and marinade made with Hanks root beer, available all month to commemorate National Cheesesteak Day, March 24. Andy Cimochowski, president of Metro Beverage of Philadelphia, one of Mingle Mocktails distributors She was very persistent has handled some mega-brands in the soft-drinks arena, including Fuze, Arizona, and SoBe. I dont know that shell ever have that big pop, Cimochowski said, noting Mingles very channel-specific brand" that will not make it a staple, for instance, in corner stores. Nice, steady, slow growth is a great way to go now. Officer of the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, John J. Dougherty speaks during a protest outside of a non-union construction site at 401 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA . Thursday, December 27, 2018. JOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer Read more A legal fight delayed PennDots repaving of U.S. 202 down Markley Street in Norristown for two years. Nonunion contractors say their recent court victory signals the waning power of union leaders and a new era in construction growth. One big shift came with late Januarys indictment of union leader John Johnny Doc Dougherty, which could remove labors most politically powerful leader. Other changes include Montgomery County Democrats fumbled efforts to steer contracts to union allies and nonunion contractors counter-push to win projects in Philly. Factor in the Republican-led Commonwealth Courts block on PennDot pro-union bidding rules, and the Wolf administrations failure to appeal that defeat to the Democratic Supreme Court (including Doughertys brother and political beneficiary, Justice Kevin Dougherty). Its all tied together," says Joe Perpiglia, president of the nonunion Associated Builders and Contractors in eastern Pennsylvania. PennDot will now rebid Markley Street without insisting on a union-management project labor agreement (PLA). To Perpiglia, thats another step in reversing whats been going on for 35 years, a period in which he says fearful contractors cowered before union leaders who pressed politicians to give taxpayer-assisted work to union employers, though it cost more. If Philly is going to continue to grow as a metropolis, it needs to bring in competitive businesses," Perpiglia said. And youre going to see a lot more now. Nonsense, says Dougherty, who, despite his legal troubles remains business manager for the Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades Council union group. To Doc, the Markley Street case was just a one-off. The states attempt to require a labor agreement was an overreach. He still looks forward to working closely with Gov. Wolf and Mayor Kenney on many more PLAs that guarantee fair wages, safe job sites, and projects that are delivered on time and on budget." Wolf sent a similar message. We also look forward to a time when Associated Builders and Contractors members no longer use day workers and pay taxes like other employers, Dougherty added in a parting shot. How much do your members plan to save by paying less? I asked Perpiglia. Its not about wages, he said. Nonunion labor in metropolitan areas is paid about the same hourly rates as union workers. The issue is more about benefits. Union medical and guaranteed-pension plans cost more increasing labor costs by about one-third versus the cheaper commercial health insurance and optional retirement savings that nonunion bosses offer. The nonunion contractors say theyre on the side of the have-nots: Millennials and minority workers have a better chance at construction jobs if white, suburban union members arent guaranteed work, Perpiglias group says. I told Perpiglia it seemed to me that its the predominantly African American Laborers union whose jobs are first in danger if Philly switches to open-shop or merit-shop hiring, as in Wilmington, where subcontractors hire immigrants to do site-prep, street-paving, and other basic construction jobs. Perpiglia says his contractors are planning a recruiting event soon near North Philadelphia to find more nonunion, Philly-based, African American workers. Markley Street does seem to have been a strange hill to fight on. Nonunion contractor J.D. Eckman of Atglen, Chester County, had paved a neighboring stretch of 202 for the state, on budget and ahead of time, before the Wolf administration changed the rules, requiring union workers. He told the court it seemed unfair to have to give up the job, or change the way he operates, by hiring union workers at governments demand. The judges also challenged PennDots odd determination to give special consideration to members of the United Steelworkers union, a power in Pittsburgh but rarely seen at building sites here. I agree with the lower-court decision and Im happy it was not appealed, Tony Wigglesworth, head of the Philadelphia Area Labor Management Committee, which administers PLAs, told me. PLAs arent so much for street-paving jobs; they mostly cover big, complex projects that need fast dispute resolution between bosses and workers, he said. The biggest-ever Pennsylvania state building project, the $800 million Pennsylvania Convention Center expansion, was completed on time and on budget under a PLA. (By contrast, the second-largest state project, the $400 million Phoenix prison beside the old Graterford facility in Montgomery County, was rebid by then-Gov. Tom Corbett to avoid a PLA and was finished 2 years late, after epic bickering between the states hired construction agents and its general contractors. About $35 million in state payments are still in dispute. Wigglesworth said big private companies such as Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners use PLAs on major jobs such as the conversion of Sunocos Marcus Hook refinery to a natural-gas processing center. The initial PLA at that site kept 1,200 union pipe fitters, boilermakers and other trades busy from 2014 to 2017, and finished on budget and on time, Wigglesworth says, even though original general contractor CB&I was replaced by Fluor Corp. partway through. Energy Transfer has agreed to another PLA for a second large project at Marcus Hook under a national labor-management agreement that should employ a similar number of union workers, Wigglesworth added. And that, he concluded, is the big story on construction labor: Away from the headlines, skilled union workers are still building the biggest projects around. Wodify will be fully moved into 1100 Ludlow St. on March 22. Read more Ameet Shahs 7-year-old Wodify, which creates software for the fitness industry, is moving later this month from Cherry Hill to 1100 Ludlow St. in Philadelphia. The new, 10,000-square-foot space gives the company greater access to top tech talent, Shah, the CEO, said in a statement Thursday. Wodify has 30 local employees and an additional 45 in Lisbon, Portugal. Its products, which include a software platform to manage gym operations and fitness classes and provide performance tracking, are in use in more than 4,500 gyms in more than 85 countries. Shah said Wodifys sales are in excess of $10 million. Wodify will officially move into the Ludlow Street building on March 22, when it is hosting a Welcome to Philly party open to the public from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. To reserve a spot, go here. San Francisco 49ers president Al Guido, a South Jersey native, will participate in a discussion with 6ABCs anchor Rick Williams. Shah said the property has been designed to host large events, so we can serve as a hub for connecting the business and tech communities. Wodify is bringing to Philadelphia its commitment to community service that is a signature of Shahs companies. In July 2016, Shah, who grew up in Elizabethtown, Pa., shuttered Conigent, a Haddonfield-based technology-consulting company he founded in 2007, to concentrate on Wodifys growth. Yuengling is the top-selling craft beer in the U.S. for the fifth year in a row. Read more Pottsvilles D.G. Yuengling & Son is once again top craft beer company in the United States by sales volume, according to newly released data from the Brewers Association, a nonprofit brewing industry trade group. The organization this week released its list of the top 50 brewing companies by sales volume for 2018, which Yuengling topped for the fifth straight year, beating out craft beer stalwarts like Boston Beer Co. (of Sam Adams fame), Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., and New Belgium Brewing Co., among others. The company, which operates breweries in Pottsville and Tampa, Fl., was also ranked the sixth biggest beer maker by sales volume in the country, craft or not, behind larger companies like Anheuser-Busch and MillerCoors. The BA did not provide actual production volume numbers. Although the market has grown more competitive, particularly for regional craft breweries with the widest distribution, these 50 small and independent brewing companies continue to lead the craft brewing market in sales through strong brands, quality, and innovation, Bart Watson, BA chief economist, said via a release. Yuenglings time at the top of the list goes back to 2014, when it was first named the top-selling craft beer company in the country. That year, the Brewers Association also changed its criteria for what can be considered a small craft brewery, allowing for larger beer producers like Yuengling and Narragansett, HuffPo notes. This year marks Yuenglings 190th year in business. It is considered the oldest operating brewery in America. Currently, the BA indicates that in order to be considered a craft brewery, a beer company must produce fewer than six million barrels of beer per year, be independently operated, and have an Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Brewers Notice, which allows for the legal commercial production of beer. The organization further clarified its definition of a craft brewer last year in a move that allows the designation to be more inclusive, the BA wrote in a release in December. Yuenglings inclusion on the list comes following boycotts of the company in recent years. Owner Dick Yuengling has been considered antiunion since at least 2006, when he gained a reputation as a union buster after allegedly threatening to close the Pottsville brewery if Teamsters workers did not decertify their union, which they ultimately did. The National Labor Relations Board later ruled in the companys favor, and found no evidence to support claims that Yuengling pressured employees to deunionize. In response, the Teamsters urged members to boycott Yuenglings beer. More recently, an online boycott of the company began in 2016 after owner Yuengling, who, according to Forbes, is worth $1.2 billion endorsed Donald Trump in that years presidential race. Yuengling previously had given a tour of the companys Pottsville brewery to Trumps son Eric Trump, telling him our guys are behind your father, drawing the ire of less right-wing drinkers. Since then, some drinkers have vehemently opposed the company, and they renewed calls to boycott its beer following Yuenglings Trump endorsement, citing tax issues and environmental problems in addition to Yuenglings history with unions as reasons to stop buying the companys beer. However, as its owner told Billy Penn back in 2017, this most recent boycott has done nothing noticeable to the companys bottom line. Look, Yuengling said, we survived Prohibition. We survived two world wars, when you couldnt get any grain. Well be fine. In addition to Yuengling, local breweries were well represented on the BAs list of top 50 craft breweries for 2018. PAs own Artisinal Brewing Ventures (an amalgamation of Victory Brewing and Southern Tier Brewing) snagged 11th place, jumping up three places from last year, while Hersheys Troegs Independent Brewing snagged 27th place, also up three spots. Delawares Dogfish Head, meanwhile, came in 13th, while Flying Dog, located in Frederick, Md., came in 33rd. Renato Russo tossing one up there in 2016 at Mama Palma's Wood Fired Brick Oven Pizza. Read more Mama Palmas, among the citys earlier brick-oven pizzerias when it opened in 1996 at 23rd and Spruce Streets, will close after business Sunday, March 17 for a scheduled month of renovations, including a menu change and new name. When siblings Renato and Brunella Russo reopen in April as Palmas Cucina, theyll have an extended foyer, a new service station and wine chiller, and a redesigned kitchen. Most notably from a food standpoint, the menu will include more composed Southern Italian dishes (think fettuccine Bolognese and linguine and clams) and fewer pizzas (the current menu has 30). Palmas Cucina will add beers on tap, including a rotating selection of seasonal local craft beers. While the restaurant will offer wines, customers can bring one bottle per every two guests. The Russos are reacting not only to a desire to freshen their brand, but to react to competition. Its time, with so many restaurants opening, Brunella Russo told me. The former Tria at 23rd and Pine Streets, two blocks south, will open in about three weeks as Cotoletta Fitler Square, a branch of the Belmont Hills Southern Italian that specializes in cutlets. Also nearby, the 30-year-old Rouge on Rittenhouse Square is fixing to reopen next week after a top-to-bottom renovation. The Russos and their parents, Gaetano and Palma, emigrated from Santa Lucia di Serino, in Campania, in 1971. Heres a backgrounder. Even young women, like these teens outside Alberto Zambelli women's Fall-Winter 2019-2020 fashion show, in Milan, may find that the unusual angles often involved in taking selfies can be less than flattering. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Read more Ten years ago, a typical patient at my plastic surgery practice in McLean, Virginia, was 47 or 48. She (about 80 percent are women) generally wanted to look like a younger version of herself, or else she wanted the best version of her basic appearance. This might mean a face or neck lift, eyelid lifts, a brow lift, a skin-resurfacing procedure, or Botox injections. "What do you recommend?" she'd ask. This is the kind of work I got into my profession expecting to do, and these are the consultations I expected to be giving. Today, my average patient, according to the records we keep in my office, is 38 or 39. She'll come in fixated on a specific "flaw,"and often knows exactly what procedure she wants. Her nose is crooked, she's sure, or her chin is too small (or large), or her eyebrows appear "droopy." "I need a tip-plasty," she will say - rhinoplasty for the end of the nose. And these patients are much less realistic about what I can achieve. They will ask for Kim Kardashian's nose, even if their facial structure looks nothing like hers. There's a reason for this rapid and radical change: selfies. The self-taken photograph is warping the confidence of many younger people in unsettling ways. They come to my offices, show me selfies and point to (say) an asymmetry in their lips - a totally normal variation. Often they will have already searched online till they've found someone with a similar "issue" who fixed it with surgery. In one informal consultation on RealSelf.com, a site that lets people ask questions of plastic surgeons, a woman asked me if plastic surgery could give her "cats' eyes" - rounded, feline eyes of the sort that some photo filters can add to selfies. I told her that wasn't a sensible goal. Once, a 20-year-old, having studied countless images of herself, said she needed a facelift; no 20-year-old needs a facelift. A survey of members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons last year found that social media was driving more plastic surgery requests than any other social influence: more than TV, movies or magazine photography, which were the influences I used to hear about from my patients. People are simply spending more time looking at themselves, in an online environment where invidious comparisons are inevitable. But selfies also mislead people about how they look. Smartphone cameras get better each year, but photos taken at arm's length or closer often produce a "fish eye" effect: Whatever's at the center of the photo is bigger, and things on the periphery are smaller. A study published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery last year found that selfies make noses look 30 percent larger than they are. Academic psychologists - including Brian Feinstein of Northwestern University and several co-authors, who studied a sample of 268 college-age adults - have found that the more people use social media sites, the more they ruminate about their own supposed shortcomings. And a few preliminary studies have found that specifically posting self-portraits causes self-esteem to drop. (One measured self-regard in South Korean students before and after they posted a selfie to a social media site, comparing them with people who simply saved the photo to their phones.) One of the first things I do in a consultation is take a photograph from a reasonable distance, with professional lighting. This has persuaded hundreds of my potential patients that there's no reason for surgery. One young woman, on whom I'd already performed a rhinoplasty, forwarded me a selfie, along with a note saying that her eyebrows sagged in an unflattering way. She included a photo of Kylie Jenner and said she wanted her eyebrows to look like Jenner's. But she was taking her selfie from an unusually high angle. I persuaded her to look at some standard photographs before moving forward, and she decided not to have the work done. The media often suggests that there's been an explosion in plastic surgery in recent years, but the evidence is mixed. More than 1,800,000 surgical procedures - things like breast augmentation, nose reshaping and liposuction - were undertaken in 2018. That's up 1 percent since 2017 but down 5 percent since 2000, according to the plastic surgeons association. Long-term growth has been more significant when it comes to minimally invasive procedures, things like soft-tissue fillers and chemical peels. Nearly 16 million such procedures were done in 2018 - up 2 percent from 2017 but more than tripled since 2000.And the data does confirm that patients are getting younger: Last year, 72 percent of members of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeryreported seeing an uptick in patients under 30. People think plastic surgeons are so eager for business that we love it when patients scrutinize themselves and dislike what they see. But I reject more patients than I accept, and Im hardly the only one of my peers to do so. On many days - as I push people to consider whether the new nose theyve been dreaming about will really change how they feel about themselves - I feel more like a psychologist than a surgeon. These are delicate talks. You cant seem to be minimizing someones concerns, or she might just end up in another doctors office, getting a procedure that might make her life worse. About six months ago, a woman came to my office to ask me to fix a nose job that she thought had been botched. I asked for a photograph taken before the procedure. When I saw it, I was so shocked I had to sit down, to steady myself. The nose had been perfectly shaped before the operation. The woman had convinced herself that it was flawed and now was miserable about the outcome. I declined to do further work, because her fixation on her nose seemed excessive, and I doubted she would be content, no matter what I did. Don't get me wrong. I'll work with people to help them look their best. Patients who looked younger from the neck up were telling me they couldn't wear V-neck shirts, because their lower neck gave away their age, so I developed a "neck tuck" procedure to help with that problem, extending the benefits of a neck lift further down. And yes, these people may look better in their selfies, a pleasant side effect. And if you want to look a little more like a celebrity, I don't rule it out. Quite a few patients today mention Meghan Markle as an ideal. If they have a facial structure like Markle's - and if, through probing questions, I am convinced that the request isn't a result of a morbid obsession with a perceived flaw, known as dysmorphia - it might be reasonable to discuss giving her the fullness of Markle's lips or some of the contours of her nose. It's a fine line between requests like that and requests driven by an obsession with selfies. But the truth is that selfies provide inaccurate feedback about how we look, and they're generally making people feel bad about themselves. That's nothing a plastic surgeon should cheer. --- Hamrah is a facial cosmetic surgeon at Nova Surgicare in McLean, Virginia. City Council introduced legislation Thursday that could significantly amend and potentially eliminate the controversial sweetened-beverage tax. A bill sponsored by Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez and six colleagues would allow Council to ramp down certain aspects of the tax beginning in 2020, from the rate currently at 1.5 cents per fluid ounce to what beverages are included in it. As written, it does not specify what those changes might be. The majority of Council really believes that because of the public debate about how consumers are feeling over the over-inflated prices, there are concerns how it impacts businesses. Not only supermarkets but small businesses, Quinones-Sanchez said. Are there any unintended consequences we need to pull back so we dont hurt the most vulnerable constituents? A resolution accompanying the bill would allow Council to hire a consultant to research the sweetened-beverage taxs economic impact as well as offer alternative funding methods to inform changes. The only specific alternative mentioned in the resolution is a fee on single-use plastic bags. Councilman Mark Squilla, who has said he wants to introduce a bag fee this year, is a cosponsor of the study resolution but not the bill, which calls for more direct changes to the law. The beverage tax is Kenneys signature legislation, used to fund pre-K, community schools, and improvements to parks, libraries, and recreation centers. The mayor said Thursday he was blindsided by the bills introduction and very disappointed in the members who had sponsored it. Anyone who tells you there is money somewhere, whether theyre a current member of the Council or a challenger, ... its not there, he said. This is my 29th budget and I can assure you that if the beverage tax goes away, pre-K goes away, community schools goes away, and a $500 million investment in parks and recreation centers goes away. Sometimes I think our PHL pre-K kids have more sense than some of our council members. Some of the council members who are supporting the new legislation said they hope the study finds alternative revenues so that the programs are not lost. Councilwoman Cindy Bass, who has 200 pre-K seats in her district and supported passage of the tax, said she wants a more sustainable revenue source since the tax has brought in about 1 percent less each year. I dont want to do anything thats going to take away universal pre-K or Rebuild, but at the same time if there is a better way to do it, I think we ought to look at it, Bass said. Quinones-Sanchez, who opposed the soda tax, had support from all three Republicans on Council Brian ONeill, David Oh, and Al Taubenberger as well as Democrats Bass, Blondell Reynolds Brown, and Allan Domb. All three Democrats voted in favor of passing the beverage tax. Council would need only two more votes (nine) to pass a bill amending the sweetened-beverage tax, though its unclear what those amendments would be and how Council would vote on them. Kenney said Thursday he would veto any legislation that cut the revenue generated by the beverage tax. Council would need 12 votes to override a veto. Ten members cosponsored the resolution to study the tax. The legislation was introduced the same day that a ShopRite closed after operating for 30 years in West Philadelphia. Its owner, Jeff Brown, blamed lost income due to the levy. The Kenney administration pushed back on that narrative, saying the Commerce Department was in final negotiations with the owner of the building to bring in a new chain grocery store. The administration was also quick to provide numbers on what a plastic-bag fee might bring in since it was mentioned in Councils study resolution. When analyzed in 2016, it was estimated a plastic-bag fee of 5 cents per bag would generate $7.6 million per year, with retailers keeping a little less than half and about $4.6 million going to the city, the administration said. The beverage tax is projected to bring in $75.9 million in fiscal 2020. While the legislation leaves the door open to changes, theres no doubt about what its sponsor wants. I would be up for a total repeal of it, Quinones-Sanchez said. Im against a regressive tax. ... What the polls are showing is that people arent happy with this." The bill is the first legislative challenge to the tax, which already has survived several legal assaults. Its unlikely Council would actually take a vote to alter the tax before the primary election May 21, though, since any study that members vote to conduct would likely take months. The tax was already expected to be a major campaign issue leading up to the primary election for mayor and City Council. So the proposed legislation is sure to trigger even more debate among supporters and critics. The issue is bubbling up in the mayors race with Kenneys two Democratic primary opponents, former City Controller Alan Butkovitz and State Sen. Anthony H. Williams, attacking the tax. Insiders expect the beverage industry will fund some of the many Council candidates. Kenney had harsh words for those members of Council supporting potential changes to the tax, saying they were "putting the needs of their campaigns ahead of the needs of our children. Theres an election coming and the beverage guys are writing big checks, he said. The Ax the Bev Tax Coalition, a group of businesses, applauded Council. We appreciate that these councilmembers recognize that the beverage tax is a harmful policy," said spokesperson Anthony Campisi. However, we dont need a study to know that the tax hurts working families across Philadelphia and should be repealed." Staff writers Laura McCrystal and Jason Laughlin contributed to this article. Clockwise from left: Democratic Pa. Rep. Danielle Friel Otten (anti-Mariner-pipeline advocate), Republican Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan (launched an investigation into the pipeline project); and Republican Delaware County DA Katayoun Copeland (asked the state attorney general to investigate the pipeline). Read more A funny thing is happening sad, maybe, if youre a Republican, amusing if youre a crusty spectator of politics ever since Democrats began wiping out Republicans in one suburban Philadelphia election after another following President Donald Trumps victory in Pennsylvania in 2016. The Republican Party, perhaps sensing it may soon be on a morphine drip in Southeastern Pennsylvania, has two of its most prominent leaders suddenly making headlines for something youd normally expect from a Democrat. The top elected prosecutors in Delaware and Chester Counties are taking aim at a major fossil-fuel industry player something their party is loath to do. Criminal probes are underway into a Sunoco pipeline project that has caused anxiety, fear, and major property headaches along its route in both counties in recent years. The recent probes were sparked by Delaware County Republican District Attorney Katayoun Copeland and her GOP counterpart Tom Hogan in neighboring Chester County. The investigations ostensibly are aimed at determining whether laws may have been broken during construction of the Sunoco Pipelines Mariner East natural-gas liquids pipeline system. The company denied any illegality and said there is no legitimate basis for a criminal investigation. The fact that Republicans called for probes reflects the continuing threat that the GOP faces in increasingly mad-as-hell-at-Trump suburban Philadelphia. Copeland and Hogan are up for reelection this fall in races that Democrats are hoping they can win. Liberals already bagged historic gains in 2017 and 2018 in local and state elections in these once-GOP-dominant counties, fueled in part by anti-Trump furor among progressives, women, and embittered moderates. With Republicans having so little margin for error anymore in these parts, the pipeline has become too risky to ignore. Anti-pipeline advocates have become a bona fide force to be reckoned with. They have learned how to get out the vote in non-presidential-year local races. Races in which every single new face at the ballot box can make a difference in who wins or loses. Races, in other words, like this years district attorney contests. Republicans lost a huge number of state legislative seats across Southeastern Pennsylvania a few months ago. It was a midterms massacre for the state GOP, which controls the legislature that has repeatedly refused to impose a severance tax on Marcellus Shale natural gas production. Democrats cleaned house of GOP incumbents for the sin of being in a party marching in lockstep with Trump. Political insiders view the recent moves by Copeland and Hogan as politically loaded. Both prosecutors can use the pipeline probes to appeal to progressive moderates ahead of what will surely be bruising campaigns this year in counties where Democratic turnout has been high. The most recent elections have made it very clear that you cant hide under a rock on this issue anymore, Rep. Danielle Friel Otten of Exton told me in a phone interview Wednesday from her new workplace -- the Pennsylvania Capitol. I called her because state Attorney General Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, had just announced on Tuesday that his office was launching a pipeline probe at the request of Copeland. Hogan, in Chester County, announced a grand jury investigation of his own a few months before that. There is no question that the pipeline poses certain concerns and risks to our residents, and as district attorney, I am working to do everything possible within my power to ensure the safety of residents, Copeland said in announcing the state probe Tuesday. At this time, we are thoroughly reviewing the evidence available to us, working with the Attorney Generals Office, and seeking action within our jurisdictional boundaries. In an interview Wednesday, Hogan told me that every real prosecutor has to learn to ignore the politics of any investigation. The pipeline investigation, just like any other investigation, is going to please some people politically and irritate other people politically. But a prosecutor with integrity is only going to investigate a case on the merits of the case itself. Otten is no ordinary show-up-and-shut-up state lawmaker. Until this past November, the 41-year-old had been a marketing consultant and stay-at-home mom of 2- and 5-year-old children. But she also is a homeowner whose property line is some 50 feet from a pipeline that had caused sinkholes and other damage after neighbors discovered that Sunoco had begun pumping highly volatile natural gas liquids, such as propane, from Pennsylvanias booming Marcellus Shale region to the west all the way toward the Delaware River in Marcus Hook, Delaware County. The 350-mile pipeline network, known as Mariner East, is cherished by labor unions as a source of good jobs and, in Delaware Countys flagging refinery hubs, a way to revive lost petrochemical-industry jobs. Establishment Democrats and Republicans have been treading carefully around homeowner woes. A lot of people in both parties shy away from this issue," Otten said. "Theres pressures from the trade unions on the left and theres pressure from the oil and gas industry on the right. But guess what? There can be damage done by just standing on the sidelines, too. In November 2018, in a state House district where Democrats made up just 35 percent of the voting base, Otten -- with no electoral experience -- defeated 155th House District incumbent Republican Becky Corbin. And she won with 55 percent of the vote. This year, even local Democrats are on guard. The pipeline neighbor and woman who managed Ottens winning House campaign, Ginny Kerslake, is running as an outsider for Chester County commissioner. I think it means that the power of the community raising their voice really, truly has had an impact, Otten said. Fear is a powerful motivator. And, in this case, a welcome one. At the beginning, it all seemed so promising. But as more details emerged in the post offered by David Tamarkin, director of Conde Nast recipe site Epicurious.com, the job seemed ... off. This is a full-time freelance position based in New York City, he tweeted, outlining the duties: Write the sites daily newsletter, pitch and write two to three articles and two to three galleries a week, update several articles and galleries a week so the site can stay competitive on search, build 30 recipes a month our most important editorial resource and complete various administrative tasks." Plus: No benefits. It was a lot of duties some later pointed out it was like three jobs in one but the terms that raised the biggest red flag? Full-time freelance. Legally, that doesnt exist. You could be a full-time freelancer and cobble together work like many do in todays gig economy. But you cant work full-time for a company that calls the shots on how you spend your time and still be classified as an independent contractor in other words, a person who works on a project basis and gets no benefits. As Doree Shafrir, podcast host and author of the novel Startup, put it: Shafrirs talking about a hot, if wonky-sounding, labor issue right now called employee misclassification, as more companies choose to hire independent contractors for work once reserved for employees i.e, handling a companys most important editorial resource." On-demand tech companies like Uber and Caviar run their businesses by employing masses of independent contractors. Independent contractors dont get benefits in Philadelphia, for example, they arent eligible for mandated paid sick leave though some advocacy groups have been developing ways to get contractors benefits such as paid time off, overtime, and protection from sexual harassment. Uber drivers and other kinds of gig workers have been fighting misclassification battles in court. As for the Epicurious case, that was heard in the court of Twitter. Media Twitter promptly raged at Tamarkin, as well as reported his post to the New York Department of Labor. The DOL replied, via Twitter, that it was looking into the matter. And fewer than two days after Tamarkin posted the job, he tweeted about some changes to the job. The incident feels like a sign of the times: To be sure, Conde Nast and Epicurious are not the first companies to create job descriptions that appear to break the employee-classification law, but that labor issues such as these are drawing attention and criticism from the masses is noteworthy. (One might argue that theres more awareness because this kind of misclassification is so common.) Its not hard to imagine a time when a job description like this might not have turned any heads. Now, some are using it as a strategy to get journalists on board with the wave of unionization that has swept media organizations. Tamarkin did not respond Thursday to a request for comment. In January, a woman was pictured walking on the beach next to a border wall topped with razor wire in Tijuana, Mexico. In this country, the construction of a border wall remains highly controversial. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File) Read more Americans admire immigrants more than it might seem, given calls for tougher enforcement, with 59 percent saying the newcomers make the country stronger, according to a new Pew Research Center study released on Thursday. The same is true in many countries around the world, according to the Washington-based think tank, which found that more people say immigrants are a strength than a burden. The center surveyed 18 countries that host roughly half of the worlds migrants, or some 127 million people. In 10 of those nations, majorities saw immigrants as a strength. Those lands included some of the worlds largest receiving countries, including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Canada and Australia. Majorities in five countries Hungary, Greece, South Africa, Russia and Israel saw immigrants as a burden. Relatives embrace next to the coffin containing the remains of 17-year-old Claiton Antonio Ribeiro, a victim of the mass shooting at the Raul Brasil State School, in Suzano, Brazil, Thursday, March 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) Read more SUZANO, Brazil (AP) Two young men who stormed their former school in southern Brazil armed with a gun, crossbows, and axes, killing seven people, were trying to emulate the 1999 Columbine attack in Colorado and had been planning the assault for months, police said Thursday. Friends and former classmates told investigators that 17-year-old Guilherme Taucci Monteiro and 25-year-old Henrique de Castro were obsessed with the attack on Columbine High School, Sao Paulo civil police director Ruy Ferraz told a news conference. He said the pair had been planning the attack since at least November. Ferraz said the acquaintances said they didn't believe the attack would actually happen, or feared that telling anyone would make them targets. The Columbine attack, also undertaken by two heavily armed young men, left 13 dead. As in Wednesdays rampage, the Columbine assailants took their own lives. Monteiro and de Castro "wanted to prove they could act like in Columbine High School with cruelty and with a tragic character so they could be more recognized than" even the Columbine killers, Ferraz said Ferraz said a third person, a 17-year-old former student at the school, had been involved in planning but was not present at the school when the attack happened. He did not identify the accomplice but said police have asked a judge to issue a warrant for the teen's arrest. The developments came hours after classmates, friends, and relatives of the victims began saying goodbye during a mass wake in the Sao Paulo suburb of Suzano, where the attack happened. Before launching the school assault, police said, the assailants shot and killed Monteiros uncle, who owned a used-car dealership nearby. Monteiro had worked at the dealership, but had been fired by his uncle for petty crimes. What happened next at the K-12 school, partially caught on surveillance camera footage at the building's entrance and widely distributed in Brazil, was stomach-churning. It showed Monteiro entering and shooting several people in the head as they tried to run away. De Castro followed, first striking wounded people with an ax and then swinging it wildly while scores of students ran past him. De Castro then armed his crossbow and walked farther into the school. The dead included five students, a teacher, and a school administrator. Nine others were wounded in the attack, including seven still hospitalized Thursday. "I couldn't sleep. I have two children in school and they are about the age of the victims," said Wanda Augusta, a 46-year-old homemaker attending the wake. "If only we could have identified the difficulties of these boys" before the attack, said Rossieli Soares, the state education secretary, who attended the wake at a volleyball arena. "This is a problem in our society." Police seized computers and notebooks from the homes of the two attackers, who were neighbors and lived less than a mile from the school. They also took computers from an arcade near the school that the attackers frequented. While Latin America's largest nation has deep problems with violence it's the world leader in annual homicides school shootings like those in the U.S. are rare. Wednesday's attack reminded many Brazilians of an attack in 2011, when a gunman roamed the halls of a Rio de Janeiro school and killed 12 students. Joao Camilo Pires de Campos, Sao Paulo state's public security secretary, summed up what was on the minds of many Brazilians. "The big question is: What was the motivation of these former students?" he told reporters Wednesday. Monteiro's mother, Tatiana Taucci, offered a possible partial answer, saying that her son had been bullied at the school. Bullying, they call it. He stopped going to school because of this, she told the Band News TV network. Still, she said she was as surprised as anyone by her son's involvement in the attack, which she said she heard about on television like everyone else. Ferraz, the police director, said that while bullying had been mentioned in some testimony from acquaintances, they did not believe it to be meaningful to the investigation. Minutes before the school rampage, Monteiro posted 26 photos on his Facebook page, including several with a gun and one that showed him giving the middle finger as he looked into the camera. In some of the photos, he wore a black scarf with a white imprint of a skull and crossbones. No text accompanied the posts. During the attack, Monteiro opened fire with a .38-caliber handgun and de Castro used a crossbow, de Campos said. The attackers were also carrying Molotov cocktails, knives, and small axes, authorities said. One of the wounded, Jose Vitor, ran to a hospital close to the school with an ax still lodged in his right shoulder. "He is an agile adolescent," his mother, Sandra Regina Ramos, told reporters outside the hospital. "He reacted quickly." The assailants were trying to force their way inside a room at the back of the school where many students were hiding when police arrived. Instead of facing the officers, Monteiro shot de Castro in the head and then shot himself, authorities said. Katia Sastre, a police officer who was elected to Congress after a video showed her gunning down an armed robber outside her daughter's school went viral last year, called on authorities to provide better security at schools. "This could have been prevented if upstanding citizens were able to defend themselves and bear arms," said Sastre, who is a former student at the school attacked Wednesday. The debate over whether to expand access to guns, a priority of President Jair Bolsonaro's administration, was present in many of the public statements by politicians. Soon after his Jan. 1 inauguration, Bolsonaro issued a decree making it easier to buy a gun. His party plans to put forward legislation that would go even further, loosening restrictions on carrying and the number and types of firearms Brazilians can own. Anna Jean Kaiser contributed to this article. Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May speaks to lawmakers in the House of Commons, London, Wednesday March 13, 2019. In a tentative first step toward ending months of political deadlock, British lawmakers voted Wednesday to block the country from leaving the European Union without a divorce agreement, triggering an attempt to delay that departure, currently due to take place on March 29. Read more LONDON - Parliament on Wednesday voted, twice, that Britain should not leave the European Union without a proper withdrawal agreement, signaling that lawmakers will also ask European leaders for permission to delay Brexit. The no-deal votes were in many ways symbolic - taking the temperature of Parliament, rather than setting concrete policy. The wishes expressed by lawmakers do not tie the hands of the British government, nor do they commit the EU to any action. Prime Minister Theresa May conceded there was a "clear majority" against a no-deal Brexit, but she warned lawmakers that the "legal default" was that Britain would still leave without a deal on March 29 unless another agreement is reached. May said her government could ask the EU for a short extension to implement a deal if it passed by next week. If no deal is passed, May said she would be forced to seek a much longer delay. The prime minister was, in essence, alerting, even threatening, lawmakers that if they do not agree to some kind of Brexit deal fast - namely hers, which has been rejected twice, or some other compromise still be crafted - then Brexit will recede into the far future. May said, "If the House finds a way in the coming days to support a deal, it would allow the government to seek a short limited technical extension... to provide time to pass the necessary legislation and ratify the agreement we have reached with the EU. But let me be clear, such a short technical extension is only likely to be on offer if we have a deal in place." She continued that if the British Parliament "is not willing to support a deal in the coming days, and as it is not willing to support leaving without a deal on 29 March, then it is suggesting that there will need to be a much longer extension." A delay of any length would need approval by leaders of the other 27 EU member states, who have repeatedly said they want a clear plan from action from Britain. "It is a signal of rationality that has just come from London." German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas tweeted. "But now is the time for the British to say what exactly they want to bring the Brexit deal to a successful conclusion. Because time is running out." A longer delay would require Britain to participate in European parliament elections in May. "I do not think that would be the right outcome," May said. "But the House needs to face up to the consequences of the decisions it has taken." "If Parliament votes repeatedly to say 'the moon is made of cheese,' it doesn't mean the moon is made of cheese," said Rob Ford, a professor of politics at the University of Manchester. "Parliament can say, repeatedly, that they don't want no deal, but the legal reality is that no-deal will happen unless they vote for something else to happen." Liam Fox, the international trade secretary, warned Parliament that an extension is not a gift. "And it is not clear what price the EU might extract for an extension," he said. European leaders have grown anxious that May is losing her authority and her way, fighting against a raucous, divided Parliament and increasingly assertive Conservative Party rebels who want to leave European Union with no deal. The chief E.U. Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, asked aloud why there should be any further discussion with Britain or an extension of the departure date. He said that nearly three years of talks had reached their end. "Why would we extend these discussions?" he asked the European Parliament. The negotiations, he said, are "done and dusted. We have the withdrawal agreement. It's there." Barnier warned British lawmakers that they were bringing their state to the brink, whether they liked it or not. "We are at a critical point. The risk of a no-deal has never been higher," he said. "I urge you, please, not to underestimate that risk or its consequences." Many hardcore Brexiteers, while a minority of the overall Parliament, embrace the idea of 'no deal' Brexit. "I hope that Parliament will vote not to take no deal off the table," Conservative lawmaker Boris Johnson told the BBC before the vote. Johnson, who is one of the favorites to replace May, said: "It's crazy to disable yourself as you go into a negotiation. . . why would we shoot ourselves in the foot like that?" May clearly hopes to put pressure on those Brexiteers who previously voted against her deal but who shudder at the thought of a long delay - or possibly losing Brexit altogether. Still, some hardliners said they would press on voting against May's plan. Steve Baker, the deputy chairman of the influential European Research Group, told Parliament said that he would "keep voting this down however many times it is brought back." If all hope for a deal crumbles, May could resign, or she could pivot and call for a snap election. Or Parliament could demand another Brexit referendum. After warning the House about the perils of no-deal, Exchequer Phillip Hammond said May's government and lawmakers should "to start to map out a way forward towards building a consensus across this house for a deal we can collectively support to exit the EU in an orderly way" - suggesting possible moves toward a softer Brexit. While the chaos in London rattled other European capitals, there was also some satisfaction that the British Parliament appeared to fear a no-deal Brexit as much as Europe does and might favor a softer or more gradual departure. "An extension is better than no deal," said Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, speaking in Washington a day ahead of planned meetings with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. If Britain decided to reconsider its "red lines," Varadkar added, they'd receive a "very generous, very warm and very open response" from EU member states. In Brussels, EU ambassadors gathered to plot out their next moves. Most countries appeared willing to accept some sort of delay. But there were disagreements about what Britain would have to promise in order to receive an extension. May's domestic brinkmanship gives little time for EU leaders to lay the diplomatic groundwork for their response ahead of a two-day summit that begins March 21. Some EU policymakers groused that proposals that could set off EU-wide earthquakes typically get aired at least a few days in advance. And though most European leaders would welcome a Brexit reversal, the necessary consensus for a long delay is less clear. Some EU policymakers watched with amazement at Wednesday's maneuvers in the House of Commons, noting the energy being expended on the so-called "Malthouse Compromise" - a proposal that the EU sees as the Brits attempting to preserve the divorce deal while stripping out the parts that would guarantee an open Irish border. It was roundly defeated. Brexiteers have been accused of chasing unicorns, conjuring up magical solutions to complex situations like the Irish border problem. That may have been what the European Union Council President Donald Tusk - known for setting off social media - had in mind when he posted a child's unicorn drawing on his Instagram account. The Washington Posts Quentin Aries in Brussels and Adam Taylor in Washington contributed to this report. Frank Cali, the reputed boss of the Gambino crime family whose deep ties to the Sicilian Mafia made him a figure of influence and power in both New York and Sicily, was fatally shot Wednesday night outside his home in Staten Island, New York, police told The Washington Post. At around 9:15 p.m., Cali, 53, was in front of his red-brick colonial style home in the Todt Hill neighborhood when he was approached by a blue pickup truck. Known as "Franky Boy," the Gambino boss was reportedly shot six times in the chest and run over by the truck, as first reported by the New York Daily News. Police said that a suspect sped off in the truck, WNBC reported. Cali's death marks the first time in 33 years that a crime family boss was fatally shot in New York City. In a statement to The Post, an official with the New York Police Department's 122nd Precinct, which covers Staten Island, said authorities responded to a 911 call at 9:17 p.m. of an assault involving Cali. The address given on Hilltop Terrace near Four Corners Road, by the Richmond County Country Club, matched Cali's address, according to public records. "Upon arrival, officers found a 53-year-old male with multiple gunshot wounds to the torso," police told The Post. "EMS also responded to the scene and transported the victim to Staten Island University North, where he was pronounced deceased." Police told The Post that no arrests have been made and that the investigation is ongoing. An NYPD spokesman told The Post early Thursday that police are obtaining and reviewing any available video surveillance from the scene. Reports of sobbing, panic and fear from witnesses late Wednesday provided a window into the chaotic, swift violence that unfolded in a quiet neighborhood long known for its mob history. "There were like six shots, and then there were three more," one witness told the Daily News. "The man was on the ground face-up. His head was by his SUV, and the truck was open." A neighbor told the New York Times that he heard a series of gunshots from what he believed to be a single gun. "I just heard the pow-pow-pow-pow-pow," he said to the Times. In 1985, another Gambino crime boss, Paul Castellano, was assassinated under the orders of John Gotti outside Manhattan's Sparks Steak House. As the Daily News reported, Cali lived only a half-mile away from Castellano's home. Once described as "the rising star of the American mafia," Cali was an influential figure who surrounded himself with many Italian-born associates. He gained the trust of Jackie "The Nose" D'Amico, an acting boss who promoted him to capo before 40. Cali's ascension within the Gambino crime family, once considered one of the most significant criminal organizations in the U.S., came years after federal prosecutors sent its top leaders to prison, crippling its national and global reach. One of those prosecutors, Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump's attorney, used the 1986 indictment of the heads of the five crime families to help launch his successful campaign for mayor of New York years later. As a leader, Cali was reportedly considerably less flashy than the ebullient Gotti, another Gambino boss, and was described by the New York Post as "a real quiet old-school boss." Cali's influence reportedly stemmed from his family connections with the Inzerillo crime family in Palermo, Sicily. "Cali is seen as a man of influence and power by organized crime members in Italy," Assistant U.S. Attorney Joey Lipton said during a bail hearing in 2008. Lipton went on to quote an intercepted conversation from an Italian mobster, who described Cali as "a friend of ours." "He is everything over there," the mobster allegedly said, referring to Cali's stature in New York, according to the Daily News. Federal authorities recognized Cali's sense of stability and attempted to stop his meteoric rise. In what would be his only mob-related criminal conviction, Cali pleaded guilty to conspiring to extort money in 2008, stemming from a failed bid to build a NASCAR track on Staten Island years earlier. He was released after completing a 16-month prison sentence. Upon his release, the Justice Department ordered that Cali not come in contact with his uncle, John Gambino, if it was not approved ahead of time by his probation officer. (Gambino died at 77 of natural causes in 2017.) In 2015, Cali was reportedly elevated to acting boss of the Gambino crime family, succeeding Domenico Cefalu, according to the Daily News. During his run with the family, Cali was looked at as a unifying leader, concentrating on enhancing the organization's role in the OxyContin and heroin trade, the New York Post reported. The death in Todt Hill came on the same day that Bonanno crime family boss Joseph Cammarano Jr., and his consigliere, John Zancocchio, were acquitted in federal court of charges of racketeering and conspiracy to commit extortion. Caleb McGough, 10, does schoolwork with his mother, Rebecca Penglase, at her dining room table Saturday, March 16, 2019. McGough is one of more than 34,000 Pennsylvania students who attend cyber charter schools, and he started school online after moving to Northeast Philadelphia because his mother feared he would be bullied as he was in his New Jersey elementary school. Read more Moving to Northeast Philadelphia three years ago, Rebecca Penglase had reservations about sending her son to a traditional school. Caleb, then 7, needed speech therapy and had experienced bullying at his school in New Jersey a situation Penglase wanted to avoid. She was also concerned that a cousins child with speech issues was placed in a special-education class in a Philadelphia public school. I didnt want that to happen for my son. I didnt want him to fall in the cracks, Penglase said. She enrolled him in a cyber charter school, which enables him to do his schoolwork at home. More than 34,000 children across Pennsylvania attend cyber charter schools that are managed by independent operators. Tuition is free, but school districts pay the bills. A cyber charter student costs a district the same as one attending a brick-and-mortar charter. Penglase and other parents say the cybers are refuges from what they view as less-than-ideal learning environments of some conventional classrooms. But the funding system, along with the academic struggles of cyber charters, is at the core of the years-long debate over whether they are wise investments for taxpayers. The taxpayers are being fleeced by this model in most cases, said Greg Richmond, CEO of the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, a group that says it supports high-quality charters. Although previous efforts to revamp Pennsylvanias cyber funding have failed, advocates hope this year is different. They are publicizing the cyber-charter costs to each district nearly $68 million for Philadelphia and pushing for a statewide standard for a lower tuition rate, saying increasingly cash-strapped school districts cant afford the current system. Weve reached the point where its unsustainable, said Susan Spicka, executive director of Education Voters P, which released a report last month calling for cybers to receive a flat $5,000 fee per student, with higher rates for special-education students. A flat-rate system would save school districts across the state an estimated $250 million. Some school districts offer cyber programs, and Rep. Curt Sonney (R., Erie), chair of the House Education Committee, is sponsoring a bill that would require parents sending their child to a cyber charter to pay tuition if a home district offered one. Sonney, who introduced the bill twice before, doesnt expect it to pass, but he said the committee would evaluate the cyber programs offered by charters and school districts and at the very least try to make some good, needed changes." Cyber charter schools have been controversial nationally, coming under fire for low academic performance and management troubles. And funding has been an issue from the beginning in Pennsylvania, where cyber charters grew quickly after the charter movement began in the 1990s. By 2001, Pennsylvania had eight of them, the most of any state; today it has 15 and a large share of national enrollment. New Jersey has no fully cyber schools. You had these statewide charter schools growing so rapidly. ... [School districts] were getting invoices out of the blue for students they didnt know existed, said Gary Miron, a professor of educational leadership at Western Michigan University who evaluated cyber charters for the Pennsylvania Department of Education in 2004. Pennsylvania school districts dont have oversight over cyber charters, which are authorized by the Education Department. Earlier this year, 10 of the states cyber charters were operating with expired charter agreements; the department has since granted new five-year charters to two schools whose agreements had expired in 2016. Like Pennsylvania, most states with cyber charter schools fund them at the same level as brick-and-mortar charters, according to the Center on Reinventing Public Education. But a 2012 study by the Fordham Institute, a pro-charter group in Ohio, estimated that per-pupil costs for virtual schools range from $5,100 to $7,700, compared with $10,000 for a student in a traditional school. A survey last year by the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators found that the vast majority of 152 school districts with cyber options that responded were spending $5,000 or less per pupil. Thats the basis of Education Voters Pa.s funding recommendation. Ana Meyers, executive director of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools, called the report a pile of one-sided garbage from an organization that is against parental choice." She said lawmakers should evaluate school district cyber programs before comparing them with charters. The state doesnt track enrollment or academic performance in district-run cyber programs, a spokesperson said. To receive funding, cyber-charter schools should be required to show their costs, said Todd Ziebarth, senior vice president at the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, adding that they should be funded based on performance. Theres just been way too many examples of problems across the country, Ziebarth said, noting reports of cyber charters being paid for students that arent earning credits. Its giving charter schools as a whole a bad name." The founder of PA Cyber, the states largest, was sentenced last year to 20 months in federal prison after prosecutors said he siphoned $8 million from the school to businesses he created. Cyber charter leaders say their costs arent necessarily less than those of brick-and-mortar schools. At PA Cyber which last year enrolled nearly 10,000 students students can take virtual classes or work on their own schedule. While teachers in the virtual classrooms have 20 to 25 students each, those overseeing students working independently can be assigned as many as 300 students each, said CEO Brian Hayden. Hayden dismissed comparisons between PA Cyber and a district-run cyber school, describing his schools programs as more comprehensive. Mark DiRocco, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, said he didnt know why cyber charters would cost more than district cyber programs, inasmuch as they often share curriculum providers. What leads many districts to even consider starting their own cyber learning option is to try to pull kids back, DiRocco said. In Upper Darby, which started a cyber school two years ago, 247 of the programs 350 students were recruited back or dissuaded from going to other cyber schools, officials said. The problem thats being sold is its free and it doesnt cost anybody any money, acting superintendent Dan McGarry said of the charters. Its a drain on our community. For many cyber-charter families, the draw isnt the mode of education, Hayden said. They dont believe the school district is providing the best education for their kid," he said. Arlinda Ahmeti had been considering homeschooling so her children could learn on their pace and be challenged," but instead enrolled them in cyber school. Her youngest, Muhammad Abdulwadud, is in 10th grade at PA Cyber. The Easton mother previously lived in Wilkes-Barre, where racism is a big problem, Ahmeti said. She didnt want to send her African American children to district schools. It wasnt a welcoming environment. Research has shown that Pennsylvania school districts face long-term costs when students enroll in charters. I can see their point, Penglase, of Philadelphia, said of districts cost complaints. But Philadelphias had a long time to fix their school system and offer programs for kids. For children such as her son Caleb, Penglase said, charter school is a much better deal. A student walks in front of the Old Main building on the Pennsylvania State University campus. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Read more Happy Valley may be lots of things to those who live and work within the orbit of Pennsylvania State University, but the federal government has decided on something it is not: A name that should be trademarked. At least that is the initial ruling from an attorney with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which refused the request. The decision says the proposed mark does not pass muster as it is primarily geographically descriptive of the State College region. The primary significance of the mark is a generally known geographic place or location, stated the correspondence Monday from Janet Peyton, an attorney writing on behalf of the federal office, informing the university of its decision. In a Dec. 4 application, Penn State asked the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to grant the university ownership of the mark in selling licensed products. An application met filing requirements and was assigned to Peyton, an examining attorney. We are reviewing the information from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, said Penn State spokeswoman Lisa Powers. Under the procedures outlined by the government, the university has six months to respond. The ruling is not the final word on the proposal, as Penn State can respond in a variety of fashions spelled out in the correspondence. The universitys application did not specify a font, letter size, style, or color. It appears focused on use of the mark regarding gear including headwear, shirts, and sweatshirts. Accompanying the proposal was an image that shows Happy Valley printed above an image of the Nittany Lion, the schools mascot. Josh Gerben, a trademark attorney in Washington, offered an analysis via Twitter of the geographic issue raised by the Patent Office and another reason the agency refused the application: The trademark as submitted was deemed ornamental. He said both issues are correctable. "Because Happy Valley is a commonly used nickname for State College, Pa., the trademark was really not registrable unless the university can show something called `acquired distinctiveness,' " Gerben said. That entails a degree of market penetration that would associate the trademark with the university, even if it also suggests a geographic area. Use of the mark for five years or more by Penn State might be a way to do that, he explained. Of the ornamental issue, he said, I believe this is Trademarks 101 and it shocks me every time a large institution or organization gets it wrong. Using a T-shirt image as a trademark specimen is ornamental, unless the mark is also used on neck tags, price tags, or labels. He said Penn State can revise its submission. Members of Identity Evropa, many of whom prefer not to be identified, hang their group's flag during a 2018 event. Regional members of the group in Pennsylvania scheduled a meetup in February at a Delaware County bowling alley. Read more Rabbi Peter Rigler was taken aback by the message from one of his congregants in Broomall. Who, exactly, was Identity Evropa? And why were members of the white supremacist group bowling on the same lanes where the rabbi had hosted his childrens birthday parties? When you talk about it being here, out in the open in our community, my goal is not to frighten our community, because I truly believe that were safe and that the majority of the community stands with us, Rigler said. But it is shocking. Several members of Temple Sholom, the synagogue Rigler leads, reached out to him this week with a mix of confusion and outrage after reading a report from Unicorn Riot, an independent news website, that mentioned their quiet corner of Delaware County. The site on March 8 published a cache of leaked internal communications from Identity Evropa, a group that espouses the importance of white American culture and had created the You will not replace us chants featured at the tiki-torch rallies in 2017 in Charlottesville, Va. The leaked messages detailed efforts by members of the group to get together in the Philadelphia region. And one of those meetups took place in late February at Sproul Lanes, a family-run bowling alley thats been an institution on Sproul Road in Springfield, Delaware County, since 1961. The group didnt cause a scene managers at the bowling alley say they didnt even realize the group was there. But its quiet presence has unnerved some residents and reinforced how savvy these groups have become in organizing. We realize this is not something, obviously, that Sproul Lanes is endorsing, Rigler said. I think its important for our students to know that this is out there in the world." Steve Silver, a member of Temple Sholom who reached out to Rigler about the leaked texts, saw the revelation as a teachable moment. A lot of people around Philly will have attitudes that down in the South, thats where people are racist, unlike here, Silver said. Thats not the case. There are racist people everywhere, and this sort of reinforces that. Patrick Casey, the current leader of Identity Evropa, dismissed Silvers concern. Those upset Jewish congregations have a healthy sense of ethnic identity, Casey said in an email to The Inquirer. The idea that white people are to be the only ones denied the same is both hateful and anti-white. Casey said that Identity Evropa has been retired and rebranded as American Identity Movement, because it was held down by baggage accumulated before my tenure. The new group, according to a news release this week, is focused on defending America against globalism. Casey didnt elaborate on the baggage that ended Identity Evropa, but the groups members were prominently featured at the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, and the organization has been named as a defendant in Sines v. Kessler, an ongoing federal lawsuit alleging the group and others conspired to spread a message of racial hatred. The New York attorney who filed the lawsuit last year praised an earlier cache of messages that Unicorn Riot had leaked, calling it a lawyers gift. Amid the trove of the more recently leaked messages, sent via Slack, was a photo taken by an Identity Evropa member of the groups scorecard at Lanes 21 and 22 of Sproul Lanes. This is why they let me rule the state, the member boasted. He had bowled a 126, the highest score of the six group members who apparently made the trip to Sproul Lanes chosen because of its centralized location, according to the messages. Marple Township Police Chief Tom Murray said that his department has been in contact with both Rigler and the bowling alley, and that increased patrols have been instituted in the area out of an abundance of caution. But Murray noted that there were no reported incidents on the day of the alleged outing by Identity Evropa. Bowling alley staff said if the groups members did strap on shoes and rent a lane, they did so quietly. Were a family-friendly place; we do not support anything like that, Fred Conaway, Sproul Lanes manager, said this week as he oversaw an afternoon rush of bowlers. No one saw anything, no one noticed anything out of the ordinary that day. Its hard to stop something you dont know about. Social media have facilitated these conversations for fringe groups, according to Nancy Baron-Baer, the regional director of the Anti-Defamation Leagues Philadelphia office. Slack channels like the ones leaked by Unicorn Riot are often the only way members of these groups, who are usually separated by great physical distance, can socialize and become further indoctrinated, she said. Other messages from the group also frequently mock Mayor Jim Kenney and the Philadelphia School District, and pine for former Mayor Frank Rizzo, who died in 1991 and whose picture is posted in the chat with the caption Make Philadelphia Great Again. Before the bowling trip, the group whose members apparently are scattered throughout Pennsylvania, northern Maryland, and New Jersey successfully organized a meetup at the Philadelphia Art Museum in mid-January, according to the chat. Identity Evropa is particularly known for its subtlety, Baron-Baer added. Its members avoid the normal iconography and speech associated with white supremacy groups and are best known for their flier-ing campaigns on college campuses, including a reported incident at Drexel University last year. They also place emphasis on their outward appearance, adopting an unofficial uniform of khakis and sport coats. I believe its a way to have people think that youre part of the mainstream or of holding mainstream values, Baron-Baer said. They are very particular in not wanting to engage in public altercations because it might make them look bad. If individuals come to bowl, thats one thing, she added. If they come to protest, thats another. This story has been updated to reflect that Tom Murray is the police chief in Marple Township. A shopper exits the ShopRite store on 67th and Haverford. The store is closing and owner Jeff Brown is blaming the city's tax on soda and other sweetened beverages. Read more When Jeff Brown announced this month that he would close his ShopRite store in West Philadelphia, he blamed the citys tax on soda and other sweetened beverages. Mayor Jim Kenneys administration hit back, defending the tax likely to be a major issue in the upcoming mayoral and City Council elections and saying Brown was using it as a scapegoat. So who is right? Industry experts say that while the beverage tax would not have been the only factor that led to Browns drop in sales and his decision to shut the store, it was likely a significant contributor. To blame the sugar [and sweetened beverages] tax alone might be inappropriate, but to say its not related might also be inappropriate, said Richard George, a professor emeritus of food marketing at St. Josephs University. The property the store occupies was sold in August, though Brown and his new landlord both say that did not factor into the closing. Other factors that could have affected sales: The Haverford Avenue ShopRite is smaller than others in the city, and less updated; food stamp sales have declined in recent years; and an Aldi store opened less than two miles away about three years ago could have cut into the customer base. Brown, CEO of Brown Superstores Inc., said those issues only had minor effects on his bottom line and could not account for all of a 23 percent drop in sales since the beverage tax went into effect. He called the tax the big, 800-pound gorilla" that made the store unprofitable. The Kenney administration has been critical of Brown, citing a study that found declining sales in Philadelphia supermarkets since 2014 two years before the soda tax was passed and claiming that other supermarkets have opened in the city since the 1.5-cents-per-ounce levy went into effect. Clearly, a good number of retailers have confidence in their ability to operate a profitable grocery in Philadelphia, Mike Dunn, a spokesperson for Kenney, said in an email this month. A new landlord The ShopRite property sold in August for $5.15 million. Ravinder Chawla of Sant Properties, one of the new owners, said he would have liked Brown to keep the ShopRite open. He had the lease, so it was his option, Chawla said. We knew he was struggling there, so we were prepared that he might be closing. Both Brown and Chawla said the rent would not have increased under the new owners because Brown had an existing lease and exercised his option to leave it. Chawla said the ShopRite will likely be redeveloped into a property with multiple stores. He said hes had interest from potential tenants such as dollar stores, gyms, and coin laundries. Jim Engler, Kenneys chief of staff, said the city has been in touch with the new owners to help them identify prospective tenants that would fit the site and the communitys needs. Well be working closely with them to help identify tenants, and well be as supportive as we can," Engler said. Another closing in Lower Merion Days after Brown announced that he would close the West Philadelphia ShopRite, Acme announced that its Gladwyne store would shut down in February. The two stores have similarities; both are smaller and more outdated than other supermarkets in the area. But they also have differences; the Acme did not have to deal with the citys beverage tax, but is in a more affluent neighborhood and has had to compete with more upscale stores such as Whole Foods. Robert Gorland, vice president of Matthew P. Casey & Associates and a consultant in supermarket site selection and feasibility, said he saw just one key similarity between the two closing announcements. I think people make decisions at the end of every year, he said. Those decisions are made all the time." Brown acknowledged that the Haverford Avenue ShopRite is smaller than many other stores he owns, but said larger stores cost more to operate. He said he had looked into making upgrades to the West Philadelphia store, such as adding beer and wine sales, but did not find it feasible because there was no space to expand. Beer and wine adds about 1.5 percent to your sales in a good store maybe 2 percent, he said. The Haverford store is down 23 percent. So adding the beer and wine did not seem like a savior. Gorland said it is also harder to turn a profit in an urban supermarket than in a suburban one, because operational costs are higher in cities. Declining food stamp sales Sales through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which Brown said he tracks closely because he owns stores in low-income neighborhoods, have declined in the last several years. I dont consider that a factor in this, Brown said, or not a significant factor. Brown said he believes that SNAP spending at supermarkets has decreased because more people received benefits during and after the recession. Of course not every penny of sales loss is going to be attributable to the tax, Gorland said. Of course thats not the case. It was probably the majority of the sales loss, but not all of it. Aldi and increased competition An Aldi store opened on City Avenue less than two miles away from the Shoprite in December 2015 one year before the beverage tax went into effect. We always refer to Aldi as kind of a silent killer, George said of the no-frills grocery chain. Gorland said the opening of an Aldi near a traditional supermarket can typically have up to a 4 percent effect on sales. While any nearby store, whether its an Aldi or a bodega, can have a slight impact on sales, Brown said, he does not consider those fluctuations to be significant compared with the beverage tax. Brown "was able to take on a lot of risk and work with a very narrow profit margin there, and weather a lot of things to operate stores in low-income neighborhoods, said Wendell Young IV, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, the union that represents workers in Browns stores. I do believe that the soda [tax] was the straw that broke the camels back," Young said. Was it the only thing weighing on the business? No. The soda aisle at the Haverford Avenue ShopRite was nearly empty Wednesday, as the store prepared to close. Owner Jeff Brown blames the city's tax on soda and other sweetened beverages for sales losses that made the store unprofitable. Read more Didi Anderson walked two blocks from her home to the ShopRite in West Philadelphia on Wednesday morning to buy a can of peas for beef stew. But she lingered inside, filling her cart with more than just peas, as she realized that the Haverford Avenue store, which will close Thursday, was offering all items at a 75 percent discount. Anderson was happy about the low prices but not the closing of the store, which will leave her neighborhood without a supermarket. It has such a negative impact, she said. Im in good health, but there are so many seniors who walk here. Jeff Brown, president and CEO of Brown Super Stores Inc., announced in January that he would close his Haverford Avenue ShopRite, blaming Philadelphias tax on soda and other sweetened beverages for a 23 percent decline in sales and an annual net loss of more than $1 million. Mayor Jim Kenneys administration, meanwhile, contends that Brown is using the tax as a scapegoat for the stores struggles and insists there is no evidence that the levy has impacted grocery sales. As customers loaded their carts with the few remaining grocery items Wednesday, some said they typically shop elsewhere and simply came for the discounts. Others, like Anderson, were saying goodbye to their favorite local grocery store, which has sat at the corner of 67th Street and Haverford Avenue for nearly 30 years. Some said they were not sure where theyd buy groceries in the future. But one thing seemed certain: Debate over Philadelphias beverage tax will continue long after the ShopRite closes its doors. The tax is Kenneys signature legislation, used to fund pre-K, community schools, and improvements to parks, libraries, and recreation centers. The issue is sure come up in this years mayoral and City Council elections; former City Controller Alan Butkovitz and State Sen. Anthony H. Williams, both critics of the beverage tax, have filed petitions to run against Kenney in the May Democratic primary. And the beverage industry could throw funding behind some of the many Council candidates. Anderson said as she filled her cart Wednesday that the beverage tax is ridiculous," and questioned whether the money has made a significant impact in improving education. I would not vote for him again if he was the only candidate, Anderson said of Kenney. He needs to go. A few aisles away, Sylvia Bryant of Southwest Philadelphia said she did not believe the tax was truly to blame for the stores closing. Bryant said she supports Kenney and the programs the levy has funded. Drops in soda and juice sales alone should not sink a store, she added. Brown is trying to make my mayor look bad, Bryant said as she shopped for ingredients to fry fish. Do you see how many children were actually able to benefit from the preschool? Brown, who has been a vocal critic of the tax, said he plans to donate his remaining inventory along with extra items to local food pantries Thursday morning before closing the store and transferring employees to other stores. After meeting with residents who are concerned about losing their only nearby grocery option, Brown said he has offered to help his landlord look for a new grocery operator to move in. Another grocer is in late stage discussions with the owner of the property about turning the ShopRite into a new supermarket, said Mike Dunn, a city spokesperson. The fact that another businessperson is ready, willing and able to step right in to that Haverford Avenue location is evidence enough that the beverage tax does not impact the ability of grocers to operate profitably in Philadelphia, Dunn said. Brown owns seven ShopRite and Fresh Grocer stores in Philadelphia, and five more outside the city. He has encouraged customers from the Haverford Avenue location to visit his ShopRite two miles away on 52nd Street, which recently celebrated a grand re-opening after upgrades and renovations. At the Haverford Avenue ShopRite, shelves were largely bare on Wednesday even in the soda aisle, where tags still reminded customers that the few remaining sodas and other sweetened drinks would still cost more due to the tax. Gwendolyn Brown, who lives a few blocks from the store, said she came by Wednesday to see what was left in stock. Its sad that the store has to close down because of the tax, she said. Brown said she has traveled outside the city to purchase soda since the tax took effect at the beginning of 2017. But she said she still came to ShopRite for groceries. Were heartbroken that its closing, she said. Its the only [supermarket] in the area. A worker places a store closing sign at the ShopRite on 67th and Haverford on Wednesday. The store is blaming the city's tax on soda and other sweetened beverages for its closing. Read more A ShopRite store in West Philadelphia will close in March, its owner announced Wednesday, placing blame on Philadelphias tax on soda and other sweetened beverages for a 23 percent loss in sales that has made the store unprofitable. This store is closing because of Jim Kenneys beverage tax, Jeff Brown, president and CEO of Browns Superstores Inc., said in an interview Wednesday morning as workers hung banners announcing the store will close it doors. Brown said the store, near the edge of the city at 67th Street and Haverford Avenue, has experienced a drop in overall sales since the beverage tax went into effect and has been running at a net annual loss of more than $1 million. The announcement amounts to the latest attack on the citys 1.5-cent-per-ounce beverage tax that went into effect two years ago. Brown is broadcasting his reasons for closing the store with a large banner declaring it a result of the Philadelphia Beverage Tax." The tax, Mayor Kenneys signature legislation, funds pre-K; community schools; and improvements to parks, recreation centers, and libraries. It also comes at the start of an election year; Kenney will have to defend the levy as he seeks a second term, and super PACs on both sides of the issue could pour money into the mayoral and City Council races. In 2016 Philadelphia became the first major U.S. city to enact a tax on soda, and two years after taking effect, the tax remains controversial and closely watched by other cities. Several other cities have enacted similar taxes since Philadelphia passed its version. Kenneys administration has defended the tax as a means of fighting poverty by investing in Philadelphias children and attacked the beverage industry for pouring millions of dollars into opposing it. It is no surprise that Mr. Brown has decided to scapegoat the Philadelphia Beverage Tax, but neither he nor the beverage industry have yet to present any evidence that the tax has had any impact on sales, Mike Dunn, a spokesperson for Kenney, wrote in an emailed statement. Dunn pointed to an ongoing study by researchers at Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins University that released its first findings last year and found that while Philadelphia supermarket sales have been declining since 2014, the tax did not appear to intensify that trend. Brown owns seven ShopRite and Fresh Grocer stores in Philadelphia, and five more in surrounding communities. He opened several of his stores in food deserts or neighborhoods with inadequate access to affordable or healthy food and earned the praise of former President Barack Obama for doing so. Brown has embraced progressive policies at his stores, such as hiring ex-offenders. Brown said his other stores have also experienced drops in sales since the tax went into effect, but the losses have been greatest at the Haverford Avenue store because it is blocks away from the city border, where customers can choose to shop to avoid the tax. The store had $30.5 million in annual sales in 2016, the year before the tax went into effect, Brown said. In 2018, total sales were $23.4 million. Declines in sales of taxed beverages account for 3 to 4 percent of the sales loss, Brown said, suggesting that the rest comes from customers' decisions to purchase all of their groceries outside of the city due to the tax. While a Fresh Grocer, owned by Brown, and an Aldi supermarket have opened near the Haverford Avenue Shoprite in the last few years, Brown said those stores did not cut into business. Brown said he told the stores 111 employees about the closing in a meeting Wednesday morning, and informed them that they can remain employed with his company and will be transferred to one of his other stores in the region. While Brown has not laid off employees since the tax took effect, he says that he has lost about 200 to turnover that he has chosen not to refill. Even though employees at the closing ShopRite can keep their jobs, he said the positions will eventually be eliminated as other employees leave. Brown said his company will also offer free rides via the ride-sharing app Lyft to the next closest store, two miles away at 52nd and Parkside, for customers affected by the stores closing. The Haverford Avenue ShopRite has been open for nearly 30 years; Brown bought it in 2005 from a different owner who was going out of business. Without the store, Brown said the surrounding area will become a food desert. I built these stores to help people live healthier, longer lives, Brown said. This is taking a success and destroying it. Kenneys office noted that several grocery stores and markets have opened in the city since the tax went into effect and that wage tax revenues in sectors most affected by the tax remain strong. ShopRites website also advertises hundreds of open jobs at stores in Philadelphia, Dunn noted. (Brown said that the openings are due to employee turnover.) Because the tax is levied on beverage distributors rather than retailers or customers, Kenneys administration has also insisted that passing it down to customers is optional. The soda companies, the bottlers, and the beverage industry at-large are multibillion-dollar companies," Dunn said. "They dont have a need to pass this tax on. They can pass on a portion of it, or they can cover the cost themselves. Brown said his decision to close the store was not political, calling it coincidental that he made the announcement at the start of an election year for the mayor and City Council. But Im not shy about the fact that I think we need a different mayor," he said, calling Kenney stubborn for sticking by the tax. The mayors office shot back at Brown: "We are always concerned when a retailer is struggling, said Dunns statement, with a link to an article about Browns purchase of a pricey home near Rittenhouse Square. Kenneys office also criticized the beverage industrys rhetoric against the tax and highlighted the progress of the programs funded by the levy and noted that the pre-K expansion has created 278 jobs. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the beverage tax in July, ending a long legal battle over its future. City officials say they will begin spending revenue from the tax that had been reserved during the legal fight. The city issued its first bond in November for Rebuild, Kenneys program to renovate parks, libraries, and recreation centers. Previously touted as a $500 million program, Budget Director Anna Adams said in December that the total spending is uncertain, as revenue from the beverage tax and market conditions will determine how much money the city can borrow. The tax has also raised less revenue than initially expected. The city decreased its projections by about 15 percent last year in response, and scaled back the number of community schools and pre-K seats it will fund. The tax is expected to raise $78 million in the current fiscal year. To date, the city has opened 11 community schools and 2,250 city-funded pre-K seats. Plans call for 5,500 pre-K seats and 20 community schools by fiscal year 2023. Yet the tax remains under attack from opponents like Brown, who claim that it hurts businesses and has led to loss of jobs. In a November op-ed in the Inquirer, a group of black clergy called on City Council to end the tax. Council passed a resolution in December sponsored by Councilman Allan Domb that calls for a hearing to review whether the tax is achieving its goals and to analyze potential solutions to stabilize beverage tax funding for critical investments. The Green New Deal, the ambitious plan proposed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to deal with climate change, has drawn a lot of attention and speculation, including at this weeks big energy conference in Houston. Beyond criticism that actually has nothing to do with the plan such as President Donald Trump suggesting that reliance on wind power means that people could watch television only when the wind blows, and the Republican National Convention calling the plan a war on cows many call the plan too ambitious and too costly. But there is a side of the Green New Deal that is being ignored: Its a public health program that will save hundreds of thousands of lives. Imagine that Congress found out that a foreign power is planning an attack on the U.S. that would kill 70,000 people. Can you see anyone claiming that measures to prevent the attack, and mitigate its damage, are too ambitious or costly? Probably not. More than 70,000 people in the U.S. died of an overdose in 2017 and about half a million died in the past decade. No effort to save this many lives should be considered too ambitious. By setting the agenda on the root causes of addiction, the Green New Deal is the ambitious plan we need. We hear politicians talk about the opioid epidemic. The truth is that America is facing two linked but different crises. The first is the acute overdose crisis that is claiming the lives of tens of thousands of people every year. The second bigger and more difficult crisis is the one of chronic despair that is pushing millions of people into addiction. The reason we are seeing a rise in both addiction and overdose death right now in American history is because our society is increasingly unequal, and offers less services to those in need. It has become unlivable to millions of people. Through structural racism, inequality, and social isolation, America manufactures pain. And drugs are good at easing pain. But when drug use becomes addiction, the drugs no longer offer relief, but instead create more pain through withdrawal, stress, and criminalization. If we truly want to end the overdose crisis, we must address the despair crisis, the pain that far too many Americans experience by just living in our society. Enter the Green New Deal. The resolution outlines a plan of action to address the major issues of our time. It starts with a clear identification of the problems and goes on to identify the types of solutions that would meet the challenge. The first pages of Ocasio-Cortezs resolution are a laundry list of the causes of despair in our time: rising global temperatures are reducing economic activity, damaging infrastructure, forcing mass migration, and posing a national security threat on the United States; life expectancy is declining; many Americans dont have access to clean air and water, healthy food, health care, housing, and education; wages have been stagnating for decades; income inequality is at its highest since the 1920s; and the racial wealth gap remains massive, as does the gender earning gap. Any wonder that millions of people are choosing the warm embrace of alcohol, opioids, meth, or crack over fighting a social mobility battle that is rigged against them? In 2015, Princeton economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton coined the term deaths of despair to describe the rise in midlife deaths related to alcohol-related liver disease, overdose, or suicide. In a 2017 follow-up analysis, they explain: Increasing distress, and the failure of life to turn out as expected, is consistent with people compensating through other risky behaviors, such as abuse of alcohol, overeating, or drug use. In other words: America is just not holding up its end of the bargain that was sold to us as the American dream. That was always apparent for communities of color, and it is increasingly apparent for white people, namely low- and middle-income ones. Hope and purpose are critical to fight addiction. In an interview for the podcast Narcotica, Jeffrey, a homeless man from Philadelphia, told journalist Chris Moraff: Its like [people in addiction] do wanna stop, but when they stop they have nothing to look forward to no jobs, no housing, no normal friends as you call them. The Green New Deal is the shift we need to give people something to look forward to. It starts by offering a future for the planet by cutting emissions and upgrading buildings. It goes forward by stating that it is the role of the federal government to ensure that every person has a job with a family-sustaining wage, adequate family and medical leave, paid vacations, and retirement security." By providing health care, housing, and food, the Green New Deal offers people a chance to remain well, even when times are tough. We are still a long way from figuring the nuts and bolts on how exactly to achieve these goals. But the Green New Deal does something that no other proposal has done: look at the interconnected challenges of our society and offer a comprehensive anti-despair program. Thats how we defeat addiction. Illegal immigration is wrong, plain and simple. Until the American people are convinced that we will stop future flows of illegal immigration, we will make no progress on dealing with the millions of illegal immigrants who are here now, and on rationalizing our system of legal immigration. Thats plain and simple and unavoidable. Those words were not spoken by President Donald Trump or any Republican. Theyre from Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer in 2009 and he was right. Since then, our government has failed to secure the border. Large numbers of individuals, including some who are violent criminals, cross the southern border illegally. On the dangerous journey to the U.S., many migrant women and children are exploited by human traffickers. And deadly illicit drugs, like fentanyl, are smuggled over the border through and between ports of entry, coming into our towns and ruining lives. For these reasons, President Trump has sensibly made securing the southern border a central goal of his presidency. Last year, I voted for $25 billion in border security funding because I support him in these efforts to keep Americans safe, including his recent request for $5.7 billion to build 234 miles of physical barriers at the 10 most critical locations as determined by the border patrol. Unfortunately, when the presidents request came before Congress, Sen. Schumer and his Democratic colleagues changed their position on border security. After having voted for up to $24 billion in funding for physical barriers in 2018, this year, Democrats agreed to fund only a small fraction of the amount needed to build physical barriers. The presidents most recent predecessors two Republicans and two Democrats built physical barriers at the border. None faced the obstruction that President Trump has. This unreasonable opposition led the president to declare a national emergency that reallocates funds from future military construction projects toward construction of physical barriers. The president has, under existing law, adequate discretion over funding sources that would enable him to secure $5.7 billion without having to invoke emergency powers. Nevertheless, the president decided to declare a national emergency, which gives him virtually unlimited access to funds that Congress specifically dedicated for military construction projects. I share the presidents frustration and goal of securing the border, but I have serious concerns about his national emergency declaration. Well before the president declared an emergency, I made clear that such a declaration was ill-advised. While past presidents have, on rare occasions, used national emergency declarations to reallocate federal funds, never has one been used to circumvent duly enacted legislation after Congress refused a presidents funding request. Our Constitution specifically gives Congress, not the president, the power to authorize federal spending. Congress power of the purse limits the executive branch from spending the peoples money without the consent of their representatives. This feature reflects a key pillar of our constitutional government: Responsibilities are to be separated between the different branches of government so as to prevent any single branch from centralizing power. Were the president to successfully circumvent Congress using an emergency declaration, not only would our Constitutions separation of powers be weakened, but a dangerous precedent would be set. Future presidents, frustrated by Congress, could declare national emergencies to unilaterally advance whatever controversial policy they might favor. Its easy to envision a Democratic president declaring a national emergency on climate change to impose the very harmful provisions of the so-called Green New Deal. This isnt just idle fear-mongering. Presidential hopeful Sen. Elizabeth Warren said she would declare a national emergency on climate change. Regardless of the party in the White House, it is unacceptable for presidents to do what the Constitution only gives Congress the responsibility to do. I repeatedly criticized President Obama when he did this by unilaterally rewriting Obamacare, making unconstitutional executive appointments and granting legal status to millions of illegal immigrants. It was wrong when President Obama did it and it is wrong for President Trump to do so now. It would be wrong for a future president to do it, too, which is why Sen. Mike Lee (R., Utah) and I are supporting reforms to the National Emergencies Act that protect the separation of powers. Theres no reason why Democrats, who have said they oppose President Trumps emergency declaration on constitutional grounds, shouldnt join us. Ive worked with President Trump when I think hes right and will continue to do so. Together we have gotten many important things accomplished, like reducing taxes and regulations to grow our economy. But I promised Pennsylvanians I would never be a rubber stamp for any president, even one in my own party. While I agree that the situation on the southern border is terrible, I will not support unilateral action by this president or any other president when it undermines fundamental constitutional principles. That is why I joined a bipartisan majority of Senators in voting to terminate the presidents emergency declaration. Pat Toomey has represented Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate since 2011. In a file photo, Jim Kenney is shown in a voting booth on Election Day 2015 at the Old First Reform Church, 330 Race St. Presumably he voted for himself in order to carry out God's plan. Read more I think Jesus would make a bad president and I have to explain why thats on my mind. As a general rule, religion should be kept out of politics. The Founding Fathers those white male Europeans who met in Philadelphia organized their government around the principle that the two should be kept separate. We leap forward almost 250 years to last Sundays Inside Story on 6ABC on which Mayor Jim Kenney was talking about his reelection chances. As a matter of Philadelphia political history, he is a mortal lock. No sitting Democratic mayor has ever lost reelection. Even Wilson Goode, who green-lighted what turned into the death of an entire city block, was reelected. If you destroy 65 homes and lose 11 lives and still get reelected, that should get you into Guinness. Even more deadly, also in Philadelphia, were the nativist riots of the 1840s, says Philip A. Cunningham, professor of theology and director of the Institute for Jewish-Catholic Relations at St. Josephs University. People were killed, homes and churches were torched by Protestants whipped into a frenzy against the newly arrived Irish, who were Catholic. Back in the present, if Kenneys not reelected, hed be OK with that, he told TV host Tamala Edwards, but he hoped that it would be Gods plan for him to be reelected. I thought the idea of Gods plan coming from a non-churchgoing Christian was a tad much. He followed that with a comment that didnt come from Scripture: How could God not be a woman? Think about it. Who can men cannot give life. So God has to be a female, he told Edwards, who deemed it an interesting thought. Its not a totally original thought. Former Mayor John Street routinely refers to God as she or her. Maybe theres something in the water in City Hall Room 215, where the mayor hangs his hat, except that no one wears hats anymore. Its where Kenney stashes his yoga mat. There was other God talk in this election cycle. Republican mayoral wannabe Daphne Goggins called her endorsement by the city Republican Party part of Gods plan, to which she also attributed the bipolar disorder that allows her to focus on working for the community, because she has no real job. She dropped out about two weeks later, saying that at the end of the day, God did not want me to be mayor. So Gods fickle, but with the majority. I dont want to mock anyones conversations with God regular readers know I do that once a year myself but I am entitled to ask whether it was a legitimate conversation or contrived, like mine. Its hard to say if Kenney, who was raised Catholic, was serious about God being a woman or if he was just pandering to the #MeToo crowd. Perhaps hes no longer sure of Jesus gender. In a progressive universe, like Alices Wonderland, God could be a Red Queen or a chocolate cannoli, and God is definitely undocumented. God brings me back to Jesus, who would not make a good president. Jesus is a mellow guy. Or gal. Your choice. The U.S. president sometimes has to make war, like, say, if we are attacked, as has happened from time to time. Jesus turn-the-other-cheek response would not be appreciated by most Americans. Jesus would be better suited to be secretary of Health and Human Services. Thats his lane. He might make a good mayor, but only of a Sanctuary City. That could be part of Gods plan. Blossom Philadelphia, a human-services nonprofit based in Chestnut Hill, lost its license to operate group homes for intellectually disabled adults. Read more Three weeks after regulators put Blossom Philadelphia on notice by revoking its license to run group homes for intellectually disabled adults, family members and advocates say not much has changed at the Chestnut Hill agency. Last week, there were no staff present when a client returned home after Blossom's day program, clients continued missing their medications, and the houses were still running out of food, a mother said Tuesday evening at a parent support group in Mount Airy. She declined to be identified because she fears reprisals. Mary Citko, who works for the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services unit that oversees Blossom, told families at the meeting that she visited five Blossom homes last week and saw some of the same issues, including problems from previous inspections that still had not been fixed, even after the license revocation on Oct. 24. "It really frustrated me," Citko told the support group, which met at an NHS Human Services office. The absence of urgent action by Blossom, which filed an appeal Tuesday, means the agency is unlikely to improve long term, said Audrey Coccia, co-executive director of Vision for Equality, a nonprofit that sponsors the group. "I think you should make an example out of Blossom," Coccia told Citko, who is a manager at DHS's Office of Developmental Programs, but who will not decide on Blossom's future. "If this is the way you do business, it's time to go out of business," Coccia said. That was surely not the kind of change Paula Czyzewski, Blossom's chief executive since 2014, had in mind when she hired a consultant in 2015 to help foster culture change. Czyzewski praised the results in a case study: "We're much more willing to try things, and see where it takes us." Under Czyzewski, who declined an interview request, change came in spades to the 71-year-old nonprofit. Czyzewski oversaw complete turnover in senior management. She also changed the organization's name this year to Blossom Philadelphia, from United Cerebral Palsy Association of Philadelphia. But Czyzewski, who was paid $185,726 in 2015, didn't stop there. Effective July 10, Czyzewski hired a staffing firm to supply direct-care workers for Blossom's 32 community homes, laying off 179 of Blossom's employees. One longtime observer of intellectual disabilities services in Philadelphia said Blossom, which had $24.6 million in revenue in fiscal 2016, needed to modernize. "I had some hopes for her coming in that she might bring new vitality and dynamism to it, but this is more like total upheaval," not the right approach, said Kathy Sykes, former director of intellectual disability services in Philadelphia. Outsourcing staff was a terrible idea, Sykes said. Blossom said it did so to relieve supervisors of scheduling headaches, but Czyzewski also told family members that the residences were losing money and might have to close. The change led to an ever-changing set of caregivers at Blossom, which houses 89 adults. "It's a revolving door. I don't even bother learning their names anymore because they're not going to be around long enough for it to matter," said Earni Young, who has a 48-year-old family member in one of Blossom's houses. Not long after the license revocation, Blossom told families it would try to hire back some of the staffers it laid off. "We are currently developing how this will be implemented and understand that this transition will take time," Blossom spokesman John Moeller Jr. said. But only about 30 of the direct-care staffers mainly those who had not worked there long enough to get unemployment benefits took jobs with Integrity Workforce Solutions LLC, a long-term staffing firm in Haverford, that was supposed to offer jobs to all 179 of Blossom's residential staff, albeit at sharply lower pay and no benefits, a former worker said. The lack of regular staff makes it hard for family members to advocate for their loved ones. "With the turnover in staff, you just can't get anything done. As soon as you start talking to someone it's someone new, even with the higher-ups at Blossom I've been talking to," said Diane Sessions, whose 41-year-old sister has lived at Blossom since 2001. Sessions described her sister as a social butterfly, who enjoyed Blossom's day program and outings. "In the last two years, though, she has been bedridden due to wounds, which are the result of sitting in urine and feces," Sessions said. Physical harm is not all that upsets family members. A supervisor recently went winter-clothes shopping for Young's relative and bought skinny jeans for a woman who can't straighten her legs and can only use one hand. "This is the kind of thing that as a family member drives you to drink because it tells you when they look at the client, they see a blur," Young said. "They don't see an individual. They see a blur." Family members and advocates are not convinced that regulators are doing enough to protect residents. They are meeting with Blossom officials every other week to monitor progress, a city official said. "What I want is for somebody to be sitting on them 24/7 to make sure they do right. I don't want it to go back to what we've had to deal with," Young said. Jean Searle was forced to give up a child for adoption in 1981 when she was 17 and living in a Scranton institution for intellectually disabled youth. After searching for nine years, with the help of an advocate and an attorney, she found her son, Robert, and met him for the first time in May 2018, in Towanda, Pa. Read more Jean Searle never forgot the newborn who was taken from her in 1981 when she was a 19-year-old resident of an Allied Services facility for youths with intellectual disabilities in Scranton. "I was told that I could never have contact with him because I wasn't able to take care of me, or him, and that I would have no place to live if I tried to have anything to do with him," Searle, now 55, said in a recent interview. Hearing others talk about their children and wanting to know if her son was happy, if he was married, and maybe even had children of his own motivated Searle, who spent much of her childhood in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia, to persist in searching for her son after a first attempt in 2007. Despite a string of seemingly insurmountable bureaucratic hurdles, the search by Searle and a team of dedicated advocates succeeded, culminating in a first meeting between Searle and her son, Robert Cummings, on May 29. As amazing as it was for Searle to connect with her son, she wants more. "I just want to have a normal mother-and-son relationship," said Searle, who last year moved to Harrisburg and works as an advocate for Disability Rights Pennsylvania. Her 36-year-old son, Cummings, is also intellectually disabled. He lives in the small Bradford County, Pa. town of Athens, where he has two jobs, stocking shelves at Ted Clark's Busy Market and washing dishes at Stateline Auto Auction. In his free time, he enjoys bowling and playing softball. In a separate interview, Cummings said he was happy about his new relationship with his birth mother. "He was smiling ear-to-ear" on the way home from lunch with his mother at a Chinese restaurant in Towanda, Pa., said Niq Sinsabaugh, who helps coordinate services for Cummings as a program specialist at the nonprofit Penn-York Opportunities Inc. Beating the system For James W. Conroy, of Wynnewood, an intellectual-disability expert who helped Searle with her search starting in 2009, the reconnection between Searle and Cummings amounts to a triumph over "bureaucratic demolition of human rights and identity." "We didn't know his name. We had a birthday. The birthday was wrong," said Conroy, who is known for monitoring individuals who left Pennhurst State School to ensure they did well in community settings and has consulted worldwide on the deinstitutionalization of people with intellectual disabilities. Judith A. Gran, a disability rights lawyer deeply involved in litigation over Pennhurst, called Searle's victory especially significant, "because the history of women conceiving and giving birth while they were in the institution is so hidden from view. There are no data that I know of. There are no statistics. I've never seen any kind of systemic analysis." Officials at Allied Services, a Clarks Summit nonprofit that operated the Scranton institution where Searle lived from 1975 to 1982, did not respond to requests for information about the organization's policies on pregnancies or how many pregnancies there were in that era. A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which regulates intellectual disability services, said the agency has no data going back that far, making it impossible to know how many intellectually and developmentally disabled women got pregnant in institutions. Little is known about conditions at the privately owned Allied Services when Searle was there, but J. Gregory Pirmann, who worked at Pennhurst from 1969 to 1986, could recall only two or three pregnancies at the state-owned facility during that time. The women left Pennhurst to deliver, Pirmann said. "They would come back, and they would not come back with a child. Who made the decision, whether consent was given, or whether consent was coerced, I really have no firsthand knowledge," he said. In Searle's telling, her teenage story rings familiar, with some huge differences because of her placement in an institution. Authorities sent her to Scranton after a period of foster care in the Philadelphia area. Searle was the second oldest of seven children, all of them mildly intellectually disabled. "I met a guy, fell madly in love. I thought we were going to get married and have a family together," Searle said of her teenage romance. "When I got pregnant, I wanted to tell him, but before I could, he took off with somebody else." Maura McInerney, the lawyer who spearheaded Searle's search for her son starting in January 2014, suspects that Allied sent the father away. "It's unlikely that he was able to leave of his own volition," she said. What was even worse than the disappearance of her boyfriend, Joe, was that institution officials took complete control when they found out she was pregnant, Searle said. "They made every decision. They did everything. I had no say in what happened," she said. The search begins When McInerney, who is the legal director of the nonprofit Education Law Center in Philadelphia, agreed to help Searle and Conroy, the operating assumption was that Searle's termination of her parental rights coincided with an adoption. But years of digging by McInerney revealed that the newborn Cummings went into foster care for two years before he was adopted. That transfer of custody to an agency made it much harder to establish a link between Searle and her son, which could have added years to the search. Fortunately, with the help of Scranton connections through her education law work, McInerney was able to figure out that Cummings's records, along with Searle's termination of parental rights had been transferred to Bradford County, where Cummings was adopted, from Lackawanna County, where he was born. After solving that puzzle, it took a full day at the Bradford County Courthouse in Towanda to convince a judge to appoint an official, called an "authorized representative" under Pennsylvania adoption law, who could locate Cummings and tell him about his mother's desire to meet him. That appointment happened in May 2017, almost 3 years into McInerney's work on the case. Even then, there was no guarantee of a happy outcome for Searle. The authorized representative, Fawn Davies, of Family Design Resources in Harrisburg, warned Searle that her son could be dead or might throw away the letter Davies would send him, suspecting it was a scam. "There were so many opportunities for disappointment and sadness along the way," McInerney said. But instead of tossing the letter from Davies, Cummings, who had been interested in finding his birth mother, took it to Sinsabaugh, his program specialist. Sinsabaugh helped facilitate the first phone call on May 3. "When he was about to hear from Jean for the first time I don't think I've ever seen Robert nervous before but he was sitting in my office, legs were going 100 miles per hour," Sinsabaugh said. Searle, who recently marked her 24th anniversary of working for Disability Rights Pennsylvania and its predecessors, was happy to learn from Cummings that he had never been in an institution, and had never been sent to a sheltered workshop to be kept busy with menial labor. Learning about her son's life made Searle feel good. "I really want to get to know him much better, because just meeting him the first time wasn't enough. I need more time with him," she said. AUSTIN, Texas Former Texas Rep. Beto ORourke announced Thursday that hell seek the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, pledging to win over voters from both major parties as he tries to translate his political celebrity into a formidable White House bid. Until he challenged Republican Sen. Ted Cruz last year, O'Rourke was little known outside his hometown of El Paso. But the Spanish-speaking 46-year-old former punk rocker became a sensation during a campaign that used grassroots organizing and social media savvy to mobilize young voters and minorities. He got within 3 percentage points of upsetting Cruz in the nation's largest red state and shattered fundraising records in the process immediately fueling chatter that he could have higher ambitions. Weeks of teasing an announcement are behind him, but O'Rourke now must prove whether the energy he brought to the Texas campaign will resonate on a much larger stage. For all the buzz associated with his candidacy, the former three-term congressman hasn't demonstrated much skill in domestic or foreign policy. And, as a white man, he's entering a field that has been celebrated for its diverse roster of women and people of color. "This is going to be a positive campaign that seeks to bring out the very best from every single one of us, that seeks to unite a very divided country," O'Rourke said in a video announcement with his wife on a couch. "We saw the power of this in Texas." O'Rourke had never before visited Iowa, which kicks off presidential voting, but said during his first stop at a coffeeshop there Thursday, "I could care less about your party persuasion, your religion, anything other than the fact that, right now, we are all Americans." His comments were carried live on several cable networks, the kind of exposure other candidates in the already crowded 2020 Democratic field don't often get. O'Rourke has promised to travel the country listening to voters, then will return to El Paso, on the border with Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, on March 30 for an official campaign kickoff. He invites would-be supporters "to the greatest grassroots campaign this country has ever seen." O'Rourke joins a large and unsettled 2020 field in which his fundraising prowess, bipartisan optimism, southwestern Texas charm and anti-establishment attitude could quickly make him a political force. His lack of governing experience could hurt, but President Donald Trump's rise suggests that the U.S. electorate might welcome a charismatic outsider. The sports and entertainment world already had its eye on O'Rourke during the Senate campaign: NBA star LeBron James wore an O'Rourke hat after video of the Texan defending NFL players' right to protest during the national anthem went viral. Beyonce, a Houston native, endorsed O'Rourke. And he was the only presidential prospect interviewed in February by Oprah Winfrey, who appeared genuinely excited about the prospect of an O'Rourke White House run. Should he parlay a 2018 Senate defeat into a successful 2020 White House campaign, O'Rourke would be the first U.S. politician to do so since Abraham Lincoln lost his Senate bid to Stephen Douglas in Illinois in 1858, then was elected president two years later. Democrats have long dreamed that a booming Hispanic population and droves of Americans moving to Texas from elsewhere could turn the nation's largest red state blue and transform the Electoral College by making the Republican path to the presidency all but impossible. It remains to be seen, though, whether O'Rourke's home-state appeal could truly make Texas competitive. Another Texas Democrat, former Obama administration housing chief Julian Castro, was already running. Trump has repeatedly blasted the idea of an O'Rourke presidential try, calling him a "flake" and a "total lightweight" and joking, "I thought you were supposed to win before you run for president." O'Rourke visited all 254 of Texas' counties while running for Senate and often drew larger-than-expected crowds, including in conservative areas that Democrats gave up on decades ago. It's a strategy that could serve him well in Iowa, where Cruz campaigned in all 99 counties before winning its caucus during the 2016 GOP presidential primary. O'Rourke has three full days of political events planned there. The Texan's advisers have reached out to early-state Democratic officials seeking advice for potential hires and strategy. And, in New Hampshire, home to the nation's first primary, an O'Rourke adviser asked for guidance on how they might schedule a driving tour through the state should he arrive coming from the West indicating that a cross-country trip of sorts might be part of a campaign rollout plan. Although he isn't among the first wave of Democrats to jump into the race, O'Rourke enters with strong national name recognition. Democratic operatives in states with early presidential primaries, including South Carolina and Nevada, have formed Draft Beto groups that spent months fundraising, lining up potential O'Rourke endorsements and building campaign infrastructure until their candidate was ready. A onetime guitarist for an El Paso punk band called Foss, O'Rourke boosted his already considerable nonpolitical street cred in the Senate race with a viral video showing him skateboarding across a Whataburger restaurant parking lot. His trademark black-and-white "Beto for Senate" signs became hipster must-haves last year in some parts of Seattle, Los Angeles and Brooklyn. O'Rourke refused donations from outside political groups and shunned pollsters during his Senate campaign though he's not completely sworn off polling for a presidential run. He nonetheless harnessed growing nationwide popularity to rake in $80-plus million during the Senate bid, including a staggering $38 million from July to September 2018 alone. While challenging Cruz, O'Rourke insisted that he had no interest in running for president, vowing to quietly return to El Paso should he lose. But during his election night concession speech, he let rip the kind of casual swearing that freckled an unorthodox campaign, declaring to supporters on national television: "All of you, showing the country how you do this, I'm so f---ing proud of you guys," before promising, "We'll see you down the road." Other 2020 Democratic hopefuls have promoted their extensive legislative records. O'Rourke passed just three bills during his six years in Congress: two related to temporary health benefits and college tuition assistance to veterans and one renaming El Paso's federal courthouse. While running for Senate, he offered an unapologetically liberal vision, supporting Trump's impeachment, universal health care, gun control, marijuana decriminalization, steep federal subsidies for prekindergarten education and relaxed immigration policies. But he's drawn criticism from supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2016 Democratic presidential campaign who worry O'Rourke is too moderate to excite Democrats' liberal base. ORourke has shrugged off such complaints, saying he doesnt know if hes liberal enough to be called a progressive and doesnt much care for party labels. FILE- In this Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, file photo, New York Attorney Letitia James smiles during an inauguration ceremony in New York. Read more NEW YORK (AP) Insider testimony, emails, and other evidence show President Donald Trump turned his charitable foundation into a wing of his White House campaign, New Yorks attorney general said in a new court filing Thursday. State Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, detailed her case against the foundation in a 37-page court filing in a lawsuit that seeks $2.8 million in restitution and an order banning Trump and his three eldest children from running any New York charities for 10 years. The filing was a response to an earlier court submission from the foundation's lawyers, who have argued that the lawsuit against the charity is both flimsy and politically motivated. The Trump Foundation reached a deal in December to fold and distribute about $1.7 million in remaining funds to other nonprofits in a court-supervised process. Each charity will get the same amount, and the attorney general's office has the right to reject the ones it deems unfit. That agreement, though, didn't resolve the lawsuit, which says the foundation's involvement in a Trump maneuver during the run-up to the Iowa caucuses in 2016 broke rules barring charities from getting involved in political campaigns. At the time, Trump was feuding with Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly and refusing to participate in the network's final Republican presidential primary debate before the caucuses. Instead, he held a rally at the same time as the debate at which he called on people to donate to veterans charities. The foundation acted as a pass-through for people who heeded his call for donations. James said the evidence of banned coordination between campaign officials and the foundation includes deposition testimony from Trump Organization executive Allen Weisselberg and emails he exchanged with former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. In one email, a Trump company vice president asked Lewandowski for guidance on how to distribute the money that was raised. "Do you have a list of which veterans charities you want these funds sent to and how much for each charity??" the vice president, Jeffrey McConney, wrote Lewandowski on Feb. 16, 2016, according to the filing. "Lastly, how much longer do you want to keep the TrumpforVets website up and running?" Trump was also accused in the suit of directing that $100,000 in foundation money be used to settle legal claims over an 80-foot flagpole he had built at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Fla., instead of paying the expense out of his own pocket. A message seeking comment was left with a lawyer for the foundation. In the past, foundation lawyers have said any infractions were minor and that the lawsuit ignored the charity's philanthropic work. James, a Democrat newly elected to office, also issued subpoenas Monday to Deutsche Bank and Investors Bank seeking records related to four Trump real estate projects and his failed 2014 bid to buy the NFL's Buffalo Bills. Trump decried that development as the work of PRESIDENTIAL HARASSERS, and said, The Witch Hunt continues! The East Front of the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Read more President Donald Trump says he is ready to issue a veto after the GOP-controlled Senate side sided with House Democrats to block his national emergency declaration over the U.S.-Mexico border. A dozen Republican senators, including Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey, voted Thursday in favor of the resolution to block the national emergency Trump declared last month in an effort to secure funding for barriers along the border. The final vote was 59-41. Trump was prepared for a fight, remarking ahead of the vote that he would issue his first veto if needed. I am prepared to veto, if necessary, Trump wrote on Twitter. The Southern Border is a National Security and Humanitarian Nightmare, but it can be easily fixed! Heres how we got here and what to expect next. How and why is the national emergency declaration being challenged in Congress? Declaring a national emergency gives a president wide-ranging and greatly enhanced powers," according to the Brennan Center for Justice, a nonpartisan public policy and law institute. Trump is most interested in greater control over armed forces and military construction projects, according to the center. READ MORE: National emergency: What is it, and why did Trump declare one over the border? On Feb. 15, Trump signed a funding bill that prevented another government shutdown but did not fulfill his request for $5.7 billion that would go toward building 200 miles of wall along the border. By declaring a national emergency at the same time, he hoped to side-step the lengthy process it takes to get laws passed in Congress to get the financial resources needed. House Democrats introduced a resolution late last month to block the national emergency. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the declaration a power grab by a disappointed President. [President Trumps] unlawful declaration over a crisis that does not exist does great violence to our Constitution and makes America less safe, stealing from urgently needed defense funds for the security of our military and our nation, she said. Whats the latest in Congress? As expected, the Democrat-controlled House passed the joint resolution last month with a vote of 245-182. Its now been approved by the GOP-controlled, where at least four Republican senators needed to cross party lines and vote in favor of stopping the declaration (12 senators ultimately did so). Toomey, one of the Republicans who voted to block the national emergency, said that, while he is completely supportive of Trumps push for the U.S.-Mexico border wall, he considered Thursdays vote a very important separation of powers issue," my colleague Jonathan Tamari reports. READ MORE: Sen. Pat Toomey: Why I dont support Trumps national emergency declaration | Opinion Vice President Mike Pence appeared on Fox News Thursday morning, urging Republicans to stick with the president. A vote against the presidents national emergency declaration is a vote to deny the humanitarian and security crisis thats happening at our southern border," he said on Fox & Friends. So were urging every member of the Senate set politics aside, recognize that we have a crisis. What happens after the Senate votes? Trump could step in with a veto, and has indicated he will do so. Congress could then throw out the veto, but only with a two-thirds vote in both chambers, and not enough congressional Republicans appear to be leaning toward blocking the declaration to overrule a veto. Congress has overridden fewer than 10 percent of presidential vetoes, according to the Senates website. I dont know what the vote will be, it doesnt matter, Trump told reporters later at the White House, NBC News reported. "Ill probably have to veto and its not going to be overturned, and were going to have our whole thing. How else is the emergency declaration being challenged? The declaration is being challenge not just legislatively, but legally, too. Sixteen states, including New Jersey and Delaware, filed a lawsuit last month, alleging that the move was unconstitutional. President Trump treats the rule of law with utter contempt, said California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, according to the Associated Press. He knows there is no border crisis, he knows his emergency declaration is unwarranted, and he admits that he will likely lose this case in court. Pennsylvania is holding off from joining the until it becomes clear whether Trump plans to use money appropriated for projects in the state, Attorney General Josh Shapiro said in February. READ MORE: Should Pa. sue Trump over national emergency declaration? Democratic states are split." Additional lawsuits have been filed by organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Biological Diversity. Congress potential move to side against the president could be used against him in court even with a presidential veto, according to Vox. In an unexpected visit Wednesday, Republican Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Ben Sasse of Nebraska also issued a plea to Trump for a last-minute proposal aimed at satisfying concerns of senators likely to vote alongside Democrats, according to the Washington Post. Julia and Jernej Kruder Deep Water Solo climbing at Mallorca 14.03.2019 by by Planetmountain The video of Slovenian siblings Jernej and Julia Kruder DWS climbing on the island of Mallorca in autumn 2018. After a first taste of Deep Water Solo climbing on Mallorcas rugged coastline in 2016, Slovenias Jernej Kruder was literally hooked on this form of solo climbing, fascinating but also not without dangers, high above the sea. His coveted first repeat of Chris Sharmas famous Es Pontas proves that this discipline suits Kruder down to a tee, as do his successive trips to the Spanish island to establish new lines. During his last travels in October 2018 he was joined by his sister Julia who, with her repeat of the 8a+ Weatherman (likely the hardest female DWS to date), evidently is equally at ease with this psicobloc. Links: Jernej Kruder, SCARPA, Morpho Climbing Holds and Volumes Live! Casino & Hotel Gears Up For WPTDeepStacks Event March 14, 2019 Live! Casino Hotel The Live! Casino & Hotel, formerly the Maryland Live! Casino is gearing up for the $500,000 guaranteed WPTDeepStacks, and we cannot think of many better places in the United States to host this epic event than in Hanover, Maryland. Built at the cost of $500 million, the Live! Casino & Hotel is located in the Washington DC / Baltimore corridor just off the I-95 Route 100 and the B/W Parkway at Arundel Mills. The hotel features 310 luxurious rooms and 52 suites designed to make your stay as memorable as possible. The Poker Room at the Live! Casino & Hotel is nothing short of huge, boasting 50-tables, making it one of the largest poker rooms on the East Coast. Christian Harder, who has almost $4.5 million in live poker tournament winnings and an additional $3.2 million in earnings from online poker tournaments, is a regular at The Poker Room and is often found battling it out with other poker champions. Only five North America properties have been chosen to host a World Poker Tour and WPTDeepStacks stop and Live! Casino & Hotel is one of that quintet. The casino hosted the 2018 Live! WPTDeepStacks event and attracted a field of 389 entrants who created a $506,590 prize pool. Jason Eisele outlasted all those entrants, turning his $1,500 investment into $108,921. Another $300,000 is guaranteed to be won in the 2019 edition of the $1,650 Live! WPTDeepStacks Main Event. Day 1A commences at 11:15 a.m. on Mar. 22, Day 1B at 11:15 a.m. on Mar. 23, with Day 2 and the third and final day shuffling up and dealing at 12:15 p.m. on Mar. 24 and Mar. 25 respectively. It isnt only the WPTDeepStacks Main Event that is taking place at Live! Casino & Hotel in March because the schedule is brimming with 21 events between Mar. 15-25. You can check out the WPTDeepStacks schedule of events here. Away from the tables at Live! Casino & Hotel It is easy to find the Live! Casino & Hotel because it is the tallest building in Anne Arundel County at 17 stories. Food lovers are well catered and able to tuck into culinary delights at Bobbys Burger Palace, Phillips Seafood Restaurant, and The Cheesecake Factory; there are 11 different establishments available to satisfy your hunger. Youll also find it super easy to park your vehicle at Live! Casino & Hotel thanks to there being a six-story parking garage with space for 5,000 vehicles! Those poker players who love to try their luck in the casino can choose from more than 4,200 slot machines and 189 live table games, meaning you are spoiled for choice when it comes to taking on Lady Luck. If youre heading to the Live! Casino & Hotel and fancy somewhere a little different to stay, the newly-renovated Live! Lofts boutique hotel is located a few minutes away from the casino and features 250 guest rooms and suites. Sponsor generated content by Live! Casino & Hotel 2.3k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard House Intelligence Committee chairman Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) expressed confidence that no matter what Trump does to bury the Mueller report, the truth will come out. Schiff was asked on The Last Word with Lawrence ODonnell if he is confident that the truth will come out. Rep. Schiff said, I am. The truth is going to come out. We are going to use whatever means necessary to compel the Justice Department to be forth theyd be much better off not fighting it, not look like theyre trying to cover something up. Indeed, the case for providing this information in the Mueller investigation is far stronger than it was in the Clinton investigation. For this reason. One of the reasons the special counsel regulations were written and the office was created is because it was important that the chief executive not be allowed to cover up a crime. In the case of Hillary Clinton, she wasnt the president. There wasnt that danger that she could cover up things because she controlled the Justice Department. That danger exists here. Thats a much more powerful reason for transparency and disclosure than it was when they gave 880,000 pages of discovery in the Clinton case to the Congress. Video: Adam Schiff warns Trump that the truth will come out even if he tries to bury the Mueller report. https://t.co/7wB2w5yVVj pic.twitter.com/48Zh1lIiG6 PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) March 14, 2019 Adam Schiff is right. The Mueller report will come out Trump hasnt exactly been clever or deceptive about his plan to keep Muellers findings secret. Trump has tried to keep defendants quiet by dangling pardons. If defendants stay quiet, Mueller is deprived of information. Should Mueller get the information, Trump is trying to bury the Mueller report, so that the American people never get to see it. The House has so many tools at their disposal to get the Mueller report that Trump will not be able to hide it. He might be able to delay it by dragging his feet on the release, but eventually, the House will subpoena it, and the facts will be revealed. Trump can do this the easy way, or the hard way, but either way, he is going to lose. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook By Keith Coffman (Reuters) A Kentucky teenager sued CNN on Tuesday for defamation, saying the cable network falsely conveyed to viewers that he was the face of an unruly hate mob confronting a Native American activist at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington in January. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Covington Catholic High School student Nicholas Sandmann in federal court in Kentucky, seeks $275 million in compensatory and punitive damages over the videotaped incident in the nations capital. Sandmann and other Covington Catholic students had been in Washington to attend a March for Life anti-abortion rally. In photos and videos that went viral from the incident, Sandmann is seen standing face to face with Native American activist Nathan Phillips. Sandmann stares and smiles at Phillips while Phillips sings and plays his drum. The footage sparked outrage on social media, with many viewers saying that Sandmann and a group of fellow students seen gathered around Phillips appeared to be mocking the activist. The complaint said CNN, a division of Turner Broadcasting System Inc-owned Warner Media LLC, aired four defamatory broadcasts and nine online articles falsely accusing Sandmann, 16, and his classmates of engaging in racist conduct. The CNN accusations are totally and unequivocally false, and CNN would have known them to be untrue had it undertaken any reasonable efforts to verify their accuracy before publication, the complaint said. A CNN spokeswoman said the network declined to comment. A private investigation firm commissioned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington in Park Hills, Kentucky, to review the incident concluded last month that there was no evidence the students provoked a confrontation. Instead, the report found that the teenagers were met at the Lincoln Memorial by offensive statements directed at them by several African-American protesters from a group known as the Black Hebrew Israelites. According to this account, the students responded with permission from the teacher chaperones by shouting school spirit chants before Phillips waded into scene playing his drum. The complaint said CNN exhibited a bias against President Donald Trump by focusing on Sandmann and other Covington students because they were wearing red caps emblazoned with the presidents Make America Great Again slogan. Trump has a contentious relationship with CNN, frequently calling it Fake News. Last month, Sandmann sued the Washington Post for $250 million over its reporting of the same incident. The newspaper said in a statement that it would mount a vigorous defense, and later published an Editors Note explaining how its coverage of the incident evolved as new information came to light. (Reporting by Keith Coffman in Denver; Editing by Steve Gorman, Robert Birsel) 6.1k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) said that former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker admitted that Trump obstructed justice. Nadler said to reporters, The three main takeaways that we take away from today, one, unlike in the hearing room, Mr. Whitaker did not deny that the president called him to discuss Michael Cohen, the Michael Cohen case, and personnel decisions in the southern district. Two, while he was acting attorney general, Mr. Whitaker was directly involved in conversations about whether to fire one or more U.S. One or more U.S. Attorneys. Three, while he was acting attorney general, Mr. Whittaker was involved in discussions about the scope of the southern district attorney and his recusal, and whether or not the southern district went too far in pursuing the campaign finance investigation in which the president was listed as number one. Those were the three takeaways from today. Video: Matt Whitaker admits to the House Judiciary Committee that Trump obstructed justice. pic.twitter.com/FaMtcTKJ5N PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) March 13, 2019 The House has eyewitness testimony that Trump obstructed justice Rep. Nadler laid out how Trump interfered in investigations that involved himself, his associates, and his family. Trump tried to get US attorneys who are investigating him fired and replaced with allies. These are textbook attempts to obstruct justice. Trump abused his power as president to try to get investigations into his criminal behavior shut down. Matt Whitakers testimony is that Trump committed impeachable offenses. The House has direct evidence that has not present previously. Impeachment may not come today or tomorrow, but as the presidential crimes pile up, it appears to be inevitable. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 4.6k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Rachel Maddow showed how prosecutors in New York blew up Trumps plan to use pardons to kill the Mueller investigation. Maddow said: That is why New York prosecutors today, not federal prosecutors, but state prosecutors in New York threw a huge wrench in the works for the White House today when they unsealed a brand-new 16-count felony indictment against presidential campaign chairman Paul Manafort just minutes after his sentence was announced in court in D.C. Obviously the immediate revelation everybody had upon seeing that indictment is whatever the president may be considering in terms of using the pardon power, and whatever the president might be thinking about whether hes going to spring Manafort, either getting rid of his convictions all together, just getting rid of the federal prison time that Manafort is about to do, the immediate revelation from that New York indictment today was, well, as we all know, there is no such thing as a presidential pardon for state crimes. There is no way a president can commute your state prison sentence. The president cant get Paul Manafort out of New York charges. And that is one important thing to consider about the new Nw York indictment against manafort today, but I think there are a couple of other things that are worth figuring out here about this indictment given the importance of this development today. Again, not just for the fate of manafort himself, but for the whole proverbial kit and caboodle that is the Russia investigation and the question of the presidents ability to stop it. Video: Thanks to the state of New York, Trumps plan to pardon his way out of trouble goes kaboom. https://t.co/4sTElSCG41 pic.twitter.com/gnM2tjIVL4 PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) March 14, 2019 State charges can wreck Trumps plan to end the Russia investigation New York state charges could ensnare all of the major players in Trump world. Trumps kids Ivanka, Don Jr., and Eric are all in jeopardy to face state criminal charges because they are officials with the Trump Organization. Trumps son in law Jared Kushner could also face state charges. Trump himself could be indicted in New York. DOJ guidance suggests that a sitting president cant be indicted, but the state of New York could take a run at him, even if it is likely that a court would likely delay any proceedings until Trump was out of office, State charges make it impossible for Trump to buy the silence of those involved in the Russia scandal with the promise of pardons. Trump thought that he could abuse his power to make the Russia scandal go away, but there is nothing that he can do to stop the states from seeking justice. Manaforts new indictment was a landmark bad day for Donald Trump. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 574 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) The Republican-led U.S. Senate on Wednesday approved a resolution seeking to end U.S. support for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in the war in Yemen, in a rebuke of President Donald Trumps policy toward the kingdom. The vote was 54-46 in the Senate, more than the 51 needed to pass in the 100-member Senate, as seven Republicans joined Democrats in backing the measure. The war powers resolution seeks to end any U.S. military involvement in the conflict, including providing targeting support for Saudi air strikes, without authorization from Congress. The four-year-long civil war in Yemen, which pits the Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels backed by Iran, has killed tens of thousands of people and spawned what the United Nations calls the worlds most dire humanitarian crisis, with the country on the brink of famine. Backers of the resolution, including a handful of Trumps fellow Republicans as well as Democrats, argued that U.S. involvement in Yemen violates the constitutional requirement that Congress, not the president, should determine when the country goes to war. Were helping a foreign power bomb its adversaries in what is undoubtedly, irrefutably, a war, said Republican Senator Mike Lee, who sponsored the resolution, urging a yes vote. The Yemen vote could be only the first of two major setbacks for Trump this week, as senators are due to vote tomorrow on a resolution disapproving of his use of his emergency powers to pay for a wall on the border with Mexico, even though Congress has not approved it. The resolution must still be approved by the House of Representatives to be sent to the White House, which said earlier on Wednesday that Trump plans a veto. It would be the first of his two-year-long presidency. MESSAGE TO TRUMP AND RIYADH Democrats and Republicans reintroduced the resolution two weeks ago as a way to send a strong message to Riyadh and to Trump about the humanitarian disaster in Yemen. Many lawmakers also want to push Trump to demand a stronger response from the Saudi government to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey in October. Trump has held back on criticizing Saudi Arabia, calling them an important strategic ally and counterbalance to Iran in the region. He has also touted Saudi purchases of U.S. defense equipment as a generator of American jobs. Resolution opponents argued that support for the Saudi-led coalition is not an appropriate use of the war powers act limiting the presidents ability to send troops into action, because U.S. forces are not actively engaged in fighting. Some also contended that stopping U.S. support would help Iran, and potentially prolong the conflict by ending Washingtons ability to influence Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, a partner in the conflict, to pursue a sustainable political settlement. We need to stay engaged with the limited engagement that we have, said Senator Jim Risch, the Republican chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. He also said the resolution sets a bad precedent because the United States is not directly involved in Yemen. The Senate had approved the war powers resolution in December, during the last Congress, the first time such a measure had passed the chamber. But Republicans, who controlled the House until January, did not let it come up for a vote. With the Democrats in control, the House passed its own version of the resolution in February, but a procedural issue meant the House must vote on the Senates version of the measure. Overcoming a veto would require two-thirds majorities in both the Senate and House, more votes than it has garnered so far. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by James Dalgleish) 3.4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Lost in all of the news about Paul Manaforts sentencing is the fact that new evidence has come to light which shows that Ivanka Trump is a target of the investigations of the House Judiciary Committee. When the Judiciary Committee sent document requests to eighty-one Trump connected people and entities earlier this month, everyone wondered why Ivanka wasnt on the list. Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump, and Jared Kushner all were on the list, but Ivanka wasnt. In a bombshell report from the New York Times, however, weve learned that while none of those 81 document requests were sent to Ivanka, 52 of the document requests are about Ivanka Trump. This means that Ivanka IS a primary target of the investigation after all. Although some people think that a document request was not sent to Ivanka because of the fear that this would cause Donald Trump to flip out and try to retaliate against the Democrats, there appears to be a more reasonable and persuasive reason for leaving Ivanka off the list: she is a primary target of the probe. It is common practice for prosecutors to wait until the very end of an investigation before contacting the primary target of the investigation. Usually they talk to all other possible witnesses and try to get them to cooperate and provide evidence against the target. This looks like really bad news for Ivanka Trump. It seems almost certain that she is a primary target of the House investigation, and they may already have compiled significant evidence against her. Certainly many, if not all, of the 52 people will cooperate and provide possibly damning evidence to the Judiciary Committee. Those who dont could be facing obstruction of justice charges by trying to protect her. New York Prosecutors May Be Targeting Ivanka Also In other bad news for Ivanka that came out yesterday, we found out that the District Attorney for Manhattan had been sitting on unsealed indictments against Paul Manafort. Just a few minutes after Manaforts prison sentence was announced, it was also announced that Manafort had been indicted on New York state charges. The only way they could move that fast was if the indictment against Manafort was issued by a grand jury months ago but was just unsealed yesterday. This tells us that New York prosecutors have been secretly obtaining criminal indictments, working closely with Muellers special counsel investigation, and leaving them sealed until the appropriate time. So there are probably many additional sealed indictments against other people, including Ivanka Trump. Bob Mueller Has Been Investigating Ivanka for Months Robert Muellers office has reportedly been scrutinizing Ivankas role in the Trump Tower Moscow deal, including who she communicated with about the plans to build the luxury real estate project in Russia. She also is reportedly under investigation by Mueller and possibly the U.S. Attorneys office in the Southern District of New York for other alleged crimes. None of this is surprising, since Ivanka has reportedly played key roles in many Trump Organization real estate deals, including Trump Soho. She is also being investigated for her role in the Trump Inaugural Committee scam. Trumps Children Can Be Indicted Even If He Cant Be If Attorney General Barr decides that our sitting president cant be indicted, the Justice Department would still be free to indict Donald Trumps children. Many people believe that is exactly what is going to happen next. The indictments may already have been issued, and may have been kept under seal until now. When the time comes, prosecutors can move very quickly, to unseal indictments and arrest the subjects of their investigations. The bad news for Ivanka Trump may be just beginning. 385 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Is the Democratic Party ready to nominate a white male presidential candidate? Members of a panel on CNN this morning said they were not so sure, referring to the announcement that former Texas congressman Beto ORourke will be running for president next year. CNNs Nia-Malika Henderson expressed grave concerns she has about ORourke, who has been at or near the top of polls of favored Democratic presidential candidates. Henderson said ORourke would have to grapple with the way white privilege has paved the way for his White House bid. While discussing ORourkes newly announced presidential campaign, Henderson referred to an earlier essay she wrote where she analyzed the many ways that ORourke benefited from white privilege. She wrote that she couldnt imagine a woman or a minority candidate undertaking on a soul-searching odyssey the way that ORourke did after he lost his Senate bid last fall, and still be considered a serious presidential candidate. He only felt emboldened and free enough to do that is because he was white and because he was male and because his wife could, in fact, stay at home and look after the kids, Henderson said. There couldnt be a female candidate or an African-American candidate who could do that kind of exercise and get so much praise for it. Henderson went on to say that ORourke really needs to answer why voters should pick him as their president, other than the fact that hes an inspiring and charismatic speaker. How is it that someone who did raise $80 million but then lost against Ted Cruz, how is it that, all of a sudden, he thinks hes qualified? she asked. When he announced he was running yesterday, ORourke said: Im really proud of what El Paso did and what El Paso represents. Its a big part of why Im running. This city is the best example of this country at its best. ORourke followed his announcement with a trip to Iowa, the state that will hold the first Democratic nominating contest in February 2020. Republicans have made clear that they are scared of ORourke by running ads against him in Iowa before he had even declared that he was a candidate. Many observers believe that the charismatic, young Texan would be the strongest Democratic candidate in a contest against President Donald Trump, if he runs for reelection. When Trump held a rally in El Paso in February at the Mexican border, the El Paso fire department said that twice as many people attended ORourkes competing rally than attended Trumps. During his rally, ORourke contrasted himself with Trump, saying that walls make the country less safe and he would support tearing down the fence that was built in El Paso in 2008. With his presidential effort, ORourke is hoping to leverage the fame he gained with his Texas Senate race last year. He was a heavy underdog when he challenged incumbent Ted Cruz, but he showed an ability to draw capacity crowds and raise massive amounts of money from voters throughout the entire country. It would be too bad if Democrats attack strong candidates because they are white and/or male. Never before has it been so important that Democrats unify in their efforts to elect a president, and make sure that Donald Trump is denied a second term. CLICK HERE to watch the video on CNN 5.4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Treasury Sec. Steve Mnuchin said that his department would work to keep Trumps tax returns hidden from the American people. Reuters reported: Mnuchin told lawmakers on the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday he has met with legal experts at the Treasury to discuss the expected request from Democrats. We will protect the president as we would protect any individual taxpayer under their rights, Mnuchin said at a House hearing. Trump is just like any other taxpayer, with the exception that he is the President Of The United States and implicated in multiple felonies. Other than that, he is just a normal guy who deserves to have the weight of the entire Treasury Department used to hide his tax returns. Democrats are ready for a fight over Trumps tax returns House Democrats knew that the White House was going to try everything possible to block the release of Trumps tax returns. They have been preparing for this moment by laying out the justification for obtaining Trumps tax returns through the hearing process. Innocent presidents dont refuse to release their tax returns while they are running and then use the power of their branch of government to fight the release of the returns after they win. Democrats couldnt just demand and receive Trumps tax returns because the White House wants to fight about it. The White House is trying to keep Trumps darkest secrets safe, but they are only delaying the inevitable as the returns will eventually come out. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 660 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard There have been many rumors in recent weeks that the special counsel investigation being led by Robert Mueller is nearly over. Some people think Muellers report will be issued by the end of the month, but that is just speculation. There is a piece of new information, however, which is not speculation, but is solid evidence in favor of the conclusion that Muellers probe is nearly over. The special counsels top deputy, Andrew Weissmann, who has led the investigation and prosecution of Paul Manafort for the past two years, is reportedly leaving special counsel Robert Muellers office and the Department of Justice (DOJ.) The news was reported this morning by National Public Radio (NPR). NPR cited two unidentified sources in reporting that Weissmann has accepted a teaching position at New York University and will also work on public service projects. NPR also reported that Weissmanns departure from the DOJ is a sure sign that Mueller and his team are approaching the end of their special counsel investigation. Weissmann has been attacked by right-wing critics and by conservative legal interest groups ever since he joined Muellers team to take the lead in the case against Manafort, Trumps former campaign chairman. Manafort faces 7 1/2 years in prison after he was sentenced by a federal judge in Virginia last week and a federal judge in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday. Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon in the past had issued a warning about Weissmann when he was appointed to Muellers team in 2017. He said Trump would be facing a killer, referring to past work of winning criminal indictments and convictions in big cases. Author Michael Wolff wrote that Bannon told him that Weissmann was like the LeBron James of money laundering investigations. Former Enron prosecutor Kathryn Ruemmler said theres a reason for the attacks on Weissmann. Andrew is attacked because he is feared; those under investigation know just how effective he is, Ruemmler said. He has not only peerless technical skills, but the fearlessness necessary for pursuing high profile, complex cases and a passionate commitment to seeing justice is done. 122 SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Trouble may be brewing in one of the countrys most progressive congressional districts, Minnesotas Fifth. After a national controversy caused by her comments about Israel, congresswoman Ilhan Omar, may be facing a primary challenge next year, and a lot of Democrats are upset about it. Omars remarks seem to have split Minnesota Democrats into two camps: those who were (and are) aghast at what she said, and those who were not shocked by her comments but are shocked that fellow Democrats will try to unseat the 37 year old Muslim who was born in Mogadishu, Somalia. There have been reports that some members of her own party are actively taking steps to recruit a candidate to run against her in next years primary election. According to an analysis done by the University of Minnesota, such a move would buck history. Several party leaders have reportedly had discussions trying to find another candidate to oppose Omar, who is just two months into her first term in Congress. However, the people who were most deeply offended by Omars comments about Israel have admitted that they have not yet found anyone willing to challenge her in the primary. Minnesota state senator Ron Latz (D), who represents a portion of Omars district, had this to say: Theres definitely some buzz going around about it, but its more a buzz of is anyone talking about finding someone to run against her than it is anyone saying theyre going to run against her or contemplate it. Theres definitely talk about people wanting someone to run against her. In her first two months on the job Omar created a national stir due to her comments that critics said were anti-Semitic. For example, she said that politicians who support Israel do it for financial reasons. Then she said that Israeli lobbyists are pushing for allegiance to a foreign country. Those comments prompted two votes in the House condemning anti-Semitism, as well as other forms of hate speech. In Minnesota, Omars constituents have been very aware of her comments and the ensuing controversy. Our community is exasperated by Rep. Omars unfulfilled promises to listen and learn from Jewish constituents while seemingly simultaneously finding another opportunity to make an anti-Semitic remark and insult our community, Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota said in a statement. Omar met with Hunegs last month, after her initial remarks were widely condemned. She has continued to meet with Jewish leaders both in Minneapolis and Washington and has apologized for appearing to be anti-Semitic, which she claims she is not. Unfortunately, having the opportunity to speak with her about that point didnt dissuade her making that statement, Hunegs told The Hill in an interview Wednesday. We were appalled. Some Democrats want Bobby Joe Champion, a state senator who has served in the legislature for a decade to run against Omar. Another possible candidate includes Minneapolis City Councilwoman Andrea Jenkins, the first openly transgender African-American woman elected to public office in the United States. But finding a challenger to take on Omar is a difficult prospect. No House Democrat from Minnesota has ever lost a bid for renomination, according to the University of Minnesota study. A representative for Omars campaign said they do not fear a primary challenge. Ilhan entered a 10 week six-way primary and she believes you get what you organize for. She organized her district to win and shes really excited to do that again over the next two years, a campaign spokesman said. 5.8k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard A new Gallup poll released Thursday shows Donald Trump with just a 39 percent approval rating, marking the first time in months that it has dropped below 40 percent. It also shows that his approval has dropped 4 points in a month. His approval rating was 43 percent in the second half of February. The presidents approval rating in the Gallup Poll has consistently been at around 40 percent for most of his presidency. There Has Been Nothing But Bad News for Donald Trump Trump has had a month full of bad news, including: Trumps approval rating is kept as high as it is because of support from his own party. In the new poll 90 percent of Republicans gave him positive marks for his performance. However, Gallup has also documented a steady decline in the number of Americans who consider themselves Republicans. Less than 25% of American voters now self-identify as members of the GOP. Trumps biggest trouble lies with independents, and just 33 percent of them said they approve of Trump. Unsurprisingly, only four percent of Democrats said they have a favorable opinion of the presidents job performance. The poll was completed on March 10, after a series of events occurred which have harmed the presidents political standing. More Bad News Is Coming For Donald Trump It is expected that the bad new for Donald Trump will continue in the coming weeks. Today he is expected to face a crushing defeat in the Senate, which is poised to support a bill passed by the House which condemns Trumps declaration of a national emergency at the southern border. Yesterday the presidents former campaign manager Paul Manafort received the second of two sentences for his convictions on over 20 criminal charges. Manafort will now be facing over seven years in a federal prison. Another Trump aide, his former lawyer Michael Cohen, is also spending time in federal prison. And hanging over Trumps head is the highly anticipated report from special counsel Robert Mueller which is expected to be released soon. The president may also be facing the prospect of seeing his own children be the subject of criminal indictments. The Republican Party Is a Disaster In spite of all of this, fully 90 percent of Republicans still support Trump and think he is doing a good job. That is all you need to know about the current state of the Republican Party. The GOP, like the presidency of Donald Trump, is a complete disaster. All signs are now pointing to another Big Blue Wave for the Democratic Party in next years elections. Get the SC business stories that matter. Our newsletter catches you up with all the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina every Monday and Thursday at noon. Get ahead with us - it's free. Mary Katherine, who also goes by MK, covers health care for The Post and Courier. She is also pursuing a master's degree in data science. She grew up in upstate New York and enjoys playing cards, kayaking and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Kalyn Oyer is a Charleston native who covers arts & entertainment and food & bev for The Post and Courier. She's a music festival & concert photographer and used to write about music for the Charleston City Paper, among other publications. An LGBT pride flag is carried during a Charleston Pride event last year in Charleston. An Upstate fourth-grader and her mother have filed suit against school officials after they said the student's school barred her from publishing an essay about her openly gay grandfather. File/Grace Beahm Alford/Staff Ten days before she disappeared, Gayle McCaffrey typed a list for her husband titled "pros and cons of your life." Chief among the positives she wrote "wife that loves you." It was March 2012 and the West Ashley couple had hit a rough patch in their 14-year marriage. She had recently stumbled upon text messages revealing that her husband, Bob McCaffrey, was having an affair with a woman he met in North Carolina. Shortly before 36-year-old Gayle vanished and would ultimately be presumed dead, she said in a text to her husband, "Next to losing you, everything else is unimportant." But when Bob called law enforcement to report her missing the day after St. Patricks Day in 2012, he claimed it was his wife who had abandoned him and their two children. He said she fled their home while he was in the Upstate visiting his mistress. A farewell note, supposedly from Gayle, took an angry tone in detailing why she'd chosen to leave him for another man. Nearly seven years later, that letter would help seal 47-year-old Bob McCaffrey's fate. Prosecutors presented it as a key piece of evidence as he stood trial for misleading investigators. He was convicted of obstruction of justice and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Jurors over the course of four days last week heard from people closest to Gayle McCaffrey who testified about the ways she threw herself into repairing her marriage just before she vanished: a planned romantic getaway in the mountains, an inquiry about couples counseling, a home-cooked meal on St. Patrick's Day. Gayle McCaffrey was fighting to stay, they said, not planning to leave. Marital problems Gayle McCaffrey's family and friends knew her as gentle, timid and reserved. When she had to confront others, she would preface concerns with apologies. The craziest thing she'd ever done? Bring home rescued animals to an apartment that didn't allow pets, one of her sisters said. Gayle was a fixture at First Baptist Church in downtown Charleston. She spent Wednesday evenings at choir practice. On Thursdays, she played the handbells. She helped lead a Sunday school program. She climbed the ranks in her career at The Citadel, earning her master's degree and landing promotions at the military college that elevated her from a temp worker to the role of director of finance for its facilities. Above all, loved ones said, Gayle devoted her energy to her family. Bob McCaffrey had worked as a government contractor, but his employment seesawed. The skilled carpenter picked up odd jobs and home remodeling projects. His work took him to Brevard, N.C., where he met a Travelers Rest woman in a pub on Valentine's Day 2012. She was going through a divorce. He said he and his wife were separated, the woman, Brandy Lee, testified in court last week. Lee saved his number in her phone as "Mr. Valentine." A passionate affair took off quickly. They saw each other often when Bob traveled to the Upstate. He treated Lee to dinners and once gifted her a pearl necklace and earrings on Folly Beach. "I was swept off my feet," Lee, 37, testified. Then Gayle discovered the affair. She texted Lee to leave her husband alone. That warning was enough to prompt Lee to call it quits with Bob in early March of that same year. She recalled him tearfully asking her to give him some time. Gayle McCaffrey found the thought of losing her husband devastating. She confided in friends and one of her sisters, asking a few of them about divorce procedures. But she resolved to keep her family intact, especially for the sake of her daughter and son, then ages 10 and 4. Around that time, she wrestled with guilt about her "school girl-type crush" on the choir director at her church, co-worker Mary Game testified. Yet she was so shy that the man she admired would later recall that she'd hardly ever spoken to him. The last day Gayle's co-workers saw her, she showed them the online listing for a cabin she reserved for her and Bob for the upcoming week in Hendersonville, N.C. A wine and cheese basket would be waiting. She seemed happy that day, March 16, because Bob had returned home early from out of town. She asked her colleagues for their best recipes so she could prepare a traditional Irish meal for her husband on St. Patrick's Day, an evening that would include their children and her aunt and uncle. "She was excited," Game said in court. "She stood there and looked right at me and said, 'I want to make this work.'" A goodbye While Gayle McCaffrey planned to mend her marriage, her husband chased after his mistress. "I want nothing more than 2 b in your arms. Being away really hurts," Bob McCaffrey texted Lee the night of March 16. "U r married. Its (expletive) complicated," Lee replied. On March 17, after dinner with his family, he left his family's home on Limestone Boulevard in West Ashley and drove to see Lee at a VFW in Travelers Rest, a city in Greenville County. Lee played pool and sang karaoke, not paying Bob much attention when he arrived around 1 a.m. Her friend Denise Richardson watched as he stood stiff against a wall, his arms crossed. "He kept watching Brandy the whole time," Richardson testified. On Bob's drive home, an officer pulled over his pickup truck for speeding in Travelers Rest. He told the officer he was having problems with his marriage, drove four hours to see his girlfriend and "got blown off." Bob would later tell investigators he found his children asleep and alone when he returned to West Ashley at 6:30 a.m. March 18. Gayle's keys, wedding ring and checkbook sat on the counter. He found the goodbye letter on the printer, he said. The note said she was running away with a man named Nicky. Their children loved Bob more than her, the note said, suggesting why she was leaving them behind. She'd taken $110,000 she found squirreled away in a safe. Bob said he laid on the couch and cried. Then he called his father, a retired police detective, who advised him to get an attorney. He texted Lee that afternoon saying his wife was gone and that he could "use a friend now." Bob McCaffrey called authorities 11 hours after he arrived home a time lapse the lead detective would later say he'd never encountered in a missing person case. The first Charleston County sheriff's deputy at the home thought Bob's behavior the way he cried hysterically, paced back and forth, and looked away as the deputy asked questions for a missing person's report seemed off. Investigators who searched the home saw no signs of a struggle and turned up no clues about Gayle McCaffrey's whereabouts. 'Hoping she'll come back' That night, Sheriff's Office investigators quizzed Bob McCaffrey during a voluntary six-hour interview. That was before he hired an attorney, and it would be the only time he spoke with authorities. He told detectives his wife's disappearance baffled him. "I wish I had a freaking clue where to look," he said in the recorded interview. "Hoping she'll freaking come back. Hoping she'll call. ... I've never given up hope on anything before, and I can't on this." He told detectives about his relationship with Lee. Investigators tracked down Lee, who gave statements, let them search her phone and agreed to try to get Bob to talk to her. When she tried to set up a meeting that never came to fruition, Lee said he asked if she would be wearing a wire. Lee later testified Bob told her it would be best if she didn't describe their relationship to authorities. Six weeks into their investigation, Sheriff's Office officials publicly identified Bob as the suspect in what they believed was his wife's homicide, but they didn't have the probable cause to arrest him. Meanwhile, rescuers and members of the public combed wooded areas near the couple's home in West Ashley for any signs of Gayle's remains. Some searches stretched to the Upstate. Relatives even contacted psychic mediums. Her husband didn't participate in any of the efforts, authorities said. Gayle's body was never found. Then authorities charged Bob with obstruction of justice in June 2014, more than two years after his wife went missing. They had consulted a linguist to examine the supposed farewell note and concluded that Bob wrote it and crafted a fictitious story that hindered their investigation. "We were pretty much chasing our tail going in opposite directions," said James Perkins, a former Charleston County sheriff's detective who worked the case. Defense attorney Chris Lizzi would contend that authorities never uncovered any evidence indicating that Bob wrote the letter, saying it could've been authored by a third party. With the obstruction charge pending, the case saw its first public development in years last March when authorities charged him with killing his wife after a probate judge declared Gayle dead. The murder charge didn't stick. The case was thrown out because a grand jury declined to indict him on the charge based on circumstantial evidence. Gayle's relatives wondered if they would ever find justice. Unanswered questions Jurors on Friday deliberated for just 15 minutes before finding him guilty of obstruction of justice. Bob McCaffrey stood in a gray suit, his hands cuffed behind his back. One of Gayle's McCaffrey's sisters made an emotional statement. Minutes passed in silence. Then Circuit Judge Craig Brown sentenced him to 10 years in prison, the maximum. Outside the courthouse, Gayle sisters Debbie Pearson and Helen Banach hugged their supporters in the sunshine. Banach held a picture of a smiling Gayle as Pearson told reporters their lives can now continue to move forward. "It means that hopefully we dont think about it a whole lot anymore," Pearson said. Still, another emotional hurdle awaited them. The family would need to tell their sister's children, now 17 and 11 and living with Pearson, that their father is in prison. The kids haven't seen Bob in three years, her sisters said. The conviction afforded Gayle McCaffrey's family some long-awaited justice, but they still dont have an answer to the question they sought to answer years ago when trudging through dense woods: Where are Gayle's remains? "We still hope to find an answer to that," Banach said, "but we may never." Thomas Novelly is a political reporter based in Charleston. He also covers the military community and veterans throughout South Carolina. Previously, he wrote for the Courier Journal in Kentucky. He is a fan of Southern rock, bourbon and horse racing. The leaders of the historic Penn Center, near Beaufort, are searching for its next step after part of the property was just designated a natio Paul Bowers is an education reporter and father of three living in North Charleston. He previously worked at the Charleston City Paper, where he was twice named South Carolina Journalist of the Year in the weekly category. Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa Business leaders entered the often vitriolic rhetoric about immigration recently, calling on federal lawmakers to take meaningful policy action for the sake of Iowas economy and labor market, in particular to help address workforce shortfalls hampering many businesses. Iowas slow-growing population coupled with "shortages of needed talent" have put Iowas economy at a tipping point with few "dial-moving, transformative" options, said Doug Neumann, executive director of the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. Immigration reform is one of the few solutions, he said. Better immigration policy "could change by hundreds, perhaps thousands of employees at our businesses," he said. Neumann was among 40 Iowa business leaders signing the Iowa Compact on Immigration on Feb. 25, including professors from Drake U. The initiative of New York-based New American Economy aims to share stories showcasing the importance of immigrants to the economy and communicate the need of Iowa businesses to federal lawmakers. "You have to start somewhere, right?" said Kyle Gingrich, vice president of operations at Cedar Rapids-based Apache Inc. and one of the compact signers. "We have to start engaging our policymakers and make them understand the critical nature of whats going on. Particularly here. Were a little bit of flyover country, so we need to be vocal. We have to get through to some of these people in Washington to make them understand whats really happening on the ground." Gingrich identified labor as the biggest issue at his company, which has 160 employees in Cedar Rapids. In 2018, the company had 30 open positions "a recipe for disaster when youre trying to meet your customer demands," he said. He said 85 percent of Iowas 157,000 immigrants are working age, which is a much higher percentage than Iowas population, "which means they contribute extensively to our company," he said. Data from New American Economy shows immigrants in Iowa pay $390 million in state and local taxes and hold $3.4 billion in spending power, according to a news release. The group laid out six principles for immigration reform: Federal responsibility. Policies prioritizing attracting and retaining international talent and a visa system that drives growth. A sensible path forward for immigrants wishing to come to the U.S. and a permanent resolution for those lacking legal status. A reasonable and predictable regulatory environment that considers the interests of and unintended consequences to businesses, the workforce and consumers Prioritize keeping families together. Local policies ensuring all residents have the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. DES MOINES Iowas controversial 2012 "ag gag" law was found unconstitutional by a federal court because it violates free speech rights, so the states agricultural interests were back at the Capitol last week with a proposal they say will not impinge on free speech while protecting farmers from people who intend to do harm. The bill is necessary to prevent damage to "one of Iowas most important industries," said Rep. Bruce Bearinger, D-Oelwein. "It is important to recognize that dishonest access to those properties is a huge risk," he said, referring to livestock facilities that are vulnerable to disease. The Iowa Pork Producers Association supported the measure for that reason, too. The bill would safeguard pork producers "from those who would be deceitful in an effort to physically or economically cause harm to people or animals on our farms," according to the associations Drew Mogler. He said Mercy for Animals, an international group with a mission statement to "prevent cruelty to farmed animals and promote compassionate food choices and policies" such as vegan eating, recently was advertising in Iowa for undercover investigators who agree with its principles. "Deceitful reporting of good animal husbandry can cause economic harm to farmers," Mogler said. However, it seemed like deja vu to Daniel Zeno of the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa. "Weve done this before," he said. Based on the groups reading of the bill, "while it appears to be narrower, there still is an implication on free speech," Zeno said. Under the bill, anyone who lies to gain employment could be guilty of a crime. "We are criminalizing speech," Zeno said. "We have to emphasize that these are people who are being deceitful," said Rep. Jarad Klein, R-Keota, adding "there has to be intent to cause harm." "We have to be diligent to make sure that people who want to cause harm, who want to lie, who want to deceive, we arent enabling that to happen," he said. The current law, which makes undercover investigations by journalists, food safety and labor advocates at slaughterhouses and factory farms illegal, is currently being appealed by the state. It was struck down in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa in January. BROOKINGS, S.D. South Dakota State Universitys College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences will celebrate its ninth annual campuswide Ag Day on March 20. This years theme, Rooted in Agriculture, invites people to share what keeps them connected to the agriculture industry. The celebration of agriculture starts with an employer panel at 5 p.m. March 19 in the SDSU Student Union Lewis and Clark Room. On March 20, the colleges clubs and organizations will host booths about agriculture in the SDSU Student Union from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Additional club-sponsored events will be held throughout the week. The main event, a banquet meal followed by keynote speaker Donna Moenning, begins at 5:30 p.m. March 20 in the Volstorff Ballroom of the SDSU Student Union. The banquet is free and open to the public. Moenning works for the public relations agency Look East, working with food and agriculture clients. She has worked for 10 years as a radio farm broadcaster and morning news-talk host in Rochester. Moenning lives on a crop and livestock farm with her husband and three children in southeast Minnesota. AMES, Iowa Practical Farmers of Iowa will host a series of spring field days focused on cover crops and how they can be used in crop and livestock systems. The series starts on March 26 in Fort Dodge and runs through June. Farmers and community members are invited to learn about a variety of cover crop issues, from varieties and planting strategies to equipment, grazing and harvest options, as well as various practices farmers use to maximize the financial return from cover crops. All field days from 4 to 7 p.m., and are free and open to everyone. Some events involve two locations, but each starts in the field and concludes with a complimentary meal. RSVPs are requested for the meal, and can be submitted online. To RSVP, go to the events page on PFIs website, www. practicalfarmers.org, find the specific field day of interest and use the online form for that event. Full details about each field day are available at the same link. The spring cover crop field days include: March 26 Fort Dodge, hosted by Brent Larson; RSVP by March 22. March 27 Prairie City, hosted by Will Cannon; RSVP by March 22. April 2 Osage , hosted by Wayne Fredericks; RSVP by March 29. The first location is a field less than a half mile west of Hickory Avenue on the north side of Iowa 9; the second location is 1700 350th St. near Osage April 3 Orange City, hosted by Jon Kiel; RSVP by March 29. The first location is 4449 Hickory Ave.; the second location is Sioux County Archery Club at Sandy Hollow Recreation Area, 3413 400th St. April 4 Epworth, hosted by Nick Smith; RSVP by April 1. The first location is 26129 Tivoli Lane; the second location is Reception Hall in Bankston. June 4 La Porte City, hosted by Terry Ward; RSVP by May 31. The first location is 14233 Kline Road; the second location is La Porte City Senior Nutrition, 300 First St. ST. JOSEPH, Mo. Siblings Taylor Ford and Brady Ford of Lake Wilson, Minn., earned bronze awards from the National Junior Angus Association's recent meeting in St. Joseph. They are the children of Angela and Robert Ford. Taylor, 15, attends Murray County Central High School and is a member of the national and state junior Angus associations. She has served as historian and royalty of the state association. She also is involved with her local 4-H club and FFA chapter. She has participated in local, state and national shows and showmanship contests. At the National Junior Angus Show, she participated in the livestock judging contest. Brady, 12, attends Murray County Central Elementary School and also is a member of the national and state associations. He has participated in local, state and national shows and has submitted weight data to the Angus Herd Improvement Records. The Bronze award is the first level of the national recognition program. Junior Angus breeders must apply for the award, then meet point requirements in many areas. There are nearly 6,000 members in the National Junior Angus Association. Hops growing workshop set for March 29-30 SHAKOPEE, Minn. Those interested in growing hops on a commercial scale are encouraged to attend the Minnesota Hop Growers Association annual meeting on March 29-30 in Shakopee. Because growing hops requires a significant up-front investment, the association has put together a comprehensive hops-growing workshop to breakdown the realities. Participants to the workshop will hear from growers and industry experts on marketing and the economics of hops. The meeting will be held at the Turtles, 1890 Social Centre, Shakopee. Friday's workshop will run from 12:45 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday will be from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. A two-day non-member ticket is $110 and member tickets are $65. Non-members can also purchase one-day tickets for $70 for Friday, or $95 for Saturday. Registration information can be found at https://mhga.org Workshop focuses on finding farmland NORTHFIELD, Minn. The workshop Finding Farmland: Strategies and Tools for Accessing Affordable Land will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 30 at the Northfield Public Library. The workshop is designed because accessing farmland is one of the most complex financial decisions a farmer will make. New or aspiring farmers are encouraged to attend. They will participate in goal-setting and financial planning exercises and hear from farmers about the creative methods they have used to secure land. There is no charge for this workshop. RSVP by March 26 by contacting Karen Stettler at 507-523-3366 or stettler@landstewardshipproject.org. For more about Land Stewardship Project's beginning farmer education, training and networking resources, go to www.farmbeginnings.org. Drowning in show recommendations? Not sure how to pare down your overflowing "To Be Watched" list? Welcome to Binge or Bust, where PB editor Brian Sander checks out those long series so you dont have to. Show: "The Grand Tour" Service: Amazon Genre: Travel Seasons: 3 Age range: Teen+ The gist: Hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May talk cars, but this British-born show is much more than that. It is part travelogue, part reality show, part sketch comedy, and always entertains. On top of that, you get an inside view of some of the worlds most extraordinary cars winding through some of the most beautiful locations in the world. My favorite thus far was a tour through China. Amazing, educational and hilarious. Verdict: BINGE Show: "Daredevil" Service: Netflix Genre: Action Seasons: 3 Age range: Teen+ The gist: Netflix is a treasure trove of Marvel gems, and Daredevil is no exception. The show follows Matt Murdock: blind lawyer by day, superhero by night. The series is a feast for the eyes and offers some of the most compelling characterizations in the Marvel family. Actors Charlie Cox, as Daredevil, and Deborah Ann Woll, as his not-so-innocent assistant, add a bit of sexual chemistry, while Vincent DOnofrio cracks eggs and skulls as villain Wilson Fisk. Its too bad Netflix canceled the series after the third season. Get it while you can. Verdict: BINGE Show: "Botched Up Bodies" Service: Netflix Seasons: 5 Genre: Biography Age range: Adult The gist: You start out wanting to watch people overcome their plastic surgery disasters. But then you find yourself NOT wanting to watch, but unable to turn away. This is another BBC offering thats both horrifying and fascinating. But in the end, you can only watch a doctor squeeze pus out of a womans mangled breasts for so long. Verdict: BUST Perhaps spring will never come. Even as spring beers arrive in stores, I still find myself blinded by the suns rays reflecting off the four-foot high banks of snow Ive shoveled paths through. Beer wont bring back the much more alluring greens and blues of a nice day, but at least it can give us hope. A belief that one day, this snow will be gone and we can cheers to the sun with these lighter, seasonal beers that mark the arrival of spring. If youre a seasonal drinker still hibernating with big ABV stouts, grab some of these to get that spring sensation. Fair State Strata Mango, melon, a hint of grapefruit, and a subtly sweet finish sum up this beer. It uses the popular strata hop, also featured in Fair States popular Spirit Foul (which uses mosaic and citra hops). This beer doesnt have the body or complexity of Spirit Foul, but its a top-tier hazy IPA as far as Minnesotas scene goes. The fruit flavor alone should help trick your mind into thinking spring and summer are on the horizon after a couple more snow storms, of course. Indeed Mexican Honey Light At first, I didnt think a lower ABV version of Mexican Honey needed to be created, but it makes sense. Take the original 8 percent imperial lager a limited release and craft something akin to it that is more sessionable. Honey Light comes in at 5.2 percent and does not pack the wallop of its bigger sister. The honey is detectable, as well as some citrus. Its not only something that makes sense for spring, but also summer. And luckily, this will be a summer beer as well thanks to it becoming a core brand for Indeed. Schells Keller Pils Keller Pils is a great lighter offering. The malt backbone is noticeable think toasted bread crumbs with a hint of bush berries coming from the hops. Its clean, crisp, and in cans always a plus, and a firm reminder of warm-weather outings in Minnesota. This and Summits Keller Pils just might be the quintessential lake beers. Summit Maibock A staple for the ages. A herald of spring. A slightly hoppy, caramel flavor rolls over the tongue in a clean, ecstatic manner. Maibocks are actually spring seasonal beers, making this one perfect for breaking away from the winter chill. Rumor has it, Summit is brewing a hazy IPA for packaging. But just because theyre jumping into the haze craze doesnt mean you should forget about the mighty maibock. Little Thistle Wetlands OK, Im throwing two hazy IPAs on this list. But at this point, Wetlands is Rochesters IPA for two reasons: it is brewed consistently, and its damn tasty. A citrus fruit bomb with a hint of sweetness and a dash of pith. Plus, it has notes of pineapple. What else will make you think of the beach and sun? INSIGHTS Why is it that we Americans seem to need a war to be happy? Its not that we start the wars exactly, but we embrace them with a strange fervor Read more For many months, we (along with many other conservatives) have been urging Senate Republicans to reduce the number of hours permitted to debate nominees. This step is necessary because Senate Democrats have used the 30 hours now permitted to stall nominees. The result is an unacceptable backlog of qualified, confirmable nominees. Consequently, judgeships and key administration jobs remain vacant. Now it finally looks like Majority McConnell will pull the trigger. CNN reports: Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told the Senate Republican Conference on Tuesday that he now has the votes to invoke the so-called nuclear option to significantly cut back the debate time on nominations, according to a person with direct knowledge of the remarks. This person also said that McConnell, barring an unforeseen deal with Democrats, plans to move to change Senate rules at some point after next weeks congressional recess. The sooner, the better. The contemplated reduction would be from 30 hours of debate to two, according to CNN. It would apply to almost all judicial and executive branch nominees, but not to nominees for high-level positions such as Cabinet officials, federal appellate court judges, and the members of the Supreme Court. In my opinion, federal court of appeals nominees shouldnt be debated for 30 hours, either. Half that amount of time should be sufficient. McConnell wont be breaking new ground if he effectuates the rule change technically a reinterpretation of the rules he now wants. The Obama administration benefited from shortened debate limits when Democrats held the Senate majority. Republicans supported the limits. But the change in limits conveniently expired when the Democrats lost control of the Senate and the 30 hour rule was reinstated. It only takes a simple majority to reinterpret the rule so as to shorten these debates. But unlike Democrats, Republicans tend to respect Senate tradition and deliberation. Thus, with no Democratic support for the change, it hasnt been easy, apparently, for McConnell to come up with the votes. However, the unprecedented obstruction of nominees carried out by Democrats finally seems to have moved the needle. Thus, McConnell is in a position to get the rule change. As I said, the sooner, the better. If you havent heard about Modern Monetary Theory, you will. Simply put, it holds that governments dont need to worry about budget deficits. On the contrary, they can finance anything they want to do, simply by printing money. If you think that sounds stupid, you are right. Yet the theory is becoming popular on the American left. It has been espoused by, among others, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who explains that we can pay the $90 trillion bill for the Green New Deal by printing the money. Of course, Modern Monetary Theory isnt modern at all. Throughout history, governments have resorted to debasing their currency in a futile effort to create wealthor, in any event, to pay their bills for one more day. Whether its ancient Rome, the Weimar Republic, Argentina ortodayVenezuela, printing money has been the last resort of the bankrupt state. It is often said that you cant get economists to agree on anything, but here is an exception: economists universally regard the Democrats panacea as a crackpot idea. The Initiative on Global Markets is a research center at the University of Chicagos Booth School of Business. It has a panel of expert economists to which it periodically poses questions. Todays topic was Modern Monetary Theory, and the results were resounding. Not a single economist endorsed it: So its unanimous: Modern Monetary Theory, the Democratic Partys latest ticket to the promised land, is a fraud. And not a modern one, either. Speaking of socialismI heard an observation yesterday, in the context of Venezuela, that was striking and true. If I could remember who said it, I would credit him. Here it is: You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out. Another reason why we need the Second Amendment. The news cycle is weird: something will be in the headlines for a while and then disappear. That doesnt mean the problem has gone away, it just means editors and reporters have moved on to something else. Illegal immigration is like that. It is an enormous problem, imposing huge costs on taxpayers, destroying the fabric of countless American communities, straining public service resources across the country, driving down the wages of unskilled Americans, and contributing to violent crime. But it often takes a horrific crime to make the news. Like this one: An illegal immigrant with a lengthy criminal history has been charged with beating and stabbing a mother to death inside her home in California. Carlos Eduardo Arevalo Carranza, 24, was arrested on Monday for the murder of 59-year-old Bambi Larson, who was found dead at her home in San Jose on February 28. Police say Carranza, who has no address and is a known gang member, stalked Ms Larson through her neighborhood before breaking into her home and attacking her. Carranza is one more in a long line of violent illegal aliens who have victimized Americans on account of outrageous sanctuary laws in various jurisdictions. San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia also revealed Carranzas lengthy criminal history, which began in 2013 when he was arrested crossing the border illegally in Texas and deported back to Mexico. That was followed by ten arrests and at least three convictions for offences ranging from drug possession to battery, false imprisonment and burglary. When he was arrested for Larsons murder, Carranza was on probation for possession of methamphetamine, paraphernalia, false imprisonment and burglary. Garcia also revealed that ICE had applied nine times for a detainer on Carranza, a move which allows suspects to be held longer than their prison term so their immigration status can be investigated by federal officials. Nine times! ICE was on to this guy. All nine requests had been ignored by county officials, ICE field director Erik Bonnar said, allowing Carranza to be freed so he could offend again. ICE applied for a tenth detainer on Tuesday, following Carranzas latest arrest. Bonnar told CBS San Francisco: How many more people have to be killed or injured before California lawmakers will open discussions to revise the state policy prohibiting local law enforcement agencies from working with ICE to apprehend dangerous criminal aliens? I suppose Carranza will finally be put out of business now, far too late. Anyone who supports sanctuary cities, counties and states has a great deal of blood on his or her hands. Lets close with a cartoon, from a day or two ago, by the great Michael Ramirez. Click to enlarge: Robert Francis ORourke (as Karl Rove unfailingly calls him) is otherwise known as Beto. Moving on from his losing Senate campaign against Ted Cruz, Mr. ORourke announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president this morning in the video below. His announcement statement consists of a concatenation of cliches and euphemisms reflecting positions that are profoundly wrong for America but somehow right for the Democratic Party. He asserts that he has the courage to confront the reality of slavery and segregation. He favors immigration of all kinds. He wants to get control of the climate, and all the rest. He recites the cliches with the conviction of a true believer. He really means it, or them. Oh, Lord, spare us. But then again, that is a sentiment that applies to them all. ORourkes manner seems a little manic to me. He bounces up and down on the couch while his wife sits at his side and looks on adoringly. She smiles benignly. Why is this woman smiling? Seen from the right point of view, this could be confused with a satire of the reigning shibboleths of the Democratic Party. PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 14:06:57 Press Information Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,, Abhishek Budholiya Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 505 Words 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,,Manager3479183531Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 Increasing consumption of Acetophenone in various applications such as ingredient of fragrances in food & beverages, specialty solvent soaps in plastics and resins and in polymerization of olefins as a catalyst has resulted in growing demand for global acetophenone market. Acetophenone (formula: C6H5C(O)CH3) is an organic compound and the simplest form of sweet-smelling ketone. It is a thick colourless liquid and is an important precursor to useful fragrances and resins. It naturally occurs in apple, cauliflower, apricot, cheese, banana and beef. By different methods, acetophenone can be obtained. Acetophenone is accomplished by reaction of ethyl benzene with oxygen, which is also one of the key manufacturing methods for acetophenone in the industry. However some other manufacturing methods are also witnessing growth in the global acetophenone market.Acetophenone Market: Drivers & RestraintsOne of the key drivers for the global acetophenone market can be attributed to the application of precursor to resins. Also, increasing demand from end use industries such as use in pharmaceuticals, food & beverages, consumer goods (detergent, soaps, lotions and creams) and others (tobacco, chewing gum and cigarettes) are fuelling the growth of the acetophenone market. Increasing disposable income and inclination towards luxury goods in emerging economies is also expected to drive the global acetophenone market in coming five years. However, transient corneal injury and skin irritation in humans as well as numerous regulations concerns act as restraints in the growth of global acetophenone market.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-478 Acetophenone Market: SegmentationOn the basis of End-User, the global acetophenone market has been broadly segmented into:ResinsPerfumes & FragrancesPharmaceutical ProductsOthersOn the basis of regions the global acetophenone market has been segmented into North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia-Pacific and Japan.Acetophenone Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global acetophenone market is dominated by Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) region in terms of global consumption of acetophenone. The emerging economies such as China and India witness an increased demand for high end and luxury products as a result of increase in disposable income and living standard. The Asia-Pacific region is followed by North American region in the global acetophenone market, wherein the U.S. is the key market for perfume & fragrance manufacturers. Furthermore, Western European region is the next key region, in the global acetophenone market. The Western European region accounts for a large number of fragrance manufacturers, resulting in high demand for acetophenone.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-478 Acetophenone Market: Key PlayersSome of the key market players in the global Acetophenone market include Rhodia, Alfa Aesar, CellMark USA LLC, INEOS Phenol and many others.The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to categories such as market segments, geographies, types, technology and applications. PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 14:09:03 Press Information Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,, Abhishek Budholiya Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 526 Words 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,,Manager3479183531Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 Increase in demand for reliable sensors, low cost along with high performance feature is anticipated to fuel the growth of global air pressure sensor market.Air pressure sensor is a measuring converter of the pressure of a gas or liquid into pneumatic, electric, and other kinds of output signal. It is also used for measuring pressure drops and rarefaction. The demand for air pressure sensors market is rapidly increasing as they are widely used across various applications such as petrochemicals, building, shipbuilding, aircraft, and medical sector, among many others. In building, medical and automotive sector, MEMS-based pressure sensors (technology) are widely used. Additionally, on account of industry shift from analog to digital, air pressure sensors have become smarter in terms of sensing and efficiency performance. Advancements in ICT technology as well as Nanotechnology applications are emerging as new trends for the global air pressure sensor market.Air Pressure Sensor Market: Drivers & RestraintsImproved sensitivity in pressure sensors has strongly contributed to the demand of the global air pressure sensor market. Fast growth in Asia-Pacific region, increasing governmental regulation and vehicle production are the key factors driving the growth in the global air pressure sensor market. Advancement in technology is opening new doors to the growth of pressure sensors for medical and automotive applications. In coming years, it is anticipated that penetration of MEMS technology is going to lead the overall global air pressure sensor market. However, higher cost of the investment for production, could act as a major restraint in the global air pressure sensor market.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-600 Air Pressure Sensor Market: SegmentationOn the basis of technology, the global air pressure sensor market is segmented as:ElectromagneticCapacitivePiezoresistiveOpticalOthers (Resonant solid-state)On the basis of applications the global air pressure sensor market is segmented as:Automotive Pressure SensorsMedical SectorIndustrial SectorConsumer ElectronicsOthers (Refineries, Chemical plant, Pulp & paper, etc)Air Pressure Sensor Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global air pressure sensor market is expected to register a favourable growth for the forecast period, 2015?2025. On the basis of region, Asia Pacific, Japan and Latin America are expected to be the growth engines of air pressure sensor market in the near future. Asia-Pacific is anticipated to dominate the global air pressure sensor market. The key countries mentioned in the Asia-Pacific region are India, South Korea, and China as an outcome of growth in application sectors. Also, the region is expected to generate higher revenue as compared to North America (is practically maturing). Japan also contributes to the global air pressure sensor market remarkably. In Latin America, Brazil is expected to be the largest opportunity in terms of revenue of the air pressure sensor market. The remaining regions are expected to grow at a steady rate over the forecast period.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-600 Air Pressure Sensor Market: Key PlayersSome of the key market participants in global air pressure sensor market are ABB Ltd., Analog Devices, Inc., Analog Devices, Inc., Analog Devices, Inc., Emerson Electric, General Electric, Freescale Semiconductor, Honeywell International, Robert Bosch GmbH and others. PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 14:08:32 Press Information Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,, Abhishek Budholiya Manager 3479183531 email hhttps://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 592 Words 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,,Manager3479183531Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 Increasing number of animal welfare programs and government initiatives are driving the market for the global animal parasiticide market. The animal parasiticide, also called, Veterinary parasiticide, are products that kill parasiticide infesting upon pets, livestock, and other animals. All these parasiticide has their own general features that determines their suitability for the control of parasites on animals. People being increasingly being aware about the zoonotic diseases and adoption of pet animals largely by the developed and developing nations have made a way for the global animal parasiticide market.The government has also contributed towards the animal welfare activities that has resulted in the hefty demand for parasiticides which has improved the health of livestock tremendously across the globe and also elevated the global animal parasiticide marketThe market is growing due to the increasing demand for animal health products and the animal owners look out for low cost generics.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-595 Animal Parasiticide Market: Drivers & RestraintsThe increasing importance of animal health care accompanied by governmental protocols is driving the global animal parasiticide market. The Increased number of animal livestock in the emerging markets, developments in the parasiticide products, upcoming new offerings by the leading players, execution of welfare acts in the developed and developing regions, worldwide increment in the number of adoptions of animals like dogs and cats are some of the growth drivers for the global animal parasiticide market.Along with the increasing awareness, the increasing rate of GDP in the regions like Asia-Pacific and Latin America and thereby increasing per capita spending on the animal health care products are also responsible for growth of the market.Apart from significant growth factors there exits some restraints to the market including high cost R&D activities, strict regulations for approval for animal parasiticides and restricting the use of parasiticide in some animals (specifically the food producers) in some regions. The increasing number of species of parasites in are also contributing to the restrains that are preventing the market from growing.Animal Parasiticide Market: SegmentationBy product the global animal parasiticide market is segmented as Endoparasiticides (Additives, Injectable, Drenches, Tablets/Pills, Others), Ectoparasiticides (Collars, and Endectocides. The global animal parasiticide market is also segmented by the animal type which are as Companion Animal (Cat, Dogs, Horses, and Others) and Food Producing Animals (Cattle, Poultry, Sheep and Others).Animal Parasiticide Market: Region-wise OutlookThe global animal parasiticide market is expected to register a favourable growth for the forecast period, 2015?2025. European market is the expected to hold the major share into the market. The increment in the number of pet animals and increased awareness among the people regarding the animal health. North America is expected to follow Europe however the developed markets like US and Canada are reaching saturation which tends to grow the market at a comparatively lower rate. The Asia-Pacific is projected to endure its control in terms of growth in global animal parasiticide market. The market is predominately affected by the increasing trend towards pet adoption. In terms of growth Latin American regions also represent a higher growth opportunity. APAC and Latin America is in the higher growth expectations due to the increasing GDP rate and per capita expenditure on the animal health.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-595 Animal Parasiticide Market: Key PlayersThe key market competitors in global animal parasiticide market are Zoetis, Inc, Bayer AG, Novartis AG, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck & Co., Inc., Ceva Sante Animlae, Boehringer Ingelheim, Virbac SA, and Vetoquinol. PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 11:03:10 Press Information Research Report Insights Research Report Insights (RRI 42 Joseph Street Port carling P0B 1J0 Muskoka, Ontario1 Phone - +1-631-721-4201 Website: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/ Email: sales@researchreportinsights.com BISHU CEO 6317214201 email http://www.. # 485 Words Research Report Insights (RRI42 Joseph StreetPort carling P0B 1J0Muskoka, Ontario1Phone - +1-631-721-4201Website: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/Email: sales@researchreportinsights.comCEO6317214201http://www.. researchreportinsights.com The global automotive brake system market is anticipated to witnessing a substantial growth due to fresh prospects of the automotive industry in emerging along with developing economies and increased safety concerns by the government. It was stated in the report that the overall growth of the market is expected to reach a market value of above US$ 25 Billion through 2022, exhibiting a strong 5.7% of CAGR throughout 2017-2022.In modern cars mostly two kinds of brakes are used which are drum brakes and disc brakes. Every new car has disc brakes on the front wheels, whereas the rear wheels may possibly use whichever drum or disc brakes. Of these, the disc brakes category has a comparatively bigger share in the overall market during 2017 and will account for a market evaluation of US$14 Billion for the duration of the forecast 2017 to 2022. On the other hand, the expansion rate for the drum brakes segment will be on the climb in the approaching years.In terms of the sales channel, the worldwide market is categorized into aftermarket and OEM. The OEM category reflects a revenue share of about fourth-fifth and will foresee a remarkable 5.5% CAGR for the duration of the assessment, 2017-2022. The aftermarket category is relatively a lot smaller and consists the share of residual revenue in the worldwide market for the duration of the assessment. By, vehicle type, the worldwide market is categorized into premium passenger cars, heavy commercial vehicles, light commercial vehicles, luxury passenger cars, compact passenger cars, and mid-sized passenger cars. Of these, the compact cars will have the benefit of being trouble-free to maneuver together with being undemanding on the wallet at the fuel pump. Therefore, it isnt astounding to acknowledge that compact cars will expand market share for the duration of the assessment. The mid-size car category abides by compact cars on the basis of popularity, however, are yet probable to lose market share. The advanced technologies used in the modern cars are electronic stability control (ESC), anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and traction control system (TCS).Request For Report Sample: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/sample/110115031/Automotive-Brake-System-Market Europe to foresee a lucrative market with the highest contribution and the companies in the market are proposed to centralize their efforts on this region with lucrative prospects for a good ROI. With the market in Europe, the companies are trying to center on APEJ or North America, since both the regions will have worldwide market evaluations valuing billions of dollars for the duration of the assessment.Request For Reprot discount: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/discount/110115031/Automotive-Brake-System-Market The foremost market players active in the worldwide market are Continental AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, Wabco Holdings, Inc., ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Aisin Seiki Co, Ltd., Knorr-Bremse AG, Akebono Brake Industry Co. Ltd., TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., Halla Mando Corp., Brembo S.P.A. and others.Report Analysis: https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/rd/110115031/Automotive-Brake-System-Market Biosimilar Testing Services Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 13:24:50 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 # 522 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 Biosimilar are the biological based products used for various use in healthcare industry. Biosimilar products are very helpful to the patients and also offer therapeutic options. Biosimilar have a unique properties, which is used to study the biological functions and structures complexity of the sample. As the diseases type are increasing over the global, with various effect on human and animals which can cause death also. Public and private associations are working to develop various preventive methods and pre-identifying methods to detect the cause and type disease. Biosimilar testing are used in all the industry related to healthcare and other industry such as diagnoses, clinical and etc. Biosimilar improvement is used for medication, which is why the accurate analysis at every single stage activities are been recorded and analyzed, to determine the arrangement, structure and value qualities of the initiator to virtual one-on-one biosimilarity testing of the biosimilar with the inventor, biosimilar testing services provide vital analytics to easily understand the process and come-up with better results in short duration of time.Biosimilar Testing Services Market: Drivers and RestraintsBiosimilar testing services is a growing market over the forecast periods, as the diseases incidences are increasing every year. The biosimilar testing are used for clinical assay determination, comparability testing and others which is high in demand by the healthcare industry users. The accurate analysis of the sample is a major strength of the biosimilar testing services. Players are coming with various advance biosimilar testing services which cover major segment of healthcare industry and other pharmaceutical industry. The biosimilar testing services market has huge potentials to grow as the current market has huge demand by the supplies are less as compared in various segments. The high cost and lack of availability of the product is the hindrances of the market.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5494 Biosimilar Testing Services Market: SegmentationBiosimilar testing services market is segmented based on:Biosimilar testing services based on product typePharmacokinetic assayTiered Immunogenicity testingNAb assaysBiosimilar testing services based on test typeELISAKinetic Binding AssaysADCC & CDC Cell-Based AssaysEffector BindingBiosimilar Testing Services Market: OverviewBiosimilar testing services market has a huge potential for growth as the players are coming with various advance products, to identify the biological activities and other activities related to the drugs.Biosimilar Testing Services Market: Region-wise OutlookGeographically, Biosimilar testing services market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America has the major players which directly contribute the market of biosimilar testing services. Europe is also a growing region as the players and the regulation to approve the biosimilar products actively participating. Asia- Pacific and other region is also contributing the biosimilar testing market by increasing awareness about the biosimilar testing services market.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5494 Biosimilar Testing Services Market: Key PlayersSome of the players in biosimilar testing services market include: Charles River Laboratories International Inc., Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC. (sub. of Merck KGaA), Pharmaceutical Product Development, LLC, Pace Analytical Services Inc, and Eurofins Scientific. PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 08:45:10 Press Information Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,, Abhishek Budholiya Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 729 Words 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,,Manager3479183531Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 Borosilicate glass is a type of glass in which silica and boron trioxide are the main constituents in the formulation of glass. Borosilicate glass contains eighty one percent silica, twelve percent boric oxide, five percent soda and two percent alumina.Borosilicate glass is manufactured by melting & combining silica sand, boric oxide, alumina and soda ash. The process of manufacturing depends upon the product geometry. Borosilicate glass has various properties, which include low thermal expansion coefficient, high thermal resistance, high chemical corrosion resistance, high mechanical strength and low gas melting temperature, among others. Owing to these diverse properties, borosilicate glass has a variety of applications ranging from cookware to laboratory equipment. In addition, borosilicate glass is widely used in medical implantable devices as well as electronic devices.Borosilicate glass is also used in solar panels and in rear windshields in certain automotive vehicles. Borosilicate glass is manufactured under several trade names, which include Pyrex, Borosil, Supermax, Endural, etc. Despite high thermal resistance, borosilicate glass can be cracked due to sudden or uneven temperature variations. Moreover, borosilicate glass cannot be heated with strong alkaline solutions or phosphoric acid, and these are some of the drawbacks associated with the usage of borosilicate glass.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-8451 Borosilicate Glass Market: DynamicsAdvancements in medical and healthcare technologies is one of the major factors driving the borosilicate glass market, owing to its extensive usage in implantable medical devices and other medical applications such as bone cement, ampoules, prosthetic eyes, etc. Increasing disposable income is leading to growth in the consumption of electronic devices, which is leading to the growth of the electronic and semiconductor industry. This is, in turn, boosting the demand for borosilicate glass. Rising population, growing urbanisation and increased spending capacity have boosted the consumption of consumer and home appliances, which is also boosting the borosilicate glass market. Furthermore, increasing solar power projects in developing countries will fuel the market for borosilicate glass. Growth of the automotive industry is positively impacting the borosilicate glass market.On the other hand, increasing R&D activities and the increasing number of research collaborations with universities and institutes to enhance the properties of borosilicate glass is also contributing to the growth of the borosilicate glass market. However, oxygen torch is required during the process of manufacturing borosilicate glass. The high price of oxygen gas and restrictions on the use of oxygen cylinders are some of the factors hampering the growth of the borosilicate glass market.Borosilicate Glass Market: SegmentationThe global borosilicate glass market can be segmented on the basis of type and end-use industry.The global borosilicate glass market is segmented on the basis of type as:Non-alkaline-earth borosilicate glassAlkaline-earth-containing borosilicate glassHigh-borate borosilicate glassThe global borosilicate glass market is segmented on the basis of end-use industry as:Laboratories & PharmaceuticalsElectronics & SemiconductorLightingHome & Commercial AppliancesAutomotiveBorosilicate Glass Market: Regional OutlookRapid growth of population, along with increasing urbanisation and rise in disposable income, has increased the consumption of consumer & home appliances in the Asia Pacific region. In addition, the growth of the electronic and semiconductor industries in countries, such as South Korea, Japan, China and Taiwan, has also boosted the borosilicate glass market in the region. Moreover, government initiatives for the development of solar power stations in countries such as China & India have also contributed to market growth. Owing to the above-mentioned factors, Asia Pacific is estimated to be a prominent market for borosilicate glass.Despite being mature economies, regions such as North America and Western Europe will be promising markets for borosilicate glass due to its increasing adoption for various applications. The implementation of solar power projects, along with increasing urbanisation and rising spending capacity, is expected to make Latin America a lucrative potential market for borosilicate glass. The Middle East and Africa is expected to collectively become a strong market for borosilicate glass owing to its increasing demand for various end-use applications.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-8451 Borosilicate Glass Market: Key ParticipantsExamples of some of the market participants operating in the global borosilicate glass market are:Corning Incorporated, AGC Inc., SCHOTT AG, GVB GmbH, Hangzhou AiJias glass Products Co., Ltd., Swift Glass, Borosil Glass Works Ltd., Hilgenberg GmbH, Gerresheimer AG, Noble Glass Works Pvt. Ltd. and Kavalierglass of North America, Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 17:04:40 Press Information Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: abhishek.b@futuremarketinsights.com FMI Blog: https://www.fmiblog.com/ Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Blog: http:// Abhishek Bhudholiya Manager +1-347-918-3531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 768 Words 616 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.futuremarketinsights.comBlog: http://Manager+1-347-918-3531 Cardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices are the implanted heart devices which help to detect abnormal heart rhythms of a patient. The cardiac rhythm remote monitoring devices provide easy access to information that allows managing heart conditions, monitor implanted heart devices and helps to obtain information from implanted heart device on an as-needed basis. The cardiac rhythm remote monitoring devices are the advanced technology that is connected to minicomputer and able to communicate heart related critical information to the doctor or to the specialist. It is used to collecting data about heart activities such as heart rate or rhythm and as well as the data about the device itself after syncs transmitter with pacemaker and ICD. The transmitter sends the information related to the heart condition by a secure website to the doctor or physician.The transmission or syncing of the information is transfer at specific dates and times, usually transmitting is completed overnight during the sleeping or located near the base unit of the device. When events generate an alert, the notice automatically send to the physician via fax, message, website message or an e-mail. Cardiac rhythm remote monitoring devices used to allow physicians and doctors to monitor more and more patients. The compliance of follow-up is become easier for patients, the device helps to alleviate the volume of in-office patient follow-ups and it is also able to give early warnings related to cardiac problems of the patient to the physician. By using a magnetic sensor device, a non-wireless system can transmit pacemaker data to the monitoring device. Some of the newest generation of pacemakers such as ICMs, ICDs and CRTs are compatible with cardiac rhythm remote monitoring systems.A Sample Of This Report Is Available Upon Request @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5141 Cardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe global market of the cardiac rhythm remote monitoring devices is driven by the increasing awareness among the population regarding to the heart related problem in adults. The key drivers of the market are increasing prevalence cases of heart attack and other heart related problems. The growing advancement technologies such as and the developments such as web-based, automated and remote monitoring systems of devices are the prime factors to drive the market. The lack of experience in using these advanced technologies and the high cost of these devices can act as a restraint to the market.Cardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices Market: SegmentationThe global cardiac rhythm remote monitoring devices market is classified on the basis of product type, technology type and distribution channel.Global cardiac rhythm remote monitoring devices market is segmented, by Product type-Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) DevicesImplantable DefibrillatorsExternal DefibrillatorsManual External DefibrillatorsAutomated External DefibrillatorsCardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) DevicesImplantable Cardiac Monitors (ICMs)Implanted Hemodynamic MonitorGlobal cardiac rhythm remote monitoring devices market is segmented, by Modality-Portable DevicesNon-Portable DevicesGlobal cardiac rhythm remote monitoring devices market is segmented, by End User-Long-Term Care CentersSpecialized ClinicsHospitalsCardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices Market: OverviewThe increasing awareness among the people and the increasing advancement technologies are expected to drive the market. The cardiac rhythm remote monitoring devices market is classified by product type, by modality and by end user. In terms of product type the global market of the cardiac rhythm remote monitoring devices are segmented into implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) devices which further segmented into implantable defibrillators, external defibrillators, manual external defibrillators and automated external defibrillators; cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices, implantable cardiac monitors (ICMS) and implanted hemodynamic monitor. By modality type the global market of the cardiac rhythm remote monitoring devices are segmented into portable devices and non-portable devices. By end user the global market of the cardiac rhythm remote monitoring devices are segmented into long-term centers, specialized clinics and hospitals.Cardiac Rhythm Remote Monitoring Devices Market: Regional OverviewOn the basis of geography, the global cardiac rhythm remote monitoring devices marketis segmented as North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America is expected to lead the market due to better economic condition, better healthcare facilities and better government initiatives. Europe market is expected to hold the second largest market share followed by Latin America due to increasing awareness and increasing adoption of advanced technologies.Read Comprehensive Overview with Methodology of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5141 Market: Key PlayersSome of the key players in cardiac rhythm remote monitoring devices market are Medtronic, GE Healthcare (U.S.), Boston Scientific Corporation (U.S.), Philips Healthcare (Netherlands), St. Jude Medical, Inc. (U.S.) and others. PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 14:41:01 Press Information Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 746 Words Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 Cocoa is a tropical crop which is native to south and Central America, however is also grown in western Africa and Asian countries. Cocoa product are rich in flavonoids such as catechin and epicathechin monomers, and procyanidin oligomers. For several years the market for powdered beverages has been witnessing slowdown in revenue terms across the globe. This is attributed to insufficient knowledge of the effects of physical and chemical characteristics of the ingredients that are used in manufacturing of powdered beverages.Cocoa powder and baking chocolates are considered to be the products containing high amount of non-fat cocoa solids i.e. around 10-25%. Cocoa powder is made up of cocoa beans solids which comprise of flavonoid compounds and cocoa butter. The popular types of cocoa mix powder consist of cocoa which is treated from alkali also called as Dutch cocoa thus allowing effective mixing of powders with the cold liquids. Apart from cocoa powder dark chocolate comprise of high amount of non-fat solids 20%-29.5% and is derived from cocoa liquor. The market for cocoa powder is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period owing its increasing application in chocolate industry.Global cocoa powder market is segmented on the basis of nature, end use, sales channels and region. On the basis of nature, the global cocoa powder market is segmented into, natural and processed/Dutch process cocoa. The natural cocoa powder is also called as non-alkalized and unsweetened cocoa powder is lighter in color with highly intense flavor. Natural cocoa powder is mostly used for making brownies, cookies and few chocolate cakes.Processed/Dutch process cocoa is alkali treated powder in order to neutralize its natural acidity and is prominently used for baking purpose. It is reddish brown in color with mild flavor and easily gets dissolved into the liquids. By end use the global cocoa powder market is segment in to industrial, household and commercial application segments. The industrial segment is further sub-segmented into, food and beverages industry. The food industry is further segmented into bakery products, dairy and ice-cream, chocolate and confectionary, desserts and other segments.Increasing application of cocoa powder in bakery and confectionary industry segment is expected to result in significant revenue generation in the overall market for cocoa powder over the forecast period. The commercial segment is sub-segmented into, hotels, restaurants & cafes (HoReCa) and institutional foods. On the basis of sales channel the global cocoa powder market is segmented into, direct and indirect sales channels. Indirect sales channels are further sub-segmented into hypermarkets/supermarkets, convenience stores, specialty stores, e-commerce and other retail formats.On the basis of region the global cocoa powder market is segmented into, North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa. Latin America and Europe are the largest markets for cocoa powder globally attributable to increasing demand for several food products across the regions. Latin America is the largest producer of cocoa worldwide which contributes to overall market growth of the cocoa powder across the region.Request For Table Of Content @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5435 Also, popularity of cocoa powder is also attributed to its reasonable price and expanded applications across several food domains. Demand for cocoa powder across the Asia Pacific market is expected to witness lower growth in revenue terms mainly attributable to lower per capita consumption of chocolate across the region.The growth of cocoa powder market across the globe is expected to depict significant growth in the overall market owing to increasing demand for cocoa powder in chocolate and confectionary industry. Cocoa powder is used in confectionary industry as a flavoring and coloring agent. Increasing demand for natural and organic food products will create high demand for natural cocoa powder among consumers across the globe.The global cocoa powder market is expected to witness limited growth potential across regions such as Western Asia and MEA due to less imports and limited awareness regarding nutritional benefits of cocoa powder. Furthermore, penetration of premium products in confectionery continues to fuel the cocoa powder market growth in food products such as chocolates with high cocoa content, to innovative, flavor bursting, creamy fillings.Variety of cocoa powder have been introduced by the manufacturers and some of the global market players manufacturing cocoa powder market include; Cargill, Incorporated, Blommer Chocolate Company, Dutch Coco, Carlyle Cocoa, United Cocoa Processor, Inc., Indcresa cocoa powder, Moner Cocoa, S.A, Newtown Foods USA and others.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5435 PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 10:05:36 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 483 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 WCP SolutionsA Recent Press Release Erroneously Said the Redding, California Office had Relocated to SacramentoSACRAMENTO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / March 14, 2019 / WCP Solutions, a local provider of wholesale paper products and industrial solutions, are issuing an urgent correction to a recent press release that said their Redding, California location had been relocated to Sacramento.While WCP Solutions did recently expand their services with the opening of a new location in Sacramento, the Redding office is open and the team is ready to work with their local customers.To learn more about the Redding location and/or to reach one of the members of WCP's team, please visit https://www.wcpsolutions.com/location/redding/ As a company spokesperson noted, the team from WCP Solutions is excited about their new Sacramento location. When they opened the new office in Sacramento, the team was able to start servicing local clients who had previously worked with the Redding location.''We are delighted to work with many of our existing customers in our new Sacramento location, and we can definitely take on plenty of additional business,'' the spokesperson noted, adding that the team in the Redding location is also happy to work with new customers.From companies who are looking for top quality and affordable packaging and cleaning supplies and food service items to janitorial supplies, wipers and dispensers, shipping supplies and much more, the teams at the new Sacramento location, the existing Redding location and all of the other WCP Solutions offices can definitely assist.The fact that WCP Solutions is doing so well and expanding will not surprise the many happy customers who have worked with them over the years. Since the company first opened back in 1930as West Coast Paper Companythey have earned a well-deserved reputation for offering a variety of high quality wholesale products, along with providing outstanding customer service.To learn more about the Sacramento location and/or to reach one of the members of WCP's team, please visit https://www.wcpsolutions.com/location/sacramento/ ''Our new warehouse is conveniently located at 600 Sequoia Pacific Boulevard, where our services will be most effective to your needs. Please come by and see our new facility and meet our team.'' Customers who are in and around Redding can also stop by the office at 4041 Eastside Road in Redding and visit the team.About WCP Solutions:WCP Solutions is a local wholesale provider of fine paper, envelopes, packaging supplies, janitorial and facility supplies, food service supplies, and equipment integration solutions. They are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and strive to maintain the highest level of integrity with their suppliers, customers, and employees. WCP Solutions has been family owned since 1930. For more information, please visit https://www.wcpsolutions.com/ WCP Solutions, Sacramento location600 Sequoia Pacific Blvd.Sacramento , CA 95811WCP Solutions, Redding location4041 Eastside RoadRedding, CA 96001Contact:Customer Serviceinfo.sacramento@wcpsolutions.com916-447-1000 SOURCE: WCP Solutions PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 14:45:33 Press Information Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 694 Words Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 Data Center Rack Server Market: Overview A data center rack server is a rack-mounted server. Data center rack server is usually a computer dedicated to use as a server for the data center and it is configured to install in a framework called rack. Data center rack server consist of multiple mounting slots called bays, each designed to stack a hardware unit in place secured with bolted enclosures. A data center rack server has a low-profile enclosure, in contrast to a tower server. Data center rack server is design to contain multiple servers by stacking one above the other. Data center rack server consolidates network resources and minimizes the required floor space. The data center rack server design also simplifies cabling among network components. Considering huge amount of data generated and corresponding increase in data centers to hold and process such data will boost the data center rack server market over the forecast period.Data Centre Rack Server Market: Drivers and Restraints In present era, every business houses, establishments are relying on data generated through various modes. Across of globe zillionth of data are being stored and transferred in a blink of an eye through data center rack server. In addition, data centers across globe are multiplying at a same speed at which it can accumulate all those data, which are being generated every second. Such data centers are fitted with hundreds of data center rack server for executing data related task. Banking business, e-commerce business, cloud-based services etc. has increased in recent years. This service, for online purposes or web-based services, requires ample number of server to transfer and receive data from every nook and corner possible in this planet. Growth in such business is fuelling the demand for data center rack server. The market is facing all-time high in demand for need of high functioning servers as well as product that can help in lessening operational expenditure. The data center rack server is the most apt system available in market to meet such needs.Request For Table Of Content @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-2309 Data center rack server market has least of possible restraint now unless any disruptive technology is invented which eliminates the use of servers from IT systems.Data Centre Rack Server Market: Market Segmentation Based on product type, Data Centre Rack Server market can be segmented into: Single processor Quad core,Single ,rocessor Xeon,Dual processor Xeon,4-way server,N-way server,RISC servers,Based on end user type, Data Centre Rack Server market can be segmented into Banking Institutions,E-commerce ,Businesses,Cloud Services,Cyber Security FirmsGlobal Data Center Rack Server Market: Regional Outlook Based on the geographic regions, global data Centre rack server 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, North America will dominate the data center rack server market over the forecast period owing to the fact that North America has the largest data centers in world and it has been foremost in developing and producing data center rack server products for convenience. In APEJ countries such as China, India, and Thailand will be the key contributor to the growth of data Centre rack server market due to the very fact IT industry and subsequent data centers are increasing in these countries. Western Europe region will come next to APEJ with respect to growth of data center rack server market. In Eastern Europe, the market of data center rack server has also gathered momentum in recent years. MEA and Latin America data center rack server market is yet to see progress as large scale data center rack server are in minimum numbers owing to a very meagre growth in data center businesses. However, over the forecast period it is anticipated that data center rack server market will grow in this specific region.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-2309 Data Centre Rack Server Market: Key Players The major players identified in the global data center rack server market includes: com,Hewlett Packard Enterprise ,evelopment LP,Lenovo,FUJITSU,NEC Corporation,Selrack Pvt. Ltd, ESD Protective Signage Labels market ESD Protective Signage Labels market PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 08:47:47 Press Information Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 757 Words Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 ESD Protective Signage Labels: Market IntroductionGlobal electrostatic discharge (ESD) packaging market is growing at a CAGR of over 6.5% and is expected to reach over 2 Bn by the end of forecast period. ESD protective signage labels help in protecting machines as well as people from ESD related hazards. ESD protective signage labels act as a source of communication with the consumers. ESD protective signage labels help in reducing the risk of electrostatic discharge, thus preventing the damage of static sensitive components. Some of the properties of ESD protective signage labels are heat and chemical resistant, weather resistant and can be used in harsh climatic conditions. ESD protective signage labels are used in various industries such as electrical and electronics, automotive, pharmaceuticals, aerospace industries etc. One of the properties of ESD protective signage labels is that they do not possess or hold an electrostatic charge when the label is removed from its liner, thus making it a suitable packaging solution for static sensitive components. Furthermore, ESD protective signage labels also prevent the electrostatic charge from building up on the surface level. ESD protective signage labels provide a cost-effective solution to the consumers.ESD Protective Signage Labels: Market dynamicsWith the advent of digitalization, demand for ESD protective signage labels is increasing due to the growth of electrical & electronics industry. ESD protective signage labels have barrier properties such as moisture resistant, chemical resistant etc. and can also be used in adverse climatic conditions. Further, adding to the barrier properties, ESD protective signage labels provides a low-cost labelling solution for applications over a wide range of temperature. The key factor driving the ESD protective signage labels market is that the labels do not emit electrostatic charge when the label is removed from the liner.Moreover, the key property of ESD protective signage labels is that they prevent the static charge from getting accumulated on the surface of the labels, thus making ESD protective signage labels the preferred labelling solution among end users. ESD protective signage labels and liners, both, are made from recyclable materials and are bio-degradable, thus reducing the threat to the environment. Linerless ESD protective signage labels reduce the waste disposal, thus resulting in reduced carbon emission. ESD protective signage labels offer less storage space which reduces the cost reduction in transportation, thus increasing the growth of ESD protective signage labels. Despite the favorable conditions for the growth of ESD protective signage labels market, there are certain factors that hinder the growth such as relatively high cost with respect to other labelling solutions.Request Report for Table of Contents @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5542 ESD Protective Signage Labels: Regional outlookESD protective signage labels has been segmented on the basis of the region into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (MEA), and Latin America. North America is expected to dominate the market share of ESD protective signage labels market over the forecast period due to growing electrical & electronics industry. Europe is expected to follow North America in terms of growth of ESD protective signage labels market. MEA region is expected to show average CAGR during the forecast period due to the stagnant economy.ESD Protective Signage Labels: Key playersSome of the key players in the field of ESD protective signage labels market are Shenzhen HORB Tech Development Co., Ltd., Elcom (UK) Ltd, Botron Company Inc., Labels China.The research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, and statistically supported and industry-validated market data. It also contains projections using a suitable set of assumptions and methodologies. The research report provides analysis and information according to market segments such as geographies, application, and industry.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. Report Highlights : Detailed overview of parent market,Changing market dynamics in the industry,In-depth market segmentation,Historical, current and projected market size in terms of volume and value,Recent industry trends and developments,Competitive landscape,Strategies of key players and products offered,Potential and niche segments, geographical regions exhibiting promising growth,A neutral perspective on market performance,Must-have information for market players to sustain and enhance their market footprint.Request to Sample of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5542 Research Report Insights PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 05:33:35 Press Information Research Report Insights Research Report Insights 42 joseph street, Portcarling P0B 1J0, Muskoka, Ontario T: +1-631-721-4201 Vikas Bahurupi Manager 6317214201 email https://www.researchreportinsights.com # 674 Words Research Report Insights42 joseph street,Portcarling P0B 1J0,Muskoka, OntarioT: +1-631-721-4201Manager6317214201 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) equipment market refers to the tools and equipments used to detect, dispose and provide protection during explosive disposal operations. The global Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) equipment market has been segmented by equipment type, application and geography. On the basis of equipment type the market has been segmented into portable X-ray systems, projected water disruptors, bomb containment chamber, EOD suits and blankets, EOD robots, explosive detectors and search mirrors among others. The EOD market on the basis of application has been categorized into defense and law enforcement. North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America are the various regions covered within the scope of research. Furthermore, a cross sectional analysis has been provided for each of the reports covered within the scope of research.Factors such as police forces modernization programs and defense modernization programs are also expected to drive the demand for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) equipment. Various defense agencies across the globe are striving to equip their forces with modern equipment in order to counter terrorist intrusions. For example, large numbers of military organizations and law enforcement organizations have adopted military EOD robots. These robots can be programmed according to a given situation and can also be repurposed in a short time. Moreover, recent surge in number of terrorist attacks have also boosted the demand for EOD in recent years. The rise of various terrorist outfits such as ISIS and Boko Haram are constantly conducting coordinated country-wide attacks against the governments across the globe.Request For Report Sample with Table of Contents@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/sample/110114589/Explosive-Ordnance-Disposal-Equipment-Market These organizations are targeting malls, schools and embassies among others. As a result of these factors, defense organizations are increasingly adopting EOD equipment to counter the terrorist attacks. Furthermore, the joint efforts taken by various countries such as the U.S., Russia and France among others to curb terrorism have further resulted in an increased demand for EOD equipments. These factors in combination are expected to propel the demand for EOD equipment throughout the forecast period.However, defense budget cut by governments of various countries is restraining the demand for EOD equipment globally. For example, there has been a 31% defense budget cut in the U.S. military spending from 2010 to 2016Significant opportunities exist for the EOD equipment market as a result of continuous research and development initiatives undertaken by various manufacturers. Research and development is directed toward improving existing features as well as developing new advanced features. For example, in January 2014, DetectaChem launched a handheld explsoive detector called the SEEKERe. The SEEKERe has been designed and developed in accordance to the specifications requested by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).Request For Report Discount@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/discount/110114589/Explosive-Ordnance-Disposal-Equipment-Market The company profiles of the major players in the global Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Equipment market across five major geographic regions namely North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), Middle East and Africa and Latin America has been extensively covered under the purview of the study. Moreover, the business strategies being adopted by the major players in the market have also been included in the report. The market attractive analysis has also been provided in the report for providing a detailed insight into the global EOD equipment market.The market dynamics, which includes the market drivers, restraints and opportunities, has also been included under the scope of the report. Market dynamics help to understand the current trends in the global market by providing insights of the distinctive factors that influence the growth of the specific market. Thus, this report provides an inclusive study of the global Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Equipment market and also provides forecast of the market for the period from 2015-2023Report Analysis@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/rd/110114589/Explosive-Ordnance-Disposal-Equipment-Market Some of the major players operating in EOD market are: iRobot Corporation, Safariland, LLC, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Scanna Msc Ltd., NABCO, Inc., United Shield International Ltd, Reamda Ltd., API Technologies Corp., Du Pont (E.I.) De Nemours and Cobham plc among others. PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 14:09:02 Press Information Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,, Abhishek Budholiya Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 377 Words 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,,Manager3479183531Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 Fiber cement, formerly known as a composite building and construction material, is used in the manufacture of facade and roofing products owing to its properties such as high durability and strength. Cement is a substance which reacts chemically with water therefore, forming a hard stone. The presence of fiber reinforcement in cement contributes in making strong and long lasting building and construction material. At present, fiber cement has great scope for construction products such as roofing and cladding due to its primary function, i.e., enhancing performance and decreasing commercial value. Fiber cement siding market is expected to be the fastest growing market because of its product features and high demand from construction professionals.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-366 The key drivers for the growth of fiber cement market include factors such as growing construction activities in various regions on global basis and rapid industrialization which are poised to register demand of fiber cement products. Huge demand for fiber cement in terms of construction activities is reported from Asia Pacific. In addition, there is a growing demand for fiber cement from developed economies of North America and Europe due to the presence of stringent regulations and turnaround of manufacturing industries in these regions. The U.S. and Japan are stated as the fastest growing market for fiber cement with huge demand for the product. However, fiber cement market is expected to face competition from other products in the market such as vinyl siding.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-366 The key players in the fiber cement market includes Akzo Nobel NV, Building Materials Corporation of America, Central Fiber LLC, Canfor Corporation, Dow Chemical Company, Elementia SA de CV, Ecolab Incorporated, Hardie (James) Industries plc, Mercer International Incorporated, Imerys SA, PPG Industries Incorporated and US Silica Holdings Incorporated among others. The market is highly fragmented in nature owing to the presence of several manufacturers. This research report presents a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data and statistically-supported and industry-validated market data and projections with a suitable set of assumptions and methodology. It provides analysis and information by categories such as market segments, regions, product types and distribution channels. PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 14:09:06 Press Information Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,, Abhishek Budholiya Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 606 Words 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,,Manager3479183531Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 Polyurethane foam is a diverse and large segment of global polyurethane market. Polyurethanes are said to be a part of our day to day life. Foams play a significant role in commercial and industrial sector ranging from automotive to refrigeration. Based on the variants foams available in the market and increasing area of applications for flexible colored PU foams, the market is expected to experience growth in the near future. Foams are differentiated as flexible and rigid foams. The properties that rigid foam posses are hardness, resilience, compression properties, abrasion resistance, whereas flexible polyurethane foam posses properties such as dry heat resistant, water resistant, oxygen, ozone resistant and remain flexible at low temperature. Few critical characteristics for the use of polyurethane foam in the industrial sector are chemical resistant, oil and grease resistant, flame resistant, noise reduction and fungus, mildew, mould resistant.The rigid polyurethane foams have outstanding thermal insulation properties, which makes its use as an insulator in commercial and domestic appliances such as hot water systems and refrigerators. The flexible polyurethane foam is extremely comfortable and finds wide range of applications in the furniture seating and automotive industry.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-368 The factors that drive the flexible colored PU foams market include the growing demand from the automobile and construction industry coupled with the rising demand from the interior and furniture sector. The demand for colored PU foams in the packaging sectors is expected to rise in the near future. Furniture and interiors are expected to be the largest consumers of flexible colored PU foams as it is used in luxury couches, chairs mattresses and carpets on a large scale. However, the volatile raw material prices are expected to pose a challenge to the growing flexible colored PU foams market. In addition, environmental regulations are expected to hinder the market growth owing to issues related to use of diisocynate in the production process.Liquid resin blends and isocyanates are expected to contain hazardous components that may lead to health hazards. Isocyanates are said to be skin and respiratory sensitizers. In addition, amines, glycols and phosphate that exist in the spray polyurethane foam also may hamper the health of humans to some extent. Certain regulatory and health safety information is made available in the U.S. through organization such as Polyurethane Manufacturers Association (PMA) and Centre for the Polyurethane Industry (CPI). Others information sources are the raw material manufacturers and polyurethanes systems.The key segments included in the flexible colored PU foam industry include North America, Asia Pacific, Europe and Rest of the World (RoW). Due to high growth in the interior and furniture market, North America is expected to dominate the flexible colored PU foam market followed by Europe. Owing to the developments in the construction industry, Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing market for flexible colored PU foam market. Owing to the benefits such as CFC free, HCFC free and non-Ozone Depleting Potential foams (non-ODP), a rising demand for bio based PU foams from North Africa and the Middle East is expected to open more opportunities for the flexible PU foams market.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-368 The key market players in the flexible colored PU foam market include: BASF SE, Carpenter Company, Bayer Material Science AG, Huntsman Corporation, Recticel SA, INOAC Corporation, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, The Dow Chemical Company, Rogers Corporation Stepan Company and Era Polymers Pty Ltd among others. Era Polymers Pty Ltd is an Australian distributor which offers a full range of ozone friendly foams that are CFC and HCFC free. PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 11:33:55 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 353 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / March 14, 2019 / Graham Corporation (NYSE: GHM), a global business that designs, manufactures and sells critical equipment for the oil refining, petrochemical, power and defense industries, today announced that James R. Lines, President and CEO, and Jeffrey F. Glajch, Vice President-Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer, will present and be available for investor meetings at the Sidoti & Company Spring 2019 Conference on Thursday, March 28, 2019 in New York City.GHM's presentation will begin at 10:20 a.m. ET.A link to the live webcast for the presentation, along with presentation materials, will be available at www.graham-mfg.com.An archive of the presentation can be accessed using the same link following the conference.ABOUT GRAHAM CORPORATIONGraham is a global business that designs, manufactures and sells critical equipment for the energy, defense and chemical/petrochemical industries.Energy markets include oil refining, cogeneration, nuclear and alternative power.For the defense industry, the Company's equipment is used in nuclear propulsion power systems for the U.S. Navy.Graham's global brand is built upon world-renowned engineering expertise in vacuum and heat transfer technology, responsive and flexible service and unsurpassed quality.Graham designs and manufactures custom-engineered ejectors, vacuum pumping systems, surface condensers and vacuum systems.Graham is also a leading nuclear code accredited fabrication and specialty machining company.Graham supplies components used inside reactor vessels and outside containment vessels of nuclear power facilities.Graham's equipment can also be found in other diverse applications such as metal refining, pulp and paper processing, water heating, refrigeration, desalination, food processing, pharmaceutical, heating, ventilating and air conditioning.Graham's reach spans the globe and its equipment is installed in facilities from North and South America to Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.Graham routinely posts news and other important information on its website, www.graham-mfg.com , where additional comprehensive information on Graham Corporation and its subsidiaries can be found.For more information, contact:Jeffrey F. GlajchVice President - Finance and CFOPhone: (585) 343-2216jglajch@ graham-mfg.com Deborah K. Pawlowski / Karen L. HowardKei Advisors LLCPhone:(716) 843-3908 / (716) 843-3942dpawlowski@ keiadvisors.com / khoward@ keiadvisors.com ___News Compliments of AccesswireSOURCE: Graham Corporation PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 14:39:56 Press Information Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 642 Words Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 The market for personal care products is expanding at a significant growth across the globe. Shampoos are considered to be an integral part of personal care routine and are available in number of variants depending upon individuals need. The market for adult shampoos is widely established, however, the market for kids shampoos has rapidly evolved over the recent past years mainly attributed to increasing awareness among parents regarding maintaining personal care. Kids skin is sensitive to harmful ingredients which results in demand for baby care products with specific needs. This is expected to result in escalating market revenues in the overall kids shampoo market over the forecast period.Global kids shampoo market is segmented on the basis of nature, type and sales channel. On the basis of nature, the global kids shampoo market is segmented into, organic and synthetic. The demand for organic kids shampoo is expected to witness tremendous growth in the overall kids shampoo market over the forecast period. This is mainly attributed to growing awareness with regards to the harmful effects of synthetic shampoos thus creating more demand for toxin and paraben free shampoos for kids.This has pushed manufacturers to bring natural and organic products in the market place thus fueling kids shampoo market growth over the forecast period. On the basis of type the global kids shampoo market is segmented into, medicated and non-medicated shampoo. Non medicated shampoo segment is estimated to depict maximum revenue generation in the overall market for kids shampoo over the forecast period. On the basis of sales channel the global kids shampoo market is segmented into, hypermarkets/supermarkets, convenience stores, specialty stores, e-commerce and other retail formats. Hypermarkets/supermarkets is the largest retail channel for kids shampoos across the globe.Request For Table Of Content @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5437 On the basis of region the global kids shampoo market is segmented into, North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Middle East and Africa. North America and Europe are estimated to account for the largest market share in the global kids shampoo market attributable to rising urbanization and growing focus of parents towards nurturing their child thus, augmenting the spending on personal care products.Asia pacific is expected to hold significant revenue share in the overall kids shampoo market category during the forecast period mainly attributed towards increasing awareness on personal care. . Also, popularity of kids shampoo is also attributed to its reasonable price and expanded applications for multiple uses. Demand for kids shampoo across the MEA market is expected to witness lower growth in revenue terms mainly attributable to lower spending on shampoos and other personal care products.The growth of kids shampoo market across the globe is expected to depict significant growth in the overall market owing to declining infant mortality rate across the globe which is pushing the demand for kids shampoo across the globe. Furthermore, increasing trend of using multiple functional shampoos is expected to result in increasing market revenues in the global kids shampoo market. For example, manufacturers of baby care products are introducing three in one and two in one shampoos with combined benefits of washing and conditioning hair, and body washes, thus fueling the global market for kids shampoo during the forecast period. Apart from this manufacturers are also launching shampoos that are tear free and hypoallergenic thus, gently cleaning & conditioning hair & skin. Furthermore, penetration of premium products across the kids shampoo market category continues to fuel the market growth during the forecast period.Variety of kids shampoo have been introduced by the manufacturers and some of the global market players manufacturing kids shampoo market include Unilever, Johnson & Johnson, LOreal, Beiersdorf, California Baby, Earth Mama Angel Baby, The Himalaya Drug Company, Mothercare, MONAT GLOBAL CORP, Weleda and others.Request For Report Sample@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5437 PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 22:07:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 410 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAINT JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK / ACCESSWIRE / March 14, 2019 / We are pleased to announce the partnership between Martha Stewart and True North Seafood. Join us at Seafood Expo North America (SENA) in Boston on March 17th for the launch of this exciting product line. Martha Stewarts Vice President, Culinary Director, Thomas Joseph will present the easy, delicious, and convenient seafood offerings.WHO: Thomas Joseph, Vice President, Culinary Director - Martha StewartWHAT: Product launch, demonstrations, and samples of Martha Stewart for True North SeafoodWHEN: March 17th, 2019, from 2-3:00 PM ESTWHERE: Seafood Expo North America (SENA) > Booth 1233 & 1133Boston Convention and Exhibition Center15 Court SquareBoston, MA 02108NOTE: Media interviews are available with Mr. Joseph from 10:00am-12:00pm on Sunday, March 17th. To reserve a time slot, please email: Joel.Richardson@cookeaqua.com CONTACT:Joel RichardsonVice President Public Relations, Cooke Inc.(506) 721-1093 / www.truenorthseafood.com About Thomas Joseph:Thomas Joseph, Vice President, Culinary Director - Martha Stewart, is a resident test kitchen expert with a passion for the science and story behind food. He was awarded the prestigious James Beard Award in 2017 for his instructional webcast series, Kitchen Conundrums with Thomas Joseph. Thomas puts his culinary expertise and nutrition know-how to good use by overseeing the development of recipes for our television shows and cookbooks, creating products with Marthas merchandising team, and co-developing the Martha Stewart Cafe. He is also a contributing editor for Martha Stewart Living magazine. Thomas regularly appears alongside Martha for public cooking demonstrations and was a reoccurring guest on The Martha Stewart Show. He has a B.S. in Culinary Nutrition from Johnson and Wales University and a M.A. in Food Studies from New York University.About True North Seafood:True North Seafood is one of the largest and most trusted providers of seafood in North America. Family-owned and operated, True North Seafood is a vertically-integrated leader in both farmed and wild seafood. Under the Cooke family of brands, True North Seafood has access to a network of 17 core species from Atlantic Canada, United States, Chile, Scotland, Spain, Uruguay, Honduras and Nicaragua. True North Seafood is proud to offer products that meet certifications such as; Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), Soil Association Organic, BRC Global Standards, Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Certified Responsible Fisheries (Alaska Seafood). For the second year in a row, Cooke Inc. earned the #1 spot on the SeafoodSource list of Top 10 North American Seafood Suppliers. www.truenorthseafood.com SOURCE: True North Seafood Mastic Tapes Market: Global Industry Analysis 2012 - 2016 and Opportunity Assessment; 2017 - 2027 fmi PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 10:29:33 Press Information Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 761 Words Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 Global mastic tapes market: IntroductionMastic tapes provide high insulation of upto 1000 volts. Mastic tapes have very high moisture resistance properties which makes them applicable in high water contact areas. They are available in different sizes, and thickness, and thus provide convenience in applying the tape to the required area. Mastic tape is made up of rubber based material and has self-fusing properties. Dust resistance properties of mastic tapes make them applicable at construction sites, due to the high amount of dust present. Mastic tapes have vibration damping properties, and thus eliminate the high vibration caused due to machines in production site of the industrial area. High adherence property of mastic tapes makes them ideal for use on rough and uneven surfaces of the machines. Mastic tapes are very easy to tear and use, and thus reduce the wastage introduced during tearing the required amount of tape from the roll. Due to these properties, mastic tapes are expected to witness high preference over the forecast period. Therefore, the global mastic tapes outlook, is expected to be positive, during the next ten years.Global mastic tapes market: DynamicsMastic tapes market is driven by wide application of mastic tapes for electrical insulation. It acts as a perfect barrier for electrical leakage, as lots of damage is caused due to electric leakage from transmission lines. Mastic tapes find application in high tension lines in electrical and electronics industry, thus acts as a key driver for mastic tapes market. Corrosion resistant feature of the mastic tape makes it suitable to be used on high rust accumulation areas. The long life of mastic tape eliminates the maintenance cost involved, in the regular application of tapes. Mastic tapes are resistant to Ultraviolet radiations, thus a value-added the feature of mastic tapes, and acts as a catalyst to increase the growth of mastic tapes market. They show high adhesion properties on cables insulation, metal, plastics and other surfaces thus mastic tapes are widely used in industries, therefore industrial sites require high demand for mastic tape and act as a driver for mastic tapes market. Mastic tapes have high-temperature resistance properties, it can bear its properties up to 80-degree centigrade, thus makes them applicable for cable splice. They can also sustain at low temperature thus, applicable for both high and at low-temperature areas. Mastic tapes have shelf healing property, thus damage to the tape, due to wear and tear, is self-heal that maintains its insulating properties, this feature differentiates it from another tape, and thus it is preferred the choice of the consumer. Request to Sample of Report @Global mastic tapes market: Regional OverviewGlobal mastic tapes market is segmented into seven regions including North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Middle East and Africa (MEA), Asia Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ) and Japan. Europe region shows constant growth for mastic tapes market, however, an increase in demand for mastic tapes due to high insulating property and value-added features, is expected. As a result, industrialists are preferring them over adhesive tapes, thus mastic tape market shows growth in the region. Due to the high consumption rate of adhesive material in the emerging market manufacturers of mastic tapes in North America and Europe region are focusing towards investing in the new plant sites in Asia pacific region. The region is expected to represent ample growth opportunities for growth of the mastic tapes market, in the forecast period. Request Report for Table of Contents @Global mastic tapes market: Key PlayersSome of the key players of global mastic tapes market are 3M Company, Denso North America Inc., Osaka Rubber Private Limited, and Omega Rubber Industries.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. Report Highlights : Detailed overview of parent market,Changing market dynamics in the industry,In-depth market segmentation,Historical, current and projected market size in terms of volume and value,Recent industry trends and developments,Competitive landscape,Strategies of key players and products offered,Potential and niche segments, geographical regions exhibiting promising growth,A neutral perspective on market performance,Must-have information for market players to sustain and enhance their market footprint.Request to Report Methodology @ Microplate Handling Instruments Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 13:23:51 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 # 727 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 Microplate handling instruments have a common presence as a microplate automation in diagnostics centers and research institutes. A microplate is generally characterized by the number of wells contains in the plate. The microplate handling instruments facilitate the handling of plates at all stages in the process from sterilization to the analysis of the sample. Microplate handling instrument help to mitigate manual errors by automating the assay process. The lab automation as a microplate handling instruments frees up technicians to work on other operations and save times, increases efficiency and result output. The microplate handling instrument has benefits such as payload, precision, throughput, duty cycle over the conventional manual process.The microplate handing instruments are generally connected with the operating interface to perform the various tasks at a time without any human intervention. The microplate handling instruments are considered as walk away automation.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5490 The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and the demand for advanced microplate handing instruments for the diagnosis and research purpose augments the market growth of the global microplate handling instruments market over a forecast period.The global microplate handling instruments market is segmented on the basis of product type, application, and end user.On the basis of product type, the global microplate handling instruments market is segmented into:Microplate ReadersMicroplate DispensersMicroplate WashersMicroplate IncubatorsOn the basis of application, the global microplate handling instruments market is segmented into:ImmunologyCell Based AssaySerologyMicrobiologyMolecular DiagnosticsOthersOn the basis of end users, the global microplate handling instruments market is segmented into:Hospitals LaboratoryDiagnostics CentersBlood BanksResearch OrganizationsAcademic InstitutesOthersThe global microplate handling instruments market is anticipated to register a significant CAGR over a forecast period. The increasing prevalence of various diseases and requirement of body fluid testing, blood testing, and diagnosis, is the leading factor anticipated to boost the demand for microplate handling instruments to automate the processes and drives the growth of the global microplate handling instruments market over the forecast period. The increasing demand for technically advanced microplate handling instruments due to the benefits such as accuracy, efficiency and less-human interference in the diagnosis process, is also expected to propel the growth of the global blood drawing chairs market over the forecast period. The scientific enhancements and increase in the research and development activities worldwide would also accelerate the demand of microplate handling instruments and anticipated to drive the growth of the market over the long run.However, the poorly developed medical infrastructure and research facilities in the developing countries may hamper the demand for the microplate handling instruments and restrain the global microplate handling instruments market over the forecast period. The higher prices of the microplate handling instruments may also hinder the growth of the global microplate handling instruments market over the forecast period.On the basis of regional presence, the global microplate handling instruments market is segmented into seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East & Africa. Currently, North America is contributing the leading shares to the global microplate handling instruments market in terms of value and anticipated to register a significant CAGR over a forecast period. The Europe is also contributing the moderate shares to the market due to the advanced diagnostics facilities and research activities in the region. APAC is the most lucrative market for the microplate handling instruments due to developing medical infrastructure, increasing government funding for research and development activities in the countries such as India, China which is expected to show a robust growth to the global microplate handling instruments market. MEA is at a nascent stage to the global microplate handling instruments market and anticipated to register a decent growth to the market over a forecast period. Overall, the global microplate handling instruments market is expected to show significant growth over a forecast period.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5490 Some of the major market players in microplate handling instruments market globally include Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Roche Molecular Systems, Inc., Core Life Sciences, Inc., PerkinElmer Inc., BERTHOLD TECHNOLOGIES GmbH & Co. KG, Biochrom, AVIOQ, INC, ANTISEL, Erba Manaheim LLC etc. The microplate handling instruments market is currently witnessing a number of strategic collaboration and partnership activities by manufacturers and end users. Research Report Insights PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 05:33:52 Press Information Research Report Insights Research Report Insights 42 joseph street, Portcarling P0B 1J0, Muskoka, Ontario T: +1-631-721-4201 Vikas Bahurupi Manager 6317214201 email https://www.researchreportinsights.com # 617 Words Research Report Insights42 joseph street,Portcarling P0B 1J0,Muskoka, OntarioT: +1-631-721-4201Manager6317214201 Military personal protective equipment has become a crucial and standard element of soldier equipment. One of the major factor driving the market is the increasing role of ground troops in different parts of the world such as Iraq, Afghanistan and India among others. The demand for military personal protective equipment is anticipated to be driven by modernization initiatives undertaken by several large defense spenders globally and various internal security threats, such as organized crime and terrorism among others.One of the major factor driving the market is the increasing role of ground troops in different parts of the world such as Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq among others. As of 2014, there were 8 active military conflicts and 10 official wars known by the United States. In addition, there were also other violent clashes relating 64 countries and 576 separatist and militias groups. In 2016, in wars between Syria and Iraq, Afghanistan, South Sudan, the Lake Chad basin and Yemen helps the military personal protective equipment market to grow at a high CAGR which in turn is expected to boost the market.Request For Report Sample with Table of Contents@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/sample/110114595/Military-Personal-Protective-Equipment-Market Body armor (IBA), improved outer tactical vest (IOTV), advanced combat helmet (ACH), pelvic protection systems (PPS), life safety jacket, military combat eye protection (MCEP) and others sectors are the various product types of the military personal protective equipment market. Among various product types of the military personal protective equipment market body armor (BA) is the held the major market share in 2015 and expected to be the same during the forecast period of 2016 2024.The military personal protective equipment market has been segmented on the basis of application into army, air force, navy and others. Among various application of the military personal protective equipment market army held major market share in 2015 followed by navy and is expected to be remain the same during the forecast period of 2016 2024. Several countries are focusing on manufacturing better military personal protective equipment such as lightweight under suits, ballistic inserts, combat helmets and advanced night vision equipment that provide the benefits of enhanced protection and comfort to ground, navy and air forces. In 2015, the market is expected to be dominated by North America followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. In addition, Asia Pacific occupies more than 20% of the global market share, is driven by developing economies such as India, South Korea, Japan and China among others which are performing soldier modernization programs.Request For Report Discount@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/discount/110114595/Military-Personal-Protective-Equipment-Market By geography, the military personal protective equipment market is classified into five regions namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America. In 2015, North America holds the largest market share in the military personal protective equipment followed by Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa. However, in 2024 Asia Pacific is anticipated to be the largest market for military personal protective equipment market followed by North America. China held the largest share for the military personal protective equipment market in Asia Pacific in 2015. It is also expected to experience healthy growth in the coming years. Growing research and development activities started by different research organizations acts as a driving factor of the market. In addition, growing concerns over the safety and protection of the forces is expected to propel the growth of the market.Key players profiled in this report include 3M Ceradyne (United States), ArmorWorks (United States), Eagle Industries Unlimited Inc (United States), BAE Systems (United Kingdom), DSM Dyneema (United States),Armorsource (United States), Du Pont (United States), Honeywell Advanced Fibres and Composites (United States), Revision Military Inc. (United States) and GentexCorporatio Corporation (United States) among others.Report Analysis@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/rd/110114595/Military-Personal-Protective-Equipment-Market Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Naval Artillery System Market" report to their offering Future Market insights PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 14:25:19 Press Information Future Market insight Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Website: www.futuremarketinsights.com Abhishek Bhudholia MANAGER 8455795705 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 970 Words 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: www.futuremarketinsights.comMANAGER8455795705 The naval artillery system market is undergoing radical changes with recent developments in technologies. As adopting a naval artillery system leads to strengthening the operational capacities of defense systems of a country, the naval artillery system market is likely grow at a rapid pace. With a mounting number of nations investing in upgrading the naval defense system, naval artillery system sales are expected to surge in the upcoming years. Leading stakeholders in the naval artillery system market are developing highly advanced features of naval artillery systems to boost the profitable growth in the market. Naval artillery system developers are focusing on enhancing salient features of naval artillery systems such as weapon system compatibility, precision, effectiveness against mobile objects, and weather compatibility, to attain higher sales in the coming future.Leading stakeholders in the naval artillery system market are introducing advanced features of naval artillery systems depending on the requirements for short, medium, or long range of naval artillery systems. Additionally, the compliance with time and cost requirements remain another prime concern for manufacturers and distributors in the naval artillery system market. Offering advanced features, such as precision in navigation without GPS, increasing the rate of fire, and mitigating crew fatigue, is becoming a popular trend in the naval artillery system market. As accuracy, precision, stability, and efficiency remain the most important factors affecting the fire power of naval artillery systems, these factors are likely to remain instrumental in redefining the growth prospects of the naval artillery system market in the upcoming years.Naval Artillery System Market: IntroductionThe naval artillery system is an advanced weaponry system which are specially used by the naval ships to support the land force with back up fire power or fire from long range. The naval warship are using this kind of defense system so that they prepared for any war like situation. This type of defense system are the most destructive and are gaining popularity in all the defense sectors of prominent nations in the global market. The digitalization has brought profound changes in the well settled areas of weapons technology and the naval artillery is no exception. In current scenario with the digital technology penetrating into navigation system in self-propelled artillery and guides rounds from naval artilleries the market for the naval artillery system is expected to gain noteworthy prominence. The naval artillery system is a weaponry system planned and installed to provide sustainable and high volume fire in support of amphibious actions and the joint land battle. Naval Artillery System is fully integrated defense system that has a guns system which are installed on the warship and can fire many round per minute and the accuracy for hitting the target is exceptional as most the them uses GPS co-ordinates. The most important driver for the naval artillery system is the potential backup with a limited ammunition load, operational reliability and relatively lower combat stability.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-6494 Naval Artillery System Market Dynamics:The growth of the naval artillery system depends on the nation economy and the amount of investment a country is doing for upgrading their naval defense system in the global market. Some of the prominent driving factors for the growth of global naval artillery system are sustained effect on target areas and ships, less time of reaction and least possible time of handling and engagement of coastal targets against clutter background and in a heavy jamming environment. These promising factors make the naval artillery system very attractive among the end users in the global market. Additionally, the growing spending and investment of several countries on their naval defense is estimated to propel the demand of the naval artillery systems over the forecast period.Naval artillery system market has a lot of potential in the research, innovation and development and it is coming with new ideas to elevate itself in the near future. Some of the prominent countries in the global market, are focused to develop advanced naval artillery system which can directly target the destruction areas. The naval artillery system market has been emerging from a lot of time and has become the necessity in the naval defense sector and for the protection against international terrorism activities. The demand to increase the national naval armory with more advanced weapons and ammunitions by the government authorities has made the naval artillery system market in great demand and this market will grow even more rapidly in the future. The market for the naval artillery system will remain healthier in coming period as this component has been gaining popularity in all the developing economies.Naval Artillery System Market segmentation:By Product type, the Naval Artillery System market can be segmented into:Naval ArtilleryCoastal ArtillerySubmarine ArtilleryBy Range, the Naval Artillery System market can be segmented into:Short RangeMedium RangeLong RangeBy Artillery Type, the Naval Artillery System market can be segmented into:HowitzerMortarAnti-airRocketOthersNaval Artillery System Market Regional Outlook:Naval artillery system Module can be divided into seven specific geographical regions/divisions such as North America, Latin America, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan, Middle East and Africa. The North America and the European regions have greater spending on their naval defense and national security sectors that has led to the boom of Battlefield Simulation System in the developed nations. The Asian massive countries like India and China which are leaders in APAC market are expected to grow greater in the Naval Artillery System market in the coming yearsNaval Artillery System Market: Market ParticipantsExamples of some market participants in the Naval Artillery System market are:Alliant TechsystemsGeneral Dynamics CorpNORINCO GROUPNexterMandus GroupRheinmetall DefenceBAE SystemsZavod imeni Stalina (ZiS)Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-6494 PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 15:05:07 Press Information Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 601 Words Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 Antenna transducers are the devices that are used to convert the radio frequency fields into alternating current and vice versa. Antenna transducer comprise of three components a receiving antenna, a transducer and a transmitting antenna. Transmitting antenna generates the radio frequency field that is transferred to receiving antenna which converts these radio frequency field in to alternating current by using transducer. To prevent gradual loss in transmitting signals due to weather change radome a structure built around the antenna is used.Request Report Sample@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1909 Antenna Transducer and Radome Market: Drivers and RestraintRise in demand of surveillance & satellite communication system due to increase in terrorist activities across the world, integration of different technologies due to joint ventures among key players are the major factors driving growth of the antenna transducer and radome market. Also increasing application of antenna transducer in air traffic control and weather change tracking is expect to fuel growth of the market over the forecast period. However, high cost related to maintenance, manufacturing and setup of the system, requirement of highly skilled & experienced manpower are some of the key challenges for the antenna transducer and Radome market.Antenna Transducer and Radome market: SegmentationAntenna Transducer and Radome market can be segmented into components, technology, and applications. On the basis of components, the antenna transducer & Radome market can be segmented into antenna, transducer and Radome. Among previously mentioned segments, antenna is the dominant segment owing to wide range of applications and its capability to integrate with different technologies. The technology segment includes radar and sonar. Radar systems are used to detect the position and movement of the object by using ultra high frequency or radio frequency waves. Radars are widely used in air traffic control, defence system and ocean surveillance systems. Sonar is used to detect the position and movement of underwater objects by using sound waves. On the basis of applications the antenna transducer and radome market can be segmented into aerospace and military.Antenna Transducer and Radome Market: Region wise outlookThe Antenna transducer and radome market covers seven key regions namely North America, Latin America, East Europe, West Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan, Japan and Middle East & Africa. North America was the dominant regional market in terms of value in 2015. This is mainly attributed to increasing defence budget in the region by U.S. and Canada government. However, APEJ antenna and radome market is expected to expand at a significant CAGR over the forecast period. Increasing government spending modernisation of military is the major factor fuelling growth of the market in the region.Increase in demand for commercial and military aircrafts especially in Europe is providing the favourable opportunity for major vendors to foray into the region. In terms of revenue, UK, France and Germany are the major shareholders of antenna transducer and Radome market in this Europe.Request For Table Of Content @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-1909 Antenna Transducer and Radome Market: Key PlayersMajor players identified in the antenna transducer and radome market are Exelis Inc. (US), Thales group (France), Cobham plc. (UK), Lockheed Martin Corporation (US), BAE systems(UK), General Dynamics Corporation (US), Raytheon Company (US),Northrop Grumman Corporation(US), L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. (US), Leonardo-Finmeccanica (Italy). Key players operating in the market are focused towards entering into long-term contracts with ministry of defence and military in established and emerging markets. For instance, 2014, Thales group signed five-year contract with UKs Ministry of defence. The motive behind this contract is to offer latter support for Sonar 2050 system used on the Royal Navys Type 23 frigate fleet. PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 17:05:16 Press Information Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: abhishek.b@futuremarketinsights.com FMI Blog: https://www.fmiblog.com/ Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Blog: http:// Abhishek Bhudholiya Manager +1-347-918-3531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 706 Words 616 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.futuremarketinsights.comBlog: http://Manager+1-347-918-3531 Cosmetic plastic surgery is commonly used these days, as it helps to restore the youthful appearance. It includes both surgical and nonsurgical procedure to enhance and reshape structures of the body to improve appearance and self-confidence. Candidates for cosmetic procedures include healthy individuals with a positive outlook and realistic expectations. Several advanced techniques have been introduced in the market to offer non-surgical aesthetics enhancement procedures to restore the youthful appearance of the human face. Non-surgical aesthetics is done through non-invasive or minimally invasive cosmetic treatments such non-hyaluronic acid dermal fillers to restore skin elasticity and help maintain the youthful appearance in the face and neck region. Non-hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers are of various types such as calcium hydroxylapatite, polyalkylimide, polylactic acid, polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (PMMA). These are used to treat facial wrinkles, and some of the new fillers exert a stimulatory effect, restoring volume in focal areas of the face by inducing collagen fibers. Some fillers are biodegradable (12-18 months), others slowly biodegradable (2-5 years), whereas others are permanent implants.Non-Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Filler Infection Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe primary factors fuelling demand for non-hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are rising demand for surgico-medical cosmetic procedures, changing demand pattern for less painful treatments among consumers. Beside that preference of dermatologist for non-surgical treatment and increased offering for non-hyaluronic acid dermal fillers by the market leader will upsurge the growth of this market. This greater advertising with glossy magazines and hoarding by leading manufacturers and distributors will lead to awareness of people regarding aesthetics products which will ultimately boost the growth of non-hyaluronic acid dermal fillers market. However, primary factors hampering the growth of non-hyaluronic acid dermal fillers market are improper training to professionals and the high cost of physician services for a procedure. Reimbursement option for minimally invasive treatments and procedures is unavailable, which is a factor hampering demand for such procedures and services.A Sample Of This Report Is Available Upon Request @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5144 Non-Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Filler Market: SegmentationThe global non-hyaluronic acid dermal filler market is classified on the basis of product type, application and geographic region.Based on product type, non-hyaluronic acid dermal filler market is segmented into following:CollagenHydroxylapatitePolylactic AcidPolyalkylimidePolymethyl-Methacrylate MicrospheresBased on application, non-hyaluronic acid dermal filler market is segmented into following:Aesthetic Volume RestorationWrinkle ReductionNon-Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Filler Market: OverviewThe non-hyaluronic acid dermal filler market is expected show significant growth over the forecast period. By product type, collagen and hydroxylapatite collectively constitute for major market share due to increasing number of non-surgical procedures. By application, both aesthetic volume restoration and wrinkle reduction will equally dominate the value share for non-hyaluronic acid dermal filler market. Leading manufacturers of non-hyaluronic acid dermal filler are focusing on co-promotions and co-marketing strategies to expand commercial presence. Regional and local market players entering into expansionary distribution agreements within with dermatologists for enhancing the sales non-hyaluronic acid dermal filler and forming strategic collaborations with international players in key target countries such as Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and UAE.Non-Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Filler Market: Regional OverviewBased on geographic region non-hyaluronic acid dermal filler market is classified into seven key regions, North, America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, APEJ, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America dominates the market value share for non-hyaluronic acid dermal filler due to increasing procedures for non-hyaluronic based dermal fillers. The Western Europe market is expected to account for the second largest market value share owing continuous product launch by regional players. APEJ region is the fastest growing marketplace for non-hyaluronic acid dermal filler due to rising medical tourism for aesthetic procedures in the ASEAN countries. MEA and Latin America are the least market share by value due lack of availability of skilled professionals in this region.Read Comprehensive Overview with Methodology of Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5144 Non-Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Filler Market: Key PlayersExamples of some of the market participants in Non-Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Filler market identified across the value chain include Allergan, Inc. Galderma SA, Merz Pharma GmbH & Co. KGaA, Suneva Medical Inc., Specialty European Pharma, Sinclair Pharma, Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., LifeCell Corporation, Dr. Korman Laboratories Ltd., ForeverInject International Holdings Co. Limited. Some of the players identified in global patient recliners market include Stryker Corporation, Medline Industries Inc., Regency Healthcare, Steelcase Inc., Krueger International (KI), Sauder MFG Co., Nemschoff, Inc., HERDEGEN, J.D. Honigberg International, Inc., DeVilbiss Healthcare, Krug Inc. etc. among others. Patient Recliners Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 13:25:33 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 # 694 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 Patient recliner is the important furniture staple of the patient rooms and becoming common in hospitals, patient examination areas, physicians office and therapy centers. These patient recliners or recliner chairs provide many benefits for short-term as well as long-term patients. Patient recliners maximize patient comfort. Patient recliners come in variety of sizes and functions including deep recline, adjustable suspension, Patients now a days seek for comfort and patient recliners fulfill all these needs along with saving space. These patient recliners also provide stress reduction and improvement of blood circulation.in the legs and feet. Variety of patient recliners available today in market place provide different features such as posture-correct lumbar and lateral cushioning, wire-spring construction for easy suspension, anti-bacterial easy cleaning polyvinyl cushioning, etc.The design of patient recliner used today was first developed and used by La-Z-Boy, but, the design was bulky and somewhat complicated. Despite of this, the design became dominant and is being used in majority of patient or medical recliners available today and has shown a little evolution. Functional challenges were due to bulky arms and footprint which was solved after the introduction of Nemschoffs award winning patient recliner AVA, which has significantly smaller footprint and less bulky arms. Moreover, recent advances in the patient recliner design has made the side transfer from recliner to wheelchair, bed or other patient transfer devices.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5523 Patient Recliners Market: Drivers and RestraintsExpanding aging population and demand from demographics are the major factors driving the growth of patient recliners market over the forecast period. Technological advancements and enhanced functionality of modern patient recliners would significantly drive the demand for patient recliners over the forecast period. For instance ergonomically mapped patient recliners designed to relieve pressure are widely getting adopted in the U.S. However, most of the patient recliners sold today have a very large footprint and thus are hard to move despite they are equipped with casters. Moreover, aesthetic and functional issues are limiting the widespread adoption of patient recliners. These are the major factors expected to limit the growth of global patient recliners market over the forecast period of 20172027.Patient Recliners Market: SegmentationTentatively, global patient recliners market has been segmented on the basis of indication/application, end user, and geographyBased on indication/application, global patient recliners market is segmented as below:Cardiac Care ReclinersBariatric ReclinersPatient Room/Lounge ReclinersOthersBased on end user, global patient recliners market is segmented as below:HospitalsClinicsDialysis CentersNursing HomesHome Care SettingsOther Healthcare FacilitiesPatient Recliners Market: OverviewIncreased safety for both patients as well as caregivers is the prime advantage of patient recliners. The global market for patient recliners is expected to witness steady and continuous growth over the forecast period of 20172027 due to growing number of private as well as public healthcare facilities across the globe. Adoption of patient recliners in home care settings is expected to increase with increasing disposable income and improving standard of living in both matured as well as emerging markets. Some of the popular brands of patient recliners are Jordan Active Patient Recliner (Krug Inc.), Ava, Serenity (Nemschoff), Accord Wieland, versant (Sauder MFG Co.), Affina, Perth, Soltice (KI), Symmetry Plus (Stryker) etc. among others.Patient Recliners Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, global patient recliners market is classified into regions viz. North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America clearly dominates the global patient recliners market due to highest standard of healthcare. Europe is expected to be the second largest market for patient recliners due to more number of key players operating in the region. Asia Pacific patient recliners market is expected witness considerable growth rate due to rapid acceptance of these products by growing aging population.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5523 Endoscopic Closure Systems Market: Key PlayersSome of the players identified in global patient recliners market include Stryker Corporation, Medline Industries Inc., Regency Healthcare, Steelcase Inc., Krueger International (KI), Sauder MFG Co., Nemschoff, Inc., HERDEGEN, J.D. Honigberg International, Inc., DeVilbiss Healthcare, Krug Inc. etc. among others. Future Market Insights has announced the addition of the Portable Loading Ramps Market " report to their offering Future Market insights PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 14:43:53 Press Information Future Market insight Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Website: www.futuremarketinsights.com Abhishek Bhudholia MANAGER 8455795705 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ # 737 Words 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: www.futuremarketinsights.comMANAGER8455795705 Portable Loading Ramps Market: Introduction:Portable loading ramps are designed for the levelling of surfaces or bridging the vertical gap between forklifts & rail cars, containers and tractor-trailers to load or unload products or materials. Some of the features of portable loading ramps include easy access to reefers, trailer-vans, containers on step decks, flatbeds and chassis at various heights. In addition, they are completely free-standing and integrated with removable rub rails to provide end users the ability to connect multiple platforms or ramps together at one go as well as a steel serrated bar grating surface for optimal traction in all weather conditions.This self-standing yard ramp that showcases massive front safety legs mimics the permanent dock performance when added to any leased facility, worksite or parking lot. Portable loading ramps are considerably used in retail operations, warehousing, distribution centres, airports, commercial operations, repair shops and light & heavy industries, among others. The diversified applications of portable loading ramps can be attributed to the benefits offered by them, which include little to no downtime, maintenance-free mobile ramp designs, fast & efficient installation and quick set-up.Portable Loading Ramps Market: Dynamics:Portable loading ramps increase the overall efficiency of any warehouse environment and provide relatively higher safety & convenience as compared to standard ramps at a much more economical price. Furthermore, portable loading ramps offer easy storage, transportation and optimum positioning inside as well as outside the facility with height adjustments. In addition, portable loading ramps assist in reducing costs owing to the usage of a single equipment across various locations as compared to separate ramps for different locations. Moreover, owing to the ease of movement and usage of portable loading ramps, semi-skilled labour is required to operate these vehicles. These factors help reduce the time required for loading and unloading.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-7486 However, the low maintenance requirement and long life span (20 25 years) of portable loading ramps has resulted in the low substitution of portable loading ramps. Furthermore, strong collaborations between the distributors and suppliers is likely to result in the usage of shared warehouses, which is likely to reduce the number of warehouses and fulfilment centres. These factors are likely to hamper the growth of the global portable loading ramps market. Moreover, the growing trend of the renting of portable loading ramps in emerging economies is estimated to hinder the growth of the global portable loading ramps market during the forecast period.Portable Loading Ramps Market: Segmentation:The global portable loading ramps market can be segmented into product type, application, capacity and region.On the basis of product type, the global portable loading ramps market is segmented into:HydraulicPneumaticOn the basis of application, the global portable loading ramps market is segmented into:WarehouseDistribution CentresRetail OperationsCommercial OperationsLight IndustriesHeavy IndustriesOthersOn the basis of capacity, the global portable loading ramps market is segmented into:Upto 10,000 LBS10,000 20,000 LBS20,000 30,000 LBSAbove 30,000 LBSPortable Loading Ramps Market: Regional Outlook:Europe is estimated to account for a dominant share of the global portable loading ramps market owing to stringent government regulations by the European Commission for material handling. The production facilities of prominent car manufacturers & automotive component supplier warehouses as well as the presence of a large retailing industry are among factors contributing to the prominent share of the region in the global portable loading ramps market over the forecast period. Growing awareness related to the safety of workers, efficient operations and lowering the lead time are among other factors expected to drive the North America portable loading ramps market over the forecast period.Owing to growth in the automotive and construction industries in countries, such as India, ASEAN, China, and Japan, Asia Pacific is projected to witness an increase in the number of new warehouses, distribution centres and retailer centres, among others, which is expected to fuel the growth of the global portable loading ramps market in the region. The Latin America and Middle East & Africa regions are likely to witness growth in end-use industries due to an increase in the number of warehouses that demand portable loading ramps.Portable Loading Ramps Market: Market Participants:Some of the market participants in the global portable loading ramps market are:Dura-rampHandi-RampMarshall Industrial Inc.Bluff ManufacturingNation RampsDOCKZILLA CO.TVH Group NVThorworld Industries Ltd.AltamQuality Material Handling, Inc.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-7486 PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 08:54:17 Press Information Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,, Abhishek Budholiya Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 658 Words 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,,Manager3479183531Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 Purging compounds are resins-based products used for thermoplastic processing applications. The plastic processing process has encountered a number of challenges including color changes, material changes, carbon deposition, and teardown, which significantly impacts the overall performance. Purging compounds are used to improve the operational efficiency of various polymer processing applications and reduce the machine downtime, raw material consumption and cost. Purging compounds are used to remove carbon deposition and scrap reduction in thermoplastic processors, screws, tools and other machine assemblies. The polymers that require the need for purging compounds are polyolefin, polypropylene, polyethylene and other high temperature resins. Purging compounds are used as mechanical or chemical agents. The chemical agents are regarded as more useful as compared to mechanical agents, as in some cases the later may affect the surface finish of the material/system. Purging compounds effectively remove the color, residue and other contaminants from an equipment.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-6168 Global Purging Compounds Market: DynamicsDriversPurging compounds are regarded as an effective alternative as compared to the conventional low-performance high-cost resins. Unlike resins, purging compounds do not require specific temperature or any other technical constraints. The product is easy to use, economic and has been very efficient in scrap removal.When the resin is introduced in a molding machine, the barrel, screw, nozzle, mold and die must be free from contaminants or black specks. Purging compounds have led to reduction in material change, color change, and reduced defects such as black specks, which might cause the part to get rejected. The increasing concern to reduce the machine downtime, raw material wastage as well as lowering the cleaning costs have increased the demand for purging compounds, and driving the global purging compounds market.RestraintsOne of the major challenges faced by the global purging compounds market is the high cost associated with the use of these compounds. The use of purging compounds with resins increases the overall operational cost of the system, which is also a major challenge for its implementation across many sectors.TrendsThe global purging compounds market is a fragmented market with a number of local or regional players. Therefore, the manufacturers are particularly focusing on the manufacturing these compounds, as they leave minimum residue.Global Purging Compounds Market: SegmentationThe global purging compounds market can be segmented based on form, type and region.On the basis of type, the global purging compounds market can be segmented as:Mechanical/physical meansChemicalOn the basis of form, the global purging compounds market can be segmented as:LiquidPelletsOn the basis of application, the global purging compounds market can be segmented as:Injection moldingExtrusionBlow moldingOthersOn the basis of polymer type, the global purging compounds market can be segmented as:PolyolefinsPolypropylenePolyethyleneOthersGlobal Purging Compounds Market: Regional OutlookThe global market for purging compounds is expected to be dominated by the Asia Pacific region. This is attributed to the large base of polymer processing industries in the region. The rapid growth of industries, such as automotive, machinery, polymer and petrochemical, is also expected to drive the demand for purging compounds in Asia Pacific. North America and Europe are also projected to hold significant share in the global purging compounds market. Regions such as Latin America and the Middle East are estimated to remain low volumehigh growth regions and are anticipated to expand significantly over the forecast period. This is attributed to the rising investments in the regions in various sectors, such as polymer processing, automotive, and petrochemicals, among others. Japan is projected to witness stagnant growth over the forecast period.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-6168 Global Purging Compounds Market: Key ParticipantsExamples of some of the key participants identified across the value chain of the global purging compounds market are:The Dow Chemical CompanyClariant AGAsahi Kasei CorporationChem-Trend L.P.Dyna-Purge Research Report Insights PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 05:34:15 Press Information Research Report Insights Research Report Insights 42 joseph street, Portcarling P0B 1J0, Muskoka, Ontario T: +1-631-721-4201 Vikas Bahurupi Manager 6317214201 email https://www.researchreportinsights.com # 691 Words Research Report Insights42 joseph street,Portcarling P0B 1J0,Muskoka, OntarioT: +1-631-721-4201Manager6317214201 The global forage seed market is expected to witness a stable growth during the forecast period. Owing to, increasing demand for forage feed from various agricultural farms and livestock farms the demand for forage seed is expected to increase throughout the forecast period. In addition, increasing number of poultry birds and cattle is also expected to boost the demand for forage feed. Increasing global meat consumption and demand for dairy products are also fueling the demand for forage seed. Livestock farmers in order to improve productivity are focusing on good quality of forage goods in order to meet changing customer requirements. The scope of the global forage seed market also provides an insight into value (USD Million) and volume (Kilo Tons) of forage seeds across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of the world.Forage feed manufacturers use legumes and grass seeds to plant pastures and hayfields. Based on product types, the forage seed market is categorized into alfalfa, clover, chicory, ryegrass, lablab, and fescue among others. Increasing meat consumption is one of the major factors driving the demand for forage seeds globally. Nowadays, consumers are very health conscious, and they prefer to consume organic food and meat products. To meet consumer requirements, producers are focusing on using high-yielding forage crops for feeding livestock instead of using additives and crop protection chemical products in forage crop production. Forage feed producers prefer to avoid additives and crop protection chemical products in forage crop production. Owing to these factors, the demand for forage seeds is expected to boost the demand for forage seed in the forecast period.Request For Report Sample with Table of Contents@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/sample/110114592/Forage-Seed-Market In addition, high yielding, forage seeds also help agricultural producers in crop rotation and risk diversification by enhancing the soil quality. These forage seeds are used for feeding livestock including poultry, cattle, swine, and aquaculture animals. Farmers prefer to use forage seeds for feeding purpose, as these are available at lower prices and cultivation of these seeds generates some economic benefits such as crop rotation, risk diversification, and improve soil structure and prevention of soil erosion.The global forage seed market, by livestock type is segmented into poultry farms, cattle farms, pork or swine farms among others. Due to increasing demand for poultry meat and eggs, poultry farms are focusing on providing good forages to the poultry birds that increases the demand for forage seeds. In addition, the growing dairy industry is further contributing to the growth of forage crops that helps to increase the demand for forage seeds. Increasing livestock size helps to increase the demand for forage seed that are used for animal feeding.In this report, the market has been segmented into by product type, by livestock type and by geography. It also includes the drivers, restraints and opportunities (DROs), and supply chain of the forage seed market. The study highlights current market trends and provides the forecast from 2014 to 2020. We have also covered the current market scenario for forage seeds and highlighted its future trends that will affect the demand for forage seed.Request For Report Discount@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/discount/110114592/Forage-Seed-Market By geography, the market has been segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and RoW. The present market size and forecast till 2020 have been provided in the report.Geographically, the U.S. in North America is expected to experience robust growth in the coming years followed by France and China in Europe and Asia Pacific respectively. Currently, the market for forage seed in India and China are comparatively smaller as compared to other countries, but the forage seed market is expected to witness a decent growth in forecast period with a high CAGR growth rate.The report also analyzes different factors influencing and inhibiting the growth of the forage seed market. The market attractiveness analysis provided in the report highlights key investing areas in this industry. The report will help the agricultural and livestock farmers, suppliers and distributors to understand the present and future trends in this market and formulate their business strategies accordinglyReport Analysis@ https://www.researchreportinsights.com/report/rd/110114592/Forage-Seed-Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 08:44:46 Press Information Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,, Abhishek Budholiya Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 636 Words 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,,Manager3479183531Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 Abrasives are hard materials which can withstand any damage when rubbed with any other surface. Abrasives can be segmented into two types: natural and synthetic abrasives. Synthetic abrasives are materials which are synthetically manufactured for the purpose of abrasion. Synthetic abrasives include synthetic diamond, boron nitride (cubic), boron carbide, silicon carbide, alumina and other ceramics. Synthetic abrasives are used in grinding, forming, drilling, shaping, finishing, boring, cutting and other industrial processes. These abrasives can be used in block or powdered form to manufacture various tools. That apart, these abrasives are also used as a coating material during the manufacturing of industrial tools. The choice of abrasive material depends on the application object. The strength of the object decides the selection of the synthetic abrasives. The synthetic abrasive used must be stronger than the object on which it is going to be used. Various developments in material technologies are pushing the demand for synthetic abrasives in different applications.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-8429 Global Synthetic Abrasives Market DynamicsMarket DriversIncreasing construction activities to cater to the growing demand from the ever-growing population are pushing the demand for synthetic abrasives from the construction industry. New technologies have been developed for the manufacturing of hard and strong synthetic abrasives in recent years. The demand for customized products as per the requirement is further pushing the development of synthetic abrasives. Industrial growth in emerging regions is also accelerating the growth of the concerned market at a good rate. New combinations of materials are being tried and tested by manufacturers for better and effective results. Growing application industries and development of new synthetic abrasives is also expected to push the growth of the market during the forecast period.Market RestraintsSufficient availability of natural abrasives will create a setback for the concerned market. That apart, the high cost of synthetic abrasives is another big challenge for abrasives manufacturers.Abrasives Market TrendsAs synthetic abrasives offer better quality and high performance, they are replacing natural abrasives in many applications. New product developments and customized solutions for various applications have been observed in the synthetic abrasives market.Global Market SegmentationThe global Synthetic abrasives market can be segmented by material type, end use industry and region.On the basis of material type, the global market can be segmented as:Synthetic DiamondBoron Nitride (cubic)Boron CarbideSilicon CarbideAluminaOther CeramicsOn the basis of applications, the global market can be segmented as:GrindingFormingDrillingShapingFinishingBoringCuttingOn the basis of end use industry, the global market can be segmented as:Automobile IndustryOEMMetal FabricationElectrical & ElectronicsOther IndustrialGlobal Market: Regional OutlookIncreasing opportunities from growing economies, such as China and other Asian countries, are pushing the demand for synthetic abrasives. Increasing demand for automation in various industries is another factor driving the growth of the synthetic abrasives market. The Asia Pacific is expected to account for the largest share in the global market. Growing spending power in the countries including India and China is pushing the demand for synthetic abrasives from end use applications. North America accounts for the second largest share in terms of the demand for the synthetic abrasive, and is also expected to grow with a significant growth. Decreasing industrial production and sluggish market in the Europe, is expected to be the reason for the slow growth in the demand for the synthetic abrasives market in Europe. New developments in Middle East and Africa and Latin America are driving the synthetic abrasives market in the respective regions.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-8429 Global Synthetic Abrasives Market ParticipantsSome of the market participants identified across the value chain of global synthetic abrasives market are:DuPontSolvayCarborundum Universal Ltd.Saint-Gobain PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 08:54:10 Press Information Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,, Abhishek Budholiya Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 646 Words 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,,Manager3479183531Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 A bobbin is the structure on which the wire is coiled around to form the transformer. A transformer bobbin serves as a termination & winding platform for the transformer. It channels & supports the winding as well as provides a connection method. Every bobbin is designed with a specific core shape and the core could be ferrite, tape wound or stacked laminations.Transformer bobbins are made of thermoplastic materials, such as unfilled nylon, glass filled nylon, glass filled thermoplastic polyester, polyphenylene sulfide and liquid crystal polymer and thermosetting materials, such as diallyl phthalate, phenolic resin and thermosetting plaster. The selection criteria of the material is based on several criteria, such as thermal properties, physical properties, electrical conductivity, flammability, dimensional tolerance, temperature limitation and termination or soldering method.Usually, there are three types of transformer bobbins, namely vertical transformer bobbins (used where the board surface area is limited), horizontal transformer bobbins (used where the board surface area is sufficient but the vertical height is limited) and transform bobbins with quick disconnected terminals or flat solders (for standard for non-printed circuit board application). Transformer bobbins are considered as a requisite in the electrical Industry.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-6291 Transformer Bobbin Market: DynamicsThe transformer market has witnessed strong growth over the years due to the broadly regulated electricity market around the globe. Breakneck expansion of transformers in order to serve the rising demand for energy, coupled with increasing investments by governments of all regions, will boost the business landscape. The transformer bobbin market and the transformer market run parallel to each other. The transformer market is expected to grow with a healthy CAGR and it is primarily driven by the increasing demand for electricity.One of the trends identified in the transformer bobbin market is bobbins without terminals. They allow direct soldering of the wires to the magnet, which lowers the cost and increases output and thus, drives the transformer bobbin market to a great extent. Another trend in the transformer bobbin market is the multi-sectional horizontal type bobbin, which provides board space and the multiple winding property and subsequently, reduces the overall cost and improves efficiency. Hence, it is frequently used in transformers, giving a sizable hike to the transformer bobbin market.Some manufacturers prefer open-end winding with insulation between the copper wires over transformer bobbins. This restrains on the transformer bobbin market.Transformer Bobbin Market: SegmentationOn the basis of bobbin geometry, the transformer bobbin market can be segmented as follow:Bobbin window widthBobbin window heightOn the basis of bobbin material, the transformer bobbin market can be segmented as follow:ThermoplasticThermosetOn the basis of product type, the transformer bobbin market can be segmented as follow:Vertical Transformer bobbinsHorizontal Transformer bobbinsTransform bobbins with quick disconnected terminals or flat soldersOn the basis of end use industry, the transformer bobbin market can be segmented as follow:TransportationAutomotiveRailwaysMarineAerospaceIndustrial Machinery & EquipmentMedical DevicesMiningEnergyPower generation & distributionOil & gasTransformer Bobbin Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, Asia Pacific is expected to hold a major share in the transformer bobbin market. Attributing to the rising number of transformer bobbin manufacturers in countries such as India and China, Asia Pacific is estimated to maintain its dominant position in the transformer bobbin market over the forecast period. North America is next in the run due to the rise in energy consumption and increasing investments by governments in various electrical infrastructure programs and projects. Europe and MEA account for a sizable share in the bobbin market, owing to the ongoing technological enhancement in developing economies, such as Iran and Saudi Arabia.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-6291 Transformer Bobbin Market: Market ParticipantsExamples of some of market participants identified in the transformer bobbin market are:Stimple & Ward CompanyCosmo corporationHubbell PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 08:44:52 Press Information Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,, Abhishek Budholiya Manager 3479183531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ Published by Abhishek Budholiya +1-347-918-3531 e-mail http://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 612 Words 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,,Manager3479183531Abhishek Budholiya+1-347-918-3531 Vertical turbine pumps are classified as a type of centrifugal pump. In vertical turbine pumps, motor is located above the ground level and is connected to the impellers at the bottom of the pump via vertical shaft. These pumps are generally driven by a diesel engine or by an AC electric induction motor. Vertical turbine pumps are usually used where submersible pump cannot be used. Vertical turbine pumps are also known by deep well turbine pumps. The usage of vertical turbine pumps is mostly found in wide range of municipal, agricultural, and industrial applications. Moreover, vertical turbine pumps are highly versatile & adaptable in terms of location and pump length. The higher advantages offered by the vertical turbine pumps compared to its drawbacks is driving the market growth. This growth is expected to be higher in the future owing to growing expenditure by the government of various countries on the agriculture sector. Furthermore, the market is projected to grow with a decent pace in the future. As the life span is higher making the replacement rate of the vertical turbine pumps very low.Global Vertical Turbine Pumps Market: DynamicsGrowing investments in infrastructure development activities coupled with rising demand for wastewater treatment plants in developing regions such as Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa is driving the global market for vertical turbine pumps. Moreover the higher advantages offered by vertical turbine pumps compared to other pumps is also making it more popular across the globe. Additionally, the higher preference of vertical turbine pumps also due to low priming issues owing to the impellers already submerged in liquid.Request For Report Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-8444 In vertical turbine pumps, maintenance of the pump head is quite difficult. It needs a lot of headroom for its maintenance. This is the only challenge faced by the manufacturers of vertical turbine pumps across the globe.Global Vertical Turbine Pumps Market: SegmentationThe global vertical turbine pumps market can be segmented on the basis of stage, end use and region.On the basis of stage, the global vertical turbine pumps market is segmented as:Single Stage Vertical Turbine PumpsMulti-Stage Vertical Turbine PumpsOn the basis of end use, the global vertical turbine pumps market is segmented as:Agriculture & IrrigationPower GenerationOil & GasMunicipalGeneral IndustryChemicalMiningGlobal Vertical Turbine Pumps Market: Regional OutlookIn terms of demand, Asia Pacific is anticipated to dominate the global market during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the rapidly increasing population of the region. This in turn leads to the establishment of all the industries at healthy pace and hence this is going to create significant demand for vertical turbine pumps in the future. Moreover, the healthy demand for vertical agriculture turbine pumps from agriculture & irrigation end use segment of the region is expected to create healthy demand in the future. Additionally, in global vertical turbine pumps global market, Latin America & Middle East & Africa is also going to play important role owing to demand from agriculture and underground water extraction activities of the respective regions. Moreover, the market in North America and Europe is expected to grow significantly owing to presence of some of the leading manufacturers in the regions.Request For Report Table of Content (TOC): https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-8444 Global Vertical Turbine Pumps Market: Market ParticipantsThe global market for vertical turbine pumps is moderately fragmented as there are significant number of manufacturers across the globe. Although, names of some of market participants engaged in the manufacturing and sales of vertical turbine pumps are mentioned below:National Pump Company.Grundfos Pumps CorporationPentair Aurora PumpSimflo PumpProcess Systems PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 14:30:35 Press Information Future Market Insights 616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, United States T: +1-347-918-3531 F: +1-845-579-5705 Email: abhishek.b@futuremarketinsights.com FMI Blog: https://www.fmiblog.com/ Web: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com Blog: http:// Abhishek Bhudholiya Manager +1-347-918-3531 email https://www.futuremarketinsights.com # 624 Words 616 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.futuremarketinsights.comBlog: http://Manager+1-347-918-3531 X-Ray illuminator is a key element of x-ray devices. X-Ray illuminators provide a clear image of the body for the diagnosis purpose. Each x-ray illuminator include a ventilator system. With the increasing need for the diagnosis of animals demand of x-ray diagnosis for animals is also rising. These veterinary x-ray illuminators provide a clear image of animal body parts for the better diagnosis of problem faced by animals.Veterinary X-Ray Illuminators Market: Drivers and RestraintsThe global veterinary x-ray illuminators market is expected to be drive by increasing awareness among people regarding the care of companion animals. Veterinary market is flourishing over the last few years as people has become highly concerned for their animals. Rise in the trade of animals is also expected to drive the growth of veterinary x-ray illuminators market as, no one is going to buy unhealthy animal. So in order to keep the animal keep people are getting their animals regularly checked. Veterinary x-ray illuminators market is expected to growth with the rise in the number of x-ray procedures. Veterinary x-ray illuminators market is also expected to grow due to rising number of veterinary clinics and veterinary offices.Veterinary X-Ray Illuminators Market: SegmentThe global veterinary x-ray illuminators market can be segmented on the basis of product type, end user and region.On the basis of product type the global veterinary x-ray illuminators market can be segmented into:Single UnitTwo Bank UnitThree Bank UnitFour Bank UnitOn the basis of end user the global veterinary x-ray illuminators market can be segmented into:Veterinary HospitalVeterinary ClinicsVeterinary Imaging CentersVeterinary X-Ray Illuminators Market: OverviewThe global veterinary x-ray illuminators market is expected to show a significant growth over the forecast period. Rising number of healthcare infrastructure for animals is expected to drive the growth of veterinary x-ray illuminators market. With the rise in the number of veterinary clinics all over the world is also expected to drive the growth of veterinary x-ray illuminators market as rise in number of clinics will lead to the higher number of x-ray equipment installation specific to the animal diagnosis. Emotional attachment of people with companion animals is also expected to drive the growth of veterinary x-ray illuminators market. Increasing disposable income is also a factor for the growth of the veterinary x-ray illuminators market as people have large sum of money to spend on the health of animals. Veterinary hospitals segment is expected to dominate the market as these x-ray equipment require large sum of money to install and without the x-ray machine market of x-ray illuminators cannot grow.Veterinary X-Ray Illuminators Market: Region Wise OutlookThe global veterinary x-ray illuminators market can be segmented into regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific excluding Japan, Japan, and Middle East & Africa (MEA). North America is expected to dominate the global veterinary x-ray illuminators market over the forecast period followed by Europe. People in North America region has large sum of disposable income and they can spend higher amount on animal health. Number of veterinary clinics and higher awareness among people regarding the animal care is also expected to drive the growth of veterinary x-ray illuminators market. Asia Pacific region is expected to be fastest growing market for the veterinary x-ray illuminators due to increasing veterinary healthcare infrastructure and higher number of animal population in the region.Request Sample Report@ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5570 Veterinary X-Ray Illuminators Market: Key PlayersSome of the market participants in the global veterinary x-ray illuminators market are, Paragon Medical Supply, Inc., Protech Medical, DRE Veterinary, Wolf X-Ray, Easywell Technologies Co. Ltd., The Stevens Company Limited, DLC Australia, Maxant Technologies, Z&Z Medical, Inc., Apexx Veterinary Equipment and Cranford X-Ray. Geographically, global virtual companion care market is classified into regions viz. North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America clearly dominates the global virtual companion care market due to high penetration of technology and internet among elderly population. Virtual Companion Care Market PR-Inside.com: 2019-03-14 13:26:16 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 # 678 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 age of digitization, relationship between patients and care-givers or health maintenance organizations is changing rapidly as various technologies are being employed by primary and secondary users of health care services across the globe. The popularity of virtual worlds is increasing over the time and healthcare systems are thus using it for promoting healthy behavior. Virtual companion care represents an example of virtual reality that represents a virtual agent which is incorporated with an artificial conversational entity like cathbot, and can display appropriate non-verbal behavior after communicating with existing healthcare databases. Elder population can talk to them in a normal conversational tone and the virtual agent can speak back, answer questions, read news for them, etc.Many elderly people living alone at home require companionship. There are different technologies such as mobile phones and computers that can connect these elderly patients to their families however these technologies can provide only companionship as much as busy family members can do. Virtual companion care provides alternative that can be a substitute for in-person human contact and alleviate loneliness. The concept of virtual caregiving however cannot replace the human companionship although it can be viewed as a way to decrease the time for companion sessions and thus is cost saving. The cost of virtual companion care services in the U.S. is approximately US$ 200 per month. Virtual companion care services have made caring for seniors very easy and feasible.Request Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-5526 Virtual Companion Care Market: Drivers and RestraintsPrimary factors driving growth of virtual companion care market are rapidly growing geriatric population, technological advancements, penetration of technology among general population and elderly population and need for companion care services due to elder population living alone at the home. According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Ambulatory Medical Care survey, population aged over 65 in the U.S. will be doubled by 2030. Majority of elderly people may not need assistance but require companionship and thus virtual companion care is adopted by them. Even though information society is gaining importance over time elderly people are major challenge in this respect as they lack interest and knowledge of technological progress. This is expected to limit the growth of virtual companion care market.Virtual Companion Care Market: SegmentationTentatively, global virtual companion care market has been segmented on the basis of end user, and geographyBased on end user, global virtual companion care market is segmented as below:Long-term Care CentersHome Care SettingsRehabilitation CentersOld Age HomesVirtual Companion Care Market: OverviewMarket for virtual companion care is in early stage of development and majority of population in developing countries is yet to know about it. Majority of the platforms are being developed by the universities and are expected to be completed and launched over the forecast period of 20172027. Even in developed countries such as the U.S. and European countries the concept of virtual companionship is not readily adopted by the general population. Under its Eurostatrs Program, European Union is developing Naviga platform which allows elder people and persons with disability to access the internet and the information society. The platform also provides home rehabilitation physiotherapy through virtual reality applications.Virtual Companion Care Market: Regional OutlookGeographically, global virtual companion care market is classified into regions viz. North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, Japan, Middle East and Africa. North America clearly dominates the global virtual companion care market due to high penetration of technology and internet among elderly population. Europe is expected to be the second largest market due to government initiatives for providing companion care to elderly. Japan virtual companion care market is expected to witness robust growth due to number of companies working to develop virtual platforms for elderly care.Request to View TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-5526 Virtual Companion Care Market: Key PlayersSome of the players identified in global virtual companion care market include Claris Healthcare Inc., General Electric Company, AIST Japan, GeriJoy Limited, Living Assistance Services Inc. etc. The African Development Bank (AfDB) on Thursday said it would provide $25 billion (2.5 trillion shillings) over the next five years to help in the global fight against climate change. Akinwumi Adesina, the President of AfDB, said the bank currently provides 34 per cent of its overall lending portfolio to projects aiming to boost the fight against climate change. Addressing at the One Planet Summit during the 4th session of the UN Environment Assembly, Mr Adesina said there was need to create home-made financing mechanisms to enable local communities cope with climate change. Mr Adesina said the financing required to deal with climate change should come from the private sector. He said the funds should be directed toward renewable energy solutions to enable millions of people still unable to access electricity to be connected. Africa needs indigenous models to finance climate change, Mr Adesina said. He said that AfDB had created the Africa Financial Alliance for Climate Change, meant to pool financial resources towards investing on efforts to fight climate change. Mr Adesina said under the financial initiative, the bank was working with central banks to direct money to the climate change action. According to the AfDB, the central bank owns some $1.2 trillion worth of reserves which can be redirected toward renewable energy financing initiatives to help fight climate change effects. We want countries to move away from coal power and we are investing in the green load facility to help move renewable energy, Mr Adesina said. The AfDB, through its Desert-to-Power Initiative, currently seeks to produce solar energy from the Sahel region to help some 250 million people to access affordable energy. The bank aims to generate 10 gigawatts of electricity by 2025 to reach some 11 countries within the Sahel, which extends from Eritrea and Sudan in East Africa to Nigeria, Mali and Senegal in West Africa under its desert to power initiative. (Xinhua/NAN) Taiwo Oyerinde is a female firefighter in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. The 53-year-old indigene of Ogun State joined the Federal Fire Service Department immediately she left secondary school in 1986 in Lagos State, but later obtained higher educational certificates. In this interview with Premium Times Oge Udegbunam, the firefighter speaks on her career and other issues. PT: What are the challenges you face as a woman firefighter? A lot of challenge. Sometimes your work is not appreciated because you are a woman, no matter the amount of effort you put into the work. You face senior officers who look down on you because of gender. But I faced the challenges and handled them because of my passion for the job PT: How do you balance your career and family? I chose my career before my family came in, so I have to blend them. It is not easy, but I dont allow either of them to suffer. I work when duty calls and attend to my family at the right time. PT: What is your advice to young girls about their career? They should blend the family and their careers. Your career should come first but dont allow your home to suffer. As a woman, your family needs your presence. Young girls should ask for more strength from God to be women of integrity that can handle both career and family. PT: Was firefighting your dream as a child? No, it wasnt. But I found myself here, and Im enjoying it. PT: How did you feel initially in a male-dominated profession? It is always crazy. Men will always feel like heroes. But as a woman, I am bold, I know my job, and I am capable of what I am doing. These will earn you respect from men. You will become a boss like them. Walking with my head high without feeling humiliated, without feeling terrorised or feeling less has helped me all these years. I have made up my mind. There is no firewoman we are all firemen. Taiwo Oyerinde PT: How does your family feel about your profession? When my mother was alive, she said to me: Will you be able to cope? I said I would cope as long as men are there and they are doing it. My mother was always proud of me. Whenever she saw me in my uniform, she would tell people, She is my daughter. PT: Is this going to be a lifetime job? I will retire in it as a professional. Then I will continue after retirement. PT: How do you intend to continue? I want to be a fire consultant, I want to be a fire contractor. I believe it is a way I can help my community to protect and prevent them from fire hazard. I want to do it as a humanitarian service. PT: What are your most memorable moments in the job? Many memorable moments. When I was a secretary at a conference, I enjoyed it. The times when I did a good job and my boss appreciated me made me feel happy. PT: Have you ever been scared at work? No. From the beginning, I knew it was going to be part of me. Whether it is a small fire or a big fire, as a heroine, I approached it with courage. PT: Have you ever been sexually harassed? Being in a male-dominated profession, it is unavoidable. It happens, it is normal. When men desire you, as a disciplined person, you should know how to go about it. PT: Will you allow your female child to do this job? Yes, if they want to, I will advise them to do it. I will give them the support they need. PT: If you were the head of the Nigerian Fire Service, what will you have as a priority? Firstly, staff welfare, which is of great importance. New equipment in the industry, training of the trainer, and training staff both at local and international levels. The European Commission, European Parliament, and the Member States on Tuesday in Strasbourg agreed on new rules to protect whistleblowers who report breaches of EU laws. A statement by the European Commission said the new rules cover a wide reach of areas of EU laws, including anti-money laundering and corporate taxation, data protection, protection of the Unions financial interests, food and product safety and environmental protection and nuclear safety. The statement said member states are free to extend these rules to cover other areas. The Commission also encouraged them to establish comprehensive frameworks for whistleblower protection based on the same principles. Safe channels On clear reporting procedures and obligations for employers, the new rules will establish a system of safe channels for reporting both within an organisation and to public authorities. Besides, safe reporting channels rule encourages whistleblowers to report first internally, if the breach they want to reveal can be effectively addressed within their organisation and where they do not risk retaliation. They may also report directly to the competent authorities as they see fit, in light of the circumstances of the case. This is ideal if no appropriate action is taken after reporting to the authorities, or in case of imminent or manifest danger to the public interest, or where reporting to the authorities would not work. For instance, where the authorities are in collusion with the perpetrator of the crime, the new rule says whistleblowers may make a public disclosure, including to the media. This will protect whistleblowers when they act as sources for investigative journalism. To prevent retaliation and ensure effective protection, the rule says whistleblowers will be protected against dismissal, demotion and other forms of retaliation. Protective measures Also, the whistleblowers will also require from national authorities that they inform citizens about whistleblowing procedures and protection available. Whistleblowers will also be protected in judicial proceedings, the statement said. Currently, only ten EU countries (France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Slovakia, Sweden, and United Kingdom) have a comprehensive law protecting whistleblowers. WhistleBs founders, Gunilla Hadders and Karin Henriksson, described the agreement as an endorsement of everything they have worked for since it started in 2011. Ever since the beginning, we have seen our company as a European provider of whistleblowing services. That means we always ensure the service is kept fully up-to-date according to the latest data security trends and laws. Without the very strictest level of data security, it is impossible to create trust in the whistleblowing service, and this results in our customers not receiving the whistleblowing reports that are so valuable to them. The sensitive information that comes in via a whistleblowing channel must absolutely be protected, Mr Hadders said. Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality in EU, Vera Jourova, said: Dieselgate, the Panama Papers and Cambridge Analytica revelations made us realise how whistleblowers help uncover unlawful activities that damage both the public interest and our general welfare. We must support and protect the courageous people who bring illegal activities to light. I am happy that we have reached a balanced system that encourages employers to solve problems internally but also allows whistleblowers to turn to public authorities without fear of retaliation. The provisional agreement is subject to formal approval by both the European Parliament and the EU Council. The newly-appointed ministers in Sudans new government on Thursday took the constitutional oath before President Omar al-Bashir. We are convinced that this group can lead the country at this phase and bring it out of its crises, said Mr al-Bashir. Al-Bashir said this when addressing the new ministers after the oath-taking ceremony at the presidential palace. Mohamed Fatma, the Minerals Minister, expressed hope that the new government would overcome the challenges facing the country. We wish success for this new government in performing its tasks in the economic, political and social sectors, Mr Fatma said after the ceremony. He acknowledged that the task would be difficult due to the current economic challenges. On Wednesday, Al-Bashir had issued a republican decree forming a new government of 21 federal ministers and 18 state ministers. Under the decree, six ministers have kept their posts in the new government, including Minister of the Presidency, Fadul Abdalla and Minister of the Council of Ministers, Ahmed Omer; Others are Minister of Foreign Affairs, Al-Dirdiri Ahmed; Minister of Justice, Mohamed Salem; Minister of Transport, Roads and Bridges, Hatim Al-Sir and Minister of Labour and Administrative Reform, Bahar Abu-Garda. Two ministers in the previous government have shifted to new ministries, including former Information Minister Bushara Aro, who is now interior minister, and former Minister of Federal Government Bureau, Hamid Mumtaz, is now trade minister. The decree did not include the post of defence minister which is assumed by Awad Ibn-Auf, who is the Sudanese first vice-president. Mr Al-Bashir declared a state of emergency on February 22 all over Sudan for one year and dissolved the central and state governments in the wake of popular protests which erupted since last December over the deteriorating economic conditions and price hikes of basic commodities. On Monday, Sudans parliament approved the presidents declaration of the state of emergency, but reduced it to six months. (Xinhua/NAN) At least 18 Nigerians die from Tuberculosis (TB) every hour, a TB expert, Lovett Lawson, has said. Mr Lawson, the Board Chairman of Stop TB partnership Nigeria, disclosed this at a pre-World TB Day press conference in Abuja on Thursday. The World TB Day is celebrated March 24 to raise awareness about the health, social and economic consequence of the disease and to step up efforts to end TB epidemic. According to the Global TB report, the disease causes ill health for approximately 10 million people each year. Mr Lawson said Nigeria has the highest burden of the disease in Africa and the third highest burden in the world after India and Indonesia. He lamented that over 75 per cent of Nigerians with the disease are yet to be diagnosed or receive any form of treatment. This, he blamed on the lack of awareness about the disease among the communities and the social stigma attached to those diagnosed with the ailment. He said though, in recent times, Nigeria has been improving its efforts in finding the missing cases, those cases yet to be detected are more than those reported. Detecting all cases, he said, is very important because the missing cases are a risk to those who are not infected. Mr Lawson advised Nigerians who have been coughing for more than two weeks to visit health facilities because an infected person can infect 10 to 15 persons if not quickly treated. Unfortunately, despite significant progress made over the last few years, every hour, 18 Nigerians still die of TB; a disease that is preventable and curable. It is on this basis that Stop TB partnership Nigeria is working with other partners to complement the efforts of the government to end TB in Nigeria. We also want to use this opportunity to call on the president, Muhammadu Buhari, to accelerate TB response and keep the promise made on TB at the UN meeting in New York last year. The president had joined other Heads of states at the first ever UN high-level meeting in September 2018 to accelerate TB response in countries to end TB. At the event, Mr Buhari pledged his commitment to ending TB in Nigeria. In a similar vein, Adebola Lawanson, the National Coordinator of National Tuberculosis Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme, said the disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Mrs Lawanson, who was represented by Emperor Ubochioma, lamented that Nigeria still ranks among countries with the highest burden of the diseases. He said Nigeria has so far been able to detect only 25 per cent of people with the disease. With this low rate of detection, Nigeria is classified among countries with a high burden for TB, TB/HIV and MDR-TB and currently ranks sixth globally and first in Africa. Mrs Lawanson said the country contributes nine per cent to the global 3.6 million missing TB cases, coming behind only India and Indonesia with 26 per cent and 11 per cent respectively. She said an estimated 418,000 new TB cases occur in Nigeria in 2018. The country notified 104,904 (25 per cent) and 106,533 cases of TB in 2017 and 2018 respectively giving a gap of 314,712 and 319,599 cases yet to be notified respectively. This implies that a large number of TB cases are still undetected/missing thereby constituting a pool for continuous transmission of diseases in the community. He said the missing TB cases can be found among men, women and children with different forms of TB, including drug resistance TB. TB remains a major global problem. It is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and the leading cause from a single infectious agent, ranking above HIV/AIDS. In 2017, there were an estimated 1.3 million TB deaths among HIV negative people and an additional 300,000 deaths among HIV- positive people. Despite these poor indices, most death from TB can be prevented with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Millions of people are diagnosed and successfully treated for TB each year and about 54 million deaths were averted from 2000- 2017, he said. He said the major challenges identified for the high missing cases of the disease are the low case detection and low level of awareness among the populace. As a bold step in finding missing TB cases in the country, the Federal Ministry of Health in support of partners is rapidly expanding TB diagnosis and treatment services to more sites across the country. He, therefore, urged Nigerians to always visit health facilities when they have a cough for over two weeks. The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Abdullahi Mashi, said that the countrys health sector has an annual deficit running into about $10 billion (N3.06 trillion), in infrastructure gap. Mr Mashi, who was represented by Omobolanle Olowu, the Head of Public Private Partnership (PPP) at the ministry, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at the First Quarter Consultative Forum. The Forum on PPP was organised by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). Mr Mashi said with the dwindling oil price, which accounts for over 70 per cent of governments revenue, there was no way the government alone could finance the infrastructure deficit in the health sector. He, however, noted that the federal government current policy places emphasis on the private sector driving developments within the health sector, adding that this has created a favourable environment for PPPs and investment in health. The health sector has potentials for private investment and government hopes to establish private sector driven world class hospitals and diagnostic centres to reverse the direction of medical tourism to Nigeria. This is the right time and opportunity for the health sector to showcase its potentials as a business sector, rather than just being a social sector, Mr Mashi said. He said the ministry plans to rehabilitate teaching hospitals, develop solar photovoltaic systems, install temperature scanning machines at the countrys entry point, using a PPP framework. The permanent secretary also revealed the federal governments plan to build the Abuja Medical City, which would be a one-stop-shop for first class medical services in the country, through the Public Private Partnership. Also, the Director-General, ICRC, Chidi Izuwah said the commission is presently working to simplify the PPP process, so that more Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government can use the model for their capital projects. In line with the ease-of-doing business initiative of the government, we have removed the requirement of presenting the Outline Business Case Compliance Certificates to FEC, before proceeding to the PPP procurement process. This has immensely improved the PPP delivery process by reducing the duration of the transaction, which has been a major complaint of many stakeholders. We are also working with the Federal Ministry of Justice to conclude on a template PPP agreement, which will also improve the time it takes for a PPP transaction to be concluded, he said. Mr Izuwah stated that Nigeria has been invited to become a member of the World Association of PPP, which is a global network of infrastructure agencies, private sector companies and PPP professionals. He said Nigerias admission will open the country to more investment opportunities and partnerships, while improving on critical infrastructure. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Chairman of Nisa Premier Hospital, Ibrahim Wada, made a presentation on the successful partnership with the federal government to improve healthcare delivery at Garki General Hospital. Also, the Executive Director, Mainstream Energy Solution, Siraj Abdullahi briefed the forum on what the company had done to improve the Kainji/Jebba Hydro Power Plant since its concessionaire. (NAN) Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) members not to relax or take anything for granted ahead of the March 23 governorship election rerun in some states. Mr Osinbajo communicated this while addressing party faithful at the PMB/PYO Volunteers Appreciation Dinner at the State House Banquet Hall on Thursday in Abuja. INEC has fixed March 23 for supplementary elections in Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Kano, Plateau and Sokoto states where governorship elections were declared inconclusive. He thanked the volunteers for their commitment and trust, saying that with the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria was on course for greatest. (I) believe that with your support our country will continue to move forward; everything we want for our country will be done, and by the grace of God, every one of the Presidents projects will be done. Our economy will turn around and we will see prosperity in this great nation. Let me just say that we are still not done with elections. On March 23, we still have some outstanding states; as you know, there are rerun elections in about six states. And we still need to put efforts in those six states. We cannot afford to slack up and say the job is done; we still have some things to be done, he said. Mr Osinbajo expressed APCs condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during the process, and asked for a minute silence in their honour. He said that the campaign was about the Nigerian people whom he said were very trusting and supportive of their leaders without asking for much. The vice president said that the Buhari-led government had achieved much in four years in spite of earning lessa feat which was achieved because of Mr Presidents honesty and integrity. Ade Ipaye, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, said that Nigerians had demonstrated their confidence in the ability of Buhari and Osinbajo to pilot the nation. He said that Nigerians not only voted but made sure that their votes counted. Mr Ipaye commended the President and vice president over their energetic campaign that saw them going round the country. The deputy chief of staff also thanked God for securing the President, vice president and the campaign team throughout the campaign. Buba Marwa, Director, Women and Youths, APC Campaign Team, expressed appreciation to Osinbajo for arranging a platform to thank the volunteers. He thanked God for protecting the vice president in the helicopter crash as he and the crew all came out unscathed. Mr Marwa said that Mr Osinbajo exhibited uncommon commitment and courage by proceeding with his schedule shortly after the crash. Something told me we will be victorious after the vice president survived the crash. Why else should the vice president survive if not that God has prepared him for another four years. He continued with his campaign immediately after the crash; he deserves applause. We thank God for the president who was able to visit all the states; he went to each and every state. This is the first time we are seeing a vice president mingling with the downtrodden in the markets and everywhere. There were also goodwill messages from some other party functionaries. The gathering was thrilled by a cultural troupe and comedy rendition. (NAN) The word godfather has different meanings to different people. In Nigerian politics, a godfather is a big boss that maintains political control of a territory by ensuring that either he or his self-chosen appointees are elected to govern such areas. They include the rich and political influencers who contribute to campaign funds of some candidates with the aim of winning elections. Over the years, Nigerias political godfathers are those that build loyalists around themselves and use their influence to manipulate the rest of society. Sometimes, they block the participation of others within their political sphere and dictate party candidates. These godfathers in most cases become powerful due to the important leadership positions they hold or have held, their wealth, their ability to mobilise grassroots support, amongst others. In the recently concluded elections, some godfathers maintained their grip in their areas of control while many others were humiliated. Presidential and National Assembly elections were held on February 23, while state elections were held on March 9. PREMIUM TIMES reviews how some political godfathers were defeated in the 2019 elections. Bukola Saraki The Saraki dynasty is a very strong one in Kwara State. Before Mr Saraki, his father, the late Olusola Sarakis political structure was such a strong force that except you align with him, you were not likely to succeed as a politician in Kwara State. The structure had produced six governors in the state since 1979. Mr Saraki who has been the President of Nigerias Senate since 2015 could not deliver Kwara for his party in both 2019 presidential and governorship elections. Worst of it all, he also lost his re-election bid to the Senate. He was elected governor of Kwara in 2003 through the help of his father. After his tenure, he refused to support the candidature of his sister, Gbemisola. Instead, he supported the incumbent governor, Ahmed Abdulfatai, who floored his sister against the will of his father. In the build-up to the 2015 election, Mr Saraki joined other aggrieved governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to form the nPDP. The nPDP would later join other parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC). That did not affect his control of the Kwaras political machinery as Mr Sarakis new party, APC, won the 2015 general elections in Kwara. Mr Sarakis troubles, however, started after the 2015 elections when he defied the APC, to emerge the Senate president; working in cahoot with PDP lawmakers. He, eventually, left the APC for the PDP in 2018 and sought the presidential ticket of the latter. He lost the primary to Atiku Abubakar. Things, however, got worse for Mr Saraki as he lost his senatorial seat. His anointed candidate for governorship was also defeated in all the 16 local government areas in the state with the magic of Oto ge. Overall, the PDP lost woefully in all the 2019 elections in Kwara. Except the PDP presidential candidate succeeds in his challenge of President Muhammadu Buharis electoral victory, Mr Saraki may have to be a spectator in Nigerian politics in the next four years; the first since he became a politician. Godswill Akpabio Godswill Akpabio is a former Senate Minority Leader and former governor of Akwa Ibom State from 2007 to 2015. During Mr Akpabios tenure as governor, he was able to build a strong political structure for himself in the state. He, however, could not save himself in the 2019 race. Mr Akpabio, who left PDP for APC last year, lost his bid to return to the Senate in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District. His new party, APC, also lost all the elections in Akwa Ibom. Godswill Akpabio Before the elections, Mr Akpabio was so confident that he could not lose elections in the state. After all, he helped install the incumbent governor, then a political neophyte in 2015. On July 16, 2018, while speaking at a rally in Ikot Ekpene, he said: Godswill will be done again and again irrespective of the political party. The following month, he decamped to APC after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari earlier in London. Mr Akpabio came into the political limelight in 2002 when he was appointed Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and also Lands and Housing. He used his Office as Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Local Government Affairs to build political structures across the 31 Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State. He defied the then governor, Obong Attah, to emerge the governorship candidate of the PDP in 2007 and was elected governor. Since then, hes had a firm grip on the politics of Akwa Ibom. He was, however, humbled in his own game as his new party, APC, lost all the elections in Akwa Ibom. George Akume George Akume is another godfather whom things did not work in his favour during the last election. Since his election as Benue governor in 1999 on the PDP platform, Mr Akume has held a firm grip on the politics of Benue. After he completed his tenure in 2007, he moved to the Senate. He won his Senate seat again in 2011 despite defecting to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and was elected the Minority Leader of the Senate. GEORGE AKUME Mr Akume was again re-elected senator for Benue North-west in the 2015 elections on the platform of the APC, a party formed by the merger of different parties including the ACN. Mr Akume also largely contributed to the victory of Samuel Ortom in the governorship election in Benue. Both men, however, went separate ways in the aftermath of the repeated herdsmen crisis in the state. Mr Ortom moved to the PDP while Mr Akume remained in the APC. For the first time since 1999, however, Mr Akume lost an election in Benue despite being a staunch member of Nigerias ruling party. The APC also lost the presidential and governorship election in Benue. Ibikunle Amosun Although Ibikunle Amosun, the outgoing governor of Ogun State, won his Ogun Central senatorial bid under the platform of APC, he failed to help his godson, Adekunle Akinlade, emerge as governor. In December 2018, Mr Amosun vowed to work against his partys governorship candidate in the state. His preferred governorship candidate, Mr Akinlade contested under the platform of Allied Peoples Movement (APM). Mr Akinlade won a controversial governorship primary of the APC conducted by the party in the state. However, a panel sent by the headquarters of the party conducted a separate primary which produced Dapo Abiodun. Former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun [Photo: The Guardian Nigeria] Mr Abiodun is the favoured candidate of ex-Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, and his former Ogun State counterpart, Olusegun Osoba. Mr Amosun tried to ensure his protege became governor against odds, even working against his party. However, the 12 years he spent holding elective positions could not help deliver Ogun to his anointed candidate. Rochas Okorocha Like Mr Amosun in Ogun State, Rochas Okorocha in Imo also supported the governorship candidate of another party. His trouble has become more complicated as INEC has excluded him from the list of senators-elect published on Monday. His party, the APC has equally suspended his membership. Former governor, Rochas Okorocha [Photo Credit: Twitter @GovernorRochas] Mr Okorocha contested to represent Imo West Senatorial District in the February 23 election. Though the returning officer, Innocent Ibeabuchi, declared Mr Okorocha winner after a controversial collation of results, he clearly noted he did so under duress. I have been held hostage here for days so Im trying to ease off and take my life home back to my children and for the sake of that I am calling these results under duress, Mr Ibeabuchi had said before reading out the results. In INECs list of senators-elect, Mr Okorochas name was omitted. Declaration made under duress, was boldly written instead. Sadly despite his spirited fight, the two-term governor of the state could not secure the emergence of his preferred candidate in Imo. Mr Okorocha supported his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, of the Action Alliance (AA) to succeed him but Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP eventually won in the state. Except he is recognised by INEC as a senator-elect, and considering his problems with the APC, the 2019 elections may signal the end of the Okorocha dynasty in Imo politics. Abiola Ajimobi Abiola Ajimobi contested in 2011 under the ACN and was elected governor of Oyo State in a keen contest. He was returned in 2015 under the APC and became the first person to occupy the Oyo governorship seat twice in the state. Former Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi [Photo: Today.ng] This actually fetched Mr Ajimobi the nick: Kosheleri (It has not happened before). Mr Ajimobi enjoyed the confidence of the partys national leadership to the extent of being entrusted with the reconciliation of members in other states. While he enjoyed national recognition by the APC, locally within Oyo State, his actions split the party and angered the populace. A large number of APC members including supporters of a late former governor, Lam Adesina, exited the party while many residents of Ibadan, the largest city in the state, were annoyed at his decision to tamper with their chieftaincy system. By the time the 2019 elections came, the residents had gotten tired of Mr Ajimobi and the APC. The APC lost both the presidential and National Assembly elections in Oyo. Many of Mr Ajimobis anointed candidates also lost state house of assembly elections in the state. Worst of all, the governor lost in his bid to be elected senator. Rescue efforts continued into the night at Itafaji, Lagos Island, where a three-storey building collapsed Wednesday morning. A childrens school occupied the top floors of the building. More than 100 people, mostly pupils of Ohen Nursery and Primary School, were trapped in the rubble, witnesses said. At least 40 pupils, including 10 dead bodies, had been pulled out as at Wednesday afternoon, according to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA). By sunset, six more people were brought out from the rubble, one of them a child lifeless. The Lagos Island General Hospital released a list of 41 survivors whom they described as stable. Earlier, when he visited the scene of the building collapse, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said most of the buildings in the area had been marked for demolition, but that some property owners in the area defy such notices, assuring that going forward, structural defective buildings would be demolished. The first observation is that this is an old building and it is only the Pent House and the other floors that we have been able to use to rescue people, said the governor, who arrived the scene at about 3 p.m. So far, from what I have been briefed, we have rescued about 25 people and some already dead but we were earlier informed that it was a school, the building is not technically a school, it is a residential building that was actually accommodating an illegal school so to speak on the second floor. Like we have said, we have been carrying out a lot if integrity tests on the buildings in this neighborhood and as you can see, some of them have been marked for demolition but we get resistance from landlords but we must continue to save lives and we would intensify our efforts to see that those have failed our integrity test, we would ensure that they are quickly evacuated and we bring the structures down, he said. Some of the residents corroborated the governors claim that the collapsed building had been marked for demolition before it was renovated. One of the parents said her son was rescued by the neighbours who quickly ran to the site. My son was just lucky for him to have been rescued alive. The neighbours ran to the building immediately it collapsed. People in the neighbourhood started the rescue before the state rescue team arrived. I sincerely thank God and the people in the area,she said. A witness who pleaded anonymity said staff of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), came for inspection of the building regularly. This building was marked for demolition. We kept seeing people from Alausa coming to inspect the building, and the next thing we saw was the same building undergoing renovation. The state regulatory body is not strict with its policies. Such calamity would have been avoided if the right action was taken by demolishing the building. We pray people will be evacuated safely. However, rescue teams with ambulances found it difficult to gain access into the scene due to the crowd that gathered at the scene. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State governor-elect, hailed the Lagos State Government for responding swiftly to the distress by deploying the emergency agency of the state for immediate rescue operation. My deep condolences go to the families of the children who lost their lives in the unfortunate building collapse that happened at Ita Faji in Lagos Island today, Mr Sanwo-Olu said in a statement. This is one tragedy too many, given that most of the victims are school children. I urge people to cooperate with officials working on rescue efforts. My prayers are with the affected families and the school management. While emergency workers are making frantic efforts to clear the rubbles and rescue more victims, I urge residents to join hands with the government in any way possible to reduce fatalities and lessen attendant trauma of the incident. I am in support of the action being taken by the government and I urge every resident to show spirit of compassion inherent in our community. About a week before Governor Abdullahi Ganduje knows his electoral fate, one of his aides has deserted him. Mr Gandujes senior special assistant on urban beautification, Hashim Dungurawa, resigned his appointment on Wednesday. He tendered his resignation to the secretary to the governors office, Usman Alhaji, but did not state any reason for the resignation in the letter. I am writing this letter to formally inform you of my resignation from the office of the SSA Voluntarily, and I thank you for the opportunity given me to serve under your office as SSA, the politician wrote. Mr Dungurawa would later tell journalists he was defecting to the camp of Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Kano. The PDP governorship candidate in Kano, Abba Yusuf, was ahead of Mr Ganduje of the APC before last Saturdays election was declared inconclusive. Mr Yusuf was leading with about 26,000 votes which were less than the about 128,559 cancelled votes in the state. A supplementary election will now hold in the affected polling units in Kano on March 23, same as in five other states. Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Mr Dungurawa told journalists in Kano that he is joining PDP, saying even Mr Ganduje was Mr Kwankwasos disciple. The Kano governor was the deputy to Mr Kwankwaso when the latter was Kano governor. They fell out after Mr Ganduje became the governor of Kano. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday presented certificates of return to senators-elect. Conspicuously absent at the ceremony was the outgoing Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, whose election as a senator is being reviewed by INEC. PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Okorocha was declared the winner of the Imo West senatorial election. The presiding officer, however, said he was forced to make the declaration under duress. It is based on that that the electoral commission removed Mr Okorochas name from the elected senators list and said it is reviewing the situation in the district. The presentation of certificates to the 100 other senators-elect was held at the International Conference Center (ICC) in Abuja. The national chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, congratulated the elected senators in his opening speech. He said INEC looks forward to working with the new senators for the good of the nation. The new senators were elected by millions of Nigerians on February 23. Elections declared inconclusive then were concluded on March 9. Of the 100 senators whose elections have been confirmed by INEC, winners emerged from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Young Progressives Party (YPP). The APC won 62, the PDP secured 37 seats, leaving the last one to the YPP. Out of the 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the APC has a majority in 23 states. These are states where the party won at least two of the three senatorial districts available. These states, most of which are governed by the ruling party, are spread across the North and South-west. Also, of the 100 senatorial seats declared so far, six are to be occupied by women. They are; three new senators (Aisha Dahiru, Adamawa Central; Akon Eyakenyi, Akwa Ibom South; and Uche Ekwunife, Anambra Central) and three returning lawmakers (Oluremi Tinubu of Lagos West, Rose Oko of Cross River North and Stella Oduah of Anambra North). Yakubu Speaks In his speech, Mr Yakubu urged the senators-elect to begin work early on a new electoral framework. I want to appeal to the senators-elect to please start work early and conclude the electoral framework well ahead of the 2023 election, the professor said. Mr Yakubu said INEC would start its post-election review and road map for 2023 immediately. Amendments to the current electoral act were rejected by President Muhammadu Buhari who said it was done too close to the general elections. Mr Yakubu said the tendency to delay until it is too close to the election means that vital lessons learnt from previous elections are lost before the next election. He also said these leaves the commission with little time to do its job. On behalf of INEC, I want to welcome you all to the formal presentation of certificate of return to senators-elect, he said. Some armed men on Tuesday attacked a police station in Edo State, South-south Nigeria, killing a divisional police officer (DPO) and three other police officers. A pregnant police officer was among those killed in the attack which occurred at Afuze, in Owan East Local Government Area of the state. The police spokesperson in Edo State, Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES. Mr Nwabuzor said the armed men, about 10 of them, stormed the police station at about 8 p.m. and shot at the DPO, a superintendent of police. The woman police sergeant that was killed was about seven months pregnant, Mr Nwabuzor said. The police spokesperson said another female officer, a constable, who had spent less than six months in the police, and a police inspector were among the victims. He said the armed men apart from shooting at police officers also threw bombs into the police station and set ablaze police vehicles. The armed men also attacked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in the area, the police said. The police said no life was lost in the attack at INEC office. The police are investigating the incident. Nobody has been arrested so far, the police said. Attack on Edo police station1 Attack on Edo police station Meanwhile, the governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has condemned the attack on the police in the state. Mr Obaseki, who visited the scene of the attack on Wednesday, said, We have not gotten this lawless in Edo State, that people can go to the extent of attacking police officers at their station. Attack on Edo police station Attack on Edo police station I have ordered the release of all the resources required to apprehend and bring the culprits face-to-face with justice. Governor Obaseki condoled with the families of the deceased and promised that the government would stand by them. The governor also ordered the immediate refurbishment of the police facility destroyed in the attack. The All Progressives Congress has asked the presidential election tribunal to grant it permission to inspect documents used for the 2019 presidential elections across the country. The election held on February 23, and was won by President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC. The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party has rejected the result and is challenging the outcome in court. The APC made the application in an obvious response to the request recently granted the PDP by the tribunal. Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday evening, the deputy head of the APCs legal directorate, Mamman Yusufari, confirmed that the party had requested to inspect the election materials. Mr Yusufari said the APC had discussed making the same application before now. He did not give further details on the matter. I have confirmed that they have filed the application. Its an ex-parte motion, just like the one by the PDP, he said. Multiple sources within the Court of Appeal, which hears presidential election petitions, confirmed to this newspaper Thursday evening that a three-member panel led by Abdul Aboki heard the application and granted same. They are two applications, one by President Buhari and the other by the APC, said one of the sources. The tribunal had granted a similar request by the PDP to allow it inspect documents used for the compilation of the presidential results. In the application filed by the PDP through its lawyer, Chris Uche, the court asked the panel to allow it inspect the materials and conduct forensic investigations on same. But the panel only granted permission to inspect the materials without allowing for forensic audit. Hundreds of Nigerians, on Wednesday, gathered at the Unity Fountain in Abuja to hold a night of tributes and candlelight procession in honour of the late Pius Adesanmi. The late Mr Adesanmi, a professor, was a public intellectual who maintained a highly followed column in the PREMIUM TIMES. He was among the 157 passengers and crew members of the Boeing 737 Max 8 Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed on Sunday morning, shortly after leaving Addis Ababa for Nairobi, Kenya. The gathering had in attendance, the senate president, Bukola Saraki; Dino Melaye, a senator representing Kogi West Senatorial district; Aisha Yesufu, co-convener of the BringBackOurGirls (BBOG), an advocacy group; and Chido Onumah, author of We are all Biafrans, among many others. Mr Saraki said he never had the opportunity to meet Mr Adesanmi and never had the opportunity to engage in a discussion with him, adding that he thought he was a professor in Economics. He also said Mr Adesanmi was a good ambassador of the country. Late Pius Adesanmi candlelight tribute Before leaving my house, I was told But Sir, do you know he was very critical of you? And I said, he was talented for his views, we are not enemies. We shared different views and we must appreciate his talent. He had his views and we must learn from some of them and that is why I come here today to also pay tribute. And, also, to pay tribute to someone who was a good ambassador of this country. He was on his way for an engagement. We can ensure that his wife and his daughter know that their father and husband did not die in vain. I am here, on behalf of my family and friends to show my last respect to him, he said. Dino Melaye at Late Pius Adesanmi candlelight tribute Senate President, Bukola Saraki signing the condolence register at Late Pius Adesanmi candlelight tribute Deji Adeyanju at Late Pius Adesanmi candlelight tribute A human rights lawyer and activist, Sam Amadi, described him as worthy to be celebrated, noting that he lived an exemplary life. He was thoroughly intellectual and thoroughly practical. Like Gani said before he died, Nigerians will know my worth when I die. I think we will know more of Pius now that is no more, Mr Amadi said. Also speaking, Ogaga Ifowodo, an associate of the deceased, said the deceased was an extraordinary, exemplary, consummate, author and critic who put his knowledge at the service of Nigeria and the world of humanity. It is a tragic and monumental loss. Likes of him dont come along every day. What is remarkable is that he seems to have foreseen his death. At this point, those who are paying attention to the social media would have seen on the eve of that ill-fated flight he has posted Psalm 139 verse 9-10, Mr Ifowodo said. Late Pius Adesanmi candlelight tribute Late Pius Adesanmi candlelight tribute Dino Melaye described Mr Adesanmi as someone who spoke the truth fearlessly. He was a great Nigerian, one who speaks the truth fearlessly. He is gone but his works are here and the only way to appreciate this transparent ordinary Nigerian is to make sure that the truth is stood for. The truth he wrote about, we will defend it. In an unjust society, silence becomes a crime. Mrs Yesufu said Mr Adesanmi fought for the country and for the emancipation of Nigerians citizens through his works. She said the office of the citizen is the highest office in the land and there is need to use the power of that office for the good of the nation. Ethiopians clad in traditional mourning shawls and other black clothing gathered silently in a hotel conference room in Addis Ababa, local media reported on Thursday. Couples held each other, slumped forward in their chairs and gazing downwards. Some men held their heads in their hands, while women in head scarves leaned for comfort against the chests of their relatives. They said they wanted more transparency from the airlines and more details of Sundays accident. An airlines staff member replied that the crash was under investigation and that more details were emerging day by day. A stoic man in a dark coat said he was steeling himself for the three-hour journey to the crash site. Tewfik Ahmed, 39, was raised by the father of Ahmed Nur Mohammed, the deputy pilot of ET 302. Mr Ahmed travelled from his home in the south of the country to pay his respects. Ahmed was the pride of the family, heading to the site is the least I can do for him, he told Reuters, seated alongside several other mourners. All 157 passengers and eight crew aboard the flight were killed when their Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed six minutes after taking off from the high-altitude capital of Ethiopia. The nation of 105 million people has long been proud of its state-owned airline, its most successful company and the only profitable airline in sub-Saharan Africa. Nine Ethiopians were killed in the crash, along with 32 Kenyans, 18 Canadians, eight people each from China and Italy and a total of 35 nationalities were on board. The mourners gathered at the Ethiopian Airlines-owned Skylight Hotel near Bole International Airport, while some held up framed photographs of young loved ones. The room filled over the course of a half hour, becoming a packed, makeshift grieving centre. An Ethiopian Airlines staff member, also wearing black, told the mourners it was offering them free accommodation. She said the company would provide counselling. The staff members were flanked by bouquets of white roses and white candles. (Reuters/NAN) Police in Asaba have arrested two men in connection with the kidnapp of an Egyptian Engineer, Reda Hasanin. The victim was lured from Egypt with the pretence of awarding his firm a contract by a group of kidnappers led by one Sunny (surname unknown). The arrest of the two suspects came as a result of alarm raised by people in the area. According to the chief informant, Anthony Ibe (not his real name) he heard someone shouting for help on Sunday morning. He said he became worried at the persistance of the shout which prompted him to move in the direction of the shout. He added that on locating the building where the south emanated from, he met other curious people from the neighborhood who demanded what was happening in the house. One of the suspects came out and told them that it was a family affair. He said the noise was coming from his younger brother who went to Europe and came back with nothing after the family had expended over two million naira on him. The informant revealed that he personally insisted on seeing the brother but the suspect pleaded for time. He later brought someone to them and claimed he was his brother who shouting. Anthony said he alerted the police when he was not satisfied with the explanation given. When the police arrived the scene, they discovered the Egyptian who was already unconscious and in a pool of blood probably from injury he sustained on his head for daring to shout for help. He was however resuscitated and taken to hospital for more treatment. The image maker of Delta state Police Command, ASP Chuks Orisewezie confirmed the rescue of the Egyptian when contacted. He, however, revealed that the two suspects have been transfered to the Force Headquatres, Abuja. Meanwhile, the informant, Anthony Ibe has cried out to well meaning nigerians to come to his rescue to relocate from the area. He said his life is in danger as a result of the role he played in the rescue of the Egyptian. While speaking to journalists, Anthony revealed that his family has fled home as a result of fear and advice from friends and relations. As I am talking to you now, my wife and children have left home for fear of being attacked because these suspects are connected. I believe their members are everywhere and everybody in the area already know I played a major role in the rescue and I also called the police, he said. Other neighbours who spoke to our reporter revealed that shout for help from different voices from the building have been on for years and they expressed belief that with the arrest already made, such things would stop in the area. Attachments area The Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) on Insurgency on Thursday said its troops killed 33 Boko Haram insurgents and recovered high calibre ammunitions in the Lake Chad basin. In a statement issued in Maiduguri, Timothy Antigha, Chief Military Public Information Officer, MNJTF, said the troops recorded successes in the past two days under ongoing operation YANCHI TAFKI. Mr Antigha disclosed that the troops in a recent encounter, also intercepted and killed Boko Haram insurgents at Tunbum Rego, a major terrorists hideout island in Lake Chad. He added that troops of MNJTFs Sector 4, in a separate attack at the insurgents hideout at Arege, killed many of them, destroyed their equipment and recovered ammunitions. In a recent engagement, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platforms as well as ground attack, aircraft from a coalition of Cameroonian, Niger and Nigerian Air Forces intercepted and destroyed Boko Haram terrorists in Tunbum Rego. Tunbum Rego is a prominent island in Lake Chad, believed to harbour high valued Boko Haram targets. MNJTF troops from Sector 4, attacked Boko Haram assets at Arege, killing scores of the terrorists in the process. Mr Antighha listed the equipment recovered from the insurgents as two gun trucks, two motorcycles, one 120 mm mortar tube, two 60 mm mortar bombs and 12 AK-47 rifles. He said that one Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) own(Ed)by the terrorists was destroyed by the troops. Ammunition recovered, according to the spokesperson, included 3,736 rounds of assorted types and two hand grenades. He added that the MNJTF warned individuals still associated with Boko Haram to surrender themselves for demobilisation and rehabilitation, while the opportunity still existed. (NAN) The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) to ensure free, fair, and credible elections in the six states where the process was declared inconclusive and polls rescheduled for Saturday next week. It also called on President Muhamadu Buhari to revisit the report of the Justice Muhammadu Uwais Panel on electoral reform with a view to addressing observed lapses in this years elections. The congress said this in a statement signed by its acting President, Amechi Asugwni, and made available to Premium Times on Thursday. NLC lamented the various problems that affected the two days of elections in many parts of the country, in spite of the shift of the polls by one week from the original dates of February 16 and March 2. The public expectation after the postponement was that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would put its acts together and ensure that the conduct of the elections on the postponed dates was impeccable, the NLC said. Unfortunately, that was hardly the case as the elections were blighted by perennial tardy logistics such as late arrival of election materials to polling units, failure of data capture machines in some polling units and poor knowledge of election rules by many INEC ad hoc staff, he said. Furthermore, desperate politicians with an agenda to manipulate the electoral process to their own advantage played out the script of ballot box snatching, intimidation of election officials, waylaying of collation centres and general perpetration of violence. It, however, said the INEC should be commended for insisting on the use of card readers for elections in every part of the country. Despite the fears expressed by Nigerians with respect to the deployment of the military during elections, soldiers were deployed presumably to preempt ballot box snatching, destruction of voting materials and arrest any drift to widespread violence. While the deployment of the military was helpful in preventing skirmishes from different local hotspots from degenerating into society-wide brigandage, the conduct of some soldiers deployed in some parts of the country to maintain public order left a lot to be desired. The NLC described the deployment of military personnel to harass political rivals as a new low in the electoral history, and added that it presents a serious setback to recent electoral reform gains. It called on the military high command to investigate these infractions and bring the culprits, whoever they are, to book as a deterrence to others. Going forward, there is need for serious national conversations on critical areas of improvement in the conduct of elections in Nigeria. We also call for a sincere revisit of the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Report especially as it relates to reinforcing INECs independence, unbundling of INEC and creation of Elections Offences Commission. It urged President Muhammadu Buhari to show commitment to implementing aspects of Uwais Report which relevance is validated by recent developments in our electoral space. We also demand that INEC must ensure free, fair, and credible elections in some states where the process was declared inconclusive and polls rescheduled for 23rd March 2019. The congress said efforts must also be re-doubled to develop a new national civic culture that venerates the rule of law. The trend where politicians consider themselves successful to the extent that they are able to manipulate our electoral laws, maim and kill their fellow citizens, bribe voters and perpetrate all sort of electoral shenanigans must be put to a stop. INEC shares some responsibilities in the shortcomings witnessed during the last general elections. We call on INEC to completely outlaw the use of manual accreditation for voting. We also call for continuous audit of the voters roll. It urged Nigerians to take advantage of technological advancement and work with all relevant stakeholders to deploy technology in a way that minimises to the barest human interference with the electoral process. INEC must stick to early planning and adequate training of personnel deployed on election duties. Finally, in the spirit of the peace accord signed by the major political parties prior to the 2019 general election, we urge all persons aggrieved by the conduct of the elections to refrain from self-help. It advised those with genuine grievances to resort to the legal process for redress. As patriots who are committed to nation building, we have no other option but to collectively work towards the sustenance, Improvement and deepening of our democracy. The trial of Erastus Akingbola, a former Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, continued on Thursday before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, with a prosecution witness detailing how he allegedly laundered the banks funds on the pretext of buying shares without securities. Mr Akingbola is standing trial for an amended 22-count charge bordering on abuse of office, conversion of funds belonging to Intercontinental Bank Plc and stealing to the tune of N900.3 billion, 8.5 million and 1.3 million. At Thursdays sitting, the second prosecution witness, Abdulraheem Jimoh, a former Chief Inspector with the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, under cross-examination by the defence counsel, Wole Olanipekun, told the court that he was aware that the bank operated a Nostro Account, which was the aggregate of the banks funds transferred to offshore correspondent banks. The witness also stated that funds must be available in the bank for the offshore banks to be functional. However, when asked if he knew that the bank funded its Nostro Account and if funds were transferred offshore, he said no. Mr Jimoh, during cross-examination, gave further evidence into his investigations, saying, I wrote to ICSL Securities Limited, a subsidiary of Intercontinental Bank that was into share buying and sales. The content of my letter to the company was to know if Intercontinental Bank bought any shares from ICSL. Their response was that the bank did not buy shares from ICSL, but that those placements were made to the company by Intercontinental Bank on the instructions of the defendant. The placements were made without adequate securities under Akingbolas watch as the Managing Director of the bank. Although I did not find out if the placements were re-paid to Intercontinental Bank, and generally placements do not attract interests. When the defence counsel sought to tender the response from ICSL Securities Limited to the letter written by the witness, the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, objected to its admissibility on the grounds that the document was not relevant. The witness has said his investigations revealed that no shares were bought by Erastus Akingbola, Mr Jacobs said. The objection was sustained by the court. While being cross-examined over his Curriculum Vitae, CV, the witness told the court that he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State in 1982. However, the defence counsel told the court that the witness lied about obtaining a Master of Business Administration from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State. This witness does not seem to be a witness of truth because he told an Ikeja High Court that he obtained a MBA. He, however, told this court a different story that he did not conclude the MBA programme, Mr Olanipekun added. The CV of the witness was thereafter tendered and admitted in evidence by the court. Though the witness told the court that he did not interrogate any staff of Tropics Securities Limited, he said he wrote to the company to provide him with the shares sold by the bank if there were any. Justice Olatoregu thereafter adjourned the case to April 4 and 5, 2019 for the continuation of trial. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday held separate private meetings with governors Mohammadu Abubakar of Bauchi State and Jibrila Bindow of Adamawa. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the March 9 governorship election in both states inconclusive. Both governors declined to speak with State House correspondents after emerging from the meeting. In both Bauchi and Adamawa, the opposition PDP candidates were leading in the elections before they were declared inconclusive. Both states are two of six states where such is the case. INEC has fixed March 23 for supplementary elections in Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Kano, Plateau and Sokoto states where governorship elections were declared inconclusive. Of the six states, the PDP was leading in five while the APC led in Plateau before the elections were declared inconclusive. The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, says Nigeria has moved to the fourth position among countries worst hit by the HIV epidemic. With an earlier estimate of about 3.2 million people living with HIV, Nigeria was ranked second after South Africa which ranks first with about 7.1 million people living with HIV. Speaking during a press briefing held after the announcement of the Nigeria HIV/AIDs Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) result on Thursday, Mr Adewole said Nigeria has now moved to the fourth position after South Africa, India and Mozambique following the findings of the survey. The event was held at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Abuja. In 2016, a report by the World Health Organisation stated that Nigeria had the second largest HIV epidemic, with over 196,000 adolescents representing 10 per cent of the global burden epidemic. However, findings from the largest HIV survey to be conducted in the world puts Nigeria prevalence rate at 1.4 per cent. The federal government launched the National AIDS survey in June 2018 to determine the true distribution of HIV and AIDS, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in the country. The survey reached around 220,000 people in about 100,000 households and was conducted between July and December 2018. The result of the survey shows that about 1.9 million Nigerians are currently living with HIV, a figure which is lower than the previous estimate. In his keynote address, Mr Adewole said the NAIIS findings provide Nigeria with an accurate national HIV prevalence measure of 1.4 per cent. NAIIS also showed we are able to effectively provide antiretroviral treatment, he said. Mr Adewole said everyone infected with HIV needs to get treatment so they can achieve viral suppression, especially pregnant women. We must ensure pregnant women have access to antenatal services and are tested during every pregnancy. We know we can support HIV-positive mothers, hence ensuring the next generation is free from HIV. he said. While unveiling the survey results, President Muhammadu Buhari said the goal to end AIDs in Nigeria by 2030 is still feasible. For the first time, the end of AIDs as a public threat by 2030 is truly in sight for our country, the president said. I urge all of us not to relent but to increase the momentum. Let us work collectively and push for the last mile. In his goodwill message, David Young, Charge de Affairs, Embassy of the United States of America, said it is wonderful to see the remarkable result the Nigerian government achieved with support from the United States. He said NAIIS is a project embarked on to solve the current challenge of HIV in the country. He applauded the field workers for their commitments towards the success of the NAIIS survey. He also thanked the president for his personal commitment to the success of the survey. Two domestic election observers have identified areas of concerns with the Nigerian electoral process in their reports on the March 9 governorship and state assembly elections. The YIAGA Africa Watching The Vote (WTV) and Connected Development (CODE) were two of the observer groups accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the elections. They released the reports of their observations on the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections through separate statements on Wednesday. The governorship elections took place in only 29 states as there were no elections in Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Bayelsa, Kogi, Anambra and Osun because the tenures of their governors are yet to expire. INEC declared the elections inconclusive in six states where it has scheduled the supplementary polls for March 23 in units where elections were cancelled or disrupted. YIAGA The YIAGA Africa Watching The Vote (WTV) in its report expressed concerns about the do-or-die attitude of the political class which it said led some to intimidate institutions such as INEC and security personnel. The group stated this through a statement jointly signed by the Chair, Watching The Vote Working Group, Hussaini Abdu, and the Executive Director, YIAGA AFRICA, Samson Itodo. YIAGA AFRICA is concerned with efforts by the political class to undermine democratic institutions like INEC and Nigeria Police. This do-or-die attitude of the political class where agencies of state like the Nigerian army are deployed to interfere with the electoral process despite legal limits to their involvement in the elections is unacceptable. This could imperil Nigerias democracy if not addressed. YIAGA AFRICA condemns the destruction and vandalization of INEC offices all in a bid to prevent the electoral commission from conducting elections. The common good should be the ultimate goal of public leadership but it appears, politicians are determined to subvert the electoral process for their personal gains. YIAGA Africa also expressed concerns on the immoral use of electoral guidelines on the collation of results, citing cases of INEC officials instructing security agents to deny accredited observers access to results in collation centres. The reports on non-compliance with electoral guidelines and procedures lapses in our electoral process could potentially undermine the integrity of elections. YIAGA AFRICA is concerned with the flagrant abuse of electoral guidelines on the collation of results in three states. In some cases, INEC officials instructed security agents to deny accredited observers access to results collation centres. This occurred in Ado LGA in Benue state, Osru LGA in Imo state, Rimi LGA in Katsina State and Yabo LGA in Sokoto state. Destruction of Democratic Institutions: YIAGA AFRICA is concerned with efforts by the political class to undermine democratic institutions like INEC and Nigeria Police. This do-or-die attitude of the political class where agencies of state like the Nigerian army are deployed to interfere with the electoral process despite legal limits to their involvement in the elections is unacceptable. YIAGA AFRICA urged INEC to ensure collation officers abide by the guidelines and regulations on management of the margin of lead principle. Results should not be declared and winner returned where the total number of registered voters in cancelled polling units will affect the margin of lead between candidates. This is in consonance with Section 26 and 53 of the 2010 Electoral Act as amended. the report partly reads. CODE Another group accredited as an observer for the elections, Connected Development (CODE), in a statement by its Communications Officer, Kevwe Oghide, praised INEC on its improvements on its logistics issues that marred the presidential elections. This time, there were minimal cases of logistics issues at the polling units during the Gubernatorial elections. Voting and accrediting were recorded to begin at 9.00 a.m in many polling units. CODE, through its election observation technology, Uzabe, said it recorded 107 election incidents of violence that characterised the gubernatorial elections across 25 states. According to the report, the records of violence at the election was higher than the presidential election as there were heavy thug mobilisation, the influence of political parties, vote-buying, voter suppression and destruction of ballot boxes and election materials. It, however, condemns the spate of violence that characterised the gubernatorial elections, especially since INEC and the Police had assured Nigerians of better security. Records of violence at the gubernatorial election was reportedly higher than the Presidential Election. During the gubernatorial elections, Uzabe mapping tool received over 400 reports from on-the-ground observers and online social sentiment analysts. From these reports, Uzabe established 107 election incidents across 25 States. The election observation technology reported enhanced police deployment for the elections early on, until 2 p.m. when reports started filtering in from Kano, Kogi, Nasarawa, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Kano and Borno states respectively. There were records of heavy thug mobilization, the influence of political parties at some polling units, vote-buying, voter suppression and destruction of ballot boxes and election materials. There were also records of heavy military deployment and attacks on electoral facilities. CODE, however, urged INEC to adopt result-management process using secure technology for result collation and transmission to avoid bottlenecks experienced with collating election results with excel sheets. The general secretary of the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, Issa Aremu, has urged the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to end the deadly clashes in the state. Mr Aremu urged the governor to come up with a pan-partisan all-inclusive peace initiative to rescue the state from mutually destructive violence. He spoke in Kaduna while congratulating Mr El-Rufai on his reelection to a second term as the governor of Kaduna State. Kaduna has been the scene of a series of violent communal clashes that have claimed scores of lives especially in the southern district of the state. He urged the governor to form an inclusive government with massive participation of women and the youth. There is the need for conscious women participation in governance if they must overcome the problems of double deprivations at work and in the larger society, Mr Aremu said. Peace process must go hand in hand with sustainable development which must start with urgent re-industrialization of Kaduna State and mass employment of the army of the youth. Mr Aremu said the textile union would continue to partner with the state government to take necessary steps to revive ailing textile industries in Kaduna. The union leader said a virile textile industrial sector can create jobs for the mass of unemployed youth in the state. As a private sector union and an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and a critical stakeholder in the development of the state and the country in general, we pledge our support, and cooperation in the great task of moving Kaduna State and indeed Nigeria to a greater height, he said. Mr Aremu, who was the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Kwara State in the March 9 elections, said the just-concluded elections in Nigeria took after the International Womens Day theme, Balance for Better. According to him, the 2019 election assumed special importance because it took place just after the 2019 International Women Day. Mr El-Rufai was declared the winner of the governorship election in Kaduna by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), having polled 1,045,427 votes to defeat his closest rival, Isa Ashiru, who polled 814,168 votes. Mr Aremu also commended Mr El-Rufai for running a joint ticket with a female deputy, Hadiza Balarabe, just as the LP candidate did in Kwara with Rebecca Ndace. He commended INEC and security agencies for ensuring a peaceful gubernatorial election in the state and called on all the contestants to accept the wishes of the people of Kaduna State as expressed through the ballot box. The Kaduna State Police Command said no fewer than 17 vigilantes were killed by armed bandits in Jan Ruwa Village in Birnin Gawri Local Government in Kaduna State. The Command Public Relations Officer, Yakubu Sabo, a deputy superintendent of police, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Kaduna. Mr Sabo disclosed that the police received information on March 12 at about 11:45am that a group of armed bandits entered Jan Ruwa Village of Birnin Gawri LGA and rustled many cows. And that a team of vigilante group of the village who were returning from a function in Zamfara State, got the information mobilised and pursued the criminals into the deep forest, engaged the bandits in serious gun duel, as a result of which some of the vigilante men lost their lives. Mr Sabo said a combine team of policemen mobile force and conventional police and vigilante mobilised to the area for search and rescue mission. He added that in the process, 15 dead bodies of the vigilante men were recovered, and additional two bodies later. This brings the total number of vigilante men who died to 17, he disclosed. The spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police, Ahmad Abdurrahaman, condemned the killing of those patriots and vowed to apprehend the perpetrators to face the consequences of their action. He condoled the families of these gallant citizens who volunteered to assist security agencies in the protection of life and property of the citizenry. The CP assure members of the public that, the command has sent detectives to the area and working hand in hand with other security agencies to ensure timely arrest of the culprits. He appealed to members of the public to assist police with relevant information on any suspicious person or group to ensure effective crime prevention in the state. (NAN) Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Thursday urged Nigerians to disregard the rumour going around in the social media that he was involved in an accident. Mr El-Rufai said in a Hausa audio message made available to newsmen on Thursday in Kaduna that the rumour being circulated was absolutely false. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there had been rumours that the governor was critically injured following a traffic accident in which his driver died. He said nothing of such had happened, and he was resting at home when the fake news began to circulate. I want to assure the good people of Kaduna state that the claim is false, and is being circulated by enemies of the state. I am doing very fine and nothing of such happened to me or my driver, he said. He added: What we have ahead of us now is to continue to work for the progress and development of the state. We will not succumb to people who spread rumours and create confusion and crisis in the state. I am fine, all thanks to Allah, and we will continue to work for the progress of the state, he stressed, and thanked Kaduna citizens and other Nigerians who showed so much concern over the fake news. (NAN) The Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State on Thursday asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to declare Governor Nyesom Wike as the winner of the suspended Saturdays elections in the oil-rich state. The party claimed Mr Wike scored the highest number of votes from the results so far from units across the state before the suspension of the electoral process on Sunday. Like the PDP, the African Action Congress also claimed its candidate was leading the poll before the suspension of the process by INEC. INEC is now expected to make a decision on the exercise after a fact-finding committee it sent to Rivers State completed its work on Tuesday. Read PDPs full statement below The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has stated that there is no ambiguity from results so far released in the March 9, 2019 Governorship and State Assembly elections, as Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has been duly re-elected for a second term. The Party, at a press conference addressed by State Chairman, Bro. Felix Obuah at the PDP Secretariat in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare Governor Wike winner of the election, adding that the results from all polling units and constituencies where elections were concluded have confirmed and reaffirmed that Rivers people voted no other party but the PDP. Bro. Obuah, at the meeting that was attended by all stakeholders of the party in the State including all the elected State Assembly members, House of Representatives-elect as well as Senators-elect said with 26 State Constituencies already declared in favour of the PDP, there is no iota of doubt that Governor Wike has been re-elected by the good people of Rivers State. He expressed confidence that from the results so far declared at the units across the State, the remaining PDP candidates, including Governor Wike, Senator George Thompson Sekibo and Hon. Betty Apiafi will also be elected on the strength of the peoples votes. Giving a summary of the results so far released by INEC, the State PDP Chairman said that while PDP garnered a total of 26 seats in the State House of Assembly election, AAC/APC got none. Again, at the National Assembly election, while PDP won a total of 14 seats, AAC/APC recorded zero. As we await the official declaration by INEC that our Governorship Candidate, His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has been duly reelected in line with the peoples votes and overwhelming wishes, I urge the people of Rivers State to remain vigilant and continue to support our party, Bro. Obuah said, amid ovation from the audience. He went on: The victories of February 23rdand March 9, 2019 are victories for all Rivers people. By voting massively for PDP, Rivers people chose freedom, performance and merit over political gangsterism, impudence and impunity. You courageously stood your ground despite the arrests, harassment, violence and horrific onslaught on our democratic rights by the combined gang of renegade soldiers and F-SARS personnel. I want to assure the people of Rivers State that PDP will not take your support for granted. He urged the people of the State to remain vigilant and continue to support the PDP, as the official declaration by INEC that Wike has been duly re-elected in line with the peoples votes, is being awaited. While applauding the people of the State for overwhelmingly voting for all PDP candidates, Bro. Obuah assured that the second term of Governor Wike will generate more pro-people projects and programmes for the good and development of Rivers people. Signed: Jerry Needam Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Bro. Felix Obuah, PDP Chairman, Rivers State. Thursday, March 14, 2019. Some armed men on Tuesday attacked a police station in Edo State, South-south Nigeria, killing a divisional police officer (DPO) and three other police officers. A pregnant police officer was among those killed in the attack which occurred at Afuze, in Owan East Local Government Area of the state. The police spokesperson in Edo State, Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES. Mr Nwabuzor said the armed men, about 10 of them, stormed the police station at about 8 p.m. and shot at the DPO, a superintendent of police. Attack on Edo police station1 Attack on Edo police station Attack on Edo police station Attack on Edo police station The Oyo State Police Command has said they have arrested the Chief Whip of the state House of Assembly, Wasiu Akinmoyede, over the gruesome killing of the member representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Temitope Olatoye. Mr Olatoye, popularly known as Sugar, was killed during the gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections by some unknown gunmen shortly after voting, at his Alape Village in Lagelu Local Government Area, on Saturday. He was the senatorial candidate of Action Democratic Party (ADP) for Oyo Central in the National Assembly election held on Saturday, 23rd February. PREMIUM TIMES gathered on Wednesday that the State Police Command sent notification letter to the State Assembly that it has arrested Mr Akinmoyede in connection with the killing of Mr Olatoye. The Police had, on Tuesday, said it arrested one person in connection with the killing of Mr Olatoye. The arrest of Mr Akinmoyede has brought the number of those arrested in connection with the killing to two. Mr Akinmoyede, who currently represents Lagelu state constituency in the state House of Assembly, is a former chairman of the local government area. The speaker of the House of Assembly, Olagunju Ojo, while speaking with journalists on Wednesday, confirmed that Mr Akinmoyede is under investigation, as regards the death of Mr Olatoye. He said the police sent a notification letter to the Assembly that it has arrested Mr Akinmoyede, in connection with the killing of Mr Olatoye. He said, I am not aware that he has been taken to Abuja. I am only aware that he is under investigation but I am not sure if he is in Abuja or not. Yes, we received a letter that he is under investigation, I am not aware that he has been taken to Abuja or not. However, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the state police command, Olugbenga Fadeyi, who confirmed the arrest of the lawmaker, said he was arrested through the AIG Zone 11, Leye Oyebade, and the Commissioner of Police in the state, Shina Olukolu. Mr Fadeyi said, Hon. Lafisoye Akinmoyede, a member representing Lagelu constituency in Oyo state House of Assembly, (was) arrested through AIG Zone 11 and Commissioner of Police Oyo state and (is) being interrogated by Police at CIID, led by DC CIID, before being transferred to Abuja for further interrogation. Families of survivors of the building that collapsed in Lagos on Wednesday staged a protest at the hospital premises, asking for help to save their surviving children, on Thursday. The protesters allege that the hospital is asking for as much as N150,000 before commencing comprehensive treatment of the survivors in the hospitals children wards. They said despite being told that treatment will be done and for free too, the Lagos Island General hospital is requesting for money to treat the victims. The protesters, on sighting the director for search and rescue, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Akube Iyameh, began asking that government should come to their aid and do all they can to keep the survivors alive and forget about the dead for now. The protest came barely a day after the Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, said the government would take care of the hospital bills of the victims of the building collapse. According to the most vocal of the protesters, a woman in her late forties who spoke in Yoruba, she said the government should be sensitive to the plight of parents who are battling to save their last surviving child from the disaster. Please help these little children in this ward, have mercy on them and their mothers. A woman who had five children as at yesterday is now battling to save her last surviving child. A woman with four children now has two left fighting to stay alive. Please help them, release drugs, they need blood and money for treatment. It is heartless to ask a woman who just lost four children to go and start looking for 150,000 to save the life of the last surviving child, please intervene on our behalf. Another angry protester who said her friend lost all three of her children in the disaster said it was inhumane to now be asked to make any form of payment either for the release of the bodies or for treatment of survivors. The school has a large population, its a big school. All three of my friends kids attend the school and she lost all of them. How old are they that we are coming to general hospital to collect their bodies? One woman who has lost four out of five of her children slept here and was given a bill of 150,000 to go and pay to the bank. Is that not heartless? Some section of the protesters also expressed their disappointment over the seeming laid back way government is handling buildings that are no longer fit to live. This disaster is too much to bear, government should take stricter measures to rid Lagos State of structures that are not fit to live in anymore. All weak structures should be pulled down. Government should visit all schools in the state and close down schools that do not meet the safety standard. Government should stop treating safety issues with kids gloves. These children are our future and now they are no more. The Managing Director of the hospital, however, said the hospital would not request for payment to treat victims of the disaster. PREMIUM TIMES reported that rescue operation at the building has gotten to ground zero, according to an official. Although the official casualty is yet to be announced, an official involved in the rescue operation told PREMIUM TIMES 16 people have died while 41 were rescued alive. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised the Oyo State governor-elect, Oluseyi Makinde, to shun corruption when he takes over on May 29. According to a statement on the visit by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, Mr Obasanjo gave the advice on Thursday when Mr Makinde paid him a courtesy visit in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Mr Makinde was accompanied on the visit by Olabode George and some other chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The governor-elect said Oyo State is in a bad shape, and as such we are taking what Baba had told us with all vigour by going to work immediately. He had warned against corruption and transparency. We are very much aware of this too. With God, Oyo State will never be the same again. This is the type of visit that will give us the needed tonic to forge ahead positively in Oyo State. Mr Obasanjo in his remark, tasked the governor-elect to jettison the type of democracy which would target the selfish interests of a few. He described such government in the Yoruba language as democratic so sa po, which means to throw into ones pocket. Be transparent and embark on developmental projects, which would be a delight to the people of Oyo State. Please run a government that will be making them ask, where has this type of government been all these years in Oyo state? You must give them something (positive), you must give them good democracy and not that one my younger brothers will call democratic so sa po (pocketing democracy). The former president said Mr Makinde has a lot to do to improve the status of the capital of the old Western region. He called on the people to further support the governor-elect in the task ahead. Mr Obasanjo called for co-operation between the governor-elect, his deputy and the other members of the team, saying, where there is misunderstanding, call yourselves together and make peace in the overall interest of Oyo State. He cannot do it alone and since you have supported him now, you should continue to be together. You should be mindful that Oyo people are fearless and they dont mind, whose ox is gored, that is why you are there now. He promised to support the new government and be available anytime his attention is needed. The former Deputy Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr George, who facilitated the visit, said he called Mr Obasanjo barely 24 hours earlier. I want to thank him for granting us audience within the short notice, he said. Among those on the governor-elects entourage was his deputy, Akeem Ademola; Oyo State PDP chairman, Kunmi Mustapha, Bose Adelabu; and Lagos PDP chairman, Dominic Agboola. For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME. Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire. Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever. Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation. View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union. Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history. Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words. With over 110 million members, Indonesia's NU is set to bring about digital transformation for the largest autonomous Islamic organization based on a secured mobile ecosystem. Services provided via this mobile eID platform include, and not limited to, mobile identification and authentication, international telco services based on remote SIM provisioning technology, cross-border remittance, mobile banking and payment services. "It is with great honor and pleasure for our technology to be the foundation of NU's mobile eID implementation. Taisys has long been a trusted mobile ID solution provider for banking services since the 2G/feature phone era. Now that smartphones and APPs manage our daily work and lives, the need to use the phone as a form of identity authentication and transaction authorization is increasing ever more. The beauty of our mobile ID solution, which sets it apart from others, is that it can accommodate beyond authentication services for banking and Fintech, to include digital SIM services where mobile subscriptions are downloaded onto the phone. This is the perfect example where the use case can be supported by the right technology, elevating the comprehensiveness and industry/device/telco agnostic nature of Taisys mobile ID solution," stated Taisys Chairman, Jason Ho. "This mobile eID shall create the next level of digital ID security in addition to the services to be offered by NU to its communities such as mobile payments/ wallets, telco services, fintech and banking services. NU has worldwide members, and in upholding NU digital sovereignty objective and creating service layers within a secured environment, NU members in particular and Indonesian nationals in general will be benefitted most. NU has significant number of its members residing in Taiwan, Malaysia, Middle East and other parts of the world. For example, over 1 million NU members in Malaysia are regularly doing the remittance to their loved ones, and through this JV initiative, it will create the digital security eco-system for NU communities in Indonesia and beyond. Not to mentioned their mobile daily usage for work and lives. This augurs well with NU objective in digital transformation," stated Imam Pituduh, Chairman of NU Digital Transformation Services. "We are proud and excited to be part of this Alliance that enhances NU community and members' digital identity authentication. The digital services must be supported by secured mobile and APPs experience in creating unmatched 'secured convenience'. This will add into the eco-system that Mobisphere already developed that involved banks, non-bank, remittance provider and social media players. Mobisphere FlexTM in Malaysia is backed by an Islamic Bank, while in Indonesia and other 20 corridor countries, it has cooperation with banks, financial institution non-bank, switching operator and social media player; therefore, through mobile ID platform with services on-top, it is truly is a working example of a complete eco-system for NU communities," stated by Ady Seto Bremono, Mobisphere Indonesia Director. About Nahdlatul Ulama NU was established on January 31, 1926 in Surabaya, Indonesia. It is the largest independent Islamic organization in the world. NU also is a charitable body funding schools and hospitals as well as organizing communities to help alleviate poverty. The NU exists to spread Islamic teaching. As well as preaching, it undertakes educational activities through its network of 6,830 Islamic boarding schools, or pesantren. It also owns 44 universities, and is involved in economic and agricultural studies, and social activities including family planning. About Mobisphere Inc. We are an ASEAN regional provider of mobile payment platform and remittance switching service and JVCo of Taisys, operating as Taisys' ASEAN regional technology and platform provider. We aim to provide an efficient, cost effective and reliable remittance, payment infrastructure and accessible travelling internet connectivity to multitude of communities of various countries. Easing of remittance back home or roaming freely in multiple countries are services values that Mobisphere's denotes. Anytime, Anywhere. We Transact. About Taisys Technologies Taisys Technologies is a world leader in providing mobile interconnectivity and vertical integration solutions to various industries. Our solutions enable telecom, financial institutions and government organizations to extend innovative mobile services in a secure and convenient manner. Established in 2005 and headquartered in Taipei, Taisys has built solutions based on its patented core technology SIMoME (Thin SIM), which decouples value-added services from the main SIM, and empowers industry players the ability to deploy innovative services on the mobile equipment. Over 1,300 banking and 20 M(V)NO partners have deployed mobile-based value-added services enabled by Taisys' technology and platform to 15 million end-users worldwide. To learn more, please visit www.taisys.com. Related Links http://www.taisys.com SOURCE Taisys Technologies "This license is the culmination of several years of effort with the City of Davis, County of Yolo and the State to construct a manufacturing facility that has the ability to produce cannabis products of the highest quality, while meeting all regulatory requirements," stated Blessed Cofounder Amelia Paterson. "To our knowledge, this is the first volatile manufacturing annual license granted by the CDPH in the Davis area, highlighting our position as the foremost manufacturer of boutique products in a manner that maximizes consumer, employee and public safety." Blessed Extracts products are available through select licensed distributorships and in select dispensaries. A list of products and dispensaries is available on their website. About Blessed Extracts: BE is a California LLC with a mission to provide best-in-class cannabis-based products to consumers in California. The directors, officers, and employees of BE possess in excess of 60 years of successful brand building experience in cannabis and other industries. BE offers a diverse, boutique product line of small-batch, top-shelf concentrates. For more information, please visit www.blessedextracts.com. CONTACT: Amelia Paterson, [email protected] SOURCE Blessed Extracts Related Links http://blessedextracts.com HOUSTON, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- BlueVoyant and IronNet Cybersecurity today announced a partnership to deliver advanced, collective cyber defense and threat-detection capabilities to small-to-medium-sized energy providers in the United States. The joint offering will deliver IronNet's threat analytics platform along with the industry's first and only real-time collective cyber defense capability through BlueVoyant's superior managed detection and hunt services. "With a track record of independently protecting some of the biggest players in the energy industry, IronNet and BlueVoyant are now addressing a key sector of the energy industry that provides services to over 90 million Americans," said GEN. (ret.) Keith B. Alexander, IronNet Chairman and Co-CEO, former Director of the U.S. National Security Agency and Founding Commander of the U.S. Cyber Command, ahead of his speech at CERAWeek. "Given that these energy companies currently serve as the first-line of defense against some of the most capable cyber threat actors, including nation-states, they need access to threat information at speed and scale across the industry if we are going to truly have collective defense." Jim Rosenthal, co-founder and CEO of BlueVoyant, added, "Independently, these two organizations have proven the ability to provide industry-leading products. BlueVoyant possesses a deep operational knowledge and is experienced in providing a Managed Security Services platform that is high-quality. We are excited to pair IronNet's advanced collective defense capabilities with ours to deliver superior client services to the energy sector." The partnership furthers BlueVoyant and IronNet's joint goals of bringing collective defense to a larger segment of the energy industry, as well democratizing security by providing resource-constrained security teams with access to the technology and services previously only available to the largest and most well-defended organizations. These capabilities include: IronNet's IronDefense Network Threat Analytics Platform: Delivers actionable network threat detection in real-time by integrating the offensive and defensive tradecraft knowledge of IronNet's cyber operators. The solution leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to detect advanced threats often missed by existing commercial cybersecurity solutions. Delivers actionable network threat detection in real-time by integrating the offensive and defensive tradecraft knowledge of IronNet's cyber operators. The solution leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to detect advanced threats often missed by existing commercial cybersecurity solutions. IronNet's IronDome Collective Defense Platform: Provides collective defense system to automatically share actionable intelligence and insights on cyber threats and behaviors to deliver visibility of key adversary activities across the energy ecosystem. IronDome shares threat information in real-time among large US energy providers, serving a total of over 35 million customers, as well as companies in other key sectors. Provides collective defense system to automatically share actionable intelligence and insights on cyber threats and behaviors to deliver visibility of key adversary activities across the energy ecosystem. IronDome shares threat information in real-time among large US energy providers, serving a total of over 35 million customers, as well as companies in other key sectors. BlueVoyant Managed Detection and Response: The service and platform that detects, blocks, and contains malware, ransomware, zero-days, non-malware and file-less attacks automatically with remote endpoint incident investigation and remediation that is led by BlueVoyant cyber intelligence experts. The service and platform that detects, blocks, and contains malware, ransomware, zero-days, non-malware and file-less attacks automatically with remote endpoint incident investigation and remediation that is led by BlueVoyant cyber intelligence experts. BlueVoyant 24x7 Global Security Operations Center and Expert Analysts: Geographically diverse SOCs staffed by former government and leading private sector experts are supported by the BlueVoyant Technology Platform. Geographically diverse SOCs staffed by former government and leading private sector experts are supported by the BlueVoyant Technology Platform. BlueVoyant WaveLength: The web-based client portal that provides the ability to view the full context of incidents, assets, vulnerabilities and on-going investigations in one easy to understand dashboard. BlueVoyant and IronNet believe that the addressable market of US small-to-medium energy providers is comprised of more than 2,000 local-and state-owned utilities and more than 900 not-for-profit rural electric cooperatives and public power districts. Energy industry analysts have long noted the key role that these companies play in the delivery of energy to millions of Americans, and BlueVoyant and IronNet are pleased to be able to help them better defend against cyber-attacks. "Companies of all sizes must identify threats and implement heightened cybersecurity measures, which often requires the skills of expert staff that are increasingly hard to come by," said Garrett Bekker, Principal Security Analyst at 451 Research. "Many companies, including those in the energy sector, do not have security experts on hand to deal with a rapidly evolving threat landscape. This is especially true for small-to-medium sized firms. Managed detection and response services, such as those provided jointly by BlueVoyant with IronNet, help under-staffed or skilled organizations to bridge these gaps." About BlueVoyant BlueVoyant is an analytics-driven cybersecurity company whose mission is to protect businesses of all sizes against agile and well-nanced cyber attackers by providing unparalleled visibility, insight, and responsiveness. BlueVoyant provides Advanced Threat Intelligence, Managed Security Services and Professional Services from ofces in the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, and Spain. Learn more at www.BlueVoyant.com About IronNet Cybersecurity Founded in 2014 by GEN. (ret.) Keith B. Alexander, the former Director of the National Security Agency and Founding Commander of U.S. Cyber Command, IronNet Cybersecurity is a worldwide cybersecurity leader that is revolutionizing how enterprises, industries, and governments secure their networks by delivering collective defense at scale. IronNet takes the skills of its cybersecurity operators with their real-world experience working on both offense and defense in the public and private sectors and integrates their deep tradecraft knowledge into its industry-leading products to solve the most challenging cyber problems facing industry today. IronNet has won a number of accolades for its products and was recently highlighted as a key representative vendor in the network threat analytics, Gartner's newest cybersecurity market segment. IronNet is headquartered in Fulton, MD, with major offices in Tysons, VA and Frederick, MD. Learn more about IronNet Cybersecurity at https://www.ironnetcyber.com or follow us on Twitter at @IronNetCyber. SOURCE IronNet Cybersecurity Related Links http://www.ironnetcyber.com LOWER CHICHESTER A preliminary hearing for a Chester County man charged in the Feb. 16 fatal DUI-related crash in Upper Chichester that killed a beloved Brookhaven woman was continued Tuesday for a second time. Appearing in court for the second time since his arrest, David Strowhouer, wearing blue prison-issue garb and restrained at the wrists and ankles, stood briefly before Magisterial District Judge David R. Griffin as his defense attorney, Brian Malloy, and Deputy District Attorney Daniel McDevitt arranged the new listing for 1:30 p.m. March 28, a dedicated hearing. Now facing his sixth DUI, Strowhouer, 30, of Willistown, is charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, and myriad related offenses, in the crash that resulted in the death of 45-year-old Deana Eckman, and sent her husband, Christian, to the hospital with injuries requiring surgery. It was 9:22 p.m. on Feb. 16 that Upper Chichester police received a report of a motor vehicle crash in the 3300 block of Market Street, involving a Dodge Ram operated by Strowhouer, and a Subaru WRX carrying the Eckman couple. Larry Weathers previously told the Daily Times he witnessed the crash, which occurred as the Dodge sped past his van on the left of the two-lane roadway. As soon as he pulls out, I see the car coming, recalled Weathers. I had a clear view in my lane. Initially, Strowhouer tried to blame a cousin who was not even in the area as being the driver of the Ram, an account that was quickly refuted through an investigation by Upper Chichester Police and detectives from the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division, according to the probable cause affidavit for Strowhouers arrest. Additional charges filed against Strowhouer include: Homicide by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle, aggravated assault by vehicle while DUI, accidents involving death or personal injury, accident involving death or injury while not licensed, accident involving damage to an attended vehicle, reckless driving, careless driving involving serious bodily injury and unintentional death, driving at a safe speed, DUI, driving with a suspended license pursuant to DUI, two counts of recklessly endangering another person, failure to keep right and improper passing. Strowhouer, who was on parole from a previous DUI conviction and driving with a suspended license pursuant to DUI, is the first person in Delaware County to be charged under a newly enacted homicide by vehicle while DUI law that carries a mandatory seven-year prison sentence, authorities said. The initial listing for his preliminary hearing was continued from Feb. 26, the same day that Deana Eckman was laid to rest. At that time, Strowhouer had not yet retained an attorney. On Tuesday, Strowhouers case was called prior to Malloys arrival in court. Strowhouer, who is being held without bail at the county prison, had a brief exchange with the judge, assuring him that he had legal representation. He said he met with his attorney once at the prison, but he was unsure of his name. He said his girlfriend had the name of his attorney. I have counsel, Strowhouer said, seemingly frustrated by his attorneys absence at that point. This is outrageous. During Strowhouers exchange with the judge, a woman in the courtroom immediately got on her phone, but was reminded by the judge that phones were prohibited in the courtroom. As she exited the room she said she was trying to find out the name of Strowhouers attorney. An officer in the courtroom indicated that she was a relative of Strowhouers girlfriend. When the woman returned to the courtroom, she provided Malloys name to the judge. At that point, the court was alerted that Malloy was on his way. When Malloy arrived, he briefly met with his client. Malloy requested a continuance. The upcoming proceeding is a dedicated hearing, scheduled apart from other criminal cases for reasons including time factor. Later, outside the courtroom, the woman described herself as a friend of the defendants family for five or six years. Neither she nor the man accompanying her identified themselves. The woman said she planned to support Strowhouer throughout the legal process. She was critical of programs available in Delaware County, and throughout the state, for those with alcohol abuse issues. I wish the DUI program worked the first time, she said. Contacted later at his office, Malloy declined any comment. Notified in advance of the postponement, Eckmans parents, Rich and Roseann DeRosa, were not in court on Tuesday. Roseann DeRosa said they will be there on March 28. In a previous interview, Deanas mom remembered her daughter, a graduate of Cardinal OHara High School, as a hardworking, hug-loving, fun Jeep enthusiast who was devoted to Chris, their large extended families and their pit bull, Chooch. She was as beautiful inside as she was outside, her mother said. An estimated 800 mourners gathered Feb. 26 for Deana Eckmans funeral. The star-studded gala supports programs and research to advance a cure for pulmonary fibrosis, a life-threatening disease which causes progressive scarring in the lungs. More than 200,000 Americans are living with pulmonary fibrosis and 50,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. BROADWAY BELTS FOR PFF! is the largest single fundraiser for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. The show featured New York Yankees legend and Latin Grammy-nominee, Bernie Williams, Lilli Cooper (Broadway's Tootsie, Spongebob Squarepants), Robert Creighton (Broadway's Frozen; Cagney, Fred Astaire Award-Winner), Ariana DeBose (Anita in the upcoming film version of West Side Story, Tony-nominee for Summer; Hamilton), Santino Fontana (Tony-nominee for Cinderella; Tootsie), Julie Gold (Grammy-Award winner for Song of the Year for "From a Distance"), Jenny Laroche (Broadway's Summer), Patti Murin (Broadway's Frozen), Brad Oscar (Two-time Tony-nominee for Something Rotten and The Producers), and Mary Testa (Upcoming: Oklahoma; Two-time Tony-nominee for On the Town and 42nd Street). "I am beyond grateful to my incredibly talented and generous friends for performing with me to raise funds for a cause that is so near and dear to my heart," said Julie Halston. "The tireless work of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation is leading the way toward a cure for this terrible disease." Halston and her husband, veteran newscaster Ralph Howard, created BROADWAY BELTS FOR PFF! in 2010 as a tribute to Michael Kuchwara, Associated Press theater critic, who died suddenly of pulmonary fibrosis. Howard was subsequently diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and received a life-extending lung transplant. Howard, a generous volunteer to both the PFF and many other organizations succumbed to complications from the disease in August of 2018. The newly established Ralph Howard Legacy Award was awarded to Doug and Gay Lane for their extraordinary commitment to the pulmonary fibrosis community. The award embodies Howard's mission of fostering and supporting talent through mentorship, opportunity, and education. "Broadway Belts for PFF not only provides funding for the PFF's programs and research, but it also raises the profile of our cause," said William Schmidt, President and CEO of the PFF. "Thanks to Julie Halston, the cast and crew of Broadway Belts, we are getting closer to a world without pulmonary fibrosis." BROADWAY BELTS FOR PFF! was directed by Carl Andress (The Divine Sister) with Christopher McGovern (Cagney) as Musical Director, Ed Windels as Music Coordinator and Greg Santos as Stage Manager. The benefit was produced for the ninth consecutive year by D. Michael Dvorchak, Sue Frost (Memphis, Come From Away), Julie Halston and Ed Windels. About the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) mobilizes people and resources to provide access to high quality care and leads research for a cure so people with pulmonary fibrosis will live longer, healthier lives. The PFF collaborates with physicians, organizations, patients, and caregivers worldwide. The PFF has a three-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Better Business Bureau accredited charity. For more information, visit pulmonaryfibrosis.org or call 844.TalkPFF (844.825.5733) or 312.587.9272 from outside the U.S. CONTACT: Dorothy Coyle 773-332-6201 SOURCE The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Related Links http://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org ALACHUA, Fla., March 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- With over 100,000 craft professionals needed in Missouri in the next three years, Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Missouri Education Foundation partnered with Build Your Future to make an impact on the skilled workforce shortage. Build Missouri aims to educate Missouri residents about training opportunities and career paths to lucrative employment in high demand occupations in the construction industry. "With the need to attract new craftworkers into the Missouri construction market, we knew we needed a platform to enhance the image of industry careers and Build Missouri helps us address those concerns," said David Volk, Chair of the AGC of Missouri Education Foundation. As 70 percent of jobs need a certification, credential or craft training something less than a four-year degree the construction industry provides meaningful careers with high salaries and little-to-no debt. Build Missouri outlines training and apprenticeship programs throughout Missouri, provides details about craft salaries and connects job seekers with employers. To make as much of a difference as possible, Build Missouri is focusing on three main areas: Shift the public's perception about careers in the construction industry and inform the public about career paths and advancement opportunities in skilled craft professions. Make career and technical education a priority in high schools and available to any who want to enter the construction workforce. Provide a path from interest to training to job placement as a skilled craft professional. Build Missouri's goals are to recruit the next generation of craft professionals, promote craft careers and facilitate training. As Missouri's construction industry expands, organizations using these resources will be able to help work toward closing the skills gap among the state's craft workforce. While BYF resources are available for any organization, BYF partners have the ability to customize material with their own branding and information, which can contribute greatly to the success of their individual state campaigns. For more information on partnering with BYF, please visit byf.org. About Build Your Future Build Your Future (BYF) is a national image enhancement and recruitment initiative for the construction industry. Its mission is to recruit the next generation of craft professionals by making career and technical education a priority in secondary schools, shifting negative public perception about careers in the construction industry and providing a path from ambition, to training, to job placement as a craft professional. BYF provides a number of resources to assist industry, education and military organizations in achieving these goals. For more information, visit byf.org. About the Associated General Contractors of Missouri: The Associated General Contractors of Missouri (AGCMO) represents and serves construction contractors and industry-related companies dedicated to skill, integrity and responsibility. AGCMO provides all members with a range of services to help their businesses and works with the community it serves to build a strong, positive construction business climate. For more information, visit agcmo.org. Contact: Jennifer Wilkerson 888.622.3720 x 6908 [email protected] SOURCE Build Your Future Related Links http://www.byf.org People can register now at SoundTheAlarm.org to volunteer for smoke alarm installation events from April 27 to May 12, and help raise lifesaving donations. Events will be held across the country and are part of the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has installed more than 1.5 million smoke alarms and saved more than 500 lives since launching in 2014. Donations will help to save lives through installing free smoke alarms, and preparing families to safely escape and recover from home fires. "Every day, seven people tragically lose their lives in home fires across the U.S.often, because they don't have working smoke alarms and a plan to escape safely," said Trevor Riggen, senior vice president, Disaster Cycle Services for the American Red Cross. "We need your support to help us in your community to Sound the Alarm about home fires. Sign up today to install free smoke alarms and help families stay safe." VOLUNTEER: 'WE'RE HELPING TO SAVE A LIFE' Bonnie and Gerry Gibson of Sultan, Washington, lost their son Greg to a home fire three years ago. Immediately after their tragic loss, the Gibson family came together to do something to help prevent other people from going through the grief they were just starting to experience. Since that day, Bonnie and Gerry have volunteered with the Red Cross to install nearly 3,000 smoke alarms to help save lives. "It's a good feeling because we know that we're helping to save a life," Bonnie Gibson said. "I think Greg is looking down and saying good job, good job." Hear the Gibsons share their inspiring story in this video. Volunteers like the Gibsons comprise more than 90 percent of the Red Cross workforce. Throughout Marchwhich the White House has proclaimed Red Cross Monththe Red Cross honors volunteer heroes who have saved a person's life or helped neighbors recover from emergencies. WHAT VOLUNTEERS WILL DO During Sound the Alarm events, volunteers will team with local fire departments and other community partners to canvass neighborhoods, install free smoke alarms, replace alarm batteries and help families create home fire escape plans. Services are free and available for all people in need. OUR CAMPAIGN TO #ENDHOMEFIRES Home fires are the nation's most frequent disaster and account for the majority of Red Cross disaster responses each year. In 2018 alone, the Red Cross responded to some 60,000 home fires to provide emotional support for affected families, help them secure a safe place to stay and assist with their urgent recovery needs. Through its Home Fire Campaign, the Red Cross is working with community partners to reduce fire deaths and injuries. So far, the Red Cross has reached more than 1.7 million people through home visits to make more than 660,000 households safer, and educated more than 1.3 million children through youth preparedness programs. This work is made possible thanks to generous support from national partners: Airbnb, Delta Air Lines and Nissan North America. About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross. SOURCE American Red Cross Related Links http://www.redcross.org SINGAPORE, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Stary, along with its online publishing platform Dreame, provider of practical solutions to help writers achieve content monetization, recently launched its new payment and clearing system. The new system will facilitate writers getting their E-book shares by shortening the payment cycle from 30 days to 14 days and by clearly showing writers their shares of the books they have published on Dreame. This enhances current management and operation policies and provides a new way for writers to monetize content. Dreame aims to provide a new way for writers to monetize their books and strives to build a community where novel lovers can write, read and share great content. Users can upload their work for free, and if a book is recognized by Dreame's editors and liked by readers on the platform, it will be offered a contract, including writing funds, among other perks. At the same time, for writers whose books have been listed in the "Pay-to-read" program, which enables readers to directly support their favorite writers by purchasing coins (a virtual currency on Dreame) to unlock the stories, there is further revenue generated. Dreame welcomes not only experienced writers, but also those who are just starting out in the writing industry. With the recommendation engine applied on the platform, books featured on the website and App's homepage are automatically listed based on the number of readers' 'likes' they have. This gives writers, new or established, the opportunity to grow, to get followers and to earn revenue, as long as their stories are liked and supported by fans. In 2018, more than a quarter of writers on Dreame were able to earn revenue by publishing their work on it. With a werewolf themed book, an 18-year-old writer from the United States managed to earn a share of more than 10,000 US dollars on Dreame after only two months of having published her book. Apart from the organic traffic generated on Dreame, Stary also has a large digital marketing budget for writers and their books. In 2018, Stary invested 1.5 million dollars in online advertising. As a result, there were over 67 thousand downloads by the end of last year. Such investment is expected to grow to over 12 million dollars in 2019. Meanwhile, Dreame has already worked closely with dozens of influencers, including Youtubers and bloggers, and plans to collaborate with a further 200 influencers this year. Stary also attended this year's London Book Fair held on the 12th of March, where it sought to increase its cooperation with publishers, the results of which will soon be released. "We are glad to see that a number of talented writers and their books are being generously rewarded on our platform. As a newly-established online platform, it is normal for some people to question our business model. We admit that there are still improvements to be made, but our aim remains to help writers at different stages of their journey by providing a new way to monetize their creative writing. If there is no profit to be generated, the industry simply cannot grow. We are proud to play a role in shaping a favorable environment for online publishing. And we will do our best to make the industry more dynamic," Samuel Law, Stary CEO. About Stary and Dreame STARY is a private equity firm based in Singapore, a holding company for a fiction reading mobile app: Dreame. It strives to build an online platform where information technologies are applied to enable novel lovers to write, read and share great content and provide practical solutions to help business partners and writers achieve content monetization. After preparatory work started in 2016, Dreame was officially launched in August of 2018. It has gained more than 1 million downloads on both the Google Play and App Store as of March 2019. It is featured as the second highest reading App on the Google Play store, ranked by revenue. Enjoy your reading now on iOS and Android! Official website: https://www.dreame.com/ Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/DreameStory/ Instagram Commnunity: https://www.instagram.com/dreamestory/ For media enquiries: Claire Wang [email protected] SOURCE Dreame Related Links https://www.dreame.com MADISON, N.J., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- ERA Real Estate , a leading global real estate franchisor, recognized Plano, Texas based ERA iRealty for its commitment to diversity with the 2018 Unity Award for inclusiveness in business practices. Managing Partner Kelley Liu and her team, including fellow leaders Daniel Eng, Trang Dang-Le and Judith Kim, will be celebrated along with other award winners at the 2019 FUEL ERA global conference that will be held March 19 22, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Unity Award honors the ERA company that demonstrates inclusiveness in their business practices by working to achieve and sustain minority home ownership and transacting business in a culturally competent manner. This includes bilingual marketing efforts, commitment to a diverse workforce and client base, and volunteer work to educate the community on home ownership. ERA iRealty is a unique office with global affiliated independent agents who speak over 14 languages including Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese and Korean. ERA iRealty's agents pride themselves to have worked with home owners from varied sociocultural backgrounds, and value inclusivity and professionalism above all else. They have created long-lasting agent client relationships built on trust and expertise, with the goal of helping buyers and sellers from all cultures realize the dream of owning their perfect home. "At ERA we believe in the strength of communities and take seriously our role in building our neighborhoods," said Simon Chen, president and CEO of ERA. "ERA iRealty is a model brokerage that goes beyond language skills they are committed to encouraging inclusivity and promoting equal access to home ownership. Kelley and her team's win of the prestigious Unity Award is well-deserved. They have developed an approach that has great lessons for everyone in the ERA family." "We are honored to be presented with the Unity Award and to be recognized by ERA for our dedication to building a welcoming, supportive environment within our community," said Kelley Liu. "Our affiliated agents and brokers have recognized and adapted our business tactics to accommodate the growing diversity in the Plano and Greater Dallas areas, and look forward to this continued evolution as the real estate industry transforms and grows alongside it. " About ERA Real Estate At ERA Real Estate , we don't adapt to change, we create it. We believe that our core business values of collaboration, innovation, diversity and growth are needed now more than ever. As a global leader in the residential real estate industry for more than 40 years, ERA was the first real estate franchise to expand internationally, the first to post listings online, and is the only national company that offers the Sellers Security Plan program. The ERA Real Estate network includes 40,000 affiliated brokers and independent sales associates and approximately 2,300 offices throughout the United States and 34 other countries and territories. ERA Franchise Systems LLC ( www.ERA.com ) which operates the ERA Real Estate system, is a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global provider of real estate services. ERA Real Estate information is available at www.ExploreERA.com. Media Contact: Maggie Rohr 973-464-6642 [email protected] Katharine Dunn 502-419-8507 [email protected] SOURCE ERA Real Estate WASHINGTON, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement was issued by Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), regarding Senate passage of H.J. Res. 46, a resolution to terminate President Trump's southern border emergency declaration: "One thing is clear after today's vote President Trump must now defend the nation from two immigration-related emergencies; chaos at the border and a Congress unwilling to address it. "It is reprehensible that 59 Senators including 12 in the president's own party decided that this state of emergency does not rise to the level of the 31 other national emergencies that are currently in effect. When the president declared national emergencies for situations thousands of miles away in Venezuela and South Sudan, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle nodded in approval. But God forbid the president operate within existing law to address a humanitarian and security crisis at our own border. Does national sovereignty mean anything anymore? "If the current situation at the southern border does not meet the threshold of a national emergency, then Congress should just abolish the National Emergencies Act altogether. Just last month, 76,325 primarily Central American migrants were apprehended after entering the United States illegally, a whopping 31 percent increase over January and an 80 percent increase over the same period last year. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen even estimated that a million migrants will arrive at our southern border this year. And where has Congress been as this crisis has been mounting? For the most part, they either have either had their heads in the sand or have been too busy excoriating immigration law enforcement agencies for attempting to do their jobs. "It is also worth noting that these are the same lawmakers who have remained completely silent regarding the aggressive and unprecedented misuse of authority that the select judges in the judicial branch have engaged in since President Trump took office. Not only have lower courts completely invalidated countless legitimate exercises of executive authority, they have also nullified immigration statutes passed by Congress on multiple occasions. The president of the United States is an elected position. These are unelected, unaccountable judges blatantly legislating from the bench why hasn't Congress sought to restrain this abuse? "President Trump did not invoke questionable Article II authority or completely disregard existing law like President Obama did when he created the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) amnesty program. The president simply used authority expressly granted him by Congress via the National Emergencies Act to reprogram a narrow set of funds. That's it. "FAIR stands behind President Trump's emergency declaration and supports a swift veto of this misguided resolution. Given Congressional inaction and ineptitude, we urge the White House to explore future uses of executive and inherent authority to address the more important issue of large scale catch and release such as enacting tent cities on the border with the resources to rapidly adjudicate asylum claims. A proper deterrence must be restored." Contact: Matthew Tragesser, 202-328-7004 ABOUT FAIR Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With over 2 million members and supporters nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced. SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) Related Links http://www.fairus.org OKLAHOMA CITY, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Garvin A. Isaacs, Jr. is being recognized by Continental Who's Who as a Pinnacle Attorney for his role as owner and sole practitioner at Garvin A. Isaacs, Inc. Garvin A. Isaacs Inc. is a one-man operation providing services to those living in the Oklahoma and New Mexico areas. Founded in 1980 by Mr. Isaacs, the firm specializes in Criminal and Civil Law where cases of individuals, who have been wrongfully accused, wholly or partially, are the focal point of practice. The firm's background, however, expands far beyond those fields. Mr. Isaacs has tried a wide variety of civil cases involving negligence, products liability, conversion, medical malpractice, wrongful termination, probate, oil and gas surface damages, take-or-pay, and breach of contract. Mr. Isaacs has assembled a significant portfolio over his 45 years of rigorous work in the courts, but perhaps the most significant success of his career came from his work on the 1979 case of Gene Leroy Hart, a man accused of the rape and murder of three young girls. The three victims, members of the Oklahoma Girl Scouts, were found dead and Hart was named suspect. By thorough examination of hard facts pertaining to the case and sustaining the questionable doubt throughout the three-month trial, Mr. Isaacs was able to have Mr. Hart acquitted. Later, he has also represented persons charged with drug defenses, including Guido Leon of Miami Florida in 1982, who was accused of conspiring to smuggle a planeload of marijuana from Columbia into the United States. The foundation of Mr. Isaacs's education began while attending Texan Christian University where he earned his Bachelor of the Arts degree in 1967. He continued his legal education at the Oklahoma City University School of Law, where he earned a Juris Doctorate degree in 1974. Mr. Isaacs is an accepted member of the Oklahoma Bar Association as of 1974, and the New Mexico Bar Association as of 1987. He is a lifetime member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and a current member of the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association where is he currently serving on the Board of Directors. He served as President of the Oklahoma Bar Association in 2016. In his free time, Mr. Isaacs enjoys to spend time exercising creativity in the fine arts. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, [email protected] SOURCE Continental Who's Who Related Links http://www.continentalwhoswho.com MADISON, Wis., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As the economic landscape of Wisconsin continues to change, many jobs will require some form of post-secondary education. And as families consider and plan for the cost of college, student loan debt is often one of their top concerns. In Wisconsin alone, the average student loan debt comes in at $29,569. ("Project on Student Debt", The Institute for College Access & Success, average debt as of 2017) And while this number can be intimidating for many families looking to reduce the amount of loans their child will need in the future, there are financial vehicles available to help them start saving today. Edvest, Wisconsin's 529 College Savings Plan, is one such tool. Designed to help families save for higher education expenses, Edvest offers over 17 different investment portfolios, and is one of the lowest-cost 529 plans in the U.S. The variety of investment options are designed to accommodate families at whatever stage they are in their college savings timeline. Here are three reasons to start saving with Edvest today: Take advantage of tax incentives don't leave money sitting on the table Edvest is a tax-advantaged 529 college saving plan, which means the money you invest with Edvest could save you money on your state taxes. For 2019, account owners, regardless of their relationship to a child, may be eligible to deduct up to $3,280 per beneficiary ($1,640 for single filers) from their Wisconsin income tax. Limitations apply.* Wisconsin families with more than one child or grandchild may be eligible for a state tax deduction of up to $6,560 for two children, $9,840 for three children, and so on. For the 2018 tax year, Edvest participants have until Monday, April 15, 2019 to make contributions and still deduct up to $3,200 per child from their Wisconsin income tax. College savings for more than just college tuition Funds saved through Edvest can be used for higher education expenses, such as tuition and fees, room and board, books, computers and related technology at colleges, universities, technical colleges, graduate schools and certificate programs nationwide. No matter where your child chooses to attend school, their Edvest funds will go with them. And, if it turns out your child or grandchild doesn't need all the money or their education goals change, you can designate a new beneficiary so long as they're an eligible member of your family. Employee perks worth investing in Did you know that many Wisconsin employers now offer Edvest as part of their benefits package? Similar to a 401k, employees have the option to make monthly Edvest contributions through automatic payroll deduction, making it even easier to be consistent with saving. Check with your HR rep to see if your company is participating. Your employer can benefit too with the Edvest employer tax credit. Under the new incentive, employers who contribute to an employees Edvest account may receive a state tax credit equal to 25 percent of the total contribution. Please consult a tax advisor for the applicable maximum tax credit per employee per tax year. For more information or to open an Edvest account today, please visit Edvest.com. Edvests college savings specialists are also available toll-free at 1.888.338.3789 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m * To learn more about the Wisconsin College Savings Plan, its investment objectives, tax benefits, risks and costs, please see the Disclosure Booklet at Edvest.com. Read it carefully. Investments in the Plan are neither insured nor guaranteed and there is the risk of investment loss. If the funds aren't used for qualified education expenses, a 10% penalty tax on earnings (as well as federal and state income taxes) may apply. Check with your home state to learn if it offers tax or other benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds or protection from creditors for investing in its own 529 plan. Consult your legal or tax professional for tax advice, including the impact of the new federal tax changes. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC, distributor and underwriter for the Wisconsin College Savings Plan. Neither TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc., nor its affiliates, are responsible for the content found on any external website links contained herein. 770429 SOURCE Edvest GURUGRAM, India, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Indonesia News The drinking water sources most commonly used by Indonesian households are bottled water (35.2%), protected dug well (18.7%), borewell (15.6%), and piped water/water utility (PDAM) (10.4%) Indonesia has been witnessing a shift from PVC Pipes to PE Pipes and products such as bioplastics are also expected to enter the market. Government Investment in Infrastructural and Private Expenditure on Real Estate: The Indonesia Plastic Pipes and Fittings Market is expected to record a single digit positive CAGR from 2018-2023. The Government of Indonesia has been investing heavily in the infrastructural sector along with private developers' investment in residential and retail real estate projects which are in pipeline. Multiple projects are being undertaken by the Government to improve the traffic congestion. Increase in Downstream Processing Capacity: The consumption of oil is increasing in various industries that depend on crude oil. The growing population in the country and the refining capacity of Indonesia is expected to increase in the coming years that would contribute further to the growing demand for plastic pipes and fittings. For Instance: KKC (PT Kilang Kaltim Continental) is expected to work on building a modular refinery at KIPI Maloy Port and industrial park, Indonesia. Pertamina, which is Indonesia's state-owned energy company, is also planning to increase its capacity by 260,000 Barrels/Day, by the end of the year 2020 by expanding its Balikpapan refinery. Shift from PVC pipes to PE pipes: PE pipes including HDPE, MDPE, and LDPE are widely used in drainage systems and drip irrigation systems as they have good temperature resistance. In Indonesia, it has been observed that there has been a shift from PVC to PE pipes majorly due to the advantages offered by PE. Currently 10.41% of household in Indonesia doesn't use any toilet facility for defecation. Around 78% of the households have a private toilet facility. Introduction of Bioplastics in the Market: Bioplastics are expected to enter the market as they can be recycled easily. The use of plants for manufacturing plastics would divert this resource from food to the production of plastic; as a result, seaweed is a better substitute for the production process. It is cheap and does not require heavy investment as it can grow without fertilizers and does not require land as it grows offshore. Moreover, Indonesia has a substantial role to play here as two-thirds of its territory is water and it accounts for more than one-third of the world seaweed production. Analysts at Ken Research in their latest publication "Indonesia Plastic Pipes and Fittings Market Outlook to 2023 - By PVC, PE, ABS, PP, PVDF Pipes and By End User Application (Water Supply and Irrigation, Sewage, Mining, Cable Protection and Others)" believe that the plastic pipes market is expected to record a CAGR of 5.4% from 2018-2023. For more information on the market research report please refer to the link below: https://www.kenresearch.com/manufacturing-and-construction/machinery-and-parts/indonesia-plastic-pipes-fittings-market/185888-97.html Key Segments Covered By Type of Pipe PVC PE ABS, Polypropylene Pipes, Polyvinylidene Fluoride Further Segmentation of PVC Pipes By Type of Pipe uPVC CPVC PVC-O By Market Structure Organized Unorganized Further Segmentation of PE Pipes By Type of Pipe HDPE MDPE LDPE and LLDPE By End User Application Water Supply and Irrigation Sewage Mining (Transportation of Slurry) Cable Protection (Conduit) Others (Gas, fire equipments) Key Target Audience Plastic Pipes and Fittings Manufacturers Plastic Resins Manufacturers Major Importers of Plastic Pipes and Fittings Private Equity Ventures Time Period Captured in the Report: 2013-2018(P) Historical Period 2019-2023 Future Forecast Major Companies Covered: PT Wahana Duta Jaya Rucika Vinilon Group Maspion Kencana PT Langgeng Makmur Industri Tbk. Unilon Pralon GF Piping Systems Ltd. PT Bangun Indopralon Sukses PT Indopipe Related Reports New Zealand Plastic Pipe and Fitting Market Outlook to 2023 - By PVC, PE, Others Plastic Pipes; By End User Application (Plumbing and Civil, Agriculture, Mining and Industrial, Telecom and Electrical and Others) The report covers various aspects including introduction to New Zealand plastic pipe and fitting market size, segmentation by Type of Pipe (PVC, PE, Others), by End User Application (Plumbing and Civil, Agriculture, Mining and Industrial, Telecom and Electrical and Others), Growth Drivers, Restraints, Key Regulations, Future Outlook and Analyst recommendations. This report will help the readers to identify the ongoing trends in the industry and anticipated growth in future depending upon changing industry dynamics in coming years. The report is useful for manufacturers, retailers, end users such as government and potential entrants and other stakeholders to align their market centric strategies according to ongoing and expected trends in the future. India Plastic Pipes and Fittings Market Forecast to 2026 By PVC Pipes (UPVC and CPVC Pipes), by Applications (Irrigation, Sewerage, Water Supply and Plumbing and Borewell Application), by Organized and Unorganized Sector and by Regions The report titled provides a comprehensive analysis on the India Plastic Pipes and Fittings Market. The report covers various aspects including overview and genesis of PVC pipes and fittings market in India, market size, market segmentation (by Type of Product UPVC and CPVC, by Application Irrigation, Sewerage, Water Supply and Plumbing and Borewell Application, by Organizational Structure Organized and Unorganized and by Regions South India, North India, West India and East India) and competitive landscape of major players in the India PVC pipe and fittings market. The major players in India PVC Pipes market are Finolex Industries Limited, Ashirvad Pipes Private Limited, Supreme Industries Limited, Astral Poly Technik Limited, Prince Pipes and Fittings Limited and Jain Irrigation Systems Limited. The report also covers Value Chain Analysis in India PVC pipes and fittings market, Trends and Developments, Issues and Challenges, Regulatory Framework, Investment Model, Porter's Five Force Analysis, a snapshot on India Plastic Pipes and Fittings Market, Future Outlook and Analyst Recommendations. Australia Plastic Pipe and Fitting Market Outlook to 2023 - By PVC, PE and Others Pipes, By Organized and Unorganized, By Regions and By End User Application (Plumbing and Civil, Agriculture, Mining and Industrial, Telecom and Electrical and Others) The report titled provides a comprehensive analysis on the Australia plastic pipe and fitting market. The report covers various aspects including introduction to Australia plastic pipe and fitting market size, major players in Australia plastic pipe and fitting market, Market segmentation by Type of Pipe (PVC, PE, Others), Market Segmentation by End User Application (Plumbing and Civil, Agriculture, Mining and Industrial, Telecom and Electrical and Others), Growth Drivers, Restraints, Key Regulations, Future Outlook and Analyst recommendations. Philippines Plastic Pipes and Fittings Market Outlook to 2022- By UPVC, CPVC, PE, PPR and Other Plastic Pipes; By End User Application (Irrigation, Sewerage, Electrical/ Communication Conduit, Potable Water and Fuel Gas and Others) The report titled covers Philippines plastic pipes and fittings market overview, industry size, value chainand segmentation by type of pipes (UPVC, CPVC, PE and PPR), by end user applications (Industry and Irrigation, Sewerage, Electrical/ Communication Conduit, Potable Water and Others), and by domestic manufacturing and imports.The report also covers issues and challenges, growth drivers, Porter's five force analysis and import and export scenario, competition landscape (competition stage and parameters of competition) and major plastic pipes and fittings manufacturers in Philippines (Neltex Development Co Inc, Moldex Products Inc, Atlanta Industries Inc, Emerald Vinyl Corporation, Crown Asia Chemical Corporation and Others). The report concludes with market projection for future and analyst recommendations highlighting the major opportunities and cautions. The report is useful for plastic pipes manufacturers and distributors, construction and real estate companies, plastic resin and solvent cement manufacturers to align their market centric strategies according to ongoing and expected trends in the future. Contact Us: Ankur Gupta Ken Research, Head Marketing [email protected] +91-9015378249 SOURCE Ken Research BELOIT, Wis., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Regal Beloit Corporation (NYSE: RBC) today announced that Louis V. Pinkham will become Regal's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective April 1, 2019. Regal had previously announced that Mark J. Gliebe, Chairman and CEO, would retire from Regal after the appointment of his successor. Mr. Gliebe will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board until the annual meeting of Regal's shareholders on April 30, 2019 and will not stand for re-election to the Board as a director. The Board of Directors of Regal has acted to appoint current Presiding Director, Rakesh Sachdev, to serve as the next Chairman of the Board, subject to his re-election at the 2019 annual meeting. Further, it is expected that Mr. Pinkham will be elected by the Board to serve as a director of the Company following the Company's 2019 annual meeting. Mr. Pinkham, age 47, is currently Senior Vice President for Crane Co. (a manufacturer of highly engineered industrial products). He joined Crane Co. in October 2012 as Group President, Fluid Handling. In 2014, he was named Senior Vice President, responsible for Fluid Handling and Electronics. In 2016, he was promoted to his current role as Senior Vice President with responsibility for three of Crane's four reporting entities, including Aerospace & Electronics, Payment and Merchandising Technologies, and Engineered Materials. In addition, he has corporate responsibility for facilitating Crane Co.'s emerging market growth in the Middle East & Africa, India and China. Mr. Pinkham has announced his intention to resign his position with Crane Co., effective March 29, 2019. Prior to joining Crane Co., Mr. Pinkham was Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Critical Power Solutions Division, Electrical Group at Eaton Corporation plc (a multinational power management company). From 2000 to 2012, he held successive and increasing roles of global responsibility at Eaton, including Vice President and General Manager, Low Voltage Components; General Manager, Electrical Group for North Asia based in China; and Managing Director of the Electrical Group based in Switzerland. Prior to joining Eaton, Mr. Pinkham held an Engineering and Quality Manager position at ITT Sherotec and a Process Design Engineer position with Molecular Biosystems, Inc. Mr. Pinkham is a graduate of Duke University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, and he holds a Master of Engineering Management degree from Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Speaking on behalf of Regal's Board of Directors, Rakesh Sachdev said, "We are thrilled to welcome Louis to the Regal team. He is a proven executive having led businesses that have grown both organically and through acquisition. His commercial and technical experience with electrical, mechanical, software and digital technologies will help drive Regal's innovation and growth initiatives." Mr. Sachdev continued, "We thank Mark for his outstanding contributions to Regal and wish him the very best in his retirement. Part of his legacy will be Regal's culture, which will be carried forward by an outstanding management team." Added Mr. Pinkham, "It is an honor to be selected as Regal's fifth CEO. I am joining a company that is performing well and has a strong foundation and positive momentum. Regal's differentiated technology is exciting. It promises to deliver energy efficiency and help our customers improve the life-cycle value of their products in a connected world." Regal Beloit Corporation is a leading manufacturer of electric motors and controls, power generation products and power transmission products serving customers throughout the world. We create a better tomorrow by developing and responsibly producing energy-efficient products and systems. Our company is comprised of three operating segments: Commercial and Industrial Systems, Climate Solutions and Power Transmission Solutions. Regal is headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin and has manufacturing, sales and service facilities worldwide. For more information, visit RegalBeloit.com. SOURCE Regal Beloit Corporation Related Links http://www.regalbeloit.com The T-Flex reference design featuring the Switchtec PCIe switch was jointly developed by Tencent and its partner Inspur, the top-selling server supplier in China. T-Flex uses the Switchtec PSX Gen3 96-lane PCIe programmable storage switch to enable flexible, high-density designs that combine performance and efficiency with more agile delivery of diverse resources. By bringing scalable I/O resource pooling to NVMe Solid State Disks (SSDs), GPUs, NICs, and other PCI endpoints, the PSX PCIe switch enables a T-Flex system to deliver dynamic and flexible configurability while supporting different services with different hardware I/O performance requirements. "Tier-one data center providers like Tencent are leveraging the capabilities that the Switchtec PCIe switches offer for enabling highly flexible compute and storage rack architectures," said Andrew Dieckmann, vice president of marketing and applications in Microchip's Data Center Solutions business unit. "The publication of this reference design by ODCC will enable ODCC members to readily adopt this architecture and leverage the benefits of a composable infrastructure." "We're excited to use the Switchtec PSX Gen3 PCIe programmable storage switch in the T-flex program," said Herry Wang, Tencent Server Department Manager. "It is a low-power solution that enables superior signal integrity, supports native x2 port bifurcation and provides a flexible programmable interface. Additionally, the Switchtec ChipLink diagnostic tool features advanced debug capabilities that aided and simplified overall system development." This is the second time the Switchtec Gen3 PCIe switch has been selected for an open reference design, in this case specifically for ODCC members. In 2017, the Switchtec PCIe Gen3 switch was incorporated into the Open Compute Project (OCP) Lightning (ST7200) reference design, which is also offered as a product by cloud-infrastructure provider Wiwynn for data center applications including enterprise storage systems, storage servers and Rack Scale Architecture infrastructure. The Switchtec PCIe switch enables a single-chip device in these applications to connect multiple PCIe NVMe SSDs while extending flexibility in the firmware to optimize the switch for specific application needs. The Switchtec PCIe switch enables high-density, high-port-count systems with differentiating features such as the ability to customize functionality for cloud applications. When used in a T-Flex IO resource pooling system, the Switchtec PSX Gen3 PCIe programmable storage switch enables connection of up to 16 host servers. Each host server can connect up to of four downstream T-Flex boxes and each of these T-Flex boxes can contain up to four GPU cards supporting Artificial Intelligence (AI) computing. This means that one server can connect up to 16 GPU cards when connecting four T-Flex boxes. Pricing and Availability The Tencent T-Flex reference design is posted to the Open Data Center Committee (ODCC) website at: http://www.opendatacenter.cn/download/22 and available to ODCC members. Support is provided by Tencent and Inspur. For additional information regarding the Switchtec PSX Gen3 PCIe programmable storage switches, visit https://www.microsemi.com/product-directory/storage/4018-pcie-storage-switches, contact a Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microsemi's website. Products may be purchased at https://www.microsemi.com/product-directory/storage/4018-pcie-storage-switches#ordering, or by contacting an authorized distributor. About Microsemi's PCI Express Product Portfolio Microsemi is a premier supplier of high value-add PCIe products including the scalable, low power, high-reliability PFX family of PCIe Gen3 fanout switches, the programmable PSX family of PCIe Gen3 storage switches, the PAX family of PCI Gen 3 advanced fabric switches and the low power, multi-protocol, adaptive EQNOX family of signal conditioners with FlexEQ equalization technology supporting PCIe Gen3 and PCIe Gen2. Microsemi's PCIe family is key to building low power and high-reliability data center, communications , defense and industrial servers; workstations; switches; routers; cellular infrastructure and test equipment . For more information about Microsemi's PCIe portfolio, visit https://www.microsemi.com/product-directory/storage/4346-pcie-gen3-switches. About Microchip Technology Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading semiconductor supplier of smart, connected and secure embedded control solutions. Its easy-to-use development tools and comprehensive product portfolio enable customers to create optimal designs which reduce risk while lowering total system cost and time to market. The company's solutions serve more than 125,000 customers across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace and defense, communications and computing markets. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com. Note: The Microchip name and logo and the Microchip logo are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. Switchtec, EQNOX, and FlexEQ are trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the U.S.A. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies. SOURCE Microchip Technology Inc. Related Links http://www.microchip.com Located in the heart of downtown Hartford at 440 Asylum Street, the recently renovated Capitol Hotel offers leisure and business travelers alike chic accommodations, unobstructed views of Connecticut's State Capitol building after which the hotel is named and convenient access to several nearby attractions, including the Connecticut Science Center, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, the Mark Twain House & Museum, and the Bushnell Performing Arts Center, as well as local colleges: Trinity College and St. Joseph College. The Capitol Hotel is well positioned for business travelers visiting Hartford, which has been nicknamed the "Insurance Capital of the World." The hotel is convenient to several corporate headquarters, such as Aetna, The Hartford Financial Services Group, and The Phoenix Companies, as well as the city's Amtrak station and Bradley International Airport. Other amenities of The Capitol Hotel include: A state-of-the-art fitness center Meeting and event spaces Onsite parking Complimentary breakfast "As one of the nation's oldest cities, and today one of the area's leading economies, the city of Hartford marries modernity with rich traditionwhich the Capitol Hotel captures perfectly," said Janis Cannon, senior vice president, upscale brands, Choice Hotels. "We're pleased to expand the Ascend Hotel Collection's offerings in high barrier-to-entry markets like Hartford and look forward to advancing the brand's growth in even more popular destinations around the globe." The Ascend Hotel Collection currently has more than 250 properties open and nearly 60 hotels in the pipeline worldwide. This year, the brand expects to open several hotels in major U.S. markets, including Brooklyn, N.Y.; Philadelphia; Long Island City, N.Y.; and Napa, Calif. As a member of the Ascend Hotel Collection, guests of The Capitol Hotel can participate in the award-winning Choice Privileges loyalty rewards program, rated a top hotel loyalty program by both USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards and U.S. News & World Report for three consecutive years. Choice Privileges membership is free and offers fast rewards and exclusive member rates for those who book directly at www.choicehotels.com. Members can earn and redeem points towards free nights, airline miles, and more while staying at any of Choice's participating branded hotels. Ascend Hotel Collection: Let the Destination Reach You. The Ascend Hotel Collection global portfolio of unique, boutique, and historic independent hotels and resorts is part of Choice Hotels International, one of the world's largest leading hotel companies. Recognized as the hotel industry's first "soft brand" concept, the Ascend Hotel Collection has more than 250 properties open and operating worldwide, including in France, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Australia, Canada, Ecuador, and the Caribbean region. Membership with the Ascend Hotel Collection enables distinctive, independent properties to gain a global presence while maintaining their local charm. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com/Ascend . About Choice Hotels Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest and most successful lodging franchisors in the world. With more than 7,000 hotels, representing nearly 570,000 rooms, in over 40 countries and territories as of December 31, 2018, the Choice family of hotel brands provides business and leisure travelers with a range of high-quality lodging options from limited service to full-service hotels in the upscale, midscale, extended-stay and economy segments. The award-winning Choice Privileges loyalty program offers members benefits ranging from everyday rewards to exceptional experiences. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com. Forward-Looking Statement This communication includes "forward-looking statements" about future events, including anticipated development and hotel openings. Such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including construction delays, availability and cost of financing and the other "Risk Factors" described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, any of which could cause actual results to be materially different from our expectations. 2019 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All rights reserved. SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc. Related Links http://www.choicehotels.com DENVER, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Vista Gold Corp. (TSX & NYSE American: VGZ) ("Vista" or the "Company") today announced that it has increased the size of its Board of Directors from six to seven, and appointed Ms. Deborah Friedman as a director of the Company. Ms. Friedman is a successful mining company executive with over 38 years of international and domestic industry experience with major, mid-tier and junior companies, and a retired partner from the law firm of Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP. The Board of Directors will consider board committee appointments at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Vista's Chairman of the Board, Mr. Michael Richings, commented, "We are pleased to welcome Deborah Friedman to the Board and look forward to her contributions as we seek a partner for the development of the Mt Todd gold project. We believe that Ms. Friedman's past experience with domestic and international development project joint ventures, corporate and project finance, business combination transactions, mine development/operations matters, and exploration joint ventures, will be of benefit as the Company continues its efforts to realize shareholder value in line with the intrinsic value of the Mt Todd gold project. We are very fortunate to add someone with Deborah's credentials and extensive international experience to our Board." About Vista Gold Corp. The Company is a well-funded gold project developer. The Company's principal asset is its flagship Mt Todd gold project in Northern Territory, Australia. Mt Todd is the largest undeveloped gold project in Australia. For further information, please contact the Company at (720) 981-1185. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future. When used in this press release, the words "optimistic," "potential," "indicate," "expect," "intend," "hopes," "believe," "may," "will," "if," "anticipate," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. These 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 such statements. Such factors include, among others, those factors discussed under the headings "Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed in February 2019 and other documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements and forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information; whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Vista Gold Corp. FORT MYERS, Fla., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- 21st Century Oncology (21CO), the largest integrated cancer care network in America, continues to expand its impressive roster of leading physicians as it has announced the signing of Drs. Mohammad Jahanzeb, Raja Mudad, Edgardo S. Santos, Neil Nagovski, and Simon Abi Aad, and the creation of Florida Precision Oncology, a member of the 21CO Dream Team. The group will join in June, 2019. These world-class oncology physicians will bring more than 50 years of combined experience in oncology care and research. The Florida Precision Oncology group will work in partnership with 21CO's existing medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and other specialists in Boca Raton and Aventura and support surrounding communities. The shared vision will allow for a premier medical oncology center in both locations for their patients soon thereafter. This is one of many expansions planned by 21CO. "We are incredibly excited to welcome Drs. Jahanzeb, Abi Aad, Mudad, Nagovski and Santos, nationally renowned medical oncology leaders and advanced research experts, as new members of our 21CO family. This focus on patient care and research makes these doctors an outstanding fit as we continue to grow by adding world-class physicians to provide the best and most convenient cancer care to patients," said Kim Commins-Tzoumakas, CEO of 21st Century Oncology. "The 21CO Dream Team already consists of the country's top oncologists, and by adding the Florida Precision Oncology group of doctors to our network, we will be able to better serve our communities, hospital partners and patients in Southeast Florida." Dr. Jahanzeb (FACP, FASCO),who is currently a Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine and serves as the Medical Director of the University of Miami's Sylvester Deerfield campus, will lead the newly formed Florida Precision Oncology practice. An international lecturer on complex issues related to breast and lung cancers, Dr. Jahanzeb has given more than 900 lectures as an invited speaker and has authored or contributed to more than 200 original reports, books, reviews and abstracts. He has been the Chair of the FLASCO Continuing Medical Education Committee for three years, and served on the Board of Directors and the Expert Panels for Lung Cancer and Breast Cancer of the National Comprehensive Care Network between 2003 and 2013. "Matching the right patient to the right treatment is the essence of good care in this era of targeted therapies and precision oncology, and that is where we excel," said Dr. Jahanzeb. "We intend to provide expert, efficient care to our patients closer to where they live." Dr. Mudad (FACP) is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine, the Medical Director of the Chemotherapy Treatment Units at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, where he also serves as Co-Chief Medical Informatics Officer (CMIO) and Associate Director of the Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program. Dr. Mudad is a nationally recognized thought leader in the field of Thoracic Oncology, and an expert in novel treatments with Adoptive T-cell therapy in Lung Cancer. He is very active in clinical research in this field and has been recognized for numerous honors and awards throughout his career. He has authored numerous publications and has been invited to multiple national and international conferences for presentations. Dr. Santos (FACP) specializes in thoracic oncology and head and neck cancer, and serves as the Medical Director of Cancer Research at the Lynn Cancer Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. He is also a Clinical Affiliate Associate Professor at the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University. He is a former recipient of the American Cancer Society Spirit Award and is actually a Board Member/Chair of the Program Committee at Florida American Society of Clinical Oncology (FLASCO) and the Chair of the Publication Committee of the International Association of the Study of Lung Cancer (IASCL). Dr. Santos also serves as the Co-Chair of the IASLC Latin American Group and founder member of the Oncology Latin America Association (OLA). Dr. Nagovski is board certified in medical oncology, hematology and internal medicine, and has been in practice for more than 20 years. He has earned several awards and distinctions for outstanding patient care, including the Press Ganey "Guardian of Excellence" Award in 2016 and the Memorial Angel Patient Recognition Award in 2015. Dr. Abi Aad is board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology/hematology and has special interest in public policy and cancer care delivery to patients. As a cancer researcher, Dr. Abi Aad is actively engaged in clinical studies and has been published in several peer-reviewed journals and is a grant recipient for breast cancer studies. "This expansion of our company is great for our patients and the communities we serve," said Dr. Samarth Reddy, a leading medical oncologist in Boca Raton, and current staple of 21CO. "My partners and I welcome the ability to collaborate on best practices and techniques with these physicians to collectively raise the bar for cancer care." By adding Florida Precision Oncology to its vast cancer care network, 21st Century Oncology extends the reach of its massive footprint throughout Florida and the U.S., as it operates over 130 centers in 15 states. About 21st Century Oncology 21st Century Oncology is the nation's largest integrated cancer care network. Operating as one dream team in the crusade against cancer, the company carries out its mission with the mindset of fighting for patients like an army and caring for them like a family. 21st Century Oncology employs or is affiliated with more than 940 physicians globally to deliver the most advanced, integrated and compassionate cancer care in personal and convenient settings. Headquartered in Fort Myers, FL, 21st Century Oncology operates 165 treatment centers, including 130 centers located in 15 U.S. states. In addition, the company operates 35 centers located in eight countries in Latin America. For more information, please visit https://www.21co.com. MEDIA CONTACT Brad Pettiford, APR PR Director LUDWIG+ 419-509-9338 (c) LUDWIGPLUS.COM | [email protected] SOURCE 21st Century Oncology Related Links https://www.21co.com RIVERSIDE, Calif., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of California, Riverside announced today a $3.5 million donation from Givaudan to support UCR's Citrus Variety Collection. The gift will help protect one of world's most extensive citrus diversity collections from the impending threat of citrus greening disease, also known as Huanglongbing, or HLB. The gift will pay for a 2.8-acre protective screened structure for new trees and back-up collections of the UCR Citrus Variety Collection, established more than 100 years ago. The collection includes two trees of about 1,000 types of citrus, and occupies 22.3 acres on the UCR campus, as well as two smaller, remote sites. The collection will be known as the Givaudan Citrus Variety Collection at the University of California, Riverside, for a 10-year period. Givaudan is the world's leading flavour and fragrance company. Announcing the gift in the Variety Collection's groves on March 14, Givaudan Global Citrus Product Manager Dawn Streich alluded to the urgency posed by HLB. "A significant part of our latest gift to UCR will protect the collection from greening today's main challenge to citrus," Streich said. Citrus Greening disease, also known as Huanglongbing, is caused by a bacterium that is transmitted by the Asian Citrus Psyllid. The bacterium affects the way in which nutrients are transferred from root to tree, and once infected, the tree yield will be lower, fruit appearance and flavor affected, with the disease ultimately killing the tree. Prevalent in Florida, Brazil, and Mexico, the disease is a global issue and has been detected in every major citrus growing region. Citrus Variety Collection curator Tracy Kahn said the recent discovery of HLB in Riverside, 2.25 miles from UCR's Citrus Variety Collection "crystalized the need for further protection." Givaudan's officials say its partnership with UCR, which began in 2006, has led to discovery of new citrus ingredients and flavours. "This partnership gives us access to rare varietals, which combined with our creative approach to citrus, delivers unique insight for our customers inspiring consumer preferred products around the globe," Streich said. In 2011, A Givaudan gift created the Givaudan Citrus Variety Collection Endowed Chair to support and maintain UCR's Citrus Variety Collection. In addition to building the screenhouse, the gift announced today will add to the endowment, assuring support of the collection in perpetuity. SOURCE University of California, Riverside BROOMFIELD, Colo., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- New research from Webroot, the Smarter Cybersecurity company, reveals that 71 percent of businesses surveyed in the United States plan to use more artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) in their cybersecurity tools this year, although over half (58%) aren't sure what that technology really does. The global report titled, "Knowledge Gaps: AI and Machine Learning in Cybersecurity," details that more businesses are leveraging AI/ML tools within cybersecurity, and the perceptions IT professionals have around said tools. Although over one-third (36%) of organizations experienced a damaging cyberattack within the last year, the majority is still extremely confident (83%) they have all the tools they need to successfully defend themselves against criminals using AI/ML-based threats. While 71 percent of businesses plan to spend more budget on AI/ML tools in 2019, only 49 percent of IT professionals feel extremely comfortable using these tools. This presents a clear disconnect and supports the need for further education, or outsourced support from skilled experts, particularly when 86 percent of IT professionals agree that cybercriminals are also leveraging AI/ML in their attacks. Explore the Results: Knowledge Gaps: AI and Machine Learning in Cybersecurity Key Findings from U.S. Respondents: 86% believe cybercriminals are using AI/ML to attack organizations 76% do not care if their protection uses AI/ML as long as it keeps them safe from cybercriminals Yet 70% say it is very important that cybersecurity advertising mention use of AI or ML 71% of IT professionals report their business plans to use more AI/ML tools in 2019 Yet only 49% of IT professionals feel extremely comfortable using AI/ML tools Key Quote: Hal Lonas, CTO, Webroot "AI and ML continue to present a troubling knowledge gap, particularly given the amount of confusing hype in the cybersecurity industry. A company cannot properly defend against advanced AI and ML attacks when less than half of its IT professionals are comfortable using the tools needed to defend against those attacks. To level the playing field, organizations need to partner with vendors that have the historical data and skilled staff required to deliver the highest level of efficacy and automation to their customers. And even though 70 percent of professionals in the survey say it's very important that vendors mention the use of AI and ML in their advertising, advertisements should be validated by quality data." Additional Resources: Survey Methodology Survey respondents were provided by Branded Research Inc., which has an active proprietary global panel of over 2 million respondents. The survey was conducted by LEWIS between November 26 and December 5, 2018, and consisted of an online survey of 37 questions total, requiring approximately 10 minutes. For all survey respondents, LEWIS partners with Imperium to only work with companies who implement their quality control services on their sampling services. Imperium is solely focused on helping companies guarantee data integrity and comply with industry regulations. Survey responses were received from 400 full-time IT professionals at the IT director level and above; 200 of which were from the United States, and 200 from Japan. Respondents represented organizations that had 250 employees or more, and 87 percent were the primary decision makers for cybersecurity tools purchased within their organization. The overall margin of error was 5 percent at a 95 percent confidence interval. About Webroot Webroot was the first to harness the cloud and artificial intelligence to protect businesses and individuals against cyber threats. We provide the number one security solution for managed service providers and small businesses, who rely on Webroot for endpoint protection, network protection, and security awareness training. Webroot BrightCloud Threat Intelligence Services are used by market-leading companies like Cisco, F5 Networks, Citrix, Aruba, Palo Alto Networks, A10 Networks, and more. Leveraging the power of machine learning to protect millions of businesses and individuals, Webroot secures the connected world. Headquartered in Colorado, Webroot operates globally across North America, Europe, and Asia. Discover Smarter Cybersecurity solutions at webroot.com. Social Media: Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook 2019 Webroot Inc. All rights reserved. Webroot, SecureAnywhere, Webroot SecureAnywhere, Webroot BrightCloud, BrightCloud, and Smarter Cybersecurity are trademarks or registered trademarks of Webroot Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners. SOURCE Webroot Related Links http://www.webroot.com CLEARWATER, Fla., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The klieg lights. The red carpet arrivals. The photographers capturing the moment. The excited chatter in a multitude of languages. The bustle and buzz. Thousands came from 70 nations, converging at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida. Decked out in gowns and tuxedos, they were ready to party. It was the marquee event in an annual weekend-long birthday celebration for the religion's founder, L. Ron Hubbard (LRH). And there was a whole lot to celebrate, from a history-making grand opening to a string of church successes spanning the globe and a sneak peek inside the Scientology Network's next season all of it underscoring the scope of Scientology expansion. Mr. Miscavige welcomes attendees to the annual celebration at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida. And there was a whole lot to celebrate, from a history-making grand opening to a string of church successes spanning the globe and a sneak peek inside the Scientology Network's next season ? all of it underscoring the scope of Scientology expansion. Mr. Miscavige presents the crowning achievement of this year's expansion, the opening of the first new Advanced Organization in over 35 years. The historic dedication of a majestic castle overlooking 22 acres of highveld made the advanced spiritual levels of Scientology available for the first time on African soil. More than 6,500 Scientologists from 70 nations gather in Clearwater, Florida, for the annual celebration of the life and legacy of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. The joyous weekend of festivities draws thousands for a time-traveling, globe-hopping tribute to the extraordinary life of the religion's founder. The night launched off with a virtuoso musical performance that had attendees on their feet and which signaled that this extraordinary evening would supply untold adventure. Indeed, it was the world-class introduction to the moment when the ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, Mr. David Miscavige, took the stage amidst thunderous applause and a prolonged standing ovation. "Welcome to the night we honor our founder. Not that you have never made his acquaintance. But as this is a night to do the formalities, let's begin with a few basics. This past year saw new churches of Scientology in every geographic zone, new facilities for forward strides across entire continents, not to mention a brand-new year 2019 that will never be forgotten even though it's just begun. In short, our expansion is staggering and, of course, it all wells up from the life and legacy of one man L. Ron Hubbard." And that life and legacy have left an indelible mark on the world. He was born on March 13, 1911, and as his biographer Dan Sherman made clear in his presentation, L. Ron Hubbard was a man who recognized the humanity in each individual he met, focusing on them in a way that left a lasting impact. Mr. Sherman took the audience on a journey that spanned five decades, for a series of days in the extraordinary life of L. Ron Hubbard, interweaving video interviews with people who were forever changed just by crossing his path. The presentation began 300 feet above Midwest cornfields where a 20-year-old barnstorming pilot named "Flash" Hubbard showed local residents, including a nine-year-old model-airplane enthusiast, what it meant to fly. That boy now a grown man recalled how, after landing in a cow patch, the young pilot gave the curious residents one after another the chance to soar above the fields. It was an occasion that made such an impression on townspeople that it was commemorated half a century later with L. Ron Hubbard Day. Mr. Sherman next set the scene in a hilltop writer's retreat above Port Orchard, Washington, where Mr. Hubbard penned his first novel, a story about the Blackfoot Indians. The audience heard from another witness to history, a Blackfoot representative who as a young man met L. Ron Hubbard in that cedar-lined cabin where he talked about his novel "and made the story come alive." It was, he said, "a red-letter day." Mr. Sherman's snapshots into the life and insights of L. Ron Hubbard also included stories from a gentleman inspired to pursue a career in science because of his boyhood conversations with the man who rescued him from a hurricane in New Jersey and another who vividly recalled his teenage days as a diner busboy, culminating in a life lesson about the importance of education that he took to heart, thanks to a generous customer who befriended him, named Mr. Hubbard. Mr. Sherman concluded his presentation in California's Gold Country in the 1980s, delighting the audience with an interview of a young woman from Sears Roebuck who answered a sales call at Mr. Hubbard's home and experienced a golden afternoon that she would never forget: "When you meet someone that significant, they leave a very special impression on you." The evening then fast-forwarded to 2019 and an awards ceremony that underscored the spirit of the night a celebration of expansion. More than 40 years ago, LRH was asked what he wanted for his birthday. His answer was the gift of Scientology orgs and missions flourishing in the name of delivering spiritual freedom. Over the years, Scientology churches around the globe have made a game out of it, competing in one of four leagues, racing to the finish line. This year, the champions stepping into the winner's circle each achieved record-breaking performances. They are the Scientology Mission of Ulm, Germany; the Church of Scientology Stuttgart, Germany; the Advanced Organization & Saint Hill United Kingdom; and the Continental Liaison Office of Europe. All the fanfare and excitement set the stage for the evening's ultimate recognition of Mr. Hubbard's legacy. "Indeed, we come to the culminating chapter of this 2019 Birthday Game," said Mr. Miscavige. "So while you have undoubtedly heard tell of it and possibly even witnessed it, the time has come to set down the facts." And just like that, Mr. Miscavige next presented the crowning achievement of this year's expansion, the opening of the first new Advanced Organization in over 35 years. The historic dedication of a majestic castle overlooking 22 acres of highveld made the advanced spiritual levels of Scientology available for the first time on African soil and thus was the realization of a dream first expressed by Mr. Hubbard over 50 years ago. The presentation chronicled a series of epic celebrations, from the magnificent grand opening, which national dignitaries hailed as an "awakening of our beloved Africa," to a monumental gathering of tribal chiefs. Within days of opening, the castle hosted a "Summit of Thrones" convocation of 14 monarchs from five African nations. The event's guest of honor, Queen Shebah III, Empress of the Royal African Kingdoms, recognized L. Ron Hubbard for finding "the means to unite all kingdoms and peoples from this cradle of Africa." Finally, all eyes turned to the giant television screen for an exciting and entertaining presentation that focused on a game-changing area of expansion, this time over the airwaves. Just 12 months ago, the religion flipped the switch on the Scientology Network, bringing the voice, the story and the message of Scientology to the world unfiltered, unabashed, unlike anything on television. And the industry has taken notice, honoring the station with over 30 awards for outstanding programming, the five latest recognizing L. Ron Hubbard, the autobiographical series L. Ron Hubbard: in His Own Voice and L. Ron Hubbard Library Presents his groundbreaking writings illuminated on film. Accordingly, Mr. Miscavige captivated all in attendance with an audiovisual preview of what's in store for the Scientology Network's "Year Two." As the spectacular birthday party came to a close (with a giant cake, of course), the joyous crowds moved on to the Flag Land Base where the celebratory atmosphere was on display all weekend. From the historic Fort Harrison to The Oak Cove and Sandcastle retreats, all facilities were filled to capacity with visiting Scientologists attending planned and impromptu gatherings throughout the multitude of Flag's Seminar and Conference Centers. The festivities culminated with the annual Flag Patrons Ball, an International Association of Scientologists (IAS) gala acknowledging those members whose efforts support Scientology humanitarian initiatives that benefit millions the world over. It was a weekend defined by a shared spirit of celebration and of hope inspired by Mr. Hubbard that mankind can realize an inherent greatness and fulfill his long-sought dreams. Mr. Miscavige summed that collective spirit when he said: "LRH tells us we are only as alive as we still cling to dreams. "And, while we cannot fulfill those dreams in a single breath, we nonetheless possess the technology to eventually make them come true. "While, even more than that, we possess the means to fulfill that most enduring dream of every spiritual being, which is total spiritual freedom and which is both our beginning and our end." And with that, a 108th birthday celebration ends and another 12 months of inspiration begins and considering the impact and influence of L. Ron Hubbard continues to grow and grow, this next year is set to be full with extraordinary success and adventure. Media Contact: Media Relations, Phone: (323) 960-3500; Email: [email protected] Related Images annual-celebration-of-the-life-and.jpg Annual celebration of the life and legacy of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard More than 6,500 Scientologists from 70 nations gather in Clearwater, Florida, for the annual celebration of the life and legacy of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. The joyous weekend of festivities draws thousands for a time-traveling, globe-hopping tribute to the extraordinary life of the religion's founder. mr-david-miscavige-the.jpg Mr. David Miscavige, the ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion Mr. Miscavige welcomes attendees to the annual celebration at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida. And there was a whole lot to celebrate, from a history-making grand opening to a string of church successes spanning the globe and a sneak peek inside the Scientology Network's next season all of it underscoring the scope of Scientology expansion. the-historic-dedication-of-a.jpg The historic dedication of a majestic Castle Mr. Miscavige presents the crowning achievement of this year's expansion, the opening of the first new Advanced Organization in over 35 years. The historic dedication of a majestic castle overlooking 22 acres of highveld made the advanced spiritual levels of Scientology available for the first time on African soil. scientology-network-year-two.png SCIENTOLOGY NETWORK YEAR TWO The network's upcoming season is set to launch later this spring with all new episodes taking viewers across six continents and the diverse activities of the religion, its members and their countless partners in the pursuit of a better world. Related Links Scientology.org Scientology News SOURCE Scientology Network MONTREAL, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtual Artifacts (VA) announced they have conducted two surveys between Jan. 12-28, 2019 and Feb. 11-20, 2019 with mobile applications developers about its flagship platform Hibe, a social network for mobile apps that allows different applications to "friend" each other in order to enable their users to interact with each other. The goal of the first survey was to validate their interest to join the Hibe platform to address critical market needs, including adoption, retention and monetization problems of their mobile apps. The second survey focused on evaluating the easiness or difficulty to integrate their mobile apps using the Hibe API. Virtual Artifacts Inc. The first survey revealed that more than three quarters (76.2%) of respondents were very interested or extremely interested in joining Hibe. In addition, the vast majority of respondents (82.6%) were willing to spend few hours to integrate their apps to the Hibe platform. The second survey revealed that 70.5% of respondents found that the Hibe API was easier or not more difficult that other API tools they have used in the past. The complete results of both surveys are available at https://www.hibe.com/blog.html/dev-surveys/3e850048-4ab8-442f-aa15-05fa5a0cd993 About Virtual Artifacts Based in Montreal, Canada, Virtual Artifacts develops privacy-centric technologies that fundamentally transform how individuals, brands and organizations connect, communicate and transact online. These technologies include decision-making privacy AI, privacy-compliant advertising engines and blockchain systems to host, contextualize, distribute and ensure confidentiality of online activities. For more information, please visit us at www.hibe.com and www.virtualartifacts.com. Contacts For further information, please contact us at [email protected]. Related Links Why Hibe? Hibe for Developers Related Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNXw9np7Irc SOURCE Virtual Artifacts Inc. Related Links http://www.virtualartifacts.com IRVINE, Calif., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- ATTOM Data Solutions, curator of the nation's premier property database, today released its Q1 2019 Single Family Rental Market report, which ranks the best U.S. markets for buying single family rental properties in 2019. The report analyzed single family rental returns in 432 U.S. counties each with a population of at least 100,000 and sufficient rental and home price data. Rental data was from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and home price data was from publicly recorded sales deed data collected and licensed by ATTOM Data Solutions (see full methodology below). View interactive map displaying SFR returns in all 432 counties analyzed The average annual gross rental yield (annualized gross rent income divided by median purchase price of single-family homes) among the 432 counties was 8.8 percent for 2019, up from an average of 8.7 percent in 2018. "Buying single-family homes to rent them out is a better deal for investors so far this year, than it was at the same time in 2018, as profit margins are rising in a majority of counties across the United States," said Todd Teta, chief product officer at ATTOM Data Solutions. "Last year, at this time, investors were seeing returns drop in three-quarters of the counties that were analyzed. So far this year, those margins are up in six out of every 10 counties analyzed. But despite the generally rosier picture, profits vary widely and investing in the single-family home rental market is not always a great move. The typical bottom-line gain from county to county this year has ranged from as high as 29 percent to as little as 3 percent." Counties in Baltimore, Macon, Vineland, Rockford, Detroit post highest rental returns Counties with the highest potential annual gross rental yields for 2019 were Baltimore City, Maryland (24.5 percent); Bibb County, Georgia in the Macon metro area (21.9 percent); Cumberland, New Jersey, in the Vineland-Bridgeton metro area (21.2 percent); Winnebago, Illinois, in the Rockford metro area (17.1 percent); and Wayne County, Michigan in the Detroit metro area (17.1 percent). Along with Wayne County, Michigan, the highest potential annual gross rental yields among counties with a population of at least 1 million were Cuyahoga County (Cleveland), Ohio (12.0 percent); Allegheny County, Pennsylvania (10.9 percent); Cook County (Chicago), Illinois (9.7 percent); and Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (9.4 percent). Rental returns increase from a year ago in over half of the counties analyzed Potential annual gross rental yields for 2019 increased compared to 2018 in 248 of the 432 counties analyzed in the report (57 percent) led by Buncombe County, North Carolina in the Asheville metro area (up 29.1 percent); Santa Clara County, California in the San Jose metro area (up 24.8 percent); Henderson County, North Carolina, in the Asheville metro area (up 24.6 percent); Erie County, Pennsylvania (up 24.3 percent); and Muscogee County, Georgia in the Columbus metro area (up 23.5 percent). Along with Santa Clara County, California, the biggest increase in potential annual gross rental yields for 2019 compared to 2018 among counties with a population of at least 1 million were Sacramento County, California (up 12.2 percent); Orange County (Los Angeles), California (up 10.9 percent); Dallas County, Texas (up 10.8 percent); and Kings County (Brooklyn), New York (up 10.6 percent). Counties in San Francisco, San Jose and New York post lowest rental returns Counties with the lowest potential annual gross rental yields for 2019 were San Mateo County, California, in the San Francisco metro area (3.4 percent); San Francisco County, California (3.7 percent); Marin County, California, also in the San Francisco metro area (4.0 percent); Santa Clara, California, in the San Jose metro area (4.2 percent); and Kings County (Brooklyn), New York (4.3 percent). Along with Santa Clara County, California and Kings County, New York, the lowest potential annual gross rental yields among counties with a population of at least 1 million were in Fairfax County, (Washington, D.C. metro area) Virginia (4.7 percent); Queens County, New York (4.8 percent); Alameda County (San Francisco metro area), California (4.9 percent); and Orange County (Los Angeles metro area), California (5.0 percent). Rents rising faster than wages in 55 percent of markets Rents rose faster than wages in 236 of the 432 counties analyzed (55 percent), including Los Angeles County, California; Harris County (Houston), Texas; Maricopa County (Phoenix), Arizona; San Diego County, California; and Orange County, California. Wages rose faster than rents in 196 of the 432 counties analyzed (45 percent), including Cook County (Chicago), Illinois; Kings County, New York; Queens County, New York; Clark County (Las Vegas), Nevada; and Tarrant County (Dallas-Fort Worth), Texas. Best SFR growth markets in Cleveland, Columbia, Pittsburgh, Rockford, Atlanta The report identified 98 "SFR Growth" counties where average wages grew over the past year and with potential 2019 annual gross rental yields of 10 percent or higher. The 98 SFR Growth markets included Wayne County (Detroit), Michigan; Cuyahoga County (Cleveland), Ohio; Allegheny County (Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania; Milwaukee County, Wisconsin and Marion County (Indianapolis), Indiana. Methodology For this report, ATTOM Data Solutions looked at all U.S. counties with a population of 100,000 or more and with sufficient home price and rental rate data. Rental returns were calculated using annual gross rental yields: the 2019 50th percentile rent estimates for three-bedroom homes in each county from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), annualized, and divided by the median sales price of residential properties in each county. ATTOM Data Solutions also incorporated weekly wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and demographic data from the U.S. Census into the report. About ATTOM Data Solutions ATTOM Data Solutions provides premium property data to power products that improve transparency, innovation, efficiency and disruption in a data-driven economy. ATTOM multi-sources property tax, deed, mortgage, foreclosure, environmental risk, natural hazard, and neighborhood data for more than 155 million U.S. residential and commercial properties covering 99 percent of the nation's population. A rigorous data management process involving more than 20 steps validates, standardizes and enhances the data collected by ATTOM, assigning each property record with a persistent, unique ID the ATTOM ID. The 9TB ATTOM Data Warehouse fuels innovation in many industries including mortgage, real estate, insurance, marketing, government and more through flexible data delivery solutions that include bulk file licenses, APIs, market trends, marketing lists, match & append and introducing the first property data deliver solution, a cloud-based data platform that streamlines data management Data-as-a-Service (DaaS). Media Contact: Christine Stricker 949.748.8428 [email protected] Data and Report Licensing: 949.502.8313 [email protected] SOURCE ATTOM Data Solutions Related Links http://www.attomdata.com March 17th-19th in Orange County, CA LAS VEGAS, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Australis Capital Inc. (CSE: AUSA)(OTCQB: AUSAF) ("Australis" or the "Company") today announced that Michael Carlotti, the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Cleve Tzung, SVP, Mergers and Acquisitions, will be attending and meeting with investors at the ROTH Conference 2019, to be held March 17-19, 2019, at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, CA. The Australis Investor presentation is available through the Investors tab Investor Dashboard section of the Company's website at https://www.ausacap.com/investors/investor-dashboard/presentations. The annual ROTH Conference, hosted by Roth Capital Partners, gathers more than 500 companies and approximately 1,000 investors, featuring presentations from public and private companies in a variety of sectors including healthcare. To learn more about the event, please visit https://roth.meetmax.com/sched/event_51941/conference_home.html About Australis Australis identifies and invests in the cannabis industry predominantly in the United States, a highly-regulated, fragmented, rapidly-expanding and evolving industry. Investments may include and are not limited to equity, debt or other securities of both public and private companies, financings in exchange for royalties or other distribution streams, and control stake acquisitions. Australis adheres to stringent investment criteria and focuses on significant near and mid-term high-quality opportunities with strong return potentials while maintaining a steadfast commitment to governance and community. Australis' Board and management team have material experience with, and knowledge of, the cannabis space in the U.S., extensive backgrounds in highly-regulated industries, adherence to stringent regulatory compliance, public company, and operational expertise. In addition to the Company's expertise and strong execution on strategic M&A, which to date includes Rthm Technologies Inc., Body and Mind Inc., Quality Green Inc., Folium Biosciences and Mr. Natural Inc., Australis has developed strategic partnerships with companies such as Wagner Dimas. Australis' Common shares trade on the CSE under the symbol "AUSA" and on the OTCQB under the symbol "AUSAF". For further information about Australis, please visit the website at ausacap.com or contact the Company by e-mail at [email protected]. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Scott Dowty" ________________________________ Scott Dowty Chief Executive Officer Forward-Looking Information Statement This news release contains statements and information that, to the extent that they are not historical fact, constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking information. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company's management to predict all of such factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking information to reflect information, events, results, circumstances or otherwise after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law including securities laws. SOURCE Australis Capital Inc. HOUSTON, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- BBVA Compass launched its full financial education program for 2019 last week, on the heels of a successful four-month pilot program which wrapped in December, aiming to reach approximately 7,000 more people during its first full year in existence. The BBVA Compass Center for Financial Education Community Partner Program, which was the centerpiece of the bank's Financial Education Summit in Houston this past week, is designed to provide financial education workshops through partnerships with local nonprofit organizations in the bank's footprint. Piloted with 28 nonprofit organizations in 2018, the program now includes 50 organizations in 29 markets. The bank expects to more than triple its 2018 participation of 2,900 participants, targeting a total of 10,000 low- to moderate-income adults this year. The program underscores the bank's purpose, bringing the age of opportunity to everyone by improving the lives and financial capabilities of the people in the communities served by the bank, according to BBVA Compass Director of Communications and Responsible Business Reymundo Ocanas. In addition, the program provides skills-based volunteer opportunities for bank employees, which augment the bank's CRA efforts and contributed to its recent outstanding rating. Workshops are customized to focus on home ownership, personal finance and small business and are led by local bank volunteers with expertise in each of the subject matter areas. "During our pilot last year, we saw a strong positive response which clearly indicated the need for us to broaden our reach," Ocanas said. "Our goal this year is to expand the program to provide the financial education foundation that creates opportunities for more people to improve their financial capabilities and achieve financial security. We can do that by partnering with even more nonprofit organizations and expanding our geographic reach through our entire footprint." The BBVA Compass Foundation, the bank's charitable-giving arm, selected the nonprofits to receive grants and host financial education workshops led by BBVA Compass subject matter experts. These workshops are designed to help participants improve their understanding of the financial system in order to identify and seize opportunities to increase their financial stability. The grant recipients have a demonstrated ability to provide financial capability programming to low- and moderate-income families, to unbanked or underbanked populations, or to small businesses in underserved areas. BBVA Compass provided the workshop curricula, which it developed using its own subject matter experts in partnership with leading education technology firm EverFi. "As bankers, our expertise lies in the field of financial matters. We believe we have an obligation to share that expertise with the people in our communities," said Ocanas. "We want to give them the tools and the knowledge to help them make sound, responsible financial choices." For more information on the bank's Center for Financial Education Workshops, please contact [email protected] To learn more about BBVA Compass, visit: www.bbvacompass.com For more news visit: www.bbva.com and newsroom.bbvacompass.com About BBVA Group BBVA (NYSE: BBVA) is a customer-centric global financial services group founded in 1857. The Group has a strong leadership position in the Spanish market, is the largest financial institution in Mexico, it has leading franchises in South America and the Sunbelt Region of the United States; and it is also the leading shareholder in Garanti, Turkey's biggest bank for market capitalization. Its diversified business is focused on high-growth markets and it relies on technology as a key sustainable competitive advantage. Corporate responsibility is at the core of its business model. BBVA fosters financial education and inclusion, and supports scientific research and culture. It operates with the highest integrity, a long-term vision and applies the best practices. More information about BBVA Group can be found at bbva.com. About BBVA Compass BBVA Compass is a Sunbelt-based financial institution that operates 645 branches, including 332 in Texas, 89 in Alabama, 63 in Arizona, 61 in California, 45 in Florida, 37 in Colorado and 18 in New Mexico. BBVA Compass ranks among the top 25 largest U.S. commercial banks based on deposit market share and ranks among the largest banks in Alabama (2nd), Texas (4th) and Arizona (6th). BBVA Compass has been recognized as one of the leading small business lenders by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and ranked 6th nationally in the total number of SBA loans originated in fiscal year 2017. Additional information about BBVA Compass can be found under the Investor Relations tab at bbvacompass.com. For more BBVA Compass news, follow @BBVACompassNews on Twitter, visit newsroom.bbvacompass.com, or visit bbva.com. SOURCE BBVA Compass Related Links http://www.bbvacompass.com When her husband abandoned her, far from giving up, she spent two years selling clothes and food to provide for her daughters until she started to work for BBVAMF's Peruvian institution. Thanks to her efforts, her eldest, 22 years of age, studies in the university; the middle one, 16, wants to take up Business Administration and the youngest, 9 years old, is in elementary school. Her story of overcoming this challenge inspires other women whom she helps, through BBVAMF, so they could have access to microcredits or a savings account. This is the case of Sandra Mendoza, a coffee grower and cattle breeder served by BBVAMF in Colombia. She has shared how a female farmer and head of household like her can prosper despite the obstacles: "In the farm, sexism is the toughest hurdle to conquer." With the Foundation's support, she has implemented more sustainable and cautious crop-growing techniques, aside from producing energy in a healthier way. Thanks to her determination and leadership skills, Sandra has become the first female president of the local Coffee Growers Committee and has created the Association for Female Coffee Growers. Her achievements shatter the barriers usually present in rural areas, and paves the way towards equality. As noted by Colombian vice president, Marta Lucia Ramirez, facilitating access to financial services, financial education and skills training is key to progress: "With digital innovation, public policies and institutions such as the BBVA Microfinance Foundation, which support these women's efforts, we could reach a more rapid growth and a true peace." According to the UN Women regional director for the Americas and the Caribbean, Luiza Carvalho, "For women to have the same rights as men when accessing a loan is essential for development, not only for these women, also for their communities and for the entire region." For her part, Ibero-American Secretary-General, Rebeca Grynspan, added that gender equality "is not an individual struggle of each woman, but of everyone in society" and that being in favor of such struggle is to be "in the right side of history." All have agreed that Rut and Sandra are proof that women still have to rise above a lot of obstacles in Latin America, and that for the most unequal region in the world, development has to go through their empowerment. The event organized by the Foundation, together with the Permanent Missions of Peru and Colombia to the United Nations, UN Women and the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB), has been held during the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW63), the principal forum on gender equality which takes place annually in the UN. In the course of two weeks, development organizations, NGO, foundations and governments gather to discuss the advances made, as well as "what" and "how much" still need to be done. "It's important for us to be here, to address development and women issues, two concepts that cannot be understood on their own, and two pillars of the Foundation, which serves more than 2 million entrepreneurs in five Latin-American countries. Half of them, women," confirmed BBVA Microfinance Foundation CEO, Javier M. Flores. SOURCE BBVA Microfinance Foundation WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- HCS (www.hcsinteractant.com), a leading provider of an all-in-one EHR platform for inpatient behavioral health providers, has announced it will be a President Exhibitor at the 2019 National Association for Behavioral Healthcare (NABH) Annual Meeting taking place March 18-20 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Washington, DC. NABH advocates for behavioral health and represents provider systems that are committed to the delivery of responsive, accountable, and clinically effective prevention, treatment, and care for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors with mental health and substance use disorders. HCS will be available in the exhibit area to give demonstrations of Interactant, answer questions, and share client success stories. HCS has seen much success in how its Interactant EHR platform is helping multi-site, inpatient behavioral health providers solve unmet needs in their industry. Most EHR solutions on the market today have been built for single hospital use in a short-term acute care setting without the unique requirements necessary to help these providers treat their patients' needs effectively. Over the years, HCS has listened to feedback from these providers regarding the lack of focus on the behavioral health landscape and has successfully worked to help fill that void. Recently, in their search for a new system, an acute inpatient psychiatric hospital in Arizona was excited to discover that HCS Interactant was an EHR solution focused on behavioral health. "What impressed us most about Interactant, was the breadth of functionality within the platform to support the unique needs of inpatient behavioral health services," said the hospital medical director. "I've used so many EMR systems over the years, including the big two, and HCS Interactant is by far the best that I've used for this level of care. So often we are forced to use EMRs built for general hospital use; to find an EMR that actually meets the needs of an inpatient psychiatric facility is extremely helpful in supporting our mission." Interactant gathers so much patient data efficiently from assessments, electronic signatures of consent, and treatment plans, to capturing notes from therapy and group sessions within the system ensuring everyone that interacts with a patient is well informed and on the same page. The behavioral health-specific functionality not only helps deliver exceptional care, it also makes life easier for clinicians. "With HCS Interactant, we are creating not only comfortable patient outcomes but also efficient environments for our staff," said Thomas Rourke, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at SUN Behavioral Health, Inc. SUN has leveraged Interactant's scalability, rolling out the EHR throughout the company's recent expansions in Kentucky and Delaware. "The software helps save time capturing and entering data, which allows doctors, nurses, and clinicians to spend more time delivering patient care," Rourke added. Now with over 4,000 behavioral health client locations, HCS has become the EHR of choice for these providers. HCS can consolidate and centralize an organization's information while offering highly specific functionality. The results are better care delivery and efficient operations that can scale easily for growing organizations. About HCS HCS is a leading provider of an all-in-one healthcare information technology platform that spans electronic health records (EHR), revenue cycle management, financial management, mobility, and business intelligence. In use at over 5,000 LTACH, behavioral health, and senior living facilities, the Interactant platform helps multi-site providers deliver better quality and safety in care while increasing efficiencies and financial performance. Media Contact: Joe Bonelli Phone: 800.524.1038 Email: [email protected] SOURCE HCS NEW YORK, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wings Club Foundation, Inc. and IAWA (International Aviation Women's Association) are pleased to announce Brig. Gen. Jeannie M. Leavitt as the recipient of the 2019 annual Outstanding Aviator Award. The presentation of this year's Award will take place during The Wings Club Foundation's Annual Meeting, to be held on the evening of Wednesday, March 27, 2019, at The Yale Club in New York City. Brig. Gen. Leavitt has broken a number of barriers throughout her career, and is often considered a trailblazer. From her perspective, the path was defined by hard work, determination, and opportunities. She believes it is important to seize the opportunities you are given. "My focus has consistently been on performance rather than timing," said Brig. Gen. Leavitt. "I wanted to be the best fighter pilot I could be my timing made me the first, but I have always strived to be the best. Fortunately, the Air Force has an environment where men or women can achieve incredible heights if they are willing to work hard." Brig. Gen. Leavitt joined the Air Force in 1992 after earning her bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas and her master's in aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford University. She earned her commission as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Program. In 1993, she became the first female fighter pilot flying the F-15E Strike Eagle with the 555th Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. In 1998, Brig. Gen. Leavitt was the only female fighter pilot to graduate from the prestigious United States Air Force Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada and later returned as an instructor in 2001. Selected in 2012 to become the first female fighter wing commander for the 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, Brig. Gen. Leavitt advanced to become the Principal Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, at the Pentagon. She achieved yet another first in 2016, when she became the first and highest-ranking female to serve as the 57th Wing Commander at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, the Air Force's most diverse flying wing. Currently, Brig. Gen. Leavitt is Commander, Air Force Recruiting Service, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas which comprises over 2,860 Airmen and civilians in more than 1,040 recruiting offices across the U.S. and abroad. Her responsibilities include overseeing all enlisted accessions, a variety of officer accession programs and overall strategic marketing for the U.S. Air Force. Since its inception in 2010, the annual Outstanding Aviator Award has been presented to iconic recipients such as: the Tuskegee Airmen, the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), the Doolittle Raiders, Patty Wagstaff, Robert A. "Bob" Hoover, Suzanna Darcy-Hennemann, Colonel Edward T. Rock (USAF Ret.), Major Heather Penney (USAF Ret.) and Major General Patrick Henry Brady (US Army Ret.). The Wings Club Foundation, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Its mission is to focus on initiatives aimed at supporting scholarships for students pursuing a career in aviation or aerospace; providing programs to educate in the field of aviation and supporting charitable organizations that use aviation to help those in need. The Wings Club Foundation serves over 1,300 members including industry leaders, pilots, professionals in related service organizations and students of aviation. The International Aviation Women's Association (IAWA) is a non-profit association with members in 38 countries representing 257 major companies and aviation authorities. IAWA is dedicated to promoting the advancement of women in the aviation and aerospace industries at all levels across the globe. In addition to providing annual scholarships, IAWA sponsors informative meetings, publishes newsletters, and hosts receptions, connects, regional forums, and annual conferences all over the world. For more information on The Wings Club visit www.wingsclub.org. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and You Tube. SOURCE The Wings Club Foundation, Inc. Related Links http://www.wingsclub.org OTTAWA, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ - Canada's fish and seafood sector is a growing and vital part of the Canadian economy, providing good middle class jobs and providing economic opportunity to coastal communities. Canadian exports of fish and seafood increased to almost $7 billion in 2018. Seafood Expo North America provides an important world wide platform and opportunity for further growth of Canada's fish and seafood industry. The Seafood Expo, which runs from March 17-19, 2019, in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest trade exposition of its kind in North America. With thousands of seafood buyers and sellers from around the world, Canada is ready to showcase its high-quality, healthy fish and seafood products and world-class, sustainable fisheries management regime to the world. Over 100 Canadian exhibitors and representatives from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, PEI, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia will be looking to grow and expand markets. The Government of Canada, in concert with the provinces, will continue to play a key role in supporting the Canadian industry. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Sean Casey, will lead Canada's delegation in Boston. He will host a Canada reception, meet with Canadian fish and seafood stakeholders, meet with provincial ministers responsible for fish and seafood as well as participants from the United States and other countries. While in Boston, the Parliamentary Secretary is also expected to make an Ocean's Protection Plan announcement on Monday, March 18, 2019. Details to come. Quotes "Canada is proud to showcase its fish and seafood products at the Boston Seafood Expo because they are among the best in the world in terms of quality, safety and sustainability. The Government of Canada recognizes our fish and seafood sector as a vital part of our economy as well as a key part of our cultural identity. We will continue to invest in science, research and innovation to ensure our fisheries and aquaculture operations remain sustainable and healthy for future generations." The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard "I'm honoured to be representing the Government of Canada at this year's Seafood Expo North America. Canada's fish and seafood industry is a vital part of our economy and our communities. With growing global demand for our world-class fish and seafood products, I'm looking forward to working closely with the provinces and territories and industry stakeholders to help bolster the future of the sector through strategic partnerships, investments, innovations and clean technologies." Sean Casey Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard "The world wants and needs more Canada. Canadian businesses in the fish and seafood sector are in demand for their high-quality products and through our 14 trade agreements, they now have access to over 1.5 billion customers. When Canada's fish and seafood sector grows through exporting, the economy thrives and good jobs are created. That's why our government invested in a $1.1 billion Export Diversification Strategy to help Canadian businesses become export ready." The Honourable Mary Ng Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion Quick Facts Canada exported fish and seafood products to 139 countries last year. The United States remains Canada's largest export market, accounting for 62 percent of our exports valued at $4.3 billion . exported fish and seafood products to 139 countries last year. remains largest export market, accounting for 62 percent of our exports valued at . Fish and seafood are among the largest single food commodities exported by Canada . Canada's most valuable exports by species in 2018 were lobster, Atlantic salmon, snow/queen crab, and shrimp. . most valuable exports by species in 2018 were lobster, Atlantic salmon, snow/queen crab, and shrimp. In 2018, these species represented 66 percent ( $4.5 billion ) of the total value and 45 percent (271 thousand tonnes) of the total volume of fish and seafood exports. Lobster remains Canada's most valuable species exported, worth over $2 billion in 2018. Associated Links Read more about Canada's commitment to sustainability in our wild capture fishery and aquaculture sectors at www.sustainable-seafood.ca Seafood Expo North America Stay Connected Follow the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Follow the Canadian Coast Guard on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Subscribe to receive our news releases and more via RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/rss-eng.htm. SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada Related Links http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca The Tipton Leadership Award recognizes Academy members who have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities which have benefitted the orthopaedic community, patients, and/or the American public. The award honors and celebrates the life, accomplishments and qualities of the late William W. Tipton, Jr., MD, an orthopaedic surgeon, educator and former AAOS chief executive officer. Dr. Covey, born in Woodland, CA, served in the U.S. Navy for over 40 years, ultimately rising to the rank of Captain. He is the former chairman of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Naval Medical Center, San Diego and is currently Clinical Professor at the University of California San Diego. He has held multiple senior military leadership roles, including the senior orthopaedic consultant for the U.S. Navy, and has led hundreds of medical personnel overseas. Dr. Covey was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan with the Marines, Sri Lanka, Haiti, the former Yugoslavia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and at sea in the Persian Gulf; more than nearly any other medical professional in the U.S. Military. "Throughout his career, he's consistently sacrificed his own time, energy, and promotion to advance others," said Marc F. Swiontkowski, MD, professor at the University of Minnesota. "He has done this in the most extreme circumstances requiring leadership in both threatening and non-threatening environments." Captain Matthew T. Provencher, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon and professor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences who calls Dr. Covey his mentor, colleague and leader, explained: "Captain Covey's contributions have had a profound long-term and impactful effect on the science and art of military and trauma orthopaedics. He has dedicated a lifetime to transcending the international borders of military and civilian trauma care. His work has saved many lives." Dr. Covey pioneered changes in orthopaedic care delivered in war and disaster zones, pioneering life-saving orthopaedic trauma principles and sparing patients from amputation. He conceived, developed and fielded a transportable surgical suite that is used at sea in the Navy today. He played a crucial role in developing a process to treat the wounded closer to the front lines, increasing the odds of receiving care during the "golden hour"- the window after a traumatic injury when getting treatment is most likely to prevent death. He also personally helped create a portable external fixator device for use in austere environments that has been adopted by both wartime orthopaedics and disaster relief/humanitarian assistance worldwide. James R. Ficke, MD, Robert A. Robinson Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Chairman of orthopaedic surgery noted that Dr. Covey is also a "triple threat educator" who has published more than 50 peer-reviewed papers on topics including damage-control orthopaedics, blast injury, humanitarian outreach, and leadership. "It is very important to realize that producing scholarly work in a military practice represents a completely unique high level of effort: essentially lacking editorial staff, research assistants, or infrastructure in most cases. In spite of these challenges, Dr. Covey has held over thirteen funded grants and excelled as a clinician-scholar," said Dr. Ficke. He is the past recipient of many prestigious national military and medical recognitions and accolades, including the Colonel Brian Allgood Lifetime Award for Leadership in Orthopaedic Surgery from the Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons. "Most of all, he is a humble, unassuming servant leader who set an impeccable example for generations of physicians." Dr. Covey has touched thousands of military and civilian students through teaching and mentorship. In collaboration with the AAOS, he created an education course for surgeons on treating war injuries. He also pioneered the creation of the AAOS Visiting Trauma Scholars Program in Landstuhl, Germany. The program gave numerous AAOS members an opportunity to care for high-end trauma patients. Injured military personnel received high-quality care, AAOS members gained valuable experience, and positive relationships were built. "Throughout his career, Dr. Covey has maintained a constant focus on helping advance the careers of young orthopaedic surgeons," Dr. Provencher recalled. "As a mentor of mine, Dr. Covey always demonstrated a devout interest, dedication, and patience towards my learning. His commitment to my improvement as physician and surgeon was inspiring. However, perhaps even more valuable was his leadership which made us all better people." To ensure students were receiving the most sophisticated training available, Dr. Covey successfully led the effort to build the Department of Defense's most advanced medical training facility. The $5.8 million space includes real-world, team-based simulators designed to improve patient safety and quality. Colleagues call Dr. Covey a bridge-builder, skilled at developing consensus and finding solutions that benefit all parties. They describe him as a mentor committed to fairness and inclusion. Photos of the award ceremony are available upon request. About the AAOS With more than 39,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is the world's largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. The AAOS is the trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal health. It provides the highest quality, most comprehensive education to help orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals at every career level best treat patients in their daily practices. The AAOS is the source for information on bone and joint conditions, treatments and related musculoskeletal health care issues and it leads the health care discussion on advancing quality. Follow the AAOS on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram SOURCE American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Related Links http://www.aaos.org Casarte and Uniters showcased how the double-drum machine delicately cleans luxury purses, providing consumers with a dedicated cleaning and protection solution for their high-end clothing and goods. Casarte will launch the line with an initial production run of 1,000 machines. "While the concept of the washing machine has not changed much over the years, the technology behind it is constantly improving," said Eric Ding, China Market General Mangaer of Fabric Care Department of Haier. "Quiet, cold and warm washing, energy-saving these are all innovations that have significantly improved washing machines. Haier continues to push the boundaries of design and technology, and the landmark Casarte fusion washing + care machine reflects our commitment to enhancing the overall consumer experience." When items are placed in the machine, its QNX-based control system and MCU hardware automatically activates, detecting the item type and load weight, as well as analyzing water flow. Connecting with a cloud-based big data system, the high-performance central MCU processor then calculates the data points and intelligently selects the optimal washing cycle, saving water and energy in the process. This also applies to drying. The Casarte fusion washing + care machine is equipped with deep-UV light for water disinfection, allowing users to save on disinfectant and prolonging the lifespan of clothing. Meanwhile, a variable-frequency heat pump, fan, and one-button click maintain a consistent air flow and temperature, protecting each and every fiber. Military-grade 3D infrared sensors monitor the temperature through 256 points and up to 8 times per second to ensure that clothes dry evenly and without overheating. It also provides air washing and fragrant drying, while its two drums can be used both independently and simultaneously. To meet the needs of global users, Casarte boasts six R&D centers, 14 design centers, 300+ designers, and best-in-class partners worldwide. To provide continuous innovation to consumers, Casarte cultivates an open and dynamic global ecosystem that has allowed it to maintain its position at the forefront of the high-end washing machine industry. About Haier Haier Home Appliance is the world's No. 1 home appliance brand, with a 10.5% global market share. Its brands include Haier, Casarte, and Leader in China, GE Appliances in the US, Fisher & Paykel in New Zealand, and AQUA in Japan. Currently, Haier Home Appliance is transforming from a traditional manufacturer to an open entrepreneurship platform as it constructs a truly global smart home ecosystem. In doing so, Haier is continuously enhancing the user value of its products and services, providing interconnected smart home experiences for customers everywhere. For more information, visit: http://www.haier.net/en/ SOURCE Haier Home Appliances PALM BEACH, Florida, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The big-box stores and the multi-national beverage companies have been sitting on the sidelines while the CBD/THC infused products markets have been virtually exploding. 2019 may be the year they jump in the deep end in a big way. An industry insider for Brightfield Group recently was quoted in The Rolling Stone saying: "I've been doing market research for years and covered everything," says Gomez. "This is definitely the craziest market I've ever covered." According to the firm's projections, there would be increases in just about every sector that sells CBD from dispensaries to smoke shops to medical companies. But perhaps the biggest push, according to Gomez, would be from big-box retailers and national chains who have been eager to get in on the lifestyle craze but have felt stifled by the current, muddy regulations." Another member of Brightfield said the following in the Cannabis Business Times: " manufacturers are headed in this direction, aiming to compete with, or be acquired by, large corporations who have their eyes on the CBD space and who are ready to pounce come commercial hemp legalization. For these reasons, drinks are expected to be a huge CBD growth area, projected to jump from a $12 million market in 2018 to a $200 million-plus market in 2019 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 242 percent through 2022.". Active companies in the cannabis industry includes: Weekend Unlimited Inc. (CSE: POT) (OTC: WKULF), Emerald Health Therapeutics Inc. (OTC: EMHTF) (TSX-V: EMH), 1933 Industries Inc. (OTC: TGIFF) (CSE:TGIF), HEXO Corp. (NYSE: HEXO) (TSX: HEXO), Newstrike Brands Ltd. (OTC: NWKRF) (TSX-V: HIP). An article published on BusinessInsider.com added: "The market for marijuana -infused beverages could hit $600 million in the US by 2022. CBD beverages alone could hit $260 million, with the remainder coming from THC-infused beverages. Big beverage makers have already taken notice and some are actively pursuing deals to capture the market." Weekend Unlimited Inc. (CSE: POT) (OTCQB: WKULF) (FSE: 0OS1) BREAKING NEWS: Weekend Unlimited is pleased to announce that Verve Beverage Company (VBC) has scheduled production for its CHAMP Energy and Verve beverage lines. "We specifically targeted this point in time to launch our Full Spectrum Hemp products into the market as part of our activation at the HEMP TODAY experience at SXSWTM this week," said Mr. Brad Robb, President of VBC. Operational Highlights: - First large (60,000 bottles per sku) commercial production run of CHAMP Energy Functional RTD beverages will be ready for retail distribution beginning the week of March 18th - First initial production run (5000 bottles per sku) of CHAMP Full Spectrum Hemp (30mg) functional RTD beverages for retail distribution March 18th - March 12th-15th CHAMP Full Spectrum Hemp product launch at South by South West. This event will host 1000+ VIP guests over a two-day period where Weekend Unlimited LIVE and CHAMP will host high level influential people from a variety of channels as VIP sponsor to the SXSW Official HEMP TODAY educational activation - Verve's new 12oz can production to commence March 31st, with one additional sku called Verve Burn, a protein formulation scheduled to follow in April "This represents a significant achievement for the Company, launching our brands with a focus on revenue generation. The VBC brand team is advancing their plan to reach market right on our schedule, the responses to the product line from distributors has allowed us to produce an aggressive first run to accelerate the build out and recognition of VBC's product brands into the consumer marketplace," said Weekend Unlimited President and CEO, Mr. Paul Chu. Read this full announcement and more news for Weekend Unlimited at: https://www.financialnewsmedia.com/news-pot/ Additional cannabis industry related developments from around the markets: Emerald Health Therapeutics Inc. (OTCQX: EMHTF) (TSX-V: EMH) this week announced that its 50%-owned joint venture for large-scale, low-cost, high-quality cannabis production, Pure Sunfarms Corp. ("Pure Sunfarms"), received from Health Canada its seventh amendment to its cultivation license for its 1.1 million square foot greenhouse in Delta, BC. The additional approximately 206,000 square feet of growing area in the fourth and final quadrant of the greenhouse brings Pure Sunfarms' total licensed cannabis production area to approximately 1.03 million sq. ft. in 16 grow rooms. The newly licensed area is expected to be fully planted by the end of March. 1933 Industries Inc. (OTCQX: TGIFF) (CSE:TGIF.CN), a licensed cultivator and producer of cannabis flower and concentrates and manufacturer of hemp-derived CBD wellness products, this week announced the results of the 2019 Annual General Meeting (the "Meeting") of its shareholders held in Vancouver. During the Meeting, the following matters put forth as outlined in the Management Information Circular were approved: - Receiving the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2018 (with comparative statements relating to the preceding fiscal period) together with the report of the auditor thereon; - Appointing Davidson & Company LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2018 and authorizing the directors to fix the auditors' remuneration; - Determining the number of directors to be elected to the board at Six (6); - and Electing directors - Messrs. Brayden Sutton, Cam Watt, Rick Skeith, Brian Farrell, Chris Rebentisch, and Andrew Richards were re-elected as directors of the Company. HEXO Corp. (NYSE: HEXO) (TSX: HEXO) and Newstrike Brands Ltd. (OTCPK: NWKRF) (TSX-V: HIP.V) ("Newstrike") this week announced that they have entered into a definitive arrangement agreement (the "Arrangement Agreement") under which HEXO will acquire, by way of a plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario), all of Newstrike's issued and outstanding common shares in an all-share transaction valued at approximately $263 million (the "Transaction"). Under the terms of the Arrangement Agreement, Newstrike shareholders will receive 0.06332 of a HEXO common share in exchange for each Newstrike common share held. The Transaction gives HEXO the capacity to produce approximately 150,000 kg of high-quality cannabis annually. The Transaction also provides HEXO access to four cutting-edge production campuses totalling close to 1.8 million sq. ft. of near-term cultivation space and diversified growing and production techniques. This is in addition to HEXO's 579,000 sq. ft. facility for a manufacturing and product development centre of excellence in Belleville, Ontario. DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com (FNM) is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM has been compensated forty nine hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press release issued above by Weekend Unlimited Inc. by a non affiliated third party. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE. This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements. Contact Information: E-mail: [email protected] +1(561)325-8757 SOURCE FinancialNewsMedia.com WASHINGTON, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) announced today that it is the first supplier to receive an authority to operate (ATO) under the General Services Administration's 15-year, $50 billion Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) program. EIS is a multiple-award contract vehicle for federal government agencies to purchase information technology and telecommunications infrastructure services. News: CenturyLink is the first vendor to receive authority to operate under the General Services Administration's Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions program. "We're excited to be the first vendor to receive an ATO on EIS so we can immediately help federal agencies jumpstart their IT modernization plans and use the latest technology to carry out their missions more efficiently," said David Young, CenturyLink senior vice president, strategic government. "For example, agencies that have already issued EIS RFPs can now start awarding EIS task orders." EIS is an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) program that serves as the follow-on to GSA's Networx, WITS3 and regional telecommunications services contracts. GSA announced that it plans to extend the transition deadline from 2020 to 2023 to give federal agencies more time to successfully transition from legacy contracts like Networx to EIS. CenturyLink is one of the few government contractors that offers agencies the choice to acquire IT services through its GSA IT Schedule 70, Networx Universal and Enterprise, WITS3, Connections II, EIS and Alliant 2 contracts. By supplying cybersecurity, cloud, managed hosting and IT services over its modern carrier-class network, CenturyLink provides government agencies with the security and reliability they need to carry out their important missions. Key Facts CenturyLink received ATO under GSA's 10-year, $50 billion Alliant 2 Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) program, which is a multiple-award, IDIQ program that federal agencies can use to buy customizable hardware, software and IT solutions as a package. Alliant 2 Governmentwide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) program, which is a multiple-award, IDIQ program that federal agencies can use to buy customizable hardware, software and IT solutions as a package. EIS gives federal agencies the flexibility and agility to migrate to modern communications and IT services that meet strict government security standards. CenturyLink is ranked No. 29 on Washington Technology's 2018 Top 100 list of federal government IT contractors. Additional Resources Learn more about CenturyLink winning a spot on GSA's EIS contract: http://news.centurylink.com/CenturyLink-wins-spot-on-50-billion-GSA-EIS-program Learn more about CenturyLink winning a spot on GSA's Alliant 2 contract: http://news.centurylink.com/2017-11-20-CenturyLink-wins-spot-on-50-billion-GSA-Alliant-2-contract Learn more about CenturyLink achieving ATO on GSA's Alliant 2 contract: http://news.centurylink.com/2018-07-30-CenturyLink-receives-authority-to-operate-under-GSA-Alliant-2 About CenturyLink CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL) is the second largest U.S. communications provider to global enterprise customers. With customers in more than 60 countries and an intense focus on the customer experience, CenturyLink strives to be the world's best networking company by solving customers' increased demand for reliable and secure connections. The company also serves as its customers' trusted partner, helping them manage increased network and IT complexity and providing managed network and cyber security solutions that help protect their business. SOURCE CenturyLink, Inc. Related Links http://www.centurylink.com WASHINGTON, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity (CHRI) today announced its strong support for the Horseracing Integrity Act of 2019, introduced by U.S. Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Andy Barr (R-KY) earlier today. The bill, designated as H.R. 1754, would create a private, independent horse racing anti-doping authority, the Horseracing Anti-Doping and Medication Control Authority (HADA), responsible for developing and administering a nationwide anti-doping and medication control program for horse racing. HADA would be governed by a board composed of six individuals who have demonstrated expertise in a variety of horse-racing areas, six individuals from the United States Anti-Doping Agency, and its chief executive officer. USADA is recognized by Congress as the official anti-doping agency for the U.S. Olympic, Pan American, and Paralympic sports. The new set of rules, testing procedures, and penalties would replace the current patchwork of regulatory systems that govern horse racing's 38 jurisdictions. Passage of this bill will result in a substantial increase in out-of-competition testing, which will help ensure horses are free from performance-enhancing drugs during racing and training. "This is a horse-first bill. This bill will help ensure a safer environment for horses and riders at all tracks," said Shawn Smeallie, executive director of CHRI. "Representatives Tonko and Barr, along with their respective staff members, have worked tirelessly on this legislation. Thanks to their efforts, this initiative has gained the support of key stakeholders across the industry and continues to gain momentum. We look forward to working with other racing industry organizations to ensure productive legislative activity this year." H.R. 1754 is nearly identical to the Horseracing Integrity Act of 2017 (H.R. 2651), also introduced by Reps. Barr and Tonko, which garnered the bipartisan support of more than 130 representatives last Congress. Joining the effort in 2019 are Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), chair of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, and Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL), co-chairs of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus. CHRI is hopeful and optimistic that the legislation will move through the committee process this year, building on this strong showing of support from key lawmakers. "Horses should race and train only when they are free from performance-enhancing drugs and not on a cocktail of medications," said Marty Irby, executive director of Animal Wellness Action. "We are proud of the key leaders in the horse racing industry and animal protection groups that have come together on this bill." The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity represents a diverse group of racing organizations, racetracks, owner and breeder associations, and animal welfare groups that support adoption of a national, uniform standard for drug and medication rules in horse racing. For more information and to read a copy of the proposed legislation, visit horseracingintegrity.com. SOURCE The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity Related Links http://horseracingintegrity.com REDWOOD CITY, Calif., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Adaptive Spectrum and Signal Alignment, Inc. (ASSIA) the market-leading supplier of broadband and Wi-Fi management software announced it has used data from its large global installed base to train its cloud AI system to assess and optimize residential customer Quality of Experience (QoE). In his Wi-Fi Now Shanghai keynote presentation on March 6th, ASSIA CEO and Chairman John Cioffi, announced ASSIA's AI model for Wi-Fi management and optimization. In a Wi-Fi Alliance special session on next-generation Wi-Fi, also at Wi-Fi Now Shanghai, Cioffi proposed a new path forward using ESM (Ergodic Spectrum Management) to guide the optimization of Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi performance is becoming the primary determinant in how a residential customer perceives the quality of experience provided by their internet service provider. Wi-Fi can often be the weakest link in subscriber performance regardless if the wired connection is fiber, cable or copper. As a result, service providers are increasingly taking responsibility for managing and optimizing their subscribers' Wi-Fi and looking for innovative ways to deliver the best quality of experience. "With our over 7 years of managing now over 100 million connections for our service providers across the globe, ASSIA has collected a significant mass of dataincluding call center and service dispatch data that the alternative solutions do not have. This put ASSIA in the unique position to train our AI system to reliably assess and optimize Wi-Fi residential performance," said ASSIA CEO and Chairman John Cioffi. "This experience led us to propose ESM (Ergodic Spectrum Management) as the industry's path forward to assuring quality Wi-Fi performance." ESM builds statistical distributions of activity, links, and other Wi-Fi performance factors in the aggregate and uses the recurring, ergodic portions for guiding the optimization of Wi-Fi. Ergodic means the variation in time is consistent and can be characterized by a single distribution for certain states in which the Wi-Fi channel exists. Cioffi proposed the industry adopt ESM in three stages from today's simpler systems to more advanced systems. Each stage represents an increase in the data shared across the industry and controlled through the cloud. ASSIA also presented its unique QoE connection-component metric, "stability". This index has four potential ratings, from "very unstable", to "unstable", "stable" and "very stable". ASSIA will continue to pursue and further develop Wi-Fi cloud management interfaces in the Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) and related open source initiatives. While the Wi-Fi Alliance and those contributing to the IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi standard have defined several future versions, real-world testing and usage is behind. ASSIA believes its recent breakthroughs can assist in moving the innovations forward. About ASSIA ASSIA is a trusted partner with the leading market share of management and optimization software solutions for global broadband and residential access networks. ASSIA's Expresse broadband system enables significant operational expense reduction for Internet Service Providers in the areas of subscriber care, of increased customer satisfaction, and of more connections upgrade to higher revenue-generating service tiers. ASSIA's ClearView software provides both broadband access and Wi-Fi connection analysis and recommends appropriate steps to resolve problems using language that is easy to understand by call-center agents and field technicians. ASSIA's CloudCheck Wi-Fi optimization software enables service providers and enterprises to deliver premium digital experiences over residential Wi-Fi networks. ASSIA has more than 100 million broadband households under contract worldwide. Thanks to the company's product evolution and contributions to broadband standards, ASSIA is poised to help ISPs across the world as they upgrade their networks with next-generation G.Vector and G.Fast standards. For more information, visit www.assia-inc.com. Media Contact: David Stevenson Chief Revenue Officer ASSIA (650) 654-3400 [email protected] SOURCE ASSIA Related Links https://www.assia-inc.com PLEASANTON, Calif., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Affirming its role as a global leader in myopia management, CooperVision is voicing strong support for the publication of eight highly-anticipated white papers by the International Myopia Institute (IMI). Released within the past several days, the reports cover a range of topics deemed essential to advancing clinical knowledge and practice relating to stemming the expanding impact of myopia. The IMI papers are available in a special edition of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. They are free to download by eye care professionals, researchers and other concerned parties worldwide, consistent with IMI's mission of widely disseminating knowledge about the issue. "The dozens of eye care professionals, educators, and researchers who constitute the IMI represent some of the most respected minds in our field. Their recommendations are measured and practical, and will no doubt help advance real gains in myopia management and research," said Juan Carlos Aragon, OD, President of the CooperVision Specialty EyeCare Division. "We're proud to be a platinum sponsor of the IMI and applaud its decision to make these white papers available via open access." The IMI papers were previewed in late 2018 at the American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting, drawing 400 attendees to the key findings report and panel discussion. Additional presentations are slated for ARVO 2019 (Vancouver) and the International Myopia Conference (Tokyo). The prevalence of myopia is projected to increase from approximately two billion people worldwide in 2010 to almost five billion people in 20501, bringing with it near- and long-term health challenges. Not only does it require vision correction, but also increases the likelihood of conditions later in life such as glaucoma, cataract, retinal detachment and myopic maculopathy. The CooperVision Specialty Eyecare division accelerates eye care professionals' access to advanced products that help improve the way people see each day, with a focus on the development of myopia management approaches and visual correction of irregular corneas. In addition to growing global adoption of the MiSight 1 day lens2, it encompasses Blanchard Contact Lenses, Paragon Vision Sciences, Procornea, and Soflex, which operate independently while sharing technical, clinical and commercial knowledge, benefitting from CooperVision's global presence and infrastructure. 1 Holden et al, Ophthalmology 2016. 2 MiSight 1 day contact lenses are currently available for sale in Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Nordic Region, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. MiSight 1 day is not approved in the United States. About CooperVision CooperVision, a unit of The Cooper Companies, Inc. (NYSE: COO), is one of the world's leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses. The Company produces a full array of monthly, two-week and daily disposable contact lenses, all featuring advanced materials and optics. CooperVision has a strong heritage of solving the toughest vision challenges such as astigmatism and presbyopia; and offers the most complete collection of spherical, toric and multifocal products available. Through a combination of innovative products and focused practitioner support, the company brings a refreshing perspective to the marketplace, creating real advantages for customers and wearers. For more information, visit coopervision.com. About The Cooper Companies The Cooper Companies, Inc. ("Cooper") is a global medical device company publicly traded on the NYSE (NYSE: COO). Cooper operates through two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. CooperVision brings a refreshing perspective on vision care with a commitment to developing a wide range of high-quality products for contact lens wearers and providing focused practitioner support. CooperSurgical is committed to advancing the health of women, babies and families with its diversified portfolio of products and services focusing on medical devices and fertility & genomics. Headquartered in Pleasanton, Calif., Cooper has more than 12,000 employees with products sold in over 100 countries. For more information, please visit www.coopercos.com. Media Contact Mike McDougall, APR, Fellow PRSA McDougall Communications for CooperVision, Inc. [email protected] or +1-585-545-1815 SOURCE CooperVision Related Links http://coopervision.com In February 2019, EXHIBITOR Media Group hosted EXHIBITORLIVE, The Professional Development Conference for Trade Show and Corporate Event Marketing, at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. The four-day event hosts thousands of industry professionals, trade show and event agencies, and numerous other vendors. During the event, EXHIBITOR recognizes excellence in exhibiting and design through a series of awards. Elevation3D was named Best of Show Small Booth Award winner for their custom-designed, interactive 10x20 linear exhibit. A panel of judges, including several corporate trade show marketers and event managers, evaluated hundreds of exhibits at the event and selected Elevation3D as the winner. "Great booth appeal. A creative and engaging digital experience," noted one judge. While another commented, "The technology makes you want to engage. They had a natural attraction." At the 2019 awards ceremony, Elevation3D also received the Portable/Modular Design People's Choice Award for their 2018 EXHIBITORLIVE exhibit, receiving the most votes among 51 other exhibits in the category. "We are proud to be recognized by our industry peers for creative and impactful use of a smaller exhibit space. It is a testament to our collaborative ability to create engaging experiences regardless of exhibit size," remarked Dana Esposito, Vice President, Creative Services and EDPA Board of Directors Member. On February 26, 2019 EXHIBITOR Media Group announced its list of Top 40 Exhibit Producers, which honors the best firms in the trade show and event industry. Applicants are evaluated in eight categories, comprised of more than 50 individual criteria, including capabilities, service, reliability, and creativity. Points were awarded based on each company's responses, as well as surveys completed by client references. Elevation3D scored amongst the top firms in the Thought Leadership and Industry Participation category. "I am incredibly proud of the dedication and innovation all of our people contribute to each and every project that we produce. It is an honor to be recognized for the high caliber work we put forth year after year, and to be among many of our respected peers on this list," commented Elevation3D President, Ken Karns. Elevation3D recorded record growth in 2018 following their acquisition of a second full service location in Las Vegas. They continue to expand their internal capabilities and increase staff as they pursue partnership growth. ABOUT ELEVATION3D Elevation3D is a full-service design, production, and face-to-face marketing firm specializing in trade show exhibits, corporate installations, retail environments, and events across North America and abroad. Elevation3D creates, builds, and delivers innovative, captivating brand experiences for global clients from two fully operational locations conveniently located in Boston and Las Vegas. Elevation3D is a certified Experiential Designers and Producers Association company. For more information, visit elevation3D.com. Elevation3D is a registered trademark of Elevation3D LLC. Media contact: Elevation3D Pamela Tangney [email protected] SOURCE Elevation3D Related Links https://www.elevation3d.com/ WALTHAM, Mass., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresenius Medical Care North America's Renal Therapies Group, the leading provider of kidney care products, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted breakthrough device designation to its computer-assisted ultrafiltration (UF) control software currently in development to improve fluid management during hemodialysis and personalize treatments. The software will be designed to work with newer Fresenius Medical Care hemodialysis machines using the CLiC device. Fluid management is a critical concern for dialysis patients, as both fluid overload and fluid depletion are associated with adverse cardiovascular events, morbidity and mortality. Working with the CLiC device which enables relative blood volume monitoring (RBV-M), the new software aims to create a dialysis machine with embedded intelligent diagnostics that will provide computer-assisted recommendations for achieving target levels of RBV. "This new software represents our commitment to driving innovation and aims to become an essential tool in reducing cardiovascular events for people living with kidney failure," said Mark Costanzo, president of Renal Therapies Group, the technologies and pharmaceuticals division of Fresenius Medical Care North America. "Effective fluid management is critical to creating the best hemodialysis treatment possible for each individual. We are proud of this effort to further advance our proven Crit-Line technology." Several abstracts presented at the 2018 ASN Kidney Week in San Diego, Calif. demonstrated that managing fluid with RBV-M is associated with reduced hospitalizations for patients new to hemodialysis (incident) and further established the link between RBV, central-venous oxygen saturation and mortality1,2. An additional analysis by the Renal Research Institute (RRI), published in Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation in September 2018, demonstrated that attainment of certain hourly RBV ranges is associated with improved survival in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) receiving hemodialysis. The FDA Breakthrough Device Program seeks to provide patients with faster access to technologies that provide more effective treatment or diagnosis of life-threatening or debilitating diseases by speeding up the development and review process. The FDA announced final guidance for the Breakthrough Devices Program on December 19, 2018. The new program was established by the 21st Century Cures Act. Any timeline for the final development and approval of the Computer-Assisted Ultrafiltration (UF) Control software remains uncertain given the nature of developing this complex and innovative technology. For more information about Crit-Line technology, visit http://fmcna-crit-line.com. 1 Balter P, Rao PS, Li Y, Mullon C, Kossmann RJ, Ficociello LH. Lower Rates of Hospital Admissions During a Fluid Management Quality Improvement (QI) Project Utilizing Relative Blood Volume Monitoring (RBV-M) - A Retrospective Database Analysis [Abstract]. J Am Soc Nephrol 29, 2018: Page 626. 2 Zhang H, Preciado P, Chan L, Thijssen S, Kotanko P. All-Cause Mortality in Relation to Intradialytic Relative Blood Volume and Central-Venous Oxygen Saturation Among Hemodialysis Patients [Abstract]. J Am Soc Nephrol 29, 2018: Page 633. About Fresenius Medical Care North America Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA) is the premier healthcare company focused on providing the highest quality care to people with renal and other chronic conditions. Through its industry-leading network of dialysis facilities, outpatient cardiac and vascular labs and urgent care centers, Fresenius Medical Care North America provides coordinated healthcare services at pivotal care points for hundreds of thousands of chronically ill customers throughout the continent. As the world's largest fully integrated renal company, it offers specialty pharmacy and laboratory services, and manufactures and distributes the most comprehensive line of dialysis equipment, disposable products and renal pharmaceuticals. For more information, visit the FMCNA website at https://fmcna.com. Disclaimer This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, including changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, regulatory reforms, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, and the availability of financing. These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release. Media Contact: Fresenius Medical Care North America Brad Puffer Director of Public Relations [email protected] (781) 699-3331 P/N 103707-01 Rev A 03/2019 SOURCE Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. SHERMAN OAKS, Calif., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Help Group will host its 9th Annual Special Needs Resource Fair on Sunday, April 7, 2019, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Autism Center in Sherman Oaks, CA. The free event, which attracts more than 600 people each year, is an opportunity for parents and professionals to connect with the resources available for the special needs community, including children with autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, ADHD, developmental delays, and emotional challenges. A diverse mix of exhibitors will provide information and answer questions about services for children, young people, and adults, as well as their families. There will be representatives from support groups, medical and therapeutic services, educational supports, financial and estate planning, advocacy services, respite services, recreational and camping programs, vocational and residential programs, and more. The event will feature opportunities for children and families to interact with therapy dogs from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs; visit with animals from Special Spirit, Inc. Therapeutic Riding Center; and play with friends on the Hasbro playground. There will also be food and snacks available for purchase. Hosted by The Help Group, their Kids Like Me program offers summer, winter and spring camps at The Help Group's Sherman Oaks and Culver City locations. Camp programs are developed by a multidisciplinary team to address unique strengths and abilities, foster social skills, and cultivate friendships. They are led by highly trained therapists and counselors, and campers are assessed and matched with the right program to ensure the best possible camp experience for everyone. The Special Needs Resource Fair will take place at 13164 Burbank Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91401. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Tracy Peters at 310-751-1486 or [email protected]. About Kids Like Me The Kids Like Me program, located in the Los Angeles area, is designed especially for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and other special needs. They offer after school enrichment classes, camps, and weekend social events. www.kidslikemela.org www.facebook.com/kidslikeme About The Help Group Founded in 1975, The Help Group is the largest, most innovative and comprehensive nonprofit of its kind in the United States serving children, adolescents and young adults with special needs related to autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, ADHD, developmental delays, abuse and emotional challenges. www.thehelpgroup.org SOURCE The Help Group Related Links http://www.thehelpgroup.org FREDERICK, Md., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Fugue , the company delivering autonomous cloud security and compliance to prevent policy violations and data breaches, today announced support for Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance for enterprise cloud environments. The addition of PCI to Fugue's suite of out-of-the-box compliance standards enables enterprises to demonstrate continuous compliance across their entire cloud computing footprint. "Today's highly dynamic, at-scale enterprise cloud environments present significant challenges for compliance teams that need to certify that cloud infrastructure adheres to policy and demonstrate it on a continuous basis," said Fugue CEO Phillip Merrick. "Fugue makes it easy to scan cloud environments, identify policy violations, and continuously monitor for compliance for a growing number of industry compliance standards. We're pleased to deliver PCI assurance as part of Fugue's comprehensive cloud compliance capabilities." Fugue's suite of cloud compliance standards includes out-of-the-box support for HIPAA, GDPR, NIST 800-53, AWS CIS Benchmark, and now PCI. Fugue provides real-time inventory and compliance monitoring of enterprise cloud environments. Compliance teams can establish a known-good baseline in order to detect configuration drift and report on policy violations when they occur--and track them over time. For critical cloud resources, Fugue can revert drift events back to the established baseline autonomously with self-healing infrastructure to protect against a data breach. "Fugue makes it possible for us to demonstrate to our PCI auditors that no configuration drift has happened in our environments," said Justin Rupp, Senior Systems Engineer at GlobalGIving, the largest crowdfunding community connecting nonprofits, companies, and donors around the world. "Fugue gives us the peace of mind that comes from knowing our cloud infrastructure is secure and compliant at all times." Fugue recently announced Risk Manager, a Software-as-a-Service product that provides full compliance visibility and reporting across an organization's entire cloud footprint. To protect critical cloud resources and data, Fugue's self-healing infrastructure solution significantly reduces the Mean Time to Remediation (MTTR) for misconfiguration events and eliminates human error, false positives, and alert fatigue, without the need to write code or maintain automated remediation scripts. About Fugue Fugue ensures cloud environments stay in continuous compliance with enterprise security policies. It identifies security risks and policy violations and uses self-healing infrastructure to prevent them from reoccurring. Fugue eliminates data breaches caused by infrastructure misconfiguration and leverages powerful visualization and reporting tools to easily demonstrate compliance. Customers like Sparkpost, PBS, and SAP NS2 rely on Fugue to protect against cloud risks and enforce compliance. Fugue's investors include New Enterprise Associates , Future Fund , Maryland Venture Fund , In-Q-Tel (IQT) , and Core Capital Partner s. Fugue is an AWS Advanced Technology Partner and a Launch Partner in the AWS Cloud Management Tools Competency Program in the Governance category. Fugue was named a Cybersecurity Breakthrough Award winner in the IaaS category and a Gartner Cool Vendor in Cloud Computing. To learn more about Fugue, visit www.fugue.co . Media Contact: Rachel Kaseroff 415-341-5625 [email protected] SOURCE Fugue Related Links http://www.fugue.co Green booth construction is how exhibitions practise environment friendly responsibility by producing lower waste and higher efficiency during booth construction. Instead of the traditional materials and structures, green booth construction encourages the use of flexible structure with recyclable materials, such as aluminium alloy. The purpose of the Green Booth Construction Awards is to recognize the rational use of resources and measures candidate by their material utilization and functional completeness of their booths. UBM Sinoexpo launched the program in July 2018 with Shanghai Polytechnic University acting as an academic consultant. In 2018, a total of 18 companies were honoured with the award according to their booth design, material recyclability and safety factor. Gold Award: Anji Lucky Furniture Co., Ltd. Beijing Triumph Furniture Co. Ltd. (CAMERICH) Guangzhou Ganfu Furniture Co., Ltd. (EDIMASS) Silver Award: Beijing Younglion Trendshome Ltd. Italstudio Manufacturing Limited Hangzhou Zhuangyi Furniture Co., Ltd. Jiangsu Sikexin Furniture Co., Ltd. Hangzhou Sureeco Home Furnishing Co., Ltd Asiades Hong Kong Ltd. Bronze Award: Shanghai TEKNI Home Furnishing Co., Ltd Cixi Mingqing Furniture Industry Co., Ltd. Beijing Anton Comany Ltd. (DULTON) Beijing Sanhanju Antique Furniture Shanghai Youyi Environmental Construction Technology Co., Ltd. Shanghai Jieyu Culture and Creative Development Co., Ltd. Hong Teng Furniture ( Shenzhen ) Co., Ltd. / Boas Furniture Company Limited ) Co., Ltd. / Boas Furniture Company Limited Hangzhou E.K Textile Co., Ltd. WOCA To provide a platform for global brands and buyers to achieve business success, Furniture China is not only optimizing the quality of service and products, but also taking action in response of the Sustainable Development Goals raised by U.N. to actualize the "responsible consumption and production" for the next generation. Furniture China 2019 Time: 9-12 September 2019 Venue1: The Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) Venue2: Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center (SWEECC) SOURCE Shanghai UBM Sinoexpo Intl Exhibition Co., Ltd. Related Links http://www.furniture-china.cn/en-us/ "As more and more people are prioritizing experiences, our goal is to make it easy for people to register for gifts that can get them outside," says Curtis Kopf, REI's chief digital officer. "Whether you're welcoming a new baby or embarking on a new life together, REI outfits for a lifetime in the outdoors." Gift registries remain a staple for many, with nearly 88 percent of today's couples creating a wish list for their special occasion. However, today's registries are beginning to look different as a growing number of people are marrying later in life and couples are often living together before they celebrate a lifelong commitment. Instead of focusing on traditional items they may already have, like cookware and appliances, people are increasingly looking for items that are reflective of their aspiring or active lifestyle and lead to more experiences together. "Our platform breaks the boundaries of traditional gift-giving because it allows users to add anything from anywhere. We are thrilled to partner with REI and to power its new gift registry, as it brings exceptional outdoor products to the marketplace," says Nancy Lee, MyRegistry.com president. "Because REI's products appeal to a diverse audience, we expect to see registries created not only for weddings, but for a variety of gift-giving occasions." REI's new registry experience connects customers to non-traditional gifts for an outdoor life. This includes top-quality gear for biking, climbing, camping, hiking and more. A registry with REI and MyRegistry.com comes with benefits, including: Expert advice, in-store and online: Whether a seasoned expert or trying a new activity for the first time, REI's staff can help customers prepare for amazing outdoor adventures. From gear recommendations to personal outfitting, this expertise is not limited to in-store purchases, users registering online also have access to hundreds of articles through REI's Expert Advice blog. Whether a seasoned expert or trying a new activity for the first time, REI's staff can help customers prepare for amazing outdoor adventures. From gear recommendations to personal outfitting, this expertise is not limited to in-store purchases, users registering online also have access to hundreds of articles through REI's blog. Enjoy a lifetime of benefits with REI membership: Register for a membership to the co-op and receive an annual dividend on future purchases, access to deeply discounted gear at REI's in-store garage sales, among other benefits. Users do not have to be an REI member to create a registry. Register for a membership to the co-op and receive an annual dividend on future purchases, access to deeply discounted gear at REI's in-store garage sales, among other benefits. Users do not have to be an REI member to create a registry. Shop with confidence: All items sold at REI are backed by its 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. Return any duplicates or unwanted items for refund or replacement within one year of purchase. All items sold at REI are backed by its 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. Return any duplicates or unwanted items for refund or replacement within one year of purchase. In-store mobile scanning: Use a personal cell phone or other mobile device to scan items and add them directly to a registry. Use a personal cell phone or other mobile device to scan items and add them directly to a registry. Manage registries with ease: View product recommendations and receive alerts when inventory is low or an item is back in stock. Guests can also see inventory levels, allowing them to prioritize their gift purchases. View product recommendations and receive alerts when inventory is low or an item is back in stock. Guests can also see inventory levels, allowing them to prioritize their gift purchases. Discount on unpurchased items: Enjoy 10 percent off any unpurchased items on a registry up to one year after the event date. Gifts that keep on giving A gift purchase at REI benefits the long-term health of the outdoors. As a member-owned co-op, REI annually gives nearly 70 percent of its profits back to the outdoor community through dividends to REI members, employee profit-sharing and retirement and investments in nonprofits dedicated to the outdoors. In 2018, REI invested $8.8 million in 400 nonprofits across the country to steward more than 1,000 outdoor spaces. REI also makes it easy for customers to shop their values. In 2018, the co-op launched a comprehensive set of product sustainability standards that apply to the 1,000 brands at the co-op and debuted a set of preferred sustainability attributes. Visitors to REI.com can shop by sustainability attribute by searching for terms like "organic cotton" to find clothing made with resource-conserving farming practices, or "recycled materials" to find products that reduce the need for new materials. Looking for inspiration? Here are a few favorite registry items from REI customers: About the REI Co-op REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, headquartered near Seattle. The nation's largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of more than 17 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. REI has 154 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia. If you can't visit a store, you can shop at REI.com, REI Outlet or the free REI shopping app. REI isn't just about gear. You can take the trip of a lifetime with REI Adventures, a global leader in active adventure travel that runs more than 170 custom-designed itineraries worldwide. The REI Outdoor School is run by professionally-trained, expert-instructors who teach beginner-to advanced-level courses about a wide range of activities. To build on the infrastructure that makes life outside possible, REI invests millions annually in hundreds of local and national nonprofits that create access toand stewardthe outdoor places that inspire us all. About MyRegistry.com MyRegistry.com is the largest universal gift registry software provider to U.S. and Canadian retailers. Businesses that use the company's customizable, scalable, end-to-end gift registry solution are able to tap the massive (and growing!) gift industry. Easy to implement, cost-effective, and quick to market, with precise reporting and an optional in-store kiosk system, a universal gift registry powered by MyRegistry.com is the next digital utility for retailers of all sizes. MyRegistry.com - All stores, One registry. SOURCE REI Co-op Related Links http://www.rei.com DUBLIN, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Top 200 Furniture Manufacturers Worldwide" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. World furniture production has been growing in the last 5 years reaching a value of about USD 470 billion. The Top 200 furniture manufacturers worldwide recorded an even higher increase, +18% growth between 2013 and 2018. An accurate and comprehensive selection of the world's top 200 furniture manufacturers which show high representativeness in terms of value of furniture produced (the group of companies totaled nearly USD 150 billion, representing the 22% of world furniture production) and geographical coverage (companies are headquartered in across 30 countries). The ranking is based on the value of furniture turnover produced by each company. For each of these 200 most influential players within the furniture industry, an in-depth profile is provided, reporting recent company's developments in terms of key financial data, retailing and manufacturing strategies. What are the biggest furniture companies at a global level? The report is intended to provide a snapshot of the furniture industry's most influential players, selecting and profiling the 200 leading furniture manufacturers worldwide. This report offers an overview of the global furniture sector. Trends in furniture consumption, international trade, the evolution of the world furniture production for time frame 2013-2018, and aggregated statistics on companies' structure and performance. A Comparative Analysis The top 200 manufacturers selected are broken down and analysed according to: Headquarters location Activity diversification Performance: turnover and number of employees Furniture product specialization (office furniture, kitchen furniture, upholstered furniture and other furniture) For each of the considered segments (office furniture, kitchen furniture, upholstered furniture and other furniture) the report also provides: Location of the leading manufacturers Total segment's production value by geographical area Leading manufacturers' production value by geographical area Performance of the leading manufacturers Company profiles for the 200 top furniture manufacturers including: Company name, address, website, email address Business activity, product portfolio, product specialization Financial performance, total revenues and number of employees Manufacturing activity, facilities location, plant expansion and cost rationalization strategies Distribution activities and brands Companies selected have headquarters in the following countries: Australia Austria Brazil Canada China Denmark Finland France Germany India Italy Japan Liechtenstein Lithuania Malaysia Netherlands Norway Poland Romania Russian Federation South Africa South Korea Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Turkey United Kingdom USA Vietnam Furniture Segments Covered: Office furniture Kitchen furniture Upholstered furniture Other furniture Key Topics Covered 1. Introduction 2. Methodology and Notes Section 1: The Top 200 furniture manufacturers worldwide 3. Background: The world furniture sector (2013-2018) Trends in the global furniture market and per capita furniture consumption The World trade of furniture Evolution of furniture production by geographical region 4. Top 200 furniture manufacturers worldwide - Sample and representativeness Geographical coverage Activity diversification Turnover and employment Performance of the Top 200 furniture manufacturers worldwide Product specialization: Office furniture Kitchen furniture Upholstered furniture Other furniture Section 2: Profiles of the Top 200 furniture manufacturers worldwide 5. Top 200 furniture manufacturers worldwide - Summary tables Top 200: Alphabetical order Top 200 by geographical area Top 200 by furniture specialization Company profiles For each of the Top 200 furniture manufacturers worldwide: Contact details. Address, website, and general email address Activity. Specialization and product portfolio, controlled companies and subsidiaries Financial performance. Turnover and employees Production facilities and strategies Distribution activities and brands For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/56j2z6/global_furniture?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 DENVER, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Golden Developing Solutions, Inc. (OTCMKTS: DVLP) ("DVLP" or the "Company"), an emerging leader in the Cannabis, Hemp, and CBD marketplace, is pleased to provide shareholders with an update of current operations. With the latest acquisition of CBDinfusionz.com, our size of operations is now over 30 team members in 5 states and 4 commercial locations. We now have created what we believe to be the largest product selection in the CBD industry. Combined sales and including the transaction, have reached a record high for both companies in February totaling more than $500,000. DVLP and CBDinfusionz.com have consistently doubled their sales growth every 4-6 months. Our current market cap is approximately $13.6mil. and we believe this presents tremendous value for shareholders, as our growth shows no signs of slowing down. Updates to follow this year are one of our products is upgrading its new machinery lines, new CBD processing facilities and the full-scale launch of wherescbd.com. We look forward to a profound and impactful year to our shareholders, community, and clients. We encourage all to visit us at www.cbdinfusionz.com and take a look at our product lines. Thank You. About Golden Developing Solutions, Inc. Golden Developing Solutions (DVLP) is developing an online retail business for cannabidiol (CBD), hemp oil and health/wellness-related products. The Company is also developing a high-capacity, high-quality CBD extraction and production facility. In addition, through the website of its joint venture partner, Pura Vida Vitamins (www.PuraVidaVitamins.com), as well as through wholesale and distribution channels, the Company offers a broad range of high-quality, price-competitive products, including traditional vitamins, supplements, and CBD-based tinctures, vapes and soft gels, among other products. Merchandise also includes hemp and CBD-related products and additional products focusing on health and lifestyle. Golden Developing Solutions is a development-stage company providing business services and/or products supporting the cannabis industry, in which company intends to make additional acquisitions in the near future. Currently, 29 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws permitting their citizens to use cannabis for medical and/or recreational purposes. Cannabis has shown encouraging signs as a treatment for various medical conditions and has become increasingly more acceptable to the public and society. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "potential," "continue" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, and there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Investors are encouraged to review the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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. 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. The contents of any website referenced herein are not incorporated into this press release. SOURCE Golden Developing Solutions, Inc. Related Links http://www.goldendeveloping.com LANSING, Mich., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Green Peak Innovations, LLC announced today that it has closed $30+ million in an oversubscribed mezzanine debt round consistent with its planned expansion in Michigan and beyond. "This is an important step for Green Peak Innovations as Michigan's largest holder of vertical medical marijuana licenses," CEO Jeff Radway said. Radway continued: "Significant demand resulted in exceeding our planned funding goal in record time. Clearly our investors are excited about our business strategy and our first mover advantage in the Michigan marketplace." "Our first priority is to solidify our position as the state's premier cannabis company that supplies Michiganders with the safest, highest quality products," added Radway. "Only then can we begin our next step of taking our proprietary and scalable model to other states." Green Peak Innovations is fully licensed by the LARA Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation as the largest holder of "Class C" cultivation licenses, processing, and has plans in place to open 19 provisioning centers. The company anticipates opening the first of its 19 Skymint-branded provisioning centers within the next few months. "Green Peak has invested significant capital into our fully operational 60,000 square foot state-of-the-art headquarters facility in Windsor Township and our R&D facility on Jolly Road to produce quality product in a clean, contaminant-free environment," said CFO Al Gever. Plans are currently in place to expand the Windsor facility up to two times its current footprint. "Our investors participated in this funding based on the team we've built, our business and financial strategy, and the assets we have amassed," added Gever. "All of this speaks volumes about how serious Green Peak is about being the country's premier cannabis company." Canaccord Genuity and Beacon Securities acted as co-lead agents for this funding round. ABOUT GREEN PEAK INNOVATIONS Green Peak Innovations uses nature, science and agricultural best practices to raise cannabis industry standards. We're building state-of-the-art facilities and using advanced technology to cultivate high-quality medicine that is safe for our patients, our communities and our state. Green Peak Innovations Global Headquarters is located in Windsor Township, Michigan, and is led by CEO Jeff Radway. For more information, visit greenpeakinnovations.com. MEDIA CONTACT: Colleen Robar, 313-207-5960, [email protected] SOURCE Green Peak Innovations Related Links https://www.greenpeakinnovations.com "We developed Healium originally so a group of aging Veterans could virtually visit their memorials. After seeing how VR positively impacted their mood, we added a feedback loop that allows the user to see their feelings control virtual worlds. It's a powerful metaphor that our thoughts have power to control things not only in the virtual world but the real world as well." Sarah Hill, CEO, StoryUP the makers of Healium Two published studies in Frontiers in Psychology and the Journal of Neuroregulation showed Healium reduced moderate anxiety and increased feelings of positivity in as little as four minutes. These mindfulness-in-nature escapes have the option to be powered by EEG and heart rate data from the user's wearables like a smartwatch or meditation headband. Positive or calm memories are empowered to change the environments with either just a mobile device or inside VR goggles. Healium supports Honor Everywhere, a free VR tour program for aging Veterans who are no longer able to physically travel to see their WWII, Vietnam or Women's Memorial in Washington, DC. People who purchase Healium kits enable free Healium experiences for Veterans on a waiting list for virtual Honor Flights. "In its 11th year, our pitch event continues to showcase the best technology from around the world, proving our dedication to highlighting today's most forward-thinking innovators," said SXSW Pitch event producer, Chris Valentine. Each of the category winners at SXSW received $4,000, two badges for next year's SXSW, and exposure to SXSW attendees and investors looking for the latest in cutting-edge technology and innovation. The pitch event this week at SXSW drew a number of global companies with more than 30 percent representing countries outside the US, including the UAE, UK, Singapore, Mexico, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Japan, Cyprus, Sweden, and Slovenia. Healium also took home a first place prize in a recent pitch competition at CES, the world's largest trade show. For more information on Healium kits that allow you to grow virtual peace with your feelings, please visit tryhealium.com or email [email protected]. Link to Download Photos: Contact: [email protected] | Tryhealium.com | 573.268.1968 | SOURCE StoryUP makers of Healium Related Links https://www.tryhealium.com GARDNER, Mass., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Heywood Hospital nurses who advocated for safe patient limits during the Question 1 ballot campaign have successfully pursued an unfair labor practice charge against the hospital, resulting in a settlement requiring Heywood to promise in writing that it will not prevent nurses from exercising their right to stand up for patient safety. Lisa Sullivan and Bob King, registered nurses at Heywood for 13 and 28 years, were both threatened with discipline in September 2018 for wearing Yes on Question 1 for Safe Patient Limits buttons. They asserted their rights under federal labor law to wear the buttons but were told by supervisors they would be disciplined anyway. The nurses, represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association, filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board. "I was wearing a button on my scrubs to show support for safe patient limits, as I had done many times in the past for other causes that were important to me," Sullivan said. "The hospital came down on nurses and patients who supported safe patient limits, even as the hospital itself was holding meetings against Question 1 and posting signs all over the building. A manager even moved a patient's 'Yes on 1' sign from the window of their room." "The intimidation against nurses and patients for advocating for safe patient limits was not isolated to Heywood Hospital," King said. "There was a huge banner outside our hospital opposing Question 1. Supervisors carried 'No on 1' lawn signs in the hospital and we received a staff-wide email from Heywood's CEO suggesting we should tell patients to vote against safe patient limits. Hospital executives engaged in this kind of behavior and worse all across Massachusetts." Heywood settled the charge after the NLRB issued a complaint against the hospital for violating the National Labor Relations Act. The hospital changed its appearance policy without notifying employees or allowing the nurses to negotiate over the modification. The settlement requires Heywood to email to its employees and post in the hospital a notice describing the rights workers have under federal labor law to join and act together. The notice also includes a series of statements by the hospital, including: "WE WILL NOT do anything to prevent you from exercising the above [federal labor] rights." "WE WILL NOT tell our employees that they may not wear, or that they will be disciplined for wearing, 'MNA political items,' or political buttons at work while permitting them to wear other such items or buttons." "WE WILL NOT change our employee policies in response to employees' protected concerted or union activity." Nurses at Marlborough Hospital and Lawrence General Hospital filed unfair labor practice charges for similar reasons. The NLRB also found in those cases that the hospital had violated the National Labor Relations Act by threatening to discipline nurses for wearing Yes on Question 1 buttons and/or stickers. Widespread Question 1 Intimidation by Hospital Executives Heywood's threats of discipline against its nurses were part of a wave of intimidation by the hospital industry that swamped hospital staff, patients and voters during the Question 1 campaign. Utilizing a record-setting war chest of taxpayer-subsidized campaign funds, hospital executives spread fear and misinformation throughout Massachusetts. Examples: Hospital executives used patient data to send out political mailings . The Yes on Question 1 campaign heard from many patients appalled to learn that their patient information was utilized to target them with letters threatening that essential services relevant to their care needs would close if Question 1 passed. The Springfield Republican reported on patients who complained about this tactic. . The Yes on Question 1 campaign heard from many patients appalled to learn that their patient information was utilized to target them with letters threatening that essential services relevant to their care needs would close if Question 1 passed. The Republican reported on patients who complained about this tactic. An employee of the Department of Mental Health circulated a flier in September 2018 to state employees' email containing anti-Question 1 material. A formal complaint was filed and confirmed received by the state Ethics Commission on September 25, 2018 . circulated a flier in to state employees' email containing anti-Question 1 material. A formal complaint was filed and confirmed received by the state Ethics Commission on . Hospital executives spent more than $30 million funded predominantly through non-profit health care revenue to place misleading and sometimes outright false advertisements on television, radio and online. For each Yes on Question 1 ad, the hospital industry ran at least four opposition ads. funded predominantly through non-profit health care revenue to place misleading and sometimes outright false advertisements on television, radio and online. For each Yes on Question 1 ad, the hospital industry ran at least four opposition ads. At South Shore Hospital and other hospitals, nurses were forced to hand out 'No on 1' propaganda to patients awaiting surgery or admission to the hospital. Those materials said that supporting Question 1 could result in patients: Being denied emergency care, forced to wait longer for care, or losing entire services. At Brockton Hospital and other hospitals, when patients logged onto the patient portal for information about their care and test results, they saw information urging them to Vote No on 1, with links to this same information. View additional examples: https://www.facebook.com/pg/SafePatientLimits/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2081856701908011 Question 1 would have dramatically improved patient safety in Massachusetts hospitals by setting a safe maximum limit on the number of patients assigned to a nurse at one time, while providing flexibility to hospitals to adjust nurses' patient assignments based on specific patient needs. The ballot question was brought forward by a coalition of registered nurses, patients and family members, health and safety organizations, community groups, unions and elected officials. MassNurses.org Facebook.com/MassNurses Twitter.com/MassNurses Instagram.com/MassNurses Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 23,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public. SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association Related Links https://www.massnurses.org NEW YORK, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Hunt Real Estate Capital, a leader in financing multifamily and commercial real estate throughout the United States, announced today it provided a Freddie Mac conventional multifamily loan in the amount of $17.92 million to refinance a student housing portfolio located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. College Station Properties Portfolio is a 171-unit, 12-building student housing portfolio that consists of: Preston Place seven buildings, 115 units, 240 beds seven buildings, 115 units, 240 beds Alexandria one building, 10 units, 22 beds one building, 10 units, 22 beds Georgian one building, eight units, 20 beds St. Charles one building, 24 units, 48 beds St. George one building, 12 units, 24 beds 317 Reed one building, two units, eight beds The properties were constructed between 1988 and 1992 and have been updated/renovated over various periods of ownership. The portfolio primarily serves students that attend the University of Alabama. The borrower is ROAR IV, LLC, backed by H. Pettus Randall, IV and Jay Evans, who acquired the properties between 1994 and 1999. The loan has a 10-year term with five years of interest-only, followed by a 30-year amortization schedule. Brandon Pate of the Birmingham office managed the transaction through closing. "The borrowers are highly experienced student housing owner operators," commented Chad Hagwood, Senior Managing Director and Southeast Regional Manager at Hunt Real Estate Capital. "They have a fantastic track record and are providing great housing with walkability to the University of Alabama campus. Together they own and manage a number of other student properties located in both Tuscaloosa and Auburn, and all of them operate at or near 100 percent occupancy." "The local market fundamentals are strong, and the five-year forecast expects vacancy to continue to decline to 2.5 percent," added Hagwood. "Tuscaloosa recently adopted new zoning ordinances that will heavily restrict new multifamily supply and benefit the performance of existing properties. We were pleased to partner with this solid sponsor to provide local students quality housing." About Hunt Real Estate Capital Hunt Real Estate Capital, part of Hunt Companies, Inc., is a leader in financing commercial real estate throughout the United States. The Company finances all types of commercial real estate: multifamily properties (including small balance), affordable housing, office, retail, manufactured housing, healthcare/senior living, industrial, and self-storage facilities. It offers Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA financing and its own Proprietary loan products. Since inception, the Company has structured more than $28.4 billion of loans and today maintains a servicing portfolio of more than $15 billion. Headquartered in New York City, Hunt Real Estate Capital has 255 professionals in 24 locations throughout the United States. To learn more, visit https://huntrealestatecapital.com/. MEDIA CONTACTS Brent Feigenbaum Hunt Real Estate Capital 212-317-5730 [email protected] Pam Flores 773-218-9260 [email protected] SOURCE Hunt Real Estate Capital Related Links https://huntrealestatecapital.com CHAMPAIGN, Ill., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Intelinair, Inc., today announced that Pat Arthur has joined its team as Director of Marketing to support the continued sales growth of its automated crop intelligence system, AgMRI. Arthur is responsible for marketing AgMRI to farmers and retailers who are looking to enhance their profitability and efficiency from its whole-farm, full-season, high-resolution crop insight. "We've added Pat to help us accelerate the robust rate of sales growth we have been achieving with AgMRI," said Al Eisaian, CEO and co-founder of Intelinair. "Farmers are buying AgMRI because it's providing crop performance insight they can't get anywhere else, and it's empowering them to reliably make prioritized farming decisions and boost yields, income, and efficiency. Pat's depth of experience across the ag industry will help ensure more farmers and retailers understand these benefits." Arthur has more than 20 years of experience in ag marketing, communications, sales, and agronomy and has held a variety of management roles in the seed industry, advertising agencies, and ag retail. He joined Intelinair from Corteva, a division of DowDuPont, where he was responsible for marketing of the Pioneer soybean brand. To learn more about Intelinair, Inc., or AgMRI visit www.intelinair.com. About Intelinair, Inc. Intelinair, Inc., is leading efforts to bring cutting-edge artificial intelligence and world-class machine learning to agriculture to enhance farming practices and increase productivity, profitability and farming efficiency. The company's flagship crop intelligence system, AgMRI, is revolutionizing the way farmers and their trusted advisors manage their acres to the row by delivering measurable, reliable crop intelligence. AgMRI provides near-real-time field conditions via an intuitive app by combining modern agronomy, ultra-high-resolution imagery, proprietary computer vision technology, and best-in-class machine learning. With AgMRI, Intelinair is giving farmers the peace-of-mind to know how their crops are developing across entire farms throughout the growing season so they can confidently make prioritized, proactive management decisions via smart alerts or crop progress trend analysis. For more information go to www.intelinair.com. Contact: Patrick Arthur Intelinair, Inc. 515-494-4089 [email protected] SOURCE Intelinair, Inc. Related Links http://www.intelinair.com GOLDEN, Colo., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- C-BeyondHealth, LLC, a leading healthcare product development company specializing in medicinal cannabinoid products, is pleased to announce an investment from Triple Ten, a multi-national holding company based in Hong Kong. The company is one of the few U.S. medicinal cannabinoid enterprises to receive considerable funding from Asia. The significant investment from Triple Ten signifies the start of precedent-setting expansion into Thailand once current government regulations are lifted. "We started this company with a global scope believing our cannabis-based products would impact how patients and healthcare practitioners around the world address various health problems," said Scott Reese, CEO of C-BeyondHealth, LLC. "With significant funding from Triple Ten, we will open the market for innovative cannabinoid-based product lines and build new relationships with the highest levels of government in these markets." "We are thrilled to announce our investment in C-BeyondHealth, LLC," said Thongchai Kolsrichai, Managing Partner of Triple Ten Company Limited. "Partnering with one of the leading cannabinoid-based product development companies in the United States means we now have a vested interest in a company that is setting new quality and efficacy standards in the medicinal cannabis industry. The alliance between our two companies is strong, and we believe emerging markets like Thailand will play a large role in the global expansion of the company." The funds from Hong Kong investors will help the company grow more quickly to meet the enormous demand for reliable and practical cannabis-based solutions, support ongoing product innovation, and will fund the development of new markets. About C-BeyondHealth, LLC C-BeyondHealth, LLC is a patient-directed product development company dedicated to advancing the science and availability of targeted cannabinoid formulations. C-BeyondHealth, LLC is headquartered in Golden, Colorado with registered business operations in Bangkok, Thailand. For more information visit c-beyondhealth.com, or for press inquiries, please email [email protected]. About Triple Ten Company Limited Triple Ten Company Limited is a multi-national holding company based in Hong Kong that has an interest in medicinal cannabis and cannabinoid business in Asia, especially Thailand. In addition to healthcare, Triple Ten Company Ltd. has interests in agricultural development, media holdings, real estate, and resort operations. Contact: Pamela M. Green Phone: 877-277-CBYD x2 Email: [email protected] SOURCE C-Beyond Health, LLC Related Links https://www.c-beyondhealth.com/ ROSEMONT, Ill., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Elective surgery that removes lymph nodes from the neck is effective in treating patients with a type of aggressive oral cancer, resulting in improved survival rates and reduced rates for the cancer reoccurring in the same area or spreading to a different site, according to a study published in the March issue of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Buccal squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is an aggressive but rare cancer that starts in the cheek lining in the mouth. The cancer has high rates of reoccurring in the same area, known as locoregional recurrence. No model treatment for the cancer with clinically negative neck findings (N0) without questionable neck lymph nodes has been determined, according to researchers. The study published in the official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) explored whether elective neck dissection (END) which involves cutting whole groups of lymph nodes from the neck without confirmation of cancer in the neck would improve patient outcomes. The retrospective cohort study involved patients treated for the cancer at the University of Washington, University of Michigan, University of Tennessee, North Memorial Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Robbinsdale, Minn., University of Minnesota and Head and Neck Surgical Associates in Portland, Ore. Of the 98 patients who had the cancer with the inner cheek lining (buccal mucosa) as the primary site, 76 percent underwent END for primary therapy. The results revealed "significant" differences in terms of survival rates and rates of cancer reoccurrence in the area and spreading depending on whether the patient underwent END, suggesting END "may improve clinical outcomes for patients" with BSCC with clinically negative neck findings, according to the study. The locoregional recurrence-free rate the probability of staying recurrence-free for two years was 61 percent for the surgery compared to 38 percent without the surgery. The distant metastasis rate the rate the cancer spread from the original tumor to distant organs or lymph nodes was 4 percent for END patients and 9 percent for those without END. For END, the two- and five-year disease-free survival rates were 91 percent and 75 percent, respectively. Without END, the rates were 85 percent and 63 percent, respectively. The researchers concluded: "Our data indicate that END improves clinical outcomes for patients with clinical N0 BSCC and should be an important consideration in treatment planning." The authors of "What Is the Role of Elective Neck Dissection in the Management of Patients With Buccal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Clinically Negative Neck Findings?" are: Jasjit K. Dillon, MBBS, DDS (University of Washington), Akashdeep S. Villing, DMD (private practice), Richard S. Jones, DDS (private practice), Neal D. Futran, MD, DMD (University of Washington), Hans C. Brockhoff II, MD, DDS (University Medical Center, El Paso, Texas), Eric R. Carlson, MD, DMD (University of Tennessee), Thomas Schlieve, MD, DDS (University of Texas Southwestern/Parkland Memorial Hospital), Deepak Kademani, MD, DMD (North Memorial Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery), Ketan Patel, DDS, PhD (North Memorial Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery), Scott T. Claiborne, MD, DDS (North Memorial Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery), Eric J. Dierks,MD, DMD (Emmanuel Hospital, Portland, Ore.), Yedeh P. Ying, MD, DMD (University of Alabama), and Brent B. Ward, MD, DDS (University of Michigan). The full article can be accessed at www.JOMS.org/article/S0278-2391(18)31200-X/fulltext. ___________ The Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is published by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons to present to the dental and medical communities comprehensive coverage of new techniques, important developments and innovative ideas in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Practice-applicable articles help develop the methods used to handle dentoalveolar surgery, facial injuries and deformities, TMJ disorders, oral and head and neck cancer, jaw reconstruction, anesthesia and analgesia. The journal also includes specifics on new instruments and diagnostic equipment, and modern therapeutic drugs and devices. SOURCE American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons Related Links http://www.aaoms.org HOUSTON, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- KBR, Inc. (NYSE: KBR) announced today that its global government services business, KBRwyle, has won multiple prestigious prime contractor awards from NASA in recognition of KBRwyle's support of the agency's small business program. NASA named KBRwyle as the Large Business Prime Contractor of the Year at Goddard Space Flight Center and at Johnson Space Center. NASA also recognized KBRwyle for the Mentor-Protege Agreement of the Year at Ames Research Center. "These accolades recognize KBRwyle's leadership and its ability to deliver high-performing teams of diverse and small businesses that help ensure NASA mission success across multiple NASA centers," said Byron Bright, President, KBR Government Services U.S. "To be recognized at three different centers simultaneously is a tremendous honor." KBRwyle received the Large Business Prime Contractor of the Year award at the two NASA space centers for its overall contract performance, participation in NASA-related outreach events, sound small business practices and use of small business contractors. KBRwyle's prime contract services at Goddard Space Flight Center include mission operations for on-orbit spacecraft and specialized science support in the areas of geodynamic, geomagnetic, geophysical and atmospheric investigations of solar system bodies. At Johnson Space Center, KBRwyle serves as the prime contractor on multiple contracts providing spaceflight operations development, preparation and execution; mission systems support; and human spaceflight activities. KBRwyle experts staff every flight discipline console in the Mission Control Center and assist with every operational aspect of NASA's current human spaceflight programs. NASA also honored KBRwyle as the recipient of the Mentor-Protege Agreement of the Year award. KBRwyle received the award for its mentorship of MORI Associates at Ames Research Center where KBRwyle provides scientific research, technology and application development and program management solutions. During its two-year agreement, KBRwyle successfully provided subcontractor MORI Associates with training and guidance on business growth strategies, business development, quality assurance certification and other topics. KBRwyle provides long-term engineering, technical and scientific solutions to NASA dating back to Project Gemini. It operates at eleven NASA centers and facilities serving all four mission directorates. KBRwyle's expertise includes human and robotic spaceflight, planetary, space and life science, satellite integration and mission operations, and ground systems and communications. About KBR, Inc. KBR is a global provider of differentiated professional services and technologies across the asset and program lifecycle within the Government Services and Hydrocarbons sectors. KBR employs approximately 36,000 people worldwide (including our joint ventures), with customers in more than 75 countries, and operations in 40 countries, across three synergistic global businesses: Government Services, serving government customers globally, including capabilities that cover the full lifecycle of defense, space, aviation and other government programs and missions from research and development, through systems engineering, test and evaluation, program management, to operations, maintenance, and field logistics Technology, including proprietary technology focused on the monetization of hydrocarbons (especially natural gas and natural gas liquids) in ethylene and petrochemicals; ammonia, nitric acid and fertilizers; oil refining and gasification Hydrocarbons Services, including onshore oil and gas; LNG (liquefaction and regasification)/GTL; oil refining; petrochemicals; chemicals; fertilizers; differentiated EPC; maintenance services (Brown & Root Industrial Services); offshore oil and gas (shallow-water, deep-water, subsea); floating solutions (FPU, FPSO, FLNG & FSRU); program management and consulting services KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, integrated EPC delivery and long term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver. Visit www.kbr.com Forward Looking Statement The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding future financial performance, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the outcome of and the publicity surrounding audits and investigations by domestic and foreign government agencies and legislative bodies; potential adverse proceedings by such agencies and potential adverse results and consequences from such proceedings; the scope and enforceability of the company's indemnities from its former parent; changes in capital spending by the company's customers; the company's ability to obtain contracts from existing and new customers and perform under those contracts; structural changes in the industries in which the company operates; escalating costs associated with and the performance of fixed-fee projects and the company's ability to control its cost under its contracts; claims negotiations and contract disputes with the company's customers; changes in the demand for or price of oil and/or natural gas; protection of intellectual property rights; compliance with environmental laws; changes in government regulations and regulatory requirements; compliance with laws related to income taxes; unsettled political conditions, war and the effects of terrorism; foreign operations and foreign exchange rates and controls; the development and installation of financial systems; increased competition for employees; the ability to successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; and operations of joint ventures, including joint ventures that are not controlled by the company. KBR's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Form 10-Qs and 8-Ks, and other U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss some of the important risk factors that KBR has identified that may affect the business, results of operations and financial condition. Except as required by law, KBR undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason. SOURCE KBR, Inc. Related Links http://www.kbr.com FLORHAM PARK, N.J., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Managed Health Care Associates, Inc. (MHA), a leading health care services and software company focused on the alternate site health care provider marketplace, is pleased to share key industry trends were in the spotlight at its 16th Annual Business Summit at The Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada, March 6-8, 2019. Approximately 1,400 MHA long-term care, home infusion and specialty pharmacy Members and Business Partners joined the three-day meeting for engaged discussions and interactive breakouts led by an exceptional line-up of thought leaders including former National Security Affairs Director Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster and former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. During the MHA Business Summit, key trends transforming the industry were identified and discussed, including: Digital health innovations and patient care optimization have great potential to advance each other but for providers to know what questions to ask is key : with a lot of activity in the market and promises that digital innovations will help providers and patients alike, it's vital for providers to be educated and pose critical questions whether the innovations truly are fit to patients' needs and lives and support smooth workflows. This year's Summit for the first time offered attendees a full track exclusively dedicated to technology. Shan Bhide , VP of Technology at SoftWriters, an MHA company, moderated the well-attended Industry Partner Technology Track, enabling members to explore advances in eHR/eMAR solutions, dispensing methods, trends in packaging system integrations, and enhancements to long-term care pharmacy operations and workflows. : with a lot of activity in the market and promises that digital innovations will help providers and patients alike, it's vital for providers to be educated and pose critical questions whether the innovations truly are fit to patients' needs and lives and support smooth workflows. This year's Summit for the first time offered attendees a full track exclusively dedicated to technology. , VP of Technology at SoftWriters, an MHA company, moderated the well-attended Industry Partner Technology Track, enabling members to explore advances in eHR/eMAR solutions, dispensing methods, trends in packaging system integrations, and enhancements to long-term care pharmacy operations and workflows. Patient and outcomes-driven payment models put a premium on clinical understanding and integration of care: with the introduction of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) model for skilled nursing facilities going into effect on October 1, 2019 , and the introduction of the Home Health Provider Patient-Driven Grouping Models (PDGM), the silo'ed approach to patient care that was emblematic of fee for service models will no longer be sufficient for alternate site care providers to compete effectively, let alone thrive, as explored in a number of business breakouts this year. At the same time, providers with the ability to document how modifiable risk in patients was successfully addressed are forecast to see entry into an attractive tier of the market, being rewarded for care coordination and clinical integration. Also discussed in detail was how the new CMS payment system for SNFs is expected to create a care environment for SNFs to focus on patients with more complex needs and in doing so rely more on their long-term care pharmacy partners. These new payment models offer opportunities for providers, but are expected to favor those who have the ability to impact and document clinical outcomes. Michael J. Sicilian, MHA President, commented, "We were very excited to be able to offer a strong platform for our Members to engage with thought leaders, ideas and software solutions that can help enable success in a dynamic market where we see the convergence of trends such as integrated care models and digital health innovations. The strong Member turn-out for our 16th Annual Business Summit tells us the alternate site health care industry continues to embrace this unique opportunity to look around the corner, explore new ideas and solutions, and network." Look for upcoming details on the 17th Annual MHA Business Summit to be held March 25-27, 2020, at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada. About MHA Managed Health Care Associates, Inc. (MHA) is a leading health care services and software company that offers a growing portfolio of services and solutions to support the diverse and complex needs of the alternate site health care provider. MHA provides expertise in Group Purchasing, Managed Care and Payor Contracting, Reimbursement Management, Specialty Pharmacy Solutions, Pharmaceutical Data Analytics, Consultant Pharmacy Software and Legislative Advocacy. Through the delivery of innovative health care services and solutions, MHA helps Members increase operational efficiency, maximize business growth and provide optimum care for their patients. For more information, visit www.mhainc.com. For More Information Contact: Elisabeth Overend VP of Marketing Managed Health Care Associates, Inc. 800-642-3020 X9374 [email protected] SOURCE Managed Health Care Associates, Inc. (MHA) Related Links http://www.mhainc.com "I've worked side by side with Linda on our Chicago leadership team since 2012," said Canning. "There is no one better suited for this role. She is a trusted advisor to our clients and a role model for our partners and professionals." Imonti, the first female to lead KPMG's Chicago office, is a 30-year veteran of business consulting. Since 2012, she has led the Chicago office's Advisory practice, a group of more than 1,200 partners and professionals who provide a range of consulting services to corporations and government entities. Imonti also serves in a national role for driving best practices in market development and driving connectivity across the firm's 12 major markets. She was elected to KPMG's U.S. Board of Directors in 2015. "I'm thrilled to have a chance to lead a motivated group of professionals who deliver every day for our clients," said Imonti. "Clients have cyber concerns, they want to know how to make better use of their data, and they are undertaking massive business transformations among many other issues. We've got the talent to solve these problems." Imonti joined KPMG in 2006 and was soon named leader of the financial management practice in the Midwest. Early in her KPMG career, Imonti launched and grew the firm's Business Intelligence practice, growing resources by 400 percent and growing revenues by 300 percent in just four years. She was named both a U.S. and global leader, and in this role led teams that helped clients make better use of the data in their organizations to improve decision-making and operations. Imonti will bring this depth of experience to the KPMG Ignition Center Chicago, the firm's new 30,000 square foot innovation and technology center opening in April at the AON Center. "Linda is not only a seasoned consulting professional but she has extraordinary leadership skills and a great feel for helping clients to adapt to the disruption affecting just about every industry," said John Kunasek, KPMG's Vice Chair, Clients and Markets. "She also takes pride in making KPMG a great place to work and build a career. She'll be ideal in this role." Prior to KPMG, Imonti worked in industry and at a global consultancy. Earlier in her career, she was the youngest-ever consulting partner and first female partner promoted from within the ranks of another global audit, tax and advisory firm. Imonti is active in the Chicago community and looks forward to continuing that work in her new role. A strong advocate for women, Imonti currently serves as co-chair of WE Illinois, an organization that empowers young people to take action on social issues impacting their community and the world. She is a member of The Chicago Network, and is a board member of Chicago United and the Civic Consulting Alliance. Imonti also channels her passion for workplace diversity into her role leading KPMG Chicago's Women Executives Network, and as co-partner champion for KPMG Chicago's [email protected] network. Imonti has received a number of recognitions for her efforts to support women and diversity in the workplace. In 2013, she received Consulting Magazine's Women's Leadership Award. She has also been recognized as one of the Top 15 Business Women in Illinois by the National Diversity Council and a Women Leader of Excellence by the Colorado Women's Leadership Coalition. Pat Canning has served as managing partner of KPMG Chicago since 2012. A 38-year veteran of the firm, Canning led the growth of the Chicago office by nearly 1,000 partners and professionals and nearly doubling the revenue of the practice. Prior to coming to Chicago in 2012, Canning served as managing partner of the firm's Boston and Providence offices. During his tenure, Canning made a significant impact in the Chicago business community and in the Chicagoland area. He currently serves as United Way of Metro Chicago's board chairman, is Chair of the Board of Kids First Chicago, and over the last seven years, spearheaded KPMG Chicago's donation of over 700,000 books to underserved Chicago youth through the KPMG Family for Literacy (KFFL) program, on track to donate one million books by 2020. About KPMG KPMG is one of the world's leading professional services firms, providing innovative business solutions and audit, tax, and advisory services to many of the world's largest and most prestigious organizations. KPMG is widely recognized for being a great place to work and build a career. Our people share a sense of purpose in the work we do, and a strong commitment to community service, inclusion and diversity, and eradicating childhood illiteracy. KPMG LLP is the independent U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"). KPMG International's independent member firms have 207,000 professionals working in 153 countries and territories. Learn more at www.kpmg.com/us. Contact: Libby Langsdorf KPMG LLP 917-825-2211 SOURCE KPMG LLP Related Links http://www.kpmg.com/us FORT WORTH, Texas, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) announced Roderick McLean as vice president and general manager for the company's Air Mobility & Maritime Missions organization, succeeding George Shultz, who will retire later this year. Additionally, Bridget Lauderdale will become vice president and general manager for the Integrated Fighter Group organization, succeeding McLean. Both appointments are effective April 15. As leader of the Air Mobility & Maritime Missions organization, McLean will be responsible for the C-130, LM-100J, C-5 and P-3 programs. He will also serve as the leader for the Marietta, Georgia, facility, and oversee sub-assembly sites in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and Meridian, Mississippi. A 25-year Lockheed Martin employee, he most recently led the Integrated Fighter Group. He also previously served as deputy for that group, as well as deputy for the F-16 program. "Rod and his team have kept the F-16 in demand around the world, and we see a significant number of opportunities ahead for that program," said Michele Evans, executive vice president, Aeronautics. "He will bring that same strategic vision to our C-130 and LM-100J programs, serving as an exceptional leader as we continue to build air mobility capabilities." As leader of the Integrated Fighter Group, Lauderdale will be responsible for the development, manufacture and sustainment of the F-16 and F-22 programs. A 30-year Lockheed Martin employee, she most recently served as vice president, F-35 Global Sustainment. She has also held roles as senior vice president of Corporate Strategy & Business Development, vice president for Aeronautics Operations, vice president and general manager for F-16 and F-2 fighters, and vice president for F-22 Product Development. "Bridget's extensive experiences in the fighter market, her strong relationships with internal teams and customers, and her thoughtful, strategic approach will enable us to continue generating opportunities for the F-16 and F-22 well into the future," said Evans. About Lockheed Martin Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 105,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Related Links http://www.lockheedmartin.com HONG KONG, March 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- China Renaissance (Stock code: 1911.HK) and LGT Bank entered into a Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement in Beijing on March 12, 2019. According to this agreement, the two parties will share strategic resources both in China and internationally to carry out in-depth cooperation in various business functions in the future. Through the establishment of a cooperative strategic partnership, China Renaissance and LGT Bank will jointly provide global wealth management services to high net worth individuals globally. Mr. Bao Fan, Chairman of China Renaissance, H.S.H. Prince Max von und zu Liechtenstein, the CEO of LGT Group, and related business leaders from both parties attended the signing ceremony. According to the Agreement, China Renaissance will share strategic resources and industry experience with the LGT Bank in the wealth management business, and carry out in-depth cooperation. Through connecting business teams and referring resources mutually, China Renaissance and the LGT Bank will dig deep into their respective industrial and business chain of resources to achieve a strong alliance for mutual benefits. At the signing ceremony, Mr. Bao Fan, Chairman of China Renaissance said, "Wealth owners emerging from China's new economy have different attributes compared to traditional high net worth individuals. Being young, they understand and embrace technology and the new economy, and are willing to invest in the ecosystem of the new economy. Meanwhile, demand in China's high-end wealth management market is experiencing a transition from wealth generation to wealth preservation. LGT Bank adheres to its century-old values & principles towards wealth of the Liechtenstein Family and possesses rich experience and global perspective in the business of wealth management. We believe that LGT Bank will bring complementary benefits to China Renaissance, and the two parties will create strong strategic synergies." According to Mr. Bao Fan, the two parties will leverage China Renaissance's strengths in the asset side and entrepreneurs' social circles of China's new economy. Also, with LGT's first class experience in wealth management and strong global customer and product resources, the two parties will cooperate innovatively at all levels across various business functions. In the future, China Renaissance will also provide global asset allocation services for Chinese clients around the world. H.S.H. Prince Max von und zu Liechtenstein, CEO of LGT Group said: "The signing of the framework agreement recognizes the opportunities two leaders in their own specialized area could better explore together. We at LGT are very excited to partner with China Renaissance to jointly address the growing Wealth Management needs of Asian ultra high net worth individuals, and we are confident this cooperation will strengthen each other's core businesses." China Renaissance Group ("CR Group") is a leading financial institution that combines private placement advisory, M&A advisory, securities underwriting, research, sales and trading, investment management and other financial services. Providing one-stop financial services across mainland China, Hong Kong and the United States, CR Group operates a competitive and unique international network that connects China's capital markets with the rest of the world, serving new economy entrepreneurs and investors globally. LGT Bank is a member of LGT Group, a leading international private banking and asset management group that has been fully controlled by the Liechtenstein Princely Family for over 80 years. As of 30 June 2018, LGT managed assets of CHF 206.0 billion (USD 207.5 billion) for wealthy private individuals and institutional clients. LGT employs over 3000 people who work out of more than 20 locations in Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East. SOURCE China Renaissance Group "I am honored to be recognized by the AAOS," Dr. Parks said. "In order to provide care for an ever-increasing diverse population, we must understand their needs. The diversity of our faces helps with this understanding and ultimately our ability to provide excellent care for the patients we serve." "Dr. Michael Parks has been involved in diversity-related conversations and ideas since the moment I met him," said Ramon L. Jimenez, MD, Dr. Parks' former mentor-turned-colleague. "He has always promoted diversity in a quiet and effective manner. He works tirelessly to point out and decrease disparities in musculoskeletal care." Dr. Jimenez, who also happens to be a past recipient of the AAOS Diversity Award, said Dr. Parks draws students in and offers advice and encouragement. "He knows how to look back, give back, and bring folks along," said Dr. Jimenez. Dr. Parks specializes in total joint replacement at Hospital for Special Surgery, where he serves as vice chair for Quality. He also serves on the hospital's Board of Trustees and is an associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Weill Cornell School of Medicine. Dr. Parks has led a number of research projects at HSS, with a particular interest in socioeconomic and racial disparities in access to arthritis care and total joint replacement surgery. He has published numerous journal articles related to joint replacement outcomes and racial differences. In 2018, Dr. Parks was named president of the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation. He is a former president of the New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons and has served on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Colleagues describe Dr. Parks as an exemplary leader who is actively involved in many organizations and teams working to break barriers across racial, ethnic and gender disparities for both patients and future physicians. Valerae O. Lewis, MD, chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, explained, "Dr. Parks is a skilled, thoughtful and caring colleague and surgeon. We need more orthopaedic surgeons like [him], a physician who works to conquer disparities within orthopaedics and within our health care system." Dr. Lewis notes Dr. Parks' work earlier in his career as the chief of orthopaedics at North General Hospital in Harlem, where many black and Latino patients were at risk of not receiving needed treatment. Dr. Parks led the alliance efforts between North General and Mt. Sinai Hospital to improve patients' access to care. He currently serves on the steering committee of the Movement is Life Caucus, which seeks to understand and address disparities in musculoskeletal health care. Dr. Parks is also actively involved with Nth Dimensions, a nonprofit organization that works to increase representation of women and minorities in orthopaedic surgery. Dr. Parks was born in Columbia, South Carolina. He graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and went on to earn his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, where he received the President's Clinical Science Award. After completing an internship in general and thoracic surgery, followed by an orthopedic residency at Duke University Medical Center, he continued his training at Hospital for Special Surgery with a fellowship on the Hip and Knee Service. Photos of the award ceremony are available upon request. About the AAOS With more than 39,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is the world's largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. The AAOS is the trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal health. It provides the highest quality, most comprehensive education to help orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals at every career level best treat patients in their daily practices. The AAOS is the source for information on bone and joint conditions, treatments and related musculoskeletal health care issues and it leads the health care discussion on advancing quality. Follow the AAOS on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram SOURCE American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Related Links https://www.aaos.org/ LOS ANGELES, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Longtime Prince hairstylist and first-time author Kim Berry will release her new book "Diamonds and Curlz 29 Years Rolling With Rock Royalty Prince" Tuesday, April 16, 2019. The memoir will be issued as an e-book and print edition on Amazon.com. Book Cover Photo Credit: Randee St. Nicolas / Book Jacket Design: German Creative The elite L.A.-based celebrity hairstylist is excited to add "author" to her long list of accomplishments. Taking a page from Prince's playbook, the new memoir was conceptualized, written and self-published by Berry (KimBOnSet Publishing). Through fabulously told personal accounts of tour life experiences and other shared moments with Prince, Berry brings this labor of love to the masses. A captivating, heartfelt recollection of her journey alongside one of music's most prolific artists. Berry's desire for the book is to serve as a healing agent for peace to all who have never truly received closure after his death, nearly three years later. "I want them to know he was a human being special yes but perfectly imperfect just like the rest of us. He made mistakes but incredible strides at the same time. Prince laughed, cried and brought beautiful music to the world. I want fans to feel proud that we lived during an era of GREAT music. 'Prince was the soundtrack of our lives.' We know what to expect from the realm of music because the bar was so high. Live and live now, on or off stage. You only get one shot at this thing called life. Your greatest disadvantage is to miss your mark," says Berry. Kim was the non-musical entity in his life. Uniquely blessed, she occupied the space between his life and art. Her story takes readers behind the purple curtain to give them a glimpse of the MAN, not the rock star. She respectfully reflects on Prince the brother, friend, husband and father; the human side of Prince Rogers Nelson few were privy to experience. As Prince's personal hairstylist for almost three decades, Berry traveled extensively and primped him for stages all over the world. She also collaborated on what would become iconic looks for countless appearances and photo and video shoots. According to celebrity makeup artist Yolande' Denise, "Prince has always been the artist of our time who best reflects life and creativity. My girl Kim B. (as she is known in the industry) was a part of this magical crown Kim has been a trendsetter for so many years and we always looked forward to what Prince was going to do next." Kim's book will be debuted in Minneapolis April 24-28, during the Celebration of Prince 2019. Book signings and other events are posted in the news and events section of her website. Preorders for "Diamonds and Curlz 29 Years Rolling With Rock Royalty Prince" are underway now on diamondsncurlz.com. To learn more about Kim Berry, click here to visit her Official KimBOnSet website. Stay connected with Kim by following her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. About Kim Berry: Celebrity hairstylist Kim Berry is Hollywood's best-kept secret. Known in the industry as Kim B, Kim's work has been seen all over the world in videos, print, film and television. Kim is best known for keeping the mane of Prince coiffed for nearly three decades, creating some of his most iconic hairstyle looks. Berry, an elite hairstylist based in Los Angeles, received her formal training at Pacific Beauty College. The universe aligned her life to cross paths with Prince, starting a whirlwind education at the "University of Prince Rogers Nelson." Her work with Prince has been featured on the pages of Vogue, Allure, W and Rolling Stone magazine, to name a few. She has worked with fashion photographer Patrick Demarchellier, David LaChapelle and Randee St. Nicholas. In addition to Prince, Kim has serviced Tinseltown's who's who with the likes of comedian Katt Williams, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Tamera Mowry-Housley, Niecy Nash, Nicole Ari Parker, Yolanda "YoYo" Whitaker and Vanessa and Angela Simmons, among others. Kim is determined to leave her mark on the world of beauty and the community-at-large with her passion for motivating young women to take full control of their lives and be their best selves. For media inquiries and interview requests, please contact Sharon Baldwin at 832-687-1211 | Email: [email protected]. Related Images diamonds-and-curlz-29-years.jpg Diamonds and Curlz - 29 Years Rolling With Rock Royalty Prince Book Cover Photo Credit: Randee St. Nicolas / Book Jacket Design: German Creative kim-berry.jpg Kim Berry Author and Celebrity Hairstylist Kim Berry: George Eyo Photography-London / Makeup: Shareen Gerald diamonds-and-curlz-ebook.jpg Diamonds and Curlz ebook Photo Credit: Randee St. Nicolas / Graphic Design: German Creative SOURCE Kim Berry Related Links http://diamondsncurlz.com SEATTLE, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Panopto, the leading video platform provider in higher education, today announced new migration incentives for McGraw-Hill Tegrity customers. The incentives are part of Panopto's Tegrity migration program, which consists of a content conversion tool, professional services, complimentary closed captioning, and customized financial aid for customers who commit by June 30, 2019. Financial Incentives and Complimentary Captioning "For a limited time, Panopto is offering special financial incentives to Tegrity customers. First, for any university currently engaged in a Tegrity contract, Panopto will provide customized financial aid. Second, any university that commits to migration before June 30, 2019, will receive $3,000 in complimentary closed captioning services as part of their Panopto subscription. With the increasing focus on accessibility in lecture capture, the offer underscores Panopto's commitment to Section-508 compliance. Convert and Keep Existing Content Panopto has developed a content conversion tool that automates the migration of Tegrity videos and automatically uploads the converted content to a new Panopto video library. The conversion process maintains the fidelity of presenter video, additional video sources, slide presentations, captions, and edits, and automatically creates a table of contents and thumbnails for navigation. Institutions around the world have now used the conversion tool to migrate hundreds of thousands of hours of existing Tegrity content to Panopto. Professional Migration Services As part of the conversion process, Panopto offers professional services to assist customers with their transition. The services include conversion of existing Tegrity video files, integrity validation of the converted files, and provisioning of existing Tegrity users within Panopto. For Tegrity customers interested in finding out more about the migration program and financial incentives, contact Panopto online at www.panopto.com/switch or email [email protected] . About Panopto Panopto helps universities create searchable video libraries of their institutional knowledge. Since 2007, the company has been a pioneer in video content management systems, video capture software, and inside-video search technology. Today, Panopto's video platform is the largest repository of expert learning videos in the world. Headquartered in Seattle, with offices in Pittsburgh, Sydney, Hong Kong, and London, Panopto has received industry recognition for its innovation, rapid growth, and company culture. For more information, visit www.panopto.com . SOURCE Panopto Related Links http://www.panopto.com "It is fantastic to see such a talented group of entrepreneurs accepted into our programs. We aim to give our startups the best chance for success and these next three months will give them the tools and connections they need to thrive," said Saeed Amidi, Founder and CEO of Plug and Play. "I am excited to see what they can accomplish when integrated into our ecosystem." Over the next three months, selected startups will connect to Plug and Play's global ecosystem, collaborating with over 280 corporate partners. Through private dealflow sessions, exclusive networking events, mentor sessions, and more, these startups will have ample opportunities to land pilots, POCs, new customers, and investment. In 2018, Plug and Play had a record year, with more companies invested in and accelerated, more private deal flow sessions, and bigger and better events. The full company performance report can be viewed here . Plug and Play does not take equity from startups for program participation. Graduation for these batches will commence May 14-16th at Spring Summit. About Plug and Play Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we have built accelerator programs, corporate innovation services and an in-house VC to make technological advancement progress faster than ever before. Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in over 20 locations globally giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 10,000 startups and 280 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We provide active investments with 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and host more than 700 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $7 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club and PayPal. For more information, visit www.plugandplaytechcenter.com . Media Contact Allison Romero [email protected] (408)524-1457 SOURCE Plug and Play Related Links http://plugandplaytechcenter.com HOUSTON, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- In one of the first cases of its kind, this week Judge Kenneth Hoyt in Houston ordered "compassionate release" from prison under the First Step Act a new law that took effect last year. Richard Evans, age 74, was 22 months through a 5-year sentence at the Oakdale Federal Prison for a health care fraud conviction in Texas. Last October, he reported a 2-centimeter mass in his neck to his jailers. It has since grown to a 5-inch malignant melanoma. Under the old law, a prisoner with a life-threatening illness had to ask the Bureau of Prisons for early release, and Evans did so without success. But now prisoners can go to court when BOP refuses. Evans' legal team showed that the condition was life threatening and that BOP was ill equipped to treat it. According to our search, Evans will be the first prisoner to win release under the new law. Evans' lawyers explained: "If we did not have the court option, our client would die in prison. Instead, we had an independent judge and fair-minded prosecutor and the new law worked. We are very grateful this is why you go to law school." Evans is represented by David Gerger, Samy Khalil, and Ashlee McFarlane of Gerger Khalil & Hennessy LLP in Houston. SOURCE Gerger Khalil & Hennessy LLP NEW YORK, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Roman Way Productions announces today production of a fashion documentary based on the lives and careers of iconic American designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka, founders and designers of their label Badgley Mischka. Roman Way Productions has also optioned bestselling novel by Marina Di Guardo, who is Chiara's Ferragni global fashion influencer's mother, for her book's film rights. This is one of several international projects that Roman Way Productions is currently developing. "We believe that Mark Badgley and James Mischka have a compelling story to share about their lives and 30 year long career in the fashion industry. Viewers will enjoy seeing first hand their fascinating daily experiences and stories that will appeal to a variety of audiences," said Frank Rainone, Co-founder, Roman Way Productions. "We were honored to be approached by Roman Way Productions for this very exciting project," Mark Badgley said. "Frank and Teresa are visionaries in their field and we are looking forward to collaborating with them and their team to bring the Badgley Mischka story to viewers around the world," James Mischka continued. For three decades Badgley Mischka has been synonymous with glamour and elegance and known for their stylish and wearable evening wear and accessories. Hailed by Vogue as one of the "Top 10 American Designers." They are an integral part of the fashion world, consistently offering sophisticated style that caters to modern couture customers of all ages. Their timeless designs have been seen on a range of A-list women, including Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Sharon Stone, Jennifer Garner, Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Sarah Jessica Parker, Helen Mirren and Ashley Judd. The documentary will highlight their unbelievable success and offer never seen before insights into their lives and 30 years in the competitive and creative fashion business. In addition to the fashion documentary, Roman Way Productions has optioned the International bestseller LA MEMORIA DEI CORPI written by, Marina Di Guardo and published by Mondadori for the movie rights. The Italian novel, already a national bestseller, is described as "Basic Instinct" meets "Silence of the Lambs." "This is truly a dream come true. I love the professionalism, accuracy and incredible attention to every detail that the Roman Way productions gives each project, said Marina DiGuardo, author. "I truly cannot wait to see my thriller novel on the big screen." The film is a story centered around Giorgio a former lawyer who retreats to his summer villa with his governess Agnese. His mother died in a car accident when he was a child and his father committed suicide leaving him with the governess who raised him. Giorgio meets Giulia, a beautiful but mysterious younger woman. Everything changes once Giorgio's governess goes missing and Giulia becomes a prime suspect. With no one to trust, not even himself, Giorgio must come to terms with his inner demons and secrets in order to find out what truly happened to Agnese. Vanity Fair calls this thriller "A strong bloody story set in val Trebbia a place that Hemingway called the most beautiful hillside in the world." "Our goal is to find international stories that have world wide appeal." Teresa Sorkin "Marina's novel fits perfectly into our company's mission and mandate." BADGLEY MISCHKA Over the past thirty years, Badgley Mischka has flourished into a true lifestyle brand recognizable worldwide. To date, the Badgley Mischka brand includes multiple product categories such as Eveningwear, Day Dresses, Sportswear, Outerwear, Bridal, Swimwear, Footwear, Handbags, Eyewear, Timepieces and Jewelry. Mark Badgley and James Mischka's timeless designs appeal to a wide range of fashionable women including Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Sharon Stone, Jennifer Garner, Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Helen Mirren, Taylor Swift, Sarah Jessica Parker and Carrie Underwood. Badgley Mischka is sold in the most prestigious stores in the world including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Harrods and Harvey Nichols in addition to the Badgley Mischka flagship boutique in Los Angeles. For additional information please go to www.badgleymischka.com MARINA DIGUARDO Marina Di Guardo has been the global face of the most recent Swarovski summer campaign along with her world-famous daughter Chiara Ferragni who in 2017 was named Forbes number one influencer in the world. Marina Di Guardo was born in Novara, Italy. She worked for several years in the Fashion Industry as vice director in Blumarine show room. She has three daughters: Chiara, Francesca and Valentina Ferragni. Her first book, L'Inganno della Seduzione, was published in 2012 by an independent publishing house, Nulla Die and her second book, Non mi spezzi le ali in 2014. In 2015 she published her third book, a thriller novel by Feltrinelli Filtri Zoom: Bambole Gemelle. In 2016, working with Delos Digital she wrote the Exposed series, Frozen Bodies, a horror/apocalyptic novel. In 2017, published by Mondadori, she wrote a thriller novel: Com'e giusto che sia. ROMAN WAY PRODUCTIONS Frank Rainone and Teresa Sorkin serve as co-founders of Roman Way Productions. Frank Rainone is a filmmaker and producer who produced films with Miramax and The Weinstein Company. He was instrumental in The Weinstein Companies transition to Lantern. Teresa Sorkin is a producer, writer and ex-journalist for RAI Television. She has worked with MTV, A&E and HBO on both scripted and non- scripted productions. Teresa is also the author of the upcoming novel THE WOMAN IN THE PARK. This is one of several International projects that Roman Way Productions is developing. They are currently in pre-production of a historical television series based on the bestselling novel "Shepherdess of Sienna" co-producing with PI&C and with executive producer, Tarak Ben Amar. They are also in pre-production on a horror thriller set in Venice, Italy. For additional information go to www.romanwayproductions.com SOURCE Roman Way Productions Related Links http://www.romanwayproductions.com MORGAN CITY, La., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Sewart will celebrate its 50-year anniversary throughout 2019 and into 2020 with employee, customer and community events. As part of the 50th anniversary celebration the company has launched a new website and rebranded the organization from Sewart Supply to "Sewart". Founded in 1969 by Allie W. Adams Jr., Sewart has grown into one of world's leading distributors of Twin Disc, Hamilton Jet, and Veth Propulsion products along the gulf coast for the marine industry. "In my early life, my Father instilled a very basic value in me...to tell the truth even if it hurts," said President Al Adams III. "It's this basic principle that he founded Sewart Supply on that has been the foundation on which we have built an enterprise spanning 50 years. The staff that have embraced this culture and customers that have held us to this high standard will continue to motivate us as we look forward with great anticipation to our next 50 years." Sewart strategically operates two Louisiana offices located in Morgan City and Harvey to support their customer base in marine industry and Texas Based operations are headquartered in Friendswood, Texas. Beyond the marine industry, Sewart now markets Twin Disc products for use in the land-based oil and gas markets. From hydraulic frac trucks, to blenders, to pump downs, to water pumps Sewart can provide equipment solutions for completion requirements. "Strategically partnering with the manufacturers that we have has allowed us to be flexible and move into nontraditional markets for Sewart. Even though our products are being used in more applications than ever before we are still focused on delivering quality products with outstanding service," states Allie Adams IV. To learn more about the 50 years of Sewart and the people and the work culture that have built the company please visit www.sewartsupply.com CONTACT: Allie Adams IV, [email protected] SOURCE Sewart Related Links http://www.sewartsupply.com/ EAST POINT, Ga., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The 40th Anniversary Sickle Road Race & Walk will be held Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 9am in the City of East Point. This is a great time for Peachtree Road Race competitors to run a 7K qualifier race and for advocates to team up in the name of family, friends, and co-workers who suffer from sickle cell anemia. It will be a festive day with music, activities, vendors and prizes. All are invited to sign up for the American Red Cross onsite blood drive, register at redcrossblood.org/ and enter code: SCFG. The scenic course, which starts at Tri-Cities High School, is challenging for runners and gratifying for most walkers. Race registration is available online at www.SickleCellRace.com. Creating a team is a great way to experience the event, explained Race Director CW Wilson, an accomplished runner who has been involved since the event started. "Teams consist of 20 or more who register under one team name such as 'Team Carla' or 'Team Red Cross' or 'Team UPS' qualify for discounts and incentives" he explained. "We are happy to once again be the site of the Sickle Cell Road Race/Walk with proceeds going to support Camp New Hope and the many support services of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia," said East Point Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham. "This event gives attendees a chance to experience our downtown growth, convenient transit, neighborhood charm, hospitality and robust businesses". Deb McGhee McCrary, SCFG President and CEO added, "For just a few hours every year, on the second Saturday in April we come together to get a movement going about sickle cell --the most commonly detected genetic blood disorder that is diagnosed in newborns". Join us for a community Blood Drive with the American Red Cross. For more information or for Corporate Sponsorships visit www.SickleCellRace.com or call C. W. Wilson or Bronaugh Bridges at 404-755-1641. About Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc.: Founded in 1971 by two Atlanta physicians the late Nelson McGhee, Jr and Delutha H. King, the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia, Inc.(SCFG) is a statewide nonprofit advocating for and serving children and adults with Sickle Cell and other abnormal hemoglobin. The Foundation hosts Camp New Hope, Georgia's first medically-supervised summer camp for children with sickle cell ages 6-17; and is the only community-based organization providing sickle cell education, testing, counseling and Transition services throughout the state. Also like us at www.facebook.com/SickleCellGA or follow us on [email protected] About The City of East Point: The City of East Point is approximately 13.8 miles with a population of over 33,000. Located southwest of Atlanta, East Point is conveniently located minutes away from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. This quaint urban community's prime location, numerous retail, and great restaurants make it an attractive place for a "live-work-play-shop" environment. For more information about the City of East Point visit www.eastpointcity.org. Also like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofeastpoint/ and follow us on twitter @cityofeastpoint, snapchat @cityofeastpoint, or instagram @cityofeastpoint. About the American Red Cross The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code SCFG. SCFG Contact: Leslie Fontenot Telephone: (404) 755-1641 SOURCE Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia Related Links http://www.SickleCellRace.com With over 110 million members, Indonesia's NU is set to bring about digital transformation for the largest autonomous Islamic organization based on a secured mobile ecosystem. Services provided via this mobile eID platform include, and not limited to, mobile identification and authentication, international telco services based on remote SIM provisioning technology, cross-border remittance, mobile banking and payment services. "It is with great honor and pleasure for our technology to be the foundation of NU's mobile eID implementation. Taisys has long been a trusted mobile ID solution provider for banking services since the 2G/feature phone era. Now that smartphones and APPs manage our daily work and lives, the need to use the phone as a form of identity authentication and transaction authorization is increasing ever more. The beauty of our mobile ID solution, which sets it apart from others, is that it can accommodate beyond authentication services for banking and Fintech, to include digital SIM services where mobile subscriptions are downloaded onto the phone. This is the perfect example where the use case can be supported by the right technology, elevating the comprehensiveness and industry/device/telco agnostic nature of Taisys mobile ID solution," stated Taisys Chairman, Jason Ho. "This mobile eID shall create the next level of digital ID security in addition to the services to be offered by NU to its communities such as mobile payments/ wallets, telco services, fintech and banking services. NU has worldwide members, and in upholding NU digital sovereignty objective and creating service layers within a secured environment, NU members in particular and Indonesian nationals in general will be benefitted most. NU has significant number of its members residing in Taiwan, Malaysia, Middle East and other parts of the world. For example, over 1 million NU members in Malaysia are regularly doing the remittance to their loved ones, and through this JV initiative, it will create the digital security eco-system for NU communities in Indonesia and beyond. Not to mentioned their mobile daily usage for work and lives. This augurs well with NU objective in digital transformation," stated Imam Pituduh, Chairman of NU Digital Transformation Services. "We are proud and excited to be part of this Alliance that enhances NU community and members' digital identity authentication. The digital services must be supported by secured mobile and APPs experience in creating unmatched 'secured convenience'. This will add into the eco-system that Mobisphere already developed that involved banks, non-bank, remittance provider and social media players. Mobisphere FlexTM in Malaysia is backed by an Islamic Bank, while in Indonesia and other 20 corridor countries, it has cooperation with banks, financial institution non-bank, switching operator and social media player; therefore, through mobile ID platform with services on-top, it is truly is a working example of a complete eco-system for NU communities," stated by Ady Seto Bremono, Mobisphere Indonesia Director. About Nahdlatul Ulama NU was established on January 31, 1926 in Surabaya, Indonesia. It is the largest independent Islamic organization in the world. NU also is a charitable body funding schools and hospitals as well as organizing communities to help alleviate poverty. The NU exists to spread Islamic teaching. As well as preaching, it undertakes educational activities through its network of 6,830 Islamic boarding schools, or pesantren. It also owns 44 universities, and is involved in economic and agricultural studies, and social activities including family planning. About Mobisphere Inc. We are an ASEAN regional provider of mobile payment platform and remittance switching service and JVCo of Taisys, operating as Taisys' ASEAN regional technology and platform provider. We aim to provide an efficient, cost effective and reliable remittance, payment infrastructure and accessible travelling internet connectivity to multitude of communities of various countries. Easing of remittance back home or roaming freely in multiple countries are services values that Mobisphere's denotes. Anytime, Anywhere. We Transact. About Taisys Technologies Taisys Technologies is a world leader in providing mobile interconnectivity and vertical integration solutions to various industries. Our solutions enable telecom, financial institutions and government organizations to extend innovative mobile services in a secure and convenient manner. Established in 2005 and headquartered in Taipei, Taisys has built solutions based on its patented core technology SIMoME (Thin SIM), which decouples value-added services from the main SIM, and empowers industry players the ability to deploy innovative services on the mobile equipment. Over 1,300 banking and 20 M(V)NO partners have deployed mobile-based value-added services enabled by Taisys' technology and platform to 15 million end-users worldwide. To learn more, please visit www.taisys.com. SOURCE Taisys Technologies Related Links http://www.taisys.com OSLO, Norway, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Targovax ASA (OSE: TRVX), a clinical stage biotechnology company developing immune activators to target hard-to-treat solid tumors, today announces that it has granted a freedom-to-operate (FTO) license to Zelluna Immunotherapy for the development of mutant RAS T cell receptor (mutRAS TCRs) therapies. Through the development of the TG neoantigen vaccine program, Targovax has established a significant patent portfolio and know-how in therapies targeting mutant RAS cancers. In addition to covering the TG vaccine program, these patents and know-how are also highly relevant in T cell therapy. Zelluna Immunotherapy has built a portfolio of validated mutRAS TCRs isolated from long-term cancer survivors treated with first generation TG mutRAS vaccines. Targovax has agreed to out-license Targovax patents and know-how to Zelluna to enable the development of Zelluna's mutRAS TCRs and create a stronger joint position in the mutRAS TCR field. In addition, the companies have signed a letter of intent to establish an R&D collaboration for the discovery and development of additional novel mutRAS TCR products. Under the license agreement, Zelluna has been granted a global, non-exclusive license to relevant Targovax patents and know-how, for which Targovax will be compensated financially. The potential deal value amounts to NOK 100 million in milestones and annual fees, in addition to royalties on sales and sub-licensing revenues. Zelluna will retain full rights to, and freedom to operate (FTO) for, its portfolio of mutRAS TCRs and will be responsible for the development of these. ystein Soug, CEO of Targovax, said: "Our unique TG technology has already demonstrated a clinical benefit by generating immune responses to RAS driver mutations, and we remain committed to developing mutRAS vaccines in the currently underserved mutant RAS cancer indications. Additionally, we are confident that our proprietary technology and know-how has potential application in the parallel field of T cell therapy; itself a rapidly evolving novel class of immunotherapies. The intention of joining forces with Zelluna, will be strengthening the ability to develop a portfolio of mutRAS TCR products to be applied in T cell therapy, which will complement our TG vaccine development and further solidify Targovax's strong position as the leader in mutRAS targeted immunotherapy". For further information, please contact: Renate Birkeli Investor Relations Phone: +47-922-61-624 Email: [email protected] Media and IR enquires: Andreas Tinglum Corporate Communications Phone: +47-9300-1773 Email: [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/targovax/r/targovax-grants-zelluna-immunotherapy-an-fto-license-to-intellectual-property-relating-to-mutant-ras,c2762190 SOURCE Targovax The Fontainebleau Miami is apt for the occasion after hosting a lifetime of memorable events including the productions of Al Pacino's 'Scarface', 'The Sopranos' and 'James Bond's Goldfinger', whilst playing host to a variety of legendary entertainment icons such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Elvis Presley. Tech Talk Media's flagship unscripted TV series, TechTalk, takes you on a discovery of new and innovative technologies and entrepreneurs from around the world and is uniquely shot on location in the premises of each start-up, gaining pertinent insights in to the makings of each rising star. Currently filmed in several of the hottest innovation hubs across the world - New York, Tel Aviv, Silicon Valley, London, Los Angeles and Hong Kong - TechTalk will expand to a total of 20 locations next year, including many leading European cities. Profiling more than 50 companies each Season (12 x 30-minute episodes per season), TechTalk features 'wow-factor' revolutionary new technologies that generally have never been seen before, all produced into flexible formats of highly engaging and tangible content for a global audience. Created and hosted by Jonny Caplan, a British born serial entrepreneur and renowned technology expert (an entrepreneur from the age of just 14), Caplan is complimented well by bubbly American co-host, finalist on The Voice, and rising entrepreneur Jessy Katz, who is also niece of the great Steven Spielberg. Each episode of TechTalk features a range of different companies and technologies to ensure they cover the growing landscape and resources in each region. TechTalk has already featured world leading companies and brands such as: WeWork, Feedvisor, TechCode and CannaTech, along with business leaders and visionaries such as Jonathan Medved and Montel Williams, to name a few. In addition, TechTalk will shortly be announcing exclusive partnerships with several major leading international brands and organizations. TechTalk isn't just a TV series, but it's an entire ecosystem of entrepreneurial connectivity, that's very impactful to all involved. Not only does TechTalk provide a platform and connectivity for growth, but the team goes back to the grass roots in support of local schools and universities, industry events and conferences, government, medical & military technologies and resources. TechTalk drives the entire global start-up and technology ecosystem to evolve, connect, and cross-pollinate more effectively, and is already making incredible headway. Season One of TechTalk is due to be aired on TV channels worldwide in the summer of 2019, upon which point the company will release more seasons, specials and titles. Other synergistic titles in Tech Talk Media's unique catalogue include: Women in Charge, Robot Nation, The Rise of AI and The Cannabis Biz. For more information visit: www.techtalkgroup.com. Press Enquiries, contact: Abigail Stern: [email protected] SOURCE TTM News Related Links http://www.techtalkgroup.com SEOUL, South Korea, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Tumor hypoxia, a characteristic feature of solid tumors, is considered as a potential therapeutic problem for cancer therapy. Scientists at Dongguk University have put together an exhaustive summary of what we know about chemicals that inhibit the action of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) protein, an important regulator of the tumor microenvironment. A better understanding of how these inhibitors work, could be used to develop potent anti-cancer drugs that would increase the effectiveness of existing treatments. What we've learnt about HIF-1 inhibitors in the last 10 years The Fight against Cancer Tumors grow quickly, using up available oxygen, becoming "hypoxic" i.e., lacking enough oxygen. To survive and continue growing, HIF-1 protein is increased in tumor cells, which boosts biochemical reactions involved in energy production and angiogenesis. When this occurs, cancers become resistant to standard treatments like radiation and chemotherapy. So, blocking HIF-1 functioning may be one way to improve cancer therapy. Scientists led by Dr. Kyeong Lee collated existing studies on HIF-1 inhibitors to understand how these molecules function depending on their chemical structure. As none of these inhibitors are commercially available, the scientists hope that knowledge gleaned from a decade of research will change this scenario in future. Dr. Lee observes, "there are two ways to inhibit HIF-1: by either directly inhibiting its functioning (i.e., prevent its transcriptional activation) or by indirectly blocking its activation through interactions with other molecules. We've mostly seen indirect inhibitors, and the idea is to figure out what they directly target to block HIF-1." Based on their own work and other studies, the investigators split HIF-1 inhibitors into 10 groups of differing chemical scaffolds with structure-activity relationships (SAR) study. Of these, the most studied inhibitors were the adamantyl-based and boron-based inhibitors, which inhibit HIF-1 by targeting mitochondrial proteins and heat-shock proteins involved in stress responses. While the YC-1 compound, a rare direct and indirect inhibitor suppressed HIF-1 through diverse molecular pathways. Dr. Lee is optimistic about the prospect. "We think these SAR-based data are the invaluable springboard for developing effective and safe drugs that can target specific proteins in tumor microenvironment and really improve existing therapies." This comprehensive review is particularly profound since all the inhibitors investigated here show immense promise for further development of anti-cancer drugs. Reference Authors: Deepak Bhattarai, Xuezhen Xu, and Kyeong Lee Title of original paper: Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) inhibitors from the last decade (2007 to 2016): A "structureactivity relationship" perspective Journal: Medicinal Research Reviews DOI: 10.1002/med.21477 Contact: Ritwika Roy +91 22 67148888 [email protected] SOURCE Dongguk University SAN JOSE, Calif., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Through The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Silicon Valley Students of the Year campaign presented by Silicon Valley Bank, more than 39 motivated high school students raised over $297,000 for LLS's cutting-edge cancer research and patient services. Pranav Aida, Abhinav Balla and Surya Sripathi of Team Cure Creators and freshman from Evergreen Valley High School, raised the most funds in Silicon Valley and earned the winning title, "Students of the Year." These fundraising superstars raised funds to support LLS's goal to find cures for blood cancers and ensure that patients have access to lifesaving treatments. Students of the Year is a seven-week philanthropic leadership development program during which students foster professional skills such as entrepreneurship, marketing, and project management in order to raise funds for LLS, the world's largest nonprofit fighting blood cancer. The title Student(s) of the Year is awarded to the candidate or co-candidates in each community who raises the most funds during the competition. Top local fundraisers become eligible to win the national title. The students raise money in honor of a local patient hero who is currently battling or is in remission from a blood cancer. "Congratulations to Team Cure Creators and all our candidates, supporters and volunteers who helped to make Students of the Year a huge success," said Jeff Scanlan, Silicon Valley & Monterey Bay Area Chapter's Executive Director. "For these incredible individuals, it's not just about winning a title; it's all about the impact they are making in their communities and the generations ahead of them. From The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's beginning 70 years ago with the development of new treatments for childhood leukemia to today's advances in precision medicine and immunotherapy, LLS has led the way in changing the way we treat cancer and care for patients." To learn more about LLS's Students of the Year program visit: www.studentseries.org. About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care. Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Rye Brook, NY, LLS has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org. Patients should contact the Information Resource Center at (800) 955-4572, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET. SOURCE The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Silicon Valley & Monterey Bay Area Chapter Related Links http://www.LLS.org The new parking module provides unprecedented control over how enterprises govern parking as part of an integrated approach to visitor management. Disjointed tools and processes create significant gaps in security and the guest experience at large facilities. Keith Metcalfe, CEO of Traction Guest explains: "Enterprise organizations have complex requirements for maintaining airtight security and emergency preparedness across a range of locations. Looking beyond the lobby, we addressed these considerations in developing the parking module." Businesses can now digitize their parking inventory and designate zones for different types of visitors and vehicles such as handicap, electric cars or VIP. Being able to monitor parking usage and reserve spaces in real-time is the first step in enabling capacity planning within a centralized, enterprise-grade VMS platform. The parking experience is transformed as designated parking stall details and directions can be included in pre-registration invitations or be provided by a gate guard upon check-in. Consolidated data allows companies to detect parking patterns and reconfigure under-utilized space. By making parking an integral part of visitor management, Traction Guest demonstrates its commitment to serving the enterprise; providing tools to advance security, create efficiencies and address compliance requirements. "There's always risk associated with hosting guests. Providing safe and seamless guest experiences starts before they reach reception," notes Traction Guest CTO, Cameron Wiebe. "Integrated parking management aligns with our security-centered approach. It's a natural extension of our Assisted-Check-In module launched earlier this year that uses airport-grade security scanners to verify a visitor's passport or ID. Parking is another layer of defense and results in better asset management and capacity planning." Contact [email protected] to join the Limited Early Adopter Program (LEAP). About Traction Guest Traction Guest is the developer of the leading enterprise visitor management system which makes hosting visitors effortless, memorable, and safe. The customizable cloud-based platform creates an intuitive visitor experience and delivers unparalleled security for companies with multiple entry points. Traction Guest is a Salesforce Ventures portfolio company that enables enterprises on five continents in dozens of industries, including progressive brands such as Netflix, DocuSign and Thermo Fisher. https://tractionguest.com/ SOURCE Traction Guest Related Links tractionguest.com CINCINNATI, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Ultimus Fund Solutions (Ultimus), the largest independent provider of fund administration services, announces the addition of industry veteran Gary Harris as Executive Vice President, Director of Sales, effective immediately. Harris will be responsible for developing the sales strategy and ensuring the execution of that strategy across the various market segments for the entire suite of Ultimus solutions. "We are very excited to have Gary join our growing team at Ultimus," commented Gary Tenkman, CEO of Ultimus. "He has deep knowledge of our market segments, the financial products that we service, industry business partners and the ability to transform that knowledge into actionable results. Having Gary on our team will allow us to capitalize on our strong market position and service reputation." Most recently Harris served as Senior Vice President, National Sales Manager at SS&C (formerly ALPS). Prior to that he held senior sales management positions at DST and SEI. With this experience, he possesses considerable knowledge of the challenges facing investment management firms. Ultimus expects Harris' expertise in developing and executing strategic business plans and managing sales teams in the investment management and financial services industry will further enhance the firm's position as the premier independent provider of fund services to asset managers. "I am very excited to join Ultimus and head up its business development efforts," said Harris. "The team at Ultimus has done a terrific job of establishing itself as a leader in this industry through its delivery of high-value services and a client centric model. Ultimus is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the market opportunity and I look forward to leveraging my experience and knowledge to deliver high quality growth for the firm." About Ultimus Fund Solutions Ultimus Fund Solutions provides a highly customized and comprehensive suite of fund administration services for investment advisers. Our high-quality services include integrated solutions that support the launching and servicing of mutual funds, hedge funds, ETFs, private equity funds, real estate funds, venture capital funds, variable annuity trusts, state-sponsored 529 plans plus the unique needs of pensions, endowments, and foundations. Our offering comes with a deep commitment to excellence, achieved through investments in both talent and technology, with constant focus on maintaining our consultative approach and boutique service culture. Ultimus stands out as an award-winning, trusted business partner by helping investment advisers and fund families navigate and flourish in today's increasingly sophisticated and dynamic industry landscape. Ultimus' comprehensive service solutions are provided by seasoned teams of professionals with a wealth of financial services experience. For more information, visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com CONTACT: Jami Schlicher - JConnelly (973) 850-7309 | [email protected] SOURCE Ultimus Fund Solutions Related Links http://www.ultimusfundsolutions.com Research highlights from high impact publications are 'JST-ERATO Intelligent Optical Synthesizer (IOS) Project', Kaoru Minoshima; 'adaptive learning system using big data based machine learning', Maomi Ueno; and ' Drag reduction and relaminarization of wall-turbulence by traveling wave control', Hiroya Mamori. The Topics section features research on 'Improved catalytic processes for the synthesis of phenol' by Yasuhiro Iwasawa. News and Events are 'Delegation of NHTD visits UEC' and 'UEC signs Agreement of Double Degree Program with IPN'. March 2019 issue of UEC eBulletin http://www.ru.uec.ac.jp/e-bulletin/research-highlights/ Research Highlights JST-ERATO Intelligent Optical Synthesizer (IOS) Project Optical technology has not been utilized to its full potential, although there is no doubt about its importance for applications in daily life and science and technology. By appropriate control of the unique properties of optical waves with high precision and wide dynamic range opens of the possibilities for innovative applications over a broad range of fields. More http://www.ru.uec.ac.jp/e-bulletin/research-highlights/2019/jst-erato-intelligent-optical-synthesizer-ios-project.html Reference http://www.jst.go.jp/erato/minoshima/en/index_e.html Adaptive learning system using big data based machine learning Over the past few decades, many studies conducted in the field of learning science have reported that scaffolding plays an important role in human learning. To scaffold a learner efficiently, a teacher should predict how much support a learner must have to complete tasks and then decide the optimal degree of assistance to support the learner's development. Nevertheless, it is difficult to ascertain the optimal degree of assistance for learner development. More - http://www.ru.uec.ac.jp/e-bulletin/research-highlights/2019/adaptive-learning-system-using-big-data-based-machine-learning.html Reference - Maomi Ueno and Yoshimitsu Miyazawa, IRT-Based Adaptive Hints to Scaffold Learning in Programming, IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, IEEE computer Society, 11, No.4, 415-428, (2018). DOI: 10.1109/TLT.2017.2741960 Drag reduction and relaminarization of wall-turbulence by traveling wave control Energy saving is important to reduce transportation costs of vehicles as well as their impact on the environment. In this context, because skin-friction drag increases significantly in turbulent flow, it is important to study flow control techniques for turbulent flow. More - http://www.ru.uec.ac.jp/e-bulletin/research-highlights/2019/drag-reduction-and-relaminarization-of-wall-turbulence-by-traveling-wave-control.html Reference - Hiroya Mamori, Kaoru Iwamoto, and Akira Murata, Effect of the parameters of traveling waves created by blowing and suction on the relaminarization phenomena in fully developed turbulent channel flow, Physics of Fluids 26, 015101 (2014). DOI: 10.1063/1.4851256 Video of the AL-1 is running to calculate the square root of 3: http://www.ru.uec.ac.jp/e-bulletin/videos/research-highlights/2019/mamori_fig1.mp4 Researcher Video Profiles Kaoru Minoshima, Professor, Department of Engineering Science, Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering http://www.ru.uec.ac.jp/e-bulletin/researcher-video-profiles/2019/kaoru-minoshima.html Maomi Ueno, Professor at the Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering http://www.ru.uec.ac.jp/e-bulletin/researcher-video-profiles/2019/maomi-ueno.html Hiroya Mamori, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Intelligent Systems Engineering http://www.ru.uec.ac.jp/e-bulletin/researcher-video-profiles/2019/hiroya-mamori.html Topics Improved catalytic processes for the synthesis of phenol Yasuhiro Iwasawa, Innovation Research Center for Fuel Cells, The University of Electro-Communications, Chofu, Tokyo 182-8585, Japan, The University of Electro-Communications. Researchers at the University of Electro-communications, Tokyo report a single-site catalytic platform with high selectivity for the single-step synthesis of phenol in a paper appeared in ACS catalysis. http://www.ru.uec.ac.jp/e-bulletin/topics/2019/improved-catalytic-processes-for-the-synthesis-of-phenol.html News and Events http://www.ru.uec.ac.jp/e-bulletin/news/ Delegation of NHTD visits UEC On January 11, 2019, Dr. Nguyen Van Kinh, the Director of National Hospital of Tropical Diseases (NHTD), and Dr. Nguyen Vu Trung, the Vice Director of NHTD, visited the University of Electro-Communications (UEC). http://www.ru.uec.ac.jp/e-bulletin/news/2019/delegation-of-nhtd-visits-uec.html UEC signs Agreement of Double Degree Program with IPN On 11 December, 2018, the University of Electro-Communications (UEC) signed an Agreement of Double Degree Program with the Instituto Politecnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico. The two institutes have been partner institutions since 1998 and engaging in active collaboration, especially student exchanges. Graphical abstract from the paper: http://www.ru.uec.ac.jp/e-bulletin/news/2019/uec-signs-agreement-of-double-degree-program-with-ipn.html About the University of Electro-Communications - http://www.uec.ac.jp/ The University of Electro-Communications (UEC) in Tokyo is a small, luminous university at the forefront of pure and applied sciences, engineering, and technology research. Its roots go back to the Technical Institute for Wireless Commutations, which was established in 1918 by the Wireless Association to train so-called wireless engineers in maritime communications in response to the Titanic disaster in 1912. In 1949, the UEC was established as a national university by the Japanese Ministry of Education and moved in 1957 from Meguro to its current Chofu campus Tokyo. With approximately 4,000 students and 350 faculty members, UEC is regarded as a small university, but with expertise in wireless communications, laser science, robotics, informatics, and material science, to name just a few areas of research. The UEC was selected for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities as a result of its strengths in three main areas: optics and photonics research, where we are number one for the number of joint publications with foreign researchers; wireless communications, which reflects our roots; and materials-based research, particularly on fuel cells. Further information: The University of Electro-Communications 1-5-1 Chofugaoka, Chofu, Tokyo 182-8585 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.uec.ac.jp/ SOURCE University of Electro-Communications TEWKSBURY, Mass., March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Marlborough, Massachusetts, is awarded a $402,658,015 fixed-price-incentive (firm target) modification to previously-awarded contract N00024-14-C-5315 to exercise options for Air and Missile Defense Radar Program (AMDR) low-rate initial production (LRIP). This modification will provide for three AMDR LRIP units. The LRIP units will be deployed on DDG 51 Flight III-class ships. Work will be performed in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by March 2023. Fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funding in the amount of $402,658,015 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity. South Africa: Business excellence honoured at Premier Business Awards Hard work and perseverance have proven to be among the top ingredients of success to winners of the sixth Premier Business Awards. Held last night at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, the annual awards paid homage to the cream of the crop of the South African business fraternity. We are very excited by this award. We were not expecting it because when youre working, you always put in work without necessarily expecting accolades like this, said co-owner of Afro-Zonke Projects and Investments, Thokozani Mabuya, on Wednesday. The Durban based company took home the Black Industrialist Award. The company develops, manufactures and supplies chemical solutions to the manufacturing and engineering sector, retail and households. The programme aims to unlock the potential within black industrialists operating in the South African economy through deliberate, targeted and well-defined financial and non-financial interventions. Earlier at the glittering event hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (dti), in partnership with Proudly South African and Brand South Africa, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies spoke of the importance of supporting entrepreneurs. Thats the reason we launched the black industrialist programme. We have scoured the length and breadth of the country and identified 131 quality industrialists, who are real contributors to our economy, said Davies. Meanwhile founder of fashionable sneaker brand Bathu, Theo Baloyi, took home the Young Entrepreneur award of the night. Having started his business from his home in Alexandra a little over three years ago, Baloyi delivers the brand across the county. He is also now expanding to open shops in provinces like the Eastern Cape. When I started, it was just a dream and I persisted and I kept on pushing. Whatever dream you have, just believe that it is possible and never give up because this can be a big thing and have a big impact on peoples lives, said Baloyi. Recognising excellence Davies said South Africa in general needs to up its game in recognising the role played by entrepreneurs. We need to up our game in recognising excellence and recognising the achievements of people who played by the rules, who have acted in the economy in the ways that we need people to act, people who have taken the decision to invest in our country, grow the economy and create jobs, he said. The awards, which have been held since 2013, coincide with the celebration of South Africas 25 years of democracy. We will in due course be assessing what weve achieved and what we need to achieve in terms of the transformation of our society that we need to bring about. We need to also recognise very much that we need to be transforming our economy and changing the demographics of our economy to be more reflective of the country as a whole, said the Minister. Local is still lekker One of the ways that the country can transform the economy is though localisation and designation of local products. We need to take actual decisions to buy products that are manufactured and produced in our own country. The message is well known but it bears repeating: if we buy products that are produced in our own country, we support jobs in our own country. If we want to create more jobs in our own country, we should be buying more products in our own country, he said. When coming to designation, the dti is responsible for indicating certain products will be procured from locally produced sources. Meanwhile, as the country commemorates 25 years of democracy, the Minister reflected on improvements made in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) into South Africa. The United Nations Conference of Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report has shown that while 2018 was a tough year for FDI, South Africa managed to improve its investment landscape. There has been a reduction of about US$ 200 billion FDI worldwide and there has also been a significant reduction in green fields investment worldwide. But in the case of South Africa, the same source indicated that the total FDI flow into South Africa went up from just over R1 billion in the previous year to over R7 billion in 2018, he said. The country, Davies said, was starting to turn the corner, something which could be celebrated and commemorated. Moves by government to create investor confidence included that of the finalisation of the Mining Charter and the signing of renewal energy power purchasing agreements among others. - SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-03-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. BOSTON, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, just about everything is, or has the potential to be, a connected thing, and disruption has become the status quo. This does not come without a cost, however, as IoT device security has remained largely neglected as evidenced by many notable cyberattacks. According to IDC, worldwide technology spending on the Internet of Things will reach $1.2T in 2022. Many industries, including discrete manufacturing, professional services, consumer, and telecommunications are among those projected to spend the most on security solutions to combat growing risks of security breaches. Slated for March 25 at the MIT Media Lab, the Connected Things 2019 Conference will gather speakers, panelists, attendees, and sponsors, including J.D. Power, Nutter, American Tower, Freewave, Very Possible, and the Canadian Technology Accelerator, to explore the forces contributing to disruptive IoT. The Conference will also feature early-stage IoT product companies demonstrating their disruptive technologies. Joel Bagnal, CEO of Vericlave, and former Deputy Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Advisor, will deliver a Connected Things 2019 keynote address to discuss issues of device security and the proactive approach they practice at Vericlave, which changes the security paradigm from detection to prevention. "It's become evident that connected things do come at a cost. As systems become more complex, security must follow suit. Joel has experienced disruption at a level most cannot understand," said Mark Thirman, Connected Things conference chair, "His expertise and views on securing critical infrastructure and networks is mandatory for enterprise executives and IoT innovators alike. We're thrilled to welcome him to the MIT Connected Things Conference." To learn more about the Conference, or to register for the event, follow MITEF of Cambridge on Twitter at @mitefcmb, or visit the conference website: http://connectedthings.mitforumcambridge.org About Vericlave: Vericlave is a cybersecurity technology and managed services company focused on preventing increasingly destructive and costly attacks on the critical assets of enterprise and government entities. Vericlave implements a zero-trust, stealth design provided by Blue Ridge Networks , that verifies access and conceals the network from unwanted and unknown actors. The solution is comprised of a unique combination of a hardware root of trust, key management algorithms and encryption of all communications starting with the first packet to create isolated and secure enclaves that may be integrated into any network architecture. For more information, visit www.vericlave.com. About the Connected Things 2019 Conference: This annual conference is hosted by The MIT Enterprise Forum Cambridge. The Connected Things Conference brings together technology executives, emerging companies, investors, and sponsors who gather to hear industry experts discuss the state of the art and network with their peers. The MIT Enterprise Forum Cambridge facilitates critical one-on-one mentoring while providing team services that increase the skills and expertise necessary for entrepreneurs to succeed. For more information, please visit: http://connectedthings.mitforumcambridge.org Media Contact: Kristine Bryant [email protected] SOURCE Vericlave Related Links http://connectedthings.mitforumcambridge.org NEW YORK, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Weekend Unlimited Inc. (CSE: POT) (FSE: 0OS1) (OTCQB: WKULF) ("Weekend" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Verve Beverage Company (VBC) has scheduled production for its CHAMP Energy and Verve beverage lines. "We specifically targeted this point in time to launch our Full Spectrum Hemp products into the market as part of our activation at the HEMP TODAY experience at SXSWTM this week," said Mr. Brad Robb, President of VBC. Operational Highlights: First large (60,000 bottles per sku) commercial production run of CHAMP Energy Functional RTD beverages will be ready for retail distribution beginning the week of March 18th First initial production run (5000 bottles per sku) of CHAMP Full Spectrum Hemp (30mg) functional RTD beverages for retail distribution March 18th March 12th - 15th CHAMP Full Spectrum Hemp product launch at South by South West. This event will host 1000+ VIP guests over a two-day period where Weekend Unlimited LIVE and CHAMP will host high level influential people from a variety of channels as VIP sponsor to the SXSW Official HEMP TODAY educational activation CHAMP Full Spectrum Hemp product launch at South by South West. This event will host 1000+ VIP guests over a two-day period where Weekend Unlimited LIVE and CHAMP will host high level influential people from a variety of channels as VIP sponsor to the SXSW Official HEMP TODAY educational activation Verve's new 12oz can production to commence March 31st , with one additional sku called Verve Burn, a protein formulation scheduled to follow in April "This represents a significant achievement for the Company, launching our brands with a focus on revenue generation. The VBC brand team is advancing their plan to reach market right on our schedule, the responses to the product line from distributors has allowed us to produce an aggressive first run to accelerate the build out and recognition of VBC's product brands into the consumer marketplace," said Weekend Unlimited President and CEO, Mr. Paul Chu. 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. Related Links http://www.weekendunlimited.com CHICAGO, March 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report "Virtual Classroom Market by Solution (Content Management, Device Management, UCC, Security), Hardware (Mobile Computing Devices, VR Devices), Service (Professional & Managed), Deployment Mode, User Type, and Region - Global Forecast to 2023", Published by MarketsandMarkets, the Virtual Classroom Market size is expected to grow from USD 9.3 billion in 2018 to USD 19.6 billion by 2023, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16.2% during the forecast period. The major factors driving the Virtual Classroom Market include the wide acceptance of AR or VR for corporate training and development, continuous innovation in VR/AR technologies, increased participation and engagement in learning, demand for personalized learning experiences, and the use of connected devices in virtual classrooms. Browse and in-depth TOC on Virtual Classroom Market 100 -Tables 60 - Figures 207 - Pages Speak to our expert analyst @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalystNew.asp?id=203811025 The content management segment to hold the highest market share The content management segment is expected to gain traction in the Virtual Classroom Market during the forecast period. Furthermore, an educational content management system enables educators, trainers, authors, and subject matter experts to create, store, manage, and deliver digital content in the form of texts, videos, or audios to be used by learners. The demand for online educational content with enhanced learning experience is growing rapidly in both educational institutes and corporates. This factor is driving the growth of the content management segment. Among hardware, mobile computing devices segment is gaining traction in K-12 institutions, specifically in the US PCs, tablets, and mobile devices play an important role to enhance the learning process of students and employees. These devices need to be implemented with applications and strategies designed to meet needs of users. The growing adoption of the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy and its implementation have seen steady and impressive growth in the last few years. For instance, Intel has implemented the BYOD policy throughout the organization by providing 30,000 mobile devices to its employees for the training and development purpose. Mobile computing devices convert the conventional classroom into mobile-centric education. Download PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=203811025 North America to hold the highest market share during the forecast period North America is one of the major contributors to the Virtual Classroom Market, due to technological developments. The US and Canada are the top contributing countries to the Virtual Classroom Market in this region. These countries have established economies, which empower them to strongly invest in R&D activities. Moreover, the rapid development of the startup culture and high adoption of technologies in education are expected to fuel the growth of the Virtual Classroom Market in North America. In this region, enterprises are now shifting to virtual learning for better results and convenience of use. Multiple users can simultaneously access learning materials and resources from anywhere and at any time, and this has drastically helped the corporate sector cut down on expenses related to employee training. This reason is one of the major factors that has led corporates to adopt virtual classrooms over old traditional teaching methods. Many academic and corporates have implemented virtual classroom for its modes, such as technology training, distance learning, instructor-led training, and flipped learning and blended learning. The major vendors covered in the Virtual Classroom Market include Sony (Japan), Samsung Electronics (South Korea), HTC (Taiwan), Google (US), Microsoft (US), Panasonic Corporation (Japan), Hitachi (Japan), Barco (Belgium), LG Electronics (South Korea), Veative Labs (Singapore), Cisco (US), Blackboard (US), Dell (US), IBM (US), Saba Software (US), Oracle (US), Edvance360 (US), Electa Communications (US), BrainCert (US), SKYPREP (Canada), Impero Software (UK), WizIQ (India), BigBlueButton (US), Digital Samba (Spain), and TutorRoom (Taipei). Browse Adjacent Markets @ Digitalization and Internet of Things (IoT) 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, and strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve. MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. Contact: Mr. Shelly Singh MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/virtual-classroom-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com SOURCE MarketsandMarkets "Toxic exposure is one of our top policy priorities for 2019," said WWP CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Linnington. "Working together with Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivorsand Vietnam Veterans of America will enable our collective legislative advocacy and provide resources to veterans and family members who have incurred an illness due to toxic exposure during military service. We're proud to partner with Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivorsand Vietnam Veterans of America to learn more about this issue and ensure veterans' health care needs are addressed." "We are profoundly grateful for the critical grant funding WWP has provided to TAPS," said Bonnie Carroll, TAPS President and Founder. "Over the past decade, TAPS has seen a dramatic increase in the number of deaths due to illness and cancers related to toxic exposures. These service members and veterans leave behind grieving families who deserve the same care and support all service members and veterans receive. Together with WWP and VVA, we will honor those who are ill and have died by caring for all those who they loved and left behind." "Though our war ended more than 40 years ago, we continue to battle for justice and answers for veterans exposed to Agent Orange and other toxic substances, which have been passed on to their families," said John Rowan, VVA National President. "And now, tragically, post-9/11 veterans have been exposed to a range of biological and chemical toxic substances. Whether from burn pits emitting dioxin and other toxicants; from depleted uranium; or from toxicants yet to be identified, they are dying young from uncommon illnesses, and their children are sick as well. We cannot stand idly by as this newest generation of veterans is faced with the same culture of denial as they struggle to access health care and compensation from the VA. We are glad for the opportunity to work in partnership with Wounded Warrior Project and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors to share our lessons learned and to advocate for our younger veterans and their families." To learn more about how these partnerships are transforming the way America's injured veterans and military families are empowered, employed, and engaged in our communities, visit https://wwp.news/Newsroom. About Wounded Warrior Project Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more: http://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/about-us . About Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the leading national organization providing compassionate care and survivor support services for the families of America's fallen military heroes. Since 1994, TAPS has offered support to more than 85,000 survivors of fallen military in the form of peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, case work assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups and a 24/7 resource and information helpline for all who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces. Services are provided free of charge. For more information go to www.taps.org or call the toll-free TAPS resource and information helpline at 1.800. 959.TAPS (8277). About Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Vietnam Veterans of America is the nation's only congressionally chartered veterans' service organization dedicated to the needs of Vietnam-era veterans and their families. VVA's founding principle is "Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another." Because there is very little outreach to the men and women who served in the military, and because too many veterans succumb to diseases that can be traced back to their time in service, VVA created the Veterans Health Council (VHC) to inform all generations of veterans and their families about health issues related to their military service, as well as the VA healthcare and benefits available to them. Additionally the VHC educates healthcare professionals about the health issues associated with military service; and, in concert with other organizations, develops educational programs and materials which emphasize the unique healthcare needs of veterans. SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project Related Links https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org Kuala Lumpur, March 14 : Malaysian prosecutors on Thursday rejected an appeal to drop a murder charge against one of the two women accused of using the deadly nerve agent VX to murder North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's half brother, just days after allowing her co-defendant to walk free. The decision means that Doan Thi Huong of Vietnam will remain as the only suspect in the case still behind bars, CNN reported. Huong was one of two women charged with the February 2017 murder of Kim Jong-nam, an offence punishable by hanging. The other, Indonesian national Siti Aisyah, was freed on Monday in a surprise ruling. Prosecutors did not reveal why they rejected Huong's appeal but let Aisyah go free. Huong's legal team had petitioned prosecutors to release her on the same grounds as Aisyah, arguing it would be unfair to free one of the co-defendants but not the other. However Huong told the media through an interpreter that she wasn't bitter Aisyah was freed and she was not. "God knows me and Siti Aisyah didn't do anything," she said. Hanoi's Ambassador to Malaysia Le Quy Quynh told CNN that the Vietnamese Justice Minister had sent a letter to Malaysia's attorney general requesting Huong's release. He said Hanoi would again request that Malaysian authorities treat Huong fairly and release her "as soon as possible." Judge Azmi Ariffin adjourned court on "humanitarian grounds", saying Huong appeared "not well". The next hearing will take place on April 1. Four North Koreans who fled Malaysia for an unknown destination shortly after the assassination were also charged in absentia with the murder. The Interpol has issued red notices asking governments to send them back to face trial. North Korea has consistently denied involvement in the killing, though US, South Korean and Malaysian authorities have said Pyongyang was responsible. Washington, March 14 : A total of 50 countries, including the US, has either grounded or banned the Boeing 737 Max 8 planes following the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines plane of the same model that killed all 157 people on board earlier this week. US President Donald Trump spoke to the media before the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday grounded all Boeing 737 Max jets in the country, CNN reported. "I didn't want to take any chances. We didn't have to make this decision today," Trump said. "We could have delayed it. We maybe didn't have to make it at all. But I felt it was important both psychologically and in a lot of other ways." Trump said his decision was fact-based, even as he admitted it was made partly with regard for the mental well-being of American travellers. "The safety of the American people, of all people, is our paramount concern," he added. Of the more than 370 Boeing 737 Max jets in global fleets, 74 are flown by US airlines, according to the FAA. Those include United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. Mexico also took action against Boeing 737 Max 8 planes on Wednesday evening, just hours after the US' decision to suspend the planes' operation inside the country. The General Directorate of Civil Aviation said they were banned until further notice to "guarantee the safety and confidence" of aircraft flying in Mexican airspace. On Thursday, South Korea and Thailand joined the list of countries that have suspended operations of the planes South Korea's largest airline, Korean Air, announced it would be putting on hold plans to introduce Boeing 737 Max 8s into their fleet. Thailand's Civil Aviation Authority announced all operations of Max 8 and Max 9 planes would be temporarily suspended until midnight on March 20. Some of the other countries that have moved to ground the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft include India, China, the European Union, the UK, Canada and Australia. Meanwhile, the black boxes from the Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 will arrive in Paris for analysis on Thursday morning, a vital clue into what caused the Nairobi-bound aircraft to crash six minutes after take-off from Addis Ababa. The French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) will conduct the investigation into the recorders but a spokesman for the bureau said they wouldn't be announcing the results. "Only the Ethiopian authorities will report on the progress of the investigation. There will be no press conference," a BEA spokesman told CNN. Sunday's crashcame less than five months after a Lion Air Boeing 737 Max 8 - the same type of plane - plunged into the Java Sea minutes into the flight from Jakarta, Indonesia, killing all 189 people on board. Both planes were new, delivered from Boeing just months before their doomed flights. Chennai, March 14 : There was no major impact or chaos at the Chennai airport following the grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft as only one airline was involved and the passengers were accommodated in other flights, an official said here on Thursday. "Only Spicejet has grounded its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Passengers have been accommodated in other flights," the airport official told IANS. "There is no confusion or chaos at the airport owing to the grounding till now." Following a global trend of grounding Boeing 737 MAX aircraft due to the crash of an Ethipian Airlines flight of the same model on Sunday killing all 157 people onboard, India finally suspended the plane's operations and over-flight permissions on Wednesday evening. In India, Spicejet and Jet Airways operate 17 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft -- Spice (12) and Jet (five) -- though the latter's fleet was already grounded due to various reasons. Islamabad, March 14 : A Pakistani court has removed the name of human rights activist Gulalai Ismail from the Exit Control List (ECL), the media reported on Thursday. Justice Aamer Farooq of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had on January 10 reserved the verdict on a petition filed by Ismail challenging the government's decision to put her name on the ECL, Dawn news reported. The court, however, allowed the Interior Ministry to take appropriate action, including confiscation of her passport, in the light of recommendations made by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). In November 2018, the IHC was informed that the ISI had recommended putting Ismail's name on the ECL for her alleged anti-state activities abroad. In her petition, Ismail had sought return of her passport and travel documents which the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had confiscated upon her landing in Pakistan on October 12. She was later detained briefly at the FIA's office in Islamabad. Ismail is the chairperson of a non-governmental organisation, Aware Girls. She has won national and international acclaim for her work to empower women. She requested the court to order removal of her name from the ECL and direct the FIA to return her passport. New Delhi, March 14 : A day after aviation regulator DGCA asked airlines to ground all Boeing 737 Max aircraft, a semblance of normalcy seem to be gradually returning at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) here on Thursday. A Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) official said the situation at the IGIA was manageable on Thursday as most of the cancellations were "planned". SpiceJet, which is the most affected airline from the suspension of the aircraft, pushed in additional services on Thursday from its fleet of Bombardier Q4 and Boeing 737 NG that allowed it to accommodate most passengers that faced cancellations as 14 flights using the Max remained cancelled for the second day. "Of the 76 planes in our fleet, 64 aircraft are in operations and we are confident of minimising the inconvenience to our passengers and attain normalcy in our operations," SpiceJet said in a statement on Wednesday Jet Airways passengers have been informed about cancellations much ahead as the airline is regularly grounding aircraft due to non-payment of lease rentals. So, the passengers have not faced problems due to grounding of the Max. Meanwhile, IndiGo and GoAir seem to be making the most from the cancellations by seeing surge in bookings. In fact, Indigo is offering discounts on spot bookings to attract customers on some of its routes. Following a global trend of grounding Boeing 737 MAX aircraft due to the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight of the same model on Sunday killing all 157 people on board, India finally suspended the plane's operations and over-flight permissions on Wednesday evening. In India, SpiceJet and Jet Airways operate 17 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft -- Spice (12) and Jet (five) -- though the latter's fleet was already grounded due to various reasons. New Delhi, March 14 : Trinamool Congress strongman and Bhatpara MLA Arjun Singh is all set to join the BJP here in the presence of senior party leaders, party sources said on Thursday. The legislator was miffed with the Trinamool leadership as he was denied a Lok Sabha ticket from Barrackpore parliamentary constituency, presently represented by Dinesh Trivedi. Singh on Thursday reached here and met Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Kailash Vijayvargiya and Mukul Roy, in whose presence he will join the saffron party on Thursday afternoon. He is also likely to be fielded from Barrackpore parliamentary constituency. Canberra, March 14 : Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday rejected an Islamic State (IS) bride's request to return home, saying she had to face the consequences for her actions. "They have to take responsibility for those decisions to join up with terrorists who are fighting Australia. I'm not going to put any Australian at risk to try to extract people from those situations," he told the media here. In an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) from a refugee camp in Syria, the woman said she wanted to return to Australia because her two sons have fallen ill and her daughter was malnourished, Xinhua news agency reported. "Both of my kids are sick. My daughter is very malnourished, she's very skinny," she said. "My daughter needs milk and I don't have money to buy her milk. I don't know what to do now. I want to go back to my country. I think everybody's asking for that because I'm an Australian citizen." Morrison said "they (the parents) have placed their children in this horrendous position... I think the children are innocent victims in the terrorist acts of their parents". "There is a process for us to deal with them under Australian law, and they will face the full force of Australian law should they be in a position to seek to come back," he added. According to data released by the Australian Department of Home Affairs in February, the fate of up to 100 Australians who left the country to join the IS remains unknown. Two days ago, Canberra rejected calls from the US to "take responsibility" for its home-grown IS fighters, citing advice that it would be "very dangerous" to repatriate them. The bride's case is similar to that of Shamima Begum, a 19-year-old British IS bride whose newborn son died in a Syrian refugee camp earlier this month. Prior to her son's death, Begum appealed to the British government to allow her back into the country but the government instead cancelled her citizenship. An American woman who went to Syria has also had her citizenship revoked. Washington, March 14 : The US military is readying to test missiles banned by a Cold War-era arms control pact with Moscow that is set to end formally this year after President Donald Trump withdrew from it over Russian violations. The US military plans to test a ground-launched cruise missile with a range of about 600 miles in August and a midrange ballistic missile with a range of about 1,800 to 2,500 miles in November, The Washington Post quoted senior defence officials as saying on Wednesday. The testing, production and deployment of missiles with those ranges is prohibited by the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Signed in 1987 by then US President Ronald Reagan and his Soviet counterpart Mikhail Gorbachev, the INF Treaty was widely viewed as a breakthrough in arms control. The pact banned all ground-launched missiles, both nuclear and non-nuclear, with ranges from 310 to 3,400 miles. Trump withdrew from the treaty on February 1 and triggered a formal six-month wait period before the final expiry of the agreement. Once it expires, Washington and Moscow will be free to test, produce and deploy the intermediate-range missiles that both countries have agreed to ban for more than three decades. Research and development of the banned missiles however, isn't prohibited by the treaty. Russia suspended its participation in the treaty after Trump's withdrawal. Russian President VladiAmir Putin vowed to design new weapons banned under the pact but said he would deploy them only if the US does. Defence officials said the US ground-launched cruise missile is slated for testing in August, just after the treaty formally ends, The Washington Post said. According to another senior defence official, it will essentially involve putting a Tomahawk missile in a container that could be placed on a ship or in a mobile launcher. Thrissur : , March 14 (IANS) Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday assured the fishermen community that a Congress-led government will form a special Ministry for fisheries. Gandhi said this while addressing a meeting here at the 'Fishermen's Parliament'. "I am not like Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi who does not keep his promises. I assure you and promise you that when our government comes to power in 2019, there will be a dedicated Ministry for fisheries," said Gandhi. "Go through my speeches. Whatever I have said will be done, has been done. The exclusive ministry for your needs will be like a non-violent weapon for all of you. Issues with the Sri Lankan Navy, Coastal Regulation Zone and trawlers will all be addressed," added Gandhi. Gandhi arrived here on Wednesday night. After meeting the families of three Congress workers killed by alleged CPI-M workers in Kannur and Kasargode, he will return to Kozhikode to kickstart the Lok Sabha poll campaign in the state. London, March 14 : A UK airline has apologised to a 21-year-old woman for threatening to offload her from a flight for wearing "inappropriate" attire, the media reported. Emily O'Connor, who was travelling on a Thomas Cook Airlines flight from the UK's Birmingham Airport to Tenerife in the Canary Islands on March 2, said the cabin crew told her that her clothing was "causing offence", CNN reported on Wednesday. Her outfit consisted of a crop top and high-waisted pants. O'Connor said she had worn the outfit through the airport and was only told to cover up upon entering the plane by the cabin crew. She said the flight manager, along with four other staff, asked her to put on a jacket or be removed from the plane. On Wednesday, Thomas Cook Airlines said it had apologised to O'Connor and the its cabin services director had spoken to her "to find out more information" about the incident, CNN said. "We are sorry that we upset O'Connor," the airline said in a statement. "It's clear we could have handled the situation better. "In common with most airlines we have an appropriate attire policy. This applies equally to men and women of all ages without discrimination. Our crews have the difficult task of implementing that policy and don't always get it right." The airline's clothing policy stipulates that customers wearing "inappropriate attire (including items with offensive slogans or images) will not be permitted to travel unless a change of clothes is possible. New Delhi, March 14 : Jordan Peele's horror film "Us", written and directed by him, is scheduled to release across theatres in India on March 29. Set in the present day, "Us" from Monkeypaw Productions, stars Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o as Adelaide Wilson, a woman returning to her beachside childhood home with her husband, Gabe (actor Winston Duke), and their two children (actors Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex) for an idyllic summer getaway. Haunted by an unexplainable and unresolved trauma from her past and compounded by a string of eerie coincidences, Adelaide feels her paranoia elevate to high alert as she grows increasingly certain that something bad is going to befall her family. "The idea for this movie came from a deep-seated fear in doppelgangers," Peele said in a statement. "I love doppelganger mythologies and the movies that have dealt with them, and I wanted to make my offering to that pantheon of 'evil-double' films. I was drawn to this idea that we are our own worst enemy. "That's something we all know intrinsically, but it's a truth we tend to bury. We blame the outsider, we blame 'the other'. In this movie, the monster has our faces." Washington, March 14 : Former Texas Congressman Robert "Beto" O'Rourke has said that he is joining the race to take on Republican President Donald Trump in 2020. O'Rourke, 46, is the 15th Democrat to declare his bid for the White House. He is expected to make his formal announcement on Thursday via social media before appearing in Iowa, one of the key states in the early part of an election campaign. O'Rourke joins a growing roster of people vying for the Democratic nomination, including Senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Hindu US Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, among others. In last year's mid-term election, he ran a tight race against Republican Ted Cruz for his Senate seat. The former punk rock musician is seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party, who can draw huge crowds and funding, the BBC reported. Though his campaign proved ultimately unsuccessful, he did better than any Democrat in Texas for decades, running a media-friendly campaign that energised the Democratic Party nationwide and drew comparisons with former President Barack Obama. A fluent Spanish speaker, the Texan politician with Irish roots broke Senate fundraising records by amassing more than $80 million (A62 million) over the course of his 2018 campaign. He also travelled to all of Texas' 254 counties in his Senate bid, documenting every moment of the journey on social media. "I'm really proud of what El Paso did and what El Paso represents," O'Rourke said in a text message to local TV station KTSM. "It's a big part of why I'm running. This city is the best example for this country at its best." Kolkata, March 14 : A 46-year-old man was arrested here for carrying Rs 30 lakh in cash illegally, police said on Thursday. Based on prior information, police officers on Wednesday held Sunil Sharma with a bag. "The amount was counted in the presence of witnesses and Rs 30 lakh was found inside his bag. He could not render any satisfactory answer for carrying the illegal amount," an officer said. New Delhi, March 14 : With the extension of winter and timely rains in early March providing a conducive climate for wheat production, the total output is expected to touch 105 million tonnes this year. Ironically, farmers are worried as higher production means lower returns, going by past experience. Higher availability of wheat stocks in the government pool at 23.9 million tonnes in February this year against 17.5 million tonnes in the like month last year has led to growing concerns on the approach of the Food Corp of India (FCI) to procurement this year. Farmers in the major wheat producing states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have had unpleasant experiences in the past when they failed to get Minimum Support Prices (MSP) fixed by the government. Nazer Singh, a farmer from Punjab, said the crop remuneration had always been a problem but it worsened in 2016 - the year high-value currency was demonetized. "Although the government announces the MSP, we hardly get it if we have to sell it in the open market. In case, the government's procurement centres do not open on time, we are forced to sell at prices fixed by traders," said Nazer Singh, who cultivates six acres of land in Bareta in Mansa district. "Now, we have heard wheat output will be higher this time. It may translate into a drop in prices." Many farmers had complained of receiving a lower price in the market than the MSP of Rs 1,735 per quintal last year. This year, the MSP has been increased by Rs 105 to Rs 1,840 per quintal. According to government officials, wheat harvesting has begun in some areas of Madhya Pradesh and will begin accelerating to its peak from the first week of April across the country. Farm activist Kedar Sirohi said better remuneration could be expected this year as per current market dynamics but may drop if traders changed their strategies later. "Farmers do not get appreciation for their work. We expect the production and quality will be better this time. However, we are not sure about guaranteed good returns since this depends on how traders make purchases. It is a tragedy," Sirohi said. Also, the government may not want wheat prices to go up during election time, he added. Farm analyst Devinder Sharma said that more the farmers produce, the lower is the income they can expect, which makes it imperative to cut down production in order to get right price. "The government does not procure the harvest in time, leaving the fixation of prices to the market forces. Farmers must stop intensive farming as an increase in productivity means dip in their income," he said. "They must reduce their output by at least 10 per cent if they want remunerative prices. It is not anti-national. They are fighting for their survival." Farmers must look for alternative source of income by making optimum use of land and resources they have, Sharma added. G.P. Singh, Director, Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR), said the long-cherished dream of 100 million tonnes plus production is set to happen this year. An important constituent of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the IIWBR is a nodal agency for research activities on wheat and barley in the country. "As the winter extended and rains occurred in the first week of March, there will be conducive climate during ripening process, which means higher production," Singh told IANS. "We are hopeful that the total output this year will touch 105 million tonnes." However, as per the second advanced estimates released by the Agriculture Ministry last month, the total wheat output is pegged at 99.12 million tonnes. India stands second in wheat production in the world at 12.05 per cent, as per the Food Ministry data. Last year, domestic production was 97.11 million tonnes and about 35.8 million tonnes was procured by the government agencies. (Saurabh Katkurwar can be contacted at saurabh.k@ians.in) Thiruvananthapuram, March 14 : Congress leaders in Kerala on Thursday said the departure of Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan is a non-issue for the party. Congress spokesperson Joseph Vazhakken said that as far as the party in Kerala was concerned, Tom Vadakkan was never involved at any level in the state. "We have only seen Vadakkan on TV channels. In Kerala he has had no space or role. His leaving is not going to affect us in any manner," Vazhakken told the media. Congress Secretary and former MLA P.C. Vishnunath said he failed to understand the noise over Vadakkan joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "Vadakkan is one person who will not be able to make any impact even in a local body in Kerala. Who is he after all? Our only plea to the BJP is to see that they retain him forever. The Congress in the past has seen several similar opportunists and their going makes no impact at all," said Vishnunath. Vadakkan, who hails from Thrissur in Kerala, had ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls tried to use his influence in Delhi to get a Lok Sabha seat from Thrissur but Congress leaders and activists thwarted his attempt. But Kerala BJP President P.S. Sreedharan Pillai said that many more Congress leaders were expected to join the party. "Vadakkan is just one. You just wait and see, more are coming. But I will not reveal who they are," said Pillai. Vadakkan told the media that he was deeply hurt at the way the Congress questioned the integrity of the armed forces after the suicide bombing at Pulwama led to India-Pakistan tensions. "I gave my prime of life to the Congress. But dynastic politics is now at its zenith in the party... There's no place in it for self-respecting people," he said. New Delhi, March 14 : The Congress on Thursday blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modis foreign policy vis-a-vis China yet again blocking the bid to designate Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. With China for the fourth time putting on hold the proposal against Azhar in the UN Security Council, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said it was a major setback for the global fight against terrorism and "reaffirms Chinese position of being an inseparable ally of terrorism's breeding ground Pakistan". "The present situation also arises out of failure of a weak-kneed Modi government, bending over backwards before China over last 5 years, which has culminated into the present state of things where the Chinese have blocked Masood Azhar's declaration as an 'international terrorist', without any reason and only to please its ally Pakistan. "Will Modi answer to the nation as to why he became 'Maun Modi' (silent) as India's interests were repeatedly compromised?" asked Surjewala, questioning the Prime Minister's silence on China building a full-fledged military complex in Doklam, near the Indian Army posts. "China intruded into the Siliguri Corridor through South Doklam, it built China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) worth $54 billion connecting Gwadar Port in the Arabian Sea to China with a base for Chinese submarines. "China conducts mining on Arunachal border and attempts to build tunnels, it upgrades air base near Sikkim, blocks India's membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group asking for parity with rogue Pakistan. But our Prime Minister continues to maintain a stoic silence," added Surjewala. Earlier, Congress President Rahul Gandhi called Modi "weak" and "scared" of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Attari : , March 14 (IANS) Officials from India and Pakistan on Thursday held "detailed and constructive" discussions on the Kartarpur corridor which will enable pilgrims from India to travel to the Sikh shrine inside Pakistan through a dedicated corridor. "Both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalizing the Kartapur Sahib Corridor," a joint press statement issued after the meeting on Thursday said. Mumbai, March 14 : NCLT Mumbai has pulled up the Andhra Bank for accepting a 'One Time Settelement' (OTS) offer from fugitive promoters of the Gujarat-based Sterling Biotech group, which is embroiled in a Rs 8,100-crore bank fraud. THE NCLT rap on the Sterling Biotech OTS has come at a time when two such proposals by Essar Steel and Bhushan Power and Steel -- offering to settle 100 percent dues of the lenders -- were rejected by their committees of creditors. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) bench of V.P. Singh and R.Duraiswamy has taken strong exception, and wondered how the lenders and creditors of the public sector bank could accept an offer from Sterling Biotech's absconding Chairman-cum-Managing Director Nitin J. Sandesara and Joint Managing Director Chetan J. Sandesara, when the ED and CBI were on the lookout for them. "How the proposal submitted by the Sandesara Group is accepted by the financial creditors creates suspicion when the promoter/director is absconder and ED/CBI is searching for them," the bench noted. Posting the matter for further hearing on March 26, the bench said it would also issue notices asking all the central agencies -- Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax Department (IT), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and others -- whether they wanted to make any representations in the matter. "It is pertinent to mention that the promoters of Sterling Biotech are absconders and we often get news from the newspapers that various government agencies like ED, CBI and others are unable to track them," the NCLT bench observed on Monday. The Sterling Biotech matter came before the NCLT in June 2018 and during pendency of the matter, last week, the committee of creditors comprising banks, suddenly voted to withdraw the proceedings against it in return for a OTS from the Sandesara brothers. According to unconfirmed estimates, the OTS plan -- under Section 12A of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 -- could entail a loss of around two-thirds to the creditors-lenders, and probably help the fugitives emerge unscathed by the scam. The company confirmed the development in regulatory filings, stating that "the committee of creditors had approved withdrawal of the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) with requisite majority". Despite attempts by IANS, the Resolution Professional for the company was not available for comments nor has the company made any disclosure on the NCLT's stern observations to the stock exchanges so far. According to the company's last Annual Report as on March 31, 2018, it had loans, borrowings, external commercial borrowings of Rs 7,564 crore, and financial creditors have made claims worth Rs 14,938 crore. Of this Rs 14,938 crore, the RP has admitted claims of Rs 8,967 crore till November 21, 2018. The company admitted that its premises were sealed by the ED and it is under the scrutiny of multiple agencies including CBI and Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO). In October 2018, the CBI had registered a case against Sterling Biotech and its CMD, MD and others for obtaining fraudulent loans worth a total of Rs 8,100 crore from Indian banks and their overseas branches between 2004-2012. The ED had named 184 group companies in India and abroad, besides 181 accused, and charged the Sandesari brothers of hatching a criminal conspiracy to cheat the banks by manipulating the balance sheets of their companies and lured banks to sanction higher amounts in loans. They were also accused of setting up a web of around 250 shell companies in India and the US, UK, UAE, West Indies, Nigeria, Virgin Islands, Mauritius, among others, in the names of their employees, diverting the funds from the intended purposes to create personal assets and indulging in money-laundering. Taking action on a CBI complaint, in January, the ED nabbed former Andhra Bank Director A.P. Garg in connection with the fraud, accusing him of money-laundering and other charges. On February 14, the fugitive Sandesara brothers moved a Delhi court seeking cancellation of the non-bailable arrest warrants against them, which will come up for hearing on April 2. Kolkata, March 14 : Protesting against China blocking India's bid to have Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar designated as a global terrorist by the United Nations (UN), the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Thursday called its members to boycott Chinese goods in the country. "We are launching a national campaign asking traders not to buy or sell any Chinese products, especially ahead of the festival of Holi," CAIT National Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said. The traders' body has asked its members to burn Chinese products on March 19 to mark their protest and has also urged the government to levy high customs duty on all Chinese imports. China should suffer for shielding Pakistan's anti-India activities," said Khandelwal. China on Wednesday vetoed India's fourth attempt at the UN to declare Masood Azhar a global terrorist. India's attempts to impose sanctions against the Pakistan-based terrorist came after a suicide attack orchestrated by the JeM in Kashmir's Pulwama district killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. New Delhi: Congress leader Tom Vadakkan joins BJP in the presence of Union Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad in New Delhi, on March 14, 2019. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News New Delhi: Congress leader Tom Vadakkan joins BJP in the presence of Union Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad in New Delhi, on March 14, 2019. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, March 14 : In a jolt to the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Tom Vadakkan, its spokesperson and until now a Nehru-Gandhi family loyalist, on Thursday joined the BJP complaining about "dynastic politics". The announcement came on a day Congress President Rahul Gandhi was in Kerala, to which Vadakkan belongs. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad told the media that Vadakkan had been impressed by the work done by the Modi government. Vadakkan said on Thursday that he was deeply hurt over the way the Congress raised questions in the aftermath of the suicide bombing at Pulwama that killed 40 CRPF personnel and triggered major India-Pakistan tensions. "I gave my prime of life to the Congress. But dynastic politics is now at its zenith in the party... There's no place in it for self-respecting people," he said. Vadakkan has tried unsuccessfully in the past for Congress ticket in Lok Sabha elections. With the BJP seeking to make inroads in Kerala, Prasad noted that Vadakkan was from the "Roman Catholic family" -- an oblique reference to Sonia Gandhi's Christian origins. Vadakkan has handled the crucial communications department for many years when Sonia Gandhi was the Congress President. He was later appointed an AICC Secretary and then became a spokesperson. Sonia Gandhi has been the longest serving Congress chief and most media queries about her meetings and engagements during the UPA regime were handled by Vadakkan. After being appointed spokesperson in March 2015, Vadakkan passionately articulated the party's viewpoint and slammed the Modi government. Vadakkan, who hails from Thrissur, could be fielded by the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections from Kerala. Congress leaders in Kerala, however, insisted that Vadakkan's departure was a non-issue for the party. Congress spokesperson Joseph Vazhakken said in Thiruvananthapuram: "We have only seen Vadakkan on TV channels. In Kerala he has had no space or role. His leaving is not going to affect us in any manner." Congress Secretary and former MLA P.C. Vishnunath said he failed to understand the noise over Vadakkan joining the BJP. "Vadakkan is one person who will not be able to make any impact even in a local body in Kerala. Who is he? Our only plea to the BJP is to see that they retain him forever," he said. But Kerala BJP President P.S. Sreedharan Pillai said that many more Congress leaders were expected to join the party. "Vadakkan is just one. You just wait and see, more are coming. But I will not reveal who they are," said Pillai. Shillong, March 13 : Describing the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) as a "loose association", Meghalaya Assembly Speaker and United Democratic Party (UDP) Chief, Donkupar Roy, on Wednesday said that NEDA has nothing to do with the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the region. "NEDA is a loose association which is not even a written association or has a written agreement. We (UDP) are fighting the elections on our own and have nothing to do with them (NEDA)," he told journalists. The UDP, which snapped ties with the NEDA over the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, has nominated Jemino Mawthoh as the candidate from Shillong Lok Sabha seat. NEDA, formed by the BJP in 2016, is a platform of non-Congress parties from the North-East. Political parties, barring the BJP in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance coalition government, are supporting Mawthoh's candidature. Asked if the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill will be UDP's election agenda, Roy said: "The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill is not our issue. It is an issue of the MPs (Members of Parliament). It will not be an agenda since there are different agendas." On the BJP's decision to fight the Lok Sabha polls in the state, the UDP leader said: "BJP contesting separately will not affect us (UDP). In fact, the BJP going alone will prove wrong the allegation of the Congress that UDP and the National People's Party (NPP) are having a nexus. Moreover, it will prove that we don't have any connection with the BJP." Claiming that the Congress party will be further decimated in the northeastern states after the results of the Lok Sabha elections, Roy said: "The Congress positioalign='left' width='171' height='100' data-title='Sushil Kumar Shinde. (Photo: IANS)' /> New Delhi, March 13 (IANS) The Congress on Wednesday released its second list of candidates for Lok Sabha elections, fielding its Uttar Pradesh unit chief Raj Babbar from Moradabad and former union ministers Sushil Kumar Shinde from Solapur and Sriprakash Jaiswal from Kanpur. The second list of 21 candidates includes five from Maharashtra and 16 from Uttar Pradesh. New Delhi, March 14 : Tihar Jail officials on Thursday submitted a report in a Delhi court stating that alleged AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal middleman Christian Michel is allowed to walk inside the prison and meet inmates. The jail authorities handed over a list of facilities being provided to Michel inside the prison. A jail official told Special Judge Arvind Kumar that Michel is allowed to access the canteen and denied the middleman's allegation that he was being kept in isolation. The official also explained that the middleman has been kept in a separate cell due to security reasons. The jail authority also submitted a hard disk to the court with CCTV footage that contained visuals from March 8 to 12, which showed Michel accessing the facilities. Michel's advocates Aljo K. Joseph and Vishnu Sankar has requested the court to shift the British national from an isolation cell to a normal cell in jail number 7, where white-collar accused are housed. The matter would come up for hearing next on Saturday. The court had on March 5, directed Tihar Jail authorities to shift Michel to Jail number 1, 3 or 4, which are meant for keeping undertrials. Michel was extradited to India on December 4, 2018 from the United Arab Emirates. The Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate had filed charge sheets in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case, naming Michel and others as accused. Thiruvananthapuram, March 14 : Can Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan hope for a resounding third anniversary celebrations of his government two days after the results of the Lok Sabha polls are announced on May 23? This is the question that has been making the rounds immediately after the April 11-May 19 polls were announced. Kerala will will vote on April 23 to elect 20 Lok Sabha members. State CPI-M secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan is pretty confident that given the performance of the Vijayan government and the manner in which the Union government under Narendra ModiA had treated Kerala, the party will be able to put up a stellar performance similar to that in 2004, when the Left won 18 of the 20 seats. "We are expecting a similar performance this time and we were able to announce our candidates first and all of them are busy in their campaign. The morale of our cadres is also high," said Balakrishnan. LDF convenor A. Vijayaraghavan, a former member of both the upper and lower houses of parliament, said things have reached a stage where across the country, several Congress legislators have crossed over to the BJP at some point of time. "To take on the BJP, what are needed are lawmakers who can be trusted that they will always be there to take on the BJP. For that, the best bet is always the Left forces. Hence the need of the hour today is more of Left members should be there in Delhi when we supported the first UPA government. Also, there was a responsibility that we undertook for the good of the people," Vijayaraghavan added. One of the major issues that both the Congress-led UDF and the BJP-led NDA will be campaigning against the Left would be the manner in which the Vijayan government handled last year's apex court verdict that allowed women of all ages to enter the famed Sabarimala temple. Vijayan knows well that if the result goes in the CPI-M's favour, then he will no doubt be the most powerful leader in his party. If not, given the precarious position his party is in West Bengal and Tripura, it could well be the beginning of its demise. In the 2014 polls, the CPI-M had nine Lok Sabha members country-wide, with five of them from Kerala and two each from West Bengal and Tripura. Overall, Kerala's CPI-M led Left Democratic Front had sent eight MPs to the Lok Sabha - one from the CPI and two Left-supported independents). The Congress-led UDF won 12 seats. Knowing very well that the CPI-M in Kerala has a tough task ahead, the party began its campaign in style by announcing the entire list of 20 candidates even before the Election Commission announced the poll dates. Fourteen of them will contest on the CPI-M symbol while two would be fielded as LDF- supported independents. The remaining four seats have gone to the CPI leaving the rest of the eight allies without a single seat. The list of candidates looks very strong as the CPI-M has fielded what it considers the very best, including incumbents P.K. Sreemathi (Kannur), M.P. Rajesh (Palakkad), P.K. Biju (Alathur) and A. Sampath (Attingal). P. Karunakaran, who has completed a hat-trick of wins from Kasargode has been dropped and former party legislator K.P. Satish Chandran has taken his place. The two Left-supported Independents, ace comedian Innocent (Chalakudy) and Joyce George (Idukki) have also been renominated. The seriousness that Vijayan and the CPI-M are giving to the polls can be seen from the fact that six legislators, including two from the CPI-M - A. Pradeep Kumar (Kozhikode), A.M. Arif (Alappuzha) - and Left-supported independent legislator Veena George (Pathanamthitta) are all contesting on the party symbol. V.N. Vasavan, a former legislator, has been fielded from Kottayam, while two former Rajya Sabha members, P. Rajiv (Ernakulam) and K.N. Balagopal (Kollam) are also in the fray, as is Students Federation of India President V.P. Sanu (Malappuram). The biggest surprise in the list is party veteran and former legislator P. Jayarajan, who has previously been jailed in two murder cases. He will contest from the Badagara seat. State Congress President Mullapally Ramachandran, a veteran seven time MP who has decided against contesting this time, has slammed the selection of the hugely-tainted Jayarajan. "What's the message that the CPI-M is trying to send across by fielding such a person? This shows the pathetic situation they are in and shows a complete lack of confidence," Ramachandran said. Statistically, the LDF has 91 seats in the 140-member assembly and the Congress-led UDF 47 seats. The BJP has one seat and one seat is vacant. However, the voting pattern in Kerala is vastly different in the parliamentary and assembly polls. Thus, it could go either way for the CPI-M. (Sanu George can be contacted at sanu.g@ians.in) Hyderabad, March 14 : With China blocking a UN resolution to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday termed this as a failure of "jhula diplomacy" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "China's refusal to cooperate in blacklisting this known terrorist is a classic example of the failure of Modi's jhula diplomacy," the Hyderabad MP said, in an obvious reference to Modi 'swinging' with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to India. Owaisi said that while China was refusing to cooperate in blacklisting the terrorist, the Modi government placed an order of Rs 630 crore to buy bullet-proof vests from China. "What is your nationalism? Where has our self-respect gone? Why is that we have to place this order with China? The nation wants to know answers from Modi because day in and day out they are playing with security, nationalism." On the Modi government not releasing data related to Mudra scheme, the MP said it stands exposed. "The government believes in lies. It does not stand for truth or empirical data. It believes in fudged data. The truth has come out with the government refusing to share exact survey data of Mudra beneficiaries," he said. The Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) chief said it was known fact that of 90 percent of 15 odd crore beneficiaries under Mudra scheme got loan of Rs 50,000 and only 19.6 lakh got Rs 5 lakh. Hyderabad, March 14 : There seems no end to the setbacks for main opposition Congress in Telangana as yet another party legislator on Thursday decided to switch loyalty to the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). K. Upender Reddy, who represents the Paleru Assembly constituency in Khammam district, called on TRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao and expressed his desire to join the ruling party. Upender Reddy is likely to make a formal announcement in a day or two. The development came a day after senior Congress leader and former Home Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy called on TRS President and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao. Sabitha, an MLA, is understood to have decided to switch the loyalty to the TRS along with her son Karthik Reddy. Four Congress legislators have defected to the TRS this month. If Sabitha and Upender Reddy go ahead with their plans, the opposition party's tally in the 119-member Assembly may come down to 13. Patna: BJP leaders C. P. Thakur, Bhupender Yadav, Nityanand Rai, Sushil Kumar Modi and Ashwini Kumar Choubey during Bihar BJP election committee meeting in Patna, on March 14, 2019. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Patna: BJP leaders Nityanand Rai and Sushil Kumar Modi during the party's Bihar election committee meeting in Patna, on March 14, 2019. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Patna, March 14 : The BJP on Thursday formed a three-member committee to select candidates for the 17 seats it is contesting in Bihar in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The election committee includes state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nityanand Rai, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and state Agriculture Minister Prem Kumar. The committee, formed at a meeting held at the party headquarters, has been told not to deny party tickets to any Union Minister from Bihar, BJP sources said. Senior BJP leader and Bihar Minister Nand Kishore Yadav told the media that the list of selected candidates will be sent to the BJP Central Election Committee for final approval. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will announce names of candidates for all the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state before March 21. The BJP is contesting 17 of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar. According to the seat-sharing formula decided by the alliance, the BJP and the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) will contest 17 seats each, while the remaining six seats will go to the Ram Vilas Paswan-led Lok Janshakti Party (LJP). Wellington, March 14 : New Zealand's Climate Change Minister James Shaw was punched in the face on Thursday on the street while he was on his way to Parliament House. A 47-year-old man was arrested for assaulting Green Party co-leader Shaw in Wellington, though the Minister was not seriously injured, the BBC reported. The attacker will appear in court on Friday, the police said. A Green Party spokesperson described the attack as unprovoked and said Shaw, who suffered a black eye, went to the hospital for a precautionary check-up. It was unclear if the attack on Shaw was politically motivated, but Trade Minister David Parker told the media that the attacker "was shouting things out about the UN". Talking about the incident, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said: "In New Zealand, you just don't expect these things to happen. "We have an environment in New Zealand where politicians are accessible and that's something we should feel proud of. We are after all, here to serve people. But today's events really show we cannot take that for granted," Ardern told reporters. Jammu, March 14 : Income tax (IT) Department teams carried out simultaneous raids at over 30 places in Jammu and Srinagar on Thursday, based on IT surveys carried out earlier in the state, an official said. Over 30 establishments including hotels, offices and residential premises of people of of some prominent business houses were raided in Jammu while a hotel and offices of a businessman were searched in Srinagar. The raids started early on Thursday and continued till the afternoon. Sniffer dogs and hi-tech electronic equipment were also used by the IT officials during these raids. Sources said records, unaccounted cash and other evidence supporting undisclosed wealth had been seized, but there was, however, no official word about the seizures made during these raids. New Delhi, March 14 : Under attack from the Congress for its failure to yet again designate JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, the government fielded Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for its defence who alleged that the original mistake, not only on Kashmir but also on China, was committed by Jawaharlal Nehru. Jaitley's remarks came soon after the Congress blamed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy vis-a-vis China for the latter yet again blocking the bid to designate Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)'s chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. "The original mistake, both on Kashmir and China, was committed by the same person," Jaitley said in a tweet. Referring to India's first Prime Minister's "infamous" letter to chief ministers dated August 2, 1955, the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said it was Nehru who said India taking China's place in the United Nation's Security Council (UNSC) would be "very unfair for a great country like China". "Will the Congress President tell us who the original sinner was?" he asked. Jaitley quoted Nehru as saying in the letter: "Informal suggestions have been made by the United States that China should be taken into the United Nations but not in the Security Council, and that India should take her place in the Security Council. ...we cannot, of course, accept this as it means falling out with China and it would be very unfair for a great country like China not to be in the Security Council." Earlier, with China for the fourth time putting on hold the proposal against Azhar in the UN Security Council, Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said it is a major setback for the global fight against terrorism and "reaffirms Chinese position of being an inseparable ally of terrorism's breeding ground Pakistan". Blaming Modi, he said: "The present situation also arises out of failure of a weak-kneed Modi government, bending over backwards before China over last 5 years, which has culminated into the present state of things where the Chinese have blocked Masood Azhar's declaration as an 'international terrorist', without any reason and only to please its ally Pakistan." The Congress asked if Modi would answer why he became "Maun Modi" (silent) as India's interests are repeatedly being compromised. London, March 14 : British MPs will vote on Thursday whether the government should ask the EU for permission to delay the country's withdrawal from the bloc amid an intense week of parliamentary ballots. The new vote comes after MPs on Wednesday voted to reject a no-deal Brexit "under any circumstances", the BBC reported. Conservative Party Prime Minister Theresa May tabled a motion on delaying Brexit by three-months beyond the March 29 deadline as her proposed Brexit deal twice failed to get parliamentary approval. MPs also rejected the scenario of the UK leaving the EU without a deal in place. Brexit could still go ahead on March 29 if Parliament approves May's deal, which Brussels supports, before an EU leaders' summit next week. The vote in the House of Commons, the UK's lower legislative chamber, will be held on Thursday evening. MPs are expected to request an extension of Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which established a transition period of two years for a country to leave the EU. If Parliament approves the Prime Minister's deal by March 20, Brexit could be delayed by three months, until June 30. But on Wednesday, May warned if her deal does not get through Parliament, a longer extension -- which would need the unanimous approval of the other 27 EU member states -- would be required, meaning the UK would be forced to participate in European Parliament elections in May. "I do not think that would be the right outcome," said May. "But the House needs to face up to the consequences of the decisions it has taken." European Council's President Donald Tusk said he would urge EU leaders at the upcoming summit to back a long extension. "During my consultations ahead of the European Council, I will appeal to the EU27 to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it," he wrote on Twitter. EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier told the European Parliament on Wednesday the ball was firmly in London's court. "It is UK's responsibility to tell us what they want for our future relations. That is the question that needs to be posed to which we expect an answer. It will be a priority even before the question of an extension. Negotiations on Article 50 (the mechanism that laid down Britain's departure date as March 29) are finished," he said. "We have agreed a deal with the Prime Minister and the EU is ready to sign it. There are only two ways to leave the EU: with or without a deal. The EU is prepared for both," Barnier said. New Delhi, March 14 : After more than a year, the long-drawn resolution process of Essar Steel seems to be finally moving towards closure with the Corporate Affairs Ministry ready to order a change in the management of the insolvent steel maker. The move comes even as a fresh petition was filed before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) by Essar Steel MD Prashant Ruia, Essar Group executives, as well as the Standard Chartered Bank, seeking to set aside the ArcelorMittal's winning bid approved by the Ahmedabad bench of the NCLT. The resolution plan for Essar Steel, which has been facing bankruptcy proceedings since August 2017, was approved by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) last Friday. It accepted ArcelorMittal's Rs 42,000 crore bid for the debt-laden steel maker. Official sources said the MCA is waiting for the written order from the NCLT after which it would approve and order a management change in Essar Steel. "This may take a day or two," said the source. The legal contentions against the takeover can continue later, said the official. The NCLAT is set to hear the petitions against ArcelorMittal's winning bid on Thursday. The appellate court's order is awaited. The NCLT's decision paves the way for world's largest steel maker ArcelorMittal's entry into India. The steel company run by steel baron Lakshmi Niwas Mittal has been trying enter the Indian market for more than a decade. Indian-born Mittal's steel company is the world's largest by volume but, ironically, doesn't have a steel plant to its name in his homeland. The NCLT bench approved ArcelorMittal's resolution plan, which was voted as the winning bid in October 2018 by the Committee of Creditors (CoC) and which included an upfront payment of Rs 42,000 crore and a post-deal infusion of Rs 8,000 crore in Essar Steel. The NCLAT had last month directed the NCLT Ahmedabad bench to take a final decision on ArcelorMittal's bid for the acquisition of Essar Steel by March 8, failing which it would pass an order itself. While the NCLT verdict came as a major setback to the Ruias, who wanted to retain control of the company and had offered Rs 54,389 crore after the CoC approved ArcelorMittal's bid, the promoters of Essar Steel believe they still have a chance. The Ruias are not yet ready to surrender the 10-million tonne steel mill, which owes Rs 49,000 crore to financial creditors. They have filed an appeal in the NCLAT and if needed, may even approach the Supreme Court. Essar's earlier appeal in these courts had been dismissed. ArcelorMittal, in a joint venture with Japan's Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp., has offered an upfront cash settlement of Rs 42,000 crore to lenders and a Rs 8,000 crore capital infusion. The world's largest steel maker is also planning a Rs 18,697 crore capital expenditure programme for the asset till 2024, according to its 2018 annual report. In its order, the NCLT has also ordered ArcelorMittal to offer 15 per cent of the upfront cash settlement of Rs 42,000 crore, or Rs 6,300 crore, to operational creditors. The original resolution plan only offered Rs 196 crore to operational creditors against claims of Rs 4,976 crore. The NCLT order means financial creditors -- "the banks" -- will have to take a deeper haircut on the asset. Chennai, March 14 : Leaders of BJP's Tamil Nadu unit believe the Pollachi sexual abuse-cum-blackmail case will not have an impact in the Coimbatore belt even as the Opposition is trying to take political advantage of the sordid episode. Agreeing that people are upset at the sexual abuse of girls in their region, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Thursday said the DMK and its allies are trying to gain political mileage, but it may cut no ice with the public in Coimbatore. The BJP is part of the AIADMK-led alliance in the state for the Lok Sabha elections. The party is hoping to contest the Coimbatore Lok Sabha constituency in the general elections. "There is silent anger in the hearts of Pollachi people. Even students while protesting had said they will show their anger in the voting booth if the culprits are not brought to book at the earliest, while the victims' identities are to be protected," a Coimbatore resident told IANS. "The DMK is giving a political colour and the people understands the politics behind it," Vanathi Srinivasan, General Secretary, Tamil Nadu unit of BJP, told IANS. "We have made representations to the police to protect identities of the victims of sexual abuse. The government is taking action, like detaining the four arrested under the Goondas Act and transferring the probe to CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation)," she said. Srinivasan said she was shocked to hear about the crime as Pollachi is a small town with lower crime rate. A lawyer by profession, she said the family members of the victims should extend support to them. The party's state OBC Morcha chief S.K. Kharventhan said the opposition was trying to spoil the goodwill earned by Palaniswami in this belt. "Chief Minister K. Palaniswami has gained good name by laying the foundation stone for the long-pending Athikadavu-Avinashi drinking water-cum-irrigation scheme," Kharventhan told IANS. Kharventhan said the sexual abuse-cum-blackmail must have been going on for a long time, going by the number of videos that are said to be shot. It's believed about 1,600 videos have been shot by the culprits. He said it was the AIADMK that protested first demanding action against the culprits. "The opposition is trying to gain political advantage and is not concerned about the impact it would have on the victims," Kharventhen said. On Wednesday, a former AIADMK MP K.C. Palanisamy told IANS: "The Pollachi sexual assault case will have its impact not only in the Pollachi Lok Sabha constituency but also in the neighbouring seats like Coimbatore, Erode, Nilgiris and Tiruppur." According to him, the people of the area believe in self-respect and "will not go easy on this sordid episode in the polls," he said. Mumbai, March 14 : After wrapping up shooting in Uttarakhand, the team of "PM Narendra Modi" has started shooting in Mumbai. The cast and crew were shooting in different parts of Uttarakhand till March 10. They started the Mumbai schedule on Wednesday, read a statement. "We have had an amazing shoot in the mountains and across Rishikesh, Harshil and other scenic places of Uttarakhand and the locals have been extremely helpful," producer Sandip Ssingh said. "We all are in love with the state and its beauty. Looking forward to the Mumbai schedule now," Ssingh added. "PM Narendra Modi" will discover the journey of Narendra Damodardas Modi from his humble beginning to years as the Gujarat Chief Minister to the landmark win in the 2014 general elections, and finally becoming the Prime Minister. The film is being directed by National Award-winner Omung Kumar and produced by Ssingh and Suresh Oberoi, whose son actor Vivek Anand Oberoi is playing the title role of Modi. It also stars Boman Irani, Rajendra Gupta, Yatin Karyekar, Prashant Narayanan, Zarina Wahab and Manoj Joshi. Lagos, March 14 : At least 12 people were confirmed dead on Thursday following the collapse of a three-storey building which housed a primary school in the Nigerian city of Lagos, the media reported. "Some of the victims were brought in dead," a doctor told Xinhua news agency at the Massey Children Hospital in Ita-Faji area of the Lagos Island, where some victims were being treated. The doctor, who wished to remain anonymous, said a pregnant woman and the proprietress of the Ohen Nursery and Primary School were also confirmed dead. "Some of the victims, including the pregnant woman, died after receiving treatment," he said. The state emergency management agency said scores of people were still trapped underneath the rubble, with no fewer than 20 school children among them. The cause of the collapse was yet to be determined. While officials said the list of casualties were still being compiled and rescue operations still ongoing, several reports said that up to nine people died a few hours after the building collapsed on Wednesday. It housed a school, shops and apartments. The school had up to 172 registered pupils and rescuers said 50 people had been rescued alive as of Wednesday night, according to officials. Lagos Island General Hospital, where most of the rescued victims were sent for treatment, said 41 people in "stable condition". Lagos Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said a thorough investigation will be launched into the incident. Dehradun, March 14 : With both the BJP and Congress stressing on "winnability" of candidates in the Lok Sabha battle, Rani Mala Rajyalakshmi Shah, the saffron party's first woman MP from Uttarakhand, is facing stiff resistance from her party leaders. Shah won the Tehri parliamentary constituency with nearly 200,000 votes in 2014. However, former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and Mussoorie MLA Ganesh Joshi are frantically lobbying for a ticket from the seat alleging that Shah had not been active in her constituency in the last five years, BJP sources said. Shah recently met the party's top leadership to stake claim to the Tehri seat and register her protest against leaders who have launched an allegedly sinister campaign against her on various channels, including the media. Shah is the daughter-in-law of late Maharaja Manvendra Shah, the last king of Tehri between 1946 and 1948, when the estate acceded to India. He was also an eight-times MP from Tehri. After his death in 2007, the Maharaja's son Raja Manujendra Shah contested and lost the by-election to Bahuguna, who was then in the Congress. Having won the seat twice in 2007 and 2009, Bahuguna says he has already proved his "winnability". However, Bahuguna joined the BJP in 2016 after revolting against the Congress along with nine other party MLAs in his failed attempt to bring down the Harish Rawat government. BJP sources said the names of both Shah and Bahuguna are doing the rounds as top contenders for the Tehri seat, putting the state party leadership in a fix. State BJP President Ajay Bhatt indicated that in all probability, Shah would get the ticket this time. The state leadership is sending names of five probables from Tehri to the BJP's Central Election Committee to take a final call on the ticket. Shah's name figures in this list along with Bahuguna and Joshi, the sources said. Ranchi, March 14 : The Congress party is likely to announce the list of candidates for the Lok Sabha elections in Jharkhand after Holi, since the state is due to go to polls in the last four phases of the seven-phase parliamentary elections. "The name of the candidates of our party are likely to be announced after the festival of Holi," Kishore Sahdeo, Spokesperson of the Jharkhand unit of Congress, told IANS. The Congress, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha-Prajatantrik (JVM-P) are believed to have stitched a grand alliance for the Lok Sabha polls. A formal announcement in this regard is likely to be made before Holi. According to informed sources in the Congress, there were some issues with a few seats which have almost been resolved among the grand alliance partners. As per the understanding, the Congress, JMM, JVM-P and the RJD will fight on seven, four, two and one seats, respectively. The Congress is likely to contest Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Lohardagga, Khunti, Chaibasa, Palamau and one more constituency. The probable candidate from Ranchi is former Central Minister and senior Congress leader Subodh Kant Sahay, and Geeta Koda from Chaibasa. In the 2014 elections, the Congress had contested in alliance with the JMM and the RJD. The Congress had contested nine seats and lost all. By Desmoines Register , March . 11, 2019 Beto O'Rourke will make his first trip to Iowa this weekend, further fueling speculation the former congressman will soon enter the 2020 presidential race. According to an announcement video posted to Twitter, O'Rourke will join volunteers on behalf of Iowa Democrat Eric Giddens, who is running in a special election for a state senate seat against Republican Walt Rogers. 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 Los Angeles, March 14 : "Game of Thrones" star Kit Harington will host Saturday Night Live on April 6, and actress Emma Stone will host it the following week. NBC announced the news on Tuesday. Sara Bareilles will serve as a musical guest, report ew.com. His stint arrives just ahead of the April 14 premiere of the HBO fantasy drama's final season, which will air in India on Star World. Stone will emcee the April 13 episode, with BTS performing as well. This marks the fourth time that the Oscar-winning Stone, who recently headlined the Netflix dark comedy "Maniac", will host SNL. Later this year, she will star in "Zombieland: Double Tap". Jaipur, March 14 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an excellent actor who could be quite successful if he tried his skills in Bollywood. Gehlot was addressing a gathering in Laxmangarh. This was the first public gathering of the Congress party in Rajasthan after the model code of conduct for mthe general elections came into force. Targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party, Gehlot said the BJP has been running away from the real picture. "You must have seen in films how actors play different roles. There are cameras too, but they do not reflect the real life picture," he said. "Modiji is doing acting since the last five years," he added. "Our PM promised that he will bring back black money but not a single penny has come in. He promised to generate two crore jobs every year, but that too failed," Gehlot said. He was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot and state party in charge Avinash Pandey. Tehran, March 14 : At least five people were killed on Thursday in an explosion of a pipeline that links the gas network from Mahshahr city to Ahvaz city in Iran, the state media reported. Six other people were injured in the explosion, Ahvaz Governor Jamal Alami Nisi told IRNA news agency. He said four cars exploded in the incident as he ruled out the possibility of any sabotage act, saying that the leaks in the worn-out pipeline was the cause of explosion. Ahvaz is the capital of oil-rich Khuzestan province on the border with Iraq. New Delhi, March 14 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi "weak" and "scared" of Chinese President Xi Jinping, provoking an angry reaction from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Gandhi hit out at Modi a day after China blocked the naming of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the United Nations. "Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NaMo's China Diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat 2. Hug Xi in Delhi 3. Bow to Xi in China," Gandhi said on Twitter. On Wednesday, the UN Sanctions Committee could not come to a decision on naming the JeM chief as a global terrorist after China put the proposal on hold. India expressed its disappointment at the outcome. Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad took exception to Gandhi's comment and slammed him for criticising the Modi government over China opposing the move. "Why is Rahul Gandhi in a celebratory mood when India stands 'pained' by China blocking Masood Azhar's name in the UNSC? I know your tweet must have become news in Pakistan. These days you feel very happy seeing your name in Pakistan (media) headlines," Prasad said. Referring to Rahul Gandhi's visit to China embassy during Doklam tension and his Mansarovar visit, the BJP leader said if the Congress President is so much close to Chinese establishment, he should have used that proximity to persuade China to take a stand against Masood Azhar. "Why you didn't?" Prasad asked, adding whether the Congress would adopt a different voice even in the case of a cruel killer and a global terrorist Masood Azhar. The BJP leader asked Gandhi whether he had said the same thing when China blocked the move in 2009 when the Congress ruled India. "It is the result of your (Congress) legacy that China is a member of the (UN) Security Council," he said, referring to then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's diplomacy of the 1960s. He said this time, France, America and Britain brought the proposal to declare Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. "Except for China, all other countries supported the proposal. China's step has pained India and its citizens," Prasad added. Hitting out at Rahul, Prasad said foreign policy is a serious and sensitive subject and not determined by tweeting. "Mr Gandhi, do you understand that by this statement today you are seen to be in close proximity to Masood Azhar? Your tweet will be read today in Jaish-e-Mohammad office and will be shown to others. I regret to say with great degree of agony today that the Congress' commitment in the fight against terror is becoming suspect," Prasad said. Marvel studios as officially released yet another new trailer for the upcoming superhero movie Avengers Endgame. As compared to the previous teaser trailer released in the month of December, this trailer provides more footage of the superheroes. The trailer features clips from the previous standalone films of some of the characters while also showing the aftermath of Thanos snap which wiped out not only some of the other Avengers but also half of the universe. Also, this trailer shows more footage of one superhero in particular who was absent from the previous movie Hawkeye, sporting both a new black outfit and a Mohawk like hairstyle, in addition with a new identity know as Ronin. The surviving superheroes from the first movie are seen gearing up and preparing for battle as the previous movie ended with the deaths of some of the major characters in the Avengers lineup including Spider-man, Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Scarlett Witch, Vision, the Guardians of the Galaxy and much more. While fans have speculated that the characters will come back to life, the trailer doesnt exactly tell us how. As seen in the trailer, the superheroes confirmed to return include Captain America/Nomad (Chris Evans), Iron Man(Robert Downey Jr), Thor(Chris Hemsworth), Hulk(Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johannson), Hawkeye(Jeremy Renner), War Machine(Don Cheadle), Antman(Paul Rudd), Nebula(Karen Gillian),Rocket Racoon(Bradley Cooper) all suited up in new Avenger uniforms. And finally right before the trailer ends, we get a shot of the female superhero of the year in all her glory, Captain Marvel(Brie Larson) as she faces a slightly impressed Thor. Directed by Joe Russo and Anthony Russo and set as the 22nd marvel entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Avengers Endgame will hit theaters on April 26, 2019, which is hardly a month away. Start getting your tickets now. Avengers Endgame trailer 2 Also, check out the new Avengers Endgame poster below Colombo, March 14 : Sri Lanka is monitoring the safety issues linked with Boeing 737 Max aircraft after a crash in Ethiopia killed all 157 on board, but no aircraft is overflying or landing in the country at the moment, Director General of Civil Aviation H.M.C. Nimalsiri said on Thursday. He said no domestic carrier operated Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft and six operators that flew the model to Bandaranaike International Airport grounded the model, Xinhua news agency reported. "We will take further steps once more information on the cause of the crash in Ethiopia is available," Nimalsiri said. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft have been grounded in a number of countries and regions in Asia-Pacific amid safety concerns following the crash of the Ethiopian Airlines passenger jet on Sunday. It was the second crash involving the 737 Max 8 model in less than five months, after the Lion Air crash off Indonesia in which 189 people died in October. Attari: Talks between India and Pakistan to discuss and finalize the modalities for the Kartarpur Corridor at Attari in Amritsar, thatAAAll facilitate Indian pilgrims to visit the holy shrine of Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, underway in Image Source: IANS News Attari: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Joint Secretary SCL Das addresses a press conference after holding talks with a delegation from Pakistan on the Kartarpur corridor, in Attari, Punjab on March 14, 2019. (Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News Attari:: Talks between India and Pakistan to discuss and finalize the modalities for the Kartarpur Corridor at Attari in Amritsar, thatAAAll facilitate Indian pilgrims to visit the holy shrine of Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, underway in Image Source: IANS News Attari : , March 14 (IANS) Sending a clear message to Pakistan that there would be no resumption of bilateral dialogue till support to terrorism from that country continued, senior Indian officials on Thursday did not even shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts during the first round of meeting between both sides on the Kartarpur Corridor project. Sources privy to the meeting, held at the joint check-post conference hall here, said that the meeting was held in a "very professional and businesslike manner". "There were no handshakes. I did Namaste. That's all," Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) joint secretary S.C.L. Das, who led the Indian delegation at the first round of talks, said. Refuting reports that the Pakistani delegation was rolled out a "red carpet", Das said: "We made the context very clear. It was a very focussed, professional and businesslike meeting." He said the reason why the meeting was not held in New Delhi, where it was originally planned before the February 14 Pulwama terror attack took place in which 40 CRPF troopers lost their lives, was to send a clear message that there was no bilateral dialogue taking place between both countries in the present situation. "That is the very reason that we did not have the talks in New Delhi. We wanted to send a clear signal that this is not a resumption of bilateral talks and normalisation of relations," Das said. He said the meeting was held to discuss only the Kartarpur Corridor project. "We also want to show our maturity and our sensitivity to our own people (on the Kartarpur issue). Here is an auspicious and historical occasion. It would reflect very differently on our government if we are not to honour the sentiments of the people," he added. "That's why we have drawn a very clear distinction line. The message was very loud and clear. The meeting was not held at New Delhi. We have come down here bang at the border," Das said. "There were no informal interactions today. No handshakes, we just had a working lunch (during which the meeting continued). I don't see where the red carpet was. The only focus being that we would like to actualise the Kartarpur Corridor project," he said. "We would like to emphasize from the Indian government's side that this in no way signifies the normalisation of relations and we have made that amply clear in various ways...directly and also indirectly," Das pointed out. Officials attending the meeting said that other concerns raised with the 20-member Pakistan delegation included activities of pro-Khalistan activists once the pilgrims start visiting the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara. Regarding possible security issues for Indian pilgrims on the proposed Corridor, Das said: "Security is a seamless concept. We have planned with our agencies in a very safe and foolproof manner so far as security of pilgrims and transfer through a sanitized corridor is concerned. "Any potential misuse once they land up inside the premises of the gurdwara..we have engaged them in detail. We are very acutely conscious of this aspect." "We have very strong views on this. This was formally part of our agenda and the draft agreement prepared by us says that this shall be subject their desisting from such activities and we are trying to provide for an escalation mechanism should such a thing still happen. "It is inbuilt in that agreement that the escalation mechanism will take over. We will have a way to address those things," he added. India has also demanded that Pakistan should allow consular access for pilgrims going to Kartarpur. "It is not part of the 1974 agreement (on religious jathas going to shrines in Pakistan). We want consular access to the pilgrims," Das said, adding the Pakistan side has said they will revert on the issues raised. New Delhi, March 14 : Crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his government's achievements over the last five years, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday said Modi has demonstrated his tireless persistence, proving that he "makes it possible" to create a new India. He said many India observers across the world have "marvelled with India's pace of taking decisions and implementing them" and that is why the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chose the slogan "Modi hai to mumkin hai" (Modi makes it possible) for the forthcoming elections. Listing his government's achievements, he said India has been the fastest growing major economy in the world for the last five years without any increase in taxes. "From rural sanitation and roads to highways, Ujjwala scheme, ensuring healthcare to millions of Indians through Ayushman Bharat, financial inclusion of crores of people through Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana, to facilitating crores of self-employment by Mudra Yojana have shown a turnaround in last five years," he said in a Facebook post. "In a historic move to benefit unorganised sector labour, including farmers, the Modi government has now ensured Rs 3,000 pension where the government contributes 50 per cent. Direct income support to farmers of Rs 6,000 per year is another historic action of the govt led by Narendra Modiji," he added. Jaitley added that it is for the first time that a 10 per cent reservation for the economically weaker sections of non-reserved categories has been given in public employment and educational institutions. "The socio-economic policies of Modi government in the last five years have benefited every Indian," he said. "India's stand against terrorism has earned it international support and with the surgical strikes of 2016 and air strikes of 2019, it has been demonstrated that India is willing to adopt unconventional methods of attacking terror at the point of its origin. This evolves New India," he added. Jaitley asked if any government had achieved more despite having the same governmental machinery, political system and implementation instruments at its disposal. "It is both the motivation and the leadership which made the vital difference. It is precisely for this reason that India will witness an election where the people will get an opportunity to endorse Prime Minister Modi's leadership, decisiveness, integrity and performance." Kabul, March 14 : Afghanistan's northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif observed a shutdown on Thursday as armed supporters of a powerful former Governor clashed with government forces over the appointment of a new provincial police chief. The central government cleared the appointment of Abdul Raqib Mubariz as the new police chief of Balkh, replacing Gen. Akram Sammeh, amid worsening security situation in the northern province, Efe news reported. "In order to improve the security situation of Balkh, it was decided to bring change in police leadership," the Interior Ministry said in a statement. But the decision was objected by former Governor and powerful warlord Atta Muhammad Noor, who is also Chief Executive of the Jamiat-e-Islami political party, and holds great sway in Balkh province. Mazar-e-Sharif is the provincial capital of Balkh. "I call upon on all residents of Mazar-e-Sharif to stay indoors. Shops and markets must be kept shut until further notice," Noor said in a statement on social media. He alleged that the Presidential Place in Kabul had plotted against him and "brought the war to Mazar-e-Sharif", indicating that there is an all-out war between him and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. "Now that they raided our people, we are ready for every kind of sacrifices to defend the lives and properties of our people," Noor said, referring to the appointment of the new police chief, who arrived in the city, accompanied by special police forces. As Mubariz tried to enter inside the police headquarters, Noor's supporters blocked him and attacked his security forces with arms. Interior Ministry spokesperson Nasrat Rahimi said that one policeman was injured in the clash. He added the police arrested 25 people before the new police chief and his personnel entered the headquarters. Rahimi said special police forces were deployed across the city as a precautionary measure. Saleh Muradi, a provincial council member, said that the situation remained tense as all shops and offices were closed. He said gunshots were heard around the police headquarters. Dehradun, March 14 : After former Uttarakhand Chief Minister B.C. Khanduri, another senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Bhagat Singh Koshiyari, also a former Chief Minister, from the state has expressed his inability to contest 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Their decisions have put the BJP in a spot as it is finding it difficult to select suitable candidates to replace the two heavyweights. In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Khanduri had won from Pauri and Koshiyari from Nainital with huge margins as the BJP grabbed all the five seats in Uttarakhand. Remarking that he would not contest the Lok Sabha elections, Koshiyari (76) said he was withdrawing to give chance to the younger leadership. The party sources said Koshiyari had informed the state leadership about his decision. According to sources, Koshiyari is backing Pushkar Singh Dhami, an MLA from Khatima and considered to be his loyalist, for the party ticket. Despite the senior leader's decision, the BJP has short-listed five names for Nainital seat, which include Koshiyari, Dhami and state BJP chief Ajay Bhatt. These names would be forwarded to the party central election committee for final decision. However, sources said Koshiyari's name would be deleted as he has withdrawn. Similarly, Khanduri (84) is not keen on contesting from Pauri seat, citing health reasons. The sources said he wanted his daughter Ritu to get the party ticket from Pauri. When contacted, Ritu refused to say anything on the issue. "I will not comment," she said. Meanwhile, according to speculations, Manish Khanduri, son of B.C. Khanduri, want to contest from Pauri seat on the Congress ticket. Refusing to make a comment, Manish, a journalist, said, "just wait for 2-3 days." Meanwhile, Congress leaders said a couple of top BJP leaders may join the Congress during the election rally of party President Rahul Gandhi here on March 16. By Town Hall , March . 12, 2019 Earlier last week, Lee County, Alabama was devastated by series of tornados that left 23 people dead. President Donald Trump visited the devastated communities in the state, where he was mocked over his border security agenda. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) posted and then deleted an idiotic tweet last Friday, where he said, WE ARE IN THE THIRD WEEK OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY! Can you feel the emergency? Is this why @realDonaldTrump is going to Alabama because we need to build a wall along Alabamas southern border? Oh wait, I just looked at the map #FridayMorning Thoughts." 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 Srinagar, March 14 : A National Conference block President was shot at and injured by unidentified gunmen on Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district. Police said Muhammad Ismail, who was targeted, was from Bijbehara town. He was rushed to a hospital where doctors referred him to Srinagar for specialized treatment, police said. Dublin, March 14 : A former British soldier will be prosecuted over the Bloody Sunday shootings in Northern Ireland in 1972, prosecutors said on Thursday. The man, identified only as "Soldier F", faces two murder charges and four attempted murder charges over the incident in Londonderry on January 30, 1972, when 13 people were shot dead at a civil rights march in the city, which is also known as Derry. Director of Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS), Stephen Herron, said in a statement: "It has been concluded that there is sufficient available evidence to prosecute one former soldier, Soldier F, for the murder of James Wray and William McKinney; and for the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell." The PPS said there was not enough evidence to prosecute 16 other British soldiers and two men from the Official Irish Republican Army, an armed group classified as a terrorist organization, who were also involved in the case, Efe news reported. The decision was announced to the families of those killed in a private meeting on Thursday. Herron said: "I am mindful that it has been a long road for the families to reach this point and today will be another extremely difficult day for many of them. We wanted to meet them personally to explain the prosecution decisions taken and to help them understand the reasons." "I wish to clearly state that where a decision has been reached not to prosecute, that this is in no way diminishes any finding by the Bloody Sunday Inquiry that those killed or injured were not posing a threat to any of the soldiers." The day became known as Bloody Sunday, one of the tragic days of the Northern Ireland Troubles. "We recognize the deep disappointment felt by many of those we met with today. As prosecutors we are required to be wholly objective in our approach. However, that does not mean that we do not have compassion for all those who are affected by our decisions," Herron said. The Northern Irish conflict began in the 1960s and lasted until 1998 when the international Good Friday Agreement helped put an end to the violence. The early 1970s saw the deadliest years of the Troubles. More than 3,000 people died during the conflict between unionist paramilitaries from largely Protestant areas, who identify as British, and republican militias from largely Catholic areas, who sought a re-unified Ireland. Kochi, March 14 : The Kerala police on Thursday registered an FIR against three Congress legislators, likely to be named Lok Sabha candidates, on a complaint of sexual misconduct filed by Saritha S. Nair. Nair, an accused in the multi-crore solar energy investment scam, has charged Ernakulam Congress legislator Hibi Eden with rape and former state Ministers Adoor Prakash and A.P. Anil Kumar of outraging her modesty. The FIR has been filed in a special court set up to fast track cases against legislators. While Eden is likely to be fielded from the Ernakulam Lok Sabha seat, Prakash is being considered for either Attingal or Alappuzha, and Anil Kumar may get a ticket from Alathur. Eden termed the FIR a ploy to sully the image of the Congress and its candidates. "It is an issue for them to use politically," he said. Kochi-based solar company Team Solar Renewable Energy Solutions, floated by Nair and her live-in partner Biju Radhakrishnan, was accused of duping investors of crores of rupees for a solar power project. The scam dogged the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government in 2013 with allegations that Nair could hoodwink investors because of her proximity to the Chief Minister's office. Then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's private secretary Tenny Joppan was also arrested in the case. Attari : , March 14 (IANS) Officials from India and Pakistan on Thursday held "detailed and constructive" discussion on the Kartarpur corridor which will enable pilgrims from India to travel to the Sikh shrine inside Pakistan through a dedicated corridor. The meeting took place exactly a month after the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF troopers were killed. "Both sides held detailed and constructive discussion on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalizing the Kartapur Sahib Corridor," a joint press statement issued after the meeting on Thursday said. The first meeting to discuss the modalities and the draft agreement for facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib using the Kartarpur Corridor was held on Thursday at Attari, India, in a cordial environment, the statement said. The Indian delegation was led by S.C.L. Das, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Pakistan delegation was led by Dr Mohammad Faisal, DG (South Asia and SAARC) of Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Both sides also held expert-level discussions between the technical experts on the alignment and other details of the proposed corridor," the statement said. It was agreed to hold the next meeting at Wagah on April 2. This will be preceded by a meeting of the technical experts on March 19 at the proposed zero points to finalize the alignment. The 18-member Pakistani delegation arrived at Attari near Amritsar via the Attari-Wagah joint check post land border on Thursday morning to finalise modalities of the corridor to the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara. "Commitment to fulfil a dream!" is how Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Raveesh Kumar referred to the crucial dialogue on Twitter, once the meet kicked off. Officials of the MHA, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), National High Authority of India and other related departments represent the Indian side at the talks. India has made it clear that the meeting was in no way a resumption of a bilateral dialogue. "It is not any resumption of bilateral talks, let me make it very clear that it is not in any way a resumption of a bilateral dialogue," the MEA spokesperson said earlier. The Ministry has said the issue relates to emotions and sentiments of the Indian citizens of the Sikh faith and its decision regarding the meeting reflects a strong commitment to operationalise the corridor on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. Sources said security aspect was of paramount importance and there will be no dilution in that. India is wary of the Pakistan establishment's direct and indirect support to pro-Khalistan elements who would like to take advantage by reaching out to pilgrims from India. They have also said that Pakistan will also be conveyed that places of pilgrimage should not be used for separatist propaganda by anti-India elements. India is keen for visa-free access to the pilgrims to the historic Sikh shrine across the border. Officials from both sides were also expected to discuss the alignment of the project as there is some mismatch in the coordinates. "Continuing with our spirit of constructive engagement and flexibility and in line with our sincere efforts to deescalate the situation for regional peace and stability," Faisal told Pakistani media before leaving for India for the talks. He said that this was the first in a series of meetings. "We hope this initiative of the Prime Minister (Imran Khan) will not only facilitate Sikhs, especially from India, but will be a step forward in the current direction from conflict to cooperation, animosity to peace and enmity to friendship," he added. The Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara in Narowal district of Pakistan's Punjab province, located 4.5 km from the border near the Dera Baba Nanak town in Punjab's Gurdaspur district, is significant for the Sikh community as it is here that Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev spent 18 years of his life and is his final resting place. The governments of India and Pakistan are trying to facilitate the travel of pilgrims to offer prayers at the gurdwara -- a demand made by the Sikhs for the past over 70 years. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has demanded "passport and visa-free 'khule darshan' for pilgrims".The union government has already announced the setting up of a Rs 190-crore state-of-the-art Passenger Terminal Building Complex at Dera Baba Nanak, with its design inspired by the symbol "Khand", which symbolises values of oneness and humanity. It will cater to about 5,000 pilgrims per day with provision to cater to additional 10,000 pilgrims during festivals. New Delhi, March 14 : Ph.D researchers from India, who wish to work in the UK, have reason to cheer as they are now exempt from the annual visa cap for entry in that country. The announcement was made by the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Phillip Hammond in his Spring Statement speech on Wednesday. Currently, Ph.D level workers who apply for the Tier-2 work visa, have to contend with an annual cap which only allows 20,700 visas annually, leaving them with a slender chance of getting inside the UK. This will change when the new decision is implemented from autumn, beginning September, the Chancellor said. ".... (A) key pillar of our plan is backing Britain to remain at the forefront of the technology revolution that is transforming our economy. "And to support that ambition, from this Autumn we will completely exempt PhD-level roles from the visa caps," Hammond said in his budget update speech. The present visa cap was implemented in 2011 to check migration to the country. Over the years however, the cap has been viewed as counterproductive by policymakers, who feel it unduly deprives the country of useful, qualified workers from other nations. The highest number of those applying under this visa category -- skilled worker visa -- are Indians. In fact, their number is more than the number of people migrating from rest of the countries combined. The decision will also have a bearing on the non-Ph.D workers, who will benefit from the space freed by the Ph.D candidates, autumn onwards. The present cap of 20,700 for this visa will stay till 2021, when it will be completely abolished, according to the UK government. The news was welcomed by UK universities, who are key employers of international researchers. "This is fantastic news for Indian researchers, who would like to work in the UK, and for UK universities -- who thrive on bringing together a diversity of brilliant minds from around the world. "Many of the UK's leading researchers, in fields ranging from bio-mechanics to gender politics, come from India. Outside of Europe, India is the third largest country of origin for academic staff in the UK," Director of Universities International, Vivienne Stern, told IANS in an e-mail interaction. The UK is likely to leave the European Union on March 29, as per the deadline set earlier. The country will follow the current set of rules in immigration till December 2020. The UK government last year exempted nurses and doctors from the annual Tier-2 visa cap, after witnessing a surge in the numbers of these professionals applying to work in the UK. "As recommended by the Migration Advisory Committee, we will not impose a cap on the numbers of skilled workers, to ensure the brightest and best who wish to come to the UK do so, and employers have access to the skills that add most value to the UK economy," the white paper, published last December, said on the post-Brexit policy on immigration. (Vishal Narayan can be contacted at vishal.n@ians.in) Colombo, March 14 : Sri Lanka's Justice and Prison Reforms Ministry on Thursday declared open the second special high court to try bribery and corruption cases in the island country. The Justice Ministry said the aim of the special court was to clear the backlog of high-profile cases, Xinhua news agency reported. The special court will hear cases involving money laundering, bribery and large financial crimes, dishonest misappropriation of property and criminal breach of trust by public servants. The government opened the first special high court in July 2018. A third special high court is also expected to be opened by September. Last year, the Sri Lankan Parliament approved the setting up of three special high courts with 119 legislators voting in favour and 52 against. Johannesburg, March 14 : A black South African TV and radio presenter has claimed that he was the victim of a racially motivated attack after stopping to help a group of white people whose car had overturned. Samora Mangesi tweeted photos of the injuries he sustained in the alleged assault in Johannesburg which he said happened last week. The TV host claimed that he and his two female friends were called "monkeys", the BBC reported on Thursday. "On Friday night I was the victim of a racially motivated attack. After stopping to check on a group of young white people whose car had overturned, they called my friends and I 'monkeys'. When we engaged them on why we were being called such, they beat me up until I was unconscious," Mangesi claimed in a Twitter thread on Wednesday. "Even whilst I was being put in the ambulance, one of these guys tried to run my friend over with his bakkie and the paramedics had to intervene." Mangesi was knocked unconscious after he was allegedly kicked and punched, suffering injuries to his face, cuts inside his mouth and bruising along the left side of his body, the report said. In the days following the attack, Mangesi said his memory was "very sporadic". "As much as they say I was awake, I don't remember being in the ambulance, arriving at the hospital nor much of the treatment." Mangesi said he thought about "letting it go and just continuing with my life", but later reported the incident to the police. News of the assault sparked anger on local social media and calls for a police investigation, the BBC said. Mumbai, March 14 : "Romeo Akbar Walter" (RAW) director Robbie Grewal says ideas for spy and espionage thriller films come naturally to him as a filmmaker because he likes watching movies of that genre. Grewal was interacting with the media here to promote the film. The film is set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan War, and is said to be inspired by true events. Asked whether it was difficult for him to direct a spy film, Grewal said: "It wasn't difficult. I really like spy and espionage thriller films. I feel directing films of this genre comes naturally to me." The idea for "RAW" struck him while reading about the 1971 war. "What was the role of people who were spying for the Indian intelligence agency at that point of time? I got fascinated with their stories. I did deep research and felt I should write a story on this subject, and that's how this film happened." The audience has earlier appreciated Hindi spy films like "Baby", "Ek Tha Tiger", "Raazi" and "Agent Vinod". What will set "RAW" apart? "I feel there are still a lot of spy stories, which we haven't seen on the big screen. If you take the India-Pakistan war of 1971, I feel we can still make 20-30 stories from that period because all stories are really interesting. "I feel every story has its own voice and this story has my own voice and interpretation, which is completely different from earlier spy films we have seen on-screen." "RAW" stars John Abraham, Mouni Roy, Jackie Shroff and Sikandar Kher in the lead roles. It will be released on April 5. Kolkata, March 14 : Trinamool Congress (TMC) celebrity candidate Nusrat Jahan on Thursday hit back at social media trolls for targeting her, describing these as "uncultured". Jahan has been named as the TMC candidate from the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat in North 24 Parganas district along with fellow Bangla film actor Mimi Chakraborty, who has been fielded by the party from the Jadavpur constituency. However, the announcement of their names on Tuesday was followed by a barrage of distasteful comments on social media, along with memes of their pictures and videos. "I think this is the change that we are trying to bring about. Trolling is a new way of demeaning women. We want women to be given more respect," said Jahan. "I don't know who these people are and why they indulge in such online abuse. I think they are simply uncultured. If they knew how to respect their mothers and sisters, they would've respected us as well," she said. Asked about the challenges in her political foray, the 28-year-old said: "During the film promotions, it is our job to reach out to the people. As a political leader, I will have to ensure their welfare as well." New Delhi, March 14 : When US Ambassador Kenneth I. Juster no longer saw the radiant blue Indian-style murals in his official residence, the Roosevelt House, that he had seen during his 2001 visit to India, he commissioned the works of art again. Unveiled on Thursday, the Blue Room at the Roosevelt House now shows recreated works by American artist Karen Lukas, who had initially done them in 1995 at the invitation of then Ambassador Frank Wisner and his wife Christine de Ganay. "When I first visited Roosevelt House in 2001, I remember vividly the murals in this dining room and how beautiful they were," Juster, who had then been Under Secretary in the US Commerce Department, said. The story of the first painting -- and removal -- of the Indian murals started in 1995 when Lukas suggested a way to honour India's artistic excellence to then ambassador's wife. Completely taken by the amazing arts and crafts and having visited villages where courtyards and walls were painted with the most beautiful traditional designs, Lukas set to paint the Rajasthan-inspired designs over the course of several months in 1995. It was not known when and why they had been removed. "When I came here as Ambassador in 2017, I was disappointed to see that the murals had been plastered over and the walls were bare white," Juster said, adding that he tried locating the artist who had originally done them. Lukas says that Ambassador Juster understood the respectful message of her painting and wanted to "recreate that beautiful space". Unfortunately, she had destroyed her original stencils, but she was able to recreate her design and work with a design company in New York named EverGreene. The Blue Room, which serves as the dining hall, supplements the historical section that shows photographs of different points in the US-India relationship in the House's main hallway. "Then, in the public living room and library, we have American artists on display. Then I thought it made sense in the dining room to restore the Indian art displayed in the murals," the US envoy said. Roosevelt House, designed by architect Edward Durell Stone with a vision that fused US and Indian architectural influences, now boasts of a room full of blue Indian motifs. The restoration was supported by the American Chamber of Commerce in India, the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum, and the US-India Business Council and co-ordinated by the Fund to Conserve US Diplomatic Treasures Abroad, a public-private patnership with the US Department of State and its Office of Cultural Heritage. By Larry Elder , March . 14, 2019 Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., denies that anti-Semitism is "on the rise" within the Democratic Party. He's right. This is not a recent phenomenon; anti-Semitism within the Democratic Party has been on the rise for some time. Democrats failed to pass a resolution specifically condemning freshman Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., a Muslim and naturalized citizen from Somalia, who recently made several comments considered anti-Semitic. She tweeted that American politicians support Israel because "it's all about the Benjamins," meaning Jews essentially offer bribes for political support. She accused politicians who support Israel of dual loyalty, recently explaining, "I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is okay to push for allegiance to a foreign country." In 2012, she tweeted, "Israel has hypnotized the world, may Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel." Following Omar's "Benjamins" tweet, the Anti-Defamation League's national director and CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt, issued the following statement: "As Americans and Jews, we expect our politicians to condemn bigotry, not to fuel it. Words matter. At a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise in the U.S. and abroad, Rep. Omar is promoting the ugly, anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that Jews have an outsized influence over politics. The notion that wealthy Jews are controlling the government is a longstanding anti-Semitic trope and one of the pillars of modern anti-Semitism, a retread of ideas spread by bigots from David Duke to Louis Farrakhan." Omar, fellow freshman Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., are the only members of Congress to publicly support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, which "works to end international support for Israel's oppression of Palestinians and pressure Israel to comply with international law." Criticism of Israel and anti-Semitism are, of course, not necessarily the same thing. But Omar pushes a stereotype that Jews have a dark, even sinister effect on the political process. Jewish bigotry from black liberals and Omar is black has long been an unspoken problem among Democrats. According to an annual survey commissioned by the ADL, their latest 2017 report found that blacks who vote 90 percent for Democrats were 2.3 times more likely than whites to be anti-Semitic. By contrast, polls show that Jews, among various demographic groups, are the least likely to be racist against blacks. Consider: The Rev. Jesse Jackson, when running for president in 1984, referred to Jews as "Hymie" and New York City as "Hymietown." Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam, who once posed with then-Sen. Barack Obama in a photograph (helpfully not released until after President Obama left office), called Judaism a "gutter religion," praised Hitler as "a great man" and recently said: "When they call me an anti-Semite stop it. I'm anti-termite." The Rev. Al Sharpton, whose endorsement is being sought by 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls, referred to Jews as "diamond merchants" and helped fuel a 1991 riot between blacks and Jews in the Crown Heights area of Brooklyn, New York. Rep. Cynthia McKinney, D-Ga., a critic of American support of Israel, served two stints in Congress, from 1997 to 2003 and then from 2005 to 2007. Her father, a state representative for Atlanta, was asked on television, days before his daughter was defeated in a 2002 primary, why she faced such intense opposition. He said: "That ain't nothing. Jews have bought everybody. Jews. J. E. W. S." Civil rights icon Andrew Young became a spokesperson for Walmart. In defending against the charge that Walmart displaces mom-and-pop stores, Young said: "Mom-and-pop stores ... are the people who have been overcharging us selling us stale bread and bad meat and wilted vegetables. And they sold out and moved to Florida. I think they've ripped off our communities enough. First it was Jews, then it was Koreans and now it's Arabs; very few black people own these stores." He apologized, but Walmart and Young soon ended their relationship. Even Jews who do not support many Israeli policies nevertheless support the state of Israel. A recent poll by the Jewish Electorate Institute found 92 percent of American Jews are "generally pro-Israel," even as 59 percent say they are comfortable supporting Israel and also criticizing its government. But support for Israel is down among Democrats, particularly young Democrats. A new Gallup poll found "liberal Democrats are only party/ideology group not partial to Israel" in the Mideast conflict. Young liberal Democrats are about as likely to support the Palestinians as they are Israel, with black support for Israel even lower. A recent Economist/YouGov poll that asked whether Israel is an American "ally" found that only 19 percent of blacks and 22 percent of Hispanics agreed. Young blacks like Candace Owens of Turning Point USA urge blacks to divorce themselves from the Democratic Party. She calls this movement "Blexit." Can we expect a similar movement in which Jewish voters reconsider their traditional 70 percent support for the Democratic Party? Some call it Jexodus. Larry Elder is a best-selling author and nationally syndicated radio talk show host. To find out more about Larry Elder, or become an "Elderado," visit www.LarryElder.com. Follow Larry on Twitter @LarryElder. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com. Photo credit: at Pixabay 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 New Delhi, March 14 : Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani termed allegations levelled against her by the Congress of violating the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Fund (MPLAD) rules as a self-goal and accused Congress President Rahul Gandhi of committing a financial fraud in his constituency Amethi. "It is a self-goal by the Congress. Rahul Gandhi has himself committed MPLAD fraud in Amethi," Smriti Irani told IANS. Citing a Comptroller and Accountant General (CAG) report, the Congress had claimed Irani had awarded the MPLAD work to an NGO without inviting tenders, resulting in irregular payment of Rs 5.93 crore and fraudulent payment of Rs 85.53 lakh to the NGO. The Congress circulated a letter signed by Irani on February 11 asking the District Planning Officer (DPO) of Anand, Gujarat, to allocate Rs 30 lakh for construction of a community centre in village Maghrol under the Adarsh Gram Yojana. Countering the allegation, Irani said the CAG did not mention in the report her involvement and only mentioned her name once that too stating just recommendation of works. The letter recommending the work was issued by the MP, but it is for the district administration to work out the details. On the Congress charge that her PA called the district officer, she said the call had been cited without any substantial proof and the officers know the procedures well and would not entertain a phone call. The work is checked by the planning officer to decide if it falls in the MPLAD's ambit. If it is found to be outside the rules, the officials don't sanction the amount. On a letter of the collector being circulated by the Congress, the officer is on record that it had nothing to do with the MP, she said. The CAG has reported failure of the district administration and nowhere does it allege that the MP was involved in the entire process. She launched a counter-offensive and pointed out widespread irregularities in the Congress President's MPLAD funds use in Amethi. These irregularities have also been reported by the local media claiming that even roads already constructed were listed as fresh work. New Delhi, March 14 : The Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) - the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's economic wing - on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "retaliate" against China for blocking the UN resolution to declare Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist. In a letter to the Prime Minister, the SJM requested him to withdraw most favoured nation (MFN) status from China, impose more restrictions on Chinese products and to take immediate action to raise tariff duties on all Chinese imports. Noting the "whole nation is in anger against China" over its protection to Azhar, the SJM's All India Co-convener Ashwani Mahajan termed China's action "highly deplorable" and "against the global struggle on terrorism". "This is the time to make use of all possible measures, diplomatic and economic, to make China conscious of the repercussions of its irresponsible action," he said in the letter. Mahajan said the time has come to withdraw the MFN status from China, as the government has already done in case of Pakistan and impose further restriction on Chinese products, especially telecom, electronics and defence equipment, due to security concerns. The SJM leader said that there is need to work harder to discourage Chinese imports as the group's research reveals that the average tariff being applied on Chinese imports is much lower than bound tariff rates on various commodities. "The government needs to take immediate action to raise tariff duties on all Chinese imports to discourage Chinese imports. China, which is already under economic stress, thanks to trade war initiated by US and other trade partners of China, will definitely realize the implications of unjust action of protecting terrorists. This action of India will help our and global fight against terrorism," Mahajan said in the letter. He said India has been importing more than $76 billion worth of goods from China and has been running huge trade deficit, which is impacting Indian economy in general and manufacturing in particular. "It is appreciable that in the past, the government has adopted various measures to curb Chinese imports by way of anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, increase in tariffs, imposition of tariffs and invoking reciprocity clause to stop Chinese companies taking infrastructure projects in India," he said. New Delhi, March 14 : The government may initiate a barter trade arrangement with Venezuela to prevent disruption of oil supplies from the Latin American country following threats from the United States to extend Iran like sanctions there as well. Diplomatic sources said that a mechanism akin to Rupee-Rial trade between India and Iran is being looked at where Venezuela will be paid in rupee in the branch of an Indian bank for its oil, while this money can be used by Venezuela to import food and other essential items from India. Venezuela is the fourth-largest oil supplier to India after Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Iran. It accounted for about 11 per cent of India's oil supplies in 2017-18, supplying close to 18 million tonne (MT). India imported 155 MT of oil in 2017-18. The imports are expected to hit over 170 MT in FY19. "India and Venezuela discussed the mechanism to continue the oil trade at last month's Petrotech meeting in Delhi. This is being further discussed at official level so that a payment mechanism around Indian rupee is operationalised," said an official source privy to the development. The total trade between India and Venezuela currently stands at about $6 billion and is heavily tilted in favour of the Latin American country due to oil imports by India. The main items of Venezuelan imports from India include pharmaceutical products, machinery, organic chemicals, cotton, iron and steel and vehicle parts. Diplomatic sources quoted earlier said that oil-for-medicine or oil-for-food deal has been a non-starter, as in the past Venezuela has favoured bilateral deals with Indian pharmaceutical companies rather than locking supplies of medicines with oil exports. This experience has not been a happy one for Indian companies such as Novartis and Dr Reddy's, who also faced payment issues earlier there. But now with Venezuela itself facing severe shortages, India sees an opportunity to re-start talks on barter trade arrangements. It is worth noting that India's trade deficit with Iran narrowed when the latter was on sanctions, as Iran felt compelled to use up its rupee reserves. India's experience in rupee-rouble trade with the erstwhile Soviet Union has also been good. The US is likely to disapprove of such efforts, but India also does not want to lose yet another oil-rich nation from its import list that could have a bearing on its energy security. The US is seeking to cut off Venezuela's oil revenue as part of its efforts to build pressure on President Nicolas Maduro to step down. The US has recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as the head of state. The sanctions mean that anyone using the US banking channels or having big presence in the US and also continuing to deal with Venezuela will also face restrictions. In view of this, Indian buyers such as Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy (formerly Essar Oil) have already expressed their concern. These company are big importers of oil from Venezuela. In fact, Reliance Industries accounted for 80 per cent of Venezuelan oil imports to India in 2018 at 2,70,000 barrels a day. But the company sources said it has decided to cap oil purchases from Venezuela in view of the sanctions. Alternate payment mechanism in rupee and barter trade arrangement is expected to keep oil flowing from the Latin American country even with hardening of US sanctions. (Subhash Narayan can be contacted at subhash.n@ians.in) Thiruvananthapuram, March 14 : Congress national spokesperson Tom Vadakkan's joining the BJP could not have come at a more inopportune time for the grand old party, coming as it did when the party is racing against time to draw up its candidate list for the upcoming general elections and at the same time working overtime to resolve rifts within its ally the KC(M) over the Kottayam seat. Even though Mr. Vadakkan is not a heavyweight of the congress who commands a mass following, his defection to the BJP camp is a setback to the party in Kerala as it lends further credence to the CPI(M) propaganda that the congress and the BJP are birds of the same feather and that a vote for the congress is as good as a vote for the BJP given the recurring instances of congress MLAs and MPs defecting to the BJP. The CPI(M) wasted no time on Thursday to launch a blistering attack on the congress over Mr. Vadakkan's joining the BJP with Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan terming the congress a "recruiting centre" of the BJP. Mr. Vijayan told reporters that there was nothing to be surprised about Tom Vadakkan joining the BJP since a lot of congress leaders had been switching their loyalties to the saffron party of late. It was unfortunate that congress leaders in many states were defecting to the BJP after winning the people's mandate as a congress candidate, he added, pointing out that 4 or 5 congress legislators recently switched over to the BJP in Gujarat. Meanwhile, congress firebrand leader V T Balram took a swipe at Mr. Vadakkan. In an oblique reference to the former congress spokesperson, Balram said that those leaving the congress did not command ten votes even in their hometowns. Social media users had a field day at Mr. Vadakkan's expense digging up his old tweets as congress spokesperson bashing the BJP and Narendra Modi. Some users even appeared flabbergasted by Vadakkan's decision given that he had as recently as last night retweeted a tweet by congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi. Even though the stated reason for Vadakkan's departure from the congress is the party's alleged disrespect towards the armed forces in the wake of the Pulwama attack, speculation is rife that he left the party disgruntled at being given the cold-shoulder in elections despite being loyal to the party and the Gandhi family for over two decades. He had tried to use his proximity to the AICC leadership to contest from his native Thrissur constituency in 2009 but his candidature was thwarted by strident opposition by the local leadership of the party. Washington, March 14 : US President Donald Trump is "desperate" to reach a trade deal with China and is being ill-served by protectionist advisers who have left the White House "living in chaos" on major decisions, his former top economic adviser Gary Cohn has said. In an interview to Freakonomics, a public radio show and podcast, the former President of Goldman Sachs said that the US President "needs a win" and expects a China deal to boost the stock market, which has treaded water for the past year. Cohn, 58, served for 14 months as Trump's Director of the National Economic Council. His comments came after the President said at the White House on Wednesday that he was "not in a hurry" to reach a deal with Beijing and said "there's always a chance" the talks could fail. The President, however, expressed an eagerness to host a signing summit at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida for Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Washington Post reported. Trump had in February expressed optimism about the prospects for a trade agreement with China after he delayed a scheduled increase in tariffs on Chinese imports. He said he was delaying an increase from 10 per cent to 25 per cent in the tariffs his administration levied earlier on $200 billion in Chinese products. The hike was scheduled to take effect from March 1. Cohn cast doubt on Trump's ability to obtain fundamental changes in China's state-led economic system, one of his core negotiating objectives. "I think market access, the Chinese will give because they've been close to giving it for a while. But how are we going to stop the Chinese from stealing intellectual property?" he said. "How are we going to stop them from copyright infringement? What is the enforcement mechanism and what are the punitive damages if they don't stop?" The US has proposed enforcing any agreement via 18 annual meetings with Chinese officials, backed by the threat of unilateral American tariffs, according to chief US trade negotiator Robert E. Lighthizer. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer said that Trump should "have the guts to walk away" if the Chinese don't offer significant concessions. A self-described "globalist" in a nationalist White House, Cohn argued against the President's enthusiasm for imposing tariffs on products such as solar panels and steel, according to the Post. But he said he was bested by White House adviser Peter Navarro and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, the administration's leading protectionists. Cohn resigned in March 2018, shortly after Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. He said he supported the President's desire to crack down on unfair Chinese trade practices, but said tariffs "don't work". As evidence, he pointed to last year's record $891 billion trade deficit in merchandise and the record $419 billion gap in trade with China, the Post said. "So tariffs were used as the threat. Did it hurt the Chinese at all? We had record trade deficits," Cohn said. Kolkata, March 14 : The West Bengal CID has seized huge cache of explosives, including electric detonators and gelatin sticks, in West Bengal's Bankura district, a senior officer said on Thursday. The explosives were recovered during a raid in Kastora village of Bankura district on Wednesday night. Deputy Inspector General of West Bengal CID Nishad Parvez said 52,500 pieces of electric detonators, 106 carton of gelatin sticks, 6,650 kg of ammonium nitrate were seized during the raid. "Also, an SUV car and a motorcycle, suspected to be used by the perpetrators have been seized," Parvez said. He said the seized items were procured from Odisha, Telangana and Jharkhand, and were likely to be used in illegal stone quarry. "No one has been arrested so far. The raids are still on," he said. Mumbai, March 14 : At least four persons were killed and another 30 injured, including some critically, when a portion of a overhead pedestrian bridge outside the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus came crashing down on Thursday. The victims included three women and a man. Two of the women were identified as Apoorva Prabhu, 35, and Ranjana Tambe, 40, while the third was unidentified. The man was Zahid Siraj Khan, 32. The tragedy which shocked Mumbaikars occurred around 7.35 p.m. as the foot over bridge was reportedly overloaded with commuters hurrying to their homes, the BMC Disaster Control said. Connecting the CSMT's suburban platform No. 1 with the B.T. Lane near The Times of India Building and the Anjuman-e-Islam School, it was used by thousands of daily commuters rushing to catch the local trains on Central Railway and the Harbour Line. The injured have been rushed to the St. George Hospital and G. T. Hospital, besides Sion Hospital, said officials. On account of the debris, the peak hour traffic towards Byculla and Dadar and beyond was diverted, creating massive snarls across south Mumbai. This is the third major foot over bridge tragedy in Mumbai in the past 18 months. A foot over bridge at the Elphinstone Road railway station crashed on September 29, 2017, killing 29 commuters. The second occurred on July 3, 2018 when a portion of the foot over bridge crashed on the railway tracks near Andheri station, killed at least one and injuring many more. After the two previous tragedies, the BMC, the Railways and other agencies had carried out a survey of all new and old railway bridges, flyovers, and foot over bridges, to ascertain any dangers and take preventive measures. Officials claimed that the bridge that crashed on Thursday was found to be sturdy and only needing a few minor repairs. Politicians from several parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Shiv Sena, the Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party and others rushed to the site and activists helped in the rescue operations. Srinagar, March 14 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday issued fresh summons to senior separatist leader, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, asking him to appear before the agency in New Delhi on March 18. The NIA had earlier issued summons to the Mirwaiz to appear before it in the national capital on March 11 but he had stayed away, citing security reasons. "Under the prevailing conditions of hostility wherein there is a threat to the personal safety of my client, it becomes unwise for my client to travel to Delhi," counsel for the Mirwaiz, Aijaz Ahmad Dhar, had said in a letter to the NIA. Dhar also said that the NIA should, under the present circumstances, question the Mirwaiz here only. The NIA has summoned the Mirwaiz for questioning in connection with the 2017 terror funding case being investigated by the agency. On February 26, NIA carried out searches at the Mirwaiz's house at Nigeen in the city's outskirts for nearly 10 hours. The houses of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik, and other senior separatist leaders Shabir Shah, Zaffar Bhat and Masarat Alam were also raided the same day. Rajahmundry : , March 14 (IANS) Popular actor Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena on Thursday launched his party's campaign for next month's elections to Andhra Pradesh Assembly and Lok Sabha, promising Rs 5,000 pension to farmers, KG to PG free education and 10 lakh jobs in five years. Addressing a massive public meeting to mark Jana Sena's 5th formation day, he promised several welfare measures for various sections of the society. Showering sops on farmers, Pawan said if voted to power, the Jana Sena would provide Rs 8,000 investment support to every farmer annually and would also pay Rs 5,000 monthly pension each to small and marginal farmers aged above 60 years. He also promised free solar motors to farmers. Jana Sena, which will be making its electoral debut in April 11 elections, promised free education from kindergarten to post graduation. "If voted to power we will provide one lakh jobs in first six months and 10 lakh jobs in five years," said the actor, who earlier released the first list of candidates for 4 Lok Sabha and 32 Assembly constituencies. Pawan, younger brother of superstar and former Union Minister Chiranjeevi, also promised Rs 10 lakh health insurance for every family. He vowed to provide corruption-free governance. Safe drinking water for all, 5 percent political reservation for backward classes, construction of new reservoirs by interlinking rivers, special bank to provide loans to fishermen, implementation of Sachar Committee recommendations for development of Muslims and 33 percent reservation for women in legislature were some of the other promises. New Delhi, March 14 : The Supreme Court on Thursday told Fortis's Shivender Singh that since he has come back from 'sanyas', he should focus on paying along with his brother Malvinder Singh Rs 3,500 crore awarded to Japanese drug maker Daiichi Sankyo by a Singapore-based arbitration tribunal. "Now you have come (back) to world, then pay", said Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi who along with Justice Deepak Gupta and Justice Sanjiv Khanna told both the brothers to inform the court how they are going to secure the arbitration tribunal award. Initially senior counsel Fali Nariman appearing for Daiichi told the court that Malvinder Singh has said that he was anxious to pay his dues and Shivender Singh has said, "I have become a 'sadhu' and taken 'sanyas' and I don't want to do anything now." However, when senior counsel P.S. Patwalia told the court that he has come back to world, CJI Gogoi said, "Now you have come to the world, then pay." Patwalia appeared for Shivernder Singh Both Malvinder Singh and Shivender Singh were asked to give plan for securing the Singapore-based arbitration tribunal's award asking them to pay it Rs 3,500 crore in a dispute relating to Japanese drug maker Daiichi Sankyo's acquisition of their family pharma company Ranbaxy. Telling the two brothers, who are otherwise at loggerheads, to unite on the issue and give a plan for securing the award, the bench reminded them of their legacy of being the flag-bearer of the health sector and asked them to honour the award. Both Malvinder Singh and Shivender Singh were present in the court in pursuance to March 14 order of the court directing their presence. The court asked them to remain present in the court on March 28, the next date of hearing. Reminding Malvinder Singh and Shivender Singh of their obligation to secure the award, the court told them: "Once the award is passed, you have to honour it (award). It (not doing so) does no good to the country. You were once the flag-bearer of the country in health sector. Pay your debts and come out of it." Daiichi Sankyo has moved the top court contending that the two brothers have sold their stakes in Fortis Health Care to Malaysia's IHH Health and were also liquidating their other assets to escape the liability to pay Rs 3,500 crore arbitration award to Daiichi. "How do you intend to pay in the event of an order upholding the arbitration award?" the court asked Malvinder Singh, telling him that his brother has "renounced" the world and had "nothing to do with it". Finding Malvinder Singh not forthcoming with the response, CJI Gogoi told him: "If you are not prepared to answer, don't answer, because all that you say will be recorded." The court told Singh brothers that they can take time to "reflect, look into their accounts and seek legal advice. Then court then adjourned the hearing till March 28. Directing the next hearing on March 28, CJI Gogoi said, "This is first time you are coming to court. Let the next appearance be the last one." As Court asked which date they would like to come prepared with the plan to secure the award, senior counsel Harish Salve, appearing for Malvinder Singh, said since Nariman is senior-most, let him suggest the next date. "Thankfully, I am only the senior-most and not the debtor," Nariman said amid laughter. New Delhi, March 14 : The Supreme Court on Thursday told Fortis's Shivinder Singh that since he has come back from 'sanyas', he should focus on paying along with his brother Malvinder Singh Rs 3,500 crore awarded to Japanese drug maker Daiichi Sankyo by a Singapore-based arbitration tribunal. "Now you have come (back) to world, then pay", said Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi who along with Justice Deepak Gupta and Justice Sanjiv Khanna told both the brothers to inform the court how they are going to secure the arbitration tribunal award. Initially senior counsel Fali Nariman appearing for Daiichi told the court that Malvinder Singh has said that he was anxious to pay his dues and Shivender Singh has said, "I have become a 'sadhu' and taken 'sanyas' and I don't want to do anything now." However, when senior counsel P.S. Patwalia told the court that he has come back to world, CJI Gogoi said, "Now you have come to the world, then pay." Patwalia appeared for Shivinder Singh Both Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh were asked to give plan for securing the Singapore-based arbitration tribunal's award asking them to pay it Rs 3,500 crore in a dispute relating to Japanese drug maker Daiichi Sankyo's acquisition of their family pharma company Ranbaxy. Telling the two brothers, who are otherwise at loggerheads, to unite on the issue and give a plan for securing the award, the bench reminded them of their legacy of being the flag-bearer of the health sector and asked them to honour the award. Both Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh were present in the court in pursuance to March 14 order of the court directing their presence. The court asked them to remain present in the court on March 28, the next date of hearing. Reminding Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh of their obligation to secure the award, the court told them: "Once the award is passed, you have to honour it (award). It (not doing so) does no good to the country. You were once the flag-bearer of the country in health sector. Pay your debts and come out of it." Daiichi Sankyo has moved the top court contending that the two brothers have sold their stakes in Fortis Health Care to Malaysia's IHH Health and were also liquidating their other assets to escape the liability to pay Rs 3,500 crore arbitration award to Daiichi. "How do you intend to pay in the event of an order upholding the arbitration award?" the court asked Malvinder Singh, telling him that his brother has "renounced" the world and had "nothing to do with it". Finding Malvinder Singh not forthcoming with the response, CJI Gogoi told him: "If you are not prepared to answer, don't answer, because all that you say will be recorded." The court told Singh brothers that they can take time to "reflect, look into their accounts and seek legal advice. Then court then adjourned the hearing till March 28. Directing the next hearing on March 28, CJI Gogoi said, "This is first time you are coming to court. Let the next appearance be the last one." As Court asked which date they would like to come prepared with the plan to secure the award, senior counsel Harish Salve, appearing for Malvinder Singh, said since Nariman is senior-most, let him suggest the next date. "Thankfully, I am only the senior-most and not the debtor," Nariman said amid laughter. New Delhi, March 14 : The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its judgment on the plea seeking to fix accountability of the Maharashtra government, on account of inconsistent stand taken by it from time to time, on the scrapped Dabhol Power Project that was set up by the Enron Power Corporation. The bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Sanjiv Khanna reserved the order after Maharashtra government told the court that it was collecting information on the officers who were conversant with the project and had dealt with it. The court in the last hearing of the matter on February 14 had sought the assistance of these officers, who might have retired, but were conversant with the scrapped project that turned out to be a drain on the exchequer. Telling the court that it was yet to receive instructions from the state government whether it was inclined to inquire into its alleged inconsistent stands taken from time to time, Maharashtra counsel Nishant Katneshwarkar, however, said that whatever the court decided would be acceptable to them. Earlier, senior counsel Rajeev Dhawan, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae, referred to then Home Secretary Madabv Godbole Committee's 2001 report pointing out that the failure of the government was across the board, both in administration and policies -- both at the level of Maharashtra government and the Central government. Prashant Bhushan appearing for petitioner Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) referred to the Godbole committee report to contend that there were lapses, both at the level of politicians and the officers, and it should be inquired into. He said that it should also be inquired whether lapses were wilful and intentional, or just negligence. The court by its May 2, 1997 order had said the CITU petition raised two questions -- validity of the project and the contract known as Dabhol Power Project, and the accountability of the Maharashtra government, particularly on account of the inconsistent stand taken by it from time to time. In the same order, the court had said it was not in public interest to reopen the question of validity of the project and awarding of contract, as the same was considered on several occasions in earlier PILs. However, the Supreme Court order had said it was in public interest to consider the second issue relating to the accountability of the Maharashtra government, particularly on account of inconsistency in its stand. New Delhi, March 14 : Two members of Sohail Saifi gang, accused of robbing Rs 31 lakh from two persons and attempting to kill them, were arrested from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, a police officer said on Thursday. "Rizwan, 23, and Shadab, 32, -- residents of Meerut and Delhi's Jamia Nagar, respectively, -- were arrested on Wednesday, when a Crime Branch team headed by ACP Sandeep Lamba raided their hideout on a tip-off," Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) Rajiv Ranjan said. "The accused are active members of the Sohail Saifi gang. They were involved in an attempted murder and robbery in Pandav Nagar on February 21. They had shot at and robbed two friends carrying Rs 31 lakh cash from Kashmeri Gate to Noida," Ranjan said. Another gang member, Naushad had last year opened fire in the office of a builder in the Jama Masjid area when he refused to pay extortion money. Two persons suffered bullet injuries in the incident," he said. A hunt is on to nab the gang's other members. Hyderabad, March 14 : Three more persons, including Telugu film comedian Surya Prasad, were arrested on Thursday in the murder case of Florida-based NRI businessman Chigurupati Jayaram, police said. Besides Prasad, the police also took Kishore and Anji Reddy into custody. Deputy Commissioner of Police A.R. Srinivas told reporters that they have almost completed the investigations into the case. He said the investigations revealed that Jayaram's niece Shikha Chowdary had no role in the murder. According to police, main accused Rakesh Reddy had hatched a conspiracy to extort money from Jayaram. Surya Prasad and Kishore brought Jayaram to his house in posh Jubilee Hills and it was here that the businessman was murdered. Anji Reddy reached Rakesh Reddy's house after the murder but did not inform police. On allegations that Rakesh Reddy spoke to couple of police officers after the murder, the DCP said they were conducting investigations. He said while Rakesh Reddy had relations with politicians but there was no evidence of any political involvement in the crime. The body of Jayaram, 55, who was director of Coastal Bank, was found on the back seat of his car off the national highway near Nandiagama close to Vijayawada on January 31. Jayaram, also a Managing Director of Express TV, a now defunct Telugu channel, had come to Hyderabad from the US a few days earlier. The crime was first investigated by the Andhra Pradesh Police, which arrested Rakesh Reddy and his security guard. The case was later transferred to Telangana after it was revealed that Jayaram was murdered at a house in Hyderabad and his body was dumped in Andhra Pradesh. Jayaram's wife Padmashri has also demanded a probe against Shikha, who was allegedly in a relationship with Rakesh Reddy. She had said that after the murder, Shikha barged into their house in Jubilee Hills and that some key documents and valuables were found missing subsequently. New Delhi, March 14 : In a jolt to the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Tom Vadakkan, its spokesperson and until now a Nehru-Gandhi family loyalist, on Thursday joined the BJP complaining about "dynastic politics reaching its zenith". The announcement came on a day Congress President Rahul Gandhi was in Kerala, to which Vadakkan belongs. Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ravi Shankar Prasad told the media that Vadakkan had been impressed by the work done by the Modi government. Vadakkan, in his remarks, took veiled potshots at party chief Rahul Gandhi and said phenomenon of "use an throw" has started. He said he had given 20 prime years to the Congress "but dynastic politics has reached its zenith which has become blinding for the wokers". "The phenomenon of use and throw has started and I think it is just not acceptable to self-respecting workers. That's why I am here," he said. Vadakkan also said he was deeply hurt over the way the Congress raised questions in the aftermath of the suicide bombing at Pulwama that killed 40 CRPF personnel and triggered major India-Pakistan tensions. He said the reason why he left Congress with heavy heart was "because the attack by Pakistani terrorists on our land and the reaction from my party was sad indeed". "It hurt me deeply when you questioned the integrity of the armed forces. It is not the question of ideology. It is of love for the country," he said. He said if a party takes a position which is "against the interests" of the country, "what alternative are you left with?". He praised'Modi's development narrative and said he was impressed by the hard work he has done to change India's perception globally. He thanked BJP chief Amit Shah for showing trust in him and Modi for wishing him good luck. He said the narrative of the country should be above political agenda of parties. Vadakkan tried, but failed, in the past for a Congress ticket for Lok Sabha elections from Kerala due to opposition from the local party unit. With the BJP making inroads in Kerala, which has a large Christian population, Prasad noted that Vadakkan was from the "Roman Catholic family" -- an oblique reference to Sonia Gandhi's Christian origins. Union Tourism Minister Alphons Kannanthanam is also a prominent leader from the minority community from Kerala in the BJP. Vadakkan has handled the crucial communications department for many years when Sonia Gandhi was the Congress President. He was AICC Secretary and then became a spokesperson. As secretary of the media department, he was on the podium during press conferences held by party spokespersons. Sonia Gandhi has been the longest serving Congress chief and most media queries about her meetings and engagements after her entry into politics in 1998 and during the UPA regimes were handled by Vadakkan. He was part of the first media team constituted by Sonia Gandhi. After being appointed spokesperson in March 2015, Vadakkan passionately articulated the party's viewpoint and slammed the Modi government. Congress sources said Vadakkan, who hails from Thrissur, had quit because he was not getting ticket to fight the Lok Sabha elections. He can be fielded by the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections from Kerala. Congress leaders in Kerala, however, insisted that Vadakkan's departure was a non-issue for the party. Congress spokesperson Joseph Vazhakken said in Thiruvananthapuram: "We have only seen Vadakkan on TV channels. In Kerala he has had no space or role. His leaving is not going to affect us in any manner." Congress Secretary and former MLA P.C. Vishnunath said he failed to understand the noise over Vadakkan joining the BJP. "Vadakkan is one person who will not be able to make any impact even in a local body in Kerala. Who is he? Our only plea to the BJP is to see that they retain him forever," he said. But Kerala BJP President P.S. Sreedharan Pillai said that many more Congress leaders were expected to join the party. "Vadakkan is just one. You just wait and see, more are coming. But I will not reveal who they are," said Pillai. Kolkata, March 14 : Taunting West Bengal legislator Arjun Singh who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Trinamool Congress MP Dinesh Trivedi on Thursday said people will decide "who is opportunist". "I wish him all the best. People have their faith in Mamata Banerjee and they want her to play a bigger national role," he said. West Bengal's ruling Trinaool Congress strongman and Bhatpara MLA Arjun Singh on Thursday afternoon joined the saffron party in New Delhi in the presence of senior BJP party leaders. The legislator was miffed with the Trinamool leadership as he was denied a Lok Sabha ticket from Barrackpore parliamentary constituency, presently represented by Trivedi. Singh is likely to be fielded from Barrackpore parliamentary constituency as the BJP candidate. Asked about this, Trivedi said: "In democracy, they can give him ticket. But people will decide who is opportunist and who is not." Lucknow, March 15 : In a unique initiative to connect with voters for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will travel from Prayagraj to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency Varanasi from March 18 to 20. According to Congress leaders, Priyanka will take a boat ride from Prayagraj on March 18 to reach Varanasi on March 20. Priyanka will address people at several places during her three-day journey, they said on Thursday. Since her appointment as the Congress General Secretary and In-charge for Uttar Pradesh (East) on January 23, the party workers have been pressing her to contest from Varanasi. However, the Congress which released its two lists for 27 of 80 seats, has not announced her as a candidate for the 2019 elections yet. According to party leaders, through the boat ride, the Congress wants to highlight Modi's failure in cleaning the river Ganga in the last five years, and the pain of people residing along the river bank. Priyanka is seen as a turn-around leader for the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, where the party has been out of power for the last 29 years now. Through the boat ride campaign, the party wants to revive itself in eastern Uttar Pradesh which earlier remained its stronghold. The Congress had won only two seats of Amethi and Rae Bareli, represented by Congress President Rahul Gandhi and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, respectively, in 2014 elections, while the BJP had won 71 seats. New Delhi, March 15 : BJP President Amit Shah on Thursday thanked former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit for her comments that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was not tough on terrorism. Shah's comments came even after Dikshit denied making those comments. "Thank you Sheila Dikshit ji for reiterating what the nation already knows but the Congress party is never ready to admit," Shah said in a tweet. "Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit reportedly said, "Manmohan Singh, yes I agree with you, was not as strong and as determined as he (Modi) is," he added. The three-time Chief Minister said this when asked to respond on the criticism that the UPA government did not do much after the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. She added, "but there is also a feeling that he is doing all this for politics." Lucknow, March 15 : In a unique initiative to connect with voters for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will travel from Prayagraj to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency Varanasi from March 18 to 20. According to Congress leaders, Priyanka will take a boat ride from Prayagraj on March 18 to reach Varanasi on March 20. In fact, the party's state unit has approached the election commission to seek a permission for Priyanka's boat ride. The party assured the poll panel that it will comply with the model code of conduct. Priyanka will address people at several places during her three-day journey, they said on Thursday. Since her appointment as the Congress General Secretary and in-charge for Uttar Pradesh (East) on January 23, the party workers have been pressing her to contest from Varanasi. However, the Congress which released its two lists for 27 of 80 seats, has not announced her as a candidate for the 2019 elections yet. According to party leaders, the Congress, through the boat ride, wants to highlight Modi's failure in cleaning the river Ganga in the last five years, and the pain of people residing along the river bank. Priyanka is seen as a turn-around leader for the Congress in Uttar Pradesh, where the party has been out of power for the last 29 years. Through the boat ride campaign, the party wants to revive itself in eastern Uttar Pradesh which earlier remained its stronghold. In 2014 elections, the Congress had won only two seats of Amethi and Rae Bareli, represented by Congress President Rahul Gandhi and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, respectively, while the BJP had won 71 seats. The Australian Property Institute (API) is rallying to support the property industry in the wake of recent cyber attacks on Australian organisations. The announcement comes after property valuation firm Landmark White (LMW) saw data sets stolen and listed on the dark web. The Landmark White case saw its boss, Chris Coonan, step down from his role. Amelia Hodge, CEO of API, said any enterprise can be caught by cyber crime. Cyber attacks are criminal acts, and recent cybercrime by unknown perpetrators on a range of Australian private and public sector entities demonstrate that any enterprise of any size can fall victim," Hodge said. Our concern is obviously for our members and the clients impacted by these criminal acts. "We are here to fully support those impacted in any way we can. We have just under 400 API families directly impacted by the suspensions and it is important to move to a business as usual state as quickly as possible. LMW is not alone. In February, the Federal Government announced that the Australian Parliament and political parties had also been subject to cyber attacks. Hodge said that in the case of LMW, the company has reported that the personal information disclosed ranges from relatively benign and publicly available, to, in a small number of cases, more detailed category identification information. We are further informed that the breach was isolated, that it has been fully investigated by the relevant authorities and there is no evidence of misuse of any of that personal information, Hodge said. LMW have been working with independent cyber security consultants, along with the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, to ensure client information and LMWs network is secure. Cyber attacks represent just one of the risks businesses face simply because they are in business, Hodge said. Because they are criminal acts, no business is immune. While it is not possible for enterprises to completely remove all cybercrime risk, it is possible to prepare for the possibility, mitigate the risk, contain and remediate any damage following a cyber attack and, in the interests of all, be able to return to business-as-usual as soon as the risk is satisfactorily resolved. A. Traub & Associates announce new office location in Lombard, IL The location may be new, but we offer the same high-quality legal representation that our clients rely on. We are fortunate that we have had the growth to be able to move into a new, and bigger office space - Firm Owner Angel M. Traub A. Traub & Associates is excited to announce that it has relocated its Lombard, Illinois, office to 200 W. 22nd St., Suite 210. The office is between Finley Road and South Highland Avenue, about a mile east of Interstate 355 and a mile west of Yorktown Shopping Center. The new location is a block west of the firms previous Lombard office. We invite our previous clients and new clients to visit our new office, said firm owner Angel M. Traub. The location may be new, but we offer the same high-quality legal representation that our clients rely on. We are fortunate that we have had the growth to be able to move into a new, and bigger office space. Clients can call the office to schedule a consultation with one of the attorneys. The phone number for the office is still 630-426-0196. A. Traub & Associates is an all-female law firm serving clients in Cook, DuPage, Kane, and Will counties. The firm offers a full array of legal services, including family law, mediation, estate planning, criminal defense, real estate law, and business law. Firm owner Angel Traub has more than 15 years of legal experience, focusing her practice on divorce, adoption, guardianship, trust administration, probate, and real estate law. She is qualified as a Guardian Ad Litem for children in domestic relations and as a civil litigation and family law mediator. All of the attorneys at A. Traub & Associates are leaders in their fields and active members of their local bar associations. They pride themselves on being honest and approachable with their clients while being tough legal advocates during their cases. About A. Traub & Associates A. Traub & Associates is a full-service law firm in Illinois that represents clients in cases involving family law, estate planning, real estate, criminal defense, and business law. Our attorneys will clearly explain complex legal matters so you can understand your options and make informed decisions. To schedule an appointment at our Lombard or Arlington Heights office, call 630-426-0196 or visit https://www.atclaw.com. Center for Community Solutions (CCS), the leading non-profit agency in San Diego that offers a complete range of sexual assault, stalking, and intimate partner violence prevention and intervention services, announced that it will host the first of two events commemorating its 50th Anniversary on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 atop the USS Midway Museum. Academy Award winning actor and womens rights advocate Geena Davis will serve as the celebrity keynote speaker at the event. Geena Davis is one of Hollywoods most respected actors, appearing in several films that became cultural landmarks such as Thelma and Louise, A League of Their Own, Tootsie, Beetlejuice and Stuart Little. She is not only an Oscar and Golden Globe-winning actor but is widely recognized for her tireless advocacy of women and girls. She is the Founder and Chair of the non-profit Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, was appointed Special Envoy for Women and Girls in ICT for the United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is an official partner of UN Women. In addition to the celebrity keynote, CCS will offer a tribute to Vice President Joe Biden and the 25th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), landmark legislation that was authored and sponsored by then Senator Biden. For the past 25 years, VAWA has strengthened the nations criminal justice and coordinated community-based response to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking crimes. Before recent headlines and hashtags helped bring international spotlight on the issues of sexual assault and domestic violence, CCS has been behind the scenes providing survivors with tools and resources to live and thrive, said Vern Griffin-Tabor, chief executive officer. It is with great pride that CCS unveils our plans to celebrate our 50th Anniversary. We invite all San Diegans to join us in supporting the ongoing effort to end the violence and start the healing. Marriott Daughters Foundation is the Platinum Sponsor for the 50th Anniversary. Started in 1969 on the campus of San Diego State University as the first Womens Studies Department in the U.S., CCS created an underground railroad of private homes helping women and children escape domestic violence. The organization has since expanded to provide a wide variety of prevention and intervention services to eliminate societal conditions that condone and perpetuate relationship and sexual violence, and to promote safety, justice, and healing for those impacted by these crimes. Services include a free and confidential 24-hour crisis counseling hotline, hospital accompaniment for sexual assault and domestic violence survivors during forensic examinations, three 24-hour emergency domestic violence shelters, victim advocacy, trauma-informed counseling services, legal assistance, and prevention education. CCS 50th Anniversary year will be anchored by two fundraising events, the 50th Anniversary Gala on June 5, 2019 at the USS Midway Museum, and its annual Tea & Tonic event which will be held in October (date and location, TBD). Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased online at http://www.ccssd.org. For more information, contact Kimberly Jenks at 858-693-2369 or kjenks(at)ccssd.org. About Center for Community Solutions Celebrating 50 years in San Diego, Center for Community Solutions (CCS) is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit corporation that provides prevention and intervention services for survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence. Founded in 1969, CCS has remained committed to solving the problems of relationship violence and abuse, improving the lives of survivors, and changing the social conditions that breed and tolerate their existence. CCS assisted more than 22,000 San Diegans last year and operates the only Rape Crisis Center in San Diego. For more information, visit http://www.ccssd.org. AdventHealth Wesley Chapel is committed to providing high-quality, whole-person care for our community by investing in the best doctors and most advanced medical technology, said Denyse Bales-Chubb, President and CEO of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has once again been named one of the nations 100 Top Hospitals by IBM Watson Health. This recognition spotlights the top-performing hospitals in the country based on clinical, operational and patient satisfaction metrics and data. AdventHealth Wesley Chapel is committed to providing high-quality, whole person care for our community by investing in the best doctors and most advanced medical technology, said Denyse Bales-Chubb, President and CEO of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. This award recognizes the dedication of our team to our patients every day. AdventHealth Wesley Chapel was also recently named one of Americas 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience, Patient Safety and Obstetrics by the Womens Choice Award. The Womens Choice Award evaluates specific Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey results along with primary research about womens healthcare preferences. Since opening in 2012, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has established itself as a national leader for patient care, safety and satisfaction earning recognition from a variety of industry leaders. The hospital has four consecutive A grades in safety from the prestigious Leapfrog Group and has earned the recognition of Top General Hospital. AdventHealth Wesley Chapel continues to grow and expand services. This year, work will start on a new medical office building that will bring more outpatient services and physicians to the community. The project also includes additional parking space for patients, visitors and staff. AdventHealth, formerly Florida Hospital, continues to deliver the same unique brand of compassionate whole person care, with the same team of dedicated physicians and staff, and the same mission under a new name. IBM Watson Health has conducted this survey for 30 years. For more information on the award, visit http://www.100tophospitals.com. About AdventHealth West Florida Division (Formerly Florida Hospital) The West Florida Division of AdventHealth has some of the nations brightest medical minds making lifesaving breakthroughs with surgical pioneers, scientists and researchers using leading edge technology and innovation to deliver our brand of whole-person care. Our network of care includes AdventHealth Carrollwood, AdventHealth Connerton, AdventHealth Dade City, AdventHealth Lake Placid, AdventHealth North Pinellas, AdventHealth Ocala, AdventHealth Sebring, AdventHealth Tampa, AdventHealth Wauchula, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and AdventHealth Zephyrhills, as well as three freestanding offsite Emergency Rooms including AdventHealth Central Pasco ER, AdventHealth Palm Harbor ER and AdventHealth TimberRidge ER. We are more than hospitals, as we have a robust system of care including specialty acute care, over 200 primary care and specialty employed physicians, Express Care at Walgreens clinics, urgent care centers, wound care, physical therapy and home health care. AdventHealth Wesley Chapel is a faith-based not-for-profit health care system with a mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ. AdventHealth has hundreds of care sites and nearly 50 hospitals across the United States. For more information about AdventHealth, visit AdventHealth.com, or Facebook.com/AdventHealth, and for West Florida Division, click here. About IBM Watson Health Watson Health is a business unit of IBM that is dedicated to the development and implementation of cognitive and data-driven technologies to advance health. Watson Health technologies are tackling a wide range of the worlds biggest health care challenges, including cancer, diabetes, drug discovery and more. Learn more. Aliant Payments Inc., a leading U.S. based provider of merchant services and payment processing, announced today that it has added Bob Moore Auto Group to its expanding roster of merchants accepting cryptocurrency payments. This partnership makes Bob Moore Auto Group one of the first auto dealers in the United States, and the first one in the state of Oklahoma, to accept payments in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin for cars, parts, and service at its Subaru dealership in Oklahoma City. After measuring the success of the program at its Subaru dealership, the auto group will consider expanding crypto payments to other Bob Moore dealerships including Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, KIA, Land Rover, Maserati, Mazda, Nissan, Porsche, and Ram. "We're thrilled to add Bob Moore Auto Group to our growing roster of merchants accepting cryptocurrency payments," said Aliant CEO Eric Brown. It's exciting to see cryptocurrency adoption continue to spread in the automotive industry, and for Aliants technology to be a part of it. As the premier dealership group in Oklahoma we are excited to be the first in the state and one of the first large groups in the country to adopt cryptocurrency as a form of payment, said Bob Moore Subaru General Manager, Charles E. Davis. Subaru is a progressive brand and only deserving to be the first one to institute digital currency in the group. We expect great things from this ever-evolving space and with Aliant payment systems ability to remove the volatility, we were able to make it a reality. Aliant became one of the first payment processing companies to offer merchants the ability to accept cryptocurrency payments in September 2017. In July 2018 it announced that it had developed its own domestic, fully compliant solution that processes crypto payments, converts cryptocurrency to USD, and offers merchants next day payouts. Aliants payment processing system mitigates the risk of volatility of cryptocurrencies for merchants, making easier the adoption of cryptocurrencies by anyone. For more information, please contact Casey Olsher at casey(at)aliantpayments(dot)com About Aliant Payments, Inc. Aliant Payments is a Fort Lauderdale, Floridabased payment processing and independent merchant services provider that is the first to offer credit card, debit card, and crypto payment solutions. Founded by Eric Brown in 2003, Aliant enables brickandmortar, ecommerce and mobile vendors worldwide to accept various payment forms, and it provides a complete line of credit card machines, ATMs and payment technology. To learn more about Aliant Payments, please visit http://www.aliantpayments.com About Bob Moore Auto Group Based in the greater Oklahoma City area, Bob Moore Auto Group provides an array of elite automobile services including sales, finance and collision repair on a myriad of automotive brands including Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, KIA, Land Rover, Maserati, Mazda, Nissan, Porsche, Ram and Subaru. To learn more about Bob Moore Auto Group, visit https://www.bobmoore.com Artsphoria Media Group has launched a New Workshop, Conference & Retreat Series. The first session titled Women Trailblazers: Female Founders & CEOs Carving Their Own Paths, will be held on March 14, 2019, from 1:30 to 4 p.m., at the Free Library of Philadelphia. An exciting line-up of speakers will address balancing arts and business needs to help their organizations and creative projects thrive: BLANKA ZIZKA has been the artistic director of The Wilma Theater, where she has directed more than 70 plays and musicals, since 1981. She is the founder of the Wilma HotHouse: a resident ensemble of theater artists, formally launched in 2016, to serve as an incubator for artistic investigation and experimentation. Blanka was honored to be selected into the 2017 Class of the Innovators Walk of Fame by the University Science Center, which spotlights local innovators. She is a recipient of the 2016 Vilcek Prize. Blanka received the Zelda Fichandler Award from the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation in 2011, and she was a fellow at the 2015 Sundance Institute/LUMA Foundation Theatre Directors Retreat. JOAN MYERS BROWN is the founder and executive artistic director of The Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO) and The Philadelphia School of Dance Arts. She serves as honorary chairperson for the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD), an organization she established in 1991. Joan also founded the International Conference of Black Dance Companies in 1988. She is a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, which bestowed upon her an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts; is a member of the dance faculty at Howard University in Washington, DC; and has been awarded an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa. In May 2015, she received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from The University of Pennsylvania. She has been listed in Whos Who in America and described as an innovator and communicator. SARAH STOLFA is the founder, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Photo Arts Center. She is a working fine-art photographer and educator with more than 8 years of experience in photography, education, curatorial work and digital lab creation and management. She has an M.F.A. in photography from Yale University School of Art. In addition to teaching at PPAC, Sarah Stolfa has taught at the Yale University Art Gallery, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the University of Delaware and Drexel University. She currently teaches at the University of Pennsylvania. Raffles during the event include two show tickets to see Dionysus at the Wilma Theater, two tickets to see PHILADANCO at the Kimmel Center, The Regulars (photography book) by Sarah Stolfa and Artsphoria's handcrafted arts-themed gifts. Advertising and sponsorship opportunities are also available for this event and Artsphoria's ongoing workshop, conference and retreat series. Media members are invited to cover this event as well as upcoming sessions. Seating is limited, and all guests need to register. Please sign up now to attend this free event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-trailblazers-female-founders-ceos-carving-their-own-paths-tickets-57146158699 We are aggressively moving ahead with this new design of our FabricXpress platform to allow our military forces to easily transport and set up a high-density, high-performance data center anywhere in the world on a moments notice. - Bill Miller, Axellio CEO Axellio, Inc. today announced it secured a research and development contract from the United States Air Force to develop FX-Blox, a portable edge-computing platform designed to fit in a carry-on suitcase while providing the capability of a high-performance enterprise data center. Axellio was one of 51 small businesses awarded a contract during the inaugural USAF Pitch Days held last week in New York. The Pitch Days program provides a fast track for innovative companies to work with the Air Force. Out of more than 400 applications from throughout the country, 59 were invited to New York to compete for up to $158,000 in instantaneous Phase 1 Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) funding. The traditional SBIR process can take months just to make the decision and then several more months to finalize the contract. Modeled after commercial investment pitch competitions, the program awarded 51 contracts with a total initial value of $8.75 million in a matter of minutes using simplified one-page contracts. Air Force officials hope that these types of programs can dramatically accelerate cutting-edge technologies to the warfighters. FX-Blox is based on Axellios FabricXpress product, which leverages a novel bus-switching invention that creates a super highway to converged processing, memory, and storage components. It is the worlds fastest and largest capacity edge-computing system, enabling real-time advanced analytics on massive volumes of high velocity data. Axellio is proud to be part of the small group of companies selected during the Air Force Pitch Days, said Axellio CEO Bill Miller. We are aggressively moving ahead with this new design of our FabricXpress platform to allow our military forces to easily transport and set up a high-density, high-performance data center anywhere in the world on a moments notice. About Axellio Inc. Axellio Inc. is the emerging leader in edge computing solutions and platforms. We provide performance that redefines what is possible and breaks the mold of traditional scale-up and out architecture with a scale-in philosophy. Our solutions take IT teams, solution providers and OEMs in cybersecurity, financial markets, defense and intelligence, healthcare, telecom and industrial markets to the edge of computing and beyond. Re-imagine what is possible in your cloud, datacenter and HCI environment Axellio turns it into reality. To learn more, visit axellio.com. Bankers' Bank and MK Decision christening the new partnership. From left to right: Har Rai Khalsa, MK Decision; Robert Jarosinski, Bankers' Bank, Guru Dharam Khalsa; MK Decision) Its a game changer. With MKs CCOS our community bank partners will have the ability to freely market their credit card programs without fear of capacity constraints, fraud or friction, says Robert Jarosinski, FVP BankCards & Payments for Bankers' Bank. Bankers' Bank is collaborating with MK Decision to bring MKs Credit Card Origination System (CCOS) to over 100 community bank partners throughout the Midwest. This agreement will allow community banks to offer credit card applicants a streamlined online credit decision experience. According to Robert Jarosinski, First Vice President of BankCards & Payments at Bankers Bank, When selecting a system, we werent just looking for a product that would provide an industry leading experience, we wanted someone who shared our community values. With products that drive fee income and cultivate brand identity becoming a central focus for all community banks, removing barriers for interested credit card applicants and improving application processing are critical strategies. "Many Community Banks are losing borrowers online to Big Banks and FinTechs. This is largely due to antiquated borrowing experiences, paper-intensive application processes, and completely manual underwriting. MK Decision solves these problems with a digital loan origination platform that automates credit decisioning. Decisions that used to take days can now be completed in seconds says MKs CEO, Har Rai Khalsa. Community bank partners with Bankers Bank will benefit from: Simple, easy-to-use borrower experiences Automated credit decisions Increased origination volume and fee income Reduced operational and compliance burdens Its a game changer. With MKs CCOS our community bank partners will have the ability to freely market their credit card programs without fear of capacity constraints, fraud or friction, says Jarosinski. Each site will be customized to the community banks brand. Whether a bank wants a turn-key program or prefers something more hands-on, Bankers Bank can meet their needs. The industry-leading origination solution is planned to go live in the second quarter of 2019. About Bankers Bancorporation, Inc. & Bankers Bank Bankers Bancorporation, Inc. is the parent company of Bankers Bank, a bank-owned correspondent based in Madison, Wisconsin, since 1981. Bankers Bank is the Midwests leading provider of banking services to community banks, with offices in the Madison, Chicago, Des Moines, and Indianapolis areas serving the four-state area and beyond. As an independent source of non-competing financial services, the Bank serves a market of over 700 financial institutions. The Bank does not serve the public so it never competes with client banks for business. More information is available at BankersBank.com About MK Decision MK Decisions mission is to make lending simple. MK offers the only lending platform designed for marketing and sales initiatives within the community bank. Start gaining business from competitors and improve customer account opening experiences using MK's simple, beautiful sales funnels and application workflows. MK's platform delivers a better lending experience, through operational efficiency, with automated credit decisions and data-driven fraud prevention across a variety of loan products from credit cards and consumer loans to commercial and small business loans. For more information, visit http://www.mkdecision.com It is important to me for clients to know that I understand this is a difficult time for them...I want to focus on their concerns and build the most effective strategy for representation Well-respected and long-time San Antonio Divorce Attorney, Patricia "PJ" Jay, has returned full-time to the Alamo City to open Beal Law Firm's first office outside the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The firm, including its San Antonio office, will continue to handle Exclusively Family Law, including Divorce, Child Custody, Support, and all other Texas Family Law matters. The San Antonio office will be backed by the entire Beal Law Firm team of 16 attorneys and staff. Jay, who is a 2006 graduate of St. Mary's University School of Law, was named a Texas Super Lawyer for the years 2016-2018 and prior to splitting her time between San Antonio and the Fort Worth office of Beal Law Firm in 2018, was named one of the Top Family Law Attorneys in San Antonio by SA Scene Magazine for the years 2012-2017. While at St. Mary's, Jay was the recipient of the Francisco Leos Award for excellence in clinical studies and was inducted into the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity. Before law school, Jay received her undergrad degree from Texas A&M Commerce and was a licensed Juvenile Probation Officer and Training Coordinator. Jay is licensed in both Texas and Oklahoma and has handled Texas Divorce and Custody matters for over 12 years. Beal Law Firm, PLLC currently has twelve lawyers and four offices. It is led by its two Members, Eric Beal, and Constance Mims, both of whom are Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and have various other distinctions and honors. Beal Law Firm began as the Law Offices of Eric Beal in May 1992 when Beal left the large firms of Dallas to open a solo practice in Arlington serving clients in the DFW Metroplex and beyond. Over its almost 27-year existence, BLF has represented clients from New York to California and from the UK to China. Additionally, the firm has handled cases throughout Texas, from Amarillo to Houston and El Paso to East Texas. The firm can be found at http://www.dfwdivorce.com. Alpet D2 Quat-Free Surface Sanitizer is Now Approved Under the Washington State Department of Agriculture Organic Food Program. Now that Alpet D2 Quat-Free Surface Sanitizer is approved under WSDA Organic Program, even more facilities will have access to a surface sanitizer that will fit their plants specific needs. Organic food processors and food handlers in need of a surface sanitizer without quaternary ammonium (quat) now have an effective product for cleaning and sanitizing food contact and non-food contact surfaces in their facilities. Originally released in 2017, Alpet D2 Quat-Free Surface Sanitizer has now been approved under the Washington State Department of Agriculture Organic Food Program. Best Sanitizers Inc.s Alpet D2 Quat-Free Surface Sanitizer is an effective cleaner and sanitizer for hard, non-porous surfaces and can be used throughout the entire processing plant. The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Organic Program is accredited as a certification agent by USDA. Their main role is to inspect and certify organic operations; verify that facilities are meeting requirements of USDA organic standards. The WSDA has been serving the public for more than 100 years. Alpet D2 Quat-Free Surface Sanitizer is ready-to-use, requires no rinse, and leaves no unsightly residue. Alpet D2 Quat-Free Surface Sanitizer has the fastest kill times available for a food contact and non-food contact surface sanitizer. It is highly evaporative and ideal for water sensitive equipment and dry processing environments. Food safety professionals can clean and sanitize surfaces with this product, which saves time and adds convenience. On pre-cleaned food contact surfaces including non-porous waterproof gloves, Alpet D2 Quat-Free Surface Sanitizer kills 99.999% of 8 pathogens in 60 seconds, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Enterobacter sakazakii and Vibrio cholerae. Alpet D2 Quat-Free Surface Sanitizer kills 99.9% of tested bacteria in 10 seconds on pre-cleaned, non-food contact surfaces, including non-porous waterproof footwear. It is NSF listed, and Kosher, Pareve and Halal certified. Alpet D2 Quat-Free Surface Sanitizer may be a good solution for the many organic growers, manufacturers and packers who are looking for a quat-free sanitizer. This unique surface sanitizer provides processors who cant use quat with an effective tool in the fight against cross-contamination, added Ryan Witt, Best Sanitizers Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Now that Alpet D2 Quat-Free Surface Sanitizer is approved under WSDA Organic Program, even more facilities will have access to a surface sanitizer that will fit their plants specific needs. Alpet D2 Quat-Free Surface Sanitizer is available in one quart bottles with trigger sprayers, 5 gallon pails, 5 gallon pails with insert and dip tube to fit Best Sanitizers footwear sanitizing units and 50 gallon drums. Food processors in the U.S and Canada are invited to request a free sample to see if Alpet D2 Quat-free is right for them. To learn more about Alpet D2 Quat-Free Surface Sanitizer or any of Best Sanitizers other products, please visit http://www.bestsanitizers.com or call 888-225-3267 for more information. About Best Sanitizers, Inc: Since 1995, Best Sanitizers, Inc. has been providing the Food Processing, Janitorial Sanitation and Healthcare industries with the highest quality hand soaps, hand sanitizers, surface sanitizers and dispensing options available. Youll find our products helping processors large and small reduce the risk of pathogens throughout the US. Best Sanitizers was the first company to achieve an E3 rating for an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and the first to achieve a D2 rating for an alcohol/quat-based surface sanitizer for food contact surfaces. Best Sanitizers continues to explore new and innovative ways to deliver hand hygiene and surface sanitation solutions. Real property deeds and affidavits of death Post death transfer of California real property requires and an "affidavit of death of trustee." Post Death Trust Administration Tip Sheet explained by Deed and Record. Two documents are needed to transfer California real property from a trust to beneficiaries of the trust - a deed and an affidavit of death of trustee. An affidavit death of trustee is a declaration, under oath, by the successor trustee. The successor trustee declares the owner has died and attaches a certified copy of the death certificate. The successor trustee further declares he or she is authorized to take control of the real estate property. The affidavit is filed with the county recorder where the real property is located. It is now of public record the successor trustee has the authority to take control of the real property. Control is limited to what is directed in the trust. Typically, the trust directs the successor trustee to distribute the real estate property to individuals identified in the trust. Distribution is by either sale of the real property or transfer of ownership. If the successor trustee sells the property, the affidavit death of trustee is all that is required. Escrow and title will use the affidavit as the successor trustees authority to sell the property. Ownership transfer of real property is by deed out of the trust to the beneficiaries of the trust. The deed must conform to format requirements of California law and contain a legal description. An example of wording is John Doe, Successor Trustee to the Smith Revocable Trust grants to Jane Smith and Joe Smith real property located in the State of California, county of . A Preliminary Change of Ownership Report is required with each affidavit and deed. This report provides additional information and is submitted with the deed. This report is not recorded. Two additional documents may be needed with the affidavit and deed. If an exemption exists to the $75 tax imposed by Senate Bill 2 Building Homes and Jobs Act, a cover sheet citing the reason is placed in front of the deed. Some counties in California have an additional county specific document that is an affidavit stating the reason no transfer tax is due. Two documents are needed to transfer California real property from a trust to beneficiaries of the trust; a deed and an affidavit of death of trustee. An affidavit death of trustee is a declaration, under oath, by the successor trustee. If the successor trustee sells the property, the affidavit death of trustee is all that is required. Ownership transfer of real property is by deed out of the trust to the beneficiaries of the trust. This press release was provided by Mark W. Bidwell, an attorney licensed by the state of California. Office is located at 4952 Warner Avenue, Suite 235, Huntington Beach, CA 92649. Telephone is 714-846-2888. Website is http://www.DeedAndRecord.com Cantsink Certified Installer Elevating Historic Church in Davis, NC Code requirements in some states may change as intense, prolonged storms ... establish new precedents for flood potential. With more than 30 years of experience in foundation stability, Cantsink, with its patented helical piers, can be a key component in durable construction and remediation. With the frequency of extreme weather making home elevation and foundation stability increasingly important, Cantsink will offer information on its cost-effective helical piers at the International Association of Structural Movers Convention, March 27-31 in the Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas DFW Airport North. Storm and tidal surges, high winds, and soaking rains intensify natural surroundings in water-adjacent localities, requiring sound foundation elements resistant to the effects of punishing conditions. In the wake of devastating property loss from powerful storms, some U.S. states are updating their building codes to reflect the lessons learned from catastrophic weather, including increased elevation requirements. Cantsink offers a wide range of ICC-certified products that keep foundations stable in all types of soils and climates, and can be key to success in raising existing structures. Learn more about Cantsinks products and their remarkable versatility at its exhibit in Dallas. Cantsink offers installer certification training at its Metro Atlanta headquarters for no fee, with ongoing sales and marketing support for its installer network. Whether for remedial work following flooding or extreme weather, or as a preventive measure for structures in vulnerable locations, helical piers offer a cost-effective solution for lasting structural stability in any environment. Cantsinks patented helical piers, made in Metro Atlanta from 100% U.S. steel, were used for remedial foundation repair during the Build It Back program in the Mid-Atlantic region devastated by Hurricane Sandy. 2018 set a national record for rainfall in the U.S. with particularly notable totals in many parts of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Hurricane Florence contributed significantly to a total of 102 inches of rainfall in the area around the coastal city of Wilmington, NC. Flooding in that region caused as much as $50 billion in property damage. Flooding after heavy rains also created havoc in parts of Maryland last year, causing an estimated $22.4 million in property damage. Atlanta, GA, experienced its second-highest rainfall total in 2018 with over 71 inches through the year. Hurricane Michael, which devastated the town of Mexico Beach, FL, also caused significant inland flooding with substantial damage across five states, including Georgia. Some Houston area businesses and homeowners took the preemptive step of elevating their structures ahead of Hurricane Harvey and subsequent new code requirements. These properties fared far better than their neighbors when Harvey dumped more than 60 inches of rain on coastal Texas in 2017. After Harvey, many Houston area residents who formerly believed their properties were outside of storm threats and flood-prone areas have reconsidered their potential vulnerability. Code requirements in some states may change as intense, prolonged storms such as Harvey and Florence establish new precedents for flood potential. With more than 30 years of experience in foundation stability, Cantsink, with its patented helical piers, can be a key component in durable construction and remediation. Find out more about the many structural applications Cantsink products provide. Visit the Cantsink exhibit in Dallas, March 27-31, or its website at http://www.cantsink.com. Cherry Blossom Happy Hour with Japanese Whisky Tasting Flight This spring, Capital Hilton partners with the National Cherry Blossom Festival to offer guests a Cherry Blossom Petal Pass Package, to experience the exceptional moment on the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. As an official partner of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Hiltons Petal Pass is the perfect way for guests to explore the blossoms with access to Petalpalooza on April 6, as well as a Cherry Blossom Festival Map, and many other Petal Pass holder exclusive events all detailed on the National Cherry Blossom Festival website. The ideal spring getaway offering is designed to create a unique way to experience the cherry blossoms while in full bloom. Couple the offerings with Capital Hilton accommodations, a perfect home base to walk to the White House and Tidal Basin, touring the blossoms as well as celebrate the rich history of this Washington, DC tradition. To complement the vibrant time of year, the hotels Statler Lounge Team has prepared a Japanese Cherry Blossom happy hour highlighting a Japanese whisky tasting with appetizer pairings from Chef Andrew. The special menu will be available to guests during the hotel Cherry Blossom Package dates (March 14 - April 22, 2019) between 4:30-7PM. Blocks away from museums, monuments, other historical sites along with a plethora of dining and shopping options, the iconic Capital Hilton provides a convenient location to go beyond the enjoyment of this favorite past time. Guests interested in experiencing the beauty of nature in the Nations Capital, celebrating international friendship, and enjoying a part of the historic Cherry Blossom Festival this spring, will love the Cherry Blossom Petal Pass Package. To learn more about our spring offerings and to start planning your DC getaway, visit capitalhilton.com or call (202) 393-1000. Cherry Blossom Petal Pass Package (March 14 - April 22, 2019): Washington DC Cherry Blossom Petal Pass Welcome Bento Box with Japanese Treats Complimentary Continental Breakfast Complimentary Guest Room Wi-Fi Starting at $149.00 + tax of 14.95% (subject to availability) Breakfast Included Package (March 14 - May 19, 2019): Daily Complimentary Continental Breakfast for registered guests Starting at $139.00 + tax of 14.95% (subject to availability) About Capital Hilton: Opened in 1943 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Capital Hilton has a proud tradition of welcoming the worlds travelers to Washington, DC for over 75 years. The Capital Hilton has had the honor of hosting presidents, dignitaries, and countless notable leaders alike and is a Historic Hotels of America member hotel. Located two blocks from the White House and National Mall, the hotel is central to top attractions, shopping, dining, museums and historic sites. Visit capitalhilton.com for more information, and connect with Capital Hilton on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About Hilton Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 17 world-class brands comprising more than 5,600 properties with nearly 913,000 rooms, in 113 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the worlds most hospitable company, Hilton earned a spot on the 2018 worlds best workplaces list, and has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its nearly 100 year history. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, more than 85 million members who book directly with Hilton have access to instant benefits, including digital check-in with room selection, Digital Key, and Connected Room. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. CMSA 2019 Annual Conference & Expo | June 10-14, 2019 | Las Vegas, NV Early bird registration rates, the lowest rates of the year, are available through April 1 only. As an added bonus, each paid full conference registrant also receives a complimentary full year CMSA membership. Open registration for the Case Management Society of Americas 29th Annual Conference & Expo, themed Navigating the Full Spectrum of Case Management, continues as CMSA makes plans to host the annual event in Las Vegas, NV, June 10-14, 2019. This conference is the only case management industry conference serving the educational and networking needs of case and care managers in all practice settings. Early bird registration rates, the lowest rates of the year, are available through April 1 only. As an added bonus, each paid full conference registrant also receives a complimentary full year CMSA membership. 2019 REGISTRATION RATES REGISTRATION TYPE: EARLY BIRD (Valid until 4/1/19) /STANDARD (Valid after 4/1/19) Standard: $775/$895 DoD/VA: $675/$795 Military: $605/$725 This conference aims to spark conversations and provide strategies, solutions and practical tools to help build successful collaborative care teams. Through educational and poster sessions, attendees will have an opportunity to learn and share best practices in demonstrating impact and improving outcomes in medical, social and behavioral health across the continuum. Additionally, concurrent sessions will explore eight key practice settings: acute care, discipline specific case management, leadership, legal/regulatory, long term care, managed care, population health and workers compensation. Breakfast and lunch symposia will enhance attendee knowledge of specific disease states such as stroke, diabetes and asthma. Keynote presenters include Vernice FlyGirl Armour, Americas first African American female combat pilot. With her fresh, edgy style, contagious energy and gutsy essence, FlyGirl will help attendees create a breakthrough mentality and life! The main session keynote, Anton J. Gunn, MSW, CDM, CSP, best-selling author, hospital executive and former healthcare spokesperson for the President of the United States, will share five keys to unlock greater influence and impact as a leader. Closing keynote, Colette Carlson, a human behavior expert, will inspire attendees to connect and communicate in relevant ways. Get ready to laugh-out-loud while learning to make positive, long-lasting changes in the way you manage time and stress. CMSA expects to attract over 1,800 healthcare professionals to the main conference, pre and post conference educational activities, certification courses, peer-to-peer networking and a special daylong event dedicated to our military, VA and DoD case managers. Over 200 exhibiting companies will provide information and demonstrations regarding the most current products and services. Attendees will accrue new resources and connections to advance their abilities to recommend and implement the latest technologies when they return to their practice. Learn more and register at the best rates of the year at cmsa.org/conference About the Case Management Society of America (CMSA) Established in 1990, the Case Management Society of America is the leading non-profit association dedicated to the support and development of the profession of case management. CMSA serves more than 30,000 members, subscribers and participants, and 85 chapters worldwide, through educational forums, networking opportunities, legislative advocacy and established standards to advance the profession. For more information, visit http://www.cmsa.org or follow CMSA on Twitter @CMSANational. Yoga Teacher Training in Thailand Centered Yoga has unique expertise in the field of breath regulation and pranayama based on Pauls pioneering work linking academic scientific research and classic yoga practice under his PhD at Emory University (Atlanta, USA). From humble beginnings in New York City in 1999 to its home today at Samahita Retreat on Koh Samui, Thailand, Centered Yoga has continually offered quality, foundation level and advanced yoga teacher trainings for twenty years. Samahita founder, Paul Dallaghan, originally founded Centered Yoga and continues to teach on the majority of the trainings today. The move to Thailand to set up Samahita Retreat (then Yoga Thailand) in 2003 was inspired by a desire to offer an ideal place for practice, growth and living. Very little yoga existed in Asia at the time -- a stark contrast to todays booming yoga retreat scene in the region. Paul and his partner had a call to create a space for yoga where people could spend time while benefiting from the beautiful nature, and with high standards of food, hygiene and space for practice. In 2008 the center moved to a quieter, more secluded part of the island on the south of Koh Samui where it still thrives today. Since its beginning, thousands of students have been certified to the high standards that Centered Yoga trainings offer, far beyond the 200 hour Yoga Alliance requirements. The ethos has always been one of service, care, and quality, just some of the compelling reasons to choose to study at Centered Yoga over other newer trainings offered in the region. Its continued success is largely down to reputation and a focus on high standards that has stood the test of time, even with strong competition on the island and in Thailand and Asia at large in recent years. Centered Yoga offers three 200-hour trainings, and three to four Advanced trainings every year at Samahita, with a team of highly experienced teachers, and with the full support and care that has gone into the center, the food and the programs. Centered Yoga also has unique expertise in the field of breath regulation and pranayama based on Pauls pioneering work linking academic scientific research and classic yoga practice under his PhD at Emory University (Atlanta, USA). After 20 years of leading trainings, Paul offers this advice to those thinking of becoming a yoga teacher: Make sure you connect with practice and try to understand what you are doing and why. You will then be more sincere and motivated to keep it up. If it is done regularly going ahead in to the future then you will experience something and have a better understanding of how yoga works, how to do the practice, and in your heart you will feel why it is worth doing. This is then the incredible gift to share as a teacher to others as you continue your own path. Samahita Retreat is precisely that place to connect with practice. The center started and grew from pure devotion and dedication to providing a space of support and practice, health of mind and body, that is good for people in their lives, that they can learn and carry home with them. That same interest and motivation clearly still exists today, is behind all that is offered at the center, and supports the growth and evolution of Centered Yoga trainings. About Samahita Retreat Established in 2003, Samahita Retreat is an intimate yet vibrant beachfront retreat center hidden away from Thailands busy tourist areas. Owned and directed by scientist, yogi and teacher, Paul Dallaghan, who was selected by Emory Universitys anthropology department, (Atlanta, GA, USA) for PhD work with a focus on the cultural and scientific aspects of yoga practice and knowledge, the retreat center is a friendly and inclusive spot for yoga and fitness holidays, yoga teacher training, detox, wellness programs, or simple relaxation - perfect for newbies looking for a way to get started in these methods, and known by those experienced as a place for expert guidance. Samahita Retreat is located at 55/20-24 Moo 4 Namuang, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand. To learn more, visit the website at http://www.samahitaretreat.com, or email info@samahitaretreat.com. In addition to highlighting our Oracle CX Cloud add-ons and integration accelerators, we will focus on bringing together JD Edwards & Oracle Cloud customers to show them how they can best leverage the latest tools, technologies and capabilities to deliver Integrated ERP/CX Digital Experiences. Circular Edge, a Gold level and Cloud Standard member of Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN), today announced its Oracle Customer Experience (CX) Cloud innovations including Integrated ERP/CX Digital Experiences, Oracle CX Cloud add-ons and CX Integration Accelerators which will be highlighted during Oracles Modern Customer Experience and Modern Business Experience conferences. Held March 19-21 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Modern Customer Experience is Oracles annual conference, dedicated to helping thousands of customer experience (CX) professionals advance their careers and exceed in the Experience Economy. At Modern Business Experience presented by Oracle, you will learn from your finance, human resources and supply chain communities, plus connect across teams to propel your business forward. As a sponsor of Modern Customer Experience, Circular Edge will showcase the tools and technologies Oracles JD Edwards customers can leverage to improve sales, marketing, service, finance, supply chain and human resources processes and capabilities and achieve better automation across applications during two educational sessions as well as at their Sales Exhibit Experience kiosk. JD Edwards & Oracle Cloud User Group Breakfasts: Circular Edge will host concurrent user group breakfasts at the Border Grill Mandalay Bay for JD Edwards customers who have also adopted Oracle CX Cloud, Oracle Supply Chain Management (SCM) Cloud and Oracle Human Capital Management (HCM) Cloud applications. During these annual user group breakfasts, attendees will have the opportunity to network with like-minded JD Edwards professionals who are integrating and blending various Cloud applications. The breakfasts will also feature dedicated roundtables by topic. Oracle CX Cloud Add-ons and CX Integration Adapters: By combining Circular Edges integration adapters and Oracles Engagement Cloud and Configure, Price and Quote (CPQ) Cloud, companies running JD Edwards can simplify, automate and accelerate their quote-to-cash process and optimize sales workflows across departments and applications through establishing a single source of quoting, unifying customer data and deploying out-of-the-box add-ons to improve lead creation and distribution, CRM adoption, data quality, quoting and service request generation. Modern Customer Experience attendees can attend this session to learn more: The Magic of JD Edwards & Oracle CPQ Cloud: Tuesday, March 19, 7:10pm-7:30pm Integrated ERP/CX Digital Experiences: Companies running JD Edwards and preparing to implement, currently implementing or already running Oracle CX Cloud applications can enable their sales, marketing, service, finance, supply chain and HR teams to work more efficiently and deliver Integrated ERP/CX Digital Experiences with better automation, accuracy and global reporting through a single version of the truth, 360-degree customer views, real-time data availability and a near-seamless cross-application user experience. Modern Customer Experience attendees can attend this session to learn more: JD Edwards & Oracle CX Integrated ERP/CX Digital Experiences: Wednesday, March 20, 12:10pm 12:30pm A key objective in many organizations today is to create new value and better customer experiences, improve productivity and efficiency through digital tools and connect people and processes in a more digital, integrated and real-time way, said Sachin Choudhari, Chief Executive Officer. It is encouraging to see so many Oracle JD Edwards customers achieving such objectives using Cloud technologies, robotic process automation tools and CX solutions to enhance experiences and ROI across the entire organization. In addition to highlighting our Oracle CX Cloud add-ons and integration accelerators at Oracles Modern Customer Experience, we will focus on bringing together like minded JD Edwards & Oracle Cloud customers to show them how they can best leverage the latest tools, technologies and capabilities to deliver Integrated ERP/CX Digital Experiences and become truly digital businesses. To learn more about Integrated ERP/CX Digital Experiences powered by Circular Edge and Smart Help, Oracle CX Cloud Add-ons, and to RSVP for a special user group breakfast, visit http://www.circularedge.com/moderncx/. About Modern Customer Experience 2019 Modern Customer Experience arms professionals across commerce, marketing, sales, and service with the tools to deliver legendary customer experiences and exceed in the Experience Economy. This year, Modern Customer Experience will be held at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, from March 19-21, 2019. For registration and additional details, please visit http://go.oracle.com/moderncx. To join the conversation on Twitter please use #ModernCX. About Modern Business Experience 2019 At Modern Business Experience presented by Oracle, you will learn from your finance, human resources, and supply chain communities, plus connect across teams to propel your business forward. This year, Modern Business Experience will be held at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, from March 19-21, 2019. For registration and additional details, please visit https://www.oracle.com/modern-business-experience/. To join the conversation on Twitter please use #OracleMBX. Circular Edge Circular Edge, started in 2003, is a full-service Oracle JD Edwards, Oracle Sales Cloud & Oracle Customer Experience (CX) Cloud Integrations Service Provider. Built from the ground up as a JD Edwards consulting company, we bring extensive JD Edwards and Oracle Sales Cloud domain expertise into Oracle CX Cloud implementations to deliver Integrated ERP/CX Digital Experiences as well as extended post go-live and upgrade cycle support, systems design, training/skills enablement, reports, development, enhancements, conversions and application integrations via Smart Help. For more information about Circular Edge, visit http://www.circularedge.com. Follow Circular Edge on LinkedIn and Twitter. About Oracle PartnerNetwork Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) is Oracle's partner program that provides partners with a differentiated advantage to develop, sell and implement Oracle solutions. OPN offers resources to train and support specialized knowledge of Oracles products and solutions and has evolved to recognize Oracles growing product portfolio, partner base and business opportunity. Key to the latest enhancements to OPN is the ability for partners to be recognized and rewarded for their investment in Oracle Cloud. Partners engaging with Oracle will be able to differentiate their Oracle Cloud expertise and success with customers through the OPN Cloud program an innovative program that complements existing OPN program levels with tiers of recognition and progressive benefits for partners working with Oracle Cloud. To find out more visit: http://www.oracle.com/partners. Trademarks Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Attorney Kyle Anne Citrynell She was well received by the artists, and we were able to partner with Kyle to have an additional 2-hour consultation per artist. They were grateful to have that individual time with her to address their concerns. When invited by the Community Foundation of Louisville for the second year in a row, Louisville full-service law firm Seiller Waterman LLC dispatched their Intellectual Property attorney Citrynell to lecture on Contracts and Copyright. She lectured to the fellows of a Community Foundation of Louisville(CFL) program called Hadley Creatives. With over $530 million in assets and over 1,600 charitable funds, Hadley Creatives is made possible through the George and Mary Alice Hadley Endowment Fund at the Community Foundation of Louisville. Citrynell lectured and is providing private consulting to this years class of 15 artists, including dancers, writers, visual, and media artists. My lecture, Citrynell said, is a survey of the intellectual property and contract issues that creators of artistic works encounter in operating their businesses. I am also providing separate consults with each artist to deal with actual real life issues they are confronting. Her talk focused on copyright, trademarks and trade secrets, with attention to contracts, employment and estate planning matters that have intellectual property implications for people who own intellectual property rights. Citrynell added, It may not be something artists think about, but they should. The Community Foundations Hadley Creatives is empowering Louisvilles creative sector through a comprehensive 6-month professional development program. Through their 5-year commitment, they intend to cultivate a supportive community of diverse, multi-disciplinary creatives committed to professional best practices, career planning, and advocacy. The overall goal of the program is to let all creatives know that Louisville is truly a community where artists thrive. Kyle is a noted expert in our community on intellectual property and we wanted our Hadley Creatives Artists to learn from one of the leading experts on this topic stated Ramona Lindsey, CFL Program Officer. She was well received by the artists, and we were able to partner with Kyle to have an additional 2-hour consultation per artist. They were grateful to have that individual time with her to address their concerns. We are planning to host three more classes of Hadley Creatives over the next three years, and hopefully, we can continue this partnership with Kyle. For 38 years, Citrynell has co-mingled art with professional legal representation. My first job out of school was with the Kentucky Arts Commission to set up a statewide Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts-type program called Professional Services to the Arts. I knew I wanted to practice in this area because of that first job. It gave me a real advantage in that I was in contact with artists all over the state, she stated. Citrynell served on the Board of Governors of the Speed Museum for six years. She recently joined the board of Anchal Project, Inc., an international creative textile product development and women empowerment organization. Seiller Waterman is a member of Legal Netlink Alliance and Citrynell has represented her law firm as a member of the Alliances executive committee since 2006. According to its Website, Legal Netlink Alliance is a global alliance of carefully selected, midsized, general practice, independent law firms. Firms are selected for membership because they represent a high level of quality and integrity. The networks membership of first class law firms gives the client access to quality legal representation virtually anywhere in the world. About Seiller Waterman LLC Seiller Waterman LLC is a true full-service law firm that represents a wide variety of businesses, financial institutions and individual clients in the areas of litigation, corporate and business law, real estate, employment law, intellectual property, bankruptcy and financial restructuring, domestic relations, estate planning and taxation. For more information, please call (502) 584-7400, or visit http://www.derbycitylaw.com. About The Community Foundation of Louisville The Community Foundation of Louisville is a force for good. As a leader in philanthropy, we connect donors, nonprofits and civic partners to create lasting impact in community so people and place thrive. Founded in 1984, the Community Foundation is the largest charitable foundation in Kentucky with more than $530 million in assets and more than 1,600 charitable funds. Each fund has its own name and charitable purpose as defined by its donors. In 2017, these funds made 9,500 grants totaling $73 million, approximately 80% of which stayed in Kentucky and Southern Indiana to support area nonprofits. To learn how you can be a part of this force for good, visit http://www.cflouisville.org For media inquiries, please call the NALA at 805.650.6121, ext. 361. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Phi Kappa Phi chapter and Kennedy Elementary School are extremely grateful for this Literacy Grant from Phi Kappa Phi, as purchasing books ... is necessary for the successful continuation of our project, said 2018 Literacy Grant recipient Bethany Pletcher. The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phithe nations oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor societyis currently accepting applications for its Literacy Grant programs until Monday, April 1. The Literacy Grant Program, established in 2003, was created to provide funding to Phi Kappa Phi chapters and members for literacy initiatives that reinforce part of the Societys mission: to engage the community of scholars in service to others. Grants of up to $2,500 are available for new and ongoing projects ranging from traditional reading initiatives to those fostering learning in cultural, digital, financial, health, historical literacy and beyond. In 2018, Phi Kappa Phi funded 13 literacy projects in communities throughout the United States. The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Phi Kappa Phi chapter and Kennedy Elementary School are extremely grateful for this Literacy Grant from Phi Kappa Phi, as purchasing books for our undergraduate student tutors and children to use during tutorial sessions is necessary for the successful continuation of our project, said 2018 Literacy Grant recipient Bethany Pletcher. The grant helps her iHeart (Islanders Helping the Early Acceleration of Readers Together) project provide materials to children in need of supplemental reading instruction. The application period for the Literacy Grant program is currently open until April 1, 2019. For more information including eligibility requirements and application instructions, please visit http://www.phikappaphi.org/literacy. Since 1933, Phi Kappa Phis award programs have recognized members and students on its chapter campuses for outstanding academic achievement. Currently, nearly $1 million is awarded each year through programs that last year recognized more than 350 individuals. About Phi Kappa Phi Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in North America and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society's mission is "To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others." For more information, visit http://www.phikappaphi.org. Serverless Edge Computing Secured by Blockchain We believe EDJX could accelerate the pace of development and release of groundbreaking solutions that solve real world challenges. Bradley Andrews, President, Advisian Digital EDJX launched out of stealth today at OCP Global Summit, announcing $2M in funding from strategic investors, along with key partnerships with ITRenew, Advisian, and Chainyard. The company aims to power real-time applications at the edge by building the worlds largest edge computing platform using its revolutionary blockchain-based management of serverless and container-based applications. The funding round included 6Fusion USA, Inc., and 4 unnamed private investors. The rush to build capacity at the near-edge in the last 1000 feet to connected things will completely dominate the next decade of IT, said John Cowan, founder and CEO. The near-edge is going to be orders of magnitude larger than what we think of as the edge today. The company intends to deploy tens of thousands of micro data centers called EdjPods to major metropolitan and industrial locations worldwide. The goal is to bring cloud computing closer to mobile and IoT devices to accelerate and secure edge applications. Our platform ushers in an new era of applications that will rely on a myriad of sensors and other connected devices to carry out their tasks, said James Thomason, EDJX's founder and CTO. These applications will need to process zettabytes of data with low latency to work effectively in real-world environments. EDJXs platform directs the execution of serverless requests to EdjPods in close physical proximity to mobile and edge devices. Serverless requests are transparently routed to the nearest EdjPod where they are executed inside of an isolated environment. As security is a big concern for edge use cases, each serverless request is validated by and recorded to a blockchain to create an immutable record of execution. With EDJX developers can: Overcome latency and bandwidth limitations at the edge by deploying serverless functions in close proximity to IoT and mobile devices Enable IoT and mobile devices to securely access and record data at the edge using blockchain Pay as you go for edge computing and blockchain usage Developed over the past 18 months, EDJXs serverless edge application platform is now available in early-access. Developers and prospective customers can register for early-access at the EDJX website at http://edjx.io. For IT operators and facility owners, EDJX also creates new opportunities to earn passive revenue while increase the desirability of their properties. EdjPods are available at no cost to qualified commercial, industrial, and municipal organizations. By hosting EdjPods operators and owners can: Increase the appeal of properties to prospective tenants who are using edge computing to create smart buildings, cities, refineries, and factories. Create new passive revenue streams connected to the utilization of the EDJX network and EdjPods hosted on premises. Interested operators and owners can register their interest at the EDJX website at http://edjx.io. ITRenew and EDJX Partner to Deliver EdjPods Using Circular Economy Practices At the OCP Global Summit today, ITRenew announced its partnership with EDJX to deliver EdjPod, powered by Sesame. EdjPod is a fully-integrated multi-node server platform for micro data centers and points of presence based on OpenCompute standards. ITRenew CEO Aidin Aghamiri, says Sesame brings the leading technology of hyperscale cloud low power, automation, scalability to a broad set of markets and modern global use cases, including edge computing. As the leading provider of circular data center solutions, ITRenew recognized that the missing link in catalyzing the growth of open hardware beyond the hyperscale, is product innovation that enables supply, quality, and supportability for unique customers and globally distributed deployments. EdjX is pioneering modern edge infrastructure at scale software and hardware with blockchain and Sesame. Together, ITRenew and EDJX bring circular economy practices to the edge. Sesame is a first of its kind, recertified, warrantied, high-performance open compute and storage product line that maximize lifetime value and sustainability of IT hardware. EdjPod, Powered by Sesame, is fully self-contained and includes 4 compute nodes along with wireless and network equipment. EdjPods are available in both indoor and outdoor configurations suitable for a wide variety of commercial and industrial settings. The companies expect to ship up to 10,000 EdjPods in 2019 through 2021 based on current and future designs. EDXJ Announces Collaboration with Advisian Digital Advisian Digital, a division of WorleyParsons, announced a joint effort with EDJX to explore solutions to meet the needs of a growing Industrial IoT market in the Energy and Resources industry sector. Like many other industries, the Energy and Resources market is undergoing a major transformation fueled by the demand for instant data analysis and workflow automation at the edge, said Bradley Andrews, President of Advisian Digital. We believe EDJX could accelerate the pace of development and release of groundbreaking solutions that solve real world challenges. The EDJX joint effort expands upon the companies partnership, which also includes Requis.com, a multi-vertical industrial asset supply chain online platform. Chainyard and EDJX Partner to Develop Distributed Serverless Applications Chainyard, a pioneer in the blockchain software industry, announced a partnership with EDJX to co-develop commercial software projects. According to Isaac Kunkel, Chainyard SVP Consulting Services, EDJX expands the horizon of blockchain because it gives developers a much wider scope to build distributed software applications. A global decentralized network of compute capable of executing smart contracts, combined with the ability to leverage the scale and simplicity of Serverless frameworks, is a game changer for Enterprise customers. Chainyard will unveil a suite of development and support services for enterprise customers to take full advantage of the EDJX platform later this year. Pricing & Availability EDJX Edge Computing Platform The EDJX platform is available for early-access to a limited number of developers and prospective customers. There are no fees for using the platform or edge computing capacity during the early-access. Access to the platform will be granted incrementally as the EDJX network comes online. Interested developers and prospective customers should register for early-access at the EDJX web site at http://edjx.io Learn More About EDJX To learn more about EDJX, visit our website at http://edjx.io. EDJX is a distributed edge computing platform and decentralized peer to peer marketplace created to meet the exponential demand growth for data processing that will serve trillions of mobile, IoT, Web 3.0, and personal devices at the edge. EDJX is leading the revolution for real-world edge computing applications including industrial IoT, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and robotics. Lead by cloud industry veterans John Cowan, Delano Seymour and James Thomason, EDJX is a privately held company with operations in Raleigh, NC, and San Francisco, CA. Press Contacts: EDJX Courtney Pinheiro cpinheiro(at)edjx.io http://edjx.io Advisian Digital Bradley Andrews bradley.andrews(at)advisian.com http://digital.advisian.com ITRenew Christina Chuang Christina.chuang(at)itrenew.com http://itrenew.com http://sesame.com Chainyard Isaac Kunkel isaac.kunkel(at)chainyard.com http://Chainyard.com EDJX, the EDJX logo, EdjPOD, and EDJX are trademarks of InfinX USA, LLC. Other product and company names may be trademarks of their respective owners. EyeCRO LLC has been awarded full accreditation from AAALAC International for their facility in Oklahoma City, OK. EyeCRO joins the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center as the fifth institution in Oklahoma to receive this prestigious endorsement. The award letter from AAALAC International stated: Especially noteworthy were the strong administrative commitment to the program; the top-down commitment to a culture of care; the well written Program Description addressing all required elements; the well maintained and clean facilities; the thorough and well documented staff training; and the excellent veterinary medical care. We are excited to join the select group of AAALAC-accredited institutions. There are approximately 1000 institutions that have achieved this level of excellence worldwide and we are proud to accomplish this within one year after opening our new research facility, said Dr. Eric Phelps, Director of Research and Development. Our team is excited to receive this tremendous honor that recognizes our commitment to strong science and the highest standards of preclinical research, said Alexander Quiambao, Vice President of Operations. This enhances our ability to assist companies around the world which are advancing vision-saving therapies that can treat various forms of blindness, said Quiambao. EyeCRO has also recently finished construction of a state-of-the-art addition to its facility for conducting good laboratory practice (GLP) preclinical studies. This addition will allow us to provide services covering the full-range of preclinical ophthalmic drug development, from performing initial proof-of-concept pharmacology studies to conducting important toxicology and pharmacokinetic studies required by the FDA to enable human clinical trials, said Dr. Rafal Farjo, Chief Executive Officer. About EyeCRO EyeCRO is the global leader in the performance of preclinical ophthalmic research to advance therapeutic discovery and development programs. The company operates laboratories in Oklahoma City, OK and Ann Arbor, MI which provide validated contract research services to the ophthalmic research community worldwide. These include studies in a number of well-established models to accurately evaluate the activity and pharmacokinetics of test agents for treating diseases such as Wet and Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Leber's Congenital Amaurosis, Glaucoma, Dry Eye Disease, Conjunctivitis, and Uveitis. In addition, the company offers formulation services for eyedrop delivery of lipophilic small molecules using the innovative and patented MiDROPS platform. EyeCRO is currently advancing an internal program utilizing this technology with Cyclosporin-A-MiDROPS for the once-daily treatment of Dry Eye Disease and expects to begin clinical trials by the first quarter of 2020. For more information, see http://www.EyeCRO.com History comes alive at Fort Loudoun in Franklin County PA. Experience a new awareness of American history and gain respect for the frontier settlers in the Spring into History Conococheague Settlement Frontier & Colonial Tour. Step back 300 years and explore the earliest settlements of Franklin with the Franklin County Visitors Bureau Spring Into History Frontier & Colonial Tour on April 6, 9 AM to 4 PM. Participants will meet at the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center to begin the tour with a brief overview of early Franklin County and early America. The tour takes in sites of frontier settlement and raids by the native tribes. Living history portrayers at Conococheague Institute and Fort Loudoun. Learn about these early residents of the Cumberland Valley. Glimpse their lifestyle, culture, customs, and challenges. Total cost of the tour is $50. Lunch is included along with several historical items and information pieces. Payments can be mailed to Franklin County Visitors Bureau (FCVB), 15 South Main Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201 or dropped at the Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center. Online registration is available here. Experience a new awareness of American history and gain respect for the frontier settlers in the Spring into History Conococheague Settlement Frontier & Colonial Tour. Conococheague Institute at Rock Hill Farm is 30 acres of pristine farmland, meadows, and trails. It interprets the interactions between Native Americans, Scots-Irish, Welsh, and Germans, who all lived along the frontier. The land is typical of forested frontier land, used by the native tribes for foraging and hunting. Later the land was used to develop a village and used for farming. Fort Loudoun is a British provincial fort, serving as a link in the supply and communication chain for the Forbes Expedition as it moved west, constructing the Forbes Road. It is known as a site of colonial rebellion ten years before Lexington and Concord. James Smith and 300 men took up arms to end the trading with native tribes, who used the hatchets and gun powder to attack settler. In 1980-1982, archaeological digs revealed the original site of the fort. Today, the replica fort depicts the history and events of the fort. Experience a new awareness of American history and gain respect for the frontier settlers in the Spring into History Conococheague Settlement Frontier & Colonial Tour. The Franklin County Visitors Bureau invites all to explore history, arts and architecture, recreation, natural beauty, fresh foods and the warm hospitality of communities like Chambersburg, Greencastle, Mercersburg, Shippensburg, and Waynesboro. Franklin County PA is located just north of the Mason Dixon Line and is an easy drive to Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. Plan a visit at ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com, contact 866.646.8060, or stop at the new Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center in downtown Chambersburg. Critical Thinkers: an invitation to apply faith and reason, is the creation of published author G. Janice Miller, who has been a Bible teacher, investigator, and business executive in her time, among other things. She resides in Tennessee with her husband. Miller writes, Who has time for critical thinking? We have work to do! This statement is like starting on a long journey with an empty gas tank but deciding you dont have time to stop and fuel up. For over thirty years, one of the highest-level concerns among world leaders has been the deficiency in quality thinking skills. Critical thinking has little to do with a persons IQ, but everything to do with our mind-set. Author G. Janice Miller links critical thinking and spirituality. If a complete stranger were to observe my actions and listen to my conversations for twenty-four hours with no other information available, what would they conclude concerning who or what I worship? Shallow thinking has taken many people down a path of idolatry without even realizing it. Awake! Our enemy, Satan, takes advantage of shallow, fragmented thinking to promote his agenda. It is an enemy of Ephesians 4:13, Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Our culture encourages us to form and vocalize opinions and judgments before we have an adequate foundation to understand the topic. We tend to train our minds to think in sound bites and 280-character tweets. Couple this with the human tendency to overestimate our ability, and it results in perpetuating fragmentation. God is calling us to wake up and see what the enemy of our souls is doing. We must be sober and diligent. Paul admonishes us in Ephesians 6:10, Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. We need a solid foundation that the enemy cannot penetrate. Published by Christian Faith Publishing, G. Janice Millers new book is a practical approach based on Jesuss caution to be as pure as doves but as cunning as serpents, empowering the believer to be victors rather than victims. View a synopsis of Critical Thinkers on YouTube. Consumers can purchaseCritical Thinkers at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble. For additional information or inquiries about Critical Thinkers, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919. GBM Patient & TOGETHER Day will be on March 15, 2019 and held at the Bellevue Club in Bellevue, Washington. GBM Patient & TOGETHER Day is an opportunity for people to stand with the brain cancer patients in our community and uplift them. We have planned a wonderful day for patients, caregivers, and families to experience love, hope, education, and empowerment. The EndBrainCancer Initiative is hosting its first ever GBM Patient & TOGETHER Day on Friday, March 15th at the Bellevue Club in Bellevue, Washington. GBM is short for Glioblastoma which is the most common form of brain cancer, a stage 4 cancer. EBCI and its sponsors and partners invite current and past brain cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and families to a special event focused on uplifting and inspiring those impacted by brain cancer. GBM Patient and TOGETHER Day is an opportunity for people to stand with the brain cancer patients in our community and uplift them, says EBCI President Dellann Elliott Mydland. Its a day to give back to those among us stricken and impacted by this terrible disease. We have planned a wonderful day for patients, caregivers and families to experience love, hope, education, and empowerment. The event enjoys both local and national underwriting support. Local sponsors include The Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) Proton Therapy Center and Seattle Children's (Hospital, Research and Foundation). Additionally The EndBrainCancer Initiative, located in Redmond, Washington, partnered with Comcast Spotlight Seattle, who helped to promote the event online and on T.V. National sponsors include Presenting Sponsor, AbbVie, and Silver Advocacy Sponsor Novocure. Education and roundtables at the event are underwritten by a grant from Genentech. The free afternoon event (12:30 5:30PM) features special services for the attendees including a health and beauty fair, portrait photography sessions, makeovers, massages, special giveaways, lunch and afternoon appetizers, wine and beer tasting, and other activities. The event also specifically features women leaders in the Puget Sound area who have been personally impacted by brain cancer. These women will be providing inspirational moments by telling their stories and insights to attendees. The EndBrainCancer Initiative (EBCI) itself was co-founded by Dellann Elliott Mydland, who with her late husband, Chris Elliott, a brain cancer victim, founded EBCI together in 2002. Dellann will be emceeing and speaking. Other speakers from the Seattle area include Julie Prince, President of Prince Financial Services affiliated with Northwestern Mutual and Robin Shapiro, Board Chair of the Washington State Health Advocacy Association (WASHAA). Susan Kellner, herself a brain tumor patient, a volunteer for EBCI, owner of Whim Social, and speaker at the event commented, Having a brain cancer diagnosis is devastating as well as confusing because there is so much information out there. It's a very lonely feeling. Having an event such as GBM TOGETHER Day will give patients and caregivers a much needed emotional boost letting them know they are not alone, that a community stands with them. As we share about this event through EBCIs social media channels we hope it will inspire others to be deliberate about expressing solidarity and togetherness to brain cancer patients nationwide. The GBM Patient & TOGETHER Day event will offer panel discussions and roundtables for attendees to ask questions and interact. Mydland adds, Our goal is to educate and point patients to resources as well as promising treatments. Overall, though, we really want them to have fun and enjoy themselves. EBCI will also be presenting its first What Empowers You Award to the 2019 winner, Robert Alec Swayngham who will be on hand with his wife visiting from Alaska. The award was given based on a review of many nominations of brain cancer survivors who have inspiring stories of survival and what motivates them to move ahead. The award is cosponsored by AbbVie and Novocure. Other regional companies have donated (or offered at a reduced cost) resources and services for the event. They include Nieman Marcus offering Jo Malone body products and makeovers using Chantecaille makeup products, The Dream Clinic offering massage services, Charles Cutugno Photography offering portrait photos and prints, and Cavalier Films conducting interviews. There are still a few seats available. Go to http://www.endbraincancer.org/patientday to learn more or to connect to registration. The event is free and open to any brain cancer patient, past or present, as well as caregivers and families. ABOUT the EndBrainCancer Initiative The EndBrainCancer Initiative (EBCI, formerly the Chris Elliott Fund) is a national brain cancer and brain tumor patient advocacy and services organization and 501(c) 3 social enterprise with offices in Redmond, Washington. Established in 2002 and now celebrating 17 years of service, EBCI is committed to finding a cure for brain cancer and bringing HOPE to the lives of patients and their families through its programs: Direct Connect Patient Support and Services Program Brain Tumor Disease Education, Awareness, and Outreach Program Brain Tumor Patient Advocacy and Access First Step Initiative Team Up Initiative Since its founding, EBCI has helped thousands of patients, caregivers, and their families and has become a credible and trusted resource at all levels in the brain cancer treatment community from patients to research institutions to pharmaceutical and regulatory entities advocating on the National and State level for the approval and reimbursement of new therapies for cancer patients. EBCI also participates as the Patient Voice in clinical trial design, an example can be seen in CNS Oncology (Link to Article). The EndBrainCancer Initiative (EBCI) also participates in a program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Neuro-Oncology Branch (NOB) called NCI-CONNECT (Comprehensive Oncology Network Evaluating Rare CNS Tumors). The program aims to advance the understanding of rare adult central nervous system (CNS) cancers by establishing and fostering patient-advocacy-provider partnerships and networks to improve approaches to care and treatment. EBCI supports about 900+ patients, caregivers and families, free of charge annually through its Direct Connect Program, and provide Education/Awareness/Outreach to over 8.7 million annually, including members of the Brain Tumor Community. EBCI is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO), American Association of Neuroscience Nurses, American Association for Cancer Research, and Life Sciences Washington, among other organizations. If we can help, please contact us at WeCare(at)EndBrainCancer(dot)org or 425.444.2215. To support EBCIs efforts, programs, and services, provide a gift today at http://www.endbraincancer.org. Follow us on Social Media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/EndBrainCancer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EndBrainCancer/ Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ChrisElliottfundOrg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chris-elliott-fund/ GetFive is pleased to announce another advancement in its Modern Outplacement offerings. The NEW Internet Presence Management feature allows participants to see what potential employers see in a Google search and on social media - and to take action. Participants can optimize positive search results, suppress inaccurate results, and clean up inappropriate social media posts. This addresses one of the biggest challenges of the modern job search environment. According to CareerBuilder, 54 percent of employers have decided not to hire a candidate based on their social media profiles. The pillars of GetFive Modern Outplacement are: A Robust, Technology-Enhanced Job Search Method Skills Gap Identification and Training Internet Presence Management In conjunction with the latest enhancements, GetFive has launched a new slate of plans for 2019, offering even greater value. To learn more, please visit https://getfive.com. ABOUT GETFIVE: GetFive is a leading provider of scalable solutions in Modern Outplacement (Moving On) and Career Management (Moving Up). We help employer brands reach their full potential through Active Engagement. Our outplacement solutions ensure that your outbound employees are immediately focusing on their careers - rather than their frustrations resulting in a substantially less adverse impact on your social reputation. Similarly, our career management solutions help you tap into the real potential of your workforce with a flexible, method-based approach that creates a greater level of commitment and motivation. Invest in the success of your employees and watch your employer brand thrive! For more about Modern Outplacement, please visit https://getfive.com/morehuman/. For more about Career Management, please visit https://getfive.com/takecharge/. Content in Harvard ManageMentor Spark can be sorted by type and duration, and includes videos, articles, tips, and more. Users see likes and shares from their colleagues on each piece of content. This collaboration between Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning and Degreed helps clients develop talent and address skill gaps using engaging, high-quality resources and an experience that reflects how todays employees learn through on-demand, collaborative, and social approaches. Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning and Degreed today announced a partnership to help organizations address their most critical talent development and skill gaps through a personalized, learner-driven solution. The next release of Harvard ManageMentor Spark brings together world-class leadership and management expertise with an industry-leading learning platform to help organizations foster a culture of continuous workforce learning. Harvard ManageMentor Spark provides employees with a personalized, learner-driven experience that allows them to explore their interests and develop their skills to keep pace with the ever-changing business world. We are at a critical crossroads where the rate of technological and digital advancement is surpassing the current abilities of todays workforce to keep pace in developing the critical capabilities required to successfully compete. Now more than ever, engaging and developing talent is a main concernand priorityfor the majority of global executives who believe they will need to retrain or replace a quarter of their workforce within the next five years. To ensure they have the critical capabilities required to execute their strategies, learners are also exerting more influence over their own career development. According to a recent survey from Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning and Degreed, 85% of learners feel confident that they know their own skill gaps. But at the same time, 61% percent of learners say their organizations need to help them align learning to their individual goals and skill gaps. Its clear that L&D teams must find a balance between enabling employees to make decisions about their own learning priorities and providing the guidance they are looking for to keep learning relevant and contextual. Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning is collaborating with Degreed on the next release of Harvard ManageMentor Spark, a powerful, personalized learning journey that provides in-the-moment access to a wide array of compelling experiences that help learners develop skills in the areas most critical to their success. For more than 20 years, Harvard Business Publishing has been an innovative leader in digital learning with solutions such as Harvard ManageMentor, the trusted standard for in-depth, on-demand leadership development. Harvard ManageMentor Spark builds on that standard by responding to the market need for continuous, learner-driven experiences. Through the partnership with Degreed, clients will gain access to a solution that develops talent and addresses skill gaps using engaging, high-quality resources and an experience that reflects how todays employees learn through on-demand, collaborative, and social approaches. We are coming to a point where AI, data and automation will become table stakes in business, and success will be determined by how well talent is driving disruption and execution through increasing complexity and on a global scale, said Ian Fanton, senior vice president and head of Corporate Learning, Harvard Business Publishing. We already provide the most credible and trustworthy thought leadership and learning experiences available in the market. As one of the worlds foremost leadership development companies, we understand that highly personalized and contextualized experiences, embedded in the flow of work, are what will ensure organizations have the leaders they need to succeed. We understand how this content requires the most engaging and compelling experience. At Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning, we identified the need to bring our industry-leading content to a best-in-class solution, and this partnership with Degreed on our latest release of Harvard ManageMentor Spark allows us to accelerate the delivery of an unmatched learning experience. Were honored and excited that, after a thorough and thoughtful analysis of all the major learning experience platforms, the Harvard Business Publishing team selected Degreed as the platform for the next release of Harvard ManageMentor Spark," said Chris McCarthy, CEO of Degreed. "Were constantly exploring partnerships that amplify our ability to help people connect their skill-sets to learning opportunities. Now, through this first-of-its-kind partnership, we're combining our best-in-class learning platform with their premier learning content. Drawing on a variety of over 15,000 learning assets from Harvard Business School and Harvard Business Review, with new assets added daily, Harvard ManageMentor Spark enables organizations and learners to address current and emerging hot topics, such as authenticity, big data and analytics, design thinking, and digital transformation. The solution provides learners with daily learning feeds focused on their own interestsas well as the interests of those they followand the ability to join groups and make their own recommendations, while also giving L&D leaders opportunities to help them master skills through curated pathways. Predefined and customizable learning pathways can be personalized to address key business issues, providing the organization the ability to pinpoint specific skills and areas for growth. To learn more about the latest version of Harvard ManageMentor Spark, please visit the Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning website. ABOUT HARVARD BUSINESS PUBLISHING CORPORATE LEARNING With more than 25 years of success delivering dynamic learning experiences to the worlds biggest brands, Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning partners with Global 2000 companies to co-create leadership-development solutions that align with strategy and engage learners. The company combines unrivaled subject-matter expertise and scale with unmatched flexibility and contextualization to bring the right programs to the right learners in the most useful ways. From highly focused executive leadership programs to enterprise-wide engagements for thousands of global employees, each learning experience leverages the remarkable depth and breadth of Harvard Business School and Harvard Business Review resources, industry experts, technology-enabled and user-friendly solutions, and a creative, collaborative mindset to help clients discover something new. The result is stronger companies better prepared to meet their challenges and thrive both today and in the future. Harvard Business Publishing is comprised of three market groups, Higher Education, Corporate Learning, and Harvard Business Review Group, and is an affiliate of Harvard Business School. For more information on Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning, visit http://www.harvardbusiness.org. Follow the company on Twitter @HBPCorpLearning, as well as on Facebook and LinkedIn. ABOUT DEGREED Degreed connects all the resources people use to learn and grow including corporate learning systems and millions of courses, videos, books, articles, podcasts, and subject experts. Then we use data science to provide people and businesses with the tools, insights and feedback they need to continuously build and measure the skills they need next. Founded in 2012, Degreed is headquartered in San Francisco, with additional offices in Salt Lake City, New York and Amsterdam. Learn more about Degreed at: Website | Facebook | YouTube | LinkedIn | Twitter HSMAI is proud to honor Amy and Laura for their outstanding achievements in hotel sales, said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president & CEO of HSMAI. They are succeeding through a combination of innovation and teambuilding that should be models for the industry. The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is pleased to announce the HSMAI Hotel Sales Professional of the Year Award recipients. Amy Champagne, Director of Sales & Catering, Antlers Hotel, will be recognized as the Hotel Sales Professional of the Year in the On-property category. Laura Dinu, Director, Groups & Meetings, Global Sales Americas, IHG, has been selected as the Above-property Hotel Sales Professional of the Year Award recipient. Champagne and Dinu will be honored with the awards at HSMAIs Mike Leven Leadership Conference, March 18-19, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO. The HSMAI Hotel Sales Professional of the Year Awards honor individuals that exemplify strong sales performance producing measurable results and demonstrate excellence in the following areas: creativity and initiative; sales acumen; innovative leadership; and advancement of the discipline. HSMAI is proud to honor Amy and Laura for their outstanding achievements in hotel sales, said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president & CEO of HSMAI. They are succeeding through a combination of innovation and teambuilding that should be models for the industry. Amy Champagne, Director of Sales & Catering at the Antlers Hotel in Colorado Springs, CO, will receive HSMAIs On-property Hotel Sales Professional of the Year Award. Champagne began her career at the Antlers Hotel in 2000 as a front desk agent. Over the years, has cross trained in all facets of hotel operations. Champagne left the Antlers in 2012 for a position that encompassed overseeing multiple select service properties. She returned to her home at the Antlers in 2015, and was promoted to her current position in February 2018, where she oversees the onsite day to day successful operation of sales, catering, and marketing productions. Since obtaining her current role, Champagne has exponentially increased the hotels overall revenue and cultivated a team passionate to provide the best guest experience in the city. Champagne was especially cited for her leadership in the promotion and advancement of the sales discipline at the regional and local level, serving as a leader of HSMAI Southern Colorado Chapter and supporting and mentoring colleagues at her hotel and community. She also demonstrated sales and business acumen from her keen business development skills to her work maximizing food & beverage spend on property and creatively utilizing hotel function space and partnerships to drive revenue in the slower season. Laura Dinu, Director, Groups & Meetings, Global Sales Americas, IHG, will be honored as the recipient of HSMAIs Above-property Hotel Sales Professional of the Year Award. Dinu leads the Corporate Group and Intermediary Sales, USA for IHG, based in San Francisco, CA. In this role, she and her team are responsible for delivering groups and meetings business to all IHG hotels globally. An experienced leader with more than 15 years working in the Domestic, International Group, and Luxury Segments, Dinu helps guide her team to find strategic ways to build IHGs customers business, and IHGs partnerships. Prior to joining IHG, Dinu worked for Omni Hotels & Resorts in a global capacity in New York City and San Francisco, overseeing their regional offices. Dinus experience also includes various roles in New York City, primarily focusing on luxury brands such as Peninsula and St. Regis. Dinu was especially cited for demonstrated sales and business acumen, going beyond the hotel business to the business of hotels to drive results. She leveraged her more than 15 years experience in the industry to drive significant growth from the corporate and association sectors, increase IHGs support of and engagement with the events industry at the national level (and in key markets), and increase profitability for her hotels. She also showed innovative leadership, successfully implementing new ideas that created a new dimension of performance. About HSMAI The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners, and is the industrys leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals & their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as HSMAI ROCET, Adrian Awards, and Revenue Optimization Conference. Founded in 1927 and celebrating 90 years in 2017, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising more than 7,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with HSMAI at http://www.hsmai.org, http://www.facebook.com/hsmai, http://www.twitter.com/hsmai and http://www.youtube.com/hsmai1. The Infomaker team accepts the Linnaeus University Partner of the Year award. Pictured Patrik Granlov, Nina Mansso, Peter Aronsson, vice-chancellor LNU, Peter Mansson and the host, Bjorn Mortensen. Infomakers collaboration with us goes well in line with how Linnaeus University wants to carry out collaborations in the region. - Ann-Charlotte Larsson, deputy vice-chancellor at Linnaeus University Infomaker, a NEWSCYCLE Solutions company, has been awarded the Linnaeus University Partner of the Year award. The university, which is based in Vaxjo and Kalmar, Sweden, grants this award to recognize companies that have shown exceptional collaboration with Linnaeus University, where the collaboration manifests the key concepts of curiosity, innovation, utility and proximity. The company is a truly worthy winner, chosen from a highly competitive field of nominees, said Ann-Charlotte Larsson, deputy vice-chancellor with responsibility for the societal driving force at Linnaeus University. Infomakers collaboration with us goes well in line with how Linnaeus University wants to carry out collaborations in the region. The finalists were chosen because their partnerships were important to the university in terms of collaboration with students, researchers, internships, degree projects, lifelong learning and innovation, according to the university website. Infomaker has presented lectures on topics like entrepreneurial courses and development. Some members work as mentors and supervisors, while the company offers internships and degree projects in artificial intelligence, user experience design and web development. The Newscycle company also coordinates hackathons, the next of which is scheduled for April. In addition to assisting on projects, Newscycles Infomaker team has taken a role in improving the curriculum. Infomaker is collaborating with Linnaeus University in many ways ranging from sharing our knowledge with students to lifelong learning for Infomaker colleagues, said Peter Mansson, Infomaker CTO. Last year many of our developers joined a university course in AI and Machine Learning, and we are now giving advice on new courses that hopefully can increase our innovative capacity. We have many common goals, which makes the Linnaeus University a great partner. Our collaboration gives a lot back to us. According to the award jury, Infomaker Scandinavia AB contributes to the development of the industry by being a driving force in the development and implementation of training programs for professionals, and by inspiring more young women to study IT or work with IT. In its collaboration with Linnaeus University, the company manifests the words curiosity, creativity, companionship, and utility. This is a joyful moment. We were happy to be nominated for the award and now to receive it feels truly great! I feel honored, happy, and humble at the same time, said Mansson. Rockefeller Habits Inspired Digital Dashboard at Interact Marketing With the swipe of a finger we can measure and track crucial daily, weekly, and monthly KPIs and goals we set as a team and as individuals. - Joe Beccalori, CEO Leading New York digital marketing agency, Interact Marketing, developed a digital dashboard to have a centralized place in the office to track KPIs, quarterly priorities and critical numbers to connect daily efforts to long-term goals and vision. All employees have the ability to see the digital dashboard as a daily reminder on their specific quarterly KPI. The digital dashboard exhibits the teams goals and provides a finish line for them to celebrate goals met. Inspired by the Rockefeller Habits series by Verne Harnish, the digital dashboard embodies a theme, measurable goals, priorities and much more to lead the team to success. Rockefeller Habit number ten states that the companys plans and performance must be visible to everyone as a way to ensure all stakeholders are aware of expectations in work output. In order to accomplish this, Harnish recommends a scoreboard, or digital dashboard, be in plain sight at a central meeting area. This habit basically boils down to having scoreboards everywhere! We encourage you to have your goals, metrics, and plans up around the company for everyone to see, keep track of and remain engaged with, says Harnish. Similarly make sure your core values and purpose are also posted throughout your firm so everyone has access to it. The digital dashboard will showcase valuable KPIs to all employees and even clients during in-office meetings. It is designed to optimize customer service and staff efficiency. Staying on time and on budget for client projects, understanding resource allocation, and setting trackable goals for revenue and profitability are all valuable KPIs that employees can take away from giving the digital dashboard a quick glance throughout the day. Since founding the company that would eventually become Interact Marketing in 2007, Joe Beccalori and his team have served over 250 clients in search engine optimization, web development & design, social media marketing and online reputation management. The digital dashboard has been a goal of Beccaloris for some time now and has finally come to life in 2019. Setting and tracking goals has never been easier than it is with the digital dashboard, it allows us to #seeclearlynow, said Beccalori. With the swipe of a finger we can measure and track crucial daily, weekly, and monthly KPIs and goals we set as a team and as individuals. Along with setting goals and tracking KPIs, the dashboard is designed to benefit clients when they visit Interacts headquarters. They will quickly be able to see how their campaign is performing, where their resources are being used, and the vision the Interact team has for the future of the campaigns. About Interact Marketing Interact Marketing is a full-service New York digital marketing agency based in the Hudson Valley in New Windsor, NY. The agency specializes in organic search engine optimization (SEO), pay per click advertising (PPC), website design and development, content and social media marketing, and online reputation management for brands and executives. Interact Marketing is also a Google Partner Agency. It is one of the fastest growing agencies in New Yorks Hudson Valley region with 472% organic revenue growth in five years (2010-2015). I am excited to be a part of Curions vision, says Jordan, and I look forward to adding my signature to this vital endeavor. Consumer insights are the guidepost for all new product innovation." Joseph Jordan has been named Senior Vice President of Supply at Deerfield-based Curion, http://www.curioninsights.com, a state-of-the-art provider of consumer research and sensory testing for leading brands in the food & beverage, personal care, fragrance, and home care categories. Jordan brings over 20 years of experience in custom market research, building and developing tools and technologies in a variety of industries for start-ups and Inc. 500 companies. Curion CEO Sean Bisceglia welcomes Jordan saying, Recruiting is at the very heart of what we provide our clients. We rely on a robust pipeline of consumers to provide insights on the viability of new flavors and taste experiences before products go to market. We look forward to his transformative style as we expand our reach by leveraging new technologies that reach micro-demographics that will inform our clients as they test and launch product innovation. Prior to joining Curion, Jordan served as SVP of Supply at Cint, a company focused on online insights exchange via a sophisticated SaaS platform. He was a pivotal member of The Americas executive leadership team, responsible for growth strategies of more than 300 partner relationships. Previous to this engagement he was VP of Panel Operations at Instantly, Inc. where he restructured and built a proprietary online and mobile audience of 12 million global consumers to align with strategic business goals defined by quality and performance requirements. I am excited to be a part of Curions vision, says Jordan, and I look forward to adding my signature to this vital endeavor. Consumer insights are the guidepost for all new product innovation. Creating a diverse pipeline and an efficient system to expand our database will be my first goal. I am thrilled to be part of this best-in-class team. About Curion Curion is a leader in sensory and consumer product research to top companies across the United States. In 2018 alone, the company tested 97,000 consumers for 25 leading brands. Their insights provide a wealth of data such as product readiness for launch, consumer purchase decision process, key attributes for optimization, market and demographic opportunity, flavor and texture profiles, competitive landscape and more. Curion was formed with the merger of Q Research Solutions and Tragon Corp. Governor Larry Hogan Tracie Hovey said, "Governor Larry Hogan has shown himself to be a humanitarian, and this award recognizes him for all that he does for non-profit organizations. Governor Hogan believes in supporting important causes that help all Marylanders." Maryland Governor Larry Hogan will be awarded the Mendez Award at the Maryland International Film Festival in Hagerstown, Maryland on March 29, 2019. Executive Director Tracie Hovey said, The Mendez Award is awarded to someone who has succeeded in the Television and Film Industry; or has supported film and television, and has given back to the community. Governor Larry Hogan is being recognized for his support of the Arts in Hagerstown and Washington County. He is being recognized for his efforts in supporting the Historic Maryland Theatre expansion, the expansion of the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts, and the expansion of the University System of Maryland Hagerstown. He also signed into law the new Maryland Film Incentive Program, which helps independent filmmaking, and provides increased tax incentives for the film industry. Governor Larry Hogan has shown himself to be a humanitarian, and this award recognizes him for all that he does for non-profit organizations. Governor Hogan believes in supporting important causes that help all Marylanders. I cant thank the Mendez Family and the Maryland International Film Festival enough for the honor of receiving the Mendez Award, said Governor Hogan. The arts play a vital role in Maryland, helping to maintain our quality of life and contributing nearly a half billion dollars and more than 16,000 jobs to our economy. The First Lady and I have a deep connection to this community and we remain strongly committed to growing the arts in Maryland. On Friday March 29th the Red Carpet opening night begins with a special VIP reception at 5:30pm, followed by the opening night celebrations, awards, and introduction of opening night feature El Chicano. The Mendez Award is one of two major awards presented. The Nora Roberts Foundation Award is also to be presented on the festival's opening night. Filmmaker awards will be presented on Sunday night March 31st for Best Feature, Best Short, Best Animation, Best Student, Best Documentary, Best Local Film, and Best Foreign Film. The first official Mendez Award was named after and was awarded to Antonio "Tony" Mendez, CIA Master of Disguise, Founder of the Spy Museum, and Award-Winning Author and Painter. Other recipients have included: Joe Carnahan, Film Director and Producer, known as one of the most prolific film-makers in Hollywood, and his ongoing support of MIFF-H as the Creative Director Nora Roberts, Author and Entrepreneur, known as the world's most famous Romance Writer, best-selling author, and contributor for Washington County's economic development and tourism. Frederick County Councilmen Billy Shreve, known for his advocacy in supporting film in Maryland, and also for being the driving force behind Classmates4Life (an anti-drug film festival for all school students in Frederick County, beginning a state-wide pilot program). The contest received national recognition for its public awareness campaign. Kerry Cahill, award-winning actress from AMCs The Walking Dead. Cahill was also a supporting actress in the Oscar nominated film Mudbound (2017). She was also recognized for her work with veterans organizations. Amir Arison, award-winning actor, from NBC's The Blacklist. Arison was recognized for his ongoing support for Arts nonprofits, and for his work supporting treatment and help for people with mental illness and his passion for helping animal rescue and animal adoption. The Eighth Annual Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown received more than 400 submissions, and the judges announced that 150 films were selected. Opening night Friday March 29th is taking place at the Historic Maryland Theatre in Downtown Hagerstown. Other venues on Saturday and Sunday March 30th and 31st include the Washington County Free Library, The Grand Piano Ballroom, the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, and new this year the University System of Maryland Hagerstown. For more information about the festival, and to purchase tickets, see: http://www.marylandiff.com. The Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown partners with several local organizations, businesses, and individuals, and major sponsors include the City of Hagerstown, the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Washington County Government (Office of Grant Management), the Nora Roberts Foundation, Washington County Arts Council, Gideon Properties LLC, Ovation PR & Advertising, Delaplaine Foundation, Homewood Suites by HILTON, the Maryland Film Office, Jay Frantz and Tom Riford. ### The Medellin center will be located in the famous Ruta N building, a hub that was created in 2009 to consolidate a knowledge environment and generate conditions that favor business and entrepreneurship. Soon, Medellin will join San Francisco (USA), Tokyo (Japan), Beijing (China) and Mumbai (India) as one of the few cities in the world to become a headquarter for The Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Recognized in 2013 as The Worlds Most Innovative City by the non-profit, Urban Land Institute, Medellin has become more well-known globally as an attractive location for cutting-edge companies and startups, especially in the software development world. More recently, the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize 2016 was granted to Medellin in recognition of the citys transformation. This international award honors outstanding achievement and highlights contributions to the foundation of habitable, vibrant and sustainable urban communities around the globe. According to Forbes, Medellin appears to rank in the top 7 best places to live after retirement. This ranking reflects positive aspects such as its weather, infrastructure and public spaces. As for how the business environment goes, Medellins Chamber of Commerce estimates that over 60,000 entrepreneurs have created or renewed projects with companies with a strong focus on software development and ICT in the last year. The same study points out that innovation in Medellin generates a third of all new jobs and the city is already investing 2.14% of its GDP in science, technology and innovation-related activities. How will Medellins Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution work According to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, an initiative driven by the World Economic Forum (WEF), the participant cities are meant to be hubs for global cooperation to develop policy frameworks and advance collaboration that accelerates the benefits of science and technology. The Medellin center will be located in the famous Ruta N building, a hub that was created in 2009 to consolidate a knowledge environment and generate conditions that favor business and entrepreneurship. Official operations will start on March 31st, requiring an investment between $1.5 and 2 million per year. According to the WEF, IoT, AI and Blockchain are some of the many technologies that the center will be working with. There are already three strategic ongoing projects on the table. The first project is focused on improving the processes and effectiveness of control entities using AI to identify irregularities in their systems such as tax evasion, contraband or undue payments. Based on the same AI technology, the center will also have a project dedicated to strengthening criminal policy and citizen security in order to integrate data in the reconstruction of evidence for criminal cases. The third project seeks to spread broadband all across the country and define policies for the implementation of this infrastructure. Medellins innovative culture and software development projects The World Economic Forum is not the only organization to recognize Medellin as a great option for breeding technology projects. In fact, tech companies from different parts of the world, and especially, the United States, are no strangers to Medellins innovative revolution. A stable economy and reliable political environment are two significant factors to consider when choosing a place to outsource software projects and tech companies worldwide. But there are also many other reasons to choose Colombias trendiest city when it comes to hiring tech talent. The geographical proximity and overlap in time zones with the US and other countries in the Americas and Europe facilitates real-time collaboration among co-located teams. In addition, theres a young and growing tech talent pool in Medellin. Universities with robust IT programs yield enough programmers to easily grow an employee base. According to Colombias Ministry of Education, between the years of 2001 and 2010, there were over 100,000 Computer Science graduates in Medellin, making it fourth on the list of careers with the highest number of graduates in the whole country. Also, there are more than 42 education centers offering other IT careers and trainings. Top that with excellent English skills and cultural similarity, companies have the perfect combo for developing all sorts of software products and trying different options like nearshore outsourcing. Whats next for Medellin The Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution is not the only exciting tech project the city has in store for the next few years. As a matter of fact, Medellin is the only city in the whole country with a science, technology, and innovation public policy (Agreement 24, 2012), with a budget of $240 million. This resource will be used for programs and projects targeting the development of a knowledge-based organization that will focus on improving energy, health and IT sectors until 2021. For more information about Medellins blooming present and promising future and the advantages of investing in technology related projects at this new innovation epicenter, visit The Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolutions official website. From left, Monica Kallis, Irlanda Price, local MLA Drew Barnes, Medicine Hat Mayor Ted Clugston, Carrie Bruce, Lloyd Daser. The event included a ribbon cutting, using a saw in place of scissors to represent the renovations, as well as refreshments, room tours, and a live broadcast by Steve Krysak, from local radio station CJCY. Members of the public, invited dignitaries, and special guests rubbed elbows as the Medicine Hat Comfort Inn and Suites showed off its recent renovations at its re-launch party on March 6. We had over 100 people attend the event, and we received many positive comments on how beautiful the hotel looks and feels. One couple, who attended the hotels original grand opening more than 20 years ago, was really impressed with the changes that have been made, said Carrie Bruce, general manager of the Medicine Hat Comfort Inn and Suites. The event included a ribbon cutting, using a saw in place of scissors to represent the renovations, as well as refreshments, room tours, and a live broadcast by Steve Krysak, from local radio station CJCY. Those who brought an overnight bag were entered into a contest to win a free nights stay in the hotels spacious, loft-style Honeymoon Suite, with hourly draws for a free nights stay in the King Jacuzzi Suites. A display from the Habitat for Humanitys Medicine Hat ReStore informed visitors of the Comfort Inn and Suites $11,757 material donation of old furniture and furnishings, with proceeds going to help families in need. The money will be going towards the Habitat for Humanity duplex located behind Home Depot. We are happy to have a hand in helping local families access affordable housing, says Bruce. Dignitaries in attendance included Medicine Hat mayor Ted Clugston and Drew Barnes, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat, as well as Irlanda Price and Chantel Fischer, Community Connections Chair and Membership Services Coordinator, respectively, with the Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce. Also in attendance was Choice Hotels Canada representative Peter Sellick, Regional Sales Manager, Western Canada, and Lloyd Daser, Director of Operations at the Braemar Group, the development company that owns the Medicine Hat Comfort Inn and Suites as well as four other hotels in Western Canada. The Braemar Group will soon open its sixth hotel, the 110-room Marriott TownePlace Suites, also in Medicine Hat. While Braemar Group founders, Rod and Jody Hazard, were not able to make the re-launch event, they were there in spirit, says Bruce. They are originally from Medicine Hat, and consider it home. About the Comfort Inn and Suites in Medicine Hat: Originally built in 1997, the three-story, 100-room medicine hat hotel includes 24 executive suites, five oversized Jacuzzi suites, and one two-level honeymoon suite. Located on the Trans Canada Highway adjacent to one of the largest shopping centres in southern Alberta, the hotel also offers pet-friendly and accessible rooms and features amenities such as an indoor pool, a fitness room, and meeting facilities which can accommodate up to 50 people. Therapy Boxs Predictable app is used in 10 languages around the world by people with significant communication disabilities arising from conditions such as motor neuron disease/ALS, stroke, cerebral palsy and autism. Since being launched in 2011 the app has received numerous accolades recognising its innovative inclusive design. This new implementation of the Acapela my-own-voice enables people in many of the regions using Predictable, to bank their voice with Acapela and use it directly in Predictable. For individuals diagnosed with speech or language disorders resulting from ALS or other conditions such as aphasia, dysarthria or apraxia capturing the essence of their voice before losing it is a crucial step in preserving their identity. The collaboration between Acapela and Therapy Box brings together the key components for people wanting to bank their voices and use it within a mobile app. The teams have worked together closely to enable this streamlined process. Launched 4 years ago, my-own-voice is more frequently being adopted by people living with ALS. The product is gaining in visibility and number of users is growing very fast. Recent innovations based on machine learning with Acapela DNN allow users to create their own voice very easily, even if their voice is damaged and low energy levels make recording difficult, says Nicolas Mazars, head of the Inclusive Business Unit at Acapela Group, The key issue for individuals is to record as soon as possible after ALS diagnosis. The partnership with Therapy Box is essential to Acapela to keep on its way to provide a voice for everyone, working closely with AAC experts and setting up a full efficient and smart eco system for the end users. We look forward to develop our joint actions with Therapy Box based on their high-end Predictable product and provide an efficient solution to end users. This innovation offers voice banking for people speaking English (with variants to address patients from US, UK and Australian accent), French (France and Canada), Spanish (North America and Spain), Dutch (The Netherlands and Belgium), Swedish, Norwegian, and German, who use Predictable. We are incredibly pleased that we can offer the opportunity for people to bank their voices and use it in Predictable, Rebecca Bright MBE from Therapy Box shares, This will meet the needs of non-English speaking customers of Predictable, which makes things equitable and truly inclusive. Therapy Box will release the compatible version in April 2019. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tbox.predictable_4&hl=en_GB https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/predictable/id404445007?mt=8&at=11luwd https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/p/predictable/9n1fh9gfvj3f?ocid=badge&rtc=1&activetab=pivot%3Aoverviewtab https://www.acapela-group.com/ https://therapy-box.co.uk/predictable About Therapy Box The multi award winning technology company is at the forefront of bring innovation to accessible and inclusive products for people with disabilities. Its flagship app Predictable is available in 10 languages and assists countless people with significant disabilities to communicate their basic needs and have meaningful conversation. Founded by Rebecca Bright MBE and Swapnil Gadgil the company has won numerous accolades including the Queens Award for Enterprise: Innovation and the 2018 Virgin Media VOOM Award. Press contact: rbright@therapy-box.co.uk About Acapela Group Acapela Group is a European leader of voice solutions with 30 years of expertise and market feedback, strong partnerships, deep rooted R&D, an enthusiastic team and a strong appetite for innovation. In order to meet a growing demand for specific voice solutions adapted to accessibility markets, Acapela Group created a division dedicated to inclusiveness with an initial specific focus on speech impairments, learning disabilities, visual impairments and for meeting the specific needs of seniors. Acapela Inclusive aims to provide everyone, whatever their disability or impairment, with a voice, to help them live more independently through easy access to technology. https://www.acapela-group.com/ Press contact: press@acapela-group.com The National Nurses in Business Association (NNBA) announces its Nurse Entrepreneurship & Career Alternatives Educational Conference to be held September 27 29, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This Conference is designed for nurses who are thinking about starting a business, those already in business, and those looking for career alternatives. Nationally acclaimed speakers, leading nurse entrepreneurs, and business experts will provide nurses with the information, tools and actionable take-a-ways they need to start their own nursing businessor to make their current business even more successful, while being exposed to a wealth of alternative career options. This is an educational and professional development event designed to give attendees the benefit of learning from top-ranked experts on relevant topics and connect with prestigious speakers and like-minded colleagues. It is essential for nurses to gain business knowledge and skillsets that typical nursing education does not provide. Nurses that understand the business of healthcare are able to better position themselves and protect the longevity of their careers. Nurses make great business owners and the NNBA covers this gap, serving as nurses bridge to business. NNBAs mission, resources, and knowledgeable membership assures nurses have a supportive and resourceful environment for success today and in the future,stated NNBAs President, Michelle Podlesni. NNBA Conference highlights include: More than 20 sessions presented by todays leading nurse entrepreneurs, industry experts, educators, and inspirational business leaders. For a full list of sessions, speakers, hotel information and registration visit: https://nnbanow.com/nnba-conference-2019/ Nationally acclaimed nurse practitioner, educator, and entrepreneur Dr. Scharmaine Lawson will provide Saturdays Keynote Address, The Entrepreneurial Nurse. 5th Annual NNBA Shark Tank Competition Six pre-conference workshops: How to Create a Profitable Speaking and Retreat Business, Launching Your Nursing Education Business, The Hidden Fortune in Home and Community Based Eldercare, Digital Marketing for Nurse Blogging, Craft Your Elevator Pitch Blueprint & Marketing You!- plus an orientation session for first time conference attendees. 14 Eligible contact hours Opportunities to discover and obtain new business ideas, current business opportunities, and information on how to transition to independent nursing as a nurse entrepreneur, business owner, and leader. About the NNBA The National Nurses in Business Association (NNBA) is dedicated to advancing and promoting nurses in business, nurse entrepreneurs, and intrapreneurs. Since 1985 thousands of nurses have benefited from their membership in the NNBA by launching successful businesses. The NNBA is the vanguard of the nurse entrepreneur movement, the result of the active participation and contributions of its richly resourced membership. NNBA is Nurses helping nurses succeed in business. We are Nurses, Business Leaders and Mentors collectively serving as The Voice of Nurse Entrepreneurship. For information, please visit: http://www.nnbanow.com Media Contact Company Name: National Nurses Business Association Contact Person: H. Johnson Email: admin(at)nnbanow.com Phone: 877 353 - 8888 Country: United States Website: http://www.NNBANow.com The National University System (NUS), which offers the nations fastest-growing PreK-6 social and emotional learning (SEL) programSanford Harmonytoday announced a new partnership with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation (Healthier Generation), a national nonprofit that empowers kids to develop lifelong healthy habits. The partnership will focus on building awareness of the integral role social emotional learning plays in a childs overall health and academic success through the promotion of Sanford Harmony to Healthier Generations extensive network of more than 42,000 schools and 3,500 youth-serving organizations. Healthier Generation and NUS, together, will provide much-needed support to teachers and schools while generating nationwide momentum for the importance of SEL in bolstering the physical, emotional, and mental health of young people. The research-based Sanford Harmony social emotional learning program, which is based on the vision of philanthropist T. Denny Sanford, has been recognized as a leader in SEL by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), the national organization that evaluates quality SEL programs. Reaching more than two million youth nationwide, Sanford Harmony activities and lessons develop healthy relationships among children that emphasize communication, collaboration, and respecting differences, complementing Healthier Generations focus on meeting the health needs of the whole child in all spaces where kids live, learn, and play. We are pleased to be partnering with Healthier Generation to expand access to Sanford Harmonys innovative social emotional learning approaches that have been demonstrated to support student achievement and that are creating a strong foundation for a healthier, more collaborative society, said National University System Chancellor Dr. Michael R. Cunningham. Through partnerships like this one, we can have a greater impact on more students and strengthen the communities we serve while honoring Mr. Sanfords grand vision and generous support. Aspen Institutes National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development report to the nation recently called for greater collaboration among organizations to address students social and emotional needs, including aligning efforts in the education sector with health-related areas for whole child health and development. This three-year partnership exemplifies a commitment to the children of this nation. Significantly, through its partnership with Sanford Harmony, Healthier Generation will continue to broaden its focus on childrens healthaddressing quality nutrition, adequate physical activity, and positive social-emotional developmentand support its vast network of school and out-of-school time staff in helping kids develop the necessary skills to reach their full potential. Healthier Generation will deepen its expertise on social-emotional health topics by launching a market research study to discover how best to communicate the benefits of social emotional learning to school and youth-serving organization leaders. Healthier Generation is committed to holistically addressing childrens health needs to ensure every child can thrive at school, at home, and in life, said Healthier Generation CEO Kathy Higgins. By partnering with Sanford Harmony and the National University System to expand access to their proven and effective social emotional learning program, we are better equipped to meet school and district leaders, as well as out-of-school time staff, where they aredelivering relevant and essential resources that align with our mission and add an important new dimension of our efforts to empower kids to live healthy lives. Based out of the National University System, Sanford Harmony is being offered at no cost to schools and youth-focused nonprofit organizations, such as Best Buddies and LAs BEST, thanks to the generosity of Mr. Sanford, who last year expanded his financial support of the program through a $100 million donation. The program aligns with and expands on National University Systems educational programs that support teachers. The San Diego-based National University, which is part of the National University System, is home to one of the Top Ten largest schools of education in the country, the Sanford College of Education. Nationwide, Sanford Harmony has expanded to the nations largest school districts, including Los Angeles Unified School District, Dallas Independent School District, and New York City public schools. About the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The Alliance for a Healthier Generatio n believes every child deserves a healthy future. For over a decade, Healthier Generation has empowered kids to develop lifelong healthy habits by ensuring the environments that surround them provide and promote good health. Driven by our passion that all young people deserve a chance to live healthier lives, our work, in total, has helped up to 28 million kids across the country. To learn more and help make a difference, visit HealthierGeneration.org and join us on Facebook and Twitter. About National University System/Sanford Programs. Established in 2001 to meet the emerging challenges and demands of education in the 21st Century, the National University System is a network of accredited nonprofit education institutions serving higher education and K-12 students that includes National University, Northcentral University, John F. Kennedy University, City University of Seattle, and the Division of Pre-College Programs. The Sanford Education Center at National University Systems San Diego headquarters, was established in 2014 through the generous support of philanthropist T. Denny Sanford to provide innovative programs in the nonprofit and PreK-12 sectors. The Center, in coordination with universities around the country, is leading the national expansion of three initiatives: Sanford Harmony, Sanford Inspire and the Sanford Institute of Philanthropy. Learn more at National University System and Sanford Programs. Love In A Big World and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) have announced a new partnership designed to increase access to social-emotional learning tools in Hispanic-Serving School Districts (HSSDs). HSSDs are defined as K-12 districts whose total enrollment is at least 25 percent Hispanic, and who are affiliate members of HACU. Through this collaboration, HSSDs will regularly receive news and information about the Love In A Big World social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum and will have a dedicated contact to help them acquire resources and materials to support teachers in their efforts to foster students social and emotional competencies. We believe social-emotional learning is an essential part of a well-rounded education, a key contributor to students healthy growth and development, and an important driver of equitable outcomes for all learners, said Tamara Fyke, creator of Love In A Big World. Were honored to partner with HACU to bring Love In A Big Worlds curriculum resources to Hispanic-Serving School Districts throughout the U.S., ensuring that teachers and students in these 19 districts have access to the supportive SEL tools they deserve. HACU is committed to exploring and facilitating new approaches to success for Hispanics in higher education and the HSSD affiliation was started in order to address the many challenges facing both higher education and K-12 in recruiting, retaining, and graduating Hispanic students. HACU-member universities collaborate with HSSDs in an effort to frame, develop and carry out new and innovative initiatives that benefit their respective student populations. This new collaboration to bring Love In A Big Worlds research-based and practical SEL curriculum to HSSDs will support well-rounded educational success for students in these districts. Social-emotional learning curriculums such as Love In A Big World are effective educational interventions that enhance students social and emotional skills, classroom behavior and school attachment, and can positively impact academic proficiency, said Jeanette Morales, Director for PK-12 Initiatives. The Love In A Big World curriculum defines the structure, scope, and sequence of 24 essential character traits and provides meaningful activities that can be completed in as little as 15 to 30 minutes per day, but also allows teachers to spend more time if required by students needs. Each lesson and activity is designed to fit organically into the schools current academic schedule, including morning meetings, advisory periods, after-school programs, and during class time. All content is age- and grade-level-appropriate, and the kits are currently customized for grades K-2, grades 3-5, and grades 6-8. In this partnership, HACU will greatly increase the amount of information HSSD leaders receive about these high-quality SEL programs. Love In A Big World information will be shared through HACUs K-12 resource listings and e-newsletters, as well as during HACU conferences and events. Each of these elements will make it simpler for district leaders to access, acquire, and implement instructional resources to benefit educators and students by promoting a whole child education, providing explicit SEL content in the classroom, helping students build well-rounded success skills, and fostering a positive school and classroom climate. To learn more about this collaboration between Love In A Big World and HACU, visit https://www.loveinabigworld.org/love-in-a-big-world-and-hacu. Hispanic-Serving School District leaders can contact Jeanette Morales, Director for PK-12 Initiatives at jeanette.morales@hacu.net to learn more about this partnership and how to work with HACU to implement Love In A Big World resources. For pricing information and to learn how to bring Love In A Big World to your district or organization, contact Ted Robinson, National Sales Manager, at 800-843-4952 or ted@loveinabigworld.org. About Love In A Big World Love In A Big World equips K-8 educators with a social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum that is both research-based and practical, along with professional development, additional classroom materials, and the supporting resources necessary to empower students to be socially competent, emotionally healthy problem-solvers who discover and maintain a sense of purpose and make a positive difference in the world. Learn about Love In A Big Worlds products and resources, including the comprehensive 24-Session Kits, by visiting http://www.loveinabigworld.org. About the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) is a national and international association of higher education institutions based in San Antonio, Texas. Founded in 1986 with a founding membership of 18 institutions, HACU now represents more than 470 colleges and universities that collectively enroll 2/3 of the 3 million Hispanics in higher education and enroll 6 million students altogether. HACU manages numerous college-level and pre-collegiate initiatives, including scholarship programs, research projects, technology training and workforce development initiatives. Learn more at https://www.hacu.net. Jessica Hew, NATIC Vice President, Underwriting Counsel and State Agency Manager NATIC customers will look to Jessica as their single point of contact for all things NATIC. She can support their sales and administrative needs as well as work closely with them on any underwriting matters. North American Title Insurance Co. (NATIC) has hired attorney Jessica Hew as vice president, underwriting counsel and state agency manager in Florida. In this hybrid role, Hew has become part of Floridas underwriting counsel team, bringing commercial and real estate law practice experience to her work with NATIC agents. She also works alongside Assistant Vice President, Regional Agency Manager Geoffrey Harris, State Agency Manager Andrew Nadal and State Agency Manager Michael Soviero to oversee agency operations in Florida and expand NATICs Florida attorney agent base. NATIC customers will look to Jessica as their single point of contact for all things NATIC. She can support their sales and administrative needs as well as work closely with them on any underwriting matters, said Valerie Jahn-Grandin, executive vice president and chief underwriting counsel. Jessica is hands-on and understands that the deal waits for no one. She has extensive practice experience and will offer unparalleled understanding of the role of attorneys as agents and counselors. Jessica embraces our open, honest and direct communication culture, said Rich Griffin, vice president and national agency manager. She is fearless in her ability to approach a situation and look for the solution. Her focus will be toward attorneys in central Florida, offering guidance and support to those managing a full client base and those with closing and settlement operations. A member of the Florida Bar for more than 25 years, Hew commands a broad base of legal knowledge gained through her litigation practice, her work as general counsel and her experience with transactional and compliance matters. She worked nearly 20 years at Burr & Forman LLP, a national commercial and real estate firm, where she handled claims on behalf of major underwriters. She also served as a partner of Vose Law Firm in Winter Park, Florida, before going into solo practice. Hew is a certified mediator in state and federal courts and an arbitrator. In 2018, and again in 2019, she was selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in the field of real estate law. She earned a bachelors degree in business administration from Loyola University of the South and a law degree from Tulane University School of Law. After having practiced law for 25 plus years in government, private law firms and with businesses, I am thrilled to join NATIC to assist agents in real estate law from the underwriters standpoint, said Hew. NATIC is a nationally known, dynamic company with thoughtful associates who care about the people behind the transaction. Hew is located at the NATIC Florida office at 760 N.W. 107th Ave., Suite 401, Miami, FL 33172. She can be reached at (813) 682-8812 or jhew(at)natic.com. About North American Title Insurance Co. North American Title Insurance Co. (NATIC) is a seasoned title insurance underwriter, helping title agents achieve the goal of true business success for over 50 years. The company operates in 39 states and the District of Columbia. NATIC earned the reputation as the underwriter next door because its decision makers and associates are easy to reach and their processes are quick and straightforward, including a one-hour underwriting response guarantee that is unparalleled in the industry. The NATIC agency application process is fast and transparent for qualified agents. NATIC generated more than $247 million in agency premiums in 2017 and maintains a policyholder surplus of more than $82 million as of Dec. 31, 2017. The company earned a rating of: A' (A Prime) Unsurpassed from Demotech, Inc. and A- from Kroll Bond Rating Agency. NATIC is headquartered in Miami, Florida. To learn more, visit http://www.natic.com. For more information contact: Kelly McCarel, c: 440.590.6504; e: kmccarel(at)natic.com. We are hopeful this lawsuit will help Pittsfield Township recover some of the enormous taxpayer costs we spend combating this epidemic that could otherwise be used to better solve crimes and protect our community. Like many communities across the United States, the nations opioid crisis has forced Pittsfield Township to spend thousands of taxpayer dollars on local services. And like many municipalities in Michigan and elsewhere, Pittsfield officials want to hold drug distributors and manufacturers accountable for the expenses it has incurred to combat the epidemic they say those companies have fueled. During a February 27, 2019, meeting, the Townships Board of Trustees passed a unanimous resolution declaring the opioid crisis a public nuisance. The decision prompted the Board to retain Sommers Schwartz, P.C., of Southfield, Michigan, and a consortium of six major law firms to join Pittsfield in a pending lawsuit against the largest manufacturers and distributors of prescription opioids. That previously filed action (Case 2:18-cv-12938-DPH-RSW, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan) alleges that the companies pushed dangerous and highly addictive opioids into the marketplace, misrepresented to physicians the magnitude of the risk of addiction, and violated their legal obligations to monitor, detect, investigate, refuse, and report suspicious prescription opioid orders. We are hopeful this lawsuit will help Pittsfield Township recover some of the enormous taxpayer costs we spend combating this epidemic that could otherwise be used to better solve crimes and protect our community, said Township Supervisor Mandy Grewal in a public announcement. Every dime we can recover will go back into our public safety operations along with addiction and mental health treatment programming to help residents in Pittsfield Township and Washtenaw County turn their lives around. For years, the manufacturers and distributors of such opioids as Oxycodone and Fentanyl have allegedly made obscene amounts of profits by preying on the mental and physical ailments of our residents. Pittsfield Township, located south of Ann Arbor, is the latest Michigan community to join the multidistrict litigation pending in the federal district court in Cleveland and the first in Washtenaw County. Sommers Schwartz represents several other governmental units that are already participating in the litigation. Reece Morrel, Jr. has been named 2019 Top 3 Tax Lawyer in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Three Best Rated website. His office, Morrel Law PLLC, is located at 6846 S Canton Ave Ste 200, Tulsa, OK 74136-3400. Reece Morrel, Jr. has engaged in private practice since 1991. His extensive experience includes elder law, estate planning, probate and guardianship, wealth management, and asset protection planning. Morrel is known for his skill in dealing with complex estate planning scenarios for small business owners and their families. This includes charitable planning, income taxation, probate, and trust administration. As an attorney and CPA, Reece Morrel, Jr. is afforded unique insights to effectively and efficiently represent each client. Understanding the complex legal nuances of each area and their common thread, Morrel helps clients navigate through the challenges and demands of jobs, self-employment, and retirement in a tax-efficient manner so they may better enjoy, protect, and control their resources. Morrel Law PLLC is a boutique law firm in Tulsa, Oklahoma known for their work in tax preparation & resolution, estate planning and elder law, business startup and accounting services. The firm is consistently recognized for their high-quality legal advice, excellent value, and personal service. Reece Morrel, Jr. holds a Juris Doctorate (JD) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Tulsa, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting from Oklahoma State University. He is a proud member of the Oklahoma Bar Association (OBA) and Tulsa Bar Association since 1991. In 1988, Morrel was admitted to the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants (OSCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). In 2012, Morrel received the Chartered Global Management Accountant designation (CGMA). In 2018, Morrel joined the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC), as well as the American Academy of Attorney-CPAs (AAA-CPA). Three Best Rated helps 1.7 million customers every month to find the best businesses in any city. The website was created with a simple goal to find the top three local businesses, professionals, etc., in any city. Three Best Rated handpicks verified businesses by checking a business's reputation utilizing a 50-Point Inspection including: history, complaints, ratings, nearness, satisfaction, trust, cost, general excellence, reviews, etc. It is also important to note, no business pays for their listing on Three Best Rated. Their policy being, if you can pay to list, then is it really the best business? No Pay to Play! "We prefer to list the three best local businesses; not big corporations who have an office presence in your city," explains Melinda Crawford, Three Best Rated Support Specialist. We believe that local businesses provide much better services than corporations to you and your family. Local businesses know your city better since they live there too." For more information or to schedule an interview with Reece Morrel, Jr., please contact LaRhea Dallis at (918)553-3333 or info(at)law-office(dot)com. "With unmatched agricultural, university and life science resources, North Carolina is poised to become the epicenter of the East Coast hemp industry." - Garrett Perdue, CEO, Root Bioscience Root Bioscience and Greenfield Agronomics are partnering to launch the largest hemp processing, storage and extraction facility in North Carolina. The new Green Root Extraction Services (GRES) alliance will increase access to national markets and resources while providing a farmer-to-farmer support network currently limited in the Southeast. Additionally, the collaboration will provide regional cannabis processing companies with a reliable source for top-quality hemp flower and crude oil. The national hemp and CBD markets are growing rapidly with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, and there is significant need for a large, centralized drying, extraction, storage and sales facility for local farmers, said Garrett Perdue, CEO of Root Bioscience. With unmatched agricultural, university and life science resources, North Carolina is poised to become the epicenter of the East Coast hemp industry. We have known the families who make up Greenfield Agronomics for decades, and this new company is the result of our deep trust and confidence in each other. GRES currently operates a 65,000-square-foot processing plant in Windsor, North Carolina. The facility, in operation since North Carolinas inaugural 2017 growing season, is poised to be one of the five largest plants in the mid-Atlantic, featuring streamlined processing from field to final product while developing technologies and custom-built equipment that have been implemented to continually improve the harvesting, drying, storage and extraction processes of harvested hemp flower in order to achieve efficient and effective preservation of its valuable cannabinoids and terpenes. Extraction is accomplished using a proprietary cold ethanol procedure constantly being improved upon with the latest technologies available. As hemp growers, we built this new company to be responsive to farmers and to create a unifying standard for best practices in cultivation, genetics and extraction, said Fen Rascoe, Member Manager of Greenfield Agronomics. Currently, most North Carolina farmers have limited access to national markets and must rely on inaccurate, inconsistent and unregulated hemp flower valuation methodologies. Green Roots philosophy of farmers first will aid in its commitment to see that growers be fairly compensated for their crops. Demand for hemp CBD is expected to sharply rise with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, reaching $22 billion by 2022 according to the Brightfield Group. For more information, visit http://www.rootbioscience.com About Root Bioscience: Root Bioscience manufactures hemp-derived health and wellness products in a GMP compliant facility located in Research Triangle Park, NC. Its production team delivers a science-driven approach to the nascent cannabis industry and plant molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, nanomaterials, pharmaceutical formulation and product development are core areas of expertise. For more information, visit http://www.rootbioscience.com and follow the latest Root Bioscience news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About Greenfield Agronomics: Greenfield Agronomics is a collection of North Carolina farmers in their continuous third year of hemp cultivation - many of whom help fund the necessary monetary requirement to initiate North Carolinas Industrial Hemp Pilot Research Program in 2016. System Innovators' iNovah is the hub for all payment channels and enterprise revenue activity. With iNovah, governments can research, consolidate and manage payments in one centralized location. "With the elimination of manual payment systems and the availability of new payment options, San Diego County will streamline operations, while providing real-time reports and audit of payments." System Innovators (SI), a division of N. Harris Computer Corporation, is pleased to announce that San Diego County, California has selected the iNovah Enterprise Revenue Management (ERM) solution along with its eCommerce capabilities. Home to over three million people, San Diego County is the fifth largest county in the United States. They join thirteen other California clients, including the City of San Jose, the City of Long Beach, and the City of Anaheim, in utilizing iNovah as their one source for the truth in enterprise revenue management. iNovah will initially be implemented in four departments, including the San Diego County Department of Revenue and Recovery, the Office of Vital Records and Statistics, the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and the San Diego County Library. System Innovators unique configuration and integration capabilities will allow each department to use iNovah specific to their needs, with interfaces to their systems of records to support business processes. In the Office of Revenue and Recovery, the payment system will be seamlessly integrated with the current case and collection system to take restitution payments for the County, while the Library and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors will accept payments and fees across several locations. "We are pleased that System Innovators iNovah platform will provide San Diego County the ability to navigate through a single system to process payments and access account information. With the elimination of manual payment systems and the availability of new payment options, San Diego County will streamline operations, while providing real-time reports and audit of payments," Senior Accountant, City of San Diego Office of Revenue and Recovery. The implementation of iNovah will greatly improve San Diego Countys customers' payment capabilities, providing more flexibility and ease of use for over-the-counter payments as well as online payments. The County will have added phone payment capabilities including the ability to accept payments over the phone, arrange payment plans and set up recurring payment plans for customers wishing to pay by bank account or credit card. With this solution, County customer service agents will also have the ability to take payments and set up payment plans at the counter, as well as scan and remotely deposit checks into their bank. "We are very pleased to be working with the County of San Diego and welcome them into the System Innovators family. The County's vision for an enterprise approach to revenue management is completely aligned with our focus and solutions. With the implementation of iNovah, the County will gain additional revenue controls while streamlining and standardizing payment processes across each of their participating departments," Greg Whitnell, Vice President, System Innovators. About System Innovators With over 39 years serving local government, System Innovators single point of focus is to provide payment and enterprise revenue management solutions for governments. This public sector focus has attracted and retained the trust of over 120 governments across North America who are live on iNovah, including 22 of the 50 largest U.S. Cities and 6 of the 20 largest U.S. counties. Sandbars Inn is conveniently located just minutes from Provincetown. Sometimes called P-town the town is known for its beaches, harbor, artists, and tourist industry. Sandbars Inn opens March 29 for the 2019 Cape Cod vacation season. Travelers are encouraged to book early to enjoy all the action in nearby Provincetown. Sandbars Inn, an award-winning beachfront hotel in North Truro, Massachusetts, will open for the 2019 vacation season on Friday, March 29. The pet-friendly hotel has 16 rooms on a private beach overlooking Cape Cod Bay. Drawn to the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, couples, families and extended families return to Sandbars Inn each year to stroll along the shore, play on the beach, stargaze by the fire pit and fall asleep to the sound of gentle waves. The spacious, beachfront guest rooms feature bright kitchens, tiled bathrooms with glass-enclosed showers, roomy closets and large vanities for extra storage. The inn has won major awards from a variety of notable travel experts, including the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, Booking.com Guest Review Award and Hotels Combined Recognition of Excellence. Sandbars Inn is conveniently located just minutes from Provincetownthe historical seaside town on Cape Cods northern tip where the Mayflower landed in 1620. Dozens of nearby attractions include Pilgrim Monument and Museum, the Cape Cod National Seashore and Race Point Beach. Sightseeing, shopping, fishing, whale watching, boating, kayaking, art galleries, restaurants, Truro Vineyards and local craft breweries are all just a short drive away in Provincetown, Wellfleet and Truro. For more information about the hotel and to book direct for the 2019 season, call 508-487-8700, or visit http://www.sandbars.com. Sandbars Inn is proud to be part of the Beachtree Properties family. Beachtree Properties specializes in personalized guest stays at several leisure vacation destinations across the United States, including Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Molokai, Hawaii, Lake Tahoe, California, Marco Island, Florida and Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. The collection of inns and small hotels provides travelers unique experiences. Our management values local character, recognizes the individuality of each property and offers well-appointed accommodations, quality amenities, friendly staff, convenient locations and relaxed atmospheres. For more information, please visit BeachtreeProperties.com. ### Village of St. Edward at Wadsworth in now open We very much appreciate Signet, particularly working with their people, for providing the opportunity for senior living alternatives for the people of the Wadsworth area. -John Stoner, President and CEO of The Village of St. Edward Signet Real Estate Group officially celebrated the grand opening of their senior living community project last week, in partnership with the Village of St. Edward, in Wadsworth, Ohio. The celebratory opening was commemorated during a ribbon-cutting and VIP reception at the facility on March 8th, attended by over 150 guests. The $21.6 million project is the first phase of St. Edwards plan to expand their footprint as the demand for quality senior care begins to grow. The new community offers three levels of senior care: independent living, assisted living, and memory care. The facility features three distinct wings for independent, assisted, and memory care living that all share common areas. Signet Real Estate Group, which has decades of experience in serving the healthcare industry, as well as planned living and student housing communities, is the owner and developer for the project, while the Village of St. Edward operates the facility. Design and construction partners on the project included Andrews Architects, Lewis Land Professionals, Mosaic Design, and Pride One Construction. At the opening event, John Stoner, President and CEO of The Village of St. Edward, described his excitement about opening a senior community in Wadsworth and said that Signet had been a great partner throughout the process. We very much appreciate Signet, particularly working with their people, for providing the opportunity for senior living alternatives for the people of the Wadsworth area, said Stoner. The Village of St. Edward, founded in 1964 and headquartered in Fairlawn, Ohio, is recognized as one of Northeast Ohios most respected private facilities for senior care. We are thrilled to partner with such a respected organization as the Village of St. Edward, said Anthony (Tony) Manna, Chairman of Signet LLC. We know this facility will be a wonderful home for many and we are happy to help deliver it to the Wadsworth community. Everyone involved with the project, from the folks at St. Edward to city officials and other project partners, has been instrumental in finishing this project well, said Kevin Belt, Vice President of Development at Signet Real Estate Group. They have been wonderful to work with, and we look forward to a long successful partnership. About Signet Real Estate Group Signet Real Estate Group, a Signet LLC company, is a full-service development and project management firm specializing in the areas of higher education, health care, research and public-private partnerships. The company transforms complex development challenges into collaborative opportunities through a creative, flexible and customized approach. Since the firms inception, Signet and its family of companies have successfully managed and currently have in progress more than $4.5 billion in real estate development and construction throughout the U.S. Learn more at http://www.signetre.com. About The Village of St. Edward The Village of St. Edward, operating in Fairlawn since 1964, is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) providing services and residency for senior citizens. Initially founded by the Diocese of Cleveland and the Sisters of St. Dominic of Akron, the Village is dedicated to meeting patients and residents spiritual, physical and psychosocial needs in a faith-based environment. Learn more at http://www.vscommunities.org. By the pool at The Glass Cabin for SLVDR SS19 campaign. From premium pieces made on vintage Japanese looms to detail-focused tops, and well-considered bottoms, the SS19 line unites sophistication with versatility and classic California style. Spend the weekend in the desert with SLVDR as they occupy one of legendary architect William Krisel's acclaimed Palm Springs homes. This classic, mid-century modern masterpiece, now known as "The Glass Cabin", became the location for the California based menswear brand's SS19 campaign. The collection embodies a spring mix of timeless design, premium materials and focused details. From premium pieces made on vintage Japanese looms to detail-focused tops, and well-considered bottoms, the SS19 line unites sophistication with versatility and classic California style. The house was designed by legendary architect, William Krisel, and built in Palm Springs, California by Alexander Construction Company in 1958. The Glass Cabin, as it is now known, was part of Krisel's pioneering and affordable vacation tract housing project that took over the famed desert town in the late 1950's. The houses were designed to be affordable and alluring modernist getaways for the budget-conscious consumer who desired a vacation home. Krisel's post and beam structured homes were modest in material and size, but intricately designed with variations of orientation and roofline, open floor plans with high beamed ceilings that integrated both indoor and outdoor living, lots of light and improved air circulation with clerestory windows, sheltered patios, and pools. These tract houses helped double the size of Palm Springs in the late 1950's, and of the 2,500 homes Krisel designed, (all of which still stand) the Glass Cabin is the premier representation of a modern masterpiece. Organizations must be able to discover, protect, and govern the use of other types of sensitive data as well. This is becoming increasingly difficult as data volumes grow across all platforms, including those in the cloud. The job is too big to handle in an ad hoc, manual fashion. The privacy clock is ticking for firms based in California or that have customers or employees who live in the state. On January 1, 2020, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) will become law. Inspired by and modeled on Europes General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), CCPA gives consumers the right to know what information businesses are collecting about them, their children, and the devices they are using. Companies will need to be able to inform consumers about which categories of their personal information they may be selling and to whomand they must give consumers the right to say no. Io-Tahoe will sponsor the latest in its monthly series of webinars next week, focusing on how companies must be ready to address challenges posed by data privacy and protection regulations such as CCPA and prepare for others in the future. Date & Time: Tuesday, March 19, 2019, 12 noon 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time Special Guest: David Stodder, Senior Director of Research, TDWI Why Attend? Organizations must be able to discover, protect, and govern the use of other types of sensitive data as well, Stodder says. This is becoming increasingly difficult as data volumes grow across all platforms, including those in the cloud. The job is too big to handle in an ad hoc, manual fashion. Youll Learn: In this webinar, Stodder will discuss a wide range of issues regarding data discovery, including: What you need to know about CCPA and related data privacy and protection requirements How to improve data discovery so you can locate sensitive data across systems, including data lakes and cloud-based platforms Technology advances for smarter and more automated data discovery, data cataloging, lineage tracking, and audit reporting Practices for reducing the amount of time and cost involved Strategies that can improve not only compliance but also governance and trust in the data for BI and analytics Register Here: https://io-tahoe.com/webinars/ Tweet this: .@IoTahoe, @TDWI Co-Host Webinar Entitled, Smart Data Discovery and Transparency for Complying with CCPA, GDPR, and other Privacy Regulations. Join us March 19, 2019 at noon ET. https://io-tahoe.com/webinars/ #GDPR #CCPA #AI #ML #DataGovernance About Io-Tahoe Io-Tahoe (http://www.io-tahoe.com) is a pioneer in Smart Data Discovery and AI-Driven Data Catalog products. In its efforts to continue to transform the data discovery market, the platform enables organizations to discover data across a wide range of heterogeneous technology platforms from traditional databases, data warehouses and data lakes to the cloud and other modern repositories, helping enterprises trace data elements across their systems in spite of outdated metadata definitions. Io-Tahoe utilizes machine learning algorithms to dramatically increase the accuracy, intelligence and speed of learning of complex data elements and data relationships throughout the entire business environment. Our platform has the capability to process 30 billion customer records, 1.7 million columns and saves time by processing many data sources in weeks, instead of manual discovery and cataloging for months. Our product has been custom-built by a team with a deep understanding of data challenges, giving us first-hand insight and appreciation into our customers diverse and complex data needs. Io-Tahoe is particularly valuable to businesses with large numbers of customers and diverse data sets, such as those in the financial services, utilities, retail, transportation, insurance, healthcare and manufacturing industries. While 40 years have delivered so much change in our lives, two things have remained constant: The hearth is still the heart of the home, and we continue to have a passion for gathering around the backyard flame." - Jack Goldman, president and CEO of HPBA Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Expo, the nations largest trade show for all things flame, is underway in Dallas this week just as retailers prepare their spring barbecue and patio displays and formalize their fall hearth promotions. Manufacturers product showcases this year reflect how consumers changing lifestyles are redefining the home experience. Trends include smaller grills and fireplaces, products that truly convert the patio to a new living room, and a return to traditional colors. This year marks the 40th Expo. Almost 400 exhibitors are displaying the latest innovations to thousands of attendees in Dallas. Were excited to meet this tremendous four-decade milestone for HPBExpo, said Jack Goldman, president and CEO of HPBA. While 40 years have delivered so much change in our lives, from how to cook to what we eat to how we spend our downtime, two things have remained constant: The hearth is still the heart of the home, and we continue to have a passion for gathering around the backyard flame with friends and family for a delicious, flavorful meal. Manufacturers likewise continue to meet the customers always evolving tastes with new creative products and accessories. HPBA shares five top trends on display at the show: Small is the new big. After several years of barbecue manufacturers expanding product lines to include smaller, more mobile grills, hearth manufacturers this year present smaller hearths for the home, as well as patio. The offerings reflect consumers desires for smaller houses, condos, and townhouses, as well as their desire to take their patio experience on the go for camping, glamping, and tailgating. Black and chrome are the new black and chrome. As manufacturers continue to present colorful grills and accessories, many of the new and prominently presented barbecues return to the traditional black and chrome coloring, allowing consumers to continuously update and modify their patio spaces around the more traditional grill colors. Hearths are the new flatscreens. As more consumers cut the cable chords and dial back TV consumption, hearth manufacturers are boldly reclaiming their rightful place as the homes focal point, offering thin, long, horizontal fireplaces for installing on the center of the wall, right where our now antiquated flatscreens once held dominion. Patios are the new primary kitchens and dining rooms. Manufacturers continue to present innovative, tech-enhanced outdoor kitchen islands built around premium barbecues as well as hearth-centered tables, outdoor built-in audio/tv systems, and other accents that meet consumers desires for a full outdoor living experience in their backyard. Bed and bath are the new living rooms. Hearth producers are re-imagining where families want to relax fireside. Enter hearths optimized for building into bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and other locations beyond the living rooms. About the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA), based in Arlington, Va., is the North American industry association for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, representatives, service firms and allied associates for all types of barbecue, patio and hearth appliances, fuels and accessories. The association provides professional member services and industry support in education, statistics, government relations, marketing, advertising and consumer education. Trust.Zone VPN and Verge XVG Partnership Anonymous VPN plus Anonymous Cryptocurrency may change the way you surf the Internet. We make the Internet, the way it was meant to be secure, safe and anonymous Trust.Zone VPN service is a popular anonymous VPN service which keeps internet users activity private on the web, has announced a partnership with Verge (XVG), an anonymous and secure crypto currency for everyday use. Companies hope to provide internet users with complete anonymity on the Internet. Trust.Zone started offering 10% discount for its anonymous VPNs service for users who pay with Verge (XVG) till the end of 2019 Through partnership, clients of Trust.Zone and Verge will be able to get extra layer of security and privacy. By accepting Verge (XVG) on the website, VPN service is supporting broader use and accessibility of anonymous and secure cryptocurrency for everyday life. Anonymous VPN service + Anonymous Cryptocurrency may change the way you surf the Internet. We make the Internet, the way it was meant to be secure, safe and anonymous, says Alex Edwin, co-founder of Trust.Zone VPN. We want to provide all internet users who care about their online privacy and use of personal information with the highest level of online security and protection Trust.Zone is a logless, anonymous VPN service under Seychelles jurisdiction. Seychelles has no data retention law which means there is no tracking and monitoring of any online activity. Trust.Zone has several awards as the most anonymous VPN service according to the top VPN ranking services. Company doesnt monitor users online activity; it supports Warrant Canary and has a strict zero-log policy. Verge (XVG) is a crypto platform designed for people and for everyday use. It improves original Bitcoin blockchain technology with extra layer of anonymity and security. Complete anonymity, low fees, ultra-fast transactions, high volume in circulation and multiplatform support are the ingredients that make Verge perfectly positioned for mass adoption. Verge uses Tor technology which enables anonymous communication across a layered circuit based network. Another technology is I2P tunneling to anonymize all Verge data being sent over the network. Verge continues to impress the crypto community with its functional products centered on privacy and anonymous transaction. Trust.Zone VPN values align with Verge's mission by allowing users to browse the web with the privacy that they want, paid with the privacy that you need. To get extra discount for Trust.Zone VPN service with Verge cryptocurrency visit the page https://trust.zone/trustzone-vpn As publishing ambitions go, they dont come much loftier than those held by Rana DiOrio. In 2009, DiOrioa lawyer, investment banker, and private equity investorfounded Little Pickle Press, a cutting edge childrens book publisher dedicated to helping parents and educators cultivate conscious, responsible children through media, technologies, and techniques. Her latest venture, Creative Mint, is arguably her most cutting edge yet: it seeks to leverage the power of blockchain technology to democratize and decentralize rights transactions. The platform that underlines bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, blockchain is already taking a transformative role in supply chain management, music licensing, and even health care recordkeeping. And the publishing world is intrigued, as evidenced by a packed session at last years London Book Fair that detailed both the technologys significant promiseand its myriad challengesfor authors and publishers. But blockchain enthusiasts like DiOrio are convinced that the technology will have a transformative impact on publishingand DiOrios track record suggests she enjoys good odds for success with Creative Mint. As Brian OLeary (executive director of the New York-based Book Industry Study Group) brilliantly stated when I first presented the idea to him, intellectual property transactions are the ideal taxonomy for the blockchain, DiOrio says. Rights transactions happen for creative works in myriad ways. Obviously, you have your book deal, and then you have your video deal, and you have your ed-tech licensing deal, or your video game deal or your merchandising deal, she explains. With blockchain, all of those deals can be committed to smart contracts, which then reside in a blockchain for all to see, so theres checks and balances built into the system. Thats the promise that has publishing world so inyrigued. Imagine a digital ledger of so-called smart contracts that is permanent and irreversible, and you will begin to understand why blockchain promises so much for the online world. With blockchain, transparency and certainty are inherent in every e-transaction. And with Creative Mint, DiOrio hopes to blaze a path for the industry to follow. In April, Sourcebooks will publish, What Does It Mean to Be American?, acting as a partner in Creative Mints first brand ecosystem. DiOrio noted. The partnership is the latest chapter between DiOrio and Sourcebooks, which in January 2017 acquired the publishing, foreign, and audio rights in all previously published Little Pickle titles. As DiOrio envisions it, Creative Mint AI will evaluate content according to a 100-point scale similar to Robert Parkers 100-point scale for wine. We are in the process of formulating a comprehensive product development roadmap and brand strategy that will include relationships with other channel partners to make an album, create a video series, license rights to toys, games and merchandise, DiOrio says said. And Creative Mint will take its reliance on leading edge technology even further than blockchain through a partnership with Austin-based start-up StoryFit, which uses artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze creative content and identify works most likely to succeed. The AI piece is critical, and were going to get smarter and better at picking the intellectual properties that will excel in our model, because we can fine-tune as we get more data, DiOrio said. As DiOrio envisions it, Creative Mint AI will evaluate content according to a 100-point scale similar to Robert Parkers 100-point scale for wine. All criteria will be in advance not only for its publishing partners but also for authors, artists, photographers and other creatives who submit to the Creative Mint platform. Today nobody knows what any given publisher is looking for. There is a black boxyou submit, and then you dont hear anything. And if you do hear no, you dont really know why. Well, were going to create some transparency, which is another fundamental tenet of blockchain, said DiOrio. Once vetted, the highest-scoring properties will then go into our [publishing] system to be germinated. We will develop a product development strategy and then watch to see if its taking root. The unusual editorial approach is applicable not only for new works, but also for backlist titles, DiOrio notes. For example, publishers could feed data about their backlists into the Creative Mint algorithm to help identify which titles that are out of print might be worth reviving. Were going to be able to unlock the value of that idle IP, she said. Were bringing new life to the work, and of course, benefiting the author or the underlying brand owner. Christopher Kenneally hosts Beyond the Book, a podcast series from Copyright Clearance Center. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. Historian and author Neil Maher will present the Purdue University Department of Historys annual John F. Stover Lecture at 7 p.m. March 21. Maher, professor of history in the Federated History Department at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers University at Newark, will discuss themes he addressed in his 2017 book, Apollo in the Age of Aquarius. The book explores the connections between the space race and the grassroots political movements of the 1960s that involved issues like civil rights, the Vietnam War, the environment, feminism, counter-culture and conservatism. The American Astronautical Society recognized Apollo in the Age of Aquarius with the 2017 Eugene M. Emme Astronautical Literature Award, an honor named after NASAs first historian. It was also named a Choice Outstanding Academic Title and a Bloomberg View Must-Read Book. Mahers talk, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering, Room 1010. The Giant Leaps event is one of many celebrating Purdues Sesquicentennial, 150 Years of Giant Leaps. The yearlong celebration highlights Purdues remarkable history of giant leaps, while focusing on what giant leaps Purdue can take to address the worlds problems. The Stover Lecture Series is named for professor of history John F. Stover, who taught at Purdue from 1947 to 1978. Stover was a leading scholar of American history with a specialization in the history of American railroads. After his death in 2007, Stovers wife Marjorie and children Charry and John established an endowment used for the benefit of a lecture series on issues of significance and relevance to the Department of History. The series presented its inaugural lecture in 2009. Media contact: Joseph Paul, 765-494-9541, paul102@purdue.edu Source: Kati Pratt, pratt46@purdue.edu AUSTRALIA: Development of the long-planned rail link to Melbournes Tullamarine Airport is set to move forward following the signing of Heads of Agreement between the federal government and the state of Victoria on March 13. The Department for Transport has invited stakeholder views on the interoperability of the draft Control Command & Signalling, Energy, Noise, Operations & Traffic Management, Safety in Railway Tunnels and Rolling Stock - Wagons National Technical Specification Notices, which would replace the EUs Technical Specifications for Interoperability in the event of ... The Associated Press (AP) has transmitted live, broadcast-quality video from 200 metres below the surface of the Indian Ocean in what the global news agency claims is a broadcasting milestone. Using optical technology, footage was sent through seawater using LED light and from the surface via satellite to broadcasters and digital publishers around the world. The footage was from First Descent by a UNESCO-backed international science team called Nekton on a deep-sea research mission.Getting a high-quality wire-free video signal from the uncharted depths of the Indian Ocean, alongside a science team that is exploring exciting new frontiers was a great moment. AP has always tried to be a pioneer in live broadcasting so its fitting we are pushing the boundaries by harnessing this kind of technology to give viewers a glimpse into a hidden world, said Sandy MacIntyre, AP vice president and director of key initiatives.Video was transmitted underwater using the blue light region of the electromagnetic spectrum in a method engineered by subsea communications specialist Sonardyne.Scientists on the mission are exploring depths of up to 3,000 meters off the coast of the Seychelles in two-person submersibles backed up by an array of data gathering tools, including remote-controlled motion sensor cameras.Over the seven week voyage, AP will provide video coverage of the search for submerged mountain ranges and coral forests, and hopes to capture sightings of previously undiscovered marine life. Nekton CEO Oliver Steeds said: With First Descent we want to explore the last great frontier on our planet, the deep ocean. With this amazing new optical technology we are able to broadcast what we are doing around the world to engage new audiences with our oceans. I am so thrilled that today we created not only a scientific first but a broadcasting first, too. SPI/FilmBoxs FunBox UHD Channel, claimed by its developer as one of the most sought after 4K channels in Europe, has extended its distribution partnership with Vodafone Spain. In 2017, SPI International and Vodafone Spain launched FunBox UHD in Spain bringing 4K UHD content to all Vodafone Spain subscribers. Vodafone Spain subscribers will continue to enjoy features from travel and nature documentaries, arts and culture, lifestyle, extreme sports, and a broad selection of world cinema classics and independent films all in full 4K UHD resolution.Vodafone was our first partner in Spain, and it gives me great pleasure to continue working with the Vodafone team, and offering an ever richer volume of native UHD programmes to their 4K subscribers, whilst hopefully inspiring non 4K subscribers to upgrade their viewing experience, commented Georgina Twiss, MD Western Europe and Africa at SPI International. Andrew Johnson, 17th President of the United States, had a tough job. He wasnt even elected to be President of the United States. His predecessor was assassinated after waging a four-year war on several rebellious states within the federation his state belonged to, and his state was among the rebellious! He was picked by that same predecessor to be Vice President because of his ties to the opposition party (see Roger Schleuters explanation for Abraham Lincolns decision to pick a Democrat as his 1864 running mate). To top it all off, the assassination of Johnsons predecessor occurred just five days after the rebels surrendered and ended the war. Thats a tough slate. Andrew Johnson hailed from Tennessee, which, along with Virginia (and possibly Cherokee country), bore the brunt of the violence associated with the Civil War due to its geographic location along the border of the rebellious Confederacy and the old Union. Johnson was a sitting senator from the state when it declared its independence from Washington and joined the Confederacy, but unlike his fellow senators from the rebellious Southern states, Johnson refused to quit his position. (The other senators quit in order to join the newly formed Confederate States of Americas government.) Johnsons decision to not support the Confederacy was straightforward. Under the constitution, the slave-holding states had no right to leave the Union and the Union had no right to abolish slavery. The election of an abolition-friendly politician did not give slave-holding states the right to attack a fort, much less leave the republic and form their own. Thats about as constitutionalist as you can get. So why does Johnson get low marks from historians? Probably because historians lean to the left and the left in general does not much like the American constitution, but also because Johnsons post-war policies were different than Lincolns plans for Reconstruction, and decidedly so. Johnson gave the rebellious states a lot of leeway as they re-entered the union, which angered many Republicans and Northerners who had spent the last four years of their lives fighting the rebels. The policies carried out by the defeated rebels to re-implement racist laws only made matters worse, and Johnsons decision to turn a blind eye - in the name of constitutionalism - threw fuel on the fire. Nevertheless, Johnsons impeachment trial had nothing to do with the regressive Black Codes in the South or the reintegration of rebel leaders into positions of power in federal politics. Nor did Johnsons racism have anything to do with the impeachment trial. The impeachment trial was about Republicans covering their butts after their unconstitutional legislation regarding cabinet members became unpopular with the voting public. Johnsons impeachment trial wasnt a Democrat-versus-Republican issue, either. Johnson was a pragmatic politician, as illustrated by his refusal to step down from the Senate. While Johnson kept a blind eye on self-governing events in the reconstructing South, and used his bully pulpit to oppose the 14th Amendment, he also tried to clear out Lincolns cabinet, which was a war cabinet and it did not make any sense to keep it around since the war was officially over. In one example, Johnson replaced a cabinet official with Ulysses S. Grant, so it wasnt like he was corrupt or trying to fill cabinet positions with his cronies. But he was trying to purge his cabinet of warhawks, and the GOP did not like it. In 1867, Congress had passed the Tenure of Office Act, which was designed to prevent Johnson from refilling his cabinet with peacetime bureaucrats rather than wartime bureaucrats. Johnson, of course, vetoed the bill, but Congress overrode Johnsons veto and then, in March of 1868, tried to nail Johnson with violating the act. Johnsons impeachment trial breezed through the House, which was dominated by Republicans, but the trial died, and rightly so, in the Senate. Andrew Johnson was the first President of the United States to undergo an impeachment trial. Given the chaos that Andrew Johnson inherited, it is not surprising that his presidency was so tumultuous. A vicious, years-long civil war had just ended and a free people, bound together by a republican constitution, were trying to figure out how to heal wounds and go forward together. Johnson, for his part, won the debate, at least in the long term. Subsequent Supreme Court rulings in the 1880s and 1920s supported his argument that the Tenure of Office Act was unconstitutional. The 10 Republican senators who voted that Andrew Johnson was not guilty, thus preserving the balance of power between the three branches of government, were never again elected into a public office of any kind. They fell on their swords so that we could continue to be free. Johnson became the only man in American history to serve as a senator after serving as a President, when the people of Tennessee voted him back to Washington in 1875. He died in office just a few months into the job. The Hanoi talks ended in deadlock. Both sides represented by U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un showed their anger by refusing to shake hands. The media labeled the talks a failure. But I've been involved in a number of negotiations in my life, and I see this as a normal part of the process. At some point, all parties will take positions designed to test the other side's hunger for a deal, and prudent negotiators know that showing hunger can be devastating. So, ending the negotiation, particularly with a show of anger, is routine. At the same time, mutual rejection can be genuine, and now each side is trying to figure out how serious the other is. Establishing that you are prepared to walk away from the table is important but sometimes the deal falls apart as a result. Even in France, a country where protest is a cherished ritual of public life, the violence and vitriol of the gilets jaunes movement have stunned the government. In a series of Saturday demonstrations that began in mid-November and have continued for three months, a previously dormant anger has erupted. Demonstrators have beaten police officers, thrown acid in the faces of journalists, and threatened the lives of government officials. There has been violence on both sides, and the European Parliament has condemned French authorities for using flash-ball guns against protesters, maiming and even blinding more than a few in the crowds. But the gilets jaunes have a flair for cinematic destruction. In late November they damaged parts of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris; in early January they commandeered a forklift and rammed through the heavy doors of the ministry of state. This is a modern-day jacquerie, an emotional wildfire stoked in the provinces and directed against Paris and, most of all, the elite. Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel and Russia had agreed to cooperate on withdrawing foreign forces from Syria. If confirmed, it would mean that Russia has agreed to force the Iranians out of Syria, a significant development for both Israel and the Syrian war itself. It's even more critical given that Whatever its outcome, the Brexit process will leave Britain at its least governable since the Seventies. Opening the way to the parliamentary insurrection in which MPs have attempted to seize power from government, Gina Miller's Supreme Court victory in January 2017 transferred authority to a House of Commons that nobody controls. While they oppose no deal, MPs have been unable to converge on an alternative that would prevent it. Fragmentation in the two main parties has been welcomed as offering a way out of the impasse, and the emergence of the Independent Group (TIG) hailed as the beginning of a new centrist force. But there is little reason to think voters will flock to a party that offers to take them back to the conditions that led to their present alienation the strange nostalgic vision that possesses centrist liberals. A post-Cold War era that included the Iraq War, the financial crisis and a decade of austerity is not a time to which many people long to return. Nor has TIG's appearance made the Brexit impasse any less intractable. The rejection of May's withdrawal agreement leaves the House of Commons as divided as before. MPs reject no deal and will support an extension of Article 50. Indicative votes exploring whether there is a majority for any other alternative are likely to follow. The end-result of over two years of bargaining and manoeuvring is that nothing has been agreed. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate , We're sorry, this article is not currently available Porterville, CA (93257) Today Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 51F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Mainly clear early, then a few clouds later on. Low 36F. Winds light and variable. Founded by two cancer survivors, the annual In Their Shoes 10k Run/Walk helps raise money for the Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support while also providing hope and support for both victims and their families. The 13th annual In Their Shoes 10K Run/Walk will be hosted by the Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center on March 23. Registration for the event will begin at 6:30 a.m. and the days activities will finish at 11:30 a.m. An award ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. Bombs Away! Collective House is a leftist zine and book library in Athens, Georgia. Its open to the public on certain Fridays of the month and offers free music and books for people of all ages. (Photo/Daniela Rico) With the latest action, the value of the philanthropic endowment corpus contributed by Premji is about $21 billion, which includes 67 per cent of the economic ownership of Wipro. Billionaire Azim Premji has announced he has raised his commitment for philanthropy by renouncing more of his personal assets and earmarking them to his Azim Premji Foundation endowment. The Wipro chairman has done this by additionally earmarking all economic benefits for philanthropic purposes in about 34 per cent of the shares in Wipro (current market value at Rs 52,750 crore or $7.5 billion), held by certain entities controlled by him, the Foundation stated. Premji is also chairman of the Foundation. This is in addition to his earlier donations, which included Wipro's shares and other assets owned by him. With the latest action, the value of the philanthropic endowment corpus contributed by Premji is about Rs 1.45 trillion ($21 billion), which includes 67 per cent of the economic ownership of Wipro, said the Foundation. The Foundation works directly in the area of education; it also supports other not-for-profits in specific areas through multi-year financial grants. The Foundation's extensive fieldwork in education has been in some of the most disadvantaged parts, to help improve quality and equity of the public (government) schooling system. All this in partnership with state governments - this fieldwork is in Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Puducherry, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh, along with some work in the northeastern states. The Foundation's field strategy focuses on creating and scaling up a network of institutions at the district and state levels, to contribute to improvement in the school education system. It has also set up the Azim Premji University in Bengaluru, established with the official aim of developing of professionals in the domains of education and related areas. The initiative to support other not-for-profits with multi-year grants was started in 2014, enabling expansion to domains other than education. The grants support efforts for tangible improvement in the lives of the poor and marginalised sections. The grants have gone to a little over 150 organisations in a range of domains. The Foundation said it expected to significantly expand its activities over the coming years. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters If you aren't living under a rock, it would be hard to miss reading or hearing about the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft being grounded by over 50 nations. For those who are in the dark or still confused about the entire episode, here's a simple FAQ on the issue and what's happening around the world. IMAGE: More than 50 countries, including the US and India have grounded the Boeing 737 Max aircraft. Photograph: Pascal Rossignol/Reuters >> When did the issue of the Boeing 737 Max arise? On March 10, Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 departed Addis Ababa Bole International Airport bound for Nairobi, Kenya. Just after takeoff, the pilot radioed a distress call and was given immediate clearance to return and land. But before the crew could make it back, the aircraft crashed killing all 149 passengers and eight crew members representing more than 30 nationalities. This crash came only five months after another. On October 29, 2018, 189 people were killed when Lion Air flight 610 crashed in the Java Sea 13 minutes after takeoff from Jakarta, Indonesia. As with the Ethiopian crash, the aircraft lost control early in its flight and the flight crew made a distress call. That aircraft was almost brand-new as well, having arrived at Lion Air three months earlier. >> What is the is the Boeing 737 Max 8? The 737 MAX is a narrow-body aircraft series by Boeing. When released, the firm claimed it was meant to bring the latest technology to the most popular jet aircraft of all time, the 737. The line is indeed the fourth generation of the Boeing 737, succeeding the Boeing 737 Next Generation (737NG). There are four planes in the series, the 7, 8, 9 and 10. The MAX 8 was meant to replace the 737-800 and is the longest running model in the series. >> How many airlines use the Boeing 737 Max 8? As of February 28, Boeing has delivered 376 aircraft to more than 50 airlines. Currently the three largest customers (in order) are of the 737 Max 8 are Southwest Airlines, American Airlines and Air Canada. >> What is the reason behind the two crashes? Investigators are still looking into the cause of both crashes. A preliminary investigation shows that pilots in the Lion Air crash struggled to get control of the plane after the nose was forced down by an automatic safety feature. The CEO of Ethiopian Airlines said his pilots also were reporting problems controlling the plane before the crash. >> Which countries have grounded the aircraft? Following the crashes, aviation authorities around the world have been ordering the planes to be grounded for the last three days. As of date, a total of 50 countries, including the United States has either grounded or banned the Boeing 737 Max 8 planes. Mexico took action against Boeing 737 Max 8 planes on Wednesday evening, just hours after America's decision to suspend the planes' operation inside the country. India's aviation watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation grounded the aircraft on March 12, adding that these planes "will be grounded till appropriate modifications and safety measures are undertaken to ensure their safe operations". >> How will India's aviation industry be affected? In India, Boeing 737 Max 8s are operated by two airliners -- Jet Airways and SpiceJet. Jet Airways owns five of these planes, but all of them were previously grounded due to the airline's financial troubles. But SpiceJet's fleet of 13 Max 8s were very much in operation till the DGCA's new order came in. Air fares in the country will skyrocket due to the cancellations. So, people wanting to fly will have to shell out much more than usual. >> How important is the Max series to Boeing? The aircraft is hugely important to Boeing and with the grounding of the 737 MAX the shares of the company have already fallen three per cent. Since the crash, the stock has been down more than 10 per cent, wiping more than $25 billion off the company's market value. Additionally, the news has touched Boeing's other aircraft, as well. As a result of the latest crash, Boeing has postponed the rollout of its 777X, which was scheduled for later this month. SpiceJet had bet its fortunes heavily on the new version of the 737 of which it has 13 planes in its fleet and another 193 aircraft on order SpiceJet will seek compensation from Boeing and demand credit on maintenance, repair, and overhaul for the 12 grounded 737 MAX aircraft. The airline, which had an aggressive expansion plan that banked on the delivery of the Boeing 737 Max, will now look to lease old planes. SpiceJet had bet its fortunes heavily on the new version of the 737, of which it has 13 planes in its fleet and 192 on order. The fuel-efficient and longer range 737 MAX provided an opportunity for SpiceJet to control its cost and plan new foreign routes, the future of which looks uncertain now. The airline's stock slipped 2.09 per cent to Rs 77.15 on the BSE on fears that the grounding of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft would hurt the airline's revenue. We will seek compensation from Boeing for the grounding of the planes. "We will also seek recompensation for revenue loss and any kind of maintenance or technical overhaul that the aircraft will have to undergo. "This is part of the contract, which we signed with Boeing for all the 737 MAX aircraft, said a senior SpiceJet executive. SpiceJet had recently started to see an improvement in its fortunes based on capacity increase and route development by the more fuel-efficient aircraft. The airline, which has 13 Boeing 737 MAX, had plans to add 15 Boeing 737 MAX in 2019. "We haven't yet studied how many will be delivered in the changed scenario, as it depends on the duration of the ban. However, we have a contingency plan ready," said another SpiceJet executive, adding the airline is going to wet lease two Boeing 737 in the next 20 days. Wet lease is an arrangement under which an airline leases aircraft along with crew, maintenance, and insurance from the lessor. It is a costly process and will lead to a spike in operational cost for the company. According to the company's statement, in the October-December period, its cost increased only 2 per cent, while jet fuel price increased by 6 per cent. This was due to lower fuel burn of the aircraft. Additionally, the airline will have to go slow on its expansion plans. The airline had planned to launch flights to Guangzhou, Istanbul, Moscow and other cities in central Asia from the upcoming summer schedule. It has also been forced to cut flights on at least 12 international routes. "Should the issue prolong, it could result in loss of profits for SpiceJet in the impending peak season though we expect some compensation from Boeing, depending on the agreement," brokerage firm SBI Cap said in a note to clients. As of now, there seems to be no clarity on how long the grounding will continue because it has been done following global examples and without any directive from Boeing or the Federal Aviation Administration. As of now, we don't have any clarity when the ban will be lifted. "Boeing has to assure us and other regulators that it has implemented changes in the aircraft and they are safe to fly. We may follow global examples too, said B S Bhullar, head of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Boeing has said it plans to make major changes to the flight control systems on the 737 MAX aircraft. The changes will be implemented by the end of April. According to Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola, the airline will cancel around 40 flights from Thursday. He, however, added the airline had been asked to not cut flights to a city that would make it unconnected. SpiceJet is rationalising the use of its other aircraft to address the current situation. We are evaluating options for augmenting capacity in the coming days through a mix of additional flights and aircraft induction, a SpiceJet spokesperson said. Photograph: SpiceJet via Twitter 'A sense of purpose is lacking in India's diplomacy.' 'This is what happens when foreign policy becomes the stuff for grandstanding before the domestic audience,' says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar. IMAGE: February 4, 2000: Masood Azhar leaves the Karachi press club after a news conference where he announced the founding of the Jaish e Mohammad. He had been freed from an Indian prison along with two other terrorists in exchange for the passengers and crew of the hijacked Indian Airlines flight IC-814. Photograph: Reuters The Chinese reservation about placing a technical hold on the listing of the chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed Masood Azhar as a 'global terrorist' by the United Nations security council does not come as surprise. The Chinese foreign ministry spokesman in the recent days had made it amply clear that its stance remained unchanged, no matter the media hype in India. One doesn't have to know rocket science to figure out the rationale behind China's stance. Pakistan is a key ally of China's -- and probably, the only steady ally -- and Beijing is obliged to its 'iron brother'. Moreover, in the prevailing regional and international environment, the Sino-Pakistan alliance has assumed a global character. Most certainly, it has ceased to be 'India-centric'. China's support strengthens Pakistan's strategic autonomy. And Beijing seems to think it is in China's own interests that Pakistan's strategic autonomy is strengthened. Conceivably, Beijing assesses that the entire campaign about Azhar is less about terrorism than a concerted strategy to weaken the Sino-Pak alliance. The UN security council is not known to work on the basis of altruistic principles and politics is hard ball. Indeed, the issue of terrorism is riddled with doublespeak. The Western troika within the P-5, which has piloted the move on Azhar, are not lily-white. Syria and Libya are living examples of their close nexus with terrorist groups, including the jihadi breed. In the case of Azhar, there is also the added factor that the recent positive trend of China-India relations is an eyesore for the West, given its profound implications for the security of the Asia-Pacific. On the other hand, the three NATO countries who belong to the P-5 in the UN security council are intensely conscious that Pakistan is pivotal to an Afghan settlement in which they are stakeholders, and annoying Islamabad unduly at the present juncture is certainly not in their interests. The sum and substance of it all is that the US, UK and France are dissimulating -- running with the hare (by courting/placating India) while also hunting with the hound (by mollycoddling Pakistan). Truly, India finds itself in an unenviable position. It has painted itself into a corner by grovelling at the feet of the 'P-3' (the US, Britain and France) in the New Cold War conditions, while also aware that these Western powers are by no means India's 'natural allies' in its struggle against cross-border terrorism. The Indian foreign policy establishment would know that the West's 'maximum pressure' strategy never works with Beijing -- and, arguably, it is not even meant to work. Suffice to say, the Modi government's intentions are unclear. Surely, it is no big deal even if the UN security council brands Azhar as a 'global terrorist'. Similar gentlemen with chequered past from Afghanistan who used to figure in the UN list of global terrorists are nowadays holding structured talks with US Special Resentative Zalmay Khalilzad in Qatar. And this is happening in spite of the UN's travel ban on them. The US, in fact, released 5 of them from Guantanamo Bay in a prisoner exchange that enabled them to reposition in Doha as America's interlocutors. And, make no mistake, they were hardcore terrorists. These are hard realities. Finally, Delhi should clinically reassess whether it can legitimately expect any improvement in the crisis situation in Jammu and Kashmir even if Azhar's movements were to be restricted. All indications are that Azhar is so gravely ill that he is unable to travel outside his home. Herein lies a sordid tale. Nonetheless, if the Modi government estimated that it is tactically advantageous to launch the Azhar project in the UN security council 1276 Committee, it can only be because the project has a big optic in the domestic audience. (It is doubtful if the world community loses sleep over Azhar's whereabouts.) Of course, another BJP government had set free Azhar from an Indian prison and delivered him safe and sound (with VIP escort) to the Pakistani ISI on the tarmac of Kandahar airport some 20 years ago. That shameful legacy seems to haunt the BJP and makes a mockery of its Hindu meta-nationalism and its posturing as the Praetorian guard of the national security state. Simply put, the Azhar project becomes, in a manner of speaking, an act of atonement by the Modi government. Secondly, the Azhar project helps divert attention from the complete policy failure in J&K by attributing to cross-border terrorism the sole reason for the crisis situation in that state. Whereas, Indian security analysts who held authoritative positions in the intelligence and defence establishment, open concede that while Pakistan exploits the ground situation in J&K, the insurgency as such is largely indigenous today and stems from a profound disconnect between the people and the Indian State. Thirdly, paradoxically enough, the Azhar project, which is the equivalent of what arm-chair strategists would call 'passive defence' (against Pakistan), grates against the government's most recent 'active defence' strategy (focused on 'pre-emptive' action), which it unveiled by attacking Balakot in Pakistan. Now, when the Azhar project crash-lands in New York, our overall deterrence gets weakened insofar as our strategic vocabulary becomes inchoate. Clearly, the Azhar project in the UN security council is a road to nowhere. It is needlessly complicating India's relationship with China, which has a raison detre by far exceeding the fate of a Pakistan-based terrorist. Again, lest it annoyed India, the world community may desist from using the 'K' word, but we should not take this as implying that they are oblivious of the 'root cause' of terrorism in the sub-continent. The bottom line is that the Modi government started with a bang in 2014 with the PM personally initiating a bid to secure permanent membership of the UN security council for India and has ended with a whimper on Wednesday by struggling to get an ailing terrorist nearing the sunset of his life branded as global terrorist. A sense of purpose is lacking in India's diplomacy. This is what happens when foreign policy becomes the stuff for grandstanding before the domestic audience. 'Chandra Shekhar used to say that some people may oppose such a decision from their mouth, but all will accept it from their heart as the best solution to the dispute.' Kishore Kunal, a former Indian Police Service officer who was Officer on Special Duty (Ayodhya) in the early 1990s to then minister of state for home affairs Subodh Kant Sahay, was actively involved in the government-sponsored mediation in the Ayodhya dispute. Kunal has also written two books on the Ayodhya dispute. In his first book, Ayodhya Revisited, he claimed it was Babur, not the founder of the Mughal empire, who has been blamed for demolishing the Ram temple in Ayodhya and constructing a mosque in in its place in 1528, but Fidai Khan, the governor of Ayodhya during Aurangzeb's reign, who was responsible. In his second book, Ayodhya Beyond Adduced Evidence, he has brought forth some important evidence on the dispute. Kunal, a 1972 batch IPS officer, took voluntary retirement and jumped into philanthropic work in the early 2000s. Calling himself a very religious man since childhood, he now heads the Patna-based Mahavir Mandir Trust that runs the largest cancer hospital in Bihar and two other hospitals. The trust is also constructing the world's largest Hindu temple, near Kesaria in Bihar's East Champaran district. Sporting a saffron tilak on his forehead and a colourful gamcha around his neck, Kunal spoke M I Khan in Patna about the Supreme Court-mandated mediation efforts, before leaving for Ayodhya. How do you see the scope for mediation between the contesting parties to the Ayodhya dispute? I am an ashawadi (optimist) as far as any move for a peaceful solution to the Ayodhya dispute. A solution to the dispute is in the interests of the country and people. I am always in favour of negotiations, talks and mediation between the contesting parties to the dispute, because it will solve the issue. I am again hopeful about it. But this time mediation is not directly between the contesting parties. How binding is the mediators's recommendation on the litigants? Is it open to any of them to reject the conclusions? No, it is not binding or mandatory at all. It is fully recommendatory. The Supreme Court will find it helpful to deal with the case. The apex court will finally decide. Could you recall the mediation in the 1990s during your role as OSD to the government? My association with the Ayodhya dispute started officially in 1990, when I was made officer on special duty (Ayodhya) to the then minister of state for home affairs Subodh Kant Sahay in the central government led by then prime minister V P singh, and retained in the same post by his successor Chandra Shekhar. During the tenure of the two prime ministers, several rounds of negotiations were held between representative organisations of the two communities. Both contesting parties were present and actively participated in talks with us. I still remember how Syed Shahabuddin, who head the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mashawarat and Babri Masjd Action Committee, used to talk on this issue regularly. Similarly, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders were also involved in the talks. Though nothing concrete came out of mediations during the V P Singh government at the Centre, during the short duration of Chandra Shekhar-led government, something concrete was about to be decided on the basis of the mediation to end the dispute, but his government ended or was ousted from power. What concrete decision was then prime minister Chandra Shekhar about to take to solve the dispute? I have mentioned it categorically in my second book Ayodhya Beyond Adduced Evidence. Chandra Shekhar as PM had taken some decision and wanted to implement it to solve the dispute. Unfortunately, before he could do anything publicly, his government ended. Chandra Shekhar used to say that some people may oppose such a decision from their mouth, but all will accept it from their heart as the best solution to the dispute. Can you tell us about what was that decision? As I told you, I have mentioned it in a paragraph in my book, it was that the Ayodhya dispute will be made a one-time exception and other disputed sites will not be raised or touched after that. Muslims will leave the claim on Ayodhya with a written guarantee that there will be no claim on other sites. After Chandra Shekhar, (then) prime minister P V Narasimha Rao did not make any serious effort to solve the dispute. Do you think the use of the Ayodhya dispute for political gain is right? I am against the use of religion in politics. I am totally involved in religious affairs, I never talk on politics or take part in it. Religion is for the good of all, there is no place for discrimination, revenge and violence. Other than mediation, is there any way to resolve the Ayodhya dispute Talking with each other is the easy and smooth way to resolve the Ayodhya dispute. As someone who has studied the dispute, and who has been involved with finding a solution, what do you think is the best solution? How acceptable do you think it will be to all the litigants? At the moment I cannot say what is the best solution when mediation over the Ayodhya dispute will start now. I am also going to Ayodhya with my book Ayodhya Beyond Adduced Evidence. I have collected 103 documents as evidence that were not presented before the court so far. 'It is a tense border and there are numerous elements that keep these tensions alive.' 'India is willing to militarily respond if provoked.' IMAGE: Braving temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius and sand storms, troops from the Indian Army's Jaipur-based South Western Command conducted drills to fight in all contingencies including a nuclear weapon environment in Rajasthan's Mahajan field firing ranges during Vijay Prahar, a military exercise which began on May 1 and ended on Wednesday, May 9, 2018. A month has passed since a suicide bomber murdered 40 Central Reserve Police Force soldiers in Pulwama, south Kashmir, on February 14. The horrific act of terror was followed by an Indian air strike on Jaish e Mohammad terror camps in Balakote, Pakistan, on February 26 followed by Pakistani aerial retaliation the next morning. Though the Indian and Pakistan armies pound each other's positions at the Line of Control day after day, the possibility of war appears to have subsided for now as hectic diplomacy -- led by Saudi Arabia's urbane Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir -- negotiates an end of hostilities in Islamabad and New Delhi. Are both militaries ready to sheath their swords to enable some sort of detente on the international border, leading to talks after a new government takes office in New Delhi? Or are we still poised for conflict, triggered by another act of unexpected terror activated by Pakistan's Deep State? To understand what lies ahead, Rediff.com's Nikhil Lakshman spoke to Dr Bharath Gopalaswamy, Director, South Asia Center at the Atlantic Council, the Washington, DC-based think-tank. How do you perceive the events affecting India and Pakistan these last 21 days? What lessons did you draw from India and Pakistan's actions of recent days? The one clear lesson from the past few days is the more things change with Pakistan the more they remain the same. Their use of non State actors to execute their foreign policy goals do not change. What has changed though is the Indian patience. Over the years, India has been restrained and has focused on building its economic and diplomatic clout as well as a reputation to be a responsible player on the global stage. It is using that might to demonstrate to Pakistan that these actions are unacceptable and it cannot be business as usual. Are you convinced that the Indian air strikes of February 26 destroyed Jaish e Mohammad facilities in Balakote and killed -- in the estimate of the leader of India's ruling party -- 250 terrorists? We will have to examine the evidence and I am sure over the next few months the evidence will emerge in bits and pieces. But that is not the point here. The bigger point is a military response. And Indian planes crossing the Line of Control. So India has essentially redrawn the red lines. So what next if something again like this happens is the bigger question to be debated. I think there is the evidence and then there is the interpretation of the evidence. As I discussed earlier, my interpretation of any evidence whatsoever is essentially about the signals India sent, that it is willing to militarily respond if provoked. And we should not miss that signal in this debate. Has the danger of war passed? Or are we going to see more military skirmishes, pounding of each other's positions on the LoC, a state of continuous conflict? How long will such a state exist? Do you believe the situation could still deteriorate and lead to a conventional war? I do not think the danger of war has ever passed. It is a tense border and there are numerous elements that keep these tensions alive. Again, I am not sure how long will such a state exist, but as I see there is an absence of a political dialogue and unresolved conflict. With such absence, there is always going to be a threat of a war. It is also key to note that Pakistan has proxies that it uses to execute its foreign policy and that is a strategy. So it is safe to say that such situation will continue to persist. How much of the Indian aggression, in your view, is provoked by Prime Minister Modi's desire to win a conclusive victory in the next election? Do you believe that if an election didn't hang over the proceedings, there was the possibility of an unlikely truce and a cessation of hostilities? While I am sure the elections had some role to play, I also think we should not over play that factor. As I see it, a lot of factors contributed to this outcome. I believe India's patience has been tested over the years and losing a large number of security forces with a suicide attack is not going to help matters. Do you believe that India's high stakes election makes it difficult for Prime Minister Modi to de-escalate tensions, to accept Prime Minister Khan's offer of a dialogue? Would Mr Modi's government be compelled -- led by the impulse to carve a strong nationalist narrative for the coming election campaign -- to deliver a bloodier nose to Pakistan through the length of the election campaign? While PM Khan's offer of a dialogue may sound good, they are empty in terms of substance. It remains to be seen what kind of serious actions Pakistan will take to curb home grown extremism. What about China? Will Beijing be content to stay on the sidelines, issuing -- as it did week -- calls for moderation and de-escalation? Were you surprised by the tone of Beijing's statements? I was not surprised by Beijing's statements. I also think that Beijing playing the role of a moderator or a power broker in any such conflict is not a good idea. Beijing's role should be restricted to curbing Pakistan's nefarious activities and not beyond that. What about the United States? Were the White House and Foggy Bottom so distracted by the Hanoi summit that it outsourced the calming things down operation to the Saudis and Emiratis? The United States administration is deeply distracted by its own domestic political turmoil. It did not 'outsource', but it just was not so interested in some of the happenings across the world where it could potentially make a difference. Do you believe the Saudis and Emiratis leaned on General Bajwa to free the Indian pilot quickly and also persuaded the Indians to back off from further escalation? I believe the Pakistanis themselves could have reached the conclusions although one cannot rule out the influence of Saudis and Emiratis. If this crisis is resolved, is the next crisis -- given the mood in Kashmir -- inevitable? What would it take for both New Delhi and Islamabad to reach some kind of understanding to avoid conflict so that their peoples can live in peace? We should be optimists and believe that we have to reach some form an agreement. Otherwise, it is not good for the people of Kashmir and broadly, India and Pakistan too. We should also be careful in thinking that every problem has a solution; sometimes there are not, but we can always have an agreement. 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? It is all of the above plus mismanagment, faulty decisions at times and wrong calculations. Finally, your forecast for Kashmir, for India, for Pakistan, for Afghanistan in the next 18 months. Again, I would refrain from making forecasts because none of us saw this coming. So when it comes to the region my reading would be expect the unexpected because the region is truly a unique and interesting region. The Indian Air Force and security agencies have completed a nearly two-week-long debriefing of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who spent around 60 hours in Pakistan after being captured during a dogfight on February 27, officials said. They said the IAF pilot's medical treatment has also concluded and he will go on sick leave for at least three weeks before resuming duty. A medical board to be constituted by the IAF will review medical fitness of Wg Cdr Varthaman to help the IAF top brass decide whether he can return to fighter cockpit as desired by him, they said. Wg Cdr Varthaman underwent the debriefing sessions by the security agencies as part of a cooling down process. He was captured by the Pakistani Army on February 27 after his MiG-21 Bison jet was shot down in a dogfight with Pakistani jets during an aerial combat. He downed an F-16 fighter of Pakistan before his plane was hit. Wg Cdr Varthaman was released on the night of March 1 by Pakistan. In the national capital, the IAF pilot was first taken to the Air Force Central Medical Establishment, a compact and specialised medical evaluation centre for aircrew of all the three services. Later he was brought to the Army's Research and Referral hospital. After he was captured, Wg Cdr Varthaman showed courage and grace in handling the most difficult circumstances for which he was praised by politicians, strategic affairs experts, ex-servicemen, celebrities and people in general. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa met Varthaman separately on March 2 during which he apprised them about the mental trauma he was subjected to during his captivity in Pakistan. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after Indian fighters bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp near Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. Pakistan retaliated by attempting to target Indian military installations the next day. However, the IAF thwarted their plans. The Indian strike on the JeM camp came 12 days after the terror outfit claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a Central Reserve Police Force convoy in Kashmir, killing 41 soldiers. CEC Sunil Arora will meet former heads of Central Board of Direct Taxes and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs on Friday to discuss ways to keep a check on black money disbursements in South India, especially Tamil Nadu. The Election Commission of India has appointed a special panel to check on illegal money flow in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Called the multi-department committee on election intelligence, the panel will have the participation of heads of all financial agencies, including Central Board of Direct Taxes chairman PC Mody; Central Board of Indirect Taxes chairman Pranab Kumar Das; Enforcement Directorate director Sanjay Kumar Mishra; DG, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence Devi Prasad Dash; Central Economic Intelligence Bureau director general Mitali Madhusmita; and Financial Intelligence Unit head Pankaj Kumar Mishra. Two retired bank chairmen of nationalised banks have also been taken as consultants to the poll panel to curb cash deposits in banks during the polling period. Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora will meet former heads of the Central Board of Direct Taxes and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs on Friday to discuss ways to keep a check on black money disbursements in South India, especially Tamil Nadu. Two other Election Commissioners will also be present at the meeting, to be held in New Delhis Hotel Ashoka. "We are confident that new regulations will be in place," a senior EC official told this correspondent. The focus of the meeting, the first of its kind, is to keep a check on cash distribution in South India, especially the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Cash distribution during poll campaign in Tamil Nadu is a major concern for the Election Commission, especially the handing out of Rs 500 and Rs 2000 bank notes. Observers of previous elections in Tamil Nadu have presented their reports on the issue. Based on this, the Election Commission on Friday will deliberate on what needs to be done to tackle the menace. "We have taken serious note of this menace in Tamil Nadu. We shall arrive at a concrete action plan," Arora told Rediff.com. Three former chairmen of CBDT and CBITC have accepted their appointment as consultants to the Election Commission to check black money distribution and illegal transfers of cash during polling days. They will visit Tamil Nadu in the first week of April. The EC has also directed CCTV cameras near major crossings and district borders to keep a watch on suspicious vehicular movement. It will also monitor four-wheeler movements to check on cash transportation. Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit on Thursday acknowledged that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs reaction after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks was not as strong and determined as that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the Pulwama strike, but added that the latter does everything for politics. Manmohan Singh, yes, I agree with you, was not as strong as and as determined as he (Modi) is. But there is also a feeling that he is doing it all for politics, the senior Congress leader said in an interview to Vir Sanghvi for CNN-News18 channel. She was responding when told that after the Indian air strike at the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camp in Balakot in Pakistan on February 26, Modi would argue that when things like Mumbai attacks happened (in 2008), we did nothing in return whereas he has offered a strong basket of response. Dikshit, a former three-time chief minister of Delhi, was also asked to comment on the "mood of national security" after the air strike and that people will look to Mr Modi because he is a strong leader. In response, she shot back, What do you mean by national security? Singhvi said according to Modi, it would mean going to other persons house and teaching him a lesson. To this, Dikshit said, I want to ask you a counter question. Has there been any time that security of this country has not been taken care of, even during Indira jis time? After the air strike, Modi has been questioning why the then United Progressive Alliance government did not respond as strongly after November 2008 attacks, in which 10 Pakistani terrorists targeted a number of places in the financial capital of India, and killed 166 people. IMAGE: Prime Ministeri Narendra Modi with the Chinese President Xi Jinping and the First Lady of the Republic of China, Peng Liyuan, at Sabarmati Waterfront, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on September 17, 2014. Photograph: Press Information Bureau As China again blocked a United Nation resolution to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed chief a global terrorist, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday hit out at Prime Minster Narendra Modi, saying he was weak and scared of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Congress chief attacked the prime minister and said he had not spoken on China blocking the resolution in the United Nations Security Council. The party accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of letting Masood off the hook again and also questioned Modi what was the use of "swinging" with Xi. "Weak Modi is scared of Xi. Not a word comes out of his mouth when China acts against India. NoMo's China diplomacy: 1. Swing with Xi in Gujarat. 2. Hug Xi in Delhi. 3. Bow to Xi in China," Gandhi said on Twitter. India's bid to designate the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's chief as a global terrorist suffered a setback with China on Wednesday putting a technical hold on a proposal to ban him following the Pulwama terror attack. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UNSC was moved by France, the UK and the US on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the JeM killed 44 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. "With China having blocked our bid to designate Masood Azhar a global terrorist, the question on every Indian's mind is, what was the use of all the swinging with Modi and President Xi," the Congress said on its official Twitter handle. "A terrorist responsible for such bloody murders is let off the hook again by the BJP," it claimed. Congress' chief spokeserson Randeep Surjewala said it was a sad day in the global fight against terrorism. "China blocking Masood Azhar's designation as global terrorist reaffirms Chinese position of being an inseparable ally of terrorism's breeding ground-Pakistan," he tweeted Wednesday. "Sadly, Modiji's foreign policy has been a series of diplomatic disasters," the party spokesperson said. The Congress has also been attacking the BJP over Azhar's release in the Kandahar hijacking case. Gandhi has asked Modi to tell the nation that it was a BJP-led government which released Azhar from an Indian jail in 1999. Gandhi has also alleged that National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, a top intelligence official back then, had "escorted" Azhar to Kandahar where he was handed over to terrorists. Azhar and two other terrorists, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar and Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, were released from Indian prison in 1999 by the then BJP-led government headed by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in exchange for the passengers held hostage on board IC-814 flight hijacked to Kandahar in Afghanistan. Gandhi's tweet must be headline news in Pakistan: BJP The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday hit back at Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, asking why he is in a celebratory mood whenever India is in pain, hours after he attacked the government over China blocking a United Nations resolution to designate Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist. Earlier, Gandhi slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming he was weak and scared of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "Why is Rahul Gandhi in a celebratory mood when country stands failed by this attitude of China?" "Your tweet would be shown in the office of Jaish-e- Mohammed with much merry...I ask with great pain today that what is the Congress's commitment today to fight against terror," he said addressing a press conference. He said Gandhi's tweet must be headline news in Pakistan. "You feel very happy seeing your news in Pakistan," Prasad claimed. He said that if Gandhi has such good relations with China, why doesn't India benefit because of it. "As per your utterances, you enjoy a close relationship with China... when you went to Mansarovar, you said you are in touch with Chinese officials...so why could not you persuade China to take action Masood Azhar," he asked. Prasad said foreign policy is a sensitive subject and it cannot be determined on Twitter. "The Congress has ruled country for 55 years... so we expected that the party would have given you correct advice regarding foreign policy. Generally, there is one line among all political parties regarding foreign policy," Prasad added. Pakistan will have better relations with its neighbours including India after the upcoming general elections, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday, claiming that Islamabad has taken the first step on a new path to peace and progress. Recently, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed killed 41 Central Reserve Police Force personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district in February 14. Khan, who announced visa reforms at a ceremony in Islamabad, said that Pakistan is confident today that it has taken the first step on a new path to peace and progress. "Pakistan will have better relations with its neighbours -- including India after the end of their elections. "We will have good relations with all our neighbours and a peaceful Pakistan will be a prosperous Pakistan," he said as he announced major visa reforms, including online visa issuance facility, to attract tourists and investors. The elections in India will begin on April 11 and polling would be held over seven phases through May 19, followed by counting of votes on May 23. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party tweeted that the new e-visa scheme will available to visitors from 175 countries. "This is the first step to open up the country, the Naya (new) Pakistan," Khan said, adding that it would revive the confidence of 60s when Pakistan was making fast progress The prime minister said that Pakistan would attract religious tourism from all over the world. "Taxila was the centre of Buddhism. We have discovered a 40ft Buddha -- the world's largest sleeping Buddha -- which we have yet to share with the world. "Sikhs' holiest places like Nankana Sahib and Kartarpur were also in Pakistan. We also have very old sites for Hinduism in Pakistan, including Katas Raj," Khan said. He also announced that the next season of the Pakistan Super League will be organised in Pakistan instead of Dubai. Officials said that initially, the e-visa facility will be available to nationals of Turkey, China, Malaysia, the UK and the United Arab Emirates and later extended to other 170 countries. Business visas will be given to 90 countries, while 55 countries will be granted visa-on-arrival. The Supreme Court on Thursday said it will first decide on the preliminary objections raised by the Centre that the documents on which it was claiming 'privilege' cannot be relied upon to re-examine the verdict in the Rafale fighter jet deal with France. "Only after we decide the preliminary objection raised by the Centre, we will go into other aspect of the review petitions," said a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. The bench, also comprising Justices S K Kaul and K M Joseph said that 'only if we overrule the preliminary objection, we will go into other details'. At the outset, Attorney General K K Venugopal, claimed privilege over documents pertaining to the Rafale fighter jet deal with France and said those documents cannot be considered in evidence as per Section 123 of the Indian Evidence Act. He contended that no one can produce them in the court without the permission of the department concerned as those documents are also protected under the Official Secrets Act and there disclosure is exempted under the Right to Information Act as per Section 8(1)(a). The Centre objected to the admissibility of those documents annexed by former Union ministers Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie as also activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan in their review petition against the apex court's December 14 judgement dismissing all petitions against the Rafale jet deal. Bhushan said the Centre's objections were 'mala fide and totally untenable arguments'. The bench said that 'argument on the preliminary issue and the claim of privilege raised by the Government of India is reserved'. It noted further that according to the AG's submissions 'there are three Rafale documents whose publication comes under Official Secrets Act, 1923. These documents were unauthorisedly published. You claim privilege under section 123 of Evidence Act. You want us to adjudicate and strike down the review on this basis'. After the submission of Venugopal, the bench asked Bhushan, who was appearing for Sinha, Shourie and himself, that he has the right to reply in writing to the affidavit filed by the Centre on Wednesday. However, Bhusahn said he did not think that there was a need to reply in writing and submitted a note countering the preliminary objections raised by the centre on maintainability of the review petitions, stating that 'preliminary objection are mala fide and totally untenable arguments'. He said government cannot claim privilege over the documents which are already published and is in public domain. He said that Section 123 Indian Evidence Act only protected 'unpublished documents'. While the Centre was making submission that the documents can be withheld from disclosure under the Right to Information Act in view of the national security, the bench said Section 22 of the RTI Act gave it an overriding effect over the Official Secrets Act. The bench also said that under Section 24 of the RTI Act even security and intelligence establishments are not exempted from disclosing information in relation to corruption and human rights violations. "The RTI Act brought a revolution. In 2009, your own government said file notings can be made available under the RTI. Let us not go back now," the bench said. Shourie submitted that he was thankful to the Centre and the Attorney General for saying in their affidavit that these are photocopies, proving the genuineness of these documents. Bhushan further said that provisions of the RTI Act say public interest outweighs other things and no privilege can be claimed except for documents which pertain to intelligence agencies. He also said that there is no government-to-government contract in purchasing Rafale jets as there is no sovereign guarantee extended to India by France in the Rs 58,000 crore deal. He submitted why the government didn't lodge any FIR when these documents started coming out in November 2018. "How can they question leaks when they themselves leaked a document containing notings by the then Raksha Mantri" Bhushan contended. He further said that the government has itself filed a detailed Comptroller and Auditor General report regarding as many as 10 defence purchases and it is untenable on their part to now claim privilege. "Rafale is the only case where they redacted pricing details," he said and countered the preliminary objections raised by the Centre by reminding previous orders of the apex court in the 2G spectrum scam and coal block allocation scam that it is not mandatory to disclose the source in the matter of public interest. He also cited Pentagon Papers case of USA in which question had arisen as to whether defence documents relating to the Vietnam war could be published saying that the US Supreme Court rejected the claim of national security. He also said the Press Council of India Act provides provisions for protecting sources of journalists. Senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for another petitioner Vineet Dhanda, said that the government cannot claim privilege on these documents. Advocate M L Sharma also submitted that if the Centre was claiming that the documents were illegally procured why no action has been taken and no first information report filed. The hearing commenced with Attorney General telling the bench that there was a mistake when the Centre filed the CAG report in the Rafale deal as some pages were missing in it those have to be brought on record. IMAGE: Neomi Rao reacts after being nominated by President Donald Trump to replace Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh on the US DC Circuit Court of Appeals at the White House in Washington. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters Neomi Rao, a prominent Indian-American lawyer has been confirmed for a powerful federal judgeship by the United States Senate after she came under scrutiny for her past writings on sexual assaults. Rao, 45, was confirmed for the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, one of the most powerful benches in the country, by 53-46 votes on Wednesday in the Senate, which was basically on party lines. She will replace controversial Brett Kavanaugh who endured a bitter confirmation battle last year after President Donald Trump named him to the US Supreme Court. Rao currently serves as the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget. In this capacity she played a key role in regulatory reform. Her confirmation came amidst stiff resistance from the Opposition Democratic lawmakers and even some Republicans. There was a nationwide campaign against Rao by rights groups for her previous position on sexual assault and minorities. Rao faced fierce questioning not just for her work in the Trump administration but for commentary she wrote decades ago as a Yale University student suggesting women should change their behaviour to avoid date rape. Rao apologised last month for her previous writing. The Republicans enjoy majority in the 100-member US Senate. After being sworn in, she would be the second Indian-American on this court, which is considered only next to the US Supreme Court. "This nominee is yet another of the president's excellent choices to serve as a federal judge," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said of Rao. He said during her confirmation hearing, she 'demonstrated a commitment to maintaining the public trust and upholding the rule of law'. Meanwhile, opposition Democratic party said Rao did not deserve to be confirmed. "A vote for Neomi Rao is a vote for a judge who blamed survivors of sexual assaults for being attacked. It is a vote for a judge who claimed sexual orientation is a 'behavior' that can be changed," said Democratic National Committee's Women's Media Director Elizabeth Renda and LGBTQ Media Director Lucas Acosta. Prior to her service as OIRA Administrator, Rao was a professor of structural constitutional law, administrative law, and legislation and statutory interpretation at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University. She founded the Law School's Center for the Study of the Administrative State and focused her scholarship on the political and constitutional accountability of administrative agencies and the role of Congress. She has served in all three branches of government including Associate Counsel and Special Assistant to President George W Bush. She also served as counsel to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, where she was responsible for judicial nominations and constitutional law issues. In between government service, Rao practiced in the London office of Clifford Chance LLP, specialising in international law and commercial arbitration. Responsible member-states of the United Nations Security Council may be forced to take "other actions" if China continues to block moves to designate Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, diplomats at the UN's principal organ have warned. The senior diplomats spoke on condition of anonymity to give a sense of the frustration of the other members of the Security Council after China on Wednesday put a technical hold on the proposal to designate Azhar as a global terrorist. China has blocked four bids in 10 years to get Azhar, a blue-eyed boy of Pakistan's spy agency ISI, listed as a UN-designated global terrorist. Azhar masterminded many audacious attacks on India, including the 2001 Parliament strike and the recent Pulwama carnage in February that pushed both India and Pakistan to the brink of war. The proposal to designate Azhar under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council was moved by France, the United Kingdom and the United States on February 27, days after a suicide bomber of the JeM killed 40 CRPF soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama, leading to a flare-up in tensions between India and Pakistan. "If China continues to block this designation, responsible member-states may be forced to pursue other actions at the Security Council. It shouldn't have to come to that," a security council diplomat said in an unusual tough warning to China, a close ally of Pakistan. India has expressed disappointment over China's decision but said it will "pursue all available avenues" to bring to justice terrorist leaders involved in attack on Indians. "This is the fourth time that China has placed a hold on this listing. China should not prevent the Committee from doing the job the Security Council has entrusted it to do," another security council diplomat said. "China's move to hold the listing is inconsistent with its own stated goals of combatting terrorism and furthering regional stability in South Asia," said the diplomat, requesting not to be named, given that the deliberations of the 1267 Al Qaeda UN Sanctions Committee are confidential, thus preventing member-countries from talking about it in public. The second diplomat also slammed Pakistan for depending on China to protect terrorist groups and leaders that operate from its soil. "Pakistan has quite often depended on China to protect it from the listing of Pakistan-based terrorist groups and individuals in the UN 1267 sanctions committee," the diplomat noted. "The case for designating Masood Azhar the leader of a group the UN already calls an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organization is undeniable," the diplomat said. On Tuesday, the Trump administration said that Azhar meets the criteria to be designated as a "global terrorist" by the UN. "Our views on Jaish-e-Mohammad and its founder are well known. The JeM is a UN-designated terrorist group," State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino told reporters. "Azhar is the founder and the leader of the JeM, and he meets the criteria for designation by the United Nations. The JeM has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks and is a threat to regional stability and peace," Palladino said. The state department referred to this statement on Wednesday when asked to comment on the latest developments at the United Nations. "I would say that the United States and China share a mutual interest in achieving regional stability and peace, and that a failure to designate Azhar would run counter to this goal," Palladino said. Congressman Brad Sherman described the Chinese move as unacceptable. "Once again, China has blocked the UN from imposing sanctions on Masood Azhar, the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed, which carried out the Pulwama attack in India in February. This is unacceptable," he said. "I urge Beijing to allow the UN to place sanctions on Azhar, the leader of a UN-recognised terrorist organisation," Sherman said. Several American think-tank members slammed China for its decision to delay the Azhar listing. "Today, China doubled down on a very bad bet. It blocked yet another round of UN sanctions on Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar weeks after the group claimed credit for the deadliest terror attack in Kashmir," Jeff Smith from the Heritage Foundation said. "This one won't be undone by another romantic stroll through Wuhan," he said, referring to a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in April last year. "Not entirely unexpected, but nonetheless a slap to India's face after last month's bloody suicide-bombing in Kashmir. Also raises serious questions about the benefits of Modi's photo-op diplomacy with Xi Jinping," tweeted Sadanand Dhume from American Enterprise Institute. Jagdish Sewhani, the president of 'The American India Public Affairs Committee', said the decision of China is a blatant abuse of the veto power that it enjoys as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. "China today stands exposed as the only supporter of Pakistan's State sponsor of terrorism. We Indian-Americans have decided to hold peaceful demonstrations outside the Chinese embassy and consulates in the US and urges the people of Indian origin and friends of India across the world to do the same in their countries as well," he said. Rahul feels collective decisions taken with his mother and sister helped the party in the December assembly elections. Hence, he wants to follow the same strategy for the Lok Sabha election, too. Photograph: PTI Photo Congress President Rahul Gandhi has introduced a new style of political campaign for the 2019 Lok Sabha. And that is to consult his sister Priyanka Gandhi, Congress general secretary in charge of eastern Uttar Pradesh, on every issue. Rahul feels that collective decisions taken with his mother Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka helped the party in the Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan assembly elections which the Congress won. Hence, he is bent upon following the same strategy for the Lok Sabha election, too. Though Priyanka will be stationed in Lucknow, she is part of an exclusive WhatsApp group of top party leaders and exchanges views with others, following which the brother-sister duo take all major decisions. Although Rahul is dependent on young faces and fresh recruits to the Congress, he has also taken a few elders who worked with his late father Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia and who have tremendous experience in handling Lok Sabha polls. Congress strategies, implementation and alliance talks are directly conducted by Rahul with Priyanka's active support. Outside his family Rahul has five confidants in the Congress who assist him: Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ambika Soni, Ashok Gehlot and Jairam Ramesh. These Panch Pandavas, as the party refers to them, hold daily briefings with Rahul. Similarly, Rahul has set up special committees for various tasks, but the main ones are all in the hands of former Union minister Jairam Ramesh who has emerged under Rahul Gandhi as the real point man for the Congress. The Congress has its national headquarters at 24, Akbar Road, New Delhi, but it also has six other offices in the national capital, like 15, Gurudwara Rakabganj road; Jawahar Bhavan and 5, Raisina Road. The Congress leaders use any of these venues for their meetings, but it is the bungalow at 15 Gurudwara Rakabganj road where daily state election committee meetings are held daily. Ramesh, who handled the Congress's 2004, 2009 and 2014 war rooms, provides draft speeches, notes and Congress Working committee resolutions. For 2019, Rahul depends on him for drafting the Congress election manifesto. Earlier, this task was undertaken by Pranab Mukherjee, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Rajeev Gowda and P Chidambaram. But in order to get fresh ideas and inputs, Rahul has involved six youngsters fresh out of IITs and foreign universities to give suggestions to Jairam Ramesh. Very few leaders can SMS Rahul on his personal mobile phone, Jairam being among the handful. Congress insiders say many spot decisions are taken by Rahul on SMS and e-mail. Some 25 top Congress leaders are in a WhatsApp group with Rahul, including a few members of his personal secretariat. Any major policy or political decision, directions or plans are discussed and approved on this WhatsApp group. Some of the major tasks assigned to Jairam Ramesh are: To oversee the war room and coordinate with the Pradesh Congress committees; to head the newsroom of National Herald newspaper; to liaise with senior advertisement agencies to push daily newspaper ads and writing creative slogans; to coordinate Rahul's visits with state units and to coordinate publicity material. Jairam Ramesh spends the day at the 15, Gurudwara Rakabganj road war room; his evenings are spent at 2, Tughlak lane, Rahul's home. The buzz from insiders is that senior leaders like A K Antony and Ghulam Nabi Azad have conveyed to Rahul not to overstate the Rafale deal as voters in north India are more concerned about the post Pulwama national security situation. The excess focus on the Rafale deal, these Congress leaders feel, is bouncing back on Congress strategies since in the Hindi heartland the IAF airstrike has given the BJP political boost. Hence, the Congress has been reworking its strategy, with leaders like Jairam Ramesh, Ahmed Patel and Ashok Gehlot suggesting that Rahul focus instead on the agrarian crisis and unemployment. Yale Repertory Theatre heads back to the future with its production of Shakespeares Twelfth Night, which officially opens March 21 at the University Theatre. Director Carl Cofield refers to his concept of the production as Afro-futuristic. Were basically going 40 years into the future in this magical world of Illyria, where music and wit are the prize commodities, said Cofield, speaking the other day before previews began March 15. What would that look like in an Afro-futuristic setting? he asked rhetorically. A world where technology is integrated into our daily lives. Currently we have Alexa and Siri: What would that translate into a magical world like Illyria? Twelfth Night, which runs through April 6, tells the tale of Viola, a young woman of privilege who washes up on the shore of Illyria in the wake of a shipwreck that separated Viola from her twin brother, Sebastian. In order to survive alone in a foreign land, and in hopes of finding her brother alive, Viola is moved to dissemble as a male and, as luck would have it, lands a job as Duke Orsinos top adviser on matters amorous. Shes surveyed her landscape, said Cofield, who enjoyed a 20-year acting career before setting out as a director. Shes lost her father, her brother, she washes up with nothing. But in an instance, shes able to look around at her surroundings, figure out a plan and put that plan into action. I think that will resonate with a 21st-century audience, said Cofield, calling Viola my favorite character of Shakespeares. In our political climate, where people are fleeing something, or traveling over great distances and arriving in a new country with nothing, how do you navigate a system like that? I think Viola, to her credit, lands in a place where wit and music are the prized commodities, he said. If you are able to harness those commodities, you will excel in this world. More Information University Theatre, 22 York St., New Haven. March 15-April 6. $20-$92. 203-432-1234. yalerep.org See More Collapse As classical theater fans know, Shakespeare has weathered more costume changes than Colorforms characters in a Charles Ludlam farce. Yet technology remains The Rub: How does one reconcile modern firearms and IPhones where rivals hand-write (cursive?) challenges to duels? With rapiers, no less? As Joe Papp famously put it, all the trouble in Romeo and Juliet could be averted if only someone had a telephone. Yale Reps production, Cofield said, embraces technology both antique and cutting-edge. We operate under the premise of strange yet familiar, or familiar yet strange, Cofield said, adding that they do not alter Shakespeares language. So, absolutely, in a world where technology is encroaching, what does it mean to have a letter in this world? Were just creating our own dramaturgy about how important a hand-written letter in the future would be, he said, in a world where the norm is text and email: How personal and romantic is a letter? What is a world where people walk around with swords and rapiers, and how is that technology gone forward in the future? These are great conversations that the designers and I have had to wrestle with, said Cofield, who serves as associate artistic director of Classical Theatre of Harlem. How might weapons morph in the future? So, right now were seeing the advent of Taser technology, he said. But police officers have two capabilities: Tasers and their firearms. So we incorporated a way where we created our own Taser-swords, much like Star Trek (where) they have the option of stunning or killing. Again, strange yet familiar, Cofield said, adding that Shakespeares text can handle bold design. This is a Shakespeare that young people will hopefully identify with and say, Oh, yeah! I dig this! Since Twelfth Night is one of the Reps WILL POWER! productions, Cofield and Co. will learn if their show clicks with young students during three morning matinee performances. Cofield grew up in Miami, Florida, bereft of any exposure to Shakespeare. He genuinely looks forward to these three performances. The hope is that some of these young people who might not be familiar with classics will look at this classic and say: There is room for me at the table. I didnt think this room would be inviting. But they are inviting me to the table, he said. So thats something I really hope to capitalize on. Cofield finally fell in love with Shakespeare, however reluctantly, soon after studying acting at the University of Miami where professors Mel and Barbara Shrawder made classics appetizing for the aspiring actor. I was not enthusiastic, he said. I remember getting ready to go into that semester and I was like, I dont really want to do this. And Mel said: No, you should do it. Youre going to be very good at it. As with some great educators, they see something in you that you dont see in yourself. Mel and Barbara set a place at the table for me and let me come and eat, said Cofield, who credits Mel Shrawder with steering him to Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts to study after graduation. Cofield, who spent much of his 20 years on the boards performing Shakespeare and has seen his share of nontraditional productions, knows that allegiance to the text is paramount. A directors job is to keep everyone focused on the prize, he said. Re-investigate on a daily basis why were doing what were doing. It is absolutely essential that we tell a story of love right now, he said. Were looking at our political climate in the country right now and people are being demonized for coming from different places, (and heres) a story about a woman who comes from a different place and, in the face of overwhelming odds, and can still find love. Thats a story to be telling in our loudest voices. E. Kyle Minor is a freelance theater writer. Hamden is the only municipality in United Illuminating Co.s service area that hasnt let the company convert its street lights to energy-efficient LED lamps. But its not because town officials dont want energy and cost savings. Hamden wants to buy its streetlights from UI before the company installs new LED lamps, but theres nothing requiring UI to go along with this plan. . Our streetlights arent for sale, said UI Spokesman Ed Crowder. UI, a subsidiary of AVANGRID, owns and maintains the streetlights in 16 of the 17 Connecticut towns and cities it serves and the company has converted nearly all of its 51,500 municipal streetlights to LEDs. New Haven is the only city able to buy all its streetlights from UI thanks to a deal reached in the 1980s. However, cities and towns serviced by another utility company Eversource may buy their streetlights due to a 2001 decision by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, then the Public Utility Control. In response to a grassroots effort to provide legal parity between both utility companies, state Rep. Michael DAgostino, D-Hamden, has introduced House Bill 5580. The bill would allow those municipalities serviced by UI to buy their streetlights, which Hamden is eager to do. Streetlights are a profit center and towns are in constraints, said Hamden resident Christina Crowder, a member of the Hamden Low-K LED Alliance, which worked for more lighting options when UI sought to convert Hamdens lights to LEDs around August 2017. Cost savings of LED lights As UI has converted its towns to LED lamps, all the municipalities have realized cost savings at no expense. West Haven projected it would save $388,000 a year when the city converted in 2017 and North Haven sees a $200,000 savings yearly since they converted to LEDs in 2016. UI projects Hamden would save around $317,000 in energy costs if the company switched the town over to LEDs and maintained the lights. But town officials say Hamden can do better. Right now, in addition to paying electricity charges, the town pays for each light to be bought and maintained by UI. The nearly $1 million a year Hamden pays UI covers the cost of buying the lights and maintaining them without the town hassling with it. For each light purchased, UI takes on the upfront cost and the lamps value depreciates over time. Christina Crowder said the town pays about $100 per light, but some fixtures are 20-30 years old and the town would have paid for it many times over at this point, so the extra money being spent goes straight to UI. If the town bought the lights, it could save close to $700,000, Crowder said, basing her estimates on other towns that have done it in Eversources service area. If the town converted to LED lights after taking them over, the savings would be even greater. The savings, pure and simple, is number one, Christina Crowder said. More municipal control Hamden isnt only interested in cost savings, though. Crowder said she and Mayor Curt B. Leng want the ability to control whatever lighting technology gets installed in the town. Lighting technology is constantly evolving and if Hamden wants to take advantage of it, officials dont want to wait for UI to get on board, she said. UI is good at a lot of things but theyre not specialists in lighting technology, Christina Crowder said. These days, street lights exist that can can deliver municipal wifi or metered parking, Crowder said. Another possibility is having dimmer/brightening controls on lights so towns can adjust the brightness for appropriate settings. Thats just today, and who knows what exists in the future, Christina Crowder said. Having municipal control is such benefit to the town its a no brainer, she said, particularly when Eversource towns have the right, so why dont UI towns? The Joint Committee on Energy and Technology heard testimony on House Bill 5580 at the end of February, but no action has been taken since. A number of Hamden residents, including Christina Crowder and Leng submitted testimony in support of the bill. A representative for UIL Holdings Corporation, which includes United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas, said in testimony requiring electric distribution companies to sell street lights would not be in the best interest of the rate payers, both system wide as well as in the municipality requesting to purchase the assets because UI has high level standards and experience maintaining the lights, a cost that towns would assume. In a letter to UIs attorney Leonard Rodriquez, Leng formally informed the company that Hamden is interested in buying the towns streetlights. When the service company indicated it wont sell the lights, the town prepared a petition for a declaratory ruling to PURA, seeking advice on whether UI can refuse to sell lights to any town within the towns own territory. Audits & CCM support Hamden is also working to hire a company to audit the towns streetlights to assess their age, use and placement. The Town is still evaluating all aspects of this idea, working to consider all potential costs, burden and liabilities as compared to the many apparent benefits, Leng wrote in his letter. The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities also wrote to support the legislative bill but suggested it include specific requirements of service companies. They suggested that upon request, utility companies must provide a free audit of streetlights in a municipality within 120 days, which is critical for cities and towns looking to buy the inventory; municipalities shouldnt be forced to buy private lights on utility poles; cities and towns could perform all street lighting maintenance work except for actual connection to the utilitys secondary system; the final purchase price of streetlights must be based upon their fully depreciated value, rather than their substantially greater market value. CCM also suggested that all service providers be required to track the operations and maintenance cost the way Eversource does now to set accurate streetlight rates. It may get stuck in committee but Im hoping its part of an inevitable march that one way or another Hamden is going to wrangle control over our lights, Crowder said. Were not without options even if this bill doesnt make it through. Were going to keep hammering away on it. What other cities have done Torrington and Middletown have bought their streetlights and been saving significantly. Middletown bought its 5,000 streetlights for about $1.2 million in August 2015. Middletown Energy Coordinator Michael Harris said the deal took three to four years to pay back, but now the city is seeing significant savings. The city went from paying $800,000 a year for service and to lease the lights to paying roughly half that after the sale. About $100,000 of the savings goes toward contracting a maintenance company to manage the lights, but owning the lights has been much less expensive overall with the potential to save more, he said. One of the keys to owning the lights is then you have the opportunity to convert them to higher efficiency rather than wait for the utility company to do it or have to lobby for them to do it, Harris said. Come spring, Middletown will begin converting its street lights to energy efficient LEDs, he said, which will cut operating cost again by roughly half, bringing the operating cost down to $200,000 a year. Torrington was an early adopter of streetlight ownership when the town bought its 3,775 lights on Sept. 1, 2000, from then Connecticut Light & Power, now Eversource. Owning the lights initially saved the city $225,000 yearly, officials said. When the city converted most of its lights to LEDs, it began saving roughly another $150,000 a year. Former Public Works Director Jerry Rollett, who oversaw the streetlight purchase, said there havent been any difficulties operating and maintaining them. Early adopters West Hartford was another early purchaser in 2002, but, like Middletown, took a while to convert to about 6,000 lights to LEDs. West Hartford Energy Specialist Catherine Diviney said the two rounds of cost savings in streetlights are the initial purchase and then the conversion to high-efficiency bulbs. Eversource charges two separate rates to municipalities that own their streetlights and those that dont. The difference in charges per LED fixture is approximately between $6 and $11 for those Eversource maintains and $.60 to $3 for lights municipalities own, depending on the brightness of the lamp. UI also has different rates for municipalities that own the lighting, which is only New Haven for now. Christina Crowder said the utility companies and municipalities have competing interests one seeks to make money, while the other seeks to pay less. Utility companies have potentially a lot to lose financially if more municipalities begin buying fixtures. It shouldnt be a trade-off because they should be openly supportive of energy efficiency, but theyre conflicted because theyre a for-profit company and all of this is a loss of revenue, Harris said. Theyre losing a lot of revenue between the lease and energy charges and theyve pushed some rate increases and if they can charge people for the repairs and maintenance. Harris said the conflict is unfortunate because the reason Connecticut is so far behind in energy efficiency is because of corporate influence. There shouldnt be such difficulty when were facilitating energy efficiency, he said. That should be something we work hand in hand. Maintenance of the lights When towns buy the lights they also take on the operating an maintenance cost. Torrington and Middletown officials decided to contract out maintenance, while the West Hartford Public Works Department assumed it for the city. North Haven First Selectman Michael J. Freda said hes comfortable with UI maintaining the lights and having the company convert the fixtures to LEDs has saved the town $200,000 a year. I was totally on board with it, Freda said. It represented $200,000 in savings but also tied into a larger mission at that time to reduce overall energy costs for the town, which was looking at green energy efficiencies. Freda said he is not interested in buying the towns fixtures because it would be a significant capital expense up front in addition to the town assuming operation and maintenance, or contracting it. To buy each light, thats a significant capital expense in my opinion, he said. Im not sure how you could get an additional payback on a huge capital expense up front. North Haven has 3,544 street lights, all of which have been converted to 4,000-kelvin LEDs. Ive got no problem with the format and the concept, Freda said. Ive had no thought of trying to change that. The LED conversion was a good example of UI keeping up with the savings and technology by offering a more cost efficient solution. In the end, Freda said he wanted a net savings for the town and thats what he got. mdignan@hearstmediact.com CORNWALL March 10 was cold and windy with wet snow, and at 10 a.m, the slopes at Mohawk Mountain ski area were perfect for downhill racing. Seven teams of firefighters competed that day in the annual firefighter race, raising money for the Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital. TORRINGTON A 23-year-old Harwinton man will serve a year in jail on larceny and forgery charges after accepting a plea deal that wiped out many other pending charges in the case. Austin Cyr pleaded guilty in Superior Court in Torrington Wednesday to fifth-degree larceny, third-degree forgery, attempt to commit fourth-degree larceny and second-degree failure to appear. He received a five-year sentence, suspended after a year served, to be followed by three years of probation for those charges. He also pleaded guilty to second-degree breach of peace, second-degree failure to appear, fifth-degree larceny and third-degree forgery, for which he received six months in jail, suspended after three months. That sentence will run concurrently with the one imposed in the larceny case. Those eight charges, out of nearly three dozen filed against Cyr in 2018, were the only ones for which he was convicted under the plea deal. The remaining charges will be nolled, meaning they will not be prosecuted, according to a Superior Court clerk. Cryr was ready to plead guilty at his last court appearance on March 6, but prosecuting attorney Jonathan Knight said a plea wouldnt be accepted until the court received input from the victims. The (guilty plea) has been conveyed, but victims have a right to be advised, of the results of the case, Superior Court Judge John A. Danaher III said at the the time. Cyr has been in the New Haven Correctional Center since Jan. 30 , according to Department of Corrections records. Information on where he will serve his sentence was not available. Cyrs encounters with law enforcement date back to at least 2012, when Cyr, who was 16 at the time, was reported missing, while on his way to the Connecticut Children's Hospital in Hartford. He was found in Hartford nearly a week later. In 2017, Torrington police and emergency workers were dispatched to Alvord Park on a call about an injured male . Cyr was later found in the parking lot of St. Pauls Lutheran Church on Torringford West Street. Torringford School, which is across the street from the church, went into a secure place exercise as a result of the incident. Such an exercise secures the building to protect students and staff inside. When police located Cyr, he told police he had a knife and would assault officers if they approached and create a suicide by cop situation, according to a report. After this incident, Cyr was charged with assault on an officer, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession in a school zone, interfering with an officer and breach of peace, according to the report. In February 2014, Cyr received a suspended sentence of one year in prison on a 2013 charge of interfering with an officer. In October 2014, he was sentenced to six months in prison on a violation of probation charge, online court records show. In 2017, Cyr was found guilty again of interfering with an officer and received a suspended sentence of a year in prison, according to online court records. WASHINGTON Playwright, two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist, Tony Award nominee, and co-author, Sarah Ruhl will deliver a talk and signing of her recently released book, Letters from Max: A Book of Friendship, named as a Kirkus Best Book of 2018. Ruhls talk will be held March 23, 11 a.m. at theGunn Memorial Library in Washington. In 2012, Sarah Ruhl met Max Ritvo, a student in her playwriting class at Yale University, was an exuberant, opinionated, and highly gifted poet. He was also in remission from pediatric cancer. Over the next four years in which Ritvos illness returned and his health declined, even as his productivity bloomed the two exchanged letters that spark with urgency, humor, and the desire for connection. Reincarnation, books, the afterlife as an Amtrak quiet car, good soup: in Ruhl and Ritvos exchanges, all ideas are fair, nourishing game, shared and debated in a spirit of generosity and love. Studded with poems and songs, the book is a deeply moving portrait of a friendship, and a shimmering exploration of love, art, mortality, and the afterlife. Ruhl is the author of 100 Essays I Dont Have Time to Write, which was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. She has been the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, the Whiting Writers Award, the PEN/Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater Award for a midcareer playwright, and the Steinberg Award. She serves on the faculty of the Yale School of Drama and lives in Brooklyn with her family. Max Ritvo (1990-16) was the author, with Sarah Ruhl, of Letters from Max. He was also the author of two collections of poems, Four Reincarnations and The Final Voicemails. His chapbook, Aeons, was chosen by Jean Valentine to receive the Poetry Society of America Chapbook Fellowship in 2014. Ritvos poetry has also appeared in the New Yorker and Poetry, among many other publications. This program is free and open to the public; registration is requested. Call 860-868-7586 for further information or visit www.gunnlibrary.org Art Around the Box fundraiser returns March 23 MORRIS The Morris Public Librarys 8th Annual Art Around the Box will be held at White Barn, South Farms, Morris, Saturday, March 23, 3-7 p.m. Tickets are $15, and are now available for purchase online at morrispubliclibrary.net, at the library and at the door. Wine, refreshments and music are included. dDebit and credit cards will be accepted at the fundriaser. All proceeds benefit the library. The event is hosted by the Friends and the Board of Directors of the Morris Public Library, and features an auction of fine art, decorated boxes, original artwork. This years Art Around the Box will also have new auction entries: original photography, various antiques, and unique collector items. Popular gift baskets, the famous Mystery Puzzle Box, and gift certificates to local vendors will also be auctioned at the gala. Guest auctioneer, Timothy Chapulis, of Tims Auctions, Inc, will guide the audience through the precious artwork and other special auction items. For information and updates, call 860-567-7440, https://morrispubliclibrary.net/friends-and-fundraising/, and Librarys Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. Safe boating course begins in April TORRINGTON - The Torrington Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring a Safe Boating/Personal Watercraft Certification Course to be presented by the State of Connecticut DEEP. The fee for the course is $25 per person, and is open to individuals 12 years and older. The course will be held April 4, 9, and 11, 6-9 p.m. at Coe Memorial Park. Attendance on all three days of the course is required. Participants who successfully complete this course and pass the test qualify for a Safe Boating Certificate and a Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation which allow an individual to operate any recreational vessel including a personal watercraft ("jet ski" type vessel) on Connecticut's waters. The registration fee submitted to the Parks and Recreation Department covers only the cost of attending the 3-day course. Upon successful completion of the course, participants are eligible to purchase the Safe Boating/Personal Watercraft Certificates through the State of Connecticut DEEP for an additional fee of $50.00 when they are ready to do so. All participants are required to have a State of CT Conservation ID number. Register for the course without an ID number, however all students must have one established prior to the first night of class. For more information, call 860-489-2274. Northwest Kids Rock contest under way TORRINGTON - The City of Torrington Parks & Recreation Department is now accepting registrations for this years Northwest Kids Rock Contest. The event is open to youth ages 8-14 from Torrington and other surrounding towns. Past Northwest Kids Rock winners are not eligible to participate. Auditions were held March 2. The finals will now take place on Saturday, April 6, 6 p.m. at Coe Memorial Park, instead of previously scheduled date of March 23. This event will be hosted by Casey McKenna, with music provided by Vin Avallone Productions. Prizes will be awarded to the top finalists. For more information, call 860-489-2274. Discussion on white privilege planned TORRINGTON To address the question and impact of white privilege the Rev. Sara Krhla of the Church of Christ Congregational, Rev. Rhonda Myers of United Congregational, and Conrad Sienkiewicz of Trinity Episcopal Church are sponsoring a series of gatherings that are welcome to all members of the community of Torrington. The discussions will begin with a simple lunch. There is no cost. The gatherings will be at United Congregational Church at 1622 Torringford Street on March 10 and 11; at Church of Christ Congregational at 5 Old Middle Street (Goshen Rotary) on March 24 and 31; and at Trinity Episcopal Church at 220 Prospect Church in Torrington on April 7 and 14. To RSVP or for additional information, contact Conrad Sienkiewicz at conradsank@gmail.com or 860-808-9187. A Chinese exchange student studying on the democratic island of Taiwan has sought political asylum after live-streaming criticism of Chinese President Xi Jinping's removal of presidential term-limits last year. Li Jiabao, 21, made the move after criticizing constitutional changes made by Xi in March 2018 that effectively allow him to rule indefinitely. "I am in a lot of danger right now, so I am hoping that the Taiwan government will grant me political asylum," he said. "I also call on the Taiwan government to pass the refugee bill as soon as possible." He said he acquired his views by bypassing the complex system of blocks, filters and human censorship known as China's Great Firewall, and viewing content on social media sites like Twitter and YouTube, which are banned to most Chinese internet users. "Xi Jinping is taking this country faster and faster in a backwards direction," Li told RFA, describing himself as "deeply infected" by democratic politics in Taiwan. "If Taiwan can implement democracy and direct elections, then why can't China?" he said. "I decided to come out in open opposition to the Communist Party, to dictatorship and to Xi Jinping." Li, who hails from the eastern Chinese province of Shandong but who is studying at Taiwan's Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science in Tainan city, used Periscope to make the comments. He also hit out at a nationwide police operation targeting Chinese human rights lawyers since July 2015, and said he hopes China can one day take the path of democratic reform, as Taiwan once did. "When Xi Jinping succeeded in eliminating his political rival [jailed former Chongqing party chief] Bo Xilai in 2012, he succeeded in becoming the most powerful politician in China in one step," Li said. "Like many other ordinary people, I once had a hankering for the monarchy," he said. But he compared China under Xi to an imperial tyranny presiding over an Orwellian dystopia. He said the "martyrs" who died during the Tiananmen massacre that ended the 1989 student-led pro-democracy movement were all seeking freedom. Living in fear While the administration of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) President Tsai Ing-wen is proud of its human rights record, Taiwan, which has a refugee law in the pipeline, is traditionally wary of granting political asylum to Chinese nationals for fear of triggering a flood of applications. Li, who has received furious online abuse after his live-streaming session, said he now lives in fear of being kidnapped by Chinese agents operating in Taiwan, and unofficially repatriated to face punishment. "It's even possible that I could pay for this with my life," he said. "I wouldn't regret it though, because that's what I chose to do." Li's current exchange program runs out in July, but he is already under huge pressure from the authorities in China, via his friends and classmates, to go home earlier. His public criticisms of Xi come amid a very public debate in Taiwan over the Chinese president's claim that the island should be "unified" with the People's Republic of China, which has never controlled Taiwan. But Li takes a view regarded as criminal by Beijing; namely that the island is a totally separate country from China. "Their two systems are fundamentally different," he said. "There are cultural differences that spring from the difference between an authoritarian regime and democratic politics." "Systemically and culturally, Taiwan is already a totally different country from China," he said. Rejecting unification President Tsai rejected calls from Xi on Jan. 2 to move towards "unification," saying that Taiwan's 23 million people have no wish to give up their sovereignty, and that China should first move towards a democratic system. In the statement, titled "Letter to our Taiwan compatriots," Xi was insistent that China must be "unified," saying that China would make no promises not to use military force to annex the island. But a recent opinion poll found that more than 80 percent of Taiwanese would reject Xi's offer to rule the island via the "one country, two systems" model used for the former colonies of Hong Kong and Macau. Taiwan was ruled as a Japanese colony in the 50 years prior to the end of World War II, but was handed back to the 1911 Republic of China under the Kuomintang (KMT) government as part of Tokyo's post-war reparation deal. The island began a transition to democracy following the death of Chiang Kai-shek's son, President Chiang Ching-kuo, in January 1988, starting with direct elections to the legislature in the early 1990s and culminating in the first direct election of a president, Lee Teng-hui, in 1996. Reported by Hsia Hsiao-hwa for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Ng Yik-tung and Sing Man for the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Experts at the United Nations have called on Beijing to launch an independent investigation into the death of a Chinese human rights activist in a police detention center five years ago, as Beijing faces growing pressure over international criticism of its rights record. "Cao Shunlis case is emblematic of the struggle that many human rights defenders in China face," the experts said in a statement on Thursday. They said Cao, who was detained as she set out for Switzerland to take part in a U.N. Human Rights Council review in September 2013, had "paid the ultimate price" for her activism. Cao died aged 52 on March 14, 2014, after being denied medical treatment for months while in detention, according to her brother and fellow activists who blasted the government for using medical care as leverage to silence critics. Her lawyers had made repeated requests for her release to allow her to receive medical treatment, but no action was taken until she was seriously ill. She suffered from tuberculosis in both her lungs, cirrhosis of the liver, and uterine fibroids. "Today, on the fifth anniversary of her death, we renew our call for an independent, impartial, and comprehensive investigation into her death, with a view to bringing those responsible to justice," the U.N. experts said. Rights groups and the U.S. State Department have pointed to the growing use by the ruling Chinese Communist Party of enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and medical neglect of detainees in custody. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that China "is in a league of its own" when it comes to human rights abuses, citing mass detentions of an estimated 1 million Muslims and the repression of Christians, Tibetans, and other religious minorities. China's human rights issues include arbitrary or unlawful killings, forced disappearances and arbitrary detention, as well as harsh and life-threatening prison and detention conditions, the State Department's annual report found. Official repression of the freedoms of speech, religion, movement, association, and assembly was rife, but more severe when targeting Tibetans, Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities, it said. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang dismissed the report as similar to those of previous years and "full of ideological prejudice." He said the U.S should "take a good look at its own human rights record." "China's human rights cause has made great progress," Lu told a regular news briefing in Beijing. "We hope the U.S. will ... discard the Cold War mentality ... and view China's human rights progress in an objective and just way and stop interfering in China's internal affairs with human rights as a pretext." China which responds formally to the U.N.'s review of its rights record this week has also rejected recommendations made by the U.N. Human Rights Council, saying they are "inconsistent with Chinas national conditions, contradictory with Chinese laws, politically biased or untruthful." China has also dismissed outright requests from other governments during its review to join an international treaty on disappearances, the New York-based group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a statement. It also also declined to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which it signed in 1998, saying it isn't ready. 'Research shows otherwise' While Chinese officials claim to be combating torture in detention, respecting the rights of detainees, protecting religious freedom for ethnic minorities, upholding citizens freedom of speech, and cooperating with U.N. human rights mechanisms, "recent Human Rights Watch research clearly shows otherwise," the group said. Beijing also dismissed concerns raised over the mass incarceration of at least a million Uyghurs and other ethnic minority Muslims in "re-education" camps in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, it said. "Its a rejection of the Human Rights Councils mandate, a confirmation of Chinas bad faith in participating in such reviews, and, most urgently, an indication that Beijing will continue committing mass human rights violations in Xinjiang," HRW China director Sophie Richardson wrote. Several rights groups have noted during the review that Chinas system of Residential Surveillance in a Designated Location, or RSDL, legalizes enforced disappearances and exposes individuals to greater risk of torture, ill-treatment, and medical neglect. "It is a source of tremendous regret for us that Cao Shunlis tireless work in defense of human rights ultimately culminated in her death, and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time," the U.N. experts said. Ji Sizhun receives award Meanwhile, jailed rights activist Ji Sizun was awarded the fifth Cao Shunli Memorial Award for Human Rights Defenders, for his contribution in promoting legal rights and education at the grassroots level in China. "The award has been given to those who carry on Caos grassroots advocacy while facing threats and risks in promoting human rights, protecting vulnerable social groups from abuses, pushing for civil society participation in international human rights mechanisms, and monitoring the Chinese governments implementation of its human rights obligations," the overseas-based Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) network said in a statement on its website. Ji, 70, is a self-taught legal activist from the southeastern province of Fujian who was detained in October 2014 for publicly supporting the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. He was later handed a four-and-a-half-year jail term for "gathering a crowd to disrupt public order" and "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble" for helping petitioners to organize two protests in August and September 2014. "Ji Sizuns health has seriously deteriorated during his incarceration, and he suffered a debilitating stroke in 2016 and has not received sufficient medical treatment for a number of severe health conditions," CHRD said. He will be released from Putian Prison in Fujian Province on April 26, 2019. Reported by Lin Ping for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by the Cantonese Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. A Vietnamese woman accused of murdering Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Koreas leader, saw her bid for freedom dashed Thursday when Malaysias attorney-general rejected her application for an immediate acquittal, her lawyers said. Doan Thi Huong, 30, had filed for an acquittal Monday following the unexpected dropping of charges earlier that day against her co-defendant, Indonesian Siti Aisyah, who returned to her home country right after Malaysian authorities released her from custody. We are obviously disappointed with the decision of the AG (Attorney-General) not to withdraw the charge in Doans case, defense attorney Hisyam Teh Poh Teik told the Shah Alam High Court near Kuala Lumpur. In Vietnam, Doans father, Doan Van Thanh, said the ruling had saddened the entire family, after the release of Siti Aisyah had raised their hopes. The whole extended family was expecting Huong to be freed and sent home, but that was not the decision, so we are very sad, he told RFA's Vietnamese Service from northern Nam Dinh province. We expect the governments assistance so that Huong can soon be home. After the Indonesian suspect was freed, Nam Dinh Police came to us saying that we should rest assured over her case. No reason was given for the decision by Attorney-General Tommy Thomas to reject Doans application for immediate acquittal and release as a suspect in the February 2017 assassination by poisoning of Kim, the estranged half-brother of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, at a Kuala Lumpur airport. As of late Thursday night (local time), the Attorney-Generals Chamber had not issued a statement about the decision in Doans case. Officials there did not respond promptly to requests from BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, to confirm the information as relayed by her defense team. Describing the decision not to withdraw the charge as perverse, Teh accused the attorney-general of favoring one party over the other. [The] AG has not acted fairly. Our rights under the Federal Constitution have been violated, Teh said, adding that both of the defendants had been charged with the same offense. Doan, who looked pale and exhausted in the courtroom, broke down and cried following the ruling. Doan and Siti Aisyah were charged with assassinating Kim Jong Nam by accosting him and smearing his face with VX nerve agent, a banned lethal chemical weapon, in the departures terminal at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2. Teh asked for an adjournment, saying that Doan was in no state to testify in her defense because she was depressed and felt ill. The accused has not been feeling well. Doan has not been sleeping well since March 11. She slept one hour per night, Teh said. Judge Azmin Ariffin accepted Tehs request and adjourned the case to 9 a.m. on April 1. I am allowing this on humanitarian grounds, the judge said. Vietnam reacts After the court hearing, Teh told reporters that the adjournment was also intended to allow time for the Vietnamese government to speak to the Malaysian government. We hope the Vietnamese government will put further and greater pressure on the Malaysian government to ensure there is equality, The told reporters. Two days earlier, Vietnam Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh had called his Malaysian counterpart to ask that Doan be released as well, according to Vietnamese state media. After Thursdays hearing, Le Quy Quynh, the Vietnamese ambassador to Malaysia, briefly told reporters at the courthouse that he was disappointed with the decision. In Hanoi, Vietnams Ministry of Foreign Affairs aired its displeasure with the Malaysian move. Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung expressed disappointment about Malaysian prosecutors decision to reject #Vietnams request to free #DoanThiHuong during a meeting in the Vietnamese capital on Thursday with Malaysias ambassador, Zamruni Khalid, the ministry said via Twitter. Lawyers for both women had asserted both made scapegoats in the assassination, alleging that North Korean agents had lured them into the plot to kill Kim by making them believe they were taking part in a prank for a reality show. Four North Koreans who fled Malaysia shortly after the murder were identified by police as suspects. An Interpol red notice alert has been placed on the four men. In late March 2017, the body of Kim, who lived in Macau, was eventually returned to North Korea despite weeks of diplomatic feuding between Kuala Lumpur and Pyongyang over his killing. His body was repatriated in exchange for nine Malaysian embassy officials and their families who were stuck in the North Korean capital for six weeks amid the wrangling. Two other North Korean nationals, whom Malaysian police had identified as persons of interest in the investigation, were on the same commercial flight that carried Kims body out of Malaysia. In the case of Doan, she is completely innocent and she is a scapegoat, same as Siti Aisyah. We ran the same defense that they have no knowledge, no intention to kill, a scapegoat. If Siti Aisyah could be released, why not Doan? The said. Asked about traces of VX nerve agent that were found under her fingernails, Teh said Doan had no knowledge that the liquid substance on her palm was the internationally banned chemical. Ruling coalition MP questions move Meanwhile, lawmaker Ramkarpal Singh from the Democratic Action Party (DAP), which is a member of Malaysias ruling coalition, questioned the AGs move in the Doan case. No doubt, the AG has the power to discontinue proceedings against Siti Aisyah the way he did but why did he not do the same in the case of Doan? Ramkarpal said in a statement Thursday. As the AG need not give reasons for his decision, Doan will never know why she was treated differently from Siti Aisyah. If she is convicted, she will always wonder if Siti Aisyah was equally culpable, Ramkarpal said. He said the AGs discretion ought to be open to question, particularly when a persons life was at stake. Doan would face the death penalty if convicted of murdering Kim Jong Nam. I am of the view that the charge against Doan ought to have been dropped the same way it was dropped against Siti Aisyah if the AG was of the view that North Korea had a hand in Jong Nams murder, Ramkarpal said. Subjecting Doan to further prosecution and not her co-accused, particularly when a prima facie case has been found against both of them is, with respect, unprecedented and regrettable, Ramkarpal added. Reported by RFA's Vietnamese Service and by BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service. In rare public comments about a controversial Chinese dam project, Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Su Kyi said Thursday that is important for her government to uphold investment projects approved by previous administrations or risk being perceived by investors as not reliable and volatile. Speaking during a meeting on Thursday with residents of Pyay, a town in south-central Myanmars Bago region, Myanmars leader did not tip her hand on any decision regarding the suspended Myitsone Dam project in Kachin state. But she urged people to be open-minded about mega-projects and assured them that the government would make decisions responsibly. Our people need to assess the situations broad-mindedly from diverse viewpoints, whether it is Myitsone Dam or any other massive projects, she said. We have to think strategically from all perspectives, politically, economically, socially, and environmentally. It is wrong to assess them from only one viewpoint. The U.S. $3.6-billion dam was started in 2009 but was put on hold two years later by former president Thein Sein and his military-backed administration because of widespread opposition to its environmental and social impacts. The decision came much to the dismay of China, which has since been pushing the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) government to allow the hydropower project resume. We need to keep our promises for the sake of integrity of the country, Sung San Suu Kyi said. We shouldnt be inconsistent in what we said between different administrations. Some large projects are initiated by the previous administration, but we cannot reject these undertakings during our administration, she said. If we do, people around the world would think we are not reliable and volatile. Then, investors will stay away from our country, and it will negatively affect the country. Aung San Suu Kyi said that the government would make responsible decisions about the hydropower project with transparency when it comes to protecting the natural environment. When we say environmental protection, I am not referring to keeping the natural environment intact; I am talking about protecting it from deterioration, She said. So, we have to do it in a responsible way. We will be transparent to show every decision to the public and explain why [we made the decision]. Shoring up investment Aung San Suu Kyis comments come at a time when China has ramped up pressure on Myanmar to allow it to restart the Myitsone Dam project and as Naypyidaw is trying to woo foreign investors to put money into infrastructure projects amid a worsening economy. Armed conflict in Myanmars border regions, the countrys protectionist policies, and its stalling on reforms have all undermined investor interest. About 10,000 people in northern Myanmars Kachin state staged a massive protest in February, demanding the complete halt of the hydropower project and condemning recent calls by China for the suspended project to resume. Ethnic Kachins and leaders from local political parties and social organizations blasted a statement issued by Chinas embassy in Myanmar in January following a visit to the state by Ambassador Hong Liang, claiming that local residents did not object to the project. Later that same month, Thaung Tun, Myanmars minister for investment and foreign economic relations, said the government was working to find a solution on how to proceed with the dam and tried to justify the resumption of the project, saying that companies had already invested heavily in it. The issue of restarting the Myitsone Dam project is expected to resurface before or during Aung San Suu Kyis trip to Beijing in April to attend a Belt and Road Initiative conference. While she is there, she will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Not good for the country Those who still oppose the project took Aung San Suu Kyi to task for her comments at the community meeting. I am wondering when she will actually stand up for the country, said Myanmar Supreme Court advocate Kyi Myint, who is also a legal advisor for the Mya Sein Yaung network group which opposes the Myitsone Dam. If she surrenders in the Myitsone project, she will be seen as the traitor of the country, he said. Prominent meteorologist Tun Lwin, who is the founder of Myanmar Climate Change Watch, said it is unacceptable for the current government to insist upon continuing the construction of the mega-dam, which he called a mistake by the previous administration and not beneficial for the country. There are many other rivers in Myanmar, and implementing a mid-size project is different, he said. But this one is massive and is located on the most crucial location in the country. It is not acceptable. We must renegotiate at all costs. If we continue, the country will be at risk and face great losses. I personally find it unacceptable that the ruling government should knowingly continue the apparent mistake from the past. We should look out for the benefit of the people and the nation, he said. We already have [evidence] that the project is not good for the country. The 6,000-megawatt hydropower project originally entailed the building of seven dams around the confluence of the Mali and NMai rivers that form the Irrawaddy River in northern Myanmars Kachin state. Former President Thein Sein had stopped the project amid protests over its enormous flooding area and detrimental environmental impact, as well as anger over the fact that most of its electricity would be exported to China. Aung San Suu Kyi, who as opposition NLD leader at that time was one of the dams most vocal opponents, assured Beijing that Myanmar was willing to come up with an appropriate resolution that would suit both countries after her party won the 2015 general elections. However, the lack of a decision by the current NLD government on whether the project can now proceed has strained relations between Myanmar and China. Reported by Thiri Min Zin for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Arakan Army soldiers pass through a wooded area in western Myanmar's Rakhine state in an undated photo. Myanmar government troops conducted an offensive with heavy artillery and airstrikes against the Arakan Army (AA) near a village in war-torn Rakhine states Ponnagyun township Wednesday afternoon, in an escalation of a conflict that flared up late last year, the rebel groups spokesman said. Jet fighters bombed [us] throughout the night after 9 p.m., said AA spokesman Khine Thukha about the attack near Buddhaw village. There were total of 10 bombings. Intense fighting occurred this morning in the same area where the fighting took place yesterday, he said, adding that the hostilities left casualties on both sides, though details were unavailable. Colonel Win Zaw Oo, spokesman of the Myanmar militarys Western Command which is responsible for Rakhine state, was not available for comment. The latest clash forced about 300 Buddhaw villagers to flee, while residents from at least six villages along the Yangon-Sittwe Highway that runs through Ponnagyun sought refuge at homes of their relatives, said village administrator Maung Kyaw Hlaing. Fighter planes were attacking throughout the entire night, he said. All the villagers, including children, had to flee and are now staying at the Yoetayoke Monastery. Nobody's left in the village. Hla Maung Thein, a resident of Auk Myat Lay village, about three miles from Buddhaw, said people in his community heard the sound of airplanes and gunfire in the distance, but not everyone fled. If we had left, no one would have been in the village, he said. Someone had to guard the village. Hla Maung, a resident of Aung Mingalar village, said those who sought shelter in Yoetayouk Monastery need food supplies. A lot of people in Yoetayouk Monastery, but we dont have the lists with their [names] and numbers, he said. We have to purchase some food, and some is being provided. Food is mainly needed because there is a food shortage. Hostilities intensify An escalation in hostilities between Myanmar forces and the AA, a Buddhist Rakhine army fighting for autonomy in Rakhine state, since late 2018 has left an undetermined number of people dead and displaced more than 12,000, according to estimates by local and official sources in Rakhine state. A deadly AA assault on police outposts in northern Rakhine in January that killed 13 officers and wounded nine others compelled the Myanmar government to order thousands of its troops into the region to crush the Arakan fighters. Another such attack by the AA on a police outpost Ponnagyuns Yoetayoke on March 9 village left nine officers dead and injured two others. Earlier this week, government spokesman Zaw Htay Zaw Htay told reporters that the Rakhine crisis is a growing concern in terms of security, development, and the nations transition to democracy. He also said the AA is welcome to sign the governments nationwide cease-fire agreement (NCA), an accord with the Myanmar military signed by 10 other ethnic armies, even though the government has so far excluded the Arakan force from the peace process. Khine Thukha noted that despite the governments offer, the Myanmar Army continues to launch offensives which Arakan soldiers must defend through counterattacks. Relatives of Hla Maung Win hold a funeral for the deceased farm worker in Mrauk-U township, western Myanmar's Rakhine state, March 14, 2019. Credit: RFA Abducted farm worker dies Also on Thursday, the relatives of Hla Maung Win, an ill 23-year-old farm worker from Kyaung Daung village in Rakhines Minbya township believed to be abducted Tuesday by government soldiers while en route to the hospital in Mrauk-U township, said the man had died. Maung Win died of malaria and was buried at a cemetery in Mrauk-U, according to the familys wishes, they said. When he fell unconscious on Tuesday, six volunteers from a local funeral service organization and three drivers transported him to Mrauk-U Hospital, but on the way, Myanmar troops abducted them, according to their relatives and other villagers. RFA has not been able to independently confirm that government forces are responsible for the disappearances. The reason for the abductions remain unclear, and Colonel Win Zaw Oo of the Myanmar militarys Western Command was unavailable for comment. Kyaw Hla Thein, the dead mans father, said that Hla Maung Win would not have died had he been able to reach a clinic or hospital. He would have gotten better if he had had proper treatment, but he didnt get the chance, Kyaw Hla Thein said. What had happened is because of the arrest. The army is to be blamed. The mans mother, Wai Mar Sein, said, Losing a son makes me feel so much pain. 'Totally unacceptable' A staffer at the Mrauk-U Hospital reported said that police officers brought Kyaw Hla Theins body there on Wednesday night, and that the dead man was wearing a police uniform that officers returned to collect Thursday morning. RFA could not independently verify the claim. Its totally unacceptable, said Kyaung Daung village administrator Thein Shwe Maung. The patient should have been sent to the hospital right away. If they [the police] were suspicious, they could have [interrogated] him at the hospital, he said. But if they had taken him to an army compound, then we regard that as a clear violation of human rights. Myoma Police Station in Mrauk-U told Thein Shwe Maung that the missing volunteers and drivers are in police custody, he said. When the village administrator had contacted the same police station a day earlier, however, officers said the missing persons were not in their custody. RFA called the police station, but no one there would take the call. Hla Maung Wins family said their deceased relatives and the other detainees were not involved in politics or had links to the Arakan Army. We as parents are angry at the arrest of innocent people, said Maung Kyaw Thar, father of detainee Zaw Naing Htay. I am pained that I havent seen my son yet. Reported by Zarni Htun and Min Thein Aung for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Nandar Chann. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Authorities in a Tibetan-populated county in northwestern Chinas Qinghai province are tightening restrictions on local residents in the days surrounding two sensitive anniversaries of uprisings against Chinese rule, sources say. Under the restrictions, Tibetans living in Malho Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures Rebgong county were banned from performing or panhandling in the street, while those visiting from outside of the area were being closely monitored in the lead up to anniversaries of a March 10, 1959 protest by Tibetans in Lhasa, and March 14, 2008 riots in the same city. Beginning on March 5, in the run-up to the March 10 Tibetan Uprising Day, Chinese authorities have tightened surveillance and security in Riwo Gongchen monastery in Rebgong, a source told RFAs Tibetan Service, speaking on condition of anonymity. The authorities have removed all beggars from the streets and surveillance has been strengthened on hotel guests in Rebgong, the source added. People can only assemble outside in groups of two to five at a time. Buskers usually attract crowds in the street and because of the fear that these gatherings could give way to protests, the authorities have banned them from performing ahead of the March 10 anniversary. A second source, who also asked to remain unnamed, told RFA that Tibetans visiting Rebgong from surrounding counties for work had been suspended from their duties, and that any guests at hotels are being scrutinized by the police. Additionally, Tibetans from Qinghai who are going to Lhasa on [religious] pilgrimage are barred from traveling this month, and Tibetans have seen generally heightened restrictions on movement, the source said. According to the source, Tibetans living in India who have returned to the area to see family members and friends have been summoned by the local police multiple times for interrogation and told not to leave Rebgong. The source said Chinese officials have even been visiting the homes of Tibetan parents whose children are studying abroad and warning them not to mislead the students while communicating with them, and that doing so could affect their prospects when they return home. The increased controls are due to the sensitive nature of this month, he added. Sensitive anniversaries China regularly tightens security in Tibets regional capital Lhasa and in other Tibetan areas of China during important political gatherings in Beijing and in March, a month of politically sensitive anniversaries. On March 10, 1959, Tibetans in Lhasa rose up in protest of Beijings tightening political and military control of the formerly self-governing Tibetan region, sparking a rebellion in which thousands were killed. And on March 14, 2008, a riot in Lhasa followed the suppression by Chinese police of four days of peaceful Tibetan protests and led to the destruction of Han Chinese shops in the city and deadly attacks on Han Chinese residents. The riot then sparked a wave of mostly peaceful protests against Chinese rule that spread across Tibet and into Tibetan-populated regions of western Chinese provinces. Hundreds of Tibetans were detained, beaten, or shot as Chinese security forces quelled the protests, sources said in earlier reports. Reported by Kunsang Tenzin for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Dorjee Damdul. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev has rejected an Armenian proposal on a change to the talks format on the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian reiterated on March 14 that the inclusion of officials from the disputed region in the settlement process remained a priority to Yerevan. "It is unacceptable, and it is an attempt to block the negotiations process," Aliyev said at a forum in Baku, adding that for the status quo to change, Armenia should withdraw its forces from the region. Mainly Armenian-populated Nagorno-Karabakh declared independence from Azerbaijan amid a 1988-94 war that claimed an estimated 30,000 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Since 1994, it has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces that Azerbaijan says include troops supplied by Armenia. Sporadic fighting continues, and three decades of diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh -- whose claim to independence has not been recognized by any country -- have brought little progress. Trading Accusations Pashinian and Aliyev traded accusations in public statements earlier this month, just days after the U.S., Russian, and French mediators -- co-chairs of the Minsk Group set up to mediate a solution to the conflict -- announced the two leaders had agreed to meet soon for further talks. Pashinian, a former anti-corruption journalist and opposition lawmaker, became prime minister last year following peaceful protests that he spearheaded. He began a working visit to Nagorno-Karabakh earlier this week where he held a meeting of Armenia's Security Council. "I would like to underscore that, for us, [Nagorno-Karabakhs] engagement in the negotiation process is not a whim or even a precondition, but a statement of the fact that [its] engagement in the settlement of the conflict is of pivotal importance," he said in remarks at the meeting on March 12. Internationally mediated negotiations helped forge a cease-fire in the region, which is not always honored, but have failed to produce a lasting settlement of the conflict. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said on March 13 that progress had been made in resolving the dispute and vowed to step up diplomatic efforts to finding a peaceful resolution. "For peace to take hold, it needs to be accepted and owned by the people. And it requires that our efforts extend beyond politicians. The preparation of populations for peace is an important and complex matter, and deserves our full support," Slovak Foreign Miroslav Lajcak, who is the OSCE's Chairperson-in-Office, said during a two-day visit to Yerevan. Slovakia currently holds the OSCE's rotating chairmanship. With reporting by RFE/RL's Azerbaijani and Armenian services China has blocked a bid to designate as a terrorist the leader of the group behind an attack last month that dramatically escalated tensions between India and Pakistan. China prevented the United Nations Security Council on March 13 from blacklisting Masood Azhar, the leader of Pakistan-based group Jaish-e Mohammad (JeM), which claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed 40 troops in Indian-administered Kashmir. Tensions between India and Pakistan have soared following the February 14 attack in disputed Kashmir, stoking fears of a war between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Britain, France, and the United States had requested Azhar to be subject to an assets freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo. But China placed a "technical hold" on the request, saying it needed more time to examine it. China, a Pakistan ally, had previously blocked attempts to have Azhar blacklisted. India said that it will continue to pursue "all available avenues to ensure that terrorist leaders who are involved in heinous attacks on our citizens are brought to justice." Azhar founded JeM in 2000. The group, which is officially banned in Pakistan, was blacklisted by the Security Council in 2001. Based on reporting by the BBC, Reuters, and AFP A detained activist in Kazakhstan who has campaigned against the internment of ethnic Kazakhs in neighboring China has said in an audio message that he was forced to make several video statements denouncing his activities. In the audio message relayed by his group, Atazhurt Eriktileri (Volunteers of the Fatherland), on March 14, Serikzhan Bilash said he was pressured to make the statements by two plainclothes individuals who visited the place where he is currently under house arrest in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana. Bilash's lawyer wrote on Facebook that in one of the statements, Bilash pledged he would stop raising the issue of ethnic Kazakhs in China's northwestern region of Xinjiang. Omarova, one of Kazakhstan's most prominent human rights lawyers, said that officers of the Committee for National Security and police had also forced her client to fire her. "I am followed by the officers of the Committee for National Security and Interior Ministry of Kazakhstan! They obstruct my professional activities. They do not allow me to work!" Omarova wrote. In recent months, Bilash has organized several gatherings of ethnic Kazakhs from Xinjiang who have settled in Kazakhstan and complain that their relatives in China are being held in what China calls "reeducation camps." Bilash was detained on March 10 by police in Almaty and transferred to Astana. The Almaty headquarters of Atazhurt Eriktileri was also searched by police on March 10. Accused of "inciting ethnic hatred," Bilash was placed under house arrest on March 11. However, the charges against him have not been officially announced. Bilash was born in Xinjiang, a large region of China that borders Kazakhstan. He is a naturalized Kazakh citizen. In February, an Almaty court found Bilash guilty of illegally leading an unregistered organization and fined him 252,000 tenges, or about $670. Bilash, who maintains his innocence, says his organization has been active since spring 2017, when stories about the detentions of many ethnic Kazakhs in western China began to emerge. He says the group will continue to defend the rights of ethnic Kazakhs in Xinjiang, and that he will try again to formally register the group at the Justice Ministry. The United Nations in August estimated that 1 million ethnic Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim indigenous people of Xinjiang were being held in "counterextremism centers" in the region. The UN also said millions more had been forced into reeducation camps. On March 13, the head the U.S. State Department's Office of Global Criminal Justice expressed disappointment at the failure of Muslim countries to take a stand together against China's policies in Xinjiang. Speaking ahead of a U.S.-sponsored event at UN headquarters in Geneva that is focused on the situation in Xinjiang, Kelley Currie praised Turkey for its recent criticism of China's treatment of Muslims. Currie said Washington had hoped that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation would have jointly condemned the situation in Xinjiang as it has done regarding rights abuses against Muslims in Myanmar and Syria. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on March 13 criticized China's mass detention of Muslims, saying Beijing was "in a league of its own when it comes to human rights violations." "Today, more than 1 million Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, and other Muslims are interned in reeducation camps designed to erase their religious and ethnic identities," Pompeo said. Beijing is also "increasing its persecution against Christians, Tibetans, and anyone who espouses different views from those or advocates those of government -- or advocates change in government." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang on March 14 rejected Pompeo's criticism, calling his accusations groundless. With reporting by Reuters and AFP BRUSSELS -- A recommendation by the European Parliament calls Russia "the main source of disinformation in Europe" and appeals for increased funding for the European Union's antipropaganda East StratCom Task Force. European lawmakers late last year granted the East StratCom Task Force 1.1 million euros ($1.3 million) annually from the EU budget and it is likely that the group will get a marginal increase this year. The recommendation was passed with an overwhelming majority of votes. It says that East StratCom Task Force as well as its two task-force siblings dealing with the southern neighborhood and Western Balkans, should be provided with "adequate financial and personnel resources which are still required, aimed at the significant increase of their potential, effectiveness, professionalism, institutional continuity and quality of work, as well as safeguarding them against political meddling by officials and countries that back Russian disinformation." The recommendation also invites EU member states "to ensure that electoral laws take into account possible threats stemming from disinformation campaigns" and urges them to "adapt their electoral rules on online campaigning and to monitor and evaluate the transparency features in relation to political advertising introduced by the online platforms." Further suggestions include support for "independent and diverse Russian-language media in the countries of the Eastern Partnership and beyond" and "to focus on the EU accession countries and partners in the EU neighborhood by assisting them in their efforts to counteract hostile propaganda and disinformation activities." BRUSSELS -- The European Parliament has urged Iran to stop criminalizing the work of women's rights activists and reiterated its call on the country's authorities to "immediately and unconditionally" release prominent human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh. In a resolution adopted on March 14, the lawmakers urged Iran to release "all human rights defenders, prisoners of conscience, and journalists detained and sentenced merely for exercising their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly." It also called on the authorities to "stop the surveillance, arrest, harassment, and prosecution of journalists, online activists and their families, and to put an end to online censorship." Sotoudeh, the co-winner of the European Parliament's 2012 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, last year represented several of the women detained for removing their head scarves in public to protest against the country's Islamic dress code. She has reportedly been sentenced to a total of 38 years in prison and 148 lashes after what Amnesty International called two "grossly unfair" trials. The activist was arrested in June and ordered to serve a five-year sentence imposed on her in absentia in 2016. And in February, the Iranian authorities allowed Sotoudeh to read the verdict in her most recent court case, which showed that she had been convicted of seven charges and sentenced to an additional 33 years in prison and 148 lashes, London-based Amnesty International said on March 14. Sotoudeh's husband, Reza Khandan, earlier this week said that she will have to serve an extra 10-years in prison -- the longest sentence of the seven verdicts -- on top of a five-year term she is currently serving. There have been conflicting reports and statements about the length of the sentences imposed on Sotoudeh, with a judge at Tehran's Revolutionary Court saying earlier this month that she had been sentenced to seven years in prison on two charges. An outspoken critic of the Iranian establishment, Sotoudeh previously spent three years in prison on security charges after representing dissidents arrested during mass protests in 2009 against the disputed reelection of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad. She has denied all charges against her. The U.S. State Department on March 12 condemned the new prison sentences imposed on Sotoudeh "in the strongest possible terms." "This sentence is beyond barbaric," spokesman Robert Palladino said at a press briefing. The European Commission has called for an immediate review of Sotoudeh's case, saying that her trial featured "a number of other violations of the right to due process." TBILISI -- Georgia's Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality has held talks with acting U.S. Ambassador to Tbilisi Ross Wilson about the death of a Georgian man in the custody of separatist officials in the breakaway region of Abkhazia. Ketevan Tsikhelashvili said after the March 14 meeting that forensic tests were under way to find the cause of 29-year-old Irakli Kvaratskhelia's death, which Abkhazia's de facto officials and Russian border guards have called a suicide. Abkhazia and South Ossetia broke from Georgia's central government control in a war in the early 1990s. After a war against Tbilisi in 2008, Russia recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states and keeps its armed forces in the two regions, but the international community overwhelmingly recognizes the two territories as part of Georgia. Abkhazia's borders are guarded by the Russian military. The Russian border guards service in the region told RFE/RL that Kvaratskhelia hanged himself while in custody on March 10, hours after he was detained for allegedly crossing the line of control between Georgia and Abkhazia. Separatist Abkhaz officials handed the man's body to the Georgian side on March 13. Tsikhelashvili said earlier that Kvaratskhelia's death will be thoroughly investigated. "It is important for us to establish the precise circumstances of his death. A probe will be launched to investigate those circumstances," Tsikhelashvili told the Imedi television channel on March 13. Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said earlier that Tbilisi was informed about Kvaratskhelia's death via the European Union's monitoring mission. "We will use all possible means to keep the international community informed of this outrageous fact", Zalkaliani told journalists on March 13. Last year, another Georgian man, Archil Tatunashvili, died under unclear circumstances while in custody in Georgia's other breakaway region -- South Ossetia. Russia-backed separatist authorities in South Ossetia said then that Tatunashvili was detained on suspicion of intending to conduct a terrorist attack in the region and died of heart failure after he allegedly attacked police as they tried to move him to a detention cell. In 2016, 31-year-old Georgian citizen Giga Otkhozoria was shot dead by Russian troops patrolling the area near the boundary. Pakistani and Indian officials say they have held "cordial" discussions on the opening of a visa-free border crossing for Sikh pilgrims from India travelling to visit one of their holiest shrines located in Pakistan. The March 14 meeting came amid easing of tensions after a deadly suicide bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir last month triggered a dangerous escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The two sides held "detailed and constructive discussions," a joint statement said after the officials met at Attari on the Indian side of the border to discuss details of the planned crossing. Pakistan and India "agreed to work toward expeditiously operationalizing" the crossing, known as the Kartarpur corridor, the statement added. Earlier in the day, Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal, who headed the Pakistani delegation, told journalists that the opening the border crossing was "aimed at turning animosity into friendship." India and Pakistan have a history of bitter relations since gaining independence from Britain in 1947. The two nuclear-armed rivals have fought three wars, two of them over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, where the two sides still regularly exchange fire. In a rare instance of cooperation, the two neighbors agreed last year to open a new crossing point between their two regions called Punjab. The planning crossing in intended to make it quicker and easier for Sikh pilgrims from India to visit a shrine to Guru Nanak, the 15th-century founder of Sikhism. Instead of visas, Pakistan and India plan to give special permits to devotees to access the site, which is located some 4 kilometers from the Indian border. The corridor is planned to be opened later this year to mark the 550th anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak's birth. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on the Pakistani side of the border in November. Pakistan used to be home to a large Sikh community, but most of its members went to India during the 1947 partition, with only a few thousand remaining in Pakistan. Thousands of Sikhs visit Guru Nanak's shrine in Pakistan every year. With reporting by AP, dpa, and Dawn The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Two people have been killed and more than a dozen wounded in two days of clashes on the disputed border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. MAZAR-E SHARIF, Afghanistan -- Gunfire has broken out in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif between police loyal to a powerful former provincial governor and Interior Ministry forces sent to support a new police chief who was appointed by President Ashraf Ghani. The March 14 gunbattle was sparked by the dispute between Ghani and Balkh Province's former governor, Atta Mohammad Noor, an ethnic Tajik former warlord whose militia fighters now form most of the provincial police force. Hospital officials in Mazar-e Sharif told RFE/RL that at least 13 people were hospitalized with gunshot wounds sustained during the March 14 fighting -- including eight police officers and five civilians. They did not specify whether the wounded police were from the Interior Ministry or provincial police who remain loyal to Noor. RFE/RL's correspondent in Mazar-e Sharif reports that fighting erupted on March 14 as Interior Ministry police were escorting the newly appointed police chief, Abdul Raqib Mobarez, to provincial police headquarters. Mobarez, appointed under a presidential decree, arrived at Mazar-e Sharif's airport earlier on March 14 but was briefly blocked by Noor loyalists when he tried to reach police headquarters to officially take up the post. However, with backing from Interior Ministry police, Mobarez eventually managed to enter the headquarters building in the provincial capital. Mobaraz announced after arriving at the building that he had officially taken on the post of police commander. Mobaraz also said Interior Ministry police had control over security in Mazar-e Sharif and will "take action against anyone who takes up arms" against them. RFE/RL's correspondent reports that sporadic gunfire was continuing across the city after Mobaraz's announcement. Interior Ministry spokesman Nusrat Rahimi told RFE/RL that at least "25 irresponsible armed men" had been arrested by Interior Ministry police in Mazar-e Sharif before sundown. Noor wants to name his choice to head Balkh's provincial police force and insists that the Afghan president promised he would be allowed to do so. Mohammad Hanif Atmar, one of the leading candidates in the country's July 20 presidential election, criticized the deployment of Interior Ministry police in Mazar-e Sharif as "an illegal step," saying forces from outside of Balkh Province should not have been sent there by the central government. Atmar also charged that the March 14 Interior Ministry operation was part of an attempt by Ghani to remove Atmar's supporters from positions of power ahead of the vote. Noor has backed Atmar's presidential election campaign. The U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, John Bass, issued a Twitter statement calling on both Noor and Ghani to instruct the security forces and police under their command "to stand down, and for political leaders on both sides of the dispute to put the Afghan people first." Bass said: "Afghan security forces are tasked with protecting the Afghan people, not fighting each other over political disputes." He also said "the parties involved" should "quickly and peacefully resolve this dispute in a way that gives Afghan citizens confidence in their leadership and strengthens security." "Asserting authority by forces of arms takes Afghanistan's democracy backwards," Bass tweeted. Earlier on March 14, many residents of Mazar-e Sharif heeded Noor's call to go on a day-long strike to protest Mobarez's appointment. Noor called on city residents to keep shops and markets closed, demanding that Ghani withdraw his decree that appointed Mobarez. But Deputy Interior Minister Khoshal Sadat tweeted that Ghani appointed Mobarez as the new police chief due to "the worsening security situation of Balkh province." Mobarez "will be accompanied by Special Forces units. The situation is controlled & nothing to be worried about. Additional forces will also soon reach Balkh," he wrote in a separate tweet, adding that Ghani's decree "will be implemented without any delay or hesitation." Noor, who for months had rejected Ghani's efforts to remove him from office, in March 2018 agreed to resign as governor of Balkh after 14 years in the post. Noor is a leading figure in Jamiat-e Islami, a party that is dominated by officials and former militia commanders from the Tajik minority. With reporting by AP Russian authorities say two alleged militants from the so-called Islamic State (IS) extremist group have been killed in the country's southern Stavropol region that borders the mainly Muslim-populated North Caucasus. Russia's National Antiterrorism Committee (NAK) said on March 14 that the armed suspects were killed in a shoot-out overnight in the region's Shpak district near the village of Balki. According to the NAK, the two gunmen were natives of the Volgograd region and had arrived in the Stavropol region with plans to carry out a series of terrorist attacks. The NAK also said that the two men were shot dead after they refused police orders to stop a car they were traveling in and, instead, opened fire on the police. Islamic militants in Russia's North Caucasus region, and sometimes in adjacent areas, have mounted frequent attacks on police, moderate Muslims, and local officials. Some militants there have posted videos online in which they have sworn allegiance to the IS. Russian authorities have estimated that some 2,000 Russian citizens have fought alongside IS militants in Syria. Based on reporting by TASS, Interfax, and RIA Novosti Two of the men who seized and frog-marched Reshat Ametov into the backseat of a waiting car wore green military fatigues. The third, wearing black civilian clothes, closed the rear door behind the captive and watched the dark-colored hatchback speed away. The abduction unfolded in early March 2014 in front of the Council of Ministers building in the capital of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, where Russian troops in uniforms without insignia had begun seizing key government buildings days earlier. Video of the incident shows what are believed to be the last known images of Ametov, a 39-year-old Crimean Tatar who had come to the central square in Simferopol that day to protest Russia's invasion, while he was still alive. Nearly two weeks later, the father of three's body was discovered in a forest some 60 kilometers to the east. A lawyer for the Crimean Tatars' self-governing body, the Mejlis, went to the local prosecutor's office shortly thereafter and said the corpse showed "clear signs of torture." The cause of death, according to Ametovs brother, was a stab wound to the eye. Russian authorities, whose control of Crimea is rejected as illegitimate by the Mejlis and 100 UN members, pledged a thorough investigation into the killing of Ametov, widely seen in Ukraine and among Crimean Tatars as an early martyr to the cause of opposing Russia's takeover. The Russian government itself said eight months later that nearly 300 witnesses had been questioned and that authorities were doing "everything necessary" to bring those responsible for Ametov's death to justice. But despite these purported efforts and the fact that Ametov's kidnapping was captured on camera in broad daylight, his slaying remains unsolved five years after locals found his battered corpse on March 15, 2014 -- three days before Russia formally annexed Crimea. "It was the first forced disappearance in the history of occupied Crimea," Tamila Tasheva, head of a civic group that tracks rights abuses on the peninsula, said at a recent protest outside the Russian Embassy in Kyiv. "But no one has conducted any real investigation since then." Video Evidence After Russia's seizure of Crimea, Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged equal rights for Crimean Tatars, who were brutally deported en masse to Central Asia by Soviet dictator Josef Stalin in 1944 and only began returning to the peninsula in the late 1980s. A Moscow-backed Crimean Tatar politician went so far as to say that the predominantly Muslim minority, which constitutes some 12 percent of Crimea's population, was "under the reliable protection of the state." But Crimean Tatars, Western governments, and rights watchdogs say Russian authorities have subjected members of the community and others who oppose Russian rule to a range of abuses, including politically motivated prosecutions based on trumped-up charges. Russia "continues to apply its laws, in violation of international humanitarian law applicable to an occupying power, resulting in grave human rights violations, disproportionately affecting Crimean Tatars," the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in its most recent report on the situation in Ukraine. As of August 2018, at least 44 people had been subjected to forced disappearances in Crimea since Russia's seized the peninsula, including six -- all of them Crimean Tatars -- who turned up dead, according to Tasheva's group, the Kyiv-based CrimeaSOS. Another 15, including 11 Crimean Tatars, had yet to be found, the organization said. In all but three of these disappearances -- including that of Ametov and two other Crimean Tatars later discovered dead -- CrimeaSOS says that "there are facts indicating the involvement of Russian state bodies." The most substantive publicly available evidence in Ametov's abduction is the video of the incident in front of the Council of Ministers building on March 3, 2014. The video, which was published online weeks after the incident, does not indicate that Ametov was kidnapped by the so-called "Little Green Men," Russian soldiers in unmarked uniforms who were seizing Crimean state facilities at the time and whose Russian provenance Putin initially denied. But it does suggest that Ametov's abductors may have been part of -- or working with the consent of -- so-called "self-defense" forces, pro-Russian activists who provided street muscle during Moscow's military takeover of Crimea. Unlike the "Little Green Men," the two men in military green who forced Ametov into the car were not openly brandishing weapons or wearing masks. And their garb resembled that of the "self-defense" units patrolling throughout Crimea at the time. Furthermore, the video shows that Ametov was snatched just meters in front of a man sporting a red armband typically worn by members of the "self-defense" units that were working in lockstep with Russian forces in Crimea. The video shows a fourth man in civilian clothes standing near the car that Ametov was forced into. As Ametov tries in vain to resist being shoved into the back seat, that man walks behind the vehicle and climbs into the front passenger seat before the car takes off. 'Neat And Tidy' A month after Ametov's body was found, the Russia-installed head of Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, dismissed suggestions that "self-defense" members were involved in the abduction as "unfounded accusations." "It's just a bunch of rumors. In any investigation, you have to look for those who benefited from it at the time," Aksyonov told a news conference. In October 2014, Aksyonov pledged to reward law enforcement officers who solve Ametov's killing and said that authorities were investigating the disappearances of four other Crimean Tatars. Six weeks later, the Russian government told the UN Human Rights Committee that more than 270 witnesses had been questioned in Ametov's death, and that "over 50 forensic analyses and some 50-plus examinations have been carried out." "Everything necessary is being done to identify the perpetrators of the crime," it said. In the ensuing years, the investigation has been periodically halted and restarted, according to Ametov's family members and friends. Ametov's widow, Zarina, did not respond to an interview request for this report. Attempts to arrange an interview with his brother, Refat Ametov, were unsuccessful. But a year after his brother's disappearance, Refat said that the men who took Reshat away had been questioned by investigators and subsequently released. "It's lined up in such a way that they have alibis saying they didn't do it. These people lawyered up. Everything was neat and tidy," Refat Ametov told RFE/RL's Crimea Desk in March 2015. Neither the office of Aksyonov, who is still the Russia-backed leader in Crimea, nor the Russian Investigative Committee branch on the peninsula responded to requests for comment on the status of the case. In a statement earlier this month, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission to Ukraine said it had "received information that indicates Crimean self-defense's involvement in Ametov's disappearance and killing." The mission told RFE/RL that its information is based on interviews with "a number of people," including Ametov's relatives and activists at pro-Ukrainian rallies at the time of his disappearance, as well as an analysis of the video of his abduction. It added, however, that it "cannot disclose information that may lead to the identification of sources" without their consent. "We are not an investigative authority. It is the responsibility of the government of the Russian Federation, as an occupying power in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol, Ukraine, to investigate Reshat Ametov's enforced disappearance and death," the mission said in an e-mailed statement. 'Standing Protest' Ametov, whose youngest child was born less than three months prior to his death, had announced his intention to protest outside the Council of Ministers building in Simferopol just days before his abduction. "It was absolutely typical behavior for him," Lerane Khaibullayeva, a friend of Ametov's family, told RFE/RL. "He is a patriot of his land. He considered the people who came to Crimea [in the spring of 2014] to be thieves." Khaibullayeva said Ametov was particularly concerned about the fate of the Crimean Tatar language, and that he had a "heightened sense of justice." "He always took action, and didn't just sit around grumbling or discussing some issue at home in the kitchen. He got up and did something," she said. According to his wife, Ametov left their house at 7:30 a.m. on the day he disappeared, saying he was going to a military recruitment office. She said she became concerned because it was his habit to regularly let her know where he was -- and she hadn't heard from him in more than 24 hours. Khaibullayeva, who says her mother saw Ametov leaving his home for the last time, recalls his wife running down the street in tears to tell a relative that he had disappeared. "The kids were running behind her yelling, 'Mama!'" Khaibullayeva says. Video footage of Ametov standing in front of the Council of Ministers building which was being guarded at the time by Russian forces after its seizure days earlier -- was captured by the Crimean Tatar television channel ATR shortly before his abduction. As an investigation by Britain's Channel 4 noted a year after Ametov's death, the ATR footage also shows a man with a video camera -- presumed to be a journalist -- who appears to have filmed Ametov's abduction at close range. Attempts by RFE/RL to identify the cameraman, whose footage of Ametov could reveal further clues about the people involved in his kidnapping, were unsuccessful. It was not immediately clear if investigators in Crimea or Ukrainian authorities conducting a separate investigation from Kyiv have identified the man or accessed his footage. Yevhen Komarovskiy, head of the Crimea directorate at the Ukrainian Prosecutor-General's Office, told RFE/RL that the Kyiv-led investigation into Ametov's death is ongoing but that the lack of access to Russia-controlled Crimea "complicates investigative actions." According to Khaibullayeva, Russian prosecutors in Crimea have rotated through several different detectives in the official investigation and have not provided case materials to the family of Ametov, whom Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko awarded posthumously with the nation's highest title -- Hero of Ukraine. "Crimea prosecutors in Kyiv don't have much in terms of case materials. The Russian investigation has more, of course. But they haven't presented that information," Khaibullayeva said. AN UNUSUAL meeting took place in October at St Matthew's church in Baltimore. After the sermon, some parishioners stayed behind to hear two emissaries from Africa explain the harm that America's gasoline guzzling does to the poor in faraway lands. An elderly parishioner raised his hand: I know Africa is very rich in diamonds, gold and oil, but the people are very poor. Why are your governments so bad at managing that wealth? Austin Onuoha, a human-rights activist from Nigeria, smiled and conceded, You hit the nail right on the head. When it comes to wasted wealth, and the problems that bedevil poor countries that are rich in natural resources, especially oil, there is plenty of blame to go around. Economists have long observed that such countries tend to do badly. In a study in 1995, Jeffrey Sachs, now of Columbia University in New York, showed that the resource-rich grow more slowly than other poor countrieseven after such variables as initial per capita income and trade policies are taken into account The usual explanation for this is Dutch Disease, named for the hardships that befell the Netherlands after it found North Sea gas. When a country strikes hydrocarbons, a sudden inflow of dollar-denominated revenues often leads to a sharp appreciation in the domestic currency. That tends to make non-oil sectors like agriculture and manufacturing less competitive on world markets, thus leaving oil to dominate the economy. Experts have offered fixes for the economic aspects of this curse of oil for a while. Some governments have used stabilisation policies: when oil prices are high, revenues are set aside; when prices fall, governments use the funds to cushion the blow. A related idea is to park part of the proceeds from resources in offshore funds for the future. In theory, such funds would not only help spread the wealth over several generations, but also help avoid over-appreciation of the local currency. Some countries even disburse some oil revenues directly to every household, thereby ensuring that ordinary folk see tangible benefits. These are fine ideas in principle, and in developed countries they even work to some extent. Officials in oil-rich Alberta and Alaska are now handing out potfuls of cash to households. But charges of wasteful government spending and cronyism abound. It has been suggested that a new Iraqi government could disburse oil bounty to its citizens too, but doing so properly in a country where the poor do not have bank accounts will be tricky. Norway has an offshore oil fund that is often touted as a model for developing countries. Yet even the virtuous Norwegians have been raiding it for politically popular causes. In developing countries, such raids are the rule rather than the exception. Zambia set up a stabilisation scheme to manage mineral exports; but as prices soared in the 1970s, the government dropped itand years of pain followed when prices fell again. Venezuela set up a fund for the future, El Fondo de Inversiones, in 1974, but was soon raiding the kitty. An orgy of domestic spending left the country with a herd of white-elephant projects, huge foreign debt and declining social spending. Michael Ross, at the University of California at Los Angeles, argues that oil-rich countries do far less to help the poor than do countries without resources. He points to evidence that oil and mineral states fare worse on child mortality and nutrition, have lower literacy and school-enrolment rates and do relatively worse on measures like the UN's Human Development Index. Why? Economics offers some answers. Unlike agriculture, the oil sector employs few unskilled people. The inherent volatility of commodity prices hurts the poor the most, as they are least able to hedge their risks. And because the resource is concentrated, the resulting wealth passes through only a few handsand so is more susceptible to misdirection. This misdirection points to another explanation for the oil curse that is gaining favour: politics. Because oil money often flows directly from Big Oil to the Big Man, as Africa's dictators are known, governments have little need to raise revenues through taxes. Arvind Subramanian of the IMF argues that such rulers have no incentive to develop non-oil sources of wealth, and the ruled (but untaxed) consequently have little incentive to hold their rulers accountable. Some argue the Persian Gulf has escaped the oil curse. True, access to health care and education in the Gulf did improve (though booming populations in places like Saudi Arabia are eroding those gains). And a few countries, such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, have tried to diversify their economies. But a study by Mr Subramanian suggests that the Gulf's oil has rotted democratic institutions. Rachel Bronson of the Council on Foreign Relations, a think-tank in New York, points as evidence to life before oil. When the Saudi ruling family needed tax revenues, it consulted the merchant classes in Jeddah, so there was some mild democratic participation. The arrival of vast oil wealth, she argues, wiped out the power of the merchants, and made it easier for the royal family to quash democracy. Another recent political argument is that resources fuel civil war. An analysis by Paul Collier of Oxford University suggests that for any given five-year period, the chance of a civil war in an African country varies from less than 1% in countries without resource wealth to nearly 25% in those with such riches. Mr Subramanian concludes that economic factors like the Dutch Disease and corruption alone do not explain the oil curse. He maintains that the problem is weak institutions. George Soros, a financier who has set up charities to work on this issue, agrees. Making oil transparent The good news is that international initiatives are starting to shine a cold light on the murky business of oil. Tony Blair is promoting the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), a voluntary effort involving governments and oil majors. George Soros is backing the Publish What You Pay campaign, which demands more aggressive disclosure. Even big oil companies, long accused by activists of propping up dictators with bribes, are joining the transparency bandwagon. As with the issue of global warming, BP is the oil major making the most public noiseand Exxon Mobil apparently the one most opposed to change. Ask senior executives of both firms what they think of the oil curse, and their answers are strikingly different. Graham Baxter at BP says the curse of oil is a problem that BP recognises, and we have a part to play in helping our hosts deal with this wall of dollar-denominated cash coming into their fragile economies. But Andre Madec of Exxon says: We don't like to call it the oil curse, we prefer governance curse'. We are private investors, and it is not our role to tell governments how to spend their money. Yet the two firms' actions are not so different. BP may be vocal on the issue, but after getting burned in Angola (it published information about its oil bid and got a bitter rebuke from government officials) it no longer strays far from the pack. And Exxon, for all its gruff talk, is at the heart of a controversial project aimed at monitoring the revenues generated by the new Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline. The money is deposited in offshore escrow accounts and scrutinised by an oversight committee representing parliament and civic organisations. It is also involved in half a dozen countries participating in the EITI. How far can transparency go? Mr Sachs sees no reason why government oil contracts should stay secret. Companies and governments have usually engaged in a conspiracy of silence about contractual terms, signing bonuses and other rake-offs. But things are changing. The western oil majors (though not state-run goliaths in China and India) are coming to see more transparency as inevitable or even desirable. As Mr Madec puts it, Exxon wants oil revenues to go to the people rather than accounts in Switzerland as it helps secure his firm's licence to operate. In other words, it reduces the risk of boycotts and bad publicity. The World Bank now seems keen: Countries have no justification for secrecy, insists Rashad Kaldany of the bank's International Finance Corporation. All of these agreements will be made public in future. And the IMF is already leading the charge: it required Equatorial Guinea, Angola and other recalcitrant countries to open up their oil accounts or risk ostracism. The best news is that more poor-country leaders are coming to the view that transparency is best. The fledgling oil states of Sao Tome e Principe and East Timor are eager participants in the EITI. Some two dozen in all have joined up. Nigeria's recent participation is encouraging the rest of West Africa, Mr Soros reckons, just as Azerbaijan's involvement has shamed Kazakhstan and other neighbours into cleaning up their act. Mr Kaldany thinks the effect will spill over from oil to other resources. The push for greater disclosure is, he says, already leading to demands for greater transparency in the power, water and construction sectors. If push really comes to shove, natural resources may yet become what they should be for some of the world's poorest people: a blessing. : www.economist.com 204 62 kilos of drugs seized at Cancun airport Cancun, Q.R. Two large shipments of marijuana have been seized at the Cancun International Airports after being sniffed out by a narcotics dog. Two packages being sent by a courier company were of special interest to the airports on-site narcotics dog after federal police conducted a review of the incoming shipment. The two boxes, one weighing 32 kilos and the other, 30 kilos, were marked for personal inspection. Once opened, police discovered the 62 kilos of marijuana, which were kept for investigative purposes by the public ministry. Nicholas Roddis A CONVICTED terrorist who was banned from keeping guns has been jailed for two years after police officers found an air rifle in his bedroom. Nicholas Roddis (34), who once planted a fake bomb on a bus in Rotherham, was found guilty of a firearms offence at Sheffield Crown Court today (Thursday) by a jury of seven men and five women following a two-day trial. Roddis, who has Aspergers Syndrome, kept a Power-Lok Spector SR05 a type of air rifle in his flat on Gray Close, Eastwood but he claimed it belonged to his mother. Police discovered the weapon while carrying out a search of his flat last May, along with a machete and two fake guns which Roddis was legally allowed to keep. Sentencing, Judge David Dixon told Roddis he had a fascination with weapons and the risk of those items was so great that only a jail sentence could be justified. Roddis was banned from keeping guns after his 2009 conviction for planting a hoax bomb on a bus on Broom Road, Rotherham. He was jailed for seven years for planting the device which comprised of a bag of sugar, a clock and wires in a plastic bag on a Maltby to Rotherham service. At the time, the court heard Roddis had become a follower of Islamic militancy after his parents marriage broke up. Forum slaps Rs 25,000 fine on Coca-Cola's bottling arm Indore, Mar 14 (PTI) The district consumer forum here has imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on Coca-Cola India's bottling arm and three other respondents in a case where a worm was found in a sealed soft drink bottle of the company nearly 10 years ago. District consumer dispute redressal forum president Omprakash Sharma and member Atul Jain said Tuesday that the recovery of the worm in the soft drink bottle amounted to deficiency in service. The forum disposed of a petition filed by local resident Naveen Jain against Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), the bottling arm of Coca-Cola India. "The fault in service provided by the respondents has inflicted mental torture to the petitioner and for this the respondents should pay Rs 25,000 to him in two months," the forum observed in its nine-page order. The forum directed the respondents to pay Rs 8 as well to the petitioner -- the price at which he bought the worm-infested cold drink bottle then. Advertisement It also imposed a cost of Rs 3,000 on the respondents to be paid to the petitioner, who had spent the sum on suing them. Jain had filed a petition with the forum stating he had bought 12 bottles of 'Sprite', a soft drink created by Coca-Cola, from a shop, Raj Enterprises, located on the Dhar Road here on April 29, 2009 for the birthday party of his son. The petitioner stated that when he went home he found a worm in one of the bottles. Thereafter, Jain filed complaints with Madhya Pradesh-based Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages plant at Rajgarh district, the company's Indore office and two local firms Raj Enterprises and Mittal Agency. In its defence, the HCCB rejected the petitioner's claim and said they make high quality soft drinks and their bottles are sealed with automatic computerised machines. After this, the packed soft drink bottles are carted out of the plant, the company had told the forum during the hearing of the petition. India-Pak hold cordial meeting Attari/New Delhi, Mar 14: In the shadow of escalating tension in their ties, India and Pakistan Thursday held in a "cordial environment" their first meeting to finalise the modalities for a corridor linking Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistani town of Kartarpur with Gurdaspur district in Punjab. A joint statement issued after the talks said both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the project and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalising the Kartapur Sahib Corridor (KSC). The meeting took place on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border. "The first meeting to discuss the modalities and the draft agreement for facilitation of pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib using the Kartarpur corridor was held today at Attari, India, in a cordial environment," it said. The meeting took place amid heightened tensions between the two neighbours following India's air strike on a terrorist training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Pakistan's subsequent retaliation. Advertisement Sri Kartarpur Sahib It was agreed to hold the next meeting at Wagah on April 2 and it will be preceded by a meeting of the technical experts on March 19 at the proposed zero points to finalise the alignment of the corridor, according to the statement. Last November, India and Pakistan agreed to set up the border crossing linking Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur - the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev - to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district. Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four km from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. The Indian delegation at the meeting was led by SCL Das, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs while the Pakistani team was headed by Dr Mohammad Faisal, DG (South Asia and SAARC) of Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Both sides held detailed and constructive discussions on various aspects and provisions of the proposed agreement and agreed to work towards expeditiously operationalising the Kartapur Sahib Corridor," the statement said. Advertisement Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh It said the two sides also held expert-level discussions between the technical experts on the alignment and other details of the proposed corridor. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had on November 26 last year laid the foundation stone of the Kartarpur corridor in Gurdaspur district. Two days later, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone of the corridor in Narowal, 125 km from Lahore. Supreme Court of India New Delhi, Mar 14 (PTI) The Supreme Court Wednesday clarified its last year order on police reforms and said officers who have a minimum of six months tenure left in service shall be considered for the post of director general of police (DGP). A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said the recommendation for post of DGP by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and preparation of the panel should be purely on the basis of merit. The apex court passed the verdict on a modification plea filed by former Uttar Pradesh DGP Prakash Singh. Singh had alleged that the July 3, 2018, directive was being misused by state governments who were ignoring competent senior officers for appointment as DGPs. The court had in July last year passed a slew of directions on police reforms and restrained all states and Union territories from appointing any police officer as acting DGPs to avoid favouritism and nepotism in such high-level appointments. India and Pakistan to finalise the modalities for setting up of a corridor linking Attari (Amritsar), Mar 14: A meeting between officials of India and Pakistan to finalise the modalities for setting up of a corridor linking the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistani town of Kartarpur with Gurdaspur district in Punjab commenced here Thursday, officials said. The talks are being held at the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border, they said. It is the first meeting between officials of India and Pakistan to discuss the Kartarpur corridor issue, amid heightened tensions between the two nations over the Pulwama terror attack, followed by India's pre-emptive air strike on Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camps in Balakot and Pakistan's subsequent retaliation. In the meeting, New Delhi is likely to raise the issue of hassle-free access to the Indian pilgrims besides asking Islamabad to insulate Sikh pilgrims visiting the shrine in Pakistan from pro-Khalistan propaganda. Advertisement Sri Kartarpur Sahib From the Indian side, officials comprised representatives from the Union Home Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, BSF, National Highways Authority of India and the Punjab government. Last November, both India and Pakistan agreed to set up the Kartarpur corridor to link the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib -- the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev -- to Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur. Kartarpur Sahib is located in Pakistan's Narowal district across the river Ravi, about four kilometres from the Dera Baba Nanak shrine. The corridor will facilitate visa-free travel of Indian Sikh pilgrims to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur. Pakistan has committed to open the corridor in November this year on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. India's Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had on November 26 last year laid the foundation stone of the Kartarpur corridor in Gurdaspur district. Advertisement Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh Two days later, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan laid the foundation stone of the corridor in Narowal, 125 km from Lahore. The Punjab cabinet had passed a special resolution to set up a Dera Baba Nanak Development Authority for the development and beautification of the area in and around Dera Baba Nanak. A Kartarpur Gate has also been proposed to be set up on the Indian side of the International Border which would stand out as a monumental symbol to commemorate the 550th 'Prakash Purb' (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Dev. A proposed passenger terminal building (PTB) complex will have all the necessary amenities to facilitate pilgrims intending to visit the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara. South African Open hosted by the City of Johannesburg Randpark GC, Johannesburg, South Africa 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. This Page Is Under Construction - Coming Soon! Why am I seeing this 'Under Construction' page? Bats are among nature's best flyers -- able to fly for long periods of time, maneouvre in mid-air with pinpoint precision and get into some very tight spaces. However, scientists have not fully understood exactly how bats manage to fly so well, until now. Engineers at the University of British Columbia have captured the full complexity of bat flight in a three-dimensional computer model for the first time, potentially inspiring the future design of better drones and other aerial vehicles. Researchers built a simple bat wing out of aluminum and exposed it to the currents in a wind tunnel to mimic the flapping, bending and twisting motion of a bat in flight. By tracking and measuring the impact of these movements on turbulent air flows and aeromechanical forces around the wing, they were able to build a complete model of bat flight. The computer model, described in Computers & Fluids, is the first to comprehensively explain the flapping flight of bats in terms of the wing's geometry in motion, says Rajeev Jaiman, the study's senior author and a professor of mechanical engineering at UBC. "Previous numerical models of bat flapping flight were too simplified or incomplete to be of real practical benefit," he added. Bat wings are highly unique because they contain multiple joints and stretchable membranes that allow them to change shape and return to their original form countless times when they fly, explained Jaiman. "While this wing morphing makes bat flight much more complicated compared to bird flight, it also makes bats the efficient flying machines that they are," he said. The research team, which includes engineers from the National University of Singapore, plans to develop a physical bat model next, in collaboration with researchers at Brown University. "We'll be working to further optimize the flapping motion," said Jaiman. "Once this is in place, we'll have a foundation for designing efficient, agile, automated bats -- think smart drones that can fly as a flock and serve as tools for business or for emergency response." California sheephead and spiny lobsters may be helping control sea urchin populations in Southern California kelp forests, where sea otters -- a top urchin predator -- have long been missing, according to a new San Diego State University (SDSU) study published in the journal Ecology. The research provides new insight into the complex predator-prey relationships in kelp forests that can be seen in the absence of sea otters. The study is also the first to experimentally test the relative impact, or rate of feeding, of the California sheephead and spiny lobsters in comparison to sea otters, whose historical range spanned from British Columbia, Canada to Baja California, Mexico. "Healthy kelp forests are important both economically and ecologically along our coast. They act as nurseries and vital habitat for valuable fishery species, recreation sites for kayakers, free divers, and scuba divers, and serve as the base of rocky reef food webs," says Robert Dunn, who led the study as a Ph.D. candidate at SDSU and University of California, Davis, funded by a NMFS-California Sea Grant Fellowship. Kelp forests rely on the proper balance of herbivory and predation. Sea urchins dwell on the seafloor where they forage on macroalgae, including giant kelp. If their populations are left unchecked by predation, they can decimate kelp forests and prevent kelp from growing. That can transform a thriving community of kelp into an oceanic desert, known as an urchin barren. The relationships between predators and prey vary among communities. Sea urchins have recently decimated kelp forests in Northern California, leaving researchers to wonder why Southern California kelp forests have remained relatively intact without sea otters to control the urchin populations. Past research has indicated that Marine Protected Areas in Southern California house a diversity of predators -- warranting fewer urchins and abundant kelp. Dunn and his SDSU graduate advisor, Kevin Hovel, set out to better understand the potential for top-down control by these two distinct predators: the California sheephead and spiny lobsters. "One of the main things to note about Robert's research is that he was able to experimentally control, for one of the first times, many factors that allow us to test whether or not these predators have the right amount of influence, whether they can eat fast enough, and if there are enough of these predators within the ecosystem to exert strong influences on sea urchins," says Hovel, a professor of biology at the Coastal and Marine Institute at SDSU. The new findings are in line with concurrent international research. Dunn said another recent study in southern Australia "found comparable results that predators and disease seem to be able to control urchins up to a certain density, similar to the number we found, but once urchins get to really high densities, those two factors no longer regulate urchin populations. Since our results are in line with findings on other rocky reefs, we believe this to be solid evidence indicating our results are robust." The new research provides valuable information to understand and protect California's quintessential kelp forests. The researchers note, however, that further research is needed to tease out the complex relationships between sea urchins and their predators. "These results shed light on a very nuanced relationship, that requires further research on rocky reefs around the globe," says Dunn. "At the same time, we are already experiencing effects from global climate change, which will have additional consequences for these important ecosystems." Throughout his fellowship experience, Dunn has connected with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) researchers and collaborators at UC Davis to follow up on this work utilizing a modeling approach to assess what happens in the absence of fishing for lobsters and urchins in kelp forests. Dunn recently started a postdoctoral position with Hovel at SDSU to build on the reported research, assessing spiny lobster demographic rates, food web positions, and genetic population structure, also with California Sea Grant funded support. Archaeologists have unearthed evidence of the earliest large-scale celebrations in Britain - with people and animals traveling hundreds of miles for prehistoric feasting rituals. The study, led by Dr Richard Madgwick of Cardiff University, is the most comprehensive to date and examined the bones of 131 pigs, the prime feasting animals, from four Late Neolithic (c. 2800-2400BC) complexes. Serving the world-famous monuments of Stonehenge and Avebury, the four sites - Durrington Walls, Marden, Mount Pleasant and West Kennet Palisade Enclosures - hosted the very first pan-British events, feasts that drew people and animals from across Britain. The results show pig bones excavated from these sites were from animals raised as far away as Scotland, North East England and West Wales, as well as numerous other locations across the British Isles. The researchers believe it may have been important for those attending to contribute animals raised locally at their homes. Before now, the origins of people that took part in rituals at these megalithic monuments and the extent of the population's movements at the time have been long-standing enigmas in British prehistory. Dr Richard Madgwick, of the School of History, Archaeology and Religion, said: "This study demonstrates a scale of movement and level of social complexity not previously appreciated." "These gatherings could be seen as the first united cultural events of our island, with people from all corners of Britain descending on the areas around Stonehenge to feast on food that had been specially reared and transported from their homes." Representing great feats of engineering and labor mobilization, the Neolithic henge complexes of southern Britain were the focal point for great gatherings in the third millennium BC. Pigs were the prime animal used in feasting and they provide the best indication of where the people who feasted at these sites came from as almost no human remains have been recovered. Using isotope analysis, which identifies chemical signals from the food and water that animals have consumed, the researchers were able to determine geographical areas where the pigs were raised. The study offers the most detailed picture yet of the degree of mobility across Britain at the time of Stonehenge. Dr Madgwick said: "Arguably the most startling finding is the efforts that participants invested in contributing pigs that they themselves had raised. Procuring them in the vicinity of the feasting sites would have been relatively easy. "Pigs are not nearly as well-suited to movement over distance as cattle and transporting them, either slaughtered or on the hoof, over hundreds or even tens of kilometres, would have required a monumental effort. "This suggests that prescribed contributions were required and that rules dictated that offered pigs must be raised by the feasting participants, accompanying them on their journey, rather than being acquired locally." Dr Madgwick conducted the research in collaboration with colleagues at the School of Earth and Ocean Sciences at Cardiff University, along with scientists from the NERC Isotope Geosciences Laboratory at the British Geological Survey, University of Sheffield and University College London. The project was funded by the British Academy as part of a post-doctoral fellowship and was supported by a NERC Isotope Geosciences Facility Steering Committee grant. The study, 'Multi-isotope analysis reveals that feasts in the Stonehenge environs and across Wessex drew people and animals from throughout Britain', funded by the British Academy and NERC is published in Science Advances. CLEARWATER, FLORIDA A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR THE AGES: SCIENTOLOGISTS FROM 70 NATIONS GATHER TO HONOR FOUNDER L. RON HUBBARD MARCH 13, 2019 The joyous weekend of festivities draws thousands for a time-traveling, globe-hopping tribute to the extraordinary life and legacy of L. Ron Hubbard at Scientologys spiritual capital in Clearwater, Florida. The klieg lights. The red carpet arrivals. The photographers capturing the moment. The excited chatter in a multitude of languages. The bustle and buzz. Thousands came from 70 nations, converging at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida. Decked out in gowns and tuxedos, they were ready to party. It was the marquee event in an annual weekend-long birthday celebration for the religions Founder, L. Ron Hubbard (LRH). And there was a whole lot to celebrate, from a history-making grand opening to a string of Church successes spanning the globe and a sneak peek inside the Scientology Networks next seasonall of it underscoring the scope of Scientology expansion. Mr. Miscavige welcomes attendees to the annual celebration at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida. And there was a whole lot to celebrate, from a history-making grand opening to a string of Church successes spanning the globe and a sneak peek inside the Scientology Networks next seasonall of it underscoring the scope of Scientology expansion. The night launched off with a virtuoso musical performance that had attendees on their feet and which signaled that this extraordinary evening would supply untold adventure. Indeed, it was the world-class introduction to the moment when the ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, Mr. David Miscavige, took the stage amidst thunderous applause and a prolonged standing ovation. Welcome to the night we honor our Founder. Not that you have never made his acquaintance. But as this is a night to do the formalities, lets begin with a few basics. This past year saw new Churches of Scientology in every geographic zone, new facilities for forward strides across entire continents, not to mention a brand-new year2019that will never be forgotten even though its just begun. In short, our expansion is staggering, and, of course, it all wells up from the life and legacy of one manL. Ron Hubbard. And that life and legacy has left an indelible mark on the world. He was born on March 13, 1911, and as his biographer, Mr. Dan Sherman, made clear in his presentation, L. Ron Hubbard was a man who recognized the humanity in each individual he met, focusing on them in a way that left a lasting impact. Mr. Sherman took the audience on a journey that spanned five decades, for a series of days in the extraordinary life of L. Ron Hubbard, interweaving video interviews with people who were forever changed just by crossing his path. The presentation began 300 feet above Midwest cornfields where a 20-year-old barnstorming pilot named Flash Hubbard showed local residents, including a nine-year-old model-airplane enthusiast, what it meant to fly. That boynow a grown manrecalled how, after landing in a cow patch, the young pilot gave the curious residentsone after anotherthe chance to soar above the fields. It was an occasion that made such an impression on townspeople that it was commemorated half a century later with L. Ron Hubbard Day. Mr. Sherman next set the scene in a hilltop writers retreat above Port Orchard, Washington, where Mr. Hubbard penned his first novel, a story about the Blackfoot Indians. The audience heard from another witness to history, a Blackfoot representative who as a young man met L. Ron Hubbard in that cedar-lined cabin where he talked about his novel and made the story come alive. It was, he said, a red-letter day. Mr. Shermans snapshots into the life and insights of L. Ron Hubbard also included stories from a gentleman inspired to pursue a career in science because of his boyhood conversations with the man who rescued him from a hurricane in New Jersey and another who vividly recalled his teenage days as a diner busboy, culminating in a life lesson about the importance of education that he took to heart, thanks to a generous customer who befriended him, named Mr. Hubbard. Mr. Sherman concluded his presentation in Californias Gold Country in the 1980s, delighting the audience with an interview of a young woman from Sears Roebuck who answered a sales call at Mr. Hubbards home and experienced a golden afternoon that she would never forget: When you meet someone that significant, they leave a very special impression on you. The evening then fast-forwarded to 2019 and an awards ceremony that underscored the spirit of the nighta celebration of expansion. More than 40 years ago, LRH was asked what he wanted for his birthday. His answer was the gift of Scientology orgs and missions flourishing in the name of delivering spiritual freedom. Over the years, Scientology Churches around the globe have made a game out of it, competing in one of four leagues, racing to the finish line. This year, the champions stepping into the winners circle each achieved record-breaking performances. They are the Scientology Mission of Ulm, Germany; the Church of Scientology Stuttgart, Germany; the Advanced Organization & Saint Hill United Kingdom; and the Continental Liaison Office of Europe. All the fanfare and excitement set the stage for the evenings ultimate recognition of Mr. Hubbards legacy. Indeed, we come to the culminating chapter of this 2019 Birthday Game, said Mr. Miscavige. So while you have undoubtedly heard tell of it and possibly even witnessed it, the time has come to set down the facts. And just like that, Mr. Miscavige next presented the crowning achievement of this years expansion, the opening of the first new Advanced Organization in over 35 years. The historic dedication of a majestic Castle overlooking 22 acres of highveld made the advanced spiritual levels of Scientology available for the first time on African soil and thus was the realization of a dream first expressed by Mr. Hubbard over 50 years ago. The presentation chronicled a series of epic celebrations, from the magnificent grand opening, which national dignitaries hailed as an awakening of our beloved Africa, to a monumental gathering of tribal chiefs. Within days of opening, the Castle hosted a Summit of Thrones convocation of 14 monarchs from five African nations. The events guest of honor, Queen Shebah III, Empress of the Royal African Kingdoms, recognized L. Ron Hubbard for finding the means to unite all kingdoms and peoples from this cradle of Africa. Finally, all eyes turned to the giant television screen for an exciting and entertaining presentation that focused on a game-changing area of expansion, this time over the airwaves. Just 12 months ago, the religion flipped the switch on the Scientology Network, bringing the voice, the story and the message of Scientology to the worldunfiltered, unabashed, unlike anything on television. And the industry has taken notice, honoring the station with over 30 awards for outstanding programming, the 5 latest recognizing L. Ron Hubbard, the autobiographical series L. Ron Hubbard: in His Own Voice and L. Ron Hubbard Library Presentshis groundbreaking writings illuminated on film. Accordingly, Mr. Miscavige captivated all in attendance with an audiovisual preview of whats in store for the Scientology Networks Year Two. As the spectacular birthday party came to a close (with a giant cake, of course), the joyous crowds moved on to the Flag Land Base where the celebratory atmosphere was on display all weekend. From the historic Fort Harrison to The Oak Cove and Sandcastle retreats, all facilities were filled to capacity with visiting Scientologists attending planned and impromptu gatherings throughout the multitude of Flags Seminar and Conference Centers. The festivities culminated with the annual Flag Patrons Ball, an International Association of Scientologists (IAS) gala acknowledging those members whose efforts support Scientology humanitarian initiatives that benefit millions the world over. It was a weekend defined by a shared spirit of celebration and of hope inspired by Mr. Hubbard that Mankind can realize an inherent greatness and fulfill his long-sought dreams. Mr. Miscavige summed that collective spirit when he said: LRH tells us we are only as alive as we still cling to dreams. And, while we cannot fulfill those dreams in a single breath, we nonetheless possess the technology to eventually make them come true. While, even more than that, we possess the means to fulfill that most enduring dream of every spiritual being, which is Total Spiritual Freedomand which is both our beginning and our end. And with that, a 108th birthday celebration ends and another 12 months of inspiration beginsand considering the impact and influence of L. Ron Hubbard continues to grow and grow, this next year is set to be full with extraordinary success and adventure. The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged an attorney with fraud for concealing from transfer agents and brokerage firms her involvement in preparing legal opinion letters concerning the sale of certain microcap securities. The SEC alleges that the attorney, Diane D. Dalmy, had been placed on the prohibited attorneys list maintained by OTC Markets Group, Inc., which owns and operates the largest U.S. electronic quotation and trading system for microcap securities. To evade the consequences of this prohibition, Dalmy allegedly recruited a retired divorce lawyer, who signed legal opinion letters drafted by Dalmy without performing due diligence or conducting any legal analysis and then sent them on to the firms. The SEC alleges that legal opinion letters are a significant factor in transfer agents' and brokerage firms' decisions to deem certain securities eligible to be freely sold on the public market without SEC registration, and that transfer agents and brokerage firms often refuse to accept legal opinion letters from attorneys subject to OTC Markets prohibitions. The SEC further alleges that, in 2016, Dalmy was permanently suspended from appearing and practicing before the SEC as an attorney, which prohibited her from representing clients in SEC matters, including investigations, litigation, or examinations, and from advising clients about SEC filing obligations or content. Despite this, the SEC alleges that Dalmy continued to prepare filings for publicly traded companies and directed the other attorney to file them with the SEC. The SEC's complaint, filed in federal court in Denver, Colorado, charges Dalmy with violating the antifraud provisions of Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and seeks permanent injunctions against violating these provisions, a conduct-based injunction prohibiting Dalmy from providing legal services pertaining to federal securities law exemptions from registration and requiring her to provide actual or potential clients seeking advice or representation in matters related to the federal securities laws with copies of the SEC's prior actions against her, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains plus interest, a penny stock bar, and an order pursuant to Section 21(e) of the Exchange Act requiring Dalmy to comply with the SEC's September 2016 order. Dalmy has been charged multiple times by the SEC and by the criminal authorities. Investors can use the SALI feature to find information about certain people who have had judgments or orders issued against them in SEC court actions or administrative proceedings. The SEC's case is being handled by J. Lauchlan Wash, Josh Grinspoon, Frank Huntington, and Amy Gwiazda of the SEC's Boston Regional Office. The SEC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Failte Ireland is inviting local tourism businesses, tourism and community group members, as well as all other interested parties and individuals to take part in a series of workshops running from 9th 16th April along the Mayo coast. The workshops will concentrate on pulling together stories, ideas, and opportunities that could be used to boost tourism in the area. The workshops will take place in six locations; from Ballycroy to Delphi Valley including Achill Island and the Currane Peninsula, Mulranny, Newport, Westport, Murrisk, Louisburgh, Clare Island and Inishturk. The findings from the workshops will feed into a Visitor Experience Development Plan, which will outline ways to improve the benefits of tourism for all communities in the area. Events and dates: Tuesday, April 9th - The Beehive, Keel, Achill Island 16.30 18.30 Thursday, April 11th - Nevins Newfield Inn, Tiernaur 13.30 15.30 Friday, April 12th - Castlecourt Hotel, Westport 14.30 16.30 Monday, April 15th - The Derrylahan, Louisburgh 18.30 20.30 Tuesday, April 16th - Clare Island Community Centre, Clare Island 10.30 12.00 Tuesday, April 16th - Inishturk Community Club, Inishturk 14.45 16.15 Contact Details: Anyone wishing to attend the workshops can confirm attendance by emailing Jackie.Burns@failteireland.ie. Anyone who cannot attend a workshop but would like to contribute to the discussion can also submit their ideas to Fionnan Nestor, fionnan.nestor@failteireland.ie or 086-0481877. The aim of the Visitor Experience Development Plan is to improve the range and quality of experiences available to our visitors and ultimately enable continued growth in visitor numbers, dwell time and spend, helping to extend the tourism season and spread business across all parts of the area. Similar plans have been developed successfully for the Skellig Coast and the Connemara Coast and Aran islands. Miriam Kennedy, Head of the Wild Atlantic Way explains: Local consultation and input is essential if we are going to produce a plan that works for the visitor and for the local economy. We look forward to welcoming everyone to these workshops to share their knowledge and ideas. The development of the plan will be assisted by external experts appointed by Failte Ireland who will bring the benefit of their international experience to the process. These experts will explore the region, meeting those in the local communities and sampling the experiences on offer for visitors to formulate a plan that will help the Clew Bay area stand out as a destination on the Wild Atlantic Way. The deliberations will also involve key stakeholders including the local authorities and the widest possible range of local tourism stakeholders. Everyone with ideas and knowledge to share is welcome to the planned workshops. The Visitor Experience Development Plan forms part of a bigger process that is seeking to increase visitor numbers on the Wild Atlantic Way with a particular focus on increasing the time and money they spend in areas that have capacity for growth. Jump to top As you know, I reported yesterday morning, well before Google confirmed the Google search update that there was an update. The reason why Google even confirmed the update was because I emailed them asking them to confirm, they did on Twitter as you know. I didn't want to name it yet but honestly it is a beautiful thing for Brett Tabke of WebmasterWorld to name an update again. It has been so long since the folks at WebmasterWorld named an update, it is nice to see them get back into it. Brett updated the WebmasterWorld thread and named it "Google Florida Update 2." I ran a poll on Twitter asking what we should name it, so far we have 350 responses. Most want to name it the Google 3/12 broad core update but I guess we should just go with the Google 3/12 broad core Florida 2 update so we can all be on the same page. Google 3/12 Broad Core Florida 2 Update Why name it Florida 2? The truth is, there is absolutely no relation to Florida 1, which was in November 2003 and this update. Google's algorithms, index, search engine was a completely different beast then. Florida 1 was way bigger than this update. The reason Brett named it Florida 2 is because Florida 1 happened around a PubCon event he ran in Florida back then and now Florida 2 happened a week after PubCon Florida last week. That is the only reason - there are zero similarities outside of that. Like I said, it was confirmed by Google: This week, we released a broad core algorithm update, as we do several times per year. Our guidance about such updates remains as weve covered before. Please see these tweets for more about that:https://t.co/uPlEdSLHoXhttps://t.co/tmfQkhdjPL Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) March 13, 2019 It started on March 12th, as we suspected, but Danny Sullivan confirmed it: It is a global worldwide update: It's global and at the same time for this. Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) March 13, 2019 It can take a week or longer to fully roll out: That is what we know so far. I will probably start collecting data around this update soon, but I want to give it a bit more time to fully roll out so you all can review your data and see the impact. I don't think it is bigger than the 8/1/18 Medic Update yet, I 100% do not think it is as big as the Florida update from 2003. But we need more time for this to roll out and settle. So let's go with the "Google 3/12 Broad Core Ranking Update Florida 2" for the name. Forum discussion at Twitter and WebmasterWorld. Update: Danny Sullivan at Google said go with naming it "Core." So ... we've not typically given the core updates a name, because we want to have people focus on what they're about -- *core* updates, as opposed to say the Speed Update that we did name and was about site speed. Our preference is any name continue to use "Core" in it... Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) March 14, 2019 There's a strong preference that the updates be "Core" plus a date so that everyone can easily know what it was about. Of course, "Core Update March 2019 doesn't exactly roll off the tongue." But that's what it was, and there's no confusing with other things.... Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) March 14, 2019 If "March 2019 Core Update" isn't tongue-tripping enough, maybe Core Update 19/3 (Year/Month) would work. But I think that numbering sequence might also be confusing. Anyway, just curious if there are better Core+Date naming ideas people would have. Names shouldn't be confusing. Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) March 14, 2019 Update 2: Google has officially decided to name this update the March 2019 Core Update. Here are all our current stories as of March 27th on the Google core update from March: The University of California Board of Regents will vote Thursday on tuition hikes for out-of-state students next year, a week after officials announced tuition costs for California undergraduates would stay the same. The regents finances committee passed a proposal Wednesday that would require undergraduate students from outside California to pay about $762 more in tuition for the 2019-2020 school year. The nearly $30 million raised would fund resources on each of the nine campuses that collect nonresident undergraduate supplemental tuition. On the UC Berkeley campus, money from nonresident supplemental tuition goes to the campuss student learning center, campus libraries and expanding classes in writing and math. Currently, undergraduate students from outside California pay an additional $28,992 in supplemental tuition, on top of the $12,570 that all undergraduates pay. Next year, that will rise to $29,754 a 2.6 percent increase in the supplemental tuition if the board approves the proposal Thursday. Though the proposal passed out of committee, some members raised questions about the burden it would place on international students, who make up about two-thirds of UCs non-resident undergraduates, or around 26,000 students. I dont think we want to end up in a place where we only have wealthy international students. I dont think that reflects who we are as a public university, said board member Lark Park, who voted against the proposal. Board chair George Kieffer emphasized the institutions commitment to serving Californians. Our job is not to educate the rest of the world or provide them the financial aid we are obligated in many ways to provide our own students, he said. We can be sympathetic for the desire for people throughout the world to have a California education, but I dont think that can drive us to say were going to support the world in terms of financial needs. The boards academic affairs committee also approved several tuition hikes for professional graduate degrees, including programs in nursing, statistics, education, medicine, law and business. The proposals would add annual increases for two to five years that would be reinvested in the programs for recruitment, increasing the diversity of students and hiring more faculty. The increase in tuition for non-Californians prompted several comments from students urging the board to vote against the tuition hike. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Aidan Arasasingham, a second-year student at UCLA, mentioned the schools affordability in allowing his father and grandfather to attend UC Davis as international students. Every international student that comes to UC could bring with them generations of future Californians, students and UC employees, he said. With this model of yearly increases in non-resident tuition, more and more students from around the world will be priced out. UC President Janet Napolitano maintained that keeping tuition flat for California residents for the seventh time in eight years is beneficial for students and families, but did not rule out future increases. Holding tuition flat means UC has less institutional aid to distribute to our lowest-income students for their living expenses. When tuition remains flat, so does that funding stream, she said. Meanwhile, non-tuition costs continue to rise. Absent major state reinvestment in the university, it would be unwise to continue ad infinitum into the future to hold tuition flat. Ashley McBride is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ashley.mcbride@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ashleynmcb Jeff Landau listed the reasons he believes its time for Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston to resign. At the top is last months report by the state attorney generals office that found federal immigration detainees were mistreated at the West County Detention Facility, a jail the Sheriffs Office operates in Richmond. Landau is an attorney at the county public defenders office who was speaking as a representative of the Contra Costa County Racial Justice Coalition, a collection of organizations focused on racial inequalities in the county. He cites other reasons why he thinks Livingston should step down: In April, Patrick Morseman, a nearly three-year veteran of the Sheriffs Office, was arrested on suspicion of consensual sex with two inmates at the West County Detention Facility. One of those inmates told me that she didnt consent to sex. Morseman was charged with four felonies for unlawful sex acts. And just last week, Leartis Johnson, a 65-year-old Antioch man, died at Martinez Detention Facility, a jail the sheriff operates. He was found unresponsive during a room check. According to Lift Up Contra Costa, a coalition of advocacy and union groups, Johnson was the seventh person to die in a county jail in the past year. Livingston hasnt been transparent about whats happening inside the county jails. Thats why Landau believes he should resign. I think nothing less is appropriate, he said. Livingston was elected in 2010 and ran unopposed in 2014 and 2018. For years hes swatted away mistreatment allegations. And when his office investigated claims that female detainees were forced to urinate and defecate in red biohazard bags, he concluded that the detainees locked in their toilet-less cells had to merely ask to use the common restroom and shouldnt have used bags. In very few cases detainees did use the bags for that purpose in violation of policy, the sheriffs office said. According to the attorney generals review, county inmates were restricted from using the bathroom. The fact that (the attorney general) found that much I think is really awful to see and at the same time its gratifying in some way to see that the truth that has been buried is coming to light, Landau said. At the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors public protection committee meeting earlier this week, Landau and other community members demanded a full board meeting on the issue. Supervisor John Gioia, the committees chair, told meeting attendees that he spoke to Livingston after the attorney generals report was released. According to Gioia, Livingston told him hed update the committee at the appropriate time. Thats not good enough. The appropriate time is now. The supervisors should demand that Livingston appear and answer questions. Noah Berger / Special to The Chronicle Gioia didnt respond to my request for comment. I reached out to the four other supervisors. Candace Anderson didnt respond. Diane Burgis is recovering from surgery to replace her aortic valve. Mark Goodwin, her chief of staff, told me she was gathering information and wasnt prepared to make a statement. Federal Glover has never returned my phone calls seeking comment. Karen Mitchoff said she was disappointed that the sheriffs investigation was substantially different from the attorney generals review. But she said calling the sheriff before the board serves no purpose. All it does is continue the negative part of whats been going on, she said. What I want to focus on is moving forward with what the AGs report highlighted, which was we need a better ability to get individuals into the education classes, that we need to be more responsive as it comes to the medical concerns. Thats what I want to see. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Livingston declined my interview request through Jimmy Lee, the sheriffs spokesman. I want to know if theres been a review of the sheriffs investigation, which found that nearly all of the complaints were unfounded and unsubstantiated. Has anyone deputy or command staff been disciplined because of the attorney generals report? Livingston is used to getting what he wants from the county. One of the reasons he decided to end the contract to hold federal detainees for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was that the supervisors cut a deal for the county to supplement the roughly $2.4 million to $3 million a year the Sheriffs Office lost in revenue from the deal. According to the 2018-19 budget, the county is spending $25.6 million on health services for inmates services inmates arent, apparently, sufficiently receiving. The attorney generals review found that when women requested medical care at West County, the facility did not provide timely and adequate medical care. The review also found that nurses failed to make assessments for medical complaints and delayed medical appointments. And when medical appointments were made, nurses failed to make thorough assessments. The care provided by RNs at West County during phone triage as well as in-person encounters is often delayed, incomplete, inappropriate, or devoid of necessary collaboration with or referral to a practitioner, placing patients in danger, the report said. As for Johnson, the elderly man who died last week at the Martinez jail, the Sheriffs Office said the death on March 6 appears to be health-related. Seriously. It is time for the Board of Supervisors to take serious the deep failings of Sheriff Livingston, said Jess Jollett, the campaign director for Lift Up Contra Costa. Our most vulnerable communities are not safe in the care of the countys chief public safety officer. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Otis R. Taylor Jr. appears Mondays and Thursdays. Email: otaylor@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @otisrtaylorjr PJ Johnston / Special to The Chronicle San Francisco Mayor London Breeds St. Patricks Day season got off to a rousing start the other night at the annual Grand Marshal Diner at the United Irish Cultural Center. Breed, dressed in green, worked the crowd of about 450 just as if she were running for re-election, which she is. Workers at Anchor Brewing Co. voted to unionize Wednesday. Employees at the production facility at 1705 Mariposa St. voted 31-16 to organize with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. Workers across the street at Anchor Public Taps, an affiliated restaurant, will vote on Friday. The unionization efforts became public last month after more than a year of organizing at the 123-year-old brewery often credited with Americas original craft beer. Im extremely excited, Ive been working with (the ILWU), and my phones been going off nonstop, said Patrick Machel, a part-time worker at Anchor Taps who was in class at San Francisco State University when the results were announced. Machel, 28, was one of two workers in February who said they were taken aside by management and told to take off yellow pins with the phrase Union Strong. That led to the ILWU filing a complaint with the federal National Labor Relations Board last month. Workers are asking for better hours and benefits. Machel said management has scheduled him and others at 29 hours of work a week, preventing him from acquiring full-time status. Workers are also dealing with shorter lunch breaks, reduced sick days and costlier health benefits, he said. The union effort highlights the tensions service workers face trying to get by in San Francisco on low-paying jobs. In 2017, Anchor Brewing was bought by Sapporo for $85 million, raising concerns among workers about the impact of overseas ownership. That prompted the workers to start meeting, and the ILWU began to work with them last April, said Agustin Ramirez, lead organizer for the union in Northern California. Anchor will become one of the first beer companies in the country to have a unionized workforce, Ramirez said. In May, Splinter reported that none of the countrys approximately 7,000 craft breweries were unionized despite harsh working conditions. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Anchor Brewing started the craft beer industry in America, and we hope this sets the stage for other breweries to start unionizing as well, Ramirez said. A similar unionization effort at the now-defunct Pyramid Brewery in Berkeley failed in 2013. Anchor is proud of its long history of firsts, which ignited the modern craft beer movement. We look forward to discussions with the newly formed union and strengthening our collective future with all of our employees, the company said. About 69 full- and part-time employees who sought to join the union work at Anchors production facility and at Anchor Public Taps. The brewery employs approximately 160 people, according to a 2016 report by Brewbound, a trade publication. Anchor, founded in 1896, has had several owners and almost closed shop in the 1960s. It was bought by Fritz Maytag, heir to a washing machine dynasty, who revitalized it and sold the company decades later to local investment firm Griffin Group in 2010. Anchor Brewing now has 10 days to dispute the union vote, Ramirez said. Shwanika Narayan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: shwanika.narayan@sfchronicle.com Twitter@shwanika SF Chronicle Graphics, Nextzen, OpenStreetMap A man was killed and a woman was injured Wednesday afternoon after Alameda County sheriffs deputies opened fire on suspects of a reported theft in unincorporated San Leandro, media reports say. Officials did not immediately provide details on the shooting, but said a sheriffs deputy engaged with suspects on East 14th Street at 162nd Avenue in an unincorporated area known as the Ashland District at around 4:40 p.m., according to the Alameda County Sheriffs Office. The San Francisco Police Officers Association has severed ties with its brash former president, Gary Delagnes, following his inflammatory Facebook post just days after Public Defender Jeff Adachi died unexpectedly last month. The post, which came six days after Adachi died from a suspected heart attack on Feb. 22, characterized Adachi as a vile, despicable, bottom feeding human being and included accusations involving the late public defenders family. Delagnes, 64, retired from the department in 2013, but stayed on with the union as a paid private consultant. Tony Montoya, the current president of the union, said the post not only crossed the line by mentioning Adachis family, but damaged the recent work hes been doing to generate goodwill in City Hall and the community. Mentioning the family to me that was the no-no part, Montoya said. You leave the family out of it. To me that was an out of bounds. Montoya said he understood Delagnes was venting, which was his prerogative, following a string of mostly positive media stories on Adachi, a longtime adversary of the department. But when it got back to me that I was somehow complicit in Garys rant, I knew I had to take action for the betterment of my membership, Montoya said. He called Delagnes and informed him he was out of the consultant job. I had a great run, Delagnes told The Chronicle on Wednesday night. No regrets. My time is over. I wish everybody well. Since becoming head of the union following former President Martin Hallorans decision to step down in May 2018, Montoya has been meeting with city leaders, quietly advocating on behalf of his officers. The softer approach to the position was a departure from the two former presidents provocative styles. Delagnes and Halloran unashamedly and openly pushed back against criticism of police officers amid a series of controversies, including unearthed racist text messages between members of the force. Both men also publicly fought against proposed reforms following controversial police shootings. As a consultant for the union, Delagnes was still a major figure in the organization and perceived by some to still be speaking on its behalf. It seemed like any goodwill I was going for had been deleted with Garys Facebook post even though it was his personal Facebook page and said nothing about the POA, Montoya said. People dont see the line between Gary and me. I felt it could be damaging to relationships I am trying to create. I felt it was time for Gary to go enjoy retirement. Delagnes began serving as president of the police union in 2004. Even after turning in his badge, he worked closely with the union and recently helped negotiate a new contract for the rank and file. Hes done wonderful for us, but its time to move in a new direction, Montoya said. At the end of the day when the members look at pay and benefits, thats because of Gary. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Delagness role at the Police Officers Association had become more diminished recently. He underwent surgery for a tumor on his pancreas and was recovering in his vacation home in Scottsdale, Ariz., where hes been following the Giants spring training. News of Delagnes departure from the association was welcomed from his longtime foes at the public defenders office. Deputy Public Defender Rebecca Young, who co-chairs the offices Racial Justice Committee, said she was revolted after seeing Delagnes post about her former boss. I did feel that Jeff, who was an extremely powerful presence in our city and in our lives, would reach out from the grave and undo that man permanently I was sure of it, she said. The San Francisco medical examiner is still working to determine Adachis cause of death. Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @EvanSernoffsky What may have been a team of burglars with their eyes on a heavenly bounty busted into a Lower Pacific Heights church Tuesday night and stole a refrigerator-sized safe whose contents are invaluable. But the loot might not be what the thieves were praying for. The safe contained thousands of dollars worth of store gift cards, according to officials of St. Dominics Catholic Church, but the real value was in 20 leather-bound books that contained records from religious ceremonies baptisms, marriages, funerals dating to 1873 when the church was founded. Money is replaceable in a sense, but what isnt are the records of people who were married here or baptized here, said the Rev. Christopher Wetzel. The sacramental records are valuable not just as historical documents but because some of them are required for parishioners hoping to get married, get a marriage annulled or for other religious purposes. St. Dominics is offering a $10,000 reward for the bound documents. Anyone with information may contact the church by email at michael@stdominics.org or call 415-567-7824. A church worker discovered a broken window at about 7:30 a.m. and noticed the safe missing from the churchs priory, a three-story office and residential building behind the church in the 2300 block of Bush Street near Steiner Street. The burglars Wetzel said he thinks it would have taken at least three people to carry the safe away left behind evidence including a hand truck and scratches on the floors. San Francisco police officers and evidence technicians visited the crime scene and began an investigation of the burglary Wednesday morning, Officer Robert Rueca confirmed. No one has been arrested or identified as a suspect in the case, he said. Wetzel said the safe contained about $9,000 in gift cards from retailers like Safeway and Target that were given out to help people in need. He suspects the thieves expected to find the safe filled with thousands of dollars in cash from the churchs collections at Sunday Masses. But that money was already in a bank. When they open the safe if they can open it they will be surprised at the contents, he said. Ken Dunckel, a professional and legitimate safecracker, expects that whoever stole the safe will be able to get it open, though it may take them a long time and a lot of effort. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. If they had the wherewithal to haul it out, theyll get it open somehow, he said. Theyll hack away at it until it opens and then theyll dump it somewhere. While safe heists may be relatively common in the movies, theyre not as popular in real life or than they used to be when gangs of burglars would steal safes and take them elsewhere to bust them open, Dunckel and Rueca agreed. Wetzel hopes that if the safe-stealers have guilty consciences or dump their leather-bound loot, it will get returned to St. Dominics. We would very much hope to get it back, he said. We hope someone hears about the reward and brings it back. Wed very much like to pay out that reward money. Michael Cabanatuan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan California has fully emerged from drought conditions for the first time since December 2011, and just 7 percent of the state remains abnormally dry, scientists said Thursday. Rain and snowstorms that slammed the state this winter helped rebuild the snowpack, filled reservoirs and improved soil moisture, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Moderate spring temperatures are helping the snowpack stay intact and avoid early melting. A few areas in the northern and southern reaches of the state are still not considered normal, and parts of San Diego, Orange, Riverside, Imperial, Siskiyou and Modoc counties are drier than usual, the monitors weekly report said. Across the state, though, California has come a long way since the worst of the drought the summer and fall of 2014 when nearly every county was tagged with an extreme or exceptional drought designation. It took months of these storms coming through to recharge the precipitation to the point where were confident the state is no longer in drought, said Jessica Blunden, a climatologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The states recovery has been slow, Blunden said, because of the damage the drought did to reservoir levels. Getting back to normal took years and the process isnt done in some cases. San Diego County reservoirs are still just 65 percent of capacity. This time last year, 11 percent of California was in the normal zone of dryness, and half the state was still in some form of drought. But today, 93 percent of California has reached the normal classification, and no part of the state falls into the drought category. Precipitation gains from the United States wettest winter on record have extended into March. Six percent of the country is in some form of drought, compared with 10 percent a week ago. Nearly 5 million people now live in drought-affected areas, compared with almost 9.4 million last week. Until last week, a sliver of Siskiyou County, which takes up about 0.6 percent of the state, was still in the moderate drought category. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. We were able to remove the last little bit of drought up in Northern California, Blunden said. More than just rain goes into determining whether a particular city or state is in a drought, as well as the severity of drought, Blunden said. Parameters include reservoir levels, runoff, groundwater, soil moisture, stream flow and irrigation in addition to the amount of precipitation. The changes that weve seen in California weve seen all across the West, which is great news, Blunden said. Thats not to say drought cant come back. Droughts can come back very quickly. Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov Gov. Gavin Newsoms moratorium on the death penalty in California and his condemnation of capital punishment as unfair and wasteful are likely to be among the most controversial actions of his administration. Political and moral arguments aside, Newsom offered an abundance of statistics to support his decision and that data is backed up by published research. Death penalty applied unfairly based on race: Newsoms statement that 60 percent of Californias condemned prisoners are non-white is confirmed by the latest Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation report that lists the Death Row population as 36 percent black and 24 percent Latino, in addition to 5-plus percent other. The rest are white. He also accurately summarized a Santa Clara University study of California homicides from 1990 to 1999 that found killers of whites were more than three times as likely as killers of blacks, and four times as likely as killers of Latinos, to be sentenced to death. It is unfair to those with mental disability: Newsom said at least 18 of the 25 people executed in the United States last year had mental impairments or had suffered child abuse. Those figures were in a year-end report by the Death Penalty Information Center, a nonprofit depository for research on capital punishment. Innocent people have been sentenced to death: Newsom said 164 condemned prisoners nationwide, including five in California, had been freed from death row since 1973 after they were found to have been wrongfully convicted. A report from the Death Penalty Information Center lists those inmates, including the Californians who spent as long as 26 years on Death Row before they were found not guilty or their charges were dropped. The death penalty is expensive: The governor said California has spent $5 billion on the death penalty since 1978, when voters approved the current law. A study in 2011 found that the state had spent $4.6 billion on trying, convicting and housing Death Row inmates, projecting further spending that would bring the current total above $5 billion. Those costs would fall significantly if the inmates were resentenced to life in prison. California spends an average of $81,000 a year to house each prisoner, according to the Legislatures fiscal analyst, which adds up to nearly $60 million a year for the 737 inmates on Death Row. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. It does not make communities safer: Newsom said U.S. homicide data from 1987 to 2015 found no evidence that the death penalty deters murder or protects police. Those figures were in a Death Penalty Information Center study that also said murder rates were generally higher in death penalty states than elsewhere. The governor cited another report that found decreases in homicide rates in New York and New Jersey 10 years after both states repealed their death penalty laws. He did not mention contradictory studies, including one by researchers at Emory University in 2003 that concluded each execution deters 18 murders. Other researchers examined the same data in 2006 and found no evidence of any deterrence. Most nations have dropped capital punishment: Newsom noted that three-fourths of the worlds nations had either abolished the death penalty or stopped enforcing it, and that the U.S. in 2017 had joined Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Pakistan, China and Egypt on the list of the worlds top executioners. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko MINISTER REDDY'S STATEMENT FOR NAVEICOVATU VETIVER PROJECT COMMISSIONING The Commissioner Central Division, Provincial Administrator, District Officer, the Naveicovatu Community, Invited Distinguished Guests, Relevant Stakeholders, Media Personnel, Ministry Staff, Ladies, and Gentleman. Introduction 1. Ladies and Gentleman, Im delighted to here, amidst you all to commission the Vetiver for Riverbank Stabilisation Project. The is no better day to commission this project than today, as we celebrate the International Day of Action for Rivers. Using vetiver for riverbank erosion is the perfect action to demostrate that we care for our rivers and we are doing all we can to avoid it being suffocated with silt. Warning to Protect Environment and Natural Resources 2. Ladies and Gentleman, to mark this important day, I would like to reiterate that government is committed to safeguard our natural resources. Our constitution guarantees this and we have our legislations in place. We will come out strong on enforcement of these legislations. There have been instances of: a. Sea and river bank destabilisation; b. Cutting down of mangroves; c. Dumping of litter and industrial waste in our waterways; d. Unsustainable and irresponsible commercial, industrial and agricultural practices which is posing a threat to our waterways; and, e. Indiscriminate destruction of our natural resources for personal commercial gains. 3. Ladies and gentlemen, let me make it very clear that while we want investment, growth and development, and will support and promote it, but not at the expense of our environment and natural resources. We will not deprive future generations to derive the same benefit from our natural resources and environment as we have done. While natural resources provide direct benefit to current generation, the loss of these natural resources will not only deprive the future generation from deriving these same direct benefits, it will also deprive them of the environment whose value may not be measured quantitatively. 4. In this regard, while we will do our best to educate everyone on the importance of protecting our environment and natural resources, we will, at the same time, use the full force of law to punish anyone who attempts to do otherwise. Nature Based Solution for River bank Erosion: Vetiver Grass Bank Stabilisation 5. Ladies and Gentleman, today marks an important day for Fiji. We are gathered here today to commission a nature based solution to serious problem arising out of climate change. We have begun a new journey of using vetiver grass to control river bank erosion. We are using nature based solution to a problem caused by nature.. 6. Riverbank erosion is a natural and inevitable phenomenon and can be defined as a dynamic natural process which involves the removal of materials from the banks of a river. Rivers and streams are dynamic systems as they are constantly changing. The natural equilibrium, however, is exacerbated through our activities. Riverbank erosion is often accelerated through flooding, unsustainable land use, stream management, over-clearing of catchment and riparian vegetation, and poorly managed gravel extraction. 7. Ladies and Gentleman, unattended river bank erosion may have a major consequence on human settlements. Displacement is likely to occur in riverside regions where people are vulnerable to riverbank erosion, and this has multiple socioeconomic impacts. These include loss of home, agricultural land, assets, human health, and loss of accumulated human capital. 8. Ladies and Gentleman, in Fiji, a considerable percentage of the population live along the banks of meandering rivers and in other high-risk zones. While they have lived in harmony with the river in past, things have started to change now. These communities are more vulnerable now than ever before. Their personal safety and shelter, as well as sources of their livelihoods, are a threat from river bank erosion and its impacts. 9. Ladies and Gentleman, The Ministry of Waterways & Environment, through the Drainage and Flood Protection Programme intend to improve the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Fijians living along the rivers by providing adequate infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of the flood and river bank on our communities. This project specifically is aimed at increasing the resilience of these communities to river bank erosion and mass failure of the riverbanks. It also demonstrates our dedication to ensure our rivers are healthy and pristine. Uniqueness of the Project: Community Based 10. Ladies and Gentleman, The purpose of this project is to restore river banks which are vulnerable to erosion through an integrated ecosystem-based community approach. The goal of this project is to reduce riverbank erosion through an ecological approach using vetiver technology, planned, delivered and maintained through communities, making this project a unique one. It is unique in the sense that it empowers the community to defend themselves from river bank erosion, and in doing so, evolving the techniques and building the necessary capacity to protect their communities. This project further reflects the responsibility and work taken up the Naveicovatu community towards ensuring our environment is in a better state for the future. I applaud the Naveicovatu community for having such foresight and taking up this responsibility to secure their existence from the encroaching river. Furthermore, in doing so you as a community are doing your part to help sequestrate carbon and help our nation achieve our commitments under climate agreements. 11. Ladies and Gentleman, we as a community need to take responsibility to ensure we are safe. This project perfectly illustrates an empowered community. With capital from MoWE, technical insights from MoA, the community has organized itself to take lead to address river bank erosion in their village. This is exemplary and I urge other communities to come forward and join us in using ecosystem-based approaches to address river bank erosion in their respective communities and at the same time generate income for the village community. This project is designed in such a way that the ownership and sustainability of the project stay with the community. The Technology 12. Ladies and Gentleman, Vetiver system is a very simple, practical, inexpensive and effective biological measure for soil and water conservation. Vetiver grass was introduced to Fiji over 100 years ago and it has been widely used for soil and water conservation purposes for more than 50 years. Vetiver has been a very important component of soil erosion control on the sugar cane lands around Lautoka and Rakiraki from the 1960s until fairly recently. The Land Resource Planning Division (LRPD) of MoA has been involved vetiver systems to arrest soil erosion issues in farms. The Vetiver grass has distinctive morphological, physiological and ecological characteristics. Together with its tolerance to highly adverse growing conditions provide a unique bio-engineering tool for land stabilization, flood and stream bank erosion control. It is non- invasive, a good pollution control, thus making ideal for soil & water conservation. This Project: Naveicovatu Village 13. Ladies and Gentleman, the Naveicovatu community, as a village has planted 400m of vetiver along the river bank, aimed at protecting the village from erosion. Furthermore, fruit trees are also planted to support nutritional security in the village with the surplus going to the roadside stalls or market on weekends. This project has been a village initiative, with both men and women involved in planting vetiver. 14. Ladies and Gentleman, there are multiple benefits associated with promoting vetiver for riverbank and slope stabilization. Some of these are; a. Conserve soil (erosion control) and water (runoff retention/more infiltration) in the farmlands. b. It is a low-cost bio-engineering tool. c. It is a green technology, as such helps sequestrate carbon. d. The tensile strength of vetiver roots is as strong and long (2-3.5 m) and has massive root networks which are very fast-growing, it is better than many types of trees which normally take 2-3 years to be effective. 15. Ladies and Gentleman, The river bank protection will further provide the following benefits to the Naveicovatu Village: a. Protection of land, protection against erosion- losing lands b. Stabilization of river banks-reduces the loss of agricultural land c. Reduction of excessive sedimentation within watercourses, which silts up gravel beds and destroys spawning and invertebrate habitat. d. Reduction of channel widening and associated flow issues. Invitation to NGOs and Private Sector to Partner 16. I would like to take this opportunity to urge, donors, NGOs, and other agencies to promote vetiver, as a tool for riverbank stabilization and for erosion control purposes. We need to work together to scale-up such ecosystem-based approaches and use it as a vegetative candidate for bioengineering river stabilization work. I now wish to invite them provide funding and take ownership of matching commitment with us. We intend to do 50km every year. We invite NGOs to commit funding for 50km and the private sector to also come forward and commit funding for 50km. We also urge them to adopt this unique community base model whereby we pay them $12200 per km or $12.20 per meter of vetiver grass establishment. In this way, we can achieve 150km per year with full community ownership and imagine how easily we could achieve the dual objective of protection our river banks as well as contributing to a green environment while supporting the community as well. Conclusion 17. Ladies and Gentleman, Riverbank stabilization is important; it is obvious that despite all our efforts, we have a long way to go for the effective management of our river banks. You will concur with me that the protection of the environment is not only the sole responsibility of the Government. The public at large have an important role to play and the Naveicovatu community has pioneered to lead this. I humbly request all of you to take care of our rivers, our rivers are our lifeline, and together we can sustain it and keep it clean for our future generations. I thank you all for joining us to celebrate this day to mark our life-giving waters, and appreciate all those who have worked hard to ensure that our rivers continue to flow !!! Vinaka! The Trump administrations claim that Californias principal sanctuary law illegally thwarts immigration enforcement got a chilly reception Wednesday from a panel of federal appeals court judges, who said the state is not required to help federal agents. The administration sued California in March 2018 challenging a package of new state laws designed to protect undocumented immigrants in detention facilities and workplaces. The most far-reaching law, SB54, limiting local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration agents, was upheld by a federal judge in July, and the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals showed no inclination Wednesday to overturn that ruling. Are you entitled to the aid of state government in enforcing the immigration laws? Where is that in the statute or the Constitution? Andrew Hurwitz, a member of the three-judge panel, asked the governments lawyer during a 45-minute hearing in San Francisco. Justice Department attorney Daniel Tenny said the state had created an obstacle to the enforcement of federal law by enacting SB54. The statute, which took effect last year, prohibits local law enforcement agencies from notifying federal agents of an undocumented immigrants scheduled release date from jail, unless the agency publicly announces all detainees release dates. It also bars the local agencies from holding immigrants after their scheduled release so that federal officers can take them into custody, and from allowing immigrant officers access to non-public areas of jails. Because its an obstacle doesnt mean its illegal, right? said Judge Milan Smith. He said Californias non-cooperation might be frustrating to the federal government and its immigration officers, but the Constitution prohibits the U.S. government from ordering states to enforce federal laws. SB54s restrictions do not apply to undocumented immigrants charged with serious crimes such as assault and battery, sex crimes, some domestic violence and crimes against children. The law allows local sheriffs offices to sidestep the ban on notifying federal agents of immigrants upcoming release dates by publicly disclosing the scheduled release dates of all inmates, an option that sheriffs in several counties have exercised. The appeals court panel raised doubts about another part of the sanctuary package challenged by the administration, AB103, which authorizes Californias attorney general to inspect private detention centers under federal government contract that hold immigrants during deportation proceedings. Why single out federal facilities for inspection? asked Hurwitz, noting that the state does not inspect other private prisons. The states lawyer, Deputy Attorney General Aimee Feinberg, said the administration had not shown that safety inspections of privately operated detention centers caused any burden for the government. The state cant burden those who deal with the federal government disproportionately, Hurwitz replied. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The third challenged law, AB450, applies to inspections or raids at private workplaces by immigration agents. In last years ruling, U.S. District Judge John Mendez of Sacramento blocked a provision of the law that imposed fines on employers who let federal agents enter without a warrant, a ruling the state has not appealed. But he upheld a provision requiring employers to notify workers of upcoming federal inspections of their records. When Tenny argued that such advance notifications interfere with immigration enforcement, Hurwitz said no federal law makes upcoming workplace inspections confidential or prohibits employers from disclosing them. But the Justice Department lawyer also contended the law singles out federal inspections for discriminatory treatment. The losing side in the ruling could seek review from a larger appeals court panel or from the Supreme Court. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko Vallejo Police Chief Andrew Bidou announced his retirement Wednesday amid growing criticism of the Police Departments conduct just over a month after officers killed a local man in a Taco Bell drive-thru and years after his department accused a couple of orchestrating a violent kidnapping in 2015. Bidou is scheduled to retire on April 30 after 31 years in law enforcement, according to city officials. I am honored to have served the Vallejo community and represent the men and women of the Vallejo Police Department since 2014, which has been the pinnacle of my career, Bidou said in a statement. I am grateful for the benevolence and support shown to me and the Police Department by the citizens of Vallejo. I am, and always will be, connected to this community and am thankful for the great friendships that began during my tenure. He was at the helm of the Vallejo Police Department since October 2014. Before joining Vallejo police, Bidou was the chief of police for the Benicia Police Department beginning in 2010, city officials said. Officials said Vallejo City Manager Greg Nyhoff requested that Bidou remain at the department through the end of 2019 to help recruit his replacement and maintain a smooth transition. Bidou was credited by city officials on Wednesday for instituting a state-of-the-art body-worn camera program, and helping bolster verbal and tactical deescalation, bias-awareness and crisis- intervention training of officers, and creating a chiefs advisory board and other community programs during his tenure. He has built excellent relationships with a broad spectrum of citizens and organizations, Nyhoff said. In recent years, the departments conduct has been the focus of protests, wrongful-death claims by mourning family members of relatives killed by Vallejo police officers, and other legal claims. Vallejo police were scrutinized in 2015 when police officials wrongfully accused Denise Huskins, 33, and now-husband Aaron Quinn, 34, of lying about a kidnapping-for-ransom incident the couple said they experienced at the hands of suspect Matthew Muller. At the time, police officers hosted a news conference in which they said there was no evidence of an abduction. One officer allegedly told one of the victims attorneys to watch the film Gone Girl, where a woman orchestrates her own kidnapping and assault, according to a legal claim the couples attorney filed in September 2015. Bidou later apologized on behalf of his department. The city of Vallejo settled a defamation lawsuit filed by the couple for $2.5 million in 2018. In 2017, Vallejo police killed 21-year-old Angel Ramos as he struggled with a teen at a house party. Police said Ramos was armed with a knife, but Ramos family told The Chronicle he was not armed. This year, the department was again met with community protests after six Vallejo police officers shot and killed a local man who had been passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle in a Taco Bell drive-through line on Feb. 9. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. Vallejo police said officers opened fire when Willie McCoy, 21, woke up and reached for a gun on his lap. McCoys family publicly criticized the officers use-of-force and filed a wrongful death claim, claiming Vallejo polices decision to open fire on a man still groggy and regaining consciousness was excessive and avoidable. Officer Ryan McMahon, one of the officers involved in McCoys shooting, is named in a federal lawsuit as the officer who shot and killed Ronell Foster, 32, in Feb. 2018. The suit alleges that McMahon shot Foster in the back of the head and lied that Foster attacked him with a flashlight. An additional claim was lodged against the city in February relating to a January incident in which a Vallejo police officer was accused of falsely detaining an unarmed Vallejo man and slamming the man onto his porch for using his cell phone to record the officer detaining the mans cousin in his driveway. Adrian Burrell, 28, told The Chronicle at the time that the officer unlocked the handcuffs and released him only after the officer learned he was a veteran who had served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Lauren Hernandez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @LaurenPorFavor Gov. Gavin Newsom loves to talk about being audacious, but to his credit ... he sometimes delivers in a very big way. As I observed in a 2016 column, Newsom has shown a willingness in the past to venture into areas where his contemporaries fear to tread. Exhibit A, of course, was same-sex marriage in 2014. Newsom is forging ahead of public opinion and most likely the law in his move on Wednesday to suspend executions in California even though voters most recently have approved the acceleration of capital cases. Is he showing courageous leadership or craftily avoiding the inevitable tough call when, say, an order to execute Richard Allen Davis (whose brutal kidnap and murder of 12-year-old Polly Klaas caused such outrage that it led to the three strikes sentencing law) comes to his desk? Regardless of his motive, our editorial commends Newsom for doing the right thing. For a dissenting view, we go to Kent S. Scheidegger of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, who argued that the governor should respect democracy as expressed by the will of the voters. What were saying What price, education? So we learn that you dont have to be a champion pole vaulter, an expert sailor or even a great student to be recruited to an exclusive college. You just need to have parents with a lot of money and a sleazy middleman with corrupt connections. The fact that money equals privilege is not exactly a shocker in this society, but the details and scale of the admissions scandal were no less sickening, as our editorial spelled out. Unsafe at any altitude: We dont pretend to have any influence at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., especially with this president, but our editorial in Wednesdays print edition strongly suggested that the United States should ground the fleet of Boeing 737 Max jets involved in a pair of recent crashes. On Wednesday, President Trump did just that. Smart call, Mr. President. Coming in Sunday Insight Its Sunshine Week: In commemoration of the week drawing attention to the value of the free press, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., Sen Richard Blumenthal, D-Ct., and Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., are reintroducing legislation that would make it a federal crime to attack journalists who are doing their jobs. I wrote about the Journalist Protection Act last year when it when nowhere in the GOP-controlled Congress but, if anything, the need for such action has become only more compelling since then. My column on the new bill will be online Friday and in print in Sunday Insight. Pelosi on impeachment: The House speaker, in an interview with Washington Post Magazine, tried to tamp down some of the fervor within Democratic ranks to impeach President Trump. She argued that it would be too divisive unless the evidence was sufficient to draw enough Republicans to make it plausible. Hes just not worth it, Pelosi said. Well explore her issue in an editorial that I guarantee will be longer and with somewhat different arguments than this Trump tweet: Twitter.com Twitter.com Letter of the Week Sign up for the newsletter Want to get the latest San Francisco Chronicle Editorial Board opinions in your inbox? Subscribe to Opinion Central. See More Collapse Affirmative action for the rich: Mitchell Goldman of Richmond puts the college admissions scandal in pointed perspective: Rich people cheating and taking advantage of their position to help themselves, or their children, is certainly nothing new, nor is using their advantage to help their kids gain entrance into esteemed universities. In fact, it is expected that they will buy their way into expensive private schools, or get into Ivy League universities through legacies, but some of them might have gone too far this time and could pay with prison time. If they go, their living conditions will be better than a typical college dormitory, Ill bet, but the bigger problem is that these are some of the same people who cry when some poor person of color is given preference at a state university. They just have no problem with affirmative action for the rich. And please check out our other letters of the day responding to this and other matters. You can send us a letter via this form. Where to follow us We have a Twitter channel, Opinion Central (@sfc_opinions). Please add it to your stream. Youll catch our editorials and opinion pieces, as well as our drive-by comments on assorted subjects in the news. And follow me on Twitter: @JohnDiazChron Just a reminder The Chronicles editorials represent the collective judgment of our Editorial Board, which includes the publisher as well as the writers and editors from the opinion team. Our editors and reporters on the news side are not involved in those decisions (including election endorsements). They are charged with reporting fairly and objectively without regard to our editorial positions. It is one of the core values here at Fifth and Mission streets. Opinion Central is a thrice-weekly newsletter from John Diaz, The Chronicles editorial page editor, and the rest of the Editorial Board. Follow along on Twitter: @sfc_opinions Adthena, a London, UK, Austin, TX, and Sydney, Australia-based provider of AI-powered search marketing intelligence, secured $14m in Series A funding. Updata Partners made the investment. As part of the transaction, Jon Seeber, General Partner at Updata, will join Adthenas board of directors. The company intends to use the funds to: accelerate growth across the US and internationally, strengthen product development of its paid search AI platform, which is built around its patented Whole Market View, and scale its AI capabilities and support the launch of new channels. Led by Ian ORourke, CEO, Adthena provides an AI-powered search marketing intelligence platform leveraging natural language processing, machine learning and thousands of deep learned categories to segment data to provide insights into Brand Protection, Partner Management, Strategic Planning, Gap Analysis and Ad Copy Analysis. Globally, the company works with more than 200 clients across 14 different business sectors, including retail and e-commerce, finance, travel, education, and automotive. Brand customers include Autotrader, Air New Zealand, Atlassian, Citibank, Burberry, Toyota, and Volvo. Agency customers include media specialists like GroupM and channel-specific paid search experts like iProspect. FinSMEs 14/03/2019 Last month, President Trump invoked the National Emergencies Act to add additional funding for border fencing beyond what Congress had decided to appropriate. There was widespread outrage that he had misused a power given to him for other purposes to frustrate a legislative decision that is within the power given to Congress. Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom did the same thing with regard to Californias death penalty. In California, the people have reserved a portion of the legislative power to themselves by direct vote, what we refer to as the initiative process. The people have voted on the capital punishment question 11 times since 1972. Every time they voted to retain, expand or expedite the death penalty. In 2016, we had two death penalty initiatives on the ballot, one to repeal it and one to expedite it. California had a full, fair debate and the people decided to expedite it. Under the constitutions of California, the United States, and most states, the chief executive has broad power to grant clemency. This includes a reprieve, an order that a sentence will not be carried out for the time being, though the conviction and sentence remain in force. The clemency power is subject to few checks because it is the last backstop of the criminal justice system. We cannot anticipate and write into rules all the ways that a miscarriage of justice might occur or that a person might reform and be deserving of mercy, so a broad power is granted. The power is for justice and deserved mercy in individual cases. On rare occasions, broad amnesties have been appropriate to help the nation heal after a major division such as the Civil War. But it is not the purpose or a proper use of the power to defy the will of the people. That is an abuse of power. Gov. Newsoms stated reasons for his actions are uniformly wrong or ill-informed. He says, the death penalty is inconsistent with our bedrock values and strikes at the very heart of what it means to be a Californian. Nonsense. The decision of the people at the ballot box determines what our values are, not the unilateral decision of one man. Newsom claims rampant racial discrimination against minority defendants. In fact, the lack of race-of-defendant bias is one of the most robust results in the research literature. He can cite only studies claiming that murderers who kill minority victims are sentenced to death less often. Even if true, that would show only that some murderers who should be on death row have escaped, not that anyone on death row does not deserve to be there. Newsom claims the death penalty has no value as a deterrent. Human behavior tells us that if we raise the penalty for doing something, there will be some reduction in the number of people who choose to do it. Newsom claims that innocent people have been sentenced to death in California, but he offers no evidence. He cites five cases where judgments were overturned after the defendants had been in prison and the prosecutors decided not to retry them. That is a far cry from proof of innocence. Courts can overturn a conviction on grounds of innocence or enter a finding of innocence after a conviction is overturned on other grounds, but not a single Death Row inmate in California has qualified for either. The people of California already have considered the death penalty opponents arguments and rejected them. The governor should respect their decision and respect democracy. Kent S. Scheidegger is the legal director of the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation, a nonprofit, public interest law organization in Sacramento. Upcoming political events in the Bay Area. MONDAY Religion and politics: A discussion on the place and role of religion and religious leadership in the progressive movement, with Islamic Network Groups founder Maha Elgenaidi, Rabbi Noa Kushner and the Rev. Richard Smith, vicar emeritus of St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in San Francisco. $6-$12. 6 p.m., Mannys, 3092 16th St., San Francisco. More information is here. John Lanchester, Michael Lewis: Lanchester, author of The Wall, and Lewis, author of The Fifth Risk, in conversation at the Commonwealth Club. 6:30 p.m. $30 for nonmembers, $10 for students. 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here. THURSDAY Two Koreas: Harry Harris, U.S. ambassador to South Korea, and Cho Yoon-je, South Korean ambassador to the U.S., discuss the future of relations between the two Koreas as well as U.S. relations with the countries. $25 for non-Commonwealth Club members, $10 for students. Noon, 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here. FRIDAY Heather Booth: Democracy Labs hosts a screening of Heather Booth: Changing the World, and a talk with the longtime organizer and activist. $10, students free. 6:30 p.m., Mannys 3092 16th St., San Francisco. More information is here. MARCH 24 Latino Democratic Club: Monthly meeting. Free. 6 p.m., 362 Capp St., San Francisco. More information is here. MARCH 28 Jerry and Anne Gust Brown: An evening with the former governor and states former first lady at the Commonwealth Club. $40 for nonmembers, $15 for students. 6:30 p.m., Marines Memorial Theatre, 609 Sutter St., San Francisco. More information is here. Indigenous resistance: Nick Estes, author of Our History is the Future, traces iIndigenous resistance from the days of the Indian Wars through the campaign for indigenous rights at the United Nations. Benefit for KPFA-FM. $12. 7:30 p.m., Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St., Berkeley. More information is here. Code for America: CTO Lou Moore and members of the engineering team give a look at technology such as tools that help Clear My Record parse rap sheets. $10. 5:30 p.m., 972 Mission St., fifth floor, San Francisco. More information is here. APRIL 3 Cuba: A discussion of Cuban politics and the economy with Rafael Betancourt, professor of urban economics at Colegio Universitario San Geronimo de la Habana. Free. 4 p.m., Institute of Governmental Studies library, 109 Moses Hall, UC Berkeley. More information is here. Drinking water crisis: A discussion with people working to provide safe and affordable drinking water to more than 1 million Californians who lack it. Sponsored by the Community Water Center, Sierra Club California, and the David Brower Center. Free. 6 p.m., 2150 Allston Way, Berkeley. More information is here. Honduran coup aftermath: Author and UC Santa Cruz Professor Dana Frank discusses the 2009 coup in Honduras, its fallout and the resistance movement. Benefit for KPFA-FM. $12. 7:30 p.m., St. Johns Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave., Berkeley. More information is here. APRIL 6 Newsom chief of staff: Gov. Gavin Newsoms chief of staff, Ann OLeary, discusses her job and goals. $15. 7:30 p.m., Mannys, 3092 16th St., San Francisco. More information is here. APRIL 11 Valerie Jarrett: Former adviser to President Barack Obama discusses her book Finding My Voice: My Journey to the West Wing and the Path Forward, in a Commonwealth Club event. $35 for nommembers, $10 for students. Noon, Marines Memorial Theater, 609 Sutter St., San Francisco. More information is here. APRIL 17 Sean Spicer: Former press secretary for President Trump talks about media bias and the threat it poses to the U.S. Sponsored by Berkeley College Republicans. Free. 7 p.m., Evans Hall, UC Berkeley. More information is here. William Burns: Former deputy secretary of state and former ambassador to Russia in conversation at the Commonwealth Club with ex-Rep. Ellen Tauscher. $25 for members, $10 for students. 6:30 p.m., 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco. More information is here. New citizen voting: Democracy Action volunteers will register new citizens to vote following swearing-in ceremonies. Two sessions, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. More information is here. APRIL 18 Lawrence Lessig: Harvard legal scholar gives a TED+Salon talk on the future of democracy. Comedian Will Durst opens. $32.50 and up. 7:30 p.m., Angelico Hall, Dominican University, 50 Acacia Ave., San Rafael. More information is here. APRIL 25-27 Right-wing studies: UC Berkeleys Center for Right-Wing Studies holds a three-day conference hosting scholars whose work deals with the right as a social, political andintellectual phenomenon from the 19th century to the present day. $25, $20 for students. Full agenda and more information are here. To list an event, email Politics Editor Trapper Byrne at tbyrne@sfchronicle.com Gov. Gavin Newsom isnt running much of a political risk personally in halting death penalty enforcement in California. Hes still coasting through his honeymoon period in office. Democrats largely support his stance, and state Republicans are too frail to mount a recall effort over this. But his flip-flop on a campaign promise to enforce the law when it comes to the death penalty has damaged his credibility with Republicans and, possibly, those California voters who have consistently supported capital punishment. Plus, while Newsom was praised Wednesday by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for his courageous decision, that announcement will make life more difficult for Democrats representing conservative parts of California that overwhelmingly support the death penalty. Republicans are already planning how to swing back and their response might not be aimed directly at Newsom. Instead, the political blowback could hurt vulnerable Democrats who were elected in swing districts in November, said Carl DeMaio, a Republican who led the campaign to repeal the gas tax on last years ballot that voters rejected. Were going to be telling people, Do you want to send Gavin Newsom and the supermajority Democrats a message that were worried about crime? DeMaio said. Then throw out (Assemblywoman) Sabrina Cervantes, a Riverside Democrat who won re-election by 10,000 votes in November. DeMaio said several other Democrats could be made more vulnerable by Newsoms actions. If Republicans are able to pick off a couple of incumbent Democrats in 2020, DeMaio said, then other Democrats will turn to Gavin Newsom and say, What the hell did you do to us? DeMaio said he gets calls every day from people who want to recall Newsom. In recent days, he said, some donors have come forward to offer support. But realistically, DeMaio said, a recall couldnt get onto the ballot until November 2020 when Democrats are likely to turn out in droves in hopes of ousting President Trump. Recalling Newsom then would be a heavy lift, DeMaio said. Newsom campaigned hard last year for Democrats who ousted Republicans in Central Valley House districts that overwhelmingly opposed 2016s Proposition 62, which would have repealed the death penalty. Those districts also supplied the muscle for a competing measure, Proposition 66, which was designed to speed up death penalty enforcement and won. Campaigning with the governor who suspended the death penalty might be challenging for first-term Democrats like Reps. Josh Harder of Turlock, Stanislaus County, and T.J. Cox of Fresno. Neither responded to requests for comment on Newsoms actions Wednesday. Newsom has made no secret of his opposition to capital punishment. He endorsed Prop. 62 and a 2012 measure that would have overturned the death penalty. Voters defeated it, too. But when The Chronicle asked candidates last year for their views on capital punishment, spokesman Dan Newman said Newsom recognizes that California voters have spoken on the issue and, if elected governor, hed respect the will of the electorate by following and implementing the law. Newsoms flip-flop Wednesday on that promise has damaged his credibility with legislative Republicans like Assemblyman Tom Lackey of Palmdale (Los Angeles County). Lackey said Newsom has been very engaging, very open, very easy to work with in his first few weeks in office. But Lackey, who spent 28 years as a California Highway Patrol officer, said he felt blindsided by Newsoms announcement. Lackey said that as a CHP officer, he had had to break the news to 40 families of accident and crime victims that their loved ones were dead. I understand what tragedy is in a very real way, he said. Newsom, the son of a well-connected judge who was exposed to top political leaders from a young age, said Wednesday that he didnt fully understand that he could be responsible for putting inmates to death until recently. Ive had to process this in a way that I didnt frankly anticipate a few months ago, the governor said. Lackey said that stretched credulity. He said Newsom had betrayed lawmakers and voters who assumed he would be like his predecessor, Gov. Jerry Brown: someone who was personally opposed to the death penalty but would carry out the will of the voters. Once youve betrayed that level of trust, its hard to have trust in someone, Lackey said. This was his first questionable action and it was gargantuan in nature. Were talking about victims families, the voice of the people. Multiple people feel betrayed. Newsom said that over the past week he has met with at least a dozen family members of the victims of Death Row inmates. He said that as the father of four, he could not conceive of the pain and suffering that victims relatives feel. But he noted that he was exercising the power given him by the state Constitution, and said he has enormous respect and admiration for people who disagree with him on this. Lackey was unimpressed. Hes very critical of our president using this unilateral action, and yet hes emulating it, Lackey said. I dont know what that means about the future. Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli For Andrew McCabe, the FBI deputy director fired by President Trumps former attorney general just 26 hours before he would have retired with a pension, its tougher than ever for anyone to do the job he did for more than 21 years. The FBI faces a dilemma with the continuing attacks by the president and his supporters against the agencys leaders, whom Trump has called corrupt and biased against him, McCabe said in an hour-long, sold-out appearance before the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco. The FBI cant get in a Twitter war with the president, McCabe said Wednesday. Its hard for the bureau to publicly fight back against conspiracy theories, since by fighting back you give oxygen to the lie. As someone who is no longer with the FBI, Im in a unique position to speak about these things, and thats one of the reasons I wrote this book, he said. McCabe was in town to promote his memoir, The Threat: How the FBI Protects America in the Age of Terrorism and Trump. He was interviewed on stage by Audrey Cooper, The Chronicles editor in chief. McCabe took over as acting director of the FBI in May 2017, the day Trump fired the director, James Comey, over what the president later suggested was the bureaus investigation into Russian efforts to disrupt the 2016 presidential campaign. McCabe said that after he was asked to take over the agency on a temporary basis, he was called to meet Trump in the Oval Office. The president came out from behind his desk, shook McCabes hand and began talking nonstop, the former FBI official said. Its an overwhelming experience to talk to the president face to face. He just goes on. Trump talked about how proud he was to have fired Comey and that people, especially FBI agents, were pleased that the director was gone, McCabe said. He suggested that McCabe had been part of the resistance against Comey. I didnt know of any FBI resistance and had worked closely with Comey on many of the decisions the president opposed, McCabe said. It was very clear that this was my opportunity, and Trump didnt like the way I handled it. McCabe was fired from the FBI by then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions last March, after being suspended for what the Justice Departments inspector general said were lies he had told under oath about leaks of an investigation into the Clinton Foundation. The inspector general concluded that McCabe had authorized the leaks. McCabe said he had learned of his firing online, the way every important announcement comes these days. McCabe also denied intentionally making any false statements and said he is preparing a lawsuit against the government in an effort to clear his name and collect his pension. McCabe said he had used his brief time as acting director to tie up loose ends in the FBIs ongoing investigation into Russian election influence and ensure that it would be difficult for a new director to shut down the project without publicly giving the reasons why. That investigation was taken over by former FBI Director Robert Mueller in 2017, when he was appointed as special counsel for an investigation that apparently is also looking into whether Trump, his aides or campaign officials had untoward contacts with Russian officials. McCabe, who began his FBI career investigating Russian mobsters in New York City, said those original efforts had found notable Russian organized crime figures we now know are linked to the Trump Organization. However, he added that he does not know if Mueller is following these leads. Asked if he was looking forward to the release of Muellers report, he answered quickly: Yeah, isnt everybody? While the report will go only to the attorney general, McCabe said that as much of it should be made public as possible. Even in cases where no criminal charges are filed, the FBI has released reports when there is widespread public interest, McCabe said. I cant think of a case where there is more public interest, he added. John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth The San Francisco Board of Education unanimously voted to expand a costly family shelter program in a San Francisco public school gym that has an average occupancy of less than two people per night, after city officials criticized its low turnout and inefficient use of funds. The emergency shelter at Buena Vista Horace Mann K-8 Community School was initially expected to house up to 20 of the schools families each night during a pilot program, which began in November and is expected to run until June. Instead, only a few families have used the facility at 23rd and Valencia streets in the Mission. Some nights, its empty. Mayor London Breed and the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing said they would stop funding the program if it continued drawing such a low turnout. The city has been paying the nonprofit Dolores Street Community Services $40,000 per month to manage the shelter, with all-night staffing, food and support services to help those using it find permanent housing. The program was originally open only to unstably housed families whose kids attended Buena Vista Horace Mann. Now, after the school board vote Tuesday that was aimed at increasing attendance, families in need throughout the San Francisco Unified School District can begin the referral process required to use the shelter. To make the shelter cost-effective, at least 15 families, or 38 people, would need to be using it each night, the homelessness department said. With this expansion, we have an opportunity to help more families, said school board President Stevon Cook. Hopefully, we can get it to a place where it is at capacity. Opening a shelter at the school, which serves 600 students, was an unprecedented move that drew concerns from some parents about safety and the stigma students could face for having to sleep in the school gym. Expanding the program conflicts with previous promises to Buena Vista Horace Mann parents concerned about safety that the shelter would serve only their families. Cook said he has received a mixed response from parents about the shelter. It is reasonable for people to be concerned about the safety of their children, he said. But were talking about families. Were not talking about some random person that needs to sleep in a bed at night. Buena Vista Horace Manns administrators fought to keep it open, saying the program has helped many more families than just the few who slept in the shelter. Principal Claudia Delarios-Moran previously told The Chronicle that many of the families in unstable housing were able to find long-term housing and did not need the shelter by the time it opened. Mayor London Breed said while the program was well-intentioned, she was frustrated at the inefficient use of funds. She said Wednesday that she supported the boards decision to expand the program. This is a good step toward hopefully making a better use of our resources to provide shelter for those in need, Breed said in a statement. We will continue to evaluate this pilot program going forward to ensure that it is successful. Supervisor Hillary Ronen, who originally advocated for the program, also said she would not continue supporting a program that spends so much money on so few people. But she was pleased with how many families the school was able to place into long-term housing and supported expanding the program. This is a strategy that we have spent a lot of money and effort in creating, and it has not worked sufficiently to justify the costs for a single school, she said. Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani A national effort to bypass the Electoral College and pick the president by popular vote which may or may not be constitutional is picking up new support and moving closer to success. Governors in Colorado, New Mexico and Delaware are poised to sign the National Popular Vote compact, under which states would pledge to give all their electoral votes to the candidate who collects the most votes nationwide. California, 10 other states and the District of Columbia already have joined the compact, which would take effect if states holding 270 electoral votes, the number needed to elect a president, sign on. Colorados nine electoral votes, New Mexicos five and Delawares three will bring the total to 189, more than two-thirds of the way there. However, backers have their toughest work in front of them the states that havent signed on are mostly Republican-controlled ones unwilling to give more clout to large, heavily Democratic states, and there are serious questions about whether such a compact would be constitutional. Under the current system, the candidate who wins a state wins that states electoral votes. (Maine and Nebraska bestow electors to the winners of congressional districts.) A change couldnt happen soon enough for Democratic state Sen. Jerry Hill of San Mateo, who as an assemblyman carried the bill that put California into the compact in 2011. Once you make the decision that in a democracy the majority rules, there should be no question about electing a president by popular vote, he said. The compact plan has been circulating since 2006. It received a burst of support after the 2016 election, when Democrat Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by nearly 3 million ballots but lost the Electoral College and the presidency to Republican Donald Trump, 304 to 227. The discussion is heating up, said Kim Alexander of the California Voter Foundation, a nonpartisan group working to improve the election process. Im interested from the perspective of Californias voting power being diluted by the Electoral College. California has 39.5 million residents and 55 electoral votes, or one for every 718,000 people. Wyomings 579,000 residents have three electoral votes, or one for every 193,000 people. The system gives Wyoming and other small states far more clout in the Electoral College than they would have if the election were decided by popular vote. The Constitutions framers set up the Electoral College to ensure that the new nations few cities would not be able to enforce their political will on the rest of largely rural America. Today, however, the Electoral College is anachronistic and outdated, said Vikram Amar, dean of the University of Illinois School of Law and co-author with his brother, Akhil Amar, of a 2001 paper that showed how the interstate compact could work. Vikram Amar, then a professor at Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, said he and his brother were reflecting on the inversion of the 2000 election, when Republican George W. Bush was elected president even though he lost the popular vote to Democrat Al Gore. But it was John Koza, a former adjunct computer science professor at Stanford University, who pushed hard for the national popular vote. Koza, a Los Altos Hills resident who made his fortune as the inventor of scratch-off state lottery tickets and co-founder of the lottery giant Scientific Games, introduced his National Popular Vote compact in every state legislature by 2007. People dont vote for the electoral vote, they vote for the president, said Koza, who has put more than $14 million into the effort. Two groups he founded, National Popular Vote and the Institute for Research on Presidential Elections, work toward changing the electoral system. Despite its recent successes, the compact still faces plenty of obstacles, both constitutional and political. The first part was easier than the last part is going to be, said Rick Hasen, an election law professor at UC Irvine. Support has been divided ideologically, and Democratic states have been the ones willing to sign on. Im not sure the momentum will continue to get to 270. It was Republican presidential candidates who benefited in the most recent instances in which the winner lost the popular vote, so its no surprise the GOP isnt interested in changes that may favor Democratic states. In California, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the plan in 2007, saying it ran counter to the tradition of our great nation. The state had to wait until Democrat Jerry Brown became governor to join the compact. To be successful, backers of the compact have to break through and have the plan accepted by truly red states or you cant get over the hump, said Amar, the law school dean. Optically, you have to show that this is not just a Democrats-versus-Republicans power play. But the political battles are only part of the dispute. There is still a question over whether the plan to bypass the Electoral College is even constitutional. That virtually guarantees that if the pact gets over the 270-electoral vote hump, it would end up in the Supreme Court. This definitely undermines the rights of small states, said Jarrett Stepman of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank that opposes the popular-vote effort. It shouldnt be just the votes from California, Texas and New York that decide elections. The Constitution allows interstate compacts, but they are supposed to deal with issues that affect only the states involved, not the political landscape of the country. The idea of a national popular vote for president should be pushed as a constitutional amendment, Stepman said. A constitutional amendment needs a two-thirds majority from each house of Congress and the backing of three-quarters of the states. Amending the Constitution is a long and difficult task, said Hill, who backed the measure in California. The Constitution allows for this (interstate compact) method, and that gives us a path to achieve our goal. Then theres the question of how voters will react to the change. If the compact took effect for the 2020 election and Trump received the most popular votes nationally, Californians could be shocked to see the states electoral votes cast for Trump, even if he lost big in the state. But Koza, the man behind the popular vote effort, is confident voters will realize that his proposed system is inherently more fair, even if they dont like who wins. Right now presidential candidates can ignore one-party states like California, New York and Texas and spend all their time in a handful of toss-up states that can swing the Electoral College. It seems rather ludicrous that in a country with 50 states, 38 or more of them are useless in the course of a presidential election, Koza said. With new states signing on to the popular-vote plan and others considering it, Koza is increasingly confident hell get the support he needs. Its a long shot for 2020, he said. But its very likely for 2024. John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth Before Creator, I have never dined at a restaurant that was so devoted to not scaring me. The first thing you see when you walk into Creator, the San Francisco robot burger restaurant, is a human, ready to take your order and submit it to the machine for processing. When I went there for the first time, I was struck by how much thought was put into the design of the restaurant: the sheer amount of work invested in distancing the experience from apocalyptic visions of robot takeovers and human obsolescence. As labor automation becomes a larger component of manufacturing and even human services, we humans cant agree on whether or not thats ultimately a good thing for us. Theres something initially terrifying about the idea of having your job roboticized, like wed go from zero to The Matrix in a second if we let our guard slip. Still, Creators robot-made burgers ($6) are satisfying and affordable enough that Id keep going back for lunch, even if it does eventually turn out that the bot in the kitchen has been planning revolution this whole time. Creators creators seem to have anticipated our (racist? speciesist?) mistrust of robot cooks and, to allay our fears, made everything as transparent as possible: The robots inner workings are on full display behind a window, like the veterinarian-school technique of surgically inserting a porthole into the side of a cow to expose its guts. As you wait, you can watch as the rose gold- and blond wood-trimmed machine slices, dices and grinds your burger before finally smashing it down and grilling it in a closed-off chamber. There are no wires, mechanical arms, lasers or heavy hydraulic noise: just bright and pretty components being assembled and pushed forward on a rose-gold conveyor belt that flips forward like pages in a book. Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle You can even inspect the beef if you want: Its chunked up in bags and plastic containers in the shops see-through refrigerator, along with the other raw ingredients, sorted into clear, swappable containers like pneumatic tubes. So hows the burger, which is absolutely not made of nanobots disguised as beef molecules? The -pound patty is ground to order, from pasture-raised brisket and chuck sourced from Country Natural Beef and Creekstone Farms. Its a smart, beefy and just-fatty-enough blend that retains moisture and tenderness when cooked, which is notable for the fact that, for all their customizability, the burgers cooked just short of full-on smashburger style clock in at a toasty well-done every time. This fact might turn off folks who expect that a machine like this could achieve the ideal burger temp down to the degree, but I honestly didnt miss it, especially not with that price point. Creator offers five burgers with different toppings, with some coming out of collaborations with local chefs like Tu David Phu, Arun Gupta and Nick Balla. On my first visit, I had Phus Tumami Burger, dressed with smoked oyster aioli, shiitake mushroom sauce, bread-and-butter pickles by McVicker Pickles and thin-sliced onion. The combination of mostly brown ingredients with little vegetable matter to brighten them up didnt look like much, but I was impressed by how the components combined to mimic the acidic savoriness that we expect from Taiwanese pork belly buns. The onion, sliced by a precise robotic knife, avoided my usual gripe with burger onions, which can be cut as unevenly as a boa constrictor thats swallowed an elephant. I also enjoyed the Recreator, a smoked cheddar cheeseburger that carried subtle heat from habanero and smoked sea salt. Each of them, carry-out or no, comes in a leaf-shaped compostable container. Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle The sides (all $3) are made behind the scenes by humans, and options there include french fries, side salads featuring locally grown greens, and fried vegetablesall vegetarian. The fries are competent and well-seasoned, but the fried okra, which is off-menu, has a very pleasing slime-to-crunch ratio. A human worker will also periodically come out from the back and replace the burger machines mise en place with tubes of fresh ingredients. I have to admit that seeing a cheese tube get jammed up feels little bit like, Victory for humans! I could see this being an attraction at Tomorrowland, a co-worker mused on one visit. Naw, another cut in. This isnt expensive enough for Disney World. Still, there are some quirks here. While I expected to order food directly from a tabletsince, you know, this is the future and allI actually had to order at the door by talking to a middleman holding a tablet. The inefficiency of that system seemed out of place to me in a restaurant that was supposed to be all about the glories of machinery: The first time I went, the pace of ordering caused a bottleneck that increased the wait time. I realized that this dose of inefficiency had the effect of making the restaurant more approachable, more human even. Similar to the add an egg instruction in Betty Crockers cake mixes, that little bit of inconvenience makes us feel like we humans remain an important part of this process, rather than just passive things to be fed. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. Aspects of the decor also made me think about what it means to signify humanness. When I sat at one of the long, low communal tables, I saw that each of them had huge, pizza-size holes cut out of them, filled with whole spices like star anise and peppercorns and covered with a glass window. Transparency again. It reminded me of a similar design element I saw at Dragon Beaux, which has a display of spices, dried legumes and grains in its lobby. But here, you can contemplate the beauty of whole spices while eating your robot-made lunch. Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle The bookshelf that stretches across the wall behind the drink machines featured selections that were just too poetic: a food-safety management manual; The Art of Simple Food by Alice Waters; a textbook titled Mechanical Engineering Design; Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig; and Existentialism Is a Humanism by Jean-Paul Sartre. Though the books are available for guests and workers to peruse, I rarely saw anyone interacting with them. I get it: Sartre is challenging to just pick up and read randomly. As symbols of what the restaurants founders stand for, the books do express that sense of concern for automation that enhances humanity rather than replaces it. Pirsigs book, for instance, speaks to a philosophy that marries scientific and rational ways of thinking with creativity and pleasure. The book on existentialism, generally considered to be a theoretical starting line for the broader movement, is all about individuals finding liberation through taking responsibility for their own actions. I was surprised not to find anything by science fiction author Isaac Asimov, who coined the term Frankenstein complex to denote the human suspicion of robots. Referencing one of the most famously flawed creators, the complex stretches from human-like androids to self-driving cars, feared for their potential to replace us. Asimov wrote stories about roboticists struggling to overcome the publics fear of their work, flipping the usual narrative of humankind attempting to create life and being burned for their hubris. Creator taps into these same themes: through its airy interior, the very unhumanoid appearance of the robot, and the literally life-giving properties of the food it produces. Its fitting that Creator is stepping into the bigger conversations weve been having in the Bay Area about the role of automation in human life. From Applebees questionable quesadilla burger to the hyped Le Grande burger at Wayfare Tavern to the growing legion of bleeding meat-free imitations, the burger has become an empty space into which we can pour all of our aspirations, preferences and anxieties. We can start so many conversations about the future, wealth, cultural mixing, mechanical reproduction, Russian sanctions and whatever else with a burger. That makes the humble dish a perfect product for Creator, a restaurant on a mission to demonstrate better living through technology. In American culture, the burger is like an introductory handshake: Even corporate chat bots know to start with Hello. If youve bought a cup of coffee in the Bay Area in the past two years, youve probably stumbled upon the mochi muffin. The mochi muffin and its brethren of East Asian and Southeast Asian flavored custard cakes from Berkeleys Third Culture Bakery has been slowly working its way into local cafe culture since 2017. The brainchild of Sam Butarbutar, the mochi muffin marries the flavor of kue lapis (a Southeast Asian steamed layered cake that Butarbutars mom used to make) with mochiko (flour milled from sticky rice), coconut milk and pandan. The end result caramelized on the outside, dense innards, all sprinkled with black and white sesame seeds is a beautiful medley of textures combining chewy Hawaiian butter mochi and the brittle edges of an American brownie. Liz Hafalia / The Chronicle 2016 Butarbutar is an Indonesian immigrant who spent his childhood moving between there and the U.S. The mochi muffin became the product that he and his business and life partner, Wenter Shyu, a Taiwanese immigrant, used to spark their bakery business. But the truth? The bakerys unsung heroes might be the butter mochi doughnuts, a superior version of the American classic. The doughnuts have a crisp exterior but are chewy like a fresh marshmallow on the inside. They are baked, and not heavy like fried doughnuts. Made entirely from Koda Farms organic Blue Star Mochiko flour (made from the only mochi rice grown in California), they are naturally gluten-free. The doughnuts are lighter and fluffier than the muffins, and the mochiko gives it a muted flavor, which I wanted. It lets the glazes shine through, Butarbutar says. And those glazes are gorgeous, vivid pops of color and flavor that greet you the moment you enter the bakery on Berkeleys Eighth Street, almost like a jumbo-size box of crayons. Theres a brilliant camo-green version made with matcha sourced from Uji, Japan, that tastes like a fresh whisked cup of tea, slightly vegetal and bitter. Theres the marigold yellow of mango-passion fruit glaze, at once tropical and acidic. And the Mardi Gras purple of ube coconut, sweet, earthy and slightly nutty. Or a hot pink slick of raspberry glaze with the perfect balance of tart and sweet. Celeste Noche / Special to The Chronicle 2019 You can find mochi muffins and doughnuts in more than 60 retail locations across the Bay Area, but if you want to try Butarbutars more experimental flavors (and you do, trust me), youll want to visit the bakery. Its Butarbutars lab, a place to experiment with flavors like yuzu, black sesame, saffron honey pistachio and the upcoming releases, which will be available March 15: buko pandan, strawberries and cream, Vietnamese coffee, blood orange and pina colada. I want to make pretty things, showy things, Butarbutar says, flavors from my childhood, like pandan and guava. Baking is like communication to me, and I want to expose people to parts of my culture that otherwise wouldnt have been understood. And it shows, from the variety of custard cakes he has created (Thai tea! churro!) to savory mochi waffles with toppings, like creme brulee or kimchi with cheese (the latter are made with local maker Kimchee Jeanius product). Shyus influence, meanwhile, comes through with the bakerys matcha program, which includes matcha sparkling sodas flavored with lychee raspberry or passion fruit puree. Celeste Noche / Special to The Chronicle Then theres that name. Third Culture refers to third culture kids, which both founders are: a person who has spent a large part of their developmental years living outside their parents culture. As a half third culture kid myself (my mom is white and my dad is from Gujarat, India), I instantly connected with the name. Growing up as a third culture kid makes you different from most. The phrase was coined by U.S. sociologist/anthropologist Dr. Ruth Hill Useem in the 1960s after living in India with her three sons for several years. According to Hill Useem, The third culture kid builds relationships to all the cultures, while not having full ownership in any. This rings true for both men. Both spent their formative years growing up in two different countries: Butarbutar in Indonesia and the U.S. (Jakarta and New York/Los Angeles), and Shyu in Taiwan and the U.S. (Taipei City and San Diego/Los Angeles counties). Both had to learn English in America, and because Butarbutar moved between his two countries five or six times until he was 10 (hes now 30), he lost and had to relearn his native language every time he returned to Indonesia. It was hard to assimilate here, he says. Shyu, who immigrated when he was 6 (hes now 29), learned English by going to kindergarten, where he was teased and had to weather the grammatical differences between the languages, like saying Uncle Tony instead of Tony Uncle. He didnt hear the term third culture kids until college, but says it helped him grapple with his identity growing up in Los Angeles. I totally identified with it. I wasnt white enough for the white kids and wasnt Asian enough for the Asian kids, he says. It was his idea to use the concept for the bakerys name. A surprising amount of people have thanked us for it and shared their own stories of growing up in another culture, he says. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. As a company, Third Culture has scaled quickly. When they started in 2017, both left their careers (environmental science toxicology for Butarbutar, luxury retail for Shyu). In those early days, Butarbutar was the only baker on staff. He initially learned from his mom, who had baked and sold black forest cakes in Indonesia, and eventually worked in local kitchens. Shyu still worked a 9-to-5 job while he handled the business side of the bakery. The pair delivered their baked goods around the Bay Area before dawn in a 2005 black Toyota Matrix with the bumper taped on. Theyd drive home on Interstate 580 around 5 a.m. as the sun rose. Shyu would nap, then go to work while Butarbutar would bake, repeating the cycle. They sold around 100 pieces a week. Celeste Noche/Special to The Chronicle Two years later, they have 18 employees, a production space in West Berkeley, and they sell 20,000 pieces of product a week. They are opening a bakery/showroom in Aurora, Colo., this summer. More Information Where to find Third Culture Bakery goods Dozens of cafes and bakeries carry Third Culture products, but several are often guaranteed to have a wider range than most. Third Culture Bakery (flagship): 2701 Eighth St., Berkeley Highwire Coffee (multiple locations): Oakland, Berkeley, Albany Boba Guys (multiple locations): San Francisco, San Carlos, Palo Alto, San Ramon 1951 Coffee: 2410 Channing Way, Berkeley; 2495 Bancroft Way, Berkeley Bondadoso: 2195 N Broadway, Walnut Creek Ballast Coffee: 329 West Portal Ave., San Francisco Foodhall: 3100 16th St., San Francisco Pinhole Coffee: 231 Cortland Ave., San Francisco Red Giant Coffee: 2400 Broadway #110, Redwood City Boba Drive: 677 Tasman Dr., Sunnyvale Academic Coffee: 499 S. Second St., San Jose See More Collapse While Butarbutar dips mochi doughnuts in a 12-quart container of ube coconut glaze, shaking off the excess, he talks about acceptance. As immigrant gay men, he says, the two have struggled to be accepted, and because of this they have tried to build a work environment filled with inclusion, a goal not lost on their employees. I really enjoy this job, says Diana Sanchez, their kitchen manager, who is from Argentina. This is the first Ive had in the U.S. where Ive felt respected by my bosses. Last year, both men came out to their families. It went well for Shyu, but Butarbutar faced a painful rejection. Ever since that moment, it has changed my intention with the bakery, Butarbutar says. A lot of times, as a gay person, the family youre born with isn't necessarily the family you choose to be with, or accepts you. The bakery represents the family that I choose to be with." Leena Trivedi-Grenier is a freelance writer living in the Bay Area. Email: food@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Leena_Eats The cities of San Francisco and Oakland are not giving up their fight to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for climate change, asking a federal appeals court Wednesday to reconsider their previously dismissed lawsuits against five oil companies. Attorneys for the cities have alleged the companies knowingly sold products that warmed the planet, and in a groundbreaking legal challenge, demanded Chevron, BP, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil and Shell pay for damages. The U.S. District Court in San Francisco tossed the cases last year. With the appeal, the cities hope to re-join the unusual but mounting effort to stick oil and gas manufacturers with such costs as building seawalls and strengthening roads and buildings in the face of global warming. More than a half dozen cities and counties in California, as well as New York City and Washington states Kings County, are suing for losses. Dismissal of the San Francisco and Oakland cases does not affect the other challenges, which are being pursued in separate federal and state courts. Judge William Alsup, who ruled against the Bay Area cities in June, acknowledged that the industry was contributing to climate change by producing greenhouse gases, though he said it wasnt appropriate for the courts to regulate the companies. He said that authority belonged to Congress. Attorneys for the city of San Francisco and Oakland argue in their filing to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that their case isnt about regulation but compensating those who are being damaged. The cities initially filed their suits in state Superior Court, where they alleged that the oil companies constituted a public nuisance under California law. The defendants, however, requested the cases be moved to federal court where much broader issues were considered. The appeal now asks the suits to be returned to California judges. We filed this case in state court, and thats where it should be decided, San Francisco city Attorney Dennis Herrera said in an email. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. San Francisco estimates that rising seas are threatening at least $10 billion of public property and $39 billion of private land and buildings. Like many of the communities challenging the industry, San Francisco and Oakland have maintained that the oil companies acted similarly to Big Tobacco, which long ago identified the harm its products were causing, yet downplayed it and continued to sell goods. Companies cannot lie to their customers for decades about the dangers of their products and walk away with impunity, Oakland City Attorney Barbara J. Parker said in an email. Attorneys for the industry have said they did not have the information the cities think they had. They also have argued that they cant be sued when theyre following the nations emissions laws. Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander Federal prosecutors are conducting a criminal investigation into data deals Facebook struck with some of the worlds largest technology companies, intensifying scrutiny of the social media giants business practices as it seeks to rebound from a year of scandal and setbacks. A grand jury in New York has subpoenaed records from at least two prominent makers of smartphones and other devices, according to two people who were familiar with the requests and who insisted on anonymity to discuss confidential legal matters. Both companies had entered into partnerships with Facebook, gaining broad access to the personal information of hundreds of millions of its users. The companies were among more than 150, including Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and Sony, that had cut sharing deals with Facebook. The agreements, previously reported in the New York Times, let the companies see users friends, contact information and other data, sometimes without consent. Facebook has phased out most of the partnerships over the past two years. We are cooperating with investigators and take those probes seriously, a Facebook spokesman said in a statement. Weve provided public testimony, answered questions and pledged that we will continue to do so. It is not clear when the grand jury inquiry, overseen by prosecutors with the U.S. attorneys office for the Eastern District of New York, began or exactly what it is focusing on. Facebook was already facing scrutiny by the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission. And the Justice Departments securities fraud unit began investigating it after reports that Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm, had improperly obtained the Facebook data of 87 million people and used it to build tools that helped President Trumps election campaign. The Justice Department and the Eastern District declined to comment for this article. The Cambridge Analytica investigation, still active, is being run by prosecutors from the Northern District of California. One former employee of the consulting firm said investigators questioned him as recently as late February. He and three other witnesses in the case, speaking on the condition of anonymity so they would not anger prosecutors, said a significant line of inquiry involved Facebooks claims that it was misled by Cambridge Analytica. In public statements, Facebook executives had said that Cambridge Analytica told the company it was gathering data only for academic purposes. But the fine print accompanying a quiz app that collected the information said it could also be used commercially. Selling user data would have violated Facebooks rules at the time, yet the social network does not appear to have regularly checked that apps were complying. Facebook deleted the quiz app in December 2015. The disclosures last year about Cambridge Analytica thrust Facebook into the worst crisis of its history. Then came news reports in June and December that Facebook had given business partners including makers of smartphones, tablets and other devices deep access to users personal information, letting some companies effectively override the users privacy settings. Sites down Facebook, Messenger and Instagram were unavailable to users for much of Wednesday. The Menlo Park company did not say what had caused the problem, but said the sites had not been hit by a denial of service attack. According to Facebook's status page, the "partial outage" started Wednesday morning. The desktop site and mobile app were both affected. The Downdetector website said the problems were reported in parts of the United States and in areas of Europe, South America and Central America. Facebook took to Twitter to say that it was investigating the outages and trying to determine a cause. - Chronicle News Services See More Collapse The sharing deals empowered Microsofts Bing search engine to map out the friends of virtually all Facebook users without their explicit consent, and allowed Amazon to obtain users names and contact information through their friends. Apple was able to hide from Facebook users all indicators that its devices were even asking for data. Privacy advocates said the partnerships seemed to violate a 2011 consent agreement between Facebook and the FTC, stemming from allegations that the Menlo Park company had shared data in ways that deceived consumers. The deals also appeared to contradict statements by CEO Mark Zuckerberg and other executives that Facebook had clamped down several years ago on sharing the data of users friends with outside developers. FTC officials, who spent the past year investigating whether Facebook violated the 2011 agreement, are now weighing the sharing deals as they negotiate a possible multibillion-dollar fine. That would be the largest such penalty ever imposed by the trade regulator. Facebook has aggressively defended the partnerships, saying they were permitted under a provision in the FTC agreement that covered service providers companies that acted as extensions of the social network. The company has taken steps in the past year to tackle data misuse and misinformation. Last week, Zuckerberg unveiled a plan that would begin to shift Facebook away from being a site for public sharing and put more emphasis on private communications. Michael LaForgia, Matthew Rosenberg and Gabriel J.X. Dance are New York Times writers. HandEX, a Hamburg, Germany-based export finance startup, raised a seed funding round of undisclosed amount. The round was led by High-Tech Grunderfonds (HTGF), joined by angel investors Andrew Shaw, Ingo Saleck and others. The company intends to use the funds for expanding the team and ensuring full market entry into German machine engineering field by the end of the year. Led by co-founder and CEO Vincent Lauer, CFO Patrick Kupitz and CTO Asfandyar Malik, HandEX is using technology to make it easy for exporters and importers to access the financing they need for international trade. It facilitates and integrates the issuance of export loans and export insurance covers, including guarantees issued by the German government, for which the export credit agency Euler Hermes is mandated. Loans originated through the HandEX platform are insured via the Hermes Cover. The company is targeting SMEs with a mid- to long-term financing requirement of up to 5M with an initial focus on facilitating exports of German mechanical engineering companies (Maschinenbauer) to the LATAM region. Once established within Germany, HandEX will expand into other European markets. FinSMEs 14/03/2019 MADURAI, India The Aravind Eye Hospital will treat anyone who comes through the door, with or without money. Each day, more than 2,000 people arrive from across India and sometimes other parts of the world, crowding into the hallways and waiting rooms of this 43-year-old hospital at the southern end of the country. On a recent morning, Vt Muthusamy Ramalingamm, a local resident, walked into a room on the second floor, sat down and rested his chin on a small desktop device that pointed a camera into his eyes. A technician tapped on a screen at the back of an eye scanner, and within seconds a diagnosis appeared on a computer against the wall. Both eyes showed signs of diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can cause blindness if untreated. In most hospitals and clinics around the world, trained physicians make this diagnosis, examining a patients eyes and identifying the tiny lesions, hemorrhages and discoloration that anticipate diabetic blindness. But Aravind is trying to automate the process. Working with a team of Google artificial intelligence researchers in California, the hospital is testing a system that can recognize the condition on its own. Mountain Views Google and sister company Verily targeted this type of blindness because of its prevalence and because it is the sort of illness that an AI system can detect early. Google is not charging the hospital while it tests the technology. Researchers hope this AI system will help doctors screen more patients in a country where diabetic retinopathy is increasingly prevalent. Nearly 70 million Indians are diabetic, according to the World Health Organization, and all are at risk of blindness. But the country does not train enough doctors to properly screen them all. For every 1 million people in India, there are only 11 eye doctors, according to the International Council of Ophthalmology. The project is part of a widespread effort to build and deploy systems that can automatically detect signs of illness and disease in medical scans. Hospitals in the United States, Britain and Singapore also have run clinical trials with systems that detect signs of diabetic blindness. Researchers across the globe are exploring technologies that detect cancer, stroke, heart disease and other conditions in X-rays and in MRI and CT scans. Last month, regulators certified the eye system for use in Europe under the Verily name. And the Food and Drug Administration recently approved a similar system in the United States. But hospitals are treading lightly as they consider deploying systems that are vastly different from technology traditionally used for health care. Aravinds founder, Govindappa Venkataswamy, a respected figure in India who was known as Dr. V and died in 2006, envisioned a network of hospitals and vision centers that operate like McDonalds franchises, systematically reproducing inexpensive forms of eye care for people across the country. There are more than 40 of the vision centers around India. In addition to screening patients in Madurai one of the largest cities in southern India the hospital plans to install Googles technology in surrounding villages where few if any eye doctors are available. The new AI system could radically expand the number of people who can be screened. Right now, there is a bottleneck when it comes to just screening patients, said Dr. R. Kim, a nephew of Dr. V who serves as chief medical officer at Aravind. Behind the new screening methods are neural networks, complex mathematical systems that can learn tasks by analyzing vast amounts of data. By analyzing millions of retinal scans showing signs of diabetic blindness, a neural network can learn to identify the condition on its own. A neural network is the same technology that is rapidly improving face recognition services, talking digital assistants, driverless cars and instant translation services like Google Translate. Because these systems learn from enormous amounts of information, researchers are still struggling to completely understand how they work and how they will ultimately behave. But some experts believe that once they are honed, tested and properly deployed, they can fundamentally improve health care. At Aravind, computer screens mounted on the walls of the waiting rooms translate information into the myriad languages spoken in the hospital. During his exam, Ramalingamm, 60, spoke Tamil, the ancient language of southern India and Sri Lanka. He said he was comfortable with a machine diagnosing his eye condition, in part because it happened so quickly. After the initial screening by the AI system, doctors could treat the eyes, perhaps with laser surgery, to stave off blindness. The system performs on a par with trained ophthalmologists, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. But it is far from completely replacing a doctor. Earlier in the day, Pambaiyan Balusamy, 55, sat in the same room. The Google system diagnosed proliferative retinopathy in his left eye the most serious form of the condition but it could not read the scan of his right eye, most likely because the eye had developed a cataract. Doctors can sometimes make a diagnosis when faced with cataracts and blurry eye scans. The Google system still struggles to do this. It is trained largely on clear, unobstructed images of the retina, though Google is exploring the use of lower-quality images. Even with this limitation, Kim said, the system can augment what doctors can do on their own. Aravind already operates small vision centers in many of the cities and villages surrounding Madurai. The hope is that the Google system can make eye screening easier in these facilities and perhaps other locations across southern India. Today in these vision centers, technicians take eye scans and send them to doctors in Madurai for review. Automated diagnosis can streamline and expand the process, reaching more people in more places the kind of McDonaldization espoused by Dr. V. The technology still faces regulatory hurdles in India, in part because of the difficulty of navigating the countrys bureaucracy. And though Googles eye system is certified for use in Europe, it is still awaiting approval in the United States. Luke Oakden-Rayner, director of medical imaging research at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia, said these systems might even need new regulatory frameworks because existing rules werent always sufficient. I am not convinced that people care enough about the safety of these systems, he said. Though these deep-learning systems are new, they are hardly the first effort to aid diagnosis through computer technology. As Oakden-Rayner pointed out, software called breast CAD approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1998 has been widely adopted in the United States to help with the detection of breast cancer, in part because Medicaid provides a rebate when the technology is used. But studies have shown that patient outcomes did not improve and in some cases declined. On paper, the Google system performs very well, Oakden-Rayner said. But when you roll it out to a huge population, there can be problems that do not show up for years. Cade Metz is a New York Times writer. Boeing executives sat down last November with pilots at the Allied Pilots Association's low-slung brick headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. Tensions were running high. One of Boeing's new jets - hailed by the company as an even more reliable version of Boeing's stalwart 737 - had crashed into the ocean off Indonesia shortly after takeoff, killing all 189 people on board the flight operated by Lion Air. After the crash, Boeing issued a bulletin disclosing that this line of planes, known as the 737 Max 8, was equipped with a new type of software as part of the plane's automated functions. Some pilots were furious that they were not told about the new software when the plane was unveiled. Dennis Tajer, a 737 captain who attended the meeting, said that Boeing executives told the pilots, "Look, we didn't include it because we have a lot of people flying on this and we didn't want to inundate you with information." "I'm certain I did say, 'Well that's not acceptable,' " said Tajer, a leader in the association representing American Airlines pilots. Boeing did not respond to questions about the meeting. On Wednesday, federal regulators ordered the grounding of the 737 Max 8 and a similar plane, the 737 Max 9, after another crash involving the plane, on this occasion in Ethiopia on Sunday. Many other countries had already acted. In statements throughout the week, Boeing has said that safety is its top priority. But it also announced that it would take several steps to make the planes "even safer," including updating the flight-control software as well as pilot displays, operating manuals and crew training. The company said these changes would be implemented over the coming weeks. The announcement comes after years in which Boeing had trumpeted the new plane as offering a "seamless" transition from previous models, a changeover that would not require carriers to invest in extensive retraining. And it highlights concerns from pilots and other groups about whether Boeing moved fast enough to address potential problems after the Lion Air crash. Congress, regulators and the company's shareholders are now scrutinizing the decisions. On Wednesday, Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said he would hold hearings to study the Federal Aviation Administration's process for approving the planes. DeFazio cited a concern that has particularly alarmed pilots, the introduction of software that was flagged in the bulletin sent out after the Lion Air crash. The software, known as the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), overrides some specified pilot control inputs unless it is switched off. This can interfere with pilots' longtime training that pulling back on the control yoke raises a plane's nose, putting the plane into a climb. That means that as a pilot tries to maneuver an airplane, the automated system may be counteracting that pilot's inputs. "I'm going to investigate how they came to the conclusion that retraining was not necessary, and then obviously we're going want to look at how foreign countries certify their pilots and retrain them," DeFazio said. - - - After the Ethiopian Airlines crash Sunday, Boeing said it would update flight-control software, provide more training, introduce "enhancements" to external sensors that measure the direction of an aircraft and make changes to how MCAS is activated. But two pilots who attended the meeting with Boeing in November after the Lion Air crash said pilots had suggested that the company take these actions at that time. "Whatever level of training they decided on, [before the Lion Air crash], it resulted in an iPad course that I took for less than an hour," Tajer, the American Airlines pilot, said. "A lot of pilots here at American did that course." But he said the course did not cover the new MCAS system. "There was nothing on the MCAS because even American didn't know about that. It was just about the display scenes and how the engines are a little different," he said. Boeing did not comment on the pilots' concerns. The same week Boeing executives met with pilots in Fort Worth, they also asked pilots at Southwest Airlines - which also owns 737 Max planes - to meet with them. They hurriedly arranged a conference room at the Reno Airport the Sunday after Thanksgiving, said Jon Weaks, president of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association. "At that meeting, they told us that a software update would probably be forthcoming in the near future," Weaks said. But no update came over in following two months. Boeing did not comment on the meeting. In a statement earlier this week, Boeing said it had been working on the software enhancements for the 737 Max for the past several months and in the aftermath of the crash of Lion Air Flight 610. The company said it had been working closely with the FAA on the software update and had also been soliciting feedback from airlines that operate the plane. - - - The concerns in meetings with Boeing executives were not the only signs that pilots had concerns about the airplane. A federal flight-safety reporting system contains about a dozen reports by pilots expressing exasperation about systems that limited their control of the 737 Max. Nearly two-thirds of the complaints were mainly flagging perceived faults with the aircraft or ambiguity or lack of instruction, according to an analysis of the Aviation Safety Reporting System by The Washington Post. The Dallas Morning News first reported on the pilots' complaints. "I think it is unconscionable that a manufacturer, the FAA, and the airlines would have pilots flying an airplane without adequately training, or even providing available resources and sufficient documentation to understand the highly complex systems that differentiate this aircraft from prior models," one pilot wrote in November. "The fact that this airplane requires such jury rigging to fly is a red flag. Now we know the systems employed are error prone - even if the pilots aren't sure what those systems are, what redundancies are in place, and failure modes." Pilots expressed confusion about various features of the airplane. "I reviewed in my mind our automation setup and flight profile but can't think of any reason the aircraft would pitch nose down so aggressively," one pilot wrote. "How can a Captain not know what switch is meant during a preflight setup?" asked another. "Poor training and even poorer documentation; that is how." The FAA pushed backed against the idea that these pilot complaints could have assisted in identifying problems, saying they did not involve the MCAS system that has been at the heart of pilots' concerns. "Some of the reports reference possible issues with the autopilot/autothrottle, which is a separate system from MCAS, and/or acknowledge the problems could have been due to pilot error," it said in a statement. Boeing declined to comment on the system. Southwest, which uses the 737 Max planes, said it had received no reports of issues with the MCAS system. American Airlines said it reviewed data for more than 14,000 flights since the Lion Air crash in Indonesia and has "not seen a single anomaly related to the MCAS." - - - In its order grounding the planes Wednesday, the FAA said it had received information from the Ethiopian Airlines wreckage "concerning the aircraft's configuration just after takeoff that, taken together with newly refined data from satellite-based tracking of the aircraft's flight path, indicates some similarities" between what happened with that flight and the Lion Air flight in Indonesia. Boeing is scrambling to maintain its reputation for making safe and profitable airplanes. Chief executive Dennis Muilenburg called President Donald Trump on Tuesday, the White House said, to vouch for the safety of the planes. On Wednesday, the company issued a statement saying that "out of an abundance of caution and to reassure the flying public of the aircraft's safety," it agreed with the FAA's decision to ground the planes. "Boeing continues to have full confidence in the safety of the 737 MAX," the company said. Boeing designed the 737 Max to fly up to 3,850 miles, and it became a key tool in the company's global ambitions. The Max uses engines that are both bigger and more fuel-efficient, and the new engines have been moved slightly forward on each wing compared with previous models. To compensate for the repositioning, Boeing added MCAS to replicate the handling characteristics of earlier models. In the Lion Air crash, according to a preliminary report, the 737 Max seemed to careen up and down repeatedly. Analysts said this suggested the MCAS system was redirecting the plane whenever it went into a nose-up position by pointing the nose down. In an appearance on CNBC in December, Muilenburg was asked whether the company was doing enough to ensure pilots were properly trained after the October crash. Muilenburg said that the company's bulletin on the software helped in "directing pilots and airlines to these existing procedures" and that Boeing was "taking a look at that to make sure all the appropriate training is in place and that the communications with our customers are there." "It's very, very important to us, but I will say bottom line here, very important, is that the Max 737 is safe," he said. Muilenburg's comments came about a week after the meetings in Texas and Reno, when pilots said they heard similar promises. Sitting around pullout tables in leather-backed chairs, Tajer said, some of the company's top engineers were apologetic. "We said 'shame on you.' They said, 'I know.' " - - - The Washington Post's Ashley Halsey III and Luz Lazo contributed to this report. U.S. and Canadian regulators cited newly available satellite-tracking data in grounding all Boeing 737 Max jets Wednesday, saying there were similarities between the deadly crash involving the plane in Ethiopia on Sunday and an Indonesian flight in October. The causes of both crashes are still under investigation. But the data cited by regulators points to preliminary indications that the two planes could have been brought down by the same cause, a malfunctioning automated system intended to keep the jet from stalling. Marc Garneau, Canadas transport minister, said Wednesday that the satellite-tracking data revealed vertical variations in the Ethiopian Airlines flight reminiscent of those seen before the crash of the Lion Air Boeing 737 Max in Indonesia in October. The investigation of the Ethiopian crash is still in its early stages, and the full data cited by authorities has not been publicly released. Many experts cautioned that any conclusions are far from certain and dont rule out other possibilities, such as pilot error or another malfunctioning system. But aviation experts who reviewed the patterns in publicly available data said it suggests that the newly installed automated system known as MCAS may have been activated on the Ethiopian flight and could have contributed to the crash. Many experts believe that during the first crash, the Indonesian pilots lost their battle with MCAS. Possibly because of faulty sensor readings, the automated system pushed the nose of the Lion Air plane down. The pilots repeatedly counteracted it and pulled the nose back up, only to be overridden by the system again. Each interval took about 15 to 20 seconds, leaving a repetitive signature on the data for the planes vertical speed. 5 1 of 5 Photo for The Washington Post by Sarah Blesener Show More Show Less 2 of 5 Photo for The Washington Post by Sarah Blesener Show More Show Less 3 of 5 4 of 5 Photo for The Washington Post by Sarah Blesener Show More Show Less 5 of 5 Students around the world are walking out of class in protest Friday as part of a concerted effort to demand action on climate change. Local high school and middle school students from Oakland, San Francisco, Marin County and the Peninsula are planning to rally at 10 a.m. Friday in front of U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi's office in downtown San Francisco. From there they will march past the office of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Madeline Peltz works the night shift at the liberal media watchdog group Media Matters for America. Given the timing of that particular shift, one of her main responsibilities is watching Tucker Carlson's 8 p.m. show on Fox News. And she's watched a lot of Tucker Carlson. Carlson has been in the public eye for some 20 years - first as a print journalist, then a television commentator, founder of the conservative site the Daily Caller, and now, Fox News host, with a prime time slot and a salary in the millions. But people have been confused by Carlson's tone on Fox since he took over for Bill O'Reilly in 2018, noting concern about diversity and demographics in his show. After many Carlson-watching hours, the 24-year-old researcher developed a working theory, which she outlined on the nonprofit's website: that Carlson is using his platform on Fox News to introduce white nationalist ideas to the mainstream, making him a uniquely prominent "mouthpiece for white supremacy." Peltz dug into his recent past and discovered a trove of appearances he made on shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge's radio show between 2006 and 2011. She found a series of misogynistic, racist and homophobic remarks Carlson made, the audio of which Media Matters published this week. In response, Carlson was defiant, casting himself as the victim of "the great American outrage machine," a mob of power-seeking organizations and people that he says are waging a political war to censor him. In reality, credit for the tapes' publication is due to Peltz: a 20-something in her first adult job who lives in the basement of a Washington, D.C., house she rents with five other people, a few cats and a dog named Noodles. "I'm not like some high-power wielding globalist," Peltz said, adopting the conspiracy-inflected jargon of the far-right. "I'm this kid who's been on the Internet my whole life and knows how to get around it." - - - It's been a busy week at Media Matters, which tracks conservative media trends and has engaged in a years-long effort to cast light on the ways Fox News and its hosts sidestep traditional journalism guidelines. The organization released the first audio of Carlson on Sunday. In that, Carlson called rape shield laws "totally unfair" and was adamantly supportive of Warren Jeffs, the former leader of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who is serving a life sentence for child rape. Carlson also said he would "love" a scenario involving young girls sexually experimenting and described women as "extremely primitive." The next day, Media Matters for America released another audio file just moments after Carlson's show began. In that, Carlson said that white men deserve credit for "creating civilization," called Iraqis a bunch of "semiliterate primitive monkeys," and spoke about his desire for a presidential candidate to blame the "lunatic Muslims who are behaving like animals." There was more on Tuesday. This time, Carlson could be heard joking about having sex with what he thought was an underage beauty pageant contestant. On his Tuesday night show, Carlson did not address the audio itself. Instead, he took aim at Media Matters, calling it "a George Soros-funded lobbying organization whose sole mission is to punish critics of the Democratic Party." But the tapes have turned up pressure on the show, teeing off an advertiser boycott and a protest in front of Fox News's headquarters in New York City on Wednesday, which Media Matters helped organize. When asked for a comment for this story, Fox News spokeswoman Carly Shanahan pointed to Carlson's statements on his show this week. - - - Media Matters for America is not currently funded by George Soros; he has not donated to the organization in many years, its president, Angelo Carusone, said in an interview. While Carlson described it as working to "bully" corporations, it is the fraction of the size of Fox News, whose revenue for 2018 has been estimated to be more than $3 billion. Media Matters has about 80 employees and a budget of about $14 million that mostly comes from private donors, Carusone said. The group does media analysis from a left-leaning perspective, studying trends and themes to see how political discussions play out in the nation's media bubbles. Its staff monitors some 50,000 of live programming on television and radio every year and the organization tapes another million hours of audio and video on top of that. Media Matters, which has an active website that highlights and contextualizes some of these moments, drew criticism during the 2016 for what some saw as an attempt to malign coverage that was critical of Hillary Clinton. But it has found a renewed prominence in the Trump era by turning its sights to the new information economy: the rise of conspiracy theories and misinformation online, the increased visibility of fringe right-wing websites and ideas, and an energized conservative media ecosystem that helps amplifies those ideas - an news cycle that often peaks with a tweet from President Donald Trump. "When we did a power mapping of the landscape at the end of 2016 early 2017, what we found was that so much of what used to be dismissed as the fringes was now where power was being organized: 4chan; Daily Stormer comment sections; subreddits," Carusone said. "These would never have been considered worthy enough or important enough to monitor [before]. But we looked at it and they were - they were driving a lot of the misinformation and fake news of 2016. They were creating a lot of material that was making it onto Fox News or Donald Trump's Twitter feed." Carusone said the organization had to build some new digital technology to track the online conversations in forums and message boards that he said have such a large effect on the political discourse in the United States. "It's basically it's just a giant DVR for the 'chans, an archive of these message boards," Carusone said. And it has been doing studies and using other data to advocate for better practices. It pushed Google to stop allowing what it had assessed as fake news-purveying websites to use the company's AdSense program. It has met with the big three technology companies - Facebook, Google and Twitter - Carusone said, but said NDAs prevented him from disclosing more about that. It also works with journalists to publicize problems or issues when other methods of persuasion fail. "It's a combination of building up public pressure or direct lobbying," Carusone said. Peltz's project was her idea, Carusone said. And he said the organization decided to publish portions of what she had found after deciding it was relevant to understanding Carlson's current political views. "We didn't just try to embarrass him," Carusone said. "We took things that directly echo his show now, and things that had some relevancy today." - - - Carlson has responded by attacking Media Matters for America, along with the Southern Poverty Law Center, whose categorization of hate groups is used widely by media organizations. He has also been engaged in a long-running feud with CNN; on Tuesday he called anchor Brian Stelter a "eunuch," multiple times, name-calling that was omitted from the text of his monologue later posted on the Fox News website. "This is what an authoritarian society looks like," Carlson said. "It was only a matter of time before they came for Fox News." He also took aim at Media Matters' designation as a tax-exempt nonprofit and urged viewers to call the IRS. "In its original tax application to the IRS, Media Matters claimed that the American news media were dominated by a pro-Christian bias and that they were needed to balance it," Carlson said. "It has been violating the terms of that status ever since." He interviewed Boyden Gray, a former counsel to President George H.W. Bush, who has filed a complaint with the IRS about Media Matters. "There is something wrong with the IRS," Gray said. "There is nothing more harmful than to keep silent when you shouldn't be defending yourself." The Daily Caller, which Carlson founded in 2010, also repurposed an story it had written previously about some racist and transphobic slurs Carusone used on a blog in 2005. Carusone had spoken in a derogatory way about "trannies," "jewry," and "japs," in a series of posts. He wrote about his boyfriend, now husband, saying that "despite his jewry, you KNOW he's adorable," in October 2005, for example. Carusone said the story, which he intended as satire, recirculates every time Media Matters is in the news. And he said that the persona of the blog, which he wrote in college, was designed to parody a "right-wing blowhard." "It didn't work very well and I killed it," he said. "It's not funny and it's not nice." - - - Peltz said there's no doubt in her mind that Carlson has been trying to "thread the needle of mainstreaming overt white nationalism," while also avoiding the consequences for it. She cited well-publicized instances: when Carlson said immigration was making the country "dirtier," in December and another segment in which Carlson claimed the South African government was seizing land from white owners, simply because they were white. Carlson has defended that story. Peltz said she believes the extremism has been escalating. "It's clear in the editorial choices that he makes that he covers demographic change as basically the end of white people," Peltz said. "As someone with one of the largest platforms in media he frequently portrays himself as a victim. And that's a long tactic of white nationalists, going back all the way to the civil rights struggle in the South." She said Carlson's response to the audio's publication is a sign that it had an affect. Media Matters says they have more material; it is not clear if the releases will continue. "There's a lot of stuff that I don't think Fox News is super proud of," Peltz said. "It just took 10 hours a day [listening to] Bubba the Love Sponge to figure out." - - - The Washington Post's Shivani Vora and Allyson Chiu contributed to this report. Ideas United, LLC, an Atlanta, GA-based content creation studio, received a $15m investment from Kayne Partners, the growth equity group of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. The company intends to use the funds to continue to grow and expand its business reach globally. Led by David Roemer, Co-Founder and CEO, and Dan Costa, Co-Founder and President, Ideas United is a creative studio producing content and events for premier brands, universities, nonprofits, and networks. Its in-house team works alongside a global talent network to shape experiences, rethink conventions, and speak to new audiences across four key disciplines: college, branded content, capital campaigns, and original content. The company began over 15 years ago with the creation of Campus Movie Fest, a student film festival with more than a million students whove created short movies for free thanks to premier brand partners. Ideas United provides its partners with multiple months of deep engagement on more than 60 college campuses each year, resulting in experiential opportunities and college access as well as special culminating events with industry luminaries. Campus Movie Fest additionally serves as a talent discovery model, enabling it to find and nurture emerging storytellers who are invited into its community of creative, authentic, diverse, and talented creators located around the globe. Most recently, the company expanded its infrastructure to develop original content, including five television pilots based on the top concepts submitted from nearly 1,000 of its top emerging creators worldwide. Now, Ideas United is in development on multiple feature films and series. FinSMEs 14/03/2019 A proposal to revitalize South Lake Tahoe's economy and create a main street core by moving U.S. 50 will be the focus of a community meeting Thursday evening. City planners are considering a proposal to realign U.S. 50 at the state line to loop behind the Nevada casinos in order to create a more pedestrian-, bike- and scooter-friendly experience where the freeway currently divides the casino row. WASHINGTON House Republicans joined Democrats on Thursday to demand the Justice Department publicly release the full findings of the special counsels investigation into Russias interference in the 2016 election and the possible involvement of President Trumps campaign. Though the resolution is nonbinding, Democrats who put it on the House floor are trying to build public pressure on Attorney General William Barr before the investigations anticipated conclusion. On the 420-0 vote, four Republicans voted present. This report must see the light of day, must be available to the American public for a catharsis that will allow us to start with the facts, understand what happened and begin to rebuild the faith of the American people, said Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., a senior member of the Intelligence Committee, which has undertaken its own Russia investigation. The four present votes came from two libertarians who routinely oppose such resolutions, Reps. Justin Amash of Michigan and Thomas Massie of Kentucky, and two ardent Trump loyalists, Reps. Matt Gaetz of Florida and Paul Gosar of Arizona. Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic leader, tried to move the resolution through the Senate later Thursday by unanimous consent, but he was blocked by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Though Graham, the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, said he supported transparency, he asked to amend the resolution to include the appointment of a new special counsel to investigate the FBIs handling of the Hillary Clinton email case and its surveillance of a former Trump adviser. Schumer would not agree, and the resolution failed. The resolution calls for the public release of any report Special Counsel Mueller provides to the attorney general, except to the extent the public disclosure of any portion thereof is expressly prohibited by law. Mueller is expected to produce a confidential report on his prosecution decisions to Barr, who will then review it and produce his own report to Congress. Thus far, Barr has demurred on just what he will release to Congress and the public, reserving the right to keep some matters secret. Nicholas Fandos is a New York Times writer. WASHINGTON As a self-described Republican dirty trickster, Roger Stone spent decades gleefully and gratuitously inspiring ire among his critics and opponents. Now the former political adviser to President Trump is struggling to stay in the good graces of U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson while awaiting trial in the Russia investigation. He appeared to get a reprieve Thursday when he returned to Jacksons courtroom for a status conference. There were no fireworks over whether Stone had violated her gag order with the release of his book The Myth of Russian Collusion. Jackson said she was still reviewing the issue but seemed eager to move on, saying the court proceedings have been bogged down by collateral matters that have taken up more time than they deserve. Jackson set a trial date of Nov. 5. Stones legal team will review nine terabytes of potential evidence collected by prosecutors if printed, enough paper to be stacked twice as high as the Washington Monument, according to one of his lawyers. Stone faces seven charges involving lying to the House Intelligence Committee about his conversations involving WikiLeaks, the organization that released thousands of hacked Democratic Party emails during the 2016 presidential campaign. He has pleaded not guilty. Thursdays hearing was subdued compared to some in the past. Stone first angered Jackson last month with an inflammatory Instagram post that included a crosshairs symbol next to her head. In response, Jackson tightened an earlier gag order and barred Stone from saying almost anything in public about the case. But Stone ended up in hot water again because he failed to disclose the imminent publication of the book, an updated version of a political tome released shortly after the election. It includes a new introduction that calls special counsel Robert Mueller crooked. An exasperated Jackson demanded more information about the book, and Stones lawyers asked her forgiveness in a court filing on Monday. Stones lawyers said the publisher pitched the idea in an email for an update in December as a way for Stone to set the record straight, clear his name, reach a wider audience and make some money. Chris Megerian is a Los Angeles Times writer. BURLINGTON, Iowa Democrat Beto ORourke jumped into the 2020 presidential race Thursday, shaking up the already packed field and pledging to win over voters from across the political spectrum as he tries to translate his sudden celebrity into a formidable White House bid. The former Texas congressman began his campaign by taking his first trip ever to Iowa, the state that kicks off the presidential primary voting. In tiny Burlington, in southeast Iowa, he scaled a counter to be heard during an afternoon stop at a coffee shop. Let us not allow our differences to define us as at this moment, ORourke told a whooping crowd of 120, his heels perched at the countertops edge. History calls for us to come together. Earlier in the day, ORourke popped into a coffee shop in Keokuk while many cable networks aired live coverage. He took questions about his support of federal legalization of marijuana as well as the possibility of a universal basic income, all while characteristically waving his arms and gesticulating fervently. I could care less about your party persuasion, ORourke said. It was the kind of high-energy, off-the-cuff style that made him a sensation in Texas and a monster fundraiser nationwide, but ORourke also was clear that he doesnt believe in strict immigration rules drawing a distinction that could allow him to clash openly with President Trump on the issue. Trump took more note of ORourkes gyrations than his policy plans. Well, I think hes got a lot of hand movement, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. Is he crazy or is that just how he acts? After weeks of gleefully teasing an announcement, ORourke now must prove whether his zeal for personal contact with voters will resonate beyond Texas. He hasnt demonstrated much skill in domestic or foreign policy, and as a white man, hes entering a field that has been celebrated for its diverse roster of women and people of color. Until ORourke challenged Republican Sen. Ted Cruz last year, he was little known outside his hometown of El Paso, on Texas border with Mexico. But the Spanish-speaking, 46-year-old former punk rocker used grassroots organizing and social media savvy to mobilize young voters and minorities and get within 3 percentage points of winning in the nations largest red state. ORourkes record in Congress has drawn criticism from some for being too moderate, but he also spoke at length on Thursday about combatting climate change and supporting the Green New Deal, a sweeping environmental plan backed by liberal Democrats. ORourke refused donations from outside political groups and shunned pollsters during his Senate campaign. Nonetheless, his nationwide popularity helped him rake in more than $80 million during the Senate bid. Will Weissert and Alexandra Jaffe are Associated Press writers WASHINGTON The Republican-run Senate firmly rejected President Trumps declaration of a national emergency at the southwest border on Thursday, setting up a veto fight and dealing him a conspicuous rebuke as he tested how boldly he could ignore Congress in pursuit of his highest-profile goal. The Senate voted 59-41 to cancel Trumps February proclamation of a border emergency, which he invoked to spend $3.6 billion more for border barriers than Congress had approved. Twelve Republicans joined Democrats in defying Trump in a showdown many GOP senators had hoped to avoid because he commands die-hard loyalty from millions of conservative voters who could punish defecting lawmakers in next years elections. With the Democratic-controlled Houses approval of the same resolution last month, Senate passage sends it to Trump. He has shown no reluctance to casting his first veto to advance his campaign exhortation, Build the Wall, which has prompted roars at countless Trump rallies. Approval votes in both the Senate and House fell short of the two-thirds majorities that would be needed for an override to succeed. VETO! Trump tweeted minutes after the vote. Trump has long been comfortable vetoing the measure because he thinks it will endear him to his political base, said a White House official, commenting anonymously because the official wasnt authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Though Trump seems sure to prevail in that battle, it remains noteworthy that lawmakers of both parties resisted him in a fight directly tied to his cherished campaign theme of erecting a border wall. The roll call came just a day after the Senate took a step toward a veto fight with Trump on another issue, voting to end U.S. support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalitions war in Yemen. In a measure of how remarkable the confrontation was, Thursday was the first time Congress has voted to block a presidential emergency since the National Emergency Act became law in 1976. The dozen Republicans who joined Senate Democrats in supporting the House-passed resolution of disapproval were Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Roy Blunt of Missouri, Susan Collins of Maine, Mike Lee of Utah, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rob Portman of Ohio, Mitt Romney of Utah, Marco Rubio of Florida, Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, and Jerry Moran of Kansas. Alan Fram, Lisa Mascaro and Catherine Lucey are Associated Press writers. Some of the rich people implicated in a sweeping college admissions cheating scandal this week have responded by trying to lie low like Lori Loughlin's daughter, who returned early from a spring break trip aboard the yacht of the USC board's chairman when news of the cheating scandal broke. MORE: What we know about the Bay Area residents implicated in college cheating scam But one Manhattan youth forged a different path, bombastically confronting reporters and defending his parents outside the family's Upper East Side apartment building while smoking "a giant blunt," the New York Post reported this week. Malcolm Abbott is the son of International Dispensing Corp. founder Gregory Abbott described in local media reports variously as a "beverage bigwig" and "soup distributor titan" and his wife Marcia. They live in New York City and Aspen, according to the affidavit. The Abbotts are alleged to have used the services of the fake nonprofit at the center of the scam to help their daughter cheat on the ACT and SAT subject tests. In his remarks to reporters this week, young Malcolm Abbott waved a blunt, promoted his nascent career as a rapper (he raps under the name "Billa") and explained that he did not attend college, but appeared to take a page from the Bernie Sanders platform in declaring, "I believe everyone has a right to go to college, man." "They're blowing this whole thing out of proportion," he reportedly said of the scandal, before handing the reporter a copy of his EP, Cheese and Crackers. "Pull a heist / Wrong or right / I'm getting mad cash every night / Bringing Fifth Ave to the Heights / And I'm white, old money with a new stack / You where the G's at, we where the Jews at," he raps on the track "Jack Boy." The title of the EP appears to be a play on Billa's whiteness (the titular "cracker") and wealth (the "cheese"). Her brother's apparent facility with metaphor notwithstanding, the other Abbott child is alleged to have sought the fake nonprofit's help to boost her scores on the Literature SAT subject test, according to the affidavit. ALSO: How were students in admission scandal able to cheat on SATs so easily? Charging documents allege that the Abbotts paid $50,000 for a proctor to correct the ACT exam for their daughter, who wanted to go to Duke. They then allegedly paid another $75,000 for a proctor to correct two SAT subject tests for her, the Math II exam and the Literature exam. "Good thing that she did this for the ACT," the cooperating witness in the case told her mother in a wiretapped phone call, "'cause her score was not exceptional." NEW YORK Organized crime leaders have long been shrouded in a layer of mystique that has made their deaths a matter of public intrigue and Mafia folklore. But it had been decades since a mafia boss was killed in New York City, until Wednesday. Francesco Cali, the reputed boss of the Gambino crime family, was fatally shot outside his home on Staten Island on Wednesday night. Cali, 53, was shot six times, a police official has said, and there was a report of a blue pickup leaving the scene around the time of shooting. Calis sudden, violent death potentially places him in a long line of mafia leaders who, have been targeted for assassination. Past mob figures have often been shot in moments of vulnerability while eating out or relaxing at the barber. Their killers were rarely brought to justice. In fact, the slayings often led to more violence and, in some cases, the killers ended up being killed themselves. Heres a look at some other high-profile mob hits in New York. Paul Castellano, 1985 Paul Castellano led the Gambino crime family for years, conducting business from a mansion in Todt Hill the same Staten Island neighborhood where Cali was killed Wednesday. In December 1985, Castellano, 70, and an associate stepped out of a limousine outside Sparks Steak House in midtown Manhattan when three men approached. The assassins drew semi-automatic weapons from under their trench coats and opened up a barrage of gunfire at close range, striking Castellano and his associate about six times. Bystanders were sent screaming and diving into doorways. The gunmen fled on foot and jumped into a waiting dark car that sped away. Castellano and the associate fell dead beside the open doors of their black Lincoln limousine. Castellano was face up, his head slouched against the seat of the limousine, his feet sprawled on the pavement. Carmine Galante, 1979 Carmine Galante, who had been described by police as the head of a 200member crime family, was considered to be one of the most powerful organized crime figures in the nation. He had been a target for a year or more because of his supposed aspirations to succeed Carlo Gambino as head of the Gambino crime family the job given to Castellano instead. In July 1979, Galante, 69, was slain in a hail of bullets fired by three skimasked gunmen, apparently on the orders of a rival crime family. He had been dining on the patio of a small Italian restaurant in Brooklyn. Two other men a bodyguard for Galante and the owner of the restaurant also were killed. The owners 17yearold son was seriously wounded in the attack. All three of the slain men were unarmed and caught by surprise when they were shot at pointblank range by the killers, who escaped the scene. A cigar Galante had been puffing was still clenched in his teeth when the police arrived. Joseph Gallo, 1972 In April 1972, Joseph Gallo, a Mafia figure known as Crazy Joe, was assassinated as he celebrated his 43rd birthday at a restaurant in Manhattans Little Italy neighborhood. Almost immediately, some sources said his slaying was a result of the wars between the Colombo and Gallo families. No one was convicted in his death. As the story goes, Gallo and his associates were sitting in the back of the restaurant, drinking soda and eating Italian delicacies, when his assassin strode silently through the door. As gunfire broke out, there were screams and customers hit the floor. Gallo, mortally wounded, staggered out of the front door and collapsed in the street. His killer hopped into a waiting car and escaped into the darkness. No one was convicted in the slaying. Joseph A. Colombo Sr., 1971 In 1971, Joseph A. Colombo Sr., who was believed to be the head of a Brooklyn Mafia family, was shot three times in the head while he stood in Columbus Circle in Manhattan waiting for a rally of the Italian-American Civil Rights League, which he founded. Seconds later, the man who the authorities said shot him, Jerome A. Johnson, was mysteriously shot to death with a stolen weapon. The perplexing case led the police to believe that rivals of Colombo in the Italian underworld community had hired Johnson as an assassin, a police official said at the time, and then ordered the execution of Johnson to silence him. No one was ever charged in Johnsons death, and no one was indicted in Colombos shooting. But some believed that Gallo was involved and that his assassination the next year was retribution for the attack on Colombo. Colombo, 48 at the time, did not die immediately but fell into a coma and was left almost totally paralyzed. The once robust leader, who dressed expensively and was known for seeking the spotlight, spent his remaining years incapacitated at his estate. He died seven years later, in 1978, from a condition stemming from his gunshot wounds. Albert Anastasia, 1957 Albert Anastasia, a feared mob boss who was known as the head of Murder Inc., an execution squad accused of dozens of murders in the early 20th century, had managed to escape death by the electric chair. But death found him in a barbers chair, as he relaxed under a pile of hot towels. Anastasia had been convicted of murder in 1921 and sentenced to death but was freed in a retrial. He was killed Oct. 25, 1957, when two men walked into the barbershop of the Park Sheraton Hotel and drew their guns. The men, wearing scarves to hide their faces, shot Anastasia five times. No arrests were made. But the authorities believed that Carmine J. Persico, a mob boss who died this month in prison, had a strong hand in his and other killings. In a sentencing memorandum about Persico in 1986, federal prosecutors said he had admitted to a relative, I killed Anastasia. This article originally appeared in The New York Times. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Offerpad, a Phoenix, Arizona-based real estate and technology company, closed its Series C financing round. The new equity funding, along with previously undisclosed debt capital from Citi late last year, brings the companys combined equity and debt capital raised to nearly $1 billion since its start just three and a half years ago. The Series C round was led by a new unnamed investor, which adds to funding raised in Q3 2018 from Citi (NYSE: C) in the form of a warehouse facility, the companys third in its nearly four-year history. The deal will allow Offerpad to continue its growth trajectory across the iBuyers current twelve metro areas. The company intends to use the funds to purchase houses, enhance the real estate experience for consumers, and introduce new tools to foster a more efficient working relationship with real estate agents across its markets Founded in 2015 by Co-CEOs Brian Bair and Jerry Coleman, Offerpad provides an innovative way to sell or buy a home via its Instant Access services, home loans, home trade-in, and free local move offerings. Privately-held, the company is headquartered in Arizona, with markets in Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, Phoenix, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, Tampa. and Tucson, with San Antonio opening soon. FinSMEs 14/03/2019 Sekhmet Ventures, a Portola Valley, Calif.-based newly-formed venture capital firm in the beauty and wellness market, has appointed Sara Kaur as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Prior to Sekhmet, Ms. Kaur served as CFO of Finesse Solutions for three years, where she helped Finesse expand its operations and launch critical new ventures in the Asia-Pacific region. She has previously worked in the venture capital industry for Hercules Technology in Palo Alto, California where she was instrumental in achieving first-year compliance efforts for Sarbanes-Oxley. Ms. Kaur has also held positions as Finance Director and International Controller at Kulicke & Soffa Pte., Singapore and Director, SEC Reporting & Compliance at Ameresco Boston. She began her career in the UK at Honeywell as a Regional Controller and then moved to Silicon Valley, where her work experience includes Google, Actel Corporation (acquired by Microsemi) and Varian, Inc. (acquired by Agilent). Led by Barbara Paldus, Founding Partner, Sekhmet Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests worldwide in science-based companies addressing the clean beauty and wellness market. It provides its portfolio companies with capital, support to build a sales infrastructure and expertise in manufacturing and regulatory compliance. FinSMEs 14/03/2019 Summit Partners, a global alternative investment firm, promoted five professionals globally across the firms growth equity, credit and public equity teams. In details: Peter Francis was promoted to Managing Director; Matt Curtis was promoted to Portfolio Manager; Gus Phelps was promoted to Principal; and Chris Bon and Jono Pagden were promoted to Senior Associate. Francis, promoted to Managing Director, joined Summits Boston office as a Senior Associate in 2011, moved to the firms Menlo Park office in 2012, promoted to Vice President in 2015 and has served as a Principal since 2017. Focusing primarily on the healthcare & life sciences sector, Francis board and investment experience includes BluePearl Veterinary Services (acquired by Mars Petcare), Healthline Media, HealthSun (acquired by Anthem) and Solutionreach. Prior to Summit, he worked for Jefferies & Company and UBS Investment Bank on the global healthcare team. Francis holds a BA in economics from Cornell University. Curtis, who was promoted to Portfolio Manager, joined Summits Boston office as a Portfolio Analyst for Summit Partners Public Equity in 2015 and was promoted to Associate Portfolio Manager in 2018. Curtis focuses primarily on the technology, media and telecommunications sectors. Prior to joining Summit, he was a Senior Equity Analyst at Summit Public Equitys predecessor firm, Alydar Capital. Curtis holds an AB from Harvard University and is a CFA Charterholder. Gus Phelps, promoted to Principal, joined Summits Boston office in 2014 as a Vice President with Summit Partners Credit Advisors, and today leads the firms credit origination activities and manages business development for financial sponsors and investment banks. Prior to Summit, Phelps was a founding partner at Seacoast Partners, and worked for Wachovia Securities and Tucker Anthony. He holds a BA from Trinity College and an MBA from Cornell University. Chris Bon, promoted to Senior Associate, joined Summits London office as an Associate in 2016. He is a member of the firms growth products & services team. His investment experience includes Normec, OnRobot and Sipartech. Prior to Summit, Bon worked in M&A advisory at J.P. Morgan in London. He holds a BCom in economics with high honors from the University of Toronto and an MSc in finance with distinction from HEC Paris. Jono Pagden, promoted to Senior Associate, Jono joined Summits London office as an Associate in 2016. Pagden is a member of the firms healthcare & life sciences team. His investment experience includes Advance Medical (acquired by Teladoc) and zahneins. Prior to Summit, Pagden worked on the Retail/Healthcare and U.K. M&A teams at Goldman Sachs. He holds a Bachelor of Business Science, with honors, in accounting and finance from the University of Cape Town. Founded in 1984, Summit Partners is a global alternative investment firm that is currently managing more than $19 billion in capital dedicated to growth equity, fixed income and public equity opportunities. The firm invests across growth sectors of the economy and has invested in more than 475 companies in technology, healthcare and other growth industries. These companies have completed more than 140 public equity offerings, and more than 190 have been acquired through strategic mergers and sales. Summit maintains offices in North America and Europe, and invests in companies around the world. FinSMEs 14/03/2019 Air travelers nervous about flying on a Boeing 737 after two crashes in close succession might take comfort in thinking of airplanes as herd animals: There is some safety in numbers. Every hour of every day, thousands of 737s have the opportunity to prove the old cliche that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. But each time a flaw is found in a 737, there is a corresponding opportunity to correct it in all planes - because a cornerstone of aviation safety is that you don't ever make the same mistake twice. Or hardly ever. In October, a Lion Air jet crashed into the Java Sea off Indonesia, killing all 189 people aboard. And on Sunday, an Ethiopian Airlines jet crashed en route from Ethiopia to Kenya, killing all 157 aboard. Both planes were the Boeing 737 MAX 8 model. Both planes crashed not long after takeoff. A sensor and software problem are believed to have contributed to the Lion Air crash, although a final cause has not been determined. The Ethiopian Airlines crash investigation is in its early stages. Most countries, including the United States, have grounded the MAX 8s in their fleets. The 737 is the most popular airline model in aviation history. So many 737s traverse the skies - Boeing has built more than 10,000 over 50 years, with more than 5,000 still in service - that opportunities to learn are ample. When something goes wrong with one, the news spreads fast. For example, 737s have fuel tanks in the wings. A conduit typically runs through the tank, with an electric cable inside that carries current to a fuel pump. In April 1998, a mechanic found fuel leaking into the conduit of a Continental Airlines 737. Sparks from the electric cable had burned a hole in the conduit. Once you have fuel and a spark, all you need is oxygen to have a catastrophe. In nothing flat, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered inspections - immediately for older planes and promptly for younger ones. Sure enough, other aircraft showed signs of wear on the same conduit. The flaw was corrected. No accident resulted from it. The system isn't perfect. In 1991, a 737 crashed near Colorado Springs. At first, investigators attributed the crash to an extraordinary meteorological phenomenon. But another 737 crashed on approach to Pittsburgh in 1994, and after a lengthy investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board diagnosed a jam in a hydraulic system controlling the rudder. And that was the probable cause of the Colorado Springs crash, too, the board said. The problem was exceedingly rare; at the time it was discovered, the 737 had completed about 77 million flights. It took two crashes (and several close calls) to find it. At this point, "737" is a bit of a catchall, because the plane has evolved over the decades, with a different wing, different engines and, now, different software. In the 1990s, when Boeing introduced new models, it called them "next generation" and renamed the earlier ones "classic." The "next generation" has advanced to become today's MAX series planes. Answers are at hand for the two MAX crashes. Both planes had highly capable digital flight data recorders, as well as cockpit voice recorders. Until the Ethiopian Airlines flight's digital data is read out and interpreted, it won't be clear to what degree the crashes were related. Grounding the planes has a downside, and the case for doing so was by no means crystal clear. It's certainly not as straightforward as it was in 2013 when the FAA grounded the then new Boeing 787 after battery problems appeared in two planes. In 1979, when the FAA grounded DC-10s after several crashes, it turned out that the crash that prompted the action wasn't related to the earlier crashes, or even to the design of the plane. That is most likely why the Federal Aviation Administration did not lead the way in grounding this plane. When the dual investigations determine the circumstances of the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes, the time-tested aviation safety system will work to eliminate the cause. That may turn out to be one flaw, or two. - - - Wald covered transportation safety for the New York Times for 20 years. He writes about technology and safety. The operator of a leading neo-Nazi website claims it's too dangerous for him to travel to the U.S. to be questioned under oath for a lawsuit accusing him of terrorizing a Montana real estate agent by unleashing an anti-Semitic "troll storm" against her family. Attorneys for The Daily Stormer founder Andrew Anglin have asked a federal magistrate judge for an order excusing him from an in-person deposition in the U.S. Anglin's lawyers insist the Ohio native hasn't lived in the U.S. for years and fears for his safety if his whereabouts are disclosed. Tanya Gersh's lawyers from the Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center say Anglin's request is baseless gamesmanship. More for you Neo-Nazi who runs the Daily Stormer has Jewish ancestry, according to his mom "Since the outset of this case, (Anglin) has displayed a pattern of disregard for the authority of this Court and the seriousness of these proceedings," they wrote in a court filing Tuesday. Court records show Anglin dubiously suggested meeting in Cuba or Venezuela for his deposition by Gersh's lawyers. "I have to admit that his suggestions of Caracas or Havana are positions that I am not prepared to vigorously defend," Marc Randazza, one of Anglin's lawyers, wrote in an email to Gersh's attorneys. However, Anglin's lawyers argue the court can order Anglin's deposition to take place abroad or by telephone or video conference. Gersh sued Anglin in Montana in April 2017, claiming anonymous internet trolls bombarded her family with hateful and threatening messages after Anglin published their personal information, including her 12-year-old son's Twitter handle and photo. In a string of posts, Anglin accused Gersh and other Jewish residents of Whitefish, Montana, of engaging in an "extortion racket" against the mother of white nationalist Richard Spencer. Gersh says she had agreed to help Spencer's mother sell commercial property she owns in Whitefish amid talk of a protest outside the building. Sherry Spencer, however, later accused Gersh of threatening and harassing her into agreeing to sell the property. Gersh's attorneys say they recently deposed Richard Spencer "without incident, and without publicizing either the fact of the deposition or its location or timing." Anglin's attorneys claim Spencer's deposition is a "blatant attempt to use that information to bring unrelated claims against him in Montana." The mystery about Anglin's current whereabouts has been a significant issue in the case. His lawyers say he hasn't been to the U.S. since 2013 and has no intention of returning. Anglin has refused to publicly reveal where he is living, claiming he gets "credible" death threats. He has said he took up residency in the Philippines sometime before 2010, moved to Greece in 2013 and then moved to Cambodia four days before Gersh sued him last year. But U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah Lynch concluded there's sufficient evidence that Anglin was legally "domiciled" in Ohio when Gersh sued him. Anglin's lawyers had argued the court lacks jurisdiction over the case and therefore must dismiss it because they claim Anglin is "not a citizen of any state." Gersh's suit accuses Anglin of invading her privacy, intentionally inflicting "emotional distress" and violating a Montana anti-intimidation law. Anglin's site takes its name from Der Sturmer, a newspaper that published Nazi propaganda in Nazi-era Germany, and includes sections called "Jewish Problem" and "Race War." Eight newborn puppies were recently found in a garbage bag in a trash can. Police said it happened last month in Wisconsin. Authorities said they were called for a complaint of the sound of kittens coming from a garbage can. When officers arrived, they found the puppies and took them to the Marshfield Area Pet Shelter. A 56-year-old man was arrested, and police have recommended he be charged with mistreatment of animals and abandonment of animals. Police said the puppies are doing well and may be up for adoption in the coming months. This report originated from WISN-TV. WASHINGTON - The Senate voted Wednesday to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen, its latest rebuke of the Trump administration's continued embrace of the Saudi regime despite growing frustration among lawmakers with its actions on the world stage. The vote marks the second time in recent months that the Senate has rejected the United States' continued participation in the Saudi-led bombing campaign against Yemen's Houthi rebels, waged in the name of holding back Iranian expansion in the Gulf. But the Saudi-led effort, which has at times targeted civilian facilities and prevented aid shipments from getting to Yemenis in need, has been faulted by human rights organizations for exacerbating what the United Nations has deemed the world's worst humanitarian catastrophe. "We should not be associated with a bombing campaign that the UN tells us is likely a gross violation of human rights," Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said on the Senate floor Wednesday. For supporters, the resolution is not just about taking a moral stand on human rights, but also about asserting Congress' fundamental constitutional privilege to declare war. "Today we begin the process of reclaiming our constitutional authority by ending U.S. involvement in a war that has not been authorized by Congress and is clearly unconstitutional," Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., the chief sponsor of the resolution, said on the Senate floor Wednesday. Sanders teamed up with Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, on the legislation, which seeks to invoke the War Powers Resolution to curtail American participation in the Yemen war. If successful, it would mark the first time that Congress has successfully invoked the war powers resolution to end U.S. engagement in a conflict. But opponents of the resolution warned Wednesday that it is "fundamentally flawed," and will compromise efforts to encourage a peaceful, negotiated settlement to the Yemen conflict by making the U.S. position appear fractured. "It is going to send a message to people that they don't need to negotiate right now, that they are actually making gains," Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, said on the Senate floor Wednesday just before the vote. "I would urge my colleagues to vote against this at this time and give peace a change through the negotiations." Supporters, however, argued that "if we pass this resolution, peace becomes more likely," as Murphy put it Wednesday, arguing that when the Senate cast a similar vote last year, it seemingly helped push the parties in the Yemen war toward declaring a cease fire. The resolution must still be taken up in the House, where members passed a nearly identical resolution to end U.S. participation in the Yemen war earlier this year. It is unlikely, however, that either chamber will have the votes necessary to resuscitate the measure if President Donald Trump vetoes it. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) About 100,000 people from Honduras and Nepal have been granted the right to retain temporary protected status and remain in the United States for the time being under an agreement filed in federal court in San Francisco Tuesday. The administration of President Donald Trump is seeking to end the temporary protected status for people from those countries and four others - El Salvador, Nicaragua, Haiti and Sudan. The status is granted to people whose countries are undergoing upheavals from natural disasters or civil war. The Trump administration has said conditions in those countries are improving. In October, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen of San Francisco issued a preliminary injunction allowing more than 300,000 people from the four other countries to remain in the United States while they challenge the termination. The U.S. Justice Department is now appealing that ruling to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Representatives of Honduran and Nepali residents filed a similar lawsuit against the U.S. government in February. In an agreement signed by Chen on Tuesday, lawyers for both sides agreed to stay proceedings in the new lawsuit and allow the residents to remain in the United States until the appeal in the first case is resolved. The groups represented in the second case include about 86,000 Hondurans and 15,000 Nepalis, according to the lawsuit. Keshav Bhattarai, a lawsuit plaintiff from Nepal who lives in Sunnyvale, said the agreement "gives us all some breathing room to call on Congress to give us what we really need: permanent protection for TPS holders." Chen said in his preliminary injunction order that the plaintiffs in the first lawsuit had raised serious questions about whether the decision to terminate the protection was motivated by unconstitutional bias against non-white, non-European immigrants. 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 Oakland Police Department said on Thursday that four officers who fatally shot a homeless man with mental health issues a year ago have been placed on administrative leave. However, the department didn't explain why it took that action against Sgt. Francisco Negrete and Officers William Berger, Brandon Hraiz and Craig Tanaka, saying, "At this time the department will not be discussing any additional details." Michael Rains, an attorney for the union that represents Oakland police officers, couldn't immediately be reached for comment on the matter. The department's action comes a week after it released documents showing that its federal monitor, Robert Warshaw, criticized police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick's decision to only impose light discipline against the officers for firing 12 shots at 32-year-old Joshua Pawlik in the 900 block of 40th Street at about 7 p.m. on March 11, 2018. Warshaw also said he believes the officers overreacted to slight movements by Pawlik. Oakland police said a large number of officers were dispatched after they received reports of an armed, unconscious man lying between two houses. Police said Negrete, Berger, Hraiz and Tanaka shot Pawlik because he ignored repeated commands to take his hand off the gun and when he began to move he posed an immediate threat with the risk of death or serious bodily harm. But Warshaw said in his Feb. 19 report made public last week that Pawlik's movements, as seen on a video of the incident, "do not coincide with the movements to which the officers claim they reacted." Warshaw wrote, "Mr. Pawlik roused to consciousness, and the video shows his actions to be consistent with someone who was waking up and attempting to orient himself. He was moving minimally." Warshaw said, "He was a live human being -- and any reasonable officer should not have expected him to remain perfectly still." Warshaw wrote, "Mr. Pawlik's slight movements did not constitute intent and a reasonable officer should not have concluded such." The monitor also said the investigations by the Oakland Police Department's internal affairs unit and its use-of-force review board were "deficient" and Kirkpatrick's summary of the shooting was "deficient and myopic." Warshaw's concerns about the way Kirkpatrick and her department investigated the shooting prompted him to ask U.S. District Court Judge William Orrick, who is overseeing court-mandated reforms to the Oakland Police Department, to appoint an outside investigator to look into the shooting. Orrick granted Warshaw's request and two weeks ago he appointed San Francisco criminal defense lawyer Edward Swanson, who has investigated two other Oakland police controversies, to investigate the shooting. Oakland civil rights attorney John Burris filed a wrongful death on behalf of Pawlik's mother Kelly Pawlik last month, alleging that officers had no justification for shooting Joshua Pawlik multiple times because he didn't point a gun at them or threaten them in any way. Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley issued a report last week saying that an investigation by her office concluded that "the evidence does not support criminal charges being filed" against the four officers who shot Pawlik. 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. Santa Clara County on Wednesday pushed back on local officials who claimed the county's policies allowed an undocumented murder suspect to be repeatedly released from jail without any call to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement despite an active detainer request by ICE. Carlos Eduardo Arevalo Carranza, 24, is suspected of killing 59-year-old San Jose woman Bambi Larson in her home last Thursday. He was an undocumented immigrant and admitted gang member who had been arrested numerous times, San Jose police announced Tuesday. Police responded to the 900 block of Knollfield Way on Thursday afternoon after Larson's coworkers reported her missing to her son, and found her dead with at least one stab wound. The case was initially ruled as a "suspicious death" by police. The Santa Clara County medical examiner's office later determined she died of blunt force injuries to the throat and neck. On Monday, police announced they had arrested Arevalo Carranza, who is believed to be homeless, and booked him into Santa Clara County jail on suspicion of murder. The case brought forth outcry from Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia, who said the county's refusal to honor detainer requests and notifications allowed Arevalo Carranza to be released from county jail without notifying federal authorities. During a news conference Wednesday, Santa Clara County Counsel James Williams said the county is acting on state law, which has deemed it a violation of due process to detain inmates in jail for an extended time due to an ICE request. He said there may be room for deputies to notify ICE of an inmate who has been placed under a detainer request, instead of keeping them in jail until federal agents arrive, but the county does not currently allow law enforcement to provide information to federal authorities. Though Liccardo, Garcia and Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen have pointed to notifications as a legal and "common-sense" approach to handle suspects like Arevalo Carranza, Williams drew attention away from the county's culpability and pointed to ICE's failings. "The one agency that doesn't seem to want to use warrants is ICE," Williams said, describing ICE as wanting to circumvent the judicial review process. He did not say whether the county will be pushed to change its policy on notifying federal authorities in the aftermath of Larson's death. Police first made contact with Arevalo Carranza Monday at Foxworthy and Pearl avenues to arrest him for alleged methamphetamine possession. He was then cited and released. Meanwhile, an ongoing investigation returned DNA evidence from multiple locations around Larson's home, including a "bloody trail" of footprints left behind by the suspect, Garcia said. Arevalo Carranza's DNA taken during the initial arrest matched the samples, and police once again located and arrested him on suspicion of murder. On the day Larson was killed in her home, surveillance footage showed Arevalo Carranza "stalking" the area and later on leaving the residence after the killing, Garcia said. Police have not yet been able to find a connection between Larson and the suspect. An ongoing investigation revealed Arevalo Carranza had allegedly been detained by Homeland Security Investigations in McAllen, Texas in 2013 and deported, but he returned to the United States and was arrested numerous times on suspicion of offenses including burglary, battery, false imprisonment, possession of methamphetamine and prowling. Arevalo Carranza was arrested and released in Los Angeles and Santa Clara counties six times, and was most recently arrested on suspicion of possessing methamphetamine and paraphernalia in January. President Donald Trump has drawn attention to a handful of high-profile slayings by undocumented immigrants to vehemently criticize sanctuary city policies, but Garcia was quick to point out Tuesday that Larson's murder by a stranger was a rare occurrence and San Jose police will not take actions that cause immigrants to fear police. He said, however, that her murder demands police and the county have a conversation over its refusal to honor ICE detainer requests for violent criminals. San Jose police do not request immigration status when making an arrest or report or arrest undocumented immigrants living in the city, but Garcia said ignoring detainers and releasing inmates from custody who have committed serious crimes undermines the city's safety. "This isn't about politics, this is about public safety," Garcia said, adding that documented and undocumented immigrants should have no reason to fear police in the city. "He could have been turned over six times." San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo called Larson's death a "devastating tragedy" and doubled down on Garcia's statements, calling for a change in the county's policy that would benefit all residents, especially immigrants who are most often targeted by felons who should be deported. Sheriff Laurie Smith released a statement following the news conference siding with the city's position. "This is a senseless act, and very well may have been preventable," Smith said. "Carlos Arevalo-Carranza is a violent predator who should have remained in custody until officials with ICE had the appropriate time to evaluate his immigration status." She said she has long stood by a system of honoring ICE holds, and would advocate to change this county policy. "We will go to the end of the Earth to catch a predator like this," Garcia said, emphasizing that at the heart of the issue is a mother and coworker who was senselessly killed. Larson attended San Jose State University and the University of California at Santa Cruz, and was a manager at medical testing company Roche Sequencing Solutions in San Jose. "We are saddened by the sudden passing of our colleague and friend," company officials said in a statement last week. "Given the nature of the ongoing investigation, we cannot comment further, out of respect for the family as well." District 9 Councilwoman Pam Foley, whose district includes the neighborhood where Larson was killed, said she was "deeply saddened" by Larson's death. She also commented on a murder-suicide involving a mother and her two children last Wednesday. "I extend my sincerest sympathies to each family," Foley said in a statement. 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. Santa Clara County residents who filed a class action lawsuit against the county's jails will speak during public comment in San Francisco federal court on Thursday as the case comes to a close. Cesar vs. County of Santa Clara was filed by the Prison Law Office in 2016 on behalf of Prisoners United, a collective of prisoners who have since staged several hunger strikes in an effort to end indefinite solitary confinement, reduce the cost of jail calls and reduce the price of commissary, among other demands. The county reached a $1.6 million settlement in the case in October, and agreed to a Remedial Plan that includes reduced wait times for inmates with health concerns, revised screening and prevention for those at risk of suicide and an improved intake and booking process to better understand inmates' medical needs. The lawsuit was filed shortly after the death of mentally ill inmate Michael Tyree in 2015. Three jail guards were convicted in 2017 of beating Tyree to death. On Thursday, individuals who filed the lawsuit will commend the Remedial Plan, but ask that the county continue to push for improvements in its jail system -- such as the complete removal of solitary confinement. They will also share statements from detainees in Prisoners United. The hearing will begin at 1 p.m. in the Phillip Burton Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse at 450 Golden Gate Ave. in San Francisco. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN RAFAEL (BCN) San Rafael police said a person was stabbed during an attempted robbery Tuesday night. Police responded to a request for a welfare check around 8:45 p.m. in the 400 block of Bahia Way, Lt. Dan Fink said. Officers found a male victim with multiple stab wounds. Medics treated the victim and transported him to a hospital. The victim told police he was walking when a male suspect grabbed a piece of his jewelry, and he was stabbed when he resisted, Fink said. The stabbing suspect and another person fled the area together, police said. The stabbing suspect is a Hispanic man in his mid-20s, 5 feet 6 inches tall with a medium to heavy build. He was wearing a white short sleeve shirt and light-colored jeans. The other suspect was a man in his mid-20s, 5 feet 5 inches tall and about 180 pounds. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. Anyone with information is asked to call San Rafael police at (415) 485-3000 or send information to http://www.srpd.org/tips. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) A pedestrian succumbed to her injuries from a collision with a vehicle last week in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood, officials with Walk San Francisco posted on social media Wednesday afternoon. Janice Higashi, 58, was struck by a vehicle on the morning of March 5 in the area of Golden Gate Avenue and Leavenworth Street. She died Sunday, according to Walk San Francisco. Higashi was crossing the street when a vehicle traveling on Leavenworth struck her. She was taken to a hospital. The 36-year-old man driving the vehicle that struck Higashi was not arrested, according to police. A representative of the San Francisco medical examiner's office wasn't immediately available Wednesday night to confirm Higashi's death. Copyright 2019 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. A series of rare short films on black culture will be screened Thursday evening in Berkeley, according to officials with the University of California at Berkeley Art Museum & Pacifica Film Archive. The screening of "Black Interiors: Intimacy" begins at 7 p.m. at the museum at 2155 Center St. Oakland-based curatorial collective The Black Aesthetic curated the films from the museum's archives, spokesman A.J. Fox said. Three members of The Black Aesthetic will be on hand Thursday to introduce the program and talk about African-American filmmaking in the Bay Area. One theft suspect is dead and another is at a hospital after sheriff's deputies shot the two late Wednesday afternoon outside a store in unincorporated Alameda County, a sheriff's spokesman said. Deputies responded at 4:40 p.m. to Thrift Town, a thrift store at 16160 E. 14th St. after someone reported a theft in progress, sheriff's spokesman Sgt. J.D. Nelson said. Deputies contacted the suspects in a car and everything seemed to be going well when the driver put the vehicle in reverse at a high rate of speed toward the deputies. Nelson said three deputies opened fire, killing a male suspect and injuring a female suspect, who was taken to Eden Medical Center. Only two people were in the car. At least one person is dead following a head-on collision Wednesday evening in unincorporated Monterey County, according to preliminary information from the California Highway Patrol. The collision was reported at about 6:40 p.m. near the intersection of state Highway 1 and state Highway 183 just outside the community of Castroville. A pedestrian succumbed to her injuries from a collision with a vehicle last week in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood, officials with Walk San Francisco posted on social media Wednesday afternoon. Janice Higashi, 58, was struck by a vehicle on the morning of March 5 in the area of Golden Gate Avenue and Leavenworth Street. She died Sunday, according to Walk San Francisco. Higashi was crossing the street when a vehicle traveling on Leavenworth struck her. She was taken to a hospital. The 36-year-old man driving the vehicle that struck Higashi was not arrested, according to police. A Vallejo man was convicted of first-degree murder on Wednesday for his role in the 2015 fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy who Oakland City Councilwoman Lynette Gibson McElhaney considered to be her grandson. Jurors deliberated for less than two full days before finding Shiheim Johnson, who was 19 at the time and is now 22, guilty in connection with the shooting death of Torian Hughes in the 900 block of Mandela Parkway in West Oakland at about 1:40 p.m. on Dec. 20, 2015. After the verdict, which was read in a courtroom guarded by six bailiffs, Hughes' mother Audrey CandyCorn, who was raised by Gibson McElhaney, said, "My son is dead, the trigger was pulled and somebody has to pay the price." But CandyCorn said, "There is no real justice" because her son is still dead and Johnson will now have to serve a lengthy state prison sentence. CandyCorn also said, "I'm grieving" because Gibson McElhaney's 21-year-old son Victor McElhaney, who she considered to be her brother, was fatally shot in Los Angeles in what police said was a botched robbery. Santa Clara County on Wednesday pushed back on local officials who claimed the county's policies allowed an undocumented murder suspect to be repeatedly released from jail without any call to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement despite an active detainer request by ICE. Carlos Eduardo Arevalo Carranza, 24, is suspected of killing 59-year-old San Jose woman Bambi Larson in her home last Thursday. He was an undocumented immigrant and admitted gang member who had been arrested numerous times, San Jose police announced Tuesday. Police responded to the 900 block of Knollfield Way on Thursday afternoon after Larson's coworkers reported her missing to her son, and found her dead with at least one stab wound. The case was initially ruled as a "suspicious death" by police. The Santa Clara County medical examiner's office later determined she died of blunt force injuries to the throat and neck. On Monday, police announced they had arrested Arevalo Carranza, who is believed to be homeless, and booked him into Santa Clara County jail on suspicion of murder. About 100,000 people from Honduras and Nepal have been granted the right to retain temporary protected status and remain in the United States for the time being under an agreement filed in federal court in San Francisco Tuesday. The administration of President Donald Trump is seeking to end the temporary protected status for people from those countries and four others - El Salvador, Nicaragua, Haiti and Sudan. The status is granted to people whose countries are undergoing upheavals from natural disasters or civil war. The Trump administration has said conditions in those countries are improving. In October, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen of San Francisco issued a preliminary injunction allowing more than 300,000 people from the four other countries to remain in the United States while they challenge the termination. The U.S. Justice Department is now appealing that ruling to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Representatives of Honduran and Nepali residents filed a similar lawsuit against the U.S. government in February. In an agreement signed by Chen on Tuesday, lawyers for both sides agreed to stay proceedings in the new lawsuit and allow the residents to remain in the United States until the appeal in the first case is resolved. Plans to build a new library in Pleasant Hill turned controversial Tuesday morning during a meeting of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. The new library will feature a collection of 70,000 items as well as a maker space, a cafe and a used bookstore when it's completed in 2021, according to documents posted on the library website, but area residents are displeased that the existing library is scheduled for closure this summer. "We need the old library to remain open because it's especially important," Dick Offerman said during public comment. "The library has been a safe after-school spot for generations." Offerman said of the decision, "It has been a well kept secret. In fact it's only come to light in the last few weeks." Offerman was not the only member of the public to comment on the library's closure Tuesday morning, but when public comment had concluded Supervisor Karen Mitchoff took a moment to respond. Thursday will be sunny in the morning, then becoming partly cloudy. Highs will be in the upper 50s. Northeast winds will be 5 to 10 mph, before becoming northwest winds at 5 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Thursday night will be mostly cloudy in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. Lows will be in the upper 40s. West winds will be 10 to 20 mph, before becoming northeast winds around 5 mph after midnight. Friday will be partly cloudy in the morning, then becoming sunny. Highs will be in the lower 60s. East winds will be 5 to 10 mph, before becoming north winds at 5 to 15 mph in the afternoon. 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. One theft suspect is dead and another is at a hospital after sheriff's deputies shot the two late Wednesday afternoon outside a store in unincorporated Alameda County, a sheriff's spokesman said. Deputies responded at 4:40 p.m. to Thrift Town, a thrift store at 16160 E. 14th St. after someone reported a theft in progress, sheriff's spokesman Sgt. J.D. Nelson said. Deputies contacted the suspects in a car, and the driver put the vehicle in reverse at a high rate of speed toward the deputies. Nelson said three deputies opened fire, killing a male suspect and injuring a female suspect, who was taken to Eden Medical Center. Only two people were in the car. None of the deputies were injured. A dog in the suspects' car escaped injury, Nelson said. LONDON A former British soldier will be charged in the slayings of two civil rights protesters 47 years ago on Bloody Sunday, one of the deadliest days of the decades-long conflict in Northern Ireland. The ex-paratrooper, identified as Soldier F, will face prosecution for the killings of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick ODonnell on Jan. 30, 1972, in Londonderry, the Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland said Thursday. Prosecutors said there wasnt enough evidence to charge 16 other former soldiers and two alleged members of the Official Irish Republican Army who were investigated for their roles in the shootings, which killed 13 people and injured 15 others. The charges announced Thursday come more than two years after police referred their findings to prosecutors and almost nine years after the conclusion of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, which was tasked with determining what happened, not bringing criminal charges. The Bloody Sunday Inquiry found that the British soldiers had opened fire without justification at unarmed, fleeing civilians and then lied about it for decades. Those findings refuted an initial investigation that took place soon after the slayings, which branded the demonstrators as IRA bombers and gunmen. I wish to clearly state that where a decision has been reached not to prosecute, that this in no way diminishes any finding by the Bloody Sunday Inquiry that those killed or injured were not posing a threat to any of the soldiers, Stephen Herron, director of public prosecutions for Northern Ireland, said as he announced the charges. Bloody Sunday has come to symbolize the long-running conflict between mainly Roman Catholic supporters of a united Ireland and predominantly Protestant forces that want to remain part of the United Kingdom. Tensions have eased since the 1998 Good Friday peace accord, which created a system for Republican and Unionist parties to share power in Northern Ireland. Family members have spent years campaigning for justice for the Bloody Sunday victims, while many supporters of the British military argued that the soldiers shouldnt be prosecuted for making split-second decisions decades after the event. Danica Kirka is an Associated Press writer. BAGHOUZ, Syria U.S.-backed Syrian fighters said Thursday a large number of Islamic State militants and their families are surrendering a day after intense fighting in the last speck of land the extremists still hold in eastern Syria. At the edge of Baghouz, the village where the militants are still holed up, men, women and children climbed a road that winds along a cliff overlooking what remains of a tent encampment, heading out. Members of the Syrian Democratic Forces said they searched the evacuees as they reached the front lines. Many of the people carried rolls of blankets and clothes but cast them aside as they made their way up the hill. Women carried babies as children slowly made their way up the rocky terrain. Most of the men appeared to be wounded, with many limping or walking with crutches, and they carried little aside from water bottles. Women were weighted down with duffel and plastic bags, and children holding onto their arms or to the black robes they wore. The sound of sporadic gunfire echoed off the cliff and U.S.-led coalition planes flew overhead. SDF spokesman Mustafa Bali said after an intensive offensive Wednesday from multiple fronts, a large number of Islamic State militants and their families started to surrender early Thursday. The United Nations said in a Wednesday report that some 7,000 new evacuees are expected to arrive at an already overpopulated displaced peoples camp to the north over the next few days. The SDF forces said the militants took advantage of dusty and windy conditions a day earlier to launch multiple counterattacks. The U.S.-backed forces fought back, repelling the offensive and apparently triggering the latest evacuation. A day after heavy bombing and clashes, it was quiet Thursday. By early afternoon, it began drizzling. The battle to retake Baghouz and surrounding villages began in September, but has been paused on a number of occasions to allow civilians out. Some fighters have surrendered in recent weeks, but hard-core militants, including many foreigners, are still holed up in the shrinking space along the eastern banks of the Euphrates River. Since early February, more than 10,000 civilians were evacuated from the Islamic State-held pocket, most of them family members of fighters. The capture of Baghouz would be a milestone in the devastating four-year campaign to dismantle the extremist groups self-declared caliphate, which once covered a vast territory straddling both Syria and Iraq. The civilians evacuated from the area have been sent to al-Hol, a camp for the displaced. The U.N. Population Fund said Wednesday that more than 53,000 have arrived at the camp since December. Philip Issa is an Associated Press writer. SHAH ALAM, Malaysia Malaysian prosecutors Thursday refused to dismiss the case against a Vietnamese woman accused of assassinating the half-brother of North Koreas leader, Kim Jong Un, just days after her co-defendant was set free with charges dropped. The Vietnamese woman, Doan Thi Huong, 30, is now the only person facing trial in the killing of Kims brother, Kim Jong Nam, in February 2017 as he prepared to catch a flight from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Both defendants were accused of killing Kim Jong Nam by smearing VX nerve agent on his face in the crowded terminal. But they said they thought they were participating in a prank for a reality show and had no intention of killing Kim. Their lawyers said they were made scapegoats by North Korean agents who, working on Kim Jong Uns behalf, recruited them and then fled the country. On Monday, prosecutors dropped the case against Doans Indonesian co-defendant, Siti Aisyah, 27, after intensive lobbying by the Indonesian government, including a personal appeal from President Joko Widodo to Malaysias prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad. Doans lawyer, Hisyam Teh, said Thursday he was disappointed the two women had not received equal treatment. It does not speak well of our criminal justice system, he said after a hearing in the case. Prosecutors did not explain in court why the cases of the women had been treated differently, and they could not be reached for comment after the hearing. Malaysias attorney general, Tommy Thomas, who was personally involved in the decision to drop the murder charge against Siti, also could not be reached for comment. Sharon Tan and Richard C. Paddock are New York Times writers. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. This includes cookies from third party social media websites and ad networks. Such third party cookies may track your use on Sharedots sites for better rendering. Our partners use cookies to ensure we show you advertising that is relevant to you. If you continue without changing your settings, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on Sharedots website. However, you can change your cookie settings at any time. Learn more This is the sneaky moment the opportunistic thief snatched a shop assistant's iPhone XR as they talked with a customer. Nonthanan Khanthamthip, 23, put his own brand new smartphone on the counter while showing handsets to a male shopper at the department store in Bangkok, Thailand. CCTV footage from last Thursday (March 7) shows how the thief wearing a grey t-shirt was walking towards the booth when he noticed the expensive iPhone XR on the display counter. The thief, who pretended to be browsing, quickly grabbed the iPhone and after a few furtive glances, walked away inconspicuously while the stall owner was still busy talking. Nonthanan tried to run after the burglar and told the mall security guards about the incident after realised his phone was stolen, but the thief already slipped away. The iPhone owner then reported the police officers and showed the footage of the occurrence, wishing the guy to be arrested. Speaking in the video, Khanthamthip said: I was showing one phone to the customer while I was holding my own and it was getting difficult, so I placed my phone on the glass. Thats when the guy appeared, but I didnt see him. It was very busy because I had to take care of the stall on my own because the rest of the staff were on a break. Shocking footage from northern Thailand this morning shows a thick blanket of smog as the region was ranked the worst in the world for air pollution for a fourth consecutive day. The debilitating toxic smog in backpacker's favourite Chiang Mai saw harmful PM2.5 particle levels rise to 265 micrograms per cubic meter - past Bangladesh, Beijing, Mongolia and India. Killer air pollution has been caused by farmers burning off their waste crops combined with unseasonably humid, dry weather with little wind. The levels prompted Chiang Mai University to cancel classes for Wednesday and Thursday, while regional carrier Bangkok Airways to suspend some flights to the city. Military officials that run the country's government said they were ''monitoring'' the situation and urged locals not to burn rubbish and farmers not to burn their crops. Pralong Damrongthai, director-general of the Pollution Control Department said: ''Prime Minister Prayut will take a field trip to Chiang Rai with the purpose of following up on measures to deal with the haze in the North.'' Last month, Bangkok was worst hit but the smog appears to have spread north across the country. The air quality index at noon today (March 14) was logged at approximately 270. Such a level is considered harmful to health and medics and academics have made repeated warnings that it could lead to deadly illnesses. Residents and their pets have previously been seen coughing up blood. The World Health Organisation caps the acceptable level of PM2.5 particles in the air at 50 micrograms per cubic metre. Page Content With the current European labor market as tight as it is, recruiters may need to look beyond their national borders to find candidates for hard-to-fill jobs. But recruiters should know that, from country to country, there are major differences in workers' willingness to relocate and in how workers like to be approached about job openings. Reluctance to Relocate Abroad It's important to determine if candidates are willing to relocate. For most candidates, quitting their current job and moving with their families to a different country would be a major step. Almost half (48 percent) of Europeans are willing to work only in the country of their birth, 40 percent would like to work abroad but are unwilling to move, and only a small proportion (12 percent) is open to living and working abroad. Ireland is a conspicuous outlier: 21 percent of the Irish workforce is willing to emigrate for work. Significant percentages of the English, Croats and Swiss are also willing to do so. But these figures are still far too low to fill the talent gap, according to the Global Talent Acquisition Monitor (GTAM) of Intelligence Group. [SHRM members-only toolkit: Introduction to the Global Human Resources Discipline] E-Mail Is More Popular than Social Media In two-thirds of European countries, the majority of workers indicate that they are willing to have recruiters approach them, but there are differences in how they wish to be approached or how they scout for jobs. For example, most candidates learn about openings through job boards that lead them to research companies and openings on the Web. Reggie Ebbe, a technical recruiter at Coolblue, headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands, primarily posts vacancies on websites catering to regional audiences: "Of course, I have to figure out whether people use alternative platforms in different countries, such as Xing in Germany." Xing is a popular social networking site for finding jobs in Europe. The majority of candidates (71 percent) who wish to be approached would prefer to get an e-mail. This is followed by contact by phone (28 percent), personal contact (26 percent) and contact via social media (18 percent). Personal contact is especially popular in Greece, and candidates in Lithuania like being approached via chat and text messaging. In the Netherlands, Hungary and Ukraine, a quarter of candidates want to be approached through social media, although this share is much lower in other European countries. Social media nevertheless is a popular tool among recruiters. "I approach people on all social media channels I can think of," Ebbe explained. "I mainly base my decisions on how active people are on a particular platform. If I discover someone's LinkedIn profile and see they aren't that active, I try to look up said person on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to see if he or she is active there instead. I also use e-mail, but only if I can't find any other information." Young People Are Approached Most Often Recruiters tend to approach people under the age of 24 more frequently than people 50 or older. Young adults often work for lower wages than older ones and typically are more visibleand easier to findonline. Moreover, they may be more willing to switch jobs in a tight labor market. Meanwhile, over 73 percent of people 50 or older aren't approached by recruiters, according to the GTAM. Jannike Huisman is with Intelligence Group, a Rotterdam, Netherlands-based international data and technology company in the field of labor market and recruitment data. The firm focuses on collecting, storing and enriching labor-market-related data for the purpose of improving the recruitment of employees and increasing international mobility. Sources said that the Council does not want that its decisions are seen as clashing with the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) that came into force post the announcement of the dates of the Lok Sabha election last Sunday. New Delhi: The GST Council will not announce any "beneficial decisions" like rate cuts or extensions of time period for any schemes or compliance to GST rules at its meeting scheduled on March 19. With this, the Council has also received permission from the Election Commission to hold its next meeting - the 34th - on the scheduled date. "The Council will desist from announcing any beneficial decisions including rate cuts and extension of time period for any compliance of rules of GST till elections are over to abide with the Model Code of Conduct. "We have received Election Commission of India's approval to hold the March 19th meeting on discussion and announcement of various issues including implementation of lower GST rates for the real estate sector as the decisions were already announced in the last meeting when the MCC was not in place," sources said. At its 33rd meeting, the Council had slashed tax rates for under-construction flats to 5 per cent and affordable homes to 1 per cent, effective April 1. As far as further lowering of rates are concerned under GST with an eye on on polls, after the Council's 31st meeting in December where it was announced that rates were being rationalised on a number of products and services, there are only 28 items left now in top 28 per cent tax bracket. Among the items consumed/used by the common man, only cement continues to remain, along with luxury and 'sin' goods, in the top bracket. This major tax rationalisation, ahead of the 2019 general elections, had come after Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to bring 99 per cent of the goods under the 18 per cent or lower GST slab. But all the rate cuts have had their impact on GST collections, which in February dropped to Rs 97,247 crore from Rs 1.02 lakh crore in the previous month. The government has lowered the GST collection target for the current fiscal to Rs 11.47 lakh crore in the Revised Estimates, from Rs 13.71 lakh crore budgeted initially. Indirectly quoting films like Ayushmann's Dum Laga Ke Haisha and Akshay's Toilet: Ek Prem Katha , Modi had on Tuesday tweeted: "Dear Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar and Ayushmann Khurrana, The power of a vote is immense and we all need to improve awareness on its importance. Thoda 'Dum Lagaiye' aur voting ko 'Ek Superhit Katha' banaiye." Bollywood actors such as Ranveer Singh, Karan Johar, Akshay Kumar and Ayushmann Khurrana, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's behest, have urged people to cast their vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha Election 2019. Akshay replied, saying: "True hallmark of a democracy lies in people's participation in the electoral process. Voting has to be a superhit prem katha between our nation and its voters." Ayushmann wrote: "Honourable PM Narendra Modiji, as aware citizens and opinion leaders it is the duty of every public figure to spread this awareness. We need to vote in maximum numbers and restore faith in the world's largest democracy. Jai Hind." On behalf of the film fraternity, filmmaker Karan Johar said: "We are dedicated to the cause of creating high voter awareness and will make sure every endeavour is made to communicate the power of voting for a solid and democratic India! Jai Hind!" Actor Ranveer Singh said: "We must all be responsible young citizens of our great democracy and exercise our right to vote. Desh ke naujawaan..Vote karneka waqt aa gaya hai (The youth of the nation, it's time to vote)." Actor Vicky Kaushal said: "Absolutely sir. Every vote is a building block for democracy. Let us celebrate the world's largest democracy by making sure that each one of us goes out and votes." Earlier this week, actor Rajkummar Rao had also tweeted a video in which he said that people can change the shape of the future by choosing the right people by voting. "Voting gives us the power to choose who is going to run the country. There is no point complaining because it is us who have chosen them. Voting day is the only day when we are the most powerful. We can change the shape of our future by choosing the right people," he added. The Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be held in seven phases from April 11 to May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- In a brazen murder that harkened back to some of Staten Islands most notorious mob incidents, reputed Gambino leader Francesco Cali, 53, was gunned down Wednesday night in front of his home on Hilltop Terrace. The killers remain at large and the NYPD was unable to provide a description of the suspects or a motive as of Thursday morning. Witnesses saw a blue pickup truck speeding away from the scene, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation. Click here for the latest on the murder. Here is what is known about Cali at this time: MOBSTER KILLED: Reputed Gambino crime boss executed outside his Staten Island home Posted by Staten Island Advance on Thursday, March 14, 2019 BACKGROUND Francesco Paulo Augusto Cali, also known as Franky Boy, was born in Brooklyn in March 1965. He married into the Inzerillo family of Palermo and cultivated close ties with members of the Siderno cartel in Italy, according to Advance archives. In January 1997, an FBI agent reportedly notified Italian police of Calis distinctive standing as a member of crime families on both sides of the ocean after he was combined into the Gambino family. Two years later, reputed Gambino soldier Frank Fappiano of Tottenville was nabbed by the feds and gave up Calis name as a wiseguy, an Italian media outlet reported at the time. Later, another Gambino Islander, Michael (Mikey Scars) DiLeonardo, formerly of Eltingville, ratted out Cali to the feds, according to archives. CRIMINAL RECORD Cali was charged in a massive 80-count racketeering indictment involving 62 alleged mob bosses, underlings and associates of the Gambino, Bonanno and Genovese crime families. Cali pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court in the 2008 to extortion conspiracy, stemming from his part in a scheme to get money from a trucker working at the former proposed NASCAR site in Bloomfield. He served more than a year in federal prison. RISE TO POWER Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn had referred to Cali as the Gambino underboss in court filings in recent years, according to media reports. In 2015, Cali reportedly became the leader of the family. Cali was said to have strong ties to the Sicilian Mafia, and experts suggested that his ascension was part of an attempt by the Gambinos to lower their high-profile image created by former godfather John Gotti. Cali has been just that since, largely keeping to himself and hardly generating headlines. If you werent into organized crime, you wouldnt know who this guy was, a police source told the Advance. He infused the family with a new crop of immigrant Italian gangsters and focused on the heroin and OxyContin trade, the New York Post reported. ASSASSINATION Cali was the first New York crime family boss shot since 1985, when Paul Castellano, the head of the Gambino crime family who owned a mansion on Todt Hill, was executed as he arrived at Sparks Steakhouse in Manhattan. On Dec. 16 of that year, four men wearing matching Russian fur hats and white trench coats unleashed a torrent of bullets. Castellano, 71, was shot six times and killed in the attack. The unsanctioned mob hit was ordered by John Gotti. A week later, Gambino soldiers gathered for Gottis coronation as the head of the Gambino family. THE LATEST STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Moments before reputed Gambino crime boss Francesco (Franky Boy) Cali was gunned down in front of his home on Hilltop Terrace, the suspect backed into Calis parked vehicle, prompting the victim to exit his residence, according to police brass who held a press conference Thursday at NYPD headquarters. We know that there was a vehicle accident in front of the residence, and we believe the victims vehicle was struck, said NYPD Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea. (Cali) exits his house.. whether it was an altercation or a conversation remains to be seen." Calis car rocks significantly from the impact of the other vehicle, Shea said. "So it takes some force to do that. Police said video surveillance of the encounter outside 25 Hilltop Terrace shows the suspect pull out a handgun about a minute into the conversation and fire 12 shots, at least six of the bullets striking Cali, 53, who was pronounced dead at Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, authorities said. In trying to elude gunfire he fled to rear area of his personal vehicle, and was trying to get underneath the truck, Shea said. The suspect is described as a male between 25 and 40 years old, though further details about his description were not provided by police. Police are still searching for a blue pick-up truck seen fleeing the scene. NYPD Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea discusses the murder of Francesco Cali on Hilltop Terrace. (Staten Island Advance/Kyle Lawson) We have executed a warrant at the residence, weve obtained video surveillance from that scene and were placing together witness canvasses and extended video canvasses," Shea said. Police have not confirmed the homicide to be mob-related, but are keeping an eye on several other developments in the city, including the recent release of Gene Gotti, brother to former Gambino crime-boss John Gotti, Shea said. In addition to the Cali murder, two other Mafia members have been killed in recent months. There have been a number of, not a lot, but a couple (mob-related) incidents I would categorize as more than weve generally seen in the past couple years that are all part of the investigation going forward," he said. "What, if any, of these incidents are connected or not -- it would be too preliminary to say whether they were. The recent incident on Staten Island is not typical of a mob-related hit, in that it was done outside Calis home while his wife and children were inside, which some experts say is a violation of the rules. Basically, this hit screams 'statement maker. Regardless of whether or not this was inner-family related, or external, it was brazen and probably intended to make some sort of statement, said organized crime historian and author Christian Cipollini. Investigators also are working in cooperation with international authorities, based on Calis past dealings with the Sicilian mafia. He was once described as an ambassador between the Gambino family and Sicilian Mafia in Italy, Cipollini said. All the busts and recent events, it definitely makes one wonder if theres connection, even if loosely. Experts suggest Calis ascension to boss in 2015 was part of an attempt by the crime family to lower the high-profile image created by former godfather John Gotti. Hes done just that, largely keeping to himself and hardly generating headlines. Since taking the reins, hes infused the family with a new crop of immigrant Italian gangsters and focused on the heroin and OxyContin trade, the New York Post reported. Cali is the first New York crime family boss shot since 1985, when Paul Castellano, the Gambino head who owned a mansion on Todt Hill, was executed as he arrived at Sparks Steakhouse in Manhattan. More than 30 years later, there is a big difference in terms of the tools available to investigators in potentially tracking down the vehicle and ultimately a suspect, Shea said. Were in a very good place from an investigative point of view in 2019, he said. License plate readers, the work our lab does, video camera canvases, potential recognition technology... STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- The death of a Clifton woman whose bruised body was found inside a Stapleton apartment in January has officially been deemed a homicide, according to a statement from the NYPD. Johynita Jordan, 69, first went missing in mid-January. Then, about 10 days later police responded to a residential building on the 700 block of Van Duzer Street where Jordans body was discovered. A resident told the Advance at the time neighbors reported a bad smell coming from the home, entered the building and discovered the body. No arrests have been made, according to an NYPD spokesman, and the cause and manner of death had not been determined, as of Thursday, by the citys Office of Chief Medical Examiner. Jordans body was discovered less than a week after a 57-year-old woman was savagely beaten on her way to a prayer meeting in Clifton. Authorities charges Linden Beaton, 31, of the 200 block of Park Hill Avenue, with that alleged assault, and initially were questioning him in regard to Jordans death. Though as of Thursday, no additional charges had been filed against Beaton. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Clifton man already charged in the horrific beating of a Staten Island woman has now been linked to the slaying of a second woman whose body was found inside a Stapleton house, police said. NYPD officials said Thursday that Linden Beaton, 31, of the 200 block of Park Hill Avenue, was expected to be charged Thursday in the homicide death of 69-year-old Johynita Jordan, of Clifton, who went missing in mid-January. From the start we believed the man we had arrested for the first incident was responsible, said NYPD Chief of Detective Dermot Shea at a press conference Thursday in Manhattan. We believe we have a good, strong case. Jordans bruised body was found about two weeks later inside a Stapleton apartment after, according to witnesses, the smell prompted the grim discovery. The cause of death and motive remain unclear, police said. Less than two weeks prior to the discovery of Jordans body, Beaton was arrested in the assault of Beatrice Kaliku, 57, of Clifton who was on her way to a prayer meeting at the time of the attack. Beatrice Kaliku was badly beaten Jan. 5 on Bowen Street in Clifton. Shea said the motive for the attack on Kaliku had a sex angle." Not only in terms of hitting her on the street, we believe it was his intention was to commit a sex act." Court records show Beaton is due back in court April 22 for the Kaliku case, for charges that include assault with a weapon and unlawful imprisonment. Hes currently being held on Rikers Island on $500,000 bail. On Monday, March 4 2019, the United States Supreme Court resolved a long-standing circuit split regarding when a party can sue for copyright infringement. Whats the split? For some time, several United States Circuit Courts allowed a party to bring an action for copyright infringement before the Copyright Office has issued or denied a parties copyright registration application. This was because it takes an estimated 7 months from the date of filing to the date of registration. The issue is, this circuit split was not supported by the plain text of Section 411(a) of the Copyright Act which states registration is a prerequisite to suit, not merely filing the application. This was the central issue in Fourth Estate Public Benefit Corp v. Wall-Street.com, LLC, where Fourth Estate sued Wall-Steet.com for copyright infringement as a result of hosting various news articles Wall-Street.com no longer had permission or a license to display on its site. The kicker here was Fourth Estate had yet to receive a registration certificate for the various articles, and Wall-Street sought to dismiss the case because Fourth Estate had yet to comply with the prerequisite to bring its claim. Justice Ginsburg, drafting the Court's unanimous ruling stated its the role of Congress to correct the long delay at the copyright office and not the Courts. How Does this Change Effect You? In the United States once a work of authorship is recorded on a fixed medium you have a copyrightable asset. To protect that asset from infringement, or to enforce your exclusive rights in that asset you must file for a copyright with the United States Copyright Office. Now, time is a large factor when thinking about protecting your IP. As a developer or content creator, you will need to factor the additional time required to secure a copyright registration prior to commencing an infringement action. For Developer Studios this enforcement of registration as a prerequisite should shift your thinking from protecting your IP once everything is finished to taking an as we go approach to protecting your copyrightable IP, and planning your developments legal budget for the year. As a studio, as parts of your project reach completion filing registrations in a proactive approach will save you time in the event you are forced to enforce your copyrights. What if I am suffering from infringement now, do I still need to wait? What are my options? If you're currently suffering from infringers dont worry, there are options and paths for you depending on budget and type of work. The Copyright Act does allow for very limited exceptions applicable to certain categories of copyrightable assets. If youre a copyright owner who is preparing to distribute work that is vulnerable to predistribution infringement, you may apply to the Copyright Office for preregistration. What type of works are these? Works that are vulnerable to predistribution infringement typically include movies or musical compositions. Another exception extends to live broadcasts, however, the copyright owner must eventually pursue registration for their claims in order to maintain their suit for infringement. If you dont fall into those categories there is another option around the 7 months estimated wait for registration. Copyright owners can opt for an expedited application review process called special handling, that results in the Copyright Office evaluating the if a work can be registered quickly, sometimes in less than 5 business days. To meet this special handling review a copyright owner must: have an acceptable application, an acceptable deposit, and a nonrefundable filing fee of $800 per claim. If this falls out of your budget, and you're forced to wait the 7 plus months for a registration certificate fear not. The Court in its ruling recognized this issue and will allow a Copyright owner to recover for both pre and post-registration infringement. Press Start Legals team of intellectual property lawyers advises its clients on a broad range of copyright protection and enforcement strategies. Are you looking how to best protect your intellectual property within your business needs? Feel free to reach out to Zachary Rich at PressStart.Legal for a free consultation on how we can help you and your business protect your brand and all of your hard work. Staten Island's most notorious mob incidents Over the years, Staten Island has seen its share of mob incidents. From the lavish Todt Hill home of real-life "Godfather" Paul Castellano, to the early careers of John Gotti and Lucky Luciano, here are the borough's most notorious cases. [This post has been updated.] Don't Edit MARIO SURIANI Staten Island's real-life 'godfather' Paul Castellano shot dead The body of notorious mafia crime boss Paul (Big Paul) Castellano, a Staten Island resident, lies on a stretcher outside a Midtown Manhattan steak house after he and his bodyguards were gunned down in this Dec. 16, 1985, file photo. Mobster John Gotti claimed the top spot in the Gambino family following the gangland shooting. Castellano lived in a mansion on Todt Hill dubbed "The White House" Don't Edit undefined Sammy "The Bull" Gravano rats out John Gotti in 1991 Former mob enforcer Salvatore (Sammy the Bull) Gravano, of Graniteville, whose devastating testimony in 1991 about the top echelons of Mafia life jailed 36 mobsters, including Gambino crime family boss John Gotti. Gravano was one of the mobsters who planned, and was present at, the 1985 assassination of former Gambino godfather Paul Castellano and his aide, Thomas Bilotti of Eltingville. He patiently sat in a car with Gotti while the rubout took place blocks away outside Sparks steakhouse in Manhattan. Gotti was subsequently convicted on Gravano's testimony of masterminding the slayings. Don't Edit Irving Silverstein James McBratney killed at Snoope's Bar in West Brighton In 1973, John Gotti made his bones with his first hit when he and two associates killed James McBratney at Snoope's Bar in West Brighton, reportedly as payback for a kidnapping. Gotti was arrested for the hit in 1974. Don't Edit AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano) Ex-Great Kills detective Stephen Caracappa carries out slayings for the mob In 2009, a judge ruled two former police detectives -- one from Staten Island -- convicted of moonlighting as mobsters and carrying out a series of killings for the mob, would spend the rest of their lives in the slammer. Louis Eppolito and ex-Great Kills resident Stephen Caracappa were both sentenced to life in prison by U.S. District Judge Jack Weinstein in Brooklyn federal court. A Brooklyn federal court jury in April 2006 decided the pair was responsible for eight murders, kidnapping and other crimes. While working for the NYPD, they were allegedly also on the payroll of Luchese crime family underboss Anthony (Gaspipe) Casso. On April 8, Caracappa died in a prison in North Carolina. He had spent the last few years of his life trying to get released. Don't Edit Don't Edit jan somma-hammel Murder at the Kreischer Mansion in Charleston In 2008, a reputed hitman for the Bonanno crime family was convicted of the grisly murder of a man on the grounds of the historic Kreischer Mansion in Charleston. Joseph (Joe Black) Young, 30, was found guilty of murder in aid of racketeering. Young was accused of stabbing, strangling and drowning Robert McKelvey at the mansion -- where Young was a caretaker then sawing McKelvey's body to pieces and feeding the parts into the furnace. Don't Edit frank j. johns Three S.I. mobsters execute New Springville developer Fred Weiss Three reputed members of a Staten Island-linked mob family dubbed the "Real Sopranos" were charged with the 1989 execution of Freddy Weiss, a New Springville developer, who was gunned down outside his home, allegedly as a favor to crime boss John Gotti. Don't Edit Associated Press "Last Don" Joseph Massino organizes hit on Dominck Napolitano In 1981, Bonanno mobster Joseph Massino, known as the "Last Don," helped organize the murder of Dominick "Sonny Black" Napolitano. Napolitano was shot in an Annadale basement and dumped in a West Shore swamp, where he was found a year later, according to testimony. The captain was killed, the feds said, because he allowed undercover FBI agent Joseph Pistone into his crew posing as jewel thief "Donnie Brasco." Don't Edit Tony Carannante DEA agent is gunned down by S.I. mobster Gus Farace DEA Agent Everett Hatcher was shot by mob-connected Prince's Bay drug dealer Constable (Gus) Farace near Bloomingdale Road and the West Shore Expressway Februariy 28, 1989. The killing set off a nationwide search for Farace, which ended when the 29-year-old was found executed gangland-style in a parked car on a Brooklyn street nine months after Hatcher's death. Don't Edit Associated Press "Lucky"Luciano survives trip to Staten Island in 1929 Staten Island can claim a connection to a real underworld titan: Charles (Lucky) Luciano. Only Luciano's trip to Staten Island in 1929 wasn't so lucky; it nearly got him killed. Bloodied Luciano, already a rising star in gangland, was found staggering along Hylan Boulevard, near the old Terra Marine Inn grand hotel in Huguenot, at 1 o'clock in the morning on Oct. 17, 1929. Luciano's face was "a bloody mess, his eyes so swollen he could barely see out of them, his neck and throat slashed." Luciano had been "taken for a ride," in quintessential mob parlance, beaten and left for dead in a wooded field. Don't Edit THE LATEST STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Francesco Cali, the man who has reportedly been serving as the boss of the Gambino crime family, has died after being shot multiple times in Dongan Hills Wednesday night. The 53-year-old Cali, a resident of Hilltop Terrace, was transported to Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze in critical condition where he was later pronounced dead. Police and FDNY units responded to Hilltop Terrace for a report of shots fired at 9:18 p.m., according to an FDNY and NYPD spokesman. In 2015, the Advance reported that Cali was believed to be the leader of the Gambino crime family. Cali was said to have strong ties to the Sicilian Mafia, and experts suggested that his ascension was part of an attempt by the Gambinos to lower their high-profile image created by former godfather John Gotti. FIVE OR SIX POPS NYPD and FDNY units responded to a report of shots fired in Dongan Hills. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk) NYPD officers cordoned off Hilltop Terrace following the shooting. Officers were seen canvassing the surrounding area following the shooting. One neighbor named Anthony, who wished to have his last name withheld from publication, said that he heard five or six pops at around 9:20 p.m when he was beginning to lie down. At first, he said that he didnt think anything of it, adding that he thought it was fireworks initially. CONNECTIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC According to a 2008 Advance report, Cali -- who also went by Franky Boy, -- was born in Brooklyn and married into the Inzerillo family of Palermo and cultivated close ties with members of the Siderno cartel in Italy. In January 1997, an FBI agent reportedly notified Italian police of Calis distinctive standing as a member of crime families on both sides of the ocean, after he was combined into the Gambino family. Two years later, reputed Gambino soldier Frank Fappiano of Tottenville was nabbed by the feds, then gave up Calis name as a wiseguy, an Italian media outlet reported at the time. Cali was ultimately caught up in a massive mob bust nearly a decade later. MOBSTER KILLED: Reputed Gambino crime boss executed outside his Staten Island home Posted by Staten Island Advance on Thursday, March 14, 2019 He was charged in a massive 80-count racketeering indictment involving 62 alleged mob bosses, underlings and associates of the Gambino, Bonanno and Genovese crime families. Cali pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court in 2008 to extortion conspiracy, stemming from his part in a scheme to get money from a trucker working at the former proposed NASCAR site in Bloomfield. Cali was the first New York crime family boss shot since 1985, when Paul Castellano, who owned a mansion on Todt Hill, was executed as he arrived at Sparks Steakhouse in Manhattan, according to Pix 11. NO SUSPECT IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFIED No description of a suspect is currently available, and no arrests have been made, according to an NYPD spokesman. The investigation is ongoing, according to police. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. They call him Porky, but prison food wont be on this alleged mobsters menu now that a federal jury has acquitted him of racketeering and extortion-conspiracy charges. Staten Island resident John (Porky) Zancocchio, 61, an alleged made member and consigliere in the Bonanno crime family, was found not guilty Wednesday in Manhattan federal court, according to a report in the New York Times. In an ironic twist, the verdict was reached hours before Francesco Cali, the reputed acting boss of the Gambino crime family, was gunned down outside his Hilltop Terrace home. Zancocchio was among eight reputed Bonanno members, including Joseph (Joe C) Cammarano, Jr., charged last year with racketeering conspiracy involving a wide range of crimes, including extortion, loansharking, wire and mail fraud, narcotics distribution and conspiracy to commit murder, authorities said. Cammarano, 59, a Long Island resident, is a captain and the acting boss of the Bonanno family, officials allege. He, too, was acquitted. Prosecutors contended Zancocchio and Cammarano headed a sophisticated crime enterprise that used violence to keep victims in line and get what they wanted, the Times reported. But defense lawyers countered authorities had stereotyped the defendants, and that in reality, the Mafia no longer exists, said the Times. I think the verdict was just based on the evidence presented, said John C. Meringolo, Zancocchios lawyer, when reached Thursday by phone. The jury saw through the lack of corroborating evidence with the government witnesses. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The city Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) this week approved the erection of an Italian-imported 34-foot-tall monument that includes a replica of the Statue of Liberty for the grounds of the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum in Rosebank. Called The Tower of Venice, the sculpture -- created by Giorgio Bortoli -- was given to the museum as a gift, said Joseph Sciame, CEO of Garibaldi-Meucci Museum. An Italian group in the city of Venice was trying to identify a New York entity to receive a gift because they feel strongly that the piece signifies the relationship between Venice and New York, said Sciame. The monument will have a look of a tower, but inside is a replica of the Statue of Liberty. It really helps unite the cities of Venice and New York, he added, noting that the statue comes at a time when the museum is celebrating its 100th anniversary. We are hoping to have a celebration on Meuccis birthday on April 13. The sculpture will be lit at night and visible from Tompkins Avenue, Sciame said. If youre looking at the museum from Tompkins Avenue it will be on the left side of the grassland, he said. The monument will be sealed in Murano glass, and will likely include a wrought iron fence around it, Sciame said. The monument will serve as a beacon that will attract visitors to the museum because it is so prominent and beautiful, said Carl J. Ciaccio, a museum commissioner. It will be an asset to not only the community of Rosebank, but to all of Staten Island. LPC APPROVAL The LPC approval for the statue was granted on March 11, said Zodet Negron, a commission spokesperson. The commissioners found that the proposed sculpture will not damage or obscure significant features of the landmark, and that the installation will relate to the cultural significance of the site and will be viewed in the context of other memorials and relics, said Negron. Before issuing the permit, LPC needs to review and approve the final DOB drawings for the installation of the monument to confirm it is consistent with the commissions approval. According to DOB records, an application for a permit to erect the monument was received on Dec. 28, 2018. The application is still awaiting several items before it can be approved, said a Andrew Rudansky, a DOB spokesman. MUSEUM HISTORY The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum is a tribute to two notable Italians: Antonio Meucci, who has been said to be the true inventor of the telephone, and Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian revolutionary. In the 1850s, Garibaldi fled Italy and took up residence in Meucci's Staten Island home. Garibaldi later returned to Italy and successfully fought for Italy's independence. Since Meucci's death, the Rosebank home has been landmarked as a museum and is a memorial to both men: The military hero and the unsung inventor. The supposedly haunted house is maintained by the Order of the Sons of Italy and is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Italian-American culture and heritage. FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK and TWITTER FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK and TWITTER STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Shots rang out on Hilltop Terrace on Wednesday night, a gangland hit right here in the mobs bedroom. Francesco Franky Boy Cali, 53, reputed boss of the Gambino crime family, was gunned down outside his home in Staten Islands toniest neighborhood. The last time a major mob boss got whacked, Staten Island was also front and center. It was the night of Dec. 16, 1985, and Boss of Bosses Paul Castellano and his driver, Tommy Bilotti, were ambushed in front of Sparks steakhouse in Manhattan. Castellano lived on Todt Hill. Bilotti was an Eltingville resident. John Gotti orchestrated the hit with his top henchman, Sammy The Bull Gravano, who hailed from Graniteville. Our mob heritage goes way beyond Castellano and Gravano. Gotti made his bones by killing James McBratney in West Brighton in 1973. Developer Fred Weiss was murdered by mobsters in New Springville in 1989. And just last month was the 30th anniversary of the murder here of DEA agent Everett Hatcher by mob-connected Princes Bay drug dealer Constible (Gus) Farace. It goes on and on. Staten Island is drenched in mob history. Gangsters have done their business here. Its been a place where mobsters have made their homes. Its in our DNA. And we buy into the mythos all the time. Who doesnt love The Godfather, right? Some of the most famous scenes in the movie were filmed on Staten Island. A house used in the movie recently went on sale, causing all kinds of buzz here. And who can forget the Mob Wives and their borough connections, including Sammy the Bulls daughter, Karen Gravano? And Angela Big Ang Raiola? Iconic Staten Islanders. At least if web traffic to SILive.com is any indication. More recently, we had the crew from the short-lived Made in Staten Island show on MTV, mob kids trying to break away from the temptations of the Mafia life while still acting for all intents and purposes like mob wannabes. Gangsters sure are colorful people. But the Cali rubout reminds us of what the mob is really all about. Cali, a low-key gangster of the old school as opposed to the flashy Gotti, had deep ties to the Sicilian mob. He reportedly focused the Gambino family business on the heroin and OxyContin trade. How many drug overdoses and deaths are Cali and his minions responsible for? How many addicts have the Gambinos created on Staten Island and elsewhere? Think about that the next time you want to glorify the mob. And dont believe all that stuff about honor among thieves. If you run afoul of your mob confederates, you might get assassinated in front of your own house, with your wife and kids inside, even though such hits have traditionally been off-limits in mob culture. For all your wealth and power, you wind up lying dead in the street. Thats how ol Franky Boy went out. Glamorous, no? Itll be for the feds and the NYPD to figure this all out. Was the Cali hit sanctioned by the other members of New Yorks Five Families? Or are there rogue shooters out there? Is the rubout just the opening salvo in a coming mob war? Another chapter in Staten Islands bloody mob history, with morel likely to come. THE LATEST STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Ten years ago, senior Brooklyn federal court Judge Jack B. Weinstein didnt mince words when he explained why he had hit reputed mobster Francesco (Frank) Cali with the maximum sentence for his role in extorting cash from a trucking firm owner at the former proposed NASCAR site in Bloomfield. The seriousness of the offense is obvious: The defendant is a member of the mob which uses violence and fear to maintain a stronghold on the regions construction and other industries, wrote Weinstein in January 2009. The sentence will send a clear message to the world that any involvement in Mafia-related activities will result in a substantial prison sentence and a heavy fine. Cali, the judge wrote, had subjected the victim to an implied threat of violence which carried great weight due to Calis status in the organized crime family which carries a reputation for violence. In court papers filed in his federal case, authorities said Cali, 53, who was gunned down Wednesday night outside his Hilltop Terrace home, was an acting captain in the Gambino crime family when the extortion occurred between January 2006 and January 2008. More recently, Cali was reputed to be the leader of the Gambino crime family, having assumed the top role in 2015. In June 2008, Cali had pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court to extortion and extortion conspiracy for his involvement in shaking down the owner of a trucking company delivering fill to the proposed NASCAR site. Two months later, Weinstein sentenced Cali to 18 months in prison, plus three years supervised release and fined him $30,000. The sentence was the maximum under federal sentencing guidelines. Cali was also ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution. Later, in November 2008, Weinstein lowered the prison term to 16 months after prosecutors recalculated the victims loss as $8,000, not $13,000. Cali was said to have strong ties to the Sicilian Mafia, and experts suggested his ascension to the top spot about four years ago was part of an attempt by the Gambinos to lower their high-profile image created by former godfather John Gotti. The U.S. Probation Department referenced some of those ties to high-ranking Gambino crime family members when it petitioned the court in 2009 to modify the conditions of Calis supervised release. His uncle through marriage, John Gambino, was a Gambino captain and served on the familys ruling panel, said Probation. Both John Gambino and Cali had very strong ties to Sicily, allowing Gambino to effectively negotiate the crime familys Sicilian and American factions, Probation said. Another uncle, Joseph Gambino, was a long-standing member and solider in the family and was, like his brother, John, a convicted felon, said Probation. Meanwhile, Calis brother-in-law, Pietro (Tall Pete) Inzerillo, was a well-documented solider in the Gambino family, Probation wrote. Probation asked that Cali, during his supervised-release period, only be allowed to associate with his uncles and brother-in-law at family social functions, such as weddings and holidays, and then, only with departmental approval. In addition, Probation requested that Cali be forbidden from contacting or associating with those affiliated with any organized crime groups, including the Camorra, Ndrangheta, and Sacra Corona Unita factions of the Sicilian Mafia. The department also asked that Cali be barred from frequenting any closed structures, such as restaurants, businesses, and social clubs where mobsters and their associates were known to meet, as well as any other premises that could be used for avoiding detection of association. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Taneisha Campbell called her teenage daughter at home late Tuesday night to make sure her four children were safe. A pop came across the phone line and her other daughter started screaming. The line went dead. Campbell frantically tried to call back: No answer. The single mother of four said she freaked out at her post office job in Manhattan as she kept calling her children to find out what happened. Soon, her 20-year-old son picked up the phone. Mom, they shot up the front window, he said. Frantically, Campbell rushed home. I dont even know how I got from 30th and 9th to the ferry, she said. When she arrived, two bullet holes were punched through her front window. One bullet whizzed by her living room couch and lodged itself into the wall near her kitchen. The other went through her living room wall and into her neighbors home. Her teenage daughter said she was sitting on the couch when the bullets flew through the home. It looked like slow motion, the daughter said. She saw it go through the window, she said. "I jumped up and jumped over the table, to take cover, she explained. The incident occurred at about 11:55 p.m. at the home on the 200 block of Jersey Street, according to a spokesman for the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. The front window had two bullet holes in it. The shots went through the house and into the kitchen. Police recovered two shell casings from the scene, the spokesman said. A COMMON OCCURRENCE For Campbell, the remnants of the two bullets in her home trigger bad memories. This is not the first time that my children have been caught in the crossfire, she said. Campbell said her older daughter was in the vicinity of shots fired when she was younger, and her 20-year-old son also was caught within a shots-fired situation when he was a child. I dont want anything to happen to them, Campbell said. I dont want to have to, God-forbid, bury one of my children because of people outside." Campbell said this most recent incident makes her want to leave her home. Its bad,'' she said. "I just want to move. I pay rent here, Campbell explained. Im a federal worker. I want to feel safe. For Jersey Street residents, stray bullets have become a fact of life. In July 2018, Frances E. Williams, 67, affectionately known as Ms. Franny,' was hit by a stray bullet, part of a retaliatory gang plot gone awry. She died after two weeks on life support following the incident. Williams was waiting for the bus at the intersection of Jersey Street and Pauw Street when the bullet hit her in the face. Campbell calls the area dangerous. Stuff like this happens all the time, she said. I go to work, my children go to school, she said, The people out there shooting dont go to work -- they dont do anything. Theyre fighting over a block that we pay taxes for. We dont own it, and I dont get it. Now, Campbell, who works nights, says she is nervous about leaving her children home alone. I dont even want to go to work at night, she said. On Wednesday, Campbell said she rearranged her living room, placing the T.V. in front of the window where fresh bullet holes are still present. Im paranoid, Campbell explained. Its just me and my four children here. I dont want anything to happen to them. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Two new Staten Island Ferry vessels -- the Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis and the Sandy Ground -- being built in Panama City, Fla., will have their arrivals delayed by several months. During Thursdays City Council transportation budget hearing, Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Polly Trottenberg told Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore) that hurricane damage to the shipyard would delay the boats by some months, likely pushing back the first boats arrival into next year. However, the DOT still cannot provide an official timeline for the boats. Next up in our transportation hearings, @NYC_DOT : In response to my question about our new ferries, Commissioner Trottenberg tells us hurricane damage to the shipyard will delay boat launch some months, likely into next year. ... pic.twitter.com/beCNBrTtJG Debi Rose (@CMDebiRose) March 14, 2019 The Florida shipyard, operated by the Eastern Shipbuilding Group Inc., where two of the newest Staten Island Ferry vessels are under construction, was badly damaged by Hurricane Michael in mid-October. The first Ollis boat was previously scheduled to arrive in the New York Harbor at the end of 2019, but given the commissioners statements, likely wont arrive until sometime in 2020. The second new boat, the Sandy Ground, was originally scheduled to arrive in the New York Harbor in summer 2020. Its uncertain whether this boat will arrive by the end of 2020, or be pushed into 2021. The Ollis boat is named after the late Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, a New Dorp native who died at age 24 while saving a Polish soldier in Afghanistan. The Sandy Ground is named for the historic community settled by freed slaves in Rossville. The new storm-resilient ferryboats, which will replace the Kennedy, Andrew J. Barberi and the Samuel I. Newhouse boats, will be more capable of operating in a wide range of weather conditions and locations -- and can also be used in emergency evacuations. The ships were modeled after the John F. Kennedy boat, popular for its outdoor promenades and extended foredecks. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The suspect remains at large on Thursday morning in the fatal shooting of a reputed mob boss in Dongan Hills. No arrests have been made in the death of Francesco (Frank) Cali, 53, who was shot multiple times in the torso in front of his home on Hilltop Terrace in Dongan Hills on Wednesday night. Cali, who allegedly served as a leader of the Gambino crime family, was transported by EMS in critical condition to Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze where he was pronounced dead. A police spokesman was unable to provide a description of the suspect or confirm media reports that a blue pickup truck was seen speeding away from the scene. MOBSTER KILLED: Reputed Gambino crime boss executed outside his Staten Island home Posted by Staten Island Advance on Thursday, March 14, 2019 The NYPD responded around 9:17 p.m. to a 911 call of an assault in progress on Hilltop Terrace, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public information. When officers arrived, they found Cali shot. One neighbor named Anthony, who wished to have his last name withheld from publication, said that he heard five or six pops at around 9:20 p.m when he was beginning to lie down. At first, he said that he didnt think anything of it, adding that he thought it was fireworks initially. Another witness told the Daily News: The man was on the ground face-up. His head was by his SUV, and the truck was open. On Thursday morning, Hilltop Terrace is blocked at both entrances along Four Corners Road by police cars. Media trucks are parked all along Four Corners Road. In 2015, the Advance reported that Cali was believed to be the leader of the Gambino crime family. Cali was said to have strong ties to the Sicilian Mafia, and experts suggested that his ascension was part of an attempt by the Gambinos to lower their high-profile image created by former godfather John Gotti. CONNECTIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC According to a 2008 Advance report, Cali -- who also went by Franky Boy, -- was born in Brooklyn and married into the Inzerillo family of Palermo and cultivated close ties with members of the Siderno cartel in Italy. In January 1997, an FBI agent reportedly notified Italian police of Calis distinctive standing as a member of crime families on both sides of the ocean, after he was combined into the Gambino family. Two years later, reputed Gambino soldier Frank Fappiano of Tottenville was nabbed by the feds, then gave up Calis name as a wiseguy, an Italian media outlet reported at the time. Cali was ultimately caught up in a massive mob bust nearly a decade later. Cali was charged in a massive 80-count racketeering indictment involving 62 alleged mob bosses, underlings and associates of the Gambino, Bonanno and Genovese crime families. Cali pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court in 2008 to extortion conspiracy, stemming from his part in a scheme to get money from a trucker working at the former proposed NASCAR site in Bloomfield. Cali was the first New York crime family boss shot since 1985, when Paul Castellano, who owned a mansion on Todt Hill, was executed as he arrived at Sparks Steakhouse in Manhattan, according to Pix 11. THE LATEST STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Reputed Gambino boss Francesco Cali was gunned down late Wednesday night standing next to his car in the street outside his tony Hilltop Terrace home. And while the slaying may bear resemblance to brazen mafia assassinations of years past, detectives arent making any assumptions. The motive for the murder remains unknown at this time, and investigators are working to determine whether it was a sanctioned mob hit, a random act of violence, or something perpetrated by individuals who had a grudge against Cali but no ties to organized crime. Everything is on the table," a law enforcement source said. It certainly may be related to mob activity. [It could also be] a dispute of some sort. FBI agents are also investigating. Police are on the lookout for a blue pickup truck, which a witness saw speeding away from the scene of the crime, the source said. The shooters remained at large Thursday morning. MOBSTER KILLED: Reputed Gambino crime boss executed outside his Staten Island home Posted by Staten Island Advance on Thursday, March 14, 2019 One possibility cops are probing is whether a car fire reported at Arthur Kill Road and Huguenot Avenue several hours later could be connected to the murder, the source said. In that incident, an Infinity SUV was set ablaze -- but the vehicle did not match the description of the one seen fleeing Hilltop Terrace. There is no known link at this time, the source said. Cali was shot several times in the torso while he was standing outside his home at 9:17 p.m., police said. His wife and children were in the residence at the time, sources said. One witness told the Daily News: The man was on the ground face-up. His head was by his SUV, and the truck was open. Another neighbor named Anthony, who wished to have his last name withheld from publication, said that he heard five or six pops at around 9:20 p.m when he was beginning to lie down. Federal prosecutors had referred to Cali as underboss of the Gambino crime family in court filings in recent years, and multiple sources said he became the leader in 2015. Cali was said to have strong ties to the Sicilian Mafia, and experts suggested that his ascension was part of an attempt by the Gambinos to lower the high-profile image created by former godfather John Gotti. Cali has done just that since, largely keeping to himself and hardly generating headlines. If you werent into organized crime, you wouldnt know who this guy was, a police source told the Advance. Hes completely an under-the-radar kind of guy. Since taking the reins, Cali has infused the family with a new crop of immigrant Italian gangsters and focused on the heroin and OxyContin trade, the New York Post reported. BACKGROUND Francesco Paulo Augusto Cali, also known as Franky Boy, was born in Brooklyn in March 1965. He married into the Inzerillo family of Palermo, and cultivated close ties with members of the Siderno cartel in Italy, according to Advance archives. In January 1997, an FBI agent reportedly notified Italian police of Calis distinctive standing as a member of crime families on both sides of the ocean after he was combined into the Gambino family. Cali pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court in the 2008 to extortion conspiracy, stemming from his part in a scheme to get money from a trucker working at the former proposed NASCAR site in Bloomfield. He served more than a year in federal prison. FIRST MOB BOSS SHOT IN 30 YEARS Cali is believed to be the first New York crime family boss shot since 1985, when Paul Castellano, the Gambino head who owned a mansion on Todt Hill, was executed as he arrived at Sparks Steakhouse in Manhattan. On Dec. 16 of that year, four men wearing matching Russian fur hats and white trench coats unleashed a torrent of bullets. Castellano, 71, was shot six times and killed in the attack. The unsanctioned mob hit was ordered by John Gotti. A week later, Gambino soldiers gathered for Gottis coronation as the head of the Gambino family. THE LATEST Stay fit in a revolutionary way as you work out in VR, together with your own virtual personal trainer. By Cait Bladt Paul Manafort, President Donald Trumps former campaign manager, has been convicted on multiple charges, including conspiracy, fraud and tax evasion. Manafort was charged in both Virginia and Washington, D.C., with the Virginia sentence drawing widespread ire. Judge T.S. Ellis III sentenced Manafort to 47 months in prison, ignoring the recommendation of 19 to 24 years, which the judge said would be far too harsh a sentence. What do you think? Manaforts sentence in Virginia was immediately criticized. However, Judge Ellis argued the recommended sentence was far too harsh considering Manaforts crimes and he was using his best judgment in the sentencing. Judge Elliss sentence set off a firestorm of criticism from commentators who complained it was overly lenient for a defendant who had orchestrated a multimillion-dollar fraud over a decade. Much of the legal world considered the sentencing guidelines in the Virginia case, which called for a prison term of 19 to 24 years, far too harsh. ...Instead, some predicted, she would most likely allow Mr. Manafort to serve his sentences simultaneously, which would cap his prison term at 10 years. What is happening today is not and cannot be a review and a revision by a sentence imposed by another court, Judge Jackson said on Wednesday, referring to the sentence Mr. Manafort received last week. Many felt that Manaforts crimes, including that he hid millions of dollars of income in overseas accounts and lied to banks to obtain millions more in loans and worked with foreign governments without disclosing his affiliation, indicated a persistent disregard for the law. Additionally, Manafort had originally agreed to work with Robert Muellers team, yet he lied to investigators and broke his plea deal. According to Vox, Mueller himself recommended a harsh sentence for Manafort. The special counsel did not recommend a specific sentence for Manafort, but as a ballpark, he said he agreed with the probation departments proposed guidelines for a sentence of at least 19 and a half years. Manafort acted for more than a decade as if he were above the law, and deprived the federal government and various financial institutions of millions of dollars, Mueller wrote. The sentence here should reflect the seriousness of these crimes, and serve to both deter Manafort and others from engaging in such conduct. Public figures and legal experts alike criticized the dramatically reduced sentence. Per the New York Times: ...Its atrociously low, said Barbara McQuade, a former United States attorney who teaches law at the University of Michigan and watched much of Mr. Manaforts trial over the summer. While many judges do sentence leniently in white-collar cases, she said, dropping all the way from 19 years to four years is absurd. Some were also quick to point out the dramatic disparity between Manafort's sentence and sentences regularly doled out to low-level criminals. Scott Hechinger, a lawyer and director of policy with the Brooklyn Defenders, listed several clients he personally worked with, as well as nationally known cases, where people had faced far harsher sentences for arguably much smaller crimes. While Hechinger did not argue for a harsher sentence for Manafort, he drew attention to the differences in the way the richest and poorest Americans are treated by the judiciary. For context on Manaforts 47 months in prison, my client yesterday was offered 36-72 months in prison for stealing $100 worth of quarters from a residential laundry room. Scott Hechinger (@ScottHech) March 8, 2019 Judge Amy Berman Jackson, during Manaforts sentencing hearing in Washington, did not come out in full-throated support of Judge Ellis ruling. She did, however, agree with the judge that the recommended sentence was overly long. She also stated she would allow her sentence to run concurrently with the Virginia sentence, as the crimes were similar. Per the Washington Post: Jackson said Manaforts crimes were not just a failure to comply with some pesky regulations but lying to the American people and the American Congress. ... It is hard to overstate the number of lies and amount of money involved. His motivation, she added, was not to support a family, but to sustain a lifestyle that was ostentatiously opulent and extravagantly lavish more houses a family can enjoy, more suits than one man can wear. But she agreed with Judge T.S. Ellis III in Alexandria that sentencing guidelines in the case were excessive. She said that 30 months of her sentence must run concurrently to his Virginia term because the underlying conduct is the same. Promptly after receiving his sentence from Judge Jackson, Manafort was indicted on 16 counts by prosecutors in Manhattan. While Trump could pardon Manafort for the federal crimes he was just sentenced for, he would not be able to garner a presidential pardon for these new state charges. Those who are frustrated with Manaforts sentence now have another opportunity to see justice, as they see it, done. The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Local Media, LLC property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt, on Instagram @TheTylt or on Facebook, wed love to hear what you have to say. 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! he popular Christmas tradition features 16 nativity scenes telling the birth of the King of Kings across five different Long Beach churches. Overdependence on automation has been an issue for decades. A 1997 American Airlines pilot-training video warned that the problem was well-known among pilots. In 2013, a federal task force concluded in a 267-page report that pilots relied too often on automation and should be required to improve their manual flying skills. That same year, investigators found that the pilots over-relied on automation in the 2013 crash of an Asiana Airlines jet in San Francisco that left three dead. In recent years, the Federal Aviation Administration has advised airlines to encourage pilots to fly manually when appropriate, among other policies intended to improve manual skills. Loading "A specific focus of our efforts has been ensuring that our pilots have the manual handling skills and confidence to take control of the aircraft if the automation does not perform as expected," an FAA spokesman said in an email. Yet the agency moves slowly. This week, the FAA finally began enforcing a rule it announced about six years ago requiring pilots to practice in simulators how to handle stalls, a situation in which a plane loses lift. The rule was enacted in response to a 2009 crash. In 2016, the Transportation Department's Office of Inspector General issued a report that found the FAA had not ensured that airlines adequately trained pilots in hands-on flying or on how to monitor a plane on autopilot. The report also found the agency did not track how often pilots flew manually. A decade ago, Chesley Sullenberger landed a US Airways jet with 155 people aboard in the Hudson River. That represents to many pilots the sort of manual intervention that is sometimes necessary. "Hopefully, we'll do something before we begin to have a litany of recent fatal accidents," Sullenberger said in a recent interview. "It could happen tomorrow. It could happen next year. I can't say. But I think it's inevitable if we continue down this path." Passengers escape US Airways flight 1549 after Captain Chesley Sullenberger was able to safely land it in the Hudson River. Credit:AP The issue has become more acute in recent years as aircraft have become more automated and a nicasglobal pilot shortage has forced carriers to fill their cockpits with less experienced pilots, particularly in emerging markets. At the same time, the stream of military aviators that the big carriers have long relied on is dwindling. The most seasoned pilots are aging out of the profession they are required to retire at age 65 in the United States and many said their successors might not know how to handle the unexpected. Loading "There's nothing wrong with the millennials; they're really sharp and hungry for the information," said Shem Malmquist, a Boeing 777 captain and visiting professor at the Florida Institute of Technology's College of Aeronautics. "We're not exposing them we're not giving them the chance to get the information." Karlene Petitt, an international airline pilot who wrote a Ph.D. dissertation about pilot training at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, said the new training regimen was producing less well-rounded pilots. "They can punch the buttons, but will they be able to fly that airplane when it breaks?" she asked. Sullenberger noted that flight schools, where much of the manual training takes place, were limited because some insurers restricted how much flying students could do in poor visibility. "They may have never flown in a cloud before," he said. Loading Kit Darby, a former United Airlines captain and Boeing flight instructor who now trains pilots at another large carrier, said training for passenger pilots remained exhaustive and still focused on manual skills, including 1,500 hours of flight time and nearly 30 days in simulators. The bigger problem, he said, is the degradation of those skills once pilots get into the cockpit of an advanced passenger jet and begin to rely on autopilot. Many airlines encourage pilots to avoid automation when they can, he said, and annual reviews still test their manual skills. "When it's a beautiful day, we want you to turn the automation off," he said. Darby and others said airlines in emerging markets were especially reliant on automation. Darby, who is also a career consultant for young pilots, said those markets had more acute pilot shortages, forcing carriers to rely on automation to cover up some of their aviators' lack of experience. In the Ethiopian Airlines crash this week, one of the pilots had just 200 hours of flight time, less than a seventh of the time the FAA generally requires to fly a passenger plane. Loading After the 2013 Asiana crash, the National Transportation Safety Board found that the carrier "emphasized the full use of all automation and did not encourage manual flight." If the airline allowed pilots to fly manually more often, the pilot most likely would have prevented the crash, the agency said. Dennis Tajer, an American Airlines captain and a spokesman for the airline's pilots union, said Boeing and Airbus had encouraged that sort of reliance on automation by pitching their planes to carriers as capable of being flown by lesser-trained pilots. "We've seen insidious marketing of aircraft to accommodate less experienced and perhaps a lower grade of pilot," he said. Shadow small business minister assisting, Madeline King, said workers were being mistreated and franchisors were not being upfront. "This taskforce will be integral to ensuring that workers in franchises will not be ripped off in the future," she said. Small Business Minister Michaelia Cash said the government would carefully analyse the report and consider what improvements needed to be made before proceeding. "The government is committed to supporting effective and fair reforms to the franchising sector without imposing unnecessary regulation on the sector," she said. Suite of changes The report recommends a suite of changes to the franchising code, including the inclusion of civil pecuniary penalties and giving the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) more responsibilities and greater enforcement powers to "root out misconduct and exploitative behaviour" in the franchise sector. The report wants improvements to disclosure and transparency, including the provision of all financial information when franchises are sold or transferred including Business Activity Statements and greater clarity and accountability around marketing funds. Senators Deborah O'Neill and Michael Sukkar listen as Tony Alford, former chief executive of Retail Food Group, appears before the inquiry. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The report recommends the taskforce examine making unfair contract terms in franchise agreements illegal, investigate options for a public franchise register with franchisors providing updated disclosure documents, and template franchise agreements annually. It recommends civil penalties if franchisors fail to comply. The report calls for the ACCC, the Australian Taxation Office and the corporate watchdog, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, to launch investigations into embattled Retail Food Group, its current and former directors and officers for potential insider trading, tax evasion, quality of audit, directors' duties and continuous disclosure. A spokesperson for Retail Food Group said the franchisor "supports any changes which will be of benefit to the franchising industry". Evidence to the inquiry revealed a substantial amount of intimidatory behaviour and misconduct by franchisors, leading the inquiry to call for whistleblower protections. The report said the inquiry took a "holistic approach" to address the systemic problems in the sector and recommended the government "avoid cherry picking, and instead implement all the recommendations in [the] report as soon as possible". Time to act Senator John Williams, who was crucial in calling for the inquiry into franchising, said none of the 17 inquiries into the sector over the past 30 years had worked. "The work has now been done. It is time for the government to act," he said. Tony Alford, former chief executive of the Retail Food Group, appears before parliament's inquiry into franchising in November. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Senator Williams said he was aware the industry had serious problems but was shocked at what the inquiry uncovered. "It was worse than expected. It was like the royal commission into banking," he said. Former ACCC head Allan Fels said the franchising code had been "somewhat disappointing" and needed strengthening to be effective. Franchise Council of Australia chief executive Mary Aldred welcomed the report. Credit:Louie Douvis "The problems with the code have been longstanding and systemic and, accordingly, strong medicine is required and this report goes a considerable distance in that direction," he said. The efficacy of the Franchise Council of Australia was questioned in the report, which said the body "does not appear to provide a balanced representation of franchisor and franchisee views". However, FCA chief executive Mary Aldred said the industry body welcomed the inquiry's findings. No law firm merger is a bed of roses just ask the TressCox survivors at HWL Ebsworth, the few remaining Curwood partners at "Stronger. Together" McCabe Curwood and the Herbert Smith Freehills refugees over at White & Case. But are there internal issues now at play at King Wood & Mallesons, almost seven years after the merger of storied local outfit Mallesons Stephen Jacques and two other players? Several senior lawyers have speculated there may be trouble at rival firm KWM. Illustration: John Shakespeare Credit: The collapse of KWM's European operation two years ago is continuing to cause problems, the latest progress report showing legal costs are now more than three times the initial $1 million estimate, with 159 creditors in line for a tiny pool of cash. One senior partner at a rival firm said when asked about tensions at KWM: "wouldn't surprise me". As the tragicomedy of Brexit unfolds in front of our eyes, Peter Donovan of Lindfield remembers the words of the soothsayer from Julius Caesar: "Perhaps Mrs May should also beware the Ides of March?" "Can you imagine the scene when two driverless cars (C8) have a bingle?" muses Jack Dikian of Mosman. "Itll be two artificial intelligence algorithms accusing each other of not paying attention in a strange language only they understand." With some indignation, Judy Jones of Thornleigh unequivocally states that "there is no Stargate or moonjuice involved" in her traffic light (C8) tale. "No trouble at all to miss traffic lights in the Hunter Valley and Dubbo. Bypass both. Drive via Wollombi onto the Golden Highway and then to Merriwa, Dunedoo, Warren and join the Mitchell Highway at Nevertire to Broken Hill. Maybe fractionally longer but a much more pleasant drive and faster thanks to no traffic lights." Nola Tucker of Kiama writes that there is "only one set of traffic lights (C8) for our district. There was much heart searching as we seem to prefer roundabouts, but we are very proud of that one set of lights and feel frightfully cosmopolitan as we sit and watch the colours changing." Closer geographically than Bhutan (C8), but belonging to another time entirely is the policeman on point duty at the intersection of New South Head Road and Ocean Street in Edgecliff post-WWII, whom Dach Hall of Vaucluse remembers as "the smiling cop". "It was mostly trams with not many cars on the road. The cop recognised all the regulars on their way to work and on their way home, and would say: Have you been away I havent seen you for a fortnight? He never missed out in wishing drivers a Merry Christmas'." Shortly after midnight on New Year's Eve of 2015, Naomi Williams, 27 years old and six months pregnant, presented to Tumut Hospital in severe pain. Ms Williams, an Aboriginal woman, was briefly monitored and given two paracetamol tablets before she left the Riverina hospital 34 minutes later without observation being taken of her baby. She and her unborn child died 15 hours later. Ms Williams' mother, Sharon (centre), made complaints to Tumut Hospital about her daughter's treatment. Credit:AAP Ms Williams' death is now the subject of an inquest at the NSW Coroner's Court, which has previously heard that she is believed to have died from sepsis associated with the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis - an infection typically treatable with antibiotics. On Thursday the court examined whether systemic failures in the health system and implicit bias played a role in the treatment she received before she died. A man has faced court accused of the manslaughter of the wife of a teacher from his former school following a car accident in Sydney's south-west on Tuesday night. Tyron Knodler, 21, from Revesby, appeared in Sutherland Local Court on Thursday. He was formally refused bail in connection with 24 charges, including two counts of manslaughter. Tragic loss: Gayle Gibson and husband Tony Giorgio. Credit:Facebook Gayle Gibson, 62, a teacher at Canterbury Girls' High School, and her friend Carol Chambers, 66, were killed when Mr Knodler allegedly crossed a median strip in a stolen Toyota LandCruiser at Henry Lawson Drive in Peakhurst, colliding with their car, a Honda Jazz. Tony Giorgio, 58, a maths teacher at Picnic Point High School, and Kim Alden, 62, also in the Honda, were injured and taken to St George Hospital before being released on Wednesday. A Sydney man accused of preparing to go to Syria to fight for Islamic State was secretly filmed telling an undercover operative he was training by walking with a backpack weighing 30 kilograms. Recordings of their meetings and details of their messages were put before a jury on Thursday during the operative's evidence in the NSW Supreme Court. Moudasser Taleb has pleaded not guilty to preparing to travel to Syria for the purpose of engaging in hostile activities. Credit:Nine News Moudasser Taleb, 24, has pleaded not guilty to preparing - between early February and mid-June 2017 - to travel to Syria for the purpose of engaging in hostile activities. His barrister Michael Finnane QC has contended he was a deluded, lonely, mentally ill man encouraged to do things by the operative. One of the most influential men in Formula One, Charlie Whiting, has died in Melbourne on the eve of the 2019 seaon's opening grand prix. Whiting, the sport's race director and a beloved figure on the circuit, died aged 66 after suffering a pulmonary embolism on Thursday morning. FIA president Jean Todt said Formula One had lost "a faithful friend and a charismatic ambassador". "I have known Charlie Whiting for many years and he has been a great race director, a central and inimitable figure in Formula One who embodied the ethics and spirit of this fantastic sport," Todt said in a statement. The Melbourne Grand Prix is at Albert Park this weekend. Baden-Clay was found guilty by a jury in 2014. But Queensland's Court of Appeals downgraded the charge to manslaughter when his lawyers successfully argued it was possible he could have unintentionally killed his wife during an argument. In 2016, the High Court reinstated the murder conviction, after finding it was reasonable for a jury to be persuaded by "the lengths to which the respondent [Baden-Clay] went to conceal his wife's body and to conceal his part in her demise." Unlike the Ristevski case, the prosecution was also able to establish a persuasive motive for Baden-Clay's actions. He was planning to leave his wife for mistress Toni McHugh who gave evidence against him. Gerard Baden-Clay's former mistress Toni McHugh. At the time, Queensland Law Society president Bill Potts hailed the High Court decision as an important precedent in the way in which circumstantial evidence and post-offence behaviour can be used. But that decision had no bearing on pre-trial negotiations between Chief Crown Prosecutor Brendan Kissane, QC, and Ristevski's legal team. Justice Christopher Beale ruled Ristevski's conduct after Karen's death could not be used to prove his murderous intent, which prompted the stunning decision to downgrade the charge. Retired Melbourne barrister Peter Faris, QC, said the prosecution always faced a difficult task in proving that Ristevski had acted with murderous intent based purely on his conduct after Karen's disappearance. "Post murder conduct is always a very grey area, and it's not clear in every case whether its admissible or not," Mr Faris said. He suspects the prosecution may have also had reservations about the strength of the case against Ristevski, which could have prompted the decision to cut a deal. "If they'd proceeded to trial on a charge of murder, he could have walked. Perhaps they've made a pragmatic decision, which often happens in these kinds of trials," Mr Faris said. The Ristevski's Avondale Heights home. Credit:Chloe Booker Police believe Ristevski killed his wife between 8.58am and 10.43am at their Avondale Heights home on the day she went missing and then drove her remains in her black Mercedes-Benz to Mount Macedon, 80 kilometres away. At the centre of the police case was a combination of CCTV footage of the Mercedes travelling through Melbournes north-west and data from mobile phone towers that detected the Ristevskis' phones along the Calder Freeway. Karen Ristevski's remains were found between two logs in bushland at Mount Macedon. Credit:Justin McManus Ristevski's mobile phone was deliberately deactivated at 11.19am along the freeway, the court heard, and his wife's phone last pinged a tower at 11.40am, near Gisborne. Police went to great lengths to retrace the route Ristevski would have taken to Mount Macedon. Detectives drove a luxury car from the Ristevski's home to Mount Macedon, along the Calder, and back again. They timed the trip and believed Ristevski would have had a 20-minute window to dump his wife's body in the bush. They believe Karen died during an argument over the precarious financial situation of the couple's clothing business. The store Bella Bleu recorded losses of $326,000 over four years, and the couple had a credit card debt of more than $80,000, on top of a $715,000 mortgage. However, establishing exactly what happened to Karen and how she died will present more legal hurdles, according to Mr Faris. "For sentencing purposes, they will need to have an agreed set of facts. But where are they going to get these facts from, when he's always denied doing it?" Mr Faris asked. Lawyer Nick Papas, QC, the former Victorian Chief Magistrate, said the details of Ms Ristevski's death may never be known, even though Mr Ristevski has pleaded guilty. "That's the confusing part, I can understand why people would find this extremely hard to understand. This is a case involving circumstantial evidence and his post-event conduct, that's what this is all about - driving around, hiding, driving the car around, eventually that was sufficient to identify him as being person involved in the death. "How he killed her and the circumstances around the killing are unknown. And he'll give a version of events no doubt in the course of the plea, but the prosecutors don't necessarily have to accept that," Mr Papas told 3AW radio. Extensive inquiries into a missing WA mother and one of her daughters has failed to find any record of them since 1998, detectives have revealed. It's prompted a public appeal by police to the WA public for information about Veronica Philomena Lockyer and her daughter Adell Sherylee Partridge. Detective Senior Sergeant Adrian Richards with pictures of Veronica and Adell. Credit:Phil Hickey The pair were last seen in WA's Merredin region in late 1998, when Ms Lockyer was 33 years old and her baby was just seven months old. Today they would be aged 54 and 20 respectively. The pair were not reported missing until July last year, when one of Ms Lockyer's other daughters came forward. Sea Shepherd activists have vowed to continue harassing whalers in the Southern Ocean after two detained crew members were returned from a Japanese hunting boat. But the captain of the Sea Shepherd ship says it's unlikely that any of his charges will board one of the Japanese vessels again. Australian Benjamin Potts and British crew mate Giles Lane are back on board the environmental group's vessel, the Steve Irwin, after being transferred via the Australian customs ship the Oceanic Viking on Friday. The pair had been detained on the Yushin Maru No. 2 since Tuesday when they boarded the harpoon boat - purportedly to deliver an anti-whaling letter - causing an international furore. Both allege they were mistreated by the whalers when they were first captured, a claim the Japanese deny. NSW Labor leader Michael Daley has praised students who plan to strike over inaction on climate change, describing it as a "demonstration of young leadership" and a "great opportunity" to "realise their own personal power". In a strong endorsement of the strike planned for Friday, Mr Daley said young people had a "democratic right" to protest as he rejected criticism over whether it was appropriate for an alternate premier to be encouraging students to skip school. Thousands of students protested in Sydney's Martin Place against the government's inaction on climate change last November. Credit:Nick Moir "I support these young people and their action. It's a demonstration of young leadership. Leadership that we need badly," Mr Daley said on Wednesday. "They are inheriting from us a world that is, at best, precarious. They don't have a microphone and they don't have money like the big end of town. But they do have a democratic right to assembly. They do have a right to protest." Billionaire developer Harry Triguboff's company has launched legal action against Premier Gladys Berejiklian in an attempt to win approval to build a divisive residential tower in north-west Sydney. Developer Meriton wants to build a 42-storey apartment block at Macquarie Park, in the heart of an electorate in which the Labor and Liberal candidates are fiercely accusing the other of stoking over-development. The original plan from Meriton that included a 63-storey tower was rejected by Ryde Council. The latest plans are for a 42-storey tower. Credit:Ryde Council The tower, which became a lightning rod for political concerns about development in Sydney, was rejected by the City of Ryde last year, but could still proceed if approved by the NSW government. Ryde Liberal MP Victor Dominello last year asked Ms Berejiklian to commission an "assurance review" by the Greater Sydney Commission [GSC] into development and planning in his electorate. Daniel and Andreas Sennheiser share the CEO position of the famed audio company that bears their name, founded by their grandfather Fritz back in 1945. But rather than inheriting the family business, the brothers joined Sennheiser only after years studying and working elsewhere. We had to be ready, explains Daniel Sennheiser, in Sydney to visit the newly opened Sennheiser flagship store, just off Martin Place, because this is not a little garage company anymore." Daniel Sennheiser's sales and marketing expertise fits well with his brother's engineering background. While Andreas always knew he wanted to join the family business, Daniel says he initially refused the idea. He had studied design and marketing, and had his start in advertising, so to him it didn't seem he had a place at an engineering science company. But then today's Sennheiser has greatly evolved, the market is greatly evolved, and I think the background that I bring to Sennheiser is actually quite helpful," he says. "You need to understand design for the design of the products, we need to understand space for shops like this, and you need to understand the customer. And that's everything that a designer does. So at one point it just made sense for my brother and me to join the company together; him with an engineering and supply chain logistics background and me more with a sales and marketing background. It looks as if it was planned in the beginning, but it was not. Despite their different strengths, Daniel says he and Andreas share the CEO role completely, and the two can stand in for each other at any given time. Loading The secret really is that we spend one day per month together without an agenda and without a phone, really just the two of us And we go over everything from strategic questions, to operational questions, to management issues to our personal life as well," he says. "So we really are aligning on a monthly basis in real depth." Sennheisers Sydney store is just the fourth flagship store for the company worldwide, and offers audiophiles the chance to test the companys new 3D audio Ambeo soundbar as well as the HE-1, an $85,000 set of headphones that come complete with valve amplifiers built into a marble base, by appointment only. London: A former British paratrooper is to be prosecuted for two murders and four attempted murders on Bloody Sunday 47 years ago, Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has announced. The veteran, known as Soldier F, will face prosecution for the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick O'Donnell in Londonderry in 1972. Families hold photographs of the victims of Bloody Sunday and march through the Bogside in Londonderry on Thursday. Credit:PA via AP Sixteen other former soldiers and two suspected ex-members of the Official IRA, all of whom were also investigated as part of a major police murder probe, will not face prosecution, the PPS said. Thirteen civil rights demonstrators were shot dead on January 30, 1972, on one of the most notorious days of the Northern Ireland Troubles. London: Theresa May's conservative government has announced plans to provide free sanitary pads and tampons to high-school girls in England, following a major social campaign to end the so-called "period poverty" for young girls. Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond delivers his Spring Statement to lawmakers in the House of Commons, London. Credit:AP The policy, announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond in Wednesday's spring budget statement, sparked a rare outbreak of unity in the Commons which has been divided over Brexit. "In response to rising concern by head teachers that some girls are missing school attendance due to inability to afford sanitary products, I have decided to fund the free provision of sanitary products in secondary schools and colleges from the next school year," the Chancellor said. While campaigners said the policy could be extended further, to primary school girls also, they welcomed the announcement and predicted it could lead to countries such as Australia also adopting the idea. Washington: The US Senate has voted to withdraw American support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen, effectively giving the Trump administration 30 days to remove armed forces from the conflict. Some Republicans joined Democrats and the resolution was approved 54-46. The administration has threatened to veto it. A Saudi-led airstrike hits a site believed to be a large weapons depot on the outskirts of Yemen's capital Sanaa in 2016. Credit:AP The resolution would direct the President to withdrawl from hostilities in or affecting Yemen within a month unless authorised by Congress. The House, which adopted a slightly different version in February, is expected to take up the Senate version in the coming weeks. The outcome, critics say, has undermined American credibility as the pacesetter for global aircraft standards, while potentially ushering in a new era in which international regulators - particularly those in China and Europe - assert growing clout. Loading The global response now stands in contrast to 2013, when foreign aviation authorities largely followed the US lead in dealing with a rash of battery problems that led to the temporary grounding of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. This time, the FAA "just looked idiotic," said Mary Schiavo, a former inspector general of the US Transportation Department. Noting that Ethiopia has decided to send black boxes recovered from Sunday's crash to France rather than the United States for analysis, she added, "There is no way this doesn't erode confidence in American aviation regulation and American leadership." Giemulla said the delays in Washington have reinforced fears that the Trump administration is compromising the work of government agencies and experts in deference to the wishes of big companies such as Boeing. "It fits the impression that the world outside the US has of Donald Trump. And the suspicion, of course, is that he has ordered the FAA to deviate from its main task," he said. What you've seen here is a rebellion. Sandy Morris, an aerospace analyst For some, the events of this week harked back to the international distrust of American financial regulators that surfaced after a toxic meltdown on Wall Street sparked the global financial crisis a decade ago. Yet it also fuelled further concern over what critics call the recklessness of a Trump era driven by edicts via Twitter, impromptu trade wars and the on-again, off-again detente with North Korea. In the aftermath of the crash, global experts marvelled at what they called a sudden "rebellion" in an area Washington once dominated: global aviation. "The Americans may feel, and not without justification, that they have the greatest insight into the Boeing aircraft," said Sandy Morris, an aerospace analyst at Jefferies International in London. "But this is a case when others in the world decided that they wanted to bring the risk of another accident down to zero. What you've seen here is a rebellion." Perhaps nowhere was US leadership on aviation safety being questioned more than in China, the first country to ground the 737 Max - an unprecedented move for a government that long followed cues from American authorities. A top Chinese regulator said his agency made its decision because the FAA and Boeing had not provided China with satisfactory answers about the airplane's software and safety issues after the first 737 Max crash - of Lion Air Flight 610 in Indonesia that killed all 189 passengers and crew. Li Jian, deputy director of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), suggested that the FAA was reluctant to take strong measures against the 737 Max. "They have had difficulty making a decision, so we took the lead," Li told reporters on Monday. China's move triggered a cascade of other countries, including Britain, Canada and members of the European Union, to follow suit within 48 hours, effectively isolating the FAA before Trump ordered the planes temporarily grounded as well. US President Donald Trump. Credit:AP Chinese officials probably welcomed the opportunity to establish their leadership credentials at an inflection point in the country's aviation history, analysts said. China's civil aviation market is expected to eclipse that of the United States in three years, while its first homegrown passenger jet, the C919 narrow-body model that is designed to compete with the 737 Max, is also expected to take to the skies by the mid-2020s, at least in China. "As China grows, as its aviation grows both as a market and manufacturer, as its products and technology develop, it's obviously the intention of the Chinese government to take on more and more global leadership," said Guo Yufeng, chief executive of the Q&A Consulting firm in Guangzhou. Loading In Europe, several aviation officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the process by which jets are grounded, said they traditionally look to the FAA for guidance on US-built planes. And for days, they stuck to that, opting not to take action in the face of mounting pressure to do so. As recently as Tuesday morning, regulators in some nations in Europe issued statements standing by the US decision to keep the 737 Max flying. But within hours, European officials made a different determination, prompted in part by new satellite information suggesting similarities between the crash on Sunday and the Lion Air flight that went down October - evidence the United States would not act on until later in the day on Wednesday. "Aviation safety is our number one priority & the EU is taking every step to ensure the safety of passengers," wrote the top EU official in charge of transportation, Violeta Bulc, on Twitter. The outcry of international criticism was not universal - few, for example, in Japan and South Korea appeared to challenge US management of the crisis. But from Canada to China to the Middle East, a social media storm erupted over the erosion of American credibility. "Smart friends of mine have pointed out the reactions to 737 MAX might be inflection point for US hegemony," tweeted Canadian scholar Stephen Saideman. "China says no to MAX, FAA says don't worry, EU closes airspace. So much for US leadership." In Brazil, the controversy surrounding the 737 Max even before Sunday's crash was not so much a rejection of US leadership as an attempt to function in its absence. When the Max models were first introduced, for instance, Brazil ignored an FAA report that did not require additional pilot training for the aircraft's software, instead determining that such training was in fact needed. On March 11, India's civil aviation regulator first announced that any pilot flying the 737 Max must have a minimum of 1000 hours of experience and reserved the right to impose other restrictions based on information received from the FAA and Boeing. PHILIPSBURGMinister responsible for Civil Aviation on St. Maarten the honourable Stuart Johnson has issued a Ministerial Decree to temporarily restrict the use of Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9 aircraft in the St. Maarten airspace (Juliana TMA) considering the recent international developments involving these aircraft. Minister Johnson held consultations on Wednesday morning with the Department of Civil Aviation, Shipping and Maritime along with the Management Team of the Princess Juliana International Airport to determine a way forward "that both safeguards the lives of travelers to the destination and protects the island's economic interests." "It is not an easy decision considering we are just beginning to see signs of increased airlifts to St. Maarten but, my first priority is to do what is necessary to, in as much as is possible, guarantee the safety of people throughout our airspace. My team and I will continue to work with our International partners in the Aviation industry and with the airlines who have shown confidence in our destination post-Irma, to find feasible solutions to this present challenge, said Johnson. He said as the Aviation Authorities and Governments worldwide assess the situation involving these aircraft it is critical that St. Maarten does not appear to be lagging behind in addressing the matter. He has based his decision to sign the Ministerial Decree which goes into effect as of March 14, on two recent incidents involving the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. The first incident involved a Lion Air 737 Max 8 that crashed off the coast of Indonesia killing all 181 passengers and crew members on board. The second incident occurred early this month less than six months later when an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 crashed shortly after takeoff killing all 157 passengers. These two incidents have resulted in most of the Civil Aviation Authorities globally deciding to issue bans on the use of the Aircraft within their airspace. These include the UKCAA, Singapore, Australia, and EASA European Union. Our counterparts in Aruba, Curacao, Canada, and the Netherlands have also closed off their own airspace to this type of aircraft as of March 12th. The United States President Donald Trump also announced the immediate grounding of these aircraft on Wednesday and restricted their use in US Airspace. Johnson said the Department of Civil Aviation, the PJIA and his Cabinet will continue to monitor the developments and will also await the report being prepared by the Federal Aviation Authority FAA based on their investigations into the incidents to determine the next steps to be taken. He said, We will be keeping the traveling public and all stakeholders abreast of all developments in this regard, and I must reemphasize that safety is my primary concern." Johnson said PJIA has been rated as "a very safe airport by international standards" and this is due to the combined effort of all stakeholder SABIC and hte announce deepened partnership in innovation On March 13, 2019, SABIC and hte extended plans for collaboration for five more years to increase efficiency through digitalization and high throughput technologies in catalysis research and development (R&D) in petrochemicals. Dr. Fahad Al-Sherehy, Executive Vice President, Technology & Innovation, SABIC and Dr. Wolfram Stichert, CEO at hte, celebrated the signing of the Umbrella Research Agreement at the 6th GPCA Research and Innovation Summit in Bahrain, held under the patronage of H.E. Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil, Bahrain, where SABIC participated as the platinum sponsor. The agreement stipulates that SABIC and hte will maintain the operation of SABIC?s satellite laboratory for high throughput experimentation in Heidelberg, Germany and will install and operate a new high throughput experimentation laboratory at SABIC?s Corporate R&D (CRD) site at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). With this partnership, hte will also support SABIC in digitalization in R&D. Building on the previous successful collaboration, SABIC and hte are extending their strategic partnership to include fast-track catalysis R&D. Under the agreement, SABIC will continue operation of the SABIC satellite High Throughput Experimentation Lab, established in 2015 at hte?s facilities in Heidelberg. In addition, SABIC will have the opportunity to transfer hte?s institutional knowledge to its own corporate R&D center at KAUST in Saudi Arabia. SABIC and hte will also set up a new high throughput experimentation laboratory based on the established satellite laboratory in Heidelberg. This center will provide access to the latest technology and expertise to accelerate innovation in petrochemicals. Its close proximity to commercial plants will enable SABIC to support and optimize plant operation and productivity more efficiently. The overall aim is to decrease time and costs for the development of new catalysts and petrochemical processes considerably, and ultimately, to reduce their time-to-market. Commenting on the umbrella agreement, Dr. Al-Sherehy, confirmed that the partnership is in line with SABIC?s 2025 vision, addressing future R&D needs and local access to high-end solutions and technology. He stated, ?We are happy to continue our collaboration with hte, a leading provider of modern R&D solutions and technology. By introducing hte?s comprehensive, web-enabled data management solution myhte? we also will address our goal to introduce digitalization in catalysis R&D. An innovative partner like hte will add value to our business in the long term, and this will significantly enhance our pace of innovation.? Dr. Wolfram Stichert, CEO at hte said, ?The commitment for further cooperation with SABIC will take our relationship to the next level. We are proud to be SABIC?s preferred R&D collaboration partner and to extend the footprint of our partnership into Saudi Arabia for the first time.? SABIC considers research and innovation to be a key pillar in the achievement of sustainable growth and competitiveness while considering the highest standards of safety, health, and environment, which set the groundwork for enabling Saudi Vision 2030. At hte the high throughput experimentation company, we make R&D in the area of catalysis faster and more productive. We enable cost-effective innovations and reduced time to market for new products, thereby allowing our customers in the energy & refining, chemical & petrochemical, and environmental industry to keep ahead of the competition. Our technology and services comprise: R&D Solutions: highly efficient contract research programs at hte\-\-s state-of-the-art laboratories in Heidelberg, Germany Technology Solutions: integrated hardware and software solutions, enabling our customers to establish high throughput workflows in their own laboratories. Our customers benefit from a broad technical and scientific expertise, an exceptional customer orientation, complete end-to-end solutions, and an outstanding data quality. Our close ties with BASF guarantee long-term orientation and stability. For more information, visit our website www.hte-company.com. STORDIS Launches First Optimised Barefoot Tofino Switches with Time Synchronisation and 8-Core Processing Power OCP Global Summit, San Jose, CA ? March 14 2019 Open Networking experts STORDIS today announced the launch of two bare-metal switches powered by the fully programmable Barefoot Tofino ASIC. An industry first, the STORDIS Advanced Programmable Switches (APS) offer comprehensive 1588v2 time synchronisation support, as well as providing more powerful processing, higher memory and greater in-built storage capacity. Next generation networking functionality is delivering significant, and often critical, business advantage across an increasing number of markets. The implementation of the open source P4 programming language on Barefoot?s Tofino networking ASIC, is sparking a new boom in open networking innovation, allowing industry groups, system integrators and end-users to engineer significant new advantage for themselves. STORDIS? new, more powerful and feature-rich bare-metal switches have been built in response to previously unmet customer requirements across a variety of markets including telecoms, finance, media and broadcast, cybersecurity, industry and academia (see the packed Supporting Quotes: section below). ?After delivering P4 trainings for Barefoot in Europe and speaking to customers, we found that users needed a more powerful hardware platform to capture the full benefits of the Tofino ASIC?s programmable architecture. Support for time synchronization is also essential to engineer solid business advantage across a range of industries,? states Alexander Jeffries, CEO of STORDIS. ?These are the first switches to go beyond simply swapping out the chipset in a standard OTS bare-metal switch. We have put a lot of thought and research into building a broader, open hardware architecture that supports real-world use cases. And we will be releasing the full switch specifications and design documents to the Open Compute Project.? Support for 1588v2 time synchronisation on the STORDIS APS range is also designed to enable users to program more advanced (often application-level) functionality into the network. For example, accurate time stamping enables more efficient 5G features development in Telco environments, IP Studio and live digital broadcast for media companies, and can be essential for accuracy within financial trading environments. Both switches are available from early April from STORDIS. STORDIS APS Hardware Specifications Alongside support for boundary and transparent clock time synchronization, both new switch models sport an 8-core CPU, 128GB SSD and 32GB of RAM. The 25G platform (see below) is also the only Tofino based switch to have 1G support, delivering backward-compatibility that is essential in many markets. The first two models in the STORDIS APS series are: ? BF2556X-1T: 48x25G/8x100G, supporting speeds of 1, 10, 25, 40, 50 and 100G, based on the Barefoot Tofino 2.0Tbps ASIC, 8-core CPU, 128GB SSD, 32GB RAM, 1588v2 support, 1 x 1PPS SMA connector, 2x SFP SDN controller ports, support for 1G on ports 1 to 16 ? BF6064X-T: 64x100G, support speeds of 10, 25, 40, 50 and 100G, based on the Barefoot Tofino 6.4Tbps ASIC, 8-core CPU, 128GB SSD, 32GB RAM, 1588v2 support, 2x RJ45 SDN controller ports The switches come with AC and DC power supply options, and a 12V DC pass through module (PTM) is also available for the use in OCP racks. Built for Software Defined Networking The switches also incorporate two dedicated SDN controller ports, allowing for easy and redundant integration into a broader, unified SDN architecture. With the flexibility of the programmable Barefoot Tofino ASIC using P4, customers can develop bespoke, specific, business-orientated data-plane code, which can be controlled through open controllers such as ONOS. STORDIS Training and Development Services STORDIS already provides P4 trainings for existing Barefoot customers across Europe, and the company is supporting its own switching hardware with an extensive range of complementary services. Customers will have access to a range of training options around P4 development and other aspects of open networking. In addition, STORDIS is offering expert consultancy and supportive development resources for customers taking on their own in-house development projects. The company is also keen to ensure that open networking does not have to mean ?Do-it-Yourself?. STORDIS is offering bespoke development as a service, giving customers without a dedicated network development team equal access to the benefits of custom network functionality and open networking innovation. NOS/Software Options The new STORDIS switches will support a range of commercial switch operating systems including Kaloom and NoviFlow, with further options to be announced in the near future. In addition, there is support for open source options, such as Open Network Linux (ONL), SONiC and Ubuntu. There is also support for the Open Networking Foundation?s ?Stratum? project (based on ONL). This choice of switch operating systems allows users to make use of the Tofino?s capabilities, providing access to production-ready functionality for dedicated use cases, while STORDIS is providing expert services for customising open source operating systems and bespoke P4 dataplane development. OCP Recognition Continuing STORDIS? support for the open networking community, the design documentation of both switches has been submitted to the Open Compute Project (OCP) with the intention of receiving the OCP Accepted recognition. The STORDIS APS line will be the first Tofino-based switches submitted to OCP with time synchronisation support. In addition, a 2U OCP rackmount shelf will also be submitted to receive the OCP Accepted recognition mark. This will be the first 2U switch rackmount shelf submitted to the OCP. Summary of unique facts: ? First bare-metal switch based on Barefoot?s Tofino with 1588v2 time-synchronisation support ? First Tofino switches with highly powerful CPUs, larger SSD and sufficient memory to make best use of the Tofino?s capabilities ? First Tofino-based switches with dedicated SDN controller ports ? First Tofino-based switches with 1588v2 support to be submitted to the OCP ? First Tofino-based switch supporting speeds from 1-100GbE Supporting Quotes: Open Networking Community: \We\-\-re pleased to see STORDIS embracing the Next-Generation SDN movement,? said Timon Sloane, Vice President of Marketing & Ecosystem for the Open Networking Foundation. ?NG-SDN is poised to enable an unprecedented wave of innovation in networking by supporting full lifecycle management and complete software control of network forwarding behavior, all while enabling plug-and-play interchangeability of components. NG-SDN is helping to create a white-box ecosystem of networking switches, and we\-\-re very pleased to see STORDIS stepping up as an early proponent to help build out this ecosystem with their support of the ONF\-\-s Stratum thin switch OS on their new Barefoot Tofino powered switches.\ ?The STORDIS switches make available new features and technology with a very comprehensive support package. STORDIS? decision to support ONL, SONIC, Stratum and programmability with P4 aligns with the needs and opportunities we see in the market. Customers will also value having OCP-recognized switches with this level of support,? said Bill Carter, Chief Technology Officer at Open Compute Project Foundation Telecommunications: ?At KPN, we believe Open, fully programmable switches enable us to deliver extremely competitive wireline, mobile and cloud hosting services,? said Michel Geensen Principal Architect, in the CTO Office at KPN. ?With these new state of the art, OCP-Accepted switches, offering Stratum and ONL support, STORDIS has created important building blocks for Telcos like KPN. This is an example of a development which is expected to help KPN to accelerate the rate of innovation while bringing down the cost?. ?1588 time sync is a standout feature for the STORDIS APS range. For SKT the ability to deliver a high precision time reference from a white-box network packet broker (NPB), offers an incredibly valuable combination,? says Junho Suh, Research Engineer at Software R&D, SK Telecom. Financial Trading: ?The STORDIS Advanced Programmable Switches are ideally suited for sophisticated financial trading applications through their full programmability. Actant provides trading solutions for financial firms trading on the world?s major derivatives and stock exchanges. The switches enables reduced load, reduced latency and fewer hops for trading applications by proprietary filtering and directing multicast traffic besides others, what makes them a very interesting option for us and our customers,? states Daniel Ekengren, COO at Actant. Security: ?The STORDIS Tofino based switch provides us with the unique ability to create sophisticated custom grooming rules for our applications in the security domain,? stated Craig Renfrew, System Architect, Illuminate Technologies. Academia: ?From the perspective of a researcher, P4 programmable ASICs are one of the most interesting developments in the field of networking. We are happy to see that STORDIS launched their Advanced Programmable Switch series. These switches offer a unique set of features and performance that can enable a wealth of new applications,? states Robert Soule, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Informatics at the Universita della Svizzera italiana (USI). ?Furthermore, STORDIS has been incredibly supportive of research in networking. The STORDIS Academia Program allows us to obtain the latest technical advances at a price point academics and researchers can afford.?? Networking: \The Barefoot Tofino series of P4-programmable Ethernet switch ASICs are setting the standard for high-performance and scalable networking solutions. Tofino is being adopted across the industry in use cases ranging from intelligent packet processing interconnects enabling Computational Networking to standard Top-of-Rack(ToR) switching with dataplane telemetry and Smart Programmable Realtime INT (SPRINT),\ said Ed Doe, Chief Business Officer of Barefoot Networks, \We are pleased to see STORDIS combine their Open Networking expertise, P4 programmability and performance of Tofino to address next generation requirements of data center, financial, broadcast and telecom networks.? ?We welcome STORDIS to our growing list of whitebox partners. We are very proud to work with STORDIS and to be able to offer their new Barefoot based switches to our customers. Kaloom offers a full suite of automated DC networking software for STORDIS? new family of switches to simplify the procurement, installation and deployment for the customers,? said Laurent Marchand, CEO of Kaloom. ?The market for OCP compliant whitebox networking switches is growing fast into a $10 B market in three years (excluding FB and MS) which is very exciting.? ?These new STORDIS switches combine with NoviFlow\-\-s NoviWare NOS for Tofino, to provide the ideal platform for demanding network application areas such as packet brokers, broadcast and cyber-security, especially with the inclusion of TpT time sync and 1G support,? says Dominique Jodoin, President and CEO of NoviFlow. ?In particular, their powerful 8-core host CPUs and generous 32GB of RAM make them ideally suited for security applications. NoviFlow sees our partnership with STORDIS as a key strategic element of our Tofino white-box strategy, and we are thrilled that with this announcement STORDIS is expanding our mutual customers? hardware options for powerful Barefoot Tofino technology!? M2 Cobalt launches up to 6,000 metres of Additional drilling as Company and Jervois begin combining resources Posted by Publisher Internet M2 Cobalt Corp. (the ?Company?) (TSXV: MC.V) (OTCQB: MCCBF) (Frankfurt: AOK https://www.commodity-tv.net/c/search_adv/?v=298831) is pleased to announce the launch of its 2019 work program, including up to 6,000 metres of drilling. This program is a continuation and expansion of the Company?s initial drill program launched last Fall and includes both diamond and reverse circulation (?RC?) drilling. The Company also plans to launch additional ground geophysics (magnetics and Induced Polarization (?IP?)) and rock grab and soil sampling within existing and recently acquired exploration licenses (see press release dated October 17, 2018). Merger with Jervois The Company also announces that the merger process with Jervois Mining Limited (?Jervois?), announced on January 22, 2019 (the ?Merger?), is progressing well with the Company having now received voting and support agreements to support the Merger from shareholders representing approx. 50.3% of the issued share capital of the Company. It is currently anticipated that the formal shareholder vote to approve the Merger will be held in early-mid May 2019. Working Capital Facility As part of the Merger process, the Company has now satisfied all outstanding conditions for the draw-down of the US$3 million working capital facility from Jervois (?the Working Capital Facility?), announced on January 22, 2019. The Company will utilize funds from this facility to fund the continuation and expansion of its initial drill program and the next phase of exploration. Initial Drilling As announced in October 2018, the initial drill program was launched to test key targets at depth in each of the 3 styles of mineralization discovered during the Company?s phase 1 work programs and to position the Company for larger resource focused drill programs. As announced on January 10, 2018, the Company completed 2,027 metres of diamond drilling before the Christmas break in mid-December 2018. Most of this drilling (1056 metres; 7 drill holes) occurred at high priority targets at its Kilembe-area properties. ?In addition, the Company drilled 4 holes (839 metres) at its Bombo NW and Bombo targets (Bujagali). In relation to its Waragi Target, also at Bujagali, due to difficulties encountered with the drill rig and timing of the Christmas break, it was only possible to collar 4 very shallow exploration holes at one location, totaling 131m. The assay results from the drilling completed before Christmas have now been received. The results have provided important technical data and included a number of positive indicators, including sulphide mineralization at the targets tested in the Kilembe area as well as at the Bombo targets. The results also confirmed the presence of ultramafic bodies at Bombo. However, as yet no material intersections have been encountered. Additional drilling / next phase of exploration With the funds available under the Working Capital Facility, the Company will now complete and expand its initial drill program in and around its Waragi and Nile targets with up to 3,000 metres of drilling (diamond and RC) planned to systematically test the large regional cobalt /copper geochemical anomaly discovered across its Buajagli licenses during 2018. ?It will also launch ground geophysics and geochemistry across the adjoining exploration license it acquired at Bujagali in October 2018. Further, based on assay results and the large size of the geochemical and geophysical anomalies at Bombo, the Company will launch additional Induced Polarization geophysics (?IP?) to help focus drill collars for up to a further 3,000 metres of drilling. This program will systematically test the series of ultramafic bodies across the property for base metal mineralization. In relation to its Kilembe-area properties, the initial drill program validated the Company?s use of VTEM in this geological setting. In addition, the presence of sphalerite, galena (zinc and lead sulphides) and chalcopyrite in the core taken from the 7 drill holes also confirms the potential to discover additional VMS deposits along strike of the historic Kilembe mine. ?The Company will shortly launch ground sampling and geochemistry on the 3 Kilembe-area licenses acquired in October 2018 and its current intention is to implement a broader phase of exploration across all of its Kilembe-area Licenses later in 2019. Simon Clarke, CEO stated, ?We are pleased to be able to complete and expand our initial drill program and to launch our next phase of exploration. We have a very large asset base with numerous large-scale targets and significant potential for new discoveries. The ability to leverage what we have learned to date into this expanded phase of drilling strengthens our position significantly. We are also extremely pleased to be able to add the technical and financial resources of Jervois as we move through the merger process and combine operations.? Quality Assurance All rock and soil samples were sent to ALS Chemex South Africa (Pty) Ltd., an independent and fully accredited laboratory in South Africa for analysis for gold multi-element Induction Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy.? M2 Cobalt also has a regimented Quality Assurance, Quality Control program where at least 10% duplicates and blanks are inserted into each sample shipment. About M2Cobalt M2 Cobalt Corp. is focused on discovering and developing world-class cobalt assets (and related minerals) to help address the growing deficit in the supply of cobalt. The Company has a large, highly prospective land package in the Republic of Uganda, East Africa bordering historic production and on the same mineral trends as some of the major mines in the neighbouring DRC where over 60% of world cobalt supply originates. Uganda is a stable country with a growing economy looking to re-energize its historic mining industry. The Company has a highly experienced management team and board of directors, which has been involved in funding and advancing resource projects globally. Further information on the Company and its projects can be found at?www.m2cobalt.com The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dean Besserer, P.Geol., the Technical Advisor of the Company and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain certain ?Forward-Looking Statements? within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words ?anticipate?, ?believe?, ?estimate?, ?expect?, ?target, ?plan?, ?forecast?, ?may?, ?schedule? and other similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to exploration work to be undertaken in Uganda, the reliability of third party information, and certain other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company?s current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affections such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. Storm in the Eifel : Tornado hits houses and uncovers roofs Roetgen A tornado uncovered roofs of the small village Roetgen and frightened the citizens. Two houses no longer have an upper floor. Fortunately, only one person was slightly injured. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken Von dpa After the alleged tornado in the Eifel community of Roetgen south of Aachen, the cleaning and repair of the damaged houses will begin on Thursday. "The house owners will inspect thedamages, maybe insurance companies will come," said Roetgen's mayor Jorma Klauss (SPD). The short, violent storm haduncoveredroofs and damaged around 30 houses in the town on the border to Belgium. A spokesman for the fire brigade's operational management told the German Press Agency on Wednesday evening that ten of these houses were no longer habitable for the time being. Two houses in Roetgen no longer have an upper floor. There had been a slightly injured person who had been brought to a hospital by ambulance as a precaution. The storm swept through, short and violent", the spokesperson for the fire brigade described the natural event. The storm quickly dissipated afterwards. Damage was relatively concentrated on two roads. However, trees had also fallen in the surrounding area. Cars were damaged by flying items. Solidarity among neighbours In the primary school in Roetgen on Wednesday evening a care centre had been set up. The fire brigade estimated that about 30 people temporarily needed other accommodation. The mayor reported, however, that many people stayed with acquaintances for the night. In addition, a Roetgen hotelier had offered his rooms free of charge for those affected. "The solidarity is once again great in our community. Fire brigade and rescue services were attending with more than 200-strong force. In addition there were about 30 policemen. The German Weather Service confirmed that a thunderstorm had hit the Eifel. A DWD meteorologist said that it still had to be checked whether the storm could be classified as a tornado. A video distributed by WDR via Twitter shows a clearly visible tornado running through the village. Under the expression tornadoes, meteorologists of the German Weather Service classify an air column in contact with the ground, which rotates around a more or less vertically oriented axis and can be found under a deep cloud base. According to the DWD, other prerequisites for the formation of the column are strong temperature differences, rising air and vertical wind shear, i.e. an increase in wind speed. In 2018, the DWD had registered 17 tornado events across Germany, four of them in NRW. March 15 17 : Weekend tips for Bonn and the region BONN/REGION Whether it's a flea market, theatre or concerts: The weekend ahead offers a full variety of events worth a visit. We have compiled some tips for Bonn and the region. Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken Friday, 15 March "The Fabulous Singlettes" in Bonn Until April 14 "The Fabulous Singlettes" will perform with the Malente family in Bonn. The Australians present a unique guest performance in Europe. The music show offers hits from the 1960s as well as disco classics from the 1970s. Where: Malentes Theater Palast, Godesberger Allee 69, 53175 Bonn, Germany When: Friday, 15 March, 7.30 pm Tickets: From 21,75 Euro at www.bonnticket.de International Dance Festival in Bonn The Bonn dance company Cocoon-Dance celebrates its premiere with its new project "Dream City" on Friday at the Dance Festival in the Theater im Ballsaal. Rafaele Giovanola has taken over the direction, Rainald Endra is responsible for the choreography and leads the production. Mathilde Grebot designed the costumes. In addition, seven professional dancers and members of the Junior Company Bonn will perform. Where: Theater im Ballsaal, Frongasse 9, 53121 Bonn, Germany When: Friday, 15 March, 8 pm Tickets: From 15 Euro on www.ga.de/tickets Dire Strats "A Tribute to Dire Straits" will be the motto of the Bonner Harmonie on Friday and Saturday. Then the tribute band "Dire Strats" performs and presents the greatest hits of the British rock band, which was active from 1977 to 1995. Where: Harmonie, Frongasse 28-30, 53121 Bonn, Germany When: Friday, 15 March, and Saturday, 16 March, each 8 pm Tickets: From 25,50 Euro on www.bonnticket.de "Late Night" in Bad Godesberg Once a month, artists from the Theater Bonn transform the foyer of the Schauspielhaus Bad Godesberg into a walk-in theatrical venture. Under the name "Late Night" they offer dancing and gossip together. Where: Schauspielhaus Bad Godesberg, Am Michaelshof 9, 53177 Bonn, Germany When: Friday, 15 March, 10 pm Admission: from 6,95 Euro at www.bonnticket.de Saturday, 16 March Flea Market in the Rheinaue The monthly flea market will take place again on Saturday in the Rheinaue in Bonn. Thereis the possibility to "dawdle" all day long in the Rheinaue. Where: Rheinauenpark, Groe Blumenwiese , Ludwig-Erhardt-Allee, 53175 Bonn When: Saturday, 16 March, 8 am to 6 pm Stand fee: 8 Euro, bookable at www.online.melan.de Crime scene dinner on ship Under the motto "St. Pauli, Leichen von der Stange" there will be a crime scene dinner on the passenger ship MS Moby Dick in Cologne. Show-girl Betty Montana dies in the process, and it's teeming with crooks. The three-and-a-half-hour thriller theatre offers a four-course menu and music with live singing. Where: MS Moby Dick, Konrad Adenauer bank, at the Bastei,investor number 14, 50668 Cologne, Germany When: Saturday, 16 March, 7pm Tickets: 89 Euro on site Sunday, 17 March Organic market Regional food and sustainable products will be available in Bonn on Sunday. Then "Der Grune Markt" opens its doors in factory 45. Among the products on offer are accessories, cosmetics, organic food and confectionery. Where: Factory 45, Hochstadenring 4, 53119 Bonn, Germany When: Sunday, 17 March, from 11 am to 7 pm Eschmar Nature Photography The Koenig Museum invites you to the 16th Eschmar Nature Photo Days with live lectures on Sunday. The Naturfototreff Eschmar shows the photo lectures listed in the programme and a photo exhibition comprising around 70 large-format photos. This year, the theme of the exhibition and focus of the lectures is the fascination of nature in Western NRW. Where: Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany When: Sunday, 17 March, 11 to 17.15 hrs Tickets: 8 Euro on the day of the event at the museum box office Antiques and flea market The antique and flea market opens its doors again in Bad Godesberg's city centre. On Sunday, March 17, visitors can browse from 11 am to 5 pm on more than 600 metres of sales area. Stand areas canbe reserved online onlyat www.bad-godesberg.info. After registration, the exhibitor can book an appointment. Last minute people, who want to sell on the market, can arrive on March 17, at 8.30 am before the chamber does the last assignments. Sampling of museums and exhibitions in Bonn and surrounds: EUROTOPIA - Frauen fur Europa!(Women for Europe): Art-Information-Initiative,Community exhibition, Frauenmuseum, Im Krausfeld 10, 2 - 6pm, Saturday, (0228) 691344 Art-Information-Initiative,Community exhibition, Frauenmuseum, Im Krausfeld 10, 2 - 6pm, Saturday, (0228) 691344 Arp Museum Bahnhof Rolandseck Exhibitions: A current schedule can be found on the website (English): arpmuseum.org Hans-Arp-Allee 1, 53424 Remagen, (02228) 94250 A current schedule can be found on the website (English): arpmuseum.org Hans-Arp-Allee 1, 53424 Remagen, (02228) 94250 Bundeskunsthalle Exhibitions: A current listing and opening hours can be found on the website (English) Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 4., (0228) 91710 A current listing and opening hours can be found on the website (English) Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 4., (0228) 91710 Deutsches Museum Bonn: A current listing can be found on the website: deutsches-museum.de (English), Bad Godesberg, Ahrstr. 45, 10am - 6pm, (0228) 302255, For more information on childrens programmes: (0228) 302 256 A current listing can be found on the website: deutsches-museum.de (English), Bad Godesberg, Ahrstr. 45, 10am - 6pm, (0228) 302255, For more information on childrens programmes: (0228) 302 256 Kunstmuseum: A current listing can be found on the website (English).Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 2, 11am-6pm, (0228) 776260 A current listing can be found on the website (English).Friedrich-Ebert-Allee 2, 11am-6pm, (0228) 776260 LVR Landesmuseum: A current listing can be found here: times on website (English). Colmanstr. 14-16, (0228) 2070351 Cinemas offering English-language movies: Want to see a movie in English? Check out the GA Kinofinder (Film finder), just click on the OV Original Version films and you will find out when and where they are showing. http://www.ga.de/freizeit/kino/kinofinder/ You can also check out the following theaters which normally offer at least a couple of movies in English. Films labeled with OV (Orig. version) or Omu (Orig. version with German subtitles) are generally in English unless otherwise noted, i.e. (Russ) = Russian, (Frz) = French. A trio of astronauts will blast off for a six-month stay at the International Space Station today (March 14), and you can watch the launch live. It's a Pi Day launch for NASA, with liftoff scheduled on 3/14 at 3:14 p.m. EDT (1914 GMT), mimicking the iconic number, from Russia's launch site at Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. You can watch the launch live on Space.com , courtesy of NASA TV, or directly at the agency's website. NASA's webcast will begin at 2 p.m. EDT (1800 GMT). The three crewmembers headed to the orbiting laboratory are rookie NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Christina Koch and veteran Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin. Hague and Ovchinin were originally slated to start their space station visit in October, but their rocket suffered a booster anomaly that triggered an emergency launch abort and sent the pair back to Earth. Related: The Expedition 59 Space Station Mission in Photos After liftoff, the trio will spend about 6 hours en route to the International Space Station, where they will join the current crew of NASA astronaut Anne McClain, Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko and Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques, who all arrived in December. The new crewmembers will need to settle in quickly: Hague and Koch are each scheduled to conduct a spacewalk later this month, both joined by McClain. The second of those excursions, on March 29, will be the first spacewalk conducted exclusively by female astronauts. It's official: The X-Men are going to space. Two new trailers for Fox's latest X-Men film, "X-Men: Dark Phoenix," launch mutants into space on what appears to be a rescue mission that goes oh, so wrong. In the first trailer , we catch a slight hint of a NASA space shuttle caught in a cosmic explosion in low Earth orbit. A subsequent international trailer, released March 5, offers an even more tantalizing view, showing the X-Men flying to the rescue of a space shuttle in distress. Check it out below. Related: Biggest Space Movies to Watch in 2019 "In 'X-Men: Dark Phoenix,' the X-Men face their most formidable and powerful foe: one of their own, Jean Grey. During a rescue mission in space, Jean is nearly killed when she is hit by a mysterious cosmic force," a reads a 20th Century Fox synopsis . And, according to 20th Century Fox, the situation just gets worse. "Once she returns home, this force not only makes her infinitely more powerful, but far more unstable. Wrestling with this entity inside her, Jean unleashes her powers in ways she can neither comprehend nor contain." Things continue to deteriorate. "With Jean spiraling out of control and hurting the ones she loves most, she begins to unravel the very fabric that holds the X-Men together," the trailer synopsis says. "Now, with this family falling apart, they must find a way to unite not only to save Jean's soul, but to save our very planet from aliens who wish to weaponize this force and rule the galaxy." "X-Men: Dark Phoenix" will launch the mutant superhero team into space on a shuttle rescue mission. (Image credit: 20th Century Fox) Space missions! Aliens! For space and comics fans, there is much joy here. First, the scene clearly suggests that superpowerful mutant Grey will get her titular "Dark Phoenix" powers in some sort of cosmic accident, much like in the famed comic series . In addition, there are the awesome space shuttle views and a blue-and-yellow X-Men spacesuit! Nightcrawler (Kodi Smit-McPhee) and Jean Grey (Sophie Turner) prepare are set for their space rescue mission in "X-Men: Dark Phoenix." (Image credit: 20th Century Fox) Also, apparently Nightcrawler can teleport just fine in a spacesuit, but is there room for his tail? Actually, upon closer inspection, the mutant isn't wearing a true spacesuit after all; the garment looks like a helmet was duct-taped to his X-Men uniform. (Duct tape does solve all in space.) To be clear, not all of "X-Men: Dark Phoenix" occurs in space. But based on the trailers' space rescue scenes, in this film, the X-Men are about to boldly go where no mutant has gone before! "X-Men: Dark Phoenix" hits theaters June 6. Fam - 1. Shannon: "That's insane. It's only one night. I can be here alone." Clem: "The Purge is only one night. And a lot of people end up dead at the end." (Prpleight) 2. Shannon: "It's only one night. I can be here alone." Clem: "The Purge is only one night. And a lot of people end up dead at the end." 3. Shannon: "If I wasn't responsible, would I have spent the whole last summer cleaning up the park?" Clem: "That was court-mandated." 4. Clem: "What do you think, Nick?" Nick: "I mean, maybe my mom has a point." Walt: "Besides, what's she gonna get into? Even bigger overalls?" 5. Nick: "I got to be honest, I thought that seafood tower was gonna be a little bit taller. I mean, come on, chef, add some prawns, you know what I mean?" 6. Shannon: "Full disclosure, since I'm all mature now and whatnot: some beer spilt on the couch." Clem: "Okay. Thank you for being honest with us." Shannon: "Even fuller disclosure: the beer used to be in Elizabeth's stomach." (Mads) Good Girls - 1. Rio: "You want to get down in the dirt so bad, but you want to keep your hands clean." 2. Ruby: "Where'd you get that?" Annie: "Off one of those little carts." Ruby: "Those are for patients." Annie: "The cafeteria was closed." Ruby: "You stole a sick person's food." Annie: "The cafeteria was closed." 3. Beth: "How do you know it hasn't already been sent?" Ruby: "On SVU they don't send the evidence until they have something to match it too." Annie: "But that's not what they do on CSI." Beth: "What do they do?" Annie: "Well, the lab is their office..." Beth: "But that show's been on for so many seasons that could have changed..." (Ellys Cartin) The Other Two - 1. "Brooke: What's the part?" Carey: "It's a gas station attendant who gets his ass eaten. It's a three episode arc." Brooke: "Is this for that Ryan Murphy miniseries about the woman who sues McDonald's?" Carey: "Yeah, American Crime Story: Hot Coffee." 2. Brooke: "I need another drink and make it a triple." Waiter: "You were drinking wine." Brooke: "Yeah, I want a bottle of wine." 3. Paul: "Maroon 5 doesn't suck?" Brooke: "Of course they suck. That's like their whole point." 4. Waiter: "Do you need me to call the police? What did this man do?" Brooke: "Yes. He posted mean jokes about brother online six months ago." Waiter: "I can't call the police for that." Brooke: "Then he screenshotted the jokes and posted them again." Waiter: "I'll call the police." 5. Curtis: "Who got it?" Carey: "Frankie Grande. He brought someone to eat his ass at the audition." (Mads) Proven Innocent - 1. Violet: "70% of wrongful convictions of women are in cases where there was no crime to begin with. Which makes it difficult to exonerate them because there is no real killer to be found." 2. Madeline: "Hey, I know you're pro-life, but this is a religious bias case. A white woman never would have been charged with this. Fetuses are found in trash cans a lot, sadly, but the women are always charged with improper disposal of a fetus. Never murder. Never!" 3. Madeline: "Sarah is being used as a tool by political advocates to punish women for having an abortion when the irony is, she didn't even have one. If protecting life is the goal of the state, why aren't we protecting this woman's life as well?" 4. Bodie: "As a gentleman I won't ask, but as a pervert I gotta know everything." (Mads) The Rookie - 1. Hutchinson: "We were all gangsters back then, son. Criminals and Five-o alike." 2. Chen: "Hypothetically, is there ever a scenario where we just, you know, give them what they want? Where we, you know, balance one life against the lives of many lives and make that hard call." Bradford: "That call isn't ours to make. We're here to serve and protect, we don't get to decide who we serve or who protect." Chen: "So you're willing to die for that guy?" Bradford: "I am unwilling to let fear make me do something i'll be ashamed of in the light of day." (Ellys Cartin) Roswell, New Mexico - La Coruna (Galicia), March 14, 2019 (SPS) -The Peace and Freedom Intergroup for the Sahrawi People in the Galician Parliament met with the delegate of the Frente POLISARIO, Jira Bulahi, to evaluate the current situation and present the plan action for 2019. The representatives of the different political forces that make up the intergroup addressed the different scenarios of solidarity and support for the Saharawi people. The current situation and elections at the level of Europe and the Spanish State were also discussed in order to redouble the work to include the issue of Western Sahara in the different political agendas. The representatives of FEDISSAH and SOGAPS presented the work that has been done to strengthen the platform of solidarity with the Sahrawi struggle and the work at the political level. It should be recalled that the meeting, was attended by the Saharawi representative in Galicia, along with Maite Isla, president of the Galician Association of Support to the Saharawi People (SOGAPS) and Carmelo Ramirez, president of the Federation of Institutions in solidarity with the Sahara (FEDISSAH).SPS 125/090/TRA Two bills that would give legislators greater oversight of the Connecticut State Colleges and University system were endorsed with unanimous support Thursday, including one that would enable lawmakers to stop plans to merge the states 12 community colleges into a single statewide institution. I think this is imperative that we do this this year, said Rep. Terrie Wood, R-Darien, shortly before the vote was taken in the Higher Education Committee on Senate Bill 749. This community college consolidation the process has not been transparent. I dont believe the numbers add up. We just need more accountability and more understanding of it. Sen. Mae Flexer, D-Killingly, and a vice-chairwoman of the committee, said she hopes to see the bill, which has been sent to the floor of the Senate, get through the General Assembly so that legislators are empowered to stop the college merger plan backed by CSCU President Mark Ojakian, who also heads the Board of Regents for Higher Education. We are at risk of losing many of the community-based strengths of our community system with the creation of one single institution, Flexer said. When the Board of Regents was created, we were assured we were going to have 12 independent community colleges and four state universities. That is no longer the case and the legislature needs to be the voice of the people to ensure they have a role in this discussion. A second bill, House Bill 7254, unanimously approved by the committee Thursday, says the president of the Board of Regents must make quarterly reports to the higher education committee on the status of Students First, as the college consolidation plan is called. As the law stands now, the Board of Regents, the governing board for CSCU system, makes the decision on whether to close or merge institutions. With the backing of Ojakian, the board has decided to merge the states 12 community college in an attempt to bolster the systems ailing finances. Ojakian has estimated that the plan will save $23 million annually when the consolidation is complete and he hopes to invest any savings into services for students that will strengthen retention and graduation rates. Last year, the accrediting agency for the CSCU institutions, the New England Commission of Higher Education, turned down Ojakians bid to consolidate the 12 colleges, but Ojakian said he has been working closely with NECHE to ensure a better chance of success when he submits the plan again. His hope is to receive approval from NECHE in time to completely consolidate the colleges in 2023. The Senate bill would require that any proposed merger or closing of a CSCU institution must be approved by a majority vote in both chambers of the General Assembly, but to reject it would require only a majority vote of either chamber. The vote must be taken not later then one year after receiving notice by the Board, the bill says, adding that if the General Assembly fails to act, the recommended merger or closing shall be deemed acceptable. Ojakian, who opposed the bills approved by the committee Thursday, said the system must be restructured if it is to remain solvent. I believe that if you have a board of regents or a board of trustees that is mostly appointed by the governor that you should give that board the authority to make those kinds of decisions, Ojakian said Thursday, shortly after the committee vote. While I respect the legislative process, I think if you have legislators approving or rejecting closures or mergers then you are going to inject politics into those decisions even more than is being done now. If politics enter into the decisions about which colleges remain open or closed, he said, the students would be the ones to suffer in the end. You know Ive never said I want to close campuses. Im committed to not closing campuses, Ojakian said. His plan preserves all 12 campuses, but centralizes administration. But if a successor attempted to close a campus, Ojakian said he thinks its the colleges in the more rural areas that may be at greater risk because they have a smaller delegation in the legislature. You clearly see legislators, in a desire to protect their own institutions, basically arguing that we should close another institution, said Ojakian. I think President Ojakian underestimates the strength of the voice of northeastern Connecticut, said Flexer, who is from the northeast corner of the state and graduated from Quinebaug Valley Community College. Twelve campuses run by a bureaucrat in Hartford is not the same. Its not keeping the community in our community college system. Rep. Gregg Haddad, D-Mansfield, and co-chairman of the higher education committee is another strong proponent of the bill. Were the funding agency for the system and I think thats an expectation here that we want an understanding about what it is that we are providing money for, said Haddad. I think its not surprising that legislators would want a say in something as sweeping as what hes proposing. Students at the states four regional universities will likely pay 5 percent more in tuition next year, but its still unclear how much more students at the states community colleges will be charged. The Board of Regents for Higher Educations finance committee voted Wednesday in favor of a proposal to increase tuition at the state universities, but held off making a decision about the community colleges in case additional state funds become available. I want to take a little more time to gauge the legislative interest in additional funding, for the community colleges, said Mark Ojakian, president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities. The community colleges are in a much more precarious position financially. The full board will vote on the proposed increase for the state universities at its March 28 meeting. Ojakian said the state universities need to know their tuition rates for next year because they are assembling financial aid packages for the 2019-2010 school year now, but he can hold off on the community colleges because students generally enroll later in the year. Ojakian expects that his staff will have a proposed tuition increase for the community colleges next month. Community college students paid 2.5 percent more in tuition this year compared to last year. The regents also voted for a 2.9 percent tuition increase for the states on-line college, Charter Oak State College. With a tuition increase proposed for the state universities, coupled with increases in fees, room and board, an in-state student who lives in a dorm at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain would pay $804 more next year to attend college. This year, that student pays $22,791 in tuition, fees and room and board. A commuting student who lives in Connecticut would pay $452 more next year to attend Central. The costs are a bit higher at the other three universities, with the highest at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, where in-state residential students will pay $899 more next year, including fees and room and board. It continues to be the mission of this board and of myself that we ensure that the university remain the most affordable and accessible option to obtaining a four-year degree in the state of Connecticut, Ojakian said. Ive always said tuition (increases) needed to be considered as a last resort and that I want to assure everyone that weve done everything possible to make sure the increase is as manageable as possible for our students. The financially troubled Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, which includes the four state universities and 12 community colleges, would face a $57 million shortfall next year if tuition and the state investment in the system stays flat. Last month, Gov. Ned Lamont proposed a budget that included essentially flat-funding for the CSCU system. If CSCU were to attempt to balance the budget just on the backs of the students, Ojakian said, its state university students would be facing a tuition increase of 12 percent. We are asking students to invest a little more in their education, Ojakian said. He estimates its about $40 more a month for in-state commuter students and a little more than $70 extra a month for residential students. The percentage increase for state university students is less than the increase that will be paid by UConn students. As part of the last year of a four-year schedule of tuition increases, UConn students will face a 7.3 percent increase in tuition next year. However, if fees are included, that percentage increase jumps to 9.5 percent. Thats because students next year have to pay a $500 fee for the schools $100 million recreation center, which is scheduled to open in September. Students are expected to pay that fee each year for the next 30 years. Search engine algorithms are ever changing, which means that anyone with a website needs to stay up to date on todays SEO marketing trends. Not only is new technology changing the way humans search, but search engines crawlers are using different criteria to rank your website. Implementing these SEO marketing trends will help any business stay competitive in 2019. 1. Consider search engines other than Google. While Google is inarguably still king of search, dont forget about optimizing your content for Apple and Amazons search engines. Amazon is the most valuable public company on the planet. This means that anyone with a product to sell should conduct Amazon keyword research. Similarly, Apples App Store is increasingly important for driving traffic. Today, over 60 percent of online traffic comes from mobile. But 90 percent of the time people spend browsing on their phones occurs on apps. The future of mobile search could be the App store, not Google. From a business perspective, the increasing importance of the App store means understanding its unique organic search algorithms. These value factors like app click-through rate, engagement and whether keywords match search queries. Related: 5 Tips for Choosing Your Next SEO Firm 2. Quality content is worth more than quantity. One of the most important Google search algorithm updates in 2018 shifted the search engines attention towards content quality. This trend will persist in 2019. Though backlinks remain important, Google is getting more sophisticated when it comes to determining how good your website content is. Of course, the amount of content you produce is still important. But one of the most significant SEO marketing trends of 2019 is prioritizing quality more than ever before. Specifically, this means writing long-form content and not misleading search engines or the consumer. In 2019, entrepreneurs should place special attention to on-page SEO. Increasingly sophisticated crawlers are paying special attention to user-friendly URLs, optimizing images, and internal structure and linking. Related: 7 Things You Should Know About Cryptocurrency Taxes 3. Website speed affects UX and rankings. Increasing website speed is one of the most important SEO marketing trends in 2019. Luckily, with all the SEO tools available on the market, its easy to check just how fast your website is. Speed is more important than ever thanks to Googles mobile-first index policy. Of course, website speed has always been an important aspect of user experience. Today, its important for Google crawlers, too. Ideally, a website should take less than a second to load, which can be hard to accomplish without the assistance of a qualified SEO firm. And the faster your website is, the higher Google will rank it. 4. Voice search is no longer a novelty. With the rise of technology like Siri, Google Home and Alexa, voice search already represents 20 percent of total mobile search. Its predicted to reach 50 percent by 2020. In other words, integrating voice-search optimized keywords is among the leading SEO marketing trends of this year. Voice search keywords are often shorter, more colloquial, and in the form of commands or questions. Related: Why Do We Need Voice Search Optimization? 5. Dont dismiss linkless mentions. As its name would suggest, a linkless mention is when your brand is referenced without a link being attached. While backlinks are still an important factor used by search engines to determine content quality, linkless mentions are given more weight than ever before. This is partially due to the perception is that linkless mentions are more genuine, unlike black hat SEO techniques like paid links. Social media mentions are also playing an increasingly important role in evaluating website quality. In a Google patent, the company even classifies implied links as a subset of a type of links. 6. Structured data is more important than ever. Structured data is an overarching term for organizing website data. For example, information that you see included along with a website's meta description is structured data. The knowledge graph that appears on the right-hand side of Google is another type. Its purpose is to make it easier and faster for search engines to crawl your website. So whether youre including online reviews or more detail about your content, structured data is one of the top SEO marketing trends to help Google classify your information in 2019. 7. SEO marketing trends for Google and beyond. Virtually every business in the world is competing for Google rankings. On top of that, Google regularly changes its algorithms and the technology we favor for search will continue to evolve. The biggest takeaway for 2019 is that mobile is more important than ever. This has a ripple effect: Entrepreneurs must optimize their content for Apples algorithms too, as well as follow Googles mobile updates that prioritize speed and structured data. Not only that, but other tech giants like Amazon and devices that include voice search are changing what optimization means. But above all, a websites overarching goal should always be to appeal to its audience. The better your content is, the higher Google will rank it. Related: 6 SEO Marketing Trends in 2019 That Entrepreneurs Should Know About This Program Diagnoses Website Issues in 15 Minutes Las 7 mejores herramientas para salir mas arriba en los resultados de Google Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved A Florida school was briefly placed on lockdown Wednesday morning after a student killed herself with a handgun on campus. Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said a 17-year-old junior shot herself in the Lake Mary High School auditorium. The student asked to leave class to use the restroom around 7:45 a.m. A teacher reported hearing the gunshot about five minutes later. The school was immediately placed on a code red lockdown following the reports of a gunshot. School officials notified parents with a recorded call. Lemma said the girl's parents have been contacted by deputies. Lemma said it does not appear as though any students or faculty witnessed the girl's death. Investigators said they are looking into how the student got the gun and how she brought it onto campus. Parents were allowed to pick up their students after word of the incident began to spread across campus. School officials said classes for Thursday have been canceled, but grief counselors will be available in the media center from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Grief counselors will also be on campus from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday. Students who drove themselves to school were allowed to leave campus on an honor system. School officials said there will be no access to campus through the school's main entrance. The student suicide is the second at a Central Florida school in the past year and a half. In November of 2017, a 17-year-old student fatally shot himself at Lake Minneola High School. Family, friends and staff members are in a state of mourning. It's a sobering reminder that mental health can often be overlooked. "It's incredibly important to have an open and honest conversation with your children about how they might be feeling about today," said Tara Sullivan, Central and South Florida area director for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Experts agree one of the most important things people can do is talk with their children. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. FIND HELP: A 24/7 toll-free number is 1-800-273-8255. Known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, it connects people to local crisis centers and has national backup centers to answer calls. USA Today has explained what happens when it's called and noted the service respects anonymity. Another 24/7 free service, Crisis Text Line, connects people with a real-life crisis counselor to help in the moment. Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the U.S. for support. A new era is at hand for investing in medical cannabis, which until now has been the exclusive territory of investors brave enough to venture into the risk-ridden waters of federal prohibition. But that wont last forever. The feds are trying to play catch-up as investors, consumers and patients fuel the rapid expansion of the multi-billion-dollar cannabis industry, with legalization spreading across the U.S., Canada and elsewhere. States that have legalized cannabis are enjoying the benefits of increased tax revenue. Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York, where medical cannabis is legal and a plan to legalize adult-use is underway, has proposed that revenue from the cannabis excise tax be used to fix the ailing subway (the legislation is stalled by African-American legislators demanding some portion of revenues be channeled to communities most victimized by the War on Drugs). States with legal cannabis dont want the feds to interrupt the flow of tax revenue. The fundamental purpose behind the SAFE Banking Act thats currently working its way through Congress is to protect institutions that provide financial services to legitimate cannabis businesses. The odd thing about this is that cannabis businesses are required to pay steep taxes to the federal government that bans their product. A 1982 amendment to the Tax Code called 280E, which was originally meant to penalize drug dealers, has been narrowly interpreted by the IRS to mean legal marijuana businesses cannot deduct normal business expenses from their taxable revenue. Related: Cannabis Advocates Want 'Unjust' Federal Tax Code Changed Just recently, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell told the U.S. Senate that clarity in federal financial regulations in the marijuana market is increasingly necessary as more states line up behind legalization. I think it would be great to have clarity, Powell told members. It puts financial institutions in a very difficult place and puts the supervisors in a difficult place, too. As states continue to fall like giant green bowling pins -- 35 states and the District of Columbia have legalized its use for medical purposes -- the complexity of legalization and its ramifications on banking and financial institutions are impossible to ignore. Many more states, such as New York, New Jersey and Illinois, are debating legalization of the cannabis industry. Eventually the feds are going to have to adapt as federal agencies, like the FDA, are getting involved in regulation. Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said before his recent resignation that his agency is investigating possible alternative approaches to regulating CBD. This is after the passage of the Farm Bill last year and the FDA giving the greenlight to Epidiolex, a CBD treatment for epileptic seizures from GW Pharmaceuticals. Now the federal government finds itself in an unusual conundrum, of approving and regulating a compound that it has banned. Meanwhile, doctors and patients are demanding more clinical evidence that CBD actually works. Related: Move Aside, CBD: New Data Finds THC Is the Real Medicine in Medical Marijuana This, combined with the recent call for clarity from Chairman Powell, signals that a new era is at hand for investing in cannabis. Theres too much momentum, and too much money, for the feds to stuff the genie back in the bottle. GW Pharmaceuticals led Big Pharma into medical cannabis investment and was rewarded by becoming the first drug company to get a cannabis-based treatment approved by the FDA. You might think everybody wants to be the next GW but Big Pharma has been noticeably quiet on the subject of cannabis investing. The Novartis subsidiary Sandoz partnered with Canadian cannabis company Tilray to sell medical cannabis in countries where its legal. But aside from that, its been the smaller companies that are getting involved in medical cannabis. The ones best positioned to make investments are the biotechs capable of running clinical trials. The future of investing in medical cannabis lies in the Second Generation: the development of cannabinoid pharmaceuticals through clinical trials which are then submitted to the FDA. Investment in Second Generation medical cannabis is coming from small biotechs that are just making themselves known, like Katexco Pharmaceuticals and CannBioRex Pharmaceuticals. But Big Pharma seems content to sit on the sidelines as long as cannabis remains prohibited by federal law in the U.S. The smaller, cutting-edge biotechs have a greater tolerance for risk than Big Pharma. That's unlikely to change so long as federal law equates cannabis banking with money laundering. If the U.S. government ever puts an end to prohibition, just imagine what that would do to cannabis investment on Wall Street. The pharmaceutical floodgates will finally open. Related: Federal Regulators Are Blocking the Cannabis Boom but Congress Keeps Them In the Way Cannabis Offers Battered Pro Athletes Both Hope and Healing Volunteer Coders Partner With San Francisco to Clear 9,300 Marijuana Arrest Records Copyright 2019 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved Given that it was named by the American Society of News Editors, Sunshine Week has always been a weak headline. It sounds more like a 1970s block of childrens television programming than what it really is, a grave reminder of the perils of government secrecy. It is celebrated in mid-March to honor the birth of James Madison, the Father of the Constitution. Our fourth president had no way to foresee how technology would twist government transparency into something of a Gordian knot. Sunshine Week is elevated this year by ramifications of a Freedom of Information request filed in California by the American Civil Liberties Union. The resulting documents reveal how 9,200 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents use a license plate reader database to track immigrants. Surveillance cameras mean we leave a trail of bread crumbs that remain in databases for years. One more thing to add to the great Connecticut toll debate of 2019: Cameras every few miles would be an ICE agents dream. If youre on board with ICE deserving every available tool to hunt immigrants, you will likely tune out the outrage of groups such as the ACLU. But consider the nuances. The documents obtained through FOI indicate eight law enforcement agencies in Connecticut assist ICE agents by providing locations of residents through the program. That includes police in Norwalk, Fairfield, Westport, Stratford, Trumbull, Enfield and Wethersfield, as well as security at Southern Connecticut State University. Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling notably the citys former police chief released a joint statement with current Chief Thomas Kulhawik denying cooperation with ICE, explaining that the information was tapped through a cloud-based program police database. As if thats reassuring. It is the express policy of the Norwalk Police Department to refrain from cooperating or assisting with federal immigration actions, they added. Police departments have to tread carefully, as they could be in violation of Connecticuts TRUST Act, created six years ago to limit cooperation with ICE. In Hartford, there are dueling proposals related to TRUST. A Republican pitch seeks to repeal the act; Democrats want to beef it up. We are not ICE and we have no interest in doing their work, New Haven Assistant Police Chief Luis Casanova said at the state Capitol last week. We need to institute strong protections to protect all of our community members. If we dont, decades of trust-building will be eroded by the actions of a few overzealous law enforcement entities. In the spirit of Sunshine Week, this discourse needs to be as open and candid as possible and probe several vexing issues. There needs to be a deeper audit of the findings. The role of Southern Connecticut State University alone calls for further scrutiny. ICE may have crossed boundaries it set for itself. In some cases, violations may have occurred in sanctuary cities. Without FOI, we could be left in the darkness, even as all of our movements are tracked. N ot for the first time, deep-pocketed Dubai is coming to the rescue of the London markets. Amid a Brexit dearth of stock market floats this year, a chink of light appeared today in the form of payments processor Network International. The company largely owned by Dubai bank Emirates NBD has opted to launch an IPO here with a mooted valuation of about 2.2 billion. It will be the first foreign company to float here this year. Three cheers. Further good news is that Ron Kalifa has given it his blessing by joining as chairman. For those not familiar with the esoteric (OK, boring) world of payment processing, Kalifa was the guy who extracted Worldpay from RBS, turned it into a standalone business and sold it first to venture capitalists for 2 billion and then to rival Vantiv for four times more. Each time he and his backers made more squillions than they could ever spend. So what is his latest wheeze? Like Worldpay, Network was spun out of a bank and is pretty much the only major player running the infrastructure between shops payment card machines and customers banks in the Middle East and Africa. For investors, then, its a bet on the rapid economic growth of those regions. There are extra risks for any business operating in Africa, as those who backed Bob Diamonds naively gung-ho Atlas Mara banking venture learnt to their cost. But Network International has been at it for 20 years. It launched into e-commerce in 1999. In short, it has great prospects and good management. The biggest concern, though, is that its owners will be too greedy in pricing the float so the shares flop, as with those other good but mispriced firms like Funding Circle and Aston Martin. As with that duo, Network International has hired a panoply of banks and brokers eight at the last count to peddle the deal. That doesnt bode well. For Londons reputation, and investors confidence, lets get this one right. Thomas Cook may pay cost of ad cuts The first and worst thing firms do in tough times is slash their marketing spend. Its quick and easy unlike redundancies or corporate rejigs which cost money. Profits rise and you look like a genius. Until next seasons orders dry up. Today it emerges that Thomas Cook slashed its TV ad spending by 74% in January and February. Print, radio and digital spending were also down. Cooks says its streamlining our cost base. But as Brexit scare stories put people off travel, this is the worst time to cut its counter-narrative. T here are moments while presenting News at Ten in weeks such as this when you sense that many members of our audience are simply hammering their heads against the wall in frustration. Almost three years on, we have barely advanced a single step. All is confusion, obfuscation and anger. The Government appears rudderless. No one seems to have a workable plan that can command a majority in the House of Commons. So what does happen next? What should? The immediate question is obviously whether, by some miracle, Theresa May will be able to force her deal through Parliament at the third attempt next week . This seems a frankly doubtful prospect , and it is worth reminding ourselves why: there simply is no answer to the Irish question. There is much confusion over what that actually is, so it is worth reminding ourselves. You dont have to go back through centuries of Anglo-Irish history to get a grasp of it, since any moderately comprehensive survey of the Troubles will do. During the conflict, UK control over regions such as South Armagh down on the border was nominal at best. Agents of the state were frequently forced to move around in helicopters, supported by platoons of soldiers. The army called it bandit country. And while the conflict might be over, the basic dynamic hasnt changed that much. Or to put it another way, no one is going to put a meaningful border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. Crossings would be vandalised and possibly blown up. It would be impossible to get anyone to serve there, without massive security, which would presage a return to the Troubles. And smuggling would be rife. It is not scaremongering to say it is a practical as well as political impossibility. That is why the Governments plans to deal with a no-deal Brexit this week included an honesty box, which is just about the most bizarre proposal of its kind I can recall. But many of Brexits leaders have argued from the start that they wish to leave the customs union as well as the single market, since they are hungry to sign trade deals with emerging economies all over the world. There is nothing wrong with that, of course, but it inevitably opens the door to us diverging from the rules, regulations and standards of the single market, whether to accept chlorinated chicken from America or new solar-heating panels from China. "Brexiteers can opt for a new border in the Irish Sea or a process that will deliver a very soft Brexit, if any at all" It is not unreasonable therefore for the European Union to want a border where it can check that any new goods in circulation comply with its standards. The more we diverge, the more stringent the border checks might be. So by definition, EU officials want to be able to vary the checks over time. It therefore follows that, if the border cannot be between north and south, it must be either at Calais on the EU mainland for all goods leaving Britain and Ireland, or on one side or other of the crossing between the UK mainland and Belfast. Since the former would effectively cut Ireland out of the EU against its will, you cannot blame the Irish or the EU for insisting the new border instead be on departure from the UK mainland for Northern Ireland. This is what the backstop effectively entrenches in the withdrawal agreement. And it is no surprise that the DUP and many Tory MPs have been horrified by it, since it does look like it might lead to the gradual separation of Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK. The more Brexiteers achieve their bold and ambitious global strategy, the more we will diverge. The more we diverge, the more checks the EU is going to want. The more checks there are, the more Northern Ireland is going to feel like part of one unified Ireland, rather than the rest of the UK. And the more that happens, the more likely it is that the Northern Irish might one day go the whole hog and formally rejoin their neighbours. Or to put it another way, you could argue that it is possible to be a Brexiteer or a Unionist, but not both. Quite why the Democratic Unionist Party whose raison detre has always been its redoubtable defence of every aspect of the Union chose to support a hard Brexit has always been the most baffling aspect of the entire process. Brexits leaders therefore ultimately have what is, from their perspective, an appalling choice next week. They can opt for Theresa Mays deal and, with a new border in the Irish Sea, run the risk of bidding a slow, sad farewell to Northern Ireland. Or they can reject her deal at the third time of asking and take their chances with a process that is likely to deliver a very soft Brexit, if any at all. My hunch is that some at least will be relieved to be forced into one or other of these latter options. It really isnt right to say that leaving the EU is impossible or has been wilfully frustrated by the Establishment. Holland wouldnt have had anything like these problems if it had chosen to head for the exit. The Brexit process has been frustrated by the unique circumstances of our history. Its leaders are not the first and they may not be the last British politicians to discover that the Irish question simply has no answer. W hether you are a Leaver or a Remainer, everyone can surely agree that there should be more to life than Brexit. The drama of the negotiations in Brussels and the immediate crisis in Parliament should not blind us to the fact that there are other policy issues that affect peoples lives every single day. They matter as much, if not more, as the terms of our departure from the EU. High up on the list of Londoners concerns is the acute shortage of homes. The capitals jobs market has been booming for decades but the supply of new homes has not kept up. Between 2000 and 2018 Londons population increased by more than 1.5 million people and the number of jobs increased by more than 1.2 million. In the same period just 452,000 homes were built in the capital. This is nowhere near enough. It affects London in all sorts of ways rents going through the roof, longer commutes from further away, and businesses struggling to recruit and retain staff who cant afford to live in the city. It hits millennials especially. We are told to live in smaller rooms and share bathrooms and kitchens with others into middle age. Older homeowners even lecture us to spend less on avocados. The truth is that my generation of Londoners is no different to those who came before us: we want somewhere to call home in a place we like that makes us feel safe and happy. Its as simple as that. If they want our vote, those in power must find a way for more homes to be built where they are wanted, and in greater numbers. The think-tank where I work, Policy Exchange, has a big, long-term idea. We believe the Mayor of London and the Government should work together to create a generation of new towns in Londons commuter belt. Each new town should be partly aimed at millennials, providing them with homes at a discount. They should be built in ways that the public find beautiful and with an abundance of green space. Transport upgrades such as Crossrail and HS2 would mean commuting from them makes sense. A poll of 5,000 people living in London and the South-East showed that 79 per cent of respondents supported this type of plan. In some places new towns will need to be built on the green belt that surrounds London. Some will recoil at this but a significant chunk of the area designated as green belt is scrubland of poor environmental quality which the public is barred from accessing anyway. Unlike the great parks of London or the meadows of the Home Counties, the idea that this land needs protection has to be challenged. Any party hoping to stay in or reach power with the help of millennial voters and their parents should take note. Bold housing plans can also be popular. S till think hard work is the way to succeed? Thats your first mistake. In the unscrupulous world of university entrance exams, parents need to think laterally. It helps if they have money at their disposal. In what could be a plot straight out of Desperate Housewives, one of the shows actresses, Felicity Huffman , has been arrested by the FBI and charged with cheating the college admissions system, along with at least 40 other parents. These tiger parents displayed all the qualities that entrance examiners are looking for creativity, dedication, resourcefulness. My favourite is the one who Photoshopped their childs face onto a picture of an athlete and attached it to the application to show their offsprings sporting prowess. It worked. The scale of the bribes offered by these parents is on another level, but the impulses are the same as those that I saw when I was a tutor in London. Its cool that Olivia is learning double bass, I told her mother when I turned up to give the nine-year-old extra maths lessons. Her mother informed me that it wasnt about the bass: if a child plays a less popular instrument they stand more of a chance of getting into a good school on a music scholarship. There were tickets to Paris for French teachers who were generous with marking and a parent who donated money to the university his daughter was applying to. It didnt work, but he wasnt deterred. The next year she applied to a rival university which had accepted the money. She was mortified when her peers found out. These parents are so fixated on a certain establishment that they rarely stop to consider whether their offspring would be happier at a less competitive place. But the saddest thing is that they underestimate their children who might have been better off just doing the entrance exams and getting ahead on their own merits. Avoid rows: bring your work home Ive just been on a panel organised by Appear Here about women in retail. Two of my fellow speakers, the founder of Kitri and the founder of Desmond & Dempsey worked with their husbands. They agreed that enforcing bans on talking about work at home had never been successful. It was during the bans that they fought the most once their jobs were off limits they were left with nothing to say. They realised that actually having a partner who understands what you do every day is an asset, and while you shouldnt wallow in problems, if work and life start to merge theres no point fighting it. Oh no! The cringe after the night before Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret in The Crown / Stuart Hendry/Netflix A friend calls it the oh nos. Its that moment when you remember the night before and are left paralysed with shame. Now we know there is royal precedent. In newly discovered letters, Princess Margaret played by Vanessa Kirby in The Crown writes: I woke up and with a shudder I remembered how Id sung every song and grew more nauseous as my recollections of the evening grew clearer! Ive been there. Flashbacks of what Ive said, sung or spent after a few sherries have the power to stop me in my tracks with a full body cringe. At least Ive never taken home a stray cat, as a friend once remembered he did when awoken by miaows. Gillian Andersons character in All About Eve is another hero for anyone afflicted by the oh nos at a tense party, Margo self-medicates with martinis, picks fights, performs a song and face-plants onto a bed, unconscious, in front of all her guests. She never addresses her memories of the night thats the best tactic. Airline needs a dressing down Its news to me that airlines have appropriate attire policies. Thomas Cook staff brandished theirs in front of 21-year-old Emily OConnor on a flight to Tenerife because they objected to her outfit. From her account it sounds like Thomas Cook were the inappropriate ones. T he people decided in a fair referendum that Britain should extricate itself from the European Union. This week the House of Commons voted against the process of Brexit after Prime Minister Theresa May had considerable discussion with the EU executives and a croaky PM heard the bellowing from the benches for another referendum. In Australia we stick to our referendum results (very few have been won since federation in 1901), and recently we had a plebiscite over gay marriage, which was in the affirmative and meant our Parliament agreed to the wishes of the voters. Do British politicians have enough heart to follow the directive of the original referendum or are they protecting their own interests? When is a vote a vote? Warren James Mays EU deal met the obligation to implement the referendum. Now that this deal has been defeated yet again it is time to move on. The national interest now requires that we revoke not suspend Article 50. That would free up British politics. It would make a general election possible, if that is what Parliament wished. The next government could recommence negotiations for leaving the EU if it chose, and serve Article 50 again once a deal had been agreed. But I suspect any party that put this in its manifesto would be crushed at the ballot box. The electorate is sick and tired of Brexit and Brexiteers. John McHugo EDITOR'S REPLY Dear Warren and John, While the EU referendum was simple in its initial question to the public, implementing the subsequent decision has become one of the most complex political processes a government has faced since the Second World War. Its consequences are far-reaching, and affect 27 other nations. This means the political ramifications are different to a domestic policy referendum, such as the gay marriage vote in Australia, which you highlight, Warren. While MPs might be frustrating the public with their, at times, inward-looking negotiations, it is because the country is seeking a future relationship with the EU that is unprecedented in its complexity. It is good that Parliament has given the process so much scrutiny because it has been a balance to the Prime Minister. However, a full revocation of Article 50 as you suggest, John which would stop Brexit dead in its tracks, wouldnt be politically wise. While it can be argued that the Prime Minister should have waited to trigger Article 50, to revoke it with no known pick-up date could leave the country stuck in a political quagmire for decades. Kate Proctor, Political Reporter Too much talk on Tube platforms David Sexton might have a point [The ads are banned now target junk food gobblers on the Tube, March 12] but there is a far worse problem which can drive so many of us crazy: the endless announcements urging us to take care, stand behind the yellow line and so on. Why? If they dont have them on the Paris Metro, why do we need them in London? I enjoyed one announcement, though. A few years ago an empty train pulled out of the sidings at Parsons Green and a voice floated across the station: Let the passengers off the train first, please. Ian Jones London calling If one had to pick a coat trend that dominated 2018, it would undoubtedly be the puffer jacket. Epically warm and universally flattering, its perhaps unsurprising the popularity of the puffer shows no signs of abating for 2019. And when it comes to the fashion set, there is one brand thats emerged as firm favourite: IENKI IENKI. Pronounced yenki yenki, the brand was launched at the end of 2016 when Ukranian Dmitry Ievenko, the co-founder of Asthik Group (one of Ukraines fastest-growing luxury retail companies), noticed a gap in the market for well-made, striking puffers with exaggerated silhouettes. I could not find any brands that had puffers like the design I had in mind: high-quality and bright, warm but body flattering, simple but recognizable, he says. The debut line of 300 puffer coats, all made from 100 per cent goose down and all manufactured in the Ukraine, sold out on Instagram within a month, with everyone from Bella Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski and Kourtney Kardashian to Natalie Joos and Vanessa Hong seen embracing the new power puff. In its first season the brand picked up 80 stockists, including the likes of Browns, Farfetch and Harrods, and in just two years this number has risen to over 300 doors worldwide. "We were one of the first to pick up this Ukrainian brand," says Jennifer Bishop, womenswear buyer at Browns. "We immediately knew our customer would love the pop colours and the oversized fashion silhouettes." The brand has grown triple digit figures year on year for Browns, "and we see sales really peak when the temperature drops. Colours sell out faster however there is also lots of interest in the more subtle black styles." The overwhelming success of the brand is thanks to its oversized styles and attention-grabbing colourways, which make for perfect Instagram fodder. And yet, while the shapes are bulky (the first ever coat, the Michlin, was inspired by The Michelin Man - his shape, his character struck a chord with me, so I always kept him in my mind, says the designer), design details manage to make them look svelte. I wanted them to look not only stylish but graceful as well, says Ievenko. With the help of a belt, a slightly clumsy garment was transformed into a surprisingly feminine piece. Ievenko, who grew up in the Ukraine, is influenced by imagery and designs from the USSR era and archives, which left a strong impression on him as a teenager. For example, in the second-hand markets, I was taught that a high-quality zipper is a sign of a great brand. When I started my own brand, it was fundamentally important for me to work with Riri and no one else, despite the price being much higher than average. For the second collection, autumn 2018/19, Ienki Ienki added metallic, leopard and camo to the colour palette, and created some seriously sharp skiwear in the process. The brand also expanded into puffer accessories with a puffer bag, which could be worn cross body or as a belt, and a cape-like Stingray scarf with diamond quilting and neck tie which tied perfectly into this winters trend for duvet scarves. This spring, the brand also launched its first garment made without goose-down, an Anorak that comes in six colours, including a super striking reflective fabric. Knitwear is in the pipeline for next year, along with further outerwear iterations. We want, ultimately, to be a brand that is known for innovation within the outerwear category, where so much has already been said and done, says Ievenko. Therefore, the future for us will involve many experiments in design, fabrication and style that, we hope, will change the outerwear scene as we know it today. 8. Thor: The Dark World - One down, five to go" Meet the Collector Benicio del Toro had the time of his life playing the mysterious character, with a performance as bold as his outrageous platinum blonde hairdo. Viewers were first introduced to him in the credits sequence for Thor: The Dark World, which makes it clear that, like Thanos, he is looking to get his hands on all the infinity stones. The clip sees guardians Sif and Volstagg give the Aether to the Collector, in a bid to keep it away from Asgard. One down, five to go, del Toro says, adding a sinister edge to another memorable and atmospheric post-credit sequence. The scene threw a real spanner in the works for Marvel fans, leaving them with questions unanswered was the Collector looking to the Infinity Stones out of his own greed or vanity? Was he teaming up with Thanos to bring down S.H.I.E.L.D? It proved that Marvel are masters of raising the stakes with post-credit scenes and added new layers of intrigue after the film itself had come to a close. Review at a glance H arold Pinters 1978 play traces the troubled course of an affair in reverse, from aftermath to sweet beginnings. Its an approach that focuses the audience not on what happens, but on how it unfolds. We become analysts of secrets and lies, picking apart the syntax of pain and concealment. The big draw in Jamie Lloyds revival is an irresistibly magnetic Tom Hiddleston. As Robert, a publisher married to Zawe Ashtons Emma, he at first appears brusque and bored. Yet his cool self-assurance is a mask, and behind it theres a deep well of emotion. The love triangle is completed by Jerry, a literary agent and supposedly Roberts best friend. In the hands of Charlie Cox hes likeable and good at seeming guileless when in fact hes slippery. Emma shares some radiant moments with him, and Ashton combines ardour with a vulnerable, fidgety uncertainty that registers most obviously in the way she constantly moves her shoulders. But its Hiddlestons poise and sensitivity that impress the most. Theres a brilliant scene that demonstrates his usually under-exploited flair for comedy: toying with Jerry over lunch in an Italian restaurant, he humiliates the feckless waiter, attacks his prosciutto as though fighting a duel, and gulps white wine like a bandit. Yet hes also genuinely moving, and when he weeps his eyes and cheeks glisten with tears. Everything in Lloyds minimalist staging feels precisely calibrated. Whenever two of the characters are conversing, the third lingers in the background. Silences are extended, so that we concentrate on the eloquence of gestures and facial expressions. The result is a sense of Robert, Emma and Jerry as a trio engaged in a haunting dance, and at times its as if the three of them have merged into one. This sparse, elegant production closes Lloyds revelatory and handsomely cast season of Pinters shorter pieces in the theatre that bears the playwrights name. Like so much of this six-month venture, its a surprising and unsparing interpretation, in which every detail counts. Until June 1 Winter in New York is seemingly endless but The William Vale hotel in Williamsburg is offering the ultimate escape. Atop the property - an outdoor space which usually plays host to millennials sunning by the pool - is now a pop-up winter spa. How so? Well, the hotel has joined forces with Terra Glamping and HigherDOSE to offer a 'Scandinavian-inspired outdoor oasis'. Jonas Gustavsson Inside can be found six glamping tents, fully equipped with HigherDOSEs signature infrared sauna - an experience which offers potential health benefits including enhanced circulation and pain relief. Infrared saunas have been favoured by celebrities and Instagram influencers alike in recent years, many of whom have taken to social media to express their love. When my body goes into a spasm one thing I find really helps is infrared sauna," Lady Gaga wrote on Instagram. "I've invested in one. They come in a large box form as well as a low coffin-like form and even some like electric blankets! You can also look around your community for a infrared sauna parlor or homeopathic center that has one. Gwyneth Paltrow (yes, its Goop-approved), Jennifer Aniston and Selena Gomez are other known fans of infrared saunas, and Leonardo DiCaprio and Michelle Williams have both reportedly tried HigherDOSE. Its even been dubbed NYCs hottest new date spot (as long as you dont mind sweating profusely in front of a love interest, that is). Interest sufficiently piqued, I put the sauna to the test and headed off to Williamsburg with a friend to try it out. Infrared light is really unique in comparison to your other types of saunas, HigherDOSE rep Dani told us. In typical saunas, heat is penetrated in the air, and in infrared saunas, the heat penetrates from the core out. So its a really massive detoxing cleanse that affects multiple systems in your body. It is believed to help sleep cycles and skin clarity, Dani explained, and may also increase energy and stamina and aid weight loss - being in the sauna for 45 minutes burns 600 calories. Theres a natural high feeling clients rave about, she added. Once inside, guests can hook their phones up and choose a playlist, and also select the colour they wish to relax in. I opted for blue, which is said to be calming, and changed to red at the end - apparently it's more energising. When my 45 minutes were up, my legs were drenched in sweat and I was ready for a shower. I would say I felt rejuvenated and exhausted in equal measure, and I was a bit dehydrated for a few hours afterwards. That said, it was an exciting way to spend an afternoon - more wellness-focused than grabbing a drink, and more social than simply hitting a workout class; my friend and I were able to catch-up throughout. The glamping tents are equipped with plush robes and a selection of natural beauty products from Tata Harper and Ursa Major, and post-sweat, guests can cool down in the hygge tent. Bliss! Jonas Gustavsson Even though Meghan Markle is technically the professional actress in the royal family, theres a chance that Prince Harry could give her a run for her money. While at an event at Canada House, Prince Harry demonstrated his musical theatre prowess as he warbled an iconic tune from The Sound of Music on his way out. Luckily, the moment was caught on camera in case he wants to add it to his demo reel. W ed just sat down to Sunday lunch when the doorbell rang. FFS! I hissed, automatically ducking behind the window. I shouldnt have been vexed: it was only cheese, meat and crackers, a dish that couldnt exactly get cold, even if faced with the most loquacious Jehovahs Witness. But as any Londoner will attest, the doorbell has a propensity for ringing at the most inconvenient moments: mid-shower, mid-s*** and even mid-shag, or so I hear. There isnt a person alive who doesnt automatically switch all the lights off and fall flat on the floor every time that bastard rings. "As any Londoner will attest, the doorbell has a propensity for ringing at the most inconvenient moments" My eight-year-old answered it, as she is yet to be jaded by life. Mum! she shouted. Theres a man at the door. Hello, said the man. Im here to ask permission to take a photo of your coal hole. This was a new one. Its very rare, he continued. You dont see many like it. My husband came to the door. Now then, he said, for he can smell a fellow Yorkshireman at 10 paces. Soon, they were discussing the depleted mining communities of the Dearne Valley as I stood there wondering whether to start with Port Salut or Brie. May I? said the man, removing a wire brush from his rucksack. He crouched and swept the coal hole (which, for the uninitiated, is a decorated iron cover to a coal bunker), before whipping out a camera. I took a photo of him taking the photo. Mum, youre invading the mans privacy, said my daughter. Well, technically hes invading mine, I replied. He rang my doorbell, after all. She looked at me blankly. All in all, it was a beautiful moment: a charming interaction between a lone coal hole fanatic, a Yorkshireman, a pedantic child and a woman desperate for her lunch. If I had time, Id spin it into a three-part BBC drama, to be aired on Sunday nights, although I never did find out what made my coal hole special. Maybe we should all answer the door more often. Its not always an Amazon delivery. Dead hot Elba When your dog starts playing with another dog, its only polite, after a while, to ask its name. Idris, said its owner. This got me to wondering what its like to be Idris Elba (left). I bet he never answers the door. No sooner has Britains Best-Loved Actor finally shaken off stories that he will be The Next James Bond than up he pops again, this time as The Next Deadshot slated, if rumours are to be believed (which they often arent), to replace Will Smith as the deadly assassin in the sequel to Suicide Squad. Come on, directors. Just cast him already. Everybody loves Idris. Theyre even naming their dogs after him. The ever-popular Idris Elba / Dave Benett/Getty Images for Lou Speaking truth to power Why dont they ever get anyone on who knows what theyre talking about? we were ranting at the TV, as yet another suit spraffed spurious theories about knife crime. And then Akala (below) came on Channel 4 News, calmly pointing out that the social indicators of violence poverty, domestic abuse, lack of education have remained identical for 200 years. Almost half the people in prison today were expelled from school as children, versus 1 per cent of the population as a whole. Around half the people in young offenders institutions were in care at some point, he said. Asked whether gang violence was a race problem, he pointed out that there are 1.2 million black people in London; in a bad year, 50 of them will kill someone less than 0.004 per cent of the black population. It was George Orwell who said that during times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. Akalas book, Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire, is out in paperback next week. It tells the truth. P alace, as surely by now even your dad has noticed, is everywhere. Ten years on from its inception, and the label is at a peak of cultural omnipotence. More so than any other brand, its skate park aesthetic has defined what modern menswear is. Palace, you might even say, has effortlessly, almost accidentally reframed the dialogue around young manhood in the capital at a time when it felt like it might need rewiring most. And at the centre of this revolution is the face of London skater Lucien Clarke. "Girls didnt matter. Going out didnt matter. I was a skate-rat" With his lithe good looks, special eye for style and indisputable talent, Clarke became a natural early poster-boy for the brand as it moved into becoming a market leader of new London menswear. I think a lot of people scratch their heads, thinking how the f*** did Palace happen? he says, before concluding modestly that its just about good people meeting at the right time. Gucci Shirt (gucci.com), Louis Vuitton bag (louisvuitton.com) Maybe, maybe not. But there is no denying Clarke, along with artist, model and fellow skater Blondey McCoy (ES Magazine, Oct 2017), is Palaces breakout star. It was Clarke who got the request to take to the runway for Virgil Ablohs first menswear collection at Louis Vuitton. The designer peopled his catwalk with a band of young musicians, artists, rappers and skaters who might previously have felt excluded from the world of Parisian fashion houses. As well as reducing Kanye West to tears, it was a show that changed fashion forever, and for better. All these really high fashion brands have been racially pretty much one way, Clarke says. Its for rich white people I feel like the black community has been supporting them without it working the other way. Clarke mentions his hairdresser mums love of Vuitton. Whenever she could afford to get a Louis piece, she just loved it. LVs an amazing brand. Then Virgil comes along and flips a switch, showing people it didnt have to be like that. It should be for everyone. Clarke remains, first and foremost, a skater. Always has been. I got to about 15, 16 and I was completely obsessed. Nothing else mattered to me. Girls didnt matter. Going out didnt matter. The kinds of things that should matter to you at that age, I didnt even care about. I was a skate-rat. That was all I wanted to live and breathe. Ambush hoodie, Maison Margiela trousers (selfridges.com) His early heroes were skate legends Mark Gonzales and Nick Jensen. Hed go and watch the latter recording videos to upload on YouTube on the Viccy Benches, the makeshift skateboarding stop-off tucked behind Victoria Street, SW1, just around the corner from his family flat in Pimlico (he was born in Jamaica and lived in New York for six years before moving to London aged 11). He met the Palace boys at Southbank as a teenager before the brand went big, finding a new home among the ambitious, infectious and often hilarious corps of young London skater lads who lived for their boards. My mum had been past there and just saw the graffiti and kids smoking, so she didnt want me to go. He went anyway. Dries Van Noten jacket, Reebok trainers (selfridges.com) As a professional skateboarder, he says, living in London is a dream come true. Usually you have to move to America. One of the early Palace ambitions was to break the cycle. I was so lucky that I didnt have to do that. It was the beginning of trying to make it professionally when Palace came along. I remember when Lev [Tanju, Palace founder] sat me down and spoke about the whole thing. He said, I want to be doing this for my whole life. I thought, lets get involved. The hunger to be a better skateboarder never leaves Clarke. I learned my latest trick two weeks ago. It doesnt happen often now, but when it does He looks absolutely delighted. Yesterday, the pro was in Istanbul, making videos for skater bible, Thrasher magazine. Tomorrow, hes off to Kentucky to shoot a Palace campaign. I never thought about what would come out of this or where it would take me. It was always only ever about doing it for the love of it. He wants to branch into photography and has shot two ace videos for his girlfriend, the astonishing young jazz and R&B talent, Tara Lily, whose music feels touched by the magic of early Neneh Cherry and Amy Winehouse. Shes my baby, he says, quietly. Things are going really well for her. I f you were on the London party scene in the late Nineties, chances are you know Mourad Mazouz. At least, youll know his North African restaurant, Momo. Either because youre A-list enough to have eaten, drunk and got up to all kinds of naughty fun in the Mayfair institution (hi, Liam Gallagher, Nicole Kidman and the Rolling Stones) or because you fantasised about being deemed worthy of one of the special Momo key rings that gave you access to the members-only basement bar, where decadent parties played out every night. How decadent? Well, Naomi Campbell and Stella McCartney threw a birthday party for Madonna there days before it opened in 1997. On any given night, Tom Cruise, Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert de Niro would be chatting over cocktails and couscous (Mazouz could reasonably claim responsibility for the popularity of the grain in 21st-century London). Chiltern Firehouse, eat your heart out. Mourad Mazouz by Ed Miles / Momo Now Mazouz is reinventing Momo Basically, I paint everything nude and I start again, as he puts it to inject a bit of that mad Cool Britannia energy back into 2019 London. We meet at Sketch, his other Mayfair restaurant and a brilliantly bonkers, early Noughties-defining phenomenon in its own right (google Sketch toilets if you havent had the pleasure of visiting in person). Mazouz doesnt look like the architect of a pivotal moment in Nineties hedonism. White-haired and cosily bearded, with a rich French accent (Mazouz is from Algeria, with a Parisian mother) the 56-year-old seems as nonplussed about the fuss around his celeb-magnet restaurant as he was that night when Madonna et al were knocking back champagne at Momo. That night Mazouz ended up kicking the photographers at the door because I didnt understand why they were there; when aristos such as Zac Goldsmith or Tom Parker-Bowles turned up, he didnt have a clue who they were Basically, just live as much as you can. Up and down and cry and laugh and everything. All that is life and just live it, enjoy it! Mazouz seems to have had the sort of charmed life that you might begrudge were it not for the fact that good things have mostly happened because he is so nice. He moved to Paris from Algeria at the age of 15 and, as a dedicated nightlife enthusiast, soon befriended French comedian Smain. He then embarked on a semi-permanent gap year, spending his life earning enough money to travel. I was working two to three months in a restaurant making a bit of cash; with the cash I was making I could live maybe 10 months, 12 months abroad in Bali or Goa, he says. It was while working at Ma Maison in LA in the 1980s (at a time when Wolfgang Puck was cooking and Dudley Moore and Eddie Murphy were regulars Mazouz seems to have an unconscious homing instinct for celebrity) that he caught the restaurant bug. When he returned to Paris permanently, aged 26, he decided to open his first restaurant, Au Bascou. I didnt have the money, so I asked all my friends, he smiles. I actually had zero francs and four of them lent me 50,000 [about 7,000], and thats how I opened the first one. Seven years later he opened a second Parisian restaurant, the sceney North African Le 404; a year later the English girl he was dating persuaded him to move to the UK. Thats when I see then the couscous in London is bizarre. I said, Im going to do one. In the Mo-ment: from left, Jo Wood, Pam Hogg, Mourad Mazouz, Yasmin Mills and Maddie Mills party downstairs at Momo by Dave Bennett / Momo In 1996, London was ripe both for couscous and for Mazouz, with his infectious enthusiasm for having a bloody good time. (Momo is the nickname given Mazouz by that girlfriends very British, country club father.) He joined forces with two blokes he had met at raves the late Liam Carson, infamous club manager of the Groucho, and Lady Curzons son David Ponte and Momo was born. It has never been about money, he says, sincerely. Later in the middle of a heartfelt ramble about the unconscious, he exclaims: Basically, just live as much as you can. Up and down and cry and laugh and everything. All that is life and just live it, enjoy it! Much of Momo in the early days was, indeed, done on a wing and a prayer. Madges legendary birthday party, for example, was far from a carefully designed PR event. Before properly opening, Mazouz had thrown a friends and family party on a Monday night. On Tuesday I received a phone call from [record producer] Nellee Hooper who asked me, I came to a party yesterday. I loved it. We want to organise the birthday of Madonna on Friday. I wasnt ready so I said, No, not possible. Were not open yet and were not ready. Carson persuaded Mazouz they could pull it off. At six oclock, we were literally still hammering the stairs down. After the party there was no more alcohol, no more nothing, no more money! Madonna / WireImage Momo had cemented its position as the hottest place in town, Hollywood Walk of Fame-style. And yet theres something amazingly uncynical about Mazouz. That members-only basement bar wasnt a canny marketing ploy to draw the celebs. It was a way of avoiding legal action. One night, after being turned away, someone said, We will sue you if you dont let us in. I was afraid, I didnt want the bar to have problems, so thats how it became a members club. Soon the members key rings had become Londons must-have accessory. Youre not likely to see Mossy or De Niro getting mullered at Momo nowadays, however. Celebrities just dont get publicly drunk, or worse, like they used to. Mazouz suggests thats the curse of the mobile phone and traceability: back in the Nineties, there were no phones so no photos. There were no rules and everybody was paying cash. So what will the new Momo be like, in the age of smartphones and celebs behaving safely? The focus is now less on getting s***faced, more on serious cocktails: Mazouz has poached Erik Lorincz, who won the accolade of Best Bar in the World in 2017 for The Savoys American Bar, to launch a high-end cocktail den in the basement, which will be open to all. In the kitchen, Sketchs former head chef Herve Deville will be masterminding a revamp of the menu; a Momo Diner, serving breakfast and small plates for the Lululemon-clad wellness crowd will open next door. As the original regulars have grown up, so has Momo. Although if you promise to hide your smartphone, maybe guests at the grand reopening party Stella, Roland Mouret, Damon Albarn, Damien Hirst, the Jaggers might just be persuaded to get up to their old tricks again. It is Momo, after all. T ony Chambers on a new book celebrating the groundbreaking Isokon Building, the draw of the Bouroullec brothers new exhibition and how to tech up your classic wristwatch Modernist Hero Ill never forget the first time I clapped eyes on the Isokon Building. It was 1986 and a real where-did-that-land-from moment the modernist, ocean liner-like form contrasting dramatically with the otherwise architecturally undistinguished Lawn Road in Belsize Park. But it was in very poor condition: shabby, forlorn and unloved. The Eighties were not a good moment for modernist architecture in the UK, with Prince Charles at the peak of his carbuncle crusade and the Lawn Road Flats (as the Isokon was also known) fell victim to that misinformed prejudice. Thankfully opinions and tastes change and an exemplary restoration in 2005 brought it back to its best. Now a full reappraisal of the building is underway with the publication of Isokon and the Bauhaus in Britain and an accompanying exhibition at the Aram Gallery telling the remarkable story of its cultural and social significance. Commissioned by a young visionary couple, Jack and Molly Pritchard, and designed by aspiring architect Wells Coates, the four-storey block of small apartments was completed in 1934 and was instantly perceived as the most exciting new residence in Britain. It pioneered the concept of minimal living so relevant to London now and its progressive design, convivial bar and dining club were a pull for international artists, writers and thinkers, even offering refuge from Nazi Germany to the likes of Bauhaus professors Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer and Laszlo Moholy-Nagy. Published to coincide with this years centenary of the founding of the Bauhaus, the book tells the history of the buildings design and offers fascinating tales of war, sex, death, espionage and the infamous dinner parties held there. Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, Alvar Aalto, Bertrand Russell, Naum Gabo, Henry Moore, Julian Huxley, Agatha Christie, Barbara Hepworth even the first celebrity chef, Philip Harben all play key roles in the Isokon story. The book was written by the journalist Leyla Daybelge and the co-founder of interior design company Skandium, Magnus Englund. It contains anecdotes by gallery director Zeev Aram and features many archive images that have never been seen before, as well as plans, sketches, menus, postcards and letters from the Pritchard family archive. Englund is also a former resident of Jack and Molly Pritchards penthouse in the Isokon Building, so his first-hand experience, knowledge and passion is unique. Isokon and the Bauhaus in Britain by Leyla Daybelge and Magnus Englund, 25 (Batsford). Exhibition runs until 30 Mar, Aram Gallery, 110 Drury Lane The Exhibition Straddling the worlds of art, design and architecture the Bouroullec brothers work embraces simplicity and originality, whether it be a chair or a storage solution. For the first time in a gallery setting, the French duo will present a collection of their drawings. For both Ronan and Erwan, drawing is a practice in its own right and the exhibition exposes the singular techniques and processes of each of the brothers. Until 6 Apr. Galerie Kreo, 14A Hay Hill, W1 The Building Make the short hop to Milton Keynes to see the new MK Gallery, which opens on 16 March (pictured at the top of this page). Designed by London-based 6a architects, the new building includes gallery spaces, an auditorium for film, performance and talks, education facilities and a cafe and bar. It incorporates City Club, a major new permanent public space by artists Gareth Jones and Nils Norman. Located on the top end of Midsummer Boulevard where the city meets Campbell Park, MK Gallery will establish the centre of a new arts quarter. (mkgallery.org) The Tech You no longer need to relegate your Rolex or banish your Breitling in favour of a smartwatch. Sony has launched two smart straps that will work with almost all (Sony says nine out of 10) regular watch faces. Theres the Wena Wrist Active in silicone and the Pro in metal. All the tech is in the straps, which feature an LED display on the inside wrist to inform you of notifications on your phone, track fitness and make contactless payments. Batteries will last up to a week. From 349 (sony.co.uk/wena) The Person Set designer Jan Versweyveld, always challenging the world of theatre design, brings two seemingly disparate worlds together in his latest work for All About Eve, directed by his partner, Ivo van Hove. Versweyveld sees parallels between the worlds of the plays protagonist, Broadway diva Margo Channing, and pop art provocateur Andy Warhol. Utilising the exposed brick walls, the set is decorated with tin foil and silver paint, and populated with celebrity-style portraiture and slightly louche furniture. A ctress Lori Loughlin has been released on a $1 million (754,000) bail after she was arrested as part of the college admissions scandal. The star of Full House, along with Desperate Housewives actress Felicity Huffman and dozens of others, is accused of being involved in a scheme which saw bribes paid to help get their children into some of Americas best universities. Loughlin, 54, appeared in court yesterday charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. Investigators claim she and her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, paid $500,000 (377,000) to get their daughters Olivia, 19, and Isabella, 20, into the University of Southern California as fake rowing-team recruits. Neither of the girls participate in the sport. Actress Felicity Huffman is seen inside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and US Courthouse in Los Angeles on Wednesday / AFP/Getty Images Magistrate Judge Steve Kim ordered her to limit her travel to the US and Canada, where she had been filming for work before her arrest. Lori Loughlin, centre, and daughters Olivia Jade Giannulli, left, and Isabella Rose Giannulli / Getty Images Mr Giannulli faced the same charges on Tuesday and was forced to put their house up as collateral to pay his $1 million bond. A former German soldier who smuggled thousands of rounds of ammunition into the UK is facing jail. Gun enthusiast Manfred Kurz, 61, brought suitcases of bullets into the UK under the cover of his German firearms licence, and was also caught with explosives and bullet-making equipment when his south London home was raided. Kurzs niece, 25-year-old Sian Alexandra Miller, built a distribution network for the bullets across the country, enlisting her cousin Lorenzo Brooks, 28, Sierra Denton, 21, and her boyfriend Mishak Wright-Martin, 33, and 22-year-old Lukas Duncan. When police officers busted the gang in February last year in one of the Mets biggest ever ammunition seizures they recovered more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition, as well as evidence that bullets had been sold to underworld figures. At Millers South Norwood home, officers found 1,800 rounds loaded into suitcases, as well as two pistols, five CS spray canisters, explosive powder and bullet-making equipment. Sian Alexandra Miller built a distribution network for the bullets across the country / Met Police More explosive black powder was seized from Kurzs home in Croydon, as well as equipment to turn blank bullets into live rounds. Detective Constable Martin Reader, of Trident Gang Crime Command, said: The recovery of this haul of ammunition and black powder represents one of the Mets largest-ever seizures of ammunition and explosive substances in recent times. A huge amount of ammunition has been recovered, which we believe was destined to be sold to criminals with gang connections. Kurz, who moved to the UK in 2004, admitted two counts of possession of firearms, two charges of possession of ammunition, possession of explosive substances and possession of component parts of a firearm. Denton, from South Norwood, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell or transfer ammunition and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. At a trial at Croydon crown court, Miller, Duncan, of Surbiton, and Wright-Martin, from Kennington, all denied involvement in the criminal operation, but were convicted in December of conspiracy to sell or transfer ammunition. T he boss of the Gambino crime family has been killed in an assassination that has triggered fears of a war between Italian mafia groups in New York. Francesco Franky Boy Cali, 53, was shot dead and run over by a pick-up truck outside his home in the Todt Hill district of Staten Island, police said today. There were like six shots, and then there were three more, one witness told the New York Daily News. The murder happened at about 9.20pm yesterday after Cali had dinner with his wife and young children. A man said by federal prosecutors to have been a top leader of New York's notorious Gambino crime family was shot and killed Wednesday on Staten Island. / AP A family member told emergency services that the mobster had been run over and shot. Witnesses said the gunman sped off in a blue pickup truck after the shooting. There are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing, police said. Cali is the first crime boss to be killed in New York City since Teflon Don John Gotti ordered the murder of then-Gambino boss Paul Castellano in 1985 at Sparks steakhouse in Midtown Manhattan. The killing of Cali outside his home was reportedly seen as a stunning sign of disrespect by Gambino family soldiers. Even Gotti had more respect, a police source told the New York Post. He did it out in Manhattan. The Genovese, Gambino, Lucchese, Colombo and Bonanno mafia families are believed to have controlled organised crime in New York for decades. The FBI is reportedly investigating whether Calis murder was sanctioned by the five families or carried out by a cowboy gunman, possibly in the pay of a rival gang or as part of a power play to challenge the Gambino leadership. Frank Cali in 2008. / AFP There has been a truce between the families for more than 30 years, said a New York police insider. The concern now is that the other mobsters will seek revenge for Calis killing and it could spark a bloodbath. Cali, from Sicily, took over as head of the Gambino family in 2015, replacing the then 68-year-old Domenico Cefalu, and was described by mafia experts as a real quiet old-school boss who kept a very low profile, unlike the flamboyant Gotti, who died in prison in 2002 aged 61. He had reportedly led the Gambinos to dominate the lucrative trade in heroin and OxyContin. Calis wife is the niece of Gambino capo John Gambino, and his brother Joseph and brother-in-law Peter Inzerillo are reputedly mob made men. A 41-year-old has been charged with murder after a woman was found dead in a south London flat. Kristian Smith, of no fixed abode, was charged on Thursday in connection with 52-year-old Antoinette Donnegans death. The 41-year-old was also charged with fraud and preventing a lawful burial, police said. Ms Donnegan was found earlier this month on March 7 after police were called to carry out a welfare check on Este Road, Wandsworth. In a statement, Scotland Yard said: Officers gained entry and found the body of a deceased woman that they now know to be 52-year-old Antoinette Donnegan. Next of kin have been informed. A post-mortem examination held on Saturday, 10 March was inconclusive and a second examination will be scheduled in due course. Smith will appear in custody at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on Friday. DCI Massey, who is investigating Ms Donnegans death, said: We are keen to speak with anyone who may have been in contact with Antoinette in mid to late January this year or visited her at her home address during this time. T he number of knife criminals being dealt with by the justice system has risen to a 10-year high as more repeat blade offenders are taken to court, official figures revealed today. The Ministry of Justice statistics show that 21,484 people including 4,686 from London were prosecuted or cautioned for knife offences in England and Wales in 2018. The figure is the highest since 2009. It is also more than 2,000 up on the total two years previously and more than 5,000 higher than the tally for 2013. It is a sign of how significantly knife crime has risen in recent years. A total of 4,430 of the 2018 offenders were juveniles aged 17 or under. Forensic officers at the scene of a fatal stabbing in west London on Thursday / Steve Parsons/PA That was slightly down on the previous years total but higher than any of the preceding years up to 2009 in a sign of the increased prevalence of knife use among children. Todays statistics also show the number of repeat offenders is growing, with 28 per cent of adults and juvenile knife criminals last year being convicted or cautioned for a second or more blade offence. That represented 5,497 such offenders and is the highest proportion of repeat blade users since the statistics began being recorded in 2008. Of those convicted last year, 37 per cent were given an immediate custodial sentence. London Knife Crime Victims 1 /17 London Knife Crime Victims Ayub Hassan Jodie Chesney Metropolitan Police David Martinez Metropolitan Police Che Morrison Kamali Gabbidon-Lynck Metropolitan Police Glendon Spence Metropolitan Police Dennis Anderson Metropolitan Police Bright Akinlele Metropolitan Police Lejean Richards PA Nedim Bilgin Jaden Moodie Metropolitan Police Charlotte Huggins Metropolitan Police Tudor Simionov Metropolitan Police That compares with a figure of 20 per cent in 2008 and reflects a steady increase in recent years in the numbers being sent to jail for knife offences. The average sentence length has also risen over the same period from 5.3 months a decade ago to 8.1 months last year. It still means, however, that most knife offenders avoid prison and that many of those who are jailed are released back onto the streets after a relatively short time. Concern over this among some parliamentarians will also be heightened by continued evidence of the mixed impact of the introduction in 2015 of a new two strikes and you are out rule under which the courts must give a custodial sentence to a repeat blade offender unless it would not be in the interests of justice to do so. Jodie Chesney was stabbed to death in a park in east London Todays figures show that the average sentence length passed on those jailed under this provision has risen from 7.1 months in 2016 to 7.8 months last year and that a greater proportion of repeat offenders are being imprisoned. But 36 per cent still avoided immediate custody. Responding to the figures, justice minister Rory Stewart said that the governments ambition was to prevent offending by stopping people carrying knives but that tough sentences were being imposed. He added: Knife crime destroys lives and shatters communities, and this government is doing everything in its power to tackle its devastating consequences. Sentences for those carrying knives are getting tougher they are more likely to be sent straight to prison and for longer than at any time in the last decade. Todays tally of 4,686 knife offenders brought to justice in London is slightly down on the figure for 2017, but is higher than for any other year before 2008, when 5,523 knife offenders were convicted or cautioned in the capital. The figures come amid renewed concern about knife crime following a spate of fatal teenage stabbings this month. Jodie Chesney, 17, was killed in an east London park as she played music with friends, and Yousef Ghaleb Makki, also 17, was stabbed to death in the village of Hale Barns, near Altrincham. Earlier this month, police in London said they were carrying out nearly 1,000 stop and searches a day in an attempt to prevent more lethal stabbings. Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Graham McNulty said the force was also deploying 400 extra officers on the ground and asking officers in its specialist Violent Crime Task Force to work extended shifts. He said the aim was to put as many feet on the streets as possible as he spoke of the dismay he and his officers felt at the continuing violence. Mr McNulty disclosed that the Met carried out 6,337 stop and searches during the first seven days of this month. He said the high rate, which comes on top of a 66 per cent increase in such checks in February, was likely to continue over the coming days. F our amendments have been selected for tonight's Brexit delay vote by the House of Commons speaker John Bercow. MPs will have their say on them this evening ahead of deciding whether Theresa May should be given authority to request an Article 50 extension from the EU. This comes after MPs voted yesterday in favour of ruling out a no deal Brexit, with a majority not backing such an outcome whatever the circumstances. The amendments look to shape the next step of the Brexit saga in a number of ways from allowing a cross-party group of MPs to take control of the process to even touting the prospect of a second referendum. TODO: define component type apester An amendment which was aimed at ruling out a second referendum, or "people's vote", was not selected by Mr Bercow sparking anger from some Brexiteers. The Standard gives further details of the four chosen amendments below: Amendment H - Second referendum This seeks an Article 50 extension to stage a second referendum. The vote would have Remain and Parliament's preferred Brexit option on the ballot paper. It was tabled by Independent Group MP Sarah Wollaston and backed by members of the new grouping of Tory and Labour defectors. The Independent Group backs the second referendum calls (Photo by Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images) / Getty Images The Liberal Democrats and a handful from other parties also back the idea. Mrs May has long rejected calls for such a vote, stating her desire to "fulfil" Brexit following the referendum. Amendment I - MPs take control This would seek to allow MPs in the Commons to take control of the Brexit process. It has been tabled by Conservative MP Sir Oliver Letwin, Labour's Hilary Benn and Yvette Cooper. It aims to "enable the House of Commons to find a way forward that can command majority support". This amendment would see the MPs of the Commons take control of the process / Jessica Taylor/UK Parliament via AP It would dictate that on Wednesday March 20 the standing order stating that Government business has precedence would not apply. Instead, precedence would go to a motion in the name of 25 MPs "relating to the Business of the House on a future day or days in connection with matters relating to the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union". The amendment also bears the names of Dominic Grieve, Norman Lamb, Stewart Hosie and Ben Lake. Amendment E - Time to find a new approach This amendment from Labour states Parliament has "decisively" rejected both Mrs May's deal and no deal. It then calls for a delay to Brexit "to provide parliamentary time for this House to find a majority for a different approach". Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has talked of the benefits of his proposals / REUTERS Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has frequently spoken of his partys potential plans which he feels could be agreed with the EU and get a majority of support in the Commons. His plans would involve some form of customs union with the EU, which Mrs May and he have clashed over. Amendment J - No third meaningful vote on May's deal This amendment has been motioned by Labour MP Chris Bryant. It calls for the Speaker to be given the power to block a third meaningful vote on the PM's Brexit deal. This has already been the subject of two major defeats in the Commons. Following the vote on Thursday it is set at present for Mrs May's deal to be voted on by Parliament once again next week. A ttorney General Geoffrey Cox was today warned that using a Vienna Convention article to get out of the Brexit backstop was a complete non-starter. The QC was also told he risked turning his codpiece into a figleaf if he changes his legal advice, which had been dubbed a codpiece, in an eleventh-hour bid by the Government to persuade Tory and DUP MPs to back Theresa Mays plans. Mr Cox was reported to be in talks with the DUP about arguing that Article 62 of the Vienna Convention could be used for the UK to pull out of the Northern Ireland border backstop unilaterally if talks on a trade deal hit the rocks. But the House of Commons Library made clear that using such a route to pull out of the Withdrawal Agreement may not succeed. TODO: define component type apester Professor Philippe Sands, a UCL law professor, and lawyer Martin Howe QC, who sat on the Brexiteers legal star chamber which rejected Mrs Mays deal earlier this week, were even starker in their criticism. An argument based on Article 62 VCLT (fundamental change of circumstances) is a non-starter, Mr Howe told the Standard. Countdown to Brexit: 15 days until Britain leaves the EU The leading case in the International Court of Justice (the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros case between Hungary and Slovakia) shows this requires radical change of circumstances. The fall of the Soviet Union, disappearance of the Warsaw Pact, and dissolution of Czechoslovakia, were not sufficient to satisfy this ground. The other issue is, under Article 62, the change of circumstances has to be unforeseeable. As we are talking about this change of circumstances now, it cannot be unforeseeable. Professor Sands tweeted: Having argued (and lost) main ICJ case on fundamental change and Art.62 VCLT, at a loss to see how it offers a way out of NI Protocol. The Commons Library said: Proving a material breach of best endeavours would be difficult, and a continuation of the backstop would not be a fundamental change of circumstances in the VCLT meaning. Former universities minister Sam Gyimah believes there is virtually zero chance of this route being successful and that if the Government said it could be, it would be doing so on a false prospectus that MPs could blow up the deal after it was passed. D onald Tusk has urged EU leaders to be open to a "long extension" of the Brexit deadline to allow Parliament more time to determine its stance on leaving the bloc. Mr Tusk, the president of the European Council, said he will "appeal" to the heads of the other 27 Union states to consider the matter. Writing on Twitter, he said: "I will appeal to the EU27 to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it." This comes after the Commons voted in favour of ruling out no-deal in any circumstance. TODO: define component type apester Both British politicians and EU figureheads have previously stated an extension to the deadline, currently set at March 29, might be necessary. After voting in favour of ruling out no deal, MPs will have their say on Thursday on whether Theresa May can ask the EU for the date to be moved back. This is a decision Britain can not take alone and the EU27 will have to approve the idea. Theresa May is set to ask MPs to vote on her deal for a third time next week / AFP/Getty Images The Prime Minister's motion says if the House of Commons has approved her Withdrawal Agreement and the framework for the future UK/EU relationship by March 20, she will seek a one-off extension. This would be requested to be until June 30 to allow time for the necessary legislation to be passed. Should her deal again fail to win Commons support, the motion warns it is "highly likely" the EU will require the UK to set out a "clear purpose" before granting any extension. It adds that any delay beyond June 30 will involve Britain taking part in May's elections to the European Parliament. Michel Barnier said an extension required clarity from Parliament / AFP/Getty Images Mrs May has previously said she hoped any delay to Brexit and extension to Article 50 would be short. Chancellor Philip Hammond has said it is "certain" MPs will vote to authorise Theresa May to seek a delay to Brexit. He denied being at odds with the Prime Minister after calling for Parliament to seek a "consensus" solution to Brexit and to "explore other options" if her deal is voted down for a third time next week. Prior to the comment from Mr Tusk, multiple EU leaders stated their stance against an Article 50 extension unless there was a clear mandate of what Parliament hoped one would achieve. The bloc's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, said: "They have to tell us what it is they want for our future relations, what will their choice be? "What is the clear line they will take? That is the question we need an answer to. "Why would we extend these discussions because the discussion on Article 50 that is done and dusted, we have the withdrawal agreement and that is there." While another EU Brexit negotiator, Guy Verhofstadt also called for clarification from the Commons. Speaking to Sky, he said: "I don't see any reason to give any extension if first of all we don't know the majority position of the House of Commons. "Why we should start to give even a short extension if there's no clear position of the House of Commons." T heresa May was clinging to office but no longer calling the shots today as MPs moved to strip her of control over Brexit in landmark votes tonight. The Prime Minister was forced this morning to concede another free vote, this time on a delay to Brexit, as she struggled to contain open warfare in Cabinet. A sense of power draining out of Downing Street was palpable as ministers and MPs were openly pushing different policies. The EU opened the door to a rethink offering a longer delay to Brexit. Chancellor Philip Hammond said that although he backed Mrs Mays deal, other options should be considered at the same time in the House of Commons. Mrs Mays former policy adviser, Tory MP George Freeman, said her best hope of getting her deal through was by resigning because a new prime minister would be more trusted. TODO: define component type apester European Council president Donald Tusk offered support for a complete rethink by saying he would propose a long extension [of Article 50] if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it. A leading member of the European Research Group of Tory Brexiteers branded Mrs Mays deal rancid and asked if she was really in power. Mr Freeman, who headed the Prime Ministers policy group at No 10 after she took office in 2016, said: This chaos cant continue. Something has to give. We need an orderly Brexit on March 29. Countdown to Brexit: 15 days until Britain leaves the EU If, to get the votes for that, the PM has to promise that she will go after the withdrawal treaty is secure, to allow a new leader to reunite the country and oversee the next stage, she should. Mrs Mays authority will face its next challenge this afternoon when MPs vote on amendments designed to wrest power over key Brexit decisions. Tory MPs and ministers will be allowed a free vote on a Government motion that concedes for the first time that Brexit will be delayed beyond March 29 even if Mrs Mays unpopular withdrawal agreement is passed on a third attempt. The Evening Standard disclosed in January that the delay was needed because vital laws are behind schedule, but it was repeatedly denied by No 10. Brexit: Leave and Remain supporters gather in London on 29 January 1 /33 Brexit: Leave and Remain supporters gather in London on 29 January Pro-EU and pro-Brexit protestors discuss the vote and ongoing political processes as they demonstrate near to the Houses of Parliament Getty Images A man holds a 'Stop Brexit' sign aboard a campaign bus travelling down Whitehall in Westminster, London PA Pro-Brexit demonstrators chant slogans outside the Houses of Parliament Reuters Anti-Brexit demonstrators protest outside the Houses of Parliament Reuters A leave supporter vapes electronic cigarette in front of a group of remain supporters AP Pro-Brexit protestors dressed as suffragettes demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Images An anti-brexit supporter holds banners in London AP Pro and anti Brexit protestors discuss the vote and ongoing political processes as they demonstrate near to the Houses of Parliament Getty Images Pro-Brexit and anti-Brexit protesters hold banners in London AP A campaigner dressed as Charlie Chaplin walks by the Houses of Parliament PA A leave supporter holds banners at the parliament gates AP Pro-Brexit, left and anti-Brexit protesters hold banners in London AP Pro-Brexit demonstrators protest outside the Houses of Parliament Reuters A leave supporter holds banners in front of remain supporters during demonstrations in London AP Police officers stand near Pro-Brexit and Anti-Brexit posters outside the Houses of Parliament, in Westminster, London Reuters Leave supporters hold placards in front of remain supporters during demonstrations in London, AP A pro-Brexit protestor sets fire to a roll of toilet paper decorated with the EU flag as she demonstrates near the Houses of Parliament Getty Images A pro-Brexit protestor sets fire to a roll of toilet paper decorated with the EU flag as she demonstrates near the Houses of Parliament Getty Images Leave supporters hold placards as they take part in demonstrations near the parliament in Londo AP Leave and remain supporters hold placards as they take part in demonstrations near the parliament in London AP Pro-Brexit activists hold placards and wave flags as they demonstrate opposite the Houses of Parliament in London AFP/Getty Images A remain supporter, left and a leave supporter, center, discuss during demonstrations in London AP Pro-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster Getty Images v Reuters Anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate on a double decker bus outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster Getty Images Mrs Mays motion says a short technical delay of two or three months will happen if her deal is backed in a vote. But in an attempt to spook Right-wingers into backing her deal, Mrs May says a longer delay of months requiring the UK to participate in European Parliament elections in June will be necessary if MPs look for another deal. The threat was scorned by ERG vice-chairman Mark Francois who told BBC News 24: Im not prepared to surrender to anybody. If its a rancid deal, why vote for it? Mr Francois plunged the knife in by saying the shambles in last nights voting, when four Cabinet ministers defied a three-line whip, was the worst he had known. The Prime Ministers authority is seeping away, he said. Echoing Norman Lamonts famous quote about John Major being in office but not in power, he said it was time for Mrs May to ask herself: Are you really in power? Are you really in office? A cross-party group of MPs was this morning drafting an amendment, expected to be tabled by Labour MP Hilary Benn and former No 10 fixer Sir Oliver Letwin that would require the Prime Minister to seek a long extension of Article 50 and give Parliament a chance to debate properly alternatives to her stricken deal, such as a pro-business Norway-style solution. The amendment would overrule Commons standing orders so that MPs could reserve a day next week on which to begin the debates. Ex-minister Nick Boles, a key architect of the strategy, told the Standard: Following a second massive defeat, the Prime Minister needs to request an extension of Article 50 and give MPs the chance to start debating and voting on alternative Brexit deals. Mr Tusk tweeted: During my consultations ahead of [next weeks EU summit], I will appeal to the EU27 to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it. Mr Hammond told Sky News: I am very happy with the Prime Ministers deal. I would be delighted if a consensus emerges behind the Prime Ministers deal over the next day or two. But I think we also have to explore other options for Parliament to express a view about how we resolve this impasse. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell called on Mr Hammond to put party politics aside and thrash out a compromise with Labour. T heresa May's authority was being publicly shredded this afternoon as MPs tried to seize control of Brexit. In a landmark move, a cross-party amendment was tabled that aims to sack the Prime Minister from deciding how Britain leaves the European Union. The Prime Ministers effective deputy David Lidington tried to avoid defeat by saying the Government could stage indicative votes on alternative Brexit plans after next weeks EU summit. Speaker John Bercow announced a vote this evening on the rebel plan, which was tabled under the names of Labour MP Hilary Benn and Conservative former Cabinet minister Sir Oliver Letwin. MPs said the vote would be too close to call, although backed by at least six Tories, because the group was not calling on ministers to resign in order to back it. Sensing an opportunity to profit from the political chaos in Britain, President Donald Trump tweeted gleefully: My Administration looks forward to negotiating a large scale Trade Deal with the United Kingdom. The potential is unlimited! John Bercow speaks in the Commons / REUTERS Mrs May called an emergency political cabinet as power seemed to be draining away from Downing Street. In key developments: Her Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party allies in the Commons responded with fury to a warning made by Michael Gove that direct rule might be restored to Northern Ireland in a no-deal scenario. Mrs Mays former policy adviser, Tory MP George Freeman, said her best hope of getting her deal through was by resigning because a new prime minister would be more trusted. The PM conceded another free vote, the second in two days, on a motion delaying Brexit beyond March 29 even if her deal eventually goes through. TODO: define component type apester European Council president Donald Tusk made clear he would enable a complete Brexit plan rethink by offering a long extension [of Article 50] if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it. A leading member of the European Research Group of Tory Brexiteers branded Mrs Mays deal rancid and asked if she was really in power. Mrs Mays authority will face its next challenge this afternoon when MPs vote on amendments designed to wrest power over key Brexit decisions. Brexit: Leave and Remain supporters gather in London on 29 January 1 /33 Brexit: Leave and Remain supporters gather in London on 29 January Pro-EU and pro-Brexit protestors discuss the vote and ongoing political processes as they demonstrate near to the Houses of Parliament Getty Images A man holds a 'Stop Brexit' sign aboard a campaign bus travelling down Whitehall in Westminster, London PA Pro-Brexit demonstrators chant slogans outside the Houses of Parliament Reuters Anti-Brexit demonstrators protest outside the Houses of Parliament Reuters A leave supporter vapes electronic cigarette in front of a group of remain supporters AP Pro-Brexit protestors dressed as suffragettes demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament Getty Images An anti-brexit supporter holds banners in London AP Pro and anti Brexit protestors discuss the vote and ongoing political processes as they demonstrate near to the Houses of Parliament Getty Images Pro-Brexit and anti-Brexit protesters hold banners in London AP A campaigner dressed as Charlie Chaplin walks by the Houses of Parliament PA A leave supporter holds banners at the parliament gates AP Pro-Brexit, left and anti-Brexit protesters hold banners in London AP Pro-Brexit demonstrators protest outside the Houses of Parliament Reuters A leave supporter holds banners in front of remain supporters during demonstrations in London AP Police officers stand near Pro-Brexit and Anti-Brexit posters outside the Houses of Parliament, in Westminster, London Reuters Leave supporters hold placards in front of remain supporters during demonstrations in London, AP A pro-Brexit protestor sets fire to a roll of toilet paper decorated with the EU flag as she demonstrates near the Houses of Parliament Getty Images A pro-Brexit protestor sets fire to a roll of toilet paper decorated with the EU flag as she demonstrates near the Houses of Parliament Getty Images Leave supporters hold placards as they take part in demonstrations near the parliament in Londo AP Leave and remain supporters hold placards as they take part in demonstrations near the parliament in London AP Pro-Brexit activists hold placards and wave flags as they demonstrate opposite the Houses of Parliament in London AFP/Getty Images A remain supporter, left and a leave supporter, center, discuss during demonstrations in London AP Pro-Brexit protesters demonstrate outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster Getty Images v Reuters Anti-Brexit protesters demonstrate on a double decker bus outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster Getty Images Tonights key rebel amendment was backed by an array of grandees, including Labours Yvette Cooper and Tories Dominic Grieve, Sir Nicholas Soames Two other amendments were picked by the Speaker that could derail Mrs Mays Brexit policy. One would ban her from bringing back her twice-rejected withdrawal agreement for a third attempt at getting support, which Downing Street is quietly hoping to try on Tuesday. The third is a call for a second referendum staged by The Independent Group, whose chances seemed low because Jeremy Corbyn appeared to be withholding Labour Party support. Countdown to Brexit: 15 days until Britain leaves the EU Tory MPs and ministers will be allowed a free vote on a government motion that concedes for the first time that Brexit would be delayed beyond March 29 even if Mrs Mays unpopular withdrawal agreement is passed in a third attempt. The Evening Standard disclosed in January that the delay was needed because vital laws are behind schedule, but it was repeatedly denied by No 10. Mrs Mays motion says a short technical delay of two or three months will happen if her deal is backed in a vote. But in an attempt to spook Right-wingers into backing her deal, Mrs May says a longer delay of months requiring the UK to participate in European Parliament elections in June will be necessary if MPs look for another deal. The threat was scorned by ERG vice-chairman Mark Francois who told BBC News 24: Im not prepared to surrender to anybody. If its a rancid deal, why vote for it? Echoing Norman Lamonts famous quote about John Major being in office but not in power, he said it was time for Mrs May to ask herself: Are you really in power? Are you really in office? The Letwin amendment would require the Prime Minister to seek a long extension of Article 50 and give Parliament a chance properly to debate alternatives to her stricken deal, such as a pro-business Norway-style solution. The amendment would overrule Commons standing orders so that MPs could reserve a day next week on which to begin the debates. T heresa May has signalled a third "meaningful vote" on her EU Withdrawal Agreement could be held after MPs voted to rule out a no-deal Brexit. The Prime Ministers deal could be put to a vote again next week, despite being rejected twice already, after her authority was shredded by a major Cabinet rebellion and another crushing Commons defeat on Wednesday. A Government motion for debate on Thursday offers to seek a one-off extension delaying Brexit until June 30 if MPs approve the deal negotiated with the EU by next Wednesday. But Mrs May warned if the deal is not approved, a longer extension will be needed, requiring Britain to take part in the European Parliament elections in May. Theresa May addresses the Commons after Wednesday's crushing defeat / REUTERS "I do not think that would be the right outcome," the Prime Minister said. "But the House needs to face up to the consequences of the decisions it has taken." Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn told MPs Mrs May had repeatedly offered a choice between her deal and no deal, adding: "In the last 24 hours, Parliament has decisively rejected both." Mr Corbyn said: "Parliament must now take control of the situation. "Myself, the shadow Brexit secretary and others will have meetings with members across the House to find a compromise solution that can command support in the House." Jeremy Corbyn: Parliament must take control of Brexit situation After the 149-vote rejection of her Withdrawal Agreement on Tuesday, Mrs May suffered a second defeat in as many days when MPs backed a cross-party amendment rejecting a no-deal Brexit under any circumstances. The Commons voted 312 to 308 - a majority of four - in favour of the proposal tabled by former Conservative chairman Dame Caroline Spelman. Theresa May's deal has already been defeated twice in the Commons / PA The vote was later confirmed by a more emphatic 321 votes to 278, overriding a Government motion from Mrs May that would have rejected no-deal on the scheduled date of March 29 but left it on the table for other times. Work and Pensions Minister Sarah Newton quit after defying the whips to vote for the cross-party proposal. Four Cabinet ministers - David Mundell, Amber Rudd, David Gauke and Greg Clark - and Claire Perry, who attends Cabinet, did not vote on the motion. Theresa May: Threat of no-deal Brexit remains if no agreement is reached Scottish Secretary Mr Mundell said: "I've always opposed a no-deal Brexit. The House made its view clear by agreeing the Spelman amendment, I didn't think it was right for me to oppose that. "The PM has my full support in her objective of leaving the EU with a deal to deliver an orderly Brexit." Loading.... Also not voting on the amended motion were ministers Robert Buckland, Alistair Burt, Tobias Ellwood, Stephen Hammond, Richard Harrington, Margot James and Anne Milton, as well as Government whip Mike Freer. Health minister Mr Hammond said the Government whips "asked me to vote against the motion, as amended, to reject no-deal" but "I could not do this as I regard no-deal as a disaster". "Therefore I abstained, despite being a Government minister," he added. MPs vote to reject no-deal Brexit under any circumstance A Cabinet source said that, with a significant number of ministers indicating that they were not prepared to vote against the Spelman plan, it was made clear that they would not be required to. Speaking moments after the vote, Mrs May accepted there was a "clear majority" against no-deal in the Commons. But she was greeted by angry barracking by opposition MPs as she insisted no-deal remains the default option in UK and EU law, however, unless a Withdrawal Agreement is reached. The Government motion tabled for debate on Thursday states that if MPs back the negotiated Agreement within the next seven days, the Prime Minister will seek a one-off extension to June 30 to pass necessary legislation. It adds if no agreement has been approved by the time of the European Council on March 21, "it is highly likely the European Council ... would require a clear purpose for any extension, not least to determine its length, and any extension beyond June 30 2019 would require the United Kingdom to hold European Parliament elections in May 2019". The motion sparked fury among MPs, who accused the Government of seeking to ignore the views of the Commons. L abour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said his party supports a second referendum, minutes after his MPs were whipped to abstain on an amendment to delay Brexit in order to deliver a Peoples Vote. Another night of high drama in the House of Commons saw MPs overwhelmingly reject the amendment which pushed for a second referendum. Mr Corbyn, who refused to vote for the amendment, told the House afterwards: I reiterate our support for a public vote, not as political point scoring but as a realistic option to beat the deadlock. The Islington North MPs comments were met with jeers from other MPs. After the vote was cast, MP for Ilford North Wes Streeting posted an open letter to Twitter explaining why he and many of his Labour colleagues, who are in favour for a second referendum, abstained from voting. The letter read: We are all deeply committed to securing a Peoples Vote. But to win that vote, we need to win a vote in the House of Commons. The best chance of that is via the so-called Kyle/Wilson amendment, which isn't being voted on today. The official Peoples Vote campaign has said this isnt the right time. Echoing this, Labours Dr Roseana Allin-Khan said: The @peoplesvote_uk campaign have put out a statement - they want MPs to abstain tonight, which is the right thing to do. Im a proud supporter of a PV and will do everything I can to make it happen - but tonights amendment wont work - itll ruin our chances of success. Labour's Stephen Doughty, a supporter of the People's Vote campaign for a second referendum, said it was "obvious and essential" that the UK needs to extend the Brexit deadline. "That was rightly the focus of today's debate and votes and the Government had been forced into extension after a succession of defeats. The Prime Minister's former self-imposed deadline of 29 March does not work, as even she now admits. "In the days and weeks ahead, MPs will have to make more decisions on this crucial issue. Any extension of the Article 50 deadline must be used to deliver the clarity about Brexit that has been missing from the last two-and-a-half years of vexed debate. We need to decide whether we are willing to pay the huge price of going it alone, of which the 50 billion divorce bill will only be the start." Mr Corbyn addressing MPs following the vote / EPA After the second referendum amendment was rejected by MPs, The Independent Group's Brexit spokeswoman Anna Soubry said: "This is a betrayal of Labour Party members and voters, Labour MPs, Labour's conference policy and, most importantly, the British public. "The Labour Party leadership are determined to deliver Brexit, which would harm our country. "But The Independent Group will not give up. We will keep up the pressure for a People's Vote on the final Brexit deal. "We'll keep holding the Government to account and providing the real opposition our country needs. The British people deserve the final say on Brexit." Theresa May leaves the Houses of Parliament on Thursday night / EPA Chuka Umunna, also of the Independent Group, also laid into his former partys decision to abstain from voting. The Streatham MP tweeted: The Labour leadership said for months if an election cant be triggered+their alternative fails they will back a #PeoplesVote -the partys eurosceptic leadership have betrayed so many Labour supporters and voters by failing to vote for it today. @TheIndGroup will keep pressing it. Reacting to the result on the Wollaston amendment, the SNP leader in Westminster called Labour "absolutely spineless" and "the midwives" to Theresa May's Brexit. Ian Blackford tweeted: "We have lost a people's vote amendment by 334 votes to 85 votes. Labour abstained. "An opportunity to drive forward the need for such a vote and Labour flunk it. They are the midwives to @theresa-may Brexit. Absolutely spineless. #peoplesvote" MPs also voted to delay Brexit beyond the scheduled date of March 29, with Theresa May making it clear that she will first press her Brexit deal to a third "meaningful vote" in the Commons. London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted in response: "Whilst Parliament has voted to make it less likely that we will crash out with no deal, the ongoing chaos shows exactly why we need to stop the clock, revoke Article 50 and with Parliament in gridlock - give the public the final say on Brexit." D onald Trump has weighed in on Brexit saying he thinks a second referendum would be unfair and blasting Theresa May for not following his advice on how to negotiate a deal. The US president said on Thursday he is surprised at how badly the UKs negotiations with the European Union have been handled. He added that he gave the prime minister advice on the negotiations but she did not listen. "It's a very complex thing right now, it's tearing a country apart, it's actually tearing a lot of countries apart and it's a shame it has to be that way but I think we will stay right in our lane," Mr Trump said. US President Donald Trump speaks as Ireland Prime Minister Leo Varadkar listens during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House. / Getty Images "I'm surprised at how badly it has all gone from a stand point of negotiations but I gave the Prime Minister (Theresa May) my ideas of how to negotiate it, she didn't listen to that and that's fine but it could have been negotiated in a different manner." He added: "The EU has been very tough to deal with and frankly it's been very one-sided for many years so we are changing that around." The Prime Minister has previously revealed that Mr Trump told her to "sue the EU" and "not go into negotiations". President Donald Trump shakes hands with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. / AP On the prospect of another referendum, he said: "I don't think another vote would be possible because it would be very unfair to the people that won. They'd say 'What do you mean, you're going to take another vote?' So that would be tough. "I thought it would happen, it did happen, and both sides are very, very cemented in. It's a tough situation. It's a shame. Donald Trump has said a second Brexit referendum would be "unfair." / EPA "There was no reason for that to happen. They could have had the vote and it should have gone smoothly and unfortunately it didn't." Mr Trump said that the US would stay out of Britain's negotiations over Brexit but reiterated he would like to see a US trade deal with the UK after it leaves the EU. "My Administration looks forward to negotiating a large scale Trade Deal with the United Kingdom. The potential is unlimited!" he tweeted. After it leaves the EU, Britain will head to the negotiating table to broker its own commerce pacts with other countries, including the US, for the first time in decades. British trade minister Liam Fox said he looked forward to sitting down at the negotiating table to strengthen the trading relationship with the US. "Greater trade between us reinforces a comprehensive alliance that goes far beyond the economic, providing for our national security and bringing prosperity to our people," Mr Fox said in a statement in response to Trump's tweet. MPs will vote on Thursday whether to seek a delay to Brexit, which is scheduled for March 29. Mrs May granted the vote after Parliament twice rejected her proposed EU divorce deal . T he three climbers who died after an avalanche on Ben Nevis, the UK's highest mountain, were French and Swiss, police have said. Two were French nationals, aged 41 and 32, and the third was a Swiss 43-year-old, Police Scotland said. A fourth man, Swiss national Mathieu Biselx, 30, remains in a stable condition in a Glasgow hospital after Tuesday's avalanche. Swiss media reported the group were members of the Club Alpin Suisse de Sion (Swiss Alpine Club, Sion). Police have said the three people who died were French and Swiss nationals / Getty Images They were caught by the river of snow and ice in Number 5 gully as Storm Gareth blew in with strong winds, triggering a huge search and recovery operation in "brutal conditions", a rescuer said. One of the climbers died "pretty instantaneously", according to Donald Paterson, deputy team leader of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (MRT). Another could not be saved despite receiving CPR for half an hour. Speaking from hospital where he is being treated for serious injuries to both legs, Mr Biselx said his companions were experienced climbers who took advice from local guides and were staying with one. He said they had been given two routes to take on the mountain and went on one in the morning with no problems. Three people were killed in the avalanche (file photo: Getty Images) / Getty Images As they still had time, they suggested doing the second one in the afternoon - assuming they had taken the necessary precautions. Upon reaching the second route they saw there had already been an avalanche there but had barely reached the area when they were swept away. Mr Biselx, president of the alpine club and father of a little girl, said he was "amazingly lucky". He told Le Nouvelliste: "We weren't very high up and suddenly we heard a noise. We looked round and two seconds later we were carried away by heavy, compact snow. "When I regained consciousness only my head and an arm were sticking out of the snow. He described his companions as "wonderful" people who were also fathers, adding: "It's terrible they're not here anymore. They won't see their families again." First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the fatalities were "absolutely tragic", while Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes said it was "heartbreaking". Brian Tregaskis, Lochaber MRT secretary, also paid tribute to the climbers and his team. They were joined by Glencoe MRT and around 30 volunteer mountain rescuers who happened to be training in the area. He said: "The members of the Lochaber and Glencoe Mountain Rescue teams did an incredible job in very difficult conditions. "We'd like to extend our deepest sympathies to the loved ones of those who lost their lives and we hope the surviving casualty makes a full and speedy recovery." Tuesday's incident follows two recent fatal accidents on the mountain, which at 1,345m is the UK's highest. On New Year's Day, a 21-year-old German woman, who was a student at Bristol University, died after she fell from a ridge she had been climbing with three other people. She had been hiking on what is known as the "ledge route" when she fell around 500ft. O ne former British soldier will stand trial accused of murdering two protesters on Bloody Sunday in Northern Ireland 47 years ago. The Public Prosecution Service of Northern Ireland announced it was charging the Army veteran, who is only identified as Soldier F, with murdering James Wray and William McKinney and for the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick ODonnell. Sixteen other former soldiers and two Official IRA suspects present on the day will not face charges. Thirteen people were killed and 15 others wounded when members of the 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on a civil rights demonstration in Londonderry on January 30, 1972. Soldiers had been sent into the Bogside nationalist housing estate to deal with riots which followed a Derry march defying a ban on public processions. Relatives of the victims and supporters who have campaigned for decades for charges to be brought, had marched in Belfast this morning ahead of the announcement. Bloody Sunday: Bishop Edward Daly waves a bloodied white handkerchief as demonstrators carry the mortally wounded Jackie Duddy / BBC Stephen Herron, the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland, acknowledged there would be unhappiness at the decision to charge one suspect. He said: We recognise the deep disappointment felt by many of those we met with today. As prosecutors we are required to be wholly objective in our approach." He added: It has been concluded that there is sufficient available evidence to prosecute one former soldier, Soldier F, for the murder of James Wray and William McKinney; and for the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon and Patrick ODonnell. In respect of the other 18 suspects, including 16 former soldiers and two alleged Official IRA members, it has been concluded that the available evidence is insufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction. In these circumstances the evidential test for prosecution is not met. Ciaran Shiels, a solicitor for a number of the Bloody Sunday families, said: "This is a remarkable achievement by the families and victims of Bloody Sunday. "Notwithstanding the unprecedented attempted political interference with the independence of the judicial process, the families have not only succeeded in consigning the Widgery report to history, and securing the complete vindication and declaration of innocence of all of the victims of Bloody Sunday through the Saville Inquiry, they have now secured the prosecution of Soldier F for the murder and attempted murder of six innocent people. An armed soldier grabs a protester on Bloody Sunday / Frederick Hoare/Central Press/Getty Images "We are disappointed that not all of those responsible are to face trial. "We will give detailed consideration to the reasons provided for decisions not to prosecute the other soldiers, with a view to making further submissions to the Prosecution Service and we shall ultimately challenge in the High Court, by way of judicial review, any prosecutorial decision that does not withstand scrutiny." Linda Nash and campaigner Eamonn McCann react after the announcement of the decision to charge Soldier F (Reuters) / REUTERS In the immediate aftermath of the shootings, then-UK Home Secretary Reginald Maudling and the Ministry of Defence both claimed the soldiers had come under attack from "gunmen and bombers". A public inquiry conducted by senior judge Lord Widgery shortly after the deaths effectively exonerated the soldiers, with claims there were strong suspicions that some of those killed had been discharging weapons or handling bombs on the day. It was branded a whitewash by the dead victims' families and thus began a campaign for a new public inquiry. Among the claims they fought was that their loved ones had been armed. Soldiers and demonstrators confront each other during Bloody Sunday (REXMAILPIX) A decade-long investigation by Lord Saville of Newdigate concluded that the troops killed peaceful protesters and seriously criticised the decision to send them into the Bogside estate in vehicles. Among the Saville key findings were that: On balance a soldier fired first. There was evidence of some firing by republican paramilitaries but on balance the Army fired first; None of the casualties was posing a threat or doing anything that would justify their shooting; No warning had been given to any civilians before the soldiers opened fire; None of the soldiers fired in response to attacks by petrol-bombers or stone-throwers; Some of those killed or injured were clearly fleeing or going to help those injured or dying; Some soldiers lied about their actions. The Saville report used the soldiers' ciphers to identify some its authors were sure fired lethal shots. In other cases they recorded those who had probably done so. Following the inquiry's conclusion in 2010, then-prime minister David Cameron said the killings were unjustified and unjustifiable. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) launched an investigation following the 195 million Saville Inquiry and files on 18 soldiers were submitted to prosecutors in 2016 and 2017 for consideration. One former soldier has since died. Four other soldiers included in the Saville Report died before police had completed their investigation. Mr Herron met family members before announcing the charges. He said: I am mindful that it has been a long road for the families to reach this point and today will be another extremely difficult day for many of them. We wanted to meet with them personally to explain the prosecution decisions taken and to help them understand the reasons. We have spent time with them this morning, given them detailed information and we are committed to further engagement over the coming period. There has been a level of expectation around the prosecution decisions in light of the findings of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry. However, much of the material which was available for consideration by the Inquiry is not admissible in criminal proceedings, due to strict rules of evidence that apply. I wish to clearly state that where a decision has been reached not to prosecute, that this is in no way diminishes any finding by the Bloody Sunday Inquiry that those killed or injured were not posing a threat to any of the soldiers." Mr Herron said Thursday's decisions were only in relation to allegations of criminal conduct on Bloody Sunday itself. His office would not be looking at allegations of perjury by suspects reported to it by the police. Soldier F has not been identified by the Public Prosecution Service as those involved in the inquiry were granted anonymity and it believed it was still bound by that restriction on naming him. Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed the Ministry of Defence would support soldier F and pay the legal costs. He said: "We are indebted to those soldiers who served with courage and distinction to bring peace to Northern Ireland. "The welfare of our former service personnel is of the utmost importance and we will offer full legal and pastoral support to the individual affected by today's decision. This includes funding all his legal costs and providing welfare support. "The Ministry of Defence is working across Government to drive through a new package of safeguards to ensure our armed forces are not unfairly treated. "And the Government will urgently reform the system for dealing with legacy issues. Our serving and former personnel cannot live in constant fear of prosecution." One of the injured who was shot, John Johnston, died months later from an inoperable brain tumour and some campaigners consider him to be a 14th fatality. O n January 30 1972, British Army soldiers opened fire on a crowd of civil rights marchers in the Bogside, Londonderry. Thirteen people were killed during the incident and 15 wounded in a day that would become known as Bloody Sunday. Now, nearly half a century on, the families of the dead are set to find out whether the soldiers involved will face prosecution. On Thursday, the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland will meet with the families before it makes its decision public. Thousands marched through Londonderry on January 30, 1972 / Daily Mail What happened in the build-up to Bloody Sunday and on the day? A week before Bloody Sunday, British Army soldiers fired plastic bullets and CS gas at protesters at a banned civil rights demonstration on Magilligan Strand near Londonderry. Four days later, two Royal Ulster Constabulary officers were shot dead by republicans in the nationalist Creggan area of the city. While tensions in Derry were high as the morning of January 30, 1972 arrived, few could have predicted the bloodshed that followed. It was just after lunchtime when demonstrators started assembling on the Creggan estate for the latest Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (Nicra) protest march, an event outlawed by a Stormont ban on large public assemblies and processions. This time the destination was the city's Guildhall. 2.50pm: Due to get under way at 2pm, the start is delayed by 50 minutes to accommodate the steady stream of late arrivals. Marchers leave Creggan Drive and set off for the city centre, with hundreds joining in at almost every turn. 3.25pm: The march passes the Bogside Inn bar and continues on to William Street. Estimates of the size of demonstration at this point vary. Organisers claimed up to 20,000 people were involved, while the authorities put it at a more conservative 3,000 to 5,000. 3.45pm: With the Army having erected barricades blocking the way to the Guildhall, the main body of the march turns left on to Rossville Street towards the revised rallying point at the famous Free Derry corner at the entrance to the nationalist Bogside estate. A number break off and continue down William Street to confront soldiers at a barricade. Some rioting ensues. Minor clashes between stone-throwers and security forces at this junction were commonplace, with locals dubbing the area "aggro corner". 3.55pm: Before the main shooting incident and at a location away from both the riot and march, two soldiers in a derelict building on William Street fire a number of rounds after claiming they had come under attack. An Official IRA member is believed to have fired at the building during this incident. Two men are injured when the soldiers opened fire. One of them, 59-year-old John Johnston, dies four months later. Campaigners have long acknowledged him as the 14th victim of Bloody Sunday. However, the Bloody Sunday inquiry said the wounds he sustained on the day did not contribute to his death, noting he had an inoperable brain tumour. 3.56pm: Rioters disperse from William Street after the Army deploys water cannons. Paratroopers request permission to commence an arrest operation on those who had fled down Chamberlain Street and Rossville Street. 4.07pm: A company of paratroopers, led by Major Ted Loden, is given an order to start arresting any remaining rioters in William Street. But they are told not to engage in a running battle down Rossville Street. 4.10pm: The soldiers open fire on people in the area of Rossville Flats. Where the victims were shot: Car park of Rossville Flats: Jackie Duddy. Forecourt on the other side of the flats: Pat Doherty, Barney McGuigan. Rubble barricade in Rossville Street beside the flats: Hugh Gilmour, Kevin McElhinney, Michael Kelly, John Young, William Nash and Michael McDaid. Glenfada Park on other side of Rossville Street: James Wray, Gerald Donaghey, Gerald McKinney and William McKinney (not related). 4.40pm: The shooting ends. As well as the 13 fatalities, 15 other people are wounded. More than 20 soldiers fired in the incident, expending 108 rounds in total. The Army claims it came under fire in the Rossville Flats area, allegedly from the Provisional IRA. Eyewitnesses insist none of the dead were armed. Top row (left to right) Patrick Doherty, Bernard McGuigan, John "Jackie" Duddy and Gerald Donaghey, (bottom row, left to right) Gerard McKinney, Jim Wray, William McKinney and John Young who were killed on Bloody Sunday / PA (Top row, left to right) Michael Kelly, Michael McDaid, Hugh Gilmore (bottom row, left to right) Kevin McElhinney, William Nash who were killed on Bloody Sunday and John Johnston who was shot on that day but died from an inoperable brain tumour four months later / PA What was the Saville Inquiry? A new inquiry, chaired by Lord Saville was established under Tony Blair in January 1998 to re-examine Bloody Sunday. The final report was published in 2010. It was the product of the longest and most costly inquiry of its kind in British legal history. The evidence ran to 20 million to 30 million words plus hundreds of hours of audio tape, forming a report of 5,000 pages, and cost an estimated 195 million. It found that none of the casualties posed a threat to the soldiers or did anything to justify the shooting, that no warning was given before troops opened fire or and that no soldier fired in response to attacks by petrol bombers or people throwing stones. The report found that some soldiers who fired the fatal shots were not in a state of panic and did not believe their victims were threatening others. The report also found evidence that armed Republicans were present. A sniper belonging to the Official IRA shot at soldiers after they had already shot two civilians. Lord Saville concluded the sniper had taken up his position before the violence, intending to take opportunist pot shots. David Cameron said the action of paratroopers was "unjustified and unjustifiable" and apologised in the House of Commons on behalf of "the Government and the country" for the killings. What happened after the Saville inquiry? Crowds gather to hear the findings of the long-awaited Saville Inquiry report into Bloody Sunday, outside the Guildhall in Londonderry. / PA A murder investigation was launched by the Police Service of Northern Ireland after the publication of the report. Files on 18 soldiers were submitted to prosecutors in 2016 and 2017 for consideration. One former soldier has since died. Four other soldiers included in the Saville Report died before police had completed their investigation. Prosecutors are set to make an announcement at 11am on Thursday, March 14 on whether the soldiers involved will face prosecution. Families gathered outside The Museum of Free Derry on Thursday morning, just yards from where the killings took place 47 years ago, and march together to a city centre hotel to hear whether charges will be brought. Alan Barry, from the Justice for Northern Ireland Veterans campaign group, said he feared the paratroopers would face charges, accusing the justice system in Northern Ireland of being one-sided. Families march ahead of Bloody Sunday prosecution ruling Who were the victims? John 'Jackie' Duddy, 17 Michael Kelly, 17 Hugh Gilmour, 17 William Nash, 19 John Young, 17 Michael McDaid, 20 Kevin McElhinney, 17 James 'Jim' Wray, 22 William McKinney, 27 Gerard McKinney, 35 Gerard Donaghy, 17 Patrick Doherty, age 31 Bernard 'Barney' McGuigan, 41 T he head of the Mets counter-terrorism command has warned that the Islamic State group continues to pump out online terror content at a huge pace and that vulnerable people are latching on to this material. Commander Clarke Jarrett highlighted the problem of online content fuelling terrorism at an advertising conference. He said: You have seen the news. Donald Trump said Islamic State is beaten, the caliphate is beaten in Syria. Islamic State is not beaten at all. There are many fighters still across Europe. And the ideology of Islamic State has seeded into new groups around the world. And that online content [they create] is still credible, being produced, and being circulated at a huge pace. Online terrorist content causes harm. Commander Clarke Jarrett said the number of live terror investigations in the UK has hit a record high / PA Archive/PA Images The number of live terror investigations in the UK has hit a record high of 700 as Islamists and the far-Right feed each other, police have said. We have got around 3,000 people of interest. We havent got 3,000 people that are members of terrorist groups. We have got 3,000 people that are of concern for their extremist views, Mr Jarrett said. Those 700 investigations, the people we arrest, the attacks we investigate, the vast majority involve terrorist propaganda, the viewing of online media. Mr Jarrett highlighted terror attacks such as those at Westminster, London Bridge and Finsbury Park, saying most had involved a lot of online content. Social media firms have come under pressure from governments and the EU to do more to combat extremism and remove terrorist content such as hate speech and IS propaganda. Facebook, Google-owned YouTube and other internet companies have been warned to remove extremist content quicker or face legislation forcing them to do so. Online platforms, social media companies, have done lots of work recently to improve the situation, to remove lots of that content that is illegal from the internet. But there is much more we can do, Mr Jarrett said. "The people we arrest, the attacks we investigate, the vast majority involve terrorist propaganda" He said the scale of the problem had reduced but added at the conference, hosted by the Incorporated Society Of British Advertisers, that propaganda and hate speech were now moving to newer, smaller platforms. Vulnerable people are latching on to this material and becoming radicalised, he added, saying that the content was there to inspire recruits. He said al Qaeda, along with IS, had become more active in trying to recruit online. His comments came as the battle for ISs final shred of territory continued overnight, with US-backed fighters bombarding positions in Baghouz, eastern Syria. The jihadists yesterday launched two counter-attacks on Syrian Democratic Forces but were beaten back without any progress. A top police officer has insisted the mystery of Madeleine McCanns disappearance will be solved. Jim Gamble, the senior child protection officer in UK's first investigation into the youngster's disappearance, said theres huge hope to be had. His claims will be made in the bombshell new Netflix documentary The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann which is set to be released later this week. Gamble said: I absolutely believe that in my lifetime we will find out what has happened, The Sun reported. Missing: Madeleine McCann / PA He added: "There's huge hope to be had with the advances in technology. Year on year DNA is getting better. Year on year other techniques, including facial recognition, are getting better. And as we use that technology to revisit and review that which we captured in the past, there's every likelihood that something we already know will slip into position. Kate and Gerry McCann, whose daughter Madeleine disappeared from a holiday flat in Portugal in 2007 / PA Julian Peribanez, the private investigator hired by the McCann family, was also interviewed in the explosive new documentary. He suggested the youngster was likely to have been kept alive by traffickers due to her financial value as a middle-class British girl, according to The Sun. Netflix is to release the long-awaited documentary on Friday after the streaming service first commissioned the programme in 2017. A midwife has won a legal fight with her ex-partner over their 1 million home after telling a judge she was promised a half share over a drink in the pub. Claire Chipperfield, 52, lived with tech boss Andrew Horn, 58, for more than 15 years and had two children with him, but the couple never married. When they left London in 2006 Mr Horn put forward the majority of the deposit on a home in Lymington, Hampshire, and a decade later, after they had split, he claimed ownership of most of the house. However, a comment to Ms Chipperfield in a pub after the purchase of the house which is now worth more than 1 million handed her victory in the courts. He had told her: Well, thats it, Chip, we are now 50/50 owners but that means you owe half the debt as well. Mr Justice Freedman, sitting in the High Court, also ruled that Mr Horn had failed to acknowledge the sacrifices which Ms Chipperfield made to the family in terms of her career and the significant contributions which she made to the family finances. Claire Chipperfield is entitled to half of her family home, after her ex-partner said they were equal owners over a drink following the purchase / Nigel Howard Mr Horn, a consultant in the tech industry, insisted he and his former partner had kept their finances separate and said his words about the home ownership were not to be treated as meaning what they said literally. But the judge said: Contrary to the submission made on behalf of Mr Horn the reference to 50/50 meant both literally and in context that the ownership would be shared in those proportions. The court heard more than 280,000 had been paid towards the 740,000 purchase price of the home, and Ms Chipperfield had put in only 39,000. Appeal: Andrew Horn argued that he did not mean we are now 50/50 owners to be taken literally / Champion News But the judge upheld an earlier county court ruling that the couple and their children were a true family and the parties had thrown their lots in together. He said Ms Chipperfield ceased work during the early part of the childrens lives, and the couple had discussed that they would own the property together and that it was a joint purchase, reflecting their committed relationship and status as a nuclear family. T he Duke and Duchess of Sussex are to have their own household to take forward their growing roles as senior members of the royal family, Buckingham Palace has announced. The Queen has agreed to the creation of a new household for the couple, following their marriage in May last year. Meghan and Harry's new household will be based at Buckingham Palace and is likely to be created following the birth of their first baby, expected in April. The move will see Harry and the Duke of Cambridge formally split their backroom staff and may signal a shift in the direction of their public works. It comes after weeks of speculation that Prince William and Harrys joint team were splitting. Members of Britain's Royal family leave after attending the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in London / AP However they will remain joint patrons, with their wives, of the Royal Foundation, which is the primary charitable body for the Cambridges and Sussexes, and could still work together on big projects like their Heads Together mental health campaign. Harry currently has his own private office, which has been supporting the duchess since the engagement of Their Royal Highnesses in November 2017. The palace said the long-planned move will ensure that permanent support and financial arrangements for the Duke and Duchesss work are in place as they start their family and move to their official residence at Frogmore Cottage. Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "The Queen has agreed to the creation of a new Household for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, following their marriage in May last year. The Royal Family at Commonwealth Day Service 2019 - In pictures 1 /22 The Royal Family at Commonwealth Day Service 2019 - In pictures Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive to attend a Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey AFP/Getty Images Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrive to attend a Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey AFP/Getty Images THE Queen arrives for the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, on Commonwealth Day Reuters Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrive for the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey Reuters Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive to attend a Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey Getty Images Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives for the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, on Commonwealth Day, Reuters Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive to attend a Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey AFP/Getty Images Theresa May Getty Images Grace Chatto PA Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrives for the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, on Commonwealth Day Reuters Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex arrive to attend a Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey Getty Images Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives for the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, on Commonwealth Day, Reuters The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive for the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, London PA The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive for the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey PA The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrive for the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey, London PA Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attend the Commonwealth Service on Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey Getty Images The Queen arrives for the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbe PA "The Household, which will be created with the support of The Queen and The Prince of Wales, will be established in the spring. "The Duke of Sussex currently has his own private office, which has been supporting the Duchess since Their Royal Highness's engagement in November 2017. "This long-planned move will ensure that permanent support arrangements for The Duke and Duchess's work are in place as they start their family and move to their official residence at Frogmore Cottage." The couple's new communications staff will form part of the Buckingham Palace communications team and report to The Queen's Communications Secretary, Donal McCabe. In the reshuffle, the Sussexes have appointed their own head of communications - Sara Latham - who worked at Freuds overseeing global corporate accounts. She will report directly to the Queen's communications secretary. The Sussexes and Cambridges' current communications head Jason Knauf will stay with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, but become their senior adviser. His responsibilities will include advising on their charitable initiatives - including work on the environment, mental health, and early childhood - and supporting a review of the charitable structures that underpin their work. Christian Jones has taken over as communications secretary to William and Kate. S ea World theme park on Australias Gold coast could be forced to shut its dolphin breeding program, as animal activists launch a public petition this week. World Animal Protection, an international not-for-profit animal welfare organisation, is calling on the Queensland government to ban captive dolphin breeding in the marine park. Sea World defended their breeding program, saying their work was focussing on "conservation and education". Queenslands government is yet to comment on whether it will address the petition which was signed by at least 5,500 people after launching on Tuesday. Ben Pearson, senior campaign manager for World Animal Protection, told 9News: We want these dolphins at Sea World to be the last generation kept in Queensland. The acceptability of dolphin venues like this is on the way out. Mr Pearson said the plan was not to close Sea World, or damage Queenslands economy, but that you cant justify breeding. One of the problems in breeding animals in captivity is you cant then release them into the wild, he explained. Sea World need to start thinking about a sea sanctuary and continue to operate as a rescue and rehabilitation venue. Mr Pearson said Sea Worlds breeding program went against the basic tenet of conservation adding that Bottlenose dolphins are not endangered in the wild. "Theres nothing about this that is about conservation, he said. If they rescued a dolphin in the wild and they rehabilitated it, then put it back in the wild. Theyd have our support, but breeding in captivity is not doing that. World Animal Protection's public petition has been signed by 5,000 people. / Getty Images Mr Pearson added that Sea Worlds enclosures do not sufficiently meet the animals needs. He said: A dolphin in captivity can live 50 years. In the wild, a bottlenose would swim 100km a day, it can dive 450 meters. They have a rich marine environment. There is no way a small concrete pool in Sea World can in anyway replicate that. A spokesman for Sea World responded: While we are aware that some people do not support the idea of animals in human care, we are proud of passionate team, our world-class facilities and our position as a global community leader in conservation and education. The majority of our dolphins have been born at Sea World as part of our managed breeding program, which has been in place for many years. Some animals are third generation and others were transferred to Sea World many years ago when other facilities in Australia and New Guinea closed. The dolphins at Sea World live in social groups and play and interact with each other as they do in the wild. All of the breeding at Sea World is done as part of a managed breeding program and is done naturally. The Queensland government came out in support of Sea World but did not comment on whether it would address the petition yet. Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Mark Furner told 9News: Sea World currently holds an Exhibition Licence under the Exhibited Animals Act 2015. A Colorado state trooper has died after a bomb cyclone of high winds and heavy blizzards slammed its way into the state. Severe weather warnings were also issued for parts of Wyoming, Nebraska and the Dakotas as the late-winter weather front forced schools and businesses to close. The Colorado State Patrol said Corporal Daniel Groves was struck by a car that veered out of control on Interstate 76 and he died of his injuries a short time later. At the time, Groves, 52, was on the scene of another accident in which a vehicle had slid off the roadway, the state patrol said. Trees fell onto a house in Denver amid high winds and heavy snowfall / AP Photo/David Zalubowski It added that "high speed in poor driving conditions" was being investigated in connection with the crash that caused his death. Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a state of emergency due to the storm and said he had activated the state National Guard to assist in search and rescue operations. All six runways at Denver International Airport were closed, along with the main road into the airport due to drifting, blowing snow. An airport spokesman said 1,339 flights had been cancelled as of mid-afternoon. Corporal Daniel Groves was hit by a car in extreme weather conditions / REUTERS All school districts in the Denver metropolitan area were closed, along with most city and state government offices and many businesses. Meteorologists referred to the storm as a "bomb cyclone," a winter hurricane that forms when the barometric pressure drops 24 millibars in 24 hours. The Denver Police Department reported more than 110 crash reports and asked drivers to be cautious in bad conditions. Officials in El Paso County, Colorado, said some 1,100 motorists were stranded on Interstate 25 near Colorado Springs. Wyoming was also hit by heavy snowfall during the "bomb cyclone" / AP The police department in Northglenn, Colorado, tweeted a picture of a large tree that fell on a home, breaking through the roof. It was not immediately clear if anyone was hurt. Meteorologist Marc Chenard said: They typically do get strong systems this time of the year in that part of the country, but this one is may be a notch stronger than what you typically see. Forecasters said they expect winds of up to 70 miles per hour to sweep across a wide area of states to the south, including New Mexico and parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. D emocrat rising star Beto ORourke has confirmed that he is running for president in 2020. The former Texas congressman sent a text message to El Paso TV station KTSM on Wednesday afternoon announcing he will seek the Democratic presidential nomination. He wrote: "I'm really proud of what El Paso did and what El Paso represents. It's a big part of why I'm running. This city is the best example of this country at its best." Mr O'Rourke was little-known outside his west Texan hometown until he challenged Republican Senator Ted Cruz last year. File photo: Beto O'Rourke he leaves a polling place with his family after voting / AP He got within three percentage points of upsetting Mr Cruz in the nation's largest red state and shattered national fundraising records while using grassroots organising and social media savvy to mobilise young voters and minorities. The 46-year-old fuelled speculation that he would join the race after announcing a three-day series of events in Iowa starting on Thursday. File photo: Beto O'Rourke addresses his last public event in Austin before election night on November 4 2018 in Austin / AFP/Getty Images Oprah Winfrey, who endorsed Barack Obamas run in 2008, was thought to have practically begged Mr ORourke to run in February. Mr ORourke joins a wide field of Democrats also vying for the nomination. Returning candidate Bernie Sanders, Senator Kamala Harris, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Cory Booker, former Maryland Representative John Delaney and Representative Tulsi Gabbard are front-runners for the candidacy. Former Governor John Hickenlooper, Governor Jay Inslee, Senator Amy Klobuchar, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro, author Marianne Williamson and businessman Andrew Yang have also confirmed they are in the race. TODO: define component type apester D onald Trump has been dealt a major blow as rebelling Republicans helped pass a vote to reject his national emergency declaration over the US-Mexico border wall. The Republican-run Senate approved a proposal to revoke the proclamation by 59 to 41 in a stinging rebuke for the president, who quickly responded: VETO! in a tweet minutes after the vote. Twelve Republican senators broke ranks to defy Mr Trump and side with the Democrats in a showdown on Thursday after the House of Representatives last month back the measure. In Mr Trump's February proclamation of a border emergency, he invoked to spend $3.6 billion (2.7 billion) more for border barriers than Congress had approved. He has shown no reluctance to casting his first veto to advance his campaign exhortation "Build the Wall," which has prompted roars at countless rallies. Approval votes in both the Senate and House fell short of the two-thirds majorities needed to override this. "VETO!" Mr Trump tweeted minutes after the vote. Mitt Romney at the Capitol in Washington. The Republican senator was among rebels who defied the president and voted to reject his border emergency / EPA Though Mr Trump seems sure to prevail in that battle, members of both parties resisted him in a fight directly tied to his cherished campaign theme of erecting a border wall. The roll call came just a day after the Senate took a step toward a veto fight with Mr Trump on another issue, voting to end US support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalition's war in Yemen. The Republican rebels Mitt Romney and Mike Lee of Utah Marco Rubio of Florida Roy Blunt of Missouri Lamar Alexander of Tennessee Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania Rob Portman of Ohio Jerry Moran of Kansas Susan Collins of Maine Lisa Murkowski of Alaska Rand Paul of Kentucky Roger Wicker of Mississippi In a measure of how remarkable the confrontation was, Thursday was the first time Congress has voted to block a presidential emergency since the National Emergency Act became law in 1976. At the White House, Mr Trump did not answer when reporters asked if there would be consequences for Republicans who voted against him. Presidents have declared 58 national emergencies since the 1976 law, but this was the first aimed at accessing money that Congress had explicitly denied, according to Elizabeth Goitein, co-director for national security at New York University Law School's Brennan Center for Justice. Mr Trump and Republicans backing him said there is a legitimate security and humanitarian crisis at the border with Mexico. They also said Mr Trump was merely exercising his powers under the law, which largely leaves it to presidents to decide what a national emergency is. The National Emergency Act gives presidents wide leeway in declaring an emergency. D onald Trump has said he is prepared to veto a vote which could end the national emergency he declared over the US border with Mexico. The US President has been persistently pushing for billions of dollars to fund a wall between the two countries, a request which has been frequently rejected by opposing politicians. "A big National Emergency vote today by The United States Senate on Border Security & the Wall (which is already under major construction)," Mr Trump wrote on Twitter. "I am prepared to veto, if necessary. The Southern Border is a National Security and Humanitarian Nightmare, but it can be easily fixed!" The early morning tweet was sent as the Senate prepared to take up the measure later on Thursday. A border wall was a major campaign promise from the President in his successful route to the White House, though disputes have stopped this from being fully funded thus far, which prompted him to declare the emergency. He claims such a barricade is necessary to stop drugs entering the country from Mexico and to combat illegal immigration. The Republican-led Senate is expected to deal President Trump the rebuke on his declaration of a national emergency at the Mexican border in Thursday's vote. TODO: define component type apester Republicans predict will result in Congress sending the President a resolution blocking the border emergency he proclaimed last month in a bid to steer an extra $3.6 billion to building border barriers. After the Democratic-controlled House approved the measure last month, the Senate vote would force the US leader to use a veto to protect his presidential campaign's "Build the Wall" mantra, amid objections from within his own party. However, the measure is unlikely to become law given that a two-thirds vote of Congress would be needed to override a presidential veto. Vice President Mike Pence met with Republican senators previously to try to lower support for the measure, with some Republicans worried future Democratic presidents could usurp the power of Congress. Pence told senators President Trump would back a second bill offered by Republican Senator Mike Lee that would end future emergency declarations after 30 days unless Congress votes to extend them. Under the emergency declaration President Trump signed on February 15, he would take money from other federal programmes to build the barrier. Democrats have denied there is an emergency at the border, stating border crossings are at a four-decade low, and court challenges have also been filed asserting it is Congress that decides how taxpayer money is spent. P olice in New Zealand and Australia have issued tongue-in-cheek warnings asking people not to contact them amid an outage across Facebooks social networking platforms. Reports of Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram and Facebook Messenger being down in Japan, America and some parts of Europe, South America, Australia, and New Zealand started at 4pm Wednesday. Police in Canterbury, New Zealand issued a preemptive warning on Twitter to people concerned about the outage. We know. Our Facebook and Instagram haven't been working either," they posted on Twitter. Unfortunately we cannot do anything about this because, you know, they're based in America and we're the Police. So please don't call us to report this. Pretty please. In a later tweet the force added they had not received any calls about the latest outage but were getting on the front foot after they had received calls relating to similar issues in the past. South Australia State Emergency Service also warned their followers not to call emergency services about social media interruptions: We know Facebook & Instagram are down. Please don't call triple zero to let us know. The outage is the most severe Facebook has had to deal with in its history. As of Thursday morning, Instagram announced it was back up and running but there were still some reports globally that its parent company Facebook was down. T he reported crime boss of New York Mafias Gambino family has been gunned down in front of his Staten Island home. Francesco Franky Boy Cali was shot multiple times shortly after 9pm local time on Wednesday, police said. Local media, including the New York Post, reported that Cali was shot at least six or seven times in the torso and also run over by a blue pickup truck driven by the shooter, citing unidentified police sources. The Gambino crime operation is one of the five historic Italian-American Mafia families in New York and it allegedly makes money through violence and extortion. A man said by federal prosecutors to have been a top leader of New York's notorious Gambino crime family was shot and killed Wednesday on Staten Island. / AP Charges against members of Mafia operations, including Gambino family operatives, have included murder, loan sharking, gambling and illegal drug distribution, according to Reuters. The New York Daily News reported in 2008 that Cali was among 62 people arrested on federal racketeering charges and he later pleaded guilty to conspiring to extort money. He served a 16-month sentence. There is no known motive for the shooting of Cali, a police watch commander said. E nvironmental activist Greta Thunberg, who inspired the Youth Strike for Climate movement, has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. The Swedish national was nominated by three Norwegian politicians after her lone school strike last September demanding action on climate change became the catalyst for a global movement. They called her actions "a very important peace contribution". Ms Thunberg began protesting every Friday outside Sweden's parliament following the nation's hottest summer on record. 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg. / REUTERS We have proposed Greta Thunberg because if we do nothing to halt climate change it will be the cause of wars, conflict and refugees, Norwegian politician Freddy Andre vstegard told Norwegian news outlet VG. Greta Thunberg has launched a mass movement which I see as a major contribution to peace. Ms Thunberg tweeted she was honoured and very grateful for this nomination, on Thursday morning. Mona Fageras and Lars Haltbrekken also nominated the teen activist. I think we have reached a tipping point where enough scientists are telling it like it is and not being so afraid of being alarmist, Ms Thunberg told New Scientist on Wednesday However, she added that it had been frustrating that many people were focusing on her age rather than the campaign. They talk about our age, our looks and so on, she continued. The emissions are still rising and that is all that matters. Nothing has happened, that is crucial to remember. M ore than 100 people have been killed and 843,000 affected by torrential rains in Malawi, Mozambique, and South Africa, the UN and officials said, as tropical cyclone Idai is expected to hit the continent's south-eastern countries. At least 66 people in Mozambique, and four in South Africa were killed, after heavy rains caused flash flooding. In neighbouring Malawi, the death toll rose to 56, an official said on Wednesday, with the country on high alert for cyclone Idai, which is expected to make landfall on Thursday or Friday. Almost 83,000 people have been displaced in the country since storms began more than a week ago, causing rivers to break their banks, leaving villages underwater, and knocking out power and water supplies in some areas. Evacuation Centre in the area of Senior Chief Mpondain Mangochi District where nearly 220 men, women and children whose homes were destroyed by the rains are taking refuge. / @MalawiGovt Chipiliro Khamula, spokesman for Malawi's Department of Disaster Management, said 56 deaths had been recorded as of Tuesday, as well as 577 injuries. "Most of the displaced families are living in camps," Khamula said. "So far, a total of 187 camps have been established in the affected districts." The cyclone will dump heavy rains and winds over Mozambique, before moving to southern Malawi and later Zimbabwe, the department's director, Jolam Nkhokwe, said. Malawi's President Arthur Peter Mutharika, who declared a state of disaster in southern Malawi late on Friday, cancelled trips to the northern region of Malawi to attend to the flooding. The Mozambique government have also issued a red alert with heavy rains expected to continue. Mozambique cabinet spokeswoman, Ana Comoana said in Maputo on Tuesday: the government has decreed a red alert due to the continuing rains and the approach to the tropical cyclone Idai. The floods have reportedly already destroyed more than 5,000 homes, and affected more than 140,000 people in the country, which is one of the poorest on the continent. More than 168,000 hectares of crops were destroyed, the government spokeswoman said, and authorities ordered the compulsory evacuation of flood-prone areas. Ms Comoana added: "Sixteen accommodation centres have been opened in the provinces of Zambezia and Tete to accommodate the displaced." "The government needs 1.1 billion meticais ($16m) to assist 80,000 families affected by the rains." "Tropical Cyclone Idai, which formed over the Northern Mozambique Channel on March 9, is expected to make landfall near Beira on March 14 or 15," said the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. I talian police secretly switched a Flemish masters painting with a counterfeit before thieves stole it from a church. Thieves attempted to seize The Crucifixion by Pieter Brueghel the Younger, which dates back to the 1600s and is valued at an estimated 3m (2.5m). But instead they took a fake version on display at the Santa Maria Maddelena church in the small town of Castelnuovo Magra, in the north-eastern region of Liguria, on Wednesday morning. The towns police had discreetly removed the original for safe keeping over a month ago, after hearing rumours about a plot to steal it. The Santa Maria Maddelena church in the small town of Castelnuovo Magra The town's mayor, Daniele Montebello, who helped conceal the subterfuge, said in a statement: The rumour started to circulate that someone could steal the work and the national police decided to safeguard it, replacing it with a copy and installing surveillance cameras. For investigative reasons, we cannot reveal anything more. He thanked the police and the community saying: "Some members of the congregation noticed that the painting on display was not the original, but did not reveal the secret." According to Italian newspaper La Repubblica, police are looking for two men who were believed to be acting on commission and were seen removing the painting and driving off in a Peugeot car. The Mayor of Castelnuovo Magra said the painting was substituted for a fake when rumours of a plot began to circulate. The painting has a history of being safeguarded by the community since it was donated to the church more than a century ago by a wealthy family. During World War Two, 'The Crucifixion' allegedly had to be hidden from Nazi soldiers, who were known to ransack occupied territory. In 1981 thieves did manage to steal the painting before it was tracked down by police a few months later. Thefts of artworks from churches has long been endemic in the country, including the lost 'Nativity' altarpiece by Caravaggio which was stolen from a Palermo church in 1969. D rivers in Canada were stunned after a light aircraft narrowly missed traffic before crashing into a grass verge. Dramatic dash cam footage shared online shows the small plane flying just metres away from cars before it crashed on Tuesday. The plane is seen brushing the main road before landing near to Buttonville Airport in Toronto, Canada. Miraculously, the planes passengers (a man and a woman) walked away with just minor injuries, despite photos showing the Cirrus SR20 looking crumpled. Sandra Saponara, who passed the crash shortly after it happened, said: It is quite amazing that no one got hurt and that the pilots are ok. Canadas Transport Safety Board tweeted about the incident, adding that it was due to the plane overrunning the runway. CBC News reported that one passenger was a flying instructor, while the other was a newly licensed pilot. A n unexploded wartime bomb has been found on a disused airfield which is set to be a lorry park in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Kent Police were called to Manston Airport after reports of the discovery on Thursday. Officers and British Army bomb disposal experts attended and are continuing to assess the scene, a police spokesman said. As there is "no immediate threat to life", the device would be detonated over the next few days, according to the Ministry of Defence. Lorries lined up at the former Manston Airport site during a trial of a government plan to hold lorries in the event of post-Brexit disruption at the channel ports / PA The Government plans to use the disused airfield as a giant HGV holding bay if the UK leaves the EU without a Brexit deal to prevent traffic jams around Channel ferry ports. In January a test of the site and how Operation Brock would work was branded pointless and a "farce" after just 89 lorries took part. But officials insisted the test run from Manston, near Ramsgate, to Dover was a success and the numbers involved were "sufficient" to test the logistics of the plan. The idea could work alongside Operation Stack which sees lorries queuing alongside the M20. T hird vote on PMs Brexit deal Theresa May has signalled a third vote on her deal could be held after MPs voted to rule out a no-deal Brexit. The Prime Ministers Withdrawal Agreement could be put to a vote again as early as next week, despite it being rejected twice already. It comes after her authority was shredded by a major Cabinet rebellion and another crushing Commons defeat last night. A Government motion for debate today offers to seek a one-off extension delaying Brexit. Follow the latest updates here. US grounds planes after fatal Ethiopia crash The US has issued an "emergency order" grounding all Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9 aircraft following the plane crash in Ethiopia. President Donald Trump announced the move after The Federal Aviation Administration held urgent meetings yesterday on the issue. It comes after Canada announced it became the last major country to ground the flight after two fatal crashes since October. Third man charged with murdering Jodie Chesney A third man has been charged with murdering 17-year-old Jodie Chesney in an east London park. Svenson Ong-a-kwie, 18, from Romford, was arrested on 10 March on suspicion of murder. He was charged last night and will appear in court later today. A 16-year-old teenager and man, 20, have also been charged with the girls murder. Hope to be had in Madeleine McCann case A top police officer has insisted the mystery of Madeleine McCanns disappearance will be solved. Jim Gamble, the senior child protection officer in UK's first probe into the youngster's disappearance, said theres huge hope to be had. His claims will be made in a new Netflix documentary set to be released later this week. Eight dead after Nigeria school collapse Eight people have died after a three-storey building that contained a primary school in Nigeria collapsed with at least 100 students inside. A major, frantic rescue operation was under way and rescuers have carried about 37 people out from the rubble. Premier League teams make cup history All four Premier League teams have reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League for just the third time in the competitions history. After seeing off Bayern Munich last night, Liverpool booked their place in the last eight alongside Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham. The Premier League is the only domestic league to ever have four representatives in the last eight of Europes premier club competition. The feat has now been achieved three times in the last 11 years. On this day 1879: Albert Einstein, physicist and mathematician, was born in Ulm, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. 1883: Death of German philosopher and father of Communism Karl Marx. 1885: First production of The Mikado, by Gilbert and Sullivan, at the Savoy Theatre, London. 1939: The 'Timeless' Test between South Africa and England in Durban ended because the England players had to rejoin their ship. 1961: The New English Bible was published. 1964: Jack Ruby was found guilty in Dallas of killing Lee Harvey Oswald, alleged assassin of President John F Kennedy, and was sentenced to death. He died of a blood clot in the lung in 1967. 1984: Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams was shot and seriously injured by Loyalist gunmen. I n scenes not dissimilar from an episode of EastEnders, Danny Dyer dropped a bombshell on Prince Charles by revealing he is a long lost relative. The duo enjoyed an unlikely family reunion after the actor introduced himself to cousin Charlie months after discovering he has royal blood, having traced his family tree back to Edward III on Who Do You Think You Are? Dyer met the future monarch at The Princes Trust Awards on Wednesday night and made sure to make him aware of his royal lineage. Im in EastEnders, he said. Just wanted to let you know were related as well. King Edward III is my my grandfather but I wont go into it. Sensing the royal was taken aback by his surprise claims, Dyer continued: No he is, on my life. He later addressed it for a second time on stage, telling the audience: When your cousin Charlie makes the call youve got to help your family out you know what I mean. Reunited: Danny Dyer with Prince Charles / PA Charles sounded more dubious about their supposed royal connections and joked that he will conduct his own research. Ive discovered a long lost relation in Daniel Dyer, he told the audience. He told me he was descended from Edward III which was interesting so I must do some research when I go back from here. Teaming up: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Danny Dyer (R) with winner of Mentor of the Year Award, Rahul Mehra / Getty Images Dyer previously made a play for Buckingham Palace after learning of his royal lineage. If I iron out about 150 people, yeah Ill be f****** King, he said on an episode of Celebrity Juice. If Trump can run America I can be f****** King surely? The soap star also recently found out he has connections to Louis IX of France. Speaking ahead of his series Danny Dyers Right Royal Family, which saw him live like his ancestors, he said: Im still in shock at the fact that Im related to such important people. Ive had a ball getting to know them. It was a nutty experience. A lex Hollywood categorically denied verbally abusing her ex Paul Hollywoods new partner in a supermarket, insisting there was no spat. Alex, 54, was accused of becoming embroiled in a dispute with Summer Monteys-Fullam at a Marks & Spencers in Canterbury, Kent in February. Monteys-Fullams mother Sabina posted a short Instagram video after the alleged incident, claiming Alex had called her daughter a s*** and a w**** and that the checkout assistant had asked Summer if she was OK as Alex was angry. She also accused Alex of calling the police on her the following day. Kent Police said at the time: Enquiries were carried out in which all parties involved were given words of advice. Alex broke her silence on This Morning on Thursday to deny all the accusations. Estranged: Paul and Alex Hollywood were married from 1998 / Anthony Harvey/Getty Images It was supposedly in Marks & Spencers but I can categorically say I did not say those things, she told Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby. There was no spat, no row. I did not call the police to Marks & Spencers. She continued: The stories run are so far from the truth I dont want to comment on them at all. There was no row. I did not use that language. Im not angry. There have been a lot of things that have been said that have no bearing on me or my divorce to Paul and I will continue not to comment. Im trying to get divorced I want to move on. She refused to comment any further for the sake of her teenage son who she shares with the Great British Bake Off judge. I totally get that I was married to somebody in the nicest best shows for years and I get there will be lots of media interest, she said. But, my son looks to me to show him hoe to get through this and I would never do or say anything to compromise his trust or embarrass him. She also refused to comment on whether she is in communication with Paul, telling Schofield if he wants an answer to the question he should ask Paul. Alex and Paul tied the knot in 1998 after meeting in Cyprus. She took him back following a brief separation in 2013 after he admitted to having an affair with Marcela Valladolid, his co-star on the US version of Bake Off. I ts 2019 and everyone whos anyone has a podcast. Some are about food, some are about history, and some want to empower you. Thats the message Bumble wants to put out with its new podcast, Unsubscribe. Hosted by the apps international VP of marketing and communications, Louise Troen, and mental health and body activist Jada Sezer, the show is about empowering listeners and helping them unsubscribe from negativity. Earlier this year, Troen told the Standard that podcasts are one of the most democratic ways to educate people. Its one of the most incredible things to come out of the evolution of tech, this wealth of conversation thats accessible to everyone from different culture to different backgrounds, that wasnt possible before, said Troen. Produced by Sony 4th Floor Creative Group, each episode will feature conversations with different guests about being mindful of the effects of our emotions and practices. With appearances from activist Gina Martin and Vogues publishing director Vanessa Kingori, Bumble says the podcast will provide tools and tips to listeners to achieve more meaning in their lives. Bumble's new podcast is styled in the company's signature yellow colour / Bumble The new show is launching today, and you can find it on platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and your favourite podcast app. Its an exciting moment for the company, which wants to pivot away from its dating app persona, and into more of a social network that encompasses friendship, dating, and work. Podcasts are a unique way to reach people: the number of weekly podcast listeners in the UK has nearly doubled in the last few years, from 3.2 million adults in 2013, up to 5.9 million in 2018. Female-hosted shows are on the rise too, with Note to Self host Manoush Zomorodi saying that listening to female-hosted shows is a feminist act. Given Bumbles mantra as the networking app for women, that wants to smash glass ceilings and empower its users, a podcast like this seems like a perfect fit. If youre a young female creative, then Bumble has a few other tricks up its sleeve to empower you. In February, the tech company launched The Female Film Force 2019, an initiative to offer grants to aspiring women filmmakers across France, the UK and Germany. Bumble is giving away five grants of 20,000 (22,000) to five teams of women, made up of writers, directors or producers, to allow them to make a short film, as a way to address the gender imbalance in the film industry. Note, the film needs to be rooted in Bumbles values: kindness, respect and equality. The applications for the first round close next week, March 20, so be sure to get your applications in ASAP. Speaking about the Female Film Force initiative, Troen said: We pride ourselves on being a social network but above this - we have a duty and a responsibility to drive our mission of gender equality forward. A Google employee has calculated the value of the number pi to a new world record of 31.4 trillion digits. Emma Haruka Iwao, from Japan, used Google's Compute engine to help smash the previous record of around 22 trillion. It was the first time the company's cloud service had been used for a calculation of this scale - 31,415,926,535,897 digits. The calculation took 25 virtual machines 121 days to complete, with Google celebrating the news on National Pi Day. It reportedly required 170 terabytes of data to complete, which is roughly equivalent to the amount of data in the entire Library of Congress print collections. Ms Iwao, who has been fascinated by the number pi since she was a child, said of the achievement: "I was very fortunate that there were Japanese world record holders that I could relate to. "Im really happy to be one of the few women in computer science holding the record, and I hope I can show more people who want to work in the industry whats possible. Happy International Pi Day / Pixabay Pi is a mathematical constant and is the ratio of the length of a circle's circumference to its diameter - a value which is always the same for any circle But we can never find the true meaning of pi, because it is what is known as an "irrational number". The first three digits - 3.14 - are well known but the number is infinite and never-ending. Mathematicians and scientists are constantly working to calculate more and more digits of pi, which is used to test supercomputers and in engineering, physics and space exploration. F or every notable day, or famous persons death-anniversary, there is often a brand new Google Doodle serving as your entrance to the internet. Initially started after Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin changed the Google logo in 1998 to indicate they were out of office for Burning Man festival, Google Doodle is now a significant part of the search engine. Whether its a gif marking the 30th anniversary of the world wide web, or an image celebrating the Russian mathematician Olga Ladyzhenskaya, Googles Doodles are designed to inspire people on their journeys into the internet. But did you know there is a whole team at Google that creates the doodles? We caught up with Google art director, Matt Cruickshank, to find out how the doodles get picked, made and whats the best part of the job. How to get a job at Google Doodle Cruickshank is originally from North London, though he grew up in Bournemouth and studied traditional hand-drawn animation at Bournemouth Art College before finishing his degree in Wales. After working for Warner Bros and Disney for 15 years as a character artist, in 2012 he decided to go freelance and work on different projects for companies in and around Europe. It was during this time that he took a trip to California, visiting Los Angeles and San Francisco, where he did lots of paintings and sketches. When he returned home, he posted these sketches to his blog, when someone from the Google Doodle team got in touch. I took a closer look at the job. Id seen the doodles and the illustrations and I thought they were all out-sourced, I didnt realise there was a whole team inside, Cruickshank tells the Standard. Google Doodle art director Matt Cruickshank loves to doodle (Google ) / Google Cruickshank took the job, moving to Google in 2012 as an artist on the team, and has been there ever since. Id always wanted to combine animation with graphics and its an incredible in-house artist job really, because you get to do all these different things and all these different styles, for this huge audience, he says. Picking the Google Doodles The Doodle team is a mixture of artists and engineers who translate the designs onto the Google homepage. Collectively, they work on over 400 doodles a year, some that are universal, some that are just on one Google countrys homepage, so its a lot of work. There are a few "standard" doodles that always make the cut: elections, independence days, and things like Valentines Day and Earth Day. Aside from those, the team get to propose ideas, other Google staff pitch in, and you can suggest your own ideas on the Google Doodle site. One of Matt Cruickshank's doodles, marking the 93rd birthday of Saul Bass, the American graphic designer and Oscar-winning filmmaker / Google The Dr Who doodle came about after a petition online that we saw, plus there was an engineering fan who wanted to celebrate it, explains Cruickshank. Its a case of looking out there and seeing what the opportunities are, we get maybe 700 ideas per year. Its more a question of timing, we dont want to completely bombard people [so] its about finding that balance. One thing the team has been doing more is working with local artists on particular doodles to showcase their local knowledge and art expertise. For instance, the team worked with UK-based artist Lesley Barnes to create the doodle for St Davids Day. That was a perfect example, as none of us speak Welsh, says Cruickshank. We think its really great to get another persons thumbprint out there and have that knowledge that perhaps we didnt have. Re-designing the front page of the internet Due to the amount of time Cruickshank spends re-creating the word Google, he says he sees the letters in his sleep. But when it comes to designing the doodles, projects will vary depending on what the type of doodle it is. We sit down once a week with most of the artists together and go through the projects, take a look at things and give each other feedback, he explains. If its a static doodle i.e one that doesnt move, it takes around two to three days to illustrate. For the gifs, or even the video and gaming doodles, it can take between one week to six weeks to bring together. There isnt really a set way of making a doodle its part of the eclectic feel of it, he says. We are storytelling to some extent, trying to sum everything up in one image, and therefore for us it has to resonate for an audience that is anything from aged 3 to 100. Another of Matt Cruickshank's doodles, this one marks Polish painter Tamara de Lempicka's 120th birthday / Google It sounds like a lot of fun, particularly projects such as the Summer Olympics Brazil doodle, which was seven interactive games, or the Dr Who Doodle, which saw people play as the doctor, trying to collect the Google letters from different Daleks. Cruickshank agrees. Because the search engine is so powerful and useful and there to help people so much, weve become more of a cherry on the top, he says. Showcasing the human side of Google Google is one of the tech giants, and the search engine is made up of trillions and trillions of pages that categorise everything online. Cruickshank says one thing Google Doodle does is demonstrate the human side of the company, which is something the team tries to make clear in all doodles. As a result, the Doodle team does a lot of outreach, whether its competitions like Doodle for Google, or facilitating Make a Wish Foundation visits or going into schools to talk about their work. Were looking for [ways] we can get where people understand tech is fun, and you can do a lot of good with it, and inspire the next generation, says Cruickshank. He says he is inspired every time he works on a new doodle, taking the time to learn all about a topic or person, and then trying to represent that in the best light. Though his favourite ever doodle was one focusing on Jane Goodall, the noted scientists and conservationist, to mark Earth Day in 2018. The Google Doodle about Jane Goodall for Earth Day 2018 / Google This doodle was an animated video, about Goodall and her work, and one that Cruickshank says was the most watched video doodle ever. She is so passionate about the planet and it's an important subject for us all, he explains. We gave her a platform and I was able to animate her life and add a bit of extra visual to it but in essence, its her message that really sticks with us today and I still think about it. 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Read also: Industry turnover up 4.3pct in January 2019 (INS) "The completion of this mission is only a stage of the major multi-role jet endowment program of the Romanian Air Force. The Air Police is that combat mission that ensures, in peace time, the action capability against air platforms that use without authorization the national airspace," Viorel Pana said on Thursday on the occasion of the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft's inauguration ceremony, under national command, in the permanent Air Police combat service. He explained that the next stage within the major program is carrying out this mission under NATO command, and this requires the continuation of the operational process and the certification of the squadron. "The Romanian Air Force will continue this important program for the defense of Romania by completing the first squadron up to the NATO standards, the establishment and endowment of Squadrons 2 and 3, along with the training of flying and technical-engineering personnel, as well as the development of the air base's operational infrastructure," said Viorel Pana. Pilot Catalin Miclos, the commander of the 53 Squadron, said that all 12 F-16s can perform combat missions. He expressed the hope that other planes of this type will be purchased. General Catalin Bahneanu, Commander of 86 Air Base, said that the F-16 is a new, multi-role capability, much better than the warplanes Romania had and said NATO certification could come in a few months. AGERPRES . France's Ambassador Michele Ramis stated on Thursday in Sibiu that the Summit in May is important for the European Union because the future of Europe will be defined and, for Romania, it represents a reason of pride and a honor to organise this event in a city that was an European Capital of Culture in 2007. "This summit is firstly very important for Europe because we will define the future of Europe. We are in a key-period of the European Union, a state will withdraw from the EU, namely the UK, the European elections will be held at the end of May. The EU finds itself at a moment of challenge both from within and outside. For the European Union, the Summit in Sibiu is important and, for Romania, it's a moment to be proud that 27 countries are to be represented in Romania and Sibiu. It is the first Presidency that Romania is holding at the European Union. It is a pride and honor for Romania to organise such a summit here, in Sibiu, a city which also the European Capital of Culture," Michele Ramis mentioned. France's Ambassador to Romania paid a visit on Thursday to the "Radu Selejan" School, in the city of Sibiu, where an intensive classroom of French language is to be set up in autumn. On 9 May, Sibiu will be, for a day, the political capital of the European Union, a place where the EU heads of state and government will meet. The Summit will be held in the building of the Sibiu City Hall of the Great Square and President Klaus Iohannis will carry out talks with his guests precisely in the bureau that he worked in back when he was holding the mayor office, current Mayor of Sibiu Astrid Fodor has recently mentioned. According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE), the Summit of 9 May, dedicated to the future of the European Union and the future 2019-2024 leaders' Strategic Agenda will gather in Sibiu 27 heads of state and government, 36 official delegations, 400 high-ranking guests, about 900 journalists and 100 translators. President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) Karl-Heinz Lambertz pleaded on Thursday for the strengthening of EU's cohesion policy, adding that there cannot be an Union in the absence of a real cohesion. In the opening of the European Summit of Regions and Cities which takes place on Thursday and Friday in Bucharest, at the Palace of Parliament, Lambertz welcomed the motto which the Romanian Presidency at the EU Council selected, namely "Cohesion, a common European value." He mentioned that the cohesion policy should be defended because we know that there cannot be an Union without a real cohesion. The CoR President underscored that the European Union, where elections will be held in only 73 days, is going through a period marked by major challenges, and in this context, the declaration to be adopted on Friday by the European leaders of regions and cities - 'essential actors in European construction' - regarding the vision of the future of the European Union becomes all the more important. According to Lambertz, the EU needs the suitable tools in order to reach its objectives regarding progress and cohesion, the European Committee of the Regions cooperating with the European Parliament for a substantial financial framework to exist, as well as an efficient allocation of the EU resources. In her speech, Mayor of Polish city of Gdansk Aleksandra Dulkiewicz was in favour of defending the fundamental European values, saying that most Poles support these values. The 39-year old lawyer brought to mind her predecessor, Pawel Adamowicz - assassinated in January - when those in the audience applauded for a couple of seconds, as a sign of respect. Adamowicz died on 14 January, after being stabbed the day before, during a public celebration. This attack, committed by a man who got out of prison and spread allegations against a political party close to his victim, sparked a wave of emotion in Poland, many commentators and politicians attributing the drama to the "hate speech" present in the public debate. Called "(Re)New EUrope" and in the context of Brexit, the Bucharest Summit focuses on the contribution and role of local and regional authorities in ensuring solidarity in the European Union, in strengthening European democracy and encouraging dialogue with citizens, especially in view of the elections to the European Parliament of May 23-26. Within the European Summit of regions and cities various debates are included on topics such as cohesion and social integration in regions and cities, building a sustainable future in the EU regions and cities, territorial cohesion, strengthening European democracy through the citizens' participation through the local and regional authorities, the expectations of young leaders from the EU. The President of the Romanian Court of Accounts, Mihai Busuioc, accompanied by a delegation of the institution, participated in Jerusalem in the joint conference EUROSAI (European Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions) - ASOSAI (Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions), on "Emerging Issues and Emergency Situations". Read also: Industry turnover up 4.3pct in January 2019 (INS) According to a press release issued on Thursday for AGERPRES, the main topic of the conference focused on the challenges of a global technology-based economy, related to the new challenges of emerging issues, in the context of government incentives for innovation. In this context, the discussion topics focused on the field of emergency situations from the perspective of disaster management strategy, the fight against terrorist attacks and cyber security threats. The President of the Court of Accounts also had a bilateral meeting with his counterpart, Joseph Chaim Shapira, the President of the State Control Officer and the Ombudsman. "We have noted with interest the obvious progress made by the Supreme Audit Institution of Israel in the specific work carried out, by introducing innovative instruments in the audits carried out, responding to the challenges of a society in constant change compared to the expectations of the citizens," said Mihai Busuioc, who underlined the importance of strengthening and expanding cooperation between the two institutions. In his turn, President Joseph Chaim Shapira welcomed the openness of the Court of Accounts of Romania to reform and modernization, in consensus with the need for Supreme Audit Institutions to respond to emerging issues and emergency situations. "The time of traditional audits has gone into an era of digitization, and we have to turn our attention to new horizons. We are happy to consolidate and expand bilateral cooperation between our institutions," said Joseph Chaim Shapira. At the same time, on the sidelines of the EUROSAI-ASOSAI Joint Conference, the President of the Romanian Court of Accounts was received by the President of the State of Israel, Reuven Rivlin, at a meeting that brought together senior officials of the Supreme Audit Institutions. AGERPRES . The entry into the National Air Police Service under national command of the first squadron equipped with the F-16 aircraft represents a significant moment in the 15-year history of Romania's membership of the North Atlantic Alliance, the Minister of National Defense, Gabriel Les, said on Thursday, adding through the missions to be carried out from now on by the 53rd Fighter Squadron, our country's airspace will be even better defended. Read also: Euro trades at 4.7640 lei "Today we are writing an important history page for the Romanian Air Force. We can say that, through the missions that will be carried out starting today by the the 53rd Fighter Squadron, the Romanian airspace will be better defended. The 86th Air Base was reborn with the decision to host F-16 aircraft. This place can be said to be the restart point for the Romanian Air Force, which thus gains access to the category of military aviation flying with one of the most effective combat aircraft in the world," said Gabriel Les, present at the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft launch ceremony in the permanent combat service deployed at the 86th Air Force ''Lieutenant Aviator Gheorghe Mociornita'' Borcea, Calarasi County. In his opinion, the gradual shift from the MiG-21 Lancer, which will come out of use in the following years, to the F-16 multirole aircraft, has a special symbolism for our country. "I believe that the entry into the permanent Air Police Service under national command, of the first Squadron equipped with the F-16 aircraft is a milestone in the 15-year history of our membership of the North Atlantic Alliance. This squadron is just a first step in materializing the major multirole airplane capability," Les said. He pointed out that at the end of last year there were talks on the purchase of five F-16s in Portugal. The Minister of Defense expressed his wish that the modernization of the aircraft that could be taken over should be done in units within the Romanian Defense Industry. "By launching the F-16 aircraft air police missions we can say that the multirole aircraft strategic plan brings to maturity the first stage of its implementation. I know the huge effort that has been made for the operationalisation of this program (...) and I can tell you that the agreements concluded by the Romanian Government with those of Portugal and the United States of America were the best option at that time to endow the Romanian Air Force with advanced aircraft, allowing a wide range of missions to be carried out in accordance with modern operating concepts proven to be reliable and effective in real combat conditions," Gabriel Les said. According to him, the Borcea Air Base is under strong development and the modernization and expansion of the base at Campia Turzii is being envisaged in the future. AGERPRES . The President of the Romanian Association of Municipalities, Robert Negoita, reproached the Government that it "boasts" measures such as exempting people working in construction from income tax, although this affects the budget of the local authorities. Read also: PM Dancila meets head for International Archival Programs at US Holocaust Memorial Museum Radu Ioanid "We have seen that the Government often boasts about handouts given from our money. That is, we are exempting from income tax the people who work in construction. The Government boasts about this and has nothing to lose. But we are not able to pay salaries. Moreover, the impact is also negative due to the fact that all the contracts we have contain labour - some more, others less - and this increases our expense in some areas where we do not decide on and we find that we have lower revenues due to the Government and higher spending for the same reason," said Robert Negoita. Addressing Minister of Public Finances Eugen Teodorovici, Negoita said that the Government's projects are "commendable" but that they should be carried out from the budgets that the Executive manages. Teodorovici replied that these economic issues "should be otherwise discussed", while at the same time reproaching the fact that in Romania the political class has allowed itself to "grossly manipulate the public opinion" against the backdrop of a very low financial education level. AGERPRES . The setting up of the Romania-Egypt Chamber of Commerce (CCRE) opens new export opportunities in all Europe, commercial consul of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Ayman Aly Osman, stated on Thursday. "This is a historic moment. The setting up of the Commerce Chamber opens new export opportunities in all Europe, especially in Romania and the neighbouring states - Bulgaria, Hungary, Moldova, Serbia. We are expecting Romanian companies to invest in Egypt. In 2018, bilateral trade increased up to 1 billion US dollars, 850 million of which are Romania's exports and only 150 million Egypt's," specified Ayman Aly Osman at a press conference. Moreover, the CCRE head, Abdelrazek Cornelia-Corina, stated that the setting up of the CCRE appeared in a favourable international and national context, which will lead to the stimulation of economic and cultural exchanges. "And now it happened, after I have wished for this for a long time. The international context helps me and now I hope we will see results too. We want to have more projects, including cultural projects. We need to understand both countries' cultures. We want to encourage bilateral cultural exchanges, by encouraging businessmen in the two countries to carry out joint activities or even investments in Romania and Egypt. Both countries have a large business portfolio, both in the light industry field and the heavy industry. Romania and Egypt are both producers and exporters of agro-textiles. Now, both countries develop a beautiful policy in energy field," the CCRE head told AGERPRES. After signing the protocol between the African States Union and the European Union, on February 25-26 2019, they also signed in Cairo the free trade protocol between Romania and Egypt. In this context, marked by our country holding the presidency of the Council of Europe, there was set up the Romania-Egypt Chamber of Commerce (CCRE). One of the problems noticed by the CCRE head at the conference is the long time the Egyptian businessmen need to wait for a visa. Abdelrazek Cornelia-Corina also said that the newly established Chamber of Commerce will adhere to the Union of Bilateral Chambers of Commerce. In his turn, the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Salah Eldin Abdel Sadek Ahmed, urged businessmen to find new collaboration opportunities, as more as the newly established Chamber is their and they must capitalize on this moment. European Union's Cohesion Policy was always related to territorial cohesion and its essence is to maintain at a regional and local level, European Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Cretu said at the debate "Territorial cohesion to bring EU citizens together," at the European Summit for Regions and Cities held at the Parliament Palace. The European official said that the cohesion policy cannot be considered as a challenge to the territorial approach for, on the contrary, it can help achieving the goals established at local and regional level in the EU member states. Cretu brought to mind that the European Executive proposed 80 measures to simplify the rules regarding the cohesion policy, in the best interest of its final beneficiaries, the European citizens. The EC representative also said that, in carrying out the operational programmes based on European funds, it is essential to have good quality projects, which will bring concrete advantages to the European citizens. In his intervention, Juraj Droba, the President of the Bratislava metropolitan area, estimated that the cohesion policy is one of the most important pillars of the European Union, with a substantial contribution to the elimination of disparities between regions, the modernization of local infrastructure, while helping people to find new jobs. Droba announced that, in order to get closer to the Slovakian citizens, he decided to be a "free taxi driver" on May 25, when Slovakia will host the elections to the European Parliament. The President of the British delegation to the European Committee of Regions, Albert Bore, opined that the EU must find an adequate language so that the European citizens will better understand what the cohesion policy represents and which are its benefits it brings to their everyday lives. He also criticizes the fact that in many member states there is a tendency to centralizate fund management related to the EU cohesion policy. Standard & Poor's (S&P) will release its final report within days and it will result in a very good conclusion for Romania, although not to have a state budget approved for almost one quarter does create problems on the external market, Finance Minister Eugen Teodorovici told private broadcaster Antena 3 on Wednesday night. Read also: Senate's Tariceanu: 'Operators' concerns play part in influencing exchange rate' The minister added that in case President Klaus Iohannis promulgates the state budget, the projects start being unlocked, the allowances can be paid and there will be no problem until the end of the year. "Not to have a state budget for almost one quarter can cause problems for one's external market. We have to take some steps after the state budget is promulgated, hopefully as soon as possible. In the following days a final report of the Standard & Poor's will be published that will conclude the exchange of information between us and them, and it will result, I'm telling you, in a very good conclusion for Romania," the Finance minister stressed. In context, he stated that "huge amounts" were allocated to two important areas, Health care and Education, and emphasised that there will be no investment bills that will not receive support from the Ministry of Public Finance. "It is a budget that gives a chance to this country to develop, and at a sustained pace. I know it seems hard to believe that all this money be spent in a single year. We allocate huge amounts for Education and Health care, two important areas. There will be no investment bill to have no support from the Finance Ministry," he added. On the other hand, Teodorovici stressed that spending will be cut, and structures with no justification will be slashed. The minister specified that the 2019 state budget is based on an economic growth's prognosis of 5.5pct and reminded that since 2016 until now, the economic advance (Gross Domestic Product, ed. n.) is over 30pct. "It's fantastic. I had talks with other European counterparts. It is about appreciative talks. I mean, there is appreciation for the way Romania is progressing in the economic area," Eugen Teodorovici asserted. AGERPRES . President of the Romanian delegation to the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) Robert Negoita on Thursday told a press conference held on the sidelines of the 8th European Summit of Regions and Cities that European citizens would live better lives if decentralization and subsidiarity "became reality." "Decentralization and subsidiarity are very important objectives that we promote, but we do not discuss enough or do enough for. But I listened to my European colleagues' opinions and there is, indeed, concern in all the EU countries with decentralization and also with subsidiarity. The citizens would live better in the EU if these principles became reality," stated the head of the Association of Municipalities in Romania. He voiced hope that the participants in the Summit will make all possible efforts to further promote and implement the two objectives. "The local administration has a major impact on all that it means citizens' everyday life. The role of the local administration must be emphasized more and it must be better regulated, and I believe that it should be granted the importance that it deserves. Most services the citizens benefit from are provided by the local administration. I am glad that the CoR has taken on goals that we embrace with all our faith and strength, such as cohesion. There cannot be a united Europe without a complex system of cohesion," said Negoita. The 8th European Summit of Regions and Cities is organised by the European Committee of Regions, in cooperation with the Romanian Presidency of the Council of EU. The event brings together European, national, regional and local leaders from all over the continent, to debate on the future of Europe and the manner in which the citizens can become actively involved in the European construction project, through the local and regional authorities. European Union's cohesion policy needs to be continued and strengthened under the future EU financial programming, given its essential role in bridging gaps among regions, as well as when establishing solid bonds between communities, Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila told the 8th European Summit of Regions in Bucharest on Thursday. "The fact that this event takes place in Bucharest in the thick of the Romanian presidency of the Council of the European Union is not accidental. We have taken up the motto: 'Cohesion - a common European value.' We wanted to send a message on the importance of this principle in building a union for citizens. European citizens need hospitals to provide important healthcare services, well-equipped schools to ensure quality education, better roads, security, prosperity, equity and stability, in short, a better life," said Dancila. She added that 2019 is a year of many changes, but it must be "a year of continuity" at the same time. "Europe's agenda and developments are marked by the multiple challenges we need to confront through cohesion, unity and solidarity. People's trust is gained over time, but it can be lost in a moment. We have the resources, capacity and strength to not only preserve, but also augment confidence in the European project by continuing the investments that have brought prosperity to thousands of regions, cities and local communities. Romania started its tenure as the holder of the rotating presidency of the EU Council under the sign of open and constructive dialogue with you, the ones who promote and represent the interests of the citizens. We have a common goal and I am convinced that together we are able to strengthen our confidence in the fundamental values that unite us (...) Today's debate is an extremely useful platform for shaping the European future. We want a European Union that is strong, united and in solidarity working so that no one, no city, no region is left behind. Millions of people feel the real benefits of European development policies in their everyday life." Dancila added that the prosperity offered by membership of the European project is the result of development policies among which cohesion has a fundamental role. "The period when Romania holds the EU Council presidency overlaps this stage of redefining the European project for the next decade, so we have the opportunity to be more actively involved in this process, even more than in the 12 years that have passed since Romania's accession to the EU. We are now part of this important approach, and it is not only an honour but also a duty to participate actively and consistently in the decision on the future of the EU. By the motto we have chosen for Romania's presidency of the Council of the European Union we sought to connect with the current debates at European level, we wanted to emphasise that European citizens have to feel the benefits that the European Union brings to everyday life. Cohesion policy needs to be continued and strengthened in the future financial programming, given its essential role in bridging gaps among regions, as well as when establishing solid bonds between communities," the prime minister said. She added that the EU needs to display more power when acting on and anticipating challenges so that it may be ready to deliver the solutions expected by the European citizens. Dancila emphasised that the agenda of the Romanian presidency of the Council of the European Union is ample, and Romania intends to follow it to contribute to defining the European design for the next decade. She also noted that the value of cohesion is underlined by its dual quality - a common European value and the expression of unity and solidarity among the member states of the EU, its regions, its cities and its citizens. Romania's Prime Minister Viorica Dancila will be paying an official visit to Prague, the Czech Republic, on Friday at the invitation of her Czech counterpart. "The visit responds to the need to redress the Romanian-Czech political dialogue, especially at a high level, to intensify the efforts of the parties to coordinate their own positions on relevant topics and to expand and deepen co-operation between Romania and the Czech Republic with the aim of generating added value in the bilateral relationships and a more effective promotion of common interests, especially within the EU. The Czech Republic is a traditional partner of Romania's in Central and Eastern Europe. The special nature of the Romanian-Czech relationships is built on historical and consolidated landmarks, currently both nations' NATO and EU membership," according to a press statement released on Thursday by the Romanian Government. The schedule of the visit includes meetings with high-ranking Czech officials - Prime Minister Andrej Babis, Chamber of Deputies Speaker Radek Vondracek and Senate Chairman Jaroslav Kubera. "Discussions will focus on intensifying political interaction, further fighting economic links and imparting a new dynamic to the Romanian-Czech sectoral projects. They will also focus on ways the two countries react to the main files under negotiations by the European Union, as well as on ways in which the Czech Republic supports the key objectives, priorities and approaches of the Romanian presidency of the EU Council." President Klaus Iohannis on March 21, 22 is set to participate in the European Council meeting in Brussels. The meeting agenda includes topics that are mainly related to employment, growth, competitiveness, fighting climate change, EU's foreign affairs and also aspects related to the fight against misinformation, in the context of the elections to the European Parliament scheduled for May 23-26. Moreover, the EU27 leaders will discuss Brexit. The EU member states' leaders will also make an assessment of the current economic situation, with discussions related to the Single Market to focus on aspects related to the digital field, industry and trade, in the context of the current global, technological and security challenges. Regarding climate changes, the leaders of the member states will reiterate their commitments made on the occasion of the Paris Agreement and they will approach aspects related to the Union's long term strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The European leaders will discuss the EU-China relations in the preparation of the Summit of April 9. They will also analyze the most recent developments regarding UK's pulling out from the EU, as well as options for the next period. According to the Presidential Administration, President Klaus Iohannis will plead for the continuation of efforts of member states to strengthen the Single Market in all its dimensions. The head of the state will underscore that "a strong digital market is essential for maintaining Europe's position as one of the most important economies in the world." Iohannis will also underscore that the fight against misinformation is essential in the context of the upcoming elections to the European Parliament. In this respect, he will plead for the strengthening of efforts at member states level for combating this phenomenon and ensure a free and fair election process in Europe. "The Romanian President will also underscore that the common goal is to avoid a disordered exit of the UK from the Union, and that our country, which is currently holding the presidency of the Council of the EU, will proceed to complete preparations for any possible scenario related to Brexit. In this context, President Iohannis will reiterate the need for maintaining EU27 unity during this process," showed the Presidential Administration release. The President is set to participate on March 21 in the Annual Trans-Atlantic Conference organised by the US Chamber of Commerce in the European Union (AmCham EU). On this occasion, the head of the state will underscore the special importance of cooperation in promoting freedom and prosperity on the two continents. President of the Senate Calin Popescu-Tariceanu highlighted on Thursday within a meeting with President of Parliament of Wallonia Andre Antoine the upward trend of the Romania-Belgium commercial exchanges, underscoring the significant role which the community of Romanians citizens residing in this country has in strengthening the bilateral economic relations. Furthermore, Tariceanu conveyed the Romanian side's desire to encourage the diversification of Belgian investments in Romania in areas such as agriculture, renewable energy and telecommunications, a Senate release sent to AGERPRES informs. The Senate President also commended the decentralised cooperation between the cities and communes of Romania and Belgium, with the relationships established between the communities representing an opportunity to strengthen people-to-people contacts, cultural exchanges, transfer of good practices and multiplication of cooperation initiatives. Moreover, he voiced appreciation for the success of the 2019 edition of the Europalia International Arts Festival, through which Romania promotes its artistic cultural heritage in Belgium. President of Parliament of Wallonia Andre Antoine was accompanied by a delegation made up of regional representatives. Senate President Calin Popescu-Tariceanu Wednesday said "the concerns" of some operators related to Emergency Ordinance (OUG) 114/2018 have contributed to the influencing of the exchange rate. Read also: District mayor Negoita: 'Government boasts about handouts given from our money' "The exchange rate somewhat went downhill. It has currently leveled off. However, there have been other elements as well that have played their part in influencing the exchange rate. Other elements, I would say the concerns of certain operators, either in the banking field, or in other fields, related to OUG 114/2018. (...) We have at present sped up the talks, we have had meetings and I have tried to collect from all sectors the issues they noticed in relation to OUG 114. (...) I believe next week we will particularly address the energy and the telecommunications areas, so that by the end of the month we carry out a round of consultations (...) with the operators in the field followed by the administrative part, namely the Government promoting the OUG draft that will carry through these adjustments. Should we fail to conclude, the deadline for the enforcement of the ordinance would be extended, but I believe we will finish by 31 March," Tariceanu told private broadcaster Digi24. Tariceanu stated on Tuesday after a meeting at the Senate with representatives of the Association of Business people in Romania that there exists the backup version of extending the deadline for the entry into force of OUG 114/2018, if the amendments that need to be brought to the piece of legislation are not concluded by 31 March, when the ordinance is due to take effect. AGERPRES . Freshman Democrat lawmaker Ilhan Omar triggered an earthquake in Washington that split the political aisle when she touched the forbidden third rail, which is any discussion of the pro-Israeli lobbys influence on the US political system. During a bookstore event hosted by Busboys and Poets, Omar told the assembled guests: I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is okay for people to push for allegiance to a foreign country. I want to ask why it is okay for me to talk about the influence of the NRA, fossil fuel industries, or Big Pharma, and not talk about a powerful lobby that is influencing policy. Judging how she prefaced the remark, with a lengthy discussion about the stories of Palestinians and how she was being regularly accused of anti-Semitism to end all debate on the decades-old standoff, it was clear what lobbying group Omar was referring to. It was the second time in as many weeks that Ilhan Omar, one of the first two Muslims to serve in Congress, was accused of allegedly espousing anti-Semitic comments. In early February, Omar had responded to a tweet by journalist Glenn Greenwald who said it was stunning how much time US political leaders spend defending a foreign nation even if it means attacking free speech rights of Americans." Omar responded, "It's all about the Benjamins baby," followed by a musical emoji. When pushed by another Twitter user to say who she thinks is paying American politicians to be pro-Israel, Omar responded simply, "AIPAC!" In fact, Omar was wrong. AIPAC does not raise funds for candidates. But its members do, with the groups powerful endorsement. On March 3, Omar tweeted to her fellow Congresswoman, Nita Lowey, that she should not be expected to have allegiance/pledge support to a foreign country in order to serve my country in Congress or serve on committee Such complaints have been heard before. In 2014, former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney told Press TV that her campaign funding suddenly went kaput after she refused to sign a pledge of allegiance to Israel while she was in office. I refused to toe the line on US policy for Israel, she said. On another occasion, in 2006, academics John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt published a paper in the London Review of Books, entitled The Israeli Lobby and US Foreign Policy. In it, the authors discussed the influence of pro-Israel organizations in the United States, with primary emphasis on AIPAC, which they described as the most powerful and well-known. Omars string of remarks quickly sparked similar debate, but this time inside of the Democratic Party. This demonstrated the potential future impact of a new generation of multiethnic lawmakers, many of whom, as Muslims, are increasingly frustrated by the Israeli-Palestinian crisis and their inability to discuss it. Omar, however, was quickly upbraided by senior Democrats. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) called out the freshman lawmaker, saying her use of anti-Semitic tropes and prejudicial accusations about Israels supporters is deeply offensive and we call upon Congresswoman Omar to immediately apologize for these hurtful comments. Although Omar did offer contrition, she refused to budge on the problematic role of lobbyists in our politics, mentioning the NRA, fossil fuel industry and AIPAC. It seems like a fair criticism, all things considered. Following the high-profile fallout, the House Democrats passed, with remarkable alacrity, a House Resolution that condemns anti-Semitism as hateful expressions of intoleranceand anti-Muslim discrimination and bigotry against minorities. The resolution, while intended to tamp down messages of hate, conspicuously failed to mention Omars purportedly anti-Semitic remarks, focusing its attention instead on white supremacists and white nationalists, who were not even remotely mentioned by Omar during her bookstore comments, thus prompting 23 Republican lawmakers to reject the resolution. The partisan smashup helped to deflect attention away from the main point of contention with regards to Omars claim, which on the face of it does not sound radical: Does the American Israeli Political Action Committee (AIPAC), as well as the other powerful lobbying groups, hold too much sway over US foreign policy? Should AIPAC be ranked as an agent of a foreign power working on behalf of Israeli interests in the US? Mearsheimer and Walt certainly thought so. In their paper, they quoted a 1997 article in Fortune magazine, which asked members of Congress to name the most powerful lobbies in Washington. AIPAC was ranked second behind only the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), but ahead of the AFL-CIO and the National Rifle Association (NRA). The authors were quick to point out, however, that there was nothing inherently wrong about the way AIPAC operates. For the most part, the individuals and groups that comprise the Lobby are doing what other special interest groups do, just much better. How much better? Well, consider that in 2016, during a breakdown in relations between the Obama White House and Israel over the question of nuclear talks with Iran, AIPAC helped persuade the Republicans to let Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu address a joint session of Congress without the foreknowledge of then President Barack Obama. As a thought experiment, try and imagine the same privilege being extended to any other leader in the world. The reason it is difficult to imagine is because its never been done before precisely because its unconstitutional. Democrats accuse Boehner of ambushing the president as the Republicans push with the backing of the pro-Israel lobby in Washington to strengthen sanctions against Iran, as the Guardian reported. Another example came with the push for war against Iraq following the terrorist attacks of 9/11 against the United States. An article in the Forward admitted that as President Bush attempted to sell the war in Iraq, Americas most important Jewish organizations rallied as one to his defense. As Mearsheimer and Walt pointed out, this lobbying influence on behalf of war did not flush with the opinion of the US Jewish population. Samuel Freedman reported just after the war started that a compilation of nationwide opinion polls by the Pew Research Center shows that Jews are less supportive of the Iraq war than the population at large, 52% to 62%. Thus it would be wrong to blame the war in Iraq on Jewish influence, the academics argued. Indeed, as Paul Waldman argued in The Washington Post, in the United States today, a supporter of Israel is much more likely to be an evangelical Christian Republican than a Jew. Whatever the case may be, the essence of the question remains the same: Does AIPAC, as well as many other lobbying groups, wield too much power in the US political system? The question cannot be casually brushed aside as anti-Semitic, any more than questioning the power of Big Pharma, for example, could be dismissed as anti-Doctor, or the power of the NRA as anti-Cowboy. It makes no sense, and unfairly accuses people who are asking legitimate questions of the most loathsome charges. With the face of the American political system changing along ethnic and religious lines, it is critical that such issues with regards to political influence get a fair hearing. US imperialists are so desperate in their regime-change predations over Venezuela, they seem to have a problem controlling their drooling mouths. The latest orgy of American gloating was triggered by the massive power outages to have hit Venezuela. No sooner had the South American country been blacked out from its power grid collapsing, senior US officials were crowing with perverse relish. Republican Senator Marco Rubio who has become a point man for the Trump administration in its regime-change campaign in Venezuela was a little too celebratory. Within minutes of the nationwide power outage last Thursday, Rubio was having verbal orgasms about the long-term economic damage in the blink of an eye. But it was his disclosure concerning the precise damage in the power grid that has led the Venezuelan government to accuse the US of carrying out a sabotage. Information Minister Jorge Rodriguez noted how Rubio, in his tweeted comments three minutes after the power outage, mentioned failure of back-up generators in Venezuelas main hydroelectric plant, known as the Guri Dam, located in Bolivar State. The dam supplies some 80 per cent of the Venezuelan population of 31 million with its electricity consumption. Rodriguez mockingly ascribed mystic skills to Rubio because the Florida Republican senator appeared to know the precise nature of the power failure even before the Venezuelan authorities had determined it. The Venezuelan government has since claimed that the failure in the electric grid was caused by a cyber attack on the computer system controlling the Guri Dam turbines. Caracas said it will present proof of its claims to the United Nations. Apart from Rubios apparent insider information, there are several other indicators that Venezuelas latest turmoil from power blackout was indeed caused by US sabotage, and specifically a cyber attack. The South American country has experienced recurring power cuts over recent years due to economic problems and Washingtons sanctions. But the latest outage was widespread at least 70 per cent of the country and sustained for more than four days, rather than being rectified within hours. That scale of disruption suggests an unprecedented event, way beyond intermittent problems of maintenance. The duration of the blackout in the capital Caracas and other major cities also indicates that the nature of the problem was difficult to reverse, which would be consistent with a cyber attack on the power grid. It was a kill-shot, says American political analyst Randy Martin. Furthermore, US officials like President Trumps national security advisor John Bolton as well as special envoy on Venezuelan affairs Elliot Abrams have been warning that Washington is seeking new ways to pile pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro to stand down. Abrams was caught out last week in a prank phone call made by two Russian entertainers posing as Swiss President Ueli Maurer in which Abrams openly advocated crushing the Venezuelan banking system in order to topple the government in Caracas. The American envoy, who was convicted over the Iran-Contra affair in the 1980s for sponsoring terrorism to sabotage Nicaragua, appeared to balk at using overt US military power against Venezuela. That suggests Washington was persuaded on the efficacy of cyber warfare to inflict social chaos and incite popular anger against the Maduro government. The immediate reaction by Washington officials and the US-backed political opposition in Venezuela was to blame the Maduro government for the power disorder. The failure was flagged up as a sign of incompetence and mismanagement of the oil-rich country by the socialist administration. Opposition leader Juan Guaido, who has declared himself the rightful president with Washingtons blessing, conveyed the logic of blackmail when he declared, the lights will come back on when usurper Maduro is gone. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also weighed in with repulsive gloating within hours of Venezuelas power crisis. Pompeo tweeted: No food. No medicine. Now, no power. Next, no Maduro. The delight openly displayed by Washington officials in regard to aggression against Venezuela has broken new ground in terms of the brazenness of US imperialism. Only a few weeks ago, Bolton announced that the objective for seeking regime change in Venezuela against the elected President Nicolas Maduro was for US corporations to seize the South American states vast oil wealth reckoned to be the largest known reserves on the planet, far exceeding those of Saudi Arabia. Such is Washingtons unbridled lust for Venezuelas natural resources that its imperialist advocates are falling over themselves with naked lies and crimes. When a US Trojan Horse aid convoy was blocked from entering into Venezuela from Colombia last month, American politicians and media immediately blamed the Maduro government for sabotaging the effort. An aid truck was set alight on a border crossing on February 23. US Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Rubio, as well as CNN, condemned the Venezuelan authorities for callous destruction of vital aid delivery to its long-suffering people. It turns out, as even the New York Times has now admitted three weeks later, that the aid truck was torched by US-backed opposition supporters on the Colombian side of the border. The obscenity of American imperialism is that it has inflicted huge social misery in Venezuela from years of sanctions and illegal confiscation (theft) of billions of dollars in assets belonging to the nation. Then it has the audacity to mount a charade seeming to deliver humanitarian aid. The latest twist to this sadistic game played by Washington is turning the lights off across the entire nation, in homes, hospitals, airports and schools, among other essential services, and attempting to lay the blame on the Venezuelan government. We may, however, be thankful for Washingtons overweening arrogance and criminality. Because, as Marco Rubios rash remarks concerning the latest power outage show, the American gangsterism towards Venezuela is being exposed for the naked aggression that it is. US-based political analyst Randy Martin, in comments for this column, says that what Washington is doing to Venezuela is tantamount to the rape of democracy. American imperialism has no longer any shame, he said. It used to rape countries under the cover a seedy alleyway of false excuses and hollow claims of righteousness. Now it has its trousers around its ankles and trying to rape Venezuela right on the global Main Street. President Donald Trump is frequently seen through the prism of an American media that despises him and wants to discredit him so that he can either be impeached soon or defeated in 2020. To a certain extent the foreign media has picked up on that depiction of Trump, emphasizing his boorish qualities and narcissism while neglecting what he has or has not accomplished while in office. To be sure there have been major missteps which have driven the Europeans and others crazy, including the withdrawal from the international climate treaty and the nuclear agreement with Iran, but Trump, to his credit, has also recognized the futility of Washingtons Asian wars and is serious in his intent to reduce the American footprint in places like Syria and Afghanistan. He is also an enemy of what is seen as the Establishment in global policymaking, choosing instead to promote national interests rather than international treaties and obligations. My wife and I recently spent a week in Venice for the Carnival that precedes the beginning of Lent. It was quite an experience as the event attracted literally tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world. On the Sunday preceding Ash Wednesday there were so many tourists crammed into the vast Piazza San Marco that it was impossible to move, but everyone was having fun and both my wife and I remarked on how polite and well behaved the crowds were. And the food was wonderful! In the course of the week we managed to speak to many of the co-celebrants, primarily those from Italy, Germany and Britain and the conversations inevitably turned to the subject of Donald Trump and what he is doing. I fully expected that I would receive an earful, but what actually developed was quite a surprise. Nearly everyone had good things to say about the American president, though there were suggestions that he might be more than just a little bit pazzo, verruckt, or bonkers. Their arguments went something like this: world government has proven to be a disaster for most of the ordinary people in most developed countries. Wealth has been concentrated in the hands of the few who constitute the Establishment in each country and benefit primarily from globalism. Examples cited by the Europeans included the Clintons, who have become de facto billionaires, and Tony Blair, who is well on his way to doing the same. In Europe, the Common Market, which started out as a free trade and labor zone, has now morphed into a European Union and become a government that is far more heavy-handed and intrusive than the national governments that it has to a large extent replaced. The disastrous creation of a unified currency has crushed weaker national economies, but somehow the elites in each country seem to continue to thrive amidst all the damage being done to ordinary people. As a response, an increasing number of Europeans are entertaining following the Brexit model of either leaving the European Union altogether or abandoning the currency union while also reducing the power of the European Parliament. Nationalism is on the rise as Europeans realize that any aspiration to create something like a United States of Europe was from the start an illusion. Today, the Europeans continue to be betrayed by their elected leadership and the time has come to put a stop to it, which is why they admire Trump as they see him serving as a wrecking ball demolishing the entrenched Establishment and the globalism that it has promoted. People are demanding change and the last election in Italy, the repudiation of the policies of Angela Merkel in Germany, and the unrest in France demonstrate that the problem is not going to go away. There were some other lessons learned from Carnival. Post-Christian Europe is continuing to hang on to some vestiges of the Ancient Faith. I was amazed when the speaker at the final ceremony on Martedi Grasso introduced the finalists for Carnival Queen as being young women exemplary for their Christian virtues and beauty. I turned to my wife and commented how much I would like to hear similar words once in a while in the United States at a public gathering. We also encountered many recent refugees from South Asia and the Middle East, working in shops and restaurants. Most of them spoke excellent Italian and were clearly fully accepted by their Italian colleagues. As Venice has a huge tourism economy, it was not exactly a model for dealing with the waves of immigrants in parts of Europe where there is no work, but it was refreshing to see how people will come together if they are just allowed to cooperate without a whole lot of interference from the government and the loud agenda driven groups that proliferate on the political left of center. Finally, it was difficult being in Venice and not noticing that the largest group of foreigners in the city was Chinese, numbering certainly in the thousands, possibly as many as ten thousand. While Washington wastes its money on weapons and endless wars the Chinese are making deals and expanding both their personal and economic presence. Many shops in Venice and elsewhere in Italy are now owned by the Chinese. In Venice they sell their own cheap glass products to compete with the high-quality local Murano glass and they find plenty of buyers. As long as the Chinese glass is labeled Made in China it is perfectly legal, as much as the Venetians themselves hate it. We went into one shop that had an Italian salesperson. He told us not to buy anything as it was all Chinese junk. The Chinese, to their credit, have been promoting the so-called Belt and Road Initiative or BRI plan, which aims to establish a trade link connecting China by sea and land with southeast and central Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa using a network of roads and both rail and sea connections. It is not unlike the ancient Silk Road which spanned Asia and penetrated into Europe by way of the Italian merchant republics, most notably Venice. Northern Italy is seen as a key component or even the European hub for the new venture and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is prepared to sign an agreement with Beijing to develop the initiative further. Conte is doing so over objections from Washington, of course. As Mark Twain put it, Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. Indeed. Israel has been more successful at espionage in large part because it can offer a larger array of attractive rewards to potential informants in enemy territory. The most valued of these rewards is residency permits for the informant and his family to live in Israel. This has worked especially well in the Palestinian territories, southern Lebanon, Syria, Iran and Egypt. This technique is also used by the United States and other Western nations, but much less frequently. Israel, on the other hand, has brought in over 150,000 Arabs to live in Israel since the 1950s as a reward for useful, and dangerous, efforts as an informant. Once in Israel, the former informants find that life is, despite decades of Arab propaganda, much better and that information gets back to Arabs back where the informants came from (West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria and so on) making it easier to recruit more informants. Despite this track record of providing valued, and vulnerable, informants with new and better lives, many Arabs (particularly Palestinians) resist willingly providing information to the Israelis. To counter this the Israelis developed the BBE (Bribes, Blackmail, Extortion) System. Actually, BBE uses ancient techniques, but with tweaks to meet Israeli needs. Thus Israeli agents seek out Palestinians who could be bribed, blackmailed or extorted to provide information. This often provides enough information to identify the key people in a Palestinian terrorist organization. The Israelis then stage raids or attacks to arrest or kill these key people. It wasn't just the organizers and leaders they were after, but the "technicians" who could build bombs or carry out other essential, and technical, tasks. The Palestinians called these guys "engineers," and they were a talented bunch. You could note their absence by an increasing number of accidental explosions in areas where bombs are built (like Gaza). Less expert bomb builders make fatal mistakes which often reveal themselves with an explosion in an unexpected area (like a neighborhood controlled by bomb building and using terrorists.) The lack of leadership means that more and more suicide (and other types) attacks failed. It's not easy staging a suicide attack. The actual suicide bomber is only one person in a team of up to a dozen people who make the bomb, scout the target area and figure out how to get the bomber past Israeli security. This extensive use of volunteer and coerced/persuaded informants has been the main reason why several Palestinian attempts at terror campaigns against Israel, especially inside Israel, have failed. All those informants are not noticed until you realize that secret plans to organize terror attacks are not as secret as you thought. While there are well publicized (because they are so rare) incidents of Israeli Arabs spying against Israel it is far more common for Arabs in the Palestinian territories, or neighboring countries, to become informants for Israel. Its become an annual event for Shin Bet, the Israeli domestic intelligence service, to announce how many terror attacks they prevented in the past year. It is always an impressive number and many of these disruptions showed up in the news. Many did not and details of how often informants were key to disrupting an attack are rarely even mentioned. Israel has expanded its list of acceptable (to potential informants) tactics it can use. Its not just the promise of an Israeli residency permit. Many of these Palestinian informants are doing it for the money. Israelis pay for information, just like Palestinians must pay bribes to get anything done by their own bureaucracy in the Palestinian territories. Israelis also use other inducements (help with the bureaucracy, medical care, etc.). If that fails, they use blackmail and threats. Palestinian terrorist organizations have been unsuccessful in their attempts to shut down the informant networks, and many innocent Palestinians have died simply because they were falsely accused of being informants. Worse for Palestinian terrorists, the informer network also exists inside Israeli prisons and many a Palestinian prisoner has found themselves facing another prosecution because of an inadvertent confession they made to a fellow prisoner who turned out to be an Israeli Arab with a convincing cover story and believable accent. In addition, the Israelis gain a lot of information via electronic intelligence work and UAVs that are constantly in the air over Gaza. Israel seeks to make the terrorists think that it's the gadgets, not informants, gathering the information. To the Israelis, inducing paranoia among the Palestinians is seen as a successful weapon. All this has helped keep the terrorists out of Israel for over a decade now, something no one thought was possible. Israel has also used thousands of police and military operatives who can pass as Arabs. That's because the families of these Israelis came from Arab countries shortly after Israel was founded in 1947. These Israelis speak fluent Arabic (with a Palestinian accent), in addition to their Arab appearance. These agents dress as Palestinians and enter Palestinian areas to recruit and run Palestinian informants, at least in the West Bank. In Gaza, the Israelis use pro-Fatah (the rival group that runs the West Bank) Palestinians. Nearly half of all Israelis are descendants of Jews forced out of Moslem nations and that provides a large pool of Israelis who can pass for Arabs because the ancient Israelites were Semites as were their Arab neighbors who had adopted other religions (Moslem, Christianity and several others that still survive). All these non-Jewish Semites are a recruiting pool for intelligence agents able to blend in. In addition, many agents are recruited from Jews who migrated from non-Arab nations like Iran, Ethiopia and Russia. You rarely hear about this but it is happening, when the enemy least expects it. You can click the gear to amp it up to 4K. Also, If you have not seen a 360 video before, you can grab the screen and look in any direction you want! This one will take a little EXTRA clicking and dragging because they gyro not calibrated after my long flight. Sorry, my mistake. But think of it like a game, to get the view you want! The other 360's don't have this problem... and I've fixed the firmware for future episodes. Sorry, team! :) Welcome to Season 4, Episode 11! In this moody episode, I wander with Kevin Rose through a beautiful forest in Portland, Oregon. Before I tell you what we talk about, let me tell you more about Kevin! Kevin is one of the fun success stories of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. I first came across him while watching Diggnation, which was the regular show in the orbit of the site he founded, Digg.com. Besides that, he was a founder with Revisiion3, Pownce, and Milk. After all that, he was a partner at Google Ventures. Now he lives in Portland with his awesome brainy wife Daria and his daughter Zelda. Theres another daughter on the way any day now, judging by Darias ponderous belly. Kevin has a great podcast that Ive recommended a few times and Ill do it now again: Go check out The Kevin Rose Show . Im going to be on an upcoming episode but I cant say what we talk about! Some time ago I made the announcement that I was switching from Mac to PC! I admittedly still use my Mac while travelling but when back in my studio I like the power and feel of my Windows machine. Well, it's finally time to upgrade and I've decided on Origin PC . They custom make the absolute best machines and I wanted something powerful enough to handle image and video editing, and yes, hardcore gaming too! The built the entire thing live on Twitch / YouTube. Check it out in the video below. You can see the specs at the 14 minute mark . The team over at Skylum keeps cranking out new software and this one looks like another winner. It's called AirMagic and uses Artificial Intelligence to automatically improve one or more of your aerial / drone photos. It's really slick and fast. They have a special pre-order bundle offer for a limited time with lots of goodies. Plus you might grab a copy of my new Drone Tutorial over in our online store, we marked it 50% off to coincide with their launch. StuckInCustoms.com is a personal blog where Trey puts up a new unique photo every day and writes about the art, the technology, and the story of the adventures. Actually, this is Trey writing about this in third person. Both Trey and I appreciate your support very much! If you think your family or friends might like this Newsletter ( subscribe for free ), please forward this to them. It'll make a fun email chain! I keep a completely FREE HDR Tutorial on my website. It is a living document that continues to evolve over the years. It goes over everything you need to get started and is a great introduction to the basics of HDR photography and post processing. A festival, the first of its kind in New Zealand, will be taking place later in Tauranga this month. The Synergy Technologies Food For Thought festival, being held at Our Place on Saturday March 23, is a celebration of rescued food and the community. Good Neighbour has joined forces with Te Aranui Trust to raise funds and celebrate what they do with a rescued food festival. There will be seven local chefs from restaurants from around the Bay cooking in a corporate challenge. The chefs will be teamed up with team members from Synergy Technologies, Cameron Road Pak n Save, Brookfield New World and Countdown and teams from Te Aranui and Good Neighbour staff and volunteers. A class of hospitably students from Toi Ohomai will be sous chefs to the chefs as part of their assessment requirements. Food Co-ordinator for Good Neighbour, Jackie Paine says all the chefs will be using rescued food on the day. The total team met on Monday night to create their menus and then will have to be adaptable depending on what is rescued in the last week. It will be their take on rescued food otherwise going to waste. As well as the corporate challenge, there will be sustainable kids workshops where kids can learn about worm farming, make face masks and bliss balls, all out of rescued ingredients. The whole focus on the event is to make everything sustainable. There will be no waste, even the plates and utensils will be compostable. Jackie says they are envisioning about 2500 people through the festival on the day. All food will be $5 and the competition will be fierce to see who sells the most and takes away the winners trophy! There will be Kids SYD workshops, Zespri Smoothie Bikes, Soaps, Chutneys, Jams, Face painting and the team from Burger Burger will also be selling $5 burgers and Raffles and various prizes. Entry into the event is a gold coin donation. Police are seeking the publics help to identify a new piece of information in relation to the death of David Kuka who was murdered at his Tauranga home in February 2018. Mr Kuka, 52, was home alone at the Wilrose Place address on February 11 last year. He was located seriously injured at around 10:25pm and died at the scene shortly after emergency services arrived. "Sadly Mr Kuka was shot execution style in what Police believe was a premediated and cowardly attack," says Detective Sergeant Paul Barron. "On Police Ten 7 Police revealed we want to speak with anyone who has information about a second vehicle of interest." This is a silver Ford Falcon with a distinctive red bonnet. The vehicle was last seen in the late afternoon and evening around Tauranga on February 11 2018, the night David was killed. Early indications to Police were that his murder was a case of mistaken identity, says Paul. "We believe his murder is most likely connected to the death of Mongrel Mob Notorious life member Lance Waite who was shot at the same location five weeks prior to Mr Kukas death and later died from his injuries. "Police are aware that Mr Kuka was previously gang affiliated but that was many years ago. "At the time of his death Mr Kuka was a devout Christian and mainly kept to himself. He was a family man and looked out for his whanau and friends." He was also a talented carver and craftsman and examples of his work are displayed in Tauranga. Police had previously sought information about a silver sedan that was seen in the Greerton area and seen coming and going from Welcome Bay on February 11. "Its vital anyone with information about the two vehicles were interested in or anyone who knows about Mr Kukas death contacts us. "We believe that the community can help us get answers for Mr Kukas family. "Someone will know something and can help us bring his family some sense of closure in solving this crime." You can view the Police Ten 7 appeal for information on the Police Ten 7 Facebook page and the Bay of Plenty Police Facebook page. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant Paul Barron on (07) 577 4384 or call the Police Ten 7 Information line on 0800 107 4636. Maketu Volunteer Coastguard will represent Western Bay of Plenty District on a national stage later this month. Voluntary groups from around New Zealand will gather in Tauranga for the Trustpower National Community Awards from 2931 March 2019. Joining them will be representatives from 25 other voluntary groups and organisations who were all named Supreme Winner at their respective regional Trustpower Community Awards. Everyone will come together to celebrate their achievements, learn from one another, and partake in friendly competition for the title of Trustpower National Community Awards Supreme Winner. Maketu Volunteer Coastguard will give an eight-minute presentation sharing their story, their achievements, and why they deserve the title of the Trustpower National Community Awards Supreme Winner. Some of the guest judges this year include Rhodes Scholar and 2017 runner-up in the NZ Youth Volunteer of the Year Awards, Johann Go, co-founder of Good Neighbour, Cam Hill, GM of Tauranga Womens Refuge, Hazel Hape, and previous National Supreme Winner, Bruce Knight, from the Edgecumbe Volunteer Fire Brigade. The presentations will take place on Saturday 30 March at Holy Trinity Tauranga. The Winner, Runner-Up and recipient of the Whetu Mataiata Award will then be announced at an awards dinner that evening at Mills Reef. This year Trustpower will also be presenting a special award, the Trustpower Award, which will go to a group that embodies one or more of the values the company aspires to. These include the current P.R.I.I.D.E values (passion, respect, integrity, innovation, delivery, empower), plus a focus on continuous improvement. Groups will have the opportunity to network, share ideas, and take in some of the scenery from around the beautiful Tauranga Moana, which is also home to Trustpowers head office. Trustpower community and communications advisor Abbie Siely says Maketu Volunteer Coastguard received recognition in their local competition for their efforts to fundraise for a new emergency rescue boat. Maketu Volunteer Coastguard has devoted a considerable amount of time and energy to fundraising for a new emergency rescue boat. The achievement is particularly noteworthy because it was accomplished in addition to the groups regular work educating the community about water safety and providing support services. "Coastguard runs local education events to empower people to take charge of their own safety at sea. For example, teaching boaties how to safely cross the bar. This annual event is in its fourth year, is completely free of charge, and has undoubtedly prevented accidents." The Trustpower National Community Awards Supreme Winner will take home a custom-made trophy by local Tauranga artist, Charlie Clegg, $4000 in prize money, a $1000 voucher from Exult (one of New Zealands leading training providers for the community sector), and a framed certificate. The Runner-Up will receive $2500 in prize money, a $500 Exult voucher, and a framed certificate. The Trustpower Award recipient will receive $1,000 in prize money, and a framed certificate. The Whetu Mataiata Award (a group with strong potential who will benefit from additional support) recipient receives a framed certificate and a consultancy service package from Exult. Attending the Trustpower National Community Awards from Maketu Volunteer Coastguard will be Geoff Oliver and Shane Beech, along with Western Bay of Plenty District Mayor Garry Webber and his wife Carole Webber. Not everyone can experience the enjoyment of swings or slides in the park in the same way other children do. Some have specific challenges that make the experience something other children do. That is an obstacle SOAR Pediatric Therapy wants to help the City of Sidney address. Madison (Madi) Malzahn, a 2013 graduate of Sidney High School, addressed the Sidney City Council Tuesday with a proposal to help the city update playground equipment in city parks. Malzahn, a pediatric physical therapy assistant at SOAR Pediatric Physical Therapy, proposed seeking funding for improvements to the p... The Nebraska Department of Labor is scheduled to be in Sidney March 21 and 22 in response to the announced closing of the Cabelas Sidney Distribution Center. The meetings will be held at the Sidney campus of Western Nebraska Community College, Room 115/116. The Thursday, March 21 meetings are scheduled for 1 p.m. To 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. To 7 p.m. The Friday, March 22, meetings are scheduled for 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. To 3 p.m. During the meetings, attendees will learn about services, programs and benefits workers may be eligible for as a result of receiving a notice of layoff. Workf... The project, which has been in the pipeline for Hermes for some years now, is taking shape with plans for a launch in 2020. The label, which is looking to develop new growth channels, is now ready to accelerate in the beauty sector. The plans have been overseen by Axel Duamas, the manager of the group, who said in an interview with French newspaper Le Monde last year, In the long term, it will be necessary for us to be present in all three segments of the markets for cosmetics, perfume, makeup and personal care products. That would give us a sufficient distribution presence. Both the project and the schedule were confirmed this weekend in Rome by the second-in-command at Hermes, Guillaume de Seyne, at the nomadic exhibition Hermes hors les murs event at the Ara Pacis museum. Hermes has regularly consolidated its fragrance line, which has existed at the label since the 1930s. In 2004, it recruited Jean-Claude and Ellena was succeeded by Christine Nagel in 2016 with the title of exclusive perfumer, director of the olfactory design and legacy of Hermes Perfume. In 2014, the house's Parfums division began a diversification via the launch of perfume for the house and with a first step into the cosmetics segment by means of a bath and body line, Le Bain Hermes. Sales for Hermes Parfums account for 5% of the total revenue figures for the group. In 2017, the divisions sales rose to 288 million euros, and are set to reach 300 million in 2018. Syracuse, N.Y. -- Officials at Syracuse Hancock International Airport say they dont expect the grounding of Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 aircraft to have much, if any, impact on Syracuse travelers. Jennifer Sweetland, a spokesperson for the airport, said no carriers use Boeing 737 Max 8 or Max 9 planes on flights serving Syracuse. Airport officials also have received no reports of flights from Syracuse being canceled or delayed because of connecting flights in other cities being canceled as a result of the planes grounding, she said. Sweetland said if cancellations of connecting flights do happen, airlines will notify passengers before their flights leave Syracuse. In most cases, the airlines will automatically reschedule travelers on other flights, she said. If someone is worried about it, they should absolutely contact their airline, she said. President Donald Trump ordered the grounding of the aircraft Wednesday in the wake of the crash of an Ethiopian Airline Boeing 737 Max 8 that killed 157 people. Investigators are focusing on whether the planes automatic anti-stall system malfunctioned, forcing the planes nose down when there was no danger of a stall. Three U.S. airlines -- United, American and Southwest -- operate a total of 72 Max aircraft, a relatively small portion of their fleets, according to the Wall Street Journal. The airlines said they plan to cover for the grounded planes by using spare planes and, if needed, only cancel flights on routes with multiple daily flights so passengers can be rescheduled on a different flight the same day. They said they would not charge rebooking fees or increased fares on rescheduled flights. Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Contact him anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148 Verizon is introducing 5G mobile internet service next month, but the faster speeds will cost more and are only available on one device for now. The carrier will roll out 5G service in parts of Chicago and Minneapolis on April 11. Verizon customers will get 5G free for the first three months, but after that itll cost $10 a month more than the companys 4G service does, according to CNN. For now, the network will only function on the Moto Z3 and requires an attachment that snaps onto the phone, CNN said. Starting Thursday, customers can preorder the 5G attachment for $50, instead of the regular $350 price. The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G will be the first device with integrated 5G, but Verizon hasnt announced a hard date for that phones launch, according to PC Magazine. Verizon says it plans to launch 5G in more cities later this year. When carriers introduced 4G mobile internet in the early 2010s, it wasnt typically offered as a separate service from 3G, according to Wired. The faster speeds were used as a selling point, but didnt cost consumers directly. Verizon's announcement about the $10 fee is the first hint carriers won't treat 5G as a routine upgrade, but rather as a premium service, Wired said. That could change as 5G becomes more widespread or the wireless market changes. Verizon is just testing the appetite for additional fees, said Chetan Sharma, a mobile industry analyst, according to Wired. The coverage and the number of 5G devices that will be able to use such a network are so limited that this has no meaningful impact except in gathering some market data on the pricing response. Verizon launched 5G wireless home internet in Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles and Sacramento last year. A more complete transition from 4G to 5G mobile networks wont be widespread until 2020, according to CNN. Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598 Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse drug dealer, arguing with another dealer over the use of a car, called in reinforcements from New York City and Oklahoma for a robbery that left two -- including one of the assailants -- dead, a prosecutor said Thursday. Brian Montanez, 27, is facing a murder charge, accused of being the mastermind behind the September 2017 robbery that turned deadly. A second man, the actual shooter, previously pleaded guilty and is serving 25 years to life in prison. Killed in the Avery Avenue shooting were the intended target, Jose Jimmy Castro, and one of the robbers, Arturo Resto Figueroa, of Oklahoma, police have said. Today, prosecutor Melinda McGunnigle revealed that witnesses link the murder to a beef Montanez had with Castro over the use of a car. That vehicle, registered in Montanezs name, was recently found in the garage of the victims wife, McGunnigle said. Under the prosecution theory, Montanez became so incensed with Castro that he called upon a man from New York City, Rene DeJesus, as well as a man from Oklahoma, Resto, to join him in robbing the victim. Resto and Montanez had met each other while serving time in federal prison after Montanez was convicted in 2014 of intending to sell cocaine. Resto flew to New York City, then drove to Syracuse with DeJesus the night before the murder, McGunnigle has said. They met up with Montanez and stayed in a local hotel, the prosecutor has said. The next day, Sept. 25, 2017, the three men robbed Castro inside his Avery Avenue residence. As planned, the shooter, DeJesus, hid in a closet with a loaded gun. But things went badly when Castro appeared. During the confrontation, DeJesus fired 25 times inside the small West Side apartment, the prosecutor has said. Five bullets hit Castro, killing him. And one hit Resto, the accomplice, also killing him. Neither Castro nor Resto were found until hours later, when discovered by neighbors. DeJesus returned to New York City, where he was arrested weeks later. He pleaded guilty in May 2018. But Montanez rejected his own murder plea, sending the case to trial. Today, McGunnigle asked a judge to allow her to call witnesses who would testify that the dispute over the car was the motive for the murder. She noted text messages between Montanez and the victim a week before, discussing their dispute. She sought to have those texts read at trial. Defense lawyer Don Kelly objected. He called it a minor disagreement involving handing over the title of the car. There are much more serious disputes that go on every day that dont lead to robberies, Kelly said. County Court Judge Matthew Doran ordered a hearing next week to examine the issues further. Montanez will stand trial Mar. 25. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted of murder. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A Syracuse man has been charged with the February murder of a woman on South Salina Street, according to the Onondaga County District Attorneys Office. The man also was charged with attempted murder for another shooting two hours earlier, according to Melinda McGunnigle, a prosecutor with the DAs office. Dennis J. Rice Jr., 19, of Syracuse, is accused of murdering Juanita Schley on Feb. 18 in the 2000 block of South Salina Street, McGunnigle said. He has also been charged with other crimes relating to an alleged crime spree that lasted more than two hours. Rice has been charged with the following: Second-degree murder Two counts of attempted murder Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle Fourth-degree grand larceny Third-degree arson Tampering with physical evidence Violation of parole On Feb. 18, Rice stole a car in the 500 block of Wolf Street, McGunnigle said. He used that car to drive to the 400 block of North McBride Street and fired shots at people who were uninjured at approximately 5:30 p.m., she said. Two hours later, Rice drove to the 2000 block of South Salina Street and fired shots into a car Schley was sitting in, McGunnigle said. Schley was later pronounced dead at Upstate University Hospital, while another man was injured in the shooting, she said. McGunnigle said the two shootings have been linked by ballistic evidence. Rice later drove the car to the 600 block of West Newell Street, where he set the car on fire, McGunnigle said. Rice has been arraigned and is being held without bail or bond, according to an Onondaga County Justice Center inmate database. Federal prosecutors in Syracuse today said an immigrant living illegally outside Watertown uploaded child pornography to Facebook last year. Police today charged Anildar Roblero-Gomez, 25, with possessing multiple videos of child pornography. Prosecutors said Roblero-Gomez is a Mexican citizen who was living in Ellisburg in Jefferson County unlawfully. According to the court papers, the New York State Police computer crimes unit in September 2018 received a report from Facebook that videos depicting child pornography had been uploaded to its servers. Investigators said Roblero-Gomez uploaded the videos on a public Facebook profile using a fictitious name. Police traced the IP address to Roblero-Gomez, court papers said. In an interview with police, he admitted that it was his account and he had uploaded the videos, according to court documents. U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Therese Wiley Dancks ordered Roblero-Gomez to jail pending the outcome of the case. Public Affairs Reporter Julie McMahon covers courts, government, education and other issues affecting taxpayers. She can be reached anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1992 DRYDEN, N.Y. -- The Dryden man accused of firing a shot from a house in Dryden and causing a shelter-in-place order to be issued turned himself in to police Wednesday, according to New York State Police. Eric J. McLaurin, 32, surrendered at Dryden Town Court at 4 p.m., police said. He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, police said. On Tuesday, troopers were dispatched to a shots fired call at 2:41 p.m., according to police. Police say a woman and child were reportedly in the house at the time of the call, but they left before troopers arrived. Troopers closed Dryden Road between Turkey Hill and Baker Hill roads and issued a shelter-in-place for residents in the area that lasted several hours, police said. When troopers couldnt contact McLaurin, who they thought was in the house for those several hours, a special operations response team entered the house, police said. They didnt find McLaurin. McLaurin was remanded to the Tompkins County Jail on $6,000 bail or $12,000 bond. Troopers are still investigating the incident and more charges are likely, police said. Re: Interesting times - Vanuatu is being asked to choose between China and the Western Powers WASHINGTON George Phillips, a high school history teacher from Broome County, said today he plans to seek the Republican nomination to challenge Rep. Anthony Brindisi in the 22nd Congressional District next year. Phillips, of Endwell, is the first Republican to jump into the 2020 race against Brindisi, D-Utica. Phillips has run unsuccessfully for Congress three other times, most recently in a three-way GOP primary won by former Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-New Hartford, in 2016. I am running because I believe that we need bold national reforms to continue to unleash the full potential of the American people and lift up the people of Upstate New York who have suffered so much due to poor policies from Albany, Phillips said an email to supporters Thursday morning. Phillips said he will invite supporters in the coming days" to a campaign kickoff event with economist Stephen Moore, an author and economic adviser to President Donald Trump and a proponent of the GOP tax changes passed in 2017. Tenney, who served one term in Congress, has not ruled out seeking a rematch against Brindisi in 2020. Brindisi defeated Tenney by about 4,000 votes last year in one of the most competitive House races in the nation. Contact Mark Weiner: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 WASHINGTON U.S. Rep. John Katko has hired the leader of a Syracuse civic organization to serve as his new district director in Central New York. Jim Keib, executive director of Focus Greater Syracuse, stepped down from the organization and began working for Katko this week. Keib succeeds Isabelle Harris, who served in the post for eight months. Harris left to serve as an economic development specialist for Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon. Keib, of Liverpool, ran Focus Greater Syracuse for almost two years. He succeeded Charlotte "Chuckie" Holstein, who retired in 2017 after nearly 20 years of leading the volunteer civic engagement group. Keib has 30 years of experience in business and government. He was executive director of the Northeast Economic Development Association, an association of economic development professionals. He also was director of business development and government affairs for C&S Cos. for more than a decade. Keib will be paid $82,000 per year in his new job, Katkos office said. He will serve in one of the highest-ranking posts in the congressmans office. Contact Mark Weiner: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 ALBANY The one-house budget bills approved Wednesday by the state Senate and Assembly rejected Gov. Andrew M. Cuomos sweeping proposals to dramatically increase oversight of the states limousine industry proposals that were offered in response to the tragic Oct. 6 limousine crash in Schoharie that killed 20 people. The language of the budget legislation gutted every new safeguard proposed by Cuomo although legislators did keep intact a new $120 inspection fee for the largest stretch limos. While their absence from the one-house budget bills do not preclude Cuomo's proposals from reappearing in the final bills at the end of the standard closed-door negotiation process, it indicates an increased likelihood that they'll fall off the bargaining table. The current state fiscal year ends March 31. Cuomo's original package of proposals, unveiled in January, included an outright ban on stretch limousines and increased powers for the state departments of Transportation and Motor Vehicles to take illegal limos off the road and punish rogue operators. The governor also wanted to increase civil and criminal penalties for limo operators who try to evade the law. Prestige Limousine, the owner of the stretch 2001 Ford Excursion involved in the Schoharie crash, failed to obtain the proper DOT certification, and the vehicle had failed three roadside inspections in the months leading up to the crash. Cuomo said the new powers and penalties were needed to ensure a similar tragedy wouldn't happen again. However, limo company owners and state legislators have been wary of the governor's proposals from the start, saying they could put upstanding limo companies out of business. "You can't unilaterally blame everyone for the actions of a few," state Sen. Neil Breslin, D-Bethlehem, said Tuesday when asked why the Senate took Cuomo's new limo regulations out of the budget. The ban on stretch limousines was removed in revised budget language that was given to the legislature last month. The Assembly took all of Cuomo's remaining limo law proposals from its budget package, except for the imposition of a $120 inspection fee, which owners of stretch limos that carry more than 10 passengers would have to pay at their semi-annual inspections with the DOT. The Senate is planning to hold hearings on the issue, according to a budget resolution submitted by state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins along with the chamber's budget legislation. "The Senate rejects the provisions regulating modified limousines pending a hearing to incorporate stakeholders' input to ensure that passenger motor carrier safety is properly regulated while enabling the industry to function," the resolution states. Kevin Barwell, president of the Limousine Bus Taxi Operators Of Upstate New York, said he and others in the industry have been pressing the legislature for months on the issue, trying to explain that jobs were at stake. "That (result) was totally what we were asking for," said Barwell, who owns a Buffalo limousine company. "You can't sit there and create legislation and policy for an industry you don't understand." A Cuomo spokesman declined to respond to the absence of the proposals from the Senate and Assembly budget plans. Nauman Hussain, who operated Prestige Limousine for his father, has been charged with one count of criminally negligent homicide in connection with crash, which happened as the limo was carrying 17 friends and family members from the Amsterdam area to a birthday party in Cooperstown. The crash happened after the limo sped through a stop sign at an intersection in front of the Apple Barrel Country Store in Schoharie, careened into the parking lot and landed in a ravine. All 17 passengers and the driver died, along with two bystanders in the parking lot. State Police and the National Transportation Safety Board are continuing their investigations, although court filings in Hussains case indicate that brake failure is being looked at as a potential cause. -- By Larry Rulison, Times Union, Albany In a county at the epicenter of New York's worst measles outbreak in decades, a group of parents is pushing to get their kids back in school. The problem? The children aren't vaccinated. Normally, children and their families are able to claim a religion-based exemption from required vaccinations. But, Rockland County's health department has said, these are not normal times. Across New York, there have been more than 300 confirmed measles cases, more than 150 in New York City and 146 in nearby Rockland County. In Rockland, most of the cases were found in those who were unvaccinated and under the age of 18. In December, the alarming outbreak compelled county officials to take the drastic - and, they say, unprecedented - step of banning unvaccinated children from attending certain schools that had vaccination rates lower than 95 percent. Months later, the parents of more than 40 banned children at Green Meadow Waldorf School sued the Rockland County health department, asking a federal judge to allow the students to return to class. This week, U.S. District Court Judge Vincent Briccetti denied their request, ruling that it wasn't in "public interest" to allow the children to go back to school "While no one enjoys the fact that these kids are out of school, these orders have worked," said the county's attorney, Thomas Humbach, in a statement to the local Journal News. "They have helped prevent the measles outbreak from spreading to this school population." But the parents have said the ban, which the county calls an "exclusion order," has "caused and continues to cause irreparable harm" to them and their kids, according to the lawsuit. For the children, the order has disrupted both their school and social lives, the filing says. In the parents' case, their "intimate, constitutionally protected life choices ... have been trammeled." Green Meadow is a private Waldorf school that, like others around the country, promotes spiritual development. There haven't been any cases of measles confirmed there, the New York Times reported. "What Rockland County has done is remarkably irrational in every conceivable way," Michael Sussman, the parents' lawyer, told the Times. But officials worry that the school's proximity to the outbreak puts its students at greater risk. The county's consternation is part of a broad, national concern over the anti-vaccination movement, punctuated by severe measles outbreaks from the Pacific Northwest, to South Carolina and New York. The World Health Organization even dubbed "vaccine hesitancy" one of the top global threats of 2019. In dramatic Capitol Hill testimony last week, 18-year-old Ethan Lindenberger, now famous for vaccinating himself against his mother's wishes, warned about the dangers of anti-vax misinformation, which, studies have shown, spreads quickly through social media sites. After Lindenberger's appearance, Facebook announced its plan for combating anti-vax propaganda and false information on its platform. Google and Amazon have taken similar steps. States have also taken measures to ensure minors have access to vaccinations. In South Carolina, Oregon and elsewhere, patients under 18 are allowed to ask for vaccinations without parental approval. In New York, two state lawmakers recently introduced a similar bill and gained support from the American Academy of Pediatrics. "Often adolescents and young adults have a clearer grasp of what kinds of health care decisions make the most sense for them," the New York chapters of the academy said in a statement to The Associated Press. "These young people have a right to protect themselves from diseases that can easily be prevented by immunizations." At Green Meadow, the vaccination rate was just 33 percent when the December ban took effect, the Journal News reported, citing the county's data. Since then, the county said it has risen to 56 percent, though a school's spokeswoman told The Times the share was actually 83 percent - either way, short of the mandated threshold. The school is complying with the county health department, its spokesperson said, and will welcome its students back when it is legally allowed. In the meantime, though, the children - some of whom are as young as preschool age - just have to wait until the outbreak clears. One mother, who has chosen to keep her 4-year-old unvaccinated, told local media that her child is distressed. He is confused, she said, given his young age, about why he isnt allowed on his campus. Henderson, Nev. A former Catholic priest who had been credibly accused of sexual abuse was found shot to death at his home in Nevada. John Capparelli was previously a priest in New Jersey. He was found dead in Henderson, Nevada, outside Las Vegas, on Saturday. Authorities are treating the death as a homicide, according to The New York Times. Capparelli, 70, died of a single gunshot wound to his neck, according to NBC News. Police have no suspects yet. Capparelli's name appeared on a list in February with 187 other clergy the Archdiocese of Newark said had been credibly accused of abuse, according to NBC. He was accused of brutalizing and groping teenage boys in the 1980s, according to USA Today. He was permanently removed from ministry in 1992 and defrocked. Capparelli was assigned to a number of institutions and churches around New Jersey while he was a priest. After he was removed from the clergy, Capparelli began working as a teacher in Newark public schools until allegations surfaced against him in 2011, USA Today said. His teaching license was eventually revoked. Capparelli bought his home in Henderson in 2016. Although he never faced criminal charges in connection with the abuse allegations, he has been sued in the past, according to the Times. He never publicly acknowledged any wrongdoing. "Part of me is angry that I am never going to get an apology or an admission from him, that what he did was wrong," said Rich Fitter, one of Capparelli's accusers. "But nobody else is going to be hurt by him and that is a good thing." Fitter said Capparelli raped him as a teenager after the two met through a Catholic after-school program. Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-282-8598 Duterte Vetoes Law For Filipino General Tax Amnesty by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong 14 March 2019 The Philippines has launched a tax amnesty for those with unsettled estate tax liabilities. The amnesty is included in Republic Act 11213, which was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte February 14, 2019. However, he vetoed a bill for a more general tax amnesty, which was to cover a broader range of taxes, including income tax, withholding tax, and value-added tax, for tax periods from 2017 and earlier. Under the new law, taxpayers are required to pay a tax rate of six percent of the net estate at the time of death. It is on offer for the estates of those who died on or before December 31, 2017. After signing RA 11213, Duterte called on Congress to pass a new general tax amnesty bill that included the lifting of bank secrecy in cases of fraud. EU Drops Digital Tax Plans by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels 14 March 2019 The EU will not proceed with plans for a digital services tax, after finance ministers again failed to agree on the proposals. EU finance ministers met on March 12. According to the European Council, progress has been made since ministers last discussed the issue in December. Negotiations have focused on a compromise text proposed by France and Germany, which would limit the scheme to digital advertising services. However, the Council said that "despite the broad support from a large number of member states on this text, some delegations maintain reservations either on some specific aspects of the proposal or more fundamental objections." The original proposal, put forward by the European Commission, was for a temporary three percent excise tax on turnover from certain online activities. In December, Austria, then holding the Council presidency, proposed an amended scheme that would target revenues from the supply of digital services where users contribute to the process of value creation. France and Germany separately recommended that the tax base focus on advertisement. The Council said that the current Romanian presidency will now "conduct work on the EU position in international discussions on digital tax, in particular in view of the OECD's report on the issue, due by mid-2020." EU Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said that the Commission regrets that agreement was not possible. He explained that the Commission is concerned that the introduction of separate digital tax regimes in a number of EU countries "will lead to the fragmentation of the single market." Dombrovskis said that the Commission "will continue to take active part in the global conversation on this matter" and that it hopes EU countries will "speak with one voice in international fora." He stressed that the issue is important "because our economy is becoming increasingly digital and thus our tax systems [are becoming] increasingly outdated." The EU has tripled its list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions to include 15 countries. The European Council has announced the expansion of the list to include: Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Dominica, Fiji, the Marshall Islands, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Vanuatu. The Council said that these jurisdictions did not implement the commitments they had made to the EU regarding their tax regimes by the agreed deadline. The original list, announced in December 2017, contained 17 jurisdictions. Since then, the EU has moved several jurisdictions to its "grey list" of countries that are cooperating with the EU to reform their tax policies. The last revision, in November 2018, left just five countries on the list: American Samoa, Guam, Samoa, Trinidad and Tobago, and the US Virgin Islands. The EU said that no commitments have been made by these five countries since the blacklist was first adopted. Barbados, the Marshall Islands, and the United Arab Emirates were also on the 2017 list but were moved to the grey list after they made commitments to improve their tax systems. The EU said that these commitments have not been followed, with the result that the jurisdictions have been returned to the black list. Aruba, Belize, Bermuda, Dominica, Fiji, Oman, and Vanuatu were not on the original list. However, they have been moved from the grey to the black list for the same reason. 34 territories remain on the grey list. Eugen Toedorovici, the minister of finance of Romania, which currently holds the Council presidency, said: "Since it was first adopted in late 2017, the list has proven its worth in promoting forward in a cooperative manner the EU's agenda of improving global tax practices, fighting tax avoidance, and improving good governance and transparency: more than 30 jurisdictions have already delivered on their commitment to pass reforms." France Set To Introduce Digital Tax by Ulrika Lomas, Tax-News.com, Brussels 14 March 2019 French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has provided further details of France's proposed digital services tax, which will be put before the cabinet this week. In an interview with Le Parisien, published on March 3, 2019, Le Maire said that the tax is intended to target companies earning a commission from connecting customers to businesses. The tax would also apply to revenue from online advertising and the resale of personal data for online advertising purposes, Le Maire clarified. The tax is to be paid by companies with global revenues of at least EUR750m (USD852m) and sales in France of EUR25m or more. It is expected that the tax will be levied at a rate of three percent and raise EUR500m in additional tax revenue per year. However, the digital tax will be deductible for corporate tax purposes, Le Maire added. According to the minister, around 30 companies are expected to be caught by the tax, most of which are American. Le Maire assured the publication that the tax would not be contrary to the terms of the double tax avoidance treaty between France and the United States. Subject to the enactment of the necessary legislation, the tax would be effective from January 1, 2019. Theres never been a better time to buy a TV. Yes, we said the same a couple of years ago, but that doesnt make it any less true The industry has worked nearly all of the bugs out of LCD and OLED TVs, and todays prices are lower than ever. Or they were until this recent chip shortage took hold. Regardless, high-end 4K models cost about half of what they did a few years ago, and excellent mid-range models (55- and 65-inch class) are available for much less than $1,000. Well give you our top picks, plus an in-depth guide to the specs and features youll encounter when you shop. Updated November 29, 2021 to add our LG C1-series OLED smart TV review. LG delivers 95-percent of best TV experience OLED technology can deliver, at a price tag thats far lower than weve come to expect for an OLED TV. Its our new runner-up in the best OLED TV category. A different language The first hurdle to understanding todays TV market is an alphabet soup of acronyms and phraseology: LED, mini-LED, micro-LED, LCD, HDR, OLED, quantum dots, and more. Manufacturers also like to thicken that literary broth with their own trademarked, mostly nonsensical nomenclature: Contrast EliteMax, Q Style Elite, X-tended Dynamic Range PRO? Give me a break. The good news? You can ignore all that ad-speak and focus on just three things: color, contrast (including the quality of blacks), and brightness. Technology changes, but your eyes dont. Here are our top recommendations in three categories. If you want a deeper understanding as to why we picked them, theres an in-depth buyers guide further down that youll find invaluable when you go shopping. Click here if youd like to jump straight to a list of our most recent reviews. Best LCD TV Samsung combines a micro-LED backlight with quantum-dot technology to deliver the best LED-backlit LCD TV you can buy. OLED TVs still deliver better blacks, but while this TV isnt cheap, its price tag is nowhere near what youd pay for a high-end OLED set. We have a few nits to pick in our review, but this TV is easy to recommend. Runner-up No manufacturer does LCD image processing better than Sony. If moire, shimmering in detailed pans, jagged text, and backlighting blockiness drive you up a wall, this is the TV to buy. Best OLED TV LG no longer makes our favorite OLED TV, Sony has stolen its crown with its Bravia XR Master Series A90J. This smart TV produces an absolutely luscious picture, and it features Sonys audacious audio system in which the driver units are mounted to the OLED panel itself, turning the entire display into a speaker. The Google TV operating system makes finding great entertainment a snap, and its universal remote is backlit and easy to use, even in the dark. This one will be tough to beat. Runner-up Well have to wait and see if LG can recapture the title Best OLED TV, but for more than $750 less than Sonys best OLED, LG easily takes the runner-up spot with its affordablefor an OLED, at leastC1-series 4K OLED. Best bang-for-the-buck TV TCL is rapidly gainingand deservinga reputation for building affordable smart TVs that deliver incredible value. Its 55-inch 6-series is certainly no exception, combining quantum-dot color with mini-LED backlight technology to build a set with great color, brightness, and the Roku TV operating system. We like it a lot. Best value in 8K TVs You can spend a lot of money for an 8K TV, or you can spend a lot of money on an 8K TV. TCLs 8K offering is an incredible value for the quality and performance thats delivered for the price. If you dont need to have the absolute best in the 8K category, the TCL 65R648 is a fantastic deal. The state of TV technology CRT TVs were around for more 50 years and were still being improved when they fell out of favor. LCD TVs arent nearly that mature, and youll still find the occasional entry-level models with color and contrast issues. Color and contrast have nonetheless improved drastically in the last few years, and the improvements have trickled down almost to the lowest rung on the ladder. OLED remains at the pinnacle, but remains expensive to manufacture. Ill talk more about LED versus OLED in a bit. Theres also a resolution race in progress, though it seems to have stalled for the nonce at 8K UHD. Buying a TV with resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels remains a pricey proposition, and theres almost no content to take advantage of it. Apart from 4K Blu-ray, most video content is still delivered in 1080p resolution, even though 4K UHD TVs with resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels rule the roost in terms of sales. The best news, to expand on my previous point, is that top-end technology (quantum dots, mini-LED) has filtered down to the mid-range (defined as $750 to $1,250 for a 65-inch-class set). We havent seen one that quite puts it all together yet, but TCLs 6-series come darn close. Too close, certainly, for the big three (LG, Samsung, and Sony) to remain comfortable. Even better, nearly all the high-end 4k UHD 65-inch-class TVs that cost $600 to $10,000 or more a few years ago have dropped to below $3,000. Even Samsungs 8K UHD QN800A-series can be hand for $3,500 (65-inch class). LGs 8K UHD OLEDthe 88-inch-class model OLED88Z9PUAis something to behold, but it costs $30,000. Ouch. Then again, if your entertainment center is big enough to require an 88- to 120-inch-class television, that price tag might worth the experience. What to look for (and what to watch out for) Resolution: While most content remains 1080p or lower resolution, the vast majority of TVs being sold now are 2160p (4K UHD, or 3840 x 2160 pixels). Unless youre buying something for the workshop or tool shed, go 2160p. 4K streaming is now a thing. Its heavily compressed, and it may run you over your data cap in short order, but its still a consideration. Good 2160p content looks spectacular, and most 2160p TVs will upscale lower-resolution content quite nicely. Just dont believe any hokum about making 1080p content look like genuine 4K UHD. That said, weve been incredibly impressed with just how much better both 1080p and 2160p material looks on the latest 8K UHD (7680 x 4320) TVs. More pixels, more processing power. FAUX K: LG makes spectacular OLEDs, and it seems the company has finally ceased manufacturing the 2.88K LED-backlit LCD TVs it marketed as 4K; specifically, the 6300 and 6500 series. So this is just an FYI in case you see a used or refurbished on for sale: You can avoid it, or you can use that information to haggle for a better price. You can read more about the subject in this article. Theyre not bad TVs, they just arent 4K UHD. Screen size: 65-inch TVs are the hot commodity these days, but only you know which size TV fits best in your living space. Personally, I prefer 43-inchers. Go figure. You can save a lot of money$600 to $900 on a top-of-the-line setby downsizing to perhaps 55-inches and sitting a bit closer. How close? 1.5 times the stated size of the TV is the recommended distance. Note that the number of backlighting zones and other technologies arent always exactly the same across all sizes. Read the fine print carefully (if it even exists), as a 55-inch unit might not offer quite the performance of the 65-inch sets companies like to send to reviewers. HDR: The acronym stands for high dynamic range, and it has become the norm in better TVs. HDR simply means a larger difference in luminance between the darkest area of an image and the brightest area. It doesnt sound like much, but a lack of contrast (a comparative washed-out appearance) in LED TVs has long been an issue, especially at the entry level. With HDR, which is created largely by significantly increasing peak brightness, light sabers and flames, highlights in hair, water, and other details really stand out. Trust me. You want it. Dolby Dolby Vision HDR versus standard dynamic range. All HDR will be similar, but only Dolby Vision and HDR10+ adjust the TV in real time over the course of the movie. So far, the TV industry has been scrupulously honest about labeling their TVs for HDR: HDR-compatible in the fine print means the set understands at least some of the HDR formats (HDR10, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG, etc.), but likely doesnt have enough brightness to do anything with it. If it just says HDR, that means it can do something with it. How much it can do depends on the TV. You need at least 700 nits peak brightness at a minimum to achieve decent HDR pop (e.g., light sabers and flames that stand out), while 1,000 nits does the trick quite nicely. Vendors dont really list nits or brightness in meaningful ways, so youll need to read reviews in which its measured. Non-HDR TVs generally max out in the area of 300 to 400 nits. HDR format support: One of true ironies in the TV industry is that arguably the top player, Samsung, doesnt support Dolby Vision. Nearly nearly all the other vendors do (although not on every model). All HDR TVs support HDR10 as a baseline, but HDR10 only sends adjustment info to the TV once, at the beginning of a movie. Dolby Vision and HDR10+ relay it continuously throughout the movie, so each scene (each frame, if necessary) can be adjusted independently. HDR10 looks good. Dolby Vision and HDR10+ look better. HDR10+ is Samsungs baby and its latest TVs support it. Alas, while many streaming services deliver HDR in HDR10+ (HDR requires very little extra data), it hasnt caught on with most of the companys competitors. On the other hand, many sets support the HLG standard that is common in Europe. Contrast: Contrast is the distance in terms of luminance between the darkest and brightest points in an image. Part of HDR is also increasing contrast. A high-contrast TV is an HDR TV, although weve never heard of one called that. It just doesnt sound sexy, I suppose. Anyway, he higher the contrast, the more subtle detail the TV can deliver. Color: Weve noticed a definite uptick in color acuity (realism), even in the middle of the market, with TVs from Hisense, TCL and Vizio showing much truer reds and greens (just about any TV will do blue well). This is largely due to the widespread adoption of quantum dots, but even those without them (Sonys TVs, in particular) have increased the color acuity of their offeringss. LED-backlit LCD versus OLED: Theres a luxuriousness to the image that OLED TVs produce that appeals to many, including myself. Because each sub-pixel is its own light source, when a pixel is switched off, you get near perfect black. LED-backlit LCD TVs bleed light around and through the LCDs, which are not perfect shutters. Even the best LED/LCD TVs cant match the blacks of OLED. (Mini-LED gets closersee below). On the other hand, they can generate much higher peak brightness, which compensates with most material and really makes HDR pop. The main drawbacks of OLED as a technology are a relatively limited lifespan, and burn-in; i.e. ghosts of previous images remaining on screen. LG claims 100,000 hours to half brightness for its TVs: Thats where 500 nits becomes 250 nits, and that number of hours is calculated based on the TV displaying standard dynamic range material. HDR content will shorten an OLEDs lifespan. With normal use (two hours a day), those drawbacks will never bite you. Or for at least not for a very long time. Using OLEDs for signage, all-day long viewing, or for rendering static images, on the other hand, is not recommended. Micro-LED (not to be confused with mini-LED backlighting) is a non-organic self-emitter technology that doesnt suffer any of these issues, but its still so expensive as to excuse itself from this conversation. Caveats and economics aside, OLED remains most users choice when simply using their eyes. Puppies on velvet! Note: OLED uses an extra white subpixel, but its RGBW is is not the subtractive scheme that LGs 6300- and 6500-series LED-backlit LCD TVs use. Hence, their stated resolution is accurate. Click here for more definitions, plus links to our most recent smart TV reviews. The big picture: Smartphone manufacturers have force-fed consumers the narrative that bigger is better. Its an easy ploy to fall victim to, what with flashy screens, massive batteries and multiple cameras, although as phones like Samsungs new Galaxy S10e remind us, great things can still come in small - and reasonably affordable - packages. Some even argue that it's better all-around than its bigger brothers, the S10 and the S10+. Natt Garun with The Verge decodes the e in the Galaxy S10e: Lets loop back to Samsungs interpretation of the E in S10E: essentials. I think Samsung has mostly nailed that. With this phone, youre not sacrificing much of the S10 experience, and the list of things that are constant between the S10E and the S10 is a lot longer than what its missing. Heres what you actually give up: the telephoto lens, a bigger battery, and a nicer screen. The S10E has a Full HD display instead of a Quad HD display, which means its only 1080p wide and has about 100 ppi less than the regular S10. If youre coming from a Quad HD display, this difference could be noticeable. For me, I only started to see the discrepancies when I lined it up with another phone in its category, like the Pixel 3. Even after adjusting the tones on the S10E for more vibrancy, the whites are whiter on the Pixel, and you get a lot more depth there. But its something I dont think most people will notice without directly comparing the screens. (Image courtesy Angela Lang, CNET) Is the S10es fingerprint sensor a pro or a con compared to the in-screen reader of its bigger brother? CNET helps you decide: Another "trade-off" that might turn out to be a benefit is that there's no in-screen ultrasonic fingerprint reader like the Galaxy S10, S10 Plus and S10 5G have. Instead, the fingerprint scanner is a capacitive-style pad that's integrated into the power button. It's actually more accurate than the in-screen reader. Raymond Wong from Mashable tends to agree about the fingerprint sensor: As much as much as I like Samsung's bigger and pricier S10+ it's only a couple of complaints shy of perfect the smaller and cheaper Galaxy S10e, which starts at $750, is a better phone. I missed nothing from the S10+ after testing the S10e for a week. If anything, I'm super annoyed that Samsung blessed the S10e with a fast and reliable fingerprint sensor and saddled the S10 and S10+ with an inferior in-display fingerprint reader. (Image courtesy Amelia Holowaty Krales via The Verge) The S10e is light. maybe a little too light? Engadgets Chris Velazco elaborates: Overall, the S10e is as well-built as the S10 and S10+, but I still have a few quibbles. I'm all for phones that won't strain your hands or your wrists, but the S10e is so light it feels a little insubstantial at times. Granted, the massive S10+ is almost startlingly light, too, but I had to throw a case on the S10e before I ever really felt comfortable using it. Cases will also help with the phone's inherent slipperiness; I can't tell you the number of times I put the caseless S10e down on an almost-completely flat surface and watched in horror as it skittered to the floor. PCMags Sascha Segan gets back to basics with a helpful analysis of call quality and volume: Call quality and volume are tuned to be exactly like the S10+. That means reasonable but not blaring volume: 78dB at six inches from the speakerphone and 94 to 96dB measured right up against the earpiece. The phone supports all the latest voice codecs for high-quality voice calling, along with VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling (those last features may be blocked in firmware if you don't buy your phone from a carrier, so get your carrier's model of the phone if you want them). Abhijeet Mishra with SamMobile goes over performance with the Exynos variant of the S10e: The Galaxy S10e comes with the Exynos 9820 chipset under the hood like the S10 and S10+, with the Snapdragon 855 fulfilling the processing duties in markets like the US and China. We tested the Exynos model with 6GB of RAM and can say the S10es performance matches that of the S10+. The S10+ gets 8GB of RAM by default, but the only place youll notice that making a difference is in multitasking, with the S10e more prone to killing background apps (although you wont notice this in day-to-day usage). The lower screen resolution no doubt helps the Galaxy S10e chug along without breaking a sweat. As we had mentioned in our S10+ review, Samsung seems to have thrown in extra optimization on its 2019 Galaxy S flagships, and that results in smooth animations and quick app launch times. Theres barely any stutter, no matter what you try to do on the phone. The S10e did heat up quite a bit during the first day of use when I was busy installing apps and transferring my data to the phone, but I didnt face the heating issue from the second day. And for Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 performance, we turn to Julian Chokkattu with Digital Trends: It has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, the flagship chipset that powers most high-end Android phones this year. Where the S10e differs is it comes with 6GB of RAM in the base model instead of 8GB RAM found in its bigger brothers. You get the same 128GB of internal storage, and a MicroSD card slot is present if you need more space. Does having less RAM cause a problem? Nope. I havent seen a single performance dip in my time using the phone as my daily driver. It runs games like Breakneck and Altos Odyssey without a hitch, and multitasking in split screen mode hasnt caused any issues at all. If youre worried, you can always spend more money to buy the 8GB RAM option at $850, but at that point you may as well go for the 6.1-inch S10. The benchmark scores all beat out the Galaxy S10 Plus, which makes sense since the S10e is powering a smaller, lower-resolution screen and has less tech inside. In fact, the AnTuTu score now puts the Galaxy S10e as second best in our benchmark rankings, second to the Xiaomi Mi 9, which also uses the same Snapdragon 855 processor. (Image courtesy Chris Velazco via Engadget) Adam Ismail with Tom's Guide has the skinny on the camera game: The Galaxy S10e packs two cameras on the back one 12-megapixel primary sensor with a variable aperture of either /1.5 or /2.4, and another 16-megapixel sensor mated to an ultrawide lens with a 123-degree field of view. On the front is a 10-megapixel, /1.9 lens. All of those cameras are also present in the S10 and S10 Plus, though those phones add a telephoto lens to the back as well with 2x optical zoom, which the S10e lacks. The S10 Plus also has a secondary depth sensor on the front of the device for more accurate bokeh effects in selfies. Still, with its dual rear cameras and bevy of creative shooting modes, the S10e is hardly underequipped when it comes to photography tools. Samsung has pumped up its shallow depth-of-field Live Focus mode with stylish effects so you can add a dash of partial color or change the direction and pattern of the background blur after the fact. And the company's AI-based Scene Optimizer tech, which tunes settings based on subjects the camera identifies, can recognize 10 more scenes for a total of 30. So it's clear the S10e's cameras aren't lacking in bells and whistles, then. And yet, the types of shots they produce are surprisingly inconsistent. Although the S10e's photography is solid across the board, there were almost always one or two missteps in every picture we took with the phone that held it back. (Image courtesy Zlata Ivleva via Mashable) How does the S10e compare to its rival, the Apple iPhone XR (or even the bigger S10+)? Todd Hasselton with CNBC dishes: Earlier this month I took a look at the Samsung Galaxy S10+, the most premium of the current Samsung phones, which are now available to buy. Its a very good phone thats a perfect alternative to Apples iPhones, but its also expensive and starts at $999. You should buy the Galaxy S10e instead. Samsung didnt cut many corners with this model, and it costs $250 less than the Galaxy S10+. It also gives you more bang for the buck than Apples iPhone XR, which costs the same -- the Galaxy s10e has a brighter screen, headphone jack and expandable storage. Lead image courtesy Chris Velazco via Engadget Recap: Google co-founder Larry Page made thinly veiled threats to leave the company in 2011 due to concerns that he could lose a controlling stake in the company if other leaders sold their stock. The threats made by Page, which led to a new stock structure being adopted by Google, were only recently unveiled in documents released stemming from a 2013 lawsuit by a shareholder. Google co-founder Larry Page threatened to leave the company in 2011 due to concerns that he would lose control of the company if co-founder Sergey Brin or then-CEO Eric Schmidt sold their shares. Together, the trio held shares that gave them both a majority stake in the business and "super-voting powers" on the board of directors. Newly unsealed court documents revealed that Page pressed Google's board of directors to create a new type of stock. The type of stock he was demanding, called Class C shares, would allow Page to retain control even if Brin and Schmidt decided to move on. Google created the Class C shares, splitting their public stock into two segments. Google previously had two types of shares, Class A and B. Class A shares were given to everyday investors and carried one vote per share. Class B shares were only held by the trio and had ten votes per share. The Class B shares gave the three 66% of all shareholder votes at Google. Under the previous terms of Google's corporate structure, if any of the top three officials sold their Class B shares, the remaining shares would be converted into Class A shares, significantly diluting Page's power. Class C stock was given as a dividend to existing shareholders and carried no voting power, which meant Google could hand out an unlimited number of them without affecting voting control. According to a 2011 email by Paul Otellini, a director at Google at the time, Page "leveled a veiled threat in that why should I sacrifice and work so hard if I might not be in control?' That email, and other details regarding the use of stock, were found in documents related to a 2013 lawsuit by a shareholder that questioned the legality of Class C stock. The complainant in that case stated that Google was giving its founders additional control over the company without compensating investors. Google settled that case by requiring Page, Brin, and Schmidt sell an equivalent amount of Class B stock whenever they sold Class C stock. While Google was one of the first to move to a dual-stock structure, other tech companies have followed suit. Facebook and Snap both follow this model, as do many Silicon Valley startups looking to file an IPO. Stock structures like Google's have drawn criticism because they insulate ranking shareholders from the same concerns and risks as regular investors. WTF?! Being an eccentric billionaire inventor has sometimes seen Elon Musk called a real-life Tony Stark, but others say hes more akin to a Bond villain. According to a damning new report, which makes some amazing allegations about his efforts to destroy a whistleblower, the CEO is closer to the latter. The story begins back in June 2018, when Business Insider ran an article claiming Tesla was scrapping or reworking up to 40 percent of raw materials at its Nevada Gigafactory as it increased production of the Model 3 Sedan. According to a new Bloomberg report, Musk stewed for weeks over the leaked details, which the company denied, and dispatched investigators to discover who was behind them. Former Tesla security manager Sean Gouthro said the teamsome of whom had been personally hired by Musk from Uber, where they faced allegations of spying on rivalsfocused on employee Martin Tripp. Gouthro claims the investigators hacked Tripps phone, had him followed, and misled police about surveillance. He added that Musk knew Tripp didnt sabotage Tesla or hack anything himself, but the CEO still wanted to ruin his reputation. Gouthro also claimed that a Tesla investigator installed a device at the factory that monitored everyones private communications. Tripp admitted to being the leaker, later saying it was over fears of cars being shipped with faulty and potentially dangerous batteries. He denied taking bribes from the reporter who wrote the piecesomething Musk claimed on Twitter. Musk also implied that Tripp sent internal Tesla data to unknown third parties. Tripp was fired a few days later, and Tesla soon launched a $167 million lawsuit against him, alleging he unlawfully hacked the companys confidential and trade secret information. On the same day, Tripp heard from the Sheriffs department that an anonymous caller had contacted Tesla warning them that he was planning a mass shooting at the Gigafactory. Tripp believes Musk, who emailed the Guardian and told the publication about the call, might have been behind the tip. A deputy later told Tesla the threat was bogus. Tripp moved away from the US and now lives in Hungary to avoid attention. Gouthro made other shocking claims about Tesla. He said that to meet production demands of the Model 3, the Gigafactory had been filled with workers so quickly that it was almost impossible to control. Employees allegedly used cocaine and meth in the bathrooms and had sex in unfinished parts of the factory. He also says a company lawyer told him that the previous head of security at the Gigafactory spied on a union meeting on Musks orders. Tesla says Gouthros claims are untrue and sensationalized, and that he was fired for poor performance, including repeated failure to demonstrate and understand best practices in the security industry. Recap: There are several reasons why a website might suddenly see a drastic decrease in traffic, one of which is the removal of all the porn. Thats what happened to microblogging site Tumblr, whose ban on adult content in December saw its viewer figures plummet. According to web analytics firm SimilarWeb, via The Next Web, Tumblr had 521 million page views in December. Thirty days later, that figure was down to 437 milliona near 100 million drop that represented a 17 percent decline in viewers. Tumblrs decision to remove virtually all adult material from the site educational, newsworthy, or political nudity are still "fine"was a reaction, or some would say overreaction, to the app disappearing from the App Store after the discovery of child pornography on the platform. In November last year, there was confusion over why Tumblr had vanished from Apples store. A spokesperson for the site later explained that it kept child pornography off the service by scanning every image against an industry database of child sexual abuse material. A routine audit discovered content that had not yet been added to this database, allowing it to pass through Tumblrs image filter. Tumblr removed the offensive content, but the service went one step further and announced it would ban all adult material. Two weeks later, it was restored to the App Store. Before the ban, users were warned before accessing adult-only blogs that contained sensitive material. A change.org petition was started to make Tumblr reverse its decision. So far, it has received over 602,000 signatures toward the 1 million target. Let people post porn, its 90 per cent of the reason anybody is on the site in the first place, it states. Whether the campaign and lost users prompt a rethink on Tumblr's part remains to be seen. Update: Responding to the report, a Tumblr spokesperson said: We made a strategic decision for the business that better positions it for long-term growth among more types of users. This was the right decision. In context: Faraday Future at one point looked like a viable competitor to Tesla and other electric automakers but as the years have ticked by, mounting hurdles have created a roadblock that's seemingly less passable with each day. At this point, one has to wonder if they'll ever get a vehicle off the assembly line or fold trying. The chances of Faraday Futures FF 91 electric vehicle ever finding a home in your garage are looking less likely with each passing year. The struggling Chinese carmaker in 2015 purchased 900 acres of land in Nevada with the intent of building a $1 billion manufacturing facility. The company fell on hard times, however, and put those plans on ice in mid-2017. Now, its looking to sell the land. The South China Morning Post, citing an advertisement posted on Faraday Futures WeChat account, notes that the automaker has put the land up for sale for $40 million. The tough decision reportedly comes as a result of Faraday Futures intent to shift production of the FF 91 luxury vehicle to a manufacturing plant in Hanford, California. Faraday Future said 700 of the 900 acres have been fully graded for industry use. Faradays first wave of cars was expected last year but production hasnt even started as lawsuits, unpaid debt and other disputes have hamstrung progress. Founder Jia Yueting was even reportedly placed on Chinas blacklist of debt defaulters after failing to repay $113 million to two securities companies. Lead image courtesy Bloomberg NASA has released one of the final photos taken by the Mars Opportunity rover before it went silent and perished in a planet-wide dust storm in June. The image showed what would become the 15-year-old explorer's final resting place, Perseverance Valley. The panorama shot, according to NASA, was taken over 29 days from May 13 to June 10, 2018. "This final panorama embodies what made our Opportunity rover such a remarkable mission of exploration and discovery," stated John Callas, the project manager behind Opportunity. Opportunity's Final Gift Opportunity arrived at Perseverance Valley, a system of shallows within the inner slope of the Endurance Crater, in July 2018. Scientists wanted to explore the area because they believe that the gully was carved billions of years ago by ancient flowing water. The mission of the rover was intended to extend into the interior of the Endeavor Crater, an area that has never been explored before. "To the right of center you can see the rim of Endeavor Crater rising in the distance," pointed Callas. "Just to the left of that, rover tracks begin their descent from over the horizon and weave their way down to geologic features that our scientists wanted to examine up close. And to the far right and left are the bottom of Perseverance Valley and the floor of Endeavour crater, pristine and unexplored, waiting for visits from future explorers." The image, shown in full on NASA's website, was taken using the rover's Panoramic Camera (PanCam). It is made up of 354 individual images through three different filters. NASA explained that parts of the photo remained in black and white because Opportunity hadn't had enough time to record the locations using the green and violet filters before the dust storm engulfed the red planet, preventing the rover from charging its solar-powered batteries. Opportunity's Mars Mission Complete After 15 Years Opportunity, with its twin Spirit, arrived on Mars in 2004 to look for evidence that water once flowed in the now-barren terrain of Mars. The explorer broke records by becoming the longest-running rover on Mars, surviving the Red Planet's harsh environment for 15 years. However, in June 2018, it finally yielded. Mars was engulfed in a planet-wide dust storm that covered the sky in a haze, preventing sunlight from reaching the surface and the solar-powered rover. After eight months of trying to communicate with Opportunity, on Feb. 13, NASA announced the death of the robotic explorer that touched the hearts of many. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Italy closes its school doors on unvaccinated children in the wake of the growing anti-vaccination movement and the measles outbreak that hit Europe. With the expiration of a temporary measure allowing students without a medical certification of their vaccinations to attend school, stricter measures are being enforced under the new Lorenzin law. New York Times reports that around 300 children have already been turned away from kindergarten in the city of Bologna, Italy. More children are reported to have been affected all over the country. Parents who send their unvaccinated children to school will be fined up to $560 (500), according to BBC. The Lorenzin Law Introduced in 2017, the Lorenzin law requires parents to give their children 10 different vaccines so they can attend Italian schools. Under this law, parents will need to provide proper medical documentation that their child is vaccinated. A child under 6 will not be allowed into the school. Children between the ages of 6 to 16 will not be banned from school, but parents will be fined if they cannot provide proof of their vaccinations. Last year, the Health Ministry issued a temporary measure allowing students to stay in school provided their parents attest they have their mandatory vaccinations. No official documentation or doctor's notes are necessary under this measure. The more relaxed law expired on March 10 and Italy is once again implementing the stricter Lorenzin law requiring parents to show official documentation of their children's vaccinations. "Now everyone has had time to catch up." Giulia Grillo, Health Minister explains to La Repubblica, referring not just to the parents who need to get their children vaccinated, but also the government who are fixing the bureaucratic issues surrounding the law's implementation. Europe's Measles Outbreak In 2018, coinciding with the Italy's temporary measure, Europe saw a measles outbreak that affected 82,596 people and killed 72 throughout the continent. Ninety-two percent of the recorded measles cases are from just 10 countries, one of which is Italy. Vaccination is one of the most efficient ways to ensure individual and public health, despite the misinformation and false coverage, according to the World Health Organization. The Lorenzin law is being implemented with the goal of getting more people in Italy vaccinated and decreasing the risk of another outbreak endangering citizen lives. It aims to raise the country's vaccination rates from below 80 percent to the WHO's target of at least 95 percent, BBC reports. "All children have the right to go to class, but I am sure that parents will understand that everyone's health is the highest good, as well as a constitutional right, and we have a duty to do everything possible to guarantee it in a universal way, especially to immunosuppressed children and those who cannot be vaccinated because they have some illness," Grillo says in a statement released on Facebook. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Spotify has filed an antitrust complaint against Apple with the European Union (EU) for allegedly collecting App Store fees unfairly. In a blog post, Spotify Founder and CEO Daniel Ek said the company is outraged at how Apple forces content-based service providers to pay a 30 percent fee to use the App Store. Spotify believes this tactic is designed to harm other businesses, especially other music streaming companies that are in direct competition with Apple's own Apple Music. "In recent years, Apple has introduced rules to the App Store that purposely limit choice and stifle innovation at the expense of the user experience essentially acting as both a player and referee to deliberately disadvantage other app developers," Ek wrote. "After trying unsuccessfully to resolve the issues directly with Apple, we're now requesting that the EC (European Commission) take action to ensure fair competition." Ek pointed out that Apple operates a platform that serves as a gateway to the internet for many people around the world. By owning both the iOS system on iPhones and the App Store, Ek said the company gives itself an unfair advantage over Spotify and other similar services. Unfair App Store Charges Apple requires all digital services, including Spotify, to pay a 30 percent tax for every purchase made through the App Store. Ek said if Spotify were to pay this tax, it would force the music streaming service to raise Premium membership fees well above those of Apple Music's. This is a move that Spotify cannot do in order to keep its prices competitive. On the other hand, if Spotify were to choose not to use the App Store, Apple would then apply several "technical and experience-limiting restrictions." Ek said this was the case when Apple allegedly limited Spotify's communication with its customers. There were also cases when the company was not able to send out emails to customers who use Apple. Apple had also supposedly blocked Spotify's experience-enhancing upgrades, such as locking the music streaming app and other competitors out of Siri, HomePod, and the Apple Watch. Aside from filing a complaint with the EU, Spotify has also launched several press initiatives to combat Apple's unfair practices. These include a website and a YouTube video outlining Spotify's grievances with the iPhone maker. While Spotify is not looking to get special treatment, Ek said the company wants to get the same treatment as other digital services on the App Store. He named Uber and Deliveroo as examples of apps that are not subject to Apple's taxing and restrictions. Other Antitrust Complaints Against Apple Apple has had a long history of facing antitrust complaints from both competitors and consumers. In November, the iPhone maker appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court to defend itself against an antitrust lawsuit. The complaint was filed by consumers who wanted the company to cut its 30 percent fee it charges software developers who use the App Store. In 2010, the Department of Justice filed an employment antitrust lawsuit against Apple and other Silicon Valley-based tech companies for allegedly engaging in practices that restrained the hiring of high-tech employees. Apple later entered a settlement with the U.S. government. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Blue Corn 7673 Perkins Road (at the Ichiban Square shopping center) 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday (225) 300-4601; Bluecornrestaurant.com Pros: Ceviche, tacos, an extensive menu Cons: Prices may be high for some diners After months of debate, the Metro Council on Wednesday gave the mayor-president the authority to enter into a 10-year contract with the Bridge Center to establish a psychiatric crisis and detox facility in East Baton Rouge Parish. The decision was made after opposition from residents who had expressed doubts about the nonprofit agency, which some said isn't qualified to oversee the day-to-day operation of the facility and isn't being transparent enough about how they intend to use revenue from the dedicated property tax voters approved to support the center. "If you go to Bridge Center website, they dont even have business plan. Im concerned about that," Phil Fetterman told the council during a public hearing that sparked an hour-long debate over the agreement. "You guys have done a poor job of convincing the community the Bridge Center is the ambassador to carry this," Gary Chambers, publisher of The Rouge Collection, later said. "We want to see a hardcore, concrete plan. And make it as plain as ABC-123 so people can get on board." Questions swirl as Bridge Center gears up to provide mental health services in Baton Rouge Questions are still being raised about how revenue from a new property tax will be used to build and fund the operations of a mental health fa Pennie Landry, another resident, asked the Metro Council to consider postponing the vote so their concerns could be addressed. But, the council voted 7-2 to move forward with the contract. Council members Denise Amoroso, LaMont Cole, Erika Green, Dwight Hudson, Matt Watson, Trae Welch and Tara Wicker voted "yes;" Chandler Loupe and Scott Wilson voted "no." Councilwomen Donna Collins-Lewis and Barbara Freiberg did not attend Wednesday's meeting. Councilwoman Chauna Banks was not present for the vote, but did sit in during the discussion, expressing her own opposition with the Bridge Center's involvement. "Overwhelmingly, people supported the tax but they dont want it to go to the Bridge Center," Banks said. "How can yall ignore that?" The 1.5-mill mental health property tax, which voters approved in December, was championed by the Bridge Center, a nonprofit set up by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation to provide a crisis center where people who need urgent psychiatric care can be stabilized and receive treatment. +4 Overdoses, mental health calls remain high in Baton Rouge area; coroner hopes new tax will help Overdoses and mental health calls remain at historic highs in the Baton Rouge area, but East Baton Rouge Coroner Dr. Beau Clark said Tuesday h The facility, set to open in early 2020, will serve as an alternative to an emergency room or Parish Prison, and has garnered support from the district attorney, police chief and coroner who all sit on the Bridge Center board, as does the sheriff's jail warden. Debate over the pending contract, called a cooperative endeavor agreement, and the Bridge Center's involvement has stretched on for months. Some people have argued the city-parish should allocate the revenue from the mental health tax to an existing government agency like Capital Area Human Services, which they said has a narrower focus and is better suited to manage a mental health facility. Those sentiments were echoed Wednesday night, including criticism from residents who claimed that during the runup to the tax election, they never heard that the Bridge Center would operate the crisis center. 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 According to the proposed 10-year agreement, the Bridge Center anticipates contracting with one or more licensed service providers. The scope of services include a mobile assessment team that can respond to law enforcement 24/7 to provide in-person evaluations, a crisis assessment center to treat patients on a voluntary or involuntary basis, sobering beds, a detox program and care management team that can provide direct services within the community. Bringing Baton Rouge's Bridge Center to life: How funding will work, details on DA's plans After East Baton Rouge Parish voters approved a tax increase to fund a mental health crisis center beginning in the year 2020, philanthropists The city-parish is preparing the facility's budget the initial year, but the Bridge Center is required to prepare and submit an annual budget every year after that. The Bridge Center is also responsible for any additional expenditures that exceed the annual allotment of tax revenue, pinned around $6 million, and it must provide quarterly financial statements to the mayor and Metro Council showing all uses of public dollars, including the salaries of employees at the mental health facility. Even council members who voted "yes" had questioned Kathy Kliebert, chairwoman of the Bridge Center's board of directors, over the lack of specifics in the agreement and initial plans for the facility. "The accountability is there," council member Dwight Hudson said during Wednesday's night discussion. "We politicize everything on this council. When we start politicizing mental illness, thats a whole new low." Councilwoman Tara Wicker said the tax's nearly 70 percent approval by voters serves as proof the community wants the project to come to fruition as quickly as possible. "I dont think we can lose the momentum and restart this process all over again," she said. Councilman Scott Wilson said he believes the Bridge Center hasn't provided enough clarity to the voters and the council. He tried to delay the vote on the agreement for two weeks in hopes of having additional talks with Bridge Center officials. "The things you're telling me and the (agreement) I'm getting this late today, I just don't agree with," Wilson told Kliebert. "If this was another agency, we would just be losing it. Were 90 days from an election and were not much more organized than we were before it." East Baton Rouge tax review includes questions on how to fund mental health center Baton Rouge leaders are struggling to come to an accord over how to collect local property taxes, including a longstanding millage for librari In response, Kliebert explained that having the agreement in place would allow the Bridge Center board to gather proposals from providers which will help them fine tune the scope of services for the facility and adequately outline their budget. "It will be a transparent, public process," BRAF executive director John Spain said. "We have an obligation to answer questions to great detail." Baton Rouge's mosquito abatement board sued the Metro Council on Wednesday just hours before council members scheduled a hearing to fire the agency's leader. The Metro Council had hired Todd Walker to lead Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control in 2012. A majority of council members agreed during their Wednesday meeting to hold a termination hearing April 3 amid reports of inappropriate spending at the agency. Baton Rouge council members aiming to to fire Mosquito Abatement director Two East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council members are trying to oust the Mosquito Abatement director who has faced criticism for his spending The MARC board says the council lacks the legal authority to fire Walker. It sought a temporary restraining order to stall the process, but its request was denied. District Judge William Morvant will consider a preliminary restraining order in a March 26 court hearing, ahead of the councils termination hearing. Council members Dwight Hudson and Matt Watson have questioned whether Walker is too reliant on contractors, driving up costs such as for construction of the offices new headquarters and a planned tire shredding facility. At mosquito abatement it is clear the time has come to make a change due to Walkers inappropriate relationship with contractor Gary Beard, Hudson said. Watson said he trusts Walker as an entomologist, but that the department needs a leader who can administer public funds himself, not pass those duties over to a contractor. Last year, a $600,000 plan to buy a tire shredder ballooned into a $1.6 million project, attracting scrutiny to MARC and the recent construction of a new administrative building, a project Beard worked on which underwent change orders that increased the price by millions of dollars. At Wednesday's meeting, there were a few passing references to media coverage of the agency and its increased expenses. A recent Baton Rouge Business Report story ran under the headline Stung! How a Taxpayer-Funded Mosquito Abatement Facility Nearly Doubles in Price, and Wednesday's lawsuit claims the Metro Council "succumbed" to the Business Report's call to "make 'heads roll.'" None among Walker, Beard or abatement board members appeared at Wednesdays council meeting, but MARCs petition characterizes leadership under Walker as demonstrating numerous years of good financial stewardship practices. Metamorphosis: Baton Rouge's $600,000 mosquito-fighting grant turns into $1.6 million project The city-parish's Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control office is on thin ice with the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council, which has chasti 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 Attorney Jason Melancon remarked in an interview that the Metro Council approved all the offices expenditures. Melancon filed the suit on behalf of Walker and MARC and has asked the court to officially enroll as their attorney. Many of MARCs business has been mixed in with city-parish operations it is generally represented by the parish attorney, and the parish finance department oversees its funds, for example, Melancon said. However, state legislation passed in the 1970s was meant to give mosquito abatement boards autonomy. When East Baton Rouge set up a parish-wide district in 1979, the council assumed too much power, Melancon argued. The system has never been right but hasn't faced a challenge until now, he said. In the lawsuit, the board argued that they alone have the power to fire the director. The council has authority to appoint board members, but not to directly terminate Walker, Melancon said. The city-parish will be able to counter the lawsuit, assistant parish attorney Greg Rome told the Metro Council Wednesday. We have a plan to defeat it, he said. Rome declined to discuss legal strategy in public, and none of the Metro Council members requested to take the meeting behind closed doors. While parts of a termination hearing involving employee performance can be held in private session, Walker has indicated that he would like to be heard publicly, Rome added. Hudson moved to schedule the termination hearing for 4 p.m. April 3 in the Metro Council chambers at City Hall. Donna Collins-Lewis and Barbara Freiberg were absent, but all the other council members voted to schedule the hearing except Chauna Banks, who voted against. She remarked that department heads often turn to contractors for professional advice and produced a news release from last August when money became available for the tire shredder and Watson publicly praised Walker as a great partner whos offered hard work and perseverance. The board chairman for Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System stepped down a day after the Catholic health organization fired CEO Mike McBride. "In light of the fact that the Sisters have chosen to pursue a different direction for the system with respect to its leadership I felt the timing was right to also allow them the opportunity to choose new board leadership," said James Moore Jr., a Monroe hotel developer. Moore, who is also a member of the LSU Board of Supervisors, has served on the Franciscan Missionaries board as chairman for the past three years of the six-hospital health system. He declined further comment on the decision. McBride out as head of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System The Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System said Wednesday it has ended the tenure of President and CEO Mike McBride after a little Franciscan Missionaries is the state's largest Catholic health system, and on Wednesday said it ended McBride's tenure, after a little over a year at the helm. McBride came to Baton Rouge from Texas, where he served as a hospital executive for CHI St. Luke's Health in Houston. Sister Barbara Arceneaux, regional minister of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady, said in a statement that Moore had "remained past his eight-year term in order to support Mr. McBride's transition." "With Mr. McBride's separation, Mr. Moore felt his obligation had been met. We thank him for his many years of service to our ministry," she said. The Franciscans health system announced Wednesday they were firing McBride, who took over as head of the system last February. The Franciscan Missionaries sisters made the decision to fire McBride without a vote of the board. "Mr. McBrides approach to his role as the leader of our system was not in keeping with our values and culture," Arceneaux said Thursday. "The Sisters have the authority to take this action and, while unusual, we did so only after much prayer and discernment and continued communication with Mr. McBride about collaboration and the inclusion of others as demonstrating respect and shared responsibility." 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 McBride did not respond to a message seeking comment Thursday. Franciscan Missionaries oversees a network of six hospitals, with the largest being Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge and Gonzales. According to IRS filings, OLOL Regional Medical Center took in more than $1.2 billion in revenue in 2017. As CEO, McBride oversaw the proposal for Franciscan Missionaries to take over control of St. Dominic Health Service in Mississippi. That organization is sponsored by Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois. Ryan Cross, a spokesman for Franciscan Missionaries, said Thursday the organization is "proceeding as planned" with that proposal and hopes to finalize the transfer of sponsorship by July 1. Cross added the firing of McBride is "not connected at all" to the investigation into former Our Lady of the Lake Foundation President and CEO John Paul Funes, who was fired late last year after being accused of a "pattern of forgery and embezzlement" at the foundation. When McBride took over as CEO last year, he became just the second non-sister to run the organization since its inception in 1984, according to a history written by the system. John Finan, who served from 1996-2018, was the first. Finan was paid more than $1.4 million a year as CEO of the organization, according to the most recent form 990 filing with the IRS in 2016. FMOL Health System also oversees Our Lady of Lourdes and Women's & Children's in Lafayette; St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe; and Our Lady of the Angels in Bogalusa. DENHAM SPRINGS For more than two years, a flooded elementary school sat vacant here with a sign outside that read: "We will be back stronger than ever." On Wednesday, officials unveiled plans for a new Denham Springs Elementary School, featuring an historic-looking brick facade with modern elements not yet seen in Livingston Parish. "Not only do we have the amenities of the newness, we also still have some of the past, and we can't ever forget the past," Superintendent Rick Wentzel said during a presentation at the elementary school's temporary campus behind the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Teachers, school board members, other local officials and residents filled the cafeteria to see renderings of the new school for the first time. +5 'A monumental occasion': Demolition begins at flooded Denham Springs Elementary School DENHAM SPRINGS The storied site of Denham Springs Elementary School turned the page to a new chapter as a backhoe tore open a flooded campus The $13.4 million school on North Range Avenue is one of three schools the system plans to rebuild in the Denham Springs area since the August 2016 flood. Officials have not yet provided plans for Southside Elementary and Southside Junior High. Those schools will be combined on a joint campus at the old junior high site on La. 16 south of Interstate 12. Assistant Superintendent Joe Murphy said Denham Springs Elementary School is projected to open in August 2021. The old school was demolished recently. The school construction will be funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The school system owed $500,000 as a penalty for carrying inadequate flood insurance on the campus. Can't see video below? Click here. 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 Murphy said school officials sought to design a school that reflects modern teaching practices, traveling to Texas, Florida and across Louisiana looking at model elementary schools. "We've learned that we must make our facilities a place that children want to be," Murphy said. "We have learned to make every facility, every place in our facilities, a learning space." Renderings show a two-story building with an open plan. The central structure will contain administrative offices, a library, computer labs and special education spaces. On each side, there are wings filled with classrooms. The school will have more-flexible spaces for learning, officials said. The classroom hallways, for example, are curved, creating shallow spaces for teachers and students to meet. The two-story library will have full wall windows looking out onto a grassy field and playground. The building will be constructed on fill dirt 2 feet above base flood elevation, said architect Jim Ziler. School Principal Gail DeLee said her favorite feature is a set of carpeted steps at the entrance to the school. She envisions kids waiting there for the bus on a rainy day or gathering for a special grade-wide presentation. Behind the steps will be a large hanging that depicts a yellow jacket, the school's mascot. DeLee said the idea to display the yellow jacket came from the students. Second- through fifth-graders were asked to write essays about what they wanted to see in the school, and this was one of their ideas, she said. Other ideas incorporated into the final design are an outdoor eating area and purple-and-gold decorations, she said. The school currently has 520 students enrolled, but the new facility will accommodate 700, hopefully enough for children of families moving to new subdivisions and apartment complexes in the area, she said. Tessa Simmons, a second grade teacher, said that for the first time, she'll have a new classroom. She said the students will have a playground, and there will be more places for kids to collaborate throughout the school. "They learn more from each other than just listening to me talk all day," she said. Former Louisiana State Penitentiary Warden Burl Cain and two assistant wardens will remain as defendants in an ex-Angola inmate's lawsuit that alleges a guard sexually assaulted him eight times in 2014, a federal appeals court decided Wednesday. The man claims he notified a prison official on March 13, 2014, that he needed to talk with an assistant warden about sexual assaults by then-correctional officer Tyler Holliday. Cain was informed March 19, 2014, of the inmate's allegations, the suit says, and Cain arranged for him to be moved to another prison March 24, 2014, but another sexual assault occurred within that five-day period. U.S. District Judge John deGravelles ruled in 2017 the inmate should have been moved immediately to another prison or Holliday should have been swiftly reassigned. Ex-Angola Warden Burl Cain, 2 officials remain as defendants in sexual assault lawsuit A former Louisiana State Penitentiary inmate who claims a then-Angola guard sexually assaulted him eight times in 2014 the last time after h The Baton Rouge judge's ruling kept Cain and two assistant wardens in the suit. They appealed his ruling. 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 A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans on Wednesday dismissed their appeal. The panel noted the inmate's version of the facts "supports a finding that the wardens acted with deliberate indifference when they inferred he was Holliday's victim, chose to transfer him, but disregarded the immediate risk by failing to protect him for the five days before the transfer was completed." Holliday resigned in March 2014 amid the prison's probe into the inmate's claims and was arrested three months later, but not based on the inmate's allegations. He was booked on malfeasance in office after telling West Feliciana Parish deputies he had masturbated at work, an arrest report stated. Inmate claims former Angola guard sexually abused him; guard denies allegation, lands in pretrial program A state inmate formerly imprisoned at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola claims in a federal lawsuit filed this week that he was sexua Holliday was not formally charged with a crime. He was allowed to enter a pretrial program designed for first-time offenders of nonviolent crimes that does not require an admission of guilt for eligibility purposes. The Advocate has not identified the inmate because he is an alleged sexual assault victim. Abortions in Louisiana hit a 10-year low in 2018, as state lawmakers passed some of the nation's strictest abortion regulations. The state Department of Health released unofficial figures Thursday that show there were 8,084 abortions in Louisiana last year down from 10,211 in 2014. There were 6,816 abortions in Louisiana in 2008. Its the fourth consecutive year that the number of abortions has fallen. The state has not yet released additional 2018 data that it collects on gestational age, race and other factors when abortions are performed. Louisiana, which tends to be among states with the toughest restrictions on abortion access, has three abortion clinics one each in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport. There were five when the Louisiana Legislature in 2014 passed a law requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. That law is on hold while it's being challenged in court. +2 Anti-abortion group challenges Louisiana doctor's credentials, seeks state intervention An anti-abortion group is questioning the credentials of a doctor that it claims is performing abortions in Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat who took office in January 2016, has been vocal in his opposition to abortion. Edwards 2015 campaign for governor included a television ad that highlighted his personal story of doctors urging that his wife, Donna, have an abortion because of potential health complications with their oldest child. The couple refused the medical advice. My Catholic Christian faith teaches me to be pro-life, he said in a statement Thursday on the latest figures. This is personal for Donna and me, and we take it very seriously. We are committed to reducing the number of abortions in Louisiana, and the data shows that it is working." Edwards credited the expansion of Medicaid and health care coverage it has provided, as well as an increase in the number of adoptions facilitated by the state with contributing to the decreased pregnancy terminations. More than 900 foster children were adopted in 2018 a record number, and more than 302,000 women have enrolled in the Medicaid expansion. The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Louisiana board temporarily suspends license of doctor targeted by anti-abortion group The state has suspended the medical license of a doctor whose credentials were questioned by an anti-abortion group. But Edwards also has signed one of the nation's most restrictive abortion laws into effect that will outlaw abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy in Louisiana if a similar law in Mississippi survives a court challenge. Louisiana currently prohibits abortion after 20 weeks. If the new law to go into effect, anyone who performed an abortion after 15 weeks could face up to two years in prison and a $1,000 fine. It contains no penalties for women who seek abortions. Edwards is currently running for a second term in office. His Republican challengers in the gubernatorial race have both attempted to make abortion a campaign issue largely by pointing out the national Democratic Partys support for abortion rights. Both U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, of Alto, and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone have openly challenged whether Edwards is committed to opposing abortion. +2 La. law requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges blocked by Supreme Court -- for now The U.S. Supreme Court has stopped a law that threatened to shutter Louisiana abortion clinics from taking effect this week, but the fight ove The people of Louisiana deserve a Governor who will work with the President to honor the sanctity of life, Rispone tweeted earlier this month one of several regular anti-abortion messages on his social media. Edwards has been lauded by Louisiana Right to Life and other anti-abortion groups since he was in the state House and during his time as governor. The Louisiana Right to Life Federation has given Edwards a 100 percent rating since 2008 for his anti-abortion stances. "We believe our nation is waking up more every day to the injustice of abortion, and these numbers show the continued statewide and national trend toward life, Benjamin Clapper, executive director of Louisiana Right to Life, said of the figures released Thursday. We celebrate all those in the pro-life movement who offer support to pregnant moms before and after birth and those who help them choose life. We will continue to work until every baby is protected by law and welcomed with love." The Republican Governors Association will hold a fundraiser in New Orleans on Monday, featuring Govs. Greg Abbott of Texas and Phil Bryant of Mississippi. Both U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham and Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone, the two Republicans who have announced plans to run for governor in Louisiana this year, are expected to attend, an RGA spokesman confirmed. The RGA has identified this year's race in Louisiana as a "top pick-up opportunity for Republicans" as Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards seeks a second term. The race could be the most expensive gubernatorial election in Louisiana history. +3 As Louisiana governor's race kickstarts, here's how Edwards, Rispone, Abraham are prepping Louisiana voters will head to the polls this fall to decide whether Gov. John Bel Edwards will have a second term in office beginning in 2020. Rispone, who is running for office for the first time, and Abraham, who is in his third term in Congress, have been traveling the state in recent weeks, trying to woo supporters. The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The election is Oct. 12. A Nov. 16 runoff will take place between the top two vote-getters if no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary, regardless of party. +2 Louisiana governor's race continues to heat up as campaigns take swipes at each other The Louisiana governors race continues to draw national attention as candidates snipe at each other with less than eight months until Election Day. +2 Louisiana governor's race considered 'top pick-up opportunity' for Republicans, but who is running? U.S. Sen. John Kennedy is waiting at least a couple more weeks to say whether he will run for governor next year. But on a recent day in Denha The RGA isn't expected to endorse either Republican candidate before the runoff and likely will focus its efforts on an anti-Edwards message until the GOP has a single candidate in the race. Edwards, who won what was thought to be a long-shot campaign for governor in 2015, has found himself at odds with several Republican officeholders, including Attorney General Jeff Landry and U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, as well as the state House Republican leadership. Landry and Kennedy have both declined to run against Edwards, despite urging from some Republicans. Gubernatorial candidate Ralph Abraham is siding with Attorney General Jeff Landry in the ongoing debate over the death penalty's future in Louisiana and thinks that its use could be taken even further. Not only am I in favor of the death penalty, but Im also in favor of enforcing it," Abraham, R-Alto, told The Advocate. "If you murder someone in Louisiana, you should know that when caught you will be put to death. "While were at it, Id like to see child molesters added to the list of death penalty eligible person," he added. "There is no greater monster than someone who harms an innocent child. Abraham is running against incumbent Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, and Republican Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone. Neither has publicly stated their personal position on the use of the death penalty in Louisiana. Louisiana lawmakers hold hearing over future of death penalty, make little headway State legislators took a deep dive Tuesday into Louisianas stalled death penalty system, but its unclear what if any legislation may com Landry, a Republican seeking re-election as AG this year, orchestrated a State Capitol hearing earlier this week featuring families of murder victims whose killers remain on death row as the state deals with legal issues over how it carries out the death penalty. Louisiana is one of 31 states that still allow the death penalty as a form of criminal punishment in law. But the states last execution was in 2010, and that prisoner volunteered to be executed. The issue has been tangled up in the legal system amid a fight over the state's process for lethal injection. The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up A question of 'frustration': Does Gov. John Bel Edwards support the death penalty? Does Gov. John Bel Edwards support the death penalty? It's a question that chief political rival Attorney General Jeff Landry has been pushing While Landry has accused Edwards of playing a role in executions being put on hold, Edwards has repeatedly declined to say his personal views on capital punishment and has deferred to state law on the issue. "I took an oath to support the Constitution and laws of the United States and the state of Louisiana," Edwards said in a statement last fall when The Advocate asked for clarity on his position. "The fact of the matter is that we cannot execute someone in the state of Louisiana today because the only legally prescribed manner set forth in state statute is unavailable to us. That's not through any fault of my own or the Department of Corrections." Rispone's campaign didn't respond to multiple requests from The Advocate this week for comment on the death penalty. Check back with The Advocate for more details. James Gill: New Orleans DA doesn't confess when shoe is on the other foot President Donald Trump speaks during an event about prescription drug prices with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, left, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Friday, May 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) On the day California Gov. Gavin Newsom made international headlines by ordering a moratorium on executions in his state, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry led his own death penalty discussion before the state House criminal justice committee. Newsoms action was a bold statement; Landrys was a cheap stunt. Landry said his presentation was a way to spotlight victims families and delayed justice, as Louisiana has not executed any convicted murderers since 2010. There are reasons for that, reasons that have nothing to do with being pro- or anti-death penalty. Louisiana Legislature to consider banning the death penalty in this year's session The Louisiana State Legislature is slated to consider a ban on the death penalty in this year's legislative session, after three former law en First: Louisiana cant carry out executions right now because the drugs arent available, a situation that began under former Gov. Bobby Jindal and continues today under Gov. John Bel Edwards. As the tide turns against the death penalty in America, drug companies simply dont want to be associated with it. Louisiana law requires that the source of such drugs be made public. Other states facing the same dilemma have explored alternative methods of execution suffocation by nitrogen poisoning, the electric chair, even firing squads but they havent made much headway. Second: In July 2018, a federal judge halted executions in Louisiana until a lawsuit challenging lethal injection could be settled. That halt ends this summer, but little has changed. Third: In the eight years since Louisianas last execution, even some law-and-order, conservative lawmakers in Louisiana have rethought the death penalty. Some cite costs (its more expensive to execute a prisoner than to house one), while others have moral objections ranging from racial disparities in carrying out the death penalty to high-profile cases in which a death row prisoner was later exonerated when new evidence came to light. One person wrongly put to death is one too many but a 2016 Gambit cover story reported on 58 death row prisoners since 2000 whose sentences have been overturned. Pull Quote Jeff Landry remains a shameless, ignorant demagogue. That, along with other reasons, is why state Sen. Dan Claitor, a Baton Rouge Republican, and state Rep. Terry Landry (no relation to the AG), a New Iberia Democrat who formerly led the Louisiana State Police, plan to file legislation that would outlaw the death penalty in Louisiana. Theres little likelihood it will pass, but anti-death penalty bills have become a staple of legislative sessions in recent years. This issue will not go away. AG Landrys presentation, critics rightly pointed out, was tilted entirely toward pro-death penalty voices (those against it were relegated to the public comments afterward). Neither Edwards nor Secretary of Corrections Jimmy LeBlanc were invited to participate. Worse, Landry later said on WWL radio that the death penalty should be reserved for crimes like aggravated robbery which doesnt even exist in Louisiana law. Armed robbery carries a lengthy sentence, but it is not and cannot be a capital offense. How sad that Louisianas chief legal officer doesnt even know the basics of criminal law. +3 Bill to end death penalty in Louisiana killed in House committee A bid to end the death penalty in Louisiana was killed Wednesday night after a House committee rejected a bill that would eliminate capital pu After the hearing, Edwards said in a statement, We cannot execute someone in the state of Louisiana today because the only legally prescribed manner set forth in state statute is unavailable to us. In the time since we last had this conversation, nothing has changed. Indeed, nothing has changed: Jeff Landry remains a shameless, ignorant demagogue. There are still more questions than answers about an Ethiopian Airlines plane that crashed shortly after taking off for Nairobi on Sunday, killing all 157 people on board. Ethiopian authorities said Wednesday that they will send the flight recorders recovered from the plane to an as-yet-unspecified European country for analysis. Meanwhile, dozens of countries have grounded the Boeing 737 Max 8, the plane involved in Sunday's crash and another five months ago that killed 189 people off of Indonesia. Canada on Wednesday became the latest country to say the plane can't fly in its airspace. STORY: Trump says US grounding Boeing 737 Max 8, 9 after Ethiopia crash The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration continues to back the plane's airworthiness and U.S.-based Boeing maintains it has no reason to pull the hot-selling jet from the skies. Here are some questions and answers about the crash, the plane and the investigation: Q. WHAT ARE FLIGHT RECORDERS AND WHY ARE THEY SO IMPORTANT? A. The FAA requires every large commercial aircraft to have a cockpit voice recorder and a flight data recorder, known as "black boxes." The recorders, which can withstand temperatures of 1,100 degrees Celsius and water depths of 20,000 feet, collect information about a flight. Voice recordings pick up the flight crew's voices, as well as other sounds inside the cockpit. Information from the data recorder can generate a computer animated video reconstruction of the flight. Investigators can then visualize the airplane's altitude, instrument readings, power settings and other details of the flight to help with the investigation, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Some experts have said the search for answers about what caused the crash could take months. Q. WHO HAS GROUNDED THE PLANES? A. More than 40 countries including the entire European Union and Canada have suspended flights by the plane or barred it from their airspace. China ordered its airlines to ground the planes they had 96 Max 8 jets in service, more than one-fourth of the approximately 370 Max jets in circulation. Trump: US grounding Boeing 737 Max 8, 9 after Ethiopia crash WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump says the U.S. is issuing an emergency order grounding all Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9 aircraft in the Q. WHY IS THE FAA HOLDING OUT? A. The FAA prides itself on acting based on facts and is cautioning against comparing the Ethiopian Airlines crash with the one off of Indonesia or assuming that they are related. "External reports are drawing similarities" between the crashes, the agency said in a statement. "However, this investigation has just begun and to date we have not been provided data to draw any conclusions or take any actions." The agency has been criticized for its inaction. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said that he is concerned that international aviation regulators are providing more certainty to the flying public than the FAA. Critics have also said the FAA is too cozy with the industry that it is supposed to regulate. Q. WHAT IS BOEING DOING IN RESPONSE TO THE CRASHES? A. While defending the Max as safe, the company promises to upgrade some flight-control software "in the coming weeks." Boeing began working on the changes shortly after the Lion Air crash. It is tweaking a system designed to prevent an aerodynamic stall if sensors detect that the plane's nose is pointed too high and its speed is too slow. Officials at Lion Air in Indonesia said sensors on their plane produced erroneous information on its last four flights, triggering an automatic nose-down command which the pilots were unable to overcome. The plane plunged into the sea. A Boeing spokesman said once updated software is installed, the system will rely on data from more than one sensor to trigger a nose-down command. Also, the system won't repeatedly push the nose down, and it will reduce the magnitude of the change, he said. There will also be more training for pilots. Q. HAVE THERE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PLANES? A. Airline pilots on at least two U.S. flights reported that an automated system seemed to cause their Boeing 737 Max planes to tilt down suddenly. The pilots said that soon after engaging the autopilot on Boeing 737 Max 8 planes, the nose tilted down sharply. In both cases, they recovered quickly after disconnecting the autopilot. As described by the pilots, the problem did not appear related to a new automated anti-stall system that is suspected of contributing to the Lion Air crash in Indonesia. The pilot reports were filed last year in a data base compiled by NASA. They are voluntary safety reports and do not publicly reveal the names of pilots, the airlines or the location of the incidents. It was unclear whether the accounts led to any actions by the FAA or the pilots' airlines. Q. ARE AIRLINE EMPLOYEES AND PASSENGERS WORRIED? A. Patrick Smith, a Boeing 767 pilot who writes a column called "Ask the Pilot," says passengers ask him if the 737 Max is safe. He tells them it is, and he hasn't heard of any pilots who worry about flying the plane. "We have two accidents, we somewhat understand one, and we don't know what happened in the second case at all," Smith says. "It's just too early to be jumping to the conclusion of the plane being defective to the point that it's unsafe." Others don't want to take any chances. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents more than 26,000 flight attendants at American Airlines, called on CEO Doug Parker to "strongly consider grounding these planes until an investigation can be performed." Q. WHAT IF I WANT TO SWITCH MY FLIGHT IF I'M ON A MAX? A. You can do it, but the ease and possible cost will differ by airline. In the U.S., Southwest and American fly Max 8s, and United flies larger Max 9s. Southwest doesn't charge ticket-change fees, making it easy for customers to book a different flight. United and American typically add a $200 change fee. To find out whether you're booked on a 737 Max, you can check out apps like FlightAware and Flightradar24 that include the aircraft type. When buying a ticket on American's website, it's under "details." On Southwest, you have to click on the flight number. "The average person wouldn't be able to find the model on Southwest," says George Hobica, founder of airfarewatchdog.com. A thin metal ring designed to keep truck wheels tightly secured was missing from a tractor-trailer when two of its 18 wheels slid off last week on Interstate 10, bounded across the highway and struck a Tulane University senior at a Mississippi rest stop, killing her, according to a state transportation official. The absence of the locking ring, a $3 part, likely led to the freak accident that killed Margaret "Meg" Maurer near Gautier on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, said Willie Huff, director of the office of enforcement of the Mississippi Department of Transportation. Gautier police requested a state inspection of the big rig following the fatal incident, in which police said the two conjoined wheels traveled nearly 300 yards before striking Maurer and coming to rest another 150 feet away. Maurer, a 21-year-old Minnesota native, was headed with Tulane classmates in two cars from the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans to a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. Faculty at Tulanes department of ecology and evolutionary biology grieved last week over the loss, describing Maurer in glowing terms, personally and academically. A Newcomb Scholar in a leadership program for Tulane women, Maurer also was a teaching fellow. She sold plants and crocheted items at the Green Wave Community Market and became a skilled illustrator of nature. Her bright future was snuffed out in bizarre fashion, during a bathroom break on the drive along the Gulf Coast. The truck was heading westbound, and after the wheels slid off the trailers rear left side, they careened across the eastbound lanes of the interstate and into the rest stop where Maurer was returning to her car. Huff said the metal ring a 3-inch locking washer was missing when inspectors unpacked the outer hub of the wheel assembly following the fatal incident. It is one of two rings that Huff said are meant to lock in place the large nuts holding the wheels in place. Only one ring was found, he said. The conclusion that the missing metal ring was to blame for the lost wheels was still preliminary, Huff said. It is not mentioned in a brief report by Mississippi transportation officials on the inspection that was done after the incident. That report, provided to The Advocate by the Gautier Police Department after a public-records request, found out of adjustment brakes where the wheels came off, but blamed the problem on a common failure of newer air-brake systems. Inspectors also found a leaking seal in the same spot, a violation that prompted Mississippi officials to order the trailer taken out of service for repairs. Huff said the leaking may have been caused by damage from the loss of the two wheels. In any case, he said, neither of those issues would have caused the rear wheels to spin off and cross the interstate. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up He said that the missing ring wouldnt have broken off. More likely, someone failed to put (it) on there, he said. Publicly available federal truck inspection data show only one minor violation for the truck, for a failure to properly install placards, and nothing for the trailer over the last few years before the fatal mishap on March 5. The truck is owned by Dana Transport Inc. of Avenel, New Jersey, a large trucking firm. It is also listed under a related company, Suttles Truck Leasing of Demopolis, Alabama. Both companies are in good standing with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, with satisfactory ratings and a better-than-average record on crashes and vehicle safety. Huff said the missing ring would not have been detected in the kind of unannounced roadside inspections that are logged into the federal database. To inspect that truck for that deficiency, youd have to take all the wheels off the truck, he said. Its also something that probably would not be noticed with a pre-trip inspection or roadside inspection unless the wheel is wobbling. More than likely, this wheel wasnt wobbling. It just slipped off. Gene Patten, vice president of safety and compliance for Dana Transport, declined to discuss details of the investigation but said the company wasnt sure that Mississippi DOT was on the right track with its conclusions about the trailers wheel assembly. Were all in shock. We all know the young woman was a beautiful person, Patten said. Were grieving with them and we are praying for all involved. Patten's comments came before Gautier police released the Mississippi report to The Advocate, and before Huff described the missing locking ring to the newspaper. Patten did not return later calls seeking comment about those findings, or about any recent annual inspections of the truck that many states require. David Dorrity, a South Carolina trucking safety expert who frequently testifies in court cases, said there are three main reasons that wheels can fly off big-rigs: a wheel seal failure in which grease is lost and the metal overheats, an installation error or a sheared axle. Dorrity said wheel separations usually occur on the left side of a truck, where the wheels turn against the clockwise torque of the nuts. He said hes come across a few such cases in the last year. "Its a dangerous situation, he said. Its just the grace of God how they hit. Maurers mother, Tracy Maurer, declined a request to speak about the case. A GoFundMe page has been set up to funnel donations made in Meg Maurer's honor to causes related to "her passions for conservation, plants, language and scholarship." The 11-story Maritime Building at the upriver, lakeside corner of Carondelet and Common streets has been sold to developers who will open it next year as a timeshare property, part of a trend of apartment buildings shifting to visitor accommodations in the Central Business District. Built in 1893 as an office building that was known for a decade as the city's tallest structure, the 105-unit Maritime Building was converted to apartments by architect and developer Marcel Wisznia in 2010. Wisznia sold the building earlier this month, the first of two transactions that will land it in the hands of Orlando, Florida-based Orange Lake Resorts, which operates 26 timeshare properties under the Holiday Inn Club Vacations brand. The selling price was not disclosed in public records filed with the city, though the documents note that Timeshare Acquisitions Real Estate LLC took out a $27 million loan to fund the purchase of the building and renovation work. Orange Lake Resorts said renovations will begin in May and the building will open early next year with 105 one- and two-bedroom "villas" between 496 square feet and 1,110 square feet. Lenny Wormser, senior vice president at Hospitality Real Estate Counselors, the hotel brokerage firm that represented Wisznia, said the Maritime is one of several CBD apartment properties that his firm has brokered in the last few years that are destined to cater to visitors. 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 17-story apartment building at 144 Elk Place sold in May for almost $28 million to Florida-based timeshare operator Bluegreen Vacations. Other HREC-brokered deals in the last few years include the Saratoga Building on Loyola Avenue, which the RMR Group will convert to a Sonesta Extended Stay; the Oil & Gas Building at 1100 Tulane Ave., which Baywood Hotels is turning into a Canopy Hotel by Hilton; and the NOPSI Hotel on Baronne Street, which was opened by developer BLT. Wormser said the trend is fueled by the proximity of not only traditional visitor amenities and attractions in the French Quarter and downtown, but also the nearby $3 billion medical complex anchored by University Medical Center and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Wormser said apartment development is shifting toward the Warehouse District, as evidenced by the number of apartment and condo projects underway there. He also cited the citys limitations on short-term rentals in the French Quarter and the expectation that such rentals will be further curtailed citywide as factors behind the growth of visitor accommodations in the CBD. The trend was also made possible by a zoning change approved by the City Council last year that made timeshares a permitted use in the CBD, where previously they needed conditional approval requiring action by the City Planning Commission and the council. The head of the corporate watchdog has slammed the attitude of some senior bankers who have warned against strict new regulation, in a fresh sign the sector has not taken the Hayne royal commission seriously. Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) chairman James Shipton said some anonymous comments by senior bankers in the press had been counterproductive and implied the regulator was on a "frolic". James Shipton did not hold back about the banking sector on Thursday. Credit:Eamon Gallagher "Some of the anonymous comments by senior bankers in the press have been counterproductive and are not helping in the slightest trying to change the narrative. What theyre doing is focusing on rogue regulators going off on a frolic," he told an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission conference on Thursday. "Its not a frolic." Amazon has removed the online listings for two books that claim to contain cures for autism, a move that follows recent efforts by several social media sites to limit the availability of anti-vaccination and other pseudoscientific material. The books, "Healing the Symptoms Known as Autism" and "Fight Autism and Win," which had previously been listed for sale in Amazon's marketplace, were not available on Wednesday. Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos has been chided for the retail giant's algorithms that fails to "distinguish quality information from misinformation or misleading information". Credit:AP The company confirmed that the listings had been removed but declined to discuss why or whether similar books would be taken down in the future. Several such books were still listed on Wednesday. In an article published this week, Wired magazine noted that Amazon is crowded with titles promoting unproven treatments for autism that include "sex, yoga, camel milk, electroconvulsive therapy and veganism." Boeing's "proactive" grounding of its top-selling, and troubled, 737 Max plane is too little, too late. It has already lost control of the narrative. Overnight, the planemaker said it recommended to the US Federal Aviation Administration that all 371 of the aircraft currently in operation globally be temporarily grounded as a "proactive step out of an abundance of caution" following the second fatal crash in just five months. Boeing chief Dennis Mullenburg. Credit:Bloomberg Indeed, President Donald Trump had announced moments before that the FAA would prohibit US airlines from continuing to fly the planes, abandoning a defence of their airworthiness that was becoming an increasingly isolated proposition after Canada joined regulators across the world in deciding precautionary measures were justified. A more conservative approach by Boeing and the FAA was long overdue, but their new-found appreciation for putting safety first doesn't excuse their previous reluctance. We still don't know for sure what caused the most recent crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight that killed 157 people, although the CEO of that airline told CNN there were "substantial" similarities to the deadly incident involving a Lion Air flight in Indonesia in October. Canada's Transport Minister Marc Garneau backed up that stance on Wednesday, noting that new satellite data suggested a link and while inconclusive, it was enough to justify safeguards. Google's 2004 IPO created the model for founder control of public technology companies. It sold class A shares with one vote, while Page, Brin and Schmidt kept class B stock with 10 votes per share. Since then, companies including Facebook and Snap have used a similar concoction of super-voting stock to raise billions of dollars from investors while keeping decision-making in the hands of the original leaders. Another crop of tech IPOs is coming this year and the approach is being used again. Tech companies argue these structures help them focus on long-term strategy, rather than obsessing over quarterly results to please Wall Street. But the approach can also leave founders less accountable if things go wrong. Last year, Google came under fire for giving executive Andy Rubin a $US90 million ($127 million) exit package after an internal investigation determined he had an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate. Page allegedly granted a big stock award to Rubin. Directors signed off later, according to a recent lawsuit, but they had little say because Page, Brin and Schmidt still had voting control thanks to the class C stock. "Our voting structure is a huge benefit as it gives us greater ability to focus on long-term interests," a spokeswoman for Google parent Alphabet said. "Throughout the share restructure proposal process, the board operated with full autonomy and diligence in the best interests of all shareholders, as it has always done and continues to do." She also said the recent claim that Page bypassed the board's compensation committee when deciding Rubin's award was false. Page, Brin and several directors involved in the deliberations over the new stock didn't respond to requests for comment. Otellini died in 2017. The saga began in late 2010. Page was preparing to take the CEO role back from Schmidt, while Brin was tinkering with riskier moonshots at the Google X research lab. On December 23, 2010, Google lawyer Don Harrison sent the board a proposal for the new type of Google stock. The holiday email came with a timeline some directors considered aggressive, according to the documents: management would ask for approval at a meeting about three weeks later, so the change could be announced with Google's 2011 preliminary proxy statement. A week before the scheduled January 12 board meeting, Schmidt followed up with an email to the board suggesting a call ahead of time in case directors had any "final issues" about the proposal, code named Project School. "Please advise if this is okay,'' Schmidt wrote. "Thank you !!!" The board did not think it was OK. Instead of approving the change that day, they appointed a handful of directors, including Otellini, to a special committee to study it further. Larry Page and Sergey Brin in 2008. Credit:AP "I feel like we are being rushed into making this happen for this year's proxy," Otellini wrote a few weeks later to the other directors on the new committee. "I am very uncomfortable with that, and I felt that the discussion at the board was equally nervous on that point." More than a year of sometimes-heated negotiations ensued. At the centre was a debate over whether one founder should be allowed to transfer his class B super-voting shares to the other in exchange for the new non-voting class C shares. That was a key part of the founders' original proposal and it would have let Page get Brin's class B stock without paying cash for it. A presentation from law firm Latham & Watkins that was unsealed in the case analysed this issue. Before the plan, if Page wanted to acquire 50.1 per cent of the voting control, he would have had to pay Brin $US8.2 billion, the document estimated. Under one of the founders' proposals, if one of them left, they could use the new non-voting shares instead of cash to transfer voting power. "Investors will quickly look to understand the inherent conflict in the proposal," the presentation said. "The proposal would seem to encourage the founders to stay fully engaged at the company, however it creates an incentive for one of the founders to leave in order for them to realise a significant liquidity benefit while maintaining voting control." In February 2011, Page continued to push Google's board, according to emails between director John Hennessy and other directors and advisers. "Larry called me to talk about the zero vote stock. He is worried that delaying it for a year will cause the company/him to be reluctant to consider large acquisitions because of the dilution of voting control," Hennessy wrote in a February 12, 2011, email. Hennessy said the board had two considerations to balance. First was the possible rejection of an acquisition. Second, the class C proposal coming so soon after Page took over the CEO role from Schmidt could affect the public's perception of Google and its leadership. "In my mind #1 is a real concern for the company and dominates #2," Hennessy wrote. Hennessy was right to highlight acquisitions: By August 2011, Google had agreed to buy Motorola for $US12.5 billion. The deal was done with cash, rather than stock. Loading However, Hennessy identified what he called a "more complex issue" in his February 12 email. "Larry is hoping to hold voting control even if Sergey and Eric sell," he wrote. "This a much more difficult proposition, since it makes the change benefit the founders even more strongly." The board's special committee drew up a list of questions for Otellini to ask Page at a dinner meeting in June 2011. The directors felt the proposal put them in a difficult position having to choose between the founders' desires and appropriate corporate governance. The group of directors, which included former Pixar Chief Financial Officer Ann Mather and early Google investor Ram Shriram, didn't understand why the founders needed to cement control right then. An analysis the board had commissioned suggested the status quo would keep the founders in control for decades. Buybacks could be used to shore up control, and acquisitions could be done with Google's cash hoard, the directors reasoned. "How should the board think about the proposal in light of potentially differing long-term objectives between the founders?" they wrote in the list of questions for Page. "Is there something else on your mind that needs to be addressed?" After his meeting with Page, Otellini reported back to Mather and Shriram in a June 17, 2011, email. "He laid out his arguments in a way that I had not internalised before. He also leveled a veiled threat in that 'why should I sacrifice and work so hard if I might not be in control' ... He is worried about Sergei's shares ending up in the market. He sees no ability to buy him out," Otellini wrote, according to the unsealed documents. A few days later, Mather responded. "From your email, it sounds as though a stock buyback program is not going to address the underlying issue for Larry, his concern about Sergei's shares." (Brin was born in Soviet Russia, and some directors used a Russian spelling of his name, Sergei, rather than Sergey.) Brin and Page still control 56.5 per cent of the company votes. Credit:Bloomberg Negotiations dragged on through 2011 and into 2012. Page met again with individual board members, but those encounters couldn't break the impasse quickly. Finally, in April 2012, the board won a partial but important victory, convincing the founders to accept stricter limits on how they could transfer shares to each other. Shirley Tilghman, another Google director at the time, described the benefits of the final deal in a later deposition: In the short term, it prevented Page, Brin and Schmidt benefiting from a "windfall sale" of the class C stock without affecting their voting control. It also ensured that one founder didn't end up with all the voting control. "The rationale for that was that we value the contributions of both of these founders and we want to keep both of these founders engaged with Google for the foreseeable future," Tilghman said. Google announced the new stock plan on April 12, 2012, and the class C shares began trading in 2014. The lawsuit, which claimed Page and Brin were taking more control without compensating shareholders, was settled after the duo agreed to beef up board scrutiny of their sales of non-voting shares. It's unclear if the board's goal keeping Page and Brin engaged with the company has been successful. Soon after, Page stopped presenting at many company events and earnings calls, having developed a medical condition that makes it hard for him to talk loudly. In 2015, he announced plans to make Google just one unit of the broader Alphabet. Page is CEO of Alphabet and Hennessy is chairman, which Google says allows Page to focus more on long-term, technical problems. Sundar Pichai was named Google CEO, overseeing a business that generates most of the sales and profit and employs the vast majority of Alphabet workers. Page and Brin have retreated further from public life and day-to-day operations, and Schmidt stepped down from his executive chairman role in early 2018. Meanwhile, they still control the company, holding 56.5 per cent of the votes, according to Alphabet's latest annual report. When he released his response to the Hayne inquiry into financial services five weeks ago, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg endorsed all of its recommendations. But this week he had a change of heart that will affect the 50 per cent of home owners who use mortgage brokers to choose a home loan. Mortgage brokers are supposed to find the best deal for borrowers but they often do not because of a conflict of interest inherent in their business model: they are paid not by the borrowers but by the banks whose loans they recommend. Kenneth Hayne said the commission-based remuneration system gives the brokers a built-in incentive to arrange bigger loans and choose banks that pay the highest commissions regardless of whether that suits the borrowers. The Hayne inquiry heard of four extreme cases in which brokers at Aussie Home Loans, owned by CBA, falsified home loan applications so they could earn more commission. Mortgage brokers are supposed to get the best deal for borrowers. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Justice Hayne in February recommended scrapping all commissions and switching over a few years to a system in which borrowers pay fees for mortgage-broker services as they do for lawyers and accountants. The countrys 16,000 mortgage brokers complained this would send them broke. They argued this would just entrench the monopoly of the big banks because it would kill off competition from smaller banks that cannot afford to build their own shopfronts. Regulators agree that in the 1990s and 2000s, when they first entered the market, mortgage brokers boosted competition. More recently, many have been taken over by the big banks. Oevstegaard told the VG newspaper Wednesday that "climate threats are perhaps one of the most important contributions to war and conflict". Freddy Andre Oevstegaard and two other members of the Socialist Left Party said they believe "the massive movement Greta has set in motion is a very important peace contribution". Three Norwegian lawmakers have nominated Swedish teen activist Greta Thunberg, who has become a prominent voice in campaigns against climate change, for the Nobel Peace Prize. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, 16, started a global campaign for student action that will culminate in an international day of strike action by students on March 15. Credit:DPA Thunberg, 16, has encouraged students to skip school to join protests demanding faster action on climate change, a movement that spread far beyond Sweden. On Friday, about 40,000 students in Australia are expected to strike in as many as 55 separate protests as part of the School Strike 4 Climate campaign. That number is about twice that of a similar action in November, with over 100 nations likely to take part this time around. Thunberg has been staging a Friday strike since last year, boycotting 42 days of classes since she began last year. "The plan was to school strike for three weeks [in the run up to Swedish elections]," she said. "But at the end of that I wanted to go on. So then I started Fridays For Future ... The emissions are still going up so nothing has been achieved really." The recovery in the health of major river systems such as the Barwon-Darling is likely to be delayed well after the return of good rainfall because of policy changes under which irrigators will get the first right to any flows, a new paper says. The Australia Institute report found that cotton growers in the northern Murray-Darling Basin used about 2000 billion litres last year, or almost 200 times the flow that reached Wilcannia on the Darling River in far-west NSW. Dry times on a cotton farm near Bourke near the Barwon-Darling in north-west NSW. Credit:Kate Geraghty However, because of changes to the catchment's water-sharing plans in 2011 - when irrigators were previously deemed to have over-extracted from the river - the farmers were then "owed" 635 billion litres. That total is "almost enough for this year's cotton crop", it said. "Alas, the Barwon-Darling or Barka [as the river is known to the Indigenous population] does not have the water to pay back these 'debts'," the report said, noting that in years where this water cannot be delivered, the debt is simply carried over to the next year. When we were growing up, my brother, sister and I regularly played a game we had invented called the "Swiss Machine", which involved us spinning around for approximately 30 seconds while saying "Swiss! Swiss! Swiss!" and emerging as characters wed chosen for an adventure in some imaginary landscape. When the Swiss Machine was on a break we made little houses for dandelion seed heads, which my sister had adorably named "tree stars". Though we grew up and inevitably retired the Swiss Machine and our plant pets, my instinct to use imagination as respite from the real world hasnt faded. Losing focus at work might not be all bad. Credit:Stocksy Im a daydreamer. I actively and passively experience mind-wandering, whether its an allotted pre-bedtime daydream about a crush, or glazing over in the garden imagining future experiences and revisiting memories. I find it a calming, sometimes joyful experience. A new way of raising cash has come to Canberra. Charity collectors are rattling plastic money boxes at big intersections in the city when cars stop at red lights. Paula Hall rattling the tin at Fyshwick intersection. Credit:Elesa Kurtz The collectors are employed by a not-for-profit enterprise called UrCommunity which aims to provide cheap food for people who might not otherwise be able to eat. The organisation also raises money for other causes. The volunteers who work the traffic get to keep 40 per cent of what they collect - they're paid by result, according to how much money they raise. Some volunteers depend on this money because they are in serious need themselves. The organisers say that some are migrants to Australia who can't apply for social security until they have been in the country for 24 months. More than a dozen dead pine trees are being removed from the Yarralumla Dog Park, to make way for new breeds and, hopefully, more sunlight. The park, on the edge of Westbourne Woods, was made up of Pinus radiata, a common, fast-growing pine with a relatively short life-span. Connor Walker, a trainee arborist, is working on removing dead pines from the Yarralumla Dog Park. Credit:Karleen Minney ACT Urban Treescapes manager Rachael Dawes said the dead trees were being removed for both safety and aesthetic reasons, and she and her team had plans to replant them with different species. The tree removals are being staged over the next few months, with trainee arborists using the removals as an opportunity to practice dismantling trees that are already dead. A not-for-profit housing company has bought 20 apartments in two Geocon developments in Canberra so that young people with disabilities do not have to live in aged care facilities or other inappropriate housing. Geocon managing director Nick Georgalis and Summer Housing chief executive Dan McLennan at the Republic building site in Belconnen where there will be 10 modified apartments for people with disabilities. Credit:Terry Cunningham. Victorian-based Summer Housing is moving into the ACT through the venture, with the modified apartments in Belconnen and Woden to cost it $10 million. Summer Housing chief executive Dan McLennan said there were more than 50 people with disabilities aged under 65 living in aged care facilities in Canberra. Others were living in the Canberra Hospital because they could not be accommodated elsewhere or were living with ageing parents. Other young people with disabilities had to live interstate away from their family in Canberra because there were no other housing options for them. Federal police are being "starved to death" of sufficient funds and capability to tackle growing and complex issues such as victim-based crime, national security threats, narcotics trafficking and counter-terrorism. Federal police union president Angela Smith says reforms are needed to protect members. Credit:Fairfax Media The federal police association, which represents around 6500 members working across Australia, internationally and in contracted law enforcement within the ACT, wants the Australian Federal Police split from the giant Home Affairs mega-portfolio and a national firearms register established under a range of reforms to be put before the major parties in the lead-up to the forthcoming federal election. The association's national president Angela Smith said the steady leaching of funds away from the federal police is having a major impact on the morale and wellbeing of the members, with higher levels of psychological stress, depression and post-traumatic stress. "National crime is rising dramatically across a range of offence types," Ms Smith said. ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry has backed students planning to walk out of their classrooms on Friday to demand action on climate change, saying governments should not stand in the way of young people being heard. At midday, Canberra students will join tens of thousands across Australia and the world in the second School Strike 4 Climate march, after protests around the country made headlines last November. Canberra students braved the rain to protest outside Parliament House during last November's school climate strike. Credit:Karleen Minney In striking, they defied the orders of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has called for less activism and more learning in schools, and stepped into a storm of criticism led by some Coalition MPs. But, four months on, students are expecting an even bigger turn out at more than 50 Australian rallies, including up to 2000 students at the Canberra event in Garema Place. The man who was shot dead in the Lake Macquarie area on Thursday morning allegedly tried to attack police with a hunting knife. Gabi Thompson died after she was stabbed on Wednesday. Police went to confront Tafari Walton, 21, at a house on Vena Street in Glendale just before 9am during their inquiries into the death of Gabi Thompson, 27, on Wednesday. Mr Walton "came at officers" with a 10-centimetre folding hunting knife, before police were forced to shoot him, NSW Police northern region commander Assistant Commissioner Max Mitchell said. He said on Thursday afternoon he believed the officers involved in the shooting "had no other alternative". Clive Palmer's wife is expected to front the Federal Court in Brisbane for questioning relating to the demise of his Queensland Nickel business. Anna Alexandrova Palmer has been called for examination on Thursday and to produce management accounts and bank statements for one of her husband's other companies, Mineralogy. Clive Palmer's wife Anna Palmer will be grilled in relation to the collapse of the Queensland Nickel refinery. Credit:Bradley Kanaris Ms Palmer and Mineralogy unsuccessfully attempted to have those orders dismissed. She will be grilled in relation to the collapse of the Queensland Nickel refinery in Townsville three years ago, owing creditors millions and costing 800 workers their jobs. Eight malnourished horses, including two miniatures, have been rescued in south-east Queensland this week after their owners blamed the drought and cost of feed for their poor conditions. Another eight will be seized by the RSPCA next week, with temporary or permanent homes needed for the animals. Two miniature horses are available for adoption from RSPCA Wacol. Credit:RSPCA Queensland RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty said limited space at the Wacol facility meant the horses could not be kept there long. "The problem is we cant deal with large numbers of livestock, only a few on an individual basis because we just dont have the room," he said. Former Collingwood star Dane Swan may have to give evidence in court as a woman fights allegations she filmed and distributed an intimate video of him. Georgia May Gibson is accused of used a mobile phone to film a naked Swan "in a manner of upskirting" on June 26, 2017 and distributing the video on the same day without the Brownlow medallist's consent. The six-second video, which shows Swan in a bed with a woman as he kisses her, began circulating on social media last year. Former Collingwood star Dane Swan may have to give evidence in a case alleging a woman filmed and distributed an intimate video of him. Credit:The Age Ms Gibson, 21, fronted Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday where her lawyer, Dee Giannopoulos, said the question of consent was still in dispute. A man has died after he fell from the tray of a moving ute in Melbourne's north. The man was sitting on the tray cover of the white Commodore ute which was travelling down Cambridge Way in Campbellfield on Sunday evening when he fell from the moving vehicle. The 20-year-old from Campbellfield was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries. He died in hospital on Wednesday night. The driver, a 19-year-old man from Broadmeadows, was arrested on Sunday but later released pending enquiries. The state government has revealed the first site where a medium-density hub will be developed as part of its Metronet plan to boost housing near train stations. Situated in Cannington, the site is one of five locations selected by the Department of Communities for between 15 to 40 dwellings to be built. The state government has chosen the first five sites for its Metronet hubs. Credit:Department of Communities Other hubs will also be built at sites identified in Claremont, Innaloo, High Wycombe and Highgate. Architects are being encouraged to consider innovative housing options for the hubs, including townhouses, apartments, Fonzie flats (studio apartments above garages), intergenerational homes and dual-key properties. Police in Vermont have warned the ACT to address issues around drug-driving in its bid to legalise cannabis, as the Australian capital looks to use the same model of legalisation as the US state. ACT Labor backbencher Michael Pettersson wants to legalise cannabis using the Vermont model. Stakeholders in the US state said the "sky did not fall" when the drug was legalised. Credit:Rohan Thomson ACT Labor backbencher Michael Pettersson's bill to legalise cannabis is based on the Vermont model, which allows for the possession and use of cannabis but does not create a commercial market. While legalisation in Vermont came in the context of similar moves from other US states and under a different federal framework (Congress legalised the production of hemp, a form of cannabis with lower THC levels, in December), stakeholders say there are lessons the Australian capital can learn from their experience. As the law had only been in force since July, there was not a "large body of data to look at" on how the legislation is working, the director of the Vermont Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Laura Subin said. As you unplug your iPhone and turn on your kettle each morning, the complexities of Australia's energy market probably arent high on your mind. But at this years federal election more than any other, voters are being asked to think about where their electricity comes from, how much it costs and whether it will help make the planet too hot to live on. The Morrison government has pledged to make energy supplies more reliable and affordable by financing new generation projects most controversially coal using the taxpayer purse. Its an issue that is, again, tearing the Coalition apart as some Nationals MPs push for a firm funding commitment before the election. A coal operation in the NSW Hunter Valley. Tony Abbott says coal is the cheapest form of energy. Credit:Ryan Jenkins Labor is opposed to that financing plan. It wants to quicken the march to a zero-emissions future by mandating that half the nations power be sourced from renewable energy by 2030. Tony Abbotts insistence last week that coal is a cheaper energy source than renewables may have pleased conservatives and the fossil fuel industry. But it irked many, chief among them Mr Abbotts prime ministerial successor Malcolm Turnbull who tweeted that such logic was innumerate idiocy. So who is right? Former NSW deputy police commissioner Nick Kaldas has dealt a blow to Prime Minister Scott Morrison by rejecting an offer to run for the Liberal Party in the marginal federal seat of Reid. Mr Kaldas confirmed to The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age that he knocked back the offer and had told Mr Morrison he did not want to enter politics at the present time. That means the Prime Minister is still in need of a candidate for the Strathfield seat, which is set to be vacated by incumbent MP and former minister Craig Laundy. Former deputy police commissioner Nick Kaldas. Credit:Cole Bennetts It is understood Mr Morrison made a forceful pitch to recruit Mr Kaldas at a face-to-face meeting the week before last, and in subsequent phone calls. NSW Labor leader Michael Daley says he is prepared to rework one of his signature policies, the party's proposed "luxury car" tax, if it unfairly hits farmers and workers. The Opposition Leader is in the battleground seats of Tweed, Lismore and Ballina, where tight contests could decide the outcome of the March 23 election. NSW Labor leader Michael Daley, right, campaigns with the Labor candidate for Tweed, Craig Elliot, in Kingscliff, on the NSW North Coast, on Thursday. Credit:Janie Barrett Mr Daley had committed to increase stamp duty on vehicles over $100,000 and boats over $200,000 to fund Labor's plan to pay for more nurses. But the plan, which Mr Daley unveiled at the Country Labor launch earlier in the campaign, has been criticised by regional workers who say their work utes, trucks and cars are not a luxury. OTTAWA, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. (Cornerstone or the Company) (TSXV-CGP) (F-GWN) (B-GWN) (OTC-CTNXF) announces the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) required for the issuance of an Environmental Licence for diamond drilling at its Bramaderos gold and copper project in Ecuador has been approved by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment. Figures related to this news release can be seen in PDF format by accessing the version of this release on the Companys website (www.cornerstoneresources.com) or by clicking on the link below: http://www.cornerstoneresources.com/i/pdf/NR19-07Figures.pdf. It is expected that the Environmental Licence will be issued in the next week once an environmental bond has been posted. Cornerstone, and its joint venture funding partner ASX listed Sunstone Metals Inc., will now mobilize a drill rig to the Bramaderos site and drilling is expected to commence within the next 2-3 weeks. First assay results are expected in late May or early June. Drilling will commence at the Limon target where surface trenching has delivered 97.6m at 0.71g/t gold and 0.23% copper over a poorly outcropping porphyry system (see news release 18-18 dated May 29, 2018). The initial drill program is anticipated to be approximately 5,000m and will also include holes at Bramaderos Main to follow up on historical drilling that intersected 248m at 0.56g/t gold and 0.14% copper and recent surface trenching that delivered 615m at 0.52g/t gold and 0.11% copper (see news release 18-17 dated May 9, 2018), and at West Zone where surface trenching has delivered 15.6m at 6.1g/t gold (see news release 17-40 dated November 8, 2017). About Bramaderos The Bramaderos concession is owned by Cornerstone subsidiary La Plata Minerales S.A. (PLAMIN), which has signed a binding letter of intent with Sunstone Metals Ltd. (formerly Avalon Minerals Ltd.) (ASX: STM), whereby Sunstone has the right to earn a 51% interest in the project by spending US$3.4 million over 3 years to complete a phase 1 drill program. If this first option is earned, Sunstone can go to 70% by funding a bankable feasibility study, and can go to 80% by financing 100% of the cost of construction of a mine and mill (see news release 17-08 dated April 10, 2017). Qualified Person: Yvan Crepeau, MBA, P.Geo., Cornerstones Vice President, Exploration and a qualified person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for supervising the exploration program at the Bramaderos project for Cornerstone and has reviewed and approved the information contained in this news release. Sampling and assaying Rock samples are collected by PLAMINs personnel, placed in plastic bags, labeled and sealed, and stored in a secure place until delivery by PLAMIN employees to the LAC y Asociados ISO 9001-2008 certified sample preparation facility in Cuenca, Ecuador. Rock samples are prepared crushing to 70% passing 2 mm (10 mesh), splitting 250 g and pulverizing to 85% passing 75 microns (200 mesh) (MSA code PRP-910). Prepared samples are then shipped to MS Analytical Services (MSA), an ISO 9001-2008 laboratory in Langley, BC, Canada, where samples are assayed for a multi-element suite (MSA code IMS-136, 15.0 g split, Aqua Regia digestion, ICP-AES/MS finish) and gold by Fire Assay (MSA code FAS-111, 30 g fusion, AAS finish). Over limit results for Cu (>1%) are systematically re-assayed (MSA code ICF-6Cu, 0.2 g, 4-acid digestion, ICP-AES finish). Gold is assayed using a 30 g split, Fire Assay (FA) and AAS finish (MSA code FAS 111). Over limit results for Au (>10 g/t) are systematically re-assayed (MSA code FAS-415, FA, 30g., gravimetric finish). Soil samples are dried at low temperature, screened to 80 mesh (MSA code PRP-757), a 15 grams portion is then assayed for a multi-elements suite (MSA code IMS-136, Aqua Regia digestion, ICP-AES/MS finish). Quality assurance / Quality control (QA/QC) The MSA Analytical Laboratory is a qualified assayer that performs and makes available internal assaying controls. Duplicates, certified blanks and standards are systematically used (1 control sample every 20-25 samples) as part of PLAMINs QA/QC program. Rejects, a 100 g pulp for each rock sample, are stored for future use and controls. About Cornerstone: Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration company with a diversified portfolio of projects in Ecuador and Chile, including in the Cascabel gold-enriched copper porphyry joint venture in north west Ecuador. Exploraciones Novomining S.A. (ENSA), an Ecuadorean company owned by SolGold Plc and Cornerstone, holds 100% of the Cascabel concession. Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including SolGolds fully funding the project through to feasibility, SolGold Plc will own 85% of the equity of ENSA and Cornerstone will own the remaining 15% of ENSA. SolGold Plc is funding 100% of the exploration at Cascabel and is the operator of the project. Further information is available on Cornerstones website: www.cornerstoneresources.com and on Twitter. For investor, corporate or media inquiries, please contact: Investor Relations: Mario Drolet; Email: Mario@mi3.ca; Tel. (514) 904-1333 Due to anti-spam laws, many shareholders and others who were previously signed up to receive email updates and who are no longer receiving them may need to re-subscribe at: http://www.cornerstoneresources.com/s/InformationRequest.asp Cautionary Notice: This news release may contain Forward-Looking Statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of Cornerstones beliefs, plans, objectives, strategies, intentions and expectations. The words potential, anticipate, forecast, believe, estimate, intend, trends, indicate, expect, may, should, could, project, plan, or the negative or other variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify Forward-Looking Statements. Although Cornerstone believes that its expectations reflected in these Forward-Looking Statements are reasonable, such statements may involve unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed in our regulatory filings, viewed on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. For us, uncertainties arise from the behaviour of financial and metals markets, predicting natural geological phenomena and from numerous other matters of national, regional, and global scale, including those of an environmental, climatic, natural, political, economic, business, competitive, or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our Forward-Looking Statements. Although Cornerstone believes the facts and information contained in this news release to be as correct and current as possible, Cornerstone does not warrant or make any representation as to the accuracy, validity or completeness of any facts or information contained herein and these statements should not be relied upon as representing its views after the date of this news release. While Cornerstone anticipates that subsequent events may cause its views to change, it expressly disclaims any obligation to update the Forward-Looking Statements contained herein except where outcomes have varied materially from the original statements. On Behalf of the Board, Brooke Macdonald President and CEO 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. London: There is no bottom to the well of Brexit insanity. On Wednesday, the British government managed to shoot itself in the foot with a gun that had no bullets in it. This should have been an easy day. The motion before the Commons put by the government, with Prime Minister Theresa May as its signatory was that it refused to back a "no deal" Brexit, something everyone but the most hard-core Brexiters agree with. The whole motion lacked any legal effect. It was just an expression of Parliament's will, that bound nobody and changed no law. In this polarised, angry political scene, here was a rare chance for (almost) everyone to just get along. But May has been afflicted by a metaphorical loss of voice, that is, she has literally lost her voice and it is the perfect metaphor. Old School Wednesdays is a regular Book Smuggler feature. We came up with the idea towards the end of 2012, when both Ana and Thea were feeling exhausted from the never-ending inundation of New and Shiny (and often over-hyped) books. What better way to snap out of a reading fugue than to take a mini-vacation into the past? Logo designed by the wonderful KMont Title: Farthing Author: Jo Walton Genre: Science Fiction Publisher: Tor books Publication date: First published 2006 Paperback: 320 pages Eight years after they overthrew Churchill and led Britain into a separate peace with Hitler, the upper-crust families of the Farthing set are gathered for a weekend retreat. Among them is estranged Farthing scion Lucy Kahn, who cant understand why her and her husband Davids presence was so forcefully requested. Then the country-house idyll is interrupted when the eminent Sir James Thirkie is found murderedwith a yellow Star of David pinned to his chest. Lucy begins to realize that her Jewish husband is about to be framed for the crimean outcome that would be convenient for altogether too many of the various political machinations underway in Parliament in the coming week. But whoevers behind the murder, and the frame-up, didnt reckon on the principal investigator from Scotland Yard being a man with very private reasons for sympathizing with outcasts and underdogsand prone to look beyond the obvious as a result. As the trap slowly shuts on Lucy and David, they begin to see a way outa way fraught with peril in a darkening world. Stand alone or series: First of the Small Change trilogy of novels that can be read as stand alone How did I get this book: Bought Format (e- or p-): ebook Review I read Farthing for a recent episode of Fangirl Happy Hour and I expected many things I expected it to be good, I expected it to be thoughtful, maybe a little bit fun I did not expect it to be an utterly terrifying horror story disguised as cosy mystery. A story of a world that could have been, Farthing is set in an alternate post WWII United Kingdom that is slowly sliding into Fascism after a deal with Hitler was reached (The Farthing Peace) and the UK withdrew from the War. Hitler won in Europe, England remained free and its fifth column of Nazi sympathisers are gaining strength. The story opens at a country house in the Farthing Estate, where the members of the Farthing Set (the racist, privileged aristos who were the architects of the Farthing Peace) are having a weekend party. Also present is Lucy Kahn, the daughter of the house, and her husband David, a Jewish man who has never been fully accepted by her family. When one of the Farthing Set a prominent MP is found murdered with a Star of David pinned to his chest, all fingers point at David which both Lucy and Carmichael, the Scotland Yards inspector called to investigate the murder, find ridiculous (the former) and unconvincing (the latter). The narrative alternates between Lucys first-person narrative and Carmichaels third-person, following the two as they come closer and closer to the terrifying truth: that political forces and the machineries of the fifth column are in full swing in order to pass laws and slowly turn the UK into fascist-adjacent territory. One of the recurring themes here is the idea that good will prevail and that surely, SURELY the laws are steady and cannot be overturned, that surely the country is not really that bigot and will protect its citizens. It is something that is voiced by David as well as other characters in a way that I thought so completely disarming and relatable that it only served to highlight how evil is normalised and that it happens right before our very eyes. Do you know that poem by Martin Niemoller First they came for, etc this book is an embodiment of that, showing how complicity and silence work for the system. What is so terrifying about this scenario is that it feels, sounds, reads, horrifyingly close to what is happening in England right about now. Surely Brexit will not pass. Surely the government will have a plan to protect its citizens. Surely this country is not as racist. Surely, surely, surely. NEVER has such a word held so much terror. There is a sad powerlessness to its characters its heroes David, Lucy and Carmichael all facing off a system that is rigged against them. Both Carmichael and David are also queer characters in a historical context in which being gay or bi is against the law (also a historical fact, not an alternate historical fact). But their powerlessness is juxtaposed with the way all three find a voice, find ways to fight that is about resistance and resilience wherever those can be found. Living to fight another way in any shape or form is a thing but also the truth not always will set you free. I told you this was a horror story. How does it manage to be that as well as a beautiful love story between Lucy and David, I dont know, maybe Jo Walton is a magician, who knows. Another one of the greatest things about the novel is how Lucy is portrayed at first as an airheaded heiress, whose (so evil, omg) mother as well as pretty much everybody else apart from David and Carmichael underestimate. But Lucy has not only a lot of depth but is also someone who, despite growing within a household of racist bigots, broke away from her conditioning by listening to other people, by hearing other stories, by sheer will of her empathy. There is hope yet for the world precisely because of people like Lucy, and David and Carmichael. To sum up: this book was distressing, terrifying and all kinds of amazing. Rating: 9 Columbus, Ohio, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quantum Health, the leading healthcare and benefits consumer navigation and care coordination company, announced today that it is a featured speaker, along with its industry-leading clients Mary Kay and Honda, at the Conference Board Employee Health Care Conference on March 19-20 in San Diego, California and April 4-5 in New York, New York. This years conference, Leading with Purpose: Impact, Value, Experience, brings together employers and industry leaders sharing insights on using benefits programs to attract, retain and engage diverse workforces, and create a competitive advantage. The conference will focus on how purpose-driven healthcare strategies and tactics propel positive business outcomes and enhance the employee experience. Quantum Healths presentation, titled Next-Generation Healthcare Navigation: A Comprehensive Focus on The Needs of All Employees will examine how Quantum Healths integrated approach to healthcare and benefits navigation seamlessly combines technology, clinical expertise and navigational support, driving more effective utilization of benefits, significant cost savings and increased employee satisfaction. The healthcare experience continues to be a source of frustration and unexpected cost for consumers, whether they are facing a serious diagnosis, going for a simple checkup or seeking guidance for health and wellbeing, said Quantum Healths Founder and CEO, Kara Trott. We are thrilled to have two leading clients join us to demonstrate how our solution supports their diverse employee healthcare and benefits needsby providing navigation and support to their employees, their families and providerswhile simultaneously reducing client costs. Executives from Mary Kay and Honda will discuss the complexities of their respective workforce populations, the challenges they have faced, and how Quantum Healths single, integrated solution engages their employeesand providersand meets their healthcare and benefits needs. The sessions will take place March 20 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront San Diego and April 5 at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York, New York. Learn more about Quantum Healths participationat Conference Boards 19thAnnual Employee Health Care Conference. About Quantum Health Quantum Health is an award-winning consumer healthcare and benefits navigation company. Its Guided Experience Platform seamlessly connects employeesand providerswith the most appropriate, cost-effective care in real time, saving money and providing a simpler, better and more effective healthcare and benefits experience. Foremployers, Quantum Health delivers independently validated claim savings year over year, as well as industry-leading Net Promoter Scores for clients (77), providers (74) and consumers/members (74). Quantum Health's service model is based on 20 years of continuous consumer research and the insights derived from serving hundreds of clients and guiding millions of consumers and their providers through the healthcare and benefits journey. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Quantum Health has earned numerous awards, including Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst and Young and Fastest-Growing Privately Held Company for 10 years by Inc. 5000. FORTUNEand Entrepreneur magazines have recognized the company as a Great Place to Work Best Small & Medium Workplace. The Women Presidents' Organization has ranked Quantum Health as one the 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies for the past four years, and Columbus Business First has honored Quantum Health as a Best Place to Work for the past twelve years. To learn more about the company, visit Quantum-Health.com, and follow us on LinkedInand Twitter. French English Suresnes March 14, 2019 at 6 p.m. Fromageries Bel Annual financial information 2018 Results Consolidated sales increase + 1.5 % organically Operating income declines 25.7 %, against a backdrop of high raw material prices and unfavorable exchange rates Balance sheet remains strong Meeting March 13, 2019, the Board of Directors approved the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018. The Board was informed that the statutory auditors had completed their audit of the consolidated financial statements and that their report was forthcoming. Key figures (million of euros) 2018 2017 % change Sales 3,312 3,346 -1.0 % Operating income 160 215 -25.7 % Net financial result -30 -37 +17.7 % Income tax gain (expense) -29 8 Consolidated net profit - Group share 96 180 -46.4 % In 2018, hard hit by a negative 83-million impact from foreign exchange fluctuations, consolidated sales declined a slight 1.0% on a published basis versus 2017 but increased 1.5% organically. Consolidated operating income fell 25.7% to 160 million. The decline reflected an environment of unfavorable foreign exchange fluctuations and higher raw material prices, which Bel was not always able to offset with increases to its own selling prices, due to shrinking consumer purchasing power in numerous countries where the Group operates. In addition, costs totaling 29 million and related to deploying the global transformation plan announced on September 20, 2018 were recognized in the consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2018. Against this backdrop, and despite initial efforts to optimize advertising and promotional spending and overhead costs, operating margin contracted. In 2018, net financial expense came to 30 million, compared with 37 million in 2017, and primarily reflects the foreign exchange variation between the two periods. The application of IFRS16 Leases at January 1, 2018 had no material impact on the Groups net financial result. In 2018, Bel reported 29 million in income tax expense, compared to an income tax gain of 8 million in 2017, when the Group reported the positive impact of anticipated lower tax rates for future years in the various countries where Bel operates, particularly in France and the United States. In 2018, consolidated net profit, Group share, totaled 96 million, versus 180 million in 2017. Sales and operating income performance are presented by geographical region in the following table: Sales Operating Income (in millions of euros) 2018 2017 Total % change o/w organic growth 2018 2017 % change Europe 1,827 1,856 -1.6 % -1.3 % 114 145 -21.1 % Americas, Asia-Pacific 765 750 2.0 % 6.2 % 30 28 7.3 % Middle East, Greater Africa 719 740 -2.8 % 3.6 % 15 42 -63.5 % TOTAL 3,312 3,346 -1.0 % 1.5 % 160 215 -25.7 % In Europe, Bels sales were penalized by the tough environment in the retail sector unfavorable to deploying promotional campaign plans for the Groups brands in both the cheese and fruit segments. In this region, selling prices were moderately increased but not enough to offset the sharp increase in dairy and fruit raw material prices. Despite the strong growth of snack products in slices and dip formats and optimized advertising and promotional spending, operating income in Europe declined 21.1% Growth momentum in the markets of the Americas, Asia-Pacific region was confirmed, along with the alignment of the Groups product offerings to meet consumer demand. Sales in this region advanced 6.2% organically, even though selling prices were moderately increased. The regions operating income grew 7.3% despite the overall negative foreign exchange impact. In the Middle East, Greater Africa region, Bel regained marked share and continued to adapt its offer to consumer purchasing power, in a context of shrinking cheese markets and lower consumer spending. The high prices of dairy raw materials and currency depreciation in these markets dragged down operating margin, which was down 27 million in 2018, versus the prior year. The Group's balance sheet remained strong. At December 31, 2018, equity totaled 1,740 million, compared with 1,714 million at December 31, 2017, and net financial debt, excluding right-of-use lease liabilities related to the adoption of IFRS 16 (1), came to 654 million for the period, versus 632 million at 31 December 2017. Dividend On March 13, 2019, the Board of Directors voted to propose a dividend of 4.95 per share, with an ex-dividend date on May 24 and payable as of May 28, 2019. The dividend is subject to the approval of the Annual General Meeting scheduled for Wednesday May 22, 2019. Outlook for 2019 The 2019 financial year started off in an uncertain environment with continued foreign exchange volatility and raw material prices that remain high. In Europe, Bel is pursuing its efforts to develop a more sustainable dairy industry and, in December 2018, renewed the unprecedented agreement with its main French producers aimed at offering them longer term outlook and contractual visibility, as well as a significant price increase for dairy production. French retailers are now embracing this approach, thereby opening a new path in commercial negotiations. Bel continues to believe that a model must be built that empowers all the players in the value chain, from the producer to the consumer. In 2019, Bel will continue its transformation work, with the goal of cutting costs by 120 million by 2020, increasing productivity and optimizing advertising and promotional spending, in order to reinvest 40 million of those savings to accelerate the Groups growth. In April 2019, Bel will deploy a new organization to successfully achieve this transformation based around two segments, mature markets and growth territories. In all its geographies, the Group intends to continue pursuing growth and winning market share, in particularly in regions where the snack segment is growing. IFRS 16 was applied for the first time on January 1, 2018. The resulting right-of-use liabilities came to 101 million at December 31, 2018. The reclassification of rent expense in the income statement improved operating margin by 4 million, while financial expense increased by the same amount. Bel's financial performance indicators The Group uses non-IFRS financial performance indicators internally and for its external communication. These non-IFRS indicators are defined below: Organic growth corresponds to reported sales growth, excluding impacts from foreign exchange fluctuations and changes in the scope of consolidation, i.e. on a constant structure and exchange rate basis. The organic growth rate is calculated by applying the exchange rate for the prior year period to the current year period. Operating margin corresponds to operating income. Net financial debt is described in note 4.14 to the consolidated financial statements. It consists of long- and short-term borrowings, long- and short-term right- of- use liabilities, current used banking facilities, and cash and cash equivalents. This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Such trend and/or target information should in no way be regarded as earnings forecast data or performance indicators of any kind. This information is by nature subject to risks and uncertainties that may be beyond the Company's control. A detailed description of these risks and uncertainties is provided in the Company's Registration Document, available at the www.groupe-bel.com website as of April 3, 2019. More comprehensive information about the Bel Group can be found in the "Regulatory Information" section of the www.groupe-bel.com website. Press contact The Bel Group Burson-Marsteller i&e Agency Alice Dalla-Costa alice.dalla-costa@bm.com Tel : +33 (0)1 56 03 12 12 The Bel Group is a world leader in branded cheese and a major player in the healthy snacks segment. Its portfolio of differentiated and internationally recognized brands, including such products as The Laughing Cow, Kiri, Mini Babybel, Leerdammer, Boursin, Pom'Potes and GoGo squeeZ as well as some 20 local brands, enabled the Group to generate sales of 3.3 billion in 2018. 12,600 employees in some 30 subsidiaries around the world contribute to the Group's success. Bel products are prepared at 32 production sites and distributed in over 130 countries. www.groupe-bel.com Attachment A 21-year-old has hit back at airline staff who left her "shaking and upset" after they told her in front of the whole plane that her outfit was inappropriate and she needed to cover up. Emily OConnor was flying from Birmingham to Tenerife on a Thomas Cook flight when she was confronted by staff over her outfit. O'Connor claims that the crew said her crop top and long, high waisted pants were "inappropriate" and "caused offense". She was warned that she would be removed from the flight if she didn't cover up and was surrounded by four staff and the manager who were ready to take her luggage from the plane. I informed the staff that there is no appropriate wear policy stipulated online, she wrote on Twitter. I stood up on the flight and asked if anyone was offended, no-one said a word. A male passenger also hurled abuse at her. The manager then went to get my bag to remove me from the flight, she said. A man then shouted Shut up you pathetic woman. Put a f*cking jacket on- the staff said nothing to him. Her cousin, who was sitting at the front of the plane, eventually gave her a jacket, with the crew not leaving until she physically put it on. They made comments over the speaker about the situation and left me shaking and upset on my own, she wrote. In another tweet, she said a gent two rows behind me was wearing a vest top and shorts yet clearly nothing was said to him. Thomas Cook Airlines has since apologised to Ms OConnor, saying crew could have handed the situation better. In common with most airlines we have an appropriate attire policy. This applies equally to men and women of all ages without discrimination, the airline said. Our crews have the difficult task of implementing that policy and dont always get it right, the airline added. A late-winter storm system is forecast to affect much of the central United States starting on March 13, with some describing it as a bomb cyclone. (NWS) Fierce Late-Winter Storm Slams Midwest, Rockies A fierce late-winter storm affected much of the Midwest and Rockies packed harsh winds, grounded flights, stranded vehicles, and caused numerous power outages. On March 14, the National Weather Service (NWS) said the strong winter storm to continue to affect portions of the Central to Northern Plains today with Blizzard conditions continuing. But it added that winds will be diminishing across the Southern and Central Plains as the storm pulls away from these regions. This is why I-25 is closed between Colorado Springs and Castle Rock. @KRDONC13 pic.twitter.com/aBzodQyt85 Heather Skold KRDO (@HeatherSkold13) March 13, 2019 According to the NWS, the storm affected the mid section of the nation and has been responsible for heavy snows, blizzard conditions, and widespread wind gusts over hurricane force will be pressing northeastward through the Upper Mississippi Valley into the Upper Great Lakes on Thursday. It said the storm should weaken over the coming days. Blizzard conditions are expected to continue into the first half of Thursday over northeast Colorado and for most of the day from eastern Wyoming, across most of Nebraska, South Dakota, eastern North Dakota into northwest Minnesota, the agency warned. The #StateofCO @USNationalGuard has been working throughout the night to rescue stranded motorists in Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert, and El Paso counties. We checked 129 vehicles and rescued 36 people overnight, transporting them to shelters. @GovofCO @LtGovofCO @COEmergency Colo National Guard (@CONG1860) March 14, 2019 Travel will remain life-threatening in those areas. However, conditions will begin to improve on the night of March 14 and into March 15. The storm was dubbed a bomb cyclone, as it underwent bombgenesis, Fox News Senior Meteorologist Janice Dean said. A Great Plains cyclone of historic proportions is now underway across the central U.S. Heres the latest pic.twitter.com/CLAsDmmOkZ NWS WPC (@NWSWPC) March 13, 2019 It dropped 23 millibars in 24 hoursthat is a bombgenesis my friends. A big deal, she said. This is a very epic cyclone, said Greg Carbin, head of forecast operations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Weather Prediction Center, reported Fox. Were looking at something that will go down in the history books. The Weather Channel reported that at least two people have died in the storm, including a police officer. The Colorado National Guard said it was asked to help more than 1,000 stranded motorists on highways in the state. A Colorado Springs woman who became stuck in her car for two hours with her mother, brother, and sister as they were trying to return home from a doctors appointment, according to The Associated Press. INTENSE, dangerous #blizzard conditions with #BombCyclone! Here is I80 at Kimball NE. Everything is closed of course. Pure whiteout. Winds gusting over 70 mph @breakingweather @accuweather pic.twitter.com/tN5NgcYf43 Reed Timmer (@ReedTimmerAccu) March 13, 2019 Bria McKenzie says the snow was so blinding and numbing, and the wind was whipping so hard, that she didnt feel safe to walk to a hospital a short distance from where they were stranded Wednesday afternoon. The 22-year-old McKenzie says other cars also became stuck on the hilly road, until the line of vehicles disappeared from view into the blizzard. McKenzie said that they were eventually rescued by her father in his pickup truck, and it took him another 20 minutes to drive to their home less than a mile away. According to the Weather Channel, hundreds of miles of roads were closed in Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 3-Year-Old Boy Accidentally Run Over, Killed by Father at Florida Waffle House A 3-year-old child was killed in the parking lot of a Florida Waffle House after his father accidentally ran him over with his car, said sheriffs officials. The incident unfolded at around 9:45 p.m. on March 12 when the family was leaving the restaurant on State Road 60 in Brandon, WTSP reported. The father was identified as 29-year-old Guillermo Junior Montoya. The deceased boy was identified as Jeremiah Rios, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office. 2-year-old accidentally run over by parents in Waffle House parking lot https://t.co/AaMhJ2Bmcq CMG National News (@CMGNationalNews) March 14, 2019 The mother and father both believed they had placed the boy inside the SUV, according to the sheriffs office. A total of two parents and seven children were leaving the Waffle House when the accident took place. Its too late for this family and had the most tragic outcome but if in the future, if we could just ask parents, slow down, make sure youve got everybody, said sheriffs office spokesman Danny Alvarez, WTSP reported. We know we get caught up in our day but slow down and we can prevent a tragedy. A 3-year-old boy dies after his father accidentally ran over him at a #Florida #WaffleHouse, authorities say https://t.co/MH1o0Ro9Oi CBS Philly (@CBSPhilly) March 13, 2019 Sheriffs officials said Montoya was driving the SUV when it struck Jeremiah. The vehicles front right tire struck the boy in the head, causing severe injuries, said the office. Jeremiah was rushed to Brandon Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the station. Tampa Bay Times: Toddler dies after father accidentally runs him over with family SUV at Brandon Waffle House.https://t.co/saCfN5jkDD via @GoogleNews BAYGUI (@baygui) March 13, 2019 Officials said no drugs or alcohol were involved in the incident. WTSP interviewed the owner car body shop in Brandon, who said that 360-view cameras are becoming more popular. Victor Ruiz, the owner, said the shop installs cameras every day to prevent accidents involving small children. I got two kids myself and my little one leaves her bike all the time in the back, said Ruiz. No additional details in the case were provided. Thousands of children die every year or get badly injured as drivers backing up dont notice them. In the United States, 50 children get backed over every week, according to Kids and Cars, an organization that advocates injury control and child safety. The organization was created to protect children in and around motor vehicles on private properties. Ten Ways to Prevent Backover Accidents Here are ten ways to prevent backover accidents by Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys: Installing a rear-view camera, sensors, and additional mirrors that can be added on any vehicle and using them in addition to looking around the vehicle before backing up. Always walking around and behind a vehicle before moving it. Knowing where your children are before backing up and having an adult supervise them while you are moving your vehicle. Making sure children always hold hands with an adult in a parking lot. Teaching your children that a parked vehicle might move and making them understand that the driver may not be able to see them. Teaching your children to never play behind a parked vehicle or in a driveway. If an adult passenger is in the vehicle, have him get out of the vehicle and watch for children while you back up. Roll down your window before backing up to hear children that could be near you. Teach your children to keep toys, bikes, and sports equipment out of the driveway. Keep landscaping around the driveway trimmed to ensure drivers can see the sidewalk, street, and any pedestrians while backing up. A firefighter checks the inside of a small single engine plane that crashed on March 12, 2019. (Colter Peterson/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP) 4-Year-Old Boy, Grandparents Survive Illinois Plane Crash WATERLOO, Ill.Authorities say a 4-year-old boy and his grandparents were rescued after their small plane crashed in southern Illinois. The fixed-wing single-engine Piper PA-32 was traveling from Mobile, Alabama, when it went down Tuesday in rural Monroe County on its way to St. Louis Downtown Airport in Cahokia, Illinois. The plane crashed into the yard of Waterloo police officer Trin Daws. He says he and another man broke the planes windows with a fire extinguisher and pulled the boy out. Sheriffs Maj. Jim Lansing says the boy, his grandmother and his grandfather were talking when they were taken to hospitals. He says they suffered injuries that werent life-threatening. Lansing says the grandmother told authorities a warning light went on, oil was spewing onto the windshield and they couldnt see. A Look at the Canadian Victims of the Ethiopian Airlines Plane Crash Details are emerging about the 18 Canadian victims of an Ethiopian Airlines plane crash in Addis Ababa, that left 157 people dead. Here is what we know so far: Pius Adesanmi: Adesanmi was a Nigerian-born professor in the Department of English Language and Literature and the Institute of African Studies at Carleton University. He was a towering figure in African and post-colonial scholarship, said the schools president, Benoit-Antoine Bacon. The entire Carleton community is grieving the tragic death of Prof. Pius Adesanmi, a towering figure in African and post-colonial scholarship. Our thoughts are with all those who knew and loved Prof. Adesanmi and with everyone who suffered loss in that tragic crash in Ethiopia. Benoit-Antoine Bacon (@CU_President) March 10, 2019 Adesanmi was the winner of the inaugural Penguin Prize for African non-fiction writing in 2010. Mitchell Dick, a Carleton student who is finishing up a communications honors degree, said he took a first and second year African literature course with Adesanmi. Pius Adesanmi, popular Nigerian professor and columnist based in Canada, was on the Ethiopian Airlines plane that crashed in the early hours of Sunday, SaharaReporters can confirm. @pius_adesanmi #RipPiusAdesanmi READ MORE: https://t.co/TYpFJz8zdL pic.twitter.com/FXbjpNavF7 Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) March 10, 2019 Dick said Adesanmi was extremely nice and approachable, and stood out for his passion for the subject matter. Amina Ibrahim Odowaa and her daughter Sofia Faisal Abdulkadir: The 33-year-old Edmonton woman and her five-year-old daughter were travelling to Kenya to visit with relatives. Her brother, Mohamed Hassan Ali, of Toronto, said he had planned to travel with them but had to cancel last week. Spoke to the brother of the Edmonton mom on board the deadly Ethiopian Airlines flight. Mohamed Ali says Amina Ibrahim Odowaa was well-loved w/ many friends & his niece Sofia Abdulkadir (name corrected) was friendly, funny w/ a mind of her own. He hoped theyd missed their flight pic.twitter.com/mlrWzLII4s Andrea Huncar CBC (@andreahuncar) March 10, 2019 She was a very nice person, very outgoing, very friendly. Had a lot of friends, he said. A family friend said Odowaa has lived in Edmonton since 2006. Derick Lwugi: An accountant with the City of Calgary, Lwugi was on his way to Kenya to visit both his and his wifes parents, who live in the west of the country. His mom was not feeling well, Lwugis wife, Gladys Kivia, said in a brief interview from Calgary. Derick Lwugis family says he was a man who loves peace and always strove to help others https://t.co/yiczPKyEBi #yyc pic.twitter.com/WUuUXmQgfV CTV Calgary (@CTVCalgary) March 11, 2019 The couple have three children, aged 17, 19 and 20, all of whom live at home. The family has lived in Calgary for 12 years. Danielle Moore: Media reports indicate the 24-year-old, who lived in Winnipeg, was among the victims. She posted on Facebook on Saturday morning that she would be travelling to Nairobi, Kenya, for the United Nations Environment Assembly. Over the next week Ill have the opportunity to discuss global environmental issues, share stories, and connect with other youth and leaders from all over the world, she wrote. I feel beyond privileged to be receiving this opportunity. The Canadian Press contributed to this report. (L): Bridgette Hoskie, her brother Jay Barrett and herself pose for the photo inside an ICU at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Conn., on Feb. 26, 2019., and President Donald Trump. (Bridgette Hoskie via APSaul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images) Ailing Man Who Got His Wish for a Call From Trump Dies at 44 WEST HAVEN, Conn.An ailing Connecticut man who had a bucket-list wish fulfilled when he received a call of encouragement from President Donald Trump died on March 13, his sister said. Jay Barrett was 44. Barrett had been terminally ill with cystic fibrosis and was receiving palliative care at the home of his sister, West Haven City Councilwoman Bridgette Hoskie. He had asked for some sort of contact with the president before he died. 44-year-old Jay Barrett, a terminally ill West Haven man, who received a phone call from @realDonaldTrump last Tuesday and other items Saturday, has died. His sister, #WestHaven city councilwoman Bridgette Hoskie, said he passed in his sleep overnight. @FOX61News pic.twitter.com/8JL0mxH7v8 Tony Terzi (@T2Fox61) March 13, 2019 His sister, Bridgette Hoskie, who describes herself as 100 percent Democrat, went on social media to help make it happen. Friends and other supporters sent emails to the White House. The efforts paid off on March 5, when Barrett received a call from Trump. #WestHaven man, who is dying, and had meeting @realDonaldTrump on his bucket list, received a call from @POTUS this afternoon. The President has also arranged for some special surprises to be delivered to Jay Barrett on Saturday. @FOX61News pic.twitter.com/mxUgIuFFEy Tony Terzi (@T2Fox61) March 5, 2019 Mr. President, through thick and thin, you know theres been a lot of thicks, and theres been a lot of thins, I support you, Barrett said. Trump told Barrett hes a champ, and that a personal letter was coming his way. Youre my kind of man, Jay. Im very proud of you, Trump said. Ill talk to you again, Jay, OK? You keep that fight going. We both fight. Barrett told the New Haven Register that he also received calls from the presidents son Eric Trump and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regional chief Lynne Patton on March 4. Patton, who is from New Haven reached out to the Trump family after a New Haven Register story about Barretts wish was posted online. Eric Trump told me theyre pulling for me and praying, Barrett said. Refreshing to read a heartfelt story v.s. the usual #MSM garbage. Jay you are an amazing man! Never give up! You win this fight! Trump calls Jay Barrett to fulfill bucket list wish of Connecticut man dying of cystic fibrosis The Washington Post https://t.co/417w8iM4qU Eric Trump (@EricTrump) March 6, 2019 His original goal was to get to Washington to meet the president in person and shake his hand, but he said he was grateful for anything. Hoskie said she appreciated the help of everyone who reached out to the White House on her brothers behalf.He really did live one of the best weeks of his life last week, she said. That phone call meant everything to him. Barrett, who for most of his life considered himself an independent, voted for President Barack Obama in 2008, but said didnt like many of his polices, including the Affordable Care Act. Barrett said he came to realize he was a Republican and fell in love with Trumps style at the launch of his campaign, and later, because of his policies. American Islamic Forum for Democracy President Zuhdi Jasser in an undated photo. (Courtesy of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy) American Muslim Urges Religious Reformation, Separation of State and Mosque An American Muslim reformist is calling for clear boundaries to be set between places of worship and the state in a bid to tackle radical Islamist ideology. Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, a practicing Muslim and physician, believes that Muslims have a role to play in standing up to the current Islamist establishments to help prevent radicalization, he told 2GB Radio on March 12. Radicalization is a long process, Jasser said. The beginning process is a separatism where groups, leaders, imams start to tell our communities that this country is against them, that theyre victims. They become basically estranged. Then that separatism consciously turns into a sense of trying to find redemption and they develop a cause that they want to die for, which is jihad. Jasser said that while some radicals remain non-violent, others become violent and not only wear the jersey but want to get on the field and begin to kill others through joining groups like al-Qaeda, ISIS and others. This is why Jasser co-founded the Muslim reform movement, for which he is currently visiting Australia to introduce for the first time. Just landed in #Australia! First time in #OZ! Excited to learn, share and get to know the country and our western brothers and sisters across the Pacific pond. #AustraliaTour2019 @VickiePolitics See: https://t.co/kexnxBEVna@AIFDemocracy @TheMuslimReform @ReformThisRadio M. Zuhdi Jasser (@DrZuhdiJasser) March 10, 2019 Jasser was born in Wisconsin and served the U.S. Navy as a former lieutenant commander. He is also the author of A Battle for the Soul of Islam, and founder of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD). A committed American patriot, Jasser revealed that his Syrian refugee parents always taught him to be proud of the United States. We see all these jihadis wanting to die for jihad. My family taught me that the only thing Id ever want to die for is the United States, the constitution, and a people that provided us the freedom to choose whichever pathway of faith, of personal freedom, and business that we wanted to and not be forced by the theocracy or by government, he said. Jasser is encouraging his fellow Muslims to help prevent radicalisation by standing-up and opposing the Islamist establishment, which claims to speak on behalf of all those of Muslim faith. Part of the problem, Jasser said, is that these establishments have created a monolithic interpretation of Islam that is dominating mosques even in the West. The texts, the publishing companies, the interpretations, and translations of the Quran and versions of the Hadith, which is the stories of the prophet, are really monolithic. They come from either Saudi Arabias theocracy or Al-Azhar University in Cairo, or the Khomeini in Iran, so that simple establishment is the problem, he said. As an American, we talk about President Trump fighting the establishment, which is the swamp. If you use the same analogy in the Islamic world, the clerics, the imams, the governments are all this establishment which is a power structure that controls, through billions of what I call Petro-Islams spread around the world, has created a very monolithic interpretation of Islam. Jasser has met many Muslims who have a high moral standard and even reject some of the theocracy but unfortunately, they have remained silent while those with a radical interpretation of Islam have moved into positions of authority. They have not developed publishing houses, they have not developed a sense of courage, if you will, to stand up against, he said. They are sort of like the silent Germans in Germany that did not adopt Nazism but did very little to fight the establishment of the regime. In his view, Jasser said the first step to minimizing the threat of radical Islam is to separate mosques from state administrationthat is the belief that we as Muslims reject any Islamic state identity or Islamic flags, and reject the Sharia state. This is because a radical Muslim is somebody who believes that not only does he have a faith but its enforced coercively through whatever means necessary to others, Jasser said. Through the exploitation of government law through the institutionalisation of Sharia ultimately it is not a choice not live in freedom but rather to establish an Islamic state or a caliphate, which is a combination of Islamic states. The antidote to this is to develop a new Sharia, he said, a new Islamic interpretation of law thats in the 21st Century. That new school of thought is going to have to be done by imams that are schooled in Sharia but that cant happen overnight. Jasser said that just as Muslims had taken on Bidahs or inventions, like science and new computer technology, he believes the Islamic world can also take on new political science to reform Sharia law. The question is not what Muhammad did in the 7th century but what would he do today if he were alive today, and I believe he would reject any armed jihad and he would reject Islamic militaries and Islamic states, he said. With counter-terrorism strategies and responses a live issue in Australia, Jasser said he was looking forward to building meaningful, long lasting dialog through hard to have public conversations with Muslim and non-Muslim academics and community leaders. It is imperative that we fight for western values with the same intensity that Islamists fight to establish a global caliphate. @DrZuhdiJasser President, @AIFDemocracy Co-founder, @TheMuslimReform Host, @ReformThisRadio pic.twitter.com/dhItPaU4ou AIFD (@AIFDemocracy) March 13, 2019 Just as the American revolution understood in the bible, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesars; and to God the things that are Gods, we in Islam need to begin to marginalize our clerical leadership into just the mosques and into the universities, and begin to take back our public square, Jasser said. AOCs Attack on Capitalism, and the Democrats Radical, Share-the-Wealth Agenda Commentary Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez seems to think we can simultaneously eliminate capitalism while still enjoying its fruitsa fallacy that has toppled many would-be utopias in the past. During the SXSW event in Texas, the New York Democrat condemned capitalism, labeling the economic system that has lifted billions of people out of poverty irredeemable, while complaining about inequality in America. Capitalism is an ideology of capitalthe most important thing is the concentration of capital and to seek and maximize profit, the lawmaker said. [S]o, to me, capitalism is irredeemable. Clearly, Ocasio-Cortez misspokecapitalism will only become irredeemable if America implements Ocasio-Cortezs destructive socialist policies. During the same event, for instance, Ocasio-Cortez referenced Bill Gates idea of a 90 percent tax on robots, arguing that the enormous tax should be slapped on U.S. businesses to pay for welfare programs, so that laid-off workers dont have to find new jobs as automation reshapes the economic landscape. We should not be haunted by the specter of being automated out of work, Ocasio-Cortez said. The reason were not excited about it is because we live in a society where if you dont have a job, you are left to die. Of course, unemployed workers arent left to die in America, precisely because we dont tax corporations at 90 percent. A tax rate of that magnitude, after all, would devastate the private sector, forcing businesses to lay off workers and move their operationsincluding automated processesoverseas. Ocasio-Cortezs plan, in other words, would harshly penalize the very workers she claims to be trying to help. Before discussing ways to strangle U.S. corporations, though, Ocasio-Cortez should have considered what happened to France under former President Francois Hollande. By 2013, Hollandes democratic-socialist policies had pushed many job-creators out of the country, leading to economic instability and uncertainty that still plague the French people today. Remarkably, instituting a confiscatory corporate tax rate isnt even the craziest idea in Ocasio-Cortezs democratic-socialist arsenal. The lawmakers signature Green New Deal, which has been endorsed by almost every current Democrat presidential candidate, also includes radical socialist policies such as guaranteed jobs and a universal healthcare system. According to a recent study, the Green New Deal would cost U.S. taxpayers around $93 trillion over 10 years, or an eye-popping $650,000 per household. On an annual basis, thats about double the size of the entire federal budget proposed by President Donald Trump a level of spending that would be untenable, even without her concurrent ambition to kill the golden goose of capitalism. Ocasio-Cortez just doesnt seem to comprehend the irredeemable history of her own ideology or the pernicious effects it would have on American society. Sooner or later, though, she and the Democratic Party to which she claims to belong will have to face the fact that the more they try to redistribute Americas wealth, the less wealth there will be left to go around. Herman Cain is former CEO of the National Restaurant Association and a former presidential candidate. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. An American Airlines plane takes off from Los Angeles International airport (LAX) in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 28, 2018. (Mike Blake/Reuters) Bachelorette Party Kicked Off Flight to Mexico After Brides Mother Looked Drunk A group of California women who were heading to Mexico for a bachelorette party was banned from a flight after an airline employee said one of the women appeared drunk. The woman landed in Phoenix for a connecting flight, but an American Airlines employee told the mother of the bride that they couldnt board the next flight because they looked drunk. The brides mom doesnt do the greatest with traveling, bridesmaid Amber Granlund told Fox40 in Sacramento on March 12, adding that it was a misunderstanding. A planned bachelorette party weekend in Mexico turned into a mess for a bridal party from Sacramento on Thursday. FOX40 2019313 She added that the mother is in her 50s, almost 60s. There could have been something else going on. Granlund claimed the woman had one or two drinks before the plane trip but wasnt drunk. According to Yahoo News, Granlund tried to explain the situation to the airline employee. A video apparently captured the incident. American Airlines kicked bachelorette party off flight to Mexico because the brides mother look https://t.co/U7nLl3w0rw via @YahooLifestyle John Applegate (@JohnApp63499667) March 14, 2019 She is not traveling, OK? She is too intoxicated, the employee tells her in the video. When she tried to get her group on the flight, the employee says, You need to calm down, according to Yahoo. The employee adds, If I have to call the police, I will do so. She had already called the cops at that point. About eight of them showed up, Granlund said. Granlund said the group included pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, adding that they had spent $30,000 on the trip. She said the women spent the night at the airport and slept on the floor. We had about a good full day of no airline drama, she said, Yahoo reported. The airline also offered to give the group a partial refund on the flight they missed and had to rebook. They havent yet received it, she said. The incident, she said, cost the group about $16,000. BACHELORETTE PARTY FIASCO: it was supposed to be a fun celebration in Cabo but this bridal party ended up stranded in a Phoenix airport after being banned from their flight. The reason next at 5:30 @FOX40 pic.twitter.com/skKsJIbVjd Ali Wolf (@awolfTV) March 13, 2019 A mess, Granlund told Fox40. A complete mess that could have been avoided, absolutely. Americans team members are the best in business and we support their decisions to deny boarding or remove from a flight passengers who are disruptive or become a safety risk, an American Airlines spokesperson told Fox News on March 13. One member of the party appeared to be intoxicated while boarding in Phoenix. After this individual was told they would not be able to take the flight, several other members of their group become irate. They were deemed a safety risk to the crew and others on the flight and not allowed to board. Boots Baby with Skin Condition Today is #rarediseaseday ! While Id like to share something positive, Jackson and I were just discriminated Jordan Flake 2019228 American Airlines apologized after kicking off a mother and her young son due to their genetic skin condition. Before takeoff, an employee from the airline came up to my row and asked the 2 men sitting next to me to get up, mother Jordan Flake wrote on a Facebook post. An American Airlines employee asked about their condition. He then quietly asked me about my rash and if I had a letter from a doctor stating it was OK for me to fly. I explained to him it was called ichthyosis, a genetic skin condition I share with my son, she said. The airline worker then kicked her off the plane. The firm then apologized for the incident. Our goal at American Airlines is to create a welcoming environment for all of our customers, the company said, according to USA Today. We sincerely apologize to Ms. Flake and her son for the experience they had Thursday, and our team has begun an investigation into the matter. The statement continued: Our Customer Relations team has already spoken to her directly and upgraded them on their American flights. We will also be refunding the cost of her trip as well. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla) speaks to reporters following a closed briefing on intelligence matters on Capitol Hill in Washington on Dec. 4, 2018. (Zach Gibson/Getty Images) Bipartisan Senate Effort Seeks to Bolster Small-Business Defenses Against Hackers WASHINGTONIncreasingly frequent and costly ransomware attacks by hackers stealing proprietary business intelligence, classified military technology, and valuable personal data from small businesses are prompting something increasingly rare in the Senate: a bipartisan search for solutions. Such attacks are frequently aided and abetted by Chinese elements, according to Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who introduced legislation on March 13 intended to give small businesses the tools they need to safeguard themselves against the growing cybersecurity risks of the 21st century. The legislation includes two separate bills, the first of which is the Small Business Administration (SBA) Cyber Awareness Act, co-sponsored by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.). The cyber awareness measure directs SBA to develop a cyber strategy, examine its Information Technology (IT) system components country of origin, and report on breaches and threats to the small business committees in the Senate and House of Representatives. The second bill introduced by Rubiothe Small Business Cyber Training Actdirects SBA to create a training program for its small business development centers (SBDCs) to prepare counselors in cyber planning assistance to help small firms acquire and operate effective anti-hacking systems. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) is co-sponsoring the cyber training bill with Rubio. Small Business Administration There are more than 1,000 SBDCs operated by SBA around the country, with locations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the various U.S. territories. Rubio also chaired a March 13 hearing of the Senates subcommittee on small business and entrepreneurship entitled Cyber Crime: An Existential Threat to Small Business that focused on SBA and the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST). The SBA and NIST should be, but often are not, key suppliers of effective anti-hacking resources, instead of problems, for small businesses, Rubio said. The Small Business Administration Inspector General (IG) has consistently ranked SBAs IT as one of the most serious challenges facing the agency, Rubio told the hearing in his opening statement. Rubio said the agency is making progress, but often cyber criminals move even faster. He cited the 2015 hacking of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that compromised the personal and financial information of millions of current and retired federal workers as what can happen when an agency lets its guard down. National security also can be harmed when federal agencies such as SBA dont adequately protect data and information entrusted to them by small businesses, millions of which provide critically important research and development products and services to the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Our adversaries are laying the groundwork for cyber espionage by embedding their technology into systems we depend upon, Rubio said. Just last week, reports emerged that the Chinese hacking group APT 40 has infiltrated IT systems of at least 27 universities worldwide, including MIT, in an attempt to steal U.S. military information from less secure sources. The Chinese government operates multiple hacking units, such as APT 40, that are devoted to stealing U.S. military secrets, Rubio said. Small Businesses Vulnerable Cardin, who is the ranking minority member of Rubios subcommittee, estimated that 58 percent of all data breaches are now of small businesses. Small businesses, with their narrow margins and lower capital reserves, are unable to maintain trained cyber security personnel or purchase the most up-to-date tools. So, for most small businesses, a data breach is a fatal blow, Cardin said. The Rubio-Cardin bill is designed to hasten SBAs hardening of its own IT security, while the Rubio-Shaheen measure would enhance SBAs ability to make needed cyber security resources more affordable and available to small businesses. The NIST role in combating cyber crime against small businesses concerns the costs of compliance with anti-hacking standards it establishes, which, according to one of the hearings witnesses, are excessive and burdensome. Karen Harper, president of the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Charles River Analytics research and development company with 180 employees, told the subcommittee that a recent survey by the National Small Business Association found that a third of all small businesses have been victims of hacking. Only 14 percent of small business rate their ability to mitigate cyber risk and vulnerabilities as effective, Harper said. Her firm does work for DOD, DHS, and the U.S. Intelligence Community. Harper said figuring out the basic meaning of provisions of the major NIST requirements document that covers her firm required approximately 800 person-hours between April and July of 2017, including research and discussions with external consultants to interpret the control requirements. She also told the hearing that the NIST document was written in a manner and voice unfamiliar to us, even though we have been working with the DOD and other federal agencies for more than 35 years. Finally, we found that many of our customers, from contracting officers to technical sponsors to senior staff at the Pentagon, seemed equally confused and unable to provide helpful clarification and guidance. Harper estimated that future compliance costs will add 30 percent to her firms non-labor overhead expenses and require adding three additional staff members devoted exclusively to the effort, as well as expensive external consultants. Harper noted that unlike most small businesses, her firm specializes in IT skills, meaning the barriers for the others are far higher than for Charles River. That reality hurts morale among entrepreneurs, she said. When you see a T.J. Maxx and an OPM being compromised, its hard to see yourself being protected, Harper told the hearing. Charles Romine, director of NISTs Information Technology Laboratory, told the hearing his agency actively collaborates with SBA and other federal bodies that contribute to the NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Corner website. Maria Roat, SBAs chief information officer, noted that her agency had eight CIOs in the decade prior to her assuming the office in 2016. Roat listed multiple improvements she claimed to have implemented to harden SBAs IT resources against hackers, including identifying and removing more than 300 web sites that were used as bases for phishing attacks on agency employees email. Contact Mark Tapscott at mark.tapscott@epochtimes.nyc Peachtree City, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kirkhill Inc. has selected Wencor as their exclusive aftermarket distribution partner within Europe, Middle East, the Americas and Japan. Under the new agreement, Wencor will provide elastopolamer seals used throughout the aircraft including all doors, engines/nacelles and wings, as well as silicone stretch tape. Wencor is committed to building outstanding relationships with our key business partners and we are excited to add Kirkhill to that portfolio. We share the same values of safety first, outstanding customer service, continuous improvement, and respect on behalf of our collective customers, said Chris Curtis, Chief Executive Officer of Wencor. Kirkhill designs and produces innovative, reliable and custom engineered sealing products. Kevin McHenry, President of Kirkhill commented, Kirkhill is excited to be entering into a partnership with Wencor for the distribution of our products. Wencors strength in global distribution will enable our customers to have immediate access to products and enhanced customer service creating value throughout the supply chain. Wencor will provide increased availability and customer intimacy to both current and future Kirkhill clients as both companies collaborate to continue providing innovative solutions that deliver value and quality to the ever changing aerospace market. About Wencor Wencor has been a trusted partner in aerospace for over 60 years, offering CMM and DER repairs, PMA and an extensive network of distribution solutions to help make flights safer and more cost effective. We support most of the commercial airlines, repair stations and OEMs worldwide through our corporate affiliates Wencor, Soundair Aviation Services, PHS/MWA Aviation Services, Aerospace Coatings International, Xtra Aerospace, Flight Line Products, Accessory Technologies Corporation, Fortner Engineering & Manufacturing, Silver Wings, and Kitco Defense. Wencor Group is headquartered in the Atlanta, Georgia area with additional offices in Utah, Miami, Seattle, California, Alabama, New York, Amsterdam, Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, and Istanbul. For more information, please visit www.wencorgroup.com. About Kirkhill Founded in April 1919, Kirkhill has been in business for 100 YEARS. The company continues its specialty in the design of and manufacture of sealing solutions for the Commercial, Defense, & Space markets in highly demanding environmental conditions. Kirkhill produces high quality elastomer seals used thoughout the aircraft and include applications for: All doors including passenger, cargo, wheel well, APU etc. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at a news conference at Lazienki Palace in Warsaw, Poland, on Feb. 12, 2019. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel Birthright Citizenship Controversy Likely Headed for the Supreme Court Commentary President Donald Trump understands that border security is of utmost importance to our nation. He also voiced concern about various types of unconstrained immigration, which are exploited by birthright citizenship. This touched off a firestorm of liberal opposition by proponents of birthright citizenship. Because of the Muthana v. Pompeo case, birthright citizenship may wind up in a Supreme Court decision. Hoda Muthana is the U.S.-born daughter of a foreign diplomat. She left the country to join the terrorist group ISIS in Syria four years ago, and now seeks to return, claiming U.S. citizenship. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that shes a terrorist and wont be admitted. The case involves interpretation of the 14th Amendment, regarding birthright citizenship. Caravans of immigrants cascading toward our border make for compelling video. Less obvious are the seductive immigration practices caused by debatable interpretation of the 14th Amendment. Birthright citizenship, anchor babies, chain migration, and the disgraceful birth-tourism industry undermine the intent of our founders. John Eastman of the Claremont Institute has picked up the sword regarding interpretations of the 14th Amendment. He filed an amicus brief in Muthana v. Pompeo. The concept of birthright citizenship has never been heard by the Supreme Court. Origins Slavery was abolished after the Civil War in 1865 by the 13th Amendment. However, it failed to prevent states from denying former slaves the privileges and protections of citizenship. A pro-slavery Supreme Court ruled that citizenship was racial in the Dred Scott decision, which held that people of African descent werent American citizens. To overturn the Dred Scott decision, the 14th Amendment was ratified to address, specifically, former slaves and children of slaves who were born after the Civil War. The first section states: All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. The 14th Amendment had nothing to do with legal or illegal aliens or the children of aliens, or the children of diplomats, or pregnant mothers who arrive on a temporary basis to give birth and return to their home countries. The 14th Amendment was about the status of former slaves and the outrages they had been made to suffer. Interpretation Birthright citizenship is currently interpreted to mean that any baby born in the United States is automatically a citizen. Birthright citizenship has become a magnet for illegal immigration. Babies born in the United States to immigrants are called anchor babies. As a U.S. citizen, the child qualifies for benefits, including free education through high school, and in-state affordable tuition in state colleges. When the child turns 21, additional family members can join him through chain migration. Thus, the baby is an anchor for the entire family chain to legally come to the United States. A birth-tourism racket has been spawned by birthright citizenship. Wealthy Chinese, Koreans, Turks, Venezuelans, and others from overseas engage maternity travel operators, who orchestrate the arrival, stay, and hospital birth for pregnant women so they can give birth to a U.S. citizen. The mothers return to their homeland with a newborn who could become an anchor baby, and return with all the benefits of a citizen. Advanced countries that had historically offered birthright citizenship abandoned it years ago. Canada and the United States are the only developed nations that persist in the practice. Less-developed countries where life is not so easy, such as Cuba and Argentina, continue to offer birthright citizenship. Trump acknowledges the negative impact of birthright citizenship and chain migration on our nation. The Muthana v. Pompeo case is addressing this issue through the courts, rather than through Congress or an Executive Order. Judicial re-examination could be decided in the Supreme Court. Darlene Casella is a former English teacher, a stockbroker, and owner/president of a small corporation. She is politically active with Federated Republican Women, The Lincoln Club, and the California Republican Party. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. A snow plow rumbles north on Capitol Avenue during a blizzard in Casper, Wyo., on March 13, 2019. (Jacob Byk/The Wyoming Tribune Eagle via AP) Colorado Trooper Killed as Bomb Cyclone Unleashes Snow, High Winds DENVERA late-winter blizzard slammed Rocky Mountain and Plains states on Wednesday, unleashing a bomb cyclone of high winds and drifting snow that stranded motorists, canceled more than 1,300 airline flights and was blamed for the death of a Colorado state trooper. Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper declared a state of emergency due to the storm and said he had activated the state National Guard to assist in search and rescue operations. The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and the Dakotas as schools and businesses were closed and local authorities urged residents to hunker down. A historic March blizzard is taking shape across Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Between 1 and 2 feet of snow is expected in some locations with wind gusts as high as 80 MPH. DO NOT TRAVEL if you live in these areas! https://t.co/VyWINDk3xP pic.twitter.com/TG0rEQCise NWS (@NWS) March 13, 2019 Meteorologists referred to the storm as a bomb cyclone, a winter hurricane that forms when the barometric pressure drops 24 millibars in 24 hours. So far, we have received 110 traffic crash reports and #Denver remains on #AccidentAlert, the Denver Police Department said on Twitter. If you absolutely have to head out, please be cautious its still #snowgoing out there. Turn your lights on, set the wipers on high & dont forget the extra stopping distance. #BombCyclone. The Colorado State Patrol said one of its troopers, Corporal Daniel Groves, was struck by a car that veered out of control on Interstate 76 and he died of his injuries a short time later at Platte Valley Medical Center in Brighton. At the time, Groves, 52, was on the scene of another accident in which a vehicle had slid off the roadway, the state patrol said. It added that high speed in poor driving conditions was being investigated in connection with the crash that caused his death. Flights Delayed, Canceled All six runways at Denver International Airport were shuttered, along with the main road into the airport due to drifting, blowing snow. An airport spokesman said 1,339 flights had been canceled as of mid-afternoon. Colorado Springs Municipal Airport canceled all incoming flights. All school districts in the seven-county Denver metropolitan were closed, along with most city and state government offices and many businesses. Officials in El Paso County, Colorado, said some 1,100 motorists were stranded on Interstate 25 near Colorado Springs. Utility company Xcel Energy said about 130,000 commercial and residential customers in Colorado were without power due to high winds and wet heavy snow. Limited visibility has affected our ability to respond, Xcel Energy spokesman Mark Stutz said, adding it was unclear when power would be restored. The police department in Northglenn, Colorado, tweeted a picture of a large tree that fell on a home, breaking through the roof. It was not immediately clear if anyone was hurt. High winds took this tree down in Northglenn. Broke through the roof, right into the house. pic.twitter.com/jXWHOnnJDj Northglenn PD PIO (@NorthglennPDPIO) March 13, 2019 Interstate 70 was closed east of Denver to the Kansas state line and sections of Interstate 25 were also shut down, according to Colorado Department of Transportation. They typically do get strong systems this time of the year in that part of the country, but this one is may be a notch stronger than what you typically see, said meteorologist Marc Chenard of the weather services Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland. Forecasters said they expect winds of up to 70 miles per hour (110 kph) to sweep across a wide area of states to the south, including New Mexico and parts of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Pretty much through much of the Plains theres going to be a threat for potential power outage issues, Chenard said. Flight cancellations are already coming in for tomorrow morning according to Flightaware, 104 flights have been cancelled tomorrow. While blizzard conditions will be gone, It takes airlines time to catch up after this many cancellations. pic.twitter.com/aYoev0xfw0 Emily Allen FOX31 (@EmilyAReports) March 13, 2019 More than 100,000 electric power customers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area were left in the dark early on Wednesday after a line of rain squalls associated with the system moved through the area. The storm was also expected to bring heavy rain to areas of eastern Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota that already have a good deal of snow on the ground, raising the threat of river flooding, the weather service said. The storm system is expected to weaken by Thursday as it moves over the Tennessee River Valley, bringing mostly rain from Michigan southward to the Gulf Coast and some remaining snow only in the far northern parts of the country, the weather service said. By Keith Coffman Tourists stand in front of a mural depicting Bloody Sunday, in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, on March 14, 2019. (Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters) Bloody Sunday Soldier Faces Murder Charges LONDONA former British soldier is to be charged with murder for killing two people more than four decades ago in Northern Ireland on what would come to be known as Bloody Sunday. British soldiers opened fire at a protest march in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, on Jan. 30, 1972, killing 13 people and injuring 14 others. Another person later died in the hospital from his wounds. The man, known only as Soldier F, has been charged with the murders of James Wray and William McKinney and the attempted murders of Joseph Friel, Michael Quinn, Joe Mahon, and Patrick ODonnell. James Wray was 22 when he attended the march. He was shot while running for cover after the soldiers opened fire. According to the Saville Inquiry, Wray was unarmed and was shot a second time while he lay there dying. William McKinney, 27, was shot in the back while fleeing the police. The day came to be known as Bloody Sunday, one of the worst days of the Northern Ireland Troubles. Soldier F has not been named because the Saville Inquiry stipulated anonymity for military witnesses. However, he could be identified when he is brought to trial. British Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson promised that the UK government would pay for Soldier Fs legal support. We are indebted to those soldiers who served with courage and distinction to bring peace to Northern Ireland, Williamson said in a statement. And the government will urgently reform the system for dealing with legacy issues. Our serving and former personnel cannot live in constant fear of prosecution, he added. Eighteen other suspects, including 16 former soldiers and two alleged Official Irish Republican Army members, will not be charged, according to Northern Irelands Public Prosecution Service. Most suspects are now in their 60s and 70s. A Long Road for the Families It has been concluded that the available evidence is insufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction, said the Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Herron. In these circumstances, the evidential test for prosecution is not met. Herron said his team had met with the families of those killed on Bloody Sunday to help them understand the reasons behind the decision not to prosecute the majority of the suspects. I am mindful that it has been a long road for the families to reach this point and today will be another extremely difficult day for many of them, he said. Much of the material which was available for consideration by the inquiry is not admissible in criminal proceedings, due to strict rules of evidence that apply, Herron said. As prosecutors, we are required to be wholly objective in our approach. However, that does not mean that we do not have compassion for all those who are affected by our decisions. William McKinneys brother, Michael, said many families would be disappointed in the lack of prosecutions. We are mindful of those families who received that news today, and believe me, there are many, he told the BBC. For us here today, it is important to point out that justice for one family is justice for all of us. The first public inquiry, held soon after the deaths in 1972, mostly cleared the soldiers of wrongdoing. It was called a whitewash by the victims families. A second inquiry, ordered in 1998, took 12 years, concluding that the deaths were unjustifiable and the soldiers had knowingly put forward false accounts to explain the killings. British Prime Minister David Cameron apologized for the deaths following the publication of the report. The anger stirred up following Bloody Sunday led to an increase in activity from the Provisional Irish Republican Army, becoming a war of attrition against the British until the mid-1990s when a ceasefire was drawn up. The conflict as a whole accounts for an estimated 1,800 deaths, the majority of them British security forces. The campus of Georgetown University is shown in Wash., DC., on March 12, 2019. (Win McNamee/Getty Images) Blunt Smoking Rich Kid Defends Parents Bribery Allegations Malcolm Abbott took to the street to defend his parents against allegations that they bribed college test proctors to inflate his sisters college entrance scores, by strolling out the front door of his familys multi-million dollar Fifth Avenue co-op and lighting up a blunt. Abbott asserted in an interview with the New York Post that, while he didnt attend college himself, I believe everyone has a right to go to college, man. (RELATED: The Joke Is On Yale, Harvard And Other Elite Schools Cheapened By The Admissions Scandal) Son defends parents caught in college admissions scandal while smoking blunt https://t.co/4zD4EdKM5q pic.twitter.com/rYC05uGRdt New York Post (@nypost) March 14, 2019 Theyre blowing this whole thing out of proportion, Abbott said between blunt puffs, before taking an opportunity to promote his CD Cheese and Crackers. Abbott raps under the name Billa. His father Gregory Abbott, the founder of International Dispensing Corporation, and mother Marcia Abbott were indicted this week along with nearly 50 other parents for allegedly paying $125,000 to increase their daughters ACT and SAT scores. The New York couple was reportedly able to boost their daughters ACT score to 35 out of 36 and her SAT score to a perfect 800. Malcolm Abbotts brother also spoke with the Post on Tuesday about his parents legal troubles, lamenting that they got roped into [this by] some guy who [expletive] cheated them. His parents are free on $1 million bail. They face federal charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. By Whitney Tipton | Contributor Follow Whitney on Twitter A mobile phone with an arrow embedded in it in the town of Nambin, New South Wales, Australia. (New South Wales Police) Bow And Arrow Attack Thwarted By Cellphone An Australian man had a lucky escape when an arrow skewered his phone just as he lifted it up to his face to take a photograph. Australian police announced that a 39-year-old man had been charged after allegedly firing a bow and arrow in the busy seaside town of Nimbin on March 13. The phone was driven into the chin of the unnamed owner by the force of the impact. A man has been charged after he allegedly fired a bow and arrow at another man in Nimbin today. About 9am (Wednesday NSW Police Force 2019313 A 43-year-old man drove into his driveway on Nimbin Road and got out of his car, said New South Wales police in a statement. He noticed another man, who is known to him, standing outside his property allegedly armed with a bow and arrow. According to the police, that resident then held up his phone to photograph the man who then engaged the bow and was ready to fire. Its alleged the man fired the arrow at the resident which pierced through the mans mobile phone causing the phone to hit him in the chin. It left a small laceration that didnt require medical treatment. The police released photographs of the phone, skewered by the arrow. The 39-year-old man was arrested at the scene and has been charged with being armed with intent to commit an indictable offense, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and malicious damage. The town of Nimbin is known as a popular hippie town, with a reputation as Australias marijuana capital. In recent years, the police presence has been bolstered amid a crackdown on sellers of marijuana and other drugs. Bows and arrows are far less commonly used as criminal weapons of assault than guns or knives, but can be very dangerous, together with their cousins the bolt and crossbow. Driving With An Arrow in Her Face In January, the devastating effect of a crossbow was shown in the gruesome images of an Arkansas woman who was shot in the face with a crossbow after stepping in front of her 14-year-old son and 15-year-old nephews. She survived, and drove herself to the hospital with the arrow in her face. Janet Partain said that she went to the home of her neighbor, 34-year-old Joseph Avellino, to confront him about stolen property. I told him, Joseph I dont want you on my property no more, this and that. And he was like, Well Im going to shoot yall, Partain told WREG. Partain said that Avellino produced a crossbow and pointed it at the teens. (He) was pointing the arrow at them and he fired a shot at one of them, and I pushed them out the way and I got hit, she said. I think I was in shock because once I got hit I said, I cant believe you almost shot that kid. Partain then hopped in her car and drove herself to the hospital. Arkansas woman shot in face with crossbow in Wynne https://t.co/oIQ8YGoZwG pic.twitter.com/QkXREAe6MV THV11 (@THV11) February 13, 2019 It was an odd sight to see someone with an arrow in their face and theyre still conscious and talking to me, said Capt. Jeff Nichols with the Cross County Sheriffs Office A picture shows a visible scar underneath Partains left eye with stitches inserted to hold the wound together after treatment. A day after being shot, she was recovering in the hospital. My face is throbbing and I cant shut one of my eyes, she told WREG. The Cross County Sheriffs Office said that Avellino was arrested on Feb. 11 after getting a call about the incident. Deputies ascertained that the victim was shot in the face with a crossbow after an altercation, the office stated. Avellino was charged with first-degree battery and three counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, all felonies. Zachary Stieber contributed to this report. Cat That Went Missing 5 Years Ago Finally Found ESSEX, Mass.A Massachusetts family says a pet cat who went missing five years ago has returned home after the feline was unexpectedly found. Elinore Repucci had let her tabby cat Larry out for a walk in August 2013, but he didnt come back after walking out the door. Repucci tells the Newburyport Daily News she and her family spent the next few weeks frantically searching for Larry. Repucci says she eventually resigned herself to thinking an animal killed Larry, as her home was near the woods. But an animal rescue shelter in Salisbury, Massachusetts, about 20 miles from her home, called her Thursday, March 14, and said they found a cat with a microchip registered to her. Shelter director Britt Fox Hover says Larry is pretty healthy, but is missing part of a paw. Animal Testing Countless kittens used for research on harmful parasites and then euthanized could be granted a new lease on life if new rules introduced in Congress are passed. The bipartisan and bicameral Kittens In Traumatic Testing Ends Now Act, or KITTEN Act, aims to find more humane alternatives to the U.S. Department of Agricultures (USDAs) current practice of euthanizing kittens after they are used in agency research on toxoplasmosisa disease caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. The parasite infects between 13 and 40 percent of population in the United States and United Kingdom, according to the USDA. Although it does not cause serious symptoms of illness in most adults, it can cause blindness and mental retardation in congenitally infected children. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) introduced the KITTEN bill on March 7. The proposed legislation does not intend to stop the research, rather just save the kittens from being put down, and has already attracted support from Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) plus a group of more than 20 bipartisan U.S. representatives. The USDAs decision to slaughter kittens after they are used in research is an archaic practice and horrific treatment, and we need to end it, Merkley said in a public statement. The KITTEN Act will protect these innocent animals from being needlessly euthanized in government testing, and make sure that they can be adopted by loving families instead. Today, @SenJeffMerkley and I are introducing the bipartisan, bicameral #KITTENAct to end the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) practice of killing kittens after theyre used in agency testing. https://t.co/nh1xHEy2tE Rep. Jimmy Panetta (@RepJimmyPanetta) March 7, 2019 If passed, the bill would require the USDA to uphold basic animal welfare standards, and the kittens would be fully protected by requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to end the use of kittens and adult cats in any USDA experiment that unnecessarily harms the animal. While I strongly support scientific research, taxpayer money and federal resources should be spent on advancing scientific research in an ethical manner, not on inflicting pain on kittens or killing them after they are used in agency testing, Panetta said. I hope this bill helps us get closer to ending this cruel practice. The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture is WAY out of line breeding cats just to feed them parasite-ridden raw meat and then kill them even though theyre perfectly healthy. Our bipartisan KITTEN Act will put an end to this abusive and unnecessary practice for good.https://t.co/NIGqEiP5Q5 Rep. Brian Mast (@RepBrianMast) March 7, 2019 Since 1970, the Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland, has invested $650,000 a year into research and testing on kittens that eventually get put down by the USDA. Animal rights advocates accuse the lab of breeding up to 100 kittens annually to be fed parasite-infected raw meat when they turn two months old. Feces are collected and parasitic eggs harvested for use in other experiments. The three-month-old kittens are then euthanized and cremated. Rights groups says that the kittens could easily be treated and adopted. The USDA disputes the claim that it was experimenting on 100 kittens each year, saying the figure is inflated. Total numbers of kittens killed in toxoplasmosis research at Maryland lab funded by your tax dollars according to @USDA in past 5 years. Its funded to raise & kill 100 per year. 2017-30 killed / 2016 -50 killed / 2015-34 killed / 2014-44 killed / 2013-63 killed @ABC7News #7OYS Scott Taylor ABC 7 (@ScottTaylorTV) May 18, 2018 It also maintains that the animals used in the life-saving research have to be euthanized to stop the parasite from infecting people, although this has been disputed by the Centers for Disease Control, American Veterinary Medical Association, and Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, who say that the kittens can be kept safely as pets after they have been treated with the antibiotic clindamycin. Merkley is using wording in the Senate Appropriations Committee agricultural bill to urge the USDA to consider alternative testing methods to infecting and killing kittens. The USDA announced in 2018 it had started looking for alternatives to the kitten testing. Kittens should be in loving homes, not government labs. My KITTEN Act will prevent the government from needlessly euthanizing kittens when they can be adopted by families instead. RT if you agree. pic.twitter.com/28u5eeKqXN Jeff Merkley (@JeffMerkley) March 7, 2019 Taxpayer watchdog group White Coat Waste Project applauded the two senators for trying to rescue the kittens. 3,000 kittens killed and $22 million squandered for decades of cruel and unproductive USDA experiments is tragic whether you care about government waste, animal protection or both, Project Public Policy Manager Noelle Callahan said. Like a majority of Americans, our two-million-plus members want this nightmarish program ended and we applaud Senator Merkley for his outstanding leadership to end the USDAs taxpayer-funded kitten slaughter. Animal protection advocates also welcomed the new bill, saying the USDAs research practices are out of step with 21st Century animal welfare recommendations. Continuing to breed and kill perfectly healthy kittens for toxoplasmosis research is unethical and unnecessary, and Im grateful to Senator Merkley for introducing the KITTEN Act to stop it once and for all, said Animal Planet Guest Expert Hannah Shaw, who is also founder of animal advocacy project Kitten Lady. Separately, the U.S. government recently revealed that it was extending an agreement with the University of CaliforniaSan Francisco to supply researchers at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with fetal tissue sourced from aborted babies for implanting into mice. It is the second time HHS has opted for a 90-day extension instead of a year-long agreement as the department reviews its use of fetal tissue for moral, ethical, and other concerns. Since 2013, HHS has been paying over $2 million a year of taxpayer money for a steady supply of about 100 mice a month, 90 of which are implanted with human fetal thymus and liver tissue. The mice are used for testing HIV drugs. The Epoch Times reporter Richard Szabo contributed to this report. Felicity Huffman(L) attending the Showtime Emmy Eve Nominees Celebration in Los Angeles on September 16, 2018 and actress Lori Loughlin arriving at the People's Choice Awards 2017 at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, on January 18, 2017. LISA O'CONNOR,TOMMASO BODDI/AFP/Getty Images Corruption From the Leftthe Tip of the Iceberg Commentary On March 12, a couple of Hollywood actresses and some business leaders were among dozens of wealthy parents charged in a multimillion-dollar college admissions scandal that also implicates a number of leading universities in the United States. So far, the University of TexasAustin, Wake Forest, Georgetown, Yale, University of Southern California (USC), University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Stanford universities have been implicated. Most of the news coverage so far focuses almost exclusively on the parents, who are alleged to have paid bribes to get their unqualified children into top universities. The reports carefully avoid the real issue, which is the corruption that exists at our universitieswhich have long been controlled by the left. Just think about this for one moment, about the way its being reported by the mainstream media. Anytime a criminal pays off a judge or a politician, its not the criminal paying the bribe who is the focus, its the judge or politician who accepted the bribe who receives the attention. They are the ones who betrayed public trust and are the greater criminal in many ways. These universities shouldnt be ignored as part of the problem, and there needs to be punishment or, at the very least, reforms imposed to stop this form of corruption that exists within the multibillion-dollar industry of higher education. Make no mistake, the university system is a huge government-subsidized moneymaker for the left, and part of a method used to funnel money back to leftist politicians. The left is going to do and say anything to protect and cover for corrupt universities. Weve already seen some of the left-wing reporting from sources, such as CNN, go so far as to link the scandal to President Donald Trump. This is dishonest at best and an attempt to cover up at worst. Its just more proof that the left thrives within a corrupt system and needs to be stopped. The System In my previous career, I lived much of my adult life overseas. Like everything, that is a double-edged sword, but I have had the opportunity to see more of the world and how it works than most people. Part of that opportunity was to live in socialist countries and see the reality of how those systems work. One of the very first things always seized by the left when taking control of a country is the education system. We have even seen this to be the case in the zones that were conquered by the terrorist group ISIS. In the former Soviet Union, it was no exception, and the university system there was tightly controlled and completely corrupt in much the same manner that universities in the United States have been corrupted by the left. For example, in Eastern Europe, the grading system is different than in the West. Here, students receive letter grades of A, B, C, etc. There, students receive a number grade of 110, with 10 being high (good) and 1 being low (bad). Even though the USSR no longer exists, this system lives on in Russia and Eastern Europe. The children of party leaders and the wealthy get their choice of what university they want to attend, which is what were seeing is the case here in the United States. It doesnt stop there either; it continues for the full education of the student in question. One of the actresses charged in this scandal is Lori Loughlin, who is alleged to have paid a bribe to get her daughter accepted at USC. Her daughter, Olivia Jade, was accepted at USC and monetized her time there by making deals with Amazon and apparently others, and running a YouTube show. She made it clear in those video recordings that she was there to party and would continue her social schedule, which includes a lot of travel. Considering she wasnt even able to meet the admissions requirements, theres no way she would be able to maintain the grades needed to not flunk out when she was not attending classes or perhaps even taking exams. This is a page right out of the Soviet Union book and how it still works to this day. Theres even a term for the children of the rich and powerful in Russia and Eastern Europetheyre known as golden children. When they attend universities, they also make no changes to their lifestylesthey travel, and miss classes and exams as they wish. Famously, the grading system reveals exactly how this works. A normal student, no matter how brilliant, almost without exception receives a grade of 9 or lower in the system. The highest grade of 10 is reserved for those golden children who dont actually have to earn their grades. Everyone there knows and understands that when you see a graduates transcripts, if they have straight 9s as their grades, theyre brilliant; if they have straight 10s, theyre connected. This is the path were walking with our university system here in the United States, with the left in charge. What an ugly, evil, two-tiered world theyre creating. Brad Johnson is a retired CIA senior operations officer and a former chief of station. He is president of Americans for Intelligence Reform. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Cultural Genocide: Uighur Activist Says Situation in Xinjiang Worsening The detention and abuse of Uighur Muslims in Chinas Xinjiang region has accelerated to become a cultural genocide and will likely, if it hasnt already, become an actual genocide , says a Uighur activist in Canada. Rukiye Turdush says the Uighur culture is actively being stamped out by the Chinese government, and Uighurs in the Xinjiang live under constant surveillance. The Chinese regime has claimed that its de-radicalization program is intended to crack down on extremists in the Xinjiang region. Some reports indicate that over one million Uighurs from the Xinjiang region are being held in so-called re-education camps, where they are forced to deny their faith and pledge allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party. Speaking at an event held by Peace, Order, and Good Governance Canada (POGG), Turdush said she is convinced the situation in Xinjiang will only get worse. In recent years, its accelerated to cultural genocide and its escalating to genocide right now, she said at the March 9 event. I can say its escalating to genocide. Turdush says Uighurs in camps face physical and psychological torture, as well as death. Only a few witnesses of the abuse at the camps exist, but one Uighur woman with an Egyptian passport who was able to escape she gave testimony last year to the U.S. Congress about the atrocities she witnessed there. Speaking in front of the congressional-executive commission on China, Mihrigul Tursun said she had been taken to a Chinese government detention centre multiple times. The first time, she was released because one of her three-month-old triplets had died while in the custody of the authorities. The second time she was interned there, Tursun said she was tortured. She said she was interrogated for four days while not allowed to sleep, was tied up on a tiger chair, and after a few months began to have seizures. I thought I would rather die than go through this torture. I begged them to kill me, she said in her statement. They told me my mother and son had died, that my father was serving life in prison, and that my family was torn apart because of me. Tursun also said she witnessed nine deaths in three months while in her cell of 68 people. U.N. Human Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet said earlier this month that she is seeking access to China to verify reports of disappearances and arbitrary detentions in the Xinjiang region. Chinas Influence in Canada A speech critical of the Chinese regimes treatment of Uighurs given by Turdush at McMaster last month was disrupted by filming and shouting from Chinese students in what Turdush says was an attempt by Beijing to suppress her message. In a joint statement released by the students who interrupted her, they said that all nationalities in China are happy and living in harmony. How could they live in harmony? Turdush said. This has become a police state right now. She said WeChat messages show that the Chinese students were instructed by someone, and believes that someone was from the Chinese consulate. However, she said she doesnt have explicit proof it was a Chinese official. Canadian Magnitsky lists have the names of human rights violators who are not welcome in Canada, and Brock Universitys Professor Charles Burton finds it interesting that there arent any Chinese officials on that list. Why is there no Chinese name on that list when we have such an awareness of very, very serious crimes against humanity that are going on in the Western part of China now? he said in a speech at the POGG conference. There is also a question of Chinese political influence in Canada. China has 166 officially recognized diplomatic representatives in Canada, which is more than any other country in the world. By comparison, the United States has 149 representatives, yet America is by far Canadas largest partner in trade and culture. Burton wonders why there are so many Chinese representatives here. You wonder how many of the large number of Chinese diplomats in Canada are actually carrying out the mandate of the Chinese Communist Partys united front work department to promote Chinese political influence in Canada, the professor said. And, you know, we dont know. Burton noted that one of Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus goals has been to foster greater trade with China, at least until Beijing detained Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor last December. In retrospect, we can see Canadas approach to China until the detention of the two Canadians has become seriously dysfunctional, Burton said. It amounted to a foreign policy designed to serve the interests of Canadian business and government elite, emphasizing the promotion of prosperity of Canada over everything else. Beijing has accused Kovrig and Spavor of stealing state secrets, but it is widely believed that they were detained in retaliation for Canadas arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on behalf of the United States, where she faces charges of fraud. I think China will continue to give us pushback, hoping that somehow this will result in Ms. Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of Huawei, being returned to Beijing, Burton says. Texas representative and senatorial Democratic Party candidate Beto O'Rourke delivers a speech at the University of Texas, in El Paso, Texas, on Nov. 5, 2018. (Paul Ratje/AFP/Getty Images) Democrat Beto ORourke Joins 2020 Presidential Race Beto ORourke, the Democrat who gained national attention in 2018 when he ran a long-shot bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Texas, on March 14 announced his bid for the presidency in the 2020 election. The 46-year-old ORourke, a former three-term congressman, announced his bid in a video posted online. The interconnected crises in our economy, our democracy, and our climate have never been greater and they will either consume us or they will afford us the greatest opportunity to unleash the genius of the United States of America, ORourke, sitting beside his wife on a couch, says in the video. ORourke followed his announcement with a trip to Iowa, the state that will hold the first Democratic nominating contest in February 2020. I am running to serve you as the next president. The challenges we face are the greatest in living memory. No one person can meet them on their own. Only this country can do that, and only if we build a movement that includes all of us. Say youre in: https://t.co/EKLdkVET2u pic.twitter.com/lainXyvG2n Beto ORourke (@BetoORourke) March 14, 2019 ORourke, who ultimately lost the 2018 midterm Senate race to Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), positioned climate change as the most important issue he would tackle, saying that our very existence depends on it and that Americans need to squarely confront the challenge of climate change before its too late. The candidate supports the socialist Green New Deal plan, which would radically transform the United States by removing all gas-engine cars and upgrading or replacing every building in the country. The proposal calls for a Soviet Union-style mobilization over 10 years that could cost American taxpayers $93 trillion, or $650,000 per household. ORourke also supports the socialist Medicare for All plan, which would hand the government a monopoly over the health care industry, eliminate private health insurance, and cost American taxpayers $32 trillion over the course of a decade. Leftist organizations Democratic Socialists of America and Communist Party USA both support the Green New Deal and Medicare for All. Unlike several other Democratic 2020 hopefuls who distanced themselves from the socialism label while still embracing socialist policies, ORourke has not dissociated himself from it. Under repeated questioning on the topic in a BBC profile aired in 2018, he would not disavow socialism. Early opinion polls on the 2020 race have ranked ORourke in the top tier of contenders, behind former Vice President Joe Biden, who has not yet announced whether he is running, and socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). ORourke has worked to keep himself in the public eye since losing to Cruz. In February, he staged a rally in El Paso, Texas, to compete with the one held by President Donald Trump nearby on the same day. The crowd watching Trumps speech dwarfed the one gathered for ORourke, earning a jab from Trump. He challenged us, Trump, the presumed GOP candidate for 2020, said. So we have, lets say, 35,000 people tonight. And he has 200 people, 300 people. Not too good. That may be the end of his presidential bid, the president added. Trump and ORourke hold widely divergent views on immigration. The president is working to build a wall on the southwest border and to provide additional funding to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in order to stem the flow of illegal aliens, drugs, and gangs into the country. ORourke has said he is open to abolishing ICE and that he would tear down existing walls in El Paso. Reuters contributed to this report. A British woman was moved to tears when she received a pair of custom wedding shoes on which her deceased mother left a message before passing away. (Lace and Love/Instagram) Dying Mother Left Secret Message for Daughter on Wedding Shoes The story of a woman whose mother left a secret message hidden on her wedding shoes before dying of cancer is warming the Internet. According to a BBC report, bride-to-be Emma, from Kibworth Beauchamp in Leicestershire, UK, got engaged in 2016 but just one month later, her mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Emmaidentified in the report by her first name onlyhoped her mother could live long enough to attend her wedding. Sadly, in 2017, her mother died. Emma recently received a delivery ahead of her big day in August 2019a pair of wedding shoes. She told the BBC she was absolutely shocked to discover her mother had secretly paid for the shoes and left Emma a touching message. Shoes filled with emotion: A bride put a deposit on a custom pair. Unbeknown to her, her terminally ill mum then paid for them and left a note to be put on the soles. Sadly she died before they were finished. The bride was so emotional upon receiving them. #Shoes #weddingshoes pic.twitter.com/xSSC5IOYfv Lace and Love shoes (@Laceandloveshoe) March 12, 2019 Wanted you to have a gift from me on your wedding day. Your wedding shoes are my gift to you. Hope you have a magical day. Lots and lots of love and big hugs, MUM xxxx Absolute Shock Its been so hard planning a wedding without having her with me, and I have had lots of tears, Emma told the BBC. She said the shoes came in the post on Saturday, March 9. I had absolutely no idea, my fiance knew about it. It was just an absolute shock, she said. I pulled out the one shoe and I saw part of the message and I couldnt think who it would be. Emma said she was overcome with emotion when she read the entire message and it dawned on her who was its author. I started to cry I was just absolutely in bits. I couldnt breathe, I couldnt talk. Amanda Weise, who runs the online shop Lace and Love, which sells handcrafted shoes and also offers personalization services, told the BBC it was lovely to be able to be involved in the touching gift. Its probably the most emotional pair of shoes Im ever going to make, Weise told the news outlet. Hopefully it will give her a bit of comfort on the day. It will be like walking down the aisle with her mum. The Twitter account of Lace and Love posted a photo of the shoes, with the caption: Shoes filled with emotion. Shoes filled with emotion: A bride put a deposit on a custom pair. Unbeknown to her, her terminally ill mum then paid for them and left a note to be put on the soles. Sadly she died before they were finished. The bride was so emotional upon receiving them. #Shoes #weddingshoes pic.twitter.com/xSSC5IOYfv Lace and Love shoes (@Laceandloveshoe) March 12, 2019 Weise said Emmas mother contacted her several weeks after the initial order was made for the shoes. It was her mum who told me she had cancer and wouldnt be there for Emmas wedding day. She told me on the first message she sent me, Weise told the BBC. I think Emma was kind of hoping she would see the wedding. From the message that she wrote, I think she did intend for it to be after she was gone. Youll Never Forget It The story recalls a heartwarming incident in which a police officer in New Jersey left a generous $100 tipalong with a touching note on the checkafter learning that his server was pregnant with her first child. Brian Cadigan, the father of the waitress, shared the story on Facebook over the weekend, posting a photograph of the extraordinary receipt that was reportedly issued at the Lamp Post Diner in Gloucester Township, on Friday, Feb. 15, at 12:39 p.m. Cadigan said the officerwho wanted to remain anonymous, according to a Fox News reportleft the $100 tip on a $9 check and capped the touching gesture off with a note, Enjoy your first, you will never forget it. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=413351236085565 Just Doing Their Jobs Cadigan wrote in the post, You always hear about how bad the police are, how they treated you like dirt, how they are on a power trip. Yes I am sure there are some bad apples, the waitresss father continued, but most of them are just doing their jobs, they deal with the worst of society every day and have to keep going back [every day] and deal with it all over again. Cadigan then praised the police for the things they do that most people will never know about before describing his daughters encounter with the police officer. My daughter is a waitress at a local diner, she is also 7 months pregnant and working still to save as much money as she can, Cadigan wrote, adding that she was working the lunch shift when a Voorhees Twp police officer came in, he was pleasant, and had his lunch by himself. You always hear about how Bad the Police are, How They treated you like dirt, how they are on a Power Trip, Yes I am Brian Cadigan 2019216 After finishing his meal, the police officer signed the bill, Cadigan wrote, and left her a $100 tip on a $9.00 ticket and the note simply said Enjoy your first, you will never forget it. What a wonderful person to not only leave a VERY generous tip, but a lovely message, he wrote. I dont know you [Mr.] Police Officer, but you made my little girl cry, and made her year. Thank you, I always had the utmost respect for Officers, but you went above and beyond not just an officer, but a beautiful human being. God Bless. IRVINE, Calif., March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Burnham Benefits Insurance Services a highly respected and growing industry leader in the California employee benefits brokerage space announced today that Emily Ferrante joins the Los Angeles team as a consultant. Ferrante brings nearly eight years of expertise from Willis Towers Watson, where she utilized her benefits analyst experience to excel in her health and benefits consultant role. She worked alongside senior management to develop strategic pathways that support the varying needs of large national accounts. Ferrante appreciates the dynamic nature of the quickly changing industry. According to Ferrante: Burnham is well known in the industry. But what I really respect about Burnham is that it's cognizant of the day-to-day challenges of our clients and balancing that with some of the broader strategic elements that every client needs to focus on. It's not just thinking about the 10,000-foot level, What will tomorrow look like? You cant know what tomorrow looks like until you see what todays problems areand Burnham tackles both. Burnhams investments in benefits specialists, ranging from voluntary and pharmacy benefits to data analytics and technology integration, provide Ferrante with a unique platform to nimbly support the growth of Burnhams large national accounts strategically. Burnham President and CEO Kristen Allison said: Emily is a strategic hire. Coupled with her large national accounts and benefits analyst experience is the fact that she very clearly understands the shift within organizations. Employee benefits have become a more significant factor in decisions beyond the realm of HR. Emily recognizes how impactful benefit plans and programs can be because they touch each employee. Ferrante embodies Burnhams culture of progress and collaboration: "A women-led firm is such an inspiration and if I can even play just a small part in building up other women like myselfwhat a privilege that would be, Ferrante said. To learn more about Emily Ferrante please visit her Burnham Benefits profile page here . About Burnham Benefits Insurance Services: Burnham Benefits Insurance Services, Inc. is a privately held, full-service strategic employee benefits consulting, and brokerage firm based in Irvine, California, with seven offices throughout the state offering comprehensive client-first strategic solutions. The closely held nature of Burnham allows its leadership to easily adapt and create customized programs that fit clients' best interests -- investing in cutting-edge technology, and the tools and resources needed to provide the specialized level of service that today's rapidly changing business climate demands. Burnham goes Well Beyond Benefits with its cadre of highly skilled industry professionals providing unmatched personal service. Retirement Consulting and Wealth Management services are also offered through our strategic partnership with Burnham Gibson Wealth Advisors, Inc. Burnham is a certified Benefits Corporation (B Corp), holds national recognition as one of the Best Places to Work in Insurance by Business Insurance magazine since 2013, and consistently ranks as one of the Best Places to Work by the Orange County Business Journal, North Bay Business Journal, and Los Angeles Business Journal. For more information, visit www.BurnhamBenefits.com If you would like more information about Burnham Benefits or Emily Ferrante, please contact Kristen Allison at 949-252-4580 or email allison@burnhambenefits.com. Contact: Cody Carroll, Burnham Benefits Insurance Services Phone: 949.252.4576 Email: carroll@burnhambenefits.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/285792e7-d2ad-4af7-9980-2acc4e6db8c7 An honor guard holds a Taiwan flag before the arrival of Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen at the Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador, on Jan. 12, 2017. (Jose Cabezas/Reuters) El Salvador Top Court Suspends Scrapping of Taiwan Trade Accord SAN SALVADOREl Salvadors highest court on March 13 temporarily suspended the cancellation of a free trade pact with Taiwan, after the Central American nations sugar industry sought an injunction, arguing the move would hurt its business interests. In August, the United States criticized El Salvadors decision to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China, saying the change was of grave concern to Washington. It warned that China was luring countries with incentives that facilitate economic dependence and domination, not partnership. El Salvadors sugar chamber asked the countrys highest court for the injunction, saying the December decision by President Salvador Sanchez Ceren to cancel the trade deal put in jeopardy the industrys property rights and legal security. Sanchez Cerens government order would have canceled the accord on March 15. The free trade agreement gives El Salvador an 80,000-tonne, tariff-free quota to export sugar to Taiwan. Officials of El Salvadors government were not immediately available to comment. In Taiwan, the Foreign Ministry said it was pleased to see the current development direction of the case and would respect the legal process as it developed. Political outsider Nayib Bukele was elected in February as El Salvadors next president, bringing an end to a two-party system that has prevailed in the violence-plagued country for three decades. He will take office in June. Last month, a member of his team said Bukele would assess whether the country should maintain diplomatic relations with China. Taiwans Foreign Ministry said it would continue to pay close attention to the development of the political situation in El Salvador. Beijing has been seeking to bring Taiwan into its fold since the Kuomintang fled to Taiwan after losing to Chinese Communist Party forces in 1949. The Chinese regime considers Taiwan a province of the mainland and has tried to eliminate any references to it as an independent country. The United States switched diplomatic recognition to the Peoples Republic of China from Taiwan in 1979, but the Taiwan Relations Act, passed shortly after, provides for de facto diplomatic relations with Taiwan and provision for its self-defense needs. By Nelson Renteria. The Epoch Times contributed to this report. A woman walks past the entrance of the European Commission in Brussels on Nov. 14, 2018. (Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty Images) EU Commission Slams Beijings Investment Strategy, Human Rights Record The European Commission did not hold back in its criticism of China in its latest report, calling Beijing a systemic rival. The executive arm of the European Union called China a state that promotes alternative models of governance in a report on EU-China relations published on March 12. With such an assertion, the EU inches closer to Washingtons stance, as U.S. President Donald Trumps national security strategy has defined Beijing as a strategic rival. Though Beijing has promised to abide by the rule-based international order, the regime has been selective, agreeing to some rules while refusing to accept new rules that reflect the responsibility and accountability of a nation that plays a significant role globally, the report said. One of the norms Beijing has failed to embrace is the respect of human rights. The human rights situation in China is deteriorating, notably in Xinjiang and regarding civil and political rights, the report stated. Beijing has detained an estimated 1 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in internment camps in northwestern Chinas Xinjiang region, where they are subjected to political indoctrination. According to former detainees, some have been tortured and drugged. Economic Relationship Beijings current business and investment practices in Europe and elsewhere were the subject of the reports scrutiny. Contrary to the EUs open procurement market, China is increasingly favoring domestic companies over EU firms in a protectionist trend, the report said. For example, European firms report encountering difficulties when applying for procurement opportunities in China. EU companies also must overcome onerous requirements as a prerequisite to access the Chinese market, including creating joint ventures or transferring key technologies to Chinese counterparts. Beijing has also set up market barriers in favor of its domestic champions. In one example provided in the report, European finance and online payment companies are denied access to the Chinese market, while Chinese counterparts dominate the domestic market. By contrast, those Chinese firms have been allowed to develop in the EU market. One example is Chinese payments provider UnionPay, which currently operates in the UK and Portugal. EUs agricultural and food exports to China are also subject to discriminatory, unpredictable and burdensome procedures, excessive delays, and decisions not based on science, the report said. China has restricted food imports in its effort to achieve food self-sufficiency. In developing countries, European companies are also at a disadvantage, as Chinese companies have access to state backed loans and export credits at preferential terms and applying different corporate and labor standards. In some countries such as Ghana, Chinese companies contracted for development projects have been the subject of local criticism due to its disregard for environmental regulations. The report proposed 10 actions that could make the relationship between the EU and China more reciprocal, such as reforming World Trade Organization rules and proposing legislation to more carefully scrutinize foreign acquisitions of EU companies. Chinese Investments Elsewhere The report was also critical of Chinese investments in some unnamed countries, saying that they may result in high-level indebtedness and transfer of control over strategic assets and resources. This is an allusion to Chinas One Belt, One Road initiative (OBOR), a project launched in 2013 for Beijing to fund infrastructure projects around the world, with the objective of building up trade routes linking China, Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America. Since then, several countries have been in serious debtand have surrendered control of their national assets after they were unable to pay off the loans. One example is Sri Lanka, which converted its Chinese loans into a 99-year-long lease agreement for Beijing to control its strategic port of Hambantota. Katainen, while speaking to journalists during a presentation of the report, warned EU member states to carefully assess whether to sign up for OBOR, saying that there are no free lunches, according to European online newspaper Euobserver. So far, 13 EU member states have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China to participate in OBOR, according to Euobserver. Italy has announced its intention to sign an MoU on OBOR with China, despite the fact that there seems to be division inside the Italian government over inking a deal. The report also warned EU member states that they must abide by EU laws, rules, and policies when working with China under different cooperation frameworks, such as the 16+1 format. Beijing introduced the 16+1 platform in 2012 to increase business deals with 11 EU member states and five Balkan countries in fields such as infrastructure, finance, and technology. Members of the European Parliament take part in a voting session during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Dec. 11, 2018. (Frederick Florin/AFP/Getty Images) EU Parliament Passes New Measures Targeting Chinas State-Owned Companies BRUSSELSEuropean parliamentarians have voted through tough new defensive measures targeting Chinas state-owned technology companies and airlines as part of a continent-wide shift in attitudes toward Beijing. Lawmakers sitting in Strasbourg, France, approved the two packages after the European Unions executive arm branded China a systemic rival for the first time in a sign of significantly cooling relations. On March 14, they agreed on a new protection instrument designed to end what Brussels sees as predatory competition by Chinese airlines that operate both within and outside the European market. The new law will give the European Commission the power to fine airlines or, in extreme circumstances, restrict their ground handling rights, which would prevent their aircraft from being serviced at airports within the EU. Europe will no longer accept predatory competition at the expense of its airlines, said Markus Pieper, a member of the European Parliament from German Chancellor Angela Merkels Christian Democratic Union party. The measures on airlines followed a vote on March 12 when members of the European Parliament (MEPs) overwhelmingly backed a new act which will mean technological products, processes, and services sold in Europe have to meet new EU-wide cybersecurity standards. In a sign of how troubled Brussels has become by recent developments, the parliamentarians also adopted a separate non-binding resolution expressing deep concern over allegations that Chinese telecom giant Huawei uses 5G mobile technology for mass surveillance. After the vote, the EU Parliament issued a statement that called on the Commission and member states to provide guidance on how to tackle cyber threats and vulnerabilities when procuring 5G equipment in order to counter the IT threat from China. It stated: MEPs express deep concern about recent allegations that 5G equipment may have embedded backdoors that would allow Chinese manufacturers and authorities to have unauthorized access to private and personal data and telecommunications in the EU. The votes came after the Commission published a 10-point plan on how it will approach future EUChina relations, ahead of a historic summit between the two superpowers on April 9. In the blueprint, officials in Brussels also offered veiled criticism of 13 European countries that have signed memorandums of understanding with Beijing for its Belt and Road infrastructure initiative. G7 member Italy is also in talks with China, sounding alarm bells across Europe. The commission plan calls for a more balanced and reciprocal economic relationship that promotes reciprocity and opens up procurement opportunities in China and vows that new legislation will address the distortive effects of foreign state ownership and state financing in the European market. We recall that we must stay united in the EU and that all the member states, and also the Belt and Road operators, must comply with our regulations and rules which we have when it comes to competition and transparency, said Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen. What we want is to avoid to end up in a situation where we are forced to compete with public subsidies. We believe in social market economy, and we are not in favor of subsidized economy, he added. Wolfgang Munchau, a foreign policy expert who wrote the Euro Intelligence briefing note, said the EUs splintered approach to China poses a greater threat to the bloc than Britains decision to leave it. The most dangerous way to undermine the EU is not Brexit, but the way Italy does it: through an extensive strategic partnership with China, Muchau said. A number of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp users have said the websites are down. (Downdetector) Facebook, Instagram Down for Many Across the World A number of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp users have said the websites are down. The outage started after about 12 p.m. ET on March 13. According to testing done by The Epoch Times, as of 4:15 p.m. ET, Facebook was still down. On Twitter, the term #Facebookdown trending for much of the day, with users lamenting that they could not post anything or even log into the website. Some couldnt post photos. On the website Downdetector.com, there were problems at Facebook. And thousands of people commented. Facebook Down. In an era of 24 x 7 availability this is unprecendented. What is happening ? New features ? Bug fix ? Hacked ? Too much user Load ? # #facebookdown @facebook #whatwillwedo pic.twitter.com/mK7eYsRrWa Dr Dang (@Sudip88818336) March 13, 2019 Both FB and WhatsApp are having issues today, wrote one person. People from all over the United States and other countries said they could not access the website and received error messages. Facebook confirmed the outage. Were aware that some people are currently having trouble accessing the Facebook family of apps, a Facebook spokesperson told CNET. Were working to resolve the issue as soon as possible. Were also aware that people are experiencing issues with access to our ads interfaces, well share an update as soon as possible. https://t.co/Wk4STxGuEq Rob Leathern (@robleathern) March 13, 2019 Facebooks ad products were also being affected, according to CNET. On Twitter, a number of users posted memes and jokes about the outage. me attempting to do my very facebook-centric job when facebook is down #facebookdown pic.twitter.com/YsHn5FXu3R Stephanie Baiocchi (@stephbaiocchi) March 13, 2019 #FacebookDown All of us after finding Facebook and Instagram down and going out in the world pic.twitter.com/Cd6xalMcTV Nikol Nikopoulou (@NikolNikopoulou) March 13, 2019 All Facebook users going to Twitter after finding #FacebookDown pic.twitter.com/vlUL0VguvU LizneyAnimationYT (@lizneyAnimation) March 13, 2019 Feds Indict 5 From New Mexico Compound on Terror, Kidnapping Charges Five people who resided at a makeshift compound in remote New Mexico were charged with kidnapping, firearms, and terror offenses. Eleven emaciated children were discovered after a local sheriffs office raided the compound near Taos, New Mexico. Deputies also allegedly found a cache of weapons and children living there without any food. Meanwhile, the dead body of a 3-year-old boy was later found on the site, according to officials. A federal grand jury in Albuquerque indicted Jany Leveille, 36; Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, 40; Hujrah Wahhaj, 38; Subhanah Wahhaj, 36; and Lucas Morton, 41, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on March 14, adding that they were charged with federal offenses related to terrorism, kidnapping, and firearms violations. Leveille had been charged with possessing firearms and ammunition as an alien illegally and unlawfully in the United States, according to the release. The superseding indictment alleges a conspiracy to stage deadly attacks on American soil, U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson said. He added: These allegations remind us of the dangers of terrorism that continue to confront our nation, and the allegation concerning the death of a young child only underscores the importance of prompt and effective intervention by law enforcement. I commend the FBI, DHS, ATF, Taos County Sheriffs Office, and the Eighth Judicial District Attorneys Office for their ongoing diligence and outstanding work in identifying and disabling imminent threats of targeted violence. Last September, a 13-year-old boy who had lived at the compound told FBI agents that his mothers boyfriend was training him to carry out attacks against non-Muslims, Reuters reported, citing court documents. Leveilles 13-year-old son told officials that Wahhaj wanted to get an army together and train the children for jihad. Wahhaj trained him and another teen in firearms and military techniques, including rapid reloading techniques, according to the report. At the time, he told them that jihad specifically meant killing non-believers. The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to provide material support in preparation for violent attacks against federal law enforcement officers and members of the military, said Assistant Attorney General John Demers on March 14. Advancing beliefs through terror and violence has no place in America, and the National Security Division continues to make protecting against terrorism its top priority. The indictment also charged Leveille, Hujrah Wahhaj, Subhanah Wahhaj, and Morton with kidnapping and related conspiracy charges, the DOJ said, alleging that they kidnapped the 3-year-old boy from Georgia before transporting the child to New Mexico, where they hid the child before he died. The 13-year-old in September also told the FBI that his mother thought she was getting messages from God. He also watched her and Ibn Wahhaj attempt alleged exorcism rituals on the 3-year-old. In one exorcism, the boy choked and his heart stopped, a special agent said, reported Reuters. During this lengthy and complex investigation, the safety of the community as well as that of the children at the Amalia compound has been our priority, said Special Agent in Charge Langenberg in a statement. Cases such as these sometimes take a while, but the FBI will never give up until justice is done. Film Review: Captain Marvel: Blah Blockbuster PG-13 | 2h 4min | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi | 8 March 2019 (USA) Mr. Marvel Comics himself (the real Captain Marvel)the venerable Stan Leeis given a nice send-off at the outset of Captain Marvel, and then a two-hour slog of blah, meh, and feh is foisted upon one. Yet as of this writing, its the most popular superhero movie opening to date, with $455 million worldwide. Carol Danvers, Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), was one of the rarified, early-days female Air Force pilots (which means some Top Gun-type scenes). Then she crashed and burned, and was turned into a Kree named Vers. Whats a Kree? A green-and-gray-superhero-suit-wearing people, headed up by Starforce commander Yon-Rogg (Jude Law), responsible for keeping order in the universe. As opposed to another race: the greenish-skinned Skrulls, who look like pointy-eared Tolkien orcs. Yon-Rogg is doing some Yoda-like kungfu-ish training of Carol. He would like her to get proficient at fighting without using her blue, electric-looking superpowers that she apparently got from standing too close to this, this blue, electricity-radiating cube, thats apparently good for something. Probably universe-dominance. Back on Earth When shes good to go, Danvers heads back to Earth to Hulk-smash some Skrulls. Who decides shes ready? The computer-generated Supreme Intelligence (Annette Bening). The Skrulls fearless leader (Ben Mendelsohn) can shape-shift, sort of like a Transformers version of an orc or a Mission Impossible latex mask, and so youre never sure whos talking, him or disguise. And Nick Fury and Phil Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D. are here. (Samuel L. Jackson and Clark Gregg, respectively, are both young-ified with CGI, so this is two-eyed Fury back before the eye patch happened, with the addition of a terrible toupee.) And so, these two are in pursuit of Carol Danvers, as she, dressed in her Kree gray-green paintball suit, shows up in a mid-1990s L.A. setting, replete with Blockbuster Videos and RadioShacks, and the action is wreathed round with catchy tunes of the day (Nirvana, Hole, etc.) Shoddy Production The movie just looks cheap overall. Captain Marvel has one of those forearm-situated computer readouts, like the Predator has, but it functions like something youd find in a Walmart toy section. Captain Marvel is related more to the Guardians of the Galaxy side of the Marvel-verse; lighter fare, but not quippy like Deadpool. Its a fair bet to say that Samuel L. Jackson provides 99 percent of the chuckles here, but then, he does that in just about any movie hes in. Why is this movie suddenly a financial blockbuster? The only blockbuster-ness it warrants is the one Captain Marvel crash-lands in. Most likely because this is the second-only female lead other than Wonder Woman. Which is a good thing. But also probably because the Marvel-verse has become an addiction, and quantity is winning out over quality. Which is a bad thing. Film Review: Captain Marvel Director: Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck Starring: Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Mendelsohn, Jude Law, Lashana Lynch, Annette Bening, Clark Gregg, Djimon Hounsou Rated: PG-13 Running time: 2 hours, 4 minutes Release Date: March 8 Rated: 2.5 stars out of 5 Five in California Arrested for Allegedly Taking Exams for Chinese Nationals Applying to US Colleges SACRAMENTOFive California residents were arrested March 12 for alleged roles in a scheme to help Chinese nationals cheat on literacy proficiency exams used to enter U.S. universities. The five individuals allegedly used false, forged, or counterfeited Chinese passports to take the exams on behalf of students from China, officials say. The Chinese students intended to become foreign exchange students in the United States, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website. Christopher Kuemmerle, a special agent for Homeland Security Investigations, told the Los Angeles Times that more than 40 students used this scheme to get into highly ranked U.S. colleges. Those colleges include the University of CaliforniaLos Angeles; UCIrvine; and UCRiverside. We have so many students that are honest, that work hard to get into the university of their dreams and yet, that spot might be taken by someone who cheats, Kuemmerle told the Los Angeles Times. Kuemmerle supervises the Los Angeles Document and Benefit Fraud task force, the agency that ran the investigation. The charges include using fake passports and impersonating others to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); passing this English proficiency exam is necessary to obtain a student visa for traveling and studying in the United States. Four of the five arrests were made in the greater Los Angeles area, with the final arrest made in Stockton. Another defendant is suspected to reside abroad. Exam Exploitation The alleged ringleader, named Liu Cai, 23, was living in Woodland Hills on a student visa. Hes accused of taking at least five exams on behalf of Chinese nationals. Others arrested include Samantha Wang, 24, Mohan Zhang, 24, and Elric Zhang, 24, in the Los Angeles area, while Quang Cao, 24, was arrested in Stockton, California. Tuan Tran, 33, is believed to live in Taiwan. The imposter test-takers were generally U.S. citizens of Chinese descent that spoke English well and that could breeze through the exam, Kuemmerle told the Los Angeles Times. A lot of these associations were made at Chinese-American social organizations. All of the arrested individuals took TOEFL exams for others. Nineteen different Chinese students were impersonated at test locations in and around Los Angeles. Students who wish to enter the United States from abroad for educational purposes must obtain an F-1 student visa, according to U.S. law. These students must apply to a school that is authorized to enroll foreign students. Many of these schools require students whose first language isnt English to take and pass the TOEFL exam for admission. To take the exam, the test-taker must have an original, non-expired, government-issued identification document from their home nation. Cai is alleged to have paid $400 through PayPal and Venmo to co-defendants after tests were taken, between 2015 and 2016. Kuemmerle told the Los Angeles Times that students had cheated their way into other universities, including Arizona State University, the University of Alabama, Columbia University, and New York University. On top of allowing students to cheat their way into our top universities, schemes such as this exploit our nations legal immigration system and threaten our national security, said Joseph Macias, special agent in charge for HSI Los Angeles, according to an ICE statement. As this case shows, we will move aggressively to identify and prosecute those who engage in fraud and corrupt the immigration process for profit. Students from China attending U.S. universities have more than quadrupled in the past 10 years, according to Statista.com. There were more than 81,000 Chinese students between 2007 and 2008; that number jumped to more than 360,000 between 2017 and 2018. A 2016 study by the California State Auditor on undergraduate data from the University of California Office of the President found enrollment bias. Out-of-state students, who include international students, were favored over California residents. Tuition fees for out-of-state students are higher than in-state fees. According to the University of California website, estimated fees for in-state individuals run from $30,000 to $35,000. Fees for out-of-state individuals are estimated at up to $65,000. Multiple Agencies Investigating A federal grand jury returned a 26-count indictment on March 8. Charges included the defendants conspiring to use false passports and aggravated identity theft as part of the scheme to impersonate Chinese nationals who were required to take the TOEFL test, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Several government bureaus are investigating the case, including the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigation, the State Departments Diplomatic Security Service, and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Fraud Detection National Security Section. The Educational Testing Service, which provides the exam, is also providing assistance on the investigation. The indictment states that the defendants all used counterfeit versions of passports from China. The use of a false passport charge has a maximum 10-year sentence in federal prison, while the conspiracy count carries a maximum sentence of five years. A mandatory two-year sentence is required for aggravated identity theft. Chinas Influence on Students Chinese students make up about 35 percent of all foreign students studying in the United States. The Chinese regime is recruiting some of these students for subversive reasons, according to Michael Wessel, commissioner of the congressional U.S.-China Economic Security Review Commission. On almost any college campus that has students from China, there will be a Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA). Chinese consulates within the United States not only influence these associations, but also fund them. They arent clubs, but rather groups for monitoring and mobilizing Chinese students in America. Consulates pay students to harass those who are viewed as anti-China. Students are also paid to hold rallies for visiting Chinese Communist Party officials. When Chinese leader Xi Jinping visited Washington in 2015, the CSSAs rallied around 700 students to wave red flags for Xis arrival. They were paid $20 an hour. Similar interference occurs in Canadian universities. In Toronto, Chinese students were caught discussing a Uyghur rights event on WeChat, a popular messaging app from China. They recorded people who attended and reported them to the consulate. Another incident occurred in Toronto, when a student of Tibetan ethnicity, Chemi Lhamo, was elected as the universitys student union. On social media, she was harassed and attacked by Chinese students. People mill around in front of the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida, on Feb. 22, 2019. The former owner of the spa was recently revealed to have sought out opportunities to network with Republican Party politicians. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Florida Spa Owner Who Sought Republican Party Connections Has Ties to Beijing Yang Li, a Chinese massage parlor owner in Florida who has recently gained attention for her attempts to get access to President Donald Trump and elite members of the Republican Party, is now revealed to have connections to the Chinese Communist Party. Yang, who also goes by the name Cindy, came under scrutiny after a Miami Herald report revealed that the Florida spa where New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft allegedly solicited prostitution was founded and previously owned by her. The Orchids of Asia Day Spa, where Kraft was busted, was part of a human-trafficking investigation across multiple Florida counties. According to the Miami Herald, Yang was the owner of the spa until she sold it in 2013. She hasnt been charged in relation to the investigation. But she continues to operate several other spas in Florida that have a reputation among clients for allegedly offering sexual services, according to the Miami Heralds report. Beijing Connections A look into her history reveals her ties to the Chinese regime. An online article published on WeChat, a popular social media platform, in February 2017 first publicized that, in 2016, she became the deputy president of the Florida branch of the Council for the Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China (CPPRC)a Beijing front group. The CPPRC is directly subordinate to the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) United Front Work Department, which is a high-level Party body that reports directly to the CCPs Central Committee, according to a report published by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission in August 2018. The Central Committee comprises 200-plus members of the Party elite. The United Front is tasked with subversion targeting overseas Chinese; in other words, recruiting spies and infiltrating Chinese communities to push forward Beijings agenda. According to the USCC report, the CPPRC has at least 200 chapters in 90 countries, including 33 chapters in the United States registered as the National Association for Chinas Peaceful Unification. In 2016, Yang was also made deputy chairman of the Miami chapter of the Chinese Association of Science and Technology (CAST), as clearly indicated in an article published on the organizations website in September 2016. CAST isnt a typical trade association. According to the English version of its website, CAST, which has branches around China and in different countries, serves as a bridge that links the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government to the countrys [China] science and technology community. Its current president is Wan Gang, who previously served as vice chairman of a national-level CCP advisory body called the Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference. There are also other signs of Yangs connections to top-level Chinese officials. Soon after arriving in the United States for studies in 1999, Yang took up a job as a journalist for Ding Ding Television, a Chinese-language broadcaster based in Silicon Valley. In an October 2015 photo, she was seen interviewing Li Qiangmin, Chinas consul general in Houston, at an event held at Florida International University, according to a separate Miami Herald article. A month later, when Chinas navy ships visited U.S. Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida, Yang was invited to attend the welcoming ceremony. The ceremony also also attended by the Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai. Schmoozing with The GOP After Trump was elected, Yang became active among Republican Party circles, often appearing at charity events and political fundraisers along the East Coast, according to the Miami Herald. The Florida newspaper uncovered photos of her socializing with Republican officials, such as Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) at the politicians Sunshine Ballwhich raised money for a political action committeein Washington, in January. Donors paid $25,000 for a photo opportunity with the senator. Most recently, on Feb. 3, Yang posted a photo on Facebook of her and Trump at a Super Bowl watch party, hosted at Trumps West Palm Beach country club in Florida. Yang also made considerable political donations to the Trump campaign. Since 2017, she and her close relatives have contributed more than $42,000 to Trump Victory, a political action committee, and more than $16,000 to the presidents reelection campaign, according to the Miami Herald. According to South China Morning Post, Yang was recently appointed director of community engagement for the National Committee of Asian American RepublicansFlorida branch. But after the Miami Herald story was published, the committee dismissed her on March 8. It appears that Yang had been trying to capitalize on her political exploits. According to a March 9 article by Mother Jones magazine, she founded a company called GY US Investment LLC in 2017. On its website, the company bills itself as an international business consulting firm that provides public relations services to assist businesses in America to establish and expand their brand image in the modern Chinese marketplace. The website has been down since the Miami Herald story broke. The company offered client activities, such as interacting with U.S. politicians, and suggested that the firm could set up opportunities to dine at the White House and on Capitol Hill. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Chinese leader Xi Jinping attend a signing ceremony in Beijing, China on May 13, 2017. China detained four Turkish businessmen on March 9, 2019. (Jason Lee- Pool/Getty Images) 4 Turkish Businessmen Detained in China After Turkey Condemns Xinjiang Internment Camps Four Turkish businessmen were recently detained in China after Turkeys foreign ministry issued a statement condemning the Chinese regimes forced internment of up to a million Uyghur and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, drawing criticism that Beijing is retaliating with hostage diplomacy. In the early morning of March 9, four Turkish businessmen who were attending a trade fair in the southern Chinese coastal city of Xiamen were taken away by local police from the hotel where they were staying. The men represented three Turkish marble exporters seeking to sell their products to China at the 19th China Xiamen International Stone Fair held from March 6 to 9. There was an estimated total of 150 Turkish companies at the fair. Chinese authorities did not give the names of the businessmen, but their initials are O.S., M.O., A., and Y.C., according to a report by Turkish media Hurriyet Daily News on March 10. The report said that the three Turkish companies were accused of evading taxes on 240,000 metric tons of raw marble imports worth 400 million yuan ($60 million) since 2016, which totaled 30 million yuan ($4.5 million) in missed taxes. Although no Chinese media have reported on this case, the news spread through word-of-mouth among Turkish businesses at the fair. After the information became public, some stone company owners scheduled for earlier flights [to leave Xiamen]. Some of them went to Hong Kong, an anonymous Turkish businessman said in the report. Another Turkish businessman who left China after hearing the news said he was so spooked he does not intend to return to China. Behind the Detention Turkey is the worlds biggest marble exporter. Turkish firms typically export the marble to China to be processed into finished marble. According to Turkish state-run media Anadolu Agency, Turkey received $2.07 billion in revenue from exporting marble in 2017. The biggest buyers were China, the United States, and Saudi Arabia. Stone News reported that about 85.5 percent of Turkish raw marble were exported to China that year. Hurriyet Daily News published an opinion article on March 11 arguing that the arrests were politically motivated because one diplomatic statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry was enough to make Turkish-Chinese relations take a nosedive. On Feb. 9, the Turkish Foreign Ministry published a statement criticizing the Chinese regime for its internment camps in Xinjiang, where torture and political brainwashing are taking place, according to accounts by former detainees. About 13 million Uyghur minorities reside in China; they are a Turkic ethnic group and speak a dialect similar to that spoken in Turkey. The Middle Eastern country is the only Muslim-majority state to have publicly condemned the Xinjiang internment camps thus far. The statement mourned the death of Uyghur musician and poet Abdurehim Heyit, who was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2017. Days later on Feb. 11, the Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying threatened Turkey that their actions would harm themselves and others. Chinese state media also later published a video, in which it claimed to show footage of Heyit still alive. It is a well-known fact that China [CCP regime] has zero tolerance against criticism, the Hurriyet Daily News article said, noting that Turkeys leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticized Western leaders frequently, but have not criticized the Chinese regime for fear of upsetting relations. On Feb. 26, the Chinese Embassy in Turkey announced that it would close its Consulate General office in Izmir on Feb. 28. Hostage Diplomacy Tang Jingyuan, a U.S.-based current affairs commentator, told the Chinese-language Epoch Times on March 12 that the arrests are a common tactic of the Chinese regime. The Chinese Communist Party wants to put political pressure on Turkey by attacking its marble exporting business, Tang said. Tang added that the detention of Turkish businessmen was similar to the case of a Canadian businessman and diplomat being detained last December after Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada on U.S. charges of violating Iran sanctions. The Chinese regime had threatened retaliation after Mengs arrest. Tang said that the gangster-like kidnapping tactic was similar to Beijings efforts to instigate boycotts against South Korea, Japan, and U.S. goods after diplomatic rows with those countries. All these actions are of the same nature, which is using Chinas domestic market to economically coerce them [to submit to Beijing], Tang said. Frank Cali, Reputed Boss of Gambino Family, Shot Dead in New York Frank Cali, the reputed boss of the Gambino crime family, was shot dead in New York Cityoutside his homein a killing that harks back to the mafia wars of the 1980s and 1990s. Cali, 53, was shot several times in the Todt Hill area of Staten Island on the night of March 13 before he was rushed to a hospital, where he died. Officers rushed to his residence at around 9:17 p.m. local time after a report of an assault was called in, NBC News reported, citing the New York City Police Department. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. A police spokesman was unable to provide a description of the Staten Island Advance 2019314 Upon arrival, officers found a 53-year-old male with multiple gunshot wounds to the torso, the department told the news outlet. EMS also responded to the scene and transported the victim to Staten Island University North, where he was pronounced deceased. According to the New York Daily News, a family member of Calis called 911, telling a dispatcher that the gunmans getaway vehicle ran him over. Officials, however, have not disclosed whether Cali was mowed down by the vehicle. Sources said the getaway vehicle was a blue pickup truck, reported NBC New York. There were like six shots, and then there were three more, one witness told the Daily News. The man was on the ground face-up. His head was by his SUV, and the truck was open. A man said by federal prosecutors to be a top leader of the Gambino mob family was fatally shot outside his home in New York on Wednesday night. NBC News 2019314 A witness said that his family members rushed outside after Cali was gunned down. Papa! Papa! one man yelled, a witness said. A woman yelled into a phone: Why doesnt the ambulance come? Hes not breathing! according to the witness. And another woman was just making loud noises, the witness said. The cops came, and they were pushing on his chest, but he wasnt responding, the witness elaborated. In 2015, Cali, who was known as Franky Boy, became the acting boss of the Gambino familyone of New York Citys Five Familiesreplacing 68-year-old Domenico Cefalu. Gambino crime boss Frank Cali shot dead outside Staten Island home https://t.co/AGUrPvVXzP pic.twitter.com/fRlwxVzopB New York Post (@nypost) March 14, 2019 In 1985, Gambino boss Paul Castellano was shot dead by notorious mob boss John Gotti in front of a steakhouse in what was considered one of the most infamous mob hits of all time. Castellano was the last New York City crime boss to be gunned down, and Gotti later died in prison in 2002. Cali, who was born in Sicily, Italy, reportedly had strong ties to an Italian crime family. According to NBC New York, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn had described him as the underboss of the Gambino crime syndicate and was related through marriage to the Inzerillo family in Sicily. He had pleaded guilty in an extortion conspiracy involving a failed attempt to build a NASCAR track in Staten Island. For that, he got 16 months in prison before he was released. Frank Cali, Gambino family Mafia boss, shot dead in New York https://t.co/Sa3aurXRw1 BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) March 14, 2019 The Gambino family is one of five mafia families that have operated in New York City for decades. The other families are the Lucchese, Bonanno, Colombo, and Genovese families. The assassination of Mr. Cali came on the same day that Joseph Cammarano Jr., the reputed acting boss of the Bonanno crime family, was acquitted at trial, The New York Times reported, and about a week after Carmine J. Persico, a longtime boss of the Colombo crime family, died in prison at age 85. A week ago, Persico died after serving 33 years in prison. He was serving a 139-year prison term. Meanwhile, on March 13, two heads of the Bonanno family, Joseph Cammarano Jr. and John Zancocchio, were acquitted in court on conspiracy and racketeering charges, the New York Times reported. MENLO PARK, Calif., March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Uplift will support its partners customer service policies for travelers affected by canceled 737 Max flights, the company announced today. Any traveler unable to rebook and in receipt of a refund from the airline or travel supplier will also receive a refund from Uplift for all interest and fees associated with their Uplift installment loan. Uplift , a fintech company that enables travel brands to provide a better way to shop, book, pay and experience travel, made the announcement in order to help ease passenger anxiety amid a wave of cancellations after a number of countries, including the U.S., grounded the Boeing plane following two crashes in the past six months. Passengers who booked a trip with one of Uplifts partners and found it canceled because of the 737 Max grounding should contact their airline for a refund, and then contact Uplift via phone, email or chat and Uplift will waive the accrued interest charges. Customers may reach Uplift via email at support@uplift.com , via chat at https://www.uplift.com/contact , or via phone at 844-257-5400. About Uplift Uplift was founded by a passionate team of travel industry veterans to provide a better way to shop, book, pay and experience travel. Our mission is to make travel more accessible, affordable and rewarding for everyone. By offering simple, flexible payments, Uplift benefits consumers who are able to book now and pay over time. How the DC Leak Culture Was Made Powerless to Thwart Spygate Investigations There have been two competing narratives when it comes to the Spygate scandal. The first narrative is that nothing has been happening. This narrative claims that former Attorney General (AG) Jeff Sessions did nothing to investigate the Spygate plot, even though Department of Justice Inspector General (IG) Michael Horowitz provided Congress with evidencein the form of text messagesof bias at the FBI in late 2017. The narrative also claims that once Sessions was forced to resign, and was replaced with acting AG Matthew Whitaker, nothing continued to happen. In the same vein, it claims that under newly confirmed AG William Barr, the Spygate plotters are still allowed to walk away with no consequences. The second narrative claims that much has been happening, but that its been deliberately kept out of sight for compelling reasons. I have been tirelessly advocating for the second narrative for well over a year. As the office of special counsel Robert Mueller prepares to close its doors forever, I still believe that myself and others holding to the second narrative will be proven correct. When The Washington Post revealed in September 2018 that federal prosecutors had summoned a grand jury in their investigation of former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, I instantly grasped what had happened: The public rollout phase had been skipped for Spygate. Without publicly announcing it, Horowitz and Sessions had already moved past the referral phase and had gone on to the prosecution phase. A commonly used procedure for Department of Justice (DOJ) cases involving internal government corruption and crimes discovered by an inspector general follows this pattern: The inspector general investigates. The IG announces the end of the investigation, begins to write a report, and releases draft reports. The IG issues a final report both to the AG and Congress, and the report is made public. If there are any criminal referrals made by the IG after the issuance of the final report, the attorney general publicly assigns U.S. attorneys to handle these cases. But its becoming clear that isnt the procedure that Sessions and Horowitz have followed in every case. A determination appears to have been made early on not to take any of the Spygate investigations public. And its always been clear to me why Sessions adopted this strategy. McCabe Grand Jury Investigating Only Leaking? It was instantly assumed by many that federal prosecutors in the case of McCabe were merely investigating his illegal leaking to the media, and his subsequent lying to the IG about it. In that case, wouldnt it be unusual that the grand jury had been used for months prior to September, and that as of today, the investigation still hasnt concluded? When Horowitz released his findings on McCabes illegal leaking and recommended his firing to Sessions, detailed information was provided, including a confession from McCabe that he had lied to investigators. Why would it take a grand jury almost a full year to investigate something that Horowitz and his office had already fully investigated, to the point it managed to extract a confession from the target, and released a report containing that confession? Its far more likely this grand jury is investigating other issues, which would also explain the complete secrecy around it. It had already been meeting for months when its existence was leaked to The Washington Post; since that leak seven months ago, there have been no further leaks. Try to grasp how amazing that is. A key Spygate plotter has had a grand jury investigating him for almost a year, and for the first months of its existence, not even a whisper about it reached the ear of anybody in the media. And once news of the grand jury did leak out, theres been total radio silence since. Given how powerful the leak culture inside Washington is, it has to be asked: How was this accomplished? Bypassing DC Leak Culture The D.C. Leak Cultureas I call itis specifically formulated and designed to protect the swamp that is Washington. It has defeated every single challenger to this point because anyone attempting reforms cant get anywhere, when every move they attempt gets leaked in advance. This allows the forces of the swamp inside Washington to marshal their resources and create an active resistance. When Trump and his strategy team sat down to discuss how they were going to root out the massive corruption across the breadth of federal government agencies they were about to assume control of, that was an incredibly daunting task. The DOJ, FBI, CIA, and State Department were all chock-full of Democratic National Committee and Clinton Machine partisans who were eagerly looking for any opportunity to sabotage the incoming administration. The No. 1 weapon these corrupt political partisans inside these agencies planned to use to both protect themselves and attack the Trump White House were strategic leaks to the news media. In fact, use of a strategic leak against Trumps national security adviser Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn led to his firing and subsequent prosecution by the Mueller special counsels office. What weve gotten from media on the right side of the spectrum is people insisting that since their usual Washington sources arent hearing anything, nothing is happening. Sometimes to fool your enemies, you have to fool your friends, too. Lets face this squarely: A lot of Trumps friends in right-leaning media wouldin an effort to advance their own interests and ambitionswould have had no problem in blowing Spygate investigations sky-high if it got them a major scoop. They might have felt bad afterward about the bad guys getting away, but the damage would have been done and it would have been irreparable. But because during the past two years, the sources these bloggers, journalists, and commentators rely on have been telling them nothing, its been interpreted to mean that nothing is happening. In fact, its far more likely that the reporters tied to the D.C. Leak Culture arent getting any hot tips from their usual sources, because none of those sources are inside or around the U.S. Attorneys office in Utah or the Office of the Inspector General in Washington. The OIGs office investigates government corruption, especially those who leak classified information. So Im pretty sure none of these reporters relying on D.C. Leak Culture scuttlebutt have been hearing anything from leakers inside the OIG. And how many of these reporters and media commentators just happen to have sources already in place and leaking to them from inside the U.S. Attorneys office in Utah? Id be willing to bet none of them. Hasnt anybody yet figured out why Sessions tapped a U.S. Attorney in Utah to lead the Spygate investigations? Its because Utah is about as far from the D.C. Leak Culture as one can get. The Ken Starr Treatment Special counsel Ken Starr made a huge tactical mistake from the very beginning of his Clinton Whitewater probe in the 1990s. He insisted on complete transparency for his investigation. The Clinton Media Machine then proceeded to turn his entire investigation into a years-long circus, in which Starr and his investigative team were turned into national pariahs. This was going on even before the Monica Lewinsky evidence surfaced, which allowed the Clinton Media Machine to endlessly repeat Starrs investigation was just about sex. Trump and his team decided there was no way they were going to hang targets on the backs of dedicated public servants they were about to task with investigating Spygate; that wouldve allowed the D.C. Leak Culture and the Clinton Media Machine to take point-blank aim at them while they were still trying to build their cases. Going the clandestine route with these Spygate investigations was probably the easiest decision that Trump had to make once he assumed office. Nothing is going to be made public by the DOJ until its time to unseal indictments. While that leaves whining media commentators blind, it also leaves the D.C. Leak Culture and the Clinton Media Machine blind, as well. And thats been the entire point. Too bad if you dont like it. Brian Cates is a political pundit and writer based in southern Texas and the author of Nobody Asked For My Opinion But Here It Is Anyway! He can be reached on Twitter at @drawandstrike. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. The Huawei brand logo is seen above a store of the telecoms equipment maker in Beijing on March 7, 2019. (Thomas Peter/Reuters) Huawei Pleads Not Guilty to US Charges of Fraud, Iran Sanctions Violations NEW YORKHuawei Technologies Co. and Huawei Device USA pleaded not guilty on March 14 to federal charges of bank fraud, wire fraud, and violations of U.S. sanctions against Iran. Huawei and its affiliate were arraigned in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, New York. The next hearing date was scheduled for April 4. In a 13-count indictment unsealed in January, the U.S. Department of Justice said the Chinese telecoms giant misled global banks and U.S. authorities about its relationship with a Hong Kong firm named Skycom Techwhich was, in fact, an unofficial subsidiary of Huawei that conducted business in Iran. Skycom, who was also charged in the indictment, did not appear in court for the arraignment as the firm has not yet been formally notified of the proceedings, U.S. prosecutor David Kessler told the court on March 14. Meanwhile, the companys chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, who is personally indicted in this case, is currently fighting extradition proceedings in Canada. The charges add heat to the scrutiny Huawei already faces in the West over concerns that its products could be exploited by the Chinese regime for spying. The company has continually denied this allegation. Separately, two units of the company, Huawei Device and Huawei Device USA, pleaded not guilty on Feb. 28 at a federal court in Seattle in a case concerning theft of trade secrets. In a 10-count indictment, the two units were charged with stealing trade secrets, wire fraud, and other offenses in connection with a conspiracy to steal trade secrets from mobile carrier T-Mobile US between 2012 and 2014. A trial date was set for March 2020. Prosecutors accuse Huawei of engaging in a concerted effort to steal information about a T-Mobile phone-testing robot nicknamed Tappy. The robot, which mimics human fingers, was developed by the mobile carrier to test smartphones. Huawei recently confirmed that it is suing the U.S. government over section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act passed last August, which bans federal agencies and their contractors from purchasing Huawei equipment. Lawmakers had added that provision due to national security risks associated with Huawei products. These elephants are increasingly rare, it's estimated that fewer than 20 remain in Africa. (Courtesy Will Burrard-Lucas) Incredible Pictures Capture Rare Elephant Queen in Kenya Towering high above the Kenyan landscape, this female elephant is huge, her long tusks curving right down to the ground. Known as a big tusker shes a rare and extraordinary sightits estimated that fewer than 30 of these animals still exist in Africa. British photographer Will Burrard-Lucas captured a series of black-and-white photographs of this animalthat he calls the Elephant Queenroaming in the natural landscape around Kenyas Tsavo National Park. Her tusks were so long that they scraped the ground in front of her as she walked. She was like a relic from a bygone era. Simply the most wonderful creature#LandofGiantsBook pic.twitter.com/C0YyK0Bivc Will Burrard-Lucas (@willbl) March 12, 2019 He took the images in partnership with the Tsavo Trust, a local not-for-profit group, over a few visits in the hope of raising awareness about the animals. It was just incredible, Burrard-Lucas tells CNN Travel. Especially in this day and age where these elephants with long tusks are so rare. Capturing the moment Burrard-Lucas spent some time living in Tanzania as a child, which sparked his interest in wildlife photography. My earliest memories are of safari and wildlife and ever since those days Ive had this passion for the natural world, he says. He took the images of the elephant with a contraption known as the Beetlecam which allows him to get close-up photographs of wildlife in its natural habitat. Shooting the Last Photos of the Rare Queen of the Elephants https://t.co/Av3XEUSUGn Will Burrard-Lucas (@willbl) March 12, 2019 Over the years Ive used it on various projects, and for this project, its really to show and emphasize the size of these animals, he adds. I hope people are inspired to care about the natural world and if they want to, to support organizations like the Tsavo Trust who are working so well to keep these animals protected. Upcoming Book The photographs will be the subject of a bookconceived by the Tsavo Trust as a means of raising awareness and fundscalled Land of Giants and featuring 150 shots of the elephants of Tsavo. The main subject of Burrard-Lucas photographs is an elephant known as F_MU1shortly after he took his last shot, she died of natural causes. In a post on his blog, the photographer says F_MU1 had experienced periods of poaching and its a miracle she lived through these traumatic experiences. Still, Burrard-Lucas hopes the photographs carry an uplifting message. I find [the photos] inspiring to look at because its just very positive and inspiring to think that elephants like this are still out therethey havent been hunted or poached, he says. The Tsavo Trust works together with the Kenya Wildlife Service to provide support in conservation effortsincluding anti-poaching patrols. This isnt the first time Burrard-Lucas photos have hit the headlineshe previously took a photograph of a rare black leopard, which was shared widely online. The photographer says that elephants with tusks like the one are even rarer than the black leopard. Man Charged With Bringing Gun to School After Call From Son WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.Authorities say a Florida man showed up at a junior high school with a loaded gun after his son contacted him to say a teacher had pushed him. The Palm Beach Post reports that 27-year-old Christopher Freeman was arrested on March 11 afternoon at Bear Lakes Middle School and charged with aggravated assault, possessing a weapon on school property and disturbing the peace. Palm Beach County School District police say Freemans son had video-called him in tears, saying a teacher had slammed him. Freeman told police he then saw an adult grab the boy before the call ended. A police officer met with Freeman when he arrived at the school. The officer reported seeing what appeared to be a gun sticking out of Freemans pants, prompting a school lockdown. Police found a loaded AK-47 pistol during a search. Registered Gun Owners Double in California Since 2012, Even as State Toughens Regulations California has more than 2.5 million gun owners registered as of Jan. 1, according to the states Justice Department. That is about double the number in 2012. The number of gun owners has been increasing by about 6-15 percent a year despite the states ever-expanding regulation of gun ownership. In 2008, there were about 2.5 registered gun owners per 100 Californians. By the end of 2018, its increased to nearly 6.3 per 100, based on the departments Armed and Prohibited Persons System annual report (pdf), as well as population estimates released by the state and worldpopulationreview.com. The number isnt quite an accurate depiction of gun ownership, as there are also many undocumented gun owners in the state. It does, however, provide a solid measure of legal gun ownership. Strict Gun Laws California has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, with waiting periods, background checks for private sales, magazine capacity limits, open carry restrictions, and mandatory firearm registration. Starting July 1, a new law will require ammunition be sold only to an individual whose information matches an entry in the states gun registration database and who is eligible to possess ammunition, with some exceptions. Gun Sales Up The increase in firearm owner registrations in California follows a broader trend of gun ownership in the country. Gun sales increased more than 80 percent between 1999 and 2017, according to The DataFace, a San Francisco data analysis company, which based its estimates on FBI background check data. There have been reports that far fewer households now own a gun31 percent in 2014 compared to over 47 percent in 1980, according to surveys by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago (pdf). Yet several other polls contradict the NORC numbers. An NBC News/Wall Street Journal Survey revealed 47 percent of households with a gun on the premises in March 2018 (pdf). Gallup reported 46 percent with a gun on premises in October. There was an estimated 11 percent decline in gun sales in 2017 accompanying the election of President Donald Trump, who has largely supported gun rights, The DataFace reported. With the prospect of relaxed gun laws for the next four years, demand has diminished and guns sales in the U.S. have waned, the company stated. Its not clear though how long the phenomenon persevered. The Trump administration moved on Dec. 18, 2018, to ban bump stocks, which allow semi-automatic rifles to fire almost as rapidly as automatic ones. At least some gun rights advocates opposed the ban. Accidental Gun Deaths Down Despite the abundance of guns, deadly shooting accidents have diminished over the past several decades. Accidental firearm discharges killed 486 people in 2017, down more than 50 percent since 1997, according to mortality data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Decreased popularity of hunting, improved trauma care, and gun safety education campaigns have likely helped decreased the fatalities. The Epoch Times reporter Petr Svab contributed to this report. Man Forced From NYC Bar for MAGA Hat Considering Legal Action NEW YORK A man who claims that he was forced to leave a New York City bar for wearing a Trump MAGA hat says hes considering seeking legal action. Manny Alicandro, the attorney for Dion Cini, addressed the media in a press conference in front of the bar, Jakes Dilemma, on March 13, Mr. Cini was forced to leave Jakes Dilemma for wearing a MAGA hat, he said. Cini was a regular customer at the bar over the past couple of years and had worn his hat there on many occasions. Just a week prior, on March 6, Cini alleges he was berated by several employees for wearing the hat and was asked to leave for refusing to take it off. In a video taken by Cini, you can see the bartender try to take away the phone and saying that he doesnt like red hats. Cini said he had already been in the bar for an hour and had placed an order when he was assaulted by the bartender and ultimately removed, solely, he says, for his political beliefs. We are concerned with the way we have been treated, and are considering legal redress at the moment, Alicandro said. Red Hat Intolerance Cini says he was having a beer and eating fish and chips at the bar, on Manhattans Upper West Side, when was told he had to leave because of his red Make America Great Again visor. In Cinis video, the bartender and a bouncer can be heard telling Cini he had to leave. Because of my hat? Cini asks. The bouncer repeatedly tells Cini to leave the bar and acknowledges that hes done nothing wrong. Why? Just because I have a red hat on? asks Cini. The police were eventually called by the bartender and Cini left after paying his tab. Apologetic Dilemma Jakes Dilemma issued an apology on the bars Facebook page after the incident. We would like everyone to know that we strive to remain completely apolitical and welcome customers with all beliefs and affiliations with the same first-rate level of customer service. Jakes Dilemma is not a place promoting any specific political ideology nor a place where we want anyone to feel unwelcome, the Facebook post said. The bar acknowledged that the bartender was out of line. We do fully acknowledge that one of our employees took it upon himself to wrongly promote his political views. We can assure everyone that this employee has been disciplined and will be retrained before being allowed to serve at Jakes Dilemma, the Facebook post said. At the press conference, Cinis attorney said that after the apology, the spokesman for the bar claimed Cini made anti-Semitic comments, which Cini says is false. Political Harassment Other cases of MAGA hat harassment have been reported across the United States, including when a woman assaulted a man in a restaurant in Falmouth, Massachusetts. In another incident, a school bus aide yelled for a student to remove their MAGA hat before grabbing it off his head in Martin County, Florida. In November 2018, a man wearing a MAGA hat was assaulted while walking in Tucson, Arizona. A man wearing a MAGA hat was assaulted while walking around downtown Tucson. https://t.co/vlONO10e57 pic.twitter.com/CGvKk0xMOv KVOA News 4 Tucson (@KVOA) November 14, 2018 At the center of recent MAGA hat attention is Covington Catholic school student Nicholas Sandmann, who has moved to sue CNN and the Washington Post for defamation. Another example is the case of Jussie Smollett, the Empire actor who is charged with filing a false report of a hate crime to police. He alleged that two white men, shouting slurs and wearing MAGA hats, had assaulted him in downtown Chicago. Detectives in Chicago later determined that Smollett allegedly staged the attack, which was highly publicized by media outlets, politicians, and celebrities. Authorities say Smollett had actually directed two men to purchase rope, masks, and a hat at a store in Uptown Chicago, and to then assault him. Police say Smollett committed the act to further his career. Smollett has since been indicted on 16 counts for allegedly lying to authorities of lying to the police. He was also charged with disorderly conduct. He has since been released on $100,000 bail. From NTD.com Paul Manafort arrives at a hearing at District Court in Washington on Jan. 16, 2018. Alexandra Chalupa worked to dig up dirt on Manafort in Ukraine. (Reuters/Yuri Gripas/File Photo) Manafort Slapped With Additional Indictment, Sentenced to 43 More Months Political consultant and lobbyist Paul Manafort has been sentenced to an additional 43 months in prison, bringing his total sentence up to seven and a half years. Additionally, he was indicted in New York on new charges of residential mortgage fraud. The last sentence was handed down by District Judge Amy Berman Jackson in Washington on March 13, adding to one given by a different judge in Virginia last week. Manafort will be credited for nine months already spent behind bars with six years and nine months to go. Jackson sentenced Manafort for money laundering, unregistered lobbying, and attempted witness tampering, to which he pleaded guilty in September. In Virginia, District Judge T.S. Ellis gave Manafort 47 months on March 7 for tax evasion and bank fraud. Both convictions stem from indictments by the office of special counsel Robert Mueller, who was appointed in mid-2017 to probe Russian interference in U.S. elections as well as allegations that the Trump campaign colluded with such interference. Mueller indicted dozens of Russians, Manafort, and several others, but hasnt substantiated the collusion allegations. Manafort had a short-lived job as campaign manager for Donald Trumps 2016 presidential bid from June to August of that year, after which he stepped down amid reports of his work in Ukraine. In October 2017, Mueller filed charges against Manafort (pdf), saying he hid millions of dollars from authorities in payments from former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, dodging taxes in the process. He also allegedly lied to banks about his income to get better loans. Manafort also was charged with lobbying for Ukraine in the United States without registeringa seldom prosecuted offenseand lying to the Justice Department. On June 8, 2018, he was charged with witness tampering after he allegedly called and messaged a former associate to give him a heads-up about work the two did in connection to the unregistered lobbying, according to court documents. Judge Jackson then sent Manafort to jail to prevent further contact with witnesses. Trump previously said he wouldnt have hired Manafort in the first place if the FBI or the Justice Department had told him Manafort was under investigation. He also commended Manafort for refusing to make up stories about him. New York Charges Just minutes after Jackson read her sentence, the Manhattan district attorney unveiled a separate indictment of Manafort charging him with 17 counts, including residential mortgage fraud, conspiracy to commit said crime, falsifying records, and a scheme to defraud. Manafort and others stand accused of falsifying business records to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars in mortgages. The allegations appeared to mirror some of the fraud charges in his Virginia trial. Question of Remorse During his last sentencing, Manafort said he was sorry for his actions, but Jackson told him his expression of remorse rang hollow. Jackson told Manafort that he had lied repeatedly and committed fraud repeatedly, and there was no good explanation for the leniency he sought. Saying Im sorry I got caught is not an inspiring plea for leniency, Jackson told Manafort, who was brought into the courtroom in a wheelchair because of a condition called gout. Jackson could have given Manafort up to 10 years in prison in the Washington casefive for each of the two conspiracy counts. I am sorry for what I have done and for all the activities that have gotten us here today, Manafort told Jackson. This case has taken everything from me alreadymy properties, my cash, my life insurance, trust accounts for my children and grandchildren, and even more, Manafort added. The defendants insistence that none of this should be happening to him is just one more thing that is inconsistent with the notion of any genuine acceptance of responsibility, the judge told Manafort. Kevin Downing, Manaforts lawyer, criticized Jacksons sentence as an unjustified punishment of his client. It was hostile and it was totally unnecessary, Downing told reporters outside the courthouse. He did not address the Manhattan charges. The Mueller Report Jacksons sentence may mark the end of a two-year-old legal battle between Manafort and Mueller, who made exposing Manaforts covert lobbying for pro-Kremlin politicians in Ukraine a centerpiece of his Russia probe, even though the lobbying took place years before Manafort joined the Trump campaign. Manaforts lawyers suggested their client was targeted specifically because of his decision to work for Trump. But for a short stint as a campaign manager in a presidential election, I dont think wed be here today, Downing told Jackson. Mueller is preparing to submit to Attorney General William Barr a report on the collusion probe as well as on whether Trump unlawfully sought to obstruct the probe. Trump has denied collusion and obstruction and Russia has denied U.S. intelligence findings that it interfered in the 2016 election in an effort to boost Trump. Reuters contributed to this report. George Cunningham (L) and John Stygler face charges including kidnapping in the abduction of a 5-year-old boy in Michigan, on March 13, 2019. (Chippewa County Sheriff's Office) Michigan Boy Found After Being Kidnapped by Two Armed Suspects Police have found a 5-year-old Michigan boy allegedly snatched from his home by two armed men in a violent kidnapping. The two suspects reportedly abducted the boy from his Chippewa County home on Wednesday, March 13, sparking an amber alert, since canceled. Authorities confirmed in a statement Thursday the boy was found safe and the suspects in his kidnapping were in custody. **Update** Child has been safely recovered. Both suspects in custody!!!Truck was located. Suspect still at large Michigan AMBER Alert 2019313 Police previously identified the suspects in the childs abduction as George Cunningham and John Stygler, both of whom were believed to be armed and dangerous. Violent Abduction Chippewa County deputies were called to a home for a domestic abuse report involving a stabbing, according to 9&10 News. When they arrived at the residence in Paradise, a small community along Whitefish Bay, deputies discovered that two male suspects had kidnapped 5-year-old Zephaniau George Cunningham. The two suspects were armed with knives, a chemical spray, and blunt objects, according to WLUC, when they made way into the house. They encountered a man and four children inside and used a chemical spray and blunt objects to subdue them. They then used zip ties to secure everyone, according to the report, and duct taped the victims mouths shut. Someone managed to break free, however, and stab one of the suspects before they left, according to 9&10 News. Before the alleged kidnappers made off with the boy, they confronted a woman outside of the residence, according to the report. They bound and gagged the unidentified female before confining her in a car. The armed duo fled the scene in a camouflage Ford pickup truck toward a residence about 5 miles north of the home. Multiple law enforcement agencies were engaged in the search for the missing boy, according to the Chippewa County Sheriffs Office (CCSO). The 1986 Ford F-250 pickup truck that police said the suspects used in the abduction was found late Wednesday, according to WJRT, but Cunningham and Stygler remained on the run with the boy. Tracks in the Snow Deputies picked up the suspects trail in the snow and used snowmobiles to follow the footprints across the ice, 9&10 News reported. After several hours of searching it was found the suspects took the child to a residence on Whitefish Bay off of Whitefish Pt Rd, the CCSO said in a statement. Suspects then fled the residence with the abducted child out onto the ice. Officers followed the tracks, which lead them to the suspects. One of the suspects, George Stephen Cunningham, is reportedly Zephaniaus biological father. Cunningham is a registered sex offender, according to the news outlet. He was convicted in Delaware in 2015 for gross sexual imposition of a victim under 13 years, according to Belize News. He made news in Belize after facing extradition from the Central American country in 2016 when he came to the attention of local police, who did a background check on him and found that there was a warrant for his arrest in the United States. The second subject was Jon Scott Stygler. The Chippewa County Sheriffs Office was cited by WoodTV as saying that one of the suspects was on parole and had cut his electronic tether. The CCSO did not specify which of the two suspects had done so. Both suspects face a range of charges, including kidnapping, assault, home invasion, and child endangerment. Minnesota Democrats Want to Topple Ilhan Omar and Nominate New Candidate Minnesota Democrats who are angry and offended at Rep. Ilhan Omar for her string of comments about Jews and Israel are reportedly considering squelching her next nomination and running a different candidate in her place. Those who want Omar replaced are looking for someone to contest her nomination and have been meeting to discuss that objective, The Hill reported Thursday. Its typcally difficult to replace an incumbent politician, even one as arguably polarizing as Omar, who in her first two months as a congresswoman has sparked contentious debates both as a country and within the party. Theres definitely some buzz going around about it, but its more a buzz of is anyone talking about finding someone to run against her than it is anyone saying theyre going to run against her or contemplate it, Democratic state Sen. Ron Latz, whose district overlaps Omars federal constituency, told The Hill. Theres definitely talk about people wanting someone to run against her. Omar has provoked accusations of anti-Semitism against her with her chiding of Israel, suggesting at one point that it had hypnotized the world and prayed that Allah would awaken it. She divided the Democratic Party last week over a resolution that was first meant to condemn anti-Semitism but became a reprimand against virtually every form of discrimination. Minnesotas Jewish community is increasingly frustrated with the comments coming from Omar, saying they have actively reached out to the congresswoman to express their concerns. Our community is exasperated by Rep. Omars unfulfilled promises to listen and learn from Jewish constituents while seemingly simultaneously finding another opportunity to make an anti-Semitic remark and insult our community, Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, told The Hill. Favorites to replace Omar include state Sen. Bobby Joe Champion and Minneapolis City Councilwoman Andrea Jenkins, according to The Hill. by David Krayden Follow David on Twitter Nellie Ohr arrives for a closed-door interview with investigators from the House Judiciary and Oversight committees on Capitol Hill on Oct. 19, 2018. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Nellie Ohr Testimony Confirms Her Work for the CIA Prior to investigating the Trump campaign for Fusion GPS, Nellie Ohr worked as contractor for the CIA for up to six years Nellie Ohr, the wife of former high-ranking Justice Department (DOJ) official Bruce Ohrboth of whom played pivotal roles in the FBIs investigation into the Trump 2016 presidential campaignworked for the CIA as an independent contractor for as long as six years. Ohr was hired as a researcher by Fusion GPSthe company hired by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee to produce the now-infamous Steele dossierin 2015. She conducted open-source research into members of the Trump campaign for Fusion GPSwhich describes itself as a commercial research and strategic intelligence firmthat may have been used in the Steele dossier. She also provided her husband with a USB stick containing all her research from her time at Fusion GPS to pass on to the FBI in late 2016 after she had officially left the firm. Prior to her work for Fusion GPS, Ohr worked for an internal open-source division of the CIA named Open Source Works from 2008 to at least June 2010; it appears likely that she remained in that role until 2014. Notably, Open Source Works is a separate entity from the more commonly known governmental open-source division, Open Source Enterprises, formally known as Open Source Center. Work for Open Source Works According to a transcript of an Oct. 19, 2018, closed-door testimony, which was reviewed by The Epoch Times, Ohr acknowledged to congressional investigators that she worked as an independent contractor for various agencies in the United States Government. Ohr testified that she worked for the CIAs Open Source Works (OSW) division. She also revealed that prior to her work for the CIA, she worked for Mitre, which is funded by the U.S. government and interacts with various intelligence agencies. Ms. Ohr: Starting in 2000, I did some part-time contracting for Mitre, which is a contract Rep. Jordan: Im sorry, I didnt hear you. Ms. Ohr: Mitre. Mitre Corporation, which in turn had contracts with U.S. Government clients. Rep. Jordan: Got it. Ms. Ohr: Through most of 2008. And then starting in 2008, I worked for Open Source Works. Mitre Corp. is a not-for-profit company that operates multiple federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs). In other words, Mitre is a government-funded enterprise that conducts research for the U.S. government. Of greater interest was Ohrs employment as an independent contractor for OSW, the CIAs internal open-source division. Ohrs Work for CIA The CIA describes OSW as a division that uses open-source information to produce intelligence products. [Open Source Works] was charged by the Director for Intelligence with drawing on language-trained analysts to mine open-source information for new or alternative insights on intelligence issues, states an unclassified Nov. 16, 2010, CIA report, headlined Russia: Security Concerns About Irans Space Program Growing. Ohr told congressional investigators that she began working for Open Source Works in 2008, but provided no time frame for her end date. Her profile on LinkedIn, however, provides some indication that she may have remained employed with Open Source Works through 2014. From 2000 to 2014, Ohr lists herself on her resume as a Linguist/Research Analyst Self-employed. But she also concurrently lists her 2013-2015 employment with Plessas Experts Networks as an Expert/Content Creator. Ohr told congressional investigators that she intentionally didnt list any agencies on her resume when working as an independent contractor for the U.S. government: Rep. Meadows: So I have one follow-up. Have you ever submitted a resume that would list any of those agencies on that resume? Ms. Ohr: No. Rep. Meadows: So no resume that would indicate that you did work for those agencies on a resume? Ms. Ohr: My resume stated that I was an independent contractor doing work in support of U.S. Government. Rep. Meadows: But normally there is a sentence or two right after it on what they did. And so what Im saying is, did in those resumes, and for example, like with Mitre, we do work with the CIA, NSA whoever Ms. Ohr: I do not explicitly name those agencies in a resume. In 2010, Ohr was listed as a participant on a June 2010 DOJ report, Expert Working Group Report on International Organized Crime. Ohr was described as Nellie Ohr, Researcher, Open Source Works, Washington DC. Listed on the same page were her husband, Bruce Ohr, and Glenn Simpson, who was, at the time, a Senior Fellow, International Assessment and Strategy Center. As the report notes, In January of 2010, the International Center of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) assembled international experts and practitioners to assess the state of research on international organized crime (IOC). It may have been here that Bruce and Nellie Ohr first met Simpson. Beginning in September 2015, Ohr began working for Fusion GPS. Ohr told investigators that she read an article in the paper that mentioned Glenn Simpson. And I remembered because he had been a Wall Street Journal reporter, working on things like Russian crime and corruption, so I recognized the name. I was underemployed at that time and I was looking for opportunities. When later questioned as to her previous knowledge of Simpson, Ohr stated, I had been at a conference that he was at. I dont recall directly talking with him at that conference, and I dont know whether he knew who, you know, who I was other than the fact that I attended that conference. Ohr acknowledged to congressional investigators that Simpson was acquainted with her husband: Rep. Jordan: And did he know at the time that he hired you that your husband worked for the Department of Justice? Ms. Ohr: Yes. Rep. Jordan: Was Glenn Simpson acquainted with your husband, Bruce? Did they have a friendship or relationship prior to you going to work for Fusion? Ms. Ohr: They were acquainted, yes. In court documents filed on Dec. 12, 2017, Simpson referred to Ohr as a former government official expert. Simpson said Ohr was hired to help our company with its research and analysis of Mr. Trump. Ohr admitted in her testimony to having researched Trump campaign adviser Carter Page, campaign chairman Paul Manafort, Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, as well as members of then-candidate Donald Trumps family, including his children. I was asked to research Trumps family broadly in connection with any any Russian connections, Ohr said. According to her online resume, Ohr currently works for Accenture iDefense. The cyber threat intelligence business iDefense Security Intelligence Services was acquired by Accenture in early 2017. On the presentation schedule for an October 2017 summit of the Financial ServicesInformation Sharing and Analysis Center (FSISAC), Ohr listed herself as working for Accenture Security. Along with Byron Collie of Goldman Sachs, Ohr gave a presentation at the FSISAC summit titled Ties Between Government Intelligence Services and Cyber CriminalsCloser Than You Think? Also attending the event was former CIA Director John Brennan, who gave a presentation titled The Cyber Threat: Security Solutions for a Rapidly Changing World. Like Ohr, Brennan played a key role in the scandal thats come to be known as Spygate, in which politicized federal agencies launched investigations into members of the Trump campaign, based on the false premise that they colluded with Russia. It was Brennan who initially collected unofficial foreign intelligence on the Trump campaign and funneled it to the FBI, thereby effectively instigating the FBIs counterintelligence investigation. He also spread the unproven allegations to members of Congress, and his Intelligence Community assessment, which he prepared in the fall of 2016, was publicly used to promote the Russia-collusion narrative throughout 2017. What Is Open Source Works? Founded in 2007 by the CIA, OSW uses intelligence analysts to draw on publicly available information to produce intelligence products. There appears to be some public confusion around OSW, which differs from the more commonly known Open Source Enterprise. Although Open Source Enterprise is managed by the CIA, its formally a component of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Open Source Enterprise is the successor to Open Source Center, which, in turn, is the successor to the Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS)dubbed the U.S. governments principal open-source agency. The origins of Open Source Enterprise began through the creation of the Foreign Broadcast Monitoring Service (FBMS), which was established in 1941 for the purpose of handling the analysis of foreign documents. In 1947, FBMS joined with the newly created CIA and became the Foreign Broadcast Information System (FBIS). In 2005, the FBIS became the Open Source Center and, in 2015, once again changed its name to the Open Source Enterprise, when it became part of the CIAs newly created Directorate of Digital Innovation. This sequence of names is validated in a Dec. 7, 2016, CIA press release: Though the office has had different names over the yearsFBMS, FBIS, OSC (Open Source Center), and now OSE75 years later, the demand for its collection and insights from its talented people around the world has never been greater. Open Source Works (OSW) differs from Open Source Enterprises in that its an internal division wholly controlled by the CIA. OSW was created sometime in 2007, according to a website from Air Universitylocated at Maxwell Air Force Basewhich references a description of OSW obtained from Intellipediathe Intelligence Communitys classified equivalent to Wikipedia. Open Source Works was created in 2007 by the CIAs Director for Intelligence and charged with drawing on language-trained analysts to mine open-source information for new or alternative insights into intelligence issues, states the website. Open Source Works products are based only on unclassified information and do not represent the coordinated views of the Central Intelligence Agency. A 2009 transcript of a congressional hearing with the Department of Defense makes reference to the establishment of the CIAs OSW division: EHLS graduates have played a pivotal role in helping the Central Intelligence Agency start up its Open Source Works organization, an operation designed to provide open source analysis. The 2010 National Security Education Program annual report also referenced employment opportunities at OSW: HLS Scholars are securing positions throughout the defense and intelligence communities, serving the Central Intelligence Agencys Open Source Works; U.S. Central Command; the Department of States Foreign Service Institute; and the National Security Agency, among others. A 2009 CIA report describes OSW as an independent CIA unit that draws on the expertise of uncleared analysts with in-country experience and advanced, often native language skills to mine open-source information for new insights on intelligence issues. After 2011, however, all public mentions of the CIAs OSW cease to exist online. The CIA, in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by historian Dr. Jeffrey Richelsonin which he requested the directive that established Open Source Works, along with its charterwrote in a response letter on Nov. 29, 2011, the following: The CIA can neither confirm nor deny the existence or nonexistence of records responsive to your request. The fact of the existence or nonexistence of requested records is currently and properly classified. The response from the CIA indicates that both the directive and charter of OSW are classified. Additionally, it appears the very existence of any records pertaining to OSW is also classified. This is somewhat surprising in that OSW, by definition, performs analysis based on open-source, unclassified material. Steven Aftergood at the Federation of American Scientists highlighted how unusual the CIAs denial was in a Dec. 11, 2011, article: Beyond that, it is an interesting question why the CIA felt the need to establish such a unit given the existence of the DNI Open Source Center, said Dr. Richelson. The Open Source Center, the successor to the Foreign Broadcast Information Service, is the U.S. Governments principal open source agency. It is, naturally, a publicly acknowledged organization. In a subsequent letter from the CIA on Dec 16, 2011, the agency states that Richelsons FOIA request was closed due to an administrative error. The letter notes that to the extent your request seeks information that is subject to the FOIA, we accept your request. Subsequent documents relating to the FOIA request or response havent been published, however, and its unclear whether there was ever a response from the CIA. President Donald Trump waits for his son Barron Trump, and first lady Melania Trump after speaking with reporters outside the White House in Washington before traveling to Alabama to visit areas affected by the deadly tornadoes on March 8, 2019. (Evan Vucci/AP Photo) No Body Double: Trump Blasts Fake Melania Theories WASHINGTONPresident Donald Trump is not amused by the #FakeMelania conspiracy theories circulating on social media. He said on March 13 that if there was a body double of his wife who stepped in to fill her shoes, then it would be the fake news that organized it. Trump alleged on Wednesday in a tweet that photos of his wife had been altered to make them appear as though a look-alike accompanied him to Alabama last week to survey tornado damage. Fox & Friends reported on the body-double theory Wednesday as the shows hosts weighed in on a discussion that aired Monday on ABCs The View. Hosts of the ABC program debated whether an impostor had traveled with Trump. The Fake News photoshopped pictures of Melania, then propelled conspiracy theories that its actually not her by my side in Alabama and other places, the president tweeted. They are only getting more deranged with time! The Fake News photoshopped pictures of Melania, then propelled conspiracy theories that its actually not her by my side in Alabama and other places. They are only getting more deranged with time! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2019 Hosts of The View had commented on how the woman at Trumps side in photos of the trip appeared shorter than usual and had a different facial structure than the first ladys. One host allowed that the first lady might have been wearing flat shoes. FAKE MELANIA CONSPIRACIES RETURN: The internet is buzzing again with theories that first lady Melania Trump is using an imposter to stand in for her the co-hosts investigate. https://t.co/f8u2wc159S pic.twitter.com/XNYBT9U6S8 The View (@TheView) March 11, 2019 In fact, the 5-foot-11 first lady had ditched her customary stilettos for sneakers to walk around the rough terrain with the 6-foot-3 Trump. A conservative online news organization reported the presidents frustration with press coverage of his wife after an interview on Monday. If I were a Democrat instead of a Republican, shed be Jackie O times twenty. Instead, they go after her, Trump told Breitbart News. Trump was referring to President John F. Kennedys wife, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who often was referred to as Jackie O after she remarried following Kennedys assassination. Several factors can influence the way people appear in photos, including the angle at which the photos are taken, the type of camera lens that is used and the positioning of the photographer, said Akili Ramsess, executive director of the National Press Photographers Association. News images are not to be altered beyond basic toning and cropping, she said. Manipulation is against photojournalism ethics, Ramsess said, adding that most newsrooms follow the ethics guidelines on the associations website. Photographers or editors can be fired over such manipulation. The FakeMelania hashtag has been around since at least 2017, Trumps first year in office, with Twitter searches producing numerous photos of the first lady and unfounded commentary that the woman in the images is not Melania Trump. Toward the end of the debate on The View, contributor Ana Navarro-Cardenas, who opposes Trump, said: Lets have fun with Melania. Shes beautiful, and were doing this in jest. Abby Huntsman, a Republican on the panel, followed up by asking, Does that make it better? That prompted co-host Joy Behar, who also disapproves of Trump, to say: Were not here to be better people. Were here to have a good laugh. Stephanie Grisham, the first ladys spokeswoman, said the episode went beyond the petty mean-girl spirit that weve grown accustomed to. People died, people lost family, people are hurting in Alabama, Grisham said Wednesday in an email. I personally watched the president and first lady hug, listen to, and comfort people who had lost everythingand the ladies of The View instead chose to laugh and joke about a body-double conspiracy. .@flotus & @potus traveled to Alabama to pay their respects & comfort victims of the tornado devastation. In typical fashion, @theview chooses to laugh in the face of tragedy. Shameful. https://t.co/KzG2c4Th4a Stephanie Grisham (@StephGrisham45) March 11, 2019 An ABC spokesman declined to comment. The White House has not responded to requests from the media for comment. The questions from the media have implied that Trump should know who is responsible for doctoring the photos and should be able to name them. By Darlene Superville NEW YORK, March 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, is investigating potential securities fraud claims on behalf of shareholders of American Renal Associates Holdings, Inc. (American Renal or the Company) (NYSE: ARA) resulting from allegations that American Renal and/or its executives may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. If you purchased American Renal securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options, please visit American Renal Shareholder Investigation or contact Daniel Sadeh toll free at (877) 779-1414 or dsadeh@bernlieb.com . On March 8, 2019, American Renal disclosed, among other things, that its Audit Committee is examining reserve computations and other accounting practices that could have an impact on accounts receivable and revenue for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, as well as the previously reported fiscal years ended December 31, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, the fiscal quarters within those fiscal years and the first three fiscal quarters of 2018. In October 2018, the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requested that American Renal voluntarily provide documents and information relating to certain revenue recognition, collections and related matters. As a result of the SECs request, the Companys Audit Committee began an examination of the Companys revenue recognition methodology and related accounting matters, such as internal control over financial reporting related to revenue recognition and related matters. On this news, shares of American Renal fell $2.05 per share, or over 16%, to close at $10.46 per share on March 8, 2019, damaging investors. If you purchased American Renal securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options, please visit https://www.bernlieb.com/cases/american-renal-associates-holdings-inc-ara-lawsuit-class-action-fraud-stock-117/ or contact Daniel Sadeh toll free at (877) 779-1414 or dsadeh@bernlieb.com . Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journals Plaintiffs Hot List thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for ten consecutive years. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. 2019 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. The lawyer responsible for this advertisement in the State of Connecticut is Michael S. Bigin. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. An illegal immigrant receives help filling in his application for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in Los Angeles on Aug. 15, 2012. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Noncitizens Use Nearly Twice the Welfare of Native-Born Americans: Study Noncitizens, including legal and illegal, use nearly twice as much welfare as native-born Americans, according to a study. Out of households headed by noncitizens, 63 percent use some kind of welfare program, compared to 35 percent of houses headed by native-born Americans, the Center for Immigration Studies said, citing the Census Bureaus Survey of Income and Program Participation in 2014. Of the non-citizens in the Census Bureau data, about half are in the country illegally. Non-citizens also include long-term temporary visitors, such as students, permanent residents who have not been naturalized, or green card holders. Noncitizen households have a much higher use of welfare food programs45 percent compared to 21 percent for the native-born householdsand Medicaid, 50 percent vs 23 percent for the latter. Including the Earned Income Tax Credit, 31 percent of non-citizen-headed-households receive cash welfare, compared to 19 percent of native-American-headed households; if the credit isnt included, then the receipt of cash welfare among non-citizen households drops to 6 percent, versus 8 percent for the other category. There are barriers that are supposed to prevent most new legal immigrants, or green card holders, from accessing most welfare programs, in addition to illegal immigrants and temporary visitors, but there are a number of ways to skirt the barriers. Some states provide welfare to all one, two, or three of the categories while illegal immigrants can get benefits on behalf of their U.S.-born children. Among non-citizen households that have been in the United States for more than 10 years, 70 percent use one or more welfare program, versus 50 percent of households that have been in the country for less than 10 years. According to the center, The primary reason welfare use is so high among non-citizens is that a much larger share of non-citizens have modest levels of education and, as a result, they often earn low wages and qualify for welfare at higher rates than natives. Of the households, 58 percent are headed by someone with no more than a high school education, compared to 36 percent of the native households. Of non-citizen households headed by someone with a college degree, only 28 percent use welfare. Using education levels and likely future income to determine the probability of welfare use among new green card applicantsand denying permanent residency to those likely to utilize such programswould almost certainly reduce welfare use among future permanent residents, the center stated. The study was published in December. It drew attention after President Donald Trump said on March 11 that he doesnt want immigrants coming to the United States that will be dependent on welfare. I dont want to have anyone coming in thats on welfare, Trump told Breitbart News. We have a problem, because we have politicians that are not strong, or they have bad intentions, or they want to get votes, because they think if they come in theyre going to vote Democrat, you know, for the most part. President Donald Trump at the White House on Jan. 25, 2018. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) The answer came in response to a question from Breitbart that cited the study. Trump said that unlike him, Democrats want just about anyone to come into the country, regardless of education level or their capacity to support themselves. A number of Democrats have said theyre against a border wall while many recently voted in favor of illegal immigrants being allowed to vote. Theyll take anybody into this country and were not allowing it, but because of the success of the country economically, some people sayI blame myself, but thats a good blame not a bad blamebut because of the countrys success and you need workers here, Trump said. You do need workers. You have homes in Houston, and they cant get people to build the homesand lots of other places. But because of whats happened, and because of the people coming up, they want them to come in and they dont care how they come in. The president added, I dont like the idea of people coming in and going on welfare for 50 years, and thats what they want to be able to doand its no good. From NTD News Forensics experts comb through the dirt for debris at the crash site of the Ethiopian Airlines operated Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, at Hama Quntushele village in Oromia region, on March 14, 2019. (Tony Karumba/AFP/Getty Images) Pilot of Doomed Ethiopian Airlines Plane Remembered as Loving Son ADDIS ABABA/EJERE, EthiopiaYared Getachew, the pilot of the doomed Ethiopian Airlines plane that crashed in Ejere on March 10, is being remembered as an experienced pilot, loving son, and inspiring friend. We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear Yared, the family said in a statement. With his impeccable record as a pilot, he was one of the youngest in Ethiopian Airlines history to captain a Boeing 737. Getachew (no relation to the reporter), a Kenyan citizen, was said to have alerted controllers of having difficulties and had asked permission to return to the Bole International Airport six minutes after departure when the now-banned Boeing 737-8 Max plane nosedived, instantly killing all 157 passengers. According to Ethiopian Airlines, Getachew was the youngest person to reach the status of senior captain with the airline, at the age of 29. He had more than 8,000 hours of flight time to his credit. Born into an affluent family of dentists, with an Ethiopian father and an Indian-Kenyan mother, Getachew was planning to get married this year to a woman working in the same airline. At Oshwal high school in Kenya, he was described as an accomplished student and a competitive swimmer, nicknamed, Mr. Fish. According to his family, he didnt want to follow in his parents footsteps, and joined the airline industry at the age of 19 as a cadet pilot. By then, his father, Getachew Tessema (in Ethiopia, a fathers first name is his childs last name), was contracted to work with Ethiopian Airlines and convinced him to join as a pilot in Ethiopia, while his mother, Rayan Shapi, remained in Spring Valley Estate, in Kenya. I pushed him to go to move to Ethiopia for education where there were plenty of options for him, Getachew Tessema said. I knew, within Ethiopia and such a reputable airline, he would have a meaningful life and would find fulfillment, than any other place. Friends at Oshwal high school, a private school founded by Kenyans of Indian descent, remember a model and sociable student. Yared truly had an outstanding personality, always positive, and ever filled with so much love, reflected a former classmate from Oshwal in a social media post. As much as we, Team Oshwal, are shocked and saddened by the horrific news, we will miss a profoundly good human being dearly and we draw strength and inspiration from him. His parents were delighted with the news of their elder son planning to get married this year. His father had recently returned to Ethiopia and had started construction of a hotel project in Adama. Getachew was said to be close to his mother. Just before taking off for Nairobi, his mother said he told her, I am coming to Nairobi. I have forgotten my phone, but we will talk once I get there. Those would be his last words to her. Getachew leaves behind parents, a younger brother, and family members around the world. Carlos Ghosn, chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, attends at the Tomorrow In Motion event on the eve of press day at the Paris Auto Show, in Paris, France, on Oct. 1, 2018. (Regis Duvignau/File Photo/Reuters) Renault Strips Ghosn Loyalist of Executive Role Renault has sidelined a senior executive close to Carlos Ghosn, as the French carmaker and its Japanese affiliate Nissan continue to overhaul management in the wake of the financial scandal engulfing their former chairman. General Secretary Mouna Sepehri will move to an advisory position and leave the executive committee, Renault said on March 13 as it announced broader top management changes. Ghosn is facing trial in Japan for failing to disclose some $82 million in income he had arranged to be paid later, as well as transferring personal investment losses to Nissan when he was chief executive. He denies any wrongdoing. Ghosns November arrest and dismissal as Nissan chairman, following an internal investigation, inflamed tensions with 43.4 percent-owner Renault that have begun to ease since his forced resignation from the French carmaker in January. Product and program director Bruno Ancelin will leave Renault, the carmaker said in a statement announcing the appointment of his successor, Ali Kassai. Europe chief Jean-Christophe Kugler is also departing. Sepehris move, first reported by Bloomberg, ends her oversight of corporate governance, communications, legal, and public affairs at Renault, as well as her influential role as secretary to the board. Sepehri was among a group of Ghosn loyalists who explored legal ways to pay him undisclosed income via the Dutch Renault-Nissan BV venture and had herself received extra pay from the subsidiary, Reuters earlier revealed. New Renault Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard will head an alliance board to include the CEOs of Renault, Nissan, and third alliance member Mitsubishi, the companies said this week, pledging a new start for their partnership. Nissan also said Arun Bajaj, who served as alliance human resources chief, will exit the company. Mitsubishi announced that Chief Operating Officer Trevor Mann and Vincent Cobee, another manager picked by Ghosn, are to leave, with former alliance commercial vans chief Ashwani Gupta replacing Mann. By Laurence Frost A number of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp users have said the websites are down. (Downdetector) Report: Facebook Outage Caused by Database Overload as Users Still Report Problems After Facebook suffered its worst outage in recent memory, the social media giant reportedly blamed the problem on a database overload. A source told NBC Bay Area news anchor Raj Mathai on March 13 that the database got overloaded, and we are racing to spin up new machines as others go down. Mostly resolvedbut it takes time, the person reportedly said. EXCLUSIVE: #Facebook and #Instagram outage due to database problems. #FB database overloaded. We are racing to spin up new machines as others go down. Mostly resolvedbut it takes time. (per FB internal source) @nbcbayarea Raj Mathai (@rajmathai) March 14, 2019 On Twitter, Facebook said early in the outage that it is focused on working to resolve the issue as soon as possible, but can confirm that the issue is not related to a DDoS attack. There were rumors and speculation about the social media website and app being hacked. As of March 14, Facebook has not issued a statement as to the cause of the outage. Instagram announced it was back online. During the outage, which reportedly lasted about 14 hours for some, people couldnt log into the website, post links, post photos, or share anything. Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp were also down for many, and users also reported that logging into other websites with their Facebook or Instagram accounts didnt work. According to DownDetector.com as of March 14, there were still problems at Facebook. Facebook isnt opening again on a web browser. Nothing comes up, wrote one woman at around 10:30 a.m. ET. Still cant log in and the reset password does not work. Get it together, Facebook! another woman stated. Same problem as yesterday, unable to post, comment, or like or share, added another. According to the BBC, the 14-hour outage was the worst in Facebooks history. The last time Facebook had a disruption of this magnitude was in 2008, when the site had 150 million userscompared with around 2.3 billion monthly users today, the website reported. People took to Twitter to complain about the downtime. fb is back up and this is the first meme on my feed: #FacebookDown pic.twitter.com/GqH55gvtz5 steph maria (@vidawithsteph) March 14, 2019 Facebook Users: My feed wont refresh IG Users: My post disappeared Twitter Users: #FacebookDown pic.twitter.com/dZJuaMQY2x Semajj the Muse (@SemajjTheMuse) March 14, 2019 #FacebookDown *12 hours into Post-Facebook era, dexterity in fingers now match thumbs again.* pic.twitter.com/0y1YevGlBy Bliram Isenhart Saxnotsen (@ram_bli) March 14, 2019 The outage also affected Facebook Workplace and reportedly affected its ads management service. Argentina-based designer Rebecca Brooker told the BBC that Facebooks outage severely affected her work. Facebook for personal use is fine but what happens when we rely on large companies such as this to provide business services? she said. Im trying to communicate with my team in New York. Facebook Workplace is our only channel for [communication] with the exception of email. San Jose Police Sergeant Speaks Out Against Sanctuary State Laws After Womans Death San Jose Police Sgt. Paul Kelly spoke out against sanctuary state laws on Fox & Friends Thursday after an illegal immigrant stabbed a 59-year-old woman to death in California. Carlos Eduardo Arevalo Carranza was a known gang member who allegedly killed Bambi Larson in her own home on Feb. 28. ICE had issued nine detention orders for Carranza, but each request was ignored by local officials, according to Fox News. You know, its simple. If you are undocumented, and you are committing violent crimes and youre convicted, you should go to jail, do your time, and then be deported, Kelly said. Its that simple. WATCH: Theres definitely a problem with the laws, he continued. If the laws werent as messed up as they were, our victim would be alive. Kelly said local and state laws must change to allow for immediate deportation after criminals have served out their sentences in the U.S. What has to happen is whether its state laws or county laws that created this, thats our problem and those need to be changed immediately and thats what we are asking for, he said. If there is violations in regards to violent crimes, whether its the sanctuary state laws, whether its certain county laws throughout California and across this nation, they absolutely need to be deported after serving their time. by Nick Givas You can Follow Nick on Twitter A scientist deposits an embryo into a microplate after injecting it with injecting Cas9 protein and PCSK9 sgRNA in a laboratory in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China on Oct. 9, 2018. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) Scientists Back Temporary Global Ban on Gene-Edited Babies NEW YORKAn international group of scientists and ethicists on March 13 called for a temporary global ban on making babies with edited genes. Its the latest reaction to last Novembers announcement that gene-edited twins had been born in China, which was widely criticized. Mainstream scientists generally oppose making babies with altered DNA now, citing safety and ethical issues that must be addressed first. Such genetic changes may be passed to future generations, unlike gene editing done in parts of the body not involved in reproduction. So news last year that Chinese scientist He Jiankui claimed to have edited DNA of embryos provoked widespread condemnation. Some scientists had called for a moratorium before the latest proposal, which carries no legal authority. It came from 18 researchers from seven countries who published a commentary in the journal Nature. They included prominent gene-editing experts Feng Zhang and David Liu of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They receive money from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which also supports The Associated Press Health & Science Department. The researchers want a temporary ban on research designed to produce a baby from sperm, eggs or embryos that bear altered DNA. Roughly 30 nations already prohibit making babies from such germline gene editing, the authors said. Its essentially banned in the United States. This will place major speed bumps in front of the most adventurous plans to re-engineer the human species, they wrote. But the risks of the alternative are much worse. The moratorium would allow time for discussion of technical, scientific, societal and ethical issues that must be considered, they said. Among the proposals: Individual nations should pledge to block such research for a specific period, perhaps five years. After that, each country could decide on its own about what to allow, but only after taking steps like providing public notice, joining international discussions about the pros and cons, and determining whether its citizens support proceeding with such gene editing. The proposal does not cover gene-editing experiments that dont involve trying to establish a pregnancy. In a letter to the journal, Dr. Francis Collins, head of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, said he supported the moratorium idea. By Malcolm Ritter A Tomahawk cruise missile flies toward Iraq after being launched from the AEGIS guided missile cruiser USS San Jacinto in the Red Sea on March 25, 2003. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) Sen. Cotton Says US Needs Missiles Now to Confront China WASHINGTONSen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) gave a muscular speech sounding an alarm over the conventional balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region in the aftermath of the U.S.s withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty with Russia, at the Heritage Foundation on March 13. Cotton described an agreement that had represented a victory of U.S. diplomacy over the Soviet Union in the 1980s, but has since been violated by the Russians since 2008 and no longer serves U.S. interests, saying: Moscow long ago developed land-based, intermediate-range missiles that can strike all of Europe. And China is of equal concern. Beijing has stockpiled thousands of missiles that can target our allies, our bases, our ships, and our citizens throughout the Pacific. Yet, we dont have the weapons to match either threat, because for 10 years weve been the only nation on Earth that has constrained itself from producing medium-range, land-based missiles [W]ithdrawing from this outdated treaty is only a first step. Now, we must rapidly develop the weapons necessary to overcome the strategic imbalance thats emerged between us and our rivals, China and Russia. He cited current Army Chief of Staff Mark Milley in describing the United States as outranged and outgunned in the region and current South Korean ambassador and former Adm. Harry Harris, stating we have no ground-based capability that can threaten China. Detailing the extensive missile development that Chinas Peoples Liberation Army had undertaken while the United States was bound by INF, Cotton warned: If the conventional military balance continues to shift against us in the Indo-Pacific, the United States may find itself unable to credibly uphold its military commitments in the region. Thats why its imperative that we seize the opportunity provided by our imminent withdrawal from the INF and regain the upper hand over our rivals, Cotton said. He dismissed calls for remaining in the treaty, citing legislation sponsored by several liberal Democrat House members led by Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, that would leave the United States unilaterally bound by the treaty: Apparently, theyre fine with prohibiting the United States from building a weapon that literally every other nation on Earth can build. Similarly, he rejected further last-ditch efforts with Russia to preserve the treaty or bring China within its constraints. With 95 percent of Chinas missile force captured by INFs terms were it subject to it, Cotton called efforts at a three-party INF-like agreement fantasy. Saying now is the time to reclaim the strategic advantage in the Indo-Pacific, Cotton outlined a plan that would have the United States deploy mobile land-based missiles with allies throughout the region, adding that it may have the benefit of growing U.S. alliances. None of Chinas allies are blind to its ambitions, and no country of any consequence in the region prefers to be a vassal state to Beijing as opposed to an American military partner, he said. Following Cottons speech, Eric Sayers and Elbridge Colby, scholars from the Center for a New American Security, discussed prospects for deploying missile systems in the region. Sayers explained that due to Chinas geography, it can threaten the limited number of air bases and naval platforms that the U.S. can deploy. This capability may lead China to conclude that it could win a quick, sharp war, and its the restrictions that INF has placed on the United States development and deployment of missiles that has largely led to this circumstance, he argued. In response, he believed that the United States should adapt and deploy ground-launched cruise missiles in the region. Echoing a point made by Cotton during his remarks, Colby doesnt see a need for the United States to deploy symmetrical systems (essentially mirroring Chinas level of forces and capability), but what we do need to be able to do is basically defend against their ability to take over the territory of our allies and partners and hold it. Both believed that the immediate candidates for basing missile systems were Guam and Japan. In the case of Japan and other allies in the region, they believed that as China extends its missile and other military capabilities, opportunities for basing agreements would grow. Addressing hypersonic missiles as a component of U.S. missile forces in Asia, Sayers saw their timeframe for possible deployment as at least 10 years away, which did not address the current threat. Colby also pointed out that hypersonics were likely to be expensive, and that cruise missiles were a cheaper and versatile alternative. Jeff Smith, a research fellow on South Asia at the Heritage Foundation and moderator of the discussion, addressed Indias role in any future missile deployments with we are not yet at the point where were talking about basing much of anything in India, but long-term, particularly in response to Chinas rise, he sees strong prospects for India becoming a much closer U.S. strategic partner. Senate Terminates Trumps National Border Emergency, Setting Up Veto WASHINGTONThe Senate passed a privileged resolution to terminate President Donald Trumps national border emergency declaration by a vote of 59-41 on March 14 under the premise there is no emergency and the president is overreaching. Twelve Republicans joined all 47 Democrats to pass the measure: Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Sen. Susan Collins (R-Me.), Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Sen. Patrick Toomey (R-Miss.), and Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) The migrants broke through the fence and were repelled with pepper spray smoke pellets. #MigrantCaravan pic.twitter.com/pC8dDFRfOy The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) November 25, 2018 Trump has said he would 100 percent veto the resolution, which could then only be overridden by a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of Congress. Ill probably have to veto, Trump said on March 14 before the Senate vote. This is a vote on border security, and its a vote on drugs and trafficking and all of that. And I think most Republican senators fully understand that. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the vote a red letter day, during a speech before the vote on March 14. Democrats and Republicans know the sad truth: The president didnt call a national emergency because there is one, Schumer said. Schumer accused the president of trampling the Constitution because he failed to get funding from Congress. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Trump was operating within existing law and that if senators did not like the powers provided to the president under the National Emergencies Act, then they should amend it. The House passed the resolution on Feb. 26 (245 to 182): all Democrats and 13 Republicans voted in favor. Trump declared the national emergency on Feb. 15, the same day that he signed a spending bill in which Congress failed to approve the full $5.7 billion he was requesting for more border wall. Instead, Congress approved just less than $1.4 billion. Through the national emergency, Trump could free up more than $8 billion in funding from other sources, such as the Department of Defense and the U.S. Treasury to allocate to border fencing. The massive, surging flow of illegal immigration, trafficking, drugs, and crime threaten the safety and security of all Americans. To confront this urgent national crisis, were doing many, many things, Trump said on March 13. Weve got to get the wall up, otherwise, it all doesnt work. In the past six months, Border Patrol apprehensions on the southern border have reached twice what they were in all of fiscal year 2017. In February alone, 66,000 people were apprehended crossing the border illegally, with another 10,000 presenting without documentation at ports of entry. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said the system is at a breaking point. He said, aside from fixing U.S. immigration laws, the border must be securedincluding with around 700 miles of additional fencingas well as the continuation of work with Mexico and Central American countries to stem the flow of migrants. At the current pace, we are on track to encounter close to one million illegal aliens at our southern border this year, Department of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen told the House Homeland Security Committee on March 6. National emergency power was granted to presidents in 1976 and has been used 59 times, most often as a way to place sanctions on other countries, but also for public health (H1N1 virus), and national safety (post-9/11) concerns. Vice President Mike Pence met with Republican senators this week to try to tamp down support for terminating the declaration. Some Republicans are concerned future Democratic presidents could usurp the power of Congress to fund the government and use the emergency declarations to fund their own pet programs. Reuters contributed to this report. NEW YORKThe beauty and harmony of colors was a great reason Afrose Resauladin wanted to attend a performance of Shen Yun Performing Arts for her birthday. When Mrs. Resauladin attended the performance with her husband, Lincoln, they witnessed a beauty so majestic that the experience became transcendental. Where do you start to pinpoint any of it? The entirety was magnificent. It was so beautiful. Theres not one part of that Id take away from it, because everything is absolutely beautiful. It was so majestic it was out of this world, Mrs. Resauladin said. The interaction with all of the dancers and the colors coming together, it was absolutely heavenly, Mrs. Resauladin said. The couple attended the evening performance at The David H. Koch Theater on March 13. New York-based Shen Yun is the worlds premier classical Chinese dance company, and perhaps theres some truth to the descriptions like heavenly as used by Mrs. Resauladin. The name Shen Yun itself means the beauty of divine beings dancing, as the companys mission is to revive the authentic, traditional Chinese culturewhich is said to be divinely inspired. The 5,000-year empire of ancient China was once known as the Divine Land, its culture imparted by the heavens. Through music and dance, Shen Yun artists seek to share this nearly-lost culture with the world. When you listen to the music, it transcends you to a point where you cant even fathom that this is humankind doing this, Mrs. Resauladin said. it just takes you away. Youre mesmerized by the music and the performances. Mr. Resauladin felt the performance was a great expression of humanity and a true human culture. Its expression of the human spirit that comes to life with the artistic performance. Its the human spirit [on] display. When we are in that spiritual energy, it radiates and it moves us, Mr. Resauladin said. It was really, really beautiful. The couple was moved by Shen Yuns mission to keep these traditional arts and culture alive. I think culture is very unique . And its part of our being, as human beings. It is important to preserve this culture, Mr. Resauladin said. I would say its very inspiring; its majestic in its performance, Mr. Resauladin said. Their performance is out of this world. Mrs. Resauladin said the loss of this culture about be absolutely devastating. You cant even imagine for that not to be in this world anymore, Mrs. Resauladin said. They are reviving it and bringing it back and doing this and giving us, the audience, this feeling of transcendence. Its absolutely beautiful. Its all awe-inspiring. Transcendent. Its absolutely, absolutely, I was transcended. I was blown away. I would describe it [but] you have to see it because I was blown awayand I am not easily impressed! And for me to be impressed, thisit was unbelievable, unbelievable, Mrs. Resauladin said. With reporting by Cathy He. The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006. New grant program gives Queensland independent artists facing rough terrain due to closure of venues and social distancing rules. (NTD Television) SYDNEYWriter and researcher Maggie Hamilton expressed a genuine appreciation for Shen Yun after attending a performance in Sydney, Australia, on March 9. Hamilton has a passion for the art of living meaningfully and is a keen researcher of social trends. Having spent five years interviewing children to analyze the state of drugs use, drinking, sexualization, depression, body image, and bullying, Hamiltons work has helped many parents navigate how to better raise their children in a world where our youth are having to quickly confront major developmental issues. Hamilton believes there is a necessity for magic and inspiration in the face of the, at times, perceived hopelessness of modern society, and she said she found that Shen Yun was able to serve in this regard. I think its stunning, culturally really important, and I love the spiritual element I feel it comes together in a beautiful whole, she said after seeing the New York-based company at the Sydney Lyric Theatre. Traditional Chinese culture is one that is intertwined with spirituality and divinity. Hamilton was especially pleased that this traditional aspect of Chinese culture is being revived for the modern audience. I think its a great message to the world. We have to preserve the ancient cultures and the spiritual voice is always an important one. When it comes to creating a promising future, Hamilton believes embracing spirituality and observing ancient wisdom will provide the means. I think to understand that the spiritual is in all of us and it is in all cultures it is so important to go back through time and gather up what is precious to take us into the future in a more empowered way, she said. With reporting by Nicole Hond. The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006. Washington County Board Chairman Don Kriefall reads a proclamation while surrounded by members of the Cedar Creek Farmers watershed group Ross Bishop, County Board Supervisor Marcy Bishop, Al Schmidt, Stanley Miller, Elizabeth and Brian Peters and their daughters Vivian and Morgan. Gay Griesbach/Special to Conley Media Surveillance camera footage from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol showing a smuggler using two girls as decoys in an illegal border crossing in the Rio Grande Valley, Tx. on March 12, 2019. (CBP) Smuggler Drops Girls Into Concertina Wire as Decoys to Help 10 People Cross U.S. Border Illegally A smuggler used two young girls as decoys at the U.S.-Mexico border in California on March 12, allowing at least 10 people to cross illegally. The unidentified smuggler dropped two girls from Salvador, ages 6 and 9, into concertina wire at an aging section of the border barrier, U.S. Customs and Border Protection in San Diego said Tuesday. Video showed the girls being dropped from the wall into what CBP said was a bundle of concertina wire. Last night, a human smuggler dropped two young Salvadoran girls, 6 and 9, from the aging border barrier behind concertina wire. As agents vacated their patrol positions in response, 10 people crossed illegally nearby. They eluded capture. #USBP #CBP #BORDER #BORDERSECURITY pic.twitter.com/t2QNmQLpoK CBP San Diego (@CBPSanDiego) March 12, 2019 The federal law enforcement agency said the girls were given prompt medical attention. All 10 individuals got away, CBP said. Officials did not provide further details on the condition of the Salvadoran girls. Nearly 300 Family Units and Unaccompanied Children Arrested Meanwhile, in the morning hours of March 13, U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley apprehended the largest group of illegal aliens encountered in the area so far this year. Federal agents working near Granjeno, Texas, responded to a report of a large group of people in the vicinity of the river levee suspected of trying to cross into the United States illegally. As agents responded, they observed hundreds of people consisting of family units and unaccompanied children cross the river levee, CBP said in a statement. Agents took 289 illegal aliens into custody and transported them to be processed. Officials said that over a 24-hour period, Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol agents arrested over 1,000 illegal aliens. CPB noted in the release that in the month of February, border agents in the Rio Grande Valley Sector apprehended over 14,000 families and more than 2,900 unaccompanied children. Border Apprehensions Surge 400 Percent in El Paso Border Patrol apprehensions of illegal aliens increased by nearly 440 percent in the El Paso Sector in the past four months compared to a year ago. Local Border Patrol officials believe the human smugglers and drug cartels are trying to overwhelm the authorities in order to get more contraband through. The El Paso Sector, covering some 270 border miles in westernmost Texas and the whole stretch across New Mexico, used to be one of the least eventful. During the slow months of October 2011 to January 2012, it averaged about 20 apprehensions of illegal aliens a daya rather light workload for an agent force of 2,400 (pdf). Fast forward to those same months seven years later, and the workload has increased more than fourteenfold, while the workforce remains the same. Most of the blame falls on human smugglers and drug cartels that work hand in hand and have moved their operations toward El Paso from south Texas, where increased Border Patrol presence starting a few years ago made their operations difficult, according to Ramiro Cordero, Border Patrol special operations supervisor in the El Paso Sector. They did start hitting us here in El Paso, Im going to say about a year, year and a half ago, little by little, he said in a Feb. 14 phone call. Since the 2019 fiscal year started in October, however, the influx has intensified. Four months in, the nearly 35,000 apprehensions have already surpassed the number of apprehensions for the whole of fiscal 2018. While most of the illegals try to cross in the El Paso metro area, large numbers have also started to show up further west, in the desert, Cordero said. Since October, the agents caught 27 groups of more than 100a total of about 5,500in the area of Antelope Wells, a small port of entry in the desert some 31 miles east of the Arizona border. They think that by saturating our agents there all of our attention is going to begin to focus on that, Cordero said. Multiple times in the past month, he said, agents have caught or detected narcotics smugglers trying to sneak in just as the agents are busy dealing with the illegal trespassers further down the border. Its a strategy. Its kind of like taking two bites at the apple, he said. From their point of view, theyre making money out of thisillegal aliensbecause of course they do, and at the same time they think that they can get other stuff through. Illegal immigrants have routinely acknowledged they pay thousands of dollars to human smugglers, so-called coyotes, whose smuggling routes are, in turn, controlled by the cartels. Epoch Times reporter Peter Svab contributed to this report. Nebraska State Patrol intercepted this Ford Mustang made entirely from snow in Chadron, Neb., on March 9, 2019. (Courtesy of Nebraska State Patrol) Snow Car Inspired by Ford Mustang Gets a Parking Ticket A car crafted from snow looked so life-like that authorities actually left a parking ticket on the icy windshield. A Chadron family in northwest Nebraska decided to spend their Saturday, March 9, afternoon sculpting a Ford Mustang out of a huge mound of snow they had collected by shoveling the snow from neighborhood driveways left over from a big snowstorm that hit the area. It took five hours for concrete plant manager Jason Blundell, 43, and his two teenage children to clone a vintage 1967 Ford Mustang GTA they currently store in their garage. Jason Blundell and his teenage children got creative over the weekend. It took them five hours, but they sculpted a pile of snow to look just like the 1967 Ford Mustang GTA they store in their garage. Then, a state trooper gave the car a ticket. https://t.co/B5Lkkpoxsr WDBJ7 (@WDBJ7) March 12, 2019 The start of that was to get my kids off their cellphones for a day, Blundell told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. We actually had somebody come by while we were building it and they thought we were burying somebodys car. Daughter Shelby, 17, and son Spencer, 15, used a skid loader, concrete wood floats, shovels, ice scrapers, and a squirt bottle to create the sculpture, which has since been dubbed the #SnowPony on social media. Spencer even measured the real car in the garage to get the proportions just right. After finishing their masterpiece they proudly posted a photo to Facebook, which quickly came to the attention of a Nebraska State Patrol. Sgt. Mick Downing, who knows the family from church, investigated the new vehicle and decided to record of video of himself issuing a tow notice to the snow car before posting it to the patrols official social media pages, where it went viral. Sgt. Downing came across an awesome find yesterday in Chadron. Now this is artwork! #SnowPony pic.twitter.com/KXtjBsmdj5 NEStatePatrol (@NEStatePatrol) March 10, 2019 Normally, we dont do much with (the sculptures). We just take a couple pictures of them for ourselves, Spencer said. It just happened that our state trooper buddy came up to do a joke, and it blew up. Downing was just as surprised the video went viral. Holy cow, this thing blew up, Downing said on March 11. One of my friends in Gretna said the BBC picked this up, (as did) some news organization in Australia. Sure looks like a #Snowpony #Snowstang to me. If its not, then what do you think it is? TimCanadien (@TimCanadien) March 10, 2019 The Blundells have previously created other large sculptures from snow, including several 7-foot-tall Easter bunnies from a spring blizzard, a giant toilet, and 6-foot-tall jack-o-lantern painted in orange and with a lit a candle inside from the October snowstorm. Downing said he never filed paperwork for the tow notice since it would never stand in a court of law. If it wouldve been a real car [maybe], he said. It was parked just fine. Sgt. Downing came across an awesome find yesterday in Chadron. Now this is artwork!#SnowPony Nebraska State Patrol 2019310 Nancy Salzman, exits following a hearing on charges in relation to the Albany-based organization Nxivm at the United States Federal Courthouse in Brooklyn at New York, U.S., July 25, 2018. (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid) Top NXIVM Member Pleads Guilty in Sex-Trafficking Case; New Charges Added A top-ranking member of the purported self-help organization NXIVMwhich gained infamy over egregious sex-trafficking chargespleaded guilty on March 13. At the same time, the groups leader was hit with new child pornography charges. The latest development in the high-profile New York casewhich has seen its trial date repeatedly pushed backmarked a major turn for the future of NXIVMs high-ranking members, who were first indicted last year. Nancy Salzman, the former president of NXIVM, told Judge Nicholas Garaufis in Brooklyn that she had teamed up with leader Keith Raniere because she wanted to improve their lives. She broke down in court and admitted to having lost her way when she joined efforts to spy on perceived enemies seeking to expose the inner workings of the Albany, New York-based group. It has taken some time and soul-searching to come to this place, said Salzman, choking back tears. I accept that some of what I did was not just wrong, but criminal. If I could go back and do it all over again, I would. But I cant. Two hours later, after Salzmans guilty plea to one count of racketeering conspiracy, prosecutors unsealed an indictment against 58-year-old Raniere that accuses him of twice inducing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing one or more visual depictions of such conduct in 2005. Ranieres defense attorney, Marc Agnifilo, denied the new allegations in a statement on March 13. Agnifilo also questioned the timing of the allegations as his client was nearing trial on other charges. The new charges serve only to taint the jury pool, Agnifilo said. If the charges were legitimate, they would have brought them a year ago. Salzman was involved in stealing identities of the groups critics and hacking into their email accounts from 2003 to 2008, prosecutors said. They also alleged that she conspired to doctor videotapes showing her teaching NXIVMs lessons before the tapes were turned over to plaintiffs in a New Jersey lawsuit against the group. Sentencing for Salzman was set for July 10. According to her bio, Salzman used to work as a corporate consultant in New York state before she met Raniere and discovered an approach to personal growth that yielded powerful and permanent results. Her plea comes about six weeks before Ranieres trial, which is expected to detail allegations of a master-slave secret society within NXIVM that brainwashed women into having sex with Raniere. Some women were allegedly branded with Ranieres initials. NXIVM allegedly recruited members on the condition they would give up personal, often embarrassing, information about themselves, including compromising images or videos, as collateral. According to the charges, once inside, members were regularly required to provide additional collateral to ensure they kept secret the groups activities. Other members charged are Salzmans daughter, Lauren; Seagram billionaire heiress Clare Bronfman; former Smallville actress Allison Mack; and the societys bookkeeper, Kathy Russell. Each member has denied the charges. Salzman apparently wont testify for the government: There was no agreement to cooperate as part of the guilty plea to a charge that carries an estimated maximum term of up to 41 months in prison. Raniere was first arrested in Mexico last year and is being held without bail in Brooklyn. Secret Society Within NXIVM masqueraded as a self-help company that ran executive success programs and other self-help curricula, prosecutors say. They allege that the society actually functioned as a boot camp of sorts for recruiting personal slaves for Raniere. The group previously made headlines when Mack was arrested in connection with the group. Mack allegedly recruited girls for a secret society within NXIVM, and founded by Raniere, called DOS, or The Vow, around 2015. DOS is purported to be an acronym for the Latin dominus obsequious sororium, which translates loosely as master over the slave women. According to court documents, the secret society allegedly operated as a pyramid scheme, with levels of slaves, headed by masters; slaves were then expected to recruit their own slaves, thus becoming masters themselves. Raniere, the purported master of the DOS inner circle, had access to all the girls in the group, court documents indicate. Some of NXIVMs inner teachings also allegedly touted the need for men to have multiple sex partners, but for women to be monogamous, prosecutors say. The details of these alleged crimes become more and more grim as we continue to dig deeper into the conduct of this organization and its intended mission, said FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge William Sweeney in a statement last year. The Associated Press contributed to this report Views of the Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, on March 14, 2019. (John Sommers II/Getty Images) Trump Applauds Toyota for $749 Million Investment in 5 US States President Donald Trump applauded Toyota Motor Corp. on March 14 after the automaker announced it is investing nearly $750 million in five U.S. states with an additional 586 new jobs. The company added that there is more to come, as it boosts engine production capacity and implements new hybrid models to its lineup. Trump has prodded Japanese automakers to add more jobs in the United States as the White House has threatened to impose tariffs of up to 25 percent on imported vehicles, on the grounds of national security. Congratulations @ Toyota! BIG NEWS for U.S. Auto Workers! he wrote on Twitter. The USMCA is already fixing the broken NAFTA deal. Congratulations @Toyota! BIG NEWS for U.S. Auto Workers! The USMCA is already fixing the broken NAFTA deal. https://t.co/f9iHprPk5B Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2019 Toyota and other automakers have been lobbying heavily to block any new tariffs on imported vehicles. All this activity, I hope, shows that were a plus factor to the economic national security of the United States, Toyota North America Chief Executive Jim Lentz told reporters on a conference call. We believe in America. Toyota said it would be adding production capacity increases and building expansions in plants in Kentucky, Alabama, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Missouri. The recent announcement comes as Toyota exceeded its 2017 pledge to invest $10 billion over five years, with a new commitment to reach nearly $13 billion over the same period. These latest investments represent even more examples of our long-term commitment to build where we sell, Lentz said in a statement. By boosting our U.S. manufacturing footprint, we can better serve our customers and dealers and position our manufacturing plants for future success with more domestic capacity. Toyota President Akio Toyoda will be in Washington on March 15 to deliver a speech, in which he is expected to tout the new investments. In Alabama, Toyota said it will be adding $288 million to increase annual engine capacity to 900,000 by the end of 2021 from 670,000. The automaker will also add 450 new jobs at its Huntsville, Alabama, facility. Toyota will invest $238 million in Kentucky to begin production of the Lexus ES 300h hybrid in May 2019 and $62 million in Missouri, where the investment will provide an additional 864,000 cylinder heads for Toyotas New Global Architecture. In Tennessee, Toyota will add $50 million for building and equipment expansions with 13 new jobs at its Bodine plant. Meanwhile, in West Virginia, Toyota will inject $111 million and 123 new jobs into its Buffalo facility to meet production demands. Last month, the U.S. Commerce Department sent a Section 232 national security report to Trump with recommendations that auto industry officials expect to include at least some tariffs on fully assembled vehicles or on technologies and components related to electric, automated, connected, and shared vehicles. Lentz told reporters the automaker is eager to see the findings, including for the 137,000 Americans he said design, build, or sell Toyota vehicles in the United States. He said the new trade deal the Trump administration negotiated to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement had played a role in the new investment decisions. Reuters contributed to this report. Trump: Much More to Come in Lisa Page Revelations President Donald Trump reacted to the recently revealed transcripts from former FBI lawyer Lisa Pages testimony before Congress, in a Wednesday tweet. The just revealed FBI Agent Lisa Page transcripts make the Obama Justice Department look exactly like it was, a broken and corrupt machine. Hopefully, justice will finally be served. Much more to come! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2019 Trumps tweet comes after Congressman Doug Collins released 370 pages of Pages transcript testimony on his own volition, and promised that he would release even more in the future. Page exchanged thousands of text messages with her lover and then-top FBI agent Peter Strzok about the investigations into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the Trump 2016 campaign. Page testified before the House Judiciary Committee in July 2018. The transcripts reveal the context of Pages texts to Strzok, including the idea of having an insurance policy in the case of his election. (RELATED: We Cant Take That RiskFBI Officials Discussed Insurance Policy Against Trump Presidency) I want to believe the path you threw out for consideration in Andys officethat theres no way [Trump] gets electedbut Im afraid we cant take that risk, Strzok wrote in a cryptic text message to Page, adding its like an insurance policy in the unlikely event you die before youre 40. Strzok also texted Page, [expletive] Trump, and called him a [expletive] idiot. At one point, Page suggested that his presence on the investigation allowed him to protect the country. Page explained that the insurance policy text message referred to the FBI investigation into potential collusion between the Trump campaign the Russian government. By Saagar Enjeti | White House Correspondent The Uber application is seen on a mobile phone in London, Britain, on Sept. 14, 2018. (Hannah McKay/Reuters) Uber Hires More IPO Underwriters as It Prepares to Go Public: Sources Ride-hailing startup Uber Technologies Inc. has hired a string of investment banks to its syndicate of initial public offering underwriters, as it ramps up preparations for a stock market debut, people familiar with the matter said on March 12. Smaller rival Lyft Inc. is racing to list in the stock market at the end of March. While Uber will not beat Lyft to an IPO, the preparations are aimed at giving it the flexibility to go public as early as the first half of 2019, the sources said. Uber has added more than half a dozen investment banks, including Bank of America Corp., Barclays Plc., Citigroup Inc., Allen & Company, Deutsche Bank AG and JMP Securities, to its IPO underwriting lineup, the sources said. These banks will support Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs Group Inc., which Uber hired late last year to lead its public offering, the sources added. Uber will make additional bank hires in the coming weeks to complete the IPO syndicate, the sources said. The sources asked not to be identified because the matter is confidential. Representatives for Bank of America, Barclays, Citigroup, and JMP Securities declined to comment. Uber, Allen & Company and Deutsche Bank did not immediately return requests for comment. Several investment banks held off pitching Lyft for an IPO role in order to be hired by Uber, a more lucrative and high-profile assignment given its size and status. However, JMP Securities managed to get on both Uber and Lyfts IPO syndicates, showing that such overlap is possible, albeit mainly with more junior underwriting roles. Lending relationships between the companies and the banks have also proved important in winning IPO roles. Lyfts top-tier of seven underwriters was responsible for around a quarter of capital raised through last year, compared to more than 40 percent for the six top-tier banks that Uber has hired so far, according to Dealogic. Like Lyft, Uber filed confidentially for an IPO with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in December. Its bankers have indicated it could be valued at as much as $120 billion, though some analysts have pegged its value closer to $100 billion based on the earning figures it discloses. Lyft could be valued close to $25 billion in its IPO, according to the sources. Earlier on March 12, Uber agreed to pay $20 million to settle a lawsuit brought nearly six years ago by drivers who claimed they are employees, not independent contractors. Uber still faces thousands of arbitration claims from drivers who are not covered by the settlement. By Carl ODonnell & Joshua Franklin U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks on the release of the 2018 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices in the press briefing room of the State Department in Washington on March 13, 2019. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) US Human Rights Report Calls Out China, Acknowledges Organ Harvesting WASHINGTONThe State Departments annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices , released on March 13, highlighted China as one of the worst human rights abusers and may have signaled there will be a future investigation of forced organ harvesting in the country. Presenting the report at the State Department, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said China was in a league of its own when it comes to human rights violations. In just 2018, China intensified its campaign of detaining Muslim minority groups at record levels. Today, more than one million Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, and other Muslims are interned in re-education camps designed to erase their religious and ethnic identities, he said. The report lists dozens of different serious rights abuses in China, including arbitrary or unlawful killings by the government; forced disappearances by the government; torture by the government; arbitrary detention by the government; harsh and life-threatening prison and detention conditions; political prisoners, and many others. Ambassador Michael Kozak of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, said at a press conference on March 13 at the Foreign Press Center, From Xinjiang, where youve got hundreds of thousands or millions of people in camps, to the treatment of Falun Gong, to house churches, you go across the board. The situation in China has not gotten better, its gotten a lot worse over the last several years. Kozak said, We do raise these issues with the Chinese authorities when we see themwhat we are trying to do is just raise the level of attention to these issues. Kozak believes that international pressure does have some effect. In the case of Xinjiang, the Chinese authorities changed their position from denying the existence of the re-education camps to admitting it, although they then claimed that they are vocational training camps. A Noteworthy Development The report also identified the issue of organ harvesting in China, about which the House of Representatives unanimously passed Resolution 343 in June 2016, expressing concern regarding persistent and credible reports of systematic, state-sanctioned organ harvesting from non-consenting prisoners of conscience in the Peoples Republic of China, including from large numbers of Falun Gong practitioners and members of other religious and ethnic minority groups. The report says, Some activists and organizations continue to accuse the government of involuntarily harvesting organs from prisoners of conscience, especially members of Falun Gong. David Matas, international human rights lawyer, co-author of Bloody Harvest/The Slaughter, said to The Epoch Times that this is a noteworthy development. The mention by the Department of Stateof reports of organ harvesting of prisoners of conscience, primarily Falun Gong, is an indication of the seriousness with which the reports are taken. Matas said, there is an implicit, albeit belated link, here to the House of Representatives June 2016 resolution calling for an investigation by the Department of State. Among 6 items expressed in House Resolution 343, the 6th one directly addresses the Department of State: That the House of Representatives calls on the United States Department of State to conduct a more detailed analysis on state-sanctioned organ harvesting from non-consenting prisoners of conscience in the annual Human Rights Report, and report annually to Congress on the implementation of section 232 of the Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 (8 U.S.C. 1182f), barring provision of visas to Chinese and other nationals engaged in coerced organ or bodily tissue transplantation. Matas said, The investigation has not yet been done. But when the Department of State itself says that there is a serious issue here, it is hard for them then to say they will not investigate. This years Department of State report may be a prelude to an investigation. At the very least, it adds leverage to the Congressional request for an investigation. However, journalist and researcher Ethan Gutmann, author of Losing the New China and The Slaughter, criticized the State Department for parroting Chinese official assurances of transplant reform while over one million blood-tested Uyghurs are incarcerated in reeducation camps. David Kilgour, former Canadian secretary of state for Asia-Pacific, co-author of Bloody Harvest/The Slaughter, said: The United States should advance its concern about the worsening state of human rights across China at every bilateral and multilateral opportunity, just as it did with the Soviet Union in the 1970s and 80s. Relinking human rights with trade talks, applying the Magnitsky Act to surgeons and others participating in organ abuse, and warning U.S. universities about the risk of training surgeons from China, and so on, would all help. Zhang Erping, spokesperson for Falun Gong, said, Beijing is perfecting its methods of persecution used against Falun Gong practitioners over the years to suppress other groups lately. China is the only country on earth that spends more money on domestic security than its national defense, and The U.S. must stand firm on its moral grounds and protect human rights around the world, China in particular. Correction: A previous version of this article misidentified the location where Ambassador Michael Kozak of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor spoke on March 13. He spoke at the Foreign Press Center. The Epoch Times regrets the error. A man fills containers with water flowing down from the Wuaraira Repano mountain, also called "El Avila", in Caracas on March 13, 2019. Millions in Venezuela have been left without running water.(Federico Parra/AFP/Getty Images) Power Restored in Venezuela but Daily Struggle Continues BOGOTA, ColombiaBlackouts across Venezuela appear to have been partially resolvedfor nowas power finally returns to homes, hospitals, and schools across the country; but a week of intermittent darkness has made daily life harder than ever in the crisis-stricken nation. Venezuela has faced a serious economic, social, and political crisis due to a crash in oil prices, poor economic management, and rampant corruption for years, but the outages which have plagued 22 of 23 states since March 7 have brought daily adversity and suffering to new depths. Lack of refrigeration meant food and essential medicines quickly spoiled in the tropical climate, while the metro system, schools, and businesses across the nation were shut down. Hospitals, already at breaking point due to equipment, medicine, and staff shortages, faced an unprecedented challenge as backup generators failed, rendering lifesaving equipment useless. The Venezuelan opposition, who are vying to oust Venezuelan regime leader Nicolas Maduro, allege that 26 people lost their lives as a result of the power outages. Maduro has blamed the latest crisis on the opposition, local journalists, and the United States. Although power has largely returned, water shortages persist, forcing some residents in the capital Caracas to fill up containers from polluted streams running adjacent to major highways. The metro system has reopened but remains crippled, leaving waiting lines snaking around the block. The situation is similar at gasoline stations where shortages remain, and in local supermarkets, where U.S. dollars have become the de facto currency due to cash shortages and the failure of electronic payment systems. Some businesses remain closed following the ransacking of local stores as desperation took hold: More than 500 businesses were damaged, which caused more than $50 million worth of damage in the city of Maracaibo, according to Fergus Walshe, president of the citys Chamber of Commerce. Maduro has announced a commission to investigate the cause of the outages which he says was a cyber attack organized by the United States. Local journalist and activist, Luis Carlos Diaz, was detained by intelligence services and charged on March 12 with taking part in the alleged sabotage plot, sparking protests outside the district attorneys office. U.S. officials and international power consultants have denied the possibility of foreign meddling in the heavily guarded electrical grid via the internet. The collapse of Venezuelas electrical grid and public services is due to years of Maduros corruption, a refusal to invest in the public sector, and neglect of maintenance. Its simple: machinery breaks down when you steal all the money intended to buy parts to keep it running, U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton wrote on Twitter. Harder to Mobilize Opposition Alleged state incompetence and growing public discontent were expected to fuel the cause of Juan Guaido, the opposition leader who invoked the constitution to declare himself president on Jan. 23 and seeks to oust Maduro. But as the countrys power stations stalled, so did the oppositions momentum. Marches led by Guaido on March 12 failed to draw the usual number of enthused protesters who consistently answer the calls of the fresh-faced leader. Amid the blackout, it is very hard for the opposition to mobilize, said Phil Gunson, a Caracas-based senior analyst at International Crisis Group. At the height of the outages, 96 percent of the country lacked internet access, meaning Twitter and WhatsAppthe oppositions essential line of communication in a country with ever-declining press freedomfell strangely quiet. There is a sense that the initial plan has not worked, that this is a longer-term problem and it is not clear where [the opposition] go from here, said Gunson. The government narrative about a supposed cyberattack seeks to regain control of the narrative and there are hints Guaido might even be arrested, as the government feels it has seen off the initial offensive and may be strong enough to defy its adversaries, Gunson added. Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cake in Colorado, stands with supporters outside the US Supreme Court after Masterpiece Cakeshop vs. Colorado Civil Rights Commission were heard on December 5, 2017 in Washington, DC. MARI MATSURI/AFP/Getty Images) The Demonization of Religion Commentary Why do they hate us? Eastern Orthodox writer Frederica Mathewes-Green, in a recent essay, considers the questionnot about the severe persecution faced by hundreds of millions of Christians worldwide, but rather the particular kind of hatred encountered by Christians in the United States. She discusses her own youthful experience in the world of hippies, where every kind of religion was explored and experimented with except Christianity, which, in those days, she herself would delight in ridiculing. She concludes that it was the virtue of purity, espoused by Christians in a hostile climate of sexual liberation, that particularly enraged her and her friends. It was not any particular repressive or discriminatory action of the Christians that outraged them. The very idea of chastity seemed like an affront. Unrestrained sexual self-expression was not only a personal choice and a right, but also something to be honored and celebrated more or less without regard to the form it took. Failure to accord it such public honor was, in the language of modern legal progressives, an intolerable form of dignitary harm. In the intervening years, such thinking, and the accompanying intolerance toward believing Christians, has spread to the cultural mainstream, and not only on college campuses. Theres also a concerted effort on the part of LGBT activists to punish the wicked, that is, to use the power of the state, its courts, and regulatory agencies to put out of business bakers, florists, photographers, and other small-business proprietors who decline to act against their consciences by celebrating events they consider wrong. And to intimidate the rest. Anti-Religious Bias In an important decision in 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, which had ordered a cake artist, Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Cakeshop, either to act against his conscience and violate his faith by designing custom wedding cakes that celebrate same-sex marriages, or to stop designing wedding cakes altogether. The Supreme Court ruled that the commission had acted with clear and impermissible bias against Phillips. Justice Anthony Kennedy cited a statement by one of the commissioners, Diann Rice, that called Phillipss faith a despicable piece of rhetoric and that freedom of religion had been used as justification for the Holocaust or slavery. Rices sentiment, said Kennedy in his majority opinion, is inappropriate for a commission charged with the solemn responsibility of fair and neutral enforcement of Colorados antidiscrimination law. The commissions decision against Phillips had been infected by religious animus, the court determined. It violated the religious neutrality required by the Constitution, and must be set aside. But the Supreme Courts rebuke was not enough for the commissioners. Even after the courts ruling, two other members of the seven-person commission publicly supported Rices offensive comments, the ones that had persuaded the court of the commissions bias. Progressives have long since dropped all pretense of live and let live and embraced the use of state power to harass and to burden the consciences of dissenters from the new state orthodoxy. But the openness of the commissioners hostility and bias in this case is extraordinary. They were willing to openly defy the Supreme Court in order to prevent Christians from following the dictates of their conscience. With the new evidence of progressive anti-Christian bigotry emerging from the commissioners own statements after the Supreme Courts decision, and with Phillipss suit against them, calling for the state to cease its crusade against him and for compensatory and punitive damages, the commission finally decided on March 5 to dismiss its pending case against Phillips, and he dropped his federal lawsuit. Demonizing and Trivializing The six-and-a-half-year campaign against Phillips was one episode, but a revealing one, in the secularist war on religion, or rather its attempt to substitute its own faith as the official state orthodoxy that brooks no dissent, with no live and let live accommodation. Two aspects of this long campaign to drive religion, and Christianity in particular, from public life are apparent in this case. One is the demonizing of Christians, who are subject to relentless harassment and vitriol. In this case, the persecution took not only the usual form of hate mail, death threats, and nasty phone calls, but also vilification by public officials constitutionally bound to observe religious neutrality in the exercise of their power. The other aspect, also common but startling when expressed so openly by public officials, is the dismissal of religion itself, at least in its Christian form. In this case, the hostility goes beyond trivializing religion as a personal, private preference. (Such a partiality, in that view, is of no more legal significance than fondness for a particular kind of music and dislike for another.) Now we see religion itself demonized, denounced as an excuse, a mere rhetorical cover for horrors like slavery, the Holocaust, or refusal to use ones art to celebrate a gay wedding. The constitutional right to religious freedom, enshrined in the First Amendment, is dismissed as code for discrimination and subordinatedas by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission as well as by former President Barack Obamas chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and many other officials charged with enforcing civil rightsto other kinds of anti-discrimination law, especially in the area of sexual orientation and gender identity. They see the civil right to freedom from religious discrimination as itself a target for attack. Their view is the opposite of what Kennedy called a solemn responsibility of fair and neutral enforcement of Colorados antidiscrimination law. Such officials banish religion from their concerns because they do not take it as seriously involving claims to truth and obligations to follow ones conscience. Theyre no less contemptuous than the late-adolescent hippies Mathewes-Green recalls from her youth, and are even more powerful and relentless in their hostility toward Christians. Paul Adams is a professor emeritus of social work at the University of Hawaii and was a professor and associate dean of academic affairs at Case Western Reserve University. He is the co-author of Social Justice Isnt What You Think It Is and has written extensively on social welfare policy and professional and virtue ethics. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Robert Wild and the bag of puppies found by police, on Feb. 28, 2019. (Marshfield Police Department) Wisconsin Man Arrested After Police Find Bag of Puppies in Trash A Wisconsin man has been arrested after allegedly dumping eight newborn puppies in a garbage bag. Marshfield police were dispatched to investigate what they understood to be the sound of kittens mewing from inside a garbage can. Upon arrival, it was learned that the sound was coming from eight newborn puppies, which had been discarded in a garbage bag and trash can, said a statement by Marshfield Police on March 12. They tracked down Robert M. Wild, 56, who admitted to dumping the puppies, said the police. Misdemeanor charges were requested through the Wood County DAs office on Robert M. Wild for mistreatment of animals and abandonment of animals. According to the local shelter where the puppies were taken, they are safe and doing well. At this time, adoption applications are NOT being accepted (we need to focus on making sure these guys grow up big and strong first!) but donations ARE welcome! wrote the Marshfield Area Pet Shelter on it website. *** PUPPY UPDATE *** It was recently released to the media that there were puppies found in a Marshfield dumpster. The Marshfield Area Pet Shelter 2019312 Two weeks ago six puppies were found in a sack in Massachusettsfloating down a river. The puppies, which are expected to survive, were rescued from the Blackstone River by kayakers who heard the dogs whimpers from inside a potato sack. I believe as a police chief they had guardian angels looking over them, these kayakers, Uxbridge Police Department Chief Jeffrey Lourie said, according to CBS. It was only a matter of time before they were all submerged and perished. The puppies were believed to be seven days old. Uxbridge puppies are healthy after being dumped in Blackstone River. Adoptions in 8-9 weeks. pic.twitter.com/Qhm1TCtzLO Lana Jones (@Lanawbz) September 25, 2017 The department, on Facebook, said that theyre looking for the low life suspect behind it. Obviously this is a heinous act, unconscionable, Lourie said. We definitely want to be able to charge [the suspect] with six counts of cruelty to animals. Jack Phillips contributed to his report. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Woman Suffers Coma After Giving Birth, Husband Abandons Family and Takes Money A woman who suffered from severe bleeding and a coma after giving birth to a baby boy was presumed to have been abandoned by her husband, according to Chinese media ThePaper.cn. The woman, named Duan Yingying, suffered from paralysis after waking from the coma. Her husband, whose name was not given, claimed he would go to raise money for hospital fees. He took $45,000 that came from selling their house and left his family on Feb. 27. He has not been heard from since. Duans parents contacted the local authorities in Shaanxi Province, China on March 8 to report their missing son-in-law, but the police did not want to get involved because it was considered to be a family dispute. Husband Takes Money and Disappears According to ThePaper, Duans parents described her as a healthy woman. She graduated from college, and lives in Shaanxi Province, China. She later found a job, and met her husband. They married after knowing each other for one year. On Oct. 22, 2018, Duan gave birth to a baby boy. However, due to heavy postnatal bleeding, Duan fell into a severe coma. She was transferred to another hospital and eventually resuscitated, but the report says that her recovery would take a long time. The parents said that at the time of the report, Duan was still hospitalized and they had spent $30,000 on her hospital fees. Since the couple had no savings, all of the money came from the parents, other family members and friends. The family even sold the house and made $45,000, which was going to be used to pay Duans hospital fees. All the finances were being handled by her husband. However, on Feb. 27, the husband said he had to go out to take care of some things. He left the hospital, and he has not been heard from since. He also took the money with him. Duans father, Duan Yanmin, said that they could not find his son-in-law. Yanmin said that theyve been left in the hospital with a four-month-old baby, their paralyzed daughter, and no money. Yanmin and his wife went to the local authorities on March 8 to report their son-in-law. However, the Chinese police said that this was considered a family dispute, and they would not accept the case at that time. The family has contacted a lawyer. The lawyer said that if their claims can be verified through investigation, then the son-in-law would bear certain responsibilities for his actions. Abandoned With Medical Bills During the Lunar New Year, which often occurs around the end of January to the beginning of February, instances of people stealing money intended for medical fees is more common. According to the Chengdu News, A 58-year-old man name Wang Wenhua was diagnosed with Aortic dissection. This health problem occurs when the main artery to the heart tears, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, his own son stole $13,000 that was saved for the operation, and disappeared. Another instance, reported by the Chinese regimes television mouthpiece CCTV, was of a father stealing money from an operation for his son. In 2018, the boy was two years old, and the father took $9000, and vanished. Hospitals in China China often has large hospital bills that most patients must foot themselves. In one recent example, a nurse threatened to pull a patient out of the operating room because the family was unable to pay the medical bills right away. The nurse said the only way the operation would continue was if the family paid the fees in full within 10 minutes. Based on the reactions of the relatives, the bill may have been over $75,000. In this way, Chinese hospitals are often seen by citizens as for-profit entities. Some hospitals have used far worse means to make money. Since 2001, certain hospitals at the order of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have taken part in forced organ harvesting. Most of the organs are sourced from unwilling prisoners of conscious, primarily believers of Falun Gong. Falun Gong, though peaceful, introspective, and completely non-political, has been at the heart of a faith-based crackdown by the Chinese regime since 1999. A booming organ transplant industry has thus secretly grown in China, and political prisoners are executed through operations to supply unknowing transplant recipients. The killings have been uncovered by independent research in recent years. Epoch Times reporter Lin Shiyuan contributed to this report. ABOVE: Incredible timelapse video shows arrival of 'bomb cyclone' in Colorado A "bomb cyclone" is dumping snow and heavy rain on the central United States, stranding travelers, leaving tens of thousands without electricity and leading to a police officer's death in Colorado. The storm's center was over Iowa and Nebraska early Thursday, and while it did its worst damage in the Plains, it will continue delivering dangerous weather conditions to 105 million people who are under some sort of watch, warning or advisory as it moves east. A bomb cyclone occurs when there is a rapid pressure drop, with a decrease of at least 24 millibars -- a measure of atmospheric pressure -- over 24 hours. This storm dropped 33 millibars from Tuesday into Wednesday. The storm brings with it all manner of nastiness. While Colorado is seeing blizzard conditions, Iowa and Illinois are experiencing flooding, especially in areas along the Mississippi River. Nebraska has been hit hard by flooding, while the Platte, Elkhorn and Missouri rivers have topped their banks in Missouri. Winds of more than 100 mph have slammed into San Augustin Pass, New Mexico, and Pine Springs, Texas. Through early Thursday, residents of Colorado, Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma can expect winds of between 30 and 50 mph, with gusts in some areas reaching 65 mph, according to forecasts. 45 inches of snow in southern Colorado Adding to the misery of those in its path, the bomb cyclone threatens to bring severe storms, flash flooding, dense fog and possible tornadoes as it treks across the central part of the country. Tornado watches have been issued in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. About 175,000 people are without power, most of them in Colorado and Texas. Several Colorado school districts closed Wednesday and Thursday, with Denver Public Schools citing "severe storm, power outages across the city and poor road conditions." Denver is one of the hardest-hit areas, though Wolf Creek Pass, near the New Mexico border, has recorded 45 inches of snow. Blizzard and avalanche warnings have been issued across Colorado. The snow will keep falling over the Dakotas and western Minnesota, with some areas seeing as much as a foot of the white stuff. Parts of South Dakota have already gotten 15 inches of snow. Wyoming closed state offices in Cheyenne, while South Dakota's governor ordered state offices closed in 39 central and western counties because of the storm. 'Rescuing rescuers' About 250 vehicles were stuck early Thursday on a roadway in central Colorado, and some drivers have been waiting hours to be rescued, said Jacqueline Kirby, spokeswoman for the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. As of 11 p.m. Wednesday, "we still had 1,100 people stranded who had been there anywhere from an hour to seven hours," Kirby said. "We've had a variety of calls. We have diabetic individuals. We have people with children. We have a pregnant woman." The weather has been so severe in the state that law enforcement officers had to abandon their vehicles and take shelter themselves instead of responding to the high volume of accidents, officials said. "We are at the point where we are rescuing rescuers out there," Elbert County Manager Sam Albrecht said. In Weld County, north of Denver, State Patrol Cpl. Daniel Groves, 52, was struck by a car Wednesday while assisting a motorist whose car slid off Interstate 76, according to the state police. Groves, on the job since 2007, was declared dead at a hospital. High speed and poor conditions are possible factors being investigated, police said. No charges had been filed. On Wednesday, 100 vehicles were involved in an accident on Interstate 25 near Wellington, Colorado, according to Wellington Fire Protection. There were no fatalities, according to the fire department's Facebook page, but there were injuries ranging from minor to serious. Emergency responders came from both Colorado and Wyoming. Handing out blankets at airports More than 3,700 flights have been canceled over two days. About 2,000 flights were canceled Wednesday, and at least 1,700 had been dropped by early Thursday, according to data from the flight-tracking site Flightaware.com. Denver International Airport was hit the hardest. All runways were closed Wednesday because of icy conditions and extremely poor visibility caused by the intense storm, the airport said on Twitter. Roads around the airport were also closed or blocked by traffic accidents for much of the day. Airport employees handed out blankets to accommodate passengers who were stuck overnight. "For those passengers joining us overnight, we want you to be as comfortable as possible. Please stop by the customer service booths on Concourses A, B or at baggage claim 9 in the terminal and pick up a blanket," an airport tweet said Wednesday evening. The airport announced on Twitter early Thursday that four of its six terminals have reopened, but more than 700 flights into or out of Denver have been canceled for the day. The storm will move east Thursday, bringing what the National Weather Service calls "a Great Plains cyclone of historic proportions." Amazon removed some books from its website that claim to promote "cures" for autism. It's the latest major company to attempt to limit the amount of misinformation related to autism and the bogus notion that it's caused by vaccines. NBC News on Tuesday first reported Amazon's decision to remove the books. Amazon confirmed to NBC that Healing the Symptoms Known as Autism and Fight Autism and Win books were removed. The company declined to answer more specific questions from NBC News and from The Associated Press about whether the move was part of a concentrated effort to rid the online marketplace of similar material. Wired.com first reported that Amazon sold the books that promoted harmful "treatment." Among the suggestions one book offered to "cure" autism included drinking and bathing in toxic substances such as bleach. As of Wednesday night, a search of Amazon for "autism cure" shows books such as "Impossible Cure," which claims to cure autism with homeopathy, and "Louder than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism" by actress and anti-vaccine activist Jenny McCarthy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there is no cure for autism spectrum disorder, only medications that can help some function better. It also says there is no link between vaccines and autism. Last week, Facebook announced it would hide groups that spread misinformation about vaccines causing autism from search results. It also plans to reject similar ads. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Republican-run Senate on Thursday rejected President Donald Trumps declaration of a national emergency at the southwest border, setting up a veto fight and dealing him a conspicuous rebuke as he tested how boldly he could ignore Congress in pursuit of his highest-profile goal. The Senate voted 59-41 to cancel Trumps February proclamation of a border emergency, which he invoked to spend $3.6 billion more for border barriers than Congress had approved. Twelve Republicans joined Democrats in defying Trump in a showdown many GOP senators had hoped to avoid because he commands die-hard loyalty from millions of conservative voters who could punish defecting lawmakers in next years elections. With the Democratic-controlled Houses approval of the same resolution last month, Senate passage sends it to Trump. He has shown no reluctance about casting his first veto to advance his campaign exhortation to Build the Wall, and it seems certain Congress will lack the two-thirds majorities that would be needed to override him. Ill do a veto. Its not going to be overturned, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. Its a border security vote. In a tweet minutes after the resolution passed, Trump made it clear he would indeed veto the measure. Though Trump seems sure to prevail in a veto battle, it remains noteworthy that lawmakers of both parties resisted him in a fight directly tied to his cherished campaign theme of erecting a border wall. The roll call came just a day after the Senate took a step toward a veto fight with Trump on another issue - voting to end U.S. support for the Saudi Arabian-led coalitions war in Yemen. In a measure of how remarkable the confrontation was, Thursday was the first time Congress has voted to block a presidential emergency since the National Emergency Act became law in 1976. Even before Thursdays vote, there were warnings that GOP senators resisting Trump could face political consequences. A White House official said Trump wont forget when senators who oppose him want him to attend fundraisers or provide other help. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on internal deliberations. At the White House, Trump did not answer when reporters asked if there would be consequences for Republicans who voted against him. Underscoring the political pressures in play, Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who last month became one of the first Republicans to say hed oppose Trumps border emergency, said Thursday hed vote to support it. Tillis, who faces a potentially difficult re-election race next year, cited talks with the White House that suggest Trump could be open to restricting presidential emergency powers in the future. Still, the breadth of opposition among Republicans suggested how concern about his declaration had spread to all corners of the GOP. Republican senators voting for the resolution blocking Trump included Mitt Romney, of Utah, the partys 2012 presidential candidate; Mike Lee, of Utah, a solid conservative; Maine moderate Susan Collins and Lamar Alexander, of Tennessee, a respected centrist. Republicans control the Senate 53-47. Democrats solidly opposed Trumps declaration. Presidents have declared 58 national emergencies since the passage of the 1976 law, but this was the first aimed at accessing money that Congress had explicitly denied, according to Elizabeth Goitein, co-director for national security at New York University Law Schools Brennan Center for Justice. Trump and Republicans backing him said there is a legitimate security and humanitarian crisis at the border with Mexico. They also said Trump was merely exercising his powers under the law, which largely leaves it to presidents to decide what a national emergency is. The president is operating within existing law, and the crisis on our border is all too real, said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Opponents said Trumps assertion of an emergency was overblown. They said he issued his declaration only because Congress agreed to provide less than $1.4 billion for barriers and he was desperate to fulfill his campaign promise on the wall. They said the Constitution gives Congress, not presidents, control over spending and said Trumps stretching of emergency powers would invite future presidents to do the same for their own concerns. Hes obsessed with showing strength, and he couldnt just abandon his pursuit of the border wall, so he had to trample on the Constitution to continue his fight, said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Republicans had hoped that Trump would endorse a separate bill by Lee constraining emergency declarations in the future and that it would win over enough GOP senators to reject Thursdays resolution. But Trump told Lee on Wednesday that he opposed Lees legislation, prompting Lee himself to say he would back the resolution. The strongest remaining chances of blocking Trump are the several filed by Democratic state attorneys general, environmental groups and others. On Twitter, Trump called on Republicans to oppose the resolution, which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., helped drive through the House last month. Todays issue is BORDER SECURITY and Crime!!! Dont vote with Pelosi! he tweeted, invoking the name of a Democrat who boatloads of GOP ads have villainized in recent campaign cycles. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who is backing Trump, went to the White House late Wednesday with other senators to see if some compromise could be reached that would help reduce the number of GOP senators opposing Trump, according to a person familiar with the visit who described it on condition of anonymity. The effort fell short. The National Emergency Act gives presidents wide leeway in declaring an emergency. Congress can vote to block a declaration, but the two-thirds majorities required to overcome presidential vetoes make it hard for lawmakers to prevail. Lee had proposed letting a presidential emergency declaration last 30 days unless Congress votes to extend it. That would have applied to future emergencies but not Trumps current order unless he sought to renew it next year. ___ Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Padmananda Rama and Andrew Taylor in Washington and Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, contributed. NORWALK Tanya McDowell knew her son would get a quality education in Norwalk. She didnt know that she was breaking the law by sending him to school there. Never once was I aware of this criteria or policy in regards to you sending your child to the wrong school system, she said. Its been nearly five years to the day since McDowell was convicted on larceny and unrelated drug charges, stemming from her decision in 2010 to send her then 5-year-old son, Andrew J. Paches, to kindergarten at Brookside Elementary School. Authorities claimed she was a Bridgeport resident and therefore breaking the law by sending her child to an out-of-district school. At the time, there were reportedly more than two dozen families in Norwalk alone violating the districts residency policy. McDowell was the only parent to face criminal charges. Though she bemoans missing some of the most formidable years of her young sons life, the 39-year-old McDowell insists she doesnt regret her decision. I would still do it all over again because I havent been let down, McDowell said Friday afternoon in one of her first interviews since being released from jail two years ago. My son exceeded all of my expectations. During his mothers incarceration, Andrew lived with his grandmother in Bridgeport and attended Thomas Hooker Elementary School. There, McDowell said, he had perfect attendance and made the honor roll. Thats where I got it from, McDowell said, referencing her mother. Education was big in my household. She picked up exactly where I left off. I couldnt be more proud. Shes also proud to have become a figurehead for the social inequalities that exist in Americas public school system. Im not only doing it for Andrew, McDowell said. Im doing it for any other parent, any other child out there that has the potential to exceed and excel at a certain level and is just being deprived, period. Though she was born and raised in Bridgeport, McDowell says she was homeless when she enrolled her son at Brookside: splitting her days and nights between the Norwalk homeless shelter and her friends Bridgeport apartment. As a child, McDowell attended Bridgeport schools and later worked there as a paraprofessional. She knew first-hand the challenges facing the citys school system. She believed her son deserved better. McDowell used her babysitters Ely Avenue address to enroll Andrew in Norwalk Public Schools. It was a brisk January morning when McDowell drove her son to Brookside, only to be turned away at the door by school administrators. Andrew had been disenrolled, they said. A letter had been sent home in his backpack a few days prior, but McDowell says she never saw it. That same day, she drove to Bridgeport and enrolled Andrew in school. She thought her dealings with the Norwalk school district were over. Several months later, however, she was arrested at the Norwalk homeless shelter, where she had just finished an evening meal. After being detained for several hours, McDowell said police eventually told her that she was under arrest for stealing an education. She was shocked. Stealing an education, McDowell recalled saying. What the heck is that? Just days after her release, McDowell said national news outlets began contacting her for interviews. She was thrust into the national spotlight a poster child for economic inequality in education. I wasnt expecting all of this as far as media attention, McDowell said. The way I was raised, the way I was brought up, education was big. We always believed if you believe in something you stand for it regardless of what your friends may think or others may think. She found support from folks across the country, and with the help of education advocates, the Legislature moved to decriminalize the act of stealing an education, which at the time of McDowells arrest was a felony. With the stroke of a pen, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy formally decriminalized the practice in 2013. But that change came too late for McDowell, who by then was one year into a five-year sentence. Though she was released from prison two years early, she still faces three years of probation and owes the city of Norwalk roughly $6,500 in back-tuition. Today, McDowell lives a quiet life with her son in Meriden. She works in the food industry as a self-trained chef. Her son, she says, is doing well. He attends Casimir Pulaski School, and this past quarter, made the honor roll. Norwalk, meanwhile, appears poised to continue its aggressive residency enforcement. District officials have spent the last several months implementing an updated residency policy. Principals, secretaries and school counselors now receive training to help them identify potential students who attend school here, but live outside the district. Such students are then reported to the operations staff who then may hire a retained private investigator to dig further. This year, the district has identified six families attending schools here who shouldnt be. Three live in temporary housing, including one family whose home burned down. They have until the end of the school year to prove their Norwalk residency before disenrollment procedures begin. The other three families were scheduled to be disenrolled on Friday. Frank Costanzo, chief of school operations for the district, said the updated policy and its enforcement stems from a need to be up-to-date with policies across the state and to ensure the city is providing its scarce resources to the residents of Norwalk. I think the scope of the districts responsibility is ensuring that the students that are enrolled are residents of the town and in cases we can verify that and, if not, we have the responsibility to disenroll, Costanzo said. McDowell said she disagrees with such policies. As long as the child doesn't get in trouble, its only right and only fair for the child to receive the proper education, she said. Andrew seems to think the same way and, McDowell said, is glad his mom took a stand. My sons like mommy you did all that for me? McDowell said. Yeah, she added, but not only you other people are going through the same thing My kid got a lot of recognition because I stood for something. So I try to teach him: stand for something otherwise youre going to fall for anything. If you see something thats not right, you stand up and you stand behind that A lot of people may think what I did was wrong, she said, but I dont think it was wrong because not only did I stand up for you, but all of the other parents who never got arrested and arent paying restitution. NORWALK How can the new federal Opportunity Zone program benefit both local businesses and municipalities? Answering those questions was the main goal of the Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerces Opportunity Zone workshop on Thursday morning. About 100 business owners, developers, investors, municipal officials and members of the public gathered to hear about how they could utilize the opportunity zone funds and how they could impact municipalities. In Norwalk, three census tracts were designated as opportunity zones in the central part of the city within the bounds of South Norwalk, downtown and the area north of Wall Street. Across the country, more than 8,700 census tracts were designated as opportunity zones as a part of President Donald Trumps 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs act. The zones are meant to help spur development by offering tax deferrals on capital gains in designated low-income neighborhoods. The Opportunity Zone Program offers tax benefits for potential funders and developers who decide to invest in these areas as an incentive to spur economic growth. Its really important we move capital into these zones, Liddy Karter, the managing director of Enhanced Capital for Connecticut, told the group. Karter said that traditionally investment is a competitive field, where different investors are competing for projects. But, she said, she sees the Opportunity Zone Program as one that can be collaborative with different investors and different projects taking place to reshape an area. This is the first time we consider this a group effort, Karter said. Were trying to bring as many people to the table as positive. While there are specific qualifications laid out in the regulations for the plan for how investors qualify for the tax benefits, Karter said the most important thing is making sure to pick a successful project to back. Were looking for business that are going to grow, she said. Despite the excitement surrounding the zones, as ways to spur investment in areas that have not seen growth, Courtney Hendricson, the vice president of the Connecticut Economic Resource Center, told municipal officials that they needed to be aware of potential unintended consequences. There are fears around gentrification, she said. Hendricson also emphasized that much of the regulation of development in these zones would be done at the local level and that there werent federal requirements for things like making sure there are affordable units and emphasizing hiring local employees. Those requirements would be up to the municipalities to make sure that they are put in, she said. Still, Hendricson said that the zones could really spur growth and benefit the municipalities, especially if they work with investors and developers from the start. No one wants any surprises, she said. She encouraged municipal officials to take inventory of the properties they have in these zones and get to know the current and potential owners so that decisions can benefit both the businesses and the cities. Municipalities can also work to streamline some of their land use processes and make sure that their zoning in the opportunity zone areas are also up-to-date, Hendricson said. The final version of the first group of federal requirements for the zones are set to be released within the next few weeks, Carter said. In order for investors to realize most of the tax benefits from the program, investments into Opportunity Zone funds have to be made by the end of the 2019 year. kelly.kultys@hearstmediact.com When Alinzia Davenport recalls her godbrother as a little boy, a vivid image comes to mind: a tiny Victor McElhaney in the middle of a drum circle led by older men, keeping up with the beat on his bongos."I just knew one day he was going to be a famous old man and we'd be going to his concerts," Davenport said.McElhaney devoted most of his life to the intersection of community and music. The 21-year-old son of Oakland Councilwoman Lynette Gibson McElhaney began playing drums before he could read. By the time he moved to Los Angeles in the fall of 2017 to study jazz at the University of Southern California, he had made his mark on Oakland as a mentor to other young performers and an advocate for black lives, women and gun control.For his friends and family, then, there is devastating irony in the way McElhaney died.At around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, McElhaney and eight friends walked from a nearby home to a strip-mall liquor store at Maple Avenue and Adams Boulevard, about a mile and a half from USC, said Los Angeles Police Capt. Billy Hayes, who oversees the Robbery Homicide Division. After buying booze, the group was approached in the parking lot by three or four men. The men attempted to mug the group, and McElhaney was shot likely after objecting to the robbery, Hayes said. The suspects fled in a car. No one else was hurt.McElhaney was taken to the hospital in critical condition and pronounced dead at 11 a.m. Sunday. No arrests had been made in connection with the shooting as of Monday afternoon.Those close to McElhaney described him as a critical thinker who thrived off making people smile, and a goofy and animated humanitarian. He was known for his big hugs and an intense love of percussion.More than anything, he believed in the power of music to bring people together."He thought it could heal the world," Davenport said.McElhaney was 11 years old when he started studying at the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music. Even at that young age, he displayed a deep passion for West African drumming, said Angela Wellman, the conservatory's founding director.He was soon a fixture at the conservatory, studying music after school, attending its summer academy and playing timbales on stage at Oakland's Art and Soul Music festival as part of the Frederick Douglass Youth Ensemble. He absorbed wisdom from the elders in Oakland's African American community and became a teen mentor to younger kids at the conservatory, Wellman said.McElhaney had a deep understanding of the historical significance of being an African American who played jazz, Wellman said, and "the importance and the depth of the rhythmic impulse of the music and where that comes from.""He represented the promise we hold for all our youth, particularly for our black youth," she said.Wellman advised a teenage McElhaney to head to the East Coast for college, but he wanted to stay close to home. He attended Cal State East Bay before transferring to USC, where he was an active member of the Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs.McElhaney made an impression on his classmates at USC's Thornton School of Music. Athena Sferas, a 19-year-old sophomore, took a course with McElhaney in the fall that delved into how music and art have influenced history.It was one of those large, introductory discussion classes where most people were hesitant to contribute, Sferas said. But McElhaney wasn't afraid to politely challenge students whose views he didn't agree with."As a black student, he felt there were voices throughout history that haven't been heard," Sferas said. "He wanted to make sure black narratives weren't left out."McElhaney's death comes just a few years after his family lost another loved one, 17-year-old Torian Hughes, to gun violence. Torian, whom McElhaney's parents helped to raise, was shot and killed during a robbery in West Oakland in 2015.The death broke McElhaney's heart, said Azariah Cole-Shephard, a 20-year-old Oakland poet who knew McElhaney since preschool. After the tragedy, she said, McElhaney would often initiate conversations about gun violence in person and on social media. He was his mom's biggest cheerleader as she helped create the city's Department of Violence Prevention and led an effort to preserve Measure Z, a public safety measure that funds investment in community policing and violent crime prevention strategies."I know that if this wasn't him and it was someone else, he would have his arms around each and every one of his family members, letting them know that it would be OK," Davenport said of the shooting. "He would want his community to rally together against gun violence."At McElhaney's farewell party just before he left for USC, the guest of honor asked Cole-Shephard to perform her poem "For the Black Men My Love Cannot Protect." She recited lines that mourned the lives of young black men cut short by gunfire."We turned around and lost him to the same thing," Cole-Shephard said. "It just goes to show that no matter how much you love somebody, you can't protect them from the bullet that comes their way when you're not physically present."In a statement Sunday night, Councilwoman McElhaney -- whose council district covers West Oakland, the city's busy port and the area north of downtown -- said her son's death represents the "beginning of a new chapter in this reoccurring circle of violence.""I miss my baby," she wrote. "Please keep me, my family, and all of my son's friends in your thoughts and prayers."While crime has steadily trended downward during the last 15 years in the area around USC known as University Park and in its eastern neighbor the Old Historic South Central, they remain among the city's most dangerous neighborhoods.University Park ranks 35th for violent crime and 7th for property crime out of 209 areas of the city, according to a Times analysis. The Historic South Central area, which includes the strip mall at Adams and Maple, ranks 22nd for violent crime and 49th for property crime. Analysis of homicides in the two combined areas since 2000 shows a downward trend. From 2000 to 2009, the average number of homicides each year was 12. The average dropped to roughly eight between 2010 and this year.Several high-profile incidents in recent years have sparked debate about the best ways to keep USC students safe.On Friday, 22-year-old Alberto Ochoa was sentenced to life in prison in connection with the 2014 beating death of a USC graduate student. Xinran Ji, 24, was walking home from a study group near the campus when Ochoa and three others robbed and attacked him with a bat.Ji's death followed the killing of two graduate students in 2012 during a botched robbery near campus. Six months later, a man fired gunshots in the middle of campus outside a Halloween party and four people were injured. None were USC students.LAPD Capt. Lee Sands noted that McElhaney was shot outside the area patrolled by the division that handles USC Southwest, and beyond USC Department of Public Safety boundaries.USC has built a network of security cameras, license plates readers on poles and mobile sentry posts that extend into the neighborhoods beyond the campus. It was a license plate reader on a pole that allowed LAPD homicide detectives to identify the Chinese students killed in 2012.Cole-Shephard said it is hard to imagine McElhaney losing his life during a robbery. If someone had asked McElhaney to give up what he had, she said, he would do it without hesitation."He never valued stuff more than he valued life," she said. SPEED READ: President Trump's 2020 budget proposes major cuts for the Environmental Protection Agency, Medicaid, food stamps, cash welfare, public housing, transportation, clean energy and economic development. State and local organizations are noticeably quiet in response. It would run a $1 trillion federal deficit for the next four years. Trumps Budget Is Dead on Arrival 'A Plan Only Water Polluters Can Love' Major Health-Care and Welfare Cuts Infrastructure and Economic Development a Mixed Bag Weve Seen This Before, But... Impact on the Federal Deficit This week, President Trump introduced his vision for the federal governments 2020 budget . It proposes slashing domestic spending by 9 percent, including a 31 percent cut to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Defense spending, on the other hand, would increase by 5 percent, or $34 billion.Here are six things state and local officials should consider when reviewing the administrations proposal.Nobody expects Trumps proposal to go anywhere. Congress sets the budget, and the presidents document -- no matter whose it is -- is largely viewed as a window into his spending priorities.But it does indicate where hes likely to pressure members of his party, particularly in the Republican-controlled Senate.The Center for American Progress, a fierce Trump critic, warns that Trumps priorities and policies reveal his sheer contempt for the forgotten men and women for whom he pledged to fight. Case in point: Trump's budget cuts Medicare and Social Security, two entitlement programs for the elderly that he promised voters he wouldn't touch.Those are the words of Natural Resources Defense Councils Jon Devine, who says slashing the EPAs budget puts more onus on states to ensure clean waterways while giving them less money to do it.Among other things, the budget would eliminate the $16.8 million in funding that pollution control agencies receive for basic research needs like evaluating water for safe swimming or fish consumption. It also eliminates funding for beach monitoring and contamination notification efforts.It would severely cut federal funding for bodies of water with a history of major environmental and health problems. The Chesapeake Bay and the Great Lakes would lose 90 percent of their funding, while funding would be eliminated for the Gulf of Mexico, Lake Champlain, Long Island Sound and Puget Sound.It would mean more polluted drinking water supplies, make restoring the fisheries of the Chesapeake Bay and other waters harder, delay needed fixes to failing sewer systems, [and hamper programs that] monitor beach water quality and warn beachgoers about conditions that can make them sick, said Devine.Trumps budget reflects his continued desire to shift Medicaid from an entitlement program to a grant-based one by arguing that the latter gives states more flexibility. His proposal cuts $777 billion, over 10 years from Medicaid, the nation's health insurance program for the poor.He would also cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (commonly referred to as food stamps) by 30 percent, or $220 billion, over 10 years. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, what most refer to as cash welfare, would be cut by $21 billion.The budget also calls for deep cuts in public housing and would raise rents for millions of low-income households receiving rental assistance.The proposal would substantially cut transportation funding (by 19 percent) while squeezing the budget for economic development. Of note, Trump has renewed his proposal to eliminate the $3 billion Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which funds a wide range of community projects, and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, which promotes homeownership, for cities and counties.The budget would also kill funding for federal programs that drive investment in clean energy innovation. Bob Keefe, executive director of Environmental Entrepreneurs, which advocates for business-friendly environmental policies, says hundreds of small companies depend on that funding and that local governments in turn rely on those clean tech entrepreneurs and incubators to create the local companies and jobs of tomorrow.On the positive side for infrastructure advocates, the plan includes about $200 billion over 10 years for infrastructure spending , which the White House says could leverage $1 trillion from private, state and local sources. It also doubles funding to $2 billion for the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant program for roads and bridges.Many of Trumps proposed cuts are reprisals of his first two budgets . Whats notably different this time around is the lack of outcry from state and local organizations Trumps proposed elimination of CDBG and HOME programs, for instance, elicited fiery statements and press conferences early on in his administration, but the silence this week has been palpable.For what its worth, Trumps budget release came during the middle of the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C. The conference includes an advocacy day on Capitol Hill, so more than 200 city leaders and advocates were already scheduled this week to speak with members of Congress about the importance of federal funding, particularly for infrastructure.Trumps budget would spend more than the federal government brings in, not balancing out for another 15 years. It would run a $1 trillion deficit each year for the rest of his term.Those projections are based on the White House's assumption that the economy will continue to grow at a healthy clip, or 3 percent. But objective organizations like the Federal Reserve and the Congressional Budget Office are projecting growth at or below 2 percent.Trumps chief economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, pointed out this week that there were plenty of naysayers last year about the administrations projected economic growth who were proven wrong. ( GDP growth last year was 2.9 percent.)So far, we won round one, Kudlow said on PBS NewsHour . I'm going roll the dice again, and I'm going to take the over and suggest that we will be right again this year, and many of our critics will not be. ALTON Jordan L. Peoples, 21, of the 700 block of Miller Street, Alton, was charged Tuesday with two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm. He allegedly shot two people in the leg on Monday. Bail was set at $500,000. A Jacksonville man has been sentenced to 10 years after pleading guilty to a criminal sexual assault charge. Joseph T. Wisniewski, 46, of Jacksonville entered into an agreement March 5 in which he pleaded guilty to criminal sexual assault of a family member under age 18, States Attorney Gray Noll said Wednesday. He withdrew his plea of not guilty and entered into a guilty plea for 10 years in the Department of Corrections, Noll said. Wisniewski will be required to serve 85 percent of his sentence, Noll said. The sentencing range was four to 15 years. He will receive credit for 102 days served, according to court records. Jacksonville Police investigated Wisniewski and charges were filed by the states attorney Nov. 26, Noll said. According to the information filed by Assistant States Attorney Chad Turner, Wisniewski committed the offense of criminal sexual assault around June through October when he committed an act of sexual penetration with the victim. Wisniewski originally faced a charge of unlawful possession of child pornography that was dismissed as part of the plea agreement. According to Noll, Wisniewski has one prior felony conviction, but no prior sex offenses. Wisniewski will be required to register as a sex offender. He will be on mandatory supervised release for at least three years when he has finished serving his sentence, Noll said. For sex offenses, the state Department of Corrections does an evaluation at the end of three years to determine whether an offender should remain under supervision for longer. Wisniewski was also fined $500 fine and must pay court costs. SPRINGFIELD Legislation raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products is scheduled for a vote in the Illinois Senate today, just two days after it successfully passed out of the House. Bill sponsor Sen. Julie Morrison, a Deerfield Democrat, said it will be one of the first measures heard after the chamber gavels into session at noon. Her legislation raises the age to buy products containing nicotine such as cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes and chewing tobacco, to name a few from 18 to 21. Theres been a lot of pent-up support in the Senate to get this bill passed and Ive been sitting on my hands waiting to get it done were going to move quickly while the momentum is there, she said. I want to get this to the Governors office as soon as possible. The Illinois constitution mandates measures be read by title on three different days in each house. This bill is able to move so quickly through the legislative process because when it was approved by the House on Tuesday, the Senates gatekeeper committee voted to move it straight to the floor, according to a member of Morrisons staff. That was its first reading. On Wednesday, it was read into the record for the second time, queuing it up for a vote during Thursdays session. It also helped, Morrison and her staff member added, that the House measure is nearly identical to the one she proposed and got approved by a Senate committee in February. While Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker has not said conclusively whether he would sign the bill, his spokeswoman said in an email that he looks forward to reviewing the legislation. Senate President John Cullerton, a Chicago Democrat, said at a news conference in February that Pritzker would approve the measure if both chambers passed it. Cullerton was in the House Tuesday, looking on as Chicago Rep. Camille Lilly secured a victory in leading her chamber to support her Tobacco 21 bill. The final vote was 82 to 31. He is a long-time supporter of the measure, once joking during a press conference he was tempted to take the role of leader on the issue from Morrison. Thats an encouraging, bipartisan vote that puts us one step closer to finally enacting this important public health protection, he said in a written statement after the Houses vote. This is the fourth time in as many years the initiative was introduced in the General Assembly, where historically it succeeds in the Senate and fails in the House. It made it to former Gov. Bruce Rauners desk in the previous session, but he refused to sign the bill, and only the Senate was able to muster enough votes to overturn his veto. Lilly, her colleagues and advocates tried a different approach this session, moving the Tobacco 21 bill in the House first where, Lilly said, she has more people to deal with. She secured more Republican support than in the previous session, including that of Minority Leader Jim Durkin from Western Springs. During debate Tuesday, he said that while he has been fighting it for most of my career, he was switching his stance in part because of research into the epidemic of smoking. Morrison said she has not spoken to Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady, from Bloomington, about whether he plans to support the measure in that chamber Thursday, but that she believes there will be some Republicans that will vote in favor of Tobacco 21. We had some last time, and Im hoping that grows with this next roll call, she said. Opponents have generally made the same two arguments this session, and are expected to do so during debate on the floor today. The first is that if 18 is old enough to vote for a political representative, serve on a jury, get married or draw up a will, it should be old enough to purchase and smoke a cigarette. Detractors also fault the bill for removing penalties in current law for minors caught with tobacco products. Presently, they face the possibility of taking a smokers education or youth diversion program with their parents for a first offense, and fines or community service for subsequent violations. Morrison said she is looking forward to todays vote. I will be delighted to see it get up on the board and get all the green lights, she said. The legislation is House Bill 345. Reach reporter Rebecca Ranzel at ranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com Description GIS - 14 March, 2019: Mauritius does not feature on the Council of the European Unions blacklist of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. The European Commission has, on 12 March 2019, issued a press release updating its blacklist of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. The overall goal of the European Union (EU) list is to improve tax good governance globally, and to ensure that the EU's international partners respect the same standards as EU Member States do. Mauritius does not feature on the Council of the European Unions blacklist of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. The European Commission has, on 12 March 2019, issued a press release updating its blacklist of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. The overall goal of the European Union (EU) list is to improve tax good governance globally, and to ensure that the EU's international partners respect the same standards as EU Member States do. The blacklist contains 15 jurisdictions namely American Samoa, Guam, Trinidad & Tobago, US Virgin Islands, Barbados, United Arab Emirates, Marshall Islands, Aruba, Belize, Bermuda, Fiji, Oman, Vanuatu and Dominica. This list, established by the European Commission, is part of the EU's work to fight tax evasion and avoidance and aims to create a stronger deterrent for countries that consistently refuse to play fair on tax matters. Consequently, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development released a communique yesterday highlighting the fact that Mauritius does not appear on the EUs blacklist as a result of the prompt commitment taken by the Government in February 2019. Mauritius, among other committed jurisdictions, namely Australia and Morocco, have undertaken to implement necessary measures in line with best international tax standards by the end of 2019. Moreover, the communique from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development states that Mauritius remains committed to uphold its adherence to international norms and best practices and the Mauritian authorities will continue to work closely with stakeholders in ensuring the good repute of the jurisdiction. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Emilianus Yakob Sese Tolo (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 In the 2016-2017 Global Competitiveness Report, Indonesia ranks 60th of 138 countries for infrastructure. One of the factors dragging the country down is poor infrastructure development in eastern Indonesia, which consists of relatively poor territories, namely Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Timor, Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua. The majority of disadvantaged villages in Indonesia, which number around 39,000 or 52 percent of the total, are located in these territories. Therefore, eastern Indonesia has so far only been able to contribute 20 percent to national economic growth. This is why, since the beginning of his term in office in 2014, President Joko Jokowi Widodo promised to build 225 priority infrastructures, especially in eastern Indonesia, such as 1,000 kilometers of roads, 24 piers, 35,000 megawatts of power plant capacity, 33 dams, 29.8 km of bridges, airports and internet networks. 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 Kornelius Purba (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 09:03 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81d5849 1 Opinion #commentary,election,Thai,Indonesia,democracy,military Free On March 24, Thai voters will go to the polls to elect their members of parliament, who will then elect a prime minister. On April 17, Indonesians will also exercise their constitutional right to directly elect their president and vice president, as well as members of the House of Representatives, the Regional Representatives Council and various local councils. Philippine voters flocked to polling stations on Wednesday to vote in the midterm election that capped the first half of President Rodrigo Dutertes six-year term, which will end in June 2022. As the Philippine election will barely impact other members of ASEAN, let us just focus on Thailand and Indonesia. Indonesian voters are much luckier than their Thai counterparts. After the dissolution of the pro-Thaksin Shinawatra party, the Thai Raksa Chart, it is almost certain that the pro-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Palang Pracharat Party, will easily win the election. Prayut, who led the military coup against a democratically elected government in 2014, looks certain to stay on in power. So, is it a real general election? For three decades Indonesia lived under a military regime, which came to an end in 1998. Now Indonesia is the third-largest democracy in the world after India and the United States. The Indonesian Military (TNI) returned to barracks for the sake of restoring civilian supremacy. There have been efforts to tempt the TNI to regain some of its past privileges, but we believe our military will stick to its commitment and the nation will not allow its personnel to betray their oath. The Thai military hopefully will be willing to learn from Indonesias journey in embracing democracy. It will not be easy, but the Thai military has no choice but to adapt itself to global norms. Thailand is a great nation, which has never endured the pain and bitterness of imperialism. King Bhumibol Adulyadej guided the nation to a high level of welfare during his 50-year reign until his death in October 2016. The much admired and beloved king played a crucial role in Thailands amazing progress. There were frequent military coups during his tenure, but the people obediently followed their king and the survival of any junta totally depended on the king. The world might have different opinions about the Thai militarys power at that time, but the nation accepted the situation because they knew they would be very safe under the kings protection. After his death, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun took over as Thai king. Times have changed and the new king is facing different challenges. Thailand has won admiration in the region especially because of its economic development. Its ability to reap huge revenues from agribusiness and tourism and to attract foreign investment for decades has amazed its neighbors. Indonesia, for its part, has won the worlds plaudits for its democratization. On June 7, 1999, Indonesia sprang a surprise by demonstrating its democratic maturity in holding a free and fair, indeed peaceful and festive general election. The nation overwhelmingly proved the international media wrong in their perception of ordinary, uneducated Indonesians as being unready for democracy. It took Indonesia little more than a year, from the day Soeharto stepped down in May 1998, to organize a world-standard election. In 1999, the democratically elected Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) elected the president and vice president. In the following five years Indonesian democracy further advanced. In 2004, for the first time since independence in 1945, Indonesia directly elected its president and vice president. Our electoral system is simpler than that of the US and more democratic than that in many developed countries, including Australia. To be fair, we must salute the TNI for giving up its civilian role and submitting to civilian supremacy after the 1999 election. The military was still represented in the House and the MPR in 1999-2004, but so small in number that it could not play a significant role, unlike during the New Order. Many especially those who did not experience Soehartos military regime could understand the arrest of university lecturer and human rights activist, Robertus Robert, early this month. He has been charged with insulting the TNI because he sang the song which anti-Soeharto demonstrators chanted in 1998 to mock the abusive behavior of soldiers. Speaking to the regular participants of the Kamisan (every Thursday) rally parents or relatives of victims of past military violence outside the Presidential Palace, Robertus lambasted Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Gen. (ret) Luhut Pandjaitans statement on the governments plan to give civilian posts to active members of the TNI. Critics have criticized the plan as a gateway to a revival of the militarys power, although President Joko Jokowi Widodo has said he backs the move to address an oversupply of colonels and generals. The government has pooh-poohed fears about the return of the military to power. You may disapprove of Robertus actions, but his message was a timely alarm. He may soon face trial, but his warning has prompted the TNI to make it very clear that it has no intention of leaving its barracks and clawing its way back to the old dual function practice, where soldiers played both military and civilian roles. Whether the civilian-military relations in Indonesia is appropriate for Thailand remains a question. But the Thai military can learn something from the experience of its Indonesian counterpart. Miri, a three-legged donkey, Gary, a sheep with leg braces, and Omer, a blind goat, munch on some hay at Israel's only animal rescue and educational sanctuary. Founded by animal rights activists Adit Romano, a 52-year-old former business executive, and Meital Ben Ari, 38, who used to work in tech, Freedom Farm serves as a refuge for mostly disabled animals and as an educational center for visitors. "If you want people to open their hearts towards these animals, we have to bring them close," said Romano, stroking two pigs named Yossi and Omri. Most of the nearly 240 animals at the facility were raised for slaughter. Some were donated by farmers who chose to save them. Others, like Miri, who was found lying in a ditch with a broken leg, were abandoned. After Miri's rescue, her leg was amputated. Read also: Sanctuary for prowlers, yowlers Ben Ari said children with special needs particularly enjoy tours of the farm and its 5 acres (2 hectares) of green pastures, stables and a barn in Moshav Olesh, an agricultural community in central Israel. On a visit with her 84-year-old father, Shira Breuer, 56, said: "I'm worried about the future of humanity and this place sounds like a place of hope." The farm's most recent addition is Nir, a five-month-old cow fitted with a prosthetic leg to replace one that was broken and then amputated. Freedom Farm raised money for the artificial limb and medical care through an internet crowd funding campaign. It costs about $1 million a year to run the farm, which relies on contributions and volunteer workers from Israel and abroad, including musicians - who come and play for the animals. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) New York, United States Thu, March 14, 2019 06:08 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81d1146 2 Food Dominique-Ansel,pastry,food,store,Hong-Kong,#food,destination,travel Free Pastry lovers in Hong Kong get ready: French pastry chef Dominique Ansel, king of the Cronut, is coming your way. In a cryptic Instagram message that was actually more of a job posting seeking front of house and back of house staffers, Ansel revealed plans to open a new outpost with franchise operator Upper East Holdings. Though details are scarce, the Instagram post may disappoint some of his fans in Hong Kong, who became acquainted with the New York-based pastry wizard for his infamous donut-croissant pastry mash-up. In all caps, he underscores that the concept is NOT THE CRONUT but will actually offer something entirely different. Read also: Let them eat cake: Pastry school APCA Indonesia opens in South Tangerang The opening in Hong Kong marks his second attempt to open a location in Asia. His Tokyo shop closed last spring. He also has restaurants and shops in Los Angeles and London, along with his flagship boutique in New York. Fellow French compatriot and baker Christophe Michalak who is a celebrity pastry chef in France, also announced plans to open his second bakery in Tokyo, this time inside the Isetan department store. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sabela Ojea (Reuters) Madrid, Spain Thu, March 14, 2019 15:07 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81e9118 2 Entertainment Pedro-Almodovar,film,Spain,antonio-banderas,penelope-cruz,Pain-and-Glory,Cannes-Film-Festival Free Oscar-winning Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar premiered his retrospective drama Pain and Glory in Madrid on Wednesday, reuniting actors Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas, who had risen to Hollywood stardom after starting in his movies. The autobiographical narrative, where Banderas plays Almodovars present-day tormented alter ego, and Cruz his mother at the time of his youth, wraps up a trilogy which includes the 1987 Law of Desire and 2004 Bad Education. The 69-year-old screenwriter and director, whose films often use nonlinear plots and feature gay and transsexual characters, returns to the big screen circuit after a three-year hiatus on March 22, when his 21st movie will be released in Spain. European and US release dates are yet to be confirmed, Almodovar's El Deseo production company told Reuters. "It was a relief, but it is a dangerous thing to play with your own life and turn it into fiction," Almodovar said of making the film while standing on the red carpet before the screening. Banderas, 58, and Cruz, 44, were previously billed together in Almodovar's 2013 eccentric comedy I'm So Excited, which received mixed or average reviews. Read also: Swedish comedy 'The Square' is surprise Cannes winner The elegiac Pain and Glory focuses on various stages in the life of a film director, the relationship with his mother, romances, and the emotional distress of not knowing whether he will be able to keep directing films. "All the actresses I meet in Hollywood ask me what it's like to collaborate with Pedro and what they have to do to work with him, and I always tell them the same thing: learn Spanish," said Cruz, who in 2006 became the first Spanish actress to be nominated for an Oscar in the Best Actress category for her role in Almodovar's 2006 drama Volver. Three years later she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance in the 2008 film Vicky Cristina Barcelona. In the new film, Cruz also sings a Lola Flores piece along with Spanish Grammy award winner Rosalia, known for mixing traditional flamenco with urban music. "I can tell you that it has been very emotional, it's been almost 40 years that we've been doing movies together," said Banderas, for whom Pain and Glory is his 8th collaboration with the filmmaker. Almodovar, who headed the Cannes Film Festival jury in 2017, has won two Oscars - with All About My Mother awarded the best foreign language film in 2000, and for the best original screenplay with Talk to Her in 2003. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Marlowe Hood/with AFP bureaus worldwide (Agence France-Presse) Paris, France Thu, March 14, 2019 14:02 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81e3a10 2 Environment climate,Youth,student,strike,climate-change,Greta-Thunberg Free It began with a solitary, 15-year-old girl camped out in front of Sweden's parliament next to a hand-written sign: "SCHOOL STRIKE FOR CLIMATE". Barely six months later, Friday's youth-led strike -- promising 1,000 actions spread over 100 countries -- could be a "milestone moment" in a grassroots campaign to goad world leaders into confronting the threat of global warming, activists and experts say. "We are only seeing the beginning," tweeted Greta Thunberg, who has since turned 16. "I think that change is on the horizon and the people will stand up for their future." So far, the weekly walk-outs have seen tens of thousands of mostly high school students spill out into the streets in Germany, Belgium, Britain and France, with a smattering of actions in half-a-dozen other countries. But on March 15, classrooms are set to empty in cities across the globe, from Boston to Bogota, Montreal to Melbourne, Dhaka to Durban, Lagos to London. Some local and national leaders have tried to cajole or threaten students, but such efforts have mostly backfired. In Australia, when New South Wales Education Minister Rob Stokes said those ditching classes would be punished, Greta -- as she is known to all -- responded in a tweet: "We hear you, and we don't care. Your statement belongs in a museum." Climate change impacts vary from one region to the next, but teens everywhere confronted with a climate-addled future have decided where to direct their ire. "Dear adults, use your power!", has become an unofficial slogan for the #FridaysForFuture movement. Read also: Swedish student Greta's climate 'school strike' goes global Wakeup call In France, the message scrawled on posters in the street is more pointed: "In 2050 you will be dead, not us." The crescendo of impatience expressed by youth toward their elders is not hard to understand. Despite 30 years of warnings about dire impacts, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions hit record levels in 2017 and again last year. Loading the atmosphere with greenhouse gases at current rates, scientists agree, will eventually lead to an unliveable hothouse planet. The problem, in other words, continues to outstrip efforts to rein it in. "On climate change, we have to acknowledge that we have failed," Greta, an invited speaker, told the global ruling class in Davos in January. The 2015 Paris climate treaty calls for capping global warming at "well below" two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). The planet is currently on track to heat up by at least 4C. In an electro-shock report published in October, the UN's climate science panel (IPCC) said only a wholesale transformation of the global economy and consumer habits could forestall climate catastrophe. "That was definitely a wake-up call for us," said Stephen O'Hanlon, spokesman for the youth-led Sunrise Movement in the United States, where schools strikes and protests are expected in dozens of cities and towns. On Wednesday, mayors of eight major cities -- including Paris, Sydney, Barcelona and Philadelphia -- offered explicit backing of student demands for urgent action, and tacit acceptance of their one-day truancy. "It is an injustice that young people who have contributed the least to climate change will feel the brunt of its effects," said the mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore. Read also: Swedish student leader wins EU pledge to spend billions on climate Tomorrow's voters "We are the last generation to have a realistic chance to prevent a climate catastrophe," said Global Strike for the Future spokesperson Linus Steinmetz. "If adults won't comply with the rules, we won't either." Young people have also sued governments in Europe and the US for failing to adopt policies that protect citizens from stronger storms, heatwaves and flooding that scientists say are already underway. "Change always happens when ordinary people take extraordinary actions -- this is one of those moments," said Nicolas Haeringer, global organiser for 350.org, a grassroots climate NGO founded in 2007. "This next global strike will be a milestone in world history, a moment when adults will learn to follow the lead of children." Experts on social movements were more measured but agreed that the world is seeing something new. "What has impressed me is how qualitatively different the recent upsurge in grassroots activism feels -- not just in volume, but in the radical form it's taking," said Doug McAdams, a professor of sociology at Stanford University who recently wrote a study to explain the lack of climate change activism in the United States. Global warming, he now predicts, will emerge as a key issue in the 2020 presidential and congressional elections. "The fact that this is led by the younger generations changes the political landscape," said Sebastien Treyer, director general of the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations in Paris. "They are tomorrow's voters." Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Jessicha Valentina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 11:34 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81d8d6a 1 Food Good-France,food,#food,French-cuisine Free The annual food festival Gout de France (Good France) is slated to return on March 21. As a global event, Gout de France is held to commemorate French cuisine being included on UNESCOs Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2010. In Indonesia, this years event will be held in six cities, namely Jakarta; Bandung, West Java; Yogyakarta, Surabaya, East Java; Bali and Manado, North Sulawesi, featuring 60 eateries, including Paul Bakery & Patisserie, Blue Terrace at Ayana MidPlaza hotel in Central Jakarta, Pardon My French, Bistro Baron, Emilie and more. French Ambassador to Indonesia Jean-Charles Berthonnet said during a press conference on Tuesday that the number of participants had increased tremendously since 10 restaurants participated in the inaugural event in 2015. In regard to this years theme, Berthonnet said that the event would highlight sustainable gastronomy. The agriculture and food industries are responsible for 30 percent of the worlds greenhouse emissions, said Berthonnet. Read also: Good France returns with more participants, new highlights He added that the growing population meant more people needed to be fed, making sustainable agriculture and food systems even more important. Berthonnet shared that the French government had been particularly active in this issue and had made efforts to address it by developing agroecology tourism and taking ground-breaking measures to curve food waste. In line with the theme, the 2019 Gout de France will also support the No More Plastic Foundation, an organization that aims to foster public awareness about plastic pollution and advocate for alternatives to single use plastics. In addition to promoting sustainable gastronomy, the upcoming event will also highlight Provence, a region in southeastern France. One of the participating eateries, the Lyon restaurant at Mandarin Oriental hotel in Central Jakarta, will serve dishes inspired by the region, such as bouillabaisse, a fish stew originating from Marseille, and daube Provencal, a traditional beef stew from Provence. Atout France ASEAN marketing and event coordinator Winnalia Lim said, Its very exciting for us to feature Provence as the highlighted region in this years Gout de France as Provence is very rich in gastronomy. (wng) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Agence France-Presse) Madrid, Spain Thu, March 14, 2019 12:02 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81dbab4 2 Food Spain,restaurant,health,Michelin,RiFF Free A Michelin-starred restaurant in Spain, which closed last month after a woman died from a suspected case of food poisoning, reopened on Wednesday. German chef Bernd H. Knoller, founder of the RiFF restaurant in the coastal city of Valencia, said health officials had found no reason for it to remain closed. He was "convinced that the restaurant can ensure the utmost safety for its customers", he added. The RiFF closed its doors on February 17 after a 46-year-old woman died from a suspected case of food poisoning, having dined there with her family. The woman's husband and 12-year-old son also fell ill, but recovered, and another 29 who ate at the restaurant in the three days before her death developed mild food poisoning. "The restaurant has passed two health inspections," Knoller wrote on Twitter in Spanish, English and German. "The second, and most recent of the two, was in response to a request from us. "I wanted to be 100 percent certain (though I have realized that no restaurant can absolutely guarantee 100 percent safety)," he wrote. "The health authorities have assured us at all times, since the first inspection, that there is no reason for the restaurant to remain closed." Read also: Woman dies after eating at Michelin-star restaurant in Spain RiFF was opened by Knoller in 2001 and awarded a Michelin star in 2009. It features a 135-euro ($153) tasting menu including black truffle, imperial caviar and lobster. Spanish media reported that the woman and her family had eaten mushrooms at the restaurant which were listed as coming from Spain but that actually came from China. It has been suggested that poisonous mushrooms may have been to blame for the woman's death. Knoller said he had bought the mushrooms from a Spanish supplier he has used for 28 years and "in whom I have always had the utmost confidence". "The mushrooms seemed to be in perfect condition, and at no time did we believe that they could have been from any country other than Spain," he said. "Importing from another country products that can be found in Spain is not part of RiFFs philosophy or policy," he added. A local court is investigating the woman's death, but nobody has been charged. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Thu, March 14, 2019 07:32 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81d1e4c 1 City Depok,jaguar-team,street-crime,Fake Free An online motorcycle taxi driver who has dated 20 women since 2016 by allegedly posing as the chief of the Depok Polices Jaguar Team, a special unit to combat street crime in West Java, was arrested on Tuesday. The real Jaguar Teams chief, First Insp. Winam Agus said, the suspect, identified as Tegar, 21, had allegedly been using the fake title since 2016. "He claimed to be the Jaguar Team chief because of its name. Jaguar sounds cool," Winam said as quoted by kompas.com on Wednesday. A video of Tegars arrest went viral on social media after Winam uploaded it on his Instagram account @winamagus. To convince the victims, Winam said, the suspect dressed in tactical pants and vests, which held folding knives, a gun and his fathers police identity card. Tegar also allegedly asked the women to give him money, ranging from Rp 100,000 (US$7) to Rp 1.5 million. However, none of the victims reported him to the police. They must be too embarrassed, Winam said. (ggq) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Jon Afrizal (The Jakarta Post) Jambi Thu, March 14, 2019 09:33 1002 dcc1aefb9780f102b77c720ee81d649b 1 National human-animal-conflict,Jambi,BKSDA,WWF,Sumatran-elephant Free The last time Usman and other residents of Semerantihan village in Sumay district, Tebo regency, Jambi, had a good nights sleep without worrying that a herd of Sumatran elephants would roam into their residential area was four years ago. Semerantihan village is located within the 508,000-hectare Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem that stretches from Riau to Jambi. The ecosystem is considered to be the last sanctuary for several endangered species, including the Sumatran orangutan, tiger and elephant. Every night, villagers go on patrol around the village to drive away the elephants and prevent them from entering their local plantation. Usman said a herd consisting of at least 30 elephants regularly circled the village. These elephants like to come into our plantation. They eat or stomp on our crops, Usman told The Jakarta Post recently. Even though they are suffering from losses as a result of the damaged crops, Semerantihan villagers can do little to change the situation. The Sumatran elephant was declared an endangered species by both the international community and the Indonesian government. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) included the species on its red list, calling it critically endangered. Meanwhile, the elephant is also included on a list of protected animals in a 2018 Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation on protected flora and fauna. Villagers found killing the endangered elephant can be prosecuted for violating the 1990 law on natural resources and ecosystem conservation. Under the law, villagers can face up to five years imprisonment and Rp 100 million (US$7,005) in fines for killing the mammal. Aware of the consequences of poaching, the village residents have on several occasions tried to scare off the animals by making loud noises. However, their attempts are often fruitless, as the elephants regularly return to the village and local plantation, presumably to find food, leaving the villagers frustrated. Our ancestors have lived here for dozens or even hundreds of years, but we never heard a story about elephants from our parents, Usman said, adding that the residents lacked knowledge on how to drive the elephants away. Udin, a resident of Suo-Suo village located about a two-hour drive from Semerantihan referred to the elephants harmful pests for destroying not only plantations but also a hut belonging to one of the residents. I dont know how, but we have to drive these animals away, Udin said. Wisma Wardhana from the Cakrawala volunteer organization said a thorough examination on where the elephants came from and their numbers and habitat was necessary. Therefore, authorities and residents can decide on proper regulation and treatment in the area, Wisma said. It is common for elephants to enter villages in Sumatra. The rampant conversion of forests and land into plantations is thought to be the main cause of human-elephant conflicts across the country. Data from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Indonesia in 2015 showed that Indonesia had the highest number of human-elephant conflicts in Asia. The conflicts are not only damaging to the [human] community but also threaten the elephants existence, because the solution to such conflicts often tends to harm the elephants, WWF wrote. Jambi Natural Resources Conservation Agency head Rahmat Saleh Simbolon said the agency and the two international institutions had been working for several years to map out the elephants migratory routes. The only way to prevent these animals from expanding their roaming area is to install wire fences, Rahmat said. The agency previously erected a 15-kilometer electrified wire fence and is planning to add another 10 km of fences. The electricity is not harmful to the elephants, other animals and humans due to its low voltage. It will only give a small shock, the agency head said. In addition to adding fences, the agency formed working groups in nearby villages that consists of residents. They have been educated on how to drive the elephants away, Rahmat said, adding that it should also educate villagers on the endangered status of the species. (kuk)